GENERA L H IS TORY

— OF

TH E TOWN OF S H ARON

LlTCH Fl LD COU E NTY, CONN .

FR OM ITS FIR ST E E ME S TTL NT .

‘ K Y HA F. S WI B C RLES EDG C , A . M .

TH IRD EDITION .

Y AMENIA , N .

CONTENTS

CoNTE NTs

PRE FACE To FIRS T

PRE FACE To SE COND EDITION

PRE FACE To THIRD EDITION

BIOGRAPHICAL SKE TCH OF AUTHOR

CHAPTE R I Containing a Concise History of Events which Led

to the Sale and Settlement of the Township .

CHAPTE R II 24 27 An Account of the Measures Proposed and Ex ecuted for the Sale and Settlement of the Town

ship .

CHAPTE R III 28 35 Incorporation of the Town— First Town Meeting — List of Officers Chosen Settlement of Rev . Peter — — Pratt First Meeting House Alarming Sickness .

CHAPTE R IV 36 41

Indians in Sharon .

CHAPTE R V 42 52 — n Ecclesiastical Affairs Depositio of Mr . Pratt — His Subsequent Careel Litchfield County ; When O rganized— Settlement of Mr Searle— Ellsworth — Kn iblo e— Society Rev . Mr . Dismission of Mr

Searle . W 8 HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON .

53 57

A History of the Moravian Missions in Sharon .

CHAPTE R VII 58 66 — — Rev . Cotton Mather Smith Census Church of England Missions— Organization of the Episcopal — — W Parish New Meeting House Rev . George hit

field .

V 67 76 CHAPTE R III . .

Events of the Revolutionary War.

CHAPTE R 77 85 — Incidental Events Disastrous Fire in Sharon Val ley— Small Pox— Casualties— Shay ’ s Rebellion

Excise Duties .

CHAPTE R $ 86 9 1

Methodist Society in Sharon .

CHAPTE R XI 92— 1 03

History of the Ecclesiastical Society , Continued .

CHAPTER XII 104—109 W The ar of the Rebellion .

CHAPTE R XIII 1 10—162 — Biographical Notices Family Sketches , Geneal

ologies , Etc .

A PPE NDIX A 1 65—166 ’ Form of Deeds Given by the. Government s Com mittee to the Purchase rs o f Rights to the Common

Land in Sharon . APPE NDIX 167—1 70

Patent of the Town of Sharon .

APPE NDIX 17 1— 174 M ’ . t Rev Cot on ather Smith s Reply to Rev . Dr . ’ Trumbull s Circular .

APPE NDIX D 175—176 Copy of the Deed by which the Indians Conveyed to Away their Last Claim of Title Lands in Sharon .

APPE NDIX E

List of Names of Soldiers of the Revolution , b elonging to the Town of Sharon , who served in 1776 ’ , taken from the Controller s Books , in

Hartford . IS TH E W S H TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 9

APPE NDIX F 1 78— 181

Narrati ve of Adonijah Maxam . — APPE NDIX G . 1 82 1 83 Graduates of Yale College who have been Citizens

of Sharon .

APPE NDIX H 1 84 t e Names of the Children of h Rev . Cotton Mather

Smith , with the dates of their decease .

APPE NDIX I 185— 1 90 Roll of the Representatives from the Town of

Sharon to the General Ass embly .

1 91— 1 93

Town Officers .

APPE NDIX K 1 94

Hymn composed by the Hon . John Cotton Smith , and sung at the Celebration of the On e Hundredth

Anniversary of the First Town Meeting . — APPE NDIX L 1 95 1 98 ’ History and Dedication of the Soldiers Monument .

The Hotchkiss Libr ary . — A PPE NDIX N 203 20 4

The Catholic Church in Sharon . PREFACE TO FIRST EDITI ON .

TH E Author of the following pages was requested by his fellow citi zens of the town of Sharon to prepare an address to be delivered at the celebration of the one - hundredth anniversary of

22d b 1 839 . their first town meeting , on the day of Decem er ,

This request was complied with , but the short period in which it e was pr pared rendered it , necessarily , in many respects imper

f ect . , and in some inaccurate By the advice of many friends he has been induced to embody the facts connected with the History the of the Town in form here presented , and to commit the work to the press for the benefit of the inhabitants of his adopted u town . The labor of making the researches has necessarily occ f b pied much time , and no ef ort has een spared to make the work

c ac urate in its details . In preparing S ketches of the many b citizens of the town who are rought to notice in the last chapter , l the personal history of more than two hundred individua s , many b of whom have een dead for a half century , has been investi gated , and many names which had long Since gone into b forgetfulness are rought to light . It is not unlikely that in this the b ut is part of work some errors may have intervened , it believed that in almost every instance accuracy has been attained . If the work Sh all prove interesting or useful to the citizens of the b d b town , the la or incurre in its preparation will e well repaid .

c 1842 SHARON , Mar h , TO O PREFACE SEC ND EDITI ON .

IT is now thirty - fiv e years S ince the author published 3 His tory of the Town of Sharon . He was appointed by his fellow townsmen to prepare an address to be delivered on the one hun dredth n i a niversary of the first town meet ng of the town . This led him to a partial but by no means thorough investigation of V facts connected with the history of the town . ery little aid was obtained from public documents , other than the records of the the town , and principal reliance for items of history was upon the traditions handed down from the early settlers . Under these circumstances the work was committed to the press . The consequence was that in regard to the early history of the town , n it was very defective , owing to the uncertai ties of traditions b and . the barrenness of documentary proof . Since the ook was published , the study into the history of local corporations has b ecome very general , and the success which has in some cases attended such pursuits has encouraged the author to make more minute investigations into the facts relating to the early history b of Sharon . In prosecuting this purpose he was greatly aided y

E s f the late Nathaniel Goodwin , q , of Hart ord , who was an antiquarian of most scrupulous accuracy , and who delighted to extend his aid in the diffusio n of historic al knowledge . Many of b the documents thus obtained have een copied into this work , that the men of those times may give in th eir own language a history of their trials an d success . W 1 2 HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF SHARON .

When the first book was pub lished some were living w ho were acquainted with some of the early settlers of the town , and Whose recollections extended back to the preaching of Whitfield and to the exciting times preceding the war of the n Revolution . Ma y others then survived who took an active E s part in that war . The late Alpheus Jewett , q , was one of b the party which was organized in Sharon , which roke up and scattered a large body of tories who had gathered at Washing 7 Y . 1 77 ton Hollow , N . , in , to welcome the coming of the

British General , Burgoyne , then on his way with a large army from Canada . He was also in the battle at Compo in Fair fi l e d . , where Lieut Samuel Elmer , Jun was killed , and fur n ished the particulars of that battle as given in the body of this work . He had a remarkably retentive memory , and the aid which he furnished the author in gathering up the incidents in the history of the town is gratefully remembered . The same acknowledgment is due to the memory of the late Calvin Gay , E s q , from whom the author derived much aid in the prepara tion of the notices of individuals noticed in the last chapter .

These worthies of the olden time have all gone to their rest , b ut their statement of historical events occurring during their time furnish the only authentic information of many incidents in the annals of the town . It is only of late that the Author has been pers uaded to i prepare and publish this edition of the work . The strong n terest expressed by the prominent cit izens of Sharon for the embodiment of such additional facts as might be b rought to i b l ght y further investigations into another edition of the work , has persuaded him to engage in the undertaking . If in any degree it answers the expectations of those who have urged the publication , he w ill feel much gratified .

W . CHARLES F . SEDG IC K E To O P REFAC THIRD EDITI N .

W TH E . E E S . . . M HON CHARL F S DG ICK , A , from a large and valuable fund of information acquired through patient and pains a b taking research , compiled succinct and valua le historical work W w a h hich s published as the History of Sharon . T is first was delivered as an ann iversary address and afterwards published in pamphlet form . Later the original matter , greatly amplified and b b added to , was given to the pu lic in ook form as the second

1 877 . n edition , in Since that time the esteemed author has e tered b 1 877 b the life eternal . The second editio n , pu lished in , has een completely exhausted for some years , and frequent demand hav ing arisen for copies of a work so justly celebrated among local

v O historical chronicles , the price of the ery few opies available has risen to a large figure , and they are scarcely to be obtained at any price .

b The Pu lisher of the History now issues a Third Edition , with the consent and by authorizatio n of the family of the author . The b work has een preserved in its integrity , the only matter added

’ being b rief resumes in regard to the Soldiers Monument , the b b Hotchkiss Li rary and the Catholic Church , which have ecome notable features of Sharon , and worthy of mention in its history , ’

w . and have come into being since Gen . Sedg ick s death These

L . will be found at the close of the book as Appendix , Appendix

N . . M . and Appendix , respectively The records of the ecclesias tical and civil organizations of the town have been brought down 4 W 1 HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON .

b b has to date to e complete at this t ime . The Pu lisher wished to b add also a little of illustration to the ook , notably the portrait of the distinguished author as a frontispiece . It is a W ise and proper thing for every community to preserve and cherish the traditions and facts of its early annals , and every year makes the possession of such an interesting and well - written local history as this more valuable .

THE PUBLISHER . O P OF BI GRA HICAL SKETCH AUTHOR .

A E S E E E WI CH RL FR D RICK S DG CK , son of John Andrews l . 1 Sedgwick , was born at Cornwall Ho low , Conn , September , 1 795 . He belonged to a family distinguished both i n this country

. w and in England His grandfather , General John Sedgwick , as

- Major in the Revolutionary army , and a Major gene ral of the

State Militia , and was a direct descendant of the Puritan, Robert ’ Sedgwick , who was one of Cromwell s most able Generals , and m was the founder of the fa ily in America , settling in Charles

s 1 636 . town , Mas , about

“ W 1 81 3 Mr . Sedgwick graduated from illiams College in , and w w studied law ith Judge Cyrus S an of Sharon , where h e con ffi tinued in the practice of his profession . He held the o ce of

’ Litchfield State s Attorney for County for eighteen years , and served in both branches of the Legislature of the State . He t always took a great in erest in military affairs , and for many years was Major general of the State Militia .

e s u Mr . Sedgwick married B t y , eldest da g hte r of Judge 2 2 1 9th 1 88 . 1 8 . Swan , in He died in Sharon , March , He had t he w w ten children , and youngest son , Cyrus S an Sedg ick , still resides in the old family home .

H lS TORY OF T H E TOWN OF S H A RON .

CHAPTER I .

CONTAINING A CONCISE HISTORY OF E V E NTS WHICH L E D TO TH E

S E A ND SE E ME F TH E W AL TTL NT O TO NS HIP .

TH E North - western part of Connecticut was sold and settled t at a much la er period than any other portion of the state . As 1 686 early as the year , nearly all the lands in the Colony had b n Wa ter bur Wood ee disposed of , except those lying north of y and bw ' bur e ims . S . y , and w st of y Under the Charter of Charles II , obtained in the Colony of Connecticut ; though nominally S b dependent on the crown , enjoyed , in fact , a trictly Repu lican form of government ; the only service they were required to render to the crown of England being the one - fif th part of the produce of such mines of gold and silver as should b e discovered .

b b . Charles was succeeded y his rother , James II , a prince of very b e i an d wa s firm ar itrary and vindictive prop ns ties , no sooner he l b y seated on his throne , than he egan to manifest his tyrannical b h b b disposition y causing the c arters , which had een granted y e be b his pr decessors , to vacated , and y assuming to himself the right of appointing governors for the diff erent Colonies . It was

“ feared by the people , that these Royal governors would seize upon all the public lands which had not been sold and granted by an u n ustifi the Colony , d measures were taken to prevent such j

b v t b abl ro ceedin s . e p g It was elie ed , hat if the pu lic lands were

b ~ sold , and the title to them guaranteed y the governor and com b e pany of the Colony , they could not seized for the king , and under this impression , the land within the limits just mentioned 1 8 F W' H I STORY O T H E TO N OF S HARON .

e the 26 th 1686 w re on day of January . , conveyed to the towns f H W o . artford and indsor The grant , however , did not include

w O us ato n ic b b b the lands est of the River , the assem ly pro a ly

c e m supposing , that , on a count of their great distanc fro the

‘ e b the h s ttled parts of the Colony , they were eyond reac of the ' O b h c t . e t e royal governor s rapa i y In cto r , after grant just men tiO ned E dnm nd A ndross c m the b . Sir a e into Colony , and y virtue

mm n m i me o m e a d of a co issio fro K ng Ja s , to k upon hi s lf the

Of o a nd o n b u t wo ministration the g vernment , c nti ued in it a o t

e n m years , or until the d positio of King Ja es . when the people quie tly resume d thei r ancien t form of govern ment under the

Charter .

b e b e e u The lands a ov mentioned ing d emed of little val e , and the m t b ore fer ile parts of the State eing but thinly populated , it was more than thirty years before an y attempts were made. b t . 1 722 the b to set le them A out the year , pu lic attention was

waste$ n lan ds le turned to the , as they were cal d ; and as they b W egan to rise in value , the towns of Hartford and indsor laid b claim to them , under the ancient grant which had een made to them under the circu mstan ces which have been mentioned .

This claim created a strong excitement throughout the Colony , b and a long and itter controversy ensued , which resulted in a t he division of the lands between towns and the Colony , the towns taking the eastern portion and the Colony the western .

This c ontention with Hartford and Windsor had retarded the b ut f sale of the western lands , that di ficulty was now adjusted , b 1 730 and the Assem ly took measures , soon after , to effect this b o ject and for this purpose they were surveyed , and laid out

b m . into townships of suita le di ensions At the session in May ,

1 7 2 n hen b 3 E dmu d L ew s E . e e illiam i s St N o l . W , , q , Capt p , and Mr * 7a lor d n y , were appointed a committee to view the Colony la ds Ousato n ic w west of the River , and to lay out a to nship in the

is . w o w M r. e w h as a e d at the h ead o f this o mm ttee b e o n d o L pl c c i , l g e t an d was he o n u e o r H t C u ty S rv y o f Fairfi eld C o un ty . e h ad b e e n e mpl o y ed thro ugh the whOl e o f the p re c edi n g y e ar i n s urveyi n g an d I u n n i ng the b o u n d ary li n e b etwee n the c o l o n y 0 C o n n ectic u t an d the ro in e o f Ne w Yo r wh was a wo o f e ea b o H e ha a s o p v c k , ich rk v ry gr t l a r . d l b e e n em o e e a s b e IOI e in a n o ut o un ti a n ts in pl y d , y r , l yi g c y r the s o uth a rt o f the te r i ito r an d o f o u se w s w ac u n t p y , c r a ell q ai tec wi h all thi s re gio n o f o un t1 then In a s ta t o f n a tu r b w e e M . No e as th e se o n so n o f r c y , r l c d M . o h n No b e o f New Mi o who i s e uted the st s ett e o h t J l lf rd r p fir l r f t at o wn . r G a lo rd was a s o n o f rs M . v l o e the fi t s ettl ers o f New Milf O I d a n d was ri ro W e i i o g in ally f m in ds o 1 . H e was th p a t ai ch o f the G a ylo rd family ’ whi h s e tt e in the n o r thwes t a o f ha o wn a e a l o 1 s c l d p rt t t t , c ll d G y d fai ms , o r s trai hts in wh h th n am s ti g , ic e G ayl o rd e ll prevails .

2 W 0 HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF SHARON .

It would seem that the way w as now prepared for the sale and b ut the W settlement of the township , Hartford and indsor lands b e n e b b i g n arer the settled portions of the Colon y , pro a ly afford a m b ed ore desira le field for the enterprize of new settlers , and w O the Colony lands ere neglected . ther circumstances also ex is ted w hich produced a se rious delay in bringing the lands in b Sharon in to market . The line of partition etwe en the Colony

a nd Ne w Y was of Connecticut the Province of ork , defined b M 1 m a 73 1 . e and esta lished in y . The co missioners to s ttle the boundaries between the different jurisdiction on the part of Con n ec ticut W , were Samuel Eells , Roger olcott and Edmund Lewis

Ne w V on the part of York , Cadwalader Colden , incent Matthews

acob us un . e and J Bruyn , J , and the articles of settlement are dat d D 1 4 1 73 1 . over , May , b Several years efore the settlement of the boundaries , one Richard Sackett had located himself at the plac e now ca lled the

S teel Wor/cs b V e Ten M ile R iver b , in the eautiful all y of the , a out

r seven miles south of the now village of Sharon . The whole e

’ an d b gion was a wilderness , it eing in the time of Queen Anne s h l e e . war , was exposed to imminent peril from hosti savages - He acquired large possessions of land and his settlem e nt is spoken ’ e a ke t s r of in cot mporary docum e nts and records as S c t F a m.

had b e n He e n a sea captai in early life , and in connection with wealthy individuals in the city of New York b e commenced at an early day to purchase the Indian title to the lands n ear n b b b him . The colo y line not having een established , he pro a ly availed himself of his knowledge of astronomy acquired in the

o ne o f sa to wn s hi o n Po co nnu ck Mo n a a e e e o f o h c r r id p , u t , l rg pi c r ug d ma n e o was e an we th n n o s n 4 0 a es . The e t l , i k t l e s tha , 0 0 ci r i d r f the a n s i n s a d to wn s h w in our ud men b e se eab e f o i lo win l d i ip ill , j g t, rvic l p g mo w n an d as u n an d w l w th the n hab tan ts the e an d i g , p t ri g il , i i i r , t é a ms a o mmo d a e a s uffi en t n umb e o f n ab tan ts f o i a to wn f r , cc t ci r i h i . “ In the s e o n d to wn s h w fi n d two o n ds w i ma o n c ip e p , h ch y c tai n 50 0 a es . The e i s a d o u i n o o u n t an s 4 a es an ci r l i t it, f c ry gr t , 00 cr , d a co n s ider able u an t o f i o u h an d et we fi nd su a u an t o f as b q ity g l , y ch q ti y fe i l e an ds In it an d n o t so mu h s a t er n as i n the s t to wn s i as w l ( c c t i g fir h p) . ill , n o u r n n j udgme t acco mmodate a. suffi cie t numb er of in habitan ts f o r a iown . “ The remain dei o f the c oun t ry lan ds there is ab out eight miles in en th an d t the so u th e nd we d e ab o u ee o o l g , a , ju g , t thr f urths f a mile o W e ; wh h we fi n d , the eates t p a t o f it, to b e e r u an d id ic gr i —v ry gh mo u n tai n o us ; yet we fi n d s o me feasibl e l an d i n it Which is all at prese nt supp o s ed to b e needful b y your H on ors mo st ob edien t servants to m n c o ma d . E D M N D E WIS U L , ST E PH E N NO B L E ommittee W , , m. YL OR D , 0 GA cw ob e 9 17 2 N Milfo rd , Oct r , 3 , S TH E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 2 1

study of navigation , and made experiments and observations , 1 683 b based upon a treaty of partition made in , ut whic h ha d b never een carried out by actual survey , and persuaded himself t b tha the oundar y line , when surveyed , would run within about t wo Of Ousato nic . b miles the River In this elief, he purchased lif etoazon all of , the great Chief of the Indian tribes in that region , w b at Co ake F lats Y . hose residence was pro ably p , N . , about

- n twenty two thousand acres of la d , more than seven thousand acres of which the survey of the boundary line showed t o b e i n

Connecticut . The boundaries were definitely traced in the treaty of purchase but in general terms they were as follows The east lin e commenced at a place which the Indians called Wim etin b p g, at the western ase of a range of mountains , about seven miles south of Sharon Village and from that point it b followed the western ase of the mountain range , northerly , to b a a point in Salis ury , a little e st of Town Hill , so called . From that point the line ran northwesterly to the base of the mountain Ore P n north of the Hill , which in the Indian deed is called o sum sie the a p , thence southwesterly to the foot of mount in west ’ o f encer s S p Corner , then following that range southerly through

’ the W assaic valley , to Sackett s other possessions . Looking at

a we this territory in all its char cteristics and resources , can hardly conceive of any other which exceeds it in rural beauty or sources of wealth .

He , believing that the whole tract was within the territory of New York , obtained a confirmation of his title from the Pro

' v inc ial Government and from Queen Anne s Most Excellent d Majesty . He exercise acts of ownership in different parts of w the territory . He built a d elling house in what is now called V Sharon alley , which stood west of the Ten Mile River . a little W west of the Malleable Iron orks , and just within the territory of Connecticut . There he settled a tenant of the name of Baltus b e b o c Lott , a Dutchman . There can no dou t that the house cu pie d by this individual was the first house built by a white man b in Sharon , and that he was the first white inha itant of the town . Sackett also made other improvements in various portions b of the lands claimed by him . But the running of the ound ary line in 1 73 1 showed him that a large and valuable portion of C them were within the jurisdiction of onnecticut , and that so much of them would be lost to him unless he could obtain a con

firmatio n of his title from that colony . W 22 HISTORY O F TH E TO N OF S HARON . He immediately commenced petitioning the General Court

e of Connecticut for the recognition of his title , and prosecut d his suit for nearly seven years . He urged , from time to time , his claims to the land for the reasons , that he had expended large

n b e sums of mo ey in the purchase of it , in the full lief that it was in New York that he had braved many dangers during a long residence in the wilderness , encountered perils and priva b b tions of various kinds , had uilt a grist mill for the enefit of the neighboring inhabitants and in various other ways urged a confirmation of his title . His petitions were uniformly rej ected

’ b b e t ff o e y the legislature , and , af er several years of e rt , satisfi d

b e u seless ab an do n ed . that a further prosecution would , it forever But his tenant Baltus Lott held on to his possessions for sev n ff eral years after the tow was settled , despite the many e orts of the proprietors to dislodge him and finally comp e lled them to pay him a liberal price for his improvements . The Colony of Connecticut ever made it a practice to deal justly by the Indian claiman ts before they a ttempted to dispose

“ ’ n f i b l . o . ts lands y sett ements Treati g Sackett s purchase as a b nullity , the governor and company employed Thomas Lam , w ho the n lived at Lime Rock , in Salisbury , to buy up I dian title

the s O b 1 738 ff to land in Sharon , and in cto er , , he e ected a pur the b i b chase from tri e claiming t tle to them , for a out four in defin iten ess c t hundred and fifty dollars . The and un er ainty re of this contract with Lamb , as to how much , if any , land was n served to the Indians , afterwards as will be see , caused no little trouble to the settlers .

It will b e observed that the committee who laid out the to township , mention in their report the legislature that there

' ’ had been laid out in coun tr y gran ts about four hundred acres of n h b la d . This was t e designation given to lands patented y the

Colony to individual purchasers . The land thus described was

’ near Hitchcock s Corner . It was laid out in two parcels , one

e O an of three hundr d acres to Samuel rvis , of Farmington , and

' other of about one hundred acres to Jonathan Bird of the same b u the b . town . Both pieces were surveyed y Mr Lewis a o t time of the original survey of the town . This grant included lands in of the very first quality , and extended as far north as to

E s . O elude the farm of the late Southard Hitchcock , q rvis a b ut 1 734 and Bird never occupied their l nds , before sold them

to one Daniel Jackson , and the patent was taken out in Jack S TH E W S 2 HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . H 3

’ n ’ son s ame , and the land for many years was c alled Jackson s

en w as P a t t . Daniel Jackson the first New E ngland m a n who lived in Sharon . His house stood where the house lately owned b y the Sharon Manufacturing Compan y stands . He was orig inall Fairfield b ut his y from Newtown , in County , at the time of

li e a purchase resided in Dover , N . Y His son Jehiel J ckson ,

Grea t H ol who once lived where George Maxam now lives , in the w l lo . . , was the first white child born in Sharon Mr Jackson ived b u f w 8 t a e . b 1 7 9 e years in town In Fe ruary , , he sold his pat nt

W . to Garret inegar , and removed to Great Barrington , Mass CH A PTE R II .

AN A CCOUNT OF TH E ME ASURE S PROPOSE D A ND E XE CUTE D FOR

TH E A N W S ALE D S E TTLE ME NT OF TH E TO N SHIP .

b 1 738 AT the session of the Assem ly in May , , it was ordered that the township should b e sold at public auction at New W w b Haven on the second ednesday of the follo ing Octo er . E W s . Samuel Eels , q , Joseph hiting and Capt Isaac Dickerman

were appointed a committee for that purpose . It was divided

fif t - h Of into y three rights , or s ares , as they were called , one

w as which was given to the first minister , one reserved for the Of o use the ministry in the t wn , and one for the support of b schools , and the debts accruing from the sale were secured y the an d the bonds of the purchasers , when collected avails were divided among the other towns in the colony for the support of h f n sc ools therein . The following is a list O the origi al pur chasers Of the town b Nathaniel Skinner , Icha od Foot , a Thomas Skinner , Stephen C lkin ,

r. Nathaniel Skinner , J , Samuel Hutchinson , 2 3 Samuel Calkin , rights , Timothy Pierce , rights ,

Samuel Gillet , James Smith , b Joshua Lyon , E enezer Mudge , s Jo eph Skinner , John Sprague , 3 John Pardee , Samuel Butler , rights ,

Niles Coleman , Benjamin Johns ,

Matthew Judd James Talmadge , S O TH E W S HI T RY OF TO N OF HARON . 25

b e Ja ez Cri pp n , Daniel Hunt ,

‘ W 2 S aif o rd illiam Goodrich , rights , Thomas p , n a Jo than Petit , John Goold , a O Zephani h Swift , Benjamin wen .

b N n 3 Joseph Parke , E enezer orto ,

Joseph Holley , Samuel Comstock , b Cale Chappel , Jonathan Peck ,

. Josiah Gillet , Jr Jonathan Case ,

Samuel Beach , Moses Case , VV OOdin . Joseph Monroe , John b E en Case ,

des i These purchasers formed a legal corporation , whose g The P ro riet rs o the Comm a d nation was and is , p o f on n Unclivicled L a nd in the Town s hi o S ha r on p f . The clerks of the corporation

b N a tha niel S kinn er J hn Willia ms D niel r is have een , o , a G w ld S a muel Oa n eld a u E v rit S m el E . e t an d E ben W Cha e . o , fi , . fi e The c orporation had power to set out to eac h proprietor in sev eralt y his share of the lands , and at different times they have b een thus deeded . and each right has furnished to its owner nearly seven hundred acres of lan d . The average price of b n o each right was a out one thousa d d llars , and each deed to w n the purchaser contained the follo ing co dition , which would ensure the speedy occupanc y Of the lands “ u Always provided . and these presents , are pon this con b dition , that if the said shall y himself or his agent , within the space of two full years next after the date thereof , b enter upon the said granted premises , uild and finish an house thereon not less than eighteen feet square , and seven feet stud , b u su due , clear , and fence six acres of said land , and contin e Of re thereon for the space th e successive years . commencing b after the two years aforesaid , (unless prevented y death or b o inevita le Providences , ) and do perf rm all duties and orders , a b e pay all taxes th t shall granted , then the aforesaid deed shall ” remain in full force and virtue .

The records do not show how much , if any of the pur

o n h chase money was paid the sale , or that any ot er security than the person al bond of the purchaser were required before giving the deeds . Of the original proprietors these became inhabitants of the town

Nathaniel Skinner , John Sprague ,

Nathaniel Skinner , Jr . John Pardee , b Joseph Skinner , Ja ez Crippen , * 4 2 W 6 HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF SHARON . W Stephen Calkin , illiam Goodrich ,

Onathan Samuel Hutchinson , J Petit ,

James Smith , Joseph Parke ,

Ebenezer Mudge , James Talmadge ,

Joseph Holley , Daniel Hunt , All the above names have become extinct in the town ex b cept those of Pardee and Calkin , each of which is represented y

' b - Six ears a achelor , one of the age of eighty y , and the other ff not in a condition to a ord much hope of progeny . There are many now remaining in the town who are descendants from the

first proprietors through female lineage . Many of the original purchasers sold their rights to those who were also among the first settlers of the town . Some of them were as follows W John illiams , David Hamilton , b E enezer Jackson , Thomas Hamlin ,

Jonathan Dunham , Bartholomew Heath , b ew ett b Cale J , Samuel Hul urt , Ob adiah Chapman , Jonathan Lord ,

Caleb Strong , John Marvin , b John Cor et , Jonathan Rowley , .

Caleb Curtice , Matthew St . John , b b e E enezer Fris ie , John Tickn r ,

Baz aleel Benjamin Fuller , Tyler , Wa John Gay , George y , b Immediately after the sale of the township , a num er of the purchasers came on for the purpose of exploring , and to determine in what part of the town the settlement should b e made . After exploring the lands and viewing their situation , it was found that the centre of the township was very unfavorably

t wn l t. situated for the o p o It was on a high ridge of land , w here the face of the country was forbidding and un b b comforta le . After mature deli eration , it was determined to

’ the fix settlement on a street , laid out from Jackson s Patent to b S i Salis ury line , and the place designed for the center , or te of

a l . the public buildings , was laid out in squares of half mi e each Al l the individuals who came on to explore in the fall of 1 738 Wi lliam , returned to their families except one , who was G odrich b n h . a d t e o He rought his family with him , spent n wi ter , which was a very severe one , with no other neighbors

CHAPTER III .

— — INCORPORATION OF TH E TOWN FIRS T TOWN MEETING LIST OF

O E E — E E ME R E V E E FFIC RS CHOS N S TTL NT OF . P T R PRATT

E — M E FIRS T ME E TING HOUS ALAR ING SICKN SS .

DURING the process of locating and settling the township , n the i habitants enjoyed no corporate privileges , nor had the town recel v ed any other name than that given it by the com wh b mittee o laid it out in 1 733 . After so many inha itants had removed into the town as came in the Spring and Summer of 1 739 b be i , it ecame important that they should invested w th the usual privileges of Towns , and they should receive a cor

orate . n p name A meeting was accordi gly holden , and Captain Jon a than D un ham was appointed agent to make application to

b . the assem ly for a charter , with the usual privileges of Towns

The character , principles and expectations of the settlers are forcibly illustrated in their petition to the Assembly for an Act of Incorporation,which is as follows

To the H n ra ble the G vern r C un cil an d R e resen ta tives o o , o o , o p

in Gener a l C ur t assembled a t New H a ven 2 d Thursda o , y

O t ber A nn D mini 1 739 : of c o , o o , b b The memorial of the su scri ers hereunto , being the per ’ sons who , by your Honors favor were allowed to purchase the southernmost township on the west side of the Ou s ato n ic b S haron River , which we have presumed to call y the name of ,

S TH E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 29

w humbly s ho c th that the settlers on said tract of land are daily b increasing in num ers , and that there are at this present time

- d twenty eight families settled there , and a consi erable numb e r that are not head of families , and all are united in a desire that ’ the plan may have your Honors favor , protection and en co uragem en t that we may proc eed with courage and resolution , n o t b only to advance our estate , and temporal interest , u t also mb the interest of reli gion there , and for that we hu ly pray ,

“

1 . be That we may formed as a Town , and have the same privileges as are allowed an d granted to other Towns in this

Colony .

“ ’ 2 . That we may have your Honors allowance to call and settle some orthodox minister of the gospel among us . This b we the earlier ask , ecause we have a young gentleman now with us , in whom we think we can all unite , and who we think would be willing to undergo the difficulties of settling a wilder h b e b ness country , t at he might instrumental in uilding up the interest of Christ there . Your Honors granting the favors prayed for will engage your memorialists ever to pray .

The petition was granted and the following is a copy of the act of incorporation 0 Anno Regni Regis Georgii Secun di 3 . Connecticut Colony A t b a General Assem ly holden at New Haven , in his Maj

’ est s y Colony of Connecticut , in New England in America , on O 1 1 th the second Thur sday of ctober , being the day of said u b 3 1s t month , and contin ed y several adjournments until the h da an n o u e 1 7 39 . t e y of the same month , q Domini Upon memorial of the inhabitants of the southernmost town on the Ousato n ic S b west side of the river , howing to the assem ly the

Of in number settlers now said town , and the circumstances

ra they are under , and p ying for the countenance and favor of b e this assembly , first in allowing them to formed as a town , and to have the privileges of other towns in this colony , also to call and settle some orthodox minister in the work of the ministry among them .

R es lved b this A ssembl b o y y, that the inha itants of said l town , qualified as the law directs , sha l have and enjoy all such rights and privileges , and have such powers as are usually granted to other towns in this colony and that said inhabitants ' f shall ha v e liberty to call and settle some orthodox ministe r O W 30 HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON .

the gospel in the work of the ministry in that place , taking the b advice of the ministers of the neigh oring churches , and that the town hereafter b e called by the name of Sharon . And cap Jon a tha n D un ha m Of b a p tain said town , is here y p ointed and empowered to cause the inhab itants of said town to meet in said w W c b C to n on the second ednesday of De em er next , to hoose town ofii cers in said town for the year ensuing . him Captain Dunham , in pursuance of the authority given , warned the first town meeting , and the town was fully organized Of for municipal purposes . For the information the present

S b generation , and to how in what way the usiness of this meet ing was conducted , its proceedings are here copied from the

Of . records , preserving accurately the orthography the original

The Inhab itance Of Sharon aplyin g Themselves to the Gen ral assembly in October Last Past for Town Priviledges Cap Dunham was mad Choice of to Represent the Town to the A b h b D esiar b ssem ly , and aving o tained the of the town he eing ordered by the Assembly to Warn the Inhabitan ce in order To Chuse town officers which Being Dune the Inhabitance bein g met on the 1 1 day of December In ye yeare 1 739 at the house of

Nath ll . Skinner In Sharon And then Opened the meeting as the Law D ricts

“ Cap Dunham Was Chosen moderator Leu Jabez Creppen John Sprague and Cap Jonathan Dun ham Was Chosen Select men for the year in se wing Nath Skinner Was Chose n town Clark James Smith was Chosen Constable and Sworn as the Law Directs

“ George Way was Chosen Granj uery and sworn as the Law Directs

“ Ebenezer Mudg William Tickner Ebenezer ff risbie and Cornelius hamlin Wa s Chosen Surveys of high Ways and Sworn as the Law Directs Jeremiah foster Samuel Mudg and Thomas Greppen Was Chosen fence v ew ers and sworn as the Law Directs Samu el Comstock Was Chosen Colector N athl Skinner Jun Was Chosen Leather Sealer h W N at l . Skinner Jonathan Dunham and John Sprague as ’

Com tt. Chosen a to go after a Minister . N hl ’ t . b m a Co tt . . Skinner and Lew Ja ez Greppen chosen a B urin to Lay out a e g Place . S TH E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 3 1

It was further voted that a Note or Warning In writi n g N hl set up at The house of John Sprague and at . Skinner and at Garrit winegars mill Six Days before a town meeting Given

i b e Reasons of Said Meet ng , Shall a Lawful Warning for a town meeting . “ farther voted that S win haven a Ring in their noses Shall ” b e G accounted an orderly reater . We have seen that at the first town meetings measures were taken to procure a minister to preach the gospel to the inhabitants . They evidently contemplated the employment of m a minister in the early settle ent of the Town , and such , too , it seems was the intention of the Assembly in sequestering two w in rights for the support of the gospel . This aid as afforded order to assist a community which must necessarily have been b W weak and fee le in its infancy , in having a supply of the ord b t . of Life , and the benefi of religious ordinances Prompted y ‘ b these encouragements , the first inha itants of Sharon took early measures to settle a minister . The committee appointed

the e Peter P ra tt at first town me ting made application to Mr . , b of Le anon , a candidate for the ministry , and graduate of Yale 1 736 8th Of College , of the class of , and on the day January , 1 740 TOw n “ , the called him upon trial for some convenient time , and laid a tax of fifteen shillings on a right for the pay l b b ment of his services . His a ors were accepta le to the people , 1 4th n and on the day of March followi g , he was in vited to settle over the church and congregation in the work of the t ministry . The Town voted him a salary which would amoun * to about two hundred dollars per annum . Mr . Goodrich and

T o wn meet n an u a i g , J ry Vo te d th at Mr Pe ter Pr att shall b e c all ed b y us up o n trial f o r so me n i i c o nve e n t t me . ham an d o hn te th n a t an e in n e a t . un Vo d at D eac o N h i l Sk r , C p D J f o r s o me o n e n e n t r a ue s ha b e a o mm ttee to a Mr . ete a tt Sp g , ll c i c ll P r Pr c v i wo f th e m n s t an d that time o f prob a tio n f o r the s ettlin g i n th e rk o i i ry , s said c ommittee i s auth oriz ed t o agree with him f o r n is wa g e . r ete att to the wo of the Mar ch 1 4 1 740 V o ted to c all M . P r Pr rk min is tr y amo n g u s in o rd er to o rdi n atio n . f o r his s t ated s a a 210 o un ds a 4 t o Mr . t Ma h 2 1 . o ted at rc 0 , 7 0 V Pr l ry p i e n s er o u n e an d f o r th s ea y e ar in mo n e y which 1 8 as s lv r at 29 shilli g p c , i y r

1 4 n n o s e ten o n d s a ea u n t It omes to the 210 o u n ds , 0 p o u ds , a d t ri p u y r il c p an d th ere to st an d d uri n g th e time o f his mi n is try amo n g u s PI att s n e ess t a s an d th e a b t o f the to wn h at r . Vo ted , t if M c i y c ll , ili y w a o w it the n to e him mo i e . ill ll , giv th a t the d a f o r the o d n at o n o f R ev ete 2 1 4 . o ted March 5 , 7 0 V y r i i P r o Pratt sh all be th e l as t V\ ed n e s d a v f A pril n ext . e N r Mr o o d i h Mr . S a , u n h am ath . Sk1 11 n e , V oted th at C apt . D , , G r c pr gu

o i to o 1 de 1 the afi airs f O1 th e o n atio n o f Mr. 41 1 . VVay are a c mm ttee rdi £ I at G 32 W HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON .

. r u w Mr Sp ag e ere appointed to treat with Mr . Pratt and to

ff e present to him the o ers of the town . These were acc pted b VVed y him , and the time fixed for the ordination was the last nes da y i n April . It is supposed that it took place at that time , and that the services were performed in a private dwelling , as no place of pu blic worship had been provided at that time . The records of the Congregation al Church in Sharon for the

first fifteen years are lost . The exact date of the organization n m b e . of the Church cannot , therefore , determi ed At a eet f O W . ing the Church in estchester , a parish of Colchester , Conn , 28th 1 740 on the day of April , , Nathaniel Skinner (deacon) ,

b e Jonathan Dunham , Ja ez Crippen , Benjamin Fuller , Nathani l

r Skinner , J . , Thomas Skinner , David Skinner , Jonathan Skinner ,

b Jr . Ja ez Crippen , , Samuel Mudge , Micah Mudge , Cornelius

“ Hamlin , Alexander Spencer and Josiah Skinner received b e b letters of recommendation , in order to em odied into a ” Church at Sharon , where they have for some time resided . 1 8 1 740 b At a meeting of the same Church , on May , , (a out

- M three weeks after the former meeting) Jeremiah Foster , ary

Foster , Mary Skinner , Content Fuller , Elizabeth Skinner , b A igail Mudge , Mary Hampton , Mary Dunham , Mary Skin b D Jr . ner , , Eunice Mudge , Eliza eth unham , Lydia Crippen ,

b h Waitstill b De orah Crippen , T ankful Crippen , Heath , A igail

Skinner , Patience Fuller , Hannah Dunham and Martha Mudge “ to the Chur h in S ha r n received a letter of recommendation c o , which indicates that this Church was organized between the W meetings of the church in estchester . b The ministry being thus established , the next usiness in order was to provide a place of public worship ; and to this On 23 Object the attention of the Town was soon turned . the d Of 1 740 b June , , the town voted to uild a meeting house at some 5 b 5 22 5 4 . convenient time , feet y , and feet posts This would b b b have een a large house for those times , and as it was pro a ly found to be more expen sive than the circumstances of the town b would authorize , it was a andoned for that year . In the mean b o h bb b time the inha itants met alternately the Sa ath , for pu lic worship , at the house of Captain Dunham , and at the house of n Mr . Pardee , and in the milder season of the year the meeti gs

’

b . e m o r . t were held in Mr Fardee s arn For p y accommodation , and until a better house could be provided , it was voted , in the

Of 1 741 b u u Of 30 e e Spring , to ild a meeting ho se logs or poles , f t

34 S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF S HARON .

so heavy the strokes of the Almighty in the year past , and so dark is the countenance of our present state , that we have b b not only een rought to uncommon continued distress , but even to despair of future prosperity un less relieved by your Honors ’ favor . In May last it pleased the Almighty to send a nervous fever among us , which continued eleven month s , in which time more than one hundred and twenty persons were long confined h with it , some have lain more than one undred days , some eighty , many sixty,and few have been capable of business in forty days w after they were seized with the distemper . By reason of hich , b many were una le to plow for wheat in the year past , many who b had plowed were una le to sow , and some who had sowed una b ble to secure it y fence , and much wheat that was ripe , rotted on the ground . By reason of the sickness of the people , which was the but not only exceeding expensive to persons and families sick , also to those who were in health , their time being taken up in

S Of b e f tending those that were ick , many whom were o lig d to suf er m w for want of help . Twenty are dead , any idows and fatherless but t children are left among us , not a man hat has sustained loss — many who were more than level with the world are impov er i h s ed . The distress Of the winter has been exceeding great and

Our impoverishing . cattle are so destroyed that there is not a m cow left to half the families in the town , and now any men are obliged to leave their business at home and go twenty miles to b b har la or for read and corn , and so must continue to do until s o b vest , that we are not now able to take up our onds without b being wrecked in our estates , some torn , others quite roke , so that not above three - quarters of us can save our home lots and pay our purchase . Neither can we maintain our minister or b b ut m the l b uild our Meeting House , ust quit p ace , or ecome b tenants , we and our children , to neigh oring rich merchants who are seeking our lands , but at their own pri ce .

b Therefore , we , a withering ranch of this commonwealth , b and the poor of this colony , would now hum ly pray for your ’ d Honors assistance and gra cious notice . And as our in ustrious improvements have been the admiration of all who have beheld

our settlement , and far exceeding any other instance of late plan ’ tation , we trust we may not after three years toil , sickness and b e n b want , turned off from our la ds ecome tenants , or seek another settlement under worse circumstances than when we settled in

this place , which that your Honors would take into your wise S O F TH E W OF S HI TORY TO N HARON . 35

, a consideration and upon it graciously act tow rd us , is the ear

’ nest and necessary prayer of your Honors dutiful and humble memorialists .

was The second application successful to this extent , that t he time for the payment of the bonds was extended some two or three years , and thus the settlers were able to meet their pay b ments without further em arrassments . These memorials explain how Philip Livi n gston and Martin Hoffman became large owners of real estate in Sharon at an early b day , a fact which before was o scure . They were undoubtedly

r ich n ei hb r in mer han ts the g o g c referred to in the memorial . The representatives of Philip Livingston are still proprietors‘ of the common land in Sharon .

The first death recorded of those residing in Sharon , is that

Mir ia m Willi m G odr i h u a c J n . of , the wife of o , , which occurred 22d 1 740 . on the of April ,

The following persons also , as appears of record , departed u A sa . R d D avid S kin ner this life d ring the same season , viz oo , , Jlf ar f N O a th. S kinn er E s H ez ekiah Kin B en y, wife , q , , Deacon g, a min Fulle on a tha n h D r J D un a m Jun . aniel B u t n D a nie j , , , o o , l B u n u o to J n . , , in all nine persons .

ehiel The first person born in the town after J Jackson , before S arah B a tes hn A n na B J a t s . mentioned , was , daughter to o and e

John R a nda ll She was afterwards the wife of , and lived to a very advanced age . The first marriage in the town was that of z E ln a tha n Goodr ich to E li abeth S howers . It was celebrated on w ’ 1 7 0 Ne 1 4 . Year s Day , January , It is supposed that N a tha niel S kinn er and H ez ekia h King were the first deacons of the church . Deacon King , however , d b b b J na died uring the first year , and was pro a ly succeeded y o

Ja S . Ca n l r . than E me . The first pound was erected where Mr y b fielol formerly lived . It would seem from the votes on this su ject i and also in relation to the locat on of the meeting house , that b b there was some strife etween the inha itants , as to where the cen tr e should be established . Some were for having it fixed half b b ut a mile south of the place finally esta lished , the decision of

’ the go vern men t s committee seems to have quieted all difficulty on the subject . V CHAPTER I .

INDIANS IN SHARON .

THE RE was a somewhat numerous tribe of Indians in Sharon before its settlement by the white inhab itants . Their principal In dia n Pon d village was on the eastern border of , in the north west corner of the town , where they had considerable clearings . Wee ua nock The Indian name of this pond was q g . There were numbers of them too on the borders of the other pond , and in the valley of the Ten Mile River . The Indian name of this W botuck stream was e . They were never sufficiently numerous to prove dangerous to the safety of the settlers , but their dis

' satisfaction because of the refusal of the proprietors to ao knowledge their claims to a certain quantity Of land which they b insisted was reserved to them in their sale to Thomas Lam , and the agitation of that matter for nearly fifteen years was a cause of fear and anxiety to their immediate neighbors during b b that period . The matter was rought before the Assembly y

' Pro rietors and a joint memorial of the p Indians , presented in 1 742 , which will at once give an explanation of the pending b trou les , and which was in the words following

To the H n ra ble the Gen er a l A ssembl o the Colon o Con o o , y f y f

necticut in Gener al Cour t assembled a t H ar t rd in said , , fo ,

n h hursda M D 7 2 n 1 4 . C l on t e sec d t in a A . . o o y, o y y, S OF TH E W O F S HI TORY TO N HARON . 37

Peter P ra tt Na tha n The memorial of , iel S kinn er and Jo n a tha n D un ha m , S te hen Ne ui agents for said town , and p q tima ugh N a n ho n o , and others of the Indian nations , residing in said b s ho w h Sharon , hum ly et

“ S te hen That they , the said p N e uitima u h Na nho o n and g g ,

others of the Indian natives , residing in Sharon were the , proper owners of the lands contained in the said township of b Sharon , and Salis ury , adjoining to said Sharon , and that a considerable part of said lands was honorably purchased of b said Indians , and paid for y Thomas Lamb of said Salisbury , b and that he , the said Lam , in negotiating the said purchases

a of said Indians , did take advantage of their ignor nce , and as

they have since understood , did obtain a deed or deeds from them or Some of them for more of said land than ever they b l sold or intended to sell to said Lam , and particularly the p ace

at the northwest corner of said Sharon , where the said Indians

live and improve , and always designed to reserve to themselves

for a settlement , besides several other parcels that have never been sold to the English That the Government ’ s Committee b b have o tained the rights purchased by said Lam of the Indian s , and have sold all the land s in the townships Of Salisbury and

Sharon to the proprietors of said Towns , who are now improving and are entering on the said lands still claimed by the s aid

Indians , which has aroused a gre at deal of uneasiness among the

Indians , they looking upon themselves defrauded of their

rights . That many of the Proprietors of Sharon are likewise

inclined to believe , that the said Indians who were the proper

Owners of said land , did never , to this day sell to the said

Lamb or to this government , all the lands in said Sharon or b b ut Salis ury , that they have still an honest right to that said

tract where the said Indians now live , as also to one mile in W idth across the south end of said town of Sharon , and that they are willing the said tract where the Indians now live should

be res to red to them and confirmed to the said Indians , though Of the Proprietors have purchased the same the government , Provided they can have it made good to them by other reaso na bl e satisfaction . Whereupon your Honors ’ memorialists humbly pray that the Honorable Assembly would take the ease into their consider ation and would appoint a Committee to repair to Sharon to hear 38 W HI STORY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON .

the and examine and to enquire into the claims of said Indians , and purchases that have been obtained from themeither by the said Lamb or others , with power to agree , settle and determine all matters of difference and controversy relating to the premi the an d ses , and for the quieting said Proprietors the said Indians , w w or that your Honors ould in some other way , as in your isdom you shall think fit , find a remedy .

“ Your memorialists further show , that there is a very con siderable n b um er of said Indians , living at said northwest corner of said Sharon , and others not far from them , that are desirous of b eing instructed in the Doctrines of the Gospel to b e taugh t to b e read the Holy Scriptures , and informed of the way of salvation therein revealed and that their children may b e educated accord ing to Christianity which your memorialists also recommend to ’ u b e your Honors consideration , hoping that yo r Honors will inclined to do something towards theii encouragement ; and your Honors memorialists as in duty bound shall ever p ray . h In f 1 3t . D . Dated Hart ord this day of May A ,

Upon this memorial a committee was appointed , consisting

O f . the Hon Thomas Fit ch , afterwards Governor of the Colony , E s d Daniel Edwards , q , of Hartford , afterwards a ju ge of the W E s Superior Court , and Robert alker , q , of Hartford , who was b S a large proprietor of the lands in Salis ury , whose duty it hould be to investigate the subject matter of the memorial and they 1 1th O b 1 742 met the parties in Sharon , on the day of cto er , , and b heard them y their interpreters and witness es . They made a long and elaborate report in which they gave a ’ history of Lamb s purchase and believing that the Indians had b recco mmended misunderstood the argain , that a certain quan d off tity , not excee ing fifty acres should be set to them ; that b e some equivalent should allowed the proprietors , and that some provi sion should be made for the religious teachings of the

Indians .

The Assembly approved the views of the Committee and re

Mr . quested Pi att , the minister of Sharon to devote some time to b b ut the advancement of the spiritual interests of the tri e , as they

i o vision I emun ei ro IH ietOI S ad made no p to ate the p p , no final justment of the difficulty was effected . The Indian improve b ments contained some ninety acres , and esides this , they

- demanded a large tract on the adjoining mountains for fire wood . S TH E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 39

To this the proprietors would not co nsen t w itho ut a co mpensa tio n from the government , and the old troubles returned with in creased acrimony . In 1 745 another effort was made to call the attention of the b b Assem ly to these Indian trou les . The proprietors O f Sharon ad vised t heir Honors that the Indians were uneasy and restless in , f “ W ’ view of the state of their a fairs , and they added e can t b ut f b think needful for some proper care , in this di ficult time , to e taken .

b 1 746 This memorial was continued in the Assem ly till , when

W W b Can field illiam Preston of ood ury , and Samuel , of New Mil a C o ford , were appointed mmittee to lay out the Indian lands by b metes and ounds . This committee , in the prosecution of their b b duties , employed the cele rated Roger Sherman , then a hum le Ne w shoemaker at Milford , to lay out the Indian lands , in his v m capacity of County Sur eyor , and to ark out definitely their b . b oundaries All this was accomplished y Mr . Sherman ; but e b nothing was done to remun rate the proprietors , and oth parties n were left to co test their rights as best they could . The In dians b were stimulated in their quarrel y certain disorderly persons , b h who made them elieve they were their special friends , w ose counsels were prevalent in S haping their course . Under the w b guidance of those persons , they ere em oldened to resistance , n and gave great uneasiness and trouble to the proprietors . O e

V an A renan , a Dutchman , pretended to make a new purchase of l their ands , and it became necessary to take strong measures to prevent open and forcible collision . This state of things portend e d so much danger that Governor Law found it necessary to issue a formal Proclamation to the intruders , warning them that their Indian titles were worthless , and that the rights of the pro prieto rs would b e protected at all hazards . b 1 750 A out the year , Thomas Barnes moved into the town

Ne w Fairfield Fairfield from , in County , and purchased a large tract of la nd in the neighborhood of the Indian territory . In the e e course of a y ar or two , he persuaded the Indians to sell out th ir

an d lands to him , took a formal deed of their possessions from two

Ne uitimau h . of their chiefs , q g and Bartholomew It was contrary b ut to la w to take deeds of the Indian proprietors in that way , t the Legislature , on the petition of Barnes , confirmed his itle , and he took possession of the disputed territory , the Indians

The having gone to o ther parts . y carried with them , however , a 4 0 OF TH E W HISTORY TO N OF S HARON .

deep sense of the wrongs they had suffered , and some of them b b were often ack among the inha itants , complaining that they

b S had een overreached , and Often giving ignificant hints of the resentment which was rankling in their bosoms . The old French b war commenced a out this time , and the stories of Indian atroci b b ties which were orne on every reeze , filled the whole country with terror and alarm . Four persons were murdered about this b time , between Stock ridge and Lenox , and this , with other alarming incidents , produced a very general consternation in

Sharon .

In 1 754 one Thomas Jones had purchased a tract Of land near b m b the Indian Pond , which had een clai ed y the Indians , and built a log house upon it . His family were frequently disturbed in the night season by what they supposed to be the noise of In b dians a out the house , and an armed guard was kept there during nights for several weeks . A memorial was presented to the b I b Assem ly , detailing the causes of danger from the ndians , y which the settlers were alarmed , and the statements of the mem

by orial were fortified the depositions of some half dozen persons , u who kept the guard , detailing with min teness the incidents of n one ight . The testimony of one witness was as follows

testifieth “ John Palmer, of lawful age , and saith , that some b time ago I came to dwell , as a hired man , with the a ove b b named Mr . Thomas Jones , and have een a mem er of his family b in the time of the late distur ances , which he has testified about ,

' but e have not seen any Indians but one night , wh n I was upon

ra but e l the watch with seve l other men , have frequ nt y heard the their whoops and whistles near his house , which noises of b Indians I am well acquainted with , having been a considera le time a captive among them and released from them last May .

’ on es s The time when I saw the Indians near Mr . J was the latter bb H e part of the Sa ath day night before last . came and put his head partly in at the door way , against a blanket that hung b m n . a efore the door This he did twice . A near me proposed

b ut I rev en ted b u to shoot , p him , hoping for a fairer shot , t he not coming there again , I went to the side of the house and looked through a crack between the logs of which the house was m bu t b ade , and saw an Indian a few rods from the house , it eing clear moon light . I then put my gun through the crack and but shot , not having advantage to take good sight , suppose I did u not hit him . I then went to a place o t out for a window and

H ISTOR Y TH E TO W N o r S a OF HARON . l l

saw him clearly , and shot again with a gun that was put into my an d hands , supposed I had killed him , for I thought he fell ’ c t down , upon whi h I took ano her man s gun and went out to see

b ut the what I could discern , not finding him at place , scouted some time for him , at length discovered him at a small distance

b e . hind a tree I endeavored to shoot again , but my gun missed

fire . I called to know if any one of the company was near me , when one man came to me . He went further in search of him and presently had a sight of him , when the other man presently

’ bu shot . Afterwards I shot at him again , t don t know that we

. b e hit him , except my second shot I supposed him to much wounded then , for he walked very poorly , stooping near the b ground , his left hand holding up his lanket to his right side and his right arm hanging as if it was broken . But the men all coming out of the house after I had shot the last time , I run to the house , fearing lest some other Indians might get into the b house in our a sence and kill the women and children , so I saw m b ut the Indians no more . I saw no ore Indians , one of the b company said he saw another , which y his account I believe he b ut did . I have since seen no more , heard their whoops and O 1 4 1 754 b whistles as aforesaid . Dated ctober , , and sworn efore ” John Williams Justice of the Peace . Such is a specimen of the exciting incidents of the early b years of the history of the Town . The peace etween England and France in 1 761 put an end to all Indian claims . There is no tradition or record bearing upon the history of w h War the To n , whic has any reference to the old French other than these Indian alarms , except the simple fact that Colonel

War was Elmore , of the of the Revolution , a Lieutenant in the service in the previous war . CHAPTER V

— E E S S A F A I v H IS SUB CCL IA TICAL F R S DE POSITION OF MR . PRATT SE QUE NT CARE E R LITCHFI E LD COUNTY ORGANIZE D

SE E ME F SE E — E SW S E TTL NT O MR . ARL LL ORTH OCI TY

V — KNIBL E M M E E . R E MR . O S SS OF R . S . DI I ION ARL

WE P d have seen that Rev . Mr . ratt was or ained in April , 1 74 0 . , as the first minister of Sharon The people were well united in him , and he settled under fair prospects of a long and useful m Mr s . inistry . He was married soon after his settlement to Mar Met a l b y c f, of Le anon , and had several children . It would seem that the town showed him several acts of kindness , such as his furnishing him firewood , paying the expenses of hiring a horse for a journey to Lebanon , and in various other ways show ing him marks of their respect and confidence . But a dark an d cloud soon obscured the cheering prospects of Mr . Pratt . his ministry soon terminated in disgrace . It was soon found that he was addicted to intemperate drinking, and the most painful sen satio n s were produced , as this fact , at first only suspected , was b b b verified by indubita le indications . It is pro a le that his conduct was borne with for some time after it became evident b that this ha it was growing upon him , in the hope that the admonitions of his friends and his own sense of propriety migh t the reform him . The first intimation of displeasure on part of a t 9th the town , which ppears on record , is a vo e passed on the S O F T H E W O I$ S HI TORY TO N HARON . 43

1 746 day of January , , when it was solemnly voted that they b by would not a ide the agreemen t with him in relation to fur ~ n is hin fi re - g him with wood . His conduct was borne with how , two ever , for about years longer , when his intemperance became b so notorious as to for id further tolerance . A committee a b ppointed y the town for that purpose , mad e a complaint to the

association of New Haven county , accusing Mr . Pratt of habitual b ff and incura le intemperance , o ering to prove the charges pre

, b b ferred and requesting an investigation y the Rev . ody to whom the complaint was made . Mr . Pratt was cited to appear before the ’ ll estbur I/Va ter to u' n association at a place then called y, now , on 1 3th O b 1747 the day of cto er , , to answer to the charg e s preferred against him , and the town were notified to appear and prosecute

. b the complaint The particulars of the trial are not known , ut it b the h resulted in a decree y association , t at the pastoral relation b . a be etween Mr Pratt and the people of Sh ron should dissolved , and that he should b e prohibited from the further exercise of *

. ministerial functions Thus ended the ministry of the Rev .

Peter Pra tt . Like others who have been the subjects of ecclesi as tical b censure , he seems to have een dissatisfied with the result t and to have made an effor to procure another hearing , in the b hope of eing restored to his former standing in the ministry . He invited the to wn to join him in calling the association ff b the together for that purpose , and himself o ered to ear expense

T o wn Meet n an ua F the it was ut to o te whethe i g , J ry ur r p v r wn w ul d b i b t n e t W Mr e e att as to the to o a de y he o rigi al a gr emen ith . P t r Pr the artl cl e o f fi re-wo o d t a is to s a wh eth e the w an n u a o e , h t y , r y ill lly pr cur , - ut an d aw ho me f o r hi m hl S fir e wo o d o te i n th e n e at e . c , dr , v d g iv 1 1 w w h a o mm ttee to T o wn eet n e t . 7 4 . o te that e o ose M i g , S p , 7 7 V d ill c c i s en d to the mo derato r p f th e ass o ci atio n at th e s a me meetin g Matthew e a n E b n e e a so n Jo n S t . o h n , o hn Gra eut . o n P a d e , D e o e , J J y , Li J h r c z r J ck n r co m ath an a s , ea o n E b en ez e F isb ie , a o b a o n are ho s e o u D vi D c r r J c B c c ‘ mittee to apply th ems elves to the mo derato r o f th e ass o cmtl o n f o r a o u n i to o n s d e o ur r e an es an d s a d o mm ttee to ma e all c c l c i r g i v c , i c i k ‘ s o n du o m the ti me he h as b een pro o f the y c an o f Mr . Pratt s mi c ct fr h se tt e in the to wn u n ti the o u n s1 ts . i n o d e t o b e l a l d b e o e t e l d l c cil r r , f r

o u n i an d a so to l a th e s ame b e o e the co u n cfl wh en o me s , c c l , l y f r it c h e eas a o m a n t an d h a e h as b o n eet n Oct . W y T w M i g , r c pl i c rg

o h n E b en ez e Ja s o n o hn G a an d o h n a de e , Mess rs . Matthew St . J , r ck . J y J P r s ia tio n o f th e o un o f New H a e n a n d b een c arried to the R ev . as o c c ty v , th ereu p o n the mo d er a to r o f the c o n so ma tl o n o f New H aven c o u n ty h as k s o n Joh n G a an d o h n w St. o h n b en ez e a , cited the s aid M atthe J , E r J c , y J

o e at We stb in the town o f Wate b u , b ef o e s a P ardee , t app ar ury , r ry r id ’ n t e 1 th d a o f O o b e n s tan t at 1 2 o o k . a t th e c o n s o ci ati o n , up o h 3 y ct r i , cl c then a n d there to o se u te s a d mue H ea o k Ju n . ho use o f Mr . S a l c c , , pr c i

o h at th e s a Mat h ew St Jo h n , E b e n z e ch arg e an d c mplai n t . V oted t id t e r s o n o h n a an d o h n a dee b e ou r o mm ttee to a ea a o d n J a ck , J Gr y J P r c i pp r cc r i g o o s e ute a d h a e a n d o m a n at s a We s to s aid ci ta ti n , an d t pro c s i c rg c pl i t id t

n whe e n eed u t l the matte b e n she . b ury , a d e lse r , if f l , il r fi i d 44 H I T R Y T W S O OF TH E O N OF S HARON .

b ut w * as . P of the meeting the proposition rejected Mr . ratt continued to reside in the town for several years after his sus pen b sion . He had ecome the proprietor of a large and valuable real b the estate in virtue of his eing the first minister of town , an

‘ estate which at this time would probably be worth twenty

b . thousand dollars , It contained some of the est land in the town

His home lot contained more than eighty acres , and included all b the land on the east side of the town street owned y the late Mr .

P b . erry , and on the west side of the street all owned y Mr Loucks b and most of that owned y the Messrs Goodwin , extending half a

v l mile each way from the street . He owned other large and a ua n ble tracts of la d , in the whole more than six hundred acres . It b “ appears , however , that he was em arrassed in his circumstances ,

' and that all his real estate was mortgaged at an early day to b secure de ts in which he had involved himself , and to some of his more importunate creditors he mortgaged his negr o wench } In

1 750 Sa muel H utchins n Es he sold his home lot to o , q , and it

* w e th o wn o n To wn Meet n D ec. 1 1 47 . Put to o te e w i g , 6 , 7 v h ther t ill j i r att i n a in to ethe the o n so at o n o f Ne w H a en o un t u o n M . Pr c ll g g r c ci i v c y , p 1 w 1 n o r . P att 8 o s t an d h a e to s ee hethe t e w ta o ff the sus e s n M c c rg , h y ill ke p i an d prohibitio n l aid upo n Mr P1 a tt b y the c o ns o ci atio n co n ve n e d at We st

i rb u1 in 1 as This o e assed i n the n e at e . b u y i n Wate y Octob e last p t . v t p g iv

n is th TThe followi g bill of s ale executed b y Mr. Pr att co pied from e “ fi1 s t vo lu me of Sharo n rec o rds : To all p eople to wh om th ese p 1 e s en ts h a o me l eetin s : Kn o w e th at I e e P1 att o f ha o n l n the o un s ll c , g g y . P t r S r , c w H a en in he o n o f n n e t u in ew E n n d f o i the ty o f Ne v , t c lo y C o c ic t , N gla , c o n sid ei atio n o f two hu n d 1 ed p o unds i n Bills o f P ub lic Credit o f t h e Old e1 ve i a n d T en o rec d to m u sat s f actl o n of ess s . Is aa D e L a M tte a r , y f ll M r c r aml n H o s te b o t o f ut hess o u n t in the Pr o v 1 n ce o f NewYo Benj lli r , h D c c y , rk , d o sell an d c o nvey to th em the said Is a ac D e L a Matte1 an d B en j ami n H ol is e th eir an d ea h o f the 1 he s an d a si n s m n e o wen a ed b l t r , c i ir s g , y gr ch , c ll y h e n ame o f e t o b e to the u se an d s e e an d t o the us e an d s e e t g , ir rvic , rvic f e an d eao o f the e 1 s an ass n s f o i e e that 1 s du1 1 11 the e o th ir ir h i d ig v r , g lif H o we e 1 to b e n e1 s to o d an d 1 s he 1 eb 1 o v 1 ded o f s aid n egi o we nch . v r it 8 u d y p that where a s the said Is aac D e L a Matte1 an d B en j amin H o llister h ave b y b 1 o r b o n d u e th e h an s a s we x u e ate Ma a n o l g at y , n d r ir d an d s e l , ll e ec t d . d d y h e 24 th 174 W th the s a1 d ete att an d at the es e an d f o r the d eb t , 8 , i P r Pr . d ir t a d e te P1 att o n t an d se era un themse e to Ma o 1 M a1 o f s i P i . j i ly v lly b o d lv s j tin H o ff man o f D utch ess c oun ty af 0 1 es a1 d in the p en al sum o f two d o u n s en 1 1 n t m n e n e o f ew Y 1 o n t o n e hundre p d , e o y Of the Provi c N o k , c di i d o r the a men t o f on e b un d e o un ds mo n e o f New Y0 1 k u o n the f p y i d p , y , p o a wh w w t the aw u n e es t o f th e 2l t d a f M il b e A . . 7 s y y , ich l D 1 50 , i h l f l i t r o w w s l t f ro m the ate o f o n e f Ne Yo h h 1 s en n ds e en . Pr vi c rk, ic ev p ou p c d b o n d t a d theref o 1 e te at 0 1 his he 1 s s h a s aid ill p i : if , the said Pe r Pr t, i ll r 1 o o d an d s f e n eliv e1 to s saa D e L a p o cu e g u fici t secu1 ity , and d aid I c atte a n d en am n H o llis tei 0 1 the h e 1 s s o as to n emn an d M r B j i , ir i , i d ify e s s th e s a is tei t n s f ro m a e ha m D e L a Matte1 an H o ll e e St e. s v r l id d , h ir h , h e a o es a d o b at o n u o n 0 1 b e 1 h e s a d 1 s t d a o f M a w t f r i lig i , p f0 e t i 2 y y , hich h e o t 1 be b e . . 1 7 t en the ab o e n to b o he W se to a will A D 50 , v c o veyan c e v id, i o d an d am e b o f s a e o f s a d n e i o wen to all n ten ts a n d g o pl ill l i g ch , i ” aw In w tn e s h h n t an purp o s es in th e l . i s wh er eo f I ave ere u o set my h d

th 2 h o f Ma A 1 4 . n d s ea e st . a l y , , D 7 8

S n e , s ea e an d e 1 e1 ed in p esen e o f P E T E R PR TT . ig d l d . d l v r c A

Samuel H u tchi n so n . o ’ ” Nathamel R 1 chards . ‘ S TH E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 45 is not now known where he afterwards lived during his stay in

. 0 11 l oth b 1 755 I town His wife died the day of Decem er . t , appears that he was the first clerk of the court of probate for the

, w as b 1 district of Sharon which esta lished in 755 . He held the

office but a short time , and he then ret urned to Lebanon where

he died . He was undoubtedly a man of superior talents and , would probably have attained a high standing in the ministry b n had it not ee for his unfortunate propensity . He left one son , w as who a shoemaker and tanner , and who resided in different

parts of the town , but there are none of his descendants re n n maini g amo g us .

. e After Mr Pratt was dismiss d , a considerable time elapsed b m efore the town was again supplied with an ordained inister . Various committees were employed and different candidates b ut ffi were applied to , much di culty was experienced in obtain b ing a suita le man . A Mr . Camp was first employed an d , t w . 25th 1 7 af er ards a Mr Richards , and on the day of July , 48 , “ Jona tha n E lmer D a niel B rirrs mad e it was voted that fl , 1 A a ron H utchinson and E l ij a h Ma son be the candidates to b e

applied to in the order in which they stand . Neither of the

b b e candidates a ove named could procured , but in the early 1749 h . Jo n S ear l S ims bur r part of the year , Mr , of , was em

ployed as a candidate . Mr . Searl was a graduate of Yale Col 1 745 lege , of the class of , and it seems that his ministrations bl n 3 were accepta e to the people of Sharon . O the d day of b April , he was formally invited to ecome the minister of the f 220 town , and an of er made of ounces of silver as a salary , and 420 ounces of s ilver for a settlement . The ec c lesiastical consti tutio n b be of the colony required , that efore a minister could b settled , he must be examined and approved of y the association of the county , touching his qualifications for the ministry , and as a meeting of that reverend body was soon to be holden a t Old be Milford , it was voted that Mr . Searl should sent there at

* In 1 842 a ta n o h so n then an a e an d es e tab e itiz e n , C p i J n Wil , g d r p c l c o f the to wn n o med the auth o r that in th e ea 1 0 h e wen to s ho o , i f r y r 77 t c l be r hea n tt a e n i Fairfi l o un t . H e emem s to Mr . ra t G e w h i e d P , r c n C y r ri g n d he eas n h e a e f o r his him sp eak o f his mi nistry i n Shar o n . a t r o g v di s mis sio n was that th e p eo ple c o mplai n ed o f his b ei n g e n g a ged in d so mewhat s e u a t o n s . w s h en so mewh an e i n l e an p c l i H e a t at adv c d if , a r n k n ddicted to in te mp erate d i i g . th n E me o f Sha o n an d was M r. E me was a s o n o f ea o n o n a a 1 l r D c J l r, r , a te in u h e n is te at E h z ab eth to wn New e s e . f rwards a dis t g is d mi r , J r y

w s a te wa ds m n s e at Was n to n o n n . and Mr . nsma e a 1 Bri d f r r i i t r hi g , C , was ran a e t o D a n rcl Brl n sma de o f th at a e . g df th r B , pl c 4 TH E W 6 HIS TORY OF TO N OF SHARON .

J hn Ga the expense of the town , and o y was appointed to W a 1 749 accompany him . The first ednesd y in August , , was

fixed upon for the ordination , and a large committee was

v appointed to make pro ision for the ordaining council , which

’ d e 23d - . Fa r e s . . e met at Mr Mr Searl purchased the h me lot , w b being the place n o owned and lately occupied by Dr . Ro ert

W . . Smith , and lived upon it during his ministry in the town The first vote 0 11 the subject of seating the meeting house was passed soon after the settlement of Mr . Searl . The ancient

c b b method of constructing hurches was , to uild pews around y the walls , and slips in the centre , and in all cases the gentlemen

0 11 . sat on the right hand of the minister , and the ladies the left An i n novation was made upon this manner of seating by a vo te 1 h 9 9t b 1 74 . passed on the day of Decem er , A committee was appointed w h o were directed to seat the meeting house by di n it a e list g y, g and , and it was further ordered that men and

e their wives should b e seated together . Similar votes were pass d from time to time , as changes in the condition of the society rendered a new seating necessary . In one instance the com mittee a e were directed to seat the meeting house according to g , u i list and q a l ty . 1 751 Up to the year , the towns on the west side of the n i b O usato c River had elonged to the county of New Haven . Ab out this time measures were taken to form a n e w county in this part of the colony , and much contention was had in respect to its extent , and in respect to the location of the county seat .

The people of this town were in favor of a small county , with a view to bringing the court house nearer to them than they could expect if a large county were formed . Many town meetings were had on the subject and much zeal was mani

* M t 2 1 . d o desire n ew o o wn e t n . e 175 Vo ed th at we a n t T e i g S p . , t c u y

1 11 thi s p art o f the go vernmen t . Vo ted th at we apply to the h o n orab l e assembly in May n ext f o r that en

o te th a t we d o es e w th s bm ss o n to th e eas re o f the assem V d d ir , i u i i pl u b l th a th e m s o r b o u n ds ma b e o n the o th th e so th b o u n d o f the y , t li it y , s u , u ’ o r n men t s a n 0 11 th e we st s i e o f th Ous ato n ic r e the n o r th g ve l d d e iv r , w or a i n s o e an d th e s o u th b o u n d o i c h fi eld . The e st n e b ou d f N Milf d s f L t l , the e as t b oun ds o f t hfie d a n d o f T o rr in to n an d r o m th en e n o rth Li c l g , f c war to the Mass a hu s etts n e th e n o rth n e th e n e b etween us an d th e d c li ; li , li as sa use ts th e wes t in e the n e b e twee n th s o e r nmen an d the M ch t : l , li i g v t g o vern men t o f New Yo rk an d th at C o rn wall b e the co un ty to wn . o t th at oh n W ams E s b e 0 11 1 n o to th e H on o r ab e V ed J illi , q , ag e t t g o l r se b o n sa d b us n ess 1 11 G en e al A s m ly up i i Oc to b er n ext . D h r sen an To wn Meet n ec . 1 7 1 5 1 . Put to o te h et e we w i g , , 7 v w ill d en t o r a en t s to Ke t to m e e s o me e n t emen o m Wo o b to co n ag g , t g l fr n . d ury sult up o n th e afi arrs o f the c o un ty . Vo ted 1 11 the n e g atrvc .

48 W HISTO RY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON . m W time to ti e , to enable them to hire preaching in the inter season . A part of their ministerial taxes were abated , and for a b num er of years an annual vote of the town was passed . author izing the minister to preach one Sabbath in each of the three W inter months in that part of the town . By this assistance from b the town , and y individual subscription they were generally supplied with preaching four months in the year . The meetings in olden times were holden at the house n ow occupied by ha rl s C e D ea n . . . , known in tradition as the Esq St John place

The subject of the formation of an Ecclesiastical Society in the southeasterly part of the town was agitated , without favor 1 800 r able result till May , , when the Legislature incorpo ated a new society , embracing part of Sharon , and a small part of Kent , b E w y the name of lls or th . The Act of Incorporation defines its

’ b H ar t s B rid e oundaries as follows Beginning at g , which lies Ousato n ic across the River , and then southerly , as the river runs , to the southeast corner of Sharon , then westerly on the south b line of the town of Sharon a out one mile , to the summit of the mountain , and supposed to be the northeast corner of Nathan

’ ff t wo Ski s land , then south hundred and forty rods , then a parallel line with the south line of the town of Sharon to the line of the State of New York , then northward on the line of said State of New York to the dwelling house of Perez Doty , ’ then northeasterly to the northeast corner of Samuel Peet s land , then northeasterly to a maple tree in the fork of the road , near ’ A ck l s Daniel y , then easterly still to the north part of Stephen ’ ’ Parsons dwelling house , from thence northeasterly to said Hart s ” Bridge . The first meeting house erected for the use of this society was located near the cemetery on the Ellsworth turn pike , b ut it was removed to its present location , and the vote of the b parish has kept it there , although the su ject of its return to the former site , was once seriously agitated . A new

1 838 w as meeting house was erected in , which occupied by the 1 7th 1 847 society until the of January , , when in the night season — it was consumed by fire Sabbath worship had been held in it the previous day , and it is supposed that it took fire from want of b proper care in the person having charge of the uilding . A new b meeting house was uilt the next year , which is still occupied by b the society as its place of pu lic worship . The Congregational z 1 5 Church in Ellsworth was organi ed on the th day of March ,

1 802 R ev . P , by an Ecclesiastical Council of which the eter Starr , S T H E W S 49 HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON .

f W O . arren , was moderator The following is a lis t of the mem b b ers em raced in the original organization , and of the churches from which they were received into the newly organized churc h :

Samuel Young , from Church in Sharon .

Martha Young , from Church in Sharon . b in E enezer Everett , from Church Sharon .

Lucy Everett , from Church in Sharon .

Timothy St . John , from Church in Sharon . $ “ Anna Rice , from Church in Sharon N Silas ewton , from Church in Kent . w b . Bathshe a Ne ton , from Church in Kent

Enoch Parsons , from Church in Sharon . b A igai l Parsons , from Church in Sharon .

Stephen Skiff , from Church in Kent ,

Dennis Skiff , from Church in Kent . ff n Mary Cha ee , from Church in Sharo ,

Anna Studley , from Church in Sharon .

Ben amrn Phinehas j , from Church in Sharon ,

emim ah . J Benjamin , from Church in Sharon

e . B njamin Young , from Church in Sharon

Mehitable Young , from Church in Sharon . f Joel Chaf ee , from Church in Sharon ,

Dolly Chaffee , from Church in Sharon .

Calvin Peck , from Church in Greenwich .

Betty Peck , from Church in Greenwich ,

Rebecca Foster , from Church in Sharon .

Prudence Frink , from Church in Sharon . b r Hepsi ah Swift , from Chu ch in Kent

Esther Skiff from Church in Kent .

Silas St . John , from Church in Sharon .

b . . A igail St John , from Church in Sharon

'

' The following named clergymen have been pastors of the Church

2 1 02 d 6 8 . Daniel Parker , ordaine May , 3 26 1 8 1 . Orange Lyman , ordained August , 820 7 1 . Frederick Gridley , ordained June , 41 1 1 8 . W . . John Beecher , installed Dec , 2 F b 4 1 85 . e . Wm . . J Alger , ordained , 9 1858 Rob t . D . Gardner , installed June , . 2 1 875 O t . 6 c . John D , Stevenson , ordained , * 7 50 S OF TH E T IVN F HI TORY O O S HARON . The following is a list of the Deacons

. 1 1 2 80 . Silas St John , chosen July , W w 3 1 0 8 5 . Abel ood ard , chosen May , 6 1 806 Amos Seymour , chosen Sept . , . b 1 7 1 812 Ja ez Swift , chosen Jan . , .

’

3 1 829 . Calvin Peck , chosen July , 2 1 9 83 . Nathan Dunbar , chosen June , b w . W 2 3 18 9 . A el C ood ard , chosen June , W 2 1 839 illiam Everett, chosen June , . b W . 4 859 Gi bs Skiff , chosen March , 1 .

[The following ministers have se rved the church as stated supply since Rev . Mr . Stevenson — . . 1 880 . 1 885 Rev Erwin C Hull , March , Feb , . b — . 1 88 1 885 O . 5 ct 1 . Rev Ro ert Sharp , June , , — . . 26 1 886 . 1 888 . Rev John H Mueller , June , Sept , — . . 26 1889 1 890 Rev E Chalmers Haynes , July , June , . Idr 9 — . s 3 1 8 1 . 1 892 Rev y Jones , May , Nov , — . v Ma 1 895 O 1 1 897 ct . Rev Evore E ans , y , , .

. 1 98 . . 18 . Rev Giles F Goodenough , Jan , The follo wing have been chosen deacons since 1 876

1 8 1 - . 17 8 1 1 1886 Charles B Everitt , June , re appointed July , .

2 1 - . 881 r 1 1 1 e 886 . Everitt S Dunbar, July , appointed July , J 22 (died uly July , b 94 . 1 1 8 . Al ert L Hall , July , ' 1 0 . 1 894 . Charles Dean , July , 3d 1 900 The day of July , , w ill complete one hundred years since — the Ellsworth Ecclesiastical Society was organ iz ed PUBLIS HE R ] Another religious society w as formed at an early day at the b south part of the town , em racing inhabitants of both colonies .

The meeting house stood near the colony line , and was known for und e t n H us many years by the name of the R o Top M e i g o e. The

E benez er Knibloe - fi ve Rev . was its minister for more than twenty

. b years This gentleman was from Scotland . During the re ellio n 1 745 in that country , in the year , he favored the interests of the Pretender , and upon the defeat of the forces of that unfortunate Kni blo e h . prince , Mr . removed to t is country He first settled ’ P hilli s P a tent in Putnam on the west part of p , . county , New b ut York , after a stay there of about two years , he removed to rn r this town and gathered the church and society at the Co e . b P hilo He lived at the place formerly occupied y his grandson, H Knibloe. e was a sound , sensible man , a good preacher , and S T H E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 51

h apparently a sincere C ristian . At the commen cement of the n revolutio ary war , he rather favored the pretensions of the

c British king , for whi h reason his congregation became dis ff a ected . and he relinquished ministerial performances . He died 20 th b 1 785 of consumption on the day of Decem er , , at the age of fif t — The u n y six . Ro d Top Meeting House was b uilt previous to 1 755 in 1 786 , and was removed to the present site of the Oblong b Pres yterian Church .

R v . Mr e . o co n fi The Searl p ssessed in a good degree , the dence and affection of his people . He had been settled over

b his h them but a short time , however , efore ealth began to fail , and early in the second year of his ministry he was absent a part w of the time on that account . The to n employed other preachers

his to supply the pulpit during the interruption of labors , in the b e hope that his health might restored and his ministry continued . t His heal h , however , continued to decline to such a degree , that he deemed it his duty to withdraw from pastoral performances , and

4th 1 754 i wrth on the day of June , , he was d smissed the reluctant u consent of the town . Th s in the short space of fifteen years

b en e e a s o n an d ea To wn Mee t n e t 6 1 753 . ea o n E o n i g , S p . , D c z r J ck D c E b en ez er Fris b re ch o sen a c o mmittee to en d eavo r to o btain p rea c hin g

w o h Mr . Sea ha n amo n g us f o r the s p ace o f t o m n ths fro m t i s time . rl vi g r o ted th a s a o a g reed to relin qu i sh hrs s al ar y f o r th at pu p o s e . V t id c m

v r o w o m to a . . Sea t h mitte e a dvis e wrth the R e M . rl pply w co n rd errn r Put to o te hethe s M . T o wn Meet n r 8 1 54 . i g , Ap il , 7 v r , g ea ’ in s tate o h ea th we are willrn th at he s h o u d b e ab sen t o m S rl s firm f l , g l fr e o a e a om thrs trrn e th e who e o r su h a t o f th e u s f o r the s p ac f h alf y r fr , l c p r i as s ha t in b es t in o e to use mean s to e o e hrs hea th t me h e ll h k , rd r r c v r l , im a f o r the s ame t me u o n hrs e n deav o rrn to ro u e an d to p ay h s alary i , p g p c r f o r us as nruch assis tan c e fro m th e n eighb o ri n g mi rrrsters as th ey sh all be

in a o d ass ed in the n e atrv e . will g to ff r . P g

atth w t. o h n Mes s s Na tharrrel S n e on a V o ted th at C ap t. M e S J , r ki n r, J a r Th o mas a n es a n d D av rd H amrlto n b e a co mmrttee to o th n H u n te , B r , g “ r w r S ear an d see he wrll m a e s o me ab atemen t o f a n d dis c o u se ith M . l , if k t time w en h e s h a e ab sen t an d to mak e so me p art o f his s al ary f o r th a h ll b ,

epo t to th s meetin at su h tIme a s It may b e a dJo urn ed to . r r i g c O

v Mr . mo tro rr ma de b the R . ri 1 17 4 . U o n a T o wn Meetin g , Ap l 8 , 5 p y e i l w an d rn fi rm Sea to the to wn in to wn meetin , th at co n s rde rrn g h s rl g o ' ' ' s tate o f hea lth he h as h ad th o u ghts o f applyin g to the c o n so cratro n In M ay n ex t f or advic e whether it b e n ot b es t f o r hrnr to b e drsmrss ed f ro m hrs t o a to sa1 d p as to a e atio n to this hu h an d p eo e , a n d a s o pp r l r l c rc pl l . ly o te d c o n so ciatio n f o r a dis mis sio n up o n c o n dition they j u dge It b es t . V o hn a es ma e u hrs m n d as ab o es a d , tha t eut . th t if Mr . Se arl do k p i v i Li J i o m an him a n d to e es en t a n d ac t f o r thrs P ardee b e a c o mm ttee to acc p y , r pr town at s aid c o n so ciatio n an d to hear their de te rmrn a tro n . W e eas the R e e en d derato o f the u n e 7 1 54 . h M T o wn Meetin g , J , 7 r , v r o r to a ea s aid c o n so ci atio n o f this c o u n ty h as s e n t u s a n o tific ati o n pp r ' h o us e o n the b efo re s aid c o n s o cia tio n at their meetin g a t o u rg meee trn g , e in s tan t to o f e easo n s If a n we h a e, why th fo u rth Tu es d ay o f J u n e , f r r , y v n o t b e in his wan t o f b o d ea th (Se , sh o u d v . r o n s de , R e Mr . Sea l $ c i r g ily h l t l

hrs d esrre . dis mi ssed fro m his p as to ral relatio n to th rs t o wn a cco rdrn g to hn a d ee o hn G a o h n . i iams o y , V o ted th at Mes srs J o h n W ll , J P r , J J an H un te r b e a co mmrttee to e resen t th s to wn Maryin e , an d Jo n ath r p i w ia t o n at th eir mee t n an d to In f o rm them th at e b e fo re s aid c o n so c i i g . v r e a an d the tho u hts o f hrs b ern g have a dear reg ard f o r the Re . M . S rl , g 52 W HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON .

w Mr the ministry in the to n was twice made vacant . . Searl soon after left the town , believing that his usefulness as a minister of the gospel was at an end , and under the apprehension that his b days on earth would be few . He returned to Sims ury , and con trary to the anticipations which were entertained at the time of his dismissal from Sharon , he recovered his health , and on the 1 7 th Of 1 758 S toneham day January , , he was installed minister of ,

M a ss . , in the vicinity of Boston He remained in the ministry 2 * 4th 1 776 . there , until the day of April , , when he was dismissed The reasons for his second dismissal were assigned in the follo w “ b ing words The difficulty of the times , where y there was not b b his b ut nro re a pro a le prospect for the support for family , ill hea lth especially on account of his , occasioned by easterly ” h n . S tou t Ma ss winds He afterwards removed to g o , where he muel who 1 787 . S a died in He had one son of the name of , grad uated 1 78 1 n at Yale College in , and who was a you g man of b ut extraordinary talents and high promise , who died at an early b age . Mr . Searl , himself , was a man of respecta le abilities , and of an elevated standing in the ministry . He was a m ember of an Ne w important ecclesiastical council , which assembled at Haven , O 1 751 w in ctober , , to settle some disputes hich had arisen in one of the churches in that town , and which consisted of some of the cler rn en : J hn Graham most eminent gy in the colony , to wit o , Jedediah Mills P hilemon R bbins D a n iel H um hre s E ben ez er , o , p y , White E leazer Wheeloelc B en a min Pomer B en a a h Ca se , , j oy, j , ose h B ellam S a muel H o kins a mes S r a t J na than L ee J p y, p , J p o , o , and John S ea rl .

s ed f r o m us lie with eat wei ht on u r m n d s e o n s d e n his dismis gr g o i , y t c i ri g wea n ess a n d o n o n nue b o n i n we k n o w n o great k l g c ti d dily i d sp o s itio , t wh at to say o th erwi se th an to en treat th e ven er ab l e c o n s o ci ati o n to take the matter un der their co n siderati o n an d to d etermin e what the y think is in esen t r ums tan es th at rs what the u e i s i e to b e mo st d uty pr ci c c , y j dg l k

h e o r o f G o an th re n e st o o t e ev Mr . Sea f o r t gl y d , d e g atest i t re b th f h R . rl an d o f this p eo ple . 4 ms wn Meet n un e 2 1 . o t d h at es s s . o hn Wi a To i g , J 5, 75 V e t M r J lli , E b en ez er J a cks o n an d E b e n ez er Frisb i e b e a c o mmittee to apply t o the e en d E de s esen t f o 1 a e whom to a to to rea w th u s R ev r l r pr , dvic pply , p ch i . er f o r re sen t o as o n a ea h n o r to sett e w th us an d a so to act eith p cc i l pr c i g , l i , l up o n s aid advice . * A c o rres po n dent n ear Sto n eham writes as follows Fro m wido w H a s a ed a n at e of to u hto n an d the o de t ers o n in R eb ecc a y , g 85 , iv S g , l s p mar e H e un an o f tou hto n t o wn I ea n th at Mr . Se ar d s b ah S , l r l ri p i D c , g , ass th at he h ad two so n s Samu e an d ohn an d two d au hters ets e M ; , l J , g , B y wa r n n v o tho do wr o te n Fan n . Mrs H a s sa s h e s a ea e ma e a d y y y l d , ry r x, w r o o d sermo n s an d was ran d o r te n sto es . H is d e e as ve y g , g f lli g ri liv ry he thin s h e was n o t e a t e in re lat o n to asto a ab o rs ver y d ull . S k v ry c iv i p r l l , o nio n th at so me o f hi s d s urses were in ted b ut i s n o t a n d is o f pi i c o pr , h s a s th at it was the o n io n at the t me th at he e t Sto n eh am c ertain . S e y pi i l f u s t e r tish . H e was n o t s t in o u hto n but ed o f o r fear o f th B i et l ed St g , g o o u t o n p r e achin g an d mi s sio n ary to u rs f o r a f ew weeks o r a mo n th at a ” i a n w ht n i s that M r . e a d th It i s sta ted b D r . h s t a e S e time . y D ig , r v l , rl te ud e o b o f W ia ms to wn Mass we e t he rs t erso n s that e e r l i J g N le ill , , r fi p v s n d d M u nta n i n W l ams to wn th e i hes ea in Mass a a ce Saddle o i , i li , h g t p k cll uss etets .

54 S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF S HARON .

b He was a Scotchman from Edin urgh . He was not a clergyman b u t . in the Moravian sense , an assistant He acted rather as a b u t teacher or catechist . He labored in the Mission at Sharon a

. n n few months As everything relating to his h istory is i teresti g ,

’ a more extended notice of him is copied from L osk iel s History of Moravian Missioners

“ Brother David Bruce was now appointed to the care of the

Sclratico o k W e ua n o ck who Christian Indians at and q g , , since the

b . forementioned visit of the ishop . had formed a regular settlement W e ua n o ck n n He resided chiefly in a house at q g , belo gi g to the Gn adan see b ut brethren called (Lake of Grace) , sometimes resided

Schaticook w Wes te nhu n k b at , hence he paid visits to y invitation Mohikan of the head chief of the Nation . sowing the seeds of the

b ut was gospel wherever he came , as he not ordained , Bishop Carn erho ff b Be old We ua no c k , with rother y went again to q g to strengthen the brethren and to administer the sacraments the re .

Twenty Indians were added to the church by baptism . Brother ' Bruce remained ih this station till his happy departure out of time , which , to the great grief of the Indian congregation , took b place this year . He was remarka ly cheerful during his illness , w and his conversation edified all w ho sa him . Perceiving that his end approached , he called the Indian brethren present to his b b esou lrt bedside , and pressing their hands to his reast , g them t t fervently to remain fai hful un o the end , and immediately fell asleep in the Lord . His funeral was committed to one of the assistants , who delivered a powerful discourse upon the solemn occasion to the company present , among whom were many b ’ white people , who had often heard our late rother s testimony b ” of the truth , with lessing ,

So reads the b ook and so died the missionary . The exact 9 1 749 Schatico o k date of his death was July , . The Missionary at , 1 752 i n , wrote as follows They have permitted me to put a

’ stone on Brother David s grave , and enclose it with a fence . The 1 825 but b stone was in good preservation in , has since been roken W into many fragments . hat remains of it is in the p ossession of

the Moravian Historical Society of Nazareth , Penn . It contained the following epitaph E DAVID BRUC ,

From Edinburgh in Scotland . Minister of ’ B rethren s The Church ,

Among the Indians .

Departed 1 749 . S OF TH E W OF' S HI TORY TO N HARON . 55

The Indians of Sharon having sold their lands in 1755 and f w dispersed to dif erent parts of the country , the Mission as then abandoned by the brethren bu t a congregation of W hite people b w b uilt a meeting house on the estern order of the Indian Pond , n o w b ‘ on land owned y Col . Hiram Clark , and retained the serv

o f lr . ose ices one of the Missionaries , the Rev J p Powel , until his in dea th 17 74 .

It will b e observed that all the missionaries who labored here

e were under the dir ction of the Moravian authorities at Bethany , n m Pen , fro whom they received their appointments . After the b reaking up of the Mission here , and the death or removal of the m issronarres t , missionary sta ions were established in parts of the

o r e country west of Bethany , and f n arly a century the scene of the

labors and , place of the graves of the faithful and devoted mission aries in this region had pas sed from the knowledge of the Moravians at Beth any and it was owing to investigations made W M rd . cCo . by the Rev illiam J . , and the Rev Sheldon Davis , of nrissio n ar b Dutchess County , that this field of y la or , so interest t b The ing in Moravian his ory , was rought to their knowledge . N n 1 1 th Moravian Historical Society , at azareth , Pen , on the day 1 859 of July , , determined to mark the resting places of the b missionaries , by the erection of suita le monuments , and thus to revive and perpetuate their memories , so long neglected and for u gotten . These monuments were set p under the direction of the in l . , a s e Rev . Mr . Davis and of Benson J Lossing , Esq , and g mon unrent over the remains of David Bruce is for a memorial of him w and of the Rev Joseph Po el . The inscriptions on that monu ment were as follows

( On the n orth side. )

SE WE JO PH PO L ,

A Minister of the Gospel , in the

Church of the United Brethren . 1 7 10 Born in ,

W . Near hite Church , Shropshire , England 23 1 774 Died Sept , , O o At Sichem in the bl ng ,

Y. Co . . Dutchess , N 56 ST TH E HI ORY OF TOWN OF S H ARON .

On th t ( e sou h side. ) E DAVID BRUC , G A Minister of the ospel , in the

Church of the United Brethren , from

Edinburgh , in Scotland . 9 1 749 Died July , ,

Wech u adn o ck At the q Mission ,

C . o . . Dutchess , N Y

( On the east side . ) How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him that bringeth

good tidings , that publisheth peace , b o That ringeth good tidings of g od , b That pu lisheth salvation . 7 Isaiah hi , .

st s (On the we ide . ) Erected by the

Moravian Historical Society ,

O 6 1859 . ctober ,

Solemn and impressive , as well as instructive services , per b t formed y the Moravians from Be hany , were rendered at the 6 h O b 1 8 9 t 5 . dedication of that monument , on the day of cto er , As the remains of the missionaries had been committed to the gra ve without the performance of the cherished rites of that body of

Christians , it was deemed appropriate that those portions of the Moravian ritual which relate to death and the resurrection should be employed in the ceremonies . For the same reason the Easter Morning Litany which is prayed annually on Moravian b urying b t grounds , and the choral music of trom onists , a charac eristic b element of Moravian o sequies , were added to the programme o of religious exercises . The services were held in the pen field in b which the monument stands , and were performed y the Bishop

cler rn en b tro mb on and several Moravian gy , with a select and of e ist and choir of singers , in the presence of some seventeen b W hundred people . The venera le Bishop olle had the principal S OF TH E W O F HI TORY TO N S HARON . 57

charge , and his white locks , his clerical costume and his solemn b and deli erate utterances . wi th a slight German accent , of the n various portio s of the Moravian funeral ritual , with the earnest and solemn responses from the people and from the tro nrb o rris ts b b gave an indescri a le interest to the ceremonies . After an his

D hw in i z r b . Sc e t to ical . e discourse y the Rev Mr , in which a minute history of the Mission and missionaries was given , the followin g stanz as from the Moravian Hymnal were sung by the congregation

H o w swee thes e o ur b eth en s ee tly r r l p , E n o n n d ess ea e j yi g e l p c , The grave in which therr Savrour l ay Is rro w their restin g plac e .

au ht can stu b the se e s o f e N g di r h ir lif , ll e a h ares a re ti ed A rt ly c , To b e wrth st was therr es e Chri d ir , ’ A n d n o w the y re p erfected.

- o Fathe on an d H o h s T r , S ly G o t, On e G od wh o m we ad o e , r , e o as rt w s rs n o w B gl ry a , , ha o e A n d s ll b e everm r . h b A nd thus ended t e solemn urial services . A V I CH PTER I .

E V M E — — R . COTTON ATH R SMITH CE NSUS CHURCH OF E NGLAND — MISSIONS ORGANIZ ATION OF TH E E PISCOPAL PARIS H

- W ME E E — E V E E W NE G E . TING HOUS R . ORG HITFI LD

1 754 C tt n IN the course of the summer of , the Reverend o o M a ther Smith Suffield , of , was employed by the town to preach as r mm n da a candidate for settlement . He came upon the eco e Ili a t h w t e S t. J hn h b tion of o , who had been an in a itant of Sharon ,

Suffield b but who had now removed to , where he ecame acquainted H n r with Mr . Smith . Mr . Smith was a descendant of the Rev . e y

Smith Wetlrers field , the first minister of , who came from England m A ther to in The mother of Mr . S ith was a daughter of n M a ther b Cott n Ma ther a n d , a cousin of the cele rated o , she died in

w as this town at a very advanced age . Mr . Smith born at S uffield O b l 6th 1 731 , cto er , , and graduated at Yale College i n h n tock 1 751 . He spent t e year previous to his visiting Sharo at S brid e b Jon a tha n g , Massachusetts , with the very cele rated E dwards b In , engaged in the enevolent duties of instructing the dians . Mr . Smith preached as a candidate for more than a year ,

* In a e o d o f an ie ush n the t i d town clerk f H n h am r c r D l C i g , h r p i g , s a h set s 1 s thr en t r H en Sm th and hrs W e an d th e e Ma s c u t , s ry M . ry i if r o n s an d two d au hte s an d th ee men s e an ts an d two mai d se a n ts s , g r , r rv rv , * * a n d Tho mas Ma e ame om H er H a in No o an d se tt ed 1 n y r , c fr ll , rf lk, l h ab o d who was th e athe New H i n gh am H enry Smith h ad a s o n Ic , f r

u e r a d t a n an was th e f athe of R ev . o f Sam l Sm th , n his l st amed g en tlem r C o tto n Mather Smith . S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF S HARON . 50

b J hn m E h G s , t e and in the meantime oarded with o , q , at north part of the town . He was ordained minister of Sharon on the 28 th u day of A gust , He purchased the place which was

M wn e i D e . 1 1 e To et n c 3 175 . Vo t d . That ea o n E b en ez er g , , D c J ack s o n , W D ea co n E b enez er Fri s b i e an d J o hn illia ms . b e a c o mmi ttee to see if they c a n a ree wrth M r Smrth to rea h wrth us so me time o n e r g ; p c l g , an d in the me a n time to a d v rs e wrtlr t he c o mmitte e o f th e A sso ciati o n resp ec tin g rv rn hrm a a t o s e tt e 1 11 the rn rn rs tr with u s a n d to ma e o g g c ll l y , k rep rt to the meetIn g at such time to whic h it ma y b e adj o urn ed . th T o wn eet n Jan u ar v 1 . o M 8 755 ted a we w e Mr . o i g , , V t ill giv C tto n athe mrth a a to s ett e In the wo o f the o s n s t w M r S c ll l rk g p el mi i ry ith us .

o ted T hat o ur o me o mm t tee v iz . th e t wo d ea o n s an d o V , f r r c i , , c J h n e lrams E s . b e co n trrru ed to b e o u r o mm ttee an the n o , q c i d that y i f rm Mr . th t wn ha e i Smrth that e o v vo ted to give h m a c all . o ted That said o mm ttee o n e w th M r n d n o w whi . m t a V , C i c f r i S i h , k ch Will b e th e mo st a cc ep table to him t o h ave a l arg er s ettl emen t an d a smaller sa ar o r a ar e s a a an d a sma e s ett emen t an d ma e e o t to th s l , l g r l ry ll r l , k r p r i meey1 ri g . o te d Th at we desi e a n d w ma e a i a t on to th e en e a V , r , ill k ppl c i G r l ’ ss emb 1 11 Ma n ex t f o r a r ob ate is tri t in thi n o t we s t a A ly y , P D c s r h p rt of

thi s c o u n t y . n u r 1 1 w ma e su n a a 5 . o te That w To wn Meeti g , J y 5, 7 5 V d, e ill k ch o o s a s t o Mr o tto n M ath e Sm th to e n ou a e him to s ett e w th u s pr p l . C r i , c r g l i o s m n s tr as s ha b e e u a e n t to the te ms o n wh h Mr in the g p el i i y , ll q iv l r ic . s r w s h a d u s ett ed with u rn s u h o m as e a te wa d o n u e o n . Searl l a c f ll f r r c cl p a wr e to r t 42 u n es o f o r' e uiv al en t o Th t we ll M . Sm h 0 o s e V ted , giv i c ilv r , q n o ld te n o s f o r a s e tt eme n t to b e a d in three ea s a te se t e i r Bill , l , p i y r f r t l t 1 11 ld ten b an nu a f o r n vrz . 14 o n es o r an e u a en o o s me t : , 0 u c , q iv l r ill , lly t hree years .

o ted T at we wrll e to sai d Mr . Sm t 220 S an d o a s o r an V , h giv i h p ish ll r ,

n o b s f o r his e s a a . equivalen t In o ld te r ill , y arly l ry wi o n o ted Th at the co mmrttee a st h o se to t re a t th Mr . Sm th b e c V , l c i , trnued to b e a co mmrttee to make the afo resaid pro p o sal s to him in the n s e hi an w n ame o f th e t o wn a d de ir s s er . te That we e se e e in our d es re to rrr a 2 1 . o T own Meet g , M y 3 , 755 V d , p r v r i h u s In r o f the o s e min s t an d . w h h ave Mr Smith settle rt t e wo k G p l i ry , his o ur d esrre man es ted a a n t o l1 1 m an d a so that h e b e wo uld h ave t if g i , l In fo rmed th at we t ak e a gra teful n o tic e o f what h e h as n o w o ff ered to thi s n a s o t a the R e e en A s s o ciatro n o f this o u n t b e Ih meeti n g , a d l h t v r d c y

s u r d es e an d t e e o e h o s e o hn Wi a ms E s . as ou r fo rmed o f thi o ir , h r f r c J lli , q , rv t to s aid R e e en d s s o a tio n at the meet a g en t o r rep re s en t at e o g o v r A ci , ir rri in ew ll rlf o r d 0 11 T ues a n e to n o m th em o f rt an d to ask the g N r , d y xt , i f r , ir fa rther a dv rce in this matter . ’ ’ o tto n Ma the m th s an swe to the to wn s a en That p art o f Mr. C r S i r c ll , giv e n an d sr rre d w th his h an Ma 23d 1 755 es e t n o ur in to wn m eti g , g i d , y , , r p c i g

r is se tt emen t an d s a a was in th e wo r ds f o llowrn v rz . , pro p o sals f o h l l ry , g e o th n to as t o th e settleme n t an d s al ary y o u h ave vo ted me . I hav n i g n ’ em b ut esteem th e O ff e en e ro u s an d h o n o r ab e a n d as rt o b j ect ag ai st , r g l , e u o n s ome e ha s t o a sa a an d s ett emen t to ethe , will co me h avy p , p r p , p y l ry l g r s o I have tho ught o f rel easin g p art o f the p aymen t o f my s al ar y f o r a time to b e p a d to me a a n wh en y o u h a e n s hed the p a me n t o f t he , i g i v fi i . y n h s o o se to h a e do n e In th e f o llo wrn man n e : the settlemen t , a d t i I pr p v g r u ha e o ted m e 40 do a s , first y ear I s h all allow y o u o ut o f th e s al ary y o v v , ll r d o ar s the 3d ea 1 5 th e 4th ea 20 to b e e a d to me a a n , the 2 , 30 d ll , y r , y r , r p i g i the 6th e a 20 mo e an d the 25 do a s th a t remam I the 5th y ear 20 mo re, y r r , ll r ‘ — the am w n g t h at t he to wn s ho u ld heep em f o r th ei o wn use F o m illi . r r

n te ed e r o h n e lrams R e rster . o rigi n al . E r p J , g That we o m w th th e a d e o f un e 1 2 1 . o ted T o wn Meetin g , J , 755 V , c ply i vic o n es e tin th e d a o f the o n at o n o f Mr . th e R everen d A sso ci ati , r p c g y rdi i hu h an d eo e an d C o tto n Mather Smith to b e th e P as to r o f thrs c rc p pl , acc o rdi n gly app o i n t the 28 th d ay o f A u gus t n ext f o r th at purpo se . G a Jo h n a ee an d o hn Marv ine b e a . Jo n Vo ted , Th at Mes srs h y , P rd , J rn rn ou n an d s u h c ommi ttee to make n eedful p r ovisio n s f o r th e o r d a g c cil , c ' d at the o st r g en tlemen as s hall b e tho ug h t b est to have e nte rtarn e c t0 the o w t n . (50 W HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON .

b owned y his predecessor , Mr . Searl , the same which is now

- W b . . owned by his great grandson , Dr . Ro ert Smith He was married , soon after his settlement , to Mrs . Temperance Gale ,

Go lr n . . s e widow of Dr Moses Gale , of , N York , and daughter of

Willia m lV/ or thin to n o k R ev. Westbr o S a g , of the parish of , in y

bro k . o Mr . Smith was the minister of Sharon for more than fifty years , and during the whole of that period occupied a large b b S b . pace in pu lic affairs Pro a ly no minister ever had , in a ff greater degree , the confidence and a ection of his people . He b w b ut was never spoken of y those who kne him , with the most unqualified respect and veneration .

n 1 756 and O ula A ce sus of the colony was taken in , the p p

be 1 196 b - tion of Sharon was found to , a out one half of the present b b num er of inha itants .

n b From the first settleme t of the town . there had een sev C mmuni n o the Chur h E n la nd eral families of the o o f c of g , as b but it was called , efore the Revolutionary war , they were fi never suf ciently numerous to form a separate congregation , or On y ear 1 755 . to maintain public worship , until about the the 1 4 of b th day of April , that year , leave was given , y the town ,

c to those of that communion , to erect a hurch at the corner of the highways that come from the upper end of the town ”

Ir n W rks H ollow. and the o o This was at the head of the street , ’ near Captain King s . This building was erected , and stood for nearly forty years . It is mentioned as a singular circumstance in regard to its construction , that its external covering was a nr r b coat of o rta . Pu lic worship was maintained in it for a number of years the desk being supplied by missionaries sent

“ out by the H on or a ble Society f or P r op aga tin g the Gosp el i n

r i P ar Fo e gn ts . The first of the missionaries who labored here E benezer D ibb e was the Rev . l , whose permanent residence was at S ta m rd he fo , but who had the care of many of the churches in t

n bb . wester part of the colony . After Mr . Di le , the Rev Solomon

Palmer and the Rev . Thomas Davies had the charge of the church , in connection with those at New Mil ford , Roxbury , Ne w

Vo ted that the same c o mmittee take c are to pro p an d well b rac e up the g alle rres b efo re said d ay o f o rd in ati o n .

1 eb wrtt L eut . th eut . a Je n Meet n Au u s t 2 755 . o ted at L Tow i g , g 0 , V i C l , i r ur at errals Steph en a n , an d o n athan i ett b e a o mm ttee to p oc e m C lki J G ll c i O s o r th f o r, and to e e t a s af o d at th e n o r th e n d o f the rn eetrrrg o u e , f e r c c f l . h mit n r if It s hou b e wet wea e n t d a n M r. o rd ainin g cou crl o o r i S h up o , o ld th r , to prop an d well secure the g all erres .

2 W HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON .

V . b country The operations of the enera le Society in England , Of b in course , ceased in this country on the esta lishment of

b b e dependence , and it was many years efore measures could adopted for the supply of clerical services to the congregations

r E i of that faith . There is no known record o tradition that p sco pal worship was celebrated in Sharon for t wenty years after the Li hfi l Revolution . The nearest places of worship were at tc e d and New Milford . There were several families in the town who but conformed to that church , they were never organized as a l Of the legal ecc esiastical corporation , until the formation present n society in 1 809 . The missionaries from the society in E gland seemed to have had and maintained a very careful ecclesiastical organization in each parish , as their reports to the parent society b b detailed with great accuracy the num er of families , irths , b f deaths , baptisms , marriages and mem ership in the di ferent t parishes under their care , and in fact , every memorial hey have n left is a testimony to their great fidelity in their several calli gs . In 1 809 the numb er of Episcopal families in Sharon had increased

b S to a out twenty , and it was deemed expedient that they hould n the be orga ized into a legal corporation under laws of the State , so that they could be empowered to hold property , lay tax , and enforce other legal rights . A legal warrant was issued on the 1 8th 1 809 day of May , , by General Augustine Taylor , a Justice of the Peace , commanding him to summon sundry persons , named in 27th in the warrant , to meet at the Academy Sharon , on the

“ day of the same month , to form and regularly organize them ah selves , as ecclesiastical society of the order and denomination called Episcopal , and to choose the proper officers for the society .

At the meeting thus warned , the society was duly organized according to the ritual of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the w United States . The follo ing named persons were the first members of t he society

David Lambert , Simon Blackman ,

Samuel Jarvis , Jr . David Parsons ,

Asa Hitchcock , Israel Camp , b W Barna as Tobey , illiam Chapman ,

Luther Gay , Daniel Patchen , W Thomas S . Barnum , Peter . Smith , b l Simon Beebe , A el Ha l ,

Isaac Daw , John Griswold , W Samuel R . Gager , Rufus right . S OF TH E W OF S 3 HI TORY TO N HARON . G

The first full board of church Officers was elected at an 5 1 1 8 0 . b adjourned meeting , held May th , That oard was con stituted as follows k Cler . Israel Camp ,

Thomas S . Barnum , Ward ens . i b Dav d Lam ert , Tre sur r . a e . Thomas S Barnum ,

. C o r llect . Dr John Sears , o

Samuel R . Gager , aw Isaac , D V s r m n e t y e . Asa Hitchcock ,

Samuel Jarvis , b D ele a te to n ven o n s C ti . David Lam ert , g o

The Rev . Sturges Gilbert was employed soon after the “ e society was organized to perform clerical services , in conn ction with a like engagement at Kent , where he resided , he conducting public worship at each place on alternate Sundays . The place of t worship here for two or hree years was at the Academy , which stood on the present S ite of the Sharon hotel . The upper room

Of b u f o r the uilding was fitted p the purpose , and was sufficiently _ h large to accommodate t e worshipers . In 1 81 2 the first steps were taken towards the erection of a

b . b bb . Y . . church uilding E enezer Di le , of Pine Plains , N , Col b W S E s Reu en arner , of New Milford , and Moses eymour , q , of L itchfield b b the , were chosen y this society to esta lish site , and d such progress was ma e , in raising funds , that at the close of 1 8 1 3 m o b b , the present com odi us uilding had een erected , and b temporary interior accommodations furnished , so that pu lic worship was celebrated in the church early in 1 8 1 4 . It was not 1 8 1 9 n furnished within until , whe it was completed in a neat and comfortable state . It has undergone several modifications since , to conform to the conditions of public taste in regard to b church architecture . It was dedicated y Bishop Brownell , with

1 8 1 9 . the 24th Of b . . solemn ceremonies , on day Novem er , A D b bb a n rissio n ar Rev . E enezer Di le served here as y from the _

V b 1 754 . enera le Society in England , commencing in 1 763 Rev . Thomas Davies , from . The following clergymen have served as rectors of the Church in Sharon from the dates i ndicated below

b . Rev . Sturges Gil ert

Ge orge B . Andrews .

Lucius M . Purdy .

W . Chas . . Bradley 64 S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF SHARON .

1 839 Rev . S . T . Carpenter . 1 844 Martin Moody . 1 849 r Alonzo G . Shea s . 1 852 Ezra Jones . 1 856 Louis Fren ch . 1 857 V John . Striker . 1 86 6 . Henry R Howard . M D . ac o nal David N d . 1 87 1 W Joseph . Hyde . 1 873 Edwin J . K . Lassell . [The following have served as Rectors Of the church Since the publication of the former edition of the history 1 875—1 — 878 . . Rev . A T Ashton , (minister in charge . ) 1 878—1 88 1— W Rev . Percival H . haley . — — 1 88 1 1 884 . Rev Charles Ferris . 1 4—1 9 — 88 8 3 . Rev . Geo Rumsey . 1 894— — . w . d (Jan Rev . G Chapman Gris ol ] 1 866 In , the parish erected a commodious p arsonage , and its close contiguity to the church makes it a very convenient residence for the rector . After the town had been settled between twenty and thirty years , the population had increased to such an extent, that it became n ecessary to provide a more commodious place of pub A S lic worship than the meeting house then in use afforded . 1 763 e . early as the year , the subj ct was agitated in the town It was the practice through the colony , at that time , to raise money b for all public purposes . and especially for uilding meeting b b b . e houses , y taxation But it was found to impossi le to pro cure a vote of the town to lay such a tax in this instance , on account of the diffi culty with the p eople in the east part of the b town , touching the esta lishment of a new society . After f several ef orts to lay a tax had failed , it was determined to make b the attempt to raise the money by su scription , and such was n ‘ b the success of the undertaki g , that it was thought advisa le to

b n S 1 767 . proceed with the uildi g in the pring of It was framed , but raised and covered , during that season , it was not finished

and fitted for public use until the n ext Year . The master work f b o . man the building was Capt Stephen Sears , a uilder of some who celebrity . and was active in bringing forward the project of b uilding a new house of worship . It was a number of years W before all the expenses of the building were paid . hen it was Of completed , it was one the largest and most commodious

S TH E W 6 HI TORY OF TO N OF SHARON . 5

h churc es in the county , and for a great many years the congre a tio n to g which worshiped in it filled it overflowing . The committee appointed by the County Court to fix the site of the

O f new meeting house were John Hutchinson and Joshua Porter ,

b an d e Salis ury , Joshua Pi rce , of Cornwall , who reported to the

“ Court that they ha d loca ted the p la ce abou t 2 9 r ods n or therly

r m the o ld meetin h n se n ea r the middle o the street and n i h f o g o f , g ” the dwellin ho u se o J n a tha n Gillett in sa id har o S n . g f o , It stood upon a ledge of rocks , now removed , and was used as a * house of worship for nearly S ixty years . In the year 1 824 it b u was taken down , and the present rick ch rch was erected in its place .

On 1 8 h 1 770 t . W the day of June , , the Rev George hitfield , a b cele rated itinerant minister of the Church of England , passed through the town on a preaching tour . He had proceeded up the b North River as far as Al any and Schenectady , preaching in all

w eet n D h . a To n M ec . t 1 7 3 Vo te h t in o de to o n s de a i g , 3o , 6 d , t r r c i r mo o n f o r b u d n a n ew meetin h o se an d f o r s o me o th b u n s s n ti il i g g u , er si e o t in s d s in o u o th e t u d in an u n ex t f he th meet b e ad n ed t h d T s a a . i , i g j r ir e y J ry that we w b u d a mee trn ho se T o wn Meet n . Se t . 1 6 1 766 . o e i g p , V t d , ill il g u n ea th r s en m tin h o us e the re s s o t to b e a te wa ds d et e r e p e t ee g , p ci e p f r r r m n e o n th at i t b e n o t th t o ds o m the es en t ho use s a d ho us e i d . ly ir y r fr pr i y h 4 w n o t o b e u n e the o w n drme n sro n s rz . f t . 1 11 en t 0 in idth t d r fo ll i g , 60 l g , , n w e t un e the d rrectro n o f a o rnmrttee h e ea te a d f t. o s t the ho o b e 25 p , l d r c r f r to b e cho s en s aid c o mmitteen o t to b eg i n to build i t till i n the ir j udgmen t th e h a e g o t en o u h sub scrrb ed to fi rrrsh i t . y v g 0 ub s rl b e who m a w1 th1 n Vo te , t at an y p e s o n o r p e so n s sha s c , y d h if r r ll ’ _ the sp ac e o f twen ty y ea s n e t c o min b e mad e a di stin ct e cc es i as tic a r x g . l l o o r b e added to an o th e ecclesras trcal so e he o r th e s ha b e s ciety , y r ci ty , y ll wh at the s h a so sub s b e b tho s e refu n ded their pro p er pro p o rtio n o f y ll cri , y in e o ss ss o n o f s a1 d meet n ho us e Wt h o o t o n who shall remain th p e i i g , pr p r i sh all b e after a ded uc ti o n o f a fiftie th p art f o r every ye ar b efo re they ar e

et O ff t en the ema n e to b e ai d b a as a o es a d . s , h r i d r p ck f r i E b en ez e Ga an d Ste hen D o meo n Sm t Mess s . o te th at ct . V d , Si i h , r r y p Sear s b e a co nrmittee f o r the p urp o s es afo res aid . 1 o te d that the old meet n o u s e i s an t n e . . To wn Meeti g , D c 9 , 767 V , i g h gr ed to th e c o mmittee who a re app o rn ted to e re ct an d fi n i sh the n ew meeti n g o e o r dis o s e o f to wa d s n s h n the n ew me t n h us , to b e improved p d r fi i i g e i g o use s o n t t de e us o f meet n i n rt n the n ew o n e i s fi t to h , as o o priv i g u til mee fi 1 11 , It b e n e esen ted to this meet n that s to es are D ec emb e 19 , 1 768 g p g r i r r _ i v wrth fi re i n them whe e b i t i s m h fre q uen tly left in this meetin g hou se , r y uc matte n to co n srder atro n a r ee exp o sed to b e bu r n t the to wn t akin g thi s r i , g s e w th o r W1 t 1 0 11 t an d o te th at n o sto e s a b e e t in th e meet n ho u , l v v h ll l f i g i _ in n d suff e ed to em a n th e e a te the mee t n sh a b e drs mi ssed fi re it , a r r i r f r i g ll h the ni h t 0 11 the e n a t o f ten s h n s f o r a s to e SO at n ight , o r thr o ug g , p l y illi g v t o b o e ed of th e e s o n o r e so n s th at sha ea e the same l eft , e r ec v r p r p r ll l v acc o rdi ng to l aw. o e shou d n o t s rt to ethe ma es an d ema es i n V o ted , Th at yo u n g p e pl l g r , l f l a e es an d th at ou r n o m n O f e sh a th e same p ew o r seats in the g ll ri , i f r i g f ic rs ll b s at o n o f b e all o wed to s it wh ere th e y ch oo se i n the g all eri es f o r their O erv i their b eh avio r who sit there . n o w o ee d to ho o se a o mm t ee to eat o u r V o ted , Th at we will pr c c c i t s h e s eats sh a b e ma e i n the b o d o f o ur o u se . meetin g h o us e, wh en t ll d y h J s h L a n de ra r i o n m th S te h en Sea s E b en e e G ay , o e ” D o ct . S me S i . p r , z r p n h a es e and Sam e E me we e o sen a o mm ee J o hn St . J o h , C rl Gill tt , u l l r r ch c itt f o r th e purp o se a fo resaid . * 9 ‘ 66 S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF SHARON .

the towns and villages on the route , and returning , preached at r Great Barrington , No folk , Salisbury and Sharon . There was considerable opposition to his being permitted to preach in the but Of meeting house , the influence Parson Smith prevailed , and the doors were opened . An arrangement had been made for him to preach in the orchard of Mr . Jonathan Gillet , directly opposite b the meeting house , and now owned y Charles Skinner , in case S be l he hould refused admission to the usual p ace of worship .

An immense congregation , from thi s and the neighboring towns ,

be assembled on the occasion , and that all the hearers might well d accommodated with seats , extensive scaffol s were erected around the house . His text was the words of our Saviour addressed to

e Nicodemus , Marvel not that I said unto thee . y must be born ” again . He discoursed upon the doctrine of the new birth with the most astonishing power and eloquence . The concluding r words of the se mon were a quotation , with a little variation , ' from the last verse of the fourth chapter of Solomon s Son gs : 0 b w this Awake north wind , and come thou south , lo upon m garden , that the spices thereof may flow out . Let y Beloved h i t is h s . come into garden , and eat pleasant fruits Many from him this town went , the next day , to hear preach at the Red

Y . Meeting House , in Amenia , N . , and some followed him for e two or thr e days in succession . to hear the word of life from this devoted minister of the cross f r

* The meet n o u se in Sa sb at t at me was sma an d to i g h li ury , h ti , ll , acco mmo d ate the immen se n umb er o f hearers whic h c ame o g ether o n the . t

Mr a i n o n i r . o a o n . Wh t e e e the e a The mee t n was o en cc si , i fi ld pr ch d p i g h ld

u o u . am o n i o n the p blic s qu are near the meeti n g h se The l ate Dr . H t h O il o med o e n o m th ha o n i s wa to t s meet n w s en di n f r G v r r S i t t, h y hi i g , hil e de c g t e hl ll n a f o th e meet n h ea y h a mi e m i g , e hea d the p eache h _ rl lf l r r r r , rstrn ctl an n oun hi s Tu n e to the st o n h o n y ce text, r y r g old, y e pris ers o f ” fio pe .

“ 1 These were amon g the l ast l ab o rs o f Whitfield . Whil e o n thi s tour h e s ffe ed mu h o m th e as thma th e sease wh h s o o n a te te m u r c fr , di ic y ery f r r i n ated hi s H e s en the n t rey i o us to hi s ea h n e e W t life. p t igh p pr c i g h r i h arso n mi t n as h e a a m n se e t th o d e he P S h , a d su ch w t l r i g v ri y of e dis r r t n u o n hi m t at it was t ou t e d oub t u b tho se who wat h ed w t p , h h gh v ry f l y c i h H e att u t ra o h i m whether h e co uld survive the n ight. rib ted hi s res o tion t su ch a c o m o tab e s a te o f ea th as that he was ab e to p each the n e f r l t h l . l r xt d a to th e in n u rn ad am Sm t f or wh he e essed the y , k d rs g o f M i h , ich xpr - b o st d e at . w s o ab i n a n h i s o wn r e m e p felt gr itude It a , pr ly , llusio to p a o us s tuatio n t a he o en e the b e e se s o n th e o o w n d a c ri i , h t p d pu lic x rci f ll i g y a t b y readin g the fo llo win g vers i o n o n th e thi rd p s alm by Dr . w t s Its o appro pri ate b eari n g up on his own feeb le c o n di ti o n Will b e readily seen Oh o ho w n r o e Su o ted b th n h ea en aid , L rd, ma y a e my f s. pp r y i e v ly , In this weak state o f fiesh an d blo o d I l aid me do wn an d slept s ecure M ea e the a discorn o se o t d eath shou d mak e m hear taf r ai d y p c y d ily p , N l y ut m e en n i o ou h I sho wa e an d se n o B y d f c e a d hop e s G d . Th g uld k ri mo re . T e w th th e b u en s o f the d a Bu t G o d sus ta n ed me all th e n ir d i rd y , i ight, ’ T o thee I rars d an even in g cry S alvation d o th to Go d b elo n g Th ou h eardst wh en I b e an to a H e a sed m h an d to s ee the l h g y , i g , pr r y . i t

n d m a e h i s a se m mo n n o n . An d thi n e almighty h elp was n igh . A k pr i y r i g s g r n t m th s t me at M . W i mo s o hitfi eld died n ab out three h fr i i , N ewbury

o a s. p rt . M s

68 S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF SHARON . some remarks tending to arouse the Spirit of the congregation to firmness and to resistance . Immediately after the congre atio n b g was dismissed , the militia and volunteers , to the num er s of one hundred men , paraded on the west side of the treet , south of the meeting house , and prepared to march immediately to the

E , . s scene of action David Downs , . q , was Captain , James w Bre ster , Lieutenant , and David Gould , Ensign . After further deliberation , however , it was determined to send Lieutenant Litchfield i Brewster to , to enquire more fully nto the accuracy of the intelligence , and whether the service of the militia would b e required immediately . Lieut . Brewster performed this mission , and learning that the British had returned to Boston , and that no pressing necessity existed for further military aid , it u was determined not to march , ntil further hostile movements Of on the part the enemy should render it necessary . b The General Assem ly was forthwith convened , and a large One military force raised . company was raised in Sharon and

’ i its vicinity . Samuel Elmore received a Major s comm ssion , and m also had the command of this co pany . Amos Chappell was the

Lieutenant . The last survivors of this company were Thomas Heath and

Adonijah Maxam . Deacon Isaac Chamberlain , Capt . Sylvanus

bb E b e also b Gi s , and Mr . Everitt , lately deceased , were mem ers

Of W r this company , as were illiam Gray , Samuel Lewis , J . , and

David Goff . This company was attached to a regiment which 1 775 Of marched to the northward in , for the conquest Canada , under General Montgomery . Before St Johns was taken , it was b determined , y Colonels Allen and Brown , to make an attempt Of upon the city Montreal with a few volunteers , if they could be Obtained . The troops were paraded , and Allen marched in front of the Connecticut line , and invited volunteers to join him . Of b M the soldiers who elonged to Sharon , Adonijah axam , David ff W l Go , i liam Gray and Samuel Lewis , stepped forward , and ff O ered to share in the perils Of the expedition . It was arranged w S between Allen and Bro n , that the latter hould land on the b S island , elow the city , while Allen , with about eighty men , hould b S land a ove the city , and there wait until they hould hear the

’ firing from Brown s party , when they were to rush on to the attack . Allen crossed the river St . Lawrence with his detach

This y ou n g g entleman was at this time a cle rk in C o lon el G ay ’ s sto re W h ro n i n w n a f rom n dh am an d ame t o S a . 1 7 t H e was o rigi lly i , c A D 7 0 , i h

mo the wh o was the se o n w e o f a ta n a eb ew tt . H e e his r , c d if C p i C l J i di d, f o n m o n on he 2 d d f Febr a much lamented, o c su pti , t 2 ay o u ry , S O F TH E W F HI TORY TO N O S HARON .

24th b ment on the evening of the of Septem er , on a raft , and

’ waited in t he expectation of hearing th e firing from Brown s b ut party through the whole night , he waited in vain . For some

’ reason the expedition on Brown s part had failed , and the morning light found Allen altogether in the power of the enemy .

This rash adventurer , however , determined to defend himself to the last ex t remity against the seven or eight hundred men that

b - fi v were rought against him , and he fought until twenty e of his w b men ere killed , and seven wounded , when he and his rave associates , including Maxam , Goff , Gray and Lewis , from Sharon , b and one Roger Moore , of Salis ury , were compelled to surrender .

n the They were loaded with irons , and sent to E gland , for avo wed object of receiving the sentence and punishment Of traitors . The threat of retaliatory measures , however , on the e part of the Americans , prevented such summary proc edings b against them , and after eing kept in close confinement , in

England and Ireland , during the winter , the prisoners just b b 1 named were rought ack to New York in the spring of 7 76 . b They were confined , in an old church , with a large num er of b t he others , who had een taken during campaign , at For t

W . ashington , and other places From this place the persons above named contrived to make their escape within a few days Old after they were put into confinement . The church in which b i they were confined was surrounded y a h gh fence , and thus a W little daily out door exercise was allowed the prisoners . hile b W G n l enjoying this li erty , illiam ray ma aged to oosen one of

Of re the long planks which the fence was made , but did not Of SO b move it , and the appearance things were little distur ed b b y the act of Gray , that it escaped the o servation of the officers in charge of the prisoners . Through the opening in the fence ,

b Fi b thus made practica le , the ve soldiers a ove named made their escape as soon as it was suffi ciently dark to conceal their Oper ’ n had b b atio s . They een ha ited in sailor s clothes during their

b be . captivity , and on this account they were less lia le to detected

They divided into two parties , Maxam and Moore forming the ‘

. one , and Gray , Goff and Lewis the other The three latter very soon found means to land on Long Island , and from thence passed over the Sound to the Continent , and returned to their

. friends in Sharon . Maxam and Moore had more difficulty They were two or three days in the city before they found it possible to leave it , and after landing on Long Island they s ufi ered much from hunger . After traveling several days , they 70 S H W HI TORY OF T E TO N OF SHARON .

b found means to em ark in a boat on the Sound , and to reach b Say rook . Their return to Sharon astonished their friends , who having learned from Gray and his comrades the circumstances of their escape from confinement , and having heard nothing further b b from them , had concluded that they had een retaken y the

British . The last survivor Of this b and of suff erers was Mr .

97 . Adonijah Maxam , who died at the age of years

1 775 the In the campaign of , Parson Smith went with army ’

C0 1. to the northward , as Chaplain to Hinman s regiment , and spent several months in the service . w ho There was one soldier from Sharon , joined the expedi tion led by General Arnold through the w ilderness of Kenne

: bec , to Canada , whose name was Alexander Spencer He died , however , on the march , from sickness . The exigencies of the times calling for a large army at the 1 776 a b commencement of , large num er of men , more than one On . e hundred , enlisted from the town of Sharon company b marched for Canada . It was commanded y Captain David

Downs , already mentioned . The first lieutenant was Adonijah w Gris old , and the second lieutenant was David Doty . The last survivors of this company , which was a large one , were Joel hafi C ee . and Adonijah Pangman , of Cornwall Charles Gillet , SO another member of the company , was killed near The Cedars , b b called , y a party of Indians in am ush , as he was riding along b the road , having gone on some usiness connected with his duty as commissary . The other soldiers raised in Sharon for the 1 776 b t campaign of , were distri u ed among three other companies ,

N e w and all marched for York , against which an attack by the h Of . Britis was now apprehended . one company , Dr Simeon

Smith , was captain of another , Elijah Foster was captain and N of the third , athaniel Hamlin was lieutenant These companies 1 776 W were in the campaign of , under General ashington on

Long Island and in the vicinity of New York , and shared in the W fatigues and perils of that disastrous period . David ood , b rn Nathaniel Buel , Josiah Coleman , Ja ez Jennings , Asahel So ers ,

Jr . John Randall , , and Thomas Ackley were taken prisoners at W W Fort ashington , of whom ood and Ackley died during their captivity , and Buel and Coleman on their return . The British b Of a W having O tained possession New York , Gener l ashington determined to make an eff ort to dislodge them duri n g the winter

which followed the unfortunate campaigns of 1 77 6 . For this purpose a large military force was raised in the fall of that year S T H E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 7 1

for two months service , and one company was enlisted in Sharon . W b illiam Boland was captain , Hezekiah Fris ie , lieutenant , and

z ri l A a a r . en lis tnren t Griswold , ensign As the period of was so short , fi there was no dif culty in filling the company . The survivors of

. this company were Messrs Adonijah Maxam and Thomas Heath . N ew York was not attacked , and the company was discharged a t b Kings ridge , at the expiration of their term of service . ‘ The forces that had hitherto been called into the Service were raised on the authority of the State . To provide for the cam ai n 1 77 7 p g of , Congress undertook to raise an army , which was called the Continental army and of this army , two regiments , ’ ’ Swift s and Bradley s , were raised in the western part of Con i Of n ec t cut . one company , David Strong was appointed lieu b tenant , and he enlisted a num er of recruits , one of whom , b David Goodrich , was killed at the attle of Brandywine , in the f b . O b su sequent campaign another company , Reu en Calkin was lieutenant , and a number of men enlisted under him . There are w none n o remainn of either company . A large depot of provisions and military stores had been b b . e esta lished at Dan ury , and in the month of April , an xpedi tion was sent out from New York to destroy them . It was com m n ded b a y Major General Tryon , of the British army , and con sisted of t wo thousand men . They landed at a place called

Fairfield Compo , in the southwest part of the town of , and pro in W ceed g through the towns of eston and Redding , reached b Danbury , and effected their O ject , which was the destruction of the stores . The most active measures were taken to spread the alarm through the adjacent country , and to collect the On 26th militia to repel the invaders . the evening of the of a b in telli April , messenger arrived in this town ringing the n ge ce , and requiring the immediate marching of such forces as b m . could be collected , to meet the ene y The ell commenced tolling , and it was kept tolling through the night , and it was a b night of great terror and solemnity . Colonel E enezer Gay , a who then commanded the militia in this vicinity , g thered S together as many troops as could be collected on so hort notice , and marched for the scene of action and on the morning of the

2 b an d , 8 th reached Dan ury , finding that the British had retreated

pursued them . The route which the British had taken on their

b S , retreat , rought them on the west ide of the Saugatuck River which empties into the Sound a mile or two west of Compo , w here their fieet lay . They were intercepted in their attempt to 72 S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF S HARON .

b b w as reach the ridge over this stream , y General Arnold , who b then in command of a few regular troops , and were guided y u — some tories to a fording place , a little higher p , and it was while they were marching up on the west side of the stream to b b reach this fording place , that they were first o served y the b troops from Sharon , who were endeavoring to reach the ridge , h b and to join the corps under Arnold . As the British marc ed y n them on the low grou ds which bordered on the river , Adonijah

Maxam , who had not forgotten the inj uries which were heaped upon him while a prisoner in England , begged permission of the commanding ofiiicer to steal down the hill from the lef t flank and b shoot a few of them . He was strictly for idden , however , to b execute this perilous undertaking . The British marched y unmolested , and our troops took undisputed possession of the b . S ridge The enemy came down on the east ide of the river , an d having taken ground a little to the east of the bridge , fired upon our men who were stationed there . Arnold , perceiving the b his danger to which his men were exposed , rought artillery to and bear upon the new position of the enemy , firing upon them b over the heads of such of his men as were upon the ridge , soon drove them beyond the reach of his cannon . They took new ground a little to the southeast of their first position , and it was determined to attack them there with small arms . A few regular d b troops under Arnol , commenced the action with great ravery , and our men at the bridge were ordered to join them . They marched up the hill with a good degree of resolution , to sustain the ’ A S regular troops . they came within the reach of the enemy s e musk try , however , some one , and it was never known who , tr a a re e t. cried out As this word was uttered , Lieuten nt Samuel f Elmer , perceiving the e fect it was producing , and the

* h o n e amue E me an d a T is b rave y o un g o ffic er was a so n o f C lo l S l l r , H e h ad e lieuten an t in the New Yo rk lin e o f the c o n ti n en t al army . r turn ed h o me o n a short furlough the very d ay the in telligen c e Of the i n v aSIOri o f an b u was e in h a o n an d was on e o f the st to o n tee to D ry rec ived S r , fir v lu r d e o f the en m H e was bu ied 0 11 t he s t whe e he was ed b riv f e y . r po r kill , y two o H i s b o d was a te wa d s re f hi s c o mrades s o on after the b attle . y f r r ’ o s to moved to the buryin g y ard at Gre en s Farm where i t rep es this d ay .

E PITAPH . mue E me Of Sh a o n was eut . Samue E me so n to Col a Li l l r , S l l r r , _ e at Fairfield ht n f or e b e t es o f hi s o n A 28th 1777 kill d , fig i g th li r i c u try , pril , , i n the 25th y ear o f his age . u r o t u o hold in a ms O y u hf l her , r , ’ H is c ou n try s c au se hi s b o so m warms r o n to en a e To s ave he rights f d g g , ’ A r o an t s r a e n d gu ard he fr m a tyr , Fli es to ye fi eld o f b lo o d an d d e at A n d gloriously resrgn s hi s breath . S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF S HARON . 7 3

c w as c trepidation whi h taking hold of his omrades , stepped up

“ ’ ’ w o r God s sa ke men d n on a stone all , and cried out , f , o t re ’ tr ea t don t r un ma r ch u the hill a n d d r ive them ~ , , p H e had b b arely uttered these words when he was shot through the ody .

he The only words spoke afterwards , were addressed to his uncle ,

Mr . George Pardee , who was near him Uncle George , said ” he , I am a dead man . A general retreat of our men then b n followed and the British , ei g left unmolested , marched to N w e S e . th ir hipping , and sailed for York A large depot of provisions had been estab lished in this town l early in the war . The storehouse stood a ittle west of the Messrs .

Goodwins , on the old road that formerly ran through their land , b b r a . u a d efore the present turnpike road was esta lished , and g was constantly kept at the depot during the war . The fate of the stores at Danbury caused much apprehension for the safety of those here . There were frequent alarms and the citizens f re quently collected in arms to defend the public property at the On bb storehouse . one Sa ath day , during the sermon , Jonathan

Gillett , who lived directly opposite the meeting house , came out b of his house during the pu lic service , and proclaimed with a loud voice that the British were coming . A dense smoke was seen b Ne w rising eyond Tower Hill , a mountain in the state of York , b a few miles southwest of Sharon , and the elief was general that

w as e h the enemy was at hand . Parson Smith for most in ex orting an d h e the people to firmness resistance , and entreated them to bu t stand firm , not only as soldiers of the cross , as soldiers of f b e O . their country and liberty The alarm , however , proved to groundless .

T he approach of a large British army from Canada , under

General Burgoyne , and the expedition up the North River , under V General aughan , filled the whole country with terror and des

on den c p y , and frequent alarms were spread , requiring the constant and active duty of the militia . The tories , too , in t Dutchess coun ty , New York , where hey were numerous , took courage from the prospect of success which the progress of the

an d b b British arms afforded , em odied themselves into a formida le b h force . Information was roug t to this town during the summer b ’ that f our hundred of them had assem led at Carpenter s , as it was

n o w W t then called , ashing on Hollow , and that they were threat en in g destruction to all the W higs in the neighborhood . An expedition was immediately set on f oot to break up the gang .

Volunteers to t he number of fifty or sixty immediately assembled . * 1 O 74 S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF SHARON .

an d b They marched for the Hollow , were joined y others in

’ S O their progress , that when they arrived at Bloom s Mills , which b b is a out four miles north of the Hollow , their num ers amounted n n to two hu dred men . There they encamped for the ight , and n marched the next morni g to attack the tories . They found n b them paraded in the meadow just orth of the pu lic house , and marching up with spirit , fired upon them . The tories fled imme diatel b y and as many as could made their escape . A out thirty or w b forty of them , ho ever , were made prisoners , and rought to

e Old this town , and lock d up in the church at the head of the

. w street They were taken to Exeter , in New Hampshire , here they were kept in close confinement for two years . This pro ceedin b m g broke up the gang , and no further trou le was had fro this class of persons during the war . h b A company of light orse , which elonged to Sharon and its n 1 7 77 0 11 vicinity , were kept on duty duri g the whole summer of , w in the North River, atching the motions of the enemy that

. b Of quarter It was commanded y Captain Dutcher , Salisbury ,

m . and David Boland , of Sharon , was the co et of the company The smoke of burning Kingston was distinctly seen from our mountain when it w as destroyed by the Hessian troops . Adonijah b Maxam elonged to this company . A large number of men marched from this town under the the command of Colonel Gay , to northward , to oppose the pro ’ Of gress Burgoyne s army , and shared in all the conflicts which * preceded its surrender . John Hollister , one of the soldiers from b 7th this town , was killed at the attle of Stillwater , on the of O b cto er .

’ The intelligence of the surrender of Burgoyne s army was re ceiv ed here under circumstances which produced a deep impres sion . Nothing had been heard respecting the state of affairs at Saratoga excepting that two severe battles had been fought w ith of out any very decisive result . This state uncertainty produced extreme anxiety regarding the issue of the campaign , and many trembled at the prospect of defeat and disgrace to the ‘ American arms . The firmness and confidence of Parson Smith , however , never forsook him , and he did everything in his power to rouse n bb S . O , the _ drooping pirits of his people Sa ath the day of

* Th e o n is o n d h meet n o d en foll wi g the rec ord o f an adj ur e c urch i g , h l 0 11 the 2 d o f e temb e 17 Met a o d n t o a d ourn me n t b u t b rea 3 S p r , 77 cc r i g j , y n n s e o f the ou n t an d s o of a great umb er b ein g c all ed o ff i n to y e ervic ir c ry , b u t a f ew memb e s met a o n e to the 4th Tu es a o f Novenrb er n e r , dj ur d d y xt n n ” e sui g .

76 T W HISTORY OF H E TO N O F S HARON .

b ut b w country , it was pro ably for some reasons hich were deemed b ut ffi satisfactory to themselves , which were not deemed su cient b b y the Court . A ner Curtice , David Hollister , Elijah Pardee , and Apollos Smith were each fined £ 1 0 and costs of prosecution “ for refusing to muster and march to the assistance of the conti nen tal army , about the time of the apprehended invasion

’ of this part of the country by Burgoyne s army . Stephen Sears was fined £ 10 for not marching to the relief of Peekskill . Theo

un . dore Elmer , Thomas Hamlin , J , Joseph Barrows , Jesse W b . Goodrich , Amasa Hamlin , Robert hitcom , David Hollister

James Henry and Nathaniel Curtis , were prosecuted for the same S offences , but were able to how good reasons why they had not reported for muster , and were discharged . CLOCK T OWER ( Opposite Inn. )

CHAPTER IX .

— INCIDE NTAL E V E NTS DIS ASTROUS FIRE IN S HARON VALLE Y

— ’ SM PO$ S E S— S S E E — E SE E S ALL CA UALTI HAY R B LLION XCI DUTI .

ON the 27 1 775 night of January , , a disastrous incendiary fire V occurred on the premises of Joel Hervey , in Sharon alley , which destroyed two barns and a threshing mill with a large quantity of grain and hay , with seven good horses . Suspicion attached to one John Thomas , a transient person , as the perpetra ’ Of Ofl en ce b tor the , and at the Fe ruary term of the Superior 1 776 b b Court , , sufficient proof had been rought to light to ring

. i him to trial He was conv cted , and the following warrant for b wil the execution of the sentence passed upon him y the court , l S how the particulars of the crime laid to his charge , and the form of prosecution in thos e early days . Independence not having b n een then declared the proceedi gs were in the name of the King .

To Litchfield Coun ty S herif or his D ep uty Gr eeting

WHE RE AS the G ran dj uro rs of our Sov erign Lord the Ki ng for the County Of Litchfi eld upon their oath present that one John Thomas a Transient person now Confined in the Common Goal in said L itchfield not having the fear of God before his eyes bu t b eing moved and seduced by the Instigation of the Devil did at Sharon in said County in the night season next after the 27 th day of January 1 775 Vol u n taryly feloniously and of his malice forethought with force and arms carry a Quantity Of Fire into and therewith inkindle and set on fire t wo Certain Barns and one Threshing Mill in which there was then and there Contained Seven good horses and a large quantity Wheat Rye and Hay 7 W 8 HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON . all b eing in said Sharon to the V alue of four Hundred pounds la w f ull b money , all eing the property of Joel Hervey of said b n Sharon , and that y means of said Johns Siti g fire as aforesaid W e m the said Buildings , Horses heat Rye and Hay w re consu ed and utterly destroyed contrary to the Law of this Colon-y and the n b b b Rights of mankind , and Said Joh Thomas eing rought efore ' this Court and ara ign ed for Tryal an d by a Verdict of the Jury W was found Guilty . hereupon this Court gave judgment that the said John Thomas sit upon a Gallows for the space of one hour a n d b e with a Rope round his neck , and Tyed to a Cart whipt on the naked body in four Of the most public plac es in the Town of Litchfield to the number of Thirty n ine Stripes and find sure ti es for his good behavior with one Surety in the pen al Sum of one Hundred pound lawf ull money for his future good behavior n and pay the cost of prosecution Taxed at , and sta d committed till this judgment is f ullfilled VVhereOf execution re

. b mains to e done . These are therefore in his majesty ’ s name to command you that h G nrm o n you have the s d . John Thomas forth from t e o Goal to the place of Execution and cause him to set upon a Gallows for the space of one hour and also cause him to be whipt on the naked body Thirty nine stripes at four publick places in the Town of Litchfie ld at the Tail of a Cart and then commit him to said Goal and him there safely keep until the whole Of said Judg be b ut ment fulfilled , fail make due Return with your doings thereon according to Law . Li hfi Dated tc eld February the 1 8th 1 776 . per Order of Court

T. W lerk P . M . C PITKIN ,

LITCHFIE LD 2 1st February 1 776 .

Then by virtue Of the within execution I caused the within named John Thomas to be taken from the common Goal in Litchfield to the place of Execution and there set upon a Gallows with a Rope Round his neck for the full term of one hour and Then tied to the Tail of a cart and Transported to four of the most public places in the town of Litchfield and there whipped on his naked b ody Thirty nine stripes in the whole according to the within D irec

tions .

'

4 O S heri . os . Fees Test LYNDE L RD , fi

- 1 770 Co r In the winter season of , Isaac bee and his wife , two b aged , indigent people , were supported y the town and were b a W oarded in the f mily of John Randall , who lived where illiam b ed an E . Marsh now lives . They retired to of evening , in

' a b ein v er . pparent good health , the weather g y cold and in the b ed morning both were found dead in their , the current of life in both having ceased to flo w at the same time . S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF S HARON . 7 9

From the Connecticut Jour n a l published at New Haven 1 Fe b . 5 1 7 8 1 . SHARON , , This morning the wife of William Hendrick Levo was found t b dead in the stree , a sucking child a out three months old , lying

b S . c c h dead y her ide Being under straightened cir umstan es , S e b went to town , a out three miles , in order to procure something for the comfort of her family , and carried her little infant in her b . O n She arms her return , the evening efore , went into a house b to warm the weather eing extreme cold , she was prevailed on n b to tarry , though very much agai st her inclination , eing greatly she exercised for her children had left at home , the eldest not b b he r b m an d eing a ove ten years , hus and gone to ill , she was doubtful of his return . In the night she arose unbeknown to any

- of the family . She had travelled homeward about three quarters a of a mile , and was found de d in the manner described , within about ten rods of an house . Some were ready to conclude S he Of had made too free use strong drink , which occasioned her per ishing in this manner b ut upon a careful enquiry it appears to b e u a b witho t foundation , and that her death was occ sioned y the extremity of the season . The place where the body of the woman referred to was

w b ten ro ds Mc Lean found was ithin a out of the house of Merills , on the highway leading west from his house over the hill to

Sharon Street .

Of b 1 784 the Of In the month Novem er , , wife Joseph Mar chant , who lived where George Gay now lives , visited some

f t She friends in the state O Massachusetts . Soon after her re urn

S S . n was taken ick , and died after a hort illness The physicia s differed as to the nature of the disorder . There is a tradition that the first person to pronounce the case to be one of small pox was Mrs . Cynthia Deming , the mother of Doctor Ralph Deming , ff who had seen several patients while su ering under that malady , and who gave kind ministries to Mrs . Marchant during her illness , b ut the attending physician decided that it was a severe case of bb fever . Her funeral was attended on the Sa ath , and a large I number of the inhabitants were present . t was soon rumored that one of the physicians had intimated an opinion that She had died of the small pox , and the most intense anxiety was felt on b b b . the su ject All dou t , however , was soon dissipated y the breaki ng out of the disorder in various parts of the town . A o time of gre at and overwhelming distress f llowed , and nearly thirty persons died within a month or two . Such a scene of dis tress and mortality had never before been experienced in t he

town , and the terrors which the pestilence excited were long remembered . 80 W HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON . The following are the names of some of the victims of that

b u - terri le scourge . In the p town neighborhood , Amos Mar W chant , Perez Gay , Lydia aldo , Mr . David Elmer , Eunice

'

On . Jennings and her Sister . the mountain Mrs Nathaniel

Hamlin , Betsey Downs , and Erastus Downs . In the down n b town eigh orhood , Samuel Doty and wife , and John Bates b w and wife , and esides these there ere a large number of children who died of the disorder . The spirit of dissatisfaction with the existi n g state of things which prevailed through a portion of New England , soon after

w ar fi n all v the close of the revolutionary , and which resulted in open resistance to the constituted authorities in the w estern part ff the b of Massachusetts , a ected , in some degree , pu lic mind in n Sharon . M any things conspired to produce discontent a d n th e Of uneasi ess , and records of the town give a clue to some the causes which agitated the community .

At a town meeting legally warned and held in Sharon , on 9th O b 1 786 Of the day of cto er , , for the purpose instructing the

1 . representatives , it was voted That it is the mind of the 2 town that a paper currency be struck . . That the table of fees 3 d e ut Old d . be be reduced to the stan ard . That there no p y sheri s fi in the state . At a town meeting legally warned and held in Sharon on 22d 1 787 the day of February , , for the purpose of presenting a petition to the General Assembly for the emission of a p ap er currencr — 1 W b $ voted . hether they would do anything a out it V ffi 2 V b oted in the a rmative . . oted that the draught laid efore the town relating to the premises , is accepted and approved , as b e b the mind of the town , and that the same put in the pu lic prints . 1 787 in surrec In the spring of , during the existence of the b tion under Shays , in Massachusetts , Doctor John Hul ert , who Of s resided in the town Alford , Berkshire county , Mas , and who was an active partisan of Shays , came to Sharon for the Of n purpose awakeni g a Similar spirit in this vicinity , and of

- producing an efficient co Operation . Having received his medical education here , and possessing qualities calculated to b give effect to his representations , Hul ert soon succeeded in organizing a considerable number of men under the guidance of W one illiam Mitchell , who was constituted their captain , and b who , in as private a manner as possi le , and chiefly in the night season , trained and drilled them for service .

8 2 HIS TORY OF TH E TO WN OF S HARON .

S VVOlco tt bu t in I hould have wrote to General , suppose him a H rtford . I pray you to take such measures as your prudence will dictate— make my duty to my mother and love to the — family Mrs . S . is pretty well . ff a ec . I am dear Br . your

THEODORE SEDG WICK . E W E s . JOHN S DG ICK , q , Cornwall

On 11 the receipt of the foregoing 0 the day of its date , Colonel Sedgwick issued the following order

7 E ME W 1 3 1 78 . O E S . R GI NTAL RD R CORN ALL , May . ,

To the C mma ndin O icers C m a n ies the 1 th Militia o g fi of o p of 4 , R e iment a nn S t te C ecticu t . g , of o — ’ GE NTLE ME N I have this moment rec d by express from h Great Barrington t at Parsons Day , two principals under inlis in men Shays , are returned and now publickly t g in the State V of New York , where , with the states of ermont and Con n ec ticut — n o w in listin , their dependence lies and that they are g men for the same purpose in Sharon in this County . We must not be tame spectators of introducing civil discord b e into this State , which must the case if we suffer our citizens the b n to assist re els there : Should a y attempt to march , you and every citizen of this State will be justified both in the Sight of God and man to repel with force any such attempts by seizing and securing the perpetrators thereof and any who may b e assisting therein . You will also hold yourselves and men in readiness to march well equipt , on the shortest notice . Should any considerable number march from this state to join the Rebels S b in Massachusetts , I hall undou tedly soon have orders in a short time to march the Regiment to the support of government there . b e - You must determined in this matter , suppress the first eruption . In this perhaps Massachusetts has failed more than anything els e . I will b e answerable for any consequences in executing this order . If anything material transpires pray give me notice . O W J HN SEDG ICK ,

- omdt. L t Col . C

b b The Legislature eing then in session , and eing advised of these proceedings , immediately took measures to suppress the rebellion as appears by the following record of its proceedings

WHE RE AS this Assembly has received information that one Mitchell Of Sharon and one Tan n er of the State of New York have been and now are attempting to stir up and excite the people in some parts of the county of Litchfield to join the Insurgents in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and have actually enlisted a number of men for that purpose in the town Of M Sharon , and that said itchell receives his advice and orders S OF TH E W OF HI TORY TO N S HARON . 83

D c . from a o t Hurlbutt and D o c t . Barnes late inhabitants of sd s d commonwealth now resident in Sharon , and that sundry 1 pe sons in S d . Shaw n and also in the tow n of N 0 1 f o lk a1 e e n de v o u1 in g to raise in su n ectio ns and distu 1 b an ce amon g the : R es lved b b a people Thereupon , o y this Assem ly , Th t Col ’ Sam l Can field b e and he is he 1 eby appointed and di1 ected immediately to repai r to the county of Litc hfield and co n f e1 with ’

Gen l Swift and such other gentlemen as he shall judge proper , and having gained such information and advice as may b e in his b e b b power , thereupon to cause to apprehended and rought efore proper authority to b e examined in the premises an d dealt with the b according to law aforesaid Mitchell , Tanner , Hurl utt and t 1 S b e n ecessai Barnes , and such o her pe sons as hall thought y and also to take every other legal and prudent m easui e as may b e judged expedient to quiet the diS0 1 de 1 s that appea1 to be p1 e n b 1 valent amo g the people , and for the esta lishment of gove n f ment and good order in the most e fectual manner . res lved And it is further o , That his Excellency the governor ’ be and he is hereby requested to issue orders to Brigadier Gen l Swift to call forth the whole or part of the military force under his command (in case the same Shall b e necessary) in order to stop or prevent any insurrections of the people and also prevent their joining said insurgents . The committee on their way hither called on the State ' s

Litchfield ffi Attorney , at , took warrants grounded on his o cial information , and with the Sheriff of the county . made their b appearance here efore any one was apprized of their mission , b much less of their approach . Hul ert , Mitchell , and two others b L itchfie ld . were arrested and taken to , for examination Hul ert b was prosecuted under the act against vagrants , vaga onds , and ” b but common eggars , on his solemn promise to leave the state b forthwith , he was suffered to depart . The others eing charged with treasonable practices were bound over to the next term of b b t . the superior cour Thus , y the seasona le measure of the b government , the spirit of insu ordination was effectually quelled , and as the suppression of the insurrection in Massachusetts n followed not lo g after , the prosecutions against Mitchell and others were discontinued . The following account of these proceedi n gs is copied from a

Litchfield 2 1 1 788 . paper of May , “ Last Thursday ev ening arrived in this town from Hart

Can field E s , ford , Colonel Samuel and Uriah Tracy , q , with orders from the General Assembly to repair to the town of Sharon , and put a stop to the in surrection that appeared to be raising in that

w The S b S to n . ame evening they set off , accompanied y the heriff

b b , and one of his deputies , and arrived at Sharon a out day reak 84 TH E W HISTORY OF TO N OF SHARON . and soon after arrested five persons who were supposed to be the principal actors and abettors in the insurrection . They were d conducted to and safely lo ged in our goal on Saturday last , in order for examination . It is hoped the early and spirited exertion Of our Assembly will prevent any further disturbance in that town . Much praise is due to the gentlemen employed on that occasion for their prudence , humanity and judicious ” proceedings . There was a decided majority of the voters in this town who were opposed to the adoption of the Federal Constitution . Josiah Coleman and Jonathan Gillett were the delegates from this town to the convention which was called to pass upon the question of its ratification in January , Those gentlemen voted against its adoption and when it was acted upon in a subsequent town meeting , the majority was large against it .

1 1 786 1 1 787 From July , , to January , , Sharon paid excise duties to Abraham Bradley

Collector , 1 1 887 1 1 787 From January , , to July , , 1 1 788 1 1 788 From January , , to July , , George King paid the largest amount Of any one person at any one time being 2 . 4 Nathaniel Hamlin paid 1 9 . At a regimental training in Sharon on the 2oth day of Sep 1 805 ur w d b . . occ ed b et ee tember , A D , an altercation Zenas Bee e , of Sharon , and Aner Ives , of Kent , which was consummated by b b b b the stab ing of Ives y Bee e with a ayonet , inflicting a mortal Of wound , of which Ives died at the end a week . There were mitigating circumstances in the case which relieved Beebe from but the charge of willful murder , it was a clear case of man a slaughter . By singular blunder of the foreman of the jury , he f was pronounced not guilty of any of ence . The jury had agreed upon the verdict to be recorded to be Not guilty Of murder ” bu l t gui ty of manslaughter . The foreman rendered the first b ut . part of the verdict , stopped there The subsequent pro ceedin gs in the matter are copied from the Records of the

Court . “ After the verdict was rendered the foreman informed the court t hat the verdict which the jury had intended to return and had agreed on was— that that the said Beebe was not guilty Of but b mistak e murder , y he had omitted to return and state the

whole finding of the jury and desired to be directed by the court , whether the verdict and whole finding of the jury as agreed upon T E W HISTORY OF H TO N OF S HARON . 85 b S y them , and as he designed at first to have tated the same , would then be made and returned . On r it b conside ation was adjudged y the court , that the verdict of the jury as returned and recorded by them could not b ” e explained or altered . b b b Bee e was defended y two of the a lest lawyers in the state , m W Ne w Nathaniel S ith , of oodbury , and David Daggett , of

Haven .

b . the Of F . At term the Superior Court holden e ruary , A D 1 820 or , Beebe was tried f an assault , with intent to kill Amasa

a . Max m , and found guilty He was sentenced to confinement

' In b the old Newgate prison for two years , but died efore the expiration of his sentence . CHAPTER X .

ME THODIST S OCIE TY IN SH ARON .

TH E first preaching in Sharon by clergymen of the Methodist 1 7 h 88 . connection was in A Mr . Cook , an Englishman , preac ed

’ Of once or twice at Samuel Hitchcock s , in the south part the b b town , and attracted considerable attention y his old and stir ring appeals to the conscience of his hearers . He also preached

’ - once or twice in the ball room in Gallow s tavern , which stood on

b b E s . the lot now owned y Ro ert S . Noyes , q It was said that some of the authorities of the town intimated to the tavern - keeper that b e another license would not granted to him , if he opened his V b doors again to the preacher . ery soon Free orn Garrettson , who was the Presiding Elder in an adjoining district in the state b of New York , was invited y Mr . Sylvanus Hanchett , who then v his li ed where Alden Bryan now lives , to hold meetings at house . An interesting discussion took place , at one of these w ex c it meetings , bet een Parson Smith and Mr Garretson , which ed much attention at the time . It related to the disputed points which divided the two denominations of which they were minis ters . It is not supposed , however , that any good results followed the controversy . b The Rev . Fitch Reed collected some facts and pu lished the result of his investigations many years ago , relating to the intro b duction of Methodism into Sharon , which are undou tedly S O F TH E W OF S HI TORY TO N HARON .

b n an d authentic , as they were O tained from livi g witnesses , which are of much interest to the present generation of that

denomination in the town . The following is copied from Mr . ’ Reed s statements

“

. W Mr Alpheus Jewett , father of the late Rev . illiam Jewett ,

. d of the New York Conference , and the late Hon Ju ge Jewett , of Sk an eatles , New York , and his wife were the first persons who joined the Methodist church in Connecticut . Freeborn Garretson was the first Methodist preacher who visited that section . Jesse

Lee soon after formed a S ociety in the south part of the State .

m W h v . t e These facts I learned fro Rev illiam Jewett , and were b afterwards confirmed to me y his father and mother . The young Society in Sharon was supplied with preachi n g

- f w e tt o . e once in two weeks , in the afternoon a week day Mr . J Of was a farmer , and in the season haying and harvest employed b hi a num er of extra laborers . He always invited s workmen to

On e da accompany him to preaching , and they usually went . y a Mr . Maxam , a poor man , declined thus going for the reason ff n O . that he was poor and could not a ord to lose the time . Mr ’ a he Jewett s Offering to p y him for the time thus spent , went , Old was awakened and converted and lived to extreme age , a faithful and useful member Of the church .

a local c A colored man , Black Harry , as he was called , prea h er , Often accompanied Mr . Garretson in his travels . Harry once m spent two or three weeks in Sharon , and ade himself very useful i in preaching . Some unpr ncipled person invented and circulated m b an infa ous story a out him , and as it involved an alleged crime against the peace and good order of society , he was arrested and

c b brought to trial before the civil authorities . The rowd assem led to witness the proceedings was so great that the court was held in the Congregational Churc h on the public green . The result was

n o t a sha dow O crimin a lit wa s r ved a ainst him that f y p o g , and he H ar en din b . was honora ly discharged Andrew p g, a traveling

c b e prea her of some note , happened to present , and as the people b n he b ega to leave the church , procured a ta le and taking his stand upon it in the open air , preached one of his characteristic sermons ,

l . loud , fear ess and earnest A young lady , living half a mile b m south , not eing permitted to attend the eetings , stood at an n open upper window and there disti ctly heard the preaching , and under its influence was brought to a saving knowledge of

“

God . SO God often works in unexpected ways and makes the ” wrath of man to praise him . 88 W HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF SHARON .

As the Methodist Society in Sharon is located contiguous to

b een c the State of New York , it has always conne ted with circuits and districts in that State . The circuits for many years extended into the counties of Dutchess and Columbia , and rendered nec essary a tri - weekly travel of some two hundred miles for the h b preachers . As the preac ers increased in num ers , and the means Of u their support were m ltiplied , the c ircuits weremdiminished in extent , and the appointments for preaching were ore frequent .

Meetings were held at private houses , and the preaching place in

’ S haron was at Mr . Jewett s . The old gentleman used to speak with great satisfaction of the large numbers of Methodist minis b ters , including Bishop As ury , whom he had entertained at his house . The society has never been destitute of regular preaching since its formation .

The first camp meeting in C onnecticut was holden in the Of 1 805 summer , in a grove near the road leading north from A ’ ustin Cartwright s , and such a success attended the proceedings that another was holden the next year near the house of Mr . b Jewett . The exercises on oth occasions were marked by the t n in ensely earnest preaching , the ferve t prayers , and the loud

’ and lofty singing of God s praise , which characterized the early worship of that most remarkable body of Christians . Mr . Gar retson had the charge of both meetings as Presiding Elder of the district . The camp meetings for the two succeeding years were held in Goshen .

1 808 Caulkinsto wn The society erected , in , a meeting house , in , Of so called . It stood facing the termination the highway leading w ’ . e ett from Mr J s north to that locality , and it was their place of b worship for nearly thirty years . And when in su sequent years , the progress of the society and the wants of the church demanded b more enlarged accommodations , it was interesting to O serve the lingering fondness with which the older members of the society cherished the memory Of the scenes of spiritual joy and growth b in grace , which religious exercises in that old ta ernacle of the amiable Lord had promoted and cherished . It had become in their cherished recollections .

W 1 835 hen , in , it was deemed advisable to erect a new house of worship , it was found necessary to organize the society accord ing to the existing statute of the state . The law in that respect b has since een altered , so that the ecclesiastical organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church becomes a legal organization under

S OF TH E W OF S HI TORY TO N HARON . 89

. A b the laws of the state n enrollment of mem ers was had , which

was afterwards organized into a legal Ecclesiastical Society , in due form of law .

The following is a copy of the Article of enrollme n t and the

b be appended names of the mem ers , which must deemed well o f b m m worthy preservation y their successors in all ti e to co e .

We b b , the su scri ers , for the purpose of availing ourselves of Of c the the , rights , powers and privileges a ertain statute law of “ state of Connecticut , entitled An act relating to religious soci ” e ties b and congregations , and for the maintenance of pu lic religious worship in the town of Sharon , in the county of Litch field a u Of , and State foresaid , according to the forms and sages b Of the Methodist Episcopal Church , do , y voluntary Association i b an d b ourselves , for the purposes aforesa d , here y institute esta lish a religious society or congregation to b e known and called by h the name of the Methodist Episcopal Society in S aron , and do h b b b e v ere y enroll ourselves as mem ers of said Society , to go erned by all the law s regulating said societies except that Of taxation . Witness our hands

W ‘ h u . Zacc e s Bissell , James Calkin , W Ira illiams , Horace Reed , W McLean Elijah H . illiams , Merrills ,

W . Joh n illiams , James R Jenkins ,

Daniel G . Miller , Ezra H . Bartram , W b b r . . Samuel Ro erts , J , Hector Ro erts ,

r a . . Samuel Fenn , Edg r J Reed , J ,

en i o . John S g , Miles B Lewis ,

Ely Rowley , Alden Bryan , B rusie Frederick A . Hotchkiss , Dennis , W b Henry illiams , Gil ert Bryan ,

b n . David H . Cole , D . Gi so The following is a record of the proceedings of the first meet i ng of the Society

“ At a meeting of the Methodist Episcopal Society of Sharon , 1 835 D . 1 3 h . hOlden on the t day of January , A , , in pursuance of d a warrant under the hand of Charles F . Se gwick , Justice of the Peace for the County of L itchfield

. Rev . Juli us Field was chosen moderator

m . W r o te . Zaccheus . Bissell chosen clerk p and duly sworn Horace Reed was chosen clerk for the year ensuing of the

Society . W Elijah H . illiams was chosen treasurer for the year e nsui n g . 1 2 90 HISTORY OF TH E TO WN OF S HARON .

Z h W W acc eus . Bissell , Ira illiams , Richard Clark were appointed a Society committee for the year ensuing .

W Zaccheus W . a Richard Clark , Ira illiams , Bissell were p pointed trustees of the Society . W V b Zaccheus . irgil B . Ro erts , Horace Reed , Bissell , Ira W W b illiams and Elijah H . illiams were appointed a uilding com mi ttee .

V b be b oted , that the church a out to erected y this Society b e V ma shall located in Sharon illage , on such piece of land as y b e b i purchased y this Society for the erection of sa d church , and of which a deed shall be executed by the owner of said land to the Society , for the purpose aforesaid .

The new church building was erected and finished in 1 836 . In the subsequent Spring it was dedicated to religious use and t worship , with appropriate ceremonies , by the Rev . Na han Bangs ,

D . D . , an eminent clergyman of the denomination , whose family in the early years of his ministry had lived in the town while he n was fulfilling his appoin tme t as preacher on this circuit . The house has been altered and improved in many respects since its l first erection , and is now , probably , the most cost y and tasteful i hfi l church of that denomination in the county of L tc e d .

The following is a list of the preachers who have supplied the pulpit in Sharon since 1 828 W m . . David Miller , S Stillwell ,

P . hinehas Cook , Lucius H King , b Billy Hib ard , M . R . Lent ,

Aaron Pearce , D . B . Turner ,

Theodore Clark , Benj . M . Adams ,

. O b T Sparks , Elbert s orne ,

Julius Fields , Joel Croft , W W J . B . akely , Jason ells , W mon d Richard y , Clark Fuller ,

W . Sanford ashburn , D Gibson ,

Wm . George D . Sutton, S . Stillwell ,

Fitch Reed , G . Daniels ,

D . Holmes , H . B . Mead , Wm Sto f ord . K . p , Ira Ferris , Wm Hart F . Pease , . Stevens ,

Fitch Reed, Clark Eggleston , V h . . . McCutc eon . S . N ail , S J

CHAPTER XI .

TH E E A E HISTORY OF OOLE SI STIOA L S OCIE TY CONTINU D .

IT will have been Observed that during the early years of ff the history of the town , ecclesiastical a airs were the subject of business in the town meetings . Churches were built , pastors n settled , and taxes laid for their support in the same ma ner that all other public expenses were provided for . This method of the support Of religious institutions was continued long after the b b re dissenters had ecome numerous , and after they had een li v e ed from taxes levied for the support of the Standing Order .

Before the close of the last century , the inconvenience of con ducting ecclesiastical and civil b usiness by one organization had become so great , that a law was passed , authorizing the for mation of ecclesiastical societies in the different towns , from b which all secular usiness was to be excluded , and turned over to the towns in their corporate capacity . The law required , that on the application Of a certain number of the principal inhabi

b e tants of a society thus proposed to organized , a warrant might b e b b issued y a Justice of the Peace , summoning the mem ers to n meet at the place of holding town meeti gs , to organize the the society , and assume charge of ecclesiastical affairs in the b D town . The warrant in this case was issued y avid Downs , f . o Esq , a Justice of the Peace on the appli cation

Pelatiah Pierce , Silas St . John ,

Paul Smith , Jr . Thomas St . John ,

Nathaniel Lowrey , Eliphalet Martin ,

David Gay , Edmund Bennett . S TH E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 93

D At this first meeting of the society , eacon Isaac Cham b rl e ain . E s , Mr Pelatiah Pierce and David Downs , q , were chosen ’ Society s Committee , to act in society matters in the sam e ' ’ afi air capacity as selectmen act in the town s . Colonel Samuel

’ Canfield h was chosen society s clerk , which office e held till 1 805 ,

. wa s when Dr Samuel Rockwell chosen clerk , which o fii ce he 1 83 6 . E s held till Richard Smith , q , was then chosen clerk and l has held the office til the present time . Parson Smith , when in the maturity of his powers , was deemed one of the best preach ers of his time , in the ministerial circle with which he was O connected . ther elements of character combined to make him f very strong in the a fection and respect of his people , and whe n

in firmitie s old age with its attendant came upon him , it does not appear that the parish entertai ned any desire for a change of its clerical relations . The first movement in that direction was from Parson Smith himself . At a meeting of the society , holden 0 11 l s t 1 802 the Monday of March , , the following communication , b from the minister , was laid efore the meeting

— TO the Ch urch a nd first S ociety in S ha ron B eloved brethren a nd

f riends

The fifth of October last com pleted a period of seven and / forty years S ince I first came into this town to lab or with yo u in the work of the gospel ministry however I was not o rdain ed to d that sacred work un til the 28 th of August following . During b b n b this length of time , I have la ored with you y ight and y day , c m y ab in season and out Of season . I ould have wished that l ors b ut might have proved more successful , this was not in my power to command , however sincerely desired and ardently prayed for n b in firmities and now , at length , worn dow with age and odily , I find myself unable to discharge the duties of that sacred office in such a mann er as would b e m ost useful and beneficial to you . The support Of the gospel ministry will richly compensate for the h but good derived to Society , as it respects the life t at now is , if t b b Of ma we take eterni y into view , it ecomes an o ject infinite g

n itude and impor tan c e . ul It is therefore , Brethren . my sincere desire , that you wo d invite and call in some suitable person to take part with me in as an d l b the evangelical ministry , a colleague , fellow a orer in this vineyard of our common Lord and I Shall always be ready f b to af ord you my assistance , so far as my strength and a ilities b be will permit . And that the urden of support might not too m , great , I Offer to resign my salary except the parsonage one y b n which is a out twenty pounds ten shillings , and nine pou ds ten

shillings in addition , which will amount to one hundred dollars ,

whenever another minister shall b e settled in this place . 94 S W HI TORY OF TH E TO N OF SHARON .

This small compensation you will not think unreasonable to grant towards my support and comfort during the remainder of

b b b b u S . my days , which in all pro a ility will e t of hort continuance And if any other method can b e devised which will b e more b agreea le to the church and society , it shall meet with my hearty concurrence . May the great Head of the Church guide and direct you in b e this important affair , and that the result may for the honor of ’

God , the interest of the Redeemer s kingdom , your present peace u and f ture tranquility and happiness , is the most devout wish and fervent prayer of your sincere friend and aged pastor and

. O O . teacher C TT N M SMITH ,

9 1 802 . Sharon , Feb . ,

The only action taken by the society at its first meeting called to consider the application of Parson Smith , was a vote directing him but the committee to hire some person to assist in preaching , 1 2 1 802 at a subsequent meeting held April , , the society voted to comply with his request . During the two years which elapsed b h efore the settlement of a colleague , Mr . Smith must ave preached for a considerable portion of the time , as the society paid him two hundred and twenty dollars for his services for the l first year, and two hundred and eighty seven dol ars for the second . 3d O At a meeting of the society , holden on the day of ctober , 1 803 , it was voted that a committee be directed to hire the Rev . b b . e David L Perry , or some other person , if he is not to o tained , till further orders from the society , and to give more importance P to the measure , it was voted that Deacon aul Smith , Captain Samuel Pardee and Deacon Benjamin Hamlin be appointed a committee to assist the present committee to hire some person to assist in preaching . 804 3d 1 . At a meeting holden on t he day of January , , Mr L P r r h h i t wish Mr D avid . e t at t e s c e . Abraham Beecher moved , o y y to settle as l a u tton Mather Smith in the co le g e with the R ev . Co w rk the ministr o of y. This motion was postponed to a futur e meeting , and the committee were directed to hire Mr . Perry for b b l 6 h six Sa aths . At an adjourned meeting holden on the t day

. 1 804 of January , A D . , the motion was unanimously passed , with n f a offer O a yearly salary of five hundred dollars . This was then as large a salary as was paid to any minister in the consociation . Wed Mr . Perry signified his acceptance of the call , and the first nesda 1 804 b 6th Of y in June , , eing the day the month , was n appointed for the ordination . It took place accordi g to the w appointment, and the follo ing is the order of exercises

96 S H E W HI TORY OF T TO N OF SHARON .

Of Soon after his settlement in Sharon , he purchased Deacon Paul Smith forty acres of land lying on the east side of the town

b . . On street, including that now owned y Mr . Henry J Taylor b u this he erected a very neat and commodious rick dwelling ho se , b b which has been very much enlarged y su sequent Owners , and which was his home during his life . The good taste of Mr . Perry in improving the grounds and beautifying the adjoining appur ten an ces have made it one of the most admired and desirable family residences in Sharon . He continued in the ministry here 25th O b 1 835 b until his death on the day of cto er , , having een sud denl off b y cut y a stroke of apoplexy . He was a man of very b pure character and of respecta le talents , and he died much lamented by the people of his c harge and his brethren in the ministry . Up to the year 1 807 all the expenses of the Society had been provided for by the levy of a tax on the polls and property real b Of and personal of the mem ers , except the income the small fund he arising from the sale of the original parsonage right . At t the 1 807 annual meeting of Society in , an important change in Of the method providing funds was adopted . It was voted to rent the pews for one year to the highest bidder . This was s o great an innovation that there were serious fears of its failure .

The first committee appointed to sell the pews were Isaac Hunt ,

George King , Isaac Chamberlain , Samuel Rockwell and Paul

Smith , Jun . The proceedings were a success , and that method of raising money for the expenses of the Society has b een contin ued , with a few temporary exceptions , to the present time . 1 8 13 In the year , it had become apparent that the society I was growing weaker in its means of supporting the necessary

an d expenses of its institutions , that the congregation was b growing less in numbers . The emigration of its mem ers and

the increase of dissenters contributed largely to that result . Anxious for the maintenance of the Puritan system and for the continuance of the administration of gospel ordinances in their

- time honored method in Sharon , the men of property in the

parish undertook to raise , by subscription , a permanent fund , to b e safely invested in securities by real estate , the income of which

was to be applied to the payment of the expenses of the society . The whole sum was subscribed before the matter was brought b efore the society for its acceptance . The articles of subscription

were drawn up in the most careful manner , to insure the safety i of the investments , and to d rect the use of the fund to the S OF TH E W O F S HI TORY TO N HARON . 97

b purposes intended y the donors . The church is allowed to change its form of administration from Congregational to Pres b terian y , but in other respects all deviations from the strictest b rules of old New England Puritanism are for idden . At a ’ b 1 3 society s meeting holden on the first day of Novem er , 81 , the fund was transferred to the society and accepted by it upon the b terms and conditions specified in the article of su scription . It was placed in the care of the committee of the society . The amount subscri bed in the first instance was over four thousand l dol ars . The old parsonage fund amounted to a little more than b s one thousand dollars , and several su scription , legacies and b donations have een added since , so that the present amount of Of i u . the fund s abo t seven thousand dollars this sum , two

thousand dollars have been invested in the parsonage . There b were forty subscri ers to the fund article , and the following is a list of the names of those who subscribed fifty dollars and over

John Cotton Smith and son .

Paul Smith , Jr . and sons

Calvin Noyes , Cyrus

Benj . Hamlin and sons ,

Isaac Chamberlain ,

Edmund Bennett , Samuel Rockwell and sons

Samuel Pardee and son , .

George King , O Joseph rton ,

David Gould ,

Hezekiah Goodwin ,

Nathaniel Hamlin , Aunt Sterling

Abraham Beecher for son Amos ,

David Gould , Jr .

Abraham Pratt , W John . Smith ,

Ab ner Burnham , and Samuel Beecher sons ,

Simeon Ly man ,

Benj . Reid ,

Chas . Elliot * 1 8 98 F W F HISTORY O TH E TO N O SHARON .

Rebecca Patchin , W Israel hite ,

Silas A . Gray ,

Chas . F . Sedgwick ,

Prudence Reid , b Jacob Cham erlain ,

This fund has been of very great utility to the society , giving s tability to its proceedings and encouraging accession to its membership .

1 81 8 A stove was first set up in the meeting house in , against a strong opposition from some of the Older members of the congregation .

’ The first twenty years of Mr . Perry s ministry passed with rev iv out anything to mark it with any peculiarities . Several Of als of religion attended the faithfulness his ministry , and had n added to the membership of the church . Times so cha ged that d those who disliked the ministry , instea of making their dislike known through their votes in the meetings of the society , would leave it without reproach , and unite with some other denomina t tion of Christians , and the society hus left , though weakened in numbers by their secession , was strengthened by the unity which it occasioned . Emigration , too , had caused the withdrawal of Of 1 823 much strength from the parish . A revival religion in added some one hundred members to the church , which gave it unwonted stability, and encouraged efforts to build up the society . A great want of the society had been for many years a new Old place of worship . The church , standing in the main street , was out of repair , and in no way conformed with the require ments of modern taste or conve nience .

Encouraged by the smiles of the Divine favor, and by the t uni y of sentiment in favor of the measure , the society under in 1 823 took , , to erect a substantial and costly edifice for the ’ 20th worship of God . At a society s meeting , holden on the day O b E d of cto er of that year , it was voted that John Cotton Smith , mund Bennett, Samuel Rockwell , Isaac Chamberlain and Charles

F . Sedgwick be a committee to enquire into the expediency to prepare a plan and furnish an estimate of the probable expense of building a new house of worship , and report to the next adjourn On 18th ed meeting . the of November following , the committee

1 00 S T E W HI TORY OF H TO N OF S HARON .

W W Of b was made with illiam atson , New Milford , a uilder of high repute and long experience , to do the mason work of the house . The woodwork was contracted to be done by James W Fairfield be Jennings , of eston , in New county , who had en known here as a b uilder of churches by his having been em ployed in such service in North Canaan and Warren a short time before . Both these gentlemen fulfilled their contracts to the the entire satisfaction of committee and of the society , and all the expenses of the building were promptly met by the parish . T he following is a copy of the subscription paper to raise the money to build the meeting house , with the names of those who subscribed to the amount of fifty dollars or over

22 O b 1 3th 1 8 . SHARON , cto er , Whereas d , the house dedicated to ivine worship in the first Ecclesiastical Society in Sharon is so far destroyed as to be unfit for use or repair . There re Of A l fo , to erect a suitable edifice for the service b mighty God , according to the Congregational or Pres yterian be b system of faith and worship , the walls to constructed of rick or stone , under the direction of the committee of said society , and to be located on land now owned by Samuel Rockwell , E s . b q , near the site of the present house we , the su scribers , do severally engage to pay to such committee the sums annexed to our respective names one -half part thereof on the first of May n b ext , and the remainder on the first day of Novem er then P following . rovided nevertheless that unless the amount of four n b thousand dollars shall be subscribed for the foregoi g o ject , b b but the present article shall not e O ligatory on the subscribers , f shall be deemed of no ef ect .

John Cotton Smith and son , Calvin Noyes P aul Smith and son , l Samuel Rockwel , for site and expenses , r David Gould , J . ,

Aaron Reed , W e Alanson h eler,

Isaac Chamberlain and son , u Sam el Beecher , Cyrus David z G He ekiah oodwin , h Amy C apman , m Simeon Ly an ,

Edmund Bennett,

1 02 TH E W HISTORY OF TO N OF S HARON .

b 2d It was dedicated y appropriate ceremonies on the of March , 1 864 b , an historical sermon being preached y the pastor , the M L hl n . . c au i . l Rev Mr g The who e expense of repairing , painting and furnishing the house was four thousand and fif ty - four m w dollars , and provision was made to eet that hole sum before the house was occupied . The next indispensable item in the supply of the wants of 1 8th the society was a parsonage , and on the day of June , 1 866 , it was voted , notwithstanding the great expense incurred in repairing and improving the church , to incur the greater ex b pense of uilding a costly and beautiful parsonage . Joseph

W W G . Bostwick , Aaron R . Smith , illiam . Knight , ilbert L W to ex amine Smith and Hiram eed were appointed a committee , sites and ra ise m ne b subs ri ti ns to rocure a ars n a e a nd o y y c p o , p p o g other a r ria te b ildin pp op u gs . This committee selected the site b the l 6th now occupied by the uilding , and on day of July Henry

M . Gillette , Joseph Bostwick , Aaron R . Smith , Gilbert L . Smith and Charles Sears were appointed a committee to go forward and b erect the uilding . Some dissatisfaction with the choice of a site and other matters pertaining to the erection of the building exhibited itself , and another meeting was called to review , and perhaps reverse the proceedings of the last one but the young and the enterprising men of the parish had matter in hand , and the society sustained their movement by a large majority . The whole expense of the b uilding was which was promptly b met y the parish . It has also expended more than one thousand dollars in the purchase and improvement of their organ , but it is now entirely free from debt . The following named gentlemen have been pastors of the P ’ church since Mr . erry s death , for the times indicated 28 1 836 mi Rev . Mason Grosvenor , installed Sept . , ; dis ssed 14 1 839 . May , 20 1 840 Rev . Grove L . Brownell , installed May , ; dismissed 1 1 848 August , . 1 1 851 v Oct . Rev . Thomas G . Car er , installed , ; dismissed 3 6 1 85 . August , 1 8 1 854 Rev . Leonard E . Lathrop , installed July , ; died 20 1 857 August , . M L hlin 1 8 1 859 . . c au Rev Daniel D . T g , installed January , 7 1 865 dismissed June , .

D . Rev . Alexander B , Bullions , D . , the present incumbent , 2 868 was 8 1 . installed May , S TH E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 103

[ The following have served the church as pastors , since Rev .

° Dr . Bullions — 1 879 1 880 . Rev . Edward Strong , 1 880— . 1890 Rev . James R . Bourne Nov May .

v 1 0— N . 89 1 893 . R e . o . v Gerald Stanley Lee , Sept 1 893 O . Rev . Edward . Dyer , Dec (present

The following named persons have held the ofii ce of deacon in the church 1 739 Nathaniel Skinner , elected in . 39 b z 1 7 . E ene er Jackson , elected in 1 45 7 . Matthew S t . John , elected in 746 l 1 . Jonathan E mer , elected in 1 755 Ebenezer Frisbie , elected in . 6 W 1 7 6 . John illiams , elected in i r 1 766 Carv e . Timothy , elected in in 1 774 . Daniel Griswold , elected in 1 781 Gain Miller , elected .

178 1 . Joseph Landon , elected in 1 793 Benjamin Hamlin , elected in . i 93 P n 1 7 . r . aul Smith , J , elected

1 799 . Isaac Chamberlain , elected in 2 181 . Aaron Read , elected in

m 1 828 . Willia Mather Smith , elected in 1 54 8 . Charles Sears , elected in

1864 . John Cotton Terrett , elected in

W 1 874 . Abel C . oodward , elected in

1874 . Edward F . Gillette , elected in [ The following is to be added to list of Deacons t 1 878 George A . Kelsey, elec ed in ] CHAPTER XII .

TH E WA E R OF TH RE BE LLION .

TH E feeling in favor of sustaining the government in putting

1 861 . down the rebellion of , was very strong in Sharon If there were any who favored weak measures and a vacillating policy , n f e w in dealing with the insurge ts , they were very and scarcely known to the great body Of the people . During the first year of l re the war , volunteering was very prompt to the fu l number W 1 862 quired to answer the calls of the government . hen in the government found it necessary to require of the volunteers a n a draf t lo ger term of service , from the military subjects was the resorted to to supply the demand , and following named persons were the first conscripts from Sharon

Gordon J . Peet , Frederick Northrup ,

C ren us . . y Hunter , Charles P St John , b Al ert F . Roberts , Charles B . Everitt , W l f i liam E . Brown , Joshua B . Cha fee ,

’ Whitn e S . Albert Scott , Ezekiel y , V anD usen Don P . Griswold , John , W Newton Bump , George D . illiams , W b . Aaron H . Dun ar , Charles Reed , W W George . Birdsell . Richard oodward ,

W . illiam E Marsh , Asa Smith , W m . Chesterfield Chapman , Bush ,

1 06 HISTORY OF TH E TOWN OF S HARON .

Henry A . Chapman, Chas . H . Hamlin ,

George Clinton , David Hector, W James Carl , Geo . . Hall , f Joshua B . Chaf ee , Joshua B . Hoxie ,

Chas . E . Cole , Peter Honey , Wm . Wm . h i al . . Chapman , died in osp t H Ingraham ,

Julius N . Cole . Chas . Ingersoll , Wm w . e itt Clark , Nathan H . J , G W ustin Champlin , illiam Johnson ,

Charles Chapman , Henry Johns ,

Michael Cullen , Harvey Johns ,

Geo . Cook , Gilbert Ingraham ,

Colib i . Thomas y , Andrew Jackson , k lled in battle

Henry S . Dean , Jas . B . Johnson . a J s Doyle , Thos . Jones ,

. W m . . Jas H . Divine , C Jacobs ,

Edmund Divine , Jas . R . Jenkins , uan s John Dunbar , Galls J , D . efich John B , Elijah Johns , en k s Thomas Doty , Elmore F . J ,

Edmund Dean , Martin B . Jenkins , v E eritt Dunbar , Michael Kelly ,

Garrett Dean , Chas . King , ’

. Fred k Jas Doty , King , W P illiam Frazier , atrick Kinney , P eter Foster , John Kelley , N P ewell . Foot, Henry Kelly ,

b . John Frawley , Gil ert E Lake , Freidlan d Walstein Loun dsbur Carl , y ,

M W . ichael Frawley , illiam H Logan , Wm . Fitzgerald , John Lynch ,

P . eter Gimlet , Chas Loretta ,

Thomas Garvin , Jos . B . Loper , W McIn re m . t H . Gaul , Stephen y , O b Chauncey Griffin , akley Middle rooks ,

Wm . Geo . Gaston , Mooney ,

Horace R . Griswold , Joseph Marline , McMaster John Grady , James , ’ Fred k D . Holmes , Christopher Muller , r l Charles F . Hinman , Cy us Mitche l ,

Edward E . Hoffman , John H . Mitchell , o N . L . Holmes, Andrew M rehouse , S OF TH E W o r SH HI TORY TO N ARON . 1 07

Carlo Mosier , Geo . C . Skiff ,

Jose Mayor , James Savoy , Mit en S August j , Chester lover , Wm John Mentin , . A . Smith . Wm . . Wm H Norton , . Smith , Olaw Smith , Almond Slover ,

. . b Geo D Palmer , Ro ert Shea ,

. W m . John F Peck , Smith , o P J hn almer , Lyman Teator ,

Miles Pedro , Chas . P . Traver , Pack hard Shephard , Chas . H . Treadway ,

Sanford B . Palmer , John Tuttle ,

Sheldon F . Prout , David Taylor ,

John Quinn , John Taylor ,

Albert Robinson , John Thompson ,

Dayton Reed , John Tracy ,

‘

. T . ohoff Chas J Reed , Henry , V . e Isaac L Re d , Henry alentine , Wm W Ralph Rowley , . aldron .

. . W . n Chas E Reea , Elmore E aldro , W John Rogers , Henry heeler , n W John Rya , Joseph heeler,

. W l Thos Redding , Benj . i son , n P W Milo Rey olds , eter elch , Wm W John Rowley , . ate rs . W Robert A . Sedgwick , Chas . itham , W W m . Shephard , Ransom elton , W Dwight D . Studley , Lockwood aldron , W W Geo . . Studley , Thomas ilson , W . n Elisha Soule , Horace C ar er , W John Stephenson , Chas . L . ardwell , W Edward Saunders , Edmund hitney , W l Josiah Starr , James i ton , W Lewis H . Starr , Geo . illiams ,

' Fred k W Jas . Sullivan , hite , W Jas . Sinton . Napoleon ilson . l 26 At a town meeting , held at the Town Ha l in Sharon July , 1862 E s b , Samuel Roberts , q , Moderator , the following pream le and votes were passed

Whereas , Under the late call of the President of the United States for the additional force of three hundred thousand v olun h W te ers to put down the unrig teous and icked rebellion , to restore 1 08 S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF SHARON .

the supremacy of law and order in our land , and happiness to our beloved country it becomes the duty of this town to raise about thirty volunteers as her quota and whereas it is desirable and epessary that said number shall be put into the field without Se ay . T here re f o , As an expression of the loyalty of the citizens of this town and of their willingness and determination to meet this and all other demands made upon them either by the chief mag istrate the b of Repu lic , or the executive of our State , to support and sustain our government in this the hour of its peril , and to enable the government (so far as it is our duty) to prosecute the war to a speedy and triumphant issue— to expedite volunteering b to the num er aforesaid , b V ted 1 st. b e an d o , That the selectmen of Sharon are here y a authorized to pay to e ch volunteer , who shall enlist to make the quota of Sharon , under the late call of the President the sum of an d one hundred dollars , to pay the same as soon as they are b h mustered and accepted y the United States , and t at the select o n men draw their orders the town treasurer for such sums .

V 2 W E x ecu ted d . ar o , That in case the Secretary of or the tive of the United States , or of this State , shall fix or recommend b e b a sum to uniformly paid to volunteers , as ounty , through this State , or the United States , the selectmen are hereby directed to comply with such request , provided that the bounty of any volunteer in this town shall not be reduced after he has enrolled his name .

V fii i n n the ted 3 d . be su c e t o , That , if there shall not mo ey in b e town treasury for the aforesaid purpose , the treasurer and is b w Of here y authorized to borro , on account said town , so much as will make up such deficiency for the period of one year .

‘ V ted h i . o , t That the selectmen and the town clerk elect b e b Of recom some person who shall an inha itant this town , and mend him to the Governor of this State as a suitable person to be a commissioned appointed as a recruiting officer in this town , and officer in such company as the Sharon quota may b e placed and in making such choice they Shall consider his effic iency as a re cruitin b g officer , his a ility to command and his probable accept

ance by such company .

V t d 5 . e th. o , That our representatives , Asahel A Hotchkiss and John Henry Per Lee , be and are hereby appointed a commit - f tee to co Operate and assist said recruiting o ficer .

V ted 6 h t . o , That the selectmen make a written report of

their doings in the premises at th e next annual town meeting .

Of The following resolutions were adopted , as expressive the sense of the meeting

R esolved , That we look upon the present as the crisis of the

rebellion , a crisis from which we see no deliverance other than

in the most prompt and energetic action .

CHAPTER XIII .

R E — M E E E E E E T S S S S C . BIOG APHICAL NOTIC FA ILY K TCH , G N ALOGI ,

E Dav id ' was AB L , , from Lebanon , and came to Sharon in 1 760 . He purchased of John Roberts the lot of land on which Car wri b luman . t t . S Earl M g now resides He had five sons , , W W David , illiam , John and Andrew . illiam was a soldier in the revolutionary war and a pensioner . Mr . Abel died June 23 1781 60 . , , at the age of The name of the neighborhood called

Abel street was derived from him . 6 1 7 8 . Ackley , Thomas , from Chatham , came to Sharon , in

Of P - He purchased Phineas ost , of Lebanon , the thirty second lot in the first hundred acre division . He lived on the Ellsworth W W w no . turnpike , where illiam hitney lives He had three h h sons , T omas , David and Abraham . T omas entered the 1 776 revolutionary army in , and was taken prisoner at capture W of Fort ashington . He died during his captivity . Mr . Ackley , 2 67 6th 1 79 . the father, died Nov . , , at the age of

Atherton , James , was an early settler from Coventry . He

E s . lived near the place now owned by Zalmon S . Hunt, q , south ’ of Hitchcock s Corner . He had five sons , John , David , James , m Simon and Moses . The family removed fro the town in the course of a few years to Newton , N . J .

W 1 777 . Avery , illiam , was from Lyme , in He was a hatter w h . by trade , and lived in Ells ort , on the Perkins place , so called m He married a sister of Captain Isaiah Everett . He re oved to D o an h esbur . Y . g , N , early in the present century , where he

died . S TH E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 1 1 1

b 1 741 Bacon , Jaco , was from Canaan , in , and lived where w Charles Benton no lives . He was a large landholder he re moved to Salisbury in 1 748 .

Badcock b , Ze ulon , was from Coventry , and came to Sharon W 1 745 . . b in He settled near here Dwight St John now lives , ut 1 747 in he bought the seventeenth home lot , known as the Patchen n o w E . s place , occupied by George H Chase , q , and lived there nearly forty years . He afterwards returned to Coventry . b Bailey , Joseph , was from Le anon , and came to Sharon in

1 774 . m He purchased of Samuel Chapman , the far on which his the son , late Deacon Joseph Bailey , resided , in Ellsworth . He 1 5 1802 69 died Sept . , , at the age of . He had three sons , Joseph , Peletia h and Benjamin , who resided in the town and died there .

n Bar es , Thomas , was an early settler in the northwest part of the town , and lived near the present residence of Mr . Roswell H . 1 7 5 0 . Hazzard . He came into the town in He had three sons ,

1 76 . J . 0 Thomas , Dan and onah He died in Thomas , the oldest 7 1 807 son , lived on the same place until his death , March , , at the

74 . . age of Dan lived in the town of Amenia , N Y . Jonah , the Of youngest son , was a physician , and a man great wit and

E v . ertson shrewdness He lived at what is now called the place , west of the Governor house .

Barrows , David , came from Mansfield , before the revolution ary war . He lived where Adonijah Maxam lived . He had no 6th 1 81 5 children . He died on the day of January , , at the age

- of eighty three .

b Barrows , Amos , was a rother of the preceding , and lived W many years where Stephen hite lately lived , in the Great Hol k e t a b low . He p tavern , and was accidentally killed y falling ha 5th 1 779 from the y loft in his barn , on the day of December , , at the age of 50 years .

was s 1 77 1 . Barstow , Seth , from Rochester , Mas , in He lived

Of . . at the lower end Abel street, where his grandson , Seth B St

John now lives . He had five sons , Allen , Samuel , Seth , Gam aliel and Charles . Samuel was a physician , who formerly lived

s 1 8 13 . in Great Barrington , Mas , and who died there in Gamal

n u . . iel was also a physician , residi g in Broome co nty , N Y He b was a member of Congress , and a mem er of the Senate and

f . . Treasurer of the State O New York Mr Barstow , the father , died in 1 822 . 1 1 2 S E W HI TORY OF TH TO N OF S HARON .

Bates , John , was one of the first settlers of the town . He ’

b . lived a little elow Henry Reed s present residence His daughter , 25th b 1 739 w as Sarah , who was born on the day of Fe ruary , , the w b ehiel . as first white child orn in Sharon , except J Jackson She afterwards the wife of John Randall . Mr . Bates and his wife

- both died of the small pox , when it prevailed in the town in

b 1 784 . Decem er , Li hfi l tc e d . Beard , Nathan , was from Milton , in He came to s d Sharon in 1 779 . He purcha ed of the a ministrators of Charles a W h t he Gillet , the f rm on hic late John Jackson lived , and there e resided . He for sev ral years carried on the forge in Hutchinson 92 . 1 7 . Hollow He died in He had a large family , of whom h James Beard was t e youngest son . 1 760 t . Beardslee , John , was from New own , in He married a

Knick erb ack er daughter of Cornelius , and lived many years at the

e . Sprague plac , where the late Charles Prindle resided

Bennet , Capt . Edmund , was from the parish of Columbia , in

b . Le anon , and came to Sharon soon after the revolutionary war

He was a blacksmith by trade , and by his industry and economy accumulated a handsome estate . He lived on the mountain , two Of miles east Of the meeting house . His wife was a daughter i C Charles Gillet , who was k lled in anada in the revolutionary im war . He was for many years town treasurer and held many 1 b s . st portant Office in the town He died on the of Decem er ,

82 - On 1 9 e . , at the age of seventy four . of his sons , Hon Milo L . V Bennett , was a judge of the supreme court of ermont .

Betts , James , was from Norwalk and came to Sharon at an

y . earl day . He lived near the Sprague place , in the Gay district

1 758 . , , He died in He had , sons Ezekiel and Zophar the _ two latter of whom officiated for many years as chorister in Mr . ’ : 2d Smith s congregation Zophar Betts died the day of May ,

- 1 778 af . , at the aged forty four w Blackman , Dr . Simeon , was from Ne town , and came to

' ' 1 789 t On the m oun tain Sharon in , and se tled , where John Jack w . e . son , Sr . , lives He studied m dicine ith Dr Shepherd , of New $ his town , and here acquired eminence and distinc tion in pro b f essional career . He enjoyed a large share of the pu lic con fiden ce l , and represented the town in the legis ature at five b sessions . He was an Episcopalian y religious p rofession , and b in his last will equeathed to the society in Sharon , of which b he was a mem er , the sum of two hundred dollars as a fund f 11 l 6 h for the support of preaching . He died O dropsy 0 the t

- 2 fi . 1 81 ft . of August . , at the age of y three He left no children

S OE TH E W S HI TORY TO N OF HARON . 1 1 3

a 1 742 Bo rdman , Benjamin , came to Sharon in , and settled where Edwin N . Hartwell now lives . He sold the place to W 1748 an d b James arren , in , uilt on the spot where Dwight

Hotchkiss now lives . He had one son , Thaddeus Boardman , w ho b 17 lived on the west order of Mudge Pond . In 86 the elder

and younger Boardman sold their real estate to Frederick Lord , of Hartford , and removed to the west . b Bogardus , Jaco , merchant , came to Sharon from Amenia ,

Y . 1 764 . . b N , in He lived in the old rick house , known as the

’

Taylor house , a little north of Gov . Smith s . He was a Dutch b the b man , and uilt large Dutch arn , which within a few years stood in close contiguity with the town street , near his dwelling h ‘ . 1 7 75 b D bb ouse He sold his place in , to E enezer i le , and again k b b returned to the State of New Yor . He uilt the large rick b house , one mile west of the village , now owned y Mr .

Morehouse . W b 1 7 67 . Boland , David , was from ood ury , in He was a

Scotchman by birth , and purchased of Samuel Dunham , the

’ - s b tenth home lot , originally Samuel Hutchin on s , eing the same Old on which the stone house owned by Anson Boland stood .

W b o ffi He had two sons , illiam and David , oth of whom were cers in the revolutionary army . He was possessed of a valna bl b e . real estate , which y his last will he gave to his grandsons b Reu en and John Boland , during their lives , remainder to their eldest male heirs .

His Epitaph .

3 m . 1 me ory of David Boland , who died Aug ,

- aged seventy nine .

’ The stage of life when once passed o er ,

Fixes our state to change no more ,

Our be work is great and must done ,

An heaven to win , an hell to shun ,

1z Then se e the promise while you may , b Nor lose one moment y delay .

Botsford , Ephraim , was from Newtown , and came to Sharon in 1 765. He purchased of Daniel Baldwin a tract of land in the w ’ north part of the to n , opposite Homer Fardee s , and lived there

1 795 . until his death in He had two sons , Elnathan and Ephraim , 821 d 1 782 1 . the former of whom ied i n , and the latter in * 1 5 1 14 S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF SHARON .

His Epitaph . m In emory of Mr . Ephraim Botsford , Wh — o 5 h 1 795 . . t departed this life Dec , , aged seventy four W hen you , my friends , this tomb draw near , Bede w my urn with one kind tear l b Then look by faith to rea ms a ove , W here all is harmony and love . W Epitaph on olcott , son of Ephraim Bots ford , who died 1 7 5 . 1 8 . Sept , , aged eleven

The youth who late with vigor shone ,

Now lies interred beneath this stone , ’ From death s arrest no age is free , P m repare , y friends to follow me .

Bouton , Daniel , was from Stamford , and was the first settler 1 4 w . . on the lot owned by the late Cyrus S an , Esq He died Nov . 1 740 , at an early age . His widow , Elizabeth , afterwards married b 1 758 A el Munn , who died in . She continued to occupy the house of her first husband long after she became a widow the second time . She was often spoken of by aged people as old

Mother Munn . W Brockway , alston , the first of the Brockway family in 1 752 Sharon , came from Branford in . He settled in the south west part of the town , near the line of Kent , and died there in 1 81 3 , at the age of ninety . His son , the late Asa Brockway , was a soldier of the revolution and a pensioner . s u h Buel , Eliphalet, was from Sali b ry , and was brot er of the late Col . Nathaniel Buel , of that town . He came to Sharon 1 767 l in , and sett ed where Homer Pardee lived . He died of the

- - 5 h 1 777 . small pox , on the t of February , , aged forty nine His New only son , Nathaniel , died a prisoner in York , a short time

before , and his wife soon after , of the same disease . Their common fate is commemorated in the following

Epitaph .

bu The only son is gone t twenty days , The indulgent father follows him to ye grave W here we must all repair alas , how soon

Our morning sun goes down at noon .

1 16 W HISTORY OE TH E TO N OF SHARON .

His Epitaph .

Can field Sacred to the memory of the Hon . John , b A mem er of Congress from this State , 26 h 1 t O b . . 786 who died the day of cto er , A D ,

the - in forty sixth year of his age . ’ w Tis not for lifeless stone to tell thy orth ,

’

A partner s heart the deep impression wears ,

Thy orphans oft , around this hallowed earth ,

’

Shall tell a father s love wit h speaking tears ,

And numerous friends who swelled the tide of grief , S Thy great and generous deeds hall oft relate ,

Thus through revolving years thy name shall live , ’

b . Till to immortal life , this slum ering dust shall wake

C nfi l fi ld a e d . Can e , Hon Judson , was a son of Col . Samuel ,

Can field . of New Milford , and a nephew of Hon . John He 82 1 7 87 graduated at Yale College in 1 7 . He came to Sharon in , b and commenced the practice of law . He uilt the house now b occupied y J . P . and G . D . Goodwin and lived there . He was b a mem er of the house of representatives at seventeen sessions , b and for several years a mem er of the council . He was also a 1 81 5 judge of the court of common pleas . He left Sharon in , O 1 839 and removed to the State of hio , where he died in , at the age of more than eighty years .

Can fi l e d . b . Col Samuel , was a rother of the preceding , and came to Sharon in early life . He was an assistant commissary of issues in the war of the revolution , and towards the close of his life drew a handsome pension . He was for many years a

and 1 792 merchant of extensive business , was town clerk from 1 8 1 5 a E s . to , h ving succeeded Daniel Griswold , q , in that office

He was a member of the assembly at several sessions . He died “ O Y . while on a visit at Poughkeepsie , N . , on the first day of cto

1 837 - ber, , at the age of eighty three . 1 747 Carrier , Deacon Timothy , was from Colchester , in . J b w He bought of aco Bacon a part of the twelfth home lot , here

Charles Benton now lives . He was appointed a deacon of the

1 766 o fii ce . church in , which he held until his death He had one son

who survived him , and he removed from the town soon after the 22d b 1 78 1 decease of his father . He died on the of Fe ruary , , at

f - W O . b the age eighty two His ife died a out the same time , and the stone which marks their resting place has upon it the following S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF S HARON . 1 17

Epitaph .

Here man and wife , secure from strife , b b Lie slum ering side y side , ’ b Though death s cold hands dissolved the ands ,

It could not them divide . b This tom shall burst and yield its trust ,

This pair will live again , W b ith purer love to soar a ove , W here joys immortal reign .

m Cartwright . Nicholas , was the co mon ancestor of the Cart b wright family , which have een numerous in the town . He was b originally from Barnsta le . Massachusetts , and lived a short time

’ - on Philip s Patent , now South East , New York . He came to

1 7 56 ~ Sharon in , and settled near the place where Austin Cart b . b 1 78 1 wright now lives He was aptized in Septem er , , when he 2 . 1 78 was nearly eighty years of age He died in May , . He had

. b three sons Reu en , Christopher and Samuel . Reuben lived where W George . Peck lived . He died , leaving a numerous family , in 0 ’ 1 79 . May , , aged forty Christopher lived near David Curtis s an d b late residence , efore the revolutionary war he removed to V 1 77 5 u . Shaftsb ry , ermont In he joined the army under General b Montgomery , and was in the battle of Que ec , in which Mont

- gomery fell . He died of small pox , in the American camp , on b O . the Island of rleans , efore the retreat from Canada Samuel lived where Austin Cartwright now lives . He was also in the b b ut m . army with his rother Christopher , escaped his unti ely end d 1 7 th 1 8 1 9 He lived to a good old age , and die . January , , aged

- seventy eight . He left two sons , Nicholas and Anson , who are both now deceased .

ff Cha ee , Joshua , was from Mansfield , and came to Sharon in

Jr . 1 755 . . He married the only child of Matthew St John , , and 1 76 . 0 first settled where John B . Smith now lives In he removed to Ellsworth , where his son Joel S . Chaffee lived . He died in

- w 1 789 fif t . , aged y six He left three sons , Joel , Matthe and

Joshua B . Matthew died soon after the death of his father . 2 1 83 . Joshua B . died in He was at the time of his death one of the magistrates of the town .

b b N e w b Cham erlain , Deacon Isaac , was orn in Marl orough ,

- l i Mass , and came to Sharon with his step father , Mr . John Ho l s

1 5 b . 7 6 . ter , in He was a carpenter and joiner y trade He married

. a daughter of Jonathan Sprague , and had several children He 1 18 S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF SHARON .

armv earlv n entered the in the revolutionary war , and was sergea t artifi r of ce s . He was appointed deacon of the Congregational 1 799 fi . Church in , which of ce he held till his death He was a man of strong mind , of great decision of character , and for many years l was one of the pil ars of the town .

His Epitaph .

b ’ 7 6 Deacon Isaac Cham erlain , a patriot of , A soldier of the revolution , and for many years of his subsequent life an ffi o cer of the first church in Sharon . 24 1756 s Oct . Born in New Marlborough , Mas , , , 1 4 1 33 8 . died at Sharon , July ,

— P a ul . Grounded and settled in the faith S t.

h O C apman , badiah , was from Colchester , and came to Sharon 1 41 7 . in He settled in the south pa rt of the town , opposite Fred

' ’ t e w as he erick Carter s presen residenc , He t owner of a large “ 1 7 1 l O 6 . e real estate . He died in He ft four sons , badiah , ' i 7 P i b . O died n1 63 . t Pelatiah , Matthias and Ro ert badiah ela ah w W 9 as 1 75 . the father of the late illiam Chapman , and he died in w b b His widow after ards married Dr . Ash el Goodrich . Ro ert , the

son l youngest , and the survivor of them all , was a so dier in the t old French war , and after his return from the service set led in the southwest part of the town , where his son , the late Elijah 1 8 1 4 h . t e . Chapman , lived He died in , at age of eighty He was the father of the late Obadiah Chapman .

m . Chapman , Samuel , was fro Colchester He came with

- - the first settlers . He settled on the forty sixth home lot , near ’ John Jackson s . He afterwards removed to the lower end of b b . A el street where his grandson , Cale Chapman , lived He had three sons , Samuel , Ezekiel and Nehemiah . Caleb Chapman is a son of the last named . Ezekiel died a soldier in the French war . b Chappel , Amos , was a son of Caleb Chappel , of Le anon , 1 760 one of the original proprietors . He came to Sharon in ,

v and settled in Ellsworth , where Charles B . E eritt lives .

s Church , Jehiel was from Great Barrington , Mas , and ’ lived a little north of the late Adolphus Everett s . He died

- 1 1 81 9 . . May , , at the age of seventy seven He had nine children

1 20 W HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON .

’ but towards the close of life returned to Hitchcock s Corner , l st O b 1 823 where he died on the of cto er , , at the age of eighty

. b . six He was the father of Dr . E enezer H Conkling , who

’ formerly lived at Hitchcock s Corner . b Cor et , John , was the first settler at the place where the late Samuel Petit lived , in the north part of the town , now b b 1 743 . owned y George Lamb . He was from Le anon , in He

’ u - b . b ilt a saw mill , at an early day , near A el Benedict s He l afterwards lived on the mountain at the Elderkin p ace, so called , ’ near Elijah Marsh s former residence . b Crippen , Ja ez , was from Colchester , and was an original

w - firs t proprietor of the township . He dre the twenty home h n w b lot , and his ouse stood on the ground o occupied y the ’

l . Grosvenor house , so called , near y opposite Governor Smith s

He was the first selectman ever chosen in the town . He had z sons , Jabe , John , Samuel , Thomas and Joseph . His son Thomas v 1752 li ed where Milo R . Calkin now lives . About the year , the

N Y. father removed with several of his sons , into Amenia , . , near where the late Jonathan Pen n oyer lived and that neighbor l ri n w n hood was formerly ca led C ppe to . Mr . Crippen died at V b 1 5 78 . Manchester , ermont , a out O b b Crocker , liver , was from Le anon , efore the revolution

. b ary war He settled where Philander A el now lives , and

1 2 1 2 - 1 8 t . died April , , at the age of eigh y one His widow died recently , at the age of more than ninety years . He left no son . b r o Curtice , Cale , was from Hebron and was an original p

ri - w eto r . h p He drew the t irtieth home lot , and lived here Ezra

. E s n w o . H Bartram , q , lives He had sons , Caleb , Jeremiah ,

Daniel and Nathaniel . Caleb lived at the Lockwood place , near ’ B John S . Jewett s . Jeremiah lived at the anchet place , now b occupied y A . Bryan , and Daniel at the place owned by the

- bb . late Capt . Gi s . Nathaniel lived on the home lot He was b 2 h 1 9 1 80 . t e a O . killed y kick of horse , ctober , Mr Curtice , the

2 7 - b 0 1 77 . elder, died Novem er , . at the age of seventy four

Curtis , Seth , was from Danbury , and came to Sharon in

2 W . 1 78 . . He lived where George Peck formerly lived He was

. the father of the late Noah Curtis , and of the late David Curtis

- 27 1 804 n . He died March , , at the age of sixty seve

Day , Thomas , was from Colchester and came to Sharon in E 1 755. c s He lived where Thomas N . Lu as , q , now lives on the mountain . He had two sons , Jonathan and Jeremiah , the S E W S 2 HI TORY OF TII TO N OF HARON . 1 N 1

. former of whom died in early life His younger son , Jeremiah , was educated at Yale College and graduated in 1756 . Soon after he left college he was married an d settled in the town as a b 1 765 1 76 . 6 farmer He was a consta le m and , and selectman the latter year . He was representative to the Assembly in 767 O b 1 766 Ma 1 . u cto er , , and in y , His wife died in A gust ,

1 767 e v en t he , and soon after that , turned his attention to the

f or man Of ministry . He was , y years , the minister the parish x

W . of New Preston , in ashington He was the father of the

mi l D v . D . . Jere a a Rev n D , President of Yale College , and the

Hon Thomas Day , for many years Secretary of the State of

Connecticut .

Epitaph .

. n In memory of Mr . Jonatha Day , who departed 6 8 1 7 3 . this life January , Spectator$ here you see

E x em lified p in me , W b hat you must shortly e .

In memory of Mrs . Sarah Day , the late

amiable co r so rt of the Rev .

Jeremiah Day , who

25 1 767 . departed this life Aug . ,

but O b She gives life , , pitia le consideration

gives it at the expense of her own , and at

once b ecomes a mother and a corpse .

F lere et meminisse r elictu m es t.

In memory of Mr . Thomas Day ,

- b 28 1 772 . Died Fe ruary , , aged eighty two

Life how short , Eternity how long

s Davis , Jonathan , was from Rutland , Mas , and came to b Sharon in 1 746 . He purchased of Jaco Bacon , the sixth home

p A , lot , o posite the stone house formerly owned by nson Boland 1 750 He sold this property in , and purchased a large tract of

’ had land below Hitchcock s Corner . He one son , Ezra , who

. . died in early life , leaving a widow and three children Mr Davis O afterward lived over the line , in blong , but where he died is not

known . * 1 6 1 22 W HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON .

W . Delano , Deacon Thomas , was from areham , Mass He 1 759 lived a short time in Tolland , and came to Sharon in .

He settled in the southwest part of the town . The name was originally spelt De La Noy . Mr . Delano was chosen deacon of K i ’ . n bl b 8 h 1 803 oe s 1 767 . t Mr church in He died Septem er , ,

- h . ad aged seventy seven He two sons , Jethro and Stephen , 1840 the latter of whom died in , at the age of more than ninety years .

Epitaph .

In memory of Jethro Dela no , who died

1 7 1 787 - i July , , aged twenty n ne .

V irtue alone to him did give , The gift of knowing how to live

A pattern to the growing youth ,

A never failing friend of truth .

a Deming , Daniel , was from Saybrook , and c me to Sharon in h hi 1 782 . e s He purchased of Amos Tyler , t place where widow E . s afterwards lived He was the father of Stephen Deming , q , late i hfi l n 1 5 L tc e d . . of , and Dr Ralph Demi g of Sharon He died May ,

- 1 8 16 Six . , at the age of sixty 76 b . 1 7 . Dib le , Capt Ebenezer , was from Salisbury in He h n ear t e . lived in the Great Hollow , , watering place He sold his h 1 795 farm to Adonija Maxam in , and removed to Saratoga county , N . Y .

-w bb aS . Dibble , Ebenezer , a son of Rev Ebenezer Di le , of

Stamford , formerly Episcopal missionary in Sharon . He was a merchant and owned the brick house now known as the Taylor 1 7 N e w . 81 . , house In he sold out to Robert G Livingston , Esq , of

e P . Y . . York , and removed to Pin lains , N , where he died He was h the fat er of the late Fyl er Dibble , Esq .

D ote . D ote . y , Capt Samuel , was the ancestor of the y family Old c He was from the Plymouth olony , and came to Sharon in ’

747 . . 1 . He lived a little south of Dwight St John s He practised

- surveying . He and his wife were both cut off by the small pox ha h in 1 784 . d He a son , David , who was a p ysician , and lived t ' near Hi chcock s Corner , and was for a while a c aptain in the 9 1 81 7 revolutionary service . He died February , , at the age of

- seventy six .

W F HI STORY OF TH E TO N O S HARON .

In silent shade , Here lies the dust

Of him who mad e

The Lord his trust .

w as . Elmer . Colonel Samuel , a son of Deacon J Elmer and fii r was a brave o ce in the revolutionary war . He was appointed ’ 1 775 a major in Col . Hinman s regiment , in , and was engaged in a active duty in the campaign of th t year . The next year he was New appointed a colonel in the York line , and continued in com mand of a regiment while he remained in the army . He lived in w b 1 801 the to n until a out , when he removed to the town of V Elmore , in ermont , where he remained until his death . He was E * s . the father of John Elmore , q , of Canaan

v b 1 745 and E erett , Ebenezer , was from He ron in , settled where Adolphus Everett lived . He had three sons , Isaiah , Ebe w t o l . and Eliphalet , the atter of whom were revolutionary soldiers Eliphalet was for several years the steward of General Washing ’ t b ton s military family . He lived many years where Evere t Dun ar now lives , in Ellsworth , but spent the latter part of his life in W h 4 1 834 atertown , N . Y . Isaia Everett died August , , at the age

- an d of eighty two , leaving sons Adolphus , Asa , Gamaliel , Russell IV’ illi m 5 1 84 a . J 0 Ebe Everett died anuary , , at the age of eighty

E . six , leaving sons , Samuel . , Augustus , Elmore and John

b Everett , John , was a brother of E enezer Everett , and came W l k mi h b 1 757 . a b ac s t to Sharon from indham in He was y trade , and lived on the road which formerly led north from Joel Whit ’ bu . t ford s , now discontinued He had one child , a daughter , who O married Ebenezer Sprague . Mr . Everett went to hio , in the early settlement of that state , and died there .

1 750 . Foster , David , was from Lebanon in He lived on the place which was occupied by the late John Jackson , who was his

-in - a son law . He was a leading man in the aff irs of the town for b b O many years . He was a mem er of the Assem ly at the ctober 1 763 1 764 sessions in and , and selectman eight years . He died in 93 1 7 .

’ h h Col . E me s n ame was b s a mo e in t e omm ss o n e l r y mi t ke spelt E l r , c i i l eceiv ed o m o n e s an d f i h 1 1 mst an h e a o te the a te fr C gr s , om t at c cu ce d p d l t r “1 9 1 o f s e n an d has b een o n n ued b th e f am t the l es p lli g it, it c ti y ily ill p eh : l tme.

2 6 W HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON .

23 7 3 . R Ma 1 6 Gager , Dr Samuel . , was born at Norwich , y , , and was an assistant surgeon in the navy in the revolutionary war . Soon after the close of the war he visited England . He established himself in Sharon in the practice of surgery in 1 788 . r He was long celebrated in his profession , and was much espected as a citizen . He represented the town in the Assembly in the 1 82 1 1 822 1 829 years , and . He was also for many years a justice

. 4th of the peace He died August , 1 7 . Y . 85. Gallow , Joseph , was from Hudson , N , in He owned W w . n o and occupied the place where R . Noyes lives , and kept a tavern there for many years . He finally returned to Hudson , where he died . E s b s Gay , John , q , was orn in Dedham , Mas , and in early Litchfield inhabi life settled in , and was among the first white In 1 743 tants of that town . he came to Sharon , and purchased of

- - Israel Holley , the thirty ninth home lot , which was in the north part of the town . His house stood nearly opposite the present res

- - E s idence of his great great grandson , George Gay , q , and was Mr standing till within a few years . . Gay was a highly respecta

h - e . ble man , and lived to t advanced age of ninety four He died 6th 1 792 on the of August , . He had sons , John , Ebenezer , Fisher

z . and Pere . John was the father of the late Capt Daniel Gay .

- 1 1 776 . He died January , , at the age of forty eight Ebenezer was

b b b . a merchant , and built the rick house lately owned y Reu en K

Hunt . He was a colonel in the militia , and frequently command n ed detachments i the revolutionary war . He was the father of 6 . 1 1 787 the late Mr David Gay . He died July , , at the age of six t - y one . Fisher Gay settled in Farmington , where his descendants now reside . He died in the city of New York , early in the

- 7 4 1 8 . revolutionary war . Perez Gay died of small pox in He was

E s . the father of Calvin Gay , q b Job W s Gib s , , was from areham , Mas , and came to Sharon 1 74 ’ in 7 . His house was the one next south of the Governor s b . bb mansion Mr . Gi s was a merchant and did a large usiness for those times . He had three sons , Sylvanus , Heman and Job .

. v bb re v olu Capt Syl anus Gi s , the eldest , was an officer in the tion ar 1 9th 1 834 y war , and died on the of June , , at the age of

- eighty one .

f It is wo t o f ema th t W am a e the an es o o f the a e r hy r rk a illi G g r, c t r G g r f aml l In thi state was f t s a ro f esruo n as hl s des en an t he e y s , o he me p c d r n o t ed n ud e a l a ht o d man an d a s f u ic . G over o r D l y c lls h m rig g ly kill l ” c h ru r H i s s on Joh n ame to Co n n ectl cu t w1 th the o n e G o v . geo n . c y u g r y .

Wl nthro an d se t e In ew on o n an d o m hi mD r. a e es en e . p . t l d N L d , fr G g r d c d d S TH E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 1 27

Epitaph .

b Job G bb Here lies interred ye ody of i s . He died of ye

- . 1 8th 1 760 37th small pox , Dec in ye , , in ye year of his age .

’

I m here confined , as you must be , 0 11 then prepare to follow me , a Bec use from death no age is free , ’

Get faith in God s eternal Son ,

In him there is salvation ,

Boast not thyself of coming time ,

Because to morrow is not thine , to da S eek then , y , that you may find . w as 1 745 Gillett , Jonathan , from Colchester , in . He lived but in several places during his early years , finally established m 1 753 hi self , in , where George Skinner now lives . Here he

. i resided thirty years , and kept a tavern He sold h s place in 1 783 , and purchased of Timothy Carrier , Jun . , the place where e hi Charles Benton now lives , where he r sided till s death . He was representative to the Assembly at the May and October 1 788 sessions in , and a delegate to the convention called to ratify W the constitution of the United States . His ife was a daughter of Thomas Day , and sister of Rev . Jeremiah Day , of New 3 1 1 81 4 Preston . Mr . Gillett died December , , at the age of — eighty nine .

Gillett , Charles , was a brother of t he preceding , and came 1 7 5 b 5 . to Sharon from Colchester , in He was a blacksmith y W 11 0 . trade , and settled where John C . Loucks lives He was 1 760 1 77 1 town treasurer from to , when he removed to the mountain , having purchased of Rev . Jeremiah Day , of New

P b . reston , the place lately owned y John Jackson He enlisted ’ into Capt . Downs company , and marched to the northward in W 1 776 . hile the army lay at the Cedars , in Canada , he was b killed by a party of Indians , lying in am ush , as he was riding out on business connected wi th his duty as commissary . He left several children , one of whom was the wife of the late Capt .

Edmund Bennett .

O . Gillson , Eleazer , was from Goshen , range county , N Y 1 784 b and came to Sharon in . He had een a soldier in the ’

uck ett s . revolutionary war , and settled a little north of Elijah J Oh He was one of the first emigrants to io , and the first mail carrier on the post road between Pittsburgh and Cleveland .

He carried the whole mail in his pocket o n foo t . He died at the age of nearly ninety years . 1 23 S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OE SHARON . W Goodrich , illiam , was the ancestor of the Goodrich family , which has been quite numerous in the town . He was originally Wethers field Litchfiel'd from , and first moved to . where he h fii eld s . S e remained ten years He afterwards removed to , Mas , b m and when the township of Sharon was sold , he eca e the w b purchaser of t o rights . He rought his family to the town in 1 738 b h ut the fall of , and uilt a near the outlet of Mudge Pond . b Here he spent the winter , with no neigh ors , except Indians , n earer than the Dutch settlements at Leedsville . He went to mill on foot , during the winter , once to New Milford , and once Y u . . o to Red Hook , N , snow shoes , and carried his wheat on his _ n b back . That he was a si cere christian we may well elieve from the introductory clause in his last will and testament , the first L i hfi l recorded on the probate records for the district of tc e d . After speaking of the uncertainty of life as a reason for making b his will , he says wherefore , committing my ody to the dust , b from whence it was taken . and my soul to the osom of my dear

Lord Jesus Christ , hoping and believing that he will raise me up w ith all his saints at the glorious morning of the resurrection , I 3 1 743 give , Mr . Goodrich died on the l st day of March , , at

h fif - W E l t e t . age of y six He had sons , Samuel , Jared , illiam , nathan , David , Elisha , and Solomon , and their descendants b have een very numerous . His wife survived him about seven b n b years , and one tom stone marks the resti g place of oth , on which is inscribed the following

Epitaph .

b Here lies the hus and and the wife , b b Interred beneath this dou le tom , This double witness may suffice l To prove that death wi l be our doom .

P Goodwin , John . , was from Hartford , and came to Sharon 7 1 84 . in He lived where Myron Dakin now lives , and died on the

h 0 - Wi 5t 1 8 7 . of May , , aged eighty two He had three sons , lliam , m n r P . a e John , and Hezekiah , the last of whom was a much

ected . sp and beloved He was a corporal in the continental army , and was eight years in the service . His discharge . under the

W . hand of General ashington , spoke highly of his merits He

b 1 818 . was a representative to the Assem ly in May , He was he killed at t raising of a small building , belonging to Benjamin

0 1 3 HISTORY OF TH E TOWN OF S HARON .

z b the revolution . A ariah Griswold was a su altern officer in E s the revolutionary army . He lived where John Boyd , q , now lives . He sold this place in 1 786 to John Foster .

E s 1 756 . Griswold , Daniel , q , was from Norwich in He lived

E s . where Richard Smith , q , now lives He was a physician and pursued the practice of his profession for many years . He was On appointed a justice of the peace at an early day . the death W 1 774 of Col . illiams , in , he was appointed town clerk , which

Office he held until his death . He also succeeded the latter gen l t eman as deacon in the church .

Epitaph .

E s Sacred to the memory of Daniel Griswold , q , 22 1 792 who departed this life Dec . , ,

- aged sixty six .

The wise , the good , the virtuous and the j ust , ’ en tomb d Lies here to moulder into dust , d But eath must yield , resign the mouldering clay ,

To shine and sparkle in eternal day .

b Griswold , Francis , was a rother of the preceding , and a 1 762 b came to Sh ron in . He was a tanner and currier y trade , ’ and he lived on the corner a little north of Solomon Bierce s .

His tannery was near his house , where the cider mill stood .

- 6 1 778 . He died November , , at the age of forty three

b Griswold , Capt . Adonijah , another rother of Daniel Gris E 1 2 s 76 . wold , q , came to Sharon in He settled in Mudgetown W where Solomon Bierce 1 10 lives . He was a lieutenant in Capt . ’ 1 9 1 807 he 1 776 . . t Down s company in He died Sept , , at age of sixty eight . He had three sons , Adonijah , Chester and John , the latter of whom lived in Tompkins county , N . Y .

Hamilton , David , was from Lebanon , and was the first settler on the place owned by Judge Sterling . He afterwards lived

’ opposite Governor Smith s . He appears to have been the great land speculator of the day , his name appearing on the records , as the grantor or grantee in deeds , more frequently than any

ff . 1 78 1 other . He was also for a time deputy sheri He died in , leaving sons , Dudley , John and Joseph . Joseph was a physician , and practiced medicine in the town for several years . Dudley i formerly lived where William Marsh now lives . Mr . Ham lton S O E TH E W S HI TORY TO N OF HARON . 3 1

disposed of most of his real estate in town previous to his death . V and W He was largely interested in land in ermont , in hat was h n n h called the Su sque a a Purchase . W Hamlin , Cornelius , was an early settler from areham , ’ Massachusetts and lived n ear Mrs . Hunt s . He afterwards n lived in the Hollow , ear the iron works , in which he was a part Owner . He also lived for a while near the head of Mudge 1 760 Pond . In he removed to Spencertown , New York , but soon returned , and here spent his days . He had one son , Cornelius , _ who died in early life . b W m Hamlin , Deacon E enezer , was also from areha , and

first lived where George Skinner now lives . He afterwards ’ the removed to south part of the town , below Hitchcock s l h e 24 i Corner . By his last wil , left pounds old tenor b lls , for

’ the support of the gospel in the Con gregation al society at the

Corner . He had sons , Ebenezer , Thomas , Isaac and Lewis .

Thomas was the grandfather of Philo Hamlin , who is the only descendant of Deacon Hamlin now remaining in the town .

Deacon Hamlin died in 1 755 .

Hamlin , Deacon Benjamin , was son of Deacon Eleazer

Frederick sbur h u Hamlin , of g , now Carmel in P tnam county , 1 780 d ff New York . He came to Sharon in , and lived at i erent places in the northwest part of the town . He was elected Deacon 1 793 an d of the Congregational Church in , held the office till his

“ death . He maintained a very pure and spotless character , and died universally lamented .

Epitaph .

The remains of Benjamin Hamlin ,

Sen io ur Deacon of the first Church of Christ in Sharon ,

whose piety , meekness , and sweetness of temper , rendered him b m so cl et alike a lessing to the church , an orna ent to y ,

and the delight of his acquaintance .

God This eminent servant of , b expired in full assurance of a lessed immortality ,

1820 61 st . 6 h Oct . on the t , , in the year of his age

9 b 1 76 . B anchet , Sylvanus , was from Salis ury , in He lived b b where Alden Bryan now lives . He is cele rated as eing the first person who formally invited the Methodist preachers into Sharon , in 1 788 . It was at his house that the first Methodist society was 132 HISTORY OF TH E TOWN OF S HARON .

b formed , by Rev . Free orn Garretson , and where public worship was celebrated for several years . He removed to the state of New

York many years since , where he died .

H arv ev 1 742 Joel , was from New Milford , in , and settled in V b the alley . He uilt a grist mill , which stood more than sixty

V 1 747 . years . He also built the stone house , in the alley , in He was a large landholder , and had a very numerous family , many 26 of whom died of the consumption . Mr . Harvey died Dec . , 1 796 4 8 . , at the age of His Epitaph

n All ations must ,

Return to dust .

b 1 768 . Hatch , Capt . E enezer , was from Kent , in He lived on ’ E s b the place now owned by Zalmon S . Hunt , q , elow Hitchcock s b Corner . He was a respecta le man , and served many years as

ofii ces . selectman , and in other important He left the town m any years since . b Heath , Bartholomew , was from Le anon , and was among the h first settlers . He lived in t e north part of the town , where Bird n o w Reed lives .

Epitaph . 1 1 1 789 In memory of Mr . Bartholomew Heath , who died Feb . , ,

in ye 79th year of his age .

My glass is run , my days are spent , The fleeting moments heaven hath sent

And now to God I yield my breath ,

And calmly fall asleep in death .

4 1 7 8 . Hide , David , was from Lebanon , in He purchased of 41 st lot P Samuel Gillet the home , the same on which Homer ardee 1 7 . 50 lived He was appointed constable in , and served in that

an d . capacity , as collector , ten years He was also a deputy ff sheri for several years . W b 1 59 o 7 . Hide , illiam , was fr m Le anon , in He lived where W Charles Reed now lives . He had two sons , Eleazer and illiam W i D ec 26 1 770 . He d ed . , , at the age of fifty . 1 752 Hitchcock , Samuel , was from Norwalk , in . He pur of chased Jonathan Gillett the place where Gov . Smith lived , and resided there five years . He then removed to the south part of the the town , where his son , late Asa Hitchcock lived , and there - spent the remainder of his days . It was at his house that the

W 1 34 HI STORY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON .

Hollister , Samuel , from whom the family of that name in

- the south east part of the town are descended , was from the parish 1 744 of Kensington , in Farmington , now Berlin . In he pur f o . chased Dr George Holloway , of Cornwall , one hundred acres Ousatonic m of land on the River , which had for erly been laid out to Joseph Skinner . There he settled and died . He had two sons , Gershom and Elisha . Gershom was unfortunately killed h b 2 t e 1 79 . at raising of a arn , in Cornwall , in Elisha lived to an d 1 1 8 5 . a vanced age , and died in He left sons , Samuel , Elisha ,

Amos and Asahel . There are many of his descendants yet remaining in that neighborhood .

'

Hunt , Rev . Aaron , who for the last thirty years of his life h was a citizen of Sharon , was a Met odist clergyman , of high standing in that denomination of Christians , and whose repu tation is eminent among the early lights of the church . He 1 791 and fi commenced preaching in , for more than fty years was ‘ fii i n On and e c e . an able , active t itinerant minister retiring n w b from active duty , he purchased the farm o owned y his son .

’

. E s Zalmon S Hunt , q , south of Hitchcock s Corner , which was his home for the remainder of his life . There he died April 25 h 1 858 t . , , aged ninety years and one month His biographer says of him , that he had a clear , strong intellect , was an earnest

Christian and an able and highly successful minister . b n Hunt, Daniel , was from Le ano , at the earliest settlement of the town . He lived on the mountain , at what was called the W m . . . Randall house , now the residence of S Marsh He after ’

at . . wards lived the Tanner place , near Augustus L Peck s He V On e who removed to ermont before he died . of his daughters ,

- was the mother of Dr . Sears , lived to the age of ninety four years .

Another daughter was the mother of Dr . Ralph Deming .

Hunt, Phineas , a brother of the preceding , was from Lebanon 1 747 b l in . He bought of Cale Chappe l , the farm on which his descendants resided , in Ellsworth . He had but one son , the late

P . hineas Hunt , to whom , by his will , he gave all his estate He 22 2 1 2 Oc . 8 8 7 u 1 787 72 . t died A gust , , at the age of The son died , , 9 at the age of 6 . m W Hunter , Jonathan , was fro areham , Massachusetts , where 1 747 he had been deacon of the church . He came to Sharon in , and purchased of Benjamin Richmond the farm on which Benja b min Sears lived . His wife was a daughter of Deacon E enezer

1 762 . . d Hamlin He ied in He had two sons , David and Jona w than , who removed , soon after his decease , to Still ater , New

York . His widow afterwards married Lieut . John Pardee . S TH E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 135

b b 60 Hunter , E enezer , was from Norwich , a out the year 1 7 .

He lived on the mountain , in the southwest part of the town .

His son , Nathaniel Hunter , was a soldier in the Revolutionary war .

b . b 1 743 Hurl urt , Capt Samuel , was from Le anon in . He pur of b 25th chased Cale Strong , the west half of the home lot , on which Charles L . Prindle now lives . He was the first merchant in the town . He was at one time possessed of a large and valna ble but b estate , efore the close of his life he was reduced to

4 1 - . 789 poverty He died June , , aged seventy seven .

E s Hutchinson , Samuel , q , , was one of the first settlers , and w . b the second magistrate in the to n He was from Le anon , and l 0th drew the home lot , the same on which the stone house b 1 751 owned y Anson Boland stood . In he sold that place , and ’ P purchased the first minister s lot of the Rev . Peter ratt . His ’ 1 762 house stood where Perry Loucks tavern now stands . In he removed to Spencertown , New York , where it is supposed he a died . He had three sons , S muel , Ezra and Solomon , the two latter of whom settled in this town , and gave the name to Hutch inson Hollow , where they lived .

b Jackson , Deacon E enezer , was from Norwalk , and settled

42d n o w b on the home lot , owned y John Jackson , on the moun

n. tai He was early chosen Deacon of the church , and was a

h b . ighly reputa le and useful man He had six sons , Ebenezer ,

ose h Joshua , John , Abraham . Stephen and J p , most of whom ‘ 1 763 settled in the eastern part of the town . In he sold his home Job lot to Gould , and from that time lived with one of his sons at the River , till his death , in An uncommon incident t attaches to the farm on which he se tled , in the fact , that it has been held by owners of the family of Jackson and Gould from the first ownership by Deacon Jackson to the present time .

b 1 743 b . Jewett , Capt . Cale , was from Norwich , now Lis on , in

He first purchased and occupied the lot on which Gov . Smith but 1 744 b Of lived , in he sold it to Deacon Elmer , and ought Sam b uel Chapman , the farm on the mountain now owned y his w Of e e tt . grandson , John S . J He was selectman the town twelve

. years , and Representative to the Assembly at eleven sessions He b had sons , Cale , Nathan , Thaddeus and Alpheus , the last of whom b l after a life of much pu lic employment , and of great usefu ness ,

- died at the age of eighty six . 1 36 HISTORY OF TH E TOW N OF S HARON .

Epitaph . b w . e ett In memory of Capt Cale J ,

8 1 778 68 h . . 1 t who died Jan , , in the year of his age

Let not the dead forgotten lie ,

Lest we forget that we must die .

F irfi l 1 1 a e d 77 . Jennings , Joseph , was from in He lived at 5 b l . the place lately owned y George Bissel He died August ,

1 780 - b , at the age of sixty four . He left sons , Justin , Reu en , h Charles and Joseph . T ey all left town soon after the death of their father .

an in V Johns , Benjamin , was early settler the alley , and 1 752 lived on the Burr place . He sold out in to Samuel Smith , and removed into the State of New York , near the late residence

- ox . of Moses Clark , in North East . He died of the small p

v b Jones , E an , was the first settler upon the place owned y Wi Deacon lliam M . Smith , which was the old parsonage of Par

$ son Smith . He came with the first settlers , from Hebron , and

1 750 . remained in the town till , when he sold out to the Rev

John Searl .

l n Juckett , E ijah , was origi ally from old Plymouth Colony ,

Massachusetts . He served faithfully and honorably through the

Revolutionary war, and was a sergeant in the light infantry L F under General a ayette . He was in the severe conflict at Stony b W Point, when that post was taken y General ayne , as well as in w 1 1 H e as 8 8 . several other battles . a pensioner under the act of

1 8 - 39 . He died in , at the age of seventy eight

l O E s Kel ogg , liver , q , was from Sheffield , Massachusetts , and 1 78 settled in Sharon in 8 . He was a clothier by trade , and lived ’ in fiuen at Hitchcock s Corner . He was a highly respectable and z b tial citi en , and was a representative to the Assem ly at sixteen sessions . He was also for many years one of the magistrates of

. 1 7 1 830 . the town He died Sept . , , at the age of seventy t Ketcham , Elihu , was the first set ler on the Bates place , so n o w b 1 748 to called , owned y Mr . Liner . This he sold in John 1 753 he Marvin , Jr . From that time to lived near the school house in the Boland district , when he left the town . 4 W 178 . King , George , was from indsor , in He had pre v iously been connected with the commissary department of the b army , and at the close of the war esta lished himself as a b h . merchant , in company wit Eli Mills He prosecuted usiness

138 HISTORY OF TH E TOWN OF SHARON .

Epitaph . m In me ory of Deacon Joseph Landers , who died

31 1 801 79 . August , , aged

’ E n tomb d in earth , beneath this stone , b My aged ody lies at rest , W b ’ ith this terrestrial all I ve done , b And now reside among the lest .

Far from confusion here I lie , And calmly rest my hoary head

My loving friends , prepare to die , ’ For there s no peace but with the dead .

1 743 . Lewis , Samuel , was from Hebron . in He was the first 9th in m settler on the lot the first hundred acre division , the sa e

l . where Ichabod Everitt now lives , in El sworth He continued in town about thirty years , and then removed to New Ashford , r Massachusetts . His son , Samuel Lewis , J . , was a soldier in the early part of the Revolutionary war , and a history of his captivity in England , and his escape , is given in the former part i of th s work . He died soon after his return , leaving a wife and three children .

W 1 765 . Lillie , David , was from indham , in He settled in Ga P y street, and built the house now owned by Mr . rindle . He O 0 removed to hio about the year 1 80 .

l a 1 784 Lockwood , Nathanie , was from New Can an , in ,

and purchased the farm on the mountain known as the , Lock ’ 26 1 785 wood place , near Mr . Jewett s . He died Feb . , , at the

- age of thirty three , of consumption . His widow afterwards W married John illiams .

Lord , Jonathan , was from Colchester , and was one of the b 43 1 7 . first inha itants of Ellsworth , where he settled in He

u E s . lived where Horace D nbar, q , now lives He died in 1 7 60 .

E s Lord, Joseph , q , was a son of the preceding , and came to the town with his father in 1 743 . He was for many years the only Justice of the Peace in Ellsworth . He was for several O years a selectman , and member of the Assembly in ctober ,

- 1 777 28 1 778 fif t . . Oct . He died , , at the age of y eight He was the first person buried in the burying yard no w used in

Ellsworth . S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF S HARON . 39

Lott , Baltus . This individual appears to have been a b squatter upon the public lands efore the township was sold . b b He was pro a ly a Dutchman , and had taken possession of a b considera le tract of land in Connecticut and New York , and b had erected a house and barrack , and made considera le clear b ings . His territory em raced what is now called the Burr farm . ff b u The proprietors made many e orts to remove him , t he resisted 1 742 them all until March , when Joseph Skinner purchased his 300 possessions for pounds old tenor , and he went away . He afterwards lived in the north part of Amenia , New York .

Lovell , John , came to this part of the country from Roch

s 1 745 . O ester , Mas , in He first settled in blong , New York , E 7 s . 1 70 where George H . Swift , q , now lives In he removed to 2d Sharon , and purchased of David Boland the home lot, where

- f 3 his great grandson , Cha fee Lovell now lives . He died Nov . ,

1 789 fif - t . , at the age of y eight His only son , Captain Joshua b Lovell , who was a respecta le citizen of the town , lived upon 1 838 the same place until his death , in February , at the age of

- seventy one .

Lovell , Joseph , was from Rochester , Massachusetts . He but 1 767 35 first settled in Kent , in he purchased the th lot in the first hundred acre division , of Samuel Hollister , Jr . He lived at what was formerly known as the Cluxton place , on the

’ road leading east from Caleb Chapman s . He had two sons ,

Levi and Joseph .

Manrow o rwalk 1 744 . , Joseph , was from N , in He settled on the

’ w t s th e . e e t corner Opposite John S J , and old orchard which he 1 750 planted is still standing . In he exchanged farms with D Matthew Fuller , and removed to the mountain , near avid ’ 1 752 b Curtis . In he sold this place to John Jackson , and ecame

- the owner of a grist mill near the Bates place . This property he

1 757 d . sold in to Davi Hamilton , and removed from the town

M n r w b a o , Noah , was for more than forty years an inha itant 51 i 1 7 . of Mudgetown . He came from Salisbury in He l ved b on the borders of the Pond , in a house lately destroyed y fire , 5 1 793 then owned by Capt . Benjamin Lines . He died May , , at

- n the age of sixty four . He left sons , Noah , You glove , Daniel , and Philo . 3 1 77 . Marchant , Amos , from Newtown , came to Sharon in He bought of Ebenezer Sprague the home lot on which Cal

E s b h vin Gay , q , lived , and built the rick house owned by t at 140 HISTORY OF TH E TOWN OF SHARON .

- . h l m gentleman He was one of t e v ict s of the small pox , which swept over the town with such terrible severity in 1 784 . He had b W sons , Joseph , Ash el , heeler and Elijah .

Epitaph .

- In memory of Amos Marchant , who died of the small pox 62 1 9 1 784 . Dec . , , aged

Though death be potent as a king , ’ en v n o m d And wounds with his e sting ,

Yet faith fresh vigor will impart , r b To o the tyrant of his dart .

1 765 . Marriner , Capt . Ephraim , was from Colchester , in r A , , He settled in bel street where mStephen Tickne lived and lived there until 1 786 . He then re oved to the north part of

1 8 10 . the town , and resided there till his death in He was a 1 787 O member of the Assembly in May , and in May and ctober 7 1 88 . He had two sons , Ephraim and Buel , who removed to

Co . Yates , New York , several years since .

P was 1 764 . Marsh , elatiah , from Lebanon in He settled in the east part of the town , where his grandson , Elijah Marsh , i - . 8 1 790 . l ved He died April , , at the age of eighty three His son , Jesse Marsh , father of Elijah Marsh , lived at the same place , O 25 1 822 . and died ctober , . at the age of eighty

W 1 786 . Martin, Eliphalet, was from indham in He first set tled l where Adonijah Maxam ived in the Hollow , which place had

’ v previously been owned by Da id Barrows . He afterwards pur chased of Dr . Samuel Rockwell , the Elmer place , near the stone bridge , where he resided till his death . He was much employed 1 1 1 801 in the business of the town . He died April , , at the age of

- forty seven .

b r or walk 1748 . Marvin , John , J . , was from N in He ought of l mi E ihu Ketcham , the farm called the Bates place , about one le easterly from the meeting house , and lived there . He was also a

- part owner in the iron works at the mouth of Mudge pond . In 1 752 , he sold the Bates place to his father , who then removed to

- . 9 1 4 77 . . the town , and who died Feb . , , at the age of ninety six Mr 1 756 1768 Marvin was a member of Assembly in May and . In 1 770 he he removed to Brook Haven , Long Island , where resided l 1 783 ti l his death in .

1 42 W HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF SHARON .

Epitaph .

a In memory of De con Gain Miller , who died

- 1 6 1 8 9 . . 0 Nov , , aged ninety three

’ ’ lon d I ve g to join the heavenly song , Of anthems ever new ,

To Father , Son , and Holy Ghost ,

And bid the world adieu .

Mudge , Ebenezer, was one of the original proprietors of the

-fif h e . t town, and was from Colch ster He drew the twenty home b lot , lying on oth sides of town street , and embracing the place now owned by Charles L . Prindle and Baldwin Reed on the west , W and by Deacon A . C . oodward , Estate of Reuben Hunt , M r .

h . 1 743 . t e Terrett and Mr Skinner , on east In he settled on the

’ western border of Skinner s Pond , as it was then called . Here 2 1 1 758 -fiv e he lived until his death April , , at the age of seventy , b b He had six sons , viz . Samuel . Mica , A raham , E enezer , Jarvis

v and Joseph . Samuel li ed on the place now owned by Baldwin 2 d 1 772 . Reed , , which he sold in , to Job Gould , Jun Mica lived

m . a while in Ellsworth , and was a part owner of the first ill near ’ Wm E m n y . o s s . He removed to Albany count , New York , in b 1 758 . m Abraha lived at the Griswold place , now owned y Sol 1 763 he omon Bierce . Ebenezer removed to Canaan in , where

1 775 . lived till when he removed to New Ashford , Mass Jarvis settled on the homestead , but he soon sold it to Noah Munroe , and left the town . Thus , this numerous and respectable family had all left the town previous to the revolutionary war , but the beautiful lake on whose borders they settled will commemorate their name through all succeeding time . h l 743 W r fie d 1 . . et e s North , Capt Thomas , was from in He w was one of the first proprietors of the iron works in the Hollo .

- as He lived on the twenty sixth home lot , known the Captain

Patchen place , now owned by Mr . Chase , He served as select man for several years . He removed into the state of New York 7 in 1 53 .

Noyes , Calvin , was from Lyme , and was a direct descendant of the Rev . Mr . Noyes , the first minister of that town . He came 1 792 to Sharon in , and purchased a large and valuable real estate ’ in the neighborhood of Benedict s mill , where he resided . He was u hi disting ished for s public spirit , and for his many acts of pri vate charity . He lived a bachelor , and for the last few years of his life was entirely blind . By his last will he gave the greater S TH E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 1 43

n part of his estate to the Co gregational society in Sharon , the

American Education Society , the Connecticut Missionary Society b and the Connecticut Bi le Society . Each of those societies has received nearly seventeen hundred dollars from his estate . He died at the residence of his brother , Deacon Moses Noyes , in V 22 1 831 t . . Poultney , , January , , at the age of eighty

b an Noyes , Selden , was a younger rother of the preceding , d 2 1 79 . came with him from Lyme in He lived where Clark M . k uc et . J t now lives He was cut off in early life by consumption .

He left sons , Milton , Selden and John .

Epitaph .

Sacred to the memoryof Selden Noyes ,

5 1 804 - who died July , , aged thirty four years .

’ Though death s cold stroke the bond has broke ,

That joined the hand and heart , ’ Ye t should they stand at Christ s right hand ,

They never more can part .

O Litchfield 1 764 . rton , John , was from , in He married a daughter of Deacon Joseph Landers , and settled on the place now b W w Owned y George R . ood ard , which originally belonged to

John Davis . He left two sons , Joseph and Luther .

Epitaph . O 9 1 785 memory of John rton , who died April , ,

- in the forty second year of his age .

b In prime of life he yields his reath , W hile weeping friends lament his death ,

But death must yield , his dust restore ,

Where friends shall meet but weep no more .

il P . ardee , Lieut John , the patriarch of the numerous fam y P of ardee , in Sharon , was from Norwalk , and was an original

“ proprietor . He was a shoemaker and tanner by occupation , and

- b . settled near the stone ridge , north of the meeting house He f was a leading and prominent man in all the af airs of the town , and was a very large landholder . He was one of the first h representatives of t e town in the legislature , being elected such O b 1 755 in cto er , , when the the town was first represented in 1 W 44 HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON .

that body ; and he was chosen to that ofii ce at six sessions . -

- 1 3 1 766 . He died July , , aged sixty nine He had six sons who u settled in the town , and whose descendants are very numero s , viz , Thomas , Jehiel , John , James , George and Moses . Thomas settled on the mountain , where Josiah Brown now lives , and i he was the father of the late Capt . Samuel Pardee . He d ed

- 1 1 806 . August , , at the age of eighty four Jehiel settled where P l e Clark ardee iv d , and was grandfather to the last named gentleman . John settled in the Great Hollow , and he was the E s father of the late Isaac Pardee , q . James lived on the home

ui b . lot, and b lt the rick house now known as the Pardee house

George and Moses lived just north of the stone bridge . Thomas b and James were mem ers of the Assembly several times , as was their nephew , the late Isaac Pardee , Esq . This last named 8th 1 825 gentleman died , very suddenly , on the day of May , , at

- the age of seventy six .

P ark , Joseph , was from Middletown and was the first settler on the place owned by the heirs of the late Samuel Beecher . In 1 746 v He sold his farm to Nathaniel Richards , and remo ed u to Salisb ry . He had two sons , Smith and Daniel . Smith W ’ i 1 780 h lived near George hite s , unt l , w en he sold the place to Y Benjamin Conklin , and removed to New Canaan, N . . , where 1 762 he died . Daniel lived where Mr . E . Mallery now lives , until ,

Penn o er . when he sold the place to John y , and left the town

1 6 P . 7 3 . arsons, Capt Enoch , w as from Newtown , in He was a carpenter by trade , and settled where his great grandson , Fred

a . erick L . P rsons , now lives Being a man of more than a com f or mon education those days , he was appointed , for many years , “ ” to line the psalm , agreeable to the ancient manner of singing in public worship . He served as selectman and constable for l O several years , and was a member of the Assemb y in ctober ,

1 795 O 29 - n 1 1 8 . . He died ctober , , aged eighty ine He left four

n A mideus . sons , Stephen , Freeman, E och and

P mW 1 783 atchen , Abel , was fro elton , in He purchased of

Badcock -S - Zebulon the south half of the twenty ixth home lot , ’ originally Deacon Skinner s , and kept a public house during his O 79 l . 1 8 ife He was a representative to the Assembly in ctober , ,

99 9 1 fif - 1 7 . 805 t . and May , He died April , , at the age of y three V He had one son Stephen , who emigrated to ermont in early life . ll . . a His three daughters , Mrs Skiff, Mrs . Lowry and Mrs Chase , widows, are now deceased .

S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF S HARON . 145

. b S Peck , Dr A ner , was a ph y sician , and came to haron in 1 7 51 b u , . . from Salis ury He p rchased a, place of Luke St John , a W ’ little south of Joel L . hitford s . He was cut off by the small O 1 1 1 756 pox ctober , , , leaving a widow and two daughters . Pen n o er 1 y , John , came from Stamford in 742 . He purchased

- - b a part of the twenty second home lot , originally owned y Samuel b Calkin , eing the place where the la te Gen . Augustine Taylor

. 1 749 lived He sold this place in , to his son John , and removed w W to the state of New York , here the late Charles right lived , in

. 1 769 the town of North East He returned to Sharon in , and b purchased the place at the head of the street , now owned y

. b 1 1 1 785 Chesterfield King He died Decem er , , at the age of

- . b seventy eight He had sons , Jonathan , John , Joseph and Jaco .

1 761 . b b Jonathan died in John uilt the rick house , known as the W Taylor House , and also the one formerly owned by Dr . John . 1 7 . 85 Smith , in which latter place he kept a tavern In he

Y . e . . remov d to Hudson , N , where he died Joseph settled in the Y N E . . town of orth ast , N , and he was the father of the late b Pen n o er . Jonathan y Jaco , the youngest son , owned the place 1 h . . 8t now owned by Geo Skinner He was killed on the of May , 1 814 , on the top of King Hill , so called , by the oversetting of his

- wagon , at the age of seventy six .

Petit , Jonathan , was from Stamford , at the earliest settle

- - t e . ment of h town He owned the thirty second home lot, and he lived on the road which is now discontinued , leading north W ’ b from Joel C . hitford s . He was much employed in pu lic 1 772 f b . a fairs . He was consta le nine years He died in , at an advanced age .

Petit , Samuel , was a son of John Petit , of Stamford , and a nephew of the preceding . He lived in the north part of the town ’ 8 th 1 826 near Benedict s mill . He died on the day of July , , aged

- eighty eight . He left one son , Gideon , who died without issue

f - 1 1 829 fi t . January , , aged y seven o Petit , Joel , was a br ther of the preceding , and was for many

ah . . years _ inhabitant of Sharon He lived to a very advanced age E s His son , Joel T Petit , q , was a young gentleman of great

. promise , who was educated for the law , and settled in the town

After a short professional career he died of consumption , Septem

- 1 3 1 807 . ber , , aged thirty two

a Pr tt , Jonathan , was originally from the old Plymouth col 7 1 53 . ony , and came to Sharon in He first lived in the Hollow , near the outlet of Mudge Pond , and was a partner in the iron * 1 9 W 1 46 HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON .

1 754 works . In he removed to the south part of the town , and b 1 7 n l . settled where Stephen K ib oe now lives He died Fe ruary ,

1 781 - , aged sixty one .

b 1 783 . Pratt , Capt . A raham , was from Saybrook , in He pur of chased Moses Reed the place on which he lived , in the north b part of the town , now owned y James Landon , and commenced m business as a shoe aker . He acquired a handsome estate , and enjoyed a large share of the public confidence . He served as selectman for many years , and was otherwise much employed in b 2d the usiness of the town . He died much lamented , on the of

1840 - March , , aged eighty one . His only surviving child was the E s O . wife of Henry Reed , q , of hio All his other children were off cut by consumption in early life . uitterfield Q , Abner , is supposed to have come from Norwalk , 1 752 in . He lived in the south part of the town , on the road ’

W . leading from the school house to George R . oodward s He

. Y 1 768 . removed to Stillwater , N . , in W 1753 w s . Randall , John , was from areham , Mas , in His ife , who was the daughter of John Bates was the first female and the w second child born in the town . He lived on the farm now o ned W ’ w . . . e ett s by illiam S Marsh , a little south of Mr J He died of

9 0 - 1 1 8 7 . a cancer , May , , at the age of eighty two W 1 48 b . In 7 . Raymond , Daniel , came from ood ury He lived

b b b w . on the place formerly occupied y Zenas Bee e , elo George R W ’ 60 . 1 7 oodward s He sold out to Deacon Landers , in , and left the town .

Reed , Moses , was the first settler on the place lately owned by 1 743 . a . Capt Abrah m Pratt He came to Sharon in , and died b 1 7 1 786 Novem er , , at the age of ninety . He left one son , Moses

Reed , Jr . 57 was W 1 7 . Rexford , Arthur , from allingford , in He lived

’ in Ellsworth , a little south of Enoch P . Everett s . He had four sons , Arthur , Joseph , Daniel and Benjamin .

W M 1 774 . Rice , Asa , was from allingford , now eriden , in He lived in Ellsworth , where Enoch P . Everett now lives . He died

1 785 . in , leaving sons , Asa , Seth , Isaac and Barnabas 1 744 Richards , Nathaniel , was from Norwich , in , and settled b on the lot lately owned y Samuel Beecher , now a part of Charles ’ 1 763 Benton s farm . He died in , and the property passed into W the hands of George hite . There are none of his descendants

now remaining in the town .

148 HISTORY OF TH E TOWN OF S HARON .

fi child was the mother of Joel Cha ee . Mark lived where George was e Bissell formerly lived . Luke a tailor by trad , and lived b where Josiah Hull lived . These last two removed to Stock ridge , ’

W . Mass . John lived a little south of Joel C . hitford s He died

- 3 . . 0 1 784 Dec , . at the age of sixty two

1756 . St . John , Timothy , came from Norwalk , in He lived b 28 1 806 where C . M . Dean now lives . He died Novem er , , at the

- E s ré age of seventy four . His only son , Daniel St . John , q , moved to Hartford , where he lived much respected to a very advanced age .

St . John , Daniel , was a brother of the preceding , and came

h . to Sharon in 176 1 . He lived w ere the late Ezekiel St John in 1 78 1 lived . He was a blacksmith by occupation . He died , leaving sons , Thomas , Lewis, Uriah and Caleb .

St . John , Silas , was also a brother of Timothy and Daniel St .

v John . He li ed in Ellsworth near the place where his grandson ,

Henry St . John , now lives . He was the first deacon of the church in Ellsworth , and was for several years town treasurer .

- 21 1805 . He died September , , at the age of sixty four

1 768 Sanford , Amos , was from Newtown , in . He lived oppo ’ b site Frederick L . Parson s present residence . He died Decem er

1 9 1 777 - , , aged forty four , leaving sons , David , Ezra , John , Samuel , b Cale , Salmon and Amos .

Sears , Capt . Stephen, was originally from Barnstable , Mass . ’ n His pare ts settled at a place called Jo s Hill , in the town of South

1 760 . East , Putnam county , N . Y . He came to Sharon in He h lived w ere his grandson , Benjamin Sears , lived . He was a car enter p and joiner by trade , and in that capacity superintended 1 6 the erection of the meeting house built in 7 8 . He died of the w was yello fever in New York , where he at work at his trade , in 1 791 w . He was the father of Dr . John Sears . His wido died

8 1834 ni - February , , at the age of nety four .

1 772 Shepherd , Dr . Asher , came from Hartford , in , and was

. m bus ess . a partner with Dr Simeon Smith , in the druggist He b uilt the house known as the Grosvenor house , opposite Richard ’ 1 778 1 774 . V Smith s , in In he removed to Bennington , t , and

kept a druggist store successively at Bennington and Rutland , 1 7 where he died in 88 . S TH E W S 4 HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 1 9

Skiff , Benjamin , was from the town of Chilmark , on the ’ V 7 4 island of Martha s ineyard , and came to Sharon in 1 7 . He lived in Ellsworth , where Giles Skiff now lives . He died Feb ru ar 20 1 8 1 1 the - . W y , , at age of seventy four He had sons , alter ,

John , Seth and Benjamin .

Skiff , Samuel , was a cousin of the preceding and came from l the same p ace . He lived where Gibbs Skiff now lives . He died 1 825 bb in , leaving sons , Samuel , Arvin , Gi s and Asa . E s Skinner , Nathaniel , q , was from Colchester , and was one of the first and principal proprietors of the township . He drew

- the twenty sixth home lot , known as the Patchen place , where

Mr . Chase now lives . He was ths first magistrate , first town

‘ an d o clerk first deacon f the church . He remained in town 1 760 until , when he removed to Salisbury , and was an owner of

’ he t . mill now known as Benedict s mill He had sons , Nathaniel ,

Thomas , Joseph and Josiah . There are none of the family now residing in the town .

. a . b Smith , Rev Cotton M ther Many allusions have een o b made , in the foreg ing pages , to the la ors and influence of

Parson Smith , in laying the foundations of society and shaping the early institutions of the town , as well as in giving impor tance to some portions of its history . It is thought that the following extract from an address , delivered by the Rev . Abel McE win g , of New London , at the centennial of the consocia Litchfield 1 852 b tion of County , in , will be accepta le to the reader , as pointing out facts of history and elements of character not before alluded to . It is unfortunate that the traditional ’ error , that Parson Smith s mother was a daughter of Cotton h b t e . Mather , had not been detected efore publication of Dr w ’ McE in s . g address She was a daughter of Atherton Mather , a cousin of Cotton Mather . b The Rev . Cotton Mather Smith was , y the original Con the sociation of the County , ordained pastor of church in Sharon , 27th 23d 1 755 . . Aug . , This office he held until his death Nov ,

1 806 . The name of Mr . Smith excites a curiosity , especially in a ’ New Englander , to inquire after this minister s ancestry . Had b he been only Mr . Smith he might have been orn anywhere , or he might have descended from some man in almost any place , but when we read or hear the title or name , Rev . Cotton Mather

Smith , our mind is carried back to the very early history of New

. England , and to some of the chief actors in its early scenes The paternal ancestry of this pastor of Sharon we trace back to 1 50 HISTORY OF TH E TO WN OF S HARON .

- t . his great grea grandfather , the Rev Henry Smith , who was a

W h r fi l minister of the gospel in et e s e d . He was a conspicuous b 1 639 b actor in the memora le scene of , when the inha itants of

W Wethe rsfield Hartford , indsor and constituted themselves the commonwealth called Connecticut . England , a paternal estate and an eligible position in society , he left that in this new land b he might enjoy the rights of conscience . His will , pu lished in

1 648 . the Colonial Records , informs us that he died in the year

- E s Suffi eld His great grandson , Samuel Smith , q , of , married erusha J Mather , and who was she

“ a The daughter of Rev . Cotton M ther , of Boston , grand of — d daughter the Rev . Increase Mather , and great gran daughter of the Rev . Richard Mather , of Dorchester , who fled from

England for conscience sake . The Rev . John Cotton , the very distinguished minister of the gospel in Boston , was the father of

- the wife of Increase Mather , and thus the great grandfather of the b uffield . lady who ecame Mrs . Smith , of S Her son , born O b 1 6 1 741 cto er , , she named Cotton Mather , and early did she destine him for the sacred profession of his ancestors . At Yale 1 751 College , when he graduated , , he was distinguished for b d amia le temper , bodily activity , graceful manners , in ustry and elegant literature . His studies preparatory for the ministry were W prosecuted under the instruction of the Rev . Mr . oodbridge , of b Hatfield , Mass . He ecame pastor of the church in Sharon fifteen years after the first settlement of that town , having for his

ffi W n . predecessor in o ce Mr Searle . he Mr Smith preached as a candidate in Sharon , a Mr . King , called Merchant King , was an o admiring hearer , and with becoming enthusiasm c operated with the people at large in compassing the settlement of the candidate .

Soon after this , however , the merchant was occasionally caught

‘ ’ un der rm n $ drowsing a se o . How is this a neighbor enquired

’ ‘ ’ I thought you were an admirer of Mr . Smith . Yes , Mr . King ‘ him replied I am . I attended to until I saw that he was a w orkman since then I have given it up to him . “ Soon after his settlement in Sharon , Mr . Smith connected

himself in marriage with the second daughter of the Rev . William W orthington , of Saybrook . This lady gladdened the heart of b her hus and , made his household happy and respectable , and ' h added much to t e effi ciency and popularity of his ministry .

The children of the family were six , the youngest of whom , the

only son who became an adult, was the Hon . John Cotton Smith ,

one of the governors of Connecticut .

52 HI STORY OF TH E TO WN OF SHARON .

the tidings from the pulpit . Anxiety for the issue of the war inflamed his bosom to s uch a heat that this domestic action did b 1 77 5 not satisfy him . Into the memora le campaign of he

“ entered as chaplain to a regiment in the northern army . His n influence in produci g order and good morals in the camp , in consoling the sick and in inspiriting the army with firmness and intrepidity attracted the attention of Gen . Schuyler , the

- in - m commander chief , and secured fro this worthy officer a respectful friendship for Mr . Smith for the residue of his life . Fe w men ever made more of domestic life than the subject of b this sketch . As a hus and and a father he sweetened his home , elevated his family as a father he may be said to have magni fi d e ffi . o his o ce Paul , an apostle to the Gentiles , s ught the salvation of the Jews . Mr . Smith , a father in full to his own children , was also a father to the orphan children of his parish . Of no less than eighteen of those isolated young creatures had he b the principal charge , and ten of them have often een sitting at his table at a time . The theology of Mr . Smith was that of the

Calvinistic school . A polish of style and a sweetness of affection gave interest to his preaching , while fidelity to the conscience of his oWer hearers gave it p . He was among the few pastors who lived to preach their half century sermon . He looked down upon a few of the survivors of the early years of his ministry upon the middle - aged and youth whom he had begotten in the n the gospel , and upon the mass whom he had indoctri ated from the Bible , and to the God of all , he said in the text chosen for — Now lettest th u th servan t de a r t in eace or mine occasion o y p p , f e es h h — 29 - 3 w ave seen t sa lva ti n 0 . s y y o Luke ii , This sermon a preached one year before his death . In it he stated that in the course of his ministry he had preached more than four thousand b un pu lic discourses , besides more than fifteen h dred at funerals and other special occasions . He preached for the last time on b l 1 806 . the first Sa bath of January , From this time he anguished b with a su missive spirit until a disease , which terminated his 27 h f ” life Nov . t O the same year .

Smith , Hon . John Cotton , the most eminent citizen of the was a son b town , of Rev . Cotton Mather Smith , and was orn

1 2 . 1 765 . February , A . D He was graduated at Yale College in 1 783 bar Litchfield 1 786 , admitted to the of county in , and mar E v r n Y O b e tso . . ried to Miss Margaret , of Amenia , N , in cto er of

W . E s the same year . Their only child , the late illiam M Smith , q , 1 87 7 . . was born in August, Mr Smith was soon introduced into S TH E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 1 53

n b the active duties of his profession in his ative town , y reason of b the pecuniary em arrassments of the community , in consequence of the Revolutionary war , and particularly from the extensive b ff and em arrassed a airs of his uncle , Dr . Simeon Smith , who V removed to ermont , leaving the managemen t of his extensive and complicated concerns in the hands of his young and in ex per ien ced nephew . Through unwearied exertions he was able to extricate the aff airs of his uncle from a nearly hopeless condition b y the full payment of all just demands against him , and leaving

him at last in the enjoyment of a handsome estate . It is but

justice to his uncle to say , that he , having no children of his own , b made ample compensation to his nephew , by the equest in his b will of a large and valua le estate . He was first elected to the 1 793 b legislature in , and was very frequently a mem er , and twice 1 800 w as b speaker before , when he elected a mem er of Congress .

Six There he remained years , when the declining health of his father compelled his resignation . He was immediately elected to the legislature of the State , and represented the town without 1 809 intermission till , and held the place of speaker at each ses O sion . He was then elected to the Council , and in the ctober session of the same year , was appointed a Judge of the Supreme 1 8 1 1 1 81 3 Court . In he was elected Lieutenant Governor , and in l Governor of his native state . In this Office he was continued ti l 1 817 when the public voice demanded a change in the form of the o f b n government the State , and the su stitution of a writte con stitution for the less stable provisions of the Charter of King 2 d . Charles the Governor Smith , not sympathizing with

he t majority on this question , retired to private life and lived , b n . for nearly thirty years , a private citize of Sharon In pu lic life , he was never appointed to a position which he was not fully b b competent to fill . As a presiding officer in a deli erative assem ly b n he had no peer , and although while he was a mem er of Co gress , except for one short term , he was associated in principle and l fee ing with the minority , he was called upon to preside in com b mittee of the whole more frequently than any other mem er . b The late Luther Holley , an eminent citizen of Salis ury , who had been a member of the Legislature when Governor Smith was

a Se man l speaker , once remarked th t he had never en a who cou d take a paper from the table and lay it back again so handsomely as could John Cotton Smith . * 20 W 154 HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON . In private life Governor Smith was a fine specimen of the polished christian gentleman . He devoted some of his time to reviewing the studies of his early life , and in the preparation of useful and entertaining articles for the more elevated literary periodicals . He was for several years President of the American

Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions , and of the Ameri b can Bi le Society , which latter office he retained till his death ,

7 h . 1 845 t b . which occurred on the day of Decem er , A D , when he

- had nearly reached the age of eighty one years .

' H is f uneral 9th b a was attended on the , y a l rge and sympa thiz in g audience , and a very appropriate discourse was delivered b y the Rev . Grove L . Brow nell , then Congregational pastor at A n x x v . . Sharon , from I Sam . , . , I . At the grave , the Rev Mr drews , then of Kent , uttered the following remarks , which found a response in every heart

In I return thanks behalf of the mourners , for all the kind ness you have shown to our departed friend during his sickness , We and for the honors you have now paid to his memory . all feel h b that a great man as fallen in Israel . Beyond the osom of his family , in whose inmost affections his memory will be em n balmed beyond the circle of his tow smen , among whom most of his blameless and dignified life was passed beyond the border of his native State , which delighted to honor him , and which he faithfully served in many and most distinguished stations , even h throughout our common country , w ose counsels he helped to guide in times of darkness and peril and especially in the to Church of God , which he freely gave the light of his wisdom b e and the aid of his benefactions , will his death mourned as a One b calamity . of the noblest of the men of the former and et

‘ ’ ter age has been taken from us , and we ne er shall look upon ’ B u . t his like again our joy and boast this day is , not that he was a statesman of enlarged insight not that he was a scholar of refined taste not that he was a gentleman in whose deportment b b dignity and courtesy were so remarka ly lended , the observed ’ of all observers ; bu t that he was a meek and humble disciple of Christ , rejoicing in the consolations , reverencing the ordinances and laboring for the advancement of the Christian him Faith . And we have laid in the grave in the hope of a blessed resurrection , assured that the spirit which now rests in peace , shall , at the coming of our King , be reunited to the body , ” then raised and glorifie d after the likeness of our Lord . Amen .

E W 1 56 HISTORY OF TH TO N OF S HARON .

now demolished . He was a constable of the town for a great 2 8 1 825 . number of years . He died March , , at the age of ninety P Smith , Dr . hineas , was a son of Dan Smith , an elder brother of Rev . Cotton M . Smith . He came to Sharon when young , and resided with his uncle Dr Simeon Smith , by whom he was educated as a physician . He relinquished the practice b and engaged in mercantile pursuits . He uilt the house owned 4 1 4 E s . 79 by the late Cyrus Swan , q He died June , , at the age of forty .

b P Smith , Apollos , was the younger rother of hineas Smith , who came to Sharon in early life , and resided with his uncle ,

Dr . Smith , by whom he was assisted in establishing an exten b rofit sive pottery efore the revolutionary war , which proved a p b u l a le business . He b i t the brick house owned by Dwight W V 1 802 St . . t . John He removed to est Haven , , in , where he died a few years after .

P Smith , Deacon Paul , Jr was a son of aul Smith , and was ffi Su eld 1 763 . born in , in He came to Sharon with his father . and resided here until his death . He was elected a deacon of 1 793 offi the church in . and discharged the duties of that ce

- was with great fidelity and acceptance for forty six years . He a man of great sweetness of temper , modest and unobtrusive in his manners , and the principles of the holy religion which he b professed were eautifully exhibited in his daily walk . He h 30t 1838 . died without an enemy on the day of September , He had sons , Seabury , Chauncey and Richard . Chauncey died in

Missouri some years since .

Litchfield in Smith , David , was from , and came to Sharon i Ou a on ic hi 1 801 . s t s He l ved on the river , where son , the late

Hon Horatio Smith , resided . He joined the Society of Friends in 1 781 b , and is supposed to be the only mem er of that society that H e 3d 1 826 ever resided in Sharon . died April , , at the age of

- v seventy three . He left sons , Da id , John , Horatio , Ransom and Gad— the latter was a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal off Church , of decided promise , who was cut by consumption in early life . ff Spa ord , Thomas , was an original proprietor , from Lebanon , the and drew thirteenth home lot , on which Samuel Beecher Not w lived . being satisfied ith his lot he availed himself of the privilege accorded to each proprietor of throwing it into the com mon stock , and in lieu of it laid out a home lot about half a mile

1 58 HISTORY OF TH E TOWN OF S HARON .

Epitaph . b In memory of Mr . Cale Strong , who died

- 22 1 789 . August , , aged seventy six

Our mortal breath

Must yield to death .

Strong , Josiah , was originally from Colchester , but lived i hfi l 1 747 L tc e d . awhile in He came to Sharon in , and settled w w - here Richard Woodward no lives . He died of the small pox

1 761 J . in , leaving sons , osiah , Elijah , Solomon , David and Joseph a He was a selectman of the town for sev eral years . D vid was a lieutenant in the continental army .

“

Strong, Josiah Jun . , was a son of the preceding , and was 1 6 1 758 l born in Sharon , June , . His life was eventfu as illus ratin t g the dangers and sufferings of a revolutionary soldier , in the course of two years active service . He enlisted into Capt . ’

1 776 . Down s company in , and marched to Canada He was taken prisoner with the rest of the company , at the Cedars , on 1 9 h the t of May following . They were released by General

Arnold , on his return from Quebec , and Mr . Strong returned ’ to Sharon . He immediately enlisted into Captain Smith s com

W . pany , and joined the army under General ashington He was b W in the attles of hite Plains , Trenton , Princeton , Brandywine and Germantown , in which last action he was so severely wounded in the leg as to render amputation necessary . He was ,

v of course , compelled to lea e the army , but he carried with him n h a o norable m W . _ discharge fro General ashington He was placed upon the roll of invalid pensioners . He died lately at

Geneva , N . Y .

s 1 771 . Studley , Joshua , was from Hanover , Mas , in He 22 settled in the south part of Ellsworth . He died November , 1 81 0 , at the age of sixty eight . He left two sons , Gideon and b Icha od .

1 745. Swain , John , was from Branford , in He lived near the 1 755 place where Rossiter B . Hopkins now lives . He died in , i leav ng sons , Daniel , James , Isaac and Jonathan .

E s in 1 770 . Swan, Cyrus , q , was born in Stonington , He was in early life engaged in mercantile pursuits , in the District b of Maine . He afterwards pursued the study of law , and esta lished himself in the practice in this town in 1 798 . He was a and b successful practitioner, acquired a respecta le standing at

- 20 1 835 five . the bar . He died August , , aged sixty S T H E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 159

w S etland , Rowland , was the first settler onthe place where

. 1 768 Lyman Merwin lives He sold his place in , to Daniel Cur

, in tice and removed to the Lyman place the Great Hollow , where he died .

, . Taylor Gen Augustine , was from New Milford in 1 784 . b He purchased of Ro ert G . Livingston , who had come to Sharon during the revolutionary war , the place now called the Taylor 1 8 1 5 n place , where he resided until , whe he left the town . He

rose to the rank of major general in the militia , and for awhile commanded the troops which were stationed for the defence of

New London , during the late war with England . He died soon after he removed .

Thurston , Amos , lived in the Great Hollow , near the school

. In 1 768 house He came to Sharon , and remained here until 1 785 b b , when he sold his place to E enezer Dib le , and removed to

s . Ball town , N Y . e W b 1 739 . Tickn r , illiam , was from Le anon in He drew the

’ - — thirty eighth home lot , next north of Mr . Sprague s , in Gay Street .

b . 1 760 He was a respecta le man He died in , l eaving sons , W illiam , Jonathan and Daniel , who all left town soon after the death of their fath er ,

o an d Tickner , J hn , was a brother of the preceding , came 1 749 from Lebanon in . He settled in the Great Hollow , on land which his father had previously bought of Bezaleel Tyler . He

- died at the age of forty nine . He left sons , John , Benajah , Elisha and David . Benajah was the father of Dr . Benajah Tickner of b the U . S . navy , and of Dr . Luther Tickner , of Salis ury

b . To ey , Elisha , was from the old Plymouth colony He lived 1 792 for many years where Stephen Kn ibloe now lives . In he b removed to Alford , Mass . He died in Salis ury , on his way to b visit his friends in Sharon . He had sons , Jonathan , Barna as ,

m . Heman , Sylvanus , Ephrai , Elisha and Benjamin

Tyler , Bezaleel , was from Branford , and was the first settler on the place now owned and occupied by Dr . Deming . He died

- 29 1 760 . August , , at the age of seventy seven He left sons ,

Bezaleel , Benjamin , Amos , Charles , Gideon , Timothy and

Nathaniel . 70 W W 1 7 . aldo , Cyprian , was from indham in He purchased

- - of Gideon Hollister , a part of the thirty sixth home lot , where

b . V irgil B . Ro erts now lives He resided there till his death in

Zaccheus . 797 . 1 . He left sons , Alfred , Bradford , David R and 1 60 HI STORY OF TH E TOW N OF S HARON . W arren , Lieut . James , lived on the place now owned and b n occupied y Edwi N . Hartwell . He had no children . He died

1 4 1 788 - May , , aged seventy six . Wa y , George , was from Lyme . He settled opposite the n b Deforest house in the Gay district , and lived there for a um er

- h had of years . He was the first grand juror in t e town . He one son , John , who lived on the hill west of Frederick L . Par ’ sons .

W W s was hite , George , was from areham , Mas , and the first settler on the place owned by Chesterfield Chapman . He came to

1 747 . Sharon in . He had three sons , John , George and Archelaus

A s 1 775 . John removed to lvord , Mas , where he died in He was

‘ m W ran df ath er of the father of the late Solo on hite , and g George W hite , now living . W b 1 775 . hite , Israel , was from Dan ury in He settled in the b Great Hollow , where he purchased a large and valua le farm of

W W . . 1 820 David ood Mr . hite died in , at the age of eighty nine

He had sons , James , John , Sanford , Israel and Stephen , and his descendants yet remaining in the town are numerous . W n ilso , Capt . John , came to Sharon after the revolutionary W war , from estchester County , N . Y . He finally settled in the P southeast part of Sharon , on a farm formerly owned by hinehas th D E s . Benjamin , now by aniel Hall , q He enlisted into e army of the revolution early in the war , and served faithfully till peace b was proclaimed . He was a man of intelligence , a Baptist y religious profession , and of much weight of character among his

20 1 849 - acquaintance . He died Jan , , at the age of eighty six years . W ] illiams , Co . John , was originally a physician , and came to 1 743 b Sharon in , from Le anon . He was for many years a very distinguished inhabitant of the town . He lived nearly opposite ’ an d Judge Sterling s , the house which he occupied was standing 1 745 S . sixty years ince He was elected town clerk in the fall of ,

- which office he held twenty nine successive years , till his death . P b b revious to his appointment the records had een adly kept, and a good part of them are very unintelligible but from the time they passed into his hands they were kept with great accuracy .

It would seem , that for nearly thirty years , he wrote almost every deed which passed title to real estate in Sharon , judging from the ack nowl fact that they were nearly all witnessed by him , and edged before him , and it is interesting to observe with what remarkable accuracy and strict legal propriety they are all

1 62 S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF S HARON . W W oodward, Deacon Abel , came from atertown to Sharon

- hl 1798 . z in He was a citi en of Ellsworth , and maintained a hig y reputable standing in t hat community during his protracted lif e .

- di 5 1 849 . He ed March , , aged nearly seventy eight years He had w W. R . t sons , David , Abel C and George , the two lat er of hom i st ll survive .

1 66 S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF SHARON .

Sell , confirm , convey and Confirm unto the said Jona Peck , his On e Heirs and Assignees forever , Right , Share or Allotment in

w b fif t - the To nship aforesaid , the same eing divided into y three

Equal Shares or Allotments , (exclusive of the Land granted to the

College , and all former Grants of the General Assembly that are surveyed and recorded in the public Records of the Colony , and are lying in said Township) with the priv eledges and appurtenances thereof or thereunto anywise belonging . To Have and to Hold the said granted Premises with all and Singular the

Appurtenances thereof , unto the said Jona Peck , His Heirs and l Assigns in manner and form fol owing , that is to say that at and t l i We un i the enseal ng hereof . by virtue of the power and authority to us granted as above have good Right to sell and dispose of the said granted premises , in manner aforesaid , and that the same is and S hall be a good and indefeasible Estate of Inheritance in Fee Simple and is free from all Incumbrances whatsoever, always provided , and these Presents are upon this i condit on . that if the said Jona Peck shall by Himself or his agent within the space of the full year next after the date hereof , enter upon the said granted premises , build and finish a House thereon, not less than Eighteen feet Square and Seven feet stud,

$ Subdue , clear and fence six acres of said land , and continue m thereon for the space of three successive years , com encing after the two years aforesaid (unless prevented by deat h or i nevitable Providence) , and do and perform all Duties and O b a S e . rders, p y all Taxes that hall granted Then the aforesaid e l n ul D ed shal remai in full force and virtue , but in defa t or neglect of all or either of the said articles the same shall be void ff and of none e ect . In witness whereof we have hereunto set 1 8th our hands and seals , this day of January , Anno Domini

1 738 .

Signed , Sealed and Dd . In presence of

P M E E LLs L s . JOHN ROUT , SA U L , . W L N wH aven Jo s . . s . on 3 3 e . C n . HITING,

S S S E M N L . s . JO IAH ROBIN ON , I AAC DICK R A ,

’ l W Then personally appeared Messrs . Sam l El s , Joseph hiting, ensealers ao Isaac Dickerman , the of the above Instrument , and knowledged the same to b e their free and voluntary act and

P . Deed before me , John rout , Justice Peace APPENDIX B .

E F TH E W F PAT NT O TO N O SHARON .

TH E GOVE R NOUR and Comp any of the E nglish Colony of

neectl’ eut in N ew E n land in A meri a : To all wh m h , g , c to o t ese

resen ts shall c me p o .

E E — I/Vhereas Gov ernour GR TING , The said and Company 1 1 th in General court assembled , at Hartford , on the day of May , 1 732 b A . D . , did order that a township should e laid out in the

Southwest parts of the country lands , on the west side of the

Ousaton ic . River , and appointed Messrs Edmond Lewis , Stephen W la Noble and illiam Gaylord a committee to y out the same . “ Whereas And , , In pursuance of said order , the said commit in ee u viz . t laid out the same , and bo nded it as follows , Beginn g f M o . at the Southwest corner of the township , it being a stake i s set in the ground and many stones laid to it , stand ng on the ea t side of a pond ; from thence the line runs south 12 degrees 30 P minutes west, with the line of partition between the rovince of

New York and the Colony of Connecticut , ni ne miles to a heap of stones laid on a rock , being in the aforesaid line of partition between the province of New York and the Colony of Connecti i t’ l cut, and is about two m les east of Captain Sacket s dwel ing house , which is the southwest corner bound of said township O 3 10 0 . and from thence the south line runs E . 3 four miles and 1 68 E W HISTORY OF TH TO N OF S HARON .

- Ousaton ic one half and one hundred and fifteen rods , to the v w Ri er , where they marked a hite ash tree and laid many stones b to it, for the southeast corner ounds of said township , and marked many trees and made many monuments in the said south line , which township in their surve y is called the township of N .

S . b M. , and is ounded north on the township of , south on b country lands , west on the aforesaid line of partition etween the Province of New York and colony of Connecticut and east Ousatonic a on the River , as by the return of s id committee bear O 1 732 7th . . ing date ctober , A D , entered on the records of said 4th v colony Liber . for patents , Deeds and sur ey of land , folio 472—3 ’ , in the Secretary s office , reference thereto being had more l ful y and at large may appear . “ Whe ea s Gov ernour And , r , The said and Company in Gen

l oth . . eral Court assembled , at Hartford , on the day of May , A D 1 733 , did enact that said township , among the townships then lately laid out, should be disposed of and settled according to such m ti e and regulations as the said assembly should order . And Whereas Go v rnOur l , The said e and Company in Genera Court 1 37 b . 7 assembled , at New Haven , A D . , y their act did order that t w fift - o nship should be divided into y three rights , one of which should be for the use of the ministry that should be settled in said town , according to the regulation in said act provided , one for the

first gospel minister settled as aforesaid , and one other right for the support of the school in said town , and ordered that fifty of said ul rights sho d be sold , and that the other three rights should be for the uses aforesaid and that the committee by said act ap ul Go vern our Co m pointed sho d sell , and , in the name of the and

v pany aforesaid , execute deeds of conveyance of the said se eral s right to the purchasers thereof respectively , with conditions to such deed annexed according to the directions in the said act con

' tained . W hereas And, , The said committee , in pursuance of and b according to said act , have sold , and y their several deeds under their hands and seals , have granted unto Samuel Hutchinson , P Nathaniel Skinner, Joh n Sprague , John ardee , and to the rest of the original purchasers of rights in said township , fifty rights or

fif t - y third parts of said township , upon condition as aforesaid , which township is now called and known by the name of Sharon . hereas P W . And , , Mr Peter ratt is settled in the ministry in said w to n , according to the directions aforesaid , their heirs or assigns e having perform d the conditions in the said deed expressed , and now moving for a more full confirmation o f the said lands sold and granted them as aforesaid .

S TH E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 1 69

, Go v e rn our b Now know ye that the said and Company , y virtue Of the powers granted and derived to them by His late ma estv b j King Charles the Second , of blessed memory , in and y

the b his Letters Patent , under great seal of England , earing date

the three and twentieth day of April , in the fourteenth year of

the his reign , and in presence of several acts an d orders of assem b h bly efore in t ese acts referred to , have therefore given , granted b and confirmed , and y these presents do fully , freely and abso lutel y give , grant , ratify and confirm for themselves and

their successors unto , to the said Samuel Hutchinson , Nathaniel

Skinner , John Sprague , John Pardee , and to the rest of the origi h to h nal purc asers aforesaid , and t eir heirs and assigns and such as legally represent or hold under them , in proportion to their h respective purchases , and in such proportion as t eir assignees

a and legal representatives do hold under them as afores id , the said fifty rights or fifty third parts , and to the said Peter

e the fif - Pratt , the said settled minist r , said one right or ty third n part of all the lands in the township of Sharo aforesaid , and the said two rights ordered for the use of the ministry and school in b said town , which two rights are here y granted and confirmed unto

a an d a ssi n the said purch sers and the said Peter Pratt , their heirs g s to and for the use aforesaid , and all and singular the lands , trees , - r fishin s woods , unde woods , ponds , rivers , g , fowlings , huntings a mines , minerals and precious stones within the s id township , o and all the rights , royalties , powers , privileges , pr fits and serv ices to the premises belonging . To have and to hold the said b be granted , or here y intended to granted , premises together with the privileges and appurtenances thereof , unto the said Samuel

Hutchinson , Nathaniel Skinner , John Sprague , John Pardee and

Peter Pratt , and to the rest of the said purchasers , and to their heirs and assigns and such as legally represent and hold under b them in manner as aforesaid , and to their only use , enefit and b es behoof as aforesaid forever , as a good , sure , and indefeasi le r i tate in fee simple to be holden of ou sovereign Lord the K ng , ’ his heirs an d successors as of his majesty s manor of East Green w ich ' in , the County of Kent and Kingdom of England , in fee ca ite and common socage , and not in p nor by Knights Service , yielding and paying therefor to his majesty King George the

Second , his heirs and successors , only the fifth part of all the ore of gold and silver that Shall b e there gotten or Obtained , in lieu of all other services , duties and demands . * 22 1 70 S E W HI TORY OF TH TO N OF SHARON .

In witness whereof the said Gov ern our and Company have caused these presents to be signed by the Gov ernour and Secre i a fi . t ry , and the publ c seal of the said Colony to be af xed Dated 2 6th Ma mi 1 747 . in Hartford , the day of y , Anno Do ni ,

LA W vern r . . G J , o o

By order of the Go vernour and Company of the Colony of t Connecticu in General Court assembled , May , Anno Domini ,

“ WYLLYS S ecr etar . 1 747 . GEORGE , y

Re v Ma 3oth 1747 . cei ed y , , and here recorded — O W LLYS S ec etar . Test GE RGE Y , r y

72 TH E W 1 HISTORY OF TO N OF SHARON .

P ~ Mr . ratt was ordained the first minister soon after the settle ment of the town—and continued in the ministry for 4 or 5 years and then was dismissed for intemperance and silenced— since dead .

Mr . Searl was ordained a few years after , and continued in 4 5 was the ministry for or years , and dismissed on account of his l — il state of health since dead .

28 h I was ordained on the t August 1 755 .

. 4. &c . Q How many parishes ,

, One Answer . at present though a committee has been ’ appointed by the Gen l Assembly to set off another parish and — have reported in favour of it and the matter is to be laid before s the As embly in May session for a confirmation .

5 W Q . . hen did the worship of God according to the mode b b Z‘ O . 850 . of the of England , W . 1 5 A hen I came to this place , there were families that ’ hh u . m C . belonged to that Com They erected a decent to eet in .

. v n w . a d as Mr Da ies was their first minister He soon died , suc — ceeded . P by Mr almer since dead .

“ Chh In the time of the late revolutionary war the . house b . n w fell , and never was rebuilt The mem ers dispersed , so that o ’ there is but two or three families that belong to that Com n re maining amongst us , and they have no meeting for public worship .

r Mr . Davies and M. Palmer both received orders from

n New Litchfield Engla d , and had the Charge of Milford , ,

&c . Sharon ,

6 . W &c . Q . hat public libraries , w A . A small library as procured in the time of the late 60 b war, which consisted of about vols . but the ooks but few of them were valuable . It is now in contemplation to procure a large and useful library but the business is not as yet completed .

7 W ‘ . t . 85 . 0 . I Q schools , W W e have at present in the town twelve schools . e have an Academy that has been in good repute but of late we have

l w in u r fai ed in having good instructors , hich has proved very j ious so y . now it is become no more than a common school . S TH E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 1 73

8 W ‘ . . . &c . 2 Q hat No of Printers , W A . e have one Printer and one press introduced this A 0 — spring in April . bout 50 papers are printed weekly the title — of the Paper , Rural Gazette , printed by Elliot Hopkins the size Li hfi l of the paper between Hartford and tc e d .

0 W . 1 . W 85 0 . Q hat Iron orks ,

W - . e bu t on e A have at present Iron works , and b ut little b W usiness done in it . e have had as many as 5 forges but all gone to decay except one .

3 W ‘ . 1 . 2 & c . Q hen was the separate , W . e hh W C . e A have no separate have a few baptists . They were formed into a church a f e w years past but now they b have no preacher among them , their mem ers decrease and meet but rarely among themselves for public worship— they attend divine service among the standing churches in general .

. . P S I am mistaken as to Mr . Davies and Mr . Palmer .

. m Mr Pal er was the first minister , and Mr . Davies was his suc cessor .

Previous to the settlement already mentioned , there were between two and three hundred Indians that resided in the North west part of the town in two villages the one by the Side of a b large pond , now known y the name of the Indian Pond , which consisted of about twenty -fi v e wigwams the other village was situated in a large meadow at the south end of a large pond , now

the b known by name of Mudge Pond , containing a out ten or fifteen huts or wigwams . These Indians were under direction of five chiefs h ca lled Mug oca . They had an Idol which they worshipped [as] ‘

God , and committed to the care of an old Squaw . This Idol , though

‘ i Go d that nev erthe nferior to the great governed the world , was less invested with power sutfi cien t to repel those evils b rought ’ D upon em by Mutonto , or the evil and in case he refused or f neglected to af ord them his assistance , they would severely chastise him . Their diversions on horseback their ceremonies when they bury their dead and their customs about marrying are not so materially diff erent from those of other natives of this country as merit particular attention .

' robabl art These Indians were of a superior size , and p y p of the Stockbridge tribe . TH E W 1 74 H ISTORY OF TO N OF S HARON .

30 e - About years past, th re was a water mill erected by Mr . n On Joel Harvey for thrashing and Clea ing whea t . e man could 4 mi ’ thrash and Clean about 0 bushels a day . This ll and barn ad in b fire et a jo ing were consumed y , and never as y rep ired but the proprietor has of late determined to rebuil d them . “ Wishing the divine blessing in your future attempt to com ate w t pl the history of Connecticut , I subscribe , ith much es eem ,

u O O . . yo r friend and brother , C TT N M SMITH

’

u sc Rev . . [S per ribed , ] d Benjamin Trumbull , D D

“ ” North H aven .

W 1 76 HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON .

Bargain and sell in same manner and form as is above written . b and that the same is free from all incum rances whatsoever , and We b Furthermore , , the said Moses and Bartholomew , y these presents bind ourselves and our heirs forever , to warrant and defend the above Granted and Bargained Premises to Him , the e said Thomas Barns His H ir s and Assigns , against all Claim and W Demand of any Person or Persons Whatsoever . In itness whereof We hereunto set our hands and seals the 24th Day of ’

1 752 26th . July , , in the year of his Majesty s Reign Signed ,

Se aled and Dd . In presence of

M JOHN HA ILTON .

JOHN WILLIAMS . his alias SE S NE UITIMA UG MO $ Q ,

“ mark ; his alias BA TH OLOMUS R E W R 0 BA THOLOM . mark

I E D Ss — 24th 1 752 L TCHFI L COUNTY , Sharon , July , , then ‘ l I M and personal y appeared the ndians called oses Bartholomew , ensealers u the of the within written instr ment , and acknowledged m o v the sa e t be their oluntary act and deed .

m W M Cora S u s . P J s e. , JOHN ILLIA , a c

’ ul 24 h 1 752 t . Rec d J y , , and entered

W MS e s S . JOHN ILLIA , R gi ter .

PP A ENDIX F .

SOME THING has been said in our narrative of the events of the Revolutionary war of the services and sufferings of Adonijah m fli i t t t . Maxa in ha grea con ct of arms The follow ng, copied from the proceedi ngs of the Court of Probate for the District of own Sharon , gives his statement of the particular events of his military career

State o Connecticut C unt L itch elol ss — P roba te Dis tr ict f , o y of fi , , o har n f S o .

u P At a Co rt of robate , holden at Salisbury , within and for h 3 1 8 2 . t 30t . . the Dis rict of Sharon , on the day of July , A D E u P S . J d e. resent SAMUEL CHURCH , Q , g

On 30 h 1 32 t . . 8 this day of July , A D , Personally appeared in open Court , before the Court of Probate for the District of

Sharon , the same being a Court of Record now sitting , Adonijah w Maxam , a resident of the to n of Sharon , in the County of Litch field P and State of Connecticut and robate District of Sharon , aged seventy-eight years who being first duly sworn according to law , doth , on his oath , make the following declaration , in order 7th 1832 to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June ,

he 1 754 . That was born in the said town of Sharon , in the year

I have no record of my age , except what appears in my Bible and what may be on the Record of the said town of Sharon . I resided in the said town of Sharon , when called into the service S TH E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 1 70

n c of the U ited States , and have , ever sin e the close of the Revo lutio n ar y war , resided in the said town of Sharon . I e n tered the service Of the United States under the following named offi cers , : On 8 and served as hereinafter stated the th day of May , as I 1 775 3 think , and in the year , I entered the d Company of the 4th b Regiment , and served y order of the General Assembly of Con

n ecticut , under Major Samuel Elmore , of said Sharon . There b were two Lieutenants elonging to the company , viz . Amos h Chappel , of said S aron , and Parmalee , of Bethlehem . The

Ensign was Shephard . The Colonel of the regiment to which I W b was attached , was Colonel Hinman of ood ury , in said County .

We marched in the said month of May to Lake George ,

“ c from thence to Ticonderoga , and from then e to Crown Point , in the State of New York . A part of our Regiment lay at Tico n der w as n W oga , but our company stationed at Crow Point . e i b remained at Crown Point , keep ng guard and other duties , a out three month from thence I was marched with the quarter part au of our Regiment to Isle Noix , in Lake Champlain . General

McD o u al and Montgomery was there , and General g , Capt . w n . W McCrack e au . , and Maj Brown were ith us at Isle Noix e b ut staid at this place few days , when we went with General or

Mc Dou al Col . g , Major Elmore and other officers , in order to go b u N t au . around St . Johns , we failed , and returned to Isle oix A

W M ra k n . . cC c e few days afterwards Capt atson , of Canaan , Capt ,

Of the New York troops , and Major Brown , went with a large Of party of men , whom I was one , for the purpose of penetrating W b . e b through the woods , to Cham ly , in Canada lay at Cham ly

b b . a few days , and then I went to keep guard elow Cham ly . Col W e . c Ethan Allen came to us there . crossed the St Lawren e h n n b river in the nig t , with Colo el Alle , a little elow Montreal ,

b . and while preparing reakfast , the British force came upon us W e retreated , and finally I was , with Colonel Ethan Allen and W b . e others , taken prisoner by the enemy were put on oard a b sloop in the river St . Lawrence , and put in irons two y two we b were sent to Que ec , and kept in a prison ship till the last of

b 1 775 m , Novem er , fro thence we were carried to Falmouth in w e England , staid there fifteen days from thence _ were sent to

b . . , A Cork , in Ireland staid there a out two weeks Here Col llen W e was put aboard of a different ship from me . next made land

in . in Lisbon , Portugal During this voyage the prisoners were

On b . relieved from irons , and performed duty ship oard From thence w e made land next on the coast of North Carolina thence W 1 80 HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF SHARON .

i W we were sent to Hal fax , in Nova Scotia , where we ere kept during the Summer of 1 776 . In the fall we were sent to the We b Y City of New York . lay in the har or of New ork when We Fort Washington was taken we heard the firing distinctly . were afterwards confined in the French Church in New York is M City . From thence two of us , that , myself and Roger oore , of Salisbury , made our escape to Long Island , and from thence made our way to Saybrook , in Connecticut, and from there home n 1 776 i to Sharo in the month of December , , hav ng been absent from home eighteen months . After this I was out at several alarms b ut I enlisted in the New York troops for nine months

1778 . . in the month of May , I was then residing in said Sharon ’

Our Wisonf eldt . Lieutenant Colonel s name was , a Dutchman His son was Lieutenant of the Company to which I belonged . The

’ ’ Van Cortlan dt Major s name was Fish , the Colonel s name was , P and in the Brigade of General oor . I enlisted in Rhinebeck , in an d at Val the State of New York , soon after I joined the army l W V i ey Forge . e staid at alley Forge until the Brit sh forces ’ P We W s evacuated hiladelphia . pursued them Gen l a hington ,

e e . Fayett , St uben , Lee and others were with the army I was engaged soon after in the battle at Monmouth . From thence the Wh army , and I with them , marched to ite Plains , in the State of ur New York . O Regiment then marched up and crossed the

North River at Poughkeepsie , and went through New Paltz , to a ’ Mumbacco r place called then , and there we were stationed thro W the inter , until the expiration of my term of enlistment , and was then discharged , but had no written discharge , nor have I n or any written document by which I can prove this service , do an u I know of y person now living , whose testimony I can proc re , who can certify to this service .

l . I am we l known in the town of Sharon , aforesaid , to Hon d . . . . Se John Cotton Smith , Hon Ansel Sterling , Hon Chas F g

wick , Cyrus Swan , Esq . , and many others who can testify as to

my character for veracity , and their belief of my services as a soldier in the Revolution . And I hereby relinquish every claim n whatever to a pension or an uity , except the present , and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any ’ State .

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid .

ADONIJAH MAXAM .

APPENDIX G .

The foll owing are the graduates of colleges who have been Citizens of Sharon

YALE COLLE GE .

W ME W E ME E . NA . H N NA H N D E E GRA UAT D . GRADUAT D .

P P . eter ratt, Milo L Bennett , W John Searle , illiam R . Gould ,

Jonathan Elmer , Milo L . North , ni Da el Griswold , Ebenezer Blackman , W Cotton Mather Smith , illiam Rockwell , O Jeremiah Day , Milton P . rton , m Tho as Davies , Richard Smith ,

Fisher Gay , John M . S . Perry , Canfield John , John Cotton Smith , l Augustine Taylor , Mi o N . Miles ,

Can field b . Judson , Ro ert D Gardner ,

John Cotton Smith , David C . Perry , ’ L hlin P . . Mc au Daniel arker , Dan l D T g ,

Alanson Hamlin , John T . Andrew ,

W . illiam A . Taylor, George T Pierce , W lli b i am M . Smith , Henry Ro erts , Canfield Henry J . , S TH E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . 1 83

WIL LIAMS C OLLE GE .

E W E M . ME NA H N NA . WHE N

E . E GRADUAT D GRADUAT D . V inton Gould , Charles F . Sedgwick ,

D . avid L Perry , Chauncey G . Smith ,

David Beecher , Judah Ely , W Territt Cyrus . Gray , John Cotton , W T rri O . e tt range Lyman , illiam R ,

UNION COLLE GE . 1 842 Alexander B . Bullions ,

UNIVE R SITY OF TH E STATE OF VERMONT . 1 81 3 G . rove L Brownell ,

H ARVAR D COL L E GE . W l 1 725 John il iams ,

E E VE RMONT. MIDDLEBURY COLL G ,

v . R e . Leonard E Lathrop , A PP D EN IX H .

The following are the names of the childr en of the m w Cotton Mather S ith , ith the dates of their decease

h 20 1 759 a Smit di . Eliz beth , born June , , ed Jan

uliana Smi . 1 2 1 761 u 25 J th . Feb , , J ne , M Smi l 2 1 763 A r 1 8 Thomas ather th , Ju y , , p . , 2 765 n mi 1 1 . 7 John Cotto S th , Feb . , , Dec , u t mi u 20 1 767 L cre ia S th , J ly , , 1 6 1 7 9 0 m . 6 . 1 Mary S ith , Feb , , Dec

1 86 IS OF TH E W OF H TORY TO N S HARON .

MA Y SE SS . O E SE ION CTOB R SSION . 1 765 W l i John i l ams , l wi w e e i . Ca eb J tt . Caleb J tt W l W ll John i liams , John i iams , wi e . Caleb J tt Jeremiah Day . W ll W l John i iams , John i liams , mi Jeremiah Day . Simeon S th . i W l John Marv n , John il iams ,

Thomas Pardee . Thomas Pardee .

n Wi W Joh lliams , John illiams ,

P P . James ardee . Thomas ardee mi W ll Simeon S th , John i iams , P w e i . Thomas ardee . Caleb J tt Wi i W John ll ams , John illiams ,

i . Simeon Smith . Simeon Sm th W Wil John illiams , John liams ,

i . Simeon Sm th Simeon Smith . W l John i liams ,

P . James Pardee . James ardee b James Pardee , E enezer Gay ,

z . Ebene er Gay . Thomas Pardee z Can field Ebene er Gay , John , w i . James Pardee . Caleb Je tt Canfield b z John , E ene er Gay , w Caleb Je ett . James Pardee . Canfield John , James Pardee ,

Simeon Smith . Joseph Lord b Ebenezer Gay , E enezer Gay , w James Pardee . David Do ns . Can field Canfield John , John ,

Samuel Elmore . Ebenezer Gay . Can field Samuel Elmore , Samuel ,

James Pardee . David Downs .

Samuel Elmore . 1 782 Canfi ld David Downs , John e ,

Joseph Landers . David Downs . 1 783 i z S meon Smith , Ebene er Gay ,

David Downs . Josiah Coleman . 1 784 Canfield Ebenezer Gay , John , m Josiah Cole an . Simeon Smith . S TH E W S HI TORY OF TO N OF HARON . [ 87

MA Y SE SS ION . E S E SS OCTOB R ION .

Can field John , Can field John ,

Simeon Smith . Simeon Smith .

Can field John ,

Simeon Smith . Simeon Smith .

Jonathan Gillet ,

. Ephraim Marriner Jonathan Gillet .

Ephraim Marriner , Ephraim Marriner ,

. Josiah Coleman David Downs .

David Downs , David Downs ,

. Isaac Pardee Isaac Pardee .

David Downs , u Aug stine Taylor ,

. Isaac Pardee Phineas Smith .

Phineas Smith , Phineas Smith ,

y Canfi l Augustine Ta lor , Judson e d . m Phineas S ith , Augustine Taylor , fi Can eld . Can field Judson Judson . Canfield Judson , David Downs ,

. . Can fi ld John C Smith Samuel e . Canfield Canfield Samuel , Samuel ,

David Downs . David Downs . Can field David Downs , Samuel ,

James Pardee . Enoch Parsons , Canfield h Samuel , Jo n C . Smith ,

John C . Smith . Augustine Taylor .

’

John C . Smith , John C . Smith , O n fi l . Ca d liver Kellogg Samuel e .

John C . Smith , John C . Smith , b Oliver Kellogg . A el Patchen .

John C . Smith , John C . Smith ,

s . Abel Patchen . I aac Pardee

John C . Smith , John C . Smith ,

l . O iver Kellogg . George King O liver Kellogg , Augustine Taylor,

George King . Isaac Pardee . J Canfield Can field udson , Judson ,

Augustine Taylor . Augustine Taylor . Oanfield Canfield Judson , Judson ,

h . . Jo n . Daniel St . Daniel St John Canfield Canfi eld Judson , Judson ,

a . Isaac Pardee . Isa c Pardee 1 88 S OF TH E W OF S HI TORY TO N HARON .

MA Y E E E S SSION . OCTOB R S SSION

Canfield Judson , Isaac Pardee , aa V Is c Pardee . Daniel St . John . Can field Can field Judson , Judson , P Isaac ardee . John C . Smith . 1 807 John C . Smith , John C . Smith , n fi “ Judson Ca eld . Daniel St . John .

John C . Smith , John C . Smith , fi l n fi l n Ca e d . Judson Ca e d . Judson

John C . Smith , Isaac Pardee , fi Can eld . Judson Simeon Blackman . i S meon Blackman , Cyrus Swan ,

O . liver Kellogg . Simeon Blackman

Simeon Blackman , Simeon Blackman , O i l ver Kell ogg . Samuel E . Everitt . Ol l iver Kel ogg , Isaac Pardee ,

Samuel E . Everitt . Samuel E . Everitt . O liver Kellogg , Cyrus Swan ,

Samuel E . Everitt . Samuel E . Everitt . O liver Kellogg , Cyrus Swan ,

Samuel E . Everitt . Samuel E . Everitt . O liver Kellogg , Samuel Rockwell , hn St . Jo Ansel Sterling . Daniel c O i l ver Kellogg , Cyrus Swan ,

Samuel Rockwell . Israel Camp . O l O liver Ke logg, liver Kellogg ,

Israel Camp . Thomas St . John . O Hezekiah Goodwin , liver Kellogg ,

Thomas St John . Ansel Sterling . O S liver Kellogg . Ansel terling , O liver Kellogg , Ansel Sterling .

Ansel Sterling , Samuel R . Gager .

Samuel R . Gager , Samuel Roberts .

Samuel Roberts , Horatio Smith .

Horatio Smith , Cyrus Swan . w Ansel Sterling , Cyrus S an .

Ansel Sterling, Horatio Smith .

Cyrus Swan , Calvin Gay .

Cyrus Swan , Calvin Gay .

Ansel Sterling , Samuel R . Gager .

Charles F . Sedgwick Clark Chapman .

Charles F . Sedgwick , Israel Camp .

W 1 90 HISTORY OF TH E TO N OF S HARON .

b . . Herman C . Rowley , Icha od S Everitt

Wi 2d . lliam E . Marsh , Baldwin Reed ,

John Cotton Smith , Isaac N . Bartram . W Seymour A . Frayer , George M . alton .

John B . Smith , Gilbert L . Smith .

. k . . uc ett Erastus A Deming , Clark M J

Robert E . Goodwin , Daniel Hall . W George D . Goodwin , Myron F . hitney .

W . Edgar J . Reed , illiam Dakin *

W . Abel Benedict , Edwin M . inchester N W . . elson C . illson , Charles C Gordon

Erastus A . Deming , James M . Reed .

Isaac N . Bartram , Albert M . Card .

Isaac N . Bartram , Hilan Middlebrook .

Baldwin Reed , J . Dwight St . John .

s . . I aac N . Bartram , Albert M Card

Charles C . Gordon , Seymour L . Hollister . V Al n . . n an st e George E Buckley , Lawre ce y w W e ett . . Simeon B . J , Myron F hitney

’ MEMBE RS OF TH E GOVE RNOR S COUNCIL .

Canfield . Judson , John Cotton Smith

SE NATORS .

Ralph Deming , Horatio Smith ,

Charles F . Sedgwick , Isaac N . Bartram .

JUDGES OF TH E COUNTY COURT .

W ll Can field John i iams , Judson ,

Cyrus Swan, Ansel Sterling .

Died before taking his seat. P A PENDIX J .

W E TO N OFFIC R S .

The following persons have officiated as magistrates in the town

b Nathaniel Skinner , Samuel Ro erts ,

Samuel Hutchinson , Stephen Deming , W m John illia s . Stephen Heath ,

Daniel Griswold, Israel Camp ,

Joseph Lord , Charles F . Sedgwick , O nu . John Gay , liver Kellogg , J , Can field b John , Jacob Cham erlain , d b Davi Downs , E enezer Blackman ,

Isaac Pardee , Joshua B . Chaffee ,

Augustine Taylor , Richard Smith , J Can field udson , Benjamin Hollister , W John Cotton Smith , Alanson heeler , W M K . . c o Daniel St John , John y ,

Calvin Gay , Ransom Smith , Z h W acc eus . Samuel E . Everitt , Bissell , b O . liver Kellogg , Samuel Ro erts , Jun

Cyrus Swan , Silas A . Gray , W Ansel Sterling , illiam Everett ,

Samuel Rockwell , Daniel Parsons ,

Horatio Smith , Ralph Deming , 92 TH E W F 1 HISTORY OF TO N O S HARON .

u . . Zalmon S . H nt, Charles E B Hatch , O r hin P uck ett r in Hutc son , hilo J ,

Andrew Lake . Edgar J . R . Reed , W John illiams , George Chamberlain ,

Southard Hitchcock , Robert D . Livingston , P P . Amos rindle , Charles L rindle , a Orr l J mes , Daniel Hal , i W r . El akim S . Stoddard , J . , Chauncey Morehouse , W f Eben . Chaf ee , Thomas Sterling, W Harry Lockwood , J . ade Hughes , W uck ett Norman E . heeler , Clark M . J , W John T . Andrew , Thomas ilbur . Pi W l tch Landon , i lard Baker ,

Garry S . Morey, Isaac N . Bartram , W Samuel Elliot, John ike , W r u Al . Cy s . Gray , bert M Card , W W . illiam Stone , Frank Dakin ,

Horace Dunbar , Joseph Ryan , W uck ett Samuel S . oodward , Elijah J ,

Ezra H . Bartram , H . F . Landon , b Thomas N . Lucas , Al ert Scott . K W nibloe . Heber , James B ilbur , W alter M . Patterson , Charles C . Dean ,

Judson St . John , Louis E . Schwab .

TOWN CLE RKS . W Nathaniel Skinner , James E . atson ,

Ebenezer Frisbie , Aaron R . Smith ,

W l . John il iams , Samuel L Gager ,

Daniel Griswold , Robert E . Goodwin ,

Can field . Samuel , Charles C Gordon , W Israel Camp , J . ade Hughes .

un . . . George King , J , E H Bartram,

Henry H . Quintard , R . E . Goodwin ,

W . Erastus H . inchester, Charles H Marvin ,

Orr . . James , R E Goodwin ,

Harry Lockwood , H . C . Rowley .

APPENDIX K .

T H E l . fo lowing Hymn , composed by the Hon JOHN COTTON M One S ITH , was sung at the Celebration of the Hundredth Anni v ersar 22 1 839 y of the First Town Meeting , December , O bless the Lord , whose mighty hand ’ Led our forefathers o er the main ,

To spread throughout this distant land , ’ Fair freedom s just and gentle reign .

' arra d Not cold , nor want , nor foes y , ’ Could the firm Pilgrim s zeal restrain , ’ They trusted in their Saviour s aid ,

Nor did His servants trust in vain .

Through dangers . toils , and anxious cares , God was their g uardian and their stay

And gave in answer to their prayers ,

The blessings we enjoy this day .

One century round these hills and plains . ’ Have the Redeemer s praises rung ,

Still let them rise in lofty strains ,

From every heart and every tongue . P P A ENDIX L .

, S A ND E I OF THE S E S M HI TORY D DICAT ON OLDI R ONUME NT .

FOR many years prior to 1 885 the citizens of the town of Sharon had felt that something should be don e toward the erec tion of a suitable monumen t to commemorate and perpetuate the memory of the noble deeds and sacrifices made in the late war of the Rebellion by those of her citizens who laid down their lives ’ for their country s cause .

' N o decided step toward such an end was taken until the year Wh 1 885 0 . , when Miss Emily eeler, of New York city , presented to some interested citi z ens the plans and design for the beautiful piece of workmanship which now stands at the head of the village street .

After consideration by some prominent citizens and members N 59 ' R . P o . . a of the John M . Gregory ost , . , G A , petition for the - e calling of a town meeting was duly prepared and circulat d , and in due time a meeting of the C itizens of the town was warned for 1885 the 23d day of January , , to consider and take action in the matter .

was s c At the meeting , which a very large and enthusia ti one , a resolution was introduced providing for the erection of the m f e onument according to the plans and design presented , and , a t r m any fervent remarks , the following resolution was adopted 1 96 S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF S HARON .

R es lved be o , That the sum of one thousand dollars , and the b the th e same is hereby appropriated , y town of Sharon , for pur of n pose erecting to the memory of the ho ored dead , who enlisted b from the town and who perished in the late war of the Re ellion , a monument in accordance with the design and plans as furnished b 0 W V n A . l n . . . a st e y Miss Emily heeler , and that L y Nelson C W b b illson and Everett S . Dun ar e and are hereby appointed a com mittee the to locate and erect said monument , and selectmen of said town are hereby further authorized and empowered to draw their orders on the treasurer of said town for a sum , not exceed 1000 ing $ , for the aforesaid purpose .

W was ork immediately begun upon the monument , and the 9 N . 5 . A . . o . R John M Gregory Post , , G , at a meeting called for n that purpose , made arrangeme ts for suitable dedicatory exercises .

The Post also appointed the following committees to carry on the work of preparation for the dedicatory exercises Com mi — W i ttee N . . . F on speakers . C illson and Chas . E Benton — a W W . . n nces Abel R . oodward , Myron F . hitney and H C — W W V n A l n . . a st e Rowley Ceremonies Dr . . . Knight and L . y

The furnishing of the collation , on the day of dedication , was left to the ladies of Sharon , as they were never known to fail on such occasions , and this conclusion was fully warranted by the bountiful repast they furnished .

The monument was in due time completed and approved by 6th 1 885 the selectmen of the town , and the day of August , , was set for the unveiling and dedication of the same . The day dawned bright and b eautiful and proved to be all that could be desired . The procession . which was composed of b nd R . a three posts of the G . A . , two ands , the speakers of the the 1 0 . m . day , formed at a , and marched past the monument to ’ speakers stand .

n After the rendering of Hail Columbia , by the Sharo cor

‘ net band , the Rev . Jas . R . Bourne , chairman of the day , made a few introductory remarks and introduced Rev . Dr . C . C . Tiffany , ' on of New York city , who presented the monument , behalf of the

59 . . . selectmen , to the John M . Gregory Post No . , G A R The “ Star Spangled Banner was then rendered by the

l . . Lakevil e cornet band , followed by a dedicatory prayer by Rev C

B . Landon , former pastor of the M . E . Church in Sharon (whose earnest advocacy at the town meeting did much to secure the monument) . The Chairman then said he would introduce the

S OF TH E W OF HI TORY TO N S HARON .

The exercises were concluded by the benediction pronounced b C y the hairman .

Then the procession re - formed and marched back to the Town b Hall , where , after the lessing was asked by the Rev . Dr . Eddy , b six b all , num ering between and seven hundred , were ountifully served by the ladies . Thus ended a day which has become one of the bright portions of the history of Sharon . The following are the inscriptions and names on the mon umen t

E SOUTH FACE . NORTH FAC . b m Erected y Charles Chap an , W h . The town of S aron Theodore F oodward , W b . In memory of the rave illiam H Gaul ,

Men who enlisted from Philo L . Cole , _ u This township , and fell Charles M . Do glass ,

In the struggle to maintain Julius Cole , iff The Union . George C . Sk , W A MD x v . . CCCL xx . nno Domino , Franklin L ickwire

W E S E . E AST FACE . T FAC

Dwight Studley , Andrew Jackson , W illiam Slover , Edwin Carr , i Charles Treadway , Barney K nney , h E b McA rthur Jo n y . Henry , W W Edward hitney , illiam Bush ,

George King , Henry Bush ,

Henry Frink , James Doyle , W l i liam Parret , James Malone ,

Charles J . Reed , Chester Slover ,

W . iliam Chapman . Milo Reynolds PP A ENDIX M .

TH E SS B HOTCH KI LI RARY .

There are few lovelier scenes in this country of fair land scapes than the Vista of wide green common and lofty overarch ’ ing elms which even Sharon s most casual visitor carries away m with him , forever a picturesque emory .

’ a To add still another ttraction to Sharon s stately street, of which she is so j ustly proud , Mrs . Hotchkiss , a former resident of the town , some time since announced her intention of placing a here a memorial library in honor of her husb nd , Benjamin W Berkeley Hotchkiss , who was born in atertown , Conn . , Oct . l st 1826 , , removed to Sharon when three years of age , and died

1 4 1 88 5 . in Paris , France , February ,

e b 1 3 The formal opening of the library took place Sept m er , 3 b 1 89 . , about a y ear after work was egun on the building

o i The structure is of grey limestone found in the t wnsh p, the trimmings of white limestone coming from a quarry in Salisbury . b e The illustration , which will found elsewhere , represents the — a b exterior architecture uilding of simple yet dignified character , refreshingly free from much of the tasteless over - ornamentation of the present day . The architect was Mr . Bruce Price of

New York . The general superintendent of the work was James

- b . . Lire , of Norfolk the wood work was done y D N Eggleston of

- b Of a s . Sharon , and the stone work y John Flynn Barrington , M s 200 S TH E W HI TORY OF TO N OF SHARON .

On entering the visitor passes through a vestibule , adorned with a fine oil portrait of Mr . Hotchkiss , into a large and cheer ful apartment , which extends in the centre to the peaked roof .

On l - b the sides are gal eries with many shelved alcoves , dou tless designed for the uses of posterity— and the authors o f the coming century . For the present generation ample provision

ih has been made in the six alcoves on the ground floor . Just o u tw o side the vestibule , either side , are staircases , which ascend to a common landing , then again separating , meet in a broad platform which overlooks the lower floor of the library . Here b the b b a one gains a eautiful View of rear corner of the li rary , a y of symmetrical proportions , in which stands , on a pedestal , a

. i 1 879 . bust of Mr Hotchkiss , executed in Par s , , by Ezekiel The reading rooms occupy the north and south bays of the u b ilding , on the lower floor . Upstairs there are corresponding rooms , which as yet have not been appropriated to any special purpose . On the occasion of the sum mer receptions they serve f a — ef ectively as pl ces of provision for physical longings but , no b b b dou t , as the atmosphere created y the li rary stimulates higher l intel ectual development , here will be found ideal surroundings for places of literary refreshment , which , by the way , many of W our country towns distressingly lack . here could be found more suitable environments for a Class reading the masterpiece s

u z of literat re , or familiari ing themselves with the annals of some great nation l‘ The reading rooms correspond in size and in general furnish — ings . The walls are wainscoted in quartered oak the floor , w b . On chairs , tables and desks eing of the same material the alls hang beautiful etchings and photographs , many of the latter being reproductions of national scenery . Some of the photo graphs are most artistically colored , with a fastidious skill and fi w e ect . charming The ample indow space , characterizing the

whole building , is here the means of flooding the reading rooms — b w with sunshine there eing five windo s , in every case a panel The of stained glass surmounting the square sashes . panels in V the north room bear the names of Homer, irgil , Moliere , and l tr Goethe , whi e the cen al window is devoted to a medallion of

hi s w h . Dante , bro wreat ed with the laurel crown of fame The south room commemorates the genius of our English speaking Sha es ere race , Chaucer , k p , Milton and Franklin , while the cen tral window enshrines the familiar and beloved features of our

own Longfellow .

202 HI TH E W A STORY OF TO N OF S H RON .

m um mi fiv e Fro this n ber are chosen an executive com ttee of , wh o are respons ible for the management of the library . The ‘ fli W W P n h P l o cers . . . are Dr Knight , reside t ; Miss Rut rind e , V -P w c Wil ice resident C . A . Sch ab , Se retary ; lard Baker,

Treasurer .

u and ffi . an s The co rtesy e ciency which Mrs Flora A . Ry bring to bear in her duties as Librarian cannot fail to make a success w of her ork . m um u The library , besides being a on ent of genero s thought ul s m w m i is v an f nes for so e ith li ited Opportun ties , moreo er e i n m ni h e levat ng and purifying i fluence to the com u ty . T er m to mi m m of an n a how a ic mer co es nd a e ory Easter t le , of r h f c un w m n ise and chant , the possessor o o tless ealth in ercha d a was fi w r and s u of a c mels , lled ith benevolent desi es , o ght h w prophet t e ay to do a true and lasting good . ” Di a w m son was an w of the v n ab e wise g ell, y , the s er e er l one not wil aff c m now but c min en , for only l that ord o fort , o g g erations w a w lon ou in ove bu nin sands s all , e ried ith g j rney g r r g , h e s and v m lv and bless the hand ther refre h rein igorate the se es, ” at b ou t wa out of th d e th r gh ter e es rt. PP A ENDIX N .

THE IN CATHOLIC CHURCH SHAR ON .

TH E spiritual interests of Catholics in Sharon were first min

istered b R ev . l V b to y Father Ke ly of Falls illage , this town eing ” a part of that parish at that time . The first mass was offered in a s mall one storied house , pai nted red , on the road to Ells w . b orth , then occupied by James Dunning This continued to e the place of Catholic worship , at long and irregular intervals , for ' b e some years . The next house to honored in this way , which is ’ o ershadow ed now entirely obliterated , stood by the furnace in We i b the Valley . next find the Cathol cs of Sharon assem ling for worship in the upper story of the old brick paint shop on Gay street , nearly opposite the new schoolhouse . During these years w 1 85 religious ser vice was only held once or t ice a year . In 8 the w old tannery was offered by Mr . Sears , and religious service as held b there . About twenty years ago mass began to be cele rated in V l the schoolhouse in the al ey , but this soon proved too small to accommodate the increasing number of Catholics , who began to l assemble in the present Town Hal . Here they continued to worship an d receive the sacraments of the Church at more reg ular 1 884 intervals and much more frequently until the erection , in , b of the little church . This stands about midway etween Sharon V Street and the alley . Meantime two important changes had taken place in the parish . In the seventies Rev . H . J . Lynch left V in Falls il lage and began to reside Lakeville . This brought the 204 TH E W HISTORY OF TO N OF S HARON .

h fli cia priests near to S aron , and enabled them to o te there more 1 882 n e w frequently . In the year a parish came into existence n l at Cor wall Bridge , and Sharon was cut off from Lakevi le and made a part of the new parish . The first rector of this newly b i l . d established district was Mr Sheridan , who erecte a eaut fu i n 1 884 l ttle Church a d had it dedicated in . His successors were

W. . . . Rev . J Doolan (four years) , Rev Mr Sheehan (one year) ,

Rev . M . F . Rigney , (two years) , Rev . Mr . Cray (one year) and W Rev . J . T . alsh , the present incumbent who came in the 1 895 summer of , and became pastor resident in Sharon in Ja nu w 89 . 1 6 . as u ary, A parochial residence then sec red and St ’ m hi C u l Brid Bernard s beca e the paroc al h rch , Cornwa l g

o becoming a mi ssion . The parish of St . Bernard now consists n W 2l st da the towns of Sharon, Cor wall , Kent and arren . The y ’ w - s u 1 897 as hi . of J ly, , a red letter day in the story of St Bernard On da r i e of church . that y, for the fi st t me , the solemn rit ’ n confi rmation was administered by the Right Rev d M. Tier ey, D D . . , Bishop of the Hartford Diocese .