USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Stratford > A history of the old town of Stratford and the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut > Part 57
USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > A history of the old town of Stratford and the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut > Part 57
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" The second pastor, the Rev. Asahel L. Brooks, was installed January 25, 1854, and continued thus a little over two years, he being dismissed March 11, 1856, during which time there was a gain of 37 members. His removal to an- other field of labor was much regretted by the church and society. He died recently at the residence of his son in New Jersey.
" The Rev. Benjamin L. Swan succeeded Mr. Brooks as acting pastor, and his ministry of two and a half years was very acceptable to the church and congregation. He left the church with twenty-nine members more than when he began his labors with it.
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History of Stratford.
" The fourth pastor, the Rev. Alexander R. Thompson, entered upon his labors March I, 1859, and continued here for three years. In the summer of 1860 two mission Sunday schools were established, through the instrumentality of Mr. Thompson, one in East Bridgeport in the old carriage factory on William street, which proved very successful and which, it is believed, resulted finally in the present large Congrega- tional Church of East Bridgeport. The other school was among the colored children in the lower part of the city, formerly called "Liberia." This was successfully sustained some time.
" In the autumn of 1860 the old church was removed to a vacant lot on the opposite side of the street and the founda- tion for the present edifice was laid. Notwithstanding the calamities of the civil war, which soon began, this work went forward and the new church was dedicated January 20, 1862, the sermon being preached by the Rev. R. S. Storrs, D.D., of Brooklyn. Mr. Thompson's able and earnest preaching filled the old and the new house with attentive listeners, and his many labors of love in the church and in the whole commun- ity are still fresh in the recollections of the people.12
" Mr. Thompson was succeeded by the Rev. Francis Lobdell, who was installed in April, 1863, and dismissed February, 1865. During his labors, in February, 1864, the Rev. E. P. Hammond held services with this church and fifty-three members were added. The same year a heavy debt on the church and society was removed by the generous subscriptions received.
" In the spring the Rev. Daniel Lord was invited to become, and in May, 1865, was installed pastor of this church and society. He resigned in April, 1869, to accept the pas- torate of a church in Chicago. He left the church in a pros- perous condition.
" The next pastor, the Rev. Edwin Johnson, was installed in November, 1870. His labors were blessed of God, and many were added to the church. He resigned his charge in
12 Some special account of a number of men who went from this church in the civil war will be found in the war record of Bridgeport.
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November, 1876, after a faithful and successful ministry of six years.
"The present pastor, the Rev. R. G. S. McNeille, was installed December 4, 1877, the Rev. Dr. Noble, of New Haven, preaching the sermon. The following summer our pastor was absent about four months on a tour in Europe, and on his return gave two courses of very interesting lectures on Northern Italy, the proceeds being for the ladies' sewing society."
In the summer of 1879 this church edifice was repaired, with considerable alterations and adornments, at a cost of over seven thousand dollars. Alterations and improvements, also, in the chapel were made at the expense and under the direction of the ladies of the church, at a cost of over three thousand dollars.
The present pastor of the church is the Rev. R. G. S. McNeille, and the following have been or are deacons : Wil- liam DeForest, chosen in 1830, died in 1853 ; Stephen Haw- ley, chosen in 1830, resigned in 1842; Josiah B. Baldwin, chosen in 1830, resigned in 1841: Sherwood Sterling, chosen in 1833, died in 1869; Harvey Higby, chosen in 1841, died May 29, 1875 ; George Sterling, chosen in 1847, died Septem- ber 8, 1871 ; Thomas Lord, chosen in 1867, resigned November 4, 1870; Edward Sterling, chosen in 1867 ; Edward W. Marsh, chosen in 1867; William E. Brown, chosen in 1867, died November 15, 1873; Joel Blakeslee, chosen -; Thomas Calef, chosen November 5, 1875; Leonard Wood, chosen February 28, 1883, died February 6, 1886. Superintendent of the Sunday school, Edward W. Marsh ; assistant superin- tendents, A. H. Warner, Miss Sarah L. Baldwin.
The First Presbyterian Church of Bridgeport was constituted October 16, 1853, at which time eighty-two per- sons, who had previously obtained letters of dismissal from the Second Congregational Church, entered into covenant and resolved to connect themselves with the Presbytery of New York. Dr. Hewit, who had received, at his request, letters of dismissal from the consociation, was admitted to the Presbytery of New York, October 19, 1853, and the Presby-
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tery met at Bridgeport the same month-October 31-and took the church under its care, and installed Dr. Hewit its pastor. In 1860 this church was transferred to the Presbytery of Connecticut, and in 1870 to the Presbytery of Westchester, to which it still belongs. The services of installation were held in the Second Congregational Church edifice. At the instal- lation of the pastor the following persons were ordained and installed ruling elders: Stephen Hawley, Thomas Hawley, John Brooks, Henry M. Hine and Stiles M. Middlebrook.
On February I the chapel on Myrtle avenue was dedi- cated, having cost about three thousand dollars. The church adjoining, on the corner of Myrtle avenue and West Liberty street, was dedicated August 8, 1855, and cost $28,000. The lot on which the church and chapel stood was the gift of Capt. John Brooks and Capt. Burr Knapp.
From this time Dr. Hewit labored, as usual, with much success until failing strength made it necessary that he should have a colleague, and hence the Rev. H. G. Hinsdale, from Germantown, Pa., and formerly of New York City, was installed pastor October 28, 1862. Upon this, or soon after, Dr. Hewit insisted on being relieved from any responsibility in the pulpit except by invitation.
Nathaniel Hewit, D.D., was born in New London, Ct., August 28, 1788, and graduated at Yale College in 1808, licensed to preach September 24, 1811, and afterwards studied theology at Andover. He was installed, in his first charge, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Plattsburgh, N. Y., July 5, 1815. The severity of the climate necessitated his resigna- tion, and he was dismissed October 2, 1817, and on the 14th of the next January was installed pastor of the Congregational Church at Fairfield, Conn., where he labored ten years with much success. He was a strong advocate of temperance, and in 1827 was engaged in the service of the American Temper- ance Society, and lectured in the principal cities of Connecti- cut, Rhode Island, New York and Pennsylvania, and organized many temperance societies. After great success as a temper- ance lecturer and organizer three years, he was installed on December 1, 1830, pastor of the Second Congregational
Nath ? Hewit
Bridgeport. 649
Church of Bridgeport. He sailed for London, where he arrived . June 28, 1831, and delivered an address in Exeter Hall the next evening, and on the 19th of July assisted in the formation of the British and Foreign Temperance Society. He visited Paris and afterwards delivered addresses in Lon- don, Birmingham and Liverpool. In the autumn of the same year he returned to Bridgeport and assumed his pastoral duties and continued for more than twenty years to serve successfully this church, his fame and influence as a theolo- gian augmenting with every year's labor.
In 1853 a division arose in his congregation in regard to procuring him an associate. A large number withdrew and formed the First Presbyterian Church, to which they called their " old, revered, and beloved pastor, whose ministrations they could not consent to forego." He was dismissed from his former charge September 21, and October 31 was installed over the latter, where " he continued to preach the Word and feed the flock of God" till nearly fourscore years of age.
Dr. Hewit was twice married. His first wife, Miss Rebecca Hillhouse, of New Haven, died January 4, 1831. His second wife, Miss Susan Eliot, of Fairfield, died May I, 1857.
In the fall of 1858, having arrived at the age of seventy years, he tendered his resignation, which his people refused to accept. Four years later, April 1, 1862, he released his salary to the congregation, and in August of the same year Rev. Horace G. Hinsdale was called as associate pastor. To this colleague and successor he cordially handed over his charge, preaching occasionally, until on Sabbath morning, February 3, 1867, he "fell asleep."
Of the three children who survived him, one, Henry S. Hewit, M.D., late surgeon of the Army of the Cumberland, has since died ; another son, Rev. Augustus F. Hewit, is one of the Paulist Fathers of New York; the other, Sarah, the widow of the late William S. Bowen, M.D., surgeon U. S. N., resides in New Haven.
A marble tablet to his memory, which was destroyed when the church edifice was barned in 1874, has been replaced in the new sanctuary by a handsome memorial baptismal font
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of carved stone, the gift of the children of the Sunday school. To a memorial discourse delivered on the occasion of his funeral, February 6, 1867, by Rev. Lyman H. Atwater, D.D., of Princeton, N. J., we are indebted for much of the foregoing sketch. Of him it may be well said,-
" He being dead yet speaketh."12
In the autumn of 1872 an organ was placed in the church at an expense of nearly $5,000.
In 1873 the chapel was taken down and a new one, cost- ing $11,000, was erected, and the work of enlarging the church organ, already one of the finest in New England, and putting a new roof on the church, amounting to about $6,000, was also accomplished.
These and other improvements were not quite completed when, on Wednesday evening, December 9, 1874, both church and chapel, with all their contents, were destroyed by fire, probably occasioned by the careless use of candles by a work- man. The burning steeple, 227 feet in height, was a brilliant spectacle. The loss upon the buildings and their contents amounted to $70,000, the insurance being $35,000. Resolu- tions of condolence and tenders of the use of their several edifices were made by most of the other churches in Bridge- port, but the church preferred to occupy the opera house, corner of State and Main streets, for a season. Owing to the liberality of Capt. Brooks and other members of the society, rebuilding was promptly commenced. The old site was sold and the present one on the corner of State street and Myrtle avenue was purchased, and the work commenced April 28, 1875, and on the 12th of October, 1876, the new church was dedicated, it having cost, including chapel, organ and furni- ture, about $94,000. With the new and advantageous facili- ties the people were encouraged and the work of the church prospered.
In October, 1877, Mr. Hinsdale was dismissed by the Presbytery to accept a call to the pastorate of the Presbyte- rian Church at Princeton, N. J. He was succeeded February 14, 1878, by the Rev. H. A. Davenport, who is at present a
12 From a historical sermon by the Rev. Horace G. Hinsdale.
John Brooks
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Bridgeport.
Capt. John Brooks, son of John Brooks, Senior, died at his residence 263 Main Street in Bridgeport, at eight o'clock A. M., December 7, 1881, at the advanced age of eighty-six years, having been a prominent figure in the com- munity over seventy years. His father, also a prominent man of his time, died January 17, 1862, at the great age of ninety seven years, so that the son was known as John Brooks, Jr., until he himself was a veteran in years as well as experience. He was born in East Bridgeport, the son of Capt. John and Mary Coe Brooks, September 18, 1795, at which time there were but ten houses on the east side of the harbor. For his education he received the advantages of the dis- trict school and of the Stratford Academy, of which the distinguished David Plant, afterward Lieutenant-Governor, was preceptor. At the age of fifteen years he went to New York to live with John Vanderbilt, and the next year, 1811, entered the store of Gershom Smith, grocer, in Peck Slip, as clerk, but soon found he had mistaken his calling, and on the breaking out of the war of 1812, came home. His father being a seafaring man, he early imbibed a fondness for the water and acquired skill as a boatman. That he was a born leader is evident from the fact that at the early age of eighteen years he was given charge of a vessel, as well as from his subsequent history, which was that of a popular and successful steamboat commander. His life career is outlined as follows : He first sailed the sloop "Arab " in 1813, from Bridgeport to New York, the sloop " Intrepid " in 1814, the sloop "Patriot " in 1815, the sloop "Mary Ann" in 1816. On October 14, 1817, he married Mary, daughter of Zalmon Hawley, who survived him, and in the same year entered into a co-partnership with Isaac Sherman, Esq., occupying a store on Water Street, Mr. Sherman attending the store and Capt. Brooks sailing the sloop "Mary Ann" as a regular packet to and from New York until 1822. Esquire Sherman, in his reminiscences, speaks in warm terms of his agreeable relations with Capt. Brooks, and of his many acts of kindness to himself and family.
In 1824, he took charge of the steamboat "John Marshall," plying between New York and Norwalk, Bridgeport passengers being taken to Norwalk by stage. The next year he was transfered to the steamer "United States," running between New Haven and New York, and soon after to the "S. B. Hudson," a fine boat built by Montgomery Livingston, and run on the same route.
In 1826 and 1827 he commanded the steamer " Franklin " and the "Governor Wolcott," on the Hudson river. At this period he made the acquaintance of Capt. Cornelius Vanderbilt, which ripened into a warm and life-long friendship, and contributed largely to his prosperity. An incident connected with their busi- ness relations is worthy of special notice. While Capt. Brooks was running one of Cornelius Vanderbilt's boats, Mr. Vanderbilt made arrangements for and insisted on Sunday trips. Capt. Brooks at once resigned his position. This occurred when he was a young man, dependent entirely upon his own labor for livelihood. From his knowledge of Mr. Vanderbilt's character, he had no doubt that all business relations between them were at an end, but he was true to his religious principles and convictions of duty at whatever cost, and certainly the cost did seem great. After a short interval, however, Mr. Vanderbilt invited him to return to his service, with total exemption from Sunday duty, with advanced position and better pay than before, which is an instance where sturdy adherence to the right was openly rewarded ; and that too by a man who then made no pre- tentions to a religious character.
Subsequently, Capt. Brooks commanded the " Emerald," running between New York and Norwalk, the " Bellona " and " Thistle," to New Brunswick, N. J.
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History of Stratford.
and the "Ansonia" and "Nimrod," to Norwalk, Bridgeport and Birmingham. The "Nimrod " was sold in 1864, during the war, for transportation purposes, and this closed his long career upon the water.
Capt. Brooks was appreciated by his fellow citizens in civil life, as is evident from the offices to which he was elected by their suffrages. The first office held by him under the city government was membership on the Board of Relief, to which he was successively elected in 1851, '52 and '53. On October 20, 1857, he was elected Mayor of the City, to fill a vacancy. On the 7th of October, 1864, he was again elected Mayor. He was elected Alderman April 2, 1866, and appointed by the Common Council Superintendent of Docks and Wharves, May 7, 1866. Polit_ ically, he was a decided republican from the organization of that party. Previous to that he acted with the Whig party. He naturally took great interest in Bridge- port harbor, watched its currents and the changes they wrought. In 1830-33 there was but five feet of water at low tide on the outer bar, and the larger vessels had to be lighted to get in and out. The steamers were compelled often to wait for the rising tide. He petitioned Congress, which resulted in an appropriation, and the channel was deepened, but the "ditch " was narrow and needed a light. Another successful petition was promoted by him, and a temporary light was provided, and afterwards the present substantial light-house was built. His observations suggested the breakwater and that was constructed, and he was also largely influential in the location and construction of the lighthouse on Penfield Reef, all most necessary and useful improvements.
Capt. Brooks and his wife, Maria Brooks, united with the First Congrega- tional Church, October 7, 1821. At the division of the church in 1830, they were of the number who were dismissed to form the Second or South Church. Here he was the faithful ally and helper of that great and good man, Nathaniel Hewit, D.D. At that period Dr. Hewit was opposed to the employment of the organ in church music, but did not object to Capt. Brooks' violin nor even a second one. The South Church choir was famous for number, volume and drill. For quite a period Capt. Brooks brought up from New York the celebrated professor, Thomas Hastings, to instruct this choir. At the organization of the First Presbyterian Church, October 31, 1853, under the leadership of Dr. Hewit, he was ordained a ruling elder and was active in all church work, living the life of a faithful Chris- tian man. The growth and prosperity of this church have been largely due to his large financial contributions. He, with the late Capt. Burr Knapp, gave the land on the corner of Myrtle Avenue and West Liberty Street, on which the first house of worship was erected, and when that building was destroyed by fire, December 9, 1874, he, although sick at the time, said the same evening : "We shall begin to rebuild before the bricks are cold." The present beautiful edifice was largely due to his efforts. He headed the subscription with a handsome sum, and when a few years later an effort was made to pay a debt of about $30,000, he subscribed more than one-third of the whole sum, and the entire amount was secured in less than a week. His characteristic Christian benevolence was wont to find an outlet through the church, but many citizens, not church members, in the humbler walks of life, can testify to his large-hearted, open-handed assistance in times of need.
He had no children, and after providing in his will for sundry bequests and legacies to relatives and friends, he left the balance of his estate to be forever appropriated to Christian and benevolent uses. His aged widow survived him about four years and was then gently called to join him in the spirit world. She also left all her estate for religious and benevolent uses.
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successful pastor of the church. The late Mrs. Mary Bishop was one of the most liberal benefactors of this church, having subscribed largely to build it and also to cancel the debt incurred in its erection.
Ruling Elders in the First Presbyterian Church :
Stephen Hawley, ordained October 31, 1853, died November 4, 1861.
Thomas Hawley, ordained October 31, 1853, dismissed Octo- ber 26, 1861.
John Brooks, ordained October 31, 1853, died December 7, 1881.
Stiles M. Middlebrook, ordained October 31, 1853, dismissed February 10, 1878.
Henry M. Hine, ordained October 31, 1853, dismissed in June, 1879.
Egbert Marsh, elected in April, 1860, dismissed February 10, 1878.
David F. Hollister, elected in April, 1860.
Alexander Wheeler, elected December, 1878.
Alexander Lane, elected December, 1878.
Richard H. Townsend, elected December, 1878.
Rev. Henry Adolphus Davenport is a native of Stamford, Conn., and descended in a direct line from the first minister at New Haven. He was educated at Williston Seminary, Amherst College, Mass., and the Union Theolog- ical Seminary of New York City, a part of which time he was engaged in teaching. He was ordained in June, 1873, and preached four and a half years in a chapel of the Fifth Avenue Reformed Church of New York City. He was installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Bridgeport February 14, 1878, and is serving this parish at present, as also heretofore, with much credit and faithfulness. The membership of this church numbers 300, and the Sunday school 350.
The German Reformed Church was organized Octo- ber 1, 1860, the Rev. Andrew Schroeder being pastor from 1860 to 1864. In 1868 the church was reorganized, having
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History of Stratford.
for their pastor the Rev. Caspar Brunner, who still continues in that office with good success. In the same year the society purchased the Polanna Chapel, standing on State street, nearly opposite Myrtle avenue, which they occupied until the beginning of the year 1883, when they sold this property, purchased another site on Congress street near Main, running through to Chapel street, and built upon it a church edifice and parsonage, both of brick, at an expense of about $20,000. The membership numbers about 150, having made good pro- gress during the short time since their organization.
Christ Church (Episcopal) .- The call for the first meeting of " persons interested in the formation of a new parish in this city," was read by the rector of St. John's Church August 3, 1850, and a meeting of such persons was appointed for Tuesday evening, August 6, at the vestry room of St. John's Church. A meeting was holden at that time and place, at which Charles Bostwick presided and John S. Smith was secretary. At a meeting holden August 13, 1850, a resolution was passed "that a Parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church be formed," and the name "Parish of Christ Church" was formally adopted. On August 16, 1850, the parish organized by the election of the following officers : Senior Warden, Charles Bostwick; Junior Warden, Russell Tomlinson ; Vestry, Charles B. Ferguson, Chauncey M. Hatch, Charles M. Booth, Samuel Stratton, Aaron T. Beardsley, Philip B. Segee; Treasurer, Henry Shelton; Clerk, John S. Smith.
The first rector was the Rev. J. Howard Smith, who was called November 7, 1850, and who was rector till April, 1854. During this time the land was bought for the present church on Courtland street, the corner stone of which was laid on Good Friday, April 9, 1852. The building committee were Stephen Tomlinson, S. B. Fergurson, and Aaron T. Beardsley. The church edifice was completed in 1853, and was consecra- ted by Bishop Thomas Church Brownell, on the 21st day of April of that year. It is built of brown stone, and cost about $32,000.
The rectors succeeding Mr. Smith have been as follows :
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Bridgeport.
the Rev. William Preston, 1854-1856; Rev. George E. Thrall, 1856-1859; Rev. L. W. Bancroft, 1860-1861 ; Rev. Henry M. Stewart, 1861-1863 ; Rev. John Falkner Blake-subsequently John Blake Falkner, 1863-1870; Rev. John J. Harrison, April 12, 1870-November 28, 1870; Rev. N. L. Briggs, 1871-1875 ; Rev. Dr. H. N. Powers, 1875-1885 ; Rev. Beverly E. Warner, 1885, present incumbent. During its existence the following have at different times been Wardens of the church : Charles Bostwick,* S. B. Fergurson,* Russell Tomlinson,* P. H. Skidmore, S. S. Clapp,* Clapp Spooner, L. W. Clark, Daniel Hatch,* George C. Waldo, William H. Noble, George Mun- ger. Those marked with an asterisk are deceased. The Parish Clerks have been : John S. Smith, R. T. Clark, Robert C. Booth, John S. Beers (eight years), J. B. Hay, M. H. Tom- linson, Edwin Hurd, D. W. Kissam, L. M. Segee (five years), S. R. Tomlinson, Charles W. McCord. The church chapel, in the rear of the church, was erected in 1867 at a cost of about nine thousand dollars. During the rectorship of the Rev. M. Briggs the brick block on Courtland street opposite the church, and in which was the residence of the rector, was burned, and many of the parish records and papers were lost. Among these was the roll of the parish, containing upwards of three hundred families. At the parish meeting for 1885-6, held on April 9, the following officers were elected : Senior Warden, John McCord (Mr. McCord subsequently declined and William H. Noble was chosen in his place) ; Junior War- den, George Munger; Vestry, L. W. Clark, George C. Waldo, S. F. Raymond, H. H. Pyle, Clapp Spooner, F. M. Wilson, C. B. Hotchkiss, L. N. Van Keuren, A. B. Beers, John McCord, C. F. Wood, S. B. Beardsley, George Richardson, P. B. Segee, S. W. Ely, R. T. Whiting, S. S. Jarvis, A. J. Cable, John North, C. W. McCord, Blaise Soules, C. S. Lup- ton, C. R. Brothwell, A. H. Doolittle, John M. Wheeler, H. C. Fairchild ; Treasurer, L. N. Van Keuren ; Clerk, Charles W. McCord.
It will be seen that but one of these gentlemen, P. B. Segee, was a member of the original vestry at the founding of the parish. The church, in point of ecclesiastical polity, might be called a low, broad church, and its membership has
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