" i- i«.^

YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

1748 1 882

RINITY

riHR©ri

Branford^ (Zonn^

AN

HISTORICAL SKETCH

of the

^FQ(Fstfln( J^pisropal {^|nFr|

BRANKORD, CONN.,

1 748-1882.

Rev. MELVILLE K. BAILEY, , /;^>.
Rector of Trinity Ghwch, Branford.

i, we have beattd with outt eatis, and outt fathetis have
declaiied unto us, the noble wotifes that thoti didst in tbeiti dags,
and in the old time beSotie them.

3 belieue in <3oii tl)e iTatljer ^Imii9l)t2, Jtlaker of
heaoen anb eartl) :
^nb in Jesus ffiljrist l)iB onlg Son our £orbj tDlio
totts conceiweb bp tlje ^Solg @l)ost, JBorn of tl)e birgin iMarg ;
Suffercb unber ||)ontius piote, ttlos crucifieb, beob, anb
burieb ; ^e bescenbeb into Ijell, QL[)e tijirb bag Ije rose
again from tl)e beob ; §e ascenbeb into I)eai)en, ^nb sittetl)
on tl)e rigljt honb of (Sioi tlje iFather <^lmigl)ta ; ifrom
tljence I)e bI]oU come to fubgc tl)e quick anb tl)e beob.
I beliene in tl)e Igolg ®l)06t ; Slje folg (Eotljolic
Cljurcl); acbe afommunion of Saints^ €\)e JForgioeness of
sins ; etlie Resurrection of tlje bobg ; ^nb tlje Cife
eoerloBting. ^men.

PEEFATOET.

The following historical sketch contains the substance of four ser
mons delivered in Trinity Church, Branford, Sept. 36, and Oct. 10, 1886.
It is based on an historical paper written by Mr. Eli F. Rogers, to whom
I am gratefully indebted for the entire plan of my own sketch, for
many facts given from his personal recollection, and for every possible
help in consulting books in his possession and reference to other sources
of information. To Mr. Henry Rogers of Stony Creek I am indebted
for many facts which he had heard from persons of a former genera
tion, and for additional help ; to Mr. Henry H. Stedman, tbe Town
Clerk, for great assistance in searching tbe town records ; to Mrs.
AMrah Bradley and her sister. Miss Morris, and to Mr. Jerome Harri
son, for traditions of the past ; to Mr. James E. Russell, for the loan of
a most valuable collection of papers in regard to the foundation of the
parish and the building of the first church ; to Mr. "Walter E. Fowler,
for the use of tbe parish records ; to Miss Charlotte M. Johnson and
Mrs. R. T. Meade, to Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Chidsey, to Mrs. Samuel E.
Linsley and Miss Mary J. Upson, to Mrs. John H. Robinson, and to
many others whom there is not space to name, for further valuable
assistance. To Trumbull's History of Connecticut, Jennings' Ecclesia
Anglieana, the Rev. Dr. Beardsley's Histories, and to many .other books
and pamphlets I am also indebted.
Much that is interesting has been necessarily omitted for lack of
space. If only a few can derive from reading, a small part of the
pleasure which the writer has found in compiling, this sketch, his
utmost ambition will be satisfied.
M. K. B.
Teinity Chukch Kectobt,
Jan. 24, 1887.

1748-1784.

Causes of the Founding of the Parish.

The causes which account for the founding of this parish
are to be sought in the early history of the last century.
There was great indifEerence to true religion, both in the
Church of England, and among JS'on-conformists there and in
this country.
Such an age seems to produce reformers who assail the vices
of the times with unsparing severity, and whose followers go
to extremes that their leaders never desired. The reformers
most prominent in those times were the Wesleys and White-
field in the Church of England, and Jonathan Edwards in
America. The results were Methodism in Old England, and
the " great awakening " in New England.
Previously to the visit of Whitefield to America, there had
been, in some places, a renewed interest in religion. But it
was his preaching which gave most impetus to the reaction
against irreligion, while it led also to excesses. Among other
places Branford was touched by the wave of enthusiasm, and
it is probable that Whitefield preached here. Aug. 14, 17M,
it was voted that he be "admitted to preach in this society."
The pastor in Branford at that time was the Rev. Philemon
Kobbins, who warmly espoused the cause of the " New Lights,"
as the revivalists were called. This, with his preaching at the
Baptist meeting-house at Wallingford, led to a disagreement
with his colleagues, by whom he was afterward deposed.* A
part of his congregation separated themselves from his minis
trations, but the majority held by him, and he remained here
* A f uU account of this matter may be found in TrumbuU's History
of Connecticut.

as pastor until his death in 1781. He was also received again
into fellowship with the Congregational ministers, though
never formally reinstated.
It is to the dissenting minority that we look to discover the
beginnings of the Episcopal Church. In 1748 the opponents
of Mr. Eobbins petitioned the General Court for aid in carry
ing into effect a decree of the Consociation debarring him from
ministerial duties. The petitioners were
Nathaniel Harrison. Samuel Maltby.
Natbanael Johnson. Nathanael Butler.
Joseph Frisbie. Joseph Bishop.
Noah Rogers. Samuel Frisbie.
John Rogers. Micha Palmer, jun.
John Rogers, jun. Noah Baldwin.
John Zdnsley. Abraham Palmer.
Jonathan Hoadley. Ebenezer Linsley.
John Hoadley. Uzal Cook.
Nathanael Soadley. Nathanael Frisbie.
JBenjamin Palmer. Isaac Cook.
Demetrius Cook. Abijah Hobart.
Ebenezer Frishie. Daniel Frisbie.
Orchard Guy. Jonathan Goodsell.
Daniel Palmer.
The names in italics represent the families which probably
embraced Episcopacy, though it is by no means certain that
every person so indicated became a Churchman. The facts
which seem to prove this will be given below.
This petition, together with the events which had followed
it, marks the first turning point in the religious history of
Branford. Until this time Christianity here had been pure
Congregationalism, — at least, in organization. But from 1748
on. Episcopacy was to assert itself, and become an infiuence
which could not be ignored. And Christianity in Branford is
best understood by attentive and candid study, not only of
Congregationalism and Episcopacy, but also of the Baptist
society, the Methodist movement which arose and fell, and the
established Roman Catholic parish. The purpose of this
sketch is to present a view of the influence of Protestant
Episcopacy.

General Outline of Parish History.

It is evident that this was a spontaneous movement on the
part of the laymen. It was the laymen who carried through
the work until the parish was well established with a church
and a resident rector. But definite written history is very
scant. What there is runs somewhat as follows :
In 1748 the Rev. Matthew Graves, missionary in New
London of the venerable Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel in Foreign Parts, received an urgent invitation to visit
Branford. Mr. Abijah Hobart, one of the above-mentioned
petitioners, had recently come here from New London, and he
may have suggested the invitation to Mr. Graves. The invita
tion was accepted, and, probably in September, Mr. Graves
came here, meeting the Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson at Guilford,
and preaching there. Two days after he preached in Branford.
He says : " I performed service at Branford to a most agree
able sight of auditors, who behaved very well, and some of the
chief Presbyterians came to my lodgings and returned me
thanks." These chief Presbyterians, who behaved so well,
were, without doubt, some of the petitioners.
This is the first Church service in the town of which we
have a definite record, but Dr. Johnson had probably minis
tered here before, for not many days after, Sept. 29, he writes
that during the previous summer he had visited Guilford and
Branford, where he had preached to large numbers. During
the winter of 1748-9 the younger son of Dr. Johnson some
times read service here.
About two years pass, and there occurs an important event
which is described and proved by the following document :
Branfokd, Dec. 9tb, 1751.
By the advice of the clergy of the Church of England (to wit) the
Eev. Doct. Johnson, Ebenezer Punderson and Richard Mansfield, tbe
several parishes of Guilford, Branford and New Haven have covenanted
and met together in Branford by their committees, to consult together
with regard of uniting in getting a missionary to serve in. the above
places agreeable to tbe advice of the clergy, and it is fully agreed and
voted in this general meeting, that the above parishes shall continue
together as one mission so long as the Rev. Clergy of tbe Church of

8
England and the laity of each parish above shall see it convenient — and
that the several parishes shall enjoy and have the benefits of said mis
sionary, when appointed (agreeable to what each parish subscribes or
pays towards tbe support of said missionary). The above proposal
being examined and consulted by ... . each party have deliber
ately signed our hands as committees and members of each parish and
dated as above. „ , ( Nathaniel Johnson.
For Branford \ ;^^^ wilfokd.
( Ebenezeb Talmaqe.
For Guilford \ ^^i.ttam Ward.
'Enos Alling.

For New Haven

Samuel Claeke.
Joseph PuifrDLE.
Isaac Doolittle.

The above a true copy.
Attested, John Factor, Clerk, Aug. 4th, 1752.
This action was supplemented as follows :
Branford, Jan. 31st, 1753.
At a meeting of the conformists to the Church of England (by their
committees) from the towns of New Haven, Guilford and Branford, it
is unanimously agreed upon, that a mission be made in the towns above
named, and that an orthodox missionary of the Church of England be
settled over us, whom the Rev. Doct. Johnson, with tbe neighboring
missionaries, shaU recommend unto us ; when approved and appointed
missionary over us by the Bishop of London, we will be bound and
obUged to pay annually tbe sum of fifty pound sterling money, or the
equivalent, unto him tbe said missionary so long as he continues to be
our missionary, and we continue to be a mission. It is furthermore
agreed upon that Mr. Enos Ailing, John Factor, George Bartlett, Ed
mund Ward and Samuel Clarke be a. committee to advise with tbe Rev.
Missionary, whom to apply unto, and bow to conduct in the affair
above, and make report of the same unto the parishes to which they
respectively belong.  Tbe above determination was agreed upon by us
the subscribers, committees for tbe towns above.
Edmund Ward, i
Samuel Collins, \ GluiVord.
Enos Alling, New Haven.
John Fowler, Cohabit (North Quilford).
John Wilpord, \
Ebenezer Linsley, (• Branford Committee.
John Factor, )
The above is a true copy.
Attest, John Factor, Clerk, Aug. 4th, 1763.
The subsequent action of the committees is shown by the
following document :

Branford, Aug. 3d, 1752.
At a meeting of the conformists to tbe Church of England .... in
Branford, legally warned and met at tbe place appointed .... made
choice of Mr. Nathaniel Johnson for moderator, and after mature delib
eration agreed upon and made choice of the Rev. Mr. Solomon Palmer,
to be our missionary (agreeable to our former proceedings, and advice
of the neighboring missionaries, that we should apply to .... said
Mr. Palmer and that the towns of New Haven, Branford, and Guilford
should be united in one mission), we have agreed and appointed
Nathaniel Palmer* as our committee to join Mr. Nathaniel Johnson of
Guilford, to proceed as soon as possible, and lay these our proceedings
as soon as possible before the said Mr. Palmer of Cornwall, expecting
a satisfactory answer; likewise we send a copy of our contract made
Dec. 9th, 1751, when first united to be one mission, and Jan. 21st, 1753,
our agreement when we appHed to the missionaries on this affair.
Attested: John Factor, Church Society's Clerk.
Branford, Aug. 4th.
Mr. Palmer did not accept the call ; but the Rev. Ebenezer
Punderson was in charge soon after, as the following receipt
indicates : Branford, Jan. 7tb, 1754.
Received to my full satisfaction, of Mr. Nathaniel Palmer of the
Church of England .... for the minister's tax, laid on bim for the
year past. Ebenezer Punderson, Jun., Missionary.
The associated parish at GuiKord had been founded in 1744,
that at New Haven in 1750. It is evident that there was an
organized society in Branford as early as 1751.
The parish continued to increase until 1763-4, when it
suffered somewhat from Mr. Punderson's inability to supply
regular services.
Three years later, in 1766, there is plain evidence of pros
perity. There were persons of wealth, and the parish had so
much increased that they hoped to build, and have the Rev.
Solomon Palmer as resident minister to themselves alone, and
he was quite inclined to listen. These plans were not carried
into effect.
* Mr. Nathaniel Palmer was brother to the Rev. Solomon Palmer, and grand
father to Mr. Daniel Palmer, late of Stony Creek, from whose family the fore
going papers were obtained by Mr. Bli F. Rogers. The originals, with other
papers of interest relating to the matter, have been deposited with the State
Librarian at Hartford.

10
From this time until 1Y76 there is no record whatever, nor
after that until 1784. The following document indicates that
at the time of its date the parish was under the care of the
Rev. Bela Hubbard : Guilford, April 3d, 1776.
By authority vested in me by the Rev. Bela Hubbard, incumbent of
Christ Church in Guilford, I do discbarge Mr. Barnabas Palmer of
Branford from paying his ministerial rate, granted in tbe year 1775, to
any other person whatsoever, be having paid the same in full to me.
Nathaniel Johnson, Jun., Ch. Warden.
In 1784, the parish emerges into light with fifty-four mem
bers, who would certainly represent a larger number of souls
in the cure. This shows that in spite of all discouragements
the parish had been steadily growing since 1748.
Such is the general course of the history of the Church of
England in Branford, during this first period of thirty-six
years.

Church Families in Branford 1748-84.

But the curiosity of the student cannot be satisfied with so
meagre 'details in regard to the laymen of the parish. He at
once asks to know more about the laymen who maintained
Episcopacy in those times. Who were they ? Where did they
live ? What was their position in the town ? To these ques
tions the answer is not so definite as we could wish ; but by
weighing the facts that there was a missionary cure here, and
that it could not have been composed of those who held by
Mr. Robbins, we may find a clue. In this New England town
of the eighteenth century an Episcopal parish could be formed
only of those who were already professed Episcopalians, or
who had revolted from Congregationalism, for there were no
Baptists, Quakers, or others here. All the rest must have
been members of the First Society. We have, then, two fields
of research, small but interesting, — professed Churchmen and
these protestants against protestantism. We will investigate
the former field first.
One man, whose name does not appear among the protes
tors, but who seems to have been active both in the proceed-

11
ings against Mr. Robbins, and in establishing Episcopacy,
was John Factor. It was at his house that the Consociation
met in 1746, to consider the case of Mr. Robbins. Afterward,
in 1752, he was a member of the committee on the union of
parishes, and clerk of the " Church Society." His residence
was probably on the site next west of Dr. Zink's, and seems to
have been a tavern and a store. He died in December, 1758.
His will, which is a very interesting paper, shows that he
was the possessor of a very large fortune for the times.
Besides his negro girl Toney and his negro boy Cutty, his
personal and movable estate, and his house with the home lot,
he enumerates eleven separate lots of land, and other property.
One lot was three acres, near the Dutch House, containing the
wharf and warehouse, the property now occupied by the coal
and lumber yard of F. Jourdan & Son. The total value of the
property was about $9,575. The will was witnessed by the
Rev. Ebenezer Punderson, James A. Hillhouse, and Leverett
Hubbard. The last was probably his attending physician.
Mr. Factor was probably always a Churchman.
Another name is that of John Wilford, a member of the
committee above mentioned. His ancestor, John Wilford, son
of Gilbert Wilford, of Ipswich, was a merchant who took the
oath of fidelity at New Haven in 1644, and removed to Bran
ford before 1663. Richard Wilford was one of the first citi
zens of Branford from 1665 to 1677. He was a member of
the Governor's Council, and held the freedom of the city of
London, — both marked civil honors. The Wilfords were ex
tensive landowners. The first homestead was on the corner
lot opposite the cemetery, which is still in the possession of
the family.
Yet another name is that of Nathanael Johnson, who was
a member of the committee, and moderator of one meeting.
He was without doubt a relative of the Nathaniel Johnsons,
senior and junior, of Guilford, the elder of whom was brother
to the celebrated Dr. Samuel Johnson. Another relative was
Timothy Johnson, who was originally of Guilford, but came
here before 1760. His son Timothy Johnson lived opposite,
and afterward on the site of Mr. Charles Harrison's residence,
and was well-known as the entertainer of the clergy and

12
bishops. It may be surmised that he gave the name of
" Trinity Church " to this parish.
There is another family whose name appears in the second
list, but not in the first. These were the Morrises. They
came here from Wales, and were always Churchmen. They
were weavers, and traditions have come down of the elegant
blankets and richly colored shawls that were woven in their
looms. The present is the fifth generation of Morrises and
Churchmen who have lived on the plot of ground west of Mr.
Bradley Chidsey's. The Rev. Lewis F. Morris of this diocese
is a member of the same family.
These four names are of those who did not join in the pro
test, but who seem already to have been Churchmen.
We have also a clue to those families among the protestors
in which Episcopacy probably took root between 1748 and
1784. By comparing the list of those who protested in 1748
with the list of those who founded the parish in 1784, we find
that six family names occur in both lists. The names which
in 1784 have disappeared are Harrison, Johnson, Maltby,
Butler, Bishop, Baldwin, Hobart, Guy and Goodsell. Of
these the name of Johnson was borne %j the young Timothy
Johnson, and Orchard Guy was father-in-law of the elder
Timothy Johnson, and may have been a Churchman.
The names which remain are Frisbie, Rogers, Linsley,
Hoadley, Palmer and Cook. As there were protestors of that
name at the earlier, and founders of the parish at the later,
date, it seems very probable that in these six families also the
principles of Episcopacy were maintained during the thirty-six
years of which we have so little definite account.
In the first list occur the names of Joseph, Ebenezer, Samuel,
Nathanael and Daniel, and in the second list the names of
Thomas, Ebenezer, Ebenezer, Jr., and Abel Frishie. The
Ebenezer of the first and the Ebenezer, Sr., of the second may
have been identical. The Frisbies lived in the eastern part of
the town, at Paved Street, and in that neighborhood. In 1784
Mary Frisbie, a widow, lived near the great pine tree where
the road to North Branford turns off from the Guilford road.
Thomas Frisbie was appointed to see about the boards and
shingles in the eastern part of the town, for the new church.

13
In the earlier list the names of Noah, John and John
Rogers, Jr., appear, — in the second John, Isaac, Abraham,
Jacob and John, Jr. The Noah and John cf the first are said
to have been brothers. The John Rogers, Jr., of the first list
^may have been the John Rogers, Sr., of the second list, who was
father to the other four. The Rogers family lived at Stony
Creek, and a large part of the land now occupied by cottages
was once in the possession of the family. The Abraham
Rogers of the second list was grandfather to Messrs. EU F.,
Elizur and Henry Rogers. The family is descended from the
celebrated martyr of Smithfield, John Rogers. That distin
guished ecclesiastic of the Church of England had at Antwerp
prepared the celebrated " Matthew's Bible," and after return
ing to England in 1548 became Prebendary of St. Paul's.
Jonathan, John and Nathanael Hoadley appear on the first
list, Jonathan and Jonathan, Jr., on the second. The family
lived in the Damascus neighborhood. Jonathan Hoadley was
frequently returned to the State Legislature. Mr. Charles J.
Hoadly, the State Librarian, is a member of the same family.
The family are also connected with Benjamin Hoadley, the
Bishop of Bangor, whose sermon on the Kingdom of Christ,
delivered before King George I. in 1716, " caused an ecclesias
tical ferment which in certain aspects has no parallel in relig
ious history," giving rise to the celebrated Bangorian con
troversy. Bishop Hoadley's father was a native of Guilford.
In the first list are found the names of Benjamin, Daniel,
Micha, Jr., and Abraham Palmer, — ^in the second, Nathaniel,
Barnabas and Samuel, Jr., of the same family. Barnabas
Palmer, whose name referred to above is the only one appear
ing between 1766 and 1784, lived near the house of Mr.
Hobart Kelsey, at Paved street, and Daniel lived at Stony
Creek. The Rev. Solomon Palmer was a member of this
family. This family is not known to be connected with that
of Mr. Isaac H. Palmer, who has recently been church warden,
and whose son now holds the same office.
The name of Cook is represented by Demetrius, Uzal and
Isaac in the first list, and by George in the second. This
family also lived at Stony Creek, and Demetrius possibly was
a Churchman.

14
This group of five families, it will have been observed, all
lived in the eastern part of the town. It is said that the hill
near Mr. Greene T. Kenyon's might have been considered a
central location for the church at that time. And within the
memory of those now living, when the Westminster Catechism
and the Church Catechism were both recited in school at Stony
Creek, the pupils in the latter outnumbered those in the
former. One member of the Church Committee in 1752 was Eben
ezer Linsley. His homestead was on the site where the resi
dence of Mrs. Samuel E. Linsley now stands. He was thirty-
seven years old when he signed the first petition. His son,
Ebenezer Linsley, was a boy of twelve at that time, and
afterward lived in a house that stood on the site of the Virgil
Cooke house at Scotch Cap.* This house, which was one of
the finest in Branford, was burned during the war of the
Revolution. His son, the third Ebenezer Linsley, was born
in 1764, and lived at Short Beach. His home was the brick
house near the residence of Mr. E. L. Forbes. The three
Ebenezer Linsleys, father, son and grandson, signed their
names as founders of this parish, Dec. 11, 1784. The first was
then aged seventy-three years, his son was forty- eight, and the
grandson a young man of twenty. The second was probably
the one so prominent in 1784 and later. The last one, " Squire
Eben' Linsley," is well remembered by many in the town.
These are the family names which are preserved in the
thirty-six uncertain years, and, though we have little positive
proof, it seems highly probable that in these families the
interest in Episcopacy lived, and that they formed the nucleus
to which were added the other families whose names appear in
the list of 1784. They had no church and no resident pastor,
but were served by the missionaries when it was possible, and
met where a convenient place could be found. Tradition
relates that services were sometimes held at the residence of
Capt. Ammi Harrison, which is the ancient red house south of
the Baptist Church. And from the vigor with which the
Church reappeared immediately after the close of the war it
may be inferred that Episcopacy has been continuous as one of
* This name is said to be a corruption of Scotch Camp.

15
the religious influences of the town from the year 1748 to the
present time.

Missionaries in Charge from 1748 to 1784.

The difficulty of procuring exact written information during
the first period is much less in the case of the clergy than in
that of the laity. The movements of the missionaries were
recorded, and we are quite certain who they were, and how
long they ministered here.
Rev. Matthew Graves, 1748. — The first to be invited to
Branford was, as we have seen, the Rev. Matthew Graves of
New London. He was a missionary sent over from England,
and was a stiff observer of the English Prayer Book, as it was
written, and a strict loyalist. His determination to carry out
the entire system of the Church, regardless of circumstances,
invited the mild censure of some of the most distinguished of
the American-born clergy. In 1778 he insisted on reading the
prayers for the King and Parliament, and was attacked in his
church at New London by a party of Whigs. As a result he
fled to the British lines, and died in New York in 1780.
Rev. Samuel Johnson, D.D. — The name of Dr. Samuel
Johnson, whose visits here in 1748, 1752 and 1766 are recorded,
is the most distinguished of the times among Church clergymen
in Connecticut. He was won from the Congregational ministry
to the Church of England by the reading and re-reading of a
Prayer Book. His studies led him on until he went to Eng
land for orders, where he met the generous reception befitting
so noble a man. For many years he was at Stratford, success
ful in his work, able in controversy, esteemed by all. He
received the degree of Doctor in Divinity from the University
of Oxford, and was made President of King's (now Columbia)
College in New York City. Returning to Stratford, he ended
his days there in 1772. In contemplating his life one is com
pelled to admire his wide learning, his genial wit, his warm
affection, his inspiring influence on the men of his time, his
attachment to the Church and his fidehty to her Lord. His
seems to have been a spirit like that of St. John. His life was

16
the life of an apostle, his death was the death of a saint. It is
pleasing to think that such a man mingled in affectionate inter
course with the fathers of this parish.
Rev. Ehenezer Punderson, 1752-61. The ministrations
of Dr. Johnson were occasional services. The first missionary
in charge was the Rev. Ebenezer Punderson, a plain, out
spoken man who, like Dr. Johnson, had come over from the
Congregational ministry. Mr. Punderson had succeeded the
Rev. Samuel Seabury, father of Bishop Seabury, as the Con
gregational minister at North Groton. He soon declared for
Episcopacy, in the face of much opposition, went to England
for orders and returned as missionary to North Groton and
Norwich. In 1752 he went to New Haven, and remained
there about nine years. In that year, it will be remembered,
the three parishes of New Haven, Branford and Guilford
united and extended a call to the Rev. Solomon Palmer, which
he did not accept. These parishes now became the cure of
Mr. Punderson. He must often have crossed the ferry at
New Haven, and traveled the main road past the house where
Governor Saltonstall, the stout champion of Congregationalism,
had lived, and held service here. During portions of his
ministry the parish suffered somewhat, as Mr. Punderson found
it difficult to cross the ferry. Some lack of polish in his man
ner, too, and a dispute with a Congregationalist of New Haven,
rendered a change advisable. He removed to Rye, and was
very successful in his work there. Mr. Punderson was a zeal
ous Churchman, and made ample gifts of his own means to
advance Church interests.
Rev. Solomon Palmer, 1763-66. He was succeeded by
the Rev. Solomon Palmer, a native of Branford. For fourteen
years he had been a Congregational minister at Cornwall in
this State, when one Sunday in March, 1754, he surprised his
congregation by declaring for Episcopacy. This was accom
panied by considerable personal loss of property in Cornwall.
After his return from England he became itinerant missionary
in the district surrounding New Milford and Litchfield. His
labors were remarkably successful, and in 1760 his three con
gregations had become six. In 1763, to their grief, he removed
to New Haven, and was without doubt warmly welcomed by

17
his old friends the Churchmen of Branford. He was as suc
cessful in this vicinity as at Litchfield. At New Haven he
gathered up the scattered fiock and added to them. It is clear
that he also strengthened the Church in Branford, for we have
seen that in 1766 the parish had so increased that they hoped
to build, and have Mr. Palmer as resident minister to them
selves alone.
But Mr. Palmer seems to have retained his old attachment
for Litchfield, and complained that New Haven was too expen
sive a place to live in. He returned to his former parish in
the autumn of 1766, and after five years of continuous service
amid many infirmities was there laid at rest.
Rev. Bela Huhbard, D.D., 1767-84. From the neighbor
ing town of Guilford came the one who was next to minister to
the scattered Churchmen of Branford. The name of Bela
Hubbard ranks high among the clergy of those times. The
trusted friend of Seabury, Jarvis and Johnson, he left an abid
ing mark on the history of the diocese. He was a graduate of
Yale, and after receiving orders his first cure comprised Kil-
lingworth. North Guilford and Guilford. Having been there
three years, he became missionary to New Haven and West
Haven. The great attachment of his people is seen in their
unwillingness to let him go. It was said by the Church
Wardens to be " so distressing that words cannot express it."
And Dr. Johnson, whose nephew he was, writes : " The affair
of Mr. Hubbard leaving Guilford was so tender and difficult
that he was obliged to hold it in some suspense, till he could
have the advice of the Convention we had lately at New
Haven, when we counselled him to remove thither."
Mr. Hubbard still intended to visit Guilford several times a
year. It must be said that the belief that he occasionally
ministered in Branford, while at New Haven, is not so well
supported as in the case of other missionaries. Four facts
only may be used as evidence. The receipt to Barnabas
Palmer, dated in 1776, printed on page 10, would indicate
that the parish here was under his care. It is recorded by
the Rev. Dr. Beardsley that during the war Mr. Hubbard
" was not seriously embarrassed in his ministrations, which
were extended north to Bethany, and the shore of the Sound
2

18
east to Guilford and west to Fairfield." Branford would
scarcely have been neglected as he passed through to Guilford.
Mr. Hubbard was present at the first recorded meeting of the
" professors of the Established Church of England," held June
2d, 1784. And as late as 1794 he baptized children in this
parish. These few facts at least suggest that between the time
when Rev. Solomon Palmer returned to Litchfield and the
year 1784, this parish was under his general supervision.
We now enter the clouds of the Revolution. The facts
above cited are the only indication that the parish did not
become extinct during the war. There certainly could have
been little active work. Episcopacy could not then have
flourished here. The names " Tory " and " Churchman " went
often together. The town was alive with preparations for
war, sending detachments to the field, making and storing
gunpowder, and setting watches on the coast at Branford
Point, Indian Neck and Stony Creek. The inhabitants of the
town were left so defenceless that they made an urgent appeal
for a guard of the State militia. A society was formed called
" Lovers of their Country," to bring to immediate and condign
punishment those inimical to their country. This points at
Tories, and as some Tories are known to have been Church
men, those Churchmen who were not Tories may have shared
their unpopularity. It must also be remembered that in
troublous times the interest in affairs of state often becomes
supreme, and interest in religion diminishes. The invasion of
New Haven and the British gunboat that stood off Falkner's
Island would not encourage attachment to England's Church.
Obscurity settles down over our parish until 1784, when it
emerges with the promise of strength and prosperity.

$^(;0|\ID p^I^IOD,
1784-1838.

Re-Founding of the Parish and Building of the
First Church, 1784-6.

The founding of the present parish organization was ren
dered possible by the close of the war of the Revolution. At
times the feeling against Churchmen had been very strong. It
is not to be wondered at, since so many adherents of the Eng
lish Church were adherents of colonial government. But it is
now admitted by all men of candor that loyalty to England
was then no dishonor. And Churchmen are now equally
grateful with others that the United States became inde
pendent of the mother country. It was not to be expected
that prejudice would subside for a long time. But Church
men would now be at liberty to proceed with their own plans
without fear of hindrance. It is to be added that many of the
Churchmen of Branford were active patriots. Their names
appear on the town records as prominent in aiding the Revo
lution. Yet another thing would encourage the formation of par
ishes. It must have become evident by this time that there
would soon be an American bishop. The importance of this
step can scarcely be over-estimated. Without a bishop real
advance was impossible. With an episcopate the church could
make lasting growth. The first effective action toward this
was taken the last week in March in 1783. Ten clergymen
met at Woodbury in this State and deputed their secretary,
the Rev. Abraham Jarvis, to urge either the Rev. Jeremiah

20
Leaming, or the Rev. Samuel Seabury, D.D., to go abroad and
seek consecration. Mr. Leaming was their first choice. As
Mr Jarvis could not prevail on him, he addressed his efforts
to Dr. Seabury, and there met success. The story of the
hindrances to the object sought is familiar. It was about the
time of our first parish meeting that Dr. Seabury began to fear
that consecration could not be secured in England, and looked
toward Scotland. But the action of the laymen here was uni
formly in advance of any possible receipt of news from abroad.
It is clear that they went steadily on with their plans, in the
faith that everything requisite to complete church organization
would be provided.
With political hindrances removed and ecclesiastical defi
ciencies supplied, the way was open for progress.
The first date to be observed is June 2, 1784, but it is to be
noted at once that this is not the date of the founding of the
present parish. It was only a tentative meeting. Three things
had to be done — the parish had to be legally organized, a place
of worship had to be provided, and a pastor had to be secured.
These were not effected separately by a distinct plan. They
all progressed together in obedience to the general determina
tion to found a parish.
The place of meeting was the dweUing-house of Capt. John
Russell. This is the house now standing next west of Dr.
Gaylord's. In that house began the movement which has
grovra to the present parish.
The persons known to have been present were the Rev. Bela
Hubbard, Mr. Ebenezer Linsley, Mr. William Monro, and
Capt. Samuel Russell. The only business done was the
appointment of Capt. Samuel RnsseU and Ebenezer Linsley
committee, "to provide a convenient house to meet at for
Public Worship." To this conimittee Dr. Wm. Gould* was
afterward added. Ebenezer Linsley was moderator of the
meeting. Wm. Monro lived west of Mr. Isaac H. Palmer's.
Capt. Samuel Russell's residence was near the river on Mon-
towese street, on the site of Mr. Henry Fowler's house.
The next meeting of importance was held at Capt, Samuel
Russell's house, July 5, 1784. Messrs. Abraham Hobart and
* Jay Gould is said to be a descendant of this family.

21
George Bartlett from Guilford, were present, and it was voted
that the two parishes unite and procure a clergyman or person
to read the church service.
Nothing more is said at present about a place for public wor
ship, but it is clear that the parishes had settled on Mr. Ashbel
Baldwin, of Litchfield, as the pastor whom they desired. He
was a lay-reader, his ordination awaiting the consecration of a
bishop for America. Mr. Samuel Johnson, of Guilford, was
empowered to engage him, and at a meeting held at Capt.
Samuel Russell's, November 15, 1784, the day after Bishop
Seabury was consecrated, it was voted to "hire" him for
twelve months at a salary of £80 L. M. (lawful money), one-
half to be paid by the church in Branford, and the other half
by the societies of Guilford. They were disappointed in secur
ing Mr. Baldwin, for he was under engagements in Litchfield.
The effort was made again in 1791, and his letter declining
the call, written in the most courteous language and elegant
penmanship, is still in existence.
Mr. Baldwin was led to embrace Episcopacy almost by acci
dent. After leaving college he became tutor in a Church
family on Long Island. When Sunday morning came, there
being no public service, Mr. Baldwin, as the educated member
of the household, was invited to act as lay-reader. Unwilling
to confess his ignorance of the Prayer Book, he made friends
with the gardener, who instructed him in the use of the order
of Morning Prayer, and his love of the Liturgy in the end led
into the Church. He was ordained August 3, 1785, at Mid-
dletown, in the old church which stood on the green — the first
Episcopal ordination ever held in the United States. For
many years he held positions of trust in the church, and was a
man eminently beloved.
One week later a meeting was held at the house of Thomas
Frisbie, where, on learning of Mr. Baldwin's engagement at
Litchfield, it was agreed to have the Rev. James Sayre come
here and " open the church " on the last Sunday of November.
This Mr. Sayre accordingly did, and this date, November 28,
is the most important yet noted, for it is the real religious
birthday of the parish. The phrase to "open the church,"
without doubt refers to the initial service of the new parish,

22
since even the site for the new edifice was not yet decided
upon. We have no means of knowing where this service took
place. The parish organization was made the following day at the
house of Capt. Samuel Russell, so that November 29 may be
called its eodesiastiGal birthday. This is the correct date of
the founding of the parish. The following officers were
chosen : Mr. Ebenezer Linsley, ) Qj^urch Wardens.
Capt. Samuel -Kussell, j
Capt. John Russell,
Obed Linsley,
Thomas Frisbie,
John Rogers, jun., \ Vestrymen.
Papillian Barker,
Capt. Ebenezer Barker,
Edward Barker,
Wm. Monro, Glerh of ihe Ghurch and Society.
At the same meeting a vote was passed with the intention
of procuring Mr. Sayre as their minister, and he probably was
in charge while the church was building, for December 21, it
was agreed to have him move to Branford as soon as conven
ient, to provide him a house to dwell in, and March 25, 1785,
Capt. John Russell was chosen treasurer to receive the sub
scriptions to his salary ; one item, not dated, in Ralph Isaacs'
bill extending from 1784 to 1791, is £1. 10s. for five loads of
wood delivered to Mr. Sayre ; and in a letter to the parish
dated January 29, 1793, Mr. Sayre speaks of his " little former
flock at Branford."
Mr. Sayre was a very different man from the cheerful, witty,
scholarly and practical Ashbel Baldwin. He afterward became
engaged in a very unnecessary controversy with the bishop and
diocesan convention, in the course of which he was violent and
refractory, and involved the parishes at Woodbury and Strat
ford in much confusion. The letter of 1793, written after he
had been displaced at Stratford by Ashbel Baldwin, in response
to a second call to this parish, is a sad one. After speaking of
the kindness of his " little former flock," he says, " I cannot
find a freedom in my mind to undertake a parochial charge,

23
in the present fluctuating state of matters of the ecclesiastical
kind." It is well that he did not, for his mind was probably
already disordered, since he afterward died of actual insanity.
But another step had yet to be taken before the parish was
legally recognized as such. That was the formal notice to the
First Society. Accordingly at the same meeting the follow
ing paper* was drawn up and signed by thirty-seven persons.
Branford, Novb' 39, 1784.
We, the subscribers, having for several months last past agreed to
establish the Episcopal Church in this Society, and having actually
completed the same, and appointed the Rev'd James Sayre our min
ister, we desire you, Mr. Moderator, to lay this paper before your Soci
ety previous to your 'passing any vote, and to inform them that we
consider ourselves a separate church established by law. And we
desire the said Society to excuse us paying any rates to said Society.
Wishing them health, peace and happiness, we beg leave to subscribe
ourselves Yr Mt Hbe Serv'ts.
The Moderator of the First Society Meeting in Branford.
This, however, does not seem to have been satisfactory, for
in the following month a second paper was presented, and the
date of its presentation is the date of the legal establishment
of the parish.
To the first Ecclesiastical society in the Town of Branford in the
County of New Haven : —
We, William Monro, Clerk of the Episcopal Church, or Congregation
in s^ first society —
And Ebenezer Linsley, Samuel Russell, John Russell, Obed Linsley,
John Rogers ju', Thomas Frisbie, Ebenezer Barker, Samuel Whedon,
Papillian Barker —
Church Wardens & Vestry, Chosen & appointed a Comm.""" to said
Episcopal Church in said first society in said Branford — hereby certify
that we do adhere to s'' Episcopal Church, & dwell near to the place of
Worship of s'' Church, usually and constantly and ordinarily attend
public worship with s'^ Church on Sabbath days, and do contribute to
the support of the Worship and meeting of s* Church, & that tbe
following persons hereafter named have signed, attend, & do meet to
perform publick worship of s'' Episcopal Church, in said first society in
s"" Branford, viz —
Ebenezer Linsley Barnabas Palmer
Jonathan Hoadley Obed Linsley
Ralph Isaacs William Monro
Isaac Rogers John Russell
* In the possession of Mr. James B. Russell.

24

Jonathan Hoadley ju'
Samuel Russell
Thomas Frisbie
Ebenezer Barker
Abraham Rogers
Ebenezer Frisbie
John Garrett
Nathaniel Palmer
Thomas Barker
Peter Grant
Samuel Whedon
John Rogers ju'
Pennock Houd
Stewart Gaylord
Ebenezer Frisbie ju'
Timothy Barker
Elias Pond
Richard Spink
Andrew Morris
Edmund Morris
Papillian Barker
Archelaus Barker
Daniel Frisbie ju'

Allen Smith
George Cook
Oliver Landfair ju'
Roswell Chidsey
George Friend
Sarah Johnson
Martha Olds
John Cory
Jacob Rogers
Thomas Rose
John Potter ju'
Daniel Jones
Abel Frisbie
Jonathan Barker
Benjamin Barker
Obediah Tyler
Ebenezer Linsley 3''
John Butler
Samuel Russell ju'
Moses Stork
Samuel Palmer ju'
John Rogers
Ebenezer Linsley ju'-

¦ Committee —

By order of said Episcopal Church or Congregation in legal meeting
assembled, holden in said Branford first society on the ll"" day of
December A.D. 1784. WiLL^ Monro Clerk —
Ebenezer Linsley 1
Samuel Russell
Samuel Whedon
John Russell
Obed Linsley
Thomas Frisbie
Papilhan Barker
John Rogers ju'
We whose names are in the foregoing, beg leave to address the first
society, and to assure them that we wish them peace in Jesus Christ ;
and they with us may enjoy every blessing this world can afford, and
eternal happiness in the World to come — By Order of the Episcopal
Church or Congregation in the first society in Branford.
This document was laid before the annual society meeting
held December 13, and was read by the moderator of the meet
ing. And it was then that our parish was first recognized in
law as having an existence separate from the Congregational
Society. This is proved by an entry on the parish records and

25
by another document. A dispute had evidently arisen over the
payment of church rates, for at a special meeting held March
25, 1785, a committee was appointed to lay before the First
Society an account of the proceedings of the Episcopal Church
since June 2, 1784, and to avoid litigation in regard to the rates
and settlement of the Rev. Jason Atwater. They were also
empowered to refer the matter, if necessary. The result is
seen in the following written opinion :*
Whereas there is a controversy subsisting between the First Society
in Branford and the members of the Episcopal Society living within the
limits of the s* First Society, respecting the s'* members being Uable by
law to pay the ministerial expenses in and unto said First Society for
the whole or any part of the year 1784, under the circumstances, and in
order to prevent litigation and the disagreeable consequences of a law
suit, and to promote harmony and a good understandrog between said
societies, they have mutually agreed to and have submitted tlie matter
aforesaid to my judgment and opinion, to be determined according to
law : In consequence of which I have undertaken the trust, and have
this day fully heard both parties with their exhibits and arguments
thereon, and having duly considered thereof, do now hereby give it as
my judgment and opinion, that the members of said Episcopal Society
are holden and obliged (under aU circumstances) to pay their due pro
portion of all ministerial expenses, in common with the other inhabit
ants of the First Society, untU the 13"> day of December, A.D. 1784, and
no longer : In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 21''
day of April, A.D. 1785.
¦' Andw Adams.
This completes the establishment of our parish as a legal
religious organization. The dates may be shown m tabulated
form :
June 2 1784   -  Tentative Meeting.
July 5 1784 .... Union of Branford, Guilford and No. Guilford.
Nov. 15 1784.  --  Mr. Ashbel Baldwin called.
Nov. 28 1784  Church opened by Rev. James Sayre.
Nov. 29 1784 .-.   Parish officers elected.
Nov. 29 1784   - -Rev. James Sayre appointed minister.
Nov. 39 1784  First notice to the First Society drawn up.
Dec. 13 1784  Second notice to the First Society presented.
We have traced out the steps by which the parish was
founded and a resident pastor secured. The next thing to be
done was to build a church, and this involved two things— the
selection of the site and the rearing of the edifice.
*In the possession of Mr. James E. Russell.

26
The selection of a site, like every other movement, was
attended vrith difficulties. It was voted Dec. 28, 1784, to build
a church not to exceed fifty feet by thirty-eight, and John
Russell, William Monro, Capt. Samuel Russell, Obed Linsley,
Abraham Rogers, Papillian Barker and Ebenezer Barker were
appointed a committee to receive subscriptions, transact all
business of building, and to search the First Society's records
to see whether liberty had formerly been granted to build a
church, and in case it had not, to make application for it.
William Monro and Capt. John Russell were also appointed to
see an attorney about the rates, and to petition the County
Court for liberty to build a church. Neither of these commit
tees seem to have gotten much satisfaction, for March 7, 1785,
Samuel Russell, John Russell, Ebenezer Barker, John Rogers,
jr., Abraham Rogers, Obed Linsley and William Monro were
appointed to determine where the church should be built.
This committee examined two sites — " the hill where the
timber now lies, likewise the ground near the schoolhouse
hollow." March 25, it was voted to build on this hill, which
was called Baldwin's Hill, if a title could be had. Where
Baldwin's Hill was cannot be decided, but probabilities indicate
a site near the residence of Mr. Philander Hopson. This did
not prove satisfactory, and the place selected was " the ground
near the schoolhouse hollow." The decision was referred to
Jonathan IngersoU, Esq., of New Haven, and he fixed it.
Meanwhile the subscription paper had been started. The
first copy was drawn up Dec. 28, 1784, without doubt at the
parish meeting. In this list several names appear which are
not among the founders, one of them being Cambrig Primus,
probably a slave or freedman, who subscribed six shillings. A
second list, showing amounts subscribed, paid and due, gives
the sum total as £300—10—0. The tax-list of forty-three
members of the parish in 1786 aggregated £1533—10 — 3. A
part of the subscriptions were paid in labor and goods.
The timber was drawn in February of 1785, the work on the
frame was probably done in June and July. Aug. 12 a con
tract was given to Jacob Tyler of Southington to complete the
church which was then raised. It was for £50, one-third to be
paid in cattle and cash, and two-thirds in West India rum and

27
dry goods, the rum being valued at three shillings or fifty
cents per gallon. In December men were still working at the
pillars. The first parish meeting in the church was warned for
the first Monday in May, 1786. In the period between De
cember and May, then, the church wasoccupied.
Three names appear in the documents of the time as most
prominent— those of Samuel Russell, Ebenezer Linsley and
Ralph Isaacs. They did a great deal of work for the parish,
and were liberal in their contributions. The parish meetings
were frequently held at the houses of the former two. Capt.
Russell and Ralph Isaacs made frequent journeys on parish
business. The latter lived in the old farm house at Cherry
Hill. He entertained the clergy, and his contributions in
money were larger than those of anyone else.
At this point of the parish history we find the old church
standing northwest of the present edifice, where a fine of the
foundation stones still appears through the turf. It was unpre
tentious, being built somewhat after the schoolhouse model.
But it represented much perseverance and toil. There was no
recessed chancel, but a semi-circular rail enclosed the altar and
the chancel space. The whole Sunday School used to gather
about the rail to be catechised at the visit of the bishop. The
pulpit was very high, and stood against the wall, having a small
dark robing room under it. It was afterward moved forward,
and a convenient robing room placed behind it, the chancel was
made square, reduced in size, and pews were added. The altar
at first stood directly in front of the pulpit — afterward, near
the chancel rail, with a space behind it. Over the entrance
was a semi-circular gallery, the ends extending about half the
length of the church. The pillars were a conspicuous feature
of the interior, and seem to have cost considerable labor. At
one time it was intended to erect a spire, and the timber was
drawn to the church. It was, however, sold and formed the
spire of the Congregational church preceding the present one.
It was pulled over, at the demolition of that edifice, and people
who saw it fall remember how it quivered in the air hke a
serpent, before it came down.
For about forty years there was no way of heating the old
church. A stove for burning wood was put in about 1825, the

28
pipe being put through a window. Ten or fifteen years after
another was added.
The seats were free while expenses were paid by a direct
tax, and within the memory of those living the women and
younger children sat on one side, the men and boys, on the
other. About 1820, families began to be seated by age, a cus
tom which continued a few years.

Work of Clergy and People, 1786-1838.

The general course of the parish history is distinctly marked
from the year 1786, when the church edifice had been occu
pied, to the year 1838, when the Rev. Levi H. Corson began
his ministry. In this period also the affairs of the parish de
manded much effort. The church still required care, and there
are various records relating to painting the roof, building a
pulpit, providing pulpit cushions, and other matters. Relations
with the First Society were not settled at once, for within this
time the question of the ownership of the Indian Neck and
Town Neck lands was discussed. The following letter * shows
the sentiments of the parish :
The Protestant Episcopal Church situated in the first society in
Branford once more take the liberty to address themselves to the first
society of Branford on the concerns of the lands at Indian & Town
Necks, etc. They conceive that they have a right to their proportion of
lands from every principle of justice and equity, but for the present
they request permission of sd first society to cut sixteen cords of wood
on sd lands, for the use of the Rev. Mr. Hull . . . minister to sd Protes
tant Episcopal Church. By this, however, the sd Protestant Episcopal
Church do not relinquish any right or title to the said lands. They
suppose they have an undoubted right to, and it is their wish that the
said first society will grant the request above mentioned. They also
assure the said first Society their earnest desire is to live in friendship
and Brotherly love with the first society, and have ordered Capt. Sam
uel Russell and Mr. Isaac Hoadley . . lay the above before the first
society's . . . now sitting in Branford. Per order,
Samuel Russell, Chairman.
Oct. 13, 1790.
This probably was not granted, and the right of our parish
to these lands was afterward denied in court. This paper is
* In the possession of Mr. James E. Russell.

29
also interesting as the earhest written evidence of the use of
the title " Protestant Episcopal " in the parish. The next year
it appears in the records as "the Episcopal protestant Church."
The name " Trinity Church " is first found in the parish
records March 23, 1818, when Timothy Johnson entered upon
his duties as parish clerk, and is first found with that name in
the Convention Journal of the same year. The church was
consecrated under that name by Bishop Brownell Sept 17
1832. In this second period many changes naturally took place.
These come all too rapidly. It is a suggestive fact that in a
little more than the last fifty years every piece of land in Bran
ford has changed hands. Twice in a century do we exchange
the possession of the earth. So like the leaves, which spring
forth and soon fade away, are the generations of men.
The records of these changes were not so well kept by the
clergy as by the laity. The records of parish meetings are very
perfect from June 2, 1784, to the present time. The register
of baptisms and burials begins in 1785, that of confirmations,
in 1808, and that of marriages, in 1809. The Rev. Pascal P.
Kidder was the first clergyman who kept a register. The
preservation of the earlier register is due to Mr. Timothy John
son, who secured the entries from 1785 to 1825, when there
follows a complete gap until 1839. But even these must prob
ably have perished with other valuable papers, when the house
of Miss Charlotte M. Johnson was burned, had not the Rev.
Frederick Miller done an invaluable service by copying them
into a parish book. They may be read there in his elegant
penmanship, equaled only by Ashbel Baldwin's, a monument
of his carefulness and zeal.
These show how the original band began to be weakened by
death. George Friend seems to have been the first of the
founders to depart this life, dying in April of 1786, a young man
of 24 years. The next year died John Morris, aged 66. Peter
Grant followed in 1790, having hved 53 years. In 1799 Ralph
Isaacs, one of the three chiefs, died aged 57, smitten by apo
plexy, and in the same year, Stewart Gaylord, aged 44. In
1800 we find the trace of a now departed institution in the
death of Cudjo, aged 72, servant to Ebenezer Linsley. Eben-

30
ezer Linsley 1st, died in 1801, at the age of 90. Moses Stork
passed away in 1801, aged 85, Wm. Gould in the same year,
aged 78. In the bleak month of February, 1809, the second
of the three chiefs, Capt. Samuel Russell breathed out his Kfe
at 82, dying of old age. John Rogers died in the same year of
old age, at 88. In 1812 died Oliver Lanfear ; in 1815, Wm.
Morris of old age, at 82 ; John Russell, Esq., in the same year,
aged 79. David Rogers died that year of old age, at 95. The
death of only one of more advanced age is recorded, — Clara
Spink, aged 96, in 1876. In 1822 died Jonathan Hoadley, at
the age of 67, and the same year, Ebenezer Linsley 2d, the last
of the three leaders, at the age of 86. Barnabas Palmer died
aged 75 in 1823, Obed Linsley in 1840, at 92. In 1851 the
last of the founders of this parish passed away, Ebenezer Lins
ley 3d, aged 87.
These old burial records call up instructive thoughts. Life
was not what it is now, when so many died of old age. The
names of those who did of fever in the West Indies recall the
West India trade. Even the name of the lad of 16, Joseph
Barker, who, November 16, 1813, perished in a snow storm,
suggests a ruder pioneer life than we know. The frequent
entry " drowned " reminds us of the perils of the deep, and of
ships which sailed, but never came back. But the most in
structive lesson is that principles live on, though men die, if
the men who maintained them have been faithful.
For the new growth of our ever immortal race was springing
up, and new names appear to defend the old faith. The dew
of human kind, the children, are consecrated in Holy Baptism.
Before the war of 1812, children of the Johnsons, the Foots,
the Morrises, the Goulds, the Frisbies, the Roses, the Linsleys,
the Chidseys, the Russells, the Rogers, the Wilfords, the Pal.
mers, the Coverts, the Lanfears, the Hoadleys, the Andrews,
the Butlers, the Baldwins and the Bradleys were baptized.
In the lists of public officers also new shoulders are made
strong to bear burdens which the aged ones have laid down.
For many years Capt. Samuel Russell had been a prominent
leader, when Wm. Monro was clerk. With these were associa
ted John Russell, Obed Linsley, Abraham Rogers, Papillian
Barker, Ebenezer Barker and Thomas Frisbie. The parish

31
meetings, before the church was built, were usually held at the
houses of Samuel Russell, John Russell or Ebenezer Linsley,
once at Mary Frisbie's, and once at Sarah Johnson's, who, with
Martha Olds, were women of note. Capt. Samuel Russell was
nearly always moderator at these meetings. Abraham Rogers
and Andrew Morris soon become prominent. A few years
later and Isaac Hoadley succeeds Capt. Russell in the chairj
then Capt. Mason Hobart, and then Ebenezer Linsley. Wm.
Morris is succeeded in order at the clerk's table and the ink
horn by John Russell, Samuel Russell, Jr., Timothy Russell,
Rutherford Russell, and Noadiah Rogers. Timothy Johnson
acts as clerk, with the exception of one year, from 1818 to
1838. But we must turn back, in our delightful task of recounting
the deeds of ancient worthies, from the laymen to the clergy
who served them after the building of the church. And it
becomes evident that the securing of such services must have
been at times quite difficult and occasioned much care.
The Rev. Mr. Sayre had charge while the church was build
ing, and the Rev. John Bowden visited the parish and admin
istered Holy Baptism in 1785. His name is one of the most
honored among the presbyters of the diocese. He was a mem
ber of a committee to revise the Prayer Book, of another to
revise the Articles, an able opponent of Mr. Sayre's, was unani
mously elected principal of the Cheshire Academy, and after
Dr. Jarvis's first election to the episcopate which he declined
was unanimously elected to the same high office. This he de
clined on account of weakness of voice. He was versed in the
Fathers, when they had to be read in the originals.
From 1787 to 1811 there is great difficulty in determining
the exact periods of clerical service. There are several clergy
men who acted officially, there are others who certainly had
charge of the parish, there are yet others who were called, it
not being recorded that they accepted. The best that can be
done is to name each one, and add what he certainly or prob
ably did.
The Rev. Dr. Leaming visited Branford April 15, the first
Sunday after Easter, 1787. A special invitation to be present
was sent to the Churchmen of Guilford and North Guilford.

32
The Rev. Edward Blakeslee probably assumed charge of the
parish in 1788, and continued until April, 1790. He was
apparently well liked. In 1789 the Rev. Tillotson Bronson
visited the parish and baptized.
The Rev. Ambrose Hull succeeded Mr. Blakeslee, April 20,
1790, and continued in charge just one year. He does not
seem to have been popular. During his ministry a committee
was appointed to try to secure Mr. Blakeslee again, and a
deduction was made from his salary, for non-fulfillment of
services. From this time to 1795 nothing is known of the manner in
which services were supphed, though in 1794 one vote was
passed to secure a lay reader, and the Rev. Bela Hubbard
administered baptism.
The next name is that of the Rev. Manoah Smith Miles.
He was ordained deacon June 7, 1795, and was doubtless in
charge then or soon afterward. Nov. 2, Bishop Seabury
administered confirmation here to 21 persons, and Mr. Miles
accompanied him to New London. This was the bishop's last
episcopal act. Mr. Miles probably continued here until he
went to Chatham (now Portland) in 1797, where he died in
1830. He married a daughter of Ralph Isaacs, and it is said
that, the father not assenting to the match, the mother lent her
aid to the less regular form of an elopement, assisting her
daughter down from the piazza roof of the Cherry Hill farm
house. In 1799 and 1800 it seems likely that the much-sought
Ashbel Baldwin, then at Stratford, may have ministered at
times to this parish.
It is unwillingly recorded that from February, 1 801, to late
spring or early summer in 1804 the parish was in charge of
the Rev. Ammi Rogers. This deceiver was a native of Bran
ford, who by forged papers obtained in New York the ordina^
tion of which he had failed in Connecticut. His course in
this diocese is most singular. It finally led to his degradation
from the ministry, but even after this he rallied several parishes
to the support of his cause, of which this was one. After a
stormy career he served a term of two years in the jail at Nor
wich, for crime, and in 1852 died at Ballston, N. Y., unre
pentant and rebellious to the last.

33
He was a strange, dark spirit,-a man of most insinuating
address and persuasive manners, dehghting in mischief for its
own sake, loving to resist and deceive, and feariess of authority
or pubhc opinion. Nothing seems to have pleased him more
than to delude an honest people, and then to use their support
to resist and baffle his superiors in office.
The name of Yirgil H. Barber appears next in the parish
register. His career is colored with enthusiasm, and has an air
of curious romance. He was the son of the Rev. Daniel
Barber of Vermont, and was invited to come here in Decem
ber of 1804, though not made deacon till the next year. In
1806 he administered baptism here, but is afterward found at
St. John's, Waterbury. He was very strenuous in denying the
validity of lay-baptism, was a teacher, and compelled his family
to converse in Latin. In 1817 he went over to the Church of
Rome, and in the city of Rome entered a college of the Jesuits
under the name of Signer Barberini. The Rev. Wm. Berrian
found him there in 1818.
" A hard bed," says that traveler, « laid on bare planks, a
table, a desk, two or three chairs, a small crucifix, and the pic
tures of some Romish saints, were all the articles with which
his solitary chamber was furnished. He was dressed in a
coarse black cassock, which is the habit of his order; the
crown of his head was shaved, and both in his countenance
and in all the objects around him there was an air of austerity
and mortification."
He received his visitor cordially, however, and spoke freely
of his new faith.
In 1 806 the Rev. Mr. Brunson was invited to preach here,
and not long after to supply services one-half the time for a
year. This was the Rev. Tillotson Bronson, and the call indi
cates that the parish had repudiated Ammi Rogers, since Mr.
Bronson was chairman of the committee appointed to deal
with his work. It is not hkely that he assumed the cure.
In 1806, 1807 and 1808 efforts were made to secure the ser
vices of Mr. Benham. This was probably Benjamin Benham,
though he was not ordained till 1807. He afterward joined
Mr. Barber in the memorial concerning lay-baptism. He does
not appear to have been settled, but afterward did administer
baptism, and probably had supervision of the parish.

34
In 1808 the Rev. Charles Seabury baptized ten children.
He was the son of Bishop Seabury. In 1809 Mr. Miles visited
the parish, and in 1809, 1810 and 1811 the Rev. J. D. Jones
was in charge. During those years he is reported to have been
at Simsbury and Cheshire, but the successive votes in our
parish records and the baptisms entered in the parish register
prove conclusively that he also had charge of Branford.
In this period from 1788 to 1811 it would seem as if the
vital power of the parish had been tested to the utmost. At
home there was the dispute with the First Society over the
lands. During that time the parish was probably served by
ten clergymen, mostly non-resident, one of whom seceded and
another of whom in act apostatized. And while Ammi Rogers
was here the parish was undoubtedly under the ban of ecclesi
astical censure and excluded from Convention. It seems
incredible that the Church could have lived. That it did live
is a fairly certain proof that it had strong inward force, and
that that force displayed itself in the persons of certain inde
fatigable laymen.
The Rev. Elijah G. Plumb was the first clergyman settled
with anything like permanency. May 17, 1811, he was invited
to take charge of the parish one-half the time, at a salary of
$225, on condition that he reside here, but permission was
afterward given for him to live in East Haven. In 1812 our
parish assented to the founding of a parish at North Branford,
to be in the charge of Mr. Plumb. He was yearly reelected,
with the exception of the year 1816, when the vote was to
expend what money they had in preaching, until Oct. 5, 1818,
when a meeting was called to consider the expediency of insti
tuting him as rector. A motion to that effect was lost, and
this seems to be connected with his removal. While here he
had charge of the parishes at East Haven, North Branford,
Northford, Wallingford and North Haven. In 1817 fifty-
seven persons were confirmed by Bishop Hobart. The only
confirmations known before this were that of twenty-one per
sons, at Bishop Seabury's last visit, and in 1808, when fifty-
nine were confirmed June 26, and eight, Aug. 28, by Bishop
Jarvis. The Rev. Joseph Perry was called March 15, 1819, to offi-

35
ciate one-third of the time, but it is not certain that he came.
He then had charge of East Haven and West Haven.
April 3, 1820, the Rev. Origen P. Holcomb was invited to
supply services one-half the time, and the vote was repeated
in 1821 and 1822.
His residence was the Spencer House on Montowese street,
now occupied by Mr. Asa Rogers. He removed from here
about 1823. The churches at Northford and North Haven '
were also under his care. Mr. Holcomb is remembered as
having a very pleasant and even jovial disposition.
The Rev. John M. Garfield was the next minister in charge.
He was principal of the " Ladies' Academy " in New Haven,
and supplied services about half the time on Sundays from
1823 to 1828. It was during his ministry, about 1826, that
the Sunday School was founded.
There are persons in the parish who remember Mr. Gar.
field's pleasing and smiling face, as he gathered the children
around the chancel and addressed them in his interesting way.
The number in the Sunday School when organized was fifty.
The children had printed tickets marked " Punctual Attend
ance," " Correct Recitations," " Good Behavior," and " Excel
ling." The instruction at first was almost entirely from the
Bible and Prayer Book. In addition to the Catechism the
children learned the Collects, the Articles of Rehgion and
Hymns. While the Rev. Edward J. Ives served the parish, the Sun
day School was probably discontinued. About 1834, Mr. Isaac
H. Tuttle, — then a lay-reader, afterward the Rev. Dr. Tuttle,
— reorganized it.
The school had only two superintendents from 1834 to 1883.
Mr. EU F. Rogers acted from 1834 to 1865, when he was suc
ceeded by the late Mr. Samuel E. Linsley, who continued to
serve faithfully till his death, September 22, 1883. For many
years there was a female assistant superintendent. Mrs. Hen
rietta C. Tyler served in this office till about 1848, and was
succeeded by Mrs. Susan Andrews, who held it for several
years. Mr. Eli F. Rogers and Miss SaUy E. Palmer have been
officers in the Sunday School from its reorganization to the
time of writing.

36
In the early history of the school the children attended the
church services as well as the Sunday School. The school was
closed in the winter and usually on communion Sundays, until
1861. Since Easter of that year it has been open every Sun
day, with very few exceptions.
Teachers' meetings were begun about 1840, at which the
interests of the school were talked over, reports of teachers
heard, committees appointed to look up absentees and to
secure new pupils. These meetings have been of great value
in keeping alive an interest in the school. Since its reorgani
zation the Sunday School has been uniformly prosperous, and
the greatest harmony has prevailed in all its work. The value
of Sunday School instruction in establishing the foundations of
Christian character is inestimable, and next to the parents, none
have the opportunities to accomplish this which lie in the hands
of Sunday School teachers.
Mr. Garfield was in the first class of nine at the General
Theological Seminary. He died at New Haven on the 10th
and his wife on the 12th of March, 1872. They were both
buried in the same grave.
The Rev. James Keeler served after Mr. Garfield resigned
the cure, until Easter, 1829.
The Rev. Wm. T. Potter was in charge of the parish in 1829
and 1830. He also had charge of the parishes at East Haven
and West Haven, and probably resided in East Haven. He
died at Greenville, S. C, March 8, 1879, aged 77.
The Rev. Edward J. Ives succeeded him, having the care of
East Haven and Northford, with this parish, from 1830 to
1832. The parish did not flourish under his supervision. He
renounced the ministry and was deposed by Bishop Brownell
in 1851.
From about 1820 to 1832 the church was often open for lay-
reading in the absence of a clergyman, and Mr. Malachi Lins
ley, Mr. Edward Linsley, and Mr. Abraham Rogers, of this
place, and Capt. Jesse Linsley, of North Branford, from time
to time served in that capacity.
The Rev. David Baldwin, of Guilford, supplied the parish
about one-third of the time on Sundays, from Easter 1834 to
1838. At the same time young men at New Haven prepar-

37
ing for the ministry acted as lay-readers for the intervening
Sundays. Among these were the Rev. Dr. Tuttle, of New
York, the Rev. Dr. Bennett, the Rev. Dr. A. B. Chapin, and
the Rev. Dr. IngersoU, late of Buffalo. They cheerfully gave
their services, the parish paying their expenses.
Mr. Baldwin was much respected and is well remembered in
this vicinity. Many recall with pleasure his erect figure, as he
rode on horseback from place to place, never failing of an
engagement, and remember his rapid way of reading the
church service. He died at Guilford in 1862.
The second period of the parish history may be considered as
closing in 1838. From 1748 to the end of the war is the period
of missionary effort and seed-sowing. In 1784-6 we find a
most interesting story of determined effort, vexed questions,
strenuous exertion and final success. From 1786 to 1838 there
is an established parish and a house of worship, but much of
the time clerical services are irregular and the responsibility
seems to rest with the parish. From 1838 to 1882 most of the
time we shall see that the chief responsibility has been trans
ferred to a resident rector supplying continuous services.

Xl^l^^D pEi^iOD,
1838-1882.

Early in 1838 a strong effort was made to secure the services
of a resident clergyman. Nearly, or quite every family in the
parish was visited, and the sum of $518 was subscribed for
that purpose. The Rev. Levi H. Corson was called, coming
soon after Easter. He was attractive, was a pleasing extem
pore speaker, and the parish flourished under his ministry.
While he was here the changes in the chancel were made,
which have been described above. Mr. Corson remained here
about two years, living in what is known as the "Chidsey
house," near the residence of Mr. Edward Crouch. He was a
graduate of Trinity College.
The Rev. Pascal P. Kidder succeeded him in 1840. His
first visit here, when he came directly from the General Theo
logical Seminary, is remembered as a pleasing incident. It
was in the month of June, and Branford was arrayed in the
season's best graces. Mr. Kidder was charmed with the beauty
of the town and expressed his pleasure very enthusiastically.
The residents of Branford do not doubt that his praises were
deserved. He was ordained deacon July 3, 1840, and entered
on his rectorship the following Sunday.
Up to this time there had been no rectory or parsonage as it
it was then called. The clergymen lived in rented houses,
wherever one could be found. When Mr. Kidder came, plans
were set on foot to build and own one. The parish endeav
ored to raise $1,200 for that purpose by subscription, but as
this proved impossible, it was built by stockholders, the stock
being divided into shares of $25 each. The land for the par
sonage was presented by Mr. John A. Wilford. The place is
well-known to all here. The elm trees were set out by Mr.
Kidder.

39
The Ladies' Society had a share in this, as it has had in
almost all the good works that have been done during its
existence. It was organized with ten members, and a constitu
tion was adopted, November 10, 1830. In the earUer part of
its history the ladies met at private houses. At one meeting it
was voted to take two shares of stock in the parsonage, and at
another, to purchase chairs for the chancel. Persons who are
informed say that it is hard to see how the parish sometimes
would have succeeded without the help of this society.
At the beginning of Mr. Kidder's rectorship the old gallery
was replaced by a new one extending directly across the end of
the church, with three or four rows of seats.
While he was here the spiritual interests of the parish made
a very decided advance. It appears that he infused new life
into the Sunday School, and by his zeal and wisdom the general
religious life was quickened, and the number of communicants
more than doubled. In his first report to convention he ex
presses great regret in regard to the apathy to infant baptism,
though he speaks of interest in the services. The next year the
church was open on all holy-days. Services were held at private
houses, and once a week after December persons met him at
the parsonage to converse in regard to their religious life. The
benefits of his earnest work, to which the parish responded so
nobly, are, without doubt, felt among us to the present day.
Mr. Kidder was an agreeable speaker, and his recent visit
here has revived old memories, and won the esteem of those
who had not met him before. He remained here about three-
and-a-half years, and was the first minister in charge who kept
a systematic register. He is now living at Dunkirk, N. Y.
The Rev. Frederick MiUer took charge of the parish at
Easter, 1844, coming from Cheshire. Soon after this an organ
was placed in the church. It was used for the first time the
6th of the next July, at the funeral of Mr. Timothy Johnson,
who for many years had been senior warden. Previously to
this a bass viol, a violin and a fiute had supplied instrumental
music. This was a parlor organ which in about a year was
replaced by a pipe organ built for the church.
The next year the stockholders of the parsonage, thirty-six in
number, transferred the possession of the parsonage property to
the parish.

40
It had now become evident that a new church was needed,
and plans were begun for building. In Mr. Miller's report to
Convention in 1849 he said : " It is believed that the interests
of the parish demand the speedy erection of a suitable church ;
and it is hoped that by the blessing of God, it will before long
be accomplished to the glory of His name." A subscription
paper was started, and a large part of the amount required for
building was subscribed before his death.
The impression left by the memory of Mr. Miller is that of a
most lovely personal character, and an earnest pastor. In en
forcing the vital truths on which our salvation depends, it is
said that he would frequently shed tears. And it is quite prob
able that his assiduous devotion to duty during a season when
much sickness prevailed, marked him for an early deatL
Within a few days of his decease he watched at the bedside of
a cherished child,* his godson, and his last sermon indicated
that he felt his end approaching. He fell asleep Oct. 3, 1849,
aged 39 years.
The funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. A. C. Coxe,
now bishop of Western New York, and his body rests beneath
the chancel of the present church. The resolutions of the
wardens and vestry testify to his zeal, fidelity and affection.
The following lines inscribed upon the memorial tablet in the
church are said to be from the pen of the late Rev. Charles W.
Everest : SOLDIER! LAY THY HARNESS BT ;
EVENING SHADES BEQLOOM THE SKT;
WITH THE CONQUERING HOSTS OF LIGHT
THOU HAST FOUGHT THE GLORIOUS FIGHT.
SLEEP! THT WORK IS BRAVELY DONE:
REST! THY CROWN OF LIFE IS WON!
The Rev. William H. Rees succeeded him soon after Easter,
1850, remaining here less than one year. During that time the
new church was begun. August 5, 1850, a special meeting of
the parish in reference to building was held, and the subscrip
tion committee reported that $4750 had been pledged, with the
assurance of the balance necessary to make it $5000. The
building committee first nominated were Messrs. William Tyler,
* John Hobart Palmer, child of Isaac H. Palmer. lUed Sept. 22, 1849, aged
3 years.

41
EU F. Rogers, Isaac H. Palmer, John H. Robinson and Levi S.
Parsons. Several members resigned, and the committee which
acted were Messrs. Harry Barker, Isaac H. Palmer, Levi S.
Parsons, David Averill and Benjamin Rogers.
The design of the present edifice indicates such excellent
taste that it is an interesting question to whom it is due. It is
said that Messrs. Isaac H. Palmer and Eli F. Rogers consulted
with the Rev. Dr. Harry Croswell in regard to it. They drove to
New Haven together to see him, and he recommended that
they take St. Mark's Church, New Britain, as a model. In
accordance with this advice the architect, S. M. Stone, of New
Haven, was instructed to provide a similar plan. It is also said
that the Rev. Dr. Olmstead had much to do with the plan of
the chancel arrangements, and that they were considered quite
" advanced " for the times. The estimated cost of the church
was $5,500.
In December the parish took steps to secure the services of
a clergyman to succeed Mr. Rees, who had now removed, and
to dispose of the old church when the new one should be ready
for use. In accordance with this vote, and at the advice of the
bishop, the Rev. Henry Olmstead jr., was called to take charge of
this cure — a most happy step for the parish. He began his
duties April 1, 1851.
The comer stone of the church was laid in the same month,
with appropriate religious services conducted by the pastor,
assisted by the Rev. Messrs. Baldwin, Bennett, Putnam, Yib-
bert, SiU and Stryker— an address being made by Mr. Stryker.
The church was erected by the Derby Building stnd Lumber
Co., who raised the frame in August, 1851, and completed the
edifice in January, 1852. It was consecrated by Bishop Brow-
neU January 27, 1852.
The first rectorship of Mr. Olmstead embraced the period
from April 1, 1851, to April 13, 1862. In 1854 the rector's
salary was raised $100, making it $600 and rectory, and the
same amount was added in 1859. The salary has as a rule cor
responded with living expenses. In 1752 the sum pledged by
the three associated parishes was £50. In 1784 the amount
promised by Branford alone for services one-half the time was
£40, which by the standard of the time was equivalent to $120.

42
This was probably raised by subscription, and the larger part of
it, paid in kind. The average price of wheat in England that
year was 17^^ a bushel. No. 2 red was quoted Jan. 13, 1887,
at 82J^ in St. Louis, and at 92J^ in N ew York. This cannot
be assumed to show the exact ratio between Uving expenses in
1784 and 1887, but it throws light on the subject. In 1796 the
salary voted to Mr. Miles was £50 for half the time, and a tax
of 4d. on the pound, on the list of 1795, was ordered. In 1798
this was changed to a tax of one cent on the dollar. In 1799
the salary was made $133.33 for services one-third of the time.
In 1801 Ammi Rogers demanded $500 a year, and the parish
offered $133.33 and board, lodging, horse-keeping, etc., for
services one-half the time. In 1806 Mr. Bronson was offered
$225 for services one-half the time, and a tax of two cents on
the doUar was ordered. In 1810 the salary was $250, in 1820,
probably $175, in 1829, $200. Up to this time a tax had been
regularly ordered, but in 1829 a committee was appointed to
appraise the sUps. In 1840 the salary was $425 for services all
the time, in 1850 it was $500, in 1860, $600, in 1876, $1,200,
in 1877, $1,000.
In 1856 Mr. Ohnstead reported that important improvements
had been made in the parsonage, and in 1859 that the debt
incurred in building the church had been entirely paid.
The Rev. Clayton Eddy succeeded Mr. Olmstead in 1862,
and remained here about two years. During his ministry the
bell, which had been cracked, was recast at the expense of $125.
The Rev. Frederick D. Lewin came in 1864, and was here
less than one year.
The Rev. David Bishop succeeded him in 1866. He had
been a Baptist Ucentiate, and was ordained deacon Nov. 15,
1865. He was ordained priest in this parish Dee. 21, 1866,
and the next day was instituted as rector. It is supposed to
have been the sole occasion of the use of the office of institu
tion in this parish. During his ministry the old pai-sonage
was sold, and the present rectory purchased. He continued
here tiU 1869.
After Mr. Bishop left, Mr. Charles T. Coer, a Berkeley
Divinity student, acted as lay-reader for the parish a few
months.

43
The Rev. George C. Griswold assumed charge of the parish
m 1870. While he was here the spire, which had become
unsafe, was replaced by the present one. In June, 1871 he
repori;ed as subscribed and paid for repairs on the church
including new carpets, the sum of $2,041. Mr. Griswold
remained until about Easter, 1872.
During this period of ten years Mr. Olmstead had been at
Warehouse Point from 1862 to 1867, and then at Great Bar-
lington, Mass., from 1868 to 1872. When the parish became
vacant in 1872, the minds of the people reverted to their
fonner rector, and their desire to place themselves under his
spiritual care again was met by great readiness on his part to
return. In 1872, Dr. Olmstead,— for in 1869 he had received
the degree of S. T. D. from his ahna mater, Trinity CoUege,
where he had graduated in 1842— resumed charge of the parish.
In 1879-80 the Chapel of Grace at Branford Point was built,
chiefiy through the instrumentality of Mr. Isaac H. Brown of
Grace Church, New York. It was given to the parish, and
the parish soon after conveyed it, through Mr. Henry Z.
Nichols as agent, to the Trustees of Donations and Bequests.
It was consecrated Sept. 16, 1880. The general interests of
the parish were steadily strengthened until the death of Dr.
Olmstead, which occurred suddenly October 30, 1882. His
age was 64 years.
The character of Dr. Olmstead was that so rarely found
which stamps itself indelibly on the hearts of aU. If one asks
for his eulogy, he needs but to visit the homes where that
faithful pastor ministered, and he wUl not miss it. For there
he will not only find the oft-repeated portrait which bears
silent witness to the affection in which he was held, but he will
hear those spontaneous expressions of regard which are never
made except in sincerity. His ministry of twenty years in
this parish testifies to his stabUity of character, and is equally
creditable to pastor and people. He was thoroughly loyal to
the principles and organization of our Church, and faithful in
the discharge of aU parochial duties. Of full height and
grave bearing, so that in any meeting of the clergy none had
more of dignity yet he had those gentler and sweeter virtues
which were best known by those who knew him best.

44
His dust rests beside that other faithful priest's, under the
church which is their most fitting monument. The following
inscription, written by Bishop Williams, is on his memorial
tablet : in
tiovlng vitRvxiaxyi at tfeje
REV» : HENRY : OLMSTEAD : D : D
WHO • FOE ¦ 21 ¦ TEARS " SERVED ' GOD
AND • HIS • CHURCH • AS • RECTOR • OF • THIS
PARISH • TESTIFYING • REPENTANCE
TOWARDS • GOD • AND • FAITH • TOWARD
OtTR ¦ LORD • JESUS • CHRIST *****

BORN • JULY • 22 • 1819 • DIED • OCT " 30 ¦ 1882

<50fI^CdSI0|\|.

We have imperfectly foUowed the main events in the history
of our parish from its feeble beginnings to its present strength.
The few adherents of the Church of England in 1748 have
slowly grown to about 175 actual communicants. The chil
dren have been gathered into a weU organized Sunday School
The rare visits of missionaries have given place to" the con
tinued supervision of a rector, who has a fixed place of resi
dence. The meeting-room at private houses has passed into a
graceful church. In this we must see the Divine watchfulness
of our Master sustaining all our pure service of Himself.
It may be well in closing to recall our precise position as an
organized part of Christianity in America. The distinctive
principles of our Church have been stated by a friend * learned
in such matters as foUows :
" The Church which is customarily known as the Protestant
Episcopal Church in the United States was, before the inde
pendence of this country, a part of the Church of England.
In England itself, most of the members of this Church were
such by inheritance and training ; but in the New England
colonies, those who accepted her distinctive principles, either
before the Revolution or for a considerable time after that
date, did so from individual conviction of the truth of her
claims. The claim which in fact includes all the rest is that
the Church of England or the Protestant Episcopal Church in
this country is for us the historic Church of Christ, having an
organic life which has come down to her from the earliest
times and which can be traced back to the Apostles in pre
cisely the same way and by precisely the same kind of evidence
as that by which the existence of any other organized body
can be traced back to its founders. And this evidence is in no
way affected by the fact that the Church 'of England was for
awhile under the usurped power of the Bishop of Rome — a
usurpation which was constantly resisted and at last thrown off
altogether. *The Rev. Samuel Hart, D.D.

46
" This historical unity of organization is especially seen in
the unbroken succession of Bishops, holding the chief author
ity in the Church and possessing the exclusive power of ordin
ation. The Church of England and our own Church hold
that the threefold ministry of Bishops, Priests and Deacons,
was instituted by our Lord or His Apostles, and was intended
to be permanent in the Church ; and further, as matter of his
toric fact, that they have that ministry as it was received in
early ages and has been continued to our own time. The con
viction that the ministry of the Church was undoubtedly valid,
had great weight with those who first became Churchmen in
New England.
" Our Church has also commended herself by the way in
which she has held the faith of Christ. She declares that the
Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation, and
she requires of those who are admitted to membership or to
full communion in her body, no other confession of faith than
the Apostles' Creed, which has been from a very early date
the baptismal Creed of the Western Church. She has set forth
in Articles her assent to certain great truths of theology as gen
erally received throughout the Christian world and her protest
against errors of later times, especially those of the modem
Roman Church ; but these Articles are not a part of her Creed.
And to this simpUcity of her professed faith our Church has
added great simplicity and distinctness of teaching in regard
to the Christian Ufe, basing it, as Christ Himself did, on the
Ten Commandments.
" It is also an almost distinctive mark of our Church that in
public worship she uses a book of Common Prayer, the forms
of which are in great part very ancient, and which calls for the
pubUc and devotional reading of large portions of Holy Scrip
ture. The attention of many persons has been drawn to the
Church by their becoming acquainted with this book.
" The name adopted as the legal title of the Church in this
country, though sometimes misleading and open to objection,
yet bears witness to the fact that she holds to the faith and the
organization of the primitive Church. She has been forced to
call herself Protestant, because, in opposition to the errors of
Rome, she maintains the ancient faith ; and by caUing herself

47
Episcopal, she shows that she differs from the Protestant bodies
about her, in keeping the organization of the early Church.- In
fact, the name practically means for us what the title, so highly
prized, of Catholic and Orthodox, means to the venerable
Church of the eastern part of Christendom."

APPEE^DIX.

During its history, the parish has been the recipient of the following
donations, exclusive of gifts for the building, beautifying or repairing
of the church edifice :
In 1841, a lot of land, from Mr. John A. Wilford, as a site for the par
sonage. In 1845, the parsonage, from the stockholders.
In 1859, the sum of $524, from Mr. Abraham Rogers.
In 1867, government bonds, par value $1,000, from General Schuyler
Hamilton, the interest to be applied to the support of the rector.
In 1867, the sum of $403.58, from the estate of Capt. David Barker, the
interest to be used annually to provide free sittings in the church.
In 1873, the sum of $500, from the estate of Mrs. Mary Daniels.
In 1880, the Chapel of Grace, from Mr. Isaac H. Brown and his
friends. By the will of the late Eli Goodrich an estate was left " to Edwin E.
Blackstone, of said town of Branford, in trust for the Protestant Epis
copal Society of said town of Branford, the income of said estate to be
given to the poor of said society." This wUl was probated Sept. 12, 1882.
The value of the estate is estimated at about $9,500.

A list of the church wardens, a list of the delegates to convention,
and a list of clergymen who have served the parish, from 1748 to
1883, so far as can be ascertained, are given below.

Senior Warden.

Junior Warden.

Delegates to Convention.

1784

Ebenezer T<insley.

Samuel RusseU.

1785

Ebenezer Tiinsley.

Samuel RusseU.

1786
Ebenezer Linsley.
Samuel RusseU.
1787178817891790
?Samuel Russell.
WUUam Monro.
1791 1793 17931794
Samuel Russell.
Isaac Hoadley.
1795
Ebenezer Tiinsley.
1796
Samuel RusseU.
Isaac Hoadley.
Dr. Joel Northrop.
1797
Samuel RusseU.
Isaac Hoadley.
1798
Samuel Russell.
Isaac Hoadley.
1799
Samuel RusseU.
Isaac Hoadley.
1800
Samuel RusseU.
Isaac Hoadley.
18011802
1803
Samuel RusseU.
Isaac Hoadley.
Samuel RusseU.
Isaac Hoadley.
Obed Linsley.
1804
Samuel RusseU.
Isaac Hoadley.
1805
Isaac Hoadley.
Samuel RusseU.
Obed Linsley.
1806
Samuel RusseU.
Isaac Hoadley.
1807
Samuel RusseU.
Isaac Hoadley.
1808
Andrew Morris.
Ebenezer Linsley, Jr.
Timothy Johnson.
1809
Andrew Morris.
Ebenezer Linsley, Jr.
John WUford.
Thomas Frisbie.
1810
Andrew Morris.
Ebenezer Linsley, Jr.
Timothy Johnson.
1811
Andrew Morris.
Ebenezer Tiinsley, Jr.
Timothy Johnson.
1813
Andrew Morris.
Ebenezer Linsley, Jr.
1813
Ebenezer linsley, Jr.
Timothy Johnson.
Timothy Johnson.
1814
Ebenezer Linsley, Jr.
Timothy Johnson.
Mason Hobart.
1815
Timothy Johnson.
Ebenezer Linsley, Jr.
Noadiah Rogers.
1816
Ebenezer Linsley.
Timotliy Johnson.
Timothy Johnson. '
o
51

o
o

Oi-iSZi P
1-3

Pi

^ f-^mS^ZD Ml— (1-^ m o to
'^ §,|11 as a s=^ I

cd 9 9 S » S S S'3 S SSh

J2 ao

O 02 O *-• O
;_; C6 tin . tH _,
g g s g II s 111^ ill llll':'^^.'^.'^ aSS § §-p.'^'g'E«

^^

i il^sl^l s s g § i i s g i i fe"! &>§ fe'^fe-^^i'^

I^I^Sl^g gf .S g ^.S g i g S S s s
is
au 55 «.¦
^H Q t!
II a| a il.g.S£.s£ a|£ s a.s.
fl flplflflflflfl... .h
.a ^ .fl .fl .d .a .a ja .a n n n n utM
;S2iiiiliiiililiipii§ii;
t-00 050
^ -^ :^ -^ T* T* 7# -
IliiiiislSSisiSssSsisssgsssssss^
Senior Warden.

Junior Warden.

Delegates to

Convention.

1850

Isaac H. Palmer.

Orrin Hoadley.

Joseph R. Palmer.

EU F. Rogers.

1851

Isaac H. Palmer.

Orrin Hoadley.

Levis. Parsons.

Isaac H. Palmer.

1852

Isaac H. Palmer.

Orrin Hoadley.

Grant Smith.

Isaac H. Palmer.

1853

Isaac H. Palmer.

Orrin Hoadjey.

Joseph R. Palmer.

Albert Linsley.

1854

Isaac H. Palmer.

Orrin Hoadley.

Grant Smith.

Albert Linsley.

1855

Orrin Hoadley.

Isaac H. Palmer.

Orrin Hoadley.

Albert Linsley.

1856

Isaac H. Palmer.

Orrin Hoadley.

Levi S. Parsons.

Albert Linsley.

1857

Isaac H. Palmer.

Orrin Hoadley.

Charles T. Grilley.

Lyman B. Squire.

1858

Orrin Hoadley.

Isaac H. Palmer.

David Barker.

Orrin Hoadley.

1859

Orrin Hoadley.

Isaac H. Palmer.

Lyman B. Squire.

Orrin Hoadley.

1860

Orrin Hoadley.

Isaac H. Palmer.

Gen. Schuyler Hanulton

Levi S. Parsons.

1861

Orrin Hoadley.

Isaac H. Palmer.

Joseph R. Palmer.

Samuel E. Linsley.

1863

Orrin Hoadley.

Isaac H. Palmer.

Orrin Hoadley.

Albert Linsley.

1863

Orrin Hoadley.

Isaac H. Palmer.

H. Lynde Harrison.

Samuel E. Linsley.

1864

Isaac H. Palmer.

Orrin Hoadley.

Samuel E. Tiinsley.

Egbert E. Bishop.

1865

Isaac H. Palmer.

Samuel E. Linsley.

Samuel E. Linsley.

Geo. F. Holcomb.

1866

Isaac H. Palmer.

Samuel E. Linsley.

Samuel E. Linsley.

Egbert E. Bishop.

1867

Isaac H. Palmer.

Samuel E. Linsley,

Samuel E. Linsley.

Grant Smith.

1868

Isaac H. Palmer.

Samuel E. Linsley.

Samuel E. Linsley.

Pascal R. Hoadley.

1869

Isaac H. Palmer.

Samuel E. Linsley.

WiUiam H. Holt.

Samuel E. Tiinsley.

1870

Isaac H. Palmer.

Samuel E. Tiinsley.

Samuel E. Tiinsley.

Isaac H. Palmer.

1871

Isaac H. Palmer.

Samuel E. Linsley.

Samuel E. Linsley.

Isaac H. Palmer.

1873

Isaac H. Palmer.

Henry Z. Nichols.

Isaac H. Pahner.

Henry Z. Nichols.

1873

Isaac H. Palmer.

Henry Z. Nichols.

Henry Z. Nichols.

Geo. M. Prout.

1074

Isaac H. Palmer.

Henry Z. Nichols.

Grant Smith.

Geo. JVI. Prout.

1875

Isaac H. Palmer.

Henry Z. Nichols.

Geo. M. Prout.

Frederick Jourdan.

1876

Isaac H. Palmer.

Henry Z. Nichols.

Grant Smith.

Henry Z. Nichols.

1877

Isaac H. Palmer.

Henry Z. Nichols.

Henry Z. Nichols.

Greene T. Kenyon.

1878

Isaac H. Palmer.

Henry Z. Nichols.

Isaac H. Palmer.

W. R. Smith.

1879

Isaac H. Palmer.

Henry Z. Nichols.

Isaac H. Palmer.

Grant Smith.

1880

Jlsaac H. Palmer.

Walter E. Fowler,

Isaac H. Palmer.

Walter E. Fowler.

1881

Isaac H. Palmer.

Walter E. Fowler.

Philo HaU.

Frederick Jourdan.

1883

Isaac H. Palmer.

Walter E. Fowler.

PhUo HaU.

Frederick Jourdan.

or

* The blanks represent those in the record. Probably in each case the last mamed held office till a new name ia recorded.
Capt. Samuel Buseell was probably warden from 1784 to 1807. f The father. J The son.

Thus

Clebgtmen who have sbeved the Paeish.

Rev. Samuel Johnson, D.D..
Rev. Matthew Graves 
Eev. Ebenezer Punderson . .
Rev. Solomon Palmer 
Rev. Bela Hubbard, D.D 
Rev. James Sayre 
Rev. John Bowden, D.D. . . .
Rev. Jeremiah Leaming, D.D,
Rev. Edward Blakeslee 
Rev. TiUotson Bronson, D.D,
Eev. Ambrose Hull 
Rev. Manoah Smith Miles ..
Rev. Ammi Rogers  
Rev. VirgU H. Barber 
Rev. Charles Seabury 
Rev. Benjamin Benham 
Eev. J. D. Jones-  _ .
Rev. EUjah G. Plumb 
Rev. Ashbel Baldwin 
Rev. Origen P. Holcomb 

Mar. 33, 1733

Ord. Deacon.

Mar. 31, 1733

 ,1734
October, 1754
Feb. 5, 1764

June 5,
Feb. 34,
Sept. 31,
October,
June 7,
June. June 9,
June 5,
Sept. 16,
June 18,
Oct. 13,
Aug. 3,
Oct. 30,

17481788 17861788
1795 179318051793 1807
18001806 1785
1818

Ord. Priest.

 , 1734
October, 1754
Feb. 19, 1764

JuneJune Feb.JuneJuly

19, 1748
9, 1793
24, 1788
7, 1789
31, 1796

Sept. 20, 1807

Aug.May Aug.
Sept.July

31, 1808
19, 1803
31, 1808
18, 1785
18, 1820

Served.

Bap.

Conf.

Com.

1748

1748

1753-61
1763-66
..
1767-83
3*
1784-86
1785
1
..
1787
1788-90
1
..
1789
1
1790-91
1
1795-97
10
31
1801-04
1
1806
3
1808
10
1809
6
67
..
1809-11
30
1811-18
50
57
36t
1816
1
1830-33
35
40
40
Remarks.
Occasional services.
Occasional services.
Stated services part of the time.
Stated services part of the time.
Probably occasional services.
Probably resident minister, church buUt.
One visit known.
One visit known.
Probably stated services part of the time.
One visit known.
Resident minister.
Resident minister.
Stated services part of the time.
One visit known.
One visit known.
Two visits known, probably in charge.
Without doubt in charge of cure.
Resident minister.
One visit recorded.
Resident minister.
Died.
Jan. 6
April 5
17731780
Nov."
Dec.
"3 6
'1771 1813
1798
Sept.
July Sept.
15,
15, 6,
'1804 w
1797 05
1836
Jan.Dec.
31,
39,
'1830 1853
1844
Oct.'
AprUFeb.
Mar.
"s, 26, 8,
28,
"1854 1823
1831
1846
1869
Clebgymbst WHO HAVE SEEVED THE Pabish — Continued.

Rev. Joseph Perry 
Rev. John M. Garfield 
Rev. James Keeler 
Rev. Wm. T. Potter 
Eev. Edward J. Ives 
Eev. David Baldwin 
Rev. Levi H. Corson 
Rev. Pascal P. Blidder 
Eev. Frederick MiUer 
Eev. Wm. H. Rees _ 
Rev. Henry Olmstead, Jr. _ .
Eev. Clayton Eddy  
Eev. Frederick D. Lewin 
Rev. David Bishop 
Mr. Charles T. Coer 
Rev. George C. Griswold _ . _
Rev. Henry Olmstead, D.D.

Ord. Deacon.

Oct. 19,
Aug. 11,
Oct. 20,

Nov. 4,
Sept. 16,
June 16,
July 3,
Oct. 27,

Nov. 5,
May 25,

1802 1833
1818 1833180718311840
184118441859

Nov. 15, 1865

Nov. 5, 1844

Ord. Priest.

Dec. June Nov.
Oct.Nov.AprilAug. Nov.Sept.

13, 1802
4, 1823
4, 1833
39, 1826
30, 1835
30, 1809
3, 1833
6, 1841
38, 1842

Oct. 25, 1845
Jan. 17, 1861
May 30, 1862
Dec. 21, 1866
Octo'be"rVl867

Served.

Bap.

Conf.

Com.

1821

1

40

1823-28

5

7

57

1828-29

12

57

1829-30

15

23

48

1830-32

183^38
5
50
1838-40
43
1840-43
55
43
93
1844-49
62
49
133
1850
7
105
1851-62
159
69
127
1862-64
23
11
135
1864
26
18
135
1866-69
50
43
177
1869
8
14
177
1870-72
53
33
185
1872-83
134
73
175
Remarks.
One visit, perhaps in charge in 1819.
Non-resident, stated services.
Resident minister.
Probably non-resident, stated services.
Stated services part of the time.
Stated services part of the time.
Entire services, made rector in 1840.
Resident rector.
Resident minister, plans for church.
Resident rector, new church begun.
Resident rector, church completed.
Resident rector.
Resident rector.
Resident rector.
Lay reader.
Resident rector.
Resident rector. Chapel of Grace built.
Mar. 10, 1873
Mar." "s",' 1879
Died.
Aug. 5, 1863
Feb. 33, 1884
Oct. 3, 1849
ere
Jan. 5, 1867
Oct. 30, 1883
* Tbe record of baptisms, until the ministry of Mr. Keeler, is of the number baptized by tlie clergyman opposite whose name it is placed. Beginning
with Mr. Keeler's ministry, the number indicates those baptized in the parish during each clergyman's ministry.
f The number of communicants is in each case the highest reported during the ministry of the clergyman opposite whose name the record is placed.
!!^lmightg (3oh, roe beseech thee graciously to beholb
this ths familg, for rohi^h "ur £orb lesns Christ roas
contenteb to be betrageb, anb giuen up into the \;)antiB of
XDickeb men, anb to suffer beoth upon the cross, roho noto
liueth anb reigneth roith thee anb the i^oig ©host, ewer
one (S>oi, roorlb roithout enb. ^nten.