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On October 10, 1808 a council was called, composed of Elders Peter ROOT,
Joel BUTLER,  Hezekiah EASTMAN, and Joel HANDY.  The meeting was held in the home of
 John PUTNAM.  The purpose of the meeting was the formation of a church. They received the following in
fellowship as a church:

David ATKINS
Edmund JONES
John PARK
HANNAH PARK
John PUTNAM
 Sabra PUTNAM
Miles SCOFIELD
Abigail SCOFIELD
Sally SCOFIELD

The council ordained Edmund JONES to the gospel ministry and appointed John PUTNAM  as Deacon.
This was the first Baptist Church formed in the Town of Chautauqua near Chautauqua Lake 2 1/2 miles
south of Dewittville in what now is West Ellery.  In 1817, this Church was geographically dIvided by a line
running due east from Chautauqua Lake,  leaving John Putnam in the First Church of the Town of
Chautauqua.  The others were now residing in Stockton,  and became known as the First Baptist Church of
Stockton.   Rev. Asa TURNER, a Revolutionary War soldier, was the first minister.
 Other early members were:

Shadrack SCOFIELD
Elisha TOWER
Henry WALKER
David WATERBURY

For more information on the formation and history of this church - see page 49 of  "Stockton Seen Through
The Rear View Mirror" by Catherine BERNDT Town of Stockton Historian Stockton, NY, 1987.

SOURCE - Provided by Donna Mills, 2000.