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numbers. In 1848 the rector reported 17 communicants; in 1849, 20; in 1850, 17; in 1851, 18; and in 1852, 17. Prominent among these were Edward Garrigues who was active as Senior Warden, and Benjamin Caulk who was to serve as Senior Warden for thirty years. In this period too, the Curtis family began its long and devoted service in the Parish. In 1849 George B. Curtis was elected to the vestry, and in the next two years S. Minot Curtis and Frederick A. Curtis were chosen vestrymen. Frederick Curtis was the father of the present Senior Warden, Alfred A. Curtis, who has been a member of the Vestry since 1874 and Senior warden since 1904.

The progress made during these years was both material and spiritual. William S. Wilson in a long and interesting letter written from Paris in 1847 touches upon these aspects of parish life.

“Mrs. Blandy says the Gallery has not been seated except with rough boards. I wish you would have it pewed in a handsome, substantial manner with kneeling boards, etc. I am very glad to hear you have appropriated the Gallery to the Coloured People, and hope every encouragement will be given them to attend. I think it would be well to appropriate a certain part of the Graveyard for their use….I consider it very desirable that every facility and encouragement should be given to the Poor to attend the Church, and that they should ‘have the Gospel preached to them.’”

In 1850 a parish library was established and was to be open for half an hour before morning and evening services. The librarian reported 11 subscrib-

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