The following is the beginning of the transcription of three journals kept by J. H. BETTS, an Episcopalian priest, in the mid 1800's. He was the brother of Abel Benedict BETTS, my gr-gr-grandfather. The original journals were donated to the Library of Congress for safekeeping and to ensure their availability to all.
J. H. Betts
New Hartford, Conn.
Admitted to the Orders of Deacons by Bishop Brownell in St. John's Church, Stamford, CT, October 21st, A.D. 1846.
Admitted to the Orders of Priest by Bishop Brownell in St. Peter's Church, Monroe, CT, September 15th, A.D., 1847.
Ira Betts and Hannah Betts, parents of J. H. Betts
Married to Hannah Benedict. Ira Betts born June 1, 1779.
Hannah Benedict born August 31st, 1779.
Children of Ira and Hannah Betts:
Ira Betts, my father died February 19, 1864, at 10:00 p.m., 85
Hannah Betts, my mother, died March 21st, 1867, aged 88.
John Herbert Betts confirmed by Bishop Brownell, September 1840, in St. Stephens Church, Ridgefield. Entered Smith (?) College, September 1840, and graduated August, 1844. Received hypothetic baptism from the hands of Rev. A. C. Cove (?), in St. John's Church, Hartford, CT, St. Thomas' Day, 1843.
Entered the Gen Theo Seminary A.B. (?) October 1844.
Ordained Deacon by Bishop Brownell in St. John's, Stamford, CT, October 21st, 1846.
Assisted the Rector of St. Paul's Church, Norwalk, from November 1846 until Easter 1847.
Took charge of St. Peter's, Monroe, April 11, 1847.
Ordained Priest by Bishop Brownell in St. Peter's Church, Monroe, CT, September 15th, 1847.
Resigned St. Peter's, November 25, 1849
Began services in the Hall in Pine Meadows, June 9th, 1850.
Resigned St. John's, New Hartford, July 26, 1857.
Assumed the Rectorship of Calvary Church, Burnt Hills, and St. Paul's, Charlton A.B., August 2nd, 1857.
Easter _____ March 28th, 1869, resigned Calvary Burnt Hills, and St. Paul's Charlton.
April 11th, 1869. Resumed the Rectorship of St. John's, New Hartford.
Wednesday, October 26, 1846. J. H. Betts and J. P. Taylor were admitted to Deacon's Orders in St. John's Church, Hamford, CT.
Morning prayer was said by the Rev. John Dowdney of N.B. The Ante Communion by Dr. Mead, Mr. Taylor reading the Gospel.
The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Todd.
J. H. Betts was presented by Yarrington of Greenwich and J. P. Taylor by the Rev. Dr. Todd.
The Eucharist was administered by the Bishop assisted by Dr. Mead who gave the cup.
Present the Rev. Dr. Coit, the Rev. Messrs. Ashley, Brouson, Chauncey, Everett, Guion, Ohnsted, Payne, Purves, and Short.
September 15th, 1847. Ordained Priest by Bishop Brownell in St. Peter's Monroe. Present of the Clergy Dr. Mead who preached the sermon. Taylor read the lessons, and the Rev. Charles Todd read Morning Prayer. Bronson, F. M. (?) Guron (?), Purves Tomlinson, Stocking, Lanford were also present.
A.D. 1846
Oct. 25th
20th Sunday after Trinity
Assisted the Rev. Dr. Mead in the service both in the Morning and Afternoon. And preached in the Morning. The Rev. Dr. Sherwood a former Rector preached in the Afternoon.
Nov. 1st
21st Sun after Trinity
Officiated at Greenwich Conn assisted the Rev. Mr. Yarrington in the service and preached for him both in the Morning and Afternoon, No's 5 and 10
Nov. 8th
22nd Sunday
Assisted the Rev. Dr. Mead of Norwalk in the service both in the Morning and Afternoon.
Nov. 15th
23rd Sunday
Dr. Mead being absent performed the whole service and preached two sermons No's 4 and 10.
Nov. 22nd
24th Sunday
Assisted the Rev. Dr. Mead in the service. Dr. M preached.
Nov. 26th
Thanksgiving
Assisted the Rev. Dr. M in the service, and preached
Nov. 29th
1st Sunday in Advent
Assisted Dr. M in the Service and preached in the Morning, No. 12.
Nov. 30th
Buried Mrs. Murray and preached extempore the above person was the first whom I buried.
December 6th
2nd Sunday in Advent
Assisted in the Service. Dr. Mead preached.
Dec. 13
3rd Sunday
Dr. Mead being absent performed the service and preached No's 14 and 15
December 14
Attended the funeral of Mr. Chas. Ginney and preached extempore.
Dec. 20th
4th Sunday
Assisted in the Service, Dr. Mead preached.
Dec. 24th
Assisted in the Service, Dr. M. preached
Dec. 25th
Assisted in the Service and preached No. 18.
Dec. 27
Assisted in the Service and preached in the Morning. No. 13.
Catechised the children.
A.D. 1847
Jan. 3rd
Assisted Dr. Mead in the Service. Dr. M preached
Jan 10th
Assisted Dr. Mead in the Service and preached twice, No's 19 and 20
Jan 17th
Assisted Dr. Mead in the Service. Dr. M preached
Jan 24th
Assisted in the Service and preached in the Morning, No. 21
Jan 31
Assisted in the Service and preached in the Morning No. 24
Sun. Feb 7
Assisted the Rev. Dr. Mead in the Service and in the Commission and at a funeral. Dr. M preached
Sun. Feb 14
Assisted in the Service by the Rev. Mr. Taylor. Preached in the Morning No. 25. Mr. Taylor preached in the Afternoon.
Ash Wednesday
Feb. 17
Assisted in the service and preached No. 3
Feb. 19th
Assisted in the Service
1st Sunday in Lent
Feb 21st
Assisted the Rev. Mr. Bronson in the Service in Christ Church Trumbull and preached Nos. 20, 24
2nd Sunday
Feb. 28th
Assisted the Rev. Dr. Mead in the service
March 3
Preached in St. John's Lecture Room, Bridgeport
March 5th
Assisted the Rev. Mr. Bronson in the Funeral services in Grace Church, Tashua, CT
3rd Sun in Lent
March 7th
Officiated in St. Peter's Church, Monroe, CT. Preached No's 10 and 19
March 10th
Assisted the Rev. Dr. M in the Morning Service and read a Lecture
March 12th
Assisted the Rev. Dr. M in the Morning Service
4th Sun
March 14th
Assisted the Rev. Dr. M in the Service and preached in the Morning No. 27.
March 17th
Assisted the Rev. Dr. M in the Morning Service
March 19th
Dr. Mead being absent read the service and preached No. 11
5th Sun
March 21st
Assisted Dr. M in the Service and preached in the Morning, No. 28
March 24
Assisted Dr. M in the Morning Service
March 26
Dr. M being sick read the service and preached No. 1
March 27
Attended the Funeral of Mrs. Lane and preached No. 22
Sunday, March 28
Assisted in the Service by the Rev. Mr. Taylor and preached No. 23
Between the Services, attended the Funeral of Mr. Wm. Jarvis (?) at his father's house in Redding Lane.
In the Afternoon, Mr. Taylor preached and assisted in the Service
After the Evening Service attended the funeral of Mr. Sam'l Street at his house and preached No. 22
April 4th
Easter Day
Assisted Dr. M in the Service and Communion and preached in the Morning No. 31.
1st Sun of Easter
April 11
Took charge of St. Peter's Monroe, CT, officiated and preached No's. 25 and 27
April 18th
2nd Sun
Preached in the Morning, the Rev. Mr. Ogden reading the service.
Read service in the Afternoon Mr. Ogden preached.
April 24th
Attended the funeral of Mr. David Booth
April 25th
Officiated in St. Peter's Monroe preached No's 28, 33
May 2nd
4th Sun
Assisted in the Service by the Rev. Mr. Taylor of Reading who preached both in the AM and PM
May 9
Ascension Day
Officiated in St. Peter's. Preached No's 14, 25.
Preached in Christ Church Trumbull, CT
May 16th
Officiated in St. Peter's Church Oxford. Preached No's. 12, 25
May 23rd
Officiated in St. Peter's Monroe. Preached No. 5 and 38
May 30th
Officiated in St. Peter's Monroe
June 6th
Officiated in St. Peter's Monroe
June 13th
Officiated in St. Stephen's Ridgefield. The Rev. Mr. Ohmsted reading the service in the Afternoon. Preached No's. 12 and 28
June 20th
Officiated in St. Peter's Church, Monroe, CT
June 27
Officiated in St. Peter's Church, Monroe
July 1st
Celebrated the Service at the house of Mr. Geo. Curtis and preached No. 11
Sun., July 4th
Officiated in St. Peter's Monroe preached No's. 1 and 44.
After Evening Service went to Reading and preached for Mr. Taylor, No. 12.
July 8th
Attended the funeral of Mrs. Sears wife of Lyman Sears and preached No. 22
Sun. July 11th
Exchanged with the Rev. Mr. Ashley of Birmingham, CT preached No's 16, 41, 44
Sun, July 18th
Officiated in St. Peter's Monroe preached No's 23 and 48. Held a third Service in St. Paul's Huntington preached No. 44
Sun, July 25th
Exchanged with the Rev. Mr. Nichols of Humphreysville preached No's 41, 44
A.D. 1847
Aug 1st
Officiated in St. Peter's Monroe preached No's 8 and 50
Aug 8th
Officiated in St. Peter's Monroe preached No's 35 and 47
Celebrated Service at the house of Mr. Luserne (?) Nichols preached No. 51
Aug 15th
Officiated in St. Peter's Monroe preached No's 29 and 34
Aug 22nd
Officiated in St. Peter's Monroe preached No's 53 and 54
Preached at the School House in Pepper St.
Aug 29th
Officiated in St. Peter's Monroe preached No's. 41, 24
Sept 4th
Buried an infant child of Chas. V. Hessa (?) Hawley
Sept 5th
Officiated in St. Peter's Monroe preached No's. 52, 55
Performed the Service and preached in the Evening at the School House in Walker's Farms
Sept. 12th
Officiated in St. Peter's Monroe extemporised and preached No. 46.
On the Evening of the same day married John Blackman Nichols to Harriet Catherine Daughter of Mr. Fairchild
Sept. 19th
Exchanged with the Rev. M. Bronson. Officiated at Long Hill and preached twice
Sept. 26th
Officiated in St. Peter's Monroe preached No's 2 and 57.
Officiated in the Evening at the school house in East Village preached No. 10
Oct 2
Baptised at the house of Nathan Curtiss Cussiah his Daughter
Oct 3rd
Officiated in St. Peter's Monroe Celebrated the Communion and preached No's 45, 56. On the same day administered it to a sick person Mrs. Rossitor.
Oct. 10th
Officiated in St. Peter's Monroe preached No's. 43, 22
Oct. 17th
Exchanged with the Rev. Mr. Taylor of Redding preached No's 37, 44
Oct. 24th
Exchanged with the Rev. Mr. Sandford of Oxford preached at Christ Church Quaqer's Farms No's 59, 23.
October 31st
Officiated in St. Peter's Monroe preached No's. 40 and 58
On the same day joined together in Holy Matrimony John Holbrook Cheatfield and Sarah Grace Baldwin both of Oxford, CT.
AD 1847
Sunday, November 7
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe administered the Communion and preached No’s. 31, 59
After the Second Lesson of the Evening Service, Baptised Sarah Maria, daughter of Agur Lewis Esq.
Nov. 14
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe read the Pastoral Letter and preached No. 39.
Nov. 16
Joined together in Holy Matrimony John CURTIS of Monroe and Mary A. BOTSFORD of Newtown
Nov. 21
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe preached No’s. 49 and 62
Nov. 25
Thanksgiving Day Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe preached No. 13
Nov. 28
Officiated in St. Peters Monroe preached No’s. 63 and 31
AD 1847
Dec. 5
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe preached No. 46, 64
Dec. 9
Officiated in the Evening at the School House in Cutler’s Farms. Preached No. 34
Dec. 10
Attended the Funeral of Mrs. JENNINGS, wife of Jesse JENNINGS preached no 22
Dec. 12
Officiated in St. Stephen’s Church Ridgefield preached No’s 24 and 63
Dec. 19
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe preached No’s 26 and 65
Dec. 24
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe preached No. 66
Christmas Day
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe preached No. 18 and administered the Communion
Dec. 26
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe preached No. 17 and extemporized in the Morning
Innocents Day
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe preached extempore to the children 40 of whom were present
AD 1848
Circumcision Day
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe extemporised
Sun., Jan. 2
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe emtemporised in the Morning and in the P.M. preached No. 68. After church administered the Communion to Mrs. ROFSITER
Epiph, Jan. 6
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe extemporised
Sun., Jan 9
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe preached No. 67, 19
Sun., Jan 16
Exchanged with the Rev. Mr. TAYLOR of Reading. Preached No’s. 67 and 21
Jan. 21
Officiated in the School House at Walker’s Farms
Sun., Jan. 23
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe preached No. 57 and 70
Jan 25
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe assisted in the prayers by the Rev. Mr. OGDEN who delivered an extempore Address
Sun. Jan 30
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe preached No. 69 and 71
AD 1848
Sun, Feb. 6
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe preached and administered the Communion. Preached extempore and No. 73
Sun. Feb. 13
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe preached No. 10 and 75
Sun., Feb. 20
Officiated in St. Peter’s Oxford preached No. 57 and 67
Feb. 24
St. Matthia’s Day
Said prayers in St. Peter’s Monroe. On the same day, Baptised Cyrus HALL, son of Sydney BEARDSLY
Feb. 27
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe preached No. 76, 77
On the Evening of the same day officiated in the School House in Nichols Farms preached No. 67
AD 1848
March 5
Officiated in St. Paul’s Church Norwalk
Preached No’s. 70 and 73
March 8
Being Ash Wednesday, officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe
March 12
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe preached No. 3 and 78
March 15
Said Prayers in St. Peter’s Monroe
March 17
Said Prayers in St. Peter’s Monroe
March 19
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe preached No. 35 and 80
March 22
Said Morning Prayers in St. Peter’s Monroe
March 24
Said Morning Prayers in St. Peter’s Monroe
March 25
Officiated in Christ Church Quakers Farms. By way of an Exchange with the Rev. Mr. SANDFORD preached No’s. 35, 80
AD 1848
April 2
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe preached and administered the Communion
April 7
Attended the Funeral of Mr. Joseph SHERMAN and preached No. 14
April 9
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe preached No. 82 and 5
April 12
Said Prayers in St. Peter’s Monroe
April 14
Said Prayers in St. Peter’s Monroe
April 16
Officiated in St. Peter’s Monroe preached No. 72, 83
April 19
Said Prayers in St. Peter’s Monroe
April 21
Being Good Friday preached in St. Peter’s and in the Afternoon said prayers
April 23
Easter Day Officiated in St. Peter’s preached No’s. 84 and 85. Administered the Communion
After Services administered the Communion to Mrs. Rofsiter
April 30
Officiated in St. Peter’s preached No’s. 8 and 25
AD 1848
May 7
To be continued...