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 CENTENNIAL SERMON, 
 
 DELIVERED AT 
 
 NORTH CANAAN, CT., 
 
 JULY 28, 1869, 
 
 
 By REV. JOSEPH ELDRIDGE, D. D. 
 
 OF NORFOLK, CT. 
 
 LEE, MASS. 
 PRINTED BY WILLIAM H. HILL & CO. 
 
 fl«3 1869. 
 
CENTENNIAL SERMON, 
 
 DELIVERED AT 
 
 NORTH CANAAN, CT., 
 
 JULY 28, 1869, 
 
 By REV. JOSEPH ELDRIDGE, D. D 
 
 OF NORFOLK, CT. 
 
 1* 
 
 LEE, MASS. 
 
 PRINTED BY WILLIAM II. HILL & CO. 
 
 1869. 
 
'O'muuni, &tug. 30th. 7869. 
 Joseph Sldridge, r, /. r j. 
 
 Wear %ir: Jn lehalf of tht Church and 
 
 Society, wt request a copy of your V, ,,i, „,>;,<! discount for 
 
 publication 
 
 J. A PoweU, 
 £4. ■',. Wright. 
 
CENTENNIAL SERMON. 
 
 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations. — Devi. 
 82: 7. 
 
 This was a Divine direction. And we have in the Bible the history 
 of the establishment of the covenant which God made with Abra- 
 ham — the germ as many suppose of the christian church ; also an 
 account of the organization of the Mosaic econom}', and a brief 
 outline of the annals of the chosen people of God, for many gener- 
 ations. This history, at once civil and ecclesiastical, is instructive 
 and full of interest. All history is instructive It illustrates the char- 
 acter of men, it unfolds the Providence of God. But we naturally 
 feel a special interest in the lives, labors, and achievements of those 
 from whom we descended ; of those who once lived where we arc 
 passing our days, and who laid the foundations of those institutions, 
 civil and religious, which they left behind as a legacy to us. Fraught 
 with such interests to this community must be a narrative of the 
 organization here, and perpetuation, during a hundred years, of this 
 Congregational Church. You owe it to those who preceded you 
 here, and into whose labors you are entered, to recall their memories, 
 to recount their deeds, to thank God that your destiny, so far as it 
 depended on human agency, operating before } r ou saw the light, 
 was in His Providence committed to such hands. Then, too, the 
 example of the christian men and women, and of the patriotic citi- 
 zens of other days, should awake in j t ou a noble spirit of emulation, 
 to act worthily of such ancestors and predecessors, and in your 
 day to do something that shall in like manner benefit and animate 
 those who are to come after you, in their generations, 
 
 Canaan originally embraced the whole territory of what is now 
 Canaan and South Canaan. The township was sold 1732, and began 
 to be settled two years after. Canaan was incorporated as a town in 
 1739. The Church, in what is now South Canaan, was formed 1741, 
 and consisted of four persons, Jacob Bacon and wife, Isaac Law- 
 
rence ami wife. This Mr. Isaac Lawrence has numerous 
 ants. In L852 they were estimated to Dumber not less than GOO. 
 The proprietors of the town of Canaan made provisions for preach- 
 ing the Gospel to the first settlers. From that time down to 1818, 
 
 ministers were supported by a tax levied on the town, as for Other 
 purposes. Persons were allowed to pay to such ministers as they 
 preferred. Rev. Elieha Webster was the Erst minister settled in 
 Canaan. He was settled Oct. 1, 1 7 to, and dismissed Oct. 14, 1752. 
 It is stated that Rev. Daniel Farrand, was ordained two months 
 previous to the dismission of Mr. Webster. Mr. Farrand continued 
 in the pastorate of the church till his death, March 28, 1803, a period 
 of more than fifty years. 
 
 It will give us a glimpse of the state of things here, in some re- 
 spects, about that time, to notice a fact or two. The Connecticut 
 Courant was then the only newspaper of any description published 
 in the State. It was started Oct. 29, 1764. According to a state- 
 ment found in a number of that paper, it was estimated that in the 
 town of Canaan 500 sheep were killed by wolves, in 1164. John 
 Franklin was a subscriber for the Connecticut Courant from the 
 beginning. He received the first number issued in 1764, and it has 
 been received in the same house, on the same spot, down to the 
 present time, 1869. First by John Franklin, then by his son Silas 
 Franklin, and now by his grandson Charles Franklin. There was a 
 grand wolf hunt Sept. 23, 1765, in which 30 men took part, and the 
 result was five grown wolves killed. This first number of the Con- 
 necticut Courant, Oct. 29, contained fresh news from England via 
 Boston, down to the 5th of September previous, about two months 
 old. 
 
 This Church was formally organized in the year 1769, a century 
 ago. It was a colony from tlie Congregational Church in the South 
 part of the town, then under the pastoral charge of Rev. Daniel 
 Farrand. It appears from the records of that church that a request 
 to be dismissed from that church, lor the purpose oi' being formed 
 into a separate church, was made by the following persons : Capt. 
 Isaac Lawrence and his wife, John Franklin, dared Huxley and his 
 wile, Samuel Hobart and his wife, Simon Tobbs, Elisba Baker, 
 Andrew Bacon and his wife, Samuel Forbes and his wile, and 
 • lames Adams. This request was -ranted Dec. 1, 1769, and on the 
 5th of the same month, the male persons mentioned above, together 
 with Allen Curties, Jedediah Richards, Stephen Rice, Ebenezei 
 
 bfudge, Justice Gaylord, Nehemiah Lawrence, and Abiel Fellows, 
 adopted a confession of faith, and articles of church government ; 
 
and were organized into a church, Rev. Daniel Farrand presiding. 
 It is noticeablej that the record indicates that the men only, took 
 part in the act of organization ; for, alter the organization was com- 
 pleted, then it states thai the women were received hy vote, viz : 
 Mrs. Stephen Ripe, Mrs. Jared Huxley, Mrs. Samuel Jlobart, Mrs. 
 Isaac Lawrence, Mrs. Andrew Bacon, Mrs. Abiel Fellows. This 
 new church proceeded the next month, Jan. It), 1770, to take meas- 
 ures to obtain a pastor, by inviting- Rev. Asahel Hart, to settle with 
 them in the gospel ministry. Rev. Asahel Hart accepted their call, 
 and was installed, March 14th, 1770. The following clergymen took 
 part in the installation exercises : Rev. Mr. Champion, of Litchfield, 
 offered the introductory prayer ; Rev. Mr. Clark preached the ser- 
 mon ; Rev. Dr. Bellamy, of Bethlehem, offered the installing prayer ; 
 Rev. Daniel Farrand, of the South Parish, gave the charge ; Rev. 
 Ammi R. Robbing, of Norfolk, gave the right hand of fellowship ; 
 and Rev. Mr. Bradwell made the closing prayer. The meeting- 
 house in which Rev. Asahel Hart preached, was built 1768, a wooden 
 structure, 40 feet by 50, and 24 feet posts. It stood a little East of 
 the house in which Mr. Bigelow now resides. Capt. Isaac Lawrence 
 was the builder. The present meeting-house was erected in the year 
 1822, during the pastorate of Rev. Pitkin Cowles, and thoroughly 
 repaired during that of Rev. Hiram Eddy. To go back to the pas- 
 torate of Rev. Mr. Hart. The church in 1770, chose Elisha Baker 
 and Andrew Bacon, deacons, and they accepted the appointment. 
 Rev. Asahel Hart continued in the pastorate office here, a little 
 more than five years, nc died June 28, 1775. After his decease, 
 no pastor was settled over the church for nearly seven years. It 
 was the time of the Revolutionary war. Indeed, the death of Mr. 
 Hart occurred less than two weeks after the battle of Bunker Hill. 
 The spirit that animated the Revolutionary leaders met with a cor- 
 dial sympathy here. During the struggle of the colonies for inde- 
 pendence, Canaan sent into the field many brave men. Among 
 them was Nathaniel Stevens, who enlisted in 1775, and served as 
 commissary general till the dissolution of the commissary depart- 
 ment in 1782 ; and Capt. John Watson, a native of Canaan, who 
 raised a company in Norfolk, and did good service in the war. Capt. 
 Gersham Hewitt, served under Col. Ethan Allen, when he surprised 
 and captured Fort Ticonderoga, May 10, 1775. Capt. Hewitt, act- 
 ing as a spy, entered the Fort and reconnoitred its condition, pre- 
 paratory to the assault. Assuming the dress and mariners of a simple 
 minded man, in search of an old aunt of " Varmount," Hewitt so suc- 
 cessfully personated the character as to awaken no suspicion on 
 
the pari of the garrison. He was permitted to enter the fort, and 
 t<> wander about at his pleasure, indeed, he was rather hospitably 
 entertained. Pretending never to have seen a cannon before, he 
 enquired what those long iron things with boles in the end were for. 
 Having gained the necessary information, he left the Port and re- 
 turned to the camp of Col. Allen, who selected him to lead the 
 assaulting party. When Col; Allen demanded of the commander 
 of the Fort a surrender, he was asked by what authority he made 
 the demand, and replied " In the name of the Greal Jehovah and 
 of the Continental Congress." Hewitt was told by the captain 
 of the guard of the Fort, that if he had known who he was when 
 he entered the Fort the day before, he would have shut him. 
 Jonathan Gillette, 18 years of age, was, while on military dutj 
 at Horse Neck, during the Revolutionary war. taken prisoner in 
 company with several others, and carried to New York, and con- 
 fined for ten months in a sugar house, where he Buffered severely 
 from hunger and disease. [See Appendix A.] During that war 
 the minds of all were much engrossed by it. there was little 
 thought or attention devoted to home affairs, and the church re- 
 mained without a pastor. 
 
 In June 8, 1782, Rev. Amos Thompson was installed pastor of 
 this church. Mr. Thompson was from Virginia, and brought North 
 several slaves. During his pastorate he and his wile spent a winter 
 at the South. Previous to leaving they deposited their silver and 
 various delicacies in the parlor, under lock and key, and had also 
 taken with them the key of the wine cellar. On their return thej 
 found that the slaves left ill charge of the establishment, had found 
 means to gain access to these apartments, and bad without scruple 
 made free use of their contents, for their own enjoyment, and in 
 liberal entertainments given to their friends. [See Appendix B. | 
 After all the difficulties connected with the Revolutionary war had 
 subsided, Mr. Thompson and his wile were disposed to return to their 
 Southern home, and they desired to take their slaves hack with 
 them ; but they refused to go, fled to Norfolk, and lay in conceal 
 
 ment, and had to be left behind. It does not appear that Mr. Thomp- 
 son was formally dismissed from his pastoral relation to this church. 
 
 Before leaving t'anaan. Rev. Mr. Thompson manifested a practi- 
 cal interest in this church and society, by presenting to the eccle- 
 siastical society his house and farm, worth then about $1800, 0T1 
 condition that they should raise enough to male $5000, to be hel I 
 
 as a permanent fund, the interest of which should be appropriate! 
 
to the support of tho minister. This sum was raised, and thus 
 originated your permanent fund. 
 
 lu 17 ( .»1, Rev. Joshua Knapp was ordained as pastor of the church. 
 Eow long his ministry continued is not recorded. 
 
 In 171>8, Augast 24, Rev. Solomon Morgan, was installed. # He 
 died Sept. 3, 1804, aged 00, after a pastorate of six years. His 
 successor, Rev. Pitkin Cowles, was ordained August 29, 1805. 
 During his pastorate live deacons were chosen. Iu 1806, Jacob 
 Hinsdale, Abiel Fellows and Anson Lawrence ; 1821, Rufus B. 
 Dunning; 1822, William Fierce. The first reference in the record 
 to revivals of religion, occur during the pastorate of Mr. Cowles. 
 Four are noticed. One in the year 1816, as the fruit of which 21 
 were received into the church ; 1822, when 11 were received as tie' 
 result; 1827,22; 1831,25. In the war of 1812, Rev. Pitkin Cowles 
 served for a time as chaplain, under Gen. Sterling, stationed at 
 New London. Dea. William Pierce was drafted at the same time, 
 and appointed sergeant, also Gersham Hewitt, Jr., and Nathaniel 
 Dean. In 1820, Rev. Mr. Cowles organized a Sabbath School, among 
 the first in this State. He presented to each member of the school 
 a Bible. A branch Sabbath School was organized at the Corner, 
 under the direction of Miss Maria Gillette. Maria I. Watson, now 
 Mrs. John Lawrence, was one of the pupils. [See Appendix D.] 
 Rev. Mr. Cowles was pastor of this church between twenty-seven 
 and twenty-eight years. He was dismissed a few months previous 
 to his death, which occurred Feb. 3d, 1833. I had not then been 
 settled in Norfolk a year; but previous to his dismission, I ex- 
 changed with him, and when he was on his way to Southington, his 
 native place, and where he died in the same apartment in which 
 he was born, he called upon me and we had a friendly interview. 
 His funeral sermon was preached by his friend and ministerial 
 neighbor, Rev. Leonard E. Lathrop, then pastor of the church iu 
 Salisbury. Mr. Lathrop described Mr. Cowles as having possessed 
 an intelligent and comprehensive mind, and one stored with much 
 useful information, as eminently sound in the faith, and cordially 
 devoted to the cause of his Master. Mr. Cowles labored here in 
 the ministry much longer than any other pastor of the church dur- 
 ing the century of its existence. Through Mr. Ogden, pastor in 
 Southington, when Mr. Cowles closed his life, he sent from his 
 death-bed a most affectionate and conciliatory message to the peo- 
 ple among whom his life-work as a pastor had been performed. 
 Although 36 years have passed since his decease, his excellent wife 
 is still spared, and in full possession of her vigorous powers. 
 
In 1 s:j.{, Oct. l'.M. Rev. II. II. Wbodbridge was ordained pastor 
 of this church. 1 was present on tins occasion, and by designation 
 of the Consociation, gave him the right band of fellowship. He 
 sustained the relation of pastor here till 1842, when hi' ceased t<> be 
 a minister of the gospel. Daring his pastorate, in the year 1836, 
 Dennis Rood and Sereno B. Gillette were appointed to the office of 
 deacons. Then' were, also, within the same period, two seasons "1' 
 special religious interest. One in the Latter pari of the year | 
 and as the result ten united with the church. The other in 1838, 
 after which thirteen were admitted to the church. Alter his re- 
 moval, the church was without a pastor about three years, when 
 Rev. 1). D. Francis was installed, June 4th, 1845. He was dis- 
 missed in 1850. While he was pastor, the church appointed Amos 
 Pierce and Geo. K. Lawrence, deacons. This was done in 1848, 
 and the same year there were eight persons received into the 
 church at one communion, as the fruits of some special religious 
 attention. 
 
 In June 4, 1851, Rev. Elisha Whittlesey was ordained pastor of 
 of the church, and after filling- the office about two years, resigned, 
 his health demanding a respite from labor, and a milder climate. 
 In the interval between his dismission and the settlement of his suc- 
 r, and while the church was without a settled pastor, but sup- 
 plied by Rev. Hiram Eddy, occurred a powerful revival of religion. 
 It brought into the church a large number of persons. Thirty-nine 
 were received at a single communion season, April (i, 1856. 
 
 Rev. Hiram Eddy was installed dune 26, 1866, and remained 
 pastor of the church four years. He was dismissed in I860. Two 
 seasons of spiritual quickening occurred while he was pastor. One 
 in 1858, when twenty-six united with the church, the other in I860, 
 
 when six were received. In 1868, A. A. Wright and Charles Kel- 
 logg were appointed deacons. 
 
 1 would here make a remark in regard to the statement of num- 
 bers that 1 have given as the result of revivals, thai these numbers, 
 according t<> the statistics furnished me, were those that united at 
 one communion, when the Largest number admitted at one tune 
 were received. Undoubtedly the fruits of these Boasons of special 
 
 interest were qo1 all admitted at one time, but from time to time. 
 
 Then, also, there were received into the ohnroh many individuals 
 in the intervals between those revival seasons. 
 
 Rev. II. M. Grant Bncceeded .Mr. Eddy, after an inter val of about 
 
 three years. lie was ordained Nov. IT. I B63, and was dismissed 
 
 in IKtiii. Two seasons of religions interest were enjoyed by the 
 
church daring bis pastorate. Twelve were received into the church 
 Jan. 1 . 1865, as the resull of one, and eleven in .May and July, 1866, 
 as the result of the other. Eorace B. Stevens was chosen deacon 
 
 in 1865. 
 
 Having referred to the Revolutionary war. and that of 1812, for 
 the purpose of showing thai the church and people of Canaan were 
 not wanting at those periods in their devotion to liberty, and in 
 
 patriotic sentiments, I cannot pass over in silence the war of the 
 Rebellion, from which, through the Messing of God upon the heroic 
 services and great sacrifices of the loyal people of the North, we 
 have recently emerged. Rev. Mr. Dean, who was supplying this 
 pulpit when the war broke out, and when the President of the 
 Tinted States issued his call for troops, immediately volunteered 
 to go. His example was followed by young men from the church 
 and society, and also from the community at large. During the 
 war, this town had fifty-two persons connected with the Union 
 army. '[Vide their names, Appendix C] 
 
 Besides those resident here who responded to the call of their 
 country when summoned to arms, there was a native of this place, 
 who indeed resided elsewhere, who sprang forward when danger 
 threatened our national existence in its defense, with an intelligent 
 zeal and uncalculating devotion. You know to whom I refer. It 
 is fitting that this distinguished son of the minister who so long 
 ministered here in Holy things, and who nobly fell fighting for his 
 country, should receive some notice on this occasion. Col. David 
 S. Cowles, when the rebellion broke out, resided in Hudson. He 
 had, though still young, won a conspicuous position at the bar in 
 the State of New York. At the summons of his country, he imme- 
 diately relinquished his profession and gave himself to her service. 
 By personal influence and liberal expenditures, he rendered effect- 
 ual aid in raising two regiments, and in the summer of 1862, re- 
 ceived the commission of Colonel of the 128th X. V. Volunteers. 
 In the autumn and winter following, his regiment belonged to the 
 division of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman, department of the Gulf. 
 In April, 1863, Col. Cowles was dispatched with a Brigade to de- 
 stroy a depot where the rebels were collecting military stores, near 
 Pontchoula, on the Pearl river, an undertaking which he accomp- 
 lished much to the satisfaction of Gen. Sherman . and to ttie serious 
 damage of the rebels. In May 1863, the Government ordered the 
 investment of Port Hudson, on the Mississippi. The regiment of 
 Col. Cowles was a part id' the Union forces that invested the place 
 on the 22d of May. On the 26th, he was put in command of two 
 
10 
 
 heavy batteries, which seriously damaged the rebel works. On the 
 nighl of the 26th, he, with his regiment, performed a eery difficult 
 and hazardous t;isl<, in removing sonic obt-tacle thai interfered 
 with the play of the investing artilery. The next day, the 27th 
 of .May, l 363, the assaull was made. The Bcene was terrific. Soon 
 the superior ofiBc< re were borne bleeding from the field, and the 
 command devolved apon Col. Cowles. He rushed to the head of 
 the recoiling column, rallied its vacillating ranks. Animated by his 
 
 voice, example and dauntless spirit, it pressed on to within six rods 
 
 of the enemy's parapet, when their leader, several paces in advance 
 nl" his men, a sword in one hand a revolver in the other, received a 
 
 fatal shot ami fell, lie knew that his wound was mortal, but In- re- 
 fused to be borne to the rear; he still urged all to press on in the 
 attack, and to leave him to one faithful soldier. Conscious of his 
 
 condition, he requested to have his head raised that he might Bee 
 the rebel works Baying as it was done, "Oh that 1 could have bl en 
 spared a few moments longer, I believe we should have carried 
 them." Hut his strength was last ebbing away, •• tell my mother," 
 
 Said he, " thai J died with my lace to the enemy." And then clos- 
 
 ing his eyes his last words were, " Chrisl Jesus re< eive my spirit." 
 Glorious death of a devoted son, a true gentleman, a brave pat- 
 riot, a Bincere christian. At the price of such lives was our de- 
 liverance purchased. Col. Cowles was a grandson of Ebenezei 
 Smith, a captain in the army of the Revolution, a right hand man 
 
 of Gen. Washington, in whom he reposed so much confidence that 
 
 he placed Maj. Andre, after his capture, under his charge. 1 have 
 now gone through with the historic sketch of th^ Congregational 
 
 church in this place for the eentury that closes the present year. 
 It has had. within that period, ten settled pastors, including lev. 
 Mr. Cowles, whose ministry was not closed till after my ordination 
 
 in Norfolk. It has bad bu since my settlement there, l have been 
 
 in intimate ami friendly relations with them all. Being my nearest 
 
 clerical neighbors, I have keen in the habit of exchanging pulpits 
 with them more frequently than with the pastors of any other 
 
 church. I have thus become familiar with the condition of this 
 
 Church and BOCiety, and have anion-- the members of each many 
 
 valued acquaintances and friends. Von have \<c<-\i favored with 
 pastors, a- a whol< tded ability, sound in the faith and de- 
 
 VOt< d to their Work. One foil, hut he ! hope was not an utter ap- 
 ostate. A.nd yel this church has i ie respect had trials in refer- 
 
 erence to its pastors, and that has keen in losing after a brief stay 
 
 so many that it would gladly have retained. I have a times 
 
11 
 
 almost wondered that it was not discouraged, and have admired 
 the promptness and energy it has displayed, amid its various diffi- 
 culties. The church has shown a stamina in the past, that was 
 proof to me of strong faith in God, and a high appreciation of the 
 
 value of the stated means of grace. These hereditary traits, that 
 have survived the past lor a century, will, I trust in God, be per- 
 petuated indefinitely in the future. A good minister of the gospel 
 to go in and cut before you, and to break unto you the bread oflife, 
 lias ever heeu deemed an indispensable necessity. One to be sup- 
 plied at whatever sacrifices. 1 rejoice in your present prospects in 
 that regard. Another circumstance has operated to weaken this 
 church and society, as it has done most of the churches and socie- 
 ties in this vicinity. The process of depletion by emigration has 
 been constantly going on. The young, often the most promising 
 have gone forth to act their part elsewhere in our broad land. Often 
 whole families have sought in the West new homes. It is hard for 
 a church and society to stand this ceaseless drain. But there is 
 one bright aspect of this matter. These natives of your town, these 
 who have left your church and society, are acting on a broader 
 theatre, they are probably doing more for themselves, for the cause 
 of religion, for their country and the world, than it would have been 
 possible for them to accomplish had they continued to live here. 
 They are scattered far and wide, and could the facts be all gath- 
 ered and brought out on this occasion, it would appear that many 
 of them occupy positions of high distinction and great usefulness. 
 May the church continue to be a nursery of such plants. 
 
 The century that has passed away since this church was organized 
 has been crowded with events of the greatest interest to us and the 
 world. At the beginning of it, the members of the church were 
 the subjects of Geo. III. Soon came the war of the Revolution. 
 Following it was the adoption of the Federal Constitution, and the 
 establishment of the United States as a nation. Then the French 
 Revolution of '93. Napoleon the first was born the same year that 
 this church was organized, 1*769. His mere name suggests a long 
 series of wars in Europe. Then our short conflict with Great Brit- 
 ian, the war of 1812. The growth of this country, how astonishing. 
 Then within this period the application of steam in the arts, on ves- 
 sels and as a motive power on railroads, themselves of recent origin. 
 Still later the telegraph and photography were discovered. In 
 religious matters, all the benevolent organizations in aid of the 
 cause of evangelic truth date since this church was formed. The 
 Bible, Foreign Mission, Tract, American Home Missionary Socie- 
 
12 
 
 ties, and the others. Sabbath Schools have sprang up also. Then, 
 recently, the rebellion crushed and slavery abolished. During all 
 these years of advance and change in the country and world, this 
 church lias held on its way. adhering to ih<- faith of your lathers, 
 while meeting with intelligence and zeal its ever varying circum- 
 stances and responsibilities. Thank God, who put it into the 
 hearts of your fathers to found this church, and in memory of their 
 worth and what they bequeathed to you, l>e resolved to hand down 
 these religious institutions in all their simplicity and purity to those 
 that will come after you. 
 
 When turning from the survey of the century past, we gaze for- 
 ward into the future. wIki can imagine who the members of this 
 church in I969will be, what they will have to recount of change 
 and progress in this laud and throughout the world, what they 
 will contemplate around them, and into what a future they will gaze '! 
 All this is in the hands of him who was the God of your fathers, 
 has been your God, and will be the God of coming generations, — 
 a wall of lire round about, and a glory in the midst. 
 
A P P E N D I X . 
 
 A. 
 
 A small fortress on the St. Lawrence, called The Cedars, was garrisoned by 
 about three hundred men ; this fortress by the treachery of their commanding 
 officer was delivered into the hands of the English, who kept the garrison close 
 prisoners, employing a force of Indians to guard them, the prisoners being treat- 
 ed with all the indignity and cruelty which the savages could devise. 
 
 A force of Americans were sent to their relief, but on their approach they 
 were met by a flag from the British commander, stating that if the Americans 
 should fire upon them, the whole of their prisoners would be massacred, and 
 proposing terms of release for the prisoners. The terms were most humiliating 
 to the Americans, but they were obliged to accept them in order to save their 
 imprisoned comrads from a terrible death. 
 
 When the British were ready to lelease them, the Indians refused to let them 
 go, being determined to set on fire the building in which they were confined, 
 and thus destroy them all, and they only consented to release them by the ex- 
 change of cattle for the American prisoners. Thus the ancestors of many of 
 us were literally exchanged foi cattle, for this garrison was composed in part oi 
 a company raised in ( lanaan, their Captain being John Stevens. Oliver Stevens. 
 Jedediah Smith and Benjamin Stevens, were members of this company. 
 
 B. 
 
 At the time Mr. Thompson was South, he left his house in care of Jupe and 
 Fan, when they broke open his wine-cellar and made a dinnerparty, and being 
 seated began to help themselves. Jupe stopped them, saying he "must first 
 ask a blessing like Massa Thompson." "Oh Lord, good a bittlc on a table. 
 a bean and a quasi), meal in a pot, Hinder in a heaven, lighty on a gospel, knock 
 down a dry tree, ebermore, Amen." 
 
 '•Jupe," said one of the guests, "I tink you pretty able." He replied, "Oh 
 I dunuo, I link I say him putty much as Massa Thompson do." 
 
 c. 
 
 LIST OF NAMES v- Vol.1 NTKKlis l.\ THE WAi: OF REBELLION 
 
 Rev. James Dcane, James Mullen, 
 
 Isaac F. Daboll, died. John W. Coon, died, 
 
 Wm. Twiss, Walter D. Hoag, 
 
 Edward D. Lawrence. John Lemley, 
 
14 
 
 Albert P. Bl 
 M. II. Day. died, 
 Aiiki- L. Ivi b, died, 
 Edward If. Roys, 
 Bamael 8. Beach, 
 Henry Sims, 
 Sydney Hart. 
 Fiank A. Cumminge, 
 P. ( !. ( lummings, 
 Eugene Decker, 
 Philander Emmons, died, 
 William Gorman, 
 Bennel Bines, 
 Patrick McGrath, 
 Thomas Noonan, 
 Edward Norton, 
 Alexander Waters, 
 Allen B. St. John, 
 .hums Keith, 
 I ieneral H. Morgan, 
 ( 'liarles Thompson, 
 John Warner, 
 Samuel T. Howlson, 
 William H. Morris, 
 
 John Rodemyer, 
 John ( larrol, 
 
 Abram Coons, died, 
 William Linnalian. 
 
 Henry R >ot, died. 
 
 F.nsign Units. 
 Fred Reill, 
 Robert Gardner, 
 Alfred June, died. 
 William Hart. 
 Heman H. Coon-. 
 Charles Long, 
 Xe/.iar Demars, 
 .lames l.inlialian, 
 Charles Morris, 
 James Reill, 
 Ira C. Bailey, 
 Burton 1J. Eveta, 
 John Hillyer, 
 Edward Puller, died, 
 Jacob Scamehorn, 
 
 James F. Bigelow, M. I)., was Surgeon, 
 and distinguished himself as such. 
 
 D. 
 
 Early in his ministry he was anxious to devise some means Cor the particular 
 instruction of children. At that time there never had been heard of in this 
 country such an institution as a Sabbath School. lint he went to each school 
 district and invited one whom he thought most competent to call the children 
 together, a suitable time after the Sabbath exercises at church, and instruct them, 
 and have them commit passages of scripture and hymns to memory, &C. 
 
 In after years, when Sunday Schools were established in this country, he took 
 the greatest interest in them, and' had one at once formed here, and was himself 
 Superintendent for several seasons. After another Superintendent took his 
 plaee. he formed a Bible class, which he instructed, and which was conducted 
 similarly to those of the present lime. 
 
 I^hink there are persons now living, who can testify to his unceasing, anxious 
 desire for the instruction ami religious improvement of the youth ami children 
 of this place. 
 
 During the year 1819, many petty thefts were committed, they, in the au- 
 tumn of the \ ear. ultimated in the robbery of nearly all the contents of a large 
 store, owned by .Mr. Winterbotham, the father of the distinguished writer, Mrs. 
 Ann S. Stephens. This culmination of thieving greatly excited the community, 
 and every aid was volunteered Mr. W. in searchim: OUl the perpetrators. 
 
 Suspicion fastened upon a stranger of very unprep< person and hab- 
 
 its, calling ; himself Prink. .Many little incidents, gifts, etc., increased the be- 
 lief of bis guilt. 
 
 He lived with Mr. Samuel Abbot, a man who had ever borne an irrcproach- 
 
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 able name But the finished villain, the stranger proved, drew him in as an 
 accomplice. This first great crime lay heavily in the In-art unaccustomed to 
 vice, and could aot be so dexteiously masked, though Abbot never by a word 
 betrayed his Mcphistopheles. 
 
 Finally the ill-gotten booty was found packed under the great pulpit of the 
 church. The pulpit was a high semi-circle, the structure descending to the base 
 of the building, affording ample room. The entrance was from the pew of the 
 clergyman's family, made by causing a large panne! to fall inward by pulling a 
 cord terminating under ihe seat. There was also a trap door opening under the 
 church. It was through this that two young men, in the persevering efforts 
 made, found the hidden stores. (Those weie Mr. Horace Huntington and Dr. 
 Amariah Brigham, who became a learned and eminent Prof essor of Medicine 
 in Utiea, N. T.) 
 
 Here were found large quantities of cotton cloth, recognized by Mr. Beth 
 Andrews as from his factory, also bars and other iron from Samuel Forbes, 
 Esq. Gems and jewels came up in their turn— these reverted to their former 
 owner in Norfolk. The young men were reminded of the wily Frink's reply to 
 some one who was attempting to extract a word or look of self-betrayal—" I'll 
 tell you who had a hand in it, Setb Andrews, and Esquire Forbes, and Priest 
 Cowles has charge of the goods." 
 
 Those were the last days of the poor old church, and it was soon taken down. 
 
 The Sabbath succeeding the discovery, Rev. Mr. Cowles delivered a soul- 
 stirring sermon from the text. " It is written, my house shall be called the house 
 of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves." 
 
 Rev. Isaac P. Powell was installed pastor of the Congregational church in 
 Canaan, on the 28th u!t. Sermon by Rev. E. P. Powell, brother of the candi- 
 date ; installing prayer by Rev. Thomas Crowther; charge by Rev. W. H. 
 Teel; right-hand by Rev. W. E. Basset! ; address to the people by Rev. W. T. 
 Doubleday. Mr. Powell had already labored a year with this people.