Qass. Book COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT THE HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT FROM THE SETTLEMENT OF THE TOIVN IN 1639 TO 1818 BY Mrs. ELIZABETH HUBBELL SCHENCK VOL tl s PUBLISHED P!Y THE AUTHOR NEW YORK 1889 Copyrighted, 1889, by ELIZABETH H. SCHENCK. Press of J. J. Little & Co., Astor Place, New York. f- PREFACE The Centennial commemoration of the burning of the town of Fairfield on the 8th of July, 1879, revived many recollections of interest in the minds of the oldest inhabitants of the town, and awakened a desire among the younger descendants of our colonial forefathers to learn more of its early history. It was for this reason that the author ventured to offer her Centennial Reminiscences of Fairfield to the public. These reminiscences had been published in the Republican Standard, of Bridgeport, Connecti- cut, about three months, when, at the annual gathering of "The Library Association of Fairfield," in January, 1880, the author was invited to con- tinue and write the history of the town. About six weeks afterwards she received the following letter : Fairfield, February \6/h, 1880. Mrs. E. H. Schenck, Southport, Conii. : Dear Madam : — The undersigned, having read with interest your articles in the Bridgeport Standard, entitled "Centennial Reminiscences of Fairfield," and regarding them as a valuable contribution to our local history, respectfully tender to you this expres- sion of their desire that you will continue the labor in which you are engaged, and when completed, that you will place its results in permanent and accessible form. Jas. K. Lombard, Dwight Morris, Samuel Osgood, N. S. Richardson, Morris W. Lyon, Eaton W. Maxcv, Samuel Morehouse, A. N. Lewis, Isaac Jennings, John Williams, O.B.Jennings, Joseph Sheffield, John H. Glover, John D. Candee. Samuel Glover, A. B. Hull. To this letter the following reply was made : SoUTHi'ORT, Conn., February 17, 1880. To Messrs. J . K. Lombard, Dwight Morris and others : •Gentlemen ; — Your complimentary letter of the i6th, inviting me to continue the labor in which I have been engaged, and when completed to place its results in perma- nent and accessible form, has been duly received. The reception of so gratifying a tes- timonial from such a source is most encouraging, ant! I beg you, one and all, to accept my grateful acknowledgment of this kindness. I accept your invitation with pleasure, and if I do not accomplish all that maybe expected of the historian of one of the most interesting towns in Connecticut, rest assured it will not be from any lack of diligence or research on my part. Again thanking you all for your encouragement and good will, belfeve me, Very respectfully yours, E. H. Schenck. 7 IV PREFACE In accepting the task of compiling the history of a town, rich with historic lore, the author was fully sensible of the labor connected with it ; but she resolved to go bravely on and accomplish all that health, persever- ance, research and industry, would eventually achieve. Fairfield is her native town, and in Southport, which is a part of it, she was born. For over two hundred years her ancestors have lived and died within the limits of the township. On the hill which summoned the inhabitants of Green's Farms, by the beating of a drum, to the meeting-house on the Lord's day, her honored father, the late Jonathan Godfrey, was born. Her great grand- father, Lieutenant Nathan Godfrey, of Colonel Whiting's company, fought the battles of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. On her mother's side, she is a direct descendant of Richard Hubbell and of Joshua Jennings, and on both sides of the house of the Couch family. The blood which nerved some of the bravest men and women of Fairfield to deeds of courage, endurance, and military and political achievements, runs in her veins. It therefore, has proved no reluctant task for her to write the history of the men and women who took part in the settlement of New England, and more particularly of Fairfield. It is at all times interesting to study the history of our New England ancestry, which, like the seed of Abraham, has become throughout the vast domain of the United States, in numbers like unto the sands upon the sea-shore : and for their intelligence, sound religious principles, thrift, ingenuity, indomitable perseverance and industry, they are honored by all the nations of the earth. Therefore, to write of their political and military prowess, their religious views, their manners and customs, will prove inter- esting to all who love old Fairfield. The opinion which many have entertained that the colonists of Con- necticut were of an inferior stock. Judge Hollister, our late lamented Connecticut historian, most happily dispels. He says of them : "The early planters of Connecticut were neither serfs nor the sons of serfs. So far from this were many of them, that they could trace their descent back through the line of knights and gentlemen of England by means of heralds' visitations, parish records, and county genealogies, to say nothing of those family pedigrees that were often trans- mitted, as heirlooms, from generation to generation, particularly in the line of the oldest son, to a remote day, and some of them to that wavering horizon where history loses itself in fable." Fleeing, as our forefathers fled, from the religious intolerance of the mother country, they found but little time to think of the heraldic devices of their sires. Labor, and the honor of labor, with the freedom of wor- shiping the Great Jehovah according to their peculiar views, were the PREFACE V thoughts uppermost in their minds. Idleness alone was disgrace. Antici- pating the hardships to be encountered in their venture to a new country, many of them, before they left England and Holland, made themselves familiar with the useful occupations of life. The plow, the anvil, the harrow, and the spinning wheel were to be found in almost every home of the New England planters ; and every father made it a matter of con- science to teach his sons some one of the useful trades, which were indis- pensable to the founders of a colonial settlement. Many of the colonists brought servants and slaves with them, yet such was the scarcity of laborers that, " with the exception of the clergy, nearly all the original proprietors toiled earnestly upon their plantations, and frequently in the same field with their servants." Even the pastor some- times, when the harvest was plentiful and the laborers few, did not think it beneath his dignity to work in his own fields, and to lend a helping hand to his neighbors. Brave women, many of whom were of gentle blood, who had known nothing of the hardships of life before leaving England, sang sweet songs to the low music of the spinning-wheel. " To labor," with them, " was to pray." And while the men worked in the field, and the women marked the moments of time as they passed by each turn of the spinning wheel, we can in imagination picture the pleasure with which they labored in the following beautiful lines : " Labor is health ! Lo, the husbandman reaping, How through his veins goes the Hfe current leaping ! How his strong arm in its stalwart pride sweeping, True as a sunbeam the swift sickle guides. Labor is wealth — in the sea the pearl groweth ; Rich the queen's robe from the cocoon floweth ; From the acorn the oak of the strong forest bloweth ; Temple and statue the marble block hides. Labor ! all labor is noble and holy ; Let thy great deed be thy prayer to thy God." And the one great prayer of our Puritan forefathers, for which they cheerfully endured the severance of home-ties, the perils of the great ocean, and the still greater perils of a new and unsettled country, where the subtle Indian, and the wild beasts of the forest were ever on the alert for a new prey, was independence of political and religious thought — the struggle for which commenced in England in the days of Wickliff, and VI PREFACE ended only when the Declaration of the Independence of the United States secured to all men the rights of " life, liberty and happiness." It was no wonder therefore that " all labor," with them, " was noble and holy." In the grand forests, the fine meadow-lands, the granite quarries, and the clear blue rivers of New England, they foresaw fortunes which labor could not fail, in the passage of time, to give into their posses- sion. And if for the moment they laid aside their titles, and, in a measure all social distinction, they, nevertheless, in many instances were careful to preserve their family genealogy and coat of arms. In the published genealogical works of Hinman, Savage, and other writers of New England, are to be seen the names and birth-places of some of the first planters of Fairfield, many of them accompanied with descriptions of their family coat of arms. Hanging upon the walls of some of the inhabitants of the town, care- fully preserved, are family heraldic devices, showing the titled ancestry of several of the early settlers of Fairfield. Family seals have been preserved in the Probate Ofifice, some of which are very curious. But the pioneers of Connecticut were among the bravest of men and women, of whom we, who bear their names, have cause to be proud, with- out even a trace of aught else to excite that natural family pride, which is inborn in every loyal heart, for while our forefathers labored with cheerful hearts, each man's rifle was by his side, the jealous eye of the red man of the forest being ever upon them, eager for plunder and murder. It has been estimated that when the first settlements were formed upon the banks of the Connecticut river, there were from twelve to fifteen thousand Indians within the present limits of our state. There were certainly many hundreds within the bounds of Fairfield. The dense forests gave a shelter and a hiding place to the bear, the weasel and the wildcat. Wolves and foxes in thousands glared from the thickets, and upon every favorable opportunity sallied forth to prey upon the cattle and sheep. But fear seems to have been unknown to those brave men. The pro- tecting love of God, to whom they alone looked for guidance, shielded them in a most extraordinary manner from the Indians, as well as from the wild beasts of the forest. Where the hand of the Great Jehovah guides He giveth courage for the undertaking. The founders of New England were Englishmen. As a people they have remained remarkably pure in those physical and mental characteristics which mark them the world over, as a branch of the Anglo-Saxon race. It is a happy fact that in England to-day, an educated New Englander is received with the respect and heartfelt welcome which acknowledges him PREFACE vii as a brother. Particularly has this been the case since the Southern rebel- lion, when New England proved to the world, as she did in the days of the Revolution, that she possessed not only a race of men of superior physical endurance and military capability to send into the field, but men of intellectual cultivation and mental vigor to carry out the aim of our Puritan forefathers, to establish a government which should give the privi- leges of a freeman even to the humblest sons of Africa. Another fact which distinguishes the educated New Englanders of to-day in England, is the pure manner among the refined classes of speaking the English lan- guage, which it is acknowledged they speak more clearly and correctly than the representatives of any other part of the United States. Their firm religious character, as representative of Puritan principles and educa- tion, gives them a distinct individuality not only in England, but through- out all Europe. The first settlers of Fairfield were of English birth. In the colonial and town records they are called " Englishmen." In the Indian deeds, the Indian lands, and the Inglish or English lands are mentioned. As time passed they were joined by representatives of other nations; in fact, individuals of almost every nationality found their way to the fair fields of Uncaway. For many years, however, the planters of Fairfield, as well as those throughout New England, remained a remarkably pure and unmixed race. After the Battle of Dunbar and Worcester, Cromwell sent four or five hundred Scotch prisoners to Boston, some of whom remained in America, while others in time returned to their native country. The Scotch name of Dougal or Douglas Mac Kensey for whom Kensey's Point was named, was for many years a representative of a well known name of that nation in Fairfield. In 1685, at which time the revocation of the Edict of Nantes was declared, about one hundred and fifty families of French Huguenots settled in Massachusetts, and scattered throughout the various settlements of New England. Again in 1719 one hundred and twenty Scotch-Irish fami- lies came over and settled in New Hampshire and elsewhere. The barren soil of Massachusetts led many of her planters to settle in the river towns on the Connecticut, and at Fairfield, Stratford, and New Haven. In Connecticut they found all that their fondest anticipations had pictured. But the place of all other places to form a settlement, in the eyes of our forefathers, was at Uncaway and Pequonnock, the dis- covery and settlement of which, and the history of the men and women who took an active part in the colonial history of one of the oldest towns in the state, will always be dear to every Fairfielder. viii PREFACE The author has endeavored to give an accurate account of the histori- cal events which for many years made Fairfield the shire-town of the county, and one of the prominent settlements of New England. To state facts, not individual opinions, has been her aim. If she has in any way failed in carrying out this idea, she will at least have the con- sciousness of having made an honest effort in that direction, and fulfilled the promise to those who intrusted her with writing this history. Happily, the author has neither been destitute of encouragement nor of liberal support, in the way of books and papers of value, from many kind friends, among the most helpful of whom have been the honored state librarian of Connecticut, C. C. Hoadley, Brewster Hackley of Black Rock, the late Hon. Joseph Sheffield, of New Haven, the Rev. J. K. Lombard, of Fairfield, and the late lamented Rev. Dr. Samuel Osgood. It has been by special request that the first volume of this work has been offered to the public, that the eyes of those who have nearly reached the age of fourscore years may read of the heroic deeds of their fore- fathers, in their earnest efforts to establish this great republic of the United States upon a basis of firm religious and political freedom. Elizabeth Hubbell Schenck. INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER In the spring of 1636, the General Court of Massachusetts commissioned Roger Ludlow and seven other gentlemen, to govern the colony of Con- necticut " for the space of one year." At the expiration of the year Roger Ludlow, who had acted as governor of the colony, summoned his constituents to attend a General Court at Hartford, to consider the neces- sary steps to be taken for the protection of the infant settlements on the Connecticut. After deliberating upon the barbarities of their chief enemy the Pequots, one of the most powerful Indian tribes in New England* and the dangers thickening around them, a proclamation of war was issued in the following words : " It is ordered that there shall be an offensive war against the Pequots, & that there shall he 90 men levied out of the three Plantations, Hartford, Weathersfield, & Windsor, (viz) out of Hartford 42, Windsor 30, Weathersfield 18 : under the command of Capt. John Mason, & in case of death or sickness, under the command of Robt. Seely Leift.: & the eldest s^geant or military officer surviving, if both these miscarry."* One is filled with astonishment at this declaration of war by a body of men, who, with all the adults able to bear arms in the three river settle- ments did not exceed two hundred and fifty, from which nearly one-third were sent against the Pequots. This small band of Englishmen, with brave hearts prepared themselves to give their very lives for the preserva- tion of their homes, and the life of the New England colonies. Bound in one common tie of brotherhood, the other colonies resolved to assist them in subduing the savage foe. Plymouth agreed to send forty men, and Massachusetts one hundred and sixty, which included a small band already sent out under Captain Underbill to strengthen the fort at Say- brook, Before this number could be prepared for marching, Captain Patrick, of Massachusetts, was sent forward with forty men to capture the families of the Pequots in Block Island, afcer which he was to join Mason's forces. As prompt in action as in their declaration of war, the Connecti- cut soldiers were speedily equipped for the perilous undertaking. On the loth of May, Captain Mason with about ninety Englishmen, and seventy * Col. Rec. of Conn., I., g. Lieutenant Robert Seely afterwards settled at Stratford and was the ancestor of the Seelys of Fairfield county. X HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD Mohegan and river Indians under Uncas, sailed from Hartford in a pink, a pinnace and a shallop, down the river to Saybrook. The Rev. Samuel Stone accompanied the expedition as chaplain. Owing to the shallow water of the Connecticut river at that season, they were five days in reach- ing the fort at its mouth. In the mean time, Uncas and the other Indians became impatient, and begged leave to make their way to Saybrook on foot, which request was granted. Upon Mason's arrival at the fort (Mon- day, May 15) Uncas joined him, and related that while on their way he and his men had already fought one battle, killed seven hostile Indians near the fort, and taken one prisoner.* This prisoner had been a spy employed by Sassacus to watch the fort, and had witnessed all the mur- ders committed upon the garrison near it. Uncas and his men requested that he should be executed according to the Indian custom of killing a spy, which was granted. The unfortunate Indian was tortured to death, while Uncas and his men danced around him with savage delight, until Captain Underhill put an end to his sufferings, by shooting him through the head with a pistol.f Captain Mason had been instructed to make an attack upon the fort at Pequot harbor. The long delay, however, in reaching Saybrook, and adverse winds on the sound, led him to fear that Sassacus would concen- trate his warriors at that point, and thus make his attack unsuccessful. He had been educated in military tactics in England, and conceived the plan of passing by the Pequot harbor, and sailing to the Narragansett country as more judicious. By this course, he not only hoped to capture Sassacus by making an unexpected attack upon his rear, but thought he might fall in with the English troops on their way from Massachusetts. He also deemed it advisable to secure aid from the warriors of Canonicus. * A more pleasing incident than this occurred soon after their arrival at Saybrook. A Dutch vessel which had been sent by Governor Stuyvesant to rescue two young English girls, captured at Weathersfield by the Pequots, cast anchor under the guns of the fort. Upon learning that they were furnished with articles for trading with the Pequots, the garrison ordered them not to leave, lest the metal articles on board might be purchased and manufactured into arrow heads by the savages. After a parley, the captain was allowed to proceed on his mission. Upon entering the Thames, he dispatched a messenger to Sassacus ofTering a ransom for the two young girls, but the haughty chief refused to give them up. The Dutch captain then invited some of the principal Pequots on board his vessel, made them prisoners, and sent a message to Sassacus, that unless he exchanged seven of the prisoners for the two giils, he would throw them all into the sea. Sassacus at first laughed at the threat, but through the influence of the wife of Mononotto was induced to make the exchange, to the great joy of the young girls and their friends. Gardiner says in his history of the Pequot War, that he paid ;if 10 to ransom the two girls. f Gardiner's Hist, of the Pequot War, Mass. Hist. Coll., V., S. 3, 131-163. P. Vincent's Hist. Pequot War, Mass. Hist. Coll., VI., S. 3, 36. INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER xi Many of his men were opposed to this plan. They had already been longer from home than they had anticipated ; and thought the attack, as ordered by the General Court, should be made at all hazards. "But Capt. Mason, apprehending an exceeding great hazard in so doing for the reasons fore mentioned, as also some other whicii I shall forbear to trouble you with, did therefore earnestly desire Mr. Stone that he would commend our condition to the Lord that night, to direct how, and in what manner we should demean ourselves in that Respect : he being our Chaplin and lying aboard our Pink, the Captain on shoar. In the morning very early Mr. Stone came ashoar to the Captain's chamber, and told him he had done as he desired, and was fully satisfied to sail for Narragansett: our council was then called, and the several reasons alledged : in fine we all agreed with one accord to sail for Narragansett, which the next morning, (May 12,) we put in execution. The little army arrived at Narragansett bay on Saturday towards evening, where they kept the Sabbath. On account of the wind they were not able to go on shore till sunset on Tuesday, when Capt. Mason landed and went to the chief sachem's residence, and desired a free passage through his country, which was granted. The next day, Wednesday, they arrived at a place called Nayantic, eighteen or twenty miles distant, where resided another Narragansett sachem, who lived in a fort. As they would not suffer any of the English to go into their fort, Capt. Mason set a guard around it, and would not suffer any of the Indians to go out and give information to the Pequots of their approach. On Thursday, about eight of the clock in the morning, we marched thence towards Pequot, with about five hundred Indians ; but through the heat of the weather and want of provisions, some of our men fainted, and after having marched about twelve miles, we carne to Paiucatuck river, at a Ford where our Indians told us the Pequots did usually fish; there making an Alta, we stayed some small time ; the Narragansett Indians mani- festing great fear, in so much that many of them returned, although they had frequently despised us, saying, That lue durst not look upon a Peqtiot, but themselves would perform great things; though we had often told them that we came on purpose, and were resolved, God assisting, to see the Pequots, and to fight with them before we returned, though we perished. I then enquired of Onkos, (Uncas,) what he thought the Indians would do ? who said the Narragansetts would all leave us, but as for himself, he would never leave us ; and so it proved; for which expression, and some other speeches of his, I shall never forget him. Indeed he was a great friend, and did great service. And after we had refreshed ourselves with our mean commons, we marched about three miles, and came to a field which had lately been planted with Indian corn : there we made another Alt, and called our council, supposing we drew near to the enemy ; and being informed by the Indians that the enemy had two forts almost impregnable ; but we were not at all discouraged, but rather animated, insomuch that we were resolved to assault both their forts at once. But understanding that one of them was so remote that we could not come up with it before midnight, though we marched hard : whereat we were much grieved, chiefly because the greatest and bloodiest sachem there resided, whose name was Sassacoiis : We were then constrained, being exceedingly spent in our march with extreme heat and want of necessaries, to accept the nearest." " We then marching on in a silent manner, the Indians that remained fell all into the rear, who formerly kept the van, (l)eing possessed with great fear;) we continued our xii HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD march till about one hour in the nij^ht : and coming to a little swamp between two hills, we pitched our little camp ; much wearied with hard travel, keeping great silence, sup- posing we were very near the fort, as our Indians informed us, which proved otherwise. The rocks were our pillows ; yet rest was pleasant. The night proved comfortable, being clear and moonlight. We appointed our guards, and placed our sentinels at some dis- tance, who heard the enemy singing at the fort, who continued their strain till midnight, with great exulting and rejoicing as we were afterwards informed. They, seeing our pinnaces sail by them some days before, concluded we were afraid of them, and durst not come near them, the burthen of their song tending to that purpose. In the morning (Friday, 26th of May) we awaking and seeing it very light, supposing it had been day, and so we might have lost our opportunity, having purposed to make our assault before day, roused the men with all expedition, and briefly commended our- selves and design to God, thinking immediately to go to the assault. The Indians showed us a path, and told us that it led directly to the fort. We held on our march about two miles, wondering that we came not to the fort, and fearing we might be deluded ; but seeing corn newly planted at the foot of a great hill, supposing the fort was not far off, a champion country being round about us ; then making a stand, gave the word for some of the Indians to come up ; at length Onkos and one Wequash* appeared. We demanded of them. Where was the fort ! They answered. On the top of that hill. Then we demanded. Where were the rest of the Indians. They answered, Behind, exceedingly afraid. We wished them to tell the rest of their fellows that they should by no means fly, but stand at what distance they pleased, and see whether English- men would now fight or not. Then Captain Underhill came up, who marched in the rear ; and commending ourselves to God, we divided our men, there being two entrances in the fort, intending to enter both at once. — Captain Mason leading up to that on the northeast side, who approached within one rod, heard a dog bark ; and an Indian cry Owa7iiix! Owanux ! which is Englishmen! Englishmen ! We called up our forces with all expedition, gave fire upon them through the pallisado, the Indians being in a dead, indeed their last sleep. Then we wheeling off, fell upon the main entrance, which was blocked up with bushes about breast high, over which the Captain passed, intending to make good the entrance, encouraging the rest to follow. Lieutenant Seely endeavored to enter, but being somewhat cumbered, stepped back & pulled out the bushes, & so entered, & with him about sixteen men. We had formerly concluded to destroy them by the sword, &; save the plunder. Whereupon Capt. Mason, seeing no Indians, entered a wigwam, where he was beset with many Indians, waiting all opportunities to lay hands on him, but could not prevail. At length William Heyden, espying the breach in the wigwam, supposing some English might be there, entered ; but in his entrance fell over a dead Indian ; but speedily recover- ing himself, the Indians some fled, others crept under their beds. The Captain going out of the wigwam, saw many Indians in the lane or street ; he making towards them they fled, were pursued to the end of the lane, where they were met by Edward Pattison * Wequash was a Neantic .Sagamore, who revolted from the Pequots. He was greatly affected by the remarkable victory of the English over them. "So great was his conviction of the power & glory of the God of the Englishman, that he went about the colony of Connecticut after the war, with bitter lamentations that he did not know Jesus Christ, until the good people instructed him, when he became an earnest convert to Christianity." He was supposed to have been poisoned by those Indians, who hated him for having embraced Christianity. — Mather's Magnalia. INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER xiii (Sr» Thomas Barber, with some otliers, where seven of them were slain, as they said. The Captain facing about, marched a slow pace up the lane ; he came down, perceiving him- self very much out of breath, and coming to the other end, near the place where he first entered, saw two soldiers standing close to the palisado, with their swords pointed to the ground ; the Captain told them that we should never kill them after this manner. The Captain also said, We must hum t/iem, and immediately stepping into the wigwam, where he had been before, brought out a fire brand, and putting it into the mats with which they were covered, set the wigwams on fire. Lieutenant Thomas Bull and Nicholas Olmsted beholding came up ; and when it was thoroughly kindled, the Indians ran as men most dreadfully amazed. • And indeed such adreadful terror did the Almighty let fall upon their spirits, that they would fly from us and run into the very flames, where many of them perished. And when the fort was thoroughly fired, command was given that all should fall off and surround the fort ; which was readily attended by all, only one Arthur Smith, being so wounded that he could not move out of the place, who was happily espied by Lieutenant Bull, and by him rescued. The fire was kinded on the northeast side to the windward; which did swiftly overrun the fort, to the extreme amaze- ment of the enemy, and great rejoicing of ourselves. Some of them climbing to the top of the palisado ; others of them running into the very flames ; many of them gathering to the windward lay pelting at us with their arrows ; and we repaid them with our small shot : others of the stoutest issued forth, as we did guess, to the number of forty, who perished by the sword. . . . What I have formerly said, is according to my own knowledge, there being sufficient living testimony to every particular. But in reference to Capt. Underbill and his partie's acting in this assault, I can only intimate as we are informed by some of themselves immediately after the fight, that they marched up to the entrance on the southwest side ; there they made some pause ; a valiant, resolute gentle- man, one Mr. Hedge, stepping towards the gate saying, ' If we may not enter, wherefore came we here ? ' and immediately endeavored to enter ; but was opposed by a sturdy Indian, which did impede his entrance ; but the Indian being slain by himself and Sergeant Davis, Mr. Hedge entered the fort with some others ; but the fort being on fire, the smoke and flames were so violent that they were constrained to desert the fort. . . . Thus were they now at their wit's end. who not many hours before exalted themselves in their great pride, threatening and resolving the utter ruin and destruction of all the English, exulting and rejoicing with songs and dances : but God was above them, who laughed his enemies and the enemies of his people to scorn, making them as a fiery oven." " Thus were the stout-hearted spoiled, having slept their last sleep, and none of their men could find their hands. Thus did the Lord judge among the heathen, filling the place with dead bodies ! And here we may see the just judgment of God in sending even the very night before the assault, one hundred and fifty men from the other fort, to join with them of that place, who w-ere designed, as some of themselves reported, to go forth against the English at that very instant when this heavy stroke came upon them, to where they perished with their fellows. So that the mischief they intended to us, came upon their own pate. They were taken in their own snare, and we through mercy escaped. And thus in little more than one hours space, was their impregnable fort with themselves destroyed, to the number of six or seven hundred, as some of themselves confessed. There were only seven taken captive, and about seven escaped. Of the English there were two slain outright, and about twenty wounded ; some fainted by reason of the sharpness of the weather, it being a cool morning, and the want of such comforts and necessaries as XIV HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD are needful in such a case ; especially our Chjrurgeo7t * was much wanting-, whom we left with our barks in Narragansett Bay, who had orders to remain until the night before our intended assault. And thereupon grew many difficulties ; our provision and munition near spent ; we in the enemy's country, who did far exceed us in number, being much enraged, all our Indians except Onkos deserting us ; our pinnaces at a great distance from us, and when they would come we were uncertain. But as we were consulting what course to take, it pleased God to discover our vessel to us before a fair gale of wind, sail- ing into Peqiiot Harbor to our great rejoicing. We had no sooner discovered our vessels, but immediately came up the enemy from the other fort — three hundred or more as we conceived. The Captain led out a file or two of men to skirmish with them, chiefly to try what temper they were of, who put them to a stand ; we being much encouraged thereat, presently prepared to march towards our vessels. Four or five of our men were so wounded that they must be carried in the arms of twenty more. We also being faint, were constrained to put four to one man, with the arms of the rest that were wounded to others ; so that we had but forty men free. At length we hired several Indians, who eased us of that burthen, in carrying off our wounded men. And marching one quarter of a mile, the enemy coming up to the place where the fort was, and beholding what was done, stamped and tore the hair from their heads ; and after a little space, came mounting down the hill upon us, in a full career, as if they would over-run us: but when they came within shot, the rear faced about, giving fire upon them : some of them being shot, made the rest more wary; yet they held on running to and fro, and shooting their arrows at random. There was at the foot of the hill a small brook, where we rested and refreshed ourselves, having by that time taught them a little more manners than to disturb us. We then marched on tov/ardsPequot Harbor, and fall- ing upon several wigwams burnt them, the enemy still following us in the rear, which was to the windward, though to little purpose ; yet some of them lay in ambush, behind rocks and trees, often shooting at us, yet through mercy touched not one of us ; and as we came to any swamp or thicket, we made some shot to clear the passage. Some of them fell with our shot, and probably more might, but for want of munition: but when any of them fell, our Indians would give a great shout, and then they would take so much courage as to fetch their heads. And thus we continued until we came within two miles of Pequot Harbor ; where the enemy gathered together and left us, we marching to the top of an hill adjoining the harbor, with our colors flying, having left our drum at the place of our rendezvous the night before ; we seeing our vessels there riding at anchor, to our great rejoicing, and came to the water side ; we sat down in quiet.f Captain Mason sent the wounded by sea to Hartford and led his little army and Indian allies by land to the fort at Saybrook, where they arrived on Saturday evening about sunset. Here, " they were nobly entertained * Dr. Thomas Pell, a gentleman of good family from London, was sent from the fort at Say- brook, as surgeon of the expedition. He afterward settled at New Haven, from whence he removed to Fairfield, and afterwards to Westchester, N. Y., where he purchased of the natives a large tract of land, which was given the name of Pellham. — Styles' History of Windsor, p. 38. Mrs. Martha J. Lamb's Hist, of New York I. 171, 257, 3S1. Bolton's Hist, of Westchester. Dr. Pell'swill was probated at Fairfield, and some reliable documents in regard to his nephew John Pell of London, are on file there. f Mason's Hist. Pequot War. INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER XV by Lieut. Lion Gardiner with many great guns." They remained over Sunday at the fort, spending the day in praise and thanksgiving for their great and wonderful deUverance from their savage foe. Continuing in Mason's words : "And when we had taken order for the safe conduct of the Narragansett Indians, we repaired to the place of our abode; where we were entertained with great triumph and rejoicing, and praising God for liis goodness to us, in succeeding our weak endeavors, in crowning us with success, and restoring of us with so Httle loss. Thus was God seen in the Mount, crushing his proud enemies, and the enemies of his people : tliey who were erewhile a terror to all that were round about them, who resolved to destroy all the English, and to root their very name out of this country, should by such weak means, even seventy-seven, there being no more at the fort, bring the mischief tliey plotted, and the violence they offered and exercised, upon their own heads in a moment, burning them up in the fire of his wrath. Our commons were very short, there being a general scarcity throughout the Colony of all sorts of provisions, it being upon our first arrival at the place. We had but one pint of strong liqtior among us in our whole march, but what the wilderness afforded, (the bottle of liquor being in my hand,) and when it was empty the very smelling to the bottle would presently recover such as had fainted away, wliich happened by the extremity of the heat. I still remember a speech of Mr. Hooker, at our going abroad, that they should be bread for us. I shall mention two or three special providences that God was pleased to vouchsafe to particular men, viz. two men, being one man's servants, namely John Dier and Thomas Stiles, were both of tliem shot in the knots of their handkerchiefs, being about their necks, and received no hurt. Lieutenant Seeley was shot in the eyebrow with a flat headed arrow, the point turning downwards ; I pulled it out myself. Lieutenant Bull had an arrow shot into a hard piece of cheese, having no other defence ; which may verify the old saying, 'A little armor would serve if a man knew where to place it.' Many such provi- dences happened ; some respecting myself, but since there is none that witness to them, I shall forbear to mention them. As Captain Mason entered the wigwam from which he seized a burning firebrand to fire the fort, an Indian drew an arrow to its very head, which would have killed him had not one of his sergeants cut the bow just in time to save him."* This remarkable undertaking scarcely has a parallel in history. " Never," says Palfrey, '' was a war so just or so necessary ;" and certainly never a victory more signal or more wonderful. For a mere handful of men to attack so powerful a foe in a strange country, surrounded on all sides with hundreds of Indians, seemed presumption itself. But our forefathers relied not on the strength of their own arm ; their trust was in the mighty power of the Most High; and His providences overshadowed them in an extra- ordinary manner. In the mean time the Pequots returned to the fort of Sassacus, and * Hubbard's Narrative of Indian War. p. 38. XVI HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD after relating the story of their defeat, and the havoc made by the Eng- lish, they charged all the misfortunes which had befallen them to his haughtiness and misconduct ; and threatened him with immediate death. His friends and chief counselors, however, interceded for him, and through their entreaty and protection his life was spared. They revenged them- selves upon Uncas and his followers, by killing all their kinsmen who remained among them, except seven. The latter escaped to the English. They then held a council of war, and regarding their situation as one too hazardous to remain where they were, burned their wigwams, destroyed their fort, and in bands wandered about the country. About forty warriors with a large number of women and children moved a short distance west- ward, where they took refuge in a swamp. Sassacus and Mononotto, with the greater part of their Sagamores, moved further westward. Upon reach- ing the Connecticut, they seized three men in a boat, whom they dis- patched with savage revenge. When the news of Mason's victory reached Massachusetts, the Governor and Council decided to send Captain Israel Stoughton, Captain William Trask and Lieutenant Richard Davenport with one hundred and sixty men,* to assist Captain Mason in conquering the Pequots, even to the destruction of their name. . . . Like the Israelites of old, they deemed it an act of Christian justice to exterminate these " heathen Amalekites." On the 2d of June the General Court met again at Hartford. An order was issued that thirty men should be sent out of the '' several plantations in this river Connecticut, to set down in the Pequoitt Country & River in place convenient to maint^'"^ o"" right y' God by Conquest hath given to us; & Leiftennt Seely shall have the Comande of them. " Governor John Haynes, who had joined the Hartford settlement during the previous summer, and Roger Ludlow were appointed to go down to the fort at Seabrook, " to treat & Conclude with their friends of the Bay about prosecuting the war against the Pequots, — & to parley with the Bay about setlinge downe in the Pequoett Country." Captain Stoughton's party, with the famous Rev. John Wilson as chap- lain, arrived at Pequot Harbor the latter part of June. Here Captain Stoughton was guided to a large swamp by some of the Narragansetts, where they surrounded the band before mentioned, who there had sought refuge and took about eighty captives. Thirty men out of this number were killed. f Two Sachems and the women and children were saved. *Mass. Hist. Coll. I., 192. f Cotton Mather states " that at one time some hundreds of them were seized by Captain Stoughton with little opposition, who sending away the females & children as captives, put the INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER xvii The Sachems were spared, upon promising that they would conduct Stoughton to Sassacus, the women and children numbering about eighty, thirty of whom were given to the Narragansetts and three to the Massa- chusetts Indians. The remainder were sent to Massachusetts for slaves. About this time Captain Stoughton and his men effected a junction with Captain Mason's army, who were accompanied by Roger Ludlow, and several of the principal gentlemen from the river settlements. After a council of war, it was decided to pursue the Pequots. The captured Sachems refused to tell where they could be found, and in consequence were beheaded at a place near Guilford, afterwards called Sachem's head. The vessels carrying provisions, etc., sailed along the shore, while the troops marched by land, followed by Uncas and his men, who kept close on the trail of the flying Pequots, expecting to join the English in over- taking them. In three days the army reached Qunnipiack (New Haven), where they saw a great smoke in the woods. Supposing the enemy near at hand, they, without delay, marched upon them, but soon learned that the fire had been kindled by the inhabitants. The troops now embarked on board their vessels, and spent several days at Qunnipiack. Here a Moheagan, named Jack Etow, captured two Pequots in a forest, whom he carried prisoners on board the English vessel. They had loitered behind their clan, and to escape observation had taken refuge in a tree. Life was granted to one of them, if he would search out Sassacus, and kill him or take him prisoner. The treacherous savage set out on his mission, and, joining his countrymen, for several days sought an opportunity to slay his chief. He was, however, soon suspected of his design, and fled to the English by night. He informed Captain Mason of the number of Pequots with Sassacus and Mononotto, and that they were secreted in a swamp to the westward. The army were at once set in motion, and marched with all possible speed to the place designated. "As the Souldiers were uppon their march, close by a great thicket, where no eye could penetrate farre, as it often falls out in such wearisom wayes, where neither men nor beast have beaten out a path; some Souldiers lingering behinde their fellowes, two Indians watching their opportunity, much like a hungry hauke, when they supposed the last man was come up, who kept a double double double distance in his march, they sudden & swiftly snatched him up in their tallens, hoisting him upon their shoulders, ran into the swamp with him; the Souldier unwilling to be made a Pope by being borne on mens shoulders, strove with them all lie could to free himselfe from their hands; but, men on board a vessel of one Skipper Gallop, which proved a Charons ferry-boat unto them, for it was found the quickest way to feed the fishes with 'em." Magnalia, I., B. VII., 483. Hubbard's Indian Wars, p. 35. B XVlll HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD like a careful! Commander, one Caplaine Davenport, then Lieutenant of tiiis company, being diligent in his place to bring up the reare, coming up with them, followed with speed into the swamp after him, having a very severe cutlace tyed to his wrist, & being well able to make it bite sore when he set it on, rezolving to make it fall foul on the Indians bones, he soone overtook them, but was prevented by the buckler they held up from killing them, which was the man they had taken; It was a matter of much wonder to see with what dexterity they hurled the poore Souldier about, as if they had been hand- ling a Lacedaemonian shield, so that the nimble Captaine Davenport could not of a long time, fasten one stroke upon them; yet, at last, dying their tawny skin into a crimson colour, they cast downe their prey, & hasted thorow the thickets for their lives. The Souldier thus redeemed, had no such hard usage, but that he is alive, as I suppose, at this very day." * After marching about twenty-five miles near the coast, through Cup- head, Pequonnock, and Uncoway, they came upon the swamp at Sasqua (now called Southport), in which the Pequots were secreted. This swamp of water, bogs and mire, thickly wooded with a dense undergrowth, entirely surrounded a cone-shaped hill, about thirty feet in height. It was almost impossible for a stranger to enter it, without sinking above the knees in mire. The English troops drawn up in the regular order of their companies, made an attack. The Indians, in the meantime, skulked up and down shooting their arrows from behind the trees, and then suddenly dropped flat in the water, to defend themselves from the retaliation of the soldiers' muskets. Lieutenant Davenport encouraged his men to follow him into the swamp, where he was sorely wounded, and both he and his men sank so deep in the mire, that but for the timely assistance of their friends, they would all have been killed. Several Indians were slain in the encounter. Find- ing they could not capture the enemy in this way, the English decided to surround the swamp. After some time spent in skirmishing, the native Indians desired a parley. Meanwhile, an Indian had been seen to enter the thicket with a brass kettle on his back, which led to the conclusion that there must be some place of firm land in the centre of the swamp. At the first approach of the English, the Sachems and Indians of the country had fled with dismay into the swamp; but as they had done the English no harm, the parley was granted. The officers were also anxious to save the old men, women and children. Thomas Stanton, a man familiar with the Indian language, was sent in to treat with them. He was instructed to offer life and protection to all Indians who had not shed Eng- lish blood. "The native Sachems, followed by companies of warriors, aged men, women and children, came out in numbers of about two hundred." The chief Sachem declared that neither he nor his people had done the * Johnson's Wonderworking Providence. Mass. Hist. Col. Vol. IV § 2. pp. 50-61. INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER xix English any harnn, and expressed a desire to make peace with them. The haughty Pequots, however, disdained all overtures of peace, exclaiming: "We will fight it out to the last ! " Stanton barely escaped with his life in leaving the swamp, and the soldiers were obliged to fly to his rescue. The fight was now renewed, but on account of some misunderstanding among the ofificers, several of the Pequots escaped. " Some were for forcing the swamp immediately, but this was opposed as too dangerous. Others were for cutting it down, as they had taken many hatchets, with which they were of the opinion it might bp effected. Some others were for making a palisade and hedge round it, but neither of these measures could be adopted." As night approached, it was agreed to lessen the circle around the swamp, wdiich w'as almost divided in two parts at one point, by cutting down the trees and undergrowth. This being done, sentinels were stationed at a distance of twelve feet apart. Thus they entirely encircled the swamp, and watched the enemy through the night. During the night the Pequots crept near the guards and discharged their arrows at them, but not one was slain. From the dead bodies found the next day, it was shown that the English musketry had made severe havoc among the enemy." Just before dawn a dense fog fell over the place, and seizing this favorable opportunity for escape, the Indians, with hideous yells, first attacked Captain Patrick's quarters, but they were severely driven back by Captain Mason sending timely aid. Captain Trask also marched quickly to the scene of action, followed by Captain Mason, upon whom the Indians now directed their full strength. Mason, however, gave them such a warm reception that they were glad to retire. They then rushed once more upon Captain Patrick's quarters, when about sixty or seventy of their bravest warriors broke through his line and escaped, several of whom were found slain the next day, by those who pursued them as far as Fairfield. About twenty others were killed, and one hundred and eighty taken prisoners. Hatch- ets, wampum, kettles, trays, and other Indian utensils were taken. Sassacus who had been alarmed by the escape of the spy sent to slay or take him prisoner, fearing to fall into the power of the English before the battle took place, set out for the countr\- of the Mohawks. He was accompanied by Mononotto and twenty or more of his bravest warriors. He no doubt feared his own men, who had already threatened his life at their defeat at Groten. He carried with him about five hundred pounds of wampum. The women who had been taken captives, stated that about seven hundred Indians and thirteen Sachems had been slain during the war ; and that thirteen Sachems were still living. Sassacus and his warriors were surprised by the Mohawks, and all slain but IMononotto who escaped. XX HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD It was reported that the Mohawks were bribed by the Narragansetts to commit this act. In the month of October following, the Mohawks sent the scalps of Sassacus, one of his brothers, and five others of the murdered Sachems, as trophies to Hartford. Soon after Roger Ludlow and other gentlemen, carried a lock of Sassacus' hair to Boston, " as a rare sight, & a sure demonstration of the death of their mortal enemy," Among the women taken captive in the swamp was the wife of Mono- notto. Her modesty, kindliness of temper, and good sense, particularly attracted the English. She made but two requests, which were that her chastity and children might be spared. These requests were granted, particularly, as it had been through her instrumentality that the lives of the two young girls, who had been stolen from Weathersfield had been spared. She was specially recommended to the kindness of the Gov- ernor of Massachusetts, who gave her and her children every care and protcctiony' The captives and the booty taken, were divided among the Connecticut and Massachusetts troops. A number of those carried to Massachusetts were sold as slaves in the West Indies, where they dragged out an unhappy but brief existence. Those who remained as slaves in the colonies proved restless, and soon escaped from their servitude. f Upon the return of the victorious army, joy unspeakable reigned in the English colonies. A day of public thanksgiving was appointed in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The planters now went forth to their labor in the field without fear of the Indians ; and the mothers with animated fervor, fearlessly sang Puritan hymns by the cradles of their children. The drain of men from the plantations to carry on this war, and a great scarcity of articles of food and clothing, made the winter, which was unusually severe, one of great privations to the colonists. Money also was very scarce. That their condition might not be known to the Indians, as well as to prevent them from taking advantage of their situation by rais- ing the price of corn, the General Court met at Hartford on the 9th of February, 1638, and passed a resolution, " that no person in the river plan- tations or at Agawam, should go up the river to trade with the Indians for corn, either privately or publicly, under a penalty of 5s. pr. bushel, without the consent of the Court." In order to raise means to pay the expenses of the war, it was voted |/ * Mason's Hist., Pequot War., Mass. Hist. Coll., Vol. 8, S. 2, 146-151. f One of the Pequot captives was owned by Samuel Hall, and bound to Samuel Gregory of Fairfield for several years. He was given his freedom on the 27th of October, i6gi. F. T. Votes, p. 21, INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER xxi that a tax of six hundred pounds should be levied, to defray the charges of the late design against the Pequots, " Agawam £S6, i6*-, Windsor ;^I58, 2% Hartford ;^25i, 2^-, Weathersfield ^124. The payment to be made in money, in Wampum at fower a penny, or in good merchantable beaver at 9^- pr. pounde." Mr. Clement Chaplin was appointed Treasurer. Mr. William Wadsworth of Hartford, Henry Wolcott, sr. of Windsor, Andrew Ward of Weathersfield, and John Burr of Agawam, were made collectors of taxes for their respective plantations. On the 8th of March, committees, afterwards called deputies, were elected from each town to assist the magistrates. From these two bodies, originated the Senate and House of Representatives of Connecticut. At the same time Mr. William Pynchion of Springfield was appointed to purchase corn of the Indians, and to deliver five hundred bushels at Hartford, at 5^- a bushel. If he could save by this sale, he was to deliver the proportion of Windsor to Mr. Ludlow at 5^- 2^- a bushel. Weathers- field was to be supplied from Hartford. The price set to pay the Indians was 4^ pr. bushel, "to be paid in wampum at 3 a penny, or merchantable beaver at X • a pound." At this critical crisis, the committee were sent to Pocomstock or Deer- field to purchase corn. The Indians came down the river in fifty canoes laden with corn at one time. This was considered a great and providential deliverance, by the famished colonists. All who wished to purchase corn, were to repair to the magistrates of the town in which they resided for a just proportion. Mr. Ludlow and two others were also commissioned to send a vessel to the Narragansett Indians for corn. A stringent law was passed against any abuse of the Indians. Corselets and arms were ordered to be provided within six months, for the use of the army. Captain Mason was made Major-General of the militia of Con- necticut, with a stipend~~ot"fcn-t7 pounds pr. annum, "to train the men in each plantation ten days in every year, soe it be not in June or July." The Rev. Mr. Hooker delivered him the staff. Every male from the age of sixteen was ordered to bear arms, and in case anyone failed to be present at the public trainings he was to pay a fine of 3^-. Each plantation was required to be supplied with a magazine of powder and shot; and every military man to have continually in his house "half a pound of powder, two pounds of bullets suitable to his piece, & one pound of match, if his piece be a match-lock," under a penalty of five shillings. For the public service done by Thomas Stanton in behalf of the colony, he was awarded ten pounds. He was also appointed to attend all the Courts as interpreter between the English and the Indians, with a xxii HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD salary of ten pounds pr. annum. The Court also passed a law, " that when a company of Indians set down near an English plantation, they should declare who their chief Sachem was, & that said Sachem should pay for all damages done by his men." Scarcely had a month passed after the close of the war, before serious trouble arose between the magistrates of Massachusetts and Ninigret, chief Sachem of the Nehantics, on account of his harboring the Pequots. Uncas, elated with his triumph over Sassacus and Mononotto, now consid- ered himself at the head of the Pequot tribe, and willing to increase the number of his men, had also received several of the wandering tribe. The Narragansetts, who had conceived a bitter hatred towards him since the war, reported his course to the English, which was most unfavorable for him. In order to appease the English, Uncas with thirty-seven of his war- riors, made a visit to Boston in July. He presented the governor with twenty fathoms of wampum, which was refused until he made satisfaction for receiving the Pequots. With apparent grief and many apologies he denied the charge. His present then being received, he took courage and placing his hand upon his heart he thus addressed the governor : "This heart is not mine: it is yours. Command me any hard thing, & I will do it. I will never believe any Indian's word against the English. If any Indian shall kill an Englishman, I will put him to death, be he ever so dear to me." This promise was faithfully kept. Uncas remained a loyal friend to the English, who often protected his life and that of his men, at great sac- rifice. The few surviving Pequots became a prey to all the other Indian tribes, who prided themselves in presenting the English with as many of their heads, as they could either by violence or stratagem secure. At last they applied to the General Court for protection. At a meeting of the General Court held at Hartford on the 2ist of Sep- tember, the remnant of this once powerful tribe, which had been reduced to about two hundred, were divided among their enemies as follows : eighty to Miantonimo, twenty to Ninigret, and the other hundred to Uncas, to be received and treated as their men. Peace was established between Miantonimo and Uncas. It was also stipulated if trouble should arise in the future between them that they should imm.ediately appeal to the English for justice. The Mohegans and Narragansetts promised not to conceal or entertain enemies of the English. The Pequots were never to return to their own country without the consent of the English, to whom INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER xxiii they were also to pay " a tribute annually of a fathom of wampumpcag for every man, half a fathom for every young man, & a hand's length for every male papoose." The consummation of this treaty gave great joy to the colonists. The churches throughout all New England kept a public day of thanksgiving for the mercies vouchsafed them. "Devout & animated praises were addressed tp him, who giveth his people the victory, & causeth them to dwell s^felyv^' — '"""having enacted the above laws for the protection of the settlements, the General Court assembled at Hartford on the 14th of January, for the purpose of preparing a constitution for the_goyernmcnt of the colony of Connecticut. The commission granted by the General Court of Massa- chusetts to Roger Ludlow and his constituents, covered only the space of one year. The remoteness of the new colony from Massachusetts, and the fact of its being beyond the limits of that colony, made it extremely incon- venient to act in co-operation with its government; besides, Ludlow and his associates, when they left Massachusetts, probably had no idea of con- tinuing under that jurisdiction. At the close of the first year, a renewal of the commission was not solicited; and upon the Connecticut patentees abandoning the scheme of colonizing their patent territories, the planters of the river settlements formed themselves, by a voluntary compact, into a distinct commonwealth. With sober thought and prayerful considera- tion, they deliberated and prepared a constitution, which afterwards was destined to form the basis of all the constitutions of our great republic. " The men who formed this constitution, deserve to be held in everlasting remem- brance. They were not ignorant, or rash, or timid men. They were Ludlow & Haynes, & Wolcott & Hopkins & Hooker, & others of kindred spirits ; men of clear minds & good hearts ; men who in their views of civil & religious liberty were far in advance of their age, &; who under the guidance of a kind Providence, introduced a form of govern- ment, which, for two centuries, has secured to the people of this state, a measure of peace & liberty, of order & happiness not surpassed by any other people on earth. I say emphatically, _/out the knowledge &. consent of those vnder whose gouerment they are, vnder the same penalty." f * Trumbull's Hist. Conn , i., 124-128. f Col. Rec. Conn., i., 92. 1643J DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT 35 The alarm of a general insurrection among the Indians increased. Miantonimo arrogantly proclaimed himself to be the chief sachem of all the New England tribes. Notwithstanding his treaty with the English at Hartford in 1638, at which time the conquered Pequots were divided between him and Uncas, he exhibited a spirit of great hostility towards Uncas, upon whom he visited his old hatred of the Pequots. His rancor- ous jealousy led him to plot against him, and to instigate others to acts of treachery 3.nd murder. At the same time he continued by art and intrigue to excite the Indians throughout New England to exterminate the whites. Many of the Indians had purchased guns and ammunition of the Dutch and French. They were exceedingly warlike in their demeanor, and great fears existed of a speedy attack upon all the white settlements. In July the General Court ordered that every plantation should be fully prepared for any emergency, and fines levied if the previous orders in this respect were not fully carried out. Letters were sent to the General Court of Massachusetts, requesting that one hundred men should be sent to assist the garrison at the fort at Saybrook. This demand was refused for the time being, on the ground of inexpediency. In the mean time the Dutch Governor had sent a letter of congratulation to Governor Winthrop on the union of the colonies. He complained of most grievous misrep- resentations on the part of Connecticut and New Haven to their agents in Europe. He requested to learn the spirit of the colonies towards hin), " that he might know who were his friends or his foes." Governor Win- throp replied to this letter, expressing his deep regret that any difference existed between the English and the Dutch ; and suggested that their trouble should be settled either in England, Holland or America; that while the articles of confederation bound the colonies in New England in a bond of mutual protection, he hoped the old friendship between them and the Dutch would remain uninterrupted. About this time an attempt was made by Miantonimo to murder Uncas. A report soon spread that the murder had been committed; and Mianto- nimo in order to hide his own treachery, killed the Indian whom he had employed to commit the act. Sequin also joined in the plot against Uncas and the white planters. No sooner had this intelligence reached the set- tlements, than it was discovered that Miantonimo was marching upon the Mohegans with an army of nine hundred men. Uncas having been made aware of his approach, resolved that the Narragansetts should not enter his town. He hastily called together between four and five hundred of his men and went out to meet the enemy. A battle took place about four miles from the town in which he lived. The Narragansetts were put to 36 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1643 flight ; Miantonimo was taken prisoner, and carried in triumph to Hart- ford. He begged that he might be left to the mercy of the English, but at the request of Uncas, it was decided that he should be kept as his prisoner. At the meeting of the commissioners of the united colonies at Bos- ton in September the conspiracy of Miantonimo against Uncas and the whites, and the murders he had committed, were proved. Lest the Narra- gansetts and the tribes tributary to them, should seek to avenge the death of their chief, it was decided to give him up to the mercy of Uncas, with the request that no torture or cruelty should be used, " but all moderation exercised in the manner of his execution." It was also decided that the colonies should assist in protecting Uncas against the Narragansetts, if they attempted to revenge upon him the death of Miantonimo, and " that Hartford furnish Uncas with a competent strength of English to defend him against any present fury or assault of the Narragansetts or any oth- ers." The outrages of the Dutch upon the New Haven settlements at Delaware, and those upon the Connecticut river towns and on Long Island were laid before the commissioners by Governor Hopkins and Mr. Fen- wick. It was decided that, as Governor Winthrop had previously in part answered the Dutch governor's letter, he should continue a further reply, by stating the injuries done by the Dutch to the English planters, and de- mand satisfaction ; and that while the united colonies would not wrong others, they should defend each other in a just cause. The death of Miantonimo having been left to Uncas, he was immedi- ately notified of the decision. With some of his most trusty men to assist him, he took charge of his prisoner ; and with two Englishmen, appointed to see that no tortures were inflicted, they all marched to the spot where he had been taken. " At the instant they arrived on the ground, one of Uncas' men, who had marched behind Miantonimo, split his head with a hatchet, killing him at one stroke Uncas cut out a large piece of his flesh & ate it in savage triumph. He said, *it was the sweetest meat he ever ate ; it made his heart strong.'" He ordered that he should be buried where he fell, and caused a heap of stones to be erected over his grave. The spot has ever since been called Sachem's Plain, and occupies a beau- tiful rise of ground in the eastern part of Norwich. In accordance with the resolutions of the commissioners, both Con- necticut and New Haven sent armed men to protect Uncas. Governor Winthrop sent messengers to Canonicus, the aged Narragansett sachem, acquainting him with the mischievous plot of Miantonimo, and justifying his execution by his violation of the treaty of 1638, his attempt to mur- 1643] DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT 37 der Uncas, and his intrigues against the Vv'hites. They then offered peace to him and the Narragansetts, in the name of the united colonies. The General Court of Connecticut passed a law authorizing the governor, the deputy-governor, or two magistrates " upon any sudden occasion or immi- nent danger to press men & ammunition for the defence of the country in their necessary travel from town to town : also that each of the towns should have fixed places, where guards should be stationed, from which points in case of danger the inhabitants might be given timely alarm." To avoid quarrels with the Indians, the planters were forbidden to trust them with goods or commodities, under a penalty of double the value of the sale; and " that they should not trade with the mat or in their wig- wams, but in vessels or Pinnaces, or at their own houses, under a penalty of 20 s. each time." In addition to the guard of forty men, it was ordered that one man out of every family should go fully armed to the meeting-house on the Sab- bath and lecture days, under a fine of I2r/. for every neglect of the same, " whereof 6 d. was to be paid to the party that should so inform, & 6 d. to the public treasury." A tax of forty pounds was levied on all the towns for repairing the fort at Saybrook. According to the determination of the commissioners, the soldiers in each of the towns were required to train six days in the yekr, which days should be appointed by the captains or chief ofificers of the train bands, namely, on the first weeks of March, April, May, September, October and November. " If the day appointed proved unseasonable, the Officers were to appoint the next fair day." Eight o'clock was the hour set for the training to begin. Those who were absent on such occasions were to be fined 2s. 6d. for every default, except they had been given a license for leave of absence under the hand of two magistrates. The clerks of the bands were to levy upon the delinquents within fourteen days after the forfeiture, and to take 6d. for themselves, and pay the remainder towards the maintainance of drums, colors, etc. If the clerks neglected their duty, they v/ere obliged to pay double the amount of the soldier's fine. Those who were deemed expert soldiers were allowed release on half a day's duty. Roger Ludlow was appointed to call forth the soldiers of the towns " upon the sea coast," and to exer- cise them according to the above act, until some other officer should be appointed in his place. Thus Ludlow was not only the first judge of the town and county court, but the first military ofificer of Fairfield. In this dread hour, when the inhabitants were few in numbers, upon Ludlow fell the care and protection of the plantation of Uncoway. Upon the Meeting- house green he assembled his small band of ofificers and men at home. 38 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1643 with the planters from the neighboring towns, and drilled them for the hour of approaching danger. Several within the past two years had joined the plantation, so that there were enough men to make a considerable show of resistance. The appearance of an English soldier in those days was a formidable one to the red sons of the forest. His gay, military dress; his long pike of ten feet, tipped with sharp-pointed iron, which he carried in a rest fastened to a belt around his waist ; his sword hanging in its scabbard at his side, and his long musket and steel bayonet, made him a spectacle of admiration and dread. But now that the Indians possessed English muskets, which they used with great skill, their attitude was one more dangerous than ever before. During this year the Dutch had cause to deplore the great wrong done by their traders, in selling arms to the Indians. A quarrel had arisen owing to a drunken Indian having killed one of their number. The Dutch demanded that the murderer should be given up to justice ; but their governor, not willing to excite the Indians, neglected to take steps in the case. In the mean time, some of the Dutch excited the Mohawks against the Indians in the vicinity of their settlements, who, in an unexpected moment, fell upon them, killing about thirty of their number. A Dutch captain, named Marine, obtained a commission from the governor to kill as many Indians as fell in his power. With a company of armed men he made a sudden attack upon them and killed about seventy or eighty men, women and children. The Indians, now fully aroused in that part of the country, began a furious and bloody war. They seized the Dutch cattle and hogs and burned them in their barns. Twenty or more Dutch- men were killed and others fled to their fort for protection. The Indians upon Long Island joined in the war, and burned the houses and barns of the Dutch planters. At this critical moment, the Dutch governor made application to Governor Eaton, of New Haven, to send one hundred men to his relief. In his extremity he also applied to Captain Underhill, of Stamford, to assist him, which so exasperated Captain Marine, that he presented his pistol at the governor, and would have shot him had he not been prevented by one who stood near. One of Captain Marine's attend- ants discharged his musket at the governor, and the ball hardly grazed him, when the man himself was shot dead by a sentinel. Those among the Dutch who had been determined upon a war with the Indians, now dreading its consequences, vented their indignation upon the governor for having given a commission to Captain Marine. In their fury they were ready to destroy him, and for his personal safety he was obliged to keep a 1643] DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT 39 guard of fifty Englishmen about him. The Indians continued their dep- redations and murders, so that by fall all the inhabitants of the Dutch and English settlements west of Stamford were driven in. Among those most cruelly murdered, at this time, was Mrs. Anne Hutch- inson, who for her religious tenets had been banished from Boston. Not only she, but every member of her household, her son-in-law, Mr. Collins, and several neighbors were killed, numbering eighteen in all. The fury of the Indians made great havoc among the cattle and the ingatherings of the summer harvest, which were burned without resistance. The Dutch on Long Island who had been obliged to escape from their plantations to their fort, were driven to the necessity of killing their cattle for subsistence, until their condition became one of great distress, and one which called for Christian aid from their English neighbors. New Haven had refused to send men to the assistance of the Dutch governor, upon the ground that it was incompatible with the articles of confederation. They also questioned the justice of this war. Neverthe- less, it was decided to send them all the corn and provisions necessary for themsexves and their cattle. Captain Underhill, of Stamford, rendered them great assistance. With a flying army of from one hundred and twenty to one hundred and fifty English and Dutch, he protected their settlements from total annihilation. It was estimated that he killed about •five hundred Indians on Long Island. The Stamford Indians caught the war spirit of the neighboring tribes, and fears were entertained that the settlement would be cut off. In their distress they called upon New Haven to protect them, according to the articles of confederation, or bear the expense of their losses. The Narragansetts were enraged at the execution of Miantonimo. Every white man bore arms, and the gloom of a speedy conflict with the Indians on all sides, filled the hearts of the whites with the greatest apprehensions. The General Court of Connecticut appointed Wednesday, the 6th of June, as a day of fasting and prayer in all the towns throughout the juris- diction. The same day was observed in the New Haven plantations. Prayers were also offered for their gracious sovereign. King Charles I., around whom raged the horrors of a civil war. So great was the alarm among the chief officers of the colony, that, on the 3d of January, the General Court of Connecticut ordered "one day in each month to be set apart as a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer, according to the course of their neighbors in New Haven, to begin upon Wednesday, the lo. inst." From Stamford the war spirit reached the Indians at Fairfield. In the spring a man from Massachusetts was murdered by an Indian 40 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1644 near Stratford. Ludlow demanded that the murderer should be given up to justice. This the Indians agreed to do, and desired that ten men should be sent out to receive him. When they saw the Englishmen approaching them, by mutual consent they unbound the prisoner, who forthwith plunged into the forest and made good his escape. Ludlow regarded this treacherous act to be an insult to the town, seized eight or ten Indians, one or two of whom were sachems, and imprisoned them, until the murderer should be brought to him. The Indians then rose in the most hostile manner. Ludlow wrote to New- Haven for advice and assistance. Twenty well-armed men were dispatched to his relief. In the mean time four of the neighboring sachems entered the town, and promised Ludlow that if the imprisoned Indians were released, they would deliver up the murderer to justice within a month. This proposition was agreed upon, and the prisoners were released, but there seems to be no evidence that they kept their word. The rise of the Indians in Virginia and the horrible massacre of the whites which followed gave grounds for the belief that a further combi- nation had been made between the Southern and New England Indians, for the extermination of all the white men in the country. Notwithstand- ing the dangers which surrounded them, the work of bringing order out of confusion was continued by the General Court. In order to prevent unnecessary trials before juries, it was decided that all suits under 40s. should be tried before the court of magistrates ; and that in all jury cases the magistrates should have power, in case the jury disagreed, to send them out a second time. If they then disagreed, and did not render a verdict according to the evidence given in, the court was granted power to summon a new jury ; and to alter the decisions of a jury in amount of damages given in "as should be judged most equal and righteous." If four out of a jury of six, or eight out of twelve agreed, their verdict was to be decisive. That honesty among merchants might be firmly established, the clerks in the several towns were required once in every year, to appoint a certain day and place, to give timely notice for the inhabitants to bring in their measures for inspection, that they might be tried and compared with the standard weights, measures, etc. Only such yards, weights and measures as had been sealed were to be sold. Good linen and woolen yarn fell under a careful inspection. Any one failing to obey orders, was subject to a penalty of I2'^ law or breach thereof."*' The committee appointed to set off eighty acres on Golden-hill to the Pequonnock Indians, made a report to the court, that they had settled the bounds of the reservation according to their instructions ; and included the reservation within the limits of Fairfield ; and also that Fairfield had paid twenty pounds to Stratford for the said land. A law was passed "that neither an Indian nor a negro servant should be required to train, watch or ward in the colony." The price of sheep in the list of rates was ordered to be reckoned at i $s. per head. Jehu Burr was appointed a grand juror, to inquire into the misdemeanor and breaches of the laws at Fair- field. A law was paased that no Indian should be allowed to dwell within a quarter of a mile of any town in the colony ; nor any strange Indian be entertained in any one of the towns, under a penalty of 40^". a month. Guns carried into the towns by Indians were liable to be seized and not redeemed under a penalty of lOJ". No Indian was allowed to dwell in the towns '' except he was known to be of an honest conversation, & accepted by a major part of the town ;" nor were they allowed to sell their lands or houses without the consent of the towns in which they lived. Liberty was granted to Fairfield, Stratford and Norwalk to gather out of the three towns "a small cavalry troop of horse, with two meet officers added to exercise them, of their own choosing ; & the troopers to be such as are approved by Lieutenant Nathan Gold, Mr. Fairchild & Mr. Camfield ; the officers to be approved by the General Court. And for proportion they * Col. Rec, Conn., I., 347. I04 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1660 are to take 7 out of Stratford, 7 out of Fairfield, & 4 out of Norwalk." * This was the first cavalry force of Fairfield. Lieutenant Nathan Gold, William Hill, Judges Alexander Knowles and Camfield, were appointed to settle the difference between the Norwalk inhabitants and the Indians in that place. In the month of October a final settlement was made with the heirs of Mr. Fen wick, in regard to the purchase of the Say brook fort and the Connecticut patent. The annual tax laid upon all the towns in the colony towards purchasing the fort and the old Connecticut patent, had been a heavy drain upon the treasury. A considerable uneasiness existed in the colony after Mr. Fenwick's death, on account of this purchase not having been settled, or a formal quit-claim of the fort and charter made over to the colony. The question had been agitated from time to time, and at the May election the court had ordered a strict investigation to be made into the true value of all estates within the colony, in order that a final payment might be made to Mr. John Cullick and Elizabeth his wife, the heirs of Mr. Fenwick. A committee was appointed for this purpose, and at the assembling of the General Court in October, they reported that they had prepared the accounts of the colony for a final settlement. The court then ordered them to draw up proper instruments towards perfect- ing the sale, to which the governor was authorized to affix the colonial seal. On the 7th of October the long desired settlement was made with Mr. John Cullick and his wife, the heirs of Mr. Fenwick, who gave a full discharge to the colony of Connecticut " for all sums of money due to the said Fenwick, his heirs or assigns, by virtue of the agreement made with Mr. Fenwick or purchase of the river's mouth." At the final investigation of the committee, it was discovered that the colony had paid Mr. Fenwick and his heirs five hundred pounds over and above the original agreement. This was an important event for the Connecticut colony, and one which gave great satisfaction to all the towns in the jurisdiction. Wednesday, the 4th of October, was set apart as a day " of public thanksgiving to God for his mercy in our Peace, Plenty, Health & Liberties that we enjoy." The leading gentlemen in the colony were aware that they did not in reality possess any of the lands within the colony bounds, except such as were included in the old patent ; and while they now held a legal claim from the heirs of Mr. Fenwick to this patent, they had no confirmation of the same from England. To gain this most desirable end now became their chief aim, and no more favorable opportunity had presented itself than the condition of political affairs in England. The ambitious conten- "" Col. Rec. Conn., I., 351. i66ij PROGRESS OF FAIRFIELD I05 tions between Parliament and the army resulted in the ascendancy of the army ; and General Monk, who was in supreme command, conceived it to be a fitting opportunity to invite Prince Charles to return to the throne of his father. A new Parliament was summoned on the 25th of April, 1660, which was called the Convention Parliament. On the 27th a motion was made for the restoration of the king. On the 8th of May Charles II. was proclaimed king in the palace yard of Whitehall, and at Temple Bar. General Monk advanced to meet him at Dover, and attended him to London, where, on the 29th of May, which was his birthday, amid the wildest enthusiasm and acclamations, he received the greetings of his people. When this news reached New England it was universally resolved by the magistrates and freemen of the Connecticut colony, to acknowledge their allegiance to the king, and declare themselves " his loyal & faithful subjects. And do further include if necessary, that we should humbly petition his Majesty for grace & favour, & for ye continuance & confor- mation of such privileges & Liberties as are necessary, for the comfortable & peaceable settlement of the colony." It was voted, that the five hundred pounds, which Captain John Cullick was to return to the colony, should be improved towards purchasing -a new^ patent. Fairfield, Stratford, and Norwalk failed to send in their list of estates, consequently the court ordered the treasurer " to summon the delinquents to answer for their transgression." He was also ordered to send warrants to the seaside plantations, to gather their rates " at such seasons as might prevent the inconvenience that usually falls out, in failing of their pay- ments." The prospect of obtaining a new charter stimulated the plant- ers to make provisions for distributing their town lands, and settling their boundaries. At a town meeting held at Fairfield, January 3, it was voted, that there should be a new planting field in the Sasqua fields, "to accom- modate all such inhabitants as were in need of land over ye Mill river above Crecroes brook, upon ye neck there." To such inhabitants as desired land, six acres were allowed to a family, and as much more or less as they pleased. The planters were not to receive these lands as their own, but to have the use of them for ten years. At the end of that time they were to seed them down as common lands. It was also voted that the fields under improvement should be fenced ; and that those who neglected to fence their fields should forfeit them to others who would. That partiality might not be shown, it was agreed that the fields should be drawn by a lottery. A committee was appointed to lay out the great fields, and also each planter's field ; and the planters were to pay them I06 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1661 for their trouble. At the same town meeting, Henry Jackson, George Squire, and John Wheeler were appointed to lay out the lands on the east side of the Uncoa creek ; and Jehu Burr and Cornelius Hull were " to lay out the common highways in the great field & nicadozv on the west side of the Uncoa creek." It has already been mentioned that the planters living on either side of the centre of Fairfield, were called the east and west farmers. At a town meeting, held on the 20th of January, it was voted that three hundred and twenty acres of land snould be laid out in proportion as follows: "To a master of a family half an acre; to a wife a quarter of an acre, to a child a quarter of an acre, & to every hun- dred pounds estate two acres, & so proportionally either more or less." Jehu Burr, Thomas Staples, John Banks and William Ward, were appointed a committee to lay out the large fields at both ends of the town, and each family's proportion of land. Every head of a family was ordered to carry in to the town recorder, the number of his children and their ages within a week, under a penalty of forfeiting the land due to such children. At a town meeting, held on the lOth of February, Lieu- tenant Nathan Gold, William Hill, Jehu Burr, Alexander Knowles, John Burr, William Ward and John Banks, were chosen townsmen for the year. Nathaniel Seeley was chosen town marshal, and William Hill recorder. John Banks and Cornelius Hull were appointed to measure each man's dividend of land at the further end of Sasco neck, both upland and meadow, " & if land enough was found, to lay out a high way there." They were given power to exchange lands among the planters, and to make a report of the common or undivided lands within the township. " Eight acres was confirmed to James Beers, that the Indians gave him in Sasco field or Southport." At a town meeting, held on the loth of February, it was voted : " Whereas the inhabitants of the town have this day drawn lots for a divi- dend, y^ lots to begin on land next to Daniel Frost's farm in Sasco field ; & so to run from his land eastward, until ye land already surveyed at Sasco be laid out. And from thence to y" land surveyed at the place called Mr. Gold's meadow ; & from thence to y^ land surveyed at Old Pequon- nock." If any planter did not like his dividend in the two last places, he was at liberty to throw it up and take another place, " provided he did not take land nearer to the meeting-house than where his dividend fell." It was voted that these lands should be given up at the end of eight instead of ten years, after *' sowing them with hay seed." Jehu Burr and John Banks were appointed to lay out each man's proportion of land. Nathan- iel Seeley and Sergeant George Squire were appointed to lay out the east i66i] PROGRESS OF FAIRFIELD lO/ field, and Joshua and John Knovvles the west field. On the I2th of Feb- ruary, the townsmen voted that ten acres of upland, which the town had exchanged with Lieutenant Nathan Gold, and six acres of hassock or salt meadow, should be laid out to belong to the town mill, for the use of the miller. This upland is the hill on the south-cast side of the present Black Rock bridge, called the Old Mill-hill. It was voted that the town should employ a, man to farm the land, and to run the mill, who was allowed the sixteenth part of the grist, which was usually called the toll. Owing to frequent shooting at marks, " it was ordered that a fine of TO®- should be exacted of every one who should shoot within a mile of the town, except towards the sea," half to the informer and the other half to the town. A fine of 15^". a head was laid upon any one who should turn cattle or hogs into the new planting fields without a keeper, before the field was broken up. A new pound was ordered to be erected at the town's expense, and the old one disposed of to the best advantage. By an act of the General Court, all grants, sales of lands or mortgages were only made legal by the signature or mark of the grantor — with that of two witnesses attached, which should also be recorded. A law giving one magistrate power to commit persons to prison without bail was repealed, and the recorder was cautioned to secure the interests of the grantee until the issue had been decided by a legal trial. A lawful record of any grant bargain, sale, or mortgage, was made binding, provided (if no written deed, was made) " it was witnessed by one witness & the recorder.* At a freemen's meeting, held the last Tuesday in April " at Fairfield, Robert Silliman, Jr., James Burrs, Samuel Bradley, Jr., Thomas Harvey, Ebenezer Lyon, & Eliphalet Hill were made freemen, & took the freeman's oath." The first Wednesday in April was appointed a day of fasting and prayer " to seek the favor of God in y« occasions of ye ensueing yeare ; & y' Gotl would direct us in those ways that may conduce to our settle- ment in peace & privileges; & that peace & truth may be settled in England." According to the grant of the General Court in 1649, that the west bounds of Fairfield should extend to within two miles of the Saugatuck river, a formal quit-claim deed was taken from the Maxu- mux and Sasqua Indians on the 20th of March. As the Norwalk Indians laid claim to a right in these lands, a quit-claim deed was received from them on the nth of April. The following deeds copied from Letter A of Fairfield Town Deeds, gives the names of the chief sachems of Sasqua, Maxumux and Norwalk at that time. *Co]. Rec. Conn., I., 358. I08 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1661 DEED OF SASQUA. Know all men by these presents, yt wee whose names are underwritten, have sold, & doe by these presents, sell, alienate & assigne over unto ye Inhabitants of Fairefield, all thet tract of land commonly called Sasqua, bounded on ye north-east with ye land called Uncaway, on ye south-west with ye land at Maximus, ye line on southwest runs close to ye English farmes at Maximus, & this tract of land is for run from ye sea strait up into the country six miles at ye least, taking in all ye land yt lye within that length south-west to sd bounds, between us & ye farmes, (or — if Sasqua land run on ye farme's mile, yt land also to be included,) & doe to close with ye land yt we purchased of Poquonock Indians, as by a writing made und"^ their hand. Dated ye 20* March 1656: ye Inhabi- tants of Fairfield, they & their heirs, are to possesse & enjoy this land forever, in as free & full a manner as wee have done : we have sold all ye above s'^ tract of land, with all ye priviledges appurtenances, as Rivers, trees, ponds or whatever privilidges thereunto pertaining to ye said Inhabitants, for a consideration yt. fully satisfies us; only we will have liberty of hunting in ye woods, — only we are to set noe traps within ye six mile: Wee also acknowledge yt we are true proprietors of ye above s'^ land : We also acknowledge wee haven given in ye Indian field before this sale, eight acres of land to James Beers, in witness of all which we have hereunto set to ye hands this 20. March i6|?. It is also provided yt if in future time Sasqua Indians, ye property partains to them or their children, if they should want some land to plant on, ye town of Fairfield is to allow them some land to plant on for their livelyhood within their bounds, in such places as they shall appoint, & ye s'^ Indians Doe also sell liberty to ye town of Fair- field, to bee commoners in all their land beyond the above s<^ six miles : ye Indians are to fence their land sufficiently : In witness of all ye above s is to be made in y^ line between Couch and him.* At a town meeting held on the 14th of January, it was voted that there should be a division of the greater part of the undivided lands to the owners of estates, according to the list as it then stood. A new rule for division was adopted. Each master of a family was granted " thirty pounds, a wife ten pounds, & a child ten pounds, to be added to the list of estates ; " and each individual was to receive his dividend according to the total sum of his estate. The happy man Vvho was father of a large family, gained his acres in proportion to each youthful head. William Hill was authorized to draw up a list for the division of lands, A tax was ordered to be forthwith levied on all the inhabitants of the town, who had aright to share in the land dividends, to pay the Indians. f If any failed to pay their rate according to this order, their lands and goods were sub- ject to a fine. Obediah Gilbert was appointed receiver of the peas, corn, etc., to be sent in, for which he was to be paid three half pence per bushel, for his trouble. The west farmers were to deliver their rates by the i6th of February, and the east farmers on the 17th. The receiver was to pay in to the town, as much as he received by the first of June. That the heirs of those who had died, and others who were absent, might not suffer loss in the division, provision was made, that their tenants or those engaged in improving their lands, should receive under their care, the new dividends. Samuel Drake's tenant, John Loom, was to receive his proportion. Thomas Lyon was to receive his dividend in his own right from his tenant. Samuel Goodwin was to have his proportion as a master of a family. Daniel Finch was to have his dividend according to his tenant, Henry Castle's list of his estate. Phebe and Deborah Bar- low, the sole surviving heirs of Thomas Barlow, v/ere to receive their father's proportion from their tenant, Edward Wilson. Isaac Sherwood and Na- thaniel Perry, were to receive theirs as masters of a family. Sarah Wilson, a daughter of Rev. John Jones, who was first a widow of Thomas Bulkley and at this time the widow of Antony Wilson, was to receive her propor- tion as a master of a family. Ezborn Wakeman, a cousin of the Rev. * B, Town Votes, p. 28. t A deed of this land was drawn up and dated 19th of January, 1670, and is recorded in B of Town Votes ; but for some reasons, it was neither signed nor witnessed by the Indians or English purchasers. From this time, however, it appears to have been paid for, and regarded as fully pur- chased by the townsmen. i67i] AN INTERESTING DECADE 1 55 Samuel Wakeman, was granted a share in the dividend at the rate of ;^20 estate. Major Gold was voted two hundred and fifty acres to be added to his proportion. Stephen Sherwood in like manner was granted an addition of eighty acres. George Squire, jr., was granted a child's por- tion, according to his list of estate from his father,* The town had voted thus far in attempting to deal righteously with its widows and orphans, when the idea probably occurred to it, that the vote in reference to orphans and widows was sufificient to cover such claims, and the matter was abruptly brought to a conclusion by a vote: "That the town hath put a stop to any farther grant of any commonage forever." John Banks and Cornelius Hull were appointed to advise together, as to the best way to lay out the commons, and make a report to the next town meeting. On the 30th of January the townsmen assembled again and voted the follow- ing plan for distributing the lands within the township. Whereas y= Town hath already Concluded to divide 7"= Greatest part of y® Commons to y6 Several Inhabitants, y= town hath this day ordered y' y" Shall be a dividend of Land, taken up by y^ Several Inhabitants of y= Town y* have Right to Divide, upon botli y^ Sides of y® Town, to Each Inhabitant proportionable to y^ due. Y^ Dimensions of y^ field is as hereafter followeth: it is ordered y' y« west Dividend is to begin by Norwalk bounds, and to run back Eight Score rod, and So to Run towards y' Town Eastward from y« Said bounds about two miles and half: and y'= Dividend of y= East End of y^ Town is to Run from Stratford bounds westward, it is to run a mile and half, Running back Eight Score Rods, ify^Comons will bare it. Those Lots are to be taken into fence, when Each Inhabitant Shall See cause to make Such use of it as they Shall think meet : it is also ordered y' y" Shall be a Line drawn from y« bounds of Strat- ford to y^ bounds of Norwalk, leaving Sufficient high wayes between y= farms and y^ Divi- dends : it is also ordered y' y*^ Lands Contained between y^ abovesaid two Dividends, Shall be alotted to y^ Several Inhabitants proportionably for pastures for men to fence y'' when y please, those pastures to begin att y^ East End of y<= Town ntt y^ hither End of y« East dividend, and So to Run west to y= Mill-River, and to run back into y« woods Eight Score Rods : also y^ pastures on y^ other Side of y= Mill-River to begin Southward and So to Run Northward, to Run back eight Score rods to y^ building Dividend : these pastures are not to be built upon — if any man in future Time Shall build upon his pasture, he Shall forfeit his pasture into y^ hands of y^ Town, its' also ordered y' y« farmers att Each End of y= Town, Shall have y'' pastures adjoyned to y' building Dividends the town hath also ordered y' y° abovesaid Dividends, both building and pasturing. Shall be taken up by y<= Inhabitants of y« Town by house-Row, they to Run as followeth. y^ widow Wheeler to begin next to Stratford bounds, and So y« neighbours to take up Successively westward as y Lands lye, till you come to Rob' Turney's, he included : then to begin att Edward Adams, and So all those lying between, till you take Goodman Meacars and Goodman Jennings : then to begin att Hendricks and to Run to M"" Wakemans : then to begin att M' Golds and Will"" Hills, and to Run up y' Street till it Issue wth Jn** Bulkly : * B, Town Votes, pp. 30, 40. 156 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1671 then to begin vv*'' Couch -anti Andrus till farms have y^ due next Norwalk bounds, and So to Run Eastward : then to begin att R. Ogdens, to begin his proportion of his building dividend where y« farms Ended, and he is to begin upon y« pastures over y^ mill-River Southward, and So y« neighbours Successively, till you come to Mr. Harvie's, he included: then to begin w'*" Thos. Sherwington, and So up w"' y' Street on both sides of y^ high way till you come to Barlow's children, they Included ; each Inhabitant to have y proportions as this Land ordered to be divided, as the quantity y of will allow. The Town hath ordered y' y Shall be a Common a Cros y« Town bounds adjoining to ye northwest Side of y= abovesaid pastures, to be half a mile broad, to be a Comon for Ever. The Town hath ordered y' y Shall be one mile bron,d from y^ abovesaid half mile Common to Run into y^ Country to y« End of y« bounds, to Remain a Common for ever ; it is also ordered y' all y^ Lands on both Sides of y<= mile Common (necessary high wayes Excepted) Shall be laid out to y'^ Inhabitants of y« Town, y' have Right to divide propor- tionably according to y"" Due ; to be laid out by house Row according to y« method pre- scribed in y^ abovesaid order, about laying out pastures and building Lots. Widow Wheeler to begin next to Stratford bounds and Simon Couch and Andrews to begin next Norwalk bounds, and So y^ neighbourhood to take it up Successively inward, till all have y"" proportions. Jn°- Banks, Serg'- Squire, Cor : Hull and Mr. Harvy are appointed to layout y'= above- said building Lots and pastures, and to lay out w' high wayes they think necessary among ye Said Lots and pastures : also they are appointed to lay to every man his proportion of Lands on y^ abovesaid Lands, lymg on both Sides of y^ mile Common : Every man to begin in his place next to y« half mile Common, and so to Run back to y'= End of our bounds, necessary high wayes to be laid out.* The highway which divided the half mile of common from the mile of common and the Long lots, began a little below Sherwood's grist mill, above Toilesome hill at Bridgeport, ran a little above the Stratfield Bap- tist church, crossed Mill river below Samp-mortar rocks, through the elm groves to the foot of Greenfield hill and the estates of Frederick Bronson Esq., and David Banks, through Hull's farms, past the old school-house; ran above the Adams' academy at Green's farms, to the blacksmith's shop at Westport, and continued on to the old bridge, which crosses the Sauga- tuck river at Westport. The highway which ran below the half mile of common and the building and pasture lots, is at the present day, mostly in constant use, although some parts of it, like the above highway, has become overgrown with grass, shrubs, and vines. It began at the corner of Division avenue and the King's highway, at Bridgeport, ran to Jack- son's, now Moody's mill, and through chair swamp, forked to the north- west from the King's highway at the Jew cemetery, ran over Holland hill, past General Silliman's estate, to the rear of Osborn's and Round hills, to *B, Town Votes, p. 41. See Map of Fairfield, Frontispiece. i67i] AN INTERESTING DECADE 1 57 Richard Ogden's mill, now Burr Perry's mill, at Mill plain ; there forded Mill river, ran past the estate of the late Abel Beers, over Mill hill, and the grass-grown road, a little north-west of the present turnpike at South- port, crossed the turnpike below Sasco mill-ponds, and the farms of Joel and Francis Buckley, wound from E. Mills' corner, ran over Turkey hill to the farms of William Jennings, T. B. and H. B. Wakeman's, crossed Muddy brook below the Green's Farms church, at Rev. Dr. Hezekiah Ripley's old homestead ; and continued south-west, crossing the New York and New Haven Railroad west of Sherwood's island ; re-crossed the railroad, and wound to the road at Compo, which runs due north to Westport village. The King's highway began at the corner of Division street, and ran west of Mountain Grove cemetery and Moody's mill, and is now called the back road to Bridgeport ; from the fork of the road at the Jew cemetery south-west to the estate of the late John Gould, of Fairfield, through the main street of Fairfield, and through Mill plain, where it ran to the high- way which lay on the south of the half mile of commons, and the building and pasture lots to Westport. The views of Long Island Sound and of the surrounding country to be seen from these highways are very beautiful. It is the intention of the author of this work to give a second and larger map in the second volume, containing the lines of these highways, and of the highways between the Long lots, which were renewed about the middle of the eighteenth century. The village of Greenfield was afterwards built upon the mile of com- mon, the south-east corner of which is bounded by the road which crosses the main road at the foot of the long hill leading up to the meeting- house. The half mile of common, which extended across the town, formed the division line between the building and pasture lots on the south-east and the Long lots above it. The Long lots commenced on the north-west of the half mile of common, and lay on the east and west sides of the mile of common, which extended to the north limits of the town. The Rev. Samuel Wakeman was voted a share in the dividends, accord- ing to his proportion of ratable estate. In this dividend, parsonage land was ordered to be set off at the rate of two hundred pounds' estate, and school lands in the same manner. The liberality shown to the Rev. Samuel Wakeman exhibited the spirit of those days, and the high esteem and reverence paid to the minister of God. It was voted that hired servants should not be included as members of a family, thus preventing an over share of land, by increasing the number of heads of families. On the 15th of February the names of Hendrick Henrickson, Daniel Silliman and John 158 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1671 Applegate were added to the list of dividend sharers, according to their list of estates. Simon Couch and John Andrews, in right of their deceased father Francis Andrews, were voted to receive their dividends only as one master of a family, which lands should be equally divided between them. They were also ordered to divide a portion of land at a place called the Horse-pasture, then in controversy, among the five Bankside farmers. It was voted that highways should not be " run across any man's build- ing or pasture lot." The town granted Sergeant Seely '' for his work about the meeting-house, the high way running through the neck below his house at the creek, & between him & Paul's Neck." By this vote it would appear, that with the repairs which had previously been made upon the meeting- house, it had become a goodly structure, equal to any in the colony in size and in comfortable accommodations. Particular attention was directed to the Rev. Samuel Wakeman's farm at Saugatuck, by a vote, that he should have the privilege of annexing to it, according to his list of ratable estate, the use of the undivided com- mons for grazing his cattle. The idea appears to have existed that while the boundary line between Norwalk and Fairfield was in dispute, the grant of a large farm to Mr. Wakeman, and the use of land adjoining it, would hold the Norwalk planters at bay ; the influence of a minister in those days being equal to that of the whole town. Nathaniel Seely, John Wheeler and John Green, were appointed to settle the bounds of the school lands in Sasco. On the i8th of April John Green was granted three acres of land above the bridge over Sasco river, " provided he maintained a gate-way at the front west corner of Daniel Frost's lot, to be well hung with necessary hinges." On the 19th of April "the meadow at Sasco Neck below the bridge & above the dam, was confirmed to John Banks & those connected with him, in erecting a dam at Pine Creek." At the same meeting, a new order of dividend was proposed ; which was, that the dividend line between the building lots, pasture lots, and the half mile of common should run as follows : " There shall be a straight line from Stratford bounds to y« further corner of y« Round- hill, next y^ Mill River, so as to clear y« cartway y' runs to Goodman Jackson's beyond Chair-swamp ; & from y= said corner of Round-hill y« line is to run straight to Goodman Ogden's chimney of his dwelling ; & from thence y^ line is to run straight to y« bounds already appointed near Norwalk bounds ; so as to clear a sufficient highway over Muddy- creek, where y« way goes over from y^ farms over y^ said creek. Also the town orders that y« tier of pastures that lie on the west side of the Mill-River, shall run in y^ same 1671] AN INTERESTING DECADE 1 59 range as y^ building lots do; & Goodman Ogden to begin next y^ building lots, & so y« neighborhood to take up successively, as is formerly ordered."* Among those who had been nominated in October for the following year at the May election, Major Gold was chosen an assistant of the General Assembly; William Hill and John Burr deputies, and William Hill and Jehu Burr commissioners from Fairfield. Trouble having arisen at Rye, in regard to the discontent of some of the inhabitants with the new order of things, Nathan Gold and John Burr were made two of a committee to "repair thither, to compose the troubles & to procure an orthodox minister to settle there." If the inhabitants of Rye did not concur with the endeavors of the committee, they were invested with authority " to settle a minister for the work of that place," and to grant him a rate of forty pounds, which should be levied on all the inliabitants for this purpose, to be collected by the constable with the colony rate. Simon Couch, of Bankside, was so much aggrieved because the lands, which had been expressly stipulated in the agreement of 1666 should continue in the possession of the Bankside farmers, were included in the dividend lands, that he brought an action against the town for his rights in those lands from his father-in-law Francis Andrews. The matter was referred to Nathan Gold, William Hill and John Burr to settle as speedily as possible ; and if they did not satisfy the said Simon Couch, he was given liberty to present his case to the next October session of the Assembly. Jeremiah Adams gave his note of los. to pay for preseiiting this petition. Richard Osborn, of Fairfield, was granted " eighty acres of land for his good services in the Pequot war." John Banks and seven others belonging to the neighboring plantations, were granted liberty to purchase lands of the Indians, provided such pur- chases were at the disposal of the General Assembly, upon the said gentle- men being duly remunerated. The governor, deputy-governor and the assistants of the Assembly, " were appointed a committee to examine the code of laws prepared by Roger Ludlow in 1650, & revise them for publication." The assistants at the seaside were particularly mentioned in this order. The towns were ordered " to pay for the hire of their deputies horses," while attending the General Assembly. The third Wednesday in June was appointed a day of fasting and prayer. Upon the return of the magistrates from the General Assembly, a town meeting was held on the 14th of June, when it was voted to divide the * B, Town Voles, p. 43. l6o HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1672 lands at Compo neck among the inhabitants of the town who owned taxable estates. John Banks, Cornelius Hull, and Francis Bradley were chosen a committee to examine and make report of the quantity and quality of the lands at Compo. John Banks was chosen an attorney to defend the town, with liberty to employ one or more attorneys under him, at the October term of the Assembly, against the suit of Simon Couch. It was voted that ten pounds annually should be spent in stubbing and ditching the parsonage grounds. John Wheeler and Samuel Morehouse were "appointed husbands of this work." The valuation of the list of estates this year at Fairfield amounted to ^9,967. A penny farthing was levied upon all estates for the colony expenses, to be paid in one-third each of peas, Indian corn and wheat. The first Wednesday in November was set apart a day of general thanks- giving, specially for the restoration of health, peace in the colony, and *' for the peace as yet, through the goodness of God, enjoyed in their native country." On account of several persons having expressed dissatisfaction with their building dividends, it was voted January 31st, that such persons should return these dividends to the town, and in lieu of them they were granted the same proportion of lands in the rear of these dividends in the half mile of common, provided there should be laid out "a highway twenty rods broad," between the half mile of common and the Long-lots ; and eight score rods between them and the former building dividend. Sergeant John Banks, Sergeant Nathaniel Seeley, and Cornelius Hull were appointed a committee to lay out these lots, and also such highways between them as they deemed necessary.* It was found, however, that even this change did not satisfy all. It was therefore voted, after those who "slipped or jumped their lots were first served, & the highways had been staked out, that others upon giving up their present building dividends should also receive shares in the Half Mile of Common." John Banks, Robert Rumsey, Daniel Lockwood, Jehu Burr, Nathaniel Burr, Obediah Gilbert and Thomas Morehouse, were the first who received the benefit of this last order. Major Gold, John Burr and William Hill were appointed to settle the claims of Simon Couch and John Smith " to a lawful share in the land dividends, & to allow each, such a proportion of lands as they judged be right," with the proviso, " that they were not to receive any more than they were entitled to according to their rateable estates." Those who lived on the east end of the town were to have lots set out to them * B, Town Votes, p 45. 1672] AN INTERESTING DECADE 161 within the cast limits of the half mile common ; and those on the west side were to be served in the same way, allowing a twenty rod highway between them and the Long-lots, and a ten instead of an eight-rod high- way between them and the building lots dividend. Sergeant Nathaniel Seeley, Cornelius Hull and John Wheeler, were appointed a committee to lay out these lots. On the 15th of February, Sergeant John Banks, Henry Jackson and Thomas Staples were ordered " to decisively settle the bounds of the tier of lots over against James Bonnet's, on the other side of Uncoa creek." An immediate division of the Compo lands was ordered to be made, against which "Captain Nathan Gold protested." The townsmen, how- ever, remained firm in their determination to claim and divide the said lands, and appointed Sergeant John Banks and Francis Bradley to lay out and settle all the necessary highways in Compo neck. Mr. Jehu Burr and his brother John Burr, were appointed to settle a long controversy between the town and the proprietors of the home lots, lying against the great meadow before the town, according to a vote of the major part of the townsmen. On the 28th of February the committee appointed to examine the lands at Compo neck made a report of "about 300 acres of good land, & 300 of worse land." It was immediately to be divided in two dividends, which, were to run as follows: " 1=' At y'= Island, y= Lots to begin there att y^ South End, y= divisible land is 5 acres. 2'id ye pine plane beginning- at y« beach, y^ first Lots to Run by y<= beach and So on to y« high way y' runs to y^ Island, and fronts upon an highway running along by y^ pound. 3rd Tear fronting against yc Great high way y' runs from y« Sea-beach up to y° Rocks att ye little ponds, y« lots to run over y^ hills to y^ high way at y= hazekee meadow and over y^Swamp y' Runs to y= muddy Creek, and ye meer Swamp to be accounted meas- ure, and also upon y° high way running from y= Swamp to Compo Creek's mouth : y*^ Lots to begin by )<=high way by y= Sea, and So on northward till they come up to y* Rocks and y^ great Swamp there is, an high way runs across two rods wide from ye great high way to Compo Creek's mouth under y= end of y° hill. 4*'' Tear to begin at ye North End of a piece of upland y' lies on ye north East Side of hazeky meadow, y* lots to run cross y= upland, to run westerly to y^ mark'd trees, & So on over hazeky meadow, butting on y° rocks upon ye north west End & on ye north End, and .So to run on ye point of Land near Dan'll Frost building lot, y'= lots to run cross y° hill to ye marked trees of Each Side of y^ hill, ye lots to begin att y° upper End of y= hill next Dan" Frost building lott, and So on untill they come to an high way by a marsh, ye brow of ye hill of Rocks next y^ creek is not to be valued in measure. Ye Second Dividend being ye Rock Dividend, is to lye on both Sides of ye high way y' Runs from ye point of rocks to Handford path, and So to y^ Lots to run back from y= Said high way as y° tear hath already been Surveyed : y' is to be a good high way left to run from y<= great high way to Saugatuck River, & to lye between Mr Wakeman's farm and ye Dividends, ye Comittee is to leave necessary high II l62 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1672 wayes for M^ Wakeman to come to his meadow. y« first Lot to begin next y= higii way y' Runs to Saugatuck River by M^ Wakeman's farm, and So y^ Lots to Run nortliward to ye end of y^ tear, y', y<= lots to Run on y^ Tear on y^ otiier side of y^ great highway, beginning northward of y^ Teer, and So to Run Southward to y« End of y° Teer. he that begins So Successively in y^ first Dividend of y^ good Land, must also So begin in y^ Sec- ond Dividend by y^ high way by IvI"' Wakeman's farm and So on northward as is above ordered."* A dividend of these lands was made on the 28th of Februaiy, to the dividend holders, and recorded on the same day. An interesting record, called the pounder's oath, was made at this time, which shows that the young fruit trees were grown in fields, and held in common by the towns- men. It also shows the care exercised in the healthy growth of fruit trees, which had been brought from England, or raised from imported inocula- tion, grafts, pits and seeds. THE pounder's OATH. You A. B. being Sworn pounders for y"^ Town of Fairfield for y^ year Ensuing, and untill new be chosen, and Sworn into your work, do Either of you for your Selves, Swear by y= great and dreadfull name of y® Everliving God, y* you will faithfully perform and Execute y= Offices you are Chosen to, without partiallity to any man, and to Spend So much time in y« Executing your abovesaid work as you Shall Judge necessary for y^ pre- servation of y= fruits of y« Cofhon fields. So help you God in our Lord Jesus Christ. At the May court of election, Major Gold was continued in his office of 'assistant of the General Assembly; Jehu Burr and John Wheeler were chosen deputies, and Jehu Burr and William Hill commissioners for Fair- field. John Banks represented, or was one of the deputies for Rye this year. John Green was appointed one of a committee to lay necessary high- ways at Rye. John Burr was made one of a committee to lay out a plan- tation north of Norwalk. The deputies were allowed ten shillings extra apiece, for special attendance at this session of the court, to examine the code of laws exhibited for publication. The governor and assistants were appointed to prepare a preface to the book. Deputy John Wiieeler of Fairfield, was granted one hundred acres of land. On the 26th of June, the General Assembly held an extra session at Hartford, to take into con- sideration a letter sent by the king of England to Governor Winthrop, announcing his declaration of war with the king of France against Hol- land, ordering the governor and council of Connecticut to send out a proc- lamation of war against the Dutch in America; and to capture all ships * Vote of Jan. 31, 1672. B, Town Votes, p. 46. 1672] AN INTERESTING DECADE 163 of merchandise belonging to the States General. They were also notified that a fleet of ships was being made ready to prey upon the commerce of the West Indies, and the English colonies in America; for which rea- son, they were advised to provide for the safety and defense of the ships and vessels lying in their harbors ; that all ships leaving the ports should sail in numbers for security, and be commanded by experienced officers. They were to submit to all orders and directions which they should receive, from time to time, from the Duke of York, who had been granted letters of marque and general reprisal against subjects, ships, goods, etc., belonging to Holland. This letter according to direction was immediately sent to Massachusetts.* The triple alliance of England, Holland and Sweden (January 13, 1668) had never been pleasing to the king of England. Through the influence of his sister, the Duchess of Orleans, he had most disgracefully entered into a secret treaty at Dover on the 22d of May, 1670, to make a public profession of the Roman Catholic religion, and to join the French king in a war against Holland. This declaration of war was not made, however, until the 17th of March, 1672. The English colonies in the West Indies and America were grievously distressed by the announcement of this unjust war, which had been antici- pated for some time. The General Assembly at once proceeded to place the militia and troopers in the towns, in readiness for active service. Major Geld was made commander-in-chief of the forces of Fairfield county, with Captain William Curtis of Stratford "his second;" and with Mr. Thomas Fitch of Norwalk, he was ordered to raise a sufficient body of troopers in Fairfield and its vicinity for the war, which should number forty-four. For months the colonies were in constant expectation of the arrival of a Dutch fleet, and the greatest excitement prevailed. Intelligence had been received of a desperate engagement on the 28th of May, between the Dutch fleet and the combined English and French fleet in Southwold bay, off the coast of Suffolk; and of the victories of the French king in Hol- land. This news filled them with gloomy apprehensions of an approach- ing war nearer home. At the meeting of the October Assembly, William Hill and John Banks were each granted one hundred and fifty acres of land for a farm. A printed copy of the laws of the colony was accepted by the Assembly, and an order issued that they should be published with- out delay ; and that every family in the colony should purchase a copy, to be paid for in silver or wheat to the constables. The price of a book in * Col. Rec. Conn., II., 559. l64 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1673 silver was \2d., or a peck and a half of wheat, or in peas at three shillings a bushel. The estates at Fairfield this year were valued at ;^ 10,209. A tax of a penny farthing on the pound was levied for the expenses of the colony. The last Thursday in October was appointed a day of thanksgiv- ing for the blessings of peace, health and prosperity, and specially for a bountiful supply of fruit. In December an acre of land was voted to any honest blacksmith, who would settle in the town. Richard Burgis of Boston was invited to fill the place. In January, Richard Ogden was granted liberty to erect a new mill on Mill river, near the old mill site. Mill-hill was voted to remain a common forever. On the 30th of April, Jehu Burr, Sergeant John Banks, and Sergeant Nathaniel Seely, were appointed to examine the lands of Wyantenuck or New Milford, and to report to the town if it was a suita- ble place for a plantation. At the May court of election Major Gold was elected an assistant of the General Assembly, John Burr and John Banks deputies, and Jehu Burr and William Kill commissioners for Fairfield. Jehu Burr with Captain William Curtis of Stratford, was appointed to lay out to Henry Wakeley, of Fairfield, eight acres of land granted him in 1669, A committee was also appointed to lay out the land granted William Hill, John Banks, and John Wheeler. John Banks was made one of a com- mittee to examine the lands of Potatuck or Newtown, with a view of beginning a plantation there. The Rev. Samuel Wakeman and Jehu Burr were each granted two hundred acres of land.* The published Connecticut laws were brought into the Assembly, and after accepting the same maritime laws used by Massachusetts, it was ordered that the seal of the colony should be afifixed in the beginning of every volume. This book was printed early in the year, and was entitled, "The Book of the General Laws, for the People within the Jurisdiction of Connecticut, lately revised, & with some Emendations & Additions, Established & Published by the Authority of the General Court of Connecticut in Oct, 1672. Romans 13. i, 2. Let every soul be subject to the Higher Powers ; for there is no Power but of God, the Powers that h& are Ordained of God. Whosoever, therefore, resisteth the Power resisteth the Ordinance of God : & they that resist, shall receive to themselves Damnation. Cambridge : Printed by Samuel Green, 1673.'' The Preface is headed " To our Beloved Brethren & Neighbors, the Inhabitants of the Colony of Connecticut, The General Court of that Colony, with Grace & Peace from our Lord Jesus." It recognizes the * Col. Rec. Conn., II., 200. 1673] AN INTERESTING DECADE 165 necessity of establishing wholesome laws for the regulation of each body politic, "mainly in obedience unto Jehovah, the Great Law-giver: who hath been pleased to set down a Divine Platform, not only for the moral, but also for Judicial laws suitable for the people of Israel "..."& also in Conformity to the manifest pleasure of our Sovereign Lord the King in his Majestie's Gracious Charter . . . notwithstanding the exceeding great difficulty of the Work, Looking up to God for wisdom & strength to engage in the solemn service" . . . '"that pure religion & undefiled before God, according to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, may be main- tained among us, which was the end of the first planters, who settled the Foundations, & ought to be the endeavours of those that shall succeed, to Uphold & Encourage unto all Generations." It concluded with the words of the Apostle, " i Peter 2. 13, 17. Submit yourselves to every Ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, &c. ; Love the Brotherhood, Fear God. Honor the King." The book is a thin folio volume of 71 pages besides the preface, with a table of blank leaves at the end, upon which laws enacted after its pub- lication were written until 1699, when the leaves were filled up. A few only of these books are now extant, and are great curiosities.* The last Wednesday of May was appointed a day of public fasting and prayer in all the churches. Great alarm prevailed at this time throughout the country. Colonel Francis Lovelace, who had succeeded Colonel Nichols at New York, and who had been occupied during the winter assisting Governor Winthrop in establishing an overland mail to Boston, reported to Winthrop that forty well equipped Dutch men-of-war had sailed from Holland for the West Indies. " It is high time," he wrote, " that we buckle on our arms." In the month of March, while Lovelace was on a visit to the manor of Thomas Pell, at Pellham, to consult with him about the new postal route, he was hastily summoned home, on account of an ap- pearance of the supposed Dutch fleet off Sandy Hook. He returned to the city without delay, and garrisoned the fort with recruits ; but, as the alarm proved false, in May he disbanded all but about eighty of the garrison. Desiring to confer further with Governor Winthrop in reference to the new postal route, he set out on the 20th of July for Hartford. Only a few days elapsed, when the dreaded Dutch fleet was discovered off Sandy Hook. Captain John Manning, who had been left in command of the * Trumbull's Hist, of Conn., I., 338. Col. Rec. of Conn., II., Note 15, p. 567. The laws of the New Haven colony were published in England in 1655. In June, 1656. five hundred copies were divided among the several towns of that juri.'-diction. They received the Connecticut laws published in 1673, ^"d. on a pound, to defray the expenses of the late war, to be paid in wheat, peas, Indian corn, pork and beef, at their legal rates. A law was *See John Banks and Major Talcott's report, dated June 16, 1777 — Col. Rec. of Conn., 589, 590. 1678] AN INTERESTING DECADE 205 passed regulating the price of tanning hides, also for shoemakers. No shoemaker was allowed to charge over five pence half penny for plain and wooden-heeled shoes, above men's sevens three soled; nor "above seven pence half penny for well wrought French falls." Lieutenant Cor- nelius Hull was granted one hundred acres of land, to be laid out to him where he should choose to select it at Fairfield, provided it did not inter- fere with other grants. John Banks was made one of a committee to audit the colonial treasurer's account. The leading men of Connecticut had, at this time, cause for increased anxiety in regard to their chartered liberties. Enemies to their peace had been busy during the war both at home and in England. In conse- quence of the continuation of this unhappy state of things, the 21st of November was appointed a day of fasting and prayer. The ministers throughout the colony were requested " to stir up their people to the work of solemn humiliation & prayer, with turning to the Lord in this our day of Jacob's trouble." At a meeting of the townsmen of Fairfield, November 2d, Samuel More- house was granted liberty to erect a fence across the highway in Uncoa neck, with gates for egress and regress. This fence probably stood a very short distance south-east of the present Black Rock bridge. A heavy fine was exacted if any of the town gates were left open. To prevent fires, every house owner was ordered to keep a long ladder on his house. This custom is still observed by some of the farmers. Each house owner was also ordered " to sweep his chimneys in the winter once a fortnight, & in the summer once a month." Richard Wilson was appointed for the east end of the town, and Henry Castle for the west end. If the chimney sweepers and the house owners could not agree about the necessity of sweeping any chimney, they were to submit the question to some indifferent person. In November Samuel Morehouse and the rest of the east farmers, were granted liberty by the townsmen to erect a stable " 20 ft. square, & 9 ft. broad & 40 ft. long, at some con- venient place on the Meeting-house green." At the May election Major Gold was chosen an assistant, Jehu Burr and Richard Hubbell deputies, and William Hill and Jehu Burr commis- sioners for Fairfield. Jehu Burr was also appointed to administer the oath of a commissioner to the other commissioners, of the county. John Banks was made one of a committee, to settle the bounds between Stam- ford and Norwalk. At a town meeting held June 25th. it was voted that Richard Ogden's mill on Mill river and the land adjoining it, should be conveyed to him by 2o6 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1678 a written deed, according to a former contract. It was also agreed to talk with him about removing the mill. Sergeant George Squire was appointed to care for the preservation of the school lands. In addition to the school laws already passed, the General Court ordered that every town should keep a school at least three months in a year, or forfeit five pounds, which sum should be paid towards the maintenance of a grammar school in the county. In order *' to stir up & excite the county towns to the attendance of so wholesome an order " as that of keeping up a good Latin school, it was decreed, that if any of the county towns neglected to keep such a school, they should pay the fine of ten pounds to the next town in their county which accepted this requirement, " & so ten pounds annually, till they came up to the attendance of this order." The schools were maintained by a general tax, unless some other way of supporting a school-master was adopted. It was further ordered that any town which had increased to the number of thirty families, should maintain a school "to teach children to read & write." The town of Fairfield granted to Mr. Josiah Harvey the overplus of his school rate. This vote gives a clue to the school-master of the central district of the town at that time. Isaac Wheeler, John Odcll and Mathew Sherwood, in the name of the inhabitants of Pequonnock, presented a petition, that they might retain their school tax, towards maintaining a school on the east side of Uncoway river. They represented that as they lived almost four miles from the centre of the town, they found it very diflficult to send their children so far to school, " & if any, none but the greatest whom [they] cannot spare to send constantly abroad." — " They had hired a school master, 'who had been approved on that account' in several towns in the colony ; & they had forty seven children already entered at school, besides several others, who could not be spared except in winter. Tiiey desired no help from the town, but asked ' that they might be freed from paying to the town in reference to their school.'" The Rev. Samuel Wakeman added his recommendation in favor of the petition in the following words: "The above petition, brought unto me for my advice & countainance. finds me as an unfeigned well-wilier to ye (as I thinke) honest scope of your said petitioners, & carries with it so reasonable an aspect, yt I am bold to subjoine my humble request to theyrs (yt other difificulties being solved (if it may be) by your prudent interposition & direction) yt may find you ready to grant theyr desirs, & further them in theyr well ment motion." i679l AN INTERESTING DECADE 20/ The governor and assistants recommended the court of Fairfield to grant to the planters of Pequonnock as much as they could spare of their county taxes and fines, for the settlement and encouragement of a gram- mar school.* The teacher they had already hired was Mathew Bellamy. He had taught at Stamford in 1658, and had also been a teacher at Guilford and Killingworth, and was at Saybrook in 1677. He is supposed to have been the grandfather of the noted Rev. Joseph Bellamy.f The following year, " the town granted unto Mr. Bellamy one acre of land on the east side of Unquowa River for a building lot," provided, "he be a school-master within the town of Fairfield seven years from this date." Two acres more were soon after added to this grant. In case he removed before the expiratioti of seven years, he was to forfeit the land to the town, and they were to pay him for such improvements as he had made upon it. In case he died within the seven years, tlie land with its improvements, was to revert to his wife and children.:!: At the sitting of the October Assembly, it was voted that the Indian male servants living in English families, should be taxed as other persons until further orders. Tlie colony tax was reduced to three pence on a pound to be paid in county pay.§ Increased apprehensions still existed among the leading men of New England, on account of the malicious representations made against them by their enemies to the king of England. Most conspicuous among these was Sir Edward Randolph, who came to Boston in 1676 ; and annually, either in person or by writing, made complaints against them, specially in regard to their acts of trade and navigation. Being well informed of the influences at work, the colonists were apprehensive of being totally deprived of their liberties. At the May election Major Gold continued in his ofifice of assistant of the General Assembly, John Banks and Richard Hubbell were re-elected as deputies, and John Burr and Jehu Burr were made commissioners. A law complimentary to the king was passed during the sitting of this Assembly, which was as follows: * " This Court orders that the present roades from plantation to plantation shall be reputed the country roades or 'King's Highway' & so to remayne until! the Court doe see good reason to make alteration of the same. And whereas the inhabitants of each plantation, are by law required once a yeare to worke a day in cleareing- of the brush, it is by this Court recommended to the townesmen of the severall plantations, to improve * Col. Rec. Conn., II.. 8. % B, Fairfield Town Votes, 1678. f Snvaq^e's C'nealogical Diclionary. § Col. Rec. Conn., III., 16. 208 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1679 their inhabitants in cleareing the comon roacles, in the first place, that lye between towne & towne, vntill the sayd roades are cleared at least one rod wide." From this date the road known as the King's Highway, at Fairfield, received its name. In 1679, previous to which time, everything connected with the settle- ment of Fairfield appears to have worn a most encouraging aspect, the town was visited by a most alarming epidemic. But little information is to be found about it, or what the character of the disease was, which made such ravages among the inhabitants. From a document to be found in the State House, at Hartford, the following account is given : "Fairfield, 1679. — A sore sickness attended with an uncommon mortality in this town, though very healthy in the neighboring- towns. There died about 70 persons within three months & there was hardly enough well persons to tend the sick & bury the dead." New England was generally afflicted. Sickness prevailed in many of the settlements, the crops were visited with mildew and blight, and cater- pillars and worms destroyed the vegetables and fruits. The 3d of June was set apart by the General Court " as a day of public humiliation & prayer." In the month of September the same year, " the ' Reformed Synod ' met at Boston, to consider the evils that have provoked the Lord to bring his judgments on New England." The celebrated Mather men- tions the evils which fell upon New England colonies at that time. He says : " By land some of the principal grains, especially our wheat & our peas, fell under an unaccountable /?/asl, for which we are not even unto this day delivered ; & besides that constant frown of Heaven upon our husbandry, recurring every year, few years have passed wherein either worms or droughts, or some consuming disasters, have not befallen the labors of the husbandmen. By sea, we are visited with multitudes of shipwrecks, enemies preyed on our vessels and sailors, and the affairs of the merchants were clogged with losses abroad, ox fires breaking forth in the chief seats of trade at home, wasted their substance with yet more costly desolations."* Owing to these calamities, upon recommendation of the commissioners of the united colonies in 1678, the General Court ordered that all the churches throughout New England should unite in humble prayer and supplication, that the Almighty would remove his anger from them. "The Synod convened at Boston Sept. 10. 1679 choosing Mr. John Shermon and Mr. Urian Oakes for joint moderators, during the biggest part of the sea- son." " The Assembly kept a day of fasting & prayer," after which *Magnalia, Vol. II., B. V., p. 4. i^yg] AN INTERESTING DECADE 209 several days were spent in discussing the two questions which were offered for consideration, viz. : " What arc the provoking evils of New England? & zvhat is to be done that so those provoking evils may be reformed?" Thirteen evils were enumerated in reply to the first question. Answers were made to these questions, setting forth the way by which the provok- ing evils of the times might be overcome. Ministers were emboldened to preach against the sins of the people. " But of all the effects that followed upon the synod, there was none more comprehensive & significant than the renewal of the covenant^ The renewal of the covenant varied only in words in different churches, but the substance was in all points essentially the same."^ On account of many persons sojourning in some of the towns in the colony, who not only voted illegally but intermeddled with the laws of the towns and colony, a law was passed, " that none be admitted an inhabi- tant, or householder but a man of sober conversation, with at least fifty shillings freehold estate in the common list besides his person, should vote in the choice of town or county affairs, provided he had not been made a freeman, under a penalty of 20^ fine." At the October session of the General Assembly, John Banks was appointed one of a committee to settle the boundary line between Milford and Derby. A general thanksgiving was appointed for the first Wednes- day of November throughout the colony. Special thanks were requested to be offered for the deliverance of the king and his people from the Popish plot ; as well as their own " preservation, notwithstanding the plots & machinations of evil minded men." One of the chief causes for dis- quietude at this time was, that if Andros succeeded in becoming governor of New England, he would make the Church of England the established church of the colonies. Great fears were also entertained that the Roman Catholics would gain strong foothold in New York. On the 25th of October the Sasco Indians agreed to make an exchange of their lands in the Sasco fields for other lands belonging to the town. * Mather's Magnalia, Vol. II . B. V., p. 283. 14 CHAPTER V 1680 — 1690 THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION Claim of John Wampus. — First prison on Meeting-house green. — Magistrates of 1680. — Trade and Navigation. — Indian troubles. — Fairfield troops. — Bedford. — Edward Randolph, deputy for New England. — Henry Wakeley. — Branding. — Ship building. — Purchase of Old Indian Field. — Court of admiralty. — Fairfield estates. — Meeting-house repairs. — Military colors. — Blight of crops, and great sickness. — Sign post. — Non-residents. — Pirates. — Silver coins. — Connecticut boundary-line. — Major Gold sent to New York. — Danbury. — Death of Charles II. — James II. proclaimed King. — Fairfield patent. — Royal letters. — Writs of Quo War- ranto. — Edward Randolph. — Highway across Golden-hill. — Petition to the King. — Governor Dongan. — Sir Edmund Andros. — Boundary between Fairfield and Norwalk. — Nathan Gold, Jehu Burr and John Banks disfranchised. — William Whiting.— Danbury made a town. — Governor Andros assumes command of Connecticut. — The Charter Oak. — Governor Andros' Council. — John Perry, postman. — French and Indians. — Major Gold and Jehu Burr reinstated. — Oppressive laws of Andros. — Andros' proclamation. — Rev. Increase Mather. — Abdication of James II. — William and Mary. — Andros imprisoned. — Connecticut magistrates restored to office. — William and Mary proclaimed in New England towns. — Address to the King and Queen. — Major Gold ambassador to New York. — Connecticut troops sent to New York. — French and Indian depredations. — Rev. Increase Mather's success in England. — Preparation for war with the Canadians and Indians. The laborious and valuable services rendered by Fairfield during Philip's war, added greatly to the luster of her fame. Nobly had her sons borne a heavy share of the hardships and sacrifices of this war ; and by their spirit and bravery deservingly won the name of heroes. Never did women deserve greater praise than the mothers and daughters of Fairfield, for their constant industry and helpfulness in sustaining the life of the colo- nies at this critical time. Scarcely, however, had peace settled over her borders than a fresh dis- quietude arose. The planters had for some time believed themselves, or claimed to be, the lawful possessors of the last six miles square of lands purchased of the Aspetuck Indians in 1670; but their claim was now dis- puted by John Wampus, alias White, by virtue of his marriage to Prasque, the daughter of Romanock, chief sachem of the Aspetuck and Sasquan- nock Indians. Romanock had died during the latter part of the previous decade, and Wampus' claim was based upon a deed of Aspetuck given to Prasque by her father, dated September 11, 1660. Revisited the chief magistrates of Fairfield, and before them asserted his claim to be a just and lawful one. So persistently did he push the matter, and demand that i68o] THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 211 his lands should be bounded out to him, that he incurred the displeasure of the magistrates, who ordered his imprisonment. He then employed Richard Thayer, a lawyer of Milford, not only to apply to the General Assembly, but also to address a letter to the Lords of the King's Council, to which he received the following reply : " From the Lords of the Cotatcil to the Governor and Magistrate : After our hearty commendations. Wliereas John Wampus, alias Whites, has, by petitions humbly represented unto his Majesty, that he is, by marriage of Anna, the daughter of Romanock, late sachem of Aspetuck & Sasquanaugh, upon the death of said sachem, become sole proprietor of those tracts of land where the town of Fairfield, in the colony of Connecticut, is built ; that the petitioner's said father-in-law did, about nineteen years since, deliver up the possession of the said land to the petitioner, who sometime after sold part thereof to Capt. Denison, Amos Richardson & others of Connecticut Col- ony, for the sum ot three hundred &; fifty pounds, or thereabouts; & that by the evil practices of Major Nathan Gould, & other inhabitants of Fairfield, he is not only kept out of his just rights, but was also imprisoned by them in May last, when he went to demand possession of his estate ; withall complaining of the great hardships & miseries he & other native Indians are subject unto by the laws of that colony. His Majesty taking into con- sideration the miserable condition of the petitioner, & declaring his royal pleasure that not only the petitioner, but all such Indians of New England as are his subjects, & sub- mit peaceably & quietly to his Majesty's government, shall likewise participate of his royal protection, we do by his Majesty's express commands signify the same unto you, requir- ing you to do the petitioner such justice as his case may deserve ; & for the future to proceed in such manner as his Majesty's subjects may not be forced to undertake so long & dangerous voiages for obtaining justice, which his Majesty expects shall be speedily & impartially administered unto them upon the place. And so not doubting of your ready compliance herein, we bid you heartily farewell. From the Council Chamber in White- hall, the 28th day of March, 1679. Your loving friends, Anglesley, Clarendon, Ailesbury, J. Brickenwater, Falconberg, J. Erule, John Nichols. To our Loving Friends, the Governor &l Magistrate of his Majesty's Colony of Con- necticut, in New England. Rec'd May 17, I680."* Meanwhile, the authorities of the town had strictly forbidden Wampus to draw division lines within the township, and proceeded to obtain, if possible, a general deed from all the Indian sachems of whom they had purchased lands. At a town meeting in February, it was voted that a small piece of land on the green should be granted to build a prison, with a dwelling-house thereon, also a garden plot and yard plot. * Col. Rec. Conn., III., 281. 212 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1680 During the spring the people of Mill-plain expressing dissatisfaction on account of some of the planters having so far encroached upon the high- way that it was lost, Jehu Burr and Samuel Morehouse were appointed a committee to settle the boundaries of the trespassers, and to lay out the highway to a place called Applegate's Landing. At the May election Major Gold was re-elected an assistant ; John Banks and Jehu Burr deputies; and Jehu and John Burr commissioners. John Banks was made one of a committee to audit the colonial treasurer's account. He was also appointed one of a committee to examine the plantation of Wood- bury, and to settle the division lines between Woodbury, Derby and Waterbury. Jehu Burr was made one of a committee with Major Treat, John Talcott, and the Rev. James Fitch, to hear and settle all quarrels between the English and Indians, and all Indian quarrels. He was also appointed with Mr. William Fowler, of Stratford, to settle the bounds of one hundred acres of land upon Corum hill to Ackenach, sachem of Mil- ford and Derby. The acts of trade and navigation had for many years become so offen- sive to the colonists, and so contrary to their chartered liberties, that they were openly opposed by many ; but, as the king had ordered that the governor in each colony should take the oath of trade and navigation, it was administered to Governor Leete in the presence of this assembly.* A series of twenty-seven questions from a committee of the king's privy council was also read, and an answer voted to be returned by the governor, and as many of the assistants and council as could be present, to draw up suitable answers. A synopsis of the replies to these questions gives a very interesting idea of many things bearing upon the history of the town of Fairfield, and is as follows : I. Answer. We have two annual General Courts, according- to his Majestie's charter. (2) We have two Courts of Assistants, consisting of the governor & six assistants, with a jury, for the trial of capital offences, & for appeals. (3) The colony is divided into four counties, each county holding two courts annually, consisting of magistrates with a jury, for actions of debts, slander, & criminal matters of less importance. (4) In special matters the Governor with his assistants, holds extra courts between the two annual sessions of the General Court. * By the king's proclamation of November 24, 1675, all other but English vessels were pro- hibited from importing to the colonies commodities from Europe not laden in England. The governor of each colony was required to make returns of all vessels laden with plantation com- modities in his colony, and all bonds taken by him. On the 19th of May, 1680, WiUiam Brath- wayt, Esq., was granted a commission by the liing, as surveyor and auditor general of all revenues arising in America, with power to appoint deputies and under officers. — Col. Rec. of Conn., I., 307. i68o] THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 213 2. Answ. Having but little traffic abroad, the Court of Assistants decide cases need- inj^ attention. 3 Answ. The Legislative power rests in the General Court, & the execution in the regular appointed courts. 4. Answ. Having sent you one of the new law books, particular attention is directed to the fact, that we had been careful not to make any laws repugnant to the statute laws of England. 5. Answ. The troops of the colony coiisists of but one regular body ; but three more companies could be raised consisting of forty horse each. The other forces are train bands. One Major in each county commands the militia of the county, subject to the orders of the governor; the latter being the general of all the forces in the colony. The number of the whole body of trained soldiers is 2507 — Hartford county 835. New Haven county 623. New London county 509. Fairfield county 540. The arms of troopers are pistols & carbines, & of foot soldiers, muskets & pikes. In the late war with the Indians, dragoons proving most useful, about 300 were employed in the service with good success. 6 Answ. We have one small fort in the colony not over strong, at the mouth of the Connecticut river, called Saybrooke, easily supplied with provisions from the towns about it. There are other good harbors, specially one at New London needing fortifications & artillery. 7 Answ. Few privateers or pirates venture to enter the harbors of our dangerous coasts. 8 Answ. We have about 500 fighting Indians. We are strangers to the French, & have no knowledge of their commerce. Our chief trade is with Boston, where clothing is purchased & paid for with what pro- visions we raise. The trade with the Indians since the war is worth nothing. 9 Answ. We have neighborly correspondence with Plymouth ; indifferent with Massa- chusetts ; but none of good account with Rhode Island. On account of the "demands he makes upon our limits, & ill titles he lays upon us," our correspondence with Sir Edmond Andros is not what it was with his predecessors. 10 Answ. " Our boundaries are expressed in our charter. The number of acres of settled or unsettled lands we cannot guess, the country being mountainous, full of rocks, swamps, hills & vales. Most of that fit for planting is taken up. What remains must be subdued, & gained out of fire, as it were, by hard blows, & and for small recompense." II. Answ. "Our principal towns are Hartford upon the Connecticut river; New London upon the Pequot river ; New Haven & Fairfield by the sea side : in which towns is managed the principal trade of the colony. Our buildings are generally of wood ; some of them are of stone & brick ; many of them of good strength & comlynesse for a wilderness ; both those of wood, stone & brick : [many forty feet long & twenty foot broad & some larger] ; three & four stories high."* 12 Answ. There are twenty-six settled towns in the colony. 13 Answ. Between the Narragansett river on the east bounds, & the Mamaroneck rivulet on the west, are the following rivers. (i) The Connecticut, with ten or twelve feet of water at its entrance. Vessels of 60, * " Crossed Out." 214 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD ' [i6So & 80 tons go six miles up the river to Hartford : but by reason of flats & falls cannot ^o more than six miles above Hartford. (2) The New London or Pequot river permits ships of 500 tons to go up to the town. Vessels of thirty tons go above New London to Norwich. (3) At New Haven & Fairfield, vessels of 300 tons or larger can enter their harbors. (4) Vessels of 30 or 40 tons enter the rivers of Guilford, Milford, Norwalk, Stratford, Stamford & Rye. — all these rivers having good tide harbors. 14 Answ. "The commodities of the country are wheat, rye, barley, Indian corn, pork, beef, wool, hemp, flax, cider, perry, tar, deal-boards, pip^-staves, & horses;" but to say the yearly value of what is exported, or spent upon the place, we cannot. Small quantities of exports sent to Jamaica & other Carribian Islands, & bartered for sugar, cot- ton, wool & rum, & some money; rarely a vessel laden with staves, peas, pork, flour for Maderia & Fayall, & bartered for wine. No need of trade with Virginia, on account of raising as much tobacco in the colony as the planters need. Great loss has been sustained by blasting of the wheat & peas by worms & mildew, seriously affecting trade. (2) Good oak timber, pine & spruce is used for masts; oak & pine boards, tar, pitch & hemp for vessels. (3) Possibly 8 or 9000 pounds of commodities imported annually. 15. Answ. No salt-peter raised in the colony, nor have we any knowledge of the right materials for raising it. 16. Answ. About twenty petty merchants trading on the coast from New Foundland to New York. Few foreign merchants ever come to trade with us. Men from 16 to 60 form our train bands. There are but few servants among us, & less slaves, not more than thirty in the colony. 17. Answ. So few English, Scotch & Irish come into the colony, that it would be hard to give an account of them. Some years none ; sometimes a family or two in a year ; three or four blacks perhaps in a year from Barbadoes, which are usually sold at 22^. apiece, according to an agreement made with the masters of vefesels or merchants that bring them. 18. Answ. Nodefinite account of whites or blacks born in the colony to beobtained ; but few blacks, & but two blacks christened that we know of. 19. Answ. We can give no perfect account of the marriages for the last seven years. 20. Answ. We can give no account of the deaths within seven years, but as to the mcrease of the population, it is about as follows : In the year 71 our number of men were 2050 76 " " " " 2303 J7 " " " " 2365 78 " " " " 2490 79 " " " " 2507 21. Answ. The estates of merchants, we make no guess of: but the estates of the corporation in general amount to 1 10788 lbs. 22. Answ. Very seldom other vessels than those from Boston or New York come to trade with us. The number of our vessels amount to 4 ships, & 24 pincks, ketches, & barks ; the combined weight of which amounts to about 1000 tons. 23. Answ. The obstructions we find to trade & navigation, are, want of men ot estates to venture ; of money at home for managing trade, & the high rates of labor. 24. Answ, If Hartford, New London, New Haven & Fairfield could be made free ,6SoJ THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 215 ports for 20 or 15 years, it would he the means of increasing navigation & tiie wealth & trade of the colony. 25. Answ. No duties are taken by us either in export or imports, except in wine & liquor, which is small, & used towards the maintenance of free schools. 26. Answ. Our people are generally strict Congregationalists, others more liberal Congregationalists, & some moderate Presbyterians. There are also about 4 or 5 Seven- day men, & so many Quakers. 27. Answ. Great care is taken to instruct the people in the Christian religion by min- isters catechising them & preaching to them twice every Sabbath day, and on Lecture days ; and by masters of families according to our laws, instructing <& catechising their children & servants. (2) In our 26 towns vve have one & twenty churches. (3) In every settled town in the colony there is a settled minister, except in two towns lately begun, who are seeking for ministers. (4) The ministers are supported by taxes, at the rate in some places of 100 lb per annum, some 90 lb, some 60 lb ; but in no place less than 50 lb. (5) Every town provides for its own poor & impotent people. Seldom any want relief, labor being dear, viz : 2s. & sometimes 2^., 6d. for a day laborer. Provision is cheap viz : wheat 4=. a bushel, Winchester measure, peas 3^; Indian corn 2^., 6d ; pork 3d., pr. lb. beef 2id pr. lb ; butter 6d. pr. lb. Beggars & vagabonds are not suffered ; but as soon as discovered bound out to service.* More particular instructions were sent with the king's letter of May 24, " for the enforcement of the laws relating to the trade & navigation of the colonies. With these letters came also inclosed copies of the acts, a book of rates, & copies of the proclamation of 1675, v/hich prohibited the importation to the colonies of any coinmodities of Europe not laden in England, blank bonds of returns, &c., impressions of the several cus- tomers or patent collectors & comptrollers, both in the port of London & the outer ports." Fairfield, and all the neighboring towns west of New Haven, had cause at this time for serious apprehensions in regard to their Indians. Since Philip's war, the Mohawks had attacked and killed many of the friendly Indians within the limits of Massachusetts ; and it was now rumored that " all the Western Indians beyond New Haven, were joined with the Mohawks in plotting against the English." Whether it was on account of this rumor, or, as was most probable, to be prepared to resist the ambitious schemes of Randolph and Andros, or the encroachments of Massachusetts on their eastern boundaries, the General Assembly took occasion to place their troops and militia in fight- ing order. They declared, that hereafter, " if any attempt should be made in a forcible or hostile manner upon his Majesty's colony, or any part thereof, within the bounds granted b)' his Majesty's charter, either by * These Answers are dated Hartford, July 15, 16S0. — Col. Rec. of Conn., III., 292-300. 2l6 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [r68o natives or any others, upon any pretense whatsoever," the sergeant-major and the military ofificers in the several counties and plantations of the colony, after first demanding a surrender and being refused, should seize and bring such offenders to justice, or by force resist and repel such enemies. All civil and military troops and train-bands of each town were required to aid and assist in quelling such invasions. Three shillings fine was levied upon any refusing or neglecting training duties. All disorderly firing after training days was prohibited, after the shutting in of the even- ing, by a fine of five shillings. Each plantation was recommended to procure one or two great pieces of artillery. Supplies of ammunition were ordered to be procured with all speed. All commissions already granted to military ofificers were to remain in force until other orders were issued. An oath was prepared and exacted from every commissioned officer, that he should faithfully discharge his duty according to the laws of the General Court, Governor and Council of Connecticut, made and established in their behalf. The third Wednesday in June was appointed a day of fasting and humiliation to secure the smile of God's mercy upon the colony. The magistrates of Fairfield lost no time in preparing for the approach- ing crisis in their affairs. To secure their lands and make good their pur- chase of them from the Indians, was now an all-important step to be taken. The next was to have no undivided lands within the boundaries of the township, which would give a foothold to Andros or any other claimant. Accordingly the Indian sachems of Fairfield, or their descend- ants, of whom the English had purchased the several parcels of lands from time to time, were assembled on the sixth of October before the magistrates of the town, to sign and witness a new deed of the sale of their lands to the planters. By this deed all the lands within the deed of March 20, 1656, March 21, 1661, and January 19, 1670, were included. The Indians reserved their Sasco, Pequonnock, Uncowa, Old Indian Field, Wolves Pit Plain and Aspetuck reservations. They acknowledged that they had lawfully sold their lands to the English ; that they had previ- ously received full recompense for them, and agreed to make no further demands. This deed bears the names of the principal sachems of the town, and those of Norwalk who claimed an interest in the lands east of the Saugatuck River.* Having completed this amicable settlement with the Indians, the town committee proceeded without delay to bound and stake out the long lots, highways, etc., for a final dividend of all undivided lands. At the October term of the General Assembly, John Banks was * See Appendix. i68i] THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 21/ made one of a committee to examine the lands north of Stamford, with a view of forming a new plantation, and to make a report of the same to the next Assembly. This was afterwards called Bedford. He was also appointed one on a committee to audit the colony and Hartford county accounts. Notwithstanding the many grievances which filled the hearts of the planters with fear and trembling for their liberties and prosperity, the third Wednesday in November was appointed a day of general thanks- giving, for the mercies still continued to them. At a town meeting held on the 2 1st of December, an article of agreement was drawn in behalf of the town by John Burr, Lieutenant John Banks, Sergeant George Squire, John Wheeler and William Hill, to make over by a formal deed the old mill site on Mill river, to Richard Ogden ; he agreeing to maintain a suflBcient corn-mill on said stream forever.* On the 15th of October, Sir Edward Randolph was appointed by William Braithwait, deputy for New England. This step added to the former fears o^ the colonists, but Governor Leete addressed a letter to the king's commissioners of custom at London on the 24th of January, in which he gives assurances of the fidelity of the Connecticut planters, and promises "to grant Mr. Randolph such necessary aid & assistance as might be requisite." He closed his letter by saying: "If any Lords of the Privy Council or Treasury will concern themselves to father our light, in this or anything proper to our loyalty, we shall thankfully accept the same, and do our duty therein." At the May election Major Gold was made an assistant of the General Assembly, John Wheeler and Richard Hubbel, deputies, and Jehu Burr and John Burr, commissioners. For services rendered the colony in and about Middletown, and for injuries received, Henry Wakeley of Pequonnock, was granted two hundred acres of land, which was laid out to his heirs some years afterwards, west of Newtown, between Fairfield and Danbury. The law prohibiting the importation of deer skins, so largely used for clothing, was repealed, with the proviso, that if any one within a month before transportation, gave notice at a town meeting, or by a writing fastened upon the tavern or mill door, and should find a purchaser for his skins in the town or colony, at six pence per pound, in wheat or money, he should not send the skins out of the colony, under a forfeiture of the full value of as many skins shipped as the purchaser desired. The restraint laid upon grain by the governor and council during Philip's war, was also removed. Seven years were allowed for collecting *B, Town Votes, Dec. 21, 1680. 2l8 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i63i debts. Besides two pence allowed by law on the shilling to the collector of taxes, he was also allowed four pence for every mile traveled, and necessary ferryage, in case of levying for non-payment. On account of a great abuse in the colony in branding horses, private persons were for- bidden to brand them. Each owner was required to take his horse to the regularly appointed brander of the town in which he lived, under a penalty of 40^. No bargain or sale of any horse was made binding, unless recorded in the town Brand Book, where he was sold.* It was also ordered that " if any person should take up, or brand or mark any horse contrary to this order, he shall pay for the first offense five pounds to the treasury, or be whipt ten lashes on the naked body ; for the second offense he shall pay ten pounds or be whipped twenty lashes ; for the third offense he shall be committed to the house of correction, & there be kept at hard labor & with coarse diet for six months, & be whipped once a quarter severely, or pay a fine of twenty pounds." All stray horses not branded, over two years old, were to be sent to the con- stable, who was to cry them for three days in the three next towns ; and if no owner appeared by the end of three weeks, he, with the advice of the nearest assistant or commissioner, was to sell them, or mark them for the use of the county, f That commerce might be facilitated, encouragement was given by the Assembly to ship-builders; and that none but good ships might be built, a law was passed, " that before vessels of over fifteen tons were planked, the owner or builder should repair to the nearest magistrate or commis- sioner, who should appoint one or more capable persons to examine the work & workmen, as was usual in England, under a penalty of ten pounds." Black Rock became for many years a resort for ship-builders, and vessels of considerable size were built and launched from its ship- yards. Smaller vessels were built at Southport, at Palmer's ship-yard. On the i8th of May, the Indians gave a quit claim deed of the Old Indian Field to the townsmen of Fairfield. On the 25th of July, Richard Thayre addressed a letter to Governor Leete, in which he stated that he was employed by the executors of John Wampus, to make inquisition after the estate which his father, Romanoak, gave him ; that he had applied to William Hill, the town recorder, for information in regard to the claim of Wampus, " who stated that he had the evidences in his cus- tody, but would not deliver them or copies of them, without the advice of Major Gold ; " that on the 22d of July he had summoned the recorder to give his evidence before the magistrates of the town, which he had refused * Letter B, of Fairfield Town Votes. f Col. Rec. Conn., III., 79. i682] THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 219 to do. Finally he demanded an order from the governor to be allowed to measure the lands Wampus claimed. On the same day the governor and assistants replied, that they were willing to allow all lawful acts in this as in other cases, " but to suffer strangers to draw lines within townships, without order or consent of the town, we think not safe to encourage."* This appears to have ended all claims which Wampus or White laid to the Aspetuck lands. At the October session of the General Assembly, the county rates were reduced to two cents on the pound, but if any per- son paid his full rate in money, one-third of his tax was abated. Fully resolved to resist all claims and demands made on the colony, save under the laws of the General Assembly, an order was issued, " that no Brief craving the collection of the good people in this colony, shall be read or attended to in any plantation, without the sanction of the governor & his council ; & by their direction into what towns & congregations it shall pass, except for some special occasion, for some distressed or afflicted person." The court of assistants for the future was made a court of admiralty. " In the months of June, July & August a drought prevailed throughout the country, which caused great loss of corn & grass, valued at many thousand pounds." There was a great deal of sickness from a malignant fever, " of which many died." In December, a list of the num- ber of acres, and the value of the estates granted to the inhabitants of Fair- field was recorded. A second list was recorded on the 30th of December following of the building lots, pasture lots and long lots, granted to the inhabitants in 1670. This list is invaluable in its exactness of the number of acres, rods, quarter acres and feet ; as well as the width of the long lots belonging to each land dividend holder, f A vote was passed on the 30th of December, that Faul's Neck should be laid out with sufflcient highways about it. The Indians having removed from the Old Indian Field, and transferred their right to the planters of Fairfield, on the loth of March it was voted, at a town meeting, to divide the said field among the lawful land dividend holders. John Wheeler and Samuel Morehouse were appointed to survey and lay out each planter's proportion. At a town meeting held on the 25th of April, Josiah Harvey was granted " a parcell of land in pay for thirty-eight shillings he lent the military company of Fairfield, toward purchasing a set of colors." At the May election Major Gold was made an assistant of the General Assembly ; Jehu Burr and John Banks deputies ; and Jehu Burr and John *Vol. I. Towns and Lands. State Archives of Conn., p. 196. Col. Rec. Conn., ILL, 282. + See Appendix. 220 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1683 Burr commissioners. A heavy fine was imposed upon the guard at meet- ing-Jiouscs neglecting their duty. Major Gold was made one of a com- mittee to settle a dispute between the Potatuck Indians and the planters of Woodbury. John Banks was appointed one of a committee to audit the colony accounts ; and also the accounts between the colony and Hartford county. The last Thursday in May was appointed a day of fasting and prayer in every town in the colony, " to beseech the Lord to bless the fruits of the fields, the trees & and all the labors of our hands ; " to grant them their civil and religious liberties, " & to continue to be their defense in the midst of them." Sore sickness and many deaths had occurred in the colony ; and the blight upon the fruit and harvest of the previous year was regarded a judgment from God for the sins of the people. At the October session of the Assembly it was ordered : "that a sign post should be set up near the center of every town," where, " proclama- tions, sales of houses & lands, or any other occasion should be set up to be read." The sign post at Fairfield was erected upon the green, directly opposite the meeting-house. The colony tax was at this time reduced to a penny half-penny on the pound. On account of numerous unruly persons thrusting them- selves into the towns, contrary to the law that only accepted persons by a vote of the townsmen, should be allowed to live in the towns, whereby much mischief had been made, a fine of twenty shillings per week was laid upon all persons who should in any capacity take up their residence in any part of the colony, except apprentices and servants bought for hire. Vagrants or suspected persons " without certificates that they were per- sons of good behaviors," were ordered to be sent from constable to constable to the place from whence they came. The towns on Long Island Sound had for some years past been much annoyed with pirates, who had been especially troublesome within the past year. Some of them were captured, but they caused considerable uneasiness, on account of their seizing vessels going out to sea, and prey- ing upon the cattle and grain along the coast. A law was passed that all persons captured on board vessels of a suspicious character, should be sent to the common jail, and " two & two chained together, legs & hands, sent to the place from which they came." On the loth of February the number of acres, quarter acres, rods and feet, were laid out to the land dividend holders, according to the list of March loth in the Old Indian Field. '"^ During this year the first and second Compo dividends were also assigned to the lawful holders. At the May * See Appendix. ifjgj] THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 221 election Major Gold was made an assistant, Jehu Burr and John Banks deputies, and Jehu and John Burr commissioners. In order to bring money ii;to the colony and increase trade, the Assembly ordered that all silver pieces of eight, Mexican, pillar or Spanish money, and civil pieces, should be valued and passed at six shillings apiece ; half pieces and quarter pieces to be valued proportionally. Good Peru pieces were to be valued at five shillings, and all smaller pieces accordingly. John Banks was again appointed one of a committee to audit the treasurer's account with the colony. Independent of the former perplexities, Edward Randolph having received a power of attorney from the heirs of the Duke and Duchess of Hamilton for a renewal of their claim^s in New England, he appeared before the commissioners of the united colonies at Boston on the 30th of June, with a view of establishing their assumed title. But as the duke's patent exhibited by Randolph, had no proper signature or seal affixed to it, an answer was returned by the governor and council on the i8th of December: "That it was presumed the said original deed was never com- pleted according to law ; " and " that there is no evidence of the ratifica- tion of the deed from the Great Council of Plymouth ;" that even if such a deed had ever existed, " the grantees had not complied with the conditions or considerations on which all the grants of the Plymouth Council were founded, by propagating the Gospel, & planting a colony to the enlarge- ment of the king's dominions ; " and that they had never taken possession, purchased the native right, or made any legal claim to the territory. That the grant or patent from the council to Lord Say and Seal, Lord Brooke, etc., in 163 1, preceded that to the Marquis of Hamilton, and included the greater part of the same territory ; and that this patent, assigned to Connecticut, was confirmed by the charter of Charles II., who, in his letter of April 23, 1664, " was pleased to call his grant a renewing of our charter." That the duke having failed to make known his preten- sions, the colonists of Connecticut had purchased the native right, and under the protection of the King's Letters Patent and special encourage- ment, had planted and improved, etc., and engaged in chargeable and bloody wars to secure their rights, etc. That the duke's title, if his deed had been good, fails by the statute of limitation, he not pursuing his title in twenty years.* In the midst of great and bitter trials, the last Wednesday in October was appointed a day of public thanksgiving throughout the colony for mercies bestowed in relieving, in a measure, the sore sickness which had * Col. Rec. Conn., III., 335. 336- 222 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1683 prevailed ; for sparing as much fruit as they had enjoyed ; and for con- tinuing their civil and religious liberties. At the same time, a day of prayer and fasting was ordered to be kept the last Wednesday in Novem- ber, with prayers for the continuation of their civil and religious liberties, and for the mercy of God's loving-kindness in their hour of great depres- sion and sorrow. The arrival of Dongan as governor of New York about this time, who laid claim to all the territory twenty miles east of the Hudson river, was made a cause for calling the General Assembly together on the 14th of November, with the hope of bringing about some satisfactory settlement, in regard to the boundary line between the province of New York and Connecticut. Deputy-governor Bishop, Major Gold, Captain John Allen, and William Pitkin, were appointed a committee to visit Governor Dongan, with instructions to extend to him the congratulations of the Assembly upon his arrival at New England, and his highness' territories in America. They were further instructed to grant Governor Dongan's claim of twenty miles east of the Hudson to the Mamaroneck river, and to use all amicable endeavors to make this river the western bounds of the colony of Con- necticut. At the same time the Assembly took occasion to address a letter to the king of England, in which they refute the charges made against them by Edward Randolph, as sympathizers with the conspirators in the late treasonable Rye-house plot, against his Majesty's person and kingdom. They declared that they would " make it manifest by their words & works, prayers & practices, that we are men of other principles ; & do heartily return thanks to Almighty God for the preservation of your Majesty's government, & do account it our duty to make supplications, prayers, intercessions for kings, especially your Majesty & government, & all in authority, that under them we may lead a quiet & peaceable life in all godlyness & honesty." In conclusion, they most humbly prayed the king for the continuation of their former privileges and liberties contained in his roval charter, " that our poor beginnings may prosper under your shadow to the glory of God, & the enlargement of your majesties dominions, &c." * Without delay Major Gold and the other members of the committee visited Governor Dongan, and after due deliberation brought about an agreement with him that the boundary line, "should begin at Byram river where it falleth into the Sound, at a place called Lyon's Point, f — in * Col. Rec. Conn., III., 136, 138. ■f Col. Rec. Conn., III., 330. Thomas Lyon was one of the planters who removed from Fairfield to Greenwich, after whom Lyon's Point received its name. 1684] THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 223 every place twenty miles distant from the Hudson river, between the ter- ritories of New York & the colony of Connecticut — to extend northward to the south line of the Massachusetts colony." At the May election Major Gold was again chosen an assistant, Jehu Burr and John Tyler deputies, and Jehu and John Burr commissioners. The Assembly, approving of the agreement between their committee and Governor Dongan, appointed John Banks and Jehu Burr, with Jonathan Selleck of Stamford, to meet Governor Dongan's committee to survey and lay out the boundary line between New York and Connecticut. John Banks and Jehu Burr, with Cornelius Hull, were appointed to measure out to Samuel Rogers of New London, three hundred acres of land granted to him at the last October Assembly. Jehu Burr and John Burr, with Thomas Fitch of Norwalk, were made a committee to order a planta- tion " above Norwalk or Fairfield," at Paquiage or Danbury, " & to receive inhabitants to plant there." Again the last Thursday in May was appointed a day of fasting and prayer throughout the colony. Constant complaints having reached the king that no law existed in the colony for the punishment of pirates, a letter by his order was addressed to the governor and council of Connec- ticut, requiring that a law, accompanying his letter, should be enforced for the suppression of piracy. Governor Treat called an extra session of the Assembly on the 5th of July, at which time the king's act was accepted, and all the magistrates and assistants throughout the colony were given authority to raise necessary forces for its enforcement. In October Jehu Burr was made one of a committee to audit the treasurer's account. Pieces of eight shillings were reduced to six, and smaller pieces in the same proportion. Special acts were passed this year by the General Court for the sup- pression of vice in the colony. The select-men, constables and grand jury- men in every plantation, were ordered "to have a special care in their respective places to promote the due & full attendance of the laws made in May 1676," under a penalty of 10^ for every neglect of the said laws." The evils which had crept into Fairfield, as well as many other towns in Connecticut, were in striking contrast to the happy state of morality of the early days of the settlements. Of these days one writer says: "Profane swearing, drunkenness, & beggars are but rare in the compass of this patent, through the circumspection of the magistrates, & the providence of God hitherto, the poor there living by their labors & great wages, proportionably, better than the rich, by their flocks, which, without exceeding great care, quickly waste. "f *Col. Rec Conn., II, 280-283. f Lechford's Plain Dealing, p. 67. 224 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1685 Another writer states : " I thank God, I have lived in a Colony of many thousand English almost these twelve years, & am held a very sociable man ; yet I may confidently say, I never heard but one oath sworn, nor never saw one man drunk — in all this time I can call to mind."* The Rev. Hugh Peters vv^ote in 1660 : " In seven years, among thousands there dwelling, I never saw any drunk, nor heard any oath, nor (saw) any begging, nor Sabbath broken." Cotton Mather states : " I have read a printed sermon, which was preached before both houses of parlia- ment, the Lord Mayor of London^ & the Assembly of Divines; the greatest audience in the world; & in that sermon the preacher had this passage, '/ have lived in a coutifry where in seven years I never saw a beggar, nor heard one oath, nor looked upott a dru7ikard. Shall I tell you where this Utopia was ? 'TwAS New England.'" t The fate of wars, increase of comforts and luxuries, a more frequent communication with foreign parts, and the one constant demand above all others of civil and ecclesiastical liberties, with the unhappy state of affairs in the mother country, were the causes which led so many to deviate from the early morality of the planters and their families. Emigrants, from time to time, of different thought and training, had settled in the towns and sown the seeds of evil and insubordination. Perhaps no town in Connecticut made greater efforts than Fairfield to keep these intruders from dwelling within its limits. Owing to great neglect of the public highways, a law was passed appointing surveyors, duly sworn to their duty, in each town, to clear the main highways of all " sloughs, bushes, trees & stones, & keep them in good repair " from Hartford to New Haven, and from New Haven through Fairfield to Greenwich. The town of Fairfield sustained a great loss at this time in the death of John Banks, who died on the 12th of December. For many years, as has appeared in this history, he was one of the most respected and useful lawyers and citizens in the colony of Connecticut. Few men in New England were more highly esteemed for wisdom, trust, and executive ability. Year after year he traveled from place to place, in the exercise of his official appointments. Now, after a well spent life of great usefulness, he was gathered, with the fathers of Connecticut, to his rest. The committee for running the boundary line between New York and Connecticut, having completed their work, made a report of the same to the governors of Connecticut and New York, which was accepted and ratified by them at Stratford, on the 23d of February. "^Ward's Simple Cobbler of Agawam (1647), p. 67. f Magnalia, Vol. I., B. I., p. 95. i685] THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 225 The death of Charles II., which occurred on the 6th of February, was immediately announced by letter to the governor of Connecticut by the Lords of the Council, with orders to proclaim his late Majesty's only brother and heir, James II., successor to the throne of England. Assur- ances were given that the new king had, by his most gracious proclama- tion, signified his royal pleasure, that all persons in ofificc at the time of his brother's death, should continue in the same, until his pleasure should be furtlicr known. On the 19th of April, this letter reached Governor Treat, who summoned his council to Hartford on the 22d of the month, when it was "ordered that his Majestic James the Second be proclaimed King of England, Scotland, France & Ireland, at Hartford, at two o'clock on the same day, & in all the other coun^f tozvns of the colony forthwith." A mounted herald was immediately sent from Hartford to New Haven, through Fairfield and Stamford, proclaiming with trumpet's warn- ing notes, the accession of the new king. The same day a letter of condolence for the loss of his brother, the late king, was addressed to King James, with assurances of their fidelity to the crown ; and craving from him the continuation of their liberties granted them by " King Charles the ^e(iox\di of happy memory^ The colonists had but little to expect from the new king; but they hoped by their early avowal of loyalty, to win his good will. Again at the May election Major Gold was made an assistant ; Jehu Burr and Thomas Jones deputies, and Jehu and John Burr commissioners. Nathan- iel Seely was commissioned lieutenant of the Fairfield train-band. John Burr and Josiah Harvey were made members of a committee to run boundary lines between Stamford and Greenwich and Stamford and Nor- walk. At the same time Jonathan Selleck, Jonathan Pitman and Joseph Judd, were made a committee to run the long disputed boundary line between Norwalk and Fairfield. Fully alive to the approaching danger of being deprived of their chartered privileges at almost any moment, the Assembly ordered that every township in the colony should take out letters patent under the Charter of Charles II. of the Governor and Company of Connecticut, which should confirm to the owners of estates and to their heirs, all grants of lands which had been obtained by gifts, purchase or other- wise, of the natives ; which patent should be sealed with the seal of the colony, and signed by the governor and secretary in the name of the Assembly, and entered upon record. It was voted that this patent, or a record of the same, should be sufificient evidence of its validity for all and every township, to all intents and purposes, for the hold- 15 226 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1685 ing of the said lands firm to them, their heirs, successors and assigns forever. The magistrates of the towns hastened to comply with this order. Major Gold, and deputies Jehu Burr and Thomas Jones, secured a patent for Fairfield on the 26th of the month, of which the following is a true copy : Fairfield Patent. The General Court o( Connecticut have formerly granted to the proprietors of the inhabitants of the Town of Fairfield, all those lands both meadow & upland within these abutments upon the sea towards the south about seven rriiles in breadth, & in length from the sea into the wilderness twelve miles, & upon Stratford bounds on the east, & the wilderness north, & in Norwalk bounds on the west, only a parcel of land between their bounds & Saugatuck river, that is likewise granted to the said Fairfield, provided, the said Saugatuck do not exceed two miles from the bounds of the said Fairfield, the said lands, having been by purchase or otherwise lawfully obtained of the Indian native proprietors; & whereas the proprietors, the foresaid inhabitants of Fairfield, in the colony of Connecti- cut, have made application to the Governor & company of the said colony of Connecticut, assembled in court, May, 25 16S5, that they may have a patent for confirmation of the aforesaid land, so purchased & granted to them, as aforesaid, & which they have, stood, seized, & quietly possessed of for many years, last past, without interruption. Now for a more full confirmation of the aforesaid tract of land, as it is butted & bounded as aforesaid unto the present proprietors of the said Township of Fairfield in the possession & enjoyment of the premises, know ye that the said Governor & company assembled in General Court according to the commission granted to us by his IVIajestie in our charter, have given, granted, & by these present do give, grant, ratify & confirm unto Major Nathan Gold, Mr. Samuel Wakeman, Mr. Jehu Burr, Mr. John Burr, Mr. Thomas Sta- ples, Mr. John Green, Mr. Joseph Lockwood, Mr. John Wheeler, Mr. Richard Hubbell, Mr. George Squire, & Mr. Isaac Wheeler, & the rest of the present proprietors of the Township of Fairfield, their heirs, successors & assigns forever, according to the tenor of East Greenwich in Kent in free & common socage & not in capitte, nor by Knights' service, they to make improvements of the same, as they are ca])able according to the custoni of the country, yielding, rendering, & paying therefor to the Sovereign Lord, the King, his heirs & successors, his due, according to charter. In witness whereof we have cauced the seal of the colony to be hereunto affi.xed this 26 of May, 1685, in the first year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, James the Second of England, Scotland, & Ireland, King, defender of the faith, &c. By order of the General Court of Connecticut. Signed, Robert Treat, Gov. John Allen, Sec. * *Col. Rec. Deeds, Patents, etc. State Archives, Vol. II. The name of the governor and sec- retary were first subscribed to the patents of 1685, but on the 30th of May, 16S7, this mode of signing was changed, by adding to the Secretary's subscription, "per order of the Goven'' & Company of Connecticut ;" and by order of the court, all town patents were re-signed. — Col. Rec. Conn., III., Note, p. 177. i685] THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 22/ A letter was addressed to King James with promises of faith and allegiance, humbly seeking his clemency and protection for the colony of Connecticut, "first planted in the days of liis royal father of happy mem- ory, & by the bounty & goodness of their late Sovereign." To this letter an answer was returned, dated June 26, in which King James assured them of his royal care and protection " in the preservation of their rights, & in the defense & security of their states," with a special request, "that the Governor of Connecticut signify the same to the inhabitants of the colony." Under the excuse for necessary repairs for the navy, he wrote that he had levied a tax upon all tobacco and sugar imported into England; but that it might not be oppressive to planters and merchants, the tax was to be collected only from retailers, in England, according to their lawful rates. These flattering assurances gave but short lived hope to the colony, and were made all the more despicable in their eyes, by the perfidious conduct of the king a few weeks later. Edward Randolph having pursued his resolution to undermine the chartered rights of Connecticut, and in fact all the English colonies in America, received on the 5th of May, from the Lords of the Committee of Trade and Foreign Plantations, a letter, requesting him to prepare a paper of complaints against them, which should justify writs of quo warranto being granted. In rcpl)', Randolph returned the following articles of mis- demeanor; and urged that no time should be lost in sending quo war- rantos. The first charge made by him against the governor and com- pany of Connecticut was, " that they had made laws contrary to the laws of England ; under which head he reports that only magistrates were allowed to join persons in wedlock." Second, "that they imposed fines upon the people, & converted them to their own use." Third, " that they enforced the oath of fidelity upon the people, without administering the oath of supremacy & allegiance to the king, as directed in their charter." Fourtli, " that they denied the people the exercise of the religion of the Church of England, arbitrarily fining those who refused to go to their con- gregational assemblies." Fifth, " that his majesties subjects could not obtain justice in the courts of Connecticut." Sixth, " that they excluded all gentlemen of known loyalty, in order to keep the government in their own hands." Upon the receipt of these charges in England, a quo warranto was issued from the council chamber on the 21st of July, confirmed by the '^ing, against the Governor and company of the colony of Connecticut, which required them to appear before the Lords, and show by what authority they exercised their privileges and power of government. Not 228 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1685 only did the ambitious Randolph petition for a quo warranto against Con- necticut, but also against Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware and Mary- land. Already Massachusetts was under the ban of a quo warranto through his influence, who, in his yearly visits to England had whispered in the royal ear many evil tidings against the colonies. Upon receiving notice that he had been thus far successful in his scheme, Randolph wrote to England in August, urging that the writs of quo warranto be sent out immediately, before winter set in, as by law one was made returnable before the last of September, and the other at Easter. He made bold to propose that a vessel should be dispatched without delay from London, with further commands about the writs ; and also conveying to him a com- mission to erect a temporary government, " & so, by that means, bring the several colonies in New England to a united & nearer independence to the crown." At the meeting of the October Assembly, a vote was passed authoriz- ing the governor or deputy-governor, with six of the assistants, to hear and determine all such public occasions, as might occur before the General Court of May, 1686. The constables of the plantations were ordered to collect the county taxes, settle their accounts with the colony treasurer, and dispose of them according to his order, before each General Court in May, under the lawful penalty, '^ any order to the contrary in anywise not- withstandingy One pence half penny on the pound, continued to be the colony tax; but any one who could pay two-thirds of his tax in Boston or in Pine-tree silver money, was exempt from paying the other third.* The year 1685 was one particularly noticeable, as the Fairfield meet- ing-house was this year enriched with a bell, which no doubt was a source of great delight alike to the aged and to the youth of the town. Many of those who were born in England had not probably heard the sound of a church bell, since the old home bells of their native towns rung out their last farewell. They had passed through many hardships and many sor- rows since those years of youth and buoyancy ; but in the mean time they had accomplished great things ; and as the meeting-house bell, for the first time, peeled out its cheering sounds, many thoughts of the old home and * Pine-tree money was coined by John Hull of Boston, as early as May 27, 1652. The first coins were XII<1 , VI'^-, and \\\^ . In 1662 a coin of II<^', was added. The pine-tree money formed a standard, by which circulation was made from time to time in New England. Its exportation was forbidden under a penalty of forfeiting all visible estate. It was against the royal law to coin money in America ; and England had protested against the use of the pine-tree money. i686] THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 229 of the new, must have passed in quick succession through the avenues of busy memory. Among the town records is the following note: "At a town meeting held April 28, 1685, it was voted, that the townsmen should settle Samuel Wilson's matter, about satisfying him for money the town borrowed of him to pay for tiie meeting-house bell." Until long after the Revolution it was the custom to ring this bell at twelve o'clock at noon, and at nine in the evening, at which time the law required all peace-abiding citizens to be at home. At the same town meeting it was also voted that, if necessary, a certain amount of lands should be sold to complete the payment of Mr. Timothy Hoarde, the school-teacher, for the year. Another event of interest this year was an invitation extended to the Rev. Samuel Wakeman to preach the election sermon before the court of election, held at Hartford on the 14th of May. This sermon was so highly esteemed, that Major Gold was instructed by the court to thank the Rev. Mr. Wakeman "for his great paynes he had taken in the preaching of the election sermon, & to desire him to grant a copy thereof, that it may be printed." A copy of this sermon, beautifully bound, is to be found in the State Library at Hartford. A brief extract from it will give an idea of the unhappy events which appear to have vis- ited the colony at that time. He says : " And how hath God done by us ? Hath He not multiplied his witnesses against us ? Yea of late, both summer & winter abode with us ; to the taking away of many of us ? And how sadly hath God of late years smitten us in all the labors of our hands, by blast- ing mildews, cattepillars, worms, tares, floods &; droughts ? . . He hath cut us short in our numbers, brought us low by taking away many, & many righteous ones from us ; hath He not of late years especially bereft us of many magistrates, ministers & other use- ful persons, & added that last sore breach, & causefuUy bitter lamented loss, our rest."* Robert Turney was this year confirmed captain of the Fairfield train- band. Meanwhile, the magistrates of Fairfield continued to purchase lands of the Indians, and to make good their title to them under their town patent. On the nth of February, 1685-6, the plain southeast of Golden hill, called Wolves* Pit Plain, which appears to have been the low land near * Another sermon of Mr. Wakeman's, which was preached at the funeral of John Tappan, of Boston, is now in the possession of Miss Mary L. Burr, of Fairfield. This sermon is entitled " A Young Man's Legacy to the Rising Generation," — " being a Sermon preached upon the Death. & at the Desire of John Tappan of Boston ; Who deceased at Fairfield the 10 of Oct., 1672, being in the Nineteenth year of his Age. By Samuel Wakeman pastor of the Church of Christ there." The texts selected for the sermon were from Eccles. vii. 2, and Eccles. xi. 9. It was printed at Cambridge by Marmaduke Johnson in 1673. 230 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1686 Greenlea, lying west of the Stratford line, was purchased of the Indians.* In April it was voted that as much of the plain should be sold at an outcry by Sergeant George Squire at the next training day, as would pay for the purchase of the said neck of land. It appears that Samuel Hall, on the 25th of November, for a certain portion of land granted him by the town, lent the desired amount to pay for the plain, f Notwithstanding the knowledge they possessed, that Randolph held a writ of quo warranto against the colony, the governor, deputy-governor, as- sistants and deputies, who had been nominated in the fall for election, met at Hartford on the 13th of May, and proceeded to elect Major Treat gov- ernor and James Bishop deputy-governor. Major Gold's name stands at the head of the list of assistants, and John and Jehu Burr, who had been nominated assistants of the General Assembly, were elected deputies and also commissioners for Fairfield. Lieutenants Nathaniel Seely and Cor- nelius Hull, were appointed to lay out for Major Gold and Jehu Burr, tracts of land granted them by the Assembly. Accordingly two miles square was staked out to Major Gold at Umpawage, and deeded to him by the Indians of Fairfield, Danbury and Redding, on the 27th of May. Jehu Burr shared his purchase of the Indians with his brother, John Burr, but did not receive a deed of the same until the 12th of September, 1687. Again the subject of the division line between Fairfield and Norwalk was brought before the Assembly ; but no further satisfaction was given than the court grant of 1650. The governor or deputy-governor, with six of the assistants, were again appointed to transact all legal business in case occasion called them together. Before the Assembly adjourned, Edward Randolph had arrived at Boston (May 15). On the 27th he addressed a letter to Gov- ernor Treat and his council, notifying them as a private gentleman that he held in his possession a quo warranto against the colony of Connecticut and also one against Rhode Island. That on the 25th instant, Joseph Dudley and the persons named in his Majesty's commission of government (some few indisposed excepted) entered upon the government of Massachusetts with the general consent and applause of the people ; and that nothing now remained, on the part of the governor and company of Connecticut, but to make a humble submission, and a dutiful resignation of their charter; but that if they attempted to defend it at law, '^ while contending for a sJiadotv^' they would in the first place lose all that part of Connecticut to New York ; that he did not wish to enter the colony "as a herald to announce war"; that he expected ships from London in about a month, and whatever was intended to be done must be accomplished before they arrived. He invited * Letter A, Town Deeds, Appendix No. XV. f Letter B, Town Votes, 77, 78. i686] THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 23I the governor, deputy-governor and Major Gold to meet him at Mr. Smith's house in Narragansett. He closed his letter by saying, " So bless not your- selves with vaine expectations of advantage & spinnage out of time by delay " ; and adds, " I will engage, tho' the weather be warm, the writs will keep sound, & as good as when first lajided^ These threats did not intimidate or influence Governor Treat or his Council to resign their charter. They well knew that the time for making returns had passed, and that the writs were harmless before Randolph landed at Boston. By holding the quo warranto over them, however, Ran- dolph hoped to secure the surrender of their charter. "He even endeavored to construe the Council's acknowledgment of his letter, into a submission of service of the writs." In a letter written by Governor Treat to Governor Dongan, he stated that Randolph's threat of Connecticut's being made subject to the govern- ment of New York, did not at all prejudice them against him or his govern- ment ; that Randolph had informed them of a quo warranto against them, but as yet they had not seen it ; and that they were waiting, with silence and patience, what might next come upon them. Threats proved of little avail with the Connecticut planters. All things moved on in silence and patience as before, in the towns; but all felt that a crisis in their govern- ment was near at hand. Having purchased Wolves Pit Plain, the towns- men of Fairfield agreed with the Indians of Golden-hill, to sell them sufifi- cient land to continue the public highway across the hill, to join the main highway to Stratford. Exasperated with the coolness of the Connecticut council, Randolph again wrote to Governor Treat, stating that he held their letter in reply to his of the 27th of May to be sufficient at Whitehall to justify him, "with- out any further serving, or showing any authority from his Majestic at all about the Colony," in assuming the reins of government over them.* • On the 6th of July, Governor Treat summoned a special court of the assistants and deputies to meet at Hartford. Every town in the colony was repre- sented. Nathan Gold and John Burr were present from Fairfield. It was voted to address the king, without delay, petitioning for a continuation of their chartered privileges. A letter was prepared, supplicating the king to pardon the mistakes and failures they had made in their government, which, " upon the first intimation, they were ready to reform, under the royal grant of his late Majestic, of happy memory, Charles the Second ; " their mistakes having arisen more " from want of right understanding in law, than otherwise." * Col. Rec. Conn., III., 355. Documents Relating to the Col. Hist, of New York, Vol. HI., 386. 232 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1686 On the 2 1 St of July a messenger from Randolph arrived at Hartford, who delivered to Major Talcott and Secretary Allen, the two writs of quo warranto. The first was made returnable at the Michaelmas term of 1685, within eight days of St. Martin's ; and the second within fifteen days after Easter. Accompanying the writs was a letter dated October 6. 1685, from the king's attorney-general to tlie sheriff of London, ordering the governor and company of Connecticut to appear before the judges of the king's bench within fifteen days after Easter, " to answer by what war- rants they used their liberties, privileges & franchise." Again Governor Treat summoned the Assembly to meet at Hartford on the 28th of July. Two days before he had received a private letter from Governor Dudley, urging the importance of the annexation of Con- necticut and Rhode Island to Massachusetts, rather than the province of New York. A letter conveying power of attorney to William Whiting, of London (brother of Secretary William Whiting, of Hartford), was exe- cuted by the governor and council on the 24th of August, with instruc- tions to present their petition to the king to appear before the judges of the king's bench in a just defense of their charter; and if absolutely nec- essary, " to accept & submit to such regulations as his majesty might think fit to order." A second letter of petition w^s addressed to the king, showing that they had not received the quo warranto in time to appear before him, praying him for the full bounds of their chartered liberties, assigned by his Majesty's commissioners. Colonel Nichols and his associates, and setting further before him the grievous wrong to the planters ; the disputes which would arise if placed under the government of another colony in regard to their former privileges and estates ; and humbly begging that their estates and religious liberties might be con- tinued to them. An extra tax of a half-penny upon the pound was raised to defray the expenses of sending an agent to England, etc. Meanwhile, Major Gold was made the bearer of a letter from Governor Treat to Governor Dongan, counseling with him as to the best way to secure the king's favor: "Aware of the advantage to be gained by the annexation of Connecticut to New York, Governor Dongan gave every encouragement of assistance to Governor Treat. In his report of the state of the Province of New York to the Lord's Committee in 16S6, he assured them, that it would be impossible ' to make anything considerable of his Majes- ties customes & revenue ' without Connecticut & East & West Jersey : ' & that Sir Edmund Andros was so well convinced of this, that he sent Capt. Salisbury to England in 1676, to let his royal hyness, now his Majesty, know how impossible it was for this Government to subsist without the addition of Connecticut.' " i687] THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 233 But little business was transacted at the October Assembly, save the reduction of the colony tax to one penny on the pound ; and appointing the last Wednesday in the month a day of public thanksgiving. On the 20th of December Sir Edmund Andros arrived in Boston ; and on the same day published his commission, dated June 3, 1686, as ''Captain General & Governor in Chief, in & over the Colonies of Massachusetts Bay & New Plymouth, the Province of New Hampshire & Maine, & the Narragansett County or Kings Province." On the 22d, he dispatched a messenger to the governors of Rhode Island and Connecticut, with letters informing them, that he was authorized by the king to receive the surrender of their charters (" if tendered by you "). The same day Governor Treat received a letter from Randolph, urging him to annex Connecticut to the government of Andros;* and also notifying him, that a third quo warranto had been issued against Connecticut. The time being short for them to appear in England, he advised them to appear before Governor Andros. On the 28th Governor Treat received a letter from the under- sheriff of London, inclosing the third writ of quo warranto, dated on the 23d of October following, and made returnable at the Hilary Term, within eight days of the Purification of the Virgin Mary (Feb. 9, 1687). Governor Treat lost no time in summoning a special General Court at Hartford on the 26th of January. John Burr was present from Fairfield. Whatever was necessary to be done in the emergency was left to the governor and council. All bills owing the colony were ordered to be paid into the treasury; if any money remained over after the public debts were paid, it was to be divided among the counties. Grants of lands were confirmed to towns and individuals. Lieutenants Morehouse and Seely, of Fairfield, were appointed to apportion to Lieutenant Cornelius Hull his grant of land, according to the former order of the Assembly. The inhabit- ants of Stratford were ordered to lay out a cart and horse highway from Stratford to Pequonnock, for a country road as speedily as possible ; and if they failed to accomplish it as soon as specified. Major Gold, John Beard and Captain Samuel Eales were authorized to lay it out. An extra farth- ing on the pound was added to the county tax, which in May, having been * Andros was so eager to annex Connecticut to Massachusetts, that in March, 1687, he wrote to the Commissioners of Trade and the Earl of Sunderland, " that without them, we are neither able to defray our public charges, nor our fishery be maintained without provisions, & particularly wheat from thence." That the people of Massachusetts having sustained great losses were "gen- erally poor; " & that " their fishing & lumber their chiefest trade & support, & that wholly supplied by Connecticut, from whence all their wheat & much other grain & provisions, & without it can- not maintain their fishery & trade." 234 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1687 reduced to one penny, was found insufficient to meet the debts of the colony, and tliC expenses of presenting their cause in England. Governor Treat addressed a letter to the Earl of Sunderland, then the British Secretary of State, informing him that the General Court of Con- necticut had sent several addresses to the king ; explaining that the two quo warrantos were served upon them after the time set for their appear- ance in England ; and the last one came too late in the winter for them to make returns; that they had appointed Mr. William Whiting their attor- ney, to present their address to the king, that they " might not be pro- ceeded against as outlaws," and be obliged to forfeit their liberties and privileges. He assured the secretary " that the planters of Connecticut were his Majesty's royal subjects, heartily desiring to continue in the same stations they had occupied, but, if his Majesty had otherwise disposed of them, they should feel it their duty to submit to his ro3'al command ; and if they were to be joined to the other colonies and provinces, under Sir Edmund Andros, it v/ould be more pleasant for them than with any other of the provinces." * The same day the Assembly met, Governor Andros addressed another letter to Governor Treat and the council, demanding the surrender of their charter, to which he received in reply so little satisfaction, that he wrote again on the 28th of February, informing them that all the other New England colonies had surrendered their charters but Connecticut, which still remained " obstinate & adverse to his Majestie's service," thereby hazarding the advantages they might otherwise gain. Captain Nicholson, who had accompanied Andros from England to Boston, was made the bearer of this letter to Connecticut. The construction put upon this letter by the celebrated Chalmers was, that it showed, " not only the art of that body, but ^/w sligJit ground on luhich that paper zvas constrned to con- tain a surrender of their charter.'' Again a special General Court was con- vened at Hartford on the 30th of March; and on the same day Captain Nicholson was made the bearer of a brief reply to Andros' letter, in which the Governor and company of Connecticut return their hearty thanks to him for his love and care for them ; " but without desiring to give offense, having submitted to be guided & disposed of by his majesty, & not yet having received any reply directly from him," they begged leave to request "that a good & an amicable correspondence might be continued between him & their colony, until his majestie's pleasure should be made known." . . . " And thoi, zvlien we are commanded by. his Majestic to surender our- selves to your excellencies government, & to be united to our neighbors in * Col. Rec. Conn., III., 377-37S. ,687] THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 235 government, ive shall be as loyall & dutifull as any we hope, & as readily submit ourselves to your excelle7tey." Unmoved by any threat or art of persuasion from Andros, the Con- necticut planters had their annual election in May. Governor Treat was re-elected and also Deputy-governor James Bishop. Major Gold's name stands at the head of the assistants. John Wheeler and John Burr were chosen deputies, and Jehu and John Burr commissioners for Fairfield,* It was a time of great distress, doubt and perplexity to know how to act, or upon whom to rely. Not a few of the leading men were strongly in favor of an English governor. Among the latter were Edward Palmes, of New London, William Rosewell, of Brandford, and the learned Rev. Gershom Bulklcy, of Wethersfield. The latter afterwards distinguished himself by writing a history of the miseries of Connecticut, by and under an "Usurped & Arbitrary Power," which he entitled "Will and Doom."f Many of the ablest and wisest men in the colony feared that Andros' threats would be carried out, and their estates would be confiscated. All eagerly looked for some reply to the petition of the General Assembly to the king, in whose weak, vacillating will they had but little confidence. It was a terrible crisis for the brave forefathers of Connecticut ; which they awaited with the patience and fortitude of heroes. Mr. Whiting made every effort to sustain the cause in England ; but thus far with little avail. Again the affairs of the colony were left in the hands of the governor or deputy-governor, and any six of the assistants until the October term. The last Wednesday in May was appointed a day of public fasting and prayer. Little business occupied the court at this crisis of doubt, consternation and gloom. A few matters relating to Fairfield were brought forward. Major Gold petitioned the Assembly that a neck of land in the west part of Danbury, adjoining the land laid out to him at Umpewage, should be added to his former grant, which petition was granted, provided the land did not exceed five hundred acres. To this one hundred more acres were added a few days after. ;{: Simon Couch, of Bankside, petitioned that * The names of John Wheeler and John Burr are not recorded in the May list of deputies, hut may be found in the October list marked absent. — Col. Rec. of Conn., III., 239. •f- The Rev. Gershom Bulkley was never admitted a freeman of the Connecticut colony, and the commission he received from Andros was made null and void by the revolution. He is described as having been "overweening', self-important, obstinate in adherence to his opinions or prejudices, a litigious spirit, and the peculiarities of his political creed detracted from his usefulness, and kept him almost continually at strife with his neighbors or with the government of the colony." —Col. Rec. of Conn., III., 389. X Col. Rec. of Conn., HI., 231-235. A patent of this land was granted Major Gold, May 20, 1687. Col. Rec. Deeds, &c., II., 182. 236 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1687 his right in the land of his father-in-law, Francis Andrews, at or near Bankside, be granted him, according to the agreement made at the time of union between Fairfield and the Bankside planters. The court granted his petition, and ordered that Mr. John Burr and the selectmen of the town should, forthwith set out to each planter of Bankside his proportion of land, by virtue of their agreement with the town of Fairfield in 1666. Among the town votes of January 9th, of this year, is the following : " For good considerations moving y", y^ town orders one acre & a half of land near y^ east farms, for any of y* inhabitants to bury their dead in, as occasion shall be." John Burr, of Fairfield, and Lieutenant Mathew Sherwood, of Pequonnock, were appointed to lay it out. This burial place, has ever since been known as the old Strat field or Pequonnock grave yard. It is situated on the king's highway, but a short distance north of Mountain Grove cemetery, adjoining the military green of the early settlement. Again the disputed boundary line between Norwalk and Fairfield was brought forvv'ard. The court decided that a white oak tree, east of the deceased Daniel Frost's house at Bankside, was the early west bounds of Fairfield, and that a just mile west of the said white oak tree should be their west or head line, to run up to the Stamford path, and then north- ward according to the former grant of the court : " & the tozvn of Fairfield is to have all the lands southward of this line from Standford path east of Saugatuck river.'' Two hundred acres of land were granted to John Burr. "" Lieutenants Samuel Morehouse and Nathaniel Ssely were appointed to lay out this grant ; and also one hundred acres to John Bell of Stamford, f In order to avoid having their timber lands impoverished by Andros, a law was passed, that no more timber should be sent out of the colony without a license from the towns in which it was cut, under a penalty of forfeiting said timber. The captains of the vessels were forbidden to receive it without a license, under a penalty of forty shillings for every breach of this law. Tanners were also forbidden to cut down trees for bark, without a license from the towns in which they lived, under a penalty of five shillings for every barked tree. From the following vote, it is clearly to be seen that the politic course pursued by Major Gold and the town deputies, in agreeing to yield to the *" Laid out with other grants to Jehue & John Burr, April 1693, within a tract of two square miles, purchased by them of the Indian proprietors upon the Wemesheage (VVemesseage) brook ; & patented to Daniel & Samuel Burr May 1717." — Col. Rec. of Deeds, &c., III., 229-233. f " This grant to Lieut. Jonathan Bell of Stamford, was assigned, by his sons, Jonathan, Abra- ham & John, April 17 12 to John Edwards & Samuel Couch of Fairfield, — to whom it was laid out, on the west side of Capt. Osborn's ridge," between Fairfield and Danbury, and patented, Oct., 1716. r68;] THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 237 kinj^'s commands to resign their charter if absolute necessity required, and to be annexed to New York, was made a matter of grave offense : " The town of Fairfield do liereby at a town meetint; held this day, being y« 23. of May 1687, do withdraw ye power given unto Major Nathan Gold, Mr. Jehu Burr & Lieut. John Banks in reference to their defending sd. Fairfield's title to ye land within ye town bounds against any, they not being inhabitants 0/ ye town; & do thereby discharge them from ye sd. power & trust given or committed to sd. Nathan Gold, Jehu & John, by an order of said Fairfield of May 16S3."* The receipt of a letter from William Whiting of London, caused Gov- ernor Treat to summon a General Court, to be held at Hartford on the 15th of June. Neither Major Gold's, John Wheeler's, nor John Burr's name appears on the list of those present. Mr. Whiting's letter was laid before the Assembly. He had given the letter addressed by the Assembly to Lord Sunderland immediately after its reception, the con- tents of which were by his lordship communicated to the Lords of the Committee for Foreign Plantations, and by them to his Majesty ; but he had not learned of his decision. Sir Edmund Andros not yet having made any return of the Connecticut quo warrantos, which it was expected he would do by the next ship from New England. Mr. Whiting assured the Assembly he had taken care that he should be notified if any process was made ; but it was his opinion that their case would be lost, as the court was at Windsor, and but little could be known of what proceedings were taking place there. With great opposition on the part of many in the colony, the Assembly did not consider themselves able to raise money to send an agent to Eng- land, which Mr. Whiting had recommended them to do ; but having full confidence in his ability, ordered that he should be notified by letter in the name of the governor, deputy-governor and assistants of their gratitude for his past services in their behalf, and request him to continue to defend their interests. A reasonable satisfaction was voted for his services. Sev- eral of the Assembly requested to see the Charter of Connecticut. Secre- tary Allyn sent for it, and exhibited it to those present ; "& the governor bid him put it into the box again, & lay it upon the table, & leave the key in the box, which he did forthwith." This remarkable entry in the colony records, gives an impression that some* of the members of the court questioned whether the charter had not already been given up, but the singular order of Governor Treat gives a clue to the surmise that some scheme was on foot for its preservation, even if it was " left on the table with the key in the box." * Fairfield Letter B, Town Votes, p. 79. 238 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [16S7 Mr. Whiting reported through Secretary Allyn, by a letter dated June 14th, that thus far no information had at that date been filed in the court against them, although, on the nth instant a rule was passed, that they should appear on the following day (being the last day of that term of court) for judgment against them. On the 14th of August he wrote, that on the day set for their appearance, he gave a warrant of attorney to one of the clerks of the crown of^ce to appear in their behalf, which he signified to his Majesty's of^cer of the court, "but no information either then or since having been given against the colony, the case stood as it did." Again, on the 21st of September he wrote, that as yet no infor- mation had been given against them ; but urged that money should be immediately sent out to defend their charter, as the forty pounds already sent him was well nigh exhausted. The General Assembly met, as usual, on the 13th of October. Major Gold, and John Burr did not appear, having been stripped of their offices by their fellow-townsmen ; and they evi- dently were not willing to seem to oppose the demands of the quo war- rantos. A petition was presented to the Assembly by Samuel Hayes of Nor- walk, in behalf of Thomas Fitch, Thomas Bennydick, and John and Jehu Burr, representing that as Pequiage contained twenty families, and others were expected soon to settle there, it should be constituted a town, and named Svvamfield ; but the court gave it the name of Danbury.* The Assembly proceeded in its regular routine of business until about the last of October, when it was speedily interrupted by the appearance of Governor Andros among them, with his suit and sixty regular troops. His coming was not unexpected, as he had notified Governor Treat on the 22d, that having recently received orders from his Majesty to annex Con- necticut to his government, he should either send or come himself to Hartford by the end of the following week.f A literal construction had been placed upon the letter of the Assembly, * Probably named after a village in Essex, five miles from Chelmsford. — Col. Rec. of Conn., III., 240. fCoI. Rec. cf Conn., III., 387. — Gershom Bulkley in his " Will & Doom" describes Andros's journey to Hartford as one of triumph, having been conducted through the town with the respect and welcome congratulations of the populace. That he was conducted from the Rocky Hill ferry through Wethersfield to Hartford by the Hartford county troops, where the train bands of several towns, aware of his coming, had united to pay him welcome. That he was received with courtesy by Governor Treat and the assistants and deputies of the court, and conducted to the governor's chair, with the honor due to his office. All this may have been true ; but it was a time when the magistrates of Connecticut united political tact with wisdom and courtesy. The wisdom of submission with them "became the better part of valor," To appear " as wise as serpents & as harmless as doves," was fully exemplified. ,687] THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 239 addressed to the Earl of Sunderland on the 26th of January, that in case his Majesty should not see fit to continue Connecticut a separate colony, but join it with the other colonies and provinces under Sir Edmund An- dros, " it would be more pleasant than to be joined with any other prov- ince." As soon as the letter was received at Whitehall, " the King readily granted their request of being annexed to the BayT and at the very moment, when they hoped some check would be given to the intrigues of Andros and Randolph, through the timely interference of their agent William Whiting, their own words were turned against them, and construed into " resignation of their charter by their own act.'' " The king pursued his quo warranto no farther, but commissioned Andros to take upon him the government of Connecticut. It was no doubt an hour of great triumph, when Andros found himself governor of a colony he had so many years endeavored to control ; and with its annexation- to the other colonies, he had reason to dream of almost unlimited wealth and power. Standing in the midst of the Assem- bly, surrounded by hi^ suit, he demanded of Governor Treat the sur- render of the charter of Connecticut, and pronounced the government to be dissolved. According to tradition, Governor Treat, in a most eloquent manner, plead the cause of the Connecticut planters, in defense of their charter and the privileges it conveyed to them. He reminded Andros of the hardships they had endured in planting the colony ; of the expense they had incurred in purchasing their patent and their lands of the natives; of the blood and pecuniary losses they had sustained in subduing both for- eign and savage foes ; of his own personal exposure; " & that it was like giving up his life, now to surrender the patent & privileges so dearly bought & so long enjoyed." As the day waned and evening approached, the court room v/as filled with men resolved upon almost any daring deed. Outside were stationed the troops of Andros, and a multitude of eager, earnest men and women awaited the issue of the debate within. The night closed in upon the crowded listeners, and the candles were lighted upon the council table, revealing such firmness of expression upon the furrowed, weather-beaten faces of the veteran forefathers of Connecticut, as must have daunted any one capable of appreciating the feelings of heroes and patriots under this terrible ordeal. Unmoved, Andros awaited the surrender of the charter, which was most reluctantly brought in and laid upon the table before him and the assem- * Gershom Bulkley's Will and Doom. 240 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1687 bled spectators. In an instant the candles were extinguished ; but all was orderly and silent in the house for some minutes. When the candles were relighted, it was discovered that the coveted charter was gone, and no one present could tell who had spirited it away. The mem.orable charter of King Charles of Jiappy vicmory, however, found a safer place for its preservation, without lock or key, in the capacious hollow of the grand old Charter Oak of Hartford.* The next morning Andros assumed the control of the government of the colony. The record of this epoch in the history of Connecticut is preserved by Secretary John Allyn in the following few words : "His Excellency Sr. Edmond Andross Kn', Capt. Generall & Gov'' of his Ma"" Terito- rie & Dominion in New England, by order from his Ma''« James the Second, King of England, Scotland, France & Ireland, the 31 of October, 1687, took into his hands the Government of this colony of Conecticott, it being by his Ma''« annexed to the Massachu- setts & other colonys under his Excelencies Government. FINIS." f Occupying the Governor's chair, Andros ordered his commission from the king to be read. He informed Governor Treat and Secretary John Allyn, it was his Majesty's pleasure that they should be members of his council, and called upon them to take the oath of allegiance, which was administered before him. He then proceeded to organize courts of judi- cature in the several counties, making those who had occupied the offices of governor, deputy-governor and assistants, judges of the court of com.- mon pleas or justices of the peace. He appointed sheriffs and constables in the several counties, and caused all the officers under him to take the oath of allegiance, after the laws and customs of England. On the 7th of November he commissioned Governor Treat colonel of the militia and captain of the cavalry of the county of New Haven. Governor Joseph Dudley, of New York, was appointed chief justice of New England, and William Stoughton and Peter Bulkley associate judges. George Farewell, of New York, was made attorney-general, and John West, of Boston, secretary. Gershom Bulkley was made a justice of the peace. Major Gold was made a judge of the common pleas for the county of Fairfield. John Perry, of Fairfield, was appointed postman between * Captain Wadsworth having seized the charter, secreted it in the hollow of an oak tree in front of the house of the Hon. Samuel Willyis, of Hartford, which from this circumstance was called the Charter Oak. fCol. Rec. of Conn .Vol. HI., 248. The common seal of the colony was delivered up to Andros by Secretary Allyn, who afterward used the great seal, which had been appointed for his administration, and which bore the remarkable motto, numquam libertas gratias extat. j5S7] the decade OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 24I Boston, Fairfield and Stamford, to carry the mail once a month in the winter, and every three weeks in the summer, or oftener if required. In the month of November, 1687, Governor Andros, who had formally taken possession of the government of the colony, appointed Thursday, the 1st of December, "to be a public day of praise & thanksgiving to Almighty God " throughout New England, with inclosed orders for the same, and the king's " Declaration for Liberty of Conscience " (April, 1687), to all. Andros had not only proclaimed himself a member of the Church of England, but had at once, upon his assuming the duties of a governor over the colonies, made preparations to erect a church in Boston, to carry out the provisions of the Book of Common Prayer. The church he erected was called the King's Chapel, and is to the present day one of the chief noticeable landmarks of that city. From this date Episcopacy may be said to have had its rise in New England, although it was bitterly opposed in all the New England colo- nies ; and while many efforts before this and afterwards were made by individuals to worship according to the dictates of their own consciences, it was not until the eighteenth century opened that any successful attempt was made to hold the services of the Church of England in Fairfield and the neighboring towns. At the same time Andros published an act for enforcing the former laws made by the governor and council of Connecticut, with other regula- tions. He also ordered that the semi-annual general courts should be held, one at New Haven and the other at Hartford ; and that the magis- trates of New Hampshire should attend the latter. The quarterly courts for the county of Fairfield were appointed to be held at Fairfield on the third Wednesday in March, June, September and December, and the inferior court of pleas, soon after the regular county courts had ended. The superior court for the counties of Fairfield and Ncw^ Haven was to be held at New Haven twice every year, and their sherifTs were ordered to send their deputies or under-sheriffs to attend such courts, whose duty was to make return of writs, to summon a jury or juries for cases pending. The former restriction of limiting the inferior courts of common pleas of the counties to cases under forty pounds with costs, was removed ; and it was made legal for them to decide " all causes & cases wherein titles of lands were not concerned, to any sum or value ; with liberty of appeal to the superior courts by a writ of habeas corpus, to be issued under a special bail, out of the clerk's office of the superior court." Justices of the peace were allowed to decide all cases under forty shillings. A court of chancery was also instituted, subject to the laws of England. The pro- 16 242 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1687 bating of wills was from henceforth to be granted only by the governor, or such persons as he commissioned for that purpose, after being proved in the remote counties from Boston in the court of common pleas, and certi- fied at the secretary's office at Boston. Fifty shillings was exacted for each will probated. All males over sixteen years of age, except his Majesty's council, owning houses, cultivated and broken lands, or other property, " at sea or on shore," were taxed at the rate of one shilling eight pence a head for the county tax ; and all estates, both real and per- sonal, at the rate of one penny for every twenty shillings. For regulating taxes a certain value was placed upon horses and all kinds of cattle, sheep, hogs, grain, etc. Fish, sheep's wool, cotton wool and salt, were alone exempt. Workmen, tradesmen, laborers, and in fact all classes and con- ditions of men, were taxed. Paid servants were taxed, and masters of families were taxed for unpaid servants. Those not able to meet these demands were ordered sent to the common jail until their case could be laid before the next court of sessions. Even strangers, and vessels coming into port were rated. All kinds of foreign and domestic liquor, wine, ale, and cider were heavily taxed. Peddlers were forbidden to sell goods from town to town under a penalty of ten pounds, and be sent from constable to constable until they reached the town to which they belonged. The elder brother of a family, according to the custom in England, was made the chief heir in line of descent, and also heir of the entire estate of a deceased brother to the exclusion of younger brothers. An act for the suppression of piracy was made. The ratification of marriage was restricted to civil magistrates, and bonds, and sureties exacted by the governor. The usual town tax for the support of ministers was abolished, and no one allowed to give " even two pence to a non-conformist, under threats of punish- ment ; & if this law was not complied with they were informed that their meeting houses should be taken from them." * Printing presses . were forbidden, except by special license. Fairfield and the towns in the western part of Connecticut experienced serious alarm at this time, lest a rupture with the French Canadians should involve them in another Indian war. The French had threatened to attack the Iroquois Indians, and a party of Mohicans and Mohawks exas- perated against them attacked Fort Chambly and killed several men, burned houses, and carried away a large number of prisoners. Governor li Dongan called upon Andros to assist in the defense of Albany. Andros ■ immediately ordered two hundred foot soldiers and fifty troopers to be raised out of the western part of Connecticut, and dispatched to Albany i * Trumbull's Hist, of Conn., i, 392. i68S] THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 243 by the end of April. The officers were to be provided with money to defray the expenses of the expedition. Governor Talcott waived the effort to raise cither troops or money for the time being; but in a most gracious manner suggested that it might be a good expedient for him to send advice to Governor Dongan, to move the French general to a cessation of arms, and so gain a truce of eight or nine months, while dispatches were sent to England and France for their decision; that their subjects in America might not be plunged in a cruel war at the cost of devastated plantations, the effusion of much Christian blood, and the country brought into poverty, as in the late Indian war, " for the S-ike of a beaver trade, to be upheld by the point of the sword, for the enriching of a few mercenary spirited men." Governor Dongan acted upon this suggestion, and by his eloquent appeal to King James, a treaty of neutrality was established with France, by which it Avas agreed that all their colonies in America should remain neutral and at peace with each other, even if a breach existed between the two kingdoms. Intent on securing lands to their lawful owners and successors, the following vote was passed at Fairfield : " Novemb'^ i^' 1687. Ye town of Fairfield this day voted y' those of y^ Town y' did divide pasture, building & the Long Lots, Shall be, and be deemed to be w"" y' heirs & lawful! Successors, and those y' Shall Come in lawfull power in stead of them, or any of them, Shall be forever y* proprietors of all y^ Comons of Fairfield ; y' is of y« two half miles of Comon, and y mile of comon, & all other Lands lying in v« Comon, if any w* ever, according to y' rule : S? pasture & building & long lots were divided, & S^ Com- mons are hereby granted to, and confirmed on them as above forever, w"* others, namely, those y Indifferent men Shall determine to have Satisfaction for Some Divisions, they Say they ought to have, but have it not, and w' Liberty of removing: those shall have y' live in y' Town y' have none, and cannot otherwise claim any as y"" right, & any other dissatis- fied persons in Fairfield on a Land account ; & those persons shall have so much, as those persons Indifferently chose by y"= Town ; & y= said persons shall determine them, or any of them to have ; which determination Shall stand good and be fullfilled by y« Town." Jehu Burr, Robert Turney and John Thompson were appointed to hear and determine the cases of all dissatisfied persons in lands or com- mons. Major Gold and Jehu Burr having taken the oath of allegiance, and been selected among the official appointments of Governor Andros, were, at a town meeting on the 9th of Januarj', reinstated as inhabitants of the town, and with John Burr, employed to defend the lands belonging to the freeholders in a lawful way. In the month of March Governor Andros issued further oppressive laws. He appointed an annual town 244 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1688 meeting on the third Monday in May, for the planters to choose and nomi- nate select men or overseers, not to exceed eight in number, one half of whom were to be chosen out of those who had served the year previous. They were also to nominate commissioners. The duty of the select men, with the assistance of two justices of the peace, was to number the poor of the town, to levy a tax for their maintenance, and to meet once a month to consider the best way to provide for their industry and care. All town meetings but the annual one for choosing and nominating town officers, were strictly forbidden. If any one appointed a constable, refused to act or take the oath of allegiance, he was fined five pounds. Strict military regulations were set on foot. Once every year each captain or lieutenant was required to send " a fair written roll of their respective companies and regiments," or be court-martialed. The use of fire-arms was forbidden after eight o'clock in the evening, unless in case of alarm, under severe punishment. In case of alarm four muskets or small arms were to be dis- tinctly fired, or one cannon and two muskets or small arms, and by beat- ing a drum, when every soldier was obliged to be armed and at his post, or be fined five pounds. Officers of vessels were also forbidden to fire salutes upon entering any of the ports. Notwithstanding the new laws in regard to town m'eetings, on the 6th of April the town ordered that Pauls neck, the reedy ponds and swamp lying west of it, and the Half Mile of common, lying between the Build- ing Lots " so called, long since laid out ; " and two miles and a half in length of the Mile of common, should be forthwith laid out to the lawful dividers. If any others were admitted to this dividend, one lot was to be drawn for all said divisions, to begin on each division until the whole was finished. Isaac Hall not having been allowed his claim in the previous dividends, the town readily granted him the same, and appointed a com- mittee to lay out to him his just dividends. John and Jonathan More- house, John Whitlock, David Whitlock, James Newton, Henry Grey and Thomas Dickinson, were allowed an interest in these lands at the rate of twenty pounds estate. Golden-hill having been claimed by the Stratford planters, who were over-eager to dispossess the Indians of this reservation, without adhering to the agreement made with Fairfield of May 19, 1659, application for redress was made at this time by the Indian owners to Governor Andros. Major Treat was appointed to look into the matter and report the true state of the claims of the English and Indians. On the 23d of May, he reported to Andros, that the Stratford men were not to claim any of the grant secured to the Golden-hill Indians, unless the said Indians vacated i688] THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 245 their reservation of their own free will; in which case, the Stratford planters were to own the said reservation, upon paying the sum of twenty pounds to the Fairfield planters, " partly in line of their first title, & partly estimated to Stratford, & the care Fairfield had taken, in looking after the said Indians." The ambition of Andros reached its most sanguine expectations when, on the 7th of April, he was commissioned by King James, governor of New England, New York, East and West Jersey, and all the English territories between 40° north latitude to the river St. Croix, Pennsyl- vania and Delaware only excepted.* The king hoped by thus uniting all his English subjects under one governor, " to make them a toivcr of iron.''' The annexation of Connecticut to the colonies under Andros in New England, was a keen disappointment to Governor Dongan, who vented his mortification upon Governor Treat and Secretary Allyn. He wrote to the Earl of Sunderland, that the annexation of Connecticut, was " by ye fraud of the Governor & ye clerk unknown to the rest of the General Court." ...*'& for one that wishes it as it is, there is a hundred in that Colony, that desyres it were annexed to )'e Government of New York." But the advancement of Andros over him as governor of New- York he felt to be a bitter injustice; and although offered the command of a regiment, with the title major-general of artillery in the British army, he refused to accept it, quietly retiring to his farm, to await further devel- opments in the government of the fickle king of England. It was well known that the nobility of England were displeased with the oppressions, both civil and ecclesiastical, laid upon them by King James; and that in order to protect their rights, they were making secret overtures to William of Orange, who had married the king's daughter, Mary, to assume the reins of government. King James, at this time, was well advanced in years, and the people were weary of his tyrannical and oppressive course. He was without a son to succeed him, but the queen was happily expected soon to bear him another child. So eager were the king and queen, and the zealous Catholics of England and France, that this child should be a son, that " Vows were offered at almost every shrine for a male successor, & pilgrimages undertaken." f On the 19th of April, Governor Andros sent a proclamation from the king to Connecticut appointing a time of public thanksgiving and prayers for the queen; and ordering that it should be speedily made known and published in the * Documents Relating to the Hist, of New York, III., 537-549 j- Hume's Hist. Eng. 246 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1688 counties of Hartford, New Haven, and Fairfield, that it might be duly observed and performed.* With his enlargement of government, Andros waxed bold in oppress- ing the people. He declared that as the charters were either vacated or suspended, the title of the colonists to their lands were null and void ; and that the Indian deeds were of no more value than " a scratch of a bear's paw." The purchasers and cultivators of the soil, after fifty or sixty years' improvement, were obliged to take out new patents for their estates. For these, in some instances, a fee of fifty pounds was demanded. Writs of intrusion were issued against persons of prominence " who would not sub- mit to such impositions, & their lands were patented to others." . . . " Men were fined & imprisoned, & denied the benefit of the habeas corpus act. No person was suffered to go out of the country without leave from the Governor, lest complaint be carried to England against his administra- tion." ..." Confident of the King's favor, Andros & his dependents enriched themselves without restraint. Petitions of the most humble character could not be heard. Randolph boasted that they were as arbi- trary as the Great Turk." Massachusetts and Plymouth shared alike in the special oppression of Andros and his emissaries ; but Connecticut, being further removed from his seat of government, did not suffer as much as her two sister colonies. Governor Treat and the other members of the council, while attentive to Andros' regulations, managed to carry on affairs in the old way as much as possible ; but despondency and insecurity prevailed on all sides. On the 20th of August, Andros wrote Major Gold to give notice to all Indians near him of just punishment for any misdemeanor; and to raise forces to protect the towns and country. Meanwhile, the celebrated Rev. Increase Mather, waiving the formality of asking permission to leave the country, set sail for England, and deliv- ered the complaints of the people, which he carried with him, into his Majesty's hands. On the loth of June the queen gave birth to a son, who was baptized by the name of James. The Catholics were jubilant over this realization of their prayers and pilgrimages ; but the Protestants questioned whether the babe was not a supposititious child, who might be educated in the Roman Catholic religion. Prince William of Orange sent over an envoy to congratulate the king upon the birth of a son, who returned with " entreaties from many of the great men in England to assist them in the recovery of their laws & liberties." Encouraged by these flattering marks of confidence, Prince William immediately set on * Col. Rec. Conn., III., 443. i6Sol THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 247 foot an army of 20,000 men, and ordered the fleet to be increased. On the 5th of November, he landed at Torbay, in England, and published a declaration, in which he set forth, " that from liis near relationship to the kingdom, he felt it was a duty imposed upon him to protect the civil & religious liberty of its people ; that he had no other object in view except to facilitate the calling of a free parliament, & inquiring into the birth of the prince of Wales." * On the nth of December, James II. abdicated, and on the 13th of February, William and Mary of Orange ascended the throne of England. Meanwhile a revolution was set on foot in New England. A Mr. Winslow, of Virginia, arrived in Boston on the 5th of April, bringing with him a copy of Prince William's orders for proclaiming their majesties in the several plantations. Governor Andros was so enraged and alarmed at the turn of events in the mother country, that he caused Mr. Winslow to be arrested and sent to jail for bringing a traitorous libel into the country. The troops and militia were called out to prevent the landing of any forces under Prince William within his jurisdiction. Among the people generally the wildest enthusiasm prevailed. The hope of liberty from the oppressions of Andros and his council kindled a fire of revolt, and on the i8th of April the inhabitants of Boston and the neighboring towns rose in arms, made themselves masters of the castle, seized Andros and his council, and reinstated the former governor and council. Emboldened by the course pursued by Massachusetts, the magistrates of Connecticut assembled at Hartford on the 9th of May, and reorganized the General Assembly of 1687. Governor Treat once more occupied the governor's chair. Deputy-governor James Bishop, Assistant Major Gold, Deputies John Burr and John Wheeler of Fairfield, and all the other members of the court were present, with the exception of one or two who had died. Immediately after opening the court, the following resolution was passed : " For the present peace & safety of this part of New England, called Conecticutt, the necessity of the circumstances it is now under so requireing, it was voted by the Freemen that they would re-establish the Government as it was before, & at the time when S' Edmond Androsse tooke the Government, & so to have it proceed as it did before that time, according to charter, engageing themselves to submit to it accordingly, untill there shall be a legall establishment setled amongst vs. Whereas this Court hath been interupted in the management of the Government in this Colony of Conecticutt, for neer eighteen months past, & o' lawes & courts have been dis- used ; that there may no damage accrue to the public hereby. It is now enacted, ordered * Hume's Hist, of England. 248 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [16S9 & declared, that all the lawes of this Colony formerly made, according to Charter, & courts constituted in this Collony for administration of justice, as they were before the late interuption, shall be of full force & vertue for the future, & till this Court shall see cause to make farther «S: other alteration & provission according to charter. And this Court doe farther order, enact & declare, that all the present millitary officers throughout this Colony are hereby continued & established in their respective offices according to law, untill there shall be farther order ; & all the souldiers in this Colony are hereby required to be obedient to theire respective officers, & to attend accordingly; & if there be any vacancies or want of any officers in any Band, or they be dissattisfyed with there present officers, they may nominate such others as they judg suitable in their places, at the next session of this Court, who may receive such establishment as shall be judged necessary." '* It was further voted, " that in case any occasion should come on in reference to our charter or government, it is their desire that the governor would call the General Court to consider & determine what is necessary to be done." Repairs were ordered to be made upon the fort at Saybrook, and that it should be stocked with ammunition " to be kept in readiness to defend the country." John and Jehu Burr were appointed justices of the peace for Fairfield. The fourth Wednesday in May was appointed a day of fasting and prayer throughout the colony. A ship from England arrived at Boston on the 26th of May, bringing the glad tidings that William and Mary had been proclaimed king and queen of England. The news soon reached Connecticut. Governor Treat called a special Assembly on the 13 of June at Hartford; and on the same day William and Mary, Prince and Princess of Orange, were pro- claimed with great ceremony and joy. Orders were given that they should be proclaimed at Fairfield, and in all the county towns in the colony. Heralds on horseback started out from Hartford at Gilpin speed, announc- ing their approach to every town with jubilant trumpet notes ; and rushed through the streets proclaiming the welcome news. Men, women and children with tears, laughter and hearts filled with joy, caught up the her- ald's stentorian tones, and shouted the happy new^s. Bonfires, ringing of bells, firing of cannons, merry-making and feasting, filled the air with cheerfulness. Since the settlement of New England, such joy had never been known in the plantations. Their short term of oppression had ended, and the streets and houses resounded with merriment and exultation. An address which had been prepared to send to William and Mary, was read to the General Assembly, accepted and ordered to be signed by the Governor and Secretary, in the name of the General Court. In this address their most heartfelt gratitude to the King of kings, and a loyal spirit to William and Mary were thus expressed : * Col. Rec. Conn., III., 250-252. 16S9] THE DECADE OF THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION 249 " Great S''; Great was that day when )■"= Lord who sittetli upon y^ floods, & sitteth King forever, did divide his & your adversaries from one another, like y^ waters of Jordan forced to stand upon an heap, & did begin to magnifie you liig6 Patchin 195 Samll Goodwin 121 B. Fairfield Town Votes, p. 66. * The order of names in this list is, perhaps, more correct than in any other of the lists of dividend holders i:i the various divisions of lands. From the Widow Wheeler's long lot at Pequonnock to Joseph Middlebrook's, & in fact, the names of most of the owners of the long lots of the East farmers as far west as the Mile of Common, appear to be perfectly correct in their order of ownership. The addition of new dividend holders, & of the names of persons who lived on the opposite sides of the main streets of the town, appear to have created no little confusion, in giving the exact order of the names of the dividend holders west of the Mile of Common, as far more received dividends In the two & a half miles on the west side, than those who shared the dividends of the one and a half mile on the east side. The frequent exchange & sale of some of these lots, no doubt, was the cause of the irregularity in the order cf names of the holders of the lots west of the Mile of Common. It must always be remembered that Simon Couch owned the last long lots ne.xt to the Norwalk boundary line. Joseph Patchin did not remain long at Green's Farms, & both his long lot & that of Samuel Goodwin's lay among those east of Couch's & Andrews'. But the order of ownership in this list is very nearly correct. The highways were laid out, & afterwards renewed at a much later date, which will be shown hereafter. It will be well to remember also, that the building-lots had nothing whatever to do with the old home-lots of the first settlers. — Author. Estates 234: 10 217 ■ 14 81 14? 16 106 : 2 195: 6 14.3: — IS?: 14 298: 16 291 : 4 198 18 131 • 12 180: — 116: 16 103: — Q3" 4 262 : III : 8 2si: 4 187: 4 141 4 62: 12 263 : — 233 — 243 4 26,: 14 285: 12 254: — 290 ■ — I7P — 13a — 254 — 196 18 210 — 173 4 I2p • 4 188 18 18.^ 170 4 238 — I. '54 — 147 10 'P4 10 80 — 40 — 138 . 12 120 10 122 12 91 10 141 171 16 Acres Widow Wheeler 706 Goodman Hall's farm 707 Jos : Whelpley 263 Jno. Odell 467 Samll Tread well 245 Isaac Wheeler 635 James Bennet 46s Math : Sherwood 412 Rich. Hubell 97' H;nry Jackson 946 Michael Fry 647 Ezek : Sanford 428 Roger Knap 486 Thos. Morehouse 412 Danll Silleman 270 Thos. Oliver 303 Nathll Sely Senr 852 Willm Odell Senr 362 Samll. Morehouse 816 Ensigne Robt. Turny 608 Thos. Bennet 459 J no Tomson 20 3 Sergt George Squire 855 Jos : Middlebrook Senr 757 Cor. Hull 792 Mr. Jno Burr 863 Obedh Gilbert 603 Joshua Jennings 825 Henry Rowland 943 Jas Knowles 582 Jno Cable Senr 449 R ich. Osburn 825 Frances Bradley 639 Thos Sherwood 682 Hum ; Hide 569 Jno Hide 398 Peter Colee 387 Peter Clapham 604 Jos. Knowles 553 Jno Sturgis 774 Jno Cable Junr 501 Danll Lockwood 479 James Beers 645 Samll Drake 260 Jno. Applegate 132 Samll Smith 450 John Barlow Senr 391 John Barlow Junr 398 Eleazer Smith 298 Robt. Rumsie 458 Jno Tomkins 233 Estates 139 10 229 8 87 17 213 — 460 4 172 — 80 4 1Q2 16 iq8: 2 98 12 gc — 15 10 137 — 143 6 147: 7 77: 6 347: — 220 4 I go 16 IIQ 56 14 "3 14 250 — ■ 244 12 88 4 133 8 93: 16 181 ; 4 2,39 10 207 8 179 10 308 18 o6o — • 247 — 20S S 40 10 200 — 100 — 79 — 30 — 134 — 58 — go — 7-i — 78 — 78 — 93 — 178 — 91 ^ \X(io . — 37 : — APPENDIX No. xr 335 Here followeth a list of ye building lots pasture lots, & long-lots granted to ye inhab- itants of ye town Jan. 1670-71 & recored Dec. 30. 1681. Widow Wheeler Goodman Hall's farm Joseph Whelpley . John Odell [. Sam'll Treadwell Isaac Wheeler —James Bennet Mathevv Sherwood Richard Hubbell ;.'.' Henry Jackson Michael Fry Ezekiel Sandford ....... Roger Knap ...'. Thomas Morehouse ..... Daniel Siliiman , ..'. Thomas Oliver Nathaniel Seely Sen William Orell Sen .' Samuel Morehouse Ensitrn Robt. Turney!!.! ^Tho. Bennet John Thompson Serj. George Squire Joseph Middlebrook, Sen Thomas Jones . . William Hii:... Mr. Nathan Gold ..'.. Sarah Wilson Benjamin Turney Nathaniel Burr William Ward ' . ' Moses Dimon Thomas Wilson Stephen Sherwood Mr. Josiah Harvey ...'. Widow Sarah Wilson John Bulkley Thomas Staples '. Edward Adams John Grummon Robert Meacar Rev fir: Jones [ Jacob Gray Mr. Jehu Burr John Banks Esburn Wakeman Thomas Skidraore Stephen Hedge Cornelius Hull. . . Mr. John Burr ........ Obediah Gilbert Joshua Jennings Henry Rowland Joshua Knowles John Cable snr Richard Orsborn Francis Bradley ' . Thomas Sherwood Humphrey Hide John Hide Peter Coly Peter Clapham John Sturgis John Cable Jr Daniel Lockwood James Beers , , .'. Samuel Smith ........ Building Lots. Acres. Q. Rods. 19 3 03 '3 3 °3 19 03 21 3 00 '3 01 28 10 01 16 '9 00 08 M 03 OT '5 03 00 13 00 24 og 02 30 03 27 '3 03 26 17 oi 16 II 02 08 II 00 10 14 02 14 10 Ol 23 Pastures. Acres. Q. Rods. 6 06 17 20 17 36 13 34 34 34 30 24 15 34 15 38 18 27 09 Long Lots ve Breadth Rods. Q. Feet. 34 00 00 33 00 07 23 00 00 15 00 03 20 03 °3 J 3 02 00 II 03 01 10 02 02 30 01 01 12 00 17 29 00 07 21 00 07 'S 02 02 °7 30 27 00 0: 00 02 01 00 70 00 00 2.S 00 00 53 19 01 02 00 03 09 22 00 01 04 01 23 10 00 01 00 03 13 02 00 14 .6 03 02 02 02 17 00 10 09 00 02 40 00 00 25 CO 00 21 13 06 13 03 °3 00 00 03 00 °S 00 29 28 00 01 00 00 II 1.5 00 02 °3 CO 10 00 00 28 00 00 30 21 29 33 03 02 06 00 00 00 04 00 20 3 00 IS 2 00 29 22 I 00 06 24 20 I I 00 00 '3 22 3 2 00 02 19 27 2 2 03 02 18 00 17 2 °3 336 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD John Barlow Sr John Barlow Jnr Eliezear Smith Robt. Rumsie John Tomkins Samuel Ward Joseph Lockwood Simon Couch John Andrews Daniel Frost John Green Robl. Beacham John Wheeler Henrick Henricks Richard Lyon ....... Rev. Mr. Wakeman . George Squire Jnr . . . Parsonage School Samuel Drake Daniel Finch Isaac Sherwood Samuel Goodwin Phebe Barlow Nathaniel Perry Thomas Pell -John Bennet Thomas Lyon ^ Richard Ogden -ijoseph Pafchin Sen.. John Smith Thomas Shirvington John Applegate Building Lots. Acres. Q. Rods. op 00 06 08 °3 24 Ob 03 18 10 02 18 05 01 21 10 01 ^2 14 CO 06 n 00 00 08 00 24 17 03 3+ 15 02 04 13 01 34 23 00 27 04 02 24 18 02 04 15 01 25 Pastures. Acres. Q. Rods. 05 08 I I 38 34 04 08 I I 32 22 II 37 10 2 2 29 08 14 I 29 12 I 31 10 3 03 18 13 2 2 05 38 14 2 IS 12 I 17 02 I 29 12 00 06 00 04 3 08 14 02 3 3 00 08 12 08 35 06 °3 2 05 04 I 24 04 2 29 04 2 29 13 3 02 03 2 16 04 2 29 05 2 22 Long Lots ve Breadth Rods. Q. Feet. II 3 27 3 24 20 3 35 07 28 2 23 3 05 23 II 2 09 09 °3 3 04 00 OS 06 13 10 01 09 00 29 00 26 02 06 00 B. Fairfield Town Votes, pp. 67, 68. No. XII March y^ 10* 1681/2 The Town by vote declare y' y« old Indian-field shall be forth- with divided to y^ Inhabitants y' have right to divide according to y^ Lists of Estates, y« Greatest part of y« Comons having been divided. A List of y* Lots for ye old Indian field drawn this 22'^ March 1681/2. 88 Widow Wheeler 80 Goodman Halls' farm 68 Jos. Whelplie 73 Jno. Odell 52 Samll Treadwell 59 Isaac Wheeler - 33 James Bennet 21 Math. Sherwood 94 Michl Try 26 Eze. Sanford 67 R. Knap 64 Tho. Morehouse 53 D. Selleman 93 T. Oliver 78 N. Sely 47 Willm Odell 34 Samll Morehouse 48 Ensigne Turny 40 Thomas Bennet 63 J. Tomson 77 Sergt Squire 87 Jos. Middlebrook 90 S Jones 44 Willm Hill 87 Majr Gold 13 Jas. Rowland 89 Benjn. Turny 12 N. Burr 20 W. Hawley 27 D. Burr 15 Moses Dimon 36 T. Wilson 23 Mr. Harvy 56 Widw Bulkley 39 Jno Bulkley 9 T. Staples 74 Ed. Adams 69 Jno. Grumon 92 Robt. Meaar 4 Mrs. Jones 19 Jab Gray 42 Mr. John Burr 32 Jno. Banks 76 Ez. Wakeman 30 T. Skidmore 58 Steph. Hedges 55 Cor. Hull 22 Mr. Jno. Burr 71 O. Gilbert 35 Jos. Jennings 79 H. Rowland 84 Jos. Knowles 75 Jno. Cable Senr 57 R. Osburn 45 Francis Bradley 37 T. Sherwood 86 Hum. Hide 31 Jno. Hide 60 P. Colee 82 P. Clapham 18 Jno. Knowles 61 Jno. Stargis 54 Jno. Cable Junr 65 Dan'l Lockwood 43 James Beers 91 Sam'l Drake 38 Jno. Applegate 14 Samll Smith 5 Jno. Barlow Senr 49 Eleza Smith 85 Rob. Rumsie 72 Sam" Ward 66 R. Ogden II Jos. Lockwood I Danll Frost APPENDIX 3 Jno. Green lo R Beachem 62 Jno. Wheeler 28 Henrich Henrichson 51 R. Lyon 41 Mr. Wakeman 83 George Squire Junr 29 Parsonage 17 School 50 Mr. Finch 70 P. Barlow 6 N. Perry -16 Jno. Bennet 25 Jno. Smith 2 T. Shervington 7 S. Couch 46 Jno. Andrews 8 Jos. Patchin __-- • No. XIII Dividend of Old Indian Field 10. Feb. 1682 3 337 B. Town Votes, p. 70. 1 Danll. Frost 2 The. Shervington. 4 Mrs. Jones 5 Jno. Barlow, Senr. 6 Nathll. Perry 7 Simon Couch 8 Patching p Tho. Staples R. Beachem 1 Jas. Lockwood . . . . 2 Nathll Burr 3 Jas. Rowland 4 Samll. Smith 5 Moses Dimon 6 Jno. Bennet 7 School 8 Jno. Knowles y Jacob Gray 20 Hawly 21 Nath Sherwood . . . 22 Jno. Burr 23 Mr. Hai^y 24 Jno. Barlow, Junr. 25 Jno. Smith 26 Eze. Sanford 27 D. Burr 28 Hendrick 29 Parsonage 30 Thomas Skidmore 31 Jno. Hide 32 Jno. Banks 33 James Bennet 34 Samll. Morehouse 35 Jas. Jennings. . . . 36 Tho. Wilson 37 Tho. Sherwood . . . 38 Jno. Applegate . . . 39 Jno. Bulkley 40 Tho. Bennet 41 Mr. Wakeman.... 42 Mr. Jehu Burr 43 James Beers 44 "Willm. Hill 45 Francis Bradley.. 46 Jno. Andrews .... 47 Willm. Oiell 48 Ensign Turny 49 Eleaz. Smith 50 Nath. Finch 51 R. Lyon 52 Samll. Treadwell . 53 D. Silliman 54 Jno. Cable 56 Wid. Eulkley 57 R. Osburn 58 Ste. Hedge 59 Isaac Wheeler 60 Peter Colee 61 Jno. Sturgis 62 Jno. Wheeler 22 Acres. Q- Rods. Feet. Inch. 338 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD 85 Jos. Whelplie Tho. Morehouse. . . . Danll. Lock wood . . . Rich Ogden Roger Knap Jno. Thompson Jno. Grummon Phebee Barlow . Wid. Gilbert Samll. Ward Jno. OJell Ed. Adams Jno. Cable Senr Ez. Wakeman Serg't Squire Nath: Sely Henry Rowland .... Halls' Farm Peter Clapham George Squire Junr Jos. Knovvles R. Rumsie Hum. Hide Jos. Middlebrook. . . Major Gold Wid. Wheeler Benjn. Turny Tho. Jones Samll. Drake R. Meacar Tho. Oliver Mr. Try Acres. Q. Rods. Feet. Inch. No. XIV B. Town Votes, p. 73. A list of y« Lots at Compo neck, both y« Divisions, y« first division is 3 Rods per pound y= Second division is 5 Rods pr pound, and is as followetli 1682. Lots. 83 2 58 60 6 68 101 97 50 61 31 44 85 74 .98 23 36 82 13 89 34 57 Estates. 234 10 217 081 14 00 143 106 10 2 IQ5 6 143 157 298 14 16 291 ig8 4 18 131 12 180 116 i6 103 00 93 262 4 4 m 8 251 187 4 4 144 62 4 12 263 00 m 00 17 213 460 4 172 00 . Widow Wheeler .Halls Farm .Joseph Whelpley .Jno Odell .Samll. Treadwell . Isaac Wheeler . James Bennet . Math w Sherwood .Rich. Hubll . Henry Jackson .Michael Fry . Ez. Sandford . Roger Knap . Tho . Morehouse .Dan. Silliman .Tho. Oliver .Nathll. Sely. Senr .Willm. Odell, Senr .Samll. Morehouse .Ensign Robt. Turny. . . .Tho. Bennet . Jno. T omson .Sergt. Squire .Jos'Middlebrook, Sr .Tho. Jones , .Willm. Hill .Nathn. Gold .Sarah Wilson, now Roland First Division. Acres. Quarters. Rds. Second Division. Acres. Quarters. Rds. APPENDIX 339 Estates. 80 00 4 IQ2 16 198 2 93 (2 90 175 n? 143 6 147 7 177 6 347 220 4 190 6 iiq 56 14 113 H 250 244 12 88 4 133 8 93 243 H 2t)S 14 I8s 12 254 290 179 133 ^H 196 18 210 175 4 129 4 188 18 185 170 4 238 154 H7 10 IQ4 10 080 040 138 12 120 10 122 12 oqi 10 141 071 16 i3q 13 229 8 181 4 239 10 207 8 179 10 S08 18 162 247 206 5 040 10 200 00 100 00 079 030 037 IS4 058 090 078 078 078 093 178 091 060 .Ben. Turny . .Nathll. Burr . .Eben. Hawley . .Danll. Burr . . Moses Dimon . .Tho. Wilson . . Stephen Sherwood . . . . . Josiah Harvy ..Widow Wilson . .Jno. Bulkley . . Tho. Staples . .Ed. Adams ..Jno. Grufnon, Senr. .. ..Rob. Meacar . .Mrs. Jones . .Jacob Gray ..Mr. Jehu Burr ..Lieut. Jno. Banks . .Ez. Wakeman . .Tho. Skidmore . .Ste. Hedge . .Lieut: Cor: Hull . .Jno. Burr ..Obed. Gilbert ..Joshua Jennings ..Henry Rowland . . Joshua Knowles ..Jno. Cable, Senr ..Rich. Osbum ..Frances Bradley . .Tho. Sherwood . .Hum. Hide . .Jno. Hide . .Peter Coly . . Peter Clapham . . Jno. Knowles . .Jno. Sturgis . . Jno. Cable, Junr , . Danll. Lockwood . . . . . .James Beers , .Samll. Drake , .Jno. Applegate , .Samll. Smith . Jno. Barlow, Senr. . . . .Jno. Barlow. Junr. .. . .Eleaz. Smith .Robt. Rumsic . Fno. Tompkins .Samll. Ward .Rich. Ogden . Jos. Lock^v'bod .Danll. Frost .Jno. Green . Robt. Beachcm . Jno. Wheeler .Hendrick Henderson. .Rich. Lyons, .Mr. Wakeman .George Squire, Junr. . Parsonage . School .Nathll. Finch . Isaac Sherwood .Samll. Goden .Phe: & Deb Barlow.. .Nathll. Perry .Mr. Pell .Jno. Bennet .Tho. Lyon .Jno. Smith .Tho. Shervington .Simon Couch ino. Andrews os: Patchin . First Division. Acres. Quarters. Rods Second Division. Acres. Quarters. Rods. B. Town Votes, p. 76, 77. 340 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD XV Know all men by these presents that wee whose names are hereunto written, being true proprietors of a neck of land, commonly called wolfs pit neck within ye bounds of Fayfield towne, & being resolved to make sale of ye same, wee therfore ye subscribers hereunto have sold, & doe by these presents sell, alienate & set over from us, & from our heirs, executors & administrators forever to Major Nathan Gold, Mr. Jehue Bur, & Mr, John Wheeler, in ye behalf of ye rest of ye allowed inhabitant of ye town of Fairfield, such as were allowed deuiders of lands & to their heirs forever, for a vauabell considera- tion to us secured to be payd, a parcell of land, being a neck of land within ye township of Fairfield as above mentioned called wolf's (wolve's) Pit neck, bounded on Stratford dividing- line on ye north-east, on ye other side with ye land of ye inhabitants of ye aforesaid Fair- field ; wee ye sd. subscribers have sold to ye said Major-Nathan Gold, Mr. Jehue Bur, & Mr. John Wheeler for ye ves of ye town aforesaid, the aforesaid mentioned neck of land, all our interest & propriety of land thar forever, to enioy as thar owne proper land, without let or molistation from us or from ours, & do affirm ourselves, to have good right to sell the same, it being a parcell of land sequestered by Court for our ves & improve- ment, & doe fully acquit ye town of Fayrfield forever not to challang or lay claim to ye aforesaid, as witness our hands February the eleventh 1685 ; wee ye above sayd sub- scribers doe by these presents fully acquit & discharge ye afoarsayd town of Fayrfield from all manner of claims, demands & rights of land within ye town of Fayrfield, or ves of any land of them to plant or any other ves, either from us or from our heirs forever, witness our hands ye day above, The mark of X Penomscot. The mark of X Pasoroimpom The mark of X Machoka Atunk's daughter. The mark of X Pony The mark of X Matamke Signed in presence of The mark of X Kahaco The mark of X Shaganoset The mark of X Old Anthony The mark of X Pascoy The mark of X Juterpretar Nathan ial Paine Thomas T. W. Williams. his mark The above deed of sale was owned by ye several Indians whose names are subscribed thereto, to be thar free act the 11. Feb. 1685 before Jehu Bur Commissioner The above is a true copy of the originall recorded this 31. May 1686 by me Nathan Gold Recorder It is to be noted ye deed of which this is a copy, is on file with ye county clerk.* No. XVI Indian Deed of Highway Across Golden Hill. Whereas it is complained yt there is no allowed highway for passing & repassing of Inglish not endians, from ye highway between Fayrfield & Stratford into ye endian field called Golden Hill, it being as is informed partaining to both John Beardsley, ytt land whear it is thought meet & convenient sd highway shall be, ye endians of Golden Hill earnestly desiring a highway be layd out there or near there, whear ye path lyeth from Samuel Gregorie's across ye Indian Field yt goeth towards Stratford, & being very con- * a. Fairfield Town Deeds p. 661. APPENDIX 341 venient also for ye Inglish for egress & regress thare, as occasion may bee, upon which consederation it is agreed firmly by these presents, by & between both John Beardsley of Stratford & ye Indians belonging or partaining to Golden Hill aforesayd, in bounds of Stratford : Tliat a highway shall be staked out two rods broad at ye fence, whare the path goeth into sd Beardlie's ground, leading to ye Indian Field or land tharr, & to hold ye same bredth till it come to ye endian land, & this being so laid out thare as ye path now goeth so to remain highway forever, for free passage for Inglish & Endians, for whose carts & foot as occasion may be, ye highway hath its entrance into ye sd Beardsly's land, leading to sd. Endian-field a little east of Samuel Gregrorie's hous, whear he now luie-th whear ye path abouesaid is, & sd highw^ay is bounded south-east with ye land of Leeft. John Beardslie's aforesaid, on the north-west with ye land of Henry Summars, which highway is to remain for yt ves, as aboue for-euver, without any let or claim or molestation from ye sd John or any by or vndar him ; & in consideration of ye aboue grant of sd. highway by said John, his heirs executors & administrators & assigns, we ye Endians foresaid par- taining to said Golden Hill do give and grant alienate, asigne, & set ouer from us, our heirs executors & administrators & assigns, onto ye aboue said John Beardsley & his heirs forever, peacably to have & hold without any let, claim, or molestation from us, our heirs or any of us, or any by, from, or vunder us, at any time hear after, but quietly to possess & enjoy ye same &; every part of ye vunder written land, being a parsell or bouge of low- land or rockey medow, with sum parts of hard-land, to ye quantity of about two acres more or less ; sd. land is bounded on ye South with ye fence parting ye Inglish & ye Endian land theare, & northarly, bounded on ye path going throw ye field, on all other sides with ye Endian land ; & for confirmation of this as thare unto, all agreement ye parties, aboue mentioned, haue set to thar hands, with promises yt sd. John be not so molested as to haue ye land taken away from him or his, if so it be, then this to be void & of none effect, witness our hands this 8. of June I686. signed and delieured in presence of vs wit- nesses, Nathan Gold, Sr. Saacus Samuel Morehouse. Pascot John Beardsley Pony Wowompom X his mark. Roben Panomscot X his mark. It is to be noted yt. ye. sd. two acres of land mentioned, lyeth in ye Endian land in Golden Hill. The Endians signing, & John Beardsley's hand acknowledged ye aboue agreement to bee thar act, & deed in Fairfield, this 8. of June 1686 before me, Nathan Gold Assistant. This is aboue copye of ye original, compared & recorded this 8. June 1686 by me, Nathan Gold, Recorder. A. Town Deeds p. 519. No. XVII Bankside Lands Whereas y* town of Fayrfeild ded grant formarly to y* west farmars belonging to Fayrfeild a deuesion of a parsell of land, Commonly called a hors pastuer, & y' in cas y« s<^ farmars could not agree to deuide y« s'' pastuer amongst them Selues y' then mai'. X his mark. X his mark. X his mark. X his mark. 342 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD Gold M'., John Bur & Sargant John Wheeler ware apointed to detirmine y^ way of deuision of S<* land, but y^ S<^ farmars haueing agreed about y« deuision of S'^ land & layd it out : we y^ sayd presons apointed to determin Consarning ye deuision of S"* land, doe See Caus to aproue of y' deuision allredy made among them Selues, except anny mistak in measuering. June ye 8th 1687. That this is our agreement or conclusion, wee haue hearunto set our hands. Nathan Gold John Bur John Wheeler Recorded this loth of Octobar 1687 by mee, Nathan Gold Recorder. No. XVIII Wee, whos names are vndar written, being impovured & oppointed by ye GeneroU Court in May ye 16* 1687 to set out unto ye inhabitants of ye Bankeside such proportions of lands as become due to them by natue of y agreement with ye town of Fayrfield to each man by proportion we make retern as followeth. As comparing ye lands within fence, which is commonly called ye horse pasture which yee formerly inioyed, we find they haue deuided themseues to thar good satisfaction as Daniel Frost, Joseph Lockwood, Robert Beacham, John Green, Simon Croutch. It is to be noated yt deuesion of land in ye hors pasture yt was so set out to Robert Beacham & Joseph Lockwood, shall remain good to them, if ye sd Beacham & Lockwood signe to ye agreement yt was made with ye town, bearing date ye 29. June 1666. As for ye remainder of ye gained, so called, being within ye sd fence, wee have set out to each man his proportion as followeth : First: wee haue laid out to ye estate of Daniel Frost deceased & to his sucksesors fiue acres anexed, to ye meadow of John Andrews, westward, to ly next to Frost ; we have laid out to Joseph Lockwood as he is sucksessor to Henry Grey deceased, fiue acres if ye sd Lockwood signe to ye agreement, yt was made with ye town of Fayrfield June ye 29. 1666 : 3<'ly, next to Joseph Lockwood, wee haue layd out to John Green fiue acres lying by ye main creeke, except one small piece nearer hoam, hee to haue a highway a rod wide, in some conuenient place through ye sd Lockwood's meadow to come to his own. — 4thly next to John Green we haue lay'd out to Robert Beacham fiue acres, as hee is sucksessor to Thomas Newton deceased, if ye sd Beacham sign to ye agreement yt was made with ye towne Fayrfield June 29* 1666. . . Sthly, Next to Robart Beacham wee haue layd out to Simon Croutch, as he is sticcessor to Frances Andrews deceased fiue acres, and last after Coutch wee haue layed out fiue acres to ye fiue farmers aboue mentioned, to each of y™ an equal proportion which they may call plasteds if they pleas. Thus wee haue layd out ye sd land & meadow, to each man his proportion according to order. September ye 6th : 1687 John Bur John Wheeler en Thomas Wilson n" Ephraham Nichols -^ Thomas Jones 3 Samuel Morehouse i^ This is a true copy of Ye originall, recorded & compared this 14. Sep. 1687, by mee, Nathan Gold — Recorder APPENDIX 343 No. XIX At a town meeting of ye inhabitants of Fairfield y« 6"' of Ap" 1688, y'= S"^ Town ordered y« Pauls neck & y« reedy ponds & y« Swamp and y^ half mile ofComon, lying between y^ building & pasture Lots, So called long Since laid out, & two mile & half of y'^ mile of Comon it to ly lengthwayes, all which to be forthwith laid out to y^ RightfuU dividers, & those if any y' Shall be admitted to divide w"^ y"", to be laid out In manner following, one lot to be drawn for all Said Divisions by Each Dividor for his part, & to begin & go on in Each Division till y^ whole is finished — Large high wayes to be left round Pauls neck, & to begui to lay out S'^ Lots at y« north-east End, one, two, three in order till y'= whole is Run out — y* Swamp pond Reeds y^ laying out y^ same to begin by an highway to be laid out by Jn° Bulkley's Ditch, one, two, three till all is Run out y' buts against y^ burying hill, this tear to run through quite across y« hassuky ground there, & y^ Remaining part of y^ Swamp &; hassuks to be fronted on y« high way, to be laid out between y« front of Nathan Gold & Will" Reed, & y^ rest of y* meadow y' lies against y« Swamp there, & y^ sd Swampy Land to begin in this tear on the north east Side of Said Land by Nathan Golds Ditch, & So in order till all that is Run out, & to rear it on y<= tear butting against y"^ burying place & y^ ponds. Reeds & hassuks ; y' land lying below y" Cart way over y^ Swamp, y^ Lots to run across S'^ Land, buting at Each End South west & north East on an high way, which high waye are to be in y^ measure of Each Lot. S<^ bigh way is for men to come at y' Land for to bring of their hay, & other needfull occasions there, to begin y« laying out this tear next y= S'^ Cart way, so in order till y'^ tear is run out at y« beach, & y^ remainder of y« Land w'^'^ lyeth on y<= South East of Nathan Gold's meadow w'^'' Land is to front on y« beach & rear on Nathan Gold's meadow. & to begin to lay it out by y^ high way y' goes down from y<= Cart way y' goes over y<= Swamp on y« South west Side of S'' Tear last laid out, y' runs to y"^ beach, & So to go on in order till all y« Lots are laid out. A Liberty is reserved for draining said Swamp & ponds in all necessary places for draining & measure, is to be allowed for Said drains, & when y« major part of y^ pro- prietors Shall agree to drain S'^ Swamp and ponds, those of S^ Dividors y' will neither help their part in draining, nor pay for y'' parts doing. Shall forfeit y^ parts to y^ rest of y« Dividors. Jn° Wakeman & Tho= Wilson to lay out S y' order of lying. 1 Jno. Green 2 Jno. Burr 3 Henry Jackson 4 School 5 Mr. Samuel Wakeman... 6iJno. Cable Junr ySergt. Rich: Hubbell.... 8 Sergt. George Squire.... 9 Danll Lockwood 10. Parsonage Rods. Feet. Inches, 13 Humphry Hide. Robt. Beachem. Jno. Banks i4!Simon Couch.. . islRich. Lyon 16 Roger Knap 17 Peter Coly 181 Jos. Whelplie. . 19 Tho. Jones 2o:Samll Godwin.. Rods. Feet. 16 3 16 3 22 S 16 2 22 6 17 8 12 8 8 6 3 344 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD Sergt Samll Ward Peter Clapham Michael Try Henry Rowland George Squire Junr. . . Jacob Gray The. Oliver Widow Wheeler , Samll Tredwell John Knowles Halls farm Robt. Meacar Mr Danll Burr Tho. Lyon John Andrus. ....... Jos. Middlebrook Tho. Staples Jos Patchin Tho. Morehouse Senr, Math. Sherwood Sergt. Jno. Wheeler. Joshua Knowles Willm Hill Willm Ward Capt. Robt. Turny... Ezbon Wakeman Josiah Harvy Jno. Cable Junr Danll Silleman Henderick Hendarson Robt. Rumsie Phebe & Deb Barlow. Nathll Perry Mr Jehu Burr Jno. Barlow Junr Rich. Ogden John Bennet Samll. Morehouse. . . . John Thompson Isaac Sherwood John Odell Nathan Gold Mr Pell Rods. Feet. 13 2 16 8 20 26 8 4 6 10 9 20 8 10 15 22 2 12 I 9 2 6 6 7 9 21 8 30 15 5 10 6 15 29 16 17 2 ^9 16 19 17 8 7 9 13 13 9 13 13 8 13 6 22 8 12 21 8 7 22 8 5 2 9 13 8 48 8 Inches. 83 87 Sarah Wilson Samll Smith John Grumon Cornelius Hull. . . . Thomas Wilson... John Sturgis Tho. Shervington. Willm Odell Eleazr. Smith Rich Osburn Samll Drake John Applegate. . . Jno. Barlow Senr. . Danll. Frost Tho. Bennet Jno. Hide Nathll. Finch Jno. Smith Tho. Skidmore Jos. Lockwood.... Nathll. Burr Stephen Hedges.. Tho. Sherwood . . . Isaac Wheeler Joshua Jennings.. Obed Gilbert Stephen Sherwood James Beers Edward Adams... Moses Dimon Frances Bradley.. Mrs. Jones Ben. Turny Nathll. Sely Jno. Bulkley Jno. Tomkins Widow Bulkey .... Eze. Sanford James Bennet Jonan. Morehouse Jno. Morehouse... Tho. Dickenson . . . Rods. Feet. 17 8 13 18 25 II 22 8 7 8 10 8 24 7 t 4 12 23 13 12 7 8 7 13 17 18 I ■ 9 13 18 8 24 17 13 8 8 8 17 20 7 17 8 8 5 7 I 8 25 6 2 6 14 13 13 2 2 Inches. B. Town Votes, p. 24. No. XXI Here followeth y^ Lots as they are laid out In y^ wolf Swamp before y^ Town, with y^ Reed ponds & hassucks, y^ order of y"" lying as on y« other Side of this leaf, being ye Same with Pauls neck, with y<= number of rods in y« margent of both S03 33 28 58 66 85 47 39 30 35 191 130 23 46 61 120 70 84 78 70 44 56 59 40 30 55 055 23 97 48 85 30 91 20 51 56 7 7 7 Feet. Inches . B. Town Votes p. 93. No. XXII Here follows a draught of y= Lots for Pauls' neck & y= wolf Swamp & reedy ponds, & ys two half mile of Coffion, & two miles in length of y^ mile of Cofnon, more fully appear- ing in an order of y« town dated y= 6"> of Ap" 1688., & y' each divider Should draw one Lot for his part of Said Divisions. Widow Wheeler 28 — Thos. Bennet. Halls' Farm 31 Jos. Whelplie 18 Jno. Odell 61 Samll. Treadwell 29 Isaac Wheeler 87 James Bennet 102 Math w. Sherwood 40 Rich: Hubll 07 Henry Jackson 3 Michael Fry 23 Ezll. Sanford loi Roger Knap 16 78 Serjt. Squire 8 Jos. Middlebrook 36 Tho. Jones 19 Willm. Hill 43 Nathan Gold 62 Sarah Wilson 64 Ben Turny 96 Nathll. Burr 84 Willm. Ward 44 Danll. Burr 33 Moses Dimon 93 Tho. Wilson Thos. Morehouse 39 Stephen Sherwood . Danll. Silleman 49 Thos. Oliver 27 Nathll. Sely 97 Willm. Odell 71 Samll. Morehouse 58 Robt. Turny 45 90 Mr Harvy 47 Widow Bulkley 100 Jos. Bulklv 98 Tho. Staples 37 Edward Adams 92 Jno. Grummon 66 Robt. Meacar 32 Mrs. Jones 95 Jacob Gray 26 Jehu Burr 54 Jno. Banks 13 Isburn Wakeman 46 Tho. Skidmore 82 Stephen Hedge 85 Cor. Hull 67 Jno. Burr 2 Obed Gilbert 89 Joshua Jennings 88 Henry Rowland 24 Joshua Knowls 42 Jno. Cable Senr 48 'Rich Osborne 73 Frances Bradly 94 Tho. Sherwood 86 Goodman Hide 79 Peter Coly 17 346 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD Peter Clapham 22 Jno. Knowles 30 Jno. Sturgis 69 Jno. Cable Junr 6 Danll. Lockwood 9 James Beers 91 Samll. Drake 74 Jno. Aplegate 75 Samll. Smith 65 Jno. Barlow Senr 76 Jno. Barlow Junr 55 Eleaz Smith 72 Robt. Rumsie 51 Tompkins 99 Samll. Ward 21 . Isaac Sherwood 60 Rich. Ogden 56 Samll. Godwin 20 Jos. Lockw 83 Febe & Deb Barlow 52 Danll. Frost 77 Nathll. Perry 33 Jno. Green qi Mr Pell 63 Robt. Beachem i2^Jno. Bennet 57 Jno. Wheeler 41 Tho. Lyon 34 Hendrich Henderson 50 Jno. Smith 8i Mr. Wakeman 05 Tho. Sherwington 70 George Squire Junr 25 Simon Couch 14 Parsonage 10 Jno. Andrus 35 School 04 Patchin 38 ^ Finch 80 Jno. Tomson 59 B. Town Votes, p. 92. No. XXIII Here followeth y^ names of y'' freemen allowed by y^ Townsmen of Fairfield, & Sworn this 18* of March 1689/90. Robt Rumsie * Samll Drake * Jos. Bastard * Samll Robinson * Epm. Nickols * Jno. Wakeman *^ Jno. Sturgis junr Nathan Gold junr. Elipht Hill * Samll. Squire * Samll. Adams * Abram Adams Nathll. Burr Junr* Jose : Seeley * Jno. Wheeler Willm Hill Tho. Willson * James Neuton * Jas. Beers * John Whetlock * Samll Hub'U* — Willm. Reed * Benjn. Banks * Jno. Odell Junr Jacob Gray * Jno. Osburn Sworn ye 17th March I 690/ I Mr Charles Chauncey * Mr Peter Burr Jos : Phippeny Jnn. Sturgis Samll. Couch Simon Couch Jno. Edwards George Squire * Jnn. Squire Rich Lyon Serjt. Ma : w Sherwood * Tim: Wheeler Rich: Hubbll Samll Gregory * Theoph : Hull * Jos : Sturgis Moses Dimon Thadus Burr Ephrm Burr Jehu Burr David Treadwell Benjn. Banks Jno Hide Senr Jas. Beers Samll. Bradley Senr Jacob Gray Peter Sturgi? Samll. Osburn Hen : Rowland Samll. Hall Davd Sherman James Bennet Jno. Burr Giddeon Allin Jos. Jennings Mr. Jos. Webb Samll. Cable * Moses Dimon Samll. Wheeler * Jno. Smith Samll. Treadwell Robt. Silleman Samll. Odell Danll. Morehouse Lieut. Jos. Wakeman Abell Bingham * Jno. Treadwell Jno. Darling Jno. Barlow * Samll. Smedley Jno. Downs Jno. Osburn Jacob Patchin '' Tho. Sanford The Revd. Danll Chapman. James Sely Jno. Wheeler Robt. Turny David Sturgis Tho. Turny Andrew Burr Tho. Couch Danll. Adams Peter Bulkly Thos. Disbrow George Hull Peter Coly Benjn. Gilbert Samll. Gold Samll. Couch Junr Jos. Wakeman Jos. Darling Jos. Crane Davd Hubll Eleazer Sturgis Nathll. Burr Junr Ebenz. Dimon Jno. Barthram Capn. Mathw Sherwood Jno. Odell Senr Ens. Isaac Wheeler * > Lieut. James Bennet * Samll. Morehouse Samll. Treadwell Senr Tho. Jones Jno. Bulkley * Benjn. Fairweather B. Town Votes, p. I GENEALOGIES GENEALOGIES The brief genealogical record of this work has necessarily been very imperfectly gathered. But little assistance has been given to the author, save by those who have donated their own labor, in compiling a far more full family genealogy than she could possibly find time to give to any one family. Those which she has given are intended as guides to persons who may be compiling full family genealogies. Carrying, as her aim has been, as far as time and opportunity have offered, the names of the pioneers of Fairfield and their descendants for three generations, many persons at the present time will, from them, be able to make their family links, by comparing them with home records and family Bibles. The Probate and Town records of Fairfield are rich with recorded and unrecorded wills on file. Many of the latter bear coats of arms stamped upon the seals. The Probate and Town records of Fairfield and Bridgeport, with their parish records, and the parish records of Green's Farms, Greenfield Hill, Redding, Easton and Weston, offer valuable assistance to the genealogist. The author deeply regrets, for want of time and the assistance which every family should take pride in contributing towards this undertaking, her inability to give other names, as worthy of mention as some of those which she has given. To write full genealogies of all the early settlers of Fairfield, even for three generations, would be a life work of several volumes. GENEALOGICAL TABLE ADAMS Edward Adams was at New Haven in 1640, was in Milford in 1646, & at Fairfield in 1650. He purchased a house & home-lot of Andrew Ward 7. Dec. 1653, west of Hyde's Pond, but soon removed to Barlow's Plain. In his will dated 7. Aug. 1671, he mentions s. Samuel, to whom he gave his house & home-lot in the town, lying between Francis Bradley's & John Tompkins, provided he finished it at his own expense, after being furnished with stones, mortar, & attendance for the walls to be thirteen feet high, to be paid for out of the estate ; to s. Abra- ham ten acres at Barlow's Plain, lying next that he gave his d. Mary's husband, Samuel Robinson ; and other lands ; to d. Mary Merwin, whose first husband was Luke Guire, two acres in Barlow's Plain, running down to the large pond. He gave to ss. Samuel & Abraham part of his long-lot, & commonage ; & to his d. Mary commonage & part of his long-lot. All the rest of his land, hous- ing, movables & cattle he gave to his wife Mary, while she remained his widow, & entailed it to his minor sons Nathaniel, John, & Nathan. Mary Adams m. Luke Guire of F. 23 Feb. 1663, who died early leaving one son Luke, who was remembered by his grandfather Edward Adams, in his will. Sa.muel I. s. of Edward Adams i. m. first d. of , & l^ad Samuel, b. 1. Jan. 1677, & Daniel, 17. May 1679. He next m. Mary, d. of Robert Meeker, 15. July 1679. Their children were Sarah, b. 3 Oct. 1680; Abigail, 25. March 1682; Elizabeth, 3. Feb. 16S4 ; Abraham, i. Jan. 1685 ; Jonathan, Oct. 1686 ; David, 24. June 1689 ; Benjamin, 28. Dec i6go ; John, 6 Sept 1692. Abraham, s. of Edward Adams i. m. Sarah d. of & was not bapt. until 9 Dec 1694 at F. Their children were Deborah & Hannah bapt. 20 Jan 1694^ ; Mary, Abigail, Susanna & Elizabeth, all bapt. 24. Feb. 1694^, at F. 350 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD Nathan i. s. of Edward i. m. Mary , d. of Joseph James, who was not bapt. until 23 Dec 1694 at F, Their children were Nathan, Nathaniel & Candey, all bapt. 23 Dec. 1694 ; Ruth, bapt. II Oct 1696; Mary, 2. Oct 1698; Jonathan, i. Sept. 1700; Avis, 29. Nov 1702; & Nathaniel again i Oct 1714. He probably settled early at Green's Farms, where his descendants are still found. Nathaniel & John ss. of Edward Adams i. died unmarried. Daniel i.s. of Samuel Adams i. m. Rebecca, d. of . Their children were Rebecca, bapt. 30 Aug 1702 & m. Joshua Jennings 3. Feb 1724 ; Samuel, ig. March 1703- ; Daniel, 29. June '1707 ; Sarah, — 1711 ; & Elizabeth, 2. June 1717. The Adams family early settled at Green's Farms and Westport. ANDREWS Andros, Androws & Andrews. Francis Andrews was in Hartford in 1639, where he m. Anne d. of prof. Giles Smith, & had there s. John b. 27. Sepf. 1646 ; & Thomas 2. Jan. -1648. He removed to F. soon after & became one of the Bankside farmers, where his home-lot of ten acres lay west of Daniel Frost's. He made his will on 6, June 1662, which was probated 5. March 1662-3. jjj jijg ^jji j,g gave to his s. Thomas 5 acres of land at Bankside, & a piece of land in his home-lot to set a house upon, a gun-barrel & a stock ; to s. John 3 acres of the lower end of his home-lot, & a piece of land 4 rods wide, with a house upon it, provided he allowed his mother the use of another house as good, 3 acres of meadow, called the heather-bite, & a gun. To s. Jere- miah a rapier, a staff & 20s. ; to s. Abraham 20^-. ; to d's Mary, Hester, Rebecca & Ruth io.f. each when 18 yrs. of age ; to John Crampton husband of his d. Hannah 3 roods of land in his home- lot next his house, provided he fenced it all around with a five rail fence ; to granddaughter Han- nah Crampton 10s. ; to his wife Anna house, land, & the remainder of his estate. He made Dry Thomas Pell overseer of his estate. Jeremiah Andrews lived in Stamford & d. about 1713. Thomas i. s. of Francis Andrews i., (Savage calls s. of Francis living at Milford 1675-1700), m. Eliza d. of Robert Porter of Farmington, & had Hannah & Mary bapt. 31. May 1685, & per- haps a family of other children. Savage's Gen. Die. This may not have been the son of Francis of F. (h*UjU^ '-^ :)<'U^-i^^ J-..^ ^ "^vi^^ K^xJL^ ^ John i. s. of Francis Andrews i. of F. m. Sa*afe-4r-ef-Si«T0Tr Cuirdi. Their children were John, yy^^t^ b. 24. Oct. 1679 & Sarah, 12. Jan. 1680, & d. in 1683. F. T. Rec. He with Simon Couch, who m. his sister Mary Andrews, purchased of the other heirs, & of their mother the long-lot & other lands of Francis Andrews i. at Fairfield. He was deeded several parcels of land by his father at Bankside, & owned a considerable land at Turkey-hill. In the distribution of his estate in 1733 w. Sarah is mentioned ; d. Abigail w. of William Edwards ; d. Hannah w. of Samuel Osborn ; d. w. Thomas Couch ; d. Isabel w. Robert Rumsey & d. Deborah w. of Jacob P- Jones. ■^A.^^^'"''!^'''^ John 2. s. of John Andrews i. m. ^^^^ d. of — ^==^- & was not bapt. until 27. June ^I'^'^x^JJ^ at which time his s. John was baptized. His d. Abigail was bapt. 14. Aug. 1709 ; EleaaeTr^4. Nov. 1711 ; Daniel, 13. June 1714 & d. 1728. F. Par. Rec. John 3. s. of John Andrews 2. m. Sarah, d. of Simon Couch 28. Oct. 1730 & settled at Bank- side. Their children were Sarah, b. 6. Aug. 1731 ; John, 17. March 1734 ; Abraham, 23. Aug. 1735 ; Abigail, 13. Dec. 1736 ; Ellinor, 4. Aug. 1738 ; Samuel, 23. Feb. 1740 ; Isabel, 20. Sept. 1742 ; Simon, Deborah, & Hannah 28. Oct. 1744. Abraham s. of Francis Andrews i. lived in Danbury where he died in 1735. It appears that the Andrew's family of Bankside or Green's, Farms trace their descent from Francis i. through his son John. Among the distinguished descendants of this family was Judge Andrews of Ohio, whose monument rests over his grave in the cemetery at Green's Farms. GENEALOGIES 331 BANKS John Banks was one of the first settlers of Windsor, Conn., & was a lawyer by profession. In 1643 he was appointed town clerk, & also " to size the weights & measures of the several towns in the colony." He settled at F. soon after, & was granted a home-lot by the town ; but on the 12. of Jan. 1649, he purchased Daniel Frost's house & home-lot of 3J acres on the Frost Square. When Rye fell under the jurisdiction of Connecticut, he, with his sons were among the first land- holders of that town ; which he represented from 1670 to 1673. He soon returned to F., & was prominent in all the exciting events of that period. He was one of the richest men in F. & one of the largest land holders in F. Co. It is to be greatly regretted that so little is known of his early history ; but that he was from one of the best families of England there is no doubt. Savage states that "by tradition his first wife was a d. of Charles Tainter of Weathersfield," who also afterwards resided at F. (where his will is probated & dated 20. Oct. 1658,) & had one child at Windsor. His second wife was Mary Fitch wid. of Thomas Sherwood i of F. His will is dated 12. Jan. 1685, about which time he died. He gave his wife Mary the use of his house & home-lot, 3c acres on the front of his long-lot ; several other pieces of land ; 40/^. out of his house- hold goods & chattels ; the use of his silver tankard & of two Indian boys, one negro woman, & two cows. He gave to his son John Banks 150 acres at Byram River, 30 acres in the plain of same place above the main road ; 40 or 50 acres at Horseneck, & the Island called Calves' Island " lying before said neck." To s. Obediah, all land above Pine Creek at F. & several other parcels of land. To s. Benjamin his pasture-lot & building-lot, & land at the Rocks purchased of Thomas I.yon ; two miles of his long-lot in the rear of that given to his wife, " he allowing proper high ways ; half of his Perpetual Common ; dividends at Compo, & 160 acres purchased of Blackley & Brandford. To his grandson, s. of his s. John, he gave all the land he left for the use of his wife after her death ; the other half of his long-lot ; one half of his Perpetual Common, and his silver tankard, after his wife's death. To his d. Susanna, wife of Jonathan Sturgis I. 20s. & to her s. John Sturgis when of age io£. To grandson, Benjamin s. of his s. Benjamin lo;,^., when of age. To his d. Hannah, wife of Daniel Burr of Upper Meadow 5,;^., & to his son in-law Daniel Burr, a meadow between the Old Field & Pine Creek. To d. Mary w. of John Taylor 20^. To sons John, Obediah & Ben- jamin Banks, as executors, he left all remaining undisposed of estate, who were to cover out of the estate, the foreside of his dwelling house & barn with shingles within one year from the date of his decease. To his step-son Mathew Sherwood, he gave a lot in the Old Indian Field, for work to be done about his house, which they had formerly agreed upon. He had a s. Joseph, who died Oct. 1682. Sergt. John 2. s. of John Banks i. m. Abigail d. of , & settled at Greenwich, & d. 1699. Of him I know no more. Benjamin, s. of John Banks i. m. Elizabeth d. of Richard Lyon i., 29. Jan. 1679, & had Benjamin b. 30, Oct. 1682 ; Elizabeth 26. Nov. 1685 ; & probably other children. He died about 1692, & his widow m. W? Rowlson. Obedi.\h, s. of John Banks i. d. unmarried about i6gi. In his will he mentions cousin Joseph, s. of his bro. John ; sister Mary Taylor ; bro. I5enjamin, bro. Samuel & sister Rebecca Wheeler, d. of Sergt. John Wheeler. Benjamin, s. of Benjamin Banks 2. b. Nov. 168 1, (probably a mistake for 30. Oct. 1682.) covenanted & bapt. 5. June 1726. Ruth, wife of Benjamin Banks, b. 18. May 1683, bapt. in infancy. Their children were Benjamin, b. 8, Aug. 1706 ; Thomas, 13. Nov. 1707 ; John, 8. Sept. 1710, & died about four years of age ; Gershom, i. May 1712 ; Johanna, 28. Feb. 1714-- ; John, 7. Nov. 1717 ; David, 22. April 171S ; Nehemiah, 27. April 1720, & died in infancy ; Mary, 18. March I72i"2. His first wife died, & he m. the wid. Sarah Hull, & had son Eliph- alet b. 25. July 1740. Joseph, s. of John Banks 2. b. 29. Dec 1691, & bapt. 13. April 1712. He m. Mary b. 8 352 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD Jan. 1693. Their children were Joseph, b. 12. April ; Sarah, i. Feb. lyis-'-^ ; David, 22. April ; & Mindwell, 6. Oct 1720 ; Nehemiah, 2S. Feb. 1722 ; Ebenezer, g. Dec 1724 ; Mary, 19, July 1731. BARLOW John Barlow i. was one of the earliest settlers of F. He owned the lot next S. W. of Roger Ludlow, on the Ludlow Square. He sold this place to Thomas Morehouse before 1653, & set- tled on the beautiful plain, running northwest of the Ludlow Square & Concord Field, which in honor of his name was called Barlow's Plain. He was possessed of a large estate. His will is dated 28. March 1674, in which he mentions w. Ann, & children John ; Isabella w. of Peter Clap- ham ; Ruth, w. of Francis Bradley ; Elizabeth w. of Daniel Frost ; Martha w. of James Beers i. & Deborah w. of John Sturgis. John 2. s. of John Barlow i. m. Abigail, d. of Robert Lockwood. Their children were : John, Joseph, Samuel, Abigail, Deborah, Elizabeth & Ruth. Elizabeth was b. 11. May 1677. (F. T. Rec.) Abigail, m. Jonathan Rowland 28. Jan. 1690. The inventory of his estate was taken 6. March 1690^1. F. T. Rec. John 3. s. of. John Barlow 2. renewed the Church Covenant at F. on the 24. of Feb. 1694^. His s. John was bapt. at the same time ; Samuel, bapt. 26. April 1696 ; Abigail, 5. Sept. 1697, Ann, 19. Nov. 1699 ; Joseph, 18. May 1701 ; Francis, 16. Aug. 1702 ; Sarah, 5. March 1703- ; Deborah, 3, March 1705^, at which time the father was called Lieut. F. Par. Rec. Samuel i. s. of John Barlow 3. m. d. of their children were : Gershom, bapt. 17 Feb. 1705*^ ; Samuel, 16. March 1706^ ; Gershom, 19, Dec. 1708 ; Samuel, 22 : Jan 1709-- ; Daniel, 28, Oct. 1711, at which time the father was called Serg^ ; Elizabeth, 20, June 1714 ; Abigail, 5, Aug. 1716 ; Mary, 2, Nov. 1718. F. Par. Rec. Samuel 2. s. of Samuel Barlow i m. Eunice, d. of Daniel Bradley 12, Aug. 1731, & lived at Redding. Theirchildren were : Daniel, b. 24 Nov. -1^34 ; Ruhamah, 22, Jan. 1737 ; James, 29, Jan. 1739 ; Jabez, 21, March 1742. -.- Samuel Barlow 2, again m. second wife, Esther, d. of Nathaniel Hull, 7. Aug. 1744 j Their children were Nathaniel, b. 13, May 1745 ; Aaron, 11, Feb. 1750 ; Samuel, 3. April 1752; & Joel, 24. March, 1754. The father died 20. Dec. 1773. Joel s. of Samuel Barlow 2 ; born at Redding 24 March 1754, first entered Dartmouth College in 1774 or 5 ; but graduated with high honors at Yale in 1778, in the class with Hon. " Zepheniah Swift ; Uriah Tracy ; Noah Webster ; Oliver & Alexander Wolcott, & other distin- guished men, at which time he delivered a creditable poem entitled, "The Prospect of Peace." He early showed talent of a superior quality, & became a marked favorite with Dr. Trumbull & Dr. Dwight. He was an intimate college friend of Thomas Paine, who probably had not at that time become imbued with French infidelity. He studied law, & divinity for a short time, & after being licensed as a Congregational minister, he became a Chaplain in the army of the Revolution until the close of the war. In 1783 he opened a law office at Hartford, & upon Elisha Babcock removing his printing press from Springfield to Hartford, he entered into partnership with him in editing " The American Mercury." In 1785 he was chosen by the General Association of the Congregational Church, to revise the Psalms of Dr Watts. In 1787 he published his "Vision of Columbus ; " but his popular poem entitled " Hasty Pudding," written in France in 1793, exhib- ited a more decided poetical talent. In 1788 he went to England, as agent for the " Sciota Land Company," & then to France, where he became interested in the politics of the country, &, giving up his agency, joined the Girondists. In 1791 he returned to England, & there causing offence by his publications, he returned to France in 1792. In 1795 he was appointed by General Washington Consul to Algiers, where he effected a treaty which liberated Americans held as slaves by the Dey. He also succeeded in a treaty at Tripoli, by which the American prisoners there were redeemed: In 1797 he returned to Paris, & in 1S05 to the United States, & settled in the vicinity of George- GENEALOGIES 353 town. In 1808 he published the great poem of his life "The Columbiad ;" which was repub- hshed in i8ir in London. He was diligently engaged in writing a history of the United States in. 1812, when he was appointed by General Washington Minister Plenipotentiary to France. Unfortunately, while on his way to Wilna to confer with the Emperor Napoleon, he contracted a severe cold, & died from inflammation of the lungs at Zarwanica, a small village in Poland, 2. Oct. 1812. He m. Ruth, a d. of Michael Baldwin of New Haven, who with her sister Clarissa accompanied her husband to France. Clarissa m. Col. Bomford of the U. S. Army. Both ladies were sisters of the Hon. Henry Baldwin of Pittsburg, Penn., & probably half sisters of the Hon. Abraham TBaldwin of Georgia. Hinman's Puritan Settlers, Vol. i. pp. 113, 131. Thomas Barlow early settled at F.. & was probably a near kinsman of John Barlow i. He was granted from the town six acres of land on the n. w. of the school & church land on the n. w. corner of the Frost Square, which was recorded 3, Dec. 1653. His will is dated 8, Sept. 165S, in which he mentions wife Rose & their children Phebe, Deborah & Mary. He appointed Dr. Thomas Pell overseer of his children & estate. He was a large land holder in F., & his surviving children Phebe & Deborah, were granted the various land dividends made by the town after his death. His d. Mary, probably died before him, or about the same time, as no mention is made of her in the distribution of his estate. I have seen mention of a s. Thomas, who must have died before liis father. His wife Rose was probably the widow of Thomas Rumbell of Stratford, Conn., who came to N. E. in the ship True Love in 1635 aged 22, & served in the Pequot War. Mrs. Rose Barlow, the widow, m. Edward Nash of Norwalk. Phebe Barlow m. Francis 01m- stead of Norwalk Ct. Deborah Barlow m. John Burritt of Stratford Ct. Francis Olmstead & John Burritt on the 2, Sept. 1700, in right of their wives, sold the Barlow six acre lot, in the rear of the meeting-house, to the Rev. Joseph Webb for 30/". BARTRAM John Bartram settled at F. & m. Sarah d. of . Their children were John b. 23. Feb. 1690*-^; a child not named 10. May 1692 ; John again 9. Jan 1693^; Joseph, 8, Aug. 1696. [F. T. Rec] Sarah, bapt. 23. Dec. 1694 ; Ebenezer, 30. April 1699 ; David, 13. Dec. 1702 ; & Sarah, 7. May 1704. F. Par. Rec. John 2. s. of John Bartram i. settled at Greenfield & m. Sarah, the widow of Francis Bradley 2. Their children were, Sarah, b. 14. May 1719. and perhaps others. Ebenezer s. of John Bartram i. m. Elizabeth, d. of . Their children were Hannah, bapt. 4. July 1731 ; Ebenezer, 18. June 1732 ; Job, 30. March 1735 ; Eulalia, 3. July 1737 ; Barnabas, 30. Sept. 1739. F. Par. Rec. David i. s. of John Bartram i. m. Mehitabel, d. of . Their children were John, bapt. 24. Oct. 1731 ; Hannah, 25. Nov. 1733 ; David, 25. May 1735 ; Paul, 17. Oct. 1736 ; James, 23. April 173S ; Isaac, 25. Jan. 1740^^- ; Elizabeth & Sarah 11, Sept. 1743 ; David again, 27. Oct. 1745. F. Par. Rec. The Bartram family are represented by the family of the late Captain Joseph Bartram of Black Rock. BEERS James Beers i. was an early settler at Sasquag, now Southport, where he was presented with 8 acres of laud from the Indians, which, by tradition is located, where the Congregational church now stands. In 1669 he recorded iS acres on the west side of Sasco River, which was confirmed io him by the town 10. Feb. 1661. Cothren of Woodbury makes him a son of Capt. Richard Beers of Watertown, a Pequot soldier, but Savage thinks this a mistake, & that he may have been a iirother. He became one of the largest land-holders in F., sharing in all the dividends of the irv^iship. He m. Martha; d. of John Barlow i., by whom he had several children. In his will d.\'. d 14. Nov 1694, he provides for his w. Martha, & gives to his s. Joseph all the rest of his 23 354 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD estate, provided he paid the following legacies ; viz : an annual, stipulated support to his mother. Martha ; to d. Martha, w. of Joseph Bulkley, who had had a larger marriage dower than her sisters 15;;^ ; to d. Deborah, w. of Samuel Hull* 23^^ ; to d. Elizabeth, w. of John Darling, 23^^. He confirmed to the children of his deceased s. James, lands he had deeded their father ; & to his eldest grandson David Beers, his wolve's swamp & Paul's Neck division. James 2. s. of James Beers i. was for a time at Pequonnock, where he purchased 12. Sept 1660, of Andrew Ward, James Evarts' house & home-lot, lying between the home-lots of Joseph Middlebrook, & Thomas Wheeler sr. He lived for a time at Woodbury, but was again in F., where in 1684, he purchased land at Sasco Hill of John Osborn. He m. d. of Capt. Richard Osborn. His children were Sarah, b. 8. May 1673 ; James, 28. June 1677 ; & Joseph, 11, July 1679, David & Mary. He died in 1691, leaving a handsome estate. Joseph i s. of James Beers i. m. Abigail, d. of . Their children were Joseph, b. 13. March 16889 ; Abigail, 24. April 1692 ; James & probably others. He died in 1697, leaving a good estate. BRADLEY The first of this name in F. was Francis Bradley, who resided in Branford in 1657, and came to F. in 1660. He is mentioned in the New Haven records as early as 1650, and was then a member of the family of Governor Theophilus Eaton, probably articled to him, as was the custom of those times, when it was desired to have a young man brought up to a particular business, or under the auspices of a particular person. If conjecture is right as to his parentage, his father and Eaton were school-mates, and nearly of the same age. He had an only brother, John Bradley of London, who died at an advanced age in March 1697. There is much reason to believe that they were sons of Francis Bradley Junior of the city of Coventry, who was born in 1595, & was son & heir of Francis Bradley Senior. Theophilus Eaton was born in Coventry in 1592, his father being minister of one of the Churches of that city ; and Rev. John Davenport, co-leader with Eaton of the New Haven Colony, was born in the same city in 1597. As they all belonged to Puritan families, there is little doubt that Francis Bradley Junior, whose father was a man of respectability, (entitled to his " coat of arms "), was on intimate terms with both of these eminent men ; and when, as happened in course of time, Eaton became a prominent merchant, and Daven- port a popular preacher, in London, it is quite natural that Francis Bradley Junior should place his sons under their auspices in the great city, and entrust his younger son, Francis, to the personal care of his friend Eaton. Francis Bradley Junior had an uncle in Coventry, named William Bradley, a younger brother of his father, conjectured to have been the father of William Bradley, who came to this country and settled at New Haven (or North Haven) in 1644, taking the oath of fidelity in August of that year ; and whose step-mother, with her family of small children, Ellen, Daniel, Joshua, Nathan & Stephen Bradley, came over a year or two later, and became the ancestors of a numerous progeny, who look back to New Haven & Guilford as the places of their family origin.* If Francis Bradley came from England with Governor Eaton in 1637, he could have been but a mere lad. It is possible that he came over with his cousin William in 1644, and was commended * A pedigree and arms of the Bradley family of Coventry are recorded in Camden's " Visitation of the County of Warwick in 1619," published in Vol. XII of the Harleian Society publications. The pedigree embraces, I. William Bradley of Sheriff-Hutton, county of York (who must have lived in Henry VIII's time): 2. William Bradley son of the preceding, of the city of Coventry, Co. of Warwick : 3, 4, 5, were Francis, Thomas and Wil- I lAM, the three sons of the litter, who were born in Elizabeth's reign : 6. Francis Bradley Junior, son & heir of the preceding Francis, 24 years of age in 1619 when the visitation was made. His uncle William had at that time four daughters, and an infant son not yet named. The Bradley family of Yorkshire, of which this was a branch, may be traced back to a remote period. A Sir Francis Bradky flourished there in Edward Ill's time. (Harl. Soc. Pub. XVI. 147.) GENEALOGIES 355 to Eaton's care by his father. In Governor Eaton's house he had the highest religious and intel- lectual advantages. Cotton Mather gives an interesting account of the manner of life pursued in the Governor's establishment. Sometimes as many as thirty members of his own household sat down at his table, and he was in the habit of administering to them wise and godly discourse.* The influence of his high character and example, must have been very great with the young men under his charge. Francis Bradley seems to have profited by these advantages. All that we hear of him in the scanty notices that are preserved, are to his credit. He was evidently a young man of respectability when he settled at Fairfield. Soon after his arrival he married Ruth Barlow, a daughter of John Barlow, and thus became connected with some of the principal families of the place. Being a'dmitted a freeholder of the town, he became entitled to all the privileges of a settler, including a participation in the dividends of the town lands. In October 1664, at a General Assembly at Hartford, he (with others) was accepted as a freeman of Fairfield under the govern- ment of Connecticut, before the Colony of New Haven had accepted the charter. In March 1666 he purchased the house and homestead lot of William Hayden in the town plot of Fairfield, con- sisting of 2h acres of land. Francis Bradley had seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of whom, as well as his wife, survived him. Their names and the approximate dates of their birth, are as follows : i. Ruth, b. 1662; 2. John, 1664; 3. Abigail, 1667; 4. Francis, 1670; 5. Daniel, 1673 '• 6. Joseph, 1676; 7. Mary, De*. 5, 1679, the record of her birth being preserved. Francis Bradley d. in October, l6Sg, leaving a will dated 22nd of January preceding. The inventory of his estate amounted to £64$, exclusive of the portion set off to his eldest son, John, shortly before his death. His descendants are numerous, and to be found in many of the Northern States ; but the first three or four generations continued to reside in Fairfield and its vicinity, particularly in and about Greenfield Hill, partly on the "long lot" assigned to him, & other purchases and called the Bradley lands, which extended across the Aspetuck river north of Saugatuck. He left all his sons homesteads, besides their shares in his common lands, subject to legacies to his daughters. John, the eldest, had a homestead lot given to him at Greenfield ; others, in Fairfield village. The eldest daughter, Ruth, married Thomas Williams. Abigail remained unmarried. Whether Mary married is not known. The descendants of Francis Bradley, in the second and third generations, living in and about Greenfield during the last century, were a highly respectable and worthy class of people, some of them occupying positions of official trust and influence. They were the people amongst whom President Dwight spent those pleasant years of his ministerial life from 17S3 to 1795, when he wrote his pastoral poem of "Greenfield Hill." His "female worthy," Mrs. Eleanor Sherwood, was a daughter of Francis Bradley, the second, and his congregation included a large number of families of that name. The following letter, written by John Bradley of London, to his brother Francis, in 1696, (in ignorance of his brother's death) illustrates the infrequency of communication with the mother country in those early tinjes, and the already close connection between New York and the towns along the Sound. '■ These for his very loving Brother, Francis Bradley of Fairfield in New England. " Dear Brother : It is now 10 years since I received a letter from you, tho' I have seen several seamen since, but no one could tell me whether you are in the land of the living as I am, which blessed be ye Almighty, tho in ye 74th (or 77) year of my age ; and I begin to think I can by no means live long ; which puts me in mind of settling ye small estate I have, & I have no children of my own, neither any relation nighe so near and dear to me as yourself and your children. Therefore, dear brother, I do heartily wish and desire y' you were here yourself or if it were possible y' I might have y^ happiness to see you before I die, which would be the greatest * Magnalia, Book II. c. IX. sect. VII. 356 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD satisfaction to me in the world : but if that cannot be, then I should be glad if you have any one of your sons that is a sprightly boy and about the age of i6 or 17 years, that hath been pretty well bred, to bind him over to me, and I will take care of him. If this come to hand, be sure to let me hear from you. I send it on adventure according to your last directions, to Mr. Willson of New York. You may direct to me at my house in Red Lyon Street, near the Cross-Keys in Holborn. This is all at present, but to let you know, that I am dear sir, your most affectionate brother. John Bradley. " London, January 24, 1695 (1696)." The writer of this letter died about a year after its date, and probably not receiving any word from his brother's family, bequeathed all his property, a few days before his death, to his wife Elizabeth. GENEALOGICAL RECORD 1. John Bradley, eldest son of Francis and Ruth, married Hannah Shervi'ood ; and died in 1703, leaving his wife (who afterwards married Cornehus Jones of Stamford), and the following children : i. John, born about 1693 ; 2 Abigail, 1695 ; 3 Elizabeth, 1697 ; 4, Ruth, 1699 ; ^Joseph, 1701 ; 6 Hannah, 1703. Of these, i John, married Martha Darling and died 1773, upwards of 80. Whether he had children is not known. %, Joseph, married Olive Hubbell June 20, 1724, dau. of Samuel Hubbell, Jr. and died March l, 1770. His children were, I Thaddeus, b. 1727 ; 2 Onesimus, 1730; 3. Eunice, 1733 ; 4. Ruth, 1735 ; 5 Martha, 1737 ; 6 Nathan, 1740; 7 Isaac, 1743 ; 8 Joseph, 1746 ; 9 Benjamin, 1749. Thaddeus and Isaac died young. Onesimus removed to Western New York. Joseph m. Martha Bates & removed to Albany County N. Y. 1791, and had three sons, Isaac, Joseph & Daniel. The last Joseph m. Mary Wheeler & had 'a son Philo, father of Hon. Joseph P. Bradley, a justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Isaac and Daniel removed to Onondaga County, N. Y. about 1800, and lived to great age. II. Francis Bradley, second son of Francis and Ruth, married Sarah Jackson ; and died Dec, 1 716, leaving his wife and the following children : i Francis, b. 1699 ; 2 Samuel, 1701 ; 3 Ephraim, 1703 ;. 4 John, Jr., 1705 ; 5 Eleanor, 170S ; 6 Peter, 1710 ; 7 Gershom, 1712. Of these, i, Francis m. Mary Sturgis dau. of John Sturgis, 1719, and had ten children, Mary, born 1719 ; Elizabeth, 1721 ; Ebenezer, 1723 ; Eleanor, 1725 ; Francis, 1728 ; Elnathan, 1730 ; Jane, 1733; Hesther, 1735 ; Abigail and Nehemiah (twins) 1737. 2. Saniziel married Sarah Whelpley, 1724, & died 1772. He had the following children : Sarah, born 1726; Mabel, 1729; Samuel, 1734; Hezekiah, 1735; Huldah, 1741. The last Samuel married Sarah Wakeman, 1751, & had Zalmon, born 1752 ; Samuel, 1756 ; Walter, 1764 ; and several daughters. Hezekiah m. Abigail Sherwood, 1756, & had Hezekiah Jr. 1757 ; Medad, 1761 ; Aaron Burr, 1764 ; & daughters. 4. John Bradley Jj-. m. Sarah Gilbert, 1725, and had Hannah, born 1726; Lois, 1729; John, 1731 ; Reuben, 1733 ; Seth, 1735 ; Miriam, 1737 ; Enos, 1739 ! Lockwood, 1742 ; Ephraim, 1744; Moses, 1746; Abel, 1750. Of these, Seth Bradley, esquire, resided in Greenfield, where he died in 1798. Amongst other sons he (Seth) had Hull, born 1770, and Alton, b. 1778. Hull Bradley, esquire, resided in Greenfield and died there in 1850. Alton removed to Roxbury, Litch- field Co. Conn, and died 1838. Eli N. Bradley and other sons & descendants of Alton, reside in Roxbury, others in Chatham, New-York, William in Brooklyn, & Frederick (now deceased) removed to New Haven. 5. Eleanor married Benjamin .Sherwood of Greenfield. 6. Peter Bradley m. Damaris Demon, 1735, and had Hannah, 1736; Grace, 1738; Gris- well, 1739 ; Aaron, 1741 ; Ruami, 1743 ; Jane, 1745 ; Damaris, 1746 ; Peter, 1748 ; William, 1750. 7. Ge7-shom Bradley m. i Sarah Sherwood, 2nd Elizabeth Osborn, 3rd Jane Dimon, 4th Elizabeth Burr. By Elizabeth Osborn he had Sarah, b. 1739 \ by Jane Dimon, Gershom b. 1742 ; GENEALOGIES 357 Sarah, 1745 ; Cershom ; Jane, 1747 ; Jonathan, 1749; Dimon, 1752 ; Andrew, 1754; by Elizabeth Burr, Deborah b. 1757 ; Molly Burr, 1766 ; Gershom, 1768. III. Daniel Bradley, third son of Francis and Ruth, married Abigail, daughter of Joseph Jackson, and died 1714. He had children ; i Daniel, bap. 1699, who died young; 2 Mary, 1701, also died young ; 3 Martha, 1702 ; 4 Daniel Jr. 1704 ; 5 Abigail, 1706 ; 6 Eunice, 1708 ; 7 Mary, 1710; 8 James, 1712. Daniel Jr., called Captain Daniel, m. Esther Burr, 1724, ami had Abigail, horn 1725 ; Jabez, 1727 ; Daniel, 1729 ; Esther, 1733 ; Stephen, 1734 ; Philip Burr, 1738 ; Elizabeth, 1741. By a second wife, Mary Fitch, he had Ruhamah, born 1745. By a third wife, Sarah Bradley, he had Eunice, b. 1752. In 1759, Capt. Daniel Bradley, with his family, removed to Ridgefield, Fairfield Co. where he died April 23rd 1765. His son, Philip Burr Bradley, graduated at Yale Col- lege in 1758, was Colonel in the Revolutionary army, the first marshal of the United States for Connecticut, and a prominent man of that State. He died in 1821. By his first wife, Mary Bost- wick, he had two cliildren. Mary, born 1766, and Jabez, 176S ; by his second wife, Ruth Smith, daughter of Samuel Smith Esq. of Ridgefield, he had Philip, b. 1770 ; Ruth, 1771 ; Esther, 1773 ; Betsey, 1775; Sally, 1780; Jesse Smith, 1782. The youngest of these, Jesse Smith Bradley, graduated at Yale College in iSoo, studied law at Litchfield, was several times elected to the leg- islature from Ridgefield, and judge of Fairfield Co. He died in 1833. He had several sons born from 1809 to 1818, viz : Philip Burr, Jesse Smith, Francis, \Villiam Henry, and Amos Baker. Of these, Philip Burr resides in Andrew Jackson Co., Iowa; Francis in Chicago ; and William Henry in Chicago, for many years Clerk of the U. S. Court. Javies Bradley, younger brother of Capt. Daniel, removed to Ridgefield in 1750. By his wife, Sarah Bennett, he had ten children, Samuel, Abigail, James, Ezekiel, Widden, Abiah, Howard, Sally, Polly & Lewis. He died at Ridgefield in 1784. and all his family, except two married daughters, afterwards removed to Saratoga County, N. Y. Howard removed from thence to Michigan, in 1834, where his family still reside. IV. Joseph Bradley, fourth son of Francis and Ruth, m. Eleanor , and died October, 1714. He had children : i. Sarah, bap. Feb. 3 1706 ; 2. Deborah, bap. same day ; 3. Mary, bap. May 12, 1706 : 4 David, 1708 ; 5 Joseph Jr. Ap 8, 1711 ; 6, Nathan, Oct. 18, 1713. Of these, 4. David xa.. Damaris Davis, 1731, and had, Eunice, 1732 ; Justus, 1734 ; Ellen, 1736 ; Olive, 1738 ; David, 1740 ; Damaris, 1742 ; Justus, 1745 ; Nathan, 1748 ; Mary, 1750 ; Bettie, 1753 ; Peter, 1756. 5. Joseph Jr. m. isl Jerusha Turney, 1732, and had Mary, 1733 ; Increase, 1736 ; Jerusha, 1739, -Elisha, 1745. He m. 2nd Mary Squire, 1747, and had, Ann, 1748 ; Naomi, 1749 ; Ruth, 1751 ; Mabel, 1753 ; Sarah, 1754 ; Mary, 1757 ; Joseph, 1759 ; Charity, 1765. Of these last, Elisha m. Eunice Banks, 1770, and had Jesse, 1771 ; Eli, 1772 ; Eunice, 1775 ; Sarah, 1777 ; Increase, 1780; Betsey, 1784 ; Susanna, 17&6. Jesse -wsls the father of Mr. Henry Bradley, who died at Greenfield, July 24, 1883, aged 76. Joseph, son of Joseph Jr. and Mary Squire, m. Rachel Burr, and was the father of the late Burr Bradley of Greenfield, and his sisters Grizzel and Mary, now deceased. They all lived in the old mansion, which is now occupied by Lloj'd N. Sherwood, who married Burr Bradley's daughter. V. There was a Samuel Bradley residing at Fairfield at the beginning of last century, not descended from Francis Bradley. He and his wife, Phebe, became members of the Fairfield Church May 25, 1712, and had two daughters, Deborah and Anna, baptized at the same time, and afterwards, a son, Samuel, bap. Nov. 1713 ; Benjamin, bap. March, 1716, and Phebe, bap. March, 1718. This Samuel Bradley probably came from New Haven. Joseph Bradley, eldest son of William Bradley of New Haven, had a son Samuel born Jan. 3rd, l68r, who was probably the person referred to. He appears to have been on intimate terms with the family of Francis Bradley, since in 1714-^. he was appointed guardian of some of the children, both of John and Joseph Bradley. No further notice of his descendants is found on the records. Contributed by Justice Joseph P. Bradley of the Supreme Court of the United States. 358 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD BULKLEY The family of BucKLOGH, BuLCLOG or Bulkley, is descended from Lord Bulklogh of Bulk- logh, and derive their name from a chain of mountains in Ireland. They date as far back as the reign of King John of England in the 12, century.* The family coat of arms, found in the house of Rev. Gershom Bulkley D.D. of Weathersfield, Conn., who was a son of the Rev. Peter Bulkley of Concord, Mass., is thus described : Argent a chevron between three bulls heads cabossed — sable. The motto under it is, " N'ec temere nee timide ; " neither rashly nor timidly." This shield with that of Chetwood (the second wife of the Rev. Peter Bulkley) " impaling Chetwode quarterly, argent & gules, four crosses pattie counterchanged, is quite handsome. "f The Rev. Peter Bulkley, s. of the Rev. Edward Bulkley, D.D., of the parish of Odell, Berfordshire, England, was bom Jan 31, 1583, & m. i. Jane daughter of Sir Thomas Allen, & by her had twelve children. His second wife was Grace, d. of Sir Richard Chetwode, by whom he had several other children. He came to Massachusetts in 1635, & soon after was regularly installed teacher of the first church of Concord, Mass. (with the Rev. John Jones as pastor), where he died March g, 1659, aged 76. Three of the sons of Rev. Peter Bulkley, viz : Thomas, Daniel & Peter settled at Fairfield, & from them descended the Bulkleys of the town and county of Fairfield. Daniel s. of the Rev. Peter Bulkley, probably a bachelor was granted a home-lot by the town, next n. w. of his brother Thomas', in the Newton Square ; & died soon after he came to F., leaving his estate to his brother Thomas. Thomas i. son of the Rev. Peter Bulkley m. Sarah d. of the Rev. John Jones. He, with his wife and family, were of the company who moved from Concord to F. in 1644, where soon aftei he was granted a home-lot in the Newton Square s. w. of his brother Daniel's He died in 1658, leaving wife Sarah, who afterwards m. Anthony Wilson of F. Mrs. Wilson in her will dat. 15, Feb. 1680/81 mentions d. Sarah, wife of Eleazer Browne of New Haven : Rebecca wife of Joseph Whelpley of Fairfield ; d. Hannah, & sons John & Joseph Bulkley. To her sons, she left her home-lot, (" or two home-lots as it sometimes was,") being about 4 acres on Concord St, opposite the Meeting-house Green, "viz: John the s. e. side, the whole depth of the lot, a rod in breadth more than Joseph's. Joseph to have the other part, & ye dwelling house & barn, & either of them to have such part of ye orchard as falls within their dividend ; & to her sons she willed all other lands belonging to her. To John she willed a silver beaker, a silver spoon, a chair which was her father's, & books. To her son Joseph a silver spoon, an iron back, a carved chest & three books ; to her d. Hannah £20, & £20. more in a codicil of the same date. To her d. Sarah Brown, she gave Graham's Works 3 vols. Walker's God's Providence, & a view of False Christian- ity. To d. Rebecca Whelpley Goodwin's Child of Light, & Mason's Care of Cares. To d. Han- nah, Skudder's Daily Walk ; Bane's Help to True Happiness ; England's Elizabeth, & a silver porringer & small spoon. To sister Elizabeth Hill, Elbone's Complaint of a Sinner Answered. To s. Rev. Peter Bulkley, " The Covenant," Preston's Saint's Portion, Baine's Counter Bane. She divided her household furniture equally among her three daughters, leaving her son John her sole executor. John i. s. of Thomas Bulkley i. m. Sarah d. of Joseph Whelpley. Their children were Sarah ; Esther who m. John Hill ; Hannah m. cousin Peter Buckley ; Elizabeth bapt. 26 Aug. 1694, & m. Nathaniel Whitehead of Elizabethtown N. J. ; Olive bapt. 31 Aug. 1696, & m. James Beers. John Buckley i. died about 1707. Joseph i., s. of Thomas Buckley i. m. first Elizabeth d. of John Knowles of F. & second, Martha d. of James Beers, & had Thomas, Daniel, John ; Joseph b. 9 May 1682 ; Peter b. 21. May 1684 ; Sarah bapt. 23 Sept. 1694 & m. Joshua Jennings 2. ; Gershom 13 Sept. 1696 ; & John 22. March 1701". Joseph Buckley i. died intestate about 1720. * Shattuck's Hist. Concord p. 157. t Elements of Heraldry, by William A. Whitmore pp. 57. sS- GENEALOGIES 359 JosEFH 2., s. of Joseph Buckley i. m. Esther d. of Josepli Hill. Their children were Joseph bapt. g. March 1711^'-; Esther 20. Dec. 1713 ; Nathan 19. Jan 1717J-'', (who was the Town Recorder, & who occupied his father's homestead at the time F. was burned in 1779) ; J-oseph 22. Nov. 1719 ; Samuel 6. March 1725*^ ; Sarah 23. Feb. 1728^ ; Ebenezer 5. Dec 1731. Daniel s. of Joseph Buckley i. m. d. of . Their children were Daniel b. 15 June 1718 ; Jabez 28. Feb 1719^'^ ; Martha 2. July 1721 ; Nehimiah 15 Nov. 1724; Jabez 16 March 1729. Dr. Peter, the youngest s. of the Rev. Peter Buckley did not settle at F. until some time after his brothers. He probably m. Margaret Foxcroft of Boston, as in a record in A. of T. D. he sold to the heirs of Francis P'oxcroft all interest he and his wife had in said Foxcroft's house in Boston, for go£. Francis Foxcroft is said to have been a s. of Daniel Foxcroft, mayor of Leeds, in Co. York, & his second wife was Eliza d. of Gov. Danford. Dr. Peter Buckley was an apothecary as well as a physician in F. He left but a small estate. His will is dated 25. March 1691, in which he calls himself " in the 49. year of his age," mentions s. Peter (b. 1683) then seven, & a quarter years old, who upon arriving at a suitable age, he willed should be bound to James Bcnnet jr. until of age, to be taught "the art of weaving both linen & woolen, to ye best of his capac- ity." He mentions d's Grace, Margaret & Hannah Sherman. His brother Rev. Dr. Gershom Buckley of Weathersfield, mentions two other children of Dr. Peter Buckley's viz : Gershom & Dorothy. \.'^" '^ )^' Gershom s. of Dr. Peter Buckley i. of F. m. ■* d. of . Their children were Eunice bapt. 4. Jan. 1701- ; Rachel 23, March 1706- ; Gershom 27 March 1709 ; Grace 27. May 171 1 ; Hezekiah 29. Nov 1713 ; Peter 5. Feb. 1715— ; Jonathan iS. May 171S ; Grace 12. Feb. 1720?-; Talcott 23. Aug. 1724. Peter 2. s. of Dr. Peter Buckley i. of F. m. Hannah d. of John Buckley i. Their children were David & Peter jr bapt. 9 March 171 1^^ ; Sarah 14. Dec 1712 : Sarah 29. Nov 1713 ; Peter 9. Oct 171 5 ; Andrew 6. Oct. 1717 ; Gershom 13. Aug. 1721 ; Jabez 4. Oct 1723 ; Olive July 1725 ; Hannah 16. Oct 1726 ; Moses 9. July 1727 ; Abigail 13. April 1729 ; James 3. Aug 1729 ; Mary 17. Oct 1731 ; Jonathan 24. Sept. 1732. T. P. Rec. I BURR BURRE or Burr — Jehue Burre probably came in the fleet with Gov. Winthrop to New Eng- land. On the 19. Oct. 1630 he applied to the Gen. Court of Mass. for the rights of a freeman, & was admitted 18. May 1631. In 1633 he was one of a committee to over-see building a bridge over Muddy & Stony river, between Boston & Roxbury. His name & that of a wife is mentioned in 1635, as among the church members of Roxbury, Mass. He was one of the pioneers of Spring- field or Agawam, who with Wni. Pynchon, Wm. Smith & six other young men " of good spirits & sound bodies^" founded that town in 16^ On the g, of Feb. 1637, he was appointed by the Gen. Court of Conn, to collect taxes at Agawam, (which at that time was under the jurisdiction of Connecticut), to assist in defraying the expenses of the Pequot war. Savage says he removed to Fairfield in 1640, &represented the town in 1G41. He was granted a home-lot from the town s. w. of the Meeting-house Green & the pond, afterwards called Edward's Pond, the rear of which adjoined the home-lot of the Rev. John Jones. He was a deputy to the Gen. Court in September of 1645, & also in 1646. It is difficult to state when he died ; some writers say about 1650, while others place his death at a later date. The probability is, that he is the same Mr. Jehue Burre who appealed a jury verdict given in Stratford in 165 1, to the Gen. Court at Hartford the same year ; was a grand juror in 1660, a commissioner of the United Colonies in 1664 ; & died before 1670. He left four sons Jehu, John, Daniel & Nathaniel, & probably other children. No men- tion is made who his wife was, or of her death. In a record of Sergt. Nehemiah Olmstead's lands, who died before 1671, is mentioned the 360 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD fact, that said Olmstead " before he died, did purchase land of his brother-in-law Jehue Burre.* It is possible that Jehue Burre Sr. may have married an older sister of said Olmstead ; but the probability is that Olmstead, who, at the time of his father's death in 1640, was a minor ; & came to Fairfield in or before 1650, married Elizabeth daughter of the above Jehue Burre Sr. John Cable Sr. who died in 16S2, in his will mentions his kinsman Jehu & John Burr, who were no doubt cousins. The wife of Jehue Burre Sr. therefore may have been a sister of John Cable. Jehu Burr 2nd probably born in England, ist m. Mary d. of Andrew Ward, by whom he had several children ; & 2d m. Esther widow of Joseph Boosy of Westchester, by whom he had other children. He became one of the most influential men in the town & colony ; was a Capt. in Philip's war, a commissioner of the United Colonies, & held offices of the highest trust & power. He died in 1692. He lived in the family homestead, having in 1671 pur. his brother John's inter- est in the house & home-lot of their father. In 1673, he pur. the next lot west of this. In his will dated 7, Jan. 1689, he mentions wife Esther, for whom he amply provides, gives to s. Daniel II acres at the rocks & a long lot pur. of Rev. John Jones ; to ss. Peter & Samuel his land & housing, Peter to pay Samuel 50;^ in provision pay when of age ; divides all commonage equally between ss. Daniel, Peter & Samuel ; mentions d. Esther having rec. her portion, other ds. Eliza- beth, Sarah, Joanna & Abigail minors to rec. their portion at 18 years of age, & to his grand- daughter, only child of his deceased d. Mary 20;^. as her mother's dower, to be held in trust by her father Capt. Samuel Wakeman, until she became of age. Peter Burr s. of Jehu 2. graduated at Harvard College in 1690, taught school a few years, & became a noted Judge of the Supreme Court. He is called in the parish records the " Wor- shipful Mr. Peter Burr." He m. in Boston & a 2d wife in F. the widow of Jonathan Sturges & d. in 1724 or 5. His children were Thaddeus bapt. 8, Sept. 1700 ; Abigail 25, Oct, 1702 ; Gershom 6, May 1705 ; Sarah 14. Dec 1707, & Eunice 2. July 1710. His wid. m. the Hon. Jonathan Laws, of Milford, Conn. John Burr s. of Jehue i. probably born in England, was made a freeman of Conn. Oct 1664, & became a prominent man, & died in 1694. He lived on the s. w. side of the street opposite Henry Rowland's house f on the Frost Square. His will is dated 19. March 1694, in which he mentions w. Sarah (d. of his father-in-law Fitch, but gives no clue to said Fitche's christian name, or residence.) whom he left "a suitable & honorable maintenance " & " the use of his silver bowl," during her life, or while she remained his widow. To his son John Burr he left his house & barn, formerly Stricklands & Pinckney's, & 3 & f acres " next adjoining, near the Old field gate " ; 10 acres in the home-meadow ; swamp & reeds at the beach ; Paul's neck div. ; front of Mill-hill div. ; lot near Applegate's ; 12 acres on Sascoe-hill ; ^ long-lot after David had received 80 acres on the front of said long-lot, he allowing a suitable highway of 2 rods through said land ; & i his Per- petual Common. To s. Samuel Burr, the farm in the woods granted him by the General Court. & 40 £. for his education, to be taken out of the whole estate for a college course of four years. To s. Jonathan, a minor, land in the new field ; meadow in Sascoe-neck ; the middle div. of land on Mill-hill ; ^ of his long-lot & i of his Perpetual Common. To David, a minor, home-lot pur. of John Cable ; the swamp & rear div. of land at Mill-hill ; land in Sascoe-field ; the remainder of his long-lot ; 2"^ div. at Compo, & { of all commons. To his ds. Mary & Deborah minors, 100 ;[f. at the age of 18 or marriage. Mentions d. Sarah having received her portion. The date of his children's births were, John b. 2. May 1673, (Sarah 25. July 1675), David , Joseph b. 21. June 1677. Samuel 2. April 1679. Jonathan . Ebenezer 7. Feb. 1681. Mary ig. Aug. 1683, -f Deborah. Sarah m. 29. June 1692 Rev. Charles Chauncey of Fairfield Village. Samuel grad- uated at Harvard College in 1697, & was master of the Grammar School in Charlestown, Mass., about twelve years. He died 7. Aug 1719, & his tomb-stone is in the old Fairfield Burial Hill Cemetery. * A. Town Deeds p. 243. ■* At the present date, 1888, occupied by Wallace Bulkley. GENEALOGIES 361 Nathanif.l Burr s. of Jehue i. was made a freeman in 1664, & first m. Sarah d. of Andrew "Ward, by whom he had Sarah & Nathaniel. He pur. 12. Feb. 1659, the home-lot house &c., on the Ludlow Square of Richard Lyon, bounded n. e. by his brother Daniel Burr, who on the 15. March 1668" pur. Andrew Ward's house & home-lot, bounded n. e. by Major Nathan Gold s homestead. This place on the Ludlow Square remained in the Burr family until after the Revo- lution. His second wife was Ann d. of Dr. James Laborie. He died 22. Feb. 1712. His will is dated 22. Nov. 171 1, in which he mentions wife Ann ; ss. John & Daniel, ds. Abigail wife of John Wheeler m. 22. March 1693 ; Esther w. of John Sloss a merchant ; Ann w. of Gideon Allen m. 20. Jan. 1696 ; Rebecca w. of Capt. Samuel Sherwood m. 30. Nov. 1704; d. Mary \v. of Dr. James Laborie ; & the four grandchildren of his dec. s. Nathaniel. His son Col. John Burr settled in Pequannock & owned a farm on the turnpike n. w. of the New York, Hartford & New Haven R.R., inclosing the grand, old oak tree, which is said to have been the council canopy of the English & Indians in the sale of Indian lands. Alas ! this tree fell in a severe storm in 1884, all its boughs having died long before ; but each spring until it fell, it put forth around its trunk twigs & green leaves. "^ //_^ .'r-f. : jU-' >' \- ^ AJj '"^^ '^tb^" The children of John & Esther Sloss were Aane bapt. 6. June 1703 ; Sarah 14. March 1767-; Ellen I. Oct. 1710; Deborah 22. March 1712— . Mrs. Esther Sloss renewed covenant at F. 6. June 1703. D.\.NIEL s. OF Jehue i. a merchant in Fairfield, was made a freeman in 1668. & soon after m. Abigail d. of Henry Glover of New Haven, by whom he had Daniel b. 30 July 1670, Abigail 4. March 1671^, Ellen 26. Oct 1680, (Town Records) & probably others. Both he & his wife were living in 1692 when on the 16. Sept. he made over to the trustees of his father-in-law's estate, certain lands in Fairfield for the use of 30 £. in silver money, left in trust to his wife Abigail by her father. She must have died soon after. Flis 2. wife was Eleanor d. of by whom he probably had Seth & Samuel b. ig Aug. 1694, & called in Fairfield Parish Records, sons of Mr. Daniel Burr sr. His wife Eleanor presented an inventory of his estate 1695, showing that he had died about that time. Daniel s. of Jehu Burr 2. lived at Greenfield, Aspetuck River, & was called Daniel Burr of Upper Meadow. He was given by his father 19. Dec 16S7, twelve acres of land at the Upper Meadow, with a house & barn thereon, on the east side of the Mill-river. His first wife was Hannah d of John Banks i. by whom he had s. Daniel, mentioned in his grandfather John Banks' will, dat. 12. Jan 1684- ; & d. Hannah. His second wife was Mary Sherwood, by whom he had s. Jehu & d. Mary (Greenfield Parish Records). His third wife w-as Elizabeth d. of , by whom he had Elizabeth bapt. 20. Sept. 1696 ; Stephen 3. Oct. 1697 ; Peter 23. July i6gg ; Jane 27. April 1701 ; Esther 31. Jan 1702-; Nathaniel i. June 1707 ; David i. Jan 1709— ; Moses 28. March 17 14, & Aaron 4. March 1715— . (Fairfield Parish Records.) In his will dated i. Jan 1719-- he mentions w. Elizabeth, his oldest s. Jehu, ss. Stephen, Peter, David, Moses & Aaron. The three latter were minors, & his ds. Hannah, & Mary w. of Wheeler ; Elizabeth w. of Hull ; Jane & Esther. In the inventory of his estate dated 14. July 1727, Jane is called the wife of Sherwood. His estate was large, his eldest son receiving over 1,000 £. & each of his other children 545 £. Moses Burr graduated at Yale College in 1734. Rev. Aaron Burr S. of Daniel of Upper Meadow b. at Greenfield 4. Jan 1716, & bapt. in F. C. 4, March following ; graduated at Yale College 1735 ; & entered into full Communion with the G. H. C. C. Aug 3, the same year. He studied for the ministry, was a man of distinguished ability, & was first settled in Newark N. J., where he taught a flourishing school, until called to be the President of Princeton College. He d. Sept. 24. 1757. aged 42. Upon settling at Newark he sold the homestead at Upper Meadow to two cousins, each named Joseph Bradley 3. April 1738, one of whom was the great grand father of Justice Joseph P. Bradley of the U. S. Supreme Court. He m. Esther d. of Rev. Jonathan Edwards of New Haven, by whom he had two children 362 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD Sarah & Aaron. Sarah m. the Honorable Tappan Reeves of Litchfield, & had but one child named Aaron Burr Reeves, who d. "says Hinman, at Troy N. Y., & left no issue now living." The son Col. Aaron Burr became the distinguished politician, & a leading spirit in the political changes of the country in 1800, at which time he was chosen the third Vice President of the United States. He m. Mrs. Provost, the wid. of a British officer 2 July 17S2. and had one only child, named Theodosia b. in 1783 a beautiful and accomplished daughter who married the Hon. Joseph Alston of S. C. On her way from the South to visit her father in 1812 she was drowned at sea, & by many believed to have been murdered by pirates, a fate her father was never willing to credit. CABELL John Cabell i. was in Mass. in 1631, & was one of the petitioners to the Gen. Ct. in 1635 for liberty to remove to the Connecticut River. Hinman says he was in Springfield in 1636 (See Sprague), & probably accompanied, or soon followed the Burrs to F. In 1652 he assisted in capturing a Dutch vessel off the coast of F., & was awarded s£ by the Gen. Ct. of Conn. He was a seaman, & perhaps a sea captain. He was made a freeman in 1669. In his will of 4 April 1682 he mentions his grand-son John Cabell ; grandson John Knowles ; m'. Ann who was his second wife, ik widow of Roger Betts of Bradford, Ct. He appointed his kinsman Jehue & John Burr over-seers of his estate. — F. Prob. Rec. Hinman thinks his s. John Cable, was of Hartford where he died 8. Dec. 1708. aged 58 years; & where he found that " he was born in the City of Stugand or Stuttgart, in high Germany on the Rhine." He was in F. for a time, where he was made a freeman 10. Oct. 1669. There is a tradition in the Burr family, that Jehue Burr was of German descent ; & the above statement may give some clue to their birth-place, which has as yet never been discovered. Savage's says he died at F. in 1673, & could not have been the John of Hartford. May they not have been brothers as in the case of the two Samuel Hubbells & Thomas Wheeler ? His d. Sarah Cable m. Robert Churchill of F., & his widow m. Thomas Sherwood. John Cable 2. wife Abigail & children George, Jonathan, John, Andrew, Daniel, Isaac, Mary wife of Patchin, & Abigail. John Cable 3. m. Anne Laborie, d. of Dr. James Laborie 2. of Stratford. His children were probably bapt. in the Episcopal Church, but part of their children are recorded in the G. H. Par. Rec; bapt. as adults, & were Elizabeth bapt. 23. Nov. 1746 ; & Anna 19. Dec. 1750. Daniel Cable, probably s. of John 3. m. d. of Their children were Hezekiah bapt. 1744; Daniel 13. July 1746 ; & Sarah 23, April 1749. G. H. Par. Rec. Some of the Cables lived at Green's Farms. THE COLEY FAMILY The name of Samuel Coole appears in the list of those who took the oath of a freeman in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, on the 18. of May 1631. [See Mass. Col. Rec. Vol. 1. p. 366]. The name is sometimes spelled Cooley, Coley, & Coly. The name of Samuel Coley is found among the first settlers of Milford, where he was made a freeman Nov. 20, 1639. He joined the church in 1640. He married Ann, d. of James Pruden of Milford. Their children were, Peter, bapt. 1641, Abilene, 1643, Samuel 1646, Sarah 164S, Mary 165 1, Hannah 1654 & Thomas 1657. Samuel Coley died Oct 3, 1684. His will dated 1678, &that of his widow dated 1689, mentions the same seven children. Abilene married Japhet Chapin ; Sarah m. a Baldwin ; Mary m. i. Peter Simson, & 2. John Stream. Hannah m. Joseph Garnsey ; Thomas m. Martha d. of John Stream (Savage). Samuel m. Mary Carles Oct 21. 1669. The name is spelled in the Milford records Coley & Coly. Coley has 3 coats of Arms ; Coley or Collay i ; Cooley I ; Collay or CoUey I ; Colle i ; Colle or Coulee i ; Collie, Colley or Cooling i ; Cooley i. [Hinman's Cat'l.] GENEALOGIES 363 Peter Coley i. s. of the above Samuel i. was bapt. at Milford in 1641 & settled at F., where he was made a freeman Oct 31. 1664. His name also appears in the list of freemen from F. in 1669. He m. Sarah d. of Humphrey Hide, by whom he had Samuel, Sarah, Peter & Mary, (See will of Humphrey Hide), to whom sd. Humphrey left " one half of his home-lot in the rear next the rocks." In the settlement of the estate of Simon Couch i. of Bankside, who died in 1689, Peter Coley acknow- ledges the receipt of fifty pounds, being the legacy left to his " now wife, Hannah" (meaning his present wife) the daughter of Simon Couch sr. who was a minor when her father died. [Fairfield Town Records Book 2. p. 80.] By his second wife, he had Elizabeth & Hannah, & perhaps others. He died at Fairfield in 1690. In the inventory of his estate, Savage calls Sarah 22 years of age ; Ann 16; Mary 13; Elizabeth 8, Hannah 6 & Peter, whose years are not told. The order in which Humphrey Hide mentions them in his will, is probably the correct one. It is not singular that the name of Samuel does not appear in his father's will, as it frequently happened in those days, that the oldest son received his portion when he came of age. Peter, the second son, who is mentioned in his grandfather Humphrey Hide's will before his sister Mary, must have been about fifteen years of age when sd Humphrey Hide died. The name of Peter Coley first appears on the town records Aug 6. 1662, at which date at a town meeting it was voted : " that a strip of land, adjoining Humphrey Hide's land, should be granted to Peter Coley to build a shop upon, to be 14 ft. one way & 18 ft. the other way." On the 15. of Dec. 1665 it was voted : " that Peter Coley be chosen to seal ye waits & measures of the town ; also to be sworn packer of meats for the town." This was a high office of trust in those days, & equal to the position of a bank president. The seal of the town & his signature being required upon each weight & measure, & upon all barrels of packed meat & pork, before they passed into the general market, as the legal tender of the town of F. On the 15. of March i663 Peter Coley was granted " a rod of land in front of Humphrey Hide's home-lot, to build a shop on." In 1669 he was granted one home-lot, of three acres more or less. He was one of the land dividend holders of the town, & owned one of 'the long-lots. Samuel Coley, 2 s. of the above Peter Coley i. & Sarah Hide, was born at Fairfield about the year 1665 or 1666. He m. Esther . Their children were bapt. at F. as follows : Daniel bapt. 2. Sept. 1695 ; Jeremiah & Abigail 2. Jan 1695/* ; Esther 15. Aug. 1703. His second wife was Mary who was bapt. 28. Nov. 1703. Their children were Samuel & Mary bapt. 5. Dec. 1703 ; John 17 March, 1705/6 & Annie i. Aug. 1709. F. P. R. Peter 2. s. of Peter Coley i. was b. 12. June 1671 ; Ann 13. Jan. 1673 ; Mercey 23 April, 1677 ; Elizabeth i. Dec. 1680. F. T. Rec. Peter Coley 3. s. of Peter 2. m. Hannah Couch of Bankside. Their children were : Han- nah bapt. 4. Aug. 1700 ; Peter 30. Aug. 1702 ; Simon 30. Jan. 1704 ; Elizabeth 24. March 1706 ; Andrew 25. July 1708 ; Ebenezer 8. Oct. 1710 ; who introduces his father's name in the church Rec. as Sergt. Peter Coley; Ebenezer 4. March 1712 ; David 13. March 1715 ; Jonathan 30. Jan. 1717 ; Mary 18. Jan. 1721. F. Par. Rec, The name of William Cooley appears in the Mass. Col. Rec. as early as March 1634. The same name is found in New London in 1664, at which time he applies for admission to that town (Hinman.) He was at Southold L. I. 1663. with Robt. Bartlet & George Tongue, trading of! their " ineons & wampum for Rum." (Caulkin.) Again the name of William Cooley appears in the F. Church Rec, where he renewed Covenant June 2. 1695. COUCH "One of the most fertile roots of nomenclature was the simple road-side cross. The latter old English form, is still found lingering in our crutched or crouched Friars. Langland describes a pilgrim as having many a crouche on his cloake : i. e. many a mark of the cross embroidered thereon. A dweller by these way-side crucifixes, would easily get the soubriquet therefrom, & 364 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD thus we find atte Crouch to be of early occurrence." (Bardsley's English Surnames). A traveler abroad frequently meets with the way-side crucifix, before which the passer-by kneels in silent prayer to the living Christ in Heaven. It was often the case that these crucifixes were raised on the border of a spring of water, so that the passer-by could refresh himself with a cup of cold water. It was from living near one of these road-side crosses, that the Crouch, or Couch family derived their names. Simon Crouch, or Couch i. was made a freeman of F. 13. Oct 1664. He was no doubt closely related to Thomas Couch of Weathersfield, & to Samuel Couch of Milford. He may have been one of the traditional three brothers. He m. Mary d. of Francis Andrews of Bankside. He with John Andrews purchased of the heirs of his father-in-law, most of their interest in their father's estate. He purchased of his mother-in-law Anna Andrews 6. March 1663, all her interest in the housing & lands of her deceased husband. His home-lot of nine acres was bounded on the east with Jolm Green's home-lot ; n. John Andrews ; vv. commons, & s. w. high-way. He became a large land-holder in Green's Farms ; & for several years he with John Andrews carried on a law-suit against the town of F. to recover lands, claimed by right of purchase from thj Indians, before Bankside was made a part of the town of F. He owned a part of the first long- lot next the Norwalk bounds. In his will of 22. Dec. 1687, which was probated in 16S9, he gave to his eldest s. Thomas several acres of land in Green's Farms, his short gun & cutlass, & hatter's tools ; to his second s. Simon his homestead, except three acres of the home-lot ; his gun called the " crooke " & short cutlass ; to s. Samuel several pieces of land, & the three acres reserved in his home-lot in the n. w. end of it ; & a gun ; to his brother's s. Thomas Couch, 40^-, & to his brother's d. living at John Grummans 20=-; & to Susannah Couch, living at Milford 20= The rest of his land he divided equally among his sons ; to his two eldest ds. Mary & Martha he gave 50 £. each when of age, & to ds. Sarah & Hannah 50 £. at eighteen. He caused his sons to pro- vide a fixed & ample allowance yearly for their mother. He was buried in land belonging to him at Frost Point looking out upon the sound, which he had set apart as a family burial place, & which was long known as the Couch Burial Hill. This spot could be pointed out until within the last few years, but now almost every trace of the tombs & graves have been obliterated. It lay west of the present Phipps Green. His d. Mary m. John Grumman. Hannah m. Peter Coley, & Martha m. Abraham Finch. His s. Thomas sailed for England in 1689 ; & made his will of 8. April the same year, in which he gave his mother the use of his lands during her widowhood, & at her death to his, brother Simon's eldest son, & if he had no son, to his brother Samuel's eldest son. His will was probated 2. Dec. 1691. The seal contains a small rustic cross, very nicely engraved upon it. The tradition in the family is, that the vessel in which he sailed for England, was taken by the French & his fate was never known. Mary the widow of Simon Couch died in 1691, & the use of the land left her by her s. Thomas, fell to the eldest son of her s. Samuel. Simon 2. s. of Simon Couch i. m. Abigail d. of John Sturgis i. He was a prominent man in Green's Farms, & active in its political, ecclesiastical & school interests. He continued the claim of his father & the other Bankside farmers to the land which the town of F. agreed 29. June 1666 to allow them, when they consented to become a part of the township. This claim was set- tled by a committee appt. 6. Aug. 1705, consisting of John Curtis Esqr. of Stratford, John Haw- ley of Stratford, & John Read of F. for the Bankside farmers ; & to Judge Peter Burr, & Capt. John Wakeman for the town. On the i. of March 1706 Lieut. Joseph Wakeman & Robert Sil- liman " were appointed by the town to lay out to Simon & Samuel Couch the 15 acres as the claim awarded them by John Curtis, John Wakeman, John Read & Lieut. John Hawley. " The other claimants were the heirs of John Green. Daniel Frost & Thomas Newton. Some fresh trouble arising in regard to this claim, the final settlement was not made until the 17. Sept. 1719 He purchased 19. March 1696 his brother Samuel's interest in the family homestead, with other inter- GENEALOGIES 365 est of said Samuel's. On the 5. of May 1703 the division line between Norwalk and Fairfield, having cut off several acres of his father's long-lot, the town of F. allowed him in exchange for his interest in sd long-lot, 28 acres on Turkey Hill. His children were Abigail b. 31. Jan. 1694 ; Thomas 9. June 1695 ; Simon 6. July 1697 ; Hannah 30. Aug 1699 ; Sarah 30. March 1706 ; Isa- bellc 17. Sept. 170S ; & Deborah 30. March 17TO. He died early in 1713. His will of 2. of March 1712-^, was probated the 7. of April following. In it he appointed his wife Abigail & his brother-in-law Jonathan Sturgis executors, but the latter refused to act, & the widow took up the trust. To his wife Abigail he gave i of his housing & movable estate, his negro man Jack & negro girl Jenne ; to s. Thomas he gave 30 £^ value in his estate, having deducted from his share the care he had taken of the land left him by his Uncle Thomas. The remainder of his estate at Green's Farms, he gave to his s. Simon with his housing &c. & to his five daughters, only Simon was to receive twice as much as his sisters, who were each to have equal portions. If Simon died before reaching the age of 21., he entailed his portion to his brother Samuel. He gave his 200 acres of land " lying between Fairfield & Danbury, now known as Couch Hill, equally between his two sons. To his slave Antony he gave 30 acres at the upper end of his 200 acres, provided he served his mistress until of age." Thomas 2. s. of the above Simon Couch 2. settled at Green's Farms & m. Sarah d. of Gideon Allen 7. Dec. 1721. Their children were Sarah b. i. Dec 1723 ; Thomas 28. Nov. 1725 ; (F. T. Rec.) s. Thomas again & Simon. In his will of 6. Dec. 1735 he gave his estate to his wife Sarah & ds Sarah & Ann, & to his wife his slave Jenny ; to his s. Thomas his negro boy Frank, & all his estate lying in F., e.Kcept his bridge-hill-lot, bounded n. by Edward Jessup's home-lot ; & one half of his right in the commons & undivided land in F., tos. Simon his bridge-hill-lot, his farm at Reading, his negro boy Quass & one half of his right in the commons & undivided land. He also divided between his sons Thomas & Simon his land in New Fairfield. His s. Simon ra. Abigail d. of Joshua Jennings of Green's Farms 18. May 1721. His d. Sarah m. John Andrews 2. 28. Oct. 1730. Samuel i. s. of Simon Couch i. was Capt. of militia, & was one of the richest & most influen- tial citizens of F. In 1696 he purchased of James Newton on Bridge Hill, 28 acres of land, & in 1 701 he was granted by the town 26 acres at Port Royal in exchange for his share of his father's long-lot. He also purchased of Chicken, Sagamore of the Aspetuck Indians, a large tract of land lying in Reading. He m. Edera d. of . His d. Hannah m. 4. Nov. 1724 Samuel Osborn. He died in 1741, & as he failed to mention an executor in his will, the F. Prob. Ct appointed Edmund Lewis of Stratford, Thomas Nash & Christopher Godfree of Green's Farms, to divide his estate according to his wilL They made returns of 190;!^ to each heir to the Probate Court at F. 21. Jan. 1741^ as follows : to Samuel Couch 21 acres on the s. end of his long-lot, on the w. side of the Norwalk road leading to Danbury, 140 acres on the e. side of Umpawage River, cS: 62* acres by Crowfoot's. To Edra w. of Frost 21 acres of the long-lot above Samuel's share, & the remaining half of the Umpawage lot. To Benjamin Couch 21 acres of the long lot above Edra Frost's & 2 acres on the n. end of the lot at Couche's farm. 62i on the n. end of the lot on the e. side of Couche's farm, bounded e. by the Newton line, & i^ acres by Crowfoot's. To Mary w. of Elijah Crane 26 acres on the n. end of the long-lot, bounded n. by the Danbury line ; 5 acres across the s. end of the lot e. of Couche's farm on the Newton line. To Elizabeth w. of Todd 30 acres, one half of the e. side of a lot on the w. end of Picket's Ridge ; 69!, acres of a lot on the e. side of Umpawage Hill. To Solomon Couch the remaining 30 acres of Picket's Ridge & 64 acres on the s. side of said Picket's Ridge, bounded s. by Meeker's farm & the highway at the rear of F. town bounds. To Eunice w. of Ruben Taylor 53^^ acres of the bog-meadow lot, & 36 acres across the s. end of said lot, on the side of the n. w. lot. To Abigail w. of Hib- berd 12 acres across the s. end of the bog meadow lot ; & 138 acres on the lot lying off the s. end of Umpawage Hill, bounded w. by the Ridgefield line. In his will Samuel Couch gave his s. 366 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD Solomon all his homestead lands, except lo acres with the buildings thereon &c. To his s. John Couch he gave lo acres of his homestead land & other lands. To Ebenezer he gave 20 acres of land in Reading on the e. side of the road, leading from Norwalk to Danbury, at the head line of F. township, & 100 acres next to the Umpawage hill. He made provisions for the completion of his son John's education at College. John lived at Reading a short time, & then settled at Great Barrington. Benjamin settled in Naugatuck. The Couch family have to this day been prominent men in the town & county of Fairfield. From Thomas Couch of Reading descended his grandson (s. of his s. Jonathan) Major General Darius N. Couch who bravely distinguished himself in the late War of the Rebellion, & who at the present time resides in Norwalk, Conn. Judge Jessup Couch of Chillicothe, Ohio was a s. of Simon Couch of Umpawage Hill, Reading, & was named after his uncle Thomas Couche's wife Elizabeth's father Edward Jessup of Green's Farm.* He graduated at Yale College in 1802. He began the practice of law in Ohio in 1804, & in 1815 was appointed Judge of the Supreme Court of that State. He was aide-de-camp in the war of 1812 to Gov. Meigs of Ohio. From a manuscript now in the possession of Edwin Sherwood Esq'' of Southport, Ct. the following tradition is found. Thomas & Simon Couch ran away from England & secreting themselves on board a vessel, sailed for America. They landed at New Haven, & " holding up a stick let it fall to direct them. Thomas went eastward & Samuel to the westward as far as Green's Farms."' He settled at Bridge Hill, & soon became an Inn-keeper. Thomas his son, received the best education the times could afford, & their father dying while Simon & Samuel were minors, Thomas was sent by them to England, to recover a large inheritance which had three heads to the family. But as at that time France & England were at war, Thomas was taken prisoner at sea, carried to France, & never heard from afterwards. His brother Simon settled on Bridge Hill, & Samuel settled on Benjamin's Hill &c. This tradition throws light at once upon Thomas Couch who settled at Weathersfield, where he m. Rebecca d. of 22. Nov. 1666. His children were Susannah b. 12. Oct 1667 ; Simon 11. Dec 1669 ; Rebecca 16. Feb. 1672 ; & others. His w. d. 1. March 1672. & he d. in 1687. in which year his second wife presented the inventory of his estate & the ages of his children, which were as follows : Hannah 13 ; Thomas 12 ; Mary 11 ; Sarah 8 ; Abigail 6 ; & Martha 3. (Hinman's Puritan Settlers.) His s. Thomas was probably the nephew, which the first Simon Couch of Bankside mentions in his will ; his d. Sarah living at Grummans & d. Susannah living at Milford, whom he calls his cousin is niece. Samuel Couch, probably nearly connected with Thomas & Simon of Weathersfield & Fairfield, settled at Milford, & m. an Indian woman named Pity (widow of one Charles DeaH), who, having no relations bequeathed him by will a house in Milford of lA acres on an Island named Milford or Charle's Island containing about 12 acres, bounded all around by the sea. He appears to have m. again, as his widow Mary offered his will in June of 1693 for probate in New Haven. In this will he gave his estate to his w. Mary & his d. Elizabeth Couch of St. Mary Ottary, in Devon- shire old England ; & " if she came not to this country to Nathaniel Files, son of Capt. Samuel Elles of Hingham." Milford T. & Prob. Rec. This valuable will gives the birthplace of the Couch family. DENNY Albert Dennie, or Denny m. Elizabeth d. of the Rev. Samuel Wakeman. Their children were John, bapt. 7. Oct. 1694 ; Grizzel 28. Feb. 1696', who m. Rev. Daniel Chapman of Green's Farms ; Margaret 30. April 1696 ; Annabel 30. Nov. 1701 ; James 14. March 1702"^. F. Par. Rec. * Thomas s. of Thomas Couch & Elizabeth d. of Edward Jessup were m. 26. Feb. 1749/50. F. T. Rec. t Charles Deal was granted liberty to purchase this Island " that was Richard Bryans," with the building upon it provided he used it only as a tobacco house. He was not to lease or sell it without the approbation of the town ; " or — to any order— or sell to the Indians, English or Dutch, nor suffer disorderly persons or seamen on the Island."— Milford Rec. Vol. 3. p. 43. GENEALOGIES 367 John i. s. of Albert Denny i. m. d. of Their children were John bapt. 4. March ' 1716 ; Mary 11. Dec. 1717 ; Grizzel iS. Feb. 1720; Sarah 2. May 1725; William 23. Oct. 1726; Thomas 5. May 1728 & Thomas again 11. Oct. 1730; Abigail — April 1733. F. Par. Rec. DIMOND Thomas Demont i., Demond or Dimond settled at Pequonnock, & owned the homestead of James Bennet. He was a mariner, & his vessel & cargo, Savage says, was destroyed by fire. He was the owner of a bark of 12 tons, so say the F. T. Rec, in Oct. 1658. He died in the latter part of 1658, leaving a young son John, who was apprenticed to Major Gold until of age, & thus became a member of his family. Another brother Thomas was apprenticed to Dr. W™- Ward until of age. There was also a third son Moses. The name is spelled in various ways, but his sons spelled it Dymond Demon & Dimond. It was vulgarly pronounced Deming & Demmond. I find no mention of his wife. T. Rec. John Dymond settled at New London & m. Rebecca d. of James Bemis of that place, who first m. Tobias Minter of Newfoundland i. April 1672. ; second John Dymond of Fairfield 17. June 1674 ; & third Benedict Satterlee of Killingworth 2. Aug. 16S2. Mrs. Sarah Bemis, the mother of Mrs. John Deymond, was m. the second time to Edward Griswold of Killingworth. Sav. Gen. Die. Thomas Dimond 2. was a mariner & settled at New London. He m. 22. Sept ; 1670 Eliza- beth d. of Peter Bradley. His children were : Elizabeth b. 14. Aug. 1672 ; Thomas 22. July 1675 ; Moses 14. May 1677 ; Ruth 12. Sept. 1680; & John 25. July 1686. He died in 16S7. Savage's Gen. Die. Moses Dimond i. settled at F. & pur. 1670 of John Purdy of Westchester, the Purdy home- stead on the Frost Square, which remained in the Dimond family for many years. He ra. Abigail d. of Their children were Moses, Hester, Grace, also Abigail b. 20. Aug. 1676 ; Thomas 15. Sept. 1678. His will is dated 21. March 16S3. The inventory of his estate valued at ']()'},£, was taken 16. April 1684, about which time he died. He apt. his loving brethren John Burr & Samuel Ward, overseers of his will. F. T. Rec. Moses Dimond 2. settled at F. & m. d. of Their children were: Moses b. 17 April 1693 ; John 17. Nov. 1700 ; Thomas 29. Aug. 1703 ; Ebenezer iS. March 1704-*; Abigail 17. Aug. 1707 ; David 20. Nov. 1709 ; (in which yr. the father is called Lieut.) : Damaris 24. Aug. 1712 ; (this yr. the father is called Capt.), & Damaris again 31. Oct. 1714. F. Par. Rec. Capt. Moses Dimon 3. was born 4. April 1698, & settled at Greenfield. His w. was Hannah Gilburt b. 29. Dec. 1700. They were m. 27. April 1721. He was one of the first deacons of the Greenfield church in 1726. Their children were : +Jane b. 11. Aug 1722; +Sarah 16 July 1724; + David 5 July 1726 ; Sarah 6. May 1728 ; + Hannah 20. April 1730 ; x Hannah 15. April 1731 ; X Hannah 24. May 1733 ; Moses 2. March 1734-^ ; Jonathan 25. April 1738 ; Dameris 23. March + 1744"°; +Abigail 4 June 1749 & died soon after. Sarah, Moses, Jonathan & Dameris were the only survivors of the eleven children. G. Par. Rec. FANTON Jonathan Fanton m. first Sarah d. of Humphrey Hide i. & second. Sarah the widow of Peter Coley I. Their children were Sarah bapt. 18. Nov 1694 : Ellen 17. May 1696 ; Anne 14. Aug 1698 ; Jonathan 22. Sept 1700; Mary 2. May 1703 ; John 5. Jan 1706"^ ; John again 10. Oct 1708. F. Par. Rec. John i. s. of Jonathan Fanton i. b. 22. Aug. 1709, m. Mary d. of Rowland 28. Oct. 1732. Their children were Hannah b. 15. July 1735; Abigail 15. Feb 1736-'; Jonathan 2. Nov. 1738; Anne 2. Nov. 1740; Hezekiah 28. Oct. 1743; John — Jan. 1745^; Mary b. — 1751 ; a child not named bapt. 1753. G. II. Par. Rec. 368 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD FROST William Frost I. settled at F. in 1639. His home-lot lay on the s. w. of the school & church division of the Meeting-house Green. He was an old man when he came to F. of whom Lechford in his Plain Dealing, mentions with compassion, & states that he was from Nottingham England. He was evidently a man of good family, who from his religious principles, & perhaps to escape persecution, had sought to end his days peacefully in New England : He died in 1645. In his will dated 6 Jan. 1644-, he gives to his eldest son Daniel 2 parts of his upland Sc meadow, interest in Reed Swamps & Ponds, 15 acres of meadow pur. of John Gray at Munchunchosor-Sasqug, & his cloak & warming pan : to ds Rebecca & Sarah one black heifer : to his s. Abraham a house & land pur. of John Strickland, his bed clothes, a little chest & contents, two great oxen, two great yearling calves, & i of his household goods : to his d. Elizabeth & her husband John Gray, a sow & her pigs, & j part of his household goods : to the children of Elizabe th Gray, by her first husband Jo/m Watson, namely Luke Watson^'a two year old black heifer ; & to Susanna & Joanna Wat- son, the profit of one black four year old heifer : to John Gray's two children a red heifer, the profits to be equally divided between them : to his d. Lydia & her husband Henry Gray, he gave the use of his house & home-lot, with the part of it which he changed with John Foster, & -j part of his meadow & upland : to Mary d. of Henry Gray one red heifer : to his d. Mary Rylie living in Eng- land, all his goods in Old England. To the town of Uncoway he left ten pounds '' towards build- ing a Meeting-house, to be paid when it is half built." Daniel i. s. of William Frost i. who settled near his father in the Frost Square, sold his house & home-lot of 3I acres to John Banks in 1648, & became one of the five Bankside farmers. His home-lot of ten acres at Bankside, was situated on Long Island Sound on the east side of Frost Point, & commanded one of the finest prospects of that beautiful region of country. He m. Eliz- abeth d. of John Barlow. Their children were : Rebecca b. 1640, who m. 5 Jan. 1664 Simeon Booth ; Daniel ; Joseph ; Isaac ; Sarah who m. Samuel Smith ; Rachel who m. Robert Rumsey ; Hannah who m. John Thorp & Esther who m. Daniel s. of Daniel Frost i. m. Mary d. of Henry Rowland. He was given by his father before he died his house & a portion of the home-lot at Bankside, provided he gave a certain main- tenance yearly to his mother during her life time. His children were Isaac bapt. 26. Aug 1694 ; Rebecca 4. July 1697. & William 6. June 1700. Joseph of Bankside s. of Daniel Frost i. m. Elizabeth (b. 1652) d. of Richard Hubbell of Pequonnock, & was given a small house with a portion of the home-lot of his father's at Frost Point, provided he also gave a certain maintenance to his mother yearly. His children were : Isaac bapt. 26. Aug 1694 ; Abner 16. Feb 1695^ ; Rebecca 4. July 1697 ; William 16. June 1700. He died in 1707, in which year his estate was distributed. His widow Elizabeth m. Samuel Hull of F. & had children Cornelius & Josiah. Isaac s. of Daniel Frost i. died in 1684, in which year his will is probated. He left his prop- erty to his brothers & sisters, & to the children of his sister Mrs. Samuel Smith. GILBERT Obediah Gilbert in 1670, recorded, that he had quiet possession of his home-lot at F. on the Burr Square, for several years, lying, s. w. of Jehue Burr's land near the Old Field Gate. He m. Elizabeth, widow of Nehemiah Olmstead of F. & died in 1674. In his will dat. 23. Aug. of the same year, he gave his wife Elizabeth the use of his homestead at F. while she remained his widow ; ~o£ of his estate, & 20;{^. out of a legacy due her in England ; the remainder of said legacy, to be divided between his sons; to step d. Sarah Olmstead 4s. in money ; to his three s. Obediah, Benja- min & Joseph 4J. in money each, & the remainder of his estate, when they each were twenty one years of age ; to s. Obediah he gave his "silver seal,'' & made his loving brethren Jonathan & GENEALOGIES 369 Josiah Gilbert, the ovcr-secrs of his estate. His three s. Obediah, Benjamin & Joseph were bapt. at F. ig, May 1695. Obediah 2. s. of Obediah Gilbert i. m. Abigail d. of & settled at Greenfield. Their children were Benjamin bapt. 19. May 1695 ; John 23 May 1697 ; Elizabeth 8, Sept. 1700 ; x Abigail II. April 1703; Mary 29. April 1705 ; x Joseph 25. Aug. 1706 ; x Abigail 15. May 1709 ; Sarah g. March 171 1'--- ; Margaret 21, April 1717. F. & G. H. Par. Rec. Lieut. Benjamin, s. of Obediah Gilbert i. m. d. of & settled at Greenfield. Their children were Moses bapt. 4. Aug 1717 ; Abigail 12. June 1719 ; Sarah 2. July 1721 ; Ben- jamin 14, April 1723 ; Elizabeth 12. Sept. 1731. F. & G. H. Par. Rec. The following record has been donated by the Rev. Charles Payson Gilbert of West Farms, New York City. GILBERT, GOULD, AND MALXERY The Gilbert family was one of the first to settle in the now historic and ancient town of Fairfield, Connecticut, where even to this day some of that name may be found, though many of its representatives are in other towns of the State, and some in far distant sections of our rapidly growing country. Obadiah Gilbert's son Josepli was, if we mistake not, the father of John Gilbert who was bom in Fairfield in 1696, and who died in 1782 at the advanced age of 86 years, leaving four sons — Thaddeus, Kbenezer, Joseph, and John, Jr. The first named, Thaddeus Gilbert, married a Miss Winton and had Seth, Andrew, Elmer, and Thaddeus ; also one daughter who married a Mr. Scribner. The second named, Ebenezer Gilbert, who was born March 31^' 1724, had three wives and a large posterity, to whom we vi'ill refer hereafter. The third named, Joseph Gilbert, married a Miss Bradley, and had Stephen (of Newtown), Reu- ben (of Weston), Lois, v/ho married a Mr. Robertson, and Abagail, who married a Mr. Burr. The fourth named, John Gilbert, married a INIiss Merwin, and had Samuel, Lewis, Nathan, Thomas, and two daughters, all of whom went to Vermont about 1795. To return, Ebenezer Gilbert, was born March 31^' 1724. He married a Miss Northrop, and had the following children, Hezekiah, born Dec. 1744, resided at the home of his father until he was forty years old v/hen he was drowned ; Anna who married David Thompson and died on Long Island ; Ebenezer, Jr. who was born June 1754, and David, born Nov 1746, and died Nov 1812. The latter married Abagail the daughter of William Wakeley. and lived on the borders of Weston, three or four miles from Greenfield Centre. The dwelling which he occupied, has long since disappeared, but the site is still identified. This property, during the occupancy of David Gilbert, and the adjoining farm, then owned by Mr. Seeley was the scene of a wonderful and startling occurrence. On the 14"" of Dec. 1807, a ball of fire nearly the size of the moon passed across the heavens, at an immense height, and of intense brilliancy. Having passed the zenith (says Goodrich) it swiftly descended toward the earth. While still at a great elevation it burst, with three successive explosions, into fiery fragments of stone, many of which fell in the town of Weston, and several of the largest were found on the farms above described, and very near the houses occupied by David Gilbert and Mr. Seeley. A specimen weigh- ing twenty-five pounds, may now be seen in the Mineralogical Cabinet of Yale College. David Gilbert had among others a son Northrop, who was born Dec 26"' 1782, and who married Charity, the daughter of David and Abagail (Hill) Gould of Greenfield, and had several children, one of whom, Clara was born Sept. i'' 1806. and was married Feby 12"' 1824 to Daniel Mallery, one of the leading merchants of Bridgeport, with whom she subsequently moved to Philadelphia. Penna She became the mother of ten children, three of whom, Daniel, Richard, and Charles, entered the 24 370 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD ministry of the Presbyterian Church and one of whom Eliza, became the wife of James Ogdin of the United States Navy. Ebenezer Gilbert, above referred to, on the death of his wife, married Miss P. Burr, and had three children, Burr, John, and Huldah. On the death of his second wife he married, Sept. 2^^^ 1766, Miss Hannah Bennet who bore him, among other children, Ezra, March 8* 1772. The latter married Miss Rebecca Minor, and became the father of a large family, including Jerusha Emily, born Nov. 5* iSog who married the Rev. W"* R. Stocking, with whom she became a Missionary of the American Board in Persia, and Rev. W" H. Gilbert who is now Secretary of the Connecticut Bible Society. It is interesting to note that the Gilberts, many years ago intermarried with a Fairfield family, no less distinguished, by the name of Gold, or Gould, as it is now generally written. He died Oct 3<^ 1723 aged 60 years, leaving among other sons Onesimus, whose home was in the vicinity of Greenfield. There was born to him a son, David, whose daughter Charity Gould married Northrop Gilbert, and bore Clara, who became the wife of Daniel Mallery, named above. GOLD Gold, Gould — Nathan Gold came from St. Edmundsbury in South Britain. He pur. land at Milford Ct. in 1647 {Milford T. Rec. Vol. i. p. loi.) On the 12. Dec. 1649 he " pur. George Hubbard's dwelling-house & home-lot at Milford, & all his upland & meadow, with all the appurtenances thereto belonging." On the 31. of Dec. following, he sold the above purchase to John Streame, & re-moved to Fairfield. Here he first pur. John Foster's homestead on the Frost Square, which he sold to Thomas Sherwood 15. Dec. 1653. He next pur. of Alex- ander Bryan, Richard Perry's homestead on the Newton Square 8. Dec. 1653 ; & also Edmund Harvey's homestead on the n. e. of sd Newton's lot. On the 30. Nov. 1653, he pur. Thomas New- ton's homestead, lying between Richard Perry's & the parsonage land ; & through Alexander Bryan sold it to Dr. Thomas Pel) 9. Feb 1653-. He next pur. 11. May 1654, Rodger Ludlow's homestead & home-lot of six acres on the n. e. corner of the Ludlow Square ; & also Ludlow's pasture lot, at the present time occupied by Mrs. Abraham Benson, the widow of a Revolutionary officer. The name of his first wife is not known. His second wife was Martha wid. of Edmund Harvey of F. His name is mentioned in the Connecticut Royal Charter of 1662. He died 4. March 1694, greatly revered & beloved by the people of the town ; & honored throughout Conn. New England, & in fact throughout the country for his christian character, sterling worth, & great usefulness. His will is dated i. March 1693^, in which he gave to his " only & well beloved son Nathan " his home lot & new house, buildings & fences, bd. s. w. by the home stead of Nathaniel Burr, & on all other sides with highways ; also the opposite pasture-lot with buildings & accom- modations, & the house he built for him on this land, with i\ acres adjoining ; \ of his building lot in the woods ; ^4 of his long-lot, & ^ of his interest in the Perpetual Common, & other lands; one horse, a yoke of oxen, cart, plow, & carpenter's tools, & all stock & other estate, which he had previously given him ; also his Bible, wearing-apparel, arms, ammunition & staff, & his farm in the woods, lying on both sides of the .Saugatuck River. To his four ds. viz : Sarah wife of John Thompson of F., Deborah w. of George Clark of Milford, Abigail w. of Jonathan Selleck of Stamford & d Martha widow of John Selleck, he gave the remainder of his estate, to be equally divided among them. Dr. Josiah Harvey of F. m. an elder d. of Major Nathan Gold, who died childless before her father. Martha was the widow of John Selleck, another s. of Jonathan Selleck i,* who died before Major Nathan Gold. Martha next m. 16 April 1695, the Rev. John * The will of Jonathan Selleck i. of Stamford, who m. Abaigail d. of Richard Law of the same place, is dated 21. Dec. 1713, & mentions his grand-son Gold Selleck s. of his s. John; a d. of Abigail who m. Jacob Moore of New York & her s. Jacob ; gives his books to ttie Rev. John Davenport of Stamford ; & the remainder of his estate to his grandson Nathan Selleck. Jonathan Selleck i. survived his wife & sons. GENEALOGIES 3/1 Davenport of Stamford who " was born in Boston 2S. Feb. i66g, & was the s. of John Davenport Esqr. the onlj' s. of Rev. John Davenport, the ecclesiastical founder of New Haven. He grad. at II. C. in 16S7, & commenced preaching in iGgo. By Martha Gold Selleck he had seven children viz: "Abigail who m. Rev. Stephen Williams D.D. of Springfield, & became the mother of an illustrious family; John of New Canaan ; Martha who m. Rev. Thomas Goodsell of Brandford ; Sarah who first m. Capt. William Maltbie of New Haven, & second Rev. Eleazer Wheelock D.D., the founder & first president of Dartmouth College; and thus became the ancestress of a talented & noble lineage ; Theodore who d. early ; Deacon Deodate of East Haven ; & Elizabeth who m. the Rev. William Gaylord of Wilton, Conn. Mrs. Martha Davenport d. i. Dec. 1712." Her death was deemed no ordinary event, as attested by the extraordinary record of it found in Book I. p. no of Stamford T. Rec. as follows: "That eminently Pious & virtuous. Grave & whorthily much Lamented Matron Mrs. Martha Davenport, Late wife of the Reverend Mr. John Davenport, Pastor of ye Church of Christ in Stamford, Laid down or exchanged Her mortal or temporall Life, to putt on Immortality & to be crowned with Immortal Glory ; on ye i^' Day of Decemb. 1712." Mr. Davenport next m. Mrs. Elizabeth Maltby d. of John Morris, by whom he had two children ; Hon. Abraham & Rev. James Huntington's Hist. Statu ford, p. 270. Lieut. Gov. N.vthan Gold 2. s. of Major Nathan Gold i. m. Hannah d. of Col. John Tal- cott 2. of Hartford, & sister of the great lawyer, John Read of Boston. His children were Abi- gail b. 14. Feb. 16S7, who m. Rev. Thomas Hawley of Ridgefield, Conn. 8. Nov. 1738 ; John b. 25. April 16S8, who m. Hannah Slawson ; Hezekiah (birth not recorded) grad. at PI. C. in 1719, m. Mary Ruggles, & became a minister at Stratford, where he d. 22. April 1761 ; Nathan 6. April 1690 ; Samuel 27. Dec. 1692 (F. T. Rec.) ; Sarah bapt. 23. July i6g6 ; Sarah again bapt. 3. March 1699-'^"- ; Onesimus bapt. ig. Oct. 1701 ; David bapt. 3. Dec. 1704 ; Martha bapt. 8 Feb. 1707- (at which time the father is called the W'orshipful Nathan Gold), & Joseph, b. 21. Oct. 1711. Lieut Gov. Nathan Gold died the 31. Oct. 1723, when but sixty years of age. His tomb-stone, well pre- served, is in the Burial Hill Cemetery. His will is dated 13. Sept 1723. (Superior Court Rec. Hart- ford, Vol. 3 V p. 545-6) in which he gives his eldest s. John adoublc portion of his estate ; to s. Samuel one single share, including what he had already given him ; tos. Hezekiah " 50;^ over& above what he had expended upon his learning ; " to son-in-law Rev. Thomas Hawley, of Ridgefield, who had m. his d. Abigail lOO;^. besides her mar. dower : tod. Martha (who m Samuel Sherman) 200;/^ ; to sons Onesimus, David & Joseph one single portion of his estate. John i. s. of Lieut : Gov : Nathan Gold m. Hannah Slawson. Their children were Hannah b. 20. Sept. 1716 ; Sarah bapt. i. June 171S ; John bapt. 29. May 1720 ; Nathan bapt. 2. Feb 1723- ; Elizabeth bapt. 24. April 1726 ; Talcott bapt. i. Sept. 172S ; Mary bapt. 6. June 1731 ; Jemima bapt. 18. June 1738. F. Par. Rec. John Gold lived in the Frost Homestead. He died the 23. Sept. 1766, in the 79* year of his age. His tomb-stone is in the Burial Hill Cemetery. He probably m. twice the second wife, perhaps, a d. of Rev. Thomas Hawley of Ridgefield. Nath.\n 3 s. of Nathan Gold 2. m. d. of Their children were Catee bapt. 25. Sept. 1726, (who m. Jacob Le.vitt 18. Oct. 1742) ; Ann 4. Feb. 1727- ; Nathan ; & Martha 24. May 1730. Martha m. David Hubbell 5. Feb. 1753. F. Par. Rec. Through this m. of David Hubbell & Martha Gold, the homestead of Roger Ludlow & Major Nathan Gold, passed into the Hubbell family. Samuel s. of Nathan Gold 2. m. Esther d. of Bradley. Their children were Hester bapt. 8. Nov. r7ig; Abigail 24. May 1724; Abel 17. Sept. 1727; Abraham 18. Oct. 1730; Abraham again 14. May 1732. F. Par. Rec. Samuel Gold pr. the present Gould Homestead at F. now occupied. (1888.) by the three d's of the late Hon. John Gould. Samuel Gould died 11. .Oct. I76g. Onesimus s. of Nathan Gold 2 m. Eunice d. of & settled at Greenfield. Their children were Rebecca bapt. 4. Oct. 1724, at F. ; Nathan 17 Sept. 1726 ; David 22. Oct 172S ; Luther 372 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD lO. Oct. 1631 ; Eunice, Aug 1733 ; Stephen, May 1736 ; Sarah, 21. Aug. 1737 ; Aaron, 25. Jan 1740. G. H. Par. Rec. Joseph s. of Nathan Gold 2. m. Abigail d. of Their children were Hannah bapt. 22. June 1740 ; John 21. Aug. 1755. F. Par. Rec. The Golds did not add the u. to their name until about 1S06 ; when Jason Gold introduced it. THE GODFREE OR GODFREY FAMILY According to a tradition in the Godfrey family of Green's Farms, the original settlers of that branch of the family in New England were from Normandy ; that from their native country they first went to Greenwich England, & from there to the United States. Christopher Godfree first purchased land at Compo in 1686, one year after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, which leads to the conclusion that perhaps he was one of the French or Norman Refugees. The late Hon. Jonathan Godfrey, his sister Mrs. Elsey Parker, & Joseph & Abraham Godfrey, sons of the late Edward Godfrey of Ridgefield, Ct. all give the same tradition. They have also often spoken about their connection with the Taunton & Cape Cod branches of the Godfrey family, & said that they early called each other cousins. As yet no record has been found making the connecting link between these families. Once only is the name of Richard Godfrey found in the Green's Farm's Parish Records, where it is recorded by the Rev. Dr. Ripley, that " Capt. Richard Godfrey died of appoplexy 19. Dec. 1S09 in the 6i^f year of his age." As the name of Richard is not among the christian names of the Green's Farm's Godfreys, the conclude is that Capt. Richard Godfrey was one of the Taunton branch, & was visiting his cousins at Green's Farms when he died. A very interesting account of the Taunton Godfreys, is to be found in Contributions Biograph- ical, Genealogical & Historical, by E. W. Pierce. He traces a highly honorable descent from Richard Godfrey, who settled in Taunton as early, if not before 1652. Many of this family dis- tinguished themselves in the French & Indian Wars & in the Revolution. General George God- frey of Taunton " retained the command of the Bristol Co. Brigade until 17S1, for a term of about five years." There were also several distinguished physicians in the family. They all appear to have been men of influence & spirit. The name of Godfrey is an historical one. The Latin motto " Deus et Libertas,"' which we find under one of the Godfrey coat of arms, is one which indicates that the family fought the battles of God & freedom. In Saxon the name signifies at peace with God, in which alone is true freedom. The name is early spelled in the F. T. R. Godfree. The first name of this family at Green's Farms or Compo, was that of Christopher Godfree. His name appears in Letter A. of F. T. D., where it is recorded, that Christopher Godfree on the 29. Dec 1686 purchased Seargt. Richard Hubbells' dividends of Compo lands. He also after- wards improved town lands, which were eventually granted him. On the 31. July 1695 he purchased of James Newton, about twenty-five acres of land at Green's Farms, in the woods at Benjamins' hill, which commanded a magnificent view of the surrounding country. Long Island Sound & the Norwalk Islands, "being the whole of a pasture & building lot laid out to Robert Beacham dec." The next we find of his family is in the Parish Record of Christ's Church, Fairfield, where it is recorded by the Rev. Joseph Webb, that on the 17. July 1697 Anne Godfrey (wife of Christo- pher Godfrey), renewed her Covenant with the Church. On the 17. July i6g8 Christopher & Samuel, sons of Christopher Godfrey, & Elizabeth, Mary & Abigail, daughters of Christopher Godfrey, were baptized. John son of Christopher Godfrey i. was baptz. 23, April 1699. Isaac, son of the above Christopher, was baptz. 14. Feb 1703. all by the Rev. Joseph Webb. GENEALOGIES 373 These same names appear in the settlement of the estate of Christopher Godfrey, who died in the year 1715. Having died intestate, his widow Anne, which, on the town records is spelled Ann, was appointed by the Court to administer with his son Samuel on his estate, " in the recogni- zance of one hundred pounds cash for the faithful discharge of their duty." In the final settlement of the estate 5. June 171S. it amounted to £2~2- 2s. id. Christopher 2. s. of Christopher Godfrey i. m. 11 Feb. 1711, Margery d. of John Sturges 2, s. of John Sturges i. of F. Their children were David b. 20. Feb. 1713 ; Stephen 8. Sept. 1715 ; Nathan 25. Sept. 1719 ; Eleazer 15. March 1721 ; Isaac 25. Dec. 1724; Ebenezer 27. June 1727. Christopher Godfrey d. 20. Aug. 1758. Margery Godfrey d. 20 Aug. 1759. F. T. Rcc. of Births', Deaths' & Marriages'. Deacon David i., s. of Christopher Godfrey 2. m. 24. June 173S, Mary d. of Daniel Silii- man. Their children were : Daniel b. 20. March 1739 ; •'^ri" ^^- ^^^X ^74° • David i. Sept 1743 ; Silliman i. May 1750, & was a Lieut, in the Revolution. Mary 24. Feb. 1752 ; Jonathan i. 23, Dec. 1754 ; Sarah 12. Feb. 1757 David Godfrey i. was one of the Deacons of the Green's Farms' church. Eleazer i. s of Christopher Godfrey 2. m. Rachel d. of Bennet 21. Jan. 1749. Their children were: Isaac bapt. 29. Nov. 1749 ; & m. 8. Feb. 1798, Abigail Couch of Northfield, Ct. Moses b. 10. June 1750; Eleazer 31. Oct 1756. Stephen s. of Christopher Godfrey 2. m. Elizabeth d. of Lewis, 11. June 1739. Their children were: Sarah b. 17, May 1741, «S: m. 7. Feb. 1759, John Hurlburt of Westport, Ct. Nathan 30. April 1743 ; Stephen 4. Oct. 1745 ; Betty 16. Feb. 1747, & m. 3. March 1763 Eben Lewis. Lieut. Nathan i. s. of Christopher 2. & Margerj' Sturgis Godfrey m. Martha d. of Couch II. June 1747. Their children were : Abraham b. 13. March 1748 ; Martha 24. May 1752; & m. John Burr 18. Oct. 1772. Nathan 19. Aug. 1754; Benjamin b , & d. in the army at Albany, N. Y. in 1776. Molly bapt. 20. Aug. 1758 ; & m. Seymour Lockwood of Norwalk 14. Sept. 1795 ; who was the grand-father of the late Le Grand Lockwood of Norwalk, Ct. Martha wife of Lieut. Nathan Godfrey d. 31 May 1761. 2n'i wife of Lieut. Nathan Godfrey, whom he m. g. Nov. 1764, was Sarah* d. of Jonathan Andrews, & wid. of Jonathan Nash 2. Their children were : Rhoda bapt. 18. Aug. 1765 ; m. Morris & moved to Ohio. Jonathan 2. bapt. 1766. Esther 17. Sept. 1769 ; Ebenezer 17. IMarch 1772 ; Andrews 14. April 1776. Lieut. Nathan Godfrey was commissioned a Lieutenant of Capt. Whiting's company, in the first attack made on Ticonderoga in 1756. lie was one of the most influential & wealthy men of Green's Farms. His homestead, which stood near the summit of Clapboard-hill was burned by the British in 1779 — See Centennial Commemoration of the Burning of Fairfield in 1S79. Jonathan 2. s. of Lieut. Nathan Godfrey m, Esther d. of Whitehead 30. Nov. 1788. Their children w-ere : Nathan bapt. i. Oct. 1789, m. Catharine Brown of Norwalk, Ct., Abel 27. Nov. 1791. d. 1811 unmarried ; Ebenezer 7. July 1793, & d. 30. Sept. 1807; Elsey b. 30. Oct. 1796. m. Samuel Parker, & d. 27. July 1882 ; Jonathan 3. b. 2. June 1798, d. 3. Aug. 1882 ; Seth bapt. 24. March 1S02. m. Eliza Cox of New York. Esther wife of Jonathan Godfrey 2. d. 24 March 1803. 2. wife of Jonathan Godfrey 2. was Huldah Parsons, whom he m. 26. Oct. 1803. Their children were: Esther, Eliza, Mary, Ebenezer, Simon, Ann, & Frederick. * Sarah the wife of Lieut. Nathan Godfrey had the following children by her first husband Jonathan Nash 2. Sarah b. 17. Jan. 1755 ;ni. Thomas Couch of Reading, Ct. Elizabeth 3. Oct. 1756; d. i. March 1775 ; Eleanor 14. Jan. 1758 ; m. Simon Couch of Reading, Ct. a brother of the above Thomas C. Sarah Nash Godfrey was also the great grand-mother of Gen. D. N. Couch of Norwalk, Ct. Jonathan Nash 2. was the grand-father of the late, distinguished Dr. Nash of Bridgeport, Ct. 374 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD Jonathan 3. s. of Jonathan Godfrey 2. & grandson of Lieut. Nathan Godfrey, b. 2. June 1798, m. Elizabeth d. of Aaron & Elizabeth Hubbell of Southport, Ct. 19. Jan. 1823. Their children were, Elizabeth, Harriet, both of whom d. young. Jonathan 4 (a clergyman, in the Episcopal church); Elizabeth Hubbell, (the author of the History of Fairfield), who m. Adrian V. S. Schenck, s. of the late Dr. Ferdinand S Schenck of New Jersey ; Samuel H. who m. Harriet A. Godfrey, d. of Edward Godfrey Esqr. of Ridgefield, Ct, and Mary Catherine, who m. Calvin G. Child of Norwich, Ct. The above Jonathan Godfrey 3. was a man of influence both in church & state. He d. 3. Aug. 1882, esteemed & beloved by all who knew him, for his honorable name & many charities. GRAY John Gray, who first settled at Lynn, Mass. & m. before May 1639 Elizabeth d. of William Frost I., & widow of John Watson of Boston, sold his home-lot at Lynn in Aug. of the same year, & probably accompanied his father-in-law to Uncoway, before the 28. of Sept. following. He was granted 2i acres on the s. w. of the Frost Square, which he sold a few years after to Alexander Bryan, who re-sold it to Henry Rowland i. 18. March 1649. He probably moved to Long Island, as his name is mentioned there, in Thompson's Hist, of L. I. He no doubt had other children, besides the two mentioned without christian names, in William Frost's will : but of him I find no more. Henry Gray 2., found in the F. Par. Rec, was probably a son of John i. He m. d. of Their children were : Isaac, Henry, William & David, all bapt. 30. April 1699 ; also Deborah & Mary bapt. 25. June 1704 ; Samuel & Martha bapt. 6. March 1714'^ F. Par. Rec. Henry Gray i, a brother of the above John i. settled, at Boston, where he had a house-lot granted 12. Feb. 1639. In an instrument executed 7. Sept. 1639, he is described as "now of Boston, hitherto citizen & merchant of London." [Lechford's manuscript Journal.] Soon after Sept. 1639, he m. Lydia d. of William Frost i., & joined his father-in-law at F. in 1640, lived with him, & received the use of his homestead after his death, which was entailed to his son Jacob Gray. He appears to have been rather wild for a time, but soon settled down, & became a useful member of society. He, with John Green, became security for Thomas Newton, in his troubles at F. in 1648 ; & was fined 20^ in 1650, for speaking his mind to the Court. He afterwards became a deputy to the Gen. Ct. in 1656 & 57. from F. He was one of the Bankside planters & died in 1658. He probably had other children besides Jacob, which I do not find. Jacob s. of Henry Gray i., lived for a while in his grand-father Frost's homestead. In 1662, there is a record of a pledge, entered in A. of F. T. D., which he gave to his uncle Daniel Frost & Cornelius Hull, that he would not sell his grand-father Frost's homestead. He did sell this place to the Rev. Samuel Wakeman a few years after ; & on 21. Dec. 1683 pur. of said Wakeman l| acres on the s. w. end of the home-lot that was formerly Ephraim Wheeler's, bounded s. e. by John Thompson's, s. w. & n. w. highways, & s. e. by said Wakeman's land. On the 21. Aug 1685, he sold a rood & 3} rods in breadth of this lot to Peter Bulkley. In Feb. 1707-* he is found at Greenfield, or in the Mile of Common, where he lived on two acres next adjoin- ing to his s. Jacob's homestead. Hem. Sarah d. of Their children were Mehitable; Rebecca b. i. Jan. 1670 ; Sarah g. Oct. 1677 ; & Jacob. He died early in 1712 & his s. Jacob & widow Sarah administered upon his estate, which was distributed 3. March of that year. He had already given to his d. Mehitable as her marriage portion, 11 acres of the front of his long-lot 17. April 1690. The distribution of his estate is made by his widow Sarah &hiss. Jacob Feb. 1707"^. His d. Sarah m. Samuel Umberfield of New Haven, & had children Sarah b. 2. April 1695 ; Ann 28. April 1700; John 15. March 1702 ; Thomas 8. Feb. 1705 ; Eliza 27. Oct. 1708 ; Esther 12. Septi7io; Mary 28. Aug. 1714 ; David 16. Aug. 1716. Savage's Gen. Die. GENEALOGIES 375 Jacob 2. s. of Jacob Gray i. entered into covenant with the G. II. P. 5. June 1712. He m. Hannah d. of Their children were : + Nathaniel, Sarah, John, James, Jacob, Rebecca & Eunice, all bapt. by the Rev. John Goodsell 12. June 1726 ; & Mary bapt. March 1728-'. G. H. Par. Rec. A branch of the Gray family settled at Westport, where the name is still to be found. In the Parish Records, the name is sometimes spelled Grey. It is highly probable that the first John & Henry Gray were the sons of John Gray of London, mentioned in George Ludlow's will. The T. & Par. Rec's. of F. & G. H., furnish the earliest records of this family. GREEN John Green, who was made a freeman 9. Oct. 1662, was an early settler at F. where he was granted a home-lot from the town, of three acres on the n. w. of the Frost Square, lying between Daniel Frost's & Henry Whelpley's. He with Henry Gray gave 200;^. security in 1648 for Thomas Newton, in an action between said Newton & Jonas Wood. He ran a grist mill for the town, a little above Thomas Sherwood's on Mill River. He sold his homestead at F. in 1648 to Simon Hoyt, & removed to Bankside, where he took up a home-lot of ten acres, lying west of Francis Andrews. He also owned seven acres between Sherwood's Island & the Little Islands, & other parcels of land, which were given the name of Greens farms, which name in the course of time superseded that of Bankside. He was a man of remarkable energy & enterprise ; one of those sterling characters, specially adapted to a pioneer life. He was a large land holder in the tov/n, sharing in all the land dividends. His long-lot lay east of Francis Andrews, which formed the west boundary of the town, near the Saugatuck river. His testimony before witnesses as to the early settlers of F. is of great value. In a deed dated 24. June 1699, he gave his negro Harry his free- dom after his decease ; provided said Harry served five years to any master of his own choosing for 20;i^ , which 20;^. was to be added to his estate, as part pay for his sons' education & for board to his father-in-law Hobbey. One half of this 20;^. was to be paid, when half of the five years had expired, & the other half at the expiration of the five years, & then " ye said negro which is now my negro shall be a free negro, & his own man for himself. " He gave said Harry a horse & the violin " he calleth his." He died intestate about 1703, leaving widow Hannah ; but the T. Rec. are silent as to his family. His son John appears to have inherited the most of his estate at F. John 2. s. of John Gieen i. m. d. of Their children were John & Hannah bapt. at F.,i6 Sept. 1705. F. Par. Rec. He probably removed to Long Island, as I find no more of him, or of his father's descendants. GRUMMAN John Grumman was made a freeman of F. in 1664. He m. Sarah d. of Michael Try. In his will dated 2. June 1685, he mentions the following children John ; Samuel ; Thomas ; Michael ; & Sarah who m. Samuel Jennings ; & was granted a home-lot n w of John Bank's first home-lot near Hyde's Pond. & Abigail b. in 1685. He left 4,£ to Thomas Oliver of F. John 2. s. of John Grumman i. m. Esther d. of Richard Lyon. Their children were Thomas & Samuel bapt. i5. Sept 1694 ; Esther, Silenne, Thankful & John bapt. 5, July 1713 ; Eliza- beth 4. Aug. 1717. F. T. & Par. Rec. HALL Francis Hall was in the list of those who subscribed to the fundamental agreement 4. June 1639, at the gathering of the church at New Haven. He is represented to have been a son of Gilbert Hall of Kent, England, & was himself of Milford, Surry Co. He came to America with his brother William who settled at Guilford. In 1641 the Gen. Ct of New Haven ordered, "that 376 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD he should have liberty to dispose of the children which he brought out with him, until the Court had light to dispose otherwise of them, provided that they were well looked unto & well used." He took the oath of fidelity before Governor Eaton on the i. July 1644. In 1647, having been warned with Thomas Pell, John Thompson & others to appear at Court, which he failed to do, " though the Court sat a good space of time," orders were given that he with the others should be warned to the next court for neglect. The children referred to above, were, John & Thomas Whitehead, who had been sent out from England under the care of Francis Hall, to their Uncle Thomas Allcote of Roxbury " in the Bay." The Uncle died before their arrival, & Hall excused himself before the Court for any blame attached to him, he having been at the expense of their voyage &c., & that upon making an effort he failed to find their Uncle, & had submitted the case to the Court, which had placed Thomas Whitehead with Mathias Hitchcock, but he had kept John himself " until they might have further light to dispose of them." The Court " having pity upon them, seeing they were so small," & being desirous that they should have no wrong done them debated long upon the subject. Mathias Hitchcock, having put Thomas Whitehead out to David Atwater, which he had no right to do, it was decided that the boy, at his own request, should, remain with Mr. Atwater, until he should hear from his Uncle. Mr Atwater & the Court agreed that he should have three pounds a year, meat, drink & clothes & finally set him free. N. H. Col. Rec. Savage says he was at Stratford after 1648. He was admitted a freeman of the Connecticut Colony 21. May 1657, but was at Fairfield earlier, where he owned a farm, called Hall's farm lying s. e. of the Newton Square. He owned land at Greenlea, & shared in the land dividends of the town. His first wife Elizabeth accompanied him from England, & died 6. July 1665, leaving sons Francis (who died 5. March 1690) & Samuel ; & dau's. Mary ; Eliza ; Rebecca (who died 5. March 1690) ; & Hannah who m. Joseph Blackman of Stratford. He next m. Dorothy d, of Rev. Henry Smith of Weathersfield, & wid. of John Blackman of Stratford 3. Oct. 1665, who, Savage says, bore off a prize against the counter claim of John Thomas, whom .she had previously encouraged. His last days were greatly embittered by the quarrel of his sons, over lands he had deeded his older son at Pequonnock, at which time Samuel acted as attorney for his father. He died at Stratford, where he appears to have resided after his last marriage. His will is dated 3. Oct. 1690, in which month he died. His wid. m. Mark St. John of Norvvalk, who died 1693 ; & she m. for her fourth husband. Deacon Isaac Moore of Farmington. (Savage Gen. Die.) Isaac i. s. of Francis i. became a surgeon. He m. Lydia d. of Nicholas Knap of F. 16. Jan. 1666. Their children were Isaac b. 8. Nov 1667 ; Sarah 3. May 1668 ; Lydia 21. Sept 1670 ; Elizabeth 11. Nov. 1672 ; Samuel 14. Sept. 1674 ; Francis 26. Sept. 1676 ; John 8. Feb. 1677 ; & died 4 years after ; John 3. Jan. 1679 ; Mary 7, Aug. 1681 ; Abigail i. April 1683 ; Jonathan 2. Dec. 1684. Dr. Isaac Hall was engaged several years in a law-suit with his brothers, which was finally settled by Jonathan Pitman & George Pardee of New Haven as arbitrators. He sold his housing & lands in F. in 1684 to Richard Ogden, & removed to New Haven. Samuel s. of Francis Hall i. m. Mary d. of 26 March 1682. Their children were Francis b. 27. Feb. 1683 ; Edward 8. Jan 1685, & died 12. March 16S7 ; Mary 10. Feb 1685/^. He next m. Hannah d. of 16. March 1686-, who died on the 17. Nov. following. An- other s. James died 17. Dec. 1690. The Hall family appear to have settled in Bridgeport Sc its vicinity. HEDGE Stephen Hedge was in F. before 1670, where he died without children, leaving his estate to his nephew Antony Hedge of England. His will on file at F. is a remarkable document. Antony Hedge came to America & in A. of T. D., in recording the estate left him by his Uncle, calls himself "of the County Wilts in the kingdom of England." He deeded to Mrs. Rebecca Hull, d. of Rev. John Jones, land left him by his Uncle in Paul's Neck. Of him I find no more. GENEALOGIES Z77 HIDE Humphrey Hide, as the name is written in the F. T. Rec, was at Windsor before coming to Fairfield. He was granted a home-lot of 2^ acres from the town, which was recorded 6. March 1649, bounded n. e. with home-lot of John Banks ; n. w. commons ; s. w. John Thompson's home-lot ; s. e. highway. In 1653 he purchased of John Grumman 2^ acres adjoining this lot, bounded n. w. with commons ; s. w. with his own land ; n. e. & s. e. with a highway. He also pur. John Banks' home-lot about 1649. This land is located where F. Post Oftice now stands. There is a tradition that the pond, long known as Hide's Pond, did not exist in the early days of the town. Be this as it may, the spot came to be a pond, which was always called Hide's Pond, until filled up by Frederick Sturges Esqr. of F. in 1880. The Hide family arc believed to have been, & there seems to be no question about it, of the best blood of England. They have always been stanch, sterling, thrifty men in tlie town ; & for generations a Deacon Hide, has represented the family in the Greens Farm's Congregational Church. Humphrey Hide i. whose name is frequently seen in the F. Rec. as Hum. ^ Uvi. Hide. m. probably in England. In his will dated 12. Nov. 1679, he mentions w. Ann ; s. John, to whom he confirmed lands he had deeded him at various times at F., & gave him his sword & gun ; to his d. Sarah w. of Peter Coley, the use of several pieces of land, his Compo dividends, i of his long- lot & " V of his home-lot next the rocks," which, at her death was entailed to her son Samuel Coley or to his ne.Kt male heir, & in default of male heirs to her daughters ; — to d. Hannah (who m. William Sprague) & to her heirs, the other half of his home-lot after his wife's death ; half of his long-lot & other parcels of land at F., Sasqua & Bankside ; to the children of his s. John, namely John, Elizabeth, Sarah, & Mary 5^ apiece ; to children of d. Sarah namely Samuel, Sarah, Peter & Mary Coley 5^ each. He made his wife Ann sole executrix, & his friends John Gregory of Norwalk, & Robert Clark of Stratford, over-seers of his will. John i. s. of Humphrey Hide i. in 1680 was living in his father's homestead. He m. Eliza- beth (b. 25. July 1644) d. of Richard Harvey of Stratford, formerly of Concord, Mass., to whom said Harney deeded 33 acres of land at Stratford in 1686.—/^. T. Deeds. Their children were John b. I, May 1668 ; Elizabeth 23. Aug. 1669 who m. Edward Jesup of Bankside ; Mary 25. Sept. 1670 who m. Benjamin Rumsey of Bankside ; Sarah 25. July 1672 who m. Jonathan Fanton of Fairfield. —F. T. D. He probably had other children, as one Deborah Plide who m. Moses Jack- son s. of Henry Jackson i. was probably his daughter. He appears to have moved to Green's Farms before the 23, of April 1697, at which time Jonathan Sturges purchased of Benjamin Rum- sey one acre in John Hide's home-lot, bounded n. e. with home-lot of William Sprague ; s. e. Daniel Burr, & s. w. Jonathan Sturges. John 2. s. of John Hide r. b. I. May 1668. m. Rachel d. of Robert Rumsey of Bankside i. Jan. 1692. Their children were John b. 6. Oct. 1692, who m. Rachel Holmes ; Elizabeth b. 9. Aug. 1694, who m. John Bell ; Demaris b. 2. Sept. 1696, who m. Thomas Whitlock ; Daniel b. 31. March 1700, who m. Deborah ; Abigail b. 20 May 1702, who m. Joseph Mallery ; Sarah b. 25. Dec. 1703, who m. Jonathan Fanton ; Mary b. 8. Oct. 1705 ; who m. Benjamin Darling; Hannah b. 28. Sept. 1707, who m. Rev. Joseph Burr ; Rachel b. 6. Feb. 1713, who m. Daniel Lord, (in the Greenfield Par. Rec. it is written Robert Lord). " Recorded at Fairfield as follows : " Rachel w. of John Hide covenanted & was baptized 2. April 17 ro. At the same time her son Joseph was bapt. " — This John Hide 2. was a physician & died at Greenfield, where he resided in 1744. His tomb-stone & that of his wife's are still to be seen in the old cemetery at Greenfield Hill. He was a Deacon in the church there, & the births & deaths of his children are to be found in the Greenfield Parish Record. John 3. s. of John Hide 2. b. 6. Oct 1692, m. Rachel Holmes 22. April 1718. Their children were : Eunice b. 10. Feb. 1719, who m. Wilson of Fairfield ; Mary b. 30. Sept. 1720, who m. David Coley 16. Dec. 1740 ; John b. 1725, who m. Abigail Ogden, & had no children ; Sarah 3/8 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD b. 27. Nov. 1727, who m. Ebenezer Banks 18. June 1746; Joseph b. 1729, who m. Betty Sherwood (sister of Rev. Samuel Sherwood) i. Aug. 1753 ; Rachel b. 29. Feb. 1736, who m. Rev. Samuel Sherwood 6. June 1754. Mrs. Rachel Holmes Hide d. 30. Sept. 1736 in the 39'^ year of her age ; & John Hide next m. Abigail Adams 22 March 1737. John Hide d. 11 Jan. 1761. Joseph i. s. of John Hide 3. b. 1729, m. Betty Sherwood i. Aug. 1753. Their children were Elizabeth or Betsey b. 15 Dec. 1753, who m. Daniel Andrews ; John b. 17. Aug. 1755, who m. Abigail Jennings & had 3 daughters ; Salome b. 30. Aug. 1757, who m. Nathaniel Adams ; Joseph b. 3. Jan. 1761, who m. Arete Jesup ; Rachel b. 30. Oct. 1762, who m. Joseph Wakeman. Joseph Hide I. had a second wife Taniah Higgins. He d. 14. Aug. 1814. Joseph 2. s. of Joseph Hyde i. b. 3. Jan 1761, m. Arete Jesup, d. of Dr. Ebenezer Jesup. Their children were : Arete b. 6. Dec. 1791 ; Eleanor b. 17. Jan 1793, & d. Aug 1S57 ; John b. II. Jan 1795 & d. 1809 ; Myranda b. 8. Dec. 1796 ; Joseph b. 20. Sept. 1798, graduated at Yale College in 1820, & d. 14. Dec 1824 ; Ebenezer b. 27 July iSoo, and d. young ; Rachel b. 13. June 1802 ; Edward b. i. March 1S04 ; William 18. r8o5 ; John S. b. 19. July 1807 ; Samuel b. 23. Feb 1809 ; a son b. & d. 13. April 181 1 ; Mary Augusta b. 12. July 1813.* HILL William Hill i. came to New England in the ship William & Francis June s^l" 1632. (Founder's of New England.) He was a man of note & first settled at Dorchester ; was made a freeman of the Mass. Col. 5 Nov. 1633, & a select man in 1636 : He was granted land at Dor- chester 2. Nov. 1635. He removed soon after to Windsor, Ct, where he was granted a home- lot & "and set out an orchard." In 1639 he was appointed by the Gen. Ct. to examine the arms & ammunition of the towns in the colony ; was also auditor of public accounts ; was elected deputy to' the Gen. Ct. from 1639 to 1641, & in 1644. He removed to F. soon after, & was chosen an assistant of the Gen. Ct., & appointed a collector of Customes. He & his son William were granted by the town home-lots between Paul's Neck & Robert Turney's home-lot, on the n. e. side of Dorcester St., & the Newton Square. He died in 1649, as his wife is in the Town Records at that time called a widow. His will is in the 2";? Vol. of the Records of the Particular Court at Hartford, & is dated 9. Sept 1649, & probated 15. May i65o.f In it he mentions his wife Sarah; & children Sarah, William, Joseph, Ignatius, James & Elizabeth. His d. Sarah m. Joseph Loomis 17. Sept. 1646. William 2. s. of William Hill i. was born in England, & called for several years after his father's death, W^ Hill jr. He was probably with his father in Dorchester & Windsor, & accom- panied him to F., where he was granted a home-lot between his father's & Paul's Neck. He became one of the most influential & useful citizens of the town. He was the town recorder in 1650, & for several years after; & to him Roger Ludlow delivered town papers of value when he left F. in 1654. Mention is made in the records 1. Feb. 1673 of his having received his portion of his father's estate, from his father-in-law^ Greenleaf, which either indicates that he was twice m. or that said Greenleaf m. his mother. He was granted from the town 13. Feb 1670, the Lewis lot on the n. w. corner of the Newton Square. He died 19. Dec 1684. He m. in F. Elizabeth d. of the Rev. John Jones. Their children were : William, Eliphalet, Joseph, John, James & Sarah. Joseph d. in i6g6 childless. Sarah m. Richard Widden 15. April 1686. Their children were Elizabeth b. 19. Sept 1688 ; & Sarah 2g. Dec. 1689. Richard Widden died 24. Oct 1690. Eliphalet s. of William Hill 2. m, Esther d. of William Ward. Their children were William b. 17. Nov. 1692 & Eliphalet b. 11. Jan 1694-. The father died in 1695. * The dates & births were copied from a manuscript in the possession of Miss M. L. Hyde, d. of the late Deacon John Hyde of Green's Farms. t See boundaries of Thomas Jones home-lot in 1649. GENEALOGIES ' 379 John m. Sarah d. of . Tlieir children were: Sarah bapt. 15. May 1701 ; & John 29. June 1707. William 3. s. of William Hill 2. "was m. to Abigail d. of David Osborn of Eastchester 7. Oct. 1691, by Mr John Burr." Their children were Abigail b. 8, Jan 1694^ ; Joseph i, April 1699 (F. T. Rec.) William bapt. 14. May 1699; William again, bapt 12, July 1702 ; David 7, April 1706 ; & Catherine 2. Jan. 1717. F. Par. Rec. This family have been noted for having been deacons in the Congregational church. Jabez s. of Deacon Hill 5. settled in Weston & m. Sarah d. of Col. John Read, after whom the parish of Ivcdding was named. Ebenezer Hill b. 20 Feb. 1768, lived & died in Fairfield, & was a Captain in the army of the Revolution. His son David b. 7. July 1766, studied for the ministry, & after preaching a few years, studied law & became Judge of the Court of Probate ; was frequently a member of the State Senate & legislature, & had the honor to be appointed one of a committee for revising the Consti- tution of the State. He also lived and died at F. Thomas Hill "the mariner" prob. s. of James Hill of Boston, m. Abigail the only d. of Izbon & Hannah Wakeman in 16S5 & the homestead " was divided between the mother & daughter by the middle of the chimney." He pur. in 16S6 in London one half of a vessel called " The Two Brothers" of 32 tons burden, for 73 £. While on his long voyages from home, he left his estate in trust with Elias Dougherty & Jacob Walker of L. L His children were Thomas ; Benjamin bapt. 3, Nov. 1695, & no doubt others. Mrs. Hannah Wakeman, the wid. of Izbon W. entered into a marriage contract with Capt. Joseph Bastard, a mariner & a stranger ; & so long did he remain away from home on his voyages from F. , that the neighbors gossiped of his neglect & unfaithfulness to his wife, «& that he would spend all her money. About fourteen months after their mar. he entered a protest, & had it recorded in the town Records, against the neighbors " possessing his wife's mind" with such an idea ; & to remove all fears, & that his wife might not further be deluded with, by such reports, "out of the tenderness he bore her & his children by her," he made over his entire estate to the care of Major Nathan Gold & Mr. Jehue Burr, in trust for her use during her natural life. He died in 1697 leaving a handsome property. Thomas Hill 2, m. Maryd. of . Their children were : Abigail bapt. 5. June 1720; Thaddeus 26. June 1720; Mary. 11. Nov 1722; Mary 9. Aug. 1724 ; Elizabeth 9. Jan. 1726/7; Anne 11. May 1729 ; Thomas 12. Dec. 1731. F. Par. Rec. & G. Par. Rec. He is called Capt. in the G. H. Par. Rec. HUBBELL Hubball, Hubbill, Hubbell. Sergt. Richard Hubbell was born in England about 1627, & came to N. E. between 1640 & 1645. He took the oath of fidelity in the N. H. Colony on the 7. March 1645. In 1650— he m. "Elizabeth d. of John, & grand-daughter of Vincent Meigs of Dor- cetshire, England. Her grand-father Vincent Meigs was born in 1570, emigrated to America, & settled at Weymouth, Mass. was in N. H. in 1647 ; afterwards moved to Guilford, & finally settled at Killingworth, Ct. where he died in 1658." Richard Hubbell moved from N. H. to Guilford, Ct., & pur. land there 25. Feb. 1653. He was tried & fined for sedition in N. H. in 1656 ; & when asked if he was sorry for giving his name to a seditious paper, he replied, " that it was only his desire to have what our law did allow, & no more." He soon after removed to F., where he was accepted to be made a freeman of the the town 13. Oct 1664 ; & was made a free- man 10 Oct. 1669. He settled n. w. of the plateau at Pequonnock & pur. the home-lot of Thomas Wheeler, sr. He became one of the leading men of F., & one of the most enterprising. He was one of the largest land holders in the town. His name is mentioned in the Fairfield Patent granted in 1685. Both he & his sons were brave & active men in the French & Indian wars, & his 380 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD memory is honored & respected by his descendants, as one of the leading citizens of the town & colony. He died 23. Oct. 1699 aged about 72 years. By his wife Elizabeth Meigs, he had John b. about 1652 in N. H^j^ichard 1654 ; James 1656 who d. 2 Dec. of the same year. Samuel b. 6. Nov. 1657 ; Elizabeth 16. Nov. 1659 ; Ebenezer ; Mary all b. at Guilford ; Martha b. in F. Mrs. Elizabeth Hubbell died, & soon after Sergt. Richard H. m. a second wife, whose Christian name is not known ; but on her tomb-stone, in the old Stratford burying ground, her initials are E. H. & the date of her death in 1688. By this wife he had Samuel, Abigail, Sarah & James. The second wife died ; & Sergt. Richard again m. a third wife Abigail in 16S8, who was the widow of Joseph Walker of Stratford, Ct., & by her he had Joseph who d. in 1700, & John b. in April i6gi. Sergt Richard Hubbell died on the 23. of October, aged about 72 years. His tomb-stone is near that of his second wife in the old Burying Ground of Stratford, marked R. H. ; but the date of his death is obliterated with age. His will is dated 20. Nov. 1699 in which he confirmed to the heirs of his son John dec, & to his s. Richard, & s. Samuel sr., all lands &c ; formerly given them ; to s, Eben- ezer he gave 40 acres of his long-lot : to Richard as much of his long-lot as he could cultivate in ten years : to d. Elizabeth w. of Joseph Frost, besides her mar. dower 20^: to d. Mary w. of James Newton 50^: to d. Martha w. of Capt. John Wakeman, besides her mar. dower " one heavy piece of eight :" to s. Samuel jr., (for he had two sons named Samuel) over & above what he had already given him, as much of his long-lot as he could cultivate, not previously disposed of • to d. Abigail, w. of Samuel French, one cow, & 10^ after his wife's dec. out of his movable estate : to d. Sarah (who m. Deacon Josiah Stevens in 1699) 100^ in current provision pay : to s.'s James, Joseph & John all other lands not previously disposed of ; the use of the remainder of his estate he left to his wife Abigail during her natural life, who, with his son Samuel sr. , he made his execu- tors. To this will is attached his family seal of a bird holding an olive branch, which encircles the border of the seal. The inventory of his estate amounted to 816/. Abigail, the third wife of Sergt. Richard Hubbell, made her will 17. April 1688, & died early in Jan 1718. In her will she remembers her '-living son John Hubbell," & her son & two dau's, by her first husband, namely : Robert Walker, Abigail Bostwick & Joanna Odell. She left " 10 s. in money, towards buying a flagon for the Communion Table at Stratfield." Lieut. John i., s. of Sergt. Richard Hubbell i. settled at Stratford &m. Patience . Their children were Margery b. 1681 ; Richard 25, Jan. 16S4 ; Josiah 1688. — He was one of the sol- diers from F. engaged in the French & Indian war. In consideration of his loss of one of his fingers, while in an engagement, the Gen. Ct. awarded him 13. May 1678, 100 acres of land. On the 20. of April 1690, he was commissioned by Gov. Robert Treat Lieut, of a foot company, under Capt. Ebenezer Johnson of Stratford, for the protection of Albany. While stationed near Albany he died of small-pox, & was buried in full uniform. A stone bearing his initials, & the date of his death 1690, marked his grave. The Indians disinterred his body, & appropriated his uniform, which spread the loathsome disease among them to such an extent, that about half the tribe were cut off. Lieut John Hubbell was thus said to have slain more enemies of the country after his death, than during his life ; whicli horrible catastrophe was the occasion of many sermons by the clergy of the colony.* His widow m. Samuel Hawley of Stratford. Lieut. Richard 2. s. of Sergt Richard Hubbell i. settled at Stratfield. He was one of the active nine applicants for forming the East Farmers of F. into a parish ; & was a wealthy & influential planter of the town & colony. He m. Rebecca d. of Samuel & Rebecca Morehouse 5. Nov. 1685. Their children were : Peter b. 10. Aug. 1686 ; Ebenezer 19. Sept. 1687 ; Elizabeth 23. Oct. 1689, & m. Nathan Beardsley ; Jonathan 25. March 1692. Mrs. Richard Hubbell died 2. April 1692. Richard Hubbell next m. Hannah Silloway of Maiden, Mass. by Major Gold 12. Oct. i692_ Their children were : Zechariah b. 26. Aug. 1994 ; Richard 20. Oct. 1696 ;• Han- nah 7. July 169S ; Eleazer 15. Aug. 1700 ; Nathaniel 11. Aug. 1702 ; Margery 17. Jan. 1705 ; * Hist, of the Hubbell Family by Walter Hubbell. ■( ^ GENEALOGIES 38 1 Abigail 23. Sept. 1700. He died in 1838. His will is dated 12. Nov. 1734, leaving a large estate of 284?;^. His eldest s. Peter settled at Newton, to whom he gave, beside other estate, " 3 of his copper-mine, situated a little below ye Pine Swamp & ye upper ends of Stratfield bounds." The other third he gave to Richard Whitney. He left his house & home-lot, which had been his father's homestead, to his s. Zachariah. His son Nathaniel was educated & settled as a minister in New Jersey. He willed his silver tankard to the Church of Christ in Stratfield. This tankard is a very handsome piece of solid silver, & is an elegant piece of workmanship. It is still in use in the First Congregational Church at Bridgeport. On one side is engraved : " Left. Richard Hubbell's Gift to the Church of Christ in Stratfield. A. D. 1738." Lieut. Samufx i. s. of Richard Hubbell i. & called in his father's will sr., settled at Strat- field, was the Recorder there & Parish Clark from 1694 to 1713. He m. Elizabeth Wilson 4. April 1687 & had s. Benoni b. 29. Dec. 1687. The mother died 20. Jan. 16S8. Samuel i. next m. Temperance Preston 17, April 1688, & had Elizabeth b. 29. Dec. 1688, & died 4. Jan. 1688- ; Jehiel 27. Jan. 1689, & died 3. May 1693 ; Daniel 8. Aug. i6gi ; Catherine il. March 1695, & died 19. Dec. 1697 ; Ephraim 11. Oct. 1694 ; Stephen 16. Feb. 1695^; David i. July 1698 ; Abiel 15. Jan. 1699, & died 3 March the same yr Tabitha 24 Dec. 1700, & m. James Bennet jr ; Joseph 29. Oct. 1702. "Stratfield Society Book." Ebenezer, s. of Richard Hubbell i. settled at New London & m. Mary d. of Gabriel Harris. Their children were Elizabeth b. 1693 ; Ebenezer 1695, & died 1720 (Cauthren's Hist. New London p. 338.) Ebenezer the father died 1698. Samuel jr. s. of Richard Hubbell 2. settled at Fairfield & m. Elizabeth d. of Their children were Hannah bapt. 19. May 1695 ; Nathan 3. Dec, 1699, died 6. Feb. 1761 ; Eunice bapt. 21 March 1703 ; Abigail bapt. 15. July 1705 ; Olive 15. Feb. 1707/8 & m. Joseph Bradley (she was the great grand mother of Justice Joseph P. Bradley of the U. S. Sup. Ct.) ; David, bapt. 2. Sept. 1711 & m. Martha ; Samuel bapt. 30. May 1714. F. Par. Rec. James i. s. of Richard Hubbell i. first settled at Stratfield, then moved to Stratford, & finally with his son Andrew to Easton Ct. He m. Patience Their children were Andrew b. 22. July 1706, died 1777 ; Abiah 11 Aug 1708 ; Sarah 12 Sept 1711 ; Elnathan 22. Sept. 1717 ; Patience 8 April 1722 ; Stratford T. Rec. & Stratfield Society Book. Joseph I., son of Richard Hubbell i., died in 1700 before in reachinjj the age of 21. His guardian was David Sherman of Stratfield. John i. s. of Richard Hubbell i. settled at Stratford, m. Anne Wells b. Nov. 171 1. Their children were Jerusha bapt. 14 June 1713 ; Benjamin b. 1717, died 24 Feb. 1793; & John, who was accidentally shot by his brother Benjamin while deer hunting.* HULL George Hull was at Dorchester 1630, & probably came with Ludlow's company in the ship Mary and John. He was made a freeman of Mass, Marcli 4'^ 1633, & a deputy of the Gen. Ct. May 14'.*} 1634. He removed to Windsor v.ith Ludlow's company, & was chosen deputy for that town from 1637 to 46. Ho then removed to F.,&was granted a home-lot of 6 acres from the town. He was frequently a deputy to the Gen. Court. Most of his children were born in England, & the name of his first wife is not known. His second wife was Sarah, widow of David Phippen of Boston, whom he m. in 1654. His will is dated Aug. 25'.^ 1659, in which year he died. In it he mentions children Josiah, Cornelius, Elizabeth, Mary (who m. Humphrey Pinney) Martha & Naomi, also cousin i.e. niece Jane Pinkney. His widow made her will the same month, in which she gtive her house in Boston to her children, Benjamin, Joseph, Gamaliel, George, Pvcbecca * A valuable history of the Hubbell Family has been compiled by Walter Hubbell Esqr. of Philadelphia; published by J. H. Hubbell & Co., 407 & 409 Broadway N. Y. 1S81. 382 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD Vickers & Sarah Tow; & names cousins i.e. neph. Philip Pinkney, & cousin Jane Pinkney. F. Prob. Rec ^JosiAH, probably s. of George Hull l. settled at Windsor, & m. 20. May 1641 Elizabeth d. of Josepii~~i3emis^ Their children were Josiah b. Sept. 1642; John 17. Dec. 1644; Elizabeth 18. Feb. 1647 ; Mary 2. Oct. 1648 ; Martha 10. June 1550 ; Joseph 10. Aug 1652 ; Sarah 9. Aug 1654 i Naomi Feb 17. 1657 ; Rebecca 10. Aug. 1659 ; George 28. April 1662, who died early ; & Thomas 29. May 1665. He represented Windsor in 1659, ^°' & ^2. He removed to Killingworth, which he represented 1667-1670 & many years after ; & died 16 Nov 1675. His d. Naomi m. 4. Jan. 1677 Thomas Burnham 2. of Windsor. Sav. Gen. Die. Cornelius i. s. of George Hull i. b. in England in 1626, accompanied his father to F., & was granted a home-lot of 3 acres, adjoining that of his father's. He m. Rebecca d. of the Rev. John Jones. His will is dated 16. Sept 1695, in which he mentions his children Samuel, Cornelius, Theophilus, Rebecca, Sarah w. of Robert Silliman ; & Martha w. of Cornelius Liston (Risden). Samuel i. s. of Cornelius Hull i. m., first Deborah d. of James Beers i., by whom he had Samuel, bapt. 26 April i6g6. By his second wife Elizabeth d. of Sergt. Richard Hubbell i . & widow of Joseph Frost, he had Cornelius bapt. 23. June 1700; Josiah 12. April 1702 ; & Sarah 28. March 1704. F. Par. Rec. Cornelius 2. s. of Cornelius Hull i., m. x Sarah d. of Ezekiel Sandford i, ; & settled at Hull's Farms. Their children were Sarah & Rebecca bapt. 26. Aug. 1694 ; x Nathaniel 7. April 1695 ; Ebenezer 20. Jan 1697 ; Elizabeth 15. Oct. 1699 ; Martha 13. July 1701 ; x John Ebenezer 15. Sept. 1706; Cornelius 14. May 1710. G. H. Par. Rec. George 2. s. of George Hull i. m d. of Their children were Abigail bapt. i. June 1712 ; Mary 12 July 1713 ; Joseph g Oct 1715 ; Abigail 4 June 1721 ; Thaddeus 14 April 1723. F. Par. Rec. Theophilus i. s. of Cornelius Hull i. m. Mary d. of Ezekiel Sanford i. & settled at Green- field. Their children were Mary & Anne bapt. 26. Aug 1694 ; Theophilus 23. May 1697 : Eli- phalet 30. March 1701 ; John 2. April 1704 ; Jabez 10. Feb 1705'^ Lydia 26. Feb 1720^- ; Mary 22. Sept 1723. F & G. H. Par. Rec. Nathaniel i. s. of Cornelius Hull 2. b. March 1695 m. Elizabeth d. of (b. 12. April 1696). Their children were x Sarah b. 8. Nov 1717 ; Elizabeth 2. Aug. 1719 ; Hester 11. June 1 72 1 ; Stephen 25. July 1724 ; Nathaniel 25. Feb. 1726- ; x Peter 15. Nov. 1728 ; Sarah 20. Dec. 1730 ; Ezekiel 12. Oct. 1732 ; x David 10. Dec. 1734: Aaron 11. Sept. 1736 ; Silas 15. June 1739 ; Hannah 20. Jan. 1744. G. H. Par. Rec. , X Eliphalet I. s. of Theophilus Hull i. bapt. 30. March 1701, m. Sarah (b. 27 Feb 1704) d. of . Their children were Miriam b. 20, Dec. 1724 ; Sarah 10. May 1726 ; Seth 23. Feb. 1728^ ; Ruth 27, March 1730; John 2S. March 1732 ; Daniel 15, May 1734 ; Mary 28. March 1736. G. H. Par. Rec. JACKSON Henry Jackson was probably the man »who came in the ship Elizabeth & Ann in 1635, aged 29, having taken the oath of allegiance & supremacy to the crown, & brought a certificate from the minister & Justice the Peace, in the place he i^esided in England, (not mentioned) of his conformity to the Church of England, & that he was no subsidy man. (Hotten's List of Emi- grants to America.) In the same ship came Robert Hawkins, Nicholas St. John, & several of the Whitney family. He was at Watertown in 1637, & was, says Savage, "one of the lessees of the fishing grounds of that place." He was at F. in 1648, where Feb. 2, 1648-, he made an agree- ment with the town to erect a grist-mill on the stream, running, into the west side of the Uncoway River, which he sold in 1653, to Samuel Morehouse. His home-lot was bounded n.w. with Nathan GENEALOGIES 383 Gold's pasture-lot, n.e. the Uncoway mill-creek at high water-mark, s.e. highway, & s.w. with his own land. He lemoved after selling the mill, to Pequonnock & purchased, the house & home-lot of Thomas Wheeler jr. He was made a freeman 10. Oct. 1669 & was one of the dividend land holders of the town. His will is dated 11. Nov 1682, in which he provides for a wife (Christian name not mentioned; ; to s. Moses housing & Ludlow's lot, except one acre at Pequonnock, land in Uncoway Indian Fields; \ of his pasture-lot, building-lot & long-lot; to the children of his deceased d. Hannah, who had m, Philip Gaipin, 5;;^. each when of age ; to s. Samuell land previously deeded him, several parcels of land & 4 of his pasture-lot, building-lot & long-lot ; to grand-son Moses Jackson 4 acres at Try's Field, bounded n.w. with highway that goes through the field; s.w. John Roots, s.e. the Indian Field, n.e. land that was Richard Fowles, also his Compo allotment ; to s. John i of his pasture-lot, building-lot & long lot ; to his grand-son Samuel Jackson, his loom & "all things thereto belonging; & to his wife his best feather-bed & bedstead, curtains & val- ance, & all the furniture thereto belonging ; the bigest kettle and his house in town, & the least kettle, the middle iron-pot, the bell-metal skillet, the red cow & her calf, also the third part of his pewter dishes, spoons, & beer-vessels in his house at Pequonnock, the great chest & her own chests, the use of housing & lands at town, with its table, stools & chairs, with any other of the house-hold estate, except the axe, that is commonly called Dina's axe,", i of table linen, & if left alone, the old, negro womanto care for her; & 6;^. per annum from sons Moses & Samuel; to s. Joseph's five children, under the guardianship of s. Samuel 5;^, each of them to receive 20= when of age ; to Major Nathan Gold & Josiah Harvey, as over-seers of his estate 20;^. Upon the death of his wife the house at F. & all things belonging to it, were to be divided between his s. Joseph's five children, allowing the eldest son a double portion. He requests that the share of his s. Joseph's widow in her father-in-law George Goodwin's estate, be paid over to the estate of Joseph's children. He entailed all his estate to his surviving male heirs, in case of the death of any one of his sons. Samuel i. s. of Henry Jackson i. m. d. of Their children were Samuel b. ; Nathaniel 6. March 167 — ; Hannah 17. March 167 — , (the last figures are obliterated with age of book A. F. T. D.) Moses I. s. of Henry Jackson i. m. Deborah d. of John Hide i., 24. Oct. 1672. Their children were Rebecca b. 10. May 1674 ; Deborah 8. Feb. 1678. F. T. Rec. Joseph s. of Heniy Jackson i. m. first d. of Lieut. Nathaniel Seeley, & second, a d. of George Goodwin i. of F. , by whom he had five children & d. young, leaving s. Joseph & two minor children, Abigail & Eleanor. — He may have left older children. John s. of Henry Jackson i. entered into a contract with the town of F. to build a corn & fulling mill 6. Jan. 1686. over the Uncoway River, at the present time known as Moody's Mill, near Mountain Grove Cemetery at Bridgeport. He was granted 8 acres of land on the north side of the mill, & two acres on the east side of the river & highway. Ephraim Jackson (b. Oct. 1704) & Martha Couch were m. Nov. 1727, & had son Joseph b. Nov. 1728. He m. second wife Martha Blackman June 1730, sd. Martha was b. Oct. 1708. Their children were Martha b. 8 Sept. 1731 ; Daniel 16 May 1733 ; David 28. Oct. 1736, Ephraim 10 Sept. 1741. Mary Jackson of Newark, presented a letter to the first Congregational Church of Pequonnock. which was accepted 20. Dec. 1697. - JENNINGS Joshua Jenning's name appears at Hartford in 1648. A great deal has been said in a blind way about his misconduct at Plartford, by writers who might far better have told precisely what he did to incur the displeasure of the Court, which was as follows ■ At a Particular Court held at Hartford 6. Sept. 1649, "Joshua Jennings for not watching one night, & other ill carriage to the Constable, is to pay to the watchman in his room, & is fined 2'. 6"^." On the 3. of Nov. 384 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD 1650 he again fell under the displeasure of the Court. It appears that he fled on 1)0ard a ship lying in the Connecticut river from the fine imposed upon him, for which the Court fined Greenfell Lerreby 5;^. & Stephen Daniels 40^., for conveying him from the power of authority. They were also ordered to deliver him up to authority, if he came on board their ship again. He settled at F. before 1656, where he always maintained an excellent reputation. He lived at Barlows Plain, & died leaving a good estate. He m. at Hartford 22 Dec. 1647 Mary Williams. He died in 1675. Ihe date of his will is the 25. of Feb. 1674-- of the same year. He left wife Mary, to whom he gave a large part of his estate ; son Joshua, to whom he left his carpenter, joiners, wheel-right & farmers tools ; & divided the remainder of his estate between his sons & daughters, namely, Joshua, Joseph, Michael, John, Samuel, Matthew & Isaac ; & daughters Mary & Elizabeth. His widow Mary m. George Slavvson of Stamford 16 Dec. 1680. JosHU.\ 2. s. of Joshua Jennings i. was not bapt. until I.June 1712. Hem. d. of Samuel Lyon. Their children were Mary, who m. Daniel Burr, Hannah m. Peter Sturgis, Abigail who m. Simon Couch & Moses bapt. 26 Dec 1714, & probably other children. The family of Joshua Jennings settled at Greens Farms. Joseph s. of Joshua Jennings i. m. Abigail d. of Robert Turney. Their children were Eben- ezer & Abigail bapt. 2S. Oct 1694. His second w. was Sarah d. of Thomas Bulkley. Sarah bapt. 22. Aug. 1697 ; Joseph 14. Mqy i6g8 ; Martha 11. Aug 1700 ; Anne 12. March 1703A ; Gershom 12. March 1709—. Samuel s. of Joshua Jennings i. m. Sarah d. of Michael Grumman. Their children were Michael bapt. 9, Sept. 1694 ; Ehzabeth 7, March 1696- ; Patience 25, Sept 1698 ; Sarah 11, Feb. iGggllil^ who m. Daniel Lyon ; Samuel 22, March 1701^; Eunice 21, Jan 1704- ; Dorothy 14, Sept. 1707 ; Dorothy again 13, Nov. 1709; Nathan 18, May 1710-!— ; Benjamin 20, Sept 1713. Will dated 1728. Matthew s. of Joshua Jennings i., m. d. of Their children were Matthew bapt. 5, Sept. 1697 ; Elizabeth 31, Oct. 1697; Daniel 7, April 1700; Jeremiah 11, April 1703 ; Mary 19, Aug 1705 ; Ruth 11, April 170S ; Hannah 10, July 1720. Isaac s. of Joshua Jennings i. m. d. of Joseph Beers. Their children were Isaac bapt. II, Oct 1702 ; Mary 19, Aug 1705, who m. Smith; John 11, May 1707 ; Josiah 27, May 1711 ; David 31, Oct 1714. His will is dated June 10, 1746, the day of his death. His tomb stone at F., makes him 73 yrs. of age. John s. of Joshua Jennings i. m. d. of Their children were John bapt. 12, May 1717 ; Nehemiah 20, July 171S ; Zechariah 22, Jan 1720—; Sarah 16, June 1723 ; Anne i. Aug 1725 ; Hester 16 July 1727 ; Nehemiah 3. Aug 1729 ; Ephraim 26. Sept 1731 ; Hezekiah 7. Oct 1733 ; Abel 14. Dec. 1735. Michael i. s. of Samuel Jennings i., m. Elizabeth d. of Their children were: Elizabeth & Hannah bapt. 20, Dec. 1719 ; Obedience 28, Aug. 1720 & perhaps others. Jeremiah i. s. of Mathew Jennings i., m. Elizabeth d. of Their children were: Eliza- beth bapt 22. Oct. 1727 ; Sarah 14. May 1732 ; Ruth 21. March 1735 « ; Sarah 6. Aug. 1738 ; Jere- miah 21. Sept. 1743 ; Peter 12. June 1743. Isaac 2. s. of Isaac Jennings i. m. Phebe d. of Their children were : Abigail bapt. 14. Sept. 1729; Seth 2. Jan. 1731 '2 ; Moses 19. Aug. 1733; Levi Nov. 1735 ; Lucretia 16. Oct. 1737 ; Jacob 9. Dec. 1739 ; Hannah 16. June 1745 ; Ellen 22. Nov. 1747. Isaac Jen- nings 2. made his will Jan. 20. 1758 giving his property to his wid. Phebe, to his grand daughter Esther, d. Lucretia, & to his five sons. He d. 6. March 1760, aged 58; & his will was proved on the 27. of March following. His grand daughter Esther was ad. of his son Seth, & was the grand- mother of Mrs. Esther Huntington & her brother Morris Lyon of F. Mrs. Huntington is known at the present day, as the leading spirit in matters of historical interest in F. ; & her honored brother, Morris Lyon, is the founder of the valualuable Fairfield Library. — Lucretia, d. of the GENEALOGIES 385 above Isaac 2. was the srrandmother of the lale Frederick Marquand of Southport, & of his brother Henry Marquand of New York city. Frederick Marquand erected the Marquand Chapel of Yale College. He gave a fine library & building for its use at Southport, besides other liberal gifts else- where. Henry Marquand is widely known for his munificent art donations to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. IsA.\c 3 s of Isaac Jennings 2., d. Jan. g. 1S19, aged 75 yrs. Ilis children were Elizabeth, Abigail, Phebe, Abraham Gould Jennings of Brooklyn, Anna, Isaac 4. Seth & Polly. The repre- sentatives of this last Isaac 4 Jennings at Fairfield, are Oliver Burr Jennings, & Charles Buelkley Jennings s. of the late Hon. Isaac Jennings. The heirs of Joshua Jennings i. for many years made fruitless efforts to establish a lawful claim to the vast estate of William Jennings of Acton Place, born in 1701 & who d. 19 June 1798, leaving estates in eleven counties in England, & millions in pounds sterling in nearly all the banks of London To establish .such a claim, & to link the heirs of Joshua Jennings, who d. in 1675, with William Jennings of Acton place who d, in 1798, would be a remarkably undertaking. The property of this rich William Jennings was claimed in par'., by the Baroness Howe, a daughter of the celebrated Admiral Howe, through a claim of intermarriage with the Jennings family with that of Curzens. The Earl Beuchamp (or Becham), also claimed heirship. Some clue in this way, may be given to Robert Beacham or Beuchamp of early Greens Farms. This William Jennings was the only child of Robert Jennens & Ann daughter & heir of Carew Guidott Esqr. of Hampshire, while Robert J. was the fifth son & heir of Humphrey Jennens, an iron master of Birmingham Eng. who married Mary Milward. This William Jennings was at one time a page to King William III, who was his godfather. He was also a nephew of Sarah Jennings, a maid of honor & the favorite of Queen Ann, who married the great Duke of Marl- borough. No record of the birth Joshua Jennings or of his parentage, has ever been found in Eng- land or America. The descendents of Joshua Jennings settled at Fairfield, Pequonnock, Green's Farms, Green- field & throughout the county of F., & are to be found in almost every state of the Union, until they have become in numbers like the sands upon the sea shore. Many distinguished men & women belong to this family, among whom was Capt. Nathan Jennings of Fairfield Woods, whose daughter Mary m. the late Commodore Reid of the United States Navy, & who was one of twenty ladies to embroider and make the first flag, with its stars & stripes, of the United States. Mrs. R«id^was also the mother of Madam de Cesnola, the wife of the distinguished General de Cesnola, President of the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York City Francis A. White, the president of the Danbury & Boston R.R. Co. is also a descendent of this family, his mother having been Marietta d. of John Jennings 2. as follows : John 2. s. of John Jennings i. m Sarah who resided at Greenfield. Their children were Thaddeus, b. 31. Aug. 1732, Aaron b. 31. Sept. 1734, Susan b. 28. March 1741, Mary b. 5. Dec. 1743. David b. 27. June 1746, Josiah b. 15: Sept. 1748, Sarah b. 14. April 1751, Joel b. 13 July 1753 — G. H. Par Rec. Thaddeus 2. s of Thaddeus Jennings i., b. 31. Aug. 1732, m. Lavinia Burrit of New Haven. Their children were Burrit b. 14. Jan. 1759, Appollina b. 8. March 1761, Philoman b. 27. March 1763, Sylvinus b. 5. May 1765, Thaddeus b. 21. June 1767.— G. H. Par. Rec. — Besides the above he had ds. Susan & Polly. Phileman I. s. of Thaddeus Jennings 2., m. Beach, & had the following children Beach, Charles, Maritta & Ann. Marietta Jennings m. Elijah White of Franklin Del. Co. N. Y. in 1819, & had five children as follows : Maria H., Francis A., Charles J., Ann Eliza & George F. Francis A. White is a descendant of Peregrine White, who was born on the ship Mayflower in 1620. 25 386 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD THE JESUP OR JESSUP FAMILY BY PROFESSOR HENRY G. JESUP, OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE Edward Jessup, the ancestor of the Fairfield family of this name, was an Englishman, and probably from Yorkshire. He was a citizen of Stamford in 1649. Earlier than this he may have been in Fairfield, as the town records show that in 1653 he sold land on Sasco Neck. In 656 he had removed to Middleborough (Newtown) Long Island, where he was a magistrate under the Dutch Government from 1659 to 1662. Subsequentl)' he became one of the original patentees of West Farms, Westchester Co., N. Y. In 1663 the Connecticut colony, which claimed jurisdiction, appointed him "Commissioner" (magistrate) for the town of Westchester, and again in 1664, while in 1665 he represented the same town at a meeting of deputies convened at Hempstead, L. I., by Gov. Nicolls of N. Y. His will bears date 6 Aug., 1666, the year of his death, and is one of the earliest English wills recorded in New York city. His wife'3 name was Elizabeth, presumably the sister of John Burroughs of Newtown, to whom he refers in his will as his " beloved brother-in-law," and who for many years was clerk of that town, where his descendants are still found. In 1668, the widow married Robert Beacham (Beauchamp) of Fairfield and removed there with her two younger children. They lived in the present parish of Green's Farms, then called Bankside, and now within the town of Westport. The children of Edward and Elizabeth Jessup were three : 1. Elizabeth, who before 1666 married Thomas Hunt, Jr., the son of Thomas Hunt of Westchester, N. Y. They had four sons and three daughters and from them descend the Hunts of Hnnt's Point in the same town. The late Justice Ward Hunt of the United States Supreme Court, was of this family, as also his kinsman Hon. James B. Hunt, member of Congress from Michigan 1853-1857. (See Hunt Genealogy.) 2. Hannah who raa.xi\ed Joseph (perhaps Joseph Lockwood, Beacham's son-in-law) and lived in Green's Farms, and died before the mother. 3. Edward, born in 1663, who came to Fairfield when five years old, and through whom the name has been perpetuated to the present time. Edward Jessup above, of the second generation, in 1692 married Elizabeth Hide, grand- daughter of Humphrey Hide of Fairfield, and their descendants are very numerous and widely scattered throughout the country. About 1720 they both removed to Stamford, where they died. They lie buried in an old cemetery near Noroton river, now within the town of Darien. Their children were nine, all born in Green's Farms : 1. Elizabeth, born 11 Feb., 1693, married yo>^« Smith, and lived near Greenfield Hill. They had eleven children, seven of them sons. 2. Hannah marxiQA John, son of Jotiathan Reynolds, and lived in Greenwich. 3. Abilena, baptized 13 Sept., 1696, married John Darling of Fairfield, and lived near Green- field Hill. They had four sons and one daughter. 4 Edward, baptized 7 March, 1697, took the homestead farm, when his father went to Stam- ford. He was known as " Capt. Edward," and married, 7 Dec, 1724, Sarah Blackleach, daughter of Richard Blackleach of Stratford. I'hey had seven children. Of the two sons Blackleach Jesup of Wilton was three times married, and the father of nineteen children. He was the ancestor of Major-General Thomas S. Jesup, U. S. A. (a grandson). Col. Samuel Blackleach Jesup of Ken- tucky, and Mrs. Elizabeth Jesup Fames, the poetess. Edward C. Delavan Esqr. of New York city (Yale College, class 1836), is a grandson. The second son. Dr. Ebenezer Jesup (Y. C. class of 1760), was a physician of repute. He succeeded to the homestead in Green's Farms, which was afterwards destroyed at the burning of Fairfield by the British in 1779. He was a surgeon in the Revolution, a Justice of the Peace, an officer in the Green's Farms Church for many years, and greatly respected. Like his brother, he GENEALOGIES 387 also was thrice married ; 1st. to Eleanor Andrews, 2d. Abigail Squire, 3d. Anna Wyncoop. He had eleven children. The late Major Ebenezer Jesup of Westport was his son, and the village of Saugatuck, which preceded the town organization, was largely the result of his energy and busi- ness enterprise. James R. Jesup Esqr. (Y. C. 1840', a lawyer, and Morris K. Jesup Esqr., banker. President of the Museum of Natural History, etc., both of New York city, are great-grand children, as was also Hon. Edward Jesup Wood, Judge of the Supreme Court of Indiana. Through the daughters of Capt. Edward, there is an extensive connection with families of olher and well known Fairfield names. " Jesup" as a Christian name occurs in no less than nine families. Judge Jesup Couch of Ohio (Y. C. 1802), Major-General Darius Nash Couch of Nor- walk. Horace Staples Esqr. of Westport, and Hon. Jedd P. C. Cottrill (University of Vt. 1852), a distinguished lawyer in Milwaukee, Wis., are descendants of Elizabeth Jesup, the sister of Black- leach and Dr. Ebenezer above mentioned. Another sister married Stephen Wakeman (Y. C. 1738), whose descendants are still numerous and influential in the town. 5. Joseph, baptized 4 July, 1699, married Abigail James and lived in Stamford, and subse- quently in Dutchess Co., N. Y. His three sons, Edward, Joseph and Ebenezer, settled in Albany Co. in that state. They were mtn of education and the friends of Sir Wm. Johnson, and received from the colonial government of New York, very large grants of land located near the head waters of the Hudson river. Jessup's Falls and Jessup's Landing near Luzerne were named for them. This family were loyalists, and about 1777 removed to Canada, where Joseph the father soon after died In Montreal. All the sons were officers in Gen. Burgoyne's army. The late James Jessup Esqr. of Brockville, lawyer and member of the Dominion Parliament, was a grandson of Major Edward Jessup. Another grandson is Dr. Hamilton Dibble Jessup, for many years Col- lector of Customs at Prescott, Ont. Among the descendants of Col. Ebenezer Jessup are Admiral Sir Wm. N. W. Hewett, V. C. of the English Navy, and his brothers. Major J. M. M. Hewett of the English Army, and Edward Hyde Hewett Esqr., Consul at Fernando Po. 6. Deborah, baptized 12 July, 1702, married Obadiah Stevens and lived in Middlesex, now Darien. 7. Jonathan, born 3 Aug., 1707, and lived in Greenwich. His wife's name was Sarah, and they had eight children (six sons), and a very numerous posterity. Rufus A. Lockwood of Indiana, whose real name was Jonathan Trumbull Jessup, a brilliant but eccentric lawyer, was of this branch of the family, as are also Charles A. Jessup, M.D. of St. Louis, Mo., W'm. H. Webb of New York city, the ship builder, and Luke A. Lockwood Esqr. of Greenwich ^ Trinity College 1855), a member of the New York Bar, and a trustee of his college. 8. Sarah, baptized 15 March, 1713, married Lieut. Jonathan Dibble of New York city and afterwards of Stamford. They had one son (George) and four daughters. Two of these daughters married their cousins Major Edward and Col. Ebenezer Jessup the loyalists. Col. George E. Waring Jr. of Washington, D. C, the civil engineer and author, and James B. Cooper Esq. of Babylon N. Y. belong here. 9 Ebenezer, baptized 15 March, 1714, a sea-captain, who made many voyages, and died at Stamford, unmarried. The later generations have largely emigrated from the State of Connecticut, and found homes in New York, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Washington, D. C, the Pacific states, Canada, etc. (See Genealogy of the Family). JONES JOANES, Jones. — But little is known of the history of the Rev. John Joanes who became the first minister of F. in 1644. Some writers state that he was the son of the Rev. W"?? Jones of Abergarveny, in Monmouthshire, Wales; but this account, as well as the statement that he was matriculated at Jesus College, Cambridge 30. April 1624 at the age of 17, is disputed by writers of 388 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD the present day. He, however, had been educated, & regularly ordained a clergyman of the Church of England. He married in the mother country, & had several children born there. He settled at Concord, Mass., & on the 6. April 1637, was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church, gathered there July 1636. At the same time the Rev. Peter Buckley vi'as ordained teacher. Both gentlemen, before their oidination, were called upon to renounce their Episcopal vows, and express regret that they had ever been ministers in the Church of England ; which harsh -requirement, was the cause of a considerable comment among the magistrates & ministers of the colonies.* The feelings of those who had been silenced for non-conformity, were in some cases very bitter. Soon difficulty arose about the support of two ministers ; & great dissatisfaction prevailed in the settlement in regard to barren soil, «&; marshy land. Man^ emigrated to other plantations ; & as some turned their faces towards Fairfield, Mr. Joanes resolved to join the latter company & view the beautiful country, of which such glowing accounts had been given him. Cotton Mather divided the first ministers of New England into three classes ; i. those who were "in the actual exercise of their ministry when they left Ejtgland, & were the instruments of bringing the gospel into the wilderness ;"' 2. young scholars whose education for their designed ministry, not Ijeing finished, yet came from England \fith their friends, & had their education per- fected in this country ; 3. '' all such ministers as came over to New England, after the re-estab- lishment of the Episcopal-church-government in Etigland, & the persecution which then hurricanoed such as were non-conformists unto the establishment." f Mr. Joanes is ranked among those of the first class, " The occasion," continues Mr. Mather, " upon which those excellent ministers retired into a horrid wilderness of America^ was the violent persecutions, wherewith a prevailing party in the Church of England harrassed them. In their own land they were hereby deprived, not only of their livings, but also of their liberty, to exercise their ministry, which was dearer to them than their livings, yea, than their very lives : & they were exposed unto extreme sufferings, because they conscientiously dissented from the use of some things in the worship of God, which they accounted sin." " Some of the ininisters, & many of the gentlemen that came over viith the ministers, were persons of considerable estates ; who therewith charitably brought over m3.nY poor-families of godly people, that were not of themselves able to bear the charges of their transportation ; & they were generally careful also to bring over none but godly servants in their own families, who afterwards by God's blessing on their industry have arrived, many of them, unto such pleasant estates, that they have had occasion to think of the advice, which a famous person, gave in a public sermon, at their first coming over; ''you (said he) that are servants, mark what I say ; I desire qj' exhort yju to be kind awhile hence, unto your master's children. It wont be long before, you that came with nothing into the country, will be rich tnen, when your masters, having buried their rich estates in the country, will go near to leave their families in a meati conditioti ; wherefore when if shall be well with you. l charge you to remember them. ^' * Shattuck's Hist. Concord, & Lechford's Plain Dealing. t Cotton Mather mentions a fourth class of ministers, whom he ranks under the head of ajiomalics 0/ New England, of whom he confesses that some of them deserve to live in his book for their piety ; "although their peculiar opinions, were such as to be disserviceablc unto the declared & supposed interests of our churches. . . . There were also some godly Episcopalians ; among whom has been commonly reckoned Mr. Blackstone, who by happening to sleep first in an hovel, upon a point of land there, laid claim to all the grounds, whereupon now stands the metropolis of the whole English America, until the inhabitants gave him satisfaction. This man was indeed of a peculiar humor, & he would never join himself to any of our churches, giving this reason for it : '/ came /ro}n England, because 1 did not like the lord-bishops; but I cant joifi luith you, because I would not be tinder ike lord-brethren.'' " — Magnalia Vol. i. B. 3. p. 221. ' The fact is, the Rev. John Blackstone was a clergyman of the Church of England who had been silenced for non conformity, & came to this country with Sir Fernando Gorge's party. He remained here with few others, after Gorges & his company returned to England, & regularly purchased of the Indians the greater part of Boston which he had owned about eight years before the arrival of the Massachusetts Bay Company. GENEALOGIES 389 From the valuable autobiography of the Rev. Thomas Shepard, it is found that the Rev. John Joanes was a fellow passenger in the ship Defence from London, which arrived at Boston on the 3. of Oct. 1635 ; yet neither the names of the Reverends Messrs. Thomas Shepard or John Jones,* Hugh Peters, John Norton or John Wilson, who came with him, appear in the Custom Plouse list of passengers. It i.'; possible that they came under assumed names, as many efforts had been made to detain Mr, Shepard in England, & Mr. Wilson had suffered for non-conformity ; in fact, it was a difficult matter for either ministers or persons of note to escape from England, while under the- ban of non-conformity, without imminent danger of seizure & imprisonment.! The names of Mr. Joanes family, however, appear in the Custom House list of passengers who came in the ship Defence at that time, viz.: " Sarah Jones his wife aged 34, & his children Sarah Jones aged 15, John Jones 11, Ruth 7, Theophilus 3, Rebecca 2, & Elizabeth 6 months," In Cotton Mather's Life of the Rev. John Wilson he says : " Having dispatched his affairs in England, he again embarked for New England, in company with four ministers, & nearly two hundred passengers, whereof some were persons of considerable quality : but they had all been lost by a large leak sprang in the ship, if God had not, on a day of solemn fasting & prayer kept on board for that purpose, mercifully, discovered this dangerous leak unto them." In his life of the Rev. Thomas Shepard, he writes, " that the perils which Mr. Shepard suffered from his own countrymen, compelled him once more to encounter the perils of the sea, so that in July 1635, he sailed from Gravesend, in a bottom too decayed & feeble indeed for such a voiage ; but yet well accommodated with the society of Mr. Wilson, Mr. Joanes & other christians, which more signifi- cantly make good the name of the ship, 7'lic Defence. In the first storm the vessel sprang a leak, which let in the water faster than both pump were able to turn it out ; a leak eighteen inches long & an inch wide ; but it was, though with much difficulty, stopped, just as they were upon diverting into Ireland for safety. Being thus again delivered, they got into New .England, & on the 3. of Oct. they were set ashore at Boston."' From a letter written by the Rev. John Joanes to Governor Winthrop soon after he settled at Fairfield, it would appear that upon his arrival in New England, he was entertained by Governor Winthrop in the great house at Boston. Not long after his coming, he accompanied the Rev. Peter Bulkley & their followers to Musketaquid or Concord. The description of this journey by Johnson, in his Wonder-working Providence or Zion's Saviour, is of the most touching character. It appears that Mr. Jones was not at first altogether satisfied with Fairfield, which he expressed in the following letter. The increasing population, however, & the society of his children & friends soon raised his spirits & he became content to remain among them. "To the Worf"" Mr. John Winthrope at Pequot these present, Leave this letter w"» Mr. " Hopkins at Hartford to be sent. Fairfield Mar. 5— 46 [-7]. " S' Yo" of Feb. 22. I received, being very sorrj'e y' my absence from home at y*= time when " yor messenger came hither, hath deprived of soe fit an oppertunity of returning an answeare. I " I perceue by y' letter y' Adam, y« Indian hath informed yow how y*^ case stands w"* me. " And indeed I, despairing of a convenient passage vnto yow before y^ Spring, did engage myselfe "to keepe a lecture here vntill y^ season of y^ yeare would permitt me to remoue, soe that my " engagements here being ended w* the winter, it is my desire, & full resolution (if God permitt) * " The Rev. John Joanes, was as his name implies, of Welsh extraction. The family in Wales bearing his patronymic, however, arc so numerous, that an attempt to trace his pedigree from any published records, would seem to be a taskalrrost impossible."— New York Gen & Biog' Record. t " That which made the hardships of the Puritans leaving England most discouraging, was the terrible zeal of their enemies to guard all ports & search all ships, that none of them should be carried off."— Magnalia Vcl I. B. 2, p. 100. 390 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD " to take y^ first opportunity of coming to yovv, either by land or water. For other passages in " y""^ letter, I hope to answeare them by word of mouth shortly. In y<= meantime, I desire " y'"'praires for y^ guidance of heawen, & w"' my seruice & respects being duly rendered to y°' " selfe & Mrs. Winthrope, w"" love to all y°'' little ones, & little Margaret, I remaine, " Yo'^ in all observance, " John Jones." A He died in January 1665, probably about the time he made his will, which is dated 17. Jan, 1664-. In his will, he mentions his wife Susanna, showing that his first wife Sarah had died, & that he had m. either before coming to F. or soon after Susanna a widow. It is to be regretted that some account of Mrs. Jones maiden name, & that of her first husband cannot be found. In A. of Town Deeds is the following record : i " Dec 1688. Thomas Disborow. with the consent of his mother-in-law Susanna Jones, & Mercy, wife of said Thomas Disborow," pur- chased land at Compo. Her d. by her first husband was no doubt the witch Mercy Disborow of Compo, who, with Mrs Thomas Staples & others were tried at F. in 1692, & afterwards pardoned. Mr. Jones gave his wife Susannah 50;^, his silver cup, & the remainder of his lot adjoining his orchard, as her own forever ; & also the use of 12 acres in the great meadow & his orchard, which, at her death were to be divided among his children John, Eliphalet. & his four d s Sarah (Widow Ruth James)^Rebecca IIuiL& Elizabeth Hill. To his eldest s. John he gave a part of his library " to wit, the works of Augustine, Chrysostom, & the authors (usually called the fathers) ; & the remainder of his estate to his s. Eliphalet & his daughters. Mrs. Jones sold the house & home- lot of about one acre to Thomas Bennet of F., & moved to Compo. Thomas Bennet re-sold this Jones place 17. Dec. 1691 to John Edwards. Sarah Joanes m. Thomas, s. of the Rev. Peter Buckley of Concord, Mass., & came with him to F. in 1644. Her second husband was Anthony Wilson of F.fty^uth who first m. James, & afterwards probably m. Richard s. of John Bouton of Norwalk. He died in 1665 leaving an only child Ruth & widow Ruth, & the F. Town Rec. state that she & her children received land from her father & mother I.Feb. 1692. Rebecca Joanes m. Cornelius Hull of F., Elizabeth m. William Hill 2., the town recorder. John Jones 2., s. of the Rev. John Joanes of F. graduated at H. C. in 1643, & was made a freeman in 1645. He studied for the ministry, & was employed as a preacher in the western part of Nevis, one of the Summer or Bermuda Islands. He died soon after he went there, & his widow Mary came to Ct. with their only son John Jones ; &, as his guardian, sold his interest in his father & grand-father Joanes' estate at F. to John Bulkley. Mrs. Jones soon after her return m. John Osborn of New Haven, & by her will, dated 27. Dec. 1673, says Savage, gave most of her estate of So8^. to her two sons John & David, & her d. Mercy the wife of John Austin. The- ophilus probably died at Concord, Mass. Eliphalet Jones, the youngest son, born 9. Jan 1641, entered Harvard College in 1662, but did not graduate, probably on account of his father's death, & want of means to complete his course. In 1664 he was appt. with others by the Gen. Ct. to assist in settling an orthodox minister at Rye. He appears to have been a very popular preacher. He was made a freeman of Greenwich in 1669, in which year he received a call to Jamaica L. I. which he declined. In 1670 the town of Fair- field called him to be an assistant of the Rev. Wakem.an, which he also declined. In 1672 he removed from Greenwich to Stamford, & became an assistant of the Rev. John Bishop ; but by an invitation of the Gen. Ct. he preached once a fortnight at Rye. While in Stamford he m. Martha, sister of Thomas Lawrence of that place.* In 1675 he was called to preach at the * Will of Thomas Lawrence, F. Prob. Files. Will of Mrs. Anthony Wilson, F. Prob. Rec. GENEALOGIES 39I First Presbyterian Church of ITuntington L. I.; but was not regularly ordained over that church until after the death of its former pastor, the Rev. William I^everich in 1677, after which time he permanently settled there. He was " a man of great purity & simplicity of manners, & a faithful & successful preacher." He died at the advanced age of 91 years, & did not require an assistant until he had attained the age of 78. when the Rev. Ebenezer Prime [the ancestor of the distin- guished Rev's Samuel I., Edward D. G. Prime. Irenaeus Prime & W"?. C. Prime of New York] was called to assist him. He died childless, '• & bequeathed his estate to his sister's son Eliphalet Hill, his namesake, who, in his declining years, took care of him, & managed his affairs." He was buried on a beautiful eminence, at the east end of Main St. Fifty years afterward the British demolished the church, & with its timbers erected block-houses & barracks over the graves, which were leveled for that purpose, using the tomb stones for building their fire-places & ovens. "One veritable chronicler tells us how he heard from lips of living witnesses, that they had seen these soldiers draw their loaves of bread from these ovens, having the reversed inscriptions of the tomb-stones of their friends on the lower crust ! " About a century afterwards, those who still cherished his memory, erected a plain cenotaph in their public burial ground, bearing the following inscription : " In Memory of Rev. Eliphalet Jones, who was the only settled Minister in Hunting- ton, from 1676 to 1723. He was born in Concord, Massachusetts, and died between 1730 and 1740, near 100 years old." New York Gen. & Biog''. Record, April 1875 — Vol. 6. p. 57. Thom.'\s Jones, perhaps a brother of the Rev. John Joanes, or may have been an older son than those mentioned above, settled at Concord, Mass., & afterwards at F He was granted a home-lot of 2^ acres on the s. w. side of the Newton Square; & vvas made a freeman in 1669. He deeded to his son Thomas his house, home-lot & lands at F. & removed to Huntington L. I. JOY Jacob Joy was invited to settle in F. as a blacksmith, an occupation in colonial days, honored & respected by the highest dignitaries of the town. A village black-smith in those days, had his place on the Meeting-house Green, near the church, & combined the art of lock-smith & gun-smith, with that of horse-shoeing. He removed to Kenihvorth, where on the 23. of May 1672, he m. Elizabeth d. of William Spencer of Hartford, & widow of William Wellman of New London & Kenihvorth. Their children were Deborah b. 23. F'eb. 1673 ; Jacob 14. March 1675 ; Walter 14. Aug 1677 ; & Mary 17. Sept 16S0. Deborah m. 19. Nov. 1691 Andrew Ward 3. s. of Andrew 2. of Kenihvorth, & grandson of Andrew Ward I. of F. Mary m. 1699 Peter s. of Andrew Ward 2. of K. (Savage's Gen. Die). /' Joseph Joy of F., before setting out on an expedition against the French, via Albany to Can- ada, made the following disposition of his estate to his loving cousins i.e. nieces and nephews ; to Joseph Benit 5;^. & two sheep ; to Deborah Joy a cow & calf ; to Mary Joy his black two year old heifer, & " to Walter Joy, the son of his brother Jacob,"' all the rest of his estate. (F. Prob. Files.) Jacob & Joseph Joy therefore, were either of the Boston, or Hingham Joy family. The Joy family in later years, appear at F. & Pequonnock & intermarried with the Elliots of F. KNAP Roger Knap was at New Haven between 1643 & 47. He afterwards settled at F. & owned a good estate. In his will of 21. .March 1672^, he provided for his widow Elizabeth ; gave to s. Jonathan 80. acres of his long-lot ; to Josiah 50. acres of his long-lot ; to d. Lydia 10^ ; to s. Roger, his house & home-lot, pasture-lot, & other lands ; to John & Nathaniel, the remainder of his long-lot, to be equally divided between them ; to ds Elizabeth & Mary 5;^. each. Jonathan died young, leaving a small estate inventoried i. Feb. 1676. 392 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD JosiAH s. of Roger Knap i. m. d. of Their children were Mary b. 7. Nov. 1677 ; Jonathan 21. April 1680. F. T. Rec. Roger 2. s. of Roger Knap i. of F. died in 1691, & gave the use of his estate to his mother, & at her death to his brother Nathaniel. In case of their death to his sister's children. His estate fell to Susannah, Charles & Alexander Lane, the children of Charles Lane, who m. Elizabeth the sister of said Roger Knap. His will was probated 23. Sept. 1691. KNOWLES Alexander Knowles was made a freeman of Mass. 7 Dec. 1636. He was appointed com- missioner in place of Mr. Allen, to form a code of laws for the Gen. Ct. of Mass. 7. Oct. 1645 He sold land in Kittiry, abutting on Pascataqua River 14. Oct. 165 1 to that colony. — [Mass. Col. Rec. Vol. 3, p. 4, 6, 252, 253.] He removed to Fairfield, & purchased 17. Jan. 1653, Henry Whelp- ley's house & home-lot on the s. w corner of the Frost Square. He became prominent in public affairs, & was elected one of the assistant judges of the Gen. Ct. of Conn. Dec. 1658. He died Dec. 1663. In his will he mentions s"s John & Joshua & d. Eliza, wife of Thomas Ford of Milford, & her five children. He may have had other children. John i. s. of Alexander Knowles i. settled at F., & was made a freeman in 1664. He m. Sarah d. of John Cable i. Their children were John & Joshua ; Rebecca who m. Jonathan More, house of F. ; Sarah who first m. Capt. Samuel Wakeman 2., & second Dougal TVIacKenzie of F. ; & Elizabeth who first m. Joseph Bulkley of F , & second Rev. Joseph Bishop of Stamford, Ct; John the father died in 16S6. A. F. T. D. Joshua s. of Alexander Knowles i. m. d. of Sergt. John Wheeler. He died intestate. His property was divided 26. March 1715, between his children as follows: d. Hannah wife of Joseph Camp ; Lydia wife of Newton ; Joseph, Mary & John Rogers, & Sarah wife of Abraham Nichols. A. F. T. D. Richard Knowles was in F. as early as 1649. I am inclined to believe that he was the Richard K. of Cambridge, mentioned by Savage as having died at Hampton i. Feb. 1682. Thomas Mayo of F. m. Barbara d. of Richard Knowles of Plymouth 13. June 1677. (Savage's Gen. Die.) John Mayhue alias Cohue died at F. ig. Jan. 1685. F. T. R. LOCKWOOD Robert Lockwood came from England in 1630, requested to be made a freeman, which was granted 9. March 1631 ; in 1635 he was at Watertown, where he was executor on the estate of Edmund Lockwood (probably his brother), & with his consent the disposal of the children of said : Edmund L. was referred to the church of W. Governor John Haynes & Simon Broadstreete were appointed to give them into the care of such persons as they thought meet, honorably acquitting Robert Lockwood. (Mass. Col. Rec.) He m. Susanna Senison or St. John, by whom he had Jonathan b. 10. Sept. 1634 ; Deborah 12. Oct. 1636 ; Joseph 6. Aug. 1638 ; Daniel 25. March 1640 ; Ephraim i. Dec. 1641 ; Gershom 6. Sept. 1643, all b. at Watertown. (Savage's Gen. Die.) He removed to Fairfield about 1645, & had John, Abigail, Sarah, Mary & Deborah. He died in 1658, leaving widow Susanna, & all the above children mentioned in his will. His widow m. Jeffrey Ferris of Stamford, who had been the guardian of her minor children. Abigail Lockwood m. John Barlow 2. of F. Mary m. Jonathan Huestead of Greenwich. Lieut. Jonathan s. of Robert Lockwood i. settled at Stamford, & m. Mary d. of Their children were Jonathan, Robert, Gershom, Joseph, John, & perhaps others. He sold his estate in Stamford in 1665, & removed to Greenwich ; was deputy to the Gen. Ct. of Conn. 1671, 3, 4, & 6. Savage's Gen. Die. Sergt. Joseph i. s. of Robert Lockwood i. settled at Bankside, & m. Isabelle the only child of Robert Beacham or Beauchamp, by whom he had four children, Robert, Susanna, John & Sarah. GExNEALOGIES 393 He died in 1717, in which year his will dated 17. June 1715, was probated. His wife, son Robert & d. Susannah wife of Nathaniel Burr 2., had died before him. In his will he gives lands and Jo£ each to Robert & Daniel & other unnamed children of his son Robert ; to d. Susanna's children, Nathaniel, Ephraim, Sarah & Ann Burr he gave land, & movable estate ; to s. John, whom he made his executor, he left the remainder of his estate, with houses & buildings. To Nell, his negro slave, he gave the privilege of living with whom she pleased. — F. Prov. Rec. Daniel i. s. of Robert Lockwood i. settled at Bankside & m. Abigail d. of Daniel Burr i. s. of the first Jehue B., & died early in 1692. leaving s. Daniel aged 22 ; Abigail aged 17, wife of Samuel Robinson ; Mary aged 10 ; in his will of 1691", he mentions brothers Joseph Lockwood & Matthew Sherwood. F. Prob. Rec. Ei'HRAiM I. s. of Robert Lockwood i. settled at Norwalk, & m. 8. June 1665, Mary d. of Matthias Sension or St. John. & had John b. 19. March 1666 ; Daniel 13. Aug 1668 ; Sarah 3. Nov. 1670; Ephraim I. May 1673; Eliphalet 27. Feb. 1676; Joseph i. April 1680 & James 21. April 16S3, all named in his will of isTjan. 16S5-, aliout which time he died. Savage's Gen. Die. Gersiiom I. s of Robert Lockwood i. settled at Greenwich. He m. d. of John Bur- well & in his will had a son Gershom. Savage's Gen. Die. Of him I find no more. It is probable that Robert Lockwood i. who m. Susannah St. John, was a near kinsman of the Bulkleys, from which family the names of Gershom & Eliphalet were given to his grand children. The St. Johns were a distinguished family in England. The Rev. Peter Bulkley, in a letter addressed to the Rev. John Cotton of Boston, in regard to greater pains being needed in printing the Bible, wrote : " I intend to write to my nephew St. John about it. A word from yourself & Mr. Goodwin, who is a man of so much respect there, would do much good.'' Shattuck's Hist. Con- cord. A valuable account of the Stamford & Poundridge branch of the Lockwoods, is to be found in Bolton's valuable Hist of Westchester County. See also Hall's Plist. of Norwalk, & Huntington's Hist, of Stamford. Many of this name have been graduates of the colleges of Yale & Trinity, & among them the well known lawyer, Luke Lockwood of Greenwich, Ct. LORD Robert Lord I. m. Esther d. of Dr. William Ward & widow of Eliphalet Hill of F. His children were Mary bapt. 21. Aug. 1698 ; Abigail 5. April 1700 ; Sarah 29. March 1702, & Robert. F. Par. Rec. Robert 2. s. of Robert Lord i. m. Rachel d. of • & settled at Greenfield. Their children were Esther b. 7. Nov. 1731 ; Mary 10. Feb. 1733- ; Samuel 8. April 1736. G. H. Par. Rec. LYON The Lyon? were found in Dorchester, Roxbury, Salem, & other places in the Mass. Col., as early 1635. Richard Lyon was at F. as early as 1649, wliere his house and home-lot of 2 acres, is recorded Jan. 1653* ; was made a freeman in 166-1 (Col. Rec. Conn i. 432). In 1673 he recorded five acres of land at Barlow's Plain, & iS^ acres on the Rocks, granted him for a building lot, bounded n. w. & s. e. with a highway. In his will dated 12, April 167S he mentions s. Moses, to whom he gave i of the length of the homeward side of his land at Pequonnock, ,- of the whole length of his long-lot on the s. w. side, other lands, his gun, a rapier, his biggest pewter platter, & confirmed lands to him, which he had already given him. To his s. Richard he gave, when of age, ^ of his land at Pequonnock, 150 acres of the length of his long-lot east of Moses' part, & other lands. To s. William ', of his land at Pequonnock, 1 of the length of his long-lot, east of s. 394 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD Richard's share, & other lands, his long gun, buck- sword & belt. To his wife Margaret, he gave 60;i^. & the use of his house, home-lot &c, while she remained his widow, & the use of Joseph's & Samuel's land during their minority. To his ss. Samuel & Joseph he gave the homestead when they became of age, y of the length of his long-lot, to be divided between them, & other lands. To d. Hester w. of Nathaniel Perry 4£.; & to her husband Nathaniel for his s. Joseph 3;^. " in caning (S; plowing." To ds, Betty, Hannah, & Abigail 4C»2{^. each out of his moveable estate when 19 years of age. He entailed each ss. & ds. portion in case any one of them died, to his surviving children. He also gave to his cousin Mary Fitch 7/^. Moses i. s. of Richard Lyon i. m. Mary d. of & died before 1696. F. T. D. Richard 2. s. of Richard Lyon i. m. d. of Their children were Samuel, Eben- ezer, & Sarah, all bapt. 5 April 1696 ; Daniel 3. Oct. 1697 ; Nathan 13, Feb. 1703- ; Jonathan I. June 1708. F. Par. Rec. William s. of Richard Lyon i. m. d. of Their children were Nathaniel bapt. 9. Sept. 1694 ; Benjamin 8. Sept. 1700 ; Eunice 16. Sept. 1716 ; Tabitha 22. Jan. 1720—. F. Par. Rec. Samuel i. s. of Richard Lyon i. settled at G. H., & m. Susanna d. of . Their children were John, Samuel, James. Margaret, all bapt. 12. March 1704'- ; Abigail 12. May 1706 ; Ephraim bapt. 27. Sept. 1708 ; Anne 6. Aug. 1710; Jemimah i. April 1713. F. & G. H. Par. Rec. Joseph s. of Richard Lyon i. m. Abigail d. of . Their children were Joseph bapt. 28 July 1695 ; David 27. June 1697. F. Par. Rec. This family settled at Pequonnock, Greenfield, Green's Farms & Westport. Thomas Lyon, probably a brother of Richard i. purchased in 1654 a house of Thomas Sherv- ington at F. He may have been here long before this date, but this appears to be the first record in his name. He shared in all the land dividends in the township. Savage has fallen into an error, when he supposes " that he died or was killed by the Indians while underr Capt. Turner in the Fall's Fight & victory, 19 May 1667." The fact is, he survived & sold his home-lot at F. I. Nov. 1675 to Daniel Frost 2., and removed from F. to Greenwich. The point of land extending cut into Long Island Sound, on the east side of Byram River, was named after the said Thomas Conn. Col. Rec. Vol. 1678-1689, pp. 331 & 337. His will is dated 6 Dec. 1689. He was a large land holder both in Fairfield & in Greenwich. In his will he mentions wife Mary, s. John to whom he gave a double portion of his estate, the mill at Rye & several acres of land at White Plains ; to s. Thomas he gave his home-lot lying upon Byram river, other lands & his weaver's loom ; to s. Samuel several pieces of land at Greenwich ; to s. Joseph his dwelling-house, barn & home-lot & the northward part of the orchard & a pasture lot, on the east- ward side of a highway that goes into the neck. He gave to his four sons his rights & privi- leges in all divided & undivided lands in Greenwich, Rye and Fairfield. To liis five daughters viz.: Mary, Abigail, Elizabeth, Deborah, & .Sarah, he gave portions in money. He also mentioned his grand-son Thomas, s. of John. He appointed his wife Mary executrix & ss : John & Samuel Lyon as executors of his estate. Probably his ss Samuel & John settled on his lands at Fairfield & Greenfield. John, probably s. of Richard Lyon I. m. Hannah d. of Their children were Thankfull, Elizabeth, Hannah & John, all bapt. 15. Aug 1726 ; Hester bapt. 2. Feb 1726^; Lyon bapt 16. April 1729 ; Griswould bapt. 30. May 1731. Henry s. of Richard Lyon i.. Savage says, was at Milford in 1645. He was granted a home- lot at F. 4. May 1652. s. w. of Seeley's Neck. On the 4 Feb. 1655 he purchased of William Bate- man his home-lot. dwelling-house &c., lying on the n. e. side of the Newton Square. He m. a d. of William Bateman, & from his father-in-law received one half of his estate. He was brother in law to Joseph Middlebrook, who also m. a d. of William Bateman, & also of Thomas Bateman of Concord, Mass., only son mentioned in William Bateman's will. GENEALOGIES 395 Joseph, John, Benjamin & Samuel Lyon jr. were among the first members of the Congrega- tional church in 1726 at Greenfield. The descendants of the Lyon family are so numerous, that it is very difficult to determine any direct line of descent after the second generation ; but much of interest tS: value is to be found in the Town. Probate & Parish Records. MIDDLEBROOK Joseph Middlebrook i. came from Concord with the Rev. John Jones in 1644, & settled at Pequonnock, where he was granted a home-lot from the town of 2i acres, bounded n. w. by the home lot of James Evarts ; n. e. Benjamin Turney"s & George Starkey's, s. e. I^eter Johnson's, & s. w. by the highway. He m. at Concord a d. of William Bateman of that place. & after her death, Mary widow of Benjamin Turney of Pequonnock. He died about 16S6, in which year his will was probated on the 22 Nov., leavings. Joseph & d. Phebe, w. of Samuel Wilson, his only heirs. He was one of the land dividend holders of F., & left a good estate. Joseph 2. s. of Joseph i. Middlebrook i. m. Sarah d. of Their children were Sarah b. 12. Nov 1675 ; Hannah 25. June 1677 I John 25. Oct 1678; Joseph 15. April 1680; & Jonathan. F. T. Rec. John i. son of Joseph Middlebrook 2., m. Mary d. of Their children were Robert bapt. 16. May 1703; John 10. Dec 1704; Elizabeth i. June 170S ; John i. Oct 1710; Maiy 8. Feb 1712' 3 ; David 5. June 1715 ; Stephen 2. Feb 1717'-'^ ; Anne 2. Nov 1718 ; Ephraim 28. Aug 1720. F. Par. Rec. Jonathan son of Joseph Middlebrook 2., m. Rebecca d. of & settled at Greenfield. Their children were Michael bapt. 23. Nov. 1712 ; Jonathan g. May 1714 ; Martha 3, March 1716'-^; Martha again 11. Jan 171819 ; Ebenezer 16. Oct. 1720 ; Nathan 26. May 1723 ; Sarah 7. March 1724-. F. Par. Rec. Joseph 3. s. of Joseph Middlebrook, 2. m. Deborah d. of , who was not bapt. until 10 Dec 1704, at F. The above Joseph Middlebrook's name occurs in 1726 among the members of the G. H. Par. Their children were David bapt. 10. Dec 1704; Eunice 23. June 1706; Anne ir. April 1708 ; Sarah 8. Feb 1712-^; Dorothy 6. Nov 1715 ; Dorothy again 17. Nov 1717 ; Joseph 6. March 1719-"; Jane 6. Oct 1723. Joseph 4. s. of Joseph Middlebrook 3. b. 3. March 1719"°, m. Sarah d. of David Williams of Greenfield 17. Dec 1741. Their children were Rhoda b. 16. April 1743 ; Eleanor 26. Sept 1744 ; Sarah 30. Aug 1747 ; Deborah Oct, 1749 ; Submit, bapt. in 1754; Eunice b. 16. March 1757. Some of the Middlebrook family settled at Long Hill or Trumbull, Ct. & were prominent as good soldiers in the Revolution. Dr. Middlebrook's well known Almanac was for many years found in most every household in the county of Fairfield, & had a large circulation throughout the country. MOREHOUSE Thomas Morehouse i. was at Weathersfield, says Savage, in 1640. He was among the first to receive a grant of seven acres in Stamford. He is found at Fairfield before 1653, where he had' purchased the house & home-lot of John Barlow on the Ludlow Square. He was granted land by the town on the west side of the Uncoway River & present Black Rock Bridge, where he ran a grist- mill on the creek, which empties into the river between Seely's Neck & the Old Mill hill. He m. Isabella d. of Ralph Keeler of Norwalk. His will is dated 8. Aug 1658. in which he leaves i of his estate to his wife Isabell ; a double portion to his eldest 's. Samuel, homestead, mill & mill-lot, which he was not to sell without the consent of the town ; & further distributes his estate among his sons Thomas, John, Jonathan & ds. Mary & Ann. He mentions d. Hannah, to whom he had already given a full portion. Lieut. Samuel i. s. of Thomas Morehouse i., ni. Rebecca d. of William Odell i. Their 396 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD children were Samuel, Jonathan, Thomas & John, & probably others. He was Marshal of F. in 1673. & held offices of trust & usefulness. The inventory of his estate was recorded in 1733. Rebecca m. Richard Hubbell 2. 5. Nov. 16S5. Thomas m. Mary d. of , whom he made his sole heir, & died about 1690. Johns, of Thomas Morehouse i. was at Southampton L. I. in 1684. Fhomas 2. s. of Thomas Morehouse i, m. Mary d. of Thomas Sherwood. Their children were Thomas, John, Daniel, James, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Susannah, Mary & Ann. The inventoiy of his estate was recorded in 1708. Jonathan s. of Thomas Morehouse i. pur. of his brother Samuel their father's dwelling house, near the creek under the hill. He m. Mary d. of Edward Wilson of F. Their children were Jonathan b. i. Jan 1677 ; Martha 2. Nov. 1679 ; & probably others. He m. again 16. April 1690 Rebecca d of John Knovvles. Their children were John & Hannah bapt. 7. Oct. 1694 ; Joshua 8. March 1695- ; Elizabeth 9. May 1702 ; Stephen, Gershom & Ruth, all bapt. 21. May 1704; Elizabeth 31. March 1706; Elizabeth again 16. May 170S ; James 19. March 1709--; Abijah, 27. April 1712 ; Ephraim 28. Aug. 1716 ; Anne 2. Nov 1718 ; James 11. Nov. 1722. F. Far. Rec. Sergt. Daniel i. s. of Thomas Morehouse 2 m. d. of Their children were Abraham bapt 22. Dec. 1700 ; Hannah 24. Sept. 1704 ; Daniel 29. Dec. 1706^ ; Samuel 29. May 1709 ; Rebecca 24. Feb. 1711!- ; Catherine 29. Aug. 1714. F. Par. Rec. Thomas Morehouse jr. m. Martha d. of who was not bapt. until 11. Nov 1696. Their children were Rebecca & Mary bapt. 12. June 1698 ; John 5. Jan 1701 ; Sarah 6. Feb 1703- ; Jethro 3. Feb 1705'^ ; Thomas 16. May 170S ; Thankful 23. July 1710 ; Stephen ro. Aug. 1712 ; Thomas again 4. Sept. 1715. F. Par. Rec. THE NASH FAMILY. The patronymic of the name Nash is of Saxon origin. In olden times, it was the custom to prefix the residence of any particular family, by the word Atte (at the) ; thus, atte-oak, atte-ash, atte-well, atte-wood. In the course of time a consonant was introduced for the sake of euphony, hence the name atte-n-ash, atte-n-oak, atte-nwell, atte-n-wood. Still later, in order to abbreviate & facilitate pronunciation, the atte was dropped, hence arose the simple names of Naish, Nash, Noak, Nokes, Atwood. At well, &c. Thomas Nash, the great grandfather of Capt. Thomas Nash of F., is supposed to have been the Thomas Nash, who, among the emigrants of Rev. John Davenport's company, landed at Bos- ton, from the ship Hector, on the 26 July 1637. It is possible that he was among the later emi- grants of the Plymouth company, for, in a letter signed by five of the Rev. John Robinson's congregation, who remained behind at Leyden, Holland, & addressed to their dear brethren in the Lord at Plymouth, New England, dated 30. Nov 1628, is to be found the name Thomas Nash. He may have paid a visit to Holland, & returned with Davenport's company ; or, he may have been among those who joined the New Haven company from the Plymouth Colony, during their sojourn in Massachusetts.* He was accompanied to New England by his wife Margery, daughter of Nicholas Baker (eldest son of John Baker) & Mary Hodgetts (" who married Thomas Nash & went to New England '')f & five children viz : Mary, John, Sarah, Joseph, & Timothy born 1626. Among the list of subscribers to the fundamental agreement of the New Haven Colony June 4, 1639, is that of Thomas Nash. Four days after the signing of this agreement, another company with their pastor, the Rev. Mr. Whitfield, joined the New Haven or Quinipiac planters from Kent & Surrey, England. These, with some of the first comers of New Haven, formed a company to begin a plantation at Guilford. Barber states " that the planters of Guilford had not one Black- * Mass. His. Collections Vol i. 4'.. Series, 1852. t County Genealogies & Pcdigfrees of the Hertfordshire Families, by William Berry. GENEALOGIES 397 smith amon<; Ihcm ; " & that it was ' ' with great cost that the town obtained one to live among them." Thomas Nash was invited to join the Guilford party, but his services being required by the New Haven planters, they interfered & prevented his going. In 165 1 he was given the charge of all the town muskets of New Haven. The tradition in the family is, that Thomas Nash was from Lancashire, England. He appears to have been well advanced in years upon his arrival in Amer- ica. In his will, dated 1659 he specially mentions his old age. He was called Brother Nash in the Church Records. His home lot was the second on the west side of State, from the corner of Chapel St. Thomas Nash died 12. May 165S. Margery his wife died, within two years after his death. Sergt Joseph Nash, the second son of Thomas Nash of New Haven, was born in England & followed his father's trade of gun & blacksmith. He was made a freeman 7. March 1657, & moved to Hartford soon after, where he was made a freeman of Conn. 20. May 1658 ; & held the high office of a constable in 1660. He was twice married, but the maiden names of his wives are not known. Their Christian names were Mary & Margaret. But little is known of his family history. His estate, which he bequeathed to his wife Margaret, & to their only daughter Sarah, amounted to ;^420, 5S. lod. The names of some of his children are found in New Haven as follows : John b. 12. July 1650. Hannah b. 2i. Jan. 1652. Mary, his wife, died 25. Nov. 1654. daughter died 18. Jan. 1654. Sarah b. at Hartford, but not recorded, is supposed to have m. Noah Cook, of Noniiampton, Mass. He probably had other children of which no trace has been found. Sergt. John, believed to be a son of the above Joseph Nash, is recorded as living at Brand- ford Ct. in 1677. He married 22. Aug. 1677, Elizabeth widow of Antony Howd, & by her had the following children, Joseph b. I Aug. 1678 d. unmarried in F. Thomas b. 28 Jan 16S0 settled in F. Elizabeth b. 15. April 16S1 m. Stephen Foot. Elizabeth Nash, by her first husband Antony Howd had John b. 1673 ; Antony b. 1674 & , Benoni b. 1676. John Nash died 1682, leaving an estate of ^132. gs. gd. The inventory of his estate gives the impression that he was a shoemaker. Capt Thomas Nash '•^\ son of the above John Nash settled while a young man at Maxumus or Green's Farms. On the iSth Nov. 1701, the' town of F. granted him, " an acre & a half of land, to be laid out between Clapboard Hill & ye Country Road, near y^ run called y^ Hot-hole run, which grant is on condition y' he live & died in possession of it, & carry on y^ trade of a Smith at Maxumus farms." He was made Captain of the militia, & was a man of influence in the civil & political affairs of the town. As early as the 15. of March 1710, Thomas Nash gave a lot " four rod square, for a house to meet in, for the worship of Almighty God forever." He was the first deacon of that church, which office he held through life, & also his son & grand-son, who bore the name of Thomas. He d. 8. June 1748. in the 69 year of his age. His last will was dated 16. June 1741. His estate was valued- at ^^10,953 8^- 6 son of the above Capt. Thomas Nash W m. 2S. Sep. 1731, Rebecca daughter of Hull of F. He lived at Port Royal, so named from a spring of running water, resorted to by those who lived near it, for its softness, sweetness & purity. It is situated on the left of the turnpike, north-west of Turkey-hill. He afterwards occupied the homestead of his father. He lield the lifelong office of deacon in the Green's Farms' church, & was a highly respected & esteemed citizen of F. Capt. Thomas Nash '=' d. 2. Aug. 1769. Rebecca, his wife d. 22. April 1791. Their children Rebecca b. iS. Nov. 1732 — m. Simon son of Couch. Eliijabeth b. 23. Aug. 1734, m. (i) Reuben Bradley (2) John Hubbell. Eunice b. 27. March, 1737, m. (i) Benjamin Davis, (2) John Morehouse. Lydia b. 26 March 1740, m. William Hawley. Thomas b. 21 May 1743, settled in the homestead. Mary bap. 11 Dec. 1747, died 25. Dec 1747. Capt Thomas Nash i3\ son of the above Thomas, first married Mary, daughter of William Burr Esqr of F., & second Mary Nichols. The last wife was the mother of Dr. William B. Nash of Bridgeport, Ct. Children of Sarah, daughter of Capt. Thomas Nash '^> & John Griffin of Reading, Ct. Sarah, bap. 9 May, 1736, m. John Burr, jr. 22. Nov. 1755. Eunice bap. 22. Oct. 173S, m. Jonathan Couch, 14. Aug. 1759. John m Catharine Johnson, settled in Reading. Joseph m. Esther Hall, settled in Reading. Jonathan, bap. 23. Nov. 1746, settled in Danbury. Elizabeth m. Jeremiah Sherman. Hepzibah m. Joseph Sanford, 2. Nov. 1762. Jonathan, son of Capt. Thomas Nash <'\ married Sarah, daughter of Andrews of Maxu- mus 14. March 1754. Their children, Sarah born 17. Jan. 1755, m. Thomas Couch. Elizabeth bap. 3. Oct. 1756, died i March, 1775. in her 19'.*? year. Eleanor born 14 Jan. 1758, m. Simon Couch, a brother of the above Thomas. Mr. Jonathan Nash died 9 Oct. 1757. Sarah Andrews Nash, his widow, afterwards married I.ieut. Nathan Godfrey, of Green's Farms 24. Jan. 1764 ; by whom she had Roda, Jonathan, Esther, Ebenezer & Andrews. Elizabeth daughter of Capt. Thomas Nash d), was married 14. Oct. 1735 to John Burr, son of Daniel Burr of F. She died 29 March 1740. Her children Daniel, b. 5. March 1737. John, b. 9. Oct. 1739 Her husband John Burr, then married Grace daughter of Peter Bulkley, & by her'had Talcott, John, Grace, Eunice, & Elizabeth. Taken from The Nash Family, by Rev. Sylvester Nash. NICHOLS Francis Nichols i. was an early settler at Stratford, where he died in 1650, & was father of Isaac, Caleb & John, all born in England. Isaac i. s. of Francis i. of Stratford, was one of the early settlers of that town in 1639 He was probably the Sergt. appointed by the Gen. Ct. of Conn, to train the militia of Stratford & GENEALOGIES 399 Pequonnock in 1636. (Col. Rec. Conn. i. 36.) lie m. Margaret d. of Their chiMren were Sarah b. i. Nov. 1649 ; Josiah 29. Jan 1652, who died in 1691, leaving widow, but no children ; Isaac 12. March 1654 ; Jonathan 20. Dec. 1655 ; Ephraim 16. Dec. 1657 ; Patience 2. Feb. 1660 ; Temperance 17. May 1662; Margery 30. Nov. 1663; Benjamin 2. Feb. 16G6 ; & Elizabeth 2. April 1668. His trade was that of a soap boiler. He died in 1694. In his will of 2S. Sept. 1694, he mentions w. Margaret ; his four sons, Josiah, Isaac, Jonathan & Ephraim were dead, but he gives a small legacy to each of the children of the last three : his sons having previously had their portions. His d. Mary m. 8. Jan 1667, the Rev. Israel Chauncy of Stratford ; d. Sarah m. 8. Jan. 1674, Stephen Burritt ; & d. Elizabeth m. in 1691, the Rev. Joseph Webb of F. — Savage's Gen. Die. Caleb s. of Francis Nichols i., was made a freeman in 1669, & probably m. Ann d. of Andrew Ward. Their children were Sarah b. i. Dec. 1651; Ann 5. March 1653; Esther 18. Feb. 1655; Joseph 25. Dec. 1656 ; Samuel 29. March 1658 ; Andrew 28. Nov. 1659 ; Abraham 19. Jan 1672 : Abi- gail Feb 1664 ; Hannah Aug. 1667 ; Caleb in 1669 ; Phebe 12. Nov. 1671 ; & John Nov. 1676. He removed to Woodbury & died there in 1690. In his will 6. of Aug. 1690, he mentions children Samuel, John, Caleb & Abraham ; & ds. Mary, Ann, Phebe ; & Moses Wheeler who had m. 20. Oct. 1674, his d. Sarah ; John Prentiss whom, d ; & William Martin whom. d. Abigail. Mary m. Hull ; Phebe m. probably a s. of Nicholas Knell. — Savage's Gen. Die. John i s. of Francis Nichols i., was, says Bond, a land-holder at Watertown in 1636 or 7. & was probably the same, who was an early settler of Fairfield, & who was granted a home-lot from the town 2^ acres of land, on the s. e. side of the Frost Square, lying between Richard Wescott's & Daniel Frost's home-lots. He was a dividend land-holder, & stood among the leading citizens of F. He died intestate, & his widow Grace soon after rn. Richard Perry of F. On the iS. May 1649, she gave up her interest in the homestead to her s. John Nichols at his request ; to her children Samuel, John & Sarah Nichols she gave 6£. each, & $£. more to her s. Samuel. She appointed her brother Isaac Nichols of Stratford, & Andrew Ward of F. administrators in her place, on her first husband's estate. (A. Town Deeds.) A distribution of John Nichols estate was made by his brother Isaac. & Andrew Ward 9. June 1655, in which six children were named viz : Hes- ter, Elizabeth, Hannah, Isaac, Sarah & John. In this distribution Samuel is not named. F. Prob. Rec. John 2. s. of John Nichols l. of F., joined the army in King Philip's war, and died the first year unmarried. Savage's Gen. Die. " Isaac i. s. of John Nichols i, of F. was brought up by his Uncle Isaac of Stratford, where he also settled, & m. 15. Aug. 1672. Esther Clark. Their children were Grace b. 6. June 1673 I Alice 25. Oct. 1674 ; John 10. Oct. 1676 ; Samuel 6. Dec. 167S, & he perhaps removed to Derby. Savage's Gen. Die." Ensign Ephraim, s. of Isaac Nichols i. of Stratford, & grandson of Francis i. m. Sept 1682, Esther, first wid. of Dr. William Ward & second wid. of Ebenezer Hawley. Their children were Ignatius b. 17. Dec. 1683 ; Disborow i. Jan. 1685 ; & Esther 18. Dec. 16S9 & probably others. F. T. Rec. John Nichols s. of m. d. of Their children were John Nichols bapt. 31. March 1695; Ebenezer 16. June 1695; Samuel 21. March 1696-"; Solomon 23. April 1699; Joseph 10. Sept. 1704 ; Benjamin & Margery 12. Aug. 1711. F. Par. Rec. From this family the Nicholses of Fairfield & Greenfield appear to have descended, as well as from the sons of Ephraim Nichols. ODELL William Odell was at Concord in 1639, & was perhaps from the Parish of Odell in England, from which the Rev. Peter Bulkley came. His s. James was b. in 1640 at Concord, & died the next year; also d. Rebecca b. 17. July 1642. Savage says he removed from Concord to South- 400 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD ampton L. I. in 1642 & soon after settled at Pequonnock, where he occupied a considerable land at Greenlea. He d. in 1676 ; the same year June 6 his will is dated, in which he gave to his s. William, who had settled at Greenwich, his horses, cattle, swine & sheep, & ^ of his movable estate ; to his grand-son Samuel Morehouse, s. of his d. Rebecca, he gave all his land near Unco- way River, called Rossiter's field ; 2 acres in the great meadow before the town ; land in Concord field called " poor man's lot ;" building-lot, pasture-lot, long lot, all his land dividends in Compo, all his housing & half of his home lot in F. , out of which legacies said Samuel Morehouse was to pay to his brothers Thomas & John 5^ each, when 21 years of age. To^grand-son John Odell, all land on the other side of the creek, & the other half of his home lot. To Jonathan Morehouse 2 sheep ; to Goody Knap 4 yards red cloth : to daughter in law Mary Odell, his wife's red broadcloth cloak. All other remaining estate he gave to his s. John Odell, and to his daughter Rebecca More- house. He made his son in law Samuel Morehouse, & John Odell his executors. John s. of William Odell i., lived at Greenlea. where in 1678 he recorded a large amount of land, of which he had had quiet possession eight years. He m. Joanna d. of Joseph Walker dec. of Stratford, & step-daughter of Richard Hubbell i. Their children were Samuel b. 10. March 1677; Hannah 20, Oct 1679 ; Deborah 28, Aug 16S2. (F. T. Rec) ; & perhaps others. John 2. s. of John Odell i m d. of Their children were Anne b. 6. March 1688^-; John 5, Nov. 1690 ; Bethiah 27. Feb 1692 ; Sarah 10, Aug 1694. Abel Bingham the school teacher of Fairfield Village, m. Elizabeth Odell 16. May 1694. (probably the d. of W'.'.' Odell.) Their children were Abigail b. 7. June 1696. & perhaps others. OGDEN John & Richard Ogden were early emigrants to Conn. . John the elder brother, settled at Stamford as early as 1641 ; & the next year made an agreement with Gov. Keift of New York to build a stone church for 2500 guilders ; was a patentee of Hempstead L. I. in 1644 ; & lived in Southampton L. I. in 1656 ; was an assistant in 1656, 60, & 62 ; & was named in the L I. Charter of King Charles II. in 1662. He removed soon after to New Jersey, & with Gov. Carteret made large land purchases, & represented Elizabethtown in the first assembly of N. J. Savage's Gen. Die. Richard Ogden, a brother of the above John, settled at Stamford, & was a partner with John in building the stone church for Gov. Keift at New York. He removed to F. between 1650 & 1660 ; & in 1662 entered into a contract with the town to run the new mill, which had been erected by Thomas Sherwood 2. at the town's expense on Mill River at Mill Plain, now known as Perry's Mill. He erected a stone house near the mill. On the 20. Dec. 1680, the town sold the mill & mill-dam, ponds & streams to him & to his heirs, provided "he maintained a good corn mill" to grind all kinds of grain " reasonably well & sufficiently " into good meal, for which he was to receive rg- of the grist, 8-^ acres were granted him on the east of the mill dam, & 3 acres on the north side, several acres of meadow & upland on the n. w. adjoining ; the town reserving "a right of cart-way & a cart bridge across sd. pond & stream in the high-way near the mill." He died intestate, & his widow soon followed him. His estate was valued at £Sos, 10? 6^ . The town in order to protect the minor heirs & to continue the mill, made the following settlement with the heirs on the 31. Oct 1690. The mill-house, stream, ponds, dams & lands which Richard Ogden had deeded to his son Richard before he died were confirmed to him with 3 of his fathers Per- petual Common. John, a minor, who had chosen Samuel Ward as his guardian, was set off tLe stone house with the land aroiind it, -j of his fathers Perpetual Common, land at Sasqua neck & other places, & s£ from his brother Richard. PJavid, the second son, was allowed the meadow & upland near che mill, land at Mill Hill, & all of his father's long-lot, his father's tvi'o divisions at Compo, & -3- of the Perpetual Common, & all lands & housings deeded him by his father, provided GENEALOGIES 4OI he paid to his sisters or to their husbands, all remaining legacies left unpaid, & the daughters <-,r,£. each. In the inventory of Mary, widow of above Richard Ogden I., dated 28 Aug. 1687 the following children were mentioned, ss Richard, David & John, Alice, w. of Sergt. Samuel Ward, w. of Daniel Meeker, & w. of John Smith. Richard 2. s. of Richard Ogden i., m. d. of Their children were Joseph, Rich- ard, Jonathan, & Sarah, all bapt. 27. Jan 1694^; Mary 19. April 1696. F. Par. Rec. I find no David Ogden sooner than the following David mentioned in the G. M. Par. Rec. as a member of that church in 1726. Ills children are found in the F. Par. Rec. & are as follows, David b. 23. June 1727 ; Abigail 22. Feb 1729'^°; Jonathan 21. Sept. 1735. John i. s. of Richard Ogden i., settled at Greenfield, & m. Mary Jennings 24. Jan 1728'-'. Their children were, x Sarah b. 5 Sept 1730; Samuel 24. Oct 1732; John 24, April 1735 ; Ebe- nezer 23. April 1737 ; Sarah 24. May 1739; Mezekiah 5. March 1744. Edmond Ogden s. of b. 28. June 1707 ; m. Mary Gilburd 20. Jan. 1728'. Their children were x Joseph b. 25. Dec. 1730; x Obediah 4. Nov. 1732 ; Eunice 28. Aug. 1734; Anne JO. Nov 1736; Jesse 2. July 173S ; Moses 23. July 1740; Bethuel 21. April 1744. G. II. Par. Rec. OSBORN Richard Osborn sailed from London in the ship Hopewell, Capt. Thomas Wood master, bound for Barbadoes 17. Feb. 1634. (Hotton's Emigrants.) In 1635, Richard Osborn was one of the company that met with the Rev. Peter Hobart, & drew for a home-lot in the settlement of Hingham, Mass. He was a brave soldier in the Pequot War. His name occurs among the free planters of New Haven in 1639, in which he signed the fundamental agreement, at the gathering of the church on the 4'.'? of March ; shared in the divisions of land in 1643 ; & took the oath of fidelity before Governor Eaton i. July 1644. His pew in the church was No 4, "' in the other side of the door." N. H. Col. Rec. He is prob. the same Richard Osborn who removed to F. between 1650 & 1653, & purchased of Thomas Pell a house & home-lot lying, between John Cable's & Thomas Shervington's. He purchased other places, & finally a house and home-lot adjoining that of Cornelius Hull's. He became one of the dividend land holders of the town. " For his good services in the Pequot War," the Gen Ct. of Conn, granted him 80 acres of land, to be taken up in F., where it did not interfere with other grants, which were set off to his heirs in 1707, by Capt. Nathan Gold & Judge Peter Burr. He removed to Westchester, & on the 17. of Nov. 1682, he deeded to his son John Osborn & to his heirs, all his housing & home- lots, orchards, wood & timber in the town of F., together with all his uplands & meadows, his privilege in the undivided commons, & all his right & title to lands in the Colony of Conn., provided he paid all his debts & dues in F., & the following sums of money to his other heirs, viz : to the five children of his eldest d. 20^ each, when of age ; to his d. Priscilla's (w. of Cornelius Seeley) two sons 40', each, & 20*, to each of her two daughters, when of age ; to his d. Sarah's seven children 20! each, when of age : to his d. Mary's (w. of Thomas Bedient) three children 40? each, when of age ; to his d. Elizabeth 50;^. (who perhaps m. James Beers.) [A. Town Deeds p. 449.] Besides the s. John mentioned in this will, he also had a s. David. He was in Newtown, L. I. where he is said to have died, well advanced in years. John s. of Nathaniel Baldwin, m. Hannah d. of Richard Osborn, 19. Nov 1663, & she may have been the unnamed daughter. Capt. John i. s. of Capt. Richard Osborn i ; was an important & influential man in F. He m. Sarah d. of James Bennet. Their children were Hannah b. 26. July 1677; Samuel, John. David, Joseph, Elizabeth, & perhaps others. He died 15. July 1709. F. T. Rec. David i. s. of Capt. Richard Osborn i., was of Dr. Thomas Pell's company from F., which settled at Eastchester in 1666. He m. Abigail d. of Philip Pinkney in 1679, another of Pell's company from F. . Their children were Sarah, Richard & Abigail. His d. Sarah m. Jonathan 26 / 402 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD Sturges 2. of F. 31. July 1692, & for a second husband Judge Peter Burr. His d. Abigail m. William Hill 3. of F. 7. Oct. 1691. David the father died in 1679. Richard, the s. of David Osborn i., settled at Ridgefield, Conn, in 1713, & purchased of Richard Whiting, one twenty-ninth part of that town. He is said to have lived to the advanced age of 103 years.* Sergt. Samuel s. of Capt. John Osborn r., m. Abigail d. of Their children were Sam- uel & Hannah bapt. 2 Jan 1703-; Abigail 27. April 1709; Anne 15. July 1711 ; Sarah 29. Nov 1713. Samuel the father died in 175 1. Sergt. John 2. s. of Capt.. John Osborn i.. m. Abigail d. of Their children were Abigail bapt. 5. March 1703-; John 7. Oct. 1705 ; Jonathan 21. Dec 1707 ; Mary 17. Feb 1711^^; John 6. Feb. 1714--; Mary 17. Feb 1716-- ; Mary again 20. Aug 1721 ; Howes 3. Feb. 1722^=^; Thankful 2. May 1725 ; Elizabeth 28. May 1727 ; Mary & Deborah Silliman, daughters of Capt, Osborn's present wife, bapt. 2 Nov. 1729, showing that his second wife was the widSw of Silliman ; their d. Martha was bapt. 13. Sept 1730. Capt. John, the father died in 1761. Sergt. David 2. s. of Capt. John Osborn i., m.-^^^^"d. of ^^^^^^'llieir children were David bapt. 8. Feb. 1707- ; William 22. May 1709 ; Sarah June 1711 ; John 8. Nov. 1713 ; Eliazer (who settled at New Fairfield in 1739.) 29. Jan. 1715-^; Dorothy 3. Nov. 1717; Hannah 5. Feb 1720^-' ; Grace 10. Jan 1724'^; David 6. Aug 1727. Sergt. David Osborn died in 1732. Joseph s. of Capt. John Osborn i. m. Hannah d. of Their children were Elizabeth bapt. 28. June 1719 ; Nathan b. Jan. 1720'J- ; Hannah bapt. 21. June 1724 ; Sarah bapt. 5. May 1726 ; Abigail, b. ; Olive bapt. 7. Sept. 1729 ; Peter bapt. 23. May 1731. Joseph the father died in 1731. F. & G. H. Par. Rec. ' Eleazer Osborn & Hannah Bulkley d. of Peter Bulkley, were m. 29. June 1738. Their chil- dren were Eleanor b. 11. April 1739; Sarah 27. May, 1741, David 3. Sept. 1743, Gershom 23. April 174(3, Hannah 21. Nov. 1748, Grissel 14 March 175 1, Ellen 18. Dec. 1754, Ebenezer . Eleazer the father d. 20. May 1788. F. Book of Births & Marriages. READ William Reed, Reid, or Read, recorded in 1673 a large amount of land, & also land deeded him by Thomas Skidmore of F., near the old Uncoway mill-creek. He may have been said Skid- more's son-in-law. He also purchased of Richard Hubbell a dwelling house on the n. w. of the Uncoway creek, near the present stone crossing, or Gould's Bridge as it is now called. There is a record 2. Sept. 1693, in ^. F. T. D., of land deeded by him to his daughters Sarah & Abigail, & to his "loving son John Read." As early as 2. Sept. 1673, he purchased of Cornelius Hull land adjoining his dwelling-house, called "the calve's pasture." He was a large land-holder in F. A. F. T. D. John i. s. of William Read i., was b. at F. 29. Jan. 1679-". {F. T. Rcc.) & m. Ruth d. of Lieut. John Talcott of Hartford, & sister of Governor Joseph Talcott. He thus became brother- in-law of Lieut. Gov. Nathan Gold of F., who. m. his wife's sister Hannah Talcott {Savage's Gen. Die.) He first studied for the ministry «S: preached at Waterbury, Hartford & Stratford. His talents meanwhile inclined to the law, & after due preparation, he was admitted to the bar in 1708 ; & appointed attorney for the Queen in 1812. He soon after settled at Redding Ct. where he purchased a large tract of land fro n the natives, & where his home was called the Read manor. He removed to Boston about 1722, & was soon recognized as the most eminent lawyer in New England ; became a member of the Governor's Council, & was Attorney General of Mass. several years. He died in 1749, leaving to his six children an ample fortune. His children were Ruth who m. 14. Sept. 1737, Rev. Nathaniel Hum, first pastor of the church in Reddirtg, Ct. (F. Par. & T. Rec.) "John ; William a lawyer of Boston who died a bachelor in 17S0, aged 70 years ; * Much of the above information has been furnished by John Osborn Esqr. of Norwalk, Conn. GENEALOGIES 403 Mary, who m. Capt. Charles Morris of Boston, who afterwards removed to Halifax Nova Scotia, where he became Chief Justice of the courts ; Abigail who m, Joseph Miller of Boston ; & Deborah who m. first a Mr. Willstead, & second Henry Paget of Smithfield R. I." C. B. Todd's Hist. Redding. John 2. s. of John Read i., inherited the Read manor of Redding. He was a wealthy & influential gentleman, whose name often appears in the Bee's of F. , where he was Justice of the Peace in 1756 ; & was appointed on the 3. Nov. 1757 Colonel of the Fourth Regiment of Horse in Conn. He first m. Mary d. of John Ilawley of Stratford 2. Sept. 1723. Their children were Mary b. 2. Sept. 1724; John 16. Jan. 1725'^ ; William 31. Jan. 1730^; Hezekiah 23. Feb. 1734^. Mrs. Mary Read d. 14. Feb. 1748. Mr. Read next m. 19. Dec. 1750. Sarah d. of Samuel Bradley of Greenfield. Their children were Sarah b. 27. Nov. 1751 ; flezekiah 23 Feb. I753 ; I^uth 25. Sept 1754 ; Deborah 5. April 1756. F. Rec. of Births. Mary Read m. John Harpin ; John m. Zoa Hillard ; William m. Sarah Hawl:ry of Redding; H^dciah m.. Anna Gorham ; Sarah first m. Major Jabez Hill of Weston (who d. in 1779) & second 'nieoo^re Mun?on ; Ruth m. Jeremiah Mead ; Deborah m. Thomas Benedict, a lawyer ; Mabel m. Levi Starr ; Esther m. Daniel s. of Rev. Nathaniel Bartlett ; Zalmon m. Hulda Bradley of Greenfield. C. Burr Todd's Hist, of Redding. ROBINSON Samuel Robinson i. settled at Barlow's Plain. Both he & his wife Comfort died before 1680. leaving s. Samuel the .sole heir of his estate. His wife Comfort appears to have been a d. of John Cable sr., as in the F . T. Rec. Samuel Robinson is called a grand-son of John Cable Sr. Samuel 2. s. of Samuel Robinson i. also settled at Barlow's Plain, & m. Abigail" 1. of Danie, Lockwood of Bankside. Their d. Damaris was b. 13. April 1696. His will of 2. April 1698 gives w. Abigail & d. Damaris his estate, to be equally divided between them. It does not appear that he left a son, but in the G. H. Par. Rec. the following record is to be found : Jonathan Robinson m. Lucretia Thorp — April 1752. Their children were Samuel b. — May 1753 ; Seth 11. Aug. 1754; Jonathan 2. Nov. 1760 ; Jonathan Robinson next m. Elizabeth Canfield 14. April 1763. Their children were Elizabeth b. iS. Nov. 1764; Jonathan 13. Sept. 1765 ; Lucretia 9. Oct. 1768. G. H. Par. Ree. ROOTS Savage says, Richard Roots was at Salem Church in 1636. He was made a freeman of the Mass. Bay Colony 9. March 1637. & was probably the same who removed to Fairfield early, & d. before 1653. His wid. Margaret m. Michiel Try. John Roots, nephew of Richard Roots, was given land by his Uncle Michiel Try at F. The name of Roots, says Cothren, appears early at Hartford & Farmington. Thomas Roots was in the land division at Hartford 1639. ]o\\r\. a freeman 1663 of Farmington, d. in 1685. leav- ing children Joseph, Caleb, Mary, {w. of Isaac Bronson) & Stephen. A John Roots, probably s. of the above John, was at Woodbury in 1685 ; his w. Dorcas d. 15. May 1720, & he d. 25. May 1723, leaving children. Savage's Gen. Die. Much may be found of the Root Family in " Hoare's Wiltshire" in the Congressional Library of Washington. They were evidently a family of distinction, ROWLAND Henry Rowland was at F. as early as 1649—, in March of which year, he purchased John Grey's home-lot on the Frost Square. He became a dividend land holder in the town, and was for some years an "ordinary " or inn-keeper. He died in 1691. His will is dated 30. Oct. 1690, in which he mentions that he was '' well .stricken in years." To his wife Rebecca he gave the use 404 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD of the S. E. end of his dweUing house, house-hold goods &aU moveable estate &c. ; to his s. Joseph he gave 5=' he having also received his full portion of his estate, & to s'd. Joseph's d. 20-=' & to his other three children i^ each ; to his ss. Jonathan, Israel & Henry he gave all his lands, & all things which he had already divided to them by deed of gift ; to his d. Elizabeth, the wife of Sergt. John Wheeler 20=', & to each of her children i=- ; to his d. Abigail, the wife of Thomas Jones, 20^- & to each of the children i^- ; to Rebecca w. of Ebenezer Smith 20=-, & to each of her children i^- ; to d. Mary w. of Daniel Frost 20^, & to each of her children i^- ; & 5;^. to his grandson Jona- than Smith, then living with him. He left his wife sole executrix of his will, & his loving friends Capt. John Burr, & Sergt. John Thompson over-seers of his estate. His s. Henry died the same year 1691. Jonathan i. s. of Henry Rowland i , m. Abigail d. of John Barlow 2. 28, Jan. i6gS, & died in i6gi. Joseph i. s. of Henry Rowland i., settled, at Greenfield, & m. Sarah d. of Antony Wilson. His older children were not bapt. until of age. When the Greenfield parish was formed in 1726, he with his second wife Abigail, "covenanted & were bapt. the same year; his d. Sarah cov. & bapt. 24, April 1726 ; Mary, Hannah & Deborah, all cov. & bapt. 26, June 1726 ; s. Joseph bapt. at the same time. G. H. Par. Rec. Joseph 2. s. of Joseph Rowland :., settled at Greenfield, & m. Sarah d. of . Their children were Sarah and Abigail bapt. 24. Aprd 1726, at F. ; Hannah bapt. in infancy ; Joseph bapt. II. Aug. 1746 ; x Jeremiah b. 12. Sept. 1748 ; Daniel b. April 1750 ; Jeremiah again b. 30. July 1758. G. H. Par. Rec. Israel i. s. of Henry Rowland l., inherited the family homestead on the Frost Square, it having been deeded him by his father in i68g. He m. d. of Their children were Mary & Elizabeth, bapt. 10. March 1694^; Bethiah 13. June 1697 ; Rebecca 5. April 1702; Deborah 3. Oct. 1703 ; Jude-anne 2. June 1706; John i. Oct. 17^0. F. Par. Rec. Samuel s. of Rowland, m. d. of Their children were Grace bapt. 19. June 1709 ; Samuel i. July 1711; David 21. Nov 1714 ; Andrew s. of Samuel & Abigail (prob. second wife) 22. May 1737 ; Grace again 8. Oct. 1738 ; Abigail 27. Feb. 1742^ F. Par. Rec. Savage does not seem to be able to reconcile the relation of the early Stratford Samuel, to the Fairfield branch of the family. He says " Samuel may have been father to Henry i. of F., but possibly his d. Elizabeth m. before 1640, James Rogers, to whose eldest s. Samuel, he gave a large estate." The Rowlands of F. have always stood among the leading citizens of the town, holding offices of trust & influence. The late Henry Rowland Esqr. whose elegant mansion stands on Obadiah Gilbert's lot, s. w. of the old Burr homestead, is one of the most imposing in the town. SANDFORD Ezekiel Sandford was an English Engineer, & had charge of the erection of the stockade fort at Saybrook, which guarded the mouth of the Connecticut River. [Charles Burr Todd's Hist, of Redding p. 215.] He was probably from the Milford branch'of this family in New England. He was in F. before 1660, where he m. Rebecca d. of Henry Whelpley 25. April 1665. Their children were Sarah b. 5, March 1666 ; Ezekiel 6, March 1668 ; Mary 3. April 1670 ; Rebecca 13. Dec 1672 ;■ Thomas 2. May 1675 ; Martha 29, June 1677 ; Elizabeth 6, Sept. 1679. Sarah m. Cornelius Hull 2. ; Mary m. Theophilus Hull i.; & Rebecca m. John Seely. T. Rec. Ezekiel s. of Ezekiel Sandford i, m. d. of . Their children were Joseph, Lemuel, Zeckariah & Ezekiel, all bapt. at F. 27, May 1705 ; Rebecca 23. Feb 1706^; Ephraim 27, March 1709 ; Abigail 29, Aug. 1714 ; Elnathan i, Sept. 1717 ; Ruth 28, June 1719. F. Par. Rec. Thomas s. of Ezekiel Sandford i., m. d. of . Their children were Eliza- GENEALOGIES 405 beth, Hannah, & Eunice, all bapt. 26. Aug 1705 ; Thomas 4. Oct 1707 ; David 24. Feb 1711-!-' ; Mary 2. May 1714 ; Sarah 11. Nov 1716; Tabitha 25. Jan 171S'- ; Tamar 16. Aug 1724. F. Par. Rec. The Sandfotds first Hved at Pequonnock, where Ezekiel I., owned a considerable land, & was a large dividend holder of lands in the township. His descendants were among the first settlers of Redding, where the name is still found to this day. His sons Ezekiel & Thomas Sandford agreed to divide their long-lot, which stretched up into Redding in 1699, & upon which they & their heirs settled. SEELEY Robert Seeley probably came with Winthrop's fleet, & was made a freeman of Mass. Colony 18. May 1631, with Jehu Burr, Thomas Ford & William Bateman. He settled at Watertown ; was surveyor in 1634 ; removed to Weathersficld in 1636, & the same yr, was appointed by the Gen. Ct. of Conn, to take an inventory of John Oldham's estate. On the i. of May 1637, he was appointed as first Leut. of Capt. John Mason's expedition against the Pequot Indians, on the Mystic & Pequot or Thames Rivers. He proved a valiant soldier, & was one of the first, if not the first to enter the Mystic, fort & to clear away the brushwood entrance, after Capt. Mason had leaped over it. He received a wound in the eye-brow during the encounter. On the 2. of June follow- ing, the Gen. Ct. gave him command of thirty men out of the Connecticut River plantations, " to sit down in the Pequot country & river, in place convenient, to maintain the right that God by con- quest has given them." For his services he was paid 20= a week, "the week to consist of six days ; " & 150 bushels of corn from the inhabitants of Weathersficld. In 1639 he joined the New Haven Colony, where his name appears among the first list of freemen of that year. He signed the fundamental agreement, at the gathering of the church 4. June of the same year. In Oct. he was admitted a member of the Gen. Ct. of New Haven with others, who had been " members of other approved chuiches." At the same time he was chosen marshal ; " his employment & charge, from time to time, was to warn courts, according to the direction of the magisfrates, to secure & execute warrants ; to attend the court at all times, to be ready & diligent in his person, or by his deputy to execute the sentence of the court ; & in all other occasions to attend the service of the plantation in things appertaining to his office." He was given leave to return to England in 1646, but came back in a few years, & in 1654, he led the forces raised in New Haven to be placed under the command of the English officers Sedgwick & Leavitt against the New Nether- lands ; but fortunately no blood was shed, by the timely tidings of peace in Europe: [New Haven Col. Rec.]. In 1662 the Gen. Ct. awarded him 15. ;[^. out of the public treasury, & ordered that the house at the Say Brook Fort, should be repaired for his use, while he took charge of the ammuni- tion of the fortress. In Oct. of the same year, he was chosen by the Gen. Ct. of Conn, commis- sioner for Huntington, L. I. In May 1663, the Gen. Ct., after considering a controversy between him & the inhabitants of Stratford, ordered that town to pay him 2s£. in some current pay, & he was to make over to the town his lands there, whether he purchased them of the Indians, or received a grant of them from the town. In the same year he was appointed the chief Military officer of Huntington, to exercise their trained soldiers. Savage says he was in New York after it's conquest & there died. His widow Mary administered upon his estate 19. Oct. 1668. Lieut Nathaniel s. of Robert Seeley i., who was in New Haven in 1646, about 1649. m. Mary d. of Benjamin Tuiney ; [A. F. T. Deeds] ; removed to F., & was made a freeman in 1647. He again m. Elizabeth, widow of Nehemiah Olmstead (who was probably a d. of Jehue Burr i.) In 1673, he recorded a grant of land from the town of 8 acres. & by part purchase land adjoining his home-lot, called Seeley's Neck, bounded n. with a highway at ordinary high tide ; e. & s. with creek or part of it, & on all other sides with his own land. He also purchased " a sedge marsh of 15 acres, lying between Paul's Neck & Seeley's Neck ; " bounded s. w. with the meadow of Wiliiam Hill & the commons. " He was not allowed to go further than his present dam, between Paul's 4:6 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD Neck & a little Island west of it ; no farther southward than his dam from the little Island, that ran into the east end of Paul's Neck, or between the two abovesaid dams, & the edge of the upland bank, next his marsh on the top of the bank, bounded on the n. e. with the sedge marsh ; n. w. with his own land, & the south bend of the highway, before his house & the land of Robert Turney." * In 1675, he was commissioned by the Gen. Ct. of Conn. Lieut, of F. county in Philip's War, & was killed on the ig. Dec. in the Great Swamp Fight, while gallantly leading his men over the gnarled log or tree, at the entrance of the Indian fort. He left 10. children, namely, Nathaniel, Robert, Benjamin, Joseph, John, Mary, Sarah, Bhebe & Rebecca. Elizabeth his widow deeded land to her son Obediah Seeley, after the death of her husband. Obediah Seeley, probably s. of Lieut. Robert i. settled at Stamford & m. the widow of John Miller of that place, but died in 1657, leaving widow & sons, Obediah, Cornelius & Jonas. Savage's. Gen. Die. Sergt. Nathaniel 2., s. of Lieut. Nathaniel Seeley i., settled at F. & m. Hanriah d. of John Odell I. Their children were Nathaniel b. 24. May 1678 ; James ig. April 1681 ; & probably others. He was deeded by his father the seventh part of his interest in his Perpetual Common. He sold in 1687 his interest in the nine score acres of land, given his father by the Indians at the junction of the Saugtauck & Aspetuck rivers, to his brothers Joseph & John. He was a large land holder in F. He died 1688. His widow m. Isaac Stirling. Robert Seeley s. of- Nathaniel i., m Sarah d. of & had sons Joseph & John & d. Sarah. He died early. Benjamin s. of Nathaniel Seeley i., purchased in 1678, his father's mansion-house of his brother Nathaniel, as administrator on the estate of their deceased father. He m. a d. of John Sturges I., & sold to his father-in-law, John Sturges, one half of the family mansion, in which Joseph Turney lived, (who had m his sister). No record of his children is found. Lieut. Joseph s. of Lieut. Nathaniel Seeley i.,m. Sarah d. of , & settled at Pequonnock. Their children were Ephraim b. g. Sept. 1684 ; Samuel 12. April 1686. Both he & his wife were members of the church at Pequonnock in i6g5. F. T. & Pequonnock C. Rec. John s. of Nathaniel Seeley i., settled at F., & m. Rebecca d. of Ezekiel Sandford i. He next m. Sarah, d. of George Squire. His children were Sarah bapt. 28. Oct. i6g4 ; John the father died soon after, & his son Nehemiah was baptized by his mother Sarah, 12. July 1696 ; & sons Robert & Nathaniel, & d. Sarah 30. Aug. 1696. F. T. Rec. SILLIMAN Daniel Sillivant, Silleman or Sillemant, was in Fairfield 1658. The name is derived from a silly-man, not silly or witless, as the word is used in modern times, but innocent, free of guile, — a good man. About 1690 the name came to be spelled Silliman. Whether the above Daniel was related to Daniel Sillivant or Selevant of New Haven, who married before 1652 Abigail only d. of James Colef of Hartford, is the Daniel S., who m. 17. Oct. 1654 Eliza Lamberton, d. of Capt. George Lamberton, (master of the famous Phantom ship, or the ship in the Air, lost in 1646), Savage does not seem to be able to reconcile. Pie states that in ihe New Haven records one William Trowbridge 9. March 1667 was married at Milford to Elizabeth widow of Daniel Sillivant & d. of George Lamberton. " But before this m. & after the death of Sillivant, his, Lamberton's widow Elizabeth, had, Oct. 1655, conveyed to John Cole of Hartford, the house & lands given to her husband & his former wife Abigail, by James Cole her father in his will," yet he goes on to state, " that the said Daniel died in Virginia in 1655, leaving a will, probated in June of the same *This valuable record gives the full clue to the situation of Paul's Neck & Seeley's Neck. t James Cole m. the widow of Edwards in England, who was the mother of William Edwards of Hartford. Richard the son of this William Edwards, m. Mary d. of Lieut Col. John Talcott of Hartford by his first wife Helena Wakeman, d. of Rev. John Wakeman of New Haven.— Goodwin. GENEALOGIES 407 year, naming widow ; but there have been doubis, however indistinct, if the name were not the same with the (Uaniel SiUiman) man's in the former article." Turning to the 4S p. of Goodwin's Genealogical Notes, I find that he spells this name SuUavane & not Sillevant as Savage has it ; but it is plain that Daniel Sullavane & Daniel Sillevant were one &. the same, who married James Cole's d : Abigail. The probability is that this Daniel Sillivant was closely related to the Daniel of F. Tradition relates that the first Daniel of F. was from Holland. Savage goes on to say, '■& the derivation is quite distinct from the city of Lucca in Italy, in the early days of the Prot- estant reformation throughout Geneva, where had settled the father of one Daniel. This Daniel was chosen in 1575, into the Council of 200 for that Republic." It has been suggested by persons familiar with the nomenclature & pronunciation of family names, that this Sillivant may have been of Irish extraction. Close investigation upon this suggestion may lead to a clearer solution of facts. Daniel Sillivant i. of F. entered into a marriage contract in July 1661 with Peacabic, the widow of John Eggleston* of F. He purchased of Joseph Middlebrook sr.. as administrator on the estate of John Eggleston, ten acres of land left for the use of Eggleston's son, bounded n. & w. with a highway, s. c. with a run of water lying on the other side of the mill-creek, under the hill (Uncoway creek) near the place where Samuel Morehouse's old mill stood. This lot was s. w. of the present Black Rock bridge. He was afterwards granted 2^ acres " at the wading place," over the creed, bounded west by a sedge marsh, the town reserving the right to use the stones to build a bridge over said creek. By his m. with Peacable Eggleston, it is said he had sons Daniel, Thomas & Robert. His second wife was Hannara, Henichyor Hannah widow of '' Hendrick " or " Henry Hendrickson." He was a man of influence, & was one of the land dividend holders in the town. He died intestate in 1690. The inventory of his estate, valued at 302;^. 14^ 6<^. . was made 13, of Jan 1690"^. His property was divided between his widow " Hannara" & his three sons. Daniel 2. s. of Daniel Silliman i., m. Abigail d. of who was not bapt. until 30, Dec. 1694. Their children were Daniel, John, Abigail, Mary, & Peacable, all bapt. 12. May 1695 ; & Jemima 11. April 1697. F. Par. Rec. Daniel the father died in 1697. Thomas Silliman died a bachelor in 1712 ; & his estate was divided between his brother Robert & the children of Daniel 2. Capt. John i., s. of Daniel Silliman 2. m. Annah d. of . Their children were Sarah bapt. 23. March 1717-'' ; Anne i. Nov. 1719 ; Abigail 5. Nov. 1721 ; Mary 23. Feb. 1723^^ Daniel 3. s. of Daniel Silliman 2. m. Thankful d. of & died in 1717. He does not appear to have had any children. Robert I., s. of Daniel Silliman i. m. Sarah d. of Cornelius Hull i. . Their children were Sarah bapt. 16. Sept. 1694 ; Nathaniel 27. Sept. 1696 ; Anne 12. March 169S- ; Martha 24. Aug: T701 ; Robert 19. March 1703''-; Rebecca 8. April 1705 ; Ebenezer 21. Sept. 1707. Robert the i ither died in 1748. Robert 2. s. of Robert Silliman i. m. 20. Oct 1715, Ruth d. of Samuel Tredwell of Pequon- nock. Their children were Robert, b. 26. Sept. 1716 ; Ruth bapt. 24. Aug 1718 ; Daniel b. 31. Dec 1722; Sarah b. 17. Feb 1728^ ; John b. 9. April 1731. Ruth wife of Robert Silliman died 15. March 1756 ; & he m. 2^ wife Mary Morehouse 14. Dec. 1756. Their children were Ruth b. 19. Aug 1760, & perhaps others. Ebenezer s. of Robert Silliman i. m. 8. Oct. 1728, Abigail d. of Gold Selleck of Stamford. Their children were Gold Selleck, b, 7, May 1732, & bapt. 14. May following ; Ebenezer b. 21. June 1734 & bapt. 7. July of same year; Amelia b, 30. Oct. 1736 & bapt. 31. Oct. next day ; Hezekiah b, 11. March 1738 '9, & bapt. 18. March following ; Jonathan b. 31. Aug. & bapt. 5. Sept. 1742 ; Abigail b. 28. Oct. 1745, & bapt. 10. Nov. same year ; Deodate b. 13, Sept. 1749 & bapt 31. Dec. An illustration of early baptisms. * John Eggleston died in 1659. leaving one son John, who died not many years after his father. 408 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD Gen. Gold Selleck, s. of Ebenezer Silliman i. m. 2i. Jan 1754 Martha d. of Rev. John & Martha Gold Selleck Davenport. Their children were William, b. 22. July 1756 ; Priscilla b. 22 June 1772 & d. 23. Nov. 1773. Mrs. Martha Silliman d. i. Aug. 1773. Gen. Gold Selleck Silliman m. 2'^> 24. May 1775 at Stonington, Mary wid. of Rev. Joseph Noycs of New Haven, & d. of Rev. Joseph Fish of Stonington, & great grand daughter of John Alden & Priscilla Mullens. Their children were Gold Selleck, b. 26. Oct. 1777, & Benjamin b. 8. Aug. 1779 a well-known law- yer of New York. Gen Silliman d. 21. July 1790. His son Gold Selleck d. in Brooklyn L. I. 1868. Benjamin became the distinguished professor of Yale College, who d. in 1S64 at a ripe old age & crowned with many honors. He left a son Benjamin, Mho also became a professor of distinction at Yale. William Silliman, s of Gen. Gold Selleck Silliman was a Major in the Revolution. SHERWOOD Thomas Sherwood was born 1585-6 in England. In April, 1634, he, his wife Alice, and children Ann, Rose, Thomas and Rel)ecca, sailed from Ipswich, Co. Suffolk, England, in ship Frances. He was for a time at Wethersfield, Conn., and appeared at Fairfield as early as 1648, when a bill of sale 'of land to John Holly by Sherwood, appears on Stamford (Ct.) land records. In 1650 he bought land at Barlow's Plain, Fairfield. His will, dated July 21, 1655, and offered for probate Oct. 25th of same year, names children by first \v\ie,Jane, Tomson, (probably Thomasine.) Margaret, Sarah, Hannah, (probably the "Ann" of 1634,) Rose,^ Thomas- and Rebecca.^ It also mentions his second wife Mary and her children, as follows : Stephen, Matthew, Mary, Ruth, Abigail and Isaac, fourteen children in all. His estate amounted to ^^392. His widow Mary married John Banks, a prominent man at Fairfield, afterwards at Rye, N. Y. She died 1693/4, John Banks having died in 1684. Of above children, it is probable that Jane Tomson, Margaret and Sarah remained in Eng- land, their father's age being mentioned as 48 when he came to America. Of Rose ^ nothing positive is known, but she was probably the Rose who married i?^, Thomas Rumble of Stafford, 2I Thomas Barlow of Fairfield, and 3^ Edward Nash of Norwalk. In 1699 Edward Nash, then of Norwalk, deeded land to his kinsman, Isaac Sherwood. Thomas - Sherwood (Thomas ' ) is called ten years of age in 1634, when his father came over. He was admitted freeman at Hartford Oct. 13, 1664. He was the first miller at Mill River, in Fairfield. He married four times, as follows : First, Sarah Wheeler, dau. Thomas and Anne Wheeler, by whom he had : Thomas, 3 born before 1654 ; died 1699, at Fairfield. Sarah, 3 born before 1659 ; she married John Whitlock. Sarah Wheeler died before Aug. 21, 1659. Second, Ann Tumey, dau. Benjamin and Mary Tumey, and had : Mary 3 ; she married David Whitlock Benjamin 3 ; died about 1737. Samuel, 3 who died June, 1725, at Fairfield. Ruth, 3 Hannah 3 Abigail, 3 married David Ogden. who died May i, 1744, at Greenfield, in 74th year. Third, Elizabeth Cable, widow of John Cable, Jr., by whom he had : Isaac, 3 died 1748 at Norwalk, Ct. Phoebe, 3 who married Samuel Bradley, Sr. Fourth, Sarah Coley, widow of Peter Coley and daughter of Humphrey Hide. By her he had no children. Thomas- Sherwood died in Fairfield, 1697. Stephen - Sherwood married three times, as follows : GENEALOGIES 4O9 First, Rebecca Tumey, daughter Benjamin and Mary Tumey. Second, Hannah (Jackson) Galpin, widow of Philip Galpin and daughter of Henry Jackson. This marriage took place between May 22, 1686, and Oct. 30, 168S. 'J'hird. Mary Merwin, widow of Merwin before that widow of Luke Guire, and daugh- ter Edward and Mary Adams. This marriage took place between i6g7 and ryoi. No children by her. Mary (Adams) [Guire] [Merwin] Sherwood was born in 1647 and died 1712, a widow, at Fairfield. Stephen Sherwood's children, of whom possibly four were by second wife, were • Stephen 3; died about 1713 at Rye, N. Y. Joseph, 3 Daniel 3 ; died 1715 at Fairfield. Mary ,3 who married Daniel Burr of Fairfield as his second wife. She died before 1696. Nathaniel, 3 died 1733, at Rye, N. Y., leaving nine children. Jabez, 3 died about 1704 at Greenwich, Ct., utimd. Jonathan, 3 of Rye, N. Y., in 1731. Samuel, 3 of Rye, N. Y., in 1743. Andrew, 3 died before 1736 at Rye, N. Y., leaving son Daniel. John, 3 died about 1 731 at Rye, N. Y. Ruth, 3 who married a Merritt. - Matthew 2 Sherwood (Thomas ' ), known as Captain Matthew, died Oct. 26, 1715. at Stratfield, (now Briageport,) Ct., in his 72^ year. He married, ist. Sarah Tumey, daughter Benjamin and Mary Tumey, by whom he had : • Matthew, 3 who died 1709 at Fairfield Captain Matthew ^ Sherwood, married 2?-, Mary Fitch, daughter Thomas Fitch of Norwalk, Ct.t By her he had : Samuel, 3 who died Nov. 10, 1732, at Stratfield, in his 52^? year, of malignant fever. Lemuels ; died Sep. 2, 1732, at Stratfield, of dropsy. John 3 ; died 1696 at Stratford, Ct. Mary ;3died Sep. 16, 1752, at Montville, Ct. Sarah 3 ; died May 25. 1743, at Stratfield, in 67th year. Ann 3 Mary (Fitch) Sherwood died Dec. 25, 1730, ae. abt. 87. Her grave stone has word " about " on it. Ruth^ Sherwood (Thomas ' )> is probably the Ruth Sherwood who married Joshua Holcomb of Simsbury, Ct., June 4, 1662 3. (Savage, Vol. 5, p. 227.) - Isaac ^ Sherwood (Thomas ' ) married Elizabeth Jackson, dau. John and Elizabeth Jackson before 1676, when he received grant from town of Eastchester, N. Y. In 1678 he was of Rye, N. Y., and in 16S7 bought land at Compo, (Westport,) Ct., where he was still living in 1733. His children were Daniel, 3 I-saac,3 John, 3 David, 3 Abigail, 3 Thomas, 3 and Elizabeth. 3 Thomas3 Sher^vood (Thomas = Thomas ') married Sarah . His children were : William,* who is mentioned as having been at Cape May ; Rebecca;* Mary*; Ruth*; Margery*; Thomas*; Evis. * This family removed to East- chester, N. Y. Benjamin 3 Sherwood (Thomas, = Thomas' ) married Sarah . His children were : Mindwell, *b.Sep. 8. 1696 ; Mary, * b. Jan. 8, 1692 3 ; Benjamin,* b. Mch. i, 1700/1 ; Joseph, *b. Nov. 2T, 1702 ; ■ Noah,* b. May 8, 1707; 410 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD Sarah, t b. Aug. 12, 171 1 ; Samuel 3 Sherwood (Thomasr Thomas') married at Fairrield and had : Sarah ^ ; Samuel ^ ; md. Jane Burr. Abigail * ; Anne 4 ; Daniel/ b. Apl. 5, 1708 ; d. Feb. 20, 1784, at Greenfield. Ruth 3 Sherwood (Thomas^ Thomas') married ist Samuel Drake, son Samuel and Ann (Bar- low) Drake. 2^, John Barlow, son John and Abigail (Lockwood) Barlow. Hannahs Sherwood (Thomas- Thomas') married ist, John Bradley, eldest son Francis and Ruth (Barlow) Bradley, and had : Abigail "* Bradley : John'* Bradley. Elizabeth'* Bradley: Ruth 4 Bradley : Joseph'* Bradley, from whom is descended Chief Justice Joseph P. Bradley. Hannah'* Bradley. Hannahs Sherwood married 21!, Cornelius Jones of Stamford, Ct., by whom she had Rebecca, Samuel, Deborah and Nathan. f-~' Isaacs Sherwood (Thomas = Thomas') was at Norwalk, Ct., as early as 1694. He married Mary and had : Isaac, '* Rebecca, '* Elizabeth, 4 John. 4 Stephens Sherwood (Stephen = Thomas') married Mary (probably Hoyt.) His children were : Mary 4 Stephen 4 . . Jo^epTi's "Sherwood (Stephen ^ Thomas ' ) married Elizabeth . Children : Joseph, 4 Elizabeth, 4 Phoebe/ all of Rye, N. Y. Daniels Sherwood (son Stephen ^^ ) married Tabitha . He left no children. Matthew Sherwood, Jrs (son Capt. Matthew) married Elizabeth Morehouse, dau. Samuel. and Rebecca (Odell) Morehouse, and died 1709, leaving daughter, Sarah, 4 who married Timothy Tred- well. She died before 1713. Samuels Sherwood, (son Capt. Matthew,) married Rebecca Burr, dau. Nathaniel and Sarah (Ward) Burr, Nov. 30, 1704. Burr Genealogy is wrong in saying she was daughter of Nathaniers second wife Ann. '~ Samuel s Sherwood's children : John 4 ; first minister Baptist church at Stratfield. . Nathaniel. 4 Sarah. 4 Mary. 4 Abigail. 4 Rebecca.4 ' Esther.4 Thomas. 4 , Andrew. 4 Samuels Sherwood married 1^ , Mary (Wheeler) Jackson, widow of Henry Jackson and daughter of Isaac and Martha (Park) Wheeler, by whom he had : Prudence. 4 GENEALOGIES 4I I Lemuel 3 Sherwood (son Capt. Matthew) was known as Deacon Lemuel, and was Town Clerk many years. lie married ist, Ann Wheeler, dau. Sergeant John and Elizabeth (Rowland) Wheeler. A Nathan Sherwood, born 1703, afterwards of Stamford, was son of Lemuel, probably by the first wife. Lemuel, in his will (1732) calls Matthew " my eldest son." Dea. LemueLSherwood md. 2^, Experience ^Vheeler. dau. Isaac and Martha (Park) Wheeler, May 17, 1711, by whom he had : Matthew, •• Hannah*; Anne*; Abiah* (md. David Middlebrooks of Stratford) ; Mehetable* (md Ilubbcll), and Andrew,* Anne Sherwood married John Brooks of Stratford. Dea. Lemuel Sherwood md. 3d Joannah Phippcny, (probably widow James Phippeny,) Mch. 8, 1722. Dea. Lemuel Sherwood md. 4 415 March, 1673/4 ; Rebecca 16. Oct. 1676 : Thomas -. j .n. ^njS/g, & others. In the F. T. Rec. after the father's death, the following children were mentioned, Benjamin aged 22 ; Robert 20 ; Rebecca iS ; Thomas & Sarah 15 ; Jemima 8 ; & Jonaihau 4. These children were not baptised until 27. Jan. 1694/5, all at the same time. F. Par. Rec. The descendants of Benjamin Turney i. to the pr s^'ni; lime, occupy the land at Paul's Neck & Concord-field, which the town granted hmi, & which lie willed to his s. Capt. Robert Turney i. Concerning the ira/ccLy fainily oi Conn. Compiled from the town records of .Stratford, and probate records of Fairfield, Conn., by G. M. Bartholomew of Austin, Texas. Name often spelled Wakelin, Weaklin, Weakley, Wakelee, etc. Richard Wakeley, with Henry, James & Alice, his children,* was in Hartford in 1640. Free- man in Haddam in 1669 and died there in 16S1. His will made that year mentions Children — 2. Henry, "^i. James, 4. Aliee, mentioned in Hartford court records in 1663; died in 1683. 2. Henry. Henry Wakeley, son of Richard (i). born in England. First lawyer of record in Hartford. Had two lots there in 1639. Removed to .Stratford ; where widow Elizabeth Curtiss in 1658 names him as an executor of her will. Land was granted to him there before 1663, May i6, 1669, and May 12, 1681 the General Assembly of Conn., granted him several hundred acres of land "for services done by him in & about Mattebeseck, & for some damage he received thereby," and also to settle differences between him and Middletown. Represented his brother James, as his Attorney in his trouble with the General Court. He married Sarah . She was possibly daughter of W'T" Crooker of Stratford, whose land was, after his death (before 1663) confirmed by deed of "pur- chase & gift " to him — Henry Wakeley — by widow Crooker & Isaac Nichols. He died in 1690 ; mentioning in will of July ir, 1689 besides widow & below named children, also Tho's Tattin, & Eliz"? Squier^ as heirs, & Henry Stevens " who lives witii me." Widow Sarah was still living Oct, 15, 1709. Children — 5. Deliverance, 6. James, 7. Jacob, 8. Patience, m. Timothy Titharton, Oct. 3, 1692 ; 9. Abigail, 10. Mary, m. Henry Stevens bef. 16S9. 3. James. James Wakeley, son of Richard (i) b. in Eng. Removed from Hartford to Welhersfield. The General Court Feb'y 23, 1652, judged the Deputies action in marrying James Wakeley and widow Boosy to be illegal. She sued for breach of promise. The matter seems to have been amicably settled, as he afterwards mentions her as his wife. She was the widow of James Boosy a very prominent member of the Gen'l Assembly, in which he represented Welhersfield nearly every session until his death. He left the Colony in 1666, and lived in Rhode Island. A recognizance for his appearance before the Court assistants being forfeited, his house & lands were taken to satisfy it. In 1673 & 16S1 he petitioned for abatement of the forfeiture, but without success. Mentioned as weaver in Providence R. I., where he deeds his wife Alice, certain portions of his property. 5. Delii'erance. Deliverance, son of Henry (2), born proh. in Stratford, m. Hannah Nash, Dec. 3, 1678. Lived in Stratford, dying there Nov. 6, 1707. His will Oct. 15, 1707, mentions: Widow, his mother, daughters Sarah and Mary & Mary Summers " who has long lived with me." His widow m. 2'^ Tho's Witchem. Joseph Buiritt and Nath'l Curtiss, May £, 1722, acknowl- edge receipt of all lands due them as his heirs. * Authority Hinman. 41 6 HISTOPV OF FAIRFIELD Children — ii. Ebenezer, died Mar 27, 1083 ; 12. Hannah, died Aug. 1683 ; 13. Henry & 14. Sarah (m. ? Nath'l Curtiss?) Twins born Dec. i, 1683. Henry died Dec. 7, 1683 ; 15. Mary, b. March 3, i688-g, m. Joseph Burritt N<.v, 25, 1708. 6. James. James IVakeLy, son of Henry (2). m. i^' possibly a d'au. of Chas. Chauncey of Stratford. 2^^ Hannah dau. of Hugh Griffin & wife Dorothy dau. of Thos. Skidmore. Feb'y 26, 1701-2. Lived in Stratford. Joined the Episcopal Church June 4, 1724 ; and was made one of its Vestrymen the same year. In 1713 he sold one half of the land granted his father Henry by the Gen'l Assembly. Children — 1'6. James, b. Dec. 28, 1688-9 ; 17. Henry, b. May 15, 1691 ; 18. Joseph, 19. Israel, 20. Nathaniel, 21 Hannah, m. Nehemiah Allyn of Litchfield, INIay 30, 1728 ; 22. Dinah, m. Daniel Curtiss, Nov. 26, 1719 ; 23. Abigail. 7. Jacob. Jacob Wakeley, son Henry (2); m. Hannah Peat Lived in Stratford. Children — 24. Jacob, b. Feb'y 10, 1676-7 ; 25. Jonithan, Feb'y 19, 1678-9 ; 26. Ruth, Aug. 27, 16S1 ; 27. Henry, Jan. 27, 1683 ; 28. Joseph, Sep. 17, 1686 ; 29. Israel, Feb'y 24, 1689 ; 30. Nathaniel. 16. James. James IVakeley, son of James (6). b. in Stratford Dec 28, 1688-9 I ^- Sarah dau. of Daniel Shelton & wife Elizabeth Wells, dau. of Sam'l & granddau. of Gov. Thos. Wells. Lived in that part of Stratford since made the town of Huntington. An original member of the Episcopal Church of Stratford Dec. 9, 1722, made a Vestryman in 1729. Children — Baptized — Savah, Nov. 1, 1722 ; Hannah, Sept. 27, 1723 ; Martha, Jan. 30, 1728; Abigail, Dec. 20, 1730 ; m. Nathan Shel- ton. (Their dau. Martha m. her 2'^ cousin Isaac Wells Shelton, cS: his dau. Charity, wife of Asa Bartholomew, was descended by three different lines from her great-grandfather Daniel Shelton, the emigrant.) James, Feb'y 11, 1733 ; Charity, Aug. 11, 1734. 18. Joseph. Joseph IVakeley, son of James (6) ; m. Elizabeth Clark, April 24, 1723: Children — Zebulon, m. Tabetha ; Samuel. 19. Israel. Israel Wakeley, son of James (6) : Children — Israel, Deliverance, Ichabod & Thomas. 25. Jonithan. Jonithan Wakeley, son of Jacob (7): b. Feby 10 \b-ib--i ; d. in 1742. Children — Jonithan, Jacob, Ebenezer, m. Jemima ; David, m. Abigail Hull ; Mary, m. Bennett ; Anne, m. Treadwell ; Prudence, m. Edwards. 27* Henry. Henry Wakeley, son of Jacob (7) ; b. Jan. 27, 16S3 ; m. 1=' Rachel Stratton, Dec. 12, 1706 ; she dying March 10, 1707-8. He m. 2.^ Sarah Frost, Jan. 26, 1710-11. Children — By i^' m.: Abigail b. Feb. 29, 1707-8 ; m. Thos. Daskum ; by 2^ m., Elizabeth b. May 9, 1712 ; Abel, Jan. 16, 1714-15 ; Eunice, Nov. 11, 1717 ; Henry?, Abner Mar. 23, 1723. * Nos. 23 & 23 may possibly have been dau's of Jacob (7)— Also No. 27 may have been a little mi.xed with No. 17. GENEALOGIES 417 WAKEMAN The Wakman or Wakeman family were conspicuous men in the colonics of Massachusetts, New Haven & Connecticut. John Wakeman, probably son of Samuel of Hartford, was the treasurer of the New Haven Colony in 1656, & died at Hartford in 1661. Elizabeth, his d. m. Samuel Kitchcll of Newark, N. J : another d. m. John Talcott jr. of Hartford. The name of Talcott Wakeman is still known, & honored in F. The will of John Wakeman is a singular docu- ment. After a grateful acknowledgment to his Maker that he was permitted to enjoy the Con- gregational way of worship, he adds : " but I do testify against absolute independency of churches, & perfection of any in light or actings, & against compulsion of conscience to concur with the church, without inward satisfaction to conscience ; & persecuting such as dissent upon this ground, which I take to be an abuse of the power given for edification by Christ, who is only Lord of the conscience " * The Rev. Samuel Wakeman, son of the above John Wakeman, was educated at Harvard College. He probably officiated in the ministry at Fairfield during the last days of the Rev. John Jones, & after the death of the latter, became the minister of the parish. He probably taught school in Fairfield or Pequonnock, & appears first to have lived at Pequonnock, having in 1663 pur- chased Thomas Wheeler's home-lot there. He aftenvards purchased Dr. Thomas Pell's house & lot, on the Newton Square, in which he resided for many years with his family. On the 19. of Jan 16S2, he purchased of Jacob Gray William Frost's homestead, for his son Capt. Samuel Wakeman. He m. Hannah d. of Stephen Goodyear of New Haven, Oct 29, 1656, by whom he had five sons, Samuel, Ebenezer, John, Joseph & Jabez, & three daughters, Ann, Elizabeth & Mary. In his will dated 8. March 1692 ; he gives an Indian girl Jane her freedom, when she arrives at the age of twenty one ; £2- iii money to the treasury at Hartford, to be expended by Mr. Jehu Burr in two silver bowls or cups, one of which was to be given to Christ church Fair- field, & the other to the society of Fairfield Village. He also left £2- towards a Grammar .School at F. ; & to each of his children a Bible. He left a large landed estate, much of which has remained among his descendants to the present day. Andrew Wakeman of F., is the j-resent occupant of some of this land at Round Hill & Barlow's Plain. Mr Wakeman also owned land at Green's Farms & Compo, upon which his children & grandchildren settled. His widow Mrs Hannah Wakeman left an estate of over 900 £. ; which was a very large fortune for those days. Samuel Wakeman, the oldest son, by a deed of gift from his father 6. Nov. 16SC, lived in the home of W™ Frost sr. on the Frost Square. He first m. Mary d. of Jehu Burr jr. who died leaving one child named Mary, who m. Samuel Hubbel jr. of F. His second wife was Sarah d. of Josiah Knowles of F. He died one year before his father, & his widow Sarah m. Dougal Mac Kensie of F. Capt. John Wakeman m. Martha d. of Richard Hubbel of Pequonnock 24. April 1687. Their children were, Eleanor, b. 24. Aug. 1689 ; Ann 24. March 1682 ; Samuel 24. Feb. 1693^ ; Elizabeth i. June 1695. Anne bapt. 17. April 1698. Martha b. 24. Sept. 1700 ; Stephen 15. Oct. 1702 ; John 29. Aug. 1705. Lieut. Joseph Wakeman m. Elizabeth d. of Maj. John Burr. Their children were Ebenezer, bapt. 12, March, 1698/9 Catherine, " 21, April, 1700 EHzabeth. " 19. April, 1702 Joseph, " 14, May, 1704 , Jabez, " 10, March, 1705/6 Samuel, (s. of Capt. Joseph) " 30, Jan. 1708/9 Mary, " 23, July 1710 Samuel, '" i, Nov. 1713 * New Haven Col. Rec. 27 4l8 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD Capt. Joseph Wakeman willed a Sword to his son Joseph, at the present time in the possession of Andrew Wakeman Esq. of Fairfield. Rev. Jabez Wakeman m. Eunice widow of Col. Mathew Howel of Southampton, L. I. 29. Sept. 1702. His widow married Governor Joseph Talcott of Hartford,* 26. June 1706. Col. Rec. Conn. 4, 215. Ebenezer died young leaving his estate to his brothers & sisters. Ann Wakeman m. Abraham Howell of Southampton, L. I. — Elizabeth m. Mr. Albert Denny of Fairfield. — Mary, probably m. Nicholas Clagstone of Fairfield, as this name is given in the distribution of Ebenezer Wakeman's estate. * The children of Nicholas & Mary Clagstone of F. were John, bapt. 23, June, 1695. Samuel, " 16. Jan. 1696/7 Mary, " 18, Sept. T698. F. Par. Rec. Ezbon Wakeman, was the s. of Samuel Wakeman of Hartford; was at New Haven in 1653 ; made a freeman in 1669 ; & m. i. Apr. 1669 at Guilford, Hannah Jordan. He pur. 7. March 1671 of Isaac Nichols, the Nichols homestead on the Frost Square at F. He was a Lieut, in 1681 & d. in 1683, leaving an only child Abigail, who m. Thomas Hill, a mariner. His widow m. 1685, Joseph Bastard of Boston. WARD Andrew Ward was first in Watertown, Mass. He was there made a freeman 3. March 1634. On the 3. of March 1636, he was appointed with Roger Ludlow & six others by the Gen. Ct. of Mass.. to govern the colony of Conn, for one year. He was therefore one of the assistants or judges of the first legislative body held in Conn, at Newtown or Hartford, on the 26. of April 1636. In 1638, he was appointed with Capt. John Mason & Mr Allen to go to Agawam or Springfield, " to treat with the Indians of Waronocke concerning the tribute towards the charges of the Pequot war, to the value of one fathom of wampum a man, & also to the Nawattocke & Pacomtuckett Indians one fathom & a quarter a man." He removed to New Haven soon after, & his name is there found among the free planters at the gathering of the church on the 4. of June 1639. ^^ the 27. of Oct. 1641, he was with Francis Bell represented at Stamford & N. H., & both were admitted members of that court, & received the charge of freeman. At a Gen. Ct. held at New Haven on the 4. of March 1640, Andrew Ward & Robert Coe of Weathersfield were appointed "to treat with that court about the plantation (lately purchased by said town) called Toquams, or Stamford." He was appointed constable of Stamford on the 26. of March 1640. At the assem- bling of the Gen. Ct. of N. H. on the 5. of April 1643, his letter was presented, written in the name of the freeholders, introducing Capt. John Underbill & Richard Gildersleeve, as deputies to that court from Stamford ; at the same time requesting that a magistrate might be chosen, for the better administration of the prudential affairs of that town. He, with Robert Coe, was appointed to assist at the next Gen. Ct. of Election at New Haven, " in counsel & advice for the more comely carrying on of public affairs." He was again elected one of the deputies from Stamford to the Gen- eral Court of N. H. in 1644 & in 1646. He may have gone, as Trumbull & Goodwin think to Hempstead L. I., but he could only have remained there a short time, for, on the 6. of Oct. 1651, * From " A Century Sermon " preached by the Rev. Alexander Macwharter, the pastor of the First Presby- terian Church at Newark, N. J. in 1807, he makes this statement of Rev. Samuel Wakeman's son Jabez : " Mr. Jabez Wakeman was the fourth minister of this church, who was settled here about the year 1701 ; a young man of very distinguished abilities & accomplishments, & a remarkably popular preacher. He -possessed superior talents for the pulpit. But to the great affliction of the town, he lived only about three years. He died leaving a most admirable character." His widow was a daughter of Col. Mathew Howel of Southampton, L. I. She afterwards married Governor Joseph Talcott, a son of Lieut. Col- John Talcott of Hartford. GENEALOGIES 419 at the sitting of the General Court at Hartford, he was appointed with John Banks of Fairfield to settle the estate of Peter Johnson of F.. At the same time he, with George Hull & William Beards- ley of Stratford, were nominated as assistants, " to join with the magistrates for the execution of justice in tlie towns of Conn, by the sea-side." About 1651. he purchased Simon Hoyt's home-lot w. of Hyde's pond, which he sold in 1653, to Edward Adams ; & purchased from Alexander Bryan the same year, Thomas Newton's house and home-lot on the Ludlow Square. He was one of the most important. & one of the most influential men in Fairtield. He died in 1665, leaving nine children, viz.: Edmund, William, Mary, Andrew, Samuel, Abigail, Ann, John & Sarah. His d. Mary m. John Burr 2. . Ann m. Caleb Nichols of Stratford ; & Sarah m. Nathanael Burr. His will is dated 3. of June 1659 & prob. at Fairfield " drawn by his own hand," in which, as is stated in said will, he declares himself to lie " strong, merry, & well both in body & mind." He gave to his wife Esther ;^40 out of his movable estate, & the use of one third of his lands & housing in P., during her widowhood ; to his s. John ^^50 at the age of 21 ; to d. Sarah (who afterwards m. Nathaniel Burr) ^^400, within one year of her m. ; to d. Abigail £^0, at the age of 18 ; to sons Andrew & Samuel, housing & lands to be equally divided between them, when the eldest was 21, years of age. All the rest of his children, he states, had received their full portion, except Ed- mund, who, in case he returned home, was to receive ;i^20 out of Andrew & Samuel's portions (F. T. & Prob. Rec. ) Of John, the first son mentioned in this will, I find nothing at F. ; but Savage thinks he was probably the John of Middletown, Ct., who was made a freeman May 1667 at Hart- ford ; & v>fho m. iS April 1664, Mary d. of William Harris of Rawley. Their children were John b. 15. Nov. 1665 ; Andrew i. Dec. 1667 ; Esther 15. Dec. 1669 ; Mary — Aug. 1672 ; William 30. June 1674 ; Samuel in 1679; & another, probably posthumous, who died an infant. Probably he died early in 16S4, for his inventory is dated 22. Feb. of that year. His widow m. Josiah Gilbert of Weathersfield." — Savage's Gen. Die. Of Edmund I find no account. Dr. William, s. of Andrew Ward t. settled at F., & purchased the Perry house & home-lot of Dr. Thomas Pell's heirs on the Newton Square, next adjoining that of the Rev. Samuel W' akeman's. He was a physician, and was appointed by the Gen. Ct. of Conn, as surgeon, to accompany the F. Co. troops in their expeditions against the Narragansetts. He was killed during the war. He m. Esther d. of & left one only child Esther. His widow Esther m. in 1678, Ebcnezer Hawley of Stratford. Their children were Elizabeth Hawley b. 8. July 1879 i '^ William Hawlcy b. about 16S0. Ebenezer the father died in 1681. Esther his w^id. next m. Sept. 1682 Ensign Ephraim Nichols, s. of Isaac I. of Stratford, who occupied her first hu.sband's Dr. W^ard's home- stead on the Newton Square. Her second husband died in 1690. Their children were Ignatius Nichols b. 17. Dec. 1683 ; Disborow Nichols i. Jan 1685 ; & Esther Nichols 18. Dec. 1689. F. T. Rec. Esther only d. of Dr. William Ward i. m. for her first husband Eliphalet Hill Nov. 1691 (she is called in the Town Records, " Esther Nichols the daughter of William Ward ; " which has led Savage to state that her mother m. Eliphalet Hill. Their children were William Hill b. 17. Nov 1692 ; & Ehphalet Hill b. 11. Jan 1694^. Eliphalet, the father died in 1695. (F. T. Rec.) & Esther his wid. next m. Robert Lord. Their children were Mary Lord bapt. 21. Aug 1698 ; Abigail Lord 5. April 1700 ; Sarah Lord 29. March 1702 & Robert b. . F. Par. Rec. Andrew 2. s. of Andrew Ward i. was made a freeman in 1668, & settled at Kenilworth, Conn. He m. Trial d. of John Meiges of Guilford. Their children were Andrew b. 1669 ; John 16. March 1671 ; Abigail 15. Sept. 1672 ; Sarah 15. Nov. 1674 ; Peter 14. Oct. 1676 ; William 18. Oct. 1678 ; Samuel 24, Sept 1680, & died the next year ; Esther 2. May 1684, & died the next month ; & Mary & Ann. Andrew the father died about 1691. His s. William died in Walling- ford. Conn. 14. Dec. 1769, & was the ancestor of Col. James Ward of Hartford. Andrew 3. s of Andrew 2. (Capt.) m. Deborah d. of Jacob Joy, & Elizabeth d. of William Williams of K. He had several children, & died Aug. 1756. in the 87. year of his age. His d. Abigail m. Samuel 420 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD Norton of Guilford Ct. 25. Jan. 1692- . His s. Peter m. Mary d. of Isaac Joy of Kenilworth 30. March 1693, & had six children. Goodwin's Gen. Notes. Samuel i., s. of Andrew "Ward i. was made a freeman of F. 1669. He m. first Alice d. of Richard Ogden i., & Savage says for second wife Hannah wid. of Jonathan Judson of Stratford. He died before 1693, leaving w. Hannah, & children Edmund, Samuel, Hannah, Sarah & perhaps others. The children of Hannah, his wid. by her first husband, were in the inventory of Jonathan Nichols' estate of 28. Oct 16S9, Josiah aged 7 ; Mary 4 ; & Jonathan 2. From a will found on file in the town-house at F. of the widow of John Judson of Woodbury, eldest s. of Joseph of Stratford, she mentions children Josiah,' Mary & Jonathan Nichols & d. Hannah Ward. The third husband of wid. Hannah, may have been John Judson of Woodbury, but in this I may be mistaken. Edmund 2., s. of Samuel Ward i. m d. of & settled at Westchester. In A. of F. T. D. is the following : '' Know by all men here present that I. Edmund Ward, belonging to the Manor of Fordham, in ye county of Westchester, in y^ Province of New York, made admin- istrator on the estate of my honored father Samuel Ward of the town of Fairfield, in ye colony of Connecticut, at a special court held in Fairfield 29. March 1692^, have by these present delivered over unto my loving brother William Ward, for his legacy of lands & meadows here- under written &c : &c. 28. Dec. 1699 " Edmund Ward. Recorded July 19. 1700. The Ward family seem almost to have entirely left F. about this time. The following mem- bers of this family are to be found in the F. Rec. Moses s. of Ward m. d. of . Their children were Samuel bapt. 20. June 1714 ; Rebecca i. April 1716 ; Sarah 12. Jan. 1717— ; Esther 20. Dec. 1719 ; Abigail 17. Dec. 1721 ; Moses 22. Dec. 1723, It is from the Ward family of Fairfield, that the late Rev. Henry Ward Beecher of Brooklyn was descended. WEBB Rev. Joseph Webb entered Harvard College in 1684. He was called to the ministr}- of Christs Church F. in Aug 1692, with the offer of a salary of 90;^, & the use of the parsonage lands. He accepted the call, & Jonathan Morehouse & Samuel Squire were appt. to remove his family & effects to F. It is recorded in B. of T. Votes : " It is to be remembered that Mr. Joseph Webb & his family, came to Fairfield on Thursday at night, being y'' 13* of October 1692." On the 20 of Jan. 1693 a tax of two pence on the £. was laid upon the townsmen towards collecting his salary ; & on the 23 of March following " the town declared that they would give Mr. Webb the house called the school house, & the land it stands upon from the rear of Barlows lot, & west to Capt. Samuel Wakeman's land, & so much land on the south side as would take in the well, & the land eastward 4 rods, & so down to the east end of Barlow's lot, forever. The six acre lot of Thomas Barlow was afterwards purchased of the heirs, & added to Mr. Webbs home-lot. The Rev. Joseph Webb was m. 'to Elizabeth, the youngest d. of Isaac Nichols of Stratford (b. 2 April 1668) by the Rev. W"" Curtis 8. July 1691. Their children were : Joseph b. 21 Sept. 1693 ; Nehemiah 26. Feb 1695 ; Elizabeth 14. Feb 1696/7 ; Mary 10. March 1697/8 ; Grace 3. Dec. 1700; Sarah 30. Jan 1703/-* ; Abigail 5. March 1704/5 ; Josiah 13. March 1706/7. His wife Elizabeth died 15. Feb. 1718 (F. T. Rec); & on the 21. Sept. 1721 he m. Mrs. Mehitable Coney of Strat- ford (Strat Par. Rec). He died ig Sept. 1732. leaving a large estate, which after his widow received her dower, was divided between his children. He had previously given " 200 acres, lying in the Parish of Redding " to his son Joseph as a part of his portion. Abigail was given the homestead & land adjoining it, in which Mrs. Mehitable Webb was given a life dower. Abigail sold her right in the house & land to Benjamin Wynecoop 26. Dec. 1735, & m. Archibald Preston. Joseph Webb 2. m. & became a minister at Newark N. J. GENEALOGIES 421 Elizabeth Webb m. Rev. Samuel Pomeroy of Newton L. I. Sarah Webb m. Mr. John Denny of F. " Joslah Webb & Susannah Disbrow, d. of Thomas Disbrow were m. Nov. 1729" Their children were, Grace b. 7. March 1734 ; Joseph 17. March 1736 ; Disbrow 3. June 1738 ; Nehemiah 23. Sept 1740 ; Josiah 16. April 1743 ; Elizabeth 28. April 1745 ; Abigail 6. June 1747 ; Isaac 23. Aug. 1750 ; Josiah Webb again m. Hannah Sherwood Oct. 1750. Their children were : Hezekiah b. 18 Nov. i752;Seth 1754. WHEELER Two branches of the Wheeler family were among the early settlers of Pequonnock, namely Thomas Wheeler sr., Thomas Wheeler jr., brothers, & Ephraim Wheeler their nephew. Tradi- tion says they were from Wales. Thomas Wheeler sr. bom in England, was early at Concord ; there made a freeman 17. April 1 636-, & early removed to F. His home-lot at Pequonnock of 2i acres, is recorded Jan. 1649. bounded n. e. with home-lot of Thomas Wheeler jr., n. w. James Bennett's, s. e. John Evart's & s. w. with highway. His will is dated 23. Aug. 1654, in which he mentions wife Ann, for whom he amply provides ; to eldest s. Thomas, who lived at Concord, Mass. he gave his home- lot, & ail land divided, or undivided, in Concord, &c., to his d. Sarah, wife of Tliomas Sherwood los , & to her son Thomas a colt ; to his four grandchildren Mary, James, Thomas & John Bennct, children of his dau. Hannah, then dead, & James Bennet (who m his d. in 1639.) 10* each ; to s. John, liis sole executor, he left all his estate at F., reserving his wife Ann's right in his house & lands left for her use at Greenlea. He made his brother Thomas an over-seer of his will, showing that he was the brother of Thomas jr. ; another case where two brothers bore the same christian name. His widow Ann died in 1659, & ^^^ will was probated 21. Aug. following. Thomas Wheeler jr., brother of the above Thomas sr. , settled at Pequonnock, & had a home-lot recorded Jan. 1649, bounded n. w. by highway; n. e. Richard Roots & Benjamin Tur ney's home-lots, s. w. by the home-lots of Ephraim Wheeler, Thomas Wheeler sr. & James Ben- nett. This lot was sold to Henry Jackson, & next to Robert Turney 24. Dec 1673 & afterwards to Richard Hubbell, in whose family it remained for many years. Of this Thomas VVheeler jr. I know no more ; but he may have been the Thomas of Milford. Capt. Thomas, of Concord s. of Thomas Wheeler sr. of F. born in England ; made a freeman of Mass. 18, May 1642, m. Ruth d. of William Wood, & had dau. Alice who died 17. March 1641. By second wife Sarah, had d. Sarah b. 10. July 1749 ; Joseph iS, Aug. 1651 ; Ann 20. Dec. 1653 ; John 18. Feb. 1656 ; Mary 20. Dec. 1658, & Thomas 29. March 1662. He was a Captain in King Philip's War, & at one time was appointed with Capt. Hutchinson to go with twenty horsemen to Quabuog, to treat with the Nipmuck Sachen>. The party was surprised by the Indians, & a number of them slain. Capt. Hutchinson was mortally wounded. Capt. Wheeler was also wounded & also his son, a lad of 13 years of age. He & the surviving troops fled to the town of Brookfield, where they made a log house their strong hold. Others joined them to the number of eighty, including their troops. The house was surrounded with Indians, who several times attempted to burn them out, but the bravery of Capt. Wheeler's men thwarted them at one time. & the rain extinguished the flames at another. At the moment the Indians were about to make another attack to destroy them, by preparing an engine, drawn by several pairs of cart-wheels, & loaded with combustible materials to fire the garrison, Capt. Wheeler was relieved at ten O, 'clock at night, by a flying army of sixty horse-men, who forced their way through the Indians, killing several, and wholly routing them. " During the time these people kept themselves in the house, two women were safely delivered of two sons apiece, who in a month's time brought them, all themselves, on foot to Boston, where they were plentifully relieved, out of the church stock there." (Drake's Old Indian Chronicle.) Capt. Wheeler wrote a narrative which has i)een re-published by the N. H. Historical Society in Vol. 2. He died 16. Dec. 1686, leaving widow Hannah, his 3"? w., 422 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD & son Thomas, to administer upon his estate, by power from Governor Andros. His daughter Ruth m. 7. May 1673, Ephraim Jones of Concord. Savage Gen. Die. Sergt John i. s. of Thomas Wheeler sr., accompanied his father from Concord to F. He was given by will his father's lands at F. ; but had previously been deeded several valuable parcels of land by him, one of which was at Greenlea, near the Ship Harbor. The town granted him 8. acres in 1673, at Black Rock, bounded e. with the creek, & on all other sides with his own land, which confirms the account of William Wheeler's journal. He was made a freeman in ii'/ig ; was granted 100 acres by the Gen. Ct., was deputy from the town several times. He died intestate in the latter part of i68g ; & on the 5. of April i6go the court at F. appointed his widow & his s. John to administer upon his estate, which amounted i656;[^. 4s & 6'? . He m. first Judith d. of Benjamin Turney, & may have had a second wife. He had fourteen children, thirteen of whom were living when he died, whose ages are mentioned in the distribution of his estate in 1690, as fol- lows : Judan (probably Judith) 29; John 26 ; Elizabeth 23 ; Thomas 21 ; Mary 19 ; Rebecca 18 ; Joseph 16 ; Hannah 14 ; Abigail 10 ; Obediah 8 ; Anne 6 ; Jonathan 3 ; & David i. Lieut John 2. s. of John Wheeler i., firstm. Elizabeth d. of Henry Rowland i. His second wife was Abigail d. of Nathaniel Burr i., whom he m. 22. March 1693. Their children were John b. 20. July 1694 ; Sarah 11. Feb. 1696^; Abigail 16. Aug. 1698 ; Mary 4. Nov. 1701 ; Eliza- beth 3. April 1703; Judith Anne bapt. 10. March 1705^; Mary again 27. Dec 1713 ; Obadiah 15. April 17 16. Several of the sons & grandsons of Thomas Wheeler sr., settled on the long-lots of the family in Easton, & on the dividend lands of Compo, or Westport, Black Rock & Pequounock. Sergt. Ephraim Wheeler i., a nephew of the first two Thomases, was made a freeman at Concord, Mass. 13. March 1638. Farmer sayshe had a son Isaac born there in 1639. but probably died soon after ; Isaac again 13. Dec. 1642. He moved to F. with the Rev. John Jone's company in 1644, & was granted a home-lot at Pequonnock of 3 acres, bounded n. w. & s. w. with highways, n. e. with home-lots of Thomas Wheeler jr ; . s. e. with home-lot of James Bennet. He after- wards settled at Greenlea. He became a large land-holder in F. & was one of its most honored citizens. He m. Ann d. of Robert Turney. His will is dated 22. Sept. 1669, in which he gives to Isaac, Mary & Ruth lOs, they having received their father's portion previously ; tod. Hannah £iS- she having received a part of her portion ; to s'= Samuel, Timothy & Ephraim minors, J each of the building & land he then lived upon, when of age ; to Rebecca, a minor, land between Hawkins brook & John Odell's house at Greenlea ; to Abigail & Judith, minors 30/". each, when married or .at 18 years of age ; tow. Ann the use & choice of one end of his house, at her death or marriage, & then to be possessed wholly by Samuel. He made his wife executrix, & his cousin John Wheeler & Nathan Gold over-seers of his estate. Rebecca m. Samuel Gregory, who settled a little above the present St John's Church. WHELPLEY Henry Whelpley was at Stratford in 1645, & was soon after at F. , where he was granted a home- lot on the s. w. corner of the Frost Square. He sold this place in 1653, to Alexander Knowles. His widow Sarah, m. Ralph Keeler of Norwalk. He was probably the father of Joseph & Rebecca & perhaps other children. Rebecca m. Ezekiel Sandford of Pequonnock 25. April 1665 ; by whom she had a large family of children. F. T. Rec. Joseph i. s. of Henry Whelpley i., m. Rebecca d. of Thomas Bulkley i. Their children were Sarah b. 30. June 1676 ; Rebecca 2. April 1679 ; Joseph 7. Oct. 1682 F. T. Rec. Joseph 2. s. of Joseph Whelpley i., m d. of Their children were Sarah bapt. 16. March 1706^. & perhaps others. GENEALOGIES 423 WILSON Antony Wilson settled at F. about 1643, & m. Rachel, wid. of John Brandish, by whom he had d. Sarah. He next m. Sarah, the wid. of William Hill of F., & d. of Rev. John Jones. He d. early in 1662, leaving a good estate to his only child Sarah ; ;{^6o. to his brother Samuel Wilson ; legacies to his brother's Thomas, &John Wilson, to his brothers William & Ignatius Hill ; to his sister Ann ; & to his four cousins, meaning Savage says, nephews Thomas Wilson, Peter Clapham & Edward & Samuel Wilson. Samuf.l Wilson of F., probably a brother of the above Antony m. Phebe d. of Joseph Mid- dlebrook, under a marriage contract 1679. He took the oath of fidelity in the N. H. Col. i. July 1644. In March the same year, he, with several others were fined each " 6d. for fool guns." Again he was fined 5s. in 1646 for "wanting a worme, scourer & rest" — he having been warned to provide them. And for a defective cock on his gun & his bandoliers wanting covers, he was fined another 5s. He purchased of Edward Wigglesworth his house & home-lot i. Sept. 1646 at New Haven. On the 6 Feb. 1649, ^^ sold his house & home lot at New Haven to Thomas Powell. He probably at this time removed to F. His children were John, Isaac, Daniel Joseph & Stephen & Elizabeth, all bapt. 7. March 1696/7. William Wilson was a freeman of F. 8. Feb. 1668. Thomas Wilson of F. was made a freeman in 1664 & was probably a brother, or a nephew of Antony Wilson. He d. in 1691, leaving wid. Hannah & one d. Joseph, prob. s. of Samuel Wilson i. m. d. of . Their children were Sarah. Abigail & Elizabeth, all bapt. 2. April 1732, Anne 16. July 1732, Samuel 3. Nov. 1734. Nath.\niel s. of Wilson m. Elizabeth & had children Nathaniel & Anne bapt. 7. April 1795. Nathaniel 2, s. of Nathaniel Wilson i., m. d. of , & had s. Nathaniel bapt. Oct. 1725. LIST OF GENEALOGIES I Adams. «'2 Andrews. 3 Banks. 74 Barlow. 5 Bartram, 6 Beers. 7 Bradley. 8 Bulkley. 9 Burr. 10 Cabell. 11 Coley. 12 Couch. 13 Denny. 14 Dimond. 15 Fan ton. 16 Frost. 17 Gilbert. 18 Gold. 19 Godfrey. 20 Gray. 21 Green. 22 Grumman. y 23 Hall. 24 Hedge. 25 Hide. 26 Hill. 27 Hubbell. 28 Hull. 29 Jackson. 30 Jennings. ^^31 Jessup. 32 Jones. 33 Joy. 34 Knap. 35 Knowles. 36 Lockwood. 37 Lord. y38 Lyon. 39 Middlebrook. 40 Morehouse. 41 Nash. 42 Nichols. 43 Odell. 44 Ogden. 45 Osborne. 46 Read. 47 Robinson. 48 Roots. 49 Rowland. 50 Sandford. 51 Seeley. 52 Silliman. 53 Sherwood. 54 Sprague. 55 Squire. 56 Staples. 57 Sturges. 58 !|rhompson. 59 Treadwell. 60 Tumey. 61 Wakeley. 62 Wakeman. 63 Ward. 64 Webb. 65 Wheeler. 66 Whelpley. 67 Wilson. viy ^^IVi ABBREVIATIONS b bom. bapt baptized. Conn. Col. Rec Connecticut Colonial Records. d. & d's daughter, or daughters. dec. & d deceased, or died. F Fairfield. F. T. D Fairfield Town Deeds. F. Par. Rec Fairfield Parish Records, F. Prob. Rec Fairfield Probate Records. G. F. Par. Rec Green's Farm's Parish Records. G. H. P^r. Rec Greenfield Hill Parish Records. Gen. Ct General Court. H. C Harvard College. m married. Mass. Col. Rec Massachusetts Colonial Records. N. H. Col. Rec New Haven Colonial Records. N. E Northeast. N. W Northwest. S. & S's Son, or sons. S. E Southeast. S. W Southwest. \vid Widow. w Wife.