USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Stratford > The genesis of Christ Church, Stratford, Connecticut : background and earliest annals, commemoration of the two hundred fiftieth anniversary 1707-1957 > Part 2
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16. Whether or no the lopping off of a fruitful limb at an unseasonable time of the . year, will not endanger the life of the flourishing tree ?
17. Whether the casting up of plantation shreds, & making priests of the meanest of the people, be not the way to bring down the reputation of religion ?
18. Whether the sitting up of a Court order (with a not withstanding) in opposition to a fundamental grant, will not make civil wars amongst our laws ?
19. Whether those freemen of whom (the body of this Court is made up) can grant other oaths to the laws of this colony with any safety, if they should let any law lie dor- mant or unregarded, whilst other orders be made to cut that short ?
20. Whether or no if you take this branch of our privileges from us, may we not take another, & so to the end of the chapter, & our so much boasted of privileges will be no more than a vain shadow or an emty shell ?
21. If this honorable Court should, out of extraordinary zeal, discharge those of Pe- quonnock from paying any of our town dues, whether or no the wholesome laws enacted by the same power, still in force & vigor, are repealed, will not help us to our money & credit again ?
22. If the settling of plantations & gathering churches be found a powerful way & means to advance God's glory, & the people's good, what may be thought of those, who, instead of gathering churches, make havoc & shipwreck, pull them in pieces, & instead of making two churches of one, they mar both ?
23. Whether religion can thrive when the peace of a place is lost ?
24. Whether there be not a woe pronounced against them by whom offences come ?"
members of the Church of England.
In 1692, Benjamin Fletcher became Governor of the Province of New York and determined to establish the Church of England in this province despite the fact that there were very few Church of England people here and scarcely six in all Westchester County. Governor Fletcher appears to have been a determined man for he persuaded the Colonial Legislature, composed with one exception of dissenters, to pass an act for settling a ministry and raising a maintenance for them in the City of New York, County of Richmond, Westchester and Queens County. This act was made law on March 24, 1693, and was drawn by James Graham, Speaker of the House, who was the solitary member of the Church of England in this Legislaturc. The act required that the parish of Rye was to consist of the townships of Rye, Mamaroneck and Bedford and was to have "a good sufficient Protestant Minister" established in it. This minister was to receive 100 pounds per year, 50 pounds of which was to be paid quar- terly in country produce.
On June 27, 1693, the town fathers of Rye, alarmed by the Governor's powers under the new act, appointed a committee of six members to pro- cure a minister as soon as possible. On February 26, 1694, they ordered that the town be taxed to defray the expense of repairing the parsonage
house.
On February 28, 1695, the Anglican Church was established in Rye. At a town meeting held on this day, the citizens in compliance with the Act of Legislature, though against their own desires, elected George Lane and John Brondig church wardens. At the same mecting the following vestrymen were elected: Jonathan Hart, Joseph Horton, Joseph Purdy, Timothy Knapp, Hachaliah Brown, Thomas Merritt, Deliverance Brown and Isaac Denham. None of these church wardens or vestrymen werc
On May 27, 1697, a committee of four was chosen to talk with Mr. Woodbridge concerning his settling in Rye as minister. In this year Rye seceded from the Province of New York and rejoined Connecticut. On July 22, 1697, another committee of four were chosen by vote for the pur- pose of procuring a minister for the town of Rye. In 1700, Rye was restored to the Province of New York.
Henry at New York. 36
1693-1695: Religious problems in Rye, N.Y., which had been settled largely by Congregationalists and Presbyterians from Connecticut. They longed to be back under the jurisdiction of Connecticut, where the "Blue Laws" would continue to protect them from a strong official Anglicanism stemming from Fort William
O
10
1695: Christ Church was erected in Philadelphia-the first edifice in that area. (Note the popu- larity of the "parish name" in this period during which you came into existence. ) 37
1697, January 19: The Town of Rye rebelled against the Colony of New York and sought to return to the jurisdiction of Connecticut. 38 "Thomas Merrick and Deliverance Brown in behalfe of the plantation of Rie, and Zechariah Roberts in behalfe of the plantation of Bedford, petitioning this Councill that the planta- tions of Bedford and Rie might be owned as included within the charter of this Colonie, and enjoy the pro- tection and goverm' of the lawes of this corporation, the Councill considering that the said plantations are included within the charter granted by his royall Majestie Charles the second to this corporation, and also further confirmed to this territory by the settlem of the dividing line between this Colonie and the Province of Newyork by the solemn act of comissioners for that end comissionated under the broad seal of England by his said Majestie ... the Councill doe therefore see cause and judge themselves obliged to own the said plantations to belong to this territory, and to recieve the inhabitants thereof under their govermt, and doe hereby order that pattents shall be granted them for their respective townships .... "S. The Act was approved by the General Court in May, "thereby bringing Stratford and Rye under the same jurisdiction.
1697, May 6: A body of New York Churchmen petitioned the Governor for permission to establish Trinity Church, with the Bishop of London as their rector and an assistant rector in residence. The new church was opened for services on March 13, 1698-another encouragement to Stratford Anglicans, who were now only a short sail from a Prayer Book parish and the Sacraments. 41
1698: South Carolina passed an act "to settle a maintenance on a Minister of the Church of England in Charleston. #42
1700, March 12: Dr. Thomas Bray, who had been appointed ecclesiastical commissary for Maryland by the Bishop of London, landed in the South for a six-months' visit. (This good news eventually reached Strat- ford.)43
1700, October 10: The General Assembly in Hartford bowed to an order from abroad requiring that Rye be returned to New York. Col. Caleb Heathcote is said to have been largely responsible for the reclaim- ing of this plantation for New York and Anglicanism. (He was later to use it for a base from which to assist Church-of-England sympathizers in Stratford. ) "Also his Majesties order bearing date the 29th of March, 1700, for stating the line between this Colonie [Connecticut] and the Province of Newyork, and whereby his Majestie hath placed the townes of Rye and Bedford under the goverm' of Newyork. "44
1701: What was to become Yale College was established, definitively named a few years later for Elihu Yale, whose son, still later, while visiting in England, conformed to the Anglican Church and caused both the father and Yale embarrassment. 45
1701, June 16: The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts [S.P.G. ] was chartered. It immediately planned to send George Keith [see under September 11, 1702] to survey Church life in Amer- ica and to report how the Society might best promote the Church of England in our part of the world.
1702: The Churchmen at Rye, N.Y., prevailed upon Bishop Compton to license the Rev. John Bartow to officiate as a missionary there, but he was shifted in 1704 to Westchester (now the Bronx), and the mis- sion at Rye became vacant. The fact that the Bishop of London had acted upon a petition from a neighbor so close to them led the Stratford underground to take the same steps. 46
1702: Although no petition has actually been discovered from Stratford Episcopalians as early as this year, it seems necessary to assume, on the authority of David Humphreys, that such a document some- where exists and will eventually come to light. In speaking of New England as one of the last areas to engage the attention of the S.P.G. he offered the following details:
"The last Government, New-England, tho' as hath been remarked before, provided with an Independent and Presbyterian Ministry, yet had great Numbers of Inhabitants, who could not follow that Persuasion, but were exceeding desirous of worshipping GOD after the Manner of the Church of England. I shall give the Reader a few Petitions from Congregations of People in this Government, which shew plainly the So- ciety did not concern themselves here, till they were loudly called upon; and that the Inhabitants in many Places, did not only send Petitions for Ministers, but also built Churches before they had any Min- isters; which is an uncontroulable Evidence and Proof, that the People themselves desired to have the Church of England Worship, with a hearty Zeal and true Sincerity.
"In September 1702. the Church-wardens of Rhode-Island, wrote to the Society, 'That they cannot for- bear expressing their great Joy in being under the Patronage of so honourable a Corporation .... ' The
11
Bishop of London (Dr. Compton) received at the same Time Petitions for Ministers from Rhode-Island, from Nararansett, from Newbury, a Church in Now-Hampshire, from little Compton and Tiverton, from Braintree near Boston, and from Stratford in Connecticut. The Caso of theso two last Towns was also further re- [c]ommended to the Society's Care, by Gentlemen of considerable Figure and Interest. Colonel Morris prossed very earnestly for a Minister for Braintree, and Colonel Heathcote, for anothor, for the People of Connecticut Colony; great Numbors of whom, were very carnest to have a Minister of the Church of Eng- land. Robert Hunter Esq; Governor of New-York, in the Year 1711, writes thus to the Society, concerning the People at Stratford: When I was at Connecticut, those of our Communion at the Church at Stratford, came to me in a Body; and then, as they have since by Lotter, begged my Intercession with tho Venerable Society, and the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of London, for a Missionary; they appeared vory much in earnest, and are the best Sett of Men I mot with in that Country."
"The first People who strove to have the Church Worship settled here [in Stratford], were about 15 Families, most Tradesmen, some Husbandmen, who had been born and bred in England, and came and settlod here. They by their Discourses about the Church Service, first turning thoir Neighbours Thoughts this Way. "
1702, September 10: The Rev. George Keith, gathering materials for the S.P.G. on the state of the Church in North America, visited New London, where he encountered no Episcopalians but was "civilly entertained" by the Congregational clergyman, Gurdon Saltonstall, later governor of the colony. s. expressed his respect for the Church of England but revealed few of the facts concerning the strug- gling underground movement. Here is the brief passage dealing with Connecticut in Keith's printed journal. 48
A TRINITY COLLEGE LIER
JOURNAL
OF
TRAVELS
FROM
NEW-HAMPSHIRE TO CARATUCK, On the Continent of
NORTH-AMERICA.
BY GEORGE KEITH, A. M.
Late Miffionary from the Society for the Pr pagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts ; and now Rector of Edburton in Suffex.
LONDON,
Printed by Joseph Downing, for Brab. Aylmer at the Three-Pigeons over. againft the Royal-Exchange in Cornbil, .1706.
[Page 43] September 10. 1702.
We came from Newport on Rhod Ifind and croffed. the Ferry over to Naraganfet, and lodged that Night at Mr. Balfures Houfe, who Entertained us very kin .!- ly and hofpitally, and next day we Travelled about 25 Miles, and lodg'd at Mr. Sextons, an Inn-keeper; and next day we fately arrived at New-London in Con- neticot Colony, and Government, which ftands by a Navigable River.
Septemb. 13. Sunday.
Mr. Talbot Preached there in the Forencon, and I. Preached there in the Afternoon, we being defired fo: to do by the Minifter, Mr. Gurdon Saltenftall, who civilly Entertained us at his HIoufc, and expreffed his good affection to the Church of England, as did allo the Minifter at Hampton, and the Minifter at Salisbury abovementioned, and diverfe others New-England Mi- nifters did the like. My Text was Rom. 8. 9. The Auditory was large, and well affected. Col. Wincop, Governour of the Colony, after Forenoon Sermon, in- vited us to Dinner at his Houfe, and kindly Entertain- ed us, both then, and the next day.
Sept. 15. 1702.
We hired a floop to carry us from New- London to: Long-Ifland over the Sound, being about Six Leagues Broad, and that day we fafely arrived at a Place on Long-Ifland, called, Oyfter-Ponds, about Noon, after that we came on Horfeback that Day 2.4 Miles, and lodged at Mr. Howel's an Inn-keeper, the next Day we Tra- velled 45 Miles, to Seatalket, and lodged at Mr. Gibs, Innkeeper; the next Day, being the 17th Inftant, we Travelled 32 Miles, all upon Long-Ifland, and ar-
12
1703, March 14: The Rev. Israel Chauncey, after a troublous ministry because of the rebellious "half- way" covenanters, died in Stratford. It was assumed that his successor would have other problems to face, for the Church of England sympathizers were beginning to come out into the open. They were especially vo- cal against being taxed to pay the salaries of Congregationalist clergy and to erect Congregationalist parsonages.
1703, May 7: On this date the Church-of-England underground movement struck its first effective blow. The Town Meeting sought support to buy a house from Daniel Shelton to serve as a parsonage for the next Congregational minister. Orcutt cannot give a reason for the stiff opposition which defeated the plan, but in naming the principal opposers, he tells us all we need to know. Shelton was an Anglican, and so were Isaac Knell, Samuel Peat, Sr., Timothy Titharton, and, possibly, Joseph Fairchild and Edward Hinman. Having petitioned the Bishop of London for a missionary, the underground was not going to waste its money on establishing Congregationalism in Stratford with facilities which its own forthcoming mis- sionary might lack. (Knell, Titharton, Shelton and John Peat were founders of your parish. )49
1703-1704: The Rev. John Reed was finally selected to be the next Congregational minister here. He was a man of great probity who read the signs of the times and was not hesitant to reveal to the Anglican underground that he would gladly go to England and receive Episcopal ordination, if his family -- a rather large one-could be fed during his absence. Because he was liked by the Church-of-England sympathizers in Stratford, his Congregationalist flock began to make his life miserable and ultimately, at the time this parish was organized, dismissed him without a cent. 50
1704: Colonel Caleb Heathcote, to his surprise, was elected a member of the S.P.G. Apparently his early efforts in behalf of Stratford Churchmen (see under 1702 above) made his election a part of a de- veloping S.P.G. strategy. He proved subsequently to be one of the best on-the-spot helpers among the laity that the Venerable Society ever had.
1704, May: The Rev. Thomas Pritchard became the first "rector" at Rye, N.Y. His limitations soon be- came apparent to Colonel Heathcote. If he was ever approached by Stratford Churchmen for services or pas- toral help, he apparently gave them no consideration. Fortunately for the Church in this crucial period, he died in March or April, 1705.º 52
Mr. Pritchard was duly established as Rector of Rye and put into possession of the Rectory or Parish Church of Rye in May 1704. As there was no church in Rye at this time, services were held in the Town House. The natives of Rye were averse to the Church of England and its liturgy according to Mr. Pritchard who reported on November 1, 1704, that his flock called the Cross in baptism "popery and downright idolatry" and referred to the Liturgy as "the gaggling of geese."
Madame Knight, who passed through Rye in December 1704, wrote as follows in her Journal "and they told me that one Church of England parson officiated in all those three towns (Mamaroneck, Rye and Green- wich) once every Sunday, in turns, throughout the year, and that they all could but poorly maintain him, which they grudged to do, being a poor and quarrelsome crew as I understand by our host. Their quarreling about their choice of a minister they chose, to have none, but caused the government to send this gentleman (Mr. Pritchard) to them."
Colonel Heathcote did not long retain his first favorable impression of Mr. Pritchard, for on February 26, 1705, he wrote to the secretary of the Venerable Society "how uncommonly unhappy and unfortunate we were in Mr. Pritchard, who had during his stay totally ruined the interest of the church in this Parish; his management is so strange and unaccount- able, that but barely to relate what that gentleman does not blush to do, looks more like malice than a true account of things. I do assure you he has not for near a quarter of a year now past, preached four sermons in any part of his Parish, nor scarcely been there in all that time; he living at a public house in a french town called New Rochelle, about 6 miles from his church, that being so intolerably careless of his flock, the people some not knowing of it, and others being enraged, that when he preaches, nobody will come to hear him."
1704, October 6-26: Schoolmaster George Muirson is mentioned in letters to the S.P.G., one from Lord Cornbury and the other from the Rev. William Vesey, in charge of Trinity Church in New York. Muirson's character and quality are both indicated and foreshadowed : 53
Continued to the Year of our Lord ffar. Reprefehling what the SOCIETY Eftablifhed in England by ROYAL CHARTER hathdone fince their Incor- poration June 16. 1701. in Her Majesty's Plantations, Colonies, and Fattories: As alfo what they Defign to do upon further Encouragement from their own Members and other well difpofed Chriftians, either by Annual Subfcriptions, prefent Benefactions, or future Legacies.
Sir
NEW YORK Oct 6+ 1704
I trouble you with these few lines to acknowledge the receipt of the printed acct of the Propag" of the Gospel in for" Parts, and I must acquaint you that there are some mistakes, in that page for example it is said "Long Island belonging to New England whereas in truth Long Island belongs to New York & it is said Rhode Island belonging to New York,- whereas Rhode Island is a charter government of itself. I must further acquaint you that there is no Cha building nor built at Shrewsbury nor Delaware Falls. We have a Chh at Burlington & I hope next Spring we shall have one at Salem-another at Middletown in Monmouth County & another at Elizabeth Town.
I do not trouble you with so large an account now as I would have done & as I will do for the future because the Bearer hereof MI' Muirson is able to give very good acct of all matters here. he was sent over to be Schoolmaster at Albany but there being no allowance yet settled for a schoolm' there & there being 5of a year settled here by Act of Assembly for a schoolm' in this City I stopped him here for some time and the rather because when he arrived here there were several youths going to be sent to Boston wheb I thought it would be better to prevent by stop- ping Mr Muirson here. he is now going to England in hopes of being admitted into Holy Orders. I should be glad that he might be dispacht hither early in the Spring
I am Sir your very humble Servt
CORNBURY.
NEW YORK Oct 26th 1704
Dear Sir
M' Geo Muirson a sober, ingenious youth designs God willing to receive Holy Orders and is recommended by my Ld Cornbury & the Rever' Clergy convened at N York candidate for the office of catechist in this City. Only here being a great number of youths and of Indian and negro Slaves who need Instruction, hoping that the Soc" will take it into their pious consideration and allow him 5of per ann. And for his farther encouragement to assist lim in all offices (being of an inferior constitution) do promise to allow him £50 per ann out of my small income which is 16of p' Aun of this Money.
Your sincere friend & Servant in Christ
WILL" VESEY.
1705: The first broadside report of the S.P.G. was sent to its members throughout the world. The following reproduction is made from Caleb Heathcote's copy, now in the Archives of the Dio- cose of Connecticut, having been presented by Bishop William Heath- cote DeLancey's grandson. Note that Connecticut is still con- sidered torren incognitam.
PAR
IN
O
Gos
in For
(19)
PR
AN ACCOUNT
®
ARTS.
the Golpe in
THE
FOREIGN
Propagation of.
OF
13
14
T H.E Propagation of the Gospel Foreign Parts, as it is an . there are &veramente, and kiem's to be abercon's to Bebetter and Juk; Affair of the higheft Importance to, Mankind, and therefore : telity, and that alle too tight of learned and Dichobox Minifiers to the first given in Charge to his Apofiles by the Son of God, when fruct others of Dis Subjects in the Principles of true Religion, Dieses He commanded them to Go, Track, and Baptize all Nations" Bomba Prieks and Here's where the more encouraged to perbert aud trato in the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost : 'them ober ts popel. Sub mitter and Julatry," But He immediately -Spherbris ban the this Care of spytaltiiviens in all & get downwheny ( Embeds Societ were Supp lem, con courant mosquitoinfo to execute that Comigifion for the Good of Souls, and the Honour of ihreir Bleffed Redeemer. in Church, and Stare, as well as of a confiderable Number of others of almoft all Ranks and Profefions, to carry on fo glorious a Delign ; at the Head of whom appear our Metropolitans of both Provinces, The moft Reverend Fathers in God, Thomas Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, and, Fob» Lord Archbishop of York; with the Right Reverend Father in God; Henry Lord Bithop of London to whofe Juridiction moft of thofe Places do bçlong.
How the Primitive Preachers of the Gofpel fucceeded in the Difcharge of their great Truft in the earlier Days of Chriftianity, we have a glorious Account in the facred Writings, where we find, that whilft they were. acted by one and the fame Spirit, the Gofpel was wonderfully propagated by them; 'twas no foonet rifen, but, like the Sun its Emblem, it fhone forth even upon the remoteft Parts of the then known World, giving Light to them which fate in Darkneß, and in the Shadow of Death. But it under- went in after-times frequent Eclipfes, and fuffer'd ftrange Declenfions thro" the Corruptions and Diffentions of thofe that fucceeded in the later Ages : And 'ris a very melancholy thing to reflect, how our moft Holy Religion, which in Fifty Days after the Refurrection of our Lord; was proclaimed at Ferufalem to Men of all the Nations, and in all the Languages under Heaven ; doch now at more than Fifteen Hundred Years distance, thro" the prevailing Influences of Fudaifm, Mabometanifm, and .Paganifm, bear no larger a Proportion to thole other Profeffions than that of V. to XXV. No more than which is allow'd it by the moft accurate Computation in its utmoft Latitude, as it comprehends the Eaftern, the Latin, and the Pro- reftant Communions at this Day.
: To recover the Ground loft, and for the better promoting the De- fign of the Gofpel, in reducing all Denominations to one Fold, whether Fews or Gentiles, there have been many ahd zealous Attempts for the Conversion of Infidels in thel'e laft times.
The Church of Rome, whofe Emiffaries compafs Sea and Land to gain Profelytes, boafts much of her Spanifl, Portuguefe, French, and feveral other Miffions ; by which it muft be confefs'd, that the Name and Profeffion bf Chriftianity hath indeed been enlarged, yet not without fuch grofs Cor! ruptions as very eminent Perfons among themnfelves have defervedly com- plained of, whilft the Reformed Churches of Holland, Sweden, Denmark, &c. have donc moro, though with lefs Pomp, and under far lefs happy Opportunities.
England, we mult confels, hath been too much wanting and negligent in this great Concern, from whom more might have been expected, as en- joying more of the fpecial, Favours of God, under a clearer Light of the Gofpel than many other Nations ; bitt the Concurrence of fome unhap- py Circuinftances urider which we have long laboured, hath obftructed the willing Endeavours of many able and pious Perfons, who would heartily have come into this Evangelical Work ; But this noble De- lign (cem'd, by the fpecial Providence of God; to be referved for fo favourable a Seafon, when many other pious and charitable Works are car- rying on in this Kingdom.
'T'was during the Reign of King William III. that this glorious Delign, for advancing the Kingdom of the Bleffed Jefus abroad, was firft effectually fet on foot ; Who was no fooner informned by fome whofe Hearts God had ftirt'd up for this extraordinary Undertaking, Ebat in many of our plan, rations, Colonica and factortes beyond the E.as, the probilion for spis mitters was berg mean ; and many others of our Planrations; Colonies and factories were thefly befferate and ampiobided of a sprintenance for Winilers and the Publick cato;taip of God ; and that -sos lack of-doup; port and Maintenance foz fuch, many wantto the Womturtratten of dou's
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