Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-17

1 lington for a year and a half during and immediately after his seminary | course. While in Burlington he pre- pared map of the town, giving all of It's roadways and the dwelling places or the inhabitants. He was ordained and installed pastor of the Congrega- tional church in Trumbull in 1890 and remained there upwards of ten years. During this period a new stone church costing with furnishings, $17,000, was erected, replacing the old one that had been destyoed by fire. The sum of $11,O00 was added to the funds of the church during MT. Whites partorate In 1901 he accepted a call to the church in Hinsdale, N. H., where he remained seven years and a half. In 1908 he was called to the church in Baldwinville, Mass, and to the Led yard church. The, call of the latter was accepted and the work there be- gun July 1, 1908. The church and parsonage have been repaired and thirty-six new members added, princi- pally on profession of faith. Clubs for young men and women have been organized, which meet at the parson- age bi-monthly for the presentation of papers and debates. The Bill family including Gurdon Bill of Springfield and Frederick Bill <of Groton are strong friends of the>church.
 Liperalfty of Henry Bill.
 Henry Bill of Norwich became a member of the church in 1S43 and was liberal supporter of it's interests through life He was the son of Cur don Bill of Ledyards who kept tavern in the town and was a Unversalist In 1872 Henry Bill provided parson- age for the church and library facili- ties in the teown.
 Soldiers Monument.
 The soldiers monument in front of the church was erected by Ledyard Bill. It is a fitting tribute to the memory of the Ledyard soldiery in the civil war. MT. Bill died within the past two years.
 Ministers Raised Up.
 Two ministers have ben raised up in the Ledyard church. the Rev. Fred erick Denison Avery and the Rev. James Austin Gallup. Mir. Avery graduated at Yale in 1884 and MT. Gallup in 1851. Both were Cennecti- cut preachers. The total roll of church membership from December F, l8lO. until January 1, 1894, was 415. Of that number 363 were ad- mitted by profession of faith and 52 by letter. The largest membership was in 1SGa, bsing 169. In 1885 there were 160 members and in 1894 there were 152. The membership January 1, 1909, was S9, S9 being males and 90 females. Isaac G. Geer was clerk 1 and treasurer and John M. Gray was 1 superintendent of the Sunday school
 The Church Fund.
 The fund for the maintenance of | the church aggregates $1S,OOO. It | has been made up by bequests and | egacies in the main. The sum of $2,- poo was realized from the avails of a | lottery granted by the legislature in | 1909. The sum of $500 was from William Woodbridge and $500 was from the people, being part of the $5,0O0 | which was paid by the United States | government to Connecticut in account | )f over service in the war of 1872. These contributions were the earlier 'nes to the fund. The highest slip rent which has been paid in the church is IS. The present place of worship vas erected in 184S at cost of $2,50O.
 Sunday School Work.
 Back in 1861 under the pastorate f. Dr. Futile the Sunday school em- traced nine-tenths of the congrega- ion, including persons from 70 yearsaI # age or more down to early child lood. Men and women in middle ge attended and all the youth. Great fort was made to get in the children f parents who never were present t public worship. The population vas sparse and the children travelled rom three to four miles back and orth every Sunday. The largest re- ival experienced in the church was in 1 S69 when 96 were added to the mem ership. The total charities in 35 l ears from 1859 were s3.S35.9S In 1862 | he church raised $40 for sick and rounded soldiers.