The earliest Episcopal church building in Westbury (now Watertown) was built in 1765. Called Christ Church, it was replaced by a new church in 1794 and then by a third building, located on the street called The Green, built in 1854-1855. That church was replaced on the same site by a new edifice, which still stands today, built in 1924 and designed by Allen & Collens to resemble an English parish church. The church was expanded in 1960 with the addition of a wing for a parish hall. In 2003, Christ Church became one of the “Connecticut Six,” parishes that clashed with Connecticut Bishop Andrew D. Smith over support for the naming of V. Gene Robinson, an openly gay Episcopal priest, as New Hampshire’s bishop. In 2007, the entire congregation severed its ties with the national Episcopal Church and left its church on The Green to become New Hope Anglican Church. In 2010 the former Christ Church was purchased by the nearby Taft School and was renamed Woodward Chapel.
The Charles Merriman House, located at 75 Woodbury Road in Watertown, across from the Taft School, was built in the eighteenth century and been much altered and enlarged over the years. The oldest part of the house dates to 1750. In 1812, Charles Merriam added the large Federal-style front section. Merriam, a veteran of the Revolutionary War, was a tailor (and later merchant) whose shop and store was located just up the street, on what is now Hamilton Avenue. According toNew England Families, Genealogical and Memorial, Volume IV (1914):
Charles, son of Amasa Merriman, was born at Wallingford, Connecticut, August 20, 1762. He served in the revolution, enlisting as a drummer in 1775, when he was thirteen years of age. He was present at the battle of Bunker Hill, and was at Yorktown when Cornwallis surrendered. He finally became drum major and served throughout the entire war. While he was in the army he also made clothes for the men, and it is said that when he married, his only worldly possession was a tailor’s goose. When the war was ended, he and his boy chum, a lad named Punderson, walked to the latter’s home in Connecticut, and there Merriman met his future wife, Anna Punderson, a sister of his army chum. He settled at Watertown, Connecticut, where he commenced business as a tailor. He was, however, compelled to give up this trade on account of ill health, and he then “rode post” from New Haven to Suffield for four years, after which he made a voyage to the West Indies. He then became engaged in business as a merchant in Watertown, where he continued until his death, which occurred August 26, 1829. He was of a genial nature, and was distinguished for decision of character and stern integrity.
Merriam was also a Mason. As related in the History of Ancient Westbury and Present Watertown from its Settlement to 1907 (1907):
The first Masonic Lodge was held December 22, 1790. […] This meeting was held at Landlord (David) Turner’s, where they continued to meet until March 11, 1793, when they removed to the Charles Merriman house (opposite Taft’s School), now occupied by Miss Mary Merriman. Brother Merriman was “to find the Lodge with house room, wood, candles, etc. for the term of one year, and to have for his reward twelve dollars and find the Lodge with Liquor at Prime cost in New York, allowing freight and transportation.”
A rear addition to the house was built circa 1890-1910. The house was altered in the Colonial Revival style in 1912, when the columned south portico was added.
