Morning journal and courier., 1891-03-06
NORTH HAVEN ANNALS.

I
Years Ago-Who Were in the Chorus
-Incidents of the Old Choir-A
Stormy Scene Outdoors and Indoors
The ssProfane Fiddle ''-An Open
ing Wedge for To-Day's instrument
tai Music-Old Choir Leaders Re-
called-The Waning Church Choir. |
NUMBER Sc.
Josiah Todd's choir came to be one of |
the most popular organizations. From
1895 to 1885 it was at flood tide. 1t en-
braced nearly all the young people of the
First society who could sing, and some
who could not In 1929 more radical &C
ton than ever was taken in this branch of
church worship, and a tax of ten mills on
the dollar was laid 'sto revive and support
singing"
A partial list of the chorus of the Rev.
Mr.. Trumbull and the Rev. Mr.. Board
man is here attempted. There is great
difficulty in establishing the dates when
these people were the most active, and the
service Of some of them extended into the
Rev Mr.. Griggs' pastorate. At any rate
they all sung more than half hundred
years ago.
Joel Ray, Benajah Bishop, Oliver Smith, Street
Humaston, Theophilus Todd, Ira Todd.
1s25-1S35
Josiah Todd Harvey Smith, Jared Barnes,
Miles Bradley David Clinton, Lyman Clinton,
smith Jesse ANDREWS, David Bishop, Benja-
min Eastman Jared Bassett Harvey Harvey Tod TODD
Lyman S Smith, William Ives, julius IVES Wales
Buckingham, Ives Brockett, Sidney Smith, Henry
NJ. .Bakeslee, Sala Pierpont Bernard Hartley,
Jude SMITH, Snarles smith Denns I pop, WILL VII
Nunson, Whiting Sanford.
TREBLE SINGERS ABOUT THE YEAR 1900.
Only maiden names are given-Polly Moul-
throp, Ruth Frost, Mary Ann Cook.
1s25-1S35.
Eunice Foot, Emily Foot, Lavinia Foot, Char
lotte Ray Angelina Ray Chloe Bassett, Naomi
Thorp Abby lThorp, Delight Thorp Rebecca
Beda Bassett, Alvira Bassett Electa Moulthrop,'
A Ad Eaton, Louisa Eaton, Laura Eaton, Jane
Eliza Thorp, Lucy Barnes, Rowena Barnes Car,
oIine Barnes, A9relia Clinton, Luanna Abbott,
Sophronia Blakeslee, Charlotte Thorp, Mary
Frost, Grace Todd, Louisa Frost, Aurelia Bassett
Hannah Smith, Louisa Tuttle, Sarah Brockett,
Betsy Dixon, Henrietta futile, Lavinia Blakeslee,
Nancy Sanford
Doubtless there were others whose names
should be added. Of this notable company
but few remain "this side the flood" That
grand old hymn ssOn Jordan's rugged
banks stand" favorite of Trumbull and
Boardman and Griggs, has been realized in
truth by the most of this sweet-voiced
host. Were it possibly, reunion of tho
living members would prove to them one
of the most precious gatherings of their
lives.
Incidents connected with this old choir
are without number. Room is made for
only two. 1t is related how on certain
occasion when Leader Todd was preparing
for concert one summer evening in the
old meeting house, violent thunder
storm swept suddenly down as they were
rehearsing that noisy old fugue, ebay of
Judgment" Every lamp was extinguish-
ed in moment and what with the roar of
the tempest-the glare and crash of the
electric storm-the swaying of the church
in the darkness-the confusion among the
women, they became so thoroughly fright
ened as to believe they had invoked per-
haps the dire calamity to be dreaded.
In spite O. lis incident, it is tradition
that the confidence which this body of
singers had in themselves was not easily
shaken. Thoy grappled with whatever
was written in the musical field, it is said,
and never suffered defeat. Once on a
| time, however, they gave way to a more
| inglorious discontinue than they received
| from the elements as above noted. On
this occasion for the opening Of the Sab
bath afternoon service, piece of music
was selected of rather unfamiliar char
acter, but the leader Q) trusted their usual
dash would carry them through. Scarce
! ly had they commenced when trouble
arose. The Bases became first tangled
up, and then the Generalization spread
to the "Altos." One after another stopped
singing and dropped into their seats as
if shot The "Tenors' bore up bravely
for little longer, but were getting where
there was no bottom and down they began
to go like reeds. Dismayed by this shat
tering, the "Counters" now subsidized ont
after another with faint squeal and the
day seemed lost. The open mouthed con.
gregation dared scarcely breathe so intense
was the strain, but there stood the leader
square on his feet carrying his part for ali
it was worth, and by him stood a fail
and gritty. a. The twain finished the
piece and calmly resumed their places as
if nothing had happened. Good old Dea
con Sanford was innocently heard to men
ton at the close of the service that it was
the best singing the church had heard in
some time, remark which the routed &C.
tors never regarded as entirely compli
mentary to themselves.
The date of the introduction of musica
instruments into the choir of the Con
gregational church is matter of som,
uncertainty. Josiah Todd probably wa
the first man to take a profane "fddle'
within the sacred walls. There is ne
question but that it provoked opposition
when he did so. The conservatism tina
would fight stove would fight violin
Mr.. Todd was a musician of more thar
ordinary ability, and unsurpassed singing
master and devoted reader of poetry
His schools taught in Jesse Andrews tav
ern were always we'll attended and pro
ductive of good. The church music TO
years after his death witnessed to hi
earnest efforts in his behalf
During his leadership instrumental
music was much encouraged Of thes
musicians were:
MUSICIANS.
Joel Ray, bass viol.
Elan Ives, tenor vio
Samuel Todd, flute.
William Ives. violin.
Stephen Gilbert, violin.
H9dgs nseR aon Sng bas Sass vo S0
George Moody, flute.
James Ltnsley, violin.
| EruS Bishop, flute.
Ammi Sackett, violin.
| AMONG THE OLD LEADERS
Many recall the gaunt form of Davit
Clinton, who with his "pitch pipe" stoot
familiar figure in the choir for numbe
of years. In 1886 William Hartley wa
leader. In 1944-5 James Linsley was EN-
ployed to take charge of the singing ant
have singing school on Sabbath even
ings." For this service he received $25
In 1858 William How'd was employed t.
lead the singing at $75 per year. Som
three years previous
= THE FIRST ORGAN
Was set up in the church. 1t was bull
by one Whitaker, and cost not far fron
$500. CAS- an instance of common neglect
there is not the slightest reference to tn
purchase of this instrument in eithe
church or society record.) 1t is now il
use in the Congregational church at Beth
lehem, Conn. In 1855 Mr.. Howd's salar
was raised to $1G0 per year. In 1862 Ur
w. Hart We employed as organist an
leader of music at 800 per year. In tn
, succeeding ten years an almost unnumbe,
ed host Of amateurs and professional
| auarnn ad 1nroro1, tho oh Jor1, o,,5 III