Morning journal and courier., 1891-01-27
NORTH HAVEN ANNALS.

Interesting "Reminiscences of the Old
Time ChOfrs and Choirmastcrs -
Memories of Titus Frost-The Old
Choir of 17S8-Rev. Edward Blaks-
lees PastOrate - st. Johns Church
Roll OF Membership in 179O-Nup-
tial Knots Tied by Rev. Joseph
Pterpont.
NUMBER g.
From the organization of St. Johns
parish in 1850, great effort was made in the
succeeding ten years to build up church
music and with considerable success. In
ITO more systematic work was agreed
upon, and three men Joel Blakeslee, Simon
Tuttle and Saumel Mix were chosen
"choristers. The year following, among
others, Oliver Blakeslee, teacher, clerk,
surveyor and accountant, was placed upon
this committee and who really, up to 1775,
was the director of the musical service.
In the latter year another man was added
to these "choristers," who was destined
to be called ''The father of music in St..
Johns church." Titus Frost. He was a
chair maker and lived at Muddy river.
Although assisted right heartily by his
associates, who were noted singers in their
day, he was unquestionably the man whose
influence most brought about the musical
results seen in this church to-day.
He married Mabel, daughter of Isaac
Stiles. Isaac was Congregationalist. he
was the father Of Isaac Clark Stiles
(brother of MabeD. Isaac Clark was a
Congregationalist in his boyhood. He
married Eunice, daughter of Zophar
1olr I'll T., ~ H. I1I
that she won her husband over to her be-
lief, and he became an Episcopalian, hold
ing an influential position in that church
for many years. From that marriage came
the great assistance the several Stiles fami-
lies have rendered St. Johns church and
parish to the present time.
Titus Frost put into the church the first
piece of chancel furniture owned by the
parish. He made chair for the rude, I'M
furnished chancel He invited few
friends to accompany him to the church,
and, taking the chair up the aisle, placed it
in the proper place. and then, being de-
crepid, limped back down the aisle preced-
ing the little procession, singing with others
to the tune of "Old Hundred" the last verse
of Bishop Ken's hymn, "Praise God from
the first professional hymn" in the his
tory of St. Johns church. In 1888 all the
music was put into his hands. He was
chosen "to manage and order the singing
The Tate and Brady version of the Psalms
with few hymns and something especial
ly for Christmas and Easter constituted
the musical material for use. Chanting
was not practiced until sometime after the
revolutionary war. The hymn composed
by the poet laureate Tate beginning
While shepherds watched their fiocks by night
All seated on the ground
was sung with great spirit at Christmas
The traditions in the parish with regard tt
the enthusiastic singing of that hymn, ant
the Christmas and Easter arrangement O.
music generally under the leadership O.
Titus Frost are many and interesting A
the time Of his taking up this work, atten
| ton to church music was being considered
| in all the parishes. Perhaps Mr. Frost
efforts in this direction received especia
approval October 80, 1888, which was
memorable occasion for his church. Or
this day the sixth convocation (afterward
| called convention of the diocese) of tn
Episcopal churches of the state, and TO
the matter of that, of New England, me
in North Haven. Bishop Seabury and tn
clergy generally were present. Two dea
cons, one of New Haven and one from
Dartmouth college, were ordained to tn.
priesthood. This was the first Episcopa
| visitation in the town. Unusual prepare
| tions for so unusual an occasion wer
made and Titus Frost was in no ways be
hind with his department of the divin
service.
To such an extent did his enthusiasm
and labor carry his brethren that the choi
| gallery had to be greatly heightened to &C
! commodate those who would join in thi
| branch of worship. Fortunately the name
of the "old choir" of 1888 have been pre-
| served,