^^ ° V/ .^ r ^ ^■^yi%^\'' ^^ ^o^ ,^o^ '^ . ^ , X "^oP<<^ .^ ^^d< <^ 9^ q>'*.o\!^"'# 95,°-o,v^\^'^ %,^'o.'l^\^' %'^o.. %■ ' V^^'o^-^. V^^^o^"^ Vv-^^o^-^ lV -^ •"^^0^ .N^ %..-i^ ,^ .cT "^ ^/-o^ 95, ^0 ^ \.^^ '%'. %'°-^^ v^*.^-., V°-'' /.-.,%'"•"' v^*.'-.,'^'"-' * , -^ 5l ' >1 ^-..«^' THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. INTERIOR OF CHURCH— DR. ELDRIDGE'S PULPIT. I 744- I QOO HISTORY OF NORFOLK LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT \ OPENING CHAPTERS BY REV. JOSEPH ELDRIDGE, D.D. COMPILED BY THERON WILMOT CRISSEY, L.L.B. EVERETT, MASS. MASSACHUSETTS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1900 THIS BOOK IS REVERENTLY DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF MY HONORED PARENTS, AND FORMER TOWNS-PEOPLE, "the DEAR OLD FOLKS I LOVED LONG AGO." THEROX WILMOT CRISSEY. %.\<^\& / 76? PREFACE. " Of making many books there is no end."' " O that mine adversary had written a book." — Holt Weit. Some years ago, in searching out family genealogy, the want of a history of my native town became to me apparent. As bits of Norfolk history were from time to time discovered, in books and elsewhere, such items were preserved, and ,the accumulation began. A de- sire to learn many things from those whose memories and traditions go back to the early part of this cen- tury took hold upon me, and knowing full well that upon those around whom the shades of evening have gathered, soon the sun will set, and their remem- brances be forever beyond our reach, an effort to ob- tain these things through correspondence was made, with results not altogether satisfactory. In June, 1899, I came 'home' and soon took up in earnest the work of preparing a history of Norfolk. The encouragement and kindly assistance of a large number of the present residents of the town, and for- mer residents as well, has made the difficult, perplex- ing task a pleasure. Mention by name cannot well be made of the large number who have put me under lasting obligation for their kind assistance. Some of them have done for others and for me what they could do, and have 'entered into their rest.' Mention should be made of the kindness and assistance, great and manifold, rendered by the family of Dr. Joseph El- dridge, which has made possible the publication of iv. PREFACE. this volume. Access has been given to the many rare, valuable manuscripts which were prepared and left by Dr. Eldridge, which have been indispensable in compiling this history. So, in a measure, my purpose has been accomplished, of preserving in permanent form some record of the lives and work of the past generations, upon whom the curtain has fallen and shut them from our sight. It has been a pleasure to recall and mention, if nothing more, the names of some of those who have walked these streets in former times; have dwelt in these homes; have heard the same Sabbath bell, and gathered for worship in these temples; have sat in the same seats in church which we now occupy ; their eyes have looked upon these same beautiful landscapes of valley and mountain; their feet have climbed these everlasting hills where they, too, have looked out and up, and adored the great Creator and Ruler of all. And they are gone. Such as it is, suggestive, — not exhaustive, — with some errors which should not have been, — it is sent forth on its mission, in the hope that it may be of in- terest and help to all of its readers some of the time. THERON WILMOT CRISSEY. Norfolk, Conn., September 1, 1900. CONTENTS. I. By Rev. Joseph Eldridge, D. D. . . , 2 A Glance "at the History of Connecticut Piior to the Set- tlement of Norfolk. II. By Dr. Eldridge. . . . . . . 11 Sale and Settlement of the Town — Building the Meeting- House. III. By Dr. Eldridge 20 Events of Interest in the Town up to the Time of the Eevolutionary War. IV. 33 Connecticut's Early Town System — Settlement of Towns in Litchfield County — Grant of the " Western Lands" to Hartford and Windsor — Controversy Between the Colony and Those Towns — Organization of Litchfield County — Sale, Settlement and Incorporation of the Town. V. 49 How the Original Title to Land was Obtained — Propri- etors' Meetings — Dividing and Drawing Land — Eighty Acres of Land Voted for an Iron Works. VI. , . 61 First Town Meeting — Locating, Building, Dignifying and Seating the Meeting-House — Raising Money and Material. VII. 72 Early Customs and Habits — Organization of the First Church — Settlement of Rev. Ammi R. Robbins. VIII. 78 The Revolutionary War — Names and Service of Norfolk Men in the Army — Chaplain Robbins' Journal. vi. CONTENTS. PAGE IX 122 Rev. Mr. Eobbins' Half-Century Sermon. X 141 Centennial Anniversary in 1844 — Address by Rev. Thomas Eobbins, D. D. XI 155 Formation of Norfolk Ecclesiastical Society in 1813 — Establishment of the Ecclesiastical Society Fund in 1817 — Purchase of the First Organ in 1822. XII. 177 Sketch of Rev. Ralph Emerson, D. D., Ordained and In- stalled as Pastor, June, 1816 — Dismissed, October, 1829. (See Appendix.) XIII 177 Sketch of Mrs. Z. P. Grant-Banister — Her Early Life in Norfolk — Record as a Teacher. "She Originated Hol- yoke Seminary." XIV 190 Building the Present Meeting-House — Ascertaining the Centre of the Town by Survey — Names of Contributors. XV. 196 "The Two Villages," by Mrs. Rose Terry-Cook — The Cemeteries of the Town — Remarkable Longevity. XVI. 202 Litchfield County Centennial in 1851 — Oration by Judge Samuel Church — Address by Dr. Horace Bushnell. XVII 211 Severe Winters and Great Snows — The Blizzard of 1888 — The Ice-Storm of 1898. XVIII 219 Killing a Panther — Treed by a Bear — A Wolf-Hunt — Fires near and in the Meeting-House. - XIX 223 Manufactures and Manufacturers — A Large Number of Enterprises. CONTENTS. vii. PAGE XX 262 . Norfolk Merchants — Schools — The Park. XXI 294 ^ Period Prior to the Civil War — Anti-Slavery Society — * Norfolk Men in the War of the Rebellion — Sketch of Ad- '. jutant Samuel C. Barnum — Sketch of Colonel George Ryan. XXn 329 ■] Highways — A Railroad Through Norfolk — Struggle as j to its Location — Dr. Eldridge Before the Commissioners. XXIII 354 The Whipping-post — First Post-office — Temperance Or- ! ganizations — Culture of Silk — Indian Story — Norfolk Banks — Prices Current, 1778 — Colored People — Eleva- — tions — Singing Schools — Anecdotes — Old Pastorates — Census Reports — Norfolk Brick — The French War — War of 1812 — Strong Fund— Probate District — Whitefield in Norfolk — Reminiscences of Dr. Eldridge, by Ex-Gover- nor Cooke — Masonic Centennial — Sketch of Norfolk, by S. H. D. XXIV 392 Sketch of Rev. Ammi R. Robbins, by His Son — Madame Elizabeth Robbins — Rev. Thomas Robbins, D.D. — Rem- iniscences by Mrs. Mary Robbins-Kasson. XXV 404 The Rev. Joseph Eldridge, D.D. — Sketches, by President Porter, of Yale College ; by Rev. Joseph F. Gaylord ; by Dr. W. L. Gale — Farewell Services — Obituary Notices — Sketch of Mrs. Sarah Battell Eldridge — Miss Cynthia L. Fosket — Presentation of Communion Service. XXVI 445 Sketch of Joseph Battell, Esq. — Mrs. Sarah Robbins- Battell — Joseph Battell, Jun. — Mrs. Irene Battell Earned — Robbins Battell — Mrs. Urania Battell-Humphrey — Miss Anna Battell — Philip Battell — Mrs. Ellen Battell- Eldridge. XXVII 466 Hopestill Welch and Family — Benjamin Welch, Sen., M. D., and Family — Asa G. Welch, M. D. — Benjamin viii. CONTENTS. PAGE Welch, Jun., M.D. — James Welch, M. D. —William W, Welch, M. D.— John H. Welch, M. D, —Samuel Cowles — Henry Cowles, D. D. — Louisa Welch Pettibone — Pro- fessor William H. Welch, M.D. LLD. — Ephraim Guiteau, M.D. — Fredericli M. Shepard — Mrs. Laura Hawley- Thurston — Rev. Reuben Gaylord. XXVIII 494 Physiography and Geology of the Town ; by Professor William H. liobbs — The riora of Norfolk; by Professor J. H. Barbour and others. XXIX 503 Brief Sketches of Early Settlers of the Town and Their Descendants — Mention of a Large Number of Families and Individuals, as learned in a great number of ways. (See Index of names.) XXX 579 First and Other Church Organs — Memorial Windows and Tablets — The Methodist Episcopal Church — The Catholic 'Church of the Immaculate Conception' — The Episcopal ' Church of the Transfiguration ' — The Baptist Church. XXXI 591 Concluding Chapter — Modern Norfolk — The Robbins School — The Norfolk Library — The Eldridge Gymnasiiun — Battell Memorial Fountain — The Village Hall — Norfolk Downs — Norfolk Water Company — Newspapers — Photo- graphy — Summer Residents. Norfolk's Necrology. ...... 603 List of Deaths of Male Heads of Families, 1762 to 1846 — Record of Deaths of Adults from 1840 to 1900 — Town Clerks — Town Treasurers — Probate Judges — First Sel- ectmen — List of Representatives and Senators from Nor- folk to the General Assembly from 1777 to 1900. Appendix. ......... 621 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER BY REV. JOSEPH ELDRIDGE, D.D. A GLANCE AT THE HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT BEFORE THE SETTLEMENT OF THIS TOWN. "A History of Norfolk, from 1738 to 1844, by Auren Roys," containing eighty-nine pages, was pub- lished in 1847. Dr. Eldridge had been pastor of the church here since April, 1832. In 1856 he announced his purpose of writing a fuller history of the town, and of delivering chapters of it to his people as a discourse upon Thank8gi\ing days, from year to year. The following introductory chapter was given as a dis- course by Dr. Eldridge, Thanksgiving Day, November, 1856, and by the great kindness and courtesy of his family, is given here, from the original manuscript. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 145 Ps., 4. "One generation shall praise tliy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts." "All history is instructive. History teaches by example. It is a record of the developments of Divine providence. No history is more instructive or interesting than that of our own country. It recounts the labors, toils, and sufferings of our own ancestors. It narrates those events which have contributed to determine the social and political condition in which we find ourselves. The history of the United States has one special advantage and attraction; it is au- thentic. The origin of most of the states and nations of Europe is involved in much obscurity. Our own can be traced back, clearly and distinctly to its earliest begin- nings. There are ample, reliable materials for the history of the colonies. Then the events of our history are of the most striking character. Highly interesting in themselves, they are be- coming still more so by the promise which they hold in regard to the future. Our general history has an interest for the whole world. It is peculiarly instructive and interesting to our country- men. Local histories are important as furnishing the ele- ments of general history, and they have peculiar attractions for those born and reared in the places themselves. It is a duty of filial piety, as well as gratitude to the supreme dis- poser of events, to gather up, and preserve, and transmit all the memorials we can, of the labors, trials, and achieve- ments of those who have preceded us on the spot where we dwell. We have entered into their labors. We reap the results of their enterprise, forecast, and efforts. We sit under the shadow, and eat the fruits of the tree which they planted. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 3 As a preliminary to a history of Norfolk, a glance at that portion of the history of Couuectient prior to the settlement of this town appears to be desirable. The title to the land and right of Robert, earl of Warwick, was the first proprietary of the soil under a grant from the Council for New England. March 19, 1631, he ceded it by patent to Lord Say and Seal, Lord Brook, John Hampden and others. Before any colony could be established under their authority, individuals, headed by William Holmes of Plymouth had, September 1633, erected a trading house at Windsor. The June previous to the arrival of Holmes, the Dutch from Manhattan, had established themselves at Hart- ford, having purchased twenty acres of land of a Pequot chief, — built a fort and mounted a couple of cannon. They claimed Connecticut, and never wholly relinquished their claims until 1661. The fur trade with the Indians was then very lucrative. The Dutch purchased of the Indians annually ten thousand beaver skins. In 1634, a f©w men from Watertown, Mass., came and erected huts at Wethers- field, which is the oldest town in the state. In 1635 a number of men came from Dorchester to Windsor, and erected log houses. Other men from Watertown did the same at Wethersfield. In the autumn, having completed these preparations, these men returned to Mass. for their families, and on the 15th of October there set out about sixty men, women and children with horses, cattle and swine. More than a hundred miles of wilderness through which no roads existed, whose streams were without bridges, and whose sole inhabitants were Indians and wild beasts, had to be traversed. Dr. Trumbull says, "after a tedious journey, through swamps and rivers, over moun- tains and rough ground which were passed with great difficulty and fatigue, they arrived at their place of destina- tion. But the journey had consumed much time, and the winter set in earlier than usual. To add to their embarrass- ment and trials, the provisions designed for the winter, and their household utensils, had been sent around by water and were expected to be brought up the Connecticut River. 4 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Some of the vessels that were freighted with these goods were wrecked in the sound. The rest were prevented ascending the river by the ice. The condition of these families was forlorn. In this emergency thirteen men set out to retrace their way back to Boston. Seventy, men, women and children, left Windsor and Wethersfield, and in dead of winter made their way from fifty to sixty miles to the mouth of the river, to obtain their provisions, but not finding them, they embarked in a vessel lying there and sailed for Boston and arrived in a few days. Yet in the opening of the next year, 1636, the budding of the trees and the springing of the grass were signals of a greater emigra- tion to Connecticut. The principal caravan commenced its march in June. Thomas Hooker, the light of the western churches, led the company. It consisted of about a hundred souls, many of them accustomed to affluence and the ease of European life." Bancroft says, ''They drove before them numerous herds of cattle, and thus they traversed on foot the pathless forests of Massachusetts, advancing hardly ten miles a day through the tangled woods, across the swamps and numer- ous streams and over the high lands that separated the several intervening valleys, subsisting as they slowly wan- dered along on the milk of kine, which browsed on the fresh leaves and early shoots, having no guide through the un- trodden wilderness but the compass, and no pillow for their nightly rest but heaps of stones. How did the hills echo with the unwonted lowing of herds. How were the forests enlivened by the loud and fervent piety of Hooker. Never again was there such a pilgrimage from the seaside to the beautiful banks of the Connecticut. The emigrants had been gathered from the most valued citizens, the earliest settlers and the oldest churches of the Bay. Of this com- pany, some settled at Windsor, some at Wethersfield, but the larger portion with Hooker took up their residence at Hartford." In 1638, in the month of April, the New Haven Colony, headed by Rev. John Davenport and Theophilus Eaton, HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 5 arrived at that place, called by the Indians Quinnipiack. The emigrants passed their first Sabbath with appropriate services under a branching oak, large enough to shelter the whole company, men, women and children. Governor Eaton was elected Governor of New Haven Colony, twenty-three years. The constitution which they adopted, or the planta- tion covenant into which they entered, was in these words: ''That as in matters concerning the gathering and ordering of a church, so also in all public affairs that concern civil order, they would all of them be ordered by the rules which the Scriptures held forth to them." January 14, 1639, the Hartford Colony perfected its political institutions, and by voluntary association formed a body politic. According to that constitution the elective franchise belonged to all members of the towns who had taken the oath of allegiance to the commonwealth. The magistrates and legislature were chosen annually by ballot, and the representatives were apportioned among the towns according to their population. John Haynes was the first Governor of Hartford Colony. Meantime the Pequot Indians had been exterminated, in 1637. This warlike tribe had from the first exhibited a hostile spirit towards the English. They had committed several murders. Capt. John Mason, with ninety English, attacked Fort Mystic at daylight, May 28, 1637. It was set on fire, and in one hour above six hundred Indians, men, women and chil- dren, perished. This terrible blow struck dismay into the hearts of the other tribes, and secured peace to the colonists for a long period. When the colonies were first established in Connecticut. Charles I. sat on the British throne. The King and Archbishop Laud were exercising political and ecclesiastical despotism in Great Britain, and proceeded to take measures to restrain the freedom enjoyed in the colo- nies. But soon the troubles commenced in England that brought that monarch to the block. He was succeeded by the Protector, Oliver Cromwell. During this whole period affairs at home so absorbed attention that the colonies 6 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. were pretty much left to themselves. In 1660 the monarchy was re-established, and Charles II. was raised to the throne of his ancestors. The colonists, hearing of his accession to the throne, were desirous of obtaining his sanction to their title to their lands. The Connecticut or Hartford Colony sent the younger Winthrop as their agent. He obtained a charter, — the celebrated charter of Charter Oak memory. The charter connected New Haven with Hartford as one colony, of which the limits were from the Narragansett River on the east to the Pacific Ocean on the west. This was the foundation of the claim of Connecticut on Western Lands, whence originated our School Fund. This charter, so ample in its grant of territory, was equally comprehen- sive in the powers of government which it conferred. They were allowed to elect their own officers, to enact their own laws, to administer justice without appeals to England, to inflict penalties, to confer pardons, and, in a word, to ex- ercise every power, deliberative and active. It contained no provision for the interference of the British government in any event whatever. This charter was granted to Winthrop as agent of the Hartford, or, as it was called, the Connecti- cut Colony, but it embraced all the territory of the New Haven Colony, and virtually nullified its independent political existence. This gave to that colony some dissatis- faction, but in 1664 the two were united under one govern- ment; and it was doubtless to soothe this feeling of jealousy that it was arranged that the Legislature should meet alternately at Hartford and New Haven. The united colony continued to grow. It was left very much to itself during the reign of Charles II. February 6, 1685, James II., a bigoted Catholic and a political tyrant, ascended the throne of Great Britain. So eager w^as he to interfere with the rights and privileges enjoyed by the colony of Connecticut under the charter granted them by Charles II., the brother of James II., that early in the summer of 1685, the year of his coming to the throne, a quo warranto was issued against the Governor and Company of Connecticut, citing them to appear before HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 7 the King within eight days of St. Martin's, to show by what right and tenure they exercised certain powers and privi- leges. The Colony petitioned the King to withdraw the writ of quo warranto. Instead of complying with the prayer of the Colony, the next year, 1686, July 21, Edward Ran- dolph, an old and dreaded enemy of the Colony, made his appearance in the Colony, armed with two writs, which he delivered to Governor Treat. Other writs of like character were served on the Governor, one of them requiring the defendants to appear before the King within eight days of the purification of the Blessed Virgin. The movements on the part of the King created much anxiety in the Colony. The charters of Massachusetts and Rhode Island had been taken away. A general government had been appointed over all New England, Connecticut excepted. This government was instituted on a commis- sion, and Joseph Dudley was named President of the Com- missioners. President Dudley had addressed a letter to the Governor and Council of Connecticut, advising them to resign their charter into the King's hands. They did not deem it advisable to follow^ this advice. Ere long Dudley was removed from the otfice of Royal Governor of New England, and the man appointed to succeed him was the notorious Sir Edmond Andross, who arrived in Boston December 19, 1686. He immediately sent a letter to the Governor and Company of Connecticut, informing them that he was commissioned by the King to receive their charter if they were disposed to give it up to him. But the charter was not given up. He exhorted them not to render it necessary for him to resort to any compulsory measures. In October, 1687, the General Assembly convened as usual and held their regular session at Hartford. On Monday, October 31, 1687, Sir Edmund Andross, attended by several members of his council and other gentlemen, surrounded by a body guard of about sixty soldiers, entered Hartford wth a view of siezing the charter. The Assembly was in session when he arrived, and he was received with all outward respect by the Governor, 8 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Council and Assembly. Andross entered the Legislative hall, in presence of the Assembly demanded the charter, and declared the government that was then acting under it to be dissolved. Governor Treat remonstrated against this arbitrary proceeding. He recounted the history of the early settlement of the colony, the trials and privations endured. He portrayed their wars with the Indians, and said it would be like giving up life itself now to surrender the charter that secured to them rights and privileges so dearly bought and so long enjoyed. The time wore on; the shades of evening gathered around the Legislative chamber, still the charter did not make its appearance. Sir Edmond became impatient. Lighted candles are brought in. The Governor and his assistants appear to yield. The charter is brought in and laid upon the table in the midst of the Assembly. In an instant the lights were all extinguished and the room wrapped in total darkness. Not a word was spoken; the silence was as pro- found as the darkness. The candles were re-lighted, but, strange to tell, the charter had disappeared. All search was in vain. Sir Edmond Andross smothered his wrath as well as he could, and in the following strain announced the dissolution of the Colonial Government: "At a General Court at Hartford, October 31, 1687, His Excellency, Sir Edmond Andross, Knight, and Captain Gen- eral, and Governor of His Majesty's territories and do- minions in New England, by order of James II., King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, the 31st of October, 1687, took into his hands the government of the Colony of Connecticut, it being by His Majesty annexed to Massa- chusetts and other colonies under His Excellency's Govern- ment. Finis." But where was the charter? What had become of it? As soon as the lights were put out Capt. Wadsworth seized the charter and carried it out of the room. Secretly he flew to the friendly tree and deposited it in the hollow of its trunk. That event took place nearly two hundred years ago. The old oak, as we have all heard, has fallen. It was HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 9 an old tree at that time, and it survived it nearly tveo hun- dred years. What changes took place around it and in the world from the day when it sprung from the acorn to the day of its fall. Before Governor Willys came to America he sent forward his agent to prepare a place for his reception. While they were felling the trees upon the hill on which Willys after- ward lived, he was waited on by some Indians of South Meadow, who came to remonstrate against the cutting down of a venerable oak that stood upon the side of the mound now consecrated to freedom. It has been said this was the guide of our ancestors for centuries as to the time of planting corn. When the leaves are the size of mouse's ears, then is the time to put the seed into the ground. That tree, says Hollister, in his history, was the Charter Oak. The colony was soon relieved of the rule of Andross, for in 1688 a great revolution took place in England. James 11. was ejected from the throne, and William, Prince of Orange, and Mary ascended it. Governor Treat resumed his oflSce and things went on as before, and this course re- ceived the sanction of the Government in England. Still the crown wished to have the command of the militia, claim- ing it as a royal prerogative. The King conferred it on the Governor of New York. The Legislature and people re- sisted, and sent a messenger with a petition to the King. Fletcher, Governor of New York, was impatient to exercise this power. He soon made his appearance in Hartford, and ordered its militia under arms, that he might beat up for volunteers for the army. The train bands were assembled, and William Wadsworth, the senior Captain of the town, walked in front of them, busy in exercising them. Fletcher advanced to assume command, ordering Bayard of New York to read his commission and the royal instructions. Captain Wadsworth then ordered the drums to be beaten. The petulant Fletcher commanded silence. He had said to Governor Treat, I will not set my foot out of the colony till I have seen his majesty's command obeyed. Bayard of 10 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. New York once more began to read. Once more the drums beat. Silence! exclaimed Fletcher. Drum, drum, I say, shouted Wadsworth, adding, as he turned to Fletcher, If I am interrupted again I will make the sun shine through you in a moment. Fletcher was intimidated and went back in haste to New York, notwithstanding his threat not to Bo so until he had seen the King's order obeyed. The affairs of the colony advanced, marked by no occurrence that it would be proper to notice in so brief a sketch as I intend this to be. Remember, the blessings which we enjoy cost a great deal. How much thought, deliberation, enterprise, — how much toil and suffering; how many minds and hearts and hands co-operated. It is wonderful, also, to notice the indications of Divine interposition. How remarkably is that evident in raising up men just suited to the emergency, and bringing them on the spot at the critical moment. Were wisdom and sagacity required, the Winthrops, the Davenports, the Hookers, the Eatons were at hand. Did the emergency demand boldness and prompt action, then men like Captains Mason and Wadsworth started up. How much reason, then, for con- gratulation that the planting and early care of the colony was entrusted to such hands. But it was not the distin- guished leaders in council or in the field alone who were animated by the right spirit. The great body of the men whose names are not distinguished were the genuine material out of which to lay the foundations of a great nation. The intelligent yeomen, the high-hearted, virtuous women of that day, sustained and encouraged those whom they put in advance. But what was the secret of their wisdom and energy? They feared God. They saw clearly their rights and duties, and, trusting in Him, they had but little dread of men or kings. They w^ere respectful to legitimate authority; they obeyed the laws; but then they could not endure injustice and oppression. It is plain that this colony and the other colonies were in BUTTERMILK FALLS. HISTOEY OF NORFOLK. 11 training tor independence. This they did not know, al- though we can now see how certainly it was so. While colonies they in fact governed themselves. They came to regard it not as a privilege but as a right to do so. They were eminently a religious people. In all emergencies, before taking an important step, they looked to God. They set apart a day of fasting and prayer for Divine guidance. They did this when their charter was in danger. They did it when they were threatened by the Indians. O, that more of their spirit now animated us, their descendants, who have entered upon the great inheritance that they have be- queathed to us. When there is wrong in high places, when those in power decree unrighteous judgments, while we are doing everything else that our duty prescribes, let us also pray to the God of our fathers." II, SALE AND SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN — BUILDING THE MEETING HOUSE. By Rev. Joseph Eldridge, D.D. On Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1857, Dr. Eldridgt delivered his second discourse on the "History of Norfolk." This date was a few weeks after the beginning of the ''Re- vival of 1857," in which he was most deeply engrossed, and to which he makes reference. He said : 'Tast Thanksgiving Day I commenced a history of Norfolk, and gave one installment, which consisted of a brief sketch of the history of the state previous to the set- tlement of this place. Another installment I shall give on this occasion, but it will be more brief and imperfect than I could wish, owing to the fact that, being much occupied for a few weeks past, I have had but very little time to devote to its preparation. The unsettled lands in the northwest part of this state were for a number of years the subject of a violent contro- versy. The parties in the controversy were the Colony of 12 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Connecticut «n the one hand and the towns of Hartford and Windsor on the other. Sir Edmond Andross, the emissary of James II., was expected in the country armed with authority to vacate the charter of the colonies of New Eng- land. In anticipation of this visit, and to secure the unsold lands from his rapacity, the Colony of Connecticut, by the act of its Legislature, passed January 26, 1686, made the towns of Hartford and Windsor the following grant: 'This court grants to the plantations of Hartford and Windsor those lands on; the north of Woodbury and Mattatuck, and on the west of Farmington and Simsbury to the Massachu- setts line north, to run west to Housatonic or Stratford river, provided it be not, or part of it, formerly granted to any particular persons, to form a plantation or village,' The design of this conveyance was that these towns, that had never purchased these lands and had no ground of claim to them, should hold them for the colony until those days of trouble and danger should be past. But on the arrival of better times the towns of Hartford and Wind- sor set up a claim to all these lands, basing it on the afore- said grant, and proceeded to make sales of portions of them. A bitter controversy sprung up, threatening serious consequences. In October, 1722, the Assembly being in session at Hartford, individuals who had taken possession of lands under titles derived from Hartford and Windsor, were arrested as trespassers, and imprisoned at Hartford. A mob collected, broke open the jail, and released them. Anticipating the most disastrous consequences from the continuance of the controversy, the Assembly, two years afterwards, 1724, appointed a committee to take the whole subject into consideration, and report some mode of amicably adjusting the difficulty. This committee at the end of two years reported that the lands be equally divided between, or half go to the colony and the other half to the towns of Hartford and Windsor. This report was substan- tially adopted by the Assembly, May, 1726, and subsequently secured by patent to Hartford and Windsor, the eastern half of the disputed lands, viz., that portion of them east of HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 13 Litchfield, Goshen and Norfolk, and reserved to the colony the western half, viz., Goshen, Norfolk, Canaan, Cornwall, Kent and Salisbury. The question of title being settled, the Assembly pro- ceeded to survey and divide into townships its lands. Norfolk, as thus laid out, is nine miles long, from north to south, and four and a half broad on an average from east to west, and is estimated to contain 22,336 acres of land. The town was originally divided into fifty-three rights of land, each containing, on estimation 400 acres. Three of these rights the state reserved, — one for the benefit of schools, one to aid in the support of the minister, and one to be given in fee to the first orthodox minister who should be settled in the town. Soon after these five towns, Goshen, Norfolk, Canaan, Kent and Salisbury, were laid out, the trustees of Yale College applied to the Assembly for a grant of land in aid of the institution, and in 1732 the Assembly made a grant of 1500 acres to the trustees — 300 acres in each town. The town of Norfolk was offered for sale at Hartford, the second Tuesday of April, 1738. No purchaser appeared In 1742 it was again offered, at Middletown, but was not found to be in great demand, owing, probably to the fact that there were in the market lands of better quality in towns more eligibly situated. In May, 1750, the Assembly ordered what remained undisposed of to be sold at auction at Middletown the December following, but all of the rights were not sold till about four years later. The town was incorporated in 1758, and then contained twenty-seven resident families. Each proprietor of a right was required to settle one family on his right within five years. In about three years the number of families in- creased to sixty, and soon after to seventy. Some of the original purchasers of rights, on seeing the land, forfeited their first payment of forty shillings on a right. The por- tions so relinquished were re-sold. The first town meeting was holden December 12, 1758. There were forty-four legal voters present. 14 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. I would here remark that I have been furnished with the genealogies of several families, and should be obliged for any others. These ought to be appended to the history of the town; also as full sketches as possible of individuals that have been any way eminent. The important matter of religion received early atten- tion. The town and ecclesiastical society were one and the same body at that early day, and continued to be so for more than fifty years. The first sermon delivered in the town was preached by a Rev. Mr. Treat, December 20, 1758. A Kev. Mr. Peck was hired the January following, 1759, and supplied the pulpit, or the people, with preaching for some time, for the meeting house was not then commenced. In 1760, March 31, they invited Rev. Noah YV etmore to settle with them, but for some reason the Ecclesiastical Council did rwot approve of him, and the business fell through. The same year, 1760, after a probation of several months, they invited Rev, eTesse Ives to settle with them in the gospel ministry, but before the arrangement was consummated, in a personal interview with one of his pro- spective parishioners, the Rev. Mr. Ives lost his temper, and made use of some expression that disgusted the man, and when made known, the people also, and put a stop to the proceedings looking to his settlement here in the ministry. In June, 1761, Rev. Ammi R. Robbins was invited to preach as a candidate. On the 16th of September following he received a unanimous call to settle with them in the ministry. As an inducement to accept their invitation, they offered Rev. Mr. Robbins the right of land reserved by the Assembly for the first minister settled in the place, and £62 10s. lawful money per annum for the first two years of his ministry, and afterward £70 lawful money per annum. Rev. Mr. Robbins accepted the proposal and was ordained October 28, 1761. At a town meeting holden six years after- wards, the consent of Rev. Mr. Robbins having been ob- tained, it was voted that the salary of £70 which had been previously paid in lawful money should thereafter be paid HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 15 in produce, to wit., pork, beef, wheat, rye, Indian corn, iron, cheese, tallow, either or all of them, at a reasonable price; and it was further voted that the town should appoint annu- ally five men as committee to agree with Rev. Mr. Bobbins as to the price of the aforesaid articles; and in case the said committee and Rev. Mr. Robbins could not agree upon the price, then the committee and Mr. Robbins should choose three judicious, indifferent men to determine the price. This last committee was to be chosen as follows: Mr. Robbins should select one, the committee one, and in case the minister and town committee could not agree as to the third, then the two so selected shall choose the third. This arrangement was carried out during a period of more than forty years. The history of the erection of the first meeting-house throws a good deal of light upon the pecuniary condition of the people of the town, and also their zeal and perseverance in their endeavors to provide for themselves the stated means of grace. This first house stood very nearly where this house now stands. In dimensions it was fifty feet by forty, and of suitable height for galleries, without a steeple. In 1759, two years previous to the settlement of Mr. Rob- bins, the house was raised and covered. In 1761, the year of kis ordination, it was underpinned and the lower fioor laid. Such was its condition when he was ordained in it. In 1767 the gallery floor was laid; 1769 the lower part of the house and the pulpit were finished. January 2, 1770, it was, in the words of the time, dignified and seated; that is, the places to be occupied by those of various ages determined, and individuals located in them, as is done now. The next year the galleries were completed, and a cushion for the pulpit procured. The outside was painted the color of a peach blossom. This house was removed 1813. At the time of its erec- tion and for years afterward it was so shut in by hemlock and maple trees that to one coming from the south it was not visible till he had reached the lower part of the present green, which was much encumbered with rocks. In this 16 HISTORY OF }^OPtFOLK. building, while it was in process of erection as well as after completion, the people assembled summer and winter. No attempt to warm it was thought of. Attendance on public worship was in a sense required, for the town appointed certain persons whose duty it was to see that every one should attend who was without valid excuse, and also that every family be furnished with a copy of the Holy Scrip- tures. The church had no bell, and in those days clocks and watches were not very common. Some method of appris- ing the people when the hour for public worship had ar- rived was necessary. Accordingly I find in the town records that at a town meeting held June 24, 1760, the selectmen of the town were required to appoint some suitable person to give some suitable signal for the time to meet for public worship. This signal was for some time the blowing of a horn. Near the meeting-house there were erected what were called Sabbath-day-houses. There is a record of a vote granting leave to John Turner, Jedediah Richards, William Walter, Eli Pettibone and Nehemiah Lawrence to build a Sabbath-day-house and a horse-house on a part of the land that had been purchased as a site for the meeting-house. Voted also to grant the same leave to any other inhabitants of the town. The object of these houses was to furnish the owners of them, and such friends as they were disposed to invite, with a warm retreat in winter during the interval between the forenoon and afternoon public services. These houses generally consisted of two rooms, ten or twelve feet square, with a chimney in the center and a fireplace in each room. They were generally built at the expense of two or more families. Dry fuel was kept in them ready for kindling a fire. On the morning of the Sabbath the owmer of each room deposited in his saddle-bags, (for there was not a wheel vehicle for horses in the town until a comparatively recent period), the necessary refreshment for himself and family, and started early for church. He first called at the Sabbath-day-house, deposited his luncheon, built a fire, and HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 17 then at the hour of worship they went to the meeting-house and endured the cold during the morning services. At noon they returned to the Sabbath-day-house, the contents of the saddle-bags were displayed on a little table, and all partook. Then at the time of the afternoon service they repaired again to the meeting, and if the weather were very severe they warmed themselves again at the Sabbath-day-house before setting out for home; extinguished the fire, locked the door an.d went their ways. The church was organized in 1760, the year previous to the settlement of Rev. Mr. Bobbins, and consisted of only twenty-three members. While thus providing themselves the means of religious instruction and improvement, and evincing such a sense of the importance of Christian institutions, though at the beginning the number of professors was not relatively large, the early inhabitants of this town were also alive to the value of education. Their interest in schools is very mani- fest from the records of the town, but their means were very limited and there was much to be done. The Bible, the New England Primer, Dilworth's Spelling Book and an elementary arithmetic called the Schoolmaster's Assistant were the school books in use. The children learned to write sometimes on birch bark and sometimes on paper, which was then a very scarce article. Ink was made of berries of sumach, and inkstands from the tips of cattle's horns. It is very difficult for us to imagine the actual condition of things during the early periods of the history of the town. The face of nature has undergone a great change. A large portion of the hills and valleys were covered with a dense forest. The roads were few compared with what they are now; narrow, and for the most part in miserable condition. They were bordered by the forest. The cleared portions were like patches on the general landscape. The population was much shut up from the world at large. The state of the roads between towns rendered com- munication difficult. All teaming was done by oxen. No- 18 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. body used a horse except for riding under the saddle and pillion. Cloth of every description was manufactured in the family. There was no cotton in use. Woolen and linen were the staples. The wool was carded, spun, woven and dyed at home. The flax was hatcheled and spun and woven there also. The old-fashioned foot-wheels are yet to be found in the garrets of many houses. Communication by letters between different towns and different parts of the country was slow and uncertain. It was customary if a person was going to Hartford, Simsbury or elsewhere, for him to give out word some time before- hand, that any who might wish to send by him might have an opportunity to do so. The Hartford Courant was the only newspaper received by anybody for many years. It was brought by a post-boy, who rode on hoseback, once a week. There was no post-office in this town till 1803. The mail route from Hartford to Hudson was established some years previous. The mail was carried on horseback, and the letters for Norfolk were left at North Canaan post-office. Michael F. Mills, Esq., who died this year, was the first postmaster in this town. He had a table with a drawer divided into two compartments, one for letters to be sent and the other for those received. The information of events in different parts of the country travelled slowly, and it was often in the form of rumor, of which none had means of arriving at the exact truth. Intelligence from England was many months in reaching the colonies; and yet at the very time when the settlement of the town was commenced events of the most stirring character were taking place. The old French war was in progress. The colonies were exerting themselves to the utmost in aid of the mother country. Canada was in the hands of the French. In 1755 four expeditions were planned in England against the French on this continent: one against Fort du Quesne, at the forks of the Ohio; one against Nova Scotia; one against Crown Point, and one against Fort Niagara. Two of these expeditions were successful, and two proved failures. That HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 19' against Crown Point was one of the successful expeditions. The Connecticut troops, one thousand, under Major General Lyman of Goshen, were there. In that year Connecticut sent two thousand troops into the field. The next year she raised 2.500. In 1758 Connecticut Colony voted to raise 5000 troops and £30,000, lawful money. The next year she raised the same number of troops and £50,000. It was thus, in the midst of such events, that our fathers laid the founda- tions of society here. But I cannot go on further at present. We see much to commiserate in their condition, but also much to admire in their spirit and temper. Difficulties are good for men if they are of the right metal. It is in part to their very trials and hardships that our fathers were indebted for their practical energy and good sense. Thus they were prepared under Providence, to act so well their part, not only for them- selves but for their descendants, for their country, and for the world. I hope to continue this narrative hereafter. The day calls for the exercise of gratitude. To some it may seem that in the present condition of the country we have much reason for humility and penitence, but scarcely any for thanks. How abundant have been the harvests of the year everywhere; how general the prevalence of health; how undisturbed the land from serious internal dissensions, or threatening dangers from without. Does not all this furnish material for gratitude to the author of all our mercies. The very calamities that press upon the land, properly viewed, may be discovered to be mercies. The country was running mad in its eager haste for gain. Every- thing tended to materialize and degrade the feelings. The power of mammon was becoming greater and greater. Not only all elevated thoughts and sentiments were being crushed out, but under such influence crimes of every hue, fraud, deception, embezzlement, were becoming rife, and the public mind was coming to be accustomed to them as matters of course. A rebuke of some sort seemed to be necessary, something of sufficient force and extent to make a deep and general impression. By our follies and excesses 20 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. we, as a people, have brought upon ourselves such a rebuke in the Providence of God. The lesson will cost much, but let us hope that it will be worth much to individuals, to communities and to the land. It should lead men to reflec- tion on something else than mere gain, and prepare the way for a general revival of religion in the country. No blessing could be more precious. If such be the design of God, as I think there are grounds to hope, then we may indeed thank God for our very troubles." (How truly pro- phetic were these words.) HI. EVENTS OF INTEREST IN THE TOWN UP TO THE TIME OF THE REVOLUTION ART WAR. By Rev. Joseph Eldridge, D.D. The next chapter in the history of this town, written by Dr. Eldridge, was delivered as a discourse on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1859, as follows: "In recounting the history of this place, I had reached, when I last spoke on the subject, the period of the 'Old French War,' as it was called; the war which England car- ried on against France from 1756 to 1763, and in which, aided by the colonies, she made conquest of Canada, wrest- ing entirely from the French government the whole of that vast territory. For this war, that resulted so favorably for Great Britain, the Colony of Connecticut had furnished, in proportion to her population and means, a larger number of soldiers and more money than any other colony; and as evidence of the strong sympathy of the colonies with the mother country, a day of public thanksgiving was observed throughout New England, on account of the success that had crowned the British arms. It is worth while to notice this circumstance, as we shall then be able to see how un- reasonable and how short-sighted were those measures adopted by the British government, that in a little more than ten years after the close of the French war, drove the HISTORY OF XORFOLK. 21 colonies into rebellion, and led on to the war of the Revolu- tion. In this interval between 1763 and 1775, the affairs of the town gradually improved. The population increased, the lands were bought up, roads in different directions were laid out and opened. It is remarkable in looking over the town records to observe how much more frequently town meetings were holden than at the present time. There was a great deal of public busi- ness coming up and demanding attention. Then every- thing connected with the Ecclesiastical Society was done by the town. I will quote a few votes passed in town meet- ing that will serve as well as anything to assist us in re- calling those times. In a town meeting held in Norfolk April 23, 1762, lawfully assembled, Mr. William Walter, moderator, voted: That we will join with the town of Goshen in preferring a prayer to the honorable General Assembly to be holden in Hartford on the 14th day of May next, for liberty for a lottery to raise £100, lawful money, to be laid out in making and repairing public highways in said town of Norfolk. Voted, that Gapt. Samuel Petti- bone of Goshen be agent for said town to put in a prayer for said town, and manage the affair at the said Assembly for said town. This would indicate the scarcity of money. At an adjourned meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Norfolk lawfully assembled December 9, 1765, Capt. Abraham Camp, moderator, it was put to vote whether the town would do anything further towards finishing the meeting house. The house was begun in 1759, and in 1765, when the question of doing anything towards finishing it was put to vote in town meeting, it was voted that they would do something towards finishing it. It had been enclosed and floored, but was yet without regular slips, without a pulpit, and without any galleries. It was voted that a rate of two pence on the pound should be raised on the list of 1765, to be paid in good and merchantable pine boards, to be delivered at the meeting-house in said Norfolk at £1, 4s, per thousand, or in good bar iron 22 HISTORY OF XOKFOLK. at £1, 4s, per hundred pounds, to be delivered at the said meeting-house, all at or before the 5th day of Sep- tember next, to be used and disposed of toward finishing said meeting-house; and Messrs. Joseph Seward, Giles Pet- tibone and Daniel Humphrey were chosen a committee to receive said boards and iron, and improve them for said use. Mr. Samuel Cowles was chosen a collector, to collect said rate. September 19, 1769, Capt. Abraham Camp, moderator, it was voted that the town will proceed to have the meet- ing-house seated, so soon as the seats in the lower part of the meeting-house are finished. It was now ten years since the house was begun. Voted, that Mr. Ezra Knapp, Capt. Isaac Holt, Titus Ives, Samuel Cowles, Daniel Humphrey, William Bishop and Elijah Grant be a committee to seat the meeting-house. Voted, that the rule for the seaters to go by shall be, that one year in age shall be counted equal to five pound list. Voted, that there shall not be but one head counted in any man's list in order to seating. Voted, that the seaters shall dignify the seats as they shall think proper. By dig- nifying the seats was intended, I suppose, arranging them according to their relative eligibility, or desirableness. This was the first seating of the meeting-house. The prac- tice has existed during the ninety years that have since elapsed. The matter of singing in the church, that stone of stumbling, and fertile source of trouble in most congrega- tions, but which so far as I learn has always been man- aged in this place so as to secure both social and musical harmony, received early attention in town meeting, where almost every affair sooner or later came under considera- tion. At a town meeting, Giles Pettibone, Esq., in the chair, it was Voted, That the town have a right to order and direct in respect to singing in public worship. Having laid down the principle, the meeting proceeded to appoint five choristers, viz.: Samuel Cowles, Jr., Andrew Moore, HISTOKY OF NORFOLK. 23 Eliphalet Hatch, John Phelps and Joseph Mills, Jr. The reason for choosing so many leaders does not appear. It may have been an adroit measure to guard against the jealousy that might have been excited, had the whole honor of leading the choir been conferred upon one, instead of being subdivided among several. The choristers were thus chosen in town meeting from 1774 until 1790. No money was appropriated to improve the singing before 1798, when twelve dollars was voted for that purpose. In reviewing your father's efforts to provide themselves the means of public worship, viz., a religious teacher, a meeting-house, and the like, the first thought may be that these efforts were poor and feeble. The next and deeper thoughts will be, that they evince a high sense of the value of religious insti- tutions, and a steady zeal and perseverance worthy of all praise. Their circumstances were widely different in this respect from that of those who now go forth into the new settlements to lay the foundations of towns and cities. The latter leave behind them comparatively wealthy com- munities whose sympathies will accompany them, and whose contributions will aid in their early struggles, in sustaining their minister, in erecting their places of wor- ship, and in providing themselves the means of intellectual and religious education. Their condition is known all over the country. How different was the condition of the earlier settlers of Connecticut, especially of those whose lot was cast in this part of the state. They were alone in the wil- derness. Their communication with other places was slow, difficult and infrequent. They had no missionary society to present their condition to the congregations in the older settlements, to awaken sympathy and solicit and receive aid in their behalf. The whole country was relatively poor; it was all new, with everything to be done. The early in- habitants of these interior towns were in a great measure cut off from the rest of the world; they were thrown upon their own resources. If they had a minister they must get him and sustain him themselves. If they had a house to meet in, it must be such an one as they could erect them- 24 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. selves, and it must be completed as soon as they, with all the other urgent demands upon their labor and means, should be able to finish it. But were they disheartened, because they must begin small and proceed slowly? No. In less than three years from the time that the first town meeting was held, 1758, they had a settled minister. Their meeting-house was begun in 1759; all they could do that year was to raise and enclose it. They met in it, or rather under it, in that state two years, till 1761, when the lower floor was laid and the building underpinned, and there then was another interval. Did it not show a noble spirit when they could do no more, yet to do the little they could? Such men must have placed a high estimate on the estab- lished means of grace. Were they mistaken? were they foolish to struggle so hard and so perseveringly in the mat- ter? Do you doubt whether the prayer offered and the wor- ship rendered to God in that floorless house was acceptable? The blessings we now enjoy are the fruit of their sacrifices and their prayers. But to return to the narrative: — At the close of the French war, 1763, during which the colonies had done good service, had contributed to the success of the British arms, and shared in the triumph, there prevailed in the colonies the best state of feeling toward the mother country and the English government. In a few years these loyal and fraternal sentiments gave place, first, to dissatisfaction, then to a sense of oppression, and finally to a determined purpose of resistance. How was the great, sad, and lamentable change brought about, and who were the responsible authors of it? It result- ed in the most natural way imaginable from the measures in reference to the colonies that the government of Great Britain thought proper to adopt. That government had from the beginning, by a system of enactments called 'the navigation laws,' monopolized the foreign trade of the colonies. They were not allowed to carry on any direct commerce with any other country than Great Britain. They .must sell to her what they wished to dispose of, and buy HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 25 of her what they needed to purchase, although these arti- cles thus to be obtained from her were the product of other countries. This monopoly was oppressive, but having been accustomed to it from the outset, the colonies had learned to submit to it without complaint. But another new step which the home government proposed to take, and did take, created great dissatisfaction, and aroused a strong and set- tled purpose of resistance. That step was, to impose taxes upon them by act of Parliament, they having no represen- tation in Parliament. Briefly, it was taxation without rep- resentation. The colonies were not opposed to paying taxes, but they desired the privilege of voting them them- selves. They had thus taxed themselves very heavily dur- ing the French war. They had shown no disposition to shirk any burden, yet some men of despotic temper in the British government were not content to leave the colonies any voice as to what they should pay. That point it was asserted ought to be decided by Parliament, and the colo- nies must have nothing to do with the matter. The British government, it was claimed, had a right to put its hand into the pockets of the colonies, as often and as deeply as it, to its sovereign pleasure, might seem best. The colonies said, we are willing to contribute from our pockets, but we prefer not to have anybody's hands put into them but our own. Now it will be seen that the colonies were the very worst material to be found in the whole world, out of which to make mere drudges and slaves. They had not paid any tax at home without having the privilege of voting upon its necessity and amount. In town meetings or colonial legislatures they had, directly or by their representative, a voice in laying all taxes. For men thus accustomed to connect the right of being represented in each and every assembly that imposed taxes with the obligation to pay, to be told that they must allow Parliament to decide that matter, and that they must and should pay what Parlia- ment chose to demand, filled them with astonishment. It was a plain case of the most grievous oppression. 26 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. They attempted to argue the case. Some of the ablest men iu the colonies presented in a clear and strong light the rights which belonged to them as constituent parts of the British Empire. The case appeared to them so plain that they could not doubt that the government would come to view it in the same manner. In this confident expecta- tion they were doomed to meet a sad disappointment. In- stead of yielding to the arguments presented and urged by the advocates of the rights and interests of the colonies, the government at home repelled them in a tone at once haughty and menacing, and insisted on prompt and uncon- ditional obedience to the acts of Parliament, — the stamp act, and others based on the same principle. The colonists hardly knew what to do or what to expect. They could hardly persuade themselves that the government would persist in the course it had adopted; that it would resort to force for the purpose of compelling them to submission. Their doubts on this point were ere long removed. They were constrained to conclude that there was no other alter- native but implicit obedience to the acts of Parliament, or open resistance to the whole power of England. On such times your ancestors fell, just as they were laying the foundations of society in this place. The first notice of these public affairs to be found in the records of the town, is as follows: — At a town meeting held at Norfolk, lawfully assembled June 30, 1774, Mr. Dudley Humphrey, moderator, the fol- lowing action was had: Taking into consideration the truly alarming, threatening steps and acts of the British Legislature, respecting our liberties, and, in a word, all that is dear both with regard to ourselves and all British America, the Resolves of our honorable House of Repre- sentatives being laid before the meeting were highly ap- proved of, Therefore, Voted, that the Resolves passed by the honorable House of Representatives of this Colony at Hartford, May last, be entered at large on the records of this town, as containing sentiments worthy to be ever abided by.' HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 27 There were eleven of these Resolutions. The substantial point set forth in them was, that taxation and representa- tion were inseparably connected together; and that inas- much as the colonies were not represented in the Parlia- ment of Great Britain, Therefore, that Parliament had not the right to tax the colonies, — this being the matter chiefly insisted on in the Resolutions, as deemed important at the time. There were contained in the resolutions also expres- sions of loyalty to the British throne that it is not easy to realize were honestly entertained by the inhabitants of this very town. I will quote one or two of them. The first is in these terms: We do most expressly declare, recognize and acknowl- edge His Majesty, King George the Third, to be the lawful and rightful King of Great Britain and all other of his do- minions and countries, and that it is the indispensable duty of the people of this country, as being part of His Majesty's dominions, always to bear faithful and true allegiance to His Majesty, and him to defend to the utmost of their power against all attempts upon his royal person, crown and dignity.' After setting forth their rights as they re- gard them as British subjects in several particulars, they thus speak in the tenth resolution: 'We look upon the great- est security and well being of the colony to depend on our connection with great Britain, which it is ardently wished may continue to the latest posterity.' These were the hon- est sentiments of your ancestors, publicly expressed less than a century ago, on this very spot. How strange it ap- pears to us! What a change has in the meantime come about! The last resolution, the eleventh, is a noble one. It is in these terms: 'Resolved, that it is an indispensable duty which we owe to our King, our colony, ourselves, and our posterity, by all lawful ways and means in our power, to maintain, defend and preserve these our rights and lib- erties, and to transmit them entire and inviolate to the latest generation; and that it is our fixed determination and 28 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. unalterable resolution faithfully to discharge this our duty.' The event proved how sincere they were in adopting this resolution. Who is not proud of such an ancestry? who will not thank God that the shaping of his earthly condition, the protection and preservation of his rights and liberties, were, before he saw the light, under God com- mitted to such hands? From these resolutions it appears that the colonies, — for similar resolutions were adopted in them all, — did not at the outset of their troubles aim at, or even desire, Inde- pendence. They sought not a separate national existence. Then in this resolution to defend and preserve inviolate their rights and liberties they could not foresee the result of their endeavor. They were not cheered by a prospect of the glorious result. They acted from a noble sense of duty, and trusted the result to God, and it far exceeded their most exalted anticipations. The meeting, at which the resolutions just referred to were endorsed by a unanimous vote of this town, was holden June 20, 1774. On the 20th of September of the same year at a town meeting of which Giles Pettibone, Esq., was chosen moderator, there was adopted a vote that was quite significant. 'Voted a rate of one-half penny on the pound, to be made on the list of 1773, to raise money to buy a town stock of powder, etc., for the town of Nor- folk.' "^ Nothing is said of the reason for providing the town with powder, etc., but coming soon after their expressed determination to maintain their rights and liberties, — it has a rather practical look. Previous to these troubles that sprung up between the colonies and the government at home, the colonies were politically independent of each other. They were mutually connected by no alliance. Very early after these troubles began, which was immediately on the close of the French war, 1763, the idea of a convention of representatives from the colonies, occurred to some leading minds; among others to James Otis of Boston. Such a convention was holden HISTORY OF NOEFOLK. 29 in New York in October, 1765, and addressed an united petition to Parliament. The English statesmen at home thought that the colonies never would form any alliance. Lord Grenville had said that from jealousy of neighborhood and clashing interests the colonies never could form a dan- gerous alliance among themselves, but must permanently preserve their common connection with the mother country. In both particulars his prophecy was falsified. No other convention or congress of representatives was holden till September 5, 1774, when one was assembled at Philadelphia. In this congress all the colonies except Georgia were represented. Peyton Kandolph, one of the delegates from Virginia, was elected Prsident, and Charles Thompson, a citizen of Philadelphia, was chosen Secretary. The rule of proceeding adopted was, to allow each colony or province one vote in determining questions. - A com- mittee consisting of two from each colony was appointed to state the rights of the colonies in general, the instances in which those rights had been violated, and the means most proper to be pursued for obtaining a restoration of them. While this convention was in session at Philadel- phia, General Gage, the British general, was throwing up fortifications around Boston. The convention sent a re- monstrance to Gen. Gage, and passed a resolution approv- ing of the opposition of the inhabitants of Massachusetts to the execution of the late acts of Parliament, and de- claring that if the same shall be attempted to be carried into execution by force, in such case all America ought to support them in their opposition. The convention at Phila- delphia remained in session till October, when they adopted with great unanimity a series of resolutions in the same spirit with those that had been adopted in the General As- sembly of Connecticut, and they prepared addresses to the King, to the people of Great Britain, to the inhabitants of the colonies they represented, and to the inhabitants of the Province of Quebec. These addresses were admirable, — not merely for the clearness and firmness with which the rights of their country were vindicated, but for unexampled 30 HISTOKY OF NORFOLK. elevation and dignity of sentiment, as well as energy and elegance of language. Lord Chatham said, *That though he had studied and admired the free states of antiquity, the master spirits of the world, yet for solidity of reason- ing force of sagacity, and wisdom of conclusion, no body of men could stand in preference to this Congress.' But what had all this to do with the inhabitants of this little town up among the mountains? The records of the town show that your ancestors here thought they were concerned. They were fully alive to what was going for- ward in England, at Boston, and in Philadelphia. The resolutions adopted at Philadelphia were scattered over the land, and everywhere met a most hearty response. The following entry is found in the records of this town: 'At a town meeting held at Norfolk December 26th, 1774, Asahel Case was chosen moderator; Voted, that the re- solves and association of the Continental Congress, held at Philadelphia, September 5, 1774, are well approved of and agreed to be abided by, by said town, not one appearing in the negative.' And when the day of resolutions was passed, and that of action had arrived, we have evidence that the people of this place made good all their pledges. Jonathan Trumbull was then Governor of Connecticut. General Washington used, I believe, to speak of him as 'Brother Jonathan,' and relied upon him with great con- fidence. He was always ready to lend all the help he could, and the people of his gallant little state were prompt in responding to calls for assistance, made by their beloved Governor. Various items in your town records show this. But time will not permit further details, except to refer to one circumstance; that is, that Rev. Mr. Bobbins, the first minister of this place, by the consent of the people, went for a time in the capacity of Chaplain in the Army. In the win- ter of 1775, an expedition was sent into Canada under the command of Brigadier General Richard Montgomery, who was to be aided by General Benedict Arnold, who was sent to meet him before Quebec. General Montgomery was an Englishman; he was under Wolf, who took Quebec, but on HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 31 the breaking out of the Revolutionary war joined the Amer- icans, and was appointed one of the eight Brigadier Gen- erals under General Washington. He took Montreal, but in a night attack on Quebec, in December, failed and was killed. An attempt was made to reinforce Arnold. Troops were sent up from this state, and it was as Chaplain of the Connecticut recruits that Mr. Bobbins went. He left home March 18, 1776, and returned home October 31st. He made one flying visit to his family in the meantime. We cannot get anything like a correct idea of the early history of this town without keeping in mind the condition of the country at the time. Then we see how numerous were the difficul- ties with which they had to struggle, and how manfully they encountered them. One advantage of becoming familiar with the early his- tory of our town and our country will be to revive family ties, and to strengthen local attachment. I am gratified to see an increased disposition to trace out the genealogies of families, and to mark with monuments the places that have been rendered worthy of remembrance on account of the deeds that have distinguished them. Many causes have operated to weaken in our country the strength of natural ties, and to render us forgetful of our ancestors, and our kindred. The Revolutionary war seemed to cut us ofif from those families in England from whom our ancestors descended. Then families here seldom remain together on the same spot, or in the same neighborhood. They become scattered and soon forget each other. Everything that counteracts this tendency is to be welcomed as of good tendency. The memory of our ancestors is a legacy of value, and we ought not to be indifferent to the place where they lived, labored, died, and where their bones repose. I wish we had more love of our native towns and coun- try. Such feelings are not poetical moonshine. They are natural and manly sentiments. They are worthy of culti- vation. I hope as time rolls on, and the science and art 32 HISTOEY OF NOEFOLK. of agriculture shall be improved, that there will be less pulling up and going to the everlasting West, leaving our old homesteads to degenerate under the semi-barbarous usage of foreigners. We have a lovable country; that is, one that is suited to enlist the affections. When men shall learn that it can be made fertile with proper care; that it is wise to invest their surplus earnings, not in getting more land, but in improving what they have; that such invest- ments are the safest in the long run, the most productive; then we shall not go out to settle on the dead flats of west- ern prairies, where there is no more difference between farms than between two eggs. Who can love one quarter section rather than another? The farms have no features; nothing to distinguish them. The Scotchman loves his wild mountains and lakes. The Swiss cling with an undying affection to his heaven towering Alps. The hills and valleys around us, our clear, swift streams present pictures to the eye. Every farm is an individual thing; and when the whole has been adorned by a more generous cultivation, and by public spirit; and when we think of the rich associations that the fathers have left upon it, who will not say that the lines have fallen to us in pleasant places, and that we have a goodly heri- tage? Let us thank God for it, and for our fathers, who in their day performed their duty. Let us cultivate a local spirit, and strive to transmit the place improved in all re- spects to our descendants." "Breathes there a man with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native land?" HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 33 IV. CONNECTICUT'S EARLY TOWN SYSTEM — SETTLEMENT OF FIRST TOWNS IN LITCHFIELD COUNTY — GRANT OF YHE "WESTERN LANDS," WHICH BECAME THIRTEEN TOWNS, TO THE TOWNS OF HARTFORD AND WINDSOR — LONG CONTROVERSY BETWEEN THE COLONY AND THOSE TOWNS — ORGANIZATION OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY — FINAL SALE AND SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN AND ITS INCORPORATION — ORIGINAL PETITIONS. In a history of Norfolk, Connecticut, which is a child of Windsor and Hartford, — the first towns settled in the state, — and so but a grandchild of the original settlement of the Puritans at Plymouth, Massachusetts, it seems appropriate to speak briefly of Connecticut's town system, which has been of more importance in the formation of our general government, and had a far wider influence than many of us at the present day are aware. Professor Johnston of Princeton, N. J., in his very valu- able work, '^American Commonwealths," in the preface to his ''Connecticut," says: — "The institution of towns had its origin in Massachusetts. Connecticut's town system was more independent of out- side action than that of Massachusetts. The principle of local government had here a more complete recognition, and in the form in which it has done best service, its begin- ning was in Connecticut. The first conscious and delib- erate effort on this continent to establish the democratic principle in control of government was the settlement of Connecticut, and her Constitution of 1639, the first written and democratic constitution on record, was the starting point for the democratic development, which has since gained control of all commonwealths, and now makes the essential feature of our commonwealth government. . . . The Connecticut delegates in the Convention of 1787 held a position of unusual influence. The frame of their com- ^4 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. monwealth government, with its equal representation of towns in one branch, and its general popular representa- tion in the other, had given them a training which enabled them to bend the form of our National Constitution into a corresponding shape; and the peculiar constitution of our Congress, in the different bases of the Senate and House of Representatives, was the result of Connecticut's long main- tenance of a federative democracy." Regarding the formation of Connecticut's Constitution referred to by Professor Johnston, it appears that on Jan- uary 14, 1639, all the ^'freemen" of Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfleld met ''to constitute a public state or common- wealth," by voluntary combination, as they termed it, and "to settle its plan of government." They had no precedent to follow. They must, as it were, "blaze the way," led by the one all controlling purpose of their lives, which had caused them to leave home and native land, to cross the trackless ocean, and to settle here on these wild western shores, in order that they might secure first of all "freedom to worship God according to the dictates of their own con- sciences," and to establish a government, "of the people, by the people, and for the people," for themselves and their posterity. The instrument framed at this time by these, the first settlers in Connecticut, has been called, "the first example in history of a written constitution ; a distinct, organic law, constituting a government and defining its powers." Bryce, in his "American Commonwealths," says: "The oldest truly political constitution in America is the instrument called the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, framed by the in- habitants of Windsor, Hartford and Wethersfield in 1639." As we may later on refer to some of the provisions of this constitution, under which with but little alteration for one hundred and eighty years, the colony and state of Connec- ticut prospered and progressed, it may be permitted to add that under it, "all persons to possess the franchise should be admitted to it by the freemen of the towns, and take an oath of allegiance to the commonwealth." (In the Mas- HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 35 sachusetts settlements at that time the civil franchise was based on church membership.) ''There should be two meet- ings of the freemen (elections we call them) in a year. At the one to be holden in April they should elect a Governor, and not fewer than six other Magistrates; that at the same time there should be elections of Deputies, — four to be sent from each of the existing towns, and as many as the Gen- eral Court should determine, from towns subsequently con- stituted. That the General Court, consisting of the Gov- ernor and at least four Magistrates and a majority of Depu- ties, should have power to make laws for the whole juris- diction, to grant levies, admit freemen, dispose of lands undisposed cf lo the several towns or persons, to call either Court, or Magistrate, or any other person whatsoever into question, for any misdemeanor and to deal in any other matter that concerned the good of the commonwealth. 'In the absence of special laws, the rule of the word of God was to be followed.' The Governor was not re-eligible for election until a year after the expiration of his term of office/' etc. The first mention we have found of the settlement of any of the towns in Litchfield County, as this county is now constituted, is that of the town of Woodbury, which was settled in 1672, incorporated as a town in 1674, first represented in the General Court 1684. Woodbury orig- inally included the towns of Washington, Bethlehem, Southbury and Roxbury. Of the twenty-eight towns in the entire colony, Woodbury was the only town in Litchfield County that was represented in the General Court at Hart- ford in May, 1700. Litchfield County was organized in Oc- tober, 1751. At the session of the General Court in Octo- ber, 1703, it is recorded that, "This court doe grant to the town of Milford, purchasers of a tract of land of the Indians (which land lieth at Wiantenuck) for a township liberty, ac- cording to their purchase to take out a pattent signed by the Governor and Secretary, under the seal of the Colonic, that they doe make a settlement upon said land within five years. The name of the said town to be New Milford." 36 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. At the May session, 1719: — Upon the petition of Lieut. John Marsh of Hartford, and Dea. John Buell of Lebanon, with many others, praying liberty under committees ap- pointed by the towns of Hartford and Windsor, to settle a town westward of Farmington at a place called Bantam: ''This Assembly doe grant liberty and full power unto the said John Marsh, John Buell and partners, settlers, being in the whole fifty-seven in number, to settle a town at said Bantam; . . . said town to be known by the name of Litchfield." Mention of the tract of land which included Norfolk follow^s the above: "And forasmuch as there is a large tract of land that lieth eastward, westward and north- wardly of said town, being bounded eastward by Farming- ton and Symsbury, and from thence extending northward unto the Massachusetts line, by which line the tract is bounded north, and westwardly by the colony line, and southwardly by Waterbury, Litchfield and Woodbury, and from Woodbury town line unto the said colony line; to the end that the said tract of land may be improved for the good of the colony and be regularly settled, — be it enacted by the Governor (etc.), — that the whole of said tract of land shall lie for the further dispose of this Assembly." This "large tract of land" comprised what w^as afterward laid out and settled as the towns of Kent, Cornwall, Canaan, Salisbury, Norfolk, Goshen, Winchester, New Hartford, Torrington, Harwinton, Hartland, Colebrook and Bark- hampsted. A serious controversy regarding this land arose between the General Court on one side and the towns of Hartford and W^indsor on the other, caused by a grant of the entire tract to Hartford and Windsor by the General Court, in January, 1686. The occasion for this grant was as follows: — Sir Edmund Andros had been governor of New York for about eight years from 1678, and his arbitrary and oppres- sive acts had made him very obnoxious in all the colonies. In 1685 Andros was appointed by the British crown, gov- ernor of New England. Fearing that Andros might take possession of this unconveyed tract of land, and by its sale HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 37 enrich himself and his friends, the General Court in Jan- uary, 1686, made a conveyance or grant of the entire tract to "the plantations of Hartford and Windsor," doubtless intending that those towns should hold the lands in trust for the further disposal of the colony when the danger from Andros' power should have passed by, but failing (perhaps fearing) so to express it in the conveyance, it was main- tained, at a considerably later period, that it was a valid grant of the entire tract to the two towns. This "grant" as found in the Colonial Records of Con- necticut, is as follows: "A special General Court, held at Hartford, January 26, 1686: This Court grants the planta- tions of Hartford and Windsor those lands on the north of Woodbury and Mattatuck and on the west of Farmington and Simsbury, to the Massachusetts. line north, and to run west to Housatunock or Stratford River (provided it be not, or part of it, formerly granted to any particular per- sons), to make a plantation or villages thereon." In a foot- note in this Colonial Record, transcribed by J. Hammond Trumbull, he says: "The General Court, in anticipation of the loss of the charter by a judgment on the Quo Warranto, or of being compelled to surrender it to Andros, now took such measures as were in their power to secure the colony against the future exactions of an arbitrary governor. . . The grant now recorded to Hartford and Windsor, to make a plantation or villages, was intended to put all the vacant lands west of the Connecticut to the Housatonic beyond the reach of Andros or other similarly commissioned gov- ernor. The expedient was, in its immediate results, effec- tual; but at a later period (1722-1726) this grant was the occasion of long and angry controversy between the towns of Hartford and Windsor, and the colony." Concerning this controversy, in his "History of Norfolk," Roys says: "They (the towns) had never purchased nor given the least valuable consideration for them (the lands), and had no valid deeds or patents of them." Yet, as ap- pears by the record, and as given in full above, the Gen- eral Court at a special session held January 26, 1686, did 38 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. "grant the plantations of Hartford and Windsor those lands, ... to make a plantation or villages thereon." At the time of the controversy, nearly forty years had passed since the date of the grant, and the active partici- pants in the matter had most of them, perhaps all of them, passed away, and a new generation was upon the stage of action. It is not surprising that this new generation should insist that the grant meant what it plainly said. Self in- terest was doubtless as strong a motive power then as it is in the end of the nineteenth century. Continuing, Roys says: "By virtue of the above grant they laid claim to all the lands within the limits expressed, and in violation of the most explicit laws of the colony they proceeded to lo- cate and vend the lands in controversy. "The governor and company still claimed the lands as firmly as if no grant had been made to those towns, and some of the principal innovators were arrested and pun- ished by the superior court, and some of them were com- mitted to the common prison at Hartford. The contention finally rose so high that quite a number of persons col- lected in a riotous manner, and even while the assembly were in session they went forward, broke open the jail and set those prisoners at liberty. The sheriff of the county of Hartford was ordered to pursue, apprehend and re-commit them, and was authorized, if necessary, to call out the mili- tia of the county to assist him." At the October session of the General Court in 1724, in the Colonial Records it is recorded that: "Upon consideration of the memorial of Hon. Joseph Talcott, Esq., and others, proposing that the dif- ference in the colony about the ancient grant of the western lands to the towns of Hartford and Windsor may be ami- cably composed, praying the Assembly to appoint a com- mittee to meet with a committee from said towns upon said affairs, this Assembly do appoint and impower James Wadsworth, John Hall, and Hez. Brainerd, Esqrs., to be the committee of the government on the affairs referred to in the petition, and report to this Assembly in May next the propositions which they may receive and make, ... in HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 39 order to this Assembly settling and quieting that diflSculty." The above committee reported at the May session, 1726, as follows: ^'Proposed to the committee of Hartford and Windsor; that the whole tract of land claimed by said towns be equally divided between the government and said towns, in the following manner to be done: I. That the government have the western side thereof and said towns to have the eastern side thereof. . . . The above proposal . . . this Assembly do accept, and James Wadsworth, John Hall and Hez. Brainerd, Esqrs., are appointed to be a committee to join with such committees as Hartford and Windsor shall appoint, to make a division of said lands." At the Litchfield County Centennial celebration, held in Litchfield, August, 1851, Hon. Samuel Church, LL.D., Chief Justice of the state, gave the principal address. Referring to this old controversy. Judge Church said: 'Trevious to the accession of James IL to the throne of England, and before our chartered rights were threatened by the arrival of Sir Edmund Andros, the territory now comprising the County of Litchfield, was very little known to the Colonial Government at Hartford. The town of W^oodbury, then large in extent, had been occupied some years earlier than this by Rev. Mr. Walker's congregation from Stratford. The other parts of the County were noticed only as a wil- derness, and denominated the 'Western Lands.' Still it was supposed that at some time they might be to some ex- tent inhabited and worth something. At any rate, they were believed to be worth the pains of keeping out of the way of the new government of Sir Edmund, which was then apprehended to be near. To avoid his authority over these lands, and to preserve them for a future and better time of disposal, they were granted by the Assembly of the Colony, to the towns of Hartford and Windsor, in 1686, at least so much of them as lay east of the Housatonic river. '*! do not stop to examine the moral quality of this grant, which may be reasonably doubted. It was soon after (more than thirty years) followed by the usual consequences of grants denominated by lawyers, constructively fraudulent, 40 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. dispute and contention. Years afterward the Colonial As- sembly attempted to resume this grant, and to reclaim the title of these lands for the Colony. This was resisted by the towns of Hartford and Windsor, which relied upon the inviolability of plighted faith and public grants. The towns not only denied the right, but actually resisted the power of the Assembly, in the resumption of their solemn deed. This produced riots, and attempts to break the jail in Hartford, in which several of the resisting inhabitants of Hartford and Windsor were confined. "It would be difficult for the Jurists of the present day, educated in the principles of Constitutional Law, to justify the Assembly in the recision of its own grant; and it can- not but excite a little surprise.that the politicians of that day, who had not yet ceased to complain of the mother country for its attempts, by writs of quo warranto, to seize our charter, should so soon be engaged, and without the forms of law, too, in attempts of a kindred character against their own grantees. No wonder that resistance followed, and it was more than half successful, as it resulted in a compromise, which confirmed to the claimants under the towns, the lands in the town of Litchfield and a part of the town of New Milford. The other portions of the territory were intended to be equally divided between the Colony and the claiming towns. Torrington, Barkhamsted, Cole- brook, and a part of Harwinton, were appropriated to Windsor; Hartland, Winchester, New Hartford, and the other part of Harwinton were relinquished to Hartford, and the remaining lands in dispute, now constituting the towns of Norfolk, Goshen, Canaan, Kent, Sharon and Salisbury, were retained by the Colony." Although the Assembly accepted the report of the com- mittee for an equal division of the lands, between the Colony and the towns, and appointed a committee to make the division, about twelve years passed before the matter was finally adjusted. At the October session, 1738, the As- sembly ratified and confirmed the doings of the committees that had made the division, and directed the Governor or HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 41 Deputy Governor to execute a patent of the lands, called "Waramaug's Reserve," to the proprietors of the towns of Hartford and Windsor ; and so the long controversy was ''amicably composed." Trumbull, in his "Memorial History of Hartford County," says: "On the division of the 'Western Lands' in 1726, the township of Litchfield, and seven other townships in the eastern part of the territory which now constitutes Litch- field County, were conceded to the towns of Hartford and Windsor; and by mutual agreement between those towns in 1732, the inhabitants of Hartford became sole owners of Uartland, Winchester, New Hartford, and half of Harwin- ton; and the inhabitants of Windsor had Colebrook, Bark- hamsted, Torrington, and the west half of Harwinton. Each tax-payer in Hartford and Windsor became the pro- prietor of a share in one or other of the seven new town- ships. Winchester was first surveyed and laid out in 1758, and the owners of the wild territory belonged in Hartford, whence many of the settlers came. It was incorporated in 1771. New Hartford was settled about 1733, and as its name would signify, its early inhabitants were from Hart- ford. . . . The first settlement of Norfolk, which began in 1744, was by men from Hartford and Windsor." The laying out of the College land in this town is of interest. At the October session, 1732, "upon the memorial of Rev. Mr. Samuel Andrew and others, trustees of Yale College, this Assembly do grant and order, that in each of the five new townships lately laid out East of the Ousa- tunnuck river, there shall be laid out in one entire piece, three hundred acres of land, to be laid out at a distance from the several town platts; which tracts of land, con- taining in the whole fifteen hundred acres, shall, when laid out, be by a patent under the seal of this Colony, granted and confirmed to the trustees of said College, to have and to hold to them and their successors, trustees of said Col- lege, for the only and sole use benefit and behoof of said school forever, and to no other use." This College land was accordingly laid out in the north-western part of the town, near or toward the Canaan town line. 42 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. After the long controversy over these lands had been settled, their attention was turned to dividing into "rights," as they termed it, making sale of and settling these new towns. At the October session, 1737, it was enacted: ^'Tliat all the townships in the western lands, on both sides the Ousatunnuck river, be disposed of and settled, and that each town on the east side of said river shall be divided into fifty-three rights, exclusive, of the lands granted to the College, ... of which fifty-three rights, one shall be for the use of the ministry forever that shall be settled in the town according to the constitution and order of the churches established by the laws of the government: one for the first gospel minister settled as aforsaid; and one right for the support of the school in said town. . . . And the remaining fifty rights in said towns shall be sold at public vendue to the highest bidders, being of his Majestie's subjects, inhabitants of this colony, that will settle and inhabit at least three years in such towns, and to no other persons. . . . It is further enacted that . . . every purchaser shall be obliged within three years next after their purchase to build and finish an house of eighteen feet square, and seven feet stud; and to subdue and fence at least six acres of land in such town where he is settled or hath fixed his agent. . . . Agreeable to which it is further enacted that the northeastern township ... be sold at Hartford, at the court house to the highest bidders ... on the second Tuesday of April next, . . . and that a committee be appointed to sell and assign the rights, . . . and take bonds with surety of the purchasers for the money bidden, and give deeds, in manner and form as hereafter in this act directed." At the May session, 1738, it was enacted, *'That the town- ship at Hartford, by order of this Assembly upon the sec- ond Tuesday of April last, shall be called and known by the name of Norfolk" (possibly from the name of Norfolk County, England). It was further enacted that "the pur- chasers shall have liberty to assemble themselves, notice being first given, to choose their clerk (who shall take a HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 43 prescribed oath), ... to make partition of said land, and to lay out the three public lots in said township, to choose committees, levy taxes, etc., ... as the proprietors of common and undivided lands in any town in this Colony may do." At the same session it was further enacted: "That the five townships lying on the east side of Ousatunnuck river, namely, Goshen, Canaan, Cornwall, Kent and Norfolk, are hereby annexed to the county of Hartford." At the October session, 1738, the committee who sold the town of Norfolk in April previous reported that, "Ac- cording to your direction we sold the town on the west of Colebrook for about £180 per lot, and not having time that day to finish the writings, ... the next day . . . they all but one (Timothy Horsford), who had taken a deed be- fore, declined taking their deeds." "Upon the above report, resolved by this Assembly, that the sale of the above mentioned township be deferred till this Assembly shall give further order in that affair." For twelve years nothing seems to have been done toward selling the town. Roys says: "There were so many townships offered for sale which were considered far pref- erable, both as to soil and situation, that when it was first set up at vendue, one bidder only appeared and bid off a small part of it." At the May session, 1750, an order for the sale of the town was made, for the third Wednesday of December next, but the sale was postponed by order of the session in Oc- tober of the same year. At the same (October) session Capt. Roger Wolcott and Mr. Thomas Seymour were appointed a committee, "to take effectual care of the township of Nor- folk, and that no trespasses be committed upon the lands or timber growing thereon, and to prosecute to final judg- ment and execution every person who shall in anywise trespass thereupon." At the October session, 1751, it was enacted that: "The townships of Litchfield, Woodbury, New Milford, Harwin- ton, New Hartford, Barkhampsted, Hartland, Colebrook, 44 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Norfolk, Canaan, Salisbury, Kent, Sharon, Cornwall, Goshen, Torrington and Winchester, lying in the north- westerly part of this colony, shall be and remain one entire county, and be called the County of Litchfield, . . . and to include the towns above mentioned." At both the May and October sessions of 1754, orders of sale of the town of Norfolk were made and some rights were sold in that year, and at the May session, 1755, "Seventeen pounds, eight shillings and five pence, lawful money, was granted to the committee, for their service in said affair." After a struggle to settle and form a town, which had lasted about twenty years, at the October session, 1758, "On the memorial of John Turner, Jedediah Richards, Ebenezer Burr, and others, all of Norfolk in the county of Litchfield, showing to this Assembly that there are settled in safd township forty-three families ; praying that said inhabitants may have town privileges as other towns in this colony have, and also have power to procure the Gospel to be preached among them, as by their memorial on file appears. Resolved by this Assembly, that the said memorialists and others, inhabitants of said Norfolk, be, and they are hereby made and created an entire town, by the name of the town of Norfolk in the County of Litchfield. And this Assembly do also grant to said town of Norfolk all such rights, powers, privileges and immunities as each or any of the towns in this Colony by law already have. And that Mr. George Palmer and Mr. Ezra Knap, both of said town, be, and they are hereby appointed and impowered, to give due warning and notice to all the inhabitants of said town, to meet at some suitable place in said town, on the second Tuesday of December next, and when met, to choose all such town officers as the other towns in this Colony by law have right to choose and appoint." The following petitions, copied from the original docu- ments in the archives of the state, are of interest, and al- though in some instances involving a repetition to some extent of matter found elsewhere, are inserted, giving, as they do, a correct list of the original settlers of the town, etc.: HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 45 Petition of Timothy Horsford for extension of time of payment of bonds. "To ye Honorable General Assembly of his Majesties Collony of Connecticut, Convened in New Haven October 18, 1739. "The memorial of Timothy Horsford of the northern Township in this Government sold at Arford by an act of Assembly holden in New Haven October 13, 1787, humbly showeth: That whereas ye memorialist having purchased one 53d part of s'd township and taken a deed thereof from the Gov. and Company of this Collony at £ 170, and given bonds with sureties for payment thereof and also for settling the same according to s'd act of Assembly; but for as much as the other parts of s'd township are not sold and conveyed, ye memorialist is wholly deprived of the benefit of his purchase, and the time of payment drawing near, and ye memorialist being the only proprietor that took a deed, &c., Prayes that this Honorable Assembly would consider the loan- some and disapointed circumstances of ye memorialist being obliged to dwell there alone, and nott knowing where to pitch or to improve, nor who will have the benefit of his labours, when the s'd township shall be divided;— and grant relief, either by granting libertie for ye memorialist to lay out to himself on his own right 200 acres of land in order to settle himself with one neighbour, or defer the time of payments for s'd land until those that shall purchase the other of s'd rights may be obliged to make their payments, and abate the interest that the land will draw to that time, and nott make ye me- morialist alone suffer for the neglect of others who were fellow pur- chasers, and have hitherto refused or neglected to take deeds and give security, or in some other way grant ye memorialist some re- lief; and ye memorialist as in duty bound, &c."' TIMOTHY HORSFORD. New Haven October 18, 1739. "In ye Lower House, on ye within memorial granted yt. the time of payment be deferred for ye term of four years, and that ye interest thereof be abated for sd time, provided sd memorialist find sufficient security &c to ye acceptance of ye committee that sold &c and all at ye cost of ye memorialist, and that a bill be drawn in form." Test ANDREW BURR Clerk. Concurred in the Upper House. Test GEORGE WYLLYS Sect. From the original petition in the State archives at Hartford. 46 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. "Petition to set up the order of the Gospel amongst us." "To the Honorable the General Assembly to be held at New Haven on the 12th day of October next; a memorial of us the sub- scribers, inhabitants of Norfolk in Litchfield county, humbly showeth &c this honorable Assembly that we are settled here about 43 fami- lies, agreeable to the act of Assembly, and we are destitute of town privileges, and therefore we pray if your honors would be pleased to grant unto us town privileges so as the rest of the towns of the colony have, and so set up the order of the Gospel amongst us; and your memorialists bound in duty forever pray. Dated in Norfolk the 21 day of September 1758. Jed Richards Joseph Mills James Benedict Jedediah Turner Justis Gaylord by his attorney David Turner Samuel Cowls Thomas Dickinson David Phelps by his attorney John Turner Ezra Knapp William Barbur Cornelius Dowd Elijah Barbur Asahel Case James Hotchkiss by his attorney Enos Hotchkiss Isaac Pettibone Abraham Knap Samuel Mills Elisha Richards Rufus Lawrence Ebenezer Burr Eli Pettibone Luther Barbur Zadok Knapp Giles Pettibone John Turner Jr. Samuel Arnold Sam'l Gaylord Aaron Aspinwell by his attorney Gideon Lawrence Cornelius Brown Amiriah Plumb." Past in the Lower House. Test J. Huntington Clerk. Concurred in the Upper House. Test George Wyllys Sect." From the original petition in the state archives in the State Capitol at Hartford. Petitioners for Town Meeting. "Upon consideration the Honorable General Assembly should re- fuse to grant to us the subscribers our memorial incorporating us as a town, we humbly pray that your honors would be pleased to ap- HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 47 point Mr. George Palmer, Mr. Ezra Norfolk to give out warning for a choice of town oflScers. In witness day of October. 1758." John Turner Eli Pettibone Sam'l Arnold Thomas Dickinson by his attorney Isaac Knapp Amariah Plumb James Benedict Jediah Turner by his attorney Elishah Richards Giles Pettibone Ebenezer Burr Samuel Mills Knapp and Mr. Asel Case all of town meeting and lead us to a whereof we set our hands this 7 Cornelius Dowd Justis Gaylord Jed'h Richards John Turner Jr. Aaron Aspenwall James Hotchkiss David Turner Samuel Gaylord by his attorney Isaac Pettibone Cornelius Brown Samuel Cowls Joseph Mills David Phelps." From the original petition in the State Archives at Hartford. Petition for town privileges. "To the Honorable, the General Assembly of the Collony of Connecticut now sitting in Hartford in Hartford County, on the 12th day of May 1757: Wee the subscribers all of Norfolk in the county of Litchfield, humbly pray this Honorable Assembly to grant unto us and ye rest of ye inhabitants of sd town all the privileges and immunity proper to a town and such as the rest of ye towns in this Collony enjoy, in order to our regular proceeding in and doing ye public bisnes proper and nessary for a town to do. And wee being 24 families settled in sd town, and about one hundred and fifty persons; the granting of which we are humbly of opinion will be of grate advantage to sd town and promote ye welfare theirof." Dated in Norfolk May ye 11th 1757. In the Lower House The prayer of this memorial Negatived. Test J. Huntington Clerk. John Turner Jed Richards John Turner Jr. Samuel Gaylord David Lawrence Jedediah Turner Justice Gaylord. From the original manuscript, in the archives of the State, at Hartford. 48 HISTOKY OF NORFOLK. FROM THE STATE RECORDS. Enactments Relating to Norfolk. Captain Giles Pettibone and Mr. William Walter, Representa- tives for Norfolk. January, 1778. "Whereas, It is recommended by Congress to the respective States to cause subscriptions to be opened under the inspection of some suitable person in each town, for supplies for the war on loan office certificates, specifying the names of the lenders and the sum they are willing to lend, and that copies of such subscription papers shall from time to time be delivered to the respective commissioners of the Continental loan office, and by them transmitted to Congress; provided that no certificate shall issue for less than Two Hundred Dollars:— Resolved, That Titus Ives, in the town of Norfolk • • * is hereby appointed, impowered and directed to open subscriptions in that town for the purpose recommended as aforesaid," etc. "This Assembly do establish Elkanah Phelps to be Ensign of the North Company or Trainband, in the town of Norfolk, in the 14th Regiment in this State. "This Assembly do establish Andrew Kingsbury to be Ensign of the First Company or Trainband in the 14th Regiment in this State." January 1778. "Voted, That Mr. William W'hiting, one of the overseers of Salisbury furnace be impowered and directed to purchase one hogs- head of New England, and one barrel of West India rum for the use of the workmen at said furnace on the best terms he may be able." F'ebruary 1778. Mr. Rosea Wilcox, Mr. Asahel Humphrey, Representatives for Norfolk, October 1778. "This Assembly do establish Titus Ives to be Captain of the 9th Company or Trainband in the 14th Regiment in this State. "This Assembly do establish Elkanah Phelps to be Lieutenant, and Isaac Holt to be Ensign of the 9th Company or Trainband in the 14th Regiment in this State." Mr. Dudley Humphrey, Capt. Michael Mills, Representatives for Norfolk, May 1779. "An Act for making and naming a new District for a Court of Probate in this State. "Be it enacted, etc. That the towns of Norfolk, Colebrook and Winchester, shall be one entire district for a Court of Probate, and shall be called and known by the name of the District of Norfolk, and that in said district there shall be a court of probate held by one judge, to be appointed and commissioned for that purpose according HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 49 to law ; * * * which court shall have and exercise the same powers, ' authorities and privileges that the other courts of probate in this State have, and are vested with." "Total of the list of the town of Norfolk in the State of Con- necticut as taken upon the 20th day of August, 1788." "£10029 7s. lid. Single additions £76. Fourfold Assessments £156." HOW THE ORIGINAL TITLE TO LAND IN THIS TOWN WAS OBTAINED — PROPRIETORS' MEETINGS — MANNER OF DIVIDING AND DRAWING LAND — ENCOURAGEMENT TO SOMEONE TO BUILD AN IRON WORKS, EIGHTY ACRES OF LAND WAS VOTED. To go back several years, it cannot fail to be of interest to some readers who have not had the opportunity of in- vestigating the matter to learn how the original title to the land in this and adjacent towns was obtained. At the present day in the western part of our country, a purchaser of a section or a small fraction of a section of land demands and receives with his deed an "Abstract of Title," or a "Search," as it is sometimes called, showing a continuous chain of clear title back to the original U. S. Patent, or the old Spanish Grant, whoever the original pro prietor may have been. The Colony of Connecticut received a patent or "grant" of these lands from the British government, and were we curious to follow back the chain, the right or the title of the British to this as to some other of their possessions, might appear very remarkable. After the long struggle over these "Western lands," as they were called, had been "amicably composed," and by order of the Colonial government the lands had been divided into townships and imaginary town lines , established, the town of Norfolk was divided into fifty-three parts, or rights. Those "rights," as we have already seen, were then sold at public "vendue," and a purchaser of a "right" received from a committee properly authorized by the Colonial gov- 50 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. ernment a deed of one undivided fifty-third part of the land of this town. Of these fifty-three "rights" (three hundred acres in one piece having been appropriated in 1732) "for the benefit of Yale College forever, and to no other use," "one shall be for the use of the ministry forever, one for the first gospel min- ister settled, and one right for the support of the school in said town." The purchasers of the remaining 49 rights (Hosford's first purchase and the College grant having been called one right) each received his deed before a meeting of proprietors could be held or any division of the land made. A part of one of these original deeds is of interest: " Know all men by these presents that we, Benjamin Hall, Jabez Hamlin and Elihu Chauncy, a Committee appointed and fully em- powered by the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut in May last to make sale of forty-nine rights or shares of land in the township of Norfolli, in the County of Litchfield, the whole of which townsliip is to be distributed into fifty-two equal shares or rights, and that on this condition only: — that the purchasers shall be obliged to build a house, 18 feet square, 7 feet stud, and to make the same tenantable, and also clear six acres of land fit for mowing or plowing, and settle some suitable inhabitant thereupon each right respectively within four years from said purchase ; and on failure thereof such deed to be void. We therefore, on the conditions above said, and also for the consideration of £133 10s. lawful money, received to our full satisfaction of John Humphrey, Esq., of Simsbury, in the County of Hartford, do give, grant, sell, bargain and confirm unto the said Jolm Humphrey, Esq., and to his lieirs and assigns forever, one full right or share of land in the said township of Norfolk; To have and to hold, etc. * * * in behalf of the Governor and Company of said Colony, we do covenant and engage * * * to warrant and defend," etc. BENJ. HALL. JABEZ HAMLIN. ELIHU CHAUNCY. Middletown, 24 Nov., A. D. 1754. The first meeting of the proprietors of Norfolk was duly "warned" and held in Simsbury at the house of Jonathan HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 51 Humphrey, Dec. IS, 1754, at which meeting they appointed a committee of three to look into the affairs respecting those persons who are settled on the undivided lands in the township of Norfolk, and see that each person settled sur- render his possession into the hands of this propriety, secur- ing the fee to the propriety. (This action would seem somewhat arbitrary, as Cornelius Brown, for example, had already been living on and im- proving his ''right" for ten years.) It is interesting to know the way in which they divided the land in this entire town into fifty-two parts or properties. This was not done in one grand division, giving each proprietor his 1-52 part of the town in one piece or farm, but in a way that must have been far more equitable. In the record of the first meeting of the proprietors is the following: "This propriety will make a division of part of their un- divided lands in said Norfolk in manner following: We will lay out one hundred acres of land to each right for each proprietor, and for each public right, in two several parts or lots, fifty acres for each lot, two lots to each right. A committee of nine, hereafter named to lay out said land, shall cise each lot and endeavor to make one lot as good as another by adding more land to those lots that are not so good land. * * ♦ The committee shall first consult and lay out convenient and necessary highways as they shall judge needful, and shall lay out and bound such high- ways as they shall judge needful for country roads before they lay out the said lots." "The committee to lay out the highways and lots were Wm. Willcockson, Jonathan Pettibone, John Paterson, Samuel Lawrence, Daniel Lawrence, Jr., Benajah Douglas, Joshua Whitney, Cornelius Brown and Samuel Gaylord. The above committee shall improve a surveyor to help per- form said service at their discretion, who shall make a plan of the highways and also of each lot. "We will raise a rate or tax on each of the 49 rights lately purchased, of £8, in Bills of Credit of the old tenor, to de- fray the charges of laying out said highways and lots; and 52 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. each proprietor shall pay in said sum to Joshua Whitney, the Treasurer, before he have liberty to draw his lot or lots. Each proprietor shall have liberty to drav^^ his lots at the adjourned proprietors' meeting, to be held at Norfolk at the dwelling house of Cornelius Brown the first Wednes- day of May next, he paying said sum to the Treasurer. All mines and minerals found shall belong to said pro- prietors, to be improved as they shall think fit." At the second meeting of proprietors, held at the house of Cornelius Brown in Norfolk, May 7, 17.55, the following action was taken : "Whereas, several purchasers of rights in Norfolk, viz.: John Turner, Jun., Samuel Gaylord, Cornelius Brown, Ezra Nap, Ebenezer Nap, William Barber, George Palmer, James Hotchkiss and Samuel Manross are now in the improve- ment of lands in said Norfolk which are now laid out into lots, and requesting that they may have those lots assigned and set out to them in which their respective improvements are, Voted, that each of them who is a proprietor of a whole right shall have liberty to take to themselves one of the lots in which their improvements are, instead of drawing for their lots." Third meeting of proprietors at the house of George Palmer, May 21, 1755. "The committee brought in their surveys of highways and lots laid out, viz.: First laid out fifty acres to each right, which they called the first going over, and marked the num- ber of each lot on the bounds of said lot. Then laid out fifty acres more to each right, marked the number of each lot on the bounds thereof, and a mark to distinguish it, which they called the second going over. Then by agreement of the proprietors the committee selected out 52 of the lots which they judged the best, to be first drawn, part out of the first going over and part out of the second." ♦ ♦ ♦ "The method we now agree to draw for our lots is: — 'the 52 lots be put into a hatt, and some indifferent person shall draw out a ticket which shall be numbered, which shall be the lot's number, and the lot which either proprietor shall HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 53 draw as above shall be held as his in severalty, and the next 52 lots shall be drawn for in the same method.' " Someone may smile at the fact of 52 fifty acre lots having been "put into a hatt," but they understood it, and it was all right. Very few descendants of the original proprietors have, for the past fifty years at least, been known in the town, A few are still known here, viz.: Descendants of Cornelius Brown and Titus Brown, his brother, of some of the Hum- phreys, Pettibones, Samuel Gaylord, Daniel Lawrence, Samuel Butler, David Phelps, Ezra and Ebenezer Knapp, Jeremiah Case, James Hotchkiss, and possibly others. Someone, sometime, somewhere, may wish to know the names of these "proprietors," so I will insert them. Aside from the few first designated, each of the others was the owner of one right at the first drawing. Timothy Hosford had five rights; Jonathan Pettibone, three rights; Captain Daniel Lawrence, Jr., two rights; Benajah Douglas, two rights; Samuel Flagg, two rights. One each: John Beebe, Gideon Thompson, John Humphrey, William Wilcockson, Michael Humphrey, David Phelps, William Barber, Joshua Whitney, Ezra Nap, Ebenezer Nap, Cornelius Brown, Titus Brown, Samuel Gaylord, Samuel Manross, James Hotchkiss, John Turner, George Palmer, Isaac Pettibone, Bevell Sey- mour, Jeremiah Case, Daniel Willcockson, Jonathan Hum- phrey, Noah Humphrey. Edward Griswold, Samuel Butler, Phineas Lewis, Capt, John Patterson, Joseph Phelps, Jr., William Walter, John Beach, Jr., James Lusk, William Warner, Noah Griswold, David Griswold, Benjamin Phelps. At this same meeting they voted to lay out to each pro- prietor of a whole right 100 acres again in two 50 acre lots, to be cised and drawn for in the same manner as the first division. May 19, 1756. "Voted to pray the Assembly to lengthen out the time of payment, and forbare ye interest of the Bonds for said land bought at public vandue." "Voted that the committee which laid out the second divi- sion shall have 8s. 6d. lawful money per day; the chain men 54 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 2s. 6d., and the surveyor which they hired to lay out said diviBion shall have 4s. 6d. lav^ful money. Those persons which have wrought in the highway shall have 2s. lawful money per day." ''Voted a rate of 6s. on each right to defray the charges of laying out the second division, and mending highways," ''Voted, Whereas Wm. Walter was appointed to take care of the timber in Norfolk, and call persons to an account of what he should find trespassed in said town, and he has called some persons to account and has gott £30 14s., old tenor, and has paid the same into the hands of the proprie- tors, which we do appoint shall be appropriated for the preaching of the gospel in Norfolk," and "that Joshua Whit- ney be appointed to procure preaching so far as the said £30 14s. granted by this proprietors' meeting shall go." "That all the money due the proprietors on former rates which has not been expended shall be appropriated to mend- ing highways." "Appointed a committee to take care of the grist mill place for to build a grist mill, and make their report to the ad- journed meeting what is best to be done respecting said mill place." Sept. 29, 1756. "Appointed Joshua Whitney, Capt. Daniel Lawrence, Jr., and Ezra Knap to lay out so much common land as they shall judge needful for pondage for the use of a mill, and also what land they shall think fit for to build a grist mill on and make report." "Voted that our Proprietors' clerk shall record survey bills, and surveys of highways that have been laid out." February 18, 1757. Report of a committee appointed to lay out a place to build a grist mill : "We have surveyed and laid out land and premises as follow^eth: Beginning at the S. W. corner of the piece of land laid out for a burying place; thence E. 24 S. 20 rods to the S. E. corner of said burying place; thence N. 24 E. 8 rods to the N. E. corner of said burying place; thence E. 24 S. 8 rods to a stake and stones standing in the south line of the highway that goes from Canaan into said Norfolk; HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 55 thence thirty rods to the north-east corner of Left. Samuel Gaylord's land, the lot on which he now lives; thence west- erly as said Gaylord's lot runs 40 rods to a hemlock tree and stones standing in said line; thence a straight line to the first bounds began at: and also we recommend to said proprietors that the person who bids off said privilege shall have liberty of laying out five acres for pondage. ♦ ♦ • It is that piece of land left for pondage where there is a dam built on said river. And also we do recommend to said proprietors that the same land and premises be set up at public vandue, and the person or persons who shall bid and secure the same bid to said proprietors, the most for said land and privilege of said mill place shall have the same for his or their own proper estate as a fee simple on the condi- tions hereafter named, viz.: Provided the purchaser or pur- chasers shall make and build a good grist mill on said stream, ami the same have fit for grinding by ye first of September next, and also have a good lawn and give suit- able attendance during ye pleasure of sd proprietors; said lawn to have by the 1st of March, 1758; and in failure there- of, the said land and privilege still to remain in the hands of said proprietors, and for their own use to dispose of as though nothing had been here acted. Witness our hands." DANIEL LAWRENCE, Jr. EZRA KNAP. JOSHUA WHITNEY. February 20, 1757. Committee." At the same meeting they appointed a committee to make the third division of two 50 acre lots to each right, as before, to employ a surveyor, and laid a tax of 20s. on a right to defray expenses. "May 17, 1757, at a Proprietors' meeting at the house of Joshua Whitney, appointed a committee of three to look into the affair of a place for Iron Works in Norfolk, with power to lease out said place for said Iron W^orks to him or them who shall build the same and keep in good repair steadily making iron. ♦ ♦ * Said committee has power hereby to lay out 80 acres of land in the common land after 56 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. the third division ia completed, and make a proper lease for 999 years from the date of said lease, to him or them who shall build said Iron Works, taking security that shall oblige them to keep said works in good repair for the space of fifteen years next coming, the said Iron Works to be built and made fit to make iron steadily in Norfolk by September 1st, 1758." November 2, 1757, the drawing of the third division of land, two 50 acre lots to each right, was held. "Voted, that no person carry out of Norfolk any stones fit for mill stones, without liberty of committee of common lands. That 150 days' work be done on the highways at the proprietors' cost. That if so much remain of the grant for laying out the third division, and a plan of the township, that £10 shall be appropriated to procure preaching in Nor- folk, 10s. for each Sabbath, provided the inhabitants pay one-half of ye preaching during the time. Joshua Whitney, Isaac Pettibone and Cornelius Dowd were committee to procure preaching." "May 24, 1758. Appointed a committee to lay out the white pine timber land lying in the northwest part of Norfolk, bounded east on land of Abrahani^Barden, north on David Phelps and Jonathan Humphrey, west "on Ebenezer and Ezra Knap. Fifty-two lots to be laid out in said place which is yet common, each proprietor to hold one part in severalty, and to draw for the same. This drawing Dec, 1758." Joshua Whitney received the grist mill privilege and commenced building the mill, but sold it to Abel Phelps early in 1759, who finished the mill and ran it for several years. "September 5, 1759, a meeting was held at Giles Petti- bone's house, when they voted to proceed to a fourth di- vision of the lands, 60 acres to each proprietor in two 30 acre lots, to be laid by pitching, in this way: 52 tickets to be made, and each proprietor shall draw for his pitch. None to proceed to pitch until Oct. 1st next. He that draws ticket No. 1 shall have the liberty of said 1st day of October to lay HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 57 his lot, and shall have the last pitch in the second 30 acre lots, and so on ; no survey to be esteemed good and authentic unless surveyed by a surveyor and two committee men, by them signed and dated, giving the meets and bounds, length and breadth. (Benajah Douglas drew ticket No. 1, Titus Brown No. 31, Giles Pettibone No. 38, etc.) At the same meeting it was recorded that, "In 1757 a committee was ap- pointed to lease out and give conveyance of 80 acres of the undivided land, to some suitable person who would build a good iron works in Norfolk and the same have fit for making iron by September 1, 1758, and no person hath per- formed the business; and also this propriety sequestered a piece of land west of that piece of land which Mr. Abel Phelps has built a grist-mill on; now we vote and agree to take off the sequestration to the west piece of land, and vote to give it to any person or persons that will build a good sufficient Iron Works in said Norfolk and have the same fit and make iron by September 1, 1761, and our com- mittee shall lay out said 80 acres in the common land and give conveyance as formerly voted. The land west of said grant on which said Phelps' grist-mill now stands, includ- ing the west sequestration, bounds South on ye 23d lot in 1st division 1st going over; west on a highway, and north on the highway that goes to Canaan. And the same be laid by our said committee to him or them that shall undertake and preform said business, taking the security as above and in part of said 80 acres; the residue in the common land. Benajah Douglas, Joshua Whitney and George Palmer, committee, is fully impowered to preform the above busi- ness, having regard that the burying place be not infringed on." At a Proprietor's meeting May 7, 1760, at the house of Giles Pettibone, "Voted that we will and do accept the re- port of Benajah Douglas and George Palmer this day made respecting building Iron Works, and establish their doings respecting leasing ye said works to Samuel Forbes, and privileges of the land that they have leased." There appears from the records to have been a want of 58 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. harmony in the action of the committee in leasing the land for the Iron Works to Mr. Forbes, — the names of only two of the committee being given in the report which was ac- cepted by the meeting. What the trouble was appears a little later. "Voted, whereas Timothy Horsford has laid out a 30 acre pitch of land which we judge he has not the right to lay out said 30 acres, and we will defend Samuel Forbes in the possession of said land which said committee hath laid for said Forbes, and be at the cost if any shall arise respecting Forbes' quiet possession of said land. And we judge the same was sequestered before said Horsford laid his said 30 acres. This propriety had voted liberty to our committee to lay said land for the use of ye Iron works, and the same was bounded by said propriety's vote." "Whereas Benajah Douglas is deceased, and George Palmer and said Douglas had not fully completed the afifair with Samuel Forbes respecting leasing out the land, etc., to said Forbes respecting Iron works, we do now appoint Deacon Michael Humphrey to join said Palmer in complet- ing said business with said Forbes, and their doings shall be esteemed good and authentic as fully as Douglas and Palmer could." Then follows this Protest: "We, the subscribers, proprietors of Norfolk, in public proprietors' meeting May 7, 1760, being dissatisfied with the vote of the proprietors this day respecting ye report of the committee respecting Iron Works in Norfolk, do protest that said proprietors by their vote cannot give away an- other's land, and protest against ye proprietors voting to give away our land, or doing anything about ye same or any part thereof without our mutual consent. Joshua Whitney, 3 rights, Daniel Lawrence, Jr., 4 rights, "May 7, 1760. Timothy Horsford, 2 1-2 rights." On the same date, "Voted that we will and do sequest the mill-place at the mouth of the Great Pond, the north HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 59 part of the town of Norfolk, and all of the common land adjoining thereto, except suitable highways across said common land; and that no person shall have liberty to lay the same in severalty for himself. And all the rest of suit- able mill streams and places in said Norfolk that is not yet laid we do hereby sequest for our own use said mill places." At a meeting June 9, 1762, it was "Voted to lay out by pitching 40 acres to each proprietor that holds a whole right. They drew their tickets and commenced to pitch Oc- tober 1st, following, in same manner as before. January 18, 1763, they voted to lay out 20 acres to each right, by pitching; drew their tickets; the pitching to commence September 1st next." Same date, "Voted, that this propriety will give all our right to a certain piece of land lying near the mouth of the Great Pond toward the north east part of the town- ship of Norfolk, which piece the proprietors have already sequestered for their own use; and they hereby take off that sequestration and give to him or them that will build a good iron works in said Norfolk and have them fit to make iron by the 15th day of January, 1765, and keep them in or- der fit to make iron for the space of fifteen years from the time they are built; to be built upon the same stream that comes out of said Great Pond, between said pond and the town line, where the brook goes out of said Norfolk." September 7, 1763, "Whereas Timothy Horsford in Octo- ber, 1759, pitched upon a piece of land that the proprietors did sequestrate for their own use, — now the proprietors vote and agree that Jedediah Richards who has bought said pitch of said Horsford, shall for said pitch have liberty to lay out in the common land in Norfolk 40 acres, laying it upon his own cost; said Richards giving a quit-claim of said pitch to the proprietors of Norfolk." "Whereas, by making the plan of the town there is very great mistakes and errors in many of the surveys of lots and pitches of land, both in measure and in points of com- pass, therefore voted that there shall be survey bills drawn 60 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. of all the surveys wherein mistakes are found, whether in measure or in points of compass, according as they are corrected and made right by the plan and records." September 19, 1766, "Voted that whereas Capt. Daniel Lawrence, Jr., Thomas Day and Samuel Ransom did all and each of them become bound to the proprietors of Norfolk in the penal sum of £500, lawful money, that they would build a good Iron-works in said Norfolk, somewhere near the Great Pond so called in Norfolk, and to have them fit to make iron by the loth of January, 1765; now said pro- prietors vote and agree that we will not ask nor sue said Lawrence and others upon said bond for the space of five years after said January 15th, 1765." No meeting of proprietors was held so far as the record shows, from May, 1768, until September, 1804, when they voted to lay out by pitching 20 acres to each original pro- prietor. March 12, 1811, Jedediah Richards, Jr., Michael F. Mills and Jonathan Pettibone added to the committee to erect such bounds as are imperfect and finish the survey of such lots and pitches as have never been completed. September 26, 1825, Michael F. Mills was chosen Clerk. Voted that each proprietor of an original right, have the right to pitch 20 acres of the undivided lands in Norfolk. Nov. 15, 1856, surveyed and laid out to Daniel Hotchkiss of Norfolk from the common and undivided lands in Nor- folk, 55 rods of land on the original right owned by his father, Jonah Hotchkiss. Henry Norton, County Surveyor. Michael F. Mills, Amos Pettibone, Props.' Com. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 61 VI, THE FIRST TOWN MEETING HELD DEC. 12, 1758 — REPORT OF SAME — NAMES OF FIRST TOWN OFFICERS — LONG STRUGGLE OF LOCATING AND BUILDING THE MEETING-HOUSE — DIGNIFYING AND SEATING THE HOUSE — MANNER OF RAISING MONEY AND MATERIAL TO FINISH THE HOUSE. We can have no doubt but that Messrs. George Palmer and Ezra Knapp gave due notice and warning to all the in- habitants of the town, and that they with one mind and heart assembled upon this important occasion, in accord- ance with the warning for this their first town meeting, which was held at the house of Joshua Whitney. Many subsequent meetings were held at the tavern of Mr. Giles Pettibone, upon the ground, if not indeed in the very same building which recently was the residence of Mrs. Lyman Johnson, and a couple of generations ago the residence of Mr. Luther Butler, opposite the residence of Mr. E. Grove Lawrence. The memorial to the General Assembly in Oc- tober previous, stated that there were forty-three families in the township. The record gives the names of forty-four legal voters present, which were as follows: George Palmer, Moderator; William Barber, Jedediah Richards, John Tur- ner, Ebenezer Knapp, Cornelius Brown, Aaron Aspenwall, Samuel Gaylord, Ezra Knapp, Isaac Pettibone, Edward Strickland, Samuel Cowles, Ebenezer Burr, Elijah Barber, Ebenezer Pardia, Cornelius Doud, Joseph Mills, Gideon Lawrence, Asahel Case. Jnstis Gaylord, Rufus Lawrence, Eli Pettibone, Samuel Mills, Thomas Knapp, Ebenezer Knapp, Jr., James Hotchkiss, Samuel Ransom, Abraham Knapp, James Benedict, Stephen Baker, Joshua Whitney, Jacob Spaulding, Stephen Comstock, Jedediah Turner, Samuel Strickland, Jabez Rood, Samuel Munross, Luther Barber, Timothy Gaylord, Elisha Richards, Giles Petti- 62 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. bone, Jonathan Strickland, Amariah Plumb, David Turner. An extended report of this, the first town meeting held in Norfolk, cannot fail to be of interest to many now living and possibly to some who will live after we have all passed away. The meeting having been called to order, as we may be- lieve by one of the gentlemen who had been designated by the General Assembly to give notice and warning of the meeting, the record, giving first the charter, or the incor- poration of the town, reads as follows: — ''New England, Colony of Connecticut, Litchfield County. Whereas, the Honorable General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut aforesaid, did at their session held at New Haven upon the second Thursday of October, A.D. 1758, enact, decree and declare that the township of Norfolk should be incorporated, and did incorporate said township of Norfolk and ordered and decreed that Mr. George Palmer and Mr. Ezra Knap should warn all the inhabitants of said Norfolk to meet at some suitable place in said Norfolk on the second Tuesday of December, 1758, and said Palmer and Knap made return that they gave notice to all the inhabi- tants to meet at the house of Joshua Whitney in said Nor- folk on said second Tuesday of December at nine of ye clock, and the inhabitants being met accordingly to per- form the above business; and those who met are as follows: (names are given above.) Then we proceeded to chuse Mr. George Palmer Moderator of said meeting. Then we pro- ceeded to chuse a Town Clerk, and for our Town Clerk did chuse Joshua Whitney. "Then we proceeded to the choice of selectmen; and for the first selectman did chuse Mr. George Palmer, and for ye second selectman did chuse Mr. Ezra Knap, and for our third selectman did chuse Mr. Asahel Case. "Voted and did chuse Mr. Ebenezer Burr Treasurer for town of Norfolk. "Voted and did chuse Eli Pettibone for first Constable. And did chuse Samuel Mills for second Constable. "Voted and did chuse Gideon Lawrence, Cornelius Doud, HISTORY OF NORFOLK. ^63 Samuel Gowles, James Benedict, Giles Pettibone and Eben- ezer Knap surveyors of highways. "Voted and said town did chuse Joseph Mills, Giles Petti- bone and Thomas Knap to be listers for said town for year insuing. "Also town did chuse Mr. John Turner, Leather Sealer, for said town for said year insuing. "Also said town did chuse Jedediah Richards and Eben- ezer Burr grand jurymen. "Also did chuse Isaac Pettibone and Jedediah Turner Tythingmen. ' "Also did chuse Gideon Lawrence, Samuel Munross and Isaac Pettibone, fence viewers. "James Hotchkiss to be sealer of weights and measures. "Samuel Munross to be key-keeper, "Eli Pettibone to be collector of rates. "Also the Selectmen was chosen rate makers." The election of their town officers seems to have been about all the business transacted at this first town-meeting. Upon the same day a meeting was warned, "to meet at ye house of Giles Pettibone in said Norfolk on ye 20th day of December instant at nine of ye clock forenoon." The only business transacted at this second meeting that seems to be of interest was : "John Turner was chosen moderator. "Voted that we will proceed to procure preaching in this town and we do agree to have the Gospel preacht in this town, and we do appoint Mess. Jedediah Richards, Ezra Knap, Samuel Gaylord, Joseph Mills and Ebenezer Burr to be a Committee to procure preaching in said Norfolk as soon as may be." At the third meeting, "held at the house of Giles Petti- bone at 12 of ye clock on the 8th day of January, 1759," Mr. Ebenezer Knap was chosen moderator; it was "Voted, that this town will continue Mr. Joseph Peck to preach longer in this town. "Voted, that this town of Norfolk will proceed to build a meeting house in said Norfolk for the worship of God. 64 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. The same vote was voted by more than two-thirds of the lawful voters present. "Voted, That we will apply to the County Court to be held at Litchfield ye third Tuesday of January current, that said County Court would send a committee of three men to prefix a place for a meeting house in said Norfolk and set the stake; and Joshua Whitney, Esq., be apjDointed agent to go to said Court to request of said Court the above business. "Voted, That Isaac Petibone and Ebenezer Burr be a com- mittee to lease the school lot, being the 6th lot in 1st di- vision, to Cornelius Doud; and same committee to see that 42 shillings be laid out in clearing said school lot." At a meeting held May 2nd, 1759, it was "Voted to apply to the General Assembly to grant a tax on the land in Nor- folk, the money to be appropriated to pay for preaching the Gospel, for two years." The matter of first importance to those earliest settlers of this town, the lineal ancestors of some now living here, evidently was, to procure the preaching of the gospel, and to build a meeting-house as a place suitable for the same. This purpose was perfectly natural, if we but remember that they were the direct lineal descendants, only two or three generations removed, of those men and women who left their home and native land for the express purpose of making a home "where they might worship God accord- ing to the dictates of their own consciences," and to be be- yond the reach of that arbitrary power which forbade them "to assemble for worship in any place or in any form other than according to the prescribed rubric." Unquestionably they were all hard at work, felling the forests, clearing and subduing this cold, hard, rocky land, that they might be able to raise and procure food and clothing necessary for themselves and their families; but their one purpose was evidently at all times uppermost in their minds. Accordingly, at a town meeting duly warned and as- sembled at the house of Giles Pettibone on September 18, 1759, it was "Voted, that we judge it necessary to build a HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 65 meeting house in said Norfolk, and that we will proceed to build a meeting-house, and have agreed on the place, and do agree that the place shall be at the east end of the Seventh Lott, in First Division, first going over; and that on the hill where Mr. Samuel Munross formerly laid up sundry loggs in order for a barn place. Joshua Whitney was appointed agent to request the County Court to order that that may be the place, and said town be ordered to build their meeting-house at that place for divine worship," Jt was further ''Voted, that we will apply to the General Assembly to be held at New Haven the second Thursday of October next, to grant a tax of two pence per acre yearly, the same to be appropriated for the use of the town to build a meeting-house and to pay for the preaching of the Gospel, and the tax to be continued four years.'' At this meeting it was further "Voted, that near the place where Samuel Munross built his barn, between his house and Ebenezer Burr, the selectmen build a pound." This was at the south end of the green. That the question where shall we build our meeting- house, was one that interested all the inhabitants of the town and agitated their minds and caused something of a struggle and a contest, may be readily inferred from the town records, and that idea is confirmed by family tradi- tion. It is an easily established fact that, in those early days, many if not most of the stores and other business places, such as they were, were located upon Beech Flats, having their centre near where later, the Bigelow tavern was lo- cated, now the residence of George R. Bigelow. A Mr. Dickinson is said to have kept one of the first stores in the town near that place, on the ground of the present residence of Dr. Peaselee. As late as 1792 when Mr. Joseph Battell settled in the town, his business was commenced and continued for a number of years on the site of the old Humphrey place on Beech Flats, the present residence of Mrs. C. J. Cole. That there was a desire felt and an effort made by a considerable number to locate the meet- 66 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. ing-house upon Beech Flats cannot be doubted. The house of Giles Pettibone, located as stated above, seems to have been considered by many as in a central location, as most of the town meetings were held in that house until the meet- ing-house was commenced. At a town meeting held October 8, X759, it was "Voted, that Asahel Case, Ezra Knap and Abel Phelps be a com- mittee to run lines in order to find the centre of the town, to lay the true state of the town before the committee ap- pointed by the Court last September to place the stake for the meeting-house. (This committee ascertained that the geographical centre of the town was near the residence of Deacon Abraham Hall, 1-4 mile southeast of E. J. Tres- cott's, formerly Charles H, Mills' residence.) And we do agree that John Turner, Ebenezer Knapp, Samuel Cowles, Cideon Lawrence and Isaac Pettibone be a committee to call in said committee and weight on said committee, and lay the state of the town before said committee that the true place for said meeting-house may be apprised, and the last Committee be appointed to call in said county com- mittee on Wednesday next to preform the above business." For some reason the committees failed on the day desig- nated to find and fix '^the true place," as at the annual meet- ing on the 2nd Monday of December, 1759, it was, "voted, that John Turner be agent to go to the county court to be held at Litchfield the 3d Tuesday of January next, to re- «iuest said court to establish the place tor ye meeting-house in Norfolk." At the meeting December 14, 1759, it was "Voted, that said town will build a meeting-house of forty feet wide and fifty feet long, a suitable height for gallering." At the same meeting it was "voted that Abel Phelps, Isaac Holt, Sam- uel Gaylord, Isaac Pettibone and Samuel Mills be a com- mittee to take care to build the meeting-house." During the winter of 1759-60 the timber for the frame of the meeting-house was cut and drawn near the place where the house was at last located. At a town meeting held June 3, 1760, at the house of Abel Phelps, it is recorded: .Hi HISTORY^ OF NORFOLK. 67 ''Whereas, the town of Norfolk have bought a piece of land convenient to set a meeting-house on, about fifteen rods westward from the stake set by the Committee ap- pointed by the Court; voted, that the meeting-house shall be set up at the place where the timber now lyeth, which is about fifteen rods westward from the stake aforesaid; but three men in the negative. Voted, to choose an agent to go to the court and pray that the place for setting the meeting-house may be affixed agreeable to the foregoing vote," The stake set by the court was evidently not far from the site of the present parsonage, as the present meeting-house was built in 1813 upon the same site as the first house. By the 1st of June of that year the great timbers for the meeting-house had been hewed and framed, and the day fixed upon for the raising was at hand. At the town meeting June 3d a committee was named "to provide victals and drink for the hands that raise the meeting-house," and we can readily imagine that the men from all parts of the town assembled to assist in *'the raising," coming together for that purpose with genuine satisfaction and enthusiasm. It is somewhere stated that after the frame of the meeting- house was raised, ''the men all sat on the sills, sung a Psalm, and had a prayer," On June 24th of that year, at a town meeting held at the house of Abel Phelps and "ad- journed to the meeting-house frame," it was there "voted that the committee shall go on to cover the same as soon as may be conveniently," From that time they seem to have rested from their pub- lic labors for a year or more, as the next mention of work in finishing the house is in Sept., 1761, when it was "Voted, to underpin the house and provide boards to lay a floor." Roys says: "Their progress in building the meeting-house may be seen by the following statement: In 1759 they com- menced building the meeting-house, and in the course of the year (1760), raised and covered it. In 1761, underpinned and floored the lower part of it. In 1767, laid the gallery fioor. In 1769, finished the lower part and made the pulpit. 68 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. January 2, 1770, dignified and seated it. In 1771, finished the galleries and procured a cushion for the pulpit desk." There is not in existence, so far as the writer knows, any description of the old meeting-house. We find that it was, according to the record, ''forty feet wide and fifty feet long, a suitable height for gallering." Mr. Boyd gives a description of the interior of the meeting-house of the First Congregational Church in Winsted, built in 1800, (forty years nearly after the Norfolk house was built,) and being probably as near a description of the interior of the old house in this town as can now be obtained, I quote from it: "It was built, floored and covered in 1800, and was for the period when it was built the best propor- tioned and finished church edifice in the region. The in- terior was completed five years afterward, in a style of the then modern composite architecture. Its inner furnishing and adornment was picturesque. The body of the audience room was occupied by three aisles, with high-paneled, square pews of unpainted pine. The pulpit was an eight square tub, supported by a single pillar standing about ten feet high, and resembling an immense gobiet. Narrow, rectangular stairs with elaborate railings, ascended from each end of the altar to half the height of the structure, and then turned toward each other and met at a two-and- a-half-foot platform in rear of the tub from which a door opened to receive the preacher, and on being closed a seat was turned down for him to sit on, and affording scant room for a companion to sit by his side. The crowning ap- pendage of this unique structure was an eight square wooden sounding board, suspended by a half inch square iron rod fastened in the arched ceiling. It resembled a woolen tassel attached to a frail cord incapable of sustain- ing it. It vibrated sensibly with every motion of the air, and fearfully when the windows were open and a thunder storm impending. This feature gave to the concern an element of the sublime which modified its fantastical char- acter, especially in the eyes of the youthful worshipers, whose fears of the demolition of the minister by the break- fflSTORY OF NORFOLK. 69 ing of the imaginary string were not altogether unrea- sonable. ... A single row of singers' seats went around the entire front line of the gallery. ... A narrow ele- vated alley ran in the rear of the singers' seats, and in the rear of this, on the sides of the house, were still more ele- vated pews, furnishing admirable places of concealed re- tirement for the boys and girls who chose to worship in a more cheerful way than their parents below would have approved. . . . The interior of the house retained its pris- tine form and adornments until 1828, when the pulpit, sounding board and all, was taken down, and a less pre- tentious but more convenient one built. ... In the gal- lery the aristocratic front pews, and the devil-possessed side pews were removed." They at an early day rose to the dignity of employing a janitor, as February 3, 1762, they ''Voted to give Eben- ezer Burr, Jun., five shillings, to sweep the meeting-house and take care that the doors and windows are shut till the annual meeting next December." For about seventy years people assembled in this town for divine worship on the Sabbath having no way of warm- ing the meeting-house or themselves, save by the little tin foot-stove that held less than a quart of burning coals from their open fires. People were then compelled by law to attend divine service on the Sabbath, so no one could ab- sent himself from this service simply because the day was cold. They had just a little relief in what were called ''Sab- bath-day-houses" near the meeting-house, already mentioned by Dr. Eldridge. Several persons would unite and build a little log house, having a large fireplace, and when they arrived on Sabbath morning they would find a nice fire burning in this great open fireplace where they could warm themselves, and where the women could replenish their foot-stoves with burning coals from the hearth. At a town meeting held Dec. 1760, it w^as ''voted that John Turner, Jedediah Richards, (and others,) have liberty to build a Sabbath-day house and horse houses, convenient for Sab- bath days, on the land purchased of Timothy Horsford to 70 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. build a meeting-house on, to be let out at the discretion of the Selectmen. Voted the same liberty to any other of said town inhabitants." People living near the meeting-house kept open house, many of them at least, during the one and a half hours be- tween the morning and afternoon services, and their friends and acquaintances were made welcome to warm them- selves by their glowing open fires, to eat their luncheons and replenish their foot-stoves. The "tavern" of Giles Pet- tibone, Jr., later the Shepard Hotel, is said to have been a favorite place for the men to congregate and spend their noon hour, while the women were made welcome and com- fortable at the homes of Esq. Battell, Dr. Koys, "Aunt Mol- lie Phelps," and others. It should be remembered that Sun- day Schools were not yet known, at this early period. In his "Centennial Discourse," 1876, Mr. Beach says: "The organization of the Sunday School also took place under Mr. Emerson. A persistent search has failed to reveal the date of its first establishment, or who were its early super- intendents. The most probable date is the period between 1822 and 1824." "Dignifying" and seating the meeting-house when com- pleted, was evidently a delicate and diflScult matter, in order to please everyone and displease no one. This too was done by the town. September, 1769, it was "Voted, that the town will proceed to have the meeting-house seated so soon as the seats in the lower part are finished." At the same meeting, "Voted, that the pew next to the pulpit on the north side shall be for Mr. A. R. Bobbins' family to sit in." Also, "that we appoint a committee of seven to seat the meeting-house." "Voted, that the rule for the seater shall be, that one year age shall be accounted equal to five pounds list." "Voted that the seaters shall dignify the seats as they shall think proper." "That the list given in in 1769 shall be the list for the seaters to go by." At a meeting held in November of the same year it was "Put to vote whether the town will proceed to now seat HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 71 the meeting-house. Passed in the negative." "Mr. Bobbins appeared in the meeting and publicly gave up his right to his pew.'' At a meeting in December of that year they again appointed a committee of five, "to dignify the pews in the meeting-house," and also "Voted, that the meeting- house shall be seated." After the second committees, appointed to "dignify" and to seat the house had reported, "the town voted not to con- firm the doings of the last seaters;" and also "voted that the doings of the former seaters shall stand." And so the matter was settled for that year. (These votes of the town are mentioned simply to give a glimpse of the ways and doings of the people of those early times.) I will close this chapter with a brief mention of the way means were pro- vided for meeting the expense of building this first house of worship, quoting again from Beach: "One-half of the proceeds of the land tax before men- tioned had furnished the means of building. This ceased by limitation in 1763, and the finishing, which was per- formed at intervals from 1766 to 1772, was provided for as follows: A vote would be passed in town meeting speci- fying what work should be done, and laying an extra tax on the grand list sufficient for that purpose, and made pay- able 'in good merchantable pine boards, or in good bar iron, to be delivered at the meeting-house' by a certain date; and sometime other 'species' were allowed. The appointment of a committee would follow to receive said boards and iron, and improve them for the above said use." He further says: "There is no record or tradition that any formal dedication of this building took place, and that it was first occupied for worship in the autumn of 1761 is only a prob- able inference. Yet there is no doubt that a house of this size, built by a young struggling town, and requiring about twelve years for its completion, received the Christian en- deavors and fervent prayers of all the members." 72 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. VII. CUSTOMS AND HABITS OF THE FIRST SETTLERS — ORGANIZATION OF THE "CHURCH OF CHRIST" — EFFORTS AND FAILURE TO SECURE A SETTLED PASTOR — CALL, SETTLEMENT AND ORDINATION OF MR. AMMI RUHAMAH ROBBINS, FIRST PASTOR OF THE CHURCH. It seems appropriate to speak briefly of the customs, manners and habits of our ancestors. I quote from Pal- frey's History of New England: ''In Connecticut in Colonial times the place for public worship was the 'meeting-house/ where assemblies for transacting the town's business were also held." All town meetings and elections were held in the "meeting-house" in Norfolk until 1846, when that house was repaired and im- proved, and the town bought the lower room of the Acad emy for a town hall, which has since that date been used for elections, town meetings, and various gatherings. "Men and women sat apart on their respective sides of the house; while boys had a separate place from both, with a tything-man to keep them in order.'' Many persons still living remember that this custom was kept up in the old "Conference room" until probably less than twenty-five years ago; the seats in that room facing toward the centre; the women always sitting upon the north side of the room and the men upon the south side. A morning and an afternoon service was held each Sabbath, the morning service commencing, in accordance with a vote of the town, at ten o'clock, in the early history of the town, with an intermission of an hour and a half between the two services. "These services consisted of extemporaneous prayers, singing of the Psalms in a metrical version, with- out instrumental aecompaniament, and a sermon, of which the approved length was an hour, measured by an hour glass which stood upon the pulpit," and this in a house HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 73 where there was no fire, only the little foot-stove carried by a part of the women. "The public reading of the Bible without exposition was generally disapproved, being regarded as an unbecoming conformity to the hierarchical service. Children were bap- tized in the meeting-houses generally on the next Sabbath after their birth. Ministers did not officiate at marriages, the marriage contract being made before a magistrate. No religious service took place at the burial of the dead. Christmas, Good Friday, and other periodical festivities and fast days of the church were scrupulously disregarded and discountenanced." Possibly some of these customs and practices of the earlier Colonial times mentioned by Palfrey were not in vogue in this town in the early years of its history. As to other religious services in addition to the two preaching services on the Sabbath, in his Centennial Dis- course, Beach says: "Prayer meetings, as is well known, were once regarded with suspicion by Congregationalists. Mr. Bobbins held occasional mid-week services either in the center or in the outside districts, but they were usually in the form of a lecture. Meetings for prayer and con- ference, in which laymen participated, were for the most part confined to seasons of special interest. . . . During the great revival of 1799, a Sunday night prayer-meeting was started, and he took advantage of that occasion to make it permanent. It is said there had at that time been no prayer-meeting for sixteen years. Since then it has been continued with very few interruptions." In all New England towns in Colonial times, the institu- tion of first importance was felt to be the Church. The record of the organization of the church in this town will be briefly given. It was enacted in 1675 that a meeting-house must be erected in every town in the colony. Organization of the "Church of Christ" at Norfolk, Conn. (From the original Church Becord): "The Church of Christ was gathered at Norfolk, by Bev. 74 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Daniel Farrand (of South Canaan), Dec. 24, A. D. 1760, con- sisting of the following members, viz.: Michael Humphrey and Mary his wife. Joseph Dean and Sarah his wife. Ebenezer Burr and Hephzibah his wife. Ezra Knap. Abel Phelps and Mary his wife. Isaac Pettibone and Hephzibah his wife. John Turner and Abigail his wife. William Barber and Abigail his wife. Samuel Gaylord and Thankful his wife. Jedediah Richards. Samuel Cole. Asahel Case and Dorothy his wife. Nehemiah Lawrence. Peter Cato. Test, Daniel Farrand, Pastor of Church of Canaan." The Church being formed, Michael Humphrey was chosen Moderator. The above named professors entered into the Covenant, which form is here set down as follows: A COVENANT. "You now in the presence of God, angels and men, sol- emnly choose God, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to be your God; taking Jesus Christ to be your Redeemer and the Holy Spirit to be your Sanctifler, and give yourself, soul and body to be the Lord's, with yours, faithfully to serve hi]u in the ways of his appointment; seriously promising by the assistance of Divine grace that, denying all ungodliness and every worldly lust, you will live soberly in this world; and renouncing Satan and the world to bind yourself to walk with this Church in all the ordinances of the gospel; and that you will watch over your fellow members in meekness and love, and that you will submit yourself to the govern- ment of Christ in this Church in the administrations and censures of it, so far as you are directed by the unerring Word of God. This you voluntarialy promise." "August 30, 1761, taken into this Church by Rev. Mr. THE DEACONS' PAGE. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 75 Farraiid: Cornelius Doud, Joseph Mills, Samuel Mills and Abigail Mills his wife. Members in full communion, added by letters of recom- mendation from other churches: James Richards and Annah his wife. Brotherton Seaward and Abigail his wife. Thankful Doud, wife of Cornelius Doud. Noah Allen and Sarah his wife. Elizabeth the wife of Joseph Seaward. Mary, the wife of Samuel Cornstalk. Ruth, the wife of Jehiel Hall. Cornelius Brown." So the Church in this town was organized, having thirty- five members in full communion, in August, 1761. Previous to this date they had occasionally enjoyed a preaching service in the town. Roys says: "The first settlers attended public worship in Canaan. . . . December 20, 1758, an itinerant clergy- man by the name of Treat was procured and preached the first sermon ever delivered in this town. They had occa- sional preaching until January, 1759. They then hired Mr. Joseph Peck to preach a considerable time, and also agreed to commence building a meeting-house. . . . November, 1759, the people invited the Rev. Noah Wetmore to preach on probation, and ... in March, 1760, a call was ex- tended to him to become their settled pastor, . . . but he was rejected by the council." Soon after an unsuccessful effort was made to settle Mr. Noah Benedict as pastor. Quoting again from Roys, "In a meeting assembled June 24, 1760, they agreed to invite Rev. Jesse Ives, brother to Titus Ives, to preach on probation. He was obtained, and December 24th following they gave him a call to settle over them as their gospel minister. They proceeded so far toward settling Mr. Ives as to offer him the minister's lot, and to give him a salary of £62, 10s. annually, for three years, and after that time to give him a salary of £70 per annum statedly. The time was set for his ordination, — the third Wednesdav of October, 1760. . . . His ordination 76 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. for reasons not now known was postponed. In February, 1761, another committee was appointed to attend the ex- amination of Mr. Ives a second time; but soon after, an al- tercation took place between him and one of his expected parishioners, . . . and the business respecting his settle- ment proceeded no farther. It seems the town had too hastily given him a deed or lease of the use of the par- sonage land, for he was afterwards required to quit his claim. His other claims against the town were not promptly liquidated and a law-suit was the result, which, after considerable delay, brought the business to a close." "In June, 1761, they invited Mr. Ammi Ruhamah Rob- bins, a young candidate for the ministry, son of the Rev. Philemon Robbins of Branford in this state, to preach to us on probation. After taking suitable time to acquaint them- selves with his qualifications and to deliberate on the sub- ject, they on the 16th of September, 1761, gave him a unani- mous call to take the charge of them as their minister. The committee informed him of the result of their deliberations, and proposed to him the following stipend and terms, viz.: to give him the lot reserved for the first settled minister, and an annual salary of £62, 10s. for two years, and after that time agreed to pay him a stated salary of £70, payable annually, and in produce at the market price, and fixed by a committee to be appointed annually for said purpose. (This mode of payment was continued for 45 years, when a contract was made.) After due consideration Mr. Rob- bins accepted the terms proposed, and waited their time to receive him as their minister." From the Church records: *'At a church meeting of the Church of Christ in Norfolk, September 28, 1761, Voted that we make choice of Mr. Ammi Ruhamah Robbins to be our gospel minister. Voted, that Michael Humphrey, Esq., and Mr. Ezra Knap be our committee to inform the rev'd. Association of this County of our choice, and desire their assistance in his ordination, and that said committee act for us in any other business in that affair that is meet." The following entry upon the church record of the ordi- nation of Mr. Robbins is of interest: HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 77 ^'October 28, 1761. The Rev'd. Ammi R. Robbing was set apart and solemnly ordained to the pastoral oflSce over the Church of Christ in Norfolk, which solemnity may the great Head of the Church follow with his Divine blessing. 'The ordination council consisted of the following min- isters with their delegates, and a delegate from the church of Cornwall, viz.: Rev'ds. Philemon Robbins, Nathaniel Roberts, Joseph Bellamy, Jonathan Lee, Daniel Farrand, Judah Champion, Abel Newell, Cotton M. Smith, Sylvanus Osburn, Joel Bardwell, with their delegates, and a delegate from the church of Cornwall. 'The Rev'd. Mr. Bellamy was chosen Moderator and Rev'd. Mr. Lee, Scribe. Those who assisted in imposition of hands, and the parts of the solemnity were these, viz.: Rev'd. Mr. Lee made the first prayer. Rev'd. Mr. Robbins preached the sermon. Rev'd. Mr. Bellamy prayed and gave the charge. Rev'd. Mr. Champion gave the right hand of fellowship, and Rev'd. Mr. Roberts made the concluding prayer. The whole was performed with decorum and order. 'Test A. R. Robbins, Pastor. "The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was first admin- istered to the Church of Christ in Norfolk, April 26th. 1761, by the Rev'd. Mr. Farrand. Next administered August 30th, 1761, by s'd Rev'd. Mr. Farrand. ''December 6, 1761, the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered to the Church of Christ in Norfolk the first time after said church had a pastor, per me Ammi R. Robbins, Pastor, and by a vote of the Church the Sacra- ment is to be administered five times a year." 78 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. VIII. THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR — PATRIOTIC "RESOLVES" ADOPTED IN TOWN-MEETING — NAMES OF MEN FROM NORFOLK WHO RESPONDED TO THE LEXINGTON ALARM — NAMES AND SERVICE OF MEN FROM NORFOLK IN THE ARMY — JOURNAL OF REV. A. R. ROBBINS WHILE CHAPLAIN IN THE ARMY, GIVING A MOST VIVID PICTURE OF THE HARDSHIPS OF ARMY LIFE IN THAT DAY. It is to regretted that in Dr. Roys History of Norfolk there is not given a fuller and more detailed account of the action of the town and the names at least of some of those who were soldiers in the Continental Army from this town, with facts and interesting incidents that were well known at the time he wrote, but have now passed beyond recall. He says: "The troublous times which had for several years been anticipated, now arrived. Their recital as to detail is here omitted, and the reader referred to the ofticial docu- ments published at large on the subject. It will be sufficient in this place to say, our fathers now began very sensibly to feel, in common with their fellow citizens throughout the country, the effects of British aggression, innovation, and unwarranted demands. Those impolitic measures on the side of the British, were the cause of their almost unani- mously and firmly imbibing that spirit of independence and freedom which actuated them in their subsequent and ar- duous struggles for the defence of their inalienable rights. The inhabitants of this town determined, in co-operation with their fellow-citizens, to withstand the torrent of abuse unmercifully poured upon them, and to emancipate them- selves from the now rude grasp of their mother-country, if blood as well as treasure must be the sacrifice. From the few public newspapers then in circulation the news of the day was obtained, and the public proceedings were made familiar to them, and they told them to their children. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 79 ''In 1774, having learned that the harbor of Boston was blockaded by the British, in the true spirit of Christian benevolence and of patriotism, they resolved in legal meet- ing to send relief to the inhabitants who were in distressing circumstances. It was timely, and though like the widow's mite when compared with their necessities, it was un- doubtedly an acceptable offering. At the same meeting they levied a tax of one half penny on the pound for the purpose of procuring powder and other ammunition for the use of the town, that they might be ready for any emer- gency calling for its use. For the same reason they estab- lished a pest-house for the small pox, — a disease then dreaded, especially if taken the natural way, almost as much as the hydrophobia is now. In 1774, the 30th of June, they received the resolves of the representatives convened at Hartford, and immediately called a special meeting of the people, who voted to approve, adopt and copy them. The import of the resolves was very similar to those passed in Philadelphia, which are copied below. "It is an indispensable duty which we owe to our king, our colony, ourselves and our posterity, by all lawful meas- ures and means in our power, to maintain, defend and pre- serve inviolate, those our rights and liberties, and to trans- mit them entire and inviolate to the latest generation ; and that it is our fixed determination and unalterable resolu- tion faithfully to discharge this our duty." The (Philadelphia) resolves above referred to, ten in num- ber, are for substance as follows: ''We are entitled to life, liberty and property, and no foreign power has a right to dispose of either without our consent. We are entitled to all the rights, liberties and immunities of free and natural-born subjects. By our emi- gration we have not forfeited, surrendered or lost any of those rights, nor our allegiance to our rightful sovereign. "As we are not represented in the British parliament, we are entitled to a free and exclusive power of legislation in our several provincial legislatures, subject only to the negative of our sovereign. The respective colonies are en- 80 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. titled to the common law of England, and the inestimable privilege of being tried by their peers of the vicinage, ac- cording to the course of that law. That we are entitled to the benefit of such of the English statutes as existed at the time of our colonization. That we are entitled to all the immunities and privileges confirmed to us by royal charters, or the several codes of provincial laws. We have a right peaceably to assemble, consider of our grievances, and petition the king for redress. ''Keeping a standing army in any of our colonies without our consent is illegal. It is rendered essential by the Eng- lish constitution, that the constituent branches of the leg- islature be independent of each other. "December 26, 1774. Our peoi)le received the fourteen ar- ticles of agreement drawn up and signed by all the repre- sentatives present, in their own names and in behalf of their constituents, to continue until their grievances were re- dressed. A special (town) meeting was called, and a unani- mous vote given to approve of and abide by these resolves. They proceeded to appoint a committee of nine, whose duty it should be to enforce the observance of them, and a com- mittee of three to correspond with the other colonies on the subject. Appointed for said committee, Giles Pettibone, Esq., Dudley Humphrey, Esq., and Titus Ives.'' The resolves or articles of agreement referred to above were passed in Philadelphia in September preceding by the continental congress then convened. The articles follow: "Agreed not to import any articles from Great Britain or any of its colonies, or of any concerned in trade with them. Not to export any article to those places either directly or indirectly. Not to use or consume any article procured from those places. Not to purchase any slave imported, but wholly discontinue the slave trade, and not assist in any way to carry it on. Not to purchase any tea on which a duty has been or shall be paid. We will use our utmost en- deavors to improve the breed of sheep and increase the number of them. "We will encourage frugality, economy and industry, and HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 81 promote agriculture, arts and manufactures, especially of wool. We will discourage every species of extravagance, and if we lose a friend or relative we will use no more ex- pensive dress than a piece of crape or ribbon on the arm or hat, and our ladies a black ribbon or necklace. 'That the manufactures of this country shall be sold at reasonable prices. That we will have no intercourse with any colony which shall not accede to or which shall violate this association. That a committee shall be appointed in every town, whose duty it shall be to enforce the observance of these resolves and agreements. "The committee appointed for the above purpose in this town were faithful in the discharge of their duty. They were Giles Pettibone, Dudley Humphrey, Titus Watson, Samuel Mills and Andrew^ Moore.'' As has been well said: "The attitude assumed by the colonists at the beginning of the struggle was that of vigi- lance and self-defence. ♦ * ♦ The crisis culminated on April 19, 1775. A detachment of British troops marching out from Boston to seize military stores alleged to have been collected at Concord for hostile purposes, was met upon the road by the Provincials, and a bloody encounter took place. The since famous skirmishes of Lexington and Concord were fought, which precipitated the Revolutionary war. An alarm was immediately spread in every direction." The news quickly reached this distant town, and a most creditable response was made, twenty-four men being found ready to march at scarcely more than a moment's notice, for the assistance of the Massachusetts colonists. The names of the men found in the oflScial ''List of the men w^ho marched from the Connecticut towns for the relief of Bos- ton in the Lexington alarm, April, 1775, from the town of Norfolk," are as follows: Timothy Gaylord, captain; Ser- geants, Samuel Cowles, Titus Watson, Brotherton Seward; Clerk, William Hewett. Privates — Ephraim Parker, Elijah Pettibone, Samuel Hotchkiss, Samuel Hotchkiss, Jr., Andrew Lester, Jeffery Murray, Caleb Aspinwall, Thomas Curtiss, Ebenezer Hoyt, 82 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Jared Abernathy, Freedom Wright, Titus Brown, Timothy Gaylord, 2nd, Nathaniel Field, Phineas Norton, Amariah Plumb, David Orvis, Benjamin Tuttle, Abraham Beach. No complete list was kept or has been preserved or dis- covered of the names of the men who served in the army during the Revolutionary War. By a resolution of the General Assembly of this state, approved March, 1886, and April, 1887, providing for a record of service of Connecticut men in the late civil war, it was also provided "That the Adjutant General be authorized to publish * * * a catalogue or roll, containing the names and records of those soldiers who served in Connecticut organizations * * * dur- ing the War of the Revolution, the war of 1812 with Great Britain, and the Mexican War." This most valuable work, compiled from the records, pay-rolls of Connecticut regi- ments, official manuscripts in the archives of the state, and in the departments of the General Government at Washing- ton, and papers in the hands of descendants of Revolution- ary soldiers contains 27,823 names of men from Connecti- cut; but in a large number of instances there is no means of ascertaining from what town the soldiers enlisted, or to learn who should be credited to Norfolk. The following list of soldiers was published as an appen- dix to the historic sermon of Rev. J. W. Beach, which was delivered in this town July 9, 1876. A considerable part of this Revolutionary War material used by Mr. Beach is found in Dr. Eldridge's manuscripts: REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS FROM NORFOLK. "This list has been gathered from a variety of sources, and is by no means complete. It does not follow that a given man served only during the term given below. Of some it is only known that they were afterwards pensioners. "Rev. A. R. Robbins, chaplain in Burrell's regiment, from March 18, to October 31, 1776, in Canada. Ozias Bingham, served in Canada May, 1775, to Sept. 3, 1775; was put in jail at Litchfield for debt the next winter, and in order to be released, enlisted in Col. Heman Swift's regiment, Feb. 2, 1776, and on application to the Legislature was permitted to leave jail and join the regiment, upon his giving a note for the debt. HISTORY OF NOEFOLK. 83 Levi Barnum, in Canada in the campaign of 1775, was taken prisoner with Ethan Allen and sent to England in irons, and re- turned only after great hardships. Peter Noble, enlisted in May, 1775, in John Watson's company, Hinman's regiment, and was taken prisoner with Allen, as above. Ebenezer Mack, of same regiment, was also taken prisoner with Allen, and remained in close confinement 19 months, was sick much of the time, lost all his baggage, was carried to Quebec, to England and Ireland, thence to Cape Fear, S. C, Halifax, and finally New York, whence he escaped, and came home in April, 1777. Jesse Tobey, Sergeant, Hinman's regiment. May, 1775, to Sept. 28, 1775. Samuel Hotchkiss, private, Hinman's regiment. May, 1775, to Sept. 28, 1775. Roger Orvis, private, Hinman's regiment. May, 1775, to Nov. 20, 1775. Jasper Murray, private, Hinman's regiment. May, 1775, to Nov. 20, 1775. Daniel Pettibone, private, Hinman's regiment. May, 1775, to Nov. 20, 1775. Andrew Lester, private, Hinman's regiment. May, 1775, to Nov. 20, 1775, besides answering Lexington alarm. — Nathaniel Field, private, Hinman's regiment. May, 1775, to Nov. 20, 1775, and Lexington alarm. ♦ Freedom Wright, private, Hinman's regiment, May, 1775, to Sept. 4, 1775, and Lexington alarm. Abraham Beach, private, Hinman's regiment. May, 1775, to Sept. 6, 1775, and Lexington alarm. Jehiel Hull, private, Hinman's regiment. May, 1775, to Nov. 20, 1775; also served five months in 1780, in Swift's regiment, Capt. Converse's company, at the Highlands. Amariah Plumb, answered Lexington alarm, was private in Can- ada campaign, May, 1775, to Nov. 20, 1775, during which he was wounded at tlie siege of St. Johns, and bis thigh bone broken, was captured and held as a prisoner there a few days, till the fortress surrendered, then made his way home with great difficulty, received £25 special grant from the State, and died March 1, 1778. Jotham Parker, served under Hinman from May, 1775, to Nov. 20, 1775, as private. Re-enlisted as Captain of teams in 1777, in the Commissary Department, and served a long time. Darius Phelps served May, 1775, to Sept. 7, 1775. Eden Mills, served in latter part of the war. Jedediah White, pensioner. Charles Walter, in Conn, line, 3 years, Bradley's regiment. Eleazer Holt, present at Burgoyne's surrender. 84 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Nicholas Holt, enlisted in 1775, in Watson's company, took small- pox in crossing Lake George, and leaped into the water, which caused the disease to settle in his hip, and made him lame for life. Stephen Holt, present at Burgoyne's surrender in Oct., 1777, and also at burning of Danbury. Thomas Curtis, enlisted Feb., 1776, took small-pox in the army, died, and was buried at Stillwater, N. Y.; also had marched after Lexington. Hopestill Welch, served in French war, as well as Revolution. Salathiel Dunbar, May, 1775, to March 19, 1775. Solomon Curtis, a short term, when under age, in latter part of war, Titus Watson, Lieutenant in John Watson's company, under Hinman, in 1775, Captain in Burrell's regiment, Feb., 1776, to Feb., 1777, and afterward was Captain in Col. Heman Swift's regiment for three years; also marched after Lexington. John Trowbridge, private. May, 1775, to Nov. 26, 1775, in Hin- man's regiment; afterwards enlisted in Conn, line for three years, where he was Corporal. Moses Turner, Corporal Conn, line, was in service three years, April, 1777. to April 6, 1780. Elijah Knapp, Corporal, Conn, line, three years. Aaron Aspinwall, private. Conn, line, three years. Asahel Adams, private. Conn, line, three years. Caleb Aspinwall, private, under Hinman, May to Sept. 6, 1775. in Canada, and marched after Lexington, and in Conn, line three years. Joel Hamblin, private in Conn, line, three years. Nathan Tubbs, private, in Conn, line, three years. Levi Norton, private, in Conn, line, three years. Reuben Stevens, private, in Conn, line, three years. Samuel Orvis, private. In Conn, line, three years. Caleb Sturtevant, private, in Conn, line, three years. John Walter, private, in Conn, line, three years. Elnathan Seward, private, in Conn, line, three years. Abraham Knapp, private, in Conn, line, three years. Rufus Trail, private, in Conn, line, three years; also five months and nine days in latter part of 1780 at Highlands. James Benedict, Jr., a minor, enlisted in May, 1777, for three years, in Titus Watson's company, Heman Swift's regiment, marched to Peekskill, taken sick, suffered much, tried to march, reached White Plains, and Rye, sick again; no friends to help him there, and was finally brought home to Norfolk at his father's expense, with a broken constitution. Assembly granted him special relief. Hiland Hall, in Conn, line for three yearSj was Deputy Commis- sary. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 85 Bates Turner, in Conn, line, April, 1777, to April, 1780, and after- ward in short levy 5 1-2 months at Highlands. July to Dec, 1780. Silas Cowles, in Conn, line for three years. Edward Fuller, in Connecticut line, three years. William Turner, in Connecticut line, three years. Jonas Hubbard, in Connecticut line, three years. Lemuel Sperry, in Connecticut line, three years. Eliezer Orvis, enlisted for three years in 1777, but died Nov. 15, 1778. Nathan Sturtevant, also enlisted for three years in 1777, but died Oct. 1, 1777. Daniel Hoskins, was in service four months. Thomas Tibbals, first was drummer in Theodore Woodbridge's company, Wooster's regiment, from Nov. 18, 1775, to Feb. 29, 1776; then was drum major in the Northern army, in Col. Elmore's regi- ment, from April 15, 1776, to April 27, 1777. Afterward re-enlisted more than once as teamster in the Quartermaster's service, and was out in all nearly four years. Spent one winter at Ft. Stanwix, one at Mt. Independence, and one in Canada. Samuel Tibbals, an older brother of Thomas, was captain of teams in the Quartermaster's service for a year from March, 1777, and was then discharged on account of broken health. Elizur Hunger was a teamster. Reuben Munger was sergeant; time of service unknown. Arial Lawrence served two short terms in special calls on the militia; was at Saratoga on a four months' term when Burgoyne surrendered; was a man of great physical endurance; is said to have walked from a point six miles beyond Troy, where he was discharged, to Norfolk in one day. Daniel Canfield, pensioner. Abiathar Rogers, pensioner. David Heady, pensioner. Jedidiah Richards, Jr. Ebenezer Plumbly. Jeremiah W. Phelps, a short term. Asher Smith. y John Beach. Giles Gay lord, served in New York in 1782; also under John Watson, May to November, 1775, in Canada. Lieutenant Phelps, served in New York in 1782. Possibly was the same as Elijah Phelps mentioned below. Simeon Mills was in Burrell's regiment, with Rev. Mr. Bobbins, in 1776; had small pox, not properly cared for, and it became chronic, producing large, foul ulcers, which remained a long time; was sent home in September, 1776, and was confined to his bed and chair till 86 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. autumn, 1779. Assembly of Connecticut voted him then £800 to pay his bills, of which £200 was doctor's bill. Isaac Butler, five months at Highlands, 1780, Swift's regiment. William Leach, five months at Highlands, 1780, Swift's regiment. .John Minor, five months at Highlands. 1780, Swift's regiment. James Sturdivant, five months at Highlands, 1780, Swift's regi- ment. Silas Steward, five and a half months at Highlands, 1780, Swift's regiment. Samuel Taylor, five and a half months at Highlands, 1780, Swift's regiment. Abraham Barden, four months at Highlands, 1780, Swift's regi- ment. Roswell Grant, five months at Highlands, 1780, Swift's regiment. Giles Thrall, four and a half months at Highlands, 1780, Swift's regiment. Luther Lawrence, four months and twenty-one days at High- lands, in 1780, in Philip B. Bradley's regiment. Arial Strong, five months, July to December, 1780, at Highlands. Deacon Samuel Cowles, ensign, was in skirmish at White Plains, and perhaps also in Canada campaign. He marched after Lexing- ton, also. Noah Cowles, son of Samuel, entered service very young as musician, probably a drummer. Was at Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga. Jared Abernathy, marched at the Lexington alarm; was in Bur- rell's regiment, 1776-7, a full year in Canada; had hospital expenses, £7 8s. Ludd Gaylord, son of Justis, enlisted at the age of seventeen, in what portion of the army is unknown. There were many who con- spired together to desert, and in the paper drawn up wrote their names in a circle so that the leaders might not be known. The plot was discovered and all were searched; one who had the paper slipped it into Ludd's pocket; he was offered pardon if he would reveal the leaders' names. On his refusal, he was condemned to die. His friends obtained a pardon from Washington, which had almost reached the boy when he was executed. Ambrose Gaylord, another son of Justis, was in the Continental line in the latter part of the war. Gaylord, a third son of Justis, was with Ambrose at fhe same time. Elijah Phelps was in Northern army in 1776. Andrew Moor, lieutenant, went to Canada in February, 1776, and died June 9, following. Eli Pettibone was in Col. Warner's regiment in 1776. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 87 Giles Pettibone was captain of the Norfolk militia company when the war opened. Besides his home work for the service (de- scribed in the sermon of Mr. Beach), he led his company to Saratoga in the alarm of 1777. Probably all those here mentioned as present at that fight were under him, besides many others. With the same company he served one or two terms a little later under McDougal, on the Hudson below West Point, keeping a lookout between the American and British lines, a work requiring peculiar vigilance and skill. At the end of his term he received public approbation from his commander in the presence of the army. He obtained the rank of major before the war closed. Samuel Pettibone, served In Canada and other parts. The following (besides those already mentioned) marched toward Boston immediately upon the Lexington alarm in April, 1775. It is not known how far they went before they were sent back; the time during which some of them served would indicate that they reached Boston. Their pay was sixteen pence per day. Captain Timothy Gaylord. fifteen days. William Hewet, fifteen days. Ephraim Parker, sixteen days; also in French War. Elijah Pettibone. sixteen days. Samuel Hotchkiss, Sen., sixteen days. Jeffrey Murray, fourteen days. Ebenezer Hoyt, five days. Titus Brown, four days. Brotherton Seward, forty-seven days. Timothy Gaylord, 2d, thirty-two days. Phineas Norton, thirty-two days. Benjamin Tuttle, thirty-two days. David Orvis, thirty-two days. Michael Mills, captain, at West Point eleven days in June, 1780. In October, 1780, Norfolk was required to furnish twenty-two more men for Continental service, and in November following three men were sent as quota to cavalry company. It also furnished six recruits for the guard at Horseneck, in May, 1781. Captain Michael Mills' company, of Col. Hutchins' regiment, was ordered to West Point in June, 1780, and remained there eleven days, of which com- pany fifteen were Norfolk men. The names of none of these have been found, though some of them may be the same who appear above in other enlistments. A boy, Stephen , was servant to Mr. Robbing in campaign of 1776, and probably from Norfolk." In addition to the foregoing list of Revolutionary soldiers from this town, the following is from the best authorities to be found: 88 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Capt. Titus Watson was in 1818 living in New York, a Revolu- tionary pensioner. Jesse Tobey was Quartermaster Sergeant in Col. Moseley's regi- ment, Capt. Stoddard's company, at Fort Clinton on the Hudson for two months, 1778. Samuel Hotchkiss, marched at the Lexington alarm; was in Capt. Hooker's company, Col. Wolcott's regiment, at Boston, Janu- ary to March, 1776. He was Corporal in Capt. Stoddard's company. Col. Hooker's regiment, at Peekskill, March to June, 1777. Was in Capt. Peek's company. Col. Enos' battalion of minute men, Sept., 1777. Was in Third regiment. Conn, line, 1778. Was in Capt. Brad- ley's company of Artillery at New Haven during Tyron's invasion of Connecticut, Feb., 1779, to 1780. Was living at Burlington, a pen- sioner, age 84, 1840. Samuel Hotchkiss, Jr., marched at Lexington alarm. Roger Orvis, was a pensioner, residing in Vermont, 1818. Jasper Murray was in Capt. Beebe's company, Col. Enos' regi- ment, on the Hudson, for three months, 1778. Andrew Lester was in Capt. Dickinson's company. Col. Elmore's regiment, 1776. Was Corporal In Capt. Kimball's company, at Fort Dayton, German Flats, 1777 to 1780. Ephraim Coy was a Fifer In Sixth Continental regiment. May to Dec, 1775. He was then only 13 years old. Was in First regiment. Conn, line, April, 1777, to June, 1778. A pensioner in 1832. Charles Walter was in Third regiment. Col. Webb's, Conn, line, from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 1781. A pensioner 1818. Nicholas Holt, an invalid pensioner. Josiah Hotchkiss, in Col. Hinman's regiment, 1775. Brotherton Seward, was in Second regiment. Conn. Militia, Gen, Spencer's, raised on first call for troops; served from May till Dec, 1775. Solomon Curtiss, was Corporal in Capt. Abel Pettibone's com- pany. Col. Belden's regiment, at Peekskill, March till June, 1777. Moses Turner, was a pensioner, residing in Vermont 1818. Elijah Knapp, was Sergeant in Capt. SL John's company under command of Marquis de LaFayette, Feb. to Nov., 1781; was Ser- geant in Capt. Comstock's company. Second regiment, Jan. to June, 1783. Aaron Aspinwall, was a pensioner, residing in New York, 1818. Levi Norton, was a pensioner, 1818. Samuel Orvis, was a pensioner, residing in New York 1818. Caleb Sturdevant, was a pensioner, residing in New York 1818. John Walter, was a pensioner, residing in New York 1818. Edward Fuller, was a pensioner 1818. William Turner, was a pensioner 1818. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 89 Jonas Hubbard, was a pensioner, residing in Vermont 1818. James Benedict, was a pensioner 1832. Daniel Hoskins, was in Lieut. Case's company, in 18th regiment, Conn. Militia, at New Yorlj, Aug. to Sept., 1776; was in 2nd regiment, "Conn, line," along the Hudson, under General Putnam, August, 1779, to January, 1780. Heman Watson, mentioned in Mr. Bobbins' Journal of the "Northern Campaign of 1776," was doubtless a son of Capt. Titus Watson of Norfolk, and was in the service in August of that year. Lieut. Samuel Pettibone, father of Deacon Amos Pettibone, was in Bradley's Battalion, stationed in the summer and fall of 1776 at Bergen Heights and Paulus Hook (now Jersey City). In October of that year it moved up the river to the vicinity of Fort Lee, then under Gen. Greene's command. In November most of the regiment was sent across to assist in defending Fort Washington. On the fall of the fort, Nov. 16, this regiment, with the entire garrison, was captured, and Lieut. Pettibone was one of the prisoners. Sergeant Simeon Mills, enlisted in the 7th company of Seventh regiment. Col. Webb, July, 1775. They were stationed at various points along the sound. September 14, on requisition from Gen. Washington, the regiment was ordered to the Boston camps, as- signed to Gen. Sullivan's brigade on Winter Hill. Their term of service expired Dec, '75. "He died in 1788, after enduring great hardship in the service of his country in the Revolutionary War. An old gray stone marks his grave in the Norfolk Cemetery." Mr. Norman Riggs remembers Capt. John Bradley well, as he lived in their neighborhood, and heard him relate that he and his company arrived near Saratoga in a detachment that came in late in the day, but during the battle that preceded Burgoyne's surren- der. In his company were a number of Norfolk men from the South End District. Gen. Arnold, when told that the men had nothing to eat, ordered that casks of rum be rolled out, cups dis- tributed, that the men drink and hurry into the battle,— which they did, arriving in time to participate and to see men falling all around them. Luther Lawrence, brother of Ariel, was in Bradley's regiment at Highlands four months in 1780.— Constantine Mills, born in Nor- folk in 1761, son of Deacon Joseph Mills, enlisted in the army in August, 1778, at the age of seventeen. He was in the battle at the burning of Fairfield by the British, July, 1779.— Titus Brown, al- though more than sixty years old, was one of those who responded to the Lexington alarm from Norfolk, marching in Capt. Gaylord's company for the relief of Boston. He was also in a short campaign at New York, in the Ninth regiment Conn. Militia, Capt. David Halt's company, in August and September, 1776, and was again in 90 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. the same Ninth regiment, under Gen. Wooster, in Capt. Charles Smith's company, at the Westchester border, from Nov., 1776, to Dec, 1777. He died in this town Feb., 1802, aged 88. (The writer knows of more than one hundred direct descendants now living of his daughter, Betty Brown, who married Daniel Burr of this town). "Lieut. Giles Gaylord of Norfolk," was in "Wooster's Provisional Regiment," organized for service from Dec, '75, to the opening of 1776; serving before Quebec until operations there were abandoned in May, '76. He was also a conductor of eleven "teamsters of teams for transporting supplies from Conn, to the Continental army in 1777." Samuel Tibbals was a "conductor of ten teamsters," same time and services as Lieut. Gaylord. First Lieut. Titus Ives, of Capt. Beebe's company, Col. Roger Knos' regiment, served for three months on the Hudson, from .June 25, 1778. Richard Beckley, originally from Wethersfield, was in Col. Sher- burn's and S. B. Webb's regiments; enlisted Feb. 26, 1778. Served on the Hudson, on Long Island, in Rhode Island and New Jersey. Dis- charged Jan. 1, 1781. Settled in Norfolk. In 1840, at the age of 80, was a pensioner. John Strong, served in the Conn, line; was a pensioner in 1840, age 79. A sketch of Mr. Strong is given elsewhere. Reuben Palmer, served in Capt. Gillett's company. Col. Enos' regiment, on the Hudson, 3 months, 1778. Pensioner 1840, age 79. Joseph Rockwell, served in short campaigns, in New York '75, '76, '77; was Ensign in Capt. Yate's company. Col. Enos' regimenf, on the Hudson, 1778. A pensioner in 1840, age 82. Ichabod Atwater, in Capt. Bryant's company. Col. Thomson's regiment of militia at Peekskill, Oct., '77. Pensioner 1840, age 80. Hessibah Warner, pensioner in Norfolk 1840. age 79. Ephraim Brown, in Conn, line July to Nov., 1780. Daniel White, in Militia '76, '77. In Capt. Mat. Smith's com- pany. Prisoner from Feb., '80, to June, '82. His widow was a pensioner in 1840. Probably this name should be Matthew White. Capt. Benedict is mentioned in Chaplain Bobbins' Journal as at Chamblee, Canada, April, 1776. Abiathar Rogers, in Conn, line, '77 and '78. Jedediah Richards, was in Wadsworth's Brigade; served in New York and on Long Island, 1776. Ebenezer Plumbley was in Bradley's battalion; taken prisoner at Fort Washington, Nov., 1776. In Col. Roger Enos' regiment of Conn. State troops in a three months' campaign on the Hudson, from June 25, 1778. One of Norfolk's prominent citizens, Titus Ives, was First Lieutenant in Capt. Beebe's company. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 91 Nicholas Holt, auotlier prominent citizen of the town, men- tioned in the list of soldiers as compiled by Mr. Beach, is given only in the "Record" as a "disabled pensioner," under act of Congress, 1833-4. Daniel Pettibone, was in Col. Hinman's regiment in the opera- tions of the Northern Department from April to December, 1775. Joseph Hall was a private in Capt. Beebe's company, as men- tioned above, in 1778. In the militia service from Norfolk, for defence of the sea-coast and frontiers until March, 1780, were the following; William French, Jeremiah Wilcox Phelps, Bela Bishop, Elijah Mason, Joseph Phelps and Elijah Pettibone. Sergeant John Beach, in Capt. Lewis' company, Wadsworth's brigade, time of attack on New York, Sept., 1776. Elijah Phelps, was in Conn, line, 1781; "marched to southard under La Fayette." Isaac Butler, was in 2nd company. Gen. Spencer's regiment, 1775. Jupiter Mars, a slave, father of Deacon James Mars, served in the Revolutionary army, doubtless as servant of some officer. Silas Cole was in Col. Moses Hazen's regiment, in a "company largely from New Haven County." Served in Washington's main army, from Jan. 1, '77, to the end of the war; was engaged at Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth and at siege and surrender of Yorktown. The only mention of Asahel Case in the "Record of Connecticut men in the War of the Revolution" is in the "Seventh regiment. Col. Charles Webb, raised by order of the Assembly, July session, 177.5. In the 7th company was Asahel Case. Term of service, July 21 to Dec. 20, 1775." This regiment was stationed at various points along the sound until Sept. 14th, when it was ordered to Boston. Among the pen- sioners living in 1832 in Litchfield County we find Asahel Case. Mr. Obadiah Smith, a grandson of Capt. Asahel Case, Jun., says tEat both his grandfather and his great-grandfather, Capt. Asahel Case, Sen., who are mentioned elsewhere, were in the Revolutionary ser- vice, the elder having been Ensign. Miles Riggs, one of the early residents of the South End District, is reported in the "Record" only as in Col. Roger Enos' Regiment, Capt. Beebe's Company, for a three months' campaign on the Hudson in 1778. It was probably during this time of service that the Colonial army had stretched a chain (the ends securely fastened on either shore) across the Hudson near White Plains, thinking thus 92 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. to prevent the British from ascending the river. Aware of this attempted obstruction, the British, under a strong south wind, sent a number of their strongest ships abreast, under full sail, up the river, and the Americans' chain could in no wise resist their mighty power, but gave way at once. Mr. Riggs frequently in his after life related the above as what he saw when in the service. Upon his discharge at White Plains he returned to his home in Norfolk, reaching here in the evening, to find his two children lying dead in his house and his wife at death's door (from ''camp dis- temper," so-called), and she also died before the next morn- ing. Mr. Riggs went with a company of soldiers with a load of baggage and supplies for the army from Norfolk to Saratoga, reaching the latter place about the time of Bur- goyne's surrender. The team for the trip was a pair of oxen and a two-wheeled cart belonging to Capt. Hosea Wilcox, with Mr. Miles Riggs' horse ahead. On the way, above Albany, as they were crossing a small, deep river, perhaps the Hoosac, the bridge over which was insecure and "teetered," the oxen were afraid, and the stronger ox crowded the other off the side of the bridge, the horse pulling in the opposite direction. A projecting plank helped to hold the unfortunate ox suspended by the neck until the bow was removed, when he dropped into the river, and at the same instant the horse dropped off the opposite side of the bridge into the river. Both ox and horse reached the shore, were tackled up again and re- sumed their journey. (Mr. Norman Riggs, who related these incidents to me, heard when a boy his grandfather, Mr. Miles Riggs, relate them repeatedly). Another of Mr. Miles Riggs' remembrances of the Revo- lutionary war which he used to relate was, that when he was at White Plains in the service he saw there General Washington upon a young, fiery appearing horse, with a long, heavy tail. The horse seemed a little frightened, but Gen. Washington was unmoved. Riding next to Gen. Washington was Gen. Israel Putnam, and the other officers following two by two. mSTOEY OF NORFOLK. 93 (As is mentioned in another chapter, some of the links of that immense chain which the Americans stretched across the Hudson River to prevent the British from ascending the river are said to have been made in Norfolk, at the old "Iron Works," and some at the Hanchett's Forge, on Canaan Mountain). Col. Ethan Allen's expedition, in which he surprised and captured Ticonderoga and Crown Point, "in the name of the Lord Jehovah and of the Continental Congress," is a familiar fact to all readers of the history of the Revolu- tionary period. This expedition originated at Hartford, and most of those who entered into it were members of the Colonial General Assembly. J. W. Beach, in his centennial discourse, 1876, gives the following: "Few know that Nor- folk was represented in this expedition, not, indeed, by a man, but by a horse. Capt. Edward Mott of Preston was sent with sixteen men from Hartford to take those forts, and ordered to gather more among Warner's men in Berk- shire and among the Green Mountain Boys under Allen at Bennington. Of course speed was essential to ensure suc- cess. Norfolk was directly in their path to Berkshire, and when they reached this town one of their horses gave out, and Capt. Mott applied to the selectmen for another horse. Samuel Knapp, grandfather of Col. Horace Bushnell Knapp, was the prompt and patriotic man who complied with their request. His horse was loaned, being first ap- praised at £16 10s., Mott paying 15s. cash down. On the return of the animal, a few weeks later, bearing ample evidence of having been to war, the appraisers judged that the owner ought to receive £5, 'the horse being so much damnified.' The bill was sent in to the Colony Treasurer, with the 15s. honestly deducted, and was promptly paid, and Knapp's receipt for £4 5s. is still extant at Hartford." "While Washington was investing Boston, after the Battle of Bunker Hill, an expedition to Canada was also planned and placed under Generals Schuyler and Mont- gomery. To this Connecticut sent two regiments, and one of them, under Col. Hinman, was recruited from this part 94 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. of the state, in which the first regular Norfolk soldiers were enlisted in May, 1775, for seven months. Their Cap- tain was John Watson of Canaan — we have the names of at least twenty of his company who were from this town, and there were probably more. They participated in the siege of St. Johns, and in a variety of other actions. Three of them were with Ethan Allen in his brave though irregular and foolhardy attempt to take Montreal by surprise, Sep- tember 25th of that year, and were taken prisoners with him. Their names were Peter Noble, Ebenezer Mack and Levi Barnum. Peter Noble was a sharer of Ethan Allen's privations, which are graphically described in the latter's published narrative. They were kept in irons during much of their captivity and experienced constant indignity and insult from those who had the care of them. They were shipped from Quebec to England and thence to Ireland, and were kept there some time, being constantly threatened with hanging. They were finally sent back to this country as prisoners of war in a fleet which anchored in Cape Fear harbor, North Carolina. Noble, either by nature or by association with Allen, was a plucky fellow, and embraced his first chance to escape from his vessel, the "Sphynx," while at anchor, and by what Allen describes as '^extraor- dinary swimming," reached the shore in safety, and thence made his way home as best he might, and was prob- ably the first to give information concerning the harsh treat- ment received by the prisoners. Through his affidavit Daniel Mack, father of Ebenezer Mack above mentioned, was enabled to draw his son's back pay, and on learning at a later time that his son was still a prisoner at New York, sent him on a portion of the money, by the aid of which he made his escape and reached home in safety after fourteen months' imprisonment." Among the manuscripts left by Dr. Eldridge is the fol- lowing Revolutionary War record of Mr. John Strong, which was furnished Dr. Eldridge by Mr. .James M. Cowles, the year unfortunately not being given. Mr. Strong, after the Revolutionarv War, came to Norfolk and lived until HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 95 his death, in 1846, at the age of 86, on the farm and in the house now the home of Mrs. Thomas Tibbals, adjoining Dr. Dennis' summer residence on the north. He left his prop- erty to the town of Norfolk, having no children, his wife having died the year previous to his death. The annual interest of this '^Strong Fund" is about |130, as the recent town reports show. Mr. Cowles wrote as follows: "The following is from Mr. Strong, taken down by myself the 5th of March last: "Mr. John Strong enlisted into the army in March, 1776, being then between 16 and 17 years of age. He was one of 100 men from Torrington and Litchfield, all volunteers; Col. Beebe of Litchfield, then our Captain; Jesse Cook of Torringford, Lieutenant. Went directly to New York and remained there three weeks, and then was stationed in New Jersey after the taking of Fort Washington. Our suffering was intense; many of our number died. From October to the 1st of January we had no shelter to sleep under but the canopy of heaven. About December 20th the snow fell to a great depth, which added much to our suffering. Previous to this fall of snow many a night I have marched in the rain with the water and mud half leg deep. Was one that escaped when Fort Washington was taken by the British, when about 500 of the Americans were captured. Was near when Andre was captured, and many times was placed guard over him; w^as within ten or twelve feet of him when hung. Have often gone forty-eight hours without food, and then but partially supplied with Indian meal. Snow was so deep it took me seventeen days to get home. "In August, 1777, I went again to New Jersey; was there eight months. The British were stationed at this time in New York; about the time of the taking of Burgoyne and of the arrival of the French troops with General Lafayette for their commander. In 1778 was ordered to White Plains as minute man, and from there to Bergen Point, within a half mile of the British army. After this was stationed in Peekskill until my time of service expired." 96 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. "The annexed Companies marched from the towns in Connecticut for the relief of Boston in the Lexington Alarm, April, 1775. "Norfolk, Captain Timothy Gaylord, 24 men. Simsbiiry, Captain Amos Wilcox, 25 men. Hartford, Captain Abraham Sedgwick, 33 men. New Haven, Captain Hezekiah Dickerman, 9 men." (Norfolk was certainly well represented.) "Money paid by Connecticut to the inhabitants of Nor- folk for their services and expenses in the Lexington Alarm in April, 1775, per order of the Assembly, £66 9s. 2d. (Hinman's Rev. War.) "On the 16th of September, 1776, Ebenezer Mack and Levi Barnum of Norfolk were confined in one room at Hali- fax among felons, thieves, negroes, etc." (Hinman's Rev. War.) One main purpose of this Revolutionary war history is the hope of giving those who may read it now, and those who will come after us, some adequate idea of who and what kind of men and women our ancestors, the early settlers of this town were, by recounting some of their labors, suffer- ings and hardships in settling and establishing these our homes and this our government. We sometimes speak in praise of our Revolutionary sires, and possibly imagine that we realize what they endured in order that this might be the land of the free, but I believe very few of us have even the slightest conception of the sacrifices made, the sufferings endured, the privations ex- ■ perienced, the pain, the sorrow, the anguish borne by tens of thousands in the army, on the battle field, in the hos- pitals, in the tents of the sick, the wounded, the dying, in those days and nights of agony, lying on the ground, without food, clothing or shelter, longing for home and for the loving ministry of a dear mother's hand to cool the fevered brow and quench the burning thirst. The "Jour- nal" kept by Rev. Ammi R. Robbins of this town. Chap- lain in the army, from March until November, 1776, gives such a vivid picture of all these things, the real life and HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 97 experience of those soldiers as he saw it, endured it, and was himself almost crushed by it during those eight months in the campaign toward Quebec, where he stood with the men, helping them bear their heavy burdens, — preaching the gospel to them, nursing, comforting, praying with them when sick and suffering, pointing them when dying to the only source of light, the Redeemer of men, — for these rea- sons part of this Journal is given here, though much con- densed, believing that it will give all who may ever read it a better, fuller idea of what our fathers suffered and our liberties cost them than we have ever had before. Extracts from the "Journal of the Rev. Ammi R. Rob- bins, a chaplain in the American Army, in the Northern Campaign of 1776." "A brief Journal of some of the more remarkable events in my tour to Canada." "Monday, March 18, 1776. Took an affectionate leave of home; came to Canaan; met the Colonel and proceeded with a considerable retinue to SheflSeld. Rev. Mr. Farrand (of Canaan) accompanied us. He and I dined at brother Keep's (Rev. John Keep of Sheffield). Had a most agree- able interview; prayed together and parted- in the most tender and friendly manner. Very bad riding, but pro- ceeded to Coles' in Nobletown. Lodged comfortably. Tuesday, 19. Rose early, and in company rode five miles to breakfast, cheerful and comfortable. Proceeded to Kin- derhook, thence to Greeobush, put out our horses, crossed the river at dark and came into Albany. Wednesday, 20. Found Colonel Buel and Major Sedg- wick; agreed to put up with them. Drew our provisions and lodged on the floor on my mattress. May I be thankful for such comfortable entertainment. Went twice this day to visit and pray with a poor soldier of the Pennsylvania Regiment, under sentence of death. He appeared much affected, but dreadfully ignorant. Thursday, 2. All the troops drawn up on the parade and the prisoner brought out blindfolded to his execution, when the General (Schuyler) stepped forth and in a moving and striking speech pardoned the criminal. 98 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Friday, 22. We attend prayer with the regiment morn- ing and evening. Rode five miles to see a sick soldier. I have much respect shown me by all the oflScers. Saturday, 23. Cannon arrived from New York to go for- ward. Walked and visited the sick. A trustee of the Pres- byterian Church waited on me with a request to preach to- morrow. Consented if soldiers admitted. Lord's Day, 24. Prayed in the family, then on parade with the regiment. At 10^ went to church. Used great plainness; a large assembly and very attentive. Monday, 25. After prayers visited four sick soldiers. We drink no spirits at all, and I think it best unless I have more fatigue. Tuesday, 26. Went up to Stillwater. Saw our people at Stillwater, who seemed exceedingly rejoiced at my com- ing. Returned with Dr. Swift to Albany. Thursday, 28. After prayers attended the execution of a sentence of court martial upon three poor Pennsylvania soldiers, who received thirty-nine lashes each. The whole army drawn up; the army marched round the city; a formi- dable appearance. Friday, 29. Viewed the movements of the Jersey and Pennsylvania troops in a large field; visited sick soldiers. Lord's Day, 31. Attended again in the Presbyterian Church. A. M., preached on Christian Armor; P. M,, ''If Thy presence go not up with me, carry me not up hence." Great assembly; sundry Jersey and Penn. officers and others; Gen. Schuyler's family and aid-de-camp all day. Was enabled to speak with great freedom, blessed be God. Visited the sick at the barracks; was amazingly shocked to see the wickedness of the people of the city and the land on the Sabbath. Returned to my quarters excessively weary and spent. Col. B. is a kind father, brother and dear companion to me. Monday, April 1. Slept well and feel greatly strength- ened. Attended a funeral of one of Capt. Troop's company ; the third that has died in the regiment. Wednesday, 3. We received orders to proceed. I came HISTORY OF XOEFOLK. 99 in a bateau to Half-Moon, in company with Col. Buel, Marched on foot with the Colonel and under officers to Stillwater, 12 miles; not greatly fatigued, Friday, 5. Proceeded in a bateau up the river from Still- water; arrived at night at Saratoga. Saturday, 6. All our people at and near the landing. Col. Buel and I set out and came to Fort Edward. Lord's Day, 7. Kose early, walked four miles to break- fast. We walked moderately, soldiers scattering along; no other refreshment for eleven miles than brook water. When within four miles of Lake George stopped to view the place of the fight in the year 1755, and the manner of Col. Whi- ting's retreat. Saw where Col. Williams was killed, old Hendrick, etc. At 4 P. M. arrived at Lake George. At eve sundry officers and soldiers came up; gave a word of exhor- tation, sung and prayed near the water; the poor carpenters very attentive and solemn. Fort William Henry is so gone that scarcely any traces are left. Fort George is a small stone fort, with a convenient brick barrack in the midst, containing six rooms for soldiers. The lake is much less than I expected, environed with high, craggy mountains; a convenient wharf at the end and a large number of fine bateaux about it; barracks built for the accommodations of several regiments of soldiers. The ice is very rotten and we hope will be gone in eight or ten days. Col. >Buel has the command here till we proceed down the lake to Ticon- deroga. Monday, 8. Breakfast with Col. Buel and two gentle- men of Montreal, one of whom is just arrived from Eng- land. There are about a hundred new and large bateaux and many more in building. Walked over to see the ruins of Fort William Henry, the French lines, etc. Prayed and sung at night in the large new barrack; great numbers attended. This day two companies of Pennsylvania troops came in and sundry of ours. Numbers are left sick on the road; two or three here are very sick. How easy 'tis for God to bless or blast our designs. Wednesday, 10. The ice on the lake wastes fast. Visited 100 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Captain Watson's companj, who live in tents by the east mountain. Our troops come in thick. (Capt. Watson was a Norfolk man, and quite a number of Norfolk men were in his company. It is much to be regretted that 'rolls incomplete' is true of Capt. Watson's company, as also of this, Colonel Burrall's Regiment, in this campaign.) Thursday, 11. It rained hard all night; high winds this morning; the lake opens fast. News today of the taking of a large prize by the American fleet which was going to the southward; six hundred barrels of powder and two hun- dred cannon. New* of Gen. Spencer with five regiments coming after us — rejoicing — at night Gen. Schuyler arrived. Lord's Day, 14. Preached A. M. from Isa. 27-45; P. M., Malachi 3-2. Gen. Thomas and most all the oflBcers of the army present, — very attentive. This day Lieut. Gaylord died, ten miles from here on his way home; the fourth in our regiment. May the living lay it to heart. Monday, 15. General court-martial. Capt. Watson to be tried, accused of disorder by Esq. Smith of Fort Edward. Is acquitted with honor. Gen. Schuyler gave me the otter to go in what boat I pleased to Canada. Col. Burrall and Dr. Sutton arrived. General orders today that our regi- ment be ready to march in the front. Friday, 19. We had orders to march; arose very early; at ten o'clock embarked in the rear of our regiment; came to twelve mile island, and then with amazing fatigue, almost discouraged, we broke through the ice by inches. The weather cold and inclement, but towards night got through the ice to the narrows, and with a fine gale came to Sabbath-day point at dark, where we encamped, twenty- four miles from Fort George. I lodged in a tent on the ground, but had a bed. Feared it would be attended with bad consequences, as the ground was so wet and cold, but rested comfortably. Saturday, 20. Rose early; we breakfasted, met at the water, sung and prayed, then set off for the landing at the mouth of Lake George. Landed at 11 o'clock P. M.; the HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 101 army was in motion unloading and lading the carriages for Ticonderoga, which is three miles off. I walked with the Major over to Ty.; found a room; we moved in, supped and slept well. Here are great and surprising works of the French still to be seen. A most advantageous point of land on which the Fort stands, which seems to be the center to command South Bay, Lake Champlain and Lake George. A few New York forces stationed here, but oh, 'tis impossible to describe the profaneness and wickedness of some of these men. It would be a dreadful hell to live with such creatures forever. Lord's Day, 21. It don't feel like Sabbath day, but I can't forget it; none seem to know or think anything about it. 'Tis terrible to be sick in the army; such miserable accommodations. It is enough to kill a man's spirit when first taken to go into the hospital. I moved to have a lecture at least today, but 'tis discouraging, — no time or leisure for anything. Walked to a house where I found a woman reading to her husband. It did me good to see anybody serious and remembering in any degree the Sab- bath. Talked and prayed with them; returned towards night; viewed the place of Abercrombie's defeat in 1758. Saw many holes where the dead were flung in, and num- bers of human bones, — thigh, arms, etc., — above ground. Oh, the horrors of war. I never so much longed for the day to approach when men shall learn war no more, and the lion and lamb lie down together. Monday, 22. Spent some time in conversation with Col. Shreve, a very valuable man. He with the other officers talked together, and he begged me not to engage with another regiment, but since I was like to have the care of two, to supply them. Col. Buel received orders to com- mand at St. John's, and is appointed Aid to the General. Kose early, visited the hospitals, prayed with the sick. At- tended the funeral of one of Capt. Swift's men; his com- pany present; gave a serious exhortation at the grave and prayed. Wednesday, 24. General orders today for all to embark tomorrow morning. 102 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Thursday, 25. Rose very early, all in the utmost hurry, preparing to embark. Hoisted sail at ten o'clock for St. Johns; arrived at Crown Point at three o'clock; walked round and viewed the fort, barracks, etc.; amazing works. Came to Basin Harbor, spread our tents; lodged very com- fortably. Friday, 26. Rose at daybreak and with the Jersey regi- ment proceeded; with a fair gale came to Split Rock; passed, with a fine wind, to the Four Brothers; wind right ahead and boisterous sea; arrived at four o'clock at Cum- berland Head, 55 miles from Crown Point. The lake very wide. Looks like Long Island Sound, with islands in it. Saturday, 27. Slept well in tent last night; drank tea and at five o'clock pushed off. This is a most level, beauti- ful country; no mountains; excellent land. Passed along the Grand Island, 30 miles in length. At noon arrived at Point-au-Fere, the white house; landed half an hour, catched a morsel and put off. A fine gale brought us into the Narrow Lake, where 'tis not half a mile wide. Came past Isle Aux-Noix, where were to be seen ruins of the old French fortifications, which mounted a great number of cannon. Wind rose from the south, by means of which we went with great rapidity. The lake is now a narrow, straight river. Arrived at St. Johns at 6 P. M. Thus have we come the length of Ghamplain, 135 miles, in three days. St. Johns has a garrison of 100 men, under Capt. Walker. Supped and lodged well in our markee. The lake here be- comes a river with a swift current down to Chamblee; the country round very level and good, but the inhabitants in general but a little above a state of heathenism. Montreal lies 25 miles to the west. Capt. Stevens is gone to join Col. Beadle at the Cedars, 40 miles west of Montreal, and Col. Buel, with three companies, is to be here and at Cham- blee; the rest to proceed, so that we are like to be very much broken and scattered, and the prospects at Quebec look very dark. Oh, that I may be enabled to trust in God and not be afraid; tho' the earth be removed and nations die, Jehovah lives and reigns, and blessed be my Rock. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 103 Lord's Day, 28. Walked out for retirement; had pleasing views of the glorious day of universal peace and spread of the gospel through this vast extended country, which has been for ages the dwelling of Satan and reign of Anti- christ. At ten o'clock we went with our pilot down the rapids, and 'tis truly astonishing that a bateau can live in such places. Arrived safe at Chamblee at one o'clock; found Capt. Benedict, who received me with great kind- ness. He has been under an arrest by Col. Hazen from the 11th inst. I hope to know the issue of his trial; live with him in a convenient room. This evening Col. Burrall ar- rived. At sunset, by request, went and gave a word of exhortation and prayed with the Jersey regiment on the parade. Officers and soldiers very solemn. Many boats arrived today. Monday, 29. Jersey regiment set off for Quebec. Cham- blee is a beautiful small town, situated round a large bay. We are detained for the cannon to be brought from St. Thrace. The gundalow has come down the rapids with five large ones; the rest come by land. Second battalion of Pennsylvanians arrived, to go on tomorrow. Terrible storm of wind and rain. The bateaux were much exposed and the powder, but the men exerted themselves to their utmost and it was secured. Towards morning snowed; weather very cold. Wednesday, May 1. Remarkably cold for this season of the year. Col. Buel gone to Gen. Arnold at Montreal, Un- happy disputes between him and Col. Hazen. The cannon all come. The commissioners are at Montreal, who lay plans of operations. Things look dark; we seem in an enemy's country, and if defeated at Quebec we are sur- rounded with foes on every side. It is a great consolation that the Lord Jehovah reigns and orders all the events of war and will take care of his own cause. Thursday, 2. Weather more pleasant. Col, Hazen dis- agrees with Col. Burrall; warm dispute. He orders Col. Burrall to embark directly and leave the powder and can- non till further orders. He refuses; sends off an express to 104 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Arnold at Montreal. Lieut. Col. Allen embarked this morn- ing with six companies of his battalion. Col. Buel arrived from Montreal, and at eve Gen. Arnold, who orders the gundalow to be mounted with cannon, etc. The train, Capf. Bigelow, arrived this evening; received a letter from home by J. Lawrence. Friday, 3. Rose early. Col. Buel received positive in- structions from Gen. Arnold, with warm words and threats, to proceed. He obeyed, but despatched an express to Gen. Schuyler. All embarked at 12 o'clock and with a fine gale. Had the most pleasant sail I ever was in, without the least need of rowing. Came in Capt. Watson's boat with the Major. We passed St. George's, 20 miles from Chamblee, at 2^ o'clock, so that we ran at a great rate. The country is the most pleasant I ever saw; small houses but close to the river each side; perfectly level from the banks, which are about six and eight feet from the water. 'Tis grievous and affecting to see the superstition. Five miles from St. Georges we passed St. Dennis, where is a church and nun- nery. Saw the nuns at the door as we passed. Smart wind ; we go at the rate of six or seven miles an hour. Stopped at Col. Duggan's, who is engaged in the service; gone to Montreal. His wife can't speak a word of English, but very- friendly and polite; a little son interprets. Saturday, 4. At sunrise embarked. We passed the mouth of the Sorrell, where is another beautiful town ; then entered the Grand Lake. Side wind; very rough. I never had so clear an idea of the hazards and fatigues of sailors and soldiers as this day. The sea made me very sick; vomited till I could vomit no more. Sundry sick on board; with great difficulty put away to the leeward into the Bay of St. Anthony. Came to the Senior De Jacy, who enter- tained us exceeding kindly. Supped on tea; refreshed, hav- ing eaten nothing for twenty-four hours. By leave of the man of the house I gave a word of exhortation; we sung and prayed. Lord's Day, 5. As cold last night as it is with us in New England in March. At nine o'clock wind died away; set HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 105 out; met with four boats who lay in the drowned land all night. Capt. Parmelee lost his masts. This part of the I'iA er is called Wide Lake. You can't see across. We passed the mouth of the Great Lake, which is five miles wide, where a river comes in from the east. Landed on the south shore and waited for other boats to come up. Some passed the night in the boats in the drowned land, with great fatigue, but no lives lost. Discoursed to the people in our boat on the millennium. Took refreshment and sailed down to Trois Kivieres, where all put in the barracks. 'Tis a beautiful town, about as large as Plymouth; situated on the river. Some troops stationed here. Discouraging news from Que- bec about small-pox. Our soldiers come back in great numbers on our near approach to headquarters. Monday, 6. Rose early and embarked, wind ahead. Rowed heavily under the banks of the north shore. The river in general about four miles wide. Met three or four vessels; no news. The north shore is good land, cultivated and inhabited all along, but the opposite looks like a deso- late wilderness. Vast cakes and bodies of ice. Very cold; equal to winter this morning; at noon very calm; passed troops every five or six miles, but the river very wide. Ex- ercised with sickness; vomiting severely, very weak, Xt sunset arrived at Dechambalt, where our orders were to stop. Found an intrenchment begun. Went to bed in the parsonage house. Tuesday, 7. We were alarmed at 2 o'clock this morning by two expresses from Quebec, giving account of the arrival of the fleet, fifteen sail, who yesterday came along by Que- bec. Our poor, feeble, sickly army is obliged to retreat with great precipitancy. Great numbers sick with the small-pox we had to leave, and some others. The ships pursuing up the river, firing at our army on the land and in the bateaux. This is the most terrible day I ever saw. God of armies, help us. Three ships came near by us, firing as they came, and our boats and people in a scattered con- dition coming up. Distress and anxiety in every counte- nance. The small-pox thick among us from the poor fugi- 106 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. tives that come up. We are in hourly expectation of the ships attacking us, — our boats, provisions, etc. The whole conspired to give an idea of distress. At 11 o'clock Gen. Thomas came up and immediately a council of war was called. Gen. Wooster present and a great number of gentle- men. The result is to retreat with the whole army back to the river Sorrel (130 miles), as in case of a defeat here 'twould be absolutely fatal. Saw Rev. Mr. Evans, Mr. Spring, etc., brother chaplains, worn out with fatigue. Many oflBcers lost all, to the clothes on their backs. Gen. Wooster goes by water with the boats. Gen. Thomas brings up the rear by land. All the men except enough for rowing and the invalids go by land. I am very much weak- ened with the disorder that has attended me these four days past. Am obliged to go by water. Gen. Wooster is as kind to me as a father. We set sail at sunset, the other boats to follow; came several leagues; ran on the reefs twice, but through mercy no damage. Wind high and current strong, but with great difficulty put into the east shore. Went up the high banks to a house at 2 o'clock and slept two hours. The boatmen sing a very pretty air to "Row the boat, row," which ran in my head when half asleep, nor could I put it entirely out of mind amid all our gloom and terror, with the water up to my knees as I lay in the boat. My diflSculty was, one passage I could not get. Wednesday, 8. Wind ahead, but a mercy to the army, as the ships can't proceed. We rowed against wind and strong current about ten miles and put up in a convenient house at 2 o'clock; dined and tried to rest. Wind so strong concluded to tarry the night ; slept, but often waktd by the sentinels. Thursday, 9. Rose early, breakfasted and set otf at seven o'clock. Calm, but sailing slow against the current; sev- eral boats in sight and men on shore. Game to Trois Rivi- eres at dark in a very thick fog. Supped and lodged; i. e., one nap of three hours. Great are the fatigues of our march. Friday, 10. Very calm weather, and 'tis a great mercy, HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 107 as the ships can by no means move on and the army may. We took a dish of tea at sunrise and proceeded up towards the great lake, called St. Peter's lake. Heard of the army being attacked by land, but nothing remarkable. The peo- ple here more insolent, but we have no fears from them as yet. Wind ahead; obliged to put into the river east side of St. Anthony's Bay. Capt. Goforth came up on express to New York. Feel poorly and much worn; distressed for the army. Surely our cause is good and we shall prosper. Saturday, 11. Before sunrise entered St. Peter's lake; perfect calm; rowed within five miles of west end, when a hard gale came ahead and we were in a terrible situation, but through mercy near night got through into a narrow river which leads to Sorrel. Came up with my boy and chest, which arrived safe before me. Numbers arriving, many with smallpox; anxious about my boy, who has un- doubtedly taken it in the boat. Lord's Day, 12. Rowed up to Sorrel ; landed at 9 o'clock. Found two Boston regiments arrived, also sundry others. Found Mr. Barnum, Mr. Breck, Mr. McCawlay, Mr. Spring and Mr. Evans (Chaplains), but no public exercise today, as troops are in such confusion. Our days are days of darkness. No news from Gen. Thomas. Feel very gloomy today on every account; low in spirits by reason of my dis- order which has brought me down, which, with the fatigues and fearful forebodings, has been almost too much. Still I believe our cause is just and we shall prosper. Attended prayers with Mr. Barnum in Col. Gratton's regiment. Had conversations in the evening with the chaplains about the accomplishment of the promises; differ a little about the millennium. Monday, 13. Our regiments almost all back. Gen. Ar- nold is come from Montreal. They are erecting the old bat- tery to command the river. A strange discouragement seems to prevail in the army among the officers. There is jealousy and want of confidence; we are in a most critical situation. The smallpox strikes terror into our troops. Wednesday, 15. Rose early, breakfasted and set off; high 108 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. wind ahead; proceeded to St. Dennis; came to St. Charles. Arrived at Chamblee near night, all in confusion. Know not who are friends or who are enemies; our army in a most sad state; no provisions nor supplies; only men nor half enough of them. Gen. Wooster is determined to go to Mon- treal before leaving the country. Friday, 17. Advised with Gen. Wooster, who gave me a permit, to go to New England when I please. Talked with the Doctor about it; am at a loss; may I be directed to what is best. On the whole conclude 'tis really my duty to go. Found Mr. Eli Pettibone, who is in Col. Warner's regi- ment. Concluded to go with him, as it is next to impossi- ble to get an opportunity this month. Talked freely with Stephen (my boy), who is willing to return and join the regiment. Col. Warner consents that I go with his people, though very much crowded. Saturday, 18. Was called on in the morning to go soon; set off for St. Johns. Got soldier to carry my pack; walked, but very feeble. Stephen came with me two or three miles; left him somewhat cheerful. He desired me to give his duty to his parents and tell them he has no desire to return. I walked on moderately to St. Johns, a great part of the way alone. Stephen brought me a small bit of bread, which at 3 o'clock I ate, being very faint. If ever I received a meal with a grateful heart it was that. Arrived at St. Johns at sunset. All out of provisions here and at Chamblee and elsewhere. While struck with terror and apprehension, five boats appeared in sight with a great number of barrels of pork. In the mount God appears. Lord's Day, 19. News from the Cedars that there is an attack: four hundred regulars, about two hundred Indians and Canadians. Col. Beadle, Patterson, etc., opposed them; know not the event. My diarrhoea returned with great vio- lence. Assembled on the beach, sung and prayed, and weak as I was gave a word of exhortation, and the people seemed solemn. An express arrived from Montreal to take back three of our boats with provisions. Capt. Mayhew showed me much kindness. Begged a mouthful of fresh meat HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 109 which was cooked, and it seemed to strengthen me. A de- tachment of Gen. Sullivan's came in with six boats and 100 barrels of pork. At 4 o'clock we set off. Came with Capt. Pearson of Stockbridge, Rev. Mr. Ripley and Rev. Mr. Dean as far as Isle Aux-Noix at dark. Very weak; took some brandy toddy with a bit of sea bread and lay down by the side of a barn and slept three hours. Monday, 20. Was called at 3 o'clock, and at 4 we set off. My disorder continued; very weak; committed myself to God. We rowed on to Point-au-Fere. Got a breakfast of tea with a little milk, which seemed to revive me, but after- wards was exercised with great pain. Proceeded, wind ahead; lodged under some bushes; poor accommodations, but such as soldiers often have. Very windy and rained some, but I slept on the ground. Tuesday, 21. At the dawn of day we all rallied, prepared to set out before sunrise. Called at Cumberland Head; lake very rough; we went at a prodigious rate; run forty miles in six hours. Put up at Gilliland's Creek; most kindly re- ceived and entertained by that hospitable man. He came from New York; has 1,450 acres of land and owns Cumber- land Head. We had some excellent spruce beer, which greatly revived me. My disorder seemed to abate. Supped agreeably on tea and fish; lay in a good bed; slept well. Wednesday, 22. Rose early; took a dish of tea and came off at seven. Esq. Gilliland accompanied us to the boat with all the marks of kindness possible. Wind ahead; we rowed under the west shore; the stupid soldiers grumbled much about proceeding, though the Capt, Mr. Ripley, Mr. Dean and I readily took our turns at rowing. I feel weak and find that a little labor seems to outdo me; Taut blessed be God, have better health than some days past. At Grant's, 24 miles from Crown Point. Supped on some milk; sung and prayed, and went to rest. Thursday, 23. Went on board at sunrise; met a large number of boats; Gen. Silliman's brigade. Put off to Crown Point, where w^e arrived at noon. Came to Ticonderoga at G o'clock. The instant we landed Capt. Bronson and Capt. 110 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Hopkins were setting off for Skenesborough; gave me an invitation to embark with them. Came ten miles up South Bay and encamped. Lay down, the heavens our shelter, and slept. Friday, 24. At 3 o'clock set off; very chilly and cold. Bay is hemmed in with mountains and rocks. At noon we arrived at Skenesborough. Got a soldier to carry my pack; walked a mile; was all in a tremor. Was not sensible of my weakness. Think I know in some degree now what hardship is. Tarried all night. Oh, the distracted state of this poor, unhappy country! It is a comfort that the Lord reigns. Saturday, 25. Rose at daylight; took a dish of tea and set out. Gay horse worried me; terrible road, hideous country. Rode 15 miles to Pollet. Dined at one Allen's, who moved from Woodbury. Found his wife to be Sarah Parmelee, — a real Christian. She really revived my heart by pious conversation. Came to Rupert, to Capt. Smith's, who lives cleverly; was most kindly received. Lord's Day, 26. People gathered ; many came six or seven miles. Dare not preach, so feeble and weak. Great desire among the people to hear the Gospel. P. M., preached in the barn to a great number of people, who were very at- tentive. My strength was spent before I finished my ser- mon. Monday, 27. Am so thin that people who have seen me before scarce know me. Went on to Bennington. Urged that I preach a lecture there, but dare not engage. Tuesday, 28. Came to Dorset, then to Manchester and to Sunderland; came to Arlington, then to Shaftbury and proceeded to Bennington. Lodged at Mr. Dewey's. He is truly a charming man. Wednesday, 29. Rode with Mr. Dewey. Rode to Mr. Mills'. He concluded to let me have a horse to Lanesbor- ough and a little boy to bring it back. News of the secret confederacy of tories and the discovery of their plot. Peo- ple this way are much in fear on account of internal ene- mies. What will become of this unhappy country Con- soling thought; the Lord, He is our King. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Ill Thursday, 30. Hired a boy, who went on foot, but kept pace with me. Came to Williamstown, then to Lanesbor- ough at night; cordially received by my dear friend and classmate, Mr. Collins. Saturday, June 1. Heard a rumor of Col. Beadle having had a battle, with the loss of a hundred men and driving the enemy. Fear I have broken my constitution in the cam- paign. Concluded to attempt to deliver a discourse tomor- row. Lord's Day, 2. P. M., preached with considerable free- dom. Excessively tired. Monday, 3. Set off with Mr. Collins for Rev. Mr. Mun- son's, Lenox; then to Rev. Mr. West's, Stockbridge. Tuesday, 4. Rode in company with Mr. West and Col- lins to Mr. Farrand's. Attended the Association. Wednesday, 5. Rode home, and found my dear family well, after having experienced and seen the most abundant displays of Divine goodness and mercy. O, for true grati- tude!" Mr. Robbins remained at home and recovered his health sufficiently so that he felt able to go again and join his regi- ment, in whose welfare his interest and concern never abated. On Tuesday, July 2, having been at home four weeks he, ''Took leave again of dear friends at home to join the regiment; came to Sheffield, Mr. Camp with me; Wednes., set off for Albany; came to Miller's, 12 miles short. Thurs., came into Albany. Friday, left Albany and proceeded to Stillwater. Saturday, proceeded to Sara- toga, then to Fort Edward. Lord's Day, 7. Arrived safe at Lake George at ten o'clock; found Col. Buell glad to see me; visited the smallpox hospital; prayed; dreadful suffer- ing. At five o'clock Mr. Camp set off for home. At six o'clock preached; attentive assembly. Monday, rose at 4 o'clock to cross the lake with the express. Stopped at the narrows; proceeded to Sabath-day point; arrived at sunset. Tuesday, 9. Walked over to Ticonderoga ; went on board with Col. Warner, and with a fine gale run down to the Point in 3 hours. Found our regiment, who were exceed- 112 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. ingly rejoiced to see me,— all, officers and soldiers. The camp in a most sickly state; ten or twelve in some instances have been buried in one day, but at present the sickness abates through mercy. At evening met; had a most solemn and affectionate season of prayer and exhortation. Slept in Gapt. Watson's marque. Wednesday, 10. Attended prayers and sung; saw all our people; many poorly, besides the great numbers gone to Lake George. The camp is in a most pitiful situation; a great many sick. Went with Mr. Avery to the hospitals, and never was such a picture of wretchedness; men not alive and men breathing their last. Slept on the ground. Thursday, 11. Rainy all day. Visited a number of offi- cers. All look down and gloomy. We want good general- ship. Friday, 12. Stephen taken unwell. Attend prayers night and morning, and generally sing. Visited the sick in Gol. Reed's regiment near us, also the worst cases reported in the smallpox room. Saturday, 13. Visited the hospitals and other sick. Slept in the tent on ground very well. Lord's Day, 14. Many sick with camp-distemper. Preached in the Fort. Two chaplains present and numbers from other regiments. Second sermon at 4 o'clock; vast concourse of people. The General and great numbers of the principal officers attended. Preached from Isaiah 6 — 7th and 8th verses. Spoke with freedom; drank tea with the General afterward; complimented by , but may I be more concerned to please God and less to please men. News from New York very good. Tuesday, 16. At ten embarked for Ticonderoga; head wind; arrived at sunset. Lodged in the fort. W^ednesday, 17. Troubled with constant pains in my stomach. By advice conclude to go to Lake George to visit the sick and the rest of our regiment, which is nearly one- half. Went with Lieut. Doty to the landing. Lodged on some boards on the wharf. Thursday, 18, rained all day. Friday, 19, waited all day for boats. HISTORY OF XORFOLK. 113 Saturday, 20. At nine o'clock set out for Lake George; rowed to Sabbath-day point; then with a fair wind came at a great rate up to Lake George by six o'clock. Saw Mr. Curtiss, and never a man so altered. I wish he may get home; fear he will not get well, if he does not. The Lord directs. Visited one hospital and prayed with the regi- ment at sunset. Capt. Holt in a sad low state. Lord's Day, 21. Rose early and visited the west hospi- tal so far as I could stand it, but not the rest until night. Never was such a portrait of human misery as in these hos- pitals. Prayed several times. Preached over the other side, A. M., on 'Be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer.' At 4 o'clock preached this side to a great many people. At evening preached again. Visited the hospitals, prayed with the sick; got greatly fatigued. Monday, 22. Applied myself to my duties; indeed it is too much, but I am carried along. Visited the long hospital this side. P. M., Mr. Spring came and helped me visit the others at night. Called on Col. Reed (who is made Briga dier), and on his request agreed to serve his regiment with ours as chaplain. Tuesday, 23. Sent for early to visit Capt. Mann's son; he is near his end. Afterwards advised with the surgeon and agrees to take a vomit directly; tartar emetic; and never was poor mortal more terribly handled, yet not quite come to spasms. Evidently it was very necessary; officers Tery kind to me. News of French fleet of fifty sail on the coast in conseqeuence of Mr. Dean pledging the public faith of the Continent that Independence be declared. Wednesday, 24. Sent for early to visit Col. Reed; fear he wont live. Prayed four times this morning with the sick. Deaths have been about five a day for some days past. A great mortality, but not so frequent as has been. Visited Col. Reed again at evening and prayed with him. At nine o'clock at night sent for with Mr. Spring to visit the Prussian General, De Woloke, who was pronounced by the chief doctor to be a dying man. A very singular trial I had. He most earnestly desired that I administer the 114 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. sacrament to him; that he had made his peace with God and nothing remained but to do his last command. I felt that he was deluded. Endeavored to show him that God did not require it; that if he truly believed on the Lord Jesus Christ he would be accepted. He was so weak he could not converse much. I prayed with him and Mr. Spring said the Lord's prayer at his desire, and we left him. Lieut. Riley grows worse, Thursday, 25. I want a constitution of brass to tarry here and do duty as seems necessary. Very hot, faint weather. Visited Col. Reed, then some of the other sick, but utterly unable to go through the hospital. Conversed with Dr. Potts, who informed me I must instantly take ipecac. The bile was collecting so fast it would throw me into the inflammatory camp disorder. I took a solution of manna, cream of tartar, Senna and anise seed. Had a sick day. Saturday, 27. Concluded by advice of Dr. Lynn, Col. Buel and Mr. Spring to try to get down a little way into the country. Went in a wagon with Dr. Beebe and Dr. Waterman. Arrived at Fort Edward toward night. Lord's Day, 28. Sick and had high fever. Was brought in a wagon to Saratoga to Mr. Petit's. Monday, 29. Was brought in a carriage to Stillwater, where Dr. Merwin attended me, who says my disorder is of the dissolvent, putrid kind. He talked encouragingly, but says no prospect of my being able to return to the camp and to my duties under three or four weeks; and as I could ride a little, recommended me to try to get home. I am peculiarly unfitted to do the duties of a chaplain on account of my bilious constitution. I envy brother Avery his health. He will go through the hospital when pesti- ferous as disease and death can make it with a face as smooth as a baby's and afterward an appetite as healthy as a woodchopper. I cannot; after inhaling such diseased breath am sick and faint. Besides, their sorrows take hold of me. I would not shrink from the work. Our war is a righteous war. Our men are called to defend the country. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 115 Whole congregations turn out, and the ministers of the gospel should go and encourage them when doing duty; attend and pray for and with them when sick, and bury them when they die. I hope to return to my work." Mr. Robbing continued his journey homeward. "Wednesday, 31. Rode in a chair to Albany; then to Greenbush. Friday, reached Sheffield. Saturday, August 3. — Home, and have I trust a grateful sense of the Divine goodness." After about two weeks at home, Mr. Robbins felt suffi- ciently improved in health to return to his arduous duties as chaplain in the army, and we will follow him briefly: "Monday, August 19. Took leave of friends at home to join the regiment. Came in company with Capt. Watson, both of us feeble soldiers. Tuesday, 20. Came to Kinderhook. Ensign Cowles passed us on another road. We heard of the death of Mr. Curtiss. 21st. Met Major Curtiss, who is very ill. Ar- rived in Albany. 22nd. Proceeded to Saratoga. 23rd. Came on to Fort Edward. Called at Selah's, where was poor Heman Watson, in a distressed condition. Hardly think he will be able to get any farther. Left Capt. Wat- son. Rode with Doctor Potts to Lake George. He told me it was at the risk of my life to go into the hospitals, but if the physician goes why not a minister of the great physi- cian? Mr. Avery is sick. Saturday. 24. Went to look for my horse, but he was taken without leave. Lord's Day, 25. Tried to get a boat to pass the lake. Read, sang and prayed with the York forces. Monday, 26. Very stormy. Visited a poor dying man in the bake house. Wednesday, 28. Visited and prayed with Gen. Reed. He is very low. Thursday. 29. Made preparations to go to Ticonderoga. Am obliged to go in a heavily loaded boat. Set off at four o'clock; rowed hard ten miles; put in at Darkwest. The savages are prowling about there. Capt. Wright pitched his tent in a thick wood on very wet ground. Very un- 116 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. comfortable in the tents, for it rained a great part of the night. Kindled a fire and sat by it. This is soldier-like; the romance is something, but a poor balance for the fa- tigue and self-denial; but I do not mind it, if I can keep sound in body and clear in voice. Friday, 30. Off early; was in hopes to reach Ticon- deroga, but fell short seven miles. Some lodged on land, some in the boat. Saturday, 31. Walked to Ticonderoga; moved over to our brigade at Mount Independence. Found our poor regi- ment like the rest of the brigade, in a down, sickly state. Was cordially received. Visited B. Seward; prayed with him; fear he will die. Lord's Day, September 1. Visited the sick round about in tents. Preached to the brigade; a serious and attentive audience. Monday, 2. Visited the rounds; w^ould try to impart consolation and hope, but am often tried; can only direct them to the Redeemer of men. They generally listen to prayer. Went over to Ticonderoga; viewed the encamp- ments of the Pennsylvanians. Politely received by Col. De Haas. Returned at night. Tuesday, 3. Walked through the whole encampment. The woods swarm with men. Lieut. Converse and Mr. Beach taken sick. There is not one field officer in our bri- gade, except Major Sedgwick, who is not sick. News of the death of Mr. Barnum of Pittsfield. Wednesday, 4. Cols. Porter and Gratton quite low. At night prayed and sang with the brigade. This exercise is often held on the parade ground, when the music march up and the drummers lay their drums in a very neat style in two rows, one above the other. Thursday, 5. This day I am thirty-six years old. Thus kindly preserved, but alas, how useless! Friday, 6. Enjoy through great mercy good health in the midst of sickness and death all around me. Col. Swift's regiment came up. Saw Lieut. Watson. News of a terri- ble fight of our fleet down the lake. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 117 Saturday, 7. General orders this morniug for every oflfl- eer and soldier throughout the army that is well to turn out on fatigue and prepare for the enemy. Lord's Day, 8. Our regiment in a most miserable con- dition, I could wish they were all dismissed. Visited this day tent by tent, and could not pass one single tent among the soldiers wherein there were not one or more sick. At night attended the funeral of B. Seward. There is some- thing more than ordinarily solemn and touching in our funerals, especially an oflScer's; swords and arms inverted; others with their arms folded across their breast, stepping slowly to the beat of muffled drum. I endeavor to say something that will lead to meditation, but only a word. Monday, 9. Spent considerable part of the day with Col. Burrall, who is really very ill. Visited and prayed with the sick in their tents. Tuesday, 10. Capt. Burrall has come; concludes to take the old Col. home if he can. We all advise it, as his life is in danger here. The groans of the distressed in the camp are really affecting. Capt. Troop very poorly; so is Capt. Austin; only Capt. Watson left. Not fifty men really fit for duty. The Major is disheartened in trying to turn out men according to the requisition made. Wednesday, 11. The Major and I escorted the Colonel down to the water side. He is truly weak and it is doubt- ful whether he gets home. Friday, 13. My heart is grieved as I visit the poor sol- diers. Such distress and miserable accommodations. One very sick youth from Mass. asked me to save him if pos- sible. Says, 'I cannot die; do pray for me. Will you not send for my mother? If she were here to nurse me I could get well. She was opposed to my enlisting; I am now very sorry; do let her know I am sorry.' Saturday, 14. After all our attempts to get the sick away, yet could not obtain consent. Several in our regi- ment must die, I think. In Bond's regiment, by returns today, 197 sick, besides those absent, and 40 only that are well. Went with the Doctor from tent to tent through 118 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. the whole regiment; examined all, and the Major and Doc- tor certified that sixteen of the worst cases could be moved to Fort George, and Captain Austin obtained of the Gen- eral, permission. Lord's Day, 15. At one o'clock our poor sick went off; 16 of them for Fort George. I fear sundry of them will never reach home. Went with Mr. Breck to visit Rev. Mr. Emerson, who is very low. Wednesday, 18. Saw four deserters of Col. Porter's regi- ment flogged. Heard that Col. Burrall was not likely to get home. It appears that Col. Gratton must die. Visited Col. Maxwell, a man of handsome manners, as are most of the officers. Friday, 20. Greater number at prayers than ever, and a very perceptible gain in health. Saturday, 21. General orders appear today for tomor- row, that all labor, etc., shall cease. Divine service to be attended at eleven o'clock in every brigade. I am sorry the appointment is on the Sabbath, but it is a southern custom. Lord's Day, 22. Attended divine service on the parade ground; a convenient place built up for me; the whole bri- gade under arms attended, and great numbers of other officers and spectators. I preached from Daniel 5 — 23, with great freedom and plainness. A very attentive audience. The officers and soldiers observed the Sabbath in such a manner that it seemed more like a Sabbath day than any I have seen in the army. Tuesday, 24. Am threatened with the camp distemper, which is a dreadful disease here. Mr. Hitchcock invites me to preach on the other side on the Sabbath to Gen. Briket's brigade. News not so good from New York as heard: the city evacuated. Lord's Day, 29. Was roused last night by a violent shower. The roof leaked, and it poured in upon our bed. Some company at home very disagreeable for the Sabbath. No exercises nor evening prayers. Monday, 30. Visited the sick. Prayed at night with HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 119 the brigade. Sometimes Tibbals, who strikes the drum ad- mirably, gives it a touch at the right time when we are singing. It is beautiful harmony. A soft fife is also an addition. Tuesday, October 1. Thus one month rolls on after an- other. It was expected the enemy would most certainly come by this time, and now they are looked for in one fortnight more, after which there will be no probability of their coming. Wednesday, 2. Have something of the camp distemper, but not the distressing pains many have. Kept my bed. Spikenard, I believe, is of special service in this disorder. Lord's Day, 6. Feel much better today. Mr. Breck preached A. M. Mr. Tennent P. M. I concluded with prayer. Wednesday, 9. A number of sick soldiers went over the lake. Samuel Mills very poorly. Lord's Day, 18. Agreed to preach, tho' feeble. Attended at eleven o'clock, but the attention of the people taken up by a smart cannonading from the fleets which began in the morning. At noon express arrived with accounts of the battle on Friday down the Lake. All the camp alarmed. Towards night the whole army drawn up to the lines to take the alarm posts. Five vessels that were left of the fleet came in in a shattered condition. The rest are destroyed. This evening Col. Buel came. Monday, 14, No sleep last night. The whole camp in arms at 4 o'clock this morning, but no approach of the enemy. Tuesday, 15. General Arnold got in, and his troops that escaped in the woods. Gen. Waterbury with all the prisoners were sent down from Crown Point and are here ordered home. I walked over to headquarters; visited the wounded, and a horrible spectacle they were. Desired by the General to go to Fort George with the sick and wounded of the Fleet. I agreed to go, but it was with re- luctance. The scout discovered a number of the enemy advancing towards this post; Indians and Canadians lurk- ing about. 120 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Wednesday, 16. At three o'clock set out for Fort George; rowed on; very dark; came by eastern shore; very still because of the enemy; passed a very uncomfortable night; no sleep; noisy swearing sailors. While I was at the bow discovering the islands and Capt. Goforth in the stern, the rudder band broke. We lay at the mercy of the waves, but floated near an island. Came near dashing to pieces several times on the rocks. Tried to land in vain, but at last by a gracious Providence got in the lee side and all lay in the boat until day. It rained hard; my heart grieved for the sick soldiers on board. In the morning we got into Lake George, very wet and benumbed with the cold. Could I once have thought that I could endure and undergo and safely go through such fatigue! Great have been the signal mercies of God. Thursday, 17. Breakfasted at Jones'; afterwards shifted all my clothes; lay down and took a nap in my blanket. At 2 o'clock, P. M., visited all the hospitals; saw the wounded soldiers dressed by the surgeon. Prayed in four or five wards. Saturday, 19. Feel tolerably well; rode down to Fort Edward; found a Mrs. Campbell of New York. She was rejoiced to tears to hear Christian conversation. Returned to camp. Lord's Day, 20. Felt dizzy and weak. Rode to the hos- pital, but not without some fear of the skulking savages. Visited the general hospital in almost every ward. Preached and exhorted the sick and prayed with them. Tuesday, 22. Rode to the lake; visited every ward through the whole hospital. Two or three just breathing their last. Prayed with them and tried to impress the living. The frequency of death often hardens. Wednesday, 23. Rode to Stillwater with Col. Syms. Have not the least encouragement to do anything more. Worn down and low spirited; met militia going up. Thursday, 24. Distress about here in fear of the tories. Called on General Tenbroeck at Fort Edward with a mes- sage from Gen. Schuyler. News of the death of one and captivity of two men at Ticonderoga landing. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 121 Saturday, 26. Rode down to the lake; found Doctor Stod- dard with the sick just arrived. Helped the sick about dis- charge. Visited the hospital; two have died with their wounds. Their suffering had been extreme; became easy before they died; had their reason. The rest, I hope, may live. Many more distressed creatures came over near night. They have a good surgeon, but physicians of no value to these mangled men. Lord's Day, 27. Militia proceed on in great numbers to the lake. Came in a boat to Fort Miller, then in a wagon to McNeal's. Kinderhook regiment came up very noisy. Monday, 28. Came to Gen. Schuyler's; waited on the Gen- eral; told him I was broken down; had in a measure lost my voice, etc. He was very loth to give me a discharge, but very ready to give me a furlough. Came to Bryant. An express passed us this evening with good news from the south. Tuesday, 29. Came to Albany; did business and pro- ceeded towards home. Wednesday, 30. Rode on horseback; put up. Thursday, 31. Arrived at night at my own home, after near three months' absence, in fatigue, perils and dangers, having experienced the most distinguishing marks of Di- vince mercy and favor. Now, O for a heart full of grati- tude and praise and resolution to live thankful, humble and faithful, being laid under the greatest obligations thereto." 122 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. IX. "A HALF-CENTURY SERMON, DELIVERED AT NORFOLK OCTOBER 28, 1811 — FIFTY YEARS FROM THE ORDINATION OF THE AUTHOR TO THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY IN THAT PLACE — BY AMMI R. ROBBINS." This sermon, containing so much that is of historical in- terest, and as a specimen of Mr. Bobbins' sermons, is here- with given. A SERMON — Acts 26: 22, 23. "Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles." "Time, which is measured by years and months and days, swiftly, and by us almost imperceptibly, passes along, and will soon bring us to that state of existence where time will be swallowed up in eternity; where a thousand years will be as one day and one day as a thousand years. Oh, how short is human life! how soon do we run through it! how quickly do we pass from childhood to old age! To those few whose lives are protracted to that period, a retrospec- tive view of the various scenes and changes which have been passed, is as emphatically represented by Dr. Watts, 'Just like a dream when man awakes.' This day, never to be forgotten by me, this anniversary completes fifty years since I was solemnly ordained to the pastoral charge of the infant church and people in this town. The several parts of the solemnity were performed HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 123 in the following manner: The Rev. Mr. Lee of Salisbury made the introductory prayer. Rev. Mr. Robbins of Bran- ford, my honored father, preached the sermon from 2 Cor. 5-20. Rev. Dr. Bellamy of Bethlem made the consecration prayer and gave the charge. Rev. Mr. Champion of Litch- field gave the right hand of fellowship, and the Rev. Mr. Roberts of Torrington made the concluding prayer. None of these remain. They were not suffered to continue by reason of death. They have gone to give account of their stewardship. Thus was I set apart to the work of the evangelical ministry, and to labor in the gospel with the people in this town. And 'having obtained help of God I continue unto this day.' And, oh, that through grace I were enabled in truth to add the following words of the text, 'witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come; That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.' But alas, I have abundant reason to exclaim in the language of the prophet Isaiah, 'my leanness, my leanness.' Yet through the great good- ness of God 'unto me, even to me, is this grace given, that I should preach among my fellow sinners the unsearchable riches of Christ.' But who, where, are those with whom I was placed to minister in holy things in this town? Where are the mem- bers of the church with whom I communed at the table of the Lord in the beginning of my ministry? Alas! they are in the eternal world, two only excepted, and but one of these is still with us. (Mrs. Dorothy Case, relict of the late Mr, Asahel Case.) And of the people who composed my audience and joined in public worship, who were heads of families, there remain, if I mistake not, only seven persons. Of the youths, who were over fifteen years and under twenty, six only remain in town. 'Your fathers, where are they?' Yet by the providence of God, some hundreds have moved in to dwell here, and manv hundreds have been born. 124 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. It will be expected, it is presumed, on the present oc- casion, that an historical sketch of the church and town, more especially respecting our ecclesiastical and religious concerns, will be given. This will be attempted, after which some serious reflections, exhortations and counsel will conclude the discourse. The inhabitants of this town were incorporated by Act of Assembly in the year 1758. In the early times of their settlement they set up and endeavored to maintain the public worship of God. From scattered individuals a church was gathered and formed by the Rev. Daniel Far- rand of the adjoining town of Canaan, on the 24th of De- cember, 1760. It then consisted of twenty-three members. Mr. Farrand was very helpful in their infant state by visit- ing and preaching with them, by administering the sacra-' ments of baptism and the Lord's supper, and occasionally in attending funerals, and kindly visiting them in times of affliction. These his benevolent services I have often heard them acknowledge with gratitude and thankful remem- brance. Several candidates for the ministry, such as Messrs. Curtiss, Gregory, Wetmore and Ives were successively em- ployed by the people to acceptance and profit. At length divine Providence directed their application to me. After preaching and becoming acquainted with the people a number of months, by the almost unanimous call of the church and inhabitants of the town, I was ordained to the work of the ministry in this place, on the 28th day of Oc- tober, 1761. The number of families in the town when I came here to reside, which was in June preceding my ordi- nation, was a little upwards of fifty. At the time of my ordination there were about sixty, there having been some accessions from different parts of the state in the course of the year. From that time to the year 1799 there was a gradual increase of inhabitants, till the number of families amounted to about two hundred and ninety. Since that time the number has been rather diminished by means of great emigrations to the northern and western parts of the HISTOEY OF NORFOLK. 125 United States. Various and instructive have been the dis- pensations of divine Providence from our beginning to this day. We have experienced seasons of prosperity and seasons of adversity. Situated in a hill country, with a free air, with pure springs and streams of water, we have been blessed with a greater share of health, it is presumed, than has generally prevailed in the state. Many, both men and women, have lived to a great age; several above ninety years and one above an hundred. Nevertheless we have experienced the visitations of severe sickness and fatal disease. In the year 1777, fifty-six persons of all ages from two years old to advanced life, were swept away by death. The next succeeding year, thirty-eight were called to follow them to the great congregation. Besides these a number of husbands and sons died in the armies in the service of their country. Weeping and lamentation were in almost every dwelling, and the house of God on the Sabbath exhibited among old and young the badges of sorrow, the ensigns of mourning. As a people in our ecclesiastical and religious concerns, we have been blessed with uncommon union, with a general attendance on public worship, and a solemn regard to divine institu- tions. There have been very few among us of a different re- ligious denomination, and very rarely indeed has there been a different meeting for public worship on the Lord's day held in the town. The first settlers of this town, like the venerable fathers who commenced the settlement of our State, were men who feared God; who sought as a pri- mary object, even in an uncultivated wilderness, the en- joyment of the blessed privileges of the gospel of Christ. 'When they were but a few men in number, yea, very few and strangers in it,' by their exertions, by their example, by their prayers, they laid the foundation of those religious privileges and that harmony which have been so long en- joyed. The people generally have been in the habit, and many I trust from a sense of duty, of resorting to the house of God on his holy day. Hence it has appeared that our 126 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. house of public worship for many years past, although thought to be sufficiently large when erected to contain all the inhabitants that should dwell here at any one time, is often so crowded as to be very uncomfortable, especially in the milder seasons of the year. The number of the mem- bers of the church when it was gathered as before men- tioned was twenty-three. From the first formation to the settlement of the pas tor fifteen members were added, the most of them from other churches, making the number at that time thirty- eight. From that period to the present time, the lapse of half a century, there have been added to our number five hundred and eleven members, making in the whole five hundred and forty-nine. The number of baptisms, includ- ing sundry adults, amounts to twelve hundred and seventy- seven. The ordinance of baptism has been administered to those only who were in full communion with the church. The number of burials in the town is seven hundred and sixty. Of these the greater part have been infants and small children. The average number is a little over fifteen in a year. The number of marriages which I have per- formed is two hundred and seventy-six. Many besides have been joined in wedlock by the civil authority. The first church meeting was held November 19th, 1761, three weeks after the settlement of the pastor. At that meeting Mr. Michael Humphreys was chosen to the office of deacon. He served in that office alone for about four years, when Mr. Abraham Camp was chosen to his assistance. Since that time there have been appointed to that office in suc- cession, Joseph Mills, Abraham Hall, Jared Butler, Sam- uel Mills, David Frisbie and Edward Gaylord. In Sep- tember, 1799, the church consisting of nearly three hun- dred members, it was judged necessary that there be three deacons. From that time to the present three have been in office. It is the wish of the church ever to have money in their treasury, not only for the support of the Lord's table, but HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 127 also to advance small sums to the poor and necessitous of their number, as may be needed. This has been often done, and this duty is left, unless it be a considerable sum, to the wisdom and discretion of the deacons. The treasury is replenished by an annual contribution. I have now to observe that it hath pleased the great Head of the Church, the glorious King of Zion, blessed be his adorable Name, to remember this little branch of his visible kingdom with the precious influences of his Holy Spirit, by whose power and grace numbers of perishing sinners have hopefully been brought into the kingdom of the Lord Jesus. There have been some solitary instances of awakening from time to time, in which individuals have apparently become friends to Christ, and have been added to the number of his professing people. Of these there have been more or less almost every year. But we have witnessed three remarkable seasons, which were verily *times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.' The first of these was in the year 1767, when there was an un- common seriousness and attention to religion generally through the town. Many were alarmed and enquired with solicitude what they should do to be saved. But alas! it was like a vernal shower — pleasant, but of short continu- ance. Some, however, were made the happy subjects of divince grace as we trust, sufficient to show that the work was of God. The number added to the church about that time was eight or ten, but several who dated their religious exercises at that season made a public profession of religion many years after, and united with the church. But the years 1783 and 4 and the years 1798 and 9 were the distinguished periods for the displays of the power and sovereign grace of God, which will be remembered, I trust, with thankful praise and holy joy through eternal ages. Every recollection of these seasons is a subject of thankful joy and of just reproof. Our present coldness and indif- ference to divine things is such as we then fondly hoped never to see. As a particular account of these glorious revivals has been given to the public in the first volume of 128 HISTOKY OF NORFOLK. the Connecticut Evangelical Magazine, published at Hart- ford in the year 1801, 1 shall not now enlarge. I would only observe that in consequence of the former of these two revivals, flfty-tw^o members were added to the church, and in the letter about one hundred and sixty. Since that period forty-nine have been added to the church, about one half of them by letters from other churches. It may be observed with truth and justice, that the people of this town generally have been industrious and of regular habits, and attentive to the ordinary duties of life. The education of our youth and children, both in re- ligious and literary instruction, has engaged no small por- tion of our care. Few towns, I believe, have been more assiduous in their endeavors to second the wise exertions of the Legislature for the promotion of this most important object. The tranquillity and harmony which have pre- vailed among us, particularly in our ecclesiastical concerns, have been great, and such as to be noticed by many abroad. On this account it has never been found necessary to form a distinct Ecclesiastical Society. The people have trans- acted their society business in the stated town meetings, when those few who were of a different denomination did not act. They have been careful from year to year to leave out those, and such also as were in low circumstances as to property, when they estimated the necessary expense for the support of the gospel, the expenses for repairing the meeting-house, for encouraging singing for public wor- ship and other society charges. Thus by a kind and gra- cious Providence we have been carried along from the or- ganization of this town and church through a space of fifty years to this day. It is my duty here to observe with humble thankful- ness to God, that I have not been taken off from public labours by sickness and bodily indisposition, but ten months in fifty years. For five months in the year 1773 I was unable to perform ministerial duties, when the pulpit was supplied mostly by the Rev. Mr. Potter, formerly of Enfield, and the Rev. Mr. Newell of Goshen. In the last HISTOEY OF NORFOLK. 129 year, 1810, I was disabled from public service nearly five months, in which time the pulpit was supplied for the most of the time by the kind labours of my brethren of this As- sociation and three of my neighboring brethren in the min- istry in the county of Berkshire. I was absent from my people nearly a year in 1776, in the service of my country, attached to the northern army. During my absence the pulpit was supplied partly by neigh- boring ministers, and partly by a candidate, Mr. Abraham Camp, who was hired for the purpose. I have been absent also about eight months in the missionary service in the new settlements, when the pulpit was supplied in the same manner. As to my ministerial labours I may not, I cannot, 1 dare not boast. Oh, that I had been more laborious, more zealous, more faithful! Yet I trust 'I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God,' in important doc- trines, duties and precepts of revealed religion, so far as I have been enabled to understand them, with careful study and prayerful attention. I have preached, including those abroad, upwards of six thousand and five hundred ser- mons, and on looking at my preaching Bible I find that I have preached from passages in all the sacred books, ex- cepting the Epistle to Philemon and the second Epistle of John. My doctrine and manner of preaching, my exhortation and teaching at religious conferences and at funerals, your fathers and predecessors, and ye yourselves also know. My instructing and catechising the children and rising generation, which in the former part of my ministry was generally performed at the meeting-house, has been at- tended latterly, in the respective school districts, twice in the year. My visits and administrations to the sick and dy- ing, many of you who have been bye-standers, must know. And you are my witnesses that I have often wept with those that weep. But why do I thus speak? Should it serve in any measure as a useful example to my children or to any of my younger brethren who may hear these declara- tions, let this be my apology. 130 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. After all, I have abundant reason to acknowledge and humbly confess before God, and in the hearing of this nu- merous assembly, that I have fallen far, very far short of my duty in my ministerial labors, in every branch of my work. I have to lament that I have no more regarded and practised that divine, that solemn charge to ministers, 'Be thou an example of the believers, in word, conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.' I have abundant rea- son to cry out, as before said, 'My leanness, my leanness.' So great and numerous have been my sins and deficiencies in duty, my criminal omissions and commissions, that were it not for the free and sovereign grace of God, through the righteousness and atonement of our dear Saviour, I must be a castaway. On this boundless grace and mercy I desire wholly to rely, and hope for pardon and acceptance through Jesus Christ alone. APPLICATION. And now, my Friends, and to many of you I address a more endearing epithet, my children, I request your particu- lar attention while I close this discourse by way of exhorta- tion, and with some serious counsel and advice. And let it be considered as directed particularly to those who are and have been the people of my ministerial care and charge. In the first place and above everything else, I call on you, I warn and charge you, "seek ye first the kingdom of God." Regard his glory and the salvation of your immortal souls. Be solicitous, be anxious that you become friends to Christ by experiencing a real change of heart. Our Lord Jesus, who will be your judge, hath told you beforehand, "Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." And his Apostle, guided by his spirit, has declared that "without holiness no man shall see the Lord." Let it then be your great, your primary concern, to obtain a title, through grace, to a glorious inheritance beyond the grave. Your fathers, with whom I was conversant in early life, the most of them "have gone the way of all the earth," and I, your minister, and those of my age, soon must follow. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 131 You also who are now in the midst of active life, full of cares, public and private, must soon be called off from these busy scenes, and appear naked spirits before God. And you who are in youth, who calculate on many years in this world, must follow in quick succession to the grave, and your eternal state be fixed, forever fixed, in a world of joy or woe. What is this world to which we are so fondly attached? With all its wealth it cannot purchase the salva- tion of one soul. With all its honors, you may be plunged into a 'state of shame and everlasting contempt.' With all its pleasures and amusements, you may be left to "weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth." Oh, then, as you re- gard your God, your Savior and your own immortal souls, let it be your chief concern to repent, to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and be reconciled to God. You, my friends, are my witnesses that I have urged and pressed upon you the importance of these truths. Again and again I have taught and explained to you the great, the essential doctrines of the gospel. I have preached and urged gospel precepts and duties. I have endeavored to preach morality on a gospel footing, — not as a foundation of acceptance with God, but as inseparable from love to him, and evidential of faith in the Mediator, and a title to eternal life. I have laid before you every motive which the powers of my mind could suggest, with the word of God for my guide, to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus, and a life of holiness and evangelical obedience. And to use the solemn words of the holy Apostle, "some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not." Solemn thought, serious and commanding the reflection, that some of you, yea, I fear many of you, are yet in your sins, without hope and without God in the world. And is it not to be feared that some of you who are in advanced life, to the ninth and eleventh hour, have stood all your gospel day idle. For Christ's sake, for your own soul's sake, let such be alarmed, — hear and obey the gospel invitation before your eyes are closed in death. Numbers of you, not only of the 132 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. aged but those in middle life, have lived in days of the dis- play of God's power and grace, when many, we trust, were born into the kingdom of Christ, and when some of you were awakened and inquired with trembling, ''What shall we do?" But have you not fallen asleep, lost sight of your dreadful state, and become more hard and stupid than be- fore? I again call on you, I entreat, I beseech you, by the love, the compassion, the bowels of a crucified Savior, to awake and flee from the wrath to come, that you may lay hold on the hope, the only hope set before you in the gospel. My brethren and friends, before I conclude this discourse 1 would ask your candid attention to a few words of advice and counsel from your aged pastor, who loves and ardently wishes your prosperity in your temporal, but more es- pecially in your spiritual interests. And this will be re- specting your future conduct in regard to your religious concerns, and those of your children, when my lips shall be closed in death. How soon that may be, or how soon I may be taken off from public service, is left with God, with whom I desire to leave it. But as this may be a proper opportunity, I hope it may not be thought unseasonable, even though it should please God to continue me a little longer in the work whereunto I have been called. In the first place, then, as much as possible labour to be at peace among yourselves, and that the uncommon union which has subsisted among you may be continued and in- creased. And as one mean to this important end let me suggest to you the propriety and duty of exerting your- selves to provide a more commodious and decent house for the worship of God. This house has stood more than half a century, and although that is not considered long for such buildings, this by its construction is evidently going to decay, and in some seasons of the year is very inadequate to the accommodation of the numerous assembly who resort here for public worship. On this subject I would inform you that this house, from the mode of its construction, is unusually hard and difficult for a public speaker. Having been favored through God's goodness with greater strength HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 133 of voice than many public speakers, I have been enabled to perform the service. But many of my brethren in the min- istry who have spoken here have noticed the uncommon labor to which the preacher is subjected. Many instances have occurred in which ministers have been obliged to desist from public labours on account of the failure of their voice. When I recommend to you the propriety and duty of building an house for worship, you cannot suppose I can have any personal interest in view, sensible that I shall not need any earthly house but a little longer. But will it not be for your benefit, — will it not be an important benefit to your children? Will not such a measure prove a bond of union, a means of continuing this people together in the worship and ordinances of the gospel? I will not add, only to remind you that pious David met the divine approbation when it was in his heart to build a house for God. And I would invite your attention to the words of the prophet Haggai, ''Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses and this house lie waste?" Secondly. With respect to the call and settlement of a minister among you, whether it be before or after my de- cease, I pray you listen to my counsel. Your fathers and predecessors very early set up public worship, — viewing it an object of primary importance in respect to the present life and that which is to come. In their infant state, when few in number and straitened as to property, they hastened to erect this house and settle one who might minister to them in holy things, and by the help of a land tax, which continued four years, which was granted by the Legisla- ture, in which the non-residents, who owned a large portion of the land, were included, they were enabled to support the gospel, and at length to finish this house. I mention these things to you, their children and successors, because you cannot be informed from them, most of whose lips are closed in death. They thus taught you by their faithful example, and many of you were taught by their affectionate precepts diligently and constantly to remember the holy 134 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Sabbath, to attend on the worship and ordinances peculiar to that day, "not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is," alas of many, very many, at the present day. Therefore I counsel, I warn you not to neglect, but continue to remember the Sabbath; to esteem it, to prize it as one of the days of heaven. And I entreat you constantly and conscientiously to attend and improve the instituted means of grace, and as far as you are able, let your children enjoy the same privilege, at least such of them as are capable of understanding the nature, design and duty of public worship. And inasmuch as I have advanced to old age and must soon be removed from public service, let me give you my parting counsel with respect to the qualifications of a suc- cessor in the ministry. Above all other qualifications (and many others are indispensable) be particularly cautious that you elect a man of apparently real piety ; one who has experienced the power of religion, whose heart is warmed with love to Jesus Christ and to the souls of men; who appears to be cordially attached to the kingdom of Christ and to the advancement of its interests among you and through the world. See that he be not only of unblemished morals and exemplary conversation, but clear and distin- guishing in the fundamental truths of the gospel; that he be one who preaches and urges the soul-humbling, God- exalting doctrines of the cross of Christ. To these truths we are all naturally opposed; if we were not our Lord \yould not have declared as he did, "Ye must be born again." The decrees of God, his absolute sovereignty, his electing love, the total depravity of mankind, our entire dependence on the free and sovereign mercy of God, the nature and necessity of regeneration by the Holy Spirit, justification on account of the righteousness and atonement of Christ alone, the certain perseverance unto eternal life of all who are truly united to the Savior, and the endless punishment of the finally impenitent, are doctrines which, though clearly taught in the holy scriptures, are by many denied and by more opposed. Yet let it be remembered, they are HISTORY OF NORFOUi:. 135 the great means, the powerful engine, in the hands of the Holy Spirit, of the pulling down of strongholds, of strip- ping the sinner of all his proud and self-righteous feelings, of abasing his soul before God, and bringing him to fall down at the foot of the cross. See that your minister be one who insists on gospel morality and holy conduct, ex- emplary in his walk, benevolent and compassionate, patient under trials, apt to teach, with a talent to communicate in conferences and private religious meetings, and especially that he be a man of prayer. But I will not enlarge, for I humbly trust that the body of this people will never consent to settle a minister of principles and practice essentially different from what has now been described. O, my friends, it is of the last importance to you and your children that you sit under a sound, evangelical, experimental minister of Christ, who may by the presence and blessing of the divine Savior, go before you and lead you in the narrow way which terminates in eternal glory. Thirdly. You will suffer a word with respect to the sup- port of the minister whom you shall choose. You are told that the labourer is worthy of his hire. You will all con- clude that one who faithfully labours with you in the gospel ought to be comfortably and honourably supported. And you will readily expect that it will require more than you have been accustomed to afford. When I was settled here I was entitled to a considerable portion of landed interest reserved for the first minister in the town, by means of which, with some patrimony, together with what has been granted from year to year by the people, I have been en- abled through divine goodness to enjoy a comfortable and reputable living But you may have a minister destitute in a great measure of the helps which 1 have had. The burden, therefore, if it can be called a burden, may be greater than you have hitherto experienced. But you are sensible, and many of you have remarked that your ecclesi- astical expenses have been very light, and they have been defrayed with the utmost cheerfulness. And here I would remark that in the whole course of my ministry there has 136 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. been only two cases of distraint for ministerial taxes that have come to my knowledge. In these instances the per- sons had turned to different denominations after their tax was due. But should the expense be somewhat greater than it has been, I earnestly hope you will not on that account divide and scatter, but strive for the continuance of your union and peace. I need not add, expecting that you will not see your minister in penurious circumstances, so as to embarrass and perplex him, obstruct his usefulness and bring trouble on you. Fourthly. Let me on this occasion urge your attention to the duty of family religion and government. You cannot be too sensible of their importance for your own comfort, and of their incalculable benefit to your children, for the present and future life. By a little observation and reflec- tion we see, we realize the efiiciency of that divine direction and promise, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Would you wish your children to be respectable and useful in the world, especially that they may be happy when they die, begin to catechise and instruct them when quite young, and as they increase in years and knowledge, press on them the necessity of real religion. Teach them the plain doctrines and duties of the gospel, warn them against every vice, and inculcate the duty of attending to all the means of grace. Let not parental fondness prevent necessary restraints. Kemind them of your duty and of their accountability at the awful tribunal of God. And to convince them of your solicitude for their best interests, let your precepts be enforced by corresponding example and prayer. And may God in great mercy accompany his blessing, that your dear offspring may be saved in the day of the Lord. But it is time to conclude this discourse. I have given you a brief sketch of the history of this town and church, and of some of the dispensations of God's holy providence here before many of you were born. I have noticed the seasons of prosperity and adversity through which the in- HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 137 habitants have passed. I have mentioned some of the tem- poral blessings which we have enjoyed, and the precious seasons of revivals of religion among us, all of which de- mand our solemn and grateful remembrance. And now, my brethren and friends, I ask your prayers at the throne of grace, that my God would not forsake me now when I am old and grey-headed. That he would ''cast me not off in time of old age, and forsake me not when my strength faileth.'' And if it should please the great Head of the Church to continue me a little longer in his vineyard, and enable me to serve you in the ministerial work, I shall attempt to do it. But my services must be attended with failings and infirmities which will call for your love and candor. But according to human probability, as the Apostle Peter saith, "Shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me." And may I be enabled to keep it in constant remembrance, and through grace be prepared to depart in peace when my Lord shall call. And may you, also, my people, and all who hear me this day, keep in mind that when a few days are come we must leave all mortal things and pass into the unseen world. There we must stand at the tribunal of God, and receive our doom for eternity. And oh, that by a vital union to Jesus, our dear Savior, evidenced by a life of holy obedience, we may through boundless mercy be accepted of our Judge, and enter with all the countless numbers of the redeemed into the joy of our Lord, and be employed through a never ending eternity in the sweet and delightful work of praise and thanksgiving to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. Amen." The following is given as an "Appendix" to Mr. Bobbins' Half Century Sermon: "The settlement of the town of Norfolk began in the year 1744, That, with several of the adjacent towns, was owned by the state, and they were all sold at public vendue in Middletown in 1742. Timothy Hosford of Windsor took a deed of one right of 400 acres, which he retained. All the other proprietors relinquished their rights and forfeited 138 HISTOKY OF NORFOLK. their first payment, forty shillings on a right. There were fifty-three rights, of which one was reserved for a parson- age, one for schools, and one for the first minister. Hosford sold his right to Titus Brown, who afterwards lived and died in Norfolk. Titus sold his right to his brother, Cor- nelius Brown, of Windsor (Pawquannock.) Cornelius Brown came to Norfolk soon after his purchase, in the spring of 1744. A road from Torrington to Canaan was opened, mostly by the Canaan people, the preceding year. In Sep- tember, 1744, Mr. Brown moved his family to Norfolk, anci lived in a log house a little east of the place where Mr, George Ives now lives. He sowed no grain the first year, being much discouraged on account of the Indian and French war. The team which brought Brown's family was the first loaded team that came through the Green Woods. In the spring of 1745 Mr, John Turner, brother of Mr. Brown's wife, came with his family from Hartford and lived on the rising ground a little east of Brown's. In the fall of 1745 Mr. Jedediah Richards, brother to Mr, Turner's wife, came from Hartford with his family and lived in a small framed house built by him in the course of the summer, on the spot where Mr. Nathaniel Pease now lives. These families lived on Brown's right. They were pious and ex- emplary families, attending religious worship and ordi- nances in Canaan. The town was sold at vendue at Middletown a second time, excepting Brown's right, in 1754, soon after which a number of industrious, worthy families settled in the town. At the north part the first settlers were Ebenezer and Ezra Knapp, who were soon joined by James Benedict, Samuel Knapp, Jacob Spaulding and Isaac Holt. The Knapps and Benedict were from Danbury. S. Knapp and Spaulding are now living. In the south part the first settlers were Joseph Mills, Samuel Mills, Asahel Case and Samuel Cowles, all from Simsbury. The most of these early settlers lived to old age, and were firm friends of religious order and vital piety. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 139 Three or four years after Brown's settlement, Samuel Manross came from Farmington, now Bristol, and built a log house where the meeting-house now stands. Edward Strickland came from Simsbury a year or two after Manross and lived where Mr, Nathaniel Robbing now lives. Samuel Gaylord and Benoni Moses were early settlers, before the second sale of the town, it is believed. They lived near the brook, a little above the centre mills. Joshua Whitney came from Canaan after the second sale of the town and erected a framed house where Linus McKean now lives. At an early period of the settlement Brown erected a saw-mill at the place of the present centre mills. The first house in the north part of the town was a frame, built by Ezra Kuapp where Mr. Martin Green now lives. The present meeting-house was erected in 1760, two years after the incorporation of the town. The inner part was not finished for many years after. The land tax, mentioned in the preceding discourse, was two pence an acre annually for four years, — one-half to be applied to the erection of a meeting-house, the other half to hire preaching. The agent at the Assembly to procure the second sale of the town, — the incorporation and the land-tax, — was John Turner. Brown, the first settler, sold his first place and settled where Mr. Thomas Tibbals afterwards lived. He sold that place to Tibbals and began again in the southwest part of the town, where he lived till his death. The first sermon preached in the town was by one Treat, who had been settled in the ministry and was a temporary resident. The meeting was at Richards'. The first settlers got considerable by hunting, particularly deer. The low meadows near the centre of the town were mostly open, and supplied them with hay. The first burials were in Canaan. The first person buried in the town was the wife of Jedediah Turner, who lived a little west of Col. J. W. Phelps' present house. Her grave, with two others, were at the place where Col. Phelps' house stands. The next 140 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. burials were in the present center burying place. The first child born in the town was Stephen, son of Cornelius Brown. The first militia was a Lieutenant's company, com- manded by Lieutenant Whitney. When it was made a full company Whitney was the Captain. The second Captain was George Palmer. The first Justice of the Peace was Joshua Whitney, who was in office in Canaan before he moved into the town. He was in office in Norfolk before the incorporation of the town. The second Justice was Michael Humphreys, ap- pointed in 1760. The next was Giles Pettibone, appointed in 1773. Col. Pettibone held that office, and after 1777 the office of Judge of Probate, till he resigned them in May, 1807. He died March, 1810, aged 75. Hosea Wilcox was appointed a justice of the peace in 1778. The next was Dudley Humphreys, appointed in 1780. Those since ap- pointed are Asahel Humphreys, Nathaniel Stephens, Eleazer Holt, Augustus Pettibone, Benjamin Welch and Joseph Battell. The four latter are now in office. A Probate District, called the District of Norfolk, was established by the Legislature in May, 1779. Giles Petti- bone, Esq., was appointed the Judge. At his resignation in 1807, Augustus Pettibone, Esq., his son, the present Judge, was appointed. The town was first represented in the General Assembly in October, 1777. The representatives were Giles Pettibone and William Walter. May the posterity of the venerable fathers and first set- tlers of this town ever "stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths where is the good way, and walk therein, that they may find rest for their souls." If '^^ %3 '%k. ■ HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 141 X. a century sermon. By Rev. Thomas Robbins, D.D. At a town meeting December 2, 1844, Amos Pettibone, Michael F. Mills and Darius Phelps were appointed a com- mittee ''To invite Dr. Thomas Robbins to deliver a Cen- tennial Address to the people of Norfolk, between this and the first of January next, and that they make suitable prep- aration for the occasion." December 25, 1844, in accordance with the above vote, Rev. Thomas Robbins, D. D., son of the first pastor of the church, preached in the church in Norfolk a sermon of an historical character, that year having been the one hun- dredth anniversary of the settlement of the town. The writer, then seven years old, distinctly remembers being present on this occasion, and the two things that made a lasting impression on his memory were the length of the sermon and the singing of the last hymn, which Dr. Rob- bins "lined" in the old-fashioned way, reading one line of the hymn and then pausing while the choir and the congre- gation sang that line, then reading the next line, and so on. The hymn as he recalls it was the one commencing "Be Thou, O God, Exalted High," sung to the tune of "Old Hundred." This service and the delivery of this discourse was the celebration of the town's centennial. The discourse has never been published. The original manuscript is owned by the Connecticut Historical Society at Hartford, and through the courtesy of the Library Committee of the society a copy has been obtained for the town's history. Dr. Thomas Robbins was the founder and first president of the society. The historical part of the discourse is as follows: 142 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. "My respected audience, my fellow townsmen, the sug- gestions that have been made with regard to the duties of the people of our state and country, to venerate their an- cestors and imitate their example, apply with equal force, though a more limited extent, to the natives and inhabi- tants of this town. I rejoice with you this day and praise the God of our fathers that he has preserved this our home in great peace and prosperity to the completion of an hun- dred years from its first settlement. This year completes a century since the echo of the axeman, the movement of the plowman, the prayer of the Christian, were first heard amid the tall forest with which it was overspread. This was among the later towns in the state in which a settle- ment commenced. Canaan, Salisbury, Goshen, preceded us a few years. The town was purchased of the state by pro- prietors and owned by them in fifty-three rights. One of them was reserved for a parsonage, one for schools and one for the first minister. The first sale of the town was by public auction in 1742. Most of the purchasers afterwards relinquished their rights and there was a second sale a few years afterwards. Timothy Hosford of Windsor took a deed of one right at the first sale, which was the only one retained. This he sold to Titus Brown, who afterwards lived and died in this town. Titus sold his right to his brother, Cornelius Brown. These were sons of Deacon Cornelius Brown of Windsor (Pouquonock.) Cornelius Brown came to Norfolk soon after his purchase in the spring of 1744. A road from Torrington to Canaan was opened, mostly by the Canaan people, the preceding year. In September, 1744, Mr. Brown moved his family to Norfolk and lived in a log house a little east of the house formerly occupied by Capt. Titus Ives, now owned by Mr. E. Grove Lawrence. He sowed no grain the f rst year, being much discouraged on account of the Indian and French war. This was the year before the celebrated military expedition to the Island of Cape Breton, which re- sulted in the capture of the strong fortress of Louisburgh, one of the most memorable events in the history of New HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 143 England. We are not to wonder at the tardy progress of the settlement. All men considered it a very doubtful ques- tion at that time whether the New England colonies would continue under the protection of the British crown or be transferred to France, the favorite object of the French ministry, and be annexed to Canada, an annexation for which our fathers had no relish. The team which brought Brown's family was the first loaded team that came through the Green Woods. In the spring of 1745 Mr. John Turner, brother of Mr. Brown's wife, came with his family from Hartford and lived on the rising ground a little to the east of Brown's. In the fall of the same year Mr. Jedediah Richards, brother to Mr. Turner's wife, came from Hartford with his family and lived in a small framed house built by him in the course of the summer on the site long occupied by the late Nathaniel Pease. These families lived on land belonging to Mr. Brown's original right. They were pious and exemplary families, attending religious worship and ordinances in Canaan. The Browns were bred under the faithful min- istry of Mr. Samuel Tudor. Three or four years after Brown's settlement, Samuel Manross came from Farmington, now Bristol, and built a log house where the meeting-house now stands. He ob- served when putting up his house that that would be the site for the meeting-house, which afterwards proved to be the case. The name of this early settler, of whom various anec- dotes have been told, was commonly pronounced Mo-raugh. Edward Strickland came to this place soon after Manross, from Simsbury, and lived where Mr. Warren Cone now lives. Samuel Gaylord and Benoni Moses were early set- tlers, supposed to have been here previous to the second sale of the town. They lived near the brook, a little above the centre Mills. The town was sold at public auction, except- ing Brown's right, the second time at Middletown, in 1754, soon after which a number of industrious, worthy families settled in the town. Joshua Whitney came from Canaan and erected a framed house where Major Shepard now 144 HISTOEY OF NOKFOLK. lives. The first settlers in the north part of the town were Ebenezer and Ezra Knapp, who were soon joined by James Benedict, Samuel Knapp, Jacob Spaulding and Isaac Holt. Oapt. Holt was from East Haven. The Knapps and Bene- dict were from Danbury. In the south part the first set- tlers were Joseph Mills, Samuel Mills, Asahel Case and Samuel Cowles, all from Simsbury. The most of these early settlers were firm friends of religious order and vital piety. At this time, say 1758, the settlement of the town may be said to have become established, consisting of about twenty-five families. The first house in the north part of the town was a framed house built by Ezra Knapp, a little west of the present house of Major Bushnell Knapp. Cornelius Brown, early erected a saw-mill at the place of the present centre mills. I conclude a grist-mill could not have been long delayed. The first road through the town from Canaan to Torrington came on the north side of the main stream of the town, through what was called the Dug-way, over the hill north of the Burying-ground; thence south, and as- cended the north side of this hill, coming along on the summit of what we used to call the ledge, about where Mr. Battell's house now stands, passed to the south, crossing to the west of the bridge near the west side of my father's house, and went on to the south near the foot of the Burr Mountain. The road to Goshen was opened soon, but the eastern one, I suppose, was the first. And now, my hearers, let us pause for a moment and con- template the condition of our venerable parents and pre- decessors at the period which we have reached. They were encompassed with diflSculties, oppressed with burdens which their present descendants would feel too great to be borne. Such as would fill ordinary minds with dismay, and such as ordinary physical powers would be unable to sus- tain. Houses and barns must be built, roads opened and bridges made. Places where are now pleasant meadows were impassable swamps; mills to be erected; tall forests, the growth of ages, to be levelled and cultivated. Their few HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 145 herds and flocks were exposed to the prowling beasts of the forest, and little help to be obtained from any places in the vicinity. In the former part of this period there was a disastrous war on their borders, by which the frontier set- tlements were peculiarly exposed, and at the latter part of this period, in 1755, a new war commenced, of which Can- ada was the principal seat, and heavy drafts of men and munitions of war were made upon the colonies of New England. The few families we have contemplated were dispersed over this extensive town, yet a house of worship must be erected and schools provided for their children. But amid all these embarrassments they were steadfast in their pur- pose; they were devoted to frugality and industry, in har- mony with each other, and unchanging perseverance, they rested their hope on a faithful God and Savior, on that covenant God who for more than an hundred years preced- ing had continually sustained the successive generations of the Pilgrims through similar straits, afflictions and dan- gers. They were laboring for their future days, for us their posterity, for the glory of their Lord; and the God of their fathers did not forsake them. The new lands of the town produced good crops; much wheat and corn were raised, and afterwards grass and pas- turage in abundance. At the beginning of the settlement the low meadows near the centre of the town were consid- erably open, and from them some of the settlers obtained their first hay. The sugar maple was for many years a source of much comfort and profit. Within my remem- brance, much grain was procured every year from the grain towns of Canaan and Salisbury, in exchange for the maple sugar. This town was distinguished for the quantity and quality of that article. Provisions to a considerable extent and some other articles of value were obtained by hunting in the forest. This exercise has been highly exciting and pursued with great fondness by all people and in all ages of our race. It has ever been a principal support of the rude stages of society, and the favorite amusement of the most refined. 146 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. The inhabitants of this town were incorporated by an act of the Legislature in 1758. The General Assembly also authorized the town to lay a land tax of two pence an acre for four years; one-half to be appropriated to the erection of a meeting-house and the other half to hire preaching. The agent of the town to procure these objects, and also the second sale of the town, was John Turner. Cornelius Brown, who was really the father of the town, sold his first place at an early period, and settled where Mr. Thomas Tibbals afterwards lived, about three-fourths of a mile south from the meeting-house. He afterwards sold that place to Mr. Tibbals and began again in the southwest part of the town, where he lived till his death. Two families of the name of Meeker afterwards settled near Mr. Brown's, which gave a name to that part of the town. I have not been able to ascertain at what period public religious worship began to be observed in the town. The first families attended public worship for some time in Canaan, but it was early introduced and generally main- tained in their own town. The first sermon preached in the town was by a preacher of the name of Treat, and was a temporary resident. The meeting was at the house of Mr. Richards. The meeting- house was erected in 1760, — two years after the incorpora- tion of the town. As a considerable portion of the expense was defrayed by a land-tax, a part of it was paid by non- residents. I presume that the towns were released from the Colonial tax for two or three years, while building their meeting-house, as this was the common practice in the Colony. When the frame of the house was raised, they sang an hymn and prayed, and all persons belonging to the town sat down on the outward sills of the building. The house was larger and was used longer than was common with the first meeting-houses in the towns of the state. It was 50 by 40 feet, with 20 foot posts, and stood 53 years. The house was enclosed and well finished in the exterior HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Ii7 the first season, and in the spring following it was painted a peach-blow color. It was not finished in the inside till the year 1769. It was painted white in 1793. The first child born in the town was Stephen, son of Cor- nelius Brown. The first person buried in the town was the wife of Jedediah Turner, who lived a little west of the house of the late Jeremiah Phelps. Her grave, with two others, were at the place where Col. Phelps' house now stands. The next burials were in the present centre bury- ing-place. I know of no other burying-place till the one in the south part of the town, begun about the year 1790. The first grave was the aged Mrs. Cowles, widow of Mr. Joseph Cowles, and mother of the late Ebenezer Cowles. Previous to the erection of the meeting-house, public worship was held in private houses, and several preachers of reputable character preached for a while in the town to good acceptance and profit. Measures were taken for the settlement of two or three of them, but for want of una- nimity it did not take place. In the spring of 1760 my father, then recently licensed as a preacher, having graduated the preceding year at Yale College and studied divinity in the interval with Dr. Bel- lamy of Bethlehem, was invited to come to Norfolk to sup- ply the people. He came here in June, 1761. The church was previously organized by Rev. Daniel Farrand of Canaan, on the 24th of December, 1760, consisting of twenty-three members. Mr. Farrand had done much for the people here before the settlement of a pastor, as my father did in a like case for the people of Colebrook. After preach- ing a few months my father accepted a call of the people to be their pastor, and was ordained October 28th, 1761. His father. Rev. Philemon Robbins of Branford, preached on the occasion, and Dr. Bellamy, Mr. Champion of Litch- field and others assisted at the ordination. At the time my father came here there were about fifty families in the town, and some ten or twelve moved in during that year. He has often told me that the new meeting-house made a fine appearance among the trees, then new glazed and 148 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. painted, the most of the trees on the Green still standing; the meeting-house not visible from the place where he built his house the following year. But for some years after this there was a good progress in clearing and cultivating the new lands. Yet no small portion continued within my remembrance. Now I suppose there is no more in wood than is desirable. In the north part of the town there was a good deal of valuable pine timber, and some in other parts, which } conclude is now generally cut off. If a growth of different timber has succeeded, when that shall have come to maturity and be removed the pine will return From the time of the formation of the church, consisting of 23 members, to the settlement of the pastor, 15 members were added, mostly from other churches, making at that time 38. The first church meeting was holden November l9th, 1761. At that meeting Mr. Michael Humphreys was chosen to the office of deacon. He served in the office alone for about four years, when Mr. Abraham Camp was chosen to the same office. Those elected to the office since that time are, in succession, Joseph Mills, Abraham Hall, Jared Butler, Samuel Mills, David Frisbie, Edward Gaylord, Noah Miner, Sylvanus Norton, Amos Pettibone, Samuel Cone, Darius Phelps, Dudley Norton. To omit any remark on the living, those that are gone are men of gifts, faithful in the duties, the arduous and important duties of the office, and exemplary in the Christian character. The church has been uniformly sustained and enlarged in the rich mercy of their Lord, and has continued exactly 84 years, in great union and harmony, and by the divine power, in much prosperity. It has had more discipline than most churches, but these measures have strengthened the church and increased its reputation with those that are without. There have been some difficult cases of discipline and the advice of ecclesi- astical councils has been called, and they have been bur- dened with the question, not uncommon, whether the mar- riage of a wife's sister or a brother's wife is to be treated as a disciplinable offense; a question which will not be set- tled till a more enlightened age of the church. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 149 This church and people have long continued in great har- mony among themselves, and with their ministers, for which it becomes us to rejoice, to commend the character and conduct of our fathers and predecessors, and especially to praise that holy God from whom cometh all peace and concord. There have uniformly been leading men, who were men of prudence, acting from a conscientious sense of duty. In these things the ministers and the civil au- thority have fully performed their due share. The faithful observance of gospel ordinances and the steady preaching of the true gospel of Christ Jesus, as I believe, has had as might be well expected, the special blessing of God. It has pleased him in the riches of his mercy to accom- pany his own institutions with his ordinary blessing, and at various periods, to revive his work with the mighty influ- ence of his grace. The first period of revival under my father's ministry was in 1767. There was an uncommon seriousness and attention to religion through the town. As the result of this work ten or twelve persons united with the church. In the year 1783, sixteen years after the period just noticed, there was a great and good work of divine grace spreading through the town. This revival I well remember. It was soon after the close of the Revolutionary war. During that anxious period, when the minds of all were deeply interested in public events, there were, as might well be expected, few seasons of revival through the country. My father had poor health at that time, and he was much assisted by neighboring ministers, and some from a distance. Meetings were numerous; conferences were often held without any minister. The population of the town at that time had become about as great as at any time since. This revival greatly enlarged and strengthened the church. The members added in 1783 were 33; in '84, 27. After this period this church was spoken of for a number of years as among the largest churches in the state. Six- teen years from this period, 1799 and 1800, this people were favored with the greatest religious revival, as I suppose, 150 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. that they have ever had. This was in connection with a very distinguished work of grace through this vicinity, and in other places. The preaching was mostly doctrinal, ex- hibiting in earnest manner the truths of the gospel and the only way of salvation through Jesus Christ. I think it proper to add that that revival was substantially the true source of the great modern impulse given to mis- sions. . . . The monthly Concert of prayer, the lever by which the vast fabric of Mahometanism and Idolatry are to be over- thrown, commenced in 1795, but it did not become con- firmed and established till after these revivals. . . . My father says in his Half-Century Sermon, 'In consequence of the revival of 1783, fifty-two were added to the church, and of that of 1799, about one hundred and sixty.' There was a good work of grace among this people in the year 1815, when the people were destitute of a pastor. They were regularly supplied with preaching, and the brethren of the church were active and faithful in the important duties devolving upon them. This revival was followed with large additions to the church; twenty-two having been received in 1815 and in the following year, one hundred and three. . . . There was a revival during the ministry of Dr. Emerson in the year 1827, — a work of grace still and solemn, for which many will praise God forever. In the year 1831, while a great work of divine grace prevailed extensively through the land, this town had their share in the merciful visitations of the divine spirit. The people were at this time also destitute of a pastor, and this work of grace may well be considered as a blessing of God on the faithful labors of their pastor who had left them the preceding year. I supplied the pulpit for three months in the sum- mer of 1831, and after me was the Rev. William Mitchel, now of Rutland, Vermont. This time of awakening was connected with the faithful labors of Mr. Emerson. Though his pastoral connection had then been dissolved, he left the field and others brought in the harvest. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 151 The number added to the church at a religious attention in 1821 and '22 was sixty; in '27 and '28, one hundred and twenty-one; and in 1831 and '32, eighty -three. The first pastor of this church, as has been stated, was the Rev. Mr. Bobbins, ordained here in October, 1761. Fifty years from that time, October 28th, 1811, he preached his Half-century Sermon, which was published at the desire of the people. In May, 1813, he was suddenly taken ill with a complaint which defeated all medical skill, and after some weeks was found to be a cancerous tumour. This malady continued its steady progress six months, to the 30th of November, when he died. He was 73 years of age, and had just 52 years in his ministry with this people." (The present writer has been informed that the first public use of the present church was the funeral of Mr. Bobbins.) "The people were not forgotten in their destitute state. Several worthy preachers were employed during a period of two years; their union and harmony continued unim- paired till they gave a call to Mr. Ralph Emerson, a tutor in Yale College, to be their pastor. After due deliberation he accepted of their call, and was ordained in June, 1816. The Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher of Litchfield preached on the occasion. Mr. Emerson continued in great harmony with his people, highly esteemed in his own and the neighbor- ing towns, much devoted to study in connection with his pastoral labors. In 1829 he was elected to an important professorship in the Theological Seminary at Andover, Mass. After much hesitation he informed his people that he considered it his duty to comply with that call, and his people with much hesitation and reluctance consented to his removal. He was dismissed in the beginning of the following year, and still continues in the services of that important Institution. Mr. Eldridge, the present pastor, was invited to preach to this people in the former part of the year 1832, having been recently elected a Tutor of Yale College. He was or- dained April 25th of that year. Rev. Dr. Taylor of New Haven preached on the occasion. The long existing har- 152 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. mony between this people and their minister continues, and the same divine Spirit who has succeeded the labors of his predecessors has added a blessing to his. There was more than a usual attention to the things of religion in 1838, and three years after, a work of divine grace which issued in the addition of thirty-five members to the church. The first meeting-house was built in 1760. That house accommodated the people well, though for many years it was usually very full on the Sabbath. That house was taken down in the summer of 1813, during my father's last illness. He attended meeting on the afternoon of the Sab- bath in a feeble state, and at the close of the exercise he administered the ordinance of baptism. It was the last public service he performed and the last performed in that house. The new house, this house, of convenient size and chaste architecture, was erected that season on the site of the former, and in a few months made convenient for public worship. It was dedicated to God June the follow- ing year, and we renew the prayer we then made, that the glory of this latter house may be greater than the glory of the former. The Ecclesiastical transactions of the town have gen- erally been conducted with great harmony. It was not found necessary for many years to organize an Ecclesias- tical Society. The business was done at the town meet- ings, and any persons professing to belong to any other denomination than the predominant one were left out of the tax-bill. Some time after my father's death, an Ecclesi- astical Society was organized. A few other facts will be briefly noticed. The population of the town from small beginnings, continued to increase gradually and steadily till after the close of the Revolu- tionary war. The population of the town in 1756, two years before its incorporation, was 84. In the year 1774 it was 969. The population at the census in 1830 was 1485; in 1840, 1389. At about the year 1785 I think the popula- tion was perhaps as great as it has been at any time. From that period or a little previous, families began to emigrate HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 153 to the new settlements. Many young men left the town for the same purpose. Early emigrations were made to the Susquehannah, then in considerable numbers for sev- eral years to Vermont. The course then turned to the Mo- hawk river, to Whitestown, and to various and more dis- tant parts of the state of New York. The next was to the Western Eeserve, and to the farther west, as it still con- tinues. During a period of fifty years the population has not materially varied. My father often said there are near three hundred families. Generally the population has been near 1500. We generally had no occasion to be ashamed of those who have emigrated from the town. They have usually been industrious, reputable people. Good at- tention has been paid in this town to the education of chil- dren and youth. I believe there were more school districts in 1785 than there are now. Probably they were not as large. A good number have had a College education and have become highly reputable and useful in the community. The schools were regularly visited and catechised, ante- cedent to the present school law in connection with the State School Fund, and I believe the youth in this state could read and spell as well, the most important parts of education, twenty years ago as they can now. This town has generally been very healthy. Many of the inhabitants have lived to old age. My father observes in his Sermon, 'Many, both men and women, have lived to a great age; several above ninety years, and one above an hundred years.' Mr. Nathaniel Roys died a few years since in his hundredth year, and he lived with his wife, a second wife, more than seventy years. The year 1777 was very sickly; the epidemic was the Camp-distemper, as then denominated. There were 56 deaths that year and 38 the year following. In the year 1774 a distressing accident took place near the house owned by the late Ephraim Coy. As they were digging a deep well the earth suddenly caved in and two men, Jacob Holt and Levi Cowles, were buried under the load of earth. Their bodies were taken out some hours afterward. In 154 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. the year 17S6, many people having had severe ravages in their flocks by wolves, several hunters having pursued them for several days found that they were on Haystack mountain. A large number of men were collected on Thanksgiving-day, surrounded the mountain, closed in upon them and four were killed. Thepeople were not much an- noyed by the fell destroyer afterwards. The shade-trees on this Green were set out in the spring of 1788. They were Elms and Buttonwoods. The number set were 57. Numbers of them failed the first year, and many others afterwards for want of due protection. The green was ploughed up and levelled in 1809. I might mention various other reminiscences, and give a de- served account of individual persons if I had oppor- tunity for a collection of facts, and were it not that it is time to bring this discourse to a close. It is highly desir- able that every town should have its own history for the benefit of future generations, as such documents are always the most safe and important material for national history. We have now an Institution in the state where all such articles are thankfully received, either in print or manuscript, carefully preserved, and as far as human skill can go, secure from the ravages of fire. And now, my respected audience, particularly my fellow townsmen, what shall we say in a contemplation of the scenes which have briefly passed in review before us? In the retrospect of a century we see what God has done for our fathers and for us. Here his gospel has been preached and taught in its purity and he has given it his blessing. Religious ordinances have been faithfully preserved, and God has taken souls to heaven. We are to praise him for their example and their prayers. Let not the precious legacy be lost or decline in our hands. From small beginnings here is a respectable town, a harmonious congregation, a numerous church. All of the grace of God. Our fathers trusted in him in all their straits, and were not forsaken. We are called by all the blessings of Providence and Grace which we have witnessed to go and do likewise. . . . HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 155 Another century will gradually roll away, carrying on the high purposes of heaven, and advancing the day of the prosperity of Zion. Before its expiration we shall have passed to the invisible world. They that are wise will join the Spirits of just men made perfect, around the throne of the Eternal. The next meeting of this great assembly will be at the bar of Christ. The babe of Bethlehem, the victim of Calvary will be on the throne. They who joy in his presence will then meet to part no more. I conclude in the words of Solomon: 'The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our father; let him not leave us nor forsake us, that he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.' " Norfolk, December 24th, 1844. XI. NORFOLK ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETY — SOME RECORDS OF THE DOINGS OF THIS SOCIETY FROM ITS FORMATION IN 1813, UNTIL THE CLOSE OF THE PASTORATE OF DR. JOSEPH ELDRIDGE, IN 1874. The "Norfolk Ecclesiastical Society," formed December 13, 1813, of members of the Congregational Church and society of this town, — the only church organization here during a considerable part of the first century of the town's history, — has from the time of its formation been an or- ganization of no little importance in the affairs of the town. This Society manages the finances and all business affairs of the Church, somewhat as does the 'Board of Trustees' in the Presbyterian, and perhaps in churches of other de- nominations. Some account of the work of this Society seems essen- tial in a history of the town. The Society, so far as the writer is aware, has never had a written Constitution or a 156 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Bye-law. None have ever seemed necessary. Any mem- ber of the congregation, by having his or her name pro- posed at any meeting of the society and being voted in at the next meeting, becomes a member. The manner of raising money for the expenses of the church of every kind, not including its benevolences, was, until 1875, by laying and collecting taxes on the grand list of the town of all members of the congregation and church, whether ever voted in as members of this society or not. This was called the 'Society's tax,' and was for many years collected by a collector appointed by the so- ciety. This method of raising the money necessary to pay the pastor's salary and other expenses was continued every year until the first sale of seats in the church, in November, 1875. The first officers of the society, elected upon the day of its formation, were Augustus Pettibone, Nicholas Holt and Deacon Edward Gay lord, Society's Committee; Auren Roys, Clerk; Joseph Battell, Treasurer; Thomas Curtiss, Collector. Those same offices, except Collector, have been filled by elections annually now for about eighty-seven years. The first Clerk of the society, Auren Roys, was re- elected annually and served in that capacity for thirty-nine years, and his successor, Elizur Dowd, served continuously for twenty-five years; the books of record of the Society as kept by these two men are models of neatness and care. In the earlier years the taxes of the society were paid in produce, and at this first meeting Jeremiah W. Phelps, Nathaniel Stevens and Elizur Munger were "appointed a Committee to apprize produce for the purpose of paying Mr. Robbins' salary last voted." Mr. Robbins, the first pastor of the church, had recently died, and the society at its first meeting instructed its Committee, "to draw ten dollars from the treasury and present to Rev. Chauncey Lee," (of Colebrook) and also "to return the thanks of the society to Mr. Lee for his sermon delivered at the funeral of Rev. Ammi R. Robbins." At this time thev were building their new meeting- fflSTORY OF NORFOLK. 157 house, (the same building which is still in use,) and they voted at this meeting "to direct the Society's Committee to procure a suitable person to ring the bell, and that the bell be rung for all public meetings on the Sabbath and other days, on funeral occasions, and at 9-o'clock at night." At a meeting April 11, 1814, they voted "to pay Michael F. Mills, Esq., |150 for his services as agent for building the meeting-house; to raise |700 by subscription to complete the same, and authorized Mr. Mills to procure steps for the meeting-house and lay them, provided the expense does not exceed |150." They also voted, "To give the African descendants living in this Society two pews in the gallery, situated at the head of each staircase." May 5, they voted "to procure a cushion for the pulpit, blinds for the pulpit windows and a suitable number of chairs to stand by the communion table." June 27 of that year they "Voted to dedicate the meeting-house the last Tuesday of August next; to procure a clergyman to preach a sermon on the occasion; to lay a tax of 2 1-2 cents on the dollar on the August list, 1813, to defray the expenses of the Society; that any person who shall be convicted of cutting or scratching any part of the meeting-house shall be liable to pay a fine of |7." "Appropriated |40 for in- structing the singers for public worship." May 22, 1815, "Voted unanimously, 101 votes, to call Mr. Kalph Emerson to settle with this church and society as their gospel minister, and to pay him an annual salary of $700." Sept. 25, "Voted to request Mr. Emerson to preach all the time he can be spared from Yale College, (where he was employed as Tutor,) through the winter, and that we will wait until May next for him to return and settle." June 10, 1816. A formal contract was entered into, signed and recorded, between the Society and Mr. Emer- son. The Society to pay him |700 a year salary; he to faith- fully perform the duties reasonably to be expected of him as a gospel minister. The Committee who signed this con- tract were: Dr. Benjamin Welch, Nathaniel Stevens, Mi- chael F. Mills, Eleazer Holt, Joseph Battell, Augustus Pettibone. 158 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Dec. 2, 1816. "Appointed a committee of five to dignify the seats in the meeting-house;'' and "appointed a com- mittee of seven to seat the meeting-house." (This dignifying committee were at one time instructed by vote of the town, that one year additional of age should count the same as £5 upon the grand list.) Dec, 1817. "Voted that this meeting approves of the plan proposed for building a conference room, a second story on the new schoolhouse to be built by the middle school district, provided it may be done by subscription." "Voted to reseat the meeting-house; and that each mem- ber of this society be requested to send in their name and age to Mr. Battell's store within one week." Dec, 1820. "Appointed a committee to solicit subscrip- tions to pay Barzel Treats* loss in building the Conference- room." Nov., 1821. "Instructed the Society's Committee to fur- nish Barzel Treat with suitable strings for his Bass Viol so as to enable him to assist the choir of singers in this society." Nov. 4, 1822. Appointed a committee to solicit subscrip- tions to purchase an Organ now offered to this society. Nov. 7, 1825. Authorized the Committee to remove the pews each side of the organ, and make slips in their stead for the convenience of the choir of singers, provided the expense to the Society shall not exceed |12. I will here quote from Rev. J. W. Beach's Centennial Sermon of July, 1876, in which he mentions Church music, so often mentioned in the business meetings and votes of the Ecclesiastical Society, and many other matters. He says: "It will be proper in this connection to speak of the history of your church music, since it was from this beginning by the first pastor, followed up by his descend- ants in the Battell family, that it came to be what it was. The first chorister was Isaac Pettibone. Ezekiel Wilcocks was his alternate and after 1768 his successor. For some years the singers were scattered through the congregation and caught the tune and time from the leader, whose chief HISTOKY OF NORFOLK. 159 need was a strong voice. The psalm was first announced and read by the minister; then the senior deacon from his prominent pew under the pulpit would read the first line, which was sung, and then the singers paused till the next line was read, and so on through the psalm. This method appears to have continued until December, 1778, when in connection with a new seating of the house, the town ap- propriated the whole of the front gallery and the lower tier of seats in the side galleries to the singers. The chor- isters were at first appointed by the church, but in May, 1774, the town evidently jealous of its prerogative in ex- ternals, voted ^that the town have right to order and direct in respect to singing in public worship,' and forthwith chose a set of choristers. The church ceased to do this from that time and it was managed by the town, new appointments being made in case of vacancy until December, 1794, — the last recorded instance of their appointment. It is probable that then began the custom, now in use, of the choir selecting its own leaders. Money to aid the choir was also voted by the town from time to time until the Society was organized in 1818. The first appropriation for this purpose was De- cember 10, 1798, when it was voted, ^that the selectmen make the rate bill for Mr. Bobbins' salary twelve dollars bigger than to pay him, and have a right to appropriate that money to the use of singing if they see cause.' After the Ecclesiastical Society was organized, money was raised for this purpose commonly by subscription. In 1824 Mr. Joseph Battell, son-in-law of Mr. Bobbins, made a donation of $833.34 to the fund of the society, on condi- tion that |50 a year be expended for the improvement of sacred music. The church still enjoys the benefit of this generous gift. Of Hymn Books, the earliest now known to have been used was Barlow's Psalm Book, though it is quite possible some other may have preceded it. This was discontinued by church vote in February, 1804, and Dr. Dwight's Psalms and Hymns taken in its place. This did more than forty years' service, and only gave way to the 160 mSTOKY OF NORFOLK. Tsalms and Hymns' of the General Association of the state, in November, 1845. In 1869 Robinson's 'Songs for the Sanctuary,' with tunes, superseded this. ('Watts' Vil- lage Hymns' were used at all meetings in the Conference Room probably for fifty years.) There was less prejudice against instrumental music than in most places, yet the feeling was not altogether wanting. The violin and bass viol were in use early in the present century. An organ was obtained much earlier than in most churches, but not without some objection to it on the score of propriety. It was set up May 10, 1822, and was replaced by the present one in April, 1852. Irene Battell, (Mrs. Prof. Lamed,) then a child of 11 years, and grand-daughter of Mr, Robbins, was the first organist. She was then so small that she had to stand up to play. She retained this posi- tion as long as she remained in town, and to her skill and enthusiasm in music after she arrived at maturity is chiefly due the superiority of this choir, which was for many years conceded to be the best in the county. In 1826 an association was formed for promoting sacred music, in connection with a County organization, of which she became the leading spirit, and at the annual festivals in Litchfield the Norfolk members were noted for their su- perior drill. The rest of Esquire Battell's family helped on the same end, and have furnished to this day a strong element in the choir, both in leadership and numbers." At this point I will insert a sketch of the formation and doings, and names of donors to the Ecclesiastical Society's Fund. Constitution of the "Norfolk Ecclesiastical Fund," Adopted De- cember 1, 1817. "The Ecclesiastical Society of Norfolk, impressed with the im- portance of the preached gospel to the present and eternal welfare of man, and feeling it their duty to do what a gracious Providence has placed in their power towards providing for its permanent sup- port among themselves and their posterity, do for that purpose agree to establish a fund, and for the establishment and direction of the same do adopt the following constitution: HISTOEY OF NORFOLK. 161 Article 1. This fund shall be denominated The Norfolk Ecclesi- astical Fund. 2. This fund shall consist of all the monies accruing to this society by an act of the Legislature passed October session, 1816, entitled 'An act for the support of Literature and Religion,' to- gether with the society's funds now on interest, amounting to $869.67, and such donations and grants as may hereafter be made to the society for the above purpose or for any other purpose which will consistently and legally admit of their being applied to this Fund. 3. This Fund shall be vested in stock of incorporated banks, or stock in the funds of the United States,— and all avails of said fund, except $50, which is to be used for the support of preaching annu- ally, shall also be appropriated to the purchase of more stock, until the principal of this Fund shall amount to $6,666.67. 4. When the principal of this Fund shall amount to the above sum of $6,666.67 or more, the annual income thereof shall be ap- plied to the support of the preaching of the gospel in this place by Orthodox ministers of the Congregational or Presbyterian denomi- nations, and to no other purpose. . . The surplus shall be dis- posed of by vote of the society. 5. . . . It is expressly ordained that no part of the principal shall be expended for any purpose. 6. . . . Whatever may at any time be given to this Fund shall be placed under the foregoing regulations. . . 7. The names of all donors to this Fund . . . shall be an- nexed to this Constitution and recorded with the same. . . 8. The Committee of this society, together with their Treasurer, shall, ex officio, constitute a board of Trustees for the management of this Fund, whose duty it shall be to collect monies, . .to sell and convey all real estate or other property which may be given to the society and which can be funded, to give direction when and where the money shall be invested, and to attend to all other necessary business in the management of the said Fund; and said Trustees shall receive no pay for their personal services. . . 9. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive all monies that shall accrue to the Fund, . . to make all purchases and in- vestments of stock under the direction of the Trustees, . .and the said Treasurer shall give sufficient bonds with security for the faith- ful management of his trusts. DAVID FRISBIE, JOSEPH BATTELL, Esq., AUGUSTUS PETTIBONE, Esq., Committee. Norfolk, Nov. 17. 1817. 162 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Nov. 13, 1820. Voted that the principal of the Ecclesiastical Society Fund be reduced to $5,000, at the receipt of which sum into the Fund the interest may be appropriated as mentioned in the constitution of said Fund. REVISION OF CONSTITUTION OF ECCLESIASTICAL FUND. Nov. 15, 1824. Whereas, Joseph Battell has stated that, pro- vided the society shall pass the annexed votes it is his intention that the subscriptions to the Ecclesiastical Fund he shall make here- after shall amount, with the accumulation of interest on the same, when the Fund is filled up, to eight hundred and thirty-three and one-third dollars, the annual interest of which will pay the sum proposed for sacred music, and to leave a provision in his will, if it is not done at his decease, to accomplish the object; therefore Voted, That the vote passed by this society at their meeting Nov. 13, 1820, authorizing the society to use the income of the Fund when the principal sum amounted to $5000 be, and the same is hereby repealed. Voted, that the following article be annexed to the Constitution of the Society's Fund and become a part of the same, viz:— Art. 10. The 4th article of this Constitution shall be so amended that it shall be the duty of the Trustees or a Committee appointed for that purpose by the society to appropriate $50 a year to the in- come of this Fund to the improvement of sacred music, and that the same shall be applied and used as often as once in three years. Persons who subscribed to this Fund: 1818 to 1824, at various times, Joseph Battell $ 460.21 1822, 1825 and 1826, Rev. Ralph Emerson 200.00 3823, Moses Cowles 3.00 1830, Jerusha Spaulding 28.80 1831, Jos. BatteU's subscription for loss on Eagle Bank 1000.00 1844, Old Parsonage Fund, estimated at (see Art. 2) 869.59 1844, Ephraim Coy's Legacy, estimated at 4821.00 Dec. 12, 1887. "Have received notice that Mrs. Urania Bat- tell Humphrey has willed the Ecclesiastical Society of Norfolk, to be added to the Fund $5000.00" April 9, 1896. From the Will of Oliver L. Hotchkiss, December, 1893. "I give, devise and bequeath to the Society's Committee of the Ecclesiastical Society of Norfolk, the sum of. . $500.00 to be held by them and their successors in office, and the avails and uses of said sum to be paid over for the benefit and support of said society." HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 163 Rev. Ralph Emerson, who was called to the pastorate of this church in May, 1815, received a call to the presidency of Western Reserve College, which call it would appear he was desirous of accepting, and asked that a council of the North Consociation of Litchfield County be convened to consider his dismission from this church. The society voted September, 1828, 95 to 18, not to submit the question of his dimission to the council. Oct. 22, 1829. Upon the question whether the Society will concur with Mr. Emerson in referring to a council of the consociation the question of his dismission from this church to accept a call to a professorship in the Theolog- ical Seminary at Andover, the vote was: yes, 11; no, 70. Nov. 19, 1829. Upon a renewed request of Mr. Emerson, he having received a renewed call to the Andover Theo- logical Seminary, it was "Voted that we consent to his re- quest of a dissolution of the pastoral connection with this church and Society." May 17, 1880. Voted to extend a call to Rev. John A. Albro, to settle as our minister. This call was declined. October, 1830. The Society voted to extend a call to Mr. John Mitchell to settle as pastor. He declined. April 26, 1831. Society voted unanimously, 103 votes cast, to extend a call to Mr. Theophilus Smith to settle with us as pastor. Mr. Smith declined. Nov. 15, 1831. The Society's Committee were instructed "to procure two suitable stoves and set them in the meet- ing-house." This was the first attempt of the Church and Society to warm the house. January 23, 1832. The society voted to extend a call to Mr. Joseph Eldridge, Jr., to settle with us as our minister at an annual salary of |650. Mr. Eldridge accepted the call, and April 24, 1832, a contract was entered into be- tween the Society, by their Committee, consisting of Au- gustus Pettibone, Benjamin Welch, Jr., and Darius Phelps for the Society, and Mr. Eldridge, to settle at an annual Salary of |650, and upon the next day, April 25th, he was ordained and installed,— thus commencing a most success- 164 HISTORY OF XORFOLK. ful pastorate which continued for more than forty-two years; Dr. Eldridge tendering his resignation on account of age and impaired health, which resignation was reluc- tantly and most sorrowfully accepted by the Church and Society, taking effect November 1st, 1874. February 10, 1834. "The Society's Committee were au- thorized to take up the pews in the lower part of the house and in the galleries and make slips in their place, pro- vided the expense shall not exceed |200." For some reason this change was not made until twelve years later, this vote having been rescinded at a meeting in the following November. Mr. Ephraim Coy, who died in 1834, by his will be- queathed to the Ecclesiastical Society's fund at the death of Mrs. Coy, the farm and hotel on Beech Flats, which has for many years been known as the Bigelow place, Mrs. Coy to have the use of the farm during her natural life. At a meeting of the society November, 1836, it appearing that it was Mrs. Coy's desire that the farm should be sold, War- ren Cone, Lawrence Mills and Luther Butler were ap- pointed a Committee and given full power to act for the Society in making sale and conveyance of the farm and an equitable settlement with Mrs. Coy. It was nearly two years before the matter was finally adjusted, — the farm having meantime, in 1837, been deeded to Edmund Curtiss Bradley, by the Committee of the so- ciety and Mrs. Coy. This bequest added to the Society's Fund in 1844, as appears, |4,821. In 1838 blinds were put upon the windows of the meet- ing-house, and soon after an insurance of |4,000 was placed upon the house. In 1842 a committee was authorized to build a chimney in the N. W. and the S. W. corners of the house, ''for the purpose of placing the stove pipes," and in 1845 "a com- mittee was instructed to take proper measures to prevent the smoke from issuing from the stoves in the meeting- house." March 30, 1846, the pastor, Rev. Joseph Eldridge, made HISTORY OF XORFOLK. 165 a statement to the Society's meeting of the proposal of Mr. Charles Thompson of New Haven for altering the house. His plan was approved and adopted, as was also a method for raising the money necessary "by subscription according to each man's proportion on the grand levy." Michael F. Mills, Esq., who alone superintended the build- ing of the meeting-house in 1814, Rev. Joseph Eldridge and Dea. Amos Pettibone were the committee to superintend the repairs. The alterations upon the interior of the house during this summer of 1846 were quite extensive, embrac- ing the removal of the remaining old square box pews from a part of the lower part of the house and of the gallery. (Part of the occupants of these pews sat necessarily with their backs to the minister.) The arch in the audience room of the house was at this time closed, but has since been restored, much as it was when the house was first built. The pulpit windows and other windows in the west end of the church were at this time closed up. During the four months or more of these repairs service upon the Sabbath was held in the Academy, as the writer remem- bers, the congregation sitting in the school-rooms as they were then in both the first and second stories of the build- ing, and the minister standing upon a little platform upon the stairs, having a shelf in front of him for the Bible an^ his manuscript, — the speaker being unable to see the face of a single one of his hearers, or they to see him. Up to this time cushions for the seats in the church had never been provided except in a few individual cases, and now the good women of the church under the direction of Mrs. Battell worked for several weeks preparing corn-husks and making cushions for the seats below, and the choir in the gallery; the society in October of that year voting |100 "to purchase carpets and Marine cloth for cushions," and in November "|50 for cushions and similar expenses." The society also "authorized and directed the purchase of a furnace and apparatus built on the most approved plan to warm the meeting-house;" and still for a long period of years from this time the house was warmed by wood 166 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Btoves standing on either side of the centre doors, with pipes running under the galleries to the west end of the house, and many still recall the crackling of hemlock wood which was sometimes used. Upon the dedicatory Sab- bath, in addition to many other appropriate words, Mr. Eldridge expressed the ''hope that this thoroughly reno- vated house of worship will not be marred by the use of knives, pencils, and the filthiest of all weeds." November, 1849. The society "appropriated |150 toward purchasing a new clock, provided the town or individuals will raise f50 more for said purpose, — the esimated cost." October, 1851. Authorized the committee to pay |500 to purchase a new organ. November, 1852. ''The thanks of the society were voted to Mr. Joseph Battell for his liberality in giving |200 toward the purchase of our organ, which cost |700." Voted, "that we consider it desirable that the congregation rise during the singing of the choir." This was the beginning in this town of the congregation standing during the sing- ing of the hymns. In early days it was the custom for all to stand during prayer. April 27, 1853. The following vote was unanimously passed at a meeting of the society: "Whereas, the Rev. Joseph Eldridge has requested the consent of the society that he may be absent from the so- ciety five or six months for the purpose of visiting Europe, etc., resolved by this society that we cheerfully grant his request; and that his salary be continued during his ab- sence; and the society will take upon themselves the re- sponsibility of supplying the pulpit during his absence." Accordingly Mr. Eldridge started for Europe early in May, 1853, Mrs. Eldridge accompanying him to New York, expecting to take the N. Y. & N. H. train for home the fol- lowing morning . Most fortunately, providentially cer- tainly, Mrs. Eldridge decided to remain another day in New York with her sister, Mrs. Urania Humphrey, instead of taking the train for home with her aunt and cousin from Lenox, Mass., Mrs. and Miss Robbins, the wife and daugh- HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 167 ter of James Robbins, as she had fully expected to do. That proved to be the ill-fated train that ran into an open draw-bridge at Norwalk, — several of the cars plung- ing into the water, — a very large number of passengers being drowned, Mrs, Eldridge's friends, whose companion she fully intended to have been, being among those drowned. This was many years before there was an Atlantic cable. Nearly a week after Mr. Eldridge landed safely in Eng- land, the next steamer arrived there bringing news of the terrible disaster at Norwalk, — the news being published by the evening papers in London. Mr. Eldridge upon reading the account of the accident, the names of those killed not being given, believed that without a doubt Mrs. Eldridge was one of the victims, and the suspense, the agony, in which he was held for that long, terrible night, as, accord- ing to his own words later, he walked the floor of his room and walked the streets, may be imagined but cannot be described. His letters were to be sent to a certain bank, and ascertaining the residence of the banker he called there at as early an hour in the morning as seemed proper, and was told that the gentleman was not yet up, but the banker hastened a little, and reached the bank a little earlier than usual. The relief, the joy, the gratitude which Mr. Eldridge felt upon learning by his letters that Mrs. Eldridge reached home safely, having been providentially prevented by what seemed a trifling thing from taking the fatal train, may possibly be imagined. During the months of his absence the pulpit was sup- plied by Rev. Mr. Blodgett, a young man not long out of the Seminary, and who a few years later went out to China as a Missionary, Rev. Mr. Russell afterwards settled in Colebrook, and Rev. Wm, E. Bassett, who later married Miss Mary Dowd of this town, and was settled in Warren. In Nov. 1854 Mr. Eldridge's salary was raised by the So- ciety to 1800, and in 1858 to |1,000 a year. Nov. 5, 1866. The Ecclesiastical Society at its annual meeting "Voted to increase the Salary of Rev. Joseph Eldridge to |],500 per aunnm from this date. 168 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Some weeks later the following communication was re- ceived : — "To the Congregational Ecclesiastical Society in Norfolk: "The Congregational Ecclesiastical Society has dealt very hon- orably with the present pastor in respect to salary during the whole of his long ministry. The salary has always been promptly and fully paid on the very day on which it became due. In the begin- ning it was six hundred and fifty dollars. The society has from time to time, without any request or intimation, direct, or indirect, from the pastor, spontaneously increased the amount. At its last annual meeting it voted to add to it five hundred dollars, thus raising it to fifteen hundred. As times now are, I believe this sum would be needed by a minister wholly dependent on his salary for support in order that he might live as you desire to have your pastor live. It evinced an honorable sense of justice on your part to vote to give me what you would expect to give any one else. I am proud of your action, and heartily grateful for it, yet I re- spectfully decline three hundred dollars of the proposed addition. Owing to the great fluctuation in business affairs for the past ten or fifteen years, many of my friends and friends of the society have sustained serious losses. Then the great war through which we have recently passed made a great draft upon our pecuniary resources during its continuance, and left at its close a vast debt which necessitates increased taxation. Revolving these things in my mind, I can accept only two hundred dollars of the five which you voted to add to my salary. Earnestly desiring the best good of the parish and of the entire community in matters temporal and spiritual, I remain. Your obedient friend and Pastor, JOSEPH ELDRIDGE. Norfolk, Jany. 11, 1867." At a special meeting of the Society Sept. 9, 1874, the sub- ject for the consideration of the meeting was to take action upon the resignation of his pastoral charge by Rev. Dr. Joseph Eldridge. ''Voted to appoint a Committee of five to confer with Rev. Dr. Joseph Eldridge, to express the regret of the Society for the action he had taken in resigning his pastoral charge and that he be requested to withdraw the same. Committee consisted of F. E. Porter, Hiram P. Lawrence, James Humphrey, S. D. Northway, John A. Shepard. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 169 Special meeting Sept. 20, 1874. Committee appointed to confer with Kev. Dr. Joseph Eldridge reported that he refused to withdraw his resignation as pastor of this church and people. The following preamble and resolu- tion were presented and unanimously adopted: Whereas our pastor. Rev. Dr. Joseph Eldridge, has ten- dered the resignation of his pastoral charge and does not consent to withdraw it and continue to occupy the posi- tion he has so long and so usefully filled — Therefore, Re- solved that we the Congregational Church and Society of Norfolk, remembering the many years of arduous and faithful labor so cheerfully done and so abundantly blessed of God to the welfare of this people, and by which he has become very dear to us all, as pastor, teacher and friend, regretfully accept his resignation and consent to the sev- erance of the ties which have so long and so happily bound us together as pastor and people; feeling and knowing that the formal dissolution of the bond will not abate the love we have toward him as a faithful Guide and Counsellor, nor lessen his interest in us as a church and people." (Some record of Dr. Eldridge's dismission, his farewell sermon, etc., will be found elsewhere.) XII. SKETCH OF REV. RALPH EMERSON, D. D. (FKOM a DISCOUKSE DELn-ERED AT HIS FlNERAI- MAY 22, 1863. AT ROCKFOKD, Il.L.) By Prof. Joseph Haven, D.D. "Ralph Emerson was born in Hollis, New Hampshire, August 18, 1787. His ancestry for several generations was of note for piety and worth. His grandfather was the first minister of the place. His father was deacon of the church, a magistrate and leading citizen in Hollis, a man of ac- tivity, energy and decision of character, of commanding 170 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. influence and forward in every good work. He was an officer in the Revolutionary army. His mother died while he was yet young, and in some reminiscences of his early life, he speaks of her as a woman of much refinement and delicacy of taste. The characteristic traits of either parent may readily be traced in the son. As the lad grew up, his activity and energy rendered him of efficient service to his father, and as two older brothers had already re- ceived a liberal education, and it was the intention of the father to educate also the younger brother, it was felt that Ralph could not be spared from the farm. To the simple duties and activities of the farm life accordingly, he devoted himself with earnestness and delight, and thus continued until the age of nineteen, acquiring in those years a fondness for agricultural pursuits which never forsook him, and a strength of constitution and manliness of character invaluable in after life. The desire for a college education, however, increased with his advancing years. The restless thirst for knowl- edge burned within him, and when at the age of nineteen he received his parents', permission to prepare for college, he entered upon the studies of the preparatory course with an earnestness and ardor which overcame all obstacles, and the next year, 1807, at the age of twenty, he entered Yale College, then under the presidency of Dr. Dwight. During his freshman year in College, while at home in the winter vacation he made a profession of religion, connect- ing himself with the church in his native place, February, 1808. In the class Emerson took foremost rank as a scholar and as a man of influence. He graduated in 1811 with the highest honors of his class. He notices this event in the record of college life as follows: 'May 8. Our appoint- ments came out this morning. I find my name at the head of them. This is what I little expected, though I confess it is what I have pretty strongly desired, but it is nothing that can give me lasting enjoyment.' On leaving college Mr. Emerson entered the Theological Seminary at Andover, HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 171 where after the three years' course he graduated in 1814. After preaching for a little time in Portsmouth, N. H., he went as tutor to New Haven, where he remained for two years, and then settled in the ministry in Norfolk, Gt., in June, 1816." Rev. Mr. Bobbins, the first minister here, died in Octo- ber, 1813, and several candidates for the vacant place oc- cupied the pulpit for different periods until June, 1815, when the church unanimously called Mr. Emerson, and waited for a year for him, to carry out an engagement as Tutor in Yale College, before he was ordained and installed. FROM THE CHURCH RECORD. June 23, 1815. Voted unanimously to give Mr. Ralph Emerson a call to settle with us in the work of the gospel ministry, and to take the pastoral charge of the church. ''Voted that Eleazer Holt, Esq., Dea. David Frisbie and Mr. Joseph Jones be a committee to communicate the pre- ceding vote to Mr. Emerson, and to take such measures as may be thought necessary to carry the same into effect. March 5, 1816. At a meeting of the church warned for the special purpose of giving Mr. Ralph Emerson a call, Dea. David Frisbie was chosen moderator, the vote above, taken June 23, 1815, was again passed unanimously. Mr. Emerson afterward recorded the following: "(Note. It may not be improper for me to explain the reason of the repetition of the above vote. At the time of receiving my call I was acting as a tutor in Yale College and could not be released from my engagement the previous year. I was here only in two or three vacations, and as much time had elapsed and the other ministers had in the mean- time been employed, it was thought advisable to see if the church still desired me to accept their former call. R. E.)" From Church Record: June 12, 1816. "I was ordained as pastor of this church by the North Consociation of Litchfield County. The ser- mon on the occasion was preached by Rev. Lyman Beecher of Litchfield; consecrating prayer by Rev. Alexander Gil- 172 HISTORY OF XORFOLK. lett of Torrington; right hand of fellowship by Rev. Chaun- cey Lee of Colebrook; charge by Rev. Peter Starr of War- ren ; address to the people by Rev. James Beach of Winsted. It was a most solemn day to me, and may God give me grace to fulfill my vows and to meet the reasonable expec- tations of this church and people and to glorify his holy name." RALPH EMERSON. Although more than three score and ten years have passed since Mr. Emerson's ministry in this town closed, his name, his memory, and his w^ork still live, and a few remain who remember him distinctly, and love to recall his ministry here. We cannot do better than to quote again from Dr. Haven's address: ''Few ministers probably have ever been more successful in it. No one perhaps ever had more fully the confidence, esteem and affection of his people. Scat- tered through the land were very many who in early life enjoyed his ministry and grew up under it, and who bore testimony to the high regard in which Mr. Emerson was held, not only by his own people, but widely through the churches of Connecticut. As a pastor he greatly excelled. To none of his flock was he a stranger. At the bedside of the sick he was ever a welcome visitor, and if anyone was in sorrow or trouble, he was sure to find in him the counsel and wisdom that were needed. It was his custom to visit much among his people, devoting certain days to given neighborhoods, and in connection with these pastoral visits neighborhood meetings were held in remote parts of the town. As a preacher his pulpit discourses were plain, earnest, forcible presentations of the great essential truths of the Gospel; practical rather than imaginative, yet by no means lacking in rhetorical power. ... No subject connected with morality or religion escaped his earnest attention. He was one of the first to embark in the tem- perance cause, and to advocate the principle of total ab- stinence, both in public and private. The Sabbath move- ment received his early attention, and by his individual in- HISTOKY OF NORFOLK. 173 fluence and efforts, at the cost of personal popularity, he succeeded in so far enforcing the laws as to prevent the running of the stage on the Sabbath on the great route from Hartford to Albany." In a letter written to one of his former parishioners, he thus speaks of his ministry in Norfolk: "The years I spent in Norfolk I regard in the retrospect as among the most eventful, laborious, joyful, and yet trying of my whole life. I still think of them frequently, but not so often as before the departure of so large a proportion of my respected and endeared friends there and in the neighboring towns. . . . No doubt the forests, the orchards, the gardens, the mead- ows smile as gaily in their vernal attire, and the scenery is just as diversified and romantic as when I first beheld it in those stern winter days of my earliest visit, when the rocks and hills, and hemlock woods, and narrow passes, and that strange, conical mountain were all so new to me." There could be no stronger evidence of Mr. Emerson's efficiency and success as a pastor and preacher here, and of the hold which he had upon the hearts and minds of the people, than the fact that during the 13 years of his min- istry 257 were added to the church, and at the close of his labors in this town the church had 350 members. In the early summer of 1828 he was invited to the Presi- dency of Western Reserve College at Hudson, Ohio, but the church and the entire community most earnestly and vigorously opposed his leaving, and even after an officer of the College was sent here to urge the people to consent to his acceptance of the call, it was to no purpose. Mr. Emerson continued for another year most faithfully and cheerfully in his work. In the fall of 1829 he received an appointment to the Professorship of Ecclesiastical History and Pastoral The- ology in Andover Theological Seminary, which he felt it his duty to accept. It was with the greatest difficulty that this people could be persuaded to consent to his removal. The following resignation of Dr. Emerson is copied from the original, in his own hand writing, found among Dr. Eldridge's manuscripts: 174 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. "To the beloved church and people of my charge:— "You are all acquainted with the fact that I have received an in- vitation to become one of the teachers in the Theological Seminary at Andover, Mass. After prayerful deliberation, and seeking the advice of candid and judicious men, I have thought it my duty to accept the appointment, providing my present relation to you shall be dissolved. And while my personal attachments remain as ex- pressed on a similar occasion a year ago, I now feel it incumbent on me to request your consent and co-operation in calling a council for the purpose of judging on the question, and of dissolving this relation if they shall think such a measure conducive to the general interests of Christ's kingdom." RALPH EMERSON. "Norfolk, October 18, 1829." So strongly were they attached to him, and so earnest and decided their opposition to his dismissal, that the Conso- ciation to whom the matter was at first referred did not feel at liberty to act in opposition to the remonstrances of the people; and it was not till the trustees at Andover had renewed their call and sent one of their number, Hon, W. B, Banister, to urge its acceptance, and after a calm and careful but decided statement of his own wish, and of the reasons which made the step imperative to his own mind had been presented from the pulpit to the people, that they consented to the measures necessary to his dis- missal." Roys, Norfolk's Historian, a contemporary of Dr. Emerson, devotes one tenth of his entire history to giving a detailed account of the efforts made to retain him in this pastorate, and some of his old warm friends never felt quite reconciled to his removal, and would sometimes say, "Mr. Emerson ought to have staid here." During his pastorate in Norfolk he married Miss Bock- well, of Colebrook. "Having filled with honor and usefulness the Professor- ship in the Seminary at Andover for twenty-fiVe years, he resigned it in 1854, and for five years resided in Newbury- port, Mass, passing his time most pleasantly in the retire- ment of the family, busied with literary pursuits, inter- spersed with frequent labors in the pulpit, and not unfre- HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 175 quently writing upon the current themes of the day. . . . In 1859 Dr. Emerson removed with his familj^ to Rock- ford, 111., where he continued to live and where he closed his days May 20, 1863. Several of his children had already preceded him to the Western States, and he came that he might be near and with them. Here in the peaceful retirement of a home rendered happy by the society of loved ones, amid books and friends, honored by all, loving and loved by all, he passed the quiet evening of his days, maintaining that *otium cum dignitate,' to which the ancient Roman aspired; and above all, sustained and soothed by that Christian faith which, better than all philosophy and all learning, can throw a mellow radiance over the pathway of declin- ing age. "With what interest he entered into all measures looking to the public good, and especially to the progress of the Redeemer's kingdom, and with what intensity of feeling he watched the rise and progress of the great struggle that is now (1863) convulsing our land. You remember his prayers for his country and her defenders on the Sabbath and on all public occasions. With what earnestness and burning eloquence he addressed the first company of vol- unteers in this place on the eve of their departure. Allud- ing afterward to this address in a letter to a friend he de- clares that he longed then and there to say that he would go with them as their chaplain, but was restrained by the fear that, for one of his age and infirmities thus to ofifer himself, might seem almost like a farce. 'I do enter into this war,' he says, 'and have from the first entered into it with all my heart and soul; and body, too, I should be able to add, were it not that a man of three score and fifteen would be only a burden in the camp. The rebellion as I still believe is the wickedest ever raised against any power since Satan rebelled in heaven, and against the best gov- ernment except that of God himself.' ... It was his most ardent desire to live to witness the close of the war. and, as he doubted not, the ultimate triumph of freedom and right. 176 HISTOEY OF NOEFOLK. In a letter written a few months before his death he says, 'I must confess that I never so intensely enjoyed the scenes of thickly coming and checkered events unutterably deplorable as have been many of them. I always see the silver lining to even the darkest cloud, and often the golden splendors of universal freedom beyond. . . . How in- tensely I desire to live to see the end of this Luciferian rebellion, and with it the deadly blow to slavery.' . , . I mention these things the more readily from the circum- stance that Dr. Emerson looked with much distrust upon the earlier movements of the Abolitionists, technically so called, in this country as calculated to retard the progress of emancipation and sow the seeds of civil strife, an opinion in which many of the wisest and best men of the country fully concurred. At the same time no one was ever more thoroughly opposed in principle to slavery, or more ear- nestly desired its overthrow by all wise and practicable means. . . . His health which had been gradually failing, became about the last of April much more seriously impaired. Medical aid and skill were ineffectual to stay the progress of disease. He retained, however, clear possession of all his faculties, and maintained habitual cheerfulness and composure, frequently speaking of his approaching end and calmly trusting and reposing his weary soul on the arm of his Redeemer. The cheerfulness and kindness which had distinguished his whole life filled his chamber of languish- ing and pain. Every hour bore quiet but glowing witness to the truth that in his case the promise, ''Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee" was "re- markably fulfilled." On Wednesday, May 20, 1863, about seven o'clock P. M., he fell asleep. Not more calmly and peacefully did the sun, which was then setting, go down in the glowing west than faded the light from that eye as the spirit took its departure for the land where there is no more night." " So fades a summer cloud away ; So sinks the gale when storms are o'er ; So gently shuts the eye of day ; So dies a wave along the shore." HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 177 After the funeral the remains were taken to Beloit, Wis- consin, for interment, he having chosen this as the place of his burial. XIII. SKETCH OF MRS. Z. P. GRANT BAKISTER. Norfolk has been honored by a large number of her sons and daughters who have done noble work, have become dis- tinguished and eminent in a great variety of callings and professions. Some of these, her distinguished children, have found their life work here, on their native soil, while others have found their places in different parts, some in distant parts of the country, and in their adopted homes have attained distinction and thus honored their native town. Of the many noble women i\ ho were born and spent their early lives here, some of whom have become distin- guished, the one who, in the opinion of the writer, takes the first place, considering what were her early environ- ments, her advantages and hindrances, the obstacles against which she had to contend, poverty, long continued sickness in early life, poor health for a large part of her life, — then considering w^hat she accomplished in the line of higher education for women, the distinction she attained, and the very high regard in which she was held by some of the most eminent persons of her day and time, — that place the writer would accord to Zilpah Polly Grant, later Mrs. Banister. Let me recommend to the young people of my native town, — those who are young today, and those who will be young people when I am forgotten, — to read "The Use of a Life" (by L. T. Guilford, Cleveland, 1885), found in our library. (It is the life of Mrs. Banister.) From that book largely the following sketch is gleaned: Zilpah Polly (unromantic name surely), youngest child of Joel and Zilpah Cowles-Grant, was born May 30, 1794, near 178 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Grantville in this town, upon what has been known as the Beckley farm for more than half a century. Her father was instantly killed before she was two years old, as is recorded upon his tomb-stone in the old South End Ceme- tery, ''by the fall of the well-sweep in his own yard in the memorable storm of March 16, 1796." Her mother was thus left on a farm, the sole support and protector of four children, the oldest not fourteen years of age; and from this terrible shock she never recovered. Her mind was at length somewhat affected, and years afterward she took her own life. Joel Grant is mentioned as a thrifty farmer, a power- ful man, of strong muscle and brain, remembered with warm affection and reverence as long as any lived who knew him. His wife is said to have been naturally a rare woman, reserved of speech, her mind full from the pages of Holy Writ; 'her lips brimming with sacred hymns and lov- ing kindness.' It was said by her children that "she could repeat the whole of Dwight's Collection of Hymns. When spinning she had always an open book at the head of her wheel, and at other work she would have a book near, where she could be reading or committing to memory something of value while her hands were at work." This home was a low, square, one-story building, with a kitchen, two bedrooms, a parlor and an entry. It stood a few rods west of the present Beckley barns. The school- house where Zilpah attended school and acquired her early education was only "a stone's throw" from her home. Like most school-houses of that time it was a low, rough, un- painted building, long desks at the sides of the room, the higher benches placed behind and the lower ones in front; a fireplace, a table, and a chair with a teacher in it was all the preparation and outfit. Blackboard, globe or wall- maps were things unheard of. Reading and spelling, gram- mar and geography were taught in classes. Daboll's and Pike's were the arithmetics used. Many (the bright ones) finished their arithmetic without recitation or assistance; the lame mathematicians had help. Spelling was the fa- vorite exercise, and frequently the scholars gathered from HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 179 the whole district in the evening at the school-house to spell, a spelling match being an interesting and exciting event. Mentally quick, strong of apprehension, and equally ready and retentive of memory, Zilpah Grant made rapid progress. Her mind eagerly absorbed all the knowledge within its reach, and the love of teaching awoke. Before she was fifteen years old, in 1809, in the district then and since called 'Paug,' not very far from her home, she began her life mission. The log cabin where she first taught had one door, four small, half-sash windows, and an unhewn stone chimney. With an equal love of learning and teach- ing her first experiment fixed her career. She could not bear that a pupil of hers should not advance. In the sum- mer of 1810 she taught again in the school cabin at Paug, and the next two summers in Winchester, where the Rev. Frederick Marsh was pastor. The winters of these years were spent in the home with her mother, sharing with her the toil for their support, and reading such books as they could obtain, while spinning the warp and filling for many a piece of flannel, — the daughter at intervals going abroad to spin. She had at this time developed into young womanhood. Her figure was tall, erect and well proportioned; her fore- head high, and the pronounced features comely, with an expression of kindness, dignity and power; piercing black eyes, luminous with life, a stately carriage and tasteful, lady-like dress, made her a marked person at that age, as ever after. Her religious experience when she was eighteen years old was very deep and powerful. As she wrote years later, "I was on the borders of despair, expecting to sink by the weight of my own sin to perdition, feeling that my guilt in not acknowledging God, in rejecting Christ, and in quench- ing the Spirit, was too great to be forgiven." Under the kindly ministry of Rev. Mr. Marsh of Winchester, whom she sought in her distress, she was led into the light, be- came very happy, and continued through life a most earnest 180 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Christian worker. On the last Sabbath in February, 1813, she with her mother, in the church in Norfolk, took the vows of a Christian profession. The pastor, Mr. Robbins, was too feeble to have anything added to the services of the regular communion. It was almost the last of his pub- lic ministrations. Miss Grant taught the next three years either in Norfolk or Winchester. In the summer of 1815 she taught school in North Goshen. In the winter of 1816 she taught the school in Winches- ter. In April of that year "she was seized with pain in her right side, but did not leave her post till July, when a more violent attack forced her to go home, where she lay for some time dangerously ill with pleurisy. The pain did not leave her for three years, and she became diseased all through. She underwent the severe medical treatment of the time; great blisters were kept for weeks on the aching side, and doses of mercury produced 'salivation,' then sup- posed to be beneficial. She wasted away to a shadow and ^vas told that she must die. She afterwards wrote: "For two years I looked into eternity; I had no desire to live; I could not pray for life." For many long months she was waiting for the summons to the spirit land, feeling neither regret nor fear. Slowly the vital energy gathered itself. She at length rose from her bed and looked out again upon the world, but in the fifty-eight years that remained to her of life she never knew another day of real health. Again and again she was brought into the shadow of death, and in the full success of her career she was forced to give up the work for which she was eminently fitted." In the first summer of her illness Rev. Ralph Emerson was settled as pastor over the church in Norfolk. His brother, Rev. Joseph Emerson, was present at his ordina- tion, remained in town several weeks, being an invalid, and assembled every day a class of young ladies for profitable reading, and would have had sympathy with the sick one had he known how she had thirsted for truth, but at this time there was no communication between them. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 181 During her convalescence, two years later, she read his work on the "Millennium," which awakened her interest in life, and she "longed to do something for God." Not long after, a young man going out as a missionary to a foreign field asked her to accompany him. A long, severe struggle ended in a negative decision. Between Miss Grant and her pastor, Rev. Ralph Emerson, a mutual esteem and friend- ship sprang up, pleasant and valuable to both. In the winter of 1819 she was able again to take up teach- ing, and probably taught in the Loon Meadow district in Norfolk. For one term she attended a select school taught by Mrs. Reeder in the old Conference room. During that winter a class of young people, under the guidance of their pastor (Rev. Mr. Emerson), studied Grammar, History and English Literature, and Miss Grant's work in the school- room did not prevent her being the leading spirit among them. Rev. Joseph Emerson, her pastor's brother, an ex-tutor of Harvard College, and an ex-pastor, a zealous pioneer and originator of a plan to furnish women an opportunity for a higher education than they had ever received, had in the northeast corner of Massachusetts, at Byefield, opened the new "Female Seminary." It is difficult for us to go back eighty years and under- stand the novelty of this institution. Then there were no Protestant female seminaries or high schools in existence. The college education, craved for the sons, was undreamed of for the daughters, and except in isolated instances no literary attainments were within the reach of young women beyond the ability to teach a summer district school. A prospectus of Mr. Emerson's school was placed in Miss Grant's hands, doubtless by her pastor, and upon it she pondered. Her mother had married; she was alone. Her mind cried out, as it were, in its hunger for food. Knowl- edge meant more power for good, but how was she to gain it? She made kjiown her wishes to her God, at the mercy seat. Her pastor sympathized fully with her in her feel- ings and efforts, and her longing for the distant, newly 182 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. opened fountain of knowledge. It was strange then that a woman twenty-five years old should wish to know more than she already knew, and that one so old should wish to go away to school was an unheard of thing. She committed her way unto the Lord, and laid open her whole heart to her mother, who simply did not oppose her. She must get her oldest brother's approval, and she studied thoroughly on how to present her case to him. Resembling her in the natural constitution of his mind, he entered kindly into her plans for self-improvement, and had he been able would gladly have helped her, and saved her the strug- gles of the few following years. All obstacles having been removed, in April, 1820, tak;ing her whole fortune of |50, Miss Grant set out on the three days' journey for the Female Seminary at Byefleld. She had once seen Mr. Emerson, and took a line to him from her pastor. *'He received her into his family, and she, as it were, spread her wings in the new atmosphere." Another of Mr. Emerson's pupils, who became the life long friend and co-laborer of Miss Grant, was Miss Mary Lyon, after- ward the founder of Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. November, 1820, was the close of Miss Grant's term as a pupil. Mr. Emerson was at this time preparing for Sabbath Schools an "Outline of Questions on Scripture History," — the first of that class of publications ever written, — and knowing Miss Grant's familiarity with the Bible he sought her assistance; so, instead of returning to her home in Nor- folk, as she had expected, she decided to remain in Byefleld for another year, teaching certain classes, aiding in prepar- ing the Union Catechism for the press, and reading under Mr. Emerson's direction. This second year with Mr. Emer- son was a most important and profitable one to Miss Grant. In the spring of that year, 1821, Miss Mary Lyon first ap- peared in the school, and so their acquaintance first began with Miss Grant as her teacher. In a letter to her mother at that time, Miss Lyon wrote: — "In one of our Saturday evening prayer meetings Miss Grant expressed her views in HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 183 a most affecting manner; the solemnity, affection and ten- der solicitude with which she addressed us made a deep impression on every mind." The dignity, spiritual eleva- tion of character and sympathy with every struggling soul which Miss Grant manifested awakened Miss Lyon's affec- tionate reverence; nor did the vast capabilities for use- fulness that yet lay almost latent in the future founder of Mount Holyoke Seminary, escape the keen eye and appreci- ation of her teacher. Neither then knew the far-reaching- purpose in the divine plan which brought them at the same time under the influence of such a teacher as Mr. Emerson. In November, 1821, Miss Grant returned to her native home, although Mr. Emerson urged her to remain longer with him, but her desire was to teach and work in her native state. She opened a select school in Winsted for young ladies, in a single room of a private dwelling-house, upon her return home, where she taught until the spring of 1823. Mr. Emerson meantime had removed his ladies' seminary to Saugus, a retired village a few miles northeast from Boston, and from there he persistently urged her to be- come his assistant. In an appeal to her he wrote: — "I wish for your assistance both summer and winter. You have done more than any other young lady to raise my seminary. My pupils are prepared to receive you with respect, with affection and with the utmost confidence. I desire your aid not only in teaching my pupils, but in attempting to in- struct the public. It is my decided opinion that you and I can do much more towards effecting a reformation by united than by separate exertion, in the extremely inju- dicious, superficial, defective, atheistic methods of teach- ing in common use." In the spring of 1823 Miss Grant closed her school in Winsted and went to be Mr, Emerson's assistant at Saugus, Mass., where she "was busy fourteen hours out of the twenty-four, every day in the week." About this time a Mr. Adams of Derry, New Hampshire, made a liberal bequest for the founding and support of a 184 HIST0K5L OF NORFOLK. Female Academy at that place. The building was erected during the summer of 1823, and the trustees, look- ing about for a principal, visited Mr. Emerson's Seminary at Saugus, satisfied themselves that Miss Grant v^^as the one they wanted, and offered her the position. During the following winter she spent six weeks in Derry judgiag whether she ought to accept the proposition to take charge of the new institution. She at length decided to accept, and in the winter of 1824 went to Ashfleld to discuss the work with Miss Mary Lyon, and asked her to become her assistant. The "Adams Female Academy," as it was called, was duly incorporated, endowed, empowered to confer diplomas, and Zilpah Polly Grant, a native of Norfolk, whose early life and struggles to secure an educa- tion we have followed somewhat minutely, "was formally installed the first head of the first college for women in our country, if not in the world." The institution was opened the latter part of April, 1824, at Derry, New Hampshire, with sixty young ladies, gath- ered from the best homes of the region round about. Pol- ished and dignified in manner, regarded by her pupils as the model of a lady. Miss Grant from the first drew them to herself, and with combined intellectual and spiritual qualities gained a marvellous influence over all. "The abounding health, the cheerful spirits, the vigorous faculties of Mary Lyon, her wonderful executive ability and her ardent piety, made her to Miss Grant such a helper as few have enjoyed. As to their work, they were in perfect accord. Then, as long afterward, Miss Lyon was accus- tomed to say to Miss Grant, "You plan and I will execute." During the winters of 1824, '25 and '26, the vacations at Derry, Miss Lyon commenced at Buckland, a town ten miles from Greenfield, that succession of schools which made her known to the people of her native region as a most original and able teacher. The following hard ex- perience is proof of Miss Grant's indomitable will power and determination to overcome all obstacles and to be de- terred bv no hindrances. "In May, 1827, while practising HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 185 calisthenics with a class, a tendon in the heel was parted from its fastening. The suffering was great. For two years she moved only on crutches. Unable to stand or sit, she kept the business wheels in motion, and the classes that for several terms gathered around her couch to recite were eager and enthusiastic as ever." ''It never rains but it pours." While she was suffering from her painful disability, at the annual meeting of the trustees in November, 1827, it was proposed to have instruc- tion in music and dancing introduced into the Academy as a part of the course the ensuing year. A minority of the trustees strongly urged that no change should be made in the administration. Miss Grant wrote at that time: ''I opposed dancing on the ground that, as we have a sys- tematic course, and all parents would not wish to have their children learn to dance, the introduction of this exer- cise would greatly derange our plans, and must be an evil, and I Anally said that I could not consent to it." The trus- tees "regretted that the institution has acquired the char- acter of being strictly Calvanistic in the religious instruc- tion." Early in January, 1828, Miss Grant wrote: "The great question is at last decided. My connection with the Adams Female Academy is dissolved. I think I have done all that I ought to save this beloved seminary from a revolution. Should the institution be injured I shall not be responsible. . My business, therefore, for some time will be to scratch with a goose-quill and inform the public that I am disengaged. My health is pretty good, but I am still un- able to go without crutches." (Two years later these same trustees sought to recall Miss Grant "to take charge of and manage the Academy in her own way," but she was not then disengaged.) After considering several applications she concluded to locate at Ipswich, twelve miles from Newburyport, Mass., where was a large new academy building. "More than forty of her pupils followed Miss Grant to the new loca- tion, — a trained and loyal body, enthusiastically devoted to 186 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. their teacher, imbued with Bible truth and Christian pur- pose, they aided her greatly in moulding the whole school after that divine pattern which she ever carried in her sanctified imagination." Miss Lyon, in her new location, became again Miss Grant's assistant, continuing during the winter vacation her school at Ashfield. It would be of exceeding interest to stop and mention the systematic course of English study required during the three years, while lessons in drawing, painting and vocal music were a part of the regular studies and were urged upon all. Miss Grant's skill in teaching what she called simply reading would in these days have made her distinguished as an elocutionist. The teachers whom she called to stand by her side were selected from her former pupils, who were inspired with zeal like her own. In 1831, three years after she opened her school at Ipswich, one hundred and ninety pupils were enrolled (one account says the number rose to three hundred), but as there were not suitable accommodations for so many, the number was reduced by receiving none under the age of fourteen, and by limiting the number of boarders. For eleven years the number averaged one hundred and sixteen, — the daughters of nearly every state in the then I'nion. The pupils were led to understand that the great object in the seminary was not to finish, but to commence an education; not to furnish all the knowledge they might need, but to show where it might be gained. Pupils of 1829 and '30 recalled Miss Grant as carried up the steps of the academy on a strong man's shoulders day after day, and then moving with dignity on her crutches, in consequence still of that "severed tendon." While Miss Grant was giving herself to her pupils, calls to various places were presented to her, so widely had she become known. One of the most persistent and difiicult to dispose of came from Miss Catherine Beecher, then at the head of the ladies' seminary in Hartford, Conn. Miss Grant carefullv considered the matter and decided in the nega- HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 187 tive; but Miss Beecher would not then give her up, but induced her distinguished father, Eev. Lyman Beecher, D. D., to use all his influence and powers of persuasion to induce Miss Grant to join his daughter in Hartford. In one of his letters to her Dr. Beecher wrote: — ''I have no doubt of the practicability, and I may add the infinite importance to the interest of sanctified literature, of such an example as Catherine and you would set, and which, being once set, is secured for universal use in all future time." With all the arguments which this distinguished man could bring to induce Miss Grant to unite with his daughter, in a lengthy appeal, he said in closing: — "Such a school as you have does not depend on location, but could at any time, in any suitable place, be called around you again." There were conclusive reasons in Miss Grant's mind against unit- ing with Miss Beecher, and "the second No was decisive." During the year 1831 Miss Grant was forced by illness to leave her labors in the seminary at Ipswich, and for a year and a half she travelled in the South, aud the school went on with its usual efficiency under Miss Lyon, the assistant principal. Some years later Miss Grant wrote: "It was not till two years after the commencement of our operations in Ipswich that Miss Lyon felt it a matter of importance and was ready to co-operate with me in trying to have our seminary pro- cure a lasting home and live to do good when our labors should cease. . . . During my absence Miss Lyon re- linquished all hope of this being accomplished in our day." We cannot follow Miss Grant further minutely, as this sketch has already reached great length, and it has been recorded in the story of her life, already mentioned, where it can be read in full. Dr. Hitchcock, President of Amherst College, who edited the first "Life of Mary Lyon," wrote after the memoir was complete: "No one can read it with- out seeing that her (Miss Grant's) plans and counsels formed the foundation and framework of the Holyoke Sem- inary; that she, in fact, originated it." This was evident to the compilers of the memoir, who had 188 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. access to all the correspondence, plans for buildings, etc., drawn by Miss Grant's own hand. "But they failed so to present that influence that it is generally understood .and appreciated. The benevolence and self-sacrifice of Miss Grant's character were never more beautifully unfolded than in her cheerful yielding up material which belonged to her own history, to aid in building a monument to her friend and co-helper." In the summer of 1834 Miss Grant made a journey of observation in what was then known as the ''West," — that is. Western New York and Eastern Ohio, — and ''she saw clearly what few of her generation divined, that the great West would soon be the centre of empire, that its evan- gelization was the most vital and important work of the American church." In 1838 Miss Grant's health so gave way that any con- tinuous mental effort was followed by indescribable dis- tress, and she was assured that her only chance for relief was in laying down every burden ; so while seemingly in the full tide of success, she bade adieu to her sorrowing schol- ars and turned forever away from the place and the work that had been to her as the gate of heaven. It was no small matter for Miss Grant, now forty-four years old, an invalid and without a home, to be obliged to close upon herself every avenue to lucrative employment, but she did not fear life, death, pain, or poverty, because in all things she saw the mind and hand of her God. At this juncture of her life she was made at home with one of her old pupils, in Dedham, and in this home, on Sep- tember 7, 1841, she was married by her former beloved pastor at Norfolk, Rev. Professor Ralph Emerson, D. D., then of Andover, to Hon. William B. Banister, who had been a practising lawyer of Essex County, Mass., a member of the Massachusetts Senate, a courteous, dignified. Chris- tian gentleman of wealth, and over his mansion in New- buryport she was called to preside. There were two daugh- ters in the home by a former marriage, who "stepped grace- fully aside to give place to the new queen." The home thus HISTOKY OF NORFOLK. 189 constituted seems to have been a most bappy one until Mr. Banister's death in 1853. Subsequent to that date, as her health and strength would permit, her life was a busy and active one, at her home and in travel in different parts of the country, in the interest of education for women. In 1860, Miss Catherine Beecher wrote to her sister, Mrs. H. B. Stowe: "I have had a most charming visit to my dear friend, Mrs. Banister. She has been for years my chief resort for counsel and sympathy, and to me seems more 'Christlike' than any earthly friend I ever knew." In Oc- tober of 1860 Mrs. Banister crossed the ocean for a year's sojourn in Europe. Her husband had previously died. This was a year of experience highly prized by her. In February, at Havre, she was seized and passed through a violent ill- ness; — helpless in a strange land, for three months she did not leave her room ; but every attention and the best of care was provided for her, and in July following she was so far recovered as to be able to make her trip to England, and in September to return to her native land. Who in Norfolk ever heard or remembers that a native of this town had anything to do with the founding of Vassar College? Early in 1865 Miss Hannah Lyman had been invited to become the lady principal of Vassar College, which was to open the following September. She was an old pupil of Mrs. Banister's, and ever after an intimate friend and corre- spondent, and in the difificulties set before the first adminis- trators of Vassar College, "Mrs. Banister was consulted in every detail of the plans, felt all the anxieties involved, watched the steps of her beloved pupil with intense interest and fervent prayers, and at Miss Lyman's urgent request she passed two weeks at the college within a month of its beginning. For more than five and a half years the inter- course with Mrs. Banister, which brought her into such close relation with this great educational institution, was to Miss Lyman most inspiring." Her interest in Mount Holyoke Seminary never ceased. In May and in September, 1873, she was for the last time 190 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. the guest of that seminary, when "her talks to the twenty- seven teachers and two hundred and seventy-five pupils were greatly enjoyed." Her intense activity continued until very near the end of her life. In September and October of 1874 she was with friends in Connecticut, and later in Ipswich. Returning to her home in Newburyport, attendance on public Thanks- giving services and a visit to an aged woman, once her domestic, ended her activities. She passed away December 3, 1874, aged 80 years and six months. XIV. By Michael F. Mills, Esq. For Dr. Eldridge. centre of the town — building of the present meeting-house — names of contributors. "In 1811 the society voted to build, and appointed a com- mittee to ascertain the centre of the town by actual survey. The committee found it to be about forty or fifty rods east of the now (1856) travelled road, a few rods north of where Auren Tibbals now resides, about one hundred and fifty rods south of the meeting-house, and south side of Burr Mountain, and the center line between east and west on the turnpike road is about one hundred rods east of the meet- ing-house." (At the time mentioned above (1856), Auren Tibbals lived on the Goshen road, very near the present entrance to the grounds of Mr. H. H. Bridgeman, in the house occupied later for many years by William McGor- mick.) "The society were not unanimous as to the precise spot or place where the house should be placed. Some said, where it now is. The largest number said, the middle of the green. Those residing in the east part of the town said it must be on the east side of the green, north of where Deacon Pettibone's house now stands. All agreed, — have a judicious committee to fix the place, and we will be satis- MICHAEL F. MILLS, ESQ. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 191 fled. Julius Deming, Esq., and Uriel Holmes, Esq., of Litchfield, and Elisha Sterling, Esq., of Salisbury, were the committee agreed upon, who, after viewing, and a full hear- ing, fixed the stake where the meeting-house now is. All cheerfully acquiesced. At a society meeting, a motion to choose a committee or agent to superintend the business of building, etc., and the number to be appointed, — seven, five, three and two were named and negatived. It was then voted to choose one, by ballot. They passed around, deposited their votes. The moderator counted and said, You are well agreed. You have made choice of Michael F. Mills to be your agent, he having all the votes but seven. Mr. Mills accepted. He asked the meeting if they had any directions to give as to size, form or fashion, etc., etc. The general reply was none, — none; build us as good a house as you can for Six Thou- sand Dollars. Mr. Mills viewed and examined a number of meeting-houses that had then been built a few years pre- vious. He counselled and advised with experienced builders. He had a plan prepared, and was exhibiting it to a number of the inhabitants and explaining his views. A member of the society was present who was not zealously engaged to build, and who said to Mr. Mills, 'How do you know that will suit the Society?' Mr. Mills replied, 'I do not know that it will suit them; but that is the house I am a going to build, and when it is finished if it does not suit them, they may build another.' The house when finished gave general satisfaction. Mr. Mills contracted with Col. Foote of Tor- rington to put up and complete the frame, which was ad- mitted to be by those who examined it, one of the best in the country. Mr. Mills contracted with David Hoadly to finish and complete the house. It was completed in 1814." The following beautiful, suggestive sentence from the dedicatory prayer of this house, remembered by Mr. Harlow Roys, who was present at the dedication, by him repeated to his niece, Mrs. Abbie Moses Lawrence, by her written down, kept, and now given to the compiler, is worthy of per- manent preservation. It is as follows: — 192 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. "These hallowed walls, — these consecrated seats, — this sacred desk, — this arched dome, — this lofty spire, which points the good man the way to Heaven, great God, we con- secrate to Thee." By whom this dedicatory prayer was of- fered is to the writer unknown. At a town meeting held April 26, 1813, it was "Voted, that the south-east corner of the new meeting-house shall stand six feet south of the present meeting-house, in the line of the stake set by the committee from the County Court. Voted to finish the lower part of the meeting-house in the following manner, viz.: the square body to be slips and the wall seats to be pews. Voted to give Mr. Hoadly, the builder, liberty to remove the three south pews in the present meeting-house and occupy the space as a work- shop." February 28, 1814, it was "Voted, to transfer the Ecclesi- astical business formerly done townwise, to the Ecclesi- astical Society recently formed, and all the writings relating to said business into the hands of the proper officers of said society," It is of interest to recall the fact that at the time of the erection of the church building, which is still in fine order and condition, the whole business was done by the town, separate from any Ecclesiastical Society, or religious or- ganization, that society having been formed in December, 1813, subsequent to the erection of the "new meeting- house," as it was called, but before its completion and dedi- cation. At a town meeting held November 18th, 1811, "A vote was passed by a great majority to appoint a Committee for the purpose of obtaining subscriptions sufficient to build a new meeting-house by subscription entirely, if the Society agree on a place to set said house. If not, to have the stake fixed by a Committee from the County Court. A committee of twelve prominent men of the town was chosen to solicit subscriptions, who evidently went promptly and earnestly about the business, as upon the 9th of December following the committee reported that they "Have been so happy as HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 193 to obtain as subscribers, the names of all the inhabitants belonging to the Society, with the exception of a very few persons, not exceeding six or eight, and that a number have engaged to add to their subscription, if necessary." The amount which they reported as subscribed was |4,437.75. The members of this committee were ''Eden Mills, Jedediah Richards, Jr., Benjamin Welch, Esq., Col. J. W. Phelps, Joseph Battell, Esq., Dea. David Frisbie, Ebenezer Cowles, Capt. Aaron Case, Ephraim Coy, Luther Foot, Charles Walter and Capt. John Bradley." It is believed by this writer that the names of those who were subscribers at that time will be read at various times by some persons with interest; not simply to show who gave the money to pay for the building, but to learn who were the residents of the town almost ninety years ago; to learn how many, of the more than two hundred names given, have descendants now living in this town, or else- where, bearing their names, or direct descendants having other names. It will be found that but very few descend- ants of the entire list are to be found here, and many fami- lies who were prominent then, are entirely gone and for- gotten now\ Let their names be published, that at least this may be known and remembered of them, — once they were residents of Norfolk, — interested in its welfare, and ready to aid in its upbuilding. The document to which these names were subscribed specified that "The subscribers promise to pay the sums affixed to our names for the purpose of building a meeting- house of a size of 60 feet by 45, with a steeple and bell, at such place as shall best accommodate the Society, and to be fixed by a disinterested committee," etc. The list sug- gests many things of interest. The largest subscription, by the one who headed the list was |333.33; the smallest, 75 cents. Four others gave more than $100 each. Eighteen others gave |50 or more each. Abraham Burt gave "$25 in Lightning-rod," and that rod still guides into earth the bolts of heaven. There were eight fl.OO subscriptions, and one 11.50. James Parrit, ''Quaker Parrit," as he was al- 194 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. ways called, gave $12.00. He was a member of the society of "Friends," an exemplary and esteemed citizen. In his later years Mr. Parrit and Dr. Eldridge were the warmest of friends, the Dr. enjoying his shrewd, quaint, common- sense talks and conversation exceedingly, and at Mr. Par- rlt's request Dr. Eldridge ofiQciated at his funeral, and read as he had promised to do, the thirty-ninth Psalm, which was Mr. Parritt's "Creed." His funeral was attended in the church. He died October 28, 1856, aged 82. The list of names is the following: — Joseph Battell Charles Walter & Son Luther Foot Ezekiel Willcox Benjamin Welch & Son Levi Grant Jeremiah W. Phelps & Son Joseph C. Yale John Bradley Benjamin Gaylord Eden Riggs Philemon Gaylord Timothy and Reuben Gaylord Amasa Cowles Jun. Augustus Mills Nathaniel Stevens Clark Walter Loisa Pettibone Michael F. Mills Allen S. Holt Salmon Bale Nathaniel Roys Amasa Cowles, Sen. Thomas Curtis Auren Roys Darius Phelps Joshua and William Nettleton Joshua Nettleton, Jun. Joseph Jones Lemuel Akins Steven Pain Ephraim H. Deneson James Swift Samuel N. Gaylord Earl P. Hawley Josiah Pettibone Joseph Orvis Philo Munson Barzil Treat Daniel Burr & Co. Medad Walter Hezekiah Turner Wilcox Phelps Anson Norton Daniel Roys Augustus Roys Widow Anna Brown Nathaniel Bobbins Roswell Grant James Grant Frederick Bandle Moses Grant Asahel Case and Asahel E. Solomon Tucker Ira Skinner Joseph Orvis, Jun. Eden Mills Lawrence Mills Titus Nettleton William French Joseph Loomis ■ Benoni French Ephraim Norton Ebenezer Cowles & Sons Bethuel Phelps Lancelot Phelps Case HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 195 Augustus Pettibone Nathan P. Holt John Doud Elizur Munger Earl P. Pease Benjamin Maltbie Jacob Maltbie Samuel Forbes, Roys Gaylord, Jun. Eliphalet Barden Elisha Hawley Bushnell Knapp Levi Camp Constantine Mills Stephen Norton Benjamin Calhoun Seth Willcos Timothy Barber Ebenezer Cowles 2d Asa Burr Reuben Brown James Roys Joshua Beach" Reuben Dean Noah Miner Ebenezer Norton & Son Jonathan Moses Joseph Plumley David Gaylord Augustus Phelps John Smith Abel Camp, Jun. Zera Babbitt Jonathan Pettibone David Sexton Aaron Burr & Sons Moses Camp Aaron Brown Ephraim Coy Aaron Brown. Jun. Amasa Gaylord David Frisbie, Juu. Linus McKean John Warner Nathaniel Pease Widow Desiah Pease Joseph and Thomas Ferry Edward Gaylord & Son Joseph Ferry, Jun. Miles Riggs Malachi Humphrey Benoni Mills Robert U. Richards David Orvis Thomas Miner, Jun. Daniel Cotton Samuel Hotchkiss Luman & James Hotchkiss Jonathan Olark Jared Butler James Sturdivant Sylvanus Norton, Jun. Eleazer Holt Timothy D. Northway Samuel Northway & Son Isaac Spaulding James Rood Martin Green Phllo Spaulding Caleb Knapp Hylan Knapp Stephen Holt Josenh Hull Sylvanus Norton & Sons Nicholas Holt Samuel Knapp 3d Daniel Loveland & Son David Frisbie Elizabeth Seward Edmund Brown Thomas Tibbals Amos Baldwin Josiah Roys Jesse Moses Thomas Moses Elkanah Coy Levi Thompson Aaron Case Ebenezer Plumley Stephen Norton, Jun. Jedediah Phelps Prudence Jones 196 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Rebecca Ives Elizabeth Humphrey Samuel Gaylord Samuel & Warren Cone David W. Roys Samuel C. Triscott Samuel Gaylord, Jun. George Tobey, Jun. George Tobey David Lawson Aaron Burr, Jr. John C Frisbie Jedediah Richards & Sons Joseph Rockwell Joseph Smith Samuel Pettibone Philemon Johnson James Parrit David Doolittle Aaron Ludenton Flora Fancher Francis Benedict, Jun. Rev. Ammi Robbins & Son Joseph Gaylord John Beach Samuel Pettibone, Jun. Benjamin Bigelow Peter Freedom Joshua Moses Elias Balcom Abraham Burt, in lightning rod Augustus Smith Widow Zilpah Grant Samuel Johnson Oliver Hotchkiss Israel Crissey Josiah Hotchkiss Abiathar Rogers Joseph Doud Jedediah White Simeon White Daniel Pettibone Jonathan Norton XV. CEMETERIES — LONGEVITY IN NORFOLK. Standing on some high point where both the village and the cemetery here in Norfolk are to be seen, the writer is often reminded of our former neighbor, Mrs. Rose Terry Cook's poem, "The Two Villages." Suggestive, and appro- priate as an introduction to the following article, the poem is herewith given in full: "THE TWO VILLAGES." "Over the river, on the hill, "Lieth a village, white and still. "All around it the forest trees "Shiver and whisper in the breeze. "Over it, sailing shadows go, "Of soaring hawk and screaming crow; "And mountain grasses, low and sweet, "Grow in the middle of every street. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 197 "Over the river under the hill "Another village lieth still. "Then I see in the cloudy night, "Twinkling stars of household light; "Fires that gleam from the smithy's door; "Mists that curl on the river shore. "And in the roads no grasses grow, "For the wheels that hasten to and fro. "In that village on the hill, "Never is sound of smithy or mill. "The houses are thatched with grass and flowers; "Never a clocli to toll the hours. "The marble doors are always shut; "You cannot enter in hall or hut. "All the villagers lie asleep, "Never a grain to sow or reap; "Never in dreams to moan and sigh; "Silent, and idle, and low, they lie. "In that village under the hill, "When the night is starry and still, "Many a weary soul in prayer, "Looks to the other village there, "And weeping and sighing, longs to go "Up to that home from this below. "Longs to sleep in the forest wild, "Whither have vanished wife and child; "And heareth, praying, this answer fall:— " 'Patience! that village shall hold ye all.' " Quoting from Roys: — "As the potent enemy of life soon began its ravages, the inhabitants were obliged to seek a place where to bury their dead. The first burials were in Canaan, where the first settlers attended public worship on the Sabbath. The first person buried in this town was the wife of Jedediah Turner. Her grave with two others were on the ground where Col. J. W. Phelps built his house. In digging his cellar the bones were found almost entire. They were enclosed in a case and deposited not far distant in a decent and proper manner. The next persons who died were placed in the present centre burying-ground." 198 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. At a Proprietor's meeting, February 22, 1757, the follow- ing record was made: — "We the Subscribers, being desired by some proprietors, inhabitants in the town of Norfolk, for to lay out a piece of ground for a buryal-yard, have ac- cordingly laid out the land hereafter named, — bounded thus: Beginning at a stake and stones standing in the high- way the south line thereof, which goes from Canaan to Norfolk; and the same lyes south of the 48th lot in the first division, second going over; thence south 24 west, 8 rods to the bank of the river, a stake and stones; thence west 24 north 20 rods to a stake and stones; then north 24 east 8 rods to a stake and stones at the aforesaid highway; which lot last described lyes about 40 rods or therabouts westerly of a bridge built by Benoni Moses; and ye said peace of land contains one acre. We recommend to said proprietors as a convenient place to bury the dead in, and that said proprietors would vote and appropriate the same for said use. Witness our hands, Daniel Lawrence, Jr., Feb. 18,1757. Joshua Whitney. "In public proprietor's meeting the above written was voted and ordered to be recorded and the same to be ap- propriated for ye use as is above exprest." This was the beginning of the present Centre Cemetery, which during the entire history of the town has been its principal burying place, and where several generations have been laid to rest, as for instance, there are at least four generations of the Aiken family buried there, and as many generations of other families. The first enlarging, or rather changing of the original acre, was by vote of the town in 1773, when Dudley Humphrey, Titus Ives, and Samuel Cowles, Jr., were appointed "to agree with Giles Pettibone for land in order to bring the burying ground out to the highway, showing conclusively, that the original highway ran through the present cemetery, as the original acre ran "from the south line of the highway 8 rods to the bank of the river. It seems probable that the committee HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 199 "to agree with Giles Pettibone for land," etc., gave him the west half of the original acre, and received in exchange in part, as much land on the north side of the east half of it, after the highway was changed to where it now is. De- cember 4, 1775, it was "Voted that the Selectmen fence the burying ground and lay it out for improvement to the best advantage." Roys says, "Centre burying-ground purchased, 1774." Possibly he refers to the first enlargement, made in 1774. May 26, 1774, Giles Pettibone, deeded to the town for the consideration of 30 shillings lawful money, . . . "the land following, being for the use of a burying yard and lying in said Norfolk and beginning at the north east corner of the old burying yard and to run westward in the line of said burying yard 8 rods to a heap of stones. Then northerly to a heap of stones this day set up standing in the line of the highway. Thence eastward in the line of said highway 7 rods to a heap of stones; thence to the first bounds, and contains about 105 rods of land, more or less. To have and to hold, etc. ... In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 26 day of May in the 14th year of the reign of our loveing Lord George 3d of Great Britain." The grounds were again enlarged to the present size in about 1875, the land lying west of the old ground and south of the highway having been obtained of Dr. J. H. P. Stevens after some opposition and quite a contest; some of the residents of the town at that time thinking it better to open an entirely new cemetery instead of enlarging the old one. The added grounds have been nicely laid out, and together with the old part greatly beau- tified and improved. A small cemetery was at an early day opened in the North part of the town. Northwest of and not far from the Great Pond, now called Doolittle Pond. In the year 1790 the cemetery in the South End district was opened, the first burial there being Mrs. Abigail Cowles, widow of Mr. Joseph Gowles. Here were buried three generations named Joshua Moses, and a fourth gen- 200 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. eration, Joshua Nelson Moses; Not a descendant of the Moses name remains in town so far as is known. The cemetery on the Goshen road toward South Norfolk was opened about 1818 and a large number of the former residents of that part of the town lie buried there. In the early days of the town there was quite a settle- ment toward the southwest part, near the Canaan line, called Meekertown, from the principal settler in that region, Phineas Meeker, (who in 1764 married Sarah Brown.) Mr. Meeker seems to have emigrated ; and about 1820 Dea. Noah Miner reported to the church that there was a settlement in Meekertown that he called a "hamlet of heathens, living in intellectual, moral and spiritual darkness," and recom- mended that some missionary work be done there. "It was said at the time that not half the people of Norfolk knew that there was such a place within its borders." Mr. E. Lyman Gaylord, a native of this town, now living at Rocky Hill, Ct., writes that about 1820 or 1821 in company with Mr. Wilcox Phelps he rode through Meekertown on horseback, "and from what we saw we concluded that Dea- con Miner's report was not overstated." There was a burial place in Meekertown and a number of persons were buried there, — their graves being marked only by a rough stone; no name being found or any inscription whatever. The place is now grown up into a forest again. One man named Meeker is said to have been buried there, but so far as known no monument was ever erected at his grave, and now the place even is unknown. In the north-east part of the town, near Doolittle pond, a Cemetery was opened in the early part of this century, the earliest date noticed there being, Francis Benedict died April, 1815, aged 78. Many of the old residents of that part of the town were buried there: the Butlers, Walters, Nortons, Holts, Hawleys, Spauldings, Northways, and others. There are two "Quaker monuments," as they are called there, being marble posts, seven or eight inches square. One has the inscription James Parrit, (who is men- tioned elsewhere) October 28, 1856, aged 82, and Caty Par- HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 201 rit, 1854, aged 79. There are a large number of unmarked graves in this cemetery; the Orvis family being one it is said; persons of influence in town at one time. Also graves of twenty or more children of Ira Decker, all unmarked. LONGEVITY IN NORFOLK. A comparison of the vital statistics of other towns hav- ing no greater population than this town has, might pos- sibly show as interesting an array of facts and figures re- lating to the longevity of life as do those of Norfolk, but in the absence of the proof, the writer begs leave to ex- press his opinion that the percentage of persons living to be past 80 years of age, and also past 90 years, as shown by statistics of this town, cannot be surpassed, or equaled, in Connecticut, or New England. The following figures and facts are suggestive and in- teresting: Between April, 1879, and January, 1881, (less than two years) six persons died in Norfolk whose average age was 93 1-3 years. An exceptional case, possibly, — but the exception proves the rule, always. Read the names and ages of the persons past 70, who died in the year 1880, for instance: January — Samuel Smith, 72; Mrs. H. Kellogg, 72; Mrs. Matthew Ryan, 70. February — Miss Polly Burr, 75; Miss Mary Bell, 84. March — Miss Philey Beach, 84; Miss Harriet Holt, 94. April — Miss Almiras Holt, 84; Miss Flora Bell, 82; Mr. Levi Shepard, 95 and 6 mos.; Mr. Anson Norton, 90 and 7 mos. May — Dea. James Mars, 90. June — Miss Lucy Cur- tiss, 87. August — Mr. Matthew Ryan, 79. September — Mr. Anson Gaylord, 80; Dea. Abijah Hall, 82; Mrs. Erastus Smith, 86; Mrs. John Heady, 84; Mrs. Luther Butler, 89. October — Mrs. Daniel White, 74 — 20 persons; average age, 82 3-4 years. And the old people were not all gone yet, for in January, 1881, there followed Mrs. Seth Preston, 95, and within a few months, Mr. Samuel S. Camp, 80; Mr. Hiram Mills, 86; Mr. Daniel Hotchkiss, 82; Mrs. Benjamin W. Crissey, 85; Capt. Auren Tibbals, 91; Mr. Matthew O'Brien, 202 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 83; Mr. John A. Shepard, 81. Nathaniel Roys died here in 1832 in his 100th year. Daniel Beardsley died here in 1864, aged 99 years and 8 months. On a tombstone in the South End cemetery in this town is this inscription: "In memory of Widow Eachel Ferry, who died December 9, 1810, aged 101 years and 10 days. 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.' " A woman is now living in this town who has passed her 100th birthday, and says she thinks "the dear Lord has forgotten to call her home." (Her call has just come.) XVI. LITCHFIELD COUNTY CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. At a meeting of the Bar of Litchfield County, held in Litchfield, January 8, 1851, the subject of holding a Centen- nial Celebration of the organization of the county during that year was considered, and a committee composed of seven members of the Bar of the County was appointed to take such action in the matter as they deemed best. That committee called a meeting of the citizens of the county, which was held at the court-house in Litchfield February 19th, following, at which meeting the following action was taken : — "Whereas, We have now entered on the one hundredth year since the organization of the County of Litchfield, and as during this period thousands of the sons and daugh- ters of the county have emigrated to other States and countries, many of whom are still living and occupying prominent positions in public stations, professions and oc- cupations, who as well as others, would rejoice to return and visit the homes of their childhood, and we would re- joice to meet and welcome them; Resolved, That for this purpose a Centennial Celebration shall be held at Litchfield, on Wednesday and Thursday, the 13th and 14th days of August, 1851, and that a Com- HISTOKY OF NORFOLK. 203 mittee of Arrangements from the different towns in the county be appointed; also a Central Committee, to make the necessary and suitable arrangements for the occasion. That among the public exercises there be a Sermon, Oration and Poem; a pubic dinner, and other social entertainments, short addresses and poems suited to the occasion. Of the Central Committee of nine, one was Bobbins Battell of Norfolk. The Committee of Arrangements from this town were Michael F. Mills, Esq., Warren Cone, E. Grove Law- rence, Auren Tibbals and Samuel D. Northway. At a meeting of the Central Committee, Hon. Samuel Church of Litchfield, a native of Salisbury, was selected to deliver the Oration; Rev. Horace Bushnell, D. D., of Hartford, a native of Litchfield, the Sermon; and Rev. John Pierpont, LL. D., of Medford, Mass., a native of Litchfield, the Poem. In March the Chairman of the Central Committee, (Seth P. Beers,) issued to the Committees of the several towns a Circular, regarding the duties expected from them in preparing for the Celebration, sending invitations to the natives of the various towns, etc., and requesting the Com- mittees to procure portraits and other relics of the past, illustrative of former manners and models of life, to be forwarded to Litchfield and arranged for exhibition. Judge Church, the Orator of the occasion, asked for information regarding the early history of each of the towns, notices of the distinguished men, divines, lawyers, physicians, au- thors, officers, chaplains, and soldiers in the war of the American Revolution, etc. Very thorough and extensive preparations for this cele- bration were made, and it proved a great success. It was early decided "to dispense with a public dinner." Major General William T. King of Sharon was Marshal for the day, with twenty-two assistants; one from each town in the county; Col. Robbins Battell was the Norfolk Marshal. General Daniel B. Brinsmade of Washington was President of the day. The Band from the Watervliet Arsenal, N. Y., furnished music. The exercises were held in the park in West street, near the center of which was 204 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. erected the large tent belonging to Yale College, with large additions, etc. The vocal music for the occasion was furnished by the Litchfield County Musical Association, of which Deacon Darius Phelps of Norfolk was the very eflBcient Leader. Notice was given to the members of this Musical Asso- ciation, through the papers, requesting them to attend the Celebration, to bring with them the "Boston Academy's Collection of Choruses," and to come prepared to sing from that book, the "Hallelujah Chorus," "Blessed is He that Cometh," and "The Hailstone Chorus." Upon the days of the celebration the weather was very fine; the procession marched through the principal streets of the town, and when the vast audience was seated as far as possible in the tent, the exercises were opened by the Litchfield County Musical Association, who sang with grand effect, to the tune 'Old Hundred,' the Psalm, " Be Thou O God, exalted high.'' After prayer the oration of Judge Church was pronounced, from which brief quotations in this volume are made. This address by this distinguished son of Litchfield County is of very great historic interest. A volume, giving a full re- port of this celebration, containing the addresses, and the equally interesting sermon and poem, can be found in the Norfolk Library and in various private libraries, in this town. The discourse of Dr. Horace Bushnell of Hartford was worthy of its distingushed author and of the occasion. Some extracts, giving a vivid picture of the early days of our history as he saw and recalled it, are given. Speaking upon the day after Judge Church's address, he spoke of himself as "a gleaner in the stubble-ground that is left, gathering up the unwritten part of the history celebrated, the unhistoric deeds of common-life, of those whose names are written only in heaven;" . . . describing this first century, as the Homespun Age of our people. . . . "What we call History, I conceive to be commonly very much of a HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 205 fiction. True worth is, for the most part, unhistoric. We say of history rightly, that it is a record of e-vents; that is, of turnings out; points where the silence is broken by something apparently not in the regular flow of common life. In our historic pictures we gather, under the name of a prominent few, what is really done by nameless multi- tudes. Therefore if you ask who made this Litchfield County of ours, it will be no suflBcient answer that you gef, however instructive and useful, when you have gathered up the names that appear in our public records, and re- cited the events that have found an honorable place in the history of the county. You must not go into the burial places, and look about only for the tall monuments and the titled names. It is not the starred epitaphs of the Doctors of Divinity, the Generals, the Judges, that mark the springs of our successes and the sources of our dis- tinction. These are effects rather than causes. The spin- ning wheels have done a great deal more than these. Around the honored few, a Bellamy, a Day, a Bobbins, sleeping in the midst of his flock, ... all names of honor; round about these few, and others like them, are lying multitudes of worthy men and women under their humbler monuments, or in graves that are hidden by the monu- mental green that loves to freshen over their forgotten resting-place, in these we are to say are the deepest, truest causes of our happy history. Here lie the sturdy kings of Homespun, who climbed among these hills with their axes, to cut away rooms for their cabins and for family prayers, and so for the future good to come. Here lie the good housewives that made coats every year, like Hannah, for their children's bodies, and lined their memory with cate- chism. . . . These are the men and women that made Litchfield County; kings and queens of Homespun, out of whom we draw our royal lineage. ... If our sons and daughters should assemble a hundred years hence, to hold another celebration like this, they will scarcely be able to imagine the Arcadian pictures now so fresh in the memory of many of us. Everything that was most distinctive of 206 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. the old homespun mode of life will then have passed away. The spinning-wheels of wool and flax, that used to buzz so familiarly in the childish ears of some of us, will be heard no more forever; seen no more in fact, save in the halls of Antiquarian Societies, where the delicate daughters will be asking, what these strange machines are, and how they are made to go. The huge, hewn-timber looms, that used to occupy a room by themselves in the farm houses, will be gone; cut up for cord wood, and their heavy thwack, beating up the woof, will be heard no more by the passer- by; not even the Antiquarian Halls will find room to harbor a specimen. The long strips of linen bleaching on the grass, and tended by a sturdy maiden, sprinkling them each hour from her water can, under a boiling sun, thus to pre- pare the Sunday linen for her brothers, and her own wed- ding outfit, will have disappeared, save as they return to fill a picture in some novel or ballad of the old time. . . . The heavy Sunday coats, that grew on sheep individually remembered, and the specially fine-striped, blue and white pantaloons, of linen just from the loom, will no longer be conspicuous in processions of footmen going to meeting, but will have given place to showy carriages, filled with gentlemen in broadcloath, festooned with chains of Cali- fornia gold, and delicate ladies holding perfumed sun shades. The churches, too, that used to be simple brown meeting-houses covered with rived clapboards of oak, will have come down mostly, from the bleak hill-tops into the close villages and populous towns that crowd the water- falls and the railroads. The old burial places where the fathers sleep will be left to their lonely altitude; token, shall we say, of an age that lived as much nearer to heaven and as much less under the world. Would that we might raise some worthy monument to a state which is then to be so far passed by, so worthy in all future time to be held in the dearest reverence. . . . Marriages were commonly contracted at a much earlier period in life then than now. Not because the habit of the time was more romantic or less prudential, but because a HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 207 principle more primitive and closer to the beautiful sim- plicity of nature was yet in vogue, viz.: that women are given by the Almighty, not so much to help their husbands spend a living as to help them get one. Accordingly the ministers were always very emphatic as I remember in their marriage ceremonies, on the ancient idea, that the woman was given to the man to be a help-meet for him. The schools we must not pass by if we are to form a truth- ful picture of the homespun days. The schoolmaster did not exactly go round the district to fit out the children's minds with learning, as the shoemaker did to fit their feet with shoes, or the tailors to measure and cut for their bodies, but to come as near it as possible, he boarded round, a custom not yet gone by. The children were all clothed alike, in homespun, and the only signs of aristocracy were, that some were clean and some a degree less so; some in fine white and striped linen, some in brown tow-crash. The good fathers of some testified the opinion they had of their children by bringing fine round loads of hickory wood to warm them, while some others, I regret to say, brought scanty, scraggy, ill-looking heaps of green oak, white-birch and hemlock. Indeed about all the bickerings of quality among the children centered in the quality of the wood- pile. There was no complaint in those days of the want of ventilation, for the large open fire-place held a consid- erable fraction of a cord of wood, and the windows took in enough air to supply the combination. The seats were made of the outer slabs from the saw-mill, supported by slant legs driven into and a proper distance through auger holes, and planed smooth on the top by the rather tardy process of friction. . . . Passing from the school to the church, or rather I should say to the meeting-house, here again you meet the picture of a sturdy homespun worship. There is no furnace or stove, save the foot-stones that are filled from the fires of the neighboring houses. They are seated according to age; the old in front, near the pulpit, and the younger farther back, enclosed in pews, sitting back to back, impounded 208 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. all, for deep thought and spiritual digestion; only the dea- cons, sitting close under the pulpit, by themselves, to re- ceive as their distinctive honor the more perpendicular droppings of the word. Clean round the front of the gal- lery is drawn a single row of choir, headed by the key-pipe in the centre. The pulpit is overhung by an august wooden canopy, called a sounding-board. ... If the minister speaks in his great coat and thick gloves or mittens, if the howling blasts of winter blow in across the assembly fresh streams of ventilation that move the hair upon their heads, they are none the less content, if only he gives them good strong exercise. Under their hard, and as some would say, stolid faces, great thoughts are brewing, and these keep them warm. Free-will, fixed-fate, foreknowledge ab- solute, trinity, redemption, special grace, eternity, — give them anything high enough, and if they go away having something to think of they have had a good day. These royal men of homespun, how great a thing to them was re- ligion! View them as we may, there is yet and always will be, something magnificent in their stern, practical fidelity to their principles. If they believed it to be more scriptural and Christian to begin their Sunday at the sunset on Sat- urday, their practise did not part company with their prin- ciples. It was sundown at sundown; not somewhere be- tween that time and the next morning. I remember being dispatched when a lad, one Saturday afternoon in the win- ter, to bring home a few bushels of apples engaged of a farmer a mile distant; how the careful, exact man looked first at the clock, then out the window at the sun, and turn- ing to me said, "I cannot measure out the apples in time for you to get home before sundown ; you must come again Monday;" then how I went home venting my boyish impa- tience in words not exactly respectful, the sunlight playing still upon the eastern hills, and got for my comfort a small amount of specially silent sympathy. I have not yet as- certained whether that refusal was exactly justified by the patriarchal authorities appealed to, or not. Be that as it HISTORY OF NORFOTJJ:. 209 may, have what opinion of it you will. I confess to you for one, that I recall the honest, faithful days of homespun represented in it; days when men's lives went by their con- sciences, as their clocks did by the sun, with a feeling of profoundest reverence. It is more than respectable; it is sublime. Regarding the homespun age as represented in these pic- tures of the social and religious life, we need in order to a full understanding of the powers and the possibilities of success embodied in it, to descend into the practical struggle of common life, and see how the muscle of energy and victory is developed, under its close necessities. The sons and daughters grew up in the closest habits of in- dustry. In these olden times they supposed in their sim- plicity that thrift represented work, and looked about sel- dom for any more delicate and sharper way of getting on. The house was a factory on the farm; the farm, a grower and producer for the house. No affectation of polite living, no languishing airs of delicacy and softness indoors, had begun to make the fathers and sons impatient of hard work out of doors, and set them at some easier and more plausible way or living. Their very dress represented work, and they went out as men whom the wives and daugh- ters had dressed for work, facing all weather, cold and hot, wet and dry, wrestling with the plow on the stony-sided hills, digging out the rocks by hard lifting and a good many very practical experiments in mechanics; dressing the flax, threshing the rye, dragging home in the deep snows, the great wood-pile of the year's consumption; and then, when the day is ended, having no loose money to spend in tav- erns, taking their recreation all together, in reading, or singing, or happy talk, or silent looking in the fire, and finally in sleep, to rise again with the sun, and pray over the family Bible, for just such another good day as the last. And so they lived, working out each year a little advance of thrift, just within the line of comfort. It is, on the whole, a hard and over severe picture, and yet a picture that embodies the highest points of merit; con- 210 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. nects the noblest results of character. Out of it, in one view, come all the successes we commemorate on this fes- tive occasion. ... If they were sometimes drudged by their over-intense labor, still they were kept by it in a gen- erally rugged state, both of body and mind. They kept a good digestion, which is itself no small part of char- acter. . . . I have wished to bring out an impression of the unre- corded history of the times gone by. We must not think on such an occasion as this that the great men have made the history. Rather it is the history that has made the men. It is the homespun many, the simple Christian men and women of the century gone by, who bore their life struggle faithfully, in these valleys and among these hills, and who are now sleeping in the untitled graves of Chris- tian worth and piety. These are they whom we are most especially to honor. . . . Worth indeed it is; that worth which, being common, is the sub-structure and the prime condition of a happy social state, and of all the honors that dignify its history. Worth, not of men only, but quite as much of women. Let no woman imagine that she is with- out consequence, or motive to excellence, because she is not conspicuous. It is the greatness of woman that she is so much like the great powers of nature, back of the noise and clatter of the world's affairs, tempting all things with her benign influence; forgetful of herself and fame. . . . Men and women of Litchfield County, such has been the past, good and honorable. We give it over to you. The future will be what you make it. Be faithful to the sacred trust God is this day placing in your hands." m m HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 211 XVII. SEVERE WINTERS AND STORMS IN CONNECTICUT. (FKOM AM OLD HAETFOBD COUBANT). "The records of hard winters in Connecticut during the past two centuries, which stand out conspicuously, will be looked back to with considerable interest. During the winter of 1872-3, there were thirty-six zero mornings, and 102 days of sleighing in Hartford. The winter of 1856-7 was very severe. The winter of 1837-8 was noted for deep snows. The winter of 1815-16 was also noted for its ter- rible snow storms. In February, 1791, a snow fall of four days duration occurred, the snow falling six feet on a level. The winter of 1761-2 was very cold, with deep snows. The winter of 1741-2 was famous throughout New England for deep snows and intense cold weather. The first deep snow fell on the 13th of November, giving good sleighing which lasted until the 20th of April, making 158 successive days of good sleighing in Connecticut. In February, 1717, oc- curred the greatest snow storm ever known in this coun- try. It commenced on the 17th and lasted until the 24th, the snow falling from ten to twelve feet on the level. This snow made a remarkable era in New England, and the people in relating an event would say it happened so many years before or after the great snow. In February, 1691, a terrible storm occurred. In February, 1662, the snow fell so deep that a great number of deer came from the woods for food and were killed by the wolves. It will be noticed that all of our great snow storms have occurred in February." 212 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. "THE BLIZZARD OF 1888." (Fbom the Habtfoed Coubant, Maecu 13, 1888). "March 12, 1888, will be memorable during the present generation as the beginning of one of the most remarkable storms of this remarkable century. In its almost unprece- dented severity, — in the wide extent of country affected, — in the total demoralization of railroad and telegraphic fa- cilities, and the complete blocking of local travel and busi- ness of almost every kind, it has no rival in the record of storms since railroads and telegraphs were invented. It is certain that many persons caught in the storm in the country must have perished, for even in the cities there would have been many deaths had not friendly hands been near to give relief and shelter." To show that this storm was not local: "New Haven, March 12, 1888. — The storm here is the most horrible ever known. The streets are im- passable for teams, and drifts are piled from ten to forty feet high on the sidewalks." "Providence, March 12. — A hurricane of wind and rain followed the storm of snow and sleet, and has brought business to a standstill. At Newport the breakers are the largest ever seen." "Springfield, Mass., March 12. — The storm is simply un- precedented. By noon business began to be suspended. The schools then closed for the day, and many children were lost in the blinding sleet and awful drifts, but no fatalities are known. The street railway company aban- doned cars along its lines and there they stand stalled. No hacks or other conveyances could be hired to leave the stables, for most of the streets were impassable. The depot is filled with trains which came in early in the day, and all attempts to start trains out were futile." "New York, March 13. — The mercury in New York this noon was down to zero. All railroads are utterly demoral- ized. President Depew of the New York Central says there never was such a state of affairs on the road before. No street cars are running in New York city or Brooklyn. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 213 Elevated roads are only partially iu operation. The East river is frozen over, and thousands of people are crossing over on the ice. No ferry boats are running. Trains with two engines are being run every 15 minutes across the bridge, but the roadway of the bridge is closed. Immense drifts block up streets. The western side of Broadway has the appearance of a backwoods path. There are thirty trains stalled between Grand Central depot and Spuyten Duyvil." From the Courant, March 16th, 1888: '"And now they tell us it wasn't much of a storm. It began down by Alexandria, Virginia; was not felt west of Pittsburg and Buffalo; did not go further north than Sara- toga, and was not felt much east of Boston. This is the Western Union's outline, and as that company's feelers are out all over the country, it ought to be accurate. It was within 300 or 3.50 miles of the seacoast all the time, and it only swept over about 350 miles of territory length- wise, if a bee line is taken from Alexandria to Boston. It managed to paralyze the Pennsylvania and the New York Central roads, and all the roads that centre in New York, as well as in New England. Its like was never seen before." The following ^'Letter of Condolence" is of interest: (To) Robbing Battell. 74 Wall Street, New York. *'Des Moines, Iowa, March 12, 1888. "To New York, Pennsylvania and New England Friends: "In this, your hour of affliction, we deem it fitting to assure you of our heartfelt sympathy. We know we cannot realize the full- ness of your suffering, for the terrible blizzards recently visited upon you have surpassed anything we have ever known in Iowa, Nebraska, or Kansas. So far as possible, however, our hearts go out to you, and when we offer you, in behalf of our happy, pros- perous people, such financial aid as may be needed, we beg you to accept it in the spirit it is offered. Kindly preserve our little card as a reminder of the date of your latest dire calamity, remembering also that at the same date the sturdy farmers of Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa are out in the beau- 214 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. tiful sunshine, preparing the soil to receive the seed which will spring forth into a magnificent harvest, with which to supply your physical wants." Very sincerely yours, "CENTRAL LOAN AND TRUST COMPANY." But some Norfolk descendant "out west" may say, "Why don't he tell us whether it stormed in Norfolk or not?" A good old man was once reading to his wife an account of a railroad catastrophe, which said, "John Smith was struck by a locomotive at a surface crossing; the entire train passed over him, severing his head from his body, and he was literally cut into pieces." His good wife said, "Does the paper say whether he was killed or not?" The good old man read the account again and remarked, "It don't say that it killed him, but I ruther reckon it must 'uv." Yes, gentle reader, it snowed in Norfolk, and it also blowed, as can still be proven by eye-witnesses, and there were some drifts. From a "Journal of the great snow- storm," kept by a resident of the town, and copied for Miss Cynthia Foskett's Scrap-book, some extracts follow: "Mon- day, March 12, 1888. — Snow began to fall Sunday after- noon, but not in any great quantity until Sunday night. This morning there was nearly three feet of snow on the ground, and still falling with great rapidity. This after- noon the storm turned into a veritable blizzard, the wind blowing a gale, the air thick with the finest particles of snow I ever saw. But very few people ventured out; the cold and wind were so intense that hands, ears and noses were quickly frozen. Tuesday, 13th. Snow still falling steadily. When I reached the oflSce there was no oflBce, not a foot of the building being in sight, — only an immense bank of snow, the top of the chimney being covered by at least two feet. Snow continued to fall during the entire day. The wind is subsiding. Wednesday, 14. At exactly ten o'clock the snow ceased falling. This makes an unbroken record of falling snow HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 215 from Sunday afternoon, March 11, to Wednesday morn- ing, March 14. It is hard to tell the exact depth of the snow on a level; various estimates place the depth from four to six feet. The drifts are 12, 15 and 18 feet high by measurement. The snow is up even with the roof of the church sheds. The Post-mistress is blockaded in the Post- ofBce, and has not been to her boarding place for two days. There are no trains and no telegraphic communication. The railroad track is an unbroken mass of drifts. The wind has been north-west from the beginning of the storm. Thursday, 15. The railroad has been opened from Win- sted to Hartford. Some of the largest drifts have been photographed by the local photographer. It was agreed to turn out in force tomorrow and assist the railroad com- pany. Friday, 16. The weather is warm and pleasant. By nine o'clock fifty men were at work trying to find the lost Rail- road track, and this force was soon swelled to sixty-two. Miss Anna Battell ordered a dinner from Mr. Stevens, the hotel keeper, for the entire party of sixty-two, which was served in the old Spaulding farm-house at one o'clock, in camp-fashion. A large number joined the force in the afternoon ; three engines fastened together and well braced in front with timbers came up from Winsted in the after- noon, followed by a gang of laborers. The entire force now numbered one hundred and fifty, and with the help of the engines the work proceeded rapidly. At 4.30 o'clock the road was clear from Winsted to Norfolk At seven o'clock a fourth engine arrived and brought last Monday's mail. Saturday, 17. The engines with the regular force of laborers and some volunteers started, and at 9.30 reached Canaan. We received a telegraphic despatch from Mr. Bat- tell, in New York. The first despatch received in Norfolk from New York since last Monday. The first passenger train arrived at noon and brought the first New York mail. Thursday afternoon a Hartford paper reached Winsted, and was read to Norfolk people by telephone; one man re- ceiving the news at this end, and shouting it out as it came. 216 HISTOKY OF NORFOLK. Sunday, 18. Beyond Twin Lakes the drifts are reported to be twenty feet in height and more. Work will be con- tinued today. Monday, March 19. Several hundred laborers worked on the track yesterday, and by tonight Millerton will proba- bly be reached. The road has been closed now exactly one week. Finis." The severe winter of 1856 and 7 is mentioned in the fore- going. Then the State elections were held annually on the first Monday in April. The election in the spring of 1857 was one of unusual interest in Norfolk, as the candi- dates for election to the State Senate in the old Seventeenth Senatorial District were both prominent citizens of the town, Mr. Nathaniel B. Stevens being the candidate of the Democratic party, and Mr. Samuel D. Northway that of the recently formed Republican party, and naturally each was anxious to get out his full vote in his own town. The snow in the roads in all the out parts of the town over which teams had driven all winter was at that time just melting, and was then as high as the top of the fences a large part of the way; and where the large drifts were it was ten feet deep and up, thus making all roads simply im- passable until they were shovelled out. The turnpike, (from Winsted to Canaan), had been opened up before elec- tion day, but the only team off from that line of road that came to the election was one that Mr. Northway started at sunrise with a light-footed horse, to bring Dea. Noah Miner and Daniel Cady, who were too old and lame to walk from their home in the south part of the town. Dea. Miner staid and visited with friends a day or two, and in the course of the week made his way home on foot, stopping over night with friends on the way. The following letter concerning Norfolk winters and other matters, is of interest. It was addressed to Mrs. Mary Oakley Beach, a well known native and resident of this town, recently deceased, by Mr. Kneeland J. Munson, a son of Mr. Joshua Munson, who was a life long resident and an extensive and successful farmer, his farm being HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 217 on Canaan Mountain a mile or more south of "Canaan Mountain Pond," as it was called in his day; now, Lake Wangum. Mr. Kneeland Munson was president of the old Norfolk Bank for several years, and was well known in this town. Millerton, N. Y., November 16, 1894. Mrs. Mary Oakley Beach: "Your letter of the 15th received. I hardly understand it, par- ticularly about the sheep business. In the fall of 1826 my father bought about 150 shoats (young hogs) and turned them into what was called Norfolk woods, east of his place, to grow fat on beach nuts. On the 30th of December commenced a snow-storm which lasted four days, snowing steadily and heavily for the whole time, leaving over four feet of solid snow on the ground. When the storm abated, my father, with what help he could get, spent several days wallowing in the snow, trying to find the hogs. They finally succeeded in finding and getting home about 100; the other 50 were left to their fate. The snow was expected to make a great flood when it went off, but it lay on all winter and went off gradually by the sun the last of March and April, without any flood at all. In the fore part of April, 1827, two or three of these hogs found their way out to a collier's hut, and he gave my father notice of it. They then made another rally and search, and found quite a number, perhaps 20 or 25, but they were as wild animals. Some of them jumped out of a high pen after they got them home, and made their escape. For several years there was quite a crop of wild hogs in that region, until they became so troublesome that they had to be hunted down and destroyed." Respectfully yours, K. J. MUNSON." From a thoroughly reliable source the writer has been informed, that at a certain point on the east side of Chest- nut hill, or Gaylord hill as it has been sometimes called, where the snow drives over from the north-west and drifts in at the foot of a ledge, many years ago at the end of a snowy winter a man cut a notch at the surface of the drift in the top of a tree that was mostly buried by the snow. When the snow was all gone he cut down this tree, and by actual measurement found that the snow at that point was seventy feet deep. On the first Monday of May, 1840 or '41, Mr. Hiram 218 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Wheeler with another young man started from his home in North Norfolk to attend training down town, that being training day. Seven or eight inches of snow had fallen the night previous. They crossed a pasture into which Mr. Anson Gaylord had turned a flock of sheep, and dis- covered that the sheep had taken shelter from the wind upon the south side of a stone wall, and that the snow had drifted to the top of the wall and completely buried many of the sheep, from which imprisonment the young men liberated them. THE GREAT ICE STORM. People who were living in Norfolk and vicinity at the time, will not soon forget the ice-storm of February 20 to 22, 1898. The effects of that storm are still plainly seen in the broken shade-trees, fruit-trees, and forests, in this entire region; many tall young forest trees which were then bent to the ground by their load have never raised their heads since, and never will. The local papers said, ''An ice-storm, the severest in the memory of the oldest inhabitants, visited Northwestern Connecticut, entailing thousands of dollars loss. Trees that are old landmarks, and others, are spoiled for years to come, and a great deal of the storm's damage is irrep- arable." "Twigs an eighth of an inch in diameter had an overcoat of ice an inch and a quarter thick." "An ice coated twig weighing one and a half pounds, minus the ice weighed two ounces." "The big elms and fruit trees suffered most. One of the big elms split in the middle, one half falling on to the town hall." 1 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 219 XVIII. KILLING A PANTHER IN NORFOLK — TREED BY A BEAR — FIRES IN AND NEAR THE MEETING-HOUSE — A THANKSGIVING-DAY WOLF-HUNT. Roys, in his chapter of "Incidents," gives the following: "In early times a Mr. Barber, father of Capt. Timothy Bar- ber, formerly an inhabitant of Norfolk, came from Sims- bury with two of his sons, well armed, to traverse a part of the town, and coming to a place since called Pine moun- tain, they stacked their guns and strolled around and ascended the hill in hope of getting a distant view of the surrounding country. Mr. Barber stepped into a hole in the side of the hill and something shot by him and sprang up a tree near him. He did not at first know what it was, but sent his youngest son to get their guns. He did not find them. Still watching the animal, he sent his oldest son, who soon returned with the guns. While waiting he perceived that the creature grew very uneasy; twisting his tail and changing his position, perhaps with the inten- tion of springing upon them. Mr. Barber placed his sons each side of him, each having their guns well charged. They fired and brought down a large panther, in a condi- tion to examine him with safety. Its claws and fangs looked frightfully, and they rejoiced that they had escaped them, and rid the world of a frightful monster." A different version of what is doubtless the same panther story, as told the writer by Mr. Norman Riggs, as he had heard it when a boy, from old residents in the neighbor- hood where the beast was killed, is as follows: "Mr. Bar-' ber lived in the South End district, on the road that runs from the school-house to Grants. In the early history of the town, one Thanksgiving day, Mr. Barber with two brothers who had come to visit him, went a hunting. A light snow had fallen. 220 HISTOEY OF NORFOLK. Not long after thej started out their dogs came upon a large strange looking track which they followed, and ran up to Pine mountain, north-west from the present residence of Mr. Obadiah Smith. The men followed on, and found that their dogs had run or tracked the animal into a cave with a small dark entrance on the side of the mountain. With characteristic Yankee curiosity and per- severance, one of the men proposed to investigate as to what that cave contained; so with his gun in his hand he made his way into the cave as best he could, by crawling upon "all fours," or upon his stomach, in the darkness. He had made his way in a little distance when he saw in the darkness ahead of him a pair of eyes that gleamed like balls of fire, and almost in the same instant the animal rushed past him, the passageway being so small that the body of the animal as he passed rubbed against the man. The dogs and the men outside forthwith treed and shot the animal, which was a large panther. This well authenti- cated adventure of Mr. Barber, right here in Norfolk," Mr. Riggs added, "I always thought fully equal to Gen. Israel Putnam's wolf-den story." (This panther evidently in his obliging disposition resembled the raccoon that, when caught up a tree, is reported to have said: "If that's you down there, Davy Crockett, don't fire, — I'll come down.") Roys says again: "Mr. Cornelius Brown, one of the early settlers of this town, going into the woods some distance from his house, was met by a bear who soon prepared to spring upon him. Mr. Brown attempted to climb a small staddle near him, which proved too slender to support him at a safe height from the ground. The bear could, by stretching itself, just reach his feet as he clung to the tree. The bear badly mangled his heels with his claws and teeth. Mr. Brown hallooed for help, and after suffering much through fear and from his lacerated feet, help arrived. A man hunting in the woods with his dog heard him. The dog reached him before his master, and worried the bear, and he quit the assault before the man arrived. Mr. Brown, glad to part with bruin, was helped home. His wounds mSTOEY OF NORFOLK. 221 were healed, the scars of which were to be seen through life." ''In the early settlement of this town, before the tower- ing hemlocks were cleared off the green, west of the meet- ing-house, some of them had become dry and easily com- bustible, it being a dry season. By some means the leaves and dry matter took fire at the north end of the ledge, and the north-west wind helping it, it spread rapidly towards the meeting-house, climbing the dry hemlocks, and the flaming bark and limbs were scattered round and near the meeting-house, which was nearly or quite finished The inhabitants near the meeting-house were aroused to exer- tion, and spread the alarm as far as possible. Help came from every quarter. Water was obtained from a well at the house where Mr. Giles Pettibone, Jr., formerly lived. It was drawn about dry by Mrs. Dudley Humphrey, who did not leave the well or stop drawing the water until the danger was over. A line was formed from the well to the meeting house, of men, women and boys, each forwarding the water." The present church had a very narrow escape from de- struction by fire on the morning of Fast day, 1870. A fire had been kindled in the wood stoves then in use, in prepa- ration for the Fast day service, and the janitor went away. The stoves stood under the front gallery, just at either side of the center doors, the pipes running through the partitions into the vestibule at the foot of the stairs, and thence under the galleries to the chimneys at the west end of the building. The woodwork above the stove-pipe took fire, and when discovered the fire was burning all along the front gallery between the ceiling and the gallery floor. Most fortunately a cross-beam about under the front of the organ fills the space entirely between the floor and the ceiling below, and so had prevented the fire from spreading back under the entire gallery, and thence up into the steeple. The front seat and the floor were torn up, and with water brought from the same old well mentioned above, the fire was extinguished. 222 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. The following wolf-hunt is quoted from Roys: — "In 1787 a circumstance occurred which from its novelty and the rare sport it afforded may well be noticed in this place. While the congregation was assembled and devoutly en- gaged in celebrating the annual thanksgiving, the speaker having commenced his sermon, a messenger entered the house and with a firm and manly step walked partly up the middle aisle, with his eye fixed on the speaker, full of meaning and intelligence. The speaker paused, and he informed the crowded assembly that five wolves, a dog and slut with three pups, now almost full grown, were now on Haystack mountain, partly surrounded by men already col- lected, and that more men were wanted to assist in destroy- ing them. The speaker replied he thought it a duty for every man to turn out and combat these invaders. Immedi- ately a great part of the male members of the congrega- tion rose from their seats and flew to the scene of action. A line was formed round the mountain, distributing at proper distances those who were supplied with guns and ammunition, and the whole circle was directed by leaders emulous to excel. The line gradually contracted as they ascended the mountain on every side, silent and cautious, until the files were nearly closed. The ravenous invaders now appeared in rapid flight, coming towards the line. The clubs and pitchforks were raised, the guns elevated in mar- tial form, the balls whizzed, and part of the wolves were killed on the spot; the remainder rushed to the opposite section of the line, where they met their fate, except the dog-wolf, who, frightened and enraged, rushed through the line, clubs, pitchforks and guns notwithstanding. But the steady and well-aimed firearms soon stopped him, filling his body with balls, not counted until more at leisure. They were all brought down into the village in triumph, and exhibited to a numerous collection of people. Many who dispensed with their usual Thanksgiving feast around the firesides of their quiet homes were seen gratifying their sight rather than their appetites." For many years prior and subsequent to 1815, at the HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 223 annual town meeting, it was ''voted to give a bounty of |2.00 to any person who shall kill a wild cat in the limits of this town." Later the bounty was raised to |3.00 and then to 15.00 on a wild cat, they were so destructive of sheep, and 50 cents bounty on a fox. XIX. THE MANUFACTURES AND MANUFACTURERS OF THE TOWN, FROM ITS SETTLEMENT DOWN TO DATE. In his Litchfield County Centennial address of 1851, Judge Samuel Church said: "The pioneers here were agriculturists. They came with no knowledge or care for any other pursuit, and looked for no greater results than the enjoyment of re- ligious privileges, the increase of their estates by removing the heavy forests and adding other acres to their original purchase, and with the hope, perhaps, of sending an active boy to the college. Of manufactures they knew nothing. The grist-mill and saw-mill, the blacksmith and clothier's shops, — all as indispensable as the plow and the axe, — they provided for as among the necessaries of a farmer's life. Thus they toiled on, till the hillsides and the valleys everywhere showed the fenced field and the comfortable dwelling. The spinning wheel was in every house, and the loom in every neighborhood, and almost every article of clothing was the product of female domestic industry." Probably very few of the generation now in active life really comprehend the fact that in the days of their grand- fathers and grandmothers every house, with scarcely an exception, in this as in every community, was to a degree a manufactory. That has been called by Dr. Horace Bush- nell the "Homespun Age." Nearly every article of dress for man and woman, boy and girl, was made in the home, and that not from material purchased at a store, but the ma- 224 mSTOEY OF NORFOLK. terial itself had first to be made from the wool, just as it came from the sheep's back, and from the flax, as it was grown by the farmer, and made partially ready by him for the wheel and loom. The wife, the mother, the sister, the daughter, must each one be an expert at cleansing and scouring the wool, carding, spinning, reeling, doubling, twisting and dyeing the yarn, preparing the warp and the woof, weaving the cloth, to be fulled or shrunk, and dressed at the fulling mill for the men and boys' wear, — preparing also a finer grade of yarn from which flannel was to be woven for a variety of uses, including flannel sheets for the beds of the entire household for winter. Spinning and pre- paring yarn for knitting the stockings and the mittens, either of wool or flax, for all the family. The flax, after it was made ready, must be spun into yarn and woven into linen cloth, of a great variety of kinds, for different uses. Then the farmer must take to the tanner the cowhides and the kip skins to be tanned and dressed into the heavy leather for the men's and boys' boots, and the calf-skins, to make Sunday boots for the men and the fine shoes for women's wear; the deer and sheep-skins and skins of various wild animals which then abounded here, for leather for a variety of uses. When the material was all made ready, if for any reason the good housewife was not able to be the tailoress for the entire family, a professional tailoress and seamstress was called in to help for a little. The shoemaker came also and plied his trade, "whipping the cat," it was called, mak- ing boots and shoes for the entire family. The women of those days, young and old, our grandmothers, had their pleasures, their recreations, their excitements in quiltings, apple-parings, spelling-matches, corn-huskings, singing- school and the like, thus breaking the monotony of a cease- less round of toil; and surely they were better contented with their lot because they were useful, and better satisfied with life than some women of today, who have nothing to do but — to look pretty and be entertained. Our grand- mothers, indeed, could not make a "century run" on a I HISTOKY OF NORFOLK. 225 bicj'cle, which glorious achievement of one or two women has been heralded over the whole world, but most of them could make some "runs" on their spinning-wheels. Jn the History of Goshen there is an account of a "spin- ning match" in that town, which is of interest. "This was a trial among the ladies of Goshen to see which could excel in spinning linen on a one-handed wheel. It is supposed to have taken place about 1770. The understanding was that each might spin 24 hours, and be helped to reel yarn, etc. The struggle was extensive through the town, but not all upon the same day. It seems to have been first tried among the married, then among the unmarried ladies. The wife of Capt. Isaac Pratt seems to have excelled among the married ladies. Her husband prepared her distaffs and reeled her yarn till she made six runs. In this stage of the business the husband very prudently put his veto upon further proceedings and remained inflexible. The poor woman sat down and cried. "Several others did well. The wife of Stephen Tuttle made five runs, several others four runs. But Lydia Beach of East street excelled them all. Her distaffs were all prepared, her yarn reeled, and even her food put in her mouth. She spun from daylight until nine o'clock in the evening, and her yarn showed seven runs, equal to 3 1-2 days' work. The sequel of the story is that Jesse Buell, eldest son of Captain Jonathan Buell, became enamored of the maiden and took her to himself, after which she became the mother of three sons and five daughters." We take up now manufactures in a more public or com- mercial sense. From the earliest days of the town's his- tory a large number of manufacturing enterprises have been started here, some of them have for a time seemed to fulfill the expectations of the projctors, but a large number have ended to a greater or less degree disastrously, but possibly not a greater proportion have failed here than else- where. Statistics show that fully ninety per cent, of those also who enter mercantile life fail. 226 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. In view of the date, given below, when the first grist-mill was built and put into operation in the town (in 1759), the following quotation from Roys of a scene at a much later date can only be understood of families living in the south, or in the north part of the town, if, indeed, it is not alto- gether imaginary. He says: "In the hard winter of 1779 or 1780, the extreme cold and great body of snow in that season made it necessary for many families to go quite a distance and out of town to get grinding. They took the following method: The father or one of his robust sons put say half a bushel of grain in a sack, tied on his snow- shoes, and thus accoutered, with his dinner in the sack's mouth, commenced his walk down to Jacob Beach's mill in the hither part of Goshen, or the one in the northeast part of the town. Follow in imagination the pedestrian-adven- turer lopeing across the fields and over fences to cut short his way, avoiding in his route the shin-bush, which would as certainly trip him up or throw him down as the modern tangle-legs, and he could not lie so quietly and doze until the encumbrance was removed. No, he must manage to unharness his snow-shoes and get rid of that encumbrance before he could hope to free himself from the snow which almost covered him, and again take an erect position. If no other hindrance happened he returned the same way with his flour. Meanwhile the good housewife would boil part of their grain as a substitute for bread, — a fine treat for the children, surrounding the blazing fire composed of large wood, urged in by the lever, or in some instances dragged in by a horse. Fine winter evenings of olden times." Possibly the extreme cold weather and snow in that "hard winter" prevented the grist-mill from being run for a time. Benoni Moses was one of the earliest settlers of the town, and it is probable at least that he left the town previous to its incorporation. December 2, 1755, Benoni Moses conveyed to Joshua Whitney of Canaan, for £800, "One hundred acres of common land in Norfolk, which be- HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 227 longs to the right of Cornelius Brown, which now lies in common with the rest of the proprietors, . . . together with ye house on which I now dwell, and what improve- ments I now have. Also one-quarter part of ye saw-mill, with one-quarter part of all the utensils belonging to the same; which mill stands between my house and Leftenant Samuel Gaylord's; known by ye name of Brown's saw-mill." Doubtless the first use of the water-power in this town was to run the saw-mill, which Cornelius Brown built, not later than 1750, a little above the grist-mill site, — about the north side of the bridge, as at present. The matter of next importance was the building of a grist-mill, that the early settlers might have their rye, buck- wheat or wheat ground into flour and their Indian corn into meal. In 1756, when there were but a few families settled in the town, the proprietors appointed a committee "to lay out so much common land as they shall judge needful for the use of a mill, and also what land they shall think fit for to build a' grist-mill on." In 1757 the grist-mill site, as it was called, was "granted to Joshua Whitney, in case he should build and maintain a good and sufficient grist-mill, and be ready for business by September 1st of that year. Whitney commenced to build but was not able to finish at the specified time. His time was by vote extended. Later he sold the privilege to Abel Phelps, and by vote of the proprietors the 'same grant was confirmed to Phelps, if said Phelps shall finish said mill and give suitable attendance, as said Whitney was to give, and have the same done by ye first day of July, 1759.' The grist-mill having been provided, the next question in this line which seems to have interested the public mind was building an iron works. This subject had indeed been agitated earlier, as we find that at a proprietors' meeting in May, 1757, there was "appointed a committee of three to look into the affair of a place for iron works in Norfolk." The various votes of the proprietors, granting land as encouragement to the persons who w^ould build an iron works, manufacture iron and maintain the business for fifteen years, are given in another chapter. 228 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. At a proprietors' meeting May 7, 1760, it was "voted that we do accept the report of Benajah Douglas and George Palmer this day made respecting building iron works, and establish their doings respecting leasing ye said works to Samuel Forbes." January 18, 1763, they ''Voted, To give all our right to a certain piece of land lying near the mouth of the Great Pond toward the northeast part of the township of Norfolk ... to him or them who will build a good iron works in said Norfolk and have lit to make iron by January 15, 1765." September 19, 1766, "Voted, That whereas, Capt. Daniel Lawrence, Jr., Thomas Day and Samuel Ransom did all and each of them become bound to the proprietors of Nor- folk in the penal sum of £500, lawful money, that they would build a good iron works in said Norfolk somewhere near the Great Pond, so called, in Norfolk, and to have them fit to make iron by January 15, 1765, now we vote and agree that we will not ask nor sue said Lawrence and others upon said bond for the space of five years after said date." This is the last entry in the proprietors' records regarding iron works. In his Centennial Address at Litchfield in 1851, Judge Church said: "'The manufacture of bloomed iron in the region of the ore commenced before the organization of the County. Thomas Lamb erected a forge at Lime Rock, in Salisbury, as early as 1734, — probably the first in the Colony. This experiment was soon extensively followed in Salisbury, Canaan, Cornwall and Kent, and there were forges erected also in Norfolk, Colebrook and Litchfield. The ore was often transported from the ore beds to the forge in leathern sacks, upon horses. Bar iron became here a sort of circulating medium, and promissory notes were more frequently made payable in iron than in money. The first furnace in the Colony was built at Lakeville, in Salis- bury, in 1762, by John Hazelton and Ethan Allen of Salis- bury and Samuel Forbes of Canaan. This property fell into the hands of Richard Smith, an English gentleman, a little before the war of the Revolution. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 229 Upon this event he returned to England, and the state took possession of the furnace, and it was employed, under the agency of Col. Joshua Porter, in the manufacture of cannon, shells and shot, for the use of the army and navy of the country, and sometimes under the supervision of Governeur Morris and John Jay, agents of the Continental Congress; and after the war, the navy of the United States received, to a considerable extent, the guns for its heaviest ships from the same establishment." It is evident that at least Mr. Thomas Day, mentioned above, was engaged in building and operating an iron works here in town, but not in the vicinity of the Great Pond. Just the date of the completion of the works and of the beginning of the manufacture of iron does not appear, but it was probably before 1770. As to the location of the iron works of Mr. Day, it is given with much precision in some papers of Dr. Eldridge's, which were written, at his request, as referred to elsewhere, by Dea. James Mars, who says: — "East of where the woolen factory of Earl P. Pease stood, the factory that was burnt, against Mr. Corbally's blacksmith shop, on the south side of the river, was a forge where they made iron from ore that was brought from Salisbury. Mr. Thomas Day and brother had the forge. The father was an old man and lived on the lot west of the present Methodist meeting-house. His son lived near the bridge on the turnpike road. Some of Mr, Day's descendants are living here, Mr. Henry J. Holt and Miss Harriet Holt." The following from the Norfolk land records may throw a little light upon this question of the iron works: July 11, 17G8, Captain Abraham Camp, for a considera- tion of £19, deeded to Samuel Pettibone, ''The one-half of the land which I, the said Camp, bought of Brotherton Sea- ward, where the iron works stand. The whole of said land as undivided is bounded northerly, beginning at a stake and stones on the highway that goes from Giles Pettibone's to the meeting-house; thence southerly in line of said highway ten rods, crossing Haystack brook to a heap of stones about 230 HISTOEY OF NORFOLK. fifteen feet south of said brook; thence westerly in the line of Justus Gaylord's land and part of the land belonging to those that own the grist-mill, about twenty rods; thence southerly about fifteen rods to a stake and stones, a corner of Thomas Curtiss' land; thence about twenty rods in the line of said Curtiss' land to a heap of stones; thence north- erly to the river, crossing the river in the line of Giles Petti- bone's land to the first bounds, be it more or less, with one- eighth part of the iron works and cole-house thereon stand- ing; with the utensils thereof, with all the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging, unto the said Samuel Pettibone." Mention is made in the chapter concerning the Revolu- tionary war of an immense chain that was at one time stretched across the Hudson river from shore to shore, in- tended (but failed) to prevent the British from sending their ships up the river. The writer has been told that a part of that immense chain, the links of which were not less than one foot in length, made of bar-iron, were made at the iron works here in Norfolk, and that at the forge at Lake Wan- gum, on Canaan Mountain, the Hanchetts made another section of that chain. A word more regarding the location of the old Forge or 'Iron Works.' Mr. Joseph W. Cone, a native and life-long resident of the town, remembers the old building, and says it stood exactly on the site of the "Shear Shop" of these modern days. Of the methods used here in making iron from the ore, it is said that it was sometimes called "the sinking process," producing a form of malleable iron direct from the ore, without passing through the stage of fused pig iron. The "Catalan Forge," as it was called, is described as a "variety of 'bloomery,' being a typical development of the earliest crude apparatus for extracting iron from its ores. In prin- ciple these forges may be considered as a more or less en- larged blacksmith's, or ordinary rivetting forge, in the bed of which are placed together the ore to be reduced and the fuel, which was hardwood charcoal; the stone bottom cov- HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 231 ered over with a 'brasque' of charcoal powder rammed down; the blast being applied partly by the direct action of the carbon, partly by the carbon oxide generated. The iron ore is gradually reduced to a spongy mass of metal, which by stirring is gradually agglutinated into a ball, which is removed and worked into bars or blooms. The Catalan Forges of the south of Europe are usually of such dimensions as hold from three to ten hundredweight of ore." Iron was doubtless the first article manufactured for sale in this town, except possibly lumber and flour. Dea. Mars says: ''The dam for an oil mill was just where the grist-mill dam now is, the mill being a little below." There was another oil-mill, perhaps at a little later date, down on Blackberry river, that stood very near the dam of the long stone Hoe, or Axle shop. These mills were for the extrac- tion of the oil from Flax-seed, and for a time doubtless did quite a business. One of the large stones used at the mill last mentioned for grinding the flax-seed is permanently preserved in a prominent place, being the round horse-block between the church and the chapel, where it has already done duty for fifty years, and seems to be good, if required, for centuries to come. Having mentioned the oil-mill just above the grist-mifl site, Dea. Mars says: "We approach the bridge east. West, and near the bridge, on the south side of the road, was a fulling mill, where they fulled cloth for men's wear. A few rods east was a shop where the cloth was dressed. Mr. Stephen Paine worked it. On the other side of the road was a saw-mill and a grist-mill." Of other manufacturers of home necessities, of which there were several operating in a small way, I would men- tion the tanners and curriers of leather, some of whom combined in a small or larger way the manufacture of boots and shoes, made only to order. One of these was Mr. Na- thaniel Pease, mentioned elsewhere, "who carried on boot and shoe-making extensively for those days, frequently em- ploying ten or twelve men." 232 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. The process of tanning in those days was somewhat slow, using as they did oak-bark, the use of hemlock for tanning not then being known. They used cold liquor (for tanning) entirely, from one to four years being considered necessary to properly tan the heaviest leather. Other tanners and curriers of leather were Owen Brown, for a few years, mentioned elsewhere; Levi Thompson, Samuel Trescott, who preceded Mr. Levi Shepard, and a number of others, most of them operating only in a. small way. Another most necessary class of artizans in those days were called the blacksmiths. The humiliation and chagrin of some of the generation now on earth has been expressed in this way: "Why must you, whenever you mention my grandfather, always find it necessary to add, 'he was a blacksmith?'" Let such be forever comforted with the assurance that these artists in iron were manufacturers of builders' hardware, etc., all the nails, the hinges, the han- dles, the latches, the catches, the locks, the bolts, etc., necessary to build and finish a house having been made in their manufactories, as well as many useful and necessary articles for the household, all the agricultural implements for the farmers, most of the tools of the carpenter and other mechanics, and numerous other articles. One of these artizans named Canfield had his plant near where the Norfolk Bank Building stands, in the early days. Mr. Asa Foot was planted at the corner of Greenwoods road and Maple avenue. On Beech Flats Captain Benjamin Bigelow was for those days an extensive manufacturer of hand- wrought nails, and introduced the first machine in this region for making cut-nails, which were not looked upon with favor. A half mile farther east was located one of the important iron manufacturers and prominent men of the town. Mr. Hopestill Welch had his residence between the two roads, but a short distance east of the Pond Hill school- house, his shop being located upon the north side of the Colebrook road, not far distant. Mr. Welch was able not only to conduct successfully his manufacturing business, HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 233 but also to serve his town and the state as a soldier in the French war, and later in the war of the Revolution, and this in addition to rearing a noble family of three sons and ten daughters, mentioned at length elsewhere, many of the descendants of whom have been and still are among the most distinguished and honored natives of the town during its entire history. Mr. Vine Welch, a son of Hopestill Welch, had for a time a blacksmith shop, and his house, near where Johnson's drug store now stands. Mr. Welch after a few years emi- grated west. There was a "potashery" in the early days near where the "Village Hall" now stands, run, it is said, for many years by Esq. Battelle in connection with his store, thus making a market for wood-ashes. One of the earliest manufacturing industries in the town was the Woolen Factory, started by Mr. Earl P. Pease, a native of the town. In November, 1805, Silas Hills deeded "to Earl P. Pease 4 acres of land on the east side of the turnpike, bounded north on Giles Pettibone and south on Benjamin Welch, with my dwelling house; and one other piece, with buildings, and carding machines, tools and priv- ileges." He built first a small factory by the side of the turnpike, across the stream from where the large Woolen Factory was built later, which he operated for a number of years. This was probably burned and a larger factory built. Mr, John H. Bennett says: "Mr. Pease had the first card- ing machine and cloth dressing works in Norfolk. The wool was received and cleansed and carded, then taken home and spun and woven, and the cloth returned to be dyed and napped and pressed. This home-made cloth was very durable, in general use, as good as any made in this country, but would not be called handsome in these days. The first carding machines were imported, very expensive, with hardly any resemblance to the ones now in use. A part of the foundation of the old Pease factory is still there." He manufactured a fine broadcloth and fulled cloths. From the records it is apparent that Mr. Pease operated 234 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. quite extensively for those days. His factory was burned twice, at least. He became financially embarrassed, was helped over this hard place by some of his well-to-do towns- men, rebuilt and continued his business for several years again, and finally gave up the struggle. Between the years 1814 and 1818 several conveyances of real estate were made to Mr. Pease in connection with his business of manufac- turing. In December, 1818, in a mortgage deed given by Mr. Pease to Nathaniel Stevens and Joseph Battell, mention is made of the land on the east side of the turnpike, the dwelling house in which I live and the shop adjoining, the land leased to me by Lemuel Akins; another piece lying on the turnpike, with fulling-mill, carding-mill, cloth-shops, dye-houses, tools, etc. This mortgage was cancelled in May, 1821. In July, 1822, a mortgage was given to Wm. H. Imlay of Hartford, to secure notes payable at the Hartford Bank, upon the woolen-factory and machinery, clothing-shop, tools, water privileges, dwelling houses, land, etc. "Said property is now under mortgage to Joseph Battell." January 18, 1823, Mr. Pease assigned to Messrs. Augustus Pettibone, Michael F. Mills and Salmon Pease of Canaan, "Grantees in trust of my estate, for the purpose of paying certain debts," the property already mentioned being speci- fied; also "a piece of land on Ragged mountain, so called," etc. His business matters seem to have been satisfactorily adjusted, and he went on again. In February, 1825, Mr. Pease gave a mortgage to Augustus Pettibone and Michael F. Mills, "upon the new fulling mill about ten rods below my woolen factory on the same stream," etc. Just how long Mr. Pease continued manufacturing woolen goods does not clearly appear. June 30, 1833, Mr. Wm. H. Imlay of Hartford deeded to Wm. R. Slade and John J. Fenn of Hartford the woolen factory, fulling-mill, buildings, dwellings, privileges, implements of every kind thereto be- longing, etc., in Norfolk, taking a mortgage upon all the property. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 235 July, 1834, there was an additional mortgage put upon the machinery, etc., in the factory; a partial list of the articles enumerated is of interest, showing as it does some- thing of the extent of the plant, viz., ''Three double carding machines. One jack of 160 spindles. One picker. Six power-looms. Two teazling gigs. Three shearing machines. One brusher. One clothier's press. One steamer. 7,000 bobbins, etc., etc., all of which articles are in the third story of our factory building. One fulling-mill. One Indigo- mill. Two blue dye vats. Copper and iron kettles. One turning-lathe and tools; carpenter's shop and tools being under the same roof as the dye-house. One bell and light- ning-rod on said factory, etc." Messrs Slade and Fenn continued the business about two years. July 30, 1835, they quit-claimed absolutely all right, title and interest in and to the woolen factory property in Norfolk to Mr. Imlay. For some time, probably about two years, Lawrence and Swift operated the Woolen Factory, manufacturing cloth, it is said. It does not appear from the records that they purchased or owned the woolen factory property, and prob- ably they leased the entire plant from some of the former owners, the assignees, mortgagees or others. Mr. E. Grove Lawrence and Mr. James C. Swift composed the firm. They built a store on the 'Flatiron,' as it was called, conducted it for some time, sold it, built the old Ryan store, carried on business there for a time and sold that out to the Ryans, as is elsewhere mentioned. September 29, 1836, Mr. Wm. H. Imlay of Hartford deeded the woolen factory property, the fulling-mills, all machinery, etc., to John Ryan, Edward E. Ryan and Matthew Ryan of Norfolk, and Charles Ryan of Dudley, Mass., who formed the firm of J. & E. E. Ryan & Co. After a few conveyances of land, dwelling houses, etc., made soon after to ''The Ryans," as they were called, Mr. Imlay dis- appeared from the scene. July 7, 1840, Mr. Warren Cone, who had been a manu- facturer of scythes for several years, as is mentioned else- 236 HISTORY OF XORFOLK. where, conveyed to Willard Button his scj'the shop, build- ings and land, bounded by the Forge privilege, the Mill privilege, etc. This property v^^as conveyed in 1841 by Mr. Dutton to Mr. Wm. P. Judd, who seems to have changed it to a "tan-house," and in 1843 Mr. Judd and Mr. E. Grove Lawrence conveyed the property to J. & E. E. Ryan & Co., who changed it into a dye-house. In January, 1841, Mr, Theodore Gains conveyed to J. & E. E. Ryan & Co. one acre of land beginning at the N. W. corner of the home farm of Lemuel Akins, deceased, in line of the Greenwoods turnpike, with the timber, lumber and saw-mill frame and fixtures, water-wheel, etc. 'The above land and premises is the same I purchased of Sylvester Bradley.' For twenty years or more the Ryans did a large business manufacturing broadcloths, satinets, cassimeres and woolen goods of various descriptions, mostly for the southern trade. They were enterprising business men, and excellent citizens, who did much for the town in helping business of all kinds, giving employment to a large number of men and women, making a market for lumber, wood, wool and all kinds of farmers' produce. About 1850 they built the large four-story factory building upon the site now occupied by the Aetna Silk Company's Mill. To secure a reservoir of water for an emergency, they obtained by purchase from A. & S. Tibbals and others the right to Tobey Pond, built and strengthened the dam there, and improved the natural water course from Tobey to their own mill pond. Soon after coming here they bought out the store of Lawrence and Swift, where they conducted a large mercantile business, Mr. Matthew Ryan being the merchant, and with his son Charles continued that branch of the business several years after the factory was shut down, until their death. Mr. John Ryan was the financier and business manager, being ably seconded by Mr. Edward E. Ryan, who was the active outside man and general agent. Financial embarrassments came upon the firm a few years prior to the breaking out of the civil war. The firm was broken up about the be- HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 237 ginning of the year 1S57. Mr. John Ryan, who was an educated man and true gentleman, soon left town, and went into the practice of the law in Illinois, where he was quite successful. Mr. Edward E. Ryan returned to Massa- chusetts and soon afterward went West. When the latter was about leaving town he said to a friend: "I have spent twenty of the best years of my life in Norfolk; have used my best efforts in business, and leave the town poorer by several thousands of dollars than when I came here a young man." Upon the breaking up of the firm of J. & E. E. Ryan & Go., the 'Norfolk Woolen Company' was organized, with an advertised capital of $73,000. A. A. Lane of New York was President; T. Ransom of Bridgeport, Treasurer; Matthew Ryan of Norfolk, Secretary, This Company did some business for a time, but not long after was broken up, and the property passed into the hands of outside parties. The large factory building and machinery had stood idle for many months, was kept insured, and just as the war broke out in the spring of 1861 the factory was burned by an incendiary fire unquestionably; and forthwith there was work for every woolen factory in the country, day and night. The next water privilege on the stream below was first used about 1830 by Jonathan Kilbourn, w^ho had previously been in business in Colebrook, his native place. He put in a carding machine and made from the wool "rolls," as they were called, from which women spun yarn for knitting, and the yarn which they wove into cloth on hand looms. This cloth was then taken to Mr. Kilbourn's factory, dyed, fulled, dressed and finished. About 1840 the carding of rolls and spinning of yarn by women on hand wheels began to be superseded by the spinning jack, which spun yarn for hand-knitting. In about 1843 Mr. Kilbourn and his son Henry put in a spinning jack and power looms, made yarn and satinet, and, as mentioned elsewhere, also made wooden bowls. Other enterprises started at this place are men- tioned below. Blackberry River furnished the power for 238 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. running machinery, and must have been a more permanent stream then than recently, before the heavy timber in the valleys and on the hills had been cut off. Large wooden over-shot wheels were used, which furnished at that time ample power. The first iron wheel in town was put in for the Norfolk Manufacturing Company in 1852, in the stone building now owned and used by the Hosiery Company, and was liked so well that others put in iron when their wooden wheels gave out. Now there is not a wooden water wheel in any building on the stream. "About the middle of the century textile manufacturing seemed to increase, and yarn made in factories for hand knitting became so plenty and cheap that the old-fashioned hand spinning wheel was laid aside with the hand weaving looms, and nearly all cloth and yarn was made in the fac- tories. Machine knitting had not then come into general use, and fashioned hosiery was hardly known, being knit on hand frames, and too expensive for general use." Several companies were formed in this town for the pur- pose of manufacturing, subsequent to 1850, most of which had a rather brief existence. Some of these companies were: 'The Norfolk Manufac- turing Company,' organized 1852, for the manufacture of Cotton Warp, Knitting Cotton and Wrapping Twine; John J. Hinchman, President; Joseph K. Kilbourne, Secretary. The stone mill, long owned and occupied by the Hosiery Company, was built in 1852 by Mr. Hinchman, who was a prominent man in the Hosiery Co. 'The Welaka Company,' organized 1854, capital $15,000. Manufacturers of Woolen Yarn; William W. Welch, Presi- dent; Orlo J. Wolcott, Secretary. In 1857 John K. Shepard was President and S. G. Bird Secretary. The two concerns last named operated at the old Kilbourn stand. The We- laka Company failed and their property was sold at auction to Porter, Butler & Co. in 1858. John H. Welch & Company, organized 1854, capital |4,000. Manufacturers of Cotton Hosiery, Wrappers, HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 239 Drawers, etc. This concern operated some hand machines for a time in the old gambrel roofed Welch house, and did the first machine knitting ever done in this town. 'The Lawrence Machine Company, organized 1854, capi- tal 125,000.' This company built the long stone shop which was afterward used for various purposes, and a large foun- dry; they put in this shop the second largest overshot water wheel in the country, it was said, it being 42 feet in diam- eter. These buildings exhausted the capital of the com- pany. The stockholders doubled their stock in 1856 and organized as the Empire Company, capital |50,000. Manu- facturers of Planters' Hoes, Machinery and Castings of every description. Egbert T. Butler, President; Nathaniel B. Stevens, Secretary, Treasurer and Agent. In the "Norfolk Almanac," "for the year of our Lord 1856," "published for S. D. Northway Mfg. Company," was the following article: "Lawrence Machine Company. Capital |2o,000. Estab- lished 1854. E. Ct. Lawrence, President; N. B. Stevens, Sec- retary and Treasurer; A. J. Elwell, Agent. Directors: E. G. Lawrence, Aaron Keyes, O. B. Butler, J. K. Shepard, A. A. Spaulding, E. D. Lawrence, N. B. Stevens, A. J. Elwell. This establishment was built the past season, in the most thorough manner, of beautiful grey granite, quar- ried from the surrounding hills. The main building is 233 feet long by 40 wide, one and one-half stories high, with an attic of one story, and wheel house attached 80 by 20; pattern house 22 by 40. A shop for wood work 40 by 70, three stories high, and the whole propelled by a water wheel 43 feet in diameter. They are engaged in the manufacture of Machinery and Castings, of every description. Also Wagon and Car Axles, Trip Ham- mers, Saw-Mill Cranks, Ship Irons, etc., and in almost every article in the line of Machinery made of Wood or Iron. This establishment enjoys unusual facilities for doing work prompt and well, and on the most favorable terms. Orders are respectfully solicited." Norfolk, October 1, 1855. 240 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 'N. B. Stevens &Co.,' organized in 1853, had their works on what was then named 'Patmos Island,' by some Spirit- ualists, and the name still remains. A flourishing business in the manufacture of Planters' Hoes was done on Patmos Island, and later in connection with the Empire Co. Quite a little village sprang up, a flourishing store was carried on there for a few years, but the breaking out of the civil war in 1861 put a speedy end to this business on Patmos Island and in the Stone shop a little farther up the stream. Further mention of Planters' Hoes will be found near the end of this chapter. Not long after the breaking out of the war a company was formed, and through the effort and influence of Dr. William W. Welch a contract from the U. S. government was secured for the manufacture of Springfield muskets for the government, the work being done i>i the long stone shop of the Empire Company, but it did not prove a great financial success. The first Government contract for Spring- field muskets was satisfactory. A second contract, when guns were plenty with the Government, was not satisfac- tory. For a time after the war the manufacture of revolv- ing pistols was carried on by the same company, which was called "The Connecticut Arms Company," with about the same result. Still later this fine plant and water-power was used by the 'Hartford Spring and Axle Company' for several years, but at length they abandoned the place, moved their machinery to Dunkirk. N. Y., and the fine plant is unused, and going to decay. Mr. Augustus Roys and Augustus Smith in South Norfolk started about 1835 and carried on a tanning business, tan- ning heavy leather. After the death of his father in 1842, Harlow Roys continued the business and erected a large building, tanning principally sheep-skins, building up quite a large business. A flourishing village, with a large general store, Post-Office, etc., sprang up in that locality. Mr. Roys furnished an Omnibus every Sunday to carry to church at the centre those from South Norfolk who wished to attend church who had not teams, and the omnibus was usually HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 241 loaded. In 1855 'The S, D. Northway Manufacturing Com- pany' was organized; Capital, |25,000; some Waterbury men being interested in the Company, and succeeded Mr. Roys, who went to New York in business. This concern advertised as 'Manufacturers of and dealers in all kinds of Leather. Depot, 38 Spruce St., N. Y.; S. D. Northway, President; Myron Perry, Secretary,' The business of the company seemed to flourish for a short time. Their large tannery was burned about 1856 and rebuilt, but not long afterward they went into a decline, and nearly every vestige or sign of their business, their buildings, and of the village even, has disappeared. To show the contrast between South Norfolk as it is in 1900, and as it was in 1856, forty-four years ago, when the large tannery was in operation there, when there were en- terprising, well-to-do farmers on all sides, and a thriving village had sprung up there, having a flourishing store, Post-Office, etc., the following advertisement of 1856 is inserted: "S. D. Northway M'fg. Co., South Norfolk, Conn., Manufacturers of Book-binders, Suspender, Pocket-book, Piano-Forte, Trunk, and Boot and Shoe Maker's Leather. Depot, 38 Spruce Street, New York. Also dealers in all kinds of Dry-Goods, Groceries, Hardware, Boots and Shoes, Hats and Caps, Crockery, Flour and Provisions, Varnishes, Fluid and Phosgene, etc., etc. Their stock of Dry Goods is complete, and they do not mean to be undersold by their neighbors. Among their stock of Groceries may be found Sugars, as cheap as the cheapest. Teas, black and green. Coffee, ground, burnt and unburnt. Spices of all kinds; Molasses and Stewart's Syrup that is all right; Pork by the barrel and pound; Fish of various kinds; good old Cider Vinegar, etc., etc. Also Flour, Meal and Feed kept constantly on hand, and for sale low for Cash, and Cash only. Cheese, butter, pork, poultry, Eggs, etc., wanted, for which the highest market price will be paid. N. B. Particular attention paid to filling orders for Eng- glish Dairy Cheese, and Butter." 242 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. In 1856 South Norfolk was a busy place. Signs of life and prosperity appeared on all sides. People in wagons and loaded teams coming and going every week day, and on Sunday the "omnibus" with its full load for church. In 1900, it is very quiet there. In 1853 the "Norfolk Leather Company" was incorporated with a Capital of |6,000, as manufacturers of and dealers in all kinds of "Book-binders', Suspender and Pocket-book makers' Leather. Depot, 27 Courtlafidt St., New York." The first ofiBcers were William W. Welch, President; Eg- bert T. Butler, Secretary. Later, Egbert T. Butler was chosen President and Business Manager, and acted as such until the company failed. The stockholders of this company were William Yale, Harlow Roys, S. D. Northway, Egbert T. Butler, Aaron Keyes, E. Grove Lawrence, Dr. Wm. W. Welch, Edmund Brown and Benjamin W. Crissey. They bought and for a time operated a small tannery which had been built in West Norfolk by Wm, Yale. Harlow Roys, it was said, was the principal business agent of the company. Under the incorporation laws of the state at that time the stock- holders of a company were liable for all the company's debts. This Company proved to be the most disastrous business venture to a part of the stockholders, in the history of the town. An enormous debt compared with the capital of the company was incurred by the managers. The coming storm was foreseen, and all the stockholders took shelter from it, save four, and upon those four men fell the entire burden of the enormous debt. Each of the four stock- holders mentioned paid $7,315.78 of the "Norfolk Leather Company's" indebtedness. In 1810 Mr. Samuel Cone and his brother, Mr. Warren Cone, then young men, sons of Daniel Hurlbut Cone of Win- chester, came to Norfolk. They at first carried on black- smithing^ shoeing oxen, etc. In 1811 they bought of Mr. Lemuel Akin the mill site just at the foot of Buttermilk Falls, their dam having been formerly known as the "An- chor-shop dam," The west part of the dam is still stand- HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 243 ing. This conveyance from Mr. Akin was "eighteen rods of ground, beginning at the south-east corner of the old An- chor-shop dam," etc., "with privilege of raising the water, but so that it does not injure the grist-mill and saw-mill which stand above; reserving the privilege of taking water from the dam or flume as shall be most convenient to carry to a tan-works, if the grantor or his assigns should set up any on land adjoining the conveyed premises. Nor have the grantees any right to set up an oil-mill on said prem ises." On this privilege the Messrs. Cone built, or used the old Anchor shop, for a Scythe shop, and for several years to- gether successfully manufactured grass and grain scythes, which were sold in all this region and what was then 'the west,' — employing a number of men, and running several trip-hammers. In 1818 Mr. Samuel Cone sold to his brother, Mr. Warren Cone, his interest in this mill-privilege, which was "deeded to them by Mr. Akin, Rufus Pettibone, and others," and also his interest in the house lot, "being land conveyed to S. and W. Cone, July, 1816, by Munson C. Gay- lord and wife." Mr, Warren Cone continued the manufac- ture of scythes at this place until 1840, when he sold the shop and privilege to Willard Button. The "house lot" mentioned above, has been known from 1816 until the pres- ent time as "the Cone place," the original house having been built by Edward Strickland about 1750. The old house of the "lean-to style," stood a few rods south of the fine house which Mr. Cone built in 1836, in a most thorough manner, and which is still in fine condition. Mr. Cone was a prominent man in all town affairs; represented the town in the Legislatures of 1834 and 1838; was chosen Deacon of the Congregational church, November, 1845, and held the office until his death. May, 1852, at the age of 63. Mr. Samuel Cone bought a water-privilege a short dis- tance below the present Hosiery Company's stone mill, where he built a scythe shop and manufactured grass and grain scythes until a short time prior to his death. He built the house in which he lived, which was owned and 244 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. occupied later by Mr. Elijah Loomis, a Cabinet-maker and Undertaker, and is now the home of Mr. Sylvester Tyrrell. Mr. Cone was chosen deacon in May, 1826, resigned the office, March, 1835, and died in 1836, at the age of 51. Captain John Dewell, who for many years was a manu- facturer of grass and grain scythes in West Norfolk, com- menced business there a little prior to 1830, built the stone scythe-shop and the stone-house which still stands there in fine condition, a lasting monument to his enterprise and to his memory. He was for many years a prominent busi- ness man and citizen of the town. A sketch of him will be found in another chapter. Mr. Daniel Cotton for some years manufactured scythes, his shop being located a short distance from the outlet of Doolittle Pond. Mr. Aro Phelps built a grist-mill at Doo- little Pond and David Doolittle ran the mill for some years, and his name was given to the pond. Some old persons liv- ing remember Doolittle's mill. There was quite a little vil- lage in that vicinity at one time, called Pond Town. In the '^Norfolk Tower," a paper published in this town for a few years, — under date of January 10, 1888, is an ar- ticle, "written by a life-long resident of the town, who is so situated as to be able to give correct history of the early days of our town." From this article I quote: ''Norfolk was incorporated as a town in 1758, with 27 families. The first deed was taken by Timothy Hosford of Windsor, it being the tract of land of 400 acres now known as the H. J. Holt and E. G. Lawrence farms. The first residence built in town was on these farms. The land was very productive and large crops of grass and grain were raised. They had large stocks of Cattle and Sheep. At one time in recent years E. Grove Lawrence and Darius Camp owned some 1,500 sheep. The first county road was built in 1761 from Canaan to New Hartford. It was all a wilderness. The road was built on the side hill above where the present road now runs in order to get on dry land and avoid swamps. Near the road east of Mr. Lawrence's farm was the Nathaniel Pease place. He kept a hotel and also ran HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 245 a small tannery. Then next came the tannery then owned by Samnel Trescott, which in 1818 was sold to Levi Shep- ard, who carried on the business of tanning and shoe mak- ing, and Mrs. Shepard a millinery shop. She furnished the ladies their hats in all the surrounding towns, as there was no millinery shop nearer than Litchfield. At that time Norfolk was more of a business place than Winsted. There was a blacksmith shop where the Dewell stone house now stands. The first bolts and nuts made by machinery in this country were made here by Mr. A. Allen, who secured a patent, but had not capital to develop the business. He died soon after and the business was carried on by others. About 182.5 a scythe shop was located on the same ground where the blacksmith shop stood and was owned by John Dewell, who afterwards built a large stone factory on the opposite side of the river, and later the stone house." The "Circular and Price List for Planter's Hoes" for 1855, was as follows: — "Improved Cast Steel Planters' Hoes, manufactured by N. B. Stevens, Norfolk, Conn. These hoes are made with much care of the best material, and are superior to any other now in use; the best evidence of which is the increasing demand, and the high recommendations of their ex- cellence which are received from all sections of the planting states. The undersigned has greatly enlarged and improved his facili- ties for manufacturing these Hoes the past summer, and is now prepared to fill orders to almost an unlimited extent. Orders received direct, which will have prompt attention, and goods delivered to New York City free of charge. Office in New York, 228 Pearl street. List of Prices for 1855 and '56. Per doz. Per doz. No. 0, 7 inch, $5.00 for half bright, $5.50 for full bright. No. 1, 7 1-2 inch, 5.50 for half bright, 6.00 for full bright. No. 2, 8 inch, 6.00 for half bright, 6.50 for full bright. No. 3, 8 1-2 inch, 6.50 for half bright, 7.00 for full bright. No. 4, 9 inch, 7.00 for half bright, 7.50 for full bright. Terms, six months, or 5 per cent, discount for cash." Norfolk, October 1, 185.5. N. B. STEVENS." 246 HISTORY OF NOEFOLK. Mr. Levi Shepard, as already mentioned, for many years conducted a tannery in West Norfolk on a small stream that came down from 'Camp Hollow/ as it was called. He manufactured Book-binders, Suspender, and Pocket-book- makers' leather. The firm name was for many years Levi Shepard & Son, and after the death of Mr. Levi Shepard in 1880 at the age of more than ninety-five years, the business was continued by Mr. John K. Shepard. Their business for a long time seemed very prosperous, but as with a ma- jority of Norfolk's manufacturers, financial disaster at length overtook them, and the business went down. This tannery property has for a number of years been owned by the George Dudley Company of Winsted, but has stood idle a part of the time. Mr. Russell Pendleton in about 1850 built and for a short time operated a small tannery near the site of the old Oil- mill which was owned by Mr. Lemuel Akin and for a time owned and run by Capt. John Bradley and his sons. Mr. Pendleton sold out his plant and privilege to the Lawrence Machine Company in 1854, when they built the stone shop a little below, and took their power from Mr. Pendleton's dam. In 1847 Mr. E. Grove Lawrence built and Abram Day, Jun., of Canaan was supervisor and superintendent of what was called a ''forge and puddling furnace" in West Nor- folk, a little east and not far from the old toll-gate. Mr. Day had been connected with the firm of Huntington & Day of Canaan as a practical iron maker, in their puddling fur- nace in East Canaan, of whose business Mr. Richards of New Jersey, in some reminiscences published a few months ago in the 'Connecticut Western News,' says: "Huntington & Day in East Canaan made iron of a very superior quality from Salisbury pig-iron, for the Collins Axe Company of Collinsville. At that time the output of the Collins Co.'s works was 1,600 finished axes per day. Huntington & Day contracted with the Collins Co. to deliver a specified amount of iron each month for one year. The price, |100 per ton, seems fabulous today, but the iron was entirely satisfactory to the Collins Co." I HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 247 Mr. Lawrence made bar-iron from pig-iron by a process then comparatively new, consisting of melting pig-iron in a furnace with wood. Mr. Day was a descendant of the first manufacturer of iron in this town, and died in this town Jan. 5, 1851, aged 42. From 1855 until about 1861 Augustus and Hiram P. Lawrence, sons of E. Grove Lawrence, under the firm name of A. & H. P. Lawrence, made iron by the 'sinking process,' at the Lawrence Forge in West Norfolk, using ore which was brought from Port Henry on Lake Champlain, the ore being shipped by canal boats to the vicinity of Albany, where it was transferred to cars which brought it to Canaan, whence by teams it was hauled to West Norfolk. An excellent quality of iron was made from this ore, some of which was used for making steel at the Steel Works in Colebrook, and other places. This iron brought from |90 to 1100 per ton. When this Lawrence Forge was shut down about 1860, there was a considerable quantity of this iron on hand, which was sold two or three years later, when prices were greatly inflated, for |200 per ton, the 'Winsted Manufac- turing Company,' manufacturers of tools, being the pur- chasers of the iron at that price. Some of the smaller industries in other parts of the town were a saw-mill, at the outlet of Wood Creek, owned by Mr. David Gaylord in about 1830, and later in the same location, a "Cabinet Manufactory," operated for several years by Mr. Frederick E. Porter, where some very nice Cabinet work was done. Mr. Rowland has a saw-mill on the same site at present, and Mr. William Scoville the old Cabinet Shop. Mr. Pliny Foot carried on a tannery at his place very near Grantville, where he did quite a flourishing, profitable business for many years, in connection with a small farm. He tanned calf-skins, and made other kinds of heavy leather. Mr. Stephen Norton, one of the early settlers of the town, built and for many years kept a tavern which was 248 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. located in the South End district, not far from the ceme- tery, at the corner of the Winchester road and the road to (rrantville. He also built and ran for a time a small grist- mill, located on a small stream east of his house. There was a quite extensive use of a small water-power near Grantville for many years by different members of the Grant family. A saw-mill was built in the early days and operated by different members of the family; the last one who ran it extensively was Mr. Harry M. Grant, who died in 1870. A factory for the manufacture of cheese- boxep was also built and operated in connection with the saw-mill, the first one mentioned as running this factory being Mr. Garry Cook Grant, who died in 1839, and later it was run by Mr.Harry M. Grant. The old buildings were burned not many years since. Some members of the Grant family also built and operated for a time, but not very ex- tensively, a grist-mill in the same neighborhood, which also has entirely disappeared. Mr. E. Lyman Gaylord writes: "It may be news to the people of Norfolk that clocks were ever made in town, yet such was the fact. Not long after the Green Woods Turn- pike was opened and my father's tavern-house was built, his brother, Norton Gaylord, built a small clock shop on the stream that ran through the farm, made clocks there and sent them south to be sold. About 1812 a big freshet suddenly tore away the dam, and the rush of water under- mined the shop and toppled it over. He then moved to Homer, N. Y., and engaged in clock-making there." This was the Timothy Gaylord tavern place mentioned else- where; owned after Mr. Gay lord's death by Mr. Samuel Seymour and his son, Rufus P. Seymour; now known as the Higgins' place. Boyd says: "In 1811, Eleazer Hawley from Norfolk, a clock maker, came to Wlnsted, lived and raised a family in a house at the top of the hill above the Wood- ruff tannery." This simply confirms Mr. Gaylord's men- tion of the Norfolk Clock Shop. On Roaring-brook, as it was called, which runs on the easterly end of Canaan mountain, north, toward Black- HIS1X)RY OF NORFOLK. 249 berry river, Mr. Samuel S. Camp built a saw-mill and cheese-box factory, and for years did quite a business there, but like many other enterprises, this had its day, went into disuse and at length disappeared. Esq. Edmund Brown in his early life built a saw-mill on his farm, where for the larger part of his life he did quite an extensive business in the manufacture of lumber, for himself and his neighbors. The same old mill is yet there, but only at times is it in operation. It was enlarged, re- built and circular saws put in about 1876. There was a shingle-mill, that stood nearly opposite the 'grist-mill house,' which was run for a short time by Mr. Amos Baldwin and later by Mr, James Cowles, where shingles were cut by a large machine from chestnut blocks. This mill-privilege was used at an earlier date as a Hammer and Blacksmith shop, and was not far from the site of the old Oil-mill mentioned elsewhere. THE NORFOLK HOSIERY COMPANY. The following article, regarding the knitting business half a century ago, Mr. Kilbourn's invention of knitting machinery, the early manufacture of knitting yarns in this town, the organization of the Norfolk Hosiery Company, etc., was kindly written by Mr. Edward E. Kilbourn for this history, at the request of the compiler. The business of the Hosiery Company has been one of the very few manu- facturing enterprises of this town that has been success- ful. Mr. Kilbourn's inventions, worked a revolution in the manufacture of underwear and hosiery, not only in this country, but throughout the world, and caused the success of this business enterprise. To him all honor is due, and through him this his native town is honored, and her name is known and read in all the lands. Brief men- tion had been made of this, in connection with other manu- facturing enterprises of the town previous to the receipt of Mr. Kilbourn's article, which is the following: — My father, Jonathan S. Kilbourn, bought the property where the Kilbourn factory stood probably in 1830, building 250 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. the old mill about that time. The old milf was originally used for a carding and finishing mill, the wool brought in by the farmers, carded into rolls for spinning, taken home and spun on the hand wheel, woven on a hand loom, and the cloth brought back to be fulled, dyed and finished. A part of the building was also used for making wooden bowls. About 1844 my oldest brother went into company with father, the firm name being J. S. Kilbourn & Son, put- ting in additional carding, spinning and weaving ma- chinery, abandoning the manufacture of wooden bowls and engaging in the manufacture of satinettes, cashmere, flan- nel and stocking yarn. About 1850 father retired from the business, the business being then carried on by my two brothers under the firm name of H. C. & J. K. Kilbourn. They put up some additional buildings, including the brick building, increased the carding and spinning machinery, giving up the manufacture of cloth, making knitting yarn exclusively. They also bought the Solomon Curtis farm at about this time and laid out the row of building lots on the south side of the stream. About 1854 the mill was sold to The Welaka Co., and eventually sold by them to the present owners. About 1852, J. J. Hinchrnan of New York bought of Rob- bins Battell the property on which the stone mill of The Hosiery Co. now stands. In connection with brother Jo- seph he built the stone mill, filling it with cotton machinery and running it for the manufacture of cotton knitting yarn, selling it in 1857 to The Norfolk Hosiery Co. The knitting business was started in 1854. The knitting business in Philadelphia (now one of the large industries of that city) was then in its infancy, being mainly carried on by English Hand Knitters, who had brought over their old hand frames and worked then in a small way. Through J. J. Hinchman, both the cotton and woolen mill had been supplying yarn to these knitters. I had been engaged with my brothers in both the cotton and woolen mill and was looking for an opening to start in business for myself. My brother Joseph, through his connection with Mr. Hinch- HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 251 man. had got the idea there was a good opening in the knitting business and urged me to take it up. While I had a very good knowledge of the business as far as the manu- facture of yarn was concerned, I did not even know how a knitting machine looked, when we commenced to discuss the matter, but as a result of this discussion, I formed a partnership in the summer of 1854 with Doctors W. W. and J. H. Welch under the firm name of J. H. Welch & Co. to engage in the manufacture of hosiery and knitting ma- chines; the capital to be |1,000. Visiting Philadelphia to get what information I could, I ordered built one of the old hand machines then in use. On this trip I conceived the idea of a new knitting machine, and on my return home I explained my ideas to my brother Joseph, and after con- sulting with the Welches, decided while waiting for the machine I had bought, to go on and build my new ma- chine. We started with the expectation of spending less than flOO on the machine and completing it in a few weeks. Before the machine was perfected, and the business estab- lished on a paying basis, so that the enterprise commenced paying regular dividends to its stockholders, over thirteen years was spent, and over |400,000 cash, actually expended on the enterprise, in addition to all the earnings but about 112,000, for the thirteen years. On the receipt of the ma- chines I had bought, I left my experimenting long enough to learn to run the machine myself, hired a man and taught him to run it, and went back to my experimenting. We afterwards bought more of the hand machines and manu- factured Half Hose in a moderate way, but my time was largely put into the new machine. At the organization of the Norfolk Hosiery Co., the Welches retained the old hand machines, and I believe run them for a time. While I was the active worker in our experiments, my brother Joseph was constantly working in consultation with me for the first three years, and was joint patentee of the invention. In 1857 our invention was so far completed that we thought it was ready for practical use. The capital furnished by the Welches had grown from |1,000 to about |10,000, and 252 HISTORY OF NORFOLK we needed more capital to develop it. Dr. Win. W. Welch secured the co-operation of Mr. Lucius Porter and together they raised the capital of |75,000, for The Norfolk Hosiery Co., considerable of the capital being secured by Mr. Porter from capitalists in New Brunswick, New Jersey, whom he was associated with in other enterprises, the new com- pany purchasing all the rights in the invention of the Welches, my brother and myself, and also the cotton mill of Mr. Hinchman. The new company commenced the build- ing of machines and the manufacture of goods, selling some thirty machines to a mill in Manchester, Conn., which was burned down soon after starting. In 1859, Mr. Porter and myself visited England to try and dispose of our patents. We found that our machine was far in advance of anything they had there, but English manufacturers were not disposed to adopt it; in fact, the largest English manufacturer of hosiery after spending nearly a day exam- ining our machine told us frankly that while our machine was far in advance of an3-thing they had, and if it ever was introduced he would be obliged to adopt it, his invest- ment in the old style machines was so large that he con- sidered it for his interest to prevent its introduction if he could. We came home intending to build a number of ma- chines and go back with them and force the English manu- facturers to adopt them, but the illness of Mr. Porter's wife and the disturbance ending in Civil War delayed us, and after passage of the Morrill Tariff, we were so fully em- ployed here that we never went back. Some years were spent in getting machines perfected and business estab- lished, but in 1863 the mill was in successful operation with all the machines that could be run in the building. Needing more room for further development of the business, it was proposed by the New Brunswick stockholders that we should buy a mill in New Brunswick, and the Norfolk & New Brunswick Hosiery Co., organized in New Jersey with a capital of |300,000, bought the plant of The Norfolk Hosiery Co., including the American Patents, and from that time their main business has been carried on in New Brunswick, mSTOEY OF NORFOLK. ' 253 To look after my interests in the improvements I had made in Spinning machinery, I left the active employ of The Norfolk & New Brunswick Hosiery Co. in 1868 or 1869. When I commenced my experiments, the knitting business was in its infancy in the country, the English manufac- turers having full control of our markets in all fine fash- ioned goods. When I left the employ of The Norfolk & New Brunswick Hosiery Co., they had been doing for some years a very successful business in the manufacture of fine fashioned underwear and hosiery, competing successfully with the best English manufacturers and to a large extent displacing their goods. The following from a publication of 'The Norfolk and New Brunswick Hosiery Company' will be of interest: — "To the Messrs. J. K. and E. E. Kilt>ourn, who were, prior to 1857, manufacturers of yarn in the town of Norfolk, Conn., was reserved the invention of a "new departure" from the general plan followed in the construction of knitting-machines. Their idea was to knit into garments the product of their yarn mill, and, procuring a "hand frame" as a basis, they introduced improvements of such an original character that the skilled operator of the "hand frame" would fail to recognize in the improved ma- chine any similarity of design or construction; they conceived an original idea of automatic motion, which, in fact, had been at- tempted, but never before accomplished. These machines, the first invention of the brothers Kilbourn, are now adapted to the finest work, and can be run at the highest rate of speed. The material is knit to any required width or shape by the wonderful automatic motion, and a full fashioned garment is produced. In 1857 there was established at Norfolk, Conn., a manufactory with a capital stock of .?75,000, at which time Mr. L. P. Porter united with the Kilbourn brothers in the enterprise. Such was the Increased demand for these goods that the business was enlarged, and in 1863 a new company was incorporated, to be known as the Norfolk and New Brunswick Hosiery Company. The old cotton factory of Col. Neilson, in New Brunswick, N. J., was purchased at that date, and the buildings now occupied, covering five acres, form an imposing group, in which is found everything that is most modern and convenient in factory construction. These vast knit- ting mills present to the visitor a display of wonderful mechanical genius and the highest sanitary conditions of light, ventilation, and safety from accident and fire. 254 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. The factories in Norfolk, Conn., are still in successful operation, turning out a large amount of a coarser grade of work, for whicli there is an extensive demand. But the plant at New Brunswick, N. J., is devoted to the best and finest grades of material that expert judgment can select, and in the best styles that human skill can produce. The business has grown to its present vast proportions because of the solid excellence of the goods which they have put upon the market, and because their manufactured product can com- pete, for fineness of quality, durability of texture and perfection of finish with any goods in the world— even those from the great knit- ting centers of Europe. The Norfolk and New Brunswick Hosiery Company, which was the pioneer In extensive manufacture of their specialty, has been a factor in the commercial world for more than one-third of a century. From its complete organization of practical business men, and its extensive equipment of perfected methods of manufacture, as well as from the expert knowledge of the natural products used by the skilled labor employed, the corporation is prepared at every step to warrant the quality of material, care in manufacture and finish, to be precisely as has been represented by its trusted and authorized agents. In fact, the goods which bear the trade-mark of this com- I>any are the acknowledged standard in American knit wear for general all-around excellence; and no retail dealer in furnishing goods of the best quality can meet the demands of his customers without a full line of the superior productions of this mammoth establishment in the manufacture of knitted garments." THE .^TNA SILK COMPANY. One of the few successful manufacturing industries of this town has been the Aetna Silk Company, from its or- ganization in 1878 until the present time. They occupy, as is stated below, the old Woolen Company's privilege; their factory standing on the site of the Ryan Factory, which was burned in 1861. In the spring of 1873 Charles Morse and William Swift, who had been engaged in the silk business in Meriden for several years, moved their machinery into the building on "Patmos Island" known as the Hoe Shop. They took the name of the Norfolk Silk Company, remodeled the build- ing and made various varieties of spool silk. Mr. Swift soon severed his connection with the Company and Mr. Morse continued the business alone until the spring of 1876. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 255 The mill remained vacant from that time until Jan. 1, 1878, when the Aetna Silk Company was formed. This Com- pany was organized by Mr. Joseph Selden, who came to Norfolk from Bockville, Conn., in 1875 as agent of the Hart- ford Axle Company. The capital of the Aetna Silk Com- pany was at first $10,000. Its oflBcers were Robbins Battell, President; Joseph B. Eldridge, Treasurer, and Mr. Selden, Agent. Mr. F. E. Porter and Mr. L. L. Whiting were also Stockholders and Directors of the Company. In 1879 it purchased the property on which the business was com- menced, and in 1883 rented the building erected for them by Mr. Eldridge on the site of the old Ryan mill. After Mr. Battell's death Mr. Selden was elected President. Mr. John D. Bassett joined the Company in 1893 and has since served as Secretary. Mr. A. P. Atwood, who was formerly Superintendent for Mr. Morse, has filled a similar position with the Aetna Company from the start. The Company has always enjoyed a prosperous business. Their capital and surplus have increased to over |40,000 and their plant and pay roll have been multiplied four fold since the first years. They confine themselves to standard silk threads for manu- facturers use, but make all shades and sizes. They sell their own goods in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Rochester, Gloversville, N. Y., and Amesbury. Mass., under the superintendence of the home office. VARIOUS OTHER ENTERPRISES. "Quite an extensive business was done for some years at the old Grist-mill, in the manufacture of wheat, rye, and buck-wheat flour, which was sold not only here, but in all the adjoining towns. The wheat and other grains were bought in all these towns, as well as in the towns of western Litchfield, Southern Berkshire, and Dutchess Counties. At one time, — about 1837, — there was a short crop of wheat in this region. The western wheat fields were then known only as part of the "Great American Desert," as the geog- raphys of that day called the western country. A large quantity of Odessa wheat, from near the Black Sea in 256 HISTOEY OF NORFOLK. Southern Europe, was brought from New York to Norfolk, coming up the Hudson river to Hudson, and made into flour at this mill. Dea. Jonathan Kilbourn operated, in connection with his other business, mentioned elsewhere, a 'dish-mill' for sev- eral years, and turned out large quantities of wooden bowls, which were sold in all the region around, and many speci- mens still exist in the old homes. Those turned from white ash knots were especially fine and valuable, and knots in the great old sugar maples, soft-maples, ash, beech and birch trees were sought in the forests and brought a high price. These wooden bowls were turned with peculiar chisels, — a single large knot or block making a whole nes't, in size from very small ones up to those nearly two feet across, which were used for a variety of purposes: bread- bowls, butter-bowls, chopping-bowls, etc. The grain of some of those turned from knots was very handsome, and the bowls very strong and durable." In this heavily w^ooded country in the early days saw- mills were naturally quite numerous. In the extreme south part of the town, Hall meadow, it is called, mentioned else- where, Mr. Jeremiah Johnson for some years did quite a business with a saw-mill, cheese-box factory, etc., and later it was run by Philemon Johnson and others, using the water-power from the Naugatuck river. This plant, too, is now unused. There was for a time a saw-mill and cheese-box shop in Meekertowm, a little distance below Dolphin or Balcom pond, which is the source of the Naugatuck river. This mill long since disappeared. It was owned and operated by Joshua Beach, Amos Baldwin, Amos Gilbert, Myron Johnson and others, at various times. There was also a saw-mill for some years a short dis- tance below the outlet of Tobey pond, west from the present Golf links. This, too, is gone and forgotten. Mr. Joseph Gaylord and his successors for many years maintained a saw-mill on the Wood Creek stream, about a half-mile below the site of the mill of David Gaylord. This also is now unknown. II I HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 257. At the outlet of Doolittle, or 'The Great Pond/ there was for many years a saw-mill, of which very little remains to even mark the place. At the outlet of 'Benedict lake,' 'Smith pond,' or 'Little pond,' situated near 'The Great Pond,' different genera- tions* by the name of Benedict for many years operated a saw-mill, from an early period until within a few years. r>ea. Dudley Norton and Jennison J. Whiting for some years operated a steam saw-mill on Dea. Norton's farm in the north part of the town, where a large quantity of pine lumber was cut. This, too, long since was gone. For several years past a steam saw-mill has been in opera- tion in the west part of the town, near the Crissey pond and elsewhere, where large quantities of hemlock lumber are cut, the mill being moved from time to time from one piece of timber to another. "The most unique enterprise was the building of a shop for the manufacture of cheese-boxes on the side hill a little way south of the Bridgeman mansion, on the rivulet which comes down from Button hill. This proved a 'dry privilege,' and the eight-foot overshot wheel failed to turn ; the water supply proving too unreliable for practical use." Mr. Philo Smith and his son, Obadiah, for some years operated a saw-mill and cheese-box shop on the stream south of their residence near Grantville. Of this also it can only be said, it has disappeared. In those early days there was a great amount of "Eng- lish Dairy Cheese," as it was called, made in this town, requiring a great number of cheese-boxes for shipping, but that industry also has entirely ceased, as cheese-making in Norfolk is now a lost art. In 1853 Mr. Nathaniel B. Stevens and Augustus P. Law- rence, the eldest son of E. Grove Lawrence, built the 'Hoe Shop,' as it was called for years, on Patmos Island, as has been briefly mentioned, for the manufacture of Planters' Hoes. Aaron Keyes was for many years their Superin leudent, and many thousand dozens were manufactured and shipped to all parts of the south. This was a new industry 258 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. in this country when N. B. Stevens & Co. started it here, only one other shop, somewhere in the Naugatuek Valley, at that time making these hoes in this country; the supply having been imported from England. These Yankees soon produced a better article than the Englishmen, making a hoe with a solid eye, all drawn from one piece of metal, and finished with a tempered edge of cast-steel, and were in- tended to cut. The eye of the hoe had been riveted on by the Englishmen. They were a clumsy implement, ranging from the size of an ordinary hoe to the size of a small shovel, but much heavier than a Yankee's hoe. The negro fitted a stick for a handle into his hoe, and it was said that much of the plowing or breaking of the land through the south was done by the negroes with these heavy hoes. The break- ing out of the civil war spoiled this industry entirely. Just over the Norfolk line, in the town of Canaan, a Mr. Burt in the early part of the century built a forge where a large amount of business was done at various times. Hunt- ington & Day put a puddling furnace in this old forge in 1843, and mention has been made of the iron which they sold to the Collins Axe Company. The dam for this forge was in Norfolk, and flooded quite a little land on what is known as the Ives farm, and the Holt, or Blackberry River farm. In about 1835 Mr. Isaac Holt owned a saw and shingle mill that stood just below the Burt forge dam, on the line between Norfolk and Canaan. The 'Green Mountain Com- pany' operated this mill for a time; the members of this company being Richard Stevens, Roswell Kilbourn and Stephen Holt, as mentioned in Thomas Richards' reminis- cences of Canaan, published in the 'Connecticut Western News.' It is difficult, not to say impossible, to learn fully about the early manufacture of iron and other articles in town. The records fail to throw much light upon it, and those who knew have mostly gone the way of all the earth. One con- veyance of a water privilege to Samuel and Warren Cone, already mentioned, indicates that anchors were made here, HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 259 and that the dam, a short distance below Buttermilk Falls, that later furnished the power for Mr. Warren Cone's Scythe Shop, in earlier days furnished the power where anchors were made. The west end of this dam is still standing, and Dennis McGarty's wagon shop stands where the east end of the dam was built. From the "Scrap Book of North Canaan." "Squire Samuel Forbes was the original "iron prince." and pioneer in the iron industry in this section. His Canaan career began about the middle of the last century. . The first forge he erected was located on "the island," a few yards east of the Forbes residence. Here ship anchors were made, weighing from one-half to two tons, and which were hauled by ox teams to Boston and other seaport cities, six-yoke ox teams being often employed to haul an anchor, and requiring from a month to six weeks to make the round trip. The ore was brought, in the earlier history of iron making, on horseback from Salisbury, where Squire Forbes originally discovered the iron ore deposits which have since made that town prosperous and famous. The first mining was done there in what is still known as the "Forbes ore bed." "Besides his iron works in Canaan, Squire Forbes op- erated a forge in Salisbury where cannon were made for the revolutionary army. . . . Besides anchors and cannon, he manufactured large iron soap kettles and other articles of iron. The anchor works, however, were the principal feature of his iron making, and gave employment to many sturdy men. The anchors were made direct from the smelted ore and hammered out with heavy sledge ham- mers, some of which weighed 56 pounds, requiring men of muscle and endurance to wield them. . . . Another forge that was in operation at the close of the last century was that of Colonel Burtt, a famous iron maker in his day. It stood a considerable distance east of the present fur- naces." It stood near the Norfolk line, as previously men- tioned. "On the north shore of Lake Wangum, on the top of 260 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Canaan mountain, are vestiges of an old forge which was in operation for nearly a hundred years. It was abandoned many years ago. It was owned by the Hanchetts, who were skillful iron workers and made cannon for George Washington's armies." From 1830 to 1840 Mr. Zalmon Parritt, a son of Mr. James Parritt, Quaker Parritt he was called, carried on tanning and shoemaking in Loon meadow, not far east from the old Frisbie place. He tanned heavy leather, which he sold in Hartford, and at times employed a number of men in mak- ing boots and shoes. As will be seen from the foregoing chapter, although so many of the manufacturing enterprises have ended disas- trously, still the manufactures of the town have been nu- merous and not unimportant. Among the articles which have been manufactured in this town are: Flour and mill stufifs, lumber of all kinds, wooden bowls and dishes, shingles, cheese boxes and cheese casks, clocks, clock- plates and clock wheels, bar-iron, potash kettles, anchors and forgings, scythes, machinery, planters' hoes and cast- ings, military rifles, revolvers, axles for carriages, leather in great variety, woolen and cotton yarns, flannel, fulled cloth, broad-cloth, satinet, hosiery and underwear, the best in the world; sewing and embroidery silks, tapes, braids, lacings, etc., linseed-oil and cabinet furniture, tinware, sil- ver spoons, jewelry, boots and shoes, etc. Statistics of the amount of products, kind and amount of manufactured articles, and the different branches of in- dustry in the several towns of Connecticut for the year 1845. 'Trepared from the returns of the Assessors of the towns, by Daniel P. Tyler, Secretary of State." "NORFOLK." "Cotton Mill, one. Cotton flannel manufactured, 2,167 yards. Value, $390.06. Hands employed, 1. Capital invested, $250. Woolen Mills, two. Machinery, two setts. Wool consumed, 52.- 274 lbs. Broadcloth manufactured, 16,429 yards. Value. $29,858. Satinett manufactured, 10,159 yards. Talue, $6,772. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 261 Flannel manufactured, 508 yards. Value, $254. Capital invested, $43,000. Males employed, 29. Females employed, 11. Scythe Factory, one. Number manufactured, 6.000. Value, $4,800. Capital invested, $3,000. Hands employed, 8. Saddle, Trunk and Harness Factory, one. Capital invested, $550. Value of manufactures, $927. Hands employed, 1. Sheep-skins tanned, 22,192. Value, $7,712.80. Capital invested, $4,254. Hands employed, 12. Boots manufactured, 357 pairs; Shoes, 454 pairs. Value, $1,- 638.12. Hands employed, 3. Lumber prepared for market, 732,000 feet. Value, $4,392. Hands employed, 6. Firewood prepared for market, 951 cords. Value, $1,268. Hands employed, 5. Merino Sheep, 2,166. Value, $2,018. Wool produced, 5,285 lbs. Value, $2,034. Horses, 169. Value, $6,532. Neat Cattle, 1,905. Value, $23,050. Swine, 716. Value, $6,531.35. Indian corn, 4,112 bushels. Value, $3,289.60. Buckwheat, 248 bushels. Value, $135.00. Rye, 975 bushels. Value, $780.40. Potatoes, 16,545 bushels. Value, $4,963.50. Other Esculents, 3,2.55 bushels. Value, $813.25. Hay, 3,511 tons. Value. $42,132. Flax, 48 lbs. Value. $6.00. Fruit, 14,006 bushels. Value, $1,400.60. Hops, 10 lbs. Value, $1.40. Butter, 52,099 lbs. Value, $7,814.85. Cheese, 256,247 lbs. Value, $16,656.05. Honey, 260 lbs. Value, $52.00. Beeswax. 32 lbs. Value. $9.60. Cheese Boxes manufactured. 21,900. Value, $2,847. Capital invested, $3,629. Hands employed. 5. Charcoal. 100,000 bushels. Value, $6,000." The above interesting statistics were kindly furnished for this history by Mr. George Seymour Godard, Assistant Librarian of the 'State Library' at Hartford. The woolen manufacturers of 1845 were J. & E. E. Ryan & Co., and J. S. Kilbourn & Son. The manufacturer of Scythes was Capt. John Dewell. The Harness manufacturer, Mr. Lewis Hill. The manufacturer of Cotton Flannel, unknown. 262 HISTOEY OF NORFOLK. XX. NORFOLK MERCHANTS— SCHOOLS— THE PARK. The merchants of the town have been quite numerous, conducting business for longer or shorter periods, in a small or larger way. Some have been quite successful, others but very moderately so. The first merchant of whom the writer has heard was Samuel Dickinson, who kept a store on Beech Flats, where doubtless he dispensed "the necessities." It is said that a merchant of the olden time, in one of the adjoining towns probably, found conclusive proof of what 'the necessities of life' in those days were, by observing what his customers came for during a period of unusually cold stormy weather lasting several days, when it was with great difficulty that his store could be reached. The three necessary articles were shown to be New Eng- land rum, tobacco, and molasses. The first merchant of any note in this town, and by far the most successful one in its history so far, was Mr. Jo- seph Battell, who came to Norfolk when eighteen years old, and not long after opened a store on Beech Flats, at the old Humphrey house; part of the identical building which was his store still remaining in the wing of the house as rebuilt for a summer residence by Mr. C. J. Cole. At that time Beech Flats was the business centre of the town, but not very many years later that glory departed, and Esq. Battell in about 1800 leased the land on the corner by Mr. Giles Pettibone's tavern, for many years known as Shepard's Hotel, where he built the store in which he did a very large business until his sudden death in 1841. Not many years after building the store, he built a fine resi- dence, where he continued to reside until his death, and which remained practically as originally built until remod- HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 263 elled by his son. Robbing Battell, in 1855, and which, hav- ing been further improved, still remains in fine condition as the residence of his grand-daughter, Mrs. Carl Stoeckel. Esq. Battell was a remarkably fine business man, widely known, beloved and esteemed for his kindness of heart and his readiness to assist others. He conducted a large profit- able business here for nearly forty years, amassing for those days, a large fortune. He was the principal merchant not only of this town, but drew also a large trade from all the adjoining towns, and for a long distance. In those days the farms in Norfolk and vicinity were at their best, the lands being practically new and productive, occupied by industrious, thrifty farmers, having good farm build- ings, well-fenced fields, herds of cattle and flocks of sheep in the valleys and on the hills. The land being adapted principally for grazing, butter and cheese were the staple products sold by the farmers. A considerable amount of maple sugar was also made every spring. Esq. Battell's store was the market place for all this region, the farmers' produce being shipped by him to New York by the Hudson or Connecticut rivers, taken chiefly by ox-teams from here to Hudson or Hartford, the teams returning loaded with salt and other merchandise. Large families of children were the rule in those days, which insured large flourish- ing schools, and plenty of the best of helpers in the house and on the farm. On Sunday evening, October 23, 1831, Esq. Battell's store was entered by a burglar, while a prayer-meeting was in progress, which commenced "at early candle lighting," in the conference-room, and about fifteen hundred dollars in money was stolen. This unusual event made quite a commotion when known in the town. A reward of several hundred dollars was offered for the conviction of the bur- glar and the recovery of the money. Barzel Treat, long a resident of the town, he who played the bass-viol to assist the choir of singers in the church, soon became very zeal- ous in trying to discover the money, and w^ent to consult a wise woman who claimed the ability to tell all events, 264 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. past, present and to come, by looking into a small white stone. He reported that this wonderful woman said the money was buried at a certain place in the ledge, a little west from the meeting-house, and with others went and made a search, but at the first effort the money they did not find. He doubtless for a purpose claimed to have again consulted this wise woman; that she insisted that the money was buried in that ledge, and that he by looking into the white stone, had himself been able to see the place where it was buried. He with assistants instituted a thor- ough search, and after removing rocks and digging at the place indicated as he said in the white stone, the money was found. Suspicion that the said Barzel was the burglar had been in the minds of some from the first. He was con- victed of the burglary, served several years in the states- prison, and at the end of his term returned to Norfolk to claim the reward for finding the money, which reward doubtless he never received. In the early history of the town Col. Giles Pettibone conducted a store in connection with his tavern; the store building, which stood at the north-west corner of the house, was made into a wing of the house years afterward. Mr. E. Grove Lawrence and Mr. James C. Swift erected the building on the triangle near the fork of the roads by the bridge over Haystack brook, the lower story of which they occupied as a store, the upper story being used as a wool-sorting and storeing room for the woolen factory. After occupying this building for some years, in which Mr. Salmon Swift says he served as clerk. Mess. Lawrence and Swift sold out, erected and occupied as a store the build- ing which they sold to J. and E. E. Ryan & Co., that firm using it as a store for more than twenty years, since which time it has had various occupants; Mr. Matthew Ryan and his son, Charles M., having carried on this store continu- ously from the year 1836, when the Ryans commenced busi- ness here until their death, Mr. Matthew Ryan having died August 23, and his son, Charles M. Ryan, five days later — August 28, 1880. This store is now carried on, as it has HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 265 been for several years, by Mr. Myron N. Clark, who is also the treasurer of the Norfolk Savings Bank. The store on the opposite side of the street, on the site of Grove Yale's building, also had a great number of occu- pants during its existence. Dea. Mars in his notes says, "Mr. E. H. Dennison & Co. built the old store on the site now occupied by Grove Yale." The writer is unable to give the firm names, and the chronological order of the va- rious merchants who occupied this old building, which was erected about 1810. After Mr. Dennison, the occupants were, with various firm combinations, Everett Case, Bailey Birge, Elizur Dowd, E. Grove Lawrence, James C. Swift, George Brown, Nathaniel B. Stevens, James H. Shepard, Shepard & King, Myron C. Johnson as Shepard & John- son, and others. One of the early firms was Dowd & Law- rence. Then Dow^d & Aiken, Edmund Aiken succeeding Mr, Lawrence. Mr. E. Grove Lawrence received the appointment as Post- Master, under the administration of President Van Buren, and removed the Post Office to this store, to the chagrin and dismay of various candidates for the office who lived upon or near 'the Green.' Mr. E. H. Dennison sold out his store down the hill, came up on the green and built for his store the building at the north-east corner of the green, and for his residence built the house just south, which Mr. Alfred L. Dennis rebuilt in 1852, which is now the parsonage. Mr. Dennison for some years conducted apparently quite a flourishing busi- ness here, but seems to have become financially embar- rassed, and gave up his business about 1829. Not long after Mr. Dennison failed, Mr. Alpha Sage opened a store in the same place and did apparently a large business for a few years, buying the farmers' produce and selling goods, but this venture ended in a most disastrous failure, many farmers losing, what was for them, large amounts. This store built by Mr. Dennison was made into a dwelling house soon after Sage's failure, has been occu- pied as such by several families since, and is now occu- pied as the residence of Mr. George W. Scoville. 266 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. After the death of Esq. Joseph Battell his adopted son and partner in business, Mr. William Lawrence, continued business for some two years in the Old Store, and in 1843 built the store at the north-east corner of the green, where he continued business about five years, when he sold out and retired to a beautiful home in Northampton, Mass., where he spent the remainder of his life. He was followed in this store by Daniel F. Bradford & Co. of Sheftield, My- ron H. Mills & Co., Peter Curtiss & Co., Mills & Crissey, Mr. Hubert L. Ives, W. E. and E. S. Beach, Landon Brothers, Mr. W. I. Sparks, Augustus P. Curtiss, and the present merchants. Collar Brothers. So far as the writer has knowledge, only a few of the successors of Mr. Wil- liam Lawrence have retired with a fortune to beautiful homes. The closing years of the history of 'the old store,' which was for a long period one of the most important business places in the entire history of the town, was not entirely uneventful or unworthy of mention. At difi'erent times it was occupied as a place of business; by Mr. James C. Swift about 1848, by Samuel Brown and Seth Miner as Brown & Miner, and later by Mess. Dowd, Curtiss & Co. as a general store; by Mr. Bradley Potter, a life-long resi- dent of the town, as an eating-house and temperance res- taurant; by Mr. O. N. Atkins as a peanut-stand, and as the Post-Office, when Mr. Giles Pettibone-Thompson was Post-master, and a part of the time when Mr. Aaron Gil- bert held that position. But 'the old store' did not, like some persons, become beautiful and attractive by age, but its glory had departed, and at length it was looked upon as an eye-sore, and privately declared to be a public nui- sance. At last one calm, still night about A. D. 1885, it most mysteriously fell down flat, and when the morning dawned it was seen to be an utter ruin. So far as the writer has been able to learn, no satisfactory explanation has ever been made as to the how or why the old store fell as it did. Whether it was a local earthquake, some other con- vulsion of nature, or a combination of natural and un- natural causes, must probably always remain a mystery. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 267 Some of the other merchants of the town were: Mr. James H. Shepard, who, after being in trade in the old store down the hill for several years, as has been already mentioned, upon the completion of the Stevens Block in 1856 conducted a general store in that building for a num- ber of years. John H. Welch & Go. had a drug-store in the same building, and John P. Hawley & Co., a Merchant Tailoring and Gents' furnishing establishment, at the same time in the Stevens Block. This building was enlarged and made a Hotel in about the year 1874, first called the Nor- folk House, kept by Mr. E. Y. Morehouse, and for many years past and yet it is the Stevens House, owned and conducted by Mr. E. C. Stevens & Son. When the above change was made a drug-store was built a short distance north, and Mr. George Johnson has car- ried it on for many years, following in the steps of his predecessors. Captain John Dewell kept a grocery-store for many years in 'the stone house' in West Norfolk. After Capt. Dewell's death in 1871, Capt. John K. Shepard had a store in West Norfolk for ten years or more, and was succeeded by Mr. Albert Cobb, who with his son, Frederick, is still there in business. Stevens & Hawley, and then Hawley & Sibley on Patmos Island, did for two or three years quite a brisk business, when manufacturing was flourishing in that vi- cinity, in about 1855. During the days when South Norfolk was in its glory, Harlow Roys, and later S. D. Northway & Co., had quite an extensive country store there for a few years, James Oscar Northway being for a time the merchant. Mr. Joseph W. Cone for several years did a good busi- ness near the grist-mill, as "Tinner and dealer in all kinds of Tin and Japan Ware, Furnaces and Stoves of every de- scription and variety. Vesper-gas Lamps, etc." Orlo J. Wolcott, "Jeweler and manufacturer of Silver table and tea Spoons, dealer in all varieties of Clocks, Watches, Jewelry, Stationery, etc., etc.," was located on the west side of the old turnpike, just opposite the road to 268 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. the present Railroad Station. Mr. Wolcott's Jewelry store was burglarized in 1843, and Watches and Jewelry to quite an amount were stolen. In the Library "Scrap-book" is found the following "Bit of History:" "The early history of Thurston's Block, which is now being torn down, November, 1897, takes us back to names now forgotten in town, except by a few life-long residents. It was built by Amos Manley for a Jewelry Store some sixty years or more ago, and when in a few years Mr. Man- ley sold out his business to Orlo J. Wolcott, this building was bought by Oliver B. Butler, who occupied it as a shoe store until his death in 1866. It was afterward owned and occupied as a dwelling-house by Lockwood Perkins, now of Colebrook, then by Mr. Thurston, who added to it for a tin- shop and store. Mr. Wolcott built a new shop for himself, just south of this old Jewelry store, and lived in the old house which is still standing at the corner of "Station Place," until he built his house which is the one next to the "Bank Building." He occupied this house until his removal to Ripon, Wisconsin, in 1858, when he sold the house to Mr. Asa G. Pettibone, who was then the Cashier of the Norfolk Bank. The small Jewelry store was used for a va- riety of purposes after Mr. Wolcott left town, and has since been torn down. Mr. Oliver B. Butler, dealer in Boots and Shoes, whose name is mentioned above, was for many years a well known business man and resident of the town. He came here when a young man and built a small shop just east of the green, near the site of the present residence of Mrs. Dr. Gidman, which he occupied until he bought the old Jewelry store of Mr. Manley, as is mentioned above. He was, as advertised, "Manufacturer, and dealer in all kinds of Boots and Shoes." He is mentioned at length elsewhere. This first shop of his was made into a small dwelling-house, and was for many years the home of "Aunt Bilhah Freedom." mSTOEY OF NORFOLK. 269 SCHOOLS. We find but scant material for a history of the very early schools of this town, but such votes of the town and other record and mention of the schools as we have been able to find will be gathered in this chapter, not always in chronological order probably. The manner of teaching- as well as the matter taught in those later years of the eighteenth century would doubt- less seem very primitive to persons at the present day. In the "Annals of Winchester" there is an interesting account of a school exhibition in that town in the spring of 1794, from which I will quote, as it shows what the Winchester boys and girls of those days could do, and nothing of a sim- ilar record of the Norfolk schools of that day has yet come to light. Mr. Boyd says: "Little of detail is known in respect to the schools supported in the districts prior to 1795. We know, however, that several echoolhouses were built, and that they swarmed with pupils. We know, too, that good teachers were employed, and tliat the mass of the p)eople were well instructed in all the branches of common school education. We have before us some of the early reminis- cences of a lady bom in 1786, which illustrate the school customs and mental culture at the period referred to, from which we extract her notice "of the great day of examina- tions and exhibitions," when eight district schools assem- bled in the large unfinished meeting-house in the winter of 1793-4. "The reading and spelling of the schools occupied the forenoon, and the afternoon was devoted to dramas, comedies, orations, etc. One corner of the church was enclosed in curtains, and each school took its turn behind the scenes to prepare for their special exhibi- tions on the stage. The late Deacon Levi Piatt was the teacher of the school to which I belonged. Well do I remember the directions given by him to the little girls, as to dressing their hair for exhibi- tion, viz.: The night previous our mothers were to wet our heads with home-brewed beer, and our hair was to be combed and braided very tightly before going to bed. In the morning the last thing after we were dressed for the exhibition, the braids were taken out 270 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. aud the hair lay iu waving lines all over our shoulders. Among the variety of things he taught us was the practice of spelling a whole sentence all together, or more particularly the first class. "In the afternoon each school had its oration, poem, dialogue, comedy or tragedy, etc. The boys of this period were remarkable for their successful imitations of every kind of business. Mock courts were held. Writs, attachments, and executions were all made out in due form. A statute book of laws was compiled, specifying a great variety of things contrary to law, for which culprits would be arrested, tried and punished. Witnesses were summoned, examined, cross- examined, impeached, etc. A newspaper was edited and published weekly, by some of the scholars. It was ruled in columns, had editorials, news, anecdotes, advertisements, etc. These boys at that time were none of them over twelve years old." What a glimpse the report given above furnishes us of the teachers and the young people in the schools 100 years ago; of the mental activity, their resources in way of amusements and entertainments. The writer well remembers what a great event 'examina- tion day' was in one of the small district schools here in Norfolk at the close of the winter term of school, fifty and more years ago; how we were reminded daily by our teacher for weeks beforehand, what we would be expected to know in our various studies, and what we would be asked to do on 'examination day, when Mr. Eldridge would be there,' and our parents and other visitors, and how the importance of being well prepared for that great event was held up before us for weeks in advance; — a type of 'the dread judgment day.' School districts were established in this town at an early day, as the records abundantly show, and schools that were up to the time were maintained. In 1762 Mr. Bobbins, the first minister here, opened a high school, or Academy as it might now be called, in which, with other branches, he taught the languages, and fitted a large number of young men for College; continuing his school until the later years of his life. December 21, 1767, in town meeting it was "Voted, that where ten families or more in any part of the town shall agree together to HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 271 set up and keep a school among themselves, and shall do it to the acceptance and satisfaction of the selectmen of the town, they shall draw their part of school money in said town, according to their lists." March 18, 1777. "Voted, that the middle district for schooling shall have liberty to set up a school house on the meeting house green, about four or five rods northerly from said meeting house, of 30 feet long and 20 feet wide." This first school house was built on the green, but nearly in front of where the Academy stands, on the S. E. side of the green. When the school house with the Conference room in the second story was built in 1819, where the stone Chapel now stands, on "the green," Mr. Lemuel Aiken owned the place and lived in the house just south, and he was not pleased at having the school house built in front of bis land, thus taking the front of the best lot he had, and the best location anywhere around the green, and so long as he lived he never felt really reconciled to it. December 14, 1780, it was "Voted, that from Goshen line on the road northwardly to and including the now dwelling house of Friend Thrall be made a distinct district for a school, and draw their pro- portion of public monies." 1783. "Voted to set off a school district taking in Titus Brown's Farm on the north, and to take in all the inhabitants south on Groshen road, Elias Balcom, and the two families of Sweets." Quoting from Roys' History:— "We again find it interesting to trace their slow but sure progress in Improvement in the Incipient stage of the settlement. While they were engaged In the important pursuit of building their meeting house, sufficient it would seem from the zeal exhibited, almost entirely to engross their attention and occupy their time, yet they were not unmindful of the necessity of educating their children, and preparing them for future useful- ness. Schools were early established and encouraged by every means in their power. Limited indeed were the means;— their funds were low and their books few. The following books composed the library of the pupil:— the Bible, the New England Primer, contain- ing the assembly of divines' Shorter Catechism, Dllworth's Spelling Book, containing a few pages of grammar, his Schoolmaster's As- sistant, containing the ground rules of arithmetic, and some rules quite too abstruse for the juvenile scholar. The writing scholar took his first lesson on the bark of the white birch, or was restricted to the use of a few s'heets of paper whereon to learn that useful art. His indulgent and kind mother made his ink from the bark of the soft maple or the berries of the sumach. His ingenious father made him an ink-horn, properly so called, of the tip of a cow's horn, and set it in a round wooden bottom. Thus accoutered he hied away with cheerful steps to his school house, in some instances far dis- 272 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. taut, there to spend the day in the sultry and confined summer heat, or the piercing cold of winter. The teachers were instructed from the same source and in the same way, taken for a few weeks from their domestic employments to "teach the young idea how to shoot, and pour instruction into the mind." One still living, speaking of the district schools here three-quarters of a century nearly ago, says: "In the South End District we then had a large school, and one of the best in town, with the best of male teachers for the winter to be had in the region; men competent to teach Algebra and the higher Mathematics, — Astronomy, Chemistry, and other Sciences." In those early days the only pens in use were quill-pens, and a necessary requirement of every teacher was ability to make these pens, which required some little skill and practice, in the use of a "pen-knife," and in the Yankee art of fine whittling, which art possibly not all the young la- dies of the present day possess. Mr. Salmon Swift, a native and for most of his life a well known and respected resident of the town, now past four score years of age, who attended school in the centre dis- trict here, writes regarding early schools: "Sereno Petti- bone, brother of Judge Augustus Pettibone, was the first to teach a select school in town. He was thoroughly edu- cated, and a man of ability. He taught in the Conference- room. The lower room was always occupied by small chil- dren; sometimes they numbered as high as a hundred and over, and the school in the upper room was partly to re- lieve the pressure in the room below. Some of Mr. Petti- bone's scholars were Mr. E. Grove Lawrence, Dr. James Welch, Frederick Mills, and other young men of that day. I can recall the names of some of the teachers; there was a Mr. Cross, a Mr. Swift, and others. As I write the mem- ory of those childhood days comes back to me very vividly. The school-house, the door, with a split panel, the benches and walls covered with jack-knife carvings, and then the memory of the punishments that I received. I stood very high in that regard; much higher than anyone else in HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 273 school, but somehow I never could account for it. That fact never seemed to excite the envy of the rest of the school. "The teachers in that early day were, some of them, very cruel and tyrannical. I recall one by the name of George Duncan, who taught in the lower room. One of the older boys who no doubt had 'felt the halter draw,' indulged in a verse of poetry. It was this: — "I saw the devil flying south; He had George Duncan in his mouth. He turned around and dropped the fool, And sent him here to keep our school." ''I think Mr. Duncan was thrown out of school. At any rate the one after him, whose name I have forgotten, was thrown out by the large boys. He had a ferule about eigh- teen inches long, with square holes through it, that at every blow would raise a blister, when he feruled any of the pupils. "Many funny things take place as we pass through life, which give a zest to our existence, and are indelibly fixed in our minds, although not of much consequence. Such a case was a boy about fifteen or sixteen years old who at- tended our school. He was bright enough, but a sad tru- ant to his books. He had to spell out his words, but when he thought he was all right for three or four words he read with great rapidity. The principal reading book in schools at that time was the Testament. We were reading where Christ says, "woe unto you ye blind guides who strain at a gnat and swallow a camel." This boy read it with great rapidity, "strain at a gate and swallow a corn-mill." I quote from an address read by Mr. Henry H. Eddy, Li- brarian at the Norfolk Library, at the "Celebration of its Tenth Anniversary, March 6, 1899." "As early as 1768 the town voted to open and support a school at the Center, if ten, or even six families were found who needed that help. This was the conduct of the town in matters of education during all the ensuing years, and in 1780 the parsonage, 274 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. the grounds where the Bobbins' School now stands, and the school lands were leased for 999 years. In 1796 the School Society was formed, and all school funds trans- ferred to their hands, as hitherto the church and state had been one in many cases, and all religious and secular duties had been directed by the church society, ^'Rev. Mr. Bobbins' school at the Parsonage was in a flourishing condition at this time, and Rev. Thomas Rob- bins in his diary makes mention of boys being refusecl entrance, as the complement of scholars was full; also of his examining his father's scholars from time to time, and at various intervals of having complete charge of them, while his renowned father was absent at Williams Col- lege attending to his duties as trustee of that institution, or perhaps at some neighboring town attending a confer- ence of divines, ''In 1798 Isaac Holt left a legacy of |4o to the society, the interest to be expended for the schooling of some worthy child. The first lady teacher of whom I have record is a Miss Phoebe Guiteau, — a member of the old Guiteau family of this town, which furnished several doctors and prominent oflflcials to the community. She taught before 1800, but further than this there is no record. Between 1800 and 1819 Mrs. Sarah Reeder was the most prominent teacher, — a talented and accomplished lady, whose select school was well patronized, and the maps dated and made by the scholars have come down to this day. Miss ZilpaJi Grant was for a term a pupil of Mrs. Reeder. ''This school continued for many years, and at last a Mr. Stephen Peet was at the head of it. During this same period Mr. Serene Pettibone held a school in the Butler house at the North End for the benefit of the families in that part of the town,— and at Pond Hill, then known as the Paug District, Miss Susannah Welch taught and flour- ished between the years of 1809 and 1816. As the number of scholars increased the Society felt the need of larger accommodations, and in 1819, at a cost of |1,000, built the old Conference Boom on the site of the Battell Chapel. HISTOEY OF NORFOLK. 275 The upper part was used as a conference room for the church, and for many years also as a school-room, and the lower room for the Center school. "Rev. Mr. Peet, the successor of Mrs. Sarah Reeder, was probably the first teacher to make use of the new build- ing, and he was helped from time to time by young college graduates, among them being a Mr. Henry M. Swift, a Mr, Cross, and a Mr, Willis. . , . 'Mmong the many names of women who taught between the years 1820 and 1830, that of Miss Alice Welch seems to take the foremost place, and to be surrounded by mem- ories filled with affection and devotion. Some of the oldest towns-people can still recall the hours spent under her care and guidance. She was a woman of superior mind, and not only looked after the mental training of her schol- ars, but also of the spiritual, for she took especial pains every Saturday afternoon to give a scripture lesson to the children, either from a certain topic chosen beforehand, or from the "Assembly of Divines' Catechism." "Monday morning was also a special half day set aside for religious exercises, when the children were made to repeat the sermon of the day before, — and the inattentive and forgetful ones did not always love the first exercise of the week or reach a high state of perfection in it. "As was the custom in those days, she boarded in the different homes represented in her school, and it was al- ways a red letter day for a scholar when it came his turn to take the teacher home. "She also taught two seasons in the East Middle district, and when she went to the people in the North district, many of her former pupils from the Center, notwithstand- ing the added walk to and from school, followed her, to have the benefit of her instruction. During the seasons of 1828 and 1829 she kept a select school in the Conference Room, and from there went to Mr. Joseph Emerson's School at Byfield, not returning again to Norfolk in her capacity as teacher. "Another teacher of this period was Miss Susan Ames, 276 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. who kept an independent school in a small building, for- merly the oflBce of Mr. Edmund Aiken, an Attorney, — which stood between the old Aiken-Dowd house and the Eldridge residence. She in turn was succeeded by Miss Cornelia Rockwell of Colebrook, who came from there to take the school, and continued in charge during the period Miss Welch was teaching at the North End. "The successor to Miss Welch as teacher of the school kept by her in 1828 and 1829 was Miss Eliza Norton. She was a woman of influence and character, and her name and memory are dear to all who attended her school. She continued her school in the Conference Room, while Miss Stark kept a school of different grade in the room below. Twenty pupils was the average for the school, patronized by most of the families in the Center. The elder Mr. Battell was deeply interested in it, and paid the tuition of two pupils and saw that the furnishings of the place were kept in good condition. A new stove appeared at one time, and the entire place was reseated at his expense. "Miss Norton taught for most of the period between 1832 and 1836, when she was succeeded by her brother, John F. Norton of Goshen, who was so successful that by 1838 there were upwards of seventy pupils under his charge. The next year, the need of still greater accommodations being felt, an Academy Corporation was formed for the purpose of building an academy, and in 1840 such a building was erected on the east side of the Green, for the sum of $2,000. As the career of Mr. Norton had been so successful he was appointed first principal, and continued as such until du- ties outside of the town took him away." "John Foote Nor- ton, son of Dea. Lewis Mills Norton of Goshen, was born September, 1809. Graduated from Hartford Theological Seminary 1837. Spent some months travelling in Europe. Became principal of the Academy in Norfolk in 1838, which position he held for four years. Was pastor of a Church in Athol, Mass., and several other places. Died in Natick, Mass., Nov., 1892." At a meeting of the Ecclesiastical Society April 29, 1839, HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 277 it was "Voted to accommodate Rev. John F. Norton with the use of the Conference Room for his school for one year, he to be uninterrupted by any meetings during school hours, and without expense to him; and should there be wanted any ordinary and necessary repairs in consequence of his use of it, the expense shall be defrayed by subscrip- tion." The writer feels fortunate in being able to insert here a copy of a "Catalogue of the Trustees, Instructors, Books used, Tuition, etc., of Norfolk Academy for the year 1840," this Catalogue having been preserved by the family of Ed- mund Brown, Esq., v.'hose two sons and two of his daugh- ters were enrolled as students: "Trustees. Augustus Pettibone, Esq., President. Benjamin Weloh, Jun., M. D., Clerk. Joseph Battelle, Esq. "Instructors. Rev. Joseph Eldridge. John F. Norton, Pi-incipal. Dudley Norton. Mrs. H. F. Norton, Hiram Gaylord. Edward Norton, Joseph Battelle, Jun. Robert Norton, Warren Gone." Assistants." "Norfolk Academy, "This institution, situated in Norfolk, Litchfield County, Conn., has been in successful operation under the direction of its present principal for nearly two years. The place is healthy and easy of ac- cess; the inhabitants are moral; the government of the school is strict but mild, and it is the aim of the Instructors to make the course of studies practical and thorough. Board, including washing, fuel and lights, may be obtained in respectable families at from $1.50 to $1.75 per week. Tuition per quarter of eleven weeks. For the common English branches $3.00. For the higher English branches $4.00. For the Ancient Languages and French $5.00. The next Term will commence February 8: — the Summer Term May 5:— the Fall Term August 18:— the Winter Term November 17. Among the books used in the Academy are the following:— The Bible, Webster's Dictionary, National Preceptor, Reader's Guide, Smith's Grammar, Daboll's and Smith's New Arithmetic, Mitchell's Geography, Comstock's Natural Philosophy and Chemistry, Aber- crombies's Mental Philosophy, Burrett's Geography of the Heavens, 275 HISTORY OF NOEFOLK. Watts on the Mind, Goodrich's History of the United States, Whelp- ley's Compend of History, Playfair's Euclid, Day's Algebra, Flint's Sm-veying, Harris' Book-keeping, Manual of the Constitution of the United States, Boeuf's French Grammar. French Lessons, together ■with the standard preparatory works in the Latin and Greek Lan- guages. The books used in the Academy can be obtained in the village at the current prices. A neat and commodious edifice has been erected for the Institu- tion during the past season." In the Library Anniversary address, further mention is made of the primary school, practically a 'kindergarten,' of which Miss Margaret Nettleton, late Mrs. Eollin Beecher, was the successful head, as follows: — "The last of the old fashioned private schools was kept by Miss Margaret and Miss Desiah Nettleton between the 3'ears 1849 and 1871, in their house, now occupied by Mrs. Mary Aiken Curtiss. Morals and. manners played as im- portant a part in its curriculum as any branch of learning. The great sunny room on the south was used for the school, and the boys and girls sat upon long benches placed across the room. Miss Margaret taught the pupils their letters, and by her gentle rule over them acquired an influence for good that made a lasting impression on the young boys and girls, and her face seemed beautiful to all her scholars. . . . The Bible was one of the principal sources of in- struction, and each pupil recited a verse every morning, and by the time they were eight years old were supposed to know the names of the books of the Old Testament by heart. Miss Desiah, with other useful things, taught the children sewing, and both boys and girls were compelled to take up this useful branch of learning, and by the time they were through the school, could work on the pieced counterpanes of that day. The favorite mode of punish- ment was to shut the misbehaved in the narrow back hall- way, and leave them there in the dark until repentance came. The great honor was to be allowed to fill the water- pail at the spring, the other side of the brook, on the old parsonage grounds, and after trudging back with it, some- HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 279 times losing much in the return journey, to ladle the water out to the other scholars, in the large tin dipper provided for the purpose." Mr. William B. Rice succeeded Mr. Andrews as principal of the Academy, commencing in 1846, and during all his residence here he was a member of the School Board, and one of the School Visitors. He was a native of Williams- burg, Mass., a graduate of Williams College, and for twelve years taught the Norfolk Academy, being the most suc- cessful teacher the Academy ever had. While he was prin- cipal, the school was large, flourishing, and had a wide rep- utation, drawing, especially for the winter terms, pupils not only from this and the adjoining towns in this county, and from towns in Massachusetts, but also a considerable number of young men from New York City, Staten Island and vicinity. In 1858 Mr. Rice left the Academy to engage in business at Pittsfield, Mass., with Mr. Joseph K. Kilbourn, a native of this town. His interest in schools and his reputation therein followed him to his new home, and for a long period of years he has been a member of the Board of Public Schools of Pittsfield, and for nine years was their Superin- tendent of Schools. The town of Norfolk owes a lasting debt of gratitude also, which it can never pay, to Mr. William B. Rice, for what he did, with others, in the movement for the fencing of the green and the planting of trees therein, which work is mentioned in connection with the park. At a celebration of the tenth anniversary of the found- ing of the Robbins' School in this town, October 10th, 1894, Mr. Rice was one of the speakers, and as a copy of his ad- dress most fortunately has been preserved, some extracts are given herewith. Mr. Rice said: — ''It affords me great pleasure to be here to participate in this reunion of a school which I am led to believe stands as a fit exponent of sound educational principles and methods. The presence of an old time teacher with his old time notions, if he happens to give expression to any, may 280 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. serve by contrast, to sharpen and intensify the impression that great advance has been made in recent years in the matter of public instruction. Norfolk has always had special attractions to me. I love her hills, her valleys and streams. I am glad to have been identified with her past; to have had some small part in the work of her improve- ment and adornment; and again let me say, I am glad to be here. ^I first visited Norfolk in the spring of 1846, coming from Canaan on foot, — the speediest mode of locomotion at my command, reaching Norfolk some three or four hours in advance of Jluggins' stage, the only public conveyance at that time in these parts. The spring town meeting, state election, was held that year in the meeting-house. The building was repaired that year, and no more town meet- ings were ever held there. It was arranged at that time that I should take charge of the Academy in the fall. Early in September the school term began. Two pupils appeared, — Kemington and Bobbins. We adjourned for a week and began again. The whole number of pupils for the term was nineteen. 'The winter term opened the Monday after Thanksgiving with a much larger attendance, — 40 or 50 I think. From that time until the spring of 1858 I continued in charge, being absent one summer term; the attendance being about 80 or 35 in summer, and from 50 to 70 in the winter. Many pupils came from other towns. The larger boys and young men worked during the summer and attended school in winter, a custom not entirely without its advantages. This absence from school was somewhat, but not so very much, longer than the summer vacation of the present day, and they entered with as much zest upon their studies in the fall as do the young people of today after the long vacation. 'The younger pupils were taught after a pretty well de- fined course, in reading, spelling, arithmetic, geography, grammar, and history, especially of the United States, with generally satisfactory results. The studies of the olderpupils were such as each one chose, — somewhat after the modern HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 281 plan of some of our colleges, — optional or elective, and in- cluded arithmetic, grammar, algebra, mental philosophy, Latin, Greek, etc. Most of them knew pretty well what they wanted, and I made it my business to give them what they wanted, to the best of my ability. Their notions as to the value of education were decidedly utilitarian. As to educational theories, I am not aware that I had any. The object aimed at steadily and persistently was, to lead the boys and girls to think for themselves; to look at the sub- jects under consideration in a common sense way. A select sentence in one of our reading books ran thus: "Fine sense and exalted sense are not half so valuable as common sense;" and we believed and acted accordingly. So whether it was a problem in arithmetic or algebra, or a difficult sen- tence that was under consideration, appeal was made to common sense. The discipline thus gained was of far more value than the knowledge gained in the process, and thus was developed and strengthened that faculty, which in men and women is so difficult to define, so easy of recognition. It was not an uncommon thing for a pupil in the course of the winter session to work his way through Adams' or Thompson's arithmetic, — doing as much work and doing it well, as is done in modern graded schools in two or three years. This is to be regarded simply as a statement of fact, — not as a criticism, for the multiplicity of studies is doubtless responsible for much of the difference. Let me say in passing, that in my opinion arithmetic fills much too large a space in our school courses. 'Much attention was given to reading and spelling. In- telligent reading is the very foundation on which to build the entire educational superstructure. Without it, one grapples in vain with a written problem in arithmetic, or a difficult construction in language. 'The net result of those years of work, on the part of pupils and teachers, combined with the excellent moral, religious and social environment, was a goodly number of noble young men and women, well equipped to do duty as citizens, and to exert a healthful influence in the com- 282 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. munity; and I take it, the primal, essential object of ail our schools, is good citizenship. 'Many pupils excelled in scholarship, quite as much to their credit as to that of the school. One whose name now stands among the highest in his special sphere, was for a considerable period on the roll of its membership — Prof. Asaph Hall, then of Goshen, and for many years engaged in the public service at the National observatory, who is now retired, I believe, at the advanced age of 62 years, famous the world over as the discoverer of the moons of Mars, and never better fitted to do his country and the world effective service than now. For enthusiastic devo- tion to his chosen profession, and complete equipment for effective work in it, I have never known his superior. I do not mention him as one who owes anything to the Nor- folk school, but as one who has done much to honor him- self and us, and one whom I am sure we all delight to honor. I often recall with pleasure a visit to the obser- vatory at Georgetown while he was in charge, and the magnificent spectacle of Jupiter and his satellites, and of Saturn and his rings and moons, as seen through the great equatorial. 'Some of the boys became preachers of the gospel; some became lawyers, others successful business men; many have been elected by their fellow citizens to places of trust and responsibility, and have doubtless discharged their duties well. One fills acceptably the office of president of the board of trade in the largest city in this state, and is happy in having escaped the perils of a voyage undertaken in the interest of pleasure and science toward the Arctic pole. And if I am not mistaken, the candidate for an im- portant office on one of the state tickets this year is one of our boys." The first one of his 'boys' to whom Mr. Rice refers above is James Dudley Dewell, a native of Norfolk, who since that time has served his native town and state most hon- orably and acceptably as the Lieutenant Governor. The other 'boy' referred to was Lorrin A. Cooke, who HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 283 since the date of Mr. Rice's address has been elected to and honorably filled the office of Lieutenant Governor, and then Governor of this State. ''The last fifty years have witnessed great improvement in our schools, and the attitude of the people toward them, especially in public schools. . . . During my stay in Norfolk I attended a teachers' insti- tute at Litchfield, — one of the first, if not the first, institute of the kind ever held in Litchfield County. More distinctly than anything else do I remember a spelling exercise, with which the first day's session closed. There were present fifty-eight teachers. A list of twenty-five words was given, to be written by each member of the institute. It was a fair list of words, such as teachers might reasonably be expected to be able to spell, — maintenance, emigrant, immi- grant, separate, twelfth, Cincinnati, hare-lip, — were among them, and as difficult as any in the list. Of the aggregate 1,450 spellings, over 1,100 were wrong. One spelled 24 out of the 25 words wrong. Only one was marked with but one mistake." Tlie one with "but one mistake," was Mr. William B. Rice of Norfolk, who, as he told us in school afterwards, wrote both h-a-r-e and h-a-i-r-lip, and this was marked against him as a mistake. "I trust Litchfield County would make a better showing today. It is good to live in times like these. I sometimes think that we who can go back in memory forty or fifty years, have an advantage over the young, in being able to measure more accurately the progress that has been made, not in educational matters only, but in all departments of human effort. They are somewhat in the position of one who inherits an ample fortune, and does not know how to appreciate the real value of money, does not know the worth of a dollar because he never earned one. A little more than fifty years ago, Daguerre invented photography, and now you have but to touch the button and the machine does the rest. In 1844 Morse erected the first electric telegraph between Washington and Baltimore, 284 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. and now in the early morning we have news from all the world over of yesterday's doings. A speech is finished in the British parliament at three o'clock in the morning, and by two o'clock of the same morning it is printed in the city of New York. The wonderful development of the rail- way system of the world have been observed from be- ginning to end by men now living. It is only 65 years since the trial trip of the steamboat Rocket between Manchester and Liverpool; only 69 years since passengers and goods were first drawn by a locomotive on the Stockton and Darl- ington railway. Less than 20 years ago the telephone was invented, and later still, electricity has been harnessed to machinery, and forced to yield us light and power. Medical science and surgery have wrought wonders; many a dis- eased one has been made w^hole; many a blind one has gladly cried out, "Whereas I was blind now I see." These are a few of the wonderful instances of material progress with which our age abounds. Truly the youth of this day enter upon a magnificent inheritance. I sincerely hope that the Bobbins School has many pros- perous years before it; that its honored surviving founder may long live to see it grow in power and influence; that it may be an influence for good in individual lives, — a stim- ulus to improvement in every school of the town, and of all this region, alike a model and an inspiration." Among some interesting documents belonging to the Norfolk Library is an Arithmetic in manuscript, which probably belonged to one of the sons of Ebenezer Burr, a teacher, in 1762. Some of the "Questions," which were evidently given to his scholars to answer, are of interest, showing what the boys and girls of that day had to do, such as the following: — "Reduction of Long Measure.' "The Earth and sea in circumference are said to be 360 Degrees. I demand how many Barley corns will encompass the same." "From Norfolk to Hartford is 41 miles. I demand wliat Barley corns will reach it." "Reduction of Time." "Since the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, is 1762 years. I de- mand how many seconds." fflSTORY OF NORFOLK. 285 "Oliver Burr was born February 21, 1744, Old Style, and 'tis now February 25, 1762, New Style. I demand his age in seconds." Under the "Rule of Three," some rules are first given, and then several examples. "In this rule are three numbers given, to find a fourth, two of which are always to be of the same name, and must be put in the first and third places, and reduced to the least name of either of them. Also the second number must be brought into its least name. Then observe, if more requires more, or less re- quires less, then the question is direct. But if more requires less, or less requires more, then the question is reverse. If the question be direct, you must multiply the second and third numbers together and divide by the first; but if the question be reverse, you must multiply the first and second numbers together, and divide by the third." "Note: The Quotient in each operation will be of the same name with that you left the second number in." "Question 5. If an army of 20,000 men eat 15,000 Barrels of pork in a month, how long will that feed an army of 4500 men?" "Question 8. If a pin a day be a groat a year, what is 1000 pins worth?" "Question 13. Two men, A & B, set out from one place. A goes 40 miles a day, and on the 4th day after is pursued by B, who goes 50 miles a day. I demand how long and after how much travel B shall overtake A?" . "Question 20. There are 5000 soldiers in a garrison who have only 200 barrels of pork for six months, and one barrel will serve ten soldiers six months. I demand how many of them must quit the garrison that the rest may be sustained -with that provision?" "Question 23. .Jupiter in his journey to the earth went at the rate of 15 rods in a second, and was three months in coming. Query: How far does he live from the earth?" "Question 24. A merchant ships to his Factum 184 pieces of stuff with orders to sell them at £7 10s per piece, and draw com- missions at 5 per cent, and to ship the net proceeds home, half in wine at £6 10s per liogshead, and half in raisins at 10s 6d per hundred. How much of each sort must 'he have returned?" "Here endeth the Single Rule of Three." Then follows "The Double Rule of Three," and "The rule of Fellowship." "Example 1. Three farmers hire a shepherd to keep sheep six months, for £12. A commits 360 sheep to his care, B 535, and C 700. I demand what each man must pay the shepherd?" These are given simply as sample questions, of Burr's old manuscript Arithmetic. At a special town meeting January, 1837, it was "voted, 286 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. that this town will receive its proportion of the money which may be deposited with this state by the United States in pursuance of the act of Congress entitled, "An act to regulate the deposits of the public money, . . . the surplus funds belonging to the United States, and appro- priating the interest accruing therefrom for the promotion of education and other purposes." Levi Shepard was ap- pointed agent of this town to receive from the treasurer of this state the proportion of the said money belonging to this town, Oliver B. Butler was appointed treasurer to receive said money from the agent of the town, and Thomas Curtiss and E. Grove Lawrence were appointed agents to conduct the business of loaning the money. The agents were limited to |500 as a loan to one person; the loans to be made to the inhabitants of this town only, and double security on land required in every case of loan. This was called the "Town Deposit Fund," and continues to the present time; the amount being nearly 14,000, and the in- terest therefrom was appropriated to the promotion of Education in the common schools of this town, to be di- vided "equally to each school district." Later one-half the interest on this fund was appropriated to the ordinary ex- penses of the town, and one-half to the support of schools. "October, 1846, E. Grove Lawrence, Erastus Smith and Elizur Dowd were chosen a committee to confer with the proprietors of the Academy in this town respecting the use and occupancy of said Academy building occasionally for town meetings, etc., and if thought best to see how a part of it can be purchased and added to and report." November, 1846. The "Selectmen were authorized to ne- gotiate with the incorporation of the Norfolk Academy for the purchase of the lower room of said Academy, to- gether with the equal undivided half of the land belonging to the same, at a sum not to exceed |750. Said building so purchased to be used as a town-house for the transaction of the necessary town business." In April, 1818, it was "Voted to give the middle school district liberty to erect a school-house east of the travelling z HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 287 road by the meeting-house, on the ground near where the timber now lies." The town clerk added the following: ''The vote not being sufiSciently explicit respecting the exact site, I examined the ground and found it to be about West from the present school-house. Auren Roys." ''The center school-house and Conference-room was built in 1819," on the site of the present stone Chapel. The above vote and location would indicate that at that time the travelled road still ran west of the meeting-house, where it was originally laid. The first school-house in the 'Middle District' stood on the green, about in front of the present old Academy building, and the school-house and Conference room were built in 1819 about west from that point. THE PARK. At the time of the first settlement of the town, a reser- vation of what was called "the meeting-house green," was made by a kind of general understanding apparently. If any formal, definite action, fixing the bounds of this reser- vation, was made, this writer has failed up to this time to discover it. In about 1845, one hundred years after the first settlement of the town, an effort was made by a committee appointed by the town, to discover and fix the bounds of the green, as will be fully shown a little later from the records of the town of that date. The first road coming from the south, as is mentioned in another chapter, passed west of the old residence of Kev, Mr. Robbins, the site of the present Robbins School, and then on, crossing the site of the present Chapel, west of the meeting-house, "about where Mr. Battell's house now stands, along on the summit of the ledge," as is given in Dr. Thomas Robbins' Century Sermon. It seems probable that this original highway was the west line of the green; but the exact location and width of that highway it is difficult to determine. From Roys' History we learn that the land here was covered with large hemlocks and maples. Speaking of the old meeting- house, he says: "The outside was painted with what was 288 HISTOEY OF NOKFOLK. called a peach-blow color, which must have appeared a glaring contrast to the somber hue of the thick and lofty trees which then surrounded it, so dense that in coming from the south it was not seen until entering the lower part of the triangular green, now in use, and cleared of the incumbrance of lofty hemlocks and wide spreading maples, etc." In this same locality he mentions ''rocks, deeply im- bedded, that had lain undisturbed since creation; . . . yet some remain as a specimen of the once rough appear- ance of the surface." Probably not less than twenty-five years after the settlement of the town passed before all of this forest primeval was removed and the ground in a measure cleared. If only we had a photograph of the old meeting-house and the green as it looked then, how inter- esting it would be. In his Century Sermon Dr. Thomas Kobbins says, "the shade trees on this green were set out in the spring of 1788. They were Elms and Buttonwoods. The number set out was 57. Numbers of them failed the first year, and many others afterward, for want of due pro- tection. The green was ploughed and levelled in 1809." We may be sure that some of the stumps of the old trees remained at this time, even if the trees themselves were all gone. The writer remembers one of the old Buttonwoods long since gone and forgotten, that stood fifty years ago in front of the Conference room. Of the original elms, not more than seven remain. Three of the seven stand at the north-east corner of the park. Upon one of these, many years ago. Rev. Mr. Gleason, it is said, when pastor here, placed a tablet of wood, which still bears these lines: "Voices of the Elms." "Caesar saw fifty; we, an hundred years. "Still green, an hundred more we'll stand like seers, "And watch the generations, as they go, "Beneath our branches in their ceaseless flow." Some records of the efforts made in about 1845, to "as- certain and establish the lines of the center public green," by committees appointed by the town, are given. That they were entirely successful does not seem quite clear. HISTOEY OF NORFOLK. 289 At a town meeting held October 16, 1843, "Joseph Riggs and E. Grove Lawrence were appointed a committee to sur- vey the Center public green, and establish permanent hounds." October, 1845, "Joseph Riggs, Michael G. Mills and Uri Butler w^ere appointed to ascertain the lines of the center public green and highways surrounding it, and if necessary to employ Judge Burrell to make the survey." October 20, 1845, the same committee were empowered to compromise and agree with the inhabitants near and around the center green who are particularly concerned in the late survey of the premises and to report at a future meeting. October 27, 1845, "Voted to accept the doings of the Committee appointed to survey the public center green, and the highway surrounding it, and authorized the above committee still to jjroceed in the business assigned them, and compromise and agree with the inhabitants concerned, respecting lines, and any claim the town may have upon individuals, and report." November 3, 1845, "Voted to authorize the committee ap- pointed to survey the center green to employ Judge Burrell to assist them in further attempts to ascertain the accurate lines and bounds of said green, and the highway surround- ing it, and report to a future meeting." November 17, 1845, "Voted, to authorize the committee lately appointed to sur- vey the green and the highway around it to make a com- promise with all or a part of the inhabitants adjoining said premises; and the selectmen are hereby authorized to give a deed to any of the inhabitants aforesaid which said com- mittee shall agree with, and receive a deed from any or all those with whom they have compromised." April 2, 1849. "The Selectmen were authorized to en- close the public green with a good and suitable fence, ex- pending fl.OO on each rod, payable from the town treasury, provided |1.00 more shall be raised for the same purpose by subscription from individuals." The following warning of a town meeting is found upon 290 HISTOET OF NOKFOLK. the records of the town: — ''There will be a special town meeting at the town hall on Monday, the 7th instant, at one o'clock, to take into consideration the location of the fence around the public green, and to do any other business proper to be done." The month or year is not stated, there is no date to the warning, and no record that the meeting has yet been held. The next entry upon the record is a notice for a town meeting on February 7th, 1853, to con- sider "the removing of the ledge of rocks and covering them so as to make the travelling part of the road as near the elm tree as practicable on the northwest corner of the public green, near the sign-post, so as to straighten the road leading south. . . . Also to direct as to the location of a large flat stone in front of the meeting-house, used as a horse-block; also the extending or diminishing of the park fence. Also to take action on a petition to the selectmen to lay a road or highway beginning near B. W. Crissey's or George Rockwell's, running a southerly direction, to terminate near Philo Smith's." There is no record of any action having been taken at this town meeting for "remov- ing the ledge of rocks," and the ledge remains "at the northwest corner of the public green." Neither is there mention of laying the highway from "near B. W. Crissey's," now R. I. Crissey's, "or George Rockwell's," now G. W. Scoville's, " to terminate near Philo Smith's," now Obadiah Smith's, and that highway has never been opened. At the meeting February 7, 1853, it was "voted that the selectmen so alter the park or green fence that the east line of the same be shortened one length, making the south line nearly straight." This fence extended to the south line of the Academy or Town Hall building, where it remained until about 1876. At the same meeting it was "voted, that if the consent of the adjoining proprietors can be obtained,^ meaning the owners of the horse-sheds, "individuals shall have the right to build a fence around the south point of the green, leaving a lane of proper width between the north line of the same and the south line of the one now built, but not at the expense of the town." HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 291 ''Fencing the green" was strongly opposed at the time this first fence was built; one ground of opposition being that it took away from a number of individuals their best piece of cow-pasture, cows being at that time allowed to run in the streets, and this deprived them (the dwners of the cows) of one of their inherent rights. The other ground of opposition was urged principally by or in behalf of peo- ple living in the out parts of the town; that it made them so much more travel when they came to town to attend church or to transact business, to be obliged to drive around the green instead of across it, as they and their fathers had always been permitted and accustomed to do. So, fencing the north part of the green and leaving the south part open was a compromise, not depriving individu- als of all their pasturage, and compelling the owners of the long row of horse-sheds which then stood by the Academy to drive only as far south as the entrance to their property. It was not long, how^ever, before all feeling of opposition to the park died out, and nearly all who at first opposed it came to feel an interest in it, and appreciated the improve- ment. At a town meeting May, 1854, it was "voted that the grass in the public green be sold at auction to the highest bidder, and that the selectmen cause the holes on the green to be filled up." In 1855 quite an effort was made to restrain cattle from running at large in the public highways, but the effort failed until years later. As mentioned above, the first vote of the town authorizing the fencing of the green was in April, 1849. The fence was erected in the autumn of that year, and some trees were set in the spring of 1850. Mr. William B. Rice, then Principal of the Academy, was the prime mover in the fencing of the green and the planting of the trees, and to him and his helpers the town, and all the inhabitants thereof, owe a lasting debt of gratitude for this work. Mr. Rice was ably seconded and helped in this enter- prise by Dr. Eldridge, Mr. Robbins Battell, Mr. E. Grove Lawrence, Mr. N. B. Stevens, Mr. Myron H. Mills and sev- eral others. Mr. Rice did more than anv one else in the 292 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. planting of the trees. The plan adopted was to plant one or more of every kind of native trees. Elms, sugar maples and evergreens of different kinds predominated. Mr. Myron H. Mills, then carrying on the store on the green, set the white beech a little south of the store, which is now one of the beautiful specimens. Mr. Sherman H. Cowles set sev- eral of the fine hard maples. In one of Mr. Rice's visits to the town, many years since, he said to the writer he wished Norfolk people to remember that he set a large number of the trees in the park, but especially that he set the fine tulip tree which stands in the center of the park in front of the Academy. This and another tulip-tree, now dead, Mr. Rice brought on his shoulder from West Norfolk. There is a fine specimen of a "hop-horn beam" on the west side of the park; two large white ash, two bass-wood, and many fine specimens of spruce, hemlock, elms and maples of the original trees. There are no finer trees anywhere than two shag-bark walnuts, that were set in the early '60's by Alonzo J. Maltbie and one of the Crisseys. They also set the two fine butternuts, and the last named set a tamarack nearly in front of the Academy, which tree he brought on his shoulder from Crissey hill, and it is now a large, fine tree. There are two good specimens of the chestnut oak, and two large, fine arbor vitae. Mr. Oliver B. Butler set a juniper tree, which lived many years, and died. Esq. Michael F. Mills set a yellow pine in front of the church, which is also gone. There was a silver-leaf poplar set out by Horace Humphrey, and a nice clump of sumac set by Mr. Rice, now gone, as also are all the varieties of birches, soft maples and buttonwood. In 1876 a great amount of work was done removing the rocks on the west side of the road, south of the church, and in other places, filling up with earth, grading and making a nice lawn, etc. That same year Mrs. Eldridge and Miss Anna Battell set the west side of the road, north and south of the church, and the south end of the green, to elms, which are now fine, large trees. If "he who makes two spires of grass to grow where one only grew before is a public benefactor," how HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 293 much more are they, who set and cause to grow in public places a beautiful elm or other tree where only grass grew before! Recently Mr. and Mrs. Carl Stoeckel have filled the space which used to be so bare, north of the church, with beautiful trees and shrubs. The glory and beauty of Norfolk in these modern days is this charming little park, with its noble trees, its beds of exquisite flowers and shrubs, from the gardens and con- servatories of the Misses Eldridge and Mrs. Carl Stoeckel. From the opening of spring until the frosts of autumn these flower-beds are filled, being from time to time changed and replenished with the choicest plants and most beautiful flowers by these ladies, to whom the whole com- munity owes a debt of gratitude for these and numerous other privileges and favors. The writer cannot refrain from at least a word of mention and recognition of the fact that Norfolk Centre is made one extensive park by the beautiful lawns and floral displays upon the private grounds of the Misses Eldridge, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Stoeckel, Miss Isabella Eldridge, at the Library, Mrs. Bridgman, at the Gymnasium, and Mr. Frederick M. Shepard, the foun- tain and lawn at the Railroad Station. To the forethought of the first settlers in making the reservation, to Mr. William B. Rice and others who fenced the green and planted the trees, and to Rev. Dr. Eldridge, who vigorously and successfully opposed the Railroad Company in its desire to appropriate and destroy the work of generations, let unceasing gratitude be returned for our beautiful little park. 294 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. XXI. THE PERIOD PRECEDING THE "WAR OF THE REBELLION — NORFOLK MEN IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION — SKETCH OF ADJUTANT SAMUEL C. BARNUM — SKETCH OF COLONEL GEORGE RYAN. The apparent belief of a large majority of the people throughout the North concerning the question of human slavery as practised in a large section of our country during the first half of this nineteenth century, was that it was a divine institution, sanctioned by the teachings of the Bible. That idea seemed to have pervaded pulpit and pew to a considerable extent throughout the North, and south of "Mason's and Dixon's Line" "the Institution" was looked upon by the majority apparently, as the corner stone and pillar of society. For more than a quarter of a century before the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861 there had been in many, per- haps nearly every town and community in the northern and western portions of our country, a few men of thought who had studied deeply upon the question of human slavery, and had been convinced that it was a sin and a wrong. Their convictions were like the "leaven hid in three meas- ures of meal," working quietly yet powerfully, perhaps un- consciously, upon those with whom they came in contact. Norfolk, too, at that period had its thoughtful men ; men of "advanced thought," who were in advance of the age in which they lived by at least a score of years. Some, only a part of them, lived to see the marvellous change which was wrought in the minds of men on that "vexed question of human slavery," as it was called, during the two decades from 1840 to 1860, — and in no part of the North was the change of thought and feeling among the masses greater than in New England. The West was then, as it has been since, in advance of the East on many questions, having HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 295 been settled by the progressive men and women from the older states. The first man in Norfolk who publicly showed that he had indeed the courage of his convictions, and dared all alone to vote as he prayed and believed on this slavery question, was Thomas Trumbull Cowles. At the Presiden- tial election in November, 1840, having with his pen pre- pared the proper ballot, Mr. Cowies went to the voting place, which was at the front of the pulpit in the meeting- house, and cast his vote for James G. Birney, the nominee of the Abolitionists, for President of the United States, this being the first "abolition vote," as it was called, cast in this town. As he walked up to the ballot-box in front of the pulpit and proceeded openly to deposit his vote, Mr. Cowles was applauded somewhat vigorously by some of his fellow townsmen and friends, and this independent act caused some interest and discussion. One "did not believe there was a man in town who had the courage to vote in that way, although he did believe it was right. It was just throwing away his vote, of course, and what good could it do? Better stick by the grand old Whig party until every- body is ready to vote that way, and then it will do some good," etc. But this one vote 'thrown away,' and the thought and discussion which it caused, did accomplish something, leading a number of other men in the town to vote as they believed to be right, so that at the next elec- tion, on the first Monday in April, 1841, twenty-one 'aboli- tion votes,' as they were called, were cast in this town. The "agitation" went on. Those men of thought who then believed fully what it took others a quarter of a cen- tury more to learn, were reviled, called fanatics, would have been called "cranks" in this last part of the century, because they "made the world to move." In the Presidential election of 1844 it is said that nine votes were cast for James G. Birney, the candidate of the Abolitionists. The "Connecticut State Anti-Slavery Society" had been formed a little previous to the date last mentioned, and not 296 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. long after this time the "Norfolk Auxiliary" was formed. The original document containing the Preamble, Con- stitution and names of the formers of this auxiliary society has been carefully preserved in the home of Mr. Thomas T. Gowles and his sons, and being an important page of the history of that time as it is, is herewith given in full: "Preamble." "We, the undersigned, believing that God hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell upon the face of the whole earth, and hath bestowed upon all men certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and that the holding of men in involuntary servitude, or regarding him as prop- erty is a sin. and an impious assumption of power, which is opposed to the elementary principles of Eternal justice;— and to compel him to labour without an equivalent, or to withold from bim the means of social, intellectual and moral improvement, is a gross violation of his natural rights. And believing that the right to hold one man in personal bondage, claimed on the mere circumstance of birth, pur- chase or colour, would imply so to hold all men, is therefore subversive of the elementary bonds of society. And whereas, a system of slavery does exist within our pro- fessedly free and Christian land, and a large portion of our brethren, —native born Americans, are subjected to the most cruel bondage; And whereas, we do firmly believe, that it is not only the imper- ative duty of the masters to give immediate freedom to their slaves, but that it is also safe, and will be conducive to the highest mter- osts of a)oth; And finally, feeling that we are bound by the highest and most solemn obligations to the oppressed, to our country and to our God, to do all in our power, lawfully, and in the spirit of love and meek- ness for the redemption of our brethren from bondage, and for the removal of the foul stain from our national escutcheon; -we do here- by form ourselves into a society for the promotion of the above named objects, and agree to be governed by the following constitu- tion:"— "Constitution. "Art. 1st. This society shall be called the "Norfolk Anti-Slavery Society," and shall be auxiliary to the Connecticut State Anti- Slavery Society. Art. 2d. The object of this society shall be the entire abolition of slavery within our country,— aiming to convince all of our fellow citizens by arguments addressed to their understandings and their HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 297 consciences, that slave-iholding is a crime,— a sin in itself,— and that duty, safety, and the best interests of all concerned require its im- mediate abandonment. Art. 3d- This society shall aim to elevate the character of the people of colour, by removing public prejudice, by encouraging their moral, intellectual and religious improvement; that they may, ac- cording to their intellectual and moral vrorth, share an equality with the whites in civil and religious privileges. Art. 4th. This society will in no way countenance the slaves in vindicating their rights by physical force. Art. 5th. Any person who assents to the principles of this con- stitution and is not a slaveholder, may become a member of this society by signing these articles. Art. 6th. The officers of this society shall be a President, two Vice Presidents, a corresponding and recording Secretary; and these officers shall constitute a board of managers; and the duty of these officers shall be the same as are ordinarily performed by such officers in similar societies. Art. 7th. The regular meetings of this society shall be held on the first Wednesday of January, April, July and October. Art. 8th. This constitution and preamble may be amended at any regular meeting of the society by a vote of two-thirds of the members present." "The few, the immortal names that were not born to die," sub- scribers to this document, are as follows:— Levi Barlow. Abel Camp. Benjamin Welch. John Cone. George Browm Thomas T. Cowles. Merrell Humphrey. Lawrence Mills. James Humphrey. Other abolitionists of those early days were Dea. Amos Pettibone, Dea. Darius Phelps, James Parritt, Sherman H. Cowles, John Humphrey, Zalmon Parritt, Jared Potter, William C. Phelps, Asa Dutton, William Butler, Hiram Mills, James C. Swift. This society was formed in 1844, and doubtless all the above names were upon the roll of the Norfolk Abolition Society, though not found upon the original document given above. One now living who was in the 'inner circle' at times says: "Like most pioneers in a good cause, these Aboli- tionists endured much ridicule and obloquy in those early 298 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. days. I well remember the first Abolition meeting, with speakers from abroad. One of the speakers was Abbie Kelley. The meeting was held by the great courtesy of the society's committee in the meeting-house. It was as much as an individual's 'social' reputation was worth to attend it. Mr. John Humphrey was invariably the candidate for Representative to the Legislature, and always received his full party vote of nine. In 1853 John Humphrey and Wil- liam J. Norton, a Democrat, were elected Representatives." THE SUBJECT OF SLAVERY, IN THE CHURCH A VIEW PRIOR TO 1850. (Fbom the Chubch Recobds). "Dec. 18, 1846. Church met, being called together in compliance with a request addressed to the pastor, and signed by a number of members, who desired that an op- portunity might be had to express views and consult upon the subject of slavery. After a very free expression of views and feelings, which was done in a very pleasant manner, it was proposed and voted that the meeting be adjourned four weeks, this being the wish of those at whose request the meeting was called. "January 15, 1847. Church met according to adjourn- ment. Mr. Thomas T. Cowles moved a very strong resolu- tion on the subject of slavery. After a protracted discus- sion it was rejected. Deacon Pettibone then moved the following: "While in the exercise of Christian charity we would refrain from passing sweeping resolutions excluding all slave-holders indiscriminately from our communion; yet Resolved, That those persons who enslave or traffic in human beings for mere purposes of gain; who are indif- ferent as to the condition into which 'they sell them; who violate the domestic relations by separating husbands and wives, parents and children, or who deny to them the Bible, the means of intellectual and religious instruction and improvement, or who allow them in concubinage; all ^4 .1'!^ -»^ ^ HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 299 persons doing these things do by such conduct forfeit all claims to Christian character, and cannot be recognized by us as worthy a standing in the Christian church." After some discussion this resolution was adopted. What was called the ^'Underground Railroad" ran through Norfolk for many years, and among several 'sta- tions' in the town the house of Dea, Amos Pettibone was one. One of the natives says: ''Dea. Pettibone used to take the passengers on to the next 'station' in New Marl- boro. I remember his stopping one morning at my home to have us children see a young runaway slave whom he bad kept over night, and was then on his way to the next 'station.' He showed the scars on his ankles where he had worn irons." The doings at a business meeting of the Cong. Church of Norfolk, Ct., November 15, 1850, are as follows: (Fbom the Chtibch Recoeds). "At an adjourned church meeting, Brother Thomas T. Cowles introduced the following resolution: — "Resolved, by this church that we consider slave-holding as it exists in these United States, prima facie evidence of sin, and such a violation of the law of God, the precepts and spirit of Christianity, as to merit at our hands just and severe rebulie; — and that any per- son -Who is guilty of this sin, is not and cannot be recognized by us as being in good and regular standing in any Christian Church." "After consideralile discussion the question was talien on mo- tion of Deacon Pettibone by yeas and nays, with the following result: Yes: Darius Phelps, Sherman H. Cowles, Thomas T. Cowles, John Humphrey, Jared Potter, Amos Pettibone (6). No, 25 votes. After the defeat of the resolution introduced by Mr. Cowles by the strong vote of 25 to 6, the record goes on to say: — "Then John K. Shepard moved a resolution in the words of one recently adopted by our Consociation, in the words following: — "Resolved— To institute steps of discipline in every case where our members are or become slaveholders." This resolution was adopted unanimously." 300 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. So far as the writer is able to learn, the last slave bought, sold or owned by a member of this church or a resident of this town was James Mars, who says in the sketch of his life: "The bargain was made on the 12th of September, 1798. Then I was informed that I was sold to Mr. Munger, and must go and live with him." In view of this fact it would appear that the resolution adopted unanimously by the church November 15, 1850, fifty-two years, two months and three days after the last purchase or sale of a slave in the town, was a very safe, conservative resolution to adopt. But, — "the world do move." We will here pass over a period of ten years and three months, which brings us within eight days of the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States. During the decade from 1850 to 1860 a marvellous change was wrought in the minds of people throughout the North. There had been no occasion to "institute steps of discipline w^here our members are or become slaveholders" in Nor- folk, but the six who in 1850 voted for Mr. Cowles' resolution, which declared "that slavery was a sin, a viola- tion of the law of Grod and of the precepts of Christianity," no longer stood alone and despised, but a large majority in this town, as elsewhere, now believed that what these men believed or declared ten or twenty years before was wholly true. On Sunday, February 17, 1861, Dr. Eldridge gave notice from the pulpit that upon the next Sabbath he proposed to consider the question, "Does the Bible sanction slavery?" and remarked that he gave this notice so that any who might not wish to hear what he should have to say could, if they so desired, stay away. Very few, if any, of his congregation were absent on the following Sunday. A brief synopsis of this discourse follows. At the request of a large number of his people the discourse was published, and many copies are still to be found. He took as his text in the morning Isaiah 61:1, and said: "We have, thus announced, the aim of the mission of Christ on earth. It was to proclaim and secure deliverance from sin, from HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 301 ignorance, from social servitude, and from civil despotism; in sliort from every species of bondage and oppression. Sucti was its aim, and sucli tias been its effect, to the full extent of its legitimate in- fluence. This text I deem a suitable introduction to ttie task I have un- dertaljen to perform this day. Tbat taslj is, to examine the question, Does the Bible sanction slavery; southern slavery? Before pro- ceeding to execute the task, T wish to say a preliminary word or two as to the manner in which I mean, God helping me, to discharge this undertaking. I intend to dodge no difficulty; to pervert or strain no passage of scripture from what, after the best lights I h.ave, I regard to be its real import. If I know my own heart in this matter, my sincere desire is, not to handle the word of God deceitfully in order to make out a case, but to present its real teach- ings upon the point under consideration. To recur then to the ques- tion,— does the Bible sanction slavery; southern slavery? Does the Bible represent slavery as in itself a proper institution, a natural institution like that of marriage for example, one that is indeed liable to abuse and perversion in individual cases, but which as an institution, is on tlie whole wise, safe. Christian; not something to be got rid of as soon as it safely may be, but to be sustained, cher- ished, perpetuated, extended? Such is the question. In discussing it, it is evident that we have to do, not with in- dividual cases of slaveholding, that may be exceptional, some in- volving little evil, others flagrant instances of cruelty and oppres- sion. Our concern is with the system, as established, guarded, and protected by law, and in its general operation." He then quotes southern autliority as to what slavery then was, as sustained by law. The civil code of Louisiana said: "A slave is one who is in the power of the master, to whom he belongs. The master may sell him, dispose of his person, his industry and his labor. He can do nothing, nor possess anything, nor acquire anything, but what be- longs to his master." The laws of South Carolina declared: "Slaves shall be deemed, sold, taken, reputed and adjudged in law to be chattels personal in the hands of their owners and possessors, their executors and as- signs, to all intents and purposes whatever." In North Carolina,— "The slave is one doomed in his own person and posterity to live without knowledge, and without capacity to make anything his own, and to toil that another may reap the fruits- He bas no will of his own. The power of the master must be absolute,— the submission of the slave, perfect." Dr. Eldridge continued:— "Such, as defined by statute and ex- pounded by southern Jurists is slavery as a system. 302 HISTORY OF NOEFOLK. In this system sanctioned by the Bible? There are those who maintain that it is, both in the Old Testa- ment and in the New. On the contrary I believe and shall attempt to show, that slavery is not sanctioned by either the Hebrew or the Cliristian Scriptures; that it is opposed to the letter and spirit of ■both, and that above all, it is in diametrical 'hostility to the whole scope of Christianity. My plan will be, first:— To examine the pas- sages in the Old Testament and in the New Testament that are re- lied on to support slavery, and to show that they do not support it. Second. I shall attempt to prove that the general spirit of Chris- tianity, as well as its specified precepts, is diametrically hostile to slavery. Third. That it is a strong argument in favor of the construction that I put upon the Bible, that it brings its teachings into harmony with the intuitive convictions and spontaneous sentiments of man- kind." Dr. Eldridge then proceeded to examine carefully each passage in the Old Testament that was supposed to lend any countenance to modern slavery, and it would be of deep interest to follow him carefully, as he did effectually dispose of every one. At the afternoon service on the same day he took up the second part of his argument, and examined the passages in the New Testa- ment that the advocates of slavery relied upon. He took as his text Luke 4, 16-21, and said: "My text this afternoon is the same in reality with that of the morning. Here we have it quoted from the prophet by our Lord Jesus Christ, and endorsed by his sanction, as a true prophetic rep- resentation of the real spirit and aim of his mission on earth, and which was then beginning to receive its fulfillment. That mission was to proclaim the year of Jubilee, the acceptable year of the Lord; a Jubilee of liberty to all the inhabitants of the world, re- demption from the bondage of sin, of oppression and tyranny. We have seen how much sanction the Old Testament lends to chattel slavery. Let us now enquire whetlier it receives any support from the New Testament I am firmly persuaded that slavery receives no support from the New Testament. . . There are three classes of passage.s which embrace every syllable that the New Testament contains referring directly to the subject of slavery, or that can be imagined to afford it any sanction. 1. The passages that are addressed to servants, or if you please, slaves. 2. The passages that are addressed to masters. 3. A part of a letter of Paul to Philemon in regard to Onesimus." Dr. Eldridge then took up carefully each one of the passages re- ferred to and showed most conclusively and clearly that slavery re- ceived no support from any one of them. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 303 Referring to the passages addressed to masters he said:— "You who have not studied the subject and who have heard so much said, and vauntingly said, of the ample support that the New Testament jields to slavery, imagine probably that the class of texts now to be cited is a very large one, and that they set forth the claims of slavery with great explicitness and force. If any entertain such expectations they are doomed to great disappointment, for besides what Is said in the epistle to Philemon, there are in this class but two short verses, Ephesians 6—9, and Colossians 4—1. . , . Besides what is said in the epistle to Philemon, to which I will advert by and by, tliese two verses are the pillars that must sup- port the monstrous system of human slavery. By what species of chicanery anybody can extort out of these two verses justification for a system of bondage that holds millions of human beings as mere property to all intents and purposes whatsoever, I am utterly at a loss to conjecture." After analyzing thoroughly these passages and also Philemon 8— 21 he said again:— "Wbat a heart must that man have who imagines that he can by some species of logical chemistry extort chattel slavery into the right to hold and treat even Christian men as things, from a letter so full of tenderness and breathing such an earnest desire that Philemon would receive Onesimus no longer as a servant, but as a brother beloved." On the whole therefore I conclude, that nothing that is said in the New Testament, and nothing that is omitted, af- fords a shadow of support of modern slavery. We saw this morn- ing that that monstrous institution can derive no just sanction from the Old Testament; so that to the question, "Does the Bible sanc- tion slavery"? we are now prepared to reply, as I do with the deep- est conviction. No; it does not. But I do not stop with that negative declaration. I now in the second place declare affirmatively, that the gospel, in its essential spirit, as well as in many of its most im- portant precepts, is diametrically opposed to chattel slavery. What is the spirit of slavery? It is that spirit which lords it over others; disregards and crushes out their wishes and feelings; extorts from them labor by compulsion, and then appropriates to one's self the fruit of such toil, except so much as may be necessary to keep the living machine in good working order. Who can deny that such is the spirit and genius of slavery? Now the spirit of the gospel, aa evinced by Christ himself, and as set forth in the New Testament, is the direct opposite of this. . . . The very essence of the spirit of the gospel is a disposition to do as much good as possible to others in a spirit of self sacrifice. What fellowship hath sucli a spirit with that which would make mere tools of others for one's own gratifi- cation or emolument. John 13—13. The example that he gave, and which he would have them copy, was that of humble kindness to 304 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. others, a readiness to do humble offices in love. What has such a temper to do with the lordly spirit that belongs to slavery as a system? While the essential spirit of the gospel is thus diametrically op- posed to that of slavery, many of the precepts of Christ virtually prohibit it. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." "Therefore all things "whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them." Nobody is willing to be a slave. Nobody is willing to be re- garded and treated as a thing. Nobody is willing to be s'hut out from the light of knowledge by law; to toil his whole life at the bidding and for the sole advantage of others; to have no hope on earth for himself or his wretched offspring. And if nobody is will- ing to be a slave, then nobody ought to be willing to hold others in slavery. It is not doing as he would be done by; it is not loving his neighbor as himself. It is a clear violation of these precepts of the gospel." "My third point is, that it is a strong argument in favor of that construction of the Bihle, that finds it, not friendly to, but hostile to slavery, because that conclusion is in perfect accordance with the intuitive conviction and the spontaneous sentiments of mankind. The Bible teaches me to call no man master; that my fellow creatures are in the sight of God just as important as I am; that he is no respecter of persons; that my fellow man is under no more obligations to me than I am to him in the nature of things. The same things are intuitively true. Is it not intuitively cer- tain that I have, under God, a better rig'ht to myself and to the use of my own powers than anybody else has, and that if it do nobody any harm, I have a right to seek my own welfare in my own way? Can any logic beat that conviction out of me, or out of you? Suppose I have not quite so much bodily strength, or intellectual vigor as another, or tnat my skin is not so white, does this alter the case ? Such is the common feeling of men the world over, just in pro- portion as they are intelligent and have hearts in the right place. Many slaveholders, notwithstanding all the opiates to which their consciences are subjected, feel so. .John Randolph says in his last will and testament, "I give to my slaves their freedom, to which my conscience tells me they are justly entitled." And the state- ment of men's rights in the Declaration of Independence, is but the utterance of the inherent conviction and the spontaneous feeling of the conscience and heart of man. Even the most fanatical pro- slavery advocates unconsciously betraj'' something of the same feeling. Even Dr. Van Dyke is rather of the opinion that slavery will HISTORY OF NORFOIJi:. 305 oease at the time of the M'illenium. One would suppose, from his zeal on the subject, that in his opinion heaven would not be perfect without "the institution." . . . And now I ask, who planted These sentiments of right and humanity in our consciences and hearts? Who wrote these laws in the human soul? Why, the same being who has given us the Bible. And is it to be supposed that in that book he has given laws that contradict the law that he has inscribed on the soul? Sooner let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, than give utterance to what I should feel to be an impious libel on the Divine character. And, my hearers, whatever you may allow yourselves to do for the sake of politics, do not, I beseech yon, inspire your children with the domineering, the selfish spirit of slavery If what I have said in re- gard to the Bible be true, then slavery is doomed to expire. Not merely the intelligence and conscience of the civilized world are against it, but Christ the Redeemer is also against it. It may be bolstered up for a time, but its ultimate doom is sealed. No human foresight can now determine the when and the how of its demise; but that it will die, I regard as only a question of time. And who is not prepared with me to say, "O Lord, hasten the day!" No apology is needed, nor will any be made, for inserting at length this extract from Dr. Eldridge's discourse on a subject long since settled, but which was the burning vital one at the time of its delivery. His words from our stand- point today seem nothing less than prophetic. If for no other reason, his discourse in full, which can be found at the Norfolk Library and elsewhere, is richly worthy a care- ful perusal as a specimen of his clear, cogent reasoning, showing, as it does, the power, the breadth and the scope of his mind. "There were giants in those days." It is said that Deacon Amos Pettibone was the head and front of the 'Anti-Slavery,' or 'Abolition party,' in this town. The caucuses were usually held at his house, around his fireside, in the early days. Their full roll for consider- able time was nine. The sentiments and convictions of a few were so intense that they withdrew from the churches, and thought it wrong even to vote, so long as the Constitu- tion of the United States sanctioned slavery. Of these were Mr. Merrill Humphrey, Mr. Abel Camp and probably others. 306 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. NORFOLK MEN IN THE WAK OF THE REBELLION. The following record of service is largely as published by order of the State Legislature in 1885. This state publica- tion is in many cases incorrect: President Lincoln's proclamation calling for men for three months was issued April 15, 1S61. The First Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, arrived at Washington on the steamer "Bienville," via Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac, May 13th. "These were days of intense excitement in Washington, and false alarms were frequent, but cool heads were in control of the Connecticut Brigade." There were no Norfolk men in the First Connecticut Regiment. The Second Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, enlisted for three months. Col. Alfred H. Terry, was mustered into the United States service at Brewster's Park, New Haven, May 7. 1861. It embarked from that port May 10th on the steamer "Cahawba" for Washing- ton, D. C, arriving there May 14th, camping at Meridian Hill. On the night of June IGth it crossed Long Bridge, entering upon the "sacred soil of Virginia." On the 17th it was ordered to the support of Col. McCook's Ohio regiment, which had that day been attacked at Vienna Station." . . . "The Second Connecticut took part in the battle of Bull Run, July 21st, acquitting itself with great credit, demonstrating b.v its coolness under Are the excellence of its material and the thoroughness of its discipline. At the ex- piration of its term of service the Second Regiment returned to New Haven, where on August 7th, 1861, its men were mustered out, most of them to make use of their experience, training and discipline in the three years' regiments of the State, wherein a large number became valuable officers." Norfolk was well represented in this regiment, Rifle Co. E or Infantry Co. F containing the first men to enlist from this town, viz., Samuel C. Barnum, Charles N. Decker, George J. Karmann, Samuel J. Mills, Calvin N. Sage and John M. Walker. In Co. A, or Rifle Co. B, the Norfolk men were Edward Adams, Stephen Barden, Philo Blake, William J. Downer, Charles A. Lewis and Timothy Ryan. In the Third Connecticut Regiment, which was in the same brigade as the First and Second regiments, in Rifle Co. A, was Willis H. Tyrrell of Norfolk, These Norfolk men were all mustered out at the close of their three months' term of service; nearly all of them, however, re- enlisted. Samuel J. Mills, a native of this town, son of Irad Mills, died not long after his return, his death occurring Sept. 5, 1861, from HISTORY OF NOEFOLK. 307 disease contracted in the service, and was buried liere with military- honors, his being the first death of a Norfolk soldier, and the first military funeral here. In the First Squadron Conn. Vol. Cavalry, which was consoli- dated with the Second New Yorlj, known as the "Harris Light Cavalry," in Company A, were Sergeants Edward C. Morehouse and Russell A. Murphy from Norfolk, both mustered in Aug. 13, '61. Morehouse continued in the service until mustered out, September 10, 1SG4, the expiration of his term. Murphy was taken prisoner June 9, '63, at Brandy Station, Va.; died at Andersonville, Ga., 1864. This I'egiment was among the very first volunteer cavalry regi- ments to prove that Union cavalry could match and overmatch the rough riders of the Confederacy." In Co. B was Corporal Damon S. Pendleton of Norfolk (son of Harry Pendleton), who was mustered in a private August 29, 1861. Promoted March 1, '63. Re-enlisted a veteran Dec. 21, '63. Wound- ed at Rapidan, Va., March 1, '64. Died March 25, '64. Also in Co. B, Charles A. Lewis; mustered in August 29, '61; discharged for disability Feb.,' 64. In the First Regiment Conn. Vol. Cavalry, Co. G, was William Stuart from Norfolk, mustered in May 14, '64; mustered out Aug. 2, '65. In Co. I, from Norfolk, Alexander McDonald, a substitute, mus- tered in Aug. 6, '63; captured Oct. 17, '64; paroled March 1, '65; discharged, disability, June 12, '65. In Co. L, Charles Gordon, Norfolk; mustered in Nov. 16, '64; mustered out Aug. 2, '65. In the First Regiment Conn. Vol. Heavy Artillery was Jonathan H. P. Stevens, M. D., Assistant Surgeon; mustered in Oct. 14, '61; re- signed September 1, 1862. Dr. Stevens was a native of this town, a life long resident, and from the time of his graduation as a physician and surgeon until his death a much esteemed, trusted and successful practising physician. He was a man of sterling character, integrity and worth, whose death in middle life was deeply deplored by the entire community. In Co. E of this regiment from Norfolk were Corporal Lewis W. Curtiss; mustered in May 23, '61; promoted Sept. 24, '63; term expired May 22, '64. James L. Mason, wagoner; mustered in May 23, '61; term ex- pired May 22, '64. Loren R. Curtiss; mustered in May 23, '61; term expired May 22, '64. In Co. F, Frederick Barber, substitute; mustered in Dec. 2, '64; mustered out Sept. 25, '65. In Co. G, Sergeant Edward E. Bettis. Mustered in a private 308 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. May 22, '61. Re-enlisted a veteran Nov. 3, '63. Promoted Corporal May 24, '64. Promoted 2nd Lieutenant Co. L, Nov. 8, '64. Mustered out Sept. 25, '65. In Co. L, Thomas Smedley. Mustered in Feb. 7, '62, Re-enlisted a veteran Feb. 16, '64. Mustered out Sept. 25, '65. In the Second Regiment, Conn. Heavy Artillery, called the Litch- field County Regiment, a considerable number of Norfolk men en- listed and passed through long and severe service, participating in not less than thirteen engagements, in which several were killed, others wounded and disabled for a time or for life, and many others suffered and died from sickness. The Regiment was enlisted in August, 1862, at "Camp Button," in Litchfield. September 11th was formally mustered into the United States service and on the 1.5th of September proceeded by rail to Washington. The Norfolk men in this regiment were Sergeant Robert Craw- ford, Co. A. Mustered in a private Dec. 28, '63. Wounded at Cold Harbor, Va., June 1, '64. Promoted Corporal Jan. 1, '65; Sergeant July 10, '65. Mustered out Aug. 18, '65. In Co. B, Auguste Adams. Mustered in Sept. 11, '62. Wounded at Cold Harbor, Va., June 1, '64. Discharged July 7, '65. Godfrey Miller. Mustered in Dec. 9, '63. Wounded at Cold Harbor June 1, '64. Mustered out August 18, '65. In Co. C, Christian Bjornsen. Mustered in Dec. 15, '63. Wound- ed at Cold Harbor, Va., June 1, '64. Died June 18, '64. In Company E of this regiment the largest number of Norfolk men enlisted. The First Sergeant of this company was Hiram D. Gaylord (son of Captain Hiram Gaylord of this town). Mustered in Sept. 11, '62. Promoted Second Lieutenant Co. A July 8, '63. Died from typhoid fever Nov. 18, '63. (Buried here with military honors). Also in Co. E, Q. M. Sergeant Edwin R. Canfleld. Mustered in a private Sept. 11, '62. Promoted Corporal May 15, '64; Q. M. Sergeant March 1, '65, Discharged July 7, '65. Corporal Charles M. Burr (son of Silas Burr). Mustered in pri- vate Sept. 11, '62. Wounded (lost a leg) at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, '64. Promoted March 1, '65. Discharged, disability, May 23, '65. Corporal Sherman H. Cowles. Mustered in Sept. 11, '62. Dis- charged, disability. May 18, '63. Charles N. Decker (also in Co. E, 2nd C. V.) Mustered in Dec. 16, '63. Promoted March 1, '65. Mustered out Aug. 18, '65. Corporal Isaac R. Knapp. Mustered in private Sept. 11, '62. Promoted Mch. 1, '65. Discharged July 7, '6-5. Corporal George H. Pendleton (son of Hobart Pendleton). Mus- tered in private Sept. 11, '62; promoted July 6. '64; wounded in breast at Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, '64. Died Oct. 11, '64. (Buried here with military honors). HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 309 Sherman A. Apley. Mustered in Sept. 11, '62. Missing at battle at Cold Harbor, Ya., June 1, '64; probably killed; no further report. Jean Christina. Mustered in Sept. 11, '62; discharged July 11, '65. Michael Donahue. Mustered in Jan. 5, '64. Taken prisoner at Cedar Creek Oct. 19, '64. Died at Salisbury, N. C, Dee. 14, '64. William Downer. Mustered in Dec. 23, '63; mustered out Aug. 18, '6.5. Adam Feathers. Mustered in Sept. 11, '62; discharged July 7. '65. Oliver C. Fitch. Mustered in Sept. 11, '62; discharged, disability, Nov. 20, '62. William Gager. Mustered in Sept. 11, '62; deserted June 2, '63. Richard C. Gingell. Mustered in Sept. 11, '62; wounded at Cold Harbor June 3, '64; discharged, disability, Sept. 9, '65. Jule Jackman. Mustei'ed in Sept. 11, '62; discharged July 7, '65. Matthew Jackman. Mustered in Sept. 11, '62; discharged Sept. 10. '65. Bowden D. Knapp. Mustered in Dec. 23, '63; missing at battle Cold Harbor June 1, '64; probably killed; no further report. Blizur Maltbie. Mustered in Sept. 11, '62; wounded at Cold Harbor June 1, '64 (leg amputated); died July 2,; '64 (buried here with military honors). Joseph Robinson. Mustered in Dec. 22, '63; died Oct. 3, '64. William A. Turner. Mustered in Sept. 11, '62; transferred to Co. I, 19th Reg., V. R. C, Jan. 30, '65; discharged July 10, '65. In Co. F, George W. Scoville. Mustered in private Dec. 17, '63; promoted corporal July 11, '65; mustered out Aug 18, '65. George N. Andrus. Mustered in Sept. 11, '62; died June 23, '64. Ammi Bailey. Mustered in Dec. 24, '63; mustered out Aug. 18, '65. James Hyde. Mustered in Dec. 29, '63; wounded Sailors' Creek, Va., April 6, '65; discharged July 14, '65. Benjamin A. Murphy. Mustered in Dec. 22, '63; mustered out Aug. 18, '65. William Scoville. Mustered in Dec. 17, '63; mustered out Aug. 18, '65. In Company G. Sergeant Matthew P. Bell, Jr. Mustered in private Sept. 11, '62; promoted corporal Feb. 13, '64; sergeant Oct. 15, '64; wounded at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, '64; discharged, dis- ability, June 2, '65. In Co. K. Charles A. Campbell. Mustered in Sept. 11, '62; discharged July 7, '65. In Co. E. Corporal Theodore Bobbins. Served from Sept. 11, '62, to June 1, '65. Robbins was a resident of Norfolk, but in the Record was put down as from Winchester. 310 HIS1X)EY OF NOEFOLK. Edmund B. Sage, also in Co. E. Served from Sept. 11, "62, to July 7, '65. He was a Norfolk boy and man, well known to the com- piler hereof, and is on the Record as from Winchester. Co. F. Edward P. Smith. Entered service Aug. 11, 'G2; pro- moted sergeant June, 'G3; discharged July 7, '65. FIFTH CONNECTICUT REGIMENT, INFANTRY. In Co. A. Enos A. Sage. Mustered in as private July 22, '61; promoted corporal Aug. 21, '61. Re-enlisted veteran Dec. 21, '63; promoted 1st sergeant July 22, '64; first lieutenant Co. B Apr. 29, '65; mustered out July 19, '65. Daniel A. Keyes. Mustered in as private July 22, '61; wounded at Cedar Mountain, Va., Aug. 9, '62; promoted corporal Sept. 23, '62; transferred as private to Co. E, 20th C. V., Jan. 11, '64. Re-trans- ferred as corporal Mch. 26, '64; term expired July 22, '64. William W. Downer. Mustered in July 22, '61; re-enlisted veteran Dec. 21, '63; mustered out July 19, '65. Charles E. Keyes. Mustered in July 22, '61; died Dec. 22, '62. In Co. I. George Martin. Mustered in July 22, '61; promoted corporal Nov. 10, '63; re-enlisted veteran Dec. 21, '63; wounded at Culp's Farm, Ga., June 22, '62; transferred to 41st Co., 2nd Batt., V. R. C, Apr. 22, '65; discharged Aug. 31, '66. John D. Barden. Mustered in July 22, '61; wounded at Cedar Mountain, Va., Aug. 9, '62; captured at Chancellorsville, Va., May 8, '63; paroled May 14, '63; re-enlisted veteran Dec. 21, '63; mustered out July 19, '65. In Co. I. George M. Lewis. Mustered in July 22, '61; trans- ferred to Co. P, 20th C. v., Jan. 11, '64; discharged July 22, '64. John McDonald. Mustered in July 22, '61; discharged .luly 21, '64. Philip Perkins. Mustered in July 22, '61; re-enlisted veteran Dec. 21, '63; mustered out July 19, '65. SIXTH REGIMENT, INFANTRY. In Co. E. Nathan W. Barden. Mustered in Sept. 4, '61; re- enlisted veteran Dec. 24, '63; mustered out Aug. 21, '65. James Newbold. Mustered in Oct 3, '63; discharged Oct. 16, '6.5. George W. Cobb. Mustered in Sept. 4, '61; died Oct. 23, '62. Edwin M. Downer. Mustered in Sept. 4, '61; discharged Sept. 11, '64. William J. Downer. Mustered in Sept. 4, '61; discharged, dis- ability, March 9, '62. John W Peck. Mustered in Sept. 4, '61; died Feb. 9, '62. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 311 SEVENTH REGIMENT, INFANTRY. Ill Co. E. Henry J. Andrus. Mustered in Sept. 7, 61; re-enlisted veteran Dee. 22, '63; promoted corporal June 22, "64; mustered out July 20, '65. Darwin C. Andrus. Mustered in Sept. 7, '61; mustered out Sept. 12, '64. Horace Russell. Mustered in Sept. 7, '61; mustered out Sept. 12, '64. Francis Steck. Mustered in Sept. 7, '61; re-enlisted veteran Dec. 22, '63; captured at Bermuda Hundred, Va., June 17, '64; trans- ferred from Savannah, Ga., to Florence, S. C, Nov. 20, '64. No fur- ther report. Francis Steck's name is on the soldiers' monument as having died in 1865. Edward B. Gage. Mustered in Sept. 7, '61; killed at Drewiy's Bluff, Va., May 14, '64. In Co. I. Philo Bailey. Mustered in Sept. 13, '61; wounded at Ft. Wagner, S. C, July 11, '63; re-enlisted veteran Apr. 29, '64: transferred to Invalid Corps. NINTH REGIMENT, INFANTRY. In Co. B. Patrick Day. Mustered in Oct. 12, '61; discharged, disability, Oct. 16, '62. In Co. F. William Allen. Mustered in May 7, '64; deserted Aug. 3, '64. Samuel Bryan. Mustered in May 7, '64; "absent without leave since Aug., 64." In Co. I. William Mason. Mustered in Oct. 1, '61; re-enlisted veteran Jan. 4, '64; transferred to Co. D, 9th Battalion C. Y., Oct. 12, '64; mustered out Aug. 3, '65. TENTH REGIMENT, INFANTRY. In Co. I. John Hennessey. Mustered in Nov. 16, '64; discharged Nov. 13, '65. In Co. K. Thomas Kerrigan. Mustered in Nov. 17, '64; wound- ed at Ft. Gregg, Ya., Apr. 2, '65; discharged, disability, July 22, '65. ELEVENTH REGIMENT, INFANTRY. Adjutant Samuel C. Barnum. Entered service in this regiment Nov. 27, '61, as First Lieutenant Co. E; promoted to Adjutant Oct. 24, '62; wounded at Cold Harbor June 3, '64; leg amputated; died. June 1.5, '64; buried in Norfolk with military honors. Quarter Master Sergeant Egbert J. Butler. Mustered in Oct, 25, '61; promoted from Sergeant Co. E April 3, '62; 2nd Lieut. Co. B July 18, '62; resigned Jan. 5, '63. 312 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. In Co. C. Gabriel La Bouss. Mustered in May 16, '64; wounded at Petersburg, Va., June 28, '64; died July 4, '64. Arthur Linshott. Mustered in May 19, '64; killed at Petersburg, Va., Aug. 21, '64. Jean Paul Mustered in May 18, '64; killed at Petersburg, Va., July 30, '64. In Co. E. Captain John H. Dewell. Mustered in Nov. 27, '61; resigned June 16, '62. John B. Miller. Mustered in Nov. 14, '61; re-enlisted veteran Dec. 13, '63; promoted Corporal Apr. 11, '64; vs'ouuded at Cold Har- bor, Va., June 3, '64; promoted Sergeant Co. K Sept. 19, '64; Second Lieut. Jan. 16, '6-5; mustered out Dec. 21, '65. Charles S. Spaulding. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; promoted Ser- geant April 3, '62; First Sergeant Jan. 22, '63; re-enlisted veteran Dec. 13, '63; wounded and captured at Drerwry's Bluff, Va., May 16, '64; paroled Nov. 19, '64; discharged June 8, '65. (In Co. E.) Michael Gallagher. Mustered in Nov. 14, '61; pro- moted Corporal May 3, '63; re-enlistied veteran Dec. 13, '63; wounded and captured at Drewry's Bluff, Va., May 16, '64; paroled Nov. 19, •64; promoted Sergeant Dec. 1, '65; mustei'ed out Dec. 21, '65. William Humphrey. Mustered in Corporal Oct. 25, '61; pro- moted Sergeant March 1, '64; term expired Oct. 24, '64. George W. Spellman. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; wounded at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, '62; re-enlisted veteran Jan. 5. '64; promoted Corporal March 18, '64; Sergeant Dec 1, '64; mustered out Dec. 21, '65. Willis H. Tyrrell. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; promoted Corporal Jan. 2, '62; wounded Antietam Sept. 17, '62; promoted Sergeant Feb. 9, '68; died Aug. 25, '63. Orlo H. Wolcott. Mustered in Corporal Oct. 25, '61; promoted Sergeant June 16, '62; transferred to 118th Co., 2d Batt., V. R. C, Dec. 18, '63; discharged Oct 24, '64. Seth Barden. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; promoted Corporal Mch. 20, '62; discharged, disability, Sept. 18, '62. Stephen Barden. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; re-enlisted veteran Dec. 13, '63; promoted Corporal Feb. 20, '65; discharged Dec. 1, '65. Theodore S. Bates, Corporal. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; killed at Antietam, Md., Sept. 7, '62. Philo Blake. Mustered in Nov. 14, '61; mustered Co. M, 3rd Reg., U. S. Artillery, Oct. 25, '62; re-enlisted veteran April 23. '64: discharged April 23, '67. Irwin Clemens. Mustered in Feb. 6, '64; promoted Corporal Dec. 1, '65; mustered out Dec. 21, '65. George Daniels. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; re-enlisted veteran Dee. 13, '63; promoted Corporal Feb. 20, '65; no record of discharge. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 313 Nezair Demars. Mustered in Nov. 20, '61; promoted Corporal Dec. 23, '62; re-enlisted veteran Feb. 16, '61; mustered out Dec. 21. '65. Elliott Peck. Mustered in Dec. 2, '63; promoted Jan. 11, 'Go; mustered out Dec. 21, '65. James J. Slater. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; re-enlisted veteran Dec. 13, '63; promoted Corporal April 11, '64; transferred to U. S. N. April 30, '64; served on U. S. S. "Florida," "Queen," and "Dic- tator"; discharged Sept. 3, '65, Francis J. Burgess. Mustered in wagoner Oct. 25, '61; re-en- listed veteran Dec. 13, '63; mustered out Dec. 21, '65. Albert H. Bailey. Mustered in Nov. 23, '61; died April 7, "62. Benjamin J. Beach. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; killed at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, '62. Hiram Camp. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; discharged, disability, July 18, '62. Leander Campbell. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; killed at Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, '64. Edward Carman. Mustered in Nov. 20, '61; transferred to Co. M, 3rd Reg., U. S. Artillery; discharged Nov. 14, '64. Devantry Celestian. Mustered in Nov. 27, '61; re-enlisted vet- eran Dec. 13, '63; mustered out Dec. 21, '65. Xavier Chalton. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; transferred to Co. E. 2d Reg., U. S. Cavalry; re-enlisted veteran Feb. 25, '64; discharged May 19, '65. James Clark. Mustered in Nov. 20, '61; discharged, disability, Feb. 6, '63. Hiram Clemens. Mustered in Dec. 2, '63; wounded at Peters- burg, Ya., June 22, '64; mustered out Dec. 21, '65; served also in 9th Reg., Co. I, Oct. 6 to Jan., '63. Peter Demars. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; discharged, disability, June 28. '62. Willard Evans. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; died Jan. 12, '62. Joachin Filieau. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; discharged, disability, Oct. 1, '62. Michael Flaherty. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; discharged Oct. 27, '64. Moses J. Hall. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; wounded at Antietam Sept. 17, '62; re-enlisted veteran Dec. 13, '63; wounded June 3, '64, at Cold Harbor, Va.; deserted Oct. 25, '64. Edward J. Humphrey. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; died April 22, '62. Isaac M. Knapp. Mustered in Nov. 27, '61; transferred to Co. I; discharged Feb. 28, '63. John Laber. Mustered in Nov. 14. '61; re-enlisted veteran; wounded at Petersburg, Va., June 15, '64; discharged Sept. 16, '65. 314 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Theodore Parrett. Mustered in Nov. 27, '61; killed at Antietam,. Md., Sept. 17, '62. Cliarles Spellman. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; died May 22, '62. John Sughrue. Mustered in Nov. 23, '61; died April 20, '62. Lucius Watrous. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; discharged, disability,. March 3, '62. Charles Root. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; re-enlisted veteran Apr. 23, '64; deserted July 23, '65. John O'Brien. Mustered in Nov. 23, '61; discharged April 29, '64.. Halsey Roberts. Mustered in Oct. 25, '61; died Feb. 6, '62, at Annapolis, Md. In Fourteenth Regiment Infantry, Co. I, veas James Hearty. Mustered in Aug 23, '62; wounded Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, '62 r 'transferred to 3d Co., 2d Batt., V. R, C; discharged June 12. '65. NINE MONTHS' SERVICE — TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT, INFANTRY. Company F. George Barden. Mustered in Nov. 15, '62; wound- ed June 14, '63, Port Hudson, La.; died June 15, '63. Martin Green. Mustered in Nov. 15, '62; mustered out Aug. 28, '63. Schuyler B. Pendleton, Co. F. Mustered in Nov. 15, '62; died Sept. 3, '63. J Charles N. Hollister, Co. F. Enlisted Sept. 9, '62; discharged Aug. 28, '63. TWENTY-NINTH (COLORED) REGIMENT, INFANTRY. In Co A. Alanson Freeman. Mustered in Mch. 8, '64; mus- tered out Oct. 24, '65. Henry Freeman. Mustered in Mch. 8, '64; mustered out Oct. 24, '65. In Co. G. Ensign Prince. Mustered in Mch. 8, '64; died April 17, '65. In Co. K. Samuel Smith Musician. Mustered in Mch. 8, '64; mustered out Oct. 24, '65. In Co. C, 29th Reg., Corporal Joseph Prime. Enlisted Dec. 23, '63; discharged Oct. 24, '65. In Co. F, 29th Reg., James Prime. Enlisted Dec. 23, '63; dis- charged Oct 24, '65. Chauncey Crossley and Edward Hine, of this town, colored men, served in the 49th Massachusetts Regiment nearly two years. Eugene Murphy. Mustered into Co. B, 37th Mass. Infantry, Aug. 30, '62; killed at Wilderness, Va., May 6, '64. Joseph P. Nettleton. Mustered into Co. G, 59th Mass. Infantry, Feb. 22, '64; transferred to 57th Mass. Infantry June 1, '65; dis- charged July 31, '65. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 315 Another Norfolk boy who served his country and lost his life in the War of the Rebellion was Edward J. Ryan, as he was known in town and among his schoolmates, many of whom still remember him. He was John Barlow, the son of Levi Barlow, mentioned else- where; was adopted by Mr. Edward E. Ryan and given the name In baptism of Edward John Ryan. He enlisted in Co. B, 3d Regiment, Conn. Vols., as John Barlow, and at the end of the three months' service was discharged. The following year he enlisted from Milan, N. Y., in Co. C, 128th N. Y. Vols. He went in the expedition to New Orleans under Gen. Banks, and there with others of his Regiment joined Company E, Capt. Yeaton, First Louisiana Cavalry. He was an orderly for Gen. Augur at the siege of Port Hudson. Later he was detailed as orderly to Col. Birge, 13th Conn. Vols. He was drowned in the Mississippi River at Carrollton, La., August 1, 1863." Col. Birge wrote Miss Barlow under date of Sept. 10, 1863, from Thibodeaux, La., as follows: "I am pained to be obliged to confirm the report which has reached you of your brother's death. ... I sympathize with you in your sad bereavement. Though your brother had been with me but a short time I had become much interested in him. He was correct in his habits, prompt and reliable in the discharge of his duty, and a good soldier. I wish he could have been spared for his country and for you. . . . Efforts to recover his body were un- successful. Your obedient servant, HENRY W. BIRGE, Col." THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT. A few years after the close of the war of the rebellion a desire was generally felt in this community to have some suitable monument erected to the memory of those who from this town gave up their lives in the great struggle for the . preservation of our government. The place decided upon was near the centre of the park, in front of the Gon- sregational Church. The town voted |7o0 toward the ex- pense of the monument, the remainder being raised by pri- vate subscription. The monument was designed and built by William A. Burdick, the agent of the "Westerly quar- ries," from the celebrated granite of Westerly, Rhode Island. The whole cost of the monument was |2,200. It stands in a fine location and is an ornament as well as an honor to the town, being, as it is, a permanent recognition 316 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. of the great sacrifice of the noble young men from this town who gave their lives in order that "a government of the people, by the people and for the people should not perish from the earth." The monument has two bases, a die, a plinth and a shaft. The lower base is six feet square, the second base four and a half feet square, and the die three feet nine inches square and three and a half feet high. The entire height of the monument is 24 feet and a little more. Upon the west side is the inscription, "To the memory of the soldiers from this town who gave their lives to their coun- try in the War of the Rebellion." Upon the four sides the names of thirty-five of those who gave their lives in the war are carved. 'The monument is simple, effective, grand; in its silent massiveness eloquent of the story it shall tell to all posterity of the steadfastness, even unto death, of those whose glorious deeds it commemorates, and whose memory it preserves.' The names of the soldiers upon the monu- ment are: Adjutant Samuel C. Barnum; died June 15, 1864. Lieutenant Hiram D. Gaylord; died Nov. 18, 1863. Corporal Theodore S. Bates; died Sept. 17, 1862. Corporal Damon S. Pendleton; died March 24, 1864. Corporal George H. Pendleton; died Oct. 11, 1864. Schuyler B. Pendleton; died Sept. 3, 1863. Sherman A. Apley; died June 1, 1864. Edward J. Humphrey; died April 22, 1862. Edward Hine; died July 18, 1864. Charles E. Keyes; died Dec. 22, 1862. Elizur Maltbie; died July 2, 1864. Samuel J. Mills; died Sept. 5, 1861. Russell A. Murphy; died 1864. Theodore Parrett; died Sept. 17, 1862. John W. Peck; died Feb. 9. 1862. George N. Andrus; died June 22, 1864. Albert H. Bailey; died April 7, 1862. George Barden; died June 15, 1863. Benjamin J. Beach; died Sept. 17, 1862. Christian Bejornson; died June 18, 1864. Leander Campbell; died June 3, 1864. George W. Cobb; died Oct. 23, 1862. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 317 Michael Donahue; died Dec. 13, 1864. Willard Evans; died June 12, 1862. Joseph Robinson; died Sept. 17, 1864. Halsey Roberts; died Feb. 6, 1862. Timothy Ryan; died Aug. 2, 1862. Edward B. Sage; died May 4, 1864. John Sughrue; died April 20, 1862. Charles Spellman; died May 25, 1862. Sergeant Willis H. Tyrrell; died Aug. 25, 1863. Francis Steck; died 1865. Augiiste Didier; died (no date). Bowden E. Knapp; died (no date). Ensign Prince; died (no date). ADJUTANT SAMUEL C. BARNUTVI, MORTALLY WOU'NDED AT COLD HARBOR, VA. One of the noble men who gave his life freely, conscien- tiously and willingly for his country was Samuel C. Bar- num, whose record as a soldier is mentioned briefly above. Fortunately among the public records, and in the posses- sion of friends, who remember and recall him with great affection and tenderness, facts and material are to be found for a brief sketch of his life. Samuel Carter Barnum was born at Brookfield, Connecti- cut, in 1838. When he was about eight years old his mother died, leaving a large family of young children, and as his father did not feel equal to the task of properly caring for and training all his motherless children, homes were found for some of them, and for the little boy Samuel a home was offered by Mr. and Mrs. Philo M, Trowbridge of Wood- bury. When told that he was to go and have a home with Mr. Trowbridge, in his enthusiasm, which was a marked characteristic with him through his brief life, he threw up his hat and called out "three cheers" in his childish zeal. Few boys are as fortunately and happily placed in homes of their own parents as was he in the Christian home of Mr. and Mrs. Trowbridge, the latter being a native of Nor- folk, Miss Sarah Aiken, daughter of Mr. Lemuel Aiken, a well known and life long resident of this town. Surrounded by the best of Christian home influences and training, with 318 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. good school advantages, grateful for and appreciative of all the kindness shown him and the advantages given him, he spent the years of his youth in Mr, Trowbridge's family . When about fifteen years of age, from close and intense application to his studies, there seemed danger of his health being seriously impaired, and the family physician advised that he, for at least a time, should be relieved from his studies and placed in some dif- ferent position. Just the right place for the boy, now coming into manhood, opened up for him in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Curtiss of this town, the latter being a sister of Mrs. Trowbridge. Here he was given a position as clerk in Mr. Curtiss' store, and never was boy or young man more faithful and attentive to his duties than was he, and with his happy home life and most excellent Christian influences he was again most pleasantly and favorably situated. With the same degree of truthfulness could it have been said of him during his life in Norfolk, as when in the army: "Wherever he had acquaintances he had friends." After some five years' experience in Mr. Curtiss' store he accepted the position of bookkeeper in the Norfolk Hosiery Company, and in that position he remained until his country's call "to arms" was sounded, when, upon Presi- dent Lincoln's first call for volunteers for three months, the name of Samuel C. Barnuni was one of the vei*y first en- rolled from this town. He served as a private during that three months' campaign, being present and taking part in the first battle at Bull Run, and it is safe to say that no soldier in the army or citizen at home felt more chagrin, disappointment and humiliation at that disastrous defeat than did he. At the close of the three months for which he had enlisted he returned to his home in Norfolk for a few days, his mind being fully made up to again enter the service, and shortly afterward he enlisted for three years in the Eleventh Connecticut Regiment. He was every inch a soldier, as will appear by some extracts from letters which he wrote when at the front, addressed to his foster father and ever dear friend, Mr. P. M. Trowbridge, and HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 319 which are found in full in the ^'History of Woodbury." He entered the service in the Eleventh Connecticut in November, 1861. His first letter, which was preserved, was dated Newbern, N. C, March 18, 1862, in which he men- tions his Regiment going in an expedition to Newbern, and describes the battle at that place: ''The firing continued about four or five hours. The stars and stripes were plant- ed on the enemies' breastwork about 11.30 o'clock, and then such cheering and shouting. It must have penetrated even further than the roar and din of battle had, but a few minutes before. The rebels fled in great confusion and haste. In some of their camps food was still cooking, or spread upon the tables. They burnt the bridge command- ing the approach to Newbern, and set the city on fire. Our loss was 91 killed, 463 wounded, and of the wounded some 20 mortally so. Our men, with a few individual exceptions, acted nobly in the fight. I can hardly say enough in praise of the brave men. . . . The boys were busy for a day or two in securing prizes. I have a splendid genuine seces- sion flag, which I would not swap for all the rest. I intend to send it to Norfolk the first opportunity I have. Won't it excite a sensation there, though?" That "genuine secession flag" is still in the possession of Mrs. Peter Curtiss. ''The country for miles around is almost entirely de- serted. The men have been allowed to go out foraging quite freely. It would amuse you to see them come in. Some will have a pig or sheep slung over his shoulder, and some come with a mule or horse loaded down with poultry. . The slaves here seem overjoyed at our success, and avow that they never shall call any man master again. I am now enjoying the satisfaction of having done my duty, and wiped out Bull Run." Yours affectionately, Samuel C. Barnum. To P. M. Trowbridge, Esq." He wrote from Washington, D. C, Sept. 6, 1862, to Mr. Trowbridge, as follows: ''Our regiment arrived here night 320 HISTOEY OF NORFOLK. before last. We are now bivouacking on the very identical spot upon which the Second Connecticut were encamped. How curious the coincidence, and how little I thought when I left it, over one year ago, to advance into Virginia, that after a year of marching, voyages, battles, privations, etc., I should come back to the old camp ground, to begin anew; for it seems that our forces are but little advanced, comparatively, from what they were at that time. Still I have hope that all will yet be well. We evacuated Fred- ericksburg on the 31st of August, burning the bridge be- hind us. Our regiment was a part of the rear guard, and did not arrive at Acquia Creek until the morning of the 8d. The men are all well and in good spirits. We shall remain here probably not long, as we are under marching orders. I do not know where we are going. I am still in command of Co. K, alone. I am rejoiced to hear that the North are at last wide awake." Again he wrote: "Camp of 11th Connecticut Volunteers, Opposite Fredericksburg, Va,, Nov. 27, 1862." My Dear Friend: ''It is Thanksgiving in Conn, today, and I have been thinking of you constantly, and I need not say how often I have wished I were with you to enjoy it. There are so many pleasing associations clustering about the day that it has always seemed to me one of the happiest of the year. Bright visions of your festivities have flitted before me today, until I have almost imagined myself there in reality. And thus it is I often derive great satisfaction in the thought of the happiness of friends at home. You must not imagine, however, that I am wanting in the com- forts of life. On the contrary I have enjoyed a sumptuous dinner today, prepared by the cook of our mess, and at which Col. Harland, our Brigadier, and Surgeon Warner of the Sixteenth were guests. I enjoyed it, but felt almost guilty at the thought that the men of the regiment had nothing but hard crackers and "salt junk." The rank and file are the ones who make the greatest sacrifices, after all. You wish me to tell what position I occupy, etc. I am at HISTOEY OF NORFOLK. 321 present acting as Adjutant. The Adjutancy is a staff ap- pointment and a very desirable situation. His business is to make all reports, etc., of the regiment, write, publish and copy all orders, attend to the officers' correspondence, and in the field to form the regiment and assist in maneu- vering it; also to mount the guard. I am entitled to a horse and many other privileges which I could not otherwise have. Besides I very much enjoy the society with which it brings me in contact. Col. Stedman has told me that he should be pleased to have me remain wiiere I am, but at any time I wish to go in the line I can have a captaincy. My present rank is that of First Lieutenant." Yours affectionately, am Ti HT m u -J -c^ >5 Samuel C. Barnum." "To P. M. Trowbridge, Esq." He wrote again Dec. 10, 1862: "I am still with the field and staff, and enjoy it very much, not only as it is just in my line of business, writing, but it brings me into a very refined circle of society, under the influences of which I feel that I am improving. It is announced this afternoon that the troops will move tomorrow morning at daylight. Stirring scenes are ahead. While I write the rumbling of wagons, etc., betokens preparation for the coming contest. We may awake tomorrow morning to the music of cannon. The battle may be severe and critical. I am inclined to think it will be. This seems to me a critical period. Great events may be hanging on the issues of the next few days. God grant that our cause may triumph this time. Maybe you would like to know what my feelings are in regard to the prospect of a fight. I assure you they are none of those ever described as "spoiling for a fight." I would much rather the thing be accomplished without the shedding of a single drop of blood; but if it is to be otherwise, I desire to meet it squarely, cooly and bravely. The experiences of Newbern, South Mountain and Antietam have taught me that there is an awful reality to be sternly met." The evening of December 11th he wrote again, in part 322 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. as follows: "Just as I predicted last night, we awoke this morning to the music of cannon. At precisely five o'clock A. M. the sullen boom of a heavy gun sounded out upon the morning air, and opened the ball. Our troops are in Fred- ericksburg, and the city is in ruins and burning." A few days later he wrote again to Mr. Trowbridge, giving quite a vivid report of the terrible battle at Fredericksburg on the 12th and 13th. "On the morning of the 13th we were detailed to support the pickets in front of the 3d division, which were stationed just beyond the outskirts of the city. At about 10 A. M. the engagement became gen- eral. The picket headquarters were at a small house on an eminence, considerably to our left, and within 800 yards of the rebel breastworks. From this position we could ob- serve every movement on each side.. . . The position of the enemy was one of great strength, not only by nature but by all the appliances of military science. ... As soon as our men emerged from the city they were opened upon with shell, and as they came nearer, by the infantry. The shell made awful havoc among them. The first to advance was Couch's corps, Hancock's division. We could see the men fall, and flags go down and come up again, and count the dead and wounded behind them, as they swept on, by dozens. . . . On the night of the 15th we recrossed the river and reached our old camp, which had been left standing, before midnight. I am rejoiced to see that the public do not blame our be- loved General Burnside, for we think that he did every- thing that lay in his power, and that, too, with a vigilance, promptness and gallantry which reflect great honor upon him. It is said that he did not want to advance at the time he did, and thought that to do so would result only in slaughter, but he was ordered to do so. The sequel proved his superior wisdom. . . . For my part I am tired of this useless sacrifice of life. I feel a strong devotion to my country. I am willing to undergo any privation or sacrifice, even to that of my life, to establish its union and maintain its honor, but I do not like to throw my life away HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 323 at the caprice of those who do not understand the move- ments and welfare of any army." Yours affectionately, m Ti T.*^ m u -J T-i „ Samuel C. Barnum." To P. M. Trowbridge, Esq." In "Cothren's History of Woodbury," in tlie "List of Woodbury Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion," is the following: "Samuel C. Barnum enlisted in the three mouths' troops May 7th, 18(51, and was in the battle of Bull Run. Enlisted the second time in Co. E, Eleventh Conn. A^olunteers, November 27th, 1861. For good con- duct in battle he was promoted successively to be Second Lieu- tenant, and First Lieutenant and Adjutant June 16th, 1862. For a time he acted as A. A. A. G. of Brigade. He was wounded at Cold Harbor June 3d, 1864, and died of secondary hemorrhage at Wash- ington, D. C, June 19th, 1864. He sent for his foster-father. Deacon P. M. Trowbridge, to attend him, and he was with him when he died. He was very cheerful under his sufferings, endured them with great fortitude, and finally died almost instantly, a true Christian patriot." From "History of Connecticut During the Rebellion." "Colonel Stedman led his brigade bravely in the terrible onset for the possession of Cold Harbor, on the night of June 2, 1864. In a private letter written at the time Col. Stedman said: "We formed in the woods in solid columns. I gave the command For- ward. We started with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets. I was the first to enter the open field and see the enemy's lines,— a curve. I bade farewell to all I loved. It seemed impossible to survive that fire, but I was spared, while the officers of my staff who followed me closely were struck down. We reached a point within thirty yards of the enemy's main works, but the fire was too murderous and my men were repulsed. We left the works with two thousand men; in five minutes we returned six hundred less." The "Eleventh" had lost nine killed and seventy-five wounded. The Colonel escaped with several bullet holes through his coat. Major Converse, Capt. Amos S. Allen and Adjutant Samuel C. Barnum were mortally wounded, and soon died." "From History of Connecticut During the Rebellion." June 24, 1864, Col. Stedman wrote: . . . "One thing makes me sad,— the loss of so many friends. Yesterday I learned that Adjutant Barnum's leg had been amputated, and to-day that he is dead. I loved him very dearly. Always cheerful and happy, he was a most efficient officer, and a perfect gentleman. I do not 324 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. think I ever heard him utter a word that he might not say to ladies, and I once told him I consider that the best rule for one's guidan-ee is, never to say or do among meB what would be improper before mother or sister." The following is from the "Connecticut War Record" of July, 1864, in their correspondence by the Chaplain of the Regiment: "From the Eleventh Regiment," "Field near Petersburg, Va., June 30, 1864. . . . Friday, the 3d inst, at Cold Harbor was a day of blood. How our loved ones and our mighty fell in battle. The heroic and accomplished Major Converse, foremost in danger, most trusted of the staff ofl3cers of General Martindale, was mortally wounded at the first volley in that terrible charga ... In that charge many of our bravest and best were cut down. It was but a few moments. The point was not carried. The fire was murderous; a perfect hail-storm of lead; a tempest of ball rain. In that charge we lost one hundred men. An hour or two afterwards on that bloody morning a minnie ball struck Adjutant Barnum in the leg. He was Colonel Stedman's Adjutant General; always at his side and therefore always in danger, if duty became dangerous. We thought it would prove not a permanent injury, nor lead to amputa- tion. His patient endurance deceived us, for his fortitude in endur- ing was not surpassed by his bravery in receiving the wound. But we now mourn him also, for we hear from Washington that a tardy amputation was followed by a speedy death. He died among his friends, who attended him in those last days; but he always had friends wherever he had acquaintances. Thus another of that little circle which are known as the Field and Staff of the 11th Connec- ticut Volunteers has become a martyr of liberty. Let their names go down to posterity with others. ... A picture of Saturday the 4th would give an idea of the days we have passed. I was early at the front, asking Colonel Stedman if possible to come for one- half hour to the hospital. There Major Converse was dying. By his side was the Adjutant, Barnum, smiling, without a groan or murmur, but pale. . . . Let the long list of officers and men who have suffered and died in battle,— who have joined the number of martyrs of Liberty, tell what we have done in the National cause." (By Chaplain H. C. DeForest.) When Adjutant Barnum was first wounded in that ter- rible battle at Cold Harbor, he would not believe that he was permanently disabled, that he could do no more, and at first refused to be taken from the field, thinking that after a little he should be able to mount his horse again and do COLONEL GEORGE RYAN. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 325 further service. So eager was he to do more in his country's service into which he had entered with all his heart and soul that he reluctantly consented to the amputation of his leg, as he hoped it might be saved, and he be a whofe, sound man again, to further serve his country. He was not only "every inch a soldier," he was as true a patriot as ever went forth to war, and a willing martyr. He gave his life, and longed for another life to give. The surgeon who attended him said that his fortitude and courage at the amputation of his limb were most remarkable and rare. Not a groan, a murmur or a complaint did he make. He was removed to Washington, and at a hotel everything that his old friends and new found friends were able to do in ministering to him was most gladly done; but unex- pectedly, almost instantly at last, his noble life went out. He was but twenty-six years old. COLONEL GEOKGE RYAN, MORTALLY WOUNDED IN THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS. Another of Norfolk's noblest boys who most faithfully and efficiently served his country and gave his life in the War of the Rebellion was Colonel George Ryan, who as Colonel of the 140th New York Regiment led his men in a charge at the battle of Laurel Hill, or Spottsylvania, Va., where he was mortally wounded May 8th, 1864. He was a son of John Ryan; was brought to Norfolk when an in- fant; spent the days of his childhood, youth and early man- hood here; was much beloved by all his friends and com- panions, being a gentleman of refinement by nature and early training, and his early death was deeply lamented. George Ryan, Colonel of 140th New York Volunteers, Captain of 7th Infantry, United States Army, son of John and Joanna Boomer Ryan, was born April 19th, 1836, at Medway, Mass. About one year after his birth the family removed to Norfolk, where he attended the District School and the Academy taught by William B. Rice, previous to entering the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, July Ist, 1853, having been appointed a cadet there by Judge 326 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. Origen S. Seymour of Litchfield, who was then Congress- man from the Western District of Connecticut. He was graduated and promoted in the army to Brevet Second Lieutenant of Infantry July 1st, 1857, and served in garri- son at Newport Barracks, Ky., until some time in the following year. He was assigned to the 1st Infantry as Second Lieutenant, Oct. 31st, 1857, but was transferred June 24th, 1858, to the 7th Infantry. During the years 1858-60 he was on duty in the Mormon campaign, which terminated in the capture of Utah. July 1st, 1859, he was in an Indian fight at Camp Box Elder. In 1860 marched with his regiment to New Mexico, and was stationed for some time at Fort Defiance. He participated in the Navajo expedition of 1860-61. He was promoted to First Lieu- tenant, 7th Infantry, April 22d, 1861. During the early part of the rebellion of the seceding states he was convoy- ing trains, and was captured July 27th, 1861, at San Augus- tine Springs, N. M., by Confederates, and was not exchanged until August 27th, 1862. While on parole he did garrison duty at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., and on the Canadian frontier. He was Adjutant of the 7th Infantry from September 1st, 1861, to July 9th, 1862, when he was made one of its Captains. Upon being exchanged he joined the Army of the Potomac with his regiment, and was engaged at Smucker's Gap November .3d, 1862, on the march to Falmouth, Va. He was detailed December 1st, 1862, to be Acting Assistant Adjutant General of the 2d Division, 5th Army Corps, which division was composed of regulars, except the 140th New York and some other volun- teer forces. He was in the Rappahannock campaign from December, 1862, to June, 1863, being in the battle of Fred- ericksburg, where he rendered meritorious services which received due recognition from General George Sykes, his division commander; and also in the battle of Chancellors- ville. May 24th, 1863, where he did so well that he was again publicly complimented by General Sykes and recom- mended by him for promotion. He was in the Pennsylvania campaign, June and July, 1863, having been engaged in HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 327 the battle of Gettysburg July lst-3d, and in the pursuit of the enemy to Warrenton, Va. In this campaign he was Chief of Staff for General R. B. Ayers, then commanding this 2d division, who, in his report of that battle, favorably mentioned Captain Ryan for the intelligence and gallantry shown by him in that sanguinary contest. After ten months at the front, performing every duty with a zeal and ability that completely won the admiration of the entire division, he was, August 29th, 1863, upon the unanimous request of the officers of the 140th New York, appointed its Colonel by Governor Horatio Seymour. He promptly entered upon his work with an energy and thoroughness of method that soon attracted general attention. No de- tail seemed to escape him. Even the personnel of each soldier appeared to be taken by him into account, for before long it was noticed that he never spoke to an officer or man except by giving his proper name without the slightest hesitation. In the Rapidan campaign, October to December, 1863, Colonel Ryan and the 140th were engaged in the combat at Rappahannock Station, November 7th, and in actions on the Rapidan and Mine Run, November 24th to December 1st, '63. On the 5th of May, 1864, the first battle of the Wilder- ness was fought. The 140th New York occupied a position in the center of the first brigade, first division of the Fifth Corps, General Ayres commanding. Colonel Ryan led his regiment in a most gallant charge against the enemy, where bullets poured from the right flank and rear; the regulars failing to come up, and seeing that his regiment was about to be surrounded, they fell back, and following their Colonel they cut their way through the rebel line to their point of starting. The num- ber of dead, wounded and missing in this charge was 365 men and eleven commissioned officers. This gallant regiment was in other charges and skir- mishes in that terrible battle of the 'Wilderness,' on the 6th and 7th of May. On the night of the 7th they moved 328 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. from the position tliey had occupied to the extreme left of the line, marching all night. Before they had time to cook their rations in the morning orders came to resume their forced march, which they did. Sheridan's cavalry were fighting in the woods, and being likely to be overpowered, two regiments were ordered to charge. Colonel Ryan led the charge on double quick, with dauntless ardor, on the rebel line, which was lying behind a rail fence. When about 300 yards from the fence the rebels rose and poured a fierce volley on the advancing column, which broke and drove back in confusion the Twelfth regulars, but it did not impede the onward march of the 140th boys, who, fol- lowing their brave Colonel, rushed on to within fifty paces of the fence and, halting, poured a volley into the rebels that fairly swept them from the ground. Rushing forward, the men commenced tearing down and climbing over the rail fence, when the gallant Colonel Ryan was struck in the neck by a bullet and fell from his horse. The rebel lines re-formed and the regiment was ordered to fall back, which it did, bearing the bleeding body of their beloved Colonel Ryan. He was wounded about eleven o'clock iu the morning and died about four o'clock in the afternoon. Colonel Ryan had barely reached the age of 28 years when his career, so full of promise, was thus closed. Yet he had already made a fine record. General Ayres said: ^'George Ryan showed us all what could be done with a regi- ment; he was the best colonel in the army." Colonel Ryan was buried at Decatur, Ills., where his parents then re- sided, but soon afterwards they complied with the request of the survivors of the 140th, who had organized the favorite military corps of Rochester, N. Y., the Ryan Zouaves, in allowing his remains to be disinterred by them and removed to the latter city, where the regiment had been raised, and where he now reposes with many of his old command. HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 329 XXII. HIGHWAYS — A RAn>ROAD OVER THE HILLS. An important matter, one of deep interest and concern to the early settlers, was the question of roads or highways. We must not lose sight of the fact that this and practically all the towns adjoining were in early days one ''forest primeral"; that the usual mode of travel was on foot, or at best on horseback. When Kev. Ammi R. Bobbins brought his bride to this town in 1702 they rode upon horseback, his wife riding behind him upon a ^pillion' and one horse with a saddle and pillion were considered ample means of conveyance on quite a journey for a man and wife with two or more children. The roads were little if anything more than a mere trail or bridle path, cleared of under- brush or fallen trees, through the forests, turning to avoid a tree or a rock. Eoys says: "The first road cut through Norfolk was done by Capt. Isaac Lawrence of Canaan. In its course it came to what we now call Loon Meadow. There they found a meadow or opening of some extent. The grass grew upon it in considerable quantity and of good quality. On it they found a dead loon that had apparently come to the close of life in a quiet manner, and this circumstance gave the name to the place." Boyd, in his Annals of Winchester, says: "Before the survey and allotment of the Winchester lands, settlements in Goshen, Norfolk and Canaan had begun, rendering it necessary for settlers from the eastern towns to pass through our township to their new homes. The Lawrences and other settlers of Canaan, about 1738 to 1740, came from Windsor and Simsbury, first entered the wilderness by way of New Hartford, the northeast part of Winchester 330 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. and southwest part of Colebrook, to the center of Norfolk. They left their families and stock at points along the way where openings in the forest could be found for grazing, and went forward with their axes and cut down the trees and cleared a trail from one such opening to another and then moved their caravan. Tradition says they made one of their halts on the Hoyt Farm in Colebrook, and went forward with their trail to a natural meadow at the north- erly border of the small pond, a mile east of Norfolk Cen- ter, where they found a dead loon, and hence the name by which the location is known. They returned and brought forward their families and flocks to this oasis." Mr. Boyd's location of Loon Meadow, "at the northerly border of the small pond a mile east of Norfolk Center," is not quite cor- rect, the location being a mile or more northeast from Wilcox Pond, as this little sheet of water was formerly called. "From Loon Meadow they cleared their way to the foot of Haystack Mountain, and thence along the Black- berry River to the land of Canaan, which to them must have been a happy land indeed after the toils and priva- tions of their journey." This'road or way mentioned by Boyd, from Loon Meadow toward Canaan, doubtless ran somewhere near the line of what was later called the "Tucker Road," which led from Loon Meadow, south of the Dea. David Frisbie, later the John Nettleton, now the Frank Jackman place, half a mile or more north of the pond, coming out upon Beech Flats, near the old Humphrey place, later the Lemuel Bige- low, now the Mrs. C. J. Cole residence, on near the present Laurel Way, to the former residence of Michael F. Mills, Esq., now The Hillhurst; then down the hill west, crossing the meadow and Haystack Brook, and up near the old resi- dence of Col. Giles Pettibone, winding around the hill near the present Methodist church; through the present Centre Cemetery; on west along the side of Haystack Mountain and Ragged Mountain, at some little distance up from the river in many places; passing above West Norfolk, on to the earliest settlements in the town, the house of Cornelius HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 331 Brown and John Turner, later the Ives, Pease and Holt farms, the present residence of Nathaniel S. Lawrence, and the Eldridge farm, into Canaan. Roys sends the party that found the dead loon on by a different route from that mentioned in Boyd's tradition. Quoting Roys again, he says: ''There they gave part of their team a chance to feed, and with the remainder went forward towards what was after called the North Green. They returned at night and found all things safe and also an increase of their stock, — a mare which they left in the morning had brought them a fine colt. This road or pass- way led on through the northwest part of the town, near Mr. John Smith's, and on to what is called the College farm." This road, running northwest from the present farm of Frank Jackman, passed the Titus Nettleton, the Lawrence Mills and the Earl Percy Hawley farms, and came out at the North Green, just where it is joined by the "Lovers' Lane" road, running north from the Hillhurst. On this green, which was then a clear, open lot, stood the school-house of the "North Middle District." Erastus Burr and probably others are living who attended school at this place. Passing the present residence of Egbert T. Butler, the road turned northwest at the present schoolhouse, and on to the College Farm, and thence into Canaan. In the records of the General Assembly, May session, 1758, we find: "Being advised that the road or way now often travelled through the towns of Simsbury, New Hart- ford and Norfolk, to and through the northwestern parts of Canaan, towards Albany, is in many respects ill chosen and unfit for use, and that some new and better road through said towns, or some of them, or the towns ad- jacent, may probably be discovered more direct and con- venient, as well for carriages as travelling, to the great accommodation and benefit of his Majesty's subjects, and especially in time of war, occasionally travelling or march- ing, either from the eastern or central parts of the colony ; therefore Resolved, That Colonel John Pitkin of Hartford, Seth Wetmore of Middletown and Colonel David Whitney 332 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. of Canaan be appointed a committee, as soon as conven- iently may be, to repair to and through said towns, and towns adjacent if need be, and with all care and diligence to view and observe said roads now used, and also with the utmost care to explore and find out how and where any other shorter and better way, in whole or in part, may be practicable, and their full description thereof with their opinion thereon, make report to the Assembly October next." The Assembly accepted their report and directed the committee to ''lay out and make plain and certain the said new country road from the mansion house of Samuel Hum- phrey in Simsbury to Colonel David Whitney's in Canaan." "In May, 1760, the committee having discharged their duty, the Assembly ordered the way to be cleared and made passable for travelling before November 20, 1761, by the towns and proprietors of townships through which it ran," etc. In Annals of Winchester, Boyd says: "This thorough- fare, known to a former generation as 'The North Road,' and now almost a myth, had in its day an importance and renown which justified our detailed history of its origin and progress. According to tradition, it was a wonder of the age that a direct and practicable route could be found and opened through the jungles and over the succession of steep, rocky hills and mountains of the 'Green Woods' for travel, and the movement of troojjs and munitions between Hartford and Albany. It soon became and continued until 1800 the great and almost the sole thoroughfare of the colony in the direction of Albany. Continental troops passed over it for frontier service. Detachments of Bur- goyne's army, as prisoners of war, marched over it to the quarters assigned them. ... It should not be in- ferred from the amount of travel that this was an 'Appian Way.' On the contrary, direct as it was, it went up and down the highest hills, on uneven beds of rocks and stones, and passed marshy valleys on corduroy of the coarsest hemlock log texture. Commencing at the North-end village HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 333 in New Hartford, it ran westerly up a steep hill, then turned northwesterly through the Bourbon region, cross- ing the Greenwoods turnpike a little west of the toll-gate, then northerly by zigzags to the top of a lofty hill, then over Wallen's Hill by the northeast schoolhouse, down to Still Kiver near Daniel Wilson's, then up Dishmill Hill and onward by the Kowley Pond to Colebrook, and onward through Colebrook Center to Pond Hill in Norfolk, and thence by Norfolk Center and Canaan toward Albany. Another bridle-path entered the township from the vicinity of Burrville, and passed northwesterly by landlord Mott's Tavern to the south part of Norfolk before any settlement was made. In 1702 a committee of the As- sembly, previously appointed, reported a highway, ^begin- ning at a rock about three rods west of the fore door of the house belonging to Rev. Mr. Gold in Torringford, and run- ning in a northwesterly direction a little more than a mile to Still River, about a hundred rods south of Yale's Mill, at Burrville; thence in a northwesterly direction by Spec- tacle Pond and Mott's house, to a stake and stones in Nor- folk line.' " This road doubtless came into the South End district in Norfolk, passing over the Stannard farm, made its way by various turns and angles to the vicinity of the Grants, by the Beckley place, near Blakesley pond, Carter Hill, Chest- nut Hill, over Gaylord Hill to Beech Flats, there joining the other road coming from Colebrook, mentioned above. Boyd says again: "This was the South Road, by which emigrants from the southeastern towns wended their toil- some way to the western townships in process of settle- ment. It was so 'hard a road to travel' that good Landlord Burr, living near the Hayden brick yard, used, it was said, to detain his travelling guests until after morning worship, that they might have the benefit of his prayers in aid of their arduous efforts to get up the old dug-way road west of Burrville, an aid greatly needed. . . . There is a tradition that Col. Ethan Allen, while on military service in the Revolutionary War, presumed to desecrate the Sab- 334 HISTORY OF NORFOLK. bath by travelling over one of these roads, instead of spend- ing the day in sacred meditations at the hostelry of Land- lord Phelps, or Roberts on Wallen's Hill, or of Landlord Freedom Right, further westward, when a little, bushy- headed grand juror of our town, Winchester, emerged from his log cabin by the road-side, seized the bridle rein of the Colonel's charger, and attempted to arrest him as a Sab- bath-breaker. The Colonel, sternly eyeing the legal dig- nitary, drew his sword, and flourishing it aloft, irreverently exclaimed: 'You woodchuck, get back into your bur- row or I'll cut your head off.' Grand Juror Balcomb, find- ing what a Tartar he had caught, prudently abandoned his captive and retired to his cabin." This country road, or 'old colony road,' sometimes so called, from Beech Flats east, passed the Capt. Benjamin Bigelow place and on over the hill, formerly called Gaylord Hill, upon the summit of which stood the house of Reuben Gaylord, son of Timothy Gaylord, one of the early settlers. Then it passed on down the hill, turned south and ran near and east of Blakesly Pond, on a little east of the modern Grantville, into the town of Winchester. As proof that this route mentioned above was the regu- larly travelled road to Winchester in former times, I cite an incident as related by a member of the family. Rev. Ira Pettibone, in 1857, settled as pastor of the church in Winchester. After that date Mrs. Bidwell, a sister of Mrs. Pettibone, — both ladies being daughters of Dr. Benj. Welch, Sen., — was driving from Norfolk to Winchester, knowing the old route thoroughly; so she went up the hill east to the Flats, turned to the right, as the law directs, passed the old Capt. Bigelow place and on over Gaylord's Hill. She reached Winchester, but via brush pastures, gates, bars, rail fences and other tribulations, the road for a considerable distance having been discontinued for sev- eral years. (Moral: Be sure you take the right road; if not sure, enquire.) In his Century Sermon Dr. Thomas Bobbins said: "The first road through the town from Canaan to Torrington HISTORY OF NORFOLK. 335 came on the north side of the main stream of the town, through what was called the Dug-waj, over the hill north of the Burying-ground; thence south and ascended the north side of this hill, coming along on the summit of what we used to call 'The Ledge/ about where Mr. Battell's house now stands; passed to the south, crossing to the west of the bridge near the west side of my father's house, and went on to the south, near the foot of the Burr Moun- tain. The road to Goshen was opened soon, but the eastern one I suppose was the first." By 'this hill,' Dr. Bobbins evidently meant the hill on which the meeting-house stood in which he was then speaking. The road came up from near the grist-mill, on the summit of . . . the Ledge, a little west of where Mr. Battell's house now stands, and a little west of the meet- ing-house, along where the chapel now stands, and where the Eldridge mansion stands, west of the Bobbins house, where now stands the Bobbins school; up south, crossing the Goshen road at an acute angle about thirty rods west of the entrance to the Bridgman grounds and near the Bridgman mansion, 'the foot of the Burr Mountain,' which is near the old Tibbals place, later the Joel Beach place, and then on south along the west foot of Button Hill, coming out to the present Goshen road not far from the railroad crossing; then on in about the line of the present road, passing the old Moses place, now the summer resi- dence of Dr. A. S. Dennis; on south past the old Asa Burr place at the crossing of the east and west road; thence south, passing the Capt. Reuben Brown place and the Seth Brown place, the Hiram Roys place, the Eden Riggs, Har- mon Riggs, Miles Riggs, Frederick Riggs place, down the hill, passing the Harlow Roys residence, later the Samuel D. North way, now the Charles Northway residence; cross- ing the Naugatuck river, here a mere brook, very near the old tannery site; on southwest, up the 'steep hill road,' east of Ethan Pendleton's house and over the top of the high hill into Goshen. Roys says: "Course of road south of meeting-house es- 336 HI5T0EY OF XOETC'LK. tablished l^y2. Tue present road to Goshei established The next road rmining sonth started near the grist-mill and circled around «»uth and west, past the old Monger place, later occupied bv Solomon Curtiss. Dea. Jonathan Kjlbonm and others, now owned by Edward Gaylord: then tnming sonth at the old Aiken place, later the Lewis Dowd plac-e. since owned by Mr. Edward Swift: thence south. passing the Cuniss plac-e. on up the hill south, as is men- tioned elsewhere, passing where Samuel and Xoah Tibbals lived ; on south by the golf grounds and the end of -the winrow." to near the present residence of Mr. Amos Collar, previously the Silas, and Ehaniel Burr, and still earlier the Nathaniel Eoys place: then, avoiding the low meadow, as was always done in laying out roads, they kep»t on west a short distance, then turned south to what was later the Edmund Brown, then the Ealph and Plumb Brown, now the Benjamin Brown place: then east about as the preseni road runs until it joined the Goshen road, at which junction stood the old schoolhouse of the South Middle Districr. later c-alled the South Center District. This old s<:ho<:»l- house was built into a blacksmith shop soon after l>4(i by Mr. Samuel Johnson, a new schoolhouse having t»een built in the hollow at the foot of the hill. west, and not many years sinc-e rebuilt at the junction of the