The Newtown bee., 1899-09-08
OUR NEIGHBORS.
BETHEL.
INTERESTING "REMINISCENCES.

AN4hkhSIlNG KEN lNl5ChNChSs
That part of Elmwood school district
called Wild Cat Ridge was probably set
tied early In 1900 by q substantial class
OF farmers who were church going people
and noted for their intelligence. Before
the first Ecclesiastical Society of Bethel
was formed and church organized the
Inhabitants on these fer away hills regu-
larly attended the mother church in
DAnbury. 1t is said that the withdrawal
o. 81 members from the old chU rch to
form a new church and society in Bethel
z eatly crippled the oil l society. Among
those persons that withdrew were many
substantial people who we're active work
ers and contributed largely towards the
support OF the preaching in the old soci-
ETY.. During the first century following
the organization of the Bethel Congrega-
tlonal church, in 1900 Wild Cat or Elm
wood school district contributed more
active members and more active deacons
than any other school society in Bethel
aud the greater part OF these were from
Wild Cat Ridge. Benjamin Benedict,
who was probably the original owner OF
the farm now owed and occupied by
Lyman Whitehead, was appointed deacon
of the Bethel church, September 20, IVA,
ceased TO act, October 40, 1870. His son,
Oliver Benedict, who inherited the old
homestead after his father, was probab' y
the frat school teacher in the old Wild
Cat school district. The first school
house was located on the Benedict farm
hundred rods or more west of the house.
Oliver Benedict was appointed deacon,
February 8, 1897, ceased to act, January
1, 1905. The descon's penmanship was
unusually fine and he was q man Of
worth and influence In the church and
community. His son, Oliver Starr Ben
edict, Inherited the colonial homestead
and rebuilt the house now standing. He
united with the church il 1881 and was
regular attendant through life. He died
February 2, 1859, aged u years. His
sons, Cyrus II. and George b Benedic
were also members. Mrs Mary FL. Wood
man, an only daughter, now IN her SSH
yesr, says that when a small girl she
was often frightened by a small band OF
rowing Indians who made yea ! = visits to
the Ridge and put up their tents In the
woods below the house where they made
baskets and sold them to the peoE Il OF
Bethel and vicinity. Eben1 2 4r and Den
mis- Plat were born and bought up on
the Ridge. Both were educated and be-
came ministers Of cOnsiderAtl9 ability
The Plitt's were an old family on the
Ridge and VT re amoDRl the fret to settle
there. THAR home toad ar IL
opposite the Whitehead residence on the
north side Of the road. Luke Roberts
lived In lonely place a few hundred
rods south Of the Ridge road, where be
brought up family of children. Ii
went by the name of the Luke ace for
many years after. His det cendAnts have
gone to parts unknown. The old church
record book gives q little ght on Lyke
Roberts early history. His mother wa.
the second wife Of Deacon James Seeley
This made Luke stepsOn Of the deacon
and II seems that be made trouble in thu
family by scandAliZing his mothers good
name by calling her a falsifler. Deacon
Sel y laid in charge against the your z
mAu. He WAS brought before a church
committee and found guilty and was
duly censured for his bad conduct. He
acknoW lodged his fault and was forgiven
Trials of this nature were often brought
before church committee and settled
Between church members all disputes
were settled by a committee and the
church and were never brought before
the civil courts. It was considered 3
disgrace. Deacon Elakim eredict, a
brother Of Dea o liver Benedict, lived OF
The west slope or the Ridge, now the
homestead of the late William Ferry q
estate. The house has been remodeled.
Dea Eliakim Benedict was appointed to
the office June 4, 1906; died March Is,
1918. Elind Taylor married the widow ,
Huldah Benedict, land, became manager
OF the Benedict farm. Incidents OF his
life In our next letter.
HOW LABOR DAY WAS OBSERVED.