USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > Reports and papers. Fairfield County Historical Society, Bridgeport, Conn. 1882-1896-97 > Part 16
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RULE II.
The regular meetings of said Society shall be held on the second Friday evening of each month, at the rooms of the Society.
The annual meeting of said Society shall be held on the
47
second Friday of April in each year, and special meetings may be held whenever the Society shall so order, or when the President and Recording Secretary shall deem it necessary to call the same. Notice of the annual and special meetings shall be given by the President and Recording Secretary. of the time, place, and purpose thereof, by three days publica- tion in one or more daily newspapers, published in the city of Bridgeport. at least four days before said meeting.
RULE III.
The Chairman of the Executive Committee, shall be the auditor of the accounts of the Society, and as such shall audit, and approve all bills of expenses incurred by the Society be- fore the same shall be ordered paid, and only upon such audit, and an order of payment, by the Society or Executive Committee, shall the Treasurer pay out any funds of the Society.
RULE IV.
The Treasurer of the Society shall be also, Curator of the same so long as he shall be Treasurer; and the duties of the office of Curator shall be, to have the care, custody and pre- servation of books, papers, antiquities, and all other property of the Society.
RULE V.
The election of new members of said Society shall be by a unanimous vote, by ballot, or otherwise, at any annual, regu- lar or special meeting of the Society : the nomination of such new members having first been made at a preceding meeting, and not less than one week previous to such voting.
RULE VI.
No application for membership of said Society shall be en- tained or acted upon, unless accompanied by a written or printed request of the applicant, dated and signed by the applicant in person.
RULE VII.
An initiation fee of two dollars shall accompany each appli- eation for membership.
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RULE VIII.
A due of two dollars shall be laid upon each member of the Society living in Bridgeport, Stratford, Trumbull and Fair- field, and one dollar on all the others. This amount shall be paid to the Treasurer annually, during the month of July. un- less exeused by the Society.
Any member remaining in arrears for dues may be dropped from membership by a majority vote of the members present at any regular meeting of the Society.
RULE IX.
Any approved person may, upon election, according to Rule V, become a Life Member, on the payment of two hund- red dollars, or a Patron Member, for five years, on the pay- ment of twenty-five dollars, and both Life and Patron Mem- bers shall be entitled to all the privileges of the Society. The Society may eleet, according to the manner in Rule V, as Honorary Members, persons, whose membership may be an honor, or advantage to said Society, and they shall be entitled to all the privileges of the Society except voting.
All members, other than Life, Patron and Honorary, shall be known and designated as Annual Members.
RULE X.
These Rules and By-Laws may be altered, amended, re- pealed or added to. by a majority vote of the members pres- ent at any annual, regular or special meeting of said Society. notice of such proposed repeal, alteration or amendment, hav- ing been given at a previous meeting af the Society, not less than one week before final action thereon is taken.
RULE XI.
The Rules of this Society may be temporarily suspended by unanimous consent of all the members present, at any reg- ular, annual or special meeting of the Society.
MEMBERS
OF THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY IHISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Rowland B. Lacey. Bridgeport, - Nathaniel E. Wordin. M.D., Bridgeport.
William H. Noble, Bridgeport, - - George C. Waldo, Bridgeport,
William B. Hineks, Bridgeport, - - Louis N. Middlebrook, Bridgeport, *Aaron B. Hull, Danbury, - Joseph N. Ireland, Bridgeport, - Richard C. Ambler, Bridgeport. -
- Elected Feb. 18, 1881.
- Elected Feb. 18, 1881.
- Elected Feb. 18. 1881.
*William T. Minor. Stamford. - Elected Mar. 18. 1881. Lemuel Sanford. Redding. - - Elected Mar. 18, 18SI James L. Gould. Bridgeport. - Elected Mar. 18, 1SS1. James W. Beardsley. Bridgeport. - Elected Mar. 18. 1881. *Henry M. Hoyt. Bridgeport. - Elected Mar. 18. 1881. Charles Burr Todd. Redding. - Elected Mar. 18. 1881. Henry G. Scofield. Bridgeport. - Elected May 6. 1881. Elias S. Hawley, Buffalo. N. Y., - - Elected June 3, ISSI. Curtis Thompson, Bridgeport. - Elected Aug. 5. 1881. *William A. Beers, Fairfield. - Elected Sept. 2. 1881. Eaton W. Maxcy. D.D., Troy, N. Y., - Elected Sept. 2. 1881. * William Shelton. D.D .. Buffalo, N. Y. Elected Sept. 2, 1881. George S. Burroughs. Rev., N. Britain. Elected Oct. 14, 1881. A Homer Byington. Norwalk. - Elected Nov. 11, 1881. Winthrop H. Perry. Norwalk. - - Elected Nov. 11. 1881.
Walter Hubbell. New York City. - Elceted Nov. 11, 1881.
David B. Lockwood. Bridgeport. - Elected Feb. 10. 1882. .
*Stiles N. Middlebrook, Bridgeport, · Deceased.
- Elected Mar. 10. 1882.
50
Frederick Bronson. Greenfield Hill, O. P. Dexter. New York City. David H. Miller. Georgetown. Horace L. Fairchild. Trumbull. - Samuel M. Main. New York City. *Barzillai B. Kellogg. Brookfield. J. M. Bailey. Danbury. John W. Bacon, Danbury. -
*Jolın D. Candee. Bridgeport. Warren B. Nichols. Bridgeport. .
- Samuel Garliek. M.D . Bridgeport. Plumb N. Fairchild. Trumbull. - Morris B. Beardsley. Bridgeport. Thomas Calef. Bridgeport. *Eli T. Hoyt. Danbury. Oliver B. Jenings. Fairfield. Frederick S. Wildman, Danbury. Samuel Orcutt. Rev .. Bridgeport. Thomas B. Fairchild. Stratford. - Edward F. Meaker. Bridgeport. - Albert Relyea. Norwalk.
- Elected July 11. 1884. Elected July 11. 1894. William L. Sherwood. Newark. N. J .. - Elected Sept. 12. 1884. G. H. Nicholls. D.D .. Hoosic Falls. N.Y., Elected Feb. 13. 1885. Phineas T. Barnum. Bridgeport.
Robert W. Curtis. Stratford.
Nathaniel Wheeler. Bridgeport. - Arthur E. Meeker. Bethlehem, Pa .. Nathan B. Wells. Stratford.
Albert S. Comstock. New Canaan. Samuel L. Carter, New York City. *Amos S. Treat. Bridgeport. Silas Burton, Bridgeport.
Ebenezer S. Phillips. Bridgeport. Charles H. Carter, New Canaan. - Horace Nichols. Bridgeport.
Alexander Hawley, Bridgeport. Robert H. Russell. Stratford,
- Elected Mar. 10, 1882.
- Eleeted Mar. 10. 1882. - Elected Apr. 21. 1882.
- Elected Apr. 21, 1882. - Elected Apr. 21. 1882. Elected Apr. 21. 1882. Elected Apr. 21. 1882 - Elected Apr. 21, 1882. - Elected Apr. 21, 1882.
- Elected Apr. 21, 1882.
- Elected Apr. 21, 1882. - Elected Jan. 12, 1883.
- Elected Mar. 9. 1883. - Elected Mar. 9. 1883. - Elected Apr. 5, 1883. - Elected June 9, 1883.
-. Elected June 9, 1883.
- Elected Feb. 8, 1884. - Elected May 9. 1884.
- Elected Feb. 13. 1885. - Elected Mar. 13. 1885. - Elected Apr. 10. 1855. - Elected Apr. 10. 1885.
- Elected Apr. 10. IS-5.
- Elected June 26, Iss5. - Elected July 10. ISS5. - Elected July 10. 1885
- Elected July 10. 1885. - Elected Ang. 14. 1855.
- Elected Aug. 9. 1885.
- Elected May 13, 1887.
- Elected May 13, 1887.
- Elected May 13, 1887.
· Deceased.
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Samuel B. Sumner, Bridgeport, - Sidney B. Beardsley, Bridgeport, Mrs. Mary C. Wheeler,
Mrs. Julia A. Bishop, - - Mrs. Frances H. Cruttenden.
Mrs. Susan H. W. Hawley,
- Elected Sept. 9, 1887.
Mrs. Mary K. Perry. - -
Mrs. Harriet L. Torrey.
- Elected Sept. 9, 1887. - Elected Sept. 9. 1887.
- Eleeted Sept. 9, 1887.
Mrs. Elizabeth R. Lacey.
Miss Henrietta MI. Noble.
James R. Burroughs. -
- Elected Sept. 9. 1887. - Elected Sept. 9. 1887. Mark R. Leavenworth. - Elected Sept. 9, 1887. Oliver C. Bullard, Bridgeport, - Elected Nov. 11. 1887. Mrs. Cornelia C. Comstock, New Canaan. Elected Nov. 11. 1887. Mrs. Agnes Hills. Bridgeport. - Elected Nov. 11. 1887. C.W. De L. Nichols, Rev., Tot ville, N. Y., Elected Jan. 13, 1888. Walter Nichols. Bridgeport.
- Eleeted Jau. 13. 1888. William F. Nichols, Rev., Phila .. Pa , - Elected Apr. 13. 1888. Cyrus Bradley Sherwood. Southport, - Elected Apr. 13, 1888. Charles Merritt, New York City. . Edward R. Lambert. Bridgeport.
- Elected May 11. 18SS. - Elected Aug. 10, 1888. - Elected Ang. 9. 1889. - Elected Dee. 14, 1889.
- Elected Dec. 14. 1859.
HONORARY MEMBERS.
Rev. Benjamin L. Swan. Rev. E. E. Beardsley, D. D., LL. D. J. Hammond Trumbull. LL. D .. Charles J. Hoadley. - Rev. Horatio N. Powers. D D. - Abraham W. Morehouse,
Mendham, N. J. New Haven, Conn. Hartford. Conn. Hartford. Conn.
Orange. N. J.
Bridgeport. Coun.
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Seth B. Squires, Bridgeport. - Johnson T. Platt, New Haven, - Samuel C. Kingman, Bridgeport,
- Eleeted June 10, 1857. - Elected July 8. 1887. - Elected Sept. 9. 1887. - Elected Sept. 9, 1887. - Elected Sept. 9, 1987.
In Memoriam.
HON. JOHN D. CANDEE.
Born June 12, 1819. Died February 27, 1888.
In Memoriam.
HON. WILLIAM T. MINOR.
Born October 3, 1813.
Died October 14, 1889.
FORM OF APPLICATION.
To the Fairfield County Historical Society :
GENTLEMEN : .
The undersigned hereby makes application for admission as an Annual Member of said Society.
Dated at
this
day of 18
RULE VII of By-Laws: "An Initiation Fee of Two Dol- lars shall accompany each application for Annual Member- ship."
ANNUAL REPORT
1 OF THE
Fairfield County
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Bridgeport, Conn.,
FOR 1891-2.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Fairfield County
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Bridgeport, Conn., FOR 1891-2.
HIS
T
DEUS ET PATRIA
FAIR
SOCIETY.
· CONNEC
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Published by
The Fairfield County Historical Society, 1892,
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1. 1. BLEKVIS 10 SCIENCE ERE HISTORY.
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٤.٠٠٠ خامس
BARNUM INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
HISTORY.
CONTENTS.
Barnum Institute (illustration,) -
-
-
III-
Officers of the Society,
-
-
-
VII-
Report of the Executive Committee, -
-
IX-
Sketch of Rev. Blackleach Burritt,
1- 44
-
. The Pilgrim Fathers, and what they Wrought
45- 61
Inscriptions in the Cemetery at Easton, Conn.
-
63- 93
Ancient Stratford Patent or Charter,
-
95-97
-
"Extracts " P. T. Barnum's Will and Codicils ? de Barnum Institute, j 98-100
Original Articles of Association,
101
Act of Incorporation, - 102-103
By-Laws,
-
-
104-106
List of Members and Residence.
-
-
107-109
Honorary Members,
-
-
110
Members Deceased.
-
110
Necrology, -
-
-
111-116
Chart of American Revolution,
-
-
118
OFFICERS.
OF THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
PRESIDENT, ROWLAND B. LACEY.
VICE-PRESIDENTS,
GEORGE C. WALDO, CHARLES BURR TODD, GEN. WILLIAM H. NOBLE.
RECORDING SECRETARY. SAMUEL ORCUTT.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY,
ALBERT M. TALLMADGE.
TREASURER AND CURATOR, EDWARD DEACON.
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IX
THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Report of the Executive Committee for 1891-2.
The special and most noteworthy feature of the year 1891-2, in connection with our Society is, the commencement and progress of the building now being erected for the kin- dred societies-The Bridgeport Scientific Society, and The Fairfield County Historical Society; dedicated to Science and History, as provided by our distinguished and public spirited fellow citizen, the late Hon. P. T. Barnum.
The year is memorable also as marking the close of the life work of this distinguished man, one of the most remarkable our country has produced.
PHINEAS T. BARNUM, Born July 5, 1810, Died April 7, 1891.
Some fitting words are spoken of him in another place. A full account of his best monument now being erected, for the promotion of Science and History, will be in order when the building is completed.
For years we have been saying-as we deeply felt-that our great need was a suitable building for the safe deposit of the valuable books, documents, pictures and relies donated, and waiting to be donated, to illustrate and perpetuate our early and current history-where they could be properly arranged for exhibition, study and preservation. Our previ- ous reports have chronicled the first movements of Mr. Bar- num towards supplying this want, in giving our Societies an elligible site and providing in his will (as a matter of pre-
-
caution) for the erection of a suitable building. This was highly appreciated and gratefully acknowledged, while we strongly hoped and confidently believed that he would elect to have the work of construction done in his life time. This hope and belief is partially realized in that Mr. Barnum did decide to erect the building, approved the plans, and signed the contraet for the noble structure now in progress at the corner of Main and Gilbert streets, but was not permitted personal supervision of its erection. So well did he plau. however, that thereby it may be truthfully said, being dead he yet speaketh, and will continue to, for a long time to come.
At the breaking up of the Waldemere residence, Mr. Bar- num gave this Society the unique library set of furniture, consisting of large book ease, writing desk, two tables, sofa, easy chair and five other chairs. It is of curled maple in uniform style, of elaborate Chinese carving, and the sofa and chairs elegantly upholstered.
This set is historie, in that it was originally made for, and used in Iranistan". It was saved from the fire which de- stroyed the first elegant home of Mr. Barnum, in Bridgeport, and was successively installed in Lindencroft and Waldemere. his later residences.
It has been the study of this society to locate and fit np appropriately a room in the new building, for the proper re- ception and use of this furniture, where may also be located the marble bust of Jenny Lind, and other mementoes of Mr. Barnum and his life work, making it distinctively a Barnum room.
We recognize that the support of such a building, and the proper work of the Societies, even by the combined energies of the two, on a seale commensurate with its importance and
* IRANISTAS, the first elegant residence of Mr. Barnum in Bridgeport, located on extensive ground- at what is now the northwest corner of Fairfehl and Iranistun a Vi - nues, built in 1847-8, was destroyed by fire Dic. 18. 187. Most of the furniture and effects in the house ware saved much of it in a damaged condition. The building was a total loss, and so far as known, this Society has the only vestage of it extant. On the spandrils of the archies serowe the front, were placed facial carvings of andreu: characters in mirthtul mood, or otherwise. During the progress of the bre, one of these carvings brestue detached, aud was lying on the ground. It was parked np by Mr N. H. Jones, then a boy, who very properly appealed to the Chief Engineer ot the Fue Department in charge, "the late Isaac M. Conkhu) for liberty to take it away. H . replied, " Yes, take it along and get out of the way, quick." Ile did so, and kept kis rehe until 1487, when he turned it over to the Historical Society, where it is re ig- lonely preserved as a memento of the once famous Oriental Villa, as its name sigities.
XI
the possibilities, presents a problem quite formidable to a weak faith. We have heretofore said that if a building is provided. the means for its support would be forthcoming. This we believe still. The work of our Society is compara- tively but little known, or appreciated, by the people at large. It will be more and more appreciated as it is devel- oped. . We have been quietly employed for seven or eight years, gathering materials and laying it by in our own pos- session, or in the custody of friends, doing what we could with our means and opportunities, and we take satisfaction in referring to the results, and the strength and solidity of our position to-day. We have not gone beyond our means, nor have we made any special appeals to the generosity of our citizens, beyond the pittiance of one and two dollars in annual dues. Yet we have paid our bills and have a fair bal- ance in our treasury, and we have to-day a literature to be proud of. Our reports and papers contributed and read- all most valuable, many of them of remarkable interest. would make two good volumes of six or seven hundred pages each. We have ancient records and relies of exceeding valne. This is beginning to be known by many inquirers in Colonial History, and Family Genealogy, who have visited our rooms and been greatly helped by the facilities we have afforded them. Parties have come here, or corresponded from all parts of the country, and the applications increase year by year.
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
This Society has special facilities for aiding decendants of Revolutionary Soldiers in preparing applications for member- ship in the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, of which large numbers have availed themselves.
OUR PUBLICATION FOR 1801-2
will be one of unusual interest, containing (from the papers read during the year) the Burritt Paper of M. D. Raymond, and the paper on the " Pilgrim Fathers and What They Wrought," by Rev. Dr. C. R. Palmer. It will also contain a complete transcript of all the inscriptions on the tombstones
in the cemetery in Easton, near the Baptist church, embrac- ing dates from 1760 to the present time. This work of col- lecting and recording or publishing the inscriptions of the ancient and older burial grounds, was commenced and fairly prosecuted by Mr. Orcutt, in his History of Old Stratford and Bridgeport, and for preservation and reference is of great value. It is one of the lines of work we desire to fol- low up until the cemeteries of the entire county have been canvassed and recorded.
OLD CHURCH RECORDS
Our Society has the transcript in alphabetical order, of the marriages, births or baptisms of children, and membership of several among the oldest churches of the county, which are found to be of great interest and value for reference and study, and opens a line of work which also should be followed up throughout the county.
ABSTRACT OF ANCIENT WILLS AND FAMILY DEEDS.
Still another field very fruitful and interesting is in the ancient Probate records and land records of the oldest towns -where are found wills and family deeds of great historic and genealogical value. We want, and would be glad to col- lect and publish a volume made up of copious abstracts of thees, and the State should bear the expense, as it has of other Colonial records.
BRANCH SOCIETIES.
The foregoing indicates appropriate work for branch so- cieties in nearly every town, in which they may become greatly helpful to the County Society. There are several such in existence. Only one has organized as auxiliary to this Society, that is the New Canaan Society, which is fully alive and has an excellent record of work done and doing. The President visited and attended one of its meetings in October last by invitation, and with much satisfaction. It has a good room furnished by loan and gift, in Colonial style. The monthly meetings are well attended and enriched by valuable papers, conversations and reports. Gentlemen and ladies, in about equal numbers gather and equally participate
-
XIII
in the active work, A very copious and valuable history of the Canaan Parish, and the town of New Canaan has been prepared and a copy lodged with this Society. We are also indebted to it for a number of contributions to our museum and library. We refer to this with satisfaction on its merits, and as an example to other towns. Copies of all historic and genealogical papers should be furnished the County Soei- ety, which in turn will furnish the Branches, with copies of its published reports.
We are glad to mention that Westport has an active Soci- ety, and the occasional notices published, indicate that it it is doing a good work. We shall be glad to be brought into closer relations with it.
CATALOGUE.
A commencement has been made by the Curator at a class- ification and catalogue of our library, which consists of over two thousand volumes, about five hundred pamphlets bound and unbound, one hundred volumes of local newspapers of the last twenty years, and a large collection of local and oth- er newspapers, dating from 1780 to 1850, the New York Ob- server from 1834 to 1891, the London Spectator and other magazines unbound.
A catalogue of our specimens of Colonial furniture and utensels, relies of the olden and more modern times, will be made as early as possible, and will be very interesting. Very interesting and valuable additions have been made to both library and museum, during the past year.
SITE OF LEE'S CHAPEL MARKED.
At the late Centennial of Methodism in New England, (1889) much interest centered around Lee's Chapel, under- stood to have been the first building erected for public wor- ship by the Methodist Episcopal denomination in New England. It was erected in 1796, and was located in the Old Stratfield Parish, on the line road dividing Strat- ford town from Fairfield, now Park Avenue Extension, about three and one-fourth miles north of North Avenue, or about five rods above the southern boundary of the present
XIV
town of Trumbull. Its construction was promoted by Rev. Jesse Lee, whose pioneer work in this region is sketehd in Oreutt's History of Old Stratford and Bridgeport. pages 412. 658. and 661 *. At the period above referred to, (1882), Mrs. Laura Hall, the widow of the late Mr. Turney Hall, was liv- ing with her son Mr. Nelson T. Hall, in her old homestead near the above site, at the age of ninety years, but in full possession of her faculties. She was born and reared in the aforesaid old homestead, and in her girlhood was perfectly familiar with the chapel building, both exterior and interior. and was able to describe it to her son, who made a drawing of it for the use of the Conference, on the Centennial occasion. It was drawn to scale, as to size and proportion, 34x24 feet, and was recognized by Mrs. Hall and others of the small remnant who had seen the original, as a good representation of it. The figures of the size are verified by an examination of the main timbers of the frame which are extant in the barn of Mr. Frank Staples, on the Easton turnpike; near the Flat Rock M. E. Church. Mr. Hall made a duplicate of his picture for Rev. Dr. George Lansing Taylor, of the New York East Conference, but the original is framed and hung in his own parlor. During the past year Mr. Hall on solicitation. consented to make another copy of the Old Chapel picture for the Historical Society, in which he has outdone his former efforts, and we hope to secure from Mr. Staples enough tim- ber from one of the white oak beams in his barn to frame it. The President of the Historical Society has had a substantial brown stone block of suitable size inserilied . Site of Lee's Chapel 1796." located by Mr. Hall. and placed securely in the stone fence precisely over the spot where the chapel stood. Lee's chapel was removed about 1816, and its supporters merged into the present Easton Church at Flat Rock.
MEMBERSHIP.
Twenty-five have been added to our membership, making our total over one hundred after deducting our losses by death. With the prospect of our early occupaney of the new
' See also Rev George Lansing Tayler, D. D.'s Centennial sermon at Bridgeport Sept. 26, 1:97 and accompanying paju.r.
XV
building it should at onee be doubled. We bespeak the favorable consideration of our fellow citizens in our effort in that direction.
As we enter upon a new period in the history of our Socie- ty. may it be with new life and vigor-old friends and new vieing with each other, in efforts in behalf of its noble work of gathering up and preserving the history of the past, also to fix and transmit to posterity the present and passing.
OUR HOME IS FAIRFIELD COUNTY CONNECTICUT. OUR FIELD . IS THE WORLD.
MAINTENANCE OF BUILDING ASSURED FOR THREE YEARS.
Since the printing of this Annual was commenced, a plan has been approved by our two Societies for raising a fund to provide for the expenses of the maintenance of the new build- ing by securing undividual pledges amounting to twenty-five hundred dollars per year, for three years. Of this sum, Mrs. P. T. Barnum has generously and nobly pledged fifteen hun- dred dollars per year, for three years, and we cannot omit here a recognition of her free, voluntary and unsolicited gift for this worthy object, in furtherance of her late husband's generous purposes. The two Societies by their joint com- mittees are canvassing vigorously with good encouragement among our public spirited citizens, to make up the balance, the success of which we cannot doubt. May we not hope that the work of the Societies in their respective depart- ments, will so commend them to persons of means and gen- erosity, as to insure gifts for a liberal endowment to cover future expenses.
·
REV. BLACKLEACH BURRITT AND Related Stratford Families.
BY M. D. RAYMOND, ESQ.
OF TARRYTOWN, N. Y.
READ BEFORE THE
Fairfield County Historical Society, Bridgeport, Feb. 19, 1892.
REV. BLACKLEACH BURRITT.
It may seem presumptuous for a resident of New York to appear before the Fairfield County Historical Society with a page of local history, and yet is it not fitting that Westchester Co., especially, should bring some offering as a tribute to the debt it owes, for ever since the days of Wouter Van Twiller, and William the Testy, and Antony Van Corlear, who essayed in vain with windy proclamations and his wonderful trumpet to stop the inroads of those terrible Yankees, the peaceful invasion has been going on, so that to erase the names of the sons of Fairfield from its annals, would make a blank on many of the most illustrious pages of its history. The son may well indeed turn back and crown his honored sire with laurels.
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