USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > Reports and papers. Fairfield County Historical Society, Bridgeport, Conn. 1882-1896-97 > Part 3
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The contest was ended about 4 o'clock. The streets out- side the burned district were filled with goods and furniture. These had in many instances been moved, but not saved. The lack of water enabled the fire to obtain its great headway. and most of the damage on Water street was done while wait- ing for the tide to rise.
The number of buildings destroyed were 49, and all were of wood. Some forty families were burned out.
The amount of loss was estimated at $150.000, on which there was an insurance of 880,000. Among the goods de- stroyed were about 800 barrels of flour, 100 barrels of mack- erel, large quantities of tea, coffee, sugar, molasses, etc.
The building 24 designates the location of No. 1 Fire En- gine and the Hook and Ladder Companies.
The Common Council held a meeting on the evening of the 12th and passed appropriate resolutions of thanks to the fire department for their efficient services. A public meeting was held on the following evening, the 13th, at which Mayor Har- ral presided. A committee composed of Alexander Hamilton, Edwin Porter, Isaac M. Conklin, Daniel Thatcher. V. D. Ells- worth, Ira B. Wheeler, Joseph Cook and Eliakim Hough were appointed to inquire into the condition of the suffering poor
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in consequence of the late fire, and authorized to collect and disburse subscriptions according to their best judgment, to those who were needy.
[ Sce Fumer 1845; Lender July 1, 1882.
SOUTH VIEW OF CHURCHES IN BRIDGEPORT. CONN., FROM CORNER BROAD AND GILBERT STREETS, 1835.
Methodist.
st. John's
First Congregational.
Congreg . tional.
SKETCHES OF BRIDGEPORT CHURCHES IN 1835.
The foregoing is a representation of the four churches in Bridgeport as they appeared in 1835, all standing in a direct line on Broad street. The view is taken from near the south- west corner of Broad and Gilbert streets. The early settlers on the present site of Bridgeport attended church or meeting for a number of years a mile or more away to the north west on North avenne. " The Church of Chiist in Stratfiekl." (now the First Congregational) was organized in 1695, and was lo- cated at the corner of Park avenue and North avenue. The Protestant Episcopal Church in Stratfield (St. John's), organ-
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ized in 1748, was located at the corner of North avenue and Church street .. or Wood avenue extension. The location of each was central at the time, but by reason of the more rapid increase of the population of the Borough of Bridgeport- soon after the commencement of this century -- they ceased to be eentral. The Episcopal Church was the first to occupy this ground, which they did in 1801, erecting the building shown in the cut as St. John's, and completing it so far as to perform services therein in November of that year. It was not fully seated until 1804. Isaac Hinman and William Peet were the acting committee in building. conducting the same with " good prudence, strict economy and a degree of elegance and taste which did them honor and adds respectability to the place."
The cost of the building amounted to about three thousand . five hundred dollars, all which was raised by voluntary sub- seriptions.
The whole committee consisted of :
Capt. David Minot, vice, John S. Canuon resigned.
Isaac Hinman. Elijah Burritt, Ozias Burr,
William Peet,
Robert Linus.
In 1830 the church was widened six feet on each side, the steeple rebuilt. the front improved, and the whole renovated and repaired. An organ was also purchased.
In June 1835, under the rectorship of
REF. GURDON S. COIT. William Peet and Isaac Burroughs. Wardens,
the plan of a new church was presented, and a building com- mittee appointed consisting of :-
Phillip A. Cannon. Esq., Isaac Sherman, Jr ..
Gen. Enoch Foote. Charles Bostwick,
Stephen Tomlinson.
This resulted in the erection in 1836 of what is now known as the old St. John's Church on the corner of Broad and Can- non streets-the former edifice having been sold for the use of the Baptists.
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The following names appear as among the principal contrib- utors to the improvement of the then old church in 1830: Phillip A. Cannon,
William Peet,
James W. Allen, Josiah S. Hayt,
Enoch Foote,
Ira Curtis,
R. Hyde and H. Shelton,
Elijah Burritt,
Edward Rossiter,
Eli Walker,
Henry R. Judah,
Alfred Cooke,
Benjamin Brooks,
Levi Young,
David Minot,
George Smith,
Thaddeus Hubbell,
Abijah Burroughs,
Jos. Brooks and S. Stratton,
Daniel O. Wheeler,
.Isaac Burroughs,
Noah Plumb,
Lewis C. Segee,
Mrs. Sterling Sherman,
Charles T. Nieliols,
Samuel Simons.
Everit Lewis,
William H. Peet,
Philo and S. F. Hurd,
Stanley Loekwood,
Samuel C. Kirtland,
Samuel Sherwood,
Amos Burr,
Jessup Banks,
George W. Smith,
Jesse Brooks,
Isaac Sherman, Jr.,
Henry Olmstead,
Elias Camp,
Joseph Thompson,
David Whiting,
*Henry Allen, John Burr,
*Eli Thompson,
David L. Mills,
William Sherman,
Benjamin S. Smith,
Elias Hodge,
*William A. Peck, L. M. Hitcheoek,
Munson Seeley,
Meigs D. Benjamin,
Ozias Burr, William Wright,
Sylvester May,
R. G. Van Polanan,
Stephen Lounsbury,
Steven Tomlinson,
Matthew Curtis,
Phillip Walker,
S. B. Ferguson, Roswell S. Nichols.
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Of the foregoing, only three marked with a * are known to be living in July, 1882. .
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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The change of location naturally came harder with the Congregational Church than with the Episcopal. The move ment originated. of course, in the Borough as called-was wholly voluntary, and the records of the inception do not ap- pear on the books of the Society.
The building shown on the cut as the First Congregational Church was erected and inelosed during 1803. In June 11th, 1804, the Society voted to agree to hold the meetings for pub- lic worship half the time in Bridgeport, when a house suitable for that purpose shall, without expense to the Society, be so far completed as to accommodate such meetings. Ayes, 32; nays, 19.
This resulted in dividing the time equally between Stratfield and Bridgeport.
June 13th, 1808. it was voted that a meeting of the Society be warned to be held at the new meeting house in Bridgeport. The meeting was warned and held June 20th, 1808, in the new meeting house, and it was voted to hold publie worship there two-thirds of the time.
Soon after this the change was made entire.
The following names appear on the records as pew hoklers at this period, but the list does not include those who owned pews :
Josiah Lacey,
Samuel Hawley, Jr.,
Deacon John P. Austin,
Elijah Burr,
William DeForest.
Stephen Hull,
Lambert Lockwood,
Abijah Morehouse,
Lewis Sturges,
William Benedict,
Silas Sherman,
Widow Mary Sherman,
Ezra Gregery,
Salmon Hubbell.
Thomas Woodward.
Robert Southward,
Simon Backus,
David Sterling,
Benjamin Wheeler,
Thomas Gouge,
Jesse Seeley,
Stephen Burroughs, Jr., Wilson Hawley,
Henry May,
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Abijah Sherman. Samuel Wordin,
Levi Silliman.
Barzilla Benjamin, Anson Beardsley, Samuel Burr,
In 1830 a division oceurred, and 39 male and 78 female men- bers were dismissed at their own request, to form the second church : the old church giving them one-half of the church property and funds, and also contributing two thousand dol- lars toward the erection of a church edifice. The erection of a new church contiguous. to wit : the Second Congregational, as shown in the cut at the head of this article, seems to have stimulated improvements in the others. The Episcopal Church was enlarged and improved, as has been related, and the First Congregational also rebuilt their steeple in im- proved form, and reconstructed pulpit and galleries.
The following is a nearly complete list of pew holders in the First Congregational Church in 1835. Those marked with * are the only survivors in 1882 :
Daniel Thatcher.
Legrand Sterling,
Alanson Hamlin,
Levi Wordin and four others,
Alexander Hubbell,
Alanson Caswell,
Daniel Sterling,
Coley E. Betts,
Hanford Lyon,
James Betts,
Thomas C. Wordin,
Daniel Curtis.
Samnel Niles.
Henry N. French.
Charles B. Hubbell,
Gurdon Hawley.
Dr. James E. Beach.
Abijah Beardsley,
Silvanus Sterling,
Wyllys Stillinan,
David Sterling,
Alexander Black,
Joel Thorp,
Nathaniel Hummiston,
Philo C. Wheeler,
Cyrus Botsford,
John M. Thompson,
Titus C. Mather,
Daniel Fayerweather,
Joseph Mott.
Charles Hawley,
Isaae M. Conklin,
*Gideon Thompson,
Capt. E. Wieks,
Benjamin Wheeler,
David Wheeler,
Isaac Sherman,
David Victory Seeley,
Nathaniel Wade,
Joseph Knapp,
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George Wade, Ezra Gregory, Joseph P. Sturges,
Nichols Beardsley.
Lemuel Coleman,
William R. Bunnell,
*Stephen Nichols, George Kippen, Samuel Porter,
Thomas Bartram, Ira Peck, Joseph C. Lewis,
Elijah C. Spinning,
David Hubbell, 3rd
*Anson Hawley,
Eleazer Edgerton.
OFFICERS.
Rev. Jolin Blatchford. Pastor.
DEACONS.
SOCIETY COMMITTEE.
Isaac Sherman.
Isaac Sherman,
David Sherwood.
Hanford Lyon, Joseph Mott,
Silvanus Sterling.
Daniel Sterling, Treasurer. *N. S. Wordin. Clerk. Nathaniel Wade, Collector. Silvanus Sterling. Salesman.
The building shown in the ent was ocenpied until 1850, when it gave place to the present edifice. It was purchased for the use of Christ Church, and moved upon John street, at the present site of the works of Nichols. Peck & Co., and acci- dentally destroyed by fire in 1851.
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The Second Congregational Church was organized Jannary 28th, 1830, and elected as deacons, William DeForest. Stephen Hawley and Josiah B. Baldwin, who held the same office in the First Church.
Sammel Wordin, Louisa Bartlett.
David Sherwood,
Robert Milne, Wheeler French. Jr. Judson Bray,
Sturges & Smith, Isaac E. Beach,
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They held public worship temporarily in the old High School House on State street.
Measures were at once taken to erect a house of worship. The lot on the corner of Broad and Gilbert streets was pur- chased, and the building shown on the cut at the head of this article erected the same year at a cost of about $5,000. exclu- sive of foundations and basement. Rev. Nathaniel Hewitt was installed as pastor December Ist. 1830, and continued until 1853.
The following is a list of pew holders as appears on record in 1835. Those marked with * are survivors in 1882 : Seth B. Jones, Josiah B. Baldwin.
William B. Dyer,
*Nichols Northrop, Ransom C. Canfield, -
*Vietory Curtis,
Mrs. Talman Perry,
Joseph Wood,
Edwin Porter,
Fitch Wheeler,
James Robinson,
Jesse Sterling,
E. C. Warren,
Charles DeForest,
Bradley Gould,
*Munson Hawley. Abijah Hawley.
John Brooks, Jr.
David Perry,
.James Jennings.
Stephen Hawley,
Nathan Baldwin,
Edwin B. Gregory.
Samuel Peet,
R. Thorborne.
Josiah S. Fayerweather, Josiah B. Hall,
Mrs. William Burr.
William B. Nash.
David Hubbell,
Charles Sherman,
Elliot Morris,
George Wheeler.
Sherwood Sterling,
Daniel B. Oviatt,
George Sterling,
D. Mallory,
Wilson Hawley.
Zenas R. Moody.
William DeForest.
Benjamin Pilgrim,
Lockward De Forest,
Nathan Shepard,
Bronson Hawley,
Capt. E. Doane, E. D. Bull,
Charles B. Middlebrook,
Edward Burroughs,
Harry Judson.
*John Cogswell. William Allis.
Burr Knapp.
Josiah Hubbell.
Benjamin DeForest,
Samuel Morse,
Roswell Lewis,
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1774465
OFFICERS.
Rev. Nathaniel Hewitt. D. D., Pastor.
SOCIETY'S COMMITTEE.
Edwin Porter. David Hubbell, Thomas Hawley.
Stephen Hawley, Treasurer. Charles DeForest. Clerk. William DeForest, Collector.
During the pastorate of Dr. Hewitt the house was consider- ably enlarged. It was occupied until 1860-2, when it gave place to the present brick edifice-was sold. taken down and removed.
*METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Previous to 1816, in Bridgeport or vicinity, a week evening. was the only appointment of this denomination. In this year the old Stratfield Congregational meeting house (at corner of North avenue and Park avenue) was purchased for their use. The Rev. Benoni English and Rev. Elihu P. Jacobs, not mem- bers of the conference-preached there on the Sabbath, and for the first time Bridgeport appears on the conference min- ntes. This was the church home of the denomination for about six years. Probably in the winter of 1821-2 an upper room was procured for holding Methodist meetings in the burough, in what was then called new block at the corner of Main and State streets, mainly through the efforts of Mr. Nathaniel Ruggles, who was a convert under the labors of Rev. Benoni English at the old Stratfield church. The first, organization according to law as an ecclesiastical body was effected June 30th, 1821. In 1822 Rev. John Newland Matiit, the Revivalist, spent a portion of the year in this place and regular preaching in the old church was soon after discon- timed. In this year measures were taken for the erection of
* Compiled from Memoranda preserved by Mayor W. B. Hincks.
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their first house of worship in this eity. The principal mem- bers as stated in the warrant for the first meeting appear to have been Nathaniel Ruggles, Burr Penfield, Agur Bassett. Richard Fuller and Stephen Durand. At this meeting Stiles Nichols was chairman, N. Ruggles clerk, and Agur Bassett. John P. MeEwen and Richard Fuller, were elected trustees. The site of the house was fixed at a meeting held May 13th, 1823, and the house though remaining unfinished for some years was occupied for worship the latter part of 1823, Mr. Maffit preaching the first sermon in it. This building appears without steeple or tower in the cut at the head of this article. It was 40x60 in dimensions and cost with the lot about $3,000. It was destroyed by fire in 1849.
The Bridgeport station was organized and manned in 1835 6 as follows :
Rev. William Jewett, Presiding Elder. Rev. Charles F. Pelton, Station Preacher. Samuel Bassett, Local Preacher. Nathaniel Ruggles. Local Preacher. W. H. Dikeman, Local Deacon.
Charles G. Briscoe,
*Fenelon Hubbell,
STEWARDS. Wakeman H. Dikeman, Christopher Moore, John Plumb.
Daniel Benedict,
Fenelon Hubbell,
LEADERS. Charles (. Briscoe, Edmund Fanton, John Radeliff.
The following are names of other male members at this period : John Hall, Joseph Polly, Seth Hall, Samuel Wileoxon, Reuben Rogers, Stiles Nichols. James Penfield Silas Turney.
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William L. Peet.
George Watkins,
David Lockwood,
Charles H. Wakelee,
Harmon Gray. John Parrott,
Charles Lewis.
Elias Johnson,
Aaron K. Morris,
Nathan Peek,
Israel W. Blackman,
Benjamin F. Payne,
George Robbins.
Elias A. Hall,
Anson Loekwood,
Stephen Handford.
Ira Barnum.
William Hayes,
Bronson Patchen,
Allen Renode,
Philo Johnson,
Samuel D. Platt,
Benjamin Stillman,
Robert W. Lewis.
John Atkinson,
Charles Delivan.
John M. Middlebrook,
William Bower.
Thomas T. Benedict,
George Davis.
Solomon Sturdevant,
Henry Goodwin.
John Treadwell,
William J. Stoddard.
Abel Beers,
George Kershaw,
George Porter,
Thomas H. Brooks,
BAPTIST CHURCH.
In 1835 the known and recognized Baptist element within the limits of the city of Bridgeport was confined to two females, Miss Hannah Nichols and Mrs. Lydia Sherwood. The Stratfield Baptist church, an off shoot from the original "Church of Christ in Stratfield" was organized in 1751. main- ly under the leadership of Capt. John Sherwood. grandfather of the late Deaeon David Sherwood.
Its location was northwest from the present city, nearly three miles away. It took fast root in that vicinity in Fair- field Woods, Chestnut Hill, and as population sought the in- terior, extended to North Fairfield, now Easton ; and to the southwesterly part of Monroe. It had its two meeting houses known as the Stratfiehl and the North-which latter was loea- ted about one-half mile westerly of the Stepney Depot. In 1836 the three Whitney brothers who were members of the Stratfield church, resided on Clinton avenue, just north of
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Fairfield avenue, and conducted a foundry business on the northwest corner of Clinton and Fairfield avenues. Rev. James H. Linsley was at this time pastor of the Stratfield church, and yet resided in Stratford village. _ The Messrs. Whitney and their pastor had freqnent consultations together and with Miss Hannah Nichols upon the practicability of establishing a Baptist church in Bridgeport. The opportune time came when in 1835 the St. John's Episcopal church offered their edifice on the corner of Broad and State streets for sale. Mr. Linsley lost no time in collecting the necessary funds; himself the leading contributor. The price of the property was 83.650-83,000 was collected and paid over to St. John's Society and the deed passed Angust Sth, 1835.
The First Baptist Society was organized July 24th, 1835. composed of six members, viz: Benjamin Wakeman. Raymond Whitney, Roswell Whitney, Bennett Whitney, and two other persons, names not known.
The church was constituted September 20th, 1837. with thirty-seven members ; eleven males and twenty-eight females. The following is a list of the male members. Those marked * are living in 1882 :
Rev. James H. Linsley,
*Bennet Whitney,
Elijah Burton,
*Horace Lyon.
Stephen Silliman,
*Zenas Whitney,
Raymond Whitney, Samuel Hammar.
*Roswell Whitney.
Augustus MI. Gregory,
Ferdinand MI. Gregory.
The building indicated in the cut as St. Johns church was occupied by them substantially as it there appears from 1837 until 1858, when during the ministry of Rev. J. L. Hodge. D. D., it gave place to the present substantial brick editice.
NOTE .- The object of the foregoing sketch has been to show by the ent, the location and appearance of the Churches of Bridgeport at the period indicated. (1835) to explain the leading points of their previous history and to fix the organization and personnel of each, at that time. Taken together the families of the then Borough are very fully repre- sented thereiu.
THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
ACT OF INCORPORATION,
BY-LAWS,
LIST OF MEMBERS, AND
FOURTH ANNIVERSARY MEETING,
APRIL 10TH, 1885,
ETC., ETC.
BRIDGEPORT; THE STANDARD ASSOCIATION, PRINTERS. 1885.
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THIE FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
PRESIDENT, ROWLAND B. LACEY.
VICE-PRESIDENTS,
GEORGE C. WALDO,
WILLIAM A. BEERS,
REV. SAMUEL ORCUTT,
Bridgeport. Fairfield.
Bridgeport.
RECORDING SECRETARY, NATHANIEL E. WORDIN, M. D.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY, LOUIS N. MIDDLEBROOK.
TREASURER AND CURATOR, RICHARD C. AMBLER.
HISTORIAN, GEORGE C. WALDO.
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A
54615.5
FORM OF APPLICATION FOR MEMBER- SIIIP.
To the Fairfield County Historical Society,
Gentlemen :
The undersigned hereby makes applica=
tion for admission as # Member of said Association, under its existing Rules and By=Laws.
Dated at Bridgeport, this day of 188 .. -
Signed,
*Blank to be filled with - an Annual, a Patron, or a Life Member, -as the case may be.
4529
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1 __ TIIE FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
PRESIDENT, ROWLAND B. LACEY.
VICE-PRESIDENTS,
GEORGE C. WALDO,
Bridgeport.
WILLIAM A. BEERS,
Fairfield.
REV. SAMUEL ORCUTT,
Bridgeport.
RECORDING SECRETARY, NATHANIEL E. WORDIN, M. D.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY, LOUIS N. MIDDLEBROOK.
TREASURER AND CURATOR, RICHARD C. AMBLER.
HISTORIAN, GEORGE C. WALDO.
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ORIGINAL ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION.
WE, whose names are hereunto subscribed, to wit : Row- land B. Lacey, William H. Noble, William B. Hineks, Nathan- iel E. Wordin, George C. Wahlo and Louis N. Middlebrook, all of Bridgeport, Fairfield County, State of Connecticut, do hereby form a Voluntary Association, under the laws of said State, for the promotion and encouragement of Historical, Antiquarian and Genealogical Investigation relating-to said County and the Towns composing it ; the same to consist of the undersigned as present members thereof, together with such others as may be chosen by a unanimous vote of such meetings of said Association as may be hereafter held for that purpose ; we, the subscribers, and our associates and succes- sors, forever to be known as The Fairfield County Historical Society, and to be governed by such officers, rules and by- laws as may from time to time be established by said Associa- tion.
Subscribed by ns at said Bridgeport, this February 4th, A. D. 1881.
ROWLAND B. LACEY, GEORGE C. WALDO,
NATHANIEL E. WORDIN, WILLIAM B. HINCKS,
WILLIAM H. NOBLE, LOUIS N. MIDDLEBROOK.
Under the above Articles of Association the Society was formed, and continued down to the date of the following Act of Incorporation.
INCORPORATING THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Resolved by this Assembly:
SECTION 1. That Rowland B. Lacey, George C. Waldo, William A. Beers, Samuel Orcutt, Richard C. Ambler, Na- thaniel E. Wordin, L. N. Middlebrook, William B. Hincks, and Curtis Thompson, all of Fairfield County, present officers and members of The Fairfield County Historical Society, a voluntary association located at Bridgeport, in said county, together with such other persons as are now or may hereafter be associated with them, be, and they are hereby, with their successors, constituted a body politic and corporate by the name of The Fairfield County Historical Society, for the pro- motion and encouragement of historical, antiquarian and genealogical investigation relating to said county and the towns composing it, and for the preservation and publication of the same, and with power to purchase, receive, hold and convey real and personal estate to an amount not exceeding fifty thousand dollars, which, together with the income there- of, used for the purposes aforesaid, shall be exempt from taxation ; that said corporation may have a common seal, and may establish such rules and by-laws not contrary to this charter or the laws of this State or of the United States, as it may from time to time decm necessary, relating to all mat- ters connected with the objects, membership and govern- ment of said corporation.
SEC. 2. Said corporation shall meet once in each year for the election of a president, secretary, treasurer and such other officers as may be designated from time to time by the rules and by-laws of said corporation ; provided, however, that in case of a failure to hold sueli annual meeting, or elect its officers, said corporation shall not thereby be dissolved;
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but the officers of said corporation shall continue to exercise the powers and duties of their several offices until others shall be duly appointed in their stead.
SEC. 3. The present by-laws and rules of said voluntary association, and the officers thereof, shall remain the by-laws, rules and officers of said corportion until others are adopted and appointed in their stead.
SEC. 4. The first annual meeting of said corporation shall be held in the Mayor's office in the City of Bridgeport, at such time as shall be designated by Rowland B. Lacey, the president of said voluntary association, one week's notice of the time, place and objects thereof being previously given by him in one or more newspapers printed in said Bridgeport.
SEC. 5. This resolution may be amended or repealed at the pleasure of the general assembly.
Approved, March 24, 1885.
BY-LAWS.
RULE I.
The officers of The Fairfield County Historical Society shall consist of a President, three Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, Re -. cording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary, who shall be chosen annually from its members by a majority ballot at the annual meeting of the Society.
The term of the officers of said Society shall be for one year from their election, and until others shall be chosen in their places ; and their powers and duties shall be those usually appertaining to those offices, except when otherwise ordered by the Society.
Said officers shall also be the Executive Committee of said Society, and as such shall have charge of and direct all mat- ters of executive, financial and clerical business appertaining to the management of the Society, except when otherwise ordered by the Society.
The President of this Society shall be, cx-officio, Chairman of the Executive Committee.
Any vaeaney occurring in any of said offices before the ex- piration of its term, may be filled for the unexpired portion thereof, by those of the Executive Committee of said Society, who shall be in the exercise of their offices at the time.
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 second Friday of April in each year, and special meetings may be held whenever the Society shall so order, or when- ever the President and Recording Secretary shall deem it
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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 publication in one or more daily newspapers, published in the City of Bridgeport, at least four days before said meet -. ing.
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 So- ciety before the same shall be ordered paid, and only upon such audit, and an order of payment by the Society or Exe- cutive 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 pres- ervation of books, papers, antiquities, and all other property of the Society.
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