USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > New Canaan > Canaan parish, 1733-1933, being the story of the Congregational church of New Cannan, Connecticut > Part 4
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Let us cherish our history. It is a great and distinctive advantage that we have behind us the beginning and growth of an orderly history. Let us honor our fathers' memory by preserving and exemplifying their principles. We who are now assembled here gathering up the influences of this occasion, must soon be numbered with the congregation of other days. The time of our departure is at hand to make way for our successors in the theatre of life. It may be that our posterity will assemble here to review their past. Shall it be amid joy or sorrow? The answer is in part left to us. May he, who, at the distance of another century, shall stand here to celebrate this day, still look around upon a free, happy and virtuous people; and may the God of our fathers give us grace to administer the trust committeed to us, that our record shall enable the historian to rank us with them, as having been faithful to the principles which they established.
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North as farfrom the sea as an Indian can goe from Sun risinge to sun settinge
WILTON $ 1725
Norwalke Lande
which is in ye Connecticut Colony
CANAAN PARISH
Stamford Lande which is in ye New Haven Colony.
1732
Clapboard Hill Region
White Oak Shade
Region
Dutch Country
Rippowam River
5 Mile River
1640
River of Norwalke
Soachatuck River
Capt Turners purchase from Ponus 1640
Indians
Roger Ludlowe purchase from Mahakemo
Fairfield Land
Greenwich Land
Mianus River
STAMFORD
NØRWALK
THE SEA
This is not an ancient map as its character seems to suggest. It was drawn by William Francis Weed in 1934 to show first, the relative locations of the land bought from the Indians lying in Canaan Parish; second, to show that this land was partly in the Connecticut colony and partly in the New Haven colony; third, to indicate the location of regions in Canaan Parish which had been named by the people of Norwalk and Stamford as early as 1681, and are used in describing land transactions on their records of that date and continuously until their jurisdiction ceased in 1801.
While the long dispute between New Haven and Connecticut had been settled before Canaan Parish was formed, it is interesting to note that had it been settled seventy-five years earlier, the inhabitants of the western side of the town would have been subject to the New Haven jurisdiction and those living east of the Noroton River would have been under the government of Hartford. Inasmuch as the river does not extend the entire length of the town, those in the extreme north would have been in the center of a lively dispute. The controversy between these two colonies is illuminating in its political and doctrinal aspects representing as it did, the liberal and the ultra-conservative attitudes as regards both subject. It is not difficult to trace the influence of these two attitudes down into the early acts of both Norwalk and Stamford long after the union of the two colonies. Stamford was reluctant to grant parish rights to Canaan and Norwalk raised no objection. Stamford continued to appoint tything men for Canaan for five years after the church here was established. No such action appears on the Norwalk records. When this parish applied to the General Assembly in 1801 to become an incorporated town, Stamford raised objections and sent a committee to the assembly to oppose it, (see photostat of minutes of Stamford town meeting, page 19). These two attitudes seem to have been inherited and were entirely consistent with the history of the Conncticut and New Haven governments. See New Haven Colonial Records, 1635-1665.
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Mohakes Country
( 1640)
Norton River
Capt Patricke purchase from Norwake
1640
PIONEERS OF CANAAN PARISH
A PROLOGUE
What brought you here to Canaan, John and Mercy Bouton, Thomas and Susanna Talmadge?
And you, Caleb Benedict, and John Davenport, young bachelors of substantial patrimony,
To Canaan where only the impatient Silvermine, Five Mile, and Rippowam wend their way through narrow woods and meager meadow?
'Twere easy to know why your father, Ebenezer Carter, went to
Deerfield and built his ill fated cabin where all his household was so soon to fall to savage axe and bondage.
For that was a fertile valley to tempt the very soul of any husbandman.
But you were not farmers, nor woodsmen-lumbering was yet to be born -like your grandchildren.
Zest for gold had passed with the greedy Spaniard and the magic font of youth with the folly of DeLeon.
Yearning for civil and religious freedom was an old man's tale even in your fathers' day.
Why did you leave the hospitable harbors where Norwalk dwelt in social and easeful content, and
Stamford, well guarded now from both Dutch and Indian, thriving and strong in its youth?
Neither husbandry nor faith, nor yet the restless searching of a Ludlow for a place where bold ideas of government might thrive with none to say him nay.
Neither hope of knighthood nor the spirit of conquest that moved the gallant Drake and Raleigh, urged you,
Thomas Seymour and Hanna, to come to Canaan wilderness in seventeen thirty-one.
What then, Eliphalet Seely, Ezra Hait, Moses Comstock, and all you, our grandsires, brought you here, when home was still but half exploited and the generous sea offered rich sustenance and profit in every harbor?
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"Well, first of all 'twas Canaan, and Canaan's the land of promise. None knew then what the future held, nor where men's chances lay nor what they were.
'Twas a fair spot, and if its hills were rocky and its meadows sparse, there was a gentle loveliness about it-no awesome crags nor roaring floods-no restless sea, but everything man's eye could wish -and all in gentle moderation-something to live with and never tire.
We were young and there was the urge to find some farther spot to build our nest and join with others like ourselves in new adventure."
Ah yes, after all it was Connecticut calling-calling even then as it called "wild laurel" to Alfred Noyes near twenty decades later when he first found himself
"on the happy hillsides of Connecticut where the trout streams go caroling to the sea."
It was Canaan calling as it called Bliss Carman to "meet Christ walking on Ponus Street," and again to sing "Heaven is no larger than Connecticut No larger than Fairfield County No, no larger Than the little valley of the Silvermine
The white sun visits and the wandering showers."
These later pilgrims felt not the urge that, all unconscious of its import, led you from hospitable harbors, though Canaan called you both.
Theirs the mellowed richness of Autumn woods- Yours-a something still too vague to recognize. But you did more than plant a parish, Daniel Keeler, Theophilus Fitch, and all the rest of you who ventured into this virgin land
Though that alone was justified by all that followed.
You were hospital to that embryo which grown to its full fruition four score years hence. became the American Pioneer. S. B. H.
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"CHOOSING THE SITE"
A Play in One Act Presented on the Lawn of the Congregational Parsonage at the Women's League Annual Garden Party, June 20, 1933, Being the 200 Anniversary of the Event.
PEOPLE IN THE CAST
HE twenty-four founders of the present church, who met June 20, 1773, to hear the decision of a committee from the General Assembly of Connec- ticut Colony at Hartford, appointed at their request to approve their selection of the site of the Meeting House.
John and Mercy Bouton Ernest Rau and Ruth Silliman John and Dinah Benedict . Theodore W. Benedict and Mary Drummond Tunney Thomas and Susanna Talmadge Stanley and Esther Mead
Thomas and Elizabeth Seymour William F. Weed and Hilda Robinson
John and Lydia Fitch Chauncey and Amanda Weed
Daniel and Hannah Keeler Wayne G. Miller and Ethel Kellogg
Eliphalet and Sarah Seely Frank and Carrie Comstock
Ezra Hait and his wife Phebe Stephen and Fanny Hoyt
Nathaniel and Hannah Bouton Lawrence and Matilda Offen Caleb Benedict Roger Silliman
John Davenport Percy Davenport
John Finch Frank Rae
John Bouton, Jr., and Mary Thomas W. and Mary Louise Hall
Jerusha, wife of David Stevens F. Louise Mead
Caesar, slave of Moses Comstock Harold Mead
Spirit of the Church Edna Selleck
THE COMMITTEE
Captain Gersham Buckley
Glen Wright
John Thompson Captain James Lewis
Edwin F. Bouton Andrew R. Hoyt
(The date of the founding of the Parish, June 20, 1733, was under the old calendar which continued in use in this country until 1750 when England and her colonies adopted the Gregorian calendar, nearly a hundred years after its acceptance by the Catholic countries. In that year the ten days from September 3 to September 13 were "suppressed" to correct the annual error accumulating since the old Julian calendar went into effect about 325 A. D., and the new year which had begun on March 25 was decreed to begin January first. Therefore this date, June 20, 1733, is in reality June 30.)
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STAGE SCENE AND SETTING
The lawn of the parsonage close to and just south of the large boxwood trees southeast of the house. This boxwood is the principal background of the stage.
The stage fronts toward the southeast.
There are a table, three chairs for the committee and several benches which John and Dinah Benedict and Caesar, are arranging in order for a meeting. This opens the play. As the members arrive in twos and small groups, they exchange informal greetings and engage in natural conversation which will not be understandable to the audience but give the impression of a quite natural movement of informality before the meeting is called to order. There should be an air of seriousness. As women had no voice in the formalities, their natural inclinations are exemplified by Dinah Benedict, who speaks the first word :-
Dinah Benedict (having dusted and arranged the table to suit her, sits down and takes out her knitting)-There Caesar, that will do, I reckon; it was good of you to come.
Caesar-Yes'm Masr Comstock say I was a come and help fotch de cheers and help with de hosses.
Dinah-Mr. B. I trust, thee dost not find it unseemly that thy wife attends the meetin'?
John Benedict-I trust not, Mrs. B. but I air thankful that women will have no voice in the grave matter we are here to decide. (Gets up and paces slowly to and fro, with hands behind back) - If Ebenezer Carter's wife Hannah could have her say, the meetin' house site would be far away on the Clapboard Hills.
Dinah-Here comes Thomas and Susanah Talmadge so I shall not be the only female.
Thomas Talmadge (riding up on horseback with his wife behind-alights and helps her down.)-Good day, neighbor Benedict and greetings to thy goodwife.
Susanah (having exchanged greetings with Dinah) -See, here comes the Boutons -John has fetched Mercy-It's so relievin' not to be a lone female in this gatherin' of men, ain't it, Dinah?
Thomas Talmadge (to John Benedict)-Looks as if there will be no news to fetch home to our women folk from this meetin', John.
John Benedict-No, 'pears to me they mean to gether it themselves fust handed.
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Well, set thy mind at ease, Mrs. B .- Thee'll have plenty of company. The Boutons arrive and are quickly followed by the Davenports, Seelys, Nathaniel Boutons and Stamford Group, who exchange informal greetings.
Mercy Bouton-Don't you all hope and pray they'll decide upon this site for the meetin' house ?- it's so beautiful here-I like to look off at the sea --- seems like a way out of this wilderness if we ever have to go back.
John Benedict (in amazed indignation) -What do I hear from thy good wife, John Bouton ?- Wilderness? This land of Canaan-our promised land where we shall build us a sanctuary and justify our faith in God's bless- ings.
The rest of the group arrive-informal greetings, as they seat themselves.
"PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW"
John Benedict (Raps on table and calls the meeting to order)-Brethren and Sisters, we have gathered here to receive from the honorable committee from the General Assembly their decision upon the site for our meetin' house. We still meet without a representative of the authority of divine grace, but please God, the step we take today shall bring us nearer the time when a regularly ordained minister of the Gospel shall ask the blessings upon our acts, preach to us the holy word on the Sabbath, baptize our children and represent the law of our good colony of Con- necticut, which by the grace of His Christian Majesty, Charles II, we enjoy by Charter. We shall be saved the long journey to Stamford or Norwalk. Until then we may open and close our assemblings with the Doxology-Brother Daniel Keeler, thee hast been blessed with a voice of song-wilt lead us in the Doxology?
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Daniel Keeler (Steps to table, gets out tuning fork and wipes it with huge handkerchief and strikes it on table. After trying for the note several times and making one or two false starts, he gets it and leads off, all rise and join in singing the old measure of the Doxology- very slowly and with its praise almost overshadowed by its solemn dignity.)
John Benedict (After the audience is seated.) Brethren and Sisters, while we wait the coming of the honorable committee, if it please you, I do sub- mit that we try our minds upon this momentous question-the selection of a site for our meetin' house. Let us discover to ourselves if we be easy or on-easy in the matter. Brother John Bouton, wilt speak thy mind?
John Bouton-I be ondecided abaout it. 'Pears to me if we shall put her up here on this hill, she'll be a long ways t' folks in Stamford parts and if we put her onto Clapboard Hills side, she'll be no better. I'll tell-ee, Squire Talmadge's medder lot's a fair site and no mistake. Mercy and me sh'd like her to go down there. But I dunno-I ain't sot-I an't 'zactly on- easy. I believe we got to hev a meetin' house, that's sartin, and mebbe one place is good as tother.
John Benedict-Brother John Davenport, what be thy feelin' in the choice?
John Davenport-Brethren and Sesters, it be my opeenion there is no fairer spot in all the Parish than this on which we stand. It's midway betwixt all concerned. If time comes when we can put a steeple on't, we can look from our door yard and see it pintin' to the sky. Around this site a town can grow and will, no doubt. Roads will be laid and a village grow up at the foot of this hill.
John Benedict-Will any other brother speak his mind ?- Brother John Fitch? John Fitch-I am of the like mind with Brother Davenport. His vision seems sound. It is vain to prophecy what shall become the center of this parish if left to itself without let or hinderences-no one can say if it shall be hither or yon if left to chance. But if we put the sanctuary here, then it must follow that this will be the center of our growth.
John Benedict-Any other brother? Brother Seeley?
Eliphalet Seeley-I am of the same opinion with Brother Fitch-and I might say so is my good wife.
John Benedict-Brother Caleb Benedict?
Caleb Benedict-I be easy on this site. Let it be builded here, sound strong and fair to the eye.
John Benedict-Brother Hait, we have waited perhaps too long for thy wise counsel-thy opinion commands respect.
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"THOSE TIMBERED HILLS ARE LIKE NONE HEREABOUTS"
Hait-This be a fair site, I agree, but not more fair then the Clapboard Hills to the Eastard. There is a fertile land-the vallys both to the East and West will, in my opeenion, be settled first as this parish grows. It's nigher to Norruk and the sea, and there be tol'able roadway aready. With our meetin' house on the Clapboard Hills, the farms in all directions shall be in view of the church.
Those timbered hills are like none hereabouts; oaks, tall and straight, with never a branch for forty feet; the grain of 'em is that honest, man can split with wedge and maul with no need to haul to mill. Here is the only thing in the parish that differs-these oaks. And how useful to our purpose! What could be more proper than to build our meetin' house of those noble oaks on the very ground where they grow?
John Benedict-Brothers, it is severe trial to the mind to weigh these views in wise and Christian spirit. We appear to be in some on-easiness. But may we all seek that state when a decision is reached that will be ac- ceptable to the Lord in full self-abnegation and harmony.
Thomas Seymour, who is deaf and has been trying to speak several times but pulled back to his seat by his wife Elizabeth, now sees bis chance and rising on his cane says:
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"I'm a leetle mite deaf and I ain't heard all ye been a sayin' of, but I sez, put her daown in the medder lot by the brook, and then if she ketches fire there'll be water handy. I'm right on-easy 'baout fire and I don't hanker for to see t' meetin' house up on no hill,-this un ner Clapboard, either-If she ketches fire what be we a'goin' to do fer water?"
John Benedict-And now Jerusha, wife of David Stevens, how dost thy good husband feel, dost know?
Jerubsa Stevens-David can talk for hisself-I'll speak my own mind if you · please, and I'm sot on this spot-it's sightly and fittin' and besides it'll do some folks good fer to clamber and sweat up this here hill afore they enter the tabernacle.
(Committee from Hartford arrive on horseback.)
John Benedict-The Honorable Committee approaches. Will John Davenport and Caleb Benedict help Caesar take their hosses?
Enter Captain Gersham Buckley, Honorable John Thompson, and Captain Lewis on horseback. John Davenport and Caleb Benedict greet the committee as they alight, and John Benedict conducts them to their seats in front and facing the audience. The audience rises and all bow and resume their seats.
Captain Buckley-From the General Assembly of the Connecticut Colony we bring you greetings We felicitate you upon the step you have taken here today-another step in the now orderly growth of Connecticut. I say now' advisedly, for within the memory of those present we have suffered many trials and passed through dire tribulations.
Up to fifty years ago Connecticut had been divided into two col- onies with two assemblies, at Hartford and New Haven. Forty-five years ago we fought together with Massachusetts and Rhode Island the great war of extermination of the savages to make these parts safe for our settlers.
Only forty years ago that frightful wave of intolerance and super- stition seized the town of Salem when between February and October twenty persons were executed in the name of witchcraft. Thirty-two years ago Connecticut followed the lead of Massachusetts in establishing a college called Yale College which is in New Haven. This school I can commend to you with pride and confidence, and assure you that many are disposed to send their sons to be instructed in theology and the law.
It is but twenty years since our orderly progress was threatened by a new calamity. When the government of Her Majesty Queen Anne de- clared war upon the French, we, her loyal subjects contributed our share
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THE HONORABLE COMMITTEE
of Connecticut men to that direful expedition against Quebec which, as you know, left us with a debt that forced us to issue paper money for the first time.
Still fresh in our memory is that frightful massacre of the settlers at Deerfield, where kinfolk of some of the families here present were slaught- ered by the hideous savages or carried in captivity through the long winter wilderness to Quebec. I recall that there were Benedicts, Hoyts, and Carters in that horrifying incident.
I remind you also that it is but five years since we were obliged to invoke the fundamental rights of Englishmen under Magna Charta-the right "to raise money for public service of their own free will and accord without compulsion."
Only two years ago was the long dispute over the bounds between Connecticut and New York settled. For nearly 100 years this question had caused frequent conflict and bloodshed. This I allow is of especial concern to you in Canaan Parish as you are so close to that border line.
So now it is the duty and privilege of this committee, by virtue of the authority vested in it by the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut, to grant to you, founders of the first meeting house in Canaan Parish, permission to build upon this site called Haines Ridge, a few rods to the south of where we stand. This committee has viewed the several proposed sites and finds itself in accord with the Haines Ridge one as being the most suitable to the convenience of the present and probable future settlers. May God bless the decision.
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John Benedict-We thank you, honorable sirs. The expenses of your expedi- tion will be met by a rate to be collected by John Bouton who has been tything man in the Stamford Colony and is well prepared to serve in this capacity. Shall we dismiss ourselves with the Doxology? Brother Keeler, will you come forward and sound the pitch?
Brother Keeler-(Comes forward, pulls out bis tuning fork and goes through the same performance as before, and all rise to join in the Doxology, slow meter.
THE CAST
(At the end of the song they immediately but slowly depart. All except John and Dinah Benedict, who start to gather the furniture but appear tired and he sits down with a sigh and soon begins to nod.)
Dinah-(Who has been busy with the furniture, notices him nodding and sits down herself with her knitting.) Dear John, he is weary with the long day. I will let him sleep a spell. (In a moment she, too, is nodding.)
(Spirit of the Church of 1933 as portrayed by Edna Selleck, appears from behind the boxwood. A modern girl in afternoon dress, with a basket of flowers she is gathering, and as she trips lightly onto the scene she bums the doxology in the new meter.
Dinah-(In half slumber and amazement, looks searchingly at ber.) Scandalous! Humming that sacred tune like a fiddler at a dance! and here in the very shadow of the sanctuary to be! Who are you, young woman? (Turns to awaken John.)
Spirit of 1933-Sh' do not awaken him-else must I disappear as I have come.
Dinah-Who are you, strange person?
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-
"SLUMBER ON O GRANDPARENTS OF MANY GREATS, THERE IS NAUGHT TO DISTURB THY DREAMS."
Spirit of 1933-I am the dream of a dream of many dreams. I am his dream, his sons' dream, his son's son's dream-I am this church 200 years from today.
Dinab-Will you tell me why you are wasting your time in God's good day- light gathering flowers when you should be at your spinning?
Spirit of 1933-Chide me not, O grandmother of many greats. We spin not today-our fabrics are made by the mile in great factories where many thousands sit at the looms propelled by electric power instead of by the sweat of man. You must know, good grandmother of many greats, that the world has grown, and now each family and parish instead of being dependent upon itself for food, clothing and all necessities and pleasures of life, does only some small part that concerns or suits it most. And all profit by this arrangement. Know, too, that this Church you have found- ed still carries on and this little meeting house you are to build has been twice replaced by greater, until this beautiful and spacious edifice marks the continuousness and endurance of the idea you have planted here today. Fourteen ministers have succeeded to the pastorate of the flock.
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which contains many of your descendants and many, many more who have come through the years.
A Church School for children has been provided-over an hundred attend each Sabbath for instruction in the Word. This church has raised up six ministers of the Gospel who have been ordained to her pride. And even now, one presides who is of the kin of one of them who journeyed far out to Auburn many years ago and became the leader of the Church School there.
Dinah, who begins to nod again and gradually joins John in slumber, while the Spirit of 1933, not now noticing that they are asleep, continues. Spirit of 1933-Well over an hundred attend Divine Service here each Sabbath. Her sheltering arm extends into all useful activities not only of the com- munity, but its aid is felt in the far off countries of the world. She has a daughter, a descendant of one of your flock, who is now giving her life to the enlightenment of those in darkness in far off Asia Minor. She aids generously in the support of the weaker churches of the state through the beneficence of a former member who willed his earthly possessions for this cause. Know, too, that of her 200 years, the past fifty have shown her greatest strength and that now to mark this anniversary, she plans to meet what she feels to be the greatest need of the community, for a place where youth may meet for constructive recreation. So we cele- brate this birthday of two centuries by an agreement to build an edifice dedicated to the cause of Christian progress, even as you have done here today.
(Discovering that they are asleep, the Spirit of 1933 moves gently behind them and raising her hands over their head in benediction.) Slumber on, O Grandmother of Many Greats,-there is naught to disturb thy dreams.
(Passes out behind the boxwood.)
Dinah-(Starting suddenly, shakes herself awake and awakens John.) John! John! have I been asleep? What has happened?
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