History of Oxford, CT
1885 - 1910
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[Page] 5
Section: The Ecclesiastical Society
The town of Oxford comprises an area in the honored Commonwealth of Connecticut
which has had its full share in the development of those forms of government which secure so
much of civil and religious liberty. Its sons and daughters faithfully toiled to lay the foundations
of present prosperity and sacrificed much that justice and freedom should triumph.
Not incorporated as a town until 1798, yet clothed with the powers of an independent
parish in 1741, it is to the parish records we must look for most of the details of more than half
a century, and in the minutia of the affairs of the ecclesiastical society so carefully preserved,
we find a key to many incidents of pioneer life.
The history of a church is, to a great extent, the history of the people of the parish, and
in many cases, is about the only available record which gives any details of the earlier inhabitants,
whose descendants have left their impress on the society and institutions of the country from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, and from British America to the Gulf of Mexico.
The first petition for the setting apart of Oxford as a separate parish was made to the General
Assembly in May 1740, and on the 7th of May 1741, the petition was granted in the following words:
“Whereas upon the memorial of Timothy Worster, John Twitchel and John Towner, &c,
dwelling in the and northwest part of the township of Derby, Isaac Trowbridge, John Weed, Jonas
Weed, Joseph Weed, Thomas and Joseph Osborn, dwelling in the southwest part of Waterbury
woods, in the old society in said Waterbury, and Isaac Knowles, Joseph Towner, Eliphalet Bristol,
John Tift, and Aaron Bristol., dwelling in the southeast part of the township of Woodberry woods in
the parish of Southberry, moving to the General Assembly holden at Hartford, may anno Dom. 1740,
that they might become one entire, ecclesiastical society, and praying for a committtee, &c.; the said
General Assembly did appoint a committee, who accordingly making their report to the General
Assembly at New Haven in October last, and the same not being accepted; and the said General
Assembly in October last appointing another committee, Colo. Benjamin Hall, Capt. Isaac Dickerman
and Capt. John Fowler, to view and report, &c.: And whereas the said last mentioned committtee
have to this Assembly made their
[Page] 6
report that according to the direction of said Assembly they have repaired to the abovesaid places,
&c., and find and are of opinion, that it is necessary and best that the said inhabitants be made a
distinct, separate ecclesiastical society and that their bounds and limits be as followeth:
Beginning at the mouth of the four mile brook in Derby bounds, where the brook emptieth itself
into the great river, and to run as said brook runneth by said brook unto the bridge that is
between the dwelling houses of Abel Gun and John Holbrook; and from said bridge by the
highway that runneth between the land commonly called the Camp’s Mortgage and the land
called Quakers Farm Purchase, unto the river called the Little river; and thence as the Little
river runneth to Naugatuck river; and thence northerly, by said Naugatuck river, that being the
east bounds of said society, until it comes to the dividing line between the towns of Derby and
Waterbury; thence turning westerly and running as the line runneth between the towns of Derby
and Waterbury, as aforesaid, until it comes to the southeasterly boundary of Thomas and Joseph
Osborn’s Farm in the bounds of Derby; and from thence to run northerly to the northeast corner
boundary of Jos. Weed’s farm in Waterbury town bounds; and from thence a northwesterly line
to the northeast corner boundary of Isaac Trowbridge’s farm, in said Waterbury town bounds:
and from thence to run westerly, in the line of said Trowbridge’s farm, about sixty rods, to
Woodberry town line; and thence to the northwest corner of Isaac Knowles’ farm in the township
of Woodberry; and from the northwest corner of said Knowles’ farm a west line to the eight mile
brook, in the bounds of Woodberry; and then by the said brook, until it comes to the dividing line
between the towns of Woodberry and Derby; and thence to run westerly in the line that divideth
between the said towns of Woodberry and Derby, unto the great river; thence by the river
southerly to the first mentioned boundary, the mouth of four mile brook; as by said report on file,
dated May the 7th, anno Dom. 1741.”
“It is therupon resolved by this Assembly, That the above said memorialists, inhabitants
of Derby, Waterberry and Woodberry, situate and living within the bounds and limits above
described, be and become together one entire, separate and distinct ecclesiatical society or
parish, subsisting and known by the name of the parish of Oxford, and endowed with all powers
and privileges wiherewith other parishes within this government are by law endowed.”
[Page] 7
Re: Jack’s Hill
At a society meeting held Oct. 6th, 1741, it was voted to build a meeting house and to ask
the General Assembly at their next session to appoint a commission to decide where the meeting
house should be built. Mr. Ebenezer Riggs was appointed agent for the society to present the
matter to the General Assembly. The following is the order of the Assembly:
“Upon the report of Capt. Isaac Dickerman, Mr. James Talmadge and Mr. John Hitchcock,
appointed by this assembly to affix the place of the inhabitants of the parish of Oxford to build their
meeting house upon, &c., the said committee having viewed their circumstances, and have set
down a stake and laid stones to the same, at the south end of the hill, commonly called Jack’s
Hill and near the highway that runs on the east side the Little river, on land belonging to Ephraim
Washbourn, which said place the said committee report to be the most convenient place for the
said inhabitants to build a meeting house upon; Resolved by this Assembly, that the abovesaid
place be the place for the said inhabitants to build their meeting house upon; and the said
inhabitants are herby ordered to build a meeting house at the said place accordingly.”
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Section: Admissions To Church Fellowship
The Congregational Church
[Selected names.....]
1764.
Mary HAWKINS, wife of Zachariah HAWKINS, June 3.
Hannah GUNN, Aug. 5.
Joseph OSBORN and his wife Rebecca, Sept. 6.
Abijah HIDE, by letter from church at Ripton, Oct. 7.
Samuel CHATFIELD, Jr., and his wife Joanna, Dec. 2.
1765.
Zerviah CHATFIELD, Lewis WHELER and Rachel TOWNER, Feb. 3.
Deborah, wife of Eleazer WOOSTER, and Esther, wife of David WOODRUFF, June 2.
1766.
Daniel OSBORN, Jr., and wife Mary, Jan. 26.
Sarah, wife of Arthur WOOSTER, Apr. 6, by letter from the church at Newtown.
Lois, wife of Nathan FAIRCHILD, Apr. 26.
John HOLBROOK and Eunice, his wife, Aug. 24.
1769.
Abigail LYMAN, June 11.
Joseph RUSSEL and Elizabeth, his wife, July 30.
1772.
Isaac TROWBRIDGE and Judith, his wife, July 26.
1773.
Noah Russell LYMAN and Comfort, his wife, Mar. 21, 1773.
Josiah PERRY, Tabitha PERRY and Anna HAWKINS, Oct. 10, 1773.
1784.
April 18th, Joseph OSBORN, Jr., & Sarah his wife, receivd to special ordinances.
April 18th, Levi TROWBRIDGE & Hannah his wife, receivd to special ordinances.
1800.
July 6, Decon James WHEELER & Mary his wife Recd to Communion by a letter
Recommendatory from the pastor & church in Bethany.
1802.
Novr. 4th, ... Timothy WHEELER & Hannah his wife.
[Page] 10
1803.
Sept. 4, Capt. Abel WHEELER & Eunice his wife, recvd to Communion.
Communicants received by ye Revd Mr. LYMAN, taken off from his Files.
Joseph Orsbon [OSBORN] and Esther his Wife, Received to Comunion from ye
Pastor of Chh of Christ in west Haven, bairing Date Octr 29th, 1745.
[Page] 11
Samuel Wheler Received to Communion from ye Pastor and Chh of Christ in Darby,
bairing Date Decr 4th, 1745.
June 30, 1751. Daneil Hawkins was admitted to full Communion.
Decr 12, 1755. Lidy, Wife of Zadock Hawkins admitted to full Communion.
Mary Smith Received to Communion from ye Pastor & Chh of C. in Woodbury bairing
Date Septr 4th, 1761.
Abigail ye Wife of Samuel Wheler received to Communion form the Pastor & Chh of Christ
in Ripton bairing date Augst 20, 1746.
Ruth, Wife and Rachel Daughter to Isaac Trowbridge received to Communion from ye
Pastor, & Chh of Christ in Ripton bairing Date Janr 20th, 1746.
Abigail ye Wife of Samuel Hitchcock, received to Communion from the Pastor & Chh of
Christ in West-Haven, bairing Date Decr 23, 1760.
[Page] 12
Daniel Orsborn [OSBORN] and Obedience his wife received to Communion from ye
Pastor and Chh of Christ in West Haven, bairing Date June 5th 1758.
Augt 19, 1750, Samll Hitchcock and Ann his Wife owned ye Covenant.
1767.
Novr 15th, Hannah Wooster owned her Covenant.
1769.
Febr 19th, Anne, wife of Richard Smith owned her Covenant.
Septr 3d, Robart Wheler and Ruth his Wife owned ye Covenant.
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1780.
March 19th, Jared Osborn & Freelove Ame his wife owned ye covenant.
1787.
April 22, Lieut. Naboth Osborn & Susie his Wife renewed their covenant.
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Section: Removals From Church Fellowship
The Congregational Church
REMOVALS
June 5th, 1770, Elizabeth the wife of John Smith Recomended to the Church of Christ at Goshen.
Septr 5th, John Holbrook and Eunice his Wife Recomended to the Church in Southbury.
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1776, Novr 24th, Isaac Trowbridge & Judith his wife dismissed from the watch & care of this
Chh & Recomended to the Chh at Litchfield, by vote of the Chh.
1783, Novr 9th, Voted that Joseph Osborn Jnr. and Rebekah his wife be Recomended to the
Chh at Westbritain for the Privilidge of Special Ordinances.
May 3d, 1795, Voted the Eleazer Wooster and Deborah his wife be recomended to the Pastor
& Chh of Bethlehem for Gospel Ordinances.
Section: BAPTISMS
The Congregational Church
[Page] 17
1776.
Febr 4th Isaac Wildman [Osborn] Son to Joseph Osborn Jnr & Rebecka his Wife.
[Page] 18
1777.
Septr 14th Amos [Smith] Son to Richard Smith & Anne his Wife, baptized on the Mother’s Right.
[Page] 19
Baptisms by the Revd Mr. Lyman, taken off from his Files.
May 27, 1750, Samuel [Orsbon/Osborn], Son of Joseph Orsbon [Osborn].
___27, 1750, William [Smith], son to Richard Smith.
___27, 1750, Anna [Hawkins], Daughter of Zachariah Hawkins.
July 27, 1755, Naboth [Orsbon/Osborn], Son to Joseph Orsbon [Osborn].
June 30, 1751, Elizabeth [Hawkins], Daughter to Daniel Hawkins.
May 3, 1759, Ely [Orsbon/Osborn], Son, Ruth [Orsbon/Osborn] and Lois [Orsbon/Osborn],
Daughters, thrins to Daniel Orsbon [Osborn].
Decr 3, 1752, Samuel [Orsbon/Osborn], son to Joseph Orsbon [Osborn].
[Page] 20
March 20, 1748, Joseph [Orsbon/Osborn], Son to Joseph Orsbon [Osborn].
Augst 26, 1759, Joseph [Hawkins], Son to Zachariah Hawkins.
Decr 8, 1754, Sarah [Orsbon/Osborn], Daughter to Daniel Orsbon [Osborn].
Decr 4, 1754, Ruth Ame [Smith], Daughter to Richard Smith.
Jany 20, 1758, Richard [Smith], Son to Richard Smith.
[Page] 21
Novr, 1745, Jared [Orsbon/Osborn], Son to Joseph Orsbon [Osborn].
[Page] 22
1787.
April 8th, Joseph [Osborn], Son to Joseph Osborn, Jr & Sarah his Wife.
April 22d, Lovica [Osborn], Dautr to Lieut Naboth Osborn & Sussa his Wife.
1788.
Octr 26th, Lorinda [Osborn], Dautr. to Naboth Osborn & Susa his Wife.
Novr 17th, Leverit [Osborn], son to Joseph Osborn, Jnr & Sarah his Wife.
1789.
May 24th, Laurea [Osborn], Dautr to Jared Osborn & Freelove Amy his Wife.
[Page] 23
1790.
May 30th, Ransom [Osborn], son to Joseph Osborn, Jnr & Sarah his Wife
1791.
Jany 16th, Lewis [Osborn], Son to Naboth Osborn & Susa his Wife.
Novr 6th, Harvey [Osborn], Son to Jared Osborn & Freelove Amy his Wife.
[Page] 24
1793.
July 4th, Lecta [Osborn], Dautr to Jared Osborn & Freelove his Wife.
July 14th, Leman Stone [Osborn], Son to Naboth Osborn & Susa his Wife.
[Page] 25
1796.
Feby 14th, Luthania [Osborn], Dautr to Naboth Osborn & Susa his Wife.
Section: MARRIAGES
The Congregational Church
[Page] 29
1764.
Septr 5th, Daniel Osborn, Junr, of Oxford, & Mary Picket of Darby entred into ye Marriage Covenant.
1768.
Septr 8th, Samuel Fenn of Waterbury married to Rachel Osborn of Oxford.
[Page] 30
1769.
April 12, Ebenzr Osborn and Mamie Ward, both of Oxford.
Septr 11th, Jabez Riggs and Sarah Osborn entered into ye marriage Covenant.
Octr 26th, Capt. Joseph Osborn & Mrs. Abigail Lyman married to Each other.
[Page] 31
1777.
June 30th, Jared Osborn of Oxford & Freelove Anne Mallery of Southbury.
[Page] 32
1783.
Janr 9th, George Clark of Oxford and Lydia Osborn of Salem, Married.
March 10th, Joseph Osborn, 3d, and Sarah Smith, Married.
[Page] 33
1784.
Decr 2d, Richard Pitt & Sarah Osborn of Salem married.
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1789.
July 6th, Asa Osborn of Southbury and Sarah Hide of Oxford, married.
[Page] 35
1793.
Febr 13th, Capt Joseph Osborn & Mrs. Elizabeth Tomlinson, married.
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1796.
April 25th, Moses Osborn of Salem and Comfort Cande of Oxford, married.
1798.
Novembr th5, John Buckingham & Esther Osborne, married.
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1802.
Janr 26th, Joseph Blake and Louisa Osborn, married.
1806.
Janr 29th, Hiram Osborn and Sally Finch, married.
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March 6, 1760, Nathan Buckingham and Esther Osborn entred into ye Marriage Covenant.
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Section: BAPTISMS
[continued from page 25]
1801.
Decmr 6, Daniel [Orsbon/Osborn], son to Naboth Orsbon [Osborn] & Susa his wife.
[Page] 42
1804.
March 20th, Alecta [Osborn], Dautr to Naboth Osborn & Susa his Wife.
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Section: DEATHS
[Page] 45
1768.
June 5th, Abigail [Osborn], Daughter to Daniel Osborn, died in ye 16th Year of her Age.
[Page] 46
1769.
March 21, Esther [Osborn], Wife to Capt. Joseph Osborn, died in ye 51st Year of her Age.
[Page] 49
1788.
Janr 17th, An infant Child to Jared Osborn died.
1789.
March 25th, Leveritt [Osborn], infant Son to Joseph Osborn, Jnr., died.
[Page] 50
1791.
May 28th, Abigail [Osborn], Wife to Capt. Joseph Osborn, died.
1792.
March 5th, Edward [Osborn], Son to Capt. Joseph Osborn, died.
1794.
Septr 16th, Joseph Osborn Jnr, Died.
Septr 30th, Lecta [Osborn], Dautr to Jared Osborn, died.
[Page] 51
1794.
Octr 22d, Leman Stone [Osborn], son to Naboth Osborn, died.
Octr 27th, Freelove Anne [Osborn], Wife to Jared Osborn, died.
1797.
March 21st, Capt Joseph Osborn, died.
[Page] 54
1811.
April 29, Mrs. _____, Wife of Jared Orsborne [Osborn].
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Section: BIRTHS
FROM THE TOWN RECORDS
The following list is arranged in the same manner as on the [handwritten town] records
[of Oxford, CT], and is an exact reprint, in spelling, superiors, &c., as nearly as can be given in type.
[Note: A xerox copy of page 85, letter “O” was obtained from the town clerk of Oxford, CT
and contained the following information:]
[Page] 67
OSBORN, Ransom, son of Joseph and Sarah, April 5, 1790.
OSBORN, children of Naboth and Susanna:
Lewis [Osborn], Jan. 2, 1791. Sally [Osborn], April, 1798.
Leman Stone [Osborn], June 4, 1793. Daniel [Osborn], Oct., 1801.
Luthena [Osborn], Nov., 1795. Eletas [Osborn], Dec., 1813.
OSBORN, children of Ambrose and Rebekah:
Eunice [Osborn], Feb. 17, 1825. Noah Ambrose [Osborn], May 25, 1829.
Amanda [Osborn], Oct. 13, 1826. Sarah Rebecca [Osborn], July 23, 1830.
OSBORN, Martha Candee, d. of Ambrose and Avis, June 13, 1834.
OSBORN, children of Ransom and Sarah:
Sarah [Osborn], Sept. 2, 1816. Joseph Miles [Osborn], Oct. 25, 1824.
Ruth Ann [Osborn], July 1818. Rosalind Mary [Osborn], May 17, 1827.
Esther [Osborn], July 8, 1822. Martha Caroline [Osborn], May 31, 1829.
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Section: DEATHS
[Page] 75
Osborn, Henry, son of Thos. L. and Eunice, Sept. 20, 1828, aged 2.
Osborn, Ambrose, May 22, 1840, aged 55.
Osborn, Clarissa Towner, wife of Joseph Osborn, Oct. 19, 1832, aged 54.
[Page] 77
1814. Widow of Thomas Osborn, 64.
1817.Laura Osborn, 27.
[Page] 79
1825. Gilbert Osborn, July, 43.
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Transcribed by Gloria ODOM from her record: OSBORN CT1 - 2/1999
A few "OSBORN" records in latter part of book not transcribed.