History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 53

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 53

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" Directors, Eli T. Hoyt, Jonathan Camp, Fred- erick S. Wildman, Charles Isaacs, E. S. Tweedy, Win. C. Street, L. P. Hoyt, Win. K. James, Wmn. A. White, Ebenezer Hill, Frederick Belden, D. P. Nichols.

"President, E. T. Hoyt;" Treasurer, Geo. W. Ives; Secretary, E. S. Tweedy ; Superintendent, Harvey Smith.

"The president, treasurer, and secretary were of Danbury ; the superintendent was of Ridgefield.

"Mr. Hoyt served as president of the company until Aug. 25, 1864, when he was superseded. He determined his salary, fixing it at two hundred and fifty dollars a year, and refusing any increase. Edwin Lockwood, of Norwalk, was chosen president, and served until June 18, 1873, when R. P. Flower, the present ineumbent, was elected.

" Mr. Tweedy continued as secretary until Aug. 25, 1864, when Harvey Williams was elected to the office. Mr. Ives served as treasurer until that period when the two offices were merged in one, Mr. Williams being both secretary and treasurer, and continues as such at this writing.

"Mr. Smith served as superintendent until pros- trated by a paralytic stroke in 1859. John W. Bacon was appointed in his place July 14, 1859, and served until Jan. 1, 1876, when L. W. Sandiforth, the present ineumbent, was ehosen.

" When the road was opened the rails for some dis- tance this side of Redding were laid on the ground, the earth being frozen so hard as to bear the weight of the train. This was done because the completion had been delayed for a considerable time beyond that set for its finish, and people were anxious to sce a train go through.

" The first conduetor was Henry Banks, who died some years ago. He was a man of marked suavity of manner and speech. Many anecdotes are told of him illustrating this pleasant quality. On leaving Nor- walk he would observe, 'Those who are about to pro- ceed on the train will please take their seats.' Now- a-days it's ' All 'board !'

"When coming to Norwalk station it was his custom to notify the passengers of the fact by im- pressively remarking, as if in the presence of some great mechanism, 'The train will presently reach Norwalk Bridge.' After leaving Bethel he would ex- plain, 'We are now approaching the village of Dan- bury, which is the terminus of the road.'

"The citizens of Winnipauk were very much

e d

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offended by his pronunciation of their station, which he unfortunately called Winnepank.

"In 1844 the New York and Hartford road was pro- jected. It was to pass through Danbury and thence to New York via White Plains, N. Y. We can now see what a splendid piece of property it would have become had it lived. But it fell through, and a goodly portion of the contemplated line between here and Hartford is now occupied by the survey of the New York and New England Railway.

" The committee appointed to secure the survey of the road made an estimate of the business in the cir- cular to the public which they issued. Our readers remember it. These figures, made in 1835, are in- teresting compared with what the road did the first year after it was finished, 1852-53. The circular esti- mated its first year's business in freight to be $32,000. The passenger-traffic the circular fixed at $10,625, making a total of $42,625. The first report of the busi- ness of the road showed that the earnings for the first fifteen months of its existence were $51,237.70. So the authors of the circular had made a remarkably close estimate. The second report covered a period of eleven months, in which the earnings were $52,- 706.68. The through-fare was seventy-five cents.

"It is not often a new road so fully answers the expectation of its projectors as did the Danbury and Norwalk road. The directors, in the report referred to above, say,-

"' The result of the experience of the company since the commencement of the operations upon the road has been fully to corroborate the opinion uniformly expressed by the directors, that the Danbury and Norwalk Railroad will prove a successful and profitable enterprise, and the favor- able increase of the past year demonstrates that, but for the disastrous floods and the unusual expenditures rendered necessary thereby, the net earnings for the year would have warranted two dividends of three per cent. each, paid interest and taxes, and left a surplus of $3348.'

"The floods referred to were three in number. These occurred in the fall of 1853 and the spring of 1854. They were disastrous in effect, delaying travel for sixteen days, and causing an expense of four thousand dollars for temporary repairs, and nine thousand dollars in addition for a thorough recon- struction of the damaged portions .*

"Ridgefield Branch .- In 1870 a branch road from Branchville to Ridgefield Village was built, with a view to accommodating the business of that place. Heretofore the connection had been made by stage. The distance is four miles.

" In 1872 another branch was built, running from Bethel to Hawleyville, to connect with the Shepaug Railway, which runs from Litchfield to Hawleyville. This was done to control the business of the Shepaug valley. The length of the branch is six miles. The cost of both these extensions was at the rate of forty thousand dollars a mile.

" The business of the road increased from year to

year, and the careful management that signalized its course made it one of the soundest corporations in the State."

CHAPTER XX.

DANBURY (Continued).

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.+

The First Baptist Church-The Second Baptist Church-Mill Plain Bap- tist Church-The Methodist Episcopal Church-The First Congrega- tional Church-The West Street Church-St. James' Episcopal Church -The First Universalist Church-The Sandemanian Society-The Catholic Church-The Disciples of Christ Church-The German Meth- odist Church.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

THE following sketch of this church is taken from the minutes of the first session of the Fairfield County Baptist Association, in October, 1838 :

" The First Baptist Church in Danbury was constituted Nov. 16, 1785, with thirteen members,-seven males, six females. There were formerly two branches connected with this church,-one in New Milford, the pres- ent New Milford Church; the other in Fredericksburg, N. Y., the present Patterson Church. In 1790 the church had about one hundred and twenty members ; from 1815 to 1830 its average number was from fifty to sixty ; but after this period a division threatened the destruction of the church. In July, 1837, there were only twenty-two members,-five males, seventeen females. Their present pastor was ordained with them Nov. 15, 1837. Since that time there has been added twenty-six. Their prospects are now very encouraging: whole number, forty-eight. They have licensed three to preach the gospel,-Noah Sherwood, now in Western New York; Nathau Benedict, now in Northern Connecticut; John Mitchell, now in Michigan. They have had five pastors,-Brother Ferris, ordained in 1788; Brother Norton, ordained in May, 1789 ; Brother Wadhams, ordained in February, 1791; Brother Bulkly, ordained in May, 1800 ; and their pres- ent pastor, Brother Lucius Atwater."

The following additional history of this church was furnished by Rev. S. G. Silliman :

"The following is a list of the members of the church in September, 1798 : Matthew Wilkes, David Pearse, Benjamin Bearss, William Rundle, Joseph Hamilton, Jr., Oliver Knapp, Joseph Bearss, Nathaniel Barnum, Israel Stevens, Matthew Wilkes, Jr., Gabriel Bar- num, Benjamin Bearss, Jr., Joshua Pearse, John Bebee, James Knapp, Jr. Their first moderator, Sep- tember, 1798, was Israiel Stevens, and clerk James Knapp, Jr. That is the first meeting of which any record can be found.

"June 26, 1842, it was 'Voted, that we pull down the old meeting-house for the purpose of erecting a new meeting-house, and work in as much of the old one as is thought proper.'"

According to old minutes of Associations, "Brother Ferris was ordained in 1788," and "Elder Enoch Fer- ris" was present from that church in 1791; "Brother Norton was ordained 1789;" " Elder Nathanael Nor- ton" was present at the Danbury Association in 1791. But I judge that neither of them was pastor, for their

* The camp-meeting grounds at Brookside Park, in Redding, are owned by this company.

+ This chapter, excepting the history of the First Baptist Church and the German Methodist Church, is taken from the columns of the Dan- bury Republican, through the courtesy of its editor, Mr. F. W. Bartram.

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names are preceded in the minutes of the Association that year by the name of " Elder Nathanael Finch." Rev. Nathan Bulkly was ordained in 1800, and was pastor till 1830; Rev. John Mitchel was pastor in 1831; Rev. Lucius Atwater, in 1838, and till 1847; Rev. Fred L. Barlow, in 1851; Rev. Henry M. Bar- low, in 1852; Rev. D. F. Chapman, in 1875 and 1876. The remainder of the time since 1847 they have had occasional supplies, or unordained men have occupied the pulpit. Alanson A. Hoyt is church clerk ; George W. Wilkes is society's clerk. There are now thirty members,-ten males, twenty females.

In 1790 there were present, as messengers from the First Baptist Church of Danbury, Elder Na- thanael Finch, Elder Nathaniel Norton, Elder Enoch Ferris, in the above order, and in 1790 none of them were present, and as "Deacon David Pearse" is the only officer among the delegates of that year, they were doubtless then without a pastor.

In 1790 reported one hundred and twenty-five members, and in 1791 they report only fifty-two members and no pastor.

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH.

Just after the conclusion of the treaty of peace which terminated the war of the Revolution, on Nov. 18, 1785, the first Baptist church within the limits of the town of Danbury was constituted in the dis- trict of King Street. For ycars this church was pros- perous, new members from time to time being added. The mother-church still maintains its visibility, and, though reduced in membership, is still struggling to strengthen the things which remain.

There were residing at this time, in the western part of the town-Miry Brook District-a number of persons who were attached to this faith. Among these were Peter Ambler, Bracey Knapp, and Benja- miin Shove. Meetings were occasionally held, before a church was organized, in the dwellings of some of the members of the faith. Revival influences con- verted many who have long since departed this life.

About the year 1788 a church was organized under the name of the Ridgefield aud Miry Brook Baptist Church. The Second Baptist Church of Danbury was constituted from this, April 3, 1790. Soon after, it was admitted into the Hartford Baptist Associa- tion. The number of constituent members was about twenty.

The first regular pastor was Rev. Thaddeus Bron- son, who coutinued from the organization until 1793, when he removed to Schoharie Co., N. Y. The first deacons were Benjamin Shove and Daniel Wildman, who were appointed Oct. 2, 1790. In March, 1793, Calvin Peck was added to the number.

The first meeting-house was erected in 1794, on a lot presented to the society by Bracey Knapp, and was situated in Miry Brook District, about two miles and a half west of Danbury. The building was twenty-four feet square, with galleries. Its architec-

ture and interior arrangements were of the most primitive style. It had no steeple, and no permanent seats inside. Loose boards made a floor. The gallery had no railing or stairs, and was reached by means of a ladder. The seats below were boards resting on logs and stones. The pulpit was made of oak boards, and was elevated two steps above the main floor. People came to the church on foot or horseback, with the exception of an occasional ox-cart.

Rev. Mr. Bronson relinquished the pastorate of the church in 1793, after which, during five years, they were probably without a pastor. Among those who ministered to the church during this period were Revs. Daniel Wildman, Justus Hull, and Elias Lee. The King Street pastors; Revs. Finch and Bulkly, were also accustomed to visit and encourage the new interest.

The name of Rev. Justus Hull deserves special mention. He was then a young man of unusual mental vigor and ministerial gift. He dispensed the Word with great power, and his service was long kept in fresh remembrance.

When, subsequently, the college-bred preachers came among them, the old people felt, in some in- stances no doubt without reason, that while the col- lege and seminary had given polish and stronger grasp of truth, their graduates had lost the freshness and convincing energy of their predecessors. When a precise young man read an elaborate discourse to them the remark used to be made, "Brother Hall would take off his coat and beat that."

In the year 1798, Rev. Bennett Pepper, theu a licen- tiate, came to Miry Brook. He preached from that time until November, 1807, without ordination, at which time he was ordained to the gospel ministry, and continued his services to the church. On the occasion of the ordination Rev. Nathan Bulkly was designated to give the charge, Rev. Jacob St. John to make the ordaining prayer, Rev. Daniel Wildman to preach the sermon, and Rev. Ezra Fountain to make the concluding prayer. The churches of Franklin, Carmel, North Salem, Bedford, Milton, First Dan- bury, Newtown, and Bristol were represented in the council.

About the year 1803 the church was called to pass through a season of trial and darkness, growing out of an attempt to modify the accepted articles of faith. The original articles, bearing date of Jan. 24, 1795, as to their subject-matter and form of staterueut, are uot differeut in any esseutial particular from those now received by the church. The records do not show the name of the mover of the proposed change. The new articles proposed were, however, rejected. They as- serted that Christians should be unlike the world even iu " politeness of behavior," forgetting that the very term "gentleman" owed its origin to Christianity. They contained erroneous doctrines in the statement, " We believe that civil government is by provideuce and permission, and not of divine origin or appoint-

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ment, and that we find neither precept nor example for the disciple voluntarily filling office in earthly states." It reflects credit upon the little church that they recorded their faith in the refining influences of our holy religion, and in the truth that " the powers that be are ordained of God," by rejecting these in- novating articles and adhering to their original stand- ards of faith and practice.

In the early part of Mr. Pepper's ministry there were large accessions to the church. This period is the first revival season succeeding the outpouring of the Spirit in which the church had its origin.

Shortly preceding the ordination in 1807 some im- provements were made in the meeting-house. The side walls were plastered, a railing and stair made for the gallery, and the floors were nailed down. A better pulpit was also constructed, and new scats were introduced with backs to them.

Mr. Pepper's pastorate closed in 1809. At one period during his connection with the church his conduct was considered unbecoming. But on the whole his ministry was a success. One difficulty arose during this time on account of the course taken by Eli Gregory, who had been made a deacon in 1806. Deacon Gregory was opposed to a distinctive minis- terial order, who should appropriate all the time allotted to the service of the sanctuary on the Lord's day. He claimed that God, having called different gifts into the Church, they should have expression, without regard to, or rather ignoring, any other pastor or teacher. Hc asserted in addition that any male member of the church might with propriety be ap- pointed to administer the ordinances in the absence of a settled minister. He objected to the payment of a salary to a minister, claiming that the support of those who labored in behalf of the church would be contributed by free-will offerings of the members. Thesc opinions were disapproved of by a majority, and, Deacon Gregory still tenaciously adhering to them, a council of churches was called, which coun- cil convencd June 3, 1807. The council did not coin- cide with Deacon Gregory's views, and passed resolu- tions not acceptable to him. They were accepted by the church, and he was excluded.

The resignation of Mr. Pepper was followed by another period of destitution, the church depending on supplies for about four years, until May, 1813, when Rev. Oliver Tuttle, a licentiate from Bristol, Conn., was called to the pastorate. His ordination took place in May, 1814.

Towards the end of the year 1815 " a reformation broke out in the community." It marks the second revival season of the history of the church. Deep seriousness pervadcd the hearts of many who were out of Christ, which issued in a transformation of heart and life.

Mr. Tuttle's ministry extended over a period of nine years, from 1813 to 1822. In August of the latter year he resigned his charge and removed to

Meredith, N. Y. During his pastorate Deacon Peter Barnum was baptized into the fellowship of the church. He, with Deacon Benjamin Ambler, was baptized the same date, July 28, 1816.

Timothy Weed and Thomas Wildman were elected deacons Dec. 13, 1816. George Benedict was baptized by Mr. Tuttle, Sept. 21, 1817. Some statistics of the membership of the church at this date may be of interest. From the minutes of the Union Baptist As- sociation, which convened at Danbury in 1817, it ap- pears that the membership of the church was then seventy-eight. In 1818 it was seventy. In 1820 there was a marked decrease, the reported number being fifty-six.

George Benedict was licensed to preach the gospel on the 12th of May, 1822. In August of the following year he was ordained as pastor of the church. His eminent gifts in prayer, exhortation, and Christian conversation are testified to by a cloud of witnesses in this and other churches which enjoyed his minis- trations. Mr. Benedict resigned the pastoral charge of the church in May, 1831, to accept a call from the church then worshiping at the corner of North and Forsyth Streets, New York, now known as the Stan- ton Street Baptist Church.

The labors of Mr. Benedict were very successful in New York. Nearly twelve hundred persons were baptized by him, and nearly as many funerals were attended, during his ministry in the city, extending from 1831 to Oct. 28, 1848, at which time he passed away in the calm triumphs of faith. The scripture employed by Rev. Dr. Cone upon the occasion of his funeral was an epitome of his character and life : "He was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith ; and much people were added to the Lord."

Dec. 7, 1823, Peter Barnum was elected deacon of the church. The membership had increased from fifty-six, reported in 1820, to one hundred.

During Mr. Benedict's ministry, Aug. 31, 1823, Ed- ward C. Ambler was baptized. On the same day John Jennings and James St. John received the ordinance. Mr. Ambler subsequently entered the ministry, and was ordained at New Milford, Conn., Oct. 1, 1840. He has since scrvcd the following churches as pastor : New Milford, Conn .; Fishkill, Patterson, and Pleasant Valley, N. Y .; Mount Bethel, Millington, Westville, Woodstown, and Columbus, N. J. He was appointed chaplain of the Sixty-sev- enth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers during the first year of the Rebellion, and filled the position with great efficiency until compelled to resign from the ef- fects of imprisonment and exposure. His services on the field during the war, and those of his wife in the hospital, deserve the grateful remembrance of all. Mr. Ambler, after the war, was for a time pastor of the Baptist church at Stanford, N. Y., but afterwards returned to Danbury, and has since supplicd the pul- pits of the King Street and Mill Plain churches.

Rev. John Jennings, who was received into mem-

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bership at the same time with Mr. Ambler, was licensed to preaeli June 17, 1826, and was ordained at Beverly, Mass., which was his first regular pastorate. He was subsequently settled at Grafton, Worcester, . and Fitchburg, Mass. He left the latter place and served the American Traet Society for some years. Afterwards he beeame pastor of the Baptist church in Westfield, Mass., and there continued until his death, which occurred some five years ago.

During the latter part of Mr. Benedict's ministry the subject of the removal of the location of the meeting-honse was diseussed, the second generation feeling that a more eentral loeation should be chosen, reasoning that the ehureh must follow the people, and the Word of Life be dispensed where the streams of population have their confluenee. These ideas pre- vailed, and in the year 1829 the foundations of a new house were laid on Deer Hill. A lot sixty by forty feet was donated to the society by Peter Ambler. A neat and convenient building, with gallery, steeple, and bell, was erected, and was dedicated Sept. 28, 1831, the Rev. Thomas Lareomb preaching the dedicatory sermon. In July of the following year Mr. Larcomb was ealled to the pastorate. A general revival was prevailing in the church at the time, and eleven con- verts were baptized the first Sabbath of the month following his settlement. Mr. Lareomb resigned the pastoral charge in the early part of the year 1833. He removed to Saugerties, N. Y., and from thence to Philadelphia, where for a number of years he eon- tinued his usefulness. He has entered upon his rest.

Rev. Robert Turnbull, a native of Scotland, sue- ceeded Mr. Larcomb in Danbury. He was a graduate of the University of Glasgow. He arrived in New York in 1833, and soon after accepted the call of this church. At the end of one year and a half he ac- cepted a call from the Home Mission Society to oc- cupy a field in Detroit, Mich. Abont thirty members were added under Mr. Turnbull's ministry. Nehemiah Gillett and Benjamin Ambler were appointed deacons Jan. 25, 1834.

The next regular pastor was Rev. Orson Spencer, who entered upon his charge in May, 1835. His res-' ignation followed after a few months' serviee. After leaving Danbury he beeame a convert to Mormonism.

After the resignation of Mr. Spencer the ehnreh had no pastor until April, 1836, when Rev. Jonathan G. Collom aceepted their call. He continued with the church three years. During the second year of his pastorate over seventy persons were converted, among them being Starr Hoyt. Mr. Hoyt died Sept. 18, 1849.

During Mr. Collom's ministry Rev. Nathaniel Colvin visited Danbury for the purpose of pleading in behalf of the brethren of different color who were in bonds. Mr. Colvin was one of those champions of the slave who argued that a peace which rested on injustiee to millions of his fellow-ereatures onght to be disturbed. Danbury was largely concerned in the

Southern hat trade, and Mr. Colvin's lectures evoked open opposition, and in one instance mob violence was the result. An attack was made upon the church during service, and stones were freely thrown, win- dows broken, and Mr. Colvin narrowly escaped per- sonal injury. He lived to see slavery overthrown, and to preach to hundreds of freedmen. He gave theo- logical instructions to a large number of colored min- isters in a building formerly used as a slave-pen, and which has since been occupied by a theological school named in his honor,-Colvin Institute. Mr. Collom resigned during the fourth year of his pastorate, and entered npon the charge of the Baptist church at Pemberton, N. J. From thence he removed to Wil- mington, and again to Mount Holly, N. J., where he dicd.

The Rev. Addison Parker was Mr. Collom's suc- cessor. He accepted the call of the church in August, 1839, and continued three years in the pastoral office. During this time the church enjoyed a good degrec of prosperity. The resignation of Mr. Parker was ac- cepted with great reluctance by the church.

The Rev. Daniel H. Gilbert was next called to the pastoral charge, and entered upon it in June, 1842. After a few months' serviee he was compelled to rc- linquish it on account of an attack of bleeding at the Inngs. He sought a Sonthiern elimate, which, however, proved insufficient to arrest the work of death.

Mr. Gilbert was young and gifted, and his brief ministry was not without results.

In the following September the Rev. William R. Webb accepted a eall. His ministry covered one year and a half, and was marked by eminent tokens of divine favor.

After the resignation of Mr. Webb, Rev. Rufus K. Bellamy was called to the pastoral charge. He was then ministering at Rondont, N. Y., and signified his acceptance of the eall May 9, 1844. His gifts both as pastor and preacher were peculiarly acceptable. Dur- ing his ministry the question of a removal of the church from Deer Hill was agitated. There seemed a necessity for more room, especially for the accom- modation of the Sabbath-school and Conference meetings. Arrangements were at first made to add to the old building. It was, however, decided to purchase the present site and build a larger edifiee.

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 53

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