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Isaiah Loomis settled on the lot next north of the Ezra Loomis lot; Solomon Aldrich, a native of Rhode Island on a wild lot a little north of the Williams and Loomis neighborhood; and Stephen Sears near the latter. Mr. Sears was a deacon of the Congregational Church, a quiet, peaceable neighbor and cleared up his farm by industry and hard labor. He died March 14, 1847, aged 84, and "Sary," his wife, May 7, 1838, aged 72. A Mr. Crosby settled near Mr. Sears and married one of his daughters. This wedding was one of the first in the town.
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The First Congregational Church of Columbus.
On the 12th of June, 1806, Jared Clark and Lucy, his wife, Stephen Sears and Sarah, his wife, Gideon Peck and Sarah, his wife, Seth Stowel and Mary, his wife, Clarissa Williams and Wealthy Bardwell produced letters certifying to their good standing in other churches, and after due examination and listening to a sermon by Rev. Mr. Knapp, were constituted a church. David Dickey was chosen clerk; and at a meeting held in his house in Burlington, Dec. 5, 1806, Jared Clark and Stephen Sears were chosen deacons.