History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 190

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 190


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).


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"While by the unparalleled oppressive edicts of the belligerents of Europe our rights are wantonly violated, our national houor iusulted, and our com- merce insulted, we cannot conceal our astonishment or repress our indignation of those among us who have the effrontery to advocate the inglorious, de- grading maxim that power is right, while they are reviling an administration breathing a spirit of amity, peace, and good-will to all nations, and bending to preserve and perpetuate those rights and privileges which the blood of their fathers calls upon them from the ground to support. Still we trust there is yet remaining in the people of this highly-favored country sufficient valor, virtue, and patriotism to maintain and support the Constitution of the United States and the laws proceeding therefrom against all the Joabs which infest our land. Viewing such sup- port as the link of our safety and the bulwarks of liberty, we do therefore


" Resolve, That we are unalterably attached to the Constitution of the United States, viewing it to com- bine all the principal requisites for preserving our independence and promoting our national prosperity ; that until gratitude ceases to have a place in our hearts, or we forget suitably to appreciate wisdom, virtue, and patriotism, such as were the peculiar in- heritance of the illustrious Washington, we will ever frown indignantly upon the first dawning of any at- tempt to alienate one portion of the country from the rest or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together its various parts."


It was also


" Resolved, We view with mingled emotions of pity and contempt the dastardly, pitiful means which have beeu employed by many under the semblance of at- tachment to our rights and dissatisfaction with the Embargo and their laws, while their real object is to bring the administration iuto contempt," etc.


It was also


" Resolved, That we approve of the late acts and doings of Congress."


The last of the series of resolutions was one com- mendatory of Thomas Jefferson, "late President of the United States." They resolve "that he is enti- tled to the most grateful thanks and fullest confi- dence not only of this meeting, but of cvery legitmate son of Columbus, etc." The resolution was fittingly closed with the following words : " We avail ourselves with avidity of the opportunity to express our senti- inents of merit so exalted, and tender our sincere prayers that the evening of his days may be as se- rene and happy as his former life has been glorious and useful."


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THE WHIPPING-POST.


This relic of by-gone barbarity, as it has often been styled, stood near the Congregational church. Mrs. B. B. Plumb remembers when one James Read, famil- iarly known as "Jim" Read, was publicly whipped at this old post for stealing sheep of Robert Mallett. He was arrested by Silas Haines, who administered the lashes according to law !


POST-OFFICES.


The post-office at Trumbull was established in an early day, and the earliest postmaster now remem- bered by the oldest inhabitant was Elihu Beach. He was succeeded by B. B. Plumb. Mr. Beach was ap- pointed a second time, succeeding Mr. Plumb. He was succeeded by Mr. J. D. Brinsmade, who was fol- lowed by the present incumbent, W. S. Wheeler.


The first postmaster at Long Hill was Miles Beards- ley. He was succeeded by E. B. Middlebrook, Miles Beardsley, and Edward Platt, the present incumbent.


THIE BIRTHPLACE OF PROF. BENJAMIN SILLIMAN.#


The old highway which leads northward through the little village of White Plains, or Trumbull Cen- tre, as it is more often called, turns off to the right a little distance before you reach the Trumbull church, and across the headwaters of the Pequonoc ; then, as it turns north again to lead you on up the hills to the village of Daniel's Farms, you are confronted by a large gable-roofed house. It is situated upon the left of the road and, standing upon a natural elevation, over- looks to the south the quiet village as it lies stretched out down the valley. Across the stream, to the right and upon an equal elevation, stands the Trumbull church (Congregational), whose historic society in its record of one century and a half have borne the names of "Society at Unity," "Society at North Stratford," and "Trumbull Church."


The old house is of peculiar interest. Although it was built long before the Revolution, it stands upon its foundation with a firmness that commands vener- ation, and is suggestive of the firm and resolute re- solve of our ancestors to build a home for future gen- erations, not only with implements of peace, but, if necessary, with implements of war. There are many historical associations connected with the old house, which, by the way, has within a few years been pur- chased by the town of Trumbull, and is now used as a town-hall.


Among other of these associations is the fact that at one time John Hancock held a mortgage thereon. During the Revolution it was often a place of refuge, and many a time during the coast ravages of the British did the families of the colonists seek shelter beneath the same roof which now covers Trumbull's colonial mansion.


In this house, Aug. 9, 1779, " Benjamin Silliman,


the most eminent of American teachers of natural science, was born. The home of the family, from which his father (Brig .- Gen. Selleck Silliman) had lately been carried away as a prisoner by a party of British soldiers, and from which his mother, to ex- cape the perils of war, was now a voluntary exile, was situated in the town of Fairfield, at the distance of a few miles from the place of his birth."


Professor Silliman, in the very last years of his life, wrote a biographical sketch of his father, and in it we find the following description of the event of his mother's flight : " My mother had secured an asylum in the house of Mr. Eliakim Beach at North Strat- ford, now Trumbull, and had made all necessary ar- rangements for her own removal and that of a part of her family. A British fleet and army which had paid a hostile visit to New Haven between July 4th and 7th, sailed from New Haven on the eve of the 7th, and on the morning of the 8th disembarked at Kinsey Point, on the beach at Fairfield. My mother and family, from the top of our house, witnessed the disembarkation of these troops, and that was the sig- nal of their own retreat to North Stratford, a distance of seven or eight miles, where, with several members of her family, she was comfortably established and kindly treated.


" In their progress on their pilgrim journey (on horse- back) the cannon began to roar, and the little boy, Gold Sellick, amused with the sound that brought sorrow to many hearts, at every report cried, 'bang ! bang !'


"To our ears,' writes my mother, 'these were dole- ful sounds,' and she adds: 'Oh the horrors of that dreadful night! At the distance of seven miles we could see the light of the devouring flames by which the town was laid in ashes. It was a sleepless night of doubtful expectations.'


" My mother's cheerful courage contributed to sus- tain her; and I ought to be (I trust I am) grateful to my noble mother, and to my gracious God, that the midnight surprise, the horror of ruffians armed for aggression, and the loss of her husband, as perhaps she might fear, by the hands of assassins, had not prevented my life or entailed upon it physical, mental, or moral infirmities. Hope and comfort returned to my mother with the assurance of my father's safety, and with the restoration of correspondence. although restricted to open letters and to the surveillance and jealousy of war."


Upon the records of the Trumbull Church (vol. i. p. 111) is the following record : "Benjamin, son of Brig .- Gen. Gold Sylliek Sylliman and his wife. Born August the 9th, and baptized Sept. 12th. The general then being a prisoner on Long Island, his lady fleeing from the conflagation of Fairfield and took refuge in this society."


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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.


CHAPTER LXXX. TRUMBULL (Continued).


CIVIL AND ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.


Organization of Town-First Town-Meeting-Officers Elected-Select- men from 1797 to 1881-Representatives from 1798 to 1881-Ecclesias- tical History - Congregational Church - Trinity Church, Nichols' Farms-Grace Church, Long Hill-Methodist Episcopal Church, Nichols' Farms-Christ Church, Tashua-Military History.


CIVIL HISTORY.


THE territory embraced within the bounds of the present town of Trumbull composed a portion of the town of Stratford until 1797. On the "second Thurs- day of Oct., A.D. 1797," it was incorporated by the General Assembly convened at New Haven. It was formerly known and referred to as the "society of North Stratford."


The act of incorporation directed that the first " Freeman's Meeting shall be holden at the meeting- house in said Trumbull, and the first Town meeting in said towne of Trumbull shall be holden on the 20th day of November, 1797, and Jabez H. Tomlin- son, Esqr., of said Stratford, shall be the Moderator of said first Town meeting, and said town shall have and enjoy at said meeting in said town of Trumbull the same powers and authoritie and proceed in the same manner in transacting their business as the other towns in this State."


THE FIRST TOWN-MEETING.


In accordance with the above the first town-ineet- ing was held at the "meeting house" Nov. 20, 1797, with Jabez H. Tomlinson as moderator, when the following officers were chosen: Selectmen, James Nichols, Jabez Beech, Jr., Judson Curtis, Jr. ; Clerk, Eliakim Beech; Treasurer, Dr. Stephen Middle- brooks; Constables, Stephen Bardslee, David Seeley, Jr., David Booch, Jr .; Surveyors of Highways, Ev- erard Curtis, Elijah Beech, Joseph P. Nichols, Daniel Burton, James Beers, Albert Edwards, Daniel Greg- ory, Nathan H. Nichols, and Daniel Peck ; Listers, Ebenezer Wheeler, Daniel Brinsmade, James K. Ed- wards; Fence-Viewers, Zachariah Curtis and David Beardsley, Sr .; State Collector, Stephen Bardslee; Town Collector, Ebenezer Wheeler ; Leather Sealer, David Seeley; Grand Jurors, John Coe, John Mid- dlebrooks; Tithingman, Elijah Sterling; Haywards, Ephraim Booth, Thomas Ward; Chimney-Viewer, Joseph P. Nichols; Granger, Daniel Uffoot; Packer, John Uffoot; Sealer of Weights and Measures, Ne- hemiah Peet; "Key-keeper," Eliakim Beech.


At a "Freemen's meeting legally warned and con- vened at the meeting house, Dec. 4, 1797, the follow- ing votes were taken according to law to stand in nomination of election as representatives of the People of this State in the present Congress of the United States: Jabez H. Tomlinson, 34; John Dav- enport, 31; Isaac Mills, 27; Simeon Baldwin, 24; Stephen Middlebrok, 15; Sylvester Gilbert, 16; Lewis


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B. Sturges, 11; Samuel W. Johnson, 12; Thaddeus Bennedick, 10; Stephen I. Hawsmon, 5; - Marvin Wait, 4; John G. Smith, 1; Jouathan Brace, 1; Ebenezer Goodrich, 2; Joseph Walker, 1; Elijah Whittlesey, 1."


In 1797 it was voted "that we tax our silver four cents on a dollar, and that Ebenezer Wheeler be appointed to collect that tax."


At a meeting held in October, 1799, the citizens voted to oppose "there having a Turnpike road threw Trumbull from Newfield to New-Milford."


They also voted "that this meeting will send and remonstrate at the General Assembly against there being a Turnpike road, and that James Bardsslee be our agent to act in behalf of the town."


It was also voted that he be "Impowered to Imploy Counsel if Neaded." The people were evidently in earnest in the matter, as a committee was appointed to draw a remonstrance, and empowered to "summon witnesses before the General Court in order to make proof if necessary."


SELECTMEN FROM 1797 TO 1880. .


The following is a list of selectmen of the town of Trumbull from the organization of the town to 1880 : 1797-98, 1802, James Nichols; 1797-98, 1801, 1810-13, 1819-20, Jabez Beech, Jr .; 1797, 1800-1, Judson Curtis, Jr .; 1798-1800, 1805-9, 1814 -16, David Beardsley; 1798, Zachariah Coe; 1798-99, Samuel Hull; 1799-1801, Nehemiah Peet; 1803-4, Benjamin Burton ; 1803-8, 1810- 12, 1817, Philo Booth; 1803-6, Daniel Gregory; 1807-10, Samuel Gregory, Jr .; 1809-10, David Plumb; 1810-12, Stephen Beardsley ; 1813-16, Isaac Booth, Robert Mallett; 1817-20, Frederick Hurd; 1817 -18, David Middlebrook; 1818-20, Eli Edwards; 1819-21, Jos. E. Mallett; 1819-20, Lewis Burton; 1820-24, N. M. Edwards; 1821-24, J. B. Curtis; 1822, Aaron Mallett; 1823-26, 1828, 1831-33, 1839-40, Rice E. Beach ; 1823-26, David Beach; 1824, 1826-27, Philo Bootlı; 1827, N. H. Nichols, Ephraim Middlebrook; 1828-29, Isiah Peet; 1828-29, 1831, Samuel Mullett; 1829-30, John M. Wheeler; 1829, Elijah Sterling; 1830-33, D. Curtis; 1831, Jolin Nichols; 1832-34, Abel Mullett ; 1834-36, Anson Curtis; 1834-35, 1837, David Beards- ley ; 1835-36, Ephraim S. Mullett ; 1836, Birdsey B. Plumb; 1837-38, Abigil M. Nichols; 1837-39, Jolin C. Mallett; 1838-40, Walker Wheeler; 1840, Asa Freneh ; 1841-43, Prosper Niehols; 1841-42. A. S. Beach ; 1841-44, Hall Beardsley; 1844, David B. Plumb; 1844-45, D. S. Brinsmade ; 1843, F. Beach ; 1845, A. B. Sherman, L. W. Clark ; 1846-47, D. B. Hinman, E. Wheeler, J. L. Nichols; 1848, D. Curtis; 1849, H. S. Nichols, Edwards Beach, Daniel Curtis; 1850, L. C. Booth, E. Beach, Daniel Curtis ; 1851-52, L. C. Booth, Wm. Squire, William Nichols; 1853, Daniel Fairchild, E. E. Edwards, Granville Dunning : 1854, Granville Dunning, E. E. Edwards, Isaac C. Booth ; 1855, Granville Dunning, E. E. Edwards, John II. Pardy ; 1856, Isaac E. Booth, A. S. Beach, E. P. Nichols ; 1857, Isaac E. Booth, A. S. Beach, Jr., E. P. Nichols; 1858, Abel S. Beach, E. P. Niehols, Wil- liam A. Mallett ; 1839-60, Charles N. Fairchild, Le Grand G. Beers, William A. Mallett; 1861-63, William Ufford, Burr Watkins, A. B. Mallett; 1864-66, A. S. Beach, Le Grand G. Beers, M. D. Mallett; 1867, E. P. Nichols, A. S. Beach, M. D. Mallett; 1868-70, C. D. Black- man, A. S. Beach, J. A. Treadwell ; 1871, E. P. Nichols, A. S. Beach, J. A. Treadwell ; 1872, William M. Ufford, S. H. Burroughs, L. A. Mallett; 1873-74, S. H. Burroughs, L. N. Mallett, Isaac E. Booth ; 1875, S. H. Burroughs, F. S. Sterling, Lewis Briusmade; 1876, F. S. Sterling, S. P. Pierson, Lewis Briusmade; 1877, F. S. Sterling, W. B. Coan, L. N. Mallett ; 1878, L. N. Mallett, W. B. Coan, John B. Nich- ols; 1879, L. N. Mallett, W. B. Coan, David S. Walker; 1880, L. N. Mallett, W. B. Coan, John B. Nichols.


REPRESENTATIVES FROM 1798 TO 1880.


1798, Mr. Edward Curtiss, Mr. Judson Curtiss, Jr .; 1799, Mr. Stephen Beardsley, Mr. James Beardsley ; 1800, Mr. James Beardslie, Mr.


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Nathaniel J. Burton ; 1801, Mr. Nathaniel J. Burton, Mr. Hezekiah Curtis; 1802, Mr. James Beardsley, Mr. Stephen Middlebrooks ; 1803, Mr. Benjamin Burton, Mr. Stephen Middlebrook ; 1804, Mr. Stephen Beardsley, Mr. James Beardsley ; 1805, Ebenezer Wheeler, David Beardsley ; 1806, Stephen Middlebrook, Philo Booth; 1807, Stephen Beardsley, Jeremiah Osborne, David Beardslye, Salmon Sherman ; 1808, Ebenezer Wheeler, James Beardsley ; 1809, Abijalı Uffoot,* Jo- seph Bennett, Stephen Beardsley; 1810, Daniel Wakeley, Jabez Beach ; 1811, Stephen Beardslee, James Beardslee; 1812, Jabez Beach, David Booth, Jr .; 1813, Daniel Wakely, Samuel Gregory ; 1814, Amos II. Wheeler, James Beardsley ; 1815, Stephen Middle- brook, David Beebe; 1816, Jonathan Beers, Jr., Amos II. Wheeler; 1817, Isaac Booth, Ebenezer Wheeler; 1818, Daniel Secley, Lewis Fairchild ; 1819, Samuel Gregory; 1820, David Beebe; 1821, Eli Edwards; 1822, Elijah Middlebrook ; 1823, Isaac Booth ; 1824, Elijah Middlebrook ; 1825, Nehemiah R. Edwards ; 1826, Stephen Gregory ; 1827, Robert Middlebrook ; 1828, Eben Fairchild; 1829, Samuel Beardslee; 1830, David Curtiss; 1831, Samuel Beardslee; 1832, Lice E. Beach; 1833, Robert Middlebrook; 1834, Isaiah Peet; 1835, Ephraim W. Beach; 1836, Joshua D. Nicholls; 1837, Samuel Ed- wards ; 1838, Stephen Middlebrook ; 1839, Francis Beach ; 1840, Eli Brinsmade; 1841, Abel Mallett; 1842, George Dyer; 1843, Walker Wheeler ; 1844, Ephraim Middlebrook ; 1845, Ephraim T. Edwards ; 1846, David Hawley ; 1847, Plumb N. Fairchild ; 1848, Miles Beards- lee ; 1849, Franklin P. Ambler; 1850, John C. Mallett ; 1851, David B. Hinman; 1852, William Squire ; 1853, Ebenezer Wheeler; 1854, Daniel Fairchild; 1855, Burr Watkins; 1856, Elam Hawley; 1857, L. W. Clark; 1858, Edward Beach; 1859, F. P. Ambler, Jr .; 1860, Daniel Burtiss; 1861, Le Grand G. Beers ; 1862, Isaac E. Booth ; 1863, Lucins B. Burroughs ; 1864, Charles Ambler ; 1865, Saml. G. Beards- ley ; 1866, C. W. Blackman ; 1867, Morse D. Mallett ; 1868, Abram Briggs; 1869, Sherman French (2d) ; 1870, Geo. B. Ambler; 1871, S. II. Burroughs ; 1872, Abel S. Beach ; 1873, Aaron B. Mallett ; 1874, George E. P'eet ; 1875, Jolin H. Beach; 1876, Chas. U. Fairchild; 1877, Stephen G. Nichols; 1878, William M. Ufford ; 1879, Elliott M. Beardsley ; 1880, Ormel Hall.


CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI AND SOCIETY.+


There was a church gathered and settled at Unity, then a district of Stratford (now Trumbull), Nov. 18, 1730, composed of thirty-eight members, of whom about two-thirds had been members of the Stratford Church, and the same day was ordained the' Rev. Richardson Miner as pastor. He ultimately adopted Episcopal views, and was dismissed March 21, 1744, by the Council of Consociation. He soon afterwards went to England for orders, and died there at Salis- bury. Unhappy dissensions followed in the churchi and society, the name of which was changed about this time from Unity to North Stratford.


The Association, the General Assembly of the col- ony, and two neighboring Associations sought to ad- vise, but the church became so broken that it was. gathered anew by the Council at the settlement of the next pastor, Rev. James Beebe.


Thus organized, it was one of the churches of the Standing Order of those early times, one of the "privileged class" of the "Established churches,"- a condition abnormal to pure Congregationalism ; hence it was driven to the device of adopting the "Half-way Covenant." This was done in order to extend the ballot to the unregenerate, many of whom were very worthy citizens, but denied the exercise of the elective franchise while out of the membership


of the church. The records show quite a list of those who under this plan " renewed their Baptismal Cove- nant, but at same time do not see it their duty, under their present circumstances, to approach the Table of the Lord."


Meanwhile the principles of civil and religious lib- erty were at work, producing a new state of affairs.


At legal meetings of the society for a period of about ten years, from 1787 to 1797, petitions are re- peatedly sent, and an agent to act as attorney ap- pointed to appear before the General Assembly, at Hartford, and plead for "Town Privileges to be granted to the Society," and " if so obtained that the business of the Town shall be done at or near the Meeting-Honse in said Parish." At a society's meet- ing in 1794 it was voted, "That they claim the Privi- lege of nominating Town Officers in this Parish, and would proceed to nominate them as they always had Done."


But the principles of civil and religious liberty were bearing their fruit, and men began to claim and the law to allow the right of worshiping when and where each one pleased. "Certificates " now appear of those who renonnee their connection with this church of the Standing Order, which deelare their intention of being taxed for the benefit of some other church with which they connect themselves, and where they worship. Some of these "certificates " exhibit considerable of the spirit of freedom in wor- ship : as, for instance, one A. B., announcing himself to withdraw from this to a Baptist Church, continues : "Henceforth I consider myself enabled with such control of property as to give what I please and when I please to the support of the same, according to the laws of God and not of man. As witness this my hand."


In 1797 the first town-meeting was held in Trum- bull, and a more healthy relation began to appear be- tween Church and State.


In the spring of 1814 a petition was prepared in behalf of the church to the General Assembly, held at Hartford, praying "that they may be incorporated into an Ecelesiastical Society." Deacon Judson Cur- tis and Capt. David Beardslee were appointed a com- mittee to draw up the petition, and Amos H. Wheeler, agent to present it. This request was promptly granted. As a part of the resolution of the General Assembly, "said church and their successors " were declared to be " an ecclesiastical body, corporate and politic, forever, by the name of the Church of Christ in Trumbull.".


For a long period at these legal meetings of the society school committees are annually appointed for the several districts, and the school money is appor- tioned.


With reference to church government the church has ever held fast to the Congregational polity-the authority of the local church being final. Thus about the beginning of the present century, when the


* Probably Joseph Bennett should have been credited to Weston, the next town in the list.


+ Contributed by Rev. N. T. Merwin.


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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.


churches got a tinge of Presbyterianism, though the name was taken more than the form, the Trumbull Church joined the Consociation of Fairfield County, but with this understanding: " We are all willing to consociate for advice and counsel in all matters eccle- siastical, but cannot and will not join in that arbitrary claim to juridical authority . . compelling all par- ties to abide by such a juridical consociation."


When, in 1736, the Consociation of Fairfield County was divided into eastern and western, by the dividing line of the two associations, the Trumbull Church be- came a member of the Fairfield East Consociation. In 1827 the Council declared the " Saybrook platform their platform, and that they had no other." This church held to that construction of Consociation which made it rather a "Stated Council," than a " Presby- tery." Both pastor and delegate protested against a decision of joint Council of the two Consociations, held at Danby, January, 1764, against one Mr. White, as "unreasonably severe."


In 1748, the Association of which Mr. Beebe was a member declared against the forming of a general Consociation, to serve as the highest ecclesiastical judicature in the colony. In 1772, Mr. Beebe, with two other divines, were requested to appear and say why they had neglected attending meetings of the Association and of the Council. They came, and re- plied that it was on account of the judicial power which the Saybrook platform gives to Councils of the consociated churches. By yielding a liberal construc- tion to the platform, these two pastors were pacified. The views held and position taken by both church and pastor in their carly history, as to church govern- ment, and in their spirit of independence toward the mother country, are to-day matters of just pride.


The Church of Christ in Trumbull, like many of the churches in the State, has a trust fund. In the year 1767, Thomas Sanford, of Stratford, Conn., bequeathed the church his "real estate," consisting of a house, barn, and land, situated in Long Hill, and valued at about three thousand dollars. Other individuals have left smaller sums at times to the church and society, so that the present fund consists of a good parsonage and two thousand dollars at interest. The church and society have made it a rule ever to keep free from debt.


HOUSES OF WORSHIP.


The first building for public worship was erected at the foot of White Plains Street, south of the burial- ground there, and was occupied only during the min- istry of Richardson Miner. It was a plain, unpre- tending structure, and would pass more for a barn in these days than for a house of worship. A second ineeting-house followed at the beginning of the min- istry of Rev. James Beebe. This was built at the head of White Plains Street, on the ground where the present church edifice stands. A mile below on this street is a rocky eminence which marks the foot of a mountain-range running north through the


State, and this cliff is called "Pulpit Rock;" so named-tradition says-from religious service being held there a few Sundays while there was no house of worship, the minister preaching from it to the people below.


The second house of worship was larger than the first. It was a square building, with doors opening within (no vestibule) on three sides. A wide centre aisle led from the double doors at the south entrance, and two side aisles from the single doors on the east and west. There were high seats in the corners, above and below, for negroes, who once were slaves. A " sounding-board" projected over the pulpit. In later years a steeple was built, outside, on the south- east corner; and at the same time, just before the structure was pulled down, a bell was purchased and mounted. It was that now in use. The present meeting-house was built in 1842. The steeple was raised to its present form in 1848. The church was enlarged and improved, and occupied as we now have it, Jan. 1, 1874.




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