Morning journal and courier., 1889-11-06
NORTH HAVEN ANNALS.

NORTH HAVEN ANNALS.
Tho Episcopal Parish-Its Formation
way BACK I'm 1722-Its Eariv Fac
tors-Rbenexer Blakeslec-His Ances-
try-The First Parishioner-The
First Episcopal Church Edihse-The
Union Church's First Minister.
NUMBER 20.
Side by aide, with the establishment OF
the Presbyterian church In this parish, grew
the Episcopal churohi They who have &C
counted the latter somewhat Of o modern
growth here must revise their opinion, as we
presently hope to show. It's genesis beyond
all question dates back to 1923; its focal
point was the house Of Ebenszsr Blakeslee;
its father was Rev. James wetmore. This
places its initial step but six years later than
the founding of lie sister church. 1t is not
pretended there was an organization and
regular worship at this time, but as all great
movements resolve themselves out of more
or less nsbulous condition, so did tho forma'
ton of the Church of England exist some
years before IL condensed into visible sub
stance.
The Rev. James Wetmore was dismissed
from his pastorate in brief because he
"dsubtsd the validity of his Presbyterian
ordination" He went to England for Epis'
oepalian orders, received them al the hands
of the Bishop of London at Lambeth Palace
was returned to New York city and after
wards stationed at Rye, N. Y. His ministry
Of thirty.esven years was remarkable TO-
efficiency and widely extended results. It II
not known that he ever came to North Ha
ven after his comparative Punishment there
from. But, DO that as II may, there II
abundant reason to believe Ills convictions
became the convictions of some of his par
ishionsrs, notiseably among whom was Mr.
Ebensxer Blakssles.
It Is O strange omission of President Err
Stiles that In his recorded list of the familiel
Of the parish In 1716 he makes no mention o.
Mr.. Blakesles. One of the earliest ssttleri
in the parish, he was man OF strong con
viction and indomitable perseverance,. HI
was blacksmith, and hard worker. Ira
the family, but now irreeoverably lost. Il
will be recalled that 1t was under his roof fol
some years prior to, and during the building
of the first meeting house, that his neigh
bors met In accordance with this resolution
agreed on by ye society that they will accept o.
70 house Of Ebenezer Blakeslee for Ye publick wor
ship Of God until ye major OF ye society shall SCI
cause to lay 1t aside"
It was thus he became the Obed Edom Of
his fellows, having in his custody an ark Of
God while its rude temple was building.
Ebenszer Blakeslee came OF good stock
He and his descendants have been SO idonti
fed with the history of the town that the
record would be incomplete without some-
what detailed account of the family.
1. Samuel and John Blakeslee came from
England about 1886. They were black
smiths, and brought their anvils, hammers
and all the tools OF their craft necessary to
set up their FORCES in the new world. They
landed at Boston, and bought what was
known as "Boston Neck" Here they es-
tablished their families and attempted q
livelihood, but patronage was poor aud after
and emigrated to New Haven. Neither
name appears on any planters list, but when
the meeting house was seated In
1916, Samuel Blackley was as
signed the irst seat "sgainst the
Soldiers seats" John remained In New Hs-
ven but a little time before he removed 10
the northwestern yart of Connections and
settled In what Is now Woodbury.. Both
these gentlemen were members of the Church
of England. Samuel died in 1879 leaving an
estate appraised at 231f, 14s.S. No distri-
mention made In the inventory of "shop-
tools, old iron, &C." OF the children, thus
far but two have been satisfactorily account
ed for, Samuel jr. and Ebenszer, the hero of
this article. Ssmuel's will was probated In
1889, leaving his estate to his wife, and sons
Tillerson (Tilly), Samuel and James. Tlller.
son lived to an extended age Coming within
this century,, and before his death claimed
that the Blskeslse Track on Boston Neck had
never passed out of the family and that
the entire property valued then at thousands
of dollars (now millions) belonged to the
heirs of the purchasers, Samuel aud John.
But to return to Ebenezer. Having, a. has
bsen said opened his house for the establish
ment Of divine worship In 1716, he was made
one Of the building committee of the meets
ing house erected In 171S.1722. (See No. %
Of this seriss)
Rev. Mr.. Wstmors was dismissed late In
1879. After this date Mr.. Blskeslee's name
no longer appears on the ecclesiastical sooie
tvs records, but In 1878 we and his temple
doors opened once more to little company
In sympathy with the old faith of his fathers,
who then and there at mis- hearthstone, form
cd the temporary society, which later ON be-
came the Church of England In North Ha-
ven. Thus literally from the same source,
within few years or each other, spranK the
two churches which for century aud half
have dwslt SO pleasantly together.
II IL uncertain just how many families at
this time entered into this Episcopal covenant,
but In little while thereafter their recorded
names were, in addition to Mr.. Blakesles's:
Thomas Ives,
Simon futile,
Nathaniel futile,
Samuel Brockett.
Lawrence &. Centon (Ciinton).
OF these men, Thomas Ives had been coll
leotor Of the ministerial rate" and also