USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Southport > Annals of an old parish : historical sketches of Trinity Church, Southport, Connecticut, 1725 to 1848 > Part 8
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THE REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL.
On Mr. Smith's removal to Oxford, Trinity parish found itself once more without a Rector. The interregnum, however,
100
RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL.
proved to be of brief duration, for the Vestry soon filled the vacancy, by calling to the Rectorship, the Rev. Nathaniel E. Cornwall, one of the most faithful and efficient ministers that the parish has ever had. Mr. Cornwall was descended from some of the best known New England families. Born in 1812, he was educated at Cheshire Academy, in which institution, his father, the Rev. Asa Cornwall, was for many years an instructor. He was graduated at the head of his class in Trinity College, Hartford, and went from thence to the General Theological Seminary in New York. Having finished his studies there, he came to Southport, and officiated for the first time, the eighth Sunday after Trinity, 1834. The Chapelin Southport was just then undergoing enlargement, and not being quite ready for occupancy, Divine service was held, one-third of the time in the Academy, and two-thirds of the time in the Church at Mill Plain. Early in 1835, the Chapel was completed, and at once became the religious centre of the neighborhood. It was the only Church edifice at that period, in the village. The nearest Congregational Society was at Fairfield, a mile distant. The Methodists had not made their appearance. All who loved Christ, irrespective of denominational differ- ences, worshipped together in delightful accord. So remarka- ble was this manifestation of Christian unity, that it moved Mr. Frederick Marquand, one of the leading citizens of Southport, and also a strong Congregationalist, to present Trinity Chapel with a substantial proof of his good-will. A copy of the letter accompanying his gift has been preserved, and will doubtless interest all who peruse these pages :
NEW YORK, 30 March, 1835. Rev. Mr. Cornwall :
Dear 'Sir-I take the liberty of making you the medium of offering to the Episcopal Society of Southport, for their acceptance, a silver plated Communion-Service. It is not of solid silver, but of a quality that will present the same appearance for more than half a century, ( with the ordinary usage ).
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REOTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL.
It is offered as a tribute of my regard for the Christian welfare, and prosperity of the Society. With sentiments of esteem,
I remain, your ob't se'v't and friend, Frederick Marquand.
This Communion-Service is still in the possession of the parish. The popularity of Trinity Chapel, as was to' be expected, militated against that of the old parish Church at Mill Plain. At the annual meeting of 1835, it was " voted, that Divine service shall be held at the Chapel of Trinity Church, at Southport, two-thirds of the time, for one year." At the next annual meeting, 1836, the same arrangement was continued. It required no prescience, therefore, to discern which way matters were tending. The parish had two Houses of Worship ; one in a thinly settled location ; the other in the midst of a thriving village. Inevitably, in such a case, the latter would prove more attractive than the former. Experience, moreover, had shown that the Chapel situate in Southport, was perfectly accessible. Those Episcopalians, who dwelt in the village of Fairfield, were scarcely any further from it, than they were from the Church at Mill Plain ; while those living on Greenfield Hill, at Green's Farms, and at Saugatuck, also found Southport equally as convenient. Above all, the new location furnished a majority of the worshippers. In the " Account of the Pews let in Trinity Church, Mill Plain, Jan. 5th, 1835, there are only fourteen names, and but one of them is wanting in the "List of Pews let in the Chapel at Southport," of the same date. On the other hand, the Chapel list contains forty-three names, and it shows also, that not only was almost every sitting rented, but that all who worshipped at Mill Plain, with one exception, were suffi- ciently contented with the Chapel, to become pew holders therein, and to attend its services regularly.
These pew lists are printed for the edification of those inter- ested in " Auld Lang Syne." They contain the names of many,
ACCOUNT OF PEWS LET IN TRINITY CHAPEL, SOUTHPORT, JAN. 5TH, 1836.
No.
19
18
17
16
15
14
No.
North Side.
William Bulkley
Abram D. Wood
Timothy Williams
Henry Perry
Joseph Davis
Andrew Bulkley
South Side.
No. North Wall Seats.
No.
Middle
Seats.
No.
South Wall Seats
No.
20 | Charles Bulkley
43 | Hull Sherwood
Clergyman's Seat
42
Jeremiah Sturges
13
21 | Justus Sherwood
44 | Julius Pike
Elias Steinburg
41
Hezekiah Davis
12
22 | Judson Nichols
45 | Henry Nash
Walter Sherwood
40
G. & M. Bradley 11
23 | Joel B. Bulkley
46 | Jonathan Godfrey
Walter Bulkley
39
Jesup W. Wakeman | 10
24 | William Canedy
47 |
Henry Beers
Moses Bulkley
38
Aaron J. Hubbel
9
25 | William Sherwood
48 | William Sherwood
David B. Sturges
37
Wm. S. Sherwood
8
26 | Stephen Godfrey
49 | Lot Bulkley
Aaron Jennings
36
James Perry
7
27 | David Bradley
50 | Benj. B. Hawkins
Benj. N. Hawkins
35
Julius Pike
6
28
51 | Abel Ogden
Abel Beers
34
Jonathan Godfrey
5
29
52 | Edward Camp
George Ogden
| 33 Ward Bulkley
4
30
3
31|
2
32
1
ACCOUNT OF PEWS LET IN TRINITY CHURCH, MILL PLAIN, JAN. 5TH, 1836.
No.
South Side Pews.
No.
South Side Slips.
North Side Slips. No.
South Side Pews.
No.
1
1
1
2
2
Abel Beers
2
Jeremiah Sturges
2
3
William Bulkley
3
Henry Nash
3
Joseph W. Davis
3
4
4
4
Walter Sherwood
4
5
William Sherwood
5
Jesup W. Wakeman.
5
Abel Ogden
.
5
6
Walter Bulkley
6
6
Andrew Bulkley
6
7
Hull Sherwood
7
7
7
8
Moses Bulkley
8
8
9
George Smith
9
10
10
: :
8
1
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL.
whose professional and business acumen contributed largely to the successful development of Southport and its vicinity, and whose descendants are active members of Trinity Church at the present time.
From 1836 onwards, the attendance at the Mill Plain Church waned, so that the expense of keeping it open, and in repair, became an ever increasing burden. In 1841, the unwisdom of endeavoring to maintain two houses for worship, became self-evident, and at a meeting of the parish, held December 20th, 1841, a committee was appointed, consisting of Andrew Bulkley, Jesse Banks, and Abel Beers, to devise " the lawful means for annexing Trinity Church, Mill Plain, to the Chapel at Southport, and to devise ways and means for having continuous services at said Chapel." At a special parish meeting, March 28th, 1842, the committee reported : "that they have made all necessary inquiries of legal gentle- men, and find that due notice of the intention being given, in the warning for the meeting to be held, the Society when assembled, may remove the services by two-thirds of the members present voting for the removal." The meeting then adjourned to the last Monday in June, at 2 o'clock, when a vote being taken, the requisite two-thirds voted affirmatively, that the Chapel at Southport should henceforth be the Church of the parish, and that the Church at Mill Plain, should remain closed, except for such occasional services as the Rector might appoint.
By this sensible action, the parish was materially strengthened, for henceforth it was enabled to concentrate upon the care and maintenance of one edifice, that which had been found wholly inadequate when divided between two: and it further con- duced to bring about a congregational solidarity, such as was impossible under the conditions previously existing. It also greatly bettered the lot of the Rector, for, in 1844, the parish felt strong enough to venture upon the erection of a parsonage- house, convenient to the parish Church; and also to materially
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL.
add to the Rector's salary. In a letter to the parishioners of Trinity Church written about this time, Mr. Cornwall says: " the increase of my salary, in addition to the provision of a commodious, parsonage, I consider an example on the part of my beloved parishioners, worthy of commendation by their Pastor, and of imitation by the members of other parishes." When a permanent home for the Rector was decided upon, it was thought advisable to take down the Church at Mill Plain,
=
THE FIRST SOUTHPORT PARSONAGE.
even occasional services having ceased to be held there, and use whatever material contained in it, that might be found availa- ble in the construction of the new building. This was done, and in its changed form, the venerable edifice, built in 1790- 1795, exists substantially to-day, in the structure located close by what is known as the "Rectory crossing." The bell of the old Church was sold to the Methodist Society at Saugatuck, and is doing good service at the present time.
106
RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL.
Mrs. Cornelia Ann Short, who worshipped in the Mill Plain Church, still retains vivid memories of it, and the recollection of one feature, she has enshrined in beautiful verse, which may fitly find place in these Annals :
THE OLD CHURCH BELL. Methought I heard it now,
Its silvery tones vibrating along The vale, and o'er the hills, as if perchance Some wandering mortal should escape the Sound, and thus forget God's Holy Day. But
Ah! 'tis Fancy's dream-no more those walls will Echo with thy music. Yet even that Imaginary sound has touched a cord Which vibrates to the Past-and Memory With magic power calls up the scenes of Early years, when first my childhood's steps were Taught with awe, to enter in that hallowed Place-where Christ's ambassador, with accents Firm, but mild, precepts instilled, which till Life's latest hour will ne'er grow dim. Who In his arms received the unconscious babe, and With baptismal dew, impressed upon Its brow the liquid Cross, a sign to guide The Christian through the narrow way-and hours When oft I've watched thy iron tongue as It pealed in joyous tones for the gay Bridal, or tolled the sad funeral knell. The festal Christmas time, when all With ready hand, there met-bright evergreens to Twine round columns high, and with the darker Fir to decorate the vaulted Fane. From Each old window arched, were gleaming lights And merry hearts were thronging there, to sing The praise of Bethlehem's Babe.
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL.
'Tis changed ; And voices that mingled in the chorus Of redeeming love on earth, are hushed, we Trust, but to resume the seraphic lays Of Heaven-and other hearts, once wont to Meet around that sacred board, now mourn that Not a trace remains to mark the place once Consecrate with heavenly themes.
Time hastens !
A small young tree now rears its verdant top Where the Church tower raised its glistening Spire .- And when in future years its branches Wave, and children play about its roots will There be none to pause amid the group, and Tell the historic tale, or speak of those Who, on each returning hallowed day Welcomed the sound of that Old Bell, and Gladly met for worship, praise and prayer ? MRS. C. A. SHORT.
Fairfield, Conn.
In 1846, the New York and New Haven Railroad came into existence, and its roadway was located so near the parsonage, that the noise of passing trains, and the continuous shriek of the engine's whistle, made it wholly undesirable for a residence. This drawback continued to intensify with the rapid growth of the traffic done by the company, and it was accordingly determined that the parsonage should be offered for sale. In 1891, the railway company, finding the land pertaining to it necessary for the carrying out of the proposed duplication of its roadbed, bought the property for $3,500, and it is now in their possession.
CHAPTER XVI.
CONTINUATION OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL'S RECTORSHIP : STATE OF THE PARISH: RESIGNATION, 1834-1853 A. D.
In the annual report of the state of the parish, printed in the Convention Journal of 1835, the Rector imparts the follow- ing information : "The number of families in the parish this year may be reckoned at 80. In this list, however, several single persons, unconnected with any other members of the parish, are counted as families. It may be, therefore, better to state the whole number of souls comprised in the cure, which may be estimated at 320. Of these 107 are communi- cants. There have been 9 communicants added during the year, 3 have died, 1 has removed. It is proper here to observe that the number of communicants in the parish last year, was incorrectly reported. The error was caused by copying from the record of the former Rector, without reference to the period of vacancy in the cure, during which there had been several removals. Eleven persons have been confirmed, eleven infants baptized, and the number of deaths is eleven. There have been no marriages in the parish, though I have three times solemnized the bans for persons from abroad. The number of Sunday scholars is about 60; teachers 14. From thirty to forty persons generally attend the meetings of the Bible class. The regular members of the class, who recite from Jackson's Questions on the Lessons, &c., do not exceed 20. A meeting of the Sunday school teachers has been held monthly, and is to be continued hereafter twice a month. The object of these meetings is to secure for the school that pastoral supervision which the spirit of the
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL.
rubric concerning catechizing seems to require, and to render the labors of the teachers more efficient, by means of a mutual and free interchange of the results of individual experience, and the familiar exhortations of duty. The monthly missionary
"THE OLD CHURCH ON THE HILL." THE FOURTH CHURCH EDIFICE ERECTED BY TRINITY PARISH.
meeting has been kept up through the year with such success as to afford abundant encouragement for perseverance. The object of these meetings is to diffuse missionary intelligence, and thus nourish that missionary spirit which the Church supposes to exist wherever the nature of the Sacrament of
110
RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL.
baptism is rightly appreciated-a spirit which only languishes where it does languish -- for want of appropriate sustenance. The sum of $90.60 has been raised for benevolent purposes, since January, chiefly by the plan of weekly contribu- tions. Of this sum, $40.21 have been appropriated by the contributors, to the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society ; $15.00 to Bp. Smith, for Churches in Kentucky ; $12.50 to the Fairfield County Missionary and Education Society ; $14.79 to the Sunday school of the parish, and $8.10 to the Society for the Promotion of Christian knowledge.
These contributions for benevolent purposes are exclusive of the sum of $250.00, which has been realized by the Ladies' Association, as the fruits of their industry in plain sewing, and applied by them to the furnishing of the new Chapel in Southport, which was consecrated on the 22nd of January last, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Onderdonk.
The Chapel is about a mile distant from the old Church, and is occupied by the same congregation, services being held in the Chapel two-thirds of the time. It is one of the most commodious edifices to be found in the country parishes of the diocese, and is perhaps remarkable among Episcopal Churches in this State, as being the first and only house of public worship in the village where it stands."
All this is interesting, inasmuch as it shows what was the condition of Trinity parish in the year 1835. A few years later, as we have already seen, the Chapel became the parish Church, and was henceforth the only edifice used for public worship by the congregation. And what a multitude of de- lightful memories, even to this day, cluster about that "Old Church on the Hill," as the Chapel, in time came to be called ! Its location was probably the best that the parish has ever had, or will have. The views of woodland and the blue waters of Long Island Sound, were a perpetual feast to the eye: while the fact that it was in the very midst of the village, made it perfectly accessible to all. There was a
111
RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL.
sturdiness moreover, in those who worshipped in it, that is sadly lacking in this age. The Church was the first object of their affections ; not the last. Sunday was strictly given to God ; not devoted to secular enjoyments. A little bad weather, or the slightest bodily or mental indisposition, did not keep them from the Sanctuary. The festal days of the Church were also highly appreciated. Miss Anna E. Cornwall, daughter of the Rev. Mr. Cornwall, in a recent letter, says : "Has any one described to you the unique way of illuminating the Church for the Christmas-Eve service, that prevailed in the old days ?
1
PITCH PIPE USED IN THE MILL PLAIN CHURCH.
A square wooden framework, twined with evergreens, was erected in the body of the Church, just high enough above the pews, to clear the heads of the occupants. This frame- work was pierced with holes four or five inches apart, large enough for a good sized candle. Along the galleries, across the end, and on the sides, similar boards extended, pierced in the same way. The candles having been put in place, and there were hundreds of them, they were lighted shortly before the service began, and being large and solid, lasted until the end. The effect was so pleasing that the Church could scarcely hold all who came from far and near to the Christmas-Eve service."
112
RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL.
A communication from another of those who treasure pleasant recollections of this period says : "The music in the ' Old Church on the Hill' should not be forgotten. It was the free-will offering of those who took part in it. It was not artistic, but it was hearty and- sincere." In the early days, the pitch of the tune of the psalm to be sung was set by a tuning-fork. This was the custom in the Church at Mill Plain. In the "Old Church on the Hill," the tuning-fork was supplanted, at first by a base-viol. This was played sometimes by Timothy Williams, at others, by Aaron Jennings, while the vocal parts were rendered by a quartette, and a numerous chorus of volunteers. In 1848, progress was in the air ; culture, especially in the direction of Church music, began to exert a potent influence; an organ, something hitherto unheard of, was resolved upon. Again a subscription paper was passed round, and at the annual parish meeting in 1849, the organ committee reported that they had "paid $800 for the organ and additions now in the Church, and about $70 toward altering the Gallery for the same, and that it needed $120 to finish paying all the claims." The committee's report being accepted, it was further " voted that Jonathan Godfrey be added to the committee, and that they continue to solicit subscriptions to the amount required." The organ proved to be of excellent quality, and helped to advance the music of Trinity Church to a highly satisfactory standard. The first to perform upon the instrument, was Miss Anna B. Cornwall ; later, she was succeeded by Mr. John H. Wood, who served the parish most faithfully, in the capacity of organist, for many years. The choir, that sang on the occasion of what, unwittingly to it, was the last service held in the old Church, was composed of the following persons: Miss Mary Ann Bulkley, Miss C. Malvina Bulkley, Miss Louisa D. Bulkley, Miss Mary Frances Burr, Miss Mary Josephine Bulkley, Miss Elizabeth D. Banks, Miss Mary Jane Banks, Miss Sarah Burr Bulkley, Miss Mary Jane Bulkley, Miss
113
RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL.
Emily Davis, Miss Cornelia Davis, Miss Jerusha Robinson, Mr. George Bulkley, Mr. Andrew Bulkley, Mr. Francis Jelliff, Mr. Edgar Burroughs, and Mr. John H. Sherwood. These young women, in the course of time, became, most of them, the staid and sober matrons, whose unswerving loyalty to the
JEREMIAH STURGES, VESTRYMAN, CLERK, AND TREASURER OF TRINITY PARISH, 1801-1845.
parish proved to be one of the chief sources of its subsequent prosperity. Of the gentlemen who sung in the choir of the " Old Church on the Hill," Mr. John H. Sherwood, is, so far as the writer knows, the only one who survives.
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL.
While Mr. Cornwall was Rector, Mr. Jeremiah Sturges, one of the great leaders of the parish, finished his earthly course. His death took place, December 12th, 1845. As vestryman, and also parish clerk, and treasurer, he served continuously from 1801, to the time of his decease. Well known in the community for his eminent executive ability, it was the com- mon remark, that nowhere did he bestow it with more devo- tion, and with less of stint, than in behalf of Trinity parish. Walter Sherwood, Henry Perry, and Walter Bulkley, all prom- inent among the vestry of the parish, passed to their rest dur- ing Mr. Cornwall's incumbency.
But in one respect, this is anticipating events. Long before the final services of the choir, to which reference has been made, were rendered, the crying need was for more room, for those desiring to form part of the congregation. Every seat in the Church was taken ; applicants were many in number. At the annual meeting, held December 8th, 1851, it was voted, after an informal discussion, " that the building should be again enlarged, and that a special committee be appointed to contract for an addition to the Church, extending out the same, in the rear 12 feet, more or less; of sufficient height to have the pulpit and desk moved back, forming an arch from the gallery, and make additional seats to fill up the space thus added. Also to add to the east side of said building, near the north end of vestry room, from 8 to 12 feet square, and open the present vestry room-provided it can all be done for the sum of six or seven hundred dollars." While the project was pending, for it necessitated the purchase of additional land to make it effective, Mr. Cornwall received an invitation to a new field of labor, which he felt it was his bounden duty to accept.
At the annual meeting, December 20th, 1853, the probable retirement of the Rector was announced to the parish, and a special committee was appointed, "to express the regret entertained by all at the contemplated separation, and the desire that he might resolve to remain." But time only the
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RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL.
more convinced Mr. Cornwall that his duty lay elsewhere. At his request, a special meeting was convened, March 14th, 1853, to accept his resignation. Capt. Abel Beers was called to the chair, and the following letter from Mr. Cornwall was read :
March 14th, 1853. To the Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church :
Beloved Brethren :- You are already aware that a serious consideration of the subject of my communication to you at the late annual meeting of the parish, has led to my acceptance of the very earnest call to another field of labor to which my attention was directed. I take the earliest opportu- nity afforded by the appointment of the special meeting, this day to tender you my resignation of the pastoral care of this parish, from the close of the present quarter, on the tenth of April ensuing. I need not say in the prospect of such a change of the interesting relation in which we have been so long and so happily united, that there is much that is adapted to excite the most tender sympathies of our hearts. Com- mending you to God, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up, imploring for you all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus, and desiring your best wishes and prayers for my own usefulness, I am, with best wishes for each of you, Affectionally yours in Christ,
N. E. Cornwall.
On motion of Capt. Jonathan Godfrey it was resolved unani- mously not to accept the Rector's resignation. Mr. Cornwall came into the meeting, and having expressed with much feeling his appreciation of the kindness shown to him, stated the urgency of the call, and the necessity that was laid upon him to accept it. Capt. Godfrey, thereupon moved the reconsideration of the former vote, and the acceptance by the parish of Mr. Cornwall's resignation, both of which were agreed to. After passing a resolution testifying to the high regard " in which the retiring Rector was held by the parish, as well as to the
116
RECTORSHIP OF REV. NATHANIEL E. CORNWALL.
faithful discharge of his various and arduous duties, often- times under disheartening and adverse circumstances," the meeting adjourned.
The Rev. Mr. Cornwall's Rectorship, thus unexpectedly brought to a close, was one of the most memorable in the history of the parish. A man of great urbanity of character ; of unusual administrative ability ; of fine scholastic and theologi- cal attainments ; of intense evangelical fervor and piety, it was most natural that the charge entrusted to his spiritual oversight, should prosper. For nineteen eventful years, not- withstanding the fact that during that period, questions of momentous import, that gave rise frequently to acute differ- ences of opinion, came up for settlement, he held his congre- gation together as a unit. By common consent, the entire community of the Town of Fairfield, irrespective of religious affiliations, thoroughly respected him. As Rector of St. Andrew's Church, Pittsburg, to which place he went after leaving Southport, and later of St. Matthew's Church, New York, he continued for many years the same career of useful- ness. The writer of these Annals knew him well, and that only, as did all who were favored with his friendship, to admire and love him to the end of his earthly days. He died in New York City, August 28th, 1879, aged 69 years.
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