USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Bethany > Bethany sketches and records > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14
Treat Baldwin Johnson. Wilfred James Megin.
Martha Elizabeth Wellman.
Frederick Amos Wellman.
Susan Urania Wellman.
Harry French Peck.
March 4, 1883. Minnie Rebecca McClure.
March 21, 1886.
Florence Betsey Munson. Clifton DeWitt Rosha. July 5, 1894. Lena Belle Clark. Ruby Basham Clark.
Frank Joseph Clark.
Harold Clark Sperry. Oct. 22, 1899.
Bertha Emily Lounsbury.
Dorothy M. Lounsbury. April, 1900. Dorothy May Lepper. Jennie Ellen Lepper.
Margaret Josephine Lepper.
Clarke Beecher Johnson.
Frank Irving Johnson.
Raymond Nelson Peck.
Norman Harry Peck. Nov. 25, 1906. Edwin August Clark. Sept. 5, 1909.
Warren Dwight Johnson. June 23, 1912.
Lawrence Edwin Peck. Feb. 9, 1913.
Edward Anderson. Harold Anderson.
174
BETHANY.
THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.
The celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Bethany Congregational church was observed on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 11 and 12, 1913. A large part of the people of the town without respect to creed or church affiliation, were present, as well as an equally large number who ar- rived in automobiles and teams from adjoining towns. Many present from out of town had hereditary or ancestral connection with Bethany and so showed their loyalty to the old town, as well as to the church which has been so large a factor in the best in- terests of the community. On Satur- day at 10:30 a. m., Rev. Sherrod Soule, of Hartford, gave a very interesting address on "The Debt We Owe to the Country Church." Dinner in Perry's hall followed, and it was served to about two hundred and fifty people.
The afternoon was devoted to after- dinner speaking. Hon. William H. Williams acted as toastmaster. The speakers were Rev. Charles B. Tole- man, of Woodbridge, Rev. C. F. Luther of Westville, Rev. George F. Abel, of Seymour, Rev. Leonard E. Todd, of Oakville, Rev. C. B. Strong, of Pros- pect, Rev. J. W. Newton, of Madison,
Mr. S. G. Davidson, and Rev. John W. Wright.
Charles Hoadley, of Naugatuck, pre- sented the church with an old hatchet which was found in the steeple during the recent repairs, and which shows by its shape and its evident antiquity that it was left there when the church was built. It is mounted in a plush- lined case and a plate bears the name of the donor and the dates 1832-1913.
On Sunday, the exact date of the an- niversary, services were held in the church, with a sermon by Rev. H. B. Beach, followed by communion ser- vice and the four children of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Read were baptized.
At the afternoon service a historical sketch of the church was read by Wal- lace Humiston; and Rev. Joel Stone Ives, of Hartford, whose mother was born in Bethany, gave an address.
There was a large attendance, the other town churches being closed, and the people united in the service. The pastor of the Methodist church took part in the morning service. Much of the success of the occasion was due to the fact that everyone in town, with- out regard for denominational differ- ences, gave their hearty support, mak- ing it an "Old Home Day" as well as an anniversary celebration.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE CHURCH.
BY WALLACE D. HUMISTON.
Nearly three hundred years ago a number of the wealthy residents of London conceived the plan of a set- tlement that should be governed with the Bible for its law. They came to New England and in 1638 laid the foundations of New Haven. For a long time it was deemed Imprudent to settle far from the cluster of dwell-
rings erected there, but as the years passed the danger from hostlle In- dians decreased and we find our hardy forefathers pushing out into the for- ests which surrounded New Haven In search of land fit for farming.
Just about a hundred years after the founding of New Haven, a suffi- cient number of familles had settled
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
175 -
Photo by F. H, Simonds. New Haven.
BETHANY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, OCTOBER II, 1913.
176
BETHANY.
in the region which is now included in Woodbridge and Bethany to warrant the organization of a church. Accord- ingly the reglon was formed into the parish of Amity. On the Lord's Day and other occasions our fathers, the hardy pioneers of this forest town, as- sembled at the Amity meeting-house For seven or eight miles in all direc- tions these men of God descended from the breezy, life-giving hills, to the temple down in the valley, to pay this debt to the Supreme Ruler of the universe.
But the population of the northern half of Amity Parish was steadily in- creasing. By 1750 a school house was needed, the first in this town. It not only served as a school house but later, we learn, served as the house of worship for this community. The first step toward separation from
Amity Parish occurred in 1755. The
General Assembly granted "winter parish privileges to the inhabitants of the northern parts of Amity." This means that during the cold months of the year the people were free to en- gage a minister. During the summer they worshipped as of old at the meeting house in Amity.
It was in 1762 that complete separa- tion from Amity was effected and the name "Bethany" first appeared upon the map of Connecticut. A charter was granted by the General Assembly, which made Bethany a distinct eccle- siastical society, with all the privi- leges and powers belonging to such parishes.
The first meeting of this society was held Nov. 13, 1762. A few months later the society applied "unto the Reverend Association for their advice" concerning a candidate to preach in said soclety in order for settlement. The association held its meeting in Waterbury May 31, and the minute on this subject as recorded by Rev. Warham Williams, contains these words, "We, having maturely consid-
ered the matter, unanimously advise said society to Mr. Stephen Hawley as a suitable person, highly approving of him for that purpose." Eventually Mr. Hawley was invited to become pastor. His reply to the call has been preserved and may be seen in the ves- tibule.
At the society meeting in September it was voted that the ordination take place on the second Wednesday in October and that on the first Wednes- day a fast preparatory to the ordina- tion should be observed. At the same meeting it was voted that a commit- tee apply unto the Rev. Moderator of the Consociation of New Haven coun- ty 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 where now stands the house of Mr Collins, Oct 12, 1763. The sermon was delivered by that emi- nent divine, Dr. Joseph Bellamy, of Bethlehem. 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.
Three years after the settlement of Mr. Hawley it was considered neces- sary to build a larger meeting house to accommodate the increasing con- gregatlon, and application was made to the county court for a committee to look over the situation and choose a site. Much difficulty was expert- enced in choosing a suitable location, and three successive committees were be elected before a location could agreed upon, and even then a third of the members were dissatisfied. The site was located on the north side of the road leading over the hill from the "shunpike," so called, near the residence of the late James Cotter.
-
177
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Photo by F. H. Simonds, New Haven.
INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH, As Decorated for the 150th Anniversary Celebration.
The meadow opposite his house was the meeting house green, the church being on the western side. On the north was the mansion of Dr Hezekiah Hooker, and on the south and east sides, respectively, the residences of Rev. Stephen Hawley and Capt. Eb- enezer Dayton, of Revolutionary fame.
York." The building was to be forty feet in width by fifty-five feet long. It was ordered "that those that score timber for the meeting house shall have two shillings sixpence per day; and those that hew shall have three shill- ings sixpence per day." Deacon John White and Deacon Hotchkiss were ap- pointed "to cull the clapboards and the shingles for the meeting house." The building of the meeting house pro- gressed slowly. It was occupied in January, 1770, but it was not entirely finished until many years after that date.
It was planned to build the meeting house of material furnished by the in- habitants. In December, 1767, it was voted that "we will provide the boards, clapboards, shingles, nails and glass, necessary for building the meeting house the year ensuing." A tax was laid and it was decided that one half The steeple and bell were added in 1803. Now indeed the society had a might be paid in "flax seed or some other species that will answer in New | church edifice in which a just pride
178
BETHANY.
could be taken. It was.one. of the! largest and finest in this section, Be- sides the galleries and choir loft it con- tained nearly thirty large square pews, arranged in two central "square bodies" and in a row about the sides, with the exception of spaces reserved for the pulpit and the three entrances. The pulpit was on the western side of the meeting house and was reached by stairs. The whole was surmounted by a huge green sounding. board. Beneath the pulpit was a long seat on which the deacons sat facing the people. The tall white spire rising high o'er the verdant hills of Bethany was one of the most conspicuous objects that met the sailor's eye as he entered New. Haven harbor.
In 1783 the parishes of Amity and Bethany united their efforts in seeking to secure town privileges, but they could not agree as to the location of the town house or public hall. After Bethany had made many proposals, none of which were accepted by Amity, it was decided to petition the general assembly for the incorporation of Bethany as a separate town, but, how- ever, the two parishes finally effected an agreement and they were incor- porated as one town, called Woodbride, in honor of Rev. Benjamin Wood- bridge, the first pastor. Similar at- tempts were made in 1802 and 1804 to have the parish incorporated as a town, and at last successfully in 1832.
Mr. Hawley became too infirm at about sixty to be able to preach con- stantly especially during the winter months. But he continued to officiate more or less until 1803, the year before his death. He was then a trembling old man with white locks. He was often led into the church and assisted into the pulpit, and was sometimes able to deliver only a part of his discourse. He was tall and very spare and his appearance made a deep impression on the young.
a pastorate of over forty years. His grave is In the old cemetery, marked by a tombstone which was erected at the centennial celebration of the church in 1863.
When Mr. Hawley's health became so poor that he could no longer officiate, Rev. Isaac Jones was called by the church as a colleague pastor. He was born in New Haven Feb. 16, 1775, and was graduated from Yale In 1792 at the age of seventeen. He was or- dained June 6, 1804, and the sermon which he preached soon after as his inaugural address was printed. Mr. Jones's short pastorate was a stormy one. Dissatisfaction with him arose among some of the members, and fac- tions were formed which led to one of the greatest ecclesiastical wars that the rural towns of Connecticut have ever known. Matters reached such a magnitude that Mr. Jones was tried before the association, and his connec- tion- with that body was severed. He was later restored upon a public con- fession assented to before a three- days' session of the two consociations of New Haven county, but in 1807 the New Haven West association declared that Mr. Jones had not complied with the advice of the previous session and he was therefore without ministerial authority. His farewell sermon was preached in the hall of the Wheeler house in 1808. His text was from Jere- miah, "Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard." Mr. Jones became an Episcopalion and many of his congre- gation followed his example. He was the first rector of Christ church, Beth- any for two years. Most of his subse- quent life was spent in Litchfield where he died in 1850.
The third pastor of this church was Nathaniel G. Huntington, of Rocky Hill, Connecticut. He was born in 1785 and was graduated from Yale in 1806. He came to Bethany in 1809 and was ordained and Installed on Aug. 22
Mr. Hawley died In July, 1804, after of the following year. About two
Photo by F. H. Simonds New Haven.
AT THE DINING TABLES IN PERRY'S HALL ON SATURDAY, OCT. IITH.
180
BETHANY.
years after his ordination Mr. Hunt- [ bath for the sexton when he rang the ington had a hemmorhage and during beli the next morning, but the night was so cold that it froze the water and caused the bell to crack. It was used for many years after that event, but it had a "dingle" in its voice. It was replaced in 1851 by the fine old bell which now calls the people to worship. the remainder of his pastorate his health was poor. As it continued to grow worse he asked to be dismissed in 1823. He remained in Bethany for a year or two, then he moved to Ox- ford and finally to Orange where he died Feb. 10, 1848.
The old meeting-house on the hill was torn down early in 1831 and the green was sold.
The present house of worship was built during the summer and much of the material of the old meeting house was incorporated into the new, so that much of this present structure dates from 1769. The dedication services oc- curred Oct. 13, 1831. Dr. Nathaniel Taylor, for years a noted professor in Yale Divinity school, was then the
acting pastor of this church. He preached the dedication sermon from the text, "This is none other than the House of God and this is the Gate of Heaven."
It has come to us a heritage from the past, a good example of colonial architecture. Origina.ly there was a porch with two large pillars in front, as in the Woodbridge church which was built a year later than this. Also the old pews, with doors, were replaced many years ago. Some of the doors are preserved in the wainscot of the choir loft.
The bell of the old meeting house was placed in the steeple in 1803. One Saturday evening some young men turned it bottom-up and filled it with water. Their plan Involved a shower-
Since the time of Nathaniel Hunt- ington many ministers have served this church. Some of the important pastorates, because of length or in- fluence, were those of E. W. Robinson, S. C. Brace, D. M. Elwood and C. S. MacFarland. Mr. Brace was editor of the North American Review before he became pastor here. It was largely due to his efforts that the centennial was observed fifty years ago. He died in Philadelphia in 1897. It was in that year that C. S. MacFarland was or- dained in this little church. He re- mained here three years. Dr. Mac- Farland has risen high in the minis- terial ranks as an author and a preacher. He is at present executive secretary of the federal council of churches. Absence on the Pacific coast prevents him from being present today.
Thus have we traced the principal vicissitudes of this part of the church of Christ down the stream of time for one hundred and fifty years. At times ever since the incorporation the storm and whirlwind have passed over it, but by the kindness of Providence it still stands firm among its sister churches of the community.
18I
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
-
-
-
THE BETHANY CONGREGATIONAL "MEETINGHOUSE," 1769-1831.
182
BETHANY.
NATHAN CLARK.
Nathan Clark born in what is now Bethany, in 1824. was a son of Isaac and grandson of Isaac, both of whom were natives of Milford. Conn. Isaac Clark. the father of Nathan. married Esther. daughter of Deacon Joseph Treat, descended from Robert Treat. who was lieu- tenant-governor of the State of Connecticut 17
years, and governor 15 years. Isaac Clark held the office of selectman of the town of Wood- bridge for eight years in succession. Nathan Clark was elected town clerk and treasurer of the town of Bethany in 1855. and held those offices continuously until 1881. He was elected probate judge in 1862. and held the office con- tinuously until his death in 1893. He was also postmaster of Bethany for eight years, from 1855 to 1863. He was a member of the Congrega- tional Society and was a member of the So- ciety's Committee for nearly thirty years.
DEA. THEOPHILUS SMITH.
Deacon Theophilus Smith came to Bethany while young and by the energy and uprightness of his character won prominence and influence in the community. He was received a mem- ber of the church by letter from Milford January 7th 1827. He taught a High School, the first in town, and later kept a store and an inn near the junction of the turnpike and Center street. and by reason of the great amount of travel over the turnpike was well patronized. It was the custom when the pulpit was supplied by ministers from New Haven for them to come out to his Ion and be his guests over Sunday. He was a deacon of the church for many years. He was very earnest and effi- cient in church matters and was thoroughly conscientious in all affairs of his business life. He died February 21st. 1849, aged 83 years. He married first. Elizabeth Beecher. daughter of Lysias Beecher, who died March 30. 1830. aged 31. He married second. Eliza L. Beecher. who died September 27. 1884. His daughter. Elizabeth B., was the wife of Rev. Edmund Peek.
183
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
-
JUSTUS PECK.
Justus Peck was one of the Society's Com- mittee for many years and acted as fund agent until his death. Feb. 3. 1885. His son, Harry F. Peck. has acted as chairman of the fund com- mittee and fund agent since 1885.
Rev. Joel S. Ives, Registrar of the Congrega- tional House. Hartford. is a grandson of Richard Stone of Bethany whose name appears as holder of one of the pews in in the Congregational church in 1800.
Rev. John Thomas Andrew, son of Jonathan Andrew, was born in Bethany July 19, 1811. graduated from Yale College in 1839, and at Yale Seminary in 1842, and taught in Cornwall 1842- 1844, being prevented from continuing in the ministry by throat difficulties. He married Sept. 9. 1839. Jane Ann, daughter of Caleb Jones of Cornwall, whom he outlived, and died there May 3, 1887, aged 76.
+
DEACON CLARK HOTCHKISS.
Clark Hotchkiss, born Mar. 25, 1803, son of Isaac Hotchkiss, was a deacon of the church for more than sixty years. He married Caroline, daughter of Chillon Sperry, and they had two sons and six daughters. Isaac, who married Mary Reid and lived in Michigan; Martha, married Lyman Gaylord, lived in Wisconsin; Mary. m. a Mr. Hicock; Sarah. died in inaney; Fanny E .. 2d wife of Adrian Rosha; Julia. m. Thomas Higgins of Ansonia; Anna. m. Adrian Rosha, died in 1873; and Arthur. m. Julia P. Sperry. Deacon Hotchkiss lived in the house now occupied by his grandson. Dea. Clifton D. Rosha. His parents lived in a house which stood a little further south. Dea. Hotehkiss died July 3. 1890, aged 87 years.
184
BETHANY.
EDWIN N. CLARK.
Edwin N. Clark succeeded his father as town clerk and town treasurer and filled these offices for thirty years, and that of judge of probate for sixteen years, and was clerk of the Congre- gational church 35 years, from 1877 to 1912. when he removed to Seymour.
Deacon Thomas Horsfall was a member of the Society's Committee for a number of years and was a member of the committee of arrange- ments for the 150th anniversary celebration.
HARRY FRENCH PECK.
Harry French Peek, chairman of the Church Fund Committee, has repeatedly been elected to a number of the most responsible offices in the gift of his townsmen. He has been Selectman. Assessor, member of the Board of Relief, and Town Auditor, and represented the town in the General Assembly in 1895 and was then the first and only Republican elected to the General Assembly since the town was incorporated. sixtytwo years before. receiving over two votes to his opponent's one. During his early years he followed farming on his father's farm. one of the best in the town of Bethany, and attended to the repairing of farming utensils. and finding this work one to which he was peculiarly adapted he built a shop near his house and con- tracted for repairs to farming implements. besides shoeing horses and oxen, work so much in demand in a farming community. ant so favorably known did his shoeing become that frequently oxen were sent as much as ien miles over the hills to his shop. He owns a farm of 285 acres, sending therefrom large quantities of farm produce to the city.
185
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
DWIGHT L. HUMISTON.
Dwight L. Humiston is a native of Hamden but has been a resident of Bethany for many years. He has been one of the selectmen of the town for a number of years and in the fall of 1896 his fellow townsmen showed their apprecia- tion of his sterling qualities by electing him to represent the town in the General Assembly of 1897, which he did with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents.
REV. JOHN W. WRIGHT. Pastor in 1913.
Errata.
Page 147, instead of Rev. Philip J. Phelps should be Rev. Philip J. Ralph.
Page 174, for Charles Hoadley read Charles C. Hoadiey.
Page 178, Ist column, 17th line, after objects. add-"on the distant horizon."
186
BETHANY.
.. .. .
ELSON E. BEECHER. Chairman Anniversary Committee.
WALLACE D. HUMISTON. Historian of the Church.
150TH ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEES.
GENERAL.
Elson E. Beecher. Rev. John W. Wright. Dea. Thomas Horsfall. Dea. Clifton Rosha.
Nelson J. Peck. Wallace D. Humiston.
ENTERTAINMENT.
Mrs. May Peck. Miss Alice Richards.
Mrs. Dwight Johnson. Mrs. Chas. Booth.
Mrs. James Megin. Miss Ruth Carrington.
Mrs. Kate Lacy. Mrs. Elson E. Beecher.
Mrs Abner Warner. Mrs. Carrie Johnson.
Mrs. Harriet Stahnke.
MUSIC.
Mrs. Harry Peck. Mrs. Elsie Johnson.
Miss Frances Booth.
Dea. Clifton Rosha. Mr. Abner Warner. Mr. Ralph Carrington. Mr. Harry F. Peek.
PUBLICITY.
W D. Humiston.
Mrs. Fannie Rosha.
Mr. Harry F. Peck.
Elson E. Beecher.
DECORATION.
Mrs Elsie Johnson. Mrs. Elson E. Beecher.
Howard Doolittle.
E. ton Doolittle.
Elsie Russell.
Clarke Johnson.
Alice Payne.
SOCIETY'S COMMITTEE.
Clifton D. Rosha.
E. N. Clark.
Nelson J. Peck.
FINANCE. FUND COMMITTEE.
Harry FF. Peek.
Clifton D. Rosha.
Nelson J. Peck.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
187
NELSON J. PECK, Of the Anniversary Committee.
DEA. CLIFTON D. ROSHA.
RESIDENCE OF H. F. PECK.
183
BETHANY
THE FREDERICK WARNER HOUSE, SOUTH BETHANY.
REV. ISRAEL PERKINS WARREN, D. D.
One of the clergymen whose name Is recalled in connection with the recent anniversary cele- bration was Israel Perkins Warren, D. D., who was born in Bethany Apr. 8, 1814. in a house which stood near the old red schoolhouse of the Gate District. His boyhood was spent with his grandfather. Israel Perkins, who gave him a liberal education at Yale, where he was grad- uated in 1838, and from Yale Divinity school. class of 1842.
He served as pastor of the churches in Granby. Mt. Carmel and Plymouth successively. The re- mainder of his life was spent in editorial work
| From 1856 to 1859 he was correspondieg secre- tary of the Seamen's Friend Society, New York City. Later he was secretary and editor of the American Trust Society of Boston, and then until his death he published and edited the Christian Mirror of Portland, Maine. Dr. War- ren was the author of many books, among them, "Chauncey Judd." and "The Three Judges." Not long before his death he made a visit to Bethany and he wrote a very interesting account of his stay. He died in Portland, Maine, Oct. 9. 1=92.
LB D 14
100
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 0 014 111 630 7
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.