USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Bristol > Bristol, Connecticut : "in the olden time New Cambridge", which includes Forestville > Part 27
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NORTH ST.
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120
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(19) No. 105, James Freeman O, E. Chioniere R; (20) No. 10S. John W. Moore O, Elmer Berg R; (21) No. 111, H. W. Hungerford O; (22) No. 119, George S. Reed O; (23) No. 118, Mrs. Rosa A. Smith O, Charles W. Peck R; (24) No. 128, Mrs. G. J. Schubert O; (25) No. 136, Louis Rindfleisch O, B. F. Whitman R; (26) No. 144, Chas. Freeman R; (27) D. A. LaCourse's Carpenter's Shop.
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
230. I. P. Newell scored 33 runs, C. H. Hotchkiss 30, H. B. Cook 24, George Bartholomew 22, M. L. Peck 21, Dewitt Stevens 19, John Ward and Frank Steele each 15, Theodore D. Merriman and "Gus" Smith each 13, J. H. Ward 12.
The next year there was a game between the married and single men of the town which was consequential from the fact that Gus Smith made the record of his life, and which is said to be the greatest record ever made in this or any other State. He made in two innings 54 runs.
Two games were played with Forestville during the next three years and the next big game was with Brooklyn. After this game seven years elapsed before the Bristols went outside the town to play.
On August 15, 1887, they went to Winsted and warmed that team to the tune of 184 to 100. J. H. Ward made 23 runs and Harry S. Bartholomew and H. B. Cook each 10. Winsted played a return game in Bristol in September, 1887 and lost again. The high stand men on that occasion were H. B. Cook, who made 26 runs, Thomas Steele 24, A. F. Alpress 21, J. H. Ward 20, T. D. Merriman 19, A. D. Thompson 15, S. D. Bull 11. Then during the next few years there were games between local teams in Bristol and the first out-of-town club to come here was Newington, which now seeks to take the laurels from Bristol. They played here October 6, 1892, and were defeated 280 to 164. H: B. Cook made 34 runs and S. D. Bull 19. Dr. Howard of the visitors made 29 and J. H. Fish 19.
The next game with Newington was on October 27th in Newington. Bristol being victorious, 191 to 111. On August 18, 1893, Bristol again played to Newington, winning 164 to 125. On September 8, 1893, the Newingtons came here and came near winning. The score was: Bristol 84; Newington 80. On October 13, 1893, Bristol went to Torrington
HULL ST.
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(1) N. Miller O, Joseph Gorsky R; (2) Thos. W. Greeno 0; (3) Heny Simpson O; (4) Oscar Linden O; (5) J. Cajkoski O, M. Hayes R, (6) John Lamb O; (7) Chas. Johnson R (first house built on Hull street); (8) Robt. Carlson O; (9) Carl A. Carlson R.
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OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
and won from that town 168 to 107. Newington played here again September 7, 1894 and lost 215 to 122. Bristol visited Newington again September 20, 1895 and won 79 to 76.
When Bristol had it Old Home Week celebration the idea of having a wicket game between Bristol and New Britain took tangible form and clubs were organized in each place. The New Britain men went into the matter with great earnestness and did a good deal of practice work during the month preceding the game. Governor Chamberlain readily assented to do the umpiring for the game and Miles Lewis Peck of Bristol was selected as the captain of the team. William H. Hart of New Britain and Captain Henry A. Peck, both survivors of the famous game of 1859 were selected as the judges.
The game was played on September 4, 1903, on the Center street baseball grounds. At 11:30 Governor Chamberlain walked over to the bench he was to occupy and the game commenced. "Gus" Smith who had been imported from the Soldiers' Home at Togus, Me., to do the bowling was on hand and threw the first ball. The first inning was won by Bristol 57 to 41. The first part of the game was concluded at 2:45 P. M., and then the players had lunch and rested for a time. The second half resulted in some of the players making fine scores, but New Britain was easily defeated 109 to 81. In the evening at the Gridley House there was a banquet at which over one hundred were present, the Governor occupying the seat of honor. Miles Lewis Peck was the toastmaster and those who spoke were Governor Chamberlain, William H. Hart, Mayor Samuel Basset of New Britain and John H. Kirkham.
In the next morning's Courant appeared the following from New Britain: "There is some talk of challenging Bristol for a return wicket game. The local players are not at all satisfied that the defeat of today could not be turned into a victory on another occasion. The local
HOLL ST
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(10) Herbert J. Smith O; (11) Henry Fleming O; (12) Arthur H.' Porter 0; (13) Bernard H. Fallon (); (14) James M. Scanlon 0; (15) John Augdahl O; (16) Fred Nichol O, Fred Kriger R; (17) O. Taillon O, Philip Rondeau R; (18) Harry C. Wright ().
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
players lacked practice as a general rule, although there were several who played the game exceedingly well. Many of the team were accus- tomed to batting baseballs and spread their feet apart when striking at the ball. The ball rolling past knocked down the wicket and they were out." Bristol is still waiting for the challenge.
* Since this article was written, the following letter from Mr. Harry S. Bartholomew, in reply to an invitation to act as "judge" at a wicket game in Thomaston, has been found. It is very interesting and gives the rules in the famous "New Britain game."
* *
BRISTOL, CONN., May 17, 1865. * * * * * *
Enclosed I send a copy of the rules that were adopted when we played with New Britain.
If nothing happens to prevent, than I know of at present, I will try to come to your place July 1st. It is not a very easy job for a single judge to watch and decide all matters in a game, and it often leads to hard feelings. But many times I have thought it best as it saved disputes and time. All that can be asked of a man is to be just and prompt.
RULES OF THE GAME OF WICKET.
1st .- The ball shall be from 32 to 4 inches in diameter and weigh from 9 to 10 ounces.
2d .- The wickets shall be 75 feet apart.
3d .- The wickets shall be six feet long.
4th .- The tick marks shall be six feet from the wickets.
5th .- The ball shall strike the ground on or before it reaches the center, to be a bowl.
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SEYMOUR A ST
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(1) No. 107, Philip Allaire O; (2) No.99, Chas. Stock O; (3) No. 98, Karl Helming O, Adolf Crowl R; (4) No. 77, B. J. McGovern O; (5) No. 75, Edmund O. Duquette R; (6) Dwight F. Russell; (7) No. 62; Edward Helman O, Stanley Heinze R; (8) No. 61, M. Aurocolette O, (9) No. 53, A. Walter Fish O.
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OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
6th .- The bowler must start from behind the wicket and pass over it in bowling.
7th .- The bowler shall be within ten feet of the wicket, when the ball leaves his hand.
8th .- A throw or jerk, is in no case a bowl, but the arm in bowling must be kept perfectly straight.
9th .- In ticking, the bowler must stand astride or back of the wicket striking it off from the inside, retaining the ball in his hand.
10th .- When the bowler has received the ball, it shall be bowled by him before it is passed to the other bowler.
11th .- The striker shall in no case molest the ball when it is being thrown in, so as to hinder the bowler from ticking him out.
12th .- There shall be no crossing the alley when the ball is being bowled.
13th .- There shall be no unnecessary shinning.
14th .- In catching, flying balls only are out. A ball caught before striking any other object but the catcher is out.
15th .- In crossing, the striker shall tick his bat?down on or over the tick. Mark to have a cross count except when caught or ticked out.
16th .- No stricker shall strike a ball more than once except in defense of his wicket, neither shall he stop the ball with his bat and then kick it.
17th .- No one shall get in the way of a striker to prevent his crossing freely.
18th .- Lost ball may have four crosses run on it.
19th .- No one but the judge may cry "no bowl."
SEYMOUR & BUCKINGHAM STS
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مصفـ
(10) (11) No. 44, Frederick Beatson R; (12) No 37, Chas. Benson O;, Wm. H. Greenwood R; (13) No. 34, Patrick Farrel 0; (14) No. 28, James C. Parsons R; (15) No. 25, Anthony F. Pade- rewski R, Mrs. Josephine Paderewski R, Edward Mulhern R; (16) No. 19, Frank Moreau R; No. 21, Mrs. Mary J. Guckin O, P. O. Connell R.
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
Trinity Church
BY FLORENCE E. D. MUZZY
Sabba' Day morning 1727. The scattered settlers of New Cam- bridge living in the clearings of the primeval forest which covered these hills, are early astir-regardless of weather-in carts, horseback, perhaps afoot, for the eight-mile pilgrimage to the meetin'-house in Mother Farmington-there to worship duly as the fathers decreed. And again at dusk-back again, jolting over the rough forest trail-keeping out a wary eye for wild beasts and Indians.
For fifteen years did they patiently submit to this hardship piled upon innumerable other hardships. Then the General Assembly granted their urgent petition that at least during the severe winters, preaching at home might be allowed them. This was the entering wedge; and in 1743 an Ecclesiastical Society was organized and the parish named New Cambridge.
In 1747 the pastor, being a strong Calvinist, was bitterly opposed. And "here it must be noted," says the record, "that Caleb mathews, Stephen Brooks, John hikox, Caleb Abernathy, Abner mathews, Abel Royce, denell Roe, and simon tuttel, publickly declared themselves of the Church of England and under the bishop of london." These with Nehemiah Royce, founded the first Epicopal Society in New Cambridge and were soon followed by Benjamin and Stephen Brooks, Jr., and Joseph Gaylord. These churchmen, all men of prominence, were com- pelled to pay taxes to the Ecclesiastical Society, as well as to support their own which naturally caused great dissatisfaction.
The first Connecticut priests were missionaries until the American Revolution paid by the English Society for the Propogation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts; each missionary being required to send twice a year an account of his work home to England-these reports furnish- ing valuable information to the historian.
The first mission-priest at New Cambridge (then a part of the Simsbury Mission) was the Rev. William Gibbs-Harvard 1734-or- dained in England, as were all priests of that day. A "true copy" of the "Declaration" of Mr. Gibbs, "to conform to the Liturgy of the Church of England in the Province of New England in America," September, 1744,-may be found in the Bristol Public Library; also a copy of the grant to Mr. Gibbs by " 'Edmund, London,' to perform the office of minister in said Province;" also copy of a document from the Society stating that Mr. Gibbs, upon examination, "appears to be a person duly qualified for promoting ye good work And whereas, he is by ye Right Rev. Father in God, Edmond, Lord Bishop of London, a member of ye sd. Society, at their request Licenced and appointed to perform all ye Offices of his sacred function at Cymsbury in Con- necticut in the province of N. England in America. We grant him an annuity of ye sum of £30 on consideration yt. ye. sd. Wm. Gibbs doth without delay. Transport, or cause himself to be Transported to Cymsbury aforesaid." Mr. Gibbs is then recom-
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mended to the protection of God and also to "the countenance of his Excellency the Governor of the Province and the Good Will of all Chris- tian People at Cymsbury."*
In a letter to the Society, 1749, Mr. Gibbs says of the New Cam- bridge churchmen: "the dissenters do oblige them to pay to the dis- senting minister, and which they have refused and for the refusal were, four of them committed to the Hartford gaol, in a place where they keep malefactors, upon which they then paid six more are now threatened." Six months later Mr. Gibbs writes that these men having paid, he himself "demanded the money of the collector, which refused the same, and which put me upon sueing him before one of his Majesty's justices of the peace in Simsbury town, for my Church- warden's rate of Caleb Matthews, but was cast, and for my refusing to pay the cost I am brought to Hartford gaol where I now am. Thus presumptuous and bold are these men in these parts." Episcopal Mr. Gibbs was also compelled
TRINITY CHURCH, HIGH STREET.
to pay taxes from his own scanty income to support the Congregational ministry. Owing to his ill treatment at the time of his arrest and the shock to his nerves, he afterward became insanc and suffered under this cloud till his death twenty-five years later.
About this time a compromise was effected by which the Churchmen were to pay half rates to the Standing Order, until they had a priest of their own to support.
Mr. Gibbs probably retired about 1750; as in a letter dated 1751. the Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson "the Father of Episcopaey in Connecticut," speaks of the New Cambridge people as having "put themselves under the protection" of Mr. Mansfield of Waterbury-that parish being much nearer than Simsbury.
Rev. Richard Mansfield-Yale 1741-ordained by the Archbishop
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of Canterbury 1748-in October of that year took charge of Derby, Waterbury and West Haven. To these were afterward added Oxford, Westbury (Watertown), Northbury and New Cambridge, 1750. If the Rev. Richard Mansfield could have found time between sermons and lonely horseback trips through the woods to record his ministerial ex- periences, they would make interesting reading in these days of elec- tricity and divided labors. He writes: "I visit them as often as the care of my large Missions will permit." It has been written of him: "The aged speak with delight of the alacrity with which he would make a journey of twenty miles or more, over an extremely bad road to perform any extra parish duty." After his retirement in 1759, he continued to live in Derby until his death, having been rector of one parish for seventy-two years. These two are but examples of the stuff of which early New England was made.
"It was in 1754, during his ministry that the Churchmen of New Cambridge built their first church upon a lot deeded to the Society by Stephen Brooks. This held four acres and was at the north of the Training Ground, or The Green. The church opened June 10, 1754, with Abel roys and Stephen brooks chosen church wardens. Caleb mathews chosen clerk" The site of this First Church has been marked by Mr. George Dudley Seymour with a boulder of rose-quartz from Chip pin's Hill. Five of the original nine members lie buried in the old yard near. A few of the windows used in this first church are still in existence.
In 1759 upon Mr. Mansfield's retirement, the churches of Water- bury, Northbury, Westbury and New Cambridge petitioned the English Society to appoint Mr. James Scovil-Yale 1757-as Missionary, three churches having been built and membership greatly increased. He accordingly began work at once, settling in Waterbury. His charge consisted of 110 church families and 150 communicants. In less than a year these increased to 117 families and 172 communicants. In New Cambridge in 1760 there were 23 church families and 47 communicants; though in 1772 there were but ten families more and no increase of members. In 1763-4 a large decrease was recorded-probably caused by the removal of younger members to new settlements. Towns were like beehives in those days-always a swarm to newer fields.
In 1762 Farmington was added to this charge. Mr. Scovil in his letters says he officiated every fourth Sunday in New Cambridge, unless hindered by other duties. There seems to be no mention of vacations. He reported that most of the adults in the parish were regular com- municants and living in harmony with the dissenters. His first salary was £20 a year, increased in 1764 to £30; but-poor man !- it is once
recorded that, "At a vestry meeting held December 10, 1765, voted to give Mr. Scovel fifteen pounds for the year ensuing, and that we might have the liberty of paing it in pork and grain at the
market price." Seventy-five dollars a year, to be paid in pork and grain-collected from five towns, separated by steep hills and unbroken forests! In 1766 he mentions casually that his duties were "full enough for two clergymen if any method could be found for their support." It appears not to have occurred to any economical parishoner that Mr Scovil "go halves" on his produce and cash.
In 1771 Mr. James Nichols graduated from Yale, and being native of Waterbury, he probably assisted Mr. Scovil as lay-reader.
In 1774, "the Rev. James Nichols, a gentleman well recommended, hath lately been ordained" to the parishes of Northbury (Plymouth) and New Cambridge (Bristol) these having "voluntarily engaged to support their own minister." Mr. Nichols was the last man from Con- necticut to take holy orders from England and the Society voted him a gratuity of £20, in lieu of the salary usually paid by them-"£60 sterling per annum, and a glebe of forty acres of very good land" was the salary voted by Northbury and New Cambridge; while the records for 1773 says that New Cambridge voted him £40 lawful money yearly "for our part of his stated salary." Also :- "voted, that we would raise
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OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
REV. WILLIAM HENRY MORRISON, PRESENT RECTOR OF TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
25 pounds to carry him home (to England) to be raised upon our lists at two pence half penny upon the pound." Mr. Nichols was the first priest to live at New Cambridge.
The relations between Congregationalists and Churchmen appear now to have become more friendly for a time, the rates being fairly divided and the Churchmen taking part in nonecclesiastical matters. But when the war came on, the "Church of England" sympathized almost entirely with the Mother Country, and friendliness gave way to active hostility in many places. Shortly after the Declaration of Independ- ence, the clergy of the state held a meeting to decide whether or not to pray that the King "might be victorious over all his enemies." They feared to omit the prayer-they feared to use it; so they shrewdly avoided the issue by suspending services for a few months, when the war would doubtless be over. It is told that one absent-minded clergy- man did pray for "our excellent King George"-hastily assuring the Lord an instant later that he "meant George Washington.
Rev. Nichols was an ardent loyalist and his people agreed with him. "Chippin's Hill became a rendezvous for Tory gatherings from all over the state, where soldiers enlisted for King George, and infor- mation went forth to New York." The famous Tory Den is not far rom here.
In 1776 Mr. Nichols baptized five; in 1777 but one, in 1780, four. One of these would seem to have been Moses Dunbar, the only loyalist hung in Connecticut during the war; as he was a "recent convert under the teachings of the persecuted ministers, and was a devoted and fear- less supporter of the royal cause."
In the State Records, Vol. I, page 259, are the names of seventeen loyalists who were imprisoned on suspicion of being unfriendly to America and who pray for release, testifying that they "had been much under the influence of one Nichols, a designing church clergyman, who had instilled into them principles opposite to the good of the States." At least fifteen of them were Churchmen. Others were punished also in various ways; and it is said that Mr. Nichols was tarred and feathered. It is upon record that he was indicted for treason before the Superior Court, Hartford, in 1777, but escaped conviction. He was some of the time in hiding, and church services were discontinued.
After the war the church building was unfit for use, but meetings were held in private houses for a time. Mr. Nichols was again in New Cambridge, and probably reorganized the church, tho he died in another state, about 1829.
In 1784 it is recorded :- "that we are willing to meet again in the church which hath lain desolate . on account of the perse- cution of the times; and, voted that we would repair the church house." Also: "Voted a penny tax on ye pound on the list of Aug. 1784 .
for the purpose of hiring preaching to be paid in wheat, rie or .
otes." In November the reorganized parish contained 29 voting mem- bers; but finding the burden too great, in 1790 they "Voted, That we was desirous of having the east part of Northbury (Plymouth) and the south part of Harwinton to join with us in making up a Society." This new combination petitioned the General Assembly to establish a church at East Plymouth, central to all. This is the well-known, old, "East Church" built in 1791. The New Cambridge Church building was sold to Abel Lewis, who made it over into a barn. Services were discon- tinued in New Cambridge, until 1834 when "Trinity Church, Bristol" was organized.
The "Second Episcopal Church" built upon land bought from Ira Dodge, was named St. Matthews.
The records, long lost sight of were afterward recovered. They date from 1747 to 1800. They are not complete, but still much fuller than those following 1800.
We find this item: "The present church edifice was built in 1791,
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OR "NEW CAMBRIDGE."
finished in 1794, consecrated by Bp. Seabury Oct. 21, 1795. The same day the Rev. Alex. V. Griswold was ordained priest. The next day was consecrated St. Mark's church, Harwinton. These were the last official acts of Bp. Seabury of which there is any record There were present in convocation 15 of the clergy of Connecticut." It would seem by this that Harwinton had ambitions of her own, and did not take kindly to union for strength. The records bear the in- scription: "Fear God and Honor the King."
There seems to have been no especial name of any saint applied to the First Church, situate on the Green of Federal Hill. In 1792 the committee appointed to dispose of the old church is directed on the records to turn over the effects to the "new church in Northbury." This same year delegates were sent to "attend the State Convention at New Haven"-no longer a meeting in a Tory Den!
The meetings of 1793-4-5, give names of choristers, delegates, church officers; the fixing of rates, etc. In 1796 the record states that the "Vestry dissolved." Also in 1796 Mr. Cyrus Gaylord and Caleb Mat- thews, Jr. were "chosen to assist in reading services and sermons as occa- sion may require." This was during the ministry of Rev. Alex. Gris- wold, who also officiated at neighboring towns, and taught school winters. Moreover he was a mighty fisherman. Mr. Welton tells tales of Mr. Griswold in his note book. In 1805, he resigned to accept a call to Bristol, R. I., where he afterward became Bishop of the Eastern Dio- cese. He wrote, later: "No years of my life have been more happy than the ten I passed in these parishes. The people were mostly religious and all comparatively free from vice."
From 1797 to 1800, vestry meetings are noted, but little done except regular choice of officers. A "List of vessels belonging to the church in New Cambridge" is given and judging by the names of the givers they were of early date:
PLYMOUTH EAST CHURCH IN 1907
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
"one beacker given by lieut. John row,
one platter given by Nehemiah roys,
one bason bought with the church's money,
one tancut (tankard) bot with church's money,
A cution (?) given by Caleb mathews,
Mr. Abel roys, Nehemiah roys,
one beakcer given by Simon Tuttle."
After Mr. Griswold, the next permanent rector appears to have been the Rev. Roger Searle, from 1809 to 1818. He went from East- Plymouth to "New Connecticut" in the Western Reserve, as a pioneer missionary, and was the founder of the first Episcopal Parish in Cleve- land, Ohio. From 1820 to 1829 Rev. Rodney Rossiter officiated, and then resigned, "believing a dissolution of my pastoral connection . expedient." This was received with much regret; and some- where about 1832-3 Rev. Horatio Potter, afterward Bishop of New York, preached at St. Matthews. Following him came students from Washington College, Hartford. Then, in 1834, Rev. George C. V. East- man occasionally officiated at evening.
About this time, "owing to the arbitrary conduct of a prominent layman at East Church" the subject of reorganizing the New Cam- bridge (now Bristol) Society was agitated. Several families, descend- ants of the original founders of the 1747 Mission joined in this move-' ment. This loss of so many liberal supporters lead eventually to the rapid decline of St. Matthews.
. The new church was built at the "North side" of Federal Hill, not far from the site of the original church. Mr. Eastman was chosen rector and the church was named "Trinity."
In Mr. X. A. Welton's copies of the old records including those of both First and Second Early Churches, is a list of officiating clergymen, beginning with the unhappy Mr. Gibbs. The dates do not fully coin- cide but are not far astray. Some of these names were doubtless those of assistants to the rector or "supplies:"
Rev. William Gibbs. 1747 to 1753
[ Rev. Ichabod Camp (converted dissenter) 1753 to 1755
{ Christopher Newton (converted dissenter) 1755 to 1759
Rev. Richard Mansfield o 1759
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