At one time Ridgefield, Ridgebury and the Oblong were considered to be, in a certain sense, within the bounds of the parish or mission of Fairfield. The Rev. Ebenezer Dibblee, of Stamford, also considered Salem to be within the bounds of his missionary jurisdiction. " As a missionary of the society of the gospel in foreign parts he entered upon the duties of his sacred office Oct. 26th, 1748," and the first record of his services in the Oblong occurs on the nth of November, 1749, on which occasion he baptized Steven Slauson, son of James and Elizabeth Slauson.6

The following extract is taken from his report to the Secretary of the Venerable Propagation Society for 1759 :

MR. DIBBLEE TO THE SECRETARY. [extract.]

"Stamford, Conn., New England, Sept. 29, 1759.

Rev. Sir :

Juni' 24th, second Sunday after Trinity last, I preached in the lower district of Salem, to a very considerable auditory -- judging between three and four hundred people old and young, who behaved very decently and attentively, and I gave the communion to thirty-nine communicants. There is a hopeful prospect « of the increase and flourishing state of religion among that scattered poor people, and no endeavours of mine are wanting to serve them in their best interest. I preached to them about two weeks before upon a special fast, appointed in that Province, to implore the smiles and blessing of Divine Providence to attend his Majesty's arms the ensuing campaign ; upon which occasion, also, that people gave a religious and decent attendance.