titus moss - The Cheshire Historical Society

Scene 8
On the Cheshire Town Green,
Looking at the Congregational Church
Edward Cornwall: Ladies and gentlemen, if you would please let me take you
forward.
The walkers follow Cornwall and stop in front of the church, as Titus Moss and his father
head across the green and toward the herb garden: Foote is headed for the Hitchcock
House.
Edward
Cornwall: It happens that I am a deacon of this church and can tell you bit
about the building. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH (built in 1826)
Federal, designed by architect David Hoadley. The building has had many
additions and renovations. The church was founded in 1724 in a small
building at the corner of Lanyon Drive and South Main Street. A second,
larger church was built in 1736 on the east side of the green, close to South
Main Street. Erected in 1826, this is the congregation’s third meeting house.
Someone: Is it true that there is a pew where slaves sat
Edward Cornwall: Yes, I am sad to say that some of our parishioners kept slaves in
the past, but those days are gone here in the North. Now some homes in
Cheshire are part of the Underground Railroad where escaping slaves are
helped. (more)
[Maybe the Mosses could still be here, and be able to tell about some house out near them
which has a hiding place in the chimney ]
[Put in program notes. ]
The Town Clock: Julia Humiston donated the money to the town for a handsome, Seth
Thomas clock. Because there was no place for it in the town hall, the clock was placed in
the steeple of the Congrega tional Church. Winding and repairs to the clock are paid from
a fund left by Miss Humiston, managed by three trustees. ]
Eldad Keeler appears (in some bizarre way and gets teased by Cornwall about his
antics on the steeple)
Edward Cornwall: Eldad, what are you doing, walking around on the ground, you
should be up dangling from the steeple like you did a few years back! You
were supposed to be working up there, not doing circus tricks!
Titus Moss – Walk Back In Time – May 7, 2006 – SCRIPT Page 17