History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 107

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1572

USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 107

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).

" A Mr. Cole, whose name often occurs in the filed accounts of this society, was a blacksmith. His shop was near the residence of Rev. Mr. Rexford. He is said to have been a singular or very peculiar man. He, for some reason, in hardening iron seemed to have hardened his heart. His family were interested in and attended church.

" Deacon Whecler, of Ripton Parish, was committee on land-titles, then a great and responsible business. Ile had, from his office, a special in- fluence in this town. He was a prominent man,-a man of integrity and promptness, and shrewd in trade.

"His son, Nathan Wheeler, the father of our respected friend, Deacon Nathan Wheeler, of this church, purchased the Monson-originally the Capt. Moorc-cstate, and removed to this place. He lived and died in the Monson house, the ruins of which mark the northeast corner lot of the green. These grounds are still in possession of the family, being owned by Deacon Wheeler.

" A deep interest has ever been felt by this family in this church and society. The valuable lot on which this edifice stands was given to the society in 1847 by Deacon Nathan Wheeler, who generously added a sub- scription of one hundred and thirty-five dollars towards its erection. The sister of Deacon Wheeler, Mrs. Betscy Smith, was also a contributor to this object, and has in times past and recently manifested a deep and valnable interest iu the house itself, aud in the general welfare of the church and society.

"Thus the owners of the Capt. Moore estate have twice furnished a spot of ground upon which this onr ark of God has rested. Believe me, as blessings came upon the house of Obed-edom for attentions to the ark of the Lord, so will blessings come npon all who in love and faith sustain the house of God and its worship.

" Samuel Whiceler, Esq., was a cousin of Deacon Nathan Wheeler and son of Mr. Joseph Wheeler. He for years traded in this place. 1Ie was father of Mr. Henry S. Wheeler, who was a devoted member of this church and society. IIe generously remembered its necessities in liis will, and to-day speaks to ns in the continued ministrations of this pul- pit, and will continne so to speak while years, and even centuries, roll by. A memory thus embalmed iu the services of the house of God is fragrant indeed.

" The mother of Henry S. Wheeler, the first wife of Samnel Wheeler, Esq., was, I am informed, a daughter of Dr. Fitch, of Norwalk, and sister of the mother of the late celebrated Professor Knight, of Yale College.

" In this connection it is proper and just that reference be made to Mr. Henry T. Curtis, whose donations and labors in behalf of this edifice and this church and society shine so conspicuously on our records. IIe is connected by marriage with the family of Henry S. Wheeler, and lias most effectively co-operated with that devoted man in elevating and per- petuating the services of this our sanctuary. Though gone from our town, he lives in our grateful remembrances. Such benevolence and such labors never die. They have their reward.

" I have heard, too, of a singular and eccentric, and yet talented, kind of genteel and eloquent pauper peripatetic or street-roamer who years since came to this town from Windham, in this State. He was noted for lis somewhat imposing dress,-his cocked hat, buckskin breeches, and large knee-bnckles in antique style. He had great resources for conversation and extemporary addresses, was keen at an impromptu and lightning retort, was full of curious figures of speech and remarks, and by original and not always revereutial touches tended to wake up, if not to astonish, more stupid thinkers. As he passed a school-house such was his power, I have been told, that the boys would at times form in a line and, paying him their respects, le wonld address them and pass on his way. He was

a friend and admirer of Mr. Rexford, of whom he once remarked, in his quaint and significant style, that lie was a good man, a peculiar man : he was the friend of both worlds.

"This man was a poet, and the following is given as a sarcastic im- promptu comment upon a careless lawyer after his being summoned as a witness in a case before Justice Adams, in Ripton, and which went by defanlt of the writ:

"' A court were had, The writ was bad, And could not be amended; The plaintiff lost His expected cost, And so the matter ended.'

" This strange genius, around wliose history a deep mysteriousness gathers, was, through disappointment in his early hopes, probably insane, and was thus lost to the standing and influence which his taleuts and connections in life rendered him signally capable of sustaining. We refer to him to remind you what a lasting influence the most penniless and obscure person may have upon the thoughts and manners and char- acters of a community.

" My father was in his early ministry pastor for ten years in Windham, and the family uame of Manning was of note there. The name is now of note in Western New York, and descendants of this same strange man known here have character and influence. How and why a descendant of that family should so live and die here in this town is a mystery. Be- lieve me, there is a cause for all this, aud it may well lead us all to ponder our ways lest onr descendants be, like him, mere mysterious wanderers or paupers in the world.

"' He sleeps the sleep of death, Gone to his long and last acconnt, Unknown to us, but known to God.'

"The regularly reported pastors and acting pastors of this church are eleven in number, and as follows: Elisha Rexford, John Noyes, Asahel Nettleton, Chauncey G. Lee, Amos Bassett, Daniel Jones, James Kant, Robert D. Gardner, Lewis M. Shepard, Edward B. Emerson, George C. Prudden .*

"The church, as reported now, numbers thirty-four males and seventy- one females; total, one hundred and five, - the largest number ever on its list. This is the seal of God's covenant love visible upon the event of its organization, one hundred years ago. The little vine theu planted iu this wilderness still lives and flourishes. From its branches richi clusters have been plucked for the upper sanctuary, while its influ- ence in beloved members gone hence far and uear is widespread. There is scarcely a family iu the congregation which has not in it one or more members of the church; in some instances all the members of the family are members of the church. In not a small portion of the families in the congregation both heads of the family are in covenant with us. Most, too, of the youthis over fifteen years of age are one with us in Christ. With rare exceptions, the families of the congregation are reg- ular attendants upon the sanctuary and contributors to the support of the same, and to different benevolent objects.

" During tho current year, the last of this one hundred years of our history, our contributions for home and other objects have equaled, it is computed, six hundred dollars. During this year, through the enter- prise and benevolence of the general committee,-Mr. Charles T. Crane, David A. Nichols, and Samuel C. Beardslee,-the interior of this house has been handsomely and beautifully refitted. In this the members of the church and society and of the female sewing society have cheerfully and generonsly contributed. Such services and benevolent aid live ou. This day, too, greets us a united church and people. Peace and joy, brotherly love, and friendly co-operation in a remarkable degree here reign, the language of each, one and all, being-

""" I love Thy kingdom, Lord; The honse of Thine abode ; The Church our blest Redeemer made With IIis own precious blood.'

" These are pleasing comments upon the fruits of the organization which has lived one hundred years this day all told, and which, we trust, will live with increasing faith and unity and zeal centuries on centuries yet to come.

* The successors of Mr. Prudden have been T. T. Waterman, O. S. St. Jolin, William B. Curtis, Alfred Waterman, Dighton Moses, and Rev. Charles D. Hubert .- En.

431

MONROE.

" The preaching of tho werd has thus not been veid. Tho faithful preaching of that word, as it has been here soon and honored, is a stand- ing testimeny in its effects te the life-giving energies and joys thereof. Honered and happy is the people whe thus sustain and rejoice in a dis- tinctive, searching, and uncompromising dispensation of the werd of God,

"Nor has this church been blessed enly in its nministers; it has been specially so in its deacens. Of these, as recorded, thore have boon six- teen : Henry Hawley, Edmund Lewis, Peter Curtis, Elijah Curtis, Jehn Judsen, Deedate Silliman, Daniel Wilcexsen, John Wilcexsen, James DIcEwen, Agur Beardslee, Elihu Curtis, Damel Tomlinsen, Ebenezer Lewis, Nathan W. Wheeler, Daniel Nichels, and Isaac Barr,

" Of Henry Hawley and John Judson wo have beforo spoken.

" Peter Curtis was an early settler en Bagburn Hill. In intelligence, enterprise, patrietism, and faith as we infer, a representative man. Ile was seund in the faith and in practico,-a man ef prayer and constant in his attendance upon the sanctuary; alevor of the church. He was the great-grandfather of Mr. William Curtis and Charles Curtis, still residents en pertiens of the original estate.

"This name Curtis is identified with tho past and present history ef our church and town. It is titled in Church and State, in law, politics, educatien, medicine, agriculture, and military display. Some fivo hun- dred and ninety dellars is credited te this namo in behalf of the erection of this church .. Whether Deacen Peter Curtis is connected with the an- cestry ef all this numereus generatien I am net informed.

Daniel Wilcoxseu resided, and prebably was an early setttler, en Barn Hill. He was wealthy, a man of ability and faith. His son, Daniel Wil- coxson, was a graduate ef Yale College, and for seme twe years was a teacher in Bermuda,-a gentleman ef taste and influence, Traditien states that he introduced the first piano inte this tewn, if not the first in this ceunty. This simple relic ef the past is in pessession ef Mr. IL. Beardslee. It was manufactured by Ball, Tettingham (now Lendon), and presented to Miss Sylvia Curtiss, in the year 1802,-sixty-twe years ago. Daniel was accidentally drewned, being thrown frem his herso in crossing Leavenwertli Bridge,-the first bridge built ever the Heusatenie River.

"Elihu Curtiss, son ef Peter Curtiss, lived beyend East Village, on or near what was called Webb's place. He was fitted fer college. A large landholder, a man ot ability and ef wide pelitical influence, he was eften a member of the State Legislature; was esteemed as an henest aud ex- emplary man ; was a warm supperter, I infer, ef the church and ef pub- lie worship.

"James McEwen was an early settler, and resided ou the beautiful nerthern slepe of Bagburn Hill, on the corner oppesite the residence ef our friend Charles McEwen. The ruins of his hemestead are still visi- ble, and some frnit-trees stand te memorialize the spot. ITis mind ran in a remarkable degree upen the Bible, with which, as illustrated by Brewn's 'Commentary,'-a large folie velume,-he was remarkably familiar. He was a man ef great faith, secial and quiet, and a great loss, as we may well infer, when he died. It is stated of him that he was absent but ene Sabbath for years frem the sanctuary. He was found dead in his corn-field iu er near the year 1815. ITis descendants, as represented in eur midst, aro knewn and esteemed by us, a granddaughter, Mrs. Samuel B. Beardslee, and a grandsen, Mr. Charles McEwen, being mem- bers of this church.

" Ebenezer Lewis lived in Walker's Farm District. Hle was a man ef preperty, and remarkable in prayer and exhertation. ITis daughter married the father of Mr. W. Plumb, and in that family he is honorably represented ie the church.

"Elijah Curtiss, a son of Elihu Curtiss, and grandsen ef Peter Curtiss, -and grandfather, I believe, ef Mr. William and Charles Curtiss,-a man of marked ability, shrewd and influential, went to the Legislature several times ; was a true patriot, strong in the principles of the gospel, and a great supporter of public worship. It is reported of him that for year's he did uet fail to attond meetings on the Sabbath. Ilis name and faith still live,-the third in one family descent who sustained a deacon- ship in this chureb.

"Edmond Lewis, son of Deacen Benjamin Lewis, was a devotedly pious and exemplary man,-ono of whom the werld toek knowledge that he walked with God. He had no children, and gave an impertant. legacy to this society. In the support of the preaching of the word this legacy speaks his praise, and will speak it while this church and society shall exist.

" Deedate Silliman lived on the read west ef Upper Stepney. He is re- ported as a man ef deep social feelings, giveu to plensantry and wit in conversation, and yet a man of deveut feelings, and one deeply interested in the welfare of the church and society. Ile was uncle to the late emi- nent Benjamin Sillimau, professor in Yale Colloge.

"John Wilcoxson, nephew of Deacon Wilcoxson, Ilved on Barn Hill ; was a man of faith and prayer. He died In 1820.

" As far us tradition affirme, all these deacons were men of alllity and worth. They were, too, blessed, we believe, with exemplary wives, who with them loved and helped gustaln the church.

" At different periods, when the society was feeble and supplies were not obtained for the pulpit, divine service was maintained by the deacons. In this they were sustained by the members of the church and soclety and their families. This is named as one of the great means of preserv- ing the church. It speaks volumes for the intelligence and energy of tho deacons and the true-heartedness of the people. Even the young peeple, it is said, were punctual in attendance, and thus most happily and effectively aided in the work of building up this temple of the Lord.

"The bell, or the first ene, if there have been two, must have been procured early,-probably in 1786, the year when the first house, as we infer, was dedicated. I find in the filed accounts of the society charges for repairing the tongne ef the bell as far back as 1795, if not earlier. The present bell dates 1826; if so, it has pealed forth its joyous notes for seme thirty-eight years-or some twe thousand times-as Sabbath after Sabbath has relled by. The tongue, wern by frequent utterance, on the last Sabbath leosed its hold, drepped frem its place, and was reveren- tially silent during the day. It has been refitted, and stands again really te do its jeyful work, we trust, for a hundred years to come.

" The singing of the congregation and church has ever been, we judge, well sustained and ef more than a commen order. It was early con- ducted, we believe, by Capt. Nathan Beeth,-certainly for a number of years by Mr. Abel French, who was an esteemed and active member of this seciety. Mere recently it has had the valuable services ef Mr. Elisha Beoth, aided by Messrs. Elisha Beardslee, Charles McEwen, ITirant Beardslee, William Curtiss, Dr. Edward M. Beardslee, Miss Wheeler, Page, Curtiss, the Miss Beardslees, and others well known by all.

" Many a sweet psalm and hymn has during the five theusand and two hundred Sabbaths of the ene hundred years new clesing here sent ferth its sweet utterances ef penitential jey and excellent praise. Many a time, with help ef the flute, clarionet, bugle, and mere recently the mnelodeen, have voices sweet seunded ferth 'Old Hundred,' ' Windham,' 'Denmarke,' ' Wells,' ' Mear,' 'China,"" Delight,' ' Mortality,' ' Majesty,' 'Lenex,'and the anthem, 'See the Purple Banners Flying,'-tunes which, amid all the revelutiens and changes and boasted imprevements in sacred music, remain unsurpassed in power ef musical and devetienal effect. While, then, we would have what is goed in the new, let us at the same time remember and hener what was, and is, se precieus in the eld.

" Among the toachers ef seleet and private schools I find reference to Rev. Mr. Rexford, a clergyman, who succeeded him, Legrand Moore Lewis, Samuel Monson, Miss Hannah Howloy, Miss Nancy Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Atwell, Miss Lyen Judson, Samuel B. Beardslee, Dr. E. M. Beardslee, Dr. R. Grey, and Miss Wheeler. The elements ef knowledge were thereughly tanght in these nurseries of intelligence aud good merals. Tho scheols ef these days, theugh far inferior in advantages, were wonderfully effective.

"To the close ef the last century, and somewhat iuto this, there were but few if any four-wheeled vehicles. Jeurneying and passing to and fre was performed on the saddle,-side-saddle and pillion,-on herseback er en foet, or on the ox-sled and cart.

"Then the conveniences for warming schoel-houses and churches as new enjoyed were unkuewn, the ouly stove being the small hand foot- steve, some of which, as curiosities, still exist in our midst. Not long since, a stranger here inquired ef a friend, ' What is that square tiu thing in a frame that weman carries abent in church ?'

" Then there were but few roads and bridges and means of communi- cation by travel or by letter. The celebrated Judge Swift, of this State, then a member of Congress in Philadelphia, in his anxiety to hear from home by mail, the time being some three weeks, said, iu a note to my father, that the best idea he ever had of eternity was given him while waiting for the mail.

" Then friends comparatively near by each other were far apart, and a few miles from a river or shore settlement was like being in the distant wilderness or on or beyond the Recky Mountains,

" Well do I remember, quite within this century, when thoughts of the wilderness West, as in Central or Westeru New York and Ohio, were full of dread and alarm. Then a song, the chorus of which, as I reuient- ber it,-

"' We'll travel through the wild wood, We'll hunt the buffalo, And we'll camp on the banks Of the pleasant Ohio,'- seemed like an utterance of the ages to come.

432

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

" No less distinctly do I remember the first four-wheeled, one-horse wagon seen in Bridgeport. I was quite small,-not so high as the wheels, -say in 1815. It attracted as much attention as a locomotive has more recently. It was thought a wonder that the fore and hind wheels would run in the same track, and that it could be turned about without taking it to pieces. That wagon was owned by Capt. George Hoyt, the then cashier of the Bridgeport Bank. It was brought, I believe, from some- where in the county near here."

ST. PETER'S CHURCH.#

At the beginning of the present century the parish of New Stratford (now Monroe) was incorporated with the town of Ripton (now Huntington), and for a long time these two organizations were substantially one, having the same rector and a united interest. The earliest accounts of this parish are therefore much scattered and necessarily few, many of the records being in the adjoining town and mingled with other statistics, and later ones imperfectly kept or not kept at all.

We have no means of knowing who composed the families and members of this church at its organiza- tion, and the first real intimation of its existence as a parish dates at the commencement of this present century. In an old number of the Churchman's Maga- zine, under date of September, 1807, we find a pub- lished account of the consecration of this church.

It seems, from the account given, that Bishop Jarvis and a number of his presbyters, on the 16th of September, 1807, assembled in Bridgeport, where he consecrated the Episcopal church there by the name of St. John's. On the day following, the 17th, the bishop proceeded to the church in Trumbull, and ad- ministered the rite of confirmation to forty-one per- sons. "On the 18th the Episcopal church at New Stratford (Monroe) was consecrated by the bishop, and named St. Peter's church. Prayers were read by the Rev. Mr. Burhans, and an appropriate sermon was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Baldwin. At this church the rite of confirmation was administered to thirty- six persons." After its consecration it continued for many years in connection with the church at Ripton, the same rector officiating in both places. Five years after the consecration of this church we find, from Bishop Jarvis' address in June, 1812, that " Mr. Ray- ner has been regularly dismissed from the church in Hartford, and hath been chosen rector of the parish in the town of Huntington."

The first parochial report of these two parishes found in print is in 1815, when Mr. Rayner reported for the two parishes one hundred and fifty families and only seventy-two communicants. Five years later, in 1820, the number of communicants in the two parishes amounted to about one hundred, and in 1825 the same number is still given.

In 1827, Bishop Brownell says in his convention address, "The Rev. Mr. Rayner having made an ar- rangement with the parish of Huntington for a dis-

solution of his pastoral connection with that parish, I have given my consent to the same, and the parish of Huntington is now vacant."+ From these data it will appear that Mr. Rayner held the rectorship of the two parishes about fifteen years,-from 1811 to 1826. For a short time he remained rector of this parish alone, but from 1827 to 1829 no mention is made of the parish of Monroe in the conventional reports.

In the report for 1829 it is stated that Mr. Rossiter had taken charge of this parish in connection with Trumbull, and in his report for 1830 he gives the number of communicants as thirty-two, and in 1832 as fifty-one. From 1834 to 1838 we find that the Rev. Mr. Rossiter had charge also of St. James' Church, Newtown, in addition to his charge of Monroe; but from 1838 to his decease, in 1846,-a period of eight years,-he ministered in this parish alone. The hold- ing of full services in this parish, with the exception of a short period by Mr. Rayner in 1827, commences with 1838. Mr. Rossiter's whole rectorship here, in- cluding his connection with the parishes of Trumbull aud Zoar, extends from 1829 to 1846,-a period of seventeen years. He died November 25th, and was buried Nov. 26, 1846 (Thanksgiving Day), aged fifty- nine years, cleven months, and seven days.

Mr. Rossiter was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Betts, who remained in charge of the parish three years. During his rectorship the chancel arrangements were altered and a silver communion-service purchased at a cost of ninety-eight dollars. About the same time the font was presented to the church by the late Mrs. Rossiter, the expense of which was thirty-five dollars, and about the same time the chandeliers are reported as a gift of Mr. George Lewis. These little items are here mentioned to show that a commendable spirit of improvement and interest was manifest under his rectorship.

The Rev. Mr. Betts was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Hoffinan, who was rector just three years, taking charge of the parish at Easter, 1850, and resigning it Easter, 1853. He was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Godfrey, who was rector one year.

At the convention for 1855 the Rev. Mr. Judd is reported as officiating in Monroe, which he continued to do till 1858, when the Rev. Seth Davis assumed the charge, which he held until death released him. It was during the incumbency of the latter (1859) that great improvements were made in this church, by the addition of a recess, chancel, and by other renova- tions which the church required.

Mr. Davis died in Monroe, July 6, 1862, aged sixty years, and was succeeded by Rev. James Edward Coley, who remained until Sept. 5, 1877. Since that time the church has had no settled rector. Services are now held by Rev. Silas B. Duffield, as a supply, this being his third year.

* Compiled from a memorial sermon delivered by Rev. James Edward Coley, in November, 1872.

+ Convention Report for 1827.

433

MONROE.

The present offieers of the ehurel are as follows: Wardens, F. W. Wheeler and Samuel S. Hurd; Ves- trymen, Orville B. Sherwood, William A. Clark, Hobart E. Beardsley, Benjamin S. Hurd, Homer E. Clarke, William B. Beardsley, Agur Beardsley, Samuel G. Huntington, Henry W. Edwards, Walter Beardsley, Charles Staples, Martin J. Mullett, and Frank Beardsley.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, STEPNEY.#

Previous to the ereetion of the present house of worship there was a elass in Lower Stepney, which was formed by Burton Beach, who then resided at Daniel's Farms, and led the elass some time after its formation. He subsequently became a member of the New York Conference, and is still a higlily-es- teemed superannuated member.

Lewis Penfield afterwards took charge of the elass, which position (as leader) he held for many years; and he became the chief promoter of Methodism in Stepney, he and his brothers, Andrew and William, bearing for some time the principal financial burdens of the church, and they were active in its spiritual prosperity.

At the time of its formation the class at Lower Stepney was connected with the Daniel's Farms church, the preacher from that church frequently holding serviees in the school-house and in a build- ing owned and fitted up by the Pennfields.

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.

History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 107

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1572

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1572