Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 February 1893 — Puritan Collections. [ARTICLE]

Puritan Collections.

In the records of one of the churches of New Haven we read that in 1650 the “deacons informed the court that the wampum which is put into the church treasury is generally so had that the elders to whom they pay it cannot pay it away. ” Money of all kinds was scarce among the New Haven colonists, and the Indian money, wampum, which then circulated as currency, was easily disfigured and broken, being mide of a frail sea-shell.

The colonists, some of them, at least, had a good deal of human nature, and managed to dispose of their worthless currency and at the same time gain a reputation for generosity. In modern days their descendants of the baser sort drop clipped and punched coins into the “pls/te.” The court to whom the New Haven deacons complained, ordered that “no money save silver or bills” should be accepted. Then the deacons found it difficult to get any contributions. The colonists wished to keep their good wampum for trading, as the storekeepers would receive no other. When they found that they must deposit “wampum without break or deforming spots,” or “silver or bills” in tht contribution box, they refused to give anything. But a hundred years later there came a wave of public enthusiasm—the War of the Revolution. Then the people gave of their best, with a willing mind. Contributions were taken in the meeting-houses, after divine service, for the Continental army. Money, finger-rings, earrings, watches, stockings, hats, coats, breeches, shoes, produce and groceries were brought to the meetinghouse to give to the patriotic soldiers.

“Even the leaden weights were taken out of the window-frames, made into bullets, and brought to meeting,” writes the author of “The Sabbath in Puritan New England.” On one occasion a collection was being made for the army in the Lebanon, Conn., meeting-house. Madam Faith Trumbull was present, and had on a magnificent scarlet cloak, which had been presented her by Count Rocliambeau, the Commander-in-chief of our French allies. She walked from her pew to the deacon’s seat, and taking off her cloak gave it as her offering to the army. It was cut in narrow strips and used as red trimmings for the uniforms of the soldiers. Her example so roused the congregation that an enormous collection of goods and provisions was sent to the suffering men who were fighting the British Almost one hundred years later the descendants of these Puritans were doing similar collecting and packing for the Union soldiers.