USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Brookfield > Historical sketch of the First Congregational Church of Brookfield, Connecticut, and of the town of Brookfield > Part 7
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
Mr. Dunning is author of the following books: "The Sunday School Library," "Normal Outlines for Sunday Schools," "Bible Studies," "Congregationalists in America," and others. During the eighteen years that Mr. Dunning has been editor of The Congrega- tionalist he has placed the paper in the very front rank
REV. ALBERT E. DUNNING, D. D. EDITOR OF THE CONGREGATIONALIST
135
SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF BROOKFIELD
of religious weeklies, both as to literary merit and as a medium for religious intelligence. Beloit College con- ferred on Mr. Dunning the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1889.
Dr. Dunning resides at Brookline, Mass., with business offices in the Congregational House at Boston.
JOSEPH C. SMITH, born in Brookfield September 4, 1865, graduated from Yale University and received degree of A. B. in 1885. Removed to Boston in 1887, and has been connected with The Boston Globe ever since. Elected alderman in Medford, Mass., in 1907.
Missionaries
SAMUEL RUGGLES was born at Brookfield (Iron Works) in 1795; he came of an unusually interesting and brilliant family. Mr. Ruggles early became active in foreign missions, and decided to join a company sailing for the Sandwich Islands. His sister, Lucia Ruggles, who had established a school in Cooperstown, N. Y., married soon after Dr. Thomas Holman (1819), and Samuel Ruggles and wife with Dr. Holman and wife sailed with others from Boston in October, 1819, being the first missionaries sent by the American Board to those Islands. They were five months on the voyage. Mr. Ruggles remained fifteen years, and ac- complished a great work, having ability as a translator of languages. Dr. Holman and wife returned in
L
136
HISTORICAL SKETCH
1822. They were in Bridgeport at the time of Dr. Holman's death in 1826. Mrs. Holman married Daniel Tomlinson, Esq., of Brookfield, a successful man. She died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Hiram Noble of New Milford, in 1886, in her ninety- third year. Mr. Samuel Ruggles returned to Brook- field in 1835, but died at the home of his daughter, years after, in Fort Atkinson.
Ministers
Other ministers who have gone out from Brook- field in past years are: REV. WILLIAM A. HAWLEY, REV. WILLIAM DIBBLE, REV. B. F. NORTHROP, REV. STEVENS, REV. PETER SHEPARD, REV. OLIVER TAY- LOR, REV. OLIVER ST. JOHN, REV. FRANK LOBDELL, REV. FRANK WHITCOME.
Physicians Who Went Out from Brookfield
DR. MICHAEL DUNNING BENEDICT was born in 1814 on Stony Hill, Danbury, but spent his youth in Brookfield, and married here. He took a course of lectures in the Medical Department of Yale College, practiced medicine in New Haven, and removed to Skaneateles in 1838, and was a successful physician there for twenty-five years. In 1861 he became army surgeon of the 75th New York Volunteers and served
137
SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF BROOKFIELD
until December, 1864. In 1865 he was on the Sanitary Commission at Washington, D. C. He settled in Syracuse, N. Y., in 1865, where he remained until his death in 1885. Dr. Benedict was one of the foremost physicians in Onondaga County. He was brother-in- law to Dr. Williams of Brookfield.
DR. WILLIAM F. LACEY, son of Dr. Noah A. Lacey, was born here in 1823. He graduated from Yale Medical School in 1844 and practiced in Danbury, Conn., from 1844 to the time of his death. Of his three brothers two were physicians.
DR. ANSON P. SMITH, son of Anson Smith, is a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City, class of 1879. Dr. Smith prac- ticed in Brookfield, Sandy Hook, New York, and re- sides in Nova Scotia.
DR. ELBRIDGE W. PIERCE, whose youth was spent here, graduated from the University Medical School, New York City, in 1885. He settled in Meriden, Conn., in 1885, where he is now practicing his pro- fession. Dr. Pierce is a son of Rev. A. C. Pierce.
DR. HOMER B. JONES, born here, is a graduate of the University Medical School, New York City, class of 1891, practiced in New York City and in Borough of Brooklyn from 1891 to the present time.
138
HISTORICAL SKETCH
DR. GEORGE R. HAWLEY, born here, is a graduate of the Long Island College Hospital, class of 1892. Dr. Hawley served as interne one year at this college; practiced medicine one year at Danbury, and in 1894 located in Brooklyn, N. Y., where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession.
DR. HOWARD P. MANSFIELD, born here in 1863, is an alumnus of the Long Island College Hospital, class of 1893. He settled in Georgetown, Conn., where he practiced medicine until 1901, when he removed to Ridgefield, Conn., where he is now a practicing physician.
DR. JOSEPH MICHAEL COLLINS, born in Brookfield in 1866, is a graduate of New York University, class of 1888. Dr. Collins is a widely known specialist in neuropathy. Dr. Collins has practiced in New York City since 1888.
MARTIN LAWRENCE COLLINS, D. D. S., is a native of Brookfield, born in 1868. He is a graduate of the University of New York, class of 1892; practiced in Rush, N. Y., one year, and in New York City since 1893.
CHARLES S. HALPIN, D. D. S., is a graduate of the New York College of Dentistry, class of 1894. Dr. Halpin practices his profession in the city of Brook- lyn, N. Y.
139
SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF BROOKFIELD
W. D. HALPIN graduated from the College of Pharmacy, New York City, in 1884.
Teachers Who Were Born Here and Who Have Been Successful Elsewhere
MISS ALMIRA J. GRAY was born July 1, 1830, in Brookfield. She has taught forty-six years-fourteen years in Connecticut and thirty-two years in Michigan -resigning her vocation in 1906. She was a teacher in the public schools, except seven years, when she taught in a private school in New Haven. Her present residence is Grand Haven, Mich.
MISS HARRIET E. STEVENS was born in Brookfield. She was teacher and principal of Children's Aid School in New York City from 1863 to 1903, a period of forty years. Miss Stevens' school opened on Canal Street in 1864 with five pupils. In 1888 John Jacob Astor erected a fine school building on Mott Street for Miss Stevens' school, which numbered at that time two hundred pupils, the grade being the same as the public schools of the city. In 1903, when Miss Stevens voluntarily retired from the principalship, her school numbered five hundred pupils and twelve teachers. Her work is of lasting value to thousands. Miss Stevens has traveled extensively here and in Europe.
140
HISTORICAL SKETCH
MISS ELIZABETH STEVENS was born in Brookfield. She was teacher and principal of Children's Aid School, New York City, from 1865 to 1886, a period of twenty-one years. Her school on East 14th Street was under the patronage of Mrs. John Jacob Astor. Miss Stevens was called to be principal of the school on 40th Street, which she served with great efficiency until 1886. Miss Stevens was married to Edward Davidson, Esq., of Hempstead some years ago, and now resides in Hempstead, L. I.
ABNER BRUNDAGE HOLLEY was born in Brookfield November 1, 1834. He was a teacher for more than forty-three years. Mr. Holley taught in the public schools of New York City thirty-nine years, from 1859 to 1876 and again from 1882 to 1904. For twelve years Mr. Holley was a principal. In addition to his regular work he was principal for a time of the largest night school for men in New York City (this was previous to 1876), and for many years thereafter, in conjunction with his regular work, he taught in the night schools of the city. Mr. Holley was regarded as a teacher of unusual excellence. He died May 15, 1904.
F. LILIAN TAYLOR, born in Brookfield, graduated from Mt. Holyoke Seminary in class of 1873. She has taught in Galesburgh, Ill., for many years, and is
.
141
SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF BROOKFIELD
a lecturer and author of a series of school readers of much value. Miss Taylor belongs in the first rank as a teacher.
AMELIA I. NORTHROP, native of Brookfield, taught school in Brookfield Center, Great Plain, and city of Danbury for a period of about ten or fifteen years. Miss Northrop resides in Brookfield, where she has long been a very useful member of this community, entering into church and civic affairs.
PRINCIPAL GEORGE D. NORTHROP was born in Brookfield Center and commenced his career as teacher in 1875. He has taught thirty-one years as follows: Brookfield two years, Great Plain two years, and has been prominently identified with the public schools of Danbury, Conn., for twenty-seven years. Mr. Northrop has held the following positions in Dan- bury: Principal of the White Street School two years, principal of the Balmforth Avenue School twelve years, superintendent of the Center District schools ten years, principal of the New Street School three years.
MISS SUSAN WHITCOME, daughter of Rev. E. L. Whitcome, was graduated from Connecticut Normal College in 1881. Miss Whitcome has taught in Litchfield, Clinton and Hartford; also in Pough- keepsie, N. Y. For ten years Miss Whitcome has been
142
HISTORICAL SKETCH
a popular instructor at the Curtis School for Boys, Brookfield Center.
HENRIETTA B. RUGGLES graduated in 1884 from the New Britain Normal School; began teaching in Shel- ton, Conn., in 1884, and has been a successful teacher in the public school of that city ever since.
MIRIAM TAYLOR is an alumna of the Normal Col- lege of New York City, class of 1889. Miss Taylor taught in the Training School of the Normal College from 1889 to 1898, and has been a teacher in the Girls' High School of New York City since 1898.
ANNA THEODORA SKIDMORE, graduate of Wellesley College, class of 1894, taught at Northfield Ladies' Seminary, Massachusetts, from 1894 to 1903; taught in New York City in 1904, and has been professor of mathematics in the High School at Newark, N. J., since 1904.
FLORENCE R. SAGENDORF taught in Brookfield seven years, and entered the New Haven Normal School in 1900, graduating in 1903. She taught in Port Chester in 1903 and in Amenia Union in 1904. (Mrs. Odell.)
CHLOE CURTIS, a graduate of Wellesley College, class of 1900, was a social worker in the city of Boston from 1904 to 1907, a position of responsibility under the State Board of Charities.
143
SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF BROOKFIELD
Business Men Who Were Natives of Brookfield
HIRAM N. PECK, born in Brookfield in 1804, located in New York City, where he became a dealer in im- portations to and from Russia, and amassed a large fortune. Mr. Peck visited Russia. He was connected with the first Colonel Vanderbilt at one time. Mr. Peck died in 1851.
HENRY WILLIAM PECK was born in Brookfield in 1812, and removed to New York City early in life. He succeeded to the business of Hiram N. Peck, under the name of H. W. Peck & Co.
ARZA CANFIELD PECK, merchant and ship owner of New York City, was born in Brookfield January 8, 1822. Mr. Peck removed to New York in 1843, and entered the employ of H. N. Peck & Co., which firm was succeeded by H. W. Peck & Co., and later by the firm of DeGroot & Peck, engaged in Russian and East Indian goods, and of later years in running their ves- sels. Mr. Peck's business career in New York ex- tended over a period of sixty-three years. He died March 10, 1906.
EDWARD FAIRCHILD, merchant in Danbury, Conn., and large real estate owner.
E. P. GOODSELL, business man, and one-time mayor of Bridgeport.
144
HISTORICAL SKETCH
AMOS P. HAWLEY, in active business, first in Boston, later in New York City, for many years he was asso- ciated with his brother, John G. Hawley, in the cloth- ing business. At one time Henry L. Foote was a member of the firm, known as Hawley, Foote & Co.
NOBLE FOSTER and HENRY FOSTER were business men in New Haven and New York City.
HENRY and HOMER LOCKWOOD were in business in New York City and Brooklyn.
HEMAN KEELER was in mercantile business in Rome, N. Y.
EZRA KEELER was in manufacturing business in New Jersey.
ISAAC B. BRISTOL was born in Brookfield, Conn., in 1821 and received his early education here. For sixty- six years he was a resident of New Milford, repre- senting his district in the State Assembly six years, and in the Senate two years; besides holding numer- ous offices in that town. At his death in 1905 Mr. . Bristol was president of the First National Bank, also president of the Savings Bank, both of New Milford. Mr. Bristol married for his second wife Miss Lizzie Allen, at one time a resident of Brookfield.
HENRY B. HAWLEY was born here in 1826. He en- gaged for a short time in mercantile business at New
145
SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF BROOKFIELD
Milford, which he sold in 1853 to Charles C. Noble. He went to Brooklyn the following year and remained in New York City from 1854 to 1868 in the clothing business. He engaged in manufacturing business at Brookfield from 1868 to 1880; was actively engaged in religious work at Brookfield from 1868 to 1883, and established a prosperous mission work in Danbury from 1883 to 1894. Mr. Hawley was an earnest ad- vocate of temperance and devoted time and means to that reform. He died in 1894.
GEN. SAMUEL E. MERWIN was born in Brookfield in 1831 and removed to New Haven in 1847, where he died in 1907, in his 76th year. General Merwin was one of the best known citizens of New Haven. He was president of the Yale National Bank for years, and president of the New Haven Savings Bank at the time of his death. In 1876 General Merwin repre- sented the fourth senatorial district in the legislature. In 1888 he was chosen lieutenant governor on the ticket with Governor Bulkeley. General Merwin twice received the Republican nomination for governor, in 1899 and in 1892. He was captain of the New Haven Grays during the Civil War and adjutant-general of the state from 1868 to 1872. He was chairman of the committee which erected on East Rock the beautiful soldiers' monument. General Merwin held numerous private and public trusts.
146
HISTORICAL SKETCH
SAMUEL C. HOLLEY, born in Brookfield in 1832, has been a resident of Danbury, Conn., for fifty years. From 1866 to 1873 Mr. Holley was director of Union Savings Bank, being one of the original incorporators of said bank. Since 1873 he has been president of this bank, a period of thirty-four years. In 1862 Mr. Holley became engaged in the manufacture of hats, and for forty-five years has been actively connected with that industry in Danbury. In 1887, when the Danbury and Bethel Street Railway was organized, Mr. Holley be- came a director, serving for three years, and in 1890 was elected president of the road, which office he has filled for seventeen years. Mr. Holley is connected with various other interests in the city of Danbury.
ATTORNEY SAMUEL SHERMAN was born in Brook- field in 1828. He was graduated from Trinity College . in 1850 ; was admitted to the bar in 1852, and practiced law in New York City until 1872. Mr. Sherman re- turned to his native town, where he resided until his death in 1901, in his seventy-third year.
Mr. Sherman was an active member of the Episcopal Church and an officer in the same. He was a man gen- erally informed on the questions of the day, which he enjoyed discussing with his friends, and took a lively interest in the affairs of this town. He married Miss Mercedes Montejo of Cuba.
SIDNEY E. HAWLEY SHERIFF OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
147
SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF BROOKFIELD
BARZILLAI B. KELLOGG, EsQ., although residing in New Fairfield, was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church in Brookfield Center and prominently identi- fied with its interests. Mr. Kellogg was a highly es- teemed business man, and at the time of his death was president of the National Pahquioque Bank of Danbury, Conn., now the City National Bank.
HIRAM D. HAWLEY, born in 1829, left Brookfield to engage in mercantile business early in life. During the Civil War he was with the 10th Connecticut regi- ment. Mr. Hawley has been for nearly forty years commercial traveler for the Francis H. Leggett Com- pany of New York City, and has led a very active life. He left New Haven some years ago and took up his residence here on the Benjamin Starr place, which he has greatly beautified. He has also manifested great interest in local town improvements.
CHARLES SEELEY HAWLEY was born in Brookfield in 1836. Mr. Hawley has been actively engaged in business for fifty years in New York City.
SHERIFF SIDNEY E. HAWLEY was born here in 1844. He represented the town of Brookfield in the legisla- ture from 1887 to 1889. Mr. Hawley was elected sheriff of Fairfield County, and took office June 1, 1895. After serving the county for three consecutive terms, or twelve years, Sheriff Hawley was again re-
148
HISTORICAL SKETCH
elected and entered on his fourth term June 1, 1907. Sheriff Hawley is regarded as a valuable incumbent of this office.
FREDERICK B. ROE, son of Harvey Roe, was a native of Brookfield, born in 1845. Mr. Roe was a civil en- gineer and publisher.
ELMER CORNWALL, son of George Cornwall, was born here in 1849. Mr. Cornwall has been in business in Bridgeport for many years.
HON. WILSON H. PIERCE, whose youth was spent in Brookfield, was graduated from Yale University in 1881, from Yale Law School in 1885. Attorney Pierce located in Waterbury in 1888, where he has since been engaged in the practice of law. As clerk of the city court and member of the board of education he has served the city of Waterbury. For ten years he served New Haven County as prosecuting agent. He was also president of the University Extension Society of that city. Mr. Pierce is a son of Rev. A. C. Pierce, a former pastor.
PROF. CHARLES B. HAWLEY, musical composer and basso of New York City, was born in 1858 on Whisconier Hill. For twenty years Mr. Hawley was musical director and solo bass in the Broadway Tabernacle, New York City. Professor Hawley is a composer of wide reputation.
149
SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF BROOKFIELD
Among the younger men who have entered business and gone out from Brookfield may be mentioned :-
RICHARD MEANEY, who is in business in Danbury. Mr. Meaney has been superintendent of public works in that city, also alderman. He is a prominent member of St. Peter's Church.
WILLIAM H. HAWLEY was born here in 1858. He took a course at Eastman's Business College, Pough- keepsie, and engaged in the drug business some years at Danbury, Conn., later was commercial traveler for the Dr. Kilmer Company of Binghamton, N. Y. Mr. Hawley died in 1893.
JOHN G. HAWLEY resides in Hartford, Conn., where he has been engaged in business for many years, being connected with the Capewell Horse Nail Company in a responsible capacity.
EDWIN M. SOMERS has been engaged in business for some years in the city of New Haven, Conn., where he is a successful merchant.
EDWIN P. JONES, son of Frederick Jones, Esq., is a business man in the city of Boston, residing in West Roxbury, Mass.
EDWARD GRIFFEN is an accountant, and in this capacity has been connected with several business houses. He resides in Brooklyn, N. Y.
150
HISTORICAL SKETCH
HENRY B. HAWLEY, JR., engaged in the confec- tionery business at Stamford, Conn., in 1895. In April, 1902, Mr. Hawley opened a real estate office in Danbury, Conn., in which city he is active as a suc- cessful real estate broker. He is a member of the Danbury Business Men's Association and secretary of the Board of Trade Committee of that association.
ROBERT R. HAWLEY has held clerical positions in Brookfield, Bridgeport, Hartford and Boston, where he now resides.
ERNEST GRIFFEN occupies a clerical position with the Windsor Hotel, Bridgeport, Conn.
PAUL JONES is a governmental photographer in the New York Custom House.
HENRY W. GRIFFEN has for some years been in the employ of the Southern New England Telephone Com- pany at Danbury. He resides in Brookfield.
GERALD CURTIS, after taking a course of study at Columbia College, N. Y., entered business.
-
HENRY B. HAWLEY, JR.
THE ADDENDUM
FIRST ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETY AND CHURCH
Pastors
Rev. Thomas Brooks, 1757-1799.
Rev. Erastus Ripley, 1800-1801.
Rev. Richard Williams, 1807-1811. Rev. Bela Kellogg, 1813-1816.
Rev. Abner Brundage, 1821-1839.
Rev. Dan C. Curtiss, 1843-1855.
Rev. Thomas N. Benedict, 1859-1862.
Rev. P. H. Hollister, 1862-1864. Rev. F. Munson, 1864-1870. Rev. A. C. Pierce, 1870-1888.
Rev. H. B. Mead, 1889-1892.
Rev. George W. Lawrence, 1893-1895.
Rev. Cyrus W. Francis, 1895-1904.
Rev. Marion L. Burton, 1904-1907.
Clerks
Jeremiah Northrop. Liverius Hawley. Samuel Ruggles. Henry Peck. Daniel Cook. Colbe Chamberlain. Philo Merwin. Samuel Merwin. Heman Burch. Elijah Starr.
154
HISTORICAL SKETCH
Daniel Holley.
Peter Hubbell.
Benjamin Hawley.
Sidney Hawley. Hiram Fairchild.
Benjamin Starr.
Alfred Somers.
E. H. Northrop.
H. S. Peck.
Benjamin Starr. F. S. Curtis, since 1887. Society.
Miss J. W. Skidmore, since 1890. Church.
Deacons
Joseph Ruggles. John Dunning. Joseph Smith. Henry Peck.
Abraham Camp.
Samuel Merwin.
Matthew Baldwin.
Michael Dunning. Levi Dibble. Ashbel Dunning. *Abel S. Taylor. Luther Smith. Alfred Somers.
William H. Skidmore.
Enoch W. Ford.
Orson J. Taylor. Frederick S. Curtis.
155
THE ADDENDUM
Officers of the Church in 1907
Deacons, Alfred Somers, Frederick S. Curtis.
Clerk, Miss Wilhelmine Skidmore.
Treasurer, William H. Blackman.
Church Committee, the Pastor, ex officio, the Deacons, ex officiis, Clarence E. Vroman, Almon H. Taylor, Mrs. Eliza G. Peck, Mrs. Albertina G. Wetmore. Auditor, Frederick S. Curtis.
Trustees, Alfred Somers, Sidney E. Hawley.
Choir Director, Herbert W. Greene.
Organist, Miss Minnie Somers.
Ushers, Austin Smith and Lucius S. Hawley.
Sunday School
Superintendent, Clarence E. Vroman.
Secretary and treasurer, Miss Wilhelmine Skidmore.
Librarian, Miss Amelia I. Northrop.
Ladies' Industrial Society
President, Mrs. Ida J. Curtis. Secretary, Miss Amelia I. Northrop.
Women's Foreign Missionary Auxiliary
President, Mrs. Rachel A. Geddes. Secretary and treasurer, Miss Julia W. Skidmore.
Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor President, Lewis Smith. Secretary, Miss Kathleen Smith.
156
HISTORICAL SKETCH
Officers of the Society
Clerk, Frederick S. Curtis. Committee, Frederick S. Curtis, Frederick S. Frisbie, Clarence E. Vroman. Treasurer, William H. Blackman.
Superintendents of Congregational Sabbath School
Organized about 1821
First officers unknown.
Hiram Fairchild.
Abel S. Taylor.
Sidney Hawley.
Joshua Davis.
Henry B. Hawley, 1862.
William H. Skidmore, 1864.
Alfred Somers, 1865-66.
Henry S. Peck, 1867-68.
Alfred Somers, 1869-74.
Almon Taylor, 1875-76.
Alfred Somers, 1877.
A. Williams, 1878.
Alfred Somers, 1879-86.
C. E. Vroman, 1887-91.
Alfred Somers, 1892. Almon Taylor, 1893.
Rev. Mr. Lawrence, 1894.
Alfred Somers, 1895.
C. E. Vroman, 1896. Alfred Somers, 1897-98.
157 .
THE ADDENDUM Mrs. C. W. Francis, 1899-1903. C. E. Vroman, 1904-07.
Superintendent of Home Department
Organized about 1890
Miss Florence Vroman, 1890-94. Mrs. Skidmore, 1895-97. Rev. C. W. Francis, 1898-1904. William Blackman, 1905-07.
Christian Endeavor Society Presidents in Part
H. E. Tuttle. C. E. Vroman. Eliza G. Peck. Charles Kellogg. Junius F. Smith. Frank Kellogg. E. H. Taylor. Theodora Skidmore. William Blackman. Nellie Smith. Cyrus W. Francis. Wilhelmine Skidmore. Ellen P. Vroman. Lucius S. Hawley. Lawrence Curtis. Lewis Smith.
158
HISTORICAL SKETCH
DATE OF ORGANIZATION OF NEIGHBORING CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES, AND FIRST PASTORS
Church in Stratford, 1640, Rev: Adam Blakeman, pastor 25 years.
First Church in Bridgeport, 1695, Rev. Charles Chauncey, pastor 19 years.
First Church at Danbury, 1696, Rev. Seth Shove, pas- tor 39 years.
*Church at Newtown, 1715, Rev. Thomas Toucey, pastor 9 years.
Church at New Milford, 1/16, Rev. Daniel Boardman, pastor 28 years.
Church at Huntington, 1724, Rev. Jedediah Mills, pastor 52 years.
Church at Trumbull, 1730, Rev. Richardson Miner, pastor 13 years.
Church at Redding, 1733, Rev. Nathaniel Hunn, pas- tor 16 years.
Church in Bethlehem, 1740.
Church in New Fairfield, 1742, Benajah Case, pastor 16 years.
Church in Washington, 1742, Reuben Judd.
Church in Sherman, 1744, Thomas Lewis.
Church in Roxbury, 1744, Thomas Canfield.
Church in Brookfield, 1757, Rev. Thomas Brooks, pastor 42 years.
Church in Bethel, 1760, Rev. Noah Wetmore, pastor 24 years.
.
159
THE ADDENDUM
Church in Monroe, 1764, Rev. Elisha Rexford, pastor 43 years.
PASTORS OF EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BROOKFIELD
Rev. Philo Perry, 1785-98.
Rev. Daniel Burhans, D. D., 1798-1812.
Rev. Benjamin Benham, 1812-28.
Rev. Joseph Covell, 1829-36.
Rev. Shimeal, 1836-37.
Rev. David H. Short, 1838-39.
Rev. E. C. Bull, 1839-42.
Rev. Edward Ives, 1842-44.
Rev. H. D. Noble, 1844-58.
Rev. J. E. Goodhue, 1863-69.
Rev. Levi B. Stimson, 1869-72.
Rev. Frank B. Lewis, 1872-73.
Rev. F. A. Fiske, 1873-76.
Rev. E. L. Whitcome, 1877-1906.
Rev. C. S. Mullikin, 1907-
REPRESENTATIVES
Henry Peck, 1788. Capt. Joseph Smith, 1789. Henry Peck, 1789-90. Joseph Smith, 1790-91. Henry Peck and Daniel Cook, 1792.
Amos Wheeler and Benjamin Bostwick, 1793. Amos Wheeler and Timothy Ruggles, 1794.
160
HISTORICAL SKETCH
Daniel Cook and Preserve Wood, 1795.
Amos Wheeler and Isaac Hawley, 1796.
Amos Wheeler, 1797-98. Jesse Noble, 1798.
Daniel B. Clark, 1799.
Eli Perry and Daniel Cook, 1800.
Jesse Noble and George Smith, 1801-02.
Jesse Noble and Liverius Hawley, 1803.
G. C. Smith and Jesse Noble, 1804.
Jesse Noble, G. C. Smith, and Thomas White, 1805. William Meeker and Liverius Hawley, 1806.
Liverius Hawley and G. C. Smith, 1807.
Isaac Hawley and Liverius Hawley, 1808.
George Smith and Daniel Tomlinson, 1809. Riverius Hawley, 1810.
Riverius Hawley and Liverius Hawley, 1811. Daniel Tomlinson, 1812.
Daniel Tomlinson and Liverius Hawley, 1813.
Liverius Hawley and William Meeker, 1814.
Noah Lacey and Daniel Tomlinson, 1815-16.
Noah Lacey and Zerah Peck, 1817.
William Meeker and Heman Burch, 1818. Czar Starr, 1819. William Meeker, 1820.
Czar Starr, 1821.
William Meeker, 1822.
Stephen Gregory, 1823. Eli Ruggles, 1824.
William Meeker, 1825.
Eli Ruggles, 1826. John B. Sanford, 1827.
·
161
THE ADDENDUM
Daniel Tomlinson, 1828. Stephen Gregory, 1829. Zerah Peck, 1830-31. Ebenezer Wanser, 1832. Bryant Smith, 1833. Aram F. Shepard, 1834. Stephen Gregory, 1835. Benjamin Hawley, 1836. John Hawley, 1837. Czar Starr, 1838. Ira Keeler, 1839. David Burr, 1840-41. Charles Hurd, 1842. Eli Ruggles, 1843. John Hawley, 1844-45. Ethiel Andrews, 1846.
Alfred Morris, 1847. Orman Bradley, 1848.
Abel S. Hawley, 1849.
David W. Northrop, 1850. Bryant Smith, 1851. David A. Foster, 1852.
William H. Seake, 1853. John Hawley, 1854.
Nathan Turrell, 1855.
Ira Keeler, 1856. Hiram Higby, 1857.
William Randall, 1858. Almon Odell, 1859. John Hawley, 1860. Levi G. Knapp, 1861.
162
HISTORICAL SKETCH
Czar Joyce, 1862. Philo C. Merwin, 1863-64. Curtis Morris, 1865. S. B. Ruggles, 1866. Edwin G. Turrill, 1867.
Harvey Roe, 1868.
David H. Meeker, 1869.
Daniel G. Beers, 1870.
H. S. Stevens, 1871. Augustus H. Knapp, 1872.
John N. Hawley, 1873.
Eugene Shepard, 1874.
Marcus Babbitt, 1875.
John P. Wildman, 1876.
Ezra N. Somers, 1877.
William F. Wildman, 1878.
Henry S. Peck, 1879.
Benjamin Griffen, 1880.
Henry S. Beers, 1881.
Samuel Thornhill, 1882.
Amos L. Williams, 1883.
John H. Barlow, 1884.
Thomas P. Bristol, 1885.
Barzillai T. Jackson, 1886.
Sidney E. Hawley, 1887.
Sidney E. Hawley, 1889.
James Lee, 1891. James Lee, 1893. James Lee, 1895. James Lee, 1897. Robert W. Green, 1899.
163
THE ADDENDUM
William B. Roe, 1901. Frank B. Taylor, 1903. Robert W. Green, 1905. Junius F. Smith, 1907.
FIRST SELECTMEN
Lee M. Warner, 1788. Joseph Starr, 1789. Amos Wheeler, 1790. Amos Wheeler, 1791. Capt. Richard Smith, 1792. Daniel Cook, 1793.
Samuel Merwin, Jr., 1794. Isaac Hawley, 1795. Liverius Hawley, 1796. Liverius Hawley, 1797. Liverius Hawley, 1798. Liverius Hawley, 1799. Liverius Hawley, 1800. Liverius Hawley, 1801. Liverius Hawley, 1802. Liverius Hawley, 1803. George C. Smith, 1804. Elijah Sturdevant, 1805. Henry Peck, Jr., 1806. Nathan Keeler, 1807. John Peck, 1808. Liverius Dunning, 1809. Henry Peck, 1810.
164
HISTORICAL SKETCH
Henry Peck, 1811.
Benjamin Lake, 1812. Henry Peck, 1813. Henry Peck, 1814.
Walker Lewis, 1815.
Peter Hurd, 1816.
Peter Hurd, 1817. "
Peter Hurd, 1818.
Steven Gregory, 1819.
Czar Nearing, 1820.
Jabez Hurd, 1821.
Czar Nearing, 1822.
Zalmon Goodsell, 1823.
Zerah Peck, 1824.
John B. Sanford, 1825-26.
Wait S. Northrop, 1827.
Elmer B. Northrop, 1828.
Wait S. Northrop, 1829-30.
Eli Hamlin, 1831.
Czar Starr, 1832.
Czar Starr, 1833.
David A. Foster, 1834.
Ira Keeler, 1835-36.
Curtis Morris, 1837-38.
Ormond Bradley, 1839.
Curtis Morris, 1840-42.
Elias Camp, 1843.
Elias Camp, 1844.
David Burr, 1845. Elias Camp, 1846.
Sidney Hawley, 1847.
165
THE ADDENDUM
Elias Camp, 1848.
Ebenezer Wanzer, 1849.
Curtis Morris, 1850-51. Curtis Morris, 1852. Curtis Morris, 1853.
Homer C. Brush, 1854.
Homer C. Brush, 1855-56.
Homer C. Brush, 1857.
William H. Lake, 1858.
Curtis Morris, 1859.
Sidney E. Hawley, 1860. L. B. Wildman, 1861.
Homer C. Brush, 1862.
Philo C. Merwin, 1863-65.
Philo C. Merwin, 1866.
Ezra N. Somers, 1867-68.
Ezra N. Somers, 1869-70.
Harvey Roe, 1871.
Harvey Roe, 1872.
Harvey Roe, 1873.
Harvey Roe, 1874.
John H. Merwin, 1875-76.
Henry D. Lake, 1877.
Ezra N. Somers, 1878.
Harvey Roe, 1879.
Harvey Roe, 1880. Harvey Roe, 1881.
David H. Meeker, 1882.
David H. Meeker, 1883.
David H. Meeker, 1884.
David H. Meeker, 1885.
166
HISTORICAL SKETCH
David H. Meeker, 1886.
David H. Meeker, 1887.
David H. Meeker, 1888.
David H. Meeker, 1889.
David H. Meeker, 1890.
David H. Meeker, 1891.
David H. Meeker, 1892.
Elmer H. Northrop, 1893.
Dwight N. Camp, 1894.
Elmer H. Northrop, 1895.
David H. Meeker, 1896.
William B. Roe, 1897.
William B. Roe, 1898.
William B. Roe, 1899.
William B. Roe, 1900.
William B. Roe, 1901.
John S. Thornhill, 1902.
John S. Thornhill, 1903.
John S. Thornhill, 1904.
John S. Thornhill, 1905.
John S. Thornhill, 1906.
John S. Thornhill, 1907.
TOWN CLERKS
Elijah Starr, 1788-93. Daniel B. Cooke, 1794-1801. Daniel Hawley, 1807. Colbe Chamberlain, 1810. Daniel Hawley, 1820-25.
167
THE ADDENDUM
Heman Burch, 1826-27. Bryant Smith, 1827-52. John A. Peck, 1852.
Homer C. Brush, 1853-55.
John G. Foster, 1863.
John G. Foster, 1864.
John G. Foster, 1865.
Robert G. Knapp, 1866.
Robert G. Knapp, 1867.
Henry S. Beers, clerk and treasurer without bonds, 1868-93.
Maurice O'Donnell, 1894.
Barzillia T. Jackson, 1895.
William J. Beehler, 1896.
William J. Beehler, 1897.
William J. Beehler, 1898.
William J. Beehler, 1899.
Benjamin Griffen, 1900-06.
William J. Beehler, 1907.
In writing this historical sketch of the First Con- gregational Church, and town of Brookfield, Conn., I have carefully read the Church and Society records since 1755, and have consulted probate records in several places; also visited our state library at Hartford.
I desire to acknowledge courtesies received from our judge of probate, town clerk, and first selectman; also from E. H. Northrop, H. S. Lockwood, Miss Sarah
168
HISTORICAL SKETCH
Fairchild, Mrs. E. G. Peck, and L. S. Brooks of Fair- port, N. Y.
The views of the Still River, and the village street at the Iron Works, were prepared from photographs taken by Mr. Harper Vroman. The picture of the Congregational Church edifice is from a lantern slide by H. Allen Smith.
BROOKS GENEALOGY
Lord Robert Brooke was born in England in 1608. He was given a grant of the Connecticut Valley about 1631, with Lord Say and Seal.
The settlement of Saybrook was founded by John Winthrop under commission from the two lords.
Lord Robert Brooke was an ancestor of Rev. Thomas Brooks.
The Brooks coat-of-arms appears in this book.
Rev. Thomas Brooks, first pastor of the Congrega- tional Church, Brookfield, Conn., and for whom the town was named, was born in England in 1719 and came to New England about 1745. He married here Hannah Lewis, who was the mother of eight children. She died in Newbury in 1769, being about fifty-four years of age. Four of her sons served in the Revolu- tionary War; they were Samuel Lewis Brooks, who enlisted in 1777 and served until 1781, being with
169
THE ADDENDUM
Washington at West Point. He died in 1846, being ninety-six years old.
Another son was Thomas Brooks, Jr., who enlisted in the Third Connecticut Regiment under General Putnam. He died in 1791.
The names of the two other sons of Rev. Thomas Brooks who did service in the war appear in the records of Connecticut, but are not given here.
A daughter, Hannah Brooks, was married to Gen. David Baldwin of Newtown in 1778.
Rev. Thomas Brooks was twice married. The second wife, Rebecca Brooks, survived her husband and died in Brookfield in 1805, being seventy-nine years of age.
Capt. Garry Brooks, son of Samuel L. Brooks, and grandson of Rev. Thomas Brooks, was born in New Milford July 5, 1806. Captain Brooks is now living at Fairport, N. Y., being a finely preserved old gen- tleman one hundred and one years old (1907). His photograph, taken when he was one hundred years of age, is reproduced in this book.
Lewis Samuel Brooks, son of Captain Brooks, visited the church at Brookfield June 16, 1907, and deposited with the writer the picture of his father and the coat- of-arms. He resides at Fairport, N. Y.
1
جيد
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.