USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 11
USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 11
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In the latter part of 1725 the North Ecclesiastical Society was or- ganized, and the town was amicably divided into two parishes. The old church at Branford was also divided, dismissing members to form the North Branford church. In 1726 the ecclesiastical societies began to keep their records separate from those of the town.
"March 3d, 1726-The town granted the privilege of a burying yard to the North society. The oldest stone in it records the death of Isaac Bartholomew in 1727. He was the second, if not the first, regu- lar physician the town had."
The North Society also settled its first minister in 1726-Reverend Jonathan Merick, who was born in Springfield, Mass., in 1700, and who had graduated at Yale in 1725. He was ordained the following year, his only charge being the North Branford church, which was organ- ized about the time of his settlement, or in 1727. The town helped him to build a house on the farm which it had furnished him, and which until a few years ago was in the possession of his descendants, who at one time were numerous in this locality. Mr. Merick had a tall, commanding stature, and wore one of the large, old-fashioned wigs. His ministry closed in 1769, in consequence of a paralysis, which laid him aside from his duties. His last public act was to pre- side as moderator of a church meeting, held February 23d, 1769, to appoint a day for the ordination of his successor, Reverend Samuel Eells. His signature appears, then, for the last time, on the church records. His grave, in the little enclosure just east of the North Bran- ford meeting house, has a stone, with this inscription :
In Memory of REV. JONATHAN MERICK,
Consort to Mrs. Jerusha Merick, and first Pastor of the 2d Church of Christ in Branford, who departed this life June 2d, Anno Domini, 1772, 2Etatis Suc 72; in Officio Ministerei 43. Remember them who have spoken unto you the word of God. Our Fathers, where are they? and the Prophets, do they live forever?
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
The successor of Mr. Merick, Samuel Eells, who became the second pastor, was born in Middletown in 1745, and here ordained in 1769. The parish voted him a settlement of £200 and the material for build- ing a house. He was a man of vivacious temperament, and was much esteemed by his people. In 1777 he preached a sermon on the need of prompt response to the demand of the governor for troops, and plac- ing himself at the head of the North Branford company, marched to the defense of the country. His commission as chaplain was dated January 14th, 1777, and was signed by Jonathan Trumbull. Both the commission and the muster roll* are deposited in Yale library. Mr. Eells died April 3d, 1808, and was buried at North Branford. He added 104 members to the church, being the largest number added by any one minister.
At the beginning of his pastorate in 1769, he prepared the first list of tlie members of the church, numbering at that time 70. These be- longed to the following families: Barnes, Buel, Barker, Baldwin, But- ler, Collins, Foote, Ford, Harrison, Hubbard, Hoadley, Linsley, Nor- ton, Merrick, Page, Palmer, Russell, Rogers, Rose, Scarritt, Tyler, Whedon and Wolcott. The names of many of these families are per- petuated in the present membership.
In the early history of the church the mode of worship was differ- ent from the present. Jonathan Butler was elected as the first singing clerk. Abiel Linsley and Abraham Whedon were next appointed to "set the Psalms," and in 1735 it was voted to give the clerk "liberty to tune the Psalms which way he pleaseth."
In 1770 William Whedon and Ithiel Russell were appointed chor- isters, and in 1780 the society maintained a singing school. In 1792 the "Musical Society of North Branford" had a flourishing existence. "In 1799 the society paid its singers $10 per year, and they purchased books at their own expense, and trained themselves in singing."
In 1789 the pews of the church were "dignified," but the practice was soon abandoned.
The third minister of the church was Charles Atwater, who was born in New Haven in 1786. In March, 1809, he was ordained to this pastorate by President Dwight, of Yale, and served until his death, February 21st, 1825. He was acceptable and useful, and his memory is still cherished. He is also buried in the North Branford cemetery. His home in the town was the present parsonage, which was remod- elled in 1859. The three sons of Mr. Atwater, George and Doctor David F., of Springfield, and James, of Brooklyn, have become promi- nent and useful men.
Reverend Judson A. Root became the fourth pastor, in the old meeting house, October 15th, 1828. In his pastorate this house was taken down, the society voting, February 28th, 1831, to remove it, after having been in use more than a hundred years. The new meeting
* See copy, in this chapter.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
house was begun May 26th, 1830, six feet north of the old house, and was dedicated in April, 1831. In the winter of 1870-1, a pulpit recess was added and the house was thoroughly renovated. It has since been kept in good repair. The church property was further improved in the fall of 1886, when a neat frame Gothic chapel and parish house was built, near the main edifice. Its cost was about $2,000, which was largely the gift of Mrs. George Rose and Mrs. Lucretia Plant, assisted by others of the parish. This house was dedicated January 16th, 1887.
Mr. Root's pastorate continued until 1834, and 58 members were added to the church.
Reverend Henry B. Camp became the pastor in 1835, but was com- pelled by sickness to leave in 1836.
On the 17th of January, 1838, Reverend John D. Baldwin became the sixth pastor, and remained until 1844. In that period 60 members were added to the church, 25 joining in September, 1840. Mr. Bald- win was a man of marked ability, and after his removal to Worcester, Mass., he became a distinguished author.
The subsequent pastors of the church were: Reverend George I. Wood, 1844-50; Whitman Peck, 1851-5; George I. Wood, 1855-9; Will- iam B. Curtis, 1860-7; E. J. Clark, 1867-77; John W. Beach, 1878-9; D. N. Prentice, 1880-2. Since May, 1882, the acting pastor has been Rev- erend Franklin Countryman.
The ministers raised up in this parish have been the following: Reverends Henry Gilbert, Ammi Linsley, Alonzo Loper, Fosdick Har- rison, Jared Harrison, Marcus Harrison, Roger Harrison, Lewis Mnn- ger, Edward Strong Peck, Ammi Rogers, David Rose, Levi Rose.
The deacon elected when the church was formed was Benjamin Barnes, who lived on the main road across Bare Plain. Prior to 1734 Daniel Page, who lived on " Sibbie's" hill, was elected another dea- con. In 1743 Israel Baldwin, who had removed to this parish from Milford, was appointed the third deacon. In 1765 he was found dead on " Great hill," a sudden sickness overtaking him, after he had gone to that place on business. The subsequent deacons were elected in about the years set opposite their names: Ithiel Russell, 1754; Barna- bas Mulford, 1769; Ebenezer Russell, 1772; Aaron Baldwin, 1778; Israel Baldwin, 1798; Daniel Russell. 1808; Daniel Whedon, 1822; Sidney Alden, 1822; Thomas Plant, 1838; Samnel F. Russell, 1846; Luther Chidsey, 1846; Timothy R. Palmer, 1870; Charles Page, 1870; George C. Linsley, 1883. The last two served in 1890. At this time the parish had 90 members, belonging to 85 families. The Sabbath school had 150 members.
The following account of the Northford Congregational Church was compiled from a historical discourse by Reverend A. C. Pierce, October 8th, 1876.
For about 40 years the inhabitants in the extreme northern part of the old town of Branford worshipped at places remote from their
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
homes, for a long time at what is now North Branford village. The distance was great and the facilities of travel few, but these Sab- bath day journeys were made without much relief until 1734, when the general court of Connecticut, upon the petition of Peter Tyler, Samuel Harrington, Bezaleel Tyler and others living in the north- erly part of the "North Parish," ordered "That said memorialists shall be allowed liberty to have some Orthodox Minister preach the gospel to them during the months of December, January, February and March annually, and during said time they shall be free from pay- ing church rates to said North Parish."
The remaining months of the year the inhabitants of this section attended the meetings of Reverend Jonathan Merick, held at the "Center," or North Branford village, continuing that arrangement eleven years longer, when the third ecclesiastical society in the town of Branford was formed, to include these " Northerly inhabitants " of the Second or North Society. Their meeting for parish organization was held June 24th, 1745, at the house of Benjamin Hand. Samuel Harrington moderated, and Josiah Rogers served as clerk. They then " agreed by a major vote that the name of the place shall be called Salem." This title, so significant of the amicable feeling which at- tended the organization of the parish, was set aside in December, 1751, when the name of " Northford " first appears in its stead in the parish records. It is not plain what induced the change, as there does not appear to have been a localcircumstance to warrant the taking of such an "incongruous name."
" At the commencement of their existence as a distinct religious community, public worship, it would seem, was held in a private dwell- ing at first, and probably for the entire period prior to the completion of the first meeting house, or rather until the building was so far ad- vanced as to allow worship within its walls, at the residence of Mr. Isaac Ingraham."
"In June or July of 1746, one year from the establishment of pub- lic worship, application was made to the general court for the appoint- ment of commissioners to 'locate a meeting house,' a measure adopted, as we may suppose, on account of some diversity of views as to where the edifice should stand, or to avoid subsequent divisions, such as are so likely to grow out of locating public buildings.
" In compliance with the desire of the petitioners, the general court voted permission to build a house of worship, and appointed 'Capt. John Hubbard, Capt. Jonathan Allen and Mr. John Hitchcock, all of New Haven, to locate said house,' which committee in due time made its report to the court, and thereupon it was voted, that ' Said house of worship be erected in the highway, on the west side of the path, twenty rods north of Samuel Bartholomew's house, the sills to enclose a wal- nut staddle thereon standing, with a heap of stones around it.' In the following spring a building committee was appointed, and the work was undertaken.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
" The edifice erected was at first without a steeple, which append- age was added in 1796-49 years after the body of the house was built -- and a bell, the same now in use, was placed upon its deck. Even the lower part of the house was not finished until 1752, and the gal- leries not until 1760."
The old meeting house was used for the last time April 25th, 1847. Most of that time it was simply a barn-like structure, and there were no heating appointments except foot stoves. Yet here the inhabitants attended in goodly numbers, and within its rude walls several genera- tions were edified in spiritual things. Bare and uninviting as it was, no doubt to them the old house was not altogether an unlovely object, and had become endeared to them by many pleasant associations.
In 1846 the present stone edifice was begun, and was dedicated April 28th, 1847, Doctor Leonard Bacon preaching the dedicatory ser- mon. Its appearance indicated a fine structure, but unfortunately the walls of the tower were so poorly built that it was found necessary in 1863 to take them down and rebuild them, the work involving an out- lay of $800. In 1873 the walls of the church gave way, and were re- built at an expense of $3,400, but the building now presents a sub- stantial appearance. In more recent years it has been embellished and a fine parsonage has been provided nearer the church edifice than the old parish home, which has become the rectory of the Episcopal parish.
Five years after the organization of the " Salem " parish the church was formally constituted, June 13th, 1750, of the following male mem- bers: Captain Aaron Cook, Deacon Samuel Harrington, Samuel Barnes, John Baldwin, 2d, Ensign Josiah Rogers, Jr., Joseph Linsley, Isaac Foote, Jr., Stephen Todd, Abel Munson, Merriman Munson, Abraham Bartholomew, Peter Tyler, Timothy Rose, Daniel Maltbie, John Tain- tor, Samuel Goodsell, Joseph Elwell and Enos Barnes.
On the first Sabbath in July following 23 females, most of them relatives of the foregoing, were added to the roll. Most of them had been dismissed from neighboring churches to form the new body. The membership increased, but the parish support was diminished in 1763, by the formation in this territory of St. Andrew's Episcopal parish, whose existence has been continued until the present time. In 1801 there was here organized another body, called the " Enrolled Church," which was composed of members of the Northford church, who had become disaffected with Mr. Noyes' preaching. They enrolled themselves as dissenters from the views and feelings of the old church, and organized themselves as a new body, with the above name. A house of worship was built in 1805, in which services were statedly maintained, but no minister was ever installed. Among the ministers who preached for the " Enrolled Church " were Reverends Hunting- ton, Barrows, Claudius Herrick, Eliphalet B. Coleman and Jeremiah At- water, D. D. The feeling which caused the separation continued until
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
1833, when, through the mediation of the association, the differences were adjusted and the matter was healed, so that most of the members of the "Enrolled Church " returned to the mother society, and the new body disbanded.
The changes in the industrial life of this section caused the re- moval of many of the inhabitants and a corresponding decrease of the membership of the church. In 1890 the families in the parish num- bered 58, and there were 23 male and 53 female members.
Soon after the parish was formed an effort was made to secure a settled minister, but a number of calls were extended before the invi- tation was honored. Finally Warham Williams consented to come, and the 13th of June, 1750, was appointed as the day for his ordination. It was looked forward to with no little interest by the people of the parish and such a large attendance was anticipated that it was voted by the Society " That Isaac Ingraham. Paul Tyler, and John Thomp- son, shall be a committee to take care of the meeting house doors or- dination day, to keep folks out."
" Mr. Williams was of Puritan ancestry, his great-grandparents on both sides having come from England at the time of the Puritan exo- dus. He was grandson of Reverend John Williams, who was carried captive by the Indians from Deerfield to Canada, in 1704, and was son of Reverend Stephen Williams, D.D., of Long Meadow, Mass. He was graduated at Yale College, in which institution he was shortly after elected tutor, and in the corporation of which he served as Fellow from the time of his early ministry to the time of his death."
" His ministry continued through a period of 38 years, and was one of marked success, there having been added to the church during his pastorate, including the 23 original members who were constituted a church on the day of his ordination, 256 individuals, an average of something more than six each year through his entire ministry. He fell asleep April 4th, 1788, in the 63d year of his life, and ' his sepulchre is with you unto this day.'
" After the decease of Mr. Williams the pulpit was variously sup- plied for a period of two years.
" In March, 1790, the labors of Reverend Matthew Noyes began. In May, proposals were made for his permanent establishment in the pastorate; the proposal for his support being, that he should receive £200 settlement, and £90 annually as his salary.
"In the following August his ordination took place, the sermon being preached by Reverend Dr. Goodrich, of Durham. He was a native of Lyme, Conn., a descendant, as was his predecessor, of Puri- tan ancestry, being in the fifth generation from, Reverend James Noyes, who came from England in 1634 and settled in Newbury, Mass.
" Mr. Noyes' academic education he received at Yale College (of which he also was afterward a member of the corporation), and his
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
theological studies were pursued under the instructions of Rever- end Dr. Whitney, of Brooklyn, Conn. His pastorate . here continued through a period of 44 years, and under his ministry there was an in- gathering to the church of 201 individuals. His labors as pastor were suspended in 1833; his pastoral relations were dissolved in 1835, and in 1837, on the 25th of September, he finished his course, departing this life in the 76th year of his age."*
" He was a methodical and vigorous thinker and his mind was re- markably ready in the phraseology of the Scriptures." These qualities endeared him to the community and he was one of the most honored clergymen of his times.
On the 1st of December, 1835, Reverend William J. Boardman was installed as the third pastor, and served the church eleven years. He was ordained to the ministry at North Haven September 20th, 1820, and spent his entire ministerial life with these two churches. He died at Northford October 1st, 1849.
The pulpit was now supplied for about six years by (among others), Reverend Henry Steel Clark, D.D., Reverend Edward Root and Rev- erend Charles H. Bullard, but June 8th, 1853, Reverend A. C. Pierce became the pastor and served until July 1st, 1866. His ministry was pleasant and successful, 72 persons being added to the membership of the church.
For about two years Reverend A. C. Hurd was the stated supply, when, in December, 1869, Reverend George DeF. Folsom became the acting pastor, continuing until his resignation, April 4th, 1879. He was followed by the Reverend E. A. Winslow, and in November, 1880, Reverend Theodore A. Leete became the pastor, continuing until May 6th, 1883. Henry S. Snyder was here next ordained, October 28th, 1885, to a pastorate which ended May 6th, 1888. Since August 5th, 1888, the acting pastor has been Reverend J. Lee Nott.
In passing from the ministry it is natural to speak of the deacons as office-bearers in the church. They have served in the following order: Deacons Josiah Rogers and Merriman Munson, chosen when the church was organized; Deacons Benjamin Maltby and Phineas Baldwin, chosen April 2d, 1778; Deacon Benjamin Maltby, Jr., chosen December 1st, 1791; Solomon Fowler, chosen December 3d, 1801 ;. Stephen Maltby, chosen May 31st, 1804; Munson Linsley, chosen Feb- ruary 2d, 1809; Ralph Linsley, February 2d, 1826; Thomas Smith, February 2d, 1832; Charles Foote, October 3d, 1844; and William Maltby, March 4th, 1863, the latter being this office-bearer in 1890.
A permanent fund for the benefit of the church has been estab- lished by the generosity of friends. Among such benefactors mention should be made of Deacon Samuel Harrington, who, in 1754, gave £20. to the society for their permanent use in the maintenance of a dissent- ing minister; of John Taintor, who bequeathed a farm, valued at about
* Reverend Pierce.
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
$2,500, for a like purpose; of Ebenezer H. Fowler, who left for the society real estate and personal property to the value of some $4,000; also, of Doctor Jared Linsley, of New York city, who, on more than one occasion, particularly when the parsonage was purchased, mani- fested his love for his native parish and his generosity of spirit in methods more expressive than mere kind words and good wishes; of Mrs. Ruth Maltby, who bequeathed, at her decease, the sum of $100; and of Mr. Julius Maltby, who, at his decease, donated to the society $2,000.
Zion Church (Protestant Episcopal) is located at Northi Branford village. A preliminary meeting to consider the propriety of organiz- ing such a body was held at the house of Chauncey Linsley, March 12th, 1812, when, as a result of the deliberations, the permission of the bishop was asked to proceed. He granted the desired privilege and, April 2d, 1812, the following were constituted the Episcopal Society of North Branford: Augustus Baldwin, Jesse Linsley, Jonathan Foote, Jacob Barker, Sherman Bunnell, Jacob M. Tyler, Nicholas O. Thompson and Jonathan B. Potter.
The three first named were elected as vestrymen. Other members from the Harrison, Monroe and Rose families were added, and in 1813 Reverend Elijah G. Plumb was secured for one-eighth of his time as the first minister. He also preached at Northford, Branford and at East Haven. Subsequently a similar arrangement was continued with other churches in Branford and Guilford, the Reverend David Baldwin being the well-beloved rector for many years, in connection with the church at Guilford. In 1890 the parishes of North Guilford and North Branford were served by one rector-Reverend W. H. Dean, residing in the former parish.
The North Branford parish reported 20 families and 25 registered ·communicants. About $500 was raised in the parish for church pur- poses each year.
In 1818 the parish voted to build a church 32 by 42 feet, and ap- pointed as a building committee David Rose, Samuel Baldwin, Jr., Chauncey Linsley, Augustus Baldwin, with Jesse Linsley as treasurer. Not being able to obtain public land upon which to build, a lot was bought, in the village of North Branford, of Jairus Harrison, a part of which was set aside for burial purposes. This was laid out into lots, which were divided, in 1829, among the Baldwin, Rose, Linsley, But- ler and other families.
In 1827 the church was painted, and in 1840 was more thoroughly finished and repaired by Charles Todd, Joshua Rose and Jesse Lins- ley. In the fall of 1863 it was enlarged and much beautified, and May 30th, 1864, the church was duly consecrated by Bishop John Williams. Stained glass windows were placed in the church in 1886, and it is 110w a comfortable place of worship, with 150 sittings.
Among the wardens of the church have been Jonathan Foote, Jesse
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HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY.
Linsley, Jonathan Rose, Chauncey Linsley, Charles Todd, Joshua Rose, Martin C. Bishop, John H. Harrison, Jr., Jesse L. Harrison and George W. Dudley. The vestrymen in 1890 were Albert Todd, Samuel L. Hale and E. M. Fields. Martin C. Bishop was the superintendent of the Sunday school, which had several dozen members.
St. Andrew's Church (Protestant Episcopal) at Northford was or- ganized much earlier. The agitation and discussion of theological subjects, after the time of the "great awakening," caused a number of families to renounce Congregationalism, as defined by the "Saybrook Platform," and some of these were later led to associate themselves with churchmen in an Episcopal society which was formed in 1763. The original members of this society were: Paul Tyler, Ichabod Foote, Joseph Darien, Samuel Maltby, David Rogers, Jonah Todd, Phineas Beach, Joseph Finch and John Johnson.
Some of these had been connected with the Episcopal church at Guilford, and no doubt occasionally attended worship at that place, even though the distance was so remote. It was the nearest point where the worship of the Church of England was at that time main- tained.
Soon after this Episcopal society was formed steps were taken to build a church at Northford. A lot of land was secured from James Howd, who gave a deed for the same, December 31st. 1763. The fol- lowing year the church was completed for use, and in a repaired form served its intended purpose until 1845, when the house at present oc- cupied was built. It has sittings for 200 persons, and repairs in recent years have made it inviting and comfortable.
Opposite the church edifice is the old but substantial rectory of the parish. A part of the house was built about 1750, as the residence of Reverend Warham Williams, of the Congregational society, whose parsonage it became. After the death of Mr. Williams, in April, 1788, the house was occupied by the well-to-do Reverend Matthew Noyes, until his death, September 25th, 1839. At this time he was reputed to be one of the wealthiest clergymen in the state," and the house con- tained many comforts not found in ordinary homes. In August, 1866, through the efforts of Rector Sheldon Davis, the house became the property of the parish, and was much repaired. In his ministry of six years the church was also thoroughly renovated.
For many years the church had the ministerial service of rectors of near-by parishes, Mr. Davis being settled here in the summer of 1866. In 1872 Reverend D. H. Short, D.D., became the rector, and so served four years and five months. He was succeeded by Reverend John Coleman, who resigned after two years, in September, 1879. Reverend Clayton Eddy was the minister in 1880, and July 3d, 1881, Reverend George Buck began a rectorship, which was terminated De- cember, 1886. Since the fall of 1889, the rector has been Reverend. Warren H. Robberts.
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