8.

SAMUEL DOOLITTLE

SAMUEL DOOLITTLE, s. of Abraham and Abigail (Moss) Doolittle, was b. at New Haven, July 7, 1665, being the oldest s. by 2d.m. The family moved to W. when he was but a few years old, and there he grew to manhood. The children in those days were early taught the strict observance of the Sabbath, and only the most necessary duties were permitted in the household from the time the sun sank behind the western hills on Saturday until the following evening. At the drum beat on Sunday morning each family in plain and carefully-kept clothes, after the toil of the week, devoutly took its way by the trai through the woods, crossing the brook or skirting the hills to worship at the little meeting house. Lacking a supply of hymn books, the congregation sang the songs line for line as they were read to them by the leader of church singing. Sermons in early days took two hours to deliver, while a prayer lasting less than an hour was of doubtful effect. Rev. Samuel Street was the first pastor at W. and continued with this congregation for forty-five years.

The church was an unpretentious affair, built of unhewn logs, whichhardly kept out wind and rain. It was 28 feet long, 24 feet wide and 10 feet " in stud between ye ground sill and wall plate," and "comfortably and comleyly fitted up with dores windures & flower or floors." The interior furnishings were very simple. The presiding elder and deacons had elevated seats before the pulpit. The congregations were seated on plain benches, according to age and standing in the community--the men and women occupying opposite sides of the house. Sentries were stationed at the door or passed to and from before it. In 1689 the town "voted to build a fort round ye meeting house." There in the silent wilderness, says S. B. Thorp, " far away from the busy haunts of men, they seemed and felt nearer God--more alone with God--than ever before. With reverent joy they rejoiced in that blessed intimacy of communion and drew from it strength they needed for the trials and duties taht formed the staple of their daily lives."

Samuel m. Mary, dau. of Sergt. John and Martha (Peck) Cornwall of MIddletown, Conn. She was b. Nov. 20, 1665, and d. Nov. 16, 1742. They resided at W. till the birth of their second son, when they rem. to Middletown. He received land at W. in 1689. His death occurred at M. Sept. 25, 1714.

CHILDREN.

45. i. Jonathan b. Aug. 21, 1689.

46. ii. Samuel b. Aug. 31, 1691.

47. iii. Mary b. Nov. 24, 1693; m. Solomon Goff.

48. iv. Abraham b. Sept. 21, 1695.

49. v. Abigail b. April 10, 1697, m. Wm. Mark

50. vi. martha b. April 6, 1698, m. Daniel Hall.

51. vii. Hannah b. Oct. 29, 1700, m. Stephen Turner.

52. viii. Thankful b. June 3, 1702, prob. m. John s. of David and Sarah (Rockwell) Hall,b. May 9, 1678, at W.

53. ix. Joseph b. June 20, 1704. 54. x. Nathaniel b. Jan 15, 1706. 55. xi. Esther b. July 16, 1709.