History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 109

Author: J.W. Lewis & Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1532

USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > History of Litchfield county, Connecticut > Part 109

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. Condensed from memorial discourse delivered by Rev. James Il. Nonar, July 0, 1876.

452

HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

barrels of cider, and here they warmed their bean- soup, replenished their foot-stoves, and regaled them- selves in the hour between services. Until 1870 the services were held morning and afternoon ; since 1870 the second service has been held in the evening.

The chapel was built by individuals, with permission of the society, in 1838-39. The meeting-houses were not heated until 1823-25, when two box-stoves were put in the second meeting-house. In November, 1833, the society voted to obtain "2 of Dr. Nott's stoves and one ton of anthracite coal for the winter." Fur- naccs were put in in 1860, when the church was im- proved at a cost of five thousand two hundred and twenty-five dollars, and land for sheds was bought. The organ was obtained in 1860, at a cost of twelve hundred dollars.

The parsonage was bought in August, 1870, at a cost of six thousand dollars, paid for by subscription, and presented, with certain conditions attached, to the society. Originally the people were called to worship, as to all public meetings, by the beat of the drum, for which an appropriation was made in 1716. For many years after the first church building was occupied the town annually appointed a person to beat the drum, and voted him pay for his services. A church clock which hung in the steeple of the second meeting-house must have been bought about a century ago. In 1780 the liabilities of the society are thus stated : " Arrears yet due on account of clock £7 38. 5d., and due Widow Prudence Collins, for sweeping the meeting house, £1 10s."

Until 1745 this was the only society, and every person in town was taxed for its support. From 1750 to 1790 persons who aided in supporting other socie- ties were by vote relieved from the tax for the support of this society.

From 1752 until 1796 all the educational and re- ligious affairs of the town were under the control of this society. It located the schools, fixed the tax, collected it, and superintended the schools through committees annually appointed. It was, in fact, the school society for the town, and as such received Benoni Stebbins' legacy. It fixed and collected the tax for the salary of the ministers, " for the sweeping out of the meeting-house." It also, in some measure, managed the financial affairs of the Episcopal so- ciety, for in 1771, after appointing Ichabod Bostwick to gather the minister's rate, it appointed "Solomon Hodkiss to gather a rate for Mr. Clark." And in 1772 this society issued a notice "to warn all the church people to meet together on Monday, the 13th day of instant April, at St. John's Church at 8 of the clock in the morning, then and there to consult such measures as they shall think proper to procure a Glebe house for the Rev. Mr. Clark, and to do such other business as shall be thought proper." The minutes of the meeting thus warned are recorded as " a meeting of the inhabitants of the 1st Ecclesiastical Society-holden by the Church of England." This

was doubtless done, in a fraternal spirit, to give legal efficacy to the action of the Episcopal society in dis- posing of one glebe and purchasing another. This shows the kindly feeling that then, as now and al- ways, has governed the members of this society. The Church Review* states that

"Certain churchmen in New Milford were fined for refusing to attend the meetings of the Established Church. These fines were, by recom- mendation of Mr. Beach, paid, and copies of the proceedings taken, to be forwarded to the King and Council. The fact becoming known, the au- thorities refunded the money, and granted permission to build a church, which before had been refused."

"I do not know," says Rev. Mr. Bonar, "the au- thority of the Church Review for this statement, but I do know that there is no warrant for it in town or so- ciety's books. There is no record of any refusal to permit churchmen to build, nor of the remittance of a fine upon any person for being absent from the worship of this church, yet the books contain records of scores of votes remitting fines for breach of the Sabbath and other minor offenses. From 1752 to 1819 this society had all the legal rights in its own hand, but in all the records there is no instance of anything like intolerance, or a disposition to throw obstacles in the way of others, while there are nu- merous instances of its generosity and readincss to aid those who entertained a faith different from its own."

The list of pastors is as follows : Daniel Boardman, ordained here Nov. 21, 1716, and died Aug. 25, 1744; Nathaniel Taylor, was ordained pastor here June 29, 1748, and died here Dec. 9, 1800; Stanley Griswold, was ordained pastor here June 20, 1790; became a Unitarian, threw open the sacraments to all, and was censured by Consociation. He left town in 1802, and edited a political paper in New Hampshire. In 1805 he was appointed secretary of Michigan Territory. In 1809 he was sent to the United States Senate, was afterwards chief judge of the Northwest Territory, and died at Shawneetown, Ill., Aug. 25, 1815, aged fifty-two.

Andrew Elliot was ordained pastor here Feb. 24, 1808, and labored most successfully until his death, May 9, 1829; Heman Rood, from 1830 to 1835; Noah Porter, from 1836 to 1842; John Greenwood, from 1844 to 1849; David Murdoch, from 1850 to 1874; James B. Bonar, 1870, present pastor.

During the last century the church was sensitive as to the character of its deacons. Instead of electing brethren at once to the office, it chose them to serve during the church's pleasure. If acceptable after one or two years' trial, they were by vote " established as deacons;" and in 1750 the church voted that one brother, who had thus been on trial for two years, "should not be established in the office of deacon." Twenty-one persons have so far served the church in this office, viz. : Samuel Brownson, James Prime, John

* Vol. ii. p. 317. See "Hollister's History of Connecticut," vol. ii. p. 545, note.

453 1

NEW MILFORD.

Bostwick, Job Terrill, Samuel Canfield, Bushnell Bostwick, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Gaylord, John Hitchcock, Sherman Boardman, Elizur Warner, Jo- seph Merwin, Dobson W. McMahon, John Beecher, Micanor Stilson, George W. Whittelsey, Geradus Roberts, Seymour B. Green, William Hine, John J. Conklin, and Ethiel S. Green. From 1716 to 1808 the Lord's Supper was administered four times a year ; since 1808, every two months.

Nineteen men from this church have entered the gospel ministry, viz. : David Bostwick, Joseph Treat, David Brownson, Benjamin Wildman, Whitmon Welch, Gideon Bostwick, David Sandford, John Stevens, David Baldwin, Daniel Marsh, Nathaniel W. Taylor, Charles A. Boardman, Orlo D. Hine, Merrit S. Platt, Elizur Beecher, Asabel Bronson, John Treat Baldwin, George Todd, George Sterling.

At least four men in this town have been active in national affairs. The most distinguished was Roger Sherman, a native of Massachusetts, who came here in 1743. He was clerk to this ecclesiastical society from 1753 to 1761, and established in the office of deacon in 1757. Here he wrought as a shoemaker, aided his brother in the store, and in 1745 was ap- pointed land surveyor for the county. Removing to New Haven in 1761, he became judge of the Court of Common Pleas, a member of the Upper House in the Legislature, and judge of the Superior Court. In 1774 he was appointed a member of the first Congress, in which he continued until his death, at which time he was in the Senate, to which he was elected in 1791. He was a member of the Governor's Council of Safety, and mayor of New Haven from 1784 to his death, July 23, 1793. In the Congress of 1776 he was a member of the committee appointed to draft the Dec- laration of Independence, as well as of many of the other most important committees; and he was also a member of the board of war, and of the board of treasury. His services to the country were invalna- ble, and few of his contemporaries left their impress more clearly upon American institutions.

Elijah Boardman, third son of Deacon Sherman Boardman, and grandson of the first pastor of this church, was born March 7, 1760. In 1821 he was elected to the United States Senate ; he died Aug. 18, 1823. Mr. Boardman's earlier years were in connec- tion with this society, but, having married a daugh- ter of the aforementioned Dr. Whiting, a zealous Episcopalian, who engaged in a pamphlet controversy with Dr. Billamy, he afterwards identified himself with the Episcopal Church, and died in its commu- nion.

Perry Smith, who died in 1852, was elected to the United States Senate in 1836, and served one term. Hle was connected with the Episcopal society.

Orange Merwin, born here July 3, 1776, was in Congress in 1826-27, during the administration of John Quincy Adams; he died Sept. 5, 1854. Hle was a member of this society.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .*

In 1822 a permanent preaching-place was fixed at Pleasant Valley, now Lanesville. Rev. Laban Clark and Rev. Eli Barnet, preachers of the Stratford Cir- cuit, preached here. In 1833 the name of New Mil- ford for the first time occurs as a preaching-place in the Conference Minutes. In 1850 the present church was built, under the pastorate of Rev. William McAl- ister. The church was dedicated by Bishop E. S. Janes, LL.D. The following ministers of the New York East Conference have been appointed to the church since 1850: A. B. Pulling, W. H. Russell, Ira Abbott, S. J. Stebbins, William Silverthorn, William Ross, George W. Allen, William R. Webster, A. Booth, E. L. Bray, James H. Crofut, James H. Light- bourne.

In 1826, at Northville, a church was built, and in 1828 a church was built at Lanesville. These churches have been superseded by the New Milford church, the membership having coalesced.

The present official members are Rev. William Ilill, Presiding Elder; Rev. James H. Lightbourne, Preacher in Charge ; Henry Hartwell, M. L. Delavan, Orange Pepper, Nelson Knowles, W. Green, Charles A. Way, Edwin L. Osborn, D. M. Marsh, Trustees ; Charles A. Way, A. J. Parcells, William Green, Lewis Hamlin, John S. Colebrook, W. O. Mallet, Stewards.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI, GAYLORDSVILLE.+

This church was organized in 1824, by Rev. C. Sil- liman, with the following members: Benjamin B. Soule, Homer Waller, Martha Waller, Peter Gaylord, Elizabethlı Gaylord, Truman Gaylord, John Gaylord, Spencer Ward, Patty Ward, Herman Stone, Laura Hendrix, Polly Paine, Clarissa Judd, Sally Judd, William Terry, James A. Hungerford, Patty Hunger- ford, Rufus Burnan, David Jones. The church build- ing was erected in 1826. The following is a list of pastors : John Reynolds, William Juett, Fitch Reed, Samuel Cochran, Uriah Fisher, Aaron S. Hill, Francis Donoly, J. O. Worth, Charles Stearns, Alonzo Sellick, William II. Barnes, David Nash, D. T. Littlewood, John H. Gaylord, Frank Lockwood, G. S. Gilbert, Samuel Weeks, Benjamin Redford, William Ross, Frederick Brown, Seth W. Scofield, Alexander Mc- Alister, Joseph Henson, B. M. Genung, Uriah Simons, William A. Dalton, R. F. Elsden, Robert Kay.

The present officers are: Trustees, Charles Pomeroy, Clinton H. Pomeroy, James Paine, John Flynn, A. Il. Barlow; Stewards, John Gaylord, S. C. Ferriss, John Flynn, C. H. Pomeroy, W. J. Buckingham, Sherman Benedict, H. O. Ward, John T. Underhill, Ezra Barnum. Present membership, eighty-eight.

Originally this charge was a part of the large Amenia Circuit. When the New York East Confer- ence was formed by a division of the New York Con- ference, Gaylordsville fell to the New York East Con-

· Contributed by Rev. Jamen II. Lightbourne.

+ Contributed by Nov. Robert Kay.

454

HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

ference, but a few years ago it was connected to the New York Conference, where it now belongs.

BAPTIST CHURCH, NORTHIVILLE .*

On the 7th day of January, 1814, a company of believers holding Baptist principles met at the house of Asabel Baldwin, in the western part of the town, and after free deliberation,

" Voted, Ist .- To organize themselves into a society to be known as the New Milford Bap. Ch.

" Voted, 24,-To invite a council from Sister Chs to meet with them on the 9th day of Feby to consider the propriety of recognizing them as a regular Bap. Ch."

Feb. 9, 1814, the Council met at the same place, composed of pastors and delegates from the churches in Newtown, Litchfield, and Roxbury, and, after ex- amining their articles of faith and covenant, voted unanimously to recognize them as a sister-church in the Lord. The following are the names of the con- stituent members : Eleazar Beecher, Dorcas Wright, Nathaniel Terry, Lydia Phillips, Martha Terry, Patty Phillips, Mary Baldwin, Betsy Davenport, Elizabeth Baldwin, Leman Garlick, John Ferris, Mrs. Garlick, Sally Ferris, Elijah Canfield, Mary Canfield, Mrs. Canfield, Phebe Hallock, Esther Baldwin, A. Titus, Isaac Wooster, Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Wooster, Asahel Baldwin.

February 19th the church voted to license Eleazar Beecher, a man of the people, to preach the gospel to them, and on the 15th of September of the same year he was ordained to the work of the ministry, and assumed the pastoral care of the church, and served them in that capacity till 1821. The Rev. Seth Higby was then called to the pastorate, and re- mained with the church one year. During that and the following year their present house of worship- located in Northville, four miles from New Milford village-was built; and in 1823 another house of worship was built in Merryall, four miles distant. In 1822, Elder Beecher again took charge of the church, preaching alternately at Northville and Merryall, and so continued till about the year 1832. During his pastorates over one hundred members were added to the church. Their next pastor was Rev. Nathan D. Benedict, who settled with them in 1832, and remained two years. Twenty-eight mem- bers were added during that time. In 1835, Rev. Elijah Baldwin moved into the place, and the church voted to invite him to take the pastoral oversight du- ring his stay with them. The invitation was accepted, and he served the church until the spring of 1840. From 1840 to 1850 the church had no settled pastor, but the pulpit was regularly supplied by Rev. E. N. Jenks, Rev. L. Atwater, E. C. Ambler, and others, all non-residents.

Under the labors of Rev. Mr. Jenks, in 1841, there was a very interesting revival, and eleven were added to the church by baptism. In the winter of 1850

another revival was enjoyed, and eleven more were admitted to the fellowship of the church.

From 1850 to 1866 there were no additions by bap- tism, and none by letter that proved of any lasting service to the cause of Christianity. During that period the church enjoyed the pastoral labors of Rev. H. M. Barlow two years, Rev. J. F. Jones two years, Rev. J. Hepburn three years, and then Mr. Hepburn supplied the pulpit two or three years after moving from the place.

In 1868, Rev. C. W. Potter accepted a call from the church, and continued with them about three years. A very extensive revival was enjoyed during that time; ten were added to the church as a result of it, while other churches received their full share of the converts. From 1871 to 1875 the church had no pastor, the pulpit being supplied a part of the time by Rev. Arthur Day and others. In the spring of 1875, Rev. E. Beardsley accepted a call to the pastor- ate of the church, and is with them at present.

During its early history its members were scattered over three or four townships, and meetings were held at different times in localities that best suited the con- venience of the worshipers, but gradually out-stations were abandoned, the congregation in Merryall dwin- dled, the house of worship was sold and for a number of years their meetings have all been held in the meeting-house in Northville.

The church has never been strong, either in num- bers or wealth, but, to its praise, it may be said that it has been a united and peace-loving church. Only one serious division has marred its history, and that was of short duration. Its location, being in the country, where the population is gradually dwindling, has always been unfavorable to its growth in num- bers. Besides this, its pastorates have all been short, the result, probably, of never having owned a par- sonage.

Several of its members have been licensed to preach the gospel, among the number Rev. N. M. Baldwin, DD., for a number of years pastor in New York and Philadelphia.

Synopsis : whole number received by baptism, 195; by letter, 73; total, 268. Present number, 40; con- stituent members, 23.

The Baptist Church at Gaylordsville was organized in about 1830. The Universal Friends, between 1780 and 1785, the followers of Jemima Wilkinson, who is described as a remarkably comely woman, with dark hair and sparkling black eyes, built a house in what is now the old cemetery, on the hill on the road to- wards New Preston. They soon sold this building to the Episcopalians, and moved to Yates Co., N. Y., where Jemima lived and died.

The Quaker society was organized in 1831, with twenty persons. They built a house in 1742, and have continued their worship from that time until the present, though at this date there is but one family of them residing in the town.

* Contributed by Rev. E. Beardsley.

455

NEW MILFORD.

St. Francis Zavier's Church is a flourishing ecclesi- astical body, under the charge of Rev. Father Gleason. For history of Episcopal Church, New Milford, sce Supplement.

CHAPTER XLV.

NEW MILFORD (Continued).

The Press-The New Milford Republican-The New Milford Journal- The Ilousatonic Ray-The New Milford Gazette-First National Bank -Savings Bank-Library-St. Peter's Lodge, No. 21, F. and A. M .- Onsatonic Chapter, No. 33, R. A. M .- Good Shepherds' Lodge, No. 65, I.O. O. F .- Fire Department-Adelphic Institute-Old Advertisements -The Tobacco Interest-Grand List, 1880-Incorporation of Town- Representatives from 1725 to 1881-Probate Judges from 1787 to 1881 -Military History.

THE PRESS.

THE first paper established in this village was the New Milford Republican, in 1845, by J. K. Averill, who continued until some time during the following year, 1846, when it was removed to Litchfield.

THE HOUSATONIC RAY.

In 1872, Messrs. Bailey & Donavan, publishers of the Danbury News, deeming New Milford one of the best localities in Connecticut for the establishment of a rural newspaper, began the publication of the New Milford Journal there. They sent one of their workmen, named E. W. Addis, to this village to secure local items, and supplied him with sufficient type to set the items up; but they made up the balance of it, and printed the paper in Danbury. After about a a year they disposed of it to J. R. Johnson, who put the whole inside in type, but carried the forms to Danbury every weck, and the original owners worked them off,-that is, the inside forms, the outside of the paper being " patent," and supplied by New York parties. Mr. Johnson published it about one year, when it passed into the hands of Mr. M. L. Delavan, its pres- ent editor and proprietor, who changed its name to The Housatonic Ray, under which it still lives, and it has met with a degrec of success wholly unexpected at the outset. The Ray aims to be not neutral but independent in the expression of its opinions, and allows nothing to interfere with their expression. It has a feature-that of questions and answers-which is wholly unknown to the other papers of the State, and which has been pronounced by eminent men n very important feature, which, for the information imparted, should be adopted by all other newspapers. It is able to say that since it has appeared under its present name not a sentence has been published which could give offense to modesty. It aims to be thoroughly truthful and reliable, and under the able editorial management of Mr. Delavan has taken front rank among the leading local journals in the State.

THE NEW MILFORD GAZETTE

was established by Gee & Hale in January, 1877, by whom it was published until AAugust, 1877, when it

passed into the hands of Robert Erwin, who has since been its editor and publisher. It is a lively local journal, and justly merits its present prosperity. It is Democratic in politics.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF NEW MILFORD was originally a State bank, called the Bank of Litch- field County, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. The first meeting of stockholders was held Dec. 6, 1852, and the following board of directors was chosen, viz .: F. Chittenden, Eli Mygatt, George Taylor, Walter D. Sperry, Solomon G. Bostwick, Noble S. Bennitt, Daniel Marsh, George Briggs, and Glover Sanford. The banking-house was the small brick building now standing next door south of the residenee of Mrs. Harriet Beardman, on Main Street. A. McAlister, of Bridgeport, was the first cashier, and held the position until the appointment of George W. Whittelsey. of New Milford, April 25, 1853. Mr. Chittenden was compelled to resign April 7, 1853, and thereupon Eli Mygatt was elected, and at the same time Henry W. Booth was chosen a director. Mr. Mygatt voluntarily retired from the presidency in 1855, and Henry W. Booth was chosen as his suc- eessor. Mr. Booth was succeeded by Daniel Marsh, who continued in said office until Jan. 1, 1878.

In March, 1865, the Bank of Litchfield County was converted into a national bank, with a capital of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. Daniel Marsh was continued in the presidency, with the fol- lowing directors, viz. : Daniel Marsh, Glover Sanford, George Taylor, John Hopson, John G. Noble, Henry W. Booth, Lyman Smith, S. G. Bostwick, George Briggs. In 1858, John J. Conklin was made cashier, to succeed Mr. Whittelsey, and remained in othice until October. 1867, when Heury Ives, the present cashier, was appointed.

The present officers of the bank are A. B. Mygatt, President ; Henry W. Booth, Vice-President ; Henry Ives, Cashier; Henry S. Mygatt, Assistant Cnshier : Charles C. Barlow, Clerk.

The following is a statement of the condition of the bank Dec. 18, 1880 :

DR.

CR.

lilla discounted ..

$240,607.77

Capital plock.

$125,000.00

Overdrafts ...

341.84

Surplus fund

15,000.00

U. S. bonds.

l'udivided profits.

18,250.47

Other storks and Inmuila

21,398.73

Circulation ...

112,4900,00

Mercantilo National

Unfusil dividenda.

1.500.(1)

Bank, New York ......

35,794.71

Demmita ...

170,343.05

Fisk & latch ....

C'estitleaten

6,951.87

Expense account ..

2,326.10

Red-stamp account ...

Non-resbleut tax ..

13.04

Five per cent. redemp- tion fund ..

5,625,00

Cash .. ..

20,225,31

$100,074.35 |

$466,071.33

While a State bank, and very soon after its organi- zation, the Bank of Litchfield County sustained heavy losses on account of the misdoings of its president, Frederick G. Chittenden. It necessarily became the chief care and effort of the next president, Eli My-

Balance due banks

7,388.06

Banking.house ...

456

HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

gatt, and the board of directors, to repair the damages, as far as possible, occasioned by the mismanagement of Chittenden. Slowly but surely, under their ad- ministration, they began to regain a comparatively sound and satisfactory condition. Under the admin- istration of the third president, Henry W. Booth, the bank was well and judiciously conducted, and be- came a prosperous institution, and paid satisfactory demands. He left the bank on a sound basis, possess- ing the confidence of the public, and with a rapidly augmenting business. This state of affairs continued while Mr. Marsh held the position of president, until the close of his term of official and most honorable service, Jan. 1, 1878. In 1867, John J. Conklin proved to be a defaulter to the amount of about $40,000. The bank was able to bear it without any very serious embarrassment, and is now in a very strong and prosperous condition, doing an active and constantly increasing business.

THE NEW MILFORD SAVINGS BANK

was organized in July, 1858, with the following board of trustees : Eli Mygatt, David C. Sanford, Silas Er- win, Gerardus Roberts, Albert N. Baldwin, James Hine, William J. Starr, Andrew B. Mygatt, Sheldon Blackman, Jehiel Williams, Noble S. Bennitt, Al- bert Pickett, Daniel Marsh, William B. Green, Charles H. Booth, John S. Turrill, Isaac Hine, Levi S. Knapp, and Charles Randall. The first officers were Eli My- gatt, President ; Silas Erwin, Vice-President ; Charles Randall, Sheldon Blackman, James Hine, Noble S. Bennitt, Gerardus Roberts, Directors; John S. Tur- rill, Secretary and Treasurer. The presidents have been as follows : Eli Mygatt, Silas Erwin, and James Hine. The first secretary and treasurer was John S. Turrill, who was succeeded by Charles Randall, the present incumbent.

The present board of trustees are Albert N. Bald- win, James Hine, William J. Starr, Andrew B. Mygatt, Daniel Marsh, William B. Green, Charles H. Booth, John S. Turrill, Levi S. Knapp, Charles Randall, William Roberts, Cyrus A. Todd, Ralph E. Canfield, Van Renssalear Giddings, Isaac B. Bristol, Turney Soule, Charles M. Beech, and George W. Anthony. The present officers are James Hine, President ; Ralph E. Canfield, Vice-President ; Charles Randall, Secretary and Treasurer; Isaac B. Bristol, Charles H. Booth, Van Renssalear Giddings, Levi S. Knapp, and John S. Turrill, Directors.

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History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 109

Author: J.W. Lewis & Company (Philadelphia, Pa.) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1532

Author: J.W. Lewis & Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1532