History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I, Part 30

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.)
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: N. Y. : W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 966

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 30
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I > Part 30

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).

This grant they accepted, and began the erection of a meeting house on it late in 1717. It was a plain wooden structure, 30 by 40 feet, without " steeple" or "terrett," and stood at the southwest cor- ner of the present old cemetery, or probably at the exact center of "The Green," Mr. Pierpont's grant. It was two stories in height, with a gallery on two sides. The furnishings were rude, and but one pew was built within it. Reverend James Wetmore, a graduate of the col- legiate school at Saybrook, Conn., came from Northfield, Mass., to preach in the spring of 1717. He remained a little more than a year on trial, holding services during this time at the house of Ebenezer Blakeslee, and was accepted by the society and ordained as the first minister, in October, 1718. The society received permission to embody itself in church estate May Sth, 1718. The meeting house was not finished until 1722.

Mr. Wetmore remained with his charge four years. In September, 1722. he avowed his sympathy with the belief and practice of the Church of England, and was at once dismissed from the North Parish pulpit. He went to England for orders, returned and was settled over a little church at Rye, N. Y.

Mr. Wetmore's successor was Reverend Isaac Stiles, a native of *Century sermon. +President Stiles.

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Windsor, Conn., who was ordained November 11th, 1724. His pastor- ate covered a period of 36 years, or until his death, May 14th, 1760. During his ministration the parish received its greatest impetus. A new meeting house 65 by 40 feet and second to no country structure in the state, was built in 1739, a little south of the old site. New highways were laid out, bridges were built, commons cleared, boundaries defined, schools organized, better dwellings erected, and all the incipient ma- chinery of a town set in motion. Mr. Stiles died May 14th, 1760. His successor was Reverend Benjamin Trumbull, of Hebron, Conn., ordain- ed December 24th, 1760. He maintained a pastorate of 60 years, and died February 2d, 1820. He was eminently fitted to take up the work dropped by Mr. Stiles. A man of immense resource, of ceaseless energy, of strong convictions, an intense lover of his people and a devoted servant of God, he led his church safely through more than half a century, and left it a monument to perpetuate his memory.

Doctor Trumbull was born December 19th, 1735. He graduated at Yale College in 1759, and was licensed to preach in 1760. It was in the summer of the latter year that he came to North Haven church, and November 14th was ordained as its pastor. The following year he purchased a tract of land of Joseph Pierpont, and began the erec- tion of a dwelling house upon it. The old mansion is still standing and in excellent repair. It is the property of Hon. Ezra Stiles, who has occupied it something more than 60 years. As a historic point, there is none greater in the town. The great double doors were ever ajar. Over its threshold were ceaselessly trooping scores of busy feet. Ministers, messengers, committees, referees and strangers made it a religious caravansary and rested in its shadow. Hither came during the revolutionary war aids and officers with despatches, and later eminent historians and theologists tarried within its walls.

Following the outbreak at Lexington, Mass., April 19th, 1775. Gov- ernor Trumbull (relative of Reverend Benjamin) summoned the gen- eral assembly of Connecticut to take measures for the public safety. Six regiments of soldiers were ordered raised. Among the first to report was Colonel Wooster's. Of this command Reverend Mr. Trum- bull was appointed chaplain. It was sent to the " Northern Depart- ment" and returned at the expiration of its service in November. Early in 1776 Mr. Trumbull again received the appointment of chap- lain in Colonel Douglass' regiment, and was absent a second campaign of six months. During this period he experienced continuous hard service. In January, 1777, the enemy appeared to be threatening the seaboard towns above New York city, and a sudden call was made for assistance. Mr. Trumbull responded at once, this time, however, as a captain, at the head of 60 men from Mt. Carmel and North Haven. The British attack, if such was contemplated, was frustrated, and Trumbull's command returned home late in the winter of that year.

The revolutionary war over, Mr. Trumbull was invited by the gen-

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

eral association of Connecticut, in 1785, to compile a history of its events. He accepted the trust and began his labors. From year to year, as the association met, he reported the progress of his work, but it was slow, and not until 25 years after its beginning, or in 1810, was the first volume of his " History of the United States" issued from the press. The second and third volumes were never completed. During the compilation of this work he was also engaged upon a "History of Connecticut," the first volume of which was published at Hartford in 1797; the second volume in 1818. Besides these publications were nearly a score of others relating to his ministerial work, such as sermons, discourses, addresses, etc. In 1796 Yale College worthily con- ferred the degree of D. D. upon him, an honor he esteemed and reflected credit upon. He died February 2d, 1820, and was buried in the old cemetery, within a stone's throw of his church and his home.

Should it be said by the reader that unusual prominence has been given Messrs. Stiles and Trumbull, it will be answered that these two divines in the formative period of the town, more than all others, helped lay those foundations of morality, honor and godliness on which the reputation of the town to-day rests. The clergyman of the 18th century builded better than he knew.

Following Doctor Trumbull came Reverend W. J. Boardman, a native of Massachusetts. He was ordained September 3d, 1820, and resigned October 30th, 1833. Of his pastorate it may be said that during its continuance the church received its largest accession of members; in all, there being 280 admissions in the thirteen years of his service.

Reverend Leverett Griggs of Tolland, Conn., succeeded Mr. Boardman. He was ordained October 30th, 1833, and dismissed at his request, July 30th, 1845. During his ministry the present Congregational church was erected. The second meeting house, which stood in the middle of the "green," and completed in August, 1741, was used until the summer of 1835. In 1750 a small bell, brought from England, was placed in a turret on the rear of the building. In 1800 a tall spire, costing £210, was built to the house, and in it was placed a new bell, weighing 900 pounds. In the fall of 1834 the present meeting house, originally 45 by 62 feet, and built of brick, was begun, and dedicated July 1st, 1835. In 1871 the house was enlarged by extending the side walls 16} feet and building an addition to the rear. At the same time the arched ceiling was removed and the interior of the house remodelled, includ- ing the fitting up of the basement room. The re-dedication of the house was put off until the spring of 1874, when, on account of the breaking of the church bell, it was postponed. A new bell was pro- cured, and November 18th, 1874, the meeting house, which had been improved at a cost of $14,000, was duly dedicated. It is now a spacious and well ordered place of worship.

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

After the retirement from the pastorate of the Reverend Leverett Griggs, D.D., in 1845, came the following ministers: Reverends Ira Smith, ordained February 10th, 1846, dismissed March 28th, 1848; Theron G. Colton, ordained September 25th, 1849, dismissed August 26th, 1851; Silas W. Robbins, ordained June 16th, 1853, dismissed October 13th, 1856; Benjamin St. John Page, became acting pastor June 20th, 1857, retired July 1st, 1862, and died at Warren, Ohio, November 9th, 1868; Reverend Williami T. Reynolds became acting pastor April 1st, 1863, and was installed pastor April 29th, 1869. His ministry has since been successfully continued, the church at no time being more prosperous and united than in his pastorate. There are more than three hundred members, belonging to 185 families.

Among those who served in the office of deacon were the following: David Yale, chosen 1718; Samuel Ives, 1718; Samuel Todd, 1727; Moses Blakeslee, 1728; Thomas Cooper, 1740; Isaiah Tuttle, 1741; Jesse Todd, 1772; James Humaston, 1773; Solomon Tuttle, 1780; Titus Todd, 1787; Joshua Barnes, 1800; Eliada Sanford, 1800; Byard Barnes, 1824; Harvey Smith, 1824; Joseph Foote, 1835; Eleazer Warner, 1836; Anson Moody, 1838; Henry McNeil, 1854; Marcus Linsley, 1854; Frederick L. Barnes, 1857; Nathan W. Brown, 1857; Whitney Elliott, 1864; H. P. Shares, -; Cullen B. Foote, 1883.

Whitney Elliott has been clerk of the church the past 26 years. The Sunday school has an average attendance of 267 and is one of the most prosperous in the county.

St. John's Church, Protestant Episcopal, was organized early. Side by side with the establishment of the Congregational church in the parish, grew the Church of England. Its beginning dates 1722, its focal point was the house of Ebenezer Blakeslee, and its father was Reverend James Wetmore. Mr. Wetmore's defection uncovered a condition of things little suspected in this community: With his retirement from the pulpit went also six of his parishioners, who proved the germ of the future Episcopal church, viz .: Ebenezer Blakes- lee, Thomas Ives, Simon Tuttle, Nathaniel Tuttle, Samuel Brockett, Lawrence Clinton. No mention is made in the ecclesiastical society records of the loss of these men and it is probable no action was taken. In 1723 Mr. Blakeslee opened his doors (as he had done in 1716), but this time for worship according to methods of the Church of England. There was no clergyman for them and the services probably were of a simple character. In 1740 the members of this persuasion in the towns of Cheshire, Wallingford and North Haven, met on the Monday after Easter and organized themselves under the name of "The Union Church." Wardens and vestrymen were chosen and the same year a small building about twelve feet square was erected at Wallingford in the " Pond Hill district."

Religious services were maintained by the joint worshippers until

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Wallingford withdrew in 1757, and North Haven in 1759. On April 24th of the latter year St. John's parish was formally organized. Application was made by its members to the First Ecclesiastical Society for permission to put up a church building and they declared on December 18th, " We were willing that those that profest to the Church of England should set a church or House for Publick Worship on the northeast corner of the Green." A building 38 by 30 feet was begun at once and dedicated by Reverend Ebenezer Punderson, December 27th, 1761. This was a wooden structure, without steeple or porch. It had no furniture of any description, nor was any used until years afterward. Mr. Punderson officiated as its minister a portion of the time, until his transference to Rye, N. Y., on the death of Reverend James Wetmore. The Reverend Samuel Andrews succeeded Mr. Punderson and divided his labors among the parishes of North Haven, Wallingford and Cheshire. What Reverend Mr. Trumbull was to the Congregational church, Mr. Andrews was to the Church of England. A graduate of Yale College, a man of estimable character and a zealous worker, he really became the estab- lisher of Episcopacy in the surrounding communities. During the revolutionary war lie was a staunch loyalist, and this attitude cansed him and his church some inconvenience. Popular feeling ran bitter against him especially in Wallingford, nor was the North Haven church without signs of dissatisfaction at his course. He resigned his labors in 1785, removing to New Brunswick, N. S., where he ended his days in 1820.

This church found no successor for him until 1790, when they secured Edward Blakeslee, son of Abraham Blakeslee, a native of the town and a graduate of Yale College. He was entrusted with the three parishes of Northford, Hamden and North Haven. At this time the enrolled male membership of the latter church was 75. Mr. Blakeslee remained until the close of 1792, and then went to Derby, Conn. In 1793 the pulpit was occasionally supplied by Solomon Blakeslee, son of Zophar Blakeslee, also a native of the town. Rev- erend Samuel Andrews, who had returned from New Brunswick on a visit to Wallingford, also assisted. Mr. Blakeslee was called to New London and the people were again shepherdless. In the following thirty years Reverends David Butler, Reuben Ives, Tillotson Bronson, Manoah Miles, Elizur Plumb, Nathan Burgess, Asa Cornwall, Jasper Davis and Origen P. Holcomb officiated at different times. The church had a hard struggle. In 1820 there were but 41 Episcopal families in the town and 27 communicants.

The following is the succession of ministers in this church from 1822 to 1891: 1822-3, Reverend John M. Garfield; 1823-7, Joseph Perry; 1827-32, Ashbael Baldwin; 1832-6, Charles W. Bradley; 1836, Robert Shaw; 1836-8, John W. Woodward; 1838-9, A. B. Chapin; 1839-41, S. Stocking; 1841-3, A. B. Chapin; 1843-6, Henry Fitch;

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTV.

1846-9, C. W. Everest: 1849-51, S. B. Paddock: 1851-2, Frederick Sill; 1852-5, A. G. Shears; 1855-7, Seth Davis; 1857-8, Joseph Scott; 1858- 60, C. C. Barclay; 1860-3, Enoch Huntington: 1863-6, Arthur Mason; 1866-8, S. P. Simpson; 1868-9, J. E. Wildman; 1869-77, E. L Whit- come; 1877-80, John Coleman; 1880 to date, William Lusk, Jr.

A list of the wardens is also submitted: 1821 -30, Isaac Stiles and Philemon Blakeslee: 1830-3, Elisaaph Hull and Isaac Stiles; 1834-9, Isaac Stiles and Evelyn Blakeslee: 1840-1, Dr. C. B. Foote and Evelyn Blakeslee; 1841-2, Evelyn Blakeslee and Isaac Stiles; 1843-4, Evelyn Blakeslee and Stephen C. Gilbert; 1845-81, Evelyn Blakeslee and Ezra Stiles; 1882-3, Ezra Stiles and Evelyn Blakeslee; 1883-4, Ezra Stiles and Bennett Todd; 1884-5, Isaac L. Stiles and Bennett Todd; 1885-91, Isaac L. Stiles and Joseph Pierpont.

Mr. Evelyn Blakeslee was made warden fifty years in succession. Honorable Ezra Stiles was elected parish clerk thirty-two years in succession.

In the ministry of Reverend Charles W. Bradley, from 1832 to 1836, the present church was erected. The corner stone was laid by him June 12th, 1834. It is a good brick structure, with 300 sittings, and has a beautiful location. On the site of the old church, near by, is a fine brick rectory. The parish contains 103 families and the whole number of individuals is 400. There are more than 150 com- municants. The affairs of the parish under the direction of the present rector, Reverend William Lusk, Jr., are in flourishing condi- tion, and the usefulness of the church is yearly being extended.

The Baptist Church at Montowese dates its existence from June 12th, 1811. Its germ had been gathering for some years previous partly from the religious sect known as "Separatists," and partly from the strictly orthodox belief. At this date of organization it comprised twenty-three members. Reverend Joshua Bradley became its first preacher; he remained three years and increased his flock to seventy members. The early services of this church were held for eighteen months or more at private houses. The first meeting house erected in 1812 on the " Muddy River Green" was 45 by 35 feet, a plain wooden building, and cost not far from $2,000. From the departure of Mr. Bradley in 1814, to December, 1817, the people depended upon " supply preaching." In the latter year they ordained Reverend Oliver Wilson, who remained until 1825. It 1831 Reverend Ira Bentley came among them. He proved to be a man of power and a second religious awakening strengthened the little band. In this year their Sabbath school was also organized. In July, 1835, Reverend Truman O. Judd was ordained over them. He remained nearly four years and was dismissed at his request. Through his efforts the present parsonage was built.

Following him came in turn: Reverends John Noy, 1839; Harmon Ellis, 1840; E. T. Winter, N. Whiting, Charles W. Potter, 1847. This

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

latter gentleman remained four and a half years and was instrumental in the erection of the present church edifice. The first building of wood, cheap, unattractive in style and unsuited to the wants of the worshippers, was superseded by one of brick at a cost of about $4,000.

Mr. Potter resigned in 1852, and was succeeded by Reverend Truman Judd, who remained until 1862. Following him came: Rev- erends Solomon Gale, E. J. Ganan, J. M. Lyon, A. H. Simons, 1867. At this time the church had assumed a strong membership and though possessing few or no men of wealth, more than held its own among the country churches of its belief. Mr. Simons re- mained until April, 1874, and then resigned the pastorate. He was succeeded by Reverend Henry G. Smith, ordained June 11th, 1875, and dismissed March, 1877. The Reverend Otis Saxton came next, but remained only a few months. In June, 1878, Reverend William Gussman was made pastor, serving until November, 1880. The next regular preacher was Reverend E. S. Hill, 1882. After him came Reverend W. R. Terry, 1885-7, when upon his retirement an invi- tation was extended to Reverend A. H. Simons to again assume the pastorate. This he did May 1st, 1887, and is the present incumbent.

The following gentlemen have served this church as deacons: Jesse Brockett, Ward Johnson, Benjamin Baldwin, Lewis Bates, Hervey Sackett, Linus Barnes, William P. Todd. There have been added to the church 418 members, 1811-1891, the present number being about 80. The church is valued at $3,000, and the parsonage at $1,500. John L. Larkin is the church clerk. A Sunday school of about 100 members is a useful moral agent in that part of the town.

Clintonville Union Mission is a voluntary association of the citizens in and near the hamlet of Clintonville, organized in the spring of 1889. There were 80 contributing members. A building 24 by 32 feet was erected by them in the summer of that year at a cost of about $1,000. Its character is purely undenominational, Congregationalists, Episco- palians, Baptists, and many without church connection of any kind joining in its support. Sunday evening service is regularly main- tained with attendance of from 70 to 100. Its business affairs are managed by an executive committee elected annually.

Having provided for the means of spiritual defense in the settlement by the organization of the ecclesiastical society, the parish next turned its attention to the formation of a militia company for the protection of its material interests. This movement assumed shape in 1718. Joseph Ives was chosen captain, John Grannis, lieu- tenant, and Samuel Ives, ensign. No muster roll of its rank and file exists. The following gentlemen have served as commanding officers of this anciently organized company: Joseph Ives, 1718; John Grannis, 1733; John Sanford, 1736; Andrew Tuttle, 1737; Samuel Barnes, 1742; Samuel Sackett, 1744; Theophilus Goodyear, 1749; Jason Bradley, 1749; Gershom Barnes, 1753; Daniel Ives, 1759; James Heaton, 1760;

HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

Joseph Pierpont, 1764; Abraham Blakeslee, 1770; Ezra Tuttle, 1772; Noah Ives, 1776; Jacob Brockett, 1778; Jonathan Dayton, 1779; Ben- jamin Brooks, 1780; Lawrence Clinton, 1781; Allen Cooper, 1782; Joshua Barnes, 1782; Timothy Andrews, 1786; Levi Ray, 1787; Joshua Barnes, Jr., 1787; Gideon Todd, 1787; George Todd, 1788; Joseph Brockett, 1790; James Ives, 1791; Stephen Monson, 1792; Hezekiah Bassett, 1793; Thomas Ives, 1793; John Frost, 1795; Peter Eastman, 1799: Lemuel Brooks, 1800; Benajah Tuttle, 1801; Philemon Blakeslee, 1801; Jacob Bassett, 1805; Isaac C. Stiles, 1806; Ithimar Tuttle, 1807; Nathan Marks, 1808; Seba Thorpe, 1810; John Beach, 1811; Jesse Brockett, 1815; Leonard Ives, 1816; John Frost, 2d, 1829; Elizur C. Tuttle, Rufus Pierpont, Willis Churchill (Independent Company), 1838; Peter Van Houten, 1840; Justin Marks, 1843; Henry H. Stiles, 1845; Bennett Todd, 1849.

About the time of the revolutionary war a second military com- pany was organized, composed mainly of men living on the west side of the Quinnipiac river. Hence arose the term " Westsiders" and "Eastsiders," in militia parlance, and hence grew also considerable friction between these rival bodies. At their annual musters eaclı company remained within its own jurisdiction in the forenoon, but in the afternoon their forces werc generally united for " battalion drill" either on the old green or in some adjoining field. As late as 1812 the Congregational meeting house was frequently used for a drill room in stormy weather. The Independent Company (North Haven Blues, 1838) grew out of dissatisfaction with Captain E. C. Tuttle, as commandant of the local forces which a few years before had been united again in one company.

The last parade was made September 26th, 1851, at which time only three officers and eight privates reported for duty. The arms were returned to state headquarters, and thus terminated its existence. But its spirit was transmitted. A careful study discloses the curious fact that the "Wide Awakes" of 1860 were mainly the children of those who once bore arms in its ranks, and further that more than sixty per cent. of the latter politico-military organization enlisted in the war for the suppression of the rebellion.

The third main event in order after settlement of the parish was the laying out of the burying ground. By the conditions of the grant of Reverend James Pierpont it must be established upon the meeting house green. Its place was designated by vote of the society in 1720. The oldest recorded date on any stone within its borders is 1723 (Joel Cooper). The last interment was in 1882 (Elvira Cooper). Hither for a little more than a hundred years, or until 1835, were brought the dead of the community. In the latter year the present cemetery was laid out, and though an occasional burial took place in the old enclosure, it was practically abandoned. So many had been buried within it that it had become absolutely impossible to open

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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.

a grave without uncovering the dust of some sleeper. The settlers at Muddy river had established a burying ground in their vicinity a score of years before this in question, the earliest date there being 1700. This makes it probable that in the early settlement of the parish, the people at the center buried their dead at New Haven. On no other ground can the late date of 1720 be explained.

There is no mention mnade that it was even enclosed until 1774, when "certain gentlemen " were given permission by the ecclesias- tical society to erect a fence at their own expense. This latter con- cession with a single exception appears to have been the sum total of the society's concern about it for 170 years or until 1890, when upon the occasion of an attempted renovation of the long neglected place, it got itself into a great passion over the alleged desecration of the briar strangled graves. Since 1822 the town has assumed the cost of its few repairs. Originally it was enclosed by a plain unpainted wooden fence. In 1856 a stone and iron fence was erected at a cost of about $800, of which amount the ecclesiastical society granted $100, the town $300, and the balance came from private sources.

On the ancient sandstones in this cemetery there are three distinct types of cutting. From 1723 to 1750 winged faces are frequent, but the sculptor's conception of them is hideous. The head is a veritable deaths head, fleshless and sightless; the neck is unduly prolonged and the wings coarse and clumsy. Foot stones are not common in this period, and when found are from eight to ten feet in rear of the head stone. Nathaniel Thorp had the first in 1725. The oldest epitaph is recorded on the stone erected for Mr. Moses Clark. He " dyed Aug ye 21, 1736."

Reder stop your space & stay & harken unto what I say, Our lives but cobwebs tho' near so gay, And death ye broum ye sweeps away.

His wife, Dinah, survived him fifteen years and "Dyed Oct ye 2d, 1751." To allay all doubt in after years, concerning her station in life, it is asserted both on her head and foot stones that she was " once ye wife of Mr. Moses Clark." Her epitaph is similar to others in this yard:

On this grave stone my name is red, You are alive but I am dead, In a short space of preacious time Theay will read your name as well as mine.

The second period of stonecutting occurs between 1750 and 1800. The work during this half century was done by one Miller of Middle- field, Conn. He quarried the stones from his own farm and brought them to North Haven on sleds during the winter season. His stock was kept under the oak trees on the hill. Miller was an artist. Few country cemeteries can produce " winged heads" and "borders,"

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History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume I, Part 30

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.) Publication date: 1892 Publisher: N. Y. : W. W. Preston Number of Pages: 966

Author: Rockey, J. L. (John L.)
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: N. Y. : W. W. Preston
Number of Pages: 966