Note 168 — Chapter XII · THE GRAND COUNTERMOVE (1764-1766).

Mr. Byles, having precipitately left New London and the country to receive Episcopal orders in England, his “forsaken congregation” (Caulkins) criticised and ridiculed him mercilessly, even to lampoons (see “History of New London”), among which was one called “The Proselyte,” which was sung to the tune of “The Thief and the Cordelier.” He afterwards became an Episcopal minister in Boston, but in the time of the Revolution was a royalist and a refugee, among those prohibited from returning to Massachusetts. He was succeeded in the Congregational church at New London by Rev. Ephraim Woodbridge, grandson of the first Congregational minister of Groton, of the same name. Mr. Woodbridge was a most estimable man. He allowed of no admission to church membership without evidence of conversion, contrary to the practice so long in vogue in New London previous to his ministry. It is a notable fact that certain families belonging to the Congregational church before this season of persecution, are afterwards found members of another denomination. It is unlikely that the popularity of this church was other than injured by the fame of this exploit, the effect of which, as well as the new rule for admission, may help to account for the fact that by 1776 there were but five men on its roll of membership. It will be remembered that some members of this church were allied to the Rogerenes, while others were evidently liberal and friendly.