History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 207

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 207

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On the 22d of February, 1839, Rev. John Smith was installed the ninth pastor of this church. Mr. Smith was a graduate of Yale College in 1821. He

was born in Wethersfield, Conn., Sept. 2, 1796, the son of James and Sarah ( Hamner) Smith.

In 1848, Mr. Smith asked a dismission. Action in calling Consociation was delayed several months. He was dismissed in June. On the 26th of July, 1848, he was installed pastor in Kingston, N. H., where he remained till carly in the year 1855. Removing to Stamford, Conn., he preached about two years (1856- 58) in Long Ridge and occasionally elsewhere. He continued to reside in Stamford with his sons, who were successful merchants in New York, till his death, from pneumonia, the 20th of February, 1874, in his seventy-eightlı year.

Mr. Smith was succeeded by Rev. Gurdon Hall,* D.D., who was ordained pastor Oct. 25, 1848.

The pastorate continued till the 4th of May, 1852, when he was dismissed that he might accept a call to the Edwards Church, Northampton, Mass., over which he was installed a month later, June 2, 1852.

July 6, 1853, the next pastor, Thomas Scott Brad- ley, was ordained. Mr. Bradley was born at Lee, Mass., the eldest son of Eli Bradley, April 15, 1825. He was a popular preacher, affable in conversation and fond of practical matters; but the condition of his health did not encourage protracted application in the study, and in 1857 he was dismissed at his own request.

The successor of Mr. Bradley was Charles Bassett Ball, who was ordained the 20th of Jaunary, 185S. Mr. Ball was a townsman of Mr. Bradley, having been born in Lee, Mass., the 9th of July, 1825. He was the son of Isaac and Lydia Ball, and graduated at Williams in the class of 1846.

The next pastor was Rev. Samuel R. Dimock, who was installed Dec. 7, 1859. Mr. Dimock was a native of Coventry, Tolland Co., Conn., born May 28. 1822, nurtured in Mansfield, a graduate with honor of Yale in the class of 1847.

The successor of Mr. Dimock in the pastoral office was the Rev. Wheelock Nye Harvey, of Massachu- setts stock, a native of Jamestown, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., born April 15, 1825, the son of Charles R. and Olive (Willard) Harvey, a graduate of the New York University in 1844.

The fifteenth pastor of this church, Rev. Samuel J. M. Merwin, was a graduate of Yale in the class of 1839, ordained pastor of the church in Southport, Dec. 18, 1844, and was dismissed, at his own request, May 3, 1859. After a season of rest he was installed over the church at South Hadley Falls, Mass., Dec. 4, 1860. The call to this church, as successor to his father and brother, was accepted in 1868, and he was installed by the Consociation the 26th of October the same year, and is the present pastor.

LIST OF DEACONS.

The first three deacons were Benjamin Hickok, Jonathan Elmer, and James Trowbridge. These were

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

probably original members of the church, sinee they were a part of the committee appointed by the society to make arrangements for the settlement of Mr. Stur- geon.

Deacon Hickok is supposed to have left a son, Ben- jamin, who united with the churchi by the half-way covenant, with his wife, Mareh 27, 1763, who was the father of Esther, the wife of Deacon Daniel Gregory, and lived to an advanced age.

The house of the son, perhaps of the father, stood ncar the spot occupied by the building now used for the academy, and was torn down early in this cen- tury. "Benjamin Hickok, Esq.," who died the 17th of November, 1745, aged fifty-nine years, was probably the deaeon.

Deacon Jonathan Elmer was chosen, before the church had a pastor, to read the Psalms. As few had psalın-books, we may understand that he read only one or two lines at a time, so that all who could might sing the words. This was called " lining," and some- tinies "deaeoning," the hymn. There was an Elia- kim Ehner who lived near the bridge on the Ridge- field road in 1738, but Deaeon Elmer's name does not occur after 1746. Jonathan Elmer, probably a son of the deaeon, united with the church in June, 1742.

Of Deaeon James Trowbridge there is no informa- tion, and the name early disappears from the church records. In New Canaan the name remains.

Deacon Matthew Gregory was born in 1680. The place of his birth is not known. Some of his grand- children believed that he came from England. He is supposed to have been in Wilton as early as 1718 .* He had two sons, Ezra and Matthew, the latter known also as Ensign Matthew, who was the father of Deacon Daniel Gregory. He died in 1777, at the age of ninety- seven years, the year following the death of his son Ezra. His wife Hannah had died ten years earlier. His son Matthew died Oct. 30, 1756, aged forty-five years. A well-worn path through the fields west of his house signified to his children his daily habit of secret communing with God.

Deaeon James Keeler is not identified, except Feb. 18, 1759, James Keeler and wife were received to the church on the half-way covenant. When they be- came communicants is not stated.

Deacon James Ohinstead is believed to have been the son of Samuel Olmstead. He had a son James, who had a son Aaron, who was the father of Hawley Olmstead, LL.D. His name, with that of Mary his wife, occurs on the church records as admitted by the half-way covenant, Feb. 22, 1756. In 1776 he is called Deacon Olmstead. On a stone of gray marble in the old burying-ground we read that he died March 17, 1777, aged sixty-eight years.

Deacon Nathan Comstock is first mentioned as

deaeon Dee. 15, 1766. Among those married by Mr. Gaylord are (March 7, 1738-39) Nathan Comstock and Bethiah Strong. In 1740 he united with the church. Maj. Samuel Comstock and Strong Com- stock, the father of Samuel, Edward, William, and Nathan, were his children. His residence was prob- ably the house in which his grandchildren, Edward and Polly Comstock, lived, a little west of the road from Belden's Hill to Ridgefield, near its junction with the Ridgefield road.

Deacon Nathan Hubbell .- In May, 1747, there came by letter from Greenfield three men with their wives and the wife of a fourth who was a son of one of the three. One of these couples was Nathan Hubbell and Martha his wife. Eight years later, Dee. 2, 1755, Mrs. Hubbell, the wife of Nathan, died, aged fifty- three years ; and Feb. 6, 1761, Nathan Hubbell died, aged sixty-one years. Three years later, June 17, 1764, Capt. Nathan Hubbell was received to the church. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, it is easy to believe that he was the son of the aforementioned Nathan Hubbell. He became Deacon Hubbell Aug. 23, 1786, and had a son who bore his name, who spent his life in Wilton, and died here Feb. 2, 1847, in his eighty-fourth year, leaving two sons, one of whom, Rev. Stephen Hubbell, was then nearly seventeen years in the ministry. The older son, Wakeman, was yet to be deacon. Deacon Hubbell was evidently an active, reliable, influential man. But tradition has preserved little of his services. The house in which he, his children, and theirs lived in Pimpewaug for above a hundred years has just been sold.

Some yet living remember Deaeon Daniel Gregory, who was chosen deacon Oct. 7, 1794, and at once in- dueted into office. His relation to Deacon Matthew Gregory has already been mentioned. He was the grandfather of William D. Gregory. In the place of an older one, he built the house on the hill west of this house of worship, in which the latter lives .; He died April 18, 1821, at the age of seventy-eight. He united with the church Aug. 5, 1764, so that he was a member fifty-seven years and a deacon twenty-seven. His wife, Esther Hickok, supposed to be the grand- daughter of Deacon Benjamin Hickok, was a fitting helper in every good work, and died May 13, 1822, at the age of seventy-seven years. Deacon Gregory believed in covenant mercies, and a granddaughter gratefully remembered, many years after, his frequent prayer for his "children and his children's children unto the third and fourth generation." He was a thrifty far- mer, given to hospitality.

Deacon Jesse St. John was a soldier of the Revo- lution, and a member of one of the two "forlorn hopes" of twenty men each which volunteered to lead the attack in that desperate but brilliant sur- prise and capture of Stony Point, on the night of July 16, 1779, by Gen. Anthony Wayne. Deacon St.

* His letter to the church was brought from Norwalk, 1740. His house was a few rods north of that built about 1740 for his son Ezra in which his grandson Moses lived, and his great-granddaughter, Miss Clara M. Gregory, now resides.

+ His children were Abigail, Elijah, Giles, Clark, Daniel, and Sherman.

851

WILTON. '

John was not tall, but strongly built, capable of en- during much fatigue,-a man of few words and reso- lute in purpose. As late as, 1841 he would walk from his home, west of the lower part of Belden's Hill, two and a half miles, to attend a preparatory lecture in a hot day in summer. Soon after that time he removed to Brooklyn, E. D. (N. Y.), to spend the remainder of his life with his sou, Thomas St. John. His death occurred about 1846. His wife was Anna Weed, to whom he was married Sept. 28, 1790. She died the 18th of March, 1829, aged seventy-three years.

Deacou John Chapman was born in that part of Fairfield which is now in Westport in March, 1759. He married Susannah Fitch, daughter of James Fitch, of Norwalk, and about 1790 removed to Chest- nut Hill, where he lived in the house now occupied by his son-in-law, Mr. Asahel Dudley, till his death, April 13, 1816. Mrs. Chapman was born Dec. 24, 1756, and died March 14, 1833. They had four chil- dren,-Anna H. (Mrs. Dudley), James Fitch, Jolın, and Clark M. One who kuew him well says: " Deacon Chapman was ereet, six feet two inches in height, muscular and broad shouldered, of commanding preseuce, cven tempered but very resolute, energetic and industrious. Decided in his opinions, he was yet gentle in his family, who loved and veuerated him. An excellent singer, he was regularly in his place in the choir on Sunday. After a hard day's work he would go to Norwalk on business, and on his way home, forgetful of time, spend several hours at the house of some friend iu singing. Fond of home, of a retiring disposition, he seldom took the lead unless evidently called by duty. His Christian character was marked and consistent."

His son, John Chapman, inherited his father's love for musie, and led the choir fifty years ago. Both lie and James F. were much respected. They went into business in New York, and died there, the latter at the age of fifty-five years, Sept. 29, 1847. Tradition says the house in which Deaeon Chapman lived was built about 1745. It was used early in the Revolu- tion as a storehouse for some Norwalk goods. At thic time of the burning of Danbury a scouting party en- tered it and destroyed many of the goods.

Deacon Matthew Marvin, the sixth in descent fron that Matthew Marvin who, coming to this country in 1635,* in the ship "Increase," Robert Lea, master, settled at Hartford ; the fifth in descent from that Matthew Marvin who, at the age of eight years, came with his father from England, and at the age of twenty-four came, one of the first settlers, to Norwalk ; was the son of that Matthew Marvin who, about 1760, came from Norwalk and built the house in Pim- pewaug in which the son Matthew was born and died, and in which Deaeon Charles Marvin now lives. He fitted for college with his pastor (Mr. Lewis), graduated at Yale in 1785, went into business at Hud-

son, N. Y., returned to Wilton at the death of his father (1791), and for twenty-five years engaged with remarkable .success in mercantile affairs, and for the remainder of his life was active in public and espe- cially in church and society matters ; the honored cit- izen, the trusted counselor, the faithful deacon till his death, which occurred, in the eighty-second year of his age,t on the 5th of June, 1842, less than a month after the great ingathering following the revival of that year, into which he had entered with the activity of a younger man. Deacon Marvin, or "Esquire Marvin," as he was more frequently called, was tall, well-proportioned, dignified and courteous in manner, active, clear-headed, and resolute, by natural gift-, by education, and the possession of property well fitted to exercise an extraordinary and salutary in- fluence in the parish and town.

Deaeon Zadok Raymond, son of Clapp Raymond, born about 1764, united with the church in 1811, and lived iu Kent, in the house now for many years occu- pied by Charles Comstock, but in his later life in the first house on the road leading to Hurlbutt Street, formerly occupied by his brother, Asahel Raymond, where he died April 12, 1841, at the age of seventy- seven. He was a man humble, devout, and beloved, much interested in benevolent work. The pastor of this church may remember when, on a bright sum- mer's morning in 1832, two boys, who went on an cr- rand to Deacon Raymoud's, waited withont until he had ended worship in the family and with the men who had come to work in the hayfield. He evidently believed that the hired laborer might enjoy and he benefited by such service. He loved good men, and his house was often open for Sunday five o'clock and other ueigliborhood prayer-meetings.

Deacon Jonathan Middlebrook was the son of Michael Middlebrook, who came to Wilton from Fair- field, and, by the half-way coveuant, united with the church, June 1, 1766. Jonathan Middlebrook united with the church during the ministry of Mr. Wood- ward. The date of his election to the office of deaeon is not found.

His liberal gift to the fund of the society has al- ready been noticed. He gave also the land for the burying-yard on the hill. He was by occupation a farmer. He died (without children) Jan. 20, 1832. at the age of seventy-seven years. His residence was on the Ridgefield road, cast side, next to the Davenport place.

Deacon Lewis H. St. John united with this church in 1816, was chosen deacon in 1841, and ordained the 17th of October of that year.

He was a quiet, earnest, spiritually-minded man, a little above the average height, with a soft, pleasant voice, and gained the respect and good will of the people. His residence was in Nod. He was by trade a cooper, and tilled the land.

* Dr. N. Bouton's Hist. Disc. at Norwalk, 1851, p. 71.

+ He was baptized Jan. 11, 1761.

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

Deacon St. John died Aug. 10, 1867, aged seventy- four years.

Deacon James Betts was born in Wilton. His father, David Betts, died while he was yet a boy. By great energy and self-denial he secured an education at the academy, attended lectures in New Haven, and early began to teach. Some time after Mr. Hawley Olmstead had removed to New Haven, Mr. Betts rented his former residence, and brought to it his family school for boys. In 1844 he built a com- modious house in Stamford, where he yet remains. His school has been remarkably prosperous. One son, William J., graduated at Yale, 1870, and another, Alsop Lockwood, a member of the class of 1872, dicd in college. Deacon Betts was received to the church in 1825, was elected and ordained deacon in 1841. In Stamford, for thirty-two years, he has well represented this church and its influence upon its children.

Deacon Giles Gregory was born the 7th of October, 1806, and died Feb. 20, 1859. He was the youngest son of Moses and Abigail Gregory, the great-grand- son, on his father's side, of Deacon Matthew Gregory ; on his mother's side, the grandson of Deacon Daniel Gregory. He was thus descended by each parent from one of the elder deacons,-Deacon Matthew Gregory and Deacon Benjamin Hickok. He was ed- ucated at the academy, taught school many years, and after his father's death, in 1837, engaged actively as a farmer. He confessed Christ May, 1842, was ordained deacon the 2d of November, 1849, and was active in church, society, and town affairs. His read- iness to render pecuniary or personal aid to the poor or those in distress was hearty and efficient. His prayers indicated unfeigned humility ; his life tes- tified to the genuineness of his faith. His early death, which occurred Feb. 19, 1859, from typhoid fever, was lamented by many. He resided with his sisters in the house built by or for his grandfather, Ezra Gregory, about 1740, but was never married.

Deacon Wakeman Hubbell, the son of Nathan and Sarah Hubbell, was born in Wilton. He was firm, conscientious, and earnest to a high degree. He was elected to the office of deacon on the 8th of Febru- ary, 1860, and ordained the 19th of March follow- ing by his old pastor, Rev. Sylvanus Haight. Of his character and work I will speak in another connec- tion.

The present deacons are Charles Marvin, who was ordained Oct. 17, 1841; Benajah Gilbert, ordained March 19, 1860 ; Edward Olmstead, ordained May 1, 1870; and Robert T. B. Easton, ordained May 1, 1870.

ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCHI.#

St. Matthew's parish was organized in the year 1802. Previous to that time members of the Episco- pal Church residing in Wilton seem to have belonged

to the parish of St. Paul's Church, Norwalk. It ap- pears that in the year 1802 application was made to the justice of the peace to warn a meeting of the members of the church in Wilton, for the purpose of choosing officers and transacting other business. The meeting was held on July 1, 1802, at a school-house in the district called Pimpewaug, in the northern part of the town. At this meeting David Lambert was made clerk, Daniel Church and Samuel Belden were chosen wardens, and David Belden, Stephen Keeler, J. James, and William Starling were chosen vestrymen. From that time Wilton became an in- dependent parish. At a meeting held in Decem- ber following a vote was taken to build a church. In the year 1804 we find a committee existing to su- perintend the building of the church, but it does not appear from the records of the parish that the build- ing was entirely completed till the year 1818. It was consecrated by Bishop Hobart on Aug. 11, 1819. This continued to be a place of public worship for forty-five years, until in 1863 it was sold and removed, to be supplanted by the present church, now stauding just north of the site of the old edifice. It is on rec- ord that, in the year 1810, David Belden was ap- pointed agent for the society to prefer a petition to the General Assembly for the grant of a lottery to raise one thousand dollars to be applied to the finish- ing of the church, and he was to "use his prudence therein."

Between the years 1802 and 1816 the Rev. Henry Whitlock and the Rev. Dr. Bethel Judd, who were rectors of St. Paul's Church, Norwalk, officiated about one-fourth of their time in Wilton. The first settled minister was the Rev. Reuben Sherwood, who assumed the charge in January, 1816, at which time there were about forty families in the parish. The following is the oldest list on record of members of the Episcopal Church in Wilton: James Arnold, Samuel Belden, David Belden, Daniel Betts, Jr., Stephen Britts, Isaac Britts, Samuel Belden, Jr., William Belden, Sherman Betts, John Cannon, Daniel Church, Daniel Church, Jr., Fitch Church, James W. Church, James Davis, Leman Edwards, George Elwood, Samuel Fitch, Samuel Fitch, Jr., Zach. Whittman Fitch, John Gilbert, Theoph. B. Handford, Nathan Handford, Nathaniel Hendrick, Abraham Hurlburt, Job Hodges, Jabez Handford, Molly Handford, Peter James, Jemmy James, Wil- lianı James, Seth Keeler, Stephen Keeler, John Keeler, Elijah Keeler, David Lambert, William

Long, John Morgan, James Morgan, Zalmon Mor- gan, Ezekiel Morgan, Jeremiah Morgan, Samuel Marvin, Nathan Marvin, Sarah Marvin, Joel Mor- gan, Joseph Morgan, Sarah Marvin, Lucy Marvin, Stephen Morgan, Asa Olmstead, Jared Patchin, Clapp Rockwell, Edward Rockwell, William Star- ling, Daniel Sturges, Ezekiel Sturges, Elias Sturges, David Sloan, Nathaniel Starling, Peter Smith, Wil- liam St. John, Edmund Tuttle.

* Contributed by Sherman P. Fitch.

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WILTON.

The Rev. Reuben Sherwood was succeeded by the Rev. Charles Smith, who was reetor of the parish from 1816 to 1823. He also officiated a part of the time in Ridgefield. He was succeeded by Rev. Origin P. Holcomb, who took charge of the parish on Whit- Suuday, 1823, and coutinued until Easter, 1831. Until this time it appears that the church was without a bell, as we find that at the Easter meeting in 1828 a committee was appointed to procure one. Rev. Mr. Holcomb was followed by the Rev. Charles J. Todd, who remained in charge from 1831 to 1833. After him was Rev. William Barlow, from 1834 to 1836; Rev. Dr. Bethel Judd, 1836-37; Rev. R. C. Shimsal, 1837 ; Rev. Abel Nichols, 1838-39; Rev. G. U. Nich- ols and Rev. William G. Hyer, 1840. In July, 1840, the Rev. John Purves became rector, and continued till the year 1844. During this period the society was in a prosperous condition, but that happy state was suddeuly disturbed by difficulties in relation to the funds of the society. These had been invested in a loau with securities. The principal failing to pay the interest, the society was obliged to call upon the indorser of the note for payment. This involved the parish in two long lawsuits. From 1844 to 1849 services were irregular, there being no settled clergy- mau. Within this period the Rev. David H. Short. resided in the town, and officiated for a portion of the time for two years. From March till June, 1849, the Rev. Timothy Wileoxson was a resident minister, and during this short time did much towards helping the parish to revive and resume its former efficiency. In Juue, 1849, the Rev. Abel Ogden was invited to the rectorship, and continued in charge until Easter, 1851. Under Mr. Ogden's ministry the church edifice was thoroughly repaired and paiuted within and without. He was followed in 1851 by the Rev. Levi G. Stimson, who continued until October, 1860. Under Mr. Stim- son's rectorship the church was in a very prosperous condition. The present rectory belonging to the parish was built at that time. Mr. Stimson was fol- lowed by the Rev. Simon G. Fuller, who was rector from 1861 till November, 1863. The present church edifice was begun and completed under the charge of Rev. Mr. Fuller. It is built of stone and brick, in Gothic style, with nave and transepts, and seats about three hundred persons. The corner-stone was laid on June 17, 1862, by the Right Rev. John Wil- liams, and the building consecrated by him May 21, 1864. The building committee were Rev. S. G. Fuller, James W. Pinkney, Theodore L. Sturges, Sherman P. Fitch, Charles Cannon, and Nathan M. Belden.

Rev. Mr. Fuller was succeeded by Rev. Albert U. Stanley, who was rector from 1864 to 1867; Rev. William L. Bostwick, from 1867 to 1870; Rev. J. E. Walton, from 1870 to November, 1878. Rev. Mr. Wal- ton had also the charge of Emanuel Church, Westou. The present rector, Rev. Franeis W. Barnett, took charge of the parish on Whit-Sunday, June 1, 1879.

The present officers of the parish are Nathan M.

Belden and Eli S. Betts, Wardens; Stephen James, Henry A. Barrett, Sherman P. Fitch, Henry G. Thomson, Sereno E. Ogden, Vestrymen; Nathan M. Belden, Clerk and Treasurer; David S. R. Lambert and Nathan M. Belden, Delegates to the Diocesan Convention. The parish now comprises fifty-four families and ninety communicants.

ZION HILL CHURCHI.

Jan. 29, 1844, the first meeting was held to consider the practicability of building a church. Rev. Zacha- riah Davenport chairman, Wm. H. Taylor secretary.

At a meeting held Feb. 5, 1844, the first trustees were chosen, viz. : Daniel Allee, Joseph Scribner, Joshua Smith, Odle Bouton, Aaron Bennett, Sher- man Cole, Sherman Morehouse, Albert Lockwood, Noah Patrick. At this meeting the building com- mittee was chosen, viz. : William Nichols, Odle Bouton, Charles Scribner. The church was com- pleted and dedicated Nov. 26, 1844; Rev. Francis Hodgsou and J. L. Gilder performed the dedication service. Present trustees, viz. : A. B. Lockwood, John Ohnsted, William Nichols, Wilbur Sturges, Wil- liam B. Hurlbutt, Charles Seribuer, Brewer Gilbert, Andrew Jackson, and Harman Gilbert.

The cdifice was crected at a cost of about three thou- sand dollars, and is located near Cannon's Station.

There is a small class of Episcopal Methodists at Bull's Bridge, in this town, but they hold their connee- tion with Gaylordsville Church, in the town of New Milford.

Rev. William H. Kirk is pastor of a small con- gregation connected with a small branch of Metho- dists called Reformed Methodists. They worship in a school-house in Macedonia School District, two miles west of the village of Kent Plains ; number of wiem- bers, fifteen. They also have an old church in the east part of this town on the mountain, organized fifty years ago. The society there is small and poor, but keeps up regular services. The present pastor is Rev. Elijah Fry ; number of members, about twenty.

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 207

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