1 October 1724 A.D. Richard Mansfield Born—Colonial Anglican & Royalist in Connecticut; he opted out of CT Congregationalism for the Church of England while studying at Yale
1 October 1724 A.D. Richard Mansfield Born—Colonial Anglican & Royalist in Connecticut; he opted out of CT Congregationalism for the Church of England while studying at Yale No author. “Rev. Richard Mansfield.” Derby History Quiz. N.d. http://www.electronicvalley.org/derby/quiz/Pages/mansfield,richard.htm . Accessed 26 May 2014. Rev. Richard Mansfield Reverend Richard Mansfield, the first resident Church of England clergyman in Derby, lived from 1724 to 1820 and served for 72 years, a period marking the longest rectorship recorded in the United States. He was born in New Haven and his father was a deacon in the Congregational Church. However, while studying at Yale he became interested in the Episcopal faith. In 1748, he sailed to England, was admitted to Holy Orders by the Archbishop of Canterbury and swore an allegiance to the king that would later cause him some difficulties at home. Upon his return to America, he was assigned to De...