b This gentleman also gave three quarters of an acre of land bordering the Somers town road for the same purpose, and by his last will bequeathed the church a b^ll.

480 HISTORY OF THE

first organized by our ancestors, previous to the revolutionary ^var; and, the Rev. Epenetus Townsend, the missionary (a candidate for holy orders) went to England with the necessary credentials, about the year 1767, where he was ordained as a missionary : the parsonage being purchased before he went. He also officiated at Ridgefield and Ridgebury a part of the time, (fee. The mission was furnished by the Propagation Society, with a library and an annual salary. Susan de Lancey, daughter of Lieut. Gov. James de Laricey, presented a silver chalice.''^ September 29th, 1768, the Rev. Epenetus Townsend informs the society, " that he arrived at his mission, on the 26th of May, 1768, and was kindly received. The church wardens also, of Salem, in the name of the people belonging to the mission, have returned thanks to the society for Mr. Townsend's appointment." " At Salem and Ridgefield, there are one hundred and fifty church people, at Ridgefield, eighty. The people, he continues, are zealous and constant at public worship. He has baptized within the year, two adults and thirty infants, and admitted four to the communion. In 1772, his congregation are increasing, had baptized sixty-two infants and two adults.^

In the year 1774, the Rev. Epenetus Townsend again informs tlie society, " that he preaches in parts adjacent, and from Lady day to Michaelmas, had baptized twenty-one infants and one adult, beside admitting two communicants. During the year 1776, he had baptized thirty infants, buried seven, and married three."