Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from The Library of Congress http://www.archive.org/details/statisticalaccou01morr F 102 .L6 MS Copy i e County .his tov A STA^^' ^°^'^,C AL ACCOUNT 'ond, a f Washii id, - T^oWNS '^ Rivers are, s it was c COUJ^TY OF LITCHFIELD . BY JAMES MORRIS, ESQ. JL he County of Litchfield is bounded ©n the North by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the West by the State of New- York, on the South by the Counties of Fairfield and New-Haven, and on the East by the County of Hartford. It contains the following towns and parishes, viz. Litchfield, including South Farms, Northfield, and Milton, parishes ; Barkhampstead ; Bethlehem, customarily, but falsely, written Bet/ilem; Canaan, including the parish of North- Canaan ; Colebrook ; Cornwall, including two parishes ; Goshen ; Harwinton ; Kent ; New- Hartford ; New-Milford, including the parish of Bridgewater ; Norfolk ; Plymouth ; N / S6 ji Statistical Accou eral Towns Roxbury ; Salisbury ; Sharon^ including the paris' 'Isworth ; Torrington, including the r Torringford ; Warren ; / Washington, including Iv m ; Watertown ; Winchester, including Woodbury. 22 Towns, a'fid 32 Parishes. Litchfield is the shire town of the county, and is sit- uated in latitude North 41*^ 50". It is about nine miles in length from east to west, and about eight miles from north to south. It contains 70 sqaare miles, and about 44,800 acres. It is bounded on the north by Goshen and Torrington ; on the east by Mattatuck or Nauga- tuck River, which divides it from Harwinton ; on the south by Watertown, Bethlehem and Plymouth j and on the west by Washington and Warren. Litchfield is distant 100 miles from New- York, 36 miles from New-Haven, and 30 miles from Hartford. In 1718, a Company purchased of the Colony of Con- necticut, a tract of land, called by the Indian name Bantam., intended to cover 10 miles square. The prop- erty was divided into sixty shares, under the name of Proprietors' Rights, and was valued at £5 per right. By the survey, it was distributed into equal lots, of a certain number of acres in each lot. The proprietors, wlio made the purchase and the first settlement, were principally from Hartford, Windsor, and Lebanon. In the years 1720 and 1721, several families began to set- tle on the tract. Nothing appears on record to show that the proprietors purchased any of the lands in this town, of the Indians ; the title having been previously extinguished by the Colony. The lands in this town afforded better hunting ground for the Indians, than ex- tensive intervals. Many of the hills were nearly cleared of trees by fires, kindled for the purpose of hunting. To this remark, however, many valuable tracts, con- taining excellent pine and other forest trees, were an important exception. in the County of Liichjidd. 87 There are in this town four Ponds, viz. The Great Pond, covering an area of about 900 acres. Mount-Tom Pond, a part of which lies in the town of Washington, - - 72 acres. Little Pond, - - - - - 15 acres. Cranberry Pond, . - . . =8 acres. The principal Rivers are. The Mattatuck, as it was called in the grant of this town, alias Naugatuck. This river, commonly called Waterbury River, rises in Norfolk, and runs from north to south, forming the eastern boundary of Litchfield. It affords many fme mill-seats. Shippauge River enters the township at the north- west, in two branches, and becomes a part of the west- ern boundary, dividing it from Washington and War- ren. This is also a valuable stream, and furnishes ex- cellent mill-seats. Bantam River, which rises in Goshen, enters Litch- field in two branches, and passes diagonally from north- east to south-west, within half a mile of the court- house on the east ; emptying its waters into the Little Pond. The waters of the Great Pond, Little Pond, and the Cranberry Pond, are all connected. The outlet of the ■ Great Pond, which is at the north end, forms the most valuable mill-seats within the township ; and unites with the Shippauge, a tributary of the Hooestennuc. Mount Tom Pond is on elevated ground, upon the north side of that eminence. Its waters are of greater depth than any other in the township. It is supplied chiefly by subjacent sprin-gs. The Mountains in this town are few. Mount Tom, on the western boundary, which, by measure, from the margin of the river on the south side to its summit, is about 700 feet, perpendicular height. Little Mount Tom and Mount Prospect are of less elevation. Some parts of these mountains are not capable of cultivation, as the}^ consist of precipices and piles of rocks. There is also on the eastern part of the town, near Mattatuck River, a considerable range of mountainous land, exten- 88 A Statistical Account of several Towns sively composed of ledges, incapable of cultivation, and generally dipping to the west. The ordinary course of the hills is from north to south, and the ascent, in many places, steep and long. Most of the hills are capable of cultivation to their summits. Contiguous to the Great Pond, and on parts of Bantam River, there is a large Flat, containing more than 1000 acres, about half of which is low meadow, exhibiting internal evi- dence of being alluvial. The other part of the tract is sand, gravel, and plain. The Soil of the township, generally, is black and red loam, and clay. From the variety of the soil, there is a corresponding variety of forest trees ; sugar maple, but- ton-wood, willow, hornbeam, sassafras, butternut, beach, birch, pine, hemlock, oak, hickory, elm, pepperidge, bass, poplar, chesnut, wild cherry, dogwood, alder. Sec. Perhaps there is no town in Connecticut, with so dense a population, which is so well supplied with wood and timber, as Litchfield. Few places yield finer views. From some of the eminences may be seen the hills on the eastern side of Connecticut River, and the Catskill mountains on the west of the Hudson. One of them is about a mile north-west of the court-house, from which there is a very enchanting view. Animals. Many years after the settlement of this town, deer, bears, and wild turkies, were numerous. Deer and bears have been taken by hunters, between the years 1760 and 1770, and tuikies at a later period. Wild-cats occasionally visit us, and destroy sheep and lambs. A small tract near the north-east part of this town, is rough and ledgy, and affords them a refuge from hunters and their dogs. Considerable mischief was done by them in the winters of 1811 and 1812. Fish. The fish in our waters are various. In the Great, Little, and Cranberry Ponds, and their tributary streams, no trout have ever been taken. The fish in these waters are eels, perch, roach, suckers, shiners, red-fins, and bull-heads or cat-fish. In the winter of 1809, twenty-eight pickerel were taken in a pond in South wick, near Granby, transported in casks of water in the County of Litchfield. 89 by sleighs, and put into the Cranberry Pond. Their progeny now begin to be taken in considerable numbers. What effect they will have in destroying the former oc- cupants, remains to be proved. Probably the shiners, red-fins, and smaller perch, will many of them be de- stroyed : yet it is thought that the pickerel will be a valuable acquisition. Minerals. No mines of consequence have ever been discovered in this town. Lime-stone has been found in a few places, but too much mixed with silex. It is not es- teemed nor much used for plastering. In several ridges are found good hearth-stones, which are capable of being split, squared, and made suitable for building. There is one small quarry of an inferior kind of slate. The principal rocks are said to be accidental, primordial, and quartz. But a very few rocks are calcareous ; it is said only four. In the eastern part of the town there is a quarry of free or sand-stone, called Culver's Quarry, used for hearths, &:c. But these stones are too soft to be durable. Some small veins of iron ore have been found : other minerals are unknown in Litchfield. There are in this town, 4 forges for iron ; 1 slitting-mill ; 1 oil-mill ; 1 paper-mill ; 1 nail manufactory ; 6 fulling-mills ; 5 grist-mills ; 18 saw-mills ; 5 large tanneries, besides sun- dry others on a small scale. 2 comb manufactories ; 2 hatters' shops ; 2 carriage-makers ; 2 carding machines for wool ; 1 Tnachiiie for making wood- en clocks : 1 cotton manufactory ; 1 phaeton ; 1 coachee, and 46 two- wheel pleasure carria- ges. \ "^0 vf Statistical Accoimt of several Towns There are in Litchfield^, 11 justices of the peace ; 7 attorneys at law ; 7 physicians ; 1 surgeon ; Jl merchants, dealing in dry goods and groceries ; 3 goldsmiths ; 19 house-carpenters and join- ers ; 1 cabinet-maker ; 3 saddlers ; 10 taverns, and 26 school districts. There were shorn in this town, in May and June, 1811., 6784 sheep. Litchfield is well watered with durable springs, brooks ^-and rivulets. Sundry of the brooks furnish good seats ifor saw- mills, and other water machines. In conse- quence of clearing lands, springs and brooks fail about one third. Wells are from ten to twenty-five feet in depth. No accidents have happened in this town by mephitic air. One medicinal spring has been found -within half a mile of the court-house. Its waters have not been analyzed ; yet, from experiment, they appear to be chalybeate and sulphureous. They have been ef- ficacious in obstinate rheum, and cutaneous eruptions. The price of wood for fuel, per cord, is, for hickory, from two to three dollars ; oak, from S1.75 to S2.25. Wood is apparently decreasing, and the price increas- 'ing. As to the proper time of felling timber for dura- bility, or wood for fuel, facts only will be stated. In the 3'^car 1792, a man determined to build a pale fence, to inclose his garden and court-yard. He accordingly cut liis timber for posts, rails and pales, in the months of January and February ; and in the month of May or June he set up his fence ; but found that he had not posts enough by seven. He went into his grove, and cut the same kind of timber for his posts, which were wanting, peeled oft' the bark, and hewed them on one side, as he had done his others, and set them in the ground in the same manner. In the year 1799, the sev- in the County of Litchfield. ^ 9i' en^ posts, which he had cut in June, were entirely decay- ed, so that he was obliged to replace them with new ones ; while those which he had cut in the winter, stood firm till the year 1806. Pine wood, which is cut in Ja- nuary or February, when the pores of the wood are in. their most contracted state, will burn longer, and make a clean, still fire ; while that, which is cut when the sap is in its full and flowing state, in the months of May or June, will cause a continual snapping, and send coals, and sparks of fire into the room. Timber, which is cut for staves in the winter, when made into barrels, will hold whatever is put in thenij if well made ; but barrels made of the same kind of timber, cut when the sap flows most freely, will leak. Whatever liquid is put into them, there will be a constant exuding, or filtration, be- tween the staves,, and apparently through the pores of the wood. Land in this town, within thirty years past, has in- creased in value nearly one hundred per cent. The price of rye is generally from 83 cents to 1 dollar per bushel ; Indian corn, from 67 to 83 cents ; oats, from. 34 to 42 cents ; and buckwheat, 50 cents per bushel. The produce of rye upon an acre, is from 8 to 30 bush- els ; and of flax, from 50 to 300 weight. Farmers plant, annually, from one to five acres of land with potatoes. Gypsum, or plaster of Paris, has been found to increase a crop of potatoes, by putting a small quantity on the potatoe, when planted. Plaster of Paris . 'H much increase a crop of clover, by sowing it on the lai d in the month of April or May. Stable manure is the most suitable for the soil in this town, generally. The lands are much better cultivated than formerly ; more attention being paid to manure, par- ticularly to the use of plaster. Many tracts, which here- tofore were unproductive, now yield from 30 to 35 bush- els of Indian corn per acre. Not many fields will bear a succesion of the same crop to advantage, unless richlv dressed with manure. The more common manner is not to plough more than two years in succession, before seeding down to grass. The hay is excellent on up- land ; and from better management, the second crop is much increased. The great increase of sheep improves 92 A Statistical Account of several Towns the quality of grazing lands. Great effects are produ- ced on meadows by irrigation ; but the water should not be suffered to flow on upland mowing till some time in May, when the ground has become suitably warm ; oth- erwise it will produce a coarse kind of grass, and injure the crop. The best seed time for rye, is the first week in September : for wheat, to preserve it from insects, the beginning of October. Rye may be brought from the sea-side to advantage, as may flax-seed also; but In- dian corn will do best when the seed is procured from the northward ; for example, from Vermont or New- Hampshire. This is the case with most kinds of garden vines, such as squashes, cucumbers, &c. Oxen and carts are best for the farm ; for transporta- tion, horses and waggons. Some few ox-waggons are used, but they are inconvenient for the business of the fium. Chesnut timber is most used for fencing ; but since it has begun sensibly to decrease, stone walls, with posts and two or three rails, are becoming more and more nu- merous. Apple-trees prosper on stony and ledgy lands, and generally do best in a western or south-western expo- sure. Lands, which are not arable, answer well for or- chards : yet the ground should be kept loose by ma- nure. Sheaves of flax are found to be beneficial, when spread under apple-trees. To make good cider, apples should be well ground, and the pomace be thrown into tubs or vats, and thus stand from 24 to 48 hours before it is pressed out, as the weather happens to be warm or cold. Unslacked stone lime is an excellent thing to cleanse cider casks which are musty. Take a pint of unslacked lime ; put it into the barrel ; then pour in two or three quarts of water ; shake it a'bout, and let it re- main in the cask 24 hours : then thoroughly rinse the cask, and it will be free from must. Waggons, drawn either by one or two horses, are much used by the inhabitants of Litchfield. The first pleasure carriage (a chair) was brought into this town by Mr. Matthews, mayor of New- York, in the year 1776, and is still in use here : the first um- brella, in the year 1772. in the County of Jatchfield. 93 There are five Turnpike roads leading from this town. One from Litchfield to New-Haven, called the Straits turnpike : one from the western part of the town to Ncw-Milford, called the Litchfield and New-Milford turnpike : one from Litchfield through Harwinton to Hartford, called the Litchfield and Harwinton turnpike : one from Litchfield to Canaan, called the Litchfield and Canaan turnpike : one from this town to New- Hart- ford, leaving this town at the north-east corner, called the New-Hartford turnpike. There is also a turnpike road on the eastern boundary, running contiguously to Mattatuck or Waterbury river, uniting with the Straits turnpike at Salem, and running to Massachusetts line, through Winchester and Colebrook. As the rivers and rivulets are small, the Bridges are not worthy of a par-, ticular description. The expense of keeping them in re- pair amounts to between two and three hundred dollars annually. In the 26 School Districts, schools are kept. In the winter season, they are generally kept by male instruct- ors ; and in the summer season, by females. The price to instructors is from 7 to 15 dollars, exclusive of board, per month : to females, from iS3.50 to 7 dollars per month, exclusive of board. The price of board is from SL50 to 2 dollars per week, including washing. Miss Sarah Pierce opened a school in this town, for the instruction of females, in the year 1792, which has very justly merited, and acquired, a distinguished repu- tation. The Hon. Tapping Reeve, Esq. one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, commenced a Law School in Litch- field, in the year 1784 ; and continued it, under his own tuition, till the year 1798. At this period, 210 young gentlemen had been students in his school, and qualified for admission to the bar. In the year 1798, James Gould, Esq. became a joint instructor with Judge Reeve ; and from that time to March, 1812, 264 young gentle- men have been educated here : in the whole, 474. Without doing injustice, it may be safe to remark, that the science of law has been more systematically taught in this school, than in any other of the kind in the Uni- ted States. 94 ^4 Statistical Account of several Tcn.vns Litchfield, as has been mentioned, was settled in the year 1720 ; but it was not incorporated till the year 1724. By the act of incorporation, the grant was made to John Marsh, of Hartford, to John Buel, of Lebanon, and their associates ; amounting to 57. The Indian name of this town was Bantam. It took the nume of Litchfield when it was incorporated. The first founders built log houses. The settlement proceeded as fast as could be reasonably expected from the circumstances. During frequent wars between England and France, the Canadians and Indians often harrassed our borders ; and Litchfield, being a frontier town, was exposed to their ravages. Between the years 1720 and 1730, five houses were surrounded with palisadoes. One of these stood on the ground near the present court-house ; another, about half a mile south ; one east, and one west of the centre ; and one in South Farms, Soldiers were then stationed here, to guard the inhabitants, both while they were at work. in. the field, and while they were attending public worship on the Sabbath. The first white male person born in Litchfield, v/as Gershom Gibbs, in the month of July, 1721 ; and the- first funeral was in the year 1722, of an infant child of Mr, John Calkins. The first Congregational minister was the Rev. Tim- othy Collins, a native of Guilford ; graduated at Yale College, 1718 ; and ordained on the 19th of June, O. S. 1723. On the 6th day of November, 1721, the inhabi- tants voted to give Mr. Timothy Collins a call to settle with them in the Gospel ministry ; and at the same meet- ing, they voted the foKowing salary, viz. £57 for the first four years ; for the 5th year, £60 ; for the 6th year, £70 ; and for the 7th year, and so long as he should continue with them in the work of the ministry, £80. In addition to this salary, they voted to give him his fire-wood. Mr. Collins accepted the call on the 12th day of December, 1721 ; and why he was not ordained till the time ai)ove mentioned, does not appear on rec- ord. Mr. Collins continued in the work of the ministry till the 15th of November, 1752; and was then dismiss- ed at his own request. In May, 1753, he was appoint- in the Coujity of Litchfield. 95 oed a justice of the peace. Ue also practised physic ; and died here in the year 1776. The second Congregational minister was the Rev. Jiidah Champion, a native of East-Haddam. He was born on the 21st day of August. O. S. in the year 1729 ; was graduated at Yale College, September, 1751; was licensed to preach the gospel, in October, 1752 ; and was ordained to the work of the ministry in this town, on the 4di of July, 1753. He continued in the ministry till the 17th of October, 1798 ; at which time the Rev. Dan Huntington was ordained his colleague. Mr.. Hunting- ton, in January, 1807, was dismissed at his own request; was settled again at Middletown ; and is still living. The fourth and present minister, is the Rev. Lyman .Beecher, who was installed May 30th, 1810. Mr. Champion died Oct. 5th, 1810, in the 82d year of his age. His congregation continued his salary till his death. Mr. Champion preached a half century ser- mon in July, 1803; in which he mentioned, that 280 persons had joined the church under his care, in full communion, and 426 had owned the covenant. He al- so mentioned, that he had married 1316 persons; bap- tized 2142 : and that the deaths in this town, during his ministry to 1798, were. 1530 — at an average, about 30 -annually. Mr. Champion held the doctrines of grace, as they were understood by the. early Reformers. Du- ring the first part of his.ministry, the whole town, ex- cept the Episcopalians, were under his pastoral charge. He was ** instant in season, and out of season ;" abound- ing especially in the, laborious duties of visiting thefam- .ilies of his people, pra3^ing with the sick and dying by night and by day, and comforting the afHicted. In this jespect, peculiarly ,'.is his memory blessed. Thcrinhabitants arexhicfly natives of this State, and in their nianners are purely New-Englanders. Only two European families havesettled in Litchfield : they came from, Ireland, and were respectable. The num ber of inhabitants, according to the census in the year 1800, was 4285 : .47 of this number were free blacks. According to the census in 1810, there were 4639 ; of which number, 77 were blacks. The total increase of inhabitants, in ten years, is 35,4. 96 ^ Statistical Account of several Towns Litchfield being in an elevated situation, tlie aii- is generally pure and salubrious. The township abounds in good springs of water, aiid has been noted for being remarkably healthy. The inhabitants have rarely ex- perienced any sweeping or epidemic diseases. The dysentery prevailed in 1776 and 1777. In those two years there was the greatest mortality ever known : Two hundred persons died, belonging to this town ; but about 30 of this number died in New- York, having been made prisoners of war at Fort- Washington. Most of them Avere young men. The first man born in this town, was of the number. April, 1723, the inhabitants voted to build their first Church ; and the house was finished witiiin three years. It was built in a plain manner, and without a steeple. Its dimensions were 45 feet in length, and ^5 in breadth. The front was within a few feet of the north side of the present church in the first society. At the raising of this building, all the adult males in the whole township, being present, sate on the sills at once. In the year 1760, the inhabitants agreed to build their present church; and completed it in the year 1762. Some time after, a bell was procured. There are now, in the whole township, four churches for Congregationalists, five for Episcopalians, a court-house, and gaol. A large new gaol and gaoler's house are now building. Litchfield being a frontier town when it was first set- tled, the inhabitants were often alarmed. In May, 1722, Captain Jacob Griswould, being at work alone in a field, about one mile west of the present court-house, two In- dians suddenly rushed upon him from the woods, took him, pinioned his arms, and carried him oft'. They travelled in a northerly direction, and the same day ar- rived in some part of the township now called Canaan, then a wilderness. The Indians kindled a fire, and af- ter binding their prisoner hand and foot, lay down to sleep. Griswould, fortunately disengaging his hands and his feet, while his arms were yet pinioned, seized their guns, and made his escape into the woods. After travelling a small distance, he sat down, and waited till the dawn of day ; and although his arms were still pin- ioned, he carried both the guns. TIk; savages awoke in the County of Litchjield. 97 in the morning, and finding their prisoner gone, imme- diately pursued him ; they soon overtook him, and kept in sight of him the greater part of the day, while he was making his way iiomeward. When they came near, he turned and pointed one of his pieces at them : they then fell back. In this manner he travelled till near sun- set; when he reached an eminence, in an open field, about one mile north-west of the present court-house. He then discharged one of his guns, which immediately summoned the people to his assistance. The Indians fled, and Griswould safely returned to his family. The capture of Griswould made the inhabitants more cautious for a while ; but their fears soon subsided. In the month of August following, Mr. Joseph Harris, a respectable inhabitant, was at work in the woods alone, not far from the place where Griswould was taken; and being attacked by a party of Indians, attempted to make his escape. The Indians pursued him ; and finding that they could not overtake him, they shot him dead, and scalped him. As Harris did not return, the inhabitant's were alarmed, and some search was made for him ; but the darkness of the night checked their exertions. The next morning they found his body, and gave it a decent burial. Harris was killed near the north end of the plain, where the road turns towards Milton, a little east of a school-house, now standing ; and for a long time after, this plain was called Harris's Plain. The customs and manners of the first settlers of Litch- field, were plain and simple. Their clothing was of their own domestic manufacture ; and their food, of their owji raising. Foreign luxuries were scarcely made use of, till about the year 1750. Their amusements were of the athletic kind. When young people of both sexes assembled togetiier for amusem.ent, they employed them- selves principally in dancing, while one of the companv sung. The first use of the violin in this town for a dance, was in the year 1748. The whole expense of the amusement, although the young people gener^AlIy as- sembled, did not exceed one dollar ; out of which the fiddler was paid. When this instance of profusion took place, parents and old people exclaimed, that they should be ruined by the extravagance of the youth. In the '98 ji Statistical Account of several Towirs -year .1798, a ball, with the customary entertainment and variety of music, cost about S160, and nothing was said about it. Such has been the diiFerence in .the manners of Litchfield, within half a century. It is not inferred .from this difference, that our youth are at present more vicious than formerly ; but it serves to show a material difference in the wealth and character of the people. There has been but one instance of murder in this town, since its first settlement, and that was perpetrated by John Jacob, an Indian, upon another Indian, in the month of February, 1768. The murderer was execu- ted the same year. There have been but three executions in this town •for capital offences ; and these include all which have taken place in the county of Litchfield. The first was the Indian above named. The second was a man by the name of Barnet Davenport, a native of New-Mil- ford, convicted of both murder and arson : He was ex- ecuted on the 8th day of May, 1780, aged 20 years. A particular account of the perpetration may be seen in the statistical account of Washington, where the crime was committed. The third was a man named Goss, for murdering his wife, in one of the northern towns of this county. The sentence of death was pronounced iii>on an in- habitant, though not a native of this town, named Wash- burn, for bestiality, in the year 1801 : But, the evening before the day appointed for his execution, he put an end to his own life by taking laudanum. In the year 1777, a man named Daniel Griswould, a native of Litchfield, was executed in New-Haven, pur- suant to the sentence of a court-martial, for enticing and enlisting sundry men, as soldiers, to join the Brit- ish, and fight against their country, in the revolutionary war. He enlisted four men in this town, but they were pardoned in consequence of enlisting into the service of the United States during the war. There have been eight instances of suicide in this town, beside Washburn ; all since the year 1780. The iirst, a man in the meridian of life, said to be insane. He was affected by a singular morbid depression, and hung himself in his ow^n barn. in the Counti/ of Liichjitld. 90' The second was a young man. He had, for about two years before this event, received repeated contu- sions on the back part of his head, by accidental falls, and otherwise ; by which means he was at times much elevated in his spirits, and at others much depressed and melancholy. But it is presumed that the suicide was owing to his having his fortune told to him by a tran- sient woman, who one day came into his father's house, when this young man was about 17 years old ;, and pre- tended to be acquainted with the mystery of fortune- telling. She told the unfortunate young man, that he would die before he was 19 years old. The confidence which he placed in the prediction, increased his melan- choly, and very probably was the real cause of his un- timely death ; for, fearing he might die some painful death, he hung himself on a beam of his father's cider- mill, a few days before the time predicted. He died April 19th, 1790. The third instance was a young. man, said to be in- sane. He huns; himself in a barn. The fourth instance was a married woman, who had passed the meridian of life. She had for some tune be- fore been afflicted with a despairing melancholy, and de- pression jand finally cut her own throat with a razor, iu the year 1800. The fifth was a foreigner, killfed by voluntary intoxi- cation. He was found dead in his own bed, with part of a bottle of brandy clasped in his arms, and procured for that purpose. The sixth, a man over 60 years of age. He was in- temperate,, and said to be insane : he hung himself in a barn. The seventh was a man of middle age. He was af- flicted with melancholy, and said to be insane. The eighth was a married woman, who, in a fit of passion, hung herself in her house. Her husband was arrested, and tried for a high-handed misdemeanor in the premises, but was acquitted. The man and wo- man, a short time before, had moved into this town from Hartford. The rest were inhabitants. There have been but four persons drowned in the wa- ters of this township^ since its first settlement. The 100 A Statistical Account of several Towns .first was John Kilby, a foreigner, who fell out of a small canoe, \v'hile crossing the Great Pond alone, on the 10th of September, 1787. The second was a son of James Wickwire, who, on the 11th day of December, 1793, fell through the ice, while playing on the Great Pond with his school-mates. On the evening of the sixteenth day of December, 1812, William H. Bennett, of South-Carolina, aged 16 years, and William Ensign, aged 14, school-mates, then members of Morris Academy, were drowned in the Great Pond. The moon shone brightly. As others were skating, they ran into a glade. An alarm was immedi- ately given, and every exertion made to find their bod- ies, but they could not be found till they had been under water about one hour. Attempts were then made to resuscitate them, but in vain. They were amiable youths, loud of each other, and in a very melancholy manner united in death. Litchfield was first represented in the General As- sembly, in the year 1740, at their May session. The first Representatives were Joseph Bird and Ebenezer Marsh. The taxable property at that time, was £8000, equal to 826,666 -iVo- A few years past, the grand list was SI 12,000. The first Episcopal Society was formed in this town, about the year 1746 ; but they had only occasional preaching till the year 1754. Then, Mr. Solomon Pal- mer, who had been just dismissed from the Church in Cornwall, took the charge of the Episcopal congregation in this town, and that of New-Milford at the same time, and preached to them alternately. Mr. Palmer contin- ued here till the year 1763, when he was removed to the Episcopal congregation in New-Haven. In 1766, he resumed his charge in this town, and continued in it till his death in the year 1770. While Mr. Palmer was at New-Haven, Mr. Davis succeeded him, but soon after died. Mr. Nichols succeeded Mr. Palmer. Mr. Ashbel Baldwin, a native of this town, succeed- ed Mr. Nichols; but, after a few years, removed to Strat- ford in the county of Fairfield. Mr. Butler succeeded ]Mr. Baldwin ; but after a few years, went to Reading. in the County of Litchfield. 101 Mr. Truman Marsh, a native of this town, succeeded Mr. Butler, and continued in the ministry till the year 1810; when, on account of ill health, and the loss of his voice, he declined the service. He is still living, and teaches a grammar school in this town. Since Mr. Marsh left the desk, Mr. Jones, who was dismissed from the pastoral charge of the church and congrega- tion in Woodbridge, has supplied it, and still preaches here. A remarkable revival of religion began in Litchfield, June, 1808 ; and the same year there were added to the church, 101 persons. The county of Litchfield was organized by an Act of the General Assembly, at their October session, in the year 1751 ; and Litchfield was then made the shire town. The following is a list of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, from the year 1751 to the year 1812. Accessus. Exitus. William Preston, 1751 1754 John Williams, 1754 1774 Oliver Wolcott, 1774 1786 Daniel Sherman, 1786 1791 Joshua Porter, 1791 1808 Aaron Austin, 1808 JUSTICES OF THE qUORUM. Accessus. Exitus. John Williams, 1751 1754 Samuel Canfield, 1751 1754 Ebenezer Marsh, 1751 1772 Joseph Bird, 1753 1754 Noah Hinman, 1754 1759 Elisha Sheldon, 1754 1761 Increase Mosely, 1755 1780 Roger Sherman, 1759 1762 Daniel Sherman, 1761 1786 Bushnel Bostwick, 1762 1776 Joshua Porter, 1772 1791 Samuel Canfield, 1777 1790 Jedediah Strong, 1780 1791 Heman Swift, 1786 1802 102 A Statistical Account of several Tawn& Justices of tilt Quorum, Jlccessus. Exitus. Aaron Austin, 1790 1808 Nathan Hale, 1791 1809 David Smith, 1791 Daniel N. Brinsmade, 1802 Judson Canfield, 1808 Birdsey Norton, 1809...diedMarch, 1812- Augustus Pettibone, 1812 Uriel Holmes, 1814 CLERKS OF THE COURT OF COMMOJ^ PLEAS. Accessus. Exitus. Isaac Baldwin, 1751 1793 Frederick Wolcott, 1793 and appointed Clerk of the Superior Court, 179a SHERIFFS. Accessus. Exitus. Oliver Wolcott, 1751 1772 Lynde Lord, 1772 1801 John R. Landon, 1801 The first Court of Probate establislied in the district of Litchfield, was in the year 1747. JUDGES OF PROBATE. Accessus. Exitus. Ebenezer Marsh, 1747 1772 Oliver Wolcott, 1772 1796 Frederick Wolcott, 1796 TVtWJV-CLERKS OF LITCHFIELD, from its frst settlemmi. Accessus. Exitus. John Marsh, John Bird, Joshua Garret, Isaac Baldwin, Jedediah Strong, Moses Seymour, The first Association of Ministers in the county of Litchfield, was held in this town, on the 7th day of Ju- ly, 1752 ; and at the same time was held the first Con- sociation. The Ministers present were, 1721 1733 1733 1738 1738 1742 1742 1773 1773 1789 1789 in the County of Litchfield, 103 Kev. Anthony Stoddard, Woodbury„ John Graham, Southbury. Timothy ColHnSj Litchfield. Solomon Palmer, Cornwall. Andrew Bartholomew, Harwinton. Nathaniel Roberts, Torrington. Stephen Heaton, Goshen. Joseph Bellamy, Bethlehem. Thomas Canfield, Roxbury. Daniel Brinsmade, Judea, now Washington. Nathaniel Taylor, New-Milford. John Searle, Sharon. Registers of the Association and Consociation. Accessus. Exitus. Rev. John Graham, 1752 1766 Judah Champion, 1766 1772 Jeremiah Day, 1772 1795 Amos Chase, 1795 The Consociation becoming too numerous to meet und do business with convenience, did, on the 7th day of Sept. 1791, mutually agree upon the following division of the Consociation. That the pastors and churches of Litchfield, South-Farms, Bethlehem, Woodbury, South- bury, South-Britain, Roxbury, New-Milford, New-Pres- ton, Judea, Westbury, (now Watertown,) Northbury, (now Plymouth,) and Harwinton, shall be made and constituted into one Consociation, known by the name of the South Consociation in Litchfield coimty. And that the pastors and churches of Canaan, North- Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Goshen, Kent, Torrington, Torring- ford, Winchester, Norfolk, Cornwall, Warten, Win- stead, West-Britain, and West-Simsbury, be one Con- sociation, known by the name of the North Consocia- tion in Litchfield county. Since the above formation of the Consociation, the societies of Northfield, Milton, and Bridge water, have been incorporated, and joined the South Consociation. Tlie pastor and church in New-Milford have since joined the Consociation in Fair- field county : And the pastor and church in Sherman, in Fairfield county, have joined the South Consociation in Litchfield county. West-Britain, (now Burlington,) 104 j4 Statistical Account of several Towns and West-Simsbury, (now Canton,) belong to the coun- ty of Hartford ; but the pastors and churches joined the North Consociation in Litchfield county. The stated meetings of the Association are annually in June and October : that of the Consociation, in June. South-Farms was incorporated into an ecclesiastical society, in the year 1767. In the year 1753, when Mr. Champion was settled in Litchfield, there were but 30 families in tkis parish : when it was incorporated, it contained 70. The first Society's meeting was on the 23d day of Nov. 1748. Thomas Harrison, Esq. was chosen mod- erator, and Jacob Woodruff, Esq. society's clerk. The first school-house was voted to be built in the year 1747. In the year 1764, the inhabitants agreed to build their first church. It was only one story high, 34 feet by 32. Since the year 1781, this society has been gradually improving both in industry and morals ; and has been more united and harmonious, both in their political and religious opinions, than most parishes in the State, du- ting the same period. The inhabitants continued to meet in the church which they first built, till the year 1785 ; when they erected another, sufiiciently large and decent, and finished it within twenty weeks from the time when they began the frame. A few years after, a steeple was added to it, and a Bell procured. In the year 1787, on the 27th day of June, the Rev. Amos Chase was ordained to the work of the ministry. He was a native of Cornish, in the State of New-Hamp- shire, and was graduated at Dartmouth, 1780. Mr. Chase continued his pastoral charge till 1814. The first person buried in South- Farms, was in- terred in the month of March, 1749, viz. Mr. James Stoddard : he was killed at the raising of a dwelling- house. It is forty years since the society of South-Farms was incorporated ; and since that time there have been 455 deaths. The dates of their lives are as follows : in the County of Ltk^hfield. 105 Those that have died between the birth and ten years, are 227 between 10 and 20, 33 between 20 and 30, 25 between 30 and 40, 22 between 40 and 50, 28" between 50 and 60, 24 between 60 and 70, 44 between 70 and 80, 29 between 80 and 90, 14 between 90 and 100, 9 Total, 455 228 have lived over ten years, and 227 have died under ten years of age — May, 1812. The average number of deaths for this period, is a little more than ten annually. There are in South-Farms six school districts, in which schools are kept through the year ; by males in the winter ; and by females in the summer. In these, about 160 children are taught in each season. The members of the church in this society, May 1st, 1812, were 41 males, and 64 females : total, 105. The baptisms since June 27, 1787, are 210. The number of inhabitants in South- Farms, accord- ing to the census in 1810, was 1238. An Academy was begun in South-Farms, in the year 1790 ; in which are taught the Latin and Greek lan- guages, English grammar, aridimetic, mathematics, rhetoric, logic, and moral philosophy. Several gentle- men within the parish, and in the town of Litchfield, built the house by subscription, at the expense of 1400 dollars. More than 1400 scholars, of both sex&s, have been members of this school. More than 60 of these have entered Yale and other colleges. The school still continues. It was originally instituted for the purpose of improving the manners and morals of youths, and of attracting their attention from frivolity and dissipation. In the year 1785, a Social Library was begun in this society, by a few persons. In the year 1791, a consti- tution was formed ; and the proprietors became more i05 A Statistical Account of several Towns numerous. The library consists of between 300 and 400 volumes of well-chosen books, of ancient and mod* em history, and divinity. North FIELD. The parish of Northfield was incor- porated by an act of the General Assembly, at their October session, in the year 1794. This parish is situ- ated in the south-east corner of Litchfield ; and it in- eludes within its limits a part of the township of Plym- outh. It is bounded on the east by Harwinton, or more properly on Waterbury river, u^hich divides it from Harwinton, and on a i)art of Plymouth ; on the south by Plymouth, and a part of Watertown ; on the west by the society of South- Farms ; and on the north by the first society in Litchfield. There are two churches in Northfield ; one for Con- j^regationalists, and one for Episcopalians. That for Congregationaiists was built soon after the society was incorporated ; and that for Episcopalians, some time before. The surface of this parish is uneven, and in many parts stony, rough, and hard for tillage. The soil is generally good, and produces good grass and grain. Orchards flourish well. The people settled their first minister, February 17th, 1795 ; viz. the Rev. Joseph E. Camp. Mr. Camp still continues in the work of the ministry, Milton. The parish of Milton is situated in the northwest corner of Litchfield. It includes within its limits, a part of Goshen, a part of Cornwall, and a part of Warren. Milton was incorporated by the General Assembly, at the May session, 1795. The first minister, settled in Milton, was Mr. Benja- min Judd, who was installed, May, 1802 ; and dismiss- ed, October, 1804. On the 16th of SeptCRiber, 1807, the Rev. Abraham Fowler was installed here, was dis-, missed, and still continues the ministry at Milton. There are in this society, two churches ; one for Con- gregationalistSj and one for Episcopalians ; both unfin- ished. in the County of Litchfield. 107 The surface is uneven and stony, with many large primitive rocks ; and, though good grazing land, is hard for tillage. It abounds in the sugar maple, and sugar has been made here in considerable quantities. I'he an- cient mode of extracting the sap for sugar, was by box- ing the tree ; but in later years, the trees are only bored, and, when the season is over, are plugged, by people who are careful. Within the parochial limits of Milton, there are five saw-mills ; two grist-mills ; two iron works ; one trip- hammer ; one carding machine for wool \ one machine for manufacturing wooden clocks ; one waggon-maker ; two turners ; two shoe-makers ; six whole school dis- tricts, and six school-houses, in which schools are kept through the year, by males in the winter season, and by females in the summer. The price for school-mas- ters, is from 9 to 12 dollars per month, and their board ; for school-mistresses, from 5 to 6 shillings per week, and their board. Mr, John Denison, now living in the parish, is 75 years old : his wife (who has lived with him 53 years) is now 71 years old. They have had fourteen children, all of whom are living ; viz. nine sons, and five daugh- ters. The eldest, a son, is 51 years old ; the youngest, also a son, 22. The oldest man within the limits of the town of I-.itchfield, lives in this parish ; viz. Mr, Reuben Dick- inson, aged 97. The mother of the late Juds^ Adams was born in Stratford, in the year 1698 ; and died in this town in the year 1803 ; aged 105. She lived in three centuries ; and was of a pleasant temper, amiable manners, temperate habits, and regular in all her deportment. Of this de- scription, have been the lives of several other persons, who have died in this town, between the age of 90 and 100 years. The number of paupers in this town, is 38 ; of whom eight are foreigners, and supported by the State. The whole exj)ense, in the year 1811, was 1500 dollars. They are boarded out in different families, under the 108 A Statistical Account of several Towns care and direction of the selectmen. In the month of January, 1812, the town voted to purchase, or build, an alms-house, \vith a suitable quantity of land adjoining, for the purpose of keeping such of the paupers, as should be able to labour, to some constant employment under the inspection of an overseer. The land and buildings have been procured at the expense of nearly one thousand dollars ; and such paupers, as could be conveniently moved, are placed in said alms-house. His Excellency Oliver Wolcott, Esq. of this town, was born in Windsor, December, 1726 ; son of the Hon. Roger Wolcott, Esq. a former Governor of the colony of Connecticut. Oliver Wolcott was graduated at Yale College, in the year 1747. He commanded a company of soldiers in 1748, in the war against the French, in Canada. After one campaign, he retired from military service, studied the profession of physic, and com- menced the practice in Goshen. In the year 1751, he was appointed high sheriff of Litchfield county, remov- ed to this town, and continued in the office of sheriif till the year 1772. He represented this town in the General Assembly, in the year 1770. In the year 1772, he was chosen a member of the Council. In 1772, he was appointed Judge of Probate for the district of Litchfield. In the year 1774, he was appointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. In the year 1775, he was chosen a Representative in Congress, and was pres- ent at the declaration of Independence. He continued a member of the Council till the year 1786, and was then chosen Lieutenant-Governor of this State. In this office he continued till the year 1796, and was then cho- sen Governor; and in this office he died, December 1st, 1797. The duties of all these stations, he discharged with unshaken integrity and firmness ; courted favours from no man ; and neither sought, nor obtained, any end by intrigue, or from interested motives. He was singularly modest, and even diffident, in his intercourse with men, in the common walks of life. Those who best knew this gentleman, well knew that the highest trust was never improperly placed in him. Two ques- in the Court ft/ of Idtchjield, 109 tions only were asked by him, while discharging the duties of the several offices of high responsibility, which he held ; viz. What is right ? and, What is my duty ? He possessed a benevolent heart, and was warm in his friendships ; a firm friend to order ; a promoter of peace ; a lover of religion ; and a tried, unshaken friend to the institutions of the Gospel. He was an indefati- gable student ; and neither wasted his time, nor his words. His mind was clear and penetrating ; his views of political subjects, just and comprehensive ; his dis- cernment of the wisest means to promote the best ends, ready and exact ; and his acquaintance with science, particularly with Theology, extensive. He had a re- markable talent at investigation ; and '^ nothing satis- fied him but proof." He has left a name, which is a sweet savour to his surviving friends ; and a lively hope, that he is enjoying the rewards of the faithful in immor- tal bliss. The Hon. Uriah Tracy, of this town, was born in Norwich, in the year 1754. He was graduated, in the year 1778, at Yale College. Soon after he came into this town, he placed himself under the tuition of Judge Keeve, as a student of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1781. He was popular and respectable as an attorney, and was succ^essful in managing causes. He passed through the several military offices, until he rose to the rank of a Major -General. He was regularly chosen by the town their Representative in the Gene- ral Assembly, from the year 1788 till the year 1793, when he was elected a Representative in Congress. This station he held till the year 1800, when he was ap- pointed a Senator ; and continued in this office till his death, July, 1807. He died at the seat of government, much lamented by his numerous friends and acquaint- ance. By his opponents in political opinions, he was highly respected. His mind was large and comprehen- sive : he had an extensive knowledge of the human character ; and few excelled him as a politician. Few men have had more wit, or used it more pleasantly. When acting as Attorney for the State, he managed 110 A Statistical Account of several Towns his causes in such a manner as to do honour to the law, without unnecessarily wounding the feehngs cither of the prisoner, or of his friends. Liberal in his views, and generous in his feeUngs, he was at all times ready to alleviate the distresses, and relieve the wants, of the wretched. As a religious man, he did not terminate his thoughts in mere speculation, but embraced the Gospel with the heart. It may emphatically be said of Mr. Tracy, that his last days were his best days, and his last comforts the sweetest. The Hon. Andrew Adams, of this town, was born in Stratford, January, 1736 ; and was graduated at Yale College, September, 1769. After he had completed his collegiate education, he entered upon the study of law ; and was admitted to the bar in the county of Fairfield. He then resided a short time at Stamford, and came to Litchfield in 1764. Soon after, he was appointed a Jus- tice of the Peace. He was chosen Representative to the General Assembly, in the year 1776, and continu- ed to represent this town till the year 1781. He was chosen Assistant in 1781, and a Representative in Con- gress about the same time. In May, 1793, he was ap- pointed Chief Justice of the Superior Court, and contin- ued in this office till his death, in his sixty- second year, November 27, 1796. As a lawyer, few exceeded him ; especially in managing causes before a jury. He was an able judge. ■in the County of Litchjield. Ill WASHINGTON. Washington was incorporated by the General Assem- bly, at an adjourned session, held in the month of Feb- ruary, 1779. It includes Judca, New- Preston, and a part of the original township of Litchfield, at the south- west corner, which is within the parochial limits of South-Farms. The lines have been given, by Daniel N. Brinsmade, Esq. in the following manner : viz. "Be- ginning at the south-west corner of Judea parish ; thence running a straight line easterly, to the south-west corner of Bethlehem, five miles and about one quarter of a mile ; thence north by Bethlehem to Litchfield line, it being the north-west corner of Bethlehem ; thence con- tinuing north in a straight line, to the north-east corner of the tract annexed from Litchfield ; (the east line of Washington, so far as it is straight, is between five and six m^iles ;) thence in a north-westerly direction, across the western part of Mount Tom, to Mount Tom bridge, crossing the western branch of Shippauge river ; thence in a liae westerly, between Washington and Warren, to the West Fond ; thence across said Pond ninety rods, to Fairweather's Grant. The diagonal line, from the north-east corner of Washington to Mount Tom bridge, is about two miles and an half : the north line is about five miles in length. From the north-west corner of Washington, the line runs about south, between ^Vash- ington and Kent, one mile and an half, to New-Milford line ; thence still south to the south line of New-Mil- ford, north purchase ; thence southerly to the south-east bounds of the parish of New- Preston, about one mile and an half; thence by New-Milford, about three miles and an half, to the first mentioned bounds." The town- ship of Washington, if it lay in a regular form, would be a little more than six miles square, containing about ,28,500 acres. Washington has several quarries of marble. Two mills are constantly employed in sawing it. There is a mineral spring in the north-west part of the parish of Judea. Its waters have not been analyzed, but are said to be efficacious in some disorders. 112 •^ Statistical Account of several Toivris There are in Washington, 2 forges for iron ; 4 grist-mills ; 1 slitting-mill ; 2 fulling-mills ; 2 trip-hammers ; 2 carding machines for wool ; 1 flax-mill ; 1 nail manufactory ; 5 saw-mills ; and 50 looms. There are also, 4 tailors ; 11 shoe-makers ; 4 waggon and cart- makers ; 7 carpenters ; 2 cabinet-makers ; 2 hatters ; 1 saddler and harness-maker ; 8 joiners ; 8 blacksmiths ; 4 bloomers ; 7 coopers ; 7 merchants trading in dry- goods and groceries ; 11 school districts ; 11 school-houses. Minerals. Iron ore has been found in two places. Lime-stone abounds. Good lime is made in considerable quantities. Ochre of a reddish cast, fuller's earth, and white clay fitted for fine pottery, are also found here. JuDEA., the first society in Washington, was incorpo- rated by the General Assembly, in the year 1741, and took the name of Judea ; having before been included in the ecclesiastical society of Woodbury. The first settlement within the parochial limits of Ju- dea, was made by Joseph Hurlburt, about the year 1734. The first framed house was built in the year 1736. The next settlers after Hurlburt, were Increase Moseley, Nathaniel Durkee, John Baker, Friend Weeks, Joseph Gillet, and Samuel Pitcher. The first sermon, preached in this society, was by Mr. Isaac Baldwin, of Litchfield, who afterwards relinquish- tn the County of Litchjidd. ii; ed the desk, and became the first Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in the county of Litchfield. All the inhabitants attended on this occasion ; and were ac- commodated, in a small room, in Mr. Hurlburt's dwell- ing-house. The Rev. Reuben Judd, tlie first minister settled in this society, was ordained September 1st, 1742. The ordination was attended, in a grove, near Mr. Samuel Pitcher's, who then resided about half a mile south of the present dwelling-house of Daniel N. Brinsmade, Esq. The first Church was formed here, on the same day; and consisted of 12 male members. The same year, 10 females were added to the church ; and from that time to May, 1746, there were added 47 other per- sons ; making, in the whole number, 69. Eighty-one baptisms are recorded in the same period. Mr. Judd continued in the pastoral office less than five years. He was dismissed, May 6th, 1747 ; but the occasion of his dismission does not appear. In September, 1748, Mr. Daniel Brinsmade was invi- ted to preach in this society, as a candidate ; and was ordained in March, 1749.. He died here, 44 }ears and nearly two months after his ordination, aged 74 years. Mr. Brinsmade had a clear and comprehensive mind, and was a pious and able instructor ; but was not distin- guished for pulpit eloquence. He was consciencious and inflexible, in his attachment to the doctrines of Chris- tianity, as they were understood by the Reformeis; and died in full possession of the esteem and affection of his people. May, 1793. In the year 1784, the Rev. Noah Merwin, who had been dismissed from Farmington, was invited to preach in this society ; and with an unanimous suflVage of the congregation was installed as colleague with the Rev. Mr. Brinsmade, March 9th, 1785. Mr. Merwin died April 12th, 1795, about two years after the death of Mr. Brinsmade. Mr. Merwin was sound in the faith of the Gospel, and had an easy flow of thoughts, an engaging address, and treated the subjects of his discourses in such a manner, as both to please and instruct. His knowledge of mankind, his affuble and winning deport- 114 A Statistical Account of several Towns inent, gave him more than an ordinary share in the good will of liis parishioners. The Rev. Ebenezer Porter was ordained to the pas- toral office over this church and congregation, Septem- ber 7th, 1796; and was dismissed December 18th, 1811.^ having been elected Bartlett Professor of Sacred Rhet- oric, in the Theological Seminary at Andover, in Mas- sachusetts. The first settlers of this society met for public wor- ship in a barn. The first church was built, by eight proprietors, in the year 1742. The second church was raised in the year 1751 ; and about the year 1786, a steeple was added to it, and a bell procured. In Jiily, 1800, this church was set on fire by an insane man, na- med David Titus ; but, by a seasonable discovery of the fire, the calmness of the night, and the exertions of the people, the flames were extinguished within an hour. On the night of the 30th of April, 1801, the same build- ing was again set on fire by the same man ; it being un- known till this time that he did the mischief before. The fire was put into the steeple, about midnight ; and had made such progress, before it was discovered, that no exertions were made to extinguish it. The witness- es to this distressing scene were scarcely able to pre- serve the neighbouring buildings from destruction. As no alarm could be given by the bell, many of the in- habitants, and some within half a mile, were ignorant of the disaster until the next morning. The following week, at a general society's meeting, the people voted imanimously to build another church ; and soon after agreed upon the spot, where it should stand, without a dissenting voice. With one heart and hand, they be- ,' intlie County of Litchfield. \\S With but one exception, the people of this society- have been uniformly prosperous and happy ; have never been split into sects ; and have deservedly acquired the reputation of being industrious, orderly, and harmoni- ous. The exception above alluded to, was from the year 1774, to the year 1784- ; it being the last ten years of Mr. Briasmade's ministry. This exception was a contention respecting terms of communion, and the bap- tism of children. It is worthy of notice, that during the whole of this period, which was ten years, only three persons were added to the church. The persons admitted into the church, by the several pastors, are as follows, viz. By Mr. Judd, 69 By Mr. Brinsmade, 130 By Mr. Merwin, 35 By Mr. Porter, 135 Total, 3G7 Baptisms. By Mr. Judd, 81 By Mr. Brinsmade, 306 By Mr. Merwin, 78 By Mr. Porter, 225 Total, 690 Of the foregoing number, the proportion of males and females admitted into the church, is as follows, viz. Males. Fema In Mr. Judd's time. 32 37 In Mr. Brinsmade's, 56 74 In Mr. Merwin's, 13 22 In Mr. Porter's, 53 82 Total, 154 215 Marriages by Mr. Brinsmade, 128 couples, by Mr. Merwin, 37 do. by Mr. Porter, 86 do. by Magistrates, 44 do. Total, 295 Judea has been remarkably healthy. In nearly fifteen years, during Mr. Porter's ministry, the bills of mortal- ity have been accurately kept. The whole number of deaths, since the year 1796, up to December, 1811, has been 148 — 75 of this number have died under 40 years of age, and 73 have lived over the age of 40 years — 30 of this, number lived over 70 vears ; 13 over 80, and 2 116 .1 Statistical Account of several Towns over 90 years. This is a specimen of health and lon- gevity, which is extremely rare : a little less than one out of three having passed 70 years ; and almost half having exceeded 40 years. There have been no epi- demics here, during this period. The diseases, of which these persons died, were the following : Of the palsy and apoplexy, 11 — dropsy, 17 — inflammations, 15 — con- vulsions, 3 — cancer, 2 — cholera morbus, 2 — dysentery, 2 — consumption, 18. It is worthy of notice, that twice as many died, in the months, from November to Feb- ruary, as from June to September. There have been a very few instances of the typhus and spotted fevers. In a former period, viz. in the year 1753, a putrid fe- ver prevailed in this parish, of which about 30 persons died in the space of six months. In the year 1776, the dysentery carried off about 30 persons. The average of deaths, since the year 1788, up to January, 1812, has been about one person to one hundred of the inhab- itants, annually. Twenty-one persons have died in this society, either of violent, or untimely, deaths : of which number, 6 were drowned ; 3 were killed with fire-arms ; 4 were found abroad, dying or dead ; 1 was killed with a pen- knife ; 2 children were burnt to death, in the heat of a coal-pit ; and 5 were murdered. Two dwelling-houses have been struck with lightning, witliout injuring any person ; three have been burnt by ' accident, and one by design. Of the five persons murdered, it may be proper to give an account. The murder was committed by Bar- nett Devenport ; and, taken wdth all the attending cir- cumstances, it Was one of the most inhuman, atrocious, and horrible deeds, ever perpetrated in New- England. From the criminal's own confession, it appears, that his parentage and early education were exactly fitted to pro- duce his v/icked life, and his tragical end. Untutored, and unrestrained, by parental government, he was left to grow up at random. In the morning of life, no mo- ra !ity was incidcatcd on him, and no sense of religion, cither by precept or example. On the contrary, he was, from early years, unprincipled, profane, and impious. in the County of Litchjield. 117 Before he was 9 years old, he was expert in cursing and swearing, and an adept in mischief. At 1 1 years, he began to pilfer. At 13, he stole money. At 15, he en- tertained thoughts of murder ; and rapidly waxed hard- er and bolder in wickedness. At 19, he actually mur- dered a family in cold blood. As a friendless, wander- ing stranger, he was taken into the house of Mr. Caleb Mallory, and treated with the utmost kindness, in the month of December, 1779. Scarcely had two months elapsed, before the murder was determined upon. The night of the 3d of February, 1780, was fixed on, to ex- ecute the horrid purpose. With a heart hard as ada- mant, he lighted a candle, went into the lodging-room, of his benefactors, and beat them to death with a club. A little grand-child, being with its grand-parents, shared, the same flite ; and two others were left, in sound sleep, to perish in the flames. Having kindled a fire in three of the rooms, he fled, after robbing the house of its most valuable articles, from the murdered family and burning house. But from an accusing conscience, and from the hand of justice, which followed hard upon his steps, he was unable to flee. He Was taken, and executed, by sentence of Court, the May ensuing, at Litchfield. — What a lesson is this, to parents, who neglect the reli- gious education of their families ! When children are trained up without the worship and fear of God, let it not be thought strange, if " their mouths are full of curs- ing, and their feet swift to shed blood." Increase Moseley, Esq. was the first, who held the office of Constable in this society ; the first Captain of the militia ; the first society's Clerk ; the first Deacon of the church ; and the first Justice of the Peace : and he was twenty-five years a Justice of the Quorum, for the county of Litchfield. He then moved to Vermont ; and was made Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Rutland, where he died. He was a man of sound integrity ; and sought the peace and happiness of his fellow-men. The inhabitants of this society originally came from the following places ; viz. Waterbury, Norwich, Rox- 1 13 A Statistical Account of several Toxvns bury, (Mass.) Stratford, Lebanon, Guilford, Branford,. INlilford, Middletown, Farmington, East-Haven, Suf- field, Voluntown, Wallingford, England, and Seaconk, (Rhode-Island.) The number of inhabitants in the whole to^vn of Washington, in the year 1800, was 1568 ; and in 1810, 1575. About 395 families have moved out of the so- ciety of Judea, since its first settlement ; which, at a common estimate of six to a family, must include 2370 persons, being 795 more than the present population of the whole town. After Mr. Judd's dismission, Mr. John Searle, who was afterwards settled in the ministry at Sharon, preach- ed for some time in this society ; concerning whom, one remi.rkable fact is related. A number of young per- sons met one evening, at a tavern, about a quarter of a mile south of the present meeting-house, and indulged themselves in noisy mirth. The next Sabbath, Mr. Searle, as a faithful minister, reproved their conduct in a sermon against vain recreations. In the midst of the sermon, one of the hearers, a young man, rose from his seat, with expressions of contempt, and went out of the church. After a moment's pause, and while the young man w^as yet in the house, the preacher addressed him to this effect : " Perhaps you may never have another opportunity to come to this place ; but I leave it with the great God." The young man went home ; was ta- ken sick ; languished a few days ; and died without any bodily pain. in the County of LitchfiekL 119 NORFOLK. I am indebted to the Rev. Amnii R. Robbins, for the following facts relating to this town. Norfolk is nine miles in length, and four and an half in breadth ; containing forty square miles. It is bound- ed on the north by New- Marlborough, (Mass.) ; on the east by Colebrook and Winchester ; on the south by Goshen ; and on the west by Canaan. Within the limits of the township are five Ponds, viz. one about two miles in circumference, called Benedict's Pond ; one about a mile in circumference, called Toby's Pond ; and three others smaller, one of which forms the head of Waterbury river, and is called Balcom's Pond. The inhabitants of this town were incorporated by an act of the General Assembly, in the year 1758. Norfolk forms but one ecclesiastical society. From scattering individuals, the first Church, which consisted of 23 members, was gathered and formed on the 24th of December, in the year 1760, by the Rev. Daniel Far- rand, minister in Canaan. The settlement of Norfolk began in the }ear 1744. This township, and several of the adjacent ones, were owned by the then Colony of Connecticut ; and they were severally sold at public vendue, at Middletown, in the year 1742, Timothy Horsford, of Windsor, took a deed of one right of 400 acres, w hich he retained. All the other proprietors relinquished their rights, and for- feited their first payment, which was 40 shillings on a right. The town was originally laid out in 53 rights ; of which, one was reserved for a parsonage, one ior the benefit of schools, and one for the first minister, l^im- othy Horsford sold his right to Tilus Brovvu, v\ ho aikr- wards removed to this tovrn, and died here. The names of the first settlers of the tovvaiship, are as follows : Titus and Cornelius Brown, from Windsor ; John Turner, and Jcdediah Ricb.ards, from Martford. They lived on Brown's right. Tliey were pious and ex- emplary families, and attended public worship in Ca- naan. ' ^ In the year 1754, Norfolk was sold at public vendue, at Middletown, a second time, excepting Brown's right. 120 A Statistical Account of several Toxims ' Soon after, a number of industrious, worthy fanulies settled in it. Most of the early settlers li\cd to old age, and were firm friends of religious order, and vital piety. The first sermon was preached here by a Mr. Treat, who had been settled in the ministry, and who was then a temporary resident in Norfolk. After this, several candidates for the ministry v/ere successi\cly employed. At length, application was made to Mr. Awimi R. Rob- bins, of Branford, to preach as a candidate ; and he re- ceived an unanimous call of the church and society to settle with them in the ministry, Mr. Robbins was or- dained by the consociation of Litchfield county, on the 28th day of October, 1761. He died in 1813. The number of families in Norfolk, when Mr. Rob^ J bins was settled, was about sixty. From that time to the year 1799, there was a gradual increase of inhabits ants, till the number of families amounted to about 290. Since the present century commenced, the number has been rather diminishing by emigrations, to the northern and western parts of the United States. Norfolk, generally, has been remarkably united, pros- perous, and happy ; and has had few or no sectaries. Under the pious instructions of their minister, and by means of the exemplary piety of the first settlers, their habits have been regularly formed. Situated on high ground, and enjoying a salubrious atmosphere and pure water, the inhabitants have been blessed with a greater share of health, than has generally prevailed in most other parts of this State. Yet the inhabitants have not been entirely exempted from epidemics. In the years 1777 and 1778, ninety-four persons died in Norfolk, be- sides several others in the army. Instances of longevity have been frequent in this town. Several men and women have lived over 90 years, and one over 100. The number of inhabitants, in 1800, was 1649 ; and, in 1810, 1441. The average number of deaths, for half a century past, has been 15 annually. The number of the members of the church, when it was gathered, was 23. From the first formation of the in the County of Litchfield. \H church, to the settlement of Mr. Robbins^ 15 were add- ed ; most of them from other churches ; making the whole at that time, 38. From the time of Mr. Rob- bins' ordination, to the 1st of November, 1811, being- half a century, there were added to the church 511 : making, in the whole, 549. The number of baptisms daring the same period, was 1277- The number of deaths in the town, is 760, (exclusive of those who died in the revolutionary war :) Of these, more than half di- ed in infancy. The number of marriages, by Mr. Rob- bins, is 276 — many performed by the civil authorit}^ ; the number unknown. - In the foregoing period, there have been three signal revivals of religion ; the first in the year 1767; the sec- ond in the years 1783 and 1784 ; the third in the years 1798 and 1799. The number added to the church, in consequence of these revivals, was 222. The first church in this town was built in the year 1760 ; the second, (a handsome one,) in 1814. A probate district, called the District of Norfolk, was established by the General Assembly, in May, 1799. Giles Pettibone, Esq. was appointed Judge, ancl contin- ued in office till the year 1807. He then resigned ; and his son, Augustus Pettibone, Esq. was appointed in his place. Norfolk was first represented in the General Assem- bly, in October, 1777. The Representatives were Giles Pettibone and William Walter. Norfolk is mountainous. The soil in general is good, being a mixture of clay and sand. No lives have been lost here by damps. In the )-ear 1774, two men digging a well, without a curb, were suddenly buried by the sand falling in upon them ; and notwithstanding the exertions of sundry people, the dead bodies were not found till many hours after. A stream runs near the centre of the town, and falls over a ledge of rocks about 30 feet in height. Mills of various kinds are erected on ancl near this fail ; and sev- eral manufactories. Among' them are two forges, in which are manufactured, (beside bar iron,) anchors, mill irons, cart and waggon tire, sleigii shoes, &c. 122 ^4 Statistical Accqu7it of several Towns Norfolk abounds in excellent springs. The natural growth of timber, in the north part of the . town, is generally oak and chesnut ; in the south part, sugar maple, beech, ash, birch, white-wood, wild cher- ry, bass, and hemlock. From the sugar maple, there has been made upwards of twenty thousand weight of sugar in a season ; but since the lands have been more and more cleared, by progressive settlements, and in consequence of the destruction of maple trees by some violent tornadoes, the manufacturing of sugar is much diminished. The distance of Norfolk from market, or navigable waters, to Hartford, is 35 miles ; to Hudson, 42. There is a woollen manufactory in this town, which, with its appendages, employs from 10 to 15 workmen. The price of land, within the term of half a century past, has risQn from 300 to 400 per cent. Ox-teams are generally used for cultivation ; in a few instances, horses. The number of teams is about 200; the number of sheep, 4000. Beef and pork, in con- siderable quantities, are sent to market annually. But the soil being better suited to grass, than tillage, the attention of the inhabitants has been turned principally to dairies. In the year 1811, there were sent to market, 100 tons of cheese, at S160 per ton, S16,000 6 tons of butter, at S320 do. 1,920 100 barrels of pork, at S12 per barrel, 1,200 100 head of beef cattle, upon an average at S20 per head, 2,000 Total, S2 1,120 The Greenwoods turnpike, which passes through the centre of this town, leading from Hartford to Hudson, (N. Y.) was made in the year 1800. A post-oftice is kept in this town ; and a stiige runs from Hartford to Hudson, and returns the same week. The number of district schools is ten, kept ten months in each year ; in the winter season, by male instructors ; and in the summer, by females. The wages for school- hi the County of Litchjietd. 123 masters, twelve dollars per month upon an average, and their board. The annual expense for supporting the town paupers, upon an average, is 300 dollars. The number of taverns is five. There are two social libraries in this town : neither of them large. There is also a charitable society ; and liberal contributions have been made for missionary purposes, and for the Bible society of this State, Ui A Statistical Accou7it, £iV. '^ oi Uo to (o o i-i Cfl I ^ Oi Oi to O — w. ~J OO W C 03 03 o w t3 to 03 M "-i 03 K3 #1. 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