Oxford Past
Oxford, New Haven, Connecticut
 
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a meeting. John wouldn't attend - 'they' had forgotten their honor and he would have nothing to do with them."
    His anger did not last long, however, and he became a leader of that church. He was elected the first Deacon of the church. He donated to the church a set of communion vessels, which were preserved after the church itself ceased to exist.
    In 1783 Holbrook and others were appointed to a committee to establish a burying ground for the Society. The result of their work was the establishment of the Great Hill Cemetery in what is now Seymour.
    Captain John died on January 28,1801 at the age of 74 years. He was buried in Great Hill Cemetery.

Chapter 10

THREE REVOLUTIONARY VETERANS FORM TRINITY CHURCH IN SEYMOUR

    Trinity Episcopal Church of Seymour has a long and interesting history. Its development, as Union Church, includes a great deal of the history of the area and highlights the relation of the local people to the history of the emerging nation. The formation of this church in 1797 was, in itself, remarkable. A number of Revolutionary War soldiers joined with others to establish an Episcopal parish (an off-shoot of the Church of England). This was possible due to the high esteem which the Episcopal clergyman of the area, the Rev. Richard Mansfield, was regarded by all, including those who had served in the Colonial armies. The establishment of the Episcopal parish in Seymour was similar to other activities throughout the state on the part of the Episcopal Church.
    Writing of the increase of the Episcopal Church, the Rev. Henry Jones wrote, "The increase was largest after Whitfield's first visits to New England, and just before the war of the revolution. During the struggle for independence, and

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