(04 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND GIVEN IN 1891 BY HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE Date Due .» t«^u BBX ^ er shade Settled o'er wigwam and palisade. The sounds of revelry died away: In fateful slumber the village lay. But the Pequot sachem was ill at ease. And the whispering wind in the forest trees Sighed with the burden of woe it bore. And moaned as it never had moaned before. The warrior slept; in dreams there stole A shadow of evil o'er his soul. In the northern sky was a rack of storm, A gathering cloud, whose ominous form Of surging, rolling masses lay In marshaled lines of black array. Then like sxdphurous breath from the mouth Of war, it rose and drifted south. As darkness gathered overhead. The dreamer shrank in nameless dread ; Nature felt the presence of death And shuddened and waited and held her breath. But not for long; a blaze of light Burst forth across the arch of night, A shaft of lightning fell ; next came A crash of thunder; answering flame Rose from the fortress higher and higher In one wild holocaust of fire. With a shudder of fear Mononotto awoke: It was all a dneam. No voices broke The stillness, save the surging song That woods and wandering winds prolong, And the monotone of ocean's roar On Wicopesset's surf-swept shore. The sachem said, "Hobbamock is here, Hobbamock the evil; he fills me with fear!" He rose and wrapping about him his doak. Passed swiftly out of the lodge as he speke. The village was still; the fii«3 had buimed down; PEQUOTS IN "after YEARS 61 At the gate was no sentry, no guard in the town. In the grey of the morning the fortress bore No trace of the life of the evening before. As he stood by his lodge there came to his ear A warning of terrible danger near, An ominous sound growing ever clearer, A heavy tread coming ever nearer. He knew 'twas the Puritan soldiery. And there leaped to his lips the startled cry, — "Owanux! Owanux!"* To Arm! To Arm I The woods repeated the awful alarm: "Owanux! Owanux!" In stern reply Came a rattling volley of musketry. And a hail of shot among the trees. And a ringing voice on the morning breeze, — "Forward! Forward! Carry the gate!" Mononotto turned, but all too late, For into the fortress even then Was pouring a column of armed men. The sagamore swiftly bent his bow And watched a winged arrow go True to its mark. An exultant yell Burst from his lips as a foeman fell. As Mononotto's war-cry rose, A hundred Pequots bent their bows, A hundred muskets flashed in sight. And gun-smoke settled o'er the fight. But the wreathing smoke has an orange glow And on it the fostering north winds blow. And the death song falls in the fervid breath And the shadows without are the shadows of death. The red flame waves and leaps and flows: Over the fortress the fire-fiend goes ; And husband and father and mother and child All fall in the path of his frenzy wild. In scorching heat and blinding smoke Mononotto fought till his bow-string broke. His eye quailed not; like a king he stood On that crimson field of fire and blood. Scarce two-score warriors gaunt and tall Remained to heed his rallying call. From the burning town, a tempest of wrath, Through the English line they swept a path; But the circle of death closed in again And out of the ceaseless, pitiless rain Of death, but a remnant escaped to tell How the pride of the Pequot nation fell. The shadows were stealing grey and still Over the simimit of Pequot Hill, Englishmen! Englishmen! GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Wheir, at the close of the summer day, Along his solitary way, A warrior passed with weary tread Into the presence of the dead. He heard the wind in the pine trees moan, And ever it whispered — ^" Alone, Alone." Over his soul in the fading light. While shadows lengthened into night, A wave of desolation swept, And the sachem covered his face and wept. CHAPTER IV EARLY SETTLERS SEVERAL YEARS elapsed after the fight on Pequot HiU before any steps were taken looking to the settlement of the conquered territory. October 7, 1640, Massachusetts granted Fisher's Island to John Winthrop, Jr., his title to the island being afterward confirmed by both Connecticut and New York, He settled there in 1644. The earliest grant of land embraced within the present confines of Groton is found in the Massachusetts Colonial Records:* "Upon the petition of Mr. John Winthrope, Junior, ex- hibited to this Cort. for leave to make a plantation at or near Pequott, it is ordered — ^that the said petition is granted and that the petitioner shall have liberty to make a planta- tion in said Pequott country with such others as shall p'sent themselves to joyne in the said plantation & they shall enjoy such liberties as are necessary & other farr remote planta- tions do enjoy & also to lay out a convenient place for iron works, p'vided that a convenient number of fit p'sons to carry on the said plantation do appear to p'secute the same within three years. Dated, the 28th of the 4th mo. 1644." In the Public Records of Connecticut** under date of the 17th of May, 1649, we find: "Upon the desire of the inhabitants of Pequot, for their incouragement it is Graunted by this Courte that they shall be freed from all publick Country charges (except such as are occasioned by themselves) for the space of three years next ensuing: It is also Graunted, that the bounds of the plantation of Pequott shall be foure myles on each side of the River and six myles from the sea northward into the Country, till the Courte shall see cause and have incourage- * Vol. II, p. 71. Ibid, p. 241. ** Vol. I, p. 185. 63 64 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 ment to add thereunto, provided they interteine none amongst them as inhabitants that shall be obnoxious to this jurisdiction and that the aforesaid bounds bee not distrib- uted to less than forty families." As early as the summer of 1645 Mr. Winthrop is thought to have been upon the ground preparing the way for the settlement of New London, and Miss Caulkins says the marshes and meadows were mowed that year. In her "His- tory of New London"* she quotes: "At a General Court held at Boston 6th of May 1646— Whereas Mr. John Win- throp Jun. and some others have by allowance of this Court, begun a plantation in the Pequot country, which appertains to this jurisdiction as part of our proportion of the con- quered country, and whereas the Court is informed that some Indians who are now planted upon the place where the plantation is begun, are willing to remove from their planting ground for the more quiet and convenient settling of the English there, so that they may have another con- venient place appointed — it is therefore ordered that Mr. John Winthrop may appoint unto such Indians as are will- ing to remove their lands on the other side, that is on the east side of the Great River of the Pequot country, or some other place for their convenient planting and subsistence which may be to the good liking and satisfaction of the said Indians, and likewise to such of the Pequot Indians as shall desire to live there, submitting themselves to the Eng- lish government &c. And whereas Mr. Thomas Peters is intending to inhabit in the said plantation — this said Court doth think fit to join him to assist the said Mr. Winthrop for the better carrying on the work of said plantation. A true copy &c. New London Records, Book VI." The above described grant was made by the Massachu- setts Bay, who claimed the land by conquest, but at a Com- missioners' Court held at Boston in July 1647 the territory was given to Connecticut, the reason assigned being that "Jurisdiction goeth constantly with the Patent." This boundary question raised and settled so promptly with * P. 45. , EARLY SETTLERS 65 Massachusetts became a very troublesome problem with Rhode Island, the dispute continuing for many years and not being finally settled until 1728. In the "Antientest Book for 1648-49-50" is found the following record: "The 16 of Januarie 1648 — it is agreed by the townsmen of Nameeug that Mr. John Winthrop is granted to set up a were and to make huse of the river at poquanuck at the uper end of the plaine for to take fish, and so to make im- provements of it, to him and his heires and asigns." Miss Caulkins says:* "Preparatory to a division of lands on the east side of the river, two grants are recorded to Mr. Winthrop, who was allowed a first choice of his portion, while the other shares went by lot. The first is a farm of princely dimensions at Pequonock and the other a lot on the river. The lands in these situations on the Sound and on the river being those which the inhabitants could immedi- ately make available, were the first divided. The upland on the river furnished planting fields and the Pequonock plains, meadows and grass lands. Winthrop's farm em- braced a tract about three miles in length from north to south, averaging perhaps a mile in breadth, lying between Pequonock Creek or River and what was then called East or Straight Cove (since known as Mumford's Cove). On the south it was washed by the Sound and intersected by inlets of salt water. In this compass were all the varieties of for- est and meadow, arable land, pasture and salt marsh, which are useful to the farmer and pleasing to the eye of taste. It lay also in an opposite position to Winthrop's island farm, so that the owner of these two noble domains could look over Fisher's Island Sound from either side and rest his eye upon his own fair possessions. "Winthrop's grant on the east side of the river was 'right against the sandy point of his own home lot, the length eight score pole and the breadth eight score pole' — ^that is on Groton Bank, opposite the eastern spur of Win- throp's Neck. These grants being settled, the other planters drew lots for their shares on the 17th and 31st of January, * History of New London, p. 61. 66 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 1648-9. From these lists we obtain two catalogues of those who may be considered as first owners : 'A division of lands on the east side of the Great River of Pequot, north of Mr. Winthrop's lot.' The list contains but eighteen names ; the shares were of twenty, thirty and forty acres. The division of Pequonock plain was in lots of the same average size and the number of grantees twenty-two, viz., Austin, Bartlet, Bedell, Bemas, Bordman, Busstraw, Fossiker, Gager, Hallet, Hempstead, Latham, Lewis, Longdon, Lothrop, Miner, Mor- ton, Nichols, Robinson, Smith, Stebbins, Waterhouse, Wil- ley. These were all actual residents of the town (New Lon- don) at that time and expecting to cultivate the land next season : but Austin, Busstraw, Hallet, Robinson and Smith disappeared from the plantation, forfeiting or selling their grants." The first settler on the east side of the river, within the bounds of Groton, was Jonathan Brewster, who established a trading post at Brewster's Neck. A town grant was made to him in September 1649. Uncas gave him land by the following deed:* "April 25, 1650. I, Unquas, Sachem of Mauhekon, doe give freely unto Jonathan Brewster of Pequett, a tract of land, being a plaine of arable land, bounded on the south side with a greate Cove called Poc- catannocke, on the north with the old Poccatuck path that goes to the Trading Goave &c. For and in consideration thereof, the said J. B. binds himself and his heirs to keep a house for trading goods with the Indians. (Signed by the Sachem and witnessed by William Baker and John Fos- siker)." This matter incurred the censure of the General Court of Connecticut, which on the 21st of May, 1650, passed the fol- lowing vote:** "Whereas, Mr. Jonathan Brewster hath set up a trading house at Mohigen, this Courte declares that they cannot but judge the things very disorderly, never- theless considering his condition, they are content hee * History of New London, Caulkins, p. 66. ** Colonial Records of Connecticut, p. 209. EARLY SETTLERS 67 should proceed therein for the present, and till they see cause to the contrary." Miss Caulkins writes of him:* "Jonathan Bi-ewster was the oldest son of Elder William Brewster of the Mayflower Colony, but came over in the 'Fortune,' 1621, a year later than his father. He settled in Duxbury and represented that town in 1639. With others of the Plymouth Colony he engage^J actively in the trade with the Indians of Long Island Sound and Connecticut River. This trade was car- ried on in sloops and shallops. . . . These voyages brought Mr. Brewster into contact with the younger Win- throp, the founder of New London; to which place he re- moved in 1649 and found immediate employment, not only in the old path of Indian traffic but as Recorder or Clerk of the plantation — ^many of the early deeds and grants at New London being in his handwriting. . . . Nine or ten years before the settlement of Norwich, Mr. Brewster had established a trading post near the mouth of Poquetan- nock Creek. The point of land was here given by Uncas to Mr. Brewster, as a bonus to induce him to establish the post, and it was confirmed to him by the townsmen of New London, within whose original bounds it was included. He commenced operations at Brewster's Neck in 1650 without waiting to obtain a license from the authorities of Con- necticut, who claimed the jurisdiction. The General Court in May of that year censured him for the way of proceed- ing but legalized the undertaking itself. . . . From this time forth, Brewster's Neck and Trading Cove on the op- posite side of the river became the principal places of traffic with the Mohegans. Mr. Brewster maintained an agency here and kept his family at the post for several years, but at length relinquished the trade to his son Ben- jamin and returned to Pequot Harbor, as New London was then called. In May 1657 he was chosen 'assistant for the town of Pequett.' . . . "New London, as the bounds were stated in 1652, ex- tended a quarter of a mile above Mr. Brewster's trading * History of Norwich, 1874, p. 211. 68 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 house. In 1668, the line between New London and Norwich was revised and rectified and it was still found to cross Brewster's Neck, dividing the Brewster farm between the two towns. The Legislature, therefore, left it to the option of Mr. Brewster to which place he would be attached. The settlement at one place was four miles north of him, at the other eight miles south. He chose the nearer neighborhood. Accordingly in 1669 we find him recorded as one of the twenty-five freemen at Norwich, and in 1685 he was one of its twelve patentees: but a year later, when Preston was accepted as a plantation, his farm fell within the limits of that new town, and he was enrolled as one of its inhab- itants. "Thus it appears that Brewster's Neck, which as we have seen was at first an advanced post into the wilderness, where the first house was erected by white men in the Mo- hegan or Pequot territory north of New London, was long afloat in regard to its territorial possession, and settled with difficulty into a permanent position. Originally included in the territory conquered from the Pequots, yet claimed and given away by Uncas, accredited for about twenty years to New London and then assigned by courtesy to Norwich — afterward made a part of the town of Preston but sub- sequently included in North Groton — it is now undeniably, and has been since 1836, within the limits of Ledyard. It is seldom that the formation of new towns and the altera- tions of boundaries produce so many changes in a particular locality." Robert Burrows came from Wethersfield to New London, where he was granted a house lot June 2, 1650. It is said he was settled at Pequonock that year or the next. April 3, 1651, he was granted land on the Mystic River,* "a parcel of land between the west side of the river and a high moun- tain of rock." In 1664** we find "Goodman Burrose chosen ferryman for Mistick river, to ferry a horse and man for a groat." The same year his name appears in the rate list * History of New London, Caulkins, p. 96. ** Ibid, p. 137. EARLY SETTLERS 69 for the ministry tax as owning property valued at £246; being fourth on the list in value. John Packer was another early settler on the west bank of the Mystic. Miss Caulkins places him among those who came to New London in the spring of 1651, and soon after he removed to the east side of the river, probably as early as 1653. His house stood near a spring on the east side of the Noank road, at the corner of the old road lead- ing to the shipyard and nearly opposite the school house. His land bordered on the south the land occupied by the Pequots at Noank, and as early as July 24, 1665, appears the following entry in the moderator's book:* "John Packer desires that Leiftenant Avery and James Morgan may issue the business jrt is now in contest betwixt him and the In- dians at Naiwayuncke and to compound with them in the best way they can with land to satisfaction of the Indians and Goodman Packer — Voted." This controversy was not finally settled until 1735. James Avery first appears as a grantee October 19, 1650, in the company that came from Gloucester with Mr. Richard Blinman, called to be the minister of the new plantation at Pequot. He removed to New London in 1651 and the next year was granted land in South Groton and in 1653 secured a farm at North Groton. However, in 1656 he seems to have finally settled on the Pequonnoc farm and in that year built the house known as the "Hive of the Averys," which at the time of its destruction by fire in July 1894 was the oldest house in Groton. The original house was small but had been added to from time to time, the most notable addition being made from the material from the old Blin- man meeting house in New London, sold to Capt. James Avery in 1684 for six pounds, with the condition that he should remove it in six months' time. James Avery was prominent in the civil and military affairs of the town. Gary Latham is one of the earliest named settlers at Pequot, Winthrop having recorded the fact that he was with him "in the beginning of the plantation." He was one * History of New London, Caulkins, p. 138. 70 GROTON, CONN, 1705-1905 of the men chosen under date of February 22, 1648-9, to manage the affairs of the town.* "The inhabitants of Pequot plantation have chosen by joynt consent Mr. John Winthrop, Robert Hempsteed, Carie Latham, John Stubens and Thomas Minor for this year following to act in all towne affairs, as well in the disposing of lands as in other prudentiall occasions for the towne. The same day the inhabitants did consent and desire that the plantation may be called London." In 1654 the town granted him a lease of the ferry priv- ilege:** "The ferry over Pequot River at the town of Pequot, for fifty years — from the 25th of March 1655. The said Gary to take 3d. of every passenger for his fare, 6d. for every horse or great beast and 3d. for a calf or swine ; and to have liberty to keep some provisions and some strong liquors or wine for the refreshment of passengers. — No English or Indian are to pass over any near the ferry place that they take pay for — if they do the said Gary may require it." "Mr. Latham on his part bound himself to attend the service immediately with a good canoe and to provide within a year's time a sufficient boat to convey man and beast. He also engaged to build a house on the ferry lot east of the river before the next October, to dwell there and to keep the ferry carefully, or cause it to be so kept for the whole term of years." Mr. Latham thus became the first settler upon Groton Bank. He was prominent in town affairs. James Morgan was another of the Cape Ann colony that came with Mr. Blinman. He is supposed to have settled in Groton about 1655. From the first he was prominent in public affairs, having been nine times a member of the General Court. At a General Court June 15, 1659,t Deacon Caulkin, James Avery and he were "appointed a com- mittee to lay out the Governor's land at Pocquetaunoc ;" at * History of New London, CauUdns, p. 58. •» Ibid, p. 89. t Colonial Records of Connecticut, p. 338 et seq. EARLY SETTLERS 71 the same court Goodmen Morgan and Avery were directed to lay out one-hundred and fifty acres to James Rogers. May 16, 1661,* "Matthew Griswold, Thomas Tracy and James Morgan are appointed to try the bounds of N. Lon- don and to make report what is ye extent of ye bounds from the Sea northward into ye Country, on ye east side of the river, according to ye ordinary way of laying out of bounds in this colony. N. London people have liberty to procure the ablest person they can to assist in this matter;" and in October 1663, after the naming of a commission to state the west bounds of New London, "Ensign Tracy and James Morgan, or any other whom the two towns of New London or Norwich do appoint, are to see it done." In 1664 in the rate for the ministry tax Morgan stands third on the list, being assessed upon 252 pounds. In 1665 James Avery and he were chosen referees in the case of John Packer vs. the Pequot Indians. In February of the next year the same men were appointed messengers** "to fetch up Mr. Bradstreet as soon as moderate weather presents." November 29, 1669,t "Left. Avery, Mr. Rogers, James Morgan Sen. and John Morgan" were "chosen to lay out the Kings highway between Norwich and Mystick." In 1670 James Morgan and wife were mentioned third in the list of members of Mr. Bradstreet's church. Nehemiah Smith was an early grantee of land in Groton. In the records in the Town Clerk's office in New London we read: "December 27, 1652 — ^20 acres of upland given him upon the east of the pond in Skull plain."J This land was at Smith Lake and was the location of the Smith Home- stead. "February 9, 1652-3 Nehemiah Smith hath given him 150 acres of upland upon the plain joining to his 20 acres given him by the pond on Skull plain. February 9, 1652-3 Goodman Smith hath given him for his whole pro- portion of all divided lands, 8 acres of upland more to be laid to his home lot, excepting swamps &c. February 20, * Colonial Records of Connecticut, p. 366. ** History of New London, Caulkins, p. 138. t Ibid, p. 143. t Descendants of Nehemiah Smith, p. 69. 72 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 1652-3 Nehemiah Smith hath given him a piece of meadow adjoining Captain Denisons 50 acres — ^two or three acres if it be there. January 24, 1653-4 Nehemiah Smith hath given him a piece of plain land about fifteen acres lying on the eastward of his land given beyond Skull Plain. He hath also given him one hundred acres of upland joining to his brothers about Mistic Hill, his brothers two hundred acres which is half granted by the Pond and half about Mistic Hill. February 19, 1654 — ^he hath given him five acres of meadow lying upwards upon Pequonnoc River, at Mistic he hath given him four acres of meadow. He hath also given him two hundred acres of upland more or less upon the hills toward Pequonnoc Plains bounded on the west by land of Goodmen Burroughs and Thomas — ^toward Pequon- noc, bounded by the pond of water — also more land January 4, 1653-4." "He continued to reside at New London until after 1655, owing to trouble with the Indians. He then moved to his farm at Smith Lake, Pequonnoc, where he doubtless had been making improvements, building, &c., for several years."* Mr. Smith did not long remain a resident of New London (Groton), as he appears to have been one of the original grantees of Norwich in 1659** and in 1663 he is spoken of as "now of New Norridge." He died at Norwich about 1686, aged about 81 years. All the above are positively identified as the earliest settlers in Groton, Rev. William Thompson was appointed missionary to the Pequots.f He was the owner of a farm in Groton which he sold to Aaron Starke between 1666 and 1669. Prob- ably he never resided upon this farm, though his missionary labors were confined to the Indians of Mystic and Paw- catuck. John Smith, brother of Nehemiah, was an early grantee, as was also Edward Culver. John Fish, John Ben- net, Thomas Bailey, George Geer, Philip Bill, Robert AUyn, Samuel Starr and Edmund Fanning are all believed to have * Descendants of Nehemiah Smith, pp. 59-60. ** History of Norwich, Caulldns, p. 61. t History of New London, Caulldns, 1860, p. 128. EARLY SETTLERS 73 been settled in Groton prior to 1670. The islands adjacent to the coast were in demand from the very beginning. "John Cole is called a 'ploo-right' (plow maker). Among the grants 'the marsh upon pyne island' was given him. This island or islet, which lies on the Groton shore, still retains its designation, though long since denuded of the original growth of pines from which this was derived. 'Six penny Island at the mouth of Mistick' was granted to Robert Hempstead and John Stebbins in 1652. Notwithstanding its derisive name it contained nearly twenty acres of marsh."* * History of New London, Caulkins, 1860, p. 81. CHAPTER V POLITICAL THE AGITATION for divine service to be held on the east side of the river preceded that for organiza- tion of a new town, and had been going on for more than fifteen years when the town of New London voted, Feb- ruary 20, 1704-5, that the inhabitants on the east side of the river should be a town by themselves on the following terms, viz.:* "That they pay their proportion of the town's debts; that the ferry and land and house belonging to it, shall con- tinue to belong to the free school on the west side ; that all estate hitherto given to the ministry or for the support of schools shall remain the property of the west side ; that the inhabitants of the west side shall retain their right to cut masts or timber in the pine swamp near the straits on the east side, and the said swamp forever remain common to both sides; that inhabitants on either side, owning prop- erty on the other side, shall each retain their rights as proprietors." The Assembly passed an act of incorporation the same year:** "Whereas the inhabitants of Newlondon on the east side of the river have desired that the lands on that side of the river may (be) a distinct township on certain terms agreed upon between them and the inhabitants of said towne on the west side, which terms are as f olloweth : First, that the ferry and the land and house belonging to it shall be and remain for the benefit of a free-school in the town on the west side of the river. 21y, that the inhabitants of the east side pay their part of the town debts that are now due. * History of New London, Caulkins, ed. 1860, p. 414. Ibid, p. 337. ** Colonial Records of Connecticut, Vol. IV, pp. 510-11. 74 POLITICAL 75 31y, that the inhabitants on the west side who have pro- prietie in lands on the east doe still hold their right in the common land on the east side in proportion with the in- habitants on the east side ; the same rule to be attended for such inhabitants on the east side who have propriety in lands on the west side. 4thly, that the pine swamp on the east side where they usually get masts may continue for the benefit of the inhabitants on both sides the river as for- merly. 5thly. That all estate given to ministrie of New- london or to a free-school there, shall be and remain wholly to the use of the ministrie and maintenance of a free-school in the town on the west side of the river. "This Assembly upon the application of the inhabitants of the said towne, doe approve of and confirme the said Lands in the township of Newlondon shall be divided into two townships, the lands on the west side of the river in the said township to be one distinct township to be called by the name of Newlondon, and the lands on the east side of the said river to be a distinct township to be called by the name of Groton; and that the said townes shall enjoy all such privileges and imunities as are generally granted to all or to any townes in this Colonie; and doe order and enact that whatsoever estate reall or personall, and what- soever privileges are by the said articles or any of them excepted and reserved to either partie shall forever be and remain to those uses for which the same is excepted and reserved according to the true import and intent of the said articles and every of them. Always provided that the inhabitants on the east side of the said river in the town- ship of Groton doe not hereby claim a privilege of being exempted from paying countrie rates. And it is further provided and to be understood that this act shall not be understood or interpreted to the preiudice or infringement of any rights or privileges granted by the town of New- london to John Winthrop Esqr our late Governor or his heirs within the said township of Newlondon as formerly bounded but the said grants shall be of the same force, effect and virtue as if this act had never been. 76 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 "And it is enacted by this Assembly that the brand for horses in the town of Groton shall be this following figure, viz. []" The town was called "Groton" after the country seat of the Winthrops at Groton in Suffolk, from which the family came and is supposed to have first been given to the large estates owned by Governor Winthrop near Pequonnoc. The first time we find the name recorded is in the Winthrop papers, where John Plumbe writes concerning a remarkable meteor which he saw in October 1665, "I being then rowing in my boat to Groton." In December 1705 a town meeting was held for organiza- tion and Samuel Avery was chosen first townsman, his colleagues being Samuel Fish, Nehemiah Smith, Captain James Morgan and George Geer. John Davie was chosen town clerk and Jonathan Starr constable. The school- master elected at the same time was John Barnard. John Davie, the first town clerk, is worthy of special mention. He was the son of Humphrey Davie and a graduate of Harvard College in 1681. The first town record book opened by him in 1705 is a model of bookmaking and of penman- ship, and indicates that he was a man of intelligence and of education. He came to Groton in 1693, taking over a farm at Pequonnoc formerly owned by William Meades. He filled the office of rate collector in 1695, of townsman in 1696 and was a constable for the east side in 1702. He was a brother-in-law of Rev. Gurdon Saltonstall, their wives being sisters, daughters of James Richmond of Hartford. "July 11, 1694, Voted — That a new meeting house shall be forthwith built and that a rate of 12 pence on the pound be made for it. Capt. Wetherell, Mr. Pygan, Capt. James Morgan, Lt. James Avery, Mr. John Davie, Sergt. Nehe- miah Smith, Ensign John Hough and Richard Christophers, are chosen a committee to agree with workmen for build- ing the house and managing the whole concern of it."* As four of this committee were from the east side, we may gather something of the relative importance of Groton at * History of New London, Caulkins, ed. 1860, p. 199. POLITICAL 77 this time. Mr. Davie recorded the births of his children in the first record book of the town as follows : "Mary, born June 30, 1693; Sarah, born Oct. 21, 1695; Elizabeth, bom March 17, 1697-8; John, born July 27, 1700; Humphrey, bom April 12, 1702-3; William, bom March 22, 1705-6. "These were all born in the town now called Groton."* In 1707 Mr. Davie became heir to a baronetcy and closing out his affairs in Groton he returned to England, where he became "Sir John Davie of Greedy, County of Devon, within the kingdom of England, Baronet."** Miss Caulkins has given us a very charming account of his reception of the notice of his advancement, which also throws some light on the customs of the day:t "According to tradition, the unconscious baronet was at work with him and they were at strife to see which would do the most work in the least time. Letters had been sent from England to look up the heir of the Davie estate, and application being made to Mr. Saltonstall, he inamediately dispatched a messenger to Groton with the tidings. This messenger, arriving at the house, was directed to the field, and as he approached Davie, who was at work barefoot, with shirtsleeves and trousers rolled up, he inquired his name; and on receiving an answer, struck him upon the shoulder and raising his hat exclaimed, 'I salute you. Sir John Davie.' "James Packer had made several voyages, and when Sir John Davie left Groton, he gave him a hearty invitation, if he should ever find himself in England, to come to his estate in Devonshire and make him a visit, assuring him it would always give him pleasure to see an old neighbor and hear from his American home. A few years later Packer, being in England, took the stage-coach from Lon- don and went out to Sir John's estate. He arrived just as the family were sitting down to dinner, with a party of * History of New London, Caulkins, ed. 1860, p. 199. ** Ibid, p. 416. t Ibid, p. 417. 78 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 the neighboring gentry for guests. Sir John recognized his former comrade at once; received him with open cor- diality, introduced him to the company as an American friend; and treated him with marked attention. The next day he carried him all over his grounds and showed him his various accommodations. Before parting, Sir John and his lady had a long and free conversation with their visitor in the course of which the baronet expressed himself thus : " 'You see how I live, Packer : I have an abundance of this world's goods, and can gratify myself with a continual succession of pleasures, but after all I am not so happy as I was when you and I changed work at threshing and we had but one dish for dinner, and that was corn-beans.' " Mr. Samuel Avery, the first townsman, was also a man of note. Youngest son of James Avery, one of the early settlers, he served the town from his election in 1705 until his death May 1, 1723. He owned a large farm in Groton, was captain of a train band and was in public service dur- ing most of his life. He has not left a numerous progeny, but some of his descendants deserve mention. Waightstill Avery, his grandson, born May 10, 1741, died March 13, 1821, lived in North Carolina and was a member of the Mecklenburg Convention which on May 31, 1775, is reputed to have passed the first declaration of independence of Great Britain, antedating that at Philadelphia by more than a year. Tradition has it that Mr. Avery was the writer of this much disputed declaration.* In 1788 Colonel Avery in the trial of a case in North Carolina was opposed by a young lawyer just twenty-one years of age, Andrew Jackson. In the course of the pro- ceedings Mr. Avery rather scornfully referred to the legal knowledge of his opponent and on a repetition of the offence was served with a challenge by Jackson in which he accused the Colonel of injuring his "charactor" and trusted that he would give him the satisfaction that one gentleman should give another whom he has injured, and declared * For a discussion of this subject see "The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence," by William Hoyt. G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1907. o O fa w H >-] m I w c/l O w M w POLITICAL 79 that he would not take his dinner until the matter was attended to. They met on the evening of August ,12, 1788, and after exchanging shots without injury to either of the parties became firm friends and so continued until Colonel Avery's death. The challenge, bearing date August 12, 1788, was in the possession of the family until within a few years. In this line also comes John D. Rockefeller, whose father, William Avery Rockefeller, was fourth in descent from Samuel Avery. Captain Samuel Fish, the second townsman, was bom in 1656 and died Feb. 27, 1733, in his 77th year. He was a captain in the French and Indian wars and was for many years prominent in the affairs of the town. He owned a large farm situated on both sides of the present New Lon- don road and in 1695 built the house now standing on the Chesebrough farm northwest from the Lower Mystic Cem- etery. He was a member of the First Congregational Church in Stonington and the names of his children are found recorded there. Nehemiah Smith, the third townsman, was born in New Haven in 1646 and was the second of the name. He was prominent in the affairs of New London, having repre- sented the town in the General Assembly at Hartford when but twenty-three years of age, and for several years there- after. "In October, 1696, with Captain Mason and Samuel Chester, he is to 'go on the lands belonging to the family of the Rogers in New London, and endeavor a right under- standing of differences.' May 13, 1697, at Hartford Court of Elections may be found the following: 'John Avery ap- pointed Captain of the trainband at New London on the east side of the river, and Nehemiah Smith to be their Ensign and to be Commissionated accordingly. These are commissionated. ' "May 12, 1698, Ensign Nehemiah Smith is appointed a Justice for New London County, and also appointed with 'the Worshipful Captain Samuel Mason and Captain Daniel Withereir to look after the selectmen of Stonington or 80 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 any of the towns in the county in relation to the highways. In 1706 he is a lieutenant. He was also a representative from New London, justice of the peace, justice of the quorum, etc. Oct. 14, 1704, his name is number 5 on a list of seventy-seven names to whom the patent of New London was granted by the General Assembly, by virtue of letters- patent granted by his Royal Majesty, Charles the Second of England, April 23, 1663. "October 11, 1705, he is a representative from New Lon- don at the General Assembly held at New Haven, Major- Greneral Fitz John Winthrop, Esq., Governor. In December of this year, the first town meeting in Groton was held. He appears as one of the selectmen. March 25, 1703, the town of New London granted liberty to James Morgan, James Avery and Nehemiah Smith to lay out and sell 300 acres of land in Groton for the building of the first meeting- house. In a list of freemen dated Dec. 22, 1708, his is the first name. April 26, 1709, he appears on the committee to settle boundaries between Norwich and Groton, and Pres- ton and Groton, and, afterward, Groton and Stonington. "At New Haven, October 10, 1706, he and Captain James Morgan were appointed 'to go to the eastern part of Ston- ington and to see how their difficulties is' in relation to boundary troubles, and he is also on another committee 'to treat with Owaneco concerning the differences arising from his claim to land with full power to finally agree and report to the Governor.' "April 2, 1707, at Hartford, he is a representative from Groton and he continues annually in that office to 1716. "In 1711 Governor Saltonstall and Council at New Haven 'Ordered that the Treasurer do pay out of the Colony Treas- ury to Nehemiah Smith of Groton Esq., the sum of four pounds and one shilling money for satisfying what is due to him from the Colony for goods to our Indian soldiers which appears by his account this day laid before this Board and now on file.' May, 1713, he is allowed one pound, two shilling and sixpence for attendance at the Assembly. POLITICAL 81 March, 1714-15, he is on a committee 'to make seats in gallery some time this year.' "In 1715, Mr. Justice Smith of Groton and Mr. Justice Prentiss of New London were appointed overseers of the Indians at Niantic. The Indians complained that some of their number had been induced by drink and other ways to allow the Englishmen to inclose large pastures out of the land set off by the government for the improvement of the Indians. March 20, 1715-6, he was on a committee in relation to the debts of the town. In 1716, he is spoken of as seventy years of age. He was the second town clerk of Groton, 1707 to 1718. In 1719, he was on several com- mittees relating to schools, Indians, and laying out of land."* James Morgan, the fourth townsman, was the second of the name, being the son of James Morgan, one of the first settlers. He lived on the farm inherited from his father, just west of Pequonnoc Bridge. He was one of the first two deacons of the first church in Groton, was a magis- trate, and acted as moderator of the first town meeting after the incorporation of the town. He served as captain of a train band and as deputy to the General Court from New London before the separation, and was one of the first deputies from the new town of Groton in 1706. For several years he was a commissioner to advise and direct the Pequot Indians in the management of their affairs. George Geer, the fifth townsman, was the only one bom in the old country. He was born in Hevitree, England, in 1621 and must have been eighty-four years of age at the time of his election. He lived to the ripe, old age of one hundred and five years. Left an orphan at an early age, he and a brother, Thomas, were put in charge of an uncle. They came to Boston in 1635 and George is found at New London in 1651. Having married a daughter of Robert Allyn, he took up a tract of fifty acres of land granted him by the town of New London, and adjoining the farm of his father-in-law, at Allyn's Point. Although he had * Descendants of Nehemiah Smith, pp. 68-9. 82 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 a larger family than any of his associates, less is known of his history than of any of his fellow townsmen. Of Jonathan Starr, the constable, we gather from Miss Caulkins that he was the son of Samuel Starr and his wife Hannah, the daughter of Jonathan Brewster. He was bap- tized in the New London church in 1674 and married Eliza- beth, the daughter of Captain James Morgan. "The de- scendants of Jonathan Starr* have been remarkable for longevity — eight of his children lived to be eighty, and most of them over eighty-five years of age. One of his daughters, Mrs. Turner,** was one hundred years and seven months old. In the family of his son Jonathan, the father, mother and four children averaged ninety years of age. The third Jonathan lived to be ninety-five and his brother. Captain Jared Starr, to his ninetieth year. A similar length of years characterized their partners in marriage. Mrs. Mary (Seabury) Starr lived to the age of ninety-nine years: and Elizabeth, relict of Captain Joseph Starr of Groton, (brother of Jonathan 2nd) , died at the age of one- hundred years, five months and eight days." Of the schoolmaster, David A. DaboUf writes as fol- lows: "At a similar gathering (town meeting) the crude foundations of an educational system were laid by the ap- pointment of Mr. John Barnard to be 'town schoolmaster.' " Ten acres of land north of the meeting house were appro- priated and a convenient dwelling house sixteen feet square was ordered to be built thereon for school purposes. On September 11th of the same year this vote was rescinded and the same amount of land "south of the meeting house" was substituted, although apparently the school house was built on the original location. The area of the town being something like seventy square miles, it is not to be supposed that his labors were confined to this building. He held school in the houses of well-to-do citizens in other sections * History of New London, ed. 1860, pp. 318 and 320. ** Buried in Seth Williams Burying Ground, just above Old Mystic. Tombstone inscription: "Mrs. Lucy Turner, relict of Capt. Hawkins Turner, died Mar. 16, 1809, as. 100 yrs. 7 ms. 16 ds." t Historic Groton, pp. 47-8. POLITICAL 83 of the town. What his compensation was or how long he continued in the position is a matter of conjecture only, his salary not being mentioned in the records. His wife, "for sweeping out the meeting house, and keeping the key," received twenty shillings per annum. We will follow the history of the schools in another chapter. After the departure of John Davie the clerkship was filled by the following persons, viz., 1707-18, Nehemiah Smith; 1718-30, Samuel Avery; 1730-68, Chris- topher Avery and Christopher Avery, Jr.; 1768-87, William Avery; 1787-97, Charles Eldredge; 1797-1803, Amos Gere; 1803, Amos Niles; 1804, Amos Gere; 1805-21, Amos A. Niles; 1821-37, Nathan DaboU; 1837-46, Elisha Morgan; 1846-50, Sanford Morgan; 1850, James D. Avery; 1851-53, Sanford Morgan; 1853, James D. Avery; 1854-59, Sanford A. Morgan; 1859, Daniel Morgan; 1860-62, Colby M. Morgan; 1862-70, Elisha Morgan; 1870, David A. DaboU; 1871-74, Elisha Morgan; 1874-95, James D. Avery; 1895-1905, Nelson Morgan. Representatives to the Colonial Assembly* were chosen twice in each year, and the custom continued until the adoption of the State Constitution in 1818. Those who served the town in this capacity were 1706, May — James Morgan, Andrew Lester. Sept. — Nehemiah Smith, Samuel Fish. 1707, May — Capt. James Avery, Capt. James Morgan. Sept. — Nehemiah Smith, Samuel Fish. 1708, May — Capt. James Avery, Lieut. John Morgan, Sr. Sept. — Lt. Samuel Fish, Capt. James Avery. 1709, May — James Morgan, William Latham. Sept. — Samuel Avery, Joshua Bill. 1710, May — Capt. James Avery, John Morgan, Sr. Sept. — Capt. James Avery, John Morgan, Sr. 1711, May — Capt. James Avery, John Morgan, Sr. Sept. — John Morgan, Jr. 1712, May — Capt. James Avery, Moses Fish. Sept. — Capt. Samuel "Fish, Jonathan Starr. 1713, May — James Morgan, Jonathan Starr. Sept. — ^James Morgan, Jonathan Starr. * This list, together with the accompanying brief biographical sketches, to the year 1866, was compiled by Judge William H. Potter. 84 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 1714, May — James Morgan, Jonathan Starr. Sept. — James Morgan, Samuel Liester. 1715, May — James Morgan, James Avery. Sept. — William Morgan, Nicholas Street. 1716, May — Samuel Avery, William Morg:an. Sept. — James Mor- gan, James Avery. 1717, May — James Avery, James Packer. Sept. — Nicholas Street, Joshua Bill. 1718, May — Nehemiah Smith, James Avery. Sept. — Capt. Samuel Avery, John Seabury. 1719, May — Capt. Samuel Avery, Moses Fish. Sept. — Capt Samuel Avery. 1720, May — Joshua Bill, Ebenezer Avery. Sept. — John Burrows, Ebenezer Avery. 1721, May — Nehemiah Smith, Joshua Bill. Sept. — John Morgan, Jr., Nehemiah Smith. 1722, May— Joshua Bill, Nehemiah Smith. Sept. — Joshua Bill, Niehemiah Smith. 1723, May— Nehemiah Smith, Joshua Bill. Sept. — Nehemiah Smith, Joshua Bill. 1724, May— James Avery, Joshua Bill. Sept— Nehemiah Smith, Christopher Avery. 1725, May-nJames Avery, Jamies Morgan. Sept — Christopher Avery, James Morgan. 1726, May— James Avery, Jonathan Starr. Sept— James Morgan, Ebenezer Avery. 1727, May— James Avery, Daniel Eldredge. Sept.— James Av«ry. 1728, May— James Avery, Joshua Bill. Sept— Jonathan Starr, James Avery. 1729, May— Daniel Eldredge, Joshua Bill. Sept.— Capt James Avery, Nicholas Street. 1730, May— Daniel Eldredge, Benadam Gallup. Sept.— James Mor^ gan, Capt. James Avery. 1731, May— Capt James Avery, Capt John Morgan, Sr. Sept Capt James Avery, Moses Fish. 1732, May— James Packer, Christopher Avery. Sept.— James Packer, Humphrey Avery. 1733, May— James Packer, Humphrey Avery. Sept— James Packer, Humphrey Avery. 1734, May— Daniel Eldredge, Humphrey Avery. Sept.— James Packer, Christopher Avery. 1735, May— James Avery, Humphrey Avery. Sept— Luke Perkins, Dudley Woodbridge. 1736, May— Christopher Avery, Dudley Woodbridge. Sept— James Avery, John Chester. POLITICAL 85 1737, May — Luke Perkins, Dudley Woodbridge. — Sept. — William Morgan, James Avery. 1738, May — Christopher Avery, Ebenezer Avery. Sept. — Hum- phrey Avery, Ebenezer Avery. 1739, May — Christopher Avery, Dudley Woodbridge. Sept — Christopher Avery, Dudley Woodbridge. 1740, May — Dudley Woodbridge, Humphrey Avery. Sept. — Chris- topher Avery, Dudley Woodbridge. 1741, May — Christopher Avery, Humphrey Avery. Sept. — Eben- ezer Avery, William Williams. 1742, May — Christopher Avery, John Ledyard. Sept. — Christopher Avery, John Ledyard. 1743, May — Christopher Avery, John Ledyard. Sept. — Humphrey Avery, John Ledyard. 1744, May — Christopher Avery, John Ledyard. Sept. — Christopher Avery, John Ledyard. 1745, May — Christopher Avery, John Ledyard. Sept. — Christopher Avery, John Ledyard. 1746, May — Christopher Avery, John Ledyard. Sept. — Ebenezer Avery, 2nd, Col. Christopher Avery. 1747, May — Christopher Avery, John Ledyard. Sept. — Capt. Moses Fish, Luke Pierkins. 1748, May — John Ledyard, Capt. Robert Allyn. Sept. — Col. Chris- topher Avery, Ebenezer Avery, Jr. 1749, May — Col. Christopher Avery, John Ledyard. Sept. — Capt. William Williams, Capt. Nathan Smith. 1750, May — Col. Christopher Avery, Luke Perkins. Sept. — Eben- ezer Avery, Capt. William Williams. 1751, May — Col. Christopher Avery, Luke Perkins. 1752, May — Capt. Moses Fish, Col. Christopher Avery. Sept. — Capt. Ebenezer Avery, Silas Deane. 1753, May — Col. Christopher Avery, Capt. Nathan Smith. Sept — James Morgan, Benadam Gallup. 1754, May — Capt. Ebenezer Avery, Col. Christopher Avery. Sept. — Capt. Moses Fish, Capt. Robert Gere (2). 1755, May — Col. Christopher Avery, Capt. Moses Fish. Sept. — Nathan Smith, Col. Christopher Avery. 1756, May — Capt. Moses Fish, William Williams. Sept — Luke Per- kins. 1757, May — Col. Christopher Avery, Dudley Woodbridge. Sept. Capt Moses Fish, Col. Christopher Avery. 1758, May — Capt Moses Fish, Col. Christopher Avery. Sept. — Luke Perkins, Col. Christopher Avery. 1759, May — Col. Christopher Avery, Capt. Jabez Smith. Sept. — Col. Christopher Avery, Capt. Jabez Smith. 86 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 1760, May — Col. Christopher Avery, Luke Perkins. Sept. — Capt. Robert Gere (2), Luke Perkins. 1761, May — Col. Christopher Avery, Luke Perkins. Sept. — Dudley Woodbridge, Capt. William Woodbridge. 1762, May — Moses Fish, Christopher Avery. Sept. — Dudley Wood- bridge, Capt. William Williams. 1763, May — Christopher Avery, Jabez Smith. Sept. — Ebenezer Avery, William Williams. 1764, May — Christopher Avery, Benadam Gallup. Sept — Ebenezer Avery, William Williams. 1765, May — Benadam Gallup, Mos«s Fish. Sept. — William Wil- liams, Moses Fish. 1766, May — Benadam Gallup, Moses Fish. Sept. — Benadam Gallup, Moses Fish. 1767, May — Benadam Gallup, Moses Fish. Sept. — Benadam Gallup, Moses Fish. 1768, May — Capt. Ebenezer Avery, Capt. William Williams. Sept. — Capt. Benadam Gallup, Capt. Moses Fish. 1769, May — Capt. William Williams, Capt. Moses Fish. Sept.— Capt. Benadam Gallup, Simon Avery, (? Simeon). 1770, May — Capt. Benadam Gallup, Capt. Moses Fish. Sept. — Capt. Robert Gere (2), Capt. Benadam Gallup. 1771, May — Capt. Benadam Gallup, Capt. Joseph Gallup. Sept. — Capt. Nathan Gallup, Capt. Nathan Fish. 1772, May — Capt. Ebenezer Ledyard, Nathan Gallup. Sept- Nathan Fish. 1773, May — Col. William Ledyard, William Avery. Sept. — Capt. William Morgan, Thomas Mumford. 1774, May — Capt. William Morgan, Thomas Mumford. Sept. — Ste- phen Billings, Thomas Mumford. 1775, May — Nathan Gallup, Thomas Mumford. Sept. — Nathan Gallup, Thomas Mumford. 1776, May — Capt. Benadam Gallup, Col. William Ledyard. Sept. — Park Avery, John Hurlbut. 1777, May — Col. Benadam Gallup, Thomas Mumford. Sept. — Col. Nathan Gallup, Thomas Mumford. 1778, May— Thomas Mumford, Capt William Williams. Sept.— Capt. Stephen Billings, Thomas Mumford. 1779, May— Col. Nathan Gallup, Thomas Mumford. Sept. — Eben- ezer Ledyard, William Avery. 1780, May — Ebenezer Ledyard, Amos Gere. Sept. — Thomas Ap. NUes, Amos Gere. 1781, May— Thomas Mumford, Stephen Billings. Sept. — Thomas Mumford, John Morgan. POLITICAL 87 1782, May— Nathan Gallup, Ehenezer Ledyard. Sept.— Elisha Wil- liams, Dr. Amos Prentice. 1783, May — Ebenezer Ledyard, Elisha Williams. Sept. — Ebenezer Ledyard, Elisha Williams. 1784, May — Ebenezer Ledyard, Nathan Gallup. Oct. — Thomas Niles, Nathan Gallup. 1785, May— Thomas N. Niles, Isaac Gallup. Oct.— Thomas N. Niles, Isaac Gallup. 1786, May — Ebenezer Ledyard, Isaac Gallup. Oct. — Thomas N. Niles, Isaac Gallup. 1787, May — Ebenezer Ledyard, Isaac Gallup. Oct. — Thomas N. Niles, Stephen Billings. 1788, May — Ebenezer Ledyard, Stephen Billings. Oct. — Thomas N. NUes, Stephen Billings. 1789, May — Ebenezer Ledyard, Nathan Gallup. Oct. — Thomas N. Niles, Robert Allyn. 1790, May — Robert Allyn, Ezra Bishop. Oct. — Nathan Niles, Amos Geer. 1791, May — Thomas Avery, Nathan Gallup. Oct. — Thomas Avery, Stephen Billings. 1792, May — Simeon Avery, Christopher Morgan. Oct. — Simeon Avery, Christopher Morgan. 1793, May — Simeon Smith, Nathan Gallup. Oct. — Simeon Smith, Jam£s GaUup. 1794, May — Jonathan Brewster, John Wilson. Oct. — Simeon Avery, Robert Geer, 2nd. 1795, May — Thomas Avery, Benadam Gallup. Oct. — Thomas Avery, Benadam Gallup. 1796, May — Ebenezer Ledyard, Ebenezer Morgan. Oct. — Thomas Aviery, Ebenezer Morgan. 1797, May — Starr Chester, Robert Geer, 2nd. Oct. — Starr Chester, Robert Geer, 2nd. 1798, May — Ebenezer Avery, Jr., Ebenezer Morgan. Oct. — Eben- ezer Avery, Jr., Ebenezer Morgan. 1799, May — Simeon Smith, Isaac Avery. Oct. — Simeon Smith, Isaac Avery. 1800, May — Jabez Smith, Vine Stoddard. Oct. — Starr Chester, Vine Stoddard. Part I— From 178Jp to 1801 The first on the list is Esquire Ebenezer Ledyard, 1784, who was six times a delegate. He was, we think, a brothei* of the late lamented Colonel William Ledyard, and negoti- 88 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 ated cartels for the exchange of prisoners during the Rev- olutionary War. He was a merchant at Groton Bank and died in 1811 aged 75 years. Esquire Ledyard filled a large place in our Revolutionary annals. Colonel Nathan Gallup, his colleague, of Revolutionary fame, resided at Pumpkin Hill; Thomas Niles resided at the Niles place just above Mystic River; Deacon Northrup Niles built a house and resided north of Candlewood Hill and was long a leading man in the town; Captain Isaac Gallup, 1785, the son of Colonel Benadam Gallup, was a Revolutionary soldier and an able and useful public man. He was very corpulent, and lived at Pumpkin Hill. Esquire Stephen Billings, 1787, resided near Center Groton, and was, we think, uncle of Colonel Stephen Billings, who subsequently figured in the military line. Captain Robert AUyn, 1799, was another noble Revolutionary patriot of whom we could wish to say more. He resided and died at AUyn's Point. Ezra Bishop, 1790, we cannot locate. There must be a mistake in the name, though it was transcribed from the records of the State Department at Hartford. We give him up. Nathaniel Niles was another of the same family as the preceding bearers of the name. Esquire Amos Geer, 1790, lived on Geer Hill, east of Poquetanoc. He was a noted man in the town, surveyor, standing justice and town clerk, for which latter post he was admirably adapted as a ready penman. Esquire Thomas Avery, 1791, was another Revolutionary hero, who survived the Fort Griswold massacre and subse- quently removed to Coleraine, Massachusetts. Colonel Sim- eon Avery, 1792, was an adjutant in the Revolutionary struggle and resided between Center Groton and Groton Ferry ; he was Major Elisha Avery's father. Major Chris- topher Morgan lived in the Lorenzo Gallup District and was the father of Colonel William Morgan. Deacon Simeon Smith, 1793, lived at Flanders, north of Fort Hill ; he died later than 1820. James Gallup, colleague of Deacon Smith, was possibly the same as Lieutenant James Gallup, 1822, and, if so, was the son of Deacon Benadam Gallup. If that was not the man we have failed to trace him. Jonathan POLITICAL 89 Brewster, 1794, is not readily identified, unless the Poque- tanoc miller of that name at this time resided in Groton. John Wilson, his colleague, is equally difficult of identifica- tion. Robert Geer, 2nd, the colleague of Colonel Simeon Avery, was a brother of Esquire Amos of Geer Hill, and a farmer. Deacon Benadam Gallup, Jr., 1795, was the son of Colonel Benadam, and afterwards settled on the Northrup Niles place, east of Candlewood Hill. Captain Ebenezer Mor- gan, 1797, was another Revolutionary survivor, who lived northwest of Meeting-house Hill, North Groton, where he died at a good old age. Esquire Starr Chester, 1797, living at Palmer's Cove, towards Noank, was twelve times a delegate. He removed West and there died. Colonel Ebenezer Avery, Jr., 1798, resided at Groton Bank at the time of the mas- sacre and bore a part outside of the Fort, while his father of the same name perished in the fight. He was the father of the Rev. Jared Avery, representative in 1863 and 1866 , Esquire Isaac Avery, the colleague of Deacon Simeon Smith in both sessions of 1799, lived on Geer Hill in North Groton and died about 1821. Deacon Jabez Smith, 1800, resided at Pequonnoc. His colleague. Lieutenant Vine Stoddard, was a Revolutionary patriot, who served with Washington at White Plains. He was a farmer residing near Gales Ferry and died about 1840. Part 11— From 1801 to 1818 1801, May — Starr Chester, Benadam Gallup. Oct. — Starr Chester, Isaac Gallup. 1802, May — Stair Chester, Benadam Gallup. Oct. — Starr Chester, Isaac Gallup. 1803, May — John Daboll, Joseph Chapman, Jr. Oct. — Phineas Hyde, T. Baxter Gray. 1804, May — Phineas Hyde, T. Baxter Gray. Oct.— Rufus Smith, Joseph Morgan. 1805, May — Rufus Smith, Joseph Morgan. Oct. — Starr Chester, Amos A. Niles. 1806, May — Starr Chester, Amos A. Niles. Oct. — John Daboll, John Spicer. 1807, May— Roswfill Fish, Paul F. Niles. Oct.— Roswell Fish, Paul F. Niles. 90 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 1808, May— Starr Chester, T. Baxter Gray. Oct.— Paul F. iNiles, Roswell Fish. 1809, May— Starr Chester, T. Baxter Gray. Oct.— Roswell Fish, Paul F. Niles. 1810, May— Starr Chester, Paul F. Niles. Oct.— John Morgan, Paul F. Niles. 1811, May— John Morgan, Paul F. Niles. Oct.— Roswell Fish, Amos A. Niles. 1812, May— Roswell Fish, Amos A. Niles. Oct.— Elijah Bailey, Amos A. Niles. 1813, May— Noyes Barber, Seth Williams. Oct.— Noyes Barber, Seth Williams. 1814, May— Stephen Haley, Elisha Ayers. Oct.— Stephen Haley, Elisha Ayers. 1815, May— Thomas Avery, Rodman Niles. Oct.— Thomas Avery, Rodman Niles. 1816, May— Elisha Haley, William Williams. Oct— Elisha Haley, William Williams. 1817, May — Erastus Williams, James Mitchell. Oct. — James Mitchell, Erastus Williams. 1818, May — Noyes Barber, Philip Gray. Oct. — Noyes Barber, Philip Gray. Esquire John DaboU, 1803, was a survivor of the Fort Griswold massacre, although pierced with seven musket balls. He resided between Center Groton and the Bank and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1818. The Noank Dabolls are his descendants. Joseph Chapman, Jr., was a tavern keeper in North Groton. Dr. Phineas Hyde, 1804, the father of John Hyde, was a popular physi- cian of Upper Mystic. He was a native of Norwich and a brother of Judge John Hyde, so long chief judge of the county court. Thomas Baxter Gray, colleague of Dr. Hyde, represented the town four times and removed West. He was a carpenter and bridge builder and afterward con- structed the great Cayuga Bridge. Deacon Rufus Smith, 1804, was the son of Deacon Simeon, living at the tan yard north of Pequonnoc. He afterwards removed to New York State. Rev. Joseph Morgan, the colleague of Deacon Rufus for two sessions, removed to Salem, where he died. He was a Methodist clergyman and the only clergyman who had represented the town from 1784 to 1863. Esquire Amos A. POLITICAL 91 Niles, 1806, for many years town clerk, was the son of Deacon Northrup Niles. He was a good penman and re- sided north of the. Center, but died, we believe, in Salem. Captain John Spicer, the colleague of Esquire John Daboll, kept a public house in North Groton and was the father of the present Judge Edmund Spicer of Ledyard. He died as late as 1856. Esquire Roswell Fish, 1807, was a man of mark in the town, representing it six times and always prominent as a business man. He died subsequent to 1840. "Master" Paul F. Niles, the colleague of Esquire Fish, was a brother of the town clerk, and after serving his genera- tion as a teacher, subsequently died in New York City. John Morgan, Esq., 1811, was another wounded soldier of the Revolution, owning land at Pequonnoc, where his nephew, the present town clerk, now resides. Captain Elijah Bailey, 1812, also a worthy Revolutionary patriot, commanded an outside battery at the capture of Fort Gris- wold, and was cut off from entering the fort when driven from his position. Captain Bailey was at first a seafaring man and was for forty years postmaster, being at the time of his death, officially, the oldest postmaster in America. Major Noyes Barber, 1813, was fourteen years a member of Congress, a longer period than any other member from Connecticut, if we recollect aright. Lieutenant Seth Wil- liams, the colleague of Major Barber, lived near Cider Hill. Judge Stephen Haley, 1814, was long deputy sheriff and the first judge appointed in the Groton Probate District. Col- onel Elisha Ayers, the colleague of Judge Haley, was a manufacturer and farmer in North Groton and was among the very earliest importers of merino sheep from Tangier. Lieutenant Thomas Avery, 1815, was another Revolutionary hero, residing near Pequonnoc. Esquire Rodman Niles, his colleague, was a popular townsman living near Gales Ferry. Esquire Elisha Haley, 1816, was several times a member of both houses of Assembly and four years a member of Congress. Judge Wlliam Williams, his colleague, was many years a probate judge of the Stonington District when the four towns of Stonington, North Stonington, Groton and 92 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Ledyard composed it. He lived on Cider Hill and so did his brother, Judge Erastus Williams, 1817, who was also a member of both Houses. Captain James Mitchell, the col- league of Judge Erastus W., was also a State senator and was United States marshal for this State when he died in 1830. Captain Mitchell's father was a French sea captain from Bordeaux. Esquire Philip Gray, 1818, was a house carpenter, living on Gray's Hill. His son, William M. Gray, Esq., is a merchant at Groton Bank. This brings us to the adoption of the new Constitution in this State. Part III— From 1819 to 18A0 1819 — Thomas Avery, Stephen Billings. 1820— Elisha Haley, Roswell Tinker. 1821— Nathan Niles, Elisha Stoddard, Jr. 1822— N. S. Lester, James Gallup. 1823 — James Mitchell, Adam Larrabee. 1824— Elisha Haley, Erastus Williams. 1825 — Erastus Smith, Rufus Chapman. 1826— Roswell Allen, Elisha Haley. 1827— Elisha Haley, John Brewster. 1828— Erastus Smith, Gurdon Bill. 1829 — Albert Latham, Joseph Tuttle. 1830— Guy C. Stoddard, Albert Latham. 1831— Nathan DaboU, Guy C. Stoddard. 1832— John Spicer, Nathan Daboll. 1833— Elisha Haley, John Spicer. 1834— Cyrus Allen, Elisha Haley. 1835 — Albert Latham, Jacob Gallup. 1836— nJacob Gallup, Sanford Stark. 1837 — Albert Latham, Elisha Morgan. 1838— Belton A. Copp, Amos Clift. 1839— Belton A. Copp, Amos Clift. 1840— Elisha Haley, Noah Chapman. Of several of these we have already written and shall not need to say more. Colonel Stephen Billings, 1819, was a truly military man, having been a captain during the War of 1812 and risen to the command of the Eighth Regiment, which under him attained the height of prosperity. He was of commanding person, a graceful rider, and said to POLITICAL 93 have a voice as resonant as Mars. He was a nephew of Esquire Stephen Billings of 1787, and died in 1820. Col- onel Eoswell AUyn, 1820, was a leading townsman, carrying on the business of tanner in the North Society, near Gurdon Bill's residence and represented Ledyard in 1843. Nathan Niles, 1821, the last representative of the numerous Niles family that for forty years adorned the annals of municipal authority, was the son of Elisha, living, we think, on the present Billings Brown place. Ensign Elisha Stoddard, 1821, son of Vine S., 1800, lived near Gales Ferry. Nicholas S. Lester, 1822, was an acceptable first selectman. He was also a tanner. Lieutenant James Gallup was the brother of Deacon Benadam and the uncle of Judge Gallup of Mystic. Captain Adam Larrabee, 1823, colleague of Marshal Mitchell, before introduced, was a graduate of West Point, and was a captain of artillery in the regular United States Army in the War of 1812, and wounded in the battle of French Mills, his lungs having been shot through by a musket ball. The wound, though severe and supposed to be fatal, did not prove so, but served, as it is said, to cure him of the disease king's evil. He draws (1866) a $300 pension and still lives in South Windham, Connecticut, officially the oldest living representative of Groton. Captain Larrabee was once, we think, on one of the elec- toral tickets in Connecticut in the canvass for President. Erastus T, Smith, 1825, was a merchant at Center Groton and died recently in Rochester, New York. "Master" Rufus Chapman, his colleague, was a splendid penman and a reputable school teacher, living west of Gurdon Bill's place. He died a year or two ago in Griswold. Esquire John Brewster, 1827, father of the present John Brewster, Esq., of Ledyard, died in 1848, Gurdon Bill, Esq., 1827, so long a leading man in the North Society, first as a teacher, then as a merchant and public officer, died a few years ago and was buried with ceremony by the Masonic fraternity. Es- quire Albert Latham, 1829, who represented the town five times in the House and was also a member of the Senate, is well known. In addition he served the town ten years, first 94 GROTON. CONN. 1705-1905 as constable and later as collector. His father, Captain William Latham, was an officer of artillery in the Revolu- tion and was with Washington's army at Roxbury, Massa- chusetts, and his son (who is still living at a green old age at Groton Bank) yet sacredly keeps the powder horn he wore in the campaign before Boston. The horn is covered with devices graven with a knife by one of his comrades in that first campaign. The old artilleryman was at Warwick when Colonel Barton captured General Prescott and brought him across Narragansett Bay to that place, and he was also in Fort Griswold. Esquire Latham is officially the oldest living representative residing in Groton. Joseph Tuttle, the colleague of Esquire Latham, resided in the neighborhood of Gurdon Bill's place when he represented the town, but afterwards removed West and died. Guy C. Stoddard, Esq., 1830, resides in Ledyard, where his ances- tors died. He was a captain during the War of 1812, and is the son of Lieutenant Vine Stoddard of Revolutionary memory. He is half-brother of Rev. Isaac Stoddard of Mystic River. Esquire Nathan Daboll has been dead but a few years. He was State senator for three years beginning with 1835. Mr. Daboll was well known as the publisher of DaboU's Almanac, which originated with his father. Master Daboll. Their arithmetics had long a national fame. Esquire Daboll lived and died at Center Groton. Cyrus Allen, 1834, of AUyn's Point, was a brother of Colonel Roswell, and died more than twenty years ago. Captain Jacob Gallup, 1836, was a lieutenant in the War of 1812, also represented the new town of Ledyard in 1844 and was the father of the last popular representative from the latter town. Judge Sanford Stark, his colleague, was thrice assemblyman and judge of probate one year. He died suddenly at Mystic, November 18, 1866, aged 72. Esquire Elisha Morgan, 1837, the present efficient town clerk and treasurer, still resides at Pequonnoc, where he is postmaster. He has five times represented his town, a period of Assembly service not POLITICAL 95 paralleled more than four or five times since the nineteenth century came in. Judge Belton A. Copp, 1838, was one of the few lawyers resident in Groton. He was four times honored with a seat in the Assembly and was one time chief judge of the County Court. Judge Copp has been dead several years. Colonel Amos Clift, his colleague, is yet living, a resident of Mystic. He has been representative three times and probate judge of Groton a longer period than any of his predecessors, which office he still holds. Noah Chapman, 1840, a farmer in the northwest part of the town, is still living, we believe. Part IV— From 18U to 1866 1841 — ^Noah Chapman, Elihu Spicer. 1842— Elihu Spicer, Belton A. Copp. 1843— Albert Latham, Sanford Stark. 1844— Caleb M. WUiams, Eliaha Morgan. 1845— Caleb M. Williams, Elisha Morgan. 1846— Amos Clift, David A. Daboll. 1847— David A. Daboll, Elisha Morgan. 1848 — Urbane Avery, Sanford Stark. 1849 — James C. Lamb, Nathan G. Fish. 1850— Nathan G. Fish, Albert G. Stark. 1851— Waterman Z. Buddington, George Eldredgte. 1852— Wanton A. Weaver, Elisha D. Wightman. 1853 — Hubbard D. Morgan, Peter E. Rowland. 1854— Thomas M. Clark, Erasmus D. Avery. 1855 — Noyes S. Palmer, Elijah B. Morgan. 1856 — Isaac W. Denison, Waterman Z. Buddington. 1857 — Benjamin N. Greene, Nathan G. Fish. 1858 — Robert Palmer, Isaac C. Amidon. 1859— John W. Miner, William Batty. I860 — Waterman Z. Buddington, George W. Ashby. 1861 — Peter E. Rowland, Philo Littk. 1862 — Peter E. Rowland, Elisha Morgan. 1863 — John E. Williams, Jared R. Avery. 1864 — Benjamin Burrows, Jr., Asa Perkins, 2nd. 1865 — Jeremiah N. Sawyer, Albert L. Avery. 1866 — ^William EUery Maxson, Jared R. Avery. It is proper to say here that the North Society of Groton was separated and incorporated as a new town in 1836, 96 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 under the patriotic name of Ledyard. Captain Elihu Spicer is living at Noank, where he has always resided. Caleb Williams is a merchant, doing business at present near the railroad ferry at Groton Bank. David A. DaboU, 1846, son of Nathan, still resides at Center Groton and still continues to issue the Almanac and the Arithmetic bearing the family name. Urbane Avery lived and died in the southwestern part of the town. His death occurred in 1860. Deacon James C. Lamb now resides in Ledyard, we believe. Judge Nathan G. Fish, 1849, is a merchant at Mystic River. He has been three or four times senator. Judge Albert G. Stark, 1850, was a young man of as much promise as Groton ever raised. He was judge and clerk of probate and once a candidate for congress, and though defeated because his Free Soil principles were then unpopular, yet by virtue of his known integrity he led both his popular competitors by a major vote in his native town. All parties dropped a tear over his early grave. Captain Waterman Z. Buddington, 1851, resides as ever at Groton Bank. Captain George Eldredge, his colleague, is a resident of Mystic. Deacon Wanton A. Weaver, 1852, at that time lived at Groton Bank, but resided mostly at New London, where he has been representative, judge of probate, etc. He died in the early part of the present autumn. Elisha D. Wightman,. his colleague, son of the late Rev. John G. Wightman, was cashier of the Mystic Bank; he now resides in Iowa. Colonel Hubbard D. Morgan is a business man residing at Groton Bank. Captain Peter E. Rowland, 1853, who has thrice represented the town, is a shipmaster of Mystic. Thomas M. Clark, 1854, resided on the great Latham Avery farm. He now lives in Rhode Island. Erasmus D. Avery, Esq., his colleague, resides at Groton Bank. He has also been a member of the Senate. Noyes S. Palmer, 1855, now resides in Stonington. Captain Elijah B. Morgan was a whaling captain, and died, we believe, at sea. He resided in Center Groton and built Morgan Hall at Upper Mystic. Benjamin N. Greene, 1857, a quarryman at Groton Bank, may be still living at Mill- POLITICAL 97 stone. Deacon Robert Palmer, 1858, shipbuilder, continues at Noank. Isaac C. Amidon, his colleague, lives at Groton Bank. William Batty, 1859, is a sparmaker of Mystic. Captain George W. Ashby, 1860, was a retired shipmaster, who died in 1862. Philo Little, 1861, resides at Groton Bank. Captain John E. Williams, 1863, is a re- tired sea captain of Mystic. Rev. Jared R. Avery, his colleague, is a retired clergyman at the Bank. Captain Benjamin Burrows, Jr., 1864, is a retired sea captain of Mystic. Asa Perkins, 2nd, his colleague, is a teacher re- siding at the Bank. Captain Jeremiah N. Sawyer, 1865, is still an active sea captain. Albert N. Avery, Esq., of Groton Bank is a farmer below the ferries. William E. Maxson is of the firm of Maxson, Fish & Co., shipbuilders, at Old Field. We have thus been through and identified as far as pos- sible all the assemblymen of Groton for more than 80 years. Before we dismiss the Groton representatives, we can but remark the honor the town paid to many of its patriotic warriors and their descendants in the distribution of its offices. We have already noticed several of these. Take, for instance, the Avery stock, ten of which name perished, while three were wounded, at Fort Griswold, besides those that survived unharmed. Colonel Simeon Avery, who rep- resented the town in 1792 and 1794, was a Revolutionary adjutant. He was the son of Rev. Park Avery of Pequonnoc. Several of this family were killed or wounded in the fight at the fort. Thomas Avery, Esq., 1791, etc., was wounded there. Colonel Ebenezer Avery, 1798, was serving outside the fort, while his father, Lieutenant Ebenezer Avery, fell within that fatal enclosure, at the age of 49. Rev. J. R. Avery, 1863, is his descendant. Captain Rufus Avery was taken prisoner at the fort the same day. Hon. Erasmus D. Avery, 1864, is a grandson. Captain Elijah Avery, who fell at Fort Griswold, together with two brothers, was at home on a furlough the day of the fight, and was counted second in command, and having seen service had especial command of raw volunteers. He had previously served as an officer 98 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 in the Long Island fight and at White Plains under Wash- ington, Albert L. Avery, 1865, was his grandson. We might trace out other Revolutionary sires, as we have Captain William Latham, father of Hon. Albert Latham, 1829, etc., but time and space forbid. The Averys, the Allyns, the Lathams, the Williamses, the Ledyards, the Lesters, the Hurlburts, the Chesters, the Perkinses, the Billingses, the Morgans, the Palmers, the Miners, the Chapmans, the Dabolls and others, who so often represented Groton, are the same names that history has embalmed among the martyrs, the wounded heroes or sur- vivors of Groton Heights. Republics and their rural towns are not always ungrateful.* Part V— 1867-1886 1867 — ^Asa Allen Avery, Erastus Gallup. 1868 — Gurdon S. Allyn, Simon Huntington. 1869— William H. Potter, Robert Palmer. 1870 — Lemuel Clift, Daniel Latham. 1871 — David A. Daboll, Daniel Latham. 1872 — Lemuel Clift, Cyrus Avery. 1873— William E. Wheeler, Timothy W. Turner. 1874 — Erasmus D. Aveory, Gurdon S. Allyn. 1875 — ^William E. Wheeler, James M. Turner. 1876 — George B. Crary, George M. Long. 1877 — Thomas W. Noyes, Erasmus D. Avery. 1878 — Thomas W. Noyes, Silas Spicer. 1879 — Gurdon Gates, Erasmus D. Avery. 1880 — ^John S. Schoonover, Robert A. Gray. 1881 — Gurdon Gates, Robert A. Gray. 1882 — Parmenas Avery, Sumner H. Gove. 1883 — George Eldredge, Pardon M. Alexander. 1884 — E. Burrows Brown, Pardon M. Alexander. 1885 — E. Burrows Brown, Edwin W. White. 1886— Robert Palmer, Jr., Edwin W. White. Asa Allen Avery, 1867, was born in Preston and lived in Mystic. He was a ship joiner and died in 1884, Erastus Gallup, 1867, was a carpenter. He built the Mariners' Church, held many offices in the town and died in 1882. * The extract from Judge Potter's manuscript ends here. POLITICAL 99 Gurdon S. Allyn, 1868 and 1874, was a native of Ledyard. He was a prominent business man of the town, and always at the forefront of any movement to advance its interests. He lived on the site of the old Joseph Packer tavern in Mystic and died in 1876. Simon Huntington, 1868, was a grain dealer in Groton, residing in the old Colonel Ebenezer Avery house. William H. Potter, 1869, distinguished for his connection with educational affairs in the town and State, served a term in the State Senate, and for a number of years was judge of probate. His col- league, Robert Palmer, who had previously served in 1858, was the well-known shipbuilder at Noank. Lemuel Clift, 1870 and 1872, a lawyer of repute in Mystic, served three years in the Civil War as a private in the 8th Con- necticut Volunteers and was judge of probate for many years until he reached the age limit. Daniel Latham, 1870, was a descendant of Cary Latham, the first ferryman at Groton. David A. Daboll, 1871, a member of the celebrated fam- ily of mathematicians, lived at Center Groton. He suc- ceeded his father in the publication of the Almanac, and held many offices in the town. He died in 1895. Cyrus Avery, 1872, is a farmer living at Pequonnock. William E. Wheeler, 1873 and 1875, was a sea captain sailing in the employ of A. A. Low & Co. in the China tea trade and was afterwards in the general store business in Mystic. He died in 1889. Timothy W. Turner, 1873, was a grocer at Groton. Erasmus D. Avery, 1874-77-79, was a retired busi- ness man residing at Groton Bank. He was a member of the "war committee" during the Civil War and a great tem- perance worker. He died in 1903. James W. Turner, 1875, was a farmer in the west end of the town. George B. Crary, 1876, was a shipmaster. He was in command of the ship B. F. Hoxie when she was destroyed by the Confederate privateer Florida. He died in 1902. His colleague, George M. Long, lived at Groton Bank and was engaged in the fish business at New London. Thomas W. Noyes, 1877-78, was a native of Stonington and for many years carried on the 100 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 meat business at Mystic Bridge. He died in 1885. Silas. Spicer, 1878, a member of the well-known Spicer family, was a lighthouse keeper and mariner living at Noank. He died in 1888. Gurdon Gates, 1879 and 1881, was for many years a clipper ship captain and afterwards commander of the steamer Victor of the Mallory Line. He lived at Mystic, where he died in 1892. John S. Schoonover, 1880, was a tanner. He was the leading business man of Old Mystic and president of the Mystic National Bank. Eobert A. Gray, 1880-81, con- ducted the quarry business at Groton Bank. He was the recipient of a medal of honor for distinguished gallantry in the Civil War. Parmenas Avery, 1882, son of Asa A. Avery, 1867, was a tinsmith in Mystic. He was a member of Co. C, 21st Connecticut Volunteers, in the Civil War. He died in 1886. His colleague, Sumner H. Gove, was a car- penter and builder at Groton and removed to Daytona, Florida, in 1883. George Eldredge conducted & meat mar- ket in Mystic for a number of years and was afterwards in the employ of the Standard Machinery Company. Pardon M. Alexander, 1883-84, served one term as postmaster of Groton. E. Burrows Brown, 1884-85, a great-grandson of Elder Silas Burrows, founder of the Fort Hill church, lived on a farm west of Old Mystic. Edwin W. White, 1885-86, was a retired whaleman. Robert Palmer, Jr., 1886, son of Rob- ert Palmer, 1858 and 1869, was engaged with his father in shipbuilding at Noank. He is also a builder of sail boats- and launches. Part VI— 1887-1905 In 1887 occurred the first biennial election. 1887 — E. Burrows Brown, John S. Morgan. 1889— George Eldredge, Elisha S. Thomas. 1891 — Charles H. Smith, Amos R. Chapman. 1893— William R. McGaughey, Everett L. Crane. 1895 — Charles H. Smith, Judson F. Bailey. 1897— Robert P. Wilbur, Donald Gunn. POLITICAL 101 1899— William H. Allen, Ralph H. D,enison. 1901 — William H. Allen, George A. Perkins. 1903 — Benjamin F. Burrows, Albert E. Wheeler. 1905 — Simeon G. Fish, Edward E. Spicer. John S. Morgan, 1887, chosen at the first biennial elec- tion, was postmaster and a merchant; he died in 1891. Elisha S. Thomas, 1889, was a farmer living at High Rock Place, near Pequonnoc. Charles H. Smith, 1891 and 1895, is a boatbuilder at Noank. Amos R. Chapman, 1890, is a shipjoiner, living at Mystic. William R. McGaughey, 1893, is a stonecutter, living in Mystic. Everett L. Crane, 1893, is in the ice business at Groton. Judson F. Bailey, 1895, conducted a market at Groton. Robert P. Wilbur, 1897, was a retired clipper ship captain living in Mystic. He was afterwards engaged m the ship- building business in Noank with his uncle, Robert Palmer. Donald Gunn, 1897, was a coal dealer in Groton. William H. Allen, 1899-1901, a retired whaling captain, was one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Groton. Ralph H. Denison, 1899, was a lawyer with an office in New London but resided in Groton. George A. Perkins, 1901, was a clothing dealer in Mystic and New London. Ben- jamin F. Burrows, 1903, a son of Benjamin Burrows, Jr., 1864, is a successful coal dealer in Mystic. His colleague, Albert E. Wheeler, was a grandson of William E. Wheeler. 1873 and 1875, and of Albert G. Stark, 1850, great-grand- son of Sanford Stark, 1843 and 1848. We find no repre- sentative in recent years with so many ancestors in the office. He was engaged with his father in the general store business in Mystic until, on the death of the latter, he re- tired. Simeon G. Fish, 1905, son of Nathan G., 1849-50 and 1857, was a member of the firm of Maxson, Fish & Co., shipbuilders at Mystic during the Civil War, afterwards in business in New York and Boston. He was lieutenant in Co. K, 26th Connecticut Volunteers, and served with dis- tinction at Port Hudson. Edward E. Spicer, 1905, is a large landholder and ice dealer in Groton. 102 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Probate Court At the October session, 1766, the territory east of the Thames River was made into a separate probate district known as the Stonington district. The probate court, which was organized January 1, 1767, embraced the territory now comprising the towns of Stonington, North Stonington, Groton and Ledyard. During the time that Groton formed a part of that district, the following citizens of the town filled the office of judge : 1814-19— Ralph Hurlburt of Gales Ferry; 1819-31— William Wil- liams of Cider Hill; 1836-38— Stephen Haley of Center Groton. The following Groton men filled the office of clerk : 1818 — Erastus S. Smith of Center Groton; 1831-38 — Nq,than DaboU of Center Groton. In 1839 Groton was made a probate district by itself and the judges of that district have been : 1839— Stephen Haley; 1840-41— James Gallup; 1842-44— Nathan DaboU; 1845— Joseph Durfey; 1846— Amos Clift; 1847— Joseph Dur- fey; 1848-51— Zebadiah Gates; 1852-53— Albert G. Stark; 1854— Nathan G. Fish; 1855-58— Amos Clift; 1859— Sanford Stark; 1860-62 — Amos Clift; 1863 — Hiram Appelman; 1864-74 — ^Amos Clift; 1874-75 —Lemuel Clift; 1876-81— William H. Potter; 1882-1900— Lemuel Clift; 1901 — Arthur P. Anderson. The following persons have served in the capacity of clerk at various times : Nathan DaboU, Nathan G. Fish, John Hudson, Albert G. Stark, Nathan S. Fish, Amos Clift, Lemuel Clift, George F. CosteUo. In 1818 Groton was the only town in Connecticut that cast a unanimous vote in favor of the new Constitution. In 1850 it voted, 142 to 9, in favor of a constitutional amend- ment for the election of probate judge by vote of the people, but in 1855 it gave a majority of thirty-two against the amendment to the Constitution requiring the reading quali- fication for all new electors.* About the time of the Revolutionary War efforts were * History of New London County, p. 434. POLITICAL 103 made to divide the town. In June 1781 the following vote was passed : "Voted — ^That Thomas Mumford Esq. and Capt. John Morgan be agents to represent this town and oppose a me- morial preferred to the General Assembly now sitting in Hartford by Jonathan Brewster and others, praying for a part of this town to be set to a part of Norwich and Pres- ton for the forming of a new town, as they shall be advised by counsel learned in the law." The plan failed then but was renewed from time to time, until finally in 1836 the vote stood 76 to 63 in favor of the division, and the North Society was set off as a separate town by the name of Ledyard in honor of the hero of Fort Griswold. January 25, 1845, the town voted, 149 to 64, to purchase the old church building on Fort Hill for use as a town house. Notwithstanding the large vote in favor of the project, there was from the beginning a strong opposition to the site, which was manifested from time to time. Tra- dition says that at a mock session held at the close of a town meeting, a committee was appointed to bum down the building. The following petition relating to the subject is given here because of the large number of Mystic and Noank names appended to it — a very large percentage of all the voters in the eastern part of the town : Groton, January 30, 1845. Whereas, we the undersigned understand that there is a Petition in circulation for the purpose of calling a meet- ing to rescind and do away with the vote that was given on the 25th of January 1845 for a Town House (that is) the agents of the Town was instructed to obtain a title for the Fort Hill meeting house and lot within sixty days (for the price agreed on) two hundred and twenty-five dollars, for a town house, the vote stood thus 149 for 64 against (85 maj.). Now we the undersigned pledge ourselves, not only to vote, but to use all our influence to sustain the doings of that meeting held at Pequonnoc on the 25th of the pres- ent month. 104 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Pierez Chipman Thos. Franklin Thos. J. Sawyer Luther Rathbun Gilbert Park, Jr. Wellington Brown William Wilbur Peter Baker, Jr. George W. Chipman Abner B. Spencer Elisha Fitch John Packer Nathan Niles G. E. Morgan Benj. Burrows Pardon T. Brown Edward Fitch Gilbert B. Wilcox John Fitch Ezra S. Spencer Benjamin Brown Isaac Park John Brown Simeon W. Ashbey George W. Ashbey Moses Ashbey G«orge Jearison Hezekiah Wilcox Jedediah Randall J. H. Breaker Isaac Randall William P. Randall Beriah Grant Jonathan Wheeler Griswold P. Rathbun Nathan G. Fish Isaac B. Pecor Peleg Denison Henry Latham Robert P. Avery John F. Page Theodore H. White Elisha Rathbun Jesse Crary Sanf ord Stark Elam Wilbur Samuel Rathbun Albert G. Wolf Edwin Hempstead Horatio N. Fish William E. Hancox Roswell Fish Silas Burrows Silas Burrows, Jr. Dudley A. Aviery Amos C. Tift Thomas Hallam Samuel Marston Austin Packer Jeremiah Wilbur Lanman Lamb Simeon Fish Jonathan Stark Latham Fitch Asa Wyiis, Jr. Joseph S. Avery Jonathan Larkin, Jr. Levi Spicer George W. Packer William L. Wheeler Caleb E. Tufts E. Franklin Coates John Edgcomb A. P. Niles Henry G. Beebe William R. Sawyer Barton Saunders Charles Chipman Richard Woodbridge J. S. Schoonover William Crumb Ezra Watrous Albert Morgan William H. Potter Isaiah W. HoUoway C. M. Williams C. S. Williams J. G. Bradford Sflas Beebe Joshua L. Hyde POLITICAL 105 Nathan Chester Latham Fitch 2nd Eldredge C. Ingham George W. Beebe Nathan Lamb Joseph L. Wightman Benjamin Ashbey Augustus Morgan John Palmer Jonathaji Burrows James A. Latham Albert Baker John D. Latham Moses Wilbur John Palmer, Jr. Gilbert Park Gilbert Fowler Josephus Fitch John L. F. Wheeler Sevilian Perkins Peter Baker Caleb Latham Calvin Wilbur Vine Stoddard Elijah Chester Gilbert Derth John Burrows Alden Fish William Smith, Jr. Rowland R. Smith Amos A. Smith Lyman Dudley I. D. Miner G. G. King B. F. Grant William Meeker Chester S. Prentice C. H. Cranston William Niles Thomas WiUiams Ambrose H. Burrows John Johnson Charlies Johnson Elisha W. Denison Elisha A. Denison Denison Lamb Charles Murphy Parkenson Hadley Jonathan W. Sisson Daniel R. Williams John Appelman George Eldredge Benj. W. Brown William Batty Dick Prentice George Packer Guy E. Burrows N. G. (S?) Fish Henry Denison James C. Lamb Benj. F. Stoddard Calvin Morgan Henry D. Chesebrough Roswell Brown J. C. Avery Joseph Durphey Albert Latham, Jr. Jabez Watrous William P. Harris N. F. Denison D. D. Edgcomb Thos. H. Lovett Latham Rathbun Nathl. W. Wilbur Samuel Fish William Rathbun Thomas Park John Adams WUliam Douglass Jasper Fish Oliver Batty John Batty Nathan Noyes, Jr. Sanf ord Lamb Denison Burrows William Murphy Abel Eldredge Albert Fish Anthony Fish William Burrows 106 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 John Gallup Eldredge Spicer James Gallup Charles Chester William H. Bentley John S. Barber Barber Wheeler Joshua Packer Ezra S. Beebe James Potter Ebenezer Cleverly January 18, 1864, Peter E. Rowland, Benjamin Burrows et al., petitioned the town to sell the town house, which pe- tition, the record states, was lost by a viva voce vote. April 4, 1864, it was voted not to build a new town house and also voted to let the old house remain as it was, and on November eighth of the same year on petition of Roswell 5. Burrows to buy the town house it was Voted — To drop the subject. July 22, 1867, at a specially called town meeting it was voted to repair the old building. From a newspaper report of the day we quote: "This building, originally a one-story church, was built about the close of the Revolutionary War, between eighty and ninety years ago. Some thirty years afterwards it was raised to two stories and galleries were put in. About 1842 it was discontinued as a church and soon after was sold to the town for a town house together with the lot on which it stands. It is one of the most beautiful of locations on a fair summer day, situated on the summit of Fort Hill near the site of the royal fortress of King Sassacus of the Pequots. The house has done good service as a town house, for the purchase price was small — less than the land would sell for today. It has of late been sadly neglected and pur- posely suffered to go to decay. But a majority thought it was worth repairing and so voted. We doubt it." The house was suffered to fall into a state of dilapidation, and finally was abandoned and torn down in 1905. By vote of the town in September 1870 the number of selectmen was reduced from five to three. In February 1879 steps were taken looking to the organization of a fire district in the Mystic end of the town, and March 25, 1879, an act of the Legislature was approved by the Governor, incorporat- POLITICAL 107 ing the villages of Mystic River in Groton and Mystic Bridge in Stonington as the Mystic Fire District. Under this charter an organization was affected April 7, 1879, and the following officers were elected : Executive Committee — Thomas S. Greenman, John E. Williams and Gurdon Gates. Assessors — Charles Grinniell, Samuel H. Buckley and Samuel S. Brown. Board of Relief — Mason C. Hill, Isaac W. Denison and George \V. Mallory. Clerk — Asa Fish. Treasurer — Elias P. Randall. Collector — John H. Hoxie. Chief Engineer — Thomas W. Noyes. Assistant Engineer — Charles W. Clift. The Mystic Valley Water Company, organized in 1887, furnishes a water supply for the district. The fire district officers for the present year (1905) are as follows: Executive — John S. Edgcomb, Frederick Denison and Clinton L. Allen. Assessors — John H. Hoxie, Benjamin F. Burrows and Manning Miner. Board of Relief — Samuel H. Buckley, John H. Hill and Charles H. Eccleston, Jr. Clerk— Asa Fish. Trceasurer — George E. Grinnell. Collector — Albert Denison. Chief Engineer — George E. Tingley. Assistant Engineer — Stephen Morgan. In 1884 Mystic Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, was incorporated with a charter membership of twenty-seven. The company's first headquarters were in Central Hall block, but it soon purchased the land to the north of that building and erected the structure that now houses it. In 1903 the village of Groton was incorporated as a bor- ough. The fire district form of organization was not deemed sufficient for the needs of the village, which under the borough system owns its own water and electric-light plants. C. Tyler Landphere was the first warden chosen 108 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 and he still remains in office, an enthusiastic advocate of the borough form of government. Borough of Groton OFFICERS Warden — C. Tyler Landphere. Clerk — William E. Joseph. Treasurer — Milton M. Baker Water and Light Commissioners — ^Walter R. Denison, Clerk; H. E. Marquardt, Treasurer; L. D. Whipple. Burgesses — Charles A. Marquardt, Pierre L. Schellens, A. G. Richardson, Eugene L. Baker, Clinton D. Hanover, Sanford Meech. The borough purchased the works of the Groton Water Company and the Groton Electric Light Company for the sum of $125,000 cash, assuming a mortgage of $75,000, making the total cost $200,000. Bonds were issued to the amount of $150,000, the balance of the bond issue having been used to take up the Groton Water Company's indebted- ness of $26,155.21. CHAPTER VI FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH FOR FIFTY YEARS after the first settlement of Groton its inhabitants were obliged to attend divine service in New London. Attendance was made obligatory by law. Under the laws establshed by the General Court, May 1650, it was "ordered and decreed by this Court and authority thereof, that wheresoever the ministery of the word is es- tablished according to the Gospell throughout this Juriss- diction, every person shall duely reporte and attend there- unto respectively uppon the Lords day, and uppon such publique fast dayes and dayes of Thanksgiving as are to bee generally kept by the appointment of Authority, and if any person within this Jurissdiction shall without just and necessary cause withdraw himself from hearing the pub- lique ministry of the word, after the means of conviction used, he shall forfeit for his absence from every such pub- lique meeting five shillings; All such offences to bee heard and determined by any one Magistrate or more from time to time. "Forasmuch as the peace and prosperity of Churches and members thereof, as well as Civill rights and Libberties are carefully to bee maintained — "It is ordered by this Courte and decreed, that the civill authority heere established hath power and libberty to see the peace, ordinances, and rules of Christe bee observed in every church according to his word ; as also to deale with any church member in a way of Civill (justice) notwith- standing any church relation, office or interest, so it be done in a Civill and not an Ecclesiasticall way: nor shall any Church censure, degrade or depose any man from any 109 110 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Civill dignitye, office or authority hee shall have in the Commonwealth." Again the same code provides* under the head of "Min- isters Meintenance:" "Whereas the most considerable persons in (these Col- onyes) came into these partes of America that they (might) injoye Christe in his ordinances without dis (turb- ance) and whereas amongst many other pretious (mercies) the ordinances have been and are dispensed amongst us with much purity and power; this (Courte) took it into theire serious consideracon how due meintenance, according to God, might bee provided and setled, both for the present and (future) for the incouragement of the Ministers who (labour) therein; And doe order, that those who are (taught) in the word in the severall plantations, bee (called) together, that every mann voluntarily sett downe what hee is willing to allowe to that end and (use:) And if any man refuse to pay a meet proportion, that then hee bee rated by Authority in some (just) and equall way; and if after this any man withhold or delay due pajrment the Civill power to bee exercised as in other just debts." The General Court in March 1658 ordained as follows: "This court orders that there shall be no ministry or church administration entertained or attended by the inhabitants of any plantation in this Colony distinct and separate from, and in opposition to that which is openly and publicly observed and dispensed by the settled and approved min- ister of the place except it be by approbation of the General Court and neighboring churches ; provided always that this order shall not hinder any private meeting or godly persons to attend any duties that Christianity or religion call for, as fasts or conference. Nor take place upon such as are hindered by any just impediments on the Sabbath day from the public assemblies by weather or water and the like." William Chesebrough in 1649, at the request and prob- ably by the aid of John Winthrop, began at Wequetequock * Colonial Records of Connecticut, 1636-1665, p. 545. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 111 the first settlement in the town of Stonington. At the time of his settlement there he supposed himself to be within the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, but in November of that year he was notified by the Connecticut authorities to desist from trading with the Indians. As his occupa- tion was that of a gunsmith it was natural that his neigh- bors looked with suspicion upon his dealings with the natives. He ignored the summons at first, claiming to be under another jurisdiction, but finally in March 1650-1 he appeared at Hartford and made his defence as follows:* "Whereas uppon former information given to this Court that William Cheessbrooke (a smith, sometimes an in- habitant in the Massachusetts, but more lately at Seacunck, alias Rehoboth in the jurisdiction of New Plimouth) had begunn to settle himselfe at Pacatuck, a place within the limitts of this Colonye, order issued out to the said Cheess- brooke uppon severall weighty consideracons, either to depart the place or to make his appearance and give an account of his proceedings, whereunto he submitted, and by a penal obligation engaged himself to attend : "The said Cheessbrooke now presented himselfe to this Courte, and in way of apologie professed his sitting down there was beside his purpose and intendment, his ayme be- ing to settle at Pequett plantation, but finding that place in severall respects unsuitable to his expectations, and having dispossed himself of his former aboade hee was in a manner necessitated for the preservation of his estate to make winter provision for his cattle there, whereunto hee was allso incouraged by Mr. John Winthrop, who pretended a Commission from the General Courte in the Massachu- setts for the planting of those partes. Hee was tould that as the right of that place did clearely appertaine to this Colonye, so his proceeding was unwarrantable in sitting down there without the knowledge and approbation of this Govmment, and it carried (in the open face of it) the greater ground of offence, in that by his calling hee was fitted, and by his solitary living advantaged, to carry on * Colonial Records of Connecticut, 1636-1665, p. 216. 112 GROTON, CONN., 1705-1905 a mischievous trade with the Indians, prfessly cross (to) the general! orders of the Country and extremely preju- diciall to the publique safety, which was increased by reports of practice in that kinde in the place of his last abode; besides it seemed more than uncomely for a man professing Godliness so to withdraw from all publique or- dinances and Xtian society. "In his answer he acknowledged his former transgression (for wch hee justly suffered) but affirmed (to take of all suspition in that kinde) that at his remove he sould away his tools, and thereby made himselfe incapable of repairing any gunlocks, or making so much as a scrue pinn, either for himself or others, and that he was fully resolved not to con- tinue in that soUitary condition but had to himself good grounds of hopes (if libberty might be granted) in a shorte time to procure a competent company of desirable men for the planting of the place. "The Courte duly considered all that was presented, & though they were willing to make the most favorable con- struction of his former proceedings, yet they exprest themselves altogether unsatisfied in the aforementioned respects, for his continuance there in the way he is in, and could give no approbacon thereunto, yet they were inclined (hee professing his full agreem't with the approved churches of Christe in all things) if the necessity of his occasions to his owne apprehensions were such that he would adventure uppon his owne acco't and engage himselfe in a bond of 100 pounds not to pr'secute any unlawful trade with the Indians, they would not comp (el ) to remove." We quote the above to show the jealous watch care of the settlers at New London over the religious character of their neighbors. William Chesebrough's character is fur- ther vouched for by his biographer, Judge Richard A. Wheeler, as follows:* "He was a man of decided Christian principle, and . . . wherever he planted himself he was an earnest supporter of religious worship and religious institutions, * History of First Congregational Church, Stonington, Wheeler, p. 29. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 113 When he emigrated to America he brought his religion with him and both he and his wife were enrolled among the first members of the church in Boston, Mass., and on his removal to Braintree and Rehoboth, he took his church relations with him ; and though he died prior to the organization of the First Church in Stonington, the tradition is that prior to the establishment of religious worship in his neighbor- hood he was accustomed in all suitable weather to attend Sunday services at Pequot, starting a little after midnight that he might in good time accomplish the fifteen miles of travel over rough roads and the crossing of two rivers. There can be no doubt that he took an active part in the measures which were initiated in 1657 for establishing reg- ular religious services within the limits of the plantation, and which issued, after the employment of several preachers for short seasons, in an invitation to Rev. James Noyes to serve the people as their permanent pastor. Mr. Noyes entered upon his labors here in 1664, about three years before Mr. Chesebrough's death: but he was not ordained, nor was the church organized before 1674." Judge Wheeler goes on : "Up to 1654-5 the planters here attended meeting at New London when the weather per- mitted and paid their rates for the support of the ministry there, but the distance was so great, with two rivers to pass in going and coming, that they were anxious to have public religious worship established among themselves: and in order to do it they must obtain a grant for a new town from the General Court, for this was long before any religious societies or parishes were established in this State. "The proposition met with the decided opposition of the people living west of Mystic River, and did not meet with much sympathy from the General Court, probably from an apprehension on their part that this place might eventually become a part of the Massachusetts Colony. In 1656 the planters here were ordered by the General Court to pay their taxes for the support of the minister at Pequot, which greatly intensified the feeling in favor of a new town." Early in 1657 Rev. William Thompson, the Pequot mis- 114 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 sionaiy, brother-in-law of Captain George Denison, re- moved to Stonington and on March 22 of that year held his first religious service at the house of Walter Palmer. From that time forward a vigorous agitation finally resulted in the organization, June 3, 1674, of the First Congregational Church in Stonington, the first church east of New London. Almost from the beginning, residents of Groton attended and were members of this church, its ease of access and the avoidance of the river crossing at New London making it much more convenient. In 1687 the town meeting at New London granted the people on the east side "liberty to invite the minister of the town to preach for them on every third Sabbath during the inclement season." At the May session of the Gen- eral Court in 1696 "Captain James Avery and Mr. Crary appeared in behalf of the inhabitants on the east side of the New London River, to grant the said people liberty to embody themselves into church estate." The agitation for a separate church thus begun resulted in the formation of the First Congregational Church in Groton, and from an unpublished manuscript of the late Rev. Frederick Denison we give its history as written by him (in 1858) : "At a General Assembly Holden at New Haven, October 14th 1703 : "This Assembly grants liberty to the inhabitants on the East side of the River in the township of New London to Imbody themselves in Church Estate ; And to call and settle Mr. Ephraim Woodbridge to be their minister to dispense the ordinances of God to them, proceeding therein with the advice and approbation of Neighbour Elders." "Test : Eleazar Kimberly, Secy." The church was soon organized and Mr. Woodbridge was ordained November 29, 1704, and remained as the pastor till his death December 1, 1725. His salary averaged about ninety pounds per annum : eighty were paid by rates levied on the inhabitants according to their property and ten were received from the income of lands granted to him. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 115 This church, after the formation of a second, was known as the South Church or South Parish, because it embraced the southern part of the old town. Of the history of the church under Mr. Woodbridge's ministry but little is now known. It is inferred that the church moved slowly and' prosperously forward. No church records of that period have survived. The first formal steps toward the holding of meetings in Groton were taken in 1687, when it was agreed that the inhabitants on the east side of the river might have the services of the minister of New London every third Sab- bath during the four most inclement months of the year. And in 1702 liberty was granted to organize a church and choose a minister to whom they might pay a salary of seventy pounds. They were also permitted to build a meeting house thirty-five feet square at the joint expense of the east and west sides of the town. The first meeting house stood in the vicinity of what is now called the Four Comers or Center Groton. It was raised the year after the church was legally organized ; the date according to Benjamin Miner's Diary was May 27, 1703. The galleries were not seated till about 1715. As the house was built by a tax levied for that purpose the seats were distributed by the voice of the town. Of one of the first sextons, and probably the first, we find this record in the doings of the town : "November 5: 1711: Then voted to give to Mistress Barnard for her Labur in sweping the Meeting house and Keeping the Kee for toe yares, that is, twenty shillings by the year, all too pounds." Mistress Barnard was the wife of the schoolmaster. At the death of the Rev. Ephraim Woodbridge, his son Dudley, though not twenty years of age, was settled to preach in his place. Indeed Dudley began to preach before his father's death, as appears from the following action of the town : "Att a Town Meeting held in Groton November 18th 116 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 1725 : Mr. Dudley Woodbridge Chosen to Preach the Gospel in sd. Town till March next. "Voated, That the Town shall give sd. Mr, Woodbridge for his Services Twenty Shillings pr week during sd. Time. "Voated, That Capt. James Avery and Deacon James Morgan shall be a Committee to Treat with Mr. Wood- bridge and see wheather he will Except of the Town's Offer." Mr. Woodbridge must have continued to preach for about two years and upon a larger salary than first mentioned, as the records will testify : "May 25, 1727. Then Received of Mr. James Morgan, Gen. Collector of the Minister's Rate, for the year 1726, the sum of Ninety Pounds. "I say, received by, Dudley Woodbridge." Probably Mr. Woodbridge did not receive ordination, as he was educated for a physician and he after- wards settled in Stonington and became not a little distin- guished in that profession. The widow of the Rev. Ephraim Woodbridge was not neglected after the death of her husband. Besides the care bestowed by her children and friends the town took the following action in 1733 : "Voated, That Mrs. Hannah Woodbridge shall have Twelve pound Bills of Credit yearly out of the Town Treasury, as long as she Remains Mr. Ephraim Wood- bridge's Widow, — a free gift." As Mr. Dudley Woodbridge did not settle as its minister, the town proceeded to call and settle the celebrated John Owen, who was ordained Nov. 22, 1727. Mr. Owen is believed to have been of remote Irish extraction. He grad- uated at Harvard College in 1723. His first wife was Anna Morgan, whom he married November 25, 1730. His second marriage was with Mrs. Mary Hillhouse, the widow of the Rev. James Hillhouse of the North Parish of New London. Mr. Owen had but one son, who was for many years town clerk of New London and the teacher of a grammar school. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 117 The Rev. John Owen was a most worthy man; he became distinguished for his earnest piety, his liberal sentiments and his self-sacrificing devotion to the great interests of religion and his country. At the time of the Great Awakening in the land he stood up right manfully to accept and further the Divine work. He was always a particular friend of the Rev. Valentine Wightman, the pastor of the First Baptist Church, and the Baptists may well cherish his memory as, unlike most of his brethren of the Established Clergy, he favored religious liberty. But few ministers of that early and trying age caught the new light from above so readily and heartily as Mr. Owen. And we are sorry to record that, for his evangelical, liberal, high-minded course in defending the Great Revival and its advocates, he was harshly and injuriously treated by his brethren in the ministry and also by the magistrates of the Colony. He was arraiigned before the General Court and visited with civil censures and penalties. Yet he nobly held to the truth and would not compromise his integrity. Hence his name has come down to us honored, as, in the lapse of time, the names of all bold and true men are sure to be, far above the names of the passionate defenders of old usages and of all time-servers. Mr, Owen continued his ministry with this church till his death. In the old Pequonnoc Cemetery stands his tomb- stone thus inscribed : "The Reverend and pious Mr. John Owen, the Second ordained minister in Groton, died Lord's Day morning, June 14, 1753, in ye 55th year of his age — "God's faithful Seer." Mr. Owen's widow married the Rev. Mr. Dorrance of Voluntown. The third ordained minister of the South Parish was the Rev. Daniel Kirkland, who was installed December 17, 1755, Of Mr, Kirkland and his ministry we are unable to give the particulars. He was dismissed in 1758. The fourth ordained minister of this parish was the Rev. 118 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Jonathan Barber, who was installed Nov. 3, 1758. Mr. Barber was born in West Springfield, Mass., January 31, 1712 : graduated at Yale College in 1730, and in 1734 was employed as a missionary to the Mohegans. He became widely known for his sympathy and cooperation with Whitefield. For about seven years, from 1740 to 1746, he was associated with the great evangelist and had charge of the Orphan House in Georgia. On returning to the North Mr. Barber was ordained at Oyster Ponds, Long Island, November 9, 1757, but was not a settled pastor till he came to Groton. When Whitefield first landed in this country at Newport, R. I., September 14, 1740, Mr. Barber then laboring on the east end of Long Island, having watched for his coming, met him the next day after his arrival and handed him the following note : "Reverend Sir and beloved Brother: "Although mine eyes never saw your face before this day, yet my heart and soul have been united to you in love by the band of the Spirit. I have longed and expected to see you for many months past. Blessed be God, mine eyes have seen the joyful day. I trust, through grace, I have some things to communicate to you, that will make your heart glad. I shall omit writing anything and only hereby present my hearty love, and let you know that I am waiting now at the post of your door for admission. "Though I am unworthy, my Lord is worthy, in whose name I trust I come. I am your unworthy brother, "Jonathan Barber." When Mr. Whitefield passed through the country in 1763, while on his way to the South in June from Boston, by the way of Providence and New London, he was happy to visit his old and ardent friend at Center Groton, "Notice had been given of his coming and at ten o'clock next morning he preached, standing on a scaffolding that had been extended for the purpose on a level with the second story of Mr. Barber's house, and upon which he stepped from FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 119 the chamber window. All the area around was thronged with the audience. Many people had left home the day before or had traveled all night to be upon the spot. At the conclusion of his discourse, he entered his chariot and went on his way, a multitude of people accompanying him on horses or following on foot to Groton ferry, four miles." Some have styled Mr. Barber an enthusiast. That opinion needs consideration. He was indeed enthusiastic: his natural composition and his deep piety made him so; and the times in which he lived were calculated to kindle the coolest temperament. The darkness and melancholy that rested upon Mr. Barber's last years have been erroneously ascribed to the reaction of his early and burn- ing zeal. A dark and mournful circumstance that trans- pired in his family — ^we prefer not to name it — induced the melancholy and mental obscurity under which he labored, though no fault was ever attached to him. It is, moreover, now admitted that a slight vein of mental aber- ration ran through different generations of the family. Mr. Barber's pastorate closed in 1768 and his death occurred October 8, 1783. The records say "he was taken from Ms usefulness in the last part of the year 1765." In the old Barber mansion at Center Groton there was seen till within a few years, in the possession of his daugh- ter, an old original portrait of the "eloquent preacher" given by Mr. Whitefield to his devoted friend. The fifth ordained minister of the South Parish was the Rev. Aaron Kinney. He was born in Lisbon, Conn.; was graduated at Yale College in 1765, and was ordained October 19, 1769. His ministry can hardly be called suc- cessful. In the first place his labors fell upon an unfortu- nate period. The Great Awakening had swept over the land and produced, among other fruits, the well-known schism in the State churches called the New Light Stir or Separate Movement which resulted in greatly weakening the State churches that were not transformed by it. Mr. Kinney's church, though it had been favored by such men as Owen and Barber, still endeavored to hold on upon 120 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 its politico-religious constitution, and hence was weakened for religious liberty had now taken strong hold in Groton. And in the next place, Mr. Kinney's ministry fell upon the period of the Revolution, which was of necessity a period unfavorable to religious progress. And in the third place Mr. Kinney's family was large, sickly and expensive, while his salary was quite inadequate to his necessities. The second meeting house of this parish was built during Mr. Kinney's pastorate ; and on account of various changes that had taken place in the town the new house was erected on a spot about three-fourths of a mile from the ferry, on the old post road as it is now called. Many now living have vivid recollections of that house. In the matter of its location there was a strong division of opinion in the parish whch led to not a little severe speech and some hard measures. Such as refused to pay their rates for the new house were levied upon by the strong arm of the law. Such is human nature that local preferences sometimes run them- selves up into local prejudices and personal animosities. Mr. Kinney was dismissed November 5, 1798. His sub- sequent life was filled with trials. After wanderings and removals he died in 1824 in Ohio, being seventy-nine years of age. After the close of Mr. Kinney's ministry this parish remained without a minister till 1810 ; meanwhile the meet- ing house was allowed to fall into a very dilapidated con- dition. During this period both the Pedobaptist churches in Groton were in a very low state; in fact, had there not been societies connected with them, probably they would have become entirely extinct ; they were fitly represented by their decaying meeting houses. On August 14, 1811, Rev. Timothy Tuttle was ordained — the sixth pastor of the church. He was a native of East Haven, Conn., where he was bom November 29, 1781. While teaching in Durham in 1803 he was converted and joined the Congregational church and under the inspira- tion of his pastor was induced to prepare for the ministry. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 121 He graduated from Yale College in 1808 and entered on the work in Groton in 1810. In February of that year he had married Miss Mary Norton of Durham, the friend who had been instrumental in leading him to his Saviour, and who proved to be a veritable helpmeet for almost half a century. After his ordination he was installed as pastor of the two churches of Groton and North Groton, which position he filled until April 2, 1834, when at his own request he was dismissed to the North Society, in order that each church might have the care of a pastor. At the time of his installation this church had but twenty-seven members, and the one at North Groton had but five. Mr. Tuttle preached to the different congregations on alternate Sabbaths but made his home in that part of the town which is now Ledyard. He came to the pastorate at a time of great unrest. Events which led to the declaration of war in 1812 bore with great hardship upon the coast towns and Groton was called upon to bear her full share. Though no direct attack was made upon the town during that war. Fort Griswold was garrisoned and the presence of Decatur's fleet, which was blockaded in the river, gave a warlike aspect to the neighborhood and caused continuous apprehension of at- tack. Notwithstanding the war, in 1814 the church enjoyed a season of refreshing. In 1818 the first Sunday school in the town was begun under the care of Mr. Tuttle, who was the first superintend- ent. Its sessions were at first held in the school houses but it was not long before the school in Groton was transferred to the Kinney meeting house. In 1825 William Wood- bridge, Esq., gave to the church the sum of five hundred dollars on condition that the church should add to it a like sum to be maintained as a permanent fund. The condition was complied with and the fund has since been increased to eleven hundred dollars. The third house of worship was built at Groton Bank and was dedicated near the close of 1833. As before stated, Mr. Tuttle was released from the pastorate April 2, 1884, and 122 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 for five and one-half years the church remained without a settled pastor. During this period the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Joseph A. Copp, a native of Groton, followed by Rev. Ashley M. Gilbert, under whose ministry the female prayer meeting was established. He was succeeded by Rev. T. L. Shipman and Rev. Mark Mead, who filled the vacancy until October 9, 1839, when Rev. Jared R. Avery was installed as the seventh pastor. Mr. Avery was bom in Groton September 7, 1804, a descendant of Captain James Avery, one of the earliest settlers of the town. He was a graduate of Williams College in the class of 1830. He had spent five years in the service of the American Tract Society, traveling in the Southern States and in New England. September 23, 1835. he was married to Mrs. Sarah Agnew, formerly Miss Skid- more of Louisville, Ky. He entered upon his ministry in Groton under most auspicious circumstances. The church was rejoiced to enjoy again the services every Sunday of a resident pastor, after an interval of forty-one years. His presence stimulated the interest in the mid-week services, the Sunday school received a new impetus, temperance work was organized and systematic missionary contribu- tions were undertaken, notwithstanding that the church itself was receiving aid from the Connecticut Home Mis- sionary Society. The great revival at Mystic in 1842 was felt by this church and the following year was one of large gains in the membership of the church. Mr. Avery retired from the pastorate April 15, 1851, after a service of twelve years, during which sixty-five had been added to the membership. The eighth pastor was Rev. George H. Woodward, who was installed October 7, 1851. He was born in Hanover, N. H., April 24, 1807, a great-grandson of Doctor Eleazer Wheelock, the first president of Dartmouth College. He was ordained at Trenton, N. J., and had served as pastor at Stafford, Conn., for thirteen years before coming to Groton. He remained here four and one-half years, re- ceiving into the membership of the church twenty-four FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 123 persons. The next eight years saw the pulpit supplied by two men — Rev. Sylvester Hine for five years faithfully and earnestly carried on the work of the church, during which time forty were added to the membership. He was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Tallman, who remained about three years. The ninth pastor of the church — Rev. Samuel W. Brown — ^was installed June 29, 1864. He had served the church in South Coventry, Conn., for two and a half years before coming to Groton. He was bom in Winchendon, Massachusetts, April 7, 1828, was a graduate of Yale in 1850, and became a teacher in order to obtain the means to enable him to pursue the study of law, his chosen profession. While teaching in Matagorda, Texas, in the fall of 1854, a terrific storm which nearly destroyed the town, causing the loss of many lives, awakened him to a sense of his lost con- dition and led to his conversion. Returning to the North and resuming his law studies, he married October 21, 1855, Mrs. Marianna W. Moore, nee Ward. In January 1855 he entered upon a mercantile career in Ludlow, Vermont, but feeling a call to take up the work of the ministry he closed his business in the summer of 1858 and entered the theological seminary at Chicago, but in May 1859 he exchanged that institution for Andover, where he remained until 1861. April 23 of that year he was licensed to preach and on December 31 of the same year he was ordained as an evangelist at Rindge, N. H., and in 1862 began his labors at South Coventry. Coming to this church in the full vigor of young manhood, for two and a half years he was "a burning and a shining light" but was cut down in the midst of his usefulness, dying Novem- ber 9, 1866. The Groton Bank Temperance Society was organized by him and remained a monument to his memory. Thirty persons were added to the membership of the church during his brief pastorate and the church reached a high state of temporal and spiritual prosperity. He was followed by Rev. Joseph E. Swallow, who was installed as tenth pastor June 11, 1867. He was a graduate 124 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 of Dartmouth College and was ordained July 18, 1848. He had served several churches in Massachusetts and New- York before coming to Groton. During his ministry about $10,000 was expended in enlarging and improving the house of worship and the congregation was largely increased. Mr. Swallow was also actively engaged in the work of edu- cation in the town, serving as school visitor in 1868. It was said of him that "every school in Groton is feeling the vigor of a new life imparted to it by the influence and exertions of the acting visitor." Mr. Swallow was dismissed June 27, 1870, and for the next fifteen months the pulpit was filled with supplies. Among these were Mr. Charles Gaylord, afterwards a practicing physician in Meriden, and Rev. Moses H. Wilder of the same city. Fourteen members v»'ere added to the church in that time. September 27, 1871, Rev. James B. Tyler was installed as the eleventh pastor of the church and was called to the Church Triumphant on the 28th of the succeeding May. His short ministry of eight months gave promise of rich harvest. After five months of supply by Rev. E. E. Hall of Fair Haven, Rev. J. A. WoodhuU on November 3, 1872, was settled as the twelfth pastor of the church. He was a very spiritual man and frequently held revival services which resulted in numerous additions to the church. In 1877 he prepared "A Review of the Congregational Church in Groton with Sketches of its Ministers — 1704-1876," which was published in pamphlet form and to which we are indebted for much of the history presented above. Mr. WoodhuU was dismissed in 1880 after eight years' service and was succeeded by Rev. A. J. McLeod, who re- mained for twelve years. The short pastorate of Rev. Edward C. Williams, who remained but two years, was followed by that of Rev. Frederick S. Hyde, the fifteenth pastor. It was during his pastorate that the fourth house of worship was built. The old church building being in need of extensive repairs was condemned and a new build- ing was decided upon, to be located at the corner of Monu- ment and Meridian streets. The cornerstone was laid in FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 125 1901 and the building was completed and dedicated October 16, 1902, the two hundredth anniversaiy of the founding of the church. Rev. S. H. Howe, D. D., of Norwich preached the dedication sermon from the text "What mean these stones?" The structure is a beautiful specimen of old English architecture and an interesting feature of its con- struction is the use made of stones gathered from various historic localities. "Its walls are built of field stone gathered from the many Avery and other farms in Groton, and few of them have felt the hammer. The memorial window in the front of the church is dedicated by his de- scendants to Captain James Avery, in whose active brain originated the idea of a church organization east of the 'Create River.' "* Other memorial windows are in memory of Rev. John A. Woodhull and of Deacon and Mrs. Wilson AUyn. * Groton Avery Clan, Vol. I, p. 72. CHAPTER VII FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN 1704, the year before the separation of Groton from New London, a company of dissenters of the apostolic number of twelve — six brethren and six sisters — ^petitioned the General Court for the settlement of their meeting. In the Ecclesiastical Records, Book I, at the State Library at Hartford we find a copy of this petition as follows : "To the Honnourable Cort Setting at Newhaven. "These are to signify that we differ from you in Som Poynts of Religeon but yett we desier to Live Pesably and quiettly with our Neighbors and in order hearunto we Send These to signify That since it has Pleased the Almity God to putt it into the hart of our Grasious Queen to grant us desenters proclamated liberty of Consiense which both you and us are greatly favored with and whereas she hath given you Power to surpress Imorality and Vise we humbly sub- mitt our selves to it, and to all others that we do not prohibitt the liberty of our Conscienses and we understand that your laws requiers us to Petition to you for the settling of our Meeting we humbly submit thereto and do beseech of you That you would not deny us hearin, we do desier that our meeting might be stated and held at Will Starks in New london our Sosiaty are chiefly These underwritten "ordained Minister or Teacher Daniell Piearse "We have sent the Ar- "Members — William Stark, Sergt. tides of our faith with John Culver this our Pettition by Isaac Lamb Captin Daniell Witherell Ephraim Culver That Thereby you may William Chubb 126 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 127 Understand our Prinsi- John Hammett pies Marcy Culver Elizabeth Lamb October ye 5th 1704. Elizabeth Stark Mary Hadgell Margett Chubb Sarah Culver" The next year — the same in which the town was incor- porated — ^they called a young man from Rhode Island to become their pastor, and under his leadership the church was organized. Valentine Wightman was the son of George and Elizabeth (Updike) Wightman, his father being a lineal descendant of Edward Wightman of Burton-on- Trent, the last martyr by fire in England, at Lichfield April 11, 1612. Young Wightman had married Susannah Holmes and was the father of two children at the time of his coming to Groton, Sept. 6, 1707. William Stark deeded to his pastor a house and twenty acres of land "in consider- ation of the love, goodwill and affection which I have and dwo bear tawards my loving friend" etc. The house is still standing after more than two centuries' use (1905). In a deed made March 24 1717-18, Sergeant William Stark, in consideration of six pounds, current money of New England, gave to Valentine Wightman, Isaac Lamb, Joseph Culver, John Stark, Robert Burns, Stephen Stark, Thomas Lamb, Samuel Lamb, Aaron Stark, Mary Wal- worth, Hannah Burress, James Culver, David Culver, William Stark, Jr., Abiel Stark, Christopher Stark and Mary Culver, one and one-half acres of land "at the burying place where the meeting house frame standeth" etc. This deed concludes with the following clause : "It is to be under- stood that this is for a burying place and meeting house, and ways to it and from it, and that the aforesaid William Stark doth reserve to himself the convenience of the bury- ing of himself or any of his." From this deed two points are well settled, that the land granted was already used for a burying ground — ^prob- 128 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 ably that of the Stark family on whose land it was located — and also the date of the erection of the first Baptist meeting house. The building stood a little to the southeast of the entrance gate of the Wightman Burying Ground, and the original structure served the church from the time of its erection in 1718 until 1790, when it was taken down and another building was erected on the same site. The late Judge William H. Potter has left us the record of an interview in 1858 with Isaac Avery Wightman, a grandson of Rev. Timothy Wightman, in which he gives us a slight glimpse of the old meeting house: "Mr. Isaac Avery Wightman, bom 1777, united with the church in 1794. ... He well remembered the meeting house, which was about one-half the size of the second house. It had a narrow gallery with a single pew on each side. There was a strife among the young folks who should occupy the pews. Mr. Wightman describes a tussle that took place between two boys after the meeting had commenced for the occupancy of a seat. There was no sounding board, no plastering, no stove, no fireplace, but the rafters and beams were all in sight." Here Valentine Wightman labored for forty-two years, death closing his pastorate June 9, 1747. He found in Groton a soil in a measure prepared for the seed of truth which he came to plant and nurture. The disputed bound- ary question had to some extent prevented the close drawing of ecclesiastical lines, so common in other parts of the colony, and the Christian love and fellowship of Messrs. Woodbridge and Owen, pastors of the standing order church in the town, was in such marked contrast to the usual treatment of non-conformists as to call down the condemnation of the authorities upon Mr. Owen, who was summoned to Hartford to appear before the General Court to give an account of his views of liberty of conscience, for which he was admonished and sentenced to pay the costs of prosecution. The labors of Mr. Wightman were not confined to Groton. The vine ran over the wall and in 1710 was founded the FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 129 First Baptist Church in Waterford. It is said that until 1720 it had no settled pastor but "received the occasional visits of Elders Wightman of Groton, Tillinghast of Provi- dence, William Peckham of Newport and others."* In 1712 Mr. Wightman preached in New York upon "the invitation of Mr. Nicholas Eyres and continued his visits for two years."** The fruits of this ministry were twelve converts, five women and seven men, who gathered in a private house and called Mr. Eyres to preach to them, until in 1724 Messrs. Valentine Wightman of Groton and Daniel Wight- man of Newport formed them into a church and ordained Mr. Eyres to be their minister. Again in 1743, when the Second Baptist Church in Boston was formed, Benedict tells us that "Mr. Bound's ordination was a matter of some difficulty as no ministers could be found near to assist on the occasion. The church applied to the aged Mr. Wightman of Groton, Connecticut, but he was too old and infirm to undertake such a journey. Finally Mr. Bound went to Warwick, Rhode Island, where he met the venerable elder from Groton and was ordained by him, Dr. Green of Leicester and an Elder Whipple. "t Rev. Frederick Denison says of Valentine Wightman that he "was a plain, logical, earnest, indefatigable preacher; a wise, prudent, strong builder. He diligently sought not alone the enlargement but also the improvement and culture of his church in every way that consisted with the poverty and pressure of his times. In the free, spiritual worship which he set up in this literal wilderness every- thing was conducted with forethought and system. With unusual pains he introduced systematic public singing and wrote a valuable treatise upon that important department of worship." As a pioneer Valentine Wightman builded wisely and well. He was called upon to travel an unblazed trail, to navigate an uncharted sea. That he was a man of some * History of New London County, p. 751. ** Benedict's History of the Baptists, Vol. I, p. 536. t Ibid, p. 407. 130 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 education is shown by the few remaining products of his pen. In 1727 he met Rev, John Bulkeley of Colchester in a debate at Lyme, reports of which were published by both debaters. A sermon on the "excellency of faith" preached by him on August 5, 1739, has been reproduced in the "Wightman Memorial,"* a pamphlet containing an account of the dedication of a monument in his memory, placed in the old Wightman Burying Ground August 19, 1890. In this work Rev. P. G. Wightman, a great-grandson of Valentine, gives us a discriminating account of his life and labors. It was during the latter part of his ministry that White- field made his first visit to New England and the Great Revival commenced which was destined to shake the old standing order church to its foundations. Many of the Congregational churches were rent in twain, the Separ- atists or New Light members (those who believed in or were influenced by the revival preachers) forming new churches, the most of which subsequently became Baptist or became extinct. The old First (Baptist) church was carried away from its moorings and for a time practised open communion. The sympathies of the church for their persecuted Sep- arate brethren overcame for the time their regard for scriptural walk. Rev. Daniel Fisk, who succeeded to the pastorate upon the death of Valentine Wightman, was a strict constructionist, and when division arose over the matter of allowing Separate members the privilege of the communion table, he sided with the minority, who were opposed to this course. The church records prior to 1754 are not in existence, but on June 28th of that year a new covenant was made and entered into by eight members, Timothy Wightman, Daniel Fisk, John Rathbone, John Wightman, Daniel Lamb, Mary Wightman, and Joanna Wightman, the eighth member being supposedly Stephen Stark, whom the record mentions as participating in the meeting. From this time the records * Wightman Memorial, 1890, pp. 9-14. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 131 of the church have been kept with a fair degree of accuracy and we are enabled to trace its growth, its periods of refreshing and its times of declension. Under date of May 20, 1756, the records give a brief account of the ordination of Rev. Timothy Wightman, son of Valentine : "Now the elders and messengers being met at the request of the church, viz.. Elder Babcock's Ch. Elder Morse's Ch. Elder Palmer's Ch. Elder Davis' Ch. Elder Wells' Ch. Elder Whipple's Ch. Elder Hammond's Ch. in order to set apart a man of our 'cost' (coast) to the office of a leader and pastor for this church &c. And first after visibly embodying together in manner of a council, we proceeded to call the church to relate the manner how they came by their in- tended pastor &c. First, Br. Phillips manifested that he had got a pastor viz. — Timothy Wightman. Secondly, Peter Avery related his travail to Br. Timothy Wightman, and the males all to a man say Bro. Timothy is the man &c. Nextly called the females to tell their travail and teaching respect- ing an elder to go before them &c. &c. and the females seemed to center upon said brother Timothy to be their pastor. Nextly we asked Br. Wightman to tell his travail &c. and so made a dedication of himself for the benefit of the church &c. Nextly the council was called upon to give in their testimony respecting the church travail and Bro. Wightman's travail. The council answered yt they believed that God has called Br. Wightman to the work of the min- istry and especially to take charge of this flock, and that God now offers him to them and calls for them to arise and appoint him to the work &c. Now the church appointed Elder Wells to make the first prayer Elder Morse to give the charge and Elder Babcock to give the rite hand of fellowship and Bro. Peter Avery to make the last prayer &c. Acted at the Baptist meeting house." In Timothy Wightman the church found a worthy leader and for several years after his ordination there was a steady increase in the membership. During his pastorate two notable events occurred which greatly affected the pros- 132 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 perity of the church — the revival under the preaching of George Whitefield and the Revolutionary War. The former brought to the First Baptist Church quite a number of Separate Congregational brethren and sisters and for a time the church practised mixed communion, but about 1765 it returned to the regular practice of Baptist churches and thus caused the withdrawal of several brethren and sisters, who founded the Second or Fort Hill Baptist Church. It was only after repeated efforts had been made to harmonize the differences existing that the church finally withdrew the hand of fellowship from the leaders of that movement, February 23, 1769. July 29, 1756, the church made choice of John Wightman to be a deacon. To this appointment he demurred, inti- mating that he was called to another work, but finally said that the difficulties which had lain in his way were removed and he was free to serve the church with what gifts God had bestowed upon him. January 8, 1757, Peter Avery was chosen as an additional deacon and a later date, April 7, 1757, was appointed as the day for their ordination, and the service is thus recorded: "A church meeting April ye 7th day 1757. "After solemn prayer to God for direction Elder Morse read a letter sent to the church and offered himself in fellowship to wait upon God in the duties of the day and he was received. In the next place Elder Wightman called on the church to give their teaching concerning John Wight- man and Peter Avery being given to them for deacons, and in the next place called up John Wightman and Peter Avery to tell their teaching concerning their being set apart for that work. But when they had told their teach- ing the way not opening clearly for Bro. J. Wightman im- mediately entering into the work it was then unanimously agreed upon by Elder Morse and the church and all con- cerned to suspend Bro. J. Wightmans ordination to further consideration, and the way opened clearly for Bro. P. Avery to enter upon the work. He was then set apart thereunto by ordination." FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 133 "June 15, 1774. At a general council met according to appointment at our meeting house, present with our church Elder Simeon Brown and his church, Elder Eliezer Brown and his church and Elder Morse's church. After prayer and a sermon suitable to the occasion delivered by Elder Eliezer Brown, the council proceeded to the ordination of Brother John Wightman, and after examination they pro- ceeded and set him apart to the office and work of an evan- gelist by the way of ordination and so concluded." Under date of October 12, 1769, we find the following record : "The church being together at Br. Peter Avaryes' after worship and some conference they did agree to set out anew upon the six principles of the Doctrine of Christ agreeable to Hebrews the VI Chapter and 1 & 2 verses." The ownership of the church property is indicated by the following record : "December the 20th day 1769. Oblong, Dutches County — After my love to Elder Wightman and all that are with him in the church. To all people to whom these presents shall come, greeting. Know ye that I Christopher Starke, at the place above written do give, grant, convey and confirm unto the said Wightman above written and the church that are with him, to their heirs and assigns forever. All my right in the Baptist meeting house in Groton in Connecticut, also my right in the money that was given to the church by William Roe. To have and to hold, to use and improve to their own proper benefit and behoof. In confirmation of which I have set my hand the day above written. "Christopher Starke." "In presence of James Starke Daniel Starke The fund referred to here is mentioned first in the old church records, where under date of February 12, 1766, at a meeting legally warned a committee consisting of Samuel Walsworth, Elijah Walsworth and Daniel Stark was chosen "for to act in anything relating to the church but peculiarly 134 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 for to see after that money that Mr. William Roe late of Canterbury deceased bequeathed to the Baptist church in Groton and get security for the same." Miss Caulkins says of this fund in connection with the old church in Waterford:* "John Starke was the deacon of Elder Gorton's church. Its greatest benefactor was William Eowe, who among other donations gave a piece of land adjoining the meeting house for a burial place, vesting the title in the First-day Baptists and providing, in case of their extinction, that it should be held by churches of that denomination in Groton and Newport until there should be a First-day Baptist Church in New London again. Mr. Rowe afterwards removed to North Stonington and event- ually to Canterbury, where he died. By his will, made in 1749, he left all his books of divinity and three hundred ounces of silver or paper currency equivalent thereunto, for the use and support of the Fort Hill (Waterford) church and ministry. The money was to be improved and the principal kept good." June 5, 1773, Daniel Stark and Thomas Np Niles were appointed a committee to take care of the fund, and Novem- ber 30, 1776, Brother Benadam Gallup, Jr., was chosen to act with Brother Stark in place of Brother Thos. Np Niles "to take care of the church money and land that was in Captain Jonas Belton's hands." October 3, 1778, Brother Samuel Lamb was appointed in place of Daniel Stark, who had been dealt with and excluded. "March 27, 1789,** at a church meeting of the first Baptist Church of Groton, at Elder Wightman's, after some conference the church rec- ommended to Bro. Samuel Lamb and Bro. Benadam Gallup Jr. who are the church committee and agents to take care of the money and lands belonging to said church which are in the hands of Capt. Jonas Belton of said Groton, and com- mence an action at law to recover actual possession of said funds from said Belton." The church was favored with gracious revivals in 1772 * History of New London, Ed. 1860, p. 437. ** Chiirch records. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 136 and in 1774 as though in preparation for the gloomy days of warfare and strife which were to follow. It was during the awakening of 1772, on the 4th of July, that Elder Ebenezer Mack united with the church by experience and was received by the laying on of the parson's hands. Mr. Mack had been ordained as a Separate Congregational min- ister January 12, 1749, and had served for sixteen years as pastor of the mixed communion Baptist church of Lyme (1st East Lyme). He had obtained dismission from the pastoral office at his own request, and having settled it in his mind that it is inconsistent for a Baptist church to build with, and commune at the Lord's table with, those that held and practiced infant sprinkling — the Lyme church thus allowing — ^he felt justified after due but fruitless remon- strance with his covenant brethren to seek a church whose faith and order corresponded with his own views. His mind was at once turned to this church where so long his old patron and friend had presided — Rev. Valentine Wightman, who had earliest sowed the seed of scriptural baptism in Lyme, while Mr. Mack was still a layman. As we have seen he was readily received. This grieved the Lyme church and it proceeded to discipline and finally to exclude its former pastor, who had united without a letter or their consent. A number of churches were called to- gether on the 7th of October following, who in conference decided that the practice of Baptist churches in receiving disciplined or excluded members from other churches with- out letters was contrary to gospel order and tended to alienate and make confusion in the churches, and must not be tolerated. At this meeting the Groton church was represented and confessed its fault, and retracted to the full satisfaction of the conference, which body adjourned to meet some six or seven weeks thereafter with this church. At the ad- journed meeting at Elder Wightman's meeting house the action of the Lyme church in excluding Elder Mack was condemned and it was agreed that the conscientious scruples he entertained should have had weight with his 136 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 brethren, so that though legally possessing the power to withdraw the hand of fellowship from him they should not have exercised it, but rather haye "come up to the light, and embraced his principles and walked with him." Elder Mack being both justified and condemned proceeded to do his work over again, obtaining a satisfactory dismission. But the discussion of this matter led the churches desirous of guarding against church building with unbaptized mem- bers to make their conference a permanent union upon that basis. This was the origin of the Stonington Asso- ciation, for in the records of the next semi-annual meeting they call themselves the Association, and propose the Eng- lish Baptist Articles of Faith as a constitution to be ap- proved by all the associated churches. Thus intimately is the history of this church connected with the history of the Stonington Union Association. It was during the ministry of Rev. Timothy Wightman that the Rogerine sect became prominent in Groton. The matter will be taken up elsewhere under the head of "The Roger- ines," but to the credit of this church be it said that there is nowhere on record any instance of persecution of that sect by the Groton Baptists, even under great provocation. A little later in his ministry some disturbance was caused by the appearance of Jemima Wilkinson, the "Universal Friend." She secured a small following in Groton and made frequent visits to the town. A woman of imposing appearance, plainly but richly dressed, mounted on horse- back, and riding at the head of a procession of from fifteen to twenty of her deluded followers, she succeeded in cap- tivating several well-to-do people in the town. She laid claim to supernatural power, asserting that she was able to perform miracles and was on an equality with Jesus Christ. Her teachings disrupted families, encouraging spiritual af- finities, which tended to weaken the marriage tie, and the church naturally frowned upon the whole movement. The records show the manner in which the church dealt with two sisters who were carried away by the delusion. No haste was observed in the labor with them, which seems to FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 137 have been carried on with kindly, brotherly love and Chris- tian forbearance, from February 21, 1782, until April 2, 1785, when they were finally excluded. The conduct of the music in church is illustrated by the following votes: "Oct. 3, 1778 . . . Deacon Niles moved that somebody should be chose to set the psalm, when the church made choice of Brother Benadam Gallup should set the psalm, and likewise voted that Brother Gallup and Brother DaboU should set together near the centre of the meeting-house as they can conveniently. April 3, 1779 Brother Benadam Gallup moved that the church reconsider a vote of theirs in October last in appointing him and Brother Daboll to tune the psalm, as he found Brother Dabolls gift to be superior to his. Accordingly at Brother Gallups desire they appointed Brother Daboll to be first in tuning the psalm and Brother Gallup to assist him &c." In 1790 a new house of worship was erected on the site of the old one, and as stated above it was about twice the size of the original structure. The dedication sermon was preached by Elder Wightman from the text 1st Kings VIII, 27: "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee ; how much less this house that I have builded!" This building was in use until the edifice in Old Mystic was built in 1843-4, after which it was allowed to fall into decay, and about the year 1857 it was demolished, the frame and some parts of the structure being built into an icehouse in Old Mystic. The health of the venerable pastor had become impaired by his arduous labor and for the last two or three years of his ministry he was assisted by some of the neighboring ministers. His death occurred November 14, 1796, after a successful ministry of forty-two years. The church during his pastorate was called upon to pass through trying ordeals. The New Light Movement and the stirring days of the Revolution called for all the wisdom and patience of which men were capable, but throughout all these "times that tried men's souls" he pursued the even tenor of his 138 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 way. Sympathy for his persecuted New Light brethren did not cause him to overlook the plain commands of his Master. Himself an unflinching patriot, his voice was ever heard in defence of the rights of the colonies and his church furnished its full quota of defenders of their country. His patience shows in his treatment of the Rogerenes and of the followers of Jemima Wilkinson. He was an advocate of the emancipation of the slaves and lived to see this con- summated. Sprague, the historian of the Baptists, says that Timothy Wightman was "a man of medium stature and erect form, affable manners, serious deportment and manly bearing and was nigh a model man." Of special in- gatherings during his ministry we may mention those of 1764, when thirty-three were added to the church, 1774-5 forty additions and 1786-7 eighty. He left a united church of over two hundred members. For four years the church had no settled pastor, the pulpit being supplied by ministers from neighboring churches. Rev. Reuben Palmer of Montville was one of the supplies whose faithful labors were greatly appreciated. In 1797-8 seventy were added to the membership, among the number being John Gano Wightman, son of Rev. Timothy Wightman. He and his wife Mercy Clark were both soundly converted and from the first he was impressed with the idea that it was his duty to preach, a course to which his wife was much opposed; but she afterwards became reconciled and proved a most valuable helpmeet. The fol- lowing account of his ordination is taken from the church records : "At a council held at Groton August 13, 1800 at the request of the first Baptist Church of Christ in said Groton, convened at their meeting house in Groton, the churches sent to, and present are : "From the church at Lyme — Elder Jason Lee, Bro. Walter Chapel. "From the church at Montville — Elder Reuben Palmer, Bro. Jehiel Rogers, Bro. Jabez Stebbins, Bro. Ebenezer Bart, Bro. Samuel Bolles. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 139 "From the 1st Church in Stonington — Elder Peleg Ran- dall, Bro. Joshua Babcock, Bro. Nicholas Randall, Bro. Paul Main. "From the 2nd Church in Stonington, Elder Simeon Brown, Bro. Walter Worden, Bro. Jonathan AUyn, Bro. Asher Miner, Bro. Asa Spalding. "From the Church at East Haddam, Elder Simeon Dick- inson, Bro. Josiah Hungerford, Bro. John Brockway. "2nd Church Groton — Elder Silas Burroughs, Dea. Simeon Smith, Dea. Jabez Smith, Bro. 'Rozel' Burroughs, Bro. Elisha Packer. "The Church New London — Bro. Jethro Beebe, Bro. Charles Brown, Bro. Ebenezer Maynard. "Bro. Jesse Wightman from the church at Springfield, Bro. Asa Wilcox from the 2nd church in Westerly and Elder 'Elliu' Brumbly from the church at North Kingston (were) received and invited to sit in council. "] st After prayer to Almighty God for assisting grace &c. we chose Elder Jason Lee Moderator and Bro. Asa Spald- ing Clerk. "2nd Proceeded to hear the church give a relation of their travail or lead of mind towards Bro. John G. Wight- man as a watchman, which was given by Deacon Peter Avery and Deacon Benadam Gallup as a mouth for the church. "3dly. Proceeded to hear Bro. John G. Wightman give a relation of his experience and the travail and lead of mind to the work of the ministry, and meeting the church in their call as pastor, with both which relations the council were measurably satisfied, and the council after a general enquiry from the church, and respectable inhabitants respecting Brother Wightman's moral character, govern- ment of his family, qualifications of his wife &c. with some queries with respect to his temporal support and the cov- enant obligations of the church towards him, and he to them, as to continuing their watchman. After which the church and Bro. Wightman agreed to meet each other, and the council generally fellowshipped them therein. Ad- 140 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 journed till to-morrow at half an hour after eight o'clock A. M. August 14. Met according to adjournment and pro- ceeded to business. "1st. An enquiry was made of those brethren of the council that had a lack in their minds respecting the call of the church upon Bro. Wightman as their pastor and of God to him to the work and they manifested a help in their minds, and were free to act with the council in setting apart Bro. Wightman to the work of a pastor. "2nd. Elder Simeon Dickinson to preach the sermon. "3rd. Elder Reuben Palmer to make the consecrating prayer. "4th. Elder Jason Lee to give the charge. "5th. Elder Jesse Wightman to give the right hand of fellowship. "6th. Elder Peleg Randall to make the concluding prayer. "7th. The above mentioned elders and Deacon Peter Avery to lay on hands. "8th. Proceeded to hear the church tell their lead of mind to call Bro. Benadam Gallup and setting him apart to the office work of a deacon. "9th. Pj-oceeded to hear Bro. Gallup give his mind in answer to the church's call. "10th. The council unanimously fellowship them in their call and Bro. Gallup's answer and join in setting Bro. Gallup apart to the office of a deacon. "11th. The church and council then proceeded in the same order as above to set 'apart' Bro. Gallup 'apart' to the office of a deacon. "In behalf of the church and council. "Jason Lee, Moderator. "Test. Asa Spalding, Clerk." It is significant that of the lay members of this council Paul Main, Asher Miner, Asa Spalding, Charles Brown and Roswell Burrows became ordained ministers, while Ebenezer Maynard, Elisha Packer and Deacon Jabez Smith were lay preachers of renown. One of the first measures FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 141 put in operation by Mr. Wightman on his accession to the pastorate was a revision of the church records. A new clerk was appointed, and discipline — which had become somewhat lax in the absence of a pastor — was more strictly enforced, as the church records abundantly show. June 4, 1803, saw the first addition to the church by bap- tism under the new pastorate but from that time forward baptisms were many and frequent. John Gano Wightman, though not college bred, had superior educational advantages for his time. Simeon Gallup* says of him that he "was a logical and fluent speaker, well versed in scripture and a successful minister of Christ." During his ministry revivals were frequent, not less than ten being recorded, the most notable one occurring in 1814, when fifty-six were added to the mem- bership. These additions were necessary to overcome the drift away from the neighborhood. It was about the beginning of Mr. Wightman's ministry at the opening of the nine- teenth century that the changing conditions of business caused the villages near the mouth of the river to increase, at the expense of the farming districts in the interior. Shipbuilding proved to be more profitable than farming, and with ships came the demand for sailors. Fishing, coasting and finally whaling demanded the services of every available man, and many of these men, after accumulating a little money, abandoned their farms and located in the villages. Then the emigration to the West, which set in with great vigor at about the same time, took away many good workers. A paper read by Miss Sarah A. Denison at the annual meeting of the Wightman Burial Ground Association in August 1889 gives such a vivid description of the church as it existed in 1800 that we reproduce it in full : This offering is made from the memory of one (Mrs. Levina Denison) now in her 95th year, whose years of childhood and youth are full of experiences that hover * First Baptist Church of Groton, 1705-1900. 142 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 around this sacred spot, memories of the old church edifice and the worshipers. Here was a house built in the year 1790 under the min- istry of Reverend Timothy Wightman, a "dissenting preacher" who died November 14, 1796, after a pastorate of 42 years. It was on the site of the former original house, and was 40 feet long by 30 feet wide. The "boss carpen- ter" was Squire John Daboll, who was wounded in Fort Griswold. It was framed by "scribe rule" in the pasture belonging to Benadam Gallup on top of Stark's Hill, near the Wightman estate, and raised undoubtedly with the spirit in two senses. Reverend John Gano Wightman, named for Elder John Gano, a dissenting preacher of New York, of powerful mind and influence, was ordained August 13, 1800, the year of which we speak, and his church comprised about 225 members. The meeting house was an oblong, gable- roofed, two-storied building facing the south, and at the time had no superior in the town. There was neither spire nor bell; such additions, being forbidden to the meeting houses of dissenters in England, they were not customary in this country. Below, it had two windows in front, two on either end, two on the rear, with a high window back of the pulpit. In the second story the windows were the same, with the addition of a window over the front door. A beautiful hexagonal bell-shaped sounding board was sus- pended over the pulpit. The house was externally painted white, internally ceiled and plastered, and had one wide stone step at the entrance. The seats were of native pine and cedar. The long seats were of hard plank, chestnut and oak. The pul- pit was of native pine and cedar. It projected in the form of a semi-hexagon. Under the pulpit sat the deacons. In front of them was a partition, on the top of which a shelf served as a communion table. The service was a white cloth, large and dark colored bottles, two silver cups, a pewter platter and two pewter plates. Deacon Avery passed around the bread, and Deacon Benadam Gallup the FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 143 wine. The service was observed, as now, on the first Sun- day of each month. The gallery was seated with long seats like those below, on the east and west sides, and in the front on the south side, the last being the singers' seats. Back of the singers were three square pews, like the pews below. Over the gallery stairs were small oblong pews for colored persons. It contained 19 square and eight long pews below, four of the latter being free. The square pews were owned by the families occupying them. Besides these, were two seats reserved for the colored people under the gallery stairs. Dinah Avery, formerly a slave, was the only attending colored member of the church at this time. But almost every Sunday would be seen two or three others, who be- cause of their living within the limits were members of the congregation. The house was mainly seated by square family pews on aisles running around a little distance from the walls, the main aisle being direct from the door to the pulpit. Elder Wightman's family sat in the first pew on the right as viewed from the pulpit, a bright promising family of boys and girls, doing credit to their father's example and their mother's training. In the corner pew sat Captain Joseph Packer's good-looking, likely family, coming from the hill on the west of the Mystic River. The next pew was occupied by Isaac Wightman and family, in looks and ap- pearance true types of the Wightman stock. In the same pew sat Joseph Culver and his family. He owned the farm where Samuel S. Lamb now lives. Squire John Daboll and family occupied the next seat. The Squire and his sons were carpenters. He filled the office of justice of the peace. A dignified man and a man of influence. Next came the Stark family, descendants of the Stark who gave the land for the site of the meeting house. Caleb Haley and family occupied the next pew. Mr. Haley was an enterprising farmer, and Mrs. Haley was often found doing neighborly kindnesses. The pew at the left of the entrance was owned by James and Lodowick Gallup, 144 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 excellent people who resided on Pumpkin Hill. Deacon Peter Avery and family held the pew on the right of the entrance. He was the senior deacon and an influential land owner. Squire Amos Niles owned the next pew. He lived on a farm near Center Groton and was a practical farmer and prominent man in the town. Nathan Niles, son of Mr. Elisha Niles, was a prosperous farmer living near the church. The next pew was held by the Hicks family. John Hicks was a mechanic and farmer living near Hicks Hill. The Cheesebro family, industrious and upright, held the next pew. Daniel Cheesebro owned a saw mill, and people from far and near came with logs to be sawed. Squire Ros- well Fish and family owned the next pew. Squire Fish lived on Pequot Hill and was highly regarded. Frederic Denison and family held the next pew. Mr. Denison was a prosperous farmer in the eastern part of the town. One of his sons, Erastus, became an esteemed minister of the Gospel. Of the seats in the center of the house, the first four rows on either side of the center aisle were free, those on the right however being usually occupied, from force of habit, by prominent members and officers of the church. Those on the left were for visitors. Of the four square pews remaining (two on either side) those on the right belonged, one to Stephen and Elisha Haley, also to John Burrows, and the other to Deacon Sands Fish. Deacon Fish was an active and esteemed officer, living on the east- ern slope of Pequot Hill. Of the two opposite square pews, one belonged to Captain Nathan Crary and Deacon Stanton Babcock, who were neighbors in the eastern part of the town. The other belonged to the Lamb family, living to the northward of the church and honored by all. The meeting house had neither chimney nor stove. In the winter, footstoves were carried and mufflers for the feet, which were passed around from one person to another in the pews. The men wore great coats with capes. The house was not used for evening meetings, neither FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 145 was it opened during the week days. The baptistry was a mill pond a few rods northeast of the house, though the minister baptized in different parts of the town. He preached in the different school houses around the town, at Hicks' school house, at the head of the Mystic River, at Center Groton, two in North Groton, and one in the western part of the town. Covenant meeting was held once a month on Saturday afternoon. Every member of the church was expected to be present. If any failed to appear, the minister called upon them on some day of the next week. Meeting commenced at 10 o'clock a. m. "if so be" there were enough persons present. Just before the time one could see those who were "minded" to hear Mr. Wightman preach approaching the meeting house, the husband with the wife mounted behind him on a pillion, and a child seated before the father. They would ride to the horse-block close up to the north side of the church, space between allowing for the horse to stand while the lady alighted. When every- one had entered the house and was reverently seated, the minister would read a psalm. Deacon Avery would line it (reading two lines at a time) and Deacon Gallup would lead the singing. Then all would rise for the morning prayer, lasting about twenty minutes. The people being seated, another psalm would be read, lined and sung. Then Elder Wightman would take a text, and, using no notes, preach a sermon which would generally occupy an hour ; at its close the congregation had liberty "to exhort." Then followed a prayer by the minister or one of the brethren. Elder Wightman's preaching was logical, scriptural and devoid of the ministerial tone which was common at that period. He was always an instructive preacher. The intermission was one-half hour long, spent as suited the inclination. A good portion of the people would carry their luncheon; some would go to the spring northwest of the meeting house for water. Others would wander around the burying ground to the west of the church, while some would spend the time in pleasant conversation. Some would take a short walk to Mr. Stephen Haley's. Mrs. Lucy 146 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Haley always had hot tea for those who wished, and in winter fresh coals for the footstoves. The afternoon ses- sion would be the same as the morning. The young people chose to go to meeting in companies,, because there were foxes in those days, and wildcats; the wolves having been exterminated. The young ladies came through the woods wearing calfskin shoes, and, on reaching^ a slanting rock or some other suitable place, would take off their stockings and shoes, hiding them under the rock, re- placing them with clocked stockings and colored morocco slippers. We have heard of a young sea captain home from a long voyage who, while talking with his friends before meeting, saw a maiden of Puritan parentage, the daughter of a godly deacon, coming along the path. She quickly made the exchange of stockings and shoes, hiding them as was the custom. He told no one his thoughts, but on his. next voyage home he made her his mate. The people would reach their homes by four o'clock, ex- change their best clothes for their second-best; the women would busy themselves in getting ready something to eat which served as both dinner and supper, the men meantime busy out of doors. The evening would be spent in reading and social conversation, the younger portion of the families often making calls on some neighboring friends. The most ancient custom was to abstain from work on Saturday evening and resume work on Sunday evening. Once a year, the church and congregation would visit- Elder Wightman's home in the shape of a "donation party," By two o'clock in the afternoon a good company would be- gathered together, the women bringing two skeins of yam apiece, and the men each a sum of money, and sometimes, grain ; also bread, cake and tea. The afternoon would pass away in conversation and singing, and all would return^ home in time for the necessary farm work before dark. The annual contribution amounted to more than two hun- dred dollars. Marriages were always solemnized at the minister's house or at the home of one of the contracting parties. In FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 147 early days, brides would wear white lawn aprons, spun, woven and embroidered by themselves, with silk dresses. They were also worn at church. In the summer, young ladies wore white cambric dimity dresses, bonnets of silk or straw, nice sleeve silk mitts with ribs or figures embroidered on the back, low laced up shoes of morocco, which were of local make, and, on cool days, dresses of changeable silk, and "patch" or calico procured from New London, Philadelphia or New York. Occasion- ally would be seen a fine shawl. Just north of the meeting house lived the Misses "Mima and Tenta" Stark, two of the descendants of William Stark, who deeded this land to the church. They dressed in short imported "patch" gowns, made after the fashion of the day, with low neck, elbow sleeves edged with white ruffles, white muslin neckerchiefs crossed in front, mitts of their own making, black satin bonnets, laced gored stockings and low shoes. Most of the men wore home-made broadcloth, as bought broadcloth was for public men and official char- acters. They never wore gloves, but in winter would wear mittens and also large coats or cloaks of heavy wool, and hats of wool or beaver, large crowned and broad brimmed, with boots of home-dressed cow and calf skin, made by local or traveling shoemakers, among whom John Braman and Nehemiah Smith were experts. In winter the ladies would wear cloaks of fine broadcloth or black satin, dresses of home-made or boughten worsted and bombasette, bon- nets of silk, velvet or satin, the latter often worn all the year around, handsome and suitable shoes, knit woolen gloves, and muff and tippet of martin fur. Common winter dresses were made of worsted chain and woolen filling, plaited or mixed. Fashions were somewhat changeable in those days. In the month of June a farmer's wife would mount her horse and go to New London to buy a bonnet, dress, etc. Benadam Gallup on hearing his wife saying she wished a fashionable bonnet and thought she would soon go to New London for it said: "Cynthia, after you have bought, ride home as 148 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 swiftly as you can." "Why?" said she in a tone of sur- prise. "Why? For fear it will be out of the fashion before you get here." Also we hear of one Sam Mekins, a colored man who boasted that "when he got some money he should have a black silk shirt." Some were unmoved by changes of fashion, as was shown by Miss "Katy Coates," who wore a black satin cloak and bonnet of black satin with white satin lining and trimmed with a fall of black lace for 30 years. A miller lame in his hip, a Mr. Holdridge, living beyond the Four Corners, where there was a little factory and a grist mill, used to come to meeting in a little cart drawn by a steer, his means of moving about the town. As yet the roads were hardly adapted for wagons. A few wealthy persons in the town could afford two-wheeled chaises, the wheels running wide as a cart. The people raised their own bread stuffs and fodder for stock. They cut salt hay on the marshes and raised an acre or two of flax. The wood was cut and hauled in fall and winter. In early summer the sheep were taken to the nearest stream for washing, in a few days they were sheared, the fleece was sorted, carded and spun all in the house, wool in summer and flax in winter. All sorts of linen work was done, tablecloths, shirting, sheeting and cloths ; some of the women most fond of fancy work would find time for embroidering their infants' dresses. The main winter work for men was hauling, cutting and splitting wood, to keep up the huge fires in the great open fireplaces. The amusements were hunting small game, such as quails, squirrels and musk-rats, fishing for perch, trout and the like, playing games, eating apples, drinking cider and telling stories. The women were largely engaged in carding, spinning, weaving and knitting. We have reason to be proud of these ancestors of ours. They laid the foundations of our homes, our churches, our FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 149 government, and are fitly described by the poet who said they were "Men whose hands were brown with toil, Who, backed by no ancestral graves, Hewed down the wood and tilled the soil ; And thereby won a prouder fame Than followed a king's or warrior's name." January 3, 1814, the church called Brother Jonathan Miner to ordination. This was but the beginning of a gracious revival in which the pastor was assisted by Elder James Davis, and which resulted in the largest number of additions of any year of Rev J. G. Wightman's ministry. The year 1818 witnessed the triumph of the Baptist struggle of years, in the adoption of the State Constitution which gave religious liberty to the people of the State. For this end none had worked harder or more untiringly than the Baptists of Groton, and the pastors of the two churches were foremost in the fight. To Groton belongs the dis- tinction of being the only town in the State to give a unanimous vote in favor of adoption. As early as 1807 Mr. Wightman was preaching one Sunday in the month in the old Johnson meeting house (Congregational) in North Groton, which for a number of years had been closed. He continued to do so until 1810, when Rev. Timothy Tuttle was ordained and placed over the two Congregational churches in Groton. December 16, 1807, Deacon Peter Avery died. He was a man of marked character and had been a tower of strength to the church for fifty years. "Peter Avery was a missionary to the Indians in western New York. He was a deacon of the Baptist church in Groton for fifty years. He was surveyor of the town; selectman 1778 to 1782 and 1787, in which period the town passed many patriotic measures. He was one of the committee of six who were ordered December 22, 1775, to direct the work on Fort Griswold."* Samuel Lamb * The Groton Avery Clan, p. 243. 150 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 and Sands Fish were chosen deacons and were set apart by ordination in 1809. After nearly twenty years of service Deacon Samuel Lamb called the attention of the church to his increasing age and infirmities and asked that his successor might be appointed, so on January 26, 1828, Brother Stanton P. Babcock was unanimously chosen, and he was ordained on November 12 of the same year by the same council which ordained Brother Erastus Denison to the work of the min- istry. In the Associational year of 1832-3 the church reported forty-four accessions, making the number of members two hundred and eighty-five — ^the largest with a single exception in the history of the church, and this notwithstanding that during the previous year — August 20, 1831 — a branch had been established in the lower village consisting of five brethren and six sisters, which became the Third Baptist Church in Groton. The establishment of this church led to an unhappy dif- ference with the Second Baptist Church, resulting in long correspondence, unavailing councils and some degree of alienation, but the matter was amicably adjusted a little later by the admission of the Third Church to the Stoning- ton Union Association with the cordial approval of both churches. In 1834 John P. Babcock was chosen church clerk and in that year the church letter to the Association makes mention of a flourishing temperance society of seventy-five members "and thank God that there are none in the church who traffic in ardent spirits, and but very few who use it as a common beverage." In 1837 Coddington Colver and James C. Lamb were chosen deacons, the latter continuing in the office until his death January 3, 1903, thus being a connecting link between the old Wightman line and the twentieth century. August 20, 1838, the church lost, by the death of Deacon Sands Fish, one of its most valued members. July 13, 1841, the church was called to part with its beloved pastor, who died in the 75th year of his age and in the 42nd year of his FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 151 ministry. Father, son, and grandson had filled this pulpit for nearly one hundred and twenty-five years, a very un- usual record. Simeon Gallup says of this ministry:* "It is impossible to justly review the history of this church without carefully considering the lives of these men and their influence upon the people of their day. To them with their unfeigned love of the truth, their piety, their sturdy maintenance of Bap- tist principles in face of all opposition, and to their wise and diligent leadership is due the impression which made all this wide section of country to become special Baptist ground." Mr. Wightman's health had been failing for some time before his death and this fact coupled with the depletion of membership from causes mentioned above led to a period of discouragement. During the illness of Elder Wightman, Lathrop W. Wheeler, a licentiate, had supplied the pulpit, assisted occasionally by Rev. Erastus Denison, pastor of the Third Baptist Church. August 2, 1841, a committee of five was chosen to provide for the preaching of the gospel up to the first of April (1842) also to inquire into the expediency of building a new meeting house at or near the village of Mystic, &c. This committee consisted of Brethren Avery Gallup, Daniel Lamb, Stephen H. Peckham, Deacon James C. Lamb and Joseph A. Lamb. In November of that year Rev. Earle P. Salisbury of Herkimer County, New York, providentially came to the church and during his ministry of a few months hope was revived and the way was prepared for the coming of a new pastor. In April, 1842, Benjamin F. Hedden, a school teacher in Mystic, and a licentiate of the Second Baptist Church, was called to the pastorate, and on April 21, 1842, he was ordained. At the same time Avery Gallup, Stephen H. Peckham and Daniel A. Chipman were ordained deacons. During this year occurred the great revival in the lower village under the preaching of Elder Swan, the reflex in- fluence of which was felt in this church, and Elder John * First Baptist Church of Groton, 1705-1900. 152 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Green was called to labor with it. Notwithstanding some opposition in the church, about forty were added to the membership. In March 1843, twenty were dismissed to form the Baptist church in Ledyard and fourteen were con- tributed towards the formation of the church at Groton Heights. Some time in the previous October, the pastor had been requested to relinquish his school and to devote his time to raising funds outside the church towards the erection of a new meeting house at the Head of Mystic. The withdrawal of members to form new interests in the northern and western sections of the town carried the center of the parish nearer to the village, and so when the decayed condition of the old house demanded change, there was little opposition to the removal. A constitution for the new church edifice had already been adopted. This was amended in March 1843, after which the cam- paign for raising funds took on new life, so that the church reported to the Association in June that a contract had been let for the building of a new house. Mr. Hedden's pastorate lasted but a year, and he was succeeded by Rev. Charles C. Lewis, who preached first as stated supply but on April 1, 1843, was settled as pastor. It was during his pastorate that the church edifice at the Head of Mystic was built, the dedication occurring Feb- ruary 22, 1844. Rev. A. G. Palmer, D. D., preached the sermon from Psalms LXV, 4. The proprietary distribution of seats that pertained to the old house was continued in the new, the church reserving by vote "six of the poorest slips as free, the four back body slips and the two nearest the pulpit."* The church later by exchange obtained more eligible free seats. Mr. Lewis' pastorate came to an end in less than a year and Rev. Cyrus Miner was the first pastor to preach in the new house. He commenced his labor in April 1844 and continued for one year to the great satisfaction of the church, which desired to continue the relationship, but the church which he had previously served had released him for * Judge William H. Potter's manuscript. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 153 a year and demanded his return, so he went away to the great grief of his Groton parishioners. In April 1845 the church called William C. Walker, who like his predecessor was a licentiate of the church and he was ordained at the session of the Stonington Union Asso- ciation which was held with this church in June. His sweet spirit and Christian graces greatly endeared him to the church, which prospered under his ministry. He gave special attention to the Sunday school, which from that time became a more important branch of the church work. His health forced his retirement after a five years' pas- torate, during which time it was said that there was not a divided vote on any question. He was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. James Squier, who remained with the church one year, beginning April 1, 1850. During the succeeding winter a revival was experi- enced, during which ten were baptized and a number were received by letter. It was during this revival that Rev. Erastus Miner came among the people and preached with such acceptance that Mr. Squier was led to resign the pas- torate and a call was extended to Mr. Miner to fill his place. There was not entire harmony in the matter of* his call nor in the deposition of Mr. Squier. March 2, 1851, the follow- ing vote was passed : "Resolved, That we are satisfied with the pastoral labors of Elder J. Squier during the year past and that he has preached faithfully according to the Word of God the doctrines of the Gospel, and that we have im- plicit confidence in his Christian character and esteem him a devoted and faithful servant of Jesus Christ."* Mr. Miner entered upon the pastorate April 1, 1851. Doubts of the orthodoxy of his views were entertained by some from the beginning. The church, having passed through many trying experiences, had come to entertain radical views of moral questions. The subjects of tem- perance and of slavery were live issues and on both the lines were sharply drawn. The position of the church on the former question had become well established, but on the * judge Potter's manascript. 154 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 latter discussion was bitter and prolonged. Nowhere was there more outspoken condemnation of the sin of slavery, or more appreciation of the blessings of freedom than in this old church that for one hundred and fifty years had stood so valiantly for soul liberty. But in the discussion Mr. Miner's orthodoxy became an issue, and not only the church but the community as well took sides for or against him. In explanation of its views the church sent a letter to the Stonington Union Association in 1853. This was re- ferred to a committee which reported adversely on some points of the letter and recommended the appointment of a committee to visit the church and obtain further informa^- tion as to its beliefs. To this committee the church replied that "the New Hampshire confession and their letter to the Association in the main expressed their views." This was deemed inexplicit and unsatisfactory and a minority of the church joined with the committee in calling a council, which the majority refused to recognize. This council recommended that the minority be recognized as the church and the committee so reported to the next meet- ing of the Association, which accepted the report and adopted the recommendation. The report of the council was as follows : "That we recognize those eleven brethren and nineteen sisters, who have stood upon the platform on which the church was organized and whose names are at- tached to a document pledging themselves still to abide by the old articles of faith as the First Baptist Church of Groton, and hereby extend fellowship to them as such." The committee reported: "In view of this action of said council and the fact that no change for the better has taken place in the views of these brethren, who have left the old platform and have discarded all articles of faith, your committee recommend that the Association adopt the fol- lowing resolution : Resolved, That this Association approve the doings of a council called, by. a committee appointed by this Association to visit and labor with the First Baptist Church of Groton, together with brethren connected with FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 155 said church, and held in the meeting house of said church on the 22nd of February, 1854, and that this Association recognize those brethren and sisters recognized by said committee as the First Baptist Church of Groton."* There are no statistics given for this church in the As- sociation minutes for 1854, but in those of 1855 the mem- bership is given as thirty-one as against one hundred and seventy-three in 1853. Mr. Miner, who had never united with the church, removed from the village as soon as the trouble became acute and for several years the church had no settled pastor. Rev. S. S. Griswold serving as supply. A peculiar state of affairs existed. The small body recog- nized by the Association as the church felt called upon to pay off an existing church debt of over three hundred dollars, but they were left without a place of worship, the meeting house, together with the funds belonging to the church, remaining in the hands of the majority party. For a time they existed as two bands, though the fraternal spirit was never entirely extinguished, and overtures were made at different times by both parties, but without avail, until in the spring of 1857 a proposition was made by the majority party to unite upon the New Hampshire Con- fession. The invitation was in these words:** '"We would es- pecially invite the brethren formerly connected with us, who have been separated since the action of a council called by them, to join with (us) on this ground.' The prompt reply was: 'Having considered these propositions it was unanimously voted to accept them and to reorganize and to fellowship our former brethren who made them.' The details were easily managed and the two bands came to- gether, the clerk of each body recording its acts in the same book, which was then placed on file and the records of the reunited body opened in a new book with new officers. "The first act of the reunited church was to call the Rev. John E. Wood to the pastorate. He had been active in the * Minutes of the Stonington Union Association, 1854. ** Judge Potter's Manuscript. 156 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 work of restoring harmony in the church and he accepted the call on condition that it was ratified by an ecclesiastical council. Six of the neighboring churches convened at the call of the church. Rev. Erastus Denison acted as moder- ator and Rev. Isaac Chesebrough as clerk. The council approved of the reunion and installed Mr. Wood in true Puritanic style, the venerable Asa Bronson of Fall River preaching the sermon from Acts X, 33, A letter was pre- pared for the Association and the delegates were instructed to present it on condition that its former vote be rescinded in so far as it disfellowshipped a majority of the church. The Association joyfully complied with the conditions and the restoration was complete. "Brotherly love has abounded in this church as never before. The agitation and discussion of cardinal doctrines has confirmed its membership in the faith, and their tem- porary alienation has resulted in a greater deference for each other's opinion and a pleasing courtesy in their inter- course with each other." Mr. Wood's pastorate continued for three years and seven months. A revival in the spring of 1858 added eleven to the church by baptism. Mr. Wood was an ardent sup- porter of the Sunday school and it was during his pastorate that the Sunday School Convention of the Stonington Union Association was organized in 1858, the first meeting being held in this church. In a letter to the Association in 1859 the church mentions the death of Sister Sally Gallup, widow of James Gallup of Ledyard, who bequeathed her property, amounting to thirteen hundred dollars, to the church to be invested as a fund, the income to be appropriated to the support of the Gospel ministry. Mr. Wood closed his pastoral relation with the church November 1, 1860. Rev. Erastus Denison supplied the pulpit during the winter and until the first Sunday in April 1861, when Rev. Edgar A. Hewett was installed as pastor. He came to the church in the vigor of young manhood with brilliant pros- pects before him, a united church gave him most hearty support, and the outbreak of the Civil War, which occurred FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 157 just at the opening of his pastorate, chastened the people and seemed to turn their minds to the subject of religion. The board of the Connecticut Baptist Convention in 1862 says: "Among all tl>e tumult of war, the Prince of Peace has been achieving triumphs. In various quarters we have been visited with precious tokens of God's favor."* The church in the lower village enjoyed a marked revival but this church received no impulse, and after a disappointing ministry of three years, Mr. Hewett resigned a pastorate which had been barren of results. Again Rev. Erastus Denison supplied the pulpit until the first Sunday in Juiie 1864. On the 5th of June he preached a notable sermon on the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination by this church. On the next Sunday, June 12th, commenced the pastorate of Rev. Palmer G. Wightman, one of the most successful in the history of the church. A grandson of Rev. John G. Wightman and a licentiate of this church, he seemed peculiarly fitted by heredity and by training for the position he was called upon to fill. From the beginning of his ministry tokens of divine approbation were apparent, but during the winter of 1865-6 the church experienced the most powerful revival in its history. From the first Sunday in December 1865 to the end of the winter, meetings were held every evening. The Rev. Jabez S. Swan assisted the pastor, preaching at least one evening in the week, and sometimes five evenings in succession. Rev. Joseph C. Wightman also assisted his brother, preach- ing with great acceptance. With a single exception, when the inclemency of the weather forbade, every Sunday in the winter, after the meetings began, witnessed baptisms. Seventy-four received the right hand of fellowship on the first Sunday in February 1866, and in all over one hundred were added to the church. The movement reached all classes in the community. Children of tender age, staunch business men, whole Sunday school classes, and some whole families were converted. This large addition at once proved the inadequacy of the * History of the Connecticut Baptist Convention, Hartford, 1909. 168 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 church edifice. Besides being too small the proprietary ownership of pews was not flexible enough to provide for such an influx. It was at first thought that, by transferring all the pews to the church and rearranging the sittings, all might be accommodated, but in the progress of the negotia- tions it became evident that the only remedy^ for existing troubles was a new building, and the following building committee was appointed: Deacon James C. Lamb and Brethren Amos B. Taylor, Charles P. Chipman, Nehemiah M. Gallup and Simeon Gallup, and the church proceeded with the erection of the fourth house of worship. The old house was removed and the new one was erected upon the same site, a plain substantial house in modem style con- taining eighty-four pews, with a tower and spire in front, the latter containing an excellent bell and also the village clock, the gift of John S. Schoonover, Esq. The house was dedicated October 1, 1867, Rev. Joseph C. Wightman of East Cambridge, Mass., preaching the sermon from the text in Psalms LXXXVII, 2: "God loveth the gates of Zion more than the dwellings of Jacob." Rev. Jabez S. Swan and Rev, C. B. Crane, D. D., also took part in the service. The cost of the house was $13,000, of which amount $10,000 was raised at the time of building, leaving a debt of $3,000 upon the society, but it now had a house which was its own property and was free to provide for the raising of its current expenses in any manner that it deemed proper. "In 1867 Thomas H. Vincent joined by letter from West- erly and was invited to continue in the office of deacon, which he had held in the church from which he came. Allan Stevenson, Nehemiah M. Gallup and Benjamin B. Hewitt were chosen deacons in 1872."* In June of that year the Stonington Union Association held its one-hundredth anniversary with this church. Rev. A. G. Palmer, D. D., preached the centennial sermon and Rev. Thomas Armitage, D. D., delivered an address on the imiK)rtant influence and standing of the Baptist denomin- * First Baptist Church of Groton, Gallup, p. 29. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 159 ation. Both sermons Were printed and received wide at- tention. In 1876 Mr. Wightman resigned the pastorate after twelve years' service, the most momentous twelve years in the history of the church. The church had prospered materially and spiritually and Rev. Eli Dewhurst, who succeeded Mr. Wightman in 1876, found a united and happy people. During his pastorate the debt remaining upon the new house was paid. Mr. Dew- hurst resigned in August 1881 and the church ordained his successor, John Richardson, whose stay was short — about one year, but during that year a revival added sev- enteen to the church by baptism. Mr. Richardson was followed in July 1883 by Rev. Homer A. King. He remained with the church but a little more than a year, being succeeded in January 1885 by Rev. A. J. Wilcox, who in turn in September of the same year was followed by Rev. A. J. Chandler. "With him the church enjoyed a good degree of peace and prosperity. An important revival season was experienced in which additions were made to the church, and it was greatly quickened in spiritual thought and life. Mr. Chandler was assisted at that time by Evangelist Rev. 0. D. Thomas of Brockton, Mass."* During this pastorate the interior of the house of worship was changed to provide separate rooms for social and con- ference meetings, thus making the house better adapted to church work. In 1887 the church chose three additional deacons, Simeon Gallup, William H. Lamphere and Amos D. Turner. In 1895 Mr. Chandler resigned the pastorate, though he did not sever his connection with the church. In November of that year Rev. Dryden W. Phelps was c&lled to the pastorate ; he continued with the church about three and one-half years. Sister Julia A. Langworthy left to the church in 1899 the sum of one thousand dollars. In December of that year Rev. Henry W. Wilson came to the church as its twentieth pastor. The work opened with bright promise, but his ministry was terminated by his * First Baptist Church of Groton, Gallup, p. 31. 160 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 sudden death June 5, 1902. Rev. Herbert B. Hutching suc- ceeded him and remains as pastor at this date (1905). During the present year the church celebrated its two- hundredth anniversary with appropriate exercises. CHAPTER VIII SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH THE GREAT AWAKENING and New Light Movement occasioned by the preaching of Whitefield, Tennant and others resulted in the formation of numerous Separ- ate Congregational churches. One of these churches was located in Groton, just west of Pequonnoc. Elder Parke Avery was pastor and one of its members was Amos Burrows, fourth in line of descent from Robert Burrows, one of the earliest settlers in Groton. He was authorized by his brethren to "improve his gift,"* which he did in & modest way. His oldest son, Amos, was a licensed Bap- tist preacher and his second son, Silas, embraced the Baptist faith and became the first settled pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Groton. This interest was the outcome of revival services held by Rev. Gamaliel Reynolds, a Separate preacher from Norwich, about the year 1764, resulting in the organization of a small church at Fort Hill in 1765. This church in 1767 called one of their number — Silas Burrows — ^to be their pastor, and set liim apart by ordination in that year, at the same time ordaining Simeon Smith to be a deacon. The early records of this church are scattered, and such fragments as we have come to us from traditional sources, memories of old people living at the time when the records were made. Rev. William H. Randall in the "Union Bap- tist Church Manual" issued in 1870 says : "It is not possible to follow minutely here the history of the Second or Fort Hill Church, as it was called for many years. The memory is still cherished of some of their revival seasons, and the * SpragTie's Annals of the American Pulpit, Vol. VI, p. 107. 161 162 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 actors in them." Judge William H. Potter thus writes of Rev. Silas Burrows :* "He did not pretend to much learning, but he had considerable piety, ardent zeal, and a well- balanced mind; and considerable success attended hi& labors. There was need of great energy to overcome the opposition which at once beset the new enterprise on all sides. There were churches of Congregationalists, Sep- arates and stricter Baptists around him, who confidently predicted that the movement would prove a failure; while Infidelity was taking the attitude of open and stem re- sistance. Still, however, their numbers gradually increased and they were constantly encouraged by fresh tokens of the Master's presence. "The stirring times of the Revolution were approaching, and, like his Baptist brethren elsewhere, Elder Burrows at once boldly espoused the cause of freedom, and saw in that Struggle not only the political enfranchisement of the land, but a boon which to him and his oppressed people was still' dearer, — freedom to worship God independently of the Civil Power. It is true that the Baptists of Groton were shielded from many embarrassments and annoyances to which their brethren in some places were subjected ; but it was rather through the magnanimity of the Congregational' ministry than the protection of the law. "Perhaps, in no portion of our country was the patriotism of the people more severely tested during the War of the Revolution than in Groton. On that eventful morning when Fort Griswold was captured by the British, in sight of his residence, and forty-two wives became widows in one day. Elder Burrows was neither indifferent nor inactive. He rushed to the fort to ascertain the fate of his two youthful brothers, — ^both of whom were members of his household. He found only the hat of one of them. The appalling sight of sixty of his neighbors lying dead in their gore, and' thirty others mortally or very dangerously wounded, from the youth of fifteen to the man of gray hairs, cannot be even faintly portrayed. * Sprague's Aimals, Vol. VI, p. 107. SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH 163 "Elder Burrows did what he could in this trying hour to comfort the mourner, to soothe the wounded, and to point the dying patriot to the Lamb of God. His minis- trations in connection with this appalling scene did much to conciliate the favor of the community, not only toward himself but toward the church of which he had the charge. "Indeed, this seems to have been the providential prep- aration for that extensive revival of religion which fol- lowed the next year, the memory of which has come down to us, fragrant with the blessings of many an aged saint who in our day has delighted to detail its glorious results. Meanwhile, his brothers returned to his house, from their weary captivity and confinement in the prison-ship of the enemy, to communicate the small-pox to his family. He removed his wife to a place of safety and opened his dwell- ing as a hospital, where, although many had the disease, but one person died of it. "During the revival of 1782-83 several of his children were gathered into the church, and among them Daniel and Roswell, who afterwards became preachers. Daniel sub- sequently united with the Methodists and represented his native State in Congress, where, without compromising his character as a servant of God, he faithfully served his country. He died in his native town in 1858. "The borders of Elder Burrows's church and congrega- tion now became so much extended that they found private houses no longer large enough to accommodate the people. "The pastor's own house had been enlarged and opened expressly for their Sabbath meetings ; but they now resolved to build a meeting house on land given for the purpose by their pastor. This edifice was soon so far advanced as to make it suitable for public assemblies, though it was many years before it was completed. "Soon after its erection the Groton Conference was or- ganized in it. This body, which was composed of a score of churches of the same faith and order, was especially dear to Elder Burrows, who ever bore a chief part in its deliberations, until, some twenty years later, it united with 164 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 another similar body in forming the Stonington Union Association, which, in turn, held its first session in the same house. In these meetings, the ever watchful eye and warm heart of Father Burrows were felt, in guarding the indei)endency of the churches, checking unholy innova- tions, cherishing their own mode of worship and form of doctrine, and binding together, in the bonds of love, the then feeble sisterhood of Baptist churches. "It would be pleasant to recall the names of the godly ministers who labored with him, and with whom he was most intimate. Elders Zadoc Darrow of Waterford, Jason Lee of Lyme, Peter Rogers of Bozrah, Samuel West of New London; and subsequently Asa Wilcox of Ljmae, John Sterry of Norwich, Joseph Utley of Hartford, in his own State; and William Northup, Philip Jenkins and Josiah Wilcox of Rhode Island, were members of the same old Groton Conference of which Elder Burrows was regarded as the father. Then, in the Stonington Association, were the Wightmans, the Palmers, the Miners and the Browns, with others, — a noble brotherhood, with whom he took sweet counsel, in a day when without salaries, but not without great sacrifices, these men of God laid the founda- tion of that prosperity in Zion which few of their number lived to see, but which we so richly enjoy. "The most considerable revival which occurred under Father Burrows's ministry, whether we regard its number of converts or the period of its continuance, began in January, 1809, and continued eighteen months. After the church had spent a day in fasting and prayer, Father Bur- rows and his son, who was at that time assistant pastor, ac- companied by their deacons, commenced visiting from house to house, and holding more frequent meetings in all parts of their parish, and in adjoining towns, as the Providence of God opened the way. While the son was preaching one night, the mighty power of God came dovm, and souls were bom into the Kingdom, almost constantly, for many months. One-hundred and thirty were baptized into Father Bur- rows's church and a large number into Elder Wightman's. SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH 165 The servant of God, though aged, continued to preach within a few weeks of his death, which did not occur till he had lived to see his church flourishing and to witness the consummation of his long-cherished hopes and earnest endeavors, — ^the adoption of a Constitution in Connecticut securing equal religious privileges to all. Soon after this joyful event, feeling that his warfare was accomplished, he sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, on his birthday, in 1818. "Elder Silas Burrows was a man of marked character. He was energetic and did nothing by halves. He was not hasty in forming opinions, nor did he claim infallibility for them when formed. But he brought all things to the Scrip- ture test, and if, upon a candid and careful examination, any one's conduct or views could not be there sustained, he rejected them without hesitation; and if occasion re- quired, he openly exposed their fallacy. "A striking instance of this occurred in reference to Jemima Wilkinson, who requested liberty to preach in his house, claiming a newer light than had been vouchsafed to others. Not being then aware of her extravagant views, he appointed a meeting for her, at which she boldly and blasphemously set forth her fanatical claims. He heard her through, and then, with the law and the testimony in his hands, he proceeded to unmask her imi)osture, quoting chapter and verse against her extravagant pretentions, till she could bear it no longer but, interrupting him, said in a loud, imperious voice, accompanied by a majestic wave of her hand: 'Silas Burrows, dost thou know with whom thou art contending?' 'Oh, yes,' said he, 'with Jemima Wilkinson;' and proceeded to urge home the truth of God against her fanaticism, till she left his presence never to trouble him again. "In preaching he placed great reliance on the sensible presence of his Master, and, sometimes, when' his feelings were warmed and quickened by a powerful Divine influence, he delivered himself with an energy and pathos that were quite irresistible. But his forte, after all, was in prayer. Commencing in simple and trusting strains, he would 166 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 raise his heart, his eyes, his voice and his right hand to Heaven, while his left hand crowned his temple, and, as one object of supplication after another presented itself, it seemed not only to himself but to those who listened as if Heaven and earth had come in actual contact. We hardly need add that the tone of his preaching was dearly and decidedly evangelical. He was eminently faithful in re- proving vice, in visiting the sick and sorrowful, and indeed in every department of pastoral duty. "In person he was tall and commanding, and had a mild blue eye and a stentorian voice, that was, on more than one occasion, distinctly heard in the open air more than a mile." The meeting house on Fort Hill was built about 1785, although the property was not deeded to the Second Bap- tist Church until March 5, 1793. "Silas Burrows deeds to Second Baptist Church one-half acre of land on Fort Hill bounded west by highway, north by Heirs Joshua Burrows, east and south by Silas Burrows to be devoted to the im- provement of said Baptist church and their successors forever and to be improved for that purpose and no other by these presents."* The Groton Conference was organized the same year in which the house was built and held its first session therein. This body brought together the Baptists and Sep- aratists, and until after the year 1797 the Second Church practiced open communion, but in 1817 the Groton Confer- ence united with the Stonington Association, that body taking the name of the Stonington Union Association and the Second Church came in harmony with the Baptist de- nomination on the communion question. This church took a lively interest in the "Baptist Peti- tion," the design of which was to secure equal religious liberty to all denominations. From 1756 until 1818, when the new State Constitution was adopted, these petitions were systematically presented to the General Court until they became a byword. Though full religious freedom was * Groton Records, Book 12, p. 40. SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH lOT not at once secured, the passage of the "certificate act" relieved the Baptists from persecution. The revised statutes of 1784 contain the following pre- amble and enactment: "As the happiness of a people and the good order of civil society depend upon piety, religion and morality, it is the duty of the civil authority to provide for the support and encouragement thereof; so as that Christians of every denomination demeaning themselves peaceably and as good subjects of the State may be equally under the protection of its laws ; and as the people of this State have in general been of one persuasion in matters of faith, religious worship and the mode of settling and sup- porting the ministers of the gospel, they have by law been formed into ecclesiastical societies for the more con- venient support of their worship and ministry. And to the end that other denominations of Christians who dissent from the worship and ministry so established and sup- ported may enjoy free liberty of conscience in the matters aforesaid "Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and Representa- tives in General Court assembled and by the authority of the same "That no persons in this state professing the Christian religion, who soberly and conscientiously dissent from the worship and ministry by law established in the society where they dwell and attend public worship by themselves, shall incur any penalty for not attending the worship and ministry so established on the Lord's day, or on account of their meeting together by themselves on said day for pub- lic worship in a way agreeable to their consciences "And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid "That all denominations of Christians differing in their religious sentiments from the people of the established so- cieties in this State, whether of the Episcopal Church or those Congregationalists called Separates, or of the people called Baptists, or Quakers, or any other denominations who shall have formed themselves into distinct churches or con- gregations, and attend public worship and support the gos- 168 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 pel ministry in a way agreeable to their consciences, and respective professions ; and all persons who may adhere ta any of them, and dwell so near to any place of their worship that they can and do ordinarily attend the same on the Sabbath and contribute their due proportion to the support of the worship and ministry where they so attend, whether such place of worship be within this or any adjoining State, and produce a certificate thereof from such church or congregation, signed by their order by the minister or other officer thereof, and lodge the same with the clerk of the society wherein such person or persons dwell, every such person shall be exempted from being taxed for the support of the worship and ministry of said society, so long as he or they shall continue so to attend and support public worship with a different church or congregation aforesaid." Notwithstanding the precious revival which followed the Revolutionary War, the progress of religion was slow and the years of declension, of treading down and of the ad- vance of the forces of infidelity, aided by the popular French literature of the most questionable tendency, seemed to be more than the seasons of refreshing. This state of things was not peculiar to this Zion. The land mourned the absence of spiritual influences, while the churches al- most without exception were declining. A revival was experienced during the last year of the eighteenth century and "in 1800 there were five added making a total of but ninety-eight. ... In 1805 they had fallen to ninety- four. The Groton Union Conference at this time numbered 2249. In 1807 the number of the church was ninety-three, a further diminution, but ... in 1809 nine were re- ported as added to the church,^ bringing the sum total up to one-hundred and two."* The Groton Union Conference met with this church in 1809 and found it in the midst of the most extensive re- vival in its history, up to this time. Fifty-five were added to its membership. Not only were large numbers of con- * Judge Potter's manuscript. SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH 169 verts added, but the membership was quickened and the interest continued for many months. In 1810, at the ses- sion of the Groton Union Conference in Westerly, this church reported sixty-seven additions and a total mem- bership of two-hundred and nineteen, and the membership of the Conference was nearly three thousand. The vine ran over the wall and Rev. Roswell Burrows, the assistant pastor of this church, assisted by Rev. John Sterry of Nor- wich, conducted meetings in Preston which resulted in forty-two baptisms and the establishment of a branch there, which later became a regular Baptist church. One of the fruits of this revival which we cannot forbear mentioning was the quickening of Quash. Quash Williams was bom a slave and after a remarkable conversion he attached himself to Elder Silas Burrows, his pastor, whom he looked up to and esteemed as a father. Elder Burrows in turn took a deep interest in Quash and labored faith- fully to secure the temporal freedom of one who had been made spiritually free. The manumission paper drawn up by Elder Burrows is given here as a relic of the times : I, John Williams of Stonington, having a negro man by name Quash, about thirty years old, propose to free him, if the selectmen Agree and confirm the same upK)n the following conditions, viz.. The said Quash is to seorve me faithfully and behave himself well; be subject to my orders and attentive to my business until the twenty- fifth of next December, and then he is to be his own freemaii, upon the aforesaid conditions; unless said Quash should be sick and then he is to make up the said lost time when wanted. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands in Stonington this 30th day of March A. D. 1795. (Signed) John Williams his Quash X Attest mark Wm. Woodbridge Joseph Williams As a slave Quash had no education. He used to remark that "all the learning he ever had was in carrying his mas- ter's children to the schoolhouse on his back," yet he became one of the most thorough Bible students in the church and his aptitude in applying Scripture made him an invaluable aid to his pastor, and his counsel was sought 170 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 in almost all important matters in the church, though his humility was so great that he never put himself forward. His death in 1830 was deeply lamented and his memory remained so vivid that in 1867 a marble slab was erected by public subscription in Whitehall Burying Ground as a token of the love and esteem in which he was held. Elder Silas Burrows lived to see his church firmly estab- lished, the Stonington Association and Groton Union Con- ference happily united and religious liberty guaranteed by the State Constitution, an end for which he had labored long and faithfully. He died universally lamented August 8, 1818, on his 77th birthday. Like a shock of corn fully ripened he was gathered into the heavenly gamer. The deacons who served the church during his pastorate were Simeon Smith, ordained in 1767, Jabez Smith, ordained some time prior to 1790, and Rufus Smith, ordained Sep- tember 26, 1811. In August 1806, Roswell Burrows, son of Elder Silas Burrows, was ordained to the ministry and became as- sociated with his father in the pastorate "with authority to labour as an Evangelist, at his discretion and the call of Providence." Elder Roswell Burrows, as he was called, was in middle life when he entered the ministry, having been bom Sep- tember 2, 1768. He received a good English education and was engaged in business in Guilford, Connecticut, and Hop- kinton, Rhode Island, up to the time of his marriage to Jerusha Avery, only daughter of Luther Avery, Esq., of Groton. At the earnest solicitation of his wife's parents he returned to Groton and settled in the old family homestead on Fort Hill. He was early impressed with a sense of duty to enter the ministry, but it was not until the summer of 1801 that he could summon the resolution to carry out his own convic- tions of duty. "In August 1806,* after repeated solicitations from his brethren, he consented to be regularly set apart to the woric * Sprague's Annals, Vol. VI, pp. 111-112. SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH 171 of the ministry. The church associated him with his father as pastor, 'with authority to labour as an Evangelist, at his discretion and the call of Providence.' Soon after his ordination, he performed, by appointment of the Groton Union Conference, a missionary tour of between two and three months, in which he rode about thirteen-hundred miles, and preached, most of the time, once or twice daily. His labors on this journey, extending through a portion of the country which was, at that time, to a great extent, both a natural and moral wilderness, are known to have been attended with a rich blessing. The report of his tour, which he submitted to the Conference, after his return, was received with great favor, and gave an impulse to the cause of missions among the churches which has, it is be- lieved, never been lost. And here we may as well say that, like his father, he ever took a deep interest in the prosperity of the Groton Conference and the Stonington Union Association, which bodies he often served in an official capacity, at their annual sessions or as their repre- sentative abroad. "Mr. Burrows laboured also occasionally, and very suc- cessfully, in Preston, a town lying a few miles north of Groton. Here a church was organized through his instru- mentality, first as a branch of his own church, and after- wards as a distinct body. He was also the first Baptist minister who laboured with much success at Greenport, Long Island. After the death of his father, his labours were, for a number of years, confined principally to his own people ; though he made frequent visits to his children in western New York, which were always rendered sub- servient to the objects of his ministry. For several of the last years of his life, his health being less firm, and his pastoral labors greater, the church by his request gave him an assistant. "In this capacity the Rev. E. Denison was employed for one year, but it was not till March, 1833, that a permanent assistant pastor was secured. This was the Rev. Ira R. Steward, whose faithful services greatly lightened the 172 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 labors of his venerable colleague. The church was then in the midst of a powerful revival. In a letter which he addressed to the editor of the Christian Secretary, about that time, he says: 'Since December, 1809, the Lord has visited this church with seven special revivals; in which time I have had the unspeakable pleasure of formally introducing into the church six-hundred and thirty-five.' About ninety were added by baptism during the year in which this letter was written; and he lived to enjoy yet another season of refreshing in the year 1835. "It appears from private records left by Mr. Burrows, that during his ministry of thirty-five years he preached no less than 2886 times. Though he was not accustomed to deliver his sermons from a manuscript, he rarely preached without having written at least the plan of his discourse and not unfrequently much the greater part of all that he delivered. His sermons were eminently Biblical, always lucid, full of evangelical thought, often pungent, often pathetic. He was distinguished for sound judgment and excellent common sense, which made him an admirable counsellor in things temporal as well as spiritual. In per- sonal appearance he was of medium height, of prepossess- ing presence, with a grave countenance when in repose, but when animated in conversation or in the pulpit his dark blue eye and his every feature reflected the genial warmth within. "Without possessing naturally a very firm constitution, he was rarely visited with severe illness during his life. In the fall and early in the winter of 1835 his health was un- commonly good and his labours as constant as in almost any preceding period of his ministry. But he was now per- forming his last work. While on a visit to his daughter in Griswold in January 1837, he was thrown from a sleigh, which lamed him in one leg so as to confine him for nearly a fortnight. From the effects of this he never entirely recovered and died May 28, 1837." Four additional deacons were ordained: April 4, 1821, Simeon Smith, 3rd, and John Palmer, and again, February SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH 173 18, 1829, two more, Abel F. Lewis and Elisha Rathbun. On May 22, 1834, Albert Edgcomb, Robert Austin Avery and Ebenezer Rogers were ordained deacons, the above being chosen for that office during the pastorate of Rev. Roswell Burrows. The trend of population towards the villages became a serious problem with Elder Burrows as well as with Elder Wightman. The need of better facilities for those on the banks of the Mystic River led a number of public-spirited men to build a house to be used for the benefit of all de- nominations, the pastors of the various churches rotating in occupancy of its pulpit. The house was built in 1829 and by reason of the large number of sea-faring men con- tributing to its erection it was called the Mariners Free Church. A letter written by Rev. Roswell Burrows to Cap- tain Silas Beebe November 19, 1829, shows some of the difficulties arising from the attempt to adjust its use to the various denominations, and also the very comprehensive parish of the Second Baptist Church. The letter in part is as follows : "Dear Brother — I have this morning received a line from yourself and sundry other persons requesting me to im- prove the meeting house in Mystic next Sabbath as well as my proportion of time afterwards. Which line is accom- panied with another from Mr. Simeon Fish who informs me that Elder Erastus Denison has an appointment to im- prove this same house next Sabbath, also that Esquire Hurlburt will improve it four weeks from last Sabbath. He further observes that there is no committee who take it upon themselves to invite ministers to improve the house. He mentions it as his wish that ministers would arrange their appointments so as to furnish them with preaching at Mystic every Sabbath. . . . It is a fact well known that the society or inhabitants in all that part of this town lying South of the old post road to Noank and West of Mystic River to a North and South line running by our meeting house at Fort Hill are more uniformly of one per- suasion than can be found to be the case in any other 174 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 section of New England of an equal extent and number of inhabitants. The persuasion is decidedly Baptist. "Taking the above section South of an East and West line drawn by the house of Esq. Roswell Fish, there are about one-hundred and ten families in all of which I do not know of one person professing or that have united them- selves to any other church but that of Baptist. Neither do I know of more than five or six individuals of all those families belonging to any other church but to our church. Of the one-hundred and ten families there are about eighty- three families in all of which more or less individuals are members of our church, the most of which are in the vicinity of Mystic. Under these circumstances this church thought it to be their duty to establish stated meetings at Mystic. Accordingly such stated meetings have been main- tained by me for a number of years. It was soon found there was in Mystic no convenient place for the assemblies convened upon the occasion. Upon the subject being pre- sented to our church by the brethren from that section of our church, the church approved of the measure and issued a subscription to build a house for worship in Mystic, sup- posing the legitimate from the circumstances stated above belonged to them if it belonged to any Christian society for there was no other society or profession in that section. . . . "All things considered I have concerned it to be my duty to maintain my meetings at Mystic for the present according to our long order, provided the schoolhouses or any other suitable place be opened to me, appointments of other denominations being in the neighborhood notwith- standing. "I am yours affectionately (Signed) "Roswell Burrows." The situation became more and more acute until in August 1831 a company of the members of the First church living in Mystic (then called Portersville) were organized as the Third Baptist Church. This action was considered unfriendly by the Second church and acrimonious corre- SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH 175 spondence was exchanged between the parties. It finally resulted in the decision of the Second church to abandon their location at Fort Hill and to remove to Mystic. The church had previously voted in 1825 to hold their meetings one-half the time in Portersville, and in 1826 had voted to build a meeting house there but were unable to raise the necessary means. January 5, 1835, Rev. Ira R. Steward was called to the assistance of the pastor and continued as assistant pastor until the death of Rev. Roswell Burrows, which occurred as stated above. May 28, 1837, in the 69th year of his age. His ministry had been greatly blessed and he left a large and prosperous church to mourn his loss. Rev. Ira R. Steward assumed the pastorate upon his death and re- mained in the office until March 30, 1844, a period of nearly seven years. During his pastorate occurred the great revival under the preaching of Rev. Jabez S. Swan, in the summer of 1842, the greatest ingathering in the history of the church. Although it was thought by many to be an im- possibility to enjoy a revival in the summer season yet others thought that to be a favorable time as so many of the sea-faring men were at home. The services were held jointly by the Second and Third churches and it is believed that more than five-hundred conversions resulted. This large addition to the membership made the question of removal to Mystic more of an issue than ever. For several years the preaching services had been held alter- nately at Mystic and at Noank. "For the year ending in 1843 they held meetings but half the time in the meeting house called the Mariners Free Church, which was occu- pied the other half of the time by the Third Baptist Church, or rather both churches occupied it at the same time and their respective pastors preached in it alternately. The same year they built a neat vestry 28x36 feet at an expense of about one thousand dollars."* On the 11th day of March, 1843, two-hundred and twenty- three members of this church organized the Noank Baptist * Minutes of the Stonington Union Association, 1845, p. 46. 176 GEOTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Church with the hearty consent of the mother church. On the 8th of the same month the church at Groton Bank had been instituted, its membership having mainly been taken from this church. After these migrations the number of members reported to the Stonington Union Association in June 1843, was 390, and as these were mainly located in the vicinity of Mystic it was decided in 1844 to proceed with the construction of the house of worship in that village. The following contract was made with Henry Latham : This agreement made by and between Henry Latham, carpenter and joiner of Groton N. L. County on the first part & Silas Beebe and Geo. W. Ashbey both of said Groton on the second part, wit- nesseth : That the said Henry Latham covenants and agrees with the sd. Beebe & Ashbey (who are a committee appointed by the 2nd Bap. Chh. in sd Groton for that purpose) to build a meeting house of worship for them and said Beebe & Ashbey, for the use of sd. church in manner, form and condition following, viz., sd Latham is to do all the work from the ground as it now is to the entire completion of the building, within and without, and furnish all the materials of every kind for the same, sd house to be fifty-two feet in length and thirty-eight feet in width and built upon the land given by Mr. Jedh, Randall for that purpose, or such part of it as the sd Beebe & Ashbey shall direct. The sills of the house to be of good sound chestnut timber and the posts 26 feet high, the building to have a proper elevation from the ground and to be well underpinned. The timber of said house other than sills may be of good sound pine and the size of all the timber to correspond with that named on the plan of sd house drawn by Mr. Isaac Avery of N. L. and now in the hands of sd Latham and all parts of sd. house are to be constructed and finished, tower & aU, according to sd. plan. The boarding upon the studs to be of good hard pine or hemlock boards an inch thick & the clapboards to be of the best pine No. 1 clear. The shingles to be of the best quality of pine, shaved. The house to be well studded and braced and the roof purlined and well supported. Galleries are to be erected on the sides and front end of the house, the stairs to which are to be cased up and closed with suitable doors above & below. The floors of the house above & below to be of hard pine well seasoned one & U, inches thick planed & matched. The slips in the side galleries to be divided by partitions every 12 feet and the slips below to be capped with mahogany scroll and each to have a shelf in front and be closed with a panel door, property numbered, & brass fastenings. The pulpit to be neat work of such form as sd. B & A shall hereafter describe to sd. Latham. The doors at the entrance to be well furnished with locks, knobs & bolts. The bell deck of the tower to be made completely tight & sufficient to support a frame & bell and covered with copper or zinc. All the windows are to be furnished with blinds outside and blinds for the belfry. The windows to be in size & form & finish according to SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH 177 the affsd. plan & the sashes to be raised by pulleys & weights. The hoiise to be well lathed & plastered with two coats at least of mortar, and to be well pEiinted without & within with two good cojats of white paint, except the slips, doors & pulpit* which are to be grained in imitation of ash & varnished. Sd. Latham further agrees to g^rade & level the ground on the west & south fronts to the road to the acceptance of sd. Beebe & Ashbey, and that said house shall be completed & finished & sill the materials and work- manship shall be of as good style as any framed meeting house in this state. And that sd. house shall be done ready for use by the first day of May 1845. And sd. B & A on their part agree to pay to sd. Latham for sd. meeting house & labor as above described two thousand eight hun- dred dollars as follows, viz., $800 on signing this agreement $800 more when the house is covered ready for clalpboarding & $400 more when the house is lathed and ready to plaster & $800 more when the house & job are entirely completed. In witness of all which we have hereunto set our hands at Groton affsd. this day of 1844. January 25, 1845, the town voted, 149 to 64, to buy the old house for town purposes, the recording vote being "to obtain title within sixty days for price agreed on — two- hundred and twenty-five dollars for a town house." This action was not pleasing to many voters in the town and unsuccessful efforts were made to rescind it. The old building was for many years a landmark visible from all parts of the town, but finally succumbed to the influences of time and the weather and collapsed in 1905. Early in the year 1844 Rev. Ira R. Steward resigned the pastorate to undertake the care of the Baptist Bethel in New York City. It was with sincere regret that the church accepted his resignation, which closed the most successful pastorate in the history of the church. Rev. Augustus Bolles served as pastor for about a year, when he was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Henry R. Knapp, who commenced his labors in April 1845 and continued until 1850. Rev. Wash- ington Hunger followed him and after an uneventful pas- torate of three years ill health compelled him to leave the field. In 1854 Rev. Harvey Silliman entered upon the pas- torate, which relationship continued until 1856. He was followed by Rev. James M. Phillips. The letter of the church to the Stonington Union Asso- ciation in June 1857 speaks of his accession to the pas- * The pulpit was painted white. — C. R. S. 178 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 torate and of the death of Deacon Elisha Rathbun, a mem- ber for nearly fifty years (and for twenty-eight years a deacon) ; also of the expenditure of two-hundred dollars in repairs upon the house of worship and of the building of a parsonage at a cost of two-thousand dollars. Benevo- lences were not neglected, four-hundred and fifty dollars having been given for that purpose. This church was always foremost among the churches of the old Groton Conference and of the Stonington Union Association in its gifts for foreign missions. In the min- utes of the former body in June 1816 we find the first record of a contribution for the East India Mission, in which the Second church in Groton is reported to have given $30.19, (about five eighths of the total amount raised,) and a pair of earrings. A foot note explains: "An indigent sister in this church, who supports herself by the labor of her hands, feeling anxious of promoting an object so good and be- nevolent as that of furnishing destitute and perishing heathen with the word of life, and not having money on hand, willingly casts these earrings (valued at three dol- lars) into the treasury, not to make a golden calf to worship but to turn ignorant idolators to the true God — and thus she has aflforded an example worthy of imitation." No stirring events marked the last three pastorates, and when in 1860 Mr. Phillips resigned the way seemed to be opened for a union of the Second and Third churches. In the summer of 1861 a committee was appointed consist- ing of Brother Silas B. Randall and Deacons Albert Edg- comb and William H. Potter, who with a similar committee appointed by the Third church met on July 30 and for- mulated a plan for the union of the two churches. This plan was ratified at a meeting of each church held on Sun- day afternoon, August 11, without dissent, which action was ratified at a joint meeting held on August 31, and on "Sunday, September 1, the whole family of Baptists in Mystic sat down together at the Lord's table."* * Union Baptist Church Manual, 1870, p. 5. CHAPTER IX THIRD BAPTIST CHURCH— UNION BAPTIST CHURCH Third Baptist Church ON AUGUST 20, 1831,* ten members of the First Bap- tist Church — four brethren and six sisters — living in the village at that time called Portersville were organized as the Third Baptist Church with Rev. Erastus Denison as pastor. The trend of the population towards the villages had made a demand for church privileges there, and, as we have seen, the Second church had not been able to meet the situation and to provide the necessary accommodations. "The first meeting** was called in June to consider the subject and was composed of members of the First and Second churches. It was deemed expedient that a church should be formed and a council composed of ministers and brethren — thirteen in number — from the nearest churches met in June and though a majority were in favor, yet as objections were offered by a neighboring church it was judged proper to adjourn same two weeks to enlarge the council; they met again in July, and by a small majority voted not to give us fellowship under present circum- stances." Not discouraged, the number, now reduced to ten, per- severed and as stated above completed organization August 20, and held their first meeting September 17, 1831, at which time three converts presented themselves and were baptized the next day by Rev. Erastus Denison. The num- ber of members was more than doubled the first year. * Union Baptist Church Manual, 1870, p. 4. ** Minutes Stonington Union Association, June 1845, p. 69. 179 180 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Their services were held in the Mariners Free Church, which was built in 1829* and was occupied jointly with the Methodists and Congregationalists. The former, however, organized a church in 1835 and soon after built a house on the Stonington side of the river, and the latter followed suit in 1847, after which time the use of the Mariners edifice was left entirely to the Third church. To this house upon its completion Aunt Phebe Denison transferred her Sunday school, which previously had been held in her house on the East side of the river. Of this house, under the title of "Fond Memories," Rev. Frederick Denison has written : "The first meeting house proper in the valley of the Mystic (Ct.) was erected near 1830, on the site now occu- pied by the same house, conjoined with another formerly belonging to the Second Baptist Church in Groton, and owned by the Union Baptist Church of Groton (Mystic River). It was known as the Mariners' Free Church; no eccleciastical body being then in existence in the vicinity. All the old churches were out of the valley, among the hills, and the Mystics (villages) were the merest hamlets or hardly that. The architect of the house was Deacon Erastus Gallup of Ledyard (then North Groton) a good man, and a skillful builder. Ministers of the different evan- gelical denominations in the region. Congregational, Baptist and Methodist, occupied the pulpit by turns each month. * In the Norwich Republican and Stonington Teleg^raph of October 7. 1829, appears the following account: DEDICATION AT MYSTIC Last Wednesday the new Mariner's Church situated at Mystic Bridge was dedicated to the service of Almighty God. The exercises commenced at 10 o'clock a. m. and were, we are informed, as foUows: Introductory prayer by Rev. Mr. (J. G.) Wightman; dedication ser- mon by Rev. David Austin and the concluding prayer by the Rev. Ira Hart. The day was quite pleasant and the concourse assembled quite large. The sermon by Mr. Austin is said to have been in the best style of that eloquent preacher, and such an one as gave g:reat pleasure to the sea-faring members of the congregation. The sing- ing has been pronounced excellent and aU the services of the day are declared to have been pleasing, solemn and of good effect. THIRD BAPTIST CHURCH— UNION BAPTIST CHURCH 181 Here Christian union had an instructive trial and issue. But, 'birds of a feather' finally 'flocked together.' "On this house rose the first distinctively Christian steeple seen in the valley, and the first in the town of Groton. Formerly Christian aspirations heavenward were spiritual rather than material, and economy in building was a necessary virtue. In this steeple hung the first church-bell that ever called the dwellers in the valley to Sabbath worship. In a historical point of view, we fear men have sinned in taste by allowing that bell to pass out of the valley; but Milltown (North Stonington) has been profited by the mistake. (It was not the bell from the Third Baptist Church but the bell from the Second Baptist Church that went to Milltown. — C. R. S.) "Pleasing and impressive are the memories of the builder of that house; of the ministers who occupied and made gracious that semi-circular elevated pulpit ; of the honest- hearted people who thronged beneath that sacred roof; of the sweet singers in the circular gallery seats on the right and left above the pulpit ; of the high white spire (a glory in our boyish eyes) pointing significantly to heaven above the preachers and the singers; of the deep-toned musical bell, that called to worship, rang the hour of noon every day except Sunday, struck the nine o'clock curfew, and always solemnly announced the death, with the age, of each departed citizen, and also slowly, deeply, mournfully tolled while funeral trains passed to the graveyards. "These reminiscences also call up with great distinctness, and surrounded by pleasing associations, a conspicuous and valued man, though, in his native modesty and self-forget- f ulness, he never dreamed of notoriety. "Christopher Helme Cranston, a native of Westerly, R, I,, but then the honored woolen-draper and established tailor of the valley of the Mystic, was the first sexton and first bell-ringer in this church ; a double office, and then counted one of great honor, next indeed to that of the preacher. He was a Levite in whom there was no guile. In his office, for many years, he served to the great satisfaction of all 182 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 the people. A more kindly, genial, generous, accommo- dating, faithful man might not be found. "Freshly he lives in memory; in stature a little below medium; well proportioned but slightly round-shouldered from his occupation ; a face open and friendly, but marked by study to which he was much given, for he was a de- vourer and digester of good books ; always save in summer, or when ringing the bell, wrapped in a then fashionable, close, camlet cloak with a high standing collar fastened with links and clasp; during the hours of service, noiselessly, slowly moving around the meeting-house as the custodian of the temple; sometimes sitting for a moment in the gallery, sometimes in front of the pulpit, and sometimes on the pulpit stairs. Everybody esteemed and loved him. Even to boys he always had a kind and encouraging word. His life was a charm to all. "His shop, near the west end of the bridge as it then was, a little west of the present printing-office, was the resort of the solid men of the village, who sought good company and counsel, or desired a coat a la mode. Chiefly through his agency and labor, the first public library in the place was purchased and arranged, and he was the first librarian. Upon the matter of education, good schools, good books, good meetings, and the intellectual culture of all the people, he was in advance of his times, and well-nigh an enthusiast. As a man, a husband, a father, a Christian, a worker, a friend, a citizen, a scholar, Christopher H. Cranston may not be forgotten." The Third church had constant additions to its mem- bership, increasing its number from 104 to 264 as the result of the great revival of 1842. The letter of this church to the Stonington Union Asso- ciation in June 1843 gives the best account of the great revival of 1842 under the preaching of Rev. Jabez S. Swan, and we venture to reproduce it : "Third Groton. — We mentioned in our last letter to this body that heaven had granted a time of refreshing in the spring, and that additions had been made to the church. THIRD BAPTIST CHURCH— UNION BAPTIST CHURCH 183 Since that time a higher note of praise has been touched by men and angels in behalf of this community. It was thought best by the brethren to hold a protracted season of worship in this village while the most of our sea-faring friends would be at home. "Accordingly having engaged Bro. Jabez S. Swan of the State of New York he commenced his labors on the 2nd Lord's day in August. No especial awakening was apparent during the first week, except an increase of num- bers to hear the word, a few however were baptized the next Sabbath. "Now the way of the Lord seemed to be prepared; the bright cloud invited his people to move forward and witness further displays of his glory. The tribes of the Lord came up to the testimony of the Lord by confessing their sins, rearing their too long neglected family altars and offering up strong crying and tears to God for his help. Answers came speedily, the waters of salvation flowed in a mi^ty stream for days and weeks in succession. "The baptismal waters virtually consecrated 1843 years ago by the first Baptist preacher whom God had sent were visited by us 26 days in succession, suspended two days and then five days more. The glory of the Lord was often revealed on these occasions while many hundreds witnessed the solemn scene. Three or four administrators were often employed the same moment in burying the willing converts witii Christ in baptism, previously pronouncing in concert the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. "The Second and Third churches mutually joined forces in this campaign against the powers of darkness. It is interesting to trace the Divine arrangements. It was made to appear that there was a class of old hopers, who in general were constrained by the power of the Lord to move first and others past the meridian of life also followed. Then the long train of lovely youth came to the anxious seats and one after another bowed and gave their hearts to Christ. "Sunday the 11th of September will never be forgotten; 184 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Bro. Swan preached upon the constitution of God's king- dom A. M. and 21/2 P- M. commenced the ceremony of giving the right hand of fellowship to those recently bap- tized ; the meeting house not being large enough to accom- modate the multitude, many of the spectators took the center of the conference lot, while the converts, numbering 216, formed a hollow square. "The air resounded with songs of praise, until all the converts were in their places, when Bro. Swan delivered a most pathetic address, with a voice that reached every ear, and probably every heart, accompanied with respon- sive acclamations tho' half subdued (Glory to God in the highest) by hundreds of voices. Then Bro. Swan, followed by the pastor of each church, presented the hand, passing slowly along the line of joyful converts, whose tears fell silently on the cheek, lighted up by the noon-tide of glory, which ever adorns the brow of a redeemed sinner. "Then they repaired to the meeting house, where about 500 communicants joyfully received the emblems of our crucified Lord. Both ceremonies were performed on the following Sabbath when 78 more took the hand of fellow- ship. Bro. S. continued with us five weeks, during which time upwards of 400 persons were baptized upon a pro- fession of their faith, from the child of six years to the man of 82 ; embracing in some instances whole households, and but very few families remained unvisited by the Spirit's saving power. Not far from 70 Sabbath school children, together with almost every teacher not before converted, and nearly all the choir of singers, are among the sub- jects of this glorious work. "It may be proper to notice the character of the means employed, which has been so abundantly crowned with the Divine favor. And here we say, no new gospel has been preached; it may indeed have come to us in a dif- ferent dress, which by the way excited attention in a class of mind which, for aught we know, would have slept on in the way to death, or remained deeply buried in the rubbish of worldly-mindedness, or false notions of their relations THIRD BAPTIST CHURCH— UNION BAPTIST CHURCH 185 and responsibilities to God. The preaching roused up the enmity of the human heart, and drew forth its rage for a day, until, frightened at its own malignity, it melted in view of the claims of Jesus, and soon yielded to Him. "We have abundant cause of thankfulness to God, for directing our much esteemed Bro. Swan to labor among us. His addresses to the mercy-seat exhibited a deep agony of spirit and strong faith in Christ in behalf of the various subjects of his intercessions. His visitations among the wounded and those seeking instruction were highly inter- esting and profitable. His preaching was plain, uncom- promising, affectionate, pointed and scriptural." The minutes of this anniversary also contain a letter from the church in Key West, Florida, as follows : "Key West, Florida. — In the month of October last, a number of brethren of the Second and Third Baptist Churches, in Groton, together with some of the Methodist friends, were providentially directed to this Island, a place of much iniquity. Bro. C. C. Lewis, a member of the Third church in Groton, soon commenced preaching, which, in connection with the labors of his associates, was soon blest with the accompanying influences of the Holy Spirit, and many were turned to the Lord. Bro. Lewis was ordained by the brethren, not by a line of succession as claimed by some, but by higher authority, and soon had the privilege of baptizing believers in Christ for the first time on this Island. On the 11th of March, 1843, a covenant and articles of faith were adopted and the organization took place as a visible church of our Lord Jesus Christ. May heaven smile upon this church continually." At the time of the union with the Second church in 1861 the Third church numbered 245. Rev. Erastus Denison was its first pastor and with the exception of two years, 1837-1839, when Rev. Jjohn H. Baker supplied the pulpit, he continued in the pastorate until January 1848. Rev. S. Backus Bailey served from January 20, 1848, to July 1849, and Rev. Levi Meech from July 8, 1849, to January 21, 1850. 186 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Franklin A. Slater came in the spring of 1850, was or- dained November 14 of that year, and continued in the pastorate until February 7, 1853. He was followed by Rev. John W. Holman, who preached for about eight months in 1853, during which time he was recognized as a regular Baptist minister (Nov. 29, 1853), having pre- viously been identified with the Free Will Baptist denom- ination. He was never settled as pastor. January 2, 1854, Rev. William Cathcart became pastor, and it was during his pastorate that the need of extensive repairs on the old church building raised the question as to who was to be responsible for the care and upkeep of the property. The reasons that called for the building of the Mariners Free Church had disappeared. The Second church had built in close proximity to this, the Methodists and Con- gregationalists had built on the other side of the river and there was left no other body than the Third church to oc- cupy this house. A canvass of the original proprietors resulted in the assignment by a large majority of their rights of proprietorship to the Third Baptist Church. A thorough renovation and transformation took place. In the old house the high pulpit was between the doors at the east end, and the singers who had originally occupied seats at the right and left of the pulpit had been relegated to a raised platform at the west end of the house. This arrangement was reversed in the process of changing and the pulpit was placed upon a semi-circular platform, raised upon a flight of semi-circular steps. The choir were seated in a gallery at the east end of the house and an organ was installed as an aid to worship. Another innovation was the carpeting of the floor and the changing of the pews from the old-fashioned square type with doors to the more modem style of so-called "slips," which were rented, thus furnishing a more depend- able revenue for the support of public worship. Another change was the placing of a vestry underneath the audi- torium, which was used for midweek meetings in place of the conference house, which stood just a short distance THIRD BAPTIST CHURCH— UNION BAPTIST CHURCH 187 northwest of the church and which in 1858-9 was altered into a parsonage, and is now (1905) the ell of the house owned by Mr. E. D. Evans. In a newspaper account of the September gale of 1815, written more than fifty years ago, this old building is referred to as follows : "There was then no meeting house on either side of the river and but one school house within the circuit of a mile from the same point, which stood on the site now occupied by the parsonage of the Union Baptist Church." The land on which this building stood was deeded to the Third Baptist Church by Amos Clift and James Gallup and one-fifth Nov. 21, 1841, by Joseph A. Lamb, guardian for George H. Fish, Stanton B. Fish, Mary E. Fish and Sarah Jane Fish. The land on which the church edifice stood was deeded by Amos Tift Sept. 29, 1828, and by Daniel Burrows Aug. 24, 1829, to Benjamin F. Stoddard, Simeon Fish and Joseph D. Mason, a committee to build the Mariners Free Church and the deed included the use of the spring. Mr. Cathcart did not long enjoy the use of the improved house, having resigned April 1, 1857, to take the pastorate of the Second Baptist Church in Philadelphia, which posi- tion he filled for forty years, until he retired from the active ministry. He was succeeded by Rev. A. C. Bronson, who assumed the pastorate May 31 of the same year and con- tinued therein until the union of the two churches in 1861. The deacons who served the Third Baptist Church, with their terms of service, were as follows : Samuel W. Lamb, May 17, 1834— dis. Mar. 14, 1835. Horatio N. Fish, July 20, 1839, to Feb. 3, 1862. James Gallup, July 20, 1839, to Feb. 3, 1862. Nathan G. Fish, Jan. 30, 1847, continued as deacon in the Union church. Lanman Lamb, Jan. 30, 1847, to Feb. 3, 1862 George N. Wright, Jan. 30, 1847, also continued as deacon in the Union church. Union Baptist Church In the summer of 1861, the Second church being without a pastor, steps were taken to effect a union with the Third 188 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 church, an end that had been long desired by leading mem- bers of both churches. The Third church chose a com- mittee consisting of Deacons James Gallup and Nathan G. Fish and Thomas E. Packer and the Second church ap- pointed Rev. Silas B. Randall and Deacons Albert Edge- comb and William H. Potter. On Tuesday, July 30, the two committees met and prepared a basis for union to be sub- mitted to their respective churches. This basis was as follows:* "1. Each church pays all arrearages of accounts which may be due at the time the union is perfected for salaries, current expenses &c. "2. All real and personal estate belonging to either church shall become the property of the united church, by whatever name it shall be known or called. Such real estate as may be mortgaged or in any way indebted shall be holden for its own indebtedness. "3. All officers and servants shall be subject to reappoint- ment, but will act in their present capacity until a new choice is made. Both clerks will continue to act until arrangements for the union are completed and another is chosen. "4. The first meeting of the united church shall be holden at such time and place as may be designated by the committee, public notice being given to each church. "5. A new roll will be prepared by the clerks, containing the names of all the members of the two churches in al- phabetical order and each person so enrolled will be con- sidered a member of the united church unless objection is made within three months. "6. Any member of either church desiring a letter of dismission to another church of the same faith and order can have one signed by the clerk of the church to which said member belonged, if applied for within three months. The committee heartily recommend to the churches to adopt the above and hereby submit it to their favorable con- sideration. * Mystic Pioneer, Aug. 17, 1861. THIRD BAPTIST CHURCH— UNION BAPTIST CHURCH 189 "We do also recommend that each church, in church meeting assembled, do hereby adopt the foregoing schedule as a basis of the union of this church with the (name of the other) Baptist Church of Groton, and that from and after this time the two churches are merged into one (always provided that the [said] church does simultaneously with us adopt the same schedule and give assent to the same) , then the union of the two churches is completed and henceforth we have one common interest, as we have one Lord, one faith and one baptism." Both churches unanimously ratified the agreement at separate meetings held on Sunday, August 11, 1861, and on August 31 the first meeting of the united church was held and the action of the separate bodies was unanimously ratified. Rev. A. C. Bronson, pastor of the Third church, was called to the pastorate, which call he accepted Sep- tember 15. The preaching services were held alternately in the re- spective houses of worship, until plans were finally con- summated for a new structure. Oct. 27, 1861, the pastor and Messrs. Silas B. Randall, John Gallup, Pierre E. Row- land and William H. Potter were appointed a building com- mittee, which committee, after careful consideration, adopted a plan which provided for a union of the physical properties of the two churches. The house of the Third church was moved back on the lot and placed at right angles to the other, forming a letter T. Work was pushed upon the new edifice — Sunday services being held meanwhile in Floral Hall — so that the vestry was finished in season for the meeting of the Stonington Union Association in June 1862. On the 17th of that month a council called for that pur- pose met in the vestry of the new house and cordially voted to recognize the church as the "Second and Third Union Baptist Church of Groton, Conn." The council consisted of the following delegates: Rev. J. E. Wood and Sanford A. Morgan from Pequonnoc Church, Rev. William A. Smith and Deacon R. A. Avery from Groton Church, Rev. E. 190 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Denison from Third Stonington, Rev. E. A. Hewitt and Samuel S. Lamb from First Groton, Rev. C. S. Weaver from Noank, Rev. A. C. Bronson and Deacon Albert Edg- comb from the United churches and George S. Brewster from Stonington Borough. Rev. C. S. Weaver was chosen moderator and Sanford A. Morgan clerk. The proceedings of the two churches in forming their union were read by their clerk, William H. Potter, and the covenant, etc., was presented, after which the following preamble and resolu- tion were presented and unanimously adopted : "Whereas* — The churches heretofore known as the 2nd and 3rd Baptist Churches of Groton have been led by the grace of God to unite themselves into one body and whereas the pastors and delegates from the several churches in Stonington and Groton are now convened in council for the purpose of recognizing the union thus formed, "Resolved — That we are fully satisfied with the reg- ularity of the proceedings and do heartily rejoice in the union of heart which has now found expression in this external union and we do most cordially extend to this church the fellowship formerly enjoyed by said churches." Rev. A. C. Bronson, E. A. Hewitt and J. E. Wood, a com- mittee appointed to arrange for the recognition service, recommended that Rev. C. S. Weaver offer the recognition prayer and Rev. Samuel Graves of Norwich preach the sermon. This programme was carried out in the evening and the next day at the session of the Stonington Union Association the church was welcomed into the fellowship of that body. From the annual letter of the church we find that the number of members of the United church was 538. The building was completed in the early fall and on October 9 was dedicated with appropriate services. The following programme was carried out : 1. Voluntary by the choir: "Wake the Song of Jubilee." 2. Invocation by Rev. C. S. Weaver of Noank. 3. Singing — ^hymn read by Rev. Ira R. Steward of New York. * Mystic Pioneer, June 21, 1862. THIRD BAPTIST CHURCH— UNION BAPTIST CHURCH 191 4. Reading Ps. CXXII and CXXXII by Rev. S. B. Grant, D. D., of New London. 5. Prayer by Rev. J. R. Baumes of New London. 6. Singing — hymn read by Rev. E. Denison. 7. Sermon by Rev. Henry G. Weston, D. D., of New York. Text Luke XXIII, 83. 8. Dedicatory prayer by the pastor, Rev. A. C. Bronson. 9. Anthem by the choir, "Lift up your Heads, ye Everlasting Gates." 10. Benediction by Rev. Alfred Gates of Lebanon. The day was perfect, the attendance was large and the church manual says : "It was a great day in Israel." The church edifice was said to be the finest in New London County, and in all its equipment ministered to the comfort of the church and congregation. Its ample vestry housed a Sunday school of 50 teachers and officers and 300 scholars, and its commodious audience room with galleries on three sides comfortably seated the large Sunday congregations. The church almost from the beginning was blessed with revivals. In the spring of 1863 forty were added to its membership by baptism. This year the church was called upon to mourn the death of Horatio Nelson Fish, for many years a deacon in the Third church, and also of Mrs. Wait- still Fitch, its oldest member. She was baptized in 1787 and had been a member for seventy-six years. On Feb- ruary 6, 1865, the church began a thorough revision of its list of members, with the result that its letter to the Ston- ington Union Association reports their number as 504. On June 11 occurred the one-hundredth anniversary of the Second church and the pastor preached a historical sermon on the occasion. "Mr. Bronson's sermon* was replete with historical incidents and will probably be pub- lished. (No trace of the sermon can be found. — C. R. S.) ITie evening of the Sabbath was given to an account of the long revival of 1809 and to reminiscences of 'Quash,' an eminent colored servant of Christ and a member of the old church, who was converted while a slave, manumitted through Elder Silas Burrows's efforts, a pillar in God's house, and well reputed in all the churches. Quash died in * Mystic Pioneer, June 17, 1865. 192 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 1830. This centennial, though conducted in a quiet way, has been a memorable occasion and will be productive of good." November 7, 1865, the "Ministers' Meeting" was held with this church and by request was protracted for a day or two. This was the beginning of a revival that lasted for two and a half years. Eighteen were baptized in December, twenty more in 1866 and, the interest continuing. Rev. Isaac Westcott, D. D., of New York was invited as an evangelist to conduct a protracted meeting — ^the result of which was an addition to the church by baptism of sixty-six in 1867. This revival occurring in the winter led to the installation of a baptistry in the house of worship. June 12, 1867, the Connecticut Baptist State Convention met with this church. The next month the great increase in membership led the church to take steps to enlarge the meeting house and a committee consisting of Deacon Wil- liam H. Potter and Brethren John Gallup, William Clift, Benjamin Burrows, Jr., Isaac W. Denison and Pierre E. Rowland, was chosen, which committee spent a year in preparation and in July 1868 work was commenced on an addition of twenty feet to the west end of the building, providing thirty-six additional pews in the audience room and two large rooms in the vestry. This addition covered the spring which for many years had furnished an unfailing water supply to the neighbor- hood, especially to the pupils in two adjoining schools. The house was reopened for worship Dec. 20, 1868, Rev. Dr. Westcott preaching the dedicatory sermon from the text Ps. XXVII, 4 : "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after ; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple." The revival which began in 1865 had continued until in February 1868 Rev. John D. Potter, an evangelist, was called to conduct a few days' union series of meetings. The interest awakened was followed with union and separate meetings until, March 7, Doctor Westcott was again called THIRD BAPTIST CHURCH— UNION BAPTIST CHURCH 193 to labor with the church. As a result, fifty were added to the church by baptism. April 1, 1869, Rev. Mr. Bronson resigned the pastorate, preaching his farewell sermon on the last Sunday in May from the text Phil. I, 27 : "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ ; that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel." Mr. Bronson's ministry ex- tended over a period of twelve years, during which time he had seen the two churches happily united, had baptized about 240 into membership and left them a strong, united church. The pulpit was supplied by various ministers during the summer and fall. A call was extended to Rev. W. E. Stanton but was declined on account of his health. Novem- ber 28, 1869, a unanimous call was extended to Rev. George L. Hunt. He accepted December 10, and entered upon his pastorate January 1, 1870. His first sermon was from the text in Acts X, 29: "Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for; I ask, therefore, for what intent you have sent for me?" The opening of the pastorate was very ausp^icious. We quote from the church manual published in the sum- mer of 1870: "At the annual business meeting January 8 (1870) the gratifying report was made to the church that a balance hitherto unpaid of the cost of uniting the two houses in 1861, together with other debts amounting in all to $3600, and the cost of enlarging the house in 1868 amounting to $3700 additional, had all been cancelled." Everything pointed to a successful pastorate. In Feb- ruary 1871 a marked revival took place and more than thirty were baptized. Again the next winter the dis- tinguished evangelist Dr. A, B. Earle conducted a union evangelistic service in Central Hall from which a number of converts were received, the number of additions to the church during the year reported to the association in June being thirteen. In February 1876 Rev. Edward W. Whitr 194 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 tier conducted union meetings which resulted in further additions. A week's labor of Rev. H. G. DeWitt at the opening of 1878 resulted in the addition of twenty-six youths from the Sunday school, shortly followed by the addition of six heads of families. As the fruits of a revival in Quiambaug the next year more than thirty were bap- tized. In 1880 Dr. Hunt celebrated his tenth anniversary and in his sermon gave the following statistics : Sermons preached, 780. Devotional meetings attended, 1804. Marriages, 101. Funerals, 213. Membership in 1870, 590. Baptisms, 233. Deaths, 100. Membership in 1880, 719. During the last year of Dr. Hunt's pastorate extensive alterations were made to the interior of the church. The organ and choir were removed from the front of the church and placed in the rear of the pulpit and the walls were re- decorated. But the sun which rose in splendor set in a cloud and January 6, 1881, Dr. Hunt resigned, leaving the church in a badly demoralized condition. Supplies cared for the pulpit until October, when Rev. Charles H. Rowe of Cambridgeport, Mass., assumed the pastorate. In the church letter to the Stonington Union Association in June 1882 mention is made of the baptism of seventeen Sunday school scholars. After an uneventful pastorate, Mr. Rowe resigned Jan. 7, 1884, the resignation to take effect April 1. He was succeeded by Rev. George H. Miner, who com- menced his labors in June. Though the number of members was not increased during his pastorate of nine years, the church was greatly strengthened both spiritually and materially. The benevolent contributions were more than doubled and the spirit of fellowship greatly improved. In 1886 three additional deacons were chosen, Robert P. Wilbur, J. Alden Rathbun and John O. Fish, the latter of whom served the church as clerk for more than twenty years. In 1890 Mr. Miner tendered his resignation, to take effect at the close of the sixth year of his pastorate in June. At THIRD BAPTIST CHURCH— UNION BAPTIST CHURCH 196 the urgent solicitation of the board of trustees he extended the term of his pastorate until June 1893, at which time he insisted upon the acceptance of his resignation, and it was regretfully accepted. Rev. Archibald Wheaton of New York accepted the call of the church and commenced his labors Sept. 3, 1893. Soon after his settlement the week of prayer was followed by two weeks labor of Evangelist Drew C. Wyman, which resulted in seventy-eight additions, and two years later the evangelistic services of Drs. Barron and Wharton brought ninety-three additions, eighty-three of which came by baptism. January 1, 1897, the church changed the method of church support from renting pews to voluntary contribu- tions. Three more deacons were appointed this year, John Green Packer, Elias F. Wilcox and Louis P. Allyn. Licenses to preach were granted to John K. Bucklyn and Frank C. Lamb. Mr. Wheaton resigned after a successful pastorate of seven years and was followed by Rev. Byron U. Hatfield, who accepted the call of the church in December 1900. In the letter to the association in June 1901 mention is made of the receipt of a gift to the church from the estate of the late Stephen Woodward of the sum of $8700, from which was paid the next year the expense of altering the interior of the church, building a new choir gallery, in- stalling a new organ, repainting the house and redecorating the walls. A bronze tablet was placed upon the wall in honor of the memory of Brother Woodward. Blind from early childhood, he was for more than fifty years one of the most faithful members of the church. Always regular in his attendance upon its services, for many years he led the singing in the evening meetings, and the key in which he pitched the tune was a good indication of the interest in the meeting. Mr. Hatfield resigned Feb. 7, 1904, and in July 1904 Rev. Welcome E. Bates entered upon the pastorate. CHAPTER X OTHER CHURCHES THE SECOND Congregational Church or North Parish was formed in North Stonington (now Ledyard) in 1726. From an unpublished manuscript by Rev. Frederick Denison we get the following facts: "The initial steps to its formation and the element of opposition in the South Parish to the movement are certified by the town records : " 'At a town meeting held in Groton May 5, 1725. Voated — That Deacon James Morgan and Lieut James Avery (the present deputy) are chosen agents for the town to answer the petition that is to be proposed to the General Assembly by the North part of the town to be a Society by themselves.' "The church and parish being virtually established, though not yet sanctioned by law, were supplied with preaching for a few weeks by Mr, Samuel Seabury. Mr. Seabury was a native of Groton, bom July 8, 1706. He preached here only ten weeks, four Sundays at Captain John Morgan's, four at William Morgan's and two at Ralph Stoddard's, when to the surprise of the people, he declared himself an Episcopalian. The North Parish settled no min- ister until 1729, when we find these records: " 'In Society meeting August 28, 1729, Voted— To call Mr. Ebenezer Punderson to be our gospel preaching min- ister and to offer him a settlement of £400 to be paid in two years and a standing salary of £100.' " 'At a session of the General Assembly in New Haven, October 9, 1729. This Assembly grants leave to the inhab- itants of the North Society in the town of Groton to embody into church estate, they first obtaining consent of their neighboring churches.' 196 OTHER CHURCHES 197 "Mr. Punderson received ordination in the new meeting house, yet unfinished but temporarily fitted for the occasion, December 29, 1729. His ministry proceeded acceptably till January 1733-4, when he announced himself to his parishioners as a 'conformist to the Episcopal Church of England.' Thus the parish was a second time filled with astonishment and regret. Expostulation and arguments were unavailing. His relation to the parish was dissolved by a council, February 5 of this year. Of Mr. Punderson as an Episcopalian we shall have occasion to speak here- after. The church, somewhat disheartened by the defec- tion of two ministers in succession, and not being strong in itself, remained for two years without a minister. They then called Mr. Andrew Croswell and ordained him Octo- ber 14, 1736. Distrusting the stability of men, they added a proviso to their agreement with Mr. Croswell. They offered him a settlement of two-hundred pounds per annum for the first two years and one-hundred and ten pounds per annum afterwards, but 'in case he should withdraw from the established religion of this government to any other persuasion, he shall return two hundred pounds to the so- ciety.' "Mr. Croswell was orthodox and faithful, and, being of deep piety and an ardent natural temperament, he was ready for every good work. When the great revival broke out in 1740 and 1741, he with his good brother Owen of the South society embraced the work with a true heart. Being gifted with his pen as well as with his tongue he wrote vigorously in defence of Whitefield and even of Davenport with all of his extremes. Nor was he ever con- tent to preach in his own parish simply — ^he went into various parts preaching the acceptable year of the Lord. "In 1742 we find him in different towns in Massachusetts doing a good work, though the standing order charged him with 'irregular zeal.' Desiring a more ample and promising field of labor Mr. Croswell concluded in 1746 to resign his charge. The manner in which he was dismissed was simple and very fraternal. Having made known his desire to the 198 GEOTON, CONN. 1705-1905 society, they 'Voted, August 21, 1746 — Whereas Mr. Cros- well is determined to leave this society he thinking himself called of God to do so, which thing we don't approve of, yet we shall not oppose him therein, but leave him to his own choice.' Mr. Croswell then entered his resignation in these words : 'Groton August 21. Whereas I, the subscriber, once took charge of the Society in North Groton, and they having left it to my choice to go away if I saw fit, and felt myself called so to do, I now resign my pastoral office over them, wishing them the best of heavenly blessings and that the Most High God, if he pleases, would give them a pastor according to their own heart. Andrew Croswell.' "It was not however till April 1748 that the society for- mally voted that Mr. Croswell was dismissed, so reluctant were they in parting with him. He afterwards accepted the pastorate of the Eleventh Congregational Church in Boston, where he was installed October 1748 and where he labored till his death, April 12, 1785, aged seventy-six." The third settled minister of this parish was Jacob Johnson, who was ordained in 1749 and remained with this church twenty-three years, closing his ministry in 1772,* after which time the church remained destitute until 1810. Its history from that time until the division of the town * Mills and ferries havin? been provided with true Pilgrim zeal, attention was immediately turned to the subject of a gospel min- istry and the establishment of schools. "At a town meeting December 11, 1772, Captain Stephen Fuller was appointed moderator. Voted, To give and grant unto the Rev. Jacob Johnson, and his heirs and assigns forever in case he settle in this town as a gospel minister, fifty acres of land &c." In August following, feeling themselves more able, a more liberal (for the time it was munificent) provision was made. At a town meeting held at Wilkesbarre Aug. 23, 1773, Mr. Jacob Sill was chosen moderator, Joseph Sluman clerk. "Voted — That a call or invitation shall be given to the Rev. Jacob Johnson, late of Groton in the colony of Connecticut, who for some time past has been preaching in this place, to continue with us as our gospel minister. 2d. That Mr. Johnson shall be paid sixty pounds the year ensuing, as the present list, and his salary shall rise annually, as our list rises till it amounts to one hundred pounds etc. (Con- necticut currency 6 shillings to the dollar or $333.1-3)." In laying out the town originally, two lots containing about four- hundred acres of back lands had been set off for the first settled minister, and for schools. One of those lots and the fifty acres OTHER CHURCHES 199 in 1836 is thus given by its pastor, Rev. Timothy Tuttle:* "This society, when I came to it, had been without a settled pastor for thirty-nine years. It had truly become a waste place. . No organized church was here. No member of the former church was known to be living, though there were some who had been members of Elder Allyn's church, left to be scattered as sheep without a shepherd. Two of them were among the five that were formed into a new church; a few others of them united with us afterwards. This church was formed December 12, 1810, and, as you have been told, with but one male member, Robert Allyn, Esq., a very worthy man and well established in the truth. But he died before another man was added. "I first came an entire stranger to this place in April 1810 and often have I thought of the dealings of Provi- dence which led me here, but more especially of the circum- stances which caused me to remain. One thing which caused me to remain was the kindness with which I was treated both here and in Groton, and among my friends in above mentioned, together with a town lot of four acres, will show the liberal provision made for gospel purposes. Mr. Johnson, a Presbyterian clergyman, was a graduate of Yale College and was the grandfather of Ovid F. Johnson, Esq., the present (1842) Attorney General of Pennsylvania, . . . The Rev. Mr. Johnson now returned (1781) with his family from their exile to Connecticut, having been compelled to fly after the massacre in 1778. Glowing with ardour for religion, liberty and the Connecticut claim, the return was welcomed by his flock and indeed by the whole settlement, with cordial congratulations. Sunday the 17th (June) he preached and thenceforward 'in season and out of season' he went from place to place awakening sinners to repentance, arousing the people to new efforts and exhorting them by all means to adhere to and support their righteous claim to their lands. But the cup of joy in coming to his devoted people was almost immediately dashed from his lips by the death of Mrs. Butler, his daughter, consort of Colonel Z. Butler. She died on the 26th of June (1788). . . . It is worthy of note that the Rev. Jacob Johnson, already known to the reader, could not or would not suppress the ebullition of his Yankee and patriotic ire at the course of proceedings. He made the pulpit echo with his soul-stirring appeals. So open were the denunciations of the pious old man that he was arrested, called before McKean and obliged to find security for his peaceable behaviour."— History of Wyoming, pp. 143, 296, 438. * Sermon preached by Timothy Tuttle, on August 14, 1851, the fortieth anniversary of his ordination. 200 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 both places that kindness has been continued. I was not willing to break away from an attachment thus manifested and to leave the few sheep in the wilderness without a shep- herd, though I often thought in the course of my ministry that I must leave. On the 14th of August, 1811, just forty years ago, I was ordained, and installed the pastor of this church — not, indeed, upon this spot of ground, but in that old forsaken sanctuary the remains of which are still to be seen in Groton ; and until the 2nd day of April, 1834, that church as well as this was under my pastoral care. Since that time, as you know, my labors have been confined to this church and congregation exclusively. "Now, brethren, let us look back upon the way in which we have traveled together. Since our connection was first formed many changes have occurred. 'The fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?' Not only the fathers and the mothers but many of the children, too, are gone into the land of silence. In some families I have buried persons of three, in one four and in one five generations; and in some I have married not only the parents but the children. Now two-thirds at least, perhaps three-fourths, of those who compose this congregation have been bom since I came to this place. Many, especially the young and enterprising, go from us to other places, and they do so, not because they cannot obtain a comfortable subsistence here (for this they can do) but because they can do better, at least they think they can, elsewhere. From the fact that other places are more inviting in regard to a temporal welfare, the probability is that here there will not be very soon any great increase of the congregation." The following account of the ordination of Mr. Tuttle is of interest : "At an Ecclesiastical Council convened by letters missive at the house of Captain Elijah Bailey in Groton, on the 13th day of August A. D. 1811, for the purpose of setting apart Mr. Timothy Tuttle to the work of the ministry of the Gospel, over the Congregational churches in said town. Present The Rev. Messrs. Jonathan Murdock, Bozrah, Jo- OTHER CHURCHES 201 seph Vail, Hadlyme, Samuel Nott, Franklin, Walter King, Norwich, Abisha Alden, Montville, Dayid Smith, Durham, Ira Hart, Stonington, Abel McEwen, New London, Horatio Waldo, Griswold. Delegates, Messrs. Asa Woodworth from the Church of Christ in Bozrah ; Mundator Tracy, 1st Church of Christ in Norwich; Ithamar Harvey, Hadlyme, Azariah Huntington, Franklin, Nathaniel Otis, Montville, Dan Parmelee, Dur- ham, Thomas Miner, Stonington, Jedediah Huntington, New London, Andrew Huntington, 2nd Church of Christ in Preston. Dr. Strong was chosen Moderator and Dr. McEwen Scribe. The council was opened with prayer by the Moder- ator. Adjourned until 2 o'clock P. M. Met according to adjournment. The Council requested and received from Mr. Tuttle and from the committees of the 1st and 2nd churches in Groton, their call to him to settle with them in the work of the ministry of the Gospel, and his answer, also the votes of the two societies relative to their mutual agreement con- cerning his support and the division of his labors between them. Whereas, This Council having received information that the church in the 2d society of Groton contains but one male member and six females, and the question whether this be a regular church prepared to enter into a pastoral relation with a minister of the Gospel having been referred to this Council. Voted — as the opinion of this Council that a church of Christ actually exists in the 2d society in Groton and is hereby recognized as such. Having examined the standing of Mr. Tuttle in the Christian church, his license to preach the Gospel and his attainments in the knowledge of natural theology and of revealed religion, both doctrinal and experimental, the Council voted their unanimous approval of his qualifications for the ministry of the Gospel. Voted — That ^e Council proceed to ordain Mr. Tuttle tomorrow at half an hour past 10 A. M. 202 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 The several parts in the solemnities of the ordination were assigned in the following manner: The Introductory Prayer to the Rev, Mr. King. The Sermon to the Rev. Mr. Smith. The Consecrating Prayer to the Rev. Mr. Murdock, who together with the Moderator and Messrs. Vail and Smith were to Impose Hands. The Charge to the Pastor to the Moderator. The Charge to the People to Rev. Mr. Vail. The Presentation of the Right Hand of Fellowship to the Rev. Mr. Hart and the Concluding Prayer to the Rev. Mr. Nott. Adjourned until half an hour past eight o'clock to- morrow morning. Met according to adjournment. Adjourned until after the public solemnities of ordination. Met according to adjournment after the public solem- nities of ordination which were performed according to appointment. Voted — That the above Minutes are a correct account of the proceedings of this Council. Test — Joseph Strong, Moderator. Abel McEwen, Scribe. "The ministers and delegates were entertained in the house of Captain Elijah Bailey. We transcribe the follow- ing bill (presented by Captain Bailey on that occasion) for the purpose of showing the change in public opinion since that time: "The 1st and 2d Society. Committee in Groton to Elijah Bailey Dr. Groton Augt. 13, 1811 To 24 Dinners @ ls.6d. £6. " 10 Suppers " ls.6d. 2.50 " 14 Breakfasts ls.6d. 3.50 " 14 " 28 Dinners ls.6d. 7. " 12 Horses kept 1 day each 2. " Liquors, sugar &c. 4. OTHER CHURCHES 203 "This town now votes no license to liquor sellers and it is said no ardent spirit can be purchased within its limits.*" As this church is situated in Ledyard its history is not pursued further. Baptist Church at Groton Heights On March 8, 1843, a number of brethren and sisters resident in the vicinity of Groton Bank resolved to form a new church. They were mostly members of the Second Baptist Church at Fort Hill. The meeting place of this church, though near the geographical center of the town, was extremely inconvenient of access to a large proportion of its members, and the matter of better accommodations was in the air. Noank organized a church the same week and it was not long after the secession of these two bodies that the Mother Church removed to Mystic. A council called on the 16th of March voted to recognize them as a "Church of Christ." The number of members was fifty and through the kindness of the Congregational church they were allowed to hold their services in their house of worship and the recog- nition service was held in that church, March 16, 1843. In January 1845 the Rev. Rutherford Russel came among them, and a revival followed during which eighty-four were added to the membership. The minutes of the Stonington Union Association for 1845 give a short account of the organization of the church, saying: "We have just com- pleted and dedicated to the Lord a commodious house of worship, and it may be proper here to say, that not far from the time that our house was raised, the Lord ap- peared in his convicting and converting power, and about forty were baptized before the house was finished; thus our God found a residence in the hearts of many before the public sanctuary was built." The church records show the progress of the new church building project: * History of New London County, 1882, p. 531. 204 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 At a meeting held March 25, 1843 it was "Voted— That the building committee be instructed to accept proposals and build a meeting house for the Groton Bank Baptist Church according to their best judgment." In May, 1845, it was "Voted — That our meeting house be dedicated to the service of Almighty God on the 4th of June 1845, and that Elder Jabez S. Swan be invited to preach the dedication sermon." The church thus dedicated did duty for twenty-seven years and Pastors Russell, N. T. Allen, Isaac Cheseborough, Edgar A. Hewitt, George Mathews, Eli Dewhurst and N. T. Allen (second pastorate) ministered within its walls. It was during the second pastorate of Mr. Allen that the house was found to be too strait for the congiregation and it was decided to build a new house. The sum of $4500 was raised by subscription, which with $1500 realized from the sale of the old property made the nucleus of a building fund. The work was pushed forward rapidly and on July 11, 1872, the new house was dedicated with appropriate and interesting exercises. The edifice is a plain, substantial and commodious one, having school rooms, vestry, &c, and is very well located in a pleasant part of the town. The dedicatory services were as follows : Invocation — Rev. G. L. Hunt, Mystic. Scripture Reading — Rev. N. P. Foster, New London. Sermon — Rev. John Davies, Norwich. Text: I Timothy I, 11 — "The glorious gospel of the blessed God." Dedicatory Hymn — Rev. F. Denison. Sung by choir. A marked revival followed the dedication of the new house. "On the thirtieth anniversary twenty-five were added by baptism and before the revival ended there was a total addition to the membership of sixty-seven."* Again in 1878 seventeen baptisms were reported. In 1882 Mr. Allen resigned and was succeeded by Rev. Noyes W. Miner, D. D. His pastorate was short; but sixty-one were added * Minutes Stonington Union Association, 1873. OTHER CHURCHES 205 during his ministry. Rev. George R. Darrow served as supply for six months, and after two months' service as supply Rev. George N. Ballentine was settled as pastor April 1, 1886. It was during his pastorate in 1887 that the name of the church was changed from Groton Bank to Groton Heights and that an act of incorporation was ob- tained from the Legislature of the State, enabling the church to transact its business without consulting the society. In 1890 Rev. E. T. Miller became the pastor. During his pastorate, in 1892, the church celebrated its semi-cen- tennial and the occasion was signalized by its deliverance from debt. In 1894 the church was renovated at consider- able expense and the next year reported an extensive revival under the labors of Rev. W. H. Johnson, fifty-one baptisms being reported to the association. Rev. Langley B. Sears became the pastor in 1900 and continued until 1905. The church holds in loving remembrance the memory of Deacon Robert Austin Avery, who died December 20, 1862. A consistent member, he served as senior deacon for nineteen years and was forward in every good word and work. Mention should also be made of Charles H. Starr, who served the church as deacon for a period of sixty-two years, passing away at the ripe old age of 97. Baptist Church at Noank Three days after the formation of the church at Groton Bank, on March 11, 1843, 223 members of the Second Bap- tist Church at Fort Hill were dismissed to form a Baptist church at Noank. For several years previous the church had held its services alternately at Mystic and Noank. At a council called for the purpose on April 6, 1843, the body was recognized as a church in gospel order and the next day called S. B. Bailey to be its pastor, which call he accepted and was ordained November 29, 1843, the sermon being preached by Rev. L. Covill. 206 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 The church was admitted into the Stonington Union Association at its meeting the following June. Elder Bailey's pastorate of five years was blessed with a gracious revival in 1846, in which he was aided by Rev. John Green. Rev. David Avery served as pastor for one year from April 1, 1848, and was succeeded by Rev. William A. Smith, who served until April 1, 1850. He was followed by Rev. James M. Phillips, who continued in the pastorate four years. His pastorate was marked by a revival in 1851. Rev. C. Haven supplied the pulpit from April to November 1855, and Rev. William A. Smith and others until June 1856, when Rev. H. V. Jones was called to the pastorate. It is interesting to note that Mr. Jones's salary in the beginning was six hundred dollars and house rent, increased in 1857 to eight hundred dollars and house rent. Mr. Jones ter- minated his services in April 1860, when Rev. Henry R. Knapp accepted a call, but Ms pastorate was a short one, terminating in November of the same year. Mr. Knapp died in 1862,* "after a long and painful illness." Rev. Charles S. Weaver began his labors with the church in December, continuing until April, 1865. Mr. Weaver was an ardent abolitioriist and with two sons in the army he preached an intensely patriotic gospel, so much so as to cause division among his people, and upon his resigna- tion a large number of the members of his church joined with him in the formation of the American Union Baptist Church of Noank. During the remainder of the year 1865, and until March 1866, the pulpit was filled by various sup- plies, but at that time Rev. H. V. Jones, a former pastor, was recalled. In June, 1866, the Stonington Union Asso- ciation met with this church, which in its letter to the association speaks with regret of its being in a divided state, but yet mentions God's goodness in granting it a precious revival, in which fifty additions were made to the membership list. Again in 1867 thirty-five baptisms were reported. December 19, 1867, the new house of worship was dedicated. The following programme was carried out : * History of the Connecticut Baptist Convention,Evans, p. 243. OTHEE CHURCHES 207 Opening Anthem by Choir — "The Lord cometh into his holy temple." Invocation — Rev. E. W. Oilman, pastor Congregational Church, Stonington. Singing — 364th hymn, "Come let us join in cheerful songs." Reading Scriptures— Ps. XV., John XIV. Rev. W. H. Stetson, pastor Methodist Episcopal Church, Mystic Bridge. Prayer — Rev. J. C. Foster, New London. Singing — 407th hymn, "Blow ye the trumpet, blow." Sermon — Rev. Wm. Hague, D. D., Boston. Subject — The witness of a living church. Text : I Cor. XIV, 24, 25. Dedicatory prayer — Rev. A, C. Bronson, pastor Union Baptist Church, Mystic River. Anthem — "Rejoice, O Daughter of Zion." Benediction — Rev. H. V. Jones, pastor of the church. In the afternoon Rev. S. Graves, D. D., of Norwich preached and in the evening Rev. Curtis Keeney closed the exercises of the day. The church building is 40x60, with galleries on three sides, with a spire 100 feet in height and, standing as it does upon a hill, is a landmark through all the country round about. Its cost was $11,000, of which the women contributed $1,000 for upholstering and the young men nearly as much more for furnishing a bell. The building committee consisted of Ezra Daboll, chairman; Robert Palmer, John Palmer, Roswell B. Fitch and James W. Latham. The old church building, which had served the church for twenty-five years, was sold to G. L. Daboll and moved a short distance to the west. Rev. H. V. Jones remained with the church until 1871, when he was succeeded by Rev. Stephen Howell, who served for thirteen years, the longest pastorate in the history of the church. He was followed by Rev. A. J. Wilcox, whose term was short, and he in turn was suc- ceeded' by Rev. William L. Swan. His pastorate, com- mencing in 1887, terminated in December 1893 — ^the year of the' fiftieth anniversary of the formation of the church. 208 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 The association minutes make no mention of this anniver- sary, but speak of changing from an ecclesiastical society to a corporate body. Deacon Robert Palmer declined further service as clerk, an office which he had filled since 1865, and was succeeded by William A. Fraser. The church had but two clerks during fifty years of existence : Augustus Mor- gan and Robert Palmer. March 4, 1894, a call was extended to Rev. W. C. Martin, who entered upon his labors soon afterwards. The church has been blessed with many revivals, but the increase under the preaching of Rev. H. M. Wharton in 1895 was the most extensive one experienced since that of 1842 under the leadership of Elder Swan. Two hundred and three were added to the membership and the whole community was deeply stirred. Rev. Elbert E. Gates suc- ceeded Mr. Martin in 1900, and during his pastorate, in 1903, the church celebrated its sixtieth anniversary. From a newspaper report of the exercises we learn that, with an original membership of 223, just 223 members had died in the sixty years of its existence, 634 had been bap- tized and 183 had been received by letter, leaving the mem- bership 494. A flourishing Sunday school had been main- tained, of which Robert Palmer had been the honored superintendent for fifty-seven years. Roswell A. Morgan, baptized in 1833, was the oldest member of the school, having ma;intained his relationship with it for seventy years and rarely missed a session. In 1905 the church reported to the Stonington Union Association a net gain of sixty-one members, making a total membership of 563. St. James Episcopal Church In the latter part of 1734 an Episcopal church was or- ganized under the leadership of Rev. Ebenezer Punderson, formerly pastor of the Second or North Parish Congrega- tional Church. "On the first of January 1733-4* Mr. * History of New London, Caulkins, 1860, p. 420. OTHER CHURCHES 209 Punderson made a communication to the Society avowing himself 'a conformist to the Episcopal Church of England' and expressing doubts of the validity of his ordination. This notice was received in the first place with amazement and sorrow and a committee was appointed to reason with him and endeavor to convince him that his ordination was canonical and his position safe and desirable. Of course this measure was unavailing. A council was convened at the home of Captain Morgan, February 5, and the connec- tion dissolved." It is probable that a number of his flock went with the shepherd for some "ten or twelve Congre- ^tional people — heads of families — signed his papers and contributed money to bear his expenses when he went to England to be ordained."* This voyage to England was a matter not to be looked upon lightly. Bishop Williams in his centennial sermon says** "The dangers of the sea, sickness and the violence of enemies must be incurred and one in every five that went out sacrificed his life in the attempt to obtain his minis- terial comniission." It is probable that several years elapsed before the first house of worship was erected, which buildingt "stood on Church Hill, about a mile and a half northeast of the church at the Center, and some three miles southeast of the village of Poquetanock." This building was afterwards taken down and re-erected near Poquetanock. A deed recorded in Book 10, page 69, of the Groton town records, October 11, 1784, probably refers to this removal. By it Ebenezer Stark deeds land to Theophilus Avery, Robert Gere of Groton and Joseph Rose of Norwich, a committee appointed by the church of England Society in Groton to sell the church land in Groton and purchase land in Pauquatanuck and to remove the church house to said lands." As this church also is located in Ledyarci, its further his- tory is not followed in the present volume. * History of the Town of Ledyard, Avery, p. 47. ** Seabury Centennial, p. 16. t History of the Town of Ledyard, Avery, p. 46. 210 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 The Separatist Church The history of the Separate movement in Groton has. never been written, and whatever material may have been in existence sixty years ago has now perished. Reverend Frederic Denison writing in 1859 regrets the lack of ma- terial then. It is known, however, that there were two- churches of that faith in the town. One in the South Parish had a meeting house in Pequonnoc. Its first pastor was Nathaniel Brown. Mr. Denison quotes from the records of the Separate church in Preston:* "On the 13th of Novem- ber 1751 the church sent their pastor and two deacons to attend ye ordination of Nathaniel Brown, Jr. of Groton. The aforesaid ordination at Groton was attended ye 14th of November 1751. The first prayer made by our Deacon Mors; ye charge by our Pastor and the right hand of fel- lowship by Elder Sprague of Exeter in Narragansett, and last prayer by Comfort Browne a brother in the church." The second pastor of the church was Elder Park Avery who lived in the old "Hive of the Avery's." Of him Judge Potter writes ** "Elder Park Avery of Groton was reputed to be an eminently pious man ; not a profound preacher but of mild winning manners." He had four sons and a grand- son in Ft. Griswold at the time of the massacre. Two of the sons and the grandson were killed and the other twa sons were wounded. Mr. Avery survived the great shock and lived until May 4, 1797 when he passed away at the age of 87. After his death the church became extinct, most of the members becoming connected with the 2nd Baptist Church at Fort Hill. Another Separate church was formed in the North Parish. From the records of the Preston church previously mentioned we quote :t "September ye 1st 1765 This chh. received a letter from a number of Christian brethren in N. Groton Professing to be a chh. newly gathered &c. "The day appointed for the conference was Thursday ye * Eev. Frederic Denison Manuscript, t Ibid. ** Judge Wm. H. Potter Manuscript. OTHER CHURCHES 211 5th day of September Instant at 10 of ye clock in the fore- noon in Groton at ye house of Mr. Park AUyn. . . . Ye chh concluded to act in fellowship with ye new gathered chh." "May ye 9th 1775. This chh having received a letter missive from ye chh at Groton North Society, desiring this chh to send their Elder and chosen brethren to assist them with other churches in ordaining their brother Paul Allyn to be their minister, to meet on ye 1st day of June next for that purpose &c." The meeting house was built about half-way between Gales Ferry and the church at the center. Of this interest Rev. Timothy Tuttle says :* "A separate church was formed here (Strict Congregational as termed by the founders of such churches) but at what time it was formed I have no means of knowing. Probably it was about the time Mr. Croswell left the place. Several such churches were formed in the southwestern part of New London County through the instrumentality of Davenport or his followers. Of the one formed here Park Allyn, a native of this place, became the pastor. A church edifice, small in its dimensions, was built for him about two miles west from the center of this parish but it was long ago removed to Gales Ferry for the accommodation of the Methodist congregation. Elder Allyn was by a council deposed from the ministry on ac- count of immorality and his church was left to be scat- tered." Baptist Church at Pequonnoc This church was organized August 18, 1856, with twenty- five constituent members. Religious services had been held in the vicinity for many years. Elder Park Avery had served a Separatist Church, preaching in the old "Hive of the Averys," but after his death most of the members of that church united with the church at Fort Hill. Meetings were held in the school house and a Sunday school estab- * Sketches of Congregational Church and Society in Ledyard, 1859. 212 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 lished by Deacon Albert Edgcomb in 1830* has continued until now. Rev. S. B. Bailey, under whose fostering care the church was organized, became its first pastor, David C. Westcott its first deacon and General James Roath its first clerk. Mr. Bailey's pastorate continued for about eighteen months, when he was succeeded by Rev. George Mixter, who remained but one year. During his pastorate the church enjoyed a precious revival. Rev. Alfred Gates entered upon the pastorate in April 1859 and was succeeded in February 1861 by Rev. John E. Wood, formerly pastor of the First church. In the summer of 1862 Mr. Wood assisted in rais- ing Co. C, 21st C. v., of which company he was chosen captain, afterwards becoming chaplain of the regiment. During his absence Rev. Thomas Dowling served the church as supply. Mr. Wood returned from the army in January 1863 and soon after resigned as pastor, and Mr. Dowling was called to the position, in which he remained until May 1866, "sowing much good seed" as the associational letter of the church reports. The harvest was gathered by his successors — Rev. Curtis Keeney, who supplied the pulpit for five months, and Rev. William A. Smith, who assumed the pastorate at the end of that time. Sixty were added to the church as the fruits of this re- vival. Albert Kingsley and Cyrus Avery were elected deacons. General Roath, the first church clerk, having passed away, Daniel Morgan was elected to the position, which he has filled until the present time (1905). Deacon Sanford A. Morgan removed to the West and Deacon Kingsley also removed for a change of climate, but his health continued to fail and he died October 17, 1870. Rev. J. C. Foster supplied the pulpit for several months after the retirement of Mr. Smith, and in May 1871 a call was extended to Louis C. Sands, a licentiate of the church at Greenport, Long Island, to become the pastor. He was ordained July 5, 1871, at the Union Baptist Church in * Minutes S. S. Convention, Stonington Union Association, Augrost 31, 1892, p. 10. OTHER CHURCHES 218 Mystic, the new audience room of the Pequonnoc church being unfinished. Some fifteen churches were represented in the council by thirty delegates and the vote for ordination was unanimous. Rev. N. K. Bennett, pastor of the church at Greenport, preached an impressive sermon upon the qualifications of a Christian minister. The Rev. Messrs. Hunt of Mystic River, Doctor Foster of New London, Holman of North Stonington, Berry of New London and Wightman of Mystic, participated in the exercises. On November 8, 1871, a new and commodious house of worship was dedicated with appropriate exercises : At 2 p. m. Vol- untary by the choir. Invocation, Rev. J. P. Brown, New London. Scripture reading. Rev. W. A. Smith, Groton. Prayer, Rev. N. P. Foster, New London. Sermon, Rev. Geo. L. Hunt, Mystic. Text 2d Chronicles VH, 1. Subject: "The conditions of the divine favor on the offerings of God's people." Address, Rev. F. B. Joy, Preston. In the evening the exercises were: Voluntary by the choir. Scripture reading. Rev. N. P. Foster, New London. Prayer, Rev. Mr. Cutting, Ledyard. Sermon, Rev. F. B. Joy, Preston. Text, Mark VII, 24 : "He could not be hid." Theme : "The concealment of Christ impossible." Mr. Joy appeared in place of Doctor A. G. Palmer, who was expected to preach. Mr. Sands resigned the pastorate September 1, 1872, but resiuned work January 1, 1873. In April of that year the church chose three additional deacons, Benjamin Gardner, O. G. Buddington and William T. Burrows. In its letter to the Stonington Union Association it reported the pay- ment of the church debt. From the termination of the pastorate of Mr. Sands until March 4, 1876, the pulpit was occupied by supplies. On that date Stephen Perkins was called to the pastorate and on May 15, 1876, he was or- dained. He was a very acceptable pastor and closed his connection in December 1877. During this time Brother O. G. Buddington was licensed to preach and he was after- wards ordained over the Baptist church in Florence, N. J. Until October 5, 1879, the church was again served by 214 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 supplies, when Rev. E. C. Miller was called and entered at once upon his duties. From the minutes of the Stonington Union Association we gather that he was succeeded in 1884 by the Rev. George W. Pendleton, who died in 1887, He was followed by the Rev. E. C. Tullar as stated pastor, and he in 1889 by Rev. N. T. Allen, who held one of the longest pastorates in the history of the church. In 1900 came the Rev. F. H, Cooper, who was succeeded in 1904 by the Rev. Osmer G. Buddington as supply. Methodist Episcopal Church at Gales Ferry As the result of itinerary preaching in 1803, Gales Ferry was made a part of New London circuit and a class was formed consisting of eight persons, viz. Ralph Hurlbutt, Jonathan Stoddard and wife, Nathan Avery and wife, Hannah Hurlbutt, Lucy Hurlbutt and Lydia Stanton. Ralph Hurlbutt was appointed class leader. He was a son of Rufus Hurlbutt, killed in Fort Griswold, and was a man of ability in various lines. He was licensed to exhort in 1806 and to preach in 1810, and for thirty years he filled in the Sundays between the visits of the circuit preachers, with quite acceptable service in the pulpit. "In addition to his being a Methodist preacher with a power to sway the minds of his audiences," says Avery's History of the Town of Ledyard, "we hear of him in the capacity of school master, farmer, justice of the peace, money lender, admin- istrator of estates of deceased persons, and he was quite extensively known and also feared, more or less, by the degenerate, and was generally spoken of by all classes in the vernacular of those times as 'The Squire' or 'Squire Hurlbutt.' " Amos T. Thompson, J. Jesse Stoneman, Daniel Ostrander, Timothy Dewey and the eccentric Lorenzo Dow are mentioned as among the early preachers at Gales Ferry. The history of this church after 1836 pertains to the town of Ledyard. St, Mark's Church St. Mark's Parish at Mystic was the outgrowth of a OTHER CHUECHES 215 inission which commenced services in Washington Hall July 10, 1859. The work was in charge of John C. Middle- ton, a candidate for orders in the Episcopal Church. Irreg- ular services were held for the next four years but in the spring of 1863 Mr. Middleton, who had been made rector of Calvary Church in Stonington, renewed his relations with his old friends in Mystic and arranged to hold a Sunr •day evening service there, beginning in the spring of 1864. When a i)ermanent mission was established. Rev. Lorenzo Sears, then a deacon, was placed in charge. By his advice and direction a church was organized under the name of St. Mark's on February 11, 1865. The first officers chosen were Daniel W. Denison and Roswell Brown, wardens; W. W. Kellogg, John Lee, F. T. Mercer, T. J. Griffin, Greg- ory Philpot, C. A. Jones and Amos Watrous, vestrymen. September 12, 1865, the parish ratified the purchase from Captain Ambrose H. Burrows for five hundred dollars of a lot of land on Pearl street. Mystic River, and the same -day Daniel W. Denison, Roswell Brown and W. W. Kellogg were appointed a building committee. On September 28, plans presented by Mr. Charles Tift were approved. They called for a building thirty-five feet wide and seventy-eight feet long, and work on the foundation was commenced at once. Owing to the nature of the ground, progress in pre- paring the foundation was slow and the work was ex- pensive. On April 8, 1866, Mr. Sears resigned, being followed by Hev. William Ingram Magill, who entered upon his labors July 11, 1866. The immediate pressing duty before the parish was the completion of the church building. The plans presented by Mr. Tift having proved impracticable, new ones prepared by Mr. A. G. Cutler of Norwich were accepted and the cornerstone was laid December 3, 1866. Through gifts of Hon. Asa Packer of Mauch Chunk, Penn., and the church at Stamford, Conn., the parish was able to complete the building, and on Christmas day, 1867, it was opened for public worship. The entire cost was nearly nine thousand dollars and a mortgage debt remained 216 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 of three thousand dollars. On October 14, 1869, Mr. Magill resigned and on November 2, 1869 was succeeded by Rev. Orlando F. Starkey. He labored faithfully to reduce the existing debt, in which however he was only partially successful. The most notable event of his rectorship was the pur- chase and installation of the large organ which had pre- viously been the property of the First Congregational Church of New London. Mr. Starkey resigned November .24, 1872. Rev. J. D. S. Pardee was called January 5, 1873, and entered upon his work soon after. His first work was the raising of the balance due on the mortgage debt, and on April 25, 1873, the church was dedicated by the Bishop of the Diocese, assisted by Rev. Thomas M. Clark, Bishop of Rhode Island, and other clergymen. The growth of the Sunday school required an enlargement of the building, which was made at a cost of four hundred dollars. In Jan- uary 1877 occurred the death of Daniel W. Denison, senior warden, who had been foremost in the work of the parish. After eight years of service Mr. Pardee resigned April 20, 1881, and on June 20 of the same year Rev. William F. Bielby was called, entering upon his work in July. January 14, 1883, there was purchased from the estate of Gilbert E. Morgan a house on Pearl street opposite the church for use as a rectory. One hundred dollars was paid in cash, the remainder being on mortgage until the legacy of Cap- tain Brereton in 1893 reduced the debt to six hundred dollars. Mr. Bielby resigned September 18, 1884, and was fol- lowed by Rev. Samuel G. Babcock, who remained until May 1885. Then came the short rectorships of Rev. Joseph A. Ticknor from August 1885 to August 1886, and Rev. Samuel Hall from November 3, 1886, to the summer of 1887. Rev. Joseph Hooper was called on September 20, 1887, to fill the vacancy and remained six years. He was followed in 1894 by Rev. Herbert L. Mitchell, who resigned in the fall of 1895. On December 1 of that year OTHER CHURCHES 217 Rev. Eugene Griggs was called and soon afterward entered upon his work. His services were not acceptable to the parish and the tie between them was dissolved and Mr. Mitchell again assumed the rectorship and remained until July 8, 1901. Rev. Albert C. Jones became rector on February 12, 1902, and remains until this day. Methodist Episcopal Church in Noank This society was organized April 9, 1878, and consisted of four brethren and three sisters. A chapel was built and for a time the interest was partially dependent upon the conference for support. In 1903 a permanent church was built, equipped with modem improvements. In addition to the churches named above, an Episcopol church was built in Noank in 1903 and a Roman Catholic church at about the same time. There are also three chapels in the town — one at the railroad ferry in Groton, one at Center Groton and one at Fishtown. CHAPTER XI THE EOGERENES AMONG the sects which have found a home in Groton should be mentioned the "Rogerene" Quakers. Founded by John Rogers in New London about 1675, their peculiar beliefs and practices soon brought them into con- flict with the standing order church, which dealt with them with no gentle hand. A branch of this society was estab- lished in Groton early in the eighteenth century. Great and varied has been the comment on the customs of the Rogerenes, but the commonly accepted view of the com- munity was tersely stated by a neighbor who when asked what their beliefs were answered: "To rejoice at every- body's downfall and not go to training." Time has softened men's judgment and today we look upon their work in the community as of constructive value. Perhaps no better statement of their case can be made than is presented in the chapter on "Quakertown" in a History of the Rogerenes* which we are permitted to use through the courtesy of Miss Williams. "In the new century, ecclesiastical persecutions are scarcely more than a tradition, save to the aged men and women still living who took part in their youth in the great counter-move, the sufferings attendant upon which are now, even to them, as a nightmare dream. The laws that nerved to heroic protest a people resolved to obey no dictation of man in regard to the worship of God lie dead upon the statute book — although as yet not buried. The Rogerenes are taking all needful rest on Sunday, the day set apart for their meetings. Many of these on the New London side * The Rogerenes, Part II, by Anna B. Williams, 1904. 218 THE ROGERENES 219 mingle as interested listeners in the various orthodox con- legations. They walk where they please on Sunday, and are no longer molested. The merciless intolerance which brought this sect into existence being no longer itself toler- ated, the chief mission of the Rogerenes is well-nigh ac- complished. The children may soon enter into that full Christian liberty in the cause of which their fathers suf- fered and withstood, during the dark era of ecclesiastical despotism in New England. "After the last veterans in this cause have been gathered to their rest, the past is more and more crowded out by the busy present. Most of the male descendants of the New London Rogerenes removed to other parts. Many of them are among the hardiest and most enterprising of the West- ■em pioneers. From homes in New York and Pennsylvania they move farther and farther west, until no State but has a strain from Bolles and Quaker Hill. Descendants who remain in New London, lacking a leader of their own sect in this generation, join in a friendly manner with other denominations, affiliating most readily with the Baptists and being least associated with the still dominant church. In Groton, however, despite some emigration, is still to be found an unbroken band of Rogerenes, and a remnant upon "Quaker Hill continues in fellowship with those of Groton. "As the region occupied by John Rogers, John Bolles -and their neighborhood of followers received the name of Quaker Hill, so that district in Groton occupied chiefly by Hogerenes received the name of Quakertown. "We find no written account or authenticated tradition regarding the beginnings of Quakertown, save that here was the home of the Groton leader, John Waterhouse. Given a man of this stamp as resident for half a century, and we have abundant cause for the founding in this place -of a community of Rogerenes as compact as that at Quaker Hill. "Quakertown occupies a district about two miles square in the southeastern part of the present town of Ledyard. It was formerly a part of Groton. Among the early Roger- 220 GEO TON, CONN. 1705-1905 enes of this vicinity was John Culver. Besides gifts of land from his father, John Culver had received a gift of land from Major John Pynchon of Springfield, Mass., in recog- nition of the "care, pains and service" of his father (John Culver, Sr.) in the division of Mr. Pynchon's lands (Groton records) formerly owned in partnership with James Rogers. John Culver, Jr., did not, however, depend upon farming, being a "panel maker" by trade. . . . John Culver and his family removed to New Jersey about 1735, there to found a Rogerene settlement. His daughter Esther, how- ever, remained in Groton, as the wife of John Waterhouse. "Among other early Groton residents was Samuel Whip- ple from Providence, both of whose grandfathers were nonconformists who had removed to Rhode Island to escape persecution in Massachusetts. About 1712 this enterprising man purchased a large amount of land (said to be 1,000 acres) about eight miles from the present Quakertown locality, in or near the present village of Poquetannoc. Upon a stream belonging to this property, he built iron-works and a saw-mill. It is said that the product of the iron-works was of a superior quality, and that anchors and iron portions of some of the ships built in New London were made at these works.* Samuel Whip- ple's son Zacharia married a daughter (Elizabeth) of John Rogers, 2nd; a grandson (Noah) of his son Samuel married a granddaughter (Hope Whipple) of the same leader, and a daughter (Anne) of his son Daniel married a grandson (William Rogers) of the same; while a daughter (Content) of his son Zacharia married Timothy Waterhouse, son of John Waterhouse. Yet it was not until early in the nine- teenth century that descendants of Samuel Whipple in the male line became residents of Quakertown.** That the early affiliations of the Whipple family with the Rogerenes had fitted their descendants for close union with the native * In his ■will, dated 1727, Samuel Whipple left the iron-works and saw-mill to his son Daniel; his lands with buildings to be divided between his sons Samuel, Zacharia and Zephania. The portion of Zacharia sold in 1734 for £1,000. ** The first of the name who came to Quakertown was Samuel THE ROGERENES 221 residents of the place is indicated by the prominent posi- tion accorded the Whipples in this community. "Other families of Groton and its neighborhood affiliated and intermarried with Rogerenes early in the nineteenth century. William Crouch of Groton married a daughter of John BoUes. This couple are ancestors of many of the later-day Rogerenes of Quakertown. Two sons and two grandsons of Timothy Watrous married daughters of Al^- ander Rogers of Quaker Hill (one of the younger sons of John, 2d). Although there was a proportion of Rogers and BoUes lineage in this community at an early date, there was not one of the Rogers or Bolles name. Later, a son of Alexander Rogers, 2d, married in Quakertown and settled there; but this is not a representative name in that locality, while Watrous, Whipple and Crouch are to be dis- tinctly classed as such. "As for other families who joined the founders of Quakertown or became associated with their descendants, it is safe to say that men and women who, on account of strict adherence to apostolic teachings, relinquished all hope of worldly pleasures and successes to join the devoted people of this isolated district were of a most religious and conscientious character. "Generally speaking, the New London descendants in the nineteenth century are a not uncompromising leaven, scattered far and wide among other people and congrega- tions whose religious traditions and predelictions are, unlike their own, of an ecclesiastical type. Every radical leaven of a truly Christian character is destined to have beneficial uses, for which reason it cannot so much be re- gretted that the fate of the New London community was to be broken up and widely disseminated. "While the New London Rogerenes were, through the mollifying influences of a liberal public opinion, as well as by a wide emigration and lack of a leader fitted to the Whipple (son of the above Noah and Hope) bom in 1766, a man of most estimable character and devotedly attached to peace prin- ciples. His brother Silas also settled in Quakertown. Samuel was the ancestor of those of the name now resident in that locality. 222 GEOTON, CONN. 1705-1905 emergency, slowly but surely blending with the world around them, quite a different policy was crystallizing upon the Groton side. That the Rogerene sect should continue and remain a separate people was undoubtedly the inten- tion of John Rogers, John Rogers, 2d, John BoUes and their immediate followers ; aye, a separate people until that day, should that day ever arrive, when there should be a general acceptance of the law of love instituted by Christ, in place of the old law of force and retaliation. Yet not only had these early leaders more than enough upon them in their desperate struggle for religious liberty, but they could not sufficiently foresee conditions ahead of their times, in order to establish their sect for a different era. "It was by the instinct of self-preservation combined with conscious inability to secure any adequate outside footing in the new state of affairs, that the small but compact band at Quakertown, beholding with dismay and disapproval the breaking up of the main body on the New London side, resolved to prevent such a disbanding of their own society, by carefully bringing up their children in the faith and as carefully avoiding contact with other denominations. It was a heroic purpose, the more so because such a policy of isolation was so evidently perilous to the race. Not so evi- dent was the fact that such exclusiveness must eventually destroy the sect which they so earnestly desired to preserve. Such, as has been seen, was not the policy of that founder whose flock were "scattered throughout New England," and some of the most efficient of whose co-workers were drawn from the midst of an antagonistic denomination; neither was it the policy of him who carried his petition not only to the General Court of Connecticut, but to that of Massa- chusetts. Yet it was no ordinary man who carried out the policy above outlined, with a straightforward purpose and vigorous leadership, in the person of Elder Zephania Watrous, a grandson of John Waterhouse. "John Waterhouse was living in 1773, at which date he was eighty-three years of age. Considerably previous to THE ROGERENES 223 that time he must have been succeeded by some younger man. "Elder Timothy Watrous, the Groton leader, who next appears to view, was a son of John Waterhouse, born in 1740. He is said to have been an able preacher and a man of the highest probity. "Supposing John Waterhouse to have been in active serv- ice to his seventy-fifth year, Timothy could have succeeded him at the age of twenty-four, at which age the latter took part in the great counter-move of 1764-66. His experi- ence in this conflict is given in his own words : "In the fore part of my life, the principal religion of the country was strongly defended by the civil power and many articles of the established worship were in opposition to the religion of Jesus Christ. Therefore I could not conform to them with a clear conscience. So I became a sufferer. I endured many sore imprisonments and cruel whippings. Once I received forty stripes save one with an instru- ment of prim, consisting of rods about three and a haJf feet long, with snags an inch long to tear the flesh. Once I was taken and my head and face covered with warm pitch, which filled my eyes and put me in great torment, and in that situation was turned out in the night and had two miles to go without the assistance of any person and but little help of my eyes. And many other things I have suffered, as spoiling of goods, mockings, etc., etc. But I do not pretend to relate particularly what I have suffered; for it would take a large book to contain it. But in these afflictions I have seen the hand of God in holding me up; and I have had a particular love to my per- secutors at times, which so convicted them that they confessed that I was assisted with the spirit of Christ. But although I had so tender a feeling toward them that I could freely do them all the good in my power; yet the truth of my cause would not suffer me to conform to their worship, or flinch at their cruelty one jot, though my life was at stake; for many times they threatened to kill me. But, through the mercy of God, I have been kept alive to this day and am seventy years of age; and I am as strong in the defense of the truth as I was when I suffered. But my persecutors are all dead; there is not one of them left. "This extract is from a book entitled "The Battle Axe," written by the above Timothy, Sr., and his sons Timothy and Zacharia. Timothy, Jr., succeeded his father as leader and preacher in this society. Zacharia was a schoolmaster of considerable note, and at one time taught school at 'the Head of the River.' He invented the coffee mill so gen- erally in use, which important invention, his widow, being ignorant of its worth, sold for forty dollars. Having dis- 224 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 covered some copper ore in the vicinity of his house, he smelted it and made a kettle. After a vain search to find a printer willing to publish 'The Battle Axe,' he made a printing-press, by means of which, after his death, his brother Timothy published the book. Thus 'The Battle Axe,' even aside from its subject-matter, was a book of no ordinary description. At a later date it was reprinted by the ordinary means. Copies of the first edition are now exceedingly rare and held at a high price. There is a copy of this edition in the Smithsonian Institute. "The first proof discovered that the Rogerenes have con- scientious scruples in regard to paying the military fine* is a printed petition issued by Alexander Rogers, one of the younger sons of John, 2d, of Quaker Hill, a thorough Rogerene, and, as has been seen, closely allied with those of Quakertown. This petition is dated 1810, at which time Alexander Rogers was eighty-two years of age; his chil- dren, however, were comparatively young. The fine was for not allowing his son to enter the train-band. It proves that, even at so late a date as this, the authorities were seizing property in the same way as of old, taking in this instance for a fine of a few shillings the only cow in the possession of the family, and making no return. As of old, no attempt is made to sue for the amount taken over and above the legal fine, but this petition is printed and probably well circulated in protest.** "Soon after the death of Timothy Watrous, Sr., and that of his son Zacharia, occurred the death of Timothy, Jr., in 1814. The latter was succeeded in leadership of the society by his youngest brother, Zephania, then about thirty years of age. "By this time, the Quakertown Society had become so large that there was need of better accommodations for their meetings than could be afforded in an ordinary house. In 1815 the Quakertown meeting-house was built, that * It is very possible that this society refused to pay military fines from the first; but no record of such refusal has been found. ** An original printed copy of this petition is extant in Quakertown. THE EOGERENES 225 picturesque and not inartistic house of many gables the first floor of which was for the occupation of the elder and his family, while the unpartitioned second story was for Rogerene meetings. "Materials and labor for the building of this meeting- house were furnished by members of the society. The timber is said to have been supplied from a forest felled by the September gale of 1815, and sawed in a saw-mill owned by Rogerenes. The same gale had unroofed the old Watrous (John Waterhouse) dwelling which stood near the site of the meeting-house.* "The Quakertown people had a schoolhouse of their own as well as a meeting-house, and thus fully controlled the training of their youth and preserved them from outside influence. About the middle of the century a regular meet- ing-house was built. The old meeting-house was turned entirely into a dwelling. The newer meeting-house re- sembles a schoolhouse. "Zephania Watrous was the last of the prominent leaders in this community. He was not only gifted as a religious teacher, but possessed much mechanical genius. By an ingenious device, water from a large spring was conducted into the cellar of the meeting-house and made to run the spinning-wheels in the living room above, where were made linen thread and fine table linen in handsome patterns. A daughter of this preacher (a sweet old lady, still living in this house in 1900) stated that she used often in her youth to spin sixty knots of thread a day. "It is alleged in Quakertown that Rogerenes were the first to decry slavery. This claim is not without founda- tion. Some of the Quakers censured this practice as early &s 1750, although many of them held slaves for a consider- able time after that date. Slavery was not publicly de- nounced in their society until 1760. It was before 1730 that John Bolles came to the conclusion that slavery was not in accordance with the teachings of the New Testament. * The old meeting-house is upon land which was part of the farm occupied by John Waterhouse, and afterwards by his son Timothy. 226 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Copies of the papers by which he freed his slaves, bearing the above date, may be seen among the New London town records. His resolve to keep no more slaves and his reasons for it are among the traditions cherished by his descend- ants. There is no indication that John Rogers, Sr., ever kept a slave, and many indications to the contrary. His son John, however, kept slaves to some extent, some of whom, at least, he freed for 'faithful service' (New Lon- don Records). Two able-bodied 'servants' are found in his inventory. His son James mentions a servant 'Rose' in his will of 1754. His son John, however, never kept a slave and his family were greatly opposed to that practice, by force of early teaching. With the exceptions here noted, no proof appears of the keeping of slaves among the early Rogerenes, although many of them were in circumstances to indulge in that practice, which was prevalent in their neighborhood. The date at which slavery was denounced by the Rogerene Society does not appear. "It is certain that the Rogerenes of Quakertown were not only among the first to declare against the brutality of war and the sanction it received from ministers and church members, but among the foremost in the denunciation of slavery. Nor were there those lacking on the New London side to join hands with their Groton friends on these grounds. The churches of New London, in common with others, would not listen to any meddling with slavery, par- tisanship on which question would surely have divided those churches. The Rogerenes saw no justifiable evasion, for Christians, of the rule to love God and your fellow-men, to serve God and not Mammon, and to leave the consequences with Him who gave the command. "At this period of the antislavery agitation, some of the descendants of John Rogers and John Bolles on the New London side (no longer called by the name of Rogerenes), and other sympathizers with those of Quakertown, attended meetings in the upper chamber of the house of many gables, and joined with them in antislavery and other Rogerene sentiments, declarations and endeavors. Among these vis- THE ROGERENES 227 itors was William Bolles, the enterprising book publisher of New London, who had become an attendant upon the services of the Baptist church of New London; but who withdrew from such attendance after discovery that the minister and leading members of that church expected those opposed to slavery to maintain silence upon that sub- ject. He published a paper in this cause, in 1838, called THE ULTIMATUM, with the following heading: "ULTIMATUM "THE PRESS MUZZLED: PULPIT GAGGED: LIB- ERTY OF SPEECH DESTROYED: THE CONSTITU- TION TRAMPLED UNDER FOOT: MOBS TRIUMPH- ANT, AND CITIZENS BUTCHERED: OR, SLAVERY ABOLISHED— THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE— FELLOW CITIZENS, MAKE YOUR ELECTION. "A few disconnected sentences (by way of brevity) selected from one of the editorial columns of this sheet will give some idea of its style : " 'It is with pleasure we make our second appearance before our fellow citizens, especially when we remember the avidity with which our first number was read, so that we were obliged to print a second edition. Our sheet is' the organ of no association of men or body of men, but it is the friend of the oppressed and the uncompromising enemy of all abuses in Church and State. Our friends S. and J. must not be surprised that their communications are not admitted — the language is too harsh, and partakes a little too much of the denunciatory spirit for us. We care not how severely sin is rebuked but we would remind them that a rebuke is severe in proportion as the spirit is kind and the language courteous — our object is to con- ciliate and reform, not to exasperate.' "About the year 1850, several noted abolitionists came to New London to hold meetings. Rogerenes from Quaker- town gathered with others to hear the speeches. When the time for the meeting arrived, the use of the court-house, which had previously been promised them, was refused. In this dilemma, Mr. Bolles told the speakers they could go to the burying-ground and there speak, standing upon his mother's grave. The meeting took place, but during its continuance the speakers were pelted with rotten eggs. "Mr. Bolles often entertained at his house speakers in 228 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 the abolition cause. Such speakers were also entertained at Quakertown, where they frequently held meetings when not allowed to speak elsewhere in the region. The Rogerenes of this place also assisted in the escape of fugitive slaves, Quakertown being, between 1830 and 1850, one of the sta- tions of the Underground Railroad. Fugitive slaves were brought here under cover of darkness, concealed in the meeting-house and forwarded by night to the next station. For these daring deeds the Quakertown people were re- peatedly mobbed and suffered losses. "Rogerenes were also among the first in the cause of temperance, nor did they confine their temperance prin- ciples to the use of tobacco and intoxicating liquors, but advocated temperance in eating as well. Although never observing the fast days appointed by ecclesiastical law, they made use of fasting with prayer, and fasted for their phy- sical as well as spiritual good, judging the highest degree of mental or spiritual power not to be obtained by persons who indulged in 'fullness of bread.' The Rogerenes of Quakertown have been and still are earnest advocates of temperance principles. "The isolation and exclusiveness of the Quakertown com- munity in the nineteenth century has already been noted as a distinct departure from the liberal and outreaching policy of the early Rogerenes. There was yet another de- parture, in regard to the freedom of speech, which culmin- ated, about the middle of the nineteenth century, in a division of this community into two opposing parties. At this date. Elder Zephania Watrous was advanced in years ; but he had been, and still was, a man of great force of character, and was accounted a rigid diciplinarian. Only a man of such type could have held this community to its strictly exclusive policy for so long a period. "Free inquiry, with expression of individual views, was favored by the Rogerenes from the first, and formed an important feature of their meetings for study and exposi- tion of gospel truths. Largely by this very means were their youth trained to interest in, and knowledge of, the THE ROGERENES 229 Scriptures. Such freedom had been instituted by the founder of the sect, with no restrictions save the boundary line between liberty and license. "The elder did not favor free speech in the meetings of the society ; he undoubtedly judged that such freedom would tend to disorder and division. The sequel, however, proved that a society which could be held firmly together, for more than a hundred years, under a remarkably liberal policy in this regard, could be seriously divided under the policy of repression. "The feeling upon this point became so intense that public meetings were held in Quakertown for full discus- sion of the subject pro and con. These meetings excited wide interest, and were attended by many persons from adjoining towns. The party for free speech won the vic- tory; but the division tended to weaken the little church, the decline of which is said to date from that period. "For nearly two hundred years. New Testament doctrines as expounded by John Rogers (in his writings) have been taught in Quakertown, and the Bible studied and restudied anew, with no evasion or explaining away of its apparent meanings. Morality has been taught not as a separate code, but as a principal part of the religion of Jesus Christ. Great prominence has been given to non-resistance and all forms of application of the law of love. "Women were from the first encouraged to speak in Rogerene meetings, the meetings referred to being those for exhortation, prayer and praise. John Bolles wrote a treatise in favor of allowing women to speak in such meet- ings. Mr. Bownas also quotes John Rogers as saying that women were admitted to speak in Rogerene meetings, 'some of them being qualified by the gift of the Spirit.' "Among the principles rigidly insisted upon in Quaker- town are that persons shall not be esteemed on account of wealth, learning or position, but only for moral and re- ligious characteristics ; strict following of the Golden Rule by governments as well as by individuals, hence no going to war, or retaliatory punishments (correction should be 230 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 kindly and beneficent) ; no profane language, or the taking of an oath under any circumstances; no voting for any man having principles contrary to the teachings of the New Testament; no set prayers in meetings, but dependence on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; no divorce except for fornication ; to suffer rather than to cause suffering. There has always been great disapprobation of 'hireling minis- ters.' None of the Rogerene elders ever received payment for preaching or for pastoral work. "A gentleman who has been prominent in the Quaker- town Society being questioned, some years since, in regard to the lack of sympathy between the Rogerenes and other denominations, gave the following reasons for a state of feeling on both sides which is not wholly absent even at the present day: " 'The other churches considered cessation of work on Sunday to be a part of the Christian religion, and to be forced upon all such. Many of their preachers were led into the ministry as a learned and lucrative profession, with no spiritual call to preach, being educated by men for that purpose. In many instances these preachers were worldly- minded to a great extent. The churches believed in war and in training men to kill their fellowmen. Ministers and church members used liquor freely. Church members held slaves, and ministers upheld the practice. For a long time the Rogerenes were compelled to assist in the support of the Congregational Church, to which of all churches they were most opposed, on account of its assumption of author- ity over others in the matter of religion. The Rogerenes were fined for not attending the regular meetings, and cruelly persecuted for not keeping sacred the "idol Sabbath" so strictly observed by other denominations. Although per- secution has ceased, prejudice still remains on both sides, partly inherited, as it were, and partly the result of con- tinued differences of opinion.' "At the present day, meetings in Quakertown are similar to Baptist or Methodist conference meetings. The Lord's Supper is observed once a quarter. In the old times the THE ROGERENES 231 Rogerenes held a feast once a year, in imitation of the last passover with the disciples, at which time a lamb was killed and eaten with unleavened bread. The Sunday service con- sisted of preaching and exposition of Scripture, while prayers, singing of hjnnns, relation of experience, etc., were reserved for the evening meetings of the society. The latter were meetings for the professing Christians, while the Sun- day meetings were public meetings, where all were wel- comed. It will be observed that this was according to the apostolic practice, and not materially different from the practice of other denominations at the present day. "If there was so decided an aversion to physicians on the part of the early Rogerenes as has been represented, it has not come down to the present time among the people of Quakertown, as have most of the old time sentiments and customs; yet evidence is not lacking to prove that their predecessors made use of faith and prayer in the healing of disease, and that there have been cases of such healing in this society. One of the latter, within the memory of per- sons yet living, was recounted to us by the gentleman to whom we have referred, upon our inquiring of him if he had ever heard of any cures of this kind in Quakertown. Pointing to a portrait on the wall, he said, 'That man was cured in a remarkable manner.' He then stated the cir- cumstances as follows: "He had been sick with dysentery, and was so low that his death was momentarily expected; his wife had even taken out the clothes she wished placed upon him after death. While he lay in this seeming last stage of the disease, he suddenly became able to speak, and said, in a natural tone, to his wife : 'Bring me my clothes.' She told him he was very ill and must not try to exert himself; but he continued so urgent that, to pacify him, she brought the clothes he usually wore. He at once arose, dressed himself and was apparently well, and so continued. He said that, while he lay there in that weak condition, he suddenly felt an invisible hand placed upon his head and heard a voice saying 'Arise, my son, you are healed,' upon which he im- 232 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 mediately felt a complete change, from extreme illness and weakness to health and strength; hence his request to his wife. "There are numerous traditions regarding the offering of prayers for recovery by the bedside of the sick, on the part of the early elders of this commimity, who were sometimes desired to render this service outside of their own society, and readily complied. "That the founders of this community, both men and women, were persons of no ordinary mental and physical vigor is attested by the excellent mental and physical con- dition of their descendants, after generations of inter- marriage within their own borders. At the present day, it would puzzle an expert to calculate their complicated rela- tionships. In a visit to this locality, some years since, we met two of the handsomest, brightest and sweetest old ladies we ever beheld, each of whom had passed her eightieth year, and each of whom bore the name of Esther (as did the wife of John Waterhouse) . Both were descend- ants of John Rogers, and of the first settlers of Quaker- town several times over. One of them told us that her grandmother took a cap-border to meeting to hem in the time of the great countermove, at which time and for which cause she was whipped at the New London whipping-post; also that for chopping a few sticks of wood in his back-yard, on Sunday, a Quakertown man was 'dragged to New Lon- don prison.' This is but a hint of the traditions that linger in this community regarding the days of persecution. The other lady, a daughter of Elder Zephania Watrous, lived in the old meeting-house, where she was bom. In the room with this gentle and comely old lady were five generations of the Watrous family, herself the eldest, and a child of four or five years the youngest, all fair representatives of Quakertown people; healthy, intelligent and good-looking. "To a stranger in these parts, it is a wonder how the inhabitants have maintained themselves in such an appar- ently sterile and rocky region. In fact, these people did not depend upon agriculture for a livelihood. Although THE ROGERENES 233 thus isolated, they were from the first thrifty, ingenious and enterprising. The property of the first settlers having been divided and subdivided among large families, it was not long before their descendants must either desert their own community or invent methods of bringing into Quakertown adequate profits from without. Consequently, we find them, early in the nineteenth century, selling, in neighboring towns, cloths, threads, yarn and other commodities of their own matiufacture. A large proportion of the men learned trades and worked away from home during the week. Many of them were stone-masons, a trade easily learned in this rocky region, and one in which they became experts. In later times, we find some of them extensively engaged in raising small fruits, especially strawberries. "Although, with the decline of persecution, no new leader arose to rank with those of the past, bright minds have not been lacking in later days in this fast thinning community, which, like other remote country places, has suffered by the emigration of its youth to more promising fields of action. "Timothy Watrous, 2nd, invented the first machine for cutting cold iron into nails. He also made an entire clock himself. "Samuel Chapman, a descendant of John Rogers and John Waterhouse, is said to have made and sailed the first steamship on the Mississippi, He founded large iron- works in New Orleans. His son Nathan was one of the founders of the Standard Iron Works of Mystic. "Jonathan Whipple, a descendant of John Rogers, having a deaf and dumb son, conceived the idea of teaching him to understand by the motion of the lips, by which method he soon spoke sonorously and distinctly, and became a man of integrity and cultivation. Zerah C. Whipple, a grandson of Jonathan, becoming interested in this discovery, resolved to devote his life to its perfection. He invented the Whipple Natural Alphabet, and with the aid of his grandfather, Jon- athan, founded The Home School for the deaf and dumb, at Mystic. 234 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 "Julia Crouch, author of "Three Successful Girls," (a descendant of John Rogers and John Bolles) , was a Roger- ene of Quakertown. "Ida Whipple Benham, a well-known poet, and for many- years an efficient member of the Peace Society, was of Quakertown origin. "In recent years the Rogerenes of Quakertown have given much attention to the cause of peace and arbitration. The Universal Peace Union having been established by the Quakers, soon after the rebellion, the people of Quakertown invited members of that society to join them in holding a peace convention near Mystic, the most suitable available point in the vicinity of Quakertown. Accordingly, in August 1868, the first of an unbroken series of yearly peace meetings was held in an attractive grove on a hill by the Mystic River. Including the invited guests, there were present forty-three persons. The second meeting, in August 1869, showed such an increase of interest and attend- ance that the Connecticut Peace Society was organized, as a branch of the Universal Peace Union, and Jonathan Whip- ple of Quakertown was elected president. This venerable man (to whom we have before referred) , besides publishing and circulating The Bond of Peace (a paper advocating peace principles), had long been active as a speaker and correspondent in the cause so dear to his heart. "In 1871, James E. Whipple, of Quakertown, a young man of high moral character, having refused from conscientious scruples to pay the military tax imposed upon him, was arrested by the town authorities of Ledyard and confined in the Norwich jail, where he remained several weeks. "About the same time, Zerah C. Whipple, being called upon to pay a military tax, refused to thus assist in up- holding a system which he believed to be anti-Christian and a relic of barbarous ages. He was threatened with imprisonment ; but some kindly disposed person, interfering -without his knowledge, paid the tax. "In 1872, a petition signed by members of the Peace Society was presented to the legislature of Connecticut THE ROGERENES 235 praying that body to make such changes in the laws of the State as should be necessary to secure the petitioners in the exercise of their conscientious convictions in this regard. The petition was not granted; but the subject excited no little interest and sympathy among some of the legislators. "In the summer of 1874, Zerah C. Whipple, still refusing to do what his conscience forbade, was taken from his home by the tax collector of Ledyard and placed in the New Lon- don jail. His arrest produced a profound impression, he being widely known as the principal of the school for teach- ing the dumb to speak, and also as a very honest, high- souled man. "During his six weeks' imprisonment the young man ap- pealed to the prisoners to reform their modes of life, re- proved them for vulgarity and profanity, furnished them books to read, and began teaching English to a Portuguese confined there. The jailer himself said to the commissioner that although he regretted Mr. Whipple's confinement in jail on his own account, he should be sorry to have him leave, as the men had been more quiet and easy to manage since he had been with them. On the evening of the sixth day, an entire stranger called at the jail and desired to know the amount of the tax and costs, which he paid, saying he knew the worth of Mr. Whipple, that his family for gen- erations back had never paid the military tax, and he wished to save the State the disgrace of imprisoning a per- son guilty of no crime. This man was not a member of the Peace Society. Mr. Whipple afterwards learned that his arrest was illegal, the laws of the State providing that where property is tendered, or can be found, the person shall be unmolested. The authorities of Groton did not compel the payment of this tax by persons conscientiously opposed to it. "In 1872, The Bond of Peace was removed to Quaker- town and its name changed to The Voice of Peace. Zerah C. Whipple undertook its publication and continued it until 1874, when it was transferred to a committee of the Uni- versal Peace Union. It is now published in Philadelphia as 236 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 the official organ of that society, under the name of The Peacemaker. "The call of Mrs. Julia Ward Howe for a woman's peace society was heartily responded to by the Connecticut Peace Society, and the 2nd of June was for years celebrated, by appropriate exercises, as Mother's Day. "The annual grove meeting increased rapidly in attend- ance and interest. The number present at the tenth meet- ing was estimated at 2,500. In 1875 it was decided to pro- long the time of the convention to a second day's session, and the two days' session was attended with unabated interest. "Jonathan Whipple, first president of the Connecticut Peace Society, died in March 1875. Shortly before the end he was heard to say: 'Blessed are the peacemakers; but there has been no blessing promised to warriors.' "The grove meeting is now held three days annually. It is the largest gathering of the kind in the world. The large tent used at first was replaced some years since by a com- modious wooden structure, which is the property of the Universal Peace Union. "From the first, some of the most noted speakers on peace and kindred topics have occupied the platform, among them Belva Lockwood, Mary A. Livermore, Julia Ward Howe, Aaron M. Powell, Rowland B. Howard, Robert Treat Paine, Delia S. Pamell, George T. Angell, H. L. Hastings, William Lloyd Garrison, etc. The Hutchinson family used fre- quently to sing at these meetings. The only one now re- maining of that gifted choir, a gentleman as venerably beautiful as any bard of ancient times, has in recent sum- mers favored the audience in the grove with several sweet songs appropriate to the occasion. "It is said that the winding road leading about Quaker- town is in the shape of a horseshoe. May this be an omen of honors yet to come to this little battlefield, where an isolated, despised, yet all-devoted band have striven for nearly two centuries to be true to the pure and simple pre- cepts of the New Testament as taught them by sufferers for THE ROGERENES 237 obedience to those truths, beside many a fireside where tales of woe for past endeavors, mingled with prayers for future victories, have nerved young hearts to the old-time en- durance, for His name's sake. "Many are the noble men and women who, from first to last, have been content to live and die in this obscure local- ity, unhonored by the world and sharing not its luxuries or pleasures, consoled by the promises of the New Testa- ment : promises which are not to the rich and honored (as such) but chiefly to those who for obedience to the teach- ings of this Word are outcast and despised, poor and un- learned, and even, if need be, persecuted and slain. "Not because that good man, Jonathan Whipple, was more conscientious or talented than many another of the Rogerenes of this locality, but because he was a good speci- men of the kind of men that have from time to time been reared in this society, there is given in the following note* an abstract from a published account of his life, a copy of which was forwarded to us by his daughter, Mrs. Whaley, in 1893. In the letter containing this enclosure she said: 'I hope that justice will at length be done our so long mis- understood and misrepresented people.' * Jonathan Whipple was bom in 1794. He never attended school, but it was not from lack of inclination, for he most ardently de- sired an education. The reader from which his mother taught him his letters he learned so thoroughly that he could repeat it verbatim. In arithmetic he had not instruction further than the fund^nental rules, but while he was yet a boy he learned enough of numbers to answer for ordinary occasions. His father set him his first copies in writing but he improved so rapidly that he soon needed better instruction and got neighboring school-tenchers to write copies for him. Ere many years had elapsed, he had no need of copies, since he ranked in penmanship among the first. Although Mr. Whipple was a hard working mason, he so much felt the need of more education than he possessed, that, after he had married and settled down in life, he set about informing him- self more thoroughly than his previous opportunities had allowed. He so far qualified himself, that he was employed several terms to teach a school of over seventy pupils. In point of discipline and promptness of recitation his school ranked first in town. He contributed many articles to various papers, touching on the great topics before the public. The temperance cause received his hearty support, for he was a total abstinence man, at a time when even the most respectable men regularly took their "grog." 238 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 "Presentation of facts belongs to the historian; but the effect and uses of the information thus afforded is for the reader. We have collected and set in order such attested facts as we have been able to discover relative to the history of the Rogerenes, of which sect the people of Quakertown are the only distinct representatives of the present day. "If at the end of this history it should be asked: 'How can the Rogerene sect be described in briefest terms?' we reply : "The doctrines and customs of this sect were patterned as closely as possible after the early church of the Gentiles, instituted under apostolic effort and direction ; hence it in- cluded the evangelical portion and excluded the unevangeli- cal portions of the doctrines and customs of every sect known to Christendom. Should a new sect be brought into existence on strictly evangelical lines, it would, to all intents and purposes, be the same as the Rogerene Society. It is He was an abolitionist of the most radical type long before the names of Garrison and Phillips were known in the land. As an advocate for universal peace, he was found among the pioneers in the cause. In short, he was a philanthropist in the broadest and truest sense of the word; he labored all his life for the good of his fellow-creatures. He was kind and generous; was never engaged in a law-suit in his life, and spent more time with the sick than any other non-professional man of our acquaintance. In the summer of 1820 the typhoid fever raged in his neighbor^ hood; he spent his whole time, without a thought of reward, among the sufferers. His blameless and useful life made him respected and beloved wherever he was known. The fame, however, that he acquired was chiefly due to his remarkable success in teaching the deaf to talk. When the youngest of his five children was old enough to walk, he noticed that, although the boy seemed active and intelligent, he made no effort to speak. The discovery that his little Enoch was actually deaf was a trial that seemed greater than he coidd endure. To think that this (his youngest) son must be forever shut out of the world of sound and doomed to endless silence was unendurable. After many fruitless trials to make the boy hear and repeat what he heard, the father gave it up as useless. Mr. Whipple had never heard of the schools in Europe where the_ deaf are taught articulation and lip-reading ; but, at length, noticing that Enoch would sometimes attempt to repeat a word, if he was looking directly at the speaker's mouth, he thought oc- curred to the father that perhaps every word had a shape, and that by learning the shape of each letter, as moulded by the mouth, the boy might be taught to imitate it The task was begun. THE ROGERENES 239 evident, however, that a marked feature of the Rogerene sect would be lacking to such a church in modern times, viz., the constant need of withstanding ecclesiastical laws whose unimpeded sway would have prevented the existence of any truly evangelical church. It is easy to perceive that the growth of such a spirit of close adherence to New Testa- ment teachings as animated the Rogerenes would tend to the obliteration of sects. "Should the churches of Christendom ever awake to the fact that not one of them but has made and countenanced signal departures from the teachings of Christ and his apostles, both in principles and modes, and that their dif- ferences one from the other are founded upon variations from the first divinely instituted church, and should they, on thus awakening, join hands, in council assembled, with the purpose of uniting in one church of the apostolic model, fully devoted to the cause of peace on earth and good will to men, then would dawn the millenium. "It is plain that John Rogers had faith in the people at large for the realization of such a church universal, could Every moment Mr. Whipple could spare, — for he was a poor man, and besides his own family there were some orphan children de- pending upon him, — he devoted to teaching his little son. It was astonishing what progress was made. Other members of the fam- ily also acted as teachers, and as Enoch grew towards manhood, he was not merely on par with his associates, but acknowledged by ail to be a superior youth. He could read, could write a nice hand, and for deciphering poor penmanship there was scarcely his equal for miles around. He could also talk. To such perfection was his instruction carried by his energetic father that this deaf man has done business with strangers, bought goods from mer- chants, etc., and has gone away without leaving a suspicion of his infirmity. As has been seen, the efforts of Mr. Whipple did not end with teaching his own son. He made many successful experiments with other deaf mutes, which led to the founding of The Home School for the deaf at Mystic. After Jonathan Whipple had passed his seventieth year, his facul- ties remained unimpaired, and he was as indefatigable in his efforts to improve the condition of the afflicted as when his theory was first put in practice. His life was a useful and beautiful one; not a struggle to gain wealth or to win fame; but simply to do good. His declining years were cheered by the knowledge that he had wronged none and bettered many. — Abstract from Life of Jona- than Whipple in "Men of Mark." 240 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 adequate leadership be procured. He believed that of exist- ing societies of the evangelical order having in his day a fair start, that of the Quakers, (by its peace principles and dependence on the Holy Spirit) , was best fitted to take the lead. For such an end he had urged upon that society the instituting among them the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, which they had rejected, and he expressed his opinion forcibly when he said to Mr. Bownas in 1703 that if the Quakers would take those two ordinances they could 'carry all before them.' (As quoted by Mr. Bownas.) " CHAPTER XII REVOLUTIONARY WAR IN THE OPENING CHAPTERS of this volume we have given a full account of the Pequot War and of the bloody fight of John Mason's forces at Pequot Hill. For nearly forty years this terrible lesson was heeded, and it was not until another generation had arisen that the Indians, led by the daring and able chieftain, Philip, attempted to con- test the title to the land so rapidly filling up with white men. The territory now embraced in Groton was not directly involved, though great fears were felt for the safety of the border towns of Stonington and Norwich. In the fall of 1675, the colonial authorities of Massachu- setts, Plymouth and Connecticut, realizing the danger that would come to them if the threatened coalition between Philip and the Narragansetts should be carried out in the coming spring, resolved on a winter campaign. "The com- missioners of the united colonies," says Trumbull in his History of Connecticut (Vol. 1, p. 337), therefore resolved that an army of a thousand men should be raised for a winter campaign, to attack the enemy at their head- quarters in the Narragansett country. . . . The pro- portion of Connecticut was three-hundred and fifteen men, l)ut they sent into the field three hundred Englishmen and one-hundred and fifty Mohegans and Pequot Indians." The quota of New London County was seventy men be- sides Indians. Of this number New London, Stonington and Lyme furnished forty. The whole force was ordered to rendezvous at New Lon- don on December 10, 1675, and no time was lost, as a junction was effected with the troops from the other col- 241 242 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 onies, and the Indians were totally defeated at the "Swamp Fight" in South Kingstown, R. I., on December 19th, The severe loss sustained by the Connecticut troops in this battle — eighty killed and wounded — caused them to return home to refit, but we find them again in the field in January 1676. Miss Caulkins says in her History of New London (1860, p. 186) : "Returning to an early period of the contest, we find that in February 1675-6 commenced that series of forays into the Indian territory which, issuing at short in- tervals from New London county and led by those noted Indian fighters, Denison and Avery, contributed in no small degree to the favorable result." Hubbard tells us:* "The inhabitants of New London, Norwich and Stonington, ap- prehensive of their danger, by reason of the near bordering of the enemy, and upon other prudent considerations, vol- untarily listed themselves under some able gentlemen and resolute soldiers among themselves, Major Palmer, Cap- tain George Denison, Captain Avery, with whom or under whom, within the compass of 1676, they made ten or more several expeditions in all of which at those several times they killed and took two-hundred and thirty-nine of the enemy, by the help and assistance of the Pequots, Mohegans and a few friendly Narragansetts ; besides thirty taken in their long march homeward after the fort fight December 19th, '75, and besides sixteen captivated in the second ex- pedition not reckoned within the company of the said num- ber; together with fifty guns and spoiling the enemy of one hundred bushels of corn." The names of the inhabitants of Groton who participated in this war have not been preserved, but among the volun- teers who were granted land in Voluntown for their services in the Narragansett war, we find in Miss Larned's History of Windham County, (Vol. 1, p. 241) , the following that be- long to Groton : Captain James Avery, James Avery, John Avery, Thomas Avery, Ephraim Colver, Edward Colver, Philip Bill, William Burnett, Thomas Rose, Nehemiah Smith, * Narrative of the Indian Wars, p. 187. REVOLUTIONARY WAR 243 James Morgan, John Latham, John Waterhouse, Nathaniel Park, Aaron Stark, John Stark, Peter Spicer, Joseph Water- house, John Packer, Samuel Packer and Joseph Colver. Of other wars in which Groton men took part we find only scattered records. Of the French and Indian war an old orderly book of Captain Benadam Gallup, which has been preserved in the family, gives the travel of a company which marched from Groton to Fort Edward: "Capt. B. Adm Gallup. His Minnt Book 1757. beginning or baring Date from the 15th of April. I marched from Groton with my men the 7th day of April 1757 it being Thursday. April the 13. 1757 the first part of my men began their March from Norwich, the 14th of April the Rest marched from Norwich we aRived at Hartford 16 of April, the 20 of April we marched to farmington. 21st of April we marched to harwington. 22 of April it being friday we marched to Litchfield to Corel Mashes, on Saturday 23 of April we marched to Cornwell. Sunday the 24th of April wee marched to Salisbury. "on Monday the 25 of April we marched to Livingstons Manna, on the 26 day of April we marched to Cloverick it being tuesday to Lieut. John van Hogan. we encamped their to the 11 day of May then we Received orders to march to Scatacook which was Wednesday the 11 Day of May 1757. Wednesday the 11th day of May we marched from Claverick to Canterhoock. on thirsday the 12 day of May we marched from Canterhoock to Greanburgh. friday 13 day of May we marched to the flats, on Saturday the 14 day of May we marched to Scatacook. on Sunday the 15 Day of May we Received orders to march 3 miles down the River to vanantwarps where we incamped. "thirsDay the 19 Day of May we was a Larramed by a party of Indians 7 in number fired at a man on the west side of the River shot his close through in several places the man escaped. Saturday May 21. we was ordered to cross the River and on the west side we Pitched our tents that night, on Sunday the 22 of May we marched to Still- water the medows where we incamped that night, on 244 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Monday the 23 of May we marched to Saratoga where we incamped. on thursday the 26 day of May General Lyman Capt. Putnam. Capt. fitch and the major Companys marched for fort Edward. "on Saturday the 28 day of May Capt. Slay Capt. Jef- fords and I marched to the West side of the River where we incamped that night, on Sunday the 29 day of May we marched into fort Edward and their pitched our tents within the Pickets, on the 16 Day of September we had orders to March over to the Island and their incamp." Letters written by Abel Spicer* have been preserved, showing that he was a member of Captain John Stanton's company of Whiting's regiment, in camp near Lake George, August 7, 1758 ; also that he was a member of the "General's Gard at Crownpoynt August ye 20th A. D. 1759." Sergeant John Burrows** "was a regimental orderly sergeant in the French and Indian War. He was present at the capture of Quebec in 1759 under General Wolfe. His pocket order book and journal is carefully preserved by (the family of) his grandson John Burrows of Groton, Conn. It contains minute and interesting records of his services at Crown Point and Ticonderoga." The experience gained in this war proved of great value a few years later when the war of the Revolution became a stern reality. In the events that led up to that struggle Groton acted an honorable part, and had her full share of responsibility. On June 20, 1774, at a town meeting over which William Williams presided it was "Voted, this town taking into consideration the dangerous situation of the British Colonies in North America, respect- ing sundry late acts of the British Parliament, particularly those of shutting up the port of Boston the metropolis of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and abridging their chartered rights &c. which if carried into execution, not only deprives us all of our privileges, but renders life and property very precarious, and as we esteem the inhabitants * The Spicer Genealogy, p. 71. ** Burrows Family, by F. Denison, p. 30. REVOLUTIONARY WAR 245 of Boston, now suffering the tyranny of said acts of Parlia- ment, and in the conunon cause of America ; "Voted — That we will join with the other towns in this Colony in such reasonable measures as shall be judged best for the general good, and most likely to obtain redress of our grievances. "Voted — That we esteem a general Congress of all the Colonies the only probable method to adopt a uniform plan for the preservation of the whole. "Voted — That if it shall be judged best by said Congress to stop all exports to Great Britain and the West Indies, and all imports from them we will most cheerfully acquiesce in their determinations, esteeming the benefits arising therefrom mere trifles compared with the rights and priv- ileges of America. "Voted — That Capt. William Ledyard, Thomas Mumford, Benadam Gallup, Doct. Amos Prentice, Mess. Charles Eldredge Jr., Dea. John Hurlbut and Amos Gere be a com- mittee to correspond with the Committees of the several towns of this and other British colonies. "Voted — That the above resolution be published in the New London Gazette." (Signed) "William Avery, Town Clerk." Again on December 12, 1774: "The inhabitants of this town, being sensible that a strict adherence to and observance of the Resolves of the Continental Congress, held in Philadelphia in September last, is of the utmost importance for the preservation of American rights and liberties to effect which according to the 11th article of said Congress, we do choose the follow- ing gentlemen a Committee of Inspection for the purpose therein contained viz., Ebenezer Ledyard, Thomas Mum- ford, William Williams, Benadam Gallup, William Avery, Solomon Perkins, David Avery, William Morgan, John Elderkin, Joseph Packer, John Hurlbut, Ebenezer Avery (2) and Amos Gere as a Committee of Inspection for the ensuing year." (Signed) "William Avery, Town Clerk." 246 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 The names of Simeon Avery, Stephen Billings, Rev. Park Avery and Nathan Gallup were added in 1775. Of the men named Captain Ledyard was slain while commanding Fort Griswold in 1781. Thomas Mumford filled various positions of honor and trust throughout the war. He was one of the company of Connecticut men who planned and carried out the capture of Ticonderoga in April 1775. Benadam Gal- lup, although an old man at the breaking out of the war, served as lieutenant colonel until after the campaign ending at White Plains, when he was retired on account of the infirmities of age. Dr. Amos Prentice served the town faithfully as selectman and representative and was the resident physician of the town at the time of the Fort Griswold massacre in 1781, and to the exercise of his skill is due the recovery of so many of the severely wounded. Charles Eldredge and Solomon Perkins appear among those wounded and David and Ebenezer Avery among those killed at Fort Griswold, and Ebenezer Ledyard was carried away a prisoner as hostage for those paroled and left behind. Deacon John Hurlbut served but a short time, having removed in 1778 to the Susquehanna country. Amos Gere, a graduate of Yale College, served the town many years as justice of the peace, and also served three terms in the Legislature. The defenceless condition of Groton was early called to the attention of the Colony and in 1775, at a town meeting, it was "Voted — That Thos. Mumford Esq. and Lieut. Nathan Gallup be agents for said town to represent to the Honor- able General Assembly the situation and circumstances of said town respecting their need and necessity of erecting a fortification near the Ferry, and to obtain an order to draw money out of the Colony Treasury for what cost they have (been) or may be at for the purpose aforesaid, with the officers to take care of the same." (Signed) "Col. Ebenezer Avery, "Wm. Avery, "Moderator. "Clerk." REVOLUTIONARY WAR 247 In April of the same year, 1775, a committee was ap- pointed which later reported that three positions should be fortified, one of which was Groton Heights. Miss Caulkins writes of conditions in Groton as follows:* "On the Groton side of the river with a spirit of enthusiasm that did not wait for legislative aid, the inhabitants voluntarily threw up embankments, excavated ditches and erected breast- works at sundry exposed placefe, which, though they had no ordnance except a few pieces at the principal battery on the heights, obtained from the supply brought in by Com- modore Hopkins, they resolved to defend to the last ex- tremity." An acre and a quarter of land was purchased of Jonathan Chester and Elisha Prior, and Fort Griswold was com- menced on December 5, 1775. The name given to it in honor of the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony was not bestowed upon it until a year later, at which time it was still unfinished. Colonel Samuel Mott was the engineer of Fort Griswold, Ebenezer Ledyard had charge of purchas- ing necessary materials and Edward Mott, brother of the Colonel, was the first commanding officer, being appointed in February 1776. In March 1778 Captain William Ledyard was given com- mand of New London, Groton and Stonington, being raised to the rank of major, and William Latham was made cap- tain of artillery. Groton responded to the Lexington alarm by sending a company under Captain Abel Spicer, which company was at Bunker Hill and remained with the army under Washington until after the evacuation of Boston. A letter from the first lieutenant of the company, Isaac Gallup, has been preserved and is worthy of a place here: "Roxbury, March 27 A. D. 1776 "Honored Father and Mother "I embrace this opportunity to acquaint you with our circumstances at present. It is generally healthy in the army. We have had but one that is sick in our Company * History of New London, 1st ed., p. 518. 248 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 SO as to be confined, several complaining. I am in good health at this time and I hope these lines will find you and your family and friends. I conclude you have heard before this time that the town of Boston is in our possession — ^to give you every particular would be very lengthy. I should have wrote you before but have had no opportunity when off duty, as our duty has been very hard for some time back. To give you a short detail of their leaving the town. "On Saturday night, the 16th instant we took possession of Dorchester Point next to a town called Nookpoint. The enemy kept up a steady fire all night but hurt no man except one, — hurt with a piece of stone but not dangerous. In the morning when the enemy could see our works they began to hoist sail and push out of the harbor as fast as possible in the greatest confusion. They fell down below the castle. Our regiments were paraded, expecting they were coming out to attack us. We were kept under arms until about 12 o'clock when the selectmen of the town came out and gave information that they had deserted the town. In the afternoon we had a detachment draughted of such as had (had) the small pox to go in and take possession of the town. "The enemy left a large quantity of wheat in the granary said to be 30,000 bushels, a large quantity of sea coals, a large number of cannon, said to be about 50, two mortars, a large quantity of shots and shells. They left about 100 horses. The most of the cannon were plugged up fast but we have got the most of them drilled out since. They stayed in the Castle about two or three days. The 21 instant at night, they blew up the castle and burnt all the buildings on the Island. They left about 120 pieces of cannon at the castle, all with their arms broken off except 8. They left a number of shots there likewise. "The shipping hauled out into Nantasket Roads and lay there until 25 and 26 a number of them sailed. Where they are bound is uncertain but mostly judge to Halifax. Some regiments have orders to march, we expect to have orders soon. Which way we shall march is uncertain, but mostly REVOLUTIONARY WAR 249 thought to the southward to York or Virginia. We are now leveling their line on the Neck. Our men are not allowed to go into the town for fear of the small pox, but some do steal in, by which means it is likely it will be spread in the army. There are a number of regiments stationed in the town and are fortifying Fort Hill. They are likewise for- tifying in Charlestown. I have nothing further worth mentioning at present. Give my compliments to all brothers and sisters. To conclude, I subscribe myself "Your affectionate son (Signed) "Isaac Gallup." Isaac Gallup served in Parsons's regiment in 1776.* The following names taken from an old account book found in the Colonel Benadam Gallup house in Ledyard were no doubt those of members of his company at that time : Ser^. Jonathan Eldredge " Simeon Avery " David Barber Robert Berry, d. Feb. 10, 1776, at Rox- bury John Broton, exchanged with Capt. Brewster Joe Bennett Thomas Barrows John Bumham Perez Chapman Nathan Coy Christopher Chester Simeon Comstock David Davis, deserted Apr. 2, 1776, at Roxbury John Daboll Nathan Denison Benj. Daboll Bildad Edwards Abel Franklin Andrew Forsith Rufus Fisk Rheuben Fisk Israel Geer Isaac Harrington Samuel Heath Robert Heard William Knight, deserted Apr. 13, 1776 Asa Lamb Samuel Welch Solomon Williams Alexander Williams Eli Widger Isaac Williams Sergt. William Steward Corp. Jesse Star " Benjamin Dimmick Thomas Malleson Elisha Malleson Matthew Morphet William Morgan Elkanah Morgan John Merchant Elihu Newberry David Pelton Oliver Plumbly Amos Park Joseph Randall Jonathan Ruff Rheuben Randall Edmund Steward Joseph Sheffield Samuel Stafford James Swift Thomas Simmons Charles Swift John Williams David Williams Peter Wilie * Connecticut Men in the Revolution, Adj. Gen.'s OfBce, 1889, p. 100. 250 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Moses Stark Jonathan Whipple Solomon Stark Jesse Yerrington Nathan Stoddard, d. July 10, 1776, at Josiah Woodworth New York Seasar Parkhurst William Smith, d. July 25, 1776, at New Jacob Heard York. Robert Dunbar Aaron Sholes Erich Johnson Cyrus Sholes Isaac Kent Nathan Sabins James Scott Elnathan Smith The town records give us a little idea of the progress of the war and of the attitude of the inhabitants towards its prosecution : "At a legal meeting held by adjournment 15th Feb. 1776 Voted — That the Comee of inspection and correspondence be directed to inspect all persons that shall unnecessarily waste their powder and count them inimical to the good of their country and make them publick in the New London Gazette." "At a legal meeting in Groton the 1st of April 1777 William Williams Esq., Moderator. "Voted — ^That this town will supply the families of those soldiers in their Reasonable Requests who shall voluntarily engage and go into any of the Continental battalions for the term of three years or during the war, with the necessaries of life as stated by law, so far as those soldiers that list into the said Continental service shall lodge with or remit money with a Committee to be chosen for the purpose aforesaid. "Voted — ^That Mess. Thomas Mumford David Avery Joseph Starr William Avery Robert Geer Thomas Fanning Col. Benadam Gallup John Hurlbut Jonathan Fish Thomas Np. Niles be a committee agreeable to the above vote, and to execute the same as far as lies in their power." "At a town meeting held by adjournment in Groton the 7th of April 1777, William Williams Esq. Moderator. "Voted — ^This town will give in addition to what has al- ready been offered by the Honorable Continental Congress and this State, six pounds to every individual soldier who shall inlist for three years or during the war, and shall pass muster, exclusive of commissioned officers that shall volun- REVOLUTIONARY WAR 251 tarily enlist out of this Town and in this State, and if the number of soldiers should so enlist as to make the number 105, Then all those soldiers that have enlisted and count for this town are to be Intitled to the same sum. "Voted — That there be a rate or Tax for six pence in the pound made in the list of 1775 on all the Poles and Ratable estate of said Town for the above said purpose." "Groton May 6 1777 A report of the Comee chosen by the Town of Groton to examine and make report to said Town of the number of men that have Inlisted into the Continental army since the 7th of April last — the number is twenty-seven." "At a legal meeting held in Groton the 9th day of Sept. 1777 "Voted— That Col. Nathan Gallup and Dea. John Hurl- but be a Committee to purchase as many of those guns that are Col. Motts as can be obtained for the use of the town and its inhabitants." "At a meeting held in Groton the 3d Sept. 1777 "Voted — That this town will comply with the Governors request to procure some clothing for the army. "Voted — That Mess. James Avery Stephen Billings Samuel Allen Joseph Packer &c shall be a committee to go immediately and take in subscriptions and receive those articles that are or shall be subscribed for in order to fur- nish those non-commissioned officers and soldiers that are now in the Continental army from this town, with neces- sary articles of clothing, agreeable to the request of His Excellency the Governor and Council of Safety. And if said Committee should not be able to take in subscriptions for said purpose, then to procure said articles at the town's cost." "At a town meeting held on the 30th of December 1777 upon the recommendation of his Excellency the Governor to take into consideration the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union recommended by the Continental Con- gress of the 13 united American States — 252 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 "They approve and accept the same." "At a town meeting held in Groton the 18th of March 1778 "Voted — That the Committee of supplies be directed to hire so much money as to pay for all the clothing they have already supplied the Continental army with. That David Avery, Esq. Capt. Joseph Morgan Mr. Hubbard Burrows Col. Benadam Gallup Lieut. Theophilus Avery be a Comee to supply the non commissioned officers and soldiers with: that have Inlisted into the Continental Army out of said Town To act for the ensuing year." A letter written by William Ledyard to Benadam Gallup about this time gives us a glimpse of the details of admin- istration pertaining to his department: "Groton 21. Sept. 1778 "Sir. I would beg leave to inform your worship with my knowledge respecting the droves of cattle and sheep said to belong to Mr. Robinson Mumford Mr. Colins Gorton and others. On Friday of last week as I was returning home to dinner from New London, I saw on the beach a drove of cattle and inquired of some people who stood by, who those cattle belonged to, but received no answer. Mr. Robinson Mumford then standing near by, I then addressed myself to a butcher standing by, and asked him if he had any knowledge who those cattle belonged to, his answer was he believed they belonged to Mr. Gorton. I then asked if he — Mr. Gorton — had any permit to drive them out of the State, his answer was that he did not know. I then over . . . and was obliged to return directly after dinner upon urgent business which occationed my giving directions to Lieut. Ledyard to keep a look out and see that the cattle were not drove out of the State until I could have time to acquaint the authorities about the matter and while I was at Marvin Wait's Esq. in the afternoon Mr. Robinson Mumford called upon me and wanted to know if the cattle could not then be drove on to Point Jude, where he said he wanted to put them to pasture to fat, that he and Mr. Gorton were the owners of them. REVOLUTIONARY WAR 253 "I then desired him to step into Mr. Waits office who could inform him respecting the law. When Esq. Wait acquainted him with the Governors Proclamation and the law with regard to the affair, Mr. Robinson Mumford in- formed us both that he only wanted to drive the cattle to Point Jude to pasture, but as the law was against his driv- ing them he would only drive them to the first pasture and then stop & in the morning he said he would go to his Ex- cellency Governor Trumbull and get a permit to drive them out of the State. But the evening following I was informed that there was a plan laying to drive the cattle and sheep — that had gone on before the cattle — off. "I then saw Lieut. Denison with directions to call upon any of the authority and assist in stopping the cattle and sheep until I could have time to inform some of the author- ity of the Town respecting the affair, which I did the next morning. I wish it were in my power to wait on your worship at this time, but am obliged at this critical time to attend close to the department allotted me. I am with all due respect your worships "Most obedient servt (Signed) "Wm. Ledyard" "N. B. I am informed that Mr. Robinson Mumford thinks I stoped the cattle out of a 'peake' to him but so far from that, I never knew that he had any concern in the cattle until after they was ordered to be stoped and as far as I know myself, I dont mean to know any one person more than another, that is a transgressor of the good laws of the State. "W. L." "I was desired by the Commissary and others to stop the cattle and sheep." "W. L." "To Benadam Gallup Esq." "At a Town Meeting legally warned held in Groton Mar. 26, 1780 Col. Benadam Gallup Moderator — "Voted — That this town accept and approve of the 254 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 method proposed by the Committee in order to engage the quota of men to be furnished by this town to serve in the Continental Army during the war. viz: Having fully con- sidered the true intent and meaning of our appointment as above mentioned and the necessity of engaging the Quota of men required to serve in the Continental Army during the war, do Give it as our Opinion that in order to engage our Quota as above that a bounty of three pounds be given in addition to all other bounties offered to each soldier (who) shall enlist and three pounds, yearly during the time they serve in the Continental Army the whole to be paid in solid coin to (or?) that which is equivalent, and we further give it as our opinion that it will be necessary in order to induce the soldiers to engage as above, they have the permit of the town that their wages during the time they shall serve, shall be made good, equal to solid coin, yearly, agreeable to an Act of the Honorable General Assembly of the State. "William Ledyard "Nathan Gallup . "Abel Spicer "Elijah Avery." One of the tragedies of the war was the loss of the privateer "Eagle." Although fitted in New London a large part of her crew were from Mystic. Her captain was Ed- ward Conkling from Long Island but at that time living in Mystic. The vessel had made a very successful cruise as far east as Martha's Vineyard and had captured six prizes in one day, manning which had so far depleted her crew that but eleven men besides the captain remained on board. Of these John Palmer, John Sawyer, Adin Wilbur and Adam Elliott were of Groton. Captain Conkling was a brave man and, over-confident of his strength, allowed a portion of his prisoners (of whom he had a large number on board) to remain unbound. One of these men named Murphy planned an uprising. Unbinding the other pris- REVOLUTIONARY WAR 255 oners, he arranged that at the word "rise" they should fall upon the crew and recapture the vessel. At dinner, during which the wine flowed freely. Murphy proposed a toast to General Washington, and suggested that they "rise" and drink it. At the word the slaughter began. Murphy killed Captain Conklin, Adin Wilbur was beheaded, John Sawyer was killed by a marlinspike driven through his head from ear to ear. The captain's brother, a deaf mute, swung a broad axe right and left, dealing death to all about him, until, his feet slipping in the gore upon the deck, he fell under his antagonists and was slain. Only one of the crew was spared — a colored man from New London. During the melee the halyards were cut, letting the main- sail down by the run, under which this man was concealed and he was not discovered until after the fight was over, and so his life was spared. He afterwards returned from New York to Mystic, giving an account of the massacre, although the first news of it came from Lieutenant Daniel Eldredge, who in one of the prizes was within sight, but was unable to render any assistance. The "Eagle" was taken to New York and while fitting for an English letter of marque was destroyed by the accidental explosion of her magazine, by which Murphy and several others lost their lives. The darkest day in the history of Groton was September 6, 1781. Events elsewhere were shaping themselves in a manner which was big with fate for the town, Washington had commenced his march to Yorktown, having completely outwitted Sir Henry Clinton, who, hoping by a movement in New England to compel the return of a part or the whole of the Continental army, set on foot an expedition against New London. Several reasons were supposed to have gov- erned his selection of this port as the point of attack. New London had been the rendezvous for a large num- ber of very successful privateers, and many valuable prizes had been sent in there. Just at this time the ship "Hannah," said to have been one of the richest prizes of 256 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 the Revolution, was unloading her cargo at a wharf in the town. It was thought that the place was very poorly de- fended and that not much effort would be required in its capture. It is probable that Sir Henry had contemplated a movement of this kind before Washington's march to the South, in order to relieve the pressure upon New York, for on the day after the receipt by him of the news of the movement of the American forces, a fleet of twenty-four ships carrying sixteen hundred troops sailed from New York through Hell Gate into Long Island Sound. The command was given to the renegade Benedict Arnold, who had not long before returned from a marauding ex- pedition to Virginia. It is not known certainly whether the task was one of his own seeking or whether he was chosen by Sir Henry Clinton on account of his knowledge of the neighborhood, Arnold having been born and raised in Norwich. General Hawley in his Centennial oration quotes:* "The tory Judge Jones (vol II, p. 208) says: 'This plundering expedition (Arnold's) was a project of Smith's if the letters from New York are to be depended upon. "It was," says one of them, "planned and the execution of it warmly solicited by Mr. Smith, the chief justice of New York, who has gained great credit by its success, and is a convincing proof of his loyalty and attachment to his sovereign, though an American." ' " The utmost secrecy was observed and the plan was well carried out. The fleet arrived at a point off the Long Island shore opposite New London on the evening of September 5th. Here occurred the first slip in the programme. The wind, which usually after a hot day blows steadily from the south, on this night changed about midnight to north- west, compelling the ships to beat up so that they were unable to reach New London until after daylight. At the break of day the lookouts at the fort discovered a fleet of twenty-four ships heading up to the mouth of the harbor, and alarm guns were immediately fired to warn the militia * Battle of Groton Heights, Allyn, p. 351. REVOLUTIONARY WAR 257 in the surrounding towns. Two guns fired at regular inter- vals were the danger signal, three guns indicated the arrival in the harbor of a prize. The British were acquainted with this signal so that when the alarm guns were fired a third was added from one of their ships, thus making confusion in the minds of those who were to have been appraised of danger. Colonel William Ledyard, who was in command of the forts in the district, was in New London early in the morn- ing, and sent couriers first to Governor Trumbull at Lebanon telling him of the impending danger and then to the commanders of the various militia organizations in the vicinity calling upon them for aid. He then crossed the river to Fort Griswold, where in command of one-hundred and fifty-five brave men he awaited the assault of nearly four times that number. As he embarked on the boat at New London to cross to Groton, he remarked to friends : "If I must to-day lose honor or life, you who know me well know which it will be." About 9 a. m. Arnold landed with a por- tion of his forces at a point near the lighthouse below New London, and marched to the town with slight opposition. Captain Adam Shapley with twenty-three men held Fort Trumbull, but as this was only a water battery, open on the land side, it was incapable of prolonged defence, and on the near approach of the enemy Captain Shapley withdrew his garrison and in three boats started to cross the river to Fort Griswold. He had lingered so long, however, that six men in one boat were captured and some men in the others were wounded. At about the same hour a force of eight hundred men consisting of the 40th and 54th regiments, British regulars, and the 3rd battalion of the New Jersey Volunteers, with a detachment of Yaggers and artillery, all under command of Lieutenant Colonel Eyre, was landed at Eastern Point. The troops were quickly put in motion and by 11 o'clock the column commanded by Colonel Eyre had reached a point under the shelter of the rocky height about one hundred :and thirty rods from the fort, near the present burying 258 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 ground, and that under Major Montgomery was similarly sheltered a short distance to the northeast. A flag was sent to the fort demanding an unconditional surrender. This flag was met about forty rods from the fort by one sent out by Colonel Ledyard, to whom the demand was submitted. After conference with his officers he returned the reply that the fort would not be given up. Soon after a second demand was made, coupled with the threat that if they were com- pelled to take the fort by storm, they should put martial law in force. Colonel Ledyard's answer to this was, that he should not give up the fort, let the consequence be what it might. On the return of this answer the enemy moved at once to the assault. Coming on in solid column, they were met by a charge of grape, which made havoc in their ranks and caused them to separate into divisions, one bearing off to the south and west, the other to the northeast. Colonel Eyre, in command of the former, was wounded during the fighting in the ditch before the troops had effected a lodge- ment on the walls. His men fought bravely, finally forcing an entrance into the southwest bastion. The defence was heroic, cannon and musket being used until the enemy broke through the overhanging pickets, when boarding pikes and clubbed muskets were employed as weapons. It is related that Samuel Edgcomb hurled eighteen-pound shot amongst the assailants with fearful effect. Major Montgomery, second in command, was killed by a thrust through the body just as he was scaling the wall of the southwest bastion. Meanwhile the other division had moved to the attack on the east and north front of the fort. The fire of grape cut great gaps in their ranks but they finally succeeded in forcing an entrance through the gate on the north just about the time that entrance was gained at the south. This placed the garrison between two fires, and seeing the hopelessness of further defence some of them took refuge in the magazine, others in the barracks, while still others continued the fight within the walls. REVOLUTIONARY WAR 259 Stephen Hempstead* in his account of the battle says: "During the attack a shot cut the halyards of the flag and it fell to the ground, but was instantly remounted on a pike pole. This accident proved fatal to us, as the enemy supposed it had been struck by its defenders, rallied again, rushing with redoubled impetuosity, carried the southwest bastion by storm." The fort was carried within forty minutes after the attack began. As the British entered the gate on the north side of the fort. Colonel Ledyard, seeing that further resistance was useless, approached the officer in command with his sword in his hand, with the hilt extended towards the officer in token of surrender. The officer demanded to know "Who commands this fort?" to which Ledyard replied: "I did, but you do now." The officer, accepting the proffered sword, plunged it into Ledyard's breast and he fell forward dead. Who the officer was that committed this dastardly deed re- mains in doubt until this day. It is generally believed that it was Major Bromfield of the British Army, who succeeded to the command on the death of Major Montgomery, though tradition ascribes it to Captain Beckwith of the New Jersey Loyalists. "Some of the British officers knew the guilty man. They did not punish him even by the shame of publicity. Let them share the dishonor."** All accounts agree that up to the time of the death of Colonel Ledyard the loss of the defenders of the fort had been trifling, not more than five or six killed and twenty wounded, but that event started an indiscriminate slaughter. The troops, marching in at the gate, commenced firing by platoons upon the unprotected garrison, who understood that the fort had surrendered and who for safety were fleeing to the barracks and magazine. One or two volleys were poured into the wounded and dying who had taken refuge in the magazine and another was stopped by Major Bromfield, who, sword in hand, commanded a cessation of the firing on account of the danger of blowing up the fort. * Battle of Groton Heights, AUyn, p. 49. ** Hawley's oration, Battle of Groton Heights, Allyn, p. 359. 260 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Meantime the work of destruction was being carried on all over the enclosure. The wounded were bayoneted as they lay upon the ground, Captain William Seymour* of Hart- ford, a nephew of Colonel Ledyard, receiving as many as thirteen bayonet wounds, although he had already received such a wound in his leg as to necessitate its amputation next day. Miss Caulkins says:** "Slaughter and havocnowfilledthe fort. Three platoons in succession discharged their mus- kets upon the terrified garrison, who, crowded together on one side of the parade, threw down their arms and vainly cried 'Quarter ! Quarter !' Others of the soldiery fired into the barrack windows upon those who sought shelter there : twice a file of the enemy discharged their guns at those who fled to the magazine for refuge, thoughtless of the ruinous explosion that might take place. The sword and bayonet were also at work. In vain did the bewildered garrison plead for mercy, clasping their hands as suppliants, falling down on their knees and adjuring the conquerors as they hoped for Heaven to spare them. In vain they sought to escape butchery by feigning death or by leaping from the walls. Everywhere they were beset and pursued with curses, knocked down with the butts of muskets and trampled to death, or pierced with the bayonet. Amid the shrieks and groans of the victims resounding shouts and cries were heard: 'Cut down the Yankees! kill the rebels! No quarter!' accompanied with yells and fearful oaths. "It was all the work of a few minutes : so great was the frenzy of the British soldiers that their officers sought to restrain them by threats and force. They ran to the front, caught hold of the infuriated men and with drawn swords ordered them back, exclaiming: 'Blood enough! Blood enough! For Heaven's sake stop!' One of these officers threw himself between his men and their victims, crying in agony: 'No more blood! Spare them! Spare them! My soul cannot bear it!' Often in after days was the hoarse * Hawley's oration. Battle of Groton Heights, AUyn, p. 53. ** Stone Becords of Groton, p. 42 et. seq. REVOLUTIONARY WAR 261 cry and the thrilling expression of the English captain, 'My soul cannot bear it,' recalled to mind and repeated by the few survivors of that terrible massacre. The excite- ment was at length calmed. Eighty-one of the garrison lay dead and more than half of the remainder were severely wounded. Scarcely one was left that had not received a heavy blow, a gun shot or a sabre cut. When the enemy made good their lodgement upon the fort and Ledyard gave the orders for resistance to cease, only six men had been killed and eighteen or twenty slightly wounded, though not disabled for action. "After the massacre plunder followed. The dead were stripped nearly naked and thrown into a heap on one side ; the wounded were left without having their wounds dressed or water furnished to quench their thirst. It was in truth all that the enemy could do to take care of their own wounded men and convey them with the plunder of the fort and the prisoners they had taken, to their vessels. They were forced to work in hot haste lest the alarmed country should pour its outraged population upon them before they could escape with their booty. They had at least a hundred wounded men, many of whom could not walk, to be trans- ported singly on barrack doors and boards by carriers, four to a man, from the height on which the fort is situated down a rugged, precipitous descent, nearly half a mile to the water side." The British dead were hurriedly buried, and only the grave of Major Montgomery is positively known. The others were buried outside the walls of the fort and no marks were left to indicate the place of their interment. Such of the prisoners as were able to walk were marched to the river bank, where their names were taken and they were then sent on board the transports lying close at hand. The wounded were loaded into a large ammunition wagon, which the British soldiers attempted to guide down the hill, but the load proved too much for them and, the wagon be- coming unmanageable, the men jumped aside, leaving it to pursue its wild course down the hill, until striking a 262 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 tree several of its occupants were thrown out and the others suffered untold agony. The survivors were carried into the house of Ensign Ebenezer Avery near by and were there left, Ebenezer Ledyard being taken as a hostage. The house was set on fire in several places by the British soldiers before they left the town, and it was with great difficulty that the flames were extinguished and the suffering inmates saved from further torture. At least a dozen other houses were fired, including most of those whose owners were known for their loyalty to the cause of the Revolution. "There were burnt at Groton at the same time 1 school house, 4 barns, 2 shops, 2 stores and 12 dwelling houses."* The following names of the owners of houses burned are from a list in the papers of Colonel Benadam Gallup : Elihu Avery, Benjamin Chester, Elijah Avery, Esqr. (Ebenezer) Ledyard, Youngs Ledyard, Jason Chester, Captain (William) Leeds, Captain (Frederick) Moore, John Chester, Mica Jefford, Edward Jeffors, Doctor (Amos) Prentis, Esqr., (Thomas) Mumford and Ensign (Charles) Eldredge, Jr. The sufferings of the prisoners were not ended when they embarked for New York. The small vessels were crowded far beyond their capacity. Some of the men were confined below deck in a vile atmosphere, unfit for human beings to breathe, and they were in some instances sub- jected to indignities from brutal officers. Rufus Avery's Narrative** says: "They rowed us down to an armed sloop commanded by one Captain Thomas, as they called him, a refugee Tory, who lay with his vessel within the fleet. As soon as they put us on board the sloop they shut us down in the hold of the vessel, where they had a fire for cooking, which made it very hot and smoky. They stopped up the hatchway, making it so close that we had no air to breathe. We begged that they would spare our lives and they gave us some relief by opening the hatch- * Battie of Groton Heights, Allyn, p. 28. ** Ibid, pp. 42-3. REVOLUTIONARY WAR 263 way and letting one or two of us come on deck at a time during the night, but with sentries with guns and bayonets to watch us. They did not give us anything to eat or drink for about twenty-four hours and then only a mess made of hogs' brains that they caught on Groton bank with other plunder. While we were on board Thomas's sloop we had nothing to eat or drink that we could hardly swallow. This continued about three days. "There were a number of weapons of war where we were placed in the vessel and some of the prisoners whispered together that there was an opportunity to make a prize of the sloop. This somehow got to the officer?' ears and they immediately shut us all down in the hold of the vessel. I felt very certain that we would have to suffer, for they seemed so enraged that they appeared to have an intention to massacre us all. They soon got ready and began to call us up on deck one by one. As I came up they tied my hands behind me with strong rope yams, binding them together and winding the rope yam so hard as to nearly bring my shoulder blades to touch each other. "Then they had a boat come from a fourteen-gun brig commanded by a Captain Steel, by name and nature. I was ordered to get over the side of the sloop without the use of my hands, the bulwarks above the deck being all of three feet in height, and then I had to fall into the boat that was to carry us to the brig, and was made to lie down under the seat on which the rowers sat, as though we were brutes about to be slaughtered. After we were put on board the brig we were ordered to stand in one rank beside the gun- wale of the vessel, and a spar was placed before us, leaving about one foot space for each man to stand in, with a sentry to nearly every man, with orders to bayonet or shoot any one that offered to move. They kept us in that situation about two hours in the rain and cold, with very thin cloth- ing upon us, and then gave us liberty to go about the main deck, and we were obliged to lie on the wet deck without anjrthing to eat or drink for supper. We were on board the brig about four days and then put on board a ship 264 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 commanded by Captain Scott, who appeared very friendly to us prisoners." Upon their arrival in New York they were placed on board the prison ships, veritable charnel houses! Disease and death was the almost certain fate of all who entered there. The loss of the defenders of Fort Griswold was, according to Allyn (p. 266), eighty-eight killed and fifty- two wounded, one-hundred and thirty out of one-hundred and fifty-six. Twenty-eight were carried away as pris- oners, including Ebenezer Ledyard, Esq., taken as hostage and Captain William Coit, captured on the New London side. The loss of the British has never been ascertained. Arnold's official report acknowledged a loss of forty-eight killed and one-hundred and forty-five wounded, of which number three officers are reported as having later died. One-hundred and ninety-three ! If of this number twenty- five were killed or wounded on the New London side, it leaves one-hundred and sixty-eight lost in the assault or twelve more than the total number of the garrison, a tribute to the brave and stubborn defence. Among the gallant defenders old age and youth stood side by side. In the monumental records of Allyn* we find the name of James Comstock, aged 75, and Daniel Williams in the 15th year of his age. Miss Caulkins tells us :** "Thomas, son of Lieutenant Parke Avery, aged seventeen, was killed fighting by the side of his father. Just before he fell, his father, finding the battle growing hot, turned and said, 'Tom, my son, do your duty.' 'Never fear, father,' was the reply, and the next minute he was stretched upon the ground. ' 'Tis in a good cause,' said the father, and re- mained firm at his post." William Latham, Jr., a boy of twelve, was allowed to go free. Sixty widows were made in Groton that day and it is said that so many members of the Congregational Church perished that not enough men were left to administer the communion service at its next celebration. * Battle of Groton Heights, p. 211. ** History of New London, 1st ed., p. 568. REVOLUTIONARY WAR 265 To quote again from Miss Caulkins:* "The anniversary of the massacre at Groton fort was celebrated for many years with sad solemnity. Within the enclosure of the old wall of the fortress where the victims had been heaped up and the blood flowed in rivulets, sermons were annually preached and all the details of the terrible event rehearsed. In 1782 the preacher was Rev. Solomon Morgan of Canter- bury ; in 1785 Rev. Samuel Nott of Norwich (that part of Norwich which is now Franklin, where the preacher died May 26, 1852, aged ninety-eight years and four months) and in 1786 Rev. Paul Parke of Preston. "In the year 1789 Rev. Henry Channing of New London delivered the annual sermon. His text was 'If thine enemy hunger give him bread to eat ; if he thirst, give him drink.' Unlike the usual tone of such discourses, which had served to keep alive the remembrance of the country's wrongs, the speaker recommended forgiveness, peace and reconciliation. The British were no longer our avowed enemies; Why cherish this envenomed spirit? The actors in that awful tragedy were passing away to their final award: does it become Christians to follow them with their reproaches to another world? Should they nourish the bitter root of hatred in the heart and attribute to a whole nation the crimes of a few exasperated soldiers? Through the effects of this sermon or the diversion of public sentiment from some other couse, the celebrations were discontinued for many years. In the course of time, however, a desire be- came prevalent — not to revive the embittered feeling of Revolutionary days — but to erect some enduring memorial of the heroism and unfortunate end of the Groton victims. "A general spontaneous utterance of this wish led to a celebration of the anniversary of the battle day in the year 1825. The orator was William F. Brainard. A grand military parade and a large assemblage of citizens gave effect to the unanimous sentiment then expressed, that a monument should be erected near the scene of the fatal assault. A lottery for the purpose was granted by the Leg- * History of New London, 1st ed., p. 571, 266 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 islature: the cornerstone was laid September 6, 1826, and the monument completed in 1830. It is built of native rock, quarried not far from the place where it stands ; is twenty- six feet square at the base, twelve at the top and one-hun- dred and twenty-seven feet in height. In the interior a circular flight of one-hundred and twenty-eight steps leads to the platform, from whence a fine view is obtained, par- ticularly toward the west and south, where lie New London and the river Thames, the Sound and its Islands." In the centennial year, 1881, alterations were made to the monument, enclosing the top and increasing the height to one-hundred and thirty-four feet. The following inscrip- tion on a marble slab over the entrance sufficiently explains the object of the memorial : THIS MONUMENT was erected under the patronage of the State of Connecticut A. D. 1830 and in the 55th year of the independence of the U. S. A. In memory of the brave patriots who fell in the massacre at Fort Gris- wold near this spot on the 6th of September A. D. 1781, when the British under the command of the traitor Benedict Arnold burnt the towns of New London and Groton and spread desolation and woe throughout this region. A marble tablet containing the names of the killed was originally built into the masonry of the die on the south side facing the fort, but many years ago, during the making of repairs, it was removed to the inside of the structure. List of men who fell at Fort Griswold, September 6, 1781 William Ledyard Lieut. Col. Commanding Elijah Avery Ebenezer Avery Solomon Avery Jasper Avery Elisha Avery Daniel Avery David Avery Christopher Avery Thomas Avery Simeon Allyn Samuel Allyn Belton Allyn Benadam Allyn Daniel Chester Richard Chapman Philip Covil Elias Coit James Comstock William Comstock John Clark Daniel Davis Samuel Hill Henry Halsey John Holt Rufus Hurlburt Moses Jones Eliday Jones Benoni Kenson Barney Kinney Thomas Lamb Elnathan Perkins Elisha Perkins Asa Perkins Simeon Perkins David Palmer Peter Richards Captain Adam Shapley of Fort Trumbull David Seabury Nathan Sholes Thomas Starr, Jr. Nicholas Starr Amos Stanton Enoch Stanton Daniel Stanton John Stedman Henry Williams REVOLUTIONARY WAR 267 Nathan Adams John P. Babcock John Billings Andrew Billings Samuel Billings Ezekiel Bailey Andrew Baker William Bolton John Brown Hubbard Burrows Jonathan Butler Frederic Chester Eldredge Chester Youngs Ledyard Daniel D. Lester John Lester Jonas Lester Wait Lester Joseph Lewis Nathan Moore Joseph Moxley Simeon Morgan Edward Mills Thomas Miner Luke Perkins Luke Perkins, Jr. To these names Alljm* has added : Jedidiah Chester Daniel Eldredge Daniel Williams Thomas Williams John Williams Henry Woodbridge Christopher W'dbridge Stephen Whittlesey John Whittlesey Sylvester Walworth Patrick Ward Joseph Wedger (Colored men) Lambo Latham Jordan Freeman Gary Leeds Names of the wounded paroled and left at home** "A Particular Account of the Men that were Wounded at Fort Griswold, in the Battle with the British, on the 6th of Sept. 1781, who were Paroled by Captain Bloomfield, and Ebenezer Ledyard Esq. was taken as Hostage to see them forthcoming if called for." In the presence of Rufus Avery Lieut. Parke Avery, Jr., lost one eye. Ensign Ebenezer Avery, in the head, Amos Avery, in the hand, John Daboll, Jr., in the hand. Ensign Charles Eldredge — knee, Daniel Eldredge, shot through neck and face, Christopher Eldredge, in the face, Samuel Edgecomb, Jr., in the hand, Andrew Gallup, in the hip, Robert Gallup, in the body, Sergeant Stephen Hempstead, in the body, Corporal (Jehial) Judd, in the knee, Captain William Latham, in the thigh, Captain Edward Latham, in the body, Jonathan Latham, Jr., body, Christopher Latham, Jr., body, Frederick Moore, body, John Morgan, in the knee, Jabish Pendleton, in the hand, Captain Solomon Perkins, in the face. Lieutenant Obadiah Perkins, in the breast, Ebenezer Perkins, in the face, '* Battle of Groton Heights, pp. 267-8. ** Ibid, pp. 269-72. Groton New London Hebron Groton 268 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Elisha Prior, in the arm, " Lieutenant William Starr, in the breast, " John Starr, in the arm, " Daniel Stanton, Jr., in the body, Stonington William Seymour, lost his leg, Hartford Ensign Jos. Woodmansee, lost one eye, Groton Sanford Williams, in the body, " Axel Woodworth, in the neck, " Thomas Woodworth, in the leg, " Zibe Woodworth, in the knee, " Additional names not on Avery's list, but in that printed by Mr. Harris Samuel Stillman, arm and thigh, Saybrook Tom Wansuc (Pequot Indian) bayonet stab in neck, Groton If to these we add Edward Stanton, in the body, Stonington who is in the list of wounded reported by the committee of the Legislature, we have exactly the number (35) reported by Stephen Hempstead as being paroled. The large proportion* of officers among the killed and wounded is accounted for by the fact that, after six years of war, many men had been in the army or militia and had earned their titles. When the alarm was sounded, the same spirit which had raised them to command at once brought them to the fort as volunteers. They were there prompt for duty. Others were officers of privateers or merchantmen lying in the harbor, whose fearless hearts prompted them to lend a hand in defence of the fort. Others, both unhurt and wounded, not taken prisoners: Benjamin Bill, wounded in the ankle, Groton Joshua Bill, in the leg, " Benajah Holdredge, " Samuel W. Jaques, Exeter, R. I. Amos Lester, in the hip, Groton Gary Leeds, died December 28th, " William Latham, Jr., (a boy of twelve who was allowed to go free), " Henry Mason, in the leg, " Japheth Mason, New London James Morgan, fifteen bayonet pricks in back and legs, Groton Thomas Mallison, " Joseph Moxley, Jr., in the body, " Elisha Morgan, " John Prentis, slightly wounded. New London * 16 Captains, 9 lieutenants, 5 ensigns. REVOLUTIONARY WAR 269 Prisoners carried off Sergeant Rufus Avery Caleb Avery Peter Avery Samuel Abraham Joshua Baker Reuben Bushnell Capt. William Colt (taken on New London side) Charles Chester Nathan Darrow Ellas Dart Levi Dart Gilbert Edgecomb Daniel Eldredge Ebenezer Fish Walter Harris Kilbum Jeremiah Harding Ebenezer Ledyard (Hostage) William Latham Jonathan Minor Isaac Morgan Isaac Rowley Lieutenant Jabez Storr (of Fort Trumbull) Saybrook Corporal Josiah Smith Halsey Sanford Solomon Tift Horatio Wales Thomas Welles The following inscription was originally on t^e monu- ment: "Zebulon and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field." Judges V, 18. These names deserve to be perpetuated in history and will serve as an inspiration to generations yet unborn. These men counted their lives not dear when the liberties of their country were at stake, but freely gave their all in defence of their homes and families. All honor to them ! In December 1781, the General Assembly was memorial- ized to enact some measures for the relief of the sufferers at Fort Griswold:* "To the Honorable the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut, to be convened at Hartford (by adjourn- ment) in the 10th day of January Anno Dom. 1782. "The Memorial of the subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of Groton & Towns adjacent, humbly showeth — "That in the late attack made by the Enemy upon the towns of New London and Groton & the public Fortresses therein, they were induced upon the most humane & dis- interested motives, in the moment of an alarm, to enter as Volunteers into Forts Trumbull & Griswold under their late amiable Commander — "That the Memorialists tho. they have (thro, the hand * Battle of Groton Heights, Allyn, p. 121. 270 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 of h,eaven) hitherto survived the Conflict & Inhuman Car- nage which ensued, yet they have suffered more or less from wounds & Contortions all that Rage & Cruelty could inflict short of Death. "That they cant expect your Honors to fully compensate for all the pains and distresses they have undergone, which cannot be measured, yet in as much as they have made so great a Sacrifice out of regard to their Country & in Defence of the State, they humbly beg leave to hope your Honors will stand fully justified in directing an inquiry of the par- ticular Case, Circumstances & Sufferings of each of the Memorialists & thereupon to grant them such Relief as your Honors may think consistent with justice & Humanity & they as in Duty bound shall pray. John Morgan third Joseph Woodmansfee Charles Eldredge Junr. John DaboU Junr. Daniel Stanton Junr. Christopher Latham Jr. Edward Stanton Isaac Morgan Park Avery Junr. Samuel Edgecomb Jr. Cary Leeds Daniel Eldredge 1st John Starr Edward Latham Elisha Prior Saml. Abraham "Decb. 1781 "In the Lower House "On this Memorial Samuel Mott and Rufus Lathrop Esqr. (Robert Crary was afterwards added to the committee and signed the report — C. R. S.) are appointed a committee to inquire into the Matters set forth therein and similar Cases, and what they shall find to report to the General Assembly to be holden in Hartford in May next." "Test Jedediah Strong Clerk "Concurred in the Upper House "Test George Wyllys Secy." This committee evidently took time to carefully examine into the cases brought to its attention, as its report was not made until the January session in 1783 (the report stating that the committee was appointed the previous October) when it reported that the following persons remained in a crippled and debilitated condition: REVOLUTIONARY WAR 271 Ensign Charles Eldredge, of the militia, John Morgan, 3rd, a volunteer, Ens. Joseph Woodmansee, a volunteer, Capt. Solomon Perkins, a volunteer, Andrew Gallup, a soldier of the garrison, Lieut. Park Avery, a volunteer, Sergt. Daniel Eldredge, a volunteer, Zibe Woodworth, a soldier of the garrison, Stephen Hempstead, a Sergt. of the garrison of Fort Trumbull, wounded in Fort G. Edward Stanton of Stonington, a volunteer, Jehiel Judd of Colchester, a corporal in the Company of Artillery in Fort Griswold, Sanf ord Williams, a soldier of the garrison, William Seymour of Hartford, a volunteer. The men mentioned in the above report were granted pensions varying from £3 to £20 per annum. On June 13, 1791, the town "Voted— That Ebenezer Led- yard, Esq. be agent for the town to appear before the com- mittee appointed by the General Assembly (to sit at Hart- ford) to look into the losses by the several towns in the State by the enemy's burning etc. to represent and lay before said committee the losses the inhabitants of said town of Groton have sustained by the enemy's burning during the late war." The following action resulted:* "General Assembly May session A. D. 1792. Resolved by this Assembly, That there be and hereby is released and quitclaimed to the sufferers hereafter named, or their legal representatives when they are dead, and to their heirs and assigns forever, Five hundred thousand acres of the land belonging to this State, lying west of the State of Pennsylvania and bounded northerly on the shore of Lake Erie ... to be divided to and among the said suf- ferers and their legal representatives where they are dcd in proportion to the several sums annexed to their names." The list of beneficiaries in Groton is as follows : Amos Avery Prudence Avery Thankful Avery Rufus Avery Lydia Avery * Battle of Groton Heights, AUyn, p. 147. £ s. d. 12 2 2 270 14 8 263 18 8 132 18 4 157 12 1 272 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Latham Avery Ebenezer Avery Phebe Avery Peter Avery George Avery Elisha Avery Hannah Avery Elizabeth Avery Benjn. Avery Caleb Avery Ezekiel Bailey James Bailey Stephen Billings John Brown Simeon Chester Samuel Chester Eldridge Chester Jedediah Chester Benjamin Chester Benjamin Chester as executor Charles Chester Daniel Chester Jason Chester Esther Conklin Nathan D arrow Mary Dodge Charles Eldredge, Jr. Daniel Eldredge Sergt. Daniel Eldredge Andrew Gallup Robert Gallup Thomas Griffin Jonathan Havens John Hicks Ruth Holliday Edward Jeffrey Alexander Kidd John Latham Capt. Edward Latham Capt. William Latham Lydia Latham Jonathan Latham Mary Latham Elizabeth Latham W. A. Latham Ebenezer Ledyard, Esq. Bridget Ledyard Youngs Ledyard & Co. Benj. & Caleb Ledyard Anne Ledyard William Leeds Anne Leeds Benajah Lester Thomas D. Lewis Rebecca Miner Henry Mason , 103 5 6 30 4 2 2 4 13 8 8 2 10 14 5 15 6 6 2 6 3 19 7 6 2 19 5 2 10 74 6 7 29 5 8 8 15 10 6 6 6 11 21 13 2 442 3 300 15 15 5 19 15 6 20 18 39 1 6 9 1 1 14 6 755 6 7 4 14 1 1 9 14 8 11 6 6 3 8 11 9 7 8 43 11 3 158 5 4 9 5 11 94 18 9 4 8 7 45 2 2 92 4 6 3 4 8 4 15 12 6 36 19 .151 3 4 397 14 5 75 200 142 7 10 360 7 8 57 15 2 2 7 13 10 1 6 11 27 18 REVOLUTIONARY WAR 273 Prudence Miner Elizabeth Moore Nancy Moore Mary Moore Frederick Moore misha Morgan Joshua and Isaac Morgan Thomas Mumford, Esq. Abigail Palmer Amos Prentice, Esq. Elisha Prior Alexander Reed Thomas Starr John Stan- Nathaniel Seabury Elizabeth Seabury Thankful Stanton Sarah Stedman Jacob Sholes Nathan Sholes Lucretia Sholes James Smith Shoram (Negro) Benjn. Vose Experience Ward Samuel Walworth Eunice Williams Peter Williams Daniel Williams Christopher Woodbridge Ezekiel Yerrington 17 19 10 62 10 9 30 10 2 10 15 6 269 2 7 13 4 10 604 16 6 19 4 566 1 6 34 12 11 60 18 1 1 1 6 19 6 3 18 177 11 8 9 14 2 9 9 15 3 4 9 6 2 6 9 6 8 6 2 19 5 10 11 6 15 9 27 7 6 7 13 1 3 2 7 6 £7712 14 10 "Comparatively few of the New London sufferers re- ceived any benefit from the land," says Allyn, "Many of the smaller rights were disposed of to speculators for nom- inal sums, and all were so far from the then civilized world that much of the land was left unoccupied until, the grantee being dead and the title lost sight of, the land was sold for taxes." By enactment of the General Assembly at its May session in 1842 the title to Fort Griswold was ceded to the United States Government. On June 6, 1902, Congress granted to the State of Connecticut the right to occupy, improve and control the Fort Griswold tract for the purpose of a public park, but reserved to the United States the fee in said tract and the right to resume possession for public defence or otherwise. On June 22, 1903, the General As- 274 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 sembly accepted the tract and appropriated the sum of two- hundred and fifty dollars per annum for a caretaker, which sum was increased two years later to five hundred dollars. Seven commissioners were appointed by the Governor to hold office for two-year terms (except that the regent of the Anna Warner Bailey chapter, D. A. R., was to be a mem- ber) and they were charged with the care of the property. The appearance of the grounds and surroundings are in every way creditable to the commission and to the State. By purchase and by gift the original area of the fort has^ been increased from 4% acres to about ISi/^ acres. The Battle Centennial The centennial observance of the battle on September 6,. 1881, was a notable occasion. Two years before the event the Groton Monument Association appointed a committee to cooperate with any other committees and make arrange- ments for the One-Hundredth Anniversary of the Battle of Groton Heights. This committee consisted of C. L. Avery, R. A. Gray and Frederic Bill. On the same day John J. Copp, Daniel C. Rodman, John B. Getchell and Braddock M. Chester were appointed a committee by a mass meeting, for the purpose of asking the cooperation of the mayor and citizens of New London and the author- ities of Ledyard in the preparations for the celebration. To these joint committees were added local committees rep- resenting Groton, New London, and Ledyard, and at a meet- ing of all the committees held on November 12, 1879, was, organized The Groton Heights Centennial Committee J. George Harris, President. Benjamin Stark, Vice President. William H. Potter " John Brewster " " John J. Copp, Secretary. Christopher L, Avery, Treasurer At a later date the list of vice presidents was increased by the addition of the names of William H. Bams Ashbel Woodward Robert A. Gray SOLOMON TIFT Last survivor in Groton of the Fort Griswold massacre REVOLUTIONARY WAR 275 Jeremiah Halsey Elisha H. Palmer William Whaley Jedediah Huntington William H. Hayward Jeremiah K. Andrews Richard A. Wheeler Charles P. White Charles T. Williams Thomas L. Shipman James M. Peckham N. R. Gardner Enoch F. Burr Chester W. Prentis D. H. Nevins Daniel Chadwick Nehemiah C. Cook This committee, aided by various sub-committees, under- took the task of arranging for a suitable celebration of the event. They secured from the State of Connecticut an appropriation of $3,000 and an order for the parade of the entire militia force of the State. From the United States Government they received $5,000 for the improve- ment of the monument and grounds and $5,000 for the celebration of "the 6th of September in a manner befitting the garrison's heroic devotion to duty and the present peace, prosperity and greatness of the Commonwealth." The various sub-committees, having in mind the carry- ing out of such a worthy object, vied with each other in doing all possible to make the affair a notable success. The aid of the ladies was invoked and they gathered together the Ladies' Loan Exhibition, which added much to the enjoyment of the occasion, serving as an object lesson of the days of our ancestors. The day of the celebration — September 6, 1881 — will long be remembered as the "yellow day." A peculiar condition of the atmosphere gave a yellow tinge to all objects, and so darkened all nature that fowls went to roost at noon and it was second only to the dark day of May 19, 1780. Notwithstanding this the programme arranged for the day was carsied out in its entirety as follows : 1781 1881 Programme of the Centennial Celebration of the Battle and Massacre of Groton Heights and the Burning of New London 276 GEOTON, CONN. 1705-1906 "If I must this day lose honor or life, you, who know me best, can tell which it will be." TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6. I A. M. Re-Enactment of Military and Naval Scenes of 1781 Rear Admiral R. N. Wyman, U. S. N., commanding the North Atlantic Squadron Brigadier Gen. Stephen R. Smith, commanding Connecticut National Guard Major John A Darling, U. S. A., commanding United States Troops. II P. M. Pavilion, Groton Heights, 2 o'clock 1. Music — Overture by Military Band. 2. Prayer — By Rev. Jared R. Avery. 3. Music— "The Star Spangled Banner." Sung by a Chorus of School Children of New London and Groton. 4. Oration — By Hon. Joseph R. Hawley. 5. Music — Keller's American Hymn. By the Chorus of School Children. 6. Poem — By Rose Terry Cooke; read by Rev. T. J. Lee. 7. Music— "My Country, 'tis of Thee." By the Chorus. 8. Music — By Military Band. Ill In the Evening a Display of Fireworks At Fort Griswold, Mid-River, and Parade, New London. "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country-" NATHAN HALE MEMORIAL DAY WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 I A. M. Procession of Military and Civic Bodies II P. M. Pavilion, Groton Heights, 2:30 o'clock 1. Music — Overture by First United States Artillery Band. REVOLUTIONARY WAR 277 2. Prayer— By Rev. John P. Taylor. 3. Address Upon Nathan Hale. — By Rev. Edward Everett Hale. 4. Music — By Military Band. 5. Address — By Rev. Leonard Woolsey Bacon. 6. Music — By Military Band. 7. Addresses — By distinguished visitors. 8. Old Hundred — By Audience and Band. 9. Benediction. Ill Gala Display on Naval Vessels, Yacht Fleet, General Illumination of New London, Groton and the Harbor AUyn says of the celebration:* "The first day of the cen- tennial celebration was a grand success in every respect. There was not a suspicion of failure in any feature of the programme. Everything went as smoothly as though it had been carefully rehearsed for months." The crowds in attendance were variously estimated at from 30,000 to 100,000. Every kind of conveyance was utilized and all roads led to Groton that day. The sham battle in defence of New London occupied the forenoon, after which the crowd moved to Groton, where was re-enacted the assault on Fort Griswold and its defence. The spectacular effect was marred by the atmospheric conditions, but the engage- ment was carried out along the lines of the battle of 1781 and was voted by all to be a magnificent success. After the engagement the invited guests were served with a colla- tion in the guests' tent and then proceeded to the pavilion and the formal exercises of the day were carried out, Mr. J. George Harris, chairman of the committee, presiding. The oration by General Joseph R. Hawley was a masterly production and the remarks by Congressman John T. Wait and by Lieuten^,nt General William T. Sherman added to the interest of the occasion. A large detachment from the fleet of United States men of war, and the presence of all the militia of the State, with the Governor and his staff at the head, made an impressive military appearance and helped in the reproduction of the events of 1781. * Battle of Groton Heights, 1882, p. 316. CHAPTER XIII WAR OF 1812 THE WAR OF 1812 found Groton in the same condition as most of the maritime towns of New England. The wars in Europe with the various "orders in council," "decrees," blockades and other restrictions combined with embargoes at home to place the shipping interests in a very precarious position. The war was not popular in New England but in no part of it was it so unpopular as in Connecticut. The Governor of the State refused to put the militia under the command of United States officers.* When the Government called for troops to march to Canada, Governor Griswold declared the call unconstitu- tional. "He declared that the three reasons for calling out State militia did not exist: there was no invasion, there was no insurrection, there was no failure to execute the laws of the United States."** New England desired a strong navy, which was opposed by the West and South, so divided counsels prevented due preparation for the war. The records show that for three months or more in 1913 the militia were on duty at Groton and New London.f Fort Griswold was hastily prepared for defence by a company of volunteers under command of Major Simeon Smith of New London.J The moving cause of these efforts was the appearance off the coast of a large blockading squadron, and from that time until the end of the war the vigilance of the fleet was unceasing, as was also the in- * History of the United States, Bryant, Vol. IV, p. 229. **History of North America, Vol. XII: Growth of the Nation, 1809- 1837. t Connecticut Militia, War of 1812, Adj. Gen.'s Office, 1889, Steven- son, p. 80. t History of New London, Caulkins, 1860, p. 631. 278 WAR OF 1812 279 :genuity of our Groton ancestors in devising ways and means of outwitting the blockade. It was during the excitement caused by the appearance of the blockading squadron that the incident occurred which made Anna Warner Bailey, "Mother Bailey," famous. "The inhabitants of Groton village were all in confusion removing their effects,* when a messenger from the fort was sent among them to collect flannel to be used as wadding for the guns. Most of the portable goods having been sent off, he was unsuccessful in his search until he encountered Mrs. Anna Bailey, a warm-hearted, prompt and impulsive woman, who instantly divested herself of her flannel petti- <:oat and heartily devoted it to the cause. It was carried to the fortress, displayed at the end of a pike and the story told to the garrison, who cheered the banner with great enthusiasm. 'The Martial Petticoat' and its partisan donor have ever since been renowned in our local annals. Mrs. Anna Bailey died January 10, 1851, aged ninety-two years." Her husband, Elijah Bailey, a Revolutionary soldier, was appointed postmaster at Groton by President Jefferson and held the office for forty years. An incident which occurred on the eve of the war with Great Britain is worthy of record here as showing the state of morals at the time. The frigate President, Commodore Rogers, and the frigate Constitution, Captain Hull, spent the winter and spring of 1811 in the harbor of New London. Commodore Rogers, with a view of improving his young midshipmen in mathematics, secured the services of Nathan Daboll, Sr., to give instruction in that branch, one half of the middies alternating each day. Two of the men became involved in an altercation concerning a supposed indignity offered by one to a woman in company of the other. Mid- shipman Brailsford, a hot-blooded South Carolinian, chal- lenged Midshipman Fowle to a duel which took place at a secluded spot near Westerly, across the border in Rhode Island. * History of New London, Caulkins, 1860, pp. 631-2. 280 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Mr. Denison thus writes of the affair:* "In 1811, while the frigate "Constitution" lay in New London, two mid- shipmen became so piqued at a ball on account of a certain woman, that a challenge was passed and accepted. To evade the vigilance of the authorities, the parties selected Westerly as their field of honor, it being just across the boundary of Connecticut. It was in February. The prin- cipals and seconds came in two sleighs and drove at high speed. They stopped for a few moments at the public house kept by Paul Rhodes. They then drove to the top of the hill, now the large quarry, and passing the meeting house, a little distance northeast, on the west side of the road, on land lately owned by Mr. Charles Vose, measured their distances and took their positions. "The names of the principals were Brailsford and Fowle, The first was a small, unlovely appearing, evil-minded man, by birth a Carolinian. The latter was a man of fine looks, pleasant manners and gentlemanly character. He was a native of Watertown, Massachusetts. The sad moment of action came. At the appointed signal both discharged their pistols. Brailsford was slightly touched, Fowle received a bullet in his groin, which also carried a portion of his dress into the limb. "Se was too severely wounded to be carried to New London. The parties brought him into the village and cared for him at the house — then an inn, on the Connecticut side of the river — ^kept by Mrs. Abby Thompson, where they were obliged to leave him. He was attended by Doctor Coltin, the assistant surgeon of the ship, and also by the physicians of this vicinity. His distressed father also visited him. His case elicited much sympathy. The wound was mortal. After a week or more he was carried to New London. He lived about three weeks from the fatal hour. His grave is at Groton Bank in the Fort Griswold Cemetery and is marked by a monument. His heartless antagonist was degraded from the service and rumor says he was * Westerly and Its Witnesses, p. 202. WAR OF 1812 281 finally drowned from a schooner on the coast of North Car- olina." It is said that Commodore Rogers was very much shocked at the affair, but that Captain Hull, under whose immediate command these unfortunate youth happened to be, merely remarked with an oath that he wanted no cowards around him. Up to the time of the war of 1812 there had been no defensive work at the eastern end of Groton, but at the outbreak of this conflict the need of some protection was felt. The village of Mystic had already grown to a size that attracted the attention of Commodore Hardy's block- ading squadron, perhaps the more so because of the enter- prising character of its inhabitants. It would seem that nature had provided a fortress, small to be sure, but ad- mirably adapted for the purpose, in a high ledge of rocks, abruptly rising from the river bank at the southern extrem- ity of the village. On the top of this ledge a rampart was constructed in 1813, by volunteers from the whole com- munity, and is said to have been a very creditable piece of military engineering. It was christened Fort Rachel and was equipped with a four-pounder, which was sufficient defence against the barges which the enemy sent into the river from time to time. The name is said to have been given in honor of an old woman who lived near at hand and was gifted in the telling of fortunes. Favored with a gift of speech, she was social and a prime favorite with young and old, and it is said that her name, given at first in a spirit of fun, became the permanent name of the fortification. Sentinels were maintained in the fort from the time of its completion until the end of the blockade, and in the fall and winter of 1814, after the battle of Stonington, a militia guard of fifteen men were stationed there. Their names as shown by the records* were as follows : Koswell Packer, Captain Nathan Rathbun, Corporal George Packer, Corporal * Connecticut Militia, War of 1812, Adj. Gen.'s Office, 1889. 282 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 David Burrows Nathan Haley Elam Burrows Charles Packer Oliver Dewey Elam Packer John Fish Eldredge Wolf Nathan Fish, Jr. Brutus Woodman (cy?) Josephus Fitch Brutus Woodward These men were quartered in the house of Elder Jonathan Miner, afterward the residence of the late Abel Eldredge. Rev. Frederick Denison in "Historical Leaves"* has given us a large amount of matter pertaining to the War of 1812, most of which was gleaned from survivors and of which we are permitted to make free use. "In the spring of 1813, after the British Fleet, under Commodore Hardy, made its appearance in the Sound, all coast trade was at once cut off, and the country was thrown into embarrassment and indignation. A few bold spirits, however, ventured to run their trade through the midst of the hostile squadron. One of these. Captain Jesse Crary of Mystic, in the sloop Fox was surprised and captured. The Fox was a fast sailer and so she was used by the British in making havoc along the coast; by means of her, in the short space of two weeks, the enemy captured twenty-seven American sails. "Captain Crary, having escaped from his captors him- self, returned home and immediately planned the recap- ture of his vessel. To this end, the sloop Hero was fitted out from Mystic with a privateer's commission and manned by the following bold spirits : Ambrose Burrows, Captain Jeremiah Haley, 1st Lieutenant Perez Woodward, 2nd " Simeon Haley, Prize Master Paul Burrows, Sailing Master Avery Brown, Boatswain Edward Tinker, Gunner Alexander Latham, Surgeon James Burrows, Drummer Charles Packer, Steward Hubbard Packer, Cook Nathan Burrows, Cook's Mate Jesse Crary Abel Fish Ezekiel Tufts Dean Gallup Lemuel Burrows Nicholas P. Isaacs * Mystic Pioneer, May 14, 1859, et seq. WAR OF 1812 283 Elisha Packer Thomas Eldredge Jeremiah Shaw Nathaniel Niles James Sawyer John Holdredge Nathan Eldredge Benjamin Ellison John Appelman "Provided with a four-pounder, small arms and ammu- nition, the Hero sailed to New London and received her commission. She expected to find the Fox ofi' in the vicinity of Block Island, the headquarters of the British squadron. On leaving New London, she convoyed six or eight trading' vessels waiting in New London harbor for the protection of an armed friend, on nearly to Point Judith, «nd then turned to search for her game. "Before coming up to Block Island she discovered the Fox standing in towards the land, under double reefs. The wind was strong from the northwest. On came the Fox until she approached within about two miles of the Hero, when, suspecting a Yankee idea, she suddenly tacked ship and ran off. The Hero, now on her lee, gave chase. Both sloops, true to their Mystic origin — ^both were built by the famous ship carpenter, Eldredge Packer — \7ere sprites on the wave. The sailing was smart. But the Hero had a little the smoother keel. "The Fox was furnished with two brass six-pounders. But from the angle of her decks in her flight — the Hero keeping on her lee — she sould not bring them to bear on her pursuer. She could only use smallarms. The Hero returned the fire with small arms and her four-pounder. The skir- mish took place about ten miles southeast of Block Island, with the British squadron in sight at the southward. "The speed and guns of the Hero soon compelled the Fox to change her hand. She attempted to wear round to bring her guns to bear upon the Hero. Small arms were now playing with great activity. But as the Fox wore around the Hero came pounce upon her and ran her bowsprit into the Fox's mainsail. The vessels now grappled and had the fight hand to hand. The whole battle was short, occupying not more than thirty minutes. The gun of the Hero tore away a part of the Fox's mainsail and cut her shrouds. The 284 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Hero's men now rushed on board the Fox and completed their victory. "On board the Hero, Thomas Eldredge was wounded through the arm. On board the Fox, two were slightly- wounded. The Fox was manned by Lieutenant Claxon, belonging to the Ramillies, a quartermaster, a midshipman and twelve men. "The skirmish ended just in the evening. The Hero with her prize and prisoners now made towards the land. The next morning, while the British ships were standing in toward the land, in hot pursuit, the Yankees passed Watch Hill and came in triumph into Mystic River. It was Fast Day, but the visitors were not, it is presumed, excessively abstemious in respect to what was good to eat or to drink." Soon after the recapture of the "Fox," another encounter with the British blockading Fleet occurred near the mouth of the Mystic River. The Sloop "Victory," Captain Jere- miah Haley, en route from Providence to New York, was forced to take refuge in the Mystic River, where she grounded near Ram Point, Her plight was discovered about the same time by the British and by the Americans. As barges were putting out from the blockading fleet, friends of Captain Haley were manning the smack "Charles- ton" and arming her with a four-pound cannon and the small arms taken in the "Fox," together with powder and balls. The Groton men concerned in this affair were Silas Bur- rows, Henry Holdredge, Guy E. Burrows and Ambrose H. Burrows. These men, with seven others from the Stoning- ton side of the river, were soon on board the "Victory," prepared to give the enemy a warm reception. A sharp encounter on the deck of the "Victory" resulted in a com- plete victory for the Americans. Among the activities of the year 1814 we should not overlook the cruise of the barge "Yankee." "During the year 1814, while the inhabitants of Mystic were being sorely vexed by the English blockade of the coast, they meditated and carried into effect various meas- WAR OF 1812 285 ures of offence as well as defence. While they sometimes suffered the loss of valuable property by the English cruisers, they determined, if possible, to indemnify them- selves by seizing British prizes. The barges of the enemy, in their depredations, had even ascended Mystic River as far as Pine Hill, since the property of the bold Mystic men was especially courted by the enemy. The Yankees, how- ever, were not to be outdone in diligence or daring. "A barge, named the 'Yankee,' forty-two feet long, a double-banked galley mounting twelve oars, built by Max A. Rogers, in Waterford, after having acted as a privateer ©ut of New London, was purchased by Mystic men for six hundred dollars, and properly armed and furnished for her former business. She was manned, first and last, so far as we have been able to gather the names, by the following courageous company: Lemuel Burrows, Captain Amos Wheeler, Lieutenant Peter Washington, Boarding Master John Park, Pilot Nathan Eldredge Abel Eldredge James Sawyer William Wilbur Dudley Packer George Bennett Henry Bailey Havens Sawyer Eldredge Wolf George Wolf Allen Holdredge Peter Baker Roswell Packer Ezekiel Tufts Robert Deuce Nathaniel Niles Elam Eldredge "The first cruise of the 'Yankee' resulted in the capture of the sloop Nancy on the south side of Fisher's Island. The sloop was loaded with shellfish and was not a valuable prize, bringing hardly two hundred dollars. "On a second expedition the 'Yankee' passed to the west- ward until she came near the mouth of the Connecticut, when she was fired upon from the shore under the sus- picion that she was an English barge, which appearance she purposely maintained. Then standing over towards Long Island, she discovered, near Plum Island, a sail that attracted her attention. This proved to be the sloop George, 286 GROTON, CONN, 1705-1905 professedly loaded with salt and bearing papers from New London to New Haven. "The Yankee in approaching the George passed as an English barge and boarded her without resistance, as she was in possession of the English. She proceeded to examine her papers. These all seemed to be correct. The sloop also appeared to be laden with salt. The Yankee's crew, however, entertaining a little suspicion of double-dealing, entered her hold and began to thrust their swords and ram- rods into the salt, when lo, their weapons met with obstacles. Removing the salt a little, boxes and trunks appeared. "The truth was the George was an English smuggler. She had just been into Gardiner's Bay and taken from an English prize-ship this load of dry goods and covered them with salt as a ruse in case she should fall in with barges that might question her character. Her papers also were intended to aid in the deception. The Yankee now revealed her true character. The sloop was seiaed as a prize and put under sail for Mystic River. Her crew, with the excep- tion of the supercargo, were put on board the Yankee, while Captain George Wolf and Abel Eldredge were put on board the sloop as prize masters. "The goods thus taken consisted of silks, calicos, cloths, some block tin, medicines and the like. For safety they were removed to Head of Mystic and deposited in the ware- house of Jedediah Rogers, where they were finally sold at auction for the snug sum of about six thousand dollars. "The Yankee next made an expedition to Buzzard's Bay and the Vineyard Sound. On her way she enjoyed some amazing scenes by overhauling boats that were trading with the English ships. Peter Washington, being an English- man (having escaped from the English and taken an American name) and having something of a naval uniform, carried a good English aspect, and secured from the trading boats such articles as pleased the palate of the Yankee's crew. "On landing in Quick's Hole in the Vineyard Sound, the Yankee was hailed on the dock by a Mr. Stevens, an old WAR OF 1812 287 man, who was a little animated by the spirits imbibed, with the salutation, 'Welcome my friends, the British! my name is old Britain.' The Yankee returned the cordial com- pliment. The old man seemed to own the premises there- abouts and had a long flagstaff erected, indicative of his loyalty to John Bull, with a signal flying bearing the word 'Yorktown,' the name of an American vessel lately cap- tured by the English. "Lying near the dock was a sloop just loaded with hay and provisions for the English ships 'Nieman' and 'Endy- mion.' The sloop had a license from the English admiral to carry on her trade and wore a false name. Her real name was the 'Abby.' The Yankee now threw off her English guise, captured the 'Abby' and bore her away to Mystic. "A fourth vessel overhauled by the Yankee was a sharp schooner found near the east end of Fisher's Island, loaded apparently with corn and flour. The schooner was exam- ined and, being found with American papers of seeming good character, was suffered to pass. Afterwards, how- ever, she was captured in Newport and found to be sim- ilarly situated with the sloop 'George.' She was a valuable prize, her goods selling for about thirty thousand dollars." The Ruse at Long Point "On the 12th of August, 1814, the next day after the signal repulse of the English at Stonington, the victorious Yankees, as if not satisfied with their noble defence of the borough, and the injury they had done to the British ships, planned to decoy a barge from the ships lying off the Hum- mocks, and to capture her. To this end a plot was laid by Captain Eldredge Packer, and others of kindred daring, which was as follows : "First, a few squads of militiamen were detailed from the companies then near Mystic, lately called out for the defence of Stonington, and were put under the command of Captain Packer. They were detailed as volunteers and the company numbered about eighty men. They were 288 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 marched down behind the hills and through the woods to Long Point, where they were secreted behind the eastern bank of the Point, ready to act upon a given signal. "Captain John Barber was stationed in a concealed spot near a large rock, where he could look out upon the Sound towards the ships, to watch the movements and to give Cap- tain Packer and his men the given signal. Meanwhile, not knowing but the barge might be decoyed into the mouth of the Mystic River, or that the victors might be pursued by a second barge, Captain Jonathan Wheeler, with the regular company under his command, was stationed on the west bank of what is now called Lighthouse Point. "Second, a large fishing-boat with a sail resembling the present Block Island boats was obtained and taken to the mouth of the river, where she was voluntarily manned for the errand by Simeon Haley, captain, Paul Burrows, Henry Park, Peter Washington and Ezekiel Tufts. "The boat now sailed out around Long Point and made as if she were bound westward on business. She was soon spied by the English ships, and a barge from the bomb-ship 'Terror,' with fourteen men commanded by Lieutenant Chambers, was sent to overhaul her. The boat at first turned as if to run up to New London, and then, in her apparent fright and confusion, turned as if to escape into Mystic River. While tacking and filling and rowing withal, as if for life, the barge was fast coming up to her. "Finally, as if in despair, the boat with full sail and bend- ing oars ran straight on to the east beach of Long Point and her men fled over the bank. The barge was hard upon her heels and intent upon seizing the boat as probably loaded with something valuable. "As the barge touched the beach. Captain Barber rose up and waved his sword as the signal to the men in ambush. Instantly Captain Packer and his men rose up and, firing on the barge, demanded her surrender. Lieutenant Cham- bers stood firmly yet evidently confounded. Resistance was in vain. The lieutenant simply remarked: 'I have heard WAR OF 1812 289 of Yankee tricks, but this is the first that I have ex- perienced.' "Unfortunately the fire of some of Captain Packer's men was too low. One man, a Scotchman, was killed by a shot through the head and two men were wounded. "The prisoners and the barge were immediately brought up to Mystic. The Scotchman was buried with military and religious services — ^with dirgeful fife, muffled drum and fervent prayer. His body was laid in the northwest part of the old Packer Cemetery, under an apple tree which is still standing, (1859). The generous honors paid to the unfortunate marine, falling thus alone in the service of his country far away from his native land, and paid, too, by his country's enemies, most deeply affected the heart of Lieutenant Chambers, who was, indeed, a gentleman, and a brave and generous officer. "The wounded men were taken to the house then stand- ing, where now stands the residence of Joseph Avery. The men were so tenderly and faithfully cared for that they re- marked 'that they wished they might always remain wounded, for they never in their lives fared so well.' "When the prisoners were exchanged, the citizens of Mystic presented to Lieutenant Chambers a purse of one hundred dollars in consideration of his gentlemanly and officerly conduct. "The captors received twelve hundred dollars for the barge and fourteen hundred dollars for the prisoners." As the cords of the blockade drew tighter the efforts of the restless Yankees were redoubled to find means of out- witting the British and retaliating upon them for the losses sustained. In the spring of 1814 several attempts were made by bold spirits under the command of Captain Jere- miah Holmes to explode torpedoes under the blockading ships, and in one instance the purpose was nearly accom- plished. The following Groton men were associated with Captain Holmes in this hazardous enterprise : George Wolf, 290 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 John Rathbun, Allen Holdredge, Abel Eldredge, Daniel Burrows, Ezekiel Tufts, Elam Eldredge and John Park. Owing to an unfortunate combination of tide and stiff working gear, the first torpedo was lost. The second at- tempt was directed against the seventy-four gun ship "Ramillies." From their rendezvous up the Thames at dead of night the boat with her daring crew passed out hy Eastern Point around the "Ramillies," between her and a prize ship that lay under her wing, and came up to the northwest of her and dropped anchor. After paying out the torpedo for a distance the boat lifted her kedge and attempted to glide across eastward' towards the land so as to swing the engine against the ship. The wind was fresh from the northwest and the tide was strong in ebb. This so deceived the boat that in passing across in the darkness she unconsciously drifted down so near the bows of the "Ramillies" that the operators could even see the sails furled on the ship's jib-boom. The boat instantly hauled up to windward and anchoring began to haul in upon the torpedo. But this movement soon brought the engine up near the ship's bows, when the warp caught in the ship's cable and an unexpected strain upon one arm of the cross bar caused an immediate explosion of the torpedo. The effect was terrible, and hogsheads of water were thrown into the ship's foretop. In an instant, almost, a storm of musketry was poured from the ship's deck on every side in hope of reaching the daring operators. In another instant signal lanterns were run up in all the rigging as an alarm to the other ships. Then followed hot and repeated discharges of the ship's guns. But all was in vain. The adventurers had fled, though not without im- minent peril from the ships and also from the shore; for as they neared the land in the vicinity of Eastern Point, they were fired upon by the sentry and the shot struck among their oars. Had the plot succeeded in disabling the "Ramillies," Commodore Decatur, who had all things ready, would have run down with all his force and given battle to the remain- WAR OF 1812 291 ing ships, and so have fought his way out to the open sea. On June 1, 1813, Commodore Decatur, in command of the frigates "United States, "Macedonian" and sloop of war "Hornet," in attempting to escape from New York via Long Island Sound was chased into New London by a superior force and was closely blockaded there until the close of the war. Commodore Decatur did not rest easy under his enforced idleness but made several attempts to escape. On the night of Dec. 12, 1813, all things were in readiness for the ships to sail. The night was dark, the wind was fair, but before the hour fixed for sailing Decatur was notified that "blue light" signals were seen on both sides of the harbor, notifying the enemy of the proposed sailing, which in consequence was called off. That such signals were given was denied by the citizens of Groton and New London, but there is no doubt that Com- modore Decatur firmly believed that some treacherous in- dividuals betrayed his plans to the enemy. On the 26th of September, 1814, at the island of Fayal in the Azores, took place the last notable engagement of the war, one which has a romantic interest for the town of Groton. It was the fight between the privateer brig "Gen- eral Armstrong" and a British fleet consisting of the ship of the line "Plantagenet," the frigate "Rota" and the sloop of war "Carnation." The "General Armstrong" was com- manded by Captain Samuel Chester Reid, the son of Lieu- tenant John Reid of the British Navy, who had been taken prisoner by the Americans in 1778. While detained in New London the latter fell in love with Miss Rebecca Chester, a daughter of the intensely patriotic American Chester family of Groton. She refused to marry an English officer and in consequence he resigned his commission in the English navy and they were married in 1781. Captain Samuel Chester Reid was the eldest child of this marriage and he came from fighting ancestry on both sides. Born in 1783, at eleven years of age he commenced his seafaring career. The year 1814 found him in command of the privateer 292 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 brig "General Armstrong," a Baltimore clipper noted for her fast sailing qualities, as well as for the quality of her crew of ninety men, all picked Americans. On September 26th Captain Reid had entered port at Fayal to replenish his water supply. Later in the day the British man of war "Carnation" appeared in the harbor and although it was in the neutral territory of Portugal she at once commenced preparations for attack. The orders could be heard, and the men were seen transferring arms to four launches which had been put out. Captain Reid gave secret orders to his men to prepare for action, and as the wind was too light to get out of the harbor he pulled up close under the guns of the castle and claimed the pro- tection due to a vessel in a neutral port. At eight o'clock in the evening, just as the moon was rising, the four launches were seen swiftly approaching the brig. Captain Reid was prepared for the onslaught and, as the first boat attempted to board him, it was met with a withering fire which made its occupants beg for quarter, while the other three boats were repelled with a broadside of grape and canister. After a fierce struggle they were compelled to withdraw in confusion and, receiving re- enforcements from the ships lying outside the harbor, four- teen launches returned to the attack, containing a force of not less than five or six hundred men. Against the odds of six to one Captain Reid's men fought with the desperation of fiends. When the hand-to-hand conflict on the deck of the "General Armstrong" was ended by the death of the English lieutenant who had fought Captain Reid, the enemy withdrew. Their losses were frightful, the English themselves acknowledging a loss of one-hundred and twenty killed and one-hundred and thirty wounded in an engagement lasting forty minutes. After the withdrawal of the boats the governor of the port again protested against the violation of neutrality, but was informed by Commodore Lloyd that he was deter- mined to have the "Armstrong" at all hazards and if the governor suffered the Americans to injure her in any way WAR OF 1812 , 293 he should consider the place an enemy's port and treat it accordingly. At this Captain Reid determined to defend the ship to the last and when at daylight the "Carnation" sailed in and opened fire with all her guns, the "Arm- strong" gave her such a warm reception that she was forced to retire. With the "Rota" and "Plantagenet" preparing to take a hand in the struggle, Captain Reid deemed further resist- ence useless, so turned Long Tom down the hatch and blew a hole through the bottom of the ship and removed his crew to the shore. The "Carnation," discovering that the brig was abandoned, sent two boats to take possession of her but, finding her scuttled, set her on fire and she blew up. In the whole engagement the loss of the British was two- hundred and ten killed and one-hundred and forty wounded against a loss to the Americans of two killed and eleven wounded, but this was not all the damage the British suf- fered. The fleet convoying Packenham's army to New Orleans was at Jamaica anxiously awaiting the arrival of Lloyd's squadron, which was detained ten or twelve days at Fayal burying its dead and repairing damages, and a further delay of a week occurred at Jamaica on account of the crippled condition of his ships. This delay enabled General Jackson to arrive first at New Orleans and to place the city in such a state of defence as resulted in the complete defeat of Packenham a few weeks later. Thus the last naval and the last military engagements resulted in brilliant victories for the American arms. Cap- tain Reid rendered distinguished service in the mercantile marine as well as in the navy and his memory is perpetu- ated in the flag of our country, the present design of which originated with him. CHAPTER XIV CIVIL WAR IN THE POLITICAL events leading up to the Civil War Groton took a keen interest. The repeal of the Missouri Compromise and the resulting political upheaval led to a readjustment of party lines, and the formation of the new Republican party found a soil ready prepared. The Mystic Lyceum, an organization of young men, furnished a forum for the discussion of public questions, which discussions were not only carried on orally, but found expression in the columns of a paper written by members of the Lyceum. Albert G. Stark, a young man of much promise, was editor, and among the contributors to its columns were John L. Denison, George H. Murphy, Rev. William B. Smith and others whose "nom-de-plumes" render them difficult of identification at this late date. The Free Soil party had a strong following in Groton. On the other hand business relations with the South were close. Many of the ships owned in the town were employed in the cotton carrying trade and the men engaged in navigating them were con- stantly in touch with the better class of Southern merchants in the ports. Many of the fishermen sailed south in the winter and quite a Groton colony was engaged in business at Key West. The Reliance Machine Company — ^the largest manufacturing industry in the town — found its chief mar- ket in the South, being engaged in the manufacture of cot- ton gin machinery. These business connections made a friendly feeling towards the South, and in consequence up to the actual breaking out of hostilities the political parties were quite evenly divided. The firing upon Fort Sumter, however, aroused the whole population and with a very few 294 CIVIL WAR 295 ■exceptions the town was consistently loyal during the whole term of the war. "At Mystic* a great Union meeting was held in Floral Hall ; and war speeches were made by Colonel Amos Clift (who afterwards furnished three sons for the army. — C. R. S.), Hiram Appelman, Lucius M. Slade, Rev. S. S. Griswold and others. Chauncey D. Rice was sec- retary. A subscription was opened and Isaac Randall, George Greenman & Company, Silas B. Randall and Charles Mallory & Sons gave a thousand dollars each for the prosecution of the war. Others subscribed largely." Twenty-four young men volunteered and became the nucleus of a company that was shortly after organized by "the choice of Warren W. Packer as captain, Henry W. Daboll 1st lieutenant and Jedediah Randall 2nd lieutenant. This company was enlisted for ninety days but owing to the refusal of the Federal Government to accept further three-months men was disbanded, although most of the men later enlisted in some one of the various regiments that went from this State, or in a few instances from other States. William C. Rockwell, who headed the list, subsequently enlisted with Captain Packer in the Fifth Regiment, but is credited to New Haven, he having signed enlistment papers in that city. "A flag** was raised from the ramparts of Fort Rachel by the hands of Captain Jonathan Wheeler, a veteran of four-score years, who commanded the guard on duty at the fort in 1812, and its appearance was hailed with cheers and music and saluted with cannon." Groton furnished seven men for the three-months cam- paign, viz: Hiram Appelman, J. Alden Rathbun, Herbert E. Maxson, James H. Latham, William P. Latham, John P. Wilbur and Robert P. Wilbur, who all, with the exception of John P. Wilbur, served in a New London company in the Second Regiment. They were present at the battle of Bull Run, forming part of General Tyler's brigade, which re- tired in good order from that ill-fated field. * History of Connecticut during the Recent War, 1861-5, p. 48. ** Ibid, p. 49. 296 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 Connecticut furnished three regiments of three-months men and nearly as many more volunteers were declined, but the State was allowed to furnish two additional regi- ments for three years. The first three-year volunteer from Groton was Elisha Rathbun, a private in Co. D, Fourth Regiment, afterwards the First Connecticut Heavy Artil- lery. By a singular circumstance this enlistment was credited to the town of Stonington. On enlistment Rathbun gave his residence as Mystic and the authorities, finding that there was no town of that name but that the Mystic Post Office was in the town of Stonington, credited him to that town. Warren W. Packer recruited a company mainly from Groton and Stonington which became Company G of the Fifth Regiment. The roster of the regiment shows that eleven men from Groton were enlisted, viz : Warren W. Packer, captain, promoted to colonel. Henry W. Daboll, 1st lieutenant, promoted to colonel. William C. Rockwell, sergeant, promoted to 1st lieutenant, Co. G. Alfred L. Packer, sergeant, promoted to captain, Co. D. Eugene H. Corey, sergeant, promoted to 1st lieutenant, Co. D. James P. Howard, private, promoted to sergeant, Co. G. James M. Starr, corporal, promoted to sergeant, Co. G. Edward Fowler, private, promoted to corporal, Co. G. Asa B. Fish. William H. Newbury. Horatio H. Pollard. George J. Ridley.* The Adjutant General's report shows the names of Thomas A. Brown and Leonard Heath, and the name of William C. Rockwell given above should also be added. Nathaniel P. Wolfe also served in this regiment. This company left Mystic May 21, 1862, and was in- tended to be a part of a crack rifle regiment to be raised and equipped by Colonel Colt of the Colt Fire Arms Co. No man less than 5 feet 10 inches in height was to be ac- cepted and it was rumored that it was the intention to make the regiment a part of the regular army. This was not agreeable to the rank and file and a vigorous protest was * Fifth Connecticut Regiment, Marvin, Appendix. CIVIL WAR 297 made to the Governor, who on "June 18 wrote to the Sec- retary of War that the regiment refuses to belong to the regular army and that he therefore organizes them regu- larly."* The regiment was mustered into the United States serv- ice July 22, 1861, the day following the battle of Bull Run, and on the 29th of the same month took its departure for the front. It first struck the "sacred soil" at Harpers Ferry, where it came under the command of General George H. Thomas, and the first contact with the enemy was with troops under the command of Stonewall Jackson, which the regimental historian speaks of as "this cavalry, ever after- wards to be opposed to us in every march and contest in which we were engaged, until that night of chaos when Jackson's campaigning was ended at Chancellorsville, nearly a year and a half later. May 2, 1863."** August 9, 1862, at Cedar Mountain the regiment had its first and most severe battle. Co. G lost five men killed, three wounded (one of these being Captain Packer) and twelve captured. While at home on furlough Captain Packer was promoted to be major of the regiment. In January 1863 Colonel Chapman of the Fifth, on account of ill health, was obliged to resign and Major Packer was appointed in his place. "A correspondent wrote the Provi- dence Joumalt at this time as follows : 'We learned a day or two ago some interesting facts of the Fifth Connecticut Regiment, which for army life is as anomalous as it is pleasing. Its commander. Colonel Packer, we are assured, is a teetotaler: neither drinking any intoxicating liquors himself nor allowing any to his men. Its chaplain. Rev. Mr. Welch, is declared to be the very best in the army though never preaching a sermon, and its sutler, Mr. Ran- dall, who acted in this capacity over two years, never sold or offered for sale a single drop of liquor.' " On May 2, 1863, the second day of the battle of Chan- * Fifth Connecticut Regiment, Marvin, p. 18, Appendix. ** Ibid. t History of Connecticut during the Recent War, 1861-5, p. 302. 298 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 cellorsville, Colonel Packer and about twenty men of the Fifth regiment were taken prisoners. He had been ordered to leave the breastworks thrown up by his men and to take part in a movement to intercept Jackson's troops, who, moving across the Union front, finally gained and turned its right. The Fifth Connecticut was among the regiments that on returning to their breastworks walked directly into the midst of the enemy. The Colonel's punctilious observ- ance of the etiquette of surrender enabled most of the regi- ment to creep away in the darkness, so that but twenty men were made prisoners. It was in this flank movement that the Confederate general, Stonewall Jackson, lost his life. Captain Henry W. DaboU won distinction in this battle and was soon after promoted to be major of the regiment. Colonel Packer rejoined the regiment June 12 and it was soon after on the march for what proved to be the Gettys- burg campaign. The Fifth was held in reserve during that battle and its casualties were consequently light — ^three wounded and six captured. Among the wounded was Ed- ward Fowler of Company G. September 27 the Fifth Regiment with the rest of Hook- er's corps started by rail for Tennessee to reinforce the Army of the Cumberland. For several months it was engaged in guarding the communications, justifying the name it had earned in the East: "foot cavalry." During the Atlanta campaign it was almost constantly engaged and at Resaca, Cassville, Dallas, Pine Mountain, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek and finally Atlanta, the regiment fully sustained its reputation. It was allowed the honor of being the first Union regiment to enter Atlanta. At Peach Tree Creek the Fifth sustained the heaviest loss that it met with during the war, with the exception of Cedar Mountain, sixty-three killed, wounded and missing. Of these Com- pany G lost five killed, one mortally and nine less seriously wounded. Colonel Packer for a short time commanded the brigade but, his three-year term of service having expired, he was mustered out October 20, 1864. The march to the sea com- CIVIL WAR 299 menced November 16 and the regiment under command of Lieutenant Colonel Henry W. Daboll was in strenuous service until the final surrender of Johnston's army. It then marched to Washington and participated in the grand review. On July 23, 1865, the regiment reached Hartford and the final good byes were said during the next two days, August 18, 1861, the Governor gave orders for the en- listment of volunteers for the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and Ninth regiments for three years, the Eighth to rendezvous at Hartford. Hiram Appelman, who had served in the Second Regiment for three months, was chosen to com- mand Company G, which contained nineteen men from Groton : Hiram Appelman, Alcanza O. Wells Alfred A. Davis Captain Benjamin F. Crumb William Doyle John Alden Rathbun Rensellaer Babcock William H. Durfee Amos Clift, Jr. Edwin S. Batty Phineas W. Davis Lemuel Clift Elias W. Burrows Levi Eccleston James H. Alexander Austin Daniels William A. Parke Thomas W. Ryan Elias W. Watrous The adjutant general's report gives the names of the following Groton men in the Eighth Regiment: James Ashbey Lorenzo D. Burrows Frederick Gallup John Smith, 1st By September 15 the regiment was full, Company G being among the first to be mustered in. On October 17 it left Camp Buckingham for Annapolis, where the troops were being assembled for Bumside's expedition to North Car- olina. The Eighth Regiment had its full share of the pri- vations of the perilous voyage from Hampton Roads to Roanoke Island and also of the glory of the campaign in North Carolina. At Newbeme it was in the forefront and at Fort Macon it shared with the Fourth Rhode Island the most advanced position. On April 21 under cover of darkness Major Appelman with a company of volunteers under the command of Lieutenant Henry E. Morgan made an attempt to locate rifle pits much nearer the fort. The attempt was discovered and "just as Sergeant Amos Clift was stationing 300 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 the pickets, a gun opened with canister, wounding Major Appebnan severely in the thigh and Private James H. Alex- ander in the body."* After the surrender of Fort Macon a few weeks were spent in recuperation. Bumside's troops, including the Eighth Regiment, were transferred to Virginia and next saw fighting at Antietam on September 17, 1862. Here Co. G lost its first man killed in battle — Corporal Oscar W. Hewitt of Stonington — and Lieutenant Colonel Hiram Appelman, who was in command of the regiment, was so severely wounded as to force his resignation. This wound was the indirect cause of his death a few years later. The regiment "lost thirty-four killed and one-hundred and thirty-nine wounded or nearly fifty per cent, of the entire number present for duty."** The Eighth Regiment bore a minor I)art in the disastrous affair at Fredericksburg, and at the close of that campaign was ordered to Newport News and later to Suffolk, where it participated in the long-drawn-out defence of that town, concerning which the historian already quoted writes :t "Considerable valor and vigilance were expended on both sides over the possession of a town so utterly without strategic importance as not to be worth capturing or defending. ... It was not long before the men became pretty thoroughly disgusted, feeling (for even enlisted men frequently took that liberty) the uselessness of the work upon which they were engaged." After the raising of the siege, and while Lee was en route to Gettysburg, the Eighth, with other troops under General Dix, was engaged in a movement to cut Lee's communica- tions with Richmond, an affair which resulted in no military advantage, and which earned for itself among the men who participated in it the name of the "Blackberry raid." The name was given on account of the abundance of black- berries, and if no other good resulted from the raid the health of the men was promoted by their indulgence in the * History of Connecticut in the Recent War, 1861, 1861-5, p. 178. ** Ibid, p. 274. t Ibid, p. 332. CIVIL WAR 301 berries, which the men from New England had never seen growing in such profusion. The Eighth formed part of the Army of the James, which under the command of General Butler was sent up the James River to operate against Richmond while Grant grappled with Lee in the Wilderness. The regiment was in the forefront of the fighting at Fort Darling and Drury's Bluff, in the engagement of May 16 losing seventy-two men killed and wounded. Colonel Ward being one of the latter. Elias W. Watrous of Groton was wounded and taken pris- oner, dying in captivity. From a newspaper account of the time we read: "Lieutenant J. A. Rathbun, 8th C. V., led Co. C. into the field with twenty men and came out with only eleven men. One was killed, five wounded and three miss- ing. His company numbered thirty-six men when the army landed at Bermuda Hundred." Butler's movement resulted in no important military suc- cess and his army was "bottled up" at Bermuda Hundred, as expressed by General Grant. This position, while a strong one for defence, did not permit of an offensive move- ment, so the Army of the James was divided, a portion being left to defend the position on the James while the balance — about sixteen thousand men — ^were sent to the Army of the Potomac under the command of General W. F. Smith of the Eighteenth Corps. The Eighth Regiment was part of that corps and arrived in time to participate in the bat- tles of Cold Harbor on June 1 and 3. In the bloody repulse on the latter date the Eighth Regiment, being held in re- serve, suffered least of any of the Connecticut regiments engaged — eight killed and thirty wounded. After the disastrous repulse at Cold Harbor, "Smith's Eighteenth Corps took transports at White House and ar- rived at Bermuda Hundred in advance of the rest of the army on June 14."* He moved at once on Petersburg and met with initial success, which for some unexplained reason was not followed up.** The Eighth Regiment had a con- * Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, VoL IV, p. 151. ** History of Connecticut in the Recent War, 1861-5, p. 605. 302 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 spicuous part in this movement. After the failure of Smith to capture Petersburg, General Grant settled down to reduce the place by regular siege. Of the regiment's experience in the summer of 1864, Moses Smith, its chaplain, writes as follows :* "A month of siege work ; lying in the trenches ; eyeing the rebels ; digging by moonlight ; broiling in the sun ; shooting through a knot hole ; shot at if a head is lifted ; artillery compliments pass- ing and repassing; our lives endangered by shells from both sides; officers falling; comrades dying; everybody wearied by the monotony and exhausted by heat and watch- ing; dull hours enlivened and lonely hearts encouraged by kind words in the mail bag and good fruits in the sanitary issues; members growing less, but hope never dying, — such is the epitome of the month since I wrote you before. Here we have remained constantly under the enemy's fire. Occasionally, for one or two days, the regiment has been withdrawn from the pits beyond bullet range, but not from artillery shots. Rebel sharpshooters and rebel mortars have been busy upon us, both while in the front and when relieved. In return our men have played the sharpshooter and burrowed under ground. Twenty casualties have oc- curred in our regiment during these thirty days. Most of the wounds have been severe and five of the men are dead. Among our losses we sorrowfully record three honored captains — Roger M. Ford, commanding Co. C, wounded in right leg; Elam F. Goodrich, commanding company H, wounded in right leg, and Henry C. Hall, commanding Co. F, instantly killed by a rifle ball. It is said 'death loves a shining mark.' Surely he selected such a one amongst us — Captain Hall, young and vigorous, cool and resolute, faithful unto death, whose words were never tar- nished by an oath, nor his taste defiled by poison of drink or drug. The death of no other officer of the line would have caused wider or sadder disappointment than did his. We cannot think of him as never to return to us again. . . ." * History of Connecticut in the Civil War, 1861-65, pp. 618-19. CIVIL WAR 308 A soldier of the Eighth wrote:* "We are in the pits two and sometimes four days at a time through night and day, rain and sun, mud and water. When a shell comes bowling along down we all go with a jerk. There is nothing lost I notice by being polite. We have to lie low, of course, and when we are relieved and get behind our breastworks it is not much better, for if a head or hand is lifted in sight fifty bullets are sent after it. The enemy's guns have good range upon our camps and sometimes open upon us about midnight, supposing us sound asleep after our fatigue in the trenches, and keep us awake all night and many times drive us into our gopher holes. Thus we stand the storm: our works growing stronger day by day and our faith strengthening with our works." Thus passed the time until September 28, when General Butler was ordered to make a demonstration against Rich- mond from the North. He crossed the river with the Tenth and Eighteenth Army Corps, and the next day occurred the capture of Fort Harrison. The Eighth lost eight killed and sixty-five wounded in this affair, among the latter being Lieutenant John Alden Rathbun of Groton, commanding Company C. His term of service had expired and he had been ordered to Fortress Monroe to be mustered out, but hearing the sound of the battle he remarked "he would never march to the rear to that music" and so led his company into the fight, and received his first wound after a service of three years and three months. The capture of Fort Harrison was the last severe fight of the regiment, although it lay in the trenches about the fort for nearly a month, repulsing all attempts of the enemy to recapture it. The Eighth and the Twenty-first were among the first of the Union forces to enter Richmond. The regiment was mustered out December 12, 1865. In the summer of 1862, after the failure of McClellan's Peninsular campaign, and while Lee was mustering his forces for an invasion of the North, which culminated in the battle of Antietam, President Lincoln issued his call for * History of Connecticut during the Recent War, 1861-5, p. 661. 304 GROTON, CONN. 1705-1905 300,000 men for three years, followed a few weeks later by the call for a like number for nine months. The Governor's proclamation of July 11 was a stirring appeal for enlistment and the urgency of the matter re- quired haste. Groton promptly responded, and the enlist- ment of a company to serve for three years was commenced immediately. Mass meetings were held, bounties were offered by the National Government, by the State and by the town, and the summer was one of great activity. July 17, 1862, a town meeting voted fifty dollars to any man enlisting before August 20, and on the 2nd of August this amount was increased fifty dollars, and at a meeting on August 16 this same bounty was voted to volunteers in the Fifth and Eighth Regiments, and to members of Co. C, First Connecticut Cavalry. The efforts of Groton resulted in the enlistment of a com- pany under Rev. John E. Wood, which became Co. C, Twenty-first C. V. The regimental historian says of this company:* "Company C was recruited by Rev. J. E. Wood, 86 men, Robert Dennison the remainder. From Groton there came 95 men, from Ledyard 5, from Norwich 1. No other company had so large a proportion of its members from one town. Ninety-eight were Americans and there were only three foreigners — ^the smallest number in any company. Average age 25.5 ; 52 were married. Twenty-five different occupations were represented — ^24 carpenters, four of them shipwrights, the largest number in any company; 18 farmers, the smallest number in any company; 12 sail- ors; 5 mechanics." Company C was first to arrive in Norwich." The regimental history (page 21) relates that on "August 14 Company C, the Groton company, arrived, one-hundred and one strong. Captain John E. Wood conunanding, who left his work as clergyman to recruit and lead his company. James H. Latham was first lieutenant and John F. Randall was second lieutenant, both of Groton. In the absence of any other place they were quartered in Apollo Hall." On * Twenty-first Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, p. 13. CIVIL WAR 305 September 5, 1862, the company was mustered into the service of the United States and on the 11th of the same month left Norwich for the seat of war. The following Groton men appear on the roster of the company as shown in the regimental history (Appendix, p. 15, et seq.) The official rank is that of the date of muster: John E. Wood, James H. Latham, John F. Randall, William W. Latham Joseph L. Perkins, Francis M. Brayton, Leonard Fairbanks, Timothy Watrous, Francis Hough, Sydney Benjamin, Thaddeus Pecor, Robert G. Babcock, Ezra L. F. Tibbetts, John Palmer, Robert A. Gray, Augustus E. Maynard Captain 1st Lieutenant 2nd Orderly Sergeant Sergeant Corporal "Charles Andrews Francis D. Albro Jaxed R. Avery John Allen Parmenas Avery William B. Avery Francis B. Mayo James E. McGrath William M. Mulkey William H. Mitchell Thomas M. Newbury Cyrus J. Pease "William Alexander, Benjamin BaUey Elias B. Brewster Hiram E. Boomer James Batty •Orrin D. Barker Oliver Batty Thomas J. Budlong William C. Beckwith Dennis Craddock