^^!^^^H ^ ^ T Olr^ OF rife dfo]V[Wiiri< i< , A. SKETCH BY -V. M. g. l«dle^- / HISTORY CROMWELL, Cyt. J^ SKETCH BY ^^>' .i=^ -o^>-, .'^^ ^^OfWA^}^ MIDDLETOWN, CONSTITUTION OFFICE. 1880. PREFACE. The basis of this pamphlet was a Centennial Discourse which was delivered in the Congregational church in Cromwell, July 16, 1876, with which many notes have been incorporated and an Addenda added, containing facts of historical value. It is printed in the hope that it may be of use in the preservation of facts that may be useful in the future. Cromwell, Conn., Jan. 8, 1880. M. S. DUDLEY. \- XO-^ 4 HISTORY OF CROMWELL, Dcut. 8: 2— "Tlion sliall romcmbpr all tlic way wlii,-h tiic Lord tiiy God led thee/' From lime immemorial tlip uplands of this part of tbe Connecticut Valley have t)een the abidinuls, since drained and converted into Jich j)roduclive meadows, was either dead swamp, or so wet and cold as to have no atiraclions for the new settlers. The high- er and more easily culti^'ated alluvial of Wethersfield, Hartford and Windsor was more attractive. Chief Sawheag was un- friendly to the white strangers. These two reasons, the pre-occupancy of this region by unfriendly Indians and the low swampy condition of the alluvial, delayed settlements something like twenty years or more after the regions above had been occupied. This is the first picture of life in this section. T^IKST SETTLEMENT. Tiie first settlements by the ancestors of the present occupants were made in 1050. This date is pretty sure. There may have been a few pioneers two or three years ear- lier, but this present vear of 1870 marks t!ie two hu mired and twenty-sixth anni- versary of the white mane's permanent es- tablishment upon these lands The num- ber of families for vvhicli provision was made was fifteen. They were considera- bly increased the followit^g year, and in 1070 amounted to fifty two. The settle- ment commenced on the Connecticut River to the Nortli and South of Little River. Among those who settled North of Little River, were tlie families of Kirby, ]\Iartin, Itanney, Sage . Savage, Stocking, White and Wilcox. The following is Dr. Field's account ot the first settlements made iu Cromwell, 2 called till 1851 Upper Houses or Upper Middletowt] ; "A part of the early lahab- tants settled in Upper Houses, and almost all these erected their dwellings in the lower part of the village, on tiie street midway between Middlesex Turnpike and the River, (now called Plpasant S'.reet). These were^ Nathaniel White, Samuel Stocking, George Graves, Robert Webster, Joseph Siiiith, Daniel Harris, John Mar- tin, John Savage, Thomas Ranney, David Sage and John Kirb}'. Between ti)e upper and lower settlements- intercourse was maintained by a ferry across Little River." Tlie social condition of the early settle- ments was peculiar and is an interesting study. As shown by the quotation from Dr. Field's address the first settlements on these lands was in a compact village com- munity. This was for protection and, so- cial advantages. The original proprietors each took a small lot at the center for a homestead. Tiiey then divided the out- lying commons into larger lots or farms and tlistributed them at various times, as the lands were surveyed and occasion de- manded. The first care of the settlers of Middle- town was characteristic of our Puritan an- cestry. It was to make provision for liie religious wants of the new conimunity. The first recorded vote is in regard to a new meeting house, dated Feb. 2d, lt35-2. The iiouse was a small structure, twenty feet square and ten feel from floor to ceil- ing. ]l was surrounded by palisades. It stood on a Common, West or Norlh-West of the old English Cemetery. Its site is probably somewhere in tlie vicinity of the Main Street bridge over the Air Line rail- road. This house was used eighteen years, and gave way in 1680 to another edifice a little farther South on the East side of Main Street, about opposite Liberty Street. This location was eliosen with a view to accommodating the worslnppers at Upper Houses. The people were assembled by the beating ot a drum, which also called out a guard of soldiers, never less than eight men and a sergeant, to keep watch while the worshippers were at their devo- tions. The method of assembling the people for public worsliip by the use ot the drum con- tinued long after the necessity of a milita- ry guard was passed. It was the practice in this place, certainly as late as 173(5, eighty six years after the first settlement. The foUowing votes from the records of the "Upper Houses " Ecclesiastical Socie- ty are of interest as referring to their custom, and showing the duties of the drummer to belong to the sexton. " At a meeting of ye society Feb. 15th, 1715, the society agreed with Sam Stowe to bcate the drum and sweep the meeting house tor tlie year ensuing, and to look after the doors, for one pound, five shil- lings uioney, or as money." At a meeting held Dec. 17th, 1724, "Tlie Society agreed to give Nathaniel Ranney 15 shillings for beating tlie drum.'' At a meeting held Dec. 14th, 1735, -'The Society agreed to give Nathaniel Ranney 16 shillings for beating the drum for the year enduing, if he can be ol)taiued. Other- wise t!)e committee to hire one as cheap as they can to beale the drum on Sabbath days and other days of public meetings in said Society." These entries continue year after year for several years, probably till the matter was left to the society's committee without a record of the vote of transfer. The beat- ing of the drum continued m Upper Houses lor a period of eighty years at least after the first settlement.- Dr. Field says sixty years. There is a record of a vole liken Nov. 1st, 1736, iu regard to collecting money to defray the expense" of "beating the drum and sweeping the meeiiug house." From th(j (liscontinuancf of beating the' drum (fon>p time during tlie Revolution or 800U after) till t be present bell was pur- chased in 1843, there was no means of summoning the people to public worship. In these early times while the iuhabit- ilants of Lower and Upper Middletown formed one ecclesiastical society the people of th(- upper village were oblis-ed to go to the lower village for public worship. We can easily imagme a cavakade of neighbors liding down the river banks. They were mounted upon tUeir steady going farm horses, the father in the saddle, the mother upon a pillion behind, two children m front, perhaps a third in the mother's arms. Tlie older boys and girls of the settlement would walk in troops along the bridle path. We see these companies awaiting their lime at the ferry over the Little River. In the winter the ride across the meadow would often be bleak. The wind would cut sharp Mild the snow would chill the feet. But there would be not even a half warmed meeting house to welcome tlie frozen worshippers. It was sacrilege to have a fire in the house of God in those days. It was not to be thought of. The expeident often resorted to from the neces- sity of the worshippers, was the erection of small huts of one loom on the grounds about the house of worship. Tiiese were called Sabba' day houses. These were generally of one story, sometimes two, in which the lower one >vas for the horses. Each of I he well to-do families had its own Sabbu' day house. The single apart- ment, perhaps fifteen feet square, was rudely furnished with chairs for the older people and benches for the children. There was a table in the middle. Upon it a Bible, and a few religious books. The room was provided with a large fire place. Also with conveniences for fr.rnisliing a simple n past at noon time. " A group ot such cabins," says Mr. Abbott in bis " Revolutioriary Times," " standing about the meeting house?, added not a little to the prcturcsqueness of tbo spot, and their use conduced greatly to the convenience and' comfort of tlie SabbatU worship, especially'' in winter. The family able to keep a Sab- ba' bouse drove directly thither on Sab- bath mornings, warmed themselves up by a hot fire without, and quite likely by a hot drink within.'" Here also the in- tcrunssion was spent with due regard to the wants of both the outer and the inner man. There a;re traditions of such houses owned by the well-to-do church goers of Upper Houses while they attended worship at Lower Houses. From recent inquiries I think it very doubtful whether there were buildings ex- clusively used by worshipoers on the Sab- bath. There may have been rooms in the buildings and shops adjoining the church, to which the people resorted. Such was the case in this village even after tue second house of worship was erected. A basement in a dwelling house, standing on the site now occupied by the Baptist Church, known as "The Stow Place," was so ustd. To this portraiture ot one phase of our forefafhers' lite there is not time to add a description of their secular and domestic affairs. The period under review must confine me pretty closely to an exclusive summary of the religious history of this community, UPPER MIDDLETOWN PARISH. In 1703, O. S.-1704, N. S.— Jan. 18, the town " agreed that the inhat)itants of Upper Houses miijht settle a minister and build a meeting house, provided they set- tled a minister within six oral most twelve mouths from that lime." In May, 170-1, a new parish was incorporated. This parish comprised the present town of Cromwell, and, till 1700, the East street of Worthinglori, now East Berlin. Its population was probably about 250. List of taxable persons in North Society, Middletown, about the time it was organ- ized as au Ecclesiastical Society. Names. List. James Brown, £ 22.00 Widow Butler, COO Joseph Butler, lo. 10 Nathaniel Clark, 46.14 Daniel Clark, 05.10 Serj. Clark, 71.17 John Clark, 46.00 Isaac Cornell, 24.00 Joseph Crowfoot, 18.00 Samuel Frary, 69.00 Rocjer Gibson, 45.10 Sanuiel Gibson, 72.00 Divid Hurlburt, .",7.00 John Kirby, 30.00 Samuel Lucas, 85.00 William Mark, 25 00 ]\Iarnaret Ranney, 3.10 Ebiniezer Ranney, 48 18 Joseph Ranney, 61.05 John Ranney, 30.05 Thomas Ranney, 120.15 "Widow Ran nej', (i. 10 Widow Sage, 24,00 ^' TimoUiy Sage, 79.05 \.,J()hn Sage, 150.00 Capl. Jolin Savai^e, 89.02 Thomas Savage, 41.10 William Savage, 73.00 Hannah Scovil, 27. 10 Mary Scovil, 15.00 John Shepherd, j* ^,. „ Edward Sliepher tlie Lord's table, shnuid relate, in Ihe lieating ol the church, the story of the \\ork of peitee on his soul. That Story was c.iilid his "relation." The Baptist churches, I believe, retain the usage to this day; every candidate relates the story ot Ids " e.xperience," and the word "expe- rience" is sometimes used by them in the same sense in whicli the word " relation " is used in the vote which puzzles you. The vole means, sim[)ly. that the church will no lousier demand ot every candidate for ciimmunion a formal narrative (written or unwritten) of his religious expeiience, but will accept any s^aisfying evidence of his Curistian character. Y(-uis truly, Leonakd Bacon. Bostop. Dec. U, 1877. My Dear Brother: — The first note, lo which you refer, relates to the fact that in tlieeaily days of New England, it was 6 usual for each candidate for cburch mem- bership to write aud read before the cluiich a " Relation '" of his or her Christian ex- perience, after which (and any questions) the vote was taken. The signiticance of the note in your record* is in the fact that in the spreading defection which resulted in Unitarianism such "relations" became unpo[)ular, and many cliurches voted to dispense vvith tliem. I have seen many such in manuscri[)t. It would be strange if you should not be able to tind among your old church papers on file, some wnicli, had been given in before this note. [The church was organized Jan. 5th, and this note was passed Jan. 13th, 1715. D. ] They degenerated into a mere foim, being apparently, substantially copied by each ne«' api)licant, who then affixed his oi' her name. The second note refers to the half- way covenant. The grandchikb-en ot the tirsl settlers many ot then) grew up out of the chur(;h, with merely thai purely technical "covenant" relation which ihey hud, in those days, in viiliieof having been baptized. When they married and raised children as they were not them- selves in full meml>ership, they could ncil have bai)lism lor their euililien. As a con • se(iuence il began to look as if the next gen- eration would be very largely an unbaptized one. This excited great solicitude in the minds ot the people, ;ind led to the synod of 1()()2, which resulted in t lie recommend- ation that adull parents w!»o had Iheui- selves been baptized in infancy might have baptism for their children, provided they were not scandalous in their lives ;.nd made assent publieally to the doctrinal De- lief of the church. This was called "own- ing the covenant." It led to the introduc- tion into sucli cliurches, as assented to an., practiced it, of two sets of members, full nieml)ers and half-way members, who hiul the right to baptism tor themselves Jind their chiklreD, luit had nol the right to the Lord's Supper. This arrangement, as one might easily anticipate — looking back with our light — was admirably calculated to br ng in Unitarianism and other ills, and did so HI many places to a deplorable de- gree. Faithfully yours, ilENKY M. Dexter. The next vote on the records to which Dr. Dexter refers was as follows : " It was voted and agreed upon by the church at the same time, that persons nol scand dous and of competency of knowl- edge, should have the seal of baptism upon their desu-e, they owning the covenant." The church in itsearly organization had two Covenants, one a Baptismal Covenant, the other a Full Ct)mmuniou Covenant, given below. The use of these two Covenants continued till 1805, during which year the last insiance of receiving a member liy ii reuevval of Covenant is recordeii, and was formally given up about 1809. The First Covenants o":' the Chnrch and Confession of Faith. FULL COMMUNION' COVENANT. Do you in the presence of God, his holy angels, and ot this assembly, seriously and sincerely, so tar as you know your own heart, this day vouch the Lord Jehovah, the only living and true God, to be your God, and do you give up yourself lo ilinj alone, acknowledging God the Father to ue your Father and lM)vereign ? And do you tiive up yourself unto the Lord Jesus Christ as your only Saviour and Redeemer, your Propliet, Priest and King, and to the Holy Spirit of God, as your Sanetifier >-,nd Comforter ? And do you give up yourself to the Church of the Lord Jesus, and solemnly promise, by HkS gracious assist- ance, to walk with Him and His Clhundi in ways of Holy Communion and due ob servation of, antl subjugation to, all His holy ordinances according lo His will re- vc;ilo(J in U\< luily word ? I'pdii ihc Cliurch taking the ix-isoii ac- s of life, (as they are obliged to who are baptized) and that you will diligently and constantly, as you have opportunity, wait on God in the use of those means he hatli appointed for your attaining a greater degree of knowledge and more rlear discovery of the duty which is incumbent on yon, and do you subject and submit yourself to the government of Chrisi, in His Church, in this place, and luitil vou are regularly joined in full com- munion with this or some other Church of Christ, walking according to the order of J he Gospel ? <'0NFESS10N USED FOK ADMITTlMi TO FFLL COMMUNION. I do believe there is one God; in three jier-sons; the Father, S(m and Holy Ghost. I do l)elieve inG, 1788; ended Oct. 12, 177fi. Died. Gershom Buckley, P., began June 17, 1778; ended July 7, 1808. Resigned. Joshua L. Williams,' P., began June 14, 1809; ended Dec. 29, 1832. Died. Zebnl'.n Crocker, P., l)egan May 2, l^'SS; ended Nov. 14, 1847. Died. George A. Bryan, P., iiegan June 13, 1849; ended Oct. 20, 1857. Resigned. James A. Clark, P., began June IH, 1858; ended Dec. 2, 18()3. Dismissed. Wm. K. Hall, A. P., began March, 18()4; ended April 1, 1S65. Horatio O. Ladd, P.. began Nov. 23, ]8fi5 ; ended Dec. If!, 18t)7. Resigned. Thomas M. Milts, A. P., began 18(58; ended 1S7(I. A. C. Hurd, A. P., began 1871 ; ended 1873. Myron S. Dudley, P., began Feb. 25, 1874. SUMMARY. Pastors, 9 Acting Pastors, 3 Died in office, 4 Resigned and dismissed, 5 Whole number, 12 REV. JOSEPH SMITH, FIRST PASTOR. Rev. Mr. Smith's pastorate continued till his death, Sept. 8, 1736. The records of the church durintt his term of office are very incomplete. Most of the items were colleoted by his successor, after the lalter"s settlement. cnriiOH Bni.DixGS. The meeting-house, erected when the society was incorporated, completed aud dedicMted at the time of Mr. Smith's settle- ment, served the wants of the people till 1730. Toward the close of that year, steps were taken toward building a new house. The society agreed to cut limber for the house "the latter end of January or the beginning of February," 1735. The house was not ready to raise till March of the following year. The raising of the ponderous timbers of a meeting house was a formidable under- taking in olden times. A committee on raising was appointed. (Sergt. Sheperd, Hugh White and John Warner). The parish was divided into three parts, and each section direeled to furnish dinner on the day the committee should order. The people were to furnish drinks for the dinners, but the society agreed that what drinks wt- re expended in raising the meeting-house should be borne by the scxjiety. You can see the bottles and jugs passing up and down, aU"rnating with the braces and pins which fastened the timbers. One loosened the human, as the other fastened the timber, joints. The house was immedialcly proparcd for ews in the center of the house. This hous;; stood till the present edifice was erected in 1840, at an expense of six JiiousKnd three hundred eighty-five dol- lars and eighty-seven, cents (| 11 in tweidy- eight years. During Mr. V\'illiains. tweniy-oie in twenty-three years. During Mr. Crocker's. f.)rly-nine in four- teen years. During Hir. Bryan's, ihirty-four in eight years. A careful record of the dismissions from ih's to other churches would show, 1 think, a ^orresiionding increase in the migr-ttions from this to other eomrnunilies. HKVOI.rTloNAUV I'EHIOD. Returning for a little to the rev )lutioiiaiy period of our history, those who looked upon our town and the adjacent country, saw a great iniprovemeut upon the wild and rugged scenes looked upon by those who succeeded Sawheag and hi'< Indian braves. John Adams, in 1771, during a journey from Boston to Philadelphia, whieh took fifteen days by horseback, struck tlie Con- necticut river at Enfidd. As he passed down the river through Windsor, Hart- ford and Wethersfield he writes: "This is the finest ride in America, I believe. Nothing can exceed the beauty and fertility of the country.'' But 1 he finest prospect of all still awaited him. As he came out upon the brow of Prospect Fliil, the river with its meadows of surpassing richness, Chatham, Durham, Westfield Heights and the distant mountains la}'' before him. 12 Even tlic cool Adams' blood was warmed, " Middlctovvn, I Ihink, is the most beauti- ful of all." A few years later. Dr. Timolliy Dwight, President of Yale College, Sept. 1796, thus describes tlie scenery as lie looked up- on it from the Soutiiward. "Immediately North of the city, lies an extensiv(; interval, through whici) runs a large mill stream. Beyond i!, a distance of thiee miles, ap- pears in full view on the Southern declivi- ty of a fine eminence, the handsonie vil- lage called the Upper Houses." In a f w days Dr. Dwight passed through this fine village, and thus describes it from h nearer point of view. " The Parish, called Up- per Houses, is a beautiful tract of fertile land. The village which bears this name, and contains a considerable pnrtof ihe in- haliitants, is a thrifty settleuient on the Southern declivity of a beautiful iiill. The houses, about eighty in nunibei', are gener- ally well budt ; and the whole place wears an airof sprightliness and prospeiity. An advantageous trade is carried on by the in- habitants ; particularly witii the West In- dies." PATUIOTISM OF FPPER MIDDI.ETOWN-. From tlie beginning and throughout the period of the Pevolution, Middletown took a warm and aclive interest in Ihe struggle for independence. Mer sons were in the < earliest struggles, at Ticonderoga, at Bun- ker Hill, at Ihe seige of Boston, anrl wiih Arnold in his disastrous Quebec expedition. This part of tlie town, so far as the records and scanty and ra|)i(lly fading traditions liave aided my investigation!^, sliaied the patriotic enthusias-ni and bore its part in the struggle. I give the names of thirty-seven natives and citizens of tiiis place who were active- ly engaged in the military movement?. Miiiiy of them died in II. e !=(rvice. Asher Bidden. A pensioner. Samuel Clark. Baptized Jlay 22, 1743. Private. Nathan Edwards. Baptized Nov. l-t. 174:2. Private. Died in prison in New York. David Edwards. A Trooper in the Can- ada expedition. Churchill Edwards. Edward Eells. Baptized Aug. IG, 1741. Captain. Major. Family helped by the town during liie term of his service. Samuel Eells. Baptized Jan. 13, 1744. Captain. At time of entering service was pastor of the Congregational* CJhurcii in North Branford. Moved by an earnest appeal from General Washington, he urized his people to rally for the country's defence one Sabbath morning. At the close of the day's services, he took command of a com- pany of sixty men and went to New York. John Hands. A wheelwright in the Rev- olution. Abijah Kirby. Private. Died July 22, 1782, in prison in New York. .Jiihn Pratt. Born in Hartford. Cap'aiu in the Revolution. Joseph Hanney. Private. Died in prisnn in New York on or beb)re Julv 22, 1782. John Robin.son. Killed at Norwalk, 1779. / Comfort 8an;e. Son of Ebenezer, grand- son of John, of innnerous ]iosterity ( iSi) •.\\, the time of his death). Captain. Colonel. (General of Militia). A citizen of Middle- town, and a meml)er of the North Cliurcli after his return from the war. NailiJnSage. Son of Anuis. Baptized Aug. 23. 1752 Renewed Ba[)lisma! Cov- enant Nov. 21, 1773. In the privateering servic"', then the U. S. Navy. While the British were blorkading New York, Sige, as C'aptain on a vessel, ran a ca'go of pow- d.'r into port after a sharp race with two B.itish cruiser.-. Was received by Con- grcs; then in session in New York. After 13 Ulio war Captain Sage was appointed Col- lector of the Port of Osvve.u.., N. Y., which position he held till his death, about ISoo, <'i,L;l)ty-t'our }'eiirs old. Elisha yage. Son of Amos. Baptized Aug. 17, 1755. Private. William Sage. Son of Amos. Btiptized Jan. 11, 1749. In battle of Hunker IlilL Captain. Epaphras Sage, liaptized Oct. Ifi, 1757. Private. After the war, was Ensign, Lieutenant and Captain of the Militia. Died May 28, 1834, aged 77. MaUhew Sage. Killed m battle in 1776. Benjamin Sage. With Arnold in the Quebec campaign. Simeon Sage. Son of Dea. Solomon Sage. Three years in the service. David Sage, Jr. Died from wounds re- ceived at Quebec, I77G. Daniel Sage, With Arnold in the Que- bec campaign. Hosea Sage. Died in service in 1781, at West Point. Abijah Savage. Baptized July 24, 1744. tServed as Society's Committee in 1773. Was among the first to take up arms. Served as Lieutenant, commanding a com- jsany with Arnold in his expedition through jVIaine to Quebec. Bi-andige, of B. For some time thereafter it was held at the house now occupied 1)3' Mr. Wm. R. McDonald. It seems certain that the place of holding this meeting was not fixed till the building now occupied by the High School was erected, the upper room of which was especially designed for the devotional meetings of this church, unless needed for school purposes. Since 1874 the Prayer Meeting has been held in the base- ment of the church. This meeting was well attended at the time of its organization, and is remembered with interest by those who frequented it. BENEVOLENT WORK OF THE CHURCH. The church has shown its interest in evangelistic work labors at home and abroad through its systematic efforts in supportinsr missions and other evangelizing agencies. Benevolent and iMissiouary organizations connected with the Congregational Church, Cromwell. CKOMWELL TRACT .SOCIETY. ( DxiON. ) Date of nrganizalion, June 11, 1852. First record of officers: — President, Mrs. Mary E. Bryan ; Vice-President, Mr?. Ed- win Ranney. Secretary and Treasurer, Miss 17 Mary G. Ravage. Willi Committee of two and nine Collectors. Number of members in 18.52, 180. Number of distributors in 1852, 29. First collection, 1122.53. Last collection, $24.11. Aggregate of collection?, $439.97. Average annual collections, $19.33. M0XTI1I.Y CONCERT CM)N'rUIBL"TIONS FKOM 1834 TO 1875. From 1834 to 180(5 inclusive, these con- tributions were sent to the treasurj^ of the A. B. C. F. M. From 18li7 onward tney were divided, generally equally, between Foreign and Home Missions. First contribution, (1834), $10.18. Last undivided contribution (I860) $20.- 62. Largest undivided contribution, (18G5), $34.50. First divided collection, (1867), Home, $17.68. Foreign, $12.81. Total, $30.49. Last dividedcontribution, (1875), Home, $15.18; Foreign, $15.18. Total, $30.36. Largest divided contribution, (1874), Home, $23.90; ForeigP, $23.90. Total, $47.80. Total to Hvme Missions, $145.82. Total to Foreign Missions, $820 98. Total Concert collections, (41 years), $966.80. Annual average, $23.58. In 1834 a gold ring was contributed. In 1835 $2.00 was given by a lady. In 1837 $19.48 was given by Ladies Be- nevolent Association, for Nestorians. In 1870 $48 was given by Ladies Benev- olent Association for the same object. Total, $(i9.48and a goUl ring. GEXTLE.MKNS FOHEIGN MISSIONARY AS.SOCIA- TION. Organized Sept. 1834. President, Dr. I{ichard Warner; Vice- President, Israel Russell ; Secretary and Trvasurer, William R. Stockinir. First collection, $28.50. Last collection, $52.45. Largest collection, (1864) $89. Aggregate collection, (41 years), $1,- 995.92. Average annual collection, $48.68. LADIES FOKEIGN MISSIONAHY A.SSOCIATION. Organized Sept. 1834. President, Mrs. E. P. Crocker;' Vice- President, Mrs. Mary M. Warner; Secreta- ry and Treasurer, Miss Margaret Sage. First collection, $21.37. Last collection, $54.30. Largest collection, (1852), $70.25. Aggregate collection, (41 years), $1,- 857.46. Average annual collection, $45.30. CONTRlUrTIONS TO HOME MISSIONS, FKOM W. n. MOORE's STATISTICS. The Missionary Society of Connecticut was organized in 1798, and began in 1879 to appeal to the churches for home missions, and I have the record of this church on this cause of home missions for 1799-1876, 78 yeai-s, in 65 of which the church gave and the total is as follows: Boxes. $ 336 79 Contributions, 3.487 27 $3,82406 Contributions of Sundny School to be- nevolent objects were first recorded in 1837. Thatyear(1837) the arnount was $10.21. JNo year exceeded $10 (1853 was exactly that amount) till 1860, when the amount was $23.35. Evidently a new method of taking the contributions was adopted from this year, 1860, for they never dropped down to the old figures. The smallest collection, (1847), $4.13. Tlie largest collection, (1870), $73.40. Total from 1837 to 1859, inclusive, $151.56. Average for 22 years, $6.89. Total from_1860 to 1876, $833.31. 18 Average tor 16 years, $52.08. Total from 1837 to 1876, $984.87. The marked increase in the contribu- tions from 1860 onward, is doubtless due to the change to the system of contributing by clasf^es, and of awarding a banner totlie leading class. The aggregate of contribution?' to benev- olent objects so far as shown by the church and various society records: (Jromwel! Tract Societ}', (Un- ion), Gentlemens' Missionary Asso- ciation, (Foreign), Lidies' Missionary Associa- tion, (Foreign), Olher contributions to Foreign Missions, (special), Montiily Concert, Home Missions, American Missionary Associa- tion, American Bible Society, Americ:in Tract Society, Auorican Foreign Ciuistin Union, American College and Educa- tion S(jciety, Church Building Society, Seamen's Friend Society, Sunday Sciiool Benevolent Contributions, 984.87 Total, $12,797.2(5 In all, the benevolent contributions ( f this Church and Sunda}' SchtK>l reach tie total sum of twelve thousiiud seven hundred ninety-seven dollars and Lwenty-six cents $12,797.26). IVIention should le niaCe in this connec- tion of the Cromwell Tract Society. It is a union society, organized for the purpose of disseminating religious trn h through this community. EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS OF THE TOWN. This historical survey is incomplete with- out some allusion to the educational inter- ests of this people. There is not time for this review. It must be passed over with the single remark that the early inhabitants had the traditional New England attach- ment to the common school. I cui only msert tlie following tables to tell the story of growth in school children and to show the need of a corresponding growth in interest : SCHOOL CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE UPON THE SCHOOLS IN CROMWELL DURING THE WIN- $ 439.97 TER OF 1814—15, AND ON JAN 1875 and 1876, • h 1,99.5.92 1814-15. Lower School, 120 1,8.57.46 Nortii School, 51 Nooks School, 16 69.48 Birch School, 45 966.80 Nor'h-West School, 45 .8,824.06 277 74.5.10 384.46 882.11 1875 North Sciiool, 12H North-West School, 61 West (Birch) School, 109 1876 1 82 6+ 99 1 75. 80 Center School, 88 76 South (Lower) School, 121 IK) 397.60 1.52.00 72.18 497 SUMMARY. 4S7 Winter 1814-15, 277 .Ian. 1, 1K75, 417 .Tan. 1, lK7ti, 487 A (areful hi.story of the Academy, which n 'eds a historian to write its story, now a s ory of the past, would show that higiur e lucatioh has not been neglected. Among it gr.iduates, some of whom got within its roims an int( liectual stimulus that carried them through a collegiate course, have been not a few men of escellent character and prominent influence. There is not time to speak particulirly of the excxdlent !)astors, Eells, Williams and Cuxker, whose lite-work was done with this people. Tliey were earnest, de- voted men. Williams and Ciocker wer.i 19 talicn awa}' in the prime of their manhood. Tlu'ir pastorate, with that of BulUley, ramc in the time of great commercia! pros- perity. It was a time when comfort and <'aFe Tas taking the place of the iianiships 3ind privations of the early iahahitants. They were men welt fitted to turn the en- friiy and wealth of the community, in no stinted measure, to the promotion of its in- telleeual and moral interests. Nor is there time to speak of the sons of Cromwell wlio have done credit nt home and abroad to its care for their development. Indeed th« necessity of reviewing the whole pericxi of the existence of this church, from the want of any previous!}'' published review, has compelled me to take a most meagre and cursory glance at only tlie most prominent *-venls. coxcT.rsiox. It is with devout thanksgiving to God that you should review the past history of this coi'imunity. He has not led this church through any bitter and Hlicnating tor)'. Tliere would have been a great gain from a liter- al y and rhetorical point of view in keeping the discourse, as it was prepared and de- livered, sepaiate from the notes. It was difficult to do this wliile running it llirough a wiekly journal as a serial. At tiie last moment, it was decided to blend the ser- mon and notes m the best manner possible witliout going over the ground anew, and rewriting the whole. The result is not entirely satisfactory. But the end much to be desued is gained, that of puiting mud) valuable information in respect to tlie his:orv of this towp, which it has taken great labor and re searcli to get together, into such a shape that it can be preserved and disseminated. The occasion which called for this work, the appeal of the State Conference that the pas- tors of the churclies througiiout ihe state should prepare a history of their resiective cliarges for Centennial year ( 187t')), has confined me pretty closely to matters pertaining to tlie Congregational C. lurch. At my request, Kev. Hiury S. r teveiis of ilie Biipiisl C huicli ii;is pre| artd a sketch ot that organization, which is given beloA'. Mr. Elisl a Stevens has fur- nished me items for a brief sketch of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The list of nativ;s and citizens who took pait in the Civil War to which allusion has been made, is given. Anil some other matters of in- lere-t worthy of consideration hiive been brought together in this Addenda. Also a few errors that cscai ed detection in course of publication from wiek to week have been corrected. SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST CnFRCIf. The Baptist Church of Cromwel! was f)rganized in 1802. Early in January of that year, several persons who were mem- bers of the Baptist Church in Hartford, met at the house of Eleazar Savage, to con- sider the propriety and feasibility of foim- ing a church of their own persuasion in this town. Later, Jan. 19th, at a prayer meeting held at the home of Comfort Ran- ney, the matter was farther considered and a decision made to ask the opinion of llie church in Hartford. Also a Committee, of two persons, was appointed to communi- cate with that body concerning forming a church here, and the 'iismission from it of its members resident here for that purpose. The Hartf..rd church favored the project and appointed a Committee to confer far- ther with the people here. Feb. (3th, the piople met, Dy arrangement, for the pur- pose of or:; anizing. Had, first, "a meet- ing for prayer, for wisdom and direction.'" Then, ' heard read the Confession of Faith." Then, "entered into Covenant relations as a churcli of Christ," to be called " The Second Baptist Church of Middletown." Those present on tliat oc- casion uniting to constitute the church numbered sixteen persons, seven men and nine women. Their names were as fol- lows:— Ekazar Savage, Stephen Treat, Juhri Tre;it, Cun;fort Eaniiey, Timothy Savage, Josiah Graves, Wilb.rd Ranney, Sarah Savage, Molly Savage, Mary Ran- ney, Ruth Ranney 1st, Ruth Ranney 2d, Percy SHvayp, Rachel NMlco.x, Sally Sav- age, Betsey Treat. Timolliy Savage was elected Clerk of the Church. 21 Miirrli 20tli (lie church "adopted 'Arti- cles of Faith," those coiiiinonl}^ known as the New Hampshire Confession of Faith " Social conference and prayer meetings were lield at the dwellings of the people for some time prior to and siihscquent to the forming of the church, and occasionally some minister preached at these meetings, but tlie first " call "' to any one to perform ministerial labor among them was given April 8, 1808, when the church " asreed with Rev. Eber Motfat to preacii two-thirds of the time, and ao-rced to give him thirty- four pounds, to be divided among the brethren according to their abilities, after deducting wliatever may he secured by contribtttions. " Jan. 21, 1804, Rev. Nehemiah Dodge " was applied to to preach one half of the time for six months." June, 1805, Rev. Daniel VVildman "agreed to preach for the church ou'^-half of the time durins the en- suing year. " Ma}', 180(1, Mr. John Grant '•was engasred, for two imndrefl dollars, to peach one-fourth of the time." Soon after l)eginning to preach Mr. Grant was ordained. In May, 1808. he was " en- gaged to preach one-half of the time, and lie con'inued pastor of the body until July, 1810. In 1817 Ri'V. i^'n'derick Wightman was called to the pa'-torate nnd continued as inini-terof theclmrch nnlil 18S2. Sub- sequently Mr. Wi'_ditman was paslor from 1887 to 1889, niHking an aggregate pastoral can- of' seventeen years. L-iter he returned lo !l)i« town to reside and died here at a good old age. In 1808 the cliurch built a plain fianie eliHcefi.ra Meeling-House on the West Gp' en. and held their public meetings there nn'il 1883, when the hted May 22, 18(il. Discliarged .May 21, 1S(U. Addis Walter. Musician. Enlisted Anif. 30th, I8f)2. Discharged Nov. 11, ISC.-l Allison Joiin D. Lieut. -Cnh^nel. En listed Oct. IS, 18(52. Discharged Sept. U), LSI];!. Allison R.ibert J. Enlisted Aug 12, 18(i2. Died of woun.ls Sept. 9, Lsii-f, re- ceived at the battle of Peach Tree CreeU. Barnes Edmund D. P^nlisted Sept. {), 1802. DisclMrged Sept. oO, 1>S(;;\ BckL-n Lewis. Eidisted Dec. 2ted Sept 4, 18B1. Ke-enlis;ed as veieran March 7, 1 S(M. Boardman Arthur. Enlisted Apiil 26, 18(il. He-enlisted for three years Aug. 11, l.S(i2 as Vet. Lincoln Daniel S. Enlisted Sept. 10, 18R2. I)isei)arged Sept. 30, 180:3. Minor Charles R. 1st Heavy Artillery. Moose Joseph. Enlisted Aug. 30, 18(52. Discharged Sept. 30, 18(53. ' iSJearing Henry S. Enlisted S.-pt. 8, 18(52. Discharged Sept. 30, 1863. Osboru Junes H. Enlisted Dec. 28, 18(53. Paddock Sherniin. En'isted Aug. 12. 18()2. Discharged June 13, 1805. F'addock Lumnn. Enlisted Aug. 30, 18(52. Died July 27, 18(53. Prntield Charles T. Enlisted Ana;. 12, 18i;2. Discharged Ht the close of the war JutH' 13. 1865. Palmer George H. Enlisted Aug. 12, 1862. Discharged at the close of the war June- 13, 1865. Pvalph James. Enlisted Aug. 22, 1862. Di'^cliarged ^larch 17, 186-i. Causae, disa- bility. Ralp!) Tiila. Enlisted Sept. 15, 1862. Discharged Sept. 3(J, 1863. Robinson Stilbnan. Enlisted Sept. (5, 1862. Di.scharged Sept. 30, 1863. Sage Eli-ha T. Enlisted 1863. Dis- cIiarT^ri Au:r. 1865. Sage George FT. Enlisted Aug. 12, 1862. Discharged at the close of the war June 13, 1805. Sage John L. Enlisted Sept. 15, 1862. Discharged Sept. 30, 1863. Sage Newell L Enlisted Sept. 9, 1862. Discharged June (5, 1863. Cause, disabili- t.y- Sage Orrin P,, Enlisted Aug. 12, 1.S62. Discharged at the close of the war July 13th, 1865. Savage Edward B. 1st Lieutenant. Enlisted Se|)t. 8, 1862. Di-charged Sejjt. 30. 1803. Savage William. Eidisted Nov. 20, 1801. Re-eulisted as veteran Jan. 1, 1864. Sliipmaker George B. Enlisted Aug. 12, 1802. Died of wounds May 23, 1803. Shnltz Frank. Enlisted Sept. 13, 1801, Re-enlisted as veteran Dec. 22, 1803. Simpson Timothy D. Enlisted May 22, 1861. Dropped from the roll of the War Department Sept 21, 1863. Southwick Lyman. Enlisted Dec. 3, 1861. Re enlisted Dec. 19, 1863. Stevens Henry S. Commissioned Chap- lain 14fh C. V. Auar. 21, 1862. Resigned Dec. 22, 18(53. Smith John M. Enlisted Nov. 14, 1862. Discharged Sept. 30, '03 Smith W. F. A. Enlisted Aug. 12, '02. Discharged at the close of the war June 13, '05. Siickney AVni. 'S. Enlisted Aug. 12, '62. Discharged March 23, '63. Cause, disability. Taylor Martin, V. H. Enlisted Aug. 20, "62. Died at New Orleans July 19, '63. Tracy Frank C. Enlisted Aug. 30, '62. Discharged Sept. 30, '63. Tryon George F. Enlisted Sept. 9, '62. Di.schjkrged Sept. 30, '63. Waterman Arthur E. Sergeant. En- listed Sept 4, '(52. Discharged Sept. 30, 24 Westervelt Isaac H. Enlisted Sept. C, '61. Promoted to 2d Lieutenant July 9, '63. Wilcox "Charles G. Enlisted Aug. 12, '62. Died in the field of wounds received at Turner's Ferry, Ga., Sept. 1, '64. Williams Charles, K. Enlisted Feb. 22, '61. Discharged May 21, '64. Winkle Frank. Enlisted Aug. 12, '62. Discharged at the close of the war, June 13, '65. Wright Lev( rott. Enlisted May 22, '61. Dropped from the roll by War Department Dec. 23, '63. Citizens of this town who enlifted else- where and not counted in the requisition of this town. Baldwin Henry S. Enlisted at Middle- town. Died from wounds. Botell Henry. Enlisted at Hartford. Clark W. L. Enlisted at Middietown. Demars Thomas. Enlisted at Middle- town. Killed at Antietam. Kappil Charles. Knoblock Frederick. Enlisted at Mid- dietown. Rigby Charles. Substitute for Jolin M. Douglas of Middietown. Killed at Port Hudson. Shepherd G. Enlisted. Waterman Charles. Enlisted at Mid- dietown. Died of wounds. There were several others who went as sul)stitutes for persons drafted whose names do not appear m the above list. In addition to the above names the town Jiired twelve men as substitntcs to fill the quota of one call without drafting. The following list comprises the names of tlie native citizens of Cnmiwell who have been graduated at collesie. The facts coni.-eruing these persons are largely de- rived from the appendix to Dr. Field's Centeimial Address. The date of bapii«m is from the Churcli Ricords, \o\. I. The children weie usually baptized the Sunday olLj-virur V.i-\v birtli. Stephen White, grandson of Nathaniel White one of the first settlers, was born at Upper Houses in 1718. About 1720 his family moved to New Haven. He was graduated at Yale in 1736. On the 24th of Deceinber, 1740, he was ordained pastor of the first church in Windham, where he lived and gave full proof of his ministry till his death, Jan. 9, 1794, aged 76. Mr. White married Mary Dyer, sister of Elipha- let Dyer, a member of the Revolutionary Congress, and Presiding Judge of the Su- preme Court of Connecticut. He had thir- teen children, the youngest of whom, Dyer White, Esq., was a lawyer in New Haven, and Judge of Probate. Daniel Stocking, son of Capt. Joseph Stocking, born in 1727, was graduated at Yale in 1748. He followed leaching, and was so well and widely known in his calling that he received t!>e title ot Master Slocking. He died Dec. 23, 1800, aged 73. Joseph Kirby, son of Josepii and Hester Kirby, baptized May 19, 1745, was grad- uated at Yale in the class of 1765. He was licensed to preach but never became a pas- tor. He lived in Granville, Mass., and then in Dorset, Vt., where he died in Sep- tember, 1823. aged 78. TitDOthy Jones Gridley, son of Isaac Gridley, baptized Nov. 23, 1788, was graduated in 1808. He studied medicine with Dr. Nathan Smith of Dart-nonth Col- lege and settled as a physician at Amheist, Mass. He was a successful and eminent practitioner. Dr. Gridley died March 11, 1852, aged 64. Chauncey Wilcox, born in 1797, wa.^ a Yale graduate, class of 1824. A'ter a course of tneology at New Haven, he was ordained and installed as pastor at North Greenwich, July 25, 1828. There he laliored with great fidelity and success for eiirhteen yeirs and rai-ed up an infant church of eighteen members, aixont; a scattered popu lation, to mort* than one hundrt-d. In 1817 ')r» Mr. Wilcox enga,s?cd in teacMng, at which calling he was " hi2;hly useful and success- fnl.'" Dnrins; this period he resided at lvid,!i;efiekl, where lie di id Jan. 31, 1852, at the age of 55. Thomas Stoiighton Savage, M. D. D. D., was a graduate of Yale in 1825; he studied theology in an Episcopal institute near Alexandria, Va., and was ordained as an Episcopal clergyman. For several years he was a missiounry at Cape PaliTifis in Africa. After his return he became rector of a church at Naiches and at Post Chris- tiou, Miss. ; later at Livingstone and Oxford, Alt. He is now rector of a church at iihinecliff on the Hudson. William Kirby was born in Cromwell, July 10, 1805; a Yale graduate in the class of 1827; s'.udied th<"ology jit Union Tlieo- logical ISeniinary.in 182;)-ol; was ordained to the gospel ministry at Guilford, March 22, 1831. He went to Illinois tiie t^aine year, and was a teacher in Illinois College two years, 1831-3:3. He afterwards be- <'amc succ'ssively pastor of three churches from 1836-45. In 1845 he became agent of the AiiK rican Home Missionary Society, and retained that position till his death, D'c. 20, 1851, a-td 47. William Walter Woodworth was born in Cr..mwell, Oct. IC, 1813; was graduated at Yale in 1838; stus was a graduate of Vale Scientific School in 1874. He has taught school at Plymouth and Windsor. George Fairfield Forbes was a graduate of And'eist in 1875. Since graduation he 26 lias l)oen a tcaclicr in Roxbury Latin School, IJoston Highlands. John Winthrop WiiLfht was an Amherst graduate of 1877. He is now stiKl3ing medicine in New York. Russell Stow, a native of this town, spent one year in Vale College, 1798, v^lien he left thai institution and studied medi- eine with Dr. Ebenezor Tracy. He alter- Avards prac'.iced in Eliisl)nri;h and Adams, Jefferson Co., N. Y., with excellent suc- cess. Robert Hubhard, M. D., of this place, entered Yale College bul was compelled to leave on f-.ccount of ill health. lie studied medicine and e.-tablished liimself in Bridge- port, where he has a very extensive prac- tice. He is well known and nuich respect- ed in Fail field County. He has on and other rivets, and for thirty years Mr. Redfield had the superin- tendence ol such a line. In 1829, when railroads had been known in the country tor only three years, and while the Erie canal was at the height of its popularity, he issued a pamphlet siigiicstins a line of railroads connecting the Hudson and the Mississippi rivers, and foretold how won- dei fully it would develop that part of our c luntry. He was one of the leaders in building the Harlem, Hudson River and Hartford and New Haven railroads. He was a frequent croniote " Ihe 'discussion of qucs- 28 tinns on various subjects, the recitation of dialounes and selecte^l pieces, original com- position and declamation, together witli a permanent library or the use of its mem- bers. It has had nearly three hundred members, and a library of about tive hun- dred vohiMies. This association has had no active existence as a debatmii society for these many years. Ho far as I can ascer- tain the period of this society's gre itesl ac- tivity and usefulness was between 1810 and 1880. Dr. Warren says: When I went to Oomvvell, (1838) it had i)as^ed in- to its decline. Mr. W. (' Kedfiold, Dr. Wm. Tully and others \vl:i< had been in- terested in it at first iiad moved a^vay, and there were few to take I heir places. 'I'he library was still used to some e.xtent, but the l)ooks were not of a popular character, anil were not much sougiit for." ADout tive years ago its constitution was modified so as to enable it to mauifam a reading room and library without sustain- ing reguhu' uicetini^s, as the olil onstiuiion requireil. A few new books were added anil a reading room was opened in the sec- dd story (jf the high school building — tl'C old Academy. The books, though modem and enleitaining, were too few in number to attract readers. The reading room, though enjoj'ed by those who fre(iuenteil it, was closed in a few months for wani of funds. A library and reading room, well stocked and liberally maintained, is a greai decider alum lor this community, second only to a first class school. The day will come, 1 believe, when every comtnuniiy possessing the vvedth aud population of this, will r.ol be without these means of mental nourit-h- ment. The value of good reading in pro- moting ciiture, breadth and ttrengtii of mind, will be appreciated. Does one wish to leave a monument to his name? Does one wish to confer some lasting blessing upon his native place ^ Does he wijh to start an influence that shall be a perennial source of mental and moral good, outlast ing the most enduring monuments of stone and bronze ? Let him do sometbimr to es- tablish, on a liberil and enduring basis, the educational interest^ of his home. Here is a grand field for a far-seeing, liberal and p'jblic-spirited man. Since writing the above sketch, I have had the good fortune to obtain a brief his- tory of the Friendly Association, written by the late Horace G. Williams, found among his papers and now in the possession of his sister, Miss Emilv T. Williams of Midiiletown. I am kindly permitted to make use of this history. In addition to what has already been given, 1 gather the following interesting facts: The first officers of the society, elected Feb. 20, 1810, were as follows :— Presi- dent, Rev. Joshua L. Williams; Vice Pres- ident, Silas Sage; Secretary, W'lliiam C. Redfield; Treasurer. Allen Butler. Of the early memt>ers who were particularlj' active in establishing and maintaining the Associ ition, the names of Messrs. William C. R-dfield, Silas Sage, Joseph Williams, and Martin Ranney may be mentioned. Tile purpose, orjianization and exercises of the association were sunilar to ihedebat- ing societies and lyceums which were very common in the towns and villages of New Eigland till within a recent perir.d. In late years periodical literature iias met the want which these institutions supplied. The exercises of the meetlnied, tor the fine avenue of ma|iks on the eastern side of the park just south of Prospect Hill. Dr. Richard War- ner, also, showed much interest in public improvements. It was through his interest chietiy that tlie trees were planted along Uie river banlsS l)eside the highway leading to .Middletovvu. By the efforts of citizens now livii'g, considerable had been done, before tliere was any organized work, in the way of laying sidewalks and phmting Uees in front of tlieir own residences. In the spiing of 1877, stejis were laki n toward the r)rganiziti(m of a Village or Town Improvement Society. It is an or- ganization of citizens, having tbis purpose, as stated in its Constitution, to-wit : "lu improve and ornament in every practicable way, the public grounds, streets, highwavs and other property of the town, l)y plant- ing trees, fencing and beautitying green*, l)etteriug the roads, attending lo driiinagc and smnv paths and doing whatever may render the tow n more pleasant and attrac- live as a pi ice of residence. Also to en - courage individuals to do for tlieir own grounds w li.it the association attempts lor tlie town generally." Tlie first officers of the So( iety were elected June 2d, 1877, to hold office till the Annual Meeting to be callid in the the autumn. Tiiese officers were as fol- lows: Wm. E. Hurlbert, Pres., W. H.. McDtmald, F.rst vice-Pres. ; Riis>tl Fris- bie, Second yicePres. ; J. f. Tieat, hcc- retary ; E. S. Coe, Treasurer ; and a board of ten, five gentlemen and five ladies, who with the other officers constitute the Ex- ecutive Committee. In the autumn of 1877, about three hun- dred and seventy trees were planted. Since the society began its work more than tive hundred tiees have been planted. Some- thing has been done toward improving sidewalks and roadwuys. The work of improving the commons is about to be taken up. The following is tbe present board of officers chosen Nov. 24th, 1879. President, W. R. McDonald. First Vice-President, Russel Frisbie. Second Vice-President, Dr Halloek. Secretary, R. S. Giiswold. Treasurer, E. S. Coe. Executive Committee. — Geo. Wilcov:, M. S. Dudley, Capt. Pabner, Bulkley Edwards, A. N. Pierson, Mrs. Geo. Gil- luiT., Mrs. Wheelock, Mrs. M. H. Smitli, Miss Emma Savage, Mrs. H. N. Stock- ing. To tlie list ot those who took part in the Rev(diitionaiy war the name of William Stone should be adiled. This makes the number, so far as at present kno'vn, thirty- eight. William Stow was baptized Sept. 29th, 1754r. He was tlie s ni of -bmathan and Abiah Stow. He had two older brotiieis, Samuel and Jonathan in the seivice. I give below tA'o letters, copies (;f which have been kindly 'furnished me by Mr. Charles C. Savage of Brooklyn, N. Y., u grand nephew of Mr. Stow. Mr. Stow took part in the battle of Bunker Hill, and the firrt letter was written soon after that engagement. I. RoxBUKY, June 23, A. D., 1775. Dear Pakent.s. I having an opportunity to write to let 30U know that 1 am well and in high spirits as I hope these lines will find ^011 I 31 the same. All those, the scurmage -which I -wrote to j'ou before the certainty of whicii, were killed, we cannot tell as yet, but 'tis reported there is about 1,700 of the lie^nlars, killed and wounded. There was alxmt seventy officers, some colonels. On our side particulars we have not, but it is supposed about sixty or seventy killed and taken prisoners. So no more at present. I remain'your loving son till death. WiLT.iAM Stow. Don't forget to scud tliat sealing wax and thread. IT. July the 2i\ A. D., 1775. Honored Father and Mo'rnER. I fake this opimrtunity to let you know that through the kind providence of God I am well and in high spirits as I hope these 31 lies will fmd you. Saturday, the 1st of July, we got ffM-titied upon a hill and placed two twenty four pounders. Tiiey fired twice, the first struck about eight rods from their breastworks, the sec- ond went over among their tents. Sunday morning following they began and fired very fast. They fired and sot one house afu-e. Tiiey also threw but hurt no per- son. N. B.— Tiie iJarticnlars of the captives the regulars took we have had letters from Ihem that they have thirty, amongst Ihem one Colonel. O that we had known how- it was with them, tor tis supposed that all the regulars went out except the guard and llie town was oblised to s'and sentries, f>ir this we had from Liberty men that came out Uiat niglit. Some of the tnwn's next neighl)ors got leave to come. I iiave noth- ing to vvrite, only how we have fresh beef tliive times'a week and a pint of milK a day and butter, also chocolate and molasses. We want for'nothing. I have a little more to write which was transacted this da}\ We took a barge with eleven men in it. First we fired upon them and killed four, the rest surrendered up to us. So I remain your loving son till death shall part us. Wii.i.iAM Stow. P. S. — I have received the thread and sealing wax by Edward Eells, Jr. The following is the siurjuiarj' of a thorou'jh canvass of the town made in .Jan. aufl Feb., 1878, by a Bible distributor under the direction of the Middletown and Vicinity Bible Society, and the superinten- dence of Kev. W. H. Gilbert, agent of the Am. Bible Society. Whole number of families, 873 American, 211 Forei^sn, l'J2 Foreign distributed as follows : Irish, 8.5 German, 51 English, 1^ Various, ^'2 To'al population, 1,617 Protestant families, 257 Koman Catholic, 116 Averaure size of family '-^i During the pastorate of Kev. Edward Eells the currency was so variable that his salary was for a time voted annually. It varied considerably from £tjO (1300) to £(540 )!{;3,208), and his fire wood, 20 cords. After 1757 was voted in silver, £00. The following entries by Pu'V. Mr, Eells in Vol. 1, .page 8, of ch. records, shows time of beginning the 5^ear in oldeH lime and the period of change to the present system. "My Church Records beuins the year with March without double dating any," "By nn act of parliament regulating of time, appointing the year to begin in Jan. the 1st day, 1 do" in my Church Records begin the year 17.52 with the first day of January and so continue it in conformity to authority." 32 In regard to the names by vvbicb this town has been known. Soon after the first settlement of Mid- dletown, the section north of Little River began to be called "Upper Houses," or vulgarly "Upper Housen." When it was made a separate parish, it was designated in the official documents as "'The Second Ecclesiastical Society of Middletowc." Frequently in the reports of the Society it is called "North Society." When a Post Office was established, this part of the town was known as "Middletown, Upper Houses." This continued to be the P. U. address until about 1830, when it was shortened to "Upper Middletown." In 18.51 tills parish was incorporated as a sep- arate town under the nnme of Cromwell. A note upon the evideuc.-s that shtve holding was in praetice aai mg the early settlers. There are frequent traces in the records and some reliable traditions of slavehold- ing. The names of slaves appear in the earlier church records, showing that they were baptized and received into full communion. In a vvill executed by Mr. Joseph Smith, son of Rev. Joseph Smitii, first pastor of this church, Sept. 20, 1768, there is the following bequest. After naming his five sons und giving them hi real and peisonal estate, he says. " I give them equally my negro-man Cloip or Peter. But they or either of them shiU not sell him out of tiie fairily unless by his own choice, and if he should live to want support more than he can earn by his own labois, he shall l)e comfortobly provided for by my sons at equal expense, if they don't otherwise ayree." Seats in the gallery of the church, south side, were set apart for the use of slavts, and the south-west corner of the old ceme- tery was assigned as their last resting pla. e. CROMWELL CEMETERY. The ground first used as a ceuietery was in close proximity to the meeting-house. It was a plot of ground just south of the site of the first church building and south- east of the present residence of Mr. Joseph Edwards. This lot was granted by the town of Middletown. "At a meeting held Jan. 13, 1712-13, the town (Middietov\'n) granted to the inhabitants on the north side of the river (Liltle), an acre of land be- tween Capt. John Savage's and Samuel Gibson's, their homesteads, for a burying ground; and Capt. Savage, Samuel Gibson and John Warner, Jun., were appointed a committee to lay it out, where it may be most convenient and least pivjudiced to outlots." This ground has been enlarged to two acres and was the sole burying ground in the eastern part of the town until 1855, whtm the present Cemetery Associa- tion was organized and the cemetery now occupied — about three-fourths of a mile north of the Old Ground — v\as opened. During the present year, 1879, active measures have been taken to put the old cemetery, whicli had been much neglected and suffered to grow up wiih weeds and bushes, into order. The town, to which the lot belongs, appropriated one hundred and seventy-five dollars u> be expended in improve;nenis. A uood work hiS alread}' been done in clearing the surface of weeds, in righting up the monun.ents, and wheie possible, in bringing them into some sort at regularity. The foot stones have been re- moved, and the mounds above the graves leveled. The plan is to secure a good smooth surface, well-turtVd and free from weeds. It is proposed, also, by private subscriptions, to dect)rate the lot with or- namental trees and shrubbery. Thus what has lona been a disfigurement and a dis- grace bids fair to become an attractive and a pleasing featuie in (»ur landscape. One ' f the first inl abitants of this place —tradition says the first— t^* find a resting 33 l^'.aCL- in this cemoterj-, was Thomas Ran- ney. His mnnumcn}, a brownstone slab, has evidently crumbled away cfiusidorably. It is only about eighteen inches high. The following inscription is deciphered with difficulty : No. 1. Here Lies Tl)e Body Of Thomas Kanney, SE^R, Lived 97 ypp.rs. Died June 21st, 1713. I have copied the following inscriptions from other monuments: The tablet in the table monument of Rev. Joseph'Sniith, the first pastor of tlie Congregational church — is lost. At a busi- ness meeting of the Congregational church held in November, 1879, it was voted to renew the tablet in Re\'. Mr. Smith's mon- utnent. The renewed inscription is as fol- lows : Rev. Joseph Smith, first pastor of the Congregational churcli, died Sept. 8, 1736, JE 62. Inscription renewed 18S0. The monument of his widow which stands beside the table monument, has this inscrip- tion : No. 2. Here lies interred the remains of Mrs. Esther Smith, the Relict to the Rev. Mr. Joseph Smith, who departed this life. May ye 30th, A. D., 1760. In the 89th year of her nge. No. 3. This monument is sacred to the memory of the Rev. Edward Eells, Pastor of the Second Church of Christ in Middletown, who departed this life Oct. ye 12th, A. D., 1770, JE 6-1, and in the o9th year of his ministr}'. Remember tlfose who have spoken unto you the word of God. No. 4. In Memory of the Revd. Joshua L. Williams Pastor of the 2d church in Middletown, who died Dec. 29, 1832, in the 48th year of his age, and the 24th of his ministry. Faithful, beloved and much lamented he departed in peace. Christ in him was the hope of Glory. Beside the grave of Mr. Williams stand two monuments evidently markmg the graves of his father and mother, who out- lived him. They are examples ot brevity as regard the inscriptions upon them. No. 5. Rev. Joshua Williams died Feb. 8, 1836. JE 75. No. 6. Mary Williams died May 16, 1838. JE 77. No. 7. Rev. Zebulon Crocker was born in Wil- lington, March 8, 1802. Graduated at Yale College, 1827. Ordained May 2, 1833. Died Nov. 14, 1847, JE 45. Friends who knew his worth have erect- ed this stone. N3. 8. Sacred to the memory of Amos Sage, son ot Captain Nathan and Mrs. Huldah Sage, who died at Port-au-Prince, Jan. 25, 1791, in the 18th year of his age. Much lament- ed by his Father. Mother, Sister, and friends, he bid fair to make the honest man. No. 9. " Here lies interred the body of John Sage, who departed this life Jan. 22, A. D., 1751. In the 83d year of his age. 34 He left a virtuoui? and sorrowful widow, witb whom he lived 57 years and had fif- teen children, twelve of whom married and increased ye family by repeated marriages to thu number of twenty-nine, of whom there are tifteeu alive. He had one hun- dred and twenty grand-children, one hun- dred and five of them now living, forty grcat-grand-children, thirty seven of them now living, which maUes tlie numerous off- spring one hundred and eighty- nine." This is upon a slate tablet set in a free- stone table monument. Upon a second tablet of slate in the same stone is the fol- lowing inscription : " Here lies the body of Mrs. Hannah Sage, once the vinuous consort of .Mr. John Sage, who both are covered with this stone, and there has l)een added to the numerous offspring mentioned above, forty-four by births and marriage*, wliioh makes the wiiolc two hundred and thirty-tiiree. Slie fell asleep September the 28, 1783. In the 85th }'ear of her age. " I am told that none of tiie desc( ndants of John Saue and his " numerous offspring " reside in town. Also that tliere are five hundred mid five families descended from him scattered through thirty-four states and four territories. PlIYSIClAKS IN CROMWELL. Aaron Roberts; began 1857; moved to Uerlin to live with a son in 1783; died 1792, aged 62. He was a surgeon in the Revolution. Solomon Savage; in practice from 1762 to his death Jan 29, 1783, aged 43. Daniel Lee; 178-1 1787; moved to New London. Gideon Noble; 1781-1802; moved to South Glastonbnry; died 1807. Titus Morgan; 1802 to Nov. 11, 1811, when he died at 35 years of age. William M. Hand; 1812-1816; moved to Wortiiinglon in Berlin. William TuUey; practiced for a short time about 1810, when he moved to ]Mid- dletown. David B. Brooks; commenced practice here in 1819; remained one year and re- moved to New York, where he died in 1830 aged 32. Sylvester Buckley; 1821-1831; removed to Worthington. Richard Warner; 1830-1853; died Sept- 29, 1853. Ira Hutchinson; 1853 to present time. R. M. Griswold; 1875-6; removed to Plainville. J. H. Trent; 1876-7; removed to Ter- ryville. James Conland; 1879. In the brief account of AVilliam C. Red- field, on page 26, I think the fact of his discovering the correct theory of storms is not sutflciently emphasized. It is no more tlian justice to Mr. Reddeld's incisive and inventive mind to claim for him the credit of giving the world the true solution to the meteorlogical phenomena of our earth. If we know the direction and force of a wind storm when it begins, in about eighty-five or ninetv times out of a hundred, we can map out, beforehand, the track of the storm and give a trustworthy announce- ment of its intensity. Mr. Redfield's sim- ple announcement "every storm is a gieat whirlwind," gives the key to meteorology. It places Redfitdd among the world's great discoverers. As early as 1831, in an arti- cle published in the American Journal of Commerce, Vol. 20th, he predicts the prac- tical results, of which we are now reaping the benefits. He says: ''In the early stages, or indications of storms upon our coast, it would seem that a pretty correct estimate Lnay be formed of the bearing, and probable course of the heart oj the storm.''' The italics are Mr. Redfield's. We have adopted a different term and say "storm centre." "This shows," says Mr. Redfield again, " the importance of 35 particulars in marine reports, specifying tlie latitude and longitude, date, time of cotnmenccment, direction, duration, and sid)Keq}H'nt changes of such storms as mny oxiiihit either extraordinary vio- lence, or indications of such violence in their immediate vicinity." Mr. Redfield is worthy of lasting raemor>', as much so as Franklin the discoverer of electricity, or Wells the discoverer of anesthetics. Tiiis discovery was the first step which led on to our present system of weather indica- tions among the first items of news which •we look for every morning in our daily newspapers. ADniTlOXAL GRADUATES. Stillman K. Wightman. A graduate of Yale in the class of 1824. He studied law, practiced for a time in the Courts of Mid- dlesex County, then moved to New York. He has been and still is a successful prac- titioner. Robert Paddock. A graduate of Union. Siuciied medicine and moved South to Ken- tuckj% if I am rightly informed. Benjamin Wilcox. Williams, class of 1841. He was a successful teacher in the AYest. Rlwin Hal?ey Cole. A graduate of Wesleyan in 1851. He whs born in Chat- ham in 1827. His father moved to this town during Edwin's boyliood. After grad- tiation Mr. Cole taught school in Ameuia, New York; Collinsville and Bristol this State. Owing to failure of health in 1850, he resigned his position as Principal ot the High School in Bristol and removed to his father's in West Cromwell, where he died July 16,' 1859. ERRATA. On page 10, second column, in regard to the additions attributed to the pastorate of Kev. Mr. Clark, it should be stated thit most of the additions by profession were due to a special season of revival interest under the lead of Kev. Erastus Colton and were received into membership by him be- fore Mr. Clark was installed as pastor. Mr- Colton was here only a short time and hard- ly held tlie relation of pastor or actinsi pas- tor. He labored as an evangelist. This is according to the recollections of those ac- quainted with all the circumstances. On pagt- 10, second column, the sunuua- ry of additions during tlie pastorates (if Rev. Messrs. Hall and Ladd should read as follows: W. K. IIAU.'S PASTORATE. 18r)4-18B5. 1 year. By Profession, 11 " Letter, 1 Total, 12 Average, 12. H. O. LADd's PASTORATE. 18(!5-18()7. 2 yeans. By Profession, 17 " Letter, 10 Total, 27 Averaiie, 13. On page Ki, first column, for William B. Stocking, read William R. On same page and column, for G. S. T. Savage, read G. S. F. On same page, second cohuun, in the clause "the house now occupied by Mr. Stocking on Freestone street," for Stocking read Stickney On page 18, second column for " Birch School," used twice, read "■Brick.'' On page 27, first column, in clause •' Mijs Jcrusha E. Gilbert of Colchester," for Colchester read Colebrouk. c^ 36 Since the last page was printed the fol- lowing additional inforraatiou has been re- ceived. Jonathan Roberts Paddock was born Nov. 19, 1803. He prepared for college with Rev. Joshua L. Williams, of this place, and was graduated in Union College, Schenectady, N. Y. Afcer graduation, he tauiiht school for a time; was a Professor in Won hi ngf on College, Ohio. Later he studied medicine and practiced in Ohio and Kentucky. He died June Tth, 1878. (This name should take the place of Rob- ert Paddock. ) On page 30, first column, for J. H. Treat Secretary, read J. H. Trent. On page 30, second column, for William Stone, read William Stow. On page 31, first column, at the end of the first sentence in Mr. Stow's first letter omit the words, "the same." \X <6. V^ I