Morning journal and courier., 1889-11-06
Thomas Ives, ..-
Simon futile,
Nathaniel Tuttle,
Samuel Brockett.
Lawrence G. Clenton (Clinton).

LhWrcnce " CientOu NCHntouD.
OF these men, Thomas Ives had been coll
presidential committee man in the old socie-
ty, 172o.< Simon Tuttls was chairman of
the meeting houss and building committee,
171o.17e2, and was, moreover, noted for his
''dissenting" Views in the business neetings
of his associates. (Ses early previous papers
In this ssriss) The remaiAing three gentle
men had never been honored with any OFF,
oisl station In the old society, SO far as ap-
pears.
At this time there was but one Church of
England clergyman In the colony and there
latter, the first opened for worship was
Christ church, Stratford, Conn, Christmas
day, 1724.
Thus the little group here were fully
abreast Of their time, indeed they were In
advance Of II with the exception of the Strst-
ford people. They were "a feeble folk hsv-
ing no shepherd and no fold" However,
they braved popular opinion and indignation,
quietly gathering around some friendly 6re-
place, using the Book of Common Prayer,
the authorized version Of the Bible, and listen
ing to the reading of some church sermon,
also so far as possible to duly OBJ.
serve the two great festivals of the year,
Christmas and Easter.
DR.. Trumbull says Of them in his Century
sermon: zone OF two families embraced
Episcopacy with Mr.. Wetmors which began
the Church in this town." and in speaking of
the number of families holding to Episso-
pacy ., few years later he eays-some think
with touch of sarcasm: ''The Church in
creased considerably In these years by the
population Of the one family of Mr.. Ebenszer
Blakeslee, who was the first man of the
Episcopal profession"
During the Rev. Isaac Stiles passionate in
IT, al f.kx -kI
added from time to time to the temporary
Episcopal organization. Mr.. Stiles' oonserv-
Atism, and his in no wise hostile demonstra-
lion towards the feeble minority here, prob
ably spared them the serious troubles expe-
risnced elsewhere, and to this day very
pleasant memories have been cherished by
,hurchmen concerning him.
When they found themselves growing they
likewise found that to be healthy they must
have some organization. There was nobody
IN New Haven to unite with, and no "Ohurch
House" there. That was the stronghold of
and the blueness of the sixteenth
,entury had not altogether been dissipated,
n II came to be little later; they could not
ook that way. There were few of their
persuasion In Wallingford, and small mum.
Der In Cheshire. With these they consulted
regarding . union of their interests and
house of worship. A meeting was eventual
~ u0Lu ~ tAo hou10 VI AAou4h1 Ives, WuoIo
i was agreed that "Union Church" should
be formed, and on the Monday after Easter,
l740, at Mr.. Ives house, such church was
organized. The, following officers were
chosen.
N Ese%. in aSss wardeus.
nbenezer 1lakeses)
Aaron Tuttle
Isaac Dayton lv...r~,.
william Walters 'eoaJAnen'
nnos Smith
John Mackay
North Ingham, clerk.
Ives, Blakeslse, Tuttle, Dayton and Wal
Eers were North Haven men. They held the
balance Of power, and this indicates a sub-
.tantial backing behind them. At the same
meeting, steps were taken to build q place
,f worship and 10 secure the services of
clergyman, Of which the number In the col
,ny had now increased to six. They also
agreed ON ministerial rate as follows:
Thomas Ives twenty shilisgs.
Ebensxer Bakealse, ten shillings.
Aaron futile, ten shillinxs.
Isaac Dayton, ten shilings.
William Walter, ten shillings.
Subsequently the following heads Of fami-
iss were enrolled as members:
abraham Bakesleo, Matthew BIaksslse,
Iohn Parker, John Bassett,
ritus Brookstt, Daniel Finch,
David Brockett.
Mount Carmel, Northford, WalliRgford
md Cheshire furnished about twenty others,
md they felt themselves strong enough for |
aggressive service.
81 a