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Mary Etta, m. Albert Beardsley.
Ives, b. April 21, 1861.
John Clarence, b. June 6, 1879.
Bertha, b. Nov. 23, 1881.
Clara, b. April 22. 1886; d 1886.
Dorothe, b. Aug. 19, 1893.
DR. JOHN LOUNSBURY, son of Timothy and Hannah, studied at Wilbraham, Mass., and then at Yale, graduating from the medical department with the class of 1837. He settled in Oxford and practiced there for many years. He married Mary, dau, of William and Lois (Pitcher) Church, of Oxford. Children :
Emma, b. June 25, 1845. Res. Oxford.
Tully, b. March 8, 1847.
CROWNAGE LOUNSBURY, son of Jairus, m. Eliza Samantha Hotchkiss of Woodbridge, Feb 14, 1831. Children :
William H., b. July 25, 1833; m. Julia Ladue, who d. Dec. 29, 1892; m. 2d, Fanny M. Hunter. Res. Westville.
Mark, b. Aug. 14, 1835; m. Ann Webster June 14, 1857; res. Seymour.
Sarah S., b. May 4, 1839; m. S. Channcey Hooker; res. Willimantic.
REV. ELFORD LOUNSBURY, son of William and Charity, m. Adella Seaman. He is a Methodist clergyman of New York City and has served as a mission- ary in Bulgaria. Children :
Ethel and Irvin, died in Bulgaria. Erma.
Elfreda.
Floyd.
ELIAS LOUNSBURY, son of Stephen, m. 1st Appalina Judd; 2d Mary Perkins. Children :
Elias.
Major.
Newel, m. Jennette Hungerford of Bethany Feb. 12, 1837.
Marlin.
Behuis.
Ursula.
MAJOR LOUNSBURY, son of Elias and Mary, m. Hannah Beecher, who d. Mar. 7, 1876, aged 77. Res. Bethany. Children :
Henry E., b. Feb 9, 1829; m. Mary F. Dickerman April 4, 1866
RANSOM LOUNSBURY, son of Josiah and Sarah, m. Mary Joyce of Trumbull, Aug. 25, 1847. Res. Beacon Falls. Children :
Charles II., b. Sept. 18, 1848.
Eliza, b. July 19, 1851; m. Herbert Beers.
Ella, b. July 23, 1864; m. 1st, Frederick Colwell; 2d, Charles D. Roberts.
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BETHANY.
CHARLES H. LOUNSBURY, son of Ransom and Mary, m. Jennie, dau. of John Titley of Beacon Falls. He represented the town of Beacon Falls in the legislature of 1877 and later removed to Seymour where he has for many years been a successful merchant. He was the first selectm in for a number of years, has since been chairman of the Board of Assessors, and is now president of the Business Men's Association. Children .
Jessie May, b. June 19, 1879; d. Aug. 15, 1881.
Mary E., b. Sept. 12, 1881.
Charles H., b. Nov. 1, 1883; m. Minnie E. Simmonds April 16, 1907.
John Titley, b. Nov. 15, 1890.
THE DOOLITTLE FAMILY.
This family has included many citizens of sterling worth in this grand old town, men whose influence has also been felt far beyond its limits, and men who in the earlier years did their full share in the formative period of our free institutions. The family is descended from Abraham Doolittle, one of the earliest settlers of New Haven, owning a house there as early as 1642, and was prominent in the affairs of the then new settlement. He died Aug. 11, 1690, aged 69, and his wife, nee Abigail Moss, Nov. 5, 1710.
ISAAC DOOLITTLE of Bethany, son of Reuben and grandson of Caleb of Hamden, m. Ursula, dau. of Ami Hoadley. Children:
Andrew J., b. - , 1842.
Ellen S., m. George Dorman.
Mary J., m. Hezekiah Lindsley.
Luther, enlisted in the 10th C. V. and was killed at the battle of Kingston, N. C
ANDREW J. DOOLITTLE, son of Isaac and Ursula, served in the war of the Rebellion in Co. H, 23d C. V. He is a member of Admiral Foote Post, G. A. R., of New Haven. He was elected representative to the General Assembly in 1888, and has been selectmin and assessor. He m. in 1870 Josephine, dau. of Benjamin Bishop, of Woodbridge. They have one son :
ARTHUR H. DOOLITTLE, b. Aug. 12, 1871. He represented the town of Bethany in the legislature in 1899, and has filled various positions of respousi- bility and trust. He is a member of Olive Branch Lodge. F. & A M., and Crosswell Lodge, I. O. O F., and was for two years master of Woodbridge Grange.
DENNIS W. DOOLITTLE, son of Bennet and Minerva Doolittle and grandson of Reuben, kept a grocery store at Mt. Carmel for a short time, and in New Haven for about fifteen years, and was engaged in the wood and coal business there for several years. In 1834 he settled in Bethany, and in 1896 opened a grocery store there. He m. 1st, in 1967, Evelina I., dau. of Philos Dorman; 2d. in 1878, Rosa N. Dorman, sister of his first wife. Children :
Cleveland B., b. in 1884.
Warren P , b. in 1885.
BETHANY
SKETCHES AND RECORDS
PART 2.
1
BETHANY
SKETCHES AND RECORDS.
PART 2.
PUBLISHED BY W. C. SHARPE. SEYMOUR, CONN.
RECORD PRINT. SEYMOUR. 1913.
FRE -
INDEX.
The Centennial Celebration, 135-140. Chronological Data, 140. List of Clergymen 141-148. List of Church Members, 149-171. List of Baptisms, 172, 173. The 150th Anniversary Celebration, 174. Historical Sketch of the Church, 174-180 150th Anniversary Committee, 186. Biographical Sketches, 182-188.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Pine Grove and Bethany Lake, 135. The Hoadley Falls, 149. Home of Nathan F. Mansfield, 151. Lambert Wooding Homestead, 153. The Hoadley Mill, 155. Home of Mrs. A H. Downs, 157. Home of Mrs. M B. McClure, 159. The Capt. Dayton Place, 161. The Archibald Perkins House, 163. Residence of Samuel B Downs, 165. A Bethany Charcoal Pit, 167.
The Gate School, 169. Perry's Hall, Oct. 10, 1913, 171. The Church Oct 11, 1913, 175. Interior of the Church as decorated, 177. At the tables in Perry's Hall. 179. The "Meetinghouse," 1769-1831, 181. Residence of H. F. Peck, 187. The Frederick Warner House, 188.
PORTRAITS. Elson E. Beecher. 186.
Nathan Clark, 182. Edwin N. Clark, 184. Clark Hotchkiss, 183. Dwight L. Humiston, 185. Wallace D. Humiston, 186. Justus Peck, 183 Harry F. Peck, 184. Nelson J. Peck. 187. Clifton D. Rosba, 187. Dea. Theophilus Smith, 182. Rev. John W. Wright, 185.
PINE GROVE, ON THE BORDER OF BETHANY LAKE.
Bethany Hills, Bethany Vales and Bethany Lakes are worthy representatives of New England scenery.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, OCT. 12, 1863.
(From the Connecticut Herald and
Journal, New Haven, Nov. 1, 1863.)
On the twelfth of October the people of Bethany celebrated one hundredth anniversary of the first organization of a church there, and the settlement of the first pastor, Rev. i Stephen Hawley. At 10 o'clock they
an address by Rev. J. L. Willard, of Westville. They then passed to the field in which Mr. Hawley was or- dained in the open air, and sung "One the Hundred Years to Come," and were ad- dressed by Rev. E. W. Robinson, of Bethany, and Rev. D. M. Elwood, of Woodbridge.
In the afternoon an address was de- assembled around his grave where a | livered in the Congregational church by Rev. S. C. Brace, the pastor, from the historical portions of which we are permitted to publish the following
handsome stone bears the inscription "Erected on the Centennial, October 12. 1863," and sung "One Hundred Years Ago," united in prayer, and listened to |extract:
I36
BETHANY.
In 1739, one hundred and one years | after the settlement of New Haven, the parish of Amity was set off, contain- ing territory from the townships of New Haven and Milford. In 1742, Rev. Benjamin Woodbridge was settled as the pastor.
. In 1762, upon the memorial of Joel Hotchkiss and others, it was enacted by the general assembly, that the in- habitants of the Parish of Amity, "liv- ing north of an cast and west line drawn from the south end of the
Widow Hannah Sperry's dwelling house," should be a distinct Ecclesias- tical society to be named Bethany.
The first meeting of this society was held November 13, 1762, at the school house in Bethany, probably that which stood near the present residence of Mr. John Kline. Deacon Joel Hotch- kiss was chosen moderator, and James Sherman, clerk, who was sworn by Samuel Sherman, Esq.
A society's committee was then chosen, viz: Timothy Peck, John White, Isaac Beecher, Daniel Tolles and Joel Hotchkiss.
It was voted that meetings shall be- gin on the second Sabbath in Decem- ber and hold until the last in April. A rate, or tax, was laid at a penny half- penny on the pound, for defraying the charges of preaching for the year en- suing. Gershom Thomas was chosen collector. This meeting is described in the records as a lawful society meet- ing of the inhabitants of Bethany in New Haven and Milford. It is to be presumed that public worship was in- stituted in accordance with the vote, but where it was held and who offi- ciated as the preacher, are not known.
At a society meeting held in March, 1763, it was voted that meetings shall begin in this place on the second Sab- bath in November next, and at a meet- ing in April, Deacon Joel Hotchkiss and Mr. Timothy Peck were appointed a committee to apply unto the Reverend Association, at their next convention
for their advice to a candidate to preach in said society upon probation, in order to settle among them.
The association held its meeting at Waterbury, May 31, and the minute on this subject, as recorded by Rev. War- ham Williams, contains these words: "We, having maturely considered the matter, unanimously advise said so-' ciety to Mr. Stephen Hawley, as a suitable person, highly approving of him for that purpose."
In June, Mr. Isaac Beecher and Mr. Samuel Downs were appointed "to ap- ply unto Mr. Hawley" and it was voted "that the time of probation shall be for the space of three months."
In August, the society invited Mr. Hawley to become the pastor, offering him "two hundred pounds settlement, and proposing to give him fifty-five pounds salary the first year and then rise with the list to seventy pounds a year, and there stop." Mr. Hawley's re- ply was dated Bethany, Sept. 12, 1763.
At a society meeting in September, it was voted that the ordination take place on the second Wednesday in Oc- tober, and that on the first Wednes- day a fast preparatory to the ordina- tion should be observed. It was also resolved "to apply unto the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge, of Amity, the Rev. Mr. Trumbull, of North Haven, and the Rev. Mr. Waterman, of Wallingford, to attend the above said fast."
At the same meeting, it was voted that Deacon Joel Hotchkiss, Mr. Daniel Tolles, Mr. Timothy Ball, Mr. Samuel Biscoe and Mr. John White, be a com- mittee "to apply unto the Rev. Moder- ator of the Consociation of New Haven county, in order to settle the Church of Christ in Bethany, according unto the established ecclesiastical constitution of this colony, and to transact all the affairs of the society that are neces- sary in carrying on said ordination."
The tradition is that the ordination services were performed in the open air, in a field near the fork of the roads
I37
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
below the residence of Mrs. Mary Brad- |1769; and at length in May, 1769, it ley. It is believed that there was in was voted "that we are willing to build a meeting house at the last stake set by the Honorable County Court's Committee." On this question . there were 29 in the affirmative and 10 in the negative. A committee, consisting of Isaac Beecher, "Ensign" Clark, and Israel Thomas, were appointed to pur- chase the land from Isaac Hotchkiss. that field a small rude building which was used as a house of worship, until the church edifice was erected, six years after the ordination of Mr. Haw- ley. The society meetings were always held in the school house, during these six years. In December, 1763, it was voted "that the society's committee take care and provide some person to sweep The edifice was ereeted in the latter part of 1769, on the summit of the hill south of the churches now standing, near the present residence of Mr. Ed- ward Buckingham. In December of that year, a committee was appointed "to seat the three first seats in the meeting house." the school house and take care of the door." This provision we should hard- ly expect for society meetings alone, and it might be inferred that the school house was the place of worship. But in 1767, it was voted "that Mr. Timothy Peck, Mr. Daniel Tolles, Mr Ebenezer Bishop, Mr. John Perkins and Mr. Samuel Biscoe sit on the fore seat." This vote seems hardly applic -. able to a school house. Besides in Mr. Hawley's New Year's discourse for 1769, it is said of those who died during the year-"their places are empty in this house of God." From this language we should infer that they then worshipped in an edifice set apart for that pur- pose.
The ordination sermon was deliv- ered by that eminent Divine, Dr. Bel- lamy, of Bethlehem, from I Corin- thians 11, 2. Mr. Hawley was a na- tive of New Milford and was gradu- ated at Yale college in 1759, in the same class with Dr. Trumbull, of North Haven. At the time of his or- dination, he was 26 years of age. It is probable that he studied theology with Dr. Bellamy. Before coming to Beth- any he had resided for a time in Strat- ford, where his eldest child was born.
Three years after Mr. Hawley's or dination, i. e., in November, 1766, the society adopted a resolution, "that it Is necessary for us to build a meeting- house." A committee was appointed to apply to the county court to fix the place. Difficulties seem to have arisen; a second application to the court was made in 1768, a third in
During this period of delay, the so- ciety passed some votes which amuse us at this day. In December, 1767, it was voted "that we will provide the boards, clapboards, shingles, nails and glass, necessary for building a meet- ing house the year ensuing." A tax was laid and it was decided that one-half might be paid in "flax seed, or some other species that will answer in New York." The society fixed the price to be paid for different kinds of lumber. The building was to be fifty-five feet long and forty feet wide.
In December, 1768, a vote was passed "that we get the timber this winter and set up the meeting house as fast as we can." It was ordered "that those that seore timber for the meeting house shall have two shillings sixpence per day; and those that hew shall have three shillings and sixpence per day." Deaeon White and Deaeon Hotehkiss were appointed "to cull the clapboards and shingles for the meeting house."
In March, 1769, it was voted "that this Society give free liberty for a belfry to be built on the meeting house," but this liberty was not then used.
In January, 1770, the Society meeting was held for the first time, in the meeting house. When edifice was
I38
BETHANY.
dedicated is not known.
It was customary to appoint par- ticular persons "to tune the psalm." In 1765, the choristers were Valentine Wilmot, Benajah Peek, and Stephen Sanford. In 1770, on entering the new church, a larger number received this appointment, viz: Isaae Baldwin, Joel Hotchkiss, Thomas Beecher, Anav Ives, Lazarus Tolles, Timothy Louns- bury, Nathanial Tuttle, and Nehemiah Tolles. At this time it was voted that the choristers sit together near the foot of the pulpit stairs.
The sacred edifice was still what we should esteem uncomfortable. In 1771 a committee was appointed "to give liberty to people to build pews in the meeting house where they see cause"
In 1773 a tax was laid to color the meeting house, and ease the windows, and to provide boards for the inside of the house.
In 1774 a vote was passed "that the meeting house be colored blue, and the windows white," but soon a special meeting was called and it was decided to color it white.
In December, 1776, it was voted "to finish the lower part of the meeting- house, and in front of the galleries."
In 1777 Nathaniel Tuttle, Isaac Bald- win, Daniel Tolles and Joel Hine were chosen "to tune the psalm, and sit in the fore seat in the front gallery."
In 1778 it was voted "that the So- ciety shall pay Mr. Hawley's salary in provisions, labor and other species, ac- cording to the first stating of pro- vision by the General Assembly-wheat at six shillings, and other things in proportion; and those that do not pay in the aforesaid species of provision, &e., shall pay money equivalent."
At the same meeting a committee was appointed to seat the meeting- house, viz .: Deacon Peek, Capt. Ball and Ensign Jacob Hotchkiss; and it was ordered that "the committee shall have regard to age, and what each one has paid to the building of the said
house, and according to their disere- tion with all."
In December, 1779, a vote was passed "that the Committee shall lay out the over-plus money of finishing the meeting-house, on the steps and other ways as they think best."
Thus at the end of ten years from its raising, the house seems to have been considered as in a manner fin- ished. In 1791 the Society voted "to take up three seats in the square body and to build pews on each side of the broad alley." In 1792 it was resolved, "That the Society may build a stee- ple to the meeting house, if they can get money enough signed to build said steeple." But the steeple and bell were not added until 1803.
Going back in the history we find in 1783 a committee appointed "to assist the church of England committee to find a place for them to set a church on."
In 1779 the society began "to eonfer with Amity about being made a town." This subjeet was one of much discus- sion and negotiations, and of some strife in regard to a place for a town house. The town was set off in 17N-I and named Woodbridge, in honor of the first minister of Amity The sep- aration of Bethany as a town began to be agitated in 1803; but was not accomplished until 1832.
Other names of those who acted in society business before 1800, are (plae- ing them in order of time), Jesse Brad- ley, William Wooding, Deacon Isaac Johnson, Josiah Lounsbury, Deaeon Peter Perkins, John Lines, Timothy Hiteheock. Ephraim Turner, Abraham Carrington, Ezra Sperry, Daniel Beech- er, Jonathan Andrew, Reuben Sperry. Amos Hitcheock, Jonathan Tuttle, Deacon James Wheeler, Jacob Hotel- kiss, Jared Sherman, Edward Per- kins, Jesse Beecher, David Freneh, Raymond Sanford, David Thomas, Lamberton Tolles, Roger Peck, John Russell. Medad Hotehkiss, John
139
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Thomas, Hezekiah Thomas, Caleb An-[ drews, Elihu Sanford, Jr., Reuben Perkins, Hezekiah Johnson, Lucas
Lines, Jared Tolles, John Wooding, Darius Beecher, Deacon Hezekiah Beecher, Jared Beecher.
Two men are still living who were members of the Ecclesiastical society in Mr. Hawley's time-Eden Johnson and Joel Andrews.
Mr. Hawley became so infirm at about 60 as to be unable to preach constantly, especially in the winter months. But he continued to officiate more or less until 1803, the year be- fore his death. Some now living re- member him as a trembling old man, with white locks. He was often led to the church, and assisted into the pulpit; and was sometimes able to de- liver only a part of his discourse It
is remembered that on one occasion he fell in the pulpit, and was carried home. He was tall and very spare; and his appearance made a deep im- pression on the young.
In the Connecticut Journal, (New Haven), of July 26th, 1804, the fol- lowing obituary notice of Mr. Hawley appeared :-
Woodbridge, July 23.
On the evening of Tuesday, the 17th inst. after a long and tedious illness, departed this life in hope of a blessed immortality, the Rev. Stephen Hawley, Senior Pastor of the church in Beth- any, in Woodbridge, in the 67th year of his age.
This worthy and good man, after having received a liberal education in Yale college, where he was graduated in 1759, was afterwards settled in the ministry at Bethany. There he la- bored, to good acceptance, for a num- ber of years, until by the Providence of God he was disabled from his work. ! The Rev Mr. Jones was, in June last, ordained a colleague pastor with him.
The funeral was attended on Thurs- day last. The corpse was borne to the meeting house by a number of respect- I
able citizens. A solemn and well
adapted sermon was delivered before a deeply affected audience by the Rev. John Foote, of Cheshire, from Job XIV-4-"If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come." After Divine service, the interment was performed with decency and sol- emnity.
Such was this Christian minister. He was very useful to his people dur- ing his ministry and was sincerely be- loved by his flock, who in his visita- tions, as well as in his ministrations in the sanctuary, "he held his face as it had been the face of an angel; for he was conversant among them with gravity, prudence, modesty, humility, candor, wisdom and benevolence."
Mr. Hawley's first wife was Mary Bellamy, of Hamden. She had three children. The second wife was Me- hetable Hotchkiss, daughter of Deacon Joel Hotchkiss. She removed to New Haven in 1806, with her three children, and resided there until her death in 1827.
Two of Mr. Hawley's New Year sermons were printed-those of 1769 and 1771. They give the reader a most favorable impression in regard to his activity of intellect, and his sol- emnity and earnestness as a preacher. They are certainly the productions of a man above mediocrity. They show that he himself was deeply serious, and that he possessed uncommon abili- ty to set forth his thoughts in an im- pressive manner. There is a remark- able vividness of style, and even some- thing of imaginative brilliancy; but all is deeply solemn The statements of evangelical truth are clear and Scrip- tural; and the appeals to the hearers are forcible and affecting.
A few months before his death Mr. Hawley selected out some of his ser- mons for the use of his family, and the widow was in the habit of read-
140
BETHANY.
ing them to her children. The re- mainder, written chiefly in shorthand, (as in part were those which were preserved), he destroyed. His pen- manship when he wrote with care, was beautiful.
It is gratifying to have, in the two printed sermons, so strong a portrait- ure of Mr. Hawley's mind and heart- glimpses of the preacher as he was, in thought. feeling, and expression. Thus he "being dead, yet speaketh."
CHRONOLOGICAL DATA.
1750-First place of public worship erected. Used also for a schoolhouse and always so mentioned in the records.
1755-Winter parish privileges granted by the General Assembly.
1762-Bethany incorporated an ecclesiastical an civil society similar to other parishes in Connecticut.
1763, Oct. 12-The Church of Christ organized and the Rev. Stephen Hawley ordained and installed first pastor.
1769-1773-The meetinghouse erected.
1784- Town privileges granted to the parishes of Amity and Bethany.
1803-Steeple and bell added to the meeting- house.
1804, June 6-The Rev. Isaac Jones ordained and installed second pastor of the church,
1804. July 17 -- Death of the Rev. Stephen Haw- ley.
1806-Trial and deposition of the Rev. Isaac Jones.
1808-Close of a controversy Which resulted in the withdrawal of sixtyone members.
1809 -- The endowment fund increased by sub- scription.
1810. August 22-The Rev. Nathaniel G. Hunt- ington ordained and installed third pastor of the church.
1823-Dismission of the Rev. Mr. Huntington on account of ill health.
1826-Court decision obtained that church funds should be exempt from taxation in Connec- ticut.
1829. Jan. 17-General Conference convened in this parish which resulted in the addition of thirtytwo members to the church.
1831. Oct. 13 -- Dedication of present house of worship.
1832 -- Incorporation of the town of Bethany with the same geographical limits as the parish.
1832 -. The Rev. Jarius Wilcox installed pastor. 1831 -- Installation of the Rev. John B. Kendall.
1851 -- Old parsonage sold and the house oppo- posite present house of worship purchased.
1855 -- Installation of the Rev. E. W. Robinson as pastor.
1863. Oct. 12 -- Celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the church. Erection of monument at the grave of the Rev. Stephen Hawley.
1866 -- Meetinghouse extensively repaired and altered by lowering galleries, removing pews and enclosing porch.
1876. April 5-Ordination and installation of the Rev. W. S. Woodruff who was dismissed two years later.
1890 -- Death of Deacon Clark Hotchkiss who served the church in this capacity sixtytwo years.
1897 Nov. 3-Ordination of the Rev. Chas. S. MacFarland.
1903 -- Church edifice repaired.
1913 -- One hundred fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the church.
141
THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH.
In all the New England settlements | your desire, as expressed in a vote, that I should engage to settle with you in the important work of the evan- gelieal ministry, for which you will be pleased to accept my sincere grati- tude.
the first public organization was the church. The first public building was the meeting house. The first public officer provided for was the minister. As an old writer says: "In the first settlement of New England, when the people judged their number competent to obtain a minister, they then sever- ally seated themselves, but not before, it being as unnatural for a New Eng- land man to live without a minister as for a smith to work his foree without a fire."
The first minister of the Church of Christ in Bethany was the Rev. Ste- phen Hawley. His pastorate was the largest in the history of the church, and worthy perhaps of the most ex- tended notice, but a good sketch of Mr Hawley's life, written fifty years ago by the Rev. S. C. Brace, having appeared in a recent issue of the Rec- ord, is it considerd advisable to omit in this article.
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