The Newtown bee., 1909-08-13

The southeast part of the original town of New Milford, formerly called the NecA, began to be settled about l734, and by l75S the population had so increased that the town re- quired them to have a regular school set up and kept among them" |" In 1772 the town, on petition, al- lowed them "winter privileges" or liberty to hire a gospel minister to preach amongst them for four months in each year for the next three years" As they lived from four to nine miles from New Mill ford church, these privileges only in- creased their desire for permanent worship amongst themselves. After various measures and negotiations for their accommodation had proved unsatisfactory, in April, 1903, with the approval of the New Milford so- ciety, 72 subscribers pledged $2,62O as fund for the support of a preached gospel among them; and, on petition, the General Assembly, October 2, 1903, bonded and incor- porated a society "by the name of Bridgewater," whose territory was wholly in New Milford, and whose first meeting was held November IF, 1903.
 The first assessment list of the so- ciety, made in 1894, contained the names of 9S persons and included some of other persuasions, who from time to time certified off 10 escape being taxed to support Congrega- tional worship. In 1S03-1S1S, IS thus withdrew, namely, one Quaker, one Universalist, three Baptists, three Episcopalians, and 10 Metho- dists and in Ioz5-lo31, 10 others. The Baptists started a society as early as 17SS, and erected a meeting house in the south part of the place where services were held until soon after 1900, when the movement failed, and the house was sold, and Baptist worship has not been re- sumed. The Methodists had preach ing at Southville in the south part of the society in 1894, and later built house there in which they had services with more or less regularity for many years; but now are so en- feebled by the decline of business that although still owning the house they do not use it. The Episcopal society, which dates from April 23, 1910, began in weaAness, erected a church in 1885, about half a mile south of the Congregational church, which was consecrated March IA, 1860. Though it's list Of communi- cants has grown notably since 1860, it is til dependent on the mission ary society of the diocese for aid in maintaining public worship. The meeting -hAuse, 52 40 feet, with "A foot posts and a steeple, was raised and covered in 1907, and began tC be used in 1908, with a triangle fol a bell. The completion of this house required the struggles of nearly 1( years, including lottery in 1874 authorized by the General Assembly which, however, proved disaster, as one of the managers ran off witf most of the money received. IT April, 1877, it was struck by light ming but not badly damaged. A bell of 500 pounds at Al cents z pound was bought in 1927. In 1S4z the church was repaired at a cost o1 about $500, when slips were sub stituted for pews and the outside was painted for the first time. IT 1850, it received a new bell costing $232 and in 1868 an organ costing IS1.100, given by Lyman Smith. Ii Hhas since been otherwise improved and is now in good condition ant likely to serve it's purpose for long time to come. A house built by tht association in 1889 at a cost of$1 ,23i as a parsonage is now owned by tht society and is pleasantly located little south of the church. In 1SSI a conveniently arranged and mucf needed chapel was built on tht church premises, furnished and pai( for, and is in good repair. It i' , probable that some of the pledges foI the fund of 1908 were never col lected. In 1885 the amount of th' fund was Sl,152. In 1S6v-1S96 th' amount of the fund including tht parsonage as reported, has ranged from $3.760 to $5,9OU, and is nov QS96) $4,67O.
 The church was organized Angus 10, 1909, wlt.. nine males and 2l females-29 n all-most of whom doubtless had been members of tht church in New Milford. Reuben Fay Tor, who was born in Warren, Octo Der 8, 1776, and graduated at Will Hams College in 1906, and studied theology under Rev Alvan Hyde O. Lee, Mass, was ordained as pastor here January "A, 1910, on settle count square" He was dismissed April 5, 1915. Later he was pastor at Trumbull September Is, 1S17 February 12, 1924; was agent of tht American Bible Society in Ohio ir 1927, and afterward supplied desti ute churches as he could till he diec aged S1. Nearly 20 years elapsed before the church had another set tied pastor.
 Asahel Nettleton, then licenti ate, the evangelist, who labored wit. memorable success in 1S11-1S22 il B places in Connecticut, spent some weeks here in 1916 as the result of which 20 were added to the church that year on profession. IT 1S1S-1S19, another season of reviva added 23 on profession.
 l In 1920, MT Burritt, probably Rev Stephen w. Burritt, who was commissioned in 1923 by the Mis-. t..-