USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Brookfield > Historical sketch of the First Congregational Church of Brookfield, Connecticut, and of the town of Brookfield > Part 4
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The following committee were appointed: Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Curtis, Mr. Vroman, Miss Amelia I. Northrop, Mr. F. S. Frisbie, Dr. Junius F. Smith, Mrs. Burton.
May 12, 1907, it was further voted to enlarge the privileges of this committee, and to call the same "The Chapel and Church Improvement Committee."
Some five thousand dollars and more were sub- scribed for this purpose, generous sums being con- tributed by friends outside of the town as well as within the home church.
The plans and specifications were prepared by E. W. Peck, Esq., architect, from Bridgeport, Conn., and called for a chapel 40 feet by 341/2 feet, the same to be on the south side of the church and connected thereto. Specifications also called for redecorating the exterior and interior of the church; a heating
ANNIVERSARY DAYS IN NEW ENGLAND 69
plant ; recarpeting of the church floor, etc. The chapel was constructed by the S. W. Hubbell Building Com- pany of Bridgeport, Conn. Laying of the corner stone August 18, 1907.
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CHAPTER IX
CONGREGATIONALISM
Origin, System and Principles
To the student of church history, the Congrega- tional system is of great interest, and why should it not be, when we consider that for one hundred years following the first settlements it was the only religious faith, or nearly so, in the land. In Connecticut the Congregational churches were established seventy years previous to any others.
Mr. Frank S. Child, in an address before the Daughters of the American Revolution of Fairfield County, said: "The emigrants from Massachusetts who settled in Connecticut represented three ecclesi- astical tendencies, the Independents or Pilgrims of Plymouth, the men of Presbyterian preference, and the Puritans; circumstances wrought the three classes into the Congregational form of life."
The early settlers of New England were therefore of one faith, and worshiped in a common sanctuary. In the society records of this church I find as late as 1810 the following entry: "Being an inhabitant of Brookfield, state of Connecticut, where every man is considered as born a Congregationalist, who does not
ยท
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certify to the contrary. I hereby declare my inten- tion," etc.
The church at Leyden, which was organized in 1602 under the pastorate of Rev. John Robinson, and which removed to Plymouth, New England, in 1620, is regarded as the parent of all the Congregational churches.
The Pilgrims came by the way of Holland, whither they had been driven by persecution, and while there imbibed something of that broader spirit of freedom and good will of which that country was the center, and is to-day.
"I am confident," said John Robinson, "that God has more truth yet to break out of His holy Word."
The first pastors over the New England churches were ordained in England; they had, however, left behind them old traditions and accepted the Bible as their ultimate authority; they were strictly Calvinistic in theology. As we are approaching the four hun- dredth anniversary of Calvin's birth, it may not be amiss to quote the opinion of John Fiske, who wrote, "The promulgation of Calvin's theology was one of the longest steps that mankind has taken toward per- sonal freedom, for he insisted that the world must have an educated ministry and laity."
In the year 1648 occurred the famous Synod at Cambridge, Mass., to which the ministers from all the
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colonies responded ; and then and there agreed upon a platform of church discipline which they recommended to the churches of the New World. It was known as the Cambridge Platform, and was the religious con- stitution of the Connecticut churches for about sixty years. The Westminster Confession of Faith was adopted.
The Cambridge Platform made no provision for the meeting of ministers or churches either in a social or advisory manner, and in 1708 the General Assembly of Connecticut passed a vote requiring that the churches of Connecticut appoint delegates to meet at Saybrook that year to draw up an ecclesiastical con- stitution, which was done in September, 1708, and met with acceptance. This platform, known as the Say- brook Platform of Church Discipline, made provision for associations and consociations, which have given the Congregational churches of Connecticut a unique history. The Savoy confession of faith was adopted at this time.
Consociation of Churches
Consociations are in reality standing councils, that is, permanent bodies with rules and records. They act as advisory agents only, though it has been affirmed that they, at least in the past, exercised judiciary power. A consociation of churches when sitting is
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known as the council ; its officers are moderator, scribe and registrar. Its membership embraces the pastors of the churches in the consociation and one delegate from each church. The duties of the council are: To organize, unite, and discipline churches ; to ordain, in- stall, dismiss, and discipline ministers, and to advise the churches when in difficulty.
The churches of Fairfield County united in consocia- tion in 1709; they met at Stratfield (Bridgeport) for that purpose. Twenty-seven years later, in June, 1736, this body met at the town of Fairfield and resolved itself into two bodies, namely, Fairfield East and Fairfield West Consociation. The Fairfield East Con- sociation now includes twenty churches.
There are but four consociations in Connecticut to- day; two in our own county, and one each in Litch- field and New Haven counties; and thirteen confer- ences. The annual meeting of the general conference takes place in the fall.
Association of Ministers
The Fairfield County Association of Ministers was organized in 1709. The purpose was to safeguard the high calling to which they were appointed, to examine candidates for the ministry and license the same, and to see that none preached heresy among them. The
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spirit and purpose of the association was of the best, standing as it did for purity of doctrine and character. In 1734 the Association of Ministers in Fairfield County resolved themselves into eastern and western districts, and in 1848 the eastern district became known as Fairfield East Association.
Yearly meetings were held, the officers being a moderator and scribe. During the period in which the council failed to hold annual meetings (from 1752 to 1818), the association did so, and preserved records. It may be of interest to cite two or three cases of dis- cipline which involved the association and consocia- tion of our county in deep trouble. In 1763 the Rev. Ebenezer White of Danbury and Rev. James Taylor of New Fairfield were accused of preaching Sandeman- ianism; the association of Fairfield East presented them for trial before the council, which sat five days. The church at Danbury objected to the interference of the council, but the objection was not sustained. Messrs. White and Taylor were put on probation three months, when a joint council of Fairfield East and West consociations was called in January, 1764. The Danbury Church denied the jurisdiction of the joint council; but Mr. White was dismissed under censure by this body, and declared guilty of Sandemanianism. Five pastors and their delegates protested against the decision, as being too severe, among the dissenters
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being Rev. Thomas Brooks of Newbury. The council recognized the minority in Mr. White's church as con- stituting the First Church of Danbury. The majority who had stood by Mr. White became later the San- demanian Church of Danbury. A little later the united councils dismissed Rev. James Taylor of New Fair- field.
Congregational churches are independent bodies, each church framing its own confession of faith and covenant. Congregational churches have always stood for higher education, and most of the New England colleges were founded by them, or those affiliated with them.
Tri-Church Union
The most important movement undertaken by the Congregational churches in this country for a cen- tury is the movement toward organic union with the United Brethren and Methodist Protestants, now un- der consideration. A tri-church council, meeting at Dayton, Ohio, in 1906, appointed three committees, namely, on doctrine, polity, and vested interests. Later the Chicago council, a "historic gathering," con- sidered these and other essentials, and arranged the plan of the proposed union of the denominations in readiness for the final action thereon. The corporate
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name proposed is "The United Churches, comprising the Congregational Churches, the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, and the Methodist Protest- ant Church." The organic union of these three churches becomes effective in the National Council, in which the annual conference will be represented ; this occurs once in four years. No limitation is put on local anatomy, while fellowship is provided for. If the union is effected a new era not only of expansion but of cooperation will open before the churches.
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THE MILL DAM-THE HALF-WAY FALLS OF THE STILL RIVER
CHAPTER X
BROOKFIELD
Iron Works
This section of our town is located on both sides of the Still River at the Half-Way Falls. The Half-Way Falls are the natural falls, or dam, south of the stone- arch bridge; the water here drops into a gorge, and flowing north, passes over three or four artificial dams, emerging at last into the meadow lands above.
This portion of our town, as is well known, for- merly belonged to New Milford. In 1732 the records there show that iron works were set up at the Half- Way Falls of the Still River at the place afterward known as Brookfield. The facts as shown by the records are these :-
John Noble, Jr., who removed from New Milford and settled south of Gallows Hill in 1730, and who was one of those persons who petitioned for church privi- leges at Newbury-Brookfield in 1743, in 1732 sold half an acre of land (taking in the river) at the Half-Way Falls in the Still River (afterwards Iron Works), "so that there may be a way to come at the iron works already set up, and also at the dam that is made across
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the river." This conveyance was made to Samuel Hathaway.
In December, 1732, Peter Hubbell of Newtown sold his one-third interest in the iron works, including dam, houses, and instruments in making iron, the same being at the Half-Way Falls on Still River, to John Fairweather.
In November, 1733, all the parties interested in the iron works loaned to Eleazer Hathaway, then of New Milford, one hundred pounds current money. Mr. Hathaway was "to perform the work of a skillful bloomer" in the iron works on Still River for the benefit and advantage of the owners. He was to make "shire moulds, cranks, and gudgeons." It was speci- fied that he should make twenty-four tons of iron from two forges yearly, or twelve tons if only one forge should be furnished him.
The exact spot where the dam was constructed and the iron works set up is believed to have been near John Bateman's shear shop, for reasons which may be given.
I have thought best to enter fully into the matter of the iron industry at Brookfield, as few are aware of the details, notwithstanding the fact that this portion of our town has been called the Iron Works so long as the oldest living resident can remember. Tradition affirms that during the Revolutionary War iron from
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this place was conveyed by night across the country to West Point (about forty miles) and was used, with iron brought from another place, in making the chain which was stretched across the Hudson River to retard the progress of the British.
Iron works were later set up at Still River Falls at Lanesville, in which Lazarus Ruggles, a son, was in- terested.
A fording place was set up at Brookfield-Iron Works, but a bridge over the Still River here was not built until 1745.
The first schoolhouse at the Iron Works was es- tablished in 1745, near the home of Joseph Ruggles, Esq., "near about the middle of the highway."
Capt. Joseph Ruggles, who came to the Iron Works (afterward Brookfield) in 1733, from New Haven, was one of the earliest settlers here; he was a partner in the iron works, and purchased considerable land in the Still River Neck, not far from the New- town line.
The "Still River Neck" was the name given to all that elevated land lying between the iron works and the Housatonic River; it included the Iron Works Hill, Longmeadow, and Pumpkin Hill. Capt. Joseph Ruggles remained in (Brookfield) Iron Works until 1750, when he returned to New Haven, but subse- quently lived here and was deacon in the Congrega-
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tional Church at Brookfield Center until his death. He was the ancestor of a large and quite distinguished family, some of whom settled in New England cities and became widely known.
Capt. Joseph Ruggles was the grandfather of Samuel Ruggles, who went out from Brookfield in 1819 as missionary to the Sandwich Islands, and of Lucia Ruggles Holman.
The ancient highway from Danbury to New Milford, in passing through the Iron Works, pursued a westerly course; it was the highway on which the Baptist Church and Laurel Hill Cemetery fronted.
The present main thoroughfare through the village street was of later construction.
The first tavern was built on the north corner of this ancient highway, a rambling two-story inn, facing the south, its glory long since departed, though the dilapitated structure is standing. It was opposite the Baptist Church and the home for many years of Elder Biddle. It was doubtless one of a chain of posts ex- tending from Southern New England into the Canadas, through the wilderness. This building is probably more than 150 years old. It has been handed down, that persons of importance have tarried for a night in this old tavern. Major Nichols in 1757, under com- mission from England to examine and report concern- ing suitable places for fortifications at the north, during
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the French War, spent a night here, and the brother of Napoleon, with his escort, stopped on his journey; he was then living in this country.
The American Hotel, built on the east side of Still River, was for long a well-known hostelry, Nathan Terrill, Gregory Knapp and Augustus Knapp being among the well-known landlords.
Grist Mill
" Back of the loaf is the snowy flour, And back of the flour is the mill; And back of the mill is the wheat and the shower, And the sun and the Father's will."
-M. D. Babcock.
In 1748 a grist mill was established a little north of the iron works, by Abel Barnum, and a highway was laid out to the southeast corner of the mill.
In 1780 the present grist mill privileges were estab- lished. In 1832 William D. Meeker rebuilt the mill. Gregory Knapp purchased the property later, and his widow, afterward Mrs. Daniel Ferris, owned it, and rented the same for many years. Benjamin Treat leased the mill during the '60's, and Henry B. Haw- ley leased the property for a considerable time of her. In 1888 Michael McNamara purchased of Mrs. Ferris and rebuilt the mill in 1890. In 1902 Arthur S. Mans- field bought the grist mill and improved the property.
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Mr. Mansfield is the present owner and proprietor of this property.
Stone Industry
Several stone quarries have been operated at the Iron Works in past years, the stone being of fine quality. In 1819 there were two sawmills, which were erected for the purpose of sawing the stone and getting it in shape for manufacture ; monuments, hearthstones, and building stone were cut here. Marble was found, and there was something of an industry in this line, as it was made into various articles.
Carding Mill
A carding mill was set up in 1810 near the site of John Bateman's present factory.
Lime Industry
Lime quarries have been operated in Brookfield for considerably more than one hundred years. The lime here is considered to be as fine as any in the state. Extensive quarries have been opened up, and this par- ticular industry has changed hands many times. Dur- ing more recent periods Platt Hawley, Esq., Ezra Wildman, and John Bennett have severally owned and managed the business.
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Andrew Northrop, Esq., was owner and operator many years; he sold to Pierce, Lawrence & Vroman in 1882; they rebuilt the kiln, and conducted the busi- ness for more than twenty years, when it was sold to a syndicate. Mr. Clarence Vroman is still connected with this branch of the New England Lime Company, being the general superintendent of the Brookfield works. A small lime kiln was operated for a time on the east side of the railroad track near the freight depot by Gregory Knapp.
Hat Manufacturing
ELIJAH STURDEVANT, EsQ., was engaged in the hat manufacturing business for some years, employing a considerable number of persons. He was a man of ability and enterprise. His shop was located on the Danbury road at the spot where Robert Jones and family now live. Mr. Sturdevant later on removed his hatting industry to Beaver Brook District and con- tinued there until August, 1873, when the building was destroyed by fire, the loss being some sixty thou- sand dollars. Mr. Sturdevant was an active member of this church here, and was one of the original in- corporators of the Union Savings Bank of Danbury.
HENRY B. HAWLEY was engaged in the hatting busi- ness, just north of the stone-arch bridge, from 1868 to 1875, employing one hundred persons. Mr. Hawley
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manufactured hats for Pearce & Hall of New York City, and did a large business.
CHRISTIAN QUIEN of Danbury also engaged in hat- ting business in this factory for a time. A. and E. De Comeau of New York leased this factory for the fur business.
V. E. PATCH purchased this factory later on, and conducted for some years the shoddy business here. The building was destroyed by fire in 1907.
HOMER LAKE & SON were engaged in the wool hat industry.
IRA KEELER & SONS manufactured cotton batting in their factory, which is still standing, and owned by V. E. Patch.
Shear Business
DANIEL TOMLINSON, EsQ., a prominent citizen and one-time state senator, in the year 1837 built a dam and erected buildings for the manufacture of Currier's knives. A few years later L. P. Wetmore began forg- ing knives for him.
TREAT, WILDMAN & WETMORE, some time after, built an addition to the shop, and started the shear business in connection with the original business started by Squire Tomlinson. The freshet of 1853
STONE ARCH, STILL RIVER, BROOKFIELD
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carried away the dam, and Tomlinson retired from the business. BENNETT & WILDMAN succeeded in 1854, and later JOHN F. BENNETT & WETMORE con- ducted a successful business for many years.
In 1882 JOHN T. BATEMAN was taken into the firm.
In 1884 Mr. Wetmore retired from the business and F. H. BENNETT & JOHN T. BATEMAN continued the shear industry.
In 1889 Mr. Bennett resigned and Stephen Meaney purchased his interest; the firm then became known as the LENOX SHEAR COMPANY. In May, 1895, Mr. Bateman bought out the entire plant and has been sole owner ever since.
The factory was destroyed by fire in 1902 and Mr. Bateman purchased the site formerly occupied by the Jones saw mill and erected a new factory.
Stores
Among the early merchants at the Iron Works were: CAPTAIN MEEKER, a man of considerable influence and wealth; HARRY BURRELL, EsQ., who became well-to- do; he built several houses now standing, among the number the "pillars."
WILLIAM D. MEEKER, son of Captain Meeker, in- herited a large property and was a merchant; he built the stone residence on the west side of Still River, now the home of the Dr. Smith family; this house is not
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only the most substantial, but the most dignified type of residence in the town.
BURR & MORRIS were engaged in general mercan- tile business for a time.
SAMUEL BALDWIN, EsQ., was in the tailoring busi- ness.
JOHN STEVENS, EsQ., was a merchant here, and also BEERS & FAIRCHILD, and ANDREW NORTHROP.
DANIEL G. BEERS built a substantial store property on the west side of the railroad and was in business until his death.
ROBERT G. KNAPP, for some years was a successful merchant, first in the store under the American Hotel, and later built near the railroad track on the east side of same.
GEORGE HALLOCK also conducted a store which he built on his property.
HENRY S. BEERS succeeded his father, Daniel Beers, in mercantile business, and after his place of business was destroyed by fire, built the substantial store property on the east side of the railroad, now standing. Mr. Beers was for years an active and suc- cessful merchant. He became the local funeral director here.
WILLIAM J. BEEHLER purchased the business which he conducted for some years. Mr. Beehler also suc- ceeded Mr. Beers as funeral director. Mr. Beehler is
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still engaged in the grocery business at the Iron Works, and is our town clerk.
LEVI J. STURDEVANT is owner of the store built by H. S. Beers and continues the business, the business manager being Cornelius Dean. This store does a large general mercantile business.
The BROOKFIELD CASH GROCERY COMPANY com- menced business on the west side of the river a few years since. The enterprising business manager is Mrs. Homer Martin. The post office is located in this store, the postmaster being Mrs. Emma J. Smith.
Saw Mills
There have been several of these mills in our town. WILDMAN & JONES operated one of these saw mills at the Iron Works for years, their plant being where J. T. Bateman's shop is now. At the present time LOUIS COVILLE is proprietor of a steam saw mill on Huckleberry Hill, and CHARLES PINCKNEY at Brook- field Center.
Iron Works Street
The present village street at the Iron Works is quite thickly settled, and is laid out on the west side of Still River ; here are the pleasant homes of Mrs. Junius F. Smith, Arthur S. Mansfield, Nile Hendrickson (the two latter were for some years the homes of the Ira and
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Frederick Keeler families. On the opposite corners are the residences of E. Roswell and William J. Beehler, former homes of the Burr and Bennett families. The residences on the west side of the street belong to Major Greene, B. T. Jackson, Clarence Vroman, Emily C. Hawley ; the east side of the street includes the homes of V. E. Patch, James and John Bateman, Miss Cotton, Mrs. Knight, Peter Dixon, and the O'Donnell home.
The Charles Taber home is south of the former Baptist Church, and on the Danbury road is the More- house place, formerly owned by Lewis Osborne.
The substantial stone-arch bridge over the Still River was erected in 1880, the builder being C. S. Pendleton of New London. Harvey Roe was our first selectman at that time.
North of the village street are the homes of John Wetmore, Asa Hoyt, the John Warren Homestead, and Supple residence.
The beautiful farm lands lying southwest of Lanes- ville, and extending to the Iron Works, were known in early times as the "South Farms," and the families of John Noble and brother, and Capt. John Warner and brother were the first settlers there.
There was a Methodist meeting house on Gallows Hill, near the cemetery, built about 1825; it was re- moved some years since, and was about two miles
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MAIN STREET, BROOKFIELD
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north of the Iron Works village; services were held there for twenty years, when they were discontinued. A schoolhouse also stood in the same neighborhood.
Cemeteries
The boundary line between Brookfield and New Milford passes through the Gallows Hill Cemetery, a portion of which lies within the town of Brookfield; this ground was sequestered in 1734, and for many years it was the place of burial for the inhabitants at Iron Works and vicinity, being about two miles above the village. Laurel Hill was set aside later.
CHAPTER XI
" A region of repose it seems, Remote among the wooded hills !"
-Longfellow.
BROOKFIELD CENTER
It is a quaint old spot like many another New Eng- land village, shut away from the noise and bustle of the outside world. It is a place of running brooks, and woods, and meadows, with delightful views of the hills and valleys around about.
The village is located on a hill about midway be- tween Brookfield Iron Works and Brookfield Junction. The village street is somewhat winding and undulat- ing ; it is well shaded by fine old trees. At the north end of the street the double row of elms forms a beautiful parkway.
The first settlers came here one hundred and seventy- five years ago or more, but of their early struggles we know but little. In 1743 they were sufficiently numerous to desire a church and schools. The New- town turnpike was laid out to this place, and it was a post settlement called Newbury.
It will be of interest to the citizens here to-day to revive the old memories concerning the life here so far as we can.
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COLONEL ISAAC HAWLEY, born in 1756, was one of the most prominent citizens of Newbury-Brookfield during the early years. He owned some eight or nine hundred acres of land here, and in 1807 built at his own expense the first bridge over the Housatonic River at Southville, where he also owned property and a mill. Colonel Hawley was an enterprising man. He died in 1839, being eighty-three years of age. His daughter was the wife of Charles Sherman, Esq., who lived in the Obtuse District.
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