The history of Waterbury, Connecticut - citizen hylbom blog

300 IIISTOKY OF WATERBURY.
fice for said society ; and also, by vote, nominated John "VVooster,
Esq., of Derby, Messrs. Thomas Atwater of Cheshire and
Abner Bradley of Woodbury for the aforesaid committee, if
said Hon. Court, in their wisdom, should think Jit to appoint
them," Preparatory to the action of the Court's committee,
certain persons were chosen " to get the minds of this society
where to erect a church edifice," while others were appointed
" to view several places," and others still to warn the people
to be present when the committee met. (At the same time, it
was agreed to erect a fence around the old church.) A stake
was fixed, but the place was not quite satisfactory. March 17,
1794, at a parish meeting, a committee was chosen, " to apply
to the County Court and the late committee, and request that
the stake might be placed five rods south of the place where
the stake now stands."
In Dec. 1794, more decisive measures were taken in the
way of building a church. A committee was appointed, consisting
of Messrs. Ephraim Warner, Justus Warner, Heman
Munson, Titus Welton and John Cosset, to superintend the
work and collect a rate of 2s. on the pound, Feb. 9, 1795,
a vote was passed, in parish meeting, that the above named
committee
Be fully authorized and empowered to build or procure to be built a decent well
finished edifice or church, 54 by 38 feet, with a decent steeple on the outside at
the east end of the same, and apply the money heretofore granted of 2s. on the
pound and all subscriptions that shall be made for that purpose, and that the so-
ciety consider themselves holden to said committee for the residue.
The business of erecting the new church was committed
more immediately to Mr. Ard Welton. " And so great was
the confidence reposed in his judgment and integrity, [says
the Churchman's Magazine,] that a contract was made with
him to complete the building according to his own taste and
present his bills for payment." In August, 1795, the frame
was raised. The church was finished with great neatness.
Some fresco paintings upon its walls were much admired.
Additional taxes were imposed to defray the expenses of
the church. In December, 1795, a rate of Is. on the pound ;
in Dec. 1797, a rate of eight cents and eight mills on the dollar,
and in April, 1799, a rate of three cents on a dollar, were