USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Fairfield > Prime ancient society of Fairfield, Connecticut, 1639-1889; an historical paper > Part 4
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Meanwhile the parish itself had been subjected to notable changes. Bridgeport was now the county seat. New York was absorbing our business men. Fairfield began to manifest the characteristics of the present time.
When the Rev. Alexander McLean, a graduate of Hamilton College and Union Seminary, was installed January 27, 1857, the parish was rich in precious traditions, happy memories, conservative tendencies, refined associations. There was an actual church membership of one hundred and fifty.
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During the nine years of Mr. McLean's pastorate there were thirty-seven marriages, forty-seven baptisms, eighty-four funerals. Mr. McLean was invited to other fields during these nine years. He came to Fairfield like Dr. Humphrey, Dr. Hewit, Dr. Hunter and Dr. Atwater, fresh from the school of the Prophets. As he still works in full vigor and power as Secretary of the American Bible Society, it is not necessary to indicate his virtues and achievements. It was during his ministry that the Chapel was built. He was dis- missed from this pastorate in 1866, that he might become pas- tor of a flourishing Presbyterian church in Buffalo.
The Rev. E. E. Rankin, D.D., succeeded Mr. McLean. Statistics of the parish and many interesting and valuable facts are preserved for us through the industry and research of this accurate and methodical scholar. His clear and beautiful penmanship suggests to us the precision, the carefulness, the fidelity of the man. He served God and this Zion with loyalty and affection. He baptized eighty people, officiated at forty- one weddings, and committed to the tomb one hundred and forty parishioners.
In 1878 the iron fence was placed about the church lawn. In 1872 Hope Chapel was built by the people of this parish and community. It still continues its service among the peo- ple in that part of the parish. Its Sunday-School numbers one hundred members. By the help of the mother-church a preacher-generally a student from Yale Divinity School-is supplied so that public worship is conducted every Sabbath through the year. Mr. Oliver B. Jennings was made deacon during this pastorate. In 1875 the church was decorated, stained-glass windows put in and the doors from the pews re- moved. The chapel was also decorated at the same time. The Memorial Library was founded in 1870. Dr. Rankin cooperated with the founders in the work. And when the centennial of the burning of Fairfield was commemorated in 1879, the his- torical discourse was delivered by Dr. Rankin. He was a man who incorporated the traditional spirit of private service and public activity peculiar to this parish. He resigned this charge in 1879, and departed this life July , 1889.
The Rev. George S. Burroughs, a graduate of Princeton
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College, was installed March 9, 1880, and dismissed January 29, 1884. During his pastorate there were forty deaths among his people. He baptized nineteen persons, and officiated at eleven marriages. 1n 1880 Mr. Samuel Morehouse was chosen deacon. The church was well organized for work. It was while Mr. Burroughs was pastor that the reading of the creed on the administration of the Lord's Supper was omitted. The proceedings of the Church Committee, now for the first time, were put on record and preserved for future reference. There was a quickening of spiritual life, and the out-look was full of promise. But a large field gave Mr. Burroughs urgent call. The ample opportunity for systematic and effective labor among the masses in the city induced him to resign this charge. Mr. Burroughs removed to New Britain in 1884.
The Rev. John E. Bushnell, a graduate of Yale, was installed pastor July 30, 1884. His service repeated the term of his predecessor. In 1885 Mr. John B. Morehouse was made deacon. In 1885 the church parlors were constructed-testi- mony to the zeal and toil of Christian women. May, 1889, the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was organ- ized. Mr. Bushnell baptized twenty-two persons and officiated at eleven marriages during his pastorate.
Mr. Bushnell resigned his pastorate in Fairfield in order to accept a call to the Presbyterian church of Rye. The pastoral relation was severed May 31, 1888. The present pastor began his ministry in Fairfield on November 15th, of the same year. The installation services occurred on December 12th.
Two hundred and fifty years is a long and significant period in American history. Fourteen pastors have made their con- tributions to the annals of this parish. These servants of Christ have officiated at 5,500 baptisms, 818 marriages, and about 3,858 funerals, according to the records. We have the names of twenty deacons who have held office in these gene- rations. Five sanctuaries have been builded, a chapel in which to hold the sessions of the Sunday-School and the meetings for prayer and conference, and church parlors for the social gatherings of the people. The funds for the building of Hope Chapel were largely contributed by the members of this parish,
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and this society has always held the title to that property. For seventy years the Sunday-School has flourished under the following successive Superintendents: Prof. Whittlesey, Mr. John Buckley, Deacon Bibbins, Deacon Bennett, Deacon Nichols, Deacon Samuel Morehouse, Mr. Morris Lyon, Deacon J. Madison Morehouse, (who served a term of twenty-five years), and W. H. Donaldson, M. D. Accessions to the church have come chiefly from the ranks of Sunday-School scholars. A lively spirit of beneficence has marked the history of this school. Its charities have been numerous and fruitful.
This church has always abounded in good works among the people. Among the various organizations that have shared the distribution of gifts the Ladies' Charitable Society has the pre-eminence. Its life stretches through three generations. Godly women founded it and conducted it with a zeal and in- dustry that efficiently served the sick, the infirm, the helpless, the aged of the parish. The names associated with these beneficent ministries are very precious to our people.
The contributions which this church and society have made to the American Board, the Home Missionary Society, the Sunday-School Union, and the various benevolent associations of the country are many thousands of dollars. A generous cooperation with the aggressive work of the church universal has featured the course of this Zion.
The career of the church has been characterized by a digni- fied conservatism. Changes as they have been introduced were the result of wise and thorough deliberation. It has been the aim of this body to conform itself to the necessities of the times. When once such necessities were understood the people were equal to the occasion and adapted themselves to the circumstances. The history of our church music illustrates this mode of procedure. When the ancient psal- mody had exhausted its usefulness the hymn book was intro- duced. As the man with the tuning fork needed the imme- diate support of a small number of singers it was voted that any who wish to aid him in the conduct of the music might sit with him in the front part of the meeting-house. This was the nucleus of a choir. The next change signified the use of musical instruments. Then came the new collections of sacred
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music. New England passed through a musical revival. The choir was now located in the gallery. A salary of $50 was paid the chorister. Time passes and the new pipe organ is introduced with the building of this present structure in 1849- 50. And the same course has been pursued when other changes were suggested. The form of church service has been grad- ually modified and elaborated until it has taken the present order: an order, however, which is the outgrowth of the severe simplicity which marks the original form of two hundred and fifty years ago.
In respect to polity this church has favored the Puritan model. And its stalwart defence of such method has quickened many of our sister churches into fresh support of the system. The weakness and isolation of bald independency have always been well measured by this body. At the same time there has never existed any purpose to press Consociationism to the extreme of the Presbyterian polity. Moderation has been the object of pastor and people, and this church has striven in- dustriously to preserve the benefits of independency, and at the same time enjoy the advantages of the consociated council.
The doctrinal position of this church has been consistently orthodox. The changes which it has made in its simple creed have been few. Its ministers have been men whose soundness of faith was never questioned. The distinctness and the can- dour and the fervour with which they have enunciated the truth has given a tone and impulse to the life of the commu- nity that cannot be computed to-day. The whole counsel of God has been declared by these men with such learning, elo- quence, and unction, that we find no record of heresy, contest or schism.
Loyalty to the Great Head of the Church is traced through this quarter of a millennium. It is rare testimony to the char- acter of a parish as well as the character of its ministers when it is recorded that peace, harmony, prosperity, have been con- tinuous. "One in Christ." Whatever differences of opinion or antagonisms of method or variations of spirit may have manifested themselves-wise, charitable and satisfactory ad- justment has been the issue. Significant tribute to the loyalty of this church is the company of Christian missionaries and
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ministers born or bred in the parish. Two sons of the first pastor became preachers of the gospel, John and Eliphalet. A son of Mr. Webb, the third pastor, and Jabez Wakeman, grandson of the second pastor, became ministers. One son of Andrew Eliot, the fifth pastor, two sons of Dr. Humphrey, the sixth pastor, one son of Dr. Hewit, the seventh pastor, one son of Dr. Atwater, the ninth pastor, and one son of Dr. Rankin, the eleventh pastor, have served in the ministry. Aaron Burr, President of Princeton College: John Read, Richard Woodhull, Jonathan Rowland, Oliver Dimond, Isaac Ely, Edward Allen, Benjamin Parsons, and E. P. Rogers, be- long, also, to this noble company of Christian preachers. Twenty servants represent the parish as preachers of the gos- pel. But the loyal spirit of this Zion has communicated its holy impulse to many noble men and saintly women, who have served the Master in the varied spheres of activity. Christian lawyers, scholars, judges, teachers, physicians, merchants, authors, statesmen, generals, magistrates, congressmen. gover- nors, gentlemen-a host eminent, honorable, magnificent- they have interpreted to the nation truth, manhood, Chris- tianity, as first taught them in the Fairfield parish. Who can define such a church's manifold relations to the life of indi- vidual, community, state, nation. Christian influences and impulses begotten, cherished, determined, by the church oper- ating through thousands upon thousands of personalities, so that art, science, theology, reform, literature, statecraft, pay tribute to this Zion !
Thanks be unto God, whose Spirit has brooded this people. Such Christian achievement is triumphant testimony to the realness of our Holy Faith. Let us translate this history mes- sage into vigorous terms of incentive and inspiritment. The past presses us into fresh enterprise, renewed consecration. weariless devotion.
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11.
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Congregational Church, Fairfield, Conn. Built 1747. Burned by the British 1779.
RECORD OF GIFTS TO THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY.
[Copied by Miss Hannah Hobart.]
Numerous grants of land have been made by the town to the pastors for their support, and to the church for the build- ing of meeting houses. These gifts are recorded in the Town Clerk's office, and a copy of such record is held by the Society.
Gifts to the church and society, by will, are as follows:
THE GIFT OF REV. MR. SAMUELL WAKEMAN.
March 8, 1692. I give to the Church Treasury of Fairfield three pounds in money, to be paid to Capt. John Burr within one year after my death; by him to be laid out upon a silver bowl for the Church's use; dated 8th March, 1692. Witnesses,
Signed, SAMUELL WAKEMAN.
NATHAN GOLD, SENR.,
NATHAN GOLD, JUNR.
THE GIFT OF MR. JOSEPH WAKEMAN, SENR., OF FAIRFIELD, SON OF
REV. SAMUELL WAKEMAN.
Dec. 3. 1726. ITEM. I will and bequeath to the Church of Christ in Fairfield whereof the Rev. Mr. Webb is Pastor; the sum of three pounds to purchase a silver tumbler for the Church's use.
Dated Dec. 3, 1726. Signed, JOSEPH WAKEMAN.
Witnesses,
NATHANIEL BURR, STEPHEN WAKEMAN, SAMUEL COOK.
Probate Court, Jan. 4, 1727.
THE GIFT OF MR. ANTHONY NONGUIER, OF FAIRFIELD.
Oct. 7, 1740. ITEM. To the Rev. Mr. Noah Hobart, the present minister in the Prime Society, in said Fairfield, and
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to his successors in the ministry there of the same persuasion : Towards him and their support forever I will bequeath and demise the use and profits of two hundred pounds money, the said principal sum of two hundred to be paid to the com- mittee of said Society for the use aforesaid after my wife's decease, 7th Oct., 1740.
Signed, ANTHONY NONGUIER, [SEAL. ]
Witnesses,
STEPHEN JENNINGS, JOSEPH JENNINGS, SAMUEL COOKE.
Probate, Nov. 6, 1740.
THE GIFT OF MR. STURGES LEWIS, OF FAIRFIELD.
Aug. 13, A. D. 1753. ITEM. I give and bequeath to the Church of Christ in the first Society in Fairfield of whom the Rev. Mr. Noah Hobart is Pastor, a silver tankard of thirty- three ounces wt., to be procured by my executor; I constitute and appoint my Hon: Father Lothrop Lewis my executor.
Dated Aug. 13, 1753.
Witnesses, Signed, STURGES LEWIS, [SEAL. ]
THADEUS BURR,
LYMAN HALL, GIDEON WELLS.
Probate, Sept. 11, 1753.
THE GIFT OF MR. THADDEUS BURR.
Mar. 20, A. D. 1755. ITEM. I give to the Church of Christ in Fairfield, of which the Rev. Mr. Noah Hobart is now pas- tor, the sum of ten pounds, New York money, to be used and improved for the maintenance and support of the Gospel min- istry in said Church forever.
Dated 20th March, 1755.
Signed. THADDEUS BURR, [SEAL. ]
Witnesses, STEPHEN JENNINGS, JOHNATHAN LEWIS, THOMAS HILL, JUNR.
Probate, April 7, 1755.
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THE GIFT OF MISS SARAH SLOSS.
Sept. 7, A. D. 1756. ITEM. I give to the first Religious Society in Fairfield, the sum of twenty pounds, lawful money, to be laid out in Books, at the discretion of the Rev. Mr. Noah Hobart, the present minister of said Society for the use and benefit of the minister of said Society for the time being, and that the Books may be carefully preserved; my will is that they be under the care and inspection of the minister and Deacons of the Church in said Society, and the Justices of the Peace, who shall be in full communion with said Church, and liable to such orders and regulations as they or the major part of them shall from time to time agree upon.
Dated Sept. 7, 1756.
Signed, SARAH SLOSS, [SEAL. ]
Witnesses,
MOSES DICKINSON, SAMUELL SHERWOOD, JUNR., ASA SPALDING.
Probate, Nov. 9, 1756.
THE GIFT OF CAPT. JOHN SILLIMAN.
Jan. 28, 1752. ITEM. I give and bequeath unto the Presby- terian Church of Christ in the first Society in Fairfield, the sum of one hundred pounds money. Old Tenor, or Equivalent to the present value thereof in other money, to be paid by my executors to the Deacons of said Church. and by them to be deposited into the stock of said Church, and the use and in- terest thereof to be and inure to the benefit of said Church forever.
Also, I give unto the Church aforesaid, my largest silver cup, to be received by said Church after my wife's decease.
Dated 28th Jan., 1752.
Signed, JOHN SILLIMAN, [SEAL. ]
Witnesses. JOHN OSBORN, THOMAS FITCH, JUNR., JOHN COOKE.
Probate, Dec. 5, 1752.
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THE GIFT OF COL. JAMES SMEDLEY.
Sept. 15, A. D, 1756. ITEM. I give and bequeath unto the Ecclesiastical Society in the first or Prime Society in Fairfield, as established by law ; the sum of twenty pounds, lawful money, to be improved for the support of the ministry of said Society.
Dated Sept. 15, 1766.
Signed, JAMES SMEDLEY, [SEAL.]
Witnesses,
STEPHEN JENNINGS, SETH STURGES, JOHNATHAN STURGES.
Probate, Nov. 19, 1771.
THE GIFT OF MISS REBECCA DOWNS.
1799. ITEM. I give and bequeath to the first Presbyterian Society in the Town of Fairfield, whereof the Rev. Andrew Eliot is minister; to be and remain for the use and benefit of said Society forever, and the same to be and lye as a fund for said Society forever ; and the annual interest or avails thereof so to be used to defray the annual expense for the support of the Gospel Ministry in said Society.
And my will is that in case my friend Jesse Wheeler shall be minded to purchase the premises of said Society, to be his own after the death of my friend Bethuel Ogden, that then, and in that case said Society may have the liberty to sell and convey the same by their deed unto him the said Jesse Wheeler, and to his heirs and assigns forever. Provided he pays or secure to be paid to the satisfaction of said Society so much thereof and in consideration thereof as he and said Society shall agree; and, provided always said Society keep said money the premises may sell for in Bank; and as, and for a fund for the purposes aforesaid.
A. D. 1799.
Signed, REBECCA DOWNS, [SEAL.]
Witnesses,
THOMAS WHEELER, ELDAD GOULD, DAVID ALLEN. Probate, June 3, 1799. Book, 1798-1801, p. 346, 347.
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DEED OF MISS DOWNS' GIFT.
SALE OF MISS DOWNS' GIFT. Whereas, We the subscribers were by the inhabitants of the first Presbyterian Society in Fairfield, legally assembled on the 12th of March, 1821, ap- pointed a committee to sell and convey unto Jesse Wheeler, of Fairfield, in Fairfield, a certain tract of land and buildings thereon, in said Fairfield, given and devised unto said Society in the last will and testament of Rebecca Downs, late of said Fairfield dec: deposited and Recorded in the Probate Office for the district of Fairfield may more fully appear-Therefore, now,
Know ye, that we the said committee, for the consideration of seven hundred dollars, received to our full satisfaction of Jesse Wheeler of said Fairfield, the person authorized to pur- chase the premises as mentioned in said will, do by virtue of power derived from our said appointment remise, release and forever quit claim unto the said Wheeler, his heirs and assigns forever : all right and title of the said Society to the aforesaid mentioned premises ; consisting of three separate pieces of land, the whole quantity being about twenty-four acres, one rood, and seven rods of ground, with all the buildings thereon standing.
"One piece is bounded northerly by river, easterly by Jona- than Wilsons' land, southerly by highway, and westerly in part by said Wheeler's land and in part by Bethuel Ogden's dec; land with the dwelling house and barn thereon standing.
"One other piece is bounded northerly and easterly by highway, southerly by Abel Jennings in part, and in part by Grissel Jennings, and in part by said Jesse Wheeler's land, and westerly by said Jesse Wheeler's;
" And the other piece is bounded northerly by highway, easterly by Ebenezer Knap's wife's land in part, and in part by highway, southerly by the estate of Bethuel Ogden dec: and westerly by Jonathan Wilson's.
To have and to hold the above quit claimed premises unto the said Jesse Wheeler, his heirs and assigns for his and their own proper use, benefit, and behoof, without any the least claim or demand by the said Society on the premises.
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In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this 31st day of March, 1821.
EBEN OSBORN, [SEAL.]
JOHN HULL, [SEAL.]
JESUP WAKEMAN, [SEAL.]
SETH PERRY,
SEAL.
Witnesses,
ELIPHALET LYON, JUNR., SAMUELL ROWLAND.
Receivd to Record March 31, 1821.
Recorded by Samuell Rowland, Regr.
Book 37; page 489.
THE GIFT OF HON. ROGER M. SHERMAN, AND MRS. ELIZABETHI SHERMAN, WIDOW OF HON. ROGER M. SHERMAN. - THE WILL OF MRS. SHERMAN.
July 3, 1848. ITEM. I give and bequeath all my books ex- cept law books to the First Ecclesiastical Society in Fairfield, for the use of the minister's Library, and never to be sold or exchanged. The names of these books are
.
Edinburgh Encyclopedia.
Webster's large Dictionary, in two volumes.
Beza's Greek Testament.
Scott's family Bible, in five volumes, quarto.
Cruden's Concordance.
The works of Robert Hall, in two volumes.
The sermons of Dwight, Chalmers, Saurin, Burcier, Davis, and all other sermons and treaties on Theology.
Also Hume's History of England, and the continuation of said History in twelve volumes, lettered on the back Hume's England.
The Life and Writings of John Jay.
" Crabb's Synonimes.
" Says' Political Economy.
" Bostackk's Physiology.
" Good's Book of Nature.
" Olmsted's Philosophy. In two volumes.
" Murray's Grammar, octave.
" Spanish and French Dictionary, and
" Spanish Grammar.
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The One Greek Lexicon.
Alexander's Roman Antiquities.
" Barber's Historical collections for Connecticut.
" Massachusetts and New York, and
" Dufief's Nature displayed): to the First Ecclesiastical Society in Fairfield. The said books to be always kept in said Library.
ITEM. I give and devise my homestead, bounded southeast- erly on the main street in Fairfield on land of Mrs. Knap. and on land formerly belonging to William Dimon, now deceased, southwesterly on highway and on land formerly belonging to said Dimon, and on land of Abraham Gould Jennings, north- westerly on highway and land of said Jennings, northeasterly on land of William S. Smith, together with the dwelling house and all other buildings on said homestead, except the Yellow Barn, so called; and I also give the double windows and Rus- sian lights, the Venetian blinds, all the fire grates and stoves set or used; the large metallic clock, and all the carpets and mat- tings and rugs on the floors in the lower rooms and in use at my decease. The stair carpets and rods thereto belonging, and the carpet on the upper front entry ; and no other carpets or matting, and all the oil cloths which may be on the floors and in use at the time of my decease, To the first Ecclesias- tical Society in said Fairfield in trust for the personal use. habitation and occupation of the minister of said Society while statedly ministering therein shall have right freely to inhabit occupy and enjoy the said homestead and property without making any allowance or compensation therefor directly or indirectly, and shall have full right while so ministering in said Society to enter upon and use the premises withont license or molestation.
The said homestead contains about eight acres.
I also give and bequeath to said Society Fifty shares of stock in the Bridgeport Bank, in trust, to apply the dividends thereon and the income thereof to the keeping of the build- ings and fences on the said homestead in good order and re- pair, and whenever said dividends or income shall be more than is necessary for that purpose the overplus may be appropriated to purchasing carpets for the front rooms of the dwelling
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house should new carpets be necessary or expedient; and whatever of said income or dividends shall be more than is wanted for either of the said purposes shall be safely kept or invested on good security to be used and applied for those purposes, and for no other, whenever the same may be neces- sary or expedient.
The said Fifty shares may be sold and invested in other stocks or securities if the condition of said Bridgeport Bank shall become insecure or doubtful.
The barn nearest the main street must not be sold or re- moved from said homestead.
The other barn may be removed or sold at the discretion of said Society, and the net proceeds shall in such case be appro- priated in the same manner as the dividends and profits of said Bridgeport Bank are directed to be applied.
I constitute and appoint Dea: Charles Bennett; and Dea: Samuel A. Nichols, both of Fairfield; and Nehemiah Alvord, of Southport, in said Fairfield, executors of this my last will and testament.
The portraits of my late husband and myself, made by Mr. Nathaniel Jocelyn shall not be sold but remain in the house where they now are, and are not included in any gift hereto- fore made.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Bridgeport on the 3d day of July, A. D. 1848.
ELIZABETH SHERMAN, [SEAL. ]
Witnesses,
HANFORD LYON,
IRA SHERMAN,
GEORGE BURROUGHS.
In Judge Sherman's inventory the homestead is appraised at $8,000.
DISTRIBUTION.
To the First Ecclesiastical Society of Fairfield the house and homestead where said Elizabeth Sherman last lived and died, bounded northerly by the homestead of William S. Smith, southeasterly by the highway, southwesterly by the home- stead of James Dimon in part, and in part by highway, and
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in part by the homestead of A. G. Jennings, northwesterly by the homestead of A. G. Jennings in part and part by highway.
Fairfield, August 21, 1849.
ALBERT OSBORN, DAVID WAKELEY, Distributors under oath.
Among the numerous charities of Judge Roger M. Sherman was a gift of five thousand dollars, the interest of which was to go toward the support of the insane of the parisli.
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