USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Southport > Annals of an old parish : historical sketches of Trinity Church, Southport, Connecticut, 1725 to 1848 > Part 17
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257
APPENDIX I.
APPENDIX I.
A LIST OF THE CONFIRMED.
September 22nd, 1785. Stratfield.
Josiah Smith, Sen.,
Amos Beardsley,
Josiah Smith, Jr.,
Samuel Whelar,
Elijah Burritt,
William Peet,
Polly Burritt,
Hepsebah Burr, Sen.,
Lucy Shelton,
Elijah Burr, John Burr,
Ezra Kirtland, Sen.,
Huldah Burr,
Olive Kirtland,
Comfort Burr,
Ezra Kirtland, Jr.,
Hepsebah Burr, Jr.,
Sarah Kirtland,
Ozias Burr,
Zebulon Kirtland,
Sarah Burr, Sen.,
Elizabeth Kirtland,
Rebecca Burr,
Widow Clayford,
Charity Burr,
Sarah Hoyt Sen.,
Mrs. Anna Chauncey,
Hannah Hoyt,
Mrs. Squire,
Capt. Thomas Holbertson,
Jesse Brown, and his wife, Hannah Brown,
Tabatha Wakely,
Jonathan Baker, and his wife, Sarah Forgue,
Nehemiah Allen, and wife, Hannah Allen, Sen.,
Mrs. Whitier,
Reuben Bears, and wife,
Hannah Allen, Jr.,
Hezekiah Wheeler, Lucy Whelar,
Wilson Whelar,
Nathaniel Perry, and wife, Eunice, John Perry, Joshua Jinnings,
Huldah Vandyke,
258
APPENDIX I.
Hezekiah Bulkley, Stephen Adams, Lemuel Bangs, and wife, Widow Lacey, Widow Cable, James Knapp, and wife,
Comfort Strong,
Charity Cable, Anna Cable, Samuel Cable,
David Sherwood, Anna Sherwood,
September 16th, 1789. Ezra Winton,
Hezekiah Meeker, Anna Meeker,
Samuel Edwards,
Jean Edwards,
Rebecca Whelar,
Naomi Grey,
Jonathan Smith,
John Holbertson,
Sarah Smith,
Amos Burr,
David Sherwood, Jr.
October 15th, 1791. Jerusha Booth,
Jemimah Peet,
Hannah Burritt,
Sarah Booth,
Comfort Burritt,
Comfort Smith, Ozias Burr, Jr.,
Ransom Clarke, his wife, nephew, and niece, Sarah Bangs,
Smith,
James Allen,
Grey,
Justus Allen,
Grey.
Adra Allen,
October 21st. 1798. Lucy Shelton, Joseph P. Shelton,
David Burr, George Nichols,
Leamon Sherwood, Lucy Sherwood, Samuel Brinsmaid, Peninah Brinsmaid, Dr. William Little, The wife of Dr. Quinlan, James French, and wife, Ruel Grey, Robert Dascomb, Anna Nichols, The wife of Michael Sealy, John Beardsley.
Justus Burr, Charles Nichols,
Daniel Burritt, Anna Burritt,
Joseph Booth,
259
APPENDIX I.
Elizabeth Hoyt, Hetty L. Clark, Phebe Burritt,
Ann Baker.
Ellice Lynus, Mary Lynus, Lucy Beach,
Isaac Sealey, and his wife, Sarah, Peninah Seeley,
Anna Kirtland, Charity Hinman, Lucy Sanford,
Polly Seeley, Eliza Hull,
Sarah Hull,
Sally Sylick, Huldah Dascomb.
Susannah Allen, October 18th, 1798. At Fairfield.
Isaac Marquand, and his wife, Mable,
Lovel Bulkley, and his brother Peter,
Betsey Albert,
Polly Bulkley,
Sally Trubee,
Sally Burroughs, Hill Meeker, Clarry Meeker,
David Trubee, David Jinnings,
William Pike, and his wife,
Ephriam Robbins,
Aaron Beers,
Widow Robertson, A sister of Reuben Bears.
May 29th, 1803. At Bridgeport.
Sally Whetmore, Maria Shelton, Sally Burr, Phebe Lewis,
Maria Peet, Lydia Kirtland,
Sally Kirtland,
Polly Roberts,
Elizabeth Smith,
Sarah Fairchild,
Catherine Peet,
Polly Burr,
Sally Mason.
Maria Burroughs, August 5th, 1804. At Fairfield.
Josiah Bulkley, Francis Bulkley,
Esther Bulkley, Lucy Hinman,
Seth Sturges, Jr., and his wife,
Widow Bulkley, and her daughter, Sally Bulkley, Jane Bulkley, Rachel Bulkley, William Bulkley,
260
APPENDIX I.
Susannah Smith,
Rebecca Sturges, Betsey Whitney,
Priscilla Beers,
Ruth Bulkley,
Abigail Bears,
Eunice Sturges, Polly Pikes.
September 29th. At Weston.
Robert Downs, and his wife, Gilbert, Reading,
Dr. - Beard, Reading, Anna Burr.
August 30th, 1808. Fairfield. Persons confirmed by Bishop Jarvis.
Samuel Sturges, and wife.
Sturges Nichols,
The wife of Joseph Perry, and son,
Wife of Alexander Nichols,
John Patchen,
William Wheeler,
The wife of James Redfield,
Joseph and Samuel Perry, Betsey and Anna Beers, daughters of Joseph Beers, Abel and Polly Beers,
Charlotte Bulkley,
Wife of Benjamin Darrow,
Wife of Thomas Smith,
Nathan Beers,
Maria Sturges,
William and sister, Mathea Bulkley, Widow Bangs,
Betsey Sprague,
Daughter of Elnathan Smith, Mary Sturges,
Charlotte Pike,
Walter Sherwood, and wife,
Moses Jinnings,
Joseph Banks, and wife, Reuben Sherwood Jr.,
Jeremiah Sturges,
Abby Sherwood,
Anna Redfield, Mary Sturges,
Hull Sherwood,
The wife of Joseph Perry,
John Robertson,
Benjamin Sherwood, and wife, Morehouse Bulkley, and wife, and daughter Eunice, Samuel Bears. Bridgeport, September 18th, 1807. Philo N. Shelton, Ann Sherwood, Henrietta Shelton, Charles Sherwood,
Polly Bears,
Nabby Robertson, Eunice Robertson, Abby Hall,
Samuel Nichols,
261
APPENDIX I.
Elizabeth Burr, Vinea Wheeler, Edmund Darrow,
David Curtis, Lucy Bradley, Nehemiah Allen,
Richard Hyde,
Samuel Brinsmaid Allen, James Allen,
Harriot Hinman, Amelia Dickerson,
Ruth Parrott,
Ann Lynus,
Phebe Wing,
Nathaniel Lynus,
Ann Maria Allen,
Lucy Mallory,
Maria Bears,
Sally Hoyt,
Esther Bliss,
Margaret Young,
Wife of William Robertson.
November 17th, 1811. Juila Wheeler, wife of Samuel Wheeler,
Mrs. Mallory,
Polly Goodsel,
Eliza and Temperance Wheeler,
Henry Shelton,
Lydia Porter,
Eunice Young, Sally Parrott.
September 22nd, 1809. Weston. Confirmed this day by the Right Rev. Bishop Jarvis, the following persons :
The wife of Gould Bradley,
Joseph Winton,
Samuel Wakeman, Esther Wakeman, Gould Nichols,
Charles Winton,
Sarah Winton,
Dr. Uriah Parrock,
Robert Mills,
Nathan Jackson,
Mrs. Jane Oakley,
Turney Foot,
Widow Robertson,
Ruamia Nichols,
Lyman Wakeman, Esther Oysterbanks.
August 12th, 1817. Fairfield. Persons confirmed by the Right Rev. Bishop Hobart : Thankful Sturges, Eunice Beers,
Ellen Sherwood,
Paulina Beers,
Priscilla Robbins,
Eunice Bulkley,
Harriot Kirtland,
Emmy Bears,
Rachel Maltbee,
262
APPENDIX I.
Elizabeth Hubble, Stephen Osbourn, Jr.,
Julia Pike, Sally Darrow,
Abel Ogden, and wife, Betsey, Mehitable Beers,
Louisa Robertson,
Sturges Ogden, Parmela Robbins,
Eliza Bangs, Polly Bulkley,
Charity Lockwood,
Chasideck Kinner,
Lydia Wood, Minerva Peet,
Morris Sturges,
Mrs. Nathaniel Jinnings,
Mrs. Sheffield,
Jones,
Noah Pike,
Lyman.
Bridgeport, November 17th, 1811.
Mary Hoyt,
Sophia Hoyt, Sarah Nichols, wife of
George Peet, Charles N.,
Isaac and Rebecca Burroughs, Maria Nichols,
Polly, wife of Jonah Prindle, Clarissa Lynus.
Harvey Page, and his wife,
February 18th, 1816, in Bridgeport.
Jonathan Mallory,
Sally Hinman,
Caroline Burr,
Sally Burr,
Lois Burr,
Wheeler Sherman,
Philo Burr,
Maria Sherman,
Jesse Scovil,
James Weeks,
Laura Sherwood,
Phebe Weeks,
William Patch,
Matilda Wheeler,
Betsey Smith, Mrs. Blake,
Lieut Munson Hitchcock,
James Beers,
Capt. David Mynott,
William Sherwood,
James Mynott,
Henry Peet,
Isaac Hinman,
Julia Ann Wheeler,
Hannah Hinman,
Curtis Blakeman,
Mrs. Moses Jinnings,
Albert Lockwood,
Nan. Persons,
Priscilla Hoyt,
263
APPENDIX I.
Lavinia Blakeman, Laura Hubble, Parmela Hubble, Esther Woolsey,
Mrs. Clark, Prudence Goodsel, Hannah Allen, Edria Burr,
Allen Parrott,
Mrs. Keeler.
Mary Ann Parrott, Priscilla Hinman,
Maria French,
Charles Foot, Philips P. Porter,
Sally McLane,
Calden Clarke,
Polly French,
Alonzo Cable,
Harriot French.
Rossel Cable,
December 5th, 1819. Bridgeport. Confirmed by the Right Rev. Bishop Brownell.
Margaret Shelton,
John Burr,
Wife of Capt. L. Hitchcock, Shelden Smith, and his wife, George Smith, and wife Betsey, Susannah Servil,
Mrs. Sample,
Sophia Crittenton,
Bradley Middlebrook,
Mrs. Gorum,
Mary Middlebrook,
Philip Cannon,
Maria Washbourn,
David Minott,
Henry Allen, Minerva Booth,
David Roberts,
Mrs. Samuel Stratten,
Benjamin Brooks,
Harriot Brooks,
Daniel Clifford, Mrs. George Cook.
Betsey Porter,
September 28th, 1820. Fairfield Church. Persons con- firmed by Bishop Brownell. Matilda Jarvis,
Almira Beers,
Mary Osbourn, Mary Smith, Catherine Bulkley,
Abigail Jane Ogden, Abigail Jane Mills,
Harriot Hubble,
Rebecca Burr,
Sally Sherwood, Mr. Sample,
Catherine Middlebrook,
John French,
264
APPENDIX I.
Sally Ann Jennings, Sarah Ann Robertson, Hetty Jane Osborn, Julia Ann Meeker, Catherine Kennedy, Priscilla Bulkley,
June 29th, 1823.
Azor Osbourn,
Joel Burr Bulkley, Oren Nichols,
Morris Sturges,
Samuel Sturges, Jr.,
Benjamin Sherwood, Jr.,
Judson Nichols,
Frederick Burr, Susan Nichols,
Elizabeth Bulkley,
Eliza Osbourn, Ellen Williams,
Julian Meeker, Sally Bears.
July 7th, 1824.
Stephen Beers, and his wife,
Mrs. Francis Bulkley,
Mary Perry Beers.
May 21st, 1821. Confirmed by Bishop Brownell, Bridge- port Church.
Ebenezer Allen,
Elizabeth F. Seeley,
Olive Kirtland,
Eliza Booth,
Cornelia Clark,
Ruth Peabody,
April 28th, 1822.
John Chatterton, Bathsheb Holbertson, Elliot Morris.
William B. Thomas, and his wife, William Peabody, William Peabody, Jr.,
Mrs. Cloey Bulkley, Mrs. Sally Beers, Samuel Hubble, George Augustus Shelton,
Charles Downs, Alanson Osborn.
Capt. David Sturges, and his daughter,
Lucy Peabody,
Emeline Sherman, Matilda Hubble,
Eliza Humphrey.
Maria Peabody, Susan Fairweather, Miranda Booth, Taylor Nichols, Sarah Piersons, Emeline Clifford, Mary Burritt.
265
APPENDIX I.
October 16th, 1785.
Ezra Kirtland Sen.,
Tabatha Wakely,
Ozias and Sarah Burr,
Sarah Hoyt, Sen.,
Hannah Hoyt,
Nehemiah Allen, and wife,
Lucy Shelton, Sen., Elijah Burritt, Louisa Edwards,
Ann Sherwood, Samuel Brinsmaid, and wife, Peninah, William Little Dart,
John Beardsley,
Widow Cable, The wife of James Knapp,
Lucy Sherwood, Wife of Captain Barlow.
1786. Richard Nichols, William Peet,
Paulina Burritt.
1787.
The wife of Thomas Quinlan.
1788.
Dr. Thomas Quinlan.
October, 1789. Charles Nichols,
Daniel Burritt,
November.
Amos Burr, Abby Burr,
Justus Burr.
February, 1790. Comfort Strong, April 4th. Philemon Sherwood,
Jemimah Peet.
Hepsabeth Burr, widow.
1792.
Hepsabeth Sherwood, 1794. Lucy Smith, Robert Dascomb and wife, Charity Hinman,
Jane Edwards.
Edra Allen, Sarah Whetmore, George Nichols.
266
APPENDIX I.
1800.
Lucy Shelton.
1806.
Joseph T. Shelton, 1807.
Maria Shelton.
Hannah Allen,
Isaac Hinman,
Amy Beers,
Lucy Hinman, now Hyde,
Betsey Kirtland,
Eunice Young,
Ruth Parrott,
Margaret Young,
Hannah Cannon,
Catherine Nichols,
Sally Burr,
Comfort Burritt,
Betsey Burr,
Ozias Burr, Jr.,
Sarah Burritt, Abby Burr.
In Fairfield.
Stephen Adams,
Sarah Forgue, Jonathan Bulkley, dead, Mrs. Whitier,
Widow Redfield, Mrs. Bears,
Daniel Meeker, and wife,
Peter Bulkley, and wife,
Joshua Jinnings, and wife, Widow Wheelar,
Mrs. Squire,
Mrs. Chancy,
Mrs. Bulkley, widow,
July 18th, 1879. Daniel Whelar,
Robert Scudder.
September 5th.
The wife of Robert Scudder.
September 26th.
Abigail Spaldwin, dead.
Andrew Bulkley's wife, Hezekiah Bulkley,
Ruben Bears,
Eunice Perry,
Abigail Sturges, now Nichols,
Nathaniel Perry's wife, dead, Widow Barlow,
The wife of Ezra Whelar,
Mrs. Spald win,
Hezekiah Bulkley, Jr.,
Wife of David Oysterbanks, Ruel Thorp, and wife.
267
APPENDIX I.
October 29th, 1790.
Peter Whitney, and wife, Widow Bulkley, at Mill River.
November, 1791.
John Perry, and his wife, Lois, moved away.
March 4th, 1792.
The wife of Elnathan Smith.
September, 1793.
The wife of Daniel Whelar, Eliphalet Hill,
Platt Bennett, and his wife, moved away,
Thomas Tred well, Ebenezer Nichols,
1795.
The wife of Nathaniel Penfield, moved,
Bethiah Marquand, left the Church,
Nathaniel Perry, Aaron Bears, The wife of Jesup Perry, Mrs. Pike.
Elnathan Smith,
October, 1785. North Fairfield Communicants.
Jonathan Coley, and wife, Widow Downs,
Arden Jackson, and wife, The wife of John Jackson,
The wife of Jonathan Bradley, Ephriam Fairchild,
Mrs. Platt, ( Jarvis Platt ),
Seth Gilbert and wife,
Mrs. Foot, Mrs. Mills,
Mrs. Burr,
Calvin Whelar, and wife, June, 1786. Samuel Lord, and his w Samuel Lord dead, Thaddeus Bennett, and his wife, May 1787. Moses Burr, - Lyon,
William Prince, and wife, Daniel Morehouse, and wife, Mrs. Morehouse dead, The wife of Joseph Morehouse, Joseph Gilbert, and wife, Jack, servant to Esq. Andrew.
The wife of Stephen Gilbert. The wife of Hezekiah Thorp,
Ebenezer Lyon, and wife.
268
APPENDIX I.
1793. John Fanten, Thaddeus Gilbert, and wife, Platt Bennett, and wife, Sarah Bennett,
Thomas Tredwell, Ezra Wenton, Isaac Lyon.
1794. Hannah Bulkley, dead, John Cadwell, Calvin Whelar Jr., and wife, Augustus Lyon, and wife, Methodist, Isaac Lyon's wife, Wife of Daniel Lyon, Hezekiah Osbourn, and wife, The wife of Robert Mills, Eunice Gilbert, Robert Downs, and wife,
Mrs. Cole, Mrs. Keener, Gould Nichols, and wife, Dr. Parock, Joseph Winton, and wife, Mrs. Ezra Winton, The wife of Clark Gregory, Ebenezer Sherman, Timothy Hubble, and wife, Zachariah Hubble.
1811.
Mrs. Nichols, wife of Stiles Nichols,
Mrs. Sherwood, wife of S. . Sherwood, Anna French, wife of J. French, Mrs. Mallory, wife of Jonathan Mallory, Mrs. Allen, wife of Eben Allen, Mrs. Hubble, wife of Thadeus Lucy Barlow, Mrs. Tisdale, 1812.
Hubble, Lucretia Hoyt.
Lucy Mallory, now Warden, Mrs. King, now Brooks, Fanny Brooks,
Lucy Porter, widow, Henrietta Shelton.
1813. Wheeler Sherman, Sally Mason, Mrs. Botsford,
Mrs. Prindle, Mrs. Choat, Fanny Lord, now Lewis.
269
APPENDIX I.
1815.
Harvey Page and wife, Maria Roberts,
Mrs. Humphrey, Mrs. Foot,
Julia Wheeler, wife of Samuel Anna Sherman, wife of Wheeler,
William Patch,
William Sherman, Mercy Fairweather,
Arnold Hurd, Phebe, wife of T. Hawley,
February, 1816.
Comfort, wife of J. Strong, Esq.,
Mrs. Betsey Smith, wife of S. Smith,
David Mynott, and wife, Sarah, Prudence, wife of William
Hannah, wife of Isaac Hinman, Goodsel, Polly Burr, Phebe, wife of James Weeks, Maria Peet, suspended, Sarah, wife of Charles Nichols.
Mrs. Blake,
Mrs. Clark, wife of J. Clark, June 2nd.
Stebens Smith,
Caroline Burr,
Samuel Wheeler,
Sarah Burritt, Lydia Patch, Matildah Wheeler.
Jonathan Mallory,
Communicants belonging to Fairfield Church.
Mrs. Hannah Bulkley, Abby Bulkley,
Abigail Whitier,
Mrs. Andrew Bulkley, Mary Perry,
Priscilla Bears, now Osbourn, Abigal Bears, now Perry, Compt. Samuel Bears, and his wife Sarah, Samual Bears, Jr., and his wife, Walter Sherwood, and his wife,
Abigail Nichols,
Polly Perry, wife of D. Perry, Ruben Sherwood, and his wife, Abel Ogden, Betsey Ogden, Nathaniel Perry, Eunice Perry, Mrs. Bears, wife of Nathan Bears,
Sally Banks, Josiah Bulkley, Wife of Capt. James Beaty, Joshua Jennings, and his wife,
David Jennings, Abraham Bulkley, and his wife,
270
APPENDIX I.
Mrs. Robertson,
Mrs. William Robertson,
Maria Sturges,
Mrs. Eunice Pike,
Daniel Meeker, and his wife,
Hezekiah Bradley, and his wife, E. Robbin's wife,
Abel Bears, and wife,
The wife of Joel Squire.
Hull Sherwood.
July 1813.
Hannah Lewis,
Mrs. Samuel Sturges,
Mrs. Ward Bulkley,
Mrs. Seth Sturges, Aaron Jinnings, Rebecca Osbourn.
1816.
Sarah Dimon, widow.
Abby Dimon,
Abby Sherwood,
Mrs. Darrow, Mill River,
Mrs. Darrow, Mrs. Bangs, widow, now Mrs. Perry, Joseph Bulkley, and wife Cloe.
Sept. 22nd. Charlotte Bulkley,
Maria Beers.
James Beers,
August 12th, 1817. Confirmed by Bishop Hobart, in Fairfield.
Thankful Sturges, Elizabeth Hubble,
Ellen Sherwood,
Stephen Osbourn, Jr.,
Priscilla Robbins, Abel Ogden,
Parmela Robbins,
Betsey Ogden,
Eunice Beers,
Sturges Ogden,
Paulina Beers,
Louisa Robertson,
Eunice Bulkley,
Mrs. Moses Jinnings,
Paulina Beers,
Eliza Bangs,
Alexander S. Nichols, and his wife, Nathaniel Perry Bears, and® his wife, Aaron Bears,
Capt. Goodsel, Widow Bulkley, the 2nd, June 6th, 1813. Jonathan Bears, Jesse Banks,
271
APPENDIX I.
Polly Bulkley, Chasideck Kenner, Nathaniel Persons, Mrs. Sheffield,
Noah Pike, Julia Pike, Sally Darrow, Mahitable Beers,
Albert Lockwood, May 1818.
Charity Lockwood, Lydia Wood, Minerva Peet, Mrs. Nathaniel Jennings,
Jones, Morris Sturges, Henrietta Bulkley, Mrs. Sheffield.
Mrs. Moses Jennings.
July 26th.
The wife of Joseph Bulkley,
Joseph Perry, Griswold Bradley,
Mary Bradley, Julia Pike.
1821. Ansel Trubee, dead, Mrs. Griswold Burr,
Maria Bears,
Mrs. Levi Perry,
Mrs. Samuel Sturges, dead,
Mrs. Darrow, Mill River,
Mrs. Nathaniel Jinnings,
Caroline Sherwood, Abby Dimon, Miranda Dimon,
Mrs. James Bulkley,
Mrs. Aaron Hubble,
Mrs. William Bulkley,
Stephen Osbourn,
Charlotte Bulkley,
Elnathan Smith, and his wife,
Mrs. Thorp, Abel Bears,
Betsey Bears,
Jesse Banks, Abigail Hollins.
David Perry.
Benjamin Sturges,
Thankful Sturges,
Widow Sarah Dimon, Eunice Darrow, Sarah Perry, Priscilla Robbins, The wife of Ward Bulkley, Abby Sherwood, Hannah Lewis,
Rebecca Osbourn, James Bears, July, 1823.
272
APPENDIX I.
Nov. 2nd, Benjamin Sherwood, and wife, Azor Osbourn, and wife, Sarah. Sarah Ann, December 3rd.
Mary Smith, daughter to E. Smith.
March.
Mrs. Walter Bulkley.
April, 1824.
Stephen Beers, and wife, Mrs. Eunice Sherwood.
July 11th.
Ellen Sherwood.
August 1st.
Capt. Walter Bulkley.
July 12th, 1818.
Ebenezer Allen,
Samuel Allen, dead,
Edri Burr, wife of Nichols Burr.
April 11th, 1819.
Capt. Curtis Blackman, and The wife of Lieut Hitchcock.
his wife, Lavina B.,
October 3rd.
Thomas Holbertson.
January 8th, 1820. Eunice Pendleton,
Comfort, wife of Eben Booth.
June.
Eunice Holbertson, April 20th, 1821.
Jesse Scovil, and wife,
Sophia Crittenton,
Mrs. Green, dead,
Sally Parrott,
Miss Mary Green, William Shelton.
Nancy Humphrey,
Thomas Green, June 17th. Olive Kirtland,
Mrs. Ruth Peabody, Lucy Peabody,
Minerva Humphrey, Eliza Humphrey.
273
APPENDIX I.
September.
Elizabeth Seeley, wife of Eben Seeley.
December 2nd.
Charles Foote,
Mary Peabody,
Charlotte Minott,
Taylor Nichols,
Betsey Smith, wife of George
Smith,
William B. Thomas, and his wife, Ira Curtis, and wife.
William Peabody, January 6th, 1822.
Martha Green, February 10th.
Joseph Ward.
John Chatterton.
April 7th. Mary Middlebrooks,
Maria Sherman.
Mrs. Persons, May 26th. Samuel B. Ferguson,
James Clifford, Naoma Hubble,
Samuel Stratton, and wife, Eliza Turney.
July 21st. Harriot Kirtland,
Sarah Burr, wife of J. Burr.
Samuel Kirtland, July 21st, 1822.
George A. Shelton, Ann Foote.
March, 1823.
Harriot Allen, wife of J. Allen, John Nash.
November.
Catherine Middlebrook.
January, 1824. Joseph Brooks, Margaret Shelton.
274
APPENDIX J.
APPENDIX J.
OBITUARY NOTICES OF THE REV. PHILO SHELTON, AND MRS. LUCY SHELTON, HIS WIFE, BY THE REV. DR. JARVIS, 1825 A. D.
Died at his residence, on Sunday, February 27th, 1825, Rev. Philo Shelton, aged 70. A numerous acquaintance justly lament his departure. It is seldom that any community is called upon to mourn the loss of a more truly pious and good man. The history of such a person is diversified by few incidents calculated to interest the general reader. He who ministers in holy things, is not called upon by a bustling world, to mingle in its contests, and contend for its honors. It is in the stillness of peaceful retirement, amidst the poor and afflicted, and in the solemn assemblies of the Church, that his life is principally spent. The incidents which mark the course of such a life, are of necessity few, that can excite attention, except in the minute observance of the progress of that religion, which, like the still small voice, finds its way silently to the hearts of men. Still, however, the practically religious and amiable character of this good man, ought not pass unnoticed nor be forgotten.
He was born at Huntington, May 5th, 1754. From his youth, he was deeply impressed with the importance of embracing the Christian religion; viewing this life as the pro- bationary period of man's existence, and the only time allotted to him, in which he may prepare for enjoying an eternity of happiness, the proper improvement of the present, to ensure
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APPENDIX J.
the future welfare of the soul, became to him the subject of the deepest interest. Under these impressions he embraced Christianity in early life, and came to the Holy Communion as an instituted means of grace. Finding by sweet experience, that the path of virtue and religion, was the path of peace, he became anxious that others should participate with him in the cheering prospects of a glorious immortality. This excited his desire to become a dispenser of those Doctrines and Sacraments, which were the source of his own consola- tions and hope.
After having finished the requisite studies, he entered Yale College in 1771, preparative to receiving Holy Orders, and becoming a minister of the Gospel of Peace. During his residence at College, he sustained a fair character and re- spectable standing, and graduated in 1775. As the arduous struggle between the then Colonies and Great Britain, pre- vented him from receiving ordination, he became lay reader in the parishes of Stratfield, ( now Bridgeport ), Fairfield and Weston. In 1785, upon the return of Bishop Seabury fromn Europe, clothed with Episcopal authority, he entered the the ministry, and was the first person Episcopally ordained in the United States. The vestries of the above named parishes unanimously elected him their Rector. This appointment he accepted, and notwithstanding repeated invitations to other parishes, much more eligible, and in a pecuniary point of view, far more promising, he chose to remain with his beloved people, and although with a small salary, he persevered in the faithful discharge of his duties, gratified by daily observing that his labors were not in vain in the Lord.
Thus cemented in mutual affection, did this worthy pastor and his people pass more than thirty years. But the Parish of Fairfield having received considerable accessions, and that of Bridgeport having greatly increased in numbers, he was compelled, although reluctantly, to discontinue his services in Weston, to enable him to supply the spiritual wants of the
276
APPENDIX J.
rapidly increasing Parish of Bridgeport. This parish, at the commencement of Mr. Shelton's ministry, was small, but continued gradually to increase for several years.
But, as the Borough of Bridgeport increased in population, and with it, that part of the congregation, the location of the old Church was found to be quite inconvenient, and it was deemed expedient to erect a new one in the more dense part of the population. In this work, which commenced in 1801, Mr. Shelton assisted the people, not only by his counsel, but by liberal contributions. After the removal of the Church, large accessions were made to the number of his hearers. For more than twenty years, he had the satisfaction of seeing his labors blessed by the Great Head of the Church, and being beloved by his children in the Gospel. Indeed, few clergymen have enjoyed the happiness of being more universally esteemed by their acquaintances, or more generally beloved by their people.
Although the excellencies of this good man are a theme upon which I might long dwell with delight, my limits will permit me to go no further. Having fought the good fight and kept the faith, there is a crown of glory laid up for him, which God, the Righteous Judge, will give him at the last day.
OBITUARY OF LUCY SHELTON, WIFE OF PHILO SHELTON.
Died at her residence, near Bridgeport, Connecticut, on Friday, October 19th, 1838, in the 78th year of her age, Lucy, widow of the late Rev. Philo Shelton, for 40 years Rector of St. John's Church, in that borough. Her remains were interred on Sunday, the 21st of October, after divine service and a sermon from Psalm 39, 9th verse, suitable to the solemn occasion, by the Rev. Gordon I. Coit, the present Rector. Mr. Shelton may justly be called the first fruits of the American Episcopate, for he was the first clergyman ordained by the first American Bishop. Hands were laid upon him by Bishop Seabury, on August 3rd, 1785, and from that time he
277
APPENDIX J.
continued, until his death, to exercise his holy functions in one parish.
On April 20th, 1781, he was united to her, who is the subject of the present notice, and by whom he had a numerous family. Most of her children are now living, and among them two most respectable and useful clergymen of our Church. The present writer, though unconnected by other than Christian ties, was from a child, intimate in the family, and has never witnessed, in the midst of peculiar trials and difficulties, a more lovely example of Christian meekness and charity. It is unnecessary to dwell upon a fact universally known, that during the period of Mr. Shelton's ministry, the members of our communion were a feeble, and in Connecticut, a despised and persecuted flock. Yet he and his wife, like Zechariah and Elizabeth, " walked in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord, blameless," and so lived down all opposition as to command the respect and love, even of those who were most hostile to their principles. They blended firmness of purpose and moral courage, with the most dove- like simplicity and gentleness.
Mrs. Shelton took a lively interest in all her husband's concerns. She looked well to the ways of her household, and by the strict performance of a woman's duties, lightened his cares and promoted his influence. Husband and wife were so blended together, that they seemed to have but one will and one heart. His God was her God; his Redeemer was her Redeemer ; his Church was her Church ; his people were her people. She never stepped beyond the retiring modesty of her sex, but the present writer has often listened to her conversation on Christian doctrines and duties, uttered with that sort of animation which showed that her whole heart was in the matter. Bright patterns of Christian virtue! With what tender affection does memory look back to past enjoy- ments in your peaceful abode, and with what ardor do faith and hope look forward, to the reunion of immortality !
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