History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 109

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 109

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" The society proceeded promptly to fill his place. The Rev. Robert Silliman was ordained Febraary, 1742.

THE ANCIENT MEETING-HOUSE.

" During his ministry there was such increase in the congregation as to require an addition to the meeting-honse eleven feet on each end and twelve feet on the south side. They also built a society-honse north of the meeting-house, twenty-ono by sixteen feet, with seven-foot posts. This was probably to accommodate those who came to meeting from a distanco, and was furnished with a fireplace, where they might spend the time between services, the meeting-house being without any device for heating.

" In 1750 the society resolves to build a new meeting-house, fifty feet by forty, with one tier of galleries and turret (belfry). This structure was so far advanced as to be deemed fit for use in 1752, though the galleries were not made nutil 1787. In 1797 the turret was completed and the first bell obtained, which was to be rung not only on the Sabbath, but also at nine o'clock every evening except Saturday. The new house was built a short distance north of the old one and about one hundred and fifty feet southeast of the present building. For ninety years it was in constant use as a place of worship. Every Sabbath, Thanksgiving, and fast-day its courts were well filled with devont worshipers, and the memery of the old meeting-lionse will ever be hallowed. It was built in the style quite common in that day, precisely like the one then in Stamford, except that the latter had a spire that rose from the ground. Opening the double doors, on the south side, we entered an area of small square pews, whose floors were elevated about eiglit inches above the floor of the central por- tion of the room. This latter was at first filled with slips on each side of the centre or broad aisle leading up to the pulpit. A narrow aisle passed quite around these slips, furnishing access to the pews which oc- cupied tho entire walls except where the doors on the east, the south, and the west sides, tho stairs leading to the galleries at the corners, and the pulpit nt the centre of the north side, occupied the space. The slips in the centre were afterwards (in 1808) converted into square pews. The galleries were deep, filled with square pews along the south wall, and else- whero with the long slips. The choir was ranged along the front, and sometimes extended nearly the entire length of the galleries, the bass on the west, the treble on the east, and the tenor, or 'counter,' with the leader on the south. The pulpit was a hexagonal structure, placed upon

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

a pillar, about eight feet above the floor, and reached by a flight of stairs; it was neatly finished and painted white. Above it was suspended a canopy or sounding-board, hexagonal in shape, about seven feet above the floor of the pulpit, with a screw at the top of the iron rod supporting it, so that its height might be adjusted to the proper distance for reflec- tion of the sound. The arrangement was indeed stiff and awkward, and was often severely criticised. I remember hearing one clergyman-a man of large size-remark that he would as soon get into a hogshead and preach from the bung. The deacons' seat was directly beneath the pulpit, access to it being had through the minister's pew.

" To resume the history of the parish: When their minister, Mr. Silli- man, had served them a quarter of a century, some uneasiness began to manifest itself. A vote in April, 1768, showed forty-six ' easy' and thirty- seven 'uneasy' with him, but not long after they voted, twenty-four to fifteen, that they would employ Mr. Silliman no longer. Mr. Silliman appealed to the General Assembly at Hartford, and the society appeared there by their representative. The Legislature sent a committee to see how peace could be restored, who advised Mr. Silliman to ask for a dis- missal, and in June, 1772, he was dismissed.

" In the succeeding winter Mr. William Drummond, born and educated in Scotland, was settled as minister. He remained five years, and was succeeded by Rev. Justus Mitchell, who by his scholarship and devotion to his calling and to the cause of education secured the prosperity of the entire community and gave the parish a desirable fame throughout tho State. A spirit of toleration manifested itself, and the records show many instances of the release of persons, who preferred other modes of worship, from their responsibilities to this society. The pews were rented to defray expenses and relieve from taxation. Mr. Mitchell died in 1806."

THE PRIMITIVE DWELLINGS.

Among the first houses erected within the present limits of this town were a few rudely-constructed buildings, on what is now known as "Clapboard Hills." Several of the first houses were also built at "Canoe-Hill." Following more closely the western slope of the river, a cluster of houses was built on the upper part of Haines' Ridge, among which were the old residences of Col. Enoch St. John, Elnathan Lockwood, Mr. Moses Comstock, Mr. Uriah Reed, and Mr. Aaron Comstock. Three of these have been demolished and one so remodeled as not to appear like an old house, while one remains essentially unchanged in aspect.

The settlers from Stamford followed similarly the course of the Noroton River, as also, still farther west, that of Mill River. A single style of architecture was almost universal, not only here but throughout New England, in those days. The house was of two stories in front, presenting two eligible chambers, while the rear roof sloped off to the height of seven or eight feet from the ground. A massive stone chim- ney was in the centre, with its huge fireplace admit- ting back-logs and fore-sticks four fect long, and still . furnishing warming-room within its jambs for all the children. Here was the ponderous crane with its as- sortment of trammels of varying lengths for pots and kettles, the iron andirons, tongs, and peel with its handle four feet long, terminating in a large hemi- spherical knob (this was used for cleaning out the coals from the brick oven, which occupied a part of the deep recesses of the old chimney), the spider, the skillet, the griddle,-all over the open fire. No pro- saic, economical cooking-stove or range had yet made its appearance.

The rooms of these old-time houses were ranged

around the chimney,-the keeping-room and parlor, on either side in front, the latter with its beaufet dis- playing the glittering pewter plates and platters and a slender assortment of china cups and saucers; the kitchen in the rear, with bed-rooms on either side; the hall in front, with winding stairs leading to cham- bers above. These all communicated by doors, so that on festal occasions, in families moulded not according to the strictest sect of the Puritans, this arrangement furnished ample scope for merry games and dancing.

INCIDENT OF THE REVOLUTION.

The following incident was related to the late Dr. Edwin Hall, of Norwalk, by Miss Phebe Comstock, who lived at Canoe Hill during the Revolution. She used to go over to her uncle's and climb an apple- tree from which Norwalk could be seen distinctly. Went to meeting at New Canaan. In cases of alarm. which was given by firing three guns in succession, the men left all and hastened to the parade. Such alarıns often came. Her father would run in and say, ."Now, girls, unyoke the oxen and turn them out," and in less than five minutes would be off to the pa- rade. They used to carry their guns to meeting ; no more thought of going to meeting then without their guns than we do now without our psalm-books. "They never had an alarm without repairing to the parade ; and they did not go slow, neither." The alarm at the burning of Norwalk came about daybreak. Went to the apple-tree; saw the flames ; heard the guns. Her father and four brothers were engaged in the defense; the " dreadfullest day she ever saw ;" the guns kept firing a long time ; " a dreadful fight." She saw the "red-coats" take up several of their dead or wounded and carry them to their boats ; saw the steeple of the meeting-house fall in.

TRAINING-DAYS.

The first Mondays of May and September were by statute training-days, and every able-bodied man of a certain age was required to appear for inspection and drill. At ten o'clock they assembled on the " parade-ground," which was an open field given to the town for this purpose. The commanding officer sent his compliments to the minister, with a request that he would favor them with his presence, which he did, and opened the exercises with prayer. Soon after they adjourned for dinner. There were two companies,-one uniformed, called the grenadiers, the other the militia. The music was fife and drum, and when, after wondrous cvolutions, they marched down the ridge to the meeting-house hill, the martial ardor of the boys was at boiling-point.

The Thanksgivings werc much like those of the present day, except that the house of God was well filled and the Thanksgiving anthem fell upon en- chanted ears. The public exerciscs began with the reading of the Governor's proclamation. (It had been read two successive Sundays before.) It was an awe-

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inspiring document, especially as it closed with the ominous injunction, " All servile labor and vain rec- reation are on said day by law forbidden." After the service the rennited families gathered round tables loaded with a bewildering multiplicity of dishes, among which roast turkey and pumpkin-pie held their long-established pre-eminence. There, amid repre- sentatives of three or perhaps fonr generations, this family festival held high carnival. Long may it keep its power to recall the sons and daughters of New England to the old homesteads.

SLAVERY.

Many of the early families were owners of slaves, and when the Emancipation Aet was passed by the State, only those born after a certain date were ex- empted, leaving the others still nnder the ban of this hated bondage.

THE WHIPPING-POST AND STOCKS.

This evidence of civilization stood at the angle of the road, sontheast of the Congregational church, and here the strong arm of the law administered the re- qnisite number of lashes to the luckless wight who chanced to fall a victim to its degrading punishment.

EARLY MERCHANTS.

One of the earliest merchants was Samnel St. John, in a building which stood near the Congregational church. Other early tradesmen were Nathan Seeley, Husted & Hoyt, Nash & Hoyt, Raymond & Com- stoek, etc.

PHYSICIANS.

Among the pioneer physicians were Daniel Bou- ton, Joseph Silliman, S. S. Noyes, and Lewis Rich- ards. The latter was in active practice about fifty years, and Dr. Noyes about sixty years, when he died at an advanced age. The present physicians are Theodore Roberts and W. G. Brownson (homoeopath- ists).

INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.

"The occupations of the early inhabitants of New Canaan were purely agricultural, with artisans enough barely to supply their own wants. The tailors and mantnamakers, and even shoemakers, were accus- tomed to cirenlate through the town semi-annually, making up the requisite wardrobes of the families. The farmers were exceedingly patient, hard-working men ; their farms required clearing not only of trees and bnshes, but of the numerous stones which in this dilnvial soil almost covered the face of the earth. To dispose of these stones, they built walls inclosing small fields. They raised wheat (until the Hessian fly destroyed that crop), rye, corn, oats, and potatoes. Timothy or herd-grass was introduced at a compara- tively late period. Their hay consisted of the harsh, low meadow-grass and the natural grasses of the up- lands near their barns. The great problem with them was, how to winter their stock. They supple- mented their tender supply of hay with cornstalks and

husks and oat-straw. Their stock in the spring were emaciated, and many of them died of " horn distem- per," which generally meant starvation. The old wooden plow was a rough, heavy, clumsy instrument, and I remember hearing discussions among the work- men on the probability of the introduction of an iron plow which was then in use in the West of that day,- that is, Central and Western New York. I rejoice in having lived to see the toils of the husbandman re- lieved by the steel plow, the tooth-harrow, the horse- rake, the mower and reaper, and other machines which not only lighten labor, bnt make it more effi- cient. Nor will we forget the spinning-jennies, power-looms, and sewing-inachines which relieve the women of the present day from that incessant hard labor which in the case of their grandmothers, to- gether with the inevitable care of the household, crushed their physical energies and suppressed every rising aspiration for intellectual and æsthetie culture. Let the spinning-wheels, large and small, go to grace the elegant parlors of New York-and I would that they were gifted with speech !- to portray the scenes of unrepining toil enacted at their sides in days gone by ; and perhaps gentlemen might profit by a plow or flail of the olden time in their offices."

BOOT- AND SHOE-MANUFACTURING.

But there came a time when the enterprise of New Canaan was turned in the direction of mannfac- turing boots and shoes. The town was dotted over with little shops and ranked among the foremost in that mannfacture. "Niles' Register," giving an ae- count of the town in 1818, states that fifty thousand pairs of boots and shoes were annually sent ont.

The following are now engaged in this business : Benedict & Co., J. F. Bliss & Co., George Lockwood, J. & T. W. Benedict, H. A. Pinney, W. G. Webb & Co.

Benedict & Co .- This firm is a successor of Benediet, Hall & Co., and has a reputation second to none in the country for the mannfacture of a good quality of goods.

J. & T. W. Benedict .- The business of which this firm are the lineal successors was commenced in about the year 1779 or 1780 by James Benedict, in a small way in a shop attached to his dwelling.

There, with a number of apprentices, lie made slioes for the New York market. In those days there were only about four different styles made, whereas now it wonld be impossible for any one to find out the unm- ber. James Benedict was in course of time succeeded by his son, Caleb Benedict, who in turn was followed by his son, C. S. Benedict, who in turn was followed by his sons, the present firm of J. & T. W. Benedict. This is a representative institution of the town.

Prominent among the obsolete concerns was that of Ebenezer Ayres, who was a large mannfacturer in 1825, and was finally succeeded by his son, Hebron L.

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

Jared and Amos Ayres, brothers of Ebenezer, were also early manufacturers.

CLOTHING MANUFACTURERS.

H. B. Rogers & Co .- This business was established about twenty years ago in a small way, in connection with a country store, by Comstock, Rogers & Co., and was continued by that firm until within a few years, when it passed into the hands of the present firm. This is a large establishment, and justly merits its present success.

George Lockwood commenced business in about 1840. The firms of J. F. Bliss & Co. (J. F. Bliss, Stephen Bishop, James Fairty), William G. Webb & Co., and H. A. Finney, although not among the old- est established in New Canaan, are mostly represent- atives of the shoe-manufacturing business.

THE NEW CANAAN NURSERIES.

The New Canaan Nurserics were established in 1848 by Stephen Hoyt, of New Canaan, and D. C. Scofield, of New York. In 1856, Stephen Hoyt bought out D. C. Scofield. He then took his two sons, James and Edwin, into the business, and increased the busi- ness until over one hundred acres were covered with nursery stock. This nursery is, and has been for many years, the largest in New England, and, in fact, east of Syracuse, N. Y.

The nursery has no specialties, but grows a general assortment of fruit, forest, and ornamental trees. The plantings for a few years past have been about one hun- dred thousand apple-trees, ten thousand to fifteen thousand cherry-trees, twenty thousand pear-trees, one hundred thousand to one hundred and fifty thousand peach-trees, one hundred thousand, or over, currants, and strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc., in large quantities, while forest- and evergreen- trees have claimed a large place. The nursery at present embraces three hundred and fifty acres, and is rapidly increasing.

The senior partner, Stephen Hoyt, died in 1879, aged seventy-nine years, and the business has since been conducted by his sons, James and Edwin. Their sales extend over New England and many of the Southern and Western States.

As stated above, this is a representative institution of its kind in the United States, and much credit is due its enterprising progenitors and those through whose industry and perseverance it has secured its present enviable reputation.

CHAPTER XLIII. NEW CANAAN (Continued).

ECCLESIASTICAL AND EDUCATIONAL.

The Congregational Church-St. Mark's Episcopal Church-The Meth- odist Episcopal Church-The Baptist Church-The Universalist Church -Roman Catholic-Methodist Protestant, Silver Mines-Methodist Episcopal, Selleck's Corners-Early Educational Regulations-The New Canaan Academy.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

As the history of the parish was really a history of the Congregational Church up to the time the parish was incorporated as a town, and as that history has been thoroughly detailed on previous pages, the church narrative will be continued from that time (1801).

Upon the organization of the parish the society henceforth devoted itself solely to the care of the tem- poral affairs of the church. The pastors from Mr. Mitchell have been as follows : Rev. William Bonney, 1808-31; Rev. Theophilus Smith, 1831 until his death, in 1853; Rev. Frederick G. Williams, 1854-59; Rev. Ralph Smith, 1860-63; Rev. Benjamin L. Swan, 1864 -66; Rev. Joseph Greenleaf settled in 1871, and is the present incumbent of the pastoral office. The present church edifice was erected during the ministry of Mr. Smith, and was dedicated in 1843.

ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The first Episcopal church building erected within the present bounds of New Canaan was raised May 13, 1762, on land obtained from Mr. Husted, about three-quarters of a mile northwest from the present church edifice. Says the late Professor Samuel St. John,-

"There had been a discussion respecting its location on or adjoining the parade-ground. The building was soon rendered fit for use, but was not completed for many years, and for that reason, probably, was never consecrated. At this time the church-people here were accustomed to attend service at Norwalk and Stamford, and the rates which were col- lected of churchmen in this parish were paid over to the rectors of those churches. In 1791 they organized themselves into a distinct parish. From that time there have been regular records kept. The first wardens were Stephen Betts and Dunlap Coggshall, and there were thirty-four heads of families who considered themselves as helonging to the church and contributed to its support. Services were held about one-fifth of the Sabbathıs, hut the church languished until the project was conceived and executed of building a new church edifice nearer the village. The lot whereon the present building stands was purchased of Mr. Richard Fay- erweather. The building committee were Samuel Raymond, Edward Nash, David S. Knight. The building was finished and consecrated May 6, 1834 ; the old one had been taken down the year before.

" At this time the Rev. Charles Todd was rector, dividing his time equally between this church and the one in Ridgefield. He resigned his charge in 1835, aud was followed by Rev. Jacob L. Clark, who also had the care of both churches. After his resignation, in 1837, Rev. David Ogden was called to give his undivided attention to this church. In 1842 ill health compelled him to give up his parish, and he died in 1845. The succeeding rectors were Rev. William Everett, 1845-46; Rev. Dr. Short, 1846-52; Rev. William Long, 1852-55 ; Rev. William H. Williams, 1855-58; Rev. William Cook, 1858-63; Rev. William A, Des Brisay, 1864 -74 ; Rev. Isaac W. Hallani, Easter, 1875-79. Rcv. T. B. Fogg hecame rector in 1879, and is the present incumbent.

"The churchi edifice was remodeled and the spire erected during the pastorate of Rev. William H. Williams, aud reopened May, 1858. In the

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winter of 1873-74 the interior was frescoed and two windows placed in the chancel. The Sunday-school was organized in 1853, under the super- intendence of Miss Esther Betls."

THE METHODIST CHURCHI.

The first Methodist society established in this part of the county was at Dantown, in 1787, by Rev .. Samuel Q. Talbot. It is believed that this was the first Methodist society organized in New England. Among the first members of this ancient church were Samuel Dunn and Rhuama, his wife, 1787; Sarah Selleck and Hannah De Forest, 1787 ; John Slawson, Rhoda Slawson, Enoch Stevens, and Rhnama Bishop, 1799; Betsey Jones, Susanna Fancher, Anna Rusco, John and Rebecca Hanford, Benjamin and Nancy Sceley, Sarah Jones, Polly Stevens, Thirza Potts, Dorcas Coc, 1809; Millicent Raymond, 1810; Seth and Nancy Olmstead, 1812; Nancy Avery, Agnita Dunn, Nathaniel Dunn, 1814; Anna Slawson, Ruth Dunn, Sanford Duun, Betsey Dunn, Harriet Stevens, 1819; Isaac and Lois Jones, John and Sarah Sceley, Isaac Potts, Sanford and Betsey Selleck, John D. and Betsey Slawson, Betsey Brown, Abigail Pennoyer, Caroline Monroe, Samuel and Nancy Selleck, Mary Dunn, Catharine Joncs, Martha Hoyt, Isaac and Nancy Selleck, 1812. A church edifice was erected in 1800.

The first Methodist society in New Canaan was or- ganized in 1808, at Silver Mine, and the following were among the first members : Capt. Ebenezer Crofut, Nathan and Sally Monroe, Abigail Beers, Daniel Betts, Luther Comstock, Silas and Hannah Hayes, Abigail Raymond, Delia Dickens, Miles Root, Ne- hemiah Stevens, May Gromscy, Joseph Fitch, Amos Dickens, Daniel and Esther Chase. The above-named persons were all members of the church prior to 1829.

From 1816 to 1833, New Canaan formed a part of the Stamford circuit, which is the oldest in New Eng- land. In October, 1833, the first Methodist house of worship, which is the present town-hall, was dedi- cated. From 1833 to 1836, New Canaan was united to Norwalk in a circuit under the pastorate of two ministers. These were Rev. Elijah Hibbard, Rev. Abram S. Francis, 1833; Rev. Luther Mead, Rev. Abram S. Francis, 1834; Rev. David Stocking, Rev. John Crawford, 1835. In 1836, New Canaan was set off by itself as a station under the pastorate of a sin- gle minister.

This denomination of Christians has made rapid progress, endeavoring faithfully to do the work of a true church of the Lord Jesus Christ. The present house was dedicated Dec. 21, 1854.

The following are the successive pastors of the Methodist Church and their terms of service: Revs. J. Crawford, 1836; Clark Fuller, 1837; S. W. King, 1838-39; J. W. Selleck, 1840-41 ; Charles F. Pelton, 1842; Jesse Hunt, 1848; James HI. Romer, 1844-45; A. H. Ferguson, 1846-47 ; J. D. Marshall, 1848-49; Jacob Shaw, 1850-51; L. D. Nickerson, 1852-53;

Harvey ITusted, 1854-55; Mark Staple, 1856-57; J. L. Gilder, 1858-59; C. B. Ford, 1860-61; A. II. Mead, 1862; William T. Hill, 1863; J. M. Carroll, 1864-66; William F. Collins, 1867 ; S. M. Hammond, 1867; S. M. Hammond, 1868-70; B. T. Abbott, 1871 -73; I. M. Carroll, 1874-76; A. V. R. Abbott, 1877, present incumbent.

THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.

Universalist preaching began in the town in 1832, Mr. Hillyer, and afterwards Mr. Hitchcock, officiat- ing. They have no separate organization.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Services according to the Roman Catholic forms of worship were first held here in a hall in the vil- lage, subsequently in the town-hall. Their church was built in 1863. Clergymen from Norwalk, princi- pally, have officiated at this church. It is at present under the charge of Father Russell, of Norwalk.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH.

The first person in New Canaan professing faith in Christ through baptism by immersion was baptized by Rev. John Gano, of New York City, in the year 1772. Soon after, as Elder Gano was baptizing in Stamford, where a Baptist Church was organized in 1773, Bap- tist meetings were held in New Canaan, and have been held at varying intervals to the present time. The records of the Canaan parish have several votes exempting Baptists from paying society rates so long as they remain of the persuasion.

Nov. 4, 1871, the First Baptist Society of New Canaan was incorporated. Their house of worship was opened Feb. 6, 1773, the service of recognition being held in that house the 13th day of March fol- lowing. Their pastor is the Rev. E. M. Ogden.

THE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH OF SILVER MINE.#

This church was organized in the year 1837, by Revs. Henderson and Langdon (the latter the col- league of the former), at the house of Mr. Ezckiel Beers. Among the first members were Amos Dickens, Delia Dickens, Hannah Hays, Abby Beers, Sarah A. Beers.

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 109

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