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PRESENTEFD EY
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Fairfield County
|ISTORICAL SOCIETY
-O O. C-
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
BY - LAVVS,
L IST O F M E M B E R S
! A N ID
-
First Anniversary Meeting,
APRIL 1.4TH, 1882.
B R H D G E PORT :
THE STANDARD ASSOCIATION, PRINTERS.
1 S S 2 .
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FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY.
PRESIDENT.
ROWLAND B. LACEY.
VICE—PRESIDENTS.
WINTHROP H. PERRY, Southport.
CHARLES BURR TODD, Redding.
A. B. HULL, Danbury.
RECORDING SECRETARY.
NATHANIEL E. WORDIN, M. D.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.
LOUIS N. MIDIDLEBROOK.
HISTORIAN AND CUSTODIAN OF SOCIETY REcoſºps.
WILLIAM B. HINCKS.
TREASURER AND CURATOR.
RICHARD C. AMBLER.
PRESENTED TO
THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY
HISTORICAL S001ETY.

LIST OF MEMBERS OF
FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
R. B. Lacey, Bridgeport.
IN OF DEF: OF THEIR ELECTION.
ORIGINAL MEMBERS.
G. C. Waldo, Bridgeport.
W. H. Noble, Bridgeport. L. N. Middlebrook, Bridgeport.
W. B. Hincks, Bridgeport. N. E. Wordin, Bridgeport.
MEMBERS SINCE ADDED.
Rev. B. L. Swan, Monroe.
Abram W. Morehouse, Bridgeport.
A. B. Hull, Danbury.
J. N. Ireland, Bridgeport.
R. C. Ambler, Trumbull.
Hon. W. T. Minor, Stamford.
Hon. Lemuel Sanford, Redding.
James L. Gould, Blidgeport.
James W. Beardsley, Bridgeport.
Henry M. Hoyt, Bridgeport.
C. B. Todd, Redding. -
H. G. Scofield, Bridgeport.
James Ryder, Danbury.
Hon. E. S. Hawley, Buffalo, N. Y.
II. K. Scott, Ridgefield.
Curtis Thompson, Bridgeport.
Rev. J. K. Lombard, Fairfield.
W. A. Beers, Fairfield.
Rev. E. W. Maxcy, D. D., Bridgeport.
Rev. William Shelton, D. D., Buffalo, N. Y.
Rev. George S. Burroughs, Fairfield.
A. H. Byington, Norwalk.
Winthrop H. Perry, Southport.
Hon. J. H. Trumbull, L.L. D., Hartford.
Rev. E. E. Beardsley, D. D., New Haven.
Walter Hubbell, New York.
Henry S. Sanford, Bridgeport.
C. J. Hoadley, State Librarian, Hartford.
D. B. Lockwood, Bridgeport.
S. M. Middlebrook, Bridgeport.
W. T. Wan Yorx, Bridgeport.
Frederick Bronson, Greenfield Hill, Fairfield.
O. P. Dexter, New York.
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION.
We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, to wit: Rowland B.
Lacey, William H. Noble, William B. Hincks, Nathaniel E. Wordin,
George C. Waldo and Louis N. Middlebrook, all of Bridgeport, Fair-
field County, State of Connecticut, do hereby form a Voluntary Asso-
ciation, under the laws of said State, for the promotion and encour-
agement of Historical, Antiquarian and Genealogical Investigation
relating to said County and the Towns composing it; the same to con:
sist of the undersigned as present members thereof, together with
such others as may be chosen by a unanimous vote of such meetings
of said Association as may be hereafter held for that purpose; we, the
subscribers, and our associates and successors, forever to be known as
the Fairfield County Historical Society, and to be governed by such
officers, rules and by-laws as may from time to time be established by
said Association. .
Subscribed by us at said Bridgeport this February 4th, A. D. 1881.
ROWLAND B. LACEY, GEORGE C. WALDO,
NATHANIEL E. WORDIN, WILLIAM B. HINCKS,
WILLIAM II. NOBLE, LOUIS N. MIDDI, EBROOK.
And of the same date, hereby waving any further notice of a first
meeting of said Association, for the purpose of completing the present
organization of the same, adopting rules and by-laws, and transacting
any other business that may be law fully done at such meeting, we, the
said subscribers, do hereby unanimously adopt the following rules and
by-laws for said Association:
RULE I.—The officers of said Association shall consist of a Presi-
dent, three Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, Recording Secretary and Cor-
responding ScCretary, who shall be chosen annually from its members,
by a majority ballot, at the annual meeting of the Association, upon
notice of the time, place and purpose thereof, to be given by the Presi-
dent and Corresponding S. cretary, for the time being, personally or by
mail, to all of said members, one week before said meeting.
And said officers shall hold their offices for one year from their elec-
tion, and until others shall be chosen in their places; and their powers
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4
and duties shall be those usually appertaining to those offices, except
when otherwise ordered by the Association.
And any vacancy occurring in any of said offices before the expira-
tion of its term, may be filled for the unexpired portion thereof, by
those of the Executive Committee of said Association who shall be in
the exercise of their offices at the time.
Said officers shall also be the Executive Committee of said Associa-
tion, and as such shall have charge of and direct all matters of execu-
tive, financial and clerical business appertaining to the management of
the Association, except when otherwise ordered by the Association.
RULE II.-The election of new members of said Association shall
be by a unanimous vote, by ballot or otherwise, at any annual, regular
or special meeting of the Association ; the nomination of such new
members having first been made at the last regular meeting preceding
the meeting at which said vote shall be taken, and not less than one
week previous to such voting.
RULE III.-The regular meetings of said Association shall be held
on the first Friday evening of each and every month; and special
meetings thereof, as also of the Executive Committee, may be held
whenever the Association shall so order, or whenever the President
and Recording Secretary shall deem it necessary to call the same, on
the giving of one week's personal notice, or notice by mail, by the
President and Recording Secretary, of the time, place and purpose
thereof, to all members of said bodies respectively.
RULE IV.-The first annual meeting of Said Association for the elec-
tion of officers, and such other business as may be lawfully transacted
thereat, shall be held in the city of Bridgeport, at the office of the
Mayor of said city, at 8 o'clock P. M., on the first Friday in April,
A. D. 1881. And the annual meetings of the Association thereafter to
be held, shall be held on the anniversary of that day in each year,
RULE V.—All persons elected to and accepting membership in said
Association shall subscribe these original Articles of Association,
Rules and By-Laws.
RULE VI.-These Rules and By-Laws may be altered, amended,
repealed or added to, by a major vote of the members present at any
annual, regular or special meeting of Said Association, held in accord-
ance with the rules of the Association.
Adopted unanimonsly this 4th day of February, A. D. 1881.
ROWI, AND B. LACEY, GEORGE C. WALDO,
NATHANIEL E. WORDIN, WILLIAM B. HINCKS,
WILLIAM H, NOBLE, LOUIS N, MIDI) LEBROOK.
5
Additional Rules adopted by the Fairfield County Historical Society
August 5th, A. D. 1881. -
RULE VII.-The President of this Association shall be, ea officio,
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Association.
RULE VIII.—The Chairman of the Executive Committee shall be
the Auditor of the accounts of the Association, and as such shall
audit and approve all bills of expenses incurred by the Association
before the same shall be ordered paid, and only upon such audit, and
an order of payment by the Association or Executive Committee, shall
the Treasurer pay out any funds of the Association.
RULE IX.-The Treasurer of the Association shall be also Curator
of the same so long as he shall be Treasurer; and the duties of the
office of Curator shall be to have the care, custody and preservation of
the books, papers, antiquities, and all other property of the Associa-
tion.
ANNIVERSARY MEETING.
The inception, organization and object of the Fairfield
County Historical Society are set forth in its constitution and
the papers which follow.
The foundations are laid and the one year's work has pro-
duced a fruitage which is decidedly encouraging. Valuable
papers have been prepared and read at the monthly meetings,
some of them of great research and rare value. Some inter-
esting old books and relics have been received, and many
more are in waiting for a suitable depository for their safe
keeping. We bespeak the hearty co-operation of all who can
in any way further the objects of the society. The first anni-
versary of the Society occurred on the second Friday in April,
the 14th, 1882.
OPENING ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT.
Jadies and Gentlemen :
When the settler of a new country pushes into the wilder.
ness, acquires and locates his homestead, he is, for the time,
and naturally will be, for a number of years, too much occu-
pied with building his cabin, making improvements, rear-
ing and providing for his family, to attend to matters of his-
tory. Current events, even, are likely to be neglected—much
more the past. This remark will apply to and illustrate the
condition and experience of the early settlers of New Eng-
land. Though the condition of succeeding generations has
changed, and thrift and comfort have taken the place of hard-
ship and privation, so inwrought has been the idea of utility,
measured by a money value, that to spend time even, to fix and
perpetuate the facts of our early history and the habits and
sentiments of the fathers and mothers, has been deemed ex-
travagant waste. Speak on this subject to a majority of peo-
ple and you will be met with the question, will it pay 2 In-
quiry into family genealogies, at once raises, in most minds,
the presumption that some estate or fortune in the old coun-
try is behind it.
The fact that our grandfathers and grandmothers could tell
us, much of our early local history from their own observation
and memory, or from tradition, has been enough for too many
of us, and we have thus suffered data of intense interest, and
often of great importance, to be buried in their graves or
scattered to the winds. I am glad there are some exceptions
to this, and that something has been done to recover and fix
the past, to transmit with current history to succeeding gen-
erations.
The early church, parish and town records form a sort of
skeleton or frame work for our local history, but these need
to be supplemented, amplified, clothed or illustrated by per-
sonal and family sketches—specimens of implements and
articles useful and ornamental—such as have been to a limited
extent and can be more largely gathered up in every village
and hamlet in the county. -
The store-rooms and attics of numerous old family resi-
dences are the receptacles of books, papers and quaint articles,
useful in their time and exceedingly useful now as illustrative
of the thoughts and industries of a century or two ago, and
should be preserved. -
Numerous facts about our early history are now accessible
on research, more or less dilligent, which in a very few years
will be beyond recovery.
A few individuals have held and pondered sentiments like
these, and although something had been done in the right
direction, the feeling prevailed that to reach any adequate
results, combined organized effort was needed. This has led
to the organization of the Fairfield County Historical Society
—as will be recited more in detail by the Recording Secretary.
I congratulate you upon what has been done by the little
effort put forth in one year, and welcome our friends and
fellow members from abroad who have not usually been found
at our monthly meetings, and those of our fellow citizens
who have gathered at this our first anniversary.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE RECORDING SECRETARY.
Mr. President :
At this anniversary meeting of the Fairfield County His-
torical Society it is very proper and may be somewhat inter-
esting to cast a look backward.
In the year 1880, attention had been called to some histori-
cal facts connected with the county by the publication of a
book which, compiled by parties from a distance, by its very
incorrectness invited those interested, to have the truth. In
the early part of 1881 a conversation took place in the office
of Maj. L. N. Middlebrook, Franklin block, during which that
gentleman suggested the formation of a society whose mem-
bers from different parts of the county, working together,
should collect such facts as could from time to time be gath-
ered, so that the history of our ancestors and the parts they
played might be known.
A few gentlemen notably interested in such matters were
consulted, and on the evening of January 28th, 1881, Maj.
L. N. Middlebrook, Maj. W. B. Hincks, Mr. R. B. Lacey, Gen.
W. H. Noble and Dr. N. E. Wordin, met at the residence of
the latter and arranged definitely for the formation of the
Fairfield County Historical Society.
The first meeting of this society was held at the office of
Maj. W. B. Hincks, Wheeler's Building, on the evening of
February 4th, 1881. Mr. R. B. Lacey was chosen chairman,
and Maj. L. N. Middlebrook, secretary. Articles of Associa-
tion and Rules and By-Laws were adopted, and the roll of
membership was increased by the addition of seven names.
At the first annual meeting held in the Mayor's office, April
1st, 1881, the following officers were chosen :
President—R. B. LACEY, Bridgeport.
1st Vice-President—Hon. W. T. MINOR, Stamford.
2nd “ 66 Rev. BENJ. L. SWAN, Monroe.
3rd “ £ 6 CHARLES BURR TODD, Redding.
Treasurer—Maj. W. B. HINCKS, Bridgeport.
Recording Secretary—Dr. N. E. WORDIN, Bridgeport.
Cor. Secretary—Maj. L. N. MIDDLEBROOK, Bridgeport.
These officers have remained on duty during the year, and,
ex officio, constitute the Executive Committee.
Eleven regular monthly meetings have been held during the
year, from only two of which has our President been absent.
The present membership is thirty-nine, of which there are
resident in Bridgeport, nineteen ; resident outside of Bridge-
9
port, mostly within the county, twenty. Among them are
eight lawyers, six clergymen, five editors, six business men
and five gentlemen, business or profession not stated.
Original papers have been presented and read before the
Society during the year as follows: By Richard C. Ambler,
Esq., A. W. Morehouse, Dr. N. E. Wordin, W. A. Beers, Esq.,
two ; five in all. As one of these papers occupied part of
three evenings, and as three documents not original with the
members of the Society, but of historical interest, have been
also read, it will be seen that the evenings have been well
occupied with literary labor.
Seven members have been asked to contribute articles who
have not yet complied. Probably most of them will comply
during the coming year. I take this opportunity of making
the suggestion that in the future we carry out the original
plan of the Society and only receive such additional members
as will contribute to our object, viz.: the collection of the
early history of Fairfield County.
I will also repeat here a suggestion made by one of our
members, that some person be appointed to gather such items
concerning our Society as may be published in the daily
papers, especially extended reports of essays and papers read
from time to time, and that they be preserved as additional
history of our Society.
With congratulation on the unexpected progress made dur-
ing the year,
Respectfully submitted, -
N. E. WORDIN,
Recording Secretary F. C. II. Society.
REPORT OF THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Fairfield County IIIs.
torical Society: -
Macaulay, in one of his inimitable essays, says: “A history
in which every particular incident may be true, may on the
whole be false. The circumstances which have most influence
On the happiness of mankind, the changes of manners and
morals, the transition of communities from poverty to wealth,
1()
from ignorance to knowledge, from ferocity to humanity :
these are, for the most part, noiseless revolutions. Their
progress is rarely indicated by what historians are pleased
to call important events. They are not achieved by armies,
or enacted by senates. They are sanctioned by no treaties
and recorded in no archives. They are carried on in every
school, in every church, behind ten thousand counters, at ten
thousand firesides.”
And again, the same noble author, in his review of “JIal-
lam's Constitutional History of England,” takes occasion to
reassert this view of the philosophy of history, in this way:
“To call up our ancestors before us, with all their peculiari-
ties of language, manners and garb, to show us over their
homes, to seat us at their tables, to rummage their old-fash-
ioned wardrobes, to explain the uses of their ponderous furni-
ture, these parts of the duty which properly belongs to the
historian, have been appropriated by the historical novelist.”
And even the great Gibbon was willing to confess, “that he
owed part of his success as a historian to the observations
which he made as an officer in the militia.”
It is, I take it, gentlemen, in the spirit indicated by these
sentiments, that our youthful society, one year ago, entered
upon its work.
And it appears to me, and so I think it does to all of us,
that the reflections of the distinguished authors quoted, most
peculiarly illustrate the character of the labors upon which
we have entered.
And yet, while our duties are in the main such as above de-
scribed, the history of Fairfield County is not entirely without
what even Lord Macaulay would call “important events.” The
biography of its principal founder, the father of Connecticut
jurisprudence and the author of our constitutional govern-
ment, would be an addition to any archives. And it will doubt-
less surprise some of my hearers to learn, that in our county
and within the reach of this society, are original autograph
manuscripts relating to the military operations in Fairfield
County of Gens. Washington and Putnam, and other foremost
men of the Revolution, to whiêh their signatures are affixed.
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ºf
11
No less curious would seem the fact that some of the gilded
fragments of the equestrain statue of King George, that
stood in the old Bowling Green in New York city, until de-
molished by the indignant patrióts, are said to be reposing
peacefully in Fairfield County.
But, gentlemen, I will not detain you. Of the more formal
part of the annual report of your Corresponding Secretary,
there is but little, and that may be embraced in a few words.
Your correspondence has been conducted with many men,
eminent in all the walks of life, both within and without New
England, upon subjects germane to our purposes.
And this I desire more particularly to report, what indeed
you have doubtless observed, that the interest expressed by
these correspondents, and the desire manifested by them to
aid us in our labors, has been remarkable. From this sign
alone, your Corresponding Secretary would be willing to pre-
dict prolonged life and success for our cherished enterprise.
All of which is most respectfully submitted.
L. N. MIDDLEBROOK,
Cor. Secretary F. C. II. Society.
After the acceptance of these reports, William A. Beers,
Esq., of Fairfield, read his paper on Roger Ludlow, which
has been published, and the following sketch of Rev. Rich-
ardson Miner was read by the author:
A sketch from the life of of Richardson Miner, who from
November 18th, 1730, to March 21st, 1744, was pastor of the
Church of Christ at Unity (now Trumbull), by Richard C.
Aſhbler, Esq.; -
In writing upon this subject I shall be compelled to state
many things which are familiar to some of you who have spent
days among the records, which are the source of what little
information upon the subject I possess. Hence, I beg you
not to expect to be informed or instructed by my paper.
In truth, I feel at loss to attempt a paper upon a subject of
this nature, in which laboring among so few facts I must be
confined simply to the originality of clothing them.
12
In the first place it may be well to state as preliminary some
facts which, while they may be well known to all hearers, still
tend to bring to mind more clearly the situation of the work
in which the subject of this sketch was engaged.
The old town of Stratford at the beginning of the last cen-
tury, and later yet, comprised what is now within the limits of
Stratford, a part of Bridgeport and the whole of the towns of
Monroe, Huntington and Trumbull. This was subdivided
into districts, not having definite boundaries, comprising New
Stratford, now known as Monroe; Ripton, now Huntington ;
and North Stratford or Unity, now Trumbull.
The scattered population of this large town attended “meet-
ing” at Stratford proper. As the settlement increased and
the people spread farther and farther back into the town, it
became necessary to form a new society farther inland. This
was done November 18th, 1730.
The new organization was called “Church of Christ at
Unity.” This society continued until May 6th, 1747, when,
owing to the conversion of Richardson Miner, the pastor, to
the Episcopal belief, of which circumstance we shall hear
more below, dissention followed in the church and society.
The association, the General Assembly of the colony and the
neighboring associations sought to advise, but the Society
became so broken that it was gathered anew by the council
at the settlement of the next pastor, the Rev. James Beebe.
“It was natural that when the shepherd had thus sought
another fold, the one he leaves should be scattered. It was
so here,” and we find on the record of the association that
over two-thirds of the Rev. Richardson Miner's congregation
at Unity followed him into the Church of England. It was
these people who formed the nucleus of the parishes of Grace
and Trinity Churches, Trumbull, and added many members to
Christ's Church, Tashua, and to the Episcopal parishes in
Huntington, Monroe and Stratford. Then, of course, the
society being so disunited, could no longer appropriately be
called by the name of Unity; hence, in 1747, it was changed
to the name of Church of Christ at North Stratford, which
13
name it continued to hold until the town of Trumbull was set
off from Stratford in 1798.
Of the birthplace of Richardson Miner, there has been
some doubt, which doubt has been entirely removed by fol-
lowing up a circumstance which laid open a long missing clue.
The Rev. Dr. E. E. Beardsley in his history of the Episcopal
Church in Connecticut, Vol. 1, page 142, speaks of Mr. Miner
as going home for orders. Now, it being a fact that he did
go to England for Episcopal ordination, of course Dr. Beards-
ley in speaking of his going home implies that his home was
in England. That this was a fact seemed highly improbable.
Mr. Miner graduated at the age of 22 from Yale College in
the class of 1726, a class of 23 members, the largest that had
graduated since the organization of the college. Now only
the sons of men who possessed some considerable wealth
were sent to college in those days, and it is hardly probable
that an Englishman of means would have left the world re-
nowned universities of England to educate his son in a young
college in the colonies. -
Of the date of the birth of Mr. Miner, I find the following
in his own handwriting, made upon the society records of
Unity, after entering the birth and baptism of his son, as fol-
lows: “William, son of the Rev. Richardson Miner and his
wife, Elizebeth, born November ye 24th, 1739, baptized No-
vember ye 25th.” He made the following postcript: “N.
B.—The above sd Revd. Mr. Miner was born November ye
25th, 1704.” -
With this record alone would we have been left and all
knowledge of his birthplace and ancestors would have been
unknown, had it not been for the precision and exactness with
which he made record of all his ministerial acts. In the Unity
records, upon a neglected fly-leaf, the careful observer will
find entries written by Mr. Miner that time has nearly effaced.
Among these he recorded the fact of his being at Stonington
on two occasions, and on one of these times, July 20th, 1740,
at North Parish, he baptized Robert, son of Samuel and
Elizabeth Miner. The distance of Stonington from Unity,
taken into consideration with the difficulties of traveling in
14
those early days, and also the fact of the baptism of a person
in that place named Miner, led me to surmise that perhaps
Stonington was his early home.
I find that the date of Richardson's birth in the Miner
family records coincides fully with his postscript made on the
records at Unity, thereby to my mind sufficiently identifying
the person to be the same. Also, the New London family
record not only mentions Samuel Miner (who, by the way, was
half brother of Richardson) and his wife Elizabeth, but also
that Samuel and Elizabeth Miner had a son Robert, born July
4th and baptized July 20th, 1740, which to a letter confirms
the entry on the Unity records. This Robert Miner died un-
married in the French army at Crown Point, August 30th, 1761.
Of the ancestors of Mr. Miner, Savage, Vol. III., page 216,
says, (2) Thomas Miner came to this country in 1632. He
was son of (1) William Miner of Chew Magna, Summerset-
shire, England; was in Charlestown, Mass., in 1632; was one
of the founders of the church there; was made a freeman
March 4th, 1634; removed to New London in 1645. He was
a very valuable man, was several times chosen representative,
and died in 1690, aged 83 years. He was therefore born in
1607. -
The records of the family in New London further say that
he came to this country in 1630, with Governor Winthrop and
family. That he was married at Rehoboth in 1634 to Grace
Palmer, eldest daughter of Walter Palmer ; moved to Water-
town, then Charlestown and finally came to Connecticut with
young Winthrop and settled in Saybrook. In 1643 he settled
in New London, and in 1645 moved to Quiambog, where he
died in 1690. He had twelve children. His son (3) Manassah
was born in New London April 28th, 1647, and was the first
born white male child in New London. He married Mrs.
Lydia Moore for his first wife; had five children, and died
August 22nd, 1728; (4) Elnathan, the first child of Manassah,
was born December 20th, 1671. He had three wives. He
married his second wife, widow Prudence Hallam, March
17th, 1703. By this wife, (5) Richardson, the subject of this
sketch, was born. -
15
Four years after his graduation, Richardson Miner makes
the first entry, or “account,” as he calls it, in the records of
the Church of Christ at Unity. It is as follows: “November
ye 18th, 1730, there was a church gathered and settled at
Unity, and the same day was ordained there the Rev'd Rich-
ardson Miner, by Presbyters the Rev'd Messrs. Joseph Webb,
of Fairfield ; Samuel Cook, of Stratfield ; Hezekiah Goold, of
Stratford, and Mr. Jedediah Mills, of Ripton. Mr. Cook
preached; Mr. Webb made the first prayer; Mr. Cook gave
the charge; Mr. Goold gave the right-hand of fellowship, and
Mr. Mills made the last prayer.” Such is the record of the
ordination of Mr. Miner to the charge of the Church of Christ
at Unity. Of Hezekiah Goold, spoken of in the records by
Mr. Miner, the following incidents are related by Dr. Beards-
ley. But in order to more fully appreciate them we must
bear in mind the great excitement caused in religious circles
by the extravagancies of Whitefield during this time. “Mr.
Goold in one of his sermons pronounced Dr. Johnson and all
his people unconverted, and not only so but intruders and
workers of all manner of mischief. The following is quoted
as being well authenticated, that Dr. Johnson, meeting one of
his parishioners one day, was enquired of by him whether his
church was increasing. ‘Yes,' replied Johnson, “it is increas-
ing, I am a feeble instrument in the hands of God, but thanks
be to him. He has placed my left-handed brother Goold here
who makes six churchmen while I can make one’”
The Society at Unity was very prosperous under the charge
of Mr. Miner. During the fourteen years of his pastorate
there were added to the church one hundred and four mem-
bers. Thirty-eight of whom signed on the day of his ordina-
tion and the remaining sixty-six at subsequent times. He
joined in marriage thirty-eight couples and baptized one hun-
dred and eighty-one persons, the most of whom were infants
less than two days old, and in one case of a “son Reuben, to
Daniel Sherwood and Ann his wife, baptized Sept. 3rd, 1732,”
and adds in a postscript, “born an hour and a half before
baptism.” There can be no doubt but what the doctrine of
infant baptism was fully indorsed by Mr. Miner's people.
16
* Richardson Miner was married May 16th, 1725, to Eliza-
beth, daughter of Theopholus Munson. She was born Sep-
tember 20th, 1751. Theopholus Munson was son of Samuel,
who was baptized August 7th, 1643, who was son of Thomas
Munson. Thomas Munson first settled in Hartford and soon
removed to New Haven, which he represented in the General
Assembly twenty-four sessions, from 1660 to 1683. Elizabeth
Munson was a New Haven lady, and as fatal to the single
blessedness of our young graduate as so many of the ladies
for whose beauty New Haven is yet renowned, are to the
graduates of to-day.
Mr. Miner had a child named Henrietta, born in New
Haven July 5th, 1728, which was baptized by Rev. Joseph
Noyes. In November, 1729, we find him in Stratford, where
the Rev. Hezekiah Goold baptized another child, named Pru-
dence, which was born November 18th, 1729. Just one year
after, i. e., November 18th, 1730, as stated above, he took his
first, which, so unfortunately, turned out to be his last pastoral
charge.
While at Unity, Mr. Miner lived about a quarter of a mile
above the “meeting house,” on the same side of the way, in a
house which stood in the lot opposite the residence of Isaac
Booth, Esq. The “meeting house" stood near where the
barn of John Booth, Esq., now stands, on the corner opposite
the residence of the late Dr. Dyer.
In the records we find the account of the births and bap-
tisms of the remaining eight children, viz.:
Esther, born March 4th, 1731. Baptized by her father.
Isabella, “ Jan. 1st, 1732. § { {{ { { { %
Elizabeth, “ March 7th, 1734. & 6 * { { { { {
Martha, { % {{ “ 1735. & 4 {{ { % à é
( & died “ 12th, 1735.
Richardson, born March 5th, 1736. Baptized by his father.
Martha, “ Feb. 13th, 1737. § { “ her “
Rebeccah, “ Oct. 16th, 1738. § { * { { % { %
William, “ Nov. 24th, 1739. § { “ his “
{ % died March 22nd, 1740.
*Trowbridge family records in New Haven,
17
Of the home life of Richardson Miner we have no particular
record. But we do know that he led a busy life. By refer-
ence to the biographies of the New England Clergy of the
earlier times, it is I believe true that those who came over in
the first migrations and the generation following them usually
combined the professions of ministry and medicine. For
example, Rev. John Bulkley, 1635–1689; Rev. John Allen,
1637–1680; Rev. Joshua Hobart, 1629–1717; Pev. Charles
Chauncy, 1654, and Rev. Israel Chauncy, 1665–1703, the latter
of Stratford. I might mention many others, but this will
suffice to show that it was not uncommon for the minister and
the doctor to be one and the same person. But in the time
of Richardson Miner, I think it was more exceptional than it
had been for several generations previous, and I do not doubt
but that the practice was growing unusual. We know that
with many clergy in the time of Mr. Miner it was customary
to mingle their clerical duties with those of farming and often
as has been so aptly said by Oliver Wendell Holmes, in speak-
ing of New England clergy of that period, “they toiled like
day laborers teasing lean harvests out of their small enclos-
ures of land, for the New England soil is not one that laughs
when tickled with a hoe, but rather one that sulks when ap-
pealed to with that persuasive implement.”
Mr. Miner was an exception to this rule, for he not only
combined medicine with his duties as a pastor, but was a
physician with a large and lucrative practice. His visits were
not only about Unity but extended into Fairfield, New Strat-
ford, Tashua, Ripton and Stratford. The fact of his being a
physician undoubtedly accounts for the very tender age in
which many infants were brought to baptism. A child in deli-
cate health, as the record shows, was often baptized the same
day of its birth.
By the fact of his having a large practice, we must not allow
Ourselves to come to the conclusion that Mr. Miner was well
to do in worldly goods. He was reared by parents of wealth,
for those days, and had undoubtedly always lived, well caring
for his bodily wants, in fact it has been said of Mr. Miner that
he was a high liver and that he was quite particular as to his
18
personal appearance. That this was true I do not doubt.
But it cannot be said that there was fault in this, for if there
was any fault at all, it was in his early training. Then too
when we consider his large family living in the same style we
can easily conceive that although his practice might be quite
lucrative, still there would not be much for the traditional
“ rainy day.” It is also said by one of his descendants that
(Eli Walker, Esq., grandson of Mr. Miner, and died May 29th,
1879, aged 96), he had calls to preach in other parishes but
that he would not accept them because he could not afford to
give up his established practice.
He often visited Stratford and there saw Dr. Samuel John-
son, rector of Christ Church, (Episcopal,) who spoke of him in
glowing terms of praise. He described Mr. Miner as being of
fine gentlemanly appearance and bearing. We can imagine
him as being apt in the gentle courtesies which seemed inborn
to a gentleman of that fine old school.
That he was a man of high culture and education ; a man
deeply imbued with a fine sense of honor and accuracy, I
have no doubt, as we can determine the workman by his chips
so can we determine a considerable of the accuracy ; of the
openness of character ; the culture ; and the education of Mr.
Miner from the record of fourteen years, made during his so-
journ at Unity. He wrote in a beautiful round hand, which
shows both in the nerved inflexibility of lines and definitely
finished letters, not only that he was a prompt ready writer,
but that he was open in character and accurate in finish. Here
too he leaves the best of testimony concerning his culture and
education in the ever accurate use of letters, words and sen-
tences, showing that he did not mistake the varied tºse and
signification, but that with the skill of a scholar he framed
the long covenants with a dexterous vividness of meaning.
The seed of Episcopacy had for some time been sown in the
fertile soil of Connecticut. Cutler, the President or Rector
of Yale, Johnson, Brown, Beach, and several other well known
Congregational divines, had espoused the cause, Could it be
that young Miner, too, was already interested in the all im-
portant subject of the day 2 Perhaps so. The subject was
19
largely discussed. In a letter to England, written June 11th,
1724, Dr. Johnson speaks of going to New London and of
holding services there. Perhaps it was then that our young
friend first met that eminent divine.
Dr. Samuel Johnson and Mr. Miner were on terms of inti-
macy, and undoubtedly many of the views entertained by Mr.
Miner found genial nourishment in the cultured society of
his friend, and it was without much doubt in the quiet study
in the old Johnson mansion in Stratford that Mr. Miner be-
came convinced that it was his duty to openly stand before
the world in the true light of his Episcopal beliefs.
There are rumors that Mr. Miner left the Congregational
faith for the gratification of personal ambition; that his edu-
cation, gentlemanly appearance and superior abilities had so
attracted the leaders of the doctrines of the Church of Eng-
land in the colony that large inducements were held out per-
suading him to seek ordination from the Bishops in England.
That Dr. Johnson was represented as saying, upon hearing of
Mr. Miner's death in England, that had he lived he would
have been foremost among the candidates for consecration as
the first Bishop of the Episcopal Church in America. At the
ordination of the Rev. James Beebe over the new society
called together May 6th, 1747, at North Stratford, and com-
prising the remaining one-third portion of the old society at
Unity, which did not join the Episcopal Church upon the dis-
charge of Mr. Miner three years before, i. e. March 21st, 1744,
if any conclusion can be formed from the text chosen by the
Rev. Mr. Woodbridge of Unity, which was from 1st Timothy,
3:1: “This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a
Bishop he desireth a good work.” I would conclude that some
of these rumors had reached the ears of Mr. Woodbridge.
Whether there was any foundation for these reports, I
know not, but I prefer to believe that even if such rumors
were afloat, that Richardson Miner left the Puritan faith out
of pure conscientiousness on the point of duty, and that that
conscientiousness, if augmented at all by any influence outside
of his own mind, was augmented by what was then considered
the extravagancies of Whitefield.
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aſdood tood 5uottiy ºptitut sit uſ (Io 5uſos (Ioaq oaut| 1stitu
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ottiOU STUI apbut put out oldood asoul 5 (IoIIIb ‘a.IoH 5uſuitol
TO SIOOTIos Ioſ ‘Kauout to otuſ, OUI IO aſyl II St.A aloul oouo) SIXo
JoJ oL55m.11s jutſ uſ [o] (IOI) boupo Ou to op)|| 5uſ Abū IIottiOA
but Utout 5uſiºn.I]s soul.Ito (I) IAA hud ‘polloquſ JouTV. LIV.
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21
a time sufficient for the journey to England and return, to say
nothing of the expense of such a journey : It must have
been a question of stern duty with him, that he was led to
make such a sacrifice. -
After leaving his charge at Unity, March 21st, 1744, he
went to Stratford, where he and his wife caused their names
to be entered upon the records of Christ Church, Episcopal,
as communicants of that church. Then he officiated in Stain-
ford as lay rector until he embarked upon his fatal voyage to
England for Holy Orders.
Dr. Beardsley speaks of the voyage as follows: “The Episco-
palians in Stamford and vicinity with a view of having him as
their minister exerted themselves to the utmost of their abili-
ties to assist him to go to England for Holy Orders. Accord-
ingly he embarked with Joseph Lampson, afterwards the faith-
ful missionary at Fairfield, but the vessel was taken upon its
passage by the French. After he and his companions were
released from confinement, and while on their way from Port
Louis, in France to London, Mr. Miner died, at the age of
forty, in the same year 1744, of a fever at Salisbury, to the
great sorrow of his waiting flock and dependant family.” He
had not reached the point of his destination and therefore
had not been ordained in the Church of England when smitten
down with death. Dr. Johnson in alluding to the event ex-
claimed, “would to God we had a bishop to ordain here which
would prevent such unhappy disasters.” Rev. Daniel Brown
only a few years previous had died while on the same mission,
and now Richardson Miner's name is added to the list of those
who left home, friends and a dependant family to seek Holy
Orders in England, braving the perils of the sea, to say noth-
ing of the small-pox, which then was most terrible in its rav-
ages. It was not with Miner as with Brown, for the latter
had been ordained and had once lifted his voice as a minister
of the church for which he had periled so much. But with
Mr. Miner it was different, Death, that servant of God sent
only to bear the soul to its home, had come on its mysterious
mission, and the comparatively insignificant plans of man
were unfulfilled.
22
Granted, that Richardson Miner's name has no place in the
roll of eminent divines; granted, that his powers as a progeni-
tor of the Church of England in Connecticut have become
traditional. Do you know that the most essential part of a
building is always under ground? That the fairest islands of
the South Seas are based upon the results of labors carried
on for generations beneath the level of the waves? And that
to use the words of Emerson “every revolution was once a
thought in one man's mind," who is not less its author though
all trace of the original impulse vanishes ere it is reached? I
say that much of the strength of to-day of the Episcopal
church in what was the original limits of the old town of Strat-
ford owes its existence through the labors of Richardson
Miner. That he was essentially one of the pioneers of that
church in these parts of Fairfield county.
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1.
DIAGRAM OF THE ‘‘GREAT FIRE OF


24
On the preceding page is shown a diagram of what has been
known by the older inhabitants of Bridgeport as the “Great
Fire of 1845.” -
The diagram also gives a good illustration of the then busi-
ness portion of the city, and it will be seen that the burnt dis-
trict comprised the principal business houses of the place.
The fire was first discovered about half-past one o'clock of
the morning of December 12th, 1845, in a large wooden build-
ing on the south side of Bank street, near Water, occupied by
George A. Wells (A) as a boarding house and oyster saloon.
It originated in the cellar where there was a quantity of shav-
ings and wood stored for fuel. It had made considerable
progress before it was discovered, and it spread so rapidly
that the family of Mr. Wells had time only to save themselves
and a few articles of furniture near at hand. One young lady
an inmate of the family, was rescued by a neighbor from the
burning building, she having become confused in the excite-
ment of the alarm. The weather was bitter cold with a light
breeze from the north and northwest. The alarm being given,
the firemen responded as quickly as possible, but their facili-
ties for extinguishing a fire were very limited at the best, and
they were in this instance virtually powerless, the tide be-
ing low in the harbor they were unable to obtain any water.
In the meantime, the fire spread with great rapidity to an
adjoining building corner of Bank and Water streets, owned by
Silvanus Sterling and occupied by L. & L. B. Sterling (B) as a
house furnishing and stove store, and occupied above by two
families, one of whom was named McAdams. The building ad
joining (C), occupied by A. Gordon and others as a dwelling,
took fire about the same time. On the opposite side of Bank
street a building (U) owned by C. B. Hubbell was occupied by
Philip Conrad as a meat market and dwelling, which was en-
tirely consumed, together with most of the stock and furniture
Adjoining this at the east (O) was a building occupied by
Messrs. Hubbell & Thompson as a carpet room, their princi-
pal store being on Water street (2). The corner building (D)
was occupied by Olmstead & Keeler. This firm succeeded in
saving most of their stock. The remaining building, on Bank
25
street (9) was owned by B. Brooks and occupied by F. Lock-
wood as a cabinet shop. Most of the stock was got out.
Nearly opposite stood the residence of C. B. Hubbell, Esq.,
which escaped the flames, and at the west, on the site of the
post-office building, stood the old residence of William Peet,
which also checked the spread of the flames in that direction.
Had the latter house caught fire the probabilities are that the
flames would have spread into Main street and destroyed every
building on the block.
The building was only saved by the most strenuous exer-
tions, the hanging of carpets on the east side and keeping
them wet with water drawn from a well on the premises. Of
the buildings on the west side of Water street, above Bank,
were Lockwood & Zane (F), hardware and stove dealers. They
saved a portion of their stock. The building was owned by
D. B. Nichols. Adjoining was the dry good store of Hubbell
& Thompson, who saved the most of their stock. The next
(W) was occupied by G. Forbes as a clothing store, who also
saved nearly all his stock. The building was owned by T. &
W. Hawley. Adjoining (T) was the drug slore of the late
Joseph Thompson, and the upper portion occupied as a dwell-
ing. Mr. Thompson succeeded in saving a portion of his
stock. Rodney Curtis (shoe store adjoining) (X), saved most
of his stock. The building was of small value, and was owned
by I. H. Whiting. The adjoining store (2) was also owned by
I. H. Whiting, and occupied by John H. Whiting, grocer.
The building (Y) owned by D. Hatch and occupied by Schuy-
ler Seeley as a shoe store, was pulled down and the fire
checked from further spreading in that direction.
Below Bank street, on the west side of Water, (E) was oc
cupied by O. & W. Sherman, grocers; (G) by George A. Wells
as a grocery. This and the adjoining building (I) was occu-
pied by Henry Hall as a grocery store, and owned by Mrs. T.
Hubbell. The goods in these stores were partially saved.
On the north side of State street (23) was occupied in the
lower part by William A. Whiting as an oyster saloon, and
above as a dwelling. It was owned by Mrs. S. Sherman. The
buildings, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, were a row owned by Benjamin Wheeler
26
and occupied below as shops and stores, and above as dwell-
ings. Their value was small and not insured. Adjoining (6)
was the grocery store and billiard room of G. G. Wheeler ; 7
was the cabinet wareroom of F. Lockwood, and 8 occupied by
Samuel Hodges as a shoe store
On the opposite side of the street (22) was an old rookery
known as the “Flat Iron,” occupied by a number of colored
families, owned by Benjamin Wheeler. The four buildings
east (18, 19, 20 and 21) were owned by D. B. Nichols, the heirs
of Jesse Sterling, the Misses Lacey and E. Thompson. In 18
was 500 bushels of wheat belonging to Ryan & Thorp of
Weston. The upper portion was occupied as a dwelling ; 19
was a tailor shop and dwelling, and 20 and 21 were also dwell-
ings. The corner of State and Water streets (15) was occu-
pied by E. Thompson as a grocery, 16 by Palmer as an eating
and boarding house, and 17 was the temperence house kept by
A. A. McNeil. The fire, fortunately, was stopped here, as
there was a large lumber yard on the opposite side of the way
and several dwellings below, which would have been destroyed.
On the opposite side, 11, 12 and 13 were owned by David
Perry and occupied principally for storage, with one or two
dwellings above; 14 was the old store of A. Hawley & Co.;
10 was occupied by Hall & Burroughs as a wholesale grocery
with dwelling above. It was owned by I. Burroughs. The
goods were mostly saved. The next store above, owned by
I. & W. DeForest, was occupied by T. Ranson & Co., whole-
sale grocers, and contained a large and valuable stock. A
small portion only was saved. The adjoining store (R) was
owned and occupied by Mathew Curtis as a paint store. The
next (N) was occupied by Morford, Northrop & Co., wholesale
grocers. The building was owned by Philo Hurd, who also
occupied an office on the second floor as an insurance office.
Henry Burroughs owned and occupied the next one (M) as a
flour and fish store. The goods from this and Mathew Curtis's
store were removed to the wharf for safety, but the fire over-
took and destroyed the greater portion before they could be
rescued. Charles DeForest occupied the store next adjoining
(L) as a wholesale grocery, and the upper portion by L. & L.
27
B. Sterling as a stove depot. The building belonged to the
heirs of S. Burroughs. Edwards & Whiting occupied the
building (K) as a fish market. Adjoining (J) was occupied by
Niles, Thorp & Co., wholesale grocers. The building was
owned by C. B. Hubbell. Their books and papers were
partially destroyed, the iron safe proving worthless. The
brig Joseph Gorham was lying in the rear of this store when
the fire reached it, and in attempting to move her she ran
aground and was only saved by the greatest efforts. The next
store (H) had been used as a hide and leather store by Morris
& Marvin. Sherwood Sterling occupied the next store (P) as
a cordage and iron store. The next store (W) occupied by
Lockwood & Zane as a stove depot, and owned by Sherwood
Sterling. The fire was checked here by the liberal use of
salt water, and the adjoining store of Munson Hawley saved,
although somewhat scorched.
The confest was ended about 4 o'clock. The streets out-
side the burned district were filled with goods and furniture.
These had in many instances been moved, but not saved.
The lack of water enabled the fire to obtain its great headway,
and most of the damage on Water street was done while wait-
ing for the tide to rise.
The number of buildings destroyed were 49, and all were
of wood. Some forty families were burned out.
The amount of loss was estimated at $150,000, on which
there was an insurance of $80,000. Among the goods de-
stroyed were about 800 barrels of flour, 100 barrels of mack-
erel, large quantities of tea, coffee, sugar, molasses, etc.
The building 24 designates the location of No. 1 Fire En-
gine and the Hook and Ladder Companies.
The Common Council held a meeting on the evening of the
12th and passed appropriate resolutions of thanks to the fire
department for their efficient services. A public meeting was
held on the following evening, the 13th, at which Mayor Har-
ral presided. A committee composed of Alexander Hamilton,
Edwin Porter, Isaac M. Conklin, Daniel Thatcher, W. D. Ells-
worth, Ira B. Wheeler, Joseph Cook and Eliakim Hough were
appointed to inquire into the condition of the suffering poor
2S
in consequence of the late fire, and authorized to collect and
disburse subscriptions according to their best judgment, to
those who were needy.
[See Farmer 1845; Leader July 1, 1882.
souTH v1EW OF CHURCHES IN BRIDGEPORT, Cox N., FROM CORNER
BROAD AND GILBERT STREETs, 1835.
#E-E
=# º
#ºvššš
Mlethodist. St. John’s Second
First Congregational. Episcopal. Congregational.
SKETCHES OF BRIDGEPORT CHURCHES IN 1835.
The foregoing is a representation of the four churches in
Bridgeport as they appeared in 1835, all standing in a direct
line on Broad street. The view is taken from near the south-
west corner of Broad and Gilbert streets. The early settlers
on the present site of Bridgeport attended church or meeting
for a number of years a mile or more away to the north-west
on North avenue. “The Church of Christin Stratfield," (now
the First Congregational) was organized in 1695, and was lo-
cated at the corner of Park avenue and North avenue. The
Protestant Episcopal Church in Stratfield (St. John's), organ-

29
jzed in 1748, was located at the corner of North avenue and
Church street, or Wood avenue extension. The location of
each was central at the time, but by reason of the more rapid
increase of the population of the Borough of Bridgeport—
soon after the commencement of this century—-they ceased to
be central. The Episcopal Church was the first to occupy this
ground, which they did in 1801, erecting the building shown
in the cut as St. John's, and completing it so far as to perform
services therein in November of that year. It was not fully
seated until 1804. Isaac Hinman and William Peet were the
acting committee in building, conducting the same with “good
prudence, strict economy and a degree of elegance and taste
which did them honor and adds respectability to the place.”
The cost of the building amounted to about three thousand
five hundred dollars, all which was raised by voluntary sub-
scriptions.
The whole committee consisted of :
Capt. David Minot, vice, John S. Cannon resigned.
Isaac Hinman, Elijah Burritt,
William Peet, Ozias Burr,
Robert Linus.
In 1830 the church was widened six feet on each side, the
steeple rebuilt, the front improved, and the whole renovated
and repaired. An organ was also purchased.
In June 1835, under the rectorship of
REv. GURDON S. CoIT,
William Peet and Isaac Burroughs, Wardens,
the plan of a new church was presented, and a building com-
mittee appointed consisting of:—
Phillip A. Cannon, Esq., Isaac Sherman, Jr.,
Gen. Enoch Foote, Charles Bostwick,
Stephen Tomlinson.
`This resulted in the erection in 1836 of what is now known
as the old St. John's Church on the corner of Broad and Can-
non streets—the former edifice having been sold for the use
of the Baptists.
3()
The following names appear as among the principal contrib-
utors to the improvement of the then old church in 1830:
Phillip A. Cannon,
William Peet,
Enoch Foote,
R. Hyde and H. Shelton,
Edward Rossiter,
Henry R. Judah,
Benjamin Brooks,
David Minot,
Thaddeus Hubbell,
Jos. Brooks and S. Stratton,
Isaac Burroughs,
Lewis C. Segee,
Charles T. Nichols,
Everit Lewis,
Philo and S. F. Hurd,
Samuel C. Kirtland,
Amos Burr,
George W. Smith,
Isaac Sherman, Jr.,
Elias Camp,
David Whiting,
*Eli Thompson,
I)avid L. Mills,
Benjamin S. Smith,
*William A. Peck,
L' MI. Hitchcock,
Meigs D. Benjamin,
Sylvester May,
Stephen Lounsbury,
Matthew Curtis,
Phillip Walker,
James W. Allen,
Josiah S. Hayt,
Ira Curtis,
Elijah Burritt,
Eli Walker,
Alfred Cooke,
Levi Young,
George Smith,
Abijah Burroughs,
Daniel O. Wheeler,
Noah Plumb,
Mrs. Sterling Sherman,
Samuel Simons,
William H. Peet,
Stanley Lockwood,
Samuel Sherwood,
Jessup Banks,
Jesse Brooks,
Henry Olmstead,
Joseph Thompson,
*Henry Allen,
John Burr,
William Sherman,
Elias Hodge,
Munson Seeley,
Ozias Burr,
William Wright,
R. G. Van Polanan,
Steven Tomlinson,
S. B. Ferguson,
Roswell S. Nichols.
Of the foregoing, only three marked with a * are known to
be living in July, 1882.
£)
s )
I’IRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The change of location naturally came harder with the
Jongregational Church than with the Episcopal. The move
ment originated, of course, in the Borough as called—was
wholly voluntary, and the records of the inception do not ap-
pear on the books of the Society.
The building shown on the cut as the First Congregational
Church was erected and inclosed during 1803. In June 11th,
1804, the Society voted to agree to hold the meetings for pub-
lic worship half the time in Bridgeport, when a house suitable
for that purpose shall, without expense to the Society, be so
far completed as to accommodate such meetings. Ayes, 32;
nays, 19.
This resulted in dividing the time equally between Stratfield
and Bridgeport.
June 13th, 1808, it was voted that a meeting of the Society
be warned to be held at the new meeting house in Bridgeport.
The meeting was warned and held June 20th, 1808, in the
new meeting house, and it was voted to hold public worship
there two-thirds of the time.
Soon after this the change was made entire.
The following names appear on the records as pew holders
at this period, but the list does not include those who owned
pews :
Josiah Lacey, Samuel Hawley, Jr.,
Deacon John P. Austin, Elijah Burr,
William DeForest, Stephen Hull,
Lambert Lockwood, Abijah Morehouse,
Lewis Sturges, William Benedict,
Silas Sherman, Widow Mary Sherman,
Ezra Gregery, Salmon Hubbell,
Thomas Woodward, Robert Southward,
Simon Backus, David Sterling,
Benjamin Wheeler, Thomas Gouge,
Stephen Burroughs, Jr., Jesse Seeley,
Wilson Hawley, Henry May,
38
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33
George Wade,
Ezra Gregory,
Joseph P. Sturges,
Nichols Beardsley,
Lemuel Coleman,
William R. Bunnell,
Thomas Bartram,
Ira Peck,
Joseph C. Lewis,
David Hubbell, 3rd
*Anson Hawley,
David Sherwood,
Robert Milne,
Wheeler French, Jr.
Judson Bray, t
Sturges & Smith,
Isaac E. Beach,
*Stephen Nichols,
George Kippen,
Samuel Porter,
Elijah C. Spinning,
Samuel Wordin,
Louisa Bartlett,
Eleazer Edgerton.
OFFICERS.
Rev. John Blatchford, Pastor.
DEACONS.
Isaac Sherman,
David Sherwood,
Silvanus Sterling.
SOCIETY COMMITTEE.
Isaac Sherman,
Hanford Lyon,
Joseph Mott,
Daniel Sterling, Treasurer.
*N. S. Wordin, Clerk.
Nathaniel Wade, Collector.
Silvanus Sterling, Salesman.
The building shown in the cut was occupied until 1850,
when it gave place to the present edifice. It was purchased
for the use of Christ Church, and moved upon John street, at
the present site of the works of Nichols, Peck & Co., and acci-
dentally destroyed by fire in 1851.
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The Second Congregational Church was organized January
28th, 1830, and elected as deacons, William DeForest, Stephen
Hawley and Josiah B. Baldwin, who held the same office in
the First Church.
34
They held public worship temporarily in the old High
School House on State street.
Measures were at once taken to erect a house of worship.
The lot on the corner of Broad and Gilbert streets was pur-
chased, and the building shown on the cut at the head of this
article erected the same year at a cost of about $5,000, exclu-
sive of foundations and basement. Rev. Nathaniel Hewitt
was installed as pastor December 1st, 1830, and continued
until 1853. -
The following is a list of pew holders as appears on record
in 1835. Those marked with * are survivors in 1882 :
Seth B. Jones,
William B. Dyer,
Burr Knapp,
Josiah Hubbell,
*Victory Curtis,
Joseph Wood,
Fitch Wheeler,
Jesse Sterling,
Charles DeForest,
*Munson Hawley,
Abijah Hawley,
T)avid Perry,
Stephen Hawley,
Edwin B. Gregory.
R. Thorborne.
Roswell Lewis,
Mrs. William Burr,
David Hubbell,
Elliot Morris,
Sherwood Sterling,
George Sterling,
Wilson Hawley,
William DeForest,
Lockward DeForest,
Bronson Hawley,
Charles B. Middlebrook,
Edward Burroughs,
Harry Judson,
"Josiah B. Baldwin,
*Nichols Northrop,
Ransom C. Canfield,
Benjamin DeForest,
Mrs. Talman Perry,
Edwin Porter,
James Robinson,
E. C. Warren,
Bradley Gould,
Samuel Morse,
John Brooks, Jr.
James Jennings,
Nathan Baldwin,
Samuel Peet,
Josiah S. Fayerweather,
Josiah B. Hall,
William B. Nash,
Charles Sherman,
George Wheeler,
Daniel B. Oviatt,
D. Mallory,
Zenas R. Moody,
Benjamin Pilgrim,
Nathan Shepard,
Capt. E. Doane,
E. D. Bull,
*John Cogswell,
William Allis.
35
OFFICERS.
Rev. Nathaniel Hewitt, D. D., Pastor.
SocIETY's committee.
Edwin Porter, David Hubbell, Thomas Hawley.
Stephen Hawley, Treasurer.
Charles DeForest, Clerk.
William DeForest, Collector.
During the pastorate of Dr. Hewitt the house was consider.
ably enlarged. It was occupied until 1860-2, when it gave
place to the present brick edifice—was sold, taken down and
removed.
*METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Previous to 1816, in Bridgeport or vicinity, a week evening,
was the only appointment of this denomination. In this year
the old Stratfield Congregational meeting house (at corner of
North avenue and Park avenue) was purchased for their use.
The Rev. Benoni English and Rev. Elihu P. Jacobs, not mem-
bers of the conference—preached there on the Sabbath, and
for the first time Bridgeport appears on the conference min-
utes. This was the church home of the denomination for
about six years. Probably in the winter of 1821-2 an upper
room was procured for holding Methodist meetings in the
burough, in what was then called new block at the corner of
Main and State streets, mainly through the efforts of Mr.
Nathaniel Ruggles, who was a convert under the labors of
Rev. Benoni English at the old Stratfield church. The first
organization according to law as an ecclesiastical body was
effected June 30th, 1821. In 1822 Rev. John Newland Maffit,
the Revivalist, spent a portion of the year in this place and
regular preaching in the old church was soon after discon-
tinued. In this year measures were taken for the erection of
* Compiled from Memoranda preserved by Mayor W. B. Hincks.
36
their first house of worship in this city. The principal mem-
bers as stated in the warrant for the first meeting appear to
have been Nathaniel Ruggles, Burr Penfield, Agur Bassett,
Richard Fuller and Stephen Durand. At this meeting Stiles
Nichols was chairman, N. Ruggles clerk, and Agur Bassett,
John P. McEwen and Richard Fuller, were elected trustees.
The site of the house was fixed at a meeting held May 13th,
1823, and the house though remaining unfinished for some
years was occupied for worship the latter part of 1823, Mr.
Maffit preaching the first sermon in it. This building appears
without steeple or tower in the cut at the head of this article.
It was 40x60 in dimensions and cost with the lot about $3,000.
It was destroyed by fire in 1849.
The Bridgeport station was organized and manned in 1835-6
as follows :
Rev. William Jewett, Presiding Elder.
Rev. Charles F. Pelton, Station. Preacher.
Samuel Bassett, Local Preacher.
Nathaniel Ruggles, Local Preacher.
W. H. Dikeman, Local Deacon.
- STEwARDs.
Charles G. Briscoe, Wakeman H. Dikeman,
*Fenelon Hubbell, Christopher Moore,
John Plumb.
LEADERS.
Daniel Benedict, Charles G. Briscoe,
Fenelon Hubbell, Edmund Fanton,
John Radcliff.
The following are names of other male members at this
period :
John Hall, Joseph Polly,
Stiles Nichols, Seth Hall,
James Penfield Samuel Wilcoxon,
Silas Turney, Reuben Rogers,
37
William L. Peet,
David Lockwood,
Charles H. Wakelee,
Charles Lewis,
Aaron K. Morris,
Israel W. Blackman,
George Robbins,
Anson Lockwood,
Ira Barnum,
Bronson Patchen,
Philo Johnson,
Benjamin Stillman,
John Atkinson,
John M. Middlebrook,
Thomas T. Benedict,
Solomon Sturdevant,
John Treadwell,
Abel Beers,
George Porter,
George Watkins,
Harmon Gray,
John Parrott,
Elias Johnson,
Nathan Peck,
Benjamin F. Payne,
Elias A. Hall,
Stephen Handford,
William Hayes,
Allen Renode,
Samuel D. Platt,
Robert W. Lewis,
Charles Delivan,
William Bower,
George Davis,
Henry Goodwin,
William J. Stoddard,
George Kershaw,
Thomas H. Brooks,
BAPTIST CHURCH.
In 1835 the known and recognized Baptist element within
the limits of the city of Bridgeport was confined to two
females, Miss Hannah Nichols and Mrs. Lydia. Sherwood.
The Stratfield Baptist church, an off-shoot from the original
“Church of Christ in Stratfield" was organized in 1751, main-
ly under the leadership of Capt. John Sherwood, grandfather
of the late Deacon David Sherwood. r
Its location was northwest from the present city, nearly
three miles away. It took fast root in that vicinity in Fair-
field Woods, Chestnut Hill, and as population sought the in-
terior, extended to North Fairfield, now Easton; and to the
southwesterly part of Monroe. It had its two meeting houses
known as the Stratfield and the North—which latter was loca-
ted about one-half mile westerly of the Stepney Depot. In
1836 the three Whitney brothers who were members of the
Stratfield church, resided on Clinton avenue, just north of
38
Fairfield avenue, and conducted a foundry business on the
northwest corner of Clinton and Fairfield avenues. Rev.
James H. Linsley was at this time pastor of the Stratfield
church, and yet resided in Stratford village. The Messrs.
Whitney and their pastor had frequent consultations together
and with Miss Hannah Nichols upon the practicability of
establishing a Baptist church in Bridgeport. The opportune
time came when in 1835 the St. John's Episcopal church
offered their edifice on the corner of Broad and State streets
for sale. Mr. Linsley lost no time in collecting the necessary
funds; himself the leading contributor. The price of the
property was $3,650–$3,000 was collected and paid over to
St. John's Society and the deed passed August 8th, 1835.
The First Baptist Society was organized July 24th, 1835,
composed of six members, viz: Benjamin Wakeman, Raymond
Whitney, Roswell Whitney, Bennett Whitney, and two other
persons, names not known.
The church was constituted September 20th, 1837, with
thirty-seven members; eleven males and twenty-eight females.
The following is a list of the male members. Those marked
* are living in 1882:
Rev. James H. Linsley, *Bennet Whitney,
Elijah Burton, *Horace Lyon,
Stephen Silliman, *Zenas Whitney,
Raymond Whitney, Samuel Hammar,
*Roswell Whitney, Augustus M. Gregory,
Ferdinand M. Gregory.
The building indicated in the cut as St. Johns' church was
occupied by them substantially as it there appears from 1837
until 1858, when during the ministry of Rev. J. L. Hodge,
D. D., it gave place to the present substantial brick edifice.
NoTE.—The object of the foregoing sketch has been to show by the
cut, the location and appearance of the Churches of Bridgeport at the
period indicated, (1835) to explain the leading points of their previous
history and to fix the organization and personnel of each, at that time.
Taken together the families of the then Borough are very fully repre-
sented therein.

THE ºw.v. ra orrº ||
'Ali **, *. - 4. # *
* ºrt t
FAIRFIELD COUNTY
| HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
e-Q-e
ACT OF INCORPORATION,
BY-ILAWS,
L1s T OF ME M BERs,
2-
AND
FourTH ANNIVERSARY MEETING |
A PRIL 10T H, 1885,
ETC., ETC.
X- -------------
BRIDGEPORT,
THE STANDARD Associatio N, PRINTERS.
- 1885.
THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
—“C-4 e-Q-e
ACT OF INCORPORATION,
E3Ye. Iſa AWS,
LIST OF ME M B E H S,
FourTH ANNIVERSARY MEETING,
A PRIL 10 T H , 1885,
ETC., ETC.
BRIDGEPORT:
THE STANDARD ASSOCIATION, PRINTERs.
1885.
FORM OF APPLICATION FOR MEMBER—
SHIP.
To the Fairfield County Historical Society,
Gentlemen :
The underSigned hereby makes applica–
tion for admission as “ . . . . . . . . . . . . . JMember of
said JAssociation, under its existing (Rules and
(By-Laws.
(Dated at Bridgeport, this . . . . . . . . . . . day of
tº tº º º ſº e º 'º - tº Q dº º e º º 188.
Signed, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
*Blank to be filled with — an Annual, a Patron, or a Life Member,-as the case may be.
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THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY.
PRESIDENT,
ROWLAND B. LACEY.
VICE-PRESIDENTS,
GEORGE C. WALDO, Bridgeport.
WILLIAM A. BEERS, Fairfield.
REV. SAMUEL ORCUTT, Bridgeport.
RECORDING SECRETARY,
NATHANIEL E. WORDIN, M. D.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY,
LOUIS N. MIDDLEBROOK.
TREASURER AND CURATOR,
RICHARD C. AMBLER.
HISTORIAN,
GEORGE C. WALDO.
ORIGINAL ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION.
WE, whose names are hereunto subscribed, to wit: Row-
land B. Lacey, William H. Noble, William B. Hincks, Nathan-
iel E. Wordin, George C. Waldo and Louis N. Middlebrook,
all of Bridgeport, Fairfield County, State of Connecticut, do
hereby form a Voluntary Association, under the laws of said
State, for the promotion and encouragement of Historical,
Antiquarian and Genealogical Investigation relating to said
County and the Towns composing it; the same to consist of
the undersigned as present members thereof, together with
such others as may be chosen by a unanimous vote of such
meetings of said Association as may be hereafter held for that
purpose; we, the subscribers, and our associates and succes-
sors, forever to be known as The Fairfield County Historical
Society, and to be governed by such officers, rules and by-
laws as may from time to time be established by said Associa-
tion.
Subscribed by us at said Bridgeport, this February 4th,
A. D. 1881.
ROWLAND B. LACEY, GEORGE C. WALDO,
NATHANIEL E. WORDIN, WILLIAM B. HINCIXS,
WILLIAM H. NOBLE, LOUIS N. MIDIDLEBROOK.
Under the above Articles of Association the Society was
formed, and continued down to the date of the following Act
of Incorporation.
INCORPORATING THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Jºesolved by this Assembly:
SECTION 1. That Rowland B. Lacey, George C. Waldo,
William A. Beers, Samuel Orcutt, Richard C. Ambler, Na-
thaniel E. Wordin, L. N. Middlebrook, William B. Hincks,
and Curtis Thompson, all of Fairfield County, present officers
and members of The Fairfield County Historical Society, a
voluntary association located at Bridgeport, in said county,
together with such other persons as are now or may hereafter
be associated with them, be, and they are hereby, with their
successors, constituted a body politic and corporate by the
name of The Fairfield County Historical Society, for the pro-
motion and encouragement of historical, antiquarian and
genealogical investigation relating to said county and the
towns composing it, and for the preservation and publication
of the same, and with power to purchase, receive, hold and
convey real and personal estate to an amount not exceeding
fifty thousand dollars, which, together with the income there-
of, used for the purposes aforesaid, shall be exempt from
taxation ; that said corporation may have a common seal, and
may establish such rules and by-laws not contrary to this
charter or the laws of this State or of the United States, as
it may from time to time deem necessary, relating to all mat-
ters connected with the objects, membership and govern-
ment of said corporation.
SEC. 2. Said corporation shall meet once in each year for
the election of a president, secretary, treasurer and such
other officers as may be designated from time to time by the
rules and by-laws of said corporation; provided, however,
that in case of a failure to hold such annual meeting, or elect
its officers, said corporation shall not thereby be dissolved;
6
but the officers of said corporation shall continue to exercise
the powers and duties of their several offices until others
shall be duly appointed in their stead.
SEC. 3. The present by-laws and rules of said voluntary
association, and the officers thereof, shall remain the by-laws,
rules and officers of said corportion until others are adopted
and appointed in their stead.
SEC. 4. The first annual meeting of said corporation shall
be held in the Mayor's office in the City of Bridgeport, at
such time as shall be designated by Rowland B. Lacey, the
president of said voluntary association, one week's notice of
the time, place and objects thereof being previously given by
him in one or more newspapers printed in said Bridgeport.
Sec. 5. This resolution may be amended or repealed at
the pleasure of the general assembly.
Approved, March 24, 1885.
B Y — L. A. W. S.
RUTIE I.
The officers of The Fairfield County Historical Society shall
consist of a President, three Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, Re-
cording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary, who shall
be chosen annually from its members by a majority ballot at
the annual meeting of the Society.
The term of the officers of said Society shall be for one year
from their election, and until others shall be chosen in their
places; and their powers and duties shall be those usually
appertaining to those offices, except when otherwise ordered
by the Society.
Said officers shall also be the Executive Committee of said
Society, and as such shall have charge of and direct all mat-
ters of executive, financial and clerical business appertaining
to the management of the Society, except when otherwise
ordered by the Society. &
The President of this Society shall be, eac-officio, Chair, an
of the Executive Committee.
Any vacancy occurring in any of said offices before the ex-
piration of its term, may be filled for the unexpired portion
thereof, by those of the Executive Committee of said Society,
who shall be in the exercise of their offices at the time.
RULE II.
The regular meetings of said Society shall be held on the
second Friday evening of each month at the rooms of the
Society.
The annual meeting of said Society shall be held on the
second Friday of April in each year, and special meetings
may be held whenever the Society shall so order, or when-
ever the President and Recording Secretary shall deem it
8
necessary to call the same. Notice of the annual and special
meetings shall be given by the President and Recording
Secretary of the time, place and purpose thereof, by three
days publication in one or more daily newspapers, published
in the City of Bridgeport, at least four days before said meet-
ling.
RULE III.
The Chairman of the Executive Committee shall be the
Auditor of the Accounts of the Society, and as such shall
audit and approve all bills of expenses incurred by the So-
ciety before the same shall be ordered paid, and only upon
such audit, and an order of payment by the Society or Exe-
cutive Committee, shall the Treasurer pay out any funds of
the Society.
RULE IV.
The Treasurer of the Society shall be also Curator of the
same so long as he shall be Treasurer; and the duties of the
office of Curator shall be, to have the care, custody and pres-
ervation of books, papers, antiquities, and all other property
of the Society. -
RULE W.
The election of new members of said Society, shall be by a
unanimous vote, by ballot or otherwise, at any annual, regular
or special meeting of the Society; the nomination of such
new members having first been made at a preceding meet-
ing and not less than one week previous to such voting.
RULE VI.
No application for membership of said Society shall be en-
tertained or acted upon, unless accompanied by a written or
printed request of the applicant, dated and signed by the
applicant in person.
RULE VII.
An initiation fee of two dollars shall accompany each appli-
cation for annual membership.
9
RULE VIII.
A due of two dollars shall be laid upon each annual mem-
ber of the Society living in Bridgeport, Stratford, Trumbull
and Fairfield, and one dollar for all the others. This amount
shall be paid to the Treasurer annually, during the month
of July, unless excused by the Society.
Any member remaining in arrears for dues may be dropped
from membership by a majority vote of the members present
at any regular meeting of the Society.
RULE IX.
Any approved person may, upon election according to
Rule V, become a Life Member on the payment of two hun-
dred dollars, or a Patron Member for five years on the pay-
ment of twenty-five dollars, and both Life and Patron Mem-
bers shall be entitled to all the privileges of the Society.
The Society may elect, according to the manner provided in
Rule V, as Honorary Members, persons whose membership
may be an honor or advantage to said Society, and they shall
be entitled to all the privileges of the Society except voting.
All members other than Life, Patron and Honorary shall
be known and designated as Annual Members.
RULE X.
These Rules and By-Laws may be altered, amended, re-
pealed or added to, by a major vote of the members present
at any annual, regular or special meeting of said Society,
notice of such proposed repeal, alteration or amendment hav-
ing been given at a previous meeting of the Society, not less
than one week before final action thereon is taken.
RULE XI.
The Rules of this Society may be temporarily suspended by
unanimous consent of all the members present at any regu-
lar, annual or special meeting of the Society.
MEMBERS
OF THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Rowland B. Lacey, Bridgeport, . . . . Original Member.
Nathaniel E. Wordin, M. D. Bridgeport. ( & 66
William H. Noble, Bridgeport, . . . ( & &
George C. Waldo, Bridgeport, . . . . & C & 4
William B. Hincks, Bridgeport, . . . & 6 & C
Louis N. Middlebrook, Bridgeport, . 66 6 &
*Aaron B. Hull, Danbury, . . . . Elected Feb. 18, 1881.
Joseph N. Ireland, Bridgeport, . . . C 9 & C & G G &
Richard C. Ambler, Bridgeport, . . 6 & & 6 & 6 & 6
William T. Minor, Stamford, . . . . “ Mar. “ “
Lemuel Sanford, Redding, . . . . “ “ “ “
James L. Gould, Bridgeport, . . . £6 4 & 66 66
James W. Beardsley, Bridgeport « “ (: «
*Henry M. Hoyt, Bridgeport, . . . 66 $6 & 6 s.6
Charles Burr Todd, Redding, . . . 66 66 & ( & &
Henry G. Scofield, Bridgeport, . . . “ May 6, “
James Ryder, Danbury, e tº e e 66 66 ( & & &
Elias S. Hawley, Buffalo, N. Y. . . “ June 3, “
Curtis Thompson, Bridgeport, . . . “ Aug. 5, “
William A. Beers, Fairfield, . . . . “ Sept. 2, “
Eaton W. Maxcy, D. D. Bridgeport, . G6 & G 66 ( &
*William Shelton, D. D. Buffalo, N. Y. & 6 ( & & 6 & 4
Rev. George S. Burroughs, N. Britain . “ Oct. 14, “
A. Homer Byington, Norwalk, . . . “ Nov. 11, “
Winthrop H. Perry, Norwalk, . . . 66 66 ( & & C
Walter Hubbell, New York City, . . (6 66 & © . &
David B. Lockwood, Bridgeport, . . “ Feb. 10, “
*Deceased.
11
*Stiles M. Middlebrook, Bridgeport, Elected Mar. 10, 1882.
Frederick Bronson, Greenfield Hill,
O. P. Dexter, New York City,
David H. Miller, Georgetown,
Horace L. Fairchild, Trumbull, .
Samuel M. Main, New York City,
Nathan M. Belden, Wilton,
*Barzillai B. Kellogg, Brookfield, .
J. M. Bailey, Danbury, º
John W. Bacon, Danbury,
John D. Candee, Bridgeport,
John L. Morehouse, Fairfield,
Warren B. Nichols, West Stratford, .
Samuel Garlick, M. D. Bridgeport. .
Eugene Morehouse, Stratford,
William S. Bouton, S. Norwalk,
Plumb N. Fairchild, Trumbull, .
Morris B. Beardsley, Bridgeport, .
Thomas Calef, Bridgeport,
*Eli T. Hoyt, Danbury,
Oliver B. Jennings, Fairfield,
Frederick S. Wildman, Danbury,
Rev. Samuel torcutt, Bridgeport,
Thomas B. Fairchild, Stratford,
Edward F. Meeker, Bridgeport,
William L. Sherwood, Newark, N. J.
Rev. G. H. Nichols, Hoosic Falls, N. Y.
Phineas T. Barnum, Bridgeport,
Robert W. Curtis, Stratford, .
Nathaniel Wheeler, Bridgeport, .
Arthur E. Meaker, Bethlehem, Pa.
Nathan B. Wells, Stratford, .
Albert S. Comstock, New Canaan,
Samuel L. Carter, New York City .
Amos S. Treat, Bridgeport, .
Silas Burton, Bridgeport, . • *
Ebenezer S. Phillips, Bridgeport, .
"Deceased.
& C & C
& 4 C &
April 21, “
& 4 C &
& 4 Gé
( & C &
C & & 4
May 12, “
Sept. 8, “
Jan. 12, 1883.
Mar. 9, “
& 4
& 4 & ©
April 5, “
June 9, “
( &
& 4 & 4
Feb. 8, 1884.
May 9, “
July 11, “
Sept. 12, “
Feb. 13, 1885.
& 4
Mar.
& 4 & 4
& 4 & ©
April 10, “
{ %
& C
{{ & 6
& 4 Gé
June 26, “
July 10, “
& C
( &
{ % & 4
& 4 66
Aug. 14, 1885.
HONORARY MEMBERS.
REV. BENJAMIN L, SWAN,
Mendham, N. J.
REW. E. E. BEARDSLEY, D. D.,
New Haven, Ct.
J. HAMMOND TRUMBULL, LL.D.,
Hartford, Ct.
CHARLES J. HOADLEY,
Hartford, Ct.
REV. HORATIO N. POWERS, D. D.,
Bridgeport, Ct.
ABRAHAM W. MOIREHOUSE,
Bridgeport, Ct.
FOURTH ANNIVERSARY MEETING.'
The fourth annual meeting of the Fairfield County Histori-
cal Society, the first under the new charter, was holden at
the Mayor's office, Wheeler Building, Main street, April 10,
1885, the President of the Society, R. B. Lacey, Esq., in the
Chair. A large number were present including a goodly pro-
portion of members from out of town. The meeting was
called to order shortly after eight o'clock, and the following
call under the new act of incorporation was read:
* “THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
The undersigned, duly authorized by Special Act of the
General Assembly, at its present session, incorporating The
Fairfield County Historical Society, hereby gives notice that
the first Annual Meeting of said Society for the election of
officers under the provisions of said Act, will be held at the
Mayor's office, in the City of Bridgeport, on Friday evening,
April 10th, 1885, at 7 o'clock. Also to do any other business
that may properly come before said meeting.
This meeting will be in the place of the usual Annual Meet-
ting, and will receive the annual reports of the officers of the
Society, and will also be favored with interesting papers and
addresses.”
ROWLAND B. LACEY, President.
Bridgeport, April 1st, 1885.
The President then delivered the following address:
PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.
Friends and Members of The Fairfield County Historical
Society:
We are met this evening on the occasion of the fourth an-
niversary of the organization of this Society. The year past
has been marked with points of special progress. The secre-
"Published in the Daily and weekly Standard.
14
taries and other officers will take these up, and treat them
properly, under their several heads. There are two or three
only to which I propose to allude.
First, The actual commencement and considerable progress
upon the History of Old Stratford and Bridgeport, by Rev.
Samuel Orcutt, under the auspices of this Society. One num-
ber of one hundred and eighty pages has been published and
has been received with much favor for its evident thorough-
ness and impartiality. The Society has been favored at its
monthly meetings with scraps from Mr. Orcutt's, further
labors and research, which give promise of a faithful and in-
teresting history. More and more interest is elicited in
regard to local and family history and geneologies. The old
family relics—rare and ancient books, and newspapers are
brought out. We have the basis and could easily gather a
collection of great interest and value, had the Society a suit-
able place for their exhibition and safe-keeping. For the pres-
ent we are kindly offered space for valuables of small bulk
in bank safes. But for the proper developement and useful-
ness of the Society we need a building—fire-proof–at least a
portion of it. In our growing community there are kindred
uses, which together with the Historical Society, would
worthily occupy a neat fire-proof structure in a central posi-
tion, and we hope and pray that some citizen or friend, of
ample means may be moved to erect for himself or herself
such a building, as the very best kind of a monument—a
monument that shall not only keep the memory fresh and
green, but shall be a centre from which shall radiate most
benign influences, reaching back and gathering up treasures
from the past, for the pleasure and profit of the present and
future generations. *
Second, For the purpose of placing the Society in position
for its highest usefulness in just these lines, we have sought
and procured from the General Assembly now in session, an
Act of Incorporation, “with power to purchase, receive, hold
and convey real and personal estate to an amount not exceed-
ing fifty thousand dollars, which together with the income
thereof, used for the purpose aforesaid, shall be exempt from
15
taxation, &c.” It is expected that we elect officers and
organize anew under this act this evening, and anew fling-
ing our banner to the breeze we desire not only to rally and
stimulate the old corps, but invite enthusiastic recruits, to
prosecute the good work in which we are engaged with new
vigor.
Third, The fact has been emphasized in our labors and
researches, that the ancient records of the original towns,
also ancient church and parish records are fast going to
decay. This could be illustrated most amply and forcibly did
time permit. The value and importance of these early rec-
ords is conceded and need not be argued. Immediate effort
is demanded to have them reproduced, preserved and made
easily accessible to all. Individual interest where it exists,
is apt to be fitful and uncertain for the purpose. The towns
neglect these old records. Nor can the present original
towns, though bearing the ancient name, and the custodians
of the early records, retaining as they do only a tythe of their
ancient limits, be expected to bear the entire expense re-
quired. The real interest in them is wider. Wide as the
State and the State's representatives throughout the whole
country. The State has promoted the publication of the so-
called “Colonial Records' found at Hartford and New Haven.
These embrace much that was sent up to Hartford from
Stratford and Fairfield, for instance, of no more value to the
public at large, than very much or all of the early records of
those towns up to 1700. The State thus is the party largely
in interest and State aid should be afforded for the purpose in
question, extending to all such old towns as Stratford, Fair-
field, Stamford, etc. Their position in their earliest settle-
ment was isolated and peculiar—arising from their great dis-
tance from the central court, and the great difficulty of com-
munication. The general court appointed magistrates in
special manner for these towns. Ludlow and others exer-
cised large powers, giving the settlements the position of
separate plantations. Holding these sentiments and trusting
that they could be duly impressed upon the minds of our
legislators at Hartford, we petitioned the General Assembly
16
now in session for an appropriation of the sum of $2,000, to
be expended by the Society for the aforementioned objects
under the direction of Hon. C. J. Hoadley, the State Libra-
rian.
We regret that our efforts before the committee on the
judiciary, to whom our petition was referred, failed. It may
be pursued further this year by our efficient representatives.
Should the effort be altogether unsuccessful we propose to
renew it—we hope successfully, in the near future.
TEPORT OF THE RECORDING SECRETARY.
The report of the Recording Secretary, Dr. N. E. Wordin,
was then read. The Secretary stated among other facts, that
the Society numbers twenty-seven members in Bridgeport,
and thirty-nine members in the county outside, making sixty-
six in all.” During the past year one member, Major Hoyt,
had died; there had been eleven regular meetings and one
special meeting, and the work of the Society had been much
advanced. The Secretary also gave some valuable hints as to
the future.
REPORT OF THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.
The Corresponding Secretary, Major L. N. Middlebrook, re-
ported a large amount of correspondence and an increasing
interest in the work of the Society by members and others
scattered over the entire country.
REPORT OF THE TREASURER AND CURATOR.
The Treasurer and Curator, R. C. Ambler, Esq., reported a
very satifactory condition of the finances, library and muse-
um, and the reports were accepted for record.
*A number of these have been dropped from the list by action of the Society,
under Rule VIII.
17
SOME DUTCH TROUBLES IN EARLY CONNEC-
TICUT.
READ BEFORE THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AT
THEIR FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING, APRIL 10TH, 1885.
BY THE AUTIIOR, WILLIAM. A. BEERs.
Perhaps no phase of national significance has so slight
foundation for literal application as the familiar one, “Dutch
Courage”; yet even up to our present epoch of historical
research the notion is quite general that the courage of a
Dutchman is mostly the outcome of schiedam Schnapps, beer,
or other stimulant of a pot valor nature. -
Motley did much to explode this fallacy when he told the
world of the greatness of the ancient Dutch Republic with its
three thousand ships, and its one hundred thousand sailors,
whose sober, daring and successful enterprise excited the
wonder of the Eastern Hemisphere.
No Connecticut man, therefore, however loyal, need abate
one jot of his pride of ancestry when reminded that the
original (i. e., after the aboriginal) settlers of his country
were I)utchmen, and that his forefathers found, not only a
vigorous opponent to English civilization, but a foeman
worthy of his steel in the lusty Hollander of nearly three
centuries ago.
Nor was the typical “New Amsterdammer” precisely the
sort of person whom the genius of Irving led him to de-
scribe as “a man exactly five feet six inches in height and six
feet five inches in circumference, who ate, drank and smoked
twelve hours and slept the other half of the twenty-four.”
The ancient Knickerbocker, it is true, was inclined to be
rotund, convivial, and contemplative, but he was also con-
scientious, orderly and altogether respectable, and he founded
a metropolis that still holds him in pride and reverence.
18
As early as 1609 the little Dutch yacht Half-Moon dropped
anchor in the familiar river that now bears the name of its
discoverer; and although he was an Englishman, he was
prospecting under Dutch authority, and it was the hand of
a Dutchman that planted the emblem of the States General
on territory that all to-day acknowledge as the Empire State
of the Western World.
English historians are quite fond of saying that this dis-
covery of the Hudson river was quite as much the result of
accident as design, that the voyage of the Half-Moon was
simply a commercial venture of the East India company who
were stupidly quite as rejoiced to see their vessel returned as
Hudson himself—so little did they comprehend the possibili-
ties to which the voyage pointed; and that, in the broad sun-
light of the discovery by the Cabots, which they thought
should include the whole continent, the claim presently set
up of priority by a Dutch trading company was all moon-
shine. -
Nevertheless, the East India company promptly despatched
to Manhattan a body of traders; a goodly company of set-
tlers followed and Holland officially took possession of what
is now New York, together with considerable adjoining terri-
tory that included our own State of Connecticut—the whole
being called New Netherlands. And this was done despite
the threats of Old and the protests of New England; and thus
began troubles between the conflicting nationalities which
continued for more than half a century.
To fully understand why such unnatural troubles should
disturb the natural solitude of early Connecticut, we should
remember that the traders, who penetrated these wilds were
quite different in character from the good people of New
Amsterdam; for, while the latter came with pretty much the
same purpose as the people of ancient Connecticut, the former
had scarcely other object than to buy up large tracts on
which to monopolize trade with the natives, and being a rov-
ing, careless class, made themselves obnoxious to our sober,
staid fathers, in a variety of obvious ways. When, therefore,
in the autumn of 1633, a company of planters from Plymouth,
19
broke ground at Windsor, and found, within half a dozen
miles, a Dutch fort and trading station, and were confronted
with a claim of the Dutch West India Co. that coolly took in
the entire valley, we cannot wonder that a series of bitter
quarrels was inaugurated. The Dutchman, indignant that
his Indian deeds were questioned, scornfully smiled at any
allusion to Plymouth charter or King James' patent. He
laughed outright at the Scriptural texts with which the pil-
grim was wont to bolster what he considered his peculiar
privileges; such utterances, the Dutch frontiersman argued,
were those of Christians, who served God, after first taking
care of themselves. But the Plymouth-man gradually got the
better of his rival by cutting down the trees and plowing the
grounds nearer and nearer the trading stations, continuing
the civilizing process until the jovial traders were compelled
to seek more congenial quarters. The Good Hope Fort had
not been happily named ; its promise of future wealth was
broken by English axe and plow ; its wild surroundings soon
gave place to the tilled fields and neat habitations of a people
that had come to stay. Let us remark here, however, that
it was from no lack of courage that the trader withdrew from
this region—the staunch Hollander, who had conquered his
country from the sea and had defiantly sailed the English
channel with a broom at mast-head, was not to be daunted
by any impediment in the American wilderness. But his oc-
cupation gone he discreetly retired, and, as may be said, with
all the honors of war.
It seems pertinent to recall just here that when Captain
Underhill, “the Friar Tuck of New England Greenwood”
feasted his twenty-three men within the abandoned pallisades
of Good Hope, he found little to reward his exploit, and,
indeed, had to supply his own “Dutch Courage.”
Eailure often follows the best endeavor, and the best suc-
cess is not always the award of better motive; but our fathers
insisted that the Dutch were wrong, from first to last, both
in object and action. There was a wide difference, they
argued, between settlers who came to make permanent homes
for themselves in a land specially reserved by providence, and
20
the godless adventurers who had no better errand than to
multiply patroonships and heap up wealth and temporary
power after the manner of the greedy monoply, the East In-
dia Company, in heathen lands; and so, it was clearly a
providential decree that the Dutch must go.
Many attacks of Indians, too, were laid at the door of the
traders—they being supposed to have identity of interests
with the natives—and there was hardly a meeting of the Gen-
eral Court but accusations of a league to destroy all the
English were seriously considered. Many of these reports,
so far as my reading goes to show, were indignantly denied
by the Dutch who, nevertheless, were objects of suspicion
long after the vicinity of Good Hope was rid of them.
Boundary lines continued to be alleged sources of dispute
and often bloodshed, when suspicion and cupidity were the
real causes; and the hard facts of history compel the confes-
sion that our worthy sires were as frequently in the wrong
as the much abused Dutch.
For a notable instance, how shall we explain away the fact
that when, in 1635, John Winthrop, the younger, brought
over his commission to govern Connecticut, he permitted his
followers to tear down the arms of the “state's general” affixed
to a boundary tree of lands fairly bought of the natives three
years before; and contemptuously carved a grinning face in
its stead.
This piece of effrontery (to put it mildly) prompted even
the loyal Hollister to say he did not think Winthrop “labored
under very oppressive apprehension as to the Connecticut
boundary question.” º:
Be this as it may, there was another reason, more potent
even than English aggression, that pushed the traders from
the vicinity of the planters, viz: they failed to maintain the
reputation for fair dealing with the natives whose friendship,
in consequence, gave place to Savage resentment.
Diedrich Knickerbocker was not altogher fanciful when, in
speaking of the traders, he said: “In their trading for pel-
teries they were scrupulously honest, (?) establishing as an
invariable table of avoirdupois that the hand of a Dutchman
21
weighed one pound and his foot two. It was true that the
simple Indians were often puzzled by the great disproportion
between bulk and weight: for let them place a bundle of
furs never so large in one scale, and the Dutchman's foot in
the other, the bundle was sure to kick the beam.” The na-
tives, awakening to the one-sidedness of this mode of barter,
needed but little provocation to put in force their subtlest
points of resentment; and the Dutch soon found the savage
arrow and firebrand to be the most persuasive arguments to
hasten their departure. But fierce quarrels between the
rival colonists were continued for several years along the
New Netherland borders, and not infrequently pushed to
the happy, orderly villages within that province.
When in 1639 the able but impetuous Ludlowe and his fol-
lowers left Windsor to settle Fairfield, he found the ubiquit-
ous Dutch a formidable obstacle to his somewhat ambitious
designs—an obstacle, indeed, over which his ambition tried
to vault, but overleapt itself and fell on t'other side. I wish
to be perfectly fair to Roger, and before now have attempted
to render his memory the homage it invites by reason of con-
spicuous public service, but it appears quite clear that when,
in 1654, the people of Fairfield took the law into their own
hands and appointed Ludlowe leader of the troops to invade
New Netherlands, he knew better than to accept what the
town had no right to bestow.” He failed in this matter to act
for the best interests of the town or colony, and with little
or no regard to that code he himself had formulated. His
repeated reports to the General Court of Dutch complicity in
a plot to exterminate the English do not appear to have had
reliable backing; they were certainly regarded with suspicion,
and it was through the adverse action of the court that our
baffled and disappointed lawmaker determined to return to
England. I suppose, just here, I should pause to make allu-
sion to the much mooted question of Ludlowe's destination
when he turned his back upon the land of our fathers. He is
generally reported, as we know, to have retired to Virginia;
but he is also authoritatively heard from in England about
the same time. Now, I think, if I yield a point and observe
* See Note at the end of this article.
22
that possibly he sailed to England from a Virginia port, a
proper deference is rendered to conflicting opinions. “The
truth of this observation lies in the application of it.” And
so, amiable leave may be taken of the problem with one
brief remark; if the Dutch had got hold of Ludlowe at the
time of that very questionable departure, there would have
been no mystery now about his final taking off. As has been
seen, the traders retreated from early Connecticut very sul-
lenly; which fact reminds me of the remark of a somewhat
profane confederate commander when told that General Seigel
appeared to be making a retrogade movement : “Retreating
is he? Then look out ! for when that —— Dutchman begins
to fall backwards, he is gathering himself up for a
leap forwards.”
Our colonial Dutchman, too, promptly changed front, and
again facing the English settlements looked sternly toward
the lands of which he had been unjustly deprived. Crom-
well, on the other side of the water, was shaking his mailed
hand at the States General who defiantly began to arm. New
Nertherlands, of course, followed suit and for the first time,
complained of their Dictator and asked that a new one might
be sent out to them who would be equal to this particular
time of trouble. He appeared in the person of the renowned
Petrus Stuyvesant who, if not blessed with the customary
allotment of legs, had the average supply of brains. He also
was endowed with unequivocal courage, and if falling a little
short in manly beauty, had an executive ability that gained
the regard of his own people and did not suffer in compari-
son with that of his neighbors. Connecticut, too, at this
juncture—with a loyalty not always so hot and ready—was
arming. By order of the General Court, Fairfield county put
her quota of one hundred and twenty men into the field un-
der command of that noted worthy, the Worshipful Major
Nathan Gold, who had succeeded Ludlowe as the leading
man of ancient Fairfield. Savage tells us that Gold was at
the period the “richest inhabitant in the town. He was a man
of sterling character, but unobtrusive—bearing little impres-
sion of the “guinea's stamp"; and was so beloved by the
º
23
people as to be called their father. Intellectually the inferior
of Ludlowe, he was more reliable, and had better balance ;
perhaps he was blessed with one of those equitable tempera-
ments that always seems to enable its happy possessor to do
the right thing at the right moment, a temperament that the
almost great Ludlowe did not possess. All the same, it is
dangerous to excuse the lapses of public men on the ground
of temperament; as an analytic writer recently well puts it :
“The savage lurks so near the surface in every man that a
constant watch must be kept upon the passions and impulses
or he leaps out in his war-paint, and the poor integument of
civilization that held him, is flung aside like a useless gar-
ment.” -
So little is known of the individuality of Major Gold, tha
even an abstract of one of his orders to his sentries, when
war-like troubles with the Dutch were imminent, seems
worthy of record: “The charge to the watch is that in his
Ma’tie's name you faythfully attende by watching in such
places where you may best discouver danger of an enemie, or
of fire, which you are to give notyce of by cryeing Fire Fire
or Arms Arms l; you are also to examine all such personnes
as you meet unseasonably, command them to Standſ twice,
and the third time to Stand / upon their peril / /, but if they
will not stand, or flye from you, you may shoot at them, but
to shoot low, unless you judge them to be an enemie, and
then you are to shoot them as directly as may be.”
It is perhaps as well to remark here that, although the
fleet which was dispatched from Holland did sail up the
Sound, not a gun was fired toward Connecticut lines; but
whether or no the war-like inhabitants of Fairfield were dis-
appointed at having thereby lost an opportunity for open
rupture with New Netherlands, history remains silent.
History tells with much emphasis, however, that the colony
received but little notice from the mother country until peace
was proclaimed and ended all prospects of war between the
English and Dutch on either side of the Atlantic. .
But the Restoration brought about a most important
change. Charles, with an eye to fresh sources of revenue,
24
began to take lively interest in his American colonies, and,
with more zeal than intelligence, despatched his brother, the
Duke of York, with a brand new grant of territory. The fresh
patent proved so elastic as to stretch over not only New
Netherlands, but pretty much the whole of Connecticut ori-
ginally granted by the charter of King James.
The Duke's commission was accompanied by a fleet which
got within easy range of the not very formidable Fort Am-
sterdam; and again the English changed its name to Fort
James. Brave old Stuyvesant was at first determined to
fight, but finally yielded to solicitations of both Dutch and
English residents and stumped out with the historic remark:
“I would much rather be carried out dead.” He was the
last of the Dutch governors and on the whole far from a bad
one. Indeed, it is pleasant to recall that he had many ad-
mirable qualities, and, according to later historians, seems to
have given our fathers as little trouble as the peculiar times
and situation would permit. He was the revered ancestor of
a long line of prominent men, whose personality and influence
touches with no light hand the life and thought of our own
time.
It is familiar history that, although the Dutch recaptured
the fort in 1672 and reasserted their claims, they gave no
special trouble to early Connecticut; and two years later, by
the treaty of Westminster, Holland ceeded the province she
had discovered, peopled and governed with much wisdom
and order for sixty years.
It is true that New Amsterdam changed hands several
times during the period, being alternately under Dutch and
English rule; and it is a very significant and novel bit of his-
tory that records the equally good order that prevailed who-
ever was in power.
The original setlers became largely sprinkled with English,
and the two nationalities, so antagonistic in the Connecticut
valley, assimilated quite readily at Manhattan, which fact
partly accounts for the cosmopolitan character of New York
to-day.
In conclusion, it seems to be the verdict of rewritten his-
25
street (9) was owned by B. Brooks and occupied by F. Lock-
wood as a cabinet shop. Most of the stock was got out.
Nearly opposite stood the residence of C. B. Hubbell, Esq.,
which escaped the flames, and at the west, on the site of the
post-office building, stood the old residence of William Peet,
which also checked the spread of the flames in that direction.
Had the latter house caught fire the probabilities are that the
flames would have spread into Main street and destroyed every
building on the block.
The building was only saved by the most strenuous exer-
tions, the hanging of carpets on the east side and keeping
them wet with water drawn from a well on the premises. Of
the buildings on the west side of Water street, above Bank,
were Lockwood & Zane (F), hardware and stove dealers. They
saved a portion of their stock. The building was owned by
D. B. Nichols. Adjoining was the dry good store of Hubbell
& Thompson, who saved the most of their stock. The next
(W) was occupied by G. Forbes as a clothing store, who also
saved nearly all his stock. The building was owned by T. &
W. Hawley. Adjoining (T) was the drug slore of the late
Joseph Thompson, and the upper portion occupied as a dwell-
ing. Mr. Thompson succeeded in saving a portion of his
stock. Rodney Curtis (shoe store adjoining) (X), saved most
of his stock. The building was of Small value, and was owned
by I. H. Whiting. The adjoining store (2) was also owned by
I. H. Whiting, and occupied by John H. Whiting, grocer.
The building (Y) owned by D. Hatch and occupied by Schuy-
ler Seeley as a shoe store, was pulled down and the fire
checked from further spreading in that direction.
Below Bank street, on the west side of Water, (E) was oc
cupied by O. & W. Sherman, grocers; (G) by George A. Wells
as a grocery. This and the adjoining building (I) was occu-
pied by Henry Hall as a grocery store, and owned by Mrs. T.
Hubbell. The goods in these stores were partially saved.
On the north side of State street (23) was occupied in the
lower part by William A. Whiting as an oyster saloon, and
above as a dwelling. It was owned by Mrs. S. Sherman. The
buildings, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, were a row owned by Benjamin Wheeler
26
and occupied below as shops and stores, and above as dwell-
ings. Their value was small and not insured. Adjoining (6)
was the grocery store and billiard room of G. G. Wheeler; 7
was the cabinet wareroom of F. Lockwood, and 8 occupied by
Samuel Hodges as a shoe store
On the opposite side of the street (22) was an old rookery
known as the “Flat Iron,” occupied by a number of colored
families, owned by Benjamin Wheeler. The four buildings
east (18, 19, 20 and 21) were owned by D. B. Nichols, the heirs
of Jesse Sterling, the Misses Lacey and E. Thompson. In 18
was 500 bushels of wheat belonging to Ryan & Thorp of
Weston. The upper portion was occupied as a dwelling ; 19
was a tailor shop and dwelling, and 20 and 21 were also dwell-
ings. The corner of State and Water streets (15) was occu-
pied by E. Thompson as a grocery, 16 by Palmer as an eating
and boarding house, and 17 was the temperence house kept by
A. A. McNeil. The fire, fortunately, was stopped here, as
there was a large lumber yard on the opposite side of the way
and several dwellings below, which would have been destroyed.
On the opposite side, 11, 12 and 13 were owned by David
Perry and occupied principally for storage, with one or two
dwellings above; 14 was the old store of A. Hawley & Co.;
10 was occupied by Hall & Burroughs as a wholesale grocery
with dwelling above. It was owned by I. Burroughs. The
goods were mostly saved. The next store above, owned by
I. & W. DeForest, was occupied by T. Ranson & Co., whole-
sale grocers, and contained a large and valuable stock. A
small portion only was saved. The adjoining store (R) was
owned and occupied by Mathew Curtis as a paint store. The
next (N) was occupied by Morford, Northrop & Co., wholesale
grocers. The building was owned by Philo Hurd, who also
occupied an office on the second floor as an insurance office.
Henry Burroughs owned and occupied the next one (M) as a
flour and fish store. The goods from this and Mathew Curtis's
store were removed to the wharf for safety, but the fire over-
took and destroyed the greater portion before they could be
rescued. Charles DeForest occupied the store next adjoining
(L) as a wholesale grocery, and the upper portion by L. & L.
27
Museum, our Art Gallery, and our Historical Society with its
manuscripts, archives and portraits of early settlers and citi-
zens. This building will cost $200,000 (besides the land), of
which $117,000 has been subscribed by our citizens, and the
balance is to be borrowed by the association on property it
holds outside the new buiding and from which it receives a
large rental with which to meet interest, taxes, etc. And
this reminds me that it would be just a splendid thing to do
if some of the wealthy and liberal citizens of your city and
county would club and endow The Fairfield County Historical
Society. No money could find a better investment as a per-
manent means of education and improvement, or as a source
of pure and high pleasure to thousands for all time. History
is being made constantly, and no method for its authentic
preservation is so sure, as a permanent and living Historical
Society.
The other day a very intelligent and wealthy lady of this
city found that she had no means at hand, of establishing the
date of the death of a sister who died young, many years
ago. I heard of her perplexity, and dropping in to our His-
torical Rooms, in ten minutes found the required date. We
have a continuous record of marriages and deaths from A. D.
1811 to the present times, numbering, I think, over 17,000.
Old Mortality with his mallet and chisel is “nowhere" in
comparison with an industrious and conscientious and pains-
taking Historical Society.
Yours, respectfully,
ELIAS S. HAWILEY.
APPENDIX.
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Map of the portion of Bridgeport east of Main street and
rt orth. Of Golden IIill to Corngress street, about the
Year 1759, showing the old L’orter place,
recently derm Olished.
I” re 12 a red for t in e II is to r y o f B r i d g e D or t.

HISTORY OF THE PORTER PROPERTY.
—sº-
PAPER, READ BEFORE THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
By R. B. LACEY, Esq.,
June 12th, 1885.
——sº- © P.
There is much of interesting and sug—
gestive history connected with premises
No. 532 Main street and the house
recently demolished to make room
for a block of stores. The territory,
nearly seven acres, on the east side of high-
way (Main street) from a point at or near
Golden Hill street to Congress, bounded
easterly by the creek or harbor, was pur-
chased by Samuel Porter, Sen., from Zacha-
ariah Hawley Feb. 5, 1759. I have the pleas-
ure of presenting in this connection a plot of
the premises copied from the original made
by Wolcott Hawley, surveyor, found among
the Porter papers and now in my possession.
The following is the interesting portion of
the original deed of the above date:
To all persons, &c., Greeting. Know ye
that I Zakry Hawley of Stratford & County
of Fairfield & Colony of Connecticut in New
England For the Consideration of One Hun-
dred and two pounds York money by me in
hand received to my full satisfaction of Sam-
uel Porter of Stratford & County & Colony
aforesaid do give grant bargain sell and con–
firm unto the Said Samuel Porter & to his
heirs and assigns forever my Dwelling house
& Land whereon it stands on Golden Hill,
called ye old fort, and is Bounded South on
Deacon Joseph Booth's Land Easterly and
Northerly on ye creek & West on highway—
the Sd house & Land with all the appurte-
nances thereunto Belonging for him the said
Samuel Porter forever. To have and to
hold, &c.
Witness my Hand and Seal the 5th day of
Feb. in the 32d year of the Reign -v -
of our Sovereign Lord GEORGE )
the Second of Great Britain, ete., - L. s. -
King Annoque Domini, 1759. ( )
S-, -’
Signed ZACHARIA HAWLEY.
Signed and sealedetc., in presence of
THEOPHOLIS NICHOLs,
Joseph NICHOLs.
It appears there was a dwelling house on
the plot in 1759, probably not the one which
has just been taken down. The latter was
probably erected by Mr. Samuel Porter, Sen.,
soon after the close of the Revolutionary war
and with the “Old Red house” which stood
on the west side of the highway (Main street)
the site of the present wooden block of Mr.
N. Wheeler, was among the very first resi–
dences of a good class erected upon the New-
field, as Bridgeport was then called. James
and Zachariah Hawley were sons of Gideon
and third in descent from the original Joseph
Hawley of Stratford, through first Ephraim
and Sarah Wells, and second Gideon and
Ann Bennett. They were pioneers here.
The Hawley family were large land owners.
James seems to have settled on the west side
of the highway. His son, Deacon Elijah,
was a house carpenter. He occupied and
probably built the old red house. Isaac
Sherman, Esq., says of him: He removed to
the West very early, and died in Ohio in
1825, aged 84 years. He had a son by the
name of Jesse, who was born in the old red
house. Said Jesse removed to the state of
New York in early life and died there in 1843
at the age of 70 years. It is said that he
(Jesse Hawley) was the projector of the Erie
canal. He communicated his ideas to Gov–
ernor DeWitt Clinton, which resulted in the
construction of that great work. Major
Aaron Hawley, a brother of Deacon Elijah.
appears to have been the owner of the old
red house in 1787, at which period the ‘‘up-
right highway” (Main street) was widened
and the site of the famous well in front,
which stood its width upon the street, Was
excepted and liberty was given to fence
around it. The same well exists to-day cov–
ered by the sidewalk stone. Zachariah Haw-
ley married Bethia Austin of Suffield, Ct.,
and probably removed to Massachusetts.
None of his descendants appear in this part
of Connecticut.
Samuel Porter, Sen., died September 15,
1795.
The Porter purchase remained intact as
field land during his life, except at the South
end he gave a house lot as an advancement
to his daughter Mary, who married Lewis
Sturges. The old house, now a portion of
the Elisha Hubbell property at the northeast
corner of Main and Golden Hill streets, was
the residence of Isaac Sturges, son of Lewis.
His other son, Joseph P. Sturges (commonly
called Porter Sturges), had his residence a
little south. The original house stands, but
it has a brick front and has been raised an
extra story. The main building is occupied
by Cohen (millinery) and Bain (tea and coffee
store). It was a double house, with hall way
and kitchen wings both on the north and the
south. Porter Sturges occupied the south
house and Henry Coty and the late Thomas
Hutchins successively rented and occupied
the north part for many years, 'lhere was a
vacant lot between the two Sturges houses
through which Golden Hill street was ex-
tended in 1847 from Main street easterly,
leaving a strip of land on the south side of
the street which was leased by the city and
an engine house for the original No. 5 hand-
engine, was erected thereon. The same build-
ing is now occupied as a bakery, &c., by Mr.
A. Brennan.
The original survey from which the fore-
going diagram was taken was made by Wol-
cott Hawley, surveyor, a brother of Major
Aaron and Deacon Elijah Hawley, October
20, 1795, to aid the distribution of the estate
of Samuel Porter, Sen. The original plotting
has the dotted lines showing the tracts and
quantities set out to the two heirs, to wit:
Samuel Porter, Jr., who had a double por
tion of the real estate, and his sister Mary
Sturges.
Lewis and Isaac Sturges with their families
went West about 1820. and later were settled
in Wisconsin. Rev. Albert Sturges, the vete-
ran missionary of the “American Board” in
Micronesia, 1s from this family.
They sold their interest in the remnant of
this property on the death of Samuel Porter,
Jr., who died without issue September 9,
1842. Rev. Thomas B. Sturges, of Green-
field Hill (Fairfield), Ct., is the only son and
heir of Joseph P. Sturges. He inherited the
undivided one-half of the old Porter house
and lot, No. 532 Main street, and came into
possession on the death of the widow of
Samuel Porter, Jr., April 12, 1867. Tecently
there has been a division by which he has
acquired sole ownership of the entire Main
street front, and is putting it to use by erect-
ing the one-story block of stores now in
progress. The location is a fine one and
worthy of more substantial buildings.
Having traced the connection of the Porter
and Sturges families with the land embraced
in the diagram it remains to gather up the
interesting points of history in respect to the
use that has been made of it. It is referred
to in the Ancient deed printed above
—as located “on Golden Hill” showing
that the Golden Hill land as then designated
extended to the Creek or Pequonnock River.
And further it was “called Ye Old Fort.”
Iłeferring to the diagram, on the right hand
site, bordering the creek at the extreme point
“Ye Old Fort” is located. These are the
only allusions to a fort here, now known and
its previous existence must have been tradi-
tionary in 1795. It could hardly have been
built by the English settlers, or there would
i
i
have been some record of, or in connection
with its erection and use. It follows then,
that it must have been an Indian fortification
which had gone into disuse at the date of the
deed 1759. The location was a rocky pro-
monotory jutting out into the creek from a
beautiful plateau which extended back to
the Highway—Main street. Later, for three-
quarters of a century it was universally
known as, “Porter’s Rocks.” It retained
nearly its pristine beauty until 1838
and was a favorite resort for sports and bath-
ing, by the young men and boys of the period,
a few of whom survive to-day. There was
the round rock and the flat rock—b th ex-
tending out so as to afford at their base con-
siderable depth of water at high tide; the
latter was at the extreme point and was a
favorite place for fishing, especially for frost-
fish in their season. A short distance from
the point on the northern bank was the round
rock, from which the bathers took their leap
head foremost into the briny waters. The
bank here was skirted by cedars, which af-
forded a good cover for this sport.
As has been said the entire Porter property
remained intact, and was used as field land
until after 1795. About this period—just
before the commencement of the present
century, a new spirit of enterprise was
awakened here. Previous to the IRevolution-
ary war the parish of Stratfield was a quiet
agricultural settlement of no special import—
ance, Nothing had been done to develop
business at the Newfields or 13ridgeport. Long
Island Sound had indeed become a highway
of commerce. The then frequent disturban–
ces in the political atmosphere of the Old
World, were soon felt here, and the infant
Settlements, unprotected as they were, and
their trading vessels especially, were a tempt—
ing and an easy prey to the privateers, which
Swarmed on the American coast.
The harbors and settlements lying close
upon the Sound were most exposed. Pe—
quonnock river or creek, however, was ex-
ceptionally safe. There was fully as much
depth of water above the neck, now the site
of Berkshire bridge, as on the bar outside,
and plenty of space also. The wooded bluffs
of the shore, Soune of them jutting out into
bold promentories shut out this portion from
the open harbor and Sound, affording a safe
retreat—almost a hiding place. Uuder the
then existing state of things, it is no wonder
that the first commerce was developed from
this point. Theopholis Nichols and his son
Philip had their store and wharf at the ex-
treme head of navigation, near what is now
known as the Plumb place. They built and
sailed vessels from there, as did also Capt.
Stephen Burroughs, Sen. The shore oppo-
site the old red brick house on North avenue,
was long known and designated as the “ship-
yard.” The commercial and trading
interests to this period, with Boston, New
York, &c., were not large, yet were sufficient to
foster a spirit of enterprise, and educate and
prepare the more enterprising young men to
embrace their opportunities. The es-
tablishment and recognition of our
national independence, not only in-
fused new life, but brought greater
security to our coast and coasting
tradie. The back country naturally center-
ing here was rich in agricultural resources.
IBoston, New York, South Atlantic States,
and the West Indies, were the markets. Water
street had been laid out from the present
Fairfield avenue, three rods wide, to Wells'
Tongue. Wharves and stores now began
to be built on it. Men and families that had
lived one to two miles interior settled on the
shore and entered vigorously into trade and
commerce. Among these may be mentioned
the Nichols, Hawleys, Hubbells, Shermans,
Burroughs, Sterlings and Summers. The ad-
vantages of our location and harbor appear to
have been appreciated then as now and an on-
terprising and valuable element came in, from
the surrounding towns more or less distant.
Esq. Isaac Sherman meutions by name not
less than forty men who came from abroad
and settled here from 1790 to 1806, who
either brought families or soon became heads
of families and most of them prominent as
successful business men,*
In 1800, the borough of Bridgeport was
chartered. The bridge across the harbor had
just been built, and many new streets had
been laid out. These were now recognized
and named. Among them, Gold street was
laid out, two rods wide, from Main street to
the harbor, and Middle street, extending from
Wall street to Gold. Mr. Nathaniel Wade, a
watch maker by trade, from Norwich, Conn.,
(afterward merchant,) bought land of Mr.
Porter, and erected his house, the same now
standing on the southeast corner of Main and
Gold streets. Philo and De. Luzern DeForest
secured the northeast corner, and erected the
house now standing there, so long owned
and occupied by Isaac Sherinam, Esq., and
now by his descendants, Captain Joseph Ster-
ling Edwards, from Trumbull, Conn., bought
and built on the south side of Gold street,
from Middle street to Water street. His wid-
ow left this with other property, at her death
to her brother, Isaac Burroughs, Esq., which
has served to swell the Pettengill estate, from
which such munificent public benefactions
#AF6 I\OW being realized. Mr.
Jesse Sterling, also from Trum-
bull, merchant, purchased the site on
the north side of Gcld street at the head of
Water street and erected the house more re-
cently owned and occupied by Mr. Abel
Drew. The same was removed in 1870 for
the extension of Water street.
Main street, next north of Isaac Sherman,
* This list appears in full in the history of Bridge-
port, Ilow in preparation by Mr Orcutt, and eln-
braces most of the old Bridgeport names and promi-
ment families among the original settlers of the
It shows the places from whence they came
to Bridgeport and how the surrounding towns con-
i grâm,
place.
tributed to build up the new and enterprising city.
Later, on
Capt. Gershom E. Hubbell located. Next to
him was Mr. George Smith and last on the
plot was Capt. William Goodsell, who had
his slaughter house on the bank of the Creek
in the rear of the dwellings,
Isaac Sherman sold a part of his Main
street front to Capt. Joseph H. Hand from
Long Island—the same property now owned
by Jacob Sutter and occupied by C. P. Coe's
wholesale and retall grocery.
WEAVER SHOP.
Referring to the diagram, you observe
northerly of the dwelling house of Samuel
Porter, standing back from the highway, is
a building designated as a Weaver's shop.
Both Samuel Porter, Sen., and his son of the
same name were weavers by trade, and Sup-
plied the settlement with their elegant or
plain woolen bed coverlets (specimens of
which are still extant in the old families),
woolen cloth and blankets, damask and plain
liren, &c.
So far as appears, this building was the
first specially devoted to manufacture in the
limits of Bridgeport, and contrasts strongly
with the splendid and extensive structures of
the present day.
SALT WORKS,
For some reason which does not now ap-
pear, after the close of the second war with
Great Britain, somewhere about 1818–20, it
was deemed a wise measure to secure Salt of
home manufacture, and so prudent and
sagacious a man as the late Isaac Sherman
was persuaded it was safe to invest capital
and labor in it. The beautiful platteau north
of Gold street, the property of his brother-
in-law, Samuel Porter, Jun., was selected as
the site for the operations. The location of
the evaporating vats are shown on the dia-
gram. The salt water was pumped from the
bay or creek into the vats, by means of a
wind mill stationed at or near the Point. No
statistics are extant as to the quantity or
quality of the product, but merchantable
salt was made. One mistake as to location
became apparent, that the water of the creek
at this point was too much diluted with the
fresh water of its tributaries. This and in-
creased facilities for procuring the West
India product, both conspired to render the
enterprise unprofitable. The “Salt Works,”
as they were called, were mentioned in the
will of Samuel Porter, Jun., written in 1828.
The unused vats were admirably adapted to,
and much used for the game of “hide and
seek.” The writer remembers them about
1830 They disappeared soon after this date.
SLAUGHTER HOUSE.
Capt. William Goodsell who early lived in
the old yellow house which was removed
from Main street in 1871 in order to open
Congress street, is believed to have been the
first to fit up and occupy a regular slaughter
house here. Its location is given on the dia-
It was a barn-like structure standing
on the edge of the bluff and extending almost
its whole size over the bank (which was well
washed by each flood tide), the building be—
ing supported by substantial posts. Its site
was included in the purchase of the late Mr.
Benjamin Ray, who had much difficulty in
getting the lines fixed satisfactorily. In his
numerous and vigorous talks about the mat—
ter, well remembered by many, very frequent
allusions were made to “Capt. Goodsell’s
slaughter house yard.” It is interesting to
note how the progress of the settlement—
moved back the slaughter houses. The next
location was that of Gideon and Eli Thomp—
son on the westerly side of North Washington
avenue, not far from the present site of Mul—
loy's lane—say from 1833 to 1843. From
this, the same parties removed to what is now
the Thompson farm, a little south of the toll
gate on the Huntington Turnpike—while
Smith & Stratton and their successors and
Capt. Terry, located theirs on the Newtown
Turnpike about two miles out of town. The
heavy beef is now mostly butchered for this
market in Chicago, Ill., transported in Re—
frigerator cars and distributed from Refrig–
erator depots (two of them located on this
territory) to be dispensed in steaks and roasts
from the Refrigerators of the local markets
and stalls.
SADDIE BOXES,
The shipment to markets in the South, of
the large quantities of Saddles and harness
manufactured here from 1815 to 1860, re-
quired many strong boxes of special form
and sizes. Up to about 1848–9, these were
almost exclusively made by hand, by Mr.
Porter Sturges, whose shop and lumber yard
were on Middle street at the present corner of
Golden Hill street occupied now by the
Naugatuck Valley Ice Co. His assistant
when needed was the late Mr. David Wheeler
who lived on Arch street, later on Newtown
turnpike near Beach street.
This afforded reliable and steady employ-
ment, and with the frugality for which they
were both noted, laid the foundation of
hal,dsome estates, for each.
|
|
COOPERAGE.
Mr. Abel Drew from Derby was the next
Owner of the above mentioned house. The
commerce of the place, especially the West
India trade and for a number of years the
whaling business, required a great many
casks and made a lively business for the
coopers. Mr. Drew's shop was on the South
shore of the point. He employed a number
of men. It was lively times in his shop early
and late and all the time. Mr. Drew saw and
embraced his opportunities and here laid the
foundation of his handsome estate.
HOUSATONIC RAILROAD.
In 1836 the Housatonic Railroad was
chartered for a line from Bridgeport to the
north boundary of the state in the town of
Canaan, Litchfield County. The company
was organized, capital subscribed and right
of way secured to New Milford in 1838.
Commencing at a point near the west ap-
proach to the Bridgeport Bridge (Fairfield
Avenue) it extended northerly across the
mud flats and over this Porter property
making thereon quite a deep cut. The com-
pany not only purchased the usual right of
way over this property for main tracks, but
secured the entire point east of the main
line, graded it down, using the material
towards filling the roadway across the adja-
cent mud flats, and then located their engine
house, turn-tables and car shop thereon.
A wharf was constructed at the extreme
point, and the Long Island skipper connect-
ed with Mr. Roswell Lewis, coal and wood
yard, landed thereon the pine wood which
was then used at this cnd of the line for fuel
for the locomotives. Thus the beatiful bluff
was invaded, and its glory, as such, departed
before the march of modern utilily and pro–
gress. The construction and operating of
the railroad developed the need of foundry
and machine shops. This need was measura-
bly supplied by the late Mr. David Wheeler
of Park avenue, who was in 1843 joined by
Messrs. George and J. R. Young, and had
their works in a wooden building on the same
site as the present Bridgeport Iron Works,
which is made land on the mud flats
fronting this Porter property.
FIRST CENTRE BRIDGE.
When in 1852 Mr. P. T. Barnum joined
Gen. Wm. H. Noble for the development and
improvement of East Bridgeport, they at
once realized that they must have more di-
rect and easier communication with the busi.
ness portion of west side of the harbor.
Hence they procured a charter for a bridge—
the eastern terminus about identical witn
that of the present Centre bridge, and the
western end, spanning the Housatonic rail-
road track, and landing upon the high bank
of this Porter property, for which they made
an appropriate purchase of Mrs. Ellen Por-
Increased quantity needed and the compe-
tition of machinery, diverted the source of
supply, to the shops of L. C. Shepard & Co.
about 1850, then located at the site of the
north end of the Atlantic Hotel, the Union
House being a part; later to Lyon & Curtis
on “Simons’ wharf.”
COMB MAKING.
Moss K. Botsford, from Newtown, pur–
chased of Jesse Sterling the house on the
bank north side of Gold street at the head of
Water street, established and carried on for
awhile the comb making business. This busi-
mess had a great run about 1830–35. Bethel
and Newtown were largely engaged in it.
Some were successful for a time, but the fash-
ions were extremely changeable and business
fitful which led to my failures. The business ter, the widow of Samuel Porter, Jr., Nov.
hardly obtained a foothold here.
| 19th, 1852.
|
This was reached by a street which had
been dedicated as a highway by Mr. Porter,
and named by him Summer street, extending
northerly from Gold street a little east of the
line of Middle street extended. After the
location of the bridge it was called Bridge
street. By the kindness of General Noble
this society has a picture of the bridge on
its walls, painted in water colors—showing a
condition of the surroundings now most
thoroughly changed. When the new Centre
bridge was constructed in 1869, the western
terminus was changed to Congress street,
crossing the railroad at grade. Middle street,
was soon after extended thereto in a direct
line and Bridge street, discontinued. In
November, 1864, the city purchased this
bridge and appurtenances with the other
bridges across the harbor, and in the adjust-
ment of property interests affected by these
changes, and the extension of Middle street,
the city obtained the site of the present No. 5
engine house.
Previous to the extension of Congress
street for the western terminus of the Centre
Bridge in 1869, the mud flats and low ground
on the west side of the Housatonic railroad
track from the Porter property to Lumber
street, was flooded, though a water way at
the old mill located near the line of Lumber
street and the face of the wharf at that
point. The water was changed and purified
each flood tide, but the gate in the water way
retained enough to give at all times a depth
of several feet in the southern portion near
this Porter property. Previous to the intro–
duction of the present water supply much
dependence was placed upon the salt water
of the Harbor for extinguishing fires.
This vicinity was practically shut off from
the water front, especially at low tide. To
meet this necessity Mrs. Ellen Porter deeded
to the town an addition to the Bridge street
highway May 19, 1859, and opened a way to
the water above described, where the city
constructed a platform sufficient to accom-
modate one of the hand engines of that pe -
riod and its company In actual service.
About 1846 the Housatonic Railroad com-
pany removed their depot both for passenger
and freight from near Fairfield avenue south-
erly to a point near the present elevator. A
few years thereafter, having fillei and made
solid ground of the mud flats still further
south they put up a round house, and other
necessary shops end buildings thereon and
withdrew from “Porter's point.” The old
engine house and the long car house remain—
ed on the premises for many years, also a
blacksmith business by Mr. Hunt from Falls
Village, Ct.—a relative of Superintendent
Charles Hunt of the Housatonic Railroad.
The Vetetan blacksmith. Mr. J. C. Barnum,
also had his shop here for many years until
his death, Feb. 25, 1883, at the ripe age of
80 years.
BOILER WORK8.
In 1869 “The Bridgeport Boiler Works”
commenced operations on the Point,
utilizing some of the old build-
ings, and erecting others. This company em-
braced the following names : Humphrey,
Watson, Farrel and Ghatfield.
In 1870, Messrs. Farrel and Chatfield retir-
ed, and the business was continued by Hum-
phrey & Watson, until 1872, when Mr. William
Lowe took the place of Mr. Humphrey.
Messrs. Lowe and Watson continued the boil-
er business very successfully for ten years,
until they were burned out, April 24, 1882.
As they were unable to secure a lease of the
premises, for a term of years, Messrs. Lowe
& Watson obtained another location on the
premises of Mr. William H. Perry, adjoining
the Housatonic Railroad track, further north.
The late Mr. Hanford Lyon purchased the
water front of a portion of this property, and
improved it, in connection with that he pre-
viously owned, adjoining it on the South.
This has been occupied as a coal yard by C.
M, Noble & Co., and by Courtland Kelsey, and
is now a part of the extensive yards of Messrs,
Miller & Strickland.
Mr. Julius Hawley purchased of the Bur-
roughs family, the Edwards' property, on
the south side of Gold street, extending to
the channel of the harbor, which he has im—
proved, and upon which is located the exten-
sive lumber yards and steam saw mill of the
Bridgeport Lumber company.
Messrs. H. N. and A. J. Beardsley pur-
chased the water front of Mr, Abel Drew,
which carried one half the width of Gold
street, form the east side of the tracks of the
Consolidated railroads to the channel, which
they are leisurely filling and will become a
very valuable property.
The Housatonic Railroad Co., have here a
fine property partly mud flats which they
will no doubt fill to the harbor lines, at no
distant day. This done, it will afford room
for the return to this point of their engine
houes &c.—thus relieving the crowded condi-
tion in their present locality and facilitating
the removal of the tracks of the Consolidated
road from lower Water street, an end most
devoutly to be desired.
The whole plot, much of it forty years ago
so quiet and so pleasant for family homes of
the best sort, is now almost wholly given
over to business--the canvas of which I leave
to the future.
use iv, O.F. Mºſhe
MAY 18 1908
FIFTH
ANNIVERSARY
OF THE
Fairfield County Historical
SOCIETY,
HELD APRIL 9TH, 1886 :
AND
T H E PAP E R s R E A D
BEFORE THE SOCIETY.
FIFTH
ANNIVERSARY
OF THE
Fairfield County Historical
SOCIETY,
HELD APRIL 9TH, 1886 :
T H E PAPERs READ
BEFORE THE SOCIETY.
*m-ms-º-º-º-º-
g-sms-mº-º-
BRIDGEPORT, CONN.:
THE STANDARD ASSOCIATION, PR
1886.
FORM OF APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP.
To 7%e Fairfield County Historical Society.
GENTLEMEN: The undersigned hereby makes application for
admission as *… member of said Association,
under its existing Rules and By-Laws.
Dated at Bridgeport, this...........…... day of
18......... -
Signed,
* Blank to be filled with—an Annual, a Patron, or a Life Member,-as the case may be:
FORM OF BEQUEST TO THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY
|HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
I give and bequeath to The Fairfield County Historical
dollars, to be paid by my executors out of my real and per-
sonal estate, as soon as the settlement of my affairs will per-
mit, to the Treasurer of said Society, for the time being, in
trust, for the benefit of said Society.
§Siº
*~
*)
s
od-
5
J
*T-
*:-Si’
s
s:
ºs~
§s
tsi-
sSº-
–
º,
*.
cº
THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY.
PRESIDENT,
ROWLAND B. LACEY.
VICE-PRESIDENTs,
GEORGE C. WALDO, -> - - Bridgeport.
WILLIAM A. BEERS, - º- - Fairfield.
REV. SAMUEL ORCUTT, - sº -> Bridgeport.
RECORDING SECRETARY,
NATHANIEL E. WORDIN, M. D.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY,
LOUIS N. MIDIDLEBROOK.
TREASURER AND CURATOR,
RICHARD C. AMBLER.
HISTORIAN,
GEORGE C. WALDO.
| HONORARY MEMBERS.
REV. BENJAMIN L, SWAN,
Mendham, N. J.
REW. E. E. BEARDSLEY, D.D., LL.D.
New Haven, Conn.
J. HAMMOND TRUMBULL, LL.D.,
Hartford, Conn.
CHARLES J. HOADLEY,
Hartford, Conn.
REV. HORATIO N. POWERS, D. D.,
Orange, N. J.
ABRAHAM W. MOREHOUSE,
Bridgeport, Conn.
FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING.
The Fifth Annual Meeting of the FAIRFIELD County His-
ToRICAL SOCIETY was held at the Rooms of the Society, No. 446
Main street, Friday evening, April 9, 1886.
The President, R. B. Lacey, Esq., called the meeting to
order shortly after eight o'clock. He congratulated the audi-
ence upon the presence of two gentlemen of recognized ability,
who had prepared and would read papers which would prove
a rich treat, and proposed to defer the election of officers, and
other routine business, to an adjourned meeting that they
might the better enjoy it.
Accordingly, on motion, it was voted to adjourn the business
portion of the meeting, with the election of officers, etc., for
one month, and to give the entire time of the session to the
literary exercises. The President then made a few happy re-
marks appropriate to the occasion, and introduced W. A. Beers,
Esq., of Fairfield, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Society,
who read the following admirable paper upon
JOHN READ, THE COLONIAL LAWYER.
In the first quarter of the eighteenth century the name that
heads our paper belonged to one whose genius and force placed
him abreast of the foremost men of the young American col-
onies. But in company with many of his contemporaries, he
has but slight mention in general history, and what is known
of him is gathered mostly from town and colonial records, or
thin pamphlets and biographical collections in widely sepa-
rated libraries.
Several years since, however, George B. Read, Esq., of Bos-
ton, wrote and privately distributed a monograph of his dis-
tinguished kinsman; and Mr. Charles B. Todd, and Rev. Samuel
Orcutt, of this society, have each supplemented the filial tribute
6
with facts that have materially aided the present attempt to
contribute another leaf to a yet imperfect history.
More than one town in Massachusetts and our own State
has claimed the honor of being the native heath trodden by
John Read, but even his filial biographer is not positive on
this point beyond the general notion that he was a native of
Connecticut, and it is with no little pride that the present
writer names the precise spot, upon authority that will hardly
be disputed as undeniable and final.
Chief among the veteran records of the old town of Fairfield
is the A Book, whose pages of “old gold” dated from 1643–
four years after the town's settlement—until recently shorn
of thirteen leaves and six precious years by a genealogic klep-
tomania who, it is hoped, may be accorded a punishment suf-
ficiently lingering to fit the crime. One of the clearest entries
of this otherwise fairly-preserved volume is here faithfully
transcribed: “John Read, the son of William Read, was born
the 29th of January, 1679.” Reversing the book, for, after
the political economy of our fathers, it did the double duty of
birth-register and probate record—on page 252, may be found
in the record of a deed of gift, corroborative evidence that
Fairfield was the birth-place and home of the Colonial Law-
yer, to wit:
“For good causes and considerations moving me yto I grant
to my daughters Sarah and Abigail, the lot called Hedges Lot,
situate in Fairfield, in quantity about five acres, bounded on
ye N. W. by land of Cornelius Hull, on S. E. by ye highway
and on ye N. E. by land of Joseph Roland. I also give them
meadows at Sascoe Creek; and all other lands, meadows, house,
barn, orchards and fences unto my loving son John Read.
[Signed, William Read.
NATHAN GOLD, Assistant.
September 29, 1693.”
This unquestionably locates the Read birth-place and home-
stead on the site of the present Slayback homestead and adjoin-
ing land in which the writer has the double interest of owner-
ship and historic pride.
7
William Read's name first appears on the Fairfield Records
under date of 1677, and at frequent intervals thereafter; but lit-
tle is known of him except, from the inferential facts of his buy-
ing and selling of large parcels of land, that he was a substan-
tial planter who was able and willing to give his “loving son”
the education and fair start in life he is known to have re-
ceived.
That John was an apt scholar, as well as an affectionate son,
is known from the fact that at the early age of thirteen he
was prepared to enter Harvard College from which he was
graduated seventh in a class of fourteen in 1696. His father
died the following year, his will being probated May 7, 1697,
wherein he leaves his “loving son” one-half of his estate. It
is worthy of notice that on several public documents John
receives from his father a tender as well as substantial recog-
nition, and we must argue from this that as boy and man he
was singularly trusted and beloved.
Theology rather than jurisprudence seems to have been the
first inclining of the young graduate, and his progress in this
direction must have been unusually rapid since, in a single year
from graduation, he began preaching at Waterbury, Conn.,
giving such satisfaction that an invitation to become perma-
ment minister was twice renewed in town meeting. The popu-
lar young preacher (he could not have been over twenty,)
declined each time without stating reasons which have
found their way into the records; but, he nevertheless, re-
tained the nominal pastorate until December, 29, 1699, when
he resigned, and, as is recorded, the town “voted a rate of
three half-pennies in the pound to satisfy the Rev. John Read
for his pains in the ministry among us and to defray charges
about providing for him.” It is necessary to make this state-
ment in view of the fact that a notion has obtained that Read
at this time was not paid for his services.
On the 12th of the following November an entry in the
Church register informs us that he was received into “full
communion” of the First Church in Hartford, and shortly
after was called to preach in East Hartford where he remained
three years, although declining to be regularly installed.
8
“And here,” says Goodwin, in his Early History of Hartford,
“on Sundays, and lecture days besides, the Rev. John Read
ministered to the spiritual needs of a flock over which he never
became a settled pastor. And he abated no whit of his ser-
mon though a mid-winter chill was in the air and there was
no fire save in the tiny foot-stoves that half filled the room
with thin blue smoke—the rime gathering the while, per-
chance, on the muskets that had been brought as far as the
porch and left in charge of the sentry there.”
In 1703 the people of Stratford had occasion to supply their
pulpit and, as the invariable custom was, called a town meet-
ing which voted “That Nathaniel Sherman proceed forthwith
with all convenient speed to Hartford, and endeavor by all
lawful means the obtaining of Rev. John Read to supply the
vacancy in the ministry made by the decease of Rev. Israel
Chauncey; and that he be voted £40 in money and £6 in fire-
wood for half a year; and that the committee take care of
transporting Mr. Read's family, and provide suitable habita-
tion for him,”—he having about this time married a sister of
Governor Talcott. There appears to have been three candi-
dates and much discussion among the brethren at the time,
but young Read received a large majority of the votes. At
Stratford he officiated three years and, as before, persevered
in declining to be more than nominally settled.
In 1706 the hitherto uneventful life of the steadfast young
preacher was interrupted by a serious division in the church,
which entirely changed the course of his life, and as it is
chronicled, “rocked the town to its very center”—a natural
sequence, church and town being in those days almost iden-
tical. We need not look far for the cause of this agita-
tion. It has been seen that Mr. Read had persistently refused
to be made pastor of the churches in his charge in the pre-
scribed manner, which fact aroused occasional inquiry and
suspicion; but at this juncture, he had been confronted by
some of the orthodox brethren with some questions as to his
views respecting the Episcopal church. The young man re-
plied, laconically, that he “could have no decided views about
a church too poor to afford him a living.” The answer seems
9
to have awakened much condemnation of the preacher, par-
ticularly from that part of the congregation who did the least
paying and most talking—an element quite as ubiquitous with
our fathers as with us. The remedy attempted to quiet the
difficulty was the usual one of town meeting and a day of fast-
ing and prayer; and Reverends Pierpont, Andrews, Chauncey,
and Webb, were appointed “a committee to look into the
matter.” Mr. Read now became indignant, and hotly resented
what he called “this scurrilous and abusive talk,” and
demanded the closest investigation. It is almost needless to
say he was promptly accommodated; and the enquiry resulted
in thorough work by the committee, who reported that they
“found no indication of anything offensive to Mr. Read ex-
cept the intimation that he had made overtures to join the
Episcopal Church.” The possibility of this “intimation” be-
ing very near the truth aroused the people still more; but the
excitement became alarmingly intensified when, at the crisis,
the first missionary sent out by the Church of England appeared
on the scene. He was Rev. George Muirson who, it is said,
accompanied by Col. Heathcote, fully armed, rode furiously
into old Stratford one morning nearly overturning some mem-
bers of the congregation and a member of the Governor's
Council who had met to oppose the intruders with numbers
and resolution, but no warlike weapons. It appears, however,
that the missionaries had a larger following than had been
anticipated, and conspicuous among these was Mr. Read who,
at this juncture, openly expressed his Episcopal preferences.
It is well to remember that as yet the Colonies were entirely
loyal, and a considerable number of the people retained tradi-
tional affection for the home church, though worshipping in
faithful spirit with the dissenting communities among whom
their fortunes had been cast.
There had, of course, existed a feeling of antagonism which
had been suppressed until the appearance of Muirson, when
it seemed to break out in almost open hostility—the possibil-
ities of a liberalism in the near future that would, without
acrimony, view two Christians toiling along two roads toward
Heaven, had not entered the dreams of the average New Eng-
10
lander of a couple of hundred years ago. Mr. Read, of course,
now withdrew from the congregation that for three years had
liked him so well, and doubtless grieved many who thought he
was fast falling into “papistical” ways of Muirson's people.
It was thought, indeed, he would become their clergymen, and
Col. Heathcote wrote the Propogation Society that “Mr.
Read of this place is inclinable to come over to our church,
and being by far much the most ingenious man amongst them,
would be very capable to serve the church.”
Contrary to the general impression, however, he announced
his intention of giving up preaching altogether, as a profes-
Sion, and to enter upon the study of law, not, however, before
preaching the first Congregational sermon at New Milford.
(See Orcutt's History). We have exhausted numerous re-
sources in the vain effort to discover where and when he
began his experience in jurisprudence. With his native
energy and intuition it was to be expected that he would
make rapid progress in any branch of knowledge, but it is,
nevertheless, amazing that he should have been admitted to
the Bar in New London as early as May, 1709, he being barely
thirty-one. His arrival at this age seems to have developed a
somewhat high-spirited disposition at once accredited by many
to the eccentricity of genius, and he was compelled to apolo-
gize to the General Court for some words he had let drop
(probably in connection with the recent church difficulty) that
intruded upon the very sensitive notions members of this court
held concerning their official prerogatives and personal dig-
mity, a feature of public office not yet grown into “innoxious
desuetude.” Mr. Read seems also to have preferred the title
of King's Counsel—which indeed he was—rather than that of
Court's Attorney, and this doubtless had its share in raising
the ripple of disapproval with which, as is of record, his admis-
sion was attended. -
Possibly his first case was when appointed prosecuting
attorney for the New Milford people—in which he had, too, a
personal interest—in “an action against the Stratford com-
pany for trespass on a large tract of land,” as say the records,
“at Wiantenock,” which belongs to “ye inhabitants of Milford.”
* * * and certain of Read’s lands.
11
The jury (for at that early day this institution existed) found
for the plaintiff; and on the case being carried from the County
Court to that of the Governor and Assistants, Read was awarded
“treble damages and costs.” No less than fifteen times was
this case brought to Court—facilities for keeping this sort of
ball a rolling, being quite on a level with those of our own
times—until even the stout heart of our young advocate be-
gan to weary of the law's delay; and he makes, after a reverse
decision, the following rather petulent petition to the General
Court, sitting at New Haven in 1710: “May it please the Hon-
orable Court: misfortunes in my adventures have undone me
utterly for as I thought with a prudent foresight I purchased
about twenty thousand acres of land in Wiantenock, parcel of
a purchase of thirty-nine, recorded in May last; had spent
much to settle and defend it; settled some inhabitants with
me y” afterwards, tried ye title and defended it against home
pretenders. Sixteen times have I been to court about it, ever
gaining till ye last Courts Assistants wherin I finally lost; and
am utterly discouraged and broken—finding two things, 1st
that I am not able to maintain suits forever, and that Indian
titles are grown into utter contempt, which things make me
weary of ye world. Whereupon I pray, seeing I nor my father
have had not one foot of land by division or grant of town or
county, tho’ spending all our days in it, that I may have liberty
if I can to find a place in ye colony (w” I know not yet of)
not granted to nor purchased by any; y” by your allowance I
may settle it with some others of my friends, where in obscu-
rity we may get a poor living, and pray for your health and
prosperity with great content.” Attention is called to the
fact that this petition is—after the manner of the times—very
deferential and a necessary stroking of the judicial ermine.
Read would have never made a lawyer, if he had failed to
gratify the vanity of this court; and he certainly would never
have had his prayer answered if he had rubbed the fur in the
wrong direction. His meek procedure was duly if not fully
rewarded, and he was granted “a tract of the bigness of eight
square miles,” bordering on the province of New York. The
locality did not suit him, however, and he soon sold it to par-
12
ties more willing to have the early Dutchman for a neighbor.
Land within the present lines of Redding apparently struck
him as a much more available place of settlement; and here
was founded the township which was named for him, but which
for some reason, (unexplained by Mr. Todd and therefore
unexplainable at all,) was long since changed to its present
nomenclature. In this vicinity Mr. Read built his log farm
house; here began a clearing for himself in a wilderness whose
savage reality was attested by the existence there of a genu-
ine fortified Indian village. We cannot but add just here
though, that this settlement could hardly have been the ideal
one pictured in the petition. The “obscurity” therein re-
ferred to certainly bore but faint relation to this savage retire-
ment; and we positively refuse to believe that—though named
by Mr. Read himself—Lonetown—it was the hermitage spirit-
ualized in the petition where the victim of sixteen courts of
law would “pray for the health and prosperity with great con-
tent” of the judges inimical to his righteous claims. Lone-
town, nevertheless, was now his home wherein he gathered,
among other household goods, his well-selected law library
and set up as—a scholar and not a snob—the family motto:
Sobrius Esto. Here were his professional headquarters, his
office as Justice of the Peace, his counting-room as a large
operator in real estate, and the point from which he journeyed
to the General Assembly when a member; and it was here
that he wrote the appended curious document that quaintly
emphasizes his saying that “Indian deeds had grown into
utter contempt : ”
“Know all men by these crooked scrawls and seals yt we
Chickens, alias Sam Mohawk and Waseco do solemnly declare
that we are owners of ye tract of land called Lonetown, fenced
around between Danbury and Fairfield; and John Read, Gov-
enor and Commander-in-Chief thereof and of ye Dominions
thereupon depending, desiring to please us have plied the foot
and given us three pounds in money, and promised us a house
next Autumn. In consideration thereof we do hereby give
and grant to him and his heirs forever, the farm above men-
tioned and corn appurtaining and further of our free will,
13
motion, and soverain pleasure make ye land Manour; Indow-
ing ye land thereof, and creating said John Read, Lord Jus-
tice and Soverain Pontiff of ye same to him and his heirs
forever. Witness our crooked marks and borrowed seals this
seventh day of May, Anno Regni, Gratia. Magna Brittania
and Regina Decimo Tortio, 1704.
In presence of Chickens, his X mark.
alias
Jiacus, his 2 crook. Sam Mohawk.
Martha Harney, her X mark.
Naseco, his 3 mark.
The above mentioned personally appeared and acknowledged
ye above Instrument ye free act and cheerful deed, in Fairfield
ye 7th day of May, 1714, before me.
NATHAN GoLD, Dep. Gov.
his $ seal.”
This document, still preserved in the original, has some-
thing of the savor of trifling, for it really came before the
Deputy Governor, and was legally binding; one must infer
that Capt. Read (he had also attained that honor,) was inclined
not only to “sulk in his tent,” but to add a spice of grotesque
humor to the official paper upon which the august assistants
had to pass judgment with regard to Indian deeds. The In-
dians, themselves, certainly never read these deeds, and prob-
ably never looked at them; copies had to be given them over
and over again, and it was a paper of unusual toughness
that would stand this savage handling. However severe the
wording might be a further Indian construction would include
another blanket, a brass kettle, and perhaps an additional keg
of rum, together with a change of boundaries and a lessening
of acres, that inclines us to accept as at least partial truth the
assertion of Sir Edmond Andross, that “an Indian deed was
as worthless as the scratch of a bear's paw.” Nor were the
white man's dealings always models of probity. Mr. Read,
himself, tells of a sale of some portion of these very Lonetown
lands which was, to use a familiar modern phrase, a “put up
job” on the part of the General Court, two of the members
14
being sharers of the “boodle,” and Capt. Couch being the
man who “made the deal.” At public “vendue” some hun-
dreds of acres were knocked down to Couch, though, on the
testimony of Jonathan Sturges, of Fairfield, “there was a bid
of twenty shillings more;”—“crookedness,” we observe, is an
old product with a new name; it thrived before our fathers'
time, and has, we incline to believe, a protoplasmic antiquity.
The records pertaining to the subject of our sketch are free
from even a hint of suspicion of the absolute honesty that
characterized his public and individual acts, although he is
occasionally referred to as an eccentric man; and this point
will do as well as another to recall a story in this connection.
He would at intervals take abrupt leave of professional duties
and journey with no apparent object about the country. On
one of these excursions, or periodic tramps, he stopped on a
Saturday afternoon at the home of a friend by the name of
Walker, a Congregational clergyman, who, after the evening
meal, invited him to preach the following Sunday. Mr. Read
at first declined, but being urged on the special plea of friend-
ship—a plea his good nature never could resist—finally
assented, and the next morning duly appeared in his friend's
pulpit. At the proper time, opening the Bible he read his text:
“And the Lord said unto Satan whence comest thou?” and
Satan said, “From going to and fro in the Earth and walking
up and down therein.” Here he looked calmly around and
observed: “Without any formal introduction I shall raise the
doctrinal proposition that the devil is a walker.” Mr. Walker
was as suddenly astonished as if he had inadvertently come
in contact with a charged Leyden jar; the brethren sat aghast;
and the young folks had hard work to suppress giggling. But
the countenance of the strange preacher betrayed no hint of
overt intention, and the entire solemnity with which he entered
upon his discourse, soon commended the most respectful in-
terest. No reference was made to the coincidence (?) of the
text; the sermon was original in conception and handling;
and, though profound in matter, was picturesque and replete
with sharply-pointed illustrations and markedly effective ap-
plication. It was, in brief, a sermon that might have been
15
delivered with success two hundred years later in the largest
and most popular of modern tabernacles.
No reason is recorded for Mr. Read's removal from the Con-
necticut Colony, but the monograph before alluded to informs
us that he came to Boston to live in 1722, buying a fine house
and lot on Hanover street, the deed of which is made to John
Read, of Lonetown, Fairfield County, Conn., December 12th,
of this year. But he did not dispose of all his lands in our
State, the Manor of Redding being a notable exception. This
was for many years the residence of his son John, who kept
up the place, including a deer park, in fine old English style,
and who was the distinguished Colonel Read of our State his-
tory, often confounded with, but by no means the able man
with whom this paper concerns itself. The “Colonial Law-
yer” was scarcely forty years old when he began practice in
Boston, but fame had already singled him out, said John Otis,
as “the greatest common lawyer the country ever saw.” Like
most great men, he was remarkable for his industry, and was
soon carrying on so extensive a law practice, and was so
actively engaged in numerous other varied affairs as to be
recognized as “the busiest man in Boston.”
About the year 1736, while a representative—the first law-
yer admitted to that honor—doing, as the records show, a
large amount of committee duty, and continually introducing
important bills on the currency, and recodifications of the
statutes, he wrote a Latin Grammar which attained celebrity
as a simplified text-book. Copies of this book are quite rare,
and the advisatory note at the end invites reproduction, as
characteristic of the author. He says: “Now, therefore, let
the tutor read distinctly any chapter [of the vulgate transla-
tion of the Bible] into English, explaining the nature and dif-
ference of the syntax and translations as need requires; and
then the pupil by comparing the English and Latin transla-
tions by himself, shall easily attain the Latin tongue; and at
the same time furnish his mind with the fundamental princi-
ples of all knowledge, establish his heart with true wisdom
and conduct of life, and finally grow up in favor with God and
man. Amen.”
16
He was, too, a communicant and regular attendant of King's
Chapel, and for two years one of its wardens, which fact is of
ecclesiastical record and is decisive as to his Episcopal pref-
erences. He also found time to engage in many large opera-
tions in real estate; and when in 1737 the Massachusetts
colony placed a vast tract at public sale he bought 23,040
acres in the territory now known as Claremont, selling the
greater part a few months after; though he reserved 1,760
acres, which he presented to his son William, who became a
prominent citizen. He also acquired an interest in a town-
ship at Piscataqua river, and during the same year purchased
the mansion and grounds on Queen street, in Boston, which
was his residence during his phenominally busy life. In brief,
such were his numerous, varied and successful activities that
John Adams has left on record these words: “John Read
possessed a genius and attained an eminence as great as any
man.”
Whenever he elected to serve in a public capacity the peo-
ple elected him to places of dignity and trust. He was a
member of the Governor's Council during the administrations
of Governors Shirley and Belcher, and it is written of him,
officially, that “while he sat at that board he was their oracle.”
The same historian goes on to say “as a legislator he was con-
spicuous, but too unambitious to be a regular leader; he was
too independent and enlightened for a lover of prerogative,
and too honest for a leader of faction—he spoke with frank-
ness, regardless of political consequences.” His advice and
individual service was frequently called in to solve the difficult
money problems of the day, and it is worth while to briefly
quote from his report when he met the commissioners of
Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Massachusetts,
and other colonies on the depreciation of the paper money
then in vogue. Said he: “The paper money now abroad daily
sinks in value * * * so that merchants raise the price of
goods to what they think it will sink to; and thus the hus-
bandry—the stay of land—always comes off the worst by it.
Perhaps it may be ordered redeemed by act of parliament,
* * * will become to be no medium of trade, and we shall
17
be obliged to give silver money for these old broken rags—
for money they are not, and money we must have and be just.”
These thoroughly practical—though necessarily brief—ex-
tracts will be recognized by some of our Connecticut people
as “good old-fashioned horse-sense” that would mix well with
many nice theories of modern finance. They also prompt us
to allude to another quality of statesmanship which is notably
scarce among our public men to-day. He was endowed with
rare modesty, and when an important money measure was
presented to the Council, John Read promptly withdrew his
own admirable bill with the remark that “the other was too
much better for the country at large to exist at the same time,”
and immediately set to work to formulate the measure of his
colleague.
It would not do, however, for contemporary lawyers to pre-
sume too far upon Read's self-abnegation; he took such shrewd
care of himself in court as to make opposing council very wary
of him, and a case in point will illustrate a neat bit of his Saga-
cious special pleading.
A merchant had a ship and cargo seized by the customs
through some technical breach of the Trade Acts, and retained
Read as counsel. He was told to replevy, and a writ was
issued to the Sheriff to restore the ship and cargo—bond be-
ing given to answer at next court. In the process, Read had
intentionally given defendant no replevin or addition, but on
the day of next sitting of court defendant's counsel found the
flaw and so informed the owner of the ship, who, in turn in-
formed his counsel. Read told his client “never mind,” and
to enter the action. In court defendant's counsel whispered
across the table that he knew of the error and intended to
have the writ abated in consequence. Read, innocently look-
ing over the papers, asked the privilege of amending the mis-
take, which being denied, he remarked that if such an advan-
tage was taken it could not be helped and he must plead as
matters stood. A plea of abatement was thereupon made ore
tenus—without asking the return of the ship—and judgment
entered up accordingly. Then Read told his client to let ex-
ecution be taken out, but not to pay the sum before it was
18
served. At next term suit was brought on the bond; and
Read pleaded he had fully performed its conditions by prose-
cuting the suit to final judgment, producing in proof the
Sheriff's return. Meanwhile the ship having gone to sea,
there was an end to the matter.
An instinctive abhorrence of wrong was another quality of
the “Colonial Lawyer,” and there is still preserved at Hart-
ford an autograph letter in which he expresses his interest—
gratuitously of course, in one of the Uncas family of Indians,
who claimed he had been wronged by Capt. John Mason; the
letter is fragmentary which unfortunately precludes its repro-
duction. Another instance in this direction was brought
about by one of Read's eccentric pedestrian tours. Having
made up his mind to relieve the dull routine of his profes-
sional labors, he donned the plainest of garments and started
on foot for a journey south. His sunny disposition, his re-
markable familiarity with the practical workings of a variety
of occupations outside of his profession, added to his legal
and theological erudition, made him a welcome guest wher-
ever he chose to be one. A thick volume might be filled with
accounts of his adventures, none of which, however, were of
the kind that tilts at windmills. In his homely attire, afoot,
and with a bundle on a staff over his shoulder, he had more
the appearance of the better sort of tramp than a knight
errant; yet when he stopped to converse with some intelli-
gent person he invariably conveyed the fact that he was an
unaffectedly chivalrous gentleman. At the farm, the mill, the
forge, the school or parsonage, he was welcomed on account
of his genial face and honest manner, notwithstanding his
plain garments, and all were surprised with the quantity and
variety of his practical knowledge.
Entering a town, he was naturally attracted to where a
court was sitting and had his sympathies at once enlisted on
the side of a plaintiff with a righteous but complicated case
to defend against an unscrupulous land speculator. He took
in the case at a glance and, after a talk with the presiding
judge offered his services to the weaker side, and at once be-
gan operations with the intuitive grasp and instant compre-
19
hensiveness that always distinguished him. When on his legs
to plead many present recognized the traveling farmer, the
veterinary surgeon, the skilled mechanic, the scholar or preacher,
but as he warmed to his work were amazed to discover an
accomplished lawyer, a jurist of wide and profound knowledge
of all law—even that of a strange province; and he not only
captivated the court, jury, and audience, but gained the case.
The plaintiff was in ecstacies of delight and gratitude, but be-
fore he could get through the throng to offer his thanks, the
“Colonial Lawyer” had disappeared. The presiding judge,
who had in the interval, adjourned to a neighboring inn, was
appealed to as to his whereabouts; and, singularly enough,
remarked, as he shaded the rays of the setting sun from his
twinkling eyes, that he thought he observed, about a mile and
a half down the turnpike, the perepatetic lawyer making good
time southward.
Indeed, a pleasing evidence of philanthropy ever accompa-
nies these stories of eccentricity; and when Gov. Washburn
spoke of such “out of the common” acts, he also said: “John
Read filled a wide sphere in the provinces, and did more, per-
haps, than any other man in introducing system and order
into the practice of the courts in Massachusetts.” And, in
concluding this feeble memorial we will, leaving out all analy-
sis of character, only add that the great John Read was a
most estimable citizen, who so conscientiously did his day by
day duties that common people took pride in quoting his com-
mon sayings; that jurists and statesmen, and his professional
contemporaries held him in high regard; that his legal works
were preserved by Story, and commended by Parsons; and
that a large fortune rewarded the incessant labor of his life.
He died peacefully, in his seventieth year, at his home in Bos-
ton, on the 12th day of February, 1749; and of so noble a life
may it not be justly recorded: Sic 'itur ad astra—such is the
way to the stars.
At the close of the reading of Mr. Beers' paper a vote of
thanks to him was passed, and upon the suggestion of William
E. Seeley, Esq., it was also voted to print the paper in pam-
phlet form for preservation.
20
STRATFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The President then called on the Rev. Samuel Orcutt for
some items concerning the township of Stratford in New
Hampshire, the knowledge of which had entirely passed out
of memory and recognition in Old Stratford, Connecticut, a
somewhat surprising fact. The following were the items,
taken from the records of Stratford, N. H., by the Rev. L. W.
IPrescott, of Warren, N. H. -
Stratford Township in New Hampshire was first settled by
persons from Stratford in Connecticut. Among the first pro-
prietors of that township were the following men, then resi-
dent in Stratford, Connecticut, but few of whom removed to
New Hampshire, but they sent several of their children to
settle there.
SAMUEL BEARD, CAPT. SAMUEL BEERs,
STEPHEN CURTIss, J.R., ABNER JUDSON,
JUDAH KELLOGG, ELISHA MILLs,
CAPT. IsAIAH BROWN, NATHAN Booth,
MR. SAMUEL JoHNSON, CAPT. AGUR JUDSON,
GEORGE LEWIS, AGUR JUDSON, JR.,
DANIEL JUDSON, JR., CAPT. Joseph ToMLINSON,
DAVID JUDSON, STEPHEN ToMLINSON,
STILES JUDSON, WILLIAM AGUR ToMLINSON,
NEHEMIAH CURTIss, WM. THOMPSON, inn keeper.
SAMUEL CURTIss, THOMAs 2
STEPHEN CURTIss, JosłPH WELLs,
AGUR ToMLINSON, NATHAN WELLs,
BEACH ToMLINSON, REv. IzRAHIAH WETMORE.
DocT. HEZEKIAH ToMLINSON,
The first tree was cut in Stratford, N. H., by Isaac John-
son. He and Archippas Blogget (Blodget), both from Strat-
ford, Conn., tried which could cut his tree down first, and
Johnson succeeded.
In 1772, the following persons left Stratford, Connecticut,
and made the first permanent settlement in Stratford, New
Hampshire: -
21
Joshua LAMPKIN, AARON CURTISS,
ARCHILPAS BLODGET, ISAAC JoHNSON,
JAMES BROWN, TIMOTHY DEFOREST,
JAMES CURTISS, BENAJAH BLAKEMAN,
WILLIAM CURTIss, JoHN SMITH.
The town records of Stratford, N. H., say: “August 13,
1773, the sum of ten pounds was voted to Mrs. Barlow, wife
of Joseph Barlow, . . . . that she hath proceeded with her
husband and family of children to come to our township of
Stratford, and is the first woman that hath settled upon said
township.”
The ten men above named were voted “three pounds each
for their extraordinary trouble and expense in proceeding to
settle and make improvements.”
James Brown, son of Capt. Isaiah Brown, called the first
town meeting in Stratford, N. H., and was one of the most
prominent citizens for many years. His marriage to Hannah,
daughter of Joshua Lamkin, in 1775, was the first that oc-
curred in that township, she being sixteen years of age, and
their daughter Anna, born in 1776, was the first child born in
the town. He died in 1813. His widow, Hannah, died in
1836, aged 77 years. He remained in that township through
the Revolution, had charge of the fort, and his daughter Anna
was born in the fort, and his descendants are still numerous
in that part of the country.
Daniel and Agur Platt were among the early settlers there
and are said to have gone from Stratford, Connecticut. Agur
returned here and died, but Daniel married a daughter of
James Brown, lived a prominent citizen, and died about 1860.
The Johnsons, Blodgets, Curtisses, and Platts, are very numer-
ous there yet.
The President next introduced Mr. Charles Burr Todd, of
New York and Redding, Conn., and said that he did so with
all the more pleasure as he was thereby relieved from making
any extended remarks on this occasion himself. He had on
several occasions endeavored to set forth the work and to
emphasize the needs of the Society. It was a matter in which
22
he felt a deep interest—and he was glad to have so able a
helper come to his aid. Mr. Todd then read the following
paper On
THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY: ITS WORK AND NEEDS.
One of the greatest of modern critics has observed that the
literary and artistic faculties come latest in the development
of peoples, the inference being that this is the summum bonum,
the highest gift, to be obtained only through successive and
ever widening stages of development.
We may urge the same claim for the historical faculty. The
pioneer is rarely the historian. The men who make history
are usually the most careless about preserving it, and it is not
until a people has attained a certain degree of culture, leisure,
and refinement that much interest is taken in the details of
history, in the various steps by which the pioneers founded
the State and laid its walls in liberty, justice, and righteous-
IlêSS.
This fact explains, perhaps, why the Fairfield County His-
torical Society was not formed until nearly two hundred and
fifty years after the County was first settled. There was no
reason why it should not have been founded before. It is
cause for congratulation that certain public-spirited gentlemen
at length organized it, and that having survived the perils of
infancy, it has grown into the stout and lusty youngster we
now behold. And what a field lies before it! No county in
the State is richer in quaint, interesting, romantic, valuable,
historical material. Let us consider it a moment. It gave to
Whittier, and Whittier to the world, Abraham Davenport, the
best and noblest exponent of the Puritan idea to be found in
history; it gave Deputy-Governor Gold; and John Read, the
Colonial lawyer, and Judge Peter Burr, with Governor Fitch,
and other pillars of the Colonial fabric. Joel Barlow, too, and
Aaron Burr, the founder of Princeton College, his son Aaron
Burr, the better known man of affairs, Roger Minot. Sherman,
the leader of the Connecticut bar, Commodore Hull, and later
to our civil war, William Tecumseh Sherman, and to our coun-
cils John Sherman his no less illustrious brother.
23
The hill towns have their beauty of scenery, and charm of
tradition. Danbury, one of the initial points from which
sprung the industrial pre-eminence of Connecticut, with her
Sandemanian outgrowth in religion, her martyr fires of the
Revolution and wealth of local incident, has a history worthy
of preservation; so with Ridgefield, where the battle was
fought; and Redding, where the camp was erected, and which
was later the theatre of some of the opening struggles of the
anti-slavery reform; and Newtown and Trumbull with their
legends and footprints of the Indians who lived along the
Great River. The shore towns, however, are richer in historic
material. Whoever shall set himself to unearth and put in
order the annals of early Colonial privateering and piracy, the
origin and full development of the whale-boat crews of the
Sound and their bloody encounter with leviathan, of the West
India trade, and of those adventurous captains of Stratford,
Fairfield, Westport, Norwalk, and Stamford, who unfurled
their flags in the farthest seas of the rich East, or of the secret
service and illicit traffic of revolutionary days in which these
same whale-boats figured prominently, would not only give to
the historian hitherto concealed facts, but would furnish a
Cooper or an Irving, with material for half a score of living
romances. Again, in some of these old towns, notably in Fair-
field, there exists material of the highest literary interest. In
Fairfield, for instance, Copley and Stuart dreamed and painted,
and Dwight, Humphreys and Barlow wrote and sung; to Fair-
field Hancock and Adams fled from British proscription; there
Hancock was married to the beautiful Miss Quincy, of Boston,
and there Madam Hancock, his aunt and benefactress, died
and was buried in the old Fairfield burying ground, where her
tombstone may still be seen.
Lastly the southern shores of the county are washed by
Long Island Sound. To many of us, no doubt, the Sound is
only an avenue for the cheap, speedy transportation of our
coals and manufactured products. To the imaginative mind
it is a fountain of happy memories, a reservoir of stirring in-
cident and weird, ghostly fancies. Whenever under the genial
sun of public appreciation, some romancer or poet shall arise
24
to fitly celebrate, it will become as storied and poetic as the
Hudson or Horicon. Let us glance briefly at the materials
ready to his hand. There are Indian loves, intrigues, and
struggles for dominion; Sagas of the Northmen whose adven-
turous prows burst into its waters as early as the ninth cen-
tury, and the story of Adrian Block, who came in his square-
bowed, high-decked yacht the Restless, to lay claim to the fair
lands of Connecticut for his Dutch masters at New Amster-
dam. Capt. Kidd, too, and the other bold corsairs of that
day whose spectral sails and low black hulls, old skippers seen
even now flitting down the Sound in the wrack of departing
storms. Then the whale boatmen and the smuggling, the
forays and heady sea fights of the Revolution, when this strip
of water became the theatre of internecine strife. We are
thrilled at Thermopylae, and Marathon, and Hastings, and
Marston Moor, but that fight off Fairfield between Captain
Brewster's patriots and the Long Island tories was as thril-
ling, and noble, and gallant a battle as ever men waged “for
their altars and their fires and the green graves of their
sires.”
Thus very crudely, very superficially, I have indicated the
field of historic research which lies before the Society. Four
years have passed away since its Organization and on this an-
niversary occasion it is proper to inquire how deeply, thor-
oughly, and skillfully it has entered this field, what have been
its achievements, what does it need further in the way of
equipment?
The Society, as you are aware, aims to preserve and illus-
trate history through the printed page, by the collection of
old records, manuscripts, and relics. I will speak first of the
publications of the Society, which form its most important
contribution to history. These, with one exception, consist
of papers read by members at its stated meetings, all local in
subject though all possessing general interest to a marked
degree. The first was Mr. R. C. Ambler's paper on the Rev.
Richardson Miner, first pastor of the church in Unity, now
Trumbull, issued in 1882. Next a paper on the Rev. James
Beebe, by the same author in 1882. Then in succession were
25
published: The Rev. John Jones, of Fairfield, by Mr. W. A.
Beers, in 1882; in the same year a paper on Roger Ludlow
by the same author; the Account of the Bridgeport Fire of
1845, with *diagram by R. B. Lacey, Esq., President of the
Society; Sketches of Bridgeport Churches in 1835, by R. B.
Lacey (1882); of the Rev. Gideon Hawley, by Dr. N. E. Wor-
din; of Nathan Gold, father of the Deputy-Governor of the
Colony of Connecticut, by W. A. Beers, (1882); of Roger
Minot. Sherman, by the same author (November, 1882); of the
History of the Bridgeport Bank, by R. B. Lacey (1884), which
in its sketch of Dr. Isaac Bronson, the friend and adviser of
Hamilton, and with Roger M. Sherman, the author of the in-
dependent treasury system which succeeded the collapse of the
|United States Bank during Jackson's administration, is a con-
tribution to our financial history that would alone warrant the
Society's being. The history of old Stratfield Baptist Church,
by Mr. Lacey, and a history of the Stillwell Methodists, by Mr.
Samuel Main, followed next on the list, with Mr. Beers' inter-
esting lecture on the early Dutch troubles between New Neth-
erlands and Connecticut, and Mr. Lacey's History of the
Saddlery Business of Bridgeport, and lastly the Society's most
important and noteworthy work, Mr. Orcutt's careful and
painstaking History of Old Stratford and Bridgeport, four
numbers of which, covering nearly one hundred and eighty
pages each, have been issued, while a fifth is in print.
The collection of books and papers of Indian relics and of
articles illustrating the social condition existing one and two
centuries ago, is fast becoming extensive and important and
will soon require a much larger and more secure depository
for its preservation. Here are arrow and spear heads, toma-
hawks, celts, wanpum, and the like, once in use by the county
Indians, ancient articles of furniture and dress, spinning
wheels and unspun flax, rusty match-locks, ancient swords,
flint, tinder, and the machinery for striking a light, time-
stained commissions of county officials, old letters, Indian
deeds, rare old books and quaint engravings. Many possess
a general interest, some of which we will notice. There is a
* First published in (Bridgeport) FARMER.
26
.*
cup made from the old Oak under which Col. John Burr ratified
that treaty with the Indians which extinguished their title to
the Pequonnock openings in Fairfield. There is an old book,
“The Returned Backslider,” printed in 1638, once owned by
Samuel Sherman, of Stratford, the ancestor of Gen. William
T. and Senator John Sherman—“Jackson's Nullification Proc-
lamation,” printed on floss silk, and a quaint old-time stained
paper which takes us back to the days when Connecticut citi-
zens were slave owners. It reads as if it dated longer ago
than 1797:
“Whereas, Elisha Wilson, of Stratford, is the master and
owner of a negro male slave named Caesar, and is disposed to
emancipate and make free such slave, and hath applied to us,
the subscribing authorities to inquire into the health and age
of said slave, and we having found upon examination that said
slave Caesar is in good health, and is not of greater age than
forty-five years, or less than twenty-five years, and that said
Caesar is desirous of being made free, we the subscribing
authority do certify the same according to the statute law of
this State in that case made and provided.”
Signed by one Selectman and two Justices of the Peace of
Stratford, February 24, 1797.
Of equal interest is an account of the old Carter mansion
in New Canaan, the oldest dwelling in the town, perhaps in
the county, said to have been built between 1724–26. “Man-
sion House,” it is called in the deeds of the period conveying
it. In 1733 the house, barn, and the tract of land they stood
on (8% acres) were deeded to John Eells, on condition that he
“do settle in said parish as minister of ye people therein.”
This Parson Eells seems to have been an eccentric person.
In the “account” referred to, we have a story of a couple who
came in a thunder-storm to be married. “It was late in the
evening, and the minister had retired. From the window he
asked who was there and what was wanted. The man told
his errand, and Mr. Eells said “Come around under this win-
dow here and I'll marry you.” This is the formula which he
used:
27
“Under this window in stormy weather,
I join this man and woman together;
Let none but him who made the thunder,
E’er part these married two asunder.”
Tradition adds to this story that when the anxious couple
came to the open summer window Parson Eells, about to per-
form the ceremony remarked, “That it was customary on such
occasions to make a prayer, but it was nothing essential; also
to sing a hymn, but it was nothing essential.” Then direct-
ing them to join hands, the ceremony was performed in the
manner above indicated. The happy groom replied on leav-
ing “that it was customary to pay a dollar, but it was nothing
essential. Good night.”
Among the relics is an old worn razor case of leather with
brass hinges, clasp and lock, and room within for six razors,
a brush and comb. That case was once the property of Sir
John Stirling, of Stirling Castle, Scotland, but if I am to tell
how it comes to be reposing in our Historical collection in
1886, I must go back a century and more, and recall some his-
toric facts, and in stating them I am well aware that Mr.
Orcutt, the historian of Stratford is present, ready to correct
any misstatement I may make, whether intentional or other-
wise. However, I do not stand in much awe of him because
all the material for this idyl was taken from his excellent and
entertaining history of Stratford. The first statement is, that
in 1770 Stratford contained more beautiful maidens than any
other town in the county. The second, that the prettiest of
these was Miss Gloriana Folsom, daughter of Samuel Folsom,
the village blacksmith, and the third, that one mellow autumn
day in 1770, a gay, careless, handsome young stranger came
riding into the town, and put up at the village inn. His dis-
tinguished air, skill in the dance and with the violin, and
hearty interest in the village gayeties, quite won the hearts
of the maidens, while eliciting the stern condemnation of the
elders.
• In these three statements you have all the elements of the
modern society novel—the beautiful maiden, the young stran-
ger, gay and debonair, and the opposition of stern parents—
and are ready to go on with me to the denouement which
28
occurred March 10, 1771, in the marriage of the young stran-
ger to the beautiful Gloriana. Before this, however, to re-
move the mother's opposition, he had declared himself the son
and heir of Sir John Stirling, of Stirling Castle, Scotland,
which, indeed, proved to be the case. This marriage turned
out much more happily than misalliances are wont to do.
The pair resided more than a year in the village, the young
husband, meantime, receiving frequent letters importuning
him to return home. These, at length, became mandatory,
and he sailed away in 1772, leaving behind wife and baby, and
this ancient razor case, but promising as soon as possible to
return and reclaim them. I need not detail the weary waiting
of months: it is enough to say, that a vessel, specially fitted
up for the lady and her babes, at length appeared and con-
veyed them safely to Edinburgh, and that members of her
family who subsequently visited her at the castle found her
discharging the duties of her position with as queenly a grace
as if she had not been born daughter of the blacksmith of
Stratford.
It is a pleasant story, this suggested by an old razor case;
one that would be deemed highly improbable if read in a ro-
mance. I cite it as an illustration of the material to be eagerly
utilized by the future poet and romancer, to be unearthed,
with proper effort, from the archives and legendary stories of
these old towns.
It would be tedious were I to enumerate seriatim all the
books, documents, and objects now in possession of the Society.
It suffices to say that the collection is varied, extensive, inter-
esting and valuable. The experience of five years has served
to define the field and to demonstrate what can be gleaned
from it. Perhaps in the future the attention of investigators
might be turned with profit to the subjects suggested above,
viz., Colonial privateering and piracy, the West India trade,
its exports and imports, the whaling crews and their exploits
before and during the Revolution. *
The perplexity of the Society, to-day, lies not in securing
these votive offerings, but in providing a proper shrine for
them. Its greatest need is a fire-proof building secure as
29
iron, brick and granite can make it for their proper custody.
There are many superfluous millions held in Bridgeport and the
other county towns, millions that only entail harrassing care
and anxiety on their possessors. I have sometimes loved to
fancy the possessor of one of these millions, ambitious of pro-
viding himself an enduring monument, desirous of being em-
balmed in the hearts of the people as a public benefactor, de-
voting a tithe of one of those millions to the erection of a
library building on one of your principal streets, such a build-
ing as one may see in Northampton and Quincy, and in almost
every Massachusetts town of half the pretensions of Bridge-
port; or such a building as that erected by Enoch Pratt to hold
his magnificent gift to the City of Baltimore, which I had the
pleasure of inspecting a few months ago, and which with its
treasures of books and its endowment represents a value of
nearly a million of dollars. I can fancy some one among us, I
repeat, devoting to the city in which he has gained his fortune,
a modicum for the public good. Such a building an architect
would design with special reference to its use. It should be
neat, chaste, ornate in design. On the first floor would be
accommodations for the City's Free Library; the second would
afford ample space for the collections of the Historical Society
and of the Scientific Society, and so with positive benefit to
the giver and an inestimable boon to the public, this most
perplexing problem of securing a storehouse for our treasures
would be solved.
At the close of the reading it was voted to print Mr. Todd's
paper with that of Mr. Beers', and the thanks of the Society
were voted for the excellent paper.
Remarks on the Society and its work were made by Major
L. N. Middlebrook, and other members, and at about ten
o'clock the meeting adjourned after a most pleasant and prof-
itable session.
HISTORICAL PAPERS.
The rooms of the Historical Society and the adjacent rooms
were filled Friday evening at the regular monthly meeting of
the Society, November 13, 1885. The bones recently found at
Seaside Park formed the chief attraction undoubtedly, and
the interest displayed was gratifying to the officers and mem-
bers. The Secretary, Dr. N. E. Wordin, acknowledged the
receipt of the following additions to the library and museum
of the Society: “Magual's Christi Americane.” The Ecclesi-
astical History of New England from its first planting in the
year 1620 unto the year of 1698, in seven books, by the Rev-
erend and learned Cotton Mather, D.D., London, printed by
Thomas Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheap-
side, 1762. Given by Miss Ellen L. Boardman. The Con-
necticut Courier, August 1, 1821, to February 25, 1825, by *
R. B. Lacey, Esq.
Copy of the Republican Farmer, for February 6, 1814, by
Seymour Wells.
The Descendants of Samuel Carter, of Deerfield, Mass., by
Samuel Carter.
The Fairfield Gazette, for July 4, 1787, from R. B. Lacey,
Esq.
An antique Connecticut plow, with wooden mold board, iron
share, horn handle, etc., very interesting, old and valuable.
From Alexander Hawley, Esq.
At the hour for opening the meeting, the regular business
was, on motion dispensed with, and the President, R. B. Lacey,
Esq., read a paper upon the Old Stratfield Baptist Church,
the first of that denomination established in this vicinity.
The paper was as follows:
31
THE OLD STRATFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was first gathered in the dwelling house of Capt,
John Sherwood, October, 1751. The organization occurred
soon after the visit and preaching of Rev. George Whitefield
in this country. The state of religion had become very low at
this period in New England, and the results of Mr. Whitefield's
awakening and effective preaching was what has sometimes
been denominated the “New Light Stir.” He did not preach
in Stratfield, but did preach in Stratford and Fairfield, and it
made its impression here. The pastor, Rev. Samuel Cooke,
sympathized with Whitefield and his preaching, but there was
a strong party in the church which did not. After the death
of Mr. Cooke in 1747 a successor—Rev. Lyman Hall, was
called and settled—who was opposed by some on account of
his want of sympathy with or supposed opposition to the
“new light” views. This agitation and the unsettled condi-
tion of the parish at the time, it is said, prepared the way for
a “Separatist” movement which was not necessarily distinct-
ively Baptist. The movement here took shape under the
leadership of Capt. John Sherwood and the Rev. Joshua Moss
(or Morse). The latter was a convert under the preaching of
Mr. Whitefield in Rhode Island, and had adopted Baptist sen-
timents in regard to baptism by immersion, close communion,
and preparation for the Gospel ministry. In regard to the
latter it was held that a liberal education was unnecessary—
the requisites being—the Divine Call—hallowed fire and
promised spiritual enlightenment. It is said that Elder Moss
began preaching very young, being licensed by the Baptist
authorities of Rhode Island. He was instrumental in gather-
ing a church of his order in the north part of New London
(now Montville), and was ordained there in May, 1751. Mr.
Moss had repeatedly visited Stratfield and held meetings and
thus prepared the way—so that on the second Lord's day in
October, 1751—as the record is in substance—“being assem-
bled at ye house of ye said John Sherwood, said Elder being
present, he did minister to our edification, and at the close of
said service the following persons came forth, viz: Zechariah
Mead, Nathaniel Seeley, Elihu Mash (Marsh), John Sherwood.
32
Ebenezer Sanford, and Samuel Beardsley, six male members
besides ye Elder, and which gave out a particular relation of
the work of God upon their souls, in the presence of ye Elder
and of each other, and in the presence of the assembly, and
by solemn covenant united together in the fear of God and
love of Christ, with a number of sisters in the same manner
and form, namely: Elizabeth Seeley, Mary Sherwood, Sarah
Beardsley, and Martha Jennings. After solemn dedication
and prayer to Almighty God, Elder Moss proceeded and went
on in the Ordinance of baptism by plunging under water each
particular member aforesaid, (except Martha Jennings, who
had received that ordinance some time before), and to con-
clude the day's solemnity he did also administer the other or-
dinance, namely, the Lord's supper to each and every member,
then standing, as we believe according to ye Gospel and order
of Christ's house, a regular Gospel church, under ye watch and
care of Elder Joshua Moss.” Elder Moss gathered several
other Baptist churches in the eastern part of the State and his
time seems to have been mostly taken up in the care of them.
He visited Stratford and preached from time to time—how
often is not known. After the Organizatian of the church for
six years there is not the slightest record extant, nor any data
for its history.
Some friction occurred during this period between both
Baptists and the adherents to the Church of England, and the
Stratfield Society of the “standing order” about the collec-
tion of ministerial rates. By Colonial as well as English law
every person was required to pay according to his ability, for
the support of public worship and in default of payment was
proceeded against in the same manner as for any other species
of debt. Capt. John Sherwood and his Baptist associates,
thought they should be exempted from payment of the custo-
mary rates, under the toleration acts of the General Assembly.
(Tradition has it that Capt. John Sherwood allowed his assess-
ment to be collected by distraint of his personal property).
The Stratfield Society was averse to their claims for exemp-
tion perhaps for several reasons such as these, viz: that they
had gone off in an irregular manner and though dissenting
33
were really members of the “standing order”—they were few
in numbers—had no place for public worship and had no
resident minister. At the annual meeting of the Stratfield
Society, held December 26, 1753, “the question being put to
ye Society whether they would exempt Capt. John Sherwood,
Nathaniel Seeley, Zachariah Mead, Ebenezer Sanford and
Samuel Beardslee, Jr., from paying anything towards defray-
ing yº ministerial charges in the Society for ye year ensuing
and voted in ye affirmative.”
“December 30, 1754, question put to ye Society whether they
would exempt the people among us called Baptists from pay-
ing their rates to the defraying ye ministerial charges which
was to be gathered by Daniel Summers collected in ye year
1753, and negatived.” -
In 1755, Capt. Sherwood brought suit to the County Court
to recover sums collected from him by distraint—with what
result does not now fully appear. It seems, however, to have
hurried up the settlement of a resident pastor, which was
effected in August, 1757, and at the annual meeting of the
Stratfield Society, held December 29, 1757, the ministerial
rates for John Sherwood, Nathaniel Seeley, Zachariah Mead,
and Ebenezer Sanford, were remitted for the years 1756 and
1757, and it was also voted that they be exempt therefrom the
ensuing year.
ELDER JOHN SHERWOOD,
On the fourth Tuesday in August, 1757, the Church met at
the house of John Sherwood, Elder Joshua Moss (Morse) and
Elder Daniel Whipple, being present. On taking the testi-
mony of the members concerning a minister, it appeared evi-
dent that Brother John Sherwood was called of God to be a
witness in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Accordingly on the
third Tuesday in December, 1757, the elders and messengers of
the churches in New London and Groton assembled with the
“Baptized Church” of Christ in Stratfield, and by solemn
prayer and fasting did separate the aforesaid John Sherwood
and ordain him to the work whereunto God had called him.
The first baptism recorded after the organization of the
34
church was in September, 1759, at services held in Ridgefield,
when four women were the candidates. At the close of the
first ten years sixteen had been received by baptism according
to the record, and these had their residence in Ridgefield,
Redding, Wilton, and Newtown. One who came from Fair-
field Society, when he was baptized, “also gave up his children
to the watch and care of the church,” and upon a “fast occa-
sion.” Mary Sherwood, wife of the elder, gave up three child-
ren, viz: Rebecca, Anna (or Hannah), and Samuel, to the watch
and care of the church; but there was no ceremony called
baptism in the acts of consecration. It is said that in some
places where the “new light” movement culminated in the
formation of Baptist churches, what is called open communion
was tried, but the plan did not work well, and in most cases
was soon abandoned. The Stratfield church did not begin
with that plan, the record says—and it suffered nothing by
such experiments.
John Sherwood was so prominent a figure, and so influential
in the movements just narrated, that it will be interesting to
note something of his previous personal history. He was
third in descent from Thomas Sherwood, of Fairfield about
1640, through: 1. Capt. Matthew, born 1643, 2d, Capt. Samuel
born 1680. He (3d, John) was born 1705. His wife was Mary
Walker. They had ten children, among them son Stephen
(born 1748), who was thrice married. His second wife was
Jerusha Savage, of Ballston, N. Y., but earlier from Middle-
town upper houses (now Cromwell) Conn. The issue by this
marriage was a son and a daughter. The son was David—the
well-known Deacon David Sherwood who so many years lived
on the south side of Fairfield avenue, at the point now the
site of Clinton avenue, extended southerly—where he owned
and held a farm of one hundred acres of land in one body to
the time of his death in 1873, at the great age of ninety-four
years.
Capt. John Sherwood's residence was located about one-half
a mile north of the site of the Stratfield Baptist meeting-house,
on the old road leading to Easton, which was the regular and
only traveled road on that line, until about 1833. When the
35
Easton turnpike road was constructed, an easier route was
selected. Instead of rising the steep hill at the meeting-house,
it turned a few rods westerly—thence northerly, parallel with
the old road, and meeting it again about a mile distant from
the point of divergence. It was a substantial house of the
ancient stereotyped pattern. It was spoken of by Rev. A. N.
Benedict, in 1875, as being used as a tenement. During the
past season it has been moved aside for use as a store-house or
barn, and a modern dwelling erected on its site. Capt. Sher-
wood and his wife were members of the Church of Christ in
Stratfield of the standing order prior to 1751. He was evi-
dently an energetic leading man and stood well with his breth-
ren. In 1744, '45 and '46 he was on the Society's Committee for
the “Management of the Prudentials of the Society.” In
1747, '48 and '49, he was on special committees to treat with
several successive candidates for the then vacant pulpit. On
several committees he was the first named, and thus probably
the chairman. After the settlement of Mr. Hall in 1749 his
name disappeared. He was no doubt a man of strong convic-
tion and faithful thereto while a member of the “Standing
Order,” as well as after he became a Baptist. His new depar-
ture, religiously, was recognized and respected. He was a
powerful man, physically, as appears from his encounter with
the Indian athlete on the Stratfield Training ground as has
been several times related. The story is as follows:
“On a certain training day, among the spectators present
was a party of Indians who had been behaving insolently, and
one of them, a burly, athletic fellow, finally challenged the
whites to choose their best man, and he would defeat him in
a wrestling match. No one appeared ready to meet the chal-
lenge of the Indian, whose muscular frame plainly showed him
to be a formidable antagonist, although all felt it important,
for the moral effect, that some one should do it. After some
deliberation it was decided that Capt. John Sherwood was the
only man able to vanquish him, but doubts were expressed
whether he would be willing to engage in a wrestling match
now that he had become so active in religious matters. A
deputation came to him as he was drilling his men upon the
36
parade ground, and after hearing their story he briefly an-
swered that his present duty was to drill his company, but that
afterward he would attend to the matter. When the parade
was over and he had laid aside his regimentals, he approached
the Indian champion, who was naked to his waist and shining
with grease. This was decidedly to the advantage of the
native, since it gave his antagonist a small chance to grasp
the well oiled skin, while his opponent, dressed in ordinary
clothing, presented a fair opportunity for the grasp of the
savage. Capt. Sherwood advanced without any skirmishing,
and laying his hand upon the shoulder of the Indian, found
himself able to get a good grip on the skin and flesh, then ex-
erting his great strength, at Once laid his antagonist flat upon
his back, not caring to soften the violence of the fall, to the
utter astonishment of the Indian's allies. The victory was
complete, confessed, and the natives withdrew quietly and
never repeated the challenge.”
He served the church about ten years from 1757. He was
about forty-three years of age when ordained. He traveled
much and ministered in different towns in this county and
and laid good foundations. His labors were mostly at his own
charges, as his salary (if any) was very meagre. He conducted
his farming as before his ordination. About 1767 his wife
died, which proved a great affliction to him—his own health
failed and he after this performed little active service. He
died September 17, 1779, in the seventy-fourth year of his age.
Time fails to follow the details of the church history.
That has been well done by Rev. A. N. Benedict, the pastor
from 1865 to 1878, from whose record and from the records
of the Stratfield Society this paper is mostly compiled. -
The following is a list of the ministerial successors of Elder
Sherwood:
Elder Sherwood's successors have been Rev. Benjamin Coles,
1767 to 1774; Rev. John Whitman, 1779; Rev. Seth Higby,
1781 to 1794; Rev. Stephen Royce, 1794 to 1802; Rev. Asahel
Morse, 1802 to 1812; Rev. Daniel Wildman, 1812 to 1816;
Rev. Matthew Polly, 1816 to 1817; Rev. Daniel Wildman, 1817
37
to 1822; Rev. Asa Bronson, 1822 to 1829; Rev. Elisha Cush-
man, 1829 to 1831; Rev. James H. Linsley, 1831 to 1836;
Rev. Enoch E. Chase, 1836 to 1839; Rev. John Scott, 1842 to
1847; Mr. A. E. Clark, 1848 to 1849; Rev. Hamilton Ellis,
1850 to 1851; Rev. N. D. Benedict, 1851 to 1860; Rev. Joseph
Babbage, 1860 to 1865; Rev. A. N. Benedict, 1865 to 1878.
After the reading of President Lacey's valuable paper, the
box containing the skeletons and parts of skeletons found at
Seaside Park was opened and examined by all present. The
peculiarities of the formation of some of the skulls were pointed
out and commented upon, and comparisons made with the
skull of a white man which was brought for that purpose by
the Secretary, Dr. Wordin. It was generally admitted that
the crania presented peculiarities which were entirely in one
direction, and were too strongly marked and frequent to be
the result of accident. The resemblance of one of the skulls
to the celebrated Naenderthall skull of Europe, one of the
few human remains ever found in the old bone caves, is very
remarkable and surprising, and seems to indicate differences
from the modern red Indian which unquestionably separate
them from that race. The paper read by the Rev. Samuel
Orcutt showed the strong points of resemblance between
these skulls and those found in the mounds and tumuli of the
West, and the points of difference between them and the more
modern Indian remains. He cited passages from Prof. Fos-
ter's recent work which showed the resemblance very strongly,
and while not undertaking to settle the question at all, raised
the reasonable presumption that these remains were not those
of ordinary Indians, and that through the points of resem-
blance cited they might be those of the older race, the Mound
Builders.
THE PAPER READ BY REW. SAMUEL ORCUTT.
In the month of October, 1885, while some workmen were
engaged in extending Waldemere avenue westward from Iran-
istan avenue in Seaside Park, at Bridgeport, Conn., some
human bones were dug up, but before any special notice was
taken of them they were broken into many pieces. The atten-
38
tion of Mr. S. M. Cate, Jr., the contractor, being called to
them he directed that they be laid aside carefully, and notified
the Historical Society, and they were secured for its archives.
Upon this discovery, and the peculiar shape of the skull bones
found, much care was taken in regard to any future discov-
eries; and the Hon. P. T. Barnum, one of the Park Commis-
sioners, and who had previously owned the ground, directed
that any further relics should be sent directly to the Historical
Society. A few days later two more skeletons were found,
and parts of one of them were delivered by Mr. Cate to the
Society. Among these bones was the skull, nearly complete,
although fractured and a small portion gone, the upper and
lower jaw bones with nearly full sets of teeth well preserved;
the bones of the legs and several of the spinal column. The
entire skeleton might have been preserved had the importance
of the matter been known to the workmen.
The earth where these remains were found was composed
of strata of dark loam, then yellow loam, beneath which was
fine clay, then a peculilary clean gravel about a foot deep, and
finally sea-washed sand, fine and as dry as though water had
never reached it. The location is about twenty rods from the
water of the Long Island Sound, and is part of an elevation of
land that formed a conspicuous part of the Pequonnock, or open
fields when the whites first came to the place. It is just two
hundred and four years since the last deed of this Pequon-
nock land—except Golden Hill reservation, was given; and
just about two hundred and thirty years since the first tract
of land was laid out in Stratford township to Thomas Wheeler
at the southern extremity of what is now Seaside Park, adjoin-
ing the old boundary line between Stratford and Fairfield.
The land where Mr. P. T. Barnum's residence stands, includ-
ing that where the skeletons were found, came into the hands
of the Fairfield. Wheelers, about two hundred and thirty-five
or forty years ago, and there are no evidences that any Indians
have occupied that land since the agreement of the Pequon-
nock tribe with the government of Connecticut in 1638. If
these are the remains of the bodies of Pequonnock Indians
they must have been laid there more than two hundred and
39
fifty years ago, for this land was among the very first propor-
tioned out to the first settlers in Fairfield immediately after
the year 1644, for cultivation.
The different places where these bones have been found,
thus far, indicate the burial of about thirty persons; five or
six of them were found in near proximity, and apparently were
not buried in a sitting position. No shells or implements
were found with these remains.
The principal question concerning these relics is as to what
race of beings they belong; which question was raised upon
the first sight of them by Mr. Cate and others, in consequence
of the apparent lowness of the forehead, or almost the want
of any forehead, such as is usually seen, especially among the
Indians.
This question taken in connection with other recent discov-
eries within the town of Stratford, will merit and probably
receive a more thorough investigation than can be given in a
hurried paper on such an occasion. Hence all that can be said
at present is to compare these crania with such scientific re-
search as the publications at hand will furnish.
The following extracts from the “Pre-Historic Races of the
United States of America, by John W. Foster, L.L. D.,” pub-
lished in 1881, give very important light on this subject. Dr.
Foster is the “Author of the Physical Geography of the Mis-
sissippi Valley,” joint of Foster & Whitney's report of the
“Geology of the Lake Superior Region; late President of the
American Association for the Advancement of Science; Pres-
ident of the Chicago Academy of Science; and Member of
other learned Societies.” Dr. Foster's delineations of the
crania of the mound-builders are almost a perfect representa-
tion of the skulls from Seaside Park. In Chapter VIII, page
275, he describes these “Crania,” and from this description
the following extracts are taken:
“While the individual variations in the crania of a particu-
lar race are so great as to present intermediate gradations all
the way from one extreme to another, thus forming a connect-
ing link between widely separated races, yet, in a large assem-
40
blage of skulls derived from a particular race, there is a general
conformation, a predominant type, which appears to have been
as far back as human records extend; to have been unaffected
by food, climate, or personal pursuits; and which has been
regarded among the surest guides in tracing national affinities.
Hitherto our knowledge of the mound-builders' crania has
been extremely scant—restricted to less than a dozen speci-
mens—which, if authentic, clearly indicate for the most part
the Indian type. The results of my observations have led me
to infer that the mound-builders' crania were characterized by
a general conformation of parts, which clearly separated them
from the existing races of men, and particularly from the In-
dians of North America.”
Dr. Foster then describes the skulls from three localities;
the first from the region of Chicago, and says: “Dr. Thomp-
son, now deceased, but whose memory will be honored by
every cultivator of science in this country, was first attracted
to one of these groups of mounds by observing circular tren-
ches investing knolls two and one-half feet above the surround-
ing plain, which led him to believe that they were artificial,
and, under his direction, Mr. Charles Hennicott, assisted by
Dr. Durham, entered upon their exploration. There were
portions of eleven skeletons found in the first group, but they
were so far decayed that only one skull and three frontal bones
sufficiently well preserved to admit of measurement and com-
parison, were obtained.
The other group of mounds, situated near Haas's Park,
yielded human remains which evidently belonged to two dis-
tinct epochs. In them were found well marked Indian skulls,
in a condition slightly changed, and two skulls, evidently be-
longing to half-breeds, thus showing that up to a compara-
tively recent time, these mounds had been used as places of
sepulture by different races. In addition to these evidences
of recent entombment were found, far gone in decomposition,
quite a number of crania, presenting features which readily
distinguished them from those of the Indian and half-breed.
These relics have a high value, as without doubt they are
authentic skulls of the mound-builders.” Dr. Foster notices
41
six characteristics in which these skulls differ from those of
Europeans, each of which most strikingly apply to the skulls
of Seaside Park, and then remarks, “Many of these charac-
teristics, which are not conspicuous in a well developed Euro-
pean skull, indicate an approach toward the lower animals of
the anthropoid type; but still, between the lowest of the one
and the highest of the other, there is a broad chasm which
cannot be spanned by intermediate graduation.”
The “Hennicott Mound” yielded three frontal bones—the
only part of the skeleton capable of preservation—which were
also indicative of a low type. In two instances there was a
narrowing in the temporal region; the plates were extraordi-
marily thick; the superciliary ridges were massive, standing
out like ropes; the orbital processes were profoundly notched;
and the frontal bone was much prolonged towards the caronal
suture.
The Haas's Park Mounds yielded two crania which were
too imperfect to give all the salient points. One is repre-
sented by a part of the frontal and parietal bone, and is char-
acterized by an almost entire absence of a forehead. The
nasal bones are prolonged from the point of union with the
frontal bones, like the beak of a bird or the superior yaw of a
gar-pike. The bony plates are of almost pasteboard thinness;
the orbital rings are sharp and delicate; the sutures are im-
perfectly joined; and there is absence of frontal sinuses, which
are supposed to be formed only after puberty, so that the skull
evidently belonged to a young person.
“This is, undoubtedly, the most remarkable skull hitherto
observed, affording the nearest approximation to the anthro-
poid forms.”
CLASSIFICATION OF SEQUT,LS.
“In the classification of skulls, comprehending the relation
of breadth to length, those which are less than seventy-three
to one hundred are called longer Dolococephalic, those whose
proportions are less than seventy-four and seventy-nine to one
hundred are medium, or Orthocephalic, and those whose pro-
portions reach eighty and eighty-nine to one hundred are
J3racycephalic. The mound-builders' skulls which I have ex-
42
amined, differ on the one hand, from the Indian type, which
is Bracycephalic, and from the Teutonic, on the other, which
is Dolococephalic. They are intermediate, or Orthocephalic.”
After giving samples of the three classes of skulls, Dr. Fos-
ter remarks: “Erom these examples of a want of conformity
in craniological development, apart from other evidences, I
think we are justified in drawing the conclusion that the
mound-builders were not the ancestors of the American In-
dians.”
“The question arises, whether this singular conformation of
skulls is congenial, or the result of artificial pressure. We
know that the Flatheads and Chenooks of the Columbia River
indulge in this usage at the present day, and there is reason
to believe that other tribes did formerly. But, with regard
to the mound-builders' skulls, it may be said that, while the
volume of the brain is small, the brain-case is as symmetrical
as that of the European. Where artificial pressure is re-
sorted to, as pointed out by Morton, the brain in volume is
not diminished, but is extraordinarily developed in those parts
of the case where the pressure is not applied, and hence we
have the most grotesque distortions. The course of every
bandage is marked by a corresponding cavity in the bony
structure.”
So far then as a comparison can be made, the skulls from
Seaside Park conform much more closely to Dr. Foster's de-
scription of the crania of the mound-builders, than to those of
the North American Indians. In the case of the two skulls
preserved in the most complete, the symmetry of the brain
case is most remarkable, except in one the whole of the top,
frontal part of the head is pressed over to the left side as if a
heavy blow had been struck under the left ear, or some great
pressure had been applied near the top of the right temple.
From the end of the chin bone to the crown the line is long,
while on an upright line at right angles with this, the depth
is short. Dr. Foster says: “The frontal bone is of great
strength and slopes backward, encroaching on the peritetals,
and giving origin to a low forehead.”
One of these skulls where broken on the top of the head on
43
the frontal bone, where it is smooth on both sides, measures
fully five-sixteenths of an inch in thickness.
As to the character of the three classes of crania Dr. Foster
remarks: “We place the seat of the intellectual faculties in
the anterior lobe; of the propensities which links us to the
brute, in the middle lobe; and of those which appertain to
the social affections, in the posterior lobe. The predominance
of any one of these divisions in a people would stamp them
as either eminently intellectual, or eminently cruel, or emi-
nently social. The mound-builders, assuming the skulls to be
typical, were doubtless neither eminent for great virtues nor
great vices, but were a mild, inoffensive race, who would fall
an easy pray to a crafty and cruel foe.”
In this paper no attempt is made to classify these crania,
or to decide the race to which they belong, but to call atten-
tion to their peculiarities as being in form and measurement
strikingly in favor of the mound-builders.
M E M B E R S
OF THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Rowland B. Lacey, Bridgeport, - - - - Original Member.
Nathaniel E. Wordin, M.D., Bridgeport, - 66 & 4
William H. Noble, Bridgeport, - - - - & 4 66
George C. Waldo, Bridgeport, - - - - 66 & 6
William B. Hincks, Bridgeport, - - - 66 & 4
Louis N. Middlebrook, Bridgeport, - - & 6 66
*Aaron B. Hull, Danbury, - - - - - Elected Feb. 18, 1881.
Joseph N. Ireland, Bridgeport, - - - “ & 4 & 6 & 4
Richard C. Ambler, Bridgeport, - - - “ “ . .
William T. Minor, Stamford, - - - - “ Mar. “ “
Lemuel Sanford, Redding, - - - - - 66 & 6 & 6 & 4
James L. Gould, Bridgeport, - - - - “ & 6 & 6 G &
James W. Beardsley, Bridgeport, - - - “ & 6 & 4 & 6
*Henry M. Hoyt, Bridgeport, - - - - “ & 6 6 6 & 4
Charles Burr Todd, Redding, - - - - “ 4 & 66 & 4
Henry G. Scofield, Bridgeport, - - - “ May 6, “
James Ryder, Danbury, - - - - - - “ & 6 & 6 & 4
Elias S. Hawley, Buffalo, N. Y., - - - “ June 3, “
Curtis Thompson, Bridgeport, - - - “ Aug. 5, “
William A. Beers, Fairfield, - - - - - “ Sept. 2, “
Eaton W. Maxcy, D.D., Troy, N. Y., - “ & G 66 ( &
*William Shelton, D. D., Buffalo, N. Y., - “ 66 € 6 & 4
Rev. George S. Burroughs, New Britain, “ Oct. 14, “
A Homer Byington, Norwalk, - - - - “ Nov. 11, “
Winthrop H. Perry, Norwalk, - - - - C 6 GC 66 & 4
Walter Hubbell, New York City, - - - “ & G & G & 4
David B. Lockwood, Bridgeport, - - - “ Feb. 10, “
*Stiles M. Middlebrook, Bridgeport, - - Elected Mar. 10, 1882.
Frederick Bronson, Greenfield Hill, - - “ 66 6% & 4
O. P. Dexter, New York City, - - - - “ £6 66 (4
* Deceased.
45
David H. Miller, Georgetown, - - - - Elected April 21,1882.
Horace L. Fairchild, Trumbull, - - - “ & C & G 66
Samuel M. Main, New York City, - - - “ 4 & 66 & 4
Nathan M. Belden, Wilton, - - - - - “ 4 & 66 & 6
*Barzillai B. Kellogg, Brookfield, - - - “ & 4 & 6 66
J. M. Bailey, Danbury, - - - - - - “ £ 6 & 6 & 4
John W. Bacon, Danbury, - - - - - “ 66 ( & 4 &
John D. Candee, Bridgeport, - - - - “ “ “ “
John L. Morehouse, Fairfield, - - - - “ 66 66 £6
Warren B. Nichols, West Stratford, - - “ 66 (6 & 4
Samuel Garlick, M. D., Bridgeport, - - “ & 6 46 66
Eugene Morehouse, Stratford, - - - - “ May 12, “
William S. Bouton, South Norwalk, - - “ Sept. 8, “
Plumb N. Fairchild, Trumbull, - - - “ Jan. 12, 1883.
Morris B. Beardsley, Bridgeport, - - - “ Mar. 9, “
Thomas Calef, Bridgeport, - - - - - “ & ( & & 66
*Eli T. Hoyt, Danbury, - - - - - - “ April 5, “
Oliver B. Jennings, Fairfield, - - - - “ June 9, “
Frederick S. Wildman, Danbury, - - - “ 66 ( & & &
Rev. Samuel Orcutt, Bridgeport, - - - “ Feb. 8, 1884.
Thomas B. Fairchild, Stratford, - - - “ May 9, “
Edward F. Meeker, Bridgeport, - - - “ July 11, “
Albert Relyea, Norwalk, Conn., - - - “ Aug. 8, “
William L. Sherwood, Newark. N. J., - “ Sept. 12, “
Rev. G. H. Nichols, Hoosic Falls, N. Y., “ Feb. 13, 1885.
Phineas T. Barnum, Bridgeport, - - - “ 4 & 66 ( &
Robert W. Curtis, Stratford, - - - - “ Mar. “ “
Nathaniel Wheeler, Bridgeport, - - - “ April 10, “
Arthur E. Meaker, Bethlehem, Pa., - - “ & 6 66 & 4
Nathan B. Wells, Stratford, - - - - “ 66 (6 & 6
B. W. Maples, Westport, - - - - - “ May 13, “
Albert S. Comstock, New Canaan, - - “ June 26, “
Samuel Carter, New York City, - - - “ July 10, “
*Amos S. Treat, Bridgeport, - - - - “ & & 66 & 4
Silas Burton, Bridgeport, - - - - - “ & 6 & 6 & &
Ebenezer S. Phillips, Bridgeport, - - - “ Aug. 14, “
Charles H. Carter, New Canaan, - - - “ Oct. 9, “
* Deceased.
in 3+\emoriam.
[From THE BRIDGEPORT STANDARD of Saturday, April 4, 1885.]
MAJOR HENRY M. HOYT.
Major Henry M. Hoyt, a veteran of the late war, died at his
residence, No. 433 State street, about nine o'clock Thursday
evening, in his fifty-first year. He had for several months
been suffering with a heart disease which was, without doubt,
the cause of his recent relinquishment of journalistic work.
|Until a few minutes before his death he was in good spirits
and conversing with his wife and daughter. When the war
broke out, Mr. Hoyt joined the First Regiment C. W., and was
present at the battle of Bull Run. Returning at the end of
three months he raised a company which was attached to the
Eighth Regiment C. W., and with it he remained in service till
mustered out at the close of the war. At one time he was
commander of the regiment. Deceased was a member of Elias
Howe, Jr., Post, G. A. R., of the Army and Navy Club of Con-
necticut, President of the Eighth Regiment Association, com-
mander of Uniformed Degree Camp, No. 6, I. O. O. F., be-
longed to Arcanum Lodge, Stratfield Encampment, No. 23,
Mithra Lodge, K. of P., the Seaside Club, and Grand Army of
the Potomac. Mr. Hoyt learned the printer's trade of Pome-
roy & Morse, and he was at different times connected with
the Farmer and STANDARD of this city, the Cowrant of Hart-
ford, and the Monroe Publishing Company, New York. At
one time he edited The School Visitor. In 1874 he estab-
lished the Morning Wews. It lived one month. Five years
later it was revived, and has since been continued with vary-
ing success.
47
[From THE BRIDGEPORT STANDARD of Thursday, October 11, 1883.]
REV. DR. WILLIAM SHIELTON.
At an early hour this morning, in what to many of our older
residents is known as “The Old Parsonage,” the venerable
William Shelton, D. D., Rector Emeritus of St. Paul's Church,
Buffalo, N. Y., quietly passed from the scenes of earth, having
attained the good old age of more than four score and five
years. The son of the Rev. Philo Shelton, the first rector of
St. John's Church in this city and the first clergyman Episco-
pally ordained in this country, he worthily followed in the
footsteps of his reverend parent. He was graduated at the
General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in New
York city in 1823. In the same year he was admitted to the
deaconate by Bishop Brownell of this diocese, and in 1825 re-
ceived priest's orders at his hands. After a brief service in
this State he was elected rector of St. Paul's Church, Buffalo,
N. Y., in 1829, and continued in the active duties of that im-
portant station for fifty years. With a sturdiness of character
which was most marked, he united a tenderness of heart which
greatly endeared him to those who were intimately acquainted
with him, and in the great city with whose interests he has
been so long identified none was more thoroughly honored
and respected. His remains will be taken thither for inter-
ment, and the funeral services will be held in the church in
which for so many years he ministered to one of the largest
and most influential congregations in that city.
[From THE BRIDGEPoRT STANDARD of Friday, March 30, 1883.]
STILES MI. MIDIDLEBROOK.
The community was very much surprised last evening to
learn of the sudden death of Stiles M. Middlebrook, Esq.,
which occurred at his residence, 210 Washington avenue, at
about half-past six P. M. He was taken suddenly ill while on
his way to the evening prayer-meeting on Wednesday last,
and yesterday called in his physician. His trouble proved to
be an obstruction in the blood passages of the heart, no relief
87
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49
till 1878, when he went back to the North Church. During
his long service in the Presbyterian Church he was a member
of the Society's Committee, and was treasurer both of the
society and of the session.
The deceased belonged to a family noted for its longevity.
He leaves a widow and four children, William N. Middlebrook,
City and Town Treasurer; Mrs. Robert K. Brown, of Water-
bury; Mrs. Granville W. Goodsell, and Mrs. Moses H. Wheeler,
of this city. His honest and upright life have won for him a
host of friends who will deeply sympathize with the bereaved
family in the sudden termination of a useful Christian life.
[From THE BRIDGEPORT STANDARD of Saturday, April 24, 1886.]
HON. AMOS S. TREAT.
The intelligence that the Hon. Amos Sherman Treat had
departed this life at three o'clock this morning spread rapidly
about the city early this forenoon, and the news was a sudden
shock to the community. Mr. Treat and family have been
traveling West and South for a number of weeks, the latter
portion of the time being spent at the City of Mexico. The
trip that Mr. Treat was taking was for the benefit of his health
and for pleasure, and business was left in the background as
far as possible. The party left this city March 11th, for Mex-
ico by way of Canada. They were on the return journey when
Mr. Treat was taken ill in Kansas last Tuesday. Before then his
trip had proven very enjoyable. No fears of serious sickness
had been expressed and the remainder of the trip was carried
out as intended. Niagara IFalls was visited among other
points of interest. Thursday his condition was regarded with
apprehension on account of a diarrhoeal attack, and on that
night a change for the worse took place. The party traveled .
night and day and Mr. Treat appeared very feeble and ex-
hausted. On arrival in this city at 1:57 o'clock yesterday after-
noon he was conveyed to his home on Courtland street, where
he was attended by Drs. Hubbard and Garlick. He was very
weak and only rallied temporarily. He was perfectly con-
09:
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51
In the Masonic fraternity Mr. Treat had taken a prominent
position. He was made a Mason in 1855, and had held nearly
all the offices of the order, including Master. He also held
nearly all the offices in Hamilton Commandery, in which he
was created a Knight in 1858, and has been its Eminent Com-
mander. He was Grand Commander of the State in 1868 and
1869. He was a thirty-third degree Mason, also the highest
rank in the order, and took an active part in masonic matters
up to the very last. Deceased leaves a widow, Mary Clark-
Treat, only daughter of Treat Clark, of Woodbridge, to whom
he was married December 15, 1869, and a daughter, Mary
Clark, who was born January 28, 1872.
Until his death Mr. Treat was actively engaged in the prac-
tice of his profession, his associate being Mr. Charles Sher-
wood of this city. He was President of the Bridgeport Gas
Light Company, Treasurer of the Bridgeport Hydraulic Com-
pany, President of the Compressed Paper Box Company, a
Director in the STANDARD ASSOCIATION since its organization,
and a stockholder in several other industrial concerns. He
was a man of large wealth, and one who, with his family about
him, took every opportunity for social enjoyment.
Mr. Treat was a man of fine judicial mind, an able lawyer
and counselor, and his advice was widely sought. He was a
republican and an astute politician, with views which were far
reaching and nearly always based upon sound premises. He
was a strong and persistent opponent, and a firm and reliable
friend, and although shunning everything like ostentatious
charity, he did many good works in secret, for which he will
be to-day remembered with gratitude. He assisted many young
business men at times when their need was pressing and their
friends few, and he found his reward in the friendship which
was thus secured. He was a member of the North Congrega-
tional Society and a regular attendant for many years at that
church.
In the same paper of Wednesday, April 28, 1886, appeared
the following notice of the funeral of Mr. Treat:
The funeral of Hon. Amos S. Treat took place this after-
52
noon from his late residence, No. 85 Courtland street. Gath-
ered there were a large number of personal friends and rela-
tives from this city and vicinity, Woodbridge, his native town,
New Haven, and other places. The Bar was largely repre-
sented, as was also the Masonic fraternity. The remains lay
in an elegant copper-lined casket covered with black broad-
cloth, with textile bar-handles, tipped with silver. The plate
was of solid silver, displaying the name and age of deceased,
the emblem of a Knight Templar appearing on the left side.
Among the floral devices placed near the casket were a “Gates
Ajar,” from employes of the Bridgeport Gas Company; a
broken column, from the directors of the same company; a
crown and cross, from Hamilton Commandery; a purple wreath
displaying the figures 33, from Lafayette Consistory, S. P. of
R. S.; palm leaf with bunch of Ascension lilies, from Chief
Gerdenier; a standing cross with wreath of roses, bunch of
callas, and a pillow displaying the word “Papa,” from the
family; a floral piece three feet long and four feet high, rep-
resenting the “Heavenly Arches,” an artistically beautiful
object, from the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company, and many
other suggestive and appropriate emblems. Rev. C. Ray Pal-
mer of the North Church, conducted the religious services,
which were impressive by their simplicity. Appropriate music
was rendered by the choir of that church. At the close of
the services an opportunity was given all who wished to look
at the face of deceased. The casket was then taken to Moun-
tain Grove Cemetery where the burial took place. The pall
bearers were Chief-Justice Park, and Judge S. B. Beardsley,
representing the Bar, S. C. Trubee and Hon. Wm. D. Bishop,
the Bridgeport Gas Company, William R. Higby, Esq., the
Masonic fraternity, and S. J. Patterson, Mr. Treat's neighbors
and friends, and the people of North Church where he wor-
shipped.
1736. - 1886.
*T-----------ms.
--sºm-º.
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE,
Commemorating the
One Hundred and Fiftieth
ANNIVERSARY
Of the Consociations,
Fairfield East and Fairfield West,
AT FAIRFIELD, JUNE 8, 1886,
BY REV. ASA C. PIERCE.
By Permission.
Anniversary held pursuant to plans formed by the
separate Consociations of Fairfield East and Fairfield West,
embracing pastors and delegates, with a goodly representation from
the churches of the county, in the Congregational Church,
Fairfield, Ct., at 10.30 A.M., Tuesday, June 8, 1886.
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
BY REV. ASA C. PIERCE.
BRETHREN AND FRIENDs of FAIRFIELD WEST, AND FAIRFIELD EAST,
CoNSocIATIONs:
In undertaking the service appointed to me by your joint
committee, I must beg at the outset your kindly consideration
in view of the facts, the period coming under our review is so
protracted, and the geographical limits over which our inqui-
ries are to range, are so extended.
It is not an easy thing to crystalize, so to speak, the saline
properties of an entire pool of salt water within the compass
of a moderate sized water jar, and if in the attempt now made
the crystals shall not be very perfect and the whole mass shall
appearinadequate, you will appreciate I am sure, the difficulty,
and make generous allowance in the spirit of fraternal kind-
ness, of which my appointment to address you 9n this occasion
is so strong an expression.
Another occasion of embarrassment may also be referred to.
From its organization in 1736 to 1779, “Fairfield West Con-
sociation” has no existing books of records. These were
burned in the house of Rev. Andrew Eliot, of Fairfield, in
1779, when the British entered and burned that town, Gov.
Tryon, of blazing reputation, being the leading spirit in the
brilliant enterprise.
The records of these forty years and more, which escaped
the British fury are the original minutes, in manuscript, frag-
mentary and mixed in every conceivable way. They are strik-
ing examples of the fading and perishing monuments of
human toil, and to make one's way through the rubbish to an
intelligent comprehension of the facts recorded is, as I happen
º
1W
to know, an undertaking strongly suggestive of a pleasure
trip upon a bicycle through the Everglades of Florida.
But a truce to these explanations. It is quite befitting
on the occurrence of memorial days intermediate between
rounded and completed epochs, that we should refresh our
memories concerning events and men conspicuous during such
periods of history—fitting that we should reinvigorate our
reverence and appreciation of those who have gone before us
in the responsibilities and toils connected with a great cause,
that we should lay fresh garlands upon the tombs of the wor-
thies and get new inspiration for ourselves out of their char-
acters and deeds.
And as to times that are by-gone especially fitting is it that
we should make God's doings of Providence and grace in all
forward movement occasion to our thankfulness and courage.
For such a purpose we are here gathered from these various
parishes—are here to commemorate an event which transpired
one hundred and fifty years ago to-day, viz.:
THE SEPARATION OF THE ORIGINAL FAIRFIELD COUNTY CONSOCIATION,
into the two distinct bodies, thenceforth to be known as the
“Fairfield East,” and the “Fairfield West.”
Underlying all our commemorative exercises, of course, is
the Consociational system by which these churches have been
held in mutual relation and service for the lapsed century and
a half, and it will be pertinent before giving direct attention
to the separating and re-organizing acts and incidents which
followed, to deal somewhat with
THE EARLY CAUSES AND HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE SYSTEM
ITSELF,
and the more so, as it is distinctively a Connecticut polity and
divergent in some particulars from the “Congregational way”
as accepted cotemporaneously among the sister churches of
Massachusetts and now held in preference by the majority of
the churches of our order in those portions of the country
where Congregationalism prevails.
The roots of this tree let it be observed, then, had their
V
starting and early growth in English soil, and their transplant-
ing to New England glebe did not altogether change its fruit—
that is to say, Presbyterianism and independency divided the
sentiments of those who came here from the mother country
and instead of these differing sentiments being fused and
unified under the new environment, they continued to be
occasion of friction, often of most serious rancor and belliger-
ency for more than one hundred years. In answer to inquiries
concerning the state of religion in the Colony, proposed by the
“lords of trade and plantations,” in London, after about fifty
years had passed, the answer given was, “Our people in the
Colony are some of them strict Congregational men, others
more large Congregational men,” (meaning, probably, “half-
way Covenant men, or such as were for admitting all of regu-
lar life and habit to church membership without any inquiry
in respect to a change of heart,) “and some moderate Pres-
byterians. The Congregational men of both sorts are the
greatest part of the people in the Colony.”
Say what we will in honor of our Puritan ancestry, and we
can scarcely say too much, they were not a little opinionated—
men of strong convictions, and very determined in the main-
tainance of views they esteemed to be right. Hence, after
the rigors and sufferings of the first few years, which served
temporarily as a bond of peace, were passed, the difference be-
came more pronounced, and mutterings of a rising storm
began to be heard–Hartford for a long pèriod the storm
center.
During the continuance of his pastorate and life, the re-
nowned Thomas Hooker, who has been characterized as the
“Luther of New England,” and also as the “Father of Con-
gregationalism,” and who was remarkably endowed for the
management of difficult and turbulent affairs, for he was not
only imperial in pulpit discourse, but as Dr. Trumbull testifies,
“his appearance and conduct were with such becoming majesty,
authority, and prudence, that he could do more with a word
or look than most men could with a severe discipline”—this
influential pastor I say, while he lived, held these disturbed
conditions in comparative quietude. But this great and good
vi
man having passed away, characteristically closing his own
eyes in death and saying “I am going to receive mercy”—
the restrained elements of discord broke loose and at length
not only rent the Hartford church in twain, but involved the
other churches in the neighborhood, notably those of Weath-
ersfield and Windsor, and ultimately drew almost all other
churches of the Colony into its sweep of disaster, our own
Stratford for example coming into a like state of controversy
and division, two separate congregations worshipping at dif-
ferent hours of the Sabbath in the same sanctuary. -
As a historian of the times (Mather) represents. “From the
fire of the altar” (i.e. of the First Church in Hartford) “there
issued thunderings, and lightnings, and earthquakes, through
the Colony.”
Precisely what the points of dissent and reasons for bitter
controversy were, it is not altogether easy to determine, the
records for the most part having perished, but from certain
guestions propounded to a General Council in 1657, it is evi-
dent that they were mainly in reference to the terms of church
membership, baptism, and discipline, the first of these having
special prominence, there being a pretty large and persistent
element in the Colony holding the “half-way Covenant” view
and the Stoddarderian theory of the Lord's Supper, (viz.) that
it is a converting ordinance and should be open to all.
Such, then, being the disturbed condition of the churches
a question of prime importance was, whence the healing
efficacy and how should it be applied? The winds of discord
fiercely blowing, how should they be lured back again into
their cave and its entrance be sealed against a future escape?
Two sources of help seemed open to the anxious seekers
for harmony. It was among the received opinions that
“Synods or General Councils were an ordinance of Christ and
that their business was to give council in weighty concerns.”
Might they not be of service in the present exigency? -
Moreover, at this period, the churches recognized an inti-
mate relation to the civil power, and government held it to be
a part of its proper functions to further the interests of the
churches in all practicable ways, even to the extent of inter-
vii
ference with their internal Order and doing. How more suit-
ably could this civil power express itself than by evoking the
aid of synods and striving to make their deliverances the basis
of agreement?
The experiment was at least worth the trial, and again and
again, as in 1657, 1659 and 1662, convocations of distinguished
elders and laymen of both Connecticut and Massachusetts
Colonies were convened either at Boston, Hartford, or Cam-
bridge, and again at Hartford in 1667 for the harmonizing of
doctrinal views and for the settlement of existing difficul-
ties.
The endeavors were not eminently successful, partly for the
reason that the representatives were not able to agree among
themselves, and partly because as is usual in attempts to unite
opposing parties, each side regarded union a delightful thing,
provided all the surrender should be by the other party.
But a brighter and more tranquil day was about to dawn.
As tornadoes at length blow themselves out, so the violence
of these contensions began to abate, and to such extent that
John Cotton wrote to Mr. Davenport, in Amsterdam, that
“the order of the churches was so settled in New England by
common consent that it brought into his mind the new heavens
and the new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
In the progress of the new era of feeling it had come to
pass that a “great majority of the legislators and clergy of
Connecticut were for the association of members and conso-
ciation of churches, trusting doubtless that there would thus
be virtually established courts of appeal before which differ-
ences might be adjusted, the churches bound together in
mutual accord and the common object of their existence be
promoted. -
Accordingly an act of the General Assembly was passed in
May, 1708, making provision for a delegate convention of the
churches to assemble in the following September in Saybrook,
then and there to arrange a code of Ecclesiastical law which
by a subsequent approving act of the legislature should be-
come of binding authority throughout the Colony.
The outcome of this Synod or Council was
viii
THE SAYBROOK PLATFORM,
which we, the sisterhood of churches of Fairfield county, still
recognize as the basis of our union and the law of our Eccle-
siastical fellowship.
The members of that famous Council from Fairfield county
were Rev. Charles Chauncey, of Stratfield, (now Bridgeport),
Rev. John Davenport, of Stamford, of whom we have the tes-
timony that “he was not inferior in ability to any other mem-
ber of the Synod,” and as a lay delegate, Deacon Samuel Hoit,
also of Stamford.
For the most part the churches accepted with satisfaction
the doings of their representatives, and henceforth had
“Heads of Agreement” of their own for their control instead
of owning allegiance to the Cambridge Platform, which for
sixty years had been the Ecclesiastical law of New England.
Having thus traced the origin and establishment of our
peculiar polity I come now to speak more particularly of the
local Consociations, and especially the one subsequently divi-
ded into the two represented on this commemorative occasion.
The year following the adoption of the platform the practi-
cal results aimed at in that instrument began to be realized.
Five district Consociations were organized—two in Hartford
county, and one each in the counties of New Haven, Fairfield,
and New London.
As we have especially to do with the
CONSOCIATION OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY,
the others may be dismissed from further attention.
It would be interesting to know more than we can of the
original members of the united body. It were pleasant if I
might daguerreotype the group as they sat discussing the new
platform, and determining the various steps to be taken under
it. But a mist has gathered upon their countenances which
no photographic art can dissolve—no camera can penetrate.
The clerical members were Rev. Messrs. John Davenport,
of Stamford; Stephen Buckingham, of Norwalk; Joseph
Webb, of Fairfield; Charles Chauncey, of Stratfield, (Bridge-
ix
port, First Church); Seth Shove, of Danbury, and Anthony
Stoddard of Woodbury.
The messengers of the churches associated with these
elders were Deacon John Thompson and Samuel Cobbet, of
Fairfield; Deacon Samuel Hoit and Joseph Bishop, of Stam-
ford; Deacon Zerubbabel Hoit, of Norwalk; Joseph Curtis,
Esq., and Samuel Sherman, of Stratford; Lieutenant James
Bennet, of Stratfield; Lieutenant James Beebe and James
Benedict, of Danbury; Deacon John Sherman and Deacon
Matthew Mitchell, of Woodbury.
These Consociational builders convened at Stratfield (Bridge-
port,) March 17, 1709, and set the wheels in motion which
have revolved nearly one hundred and seventy-eight years.
Let us hope that as to results “they builded better than they
knew.”
A most unfortunate fact is to be added, viz., that this
united body kept no records, at least none which have been
preserved, for a period of twenty-five years, i. e. from 1709 to
1734.”
During the progress of these twenty-five years, with the
growth of the Colony the number of the churches had in-
creased quite largely, so that in 1735 there were in the entire
limits of the Consociation twenty-One churches, and the time
was come, when in the judgment of the body there should be
A DIVISION OF FORCES.
Accordingly, “Pursuant to a notification from the Rev. Mr.
Cooke,” so the record runs, “being thereto advised by sundry
elders of the County of Fairfield, a Consociation of several
ministers and churches met at Fairfield, prime Society, June
the 8th, 1736, viz:
ELDERS.
From Woodbury, Mr. Anthony Stoddard.
“ Stratfield, Mr. Samuel Cooke.
“ Green's Farms, Mr. Daniel Chapman.
“ Stratford, Mr. Hezekiah Gold.
* Supplementary Note A.
X
Erom Fairfield, Mr. Noah Hobart.
“ Canaan, Mr. John Eells.
“ Unity, Mr. Richardson Miner.
“ Greenwich, Mr. Ephraim Bostwick.
“ Newtown, Mr. Elisha Kent.
“ Reading, Mr. Nathanial Hunn.
“ Danbury, Mr. Ebenezer White.
MESSENGERS.
From Woodbury, Mr. Ephraim Miner.
“ Stratfield, Maj. John Burr, Esq. &
“ Green's Farms, Mr. Gideon Hurlburt.
“ Stratford, Dea. Robert Walker.
“ Fairfield, Mr. Lathrop Lewis.
“ Canaan, Lieut. Ebenezer Carter.
“ Newtown, Mr. Peter Hubbell.
To which number, after the opening of the meeting, there
were added,—
Elders, Mr. Moses Dickinson, from Norwalk, and Mr. John
Goodsell, from Greenfield, and as Messengers, Deacon John
Benedict, from Norwalk, and Ensign William Peat, of Unity.
These were the men by whom was accomplished the separa-
tion of the county organization into the two bodies here repre-
sented, and this is the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of
that event. "The division was not seemingly on account of
any mutual jealousies or alienations—not because Ephraim
envied Judah, or Judah vexed Ephraim—not because, thus to
speak, one part of the flock wished to go on the east side of
Lebanon and the other upon the west, each hoping thus to
find sweeter pasturage, but from a judgment that a better
cultivation of the whole field, and hence, more abundant pro-
ducts could be realized by two separate organizations rather
than by one. The disuniting and re-forming act of that body
was in these words.
“Voted, That the Consociation of this County be divided
into two Consociations by a line running from the sea on the
xi
eastern side of ye prime Society of Fairfield, on the eastern
side of Greenfield, on the western side of Reading, and on the
western side of Danbury; that the several pastors and
churches on the western side of said line be known by ye
name of the Western Consociation of the County of Fairfield,
and the several pastors and churches to the eastward of the
aforesaid line by the name of the Eastern Consociation of the
County of Fairfield, and that the present act of division shall
take place and be in force immediately upon the dissolution
of the present Council.”
It will have been noticed that some of the names made use
of in the records referred to, seem unfamiliar, and that cer-
tain churches named do not belong at present to either of our
bodies, it will be suitable, therefore, that I shall make mention
here of
SOME CHANGES OF NAMES OF PARISHES, AND ALSO CHANGES IN THE GEO-
GRAPHICAL LIMITS OF THE CONSOCIATIONS AS TIME HAS PROGRESSED.
Unity (I trust from no change in the disposition of the peo-
ple) has come to be Trumbull. Ripton has ceased to be, and
Huntington is its recognized successor. Monroe designates
the locality formerly known as New Stratford. Darien appears
in the early records as Middlesex. Norfield has come to be
Weston, and North Fairfield, Easton. New Fairfield, north
parish, is now Sherman, and the church at Horse Neck is the
Second Church in Greenwich. Newbury, in honor of its first
pastor, Brooks, is Brookfield, and Canaan of the former days
is the New Canaan of the present.
Added to these changes of names there have been changes,
as already implied, of geographical limits.
Quite early in the history of “Fairfield East,” the churches
in Bethlehem, Washington, (then called “Judea”), Roxbury,
New Milford, and the First Church in Woodbury, were all in-
cluded in that body. On the organization of the Consociation
of Litchfield County, in 1752, they were transferred to that
group.
At an early date there were churches connected with us
within the boundaries of New York, as at Philippi Patent, or
xii
South East, Yorktown, West Philippi, or Carmel, Bedford and
Rye, but State limits came afterward to be regarded and their
connection here was dissolved.
The church in Sherman, on account of geographical and
business relations of the town to Litchfield county, withdrew
from “Fairfield East" in 1779, and united with “Litchfield
South.”
The First and Second Churches of Greenwich, dissolved
connection with “Fairfield West” in 1876, and organized as
the “Fairfield South West Conference.”
It is relevant here, to say, that again and again in the pro-
gress of years, endeavors have been made on the part of the
Eastern Consociation to secure a more equitable division as
to the number of churches belonging to each body, but with-
out success, the brethren of the “West” being content to
remain with the larger group notwithstanding the sweetest
cooings and most persistent wooings of lovers on the Eastern
side, (I speak as a member of the Eastern district), only prov-
ing that churches like individuals, do not always comprehend
their privilege, and that swollen majorſties tend to pervert
judgmentſ
Brethren, of the West, the way is still open to genuine pen-
itents, and Fairfield East is willing!
But, to be done with pleasantry. Not only geographical
changes have taken place with the drift of time, but changes
also in
THE ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS
of the two bodies. While our consociational fathers were
careful not to invade or seemingly impair the autonomy of the
individual church while they took action specifically defend-
ing the local body of believers against usurpation of its rights,
they nevertheless, claimed for the representative Council
power almost Presbyterial. One of the first recorded acts of
“Fairfield East,” was in the words following: “Woted, That
the pastors, with the consent of the representatives of the
churches convened and that shall hereafter convene in Conso-
ciation as above said, have power authoritatively and deci-
sively to determine Ecclesiastical affairs brought to their
cognizance according to the Word of God.”
Presumably similar claims were asserted by the brethren of
the Western district, though their records having perished,
the evidence is not decisive.
This sounds quite differently from a deliverance of the
“Fairfield West,” given in 1846, in answer to certain ques-
tions propounded by the Second Church in Greenwich. “As
concerns the relation of Consociation to consociated churches,
and its power over them, it disclaims, and always has dis-
claimed all legislative power. * * In cases of difficulty and
discipline submitted to Consociations by the churches, it sim-
ply gives advise. It is a permanent Council, having the same
powers and doing the same services with regard to consoci-
ated churches which churches in New England not consociated
allot to occasional Councils.”
This is certainly a marked receding from the high Consoci-
ationism of the earlier date, and is I suppose a fair expression
of the view generally accepted at present—a permanent Coun-
cil with the advantage of continuous and permanent records.
The inquiry is appropriate here,
WHAT WAS THE STATE OF MORALS AND RELIGION
in the earlier days of our churches as compared with the type
which now prevails? There is a certain class of minds always
looking to the past for the golden and Sorely deprecating lapses
from a former standard. Is our review to-day a justification
of such a state of mind?
Were “the former days better than these?”
A few years previous to the Synod at Saybrook the mem-
bers of one of the most important churches of the Colony re-
newed their Covenant, and a part of the instrument was in
these words—not a very animating picture, certainly, of the
moral status.
“Whereas to the great dishonor of God, scandal of religion
and regard of the damnation of many souls, drunkenness and
uncleanness are prevailing amongst us. We do solemnly
engage before God * * faithfully and conscientiously to
xiv.
strive against these evils and the temptations leading there-
unto.”
President Edwards, in his “Narative of the Revival in
Northampton,” gives this account of the state of things there
prevailing when the “day spring from on high” visited the
place in 1734.
“It was a time of remarkable dullness in religion. Many of
the youth were much addicted to night walking, frequenting
the tavern, and lewd practices. They would often spend the
greater part of the night in frolics without regard to any
order in the families they belonged to, and indeed family
government did too much fail in the town.”
In 1750, the brethren of the Eastern district find occasion
to speak of “the abounding profaneness and irreligion of the
times, especially the crying sins of Sabbath-breaking, intem-
perance, profane swearing, uncleanness, filthy and foolish jest-
ing,” and advise public fasting on these accounts.
The records of these bodies contain frequent allusions to a
state of things scarcely better—testimonies of good men
deploring the prevailing immoralities and irreligion in terms
truly pathetic, as for example when the brethren of the West-
ern district, in 1781, record that “they are exceedingly grieved
at the too general neglect of public worship * * through-
out this part of the country,” and in 1814 testify to “a deeply
affecting state of coldness and indifference respecting Divine
things,” when not “even the judgments of God seemed to be
regarded,” referring doubtless to the calamities of the war of
1812, which were still oppressive upon the people.
There is another kind of evidence quite as conclusive to the
reader of Consociational doings in the long stretches of our
early history.
The pages thus open to our perusal are not pleasant read-
ing since they are so largely a record of disciplinary processes
carried up from constituent churches and often for very gross
offences—too often I am pained to say, involving the purity,
temperance, and straight forwardness of ministers themselves.
Having carefully perused these records, and without the
least desire to disparage those who can raise no voice in their
XV
own defense, I am free to say, the churches, the ministry, for
the last fifty years have been moving upon a far higher plane of
morality and practical Christianity than during the previous
hundred years which come under our review to-day. In strict
justice it should be said, however, in partial abatement of the
force of this kind of evidence, that a hundred, or even fifty
years ago, discipline was much more rigidly enforced than in
these later years.
The transition is easy here to the question.
WHAT SPECIAL MEASURES
did our Consociational fathers adopt for making head against
the prevailing sinfulness of their times and promoting godli-
ness in their generations?
They were not, I judge, in the earlier period of their organ-
ization so much disinclined to extraordinary measures and
extraordinary men as some of their brethren in other sections
of the Colony. When Rev. George Whitefield visited some of
the parishes of Connecticut in 1740, the “Fairfield East” put
on record its appreciation of “the wonderful success” that
attended his ministrations “in awaking secure sinners and the
promotion of piety,” and instructed the Moderator and Scribe,
in the name of the Consociation, “to prepare a letter and send
it to the Reverend gentleman with all convenient speed,
entreating that he would make a visit to the several towns
within our district that if it may be the will of God he may
be an instrument of reviving decayed religion in our churches
likewise.”
Whether he actually came in response to this request is not
a matter of record, though there is a tradition that he visited
and preached in the parish of Stratfield, (Bridgeport), and
that considerable religious interest followed.” However, this
may have been some of the “new light” representatives itine-
rated in different parishes causing no small ferment, and the
men who invited the great preacher had occasion in the most
energetic manner to warn the churches against the extrava-
gances and irregularities that were then introduced, and to
* Supplementary Note B.
xvi.
advise most seriously, parishes with vacant pulpits as to the
kind of candidates they should seek.
As to other and later measures additional to the regular
ministrations of the Sanctuary, “Circular Fasts” as they were
called, came into use in conjunction with the “Great Awaken-
ing” in 1740, and were continued for twelve or fifteen years,
at first with marked success but varying afterward.
Family religion was much insisted on, neglect of family
prayer being voted by the body a disciplinable offense and
a quarterly catechising of the children in public by each pas-
tor was accepted as a part of ministerial duty.
In addition to these methods, for a considerable period in
the Western district, preaching tours were arranged, the min-
isters of the several parishes going forth after the pattern of
Christ's time, two by two, spending four days among the
churches visited in their evangelistic work, and repeating this
twice each year.
It is in the natural order of thought next to inquire what
was the effect of these and other endeavors in promoting
REVIVALS AND SPECIAL INGATHERINGS’
Allusion has already been made to the “Great Awakening”
in 1740, in which Edwards and Whitefield and Bellamy and the
two Tennents were so conspicuous workers. It was the dawn-
ing of a resplendent day after a dark and long continued night
of religious degeneracy and depression—“a general and terri-
ble decay of Christianity” as Increase Mather expressed it,
consequent, largely upon the wide acceptance of the “Half-
way Covenant,” and the Stoddarderian theory of the Lord's
Supper—a connection of cause and effect, I cannot forbear to
say, in passing, which sends down its warning to us, bidding
us beware how our churches shall receive into membership
unconverted men and women.”
The dawning of this brighter day cast its reviving beams
upon some, at least, of these churches, and the brethren of
“Fairfield East” refer under date of 1741, to “the large ex-
perience they have had within the year of the boundless good-
mess and saving grace of God as a hearer of prayer.”
* Supplementary Note C.
xvii
After these remarkable demonstrations of the Spirit's power
other years of gloom for Zion succeeded, and when at the
close of the century the tide of French infidelity began to ebb,
it was necessary “to lay again the foundations of repentance
from dead works and faith toward God,” which was a work of
some years. This being accomplished, the grace of God again
became conspicuous in its operations.
In 1816 many of the churches, especially in the Western
district, were visited by reviving influences. Fairfield church
received into its membership as the fruits of this visitation,
fifty; Green's Farms, thirty; Norwalk, one hundred and fif-
teen; Middlesex, (Darien), forty; Stamford, twelve, Wilton,
fifty four; New Canaan, thirty; Ridgefield, ten; Ridgebury,
twenty one, making a total ingathering of three hundred and
sixty-one for the strengthening and encouragement of Zion.
Years of special grace subsequent to this for both the Conso-
ciations were the memorable ones of 1831 and 1832, the for-
mer of which added from two hundred and fifty to three hun-
dred members to the churches of our order in the Eastern
district, and in the latter year, in the same district, revivals
were reported in Bridgeport, New Fairfield, Stratford, Red-
ding, Trumbull, and Monroe, while in the Western district
nearly all the churches were revived and strengthened, as their
records affirm, “to an extent, never before experienced.”
Other especially fruitful years in which the harvest song
was sung were 1821, 1843, and 1858, but time forbids more
than this general reference.
It is among the pleasant features of our history that these
bodies were so early and vigorously committed to the
REFORMATORY AND MISSIONARY MOVEMENTS
characteristic of the passing century.
So early as 1768 a lively interest began to be felt on the
part of the ministers and churches in the spiritual condition
and welfare of those who had pushed to the frontier settle-
ments and were without the means of grace, and in that year
the brethren of the Western district delegated Rev. Mr. Silli-
man as a missionary to destitute churches in New York and
xviii
Pennsylvania, and subsequently this kind of endeavor was
enlarged, the elders of both Consociations engaging more or
less in evangelistic work outside their own parishes.
The benevolent spirit thus awakened began shortly to con-
template wider fields and more appalling destitutions. In
1797 the brethren of the Western district proposed to the
General Association that a society be formed in the State
“for the purpose of enlarging the Redeemer's kingdom and
propogating the gospel among the heathen,” and in 1812, the
second year after the organization of the “American Board,”
a “Foreign Missionary Society” was formed in the district,”
and two years later an Auxilliary Bible Society was formed
in the Eastern district.
About the same time—for benevolence limits itself to no
one particular channel—a sore evil existing in all the commu-
nities to an alarming extent, and invading even the churches
themselves, was recognized and its abatement became an object
of solicitous endeavor. The same year in which the mission-
ary spirit became so active in the Western district, viz. in
1812, Messrs. Swan, of Norwalk, Humphrey, of Fairfield, and
Bonney, of New Canaan, were appointed a committee to draft
and print an address respecting “the temperate use of ardent
spirits,” and it was voted in Association “wholly to discon-
tinue the use of ardent spirits in the future meetings of this
body except in cases of real necessity,”—similar action being
taken, the same year, by the associated brethren of the Eastern
district.
This action is the more noteworthy as being the first decided
movement on the subject of temperance made by any Ecclesi-
astical body in the country, and the address drawn by Messrs.
Swan, Humphrey, and Bonney, is referred to in the records
as “one of unusual power.” Would that its prolonged echoes
were a thousand fold stronger than they are to-day!
A somewhat less agreeable department of our subject in-
vites here, passing attention.
The recorded doings of these bodies for the one hundred
and fifty years of their existence, and the documents held on
* Supplementary Note D.
xix
file, are a sad commentary upon the infirmities, imperfections,
imprudencies, and evil passions of those even professing Chris-
tianity, and our review would be not a little defective if no
allusion were made to
SOME OF THE MORE NOTICABLE CONTROVERSIES, DIFFICULTIES
AND THOUBLES
which have been brought before these bodies for adjustment.
Neither time nor inclination allow protracted reference to
these matters. In respect to many items, especially of more
recent date, it is better that the ashes should not be stirred
at all lest some spark should remain which even now may have
injurious heat.
The most conspicuous of these difficulties, and those which
have put the wisdom and patience of the members to the
severest test, have been perhaps the case of Rev. Mr. Miner,
of Unity, (Trumbull), whose defection in 1743, from the “Con-
gregational way” to Episcopacy, connected with some other
circumstances in the state of the church unfavorable to its
prosperity developed under his ministry, led to its reorganiza-
tion in 1747; the case of Elisha Rent, of Newtown, tried,
though not convicted, on scandalous charges in 1742; the case
of the “White Controversy,” so called, wherein Rev. Ebenezer
White, of Danbury, Rev. James Taylor, of New Fairfield, and
Rev. Noah Whitmore, of Bethel, were tried for false doctrine,
(viz. Sandemanianism), and the two former were silenced; the
case of Rev. Robert Silliman, who was not willing to acqui-
esce in the wish of the church at New Canaan for his dismis-
sion, and whose pastorate finally came to an end by an act of
the legislature in 1771; the case of Rev. Mr. Seward, dis-
missed from the church of Stanwich in 1794, and afterward
deprived of his standing in the ministry for immorality; the
case in 1797 of Benedict vs. Comstock, of New Canaan, the
trouble growing out of disagreement in respect to a land-
boundary, and the further case of Rev. Mr. Carle, of Wilton,
who after two unsuccessful endeavors to have his pastoral
relations dissolved by act of Consociation, abdicated his charge
without their consent, and was adjudged therefor no longer a
minister of the gospel.
YX.
In 1817 the church at Ridgefield withdrew from the Conso-
ciation because the body refused to install their chosen can-
didate under the so called “six months notice” clause, and
remained outside until 1831, and a serious unpleasantness
arose between the Second Church in Greenwich and “Fair-
field West” in connection with the dismission of Rev. Mr.
Coe, the disagreement being as to what constitutes a sufficient
reason for the dissolving of the pastoral relation.
To controversies of more recent date, for obvious reasons I
make no allusion.
Cases like these, only a little less conspicuous and perplex-
ing, brought before one or other of the bodies for adjustment
might be added to a painful extent, but it is better they should
remain in the obscurity given them by intervening years—
“JRegeiscat in pace.” -
A few words are at least allowable before I am done, in re-
spect to
THE MINISTRY
of these more distant periods of our history, though a testi-
mony from the pew, upon this topic might be quite as grace-
ful and more satisfactory. - -
Notable men of this class there have been among us, as
Rev. Charles Chauncey and Rev. Samuel Cook, of Stratfield,
(Bridgeport), Rev. Noah Hobart, of Fairfield, Dr. Noah Wells
and Rev. John Davenport, of Stamford, Dr. Samuel Hopkins,
of North Stamford, and Dr. Timothy Dwight, of Greenfield,
Rev. Isaac Lewis, D.D., of Greenwich, and Rev. Joseph Bel-
lamy, of Bethlehem.
In the roll of distinction at a later date stand the names of
Drs. Heman Humphrey and Lyman Atwater, of Fairfield,
Rev. Elijah Waterman and Drs. Samuel and John Blatchford,
Drs. Woodbridge and Hewit, of Bridgeport, Rev. William B.
Weed, of Stratford, and later of Norwalk, Dr. Edwin Hall,
of Norwalk, and Dr. Joel H. Linsley, of Greenwich, true and
good men all, who like David, having “served their own gen-
eration by the will of God, fell on sleep and were gathered
unto their fathers.”
xxi
So far as appears, the ministers of the county have in a
marked degree been true to their doctrinal standards, with
exception of the Sandemanian or Glassite defection at Dan-
bury already referred to, and a protest by four members of
Council against the settlement of a candidate at Green's
Farms in 1840. In all the one hundred and fifty years not
a single stain of blood from the veins of heretics—not even a
scorch by inquisitorial fires, appearing upon the records.
As the nearest approach to this it perhaps should be men-
tioned, that at the settlement of Dr. Dwight, in Greenfield in
1783, (was there a touch of humor in this?) a protest was
submitted to the Council from some of the congregation based
upon the asserted doctrinal unsoundness of the candidate.
In this connection I can scarcely refrain from making men-
tion of a single name in the list of licentiates, though its rela-
tion to us is Associational rather than Consociational—a name
held in well deserved honor as the symbol of all that is self-
denying and heroic in Christian character and life. I refer to
David Brainerd, licensed by the “Fairfield East.” Associa-
tion in 1742, and who after being expelled from Yale College,
in part because he disobeyed orders in attending meetings
held by the sympathizers with Whitefield and Tennent, was
received into the family of Tev. Mr. Mills, of Huntington, and
by him qualified as to his theological education for his subse-
quent mission as preacher among the Stockbridge Indians.
It may be justly added, we of the present generation have
no reason to think lightly of our Consociational fathers. They
were for the most part men of sound judgment, “Zealous
for purity of doctrine and the wholesome administration of
discipline,” full of labors for Zion's welfare, and with just
enough of divergence of opinion on cases submitted for adjust-
ment to make evident their independence of thought and the
courage of their convictions, yet in these cases differing with-
out bitterness and at all times maintaining good fellowship.
But here our review must reach its end.
These memorials of the past—these gleanings from the
records of the church within these Consociational boundaries
xxii
while five generations of our brethren in Christ have been ful-
filling their mission and ripening for the estate of glory upon
which they have entered—do they not render their testimony
that the church is of God, and that God is in her history, and
this further truth also, that the faith which is the inspiration,
the comfort and the undying hope of believers from age to age
is not of human origin, but divine, is not an experiment, but a
settled verity, is not ephemeral, but everlasting.
The clear affirmations of history—the chronicles of all the
Christian centuries are on our side, and we say to the agnos-
tic, the scientific doubter, the scoffing infidel—whatever may
be true of human interpretations, Christianity itself hath its
walls of adament and its gates of brass, against which the bow-
guns of the assailant will have little effect!
Institutions which men have builded grow old and perish,
but “whatsoever God doeth shall be forever; nothing can be
put to it nor anything taken from it, and God doeth it that
men should fear before Him.”
Our review may properly suggest to us also that organiza-
tions for religious ends are valuable not for their own sakes,
but for their serviceableness in sustaining and advancing truth
and righteousness—valuable for what they enshrine and trans-
mit of “the faith once delivered to the saints,” and for the
aid they furnish to successive generations struggling toward
a sanctified life and a realm of purity and peace.
The ark is worth perpetual guarding and severest attention,
not because of its curious workmanship of accasia wood and
gold, but because of the Sacred tablets within, and the mercy-
seat above it.
And, once more, let us accept the view, with its practical
bearing upon ourselves—the spiritual elevation, energy and
success of the organization, whether like that which occupies
our thoughts to-day or the church itself, is dependent upon
the measure of Sanctification attained by the individual mem-
ber and the fidelity each one brings into the service of the
Master.
X e sº tº
A motto, then, not unsuitable to us as Christian men and
women is that in the poet Goethe's lines,
Like the star
That shines afar,
Without haste,
And without rest,
Let each man wheel with steady sway,
Round the task that rules the day,
And do his best!
SUPPLEMENTARY.
NOTE A.
It may be presumed that the records of the Fairfield Con-
sociation from its organization in 1709, to the period of the
division in 1736, were held and perhaps continued by the
Registrars of the Western District, and destroyed with the
dwelling house of Rev. Andrew Eliot at the burning of Fair-
field in 1779. -
Fortunately, however, a complete account of the organiza-
tion is preserved in the Records of the Stratfield church,
copied therein and attested by Rev. Samuel Cooke, from the
original minutes by Rev. Charles Chauncey the Scribe of the
body, and is as follows:
“Sigillum At a Consociation or meeting of the Elders and Mes-
Consociationis -sengers of the County of Fairfield at Stratfield March
Fairfieldensis. 16, 1708–9.
The Revd. Mr. John Davenport chosen Moderator.
Present from ye Y The Revd. Mr. Charles Chauncey Scribe.
Chh. Of Fairfield After Solemn Seeking of God for divine
The Revd Mr. Joseph Webb. guidance, direction and blessings the
Messengers. ; Council convened.
Deacon John Thomson The Acts of ye Council at Saybrook,
Mr. Samuel Cobbet. September 9, 1708 were read the first time
as also ye general Assembly’s approba-
tion and sanction thereof, October 1708.
From ye Chh. of Stratford. ) Voted in Council to adjourn till 8 of
Messengers. ye clock in ye morning.
Joseph Curtiss Esqr. The Consociation being met according
Mr. Samuel Sherman. to adjournment, after prayer made it was
agreed -
J Imps. That all the Chhs. in ye County
From ye Chh. of Stratfield. Q of Fairfield be one Consociation.
The Revd. Mr. Charles 2. That ye Pastors met in our Consoci-
Chauncey ation have power with ye Consent of the
Messenger. Messengers of our Chhs. chosen and attend-
Lieut. James Bennet. ing, Authoritatively Judicially and Deci-
sively to determine ecclesiastically affairs
XXV
From ye Chh. of Stamford. ) bröt to their Cognizance according to
The Revd. Mr. Jno. Davenport. the Word of God and that our Pastors
Messengers. with the concurrence and consent of the
Deacon Samll Hoit Messengers of our Chhes to be chosen
Mr. Jos. Bishop. | and that shall attend upon all future
J occasions, have like Authoritative, Ju-
dicial and Decisive power of Determ-
From ye Chh. of Danbury. Yination of affairs ecclesiasticall, and that
The Revd Mr. Seth Shove. in further and fuller meetings of two Con-
Messengers. sociations together compliant with the
Lieut. James Beebee conclusions of ye sq Councill at Saybrook,
Mr. James Benedict. there is the like Authoritative, Judiciall
J and Decisive power of Determination of
Ecclesiastical affairs according to ye word
of God.
3. That by Elder or Elders of a par-
From ye Chh. of Norwalk. \ ticular Chh in said Saybrook
The Revd Mr. Stephen Buckingham. || conclusions mentioned in Para-
Messenger. graph ye first is understood only
Deacon Zerubbabel Hoit. in ye teaching Elder or teaching
Elders.
4. That in ye 6th Paragraph of
sd conclusions we do not hold
From ye Chh. of Woodbury. ) ourselves obliged in our practice
The Revd. Mr. Anthony Stoddard. to use ye phrase of ye sentence of
Messengers. Non Communion but in ye stead
Deacon John Sherman, thereof to use ye phrase of ye sen-
Deacon Matthew Mitchell. | tence of Excommunication which
- may in our judgment be formally
applied in ye Cases expressed in
said Paragraph.
The Councill adjourned till half an hour past two oclock in ye after-
In OOI).
5. That to ye orderly begining of a case before a Councill of our
Chhes, ye aggrieved member shall make application unto ye moderator
of the Councill or Consociation for ye time being or in case of ye mod-
erator's death to ye free Senr Pastor of ye Consociation who upon his
desire shall receive attested copies of ye Chhs, proceedings with ye ag-
grieved member from their minister and ye sq. Moderator with the two
free senr. Pastors of ye Circuit or in ye Case premised of ye death of
ye Moderator ye sq 2 senr. pastors of ye circuit being satisfied there is
sufficient cause shall warn ye convening of the Consociation.
6. That a Copy of a Warning to appear before ye Councill the time
and place being notified being read in the hearing or left in ye house of
the ordinary abode of a scandalous member or witness concerning the
xxvi
case depending before two members of the designation of the Scribe
for ye time being and signed by the Sd Scribe be adjudged a regular
notification. -
7. That a copy of a Warning to appear before ye Pastor or Chh.
ye place and time notified being read in ye hearing or left in the ordi-
mary abode of an offending member or witness needfull in the case
before two members appointed by the pastor and signed by him shall
be a fair notification ye neglect whereof unless upon sufficient reason
shall be reputed a scandalous contempt in our respective Chhes
8. That all persons that are known to be Baptized shall in ye places
where they dwell be subject to ye Censures of admonition and excom-
munication in case of scandall committed and obstinately persisted in.
9. That the Moderator and Scribe now chosen be accounted to stand
in ye same respective capacities for ye time being untill a new regular
choice be made, and so for the future.
10. That ye Judgment of ye Consociation or Councill be executed by
any Pastor appointed thereto by ye Councill when ye Pastor that hath
already dealt in ye case hath not a freedome of conscience to execute
ye same.
The above Acts and Conclusions of the present Consociation unani-
mously Woted March 17, 1708–9.
Signed Charles Chauncey, Scribe.
The above and foregoing is a true Copy of the Originall Compared.
pr. Samuel Cooke.”
NOTE B.
Since the discourse was delivered the following items from the pen
of Rev. B. L. Swan, a former pastor of the Stratford church, repro-
duced in the very interesting and exhaustive History of the Town of
Stratford recently prepared by Rev. Samuel Orcutt, have come under
the eye of the author.
The items are as follows: “Mr. Whitefield preached here Monday
afternoon October 27, 1740, on his way from New Haven where he
preached on Sunday the 26th, and on the three days preceding.”
“The sermon by Mr. Whitefield was heard by Mrs. Ann, wife of
John Brooks, * * who herself narrated the matter to Miss Polly
Tomlinson who related it to me in 1859, and she was so much inter-
ested that with her infant in her arms she went to Fairfield to hear him
again the same day.”
“A tradition preserved by Mrs. Victory Wetmore * * and given
me by her in 1859, represents a Mrs. Burritt who lived on the wood
end road below Main street as being in the yard of her dwelling * *
a mile nearly from the meeting house hill, where she distinctly heard
Mr. Whitefield name his text from Zechariah 9, 12: ‘Turn ye to the
xxvii
stronghold ye prisoners of hope.’ Hence it is probable that this ser-
mon was delivered in the Open air.”
These statements of Mr. Swan seem to make it evident that Mr.
Whitefield preached in response to the invitation both in Stratford and
Fairfield and make improbable the tradition referred to of his having
preached in Stratfield (Bridgeport) with some fruit of his effort after-
ward gathered.
NOTE C.
The “Half Way Covenant" as it stands upon the early records of
the church in Huntington, and was accepted as the bond of fellowship
by that church until 1817 when it was discarded, was in these words:
“You do now before God and these witnesses avouch the Lord Jehovah to be your
Covenant God and Father, viewing yourself under solemn bonds and obligations to be
the Lord's by your baptism and vows. You do so far as you know your own heart,
make choice of Jesus Christ to be your only Saviour and Redeemer, and the Holy Ghost
to be your Sanctifier. Solemnly engaging to serve the Lord and Him only, as He shall
by His grace enable you, that you will deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, that you
will be careful to keep a conscience void of offense so as to do honor to God, and the re-
ligion you profess; that you will endeavor by strength from God to walk in all His
commandments and ordinances blameless, desiring to put yourself under the watch and
care of this Church, to be trained up in the school of Christ for His heavenly kingdom,
promising also, that you will give up your children to God in Baptism and to bring
them up in the fear of the Lord ; and to attend upon all the ordinances of Christ as
administered in this place; also that it is your full purpose to obey God in the ordi-
nance of the Holy Supper as God shall give you light and show you. His will herein.
And you covenant and you promise, relying for help and strength and ability on the
Blood of the everlasting Covenant to perform all and every duty to the praise and glory
of God.”
To make such professions and bind the life by such vows surely
seems an act of sufficient solemnity. In form the instrument does not
appear a wide departure from the obligations assumed in truly evan-
gelical and Orthodox churches.
But the instrument as interpreted by the purpose had in view by
those who desired it as a basis of membership, and its practical effect
upon church life, is misleading. The form was indeed almost parallel
with the vows regarded as evangelical and adopted as conditional to
full membership, but that there was a radical defect in the spirit of
the instrument, at least in the spirit of those assuming its obligations is
evident in the two fold fact, the effect was so disastrous, and when time
had made its pernicious influence manifest, the evangelical churches
both in Massachusetts and Connecticut rejected it. As to the intent
and practical working of the scheme, a few extracts from authorship
immediately following the period when this Covenant was the open
door to the church will make the matter sufficiently obvious.
“According to the provision of this arrangement, persons who con-
xxviii
fessedly had not given their hearts to God, for the purpose of obtain-
ing access to the (in such case) mere ceremony of baptism for their
children “ ” were permitted and encouraged to come and make in
the most solemn circumstances the most solemn of all professions,
when they did not regard themselves and those around them did not
regard them as having at all in heart given themselves away to God
and trusted in Christ and yielded themselves up to be temples of the
Holy Ghost. And as to the promises which were annexed, of educa-
ting children in the fear of the Lord and submitting to the discipline of
the church on the one hand and watchful care on the other, they soon
came alike to be disregarded both by those who exacted and those who
made them; parents did not and soon were not expected to fulfil their
engagements, in form so significant and solemn, and churches did not
and soon were not expected to fulfil theirs. * * The churches soon
came to consist very considerably in may places of unregenerate per-
sons. * * The consequence was that within thirty years after the
commencement of the eighteenth century a large proportion of the
clergy through the country were either only speculatively correct in
their religious opinions, maintaining regularly the forms of religion,
but in some instances having well nigh lost, and in others, it is to be
feared, having never felt its power.”
NOTE D.
The Constitution and Roll of Membership of this Missionary Society
are preserved, also the amount subscribed by each member as an an-
nual payment for promoting the object had in view.
The sum appended to most of the names is one dollar, which seems
to have been regarded at that time as a pretty generous contribution.
An aged clergyman of the state who passed away years ago at an ad-
vanced age, told the author that when he first presented the cause
of Foreign Missions to his congregation and felt constrained to head
the subscription list with one dollar, his deacons in the evening called
to expostulate with him as having set an example of extravagance be-
fore the people! The world does move somewhat.
R E PO RT
OF THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
A 88 7

A N N U A L
R. E. P. O. R. T
OF THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
F O R
A 8 8 7.
- 13RIDGEPORT, CONN.:
PR IN TED F O R THE So CIETY.
PRESS OF GOULD & STILES.
O FIFI C E R S
OF THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
PRESIDENT,
ROWLAND B. LACEY.
WICE-PRESIDENTS,
GEORGE C. WALDO, REV. SAMUEL ORCUTT,
GEN. WITILIAM. H. NOBLE.
reconoma SECRETARY,
NATHANIEL E. WORDIN, M.D.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY,
LOUIS N. MIDDLEBROOK.
TREASURER AND CURATOR,
RICHARD C. AMBLER.
HISTORIAN,
GEORGE C. WALDO.
SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING.
The Sixth Annual Meeting of the FAIRFIELD County HISTORI-
CAL SOCIETY was held in the Rooms of the Society, No. 446 Main
Street, Bridgeport, Friday Evening, April 15th, 1887.
The meeting was called to order by the President, R. B.
Lacey, Esq.
The resignation of William A. Beers, Esq., one of the Vice-
Presidents of the Society, was read by the Secretary and ac-
cepted, after which the following resolution, with reference
thereto, was adopted:
Resolved, That we receive with regret the resignation of one of
the honored Vice-Presidents of this Society, William A. Beers,
Esq., of Fairfield, whose interest in the work of the Society and
whose able and scholarly papers read before our meetings have
been of great help to us, and have conferred credit upon the or-
ganization as well as upon himself. We greatly regret the cir-
cumstances which have called him to remove from Fairfield Coun-
ty and the State, and we assure him of our continued regard and
sincere wishes for his health and prosperity; and we trust that
in his new location he will find time to still further pursue those
historical studies, which he has followed to such admirable pur-
pose, while a member of this Society.
The following resolution was introduced by Mr. Waldo and
passed:—
Resolved, That the Fairfield County Historical Society strongly
favors the proposition now before the Legislature of the State,
to make a Memorial Park at Redding in this County, upon the
site of the Putnam or Revolutionary Camp Ground, and that it
also commends the work done in forwarding that movement by
Mr. Charles Burr Todd, the Historian of Redding, one of the
members of this society.
The meeting then proceeded to the election of Officers for the
ensuing year. -
Tº #Tij'. . . . . . -- - - , --, - . .
... ii i \} . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
THE PRESIDENT'S REMARKS.
Six years ago six individuals met at a business office in
Bridgeport and banded themselves together to preserve and
promote the embodiment of the local history of Fairfield County.
Some slight study of the subject had impressed the minds of
each of these gentlemen with the fact, that here was a most inter-
esting and important field, which was almost entirely fallow. If
it had been worked at all, it was in Snatches of individual history
by isolated effort, without general plan, without organization or
means to combine the results of individual effort into a harmoni-
ous and perfect whole. Those gentlemen did not flatter them-
selves that the association then formed would at once, as by
magic, cover the ground. They had their ideal more or less defi-
nite, but were content with small beginnings, and to work in the
direction indicated by Small means, and little encouragement
from without.
Six years have passed, and each year has shown progress, and
we think we may point with a good degree of Satisfaction to our
present position, and the substantial results of our labors, as
brought out in the annual reports of the past and present years.
Success begets new wants, and calls for enlargement in all di-
rections.
We want the coöperation of leading gentlemen and ladies in
every town in the county. We want their names as members
and their contributions of the membership fees and other valua-
ble offerings to enable us to print and give to them and the pub-
lic the valuable contributions to our local history secured from
time to time. We want such contributions from every town in
the county. We want a literal copy of every tombstone in all the
old burial grounds of the county. We want a copy of the early
6
7
church records of every parish in the county—all the births,
baptisms, marriages, and church members down to 1800, ar-
ranged in alphabetical order. We want samples of old imple-
ments—household, mechanical and farming utensils, illustrating
the methods and history of the early settlers in this part of the
country. We want Old almanacs, old pamphlets, old newspapers,
old books and manuscripts, for the same purpose. History, il-
lustrated and written, secured and safely treasured is the purpose
for which the Society exists. An account of every article; where
obtained ; by whom ; and for what purposes made and preserved,
is desired. When persons become interested in this line of re-
Search they find amusement, instruction and social intercourse
of a decidedly advantageous character, and therefore, it is not
Only a benevolent work but also of personal advantage.
As illustrating what is being done elsewhere in the line of
preserving history and historical articles, a few extracts from the
New York Evening Post of August, 1886, concerning the New
York Historical Society—its beginning and its present remarka-
ble proportions and value, are pertinent:
“The New York Historical Society was organized at the City
Hall, by eleven prominent men of the city, on the 20th of No-
vember, 1804. The Society took immediate steps to carry out
the object for which it was formed, and from the materials then
gathered has grown the magnificent collection the Society now
owns. Its rooms were located in various places until 1857,
when it took possession of the building it has since occupied at
the corner of Second Avenue and Eleventh Street. Although
that structure is 50x95 feet, it is totally inadequate to the Socie-
ty's needs, and, therefore, $100,000 have been offered toward a
fund, to be made $400,000, for a suitable and commodious build-
ing for the Society.
“The State has granted it financial aid at two different times;
first, $5,000, and the second time, $12,000. It has now about
2,000 members, by which its regular income amounts to $10,000
a year.
“Its library contains about 100,000 volumes, including the
files of some ninety newspapers, dating as far back as 1704.
The art gallery comprises a remarkable fine collection of paint-
ings, including several of the old masters.
8
“Other interesting departments are the Lenox collection of
Ninevah sculptures, presented by Mr. Lenox; the famous Ab-
bott collection of Egyptian antiquities, and the Indian collection.
The Egyptian collection contains several very fine mummies of
men and women, One embalmed 3,297 years ago, and the collec-
tion alone embraces nearly 1,200 articles.
“The Society is already so rich in treasures of historic inter-
est that, with proper facilities at its disposal, there is no reason
why it should not, eventually, have a museum that should be as
dear to the people of New York, and as valuable from an histor-
ical and artistic view as are some of the great museums of the
old world of the cities in which they have been developed.”
From the present indications of favor, the Fairfield County
Historical Society will be, to its locality, of as great satisfaction
and interest as the New York Society to that great city. Al-
ready in the brief time of six years it has made greater progress,
proportionately, than the New York Society in two or three times
that number of its earlier years.
THE SECRETARY'S REPORT.
During the sixth year of the Society there have been held thir-
teen meetings, One annual, nine regular, one special, one ad-
journed annual, and One adjourned regular. No meetings were
held during the months of July and August.
The list of annual members has been increased by three, two
of whom are non-residents. The membership of the Society is
now sixty, of whom thirty-five reside outside of Bridgeport, and
twenty-five in the city.
In the month of May, 1886, the Society, by its official action,
endeavored to promote the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary
of the Organization of the City of Bridgeport, by coöperation
with the city authorities, although the proposition was not car-
ried into effect.
To further the objects of the Society in aiding in the preserva-
tion of monumental history, it secured the following enactment:
“Resolved by this Assembly: That the charter of the Fairfield
County Historical Society (approved March twenty-fourth, 1885,)
be, and the same is hereby amended, so that in addition to the
powers already conferred in said charter, said Society may have
power to receive and take charge of ancient burial lots, for the
purpose of preserving the monuments thereon, and keeping the
grounds and fences in good order, and to receive gifts and dona-
tions of money or other property, and to hold the same in trust
to defray the expenses of the same.
Approved, March 10, 1887.”
It is gratifying to know that the efforts of the friends of the
enterprise to secure a park at Redding, resulted in the following
action by the Legislature:
Resolved by this Assembly:
SECTION 1. That a committee of four be appointed by the
Governor, to procure a suitable memorial to be erected on the
9
10
Israel Putnam camp ground at Redding, and to accept, on be-
half of the State, any gifts of real estate there located.
SEC. 2. Said committee is hereby authorized to make a con-
tract in the name and on behalf of the State, with some compe-
tent person to be by them selected, for constructing said mem-
orial according to plans to be approved by said committee; pro-
vided, that the expense to the State shall be limited in said con-
tract to a sum not exceeding fifteen hundred dollars.
Approved, May 4, 1887.”
In the appropriations made by the State in this same year is
that, “For the erection of a memorial on the Israel Putnam camp
ground, at Redding, fifteen hundred dollars.”
During the year a number of historical papers of decided
value have been read before the Society, all of which would be
published in this annual, if the necessary funds were at hand, to
meet the expenses of printing. Among these papers were two
by Gen. William H. Noble; the first of these being a “Sketch of
the Miller Building,” an old unseemly land-mark at the wharf
next to the Lower Bridge, in Bridgeport, and the other a sketch
of the “Life of Stephen Lounsbury,” a former resident and pub-
lic spirited citizen of Bridgeport. A paper was also read by the
President of the Society, R. B. Lacey, Esq., on “First Things,”
as originating at Bridgeport and vicinity, which paper furnished
Occasion for a considerable amusing discussion of Esquire Joseph
Backus, by one of the newspapers of the city; and also a paper
read by Rev. Samuel Orcutt, on “Capt. Stephen Burroughs and
His Times.”
The publication of the “History of Stratford and Bridgeport,”
in two large Octavo volumes, during the past year, under the
auspices of the Historical Society, is a matter of gratification,
marking a spirit of enterprise more than usual in such societies.
It is quite certain that, had this Society not been in existence, to
encourage and help forward the enterprise, the work would not
have been undertaken by its author.
It is a matter of pleasure and satisfaction that the Society has
been able to Secure, during the year, rooms somewhat adequate
and convenient, with cases and tables for its present needs, in
the same building it previously occupied, at 446 Main street, sec-

11
ond floor. The principal room is 23×28 feet, good height, and
as near fire-proof, by its surroundings and construction, as can
well be, except in a building constructed absolutely to that end.
This advantage has been attained by the thoughtful foresight
and efforts, specially, of the President of the Society.
CURATOR'S REPORT.
Since the organization of the Fairfield County Historical So-
ciety, a little over six years ago, its archives have been enriched
in no mean proportions by valuable and numerous contributions,
not only from members but from citizens who have taken an
interest in the Society, and have recognized that it is an institu-
tion where ancient and valuable papers, manuscripts, books,
household furniture, utensils and implements, &c., &c., would
not only be appreciated, but be carefully preserved. Not alone
have ancient valuables been kindly added to our stores, but au-
thors of geneological, biographical and other historical works
have donated volumes to our library.
The library now consists of about five hundred bound vol-
umes, consisting of biographies, family and local histories, gene-
ologies, rare and curious volumes “of long forgotten lore,” mis-
cellaneous works on every subject. There is the nucleus of a
collection of psalm, hymn and tune books in which our worthy
President is much interested and desires to make more com-
plete. The pamphlets numbering not less than a thousand are
made up of historical addresses, local church, town and city
anniversary celebrations and meetings, memorial and other ser-
mons of note, matters of controversy and miscellany upon numer-
ous subjects. We have many papers and documents of interest
12
and value. Yellow and worn by time, a few of these have been
provided with frames and decorate the walls. Also many an-
cient newspapers, and some valuable continuous files, one of
them being complete files of the New York Observer from 1834;
also fifty wood cuts, electrotypes and photo-engravings, all of
historical interest; in the museum are many articles, imple-
ments of industry and comfort, used by our ancestors that are
simply mysterious objects to the younger of the present genera-
tion.
The want of funds has prevented the classification and exhibi-
tion of many of our valuables. The Society need exhibition
cases in which treasures may be examined, but not handled,
some convenient method of binding and arranging pamphlets,
and, furthermore, the Curator begs permission to suggest that
the proportions of our library and museum are beginning to be
such that the services of a librarian are necessary to remain in
the rooms certain hours every day that visitors may have better
opportunity to consult various objects of interest. It being the
duty also of the librarian to catalogue and arrange all donations
to the Society.
CAPT. STEPHEN BURROUGHS AND
HIS TIMES.
[A PAPER BY REv. SAMUEL ORCUTT.]
Capt. Stephen Burroughs, son of Stephen, was born at Rocky
Hill, now North Bridgeport, Conn., October 4th, 1729, and died
August 2, 1817, being nearly 88 years of age. He is supposed
to have been great-great-grandson of Robert Burroughs, of
Wethersfield, Conn., who married Mary, widow of Samuel Ire-
land, and removed to New London, where his son John ” was
born, and perhaps other children, and this John was the father of
John, Jr., the first of the name who came to Stratford. This
John Burroughs, the grandfather of Stephen, Jr., came from
New London, Ct., to Stratford, a young man, where he married,
on January 10, 1695, Patience, daughter of Edward Hinman,
one of the first-class of early settlers of Stratford. In 1707 he
purchased one half of a grist-mill, dwelling, and several acres of
*John Burroughs, son of Robert, married in New London, Mary, daught-
er of John Culver, and had: I. John, b. Sept. 2, 1671, who came to Strat-
ford; II. Mary, b. Dec. 14, 1672; III. Hannah, b. Oct. 9, 1674; IV. Mar-
garet, b. Oct. 5, 1677; W. Samuel, b. Oct. 5, 1679; WI. Robert, b. Sept. 9,
1681; VII. Abigail, b. Aug. 10, 1682.
The antiquity and prominence of the Burroughs name are seen from the
following Heraldic records:
“First attempt to reach China by this route [Nova Zembla] was made by
the Muscovy or Russian Company in 1553, under Sir Hugh Willoughby in
three ships, with Richard Chancellor as pilot major. The leader and two
vessels with seventy men were lost on the coast of Lapland. The third
ship, under Stephen Burrough, with Chancellor, reached the White Sea
safely and commercial relations were established with Russia.
In 1556, Burrough, in a small vessel, discovered the Waigatz Straits
which separate Nova Zembla from the then supposed continent.”
The following is the Burroughs coat-of-arms as given in the best books
on Heraldry:
‘‘‘Azure, a Bend wavy argent between two Fleurs de lis Ermine,’ and was
assigned and granted by Robert Cooke, of Clarencieux, the 27th of Jan.,
1586, in the 29th year of Queen Elizabeth, to William Burrough, Esqr.,
Clerk and Comptroller of the Queen's Navy, son of Walter Burrough, de-
scended from the Burroughs at Northam, near Barnstable, in the county of
Devon.” The family has continued in London to the present day.
13
14
land, of John Seeley, who had built the mill in 1697, the first
on the Pequonnock river, and in 1710, he bought the other half,
of John Seeley’s widow, and conducted a prosperous business as
a farmer and miller until his decease.
This mill was located where now are the ruins of the Pequon-
nock Woolen Mill, the dam of which was on the site of that of
the present Hydraulic Water Company of Bridgeport. The
dwelling belonging to the mill property stood west of the mill
on the rise of ground, on the west side of the road, where now
stands a red house which seems to have been built by Stephen
Burroughs, Jr., about 1760. -
Stephen Burroughs, the eldest son of John Burroughs, and
father of Capt. Stephen, succeeded his father, in the homestead,
having received a “double portion” by will, because he was smart
enough to be born before either of his four brothers. But the
double portion did not include all the estate, since there were
ten children, and the daughters Hannah and Eunice received
the mill property, “set off” to them in the distribution at a valu-
ation of eighty pounds money—forty to each ; and hence the es-
tate amounted, at least, to four hundred and forty pounds,
which was a very comfortable amount in those days. The sis-
ters sold the mill to their brother Stephen in 1720. Having thus
a “double portion * start in the world, young Stephen found no
difficulty in adding largely to his acres of land although some of
them were on Rocky Hill, others in the mountains of Cornwall,
and others on the plains of Wallingford, Ct. Several old re-
ceipts, still preserved, certify to the possession of a considerable
tract of land in Cornwall, on which Mr. Burroughs paid ministe-
rial tax, specified as follows:– -
“Stratfield, July 18, A. D., 1744, then received of Stephen
Burroughs, for Mr. Matthew Millard, of Cornwall, collector,
the said Burroughs his this year tax-rate in said Cornwall,
which is four pounds, three shillings and four pence, old tenor
money, as witness my hand. GEORGE HALLOWAY.”
In the midst of the first Stephen's prosperity, when at the
age of 26 years, he married, choosing for his wife, Ruth, daugh-
ter of Abraham Nichols, of “Old Farm,” now Nichols Farms,
and they were married March 3, 1720. The reason for the
15
choice young Stephen made seems to have been the fact that
where there was “a right Smart young man,” as the old people
used to say, who meditated marriage, there was always in the
old town of Stratford, some Nichols family with three or four
daughters, whose stylish manners and characteristic good breed-
ing gave them such irresistable charm, that it was scarcely a
matter of choice on the part of a young man to take one, but
that they captured him; for it has come down to the present
times that the Nichols family never surrendered to anything or
anybody, which fact was illustrated at Oronoque, in Stratford,
about one hundred years ago, when in early summer it was
learned that during the winter, then just past, one of the Nich-
ols families, had been next door to want of sufficient food to eat,
but nobody knew it. Upon which an observing, elderly woman
remarked: “That is just like the Nichols family; they always
hold their heads as high as anybody, even if they were starv-
ing.”
The fourth child of Stephen and Ruth (Nichols) Burroughs,
was Stephen, Jr., born as stated at the beginning of this paper,
who afterwards became the astronomer. He was a careful, sys-
tematic worker, and as a consequence wrote in books some of
his processes of study and business transactions, which books,
being preserved by the carefulness of his descendants, to the
present time, give quite an amount of interesting historical in-
formation, nowhere else to be found. It is said that these books
barely escaped the flames, for when the old accumulation of
papers was gathered, after the decease of the late Mrs. Catha-
rine A. (Burroughs) Pettingill, and were on their way to the fire-
place to go up the chimney in Smoke, a young lady of the Bur-
roughs family, somewhat peculiar in her notion of things, as ap-
pears, grabbed some of the oldest papers and manuscript books,
and conveyed them to a safe retreat, and among them were ten
or more account books of the astronomer, and his son Isaac.
The first of these is of the respectable age of one hundred and
thirty-eight years, for in it the owner wrote in an elegant hand:
“STEPHEN BURROUGHS's NAVIGATION Book, 1749.” This was writ-
ten when he was just twenty years of age, at which time, he had
attained a high degree of knowledge in mathematics, as the
16
book shows, in the remarkable use which he makes, and expla-
nations he gives of the problems in trigonometry, worked out by
extended use of logarithms, for the purpose of navigation. This
book contains about one hundred and twenty pages of folio, Or
fools-cap size, well filled with demonstrations in the science of
navigation by astronomical calculations.
One of the most extended problems in it is worked out under
the title of “A Journal of a Voyage, By God’s Permission, in
the Dolphin, S. W., commander, bound from Block Island to
Antigua.” This may have been a realized voyage, but there
are strong indications that the young navigator was safely
housed at the foot of Rocky Hill without any peril of ocean-
waves or storms at sea, while he wrote the calculations.
Another problem is recorded in this book which was an actual
experience, and the record, covering nine pages in fine writing,
is that kept from day to day throughout the voyage. He intro-
duces the account by saying:— *
“A Journal of a Voyage, by God's Permission, in the Sloop
Lucy, Sherman Lewis, Commander, Bound from Block Island,
in Lat. 41d, 57m N., and Long. 69d, 50m W., to Dominica, in
Lat. 15d, 25m N., and Long. 600, 30m W., Began on Thursday,
July the 3d, 1754;” and, on “Friday, August 9th, about 7
o'clock in the morning they had sight of Dominica,” and, he says,
“we got into Tuckere at about three after midnight, our hands
well and cargo safe. My recoming fell out about the middle of
the Island.”
The return voyage is introduced thus:– “A Journal of a
voyage, by God’s Permission, in the Sloop Lucy, Sherman Lewis,
commander, Bound from Eustatia to Block Island. Friday, No-
vember 8, [1754], we sailed from Eustatia.” They arrived in
Long Island Sonnd, December 11, [1754], but with considerable
damage to the vessel from high wind while off Montauk Point.
Practical value moved Stephen Burroughs to study navigation,
and this, probably, led him to the study of astronomy, for the
love of it, and in it he made great proficiency, and for which he
was and still is known as Stephen Burroughs, the astronomer.
In 1760, he married Elizabeth, the daughter of Joseph
Browne, another very excellent family, but more recently settled
17
in the town of Stratford.* This lady belonged to an Episcopal
family, and this was the first breach made by Episcopacy into
the Burroughs family,–a break which has had various changes
down to the present day. It is no great marvel, however, that
Stephen Burroughs diverged a little as to ecclesiastical relations,
since the young lady belonged in blood descent to that family
which always had been done “Browne,” and hence belonged to
the “upper crust;” and the Burroughs families have been very
careful about blood descent; some of them so much so that they
never married at all.
Stephen Burroughs, Jr., and his young wife remained on the
old homestead at Rocky Hill, probably, for a short time, but then
settled half a mile further south, across the street from the pres-
ent Island Brook School-house; near which he afterwards had a
store, which, judged by the scores of barrels of pork, beef
and lard he took from the cellar of it to load his vessel at differ-
ent times, as shown in his freight-books, must have been of am-
ple proportions. This house stood on the neck of a peninsula, in
an elevated and beautiful position, from the rear of which was
had an extended view down the river and harbor. The water
from the Sound coming up around the peninsula, was so deep
that any vessels which could cross the bar, at the mouth of the
harbor, could sail to Mr. Burroughs’ wharf. This was a very
secure retreat for vessels during the Revolutionary War, and is
said to have been so used freely.
* Another daughter of Joseph Browne, named Anne, married Wolcott
Chauncey, grandson of the Rev. Charles Chauncey, of Stratfield, and lived
at Black Rock, in Fairfield, Ct., where their son Isaac was born, February
20, 1772, who became a commodore in the U. S. Navy. He went to sea at
the age of thirteen years; obtained command of a ship when nineteen years
of age; was appointed Lieutenant in the U. S. Navy in 1798; was promoted
to be commandant in 1802, and Captain in 1806. He served with distinc-
tion in the war with Tripoli; was in command of the Navy Yard at Brook-
lyn, N. Y., from 1808 until 1812, when he was placed in command of the
Lakes, which he maintained with the highest honors for gallantry and skill
as a naval commander. Afterwards he commanded the Meliterranean
Squadron, from 1816 to 1818, and then was again commander of the
Navy Yard at Brooklyn, and was President of the Navy Commission at his
decease, which occurred at Washington, January 27, 1840. “No officer of
the navy ever served his country more faithfully, or better acquitted him-
self of the high trust reposed in him,” says the published record of him.
The Commodore had a brother Ichabod Wolcott Chauncey, who also was
a Captain in the U. S. Navy.
2
18
Besides the navigation book, spoken of, several others have
been preserved, one of which contains the records of his store
business for about fifteen years, from 1755. Some of the other
books contain accounts with his vessel and he called them
“Freight Books.” These books, while they were intended only
as an aid to a correct business career, furnish now a considerable
amount of historical information as to the shipping and mercan-
tile business on the Pequonnock river, and the manner of life
among the people at that date. It is evident from these books
that all the shipping business done on the river and harbor then
was at the Burroughs landing at Rocky Hill. The only parties
likely to have conducted another shipping trade were Esquire
Theophilus and his son, Captain Philip Nichols, but Theophilus
owned one-sixth of the schooner Mercury, sailed by Mr. Bur-
roughs in 1762, and he and his son Philip shipped large quanti-
ties of produce and goods on Mr. Burroughs' vessels until after
the Revolutionary War began, and there was not sufficient trade
for more than one regular line of vessels. This first vessel was
owned by Mr. Burroughs, Theophilus Nichols, Silas Nichols, and
David Sherwood, and the record of its first trip, in 1762, is given
as follows:
“The schooner Mercury. Charges for the voyage to
Boston, April, 1762, - - - - - - ſº 37–19–7
Earnings of the said vessel the said voyage, - - 95— 0–4
Clear, - . 57–00–9
My part clear, - * - - - - - 17–16–3
Esquire Nichols, do., 1-6th, - - - - * 9–10–0
Silas Nichols, do., 1-8th, - - - - - - 7– 2–6
David Sherwood, do., 1-6th of 1-2, - - - 8–18–1
£43–6–10
.# 4– 8–9
“The earnings of the schooner Mercury, the first
voyage to Boston, in 1763, was, - - - #100–1–6,
Charges arising on said voyage, - * - 38–0–6
Clear, - - af62–1–0 °
The record of the outfit for the first voyage is dated Novem-
ber 24, 1761, and the method of procedure seems to have been,
19
for the vessel to lay at the landing some weeks receiving the ar-
ticles to be transported, and when a load was secured the vessel
sailed to its place of destination, where the loading was sold by
pieces or parts, to many persons, and other articles which had
been ordered were brought back to the individuals sending for
them. The income to the vessel was wholly from freight and
commission charged for transporting, selling and buying.
On the record book, at first, Mr. Burroughs placed the ac-
count of the goods each man received as debit, and the goods
the same person sent, directly opposite on the same page as
credit, and in the footing up he charged freight and commission.
Some extracts from these books are here given for the purpose
of showing what articles were bought and sold, and what the
prices of them, and what the conveniences and disadvantages of
life in those days. Only a few articles are mentioned from each
list as given under a few of the names recorded as traders at the
store.
It should be remembered that very little money of any kind
was in circulation at that time, and that persons wanting goods
had them charged on the store book, and afterward sent away
their produce, and with the money settled the account.
In these extracts no attention is given to the balancing of ac-
Counts.
DR. JAMES WALKER. CR.
To 1 Lookingglass, plain, £3–00–00, 6 Bs. * Seed, - - - - - £2–12–6
To 1 Glass for a clock, - - 6–00 || 48 lbs. Tallow, - - - - 1–18–0
To Bailey's Dictionary, - 15-00 || 4 lbs. Beeswax, - - - - 6–0
To 1 Gold Necklace, 44], - 2-8-00
DR. ABRAHAM BRINSMADE. CR.
Dec. 6, 1764. By Nursing our child 19
To 18 fos. of sugar, - - - £0–9–3 weeks, 1 day, - - - £3–7–0
To a Gold Necklace, - - 2– 8–0 | By a Coffin, - - - - - 3–6
To 22% gallons of wine, - 3–18–4
To Fr. and Portage, - - 2–2
DR. SAMUEL WARD. CR.
1758. By building the vessel of
[To many items, and,) 55 tons, at 46|- pr.
To 2 ſps. Tobacco, - - - £0–00–8 ton, - - - - - - £124–4–0
* “Bs.” means bushels; lbs., pounds; yds. yards. The money is read as
pounds, shillings and pence. Figures preceding a line (as 44 -) mean
shillings, and figures which follow the line mean pence, thus 26, mean two
shillings and sixpence.
20
T)R. REUBEN LAKE. CR.
1762–1764. By work in the shipyard
[Quite a list of articles, but none of building the Sloop
special note.] Grampus, 79 days, 36
[per day], - - - - £13–16-6
DR. THEOPHILUS NICHOLS. CR.
1761. By Cash, 1233, - - - - £6–3–3
To 50 Bushels Salt at 36, £8–15–0 | By 1–6 part earnings of the
To 1 Book—the Travels of vessel, - - - - - - 9–10–0
Cyrus, - - - - - - - 6–0 | By 1 Gallon Wine, - - - 7–0
To 3 Casks of Raisins at 37|4, 5–12–0 | By 1–6 part ye earnings of
To Cash, 200|- - - - - - 10–0–0 the vessel to Boston, Sec-
To 1 Barrel Turpentine, - 1–0–0 || Ond time, - - - - - 8–11–5;
To 10 vol, ye WorldDisplayed, 1–10–0 | By the Hat Returned, - - 18–0
To a Satin Hat, - - - - 18–0 | By 2 Quarts Rum, - - - 4–6
To cash paid Capt. P. Nichols By earnings of the vessel, 10– 6–3
New York Currency, 190|– 7–2–6
To 2 Barrels of Pork, - - 6–14–0
To 1 Piece of Irish Linen, - 4–16–0
DR. PETER PIXLEY. CR.
1761, By 43 lbs, Beef, - - - - £0–9–0
To 1 Pair of Grave Stones, £2–3–0 | By Cash, 33|-, - - - - 1–13–0
To 1 Bushel Salt, - - - 4–0 | By a Quarter of Beef, - - 18–0
DR. DAVID SEHERWOOD. CR.
1762. By his part of earnings of
Towards building the vessel and his wages, - £13–11–1
Schooner Mercury, - - £32–0–0 || Jan. 1763, By his serving on
To 1103 cwt. Flax, at 73d, - 3–9–3 | board from Nov. 1, 1762,
To 24 yds. Thick Sett, - - 8–3 till his sickness and death 6– 7–6
To Box Glass, 7 by 9, - - 3–0–0 [He was taken sick with the small-
To a pair of Grave Stones, - 2–4–0 | pox Jan. 5, 1763, and died soon after.]
The schooner Mercury, of 64 tons, was built beginning in Jan-
uary, 1761, and cost £544–10–4%, and was used several years by
the owners in the coasting trade.
DR. LAVINIA DEAN. CR.
To Sundries Traded at Esqr By her services at our house
Burr's, - - - - - - £1–13–0 from September 5th,
To 1 pair shoes, - - - - 6–0 1761, 40 weeks, - - - £8–0–0
To 1 Check linen handker-
chief, - - - - - - 2–9
To 6 yds. Chintz, at 56, - 1–13–0
Mary Cole had a long list of articles which was balanced in the
settling of accounts, and she had left on Sept. 28, 1770, as Mr.
Burroughs says, “by her service at Father's, with the interest,
fºS–16–0.”
In the beginning of winter 1764, Mr. Burroughs records, “an
account of what I laid out in building the new vessel, Dec. 1764.”
The next year another record is made as follows: “An ac-
21
count of labour in the shipyard begun on March 14th, 1765.”
At this time he built a sloop called “Grampus,” which cost
£497–11–10%, in the making of which Stephen Summers was
credited with £99. This vessel seems to have been owned by
Stephen Burroughs, Stephen Sterling, Reuben Lake and Stephen
Summers.
DR. MR. ROBERT ROSS, [THE REVEREND). CR.
176(). By my Society IRate,” - - £0– 8–0
To 1 Gallon Molasses, - - £0– 3–0 || Toward ye Library, - - 4–6
To # ſh. Tea, - - - - - 3–0 | By my ministerial rate in
To 6 Pound Sugar, - - - 3–0 1763, - - - - - - 10–9
To Fening's Algebra, - - 4–6 | By Joseph Booth, - - - 1–9–0
To Dr. Chauncey's Vindica- By my ministerial rate in
tion of Presbyterian Ordi- 1764, - - - - - - 17–2}
nation, - - - - - - 1–6 | By my ministerial rate for
To 4 volls. “Don Quxot,” - 1– 1–0 the year 1766, - - - 9–10
To the Improvement of the By net proceeds of 25%
mind, - - - - - - - 7–6 Bushels Corn to Boston, 3– 3–3
To an Iron Tea kettle, - - 8–0 | By schooling Nicholas
To 2 pamphlits, Mahew and Wheeler, - - - - - 15–0
Apthorp, - - - - - - 4–0 | By my school Rate, - - 18–8.;
1764, To 1 set China Tea By my ministerial rate for
Dishes, - - - - - - 6–6 the year, - - - - - 11–6
To 4 ft). Sugar, by his Negro, 2–0 | By cash, - - - - - - 1– 3–0
To 3 Bushels Flax Seed by By"my ministerial rate for
Ellihu Burritt, - - - - 1 –11–6 the year 1769, - - - 17–0
To # yd Taffety, - - - - 4–0 | By the remainder of my
To 1 Ib Chocolate, - - - 1–6 ministerial rate and my
father's, for 1769, - - 15–0
DR. WIDOW HANNAH LACEY. CR.
1761. By her living at our house
To 6 ft). Sugar, - - - - £0– 3–0 from Oct. 19, 1764, to
To 3 yds. Baize, - - - - 6–0 Sept. 6, 1765, 46 weeks
To 6 yds. Striped Hollon, 12–0 and five days, at 46 per
To cash, - - - - - - 1–6 week, - - - - - - £10–7–0
1765. To 54 yds. Calico,
at 48, - - - - - - 1– 6–0
To 1 pair black mitts, - - 5–4
To yd. Cambrick, - - 3–4
To 4 yds. Shallon, - - - 9–8
To mending a pair Buttons, 3–4
To 1 yd. Checks, - - - - 2–6
To 1 Silk Handkerchief, - 5–7%
To 1 Linen Handkerchief, 1-7%
DR. EPHRAIM BURROUGHS.
1770. -
To 4 lbs. of Cotton Wool, É0– 6–0 | [This was simply cotton to spin].
* Society and ministerial rate was the tax assessed every year to pay the
minister's salary.
22
T)R. RUFUS HANDY. CR.
1770–2. | By building the new sloop
[By a long list]. of 68 Tons at 27|pr. ton, £90–0–0
To 1 Gallon of Rum, entered nine
times at 36 pr. gallon. [This is the
only case of repeated entry for
rumfound on the book in 20 years].
Stephen Burroughs had several accounts with himself, the fol-
lowing being one of them:
1769. Bought in Boston,
6 pair Lynn Shoes, at 4-, - - £1— 4–0
16 Do., 4|-, - - 3– 4–0
36 “ Do., 4|-, - - 7– 4–0
2 Clock Glasses, at 48, - - 9–4
2 Barrels Oyl, at 544,
1 Looking Glass, - - - i–18–0
3 Pieces of Holland, at 17|-,
old tenor,
3 Dozen Milk pans, at 5|4, -
2 Pair small Grave Stones at 12–, 1– 4–0
1 Larger Pair Do., - - - 1–10–0
2 Pair Specticles, at 54, - - 10–0
10 fps. Indigo,
1 Ib Whalebone, at 3–
8 Bottles Snuff, at 18,
71 feet Joist, - 4- - - - 2–5
6 Stone Plates,
1 Brass Kettle, 6 gallons, - - 2–14–1
1 Pair Clothier Shears, - - 4–16–0
2 Set Tea Dishes, at 6|-, - - 12–0
1 Hhd N. E. Rum, 112 gallons, - 9–10–8
7} yds. Curtain Calico, at 34.
“Sloop Jennett bought of Asa Benjamin,” [of Newpasture
Point, in 1800 and 1801, quite a bill of ropes and lines and rig-
ging for the vessel:
In the account book from which the foregoing extracts are
taken, in which the records cover nearly twenty years, there is
one thing very noticeable, the absence of the sale of liquors.
So far as seen there are two kinds recorded, wine and rum, and
of these only a few entries of each, and there is no cider brandy
mentioned. In Only One case is there several entries against
the same person, and that was of one gallon at a time. What
is still more significant is a record on the inside of the front
cover of this account book as follows:

23
“To 2 Quarts Rum for Raising the Mast.
To 1 Quart Rum to Raising the Rudder.
To 1 Quart Rum to Launch.
To 2 Quarts at Mr. Chitmans.”
This record confirms what has been observed carefully in
other parts of this State, that before the Revolution, very little
strong drink was used. In the settlement of Connecticut, more
liquors were drank in the first fifty years in proportion to the
number of inhabitants than during the second fifty years.
In this book there are entered accounts against ninety persons,
most of them heads of families, and yet these ninety persons
collectively are not charged, on an average, two gallons a year
for twenty years. There were no other stores, so far as known,
within three miles, save that of Theophilus Nichols, and possibly
“Esquire Burr's,” a mile and a half southwest towards Fairfield.
As heretofore noticed, but little trading was done at the stores
at the time, that was not placed on the store account books, and
therefore this record pretty fairly represents the amount of
liquors sold from this one store, during the time specified.
DR. BEACH TOMILINSON. CR.
June, 1763, By 4 Barrels of Pork, - - £19–15–0
To Cash paid, - - - £14–15— 0 | By 4 Bu. Oats, - - - - 7–5
To 5 ſhs 8d Nails, - - 3–10 | By 20 Bus. Wheat, - - - 5–0–0
To 6 Baker Glasses, - 2–0 | By 6 fts. Beeswax, - - - 8–0
To 1 Glass Can, - - - 1– 9 | By 3 lb. Shoe Thread, - 4–0
To 1 Mask, - - - - 3– 8 | By 1 Piece of “Towe
To 1 Delf Platter, - - 3– () Cloth,” - - - - - - 1– 3–4
To 2 Brass Bowled Can-
dlesticks, - - - - 1–10
To 2 Bushels Salt, - - 6– 8
To i Pair Stone Ear-
rings, - - - - - 1– 5–4
To 1 Pair of Gold But-
tons, - - - - - - 1— 4- 0
To # Ib Tea, - - - - 3–4%
To Calico for a Gown, - 1–8–0
To Earthen Ware, - - 7–10
To 2 Decanters, a quart
and a pint, - - - -
To 1 Punch Bowle, 2
Quarts, - - - - - 1– 4
To a set China Tea
Dishes, - - - - - 7– 4
To 23; Tbs Refined Iron, 7– 5
To Commission for buy-
ing and Freight, - - 8–3
24
Capt. Beach Tomlinson was a prosperous farmer, in the north-
ern portion of Ripton—now Huntington—and came to the Pe-
quonnock to ship his produce. He married Charity Shelton in
1752, and since his two daughters were too young to Wear
“Stone Earrings,” the conclusion is, that after being married
eleven years, he thought so much of his wife, or, at least, of her
“Charity” towards him, that he bought her the ornamental ear-
rings, and the gold buttons for himself; and when he bought a
punch bowl for himself, he purchased the China tea set for her;
a consideration in household affairs not always accorded to wives,
even in New England. It is reported, however, that of all the
many marvelously splendid women of Huntington, Charity
(Shelton) Tomlinson came as near being the Queen as could pos-
sibly be in this Democratic America. And Beach Tomlinson,
afterwards a Revolutionary Captain, was a grand man, full of
courage, resolution and hard work in the new fields and woods
of Huntington. He feared nothing, unless it was Charity, and
stopped not in his ceaseless toils until his broad acres reached far
among the hills of Vermont, whither he went on horseback once
a year to drive home a herd of cattle, or to bring their value in
his Saddle-bags; and how such a man wanted “gold buttons” is
the question.
It would be a sight at the present day, to see him dressed for
Thanksgiving, in his blue-black dress-coat, light colored buckskin
breeches, vest, and silk stockings, shoes with broad silver buckles
and this new pair of gold buttons in his ruffled lace cuffs; with
his elegant wife Charity, dressed in her new calico gown, that
cost four dollars and a half before a needle touched it, and her
Jasper earrings, besides all other elegancies of dress, with the
China tea set and the punch bowl ready for use; seated in the
grand old farm house, before the great blazing wood-fire, mak-
ing mention of the Sunshine and the clouds of the passing years
of their lives. What a contrast to the toil and diamond glitter
of the present day. To her, under such circumstances were
granted seventy-two years of life, while he, although the father
of fourteen children, lived to the great age of ninety years.
Much is said, at the present day, against a farmer's life, as
to the want of enjoyment and comforts, and favorable position in
25
the community, but there is not a bank President of Bridgeport,
nor a manufacturer, nor even the great showman himself, that
appears in public in more elegant style and dignity, than did
Beach Tomlinson and many others, a hundred years ago; and
yet dudes and dandies with no money in their pockets, and less
brains in their heads, smeer at, and ridicule the old farmers like
Beach Tomlinson, who, while possessing hundreds of acres of
fertile land would work hard all day, and at evening walk miles
and back, for the sake of paying a bill of One shilling and six-
pence, and thereby sustaining the credit of an honest man.
But it is important to return to Stephen Burroughs’ store
and his schooner Mercury, although it be to tarry a few minutes
only, and them wander again in quest of other jewels and golden
ornaments.
DR. WOLCOTT CHAUNCEY. CR.
1763. -
To 1 Barrel Blubber, - - £1–6–6
To Pair flat Irons, - - - 4–6
To $ Gross “heels,” - - 9–0
Whether the “barrel of blubber” had anything to do with the
flat-irons or the half gross of “heels,” is a question, or what the
blubber was, and what used for, or what the “heels.” They are
both mentioned a number of times as merchantable commodities.
If the blubber was the waste after whale oil was extracted, and
used as “fish-scrap” is to-day, it sold at a good price, four dol-
lars and a half a barrel.”
DR. ELNATHAN SEELEY. CR.
In 1768. By making 55 rods of stone
To 2 Bushels of Wheat, - £0– 5–0 wall, at 4|- per rod, - - £11–0–0
To Cash, 80-, - - - - 4–0–0 | By moving 17 rods of fence, 2–10–0
To 1 Barrel Cider, - - - 9–0 | By drawing timber 2 days, 12–0
To 3 Gallons Rum, - - - 8-6 | By working at my wharf, 2–0
To 1 Warming pan, - - 14–0 | By making fence the south
To 2 Milk pans, - - - - 1–2 side of my home lot, to
To an order by Joseph the store, 30 rods, - - 4–0–0
1 0–
If the words “my home lot,” are here used in the old sense,
they meant a lot without a house on it, and hence he had not
built his dwelling near the store which probably stood near the
present site of Island Brook school-house. If this be true then
the house he built and painted five or six years before was the
old red house now standing on the bank west of the paper mill.
Curtis, - -
5
5
* The heels were of wood for ladies' shoes, and were some of them two
inches high.
26
This wharf is spoken of in 1768, the year before he built his
store at the foot of State Street, and hence it was probably near
what he the next year called his upper store. In loading his
vessel Mr. Burroughs several times credits persons with the use
of their scow, when the tide was high. It is probable that this
wharf was new and small, and it was not much out of repair
since it cost only two shillings to mend it.
Another entry gives further light on this subject. “July 20,
1769. Received of Richard Fairman, Esqr., 45 barrels of pork
out of my upper store, and two barrels out of Hawley's store.”
Here he has an “upper store” and hence a lower store. Down
to this date Mr. Burroughs mentions frequently gocds as going
into, and being taken out of his store, but this seems to be the
first time that he indicates more than one store, which one stood
near his shipyard, and is called the upper store. Therefore, it is
concluded that he had just built a second, or lower store, in 1769,
and that was down on the shore near where Mr. Hurd's grain
elevator now stands; and he also mentions taking grain out of
the Hawley's store, which stood at the same place as his lower
store.
Mr. R. B. Lacey's grandfather, Zachariah Lacey, used to say,
that when he was a boy, probably about 1764, as he was born in
1754, there were no dwelling houses along the shore in Bridge-
port, but there were two shanties, those of Stephen Burroughs
and the Hawleys, near, or a little South of the foot of State
Street. It is probable, therefore, that in 1769, the shanties had
given place to some substantial stores, and that these were the
first ever built on the shore of the Bridgeport Harbor. Not long
after a wharf was built on the east side of the harbor, and an-
other at Newpasture Point, or what is now the southern extrem-
ity of East Main Street.
IDR. STEPHEN STERLING. CR.
1761. By his getting timber for
To 1 Ship Carpenter's Adz, £0–10–0 the sloop Grampus 16
To 32 ſps. T)ouble Refined days, at 5|-, - - - - £4–0–0
Iron, - - - - - - - 8–0 | By 95% days building the
To 2 Shod Shovels, - - - 6–0 sloop Grampus, besides
To Cash, 60]-, - - - - 3–0–0 launching day, - - - 23–17–6
To 121b. Oakham, 4d, - - 4–0
To #fb. Powder, - - - - 1–6
To 4 Gallons Molasses, - - 6–0
To Cash 20 Dollars, - - - 6– 0–0
27
Here are three items of note. Questions are often asked how
many dollars there were in a pound of money in the old style of
reckoning. Here it is said, 20 dollars were six pounds, that
three pounds were sixty shillings, and hence sixty shillings were
ten dollars, and one dollar was six shillings, and one shilling of
the six was 16; cents, and one pound was $3.33% ; but in the
currency of pounds, shillings and pence, the shilling contains
12 pence.
Another item was the “shod shovels.” We have heard of
horses and Oxen being shod, and people too, but what kind of an
invention a “shod shovel” was does not appear from these ac-
count books, although several times recorded.
Also the launching day is mentioned, and in another place,
such an occasion is represented so important as to need “one
quart of rum.” How much easier a quart of rum would make
the keel of a vessel of sixty tons slip, is a problem that Stephen
Burroughs worked out on his book in too brief a manner to be
of much wisdom to us; he only intimates that that amount set
the thing Sailing.
DR. NATHAN SUMMERS. CR.
1766. By 2 Barrels of Pork, - - £6–0–0
To 1 Pair Grave Stones for By 20 Bushels of Rye, - 3–6–8
his wife, Comfort Sum- By 17 Bags, - - - - - 1–14–0
mers, who departed this
life 4th of October, 1763, £1–16–0
To 1 Cake Crown Soap,
To 1 Gold Necklace, about
40|-, - - - - - - - 2– 5–4
To 12 yards Silk Crape, - 1– 1–0
To 2 Pair worsted mitts, – 5–8
To 3 yds. black ribbon, - 2–3
This pair of grave stones now stands in the old Stratfield
burying ground, the southwestern corner, for Comfort Summers,
as here stated, and one was placed there afterwards for Nathan
Summers, himself, who died Dec. 13, 1772. These stones were
New Hampshire slate, quite seamy in texture, but the lettering
is well preserved after a hundred and twenty years. They were
brought from Boston by Mr. Burroughs.
There is also charged to David Sherman in 1766, “one pair
of grave stones for Mrs. Mary, wife to Mr. David Sherman, and
daughter to Mr. Stephen and Mrs. Eunice Sterling, died May
28
28th, 1765, in the 25th year of her age, about 40|- price, accord-
ing to his own directions on a paper.” This record is the same
as is on the stone, standing in the Stratfield burying place at
present. A like Order and entry is made for a stone for Isaac
Mills, son of the Rev. Jedidiah Mills, of Huntington, with the
dates and age, and hence probably the engraving was done in
Boston.
DR- PHILIP NICHOLS. CR.
1766. By 2 Large Sacks Feathers, £14–14-0
To Scott's Christian Life, By 50 Bushels of Oats, - 4– 7–6
5 vols., - - - - - - £1–6–8 By 13 lb Whalebone, 3–
To 2 Masts, 24|4 - - - - 1–4
To 100 ft)s. Oakham, - - 1–4–0
To 2 Books bound, - - - 3–0
IDR. NATHAN NICHOLS. • CR.
1766.
To 1 Brass Kettle, 15 gal-)
lons, - - - - - - - £3–14–0
To I Do., 8|- - - - -
To 1 Tankard, - - - - 5–4
To 6 platters, - - - - 1– 4–0
To 15 plates, - - - - 15–0
To 4 Porringers, - - - 4–0
To 1 Looking glass, 80–, 4 – 0--0
To 1 Do., 40–, - - - - 2– 0–0
To 1 Block tin tea pot, - 4–0
To 1 Pair hand irons
brass top, - - - - - 10–0
To Fire shovel and tongs, 5–4
To 1% Piece Curtain Calico, 6–18–0
To 1 Pair Bellows, - - - 5–4
To a Piece Blue Taffety
for a gown, - - - -
DR. ABIGAIL SOUTHWORTH. CR.
[She belonged to the now celebrated Hartford family of that name.]
1763. By 7 weeks nursing, at 8|-
To a number of ordinary articles for per week, - - - - - £2–16–0
family use.
[This was soon after Stephen Burroughs, 3d, was born, and hence he was
nursed by a person of distinguished name.]
CR.
ELISHA MILLS. 1762,
2 Barrels pork, by David Wheeler,
2 Barrels pork, )
##"..."; by Nathan Judson,
4 Barrels pork, by Francis Hawley,
The whole of the above account, - #32–16–10
Fr. & Com, * * - 1–14– 5
31–2– 5
29
Elisha Mills was at the time merchant at Ripton, now Hunt-
ington, and this bill of freight, with several others, shows that
he shipped produce at the time by the Pequonnock river instead
of the Housatonic at Derby.
DR. NATHAN SUMMERS. CR.
To 1 Pair Tailor's Shears, £0– 5–4 By 60 Bs. Oats, - - - - £7–0–0
To 1 Pair Gold Jewels, By 16, Bags markt, N. S., 1–12–0
Best sort, - - - - - 9–4 By 101b. Shoe thread, - - 13–4
To 1 Silk Handkerchief, - 5–4 | By 200 Goose quils, - - 1–2
To 1 Bottle Snuff, - - - 9-1} . *m-º-º-º-m.
To 100 Brick, - - - - 2–9 9– 6–6
To 1 Cedar Pail, - - - - –10
To # Piece Chints, - - - 1–13–0
Fr. & Com., - - - - 1– 3–4
4– 2–0
Some articles ordered by various persons to be purchased by
Mr. Burroughs in Boston, about 1765, are of interest, and the
appearances are that the best and most costly goods came from
Boston.
Jabez Beach ordered “blue broad cloth for his apprentice, a
coat, vest and breeches, about 44 yards; 4 yds. blue shalloon,
buttons and mohair for the same.” Such treatment of appren-
tices does not seem to have been very severe.
Benjamin Hubbell ordered “Black velvet for a cloak, to be
very good; about 3% yards; to take particular [pains]. 1;
yards of scarlet for a cloak, red silk fringe for the same—about
7 yards. If not fringe, triming.”
Jonathan Curtiss ordered, “two small skins [deer skins] for a
pair of breeches; 3 black handkerchiefs for women and one for
a man, all Barselonia, one paper of pins, and scale and dividers
for measuring land.”
Nathaniel Lewis ordered, “A black Barcelonia handkerchief
and a pattern for a crimson red cloak.”
Gideon Botsford sent away “two bags of fennel seed, for tea,
and 6 bushels of flax seed and received one deer skin for a pair
of breeches,” and tea “for the fennel seed.”
Agur Beach ordered “2 deer skins—1 for a man, pretty nice,
and 1 not quite so good.”
Abraham Hurd ordered one of Whitefield's Sermon Books,
but as the price is not given it is doubtful whether he received it.
Elnathan Seeley ordered “one large, red, flowered silk hand-
30
kerchief,” while Israel Seeley ordered “1 yellow Calve's Skin,”
and Nathan Nichols, “1 Taffety handkerchief for a man, not
black.” Nathan Booth, “1 string of wax beads, white; 24 yds.
lawn for an apron, plain; 1 pair stayes, middling small; 1 hat
for a girl; 1 pr. white leather gloves, girl; and 1 pr. silver buck-
les, brass flukes.”
It is nothing surprising that a girl should want an apron or
hat, but if families were to-day under the necessity of sending
to Boston for every fine apron or hat worn, the stock in Adams
Express Company would be much higher than it now is.
Stephen Sterling ordered “2 pair grave stones as pr. direc-
tions;” Charles Burritt “1 pair pinch-back buckles for Phebe;”
Judson Curtiss “1 pair silver buckles, plain round rims, brass
flukes and tongues;” Josiah Nichols “2 pr. gold Nobbs for little
girls.” These gold nobbs for little girls in the Nichols family,
proves what this paper said at first, that that family was a little
inclined to be “nobby.” -
In contrast with this another family is a few times represented
on these old books, but in One particular instance the title of the
family to Royal Yankee blood is seen, and that was the case
in which Seth Morehouse, in 1765, sent for “four Jack Knives.”
Reed R. Summers sent for Furguson's Astronomy, price £5.
In balancing this account Mr. Burroughs does not include the
Astronomy book, and hence the inference that the book was left
on his hands, at a cost of five pounds money, and to save his
money he took up the study of astronomy.
Joseph Summers sent for “1 Beaver Hat, £1–10, and 1 Ala-
baster baby;” Amos Sherman, “1 sword, 1 book—Youngman's
Companion;” Hezekiah Treadwell, “1 Dictionary, 12s, set of
fiddle-strings, 4 small deer skins, 3% yds. broadcloth, at 20—, 3
sticks of Mohair, and other items, and paid for them,” Mr. Bur-
roughs says, “By building my house and by painting it.”
Therefore, Stephen Burroughs had a painted house, in about
1760, a style of living enjoyed at that time by only a few fami-
lies in the township.
When Samuel Shelton, Jr., grandson of the first Daniel, was
married, or was about to be married to Tabitha Booth, in 1762,
he needed an outfit for housekeeping, and, to secure it, sent by
31
Stephen Burroughs “5 Barrels of Pork to New York or Boston,”
and received the following goods:
4 Puter platters, middling size, - º º - £1— 4– 6
2 small Do., - * gº * sº - sº - 6– 5
2 Dozen plates, – - -> 4- sº * - 1– 7– 6
2 three pint basons, * * * * gº * 1–10
4 Quart Basons, - sº º sº- wº -: * 6– 5
4 Pint Do., - *- sº & tº- - * - 3– 8
1 Tankard, - - - s * * - sº 5— 4
1 Quart pot, - º * sº º * * gº 2– 8
1 Pint Do., - * * * wº- – , - sº- 2– 0
1 Tea Pot, - *E= s tº mº- se -- - 4– 8
1 Tea Rettle, º * tºº &= * & cº 1– 8
2 Looking Glasses, 60|- and 40|-, - - - - 4–17— 4
1 Brass Kettle, holding ten gallons, * - - 1–19– 0
1 Do., holding 2 gallons, * * * * * 8– 0
1 Iron pot, 1 pail ful, - e- sº º <- 8– 6
1 Do., small, )
1 Warming Pan, - &- gº wº * 4tº, e 19— 0
1 Frying pan, gº +- tº- - * - - 5– 0
20 yds. Sheeting pollon, sº gºs sº *- * 13— 4
10} yds. Sheeting holland, - *- &ºm wº - 1–10– 8
3 yds. holland 3|4 - sº- & * --> gº * * 10– 0
Fr. & Com., wº- tº- e-8 – 1– 6–0
This same Samuel Shelton, five years later, when his wedding
suit began to wear out, (for it should be remembered that such
suits never did in reality wear out, they only begun a little, and
were then hung in the garret, for I saw one a few years since,
over one hundred years old—the most perfect and elegantly
made coat I ever saw); when his suit began to wear out he sent
for the following list:-‘‘1 yard of Buckram, 4 sticks of silk,
and hair, 3 skeins of silk, 4 dozen buttons, 6 yards shalloon, 1
pair stockings, 4 yds. broadcloth, at 18|- [per yard], 12% yds.
black patch, at 68.”
Ephraim Beach treated himself and little girl in the same way:
“Blue broadcloth for a suit. Buttons and mohair for the same.
Jacket, buttons to be mettle. Calico for a girl, a gown, about two
years old, about five yards.” [Query. If it took five yards for a
gown for a girl about two years old, how much must it have taken
to make a gown for a woman 31 “Satin for a bonnet, and lining,
3 dozen buttons, 1 dozen jacket buttons, 18 large mettle buttons,
1 yard of buckram, 2 yds. shalloon, 1 stick of mohair.”
The above five yards for a dress reminds us that hoop skirts
32
were not known in those days, but “full skirts” and “long
trains” were known. A Mrs. Tolles, a wealthy lady, of Wood-
bridge, Connecticut, in the time of the Revolution, always went
into church having a negro boy carrying the train of her dress.
Mr. Burroughs sometimes took passengers on his trips, for in
June, 1763, he charges James Shelton as follows: “To his
Daughter's passage to and from Boston and board, Seventeen
Shillings,” (or, which is the same, $2.84).
On one of his trips Mr. Burroughs purchased a library for
the people of North Stratford, a record of which he made thus:
“An account of the Library Books of North Stratford :
Barkley on Education, - --> - & 3-ºxº º 6–6
Present State Great Britain, - e-º wº tºº £º 14–0
Mrs. Rowe's Miscellanies, º {-º se e- &= 14–0
Ilife of Coll. Gardner, - * g= * 3- gº 6–0
Paradise Regained, gº - * . * sº sº 1– 4–0
Pamelia, 4 volls., - gº * - *º * sº º 1– 8–0
History of England, * & tº- & tºº tº 7–0
American Gazeteer, gº * * wº - º 1– 0–0
Gentleman & Lady Instructed, - * tº- tº 1– 4–0
Robertson's History Scotland, * * *s * 1– 8–0
Littleton's Dialogues, - * * sº * * 11–0
Hervey's Meditations, - - - * gº * 14–0
Watt's Lyric Poems, - * tº - - -: 6–0
Miscellanies, – º gºs & - - º * 6–6
Evans's Sermons, - tºº. -- * sº - & 1– 2–0
Green's Four Last Things, – sº tº * * 5–0
Berry Street Sermons, - sº * * sº * 1– 2–0
Walker's Sermons, * cº - * º * 4–6
Young's Centaur, - º - gº * g- * 6–9
Pearsall's Contemplations, - sº sº * &e 7–6
Thompson's Seasons, - tºº º º sº * 6–9
History Puritans, 2 Wolls, 4°, º gº tº gº 3– 7–6
Telemicus, 2 volls., * º * *g º tº- 14–0
Spectator, 8 volls., sº gº tº - º & 2– 0–0
Spectator, 2 volls., - * * * * * 1– 7–6
Smith's History, New York, - tº - * * 14–0
Lives of the Admirals, 4 vols., * e- * * 1– 6–0
Howes Sermons, 2 vols., - sº tºº sm, º 1– 2–0
Egmont's Travels, 2 vols., - * e- * * 1– 2–0
Voyage to Senegaul, - s * * * - 10–0
26— 6–6
Freight and Commission, * º * º - 14–0
27- 0–6
33
Q.
Received Cash 45 Dollers & 164 - - - - 18–16–4
by American Gazeteer, - - - - 1– 0–2
by the Freighters on the Same account, - 7– 4–0
The foregoing extended records of goods and prices, and of
shipping as it began at first, at the country hamlet of Rocky
Hill, although a seaport, is given because, first, the material was
at hand in these account books, more abundantly than ever seen
before by the writer; and, secondly, for the reason that such a
record should be made somewhere and at sometime by this His-
torical Society, for preservation, and memorial of the olden times.
This germ of a city, planted most certainly by Stephen Bur-
roughs, Jr., about 1755, at Rocky Hill, and on the Pequonnock
harbor at the foot of State Street, in 1769, has grown to be a
populous city, celebrated in almost every village in America and
Europe, and largely to the ends of the earth, as the City of
Bridgeport. Stephen Burroughs started the wheel moving, at
his grist mill, when he lifted the gate of trade by opening a store
and building a schooner, and therefore to him belongs the honor
of planting the corner-Stone of this now prosperous, populous and
widely known city.
Theophilus Nichols and his son Philip, had a store in 1762 on
the east side of the river, as appears by their shipping bills on
these books, and if they brought in their goods only by the ves-
sels of Stephen Burroughs, of which there is great probability,
their store at that time compared with that of Stephen Burroughs,
was as about one to five or six, but Philip Nichols' store after-
wards was as prominent as any in the community.
STEPHEN BURROUGHS, THE ASTRONOMER.
His industry and tendency of mind toward intellectual pur-
suits are seen in the fact, that, in the midst of a new and grow-
ing mercantile business, he kept steadily to his books and inves-
tigations of science and philosophy. Scarcely was he settled in
1760, in marriage and in his business, when he wrote his name
and the date in a book, called Ferguson's Astronomy, and hence
at the age of 31 years, if not earlier, began the study of that
science. In 1762, he purchased the “Compendious Astronomy,”
and thereafter, for many years, continued his study in this and
other departments of Science.
3
34
At his decease he had a library of unusual proportions, con-
sisting largely of scientific and historical works, bound, most of
them, in the best of calf leather. Many years after his death, a
considerable portion of this library was distributed among his
heirs, and afterwards a portion of it was donated to the old
Bridgeport Library. This was a very fitting place for them to
go, but if a list of them had been preserved, it would be a mat-
ter of much gratification to many persons. The following books
of his library are still preserved, and are in the possession of Mr.
James R. Burroughs of this city:
“Reflections upon Ancient and Modern Learning, By William Wotton,
B. D., London. 1705.
“Memoirs of the Marquis de Laugallerie, London. 1708.
“Prayers for Shabbath, Rosh-Hashanah, and Hippur; or, the Sabbath the
beginning of the year. Translated by Isaac Pinto, A. M. 5526.
“Works of Virgil, London. 1730.
“The Whole Duty of Man, London. 1733.
“A Treatise Against Detraction, By Andrew Mercier. 1733.
“Sermons on Moral Subjects, By John Howe, M. A. 1744.
“Horace's Satires, translated, London. 1752.
‘‘The Art of Contentment. 1752.
“Watt's Improvement on the Mind. Third Edition. 1753.
“Bailie's Dictionary, London. 1753.
“Arithmetic, By John Hill, London. 1754.
“Natural Philosophy, By Benjamin Martin, London. 1755.
“Teflections upon Learning, London. 1756.
“Miscellaneous Works of Mrs. Elizabeth Rowe, 2 vols., London. 1756.
“Nature Displayed By Mrs. Humphrey, London. 1757. 7 vols.
“Pope's Essays on Man, London. 1758. -
“The Elements of Algebra, By Nathaniel Hammond, London. 1758.
“Chrysal, or the adventures of a Guinea.
“Christian Morals, By John Mason. 1759.
“Astronomy, By Charles Bent, London. 1761.
“Essays on the Sciences, including Nautical Astronomy—(date torn off).
“Ferguson's Astronomy. 2d edition. Many illustrations, London.
1777. -
“Rollin's Ancient History. 10 vols.
“Electricity, By James Ferguson, London. 1770.
“A Book of Almanacs, Beginning in 1766, Boston.
“Lyric Poems, By Isaac Watts, London. 1764.
“A Collection of Poems, by Several Hands, London. 1770, 4 vols.
“The History of Religion, London, 1764, 4 vols. Bought in Boston,
October, 1766.
35
“Beauties of History, 2 vols., By L. M. Stretch, M. A. 1773.
“Schoolmaster's Assistant, By Thomas Dilworth. 1786.
“A Treaties on Man, By W. Hooper, M. D., London. 1777.
“Electricity, By George Adams, London. 1787.
“Sketch of the History of Man, By Henry Home. 1775.
“View of the United States of America, By W. Winterbotham, 4 vols.
New York, 1796.
“A System of Optics, By Benjamin Martin. London. 1740.” [A scien-
tific and illustrated work].
Since writing the above, the following works have been discov-
ered, in the Public Library, with Mr. Burroughs' name written
in them, by himself, by the Librarian, Mrs. Hills, all bound ele-
gantly in calf leather:
“A Compendious System of Natural Philosophy, By J. Browning, M. A.,
in 2 vols. London. 1758. He purchased it in 1789.
“Principles of Mechanics, 2d edition. London. 1758. He purchased
it in 1764.
“The Young Trigonometer's Complete Guide, 2 vols. By Benjamin
Martin. London. 1736. He bought it about 1764, probably.
Mr. Burroughs’ study of Astronomy covered many years. Be-
ginning, as he did, in 1760, if not sooner, he continued it, probably
about forty years, and, possibly, nearly fifty, for in 1807 he is rep-
resented in a printed pamphlet as authority then, in this science.
In his Navigation Book are a number of problems in astrono-
my worked out at considerable length, the penmanship of which,
with several dates, indicate the time of their execution to have
been about 1754. Some of these problems he designates thus:
“A calculation of y" moon's place for y” true conjunction in
April, A. D., 1707. -
“A calculation of y" moon's place for a Lunar eclipse at y” time
of y" true apposition in September, y' 20th, 1754, O. S.
“A calculation of y" moon's place for a Lunar eclipse, on
March, y' 27, O. S., 1754.
“A calculation for y' moon's place for a Solar eclipse, August,
y” 14th, A. D., 1756, 9 hours P. M.”
By these problems the thoroughness of his studies in astrono-
my, when he was only thirty years of age, is clearly indicated,
and if continued, as they undoubtedly were, until towards the
close of his life, he must have been an authority in this science,
and it is greatly regretted that his purpose to publish a work of
this kind, could not have been accomplished.
36
In a pamphlet, published in 1807, by Richard Burroughs, of
Vergennes, Vermont, named, “A Treatise on Trigonometry and
Navigation, and a New Method of Working Trigonometry by
Memory,” reference is made in the preface to Stephen Bur-
roughs, the astronomer, thus: “Before dismissing this subject,
justice demands a tribute of gratitude to a certain gentleman,
whose name, the author is not at liberty to publish, but to whom
he is indebted for this new method of working Trigonometry;
and whose acknowledged rank as a natural philosopher merits a
respect from the learned world, more flattering than any enco-
mium from my pen.”
This pamphlet, in the intrinsic merit of thought, belonged to
Stephen Burroughs, Jr., and it also announces that he had “an
acknowledged rank” as an astronomer and philosopher.
It is said, as a matter of general knowledge, that Mr. Bur-
roughs made the astronomical calculations for almanacs, which
were regularly published for many years, and that he was at one
time engaged in preparing a work on astronomy for publication,
and that the great and continued application which he made to
this work, was, eventually, the cause of losing his eye-sight.
As partially confirmatory of his work for almanacs, there is
found among his books a number of annual almanacs, published
in Boston, bound firmly into a volume, the dates beginning in
1766, and continuing nearly twenty years, with a few omissions.
These almanacs may have been studied and used in Mr. Bur-
roughs' work, preparing his calculations for almanacs issued in
this part of the country.
It is further stated that Elijah Middlebrook, who published
almanacs many years, at Bridgeport, learned the business, at
first, of the astronomer, Stephen Burroughs.
The late Esquire Isaac Sherman, who married a grand-daugh-
ter of the astronomer, has left on record the following, valuable
historical facts concerning this citizen:
“Stephen Burroughs, Esquire, a farmer, ship-builder, Boston
coaster, ship-master, mathematician, astronomer, and surveyor,
was a self-educated man. He was about five feet, eight inches in
height, strong built, never sick during his long life, a cold water
man, and died in 1817, aged 88 years.
37
“He was an active whig in the Revolution, when he raised a
militia company, called the Householders, of which he was
chosen captain. He was twice chosen representative to the Gen-
eral Assembly; was Justice of the Peace for many years; owned
the parish grist-mill, called the Burroughs’ mill, that stood
where the Pequonnock Woolen Mills now stand. He invented
the system of Federal money as now used in the United States,
which was adopted about 1798. Up to that time all business
was done under the old English system of pounds, shillings,
pence and farthings, two of which made a copper, and four of
which made a penny.
“Mr. Burroughs was blind for twenty years before his death.”
The correctness of Isaac Sherman's statement about “invent-
ing the system of Federal money,” appears from several consid-
erations of undoubted record and fact. He not only married a
grand-daughter, but lived cotemporary with him twenty-nine
years, a near neighbor. Mr. Sherman was also for many years,
familiarly acquainted with Elijah Burritt, who resided across the
street from the astronomer, and was only 15 years younger than
the latter. Mr. Burritt lived until 1841, dying at the age of 97
years, and from him Isaac Sherman received assurance of the
above statement, as well as many other historical facts concern-
ing the early settlement of this vicinity.
Besides this, it is the tradition in the Burroughs family, and
repeated by all the aged people of the community who were raised
here, that Stephen Burroughs, the astronomer, was the inventor
of the Decimal Currency of the United States. That he, after
completing the system, went with it to the Hon. William Sam-
uel Johnson, who, after understanding its simplicity, and great
convenience, caused it to be brought before Congress, in 1784,
when he was a member of that body, where it was considered,
but nothing done about it, except an enactment under which
Connecticut and Massachusetts began, in 1785, to coin copper
cents, for many years denominated copper pennies. In 1792
the dollar was made the unit in money, and its coinage estab-
lished by law, but whether this act included the decimals is un-
certain to the writer. Probably the full decimal currency was
made legal in 1798.
38
Stephen Burroughs, Jr., had eight children. His first wife
died in 1764, four years after their marriage, leaving three child-
ren, one of them only a month and a half old, which soon died.
Of the other two, the daughter, Eunice, married William Pen-
dleton, and had Abigail, who married Capt. Loudy Lafield, from
Maryland; Polly and Betsey. The son, Stephen, (3d), became
a merchant in his father's lower store, at the foot of State Street,
in Bridgeport; was captain of coasting vessels some years, then
sailed in mercantile trade with China, for a number of years.
He connected himself with a prominent family in Boston, by
marrying Mary, the daughter of Levi Jennings, and they had
several children. Maria, the eldest, married Isaac Sherman,
Esqr., of Bridgeport, and had children, Mary, who died unmar-
ried; Eliza, married Darwin Warner, and Jane E., who married
Rowland B. Lacey, Esqr. Tucretia married, first, Ranson C.
Canfield, and, second, Deacon Wm. DeForest, and had Maria
Canfield, married Benj. C. DeForest; Rev. Philo Canfield, of
Wis., Rev. Charles Canfield, of New England, and Elvira, who
married George Peabody. Henry C. Burroughs, a son, married
Ophelia Hurd, of Newtown, Ct., and had Stephen, Henry C.,
William P., and Charles. Fanny Burroughs married Joseph
Woolley, and had a number of children, among them Rev. Joseph
J. Woolley, of Pawtucket, R. I. A 5th son, David Burroughs.
Jennette, daughter of Stephen Burroughs, 3d, married Charles
L. Nichols, and had children, Charles E., George W., Mary, Ed-
ward L., Henry C., Sarah J., Elizabeth, Walter and Francis.
Stephen Burroughs, 3d, married a second wife, Pamelia Tur-
ney, of Trumbull, widow of Doctor Higby, and their eldest son
was George Burroughs, who died in 1872, after a service of thir-
ty-five years as cashier of the Bridgeport Bank, being a citizen
highly esteemed, and of whom it was said by an intimate friend,
“he never made an enemy.” He married Catharine S., daughter
of Legrand Bancroft, a lawyer, and son of Oliver Bancroft, M.
D., of Newtown, Ct., who was a son of Ephraim Bancroft, of
East Windsor, Conn. They had children, Harriet Louise, Mary
Katharine, George Legrand, and James Richard. It was
through this family that access has been had to much of the ma-
terial presented in this paper concerning the astronomer.
39
By his second wife, Huldah, widow of Jeremiah Judson, and
daughter of Peter Pixlee, of Old Mill Green, the astronomer
had several children: Elizabeth, who married Sterling Edwards;
Huldah, who married lawyer Joseph Backus,” of Bridgeport, and
had several children; Abijah, a merchant captain, sailing to the
East Indies, and was lost at sea, about Sept. 24, 1793; David,
also lost at sea, Sept. 25, 1795, and Isaac.i. This Isaac was also
a sea captain and merchant, and married Rebecca, daughter of
Andrew Hurd, of Old Mill Green, and had several children,
among whom was Catharine A., who married Allison A. Pettin-
gill, an accomplished gentleman and scholar. She bequeathed
to the city of Bridgeport an elegant and commodious, three
story building, for its Public Library, and, also, thirty thousand
dollars to the St. John's Church, of this city, which has been ex-
pended in erecting the very commodious and beautiful Chapel
adjoining that church edifice; and she also left bequests to her
relatives. Isaac Burroughs, while successfully conducting mer-
cantile business became possessed of a large amount of real es-
tate in this city, which, in a time of financial depression, and by
the loss of a vessel at sea, became involved, and he seemed likely
to lose the whole of it. Upon hearing of his circumstances,
George Burroughs, his nephew by a half brother, went to him
and offered such aid, by the risk of his own money, as saved the
entire property, which, by its rapid increase in value Soon after,
and the continued growth of the city, became a considerable es-
tate. This all came to the possession of Mrs. Pettengill, with
other property and was bequeathed as above stated.
The second wife of the astronomer, widow of Jeremiah Jud-
son, had one son by her first husband, who, having grown up
with his step-father, became a great admirer of him. This
young man, Pixley Judson, was more than commonly intelligent
and well read, and when his honored paternal protector departed
this life, he solicited the privilege of erecting the tombstone, and
composing the epitaph inscribed thereon, which is as follóws:
* Joseph Backus was the grandson of the Rev. Timothy Edwards, of East
Windsor, she being the sister of Dr. Jonathan Edwards, Sen., the celebrated
theologian. Hence, also, Joseph Backus was first cousin, once removed,
to Hon. Pierrepont Edwards, of Bridgeport.
f See History of Stratford, page 619.
40
“Stephen Burroughs, Esqr. A man distinguished by his in-
dustry, and his talents, and acquirements, self-taught, and origi-
nal, he explored the vast field of Mathematical and Astronomi-
cal Science, beyond all the efforts of a Cassini or a Newton, and
made discoveries of the most useful and astonishing nature.
But in consequence of his blindness his discoveries are lost to
the world. He died Aug. 2, 1817, aged 88.
“This monument is erected by Pixley Judson.”
FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY.
BY-LAWS.
RULE I.
The officers of the Fairfield County Historical Society shall
consist of a President, three Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, Re-
cording Secretary, and Corresponding Secretary, who shall be
chosen annually from its members, by a majority ballot, at the
annual meeting of the Society.
The term of the officers of said Society shall be for one year
from their election, and until others shall be chosen in their
places; and their powers and duties shall be those usually apper-
taining to those offices, except when otherwise Ordered by the
Society.
Said officers shall also be the Executive Committee of said
Society, and as such shall have charge of and direct all matters
of executive, financial and clerical business appertaining to the
management of the Society, except when otherwise ordered by
the Society.
The President of this Society shall be ex-officio, Chairman of
the Executive Committee.
Any vacancy occurring in any of said offices, before the expi-
ration of its term, may be filled for the unexpired portion thereof,
by those of the Executive Committee of said Society, who shall
be in the exercise of their offices at the time.
FULE II.
The regular meetings of said Society shall be held on the sec-
ond Friday evening of each month, at the rooms of the Society.
The annual meeting of said Society shall be held on the sec-
ond Friday of April in each year, and special meetings may be
held whenever the Society shall so order, or when the Presi-
41
42
dent and Recording Secretary shall deem it necessary to call
the same. Notice of the annual and special meetings shall be
given by the President and Recording Secretary, of the time,
place, and purpose thereof, by three days publication in One or
more daily newspapers, published in the city of Bridgeport, at
least four days before said meeting.
RULE III.
The Chairman of the Executive Committee, shall be the audi-
tor of the accounts of the Society, and as such shall audit and
approve all bills of expenses incurred by the Society before the
same shall be ordered paid, and only upon such audit, and an
order of payment, by the Society or Executive Committee, shall
the Treasurer pay out any funds of the Society.
RULE IV.
The Treasurer of the Society shall be also, Curator of the
same so long as he shall be Treasurer; and the duties of the
office of Curator shall be, to have the care, custody and preserva-
tion of books, papers, antiquities, and all other property of the
Society.
RUIE V.
The election of new members of said Society shall be by a
unanimous vote, by ballot, or otherwise, at any annual, regular
or special meeting of the Society; the nomination of such new
members having first been made at a preceding meeting, and
not less than one week previous to such voting.
RULE VI.
No application for membership of said Society shall be enter.
tained or acted upon, unless accompanied by a written or printed
request of the applicant, dated and signed by the applicant in
person.
RULE VII.
An initiation fee of two dollars shall accompany each applica-
tion for annual membership.
RULE VIII.
A due of two dollars shall be laid upon each member of the
Society living in Bridgeport, Stratford, Trumbull and Fairfield,
and one dollar on all the others. This amount shall be paid to
43
the Treasurer annually, during the month of July, unless ex-
cused by the Society.
Any member remaining in arrears for dues may be dropped
from membership by a majority vote of the members present at
any regular meeting of the Society.
RULE IX.
Any approved person may, upon election, according to Rule
V, become a Life Member, on the payment of two hundred dol-
lars, or a Patron Member, for five years, on the payment of
twenty-five dollars, and both Life and Patron Members shall be
entitled to all the privileges of the Society. The Society may
elect, according to the manner in Rule V, as Honorary Members,
persons, whose membership may be an honor, or advantage to
said Society, and they shall be entitled to all the privileges of
the Society except voting.
All members, other than Life, Patron and Honorary, shall be
known and designated as Annual Members.
RULE X.
These Rules and By-Laws may be altered, amended, repealed
or added to, by a majority vote of the members present at any
annual, regular or special meeting of said Society, notice of such
proposed repeal, alteration or amendment, having been given at a
previous meeting of the Society, not less than one week before
final action thereon is taken.
RULE XI.
The Rules of this Society may be temporarily suspended by
unanimous consent of all the members present, at any regular,
annual or special meeting of the Society.
M E M B E R S
OF THE
FAIREIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Rowland B. Lacey, Bridgeport, * *
Nathaniel E. Wordin, M. D., Bridgeport, -
William H. Noble, Bridgeport, - *
George C. Waldo, Bridgeport, - --
William B. Hincks, Bridgeport,
Louis N. Middlebrook, Bridgeport, - *
*Aaron B. Hull, Danbury, - - - Elected Feb 18, 1881.
Joseph N. Ireland, Bridgeport, - - & C ( & & C & 6
Richard C. Ambler, Bridgeport, - - { % C & G & C &
William T. Minor, Stamford, - * - “ Mar. “ “
Lemuel Sanford, Redding, - * --- C. C. { % (, , § {
James L. Gould, Bridgeport, - - --- C & & 6 & G C &
James W. Beardsley, Bridgeport, - - C & & C C & G C.
*Henry M. Hoyt, Bridgeport, - - * & C C & C C C &
Charles Burr Todd, Redding, - - - & 6 6 & C & 6 G.
Henry G. Scofield, Bridgeport, -- - “ May 6, “
Elias S. Hawley, Buffalo, N. Y., --- - “ June 3, “
Curtis Thompson, Bridgeport, - - - “ Aug. 5, “
William A. Beers, Fairfield, - - - “ Sept. 2, “
Eaton W. Maxcy, D. D., Troy, N. Y., * & C G & C C C &
*William Shelton, D. D., Buffalo, N. Y., - & C & G & 6 & C
George S. Burroughs, Rev., New Britain, - “ Oct. 14, “
A. Homer Byington, Norwalk, - - sº: “ Nov. 11, “
Winthrop H. Perry, Norwalk, - * * & C C C C C C &
Walter Hubbell, New York City, - * 6 G & 0 & 0 & 4
David B. Lockwood, Bridgeport, - - “ Feb. 10, 1882.
*Stiles M. Middlebrook, Bridgeport, - “ Mar. 10, “
Frederick Bronson, Greenfield Hill, - - C & C C C C C &
O. P. Dexter, New York City, - - - 6 & 4 W C C C &
* Deceased.
44
45
David H. Miller, Georgetown, -
Horace L. Fairchild, Trumbull,
Samuel M. Main, New York City,
*Barzillai B. Kellogg, Brookfield, - º
J. M. Bailey, Danbury, - gº - rº-
John W. Bacon, Danbury, &= * -
John D. Candee, Bridgeport, *
Warren B. Nichols, West Stratford, -
Samuel Garlick, M. D., Bridgeport, -
William S. Bouton, South Norwalk, -
Plumb N. Fairchild, Trumbull, *
Morris B. Beardsley, Bridgeport, -
Thomas Calef, Bridgeport, game sº
*Eli T. Hoyt, Danbury, - & gº
Oliver B. Jennings, Fairfield, - gº sº
Frederick S. Wildman, Danbury,
Samuel Orcutt, Rev., Bridgeport,
Thomas B. Fairchild, Stratford,
Edward F. Meeker, Bridgeport, - -
William L. Sherwood, Newark, N. J.,
Geo. H. Nicholls, D. D., Hoosic Falls, N.Y.,
Phineas T. Barnum, Bridgeport, -
Robert W. Curtis, Stratford, -
Nathaniel Wheeler, Bridgeport, * -
Arthur E. Meeker, Bethlehem, Pa., -
Nathan B. Wells, Stratford, - * -
Albert S. Comstock, New Canaan, - -
Samuel L. Carter, New York City,
*Amos S. Treat, Bridgeport, - wº
Silas Burton, Bridgeport, - - *
Ebenezer S. Phillips, Bridgeport, -
Charles H. Carter, New Canaan, -
Horace Nichols, Bridgeport, - *
Alexander Hawley, Bridgeport, * *
Robert Russell, Stratford, -
Samuel B. Sumner, Bridgeport, * -
Sidney B. Beardsley, Bridgeport, -
* Deceased.
- Elected April 21, 1882.
“ Sept. 8, “
“ Jan. 12, 1883.
& C Mar. 9, & C
“ April 5, “
“ June 9, “
“ Feb. 8, 1884.
C & May 9, & C
“ July 11, “
“ Sept. 12, “
“ Feb. 13. 1885.
C & Mar. & C & C
C & April 10, C &
“ June 26, “
July 10, “
C & C &
& C C & C &
Aug. 14, “
6 & 9, & C
May 13, 1887.
C & C & C &
& & & & & C
June 10, “
July 8, “
Mrs. Mary C. Wheeler, - * * - Elected Sept. 9, 1887.
cc Julia A. Bishop, - - * * & 6 & C C & C &
“ Frances H. Cruttenden, - •º - & C & C & C & C
“ Susan H. W. Hawley, - -- -- C & Ç G & C & C
Miss Mary K. Burroughs, -- --- - £ 6 C & & C C &
Mrs. Harriet L. Torrey, º - - - & 4 C & ç ç ( &
“ Elizabeth R. Lacey, - * - - C & £ 6 C & C {
Miss Ellen L. Boardman, -- -- - C. C. ( & ( C 4 &
“ Henrietta M. Noble, - - - “ “ “ “
Mr. James R. Burroughs, * - - & 4 C & C & G C
Mr. Mark R. Leavenworth, - - - { % C ( , C ( &
HONORARY MEMBERS.
Rev. Benjamin L. Swan, - - - - Mendham, N. J.
Rev. E. E. Beardsley, D. D., LL.D., -- New Haven, Conn.
J. Hammond Trumbull, L.L. D., - - Hartford, Conn.
Charles J. Hoadley, - --> - - Hartford, Conn.
Rev. Horatio N. Powers, D. D., --- - Orange, N. J.
Abraham W. Morehouse, * ~. - Bridgeport, Conn.
FORM OF APPLICATION.
To the Fairfield County Historical Society:
GENTLEMEN:
The undersigned hereby makes application for admission
as an Annual Member of said Society.
Dated at this
day of 18
RULE VII of By-Laws: “An Initiation Fee of Two Dollars
shall accompany each application for Annual Membership.”
47
ºbliv, c* M:tº.
MAY is $33:
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Şairfield Gounty
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
FOR 1889.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Pairfield G}ounty
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
FOR 1889.
#rint to for the S0 titfm.
ºf: ::::: ſº. =::::::
º
BRIDGEPORT, CoNN. :
THE STANDARD ASSOCIATION, PRINTERS.
1889.





OFFICERs
OF THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
PRESIDENT,
ROWLAND B. LACEY.
WICE-PRESIDENTS,
GEORGE C. WALDO, CHARLES BURR TODD,
GEN. WILLIAM H. NOBLE.
RECORDING SECRETARY,
NATHANIEL E. WORDIN, M. D.
ASSISTANT RECORDING SECRETARY,
ALBERT J. MIDIDLEBROOK.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY,
LOUIS N. MIDDLEBROOK.
TREASURER AND CURATOR,
RICHARD C, AMBLER.
HISTORIAN,
GEORGE C. WALDO.
~ /
PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.
In connection with our Annual Report for 1889, we take
great pleasure in publishing the admirable paper of Prof. W.
G. Andrews on the Life and Times of William Samuel John-
son, originally prepared for, and read before this Society.
The past year may be classed as the off year for work of the
character of that of our Society. The excitements of the late
Presidential canvass and the absorption of time and interestinto
the political questions uppermost at such a period, have rend-
ered it difficult to sustain the monthly meetings and other
work with the accustomed degree of interest and efficiency,
and we cannot point to so many valuable papers contributed
and read as heretofore—yet our society has made progress.
Month by month there has been brought out additions more
or less valuable to our Library and Museum; some of them of
marked interest. During the two years past we show a large
increase in these departments. We cannot exhibit them to
the best advantage for want of room, and time and means to
make the proper classification and display.
A very important addition to the history of current events
is the bound files of our leading daily newspapers from April,
1871, to January 1, 1886, furnished gratuitously by the pub-
lishers to the office of the City Auditor and Clerk, and there
preserved for reference and bound in semi-annual volumes.
On the removal of the city offices from Wheeler's Building,
on Main street, to their present quarters in the City Hall, it
was arranged that these should be turned over to our Society,
as their special usefulness for reference there ceased—the city
holding the issues of three or four of the most recent years.
These ſiles in time will will become very valuable. We are con-
stantly receiving newspapers and some files of an older date
e.g. the complete files of the Bridgeport Messenger, published
6
by the late William S. Pomeroy, in 1831–1832, previous to his
connection with the Republican Farmer, and many issues of
the early Farmer, Connecticut Courier, etc. The advertise-
ments and other contents are of intense interest to our older
citizens, and a most excellent study for any student of history.
Tecently an old citizen whose memory and interest extended
back over fifty years, on making a business call to our rooms,
was shown some of these old papers, and became so much
absorbed in looking them over and noting the persons and
events thus revived to his memory, that several hours passed
almost unconsciously, and when obliged to tear himself away
he declared he must come again, bring his dinner and spend
the day.
The complete issues of the Bridgeport Directory and of the
Mudicipal Register, our exchanges with other Historical
Societies; also, ancient and current Legislative documents,
State and National, are an important feature. We have re-
ceived numerous books of a miscellaneous character, more or
less valuable. During two years past our Library has thus
been more than doubled.
Visitors to our rooms are shown the beautiful library set of
furniture, of elegantly carved birdseye maple, donated from
Waldemere by Hon. P. T. Barnum, the ancient sofa of the
elder Governor Jonathan Trumbull (Brother Jonathan,) handed
down through the family of the late Rev. Nathaniel Hewett,
D.D., of which his daughter Mrs. Dr. Bowen says, “we know
that Governor Trumbull died upon it,” the ancient wooden
plow of the grandfathers, the implements for thrashing and
cleaning their grain, hatchels for dressing and preparing the flax
for linen fabrics, and the wheels, large and small, for spinning
it; also, reels and other appliances, warming pan and foot-
stoves such as the grandmothers used before the introduction
of stoves for burning wood or coal into the churches, the old
bass viol that led the singing, ancient chairs and other furni-
ture, the tin oven that cooked the Thanksgiving turkey to a
turn before the open wood fire, leather fire-buckets and fire-
men's caps of the olden time, ancient portraits and pictures of
old churches, and other articles too numerous to mention,
!.
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A FUTURE BUILDING.
Since our last published annual, this Society has been the
recipient of, and has in its custody, a deed, jointly with the
Bridgeport Scientific Society in equal undivided shares, of a
valuable building site, on the southeast corner of Main and
Gilbert streets from
HON. P. T. BARNUM,
understood to be supplemented by a provision of his will for
the erection of a suitable building, for the home and work of
these sister Societies.
For anything like adequate work and progress, our first and
essential need is a building, ample in size and appointments,
and reasonably safe from the devouring elements. This secured
and it would speedily become the deposit and home of the in-
teresting records, memorials, and relics which illustrate and
perpetuate the history and life of the early settlers of our
land, and their aboriginal predecessors; and means will be
found for their care, display, and use. -
We believe that with his characteristic shrewdness and gen-
rosity, Mr. Barnum will elect—himself to see and direct the
erection of what will be one of the best and most useful mon-
uments commemorative of himself, and his remarkable and
useful life. So mote it be.
A PTUTNAM PARK.
One of the very few points of interest illustrating Revolu-
tionary history, extant—is Putnam's Winter Quarters in Red-
ding. Though neglected more than a century, its special
features have remained unobliterated. Recently these Revo-
lutionary remains, which have been so interestingly portrayed'
in the papers, are receiving something of deserved attention,
and we take satisfaction in the part our Society has had, in
their restoration, and in the improvement of the old quarters
and the adjacent grounds acquired in connection therewith.
By appeals, resolutions, and personal application, individual
interest has been enlisted to a laudable extent, and State aid
has been successfully invoked. To mone, more than to one of
9
the Vice-Presidents of this Society, is due the inception and
successful prosecution of the measures, which have resulted
in Putnam Park, with all its historic monuments and memorials.
At our earnest and persistent request the separate houses
of the last Congress voted to authorize, but inadvertently failed
to provide for, the removal from an obscure grave in a small
town in central Poland, of the remains of Joel Barlow, a native
of Redding, and one of the most illustrious Revolutionary
characters, who laid down his life in that far-off land, in the
service of his country. The present Congress will no doubt
complete the intended action, and it is now intended that their
final resting place shall be in Putnam Park, to be marked and
and honored by a suitable monument.
After Putnam and Barlow, no name will be more known and
honored in connection with this interesting spot than
CHARLES BURR TODID.
WILLIAM SAMUEL JOHNSON AND THE
MAKING OF THE CONSTITUTION.”
REV. W. G. ANDREWS, D.D.
Mr. Gladstone calls the Federal Constitution “the most
wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain
and purpose of man.” But this description, however correct
it may be as regards the written instrument, becomes a little
misleading when appended, by way of contrast, to a descrip-
tion of the British constitution as “the most subtile organism
which has proceeded from progressive history.” Our consti-
tution, also, is the product of history. The federal system,
the combination of central and local government in a strong
nation composed of free states, was not constructed in 1787.
It was accepted in spite of themselves by men whose greatest
merit was that they were wise and patriotic enough to accept
it at the expense of cherished theories of their own. The
theories gave way in the presence of a great fact, the exis-
tence of thirteen political societies already acting as one soci-
ety, and yet continuing to act as thirteen. And so those men
consented to have the paper which they were drawing up dic-
tated to them by the voice of history, which said imperatively,
Jº Pluribus Unum, “one out of many.”
It is well-known that Connecticut, through two of her dele-
gates to the constitutional convention, Roger Sherman and
Oliver Ellsworth, bore a leading part in securing the accept-
ance of the federal system. And her recent historian, Pro-
fessor Johnston, has pointed out one of her qualifications for
such a task in the fact that she had long maintained “a fede-
* Paper read before the Fairfield County Historical Society, on Monday evening, De-
cember 12, 1887.
11
rative democracy” of her own.' Her towns were, even more
completely than those of Massachusetts, so many free repub-
lics, firmly knit together in a vigorous commonwealth through
a legislature in which both towns and commonwealth were
represented. I'or a century and a half Connecticut had been
the United States in miniature. But another qualification
may be found in the attitude of the colony as a member,
albeit a very small one, of the British empire. It was con-
spicuous among the colonies at once for its freedom and its
loyalty, for the co-existence of large powers of local govern.
ment with a generally prompt obedience to a central govern-
ment. Its temper was illustrated just a century before its
delegates did their great work at Philadelphia, when in the
autumn of 1687, it submitted quietly to a temporary abroga-
tion of its marvellously free charter, while that document prob-
ably found a safe hiding-place in a hollow tree, the oak which
so fitly sheltered our transplanted vine.
I desire this evening to set forth the service rendered in
the making of the Constitution by the man whom Connecticut
placed at the head of her delegation, Dr. William Samuel John-
son. In the convention itself his influence, though it must
have been considerable, was at all events less palpable than
that of Sherman and Ellsworth. But for more than twenty
years he had been occupied, in America and in England, with
the problem of the right adjustment of local and central
authority. He had done his utmost to secure the combina-
tion of colonial freedom with imperial control, and what he
accomplished was so far a contribution to the development of
the federal out of the imperial system, of the American out of
the British constitution. What he and his colleagues per-
formed in 1787 was for him the completion of a task which he
began in 1765. Our study of his labors upon the Constitution
will therefore cover his whole career as a statesman.
His history before his public life opened must be given
very briefly. The chief source of information is his “Life
and Times,” by the Rev. Dr. Beardsley, of New Haven. This
work has lately come to a second edition, as it well deserved,
1 Connecticut. A Study of a Commonwealth-Democracy, Pref. viii.-ix. : 321–2, etc.
12
and is principally complained of for being too short. But for
this fault I might have had nothing to tell you, but I should
certainly have had nothing to tell you had the book not been
written. It has a double interest for your Society, since its
author, like its subject, is a native of Fairfield county.
William Samuel Johnson was born on the seventh of Octo-
ber, 1727 (old style), in the town of Stratford, which then in-
cluded that portion of the ancient parish of Stratfield in which
we are now assembled. He was the eldest son of the leading
Tºpiscopal clergyman of the colony, Dr. Samuel Johnson, who
became the first president of King's (now Columbia) Collegé,
New York. After being carefully trained at home young John-
son graduated at New Haven in 1744, studied for three years
longer as a “scholar of the house” on the Berkeley founda-
tion, (a privilege won by his industry and ability,) attended
lectures and took his second degree at Harvard in 1747, and
entered on the practice of law in his native town. He had
rare gifts of oratory, including much grace of action, with a
voice of singular richness and melody. While he was a dili-
gent student of law, he made himself familiar with literature,
and his mental discipline and acquisitions were such that he
was found a delightful companion by the first man of letters
in England, his namesake, Samuel Johnson. The latter said
that there was “scarce any one whose acquaintance he had
more desired to cultivate.” At the time when our more care-
ful examination of his career begins he is described by the
historian Pitkin as “one of the ablest lawyers and most accom-
plished scholars in America.”
After serving two or three times as a deputy from Strat-
ford, Mr. Johnson was made one of three commissioners
selected to represent the colony in the Stamp Act congress,
which met in New York on his thirty-eighth birthday (new
style), or October 7, 1765. The appointment of an Episcopa-
lian to such a position shows that the Connecticut assembly,
filled with Congregationalists, was not controlled by ecclesias-
tical prejudices, and equally shows that Johnson himself was
not controlled by them. Most Connecticut Episcopalians be-
lieved that avowed opposition to the Stamp Act was “nothing
13
short of rebellion.” “ All that the colony desired of its com-
missioners, (who were charged to “form no such junction
with ” the rest as would subject them to the power of a
majority,) was that they should unite in a “dutiful, loyal and
humble Representation” to king and parliament. 3 But they
were expected to “avow opposition” to the Stamp Act, and
Johnson was fully prepared to answer this expectation. While
he agreed with his fellow Episcopalians in disapproving of
riotous opposition, which was perhaps what they had chiefly
in mind, he was, unlike them, in hearty sympathy with those
Americans who soon came to be called whigs. And this im-
plied much more than sympathy with the English whigs. It
was the latter who had imposed the tax against which the for-
mer protested, and they imposed it in accordance with the
chief article of the whig creed, the supremacy of parliament.
This article, when asserted against the crown, was in fact the
safeguard of English liberty, and English statesmen did not
understand why it was not equally valid as against the colo-
nies. And the appeals which the colonies sometimes addressed
to the king as their constitutional protector from the tyranny
of parliament, must have sounded to whig ministers strangely
like toryism. When Franklin said a few years later, (1770)
that the lords and commons had “been long encroaching on
the rights of" the sovereign, he confessed that they would
think his doctrine almost treason against themselves. 4 And
it is a striking illustration of the constitutional change which
was in progress that the American revolution began with an
apparent denial of the great doctrine of the English revolu-
tion. The necessity for this lay in what John Richard Green
describes as the failure of England “to grasp the difference
between an empire and a nation,” between “an aggregate of
political bodies” related more or less closely “to a central
state,” and “an aggregate of individual citizens” forming one
state. England did not even perceive that the colonies were
2 Church Documents. Connecticut, ii. 81.
3 Connecticut Colonial Records, xii. 410. &
4 The Life of Benjamin Franklin. Written by himself. John Bigelow. ii. 51,
14
“political bodies;” “they were not states but corporations,”
like a borough or a bank."
The Stamp Act, which was the imposition by parliament of
a tax on the paper to be used in all sorts of legal and commer-
cial transactions, struck at both the personal and the political
rights of British subjects in America. By assuming to take
their money without their consent given through their repre-
sentatives, parliament had violated a fundamental principle of
the British constitution, and a principle about which there
was no direct dispute. It had also violated a principle which
Americans supposed to be established, and which flowed from
the former, that the colonial assemblies, in which alone Amer-
icans were or could be represented, had the sole power of, at
any rate, internal taxation. This principle was in dispute, as
it continued to be throughout the struggle, forming the great
question at issue. And while the congress had of course to
protest against the invasion both of personal and political
rights, it was the latter which had chiefly to be asserted. It
was the business of the congress to insist on the difference
between a nation and an empire, to complement and limit the
national doctrine of parliamentary supremacy by the imperial
doctrine of state rights. *
The part taken by our Stratford lawyer in the transactions
of the congress is described by Mr. Bancroft in half a sen-
tence. The question being the ground on which the demand
for the redress of grievances should be based, “Johnson, of
Connecticut,” says the historian, “submitted a paper which
pleaded charters from the crown.” Mr. Bancroft goes on to
tell us how Robert Livingston, of New York, and Christopher
Gadsden, of South Carolina, opposed the plan of resting the
protest on the charters. Gadsden said, among other things,
“I wish the charters may not ensnare us at last, by drawing
different colonies to act differently in this great cause . . .
There ought to be no New England man, no New Yorker,
known on the Continent, but all of us Americans.” Instead
of appealing to charters they “should stand upon the broad
common ground of" their natural rights “as men and as the
5 History of the English People, Am. Ed., iv. 226–7.
15
descendants of Englishmen.” And, according to Mr. Ban-
croft, “these views prevailed; and . . . the argument for
American liberty from royal grants was avoided.” ” Our famous
historian hardly meant to give the impression that Johnson,
(of whom he elsewhere speaks with great respect,) would have
used no other argument than this, and his account of the pro-
ceedings is perhaps too condensed to admit a fuller report of
one member's action. But as our interest just now centres in
that member, it is pleasant to be able to remove a possible
suspicion that he distinguished himself at the congress merely
by an abortive effort to have the rights of man ascribed to the
favor of kings.
The paper of which Mr. Bancroft speaks is evidently one in
Johnson's handwriting which was found among his manu-
scripts by Timothy Pitkin, in the form of a committee's re-
port. In this paper the rights which the Stamp Act invaded
are traced back through the British constitution to the foun-
dation of that “in the law of nature and universal reason.”
Clearly the author of the report did not suppose them to have
had their origin in “royal grants.” The charters, “and other
royal instruments,” are then mentioned by way of proving
that the rights in question had been formally recognized as
belonging to British American subjects,” and Gadsden ad-
mitted that the charters might safely be appealed to as con-
firmatory. The report proceeds to acknowledge parliament,
“as consisting of the king, lords and commons,” to be “the
supreme legislature of the whole empire,” and “the final
judges” even as to those “essential rights” which could not
justly be infringed. (The italics are in the report) Further-
more, it had become necessary “for the enjoyment of those
rights . . . that several colony jurisdictions should be
erected,” subject “to the supreme power of Great Britain.”
Under these jurisdictions the colonists had expected to be at
least as free in America as they or their forefathers were else-
where, and by them laws had been made and taxes levied.
These quotations present an argument drawn mainly neither
from abstract principles nor from the charters, but from the
6 History of the United States, Cent. Ed., iii. 509–10.
16
British constitution as imperial, from the recognized legiti-
macy of certain dependent states, existing without prejudice
to the supremacy of a central government. This supremacy,
it will be observed, is asserted very strongly, and as extending
to legislation. Many Americans learned to deny to parlia-
ment the power of imperial, as distinguished from national,
legislation, but Johnson always believed the former to be neces-
sary to the government of an empire.
Of course the charters, by which the “colony jurisdictions”
had been established, though not named in direct connection
with the latter, furnished an obvious proof of the existence of
the colonies as bodies politic. To have appealed to those in-
struments as proving this would only have been asserting in
another form that the British constitution had extended its
shelter over new states; that, as Connecticut virtually asserted
at about the same time, the charters themselves were a part
of the constitution." It would have been to act in the spirit
of those who had for centuries appealed to Magna Charta; in
accordance with the sober traditions of
** A land of settled government,
A land of just and old renown,
Where freedom broadens slowly down
From precedent to precedent.”
But it was not essential to the argument to name the char-
ters, and Johnson was probably quite willing that the word
should be omitted from the addresses which were to be sent
to England.
Four papers, including a declaration of rights, were issued
by the congress, and Pitkin has no hesitation in saying that
the report presented by Johnson “formed the basis” of all of
them. The address to the king was largely or wholly his
work, and set forth the great political fact of the early establish-
ment of “several governments” in America very much as does
his preliminary paper. The petition to the house of com-
mons, reported by another committee, is particularly interest-
ing, as containing a very plain allusion to the charters. “The
several subordinate provincial legislatures have been moulded
7 Conn. Col. Rec., xii. 422.
17
into forms as nearly resembling that of the mother country,
as by his majesty's royal predecessors was thought convenient,
and these legislatures seem to have been wisely and graciously
established, that the subjects in the colonies might, under the
due administration thereof, enjoy the happy fruit of the British
government.”* (The italics are mine.) The congress, in
fact, being composed of practical men, of English blood, did
not dream of overlooking that action of the crown by which
the state rights which they had to assert had been solemnly
confirmed. It merely avoided the use of the word “charters;”
it did not avoid what Mr. Bancroft calls “the argument for
American liberty from royal grants.” And the word was
omitted, not because “natural justice” and “abstract truth.”
were the only pleas which it became Americans to urge, but
because, as Gadsden suggested, there was a possibility of divi-
sion of interests owing to the unequal grants of power made to
the different colonies. Self-government, for example, was
most fully provided for in Connecticut and Rhode Island,
while Maryland seemed best secured against parliamentary
taxation. And although it was high time, as Gadsden farther
said, for the colonists to think of themselves as all alike Amer-
icans, they could only act effectively, they always did act, they
were at that moment acting, as members of distinct political
bodies, as citizens of Massachusetts, and New York, and Vir-
ginia. And neither Gadsden nor Johnson was able at the
time to sign the addresses because of restrictions under which
South Carolina and Connecticut, respectively, had laid them.
To have disregarded the “colony jurisdictions” in 1765 would
have obscured the very fact which it was so important to get
clearly recognized, (as clearly, at any rate, as they yet recog-
nized it themselves,) that the colonies were already states,
with the right, as such, to protect the colonists.
Dr. Beardsley tells us that the three memorials sent to
England were all prepared by Johnson." The statement is
supported by the abundant use made of the paper which he
8 Pitkin's Political and Civil History of the U. S., i. 5, 6., 183,448–55; Principles and
Acts of the Revolution, etc., Hezekiah Niles; Ed. 1876, 155–69.
9 Life and Times of William Samuel Johnson, 32.
18
laid before the congress, and by the fact that the memorials,
though reported by different committees, were evidently drawn
up in concert. His influence in this famous assembly has
hardly been appreciated. Though he was an eloquent speaker
he was probably better fitted to shine at the bar than in debate,
and when he sat in deliberative bodies his best work was done
in committees. In this case, as in others, fame has been kinder
to debaters than to committee-men. But it seems fair to say
that when the American states formally and in unison claimed
their place in the British empire as bodies politic, William
Samuel Johnson was their leading spokesman. Undoubtedly
what he said was what many others were saying, but it was
felt that few could say it so well. And if he was not among
those who appear to change the course of history, he admir-
ably discharged the more useful function of helping to keep
general action in harmony with natural progress.
That Johnson was then in full sympathy with the mass of
the Connecticut people was shown in various ways. He joined
in passive resistance to the Stamp Act while it was in force,
and when it was repealed he was chosen to thank the king,
and to assure him, with perfect truth, of the “unshaken loy-
alty” of the commonwealth. Before the congress assembled
he had been one of twenty men nominated by popular vote
for seats in the Governor's council, or board of assistants, and
in the following April he was one of the twelve chosen, by
popular vote, to occupy the position. Like all the higher of.
fices in Connecticut at that period, this was commonly a per-
manent one; the freemen, having made a good choice, adhered
to it, though they might have made a new choice every year.
In the meantime Johnson had been honored in a different way
through his father's influence with the Archbishop of Canter-
bury, the university of Oxford having conferred on him the
degree of Doctor of Laws. The title had been well-earned by
his lucid exposition of the British constitution in the Stamp
Act congress, though that consideration probably had no
great weight at Oxford.
Dr. Johnson had sat but a short time in the upper house
when Connecticut gave him what was perhaps the strongest
19
proof that could have been given of confidence in his ability
and integrity. She was summoned to defend before the king
in council her title to a large tract of land, claimed in behalf
of the Mohegan Indians. The case had been in litigation for
seventy years, it had been closely connected with attacks on
the colonial charter, and there was danger that an unfavor-
able decision would be used to secure the forfeiture of the
charter as proving misgovernment, if not dishonesty. The
life of the colony, as a free commonwealth, almost seemed to
depend on the result. And when Johnson was sent, at the
close of the year 1766, to conduct the defence, and to serve
the colonial cause in such other ways as might be open, the
choice showed that the assembly could not find an abler law-
yer. It also showed absolute trust in him as a man. It was
perhaps not known, indeed, that his father had learned to
detest the New England charters, and thought the govern-
ments which they sanctioned “pernicious.” This attitude of
the elder Johnson had no doubt been reached through the
pressure of ecclesiastical controversy, leading him to believe
that the Connecticut charter gave the Congregationalists an
unfair advantage.' " It ought to be easy to forgive him now,
since Connecticut herself long ago abolished the charter for
very much the same reason. But whether his views on this
point had become public or not, there was no doubt about his
intense, and perfectly reasonable, desire for an American epis-
copate. And to most people in Connecticut bishops seemed
even more intolerable than stamped paper. It was feared that
their salaries would be raised by taxation, and that they would
set up courts of probate and divorce. These fears were not
feigned, for opposition to American bishops ceased when the
colonies became independent; that the danger was not quite
imaginary, though exaggerated, has been admitted by candid
Episcopalians from that time to this. In 1766 anxiety on this
subject had been freshly excited, but when the alarm was
greatest Connecticut Congregationalists sent to the seat of
danger, and to the society of the English primate, the son of
the man from whose influence they had most to fear, certain
10 Beardsley's Life and Correspondence of Samuel Johnson, 206, 279, 295, etc.
20
to be charged by his father, as he was charged, to spare no
efforts to get bishops for America. They could hardly have
given more emphatic testimony to his virtue and enlightened
patriotism. He would himself have welcomed a bishop clothed
with purely spiritual powers, and he lived to do it. But he
was unalterably opposed to the half-secular episcopate which
the colonists dreaded, and which even his father did not ask
for.
Owing to repeated postponements of the Mohegan case the
younger Johnson was absent nearly five years, or until the
autumn of 1771. The publication by the Massachusetts His-
torical Society in 1885, of “The Trumbull Papers,” contain-
ing his official correspondence with the Connecticut gover-
nors, Pitkin and Trumbull, makes it easy to follow his course
as colonial agent. In the preface to this volume Johnson's
letters are described as “written with great elegance of style,”
and as graphically reporting parliamentary debates, while the
writer is called “a man of rare insight, great common sense,
and most excellent judgment.” Ninety years before, the cor-
responding secretary of the society, Dr. Jeremy Belknap, wrote:
“I have read the letters repeatedly with delight, and have
gained a better idea of the political system than from all the
books published during that period.” Mr. Bancroft consulted
them in manuscript, and often quotes from them.
When Johnson reached London, in February, 1767, there
had been no renewal of parliamentary taxation, though the
right to renew it was maintained. William Pitt, lately made
Earl of Chatham, was the nominal head of the ministry, and
was inflexibly opposed to taxation. But his health was giving
way, and he soon ceased to take part in public business, though
he did not resign his post until October, 1768. When Chat-
ham became inactive the chancellor of the exchequer, Charles
Townshend, a brilliant but impulsive and unstable man,
assumed the leadership. He died in the same year (1767) but
in the meantime he had, as it would almost seem in a fit of pet-
ulance, induced parliament to lay a duty on several articles,
including tea, for the purpose of raising an American revenue
to be used in paying the salaries of American governors and
21
judges. This would have made those high officials independent
of the people but left them dependent on the king, a situation
very unfavorable to freedom. The colonists had heretofore
submitted, after a fashion, to the imposition of duties, or to
what was called external taxation, in the way of regulating
trade. But they now began to give up the distinction between
internal and external taxation, and they also began to give up
the importation of dutiable goods. In the mean time the
special administration of the colonies was assigned to Lord
Hillsborough, who retained it during the whole of Johnson's
residence in England. Hillsborough was diligent and court-
eous, but obstinate and arbitrary. He called the American
theory of colonial self-government “a polytheism in politics,”
and “fatal to the constitution.” In January, 1770, Lord
North became prime minister. He had ability and good na-
ture, but was almost entirely controlled by the king, who, as
Mr. Green says, “was in fact the minister,” and wholly re-
sponsible for “the shame of the darkest hour of English his-
tory.” 13 In March, 1770, Lord North introduced, and par-
liament passed, a bill removing all the new duties except that
on tea. But they were removed not because they were un-
constitutional but because they were “anti-commercial.”
Throughout the whole period of Johnson's agency, therefore,
the attitude of England was essentially the same. Being a
single state of the empire she claimed the right to lay burdens
on the other states.
In these circumstances, Johnson showed himself, to borrow
a phrase of his own, “a hearty American.” His devotion was
proved, if in no other way, by his consenting to remain so
many years absent from his family at a very great sacrifice of
interest and feeling. But he was also willing to incur danger
for the common cause. When Townshend's proposals were
under discussion, soon after his arrival, and colonial agents
were forbidden to attend the sessions, he got admission to the
gallery, and sat there taking notes while the speaker was assur-
ing George Grerſville, the late prime minister, that no agents
11 Trumbull Papers, (Collect. Mass. Hist. Soc., 5th Series, ix.) 307.
12 Hist. Eng. Peop. ; iv. 252.
22
were present. He told Governor Pitkin that he should renew
the attempt at the risk of imprisonment. 1 & His view of polit-
ical matters was that of Americans generally. He believed
that the dispute was not a struggle between the head of the
empire and seditious provinces. “For clearly,” he wrote,
“the controversy is . . . . between subject and subject,
between the people of America and the people of Britain,
which shall have the power over American property.” This
was precisely Franklin's opinion, as transmitted from England
in 1770.14 And Johnson judged of men, in their public
capacity, by their attitude on the general spubject of colonial
rights. He was very much afraid of Lord Chatham because
he knew that Chatham held “the dangerous idea of a right
to restrain us absolutely from every species of manufacture.”
“Should he come into power,” added Johnson, he must be
obeyed; “it is with him but a word and a blow.” 1 * In fact
Johnson found but few friends of America in England, as he
estimated friendship, though he had personal friends in all
parties. There were few who admitted her title to what he
really claimed for her, equal political rights with England.
And like a “hearty American " Johnson rejoiced in the
“firmness and intrepidity” with which the colonies met the
efforts of the ministry at once to “deceive” and to “intimi-
date” them, and was delighted by the assurances which were
given him “of the firm universal union of all the people of
America to assert and maintain their indubitable rights.”
This union, he said, “joined to a prudent, well-advised con-
duct, must render them impregnable, and insure their suc-
cess.” “ The conduct which he thought prudent and well-
advised was not by any means hanging custom-house officers
in effigy, nor breaking their windows. He often complained
of the obstacles which such proceedings threw in his way.
What he did emphatically approve of, and constantly implore
his countrymen to persist in, was the non-importation agree-
13 Trum. Pap., 234; Life and Times, 41.
14 Trum. Pap., 317; Life of Franklin, ii. 51.
15 Trum. Pap., 366,487.
16 Trum. Pap., 358, 375.
23
ments. Indeed, the substitution of “some of the more salu-
tary herbs of " America, for the “expensive exotic” tea, was
One of the first things which he thought of when the duties
were imposed. 1 He would not believe “that any American
of consequence could have been guilty of" evading the agree-
ments; he asked why the people should not stop using, since
the merchants must then stop importing; he hoped that the
threat to make the agreements criminal would bring about this
“much more effectual” agreement. As time went on, and the
combinations against British goods, in spite of violations and
evasions, and a temporary failure to reduce trade, which he
at once acknowledged and accounted for, began finally to tell
on both commerce and manufactures, he became almost pas-
sionate in his plea for “union and firmness.” “All depends
upon it,” he said; “the game . . . is in their own hands
. . . . I must yet believe that there is wisdom, virtue, and
patriotism enough in that country, not only to save it from
ruin, but to fix its right, on a firm basis.” 1 &
Johnson was distinguished for his moderation, but it was
because, being a strong man, he could control strong feeling,
not because he did not feel strongly. And in this correspond-
ence he repeatedly shows himself capable of intense indigna-
tion against tyrannical words and acts. ' Thus he denounces
those who had told the ministers that the American opposi-
tion was “a petty, desperate, dying faction,” as “wretched
sycophants.” The ministers, or some of their English advisers,
were malicious “madmen, who would wreak all their wicked
wrath upon the colonies.” He could even wish that some of
them “might atone by their forfeited heads for the badness
of their hearts.” 19 -
There is no room to doubt Johnson's devotion to America,
but he was none the less devoted to the British crown. Colo-
nial and imperial interests were both dear to him, and it is
curious to observe how instinctively he speaks as an English-
man in the presence of annoyance or danger from without the
17 Trum. Pap., 236. -
18 Trum, Pap., 298, 319, 384,406, 423–4, 432–3,
19 Trum. Pap., 375, 377.
24
empire. “Our court, it is said, is not upon good terms with
that of Portugal, nor are we in the best humor with the
Dutch.” When France becomes insolent, and “ the Span-
iards, too, have been very saucy,” he writes, as if he had been
one of the ministry which he denounced so fiercely, “we are
therefore arming as all other powers of Europe have done
before us . . . we are preparing to meet the threatening
storm.” He has even warm praise for the “firmness and forti-
tude” of the government in its foreign policy. When what
he calls “our rupture with Spain,” seemed to foreshadow a
general war, he said that “the spirited conduct of Lord
North” had “given him great reputation,” and his sympathies
went with North in this matter against a parliamentary op-
position which included those who were most friendly to
America.?" And he could fairly expect the Connecticut gov-
enors whom he addressed to share his feelings. Pitkin
declared that the colonists idolized “the British constitution,
government and nation.” And as for Connecticut, he wrote:
“Not a disloyal thought lurks in the breast of any one.” "
Trumbull labored to the very last moment for peace, with
freedom, within the empire. Fidelity at once to the local and
to the central government was as possible under the imperial
as under the federal system, and the former system was edu-
cating Americans for the latter.
At the same time Johnson himself perceived that a separa-
tion was more than probable, and while he did not desire it,
he felt that it might be advantageous to the colonies. In
1769 he wrote to a friend in Connecticut: “If we were wise and
could form some system of free government upon just princi-
ples, we might be very happy without any connection with
this country.” But he feared that Americans would “fall
into factions and parties,” and “destroy one another,” and so
he pleaded for moderation on both sides. ** And he undoubt-
edly still believed, as he did at the time of the Stamp act con-
gress, that colonial freedom was compatible with the existence
20 Trum. Pap., 385–6, 396, 456–7, 461–5, 489.
21 Trum. Pap., 283, 287.
22 Life and Times, 65.
25
of a “supreme legislature,” namely, parliament. Franklin, on
the other hand, was gradually reaching the conviction that
parliament, as then constituted, had no right to legislate for
the colonies at all, and that the various states of the empire
had at present no lawful bond of union except the king, as
had formerly been the case with regard to England and Scot-
land. A political union of this sort, however, would have left
the distant American states about as little members of the
British empire as Hanover was. And even Franklin seemed
to prefer such a union as had been formed between England
and Scotland, through a parliament representing both.** But
such a union, if we understand him literally, would have done
away with the colonial assemblies; it would have been a con-
solidation, turning the empire into a nation, with an ocean in
the middle of it. The modern imperial system of Great
Britain has taken very much the direction indicated in Frank-
lin's conception of the old system. But, although parliament
has not wholly relinquished its share in the government of the
empire, the practical independence of the colonies in legisla-
tion seems to be carrying them towards complete indepen-
dence, something which neither Franklin nor Johnson desired
for the colonies of their day. The federal system of America,
on the contrary, though its supreme legislature is really rep-
resentative, on the whole more closely resembles that which
Johnson conceived of as then existing, and promises to last,
by escaping both consolidation and separation. Johnson saw
as clearly as Franklin that there had been not only an abuse
but a usurpation of power by parliament, but he apparently
saw more clearly than Franklin that a combination of general
with local legislation belonged to the true constitution of an
empire, and would best secure its stability.
Our colonial agent's highest service to the American cause
was rendered through his skillful performance of his proper
task, the defence of the state rights of Connecticut. Profes-
sor Johnston says that the government of this colony was kept
“so free from crown control that it became really the exemplar
23 Life of Franklin, i. 515, 518, 567; ii. 63.
26
of the rights at which all the colonies finally aimed.”** They
are all supposed to enjoy those rights under federal control,
and it was your Fairfield County statesman who so guarded
them for this commonwealth, and therefore for all her sisters,
during the closing years of the colonial period, that the charter
passed safely from the king to the people, and a “royal grant,”
wholly unchanged, was found worthy to be formally acknowl-
edged by the most democratic of republics as its own work.
The Charter Oak had been itself for the time transplanted from
Hartford to Westminster. Johnson's task was undoubtedly
far easier because he found that Connecticut was “rather a
favorite colony.” The genuine loyalty of the commonwealth
thus had its reward, and her representative did his own work
so well because he so completely represented her at her best,
through his purity of character, his highly trained intelligence
and his mastery of himself. In these qualities, as in courtesy
and grace, he was such another envoy as she had had about a
century before in the man who won the charter, the younger
John Winthrop. -
Johnson's management of the Mohegan case, with the help
of the best (and most expensive) English counsel, was sub-
stantially successful, and the danger which threatened the
colonial constitution in that quarter was avoided. But he
had much other work to do. Early in the year 1768 he had
an encounter with Lord Hillsborough. The interview, which
lasted about two hours, is described at some length by Mr.
Bancroft,” and I need give but an outline of the discussion.
Hillsborough complained that the British ministry “seemed
to have too little connection with ” Connecticut. Johnson
accounted for this chiefly by the “good order and tranquillity,”
of the colony, and by the fact that its constitution, not mak-
ing it, like some provinces, directly dependent on the crown,
left little occasion for troubling the home government with
its affairs. Hillsborough then said that the colonial laws
ought to be sent to the ministers to be rectified, if “amiss.”
Johnson politely assured him that he might have a copy “for
24 Connecticut, Preſ. viii.
25 Hist. U. S., iv. 65–8.
27
his private perusal,” and as a book of reference for his clerks.
But if he wished the laws transmitted for ministerial inspec-
tion and approval, the charter provided against that, and the
colony “would never submit to ” it. This drew an attack
upon the charter as perhaps containing extravagant grants Of
power, which were necessarily void. Thus the power of abso-
lute legislation “tended to the absurdity of” creating “an
independent state.” Johnson answered that every corpora-
tion might make laws, the extent of its capacity depending on
the nature of the corporation, in the present case a colony.
Hillsborough admitted the right to make by-laws, but he dis-
tinguished between that and the wide range of legislation
common in New England. A similar distinction was made
not quite twenty years later in the constitutional convention,
when Madison, in replying to Johnson's plea for the states as
political societies, virtually ranked them with such corpora-
tions as are only competent to pass by-laws.”" Johnson called
Connecticut a corporation in his discussion with Hillsborough,
for so did the charter, and he was quite ready to acknowledge
the incorporating power of the crown. But he pointed out that
such a corporation as a colony “included in its idea full powers
of legislation,” and ought not to be classed with corporations
of a lower grade, like towns. Hillsborough now apparently
gave up his contention that royal approval was necessary to
give validity to Connecticut legislation. But he was sure that
it should be regularly submitted to the privy council, that
they might disapprove acts “repugnant to the law of England,”
for such acts were forbidden by the charter itself. Johnson
parried this final thrust by denying that the power to deter-
mine whether a law “was within that proviso or not” be-
longed to any body except “a court of law, having jurisdic-
tion of the matter” to which the act related. This was much
the same as saying that the constitutionality of a law of Con-
necticut could only be settled judicially, through action
brought in particular cases; an extremely different thing from
pronouncing upon the laws as they were passed, and apart
26 Elliot's Debates on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution, Vol. v. (supplemen-
tary), 256.
28
from any case arising under them, but extremely similar to
the provision which Johnson helped to make in behalf of
State rights, and against Madison, in 1787.* 7 At the latter
period it was from interference on the part of the general
legislature rather than on the part of the executive branch of
the central government, that the local legislature was to be
protected in its own sphere, but in either case the same local
rights were assigned to the same guardianship, that of the
judiciary. A striking feature of the American constitution
was thus exhibited to a British minister by Dr. Johnson in
expounding the British constitution, while America was still
part of the British empire. Johnson added that the validity
of colonial laws might be settled in the colonial courts, com-
ing, if necessary, on appeal, before the English courts, but
before the courts alone, and not before the privy council, act-
ing as a board of revision. Hillsborough continued to be
afraid that the people of this commonwealth “were in danger
of being too much a separate, independent state,” and he did
not get rid of the apprehension. But Johnson seems to have
convinced him that a “royal grant” had recognized at least
one complete political society within the empire, and outside
of Great Britain, while he had defined its constitutional posi-
tion in terms which nearly describe that which it now holds
in the federal union. * *
Dr. Johnson more than once had occasion to make a prac-
tical use of the principles which he had laid down in this
remarkable interview. In February, 1769, he warned Con-
necticut against what he suspected to be a trap set for that
colony and Rhode Island. An act of parliament had author-
ized certain legislation by the American assemblies, which was
to be subject to approval by the king in council. “I trust,”
he wrote, that “nobody will once think of passing an act to
be transmitted here for approbation.”** Before many months
somebody transmitted an act for disapprobation. Connecticut
had suddenly set up a protective tariff in the shape of a duty
- --———— -- - -—- - - - --~~sº -
27 Elliot's Debates, v. 170–1, 481–2.
28 Trum. Pap., 253-62.
29 Trum, Pap., 327–9.
29
of five per cent. on all imports, including those brought
directly from Great Britain. Lord Hillsborough, in great in-
dignation, declared that, on the American theory, Connecticut
was taxing the whole empire, and he was determined to bring
the act before the council. Johnson knew nothing about the
motives for passing it, but he conjectured that it was designed
to protect local dealers against unfair competition on the part
of men who did not stay long enough in Connecticut to be
taxed, which proved to be precisely the fact. This, he assured
Hillsborough, was a very proper thing, and “well within the
powers of the Assembly.” After some three months of great
anxiety he persuaded the minister to abandon his unpleasant
intention about the act, and to give the assembly an opportu-
nity to modify it, by excepting goods imported by English-
men. This was conceding a privilege which Connecticut does
not now enjoy.” "
Before the agent's mind was at rest on this subject, (1770)
the colony was again threatened with extra judicial proceed-
ings before the king in council. The Penn family addressed
a petition to the king for the immediate removal of certain
Connecticut settlers from lands near Wilkes-Barré, and sought
to make the colony a party in the case along with the Susque-
hanna Company, which was making the settlement. Johnson
believed that the colony had, under its charter, a title to the
lands in question which ought not to be surrendered. But
the company could defend its own title without the coöpera-
tion of Connecticut, and he was very unwilling to have the
charter, with its grant of a belt reaching to the Pacific ocean,
brought before the ministry at so critical a moment. He
therefore earnestly advised Trumbull not to commit the col.
ony, and he himself, by pursuing the same policy, secured an
opinion from the Board of Trade, of which Lord Hillsborough
was president, to the effect that the case was “entirely within
the jurisdiction of” the Pennsylvanian courts.” It is quite
likely that Johnson's former argument with Hillsborough in-
fluenced this decision, and in any case he had saved the char-
ter from some risk.
30 Trum. Pap. 387, 392–3, 397, 407, 419, 428, 443.
31 Trum. Pap., 413–6, 443, 447–8, 453–4.
30
His last alarm on the subject of the charter perhaps caused
him the greatest distress. He learned that a plan was formed,
about the close of the year 1770, not to abolish, but by so-
called “regulations” to make nearly valueless, the charter of
Massachusetts. He dreaded what might follow for Rhode
Island and Connecticut. “When charters are called in ques-
tion,” he wrote, “we have certainly more to fear because we
have more to lose, than any other people upon earth.” He
trusted that his own colony would continue to be so prudent
and temperate “as not to endanger the most valuable privi-
leges that people ever enjoyed.” He held the traditional Con-
necticut view, colored by neighborly prejudices, of the pru-
dence and temper of Massachusetts, which in turn used to
think Connecticut timid and selfish, though that view always
became untenable after fighting began. And Johnson now
regarded the proposed treatment of the sister colony as both
impolitic and unrighteous, and very likely said as much to the
ministers. Still, although he had some influence with Hills-
borough, it is doubtful whether this appeared in the present
abandonment of the design against Massachusetts, for which
Franklin himself, then her agent, declined to claim any credit.82
But Johnson's influence is apparent in the assurance which
the secretary gave him that whatever was done Connecticut
should not be involved.” He could feel that he was leaving
the affairs of his own commonwealth in as good a condition
as was then possible. As far as she was concerned he had
successfully defended state rights, without seeming to impair
the authority of the central government. -
But he could not feel that his countrymen in general had
been steadfast in the cause of liberty. About a year before his
return, or in August, 1770, he was confounded by the news
that the agreements against trade with England, on which he
had declared that the fate of the colonies hung, had been
abandoned except as regarded tea. He clung to the hope that
the virtue of the people, on which he had throughout depended
more than on that of the merchants, would be equal to the
32 Life of Franklin, ii. 65.
33 Trum. Pap., 466–7, 470–1.
31
sacrifice of refraining from consumption. But in the follow-
ing March he wrote that goods were about going to America
to the amount of more than a million sterling. ** This had
both pleased and strengthened the ministry, and he evidently
believed that the proposed attack on Massachusetts had been
encouraged by this sudden breaking down of the American
defences. Moreover, the English opposition was utterly routed,
and was, in Johnson's view, “equally destitute of principle
with’ the ministry, while scarcely more willing to concede
their full rights to the colonists. He thought its leaders-cap-
able of little except “teasing the Administration,” and as
against them the latter probably had his sympathy. And the
latter he describes as “in perfect plenitude of power;” in
spite of a popular outbreak which he briefly describes, almost
his last letter declares the ministry to be “in perfect peace.”
On Johnson's return in October, 1771, the Assembly of Con-
necticut thanked him “for his faithful service . . . his
constant endeavors to promote the general cause of American
liberty, and his steady attention to the true interests of this
colony in particular.” His restoration to his old place in
the council was a sufficient proof that he and the freemen of
the commonwealth were in substantial agreement. Much as
he had deplored the abandonment of the non-importation
policy, he was glad to see his countrymen peacefully inclined,
and he hoped that discreet conduct on both sides would “per-
fectly re-establish” harmony.” He certainly had not learned
in less than a year to desire that the colonies should quietly
acquiesce in arbitrary government, but he had, in common
with other patriots, feared lest the two countries should “go
on contending and fretting each other till” they should “be-
come separate and independent empires.” “* The attitude in
which he found the Americans relieved him from this anxiety,
while their continued refusal to import tea assured him that
34 Trum. Pap., 450, 479.
35 Trum. Pap., 474, 480, 482.
36 Life and Times, 86.
37 Bancroft's Hist. U. S., iv. 326.
38 Life and Times, 65.
32
they had not renounced the principle of home rule. He knew
that acts of violence would simply irritate not alone the min-
istry but the English people, and his utter lack of confidence
in the English opposition made him hopeless of help from
that quarter, while he probably thought the military power of
England irresistible. The few letters of this period which
are in print show, on the one hand, that he loved justice and
hated oppression as intensely as ever, and, on the other, that
he still thought the English enemies of the administration
“the friends of confusion;” and still believed the stability of
the empire to demand not only an imperial executive but an
imperial legislature. ** The colonies probably contained no
firmer adherent to the American cause, as Americans then
understood it, namely, security for the rights of Englishmen
under the British crown.
In the meantime the non-importation of tea had proved a
more powerful weapon than Johnson had ventured to hope.
It had brought the East India Company into great straits,
and the company obtained from the folly of the ministers
authority to do what the Americans refused to do, namely, to
bring tea to the colonial ports. Mr. Bancroft says that if this
permission had been accompanied by a removal of the duty it
would have restored a good understanding. Nothing of the
kind was thought of, and in December, 1773, the company's
tea was thrown into Boston harbor. Johnson doubtless con-
demned this act, but so did Washington and Franklin. Re-
taliation came in the shape of a bill closing the port of Bos-
ton, and one of the best friends of America, Colonel Barré,
voted for it, though he opposed the companion bill which
practically annulled the Massachusetts charter. Johnson's
moderation of temper never kept him from detesting tyranny
even towards those whose course he may have thought injudi-
cious, and we could have little doubt that he shared the indig-
nation of his countrymen at these cruel enactments, even were
there no other evidence to that effect. But we learn that the
Episcopalians of Stratford joined in the contributions every-
where made for the relief of Boston. They continued to act
39 Life and Times, 101–2, 207 (App.)
33
in this spirit throughout the war, while Dr. Beardsley tells us
that in “1774 not a man in Stratford was ready to dissent
from revolutionary measures.” 40 Johnson's influence un-
doubtedly appears in this attitude of the Stratford Episcopa-
lians, but we need not infer that he personally approved of
“revolutionary measures" And he was probably made very
uneasy by the course which things were taking. In March,
1774, the Massachusetts assembly ordered the purchase of
powder and cannon, and during the summer the militia were
holding parades throughout the province. A similar bellige-
rent disposition was showing itself elsewhere. Now John-
son certainly thought that the British soldiers had no busi-
ness in Boston, but they had not yet made open war, and he
would naturally fear that if the colonists armed themselves
they would be tempted to strike the first blow. Such an ap-
prehension perhaps accounts for the fact that in October he
resigned his commission as lieutenant-colonel of the fourth
Connecticut regiment, of which he had previously been
major.4 Various reasons might have led to this step, but
neither lack of patriotism nor lack of courage was among them,
and it was such a step as he would have been likely to take if
he were seriously afraid that the colonies would plunge into
an offensive war, having either the dismemberment of the
empire, or the loss of colonial freedom as its probable issue.
It would indicate no unwillingness to take part in defending
the colonies, if attacked, even against the army of his sove.
reign. In the same year he declined an appointment to rep-
resent the colony in the first continental congress, and though
he had a good excuse, he was certainly not sorry that he had
one. The congress, however, upon the whole, pursued his
own policy, and showed a sincere wish for peace and the unity
of the empire. He could still feel that he was not essentially
at variance with the majority of his sober-minded countrymen.
And there were enough equally sober-minded men in Con-
necticut to send Dr. Johnson once more to the upper house
40 Orcutt's History of the Old Town of Stratford and the City of Bridgeport, Pt. I.,
373; Beardsley's History of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Connecticut, i. 310.
41 Conn. Col. Rec., xiv. 221, 231.
34
of the legislature in 1775. Furthermore, the legislature,
much against his own wishes, and a good deal to the annoy-
ance of Massachusetts, made him, towards the end of April,
one of the bearers of a letter from Governor Trumbull to Gov-
enor Gage, complaining of what the writer was inclined to re-
gard as “a most unprovoked attack upon the lives and prop-
erty of His Majesty's subjects,” and pleading for a suspension
of hostilities. Even at this date, when the war had begun at
Lexington and Concord, the people of Connecticut abhorred
“the idea of taking up arms against the troops of their Sove-
reign,” although, on “the principle of self-defense,” they were
resolved to fight, if necessary, either for themselves or for
“their brethren.” “” As far as appears, Johnson might have
written such a letter himself. The mission of course was
futile, and peaceful Connecticut was soon in thickest of the
fight. It was still, however, a defensive war, prosecuted in
behalf of the rights of Englishmen within the empire. Dr.
Dwight tells us that the thought of independence was derided
by zealous whigs in the colony even after the battle of Bunker
Hill.4° And Johnson, however much he regretted the neces-
sity of forcible resistance to invasion, and however little he
hoped for a successful issue, continued to act as a member of
the Connecticut government during the whole of the year
1775, when the commonwealth was doing its utmost against
the king's troops and fortresses and ships. And when the
king declared the colonists rebels, Johnson shared the re-
proach, along with Trumbull and Israel Putnam and Ethan
Allen.
It is evident, however, that the people felt that he did not
share their enthusiasm. A paper found by Mr. Hoadly, the
state librarian, and to be printed in the next and final volume
of the Colonial Records, (should that appear, as is earnestly
to be hoped,”) is very significant here. It gives, what we sel-
dom have, the votes of the freemen at the September nomina-
tion for members of the council, and Johnson's name is the
42 Life and Times, 109–12, 210–12 (App.)
43 Travels, i. 159. -
* Dr. Hoadly is now (October, 1889,) superintending its passsge through the press.
last of the twenty put in nomination. The higher numbers
exceed four thousand, while Johnson received less than one
thousand votes. At the election in April, 1776, when twelve
of the twenty were chosen, he was naturally not one of them.
For the time the whigs of Connecticut had disowned him,
though he was as good a whig as before. But his defeat was
probably fortunate for him, since he must have opposed the
action which the assembly unanimously took in June, by in-
structing the delegates of the commonwealth in the second
continental congress to vote for independence.
Johnson's reasons for thinking the famous Declaration which
followed, an unwise step, may be clearer to us, and even in
some degree command our sympathy, as we read the words
used by the assembly in the following October: “This Repub-
lic,” (to wit, Connecticut,) “is, and shall forever be and re-
main, a free, sovereign and independent state.” 44 Johnson
believed in state rights, and contended for them throughout
his public life; he did not believe in state sovereignty, and
he was now bearing witness to the necessity of a supreme cen-
tral government. He separated from Trumbull in 1776 in be-
half of the principle which Buckingham summoned the com-
monwealth to vindicate in 1861. It is true that Connecticut
did not dream of acting apart from the other states, and that
the phrase “state sovereignty” was often used to express very
nearly the same idea which now attaches to the phrase “state
rights.” But thought, as well as language, was confused at
that period with respect to the novel political system which
emerged at the Declaration of Independence, and the sove-
reignty which Connecticut meant to claim was something
quite beyond anything that the system admitted of. We can
see that a new sovereign, stronger than George the Third, was
proclaimed in the Declaration; that it proceeded from an
authority capable of binding all the states into one larger
state, the authority of the sovereign people. But the very
men who signed that instrument did not see this, or they
would hardly have gone on to frame the Articles of Confede-
ration in behalf of sovereign states. Those articles, fortu-
44 See Johnson’s Connecticut, 304,
36
nately not adopted until the war was nearly over, (1781) were
like an abdication on the part of the new king between his
accession and his coronation. And we all know that the rule
of the states, substituted for that of the people, very nearly
ruined the country, Dr. Johnson, in spite of his clear politi-
cal insight, perhaps did not recognize the incoming lord par-
amount any more than his neighbors did. But he undoubt-
edly perceived the immense difficulty of the situation created
by cutting one bond of union before another, equally strong,
was visible somewhere. Even Patrick Henry, eager to fight,
and eager for independence, would have had the Declaration
delayed until the colonies should have united as a confede-
racy.” And Johnson's mistake seems to have been that of
being a “Union man” eighty-five years too soon. Moreover,
he was not mistaken in thinking, as most men had thought
until then, that freedom was possible without independence.
England could learn to respect colonial rights, and the subse-
quent history of the British empire on the whole proves this.
It is even probable that the lesson would have been learned
in another year, and that the war for freedom would have
closed triumphantly with the battle of Saratoga. And that
a man who foresaw such evils as the country actually suffered
before state sovereignty was repudiated, should have shrunk
from independence, implies no failure of patriotism. John
Dickinson, the famous “Pennsylvania Farmer,” though in com-
mand of a regiment enlisted to fight the king, opposed the
Declaration on the floor of congress, thereby furnishing, in
the judgment of the historian Hildreth, one of the two or three
highest examples of moral courage in American history.
But while Johnson's conscience would not have permitted
him to take part, as a public man, in dissolving what we may
call the British union, he could and did, as a private citizen,
give his aid in repelling invaders. He subscribed money for
the common defence, he promoted enlistments, he furnished
a soldier for the war, and he was ready, before the war was
over, to take the oath of fidelity to the United States. 40
45 Tyler's Patrick Henry, 171–6.
46 Life and Times, 116.
37
During his retirement he was once (1779) arrested by a
military officer for having promised, against his own judg-
ment, to ask General Tryon not to burn Stratford. But the
civil authority refused to hold him, and his old friend, Gover-
nor Trumbull, may have seen a partial resemblance between
the proposed mission to Tryon and the one on which he him-
self had sent him, four years earlier, to Gage, at the risk of
offending Massachusetts. In the present case it appears that
the majority of the Stratford freemen were offended at being
made to seem willing to hold “a traitorous correspondence
with the enemy,” and they prepared a statement for publica-
tion in the New Haven newspaper. But they must have
thought better of it, since that paper, the Connecticut Journal,
is apparently silent about the whole transaction.**
It is well known that many Americans became partisans of
England during the war, after having zealously opposed par-
liamentary taxation. But Dr. Johnson never was transformed
into a partisan of England. And his belief that the dissolu-
tion of the union with Great Britain, at that time, was unwise,
a belief which he never renounced, ** did not permanently
affect his standing among his contemporaries. Before the
articles of peace were signed he was once more serving the
commonwealth, and once more in defence of a chartered
right, the title of Connecticut to the land on which the Sus-
quehanna Company had made settlements. The title had been
approved by high legal authority in England, and the unani-
mous decision now given in favor of Pennsylvania, may have
suggested to our advocate the reflection that independence
had not increased the security of state constitutions.
This appointment was a mark of confidence on the part of
the government. The people, in turn, soon showed how
highly they rated character above opinions by electing John-
son once more to the council. In 1784 he was sent to the
continental congress, and in 1787 he was first in the Connec-
ticut delegation to the convention which framed the Consti-
tution of the United States. It appears that he had been
47 Life and Times, 112–6; Hist. of Stratf. Pt. I., 383-6.
48 Life and Times, 85.
38
opposed to the convention,4 ° and he certainly had some rea-
son to fear that the miseries caused by state sovereignty
would now react to the prejudice of state rights. What the
convention really had to do was, with a difference, what the
British parliament had failed to do, namely to find out to
govern a nation and an empire, a single state and a collection
of states, through the same legislature. The British experi-
ment had failed because the supreme legislature, representing
the people of a single state, had tried to take money from the
people of states which were not represented. But the Amer-
ican experiment had already proved that the supreme legisla-
ture could not get money through the local legislatures. Its
credit was ruined by their disregard of its requisitions, and it
must assume the power of taxation. Parliament was having
its revenge on the continental congress. An American con-
gress, however, might rightfully tax Americans because they
would be represented in it. But how should they be repre-
sented? In laying taxes congress must undertake to govern
them not as members of several bodies politic but as members
of one, as a single people. And when it should begin to act
thus directly on the people the people ought to be represented
equally. One man in Delaware ought not to have the taxing
power, and the general governing power, of sixteen men in
Virginia, which would be the case if Delaware and Virginia
should have an equal vote in the new congress, as they had
in the old. It was in fact the sovereignty of the people which
had now to be re-asserted, and it must find expression in a
truly representative legislature. Most of the leading men in
the convention, therefore, men like Madison and Hamilton,
devoted themselves to the task of making the new represen-
tative body purely national, by wholly depriving the states of
the equal vote, leaving their weight in congress to depend on
their population.
Dr. Johnson, who had insisted on “due subordination " '
within the old empire, and who had found it so hard to “go
with his state” in seceding from the empire, believed as firmly
as Madison and Hamilton in a strong central government.
49 Bancroft's History of the Constitution, ii. 50, 418 (App.)
39
But he was not willing that what was then called a “partial”
or “residuary sovereignty” should be lost to the states, and
he feared that they would lose it if congress should repre-
sent the people exclusively. It apparently was assumed in
some quarters that they had fulfilled their function, as states,
by protecting individual rights against invasion from the cen-
tral state, and that they must disappear, or become atrophied,
since that had been exscinded. Madison avowed the wish to
reduce the states, as far as possible, to the condition of coun-
ties,” 0 and this, to a New Englander, was nearly equivalent
to abolishing them. And when a plea for state rights was
offered, some of the advocates of a purely national system
described the states, in reply, as “artificial,” or even as “im-
aginary” beings, to which it was monstrous to sacrifice the
rights of men." '
Those who defended the claim of the states to representa-
tion in their corporate character generally treated the ques-
tion as an issue between the small states and the large ones.
They asserted that the former would be at the mercy of the
latter if the equal vote allowed in the continental congress
were taken away. It was easy for Madison to show, as John
Adams had shown in 1776, that the larger states, (Virginia,
Pennsylvania and Massachusetts,) had no common interests
apart from the others.” And he justly urged that a strong
central government would best protect the small states. Had
Madison been as familiar with the history of New England as
he was with that of Greece he might have referred here to the
confederacy of 1643, in which the one vote of Massachusetts
commonly outweighed the other three, and which was power-
less to prevent Connecticut from annexing New Haven piece-
meal. The New England delegates, in fact, knew very well,
thanks to their town meetings, that local rights may be secure
under a vigorous general administration, and none of those
from Connecticut maintained the cause of the small states
violently. Johnson, however, stood alone in the so-called
50 Elliot's Debates, v. 253.
51 Elliot's Debates, v. 258, 263, 267.
52 Elliot's Debates, v. 250-3; Works of John Adams, ii. 500, Rote.
40
“state rights party,” in resting the argument against a one-
sided nationalism on the simple fact that the states existed.
It is possible that had he spoken as often as Sherman and
Ellsworth he would have expressed, like them, a moderate in-
terest in the small states as such, but what he actually said
indicates no interest in them whatever. His object was now,
as in the Stamp Act congress, to secure certain bodies politic,
the large and the small alike, against the invasion of their
rights by a central authority which he nevertheless recognized
as supreme. For him the colonial charters had passed from
the British into the American constitution, and the sovereign
people must acknowledge and protect them.
The last of Dr. Johnson's three brief speeches on this sub-
ject, made at the opening of the debate on the day after Frank-
lin's famous proposal of daily prayers, is thus reported by
Madison; “The controversy must be endless whilst gentle-
men differ in the grounds of their arguments: those on one
side considering the states as districts of people composing
one political Society, those on the other side considering them
as so many political Societies. The fact is, that the states do
exist as political societies, and a government is to be formed
for them in their political capacity, as well as for the individ-
uals composing them. Does it not seem to follow that if the
states, as such, are to exist,” (as nearly all felt to be inevita-
ble) “they must be armed with some power of self-defence?
On the whole he thought that as, in some respects,
the states are to be considered in their political capacity, and,
in others, as districts of individual citizens, the two ideas
embraced on different sides, instead of being opposed to each
other ought to be combined—that in one branch the people
ought to be represented, in the other, the states.” ”
It should be borne in mind that the division of the general
legislature into two branches, of which the second, (the sen-
ate,) should after a fashion represent the states, had formed
part of the “Virginia plan,” offered to the convention three
days before Johnson took his seat, and that about three weeks
before this speech was made Sherman had declared equal rep-
53 Elliot's Debates, v. 255.
41
resentation of the states in the second branch to be indispens-
able. ** So far, Johnson was simply supporting his colleagues.
But while the friends of the Virginia plan strenuously opposed
equal representation in either branch as unjust, Sherman per-
sonally préferred the “New Jersey plan” of a legislature in
one chamber, representing the states. The union which he
really desired was a league of sovereignties.** Now Johnson's
whole political career, above all his opposition to an indepen-
dence which seemed to threaten, and which had nearly pro-
duced, disintegration, had been a protest against such a sys-
tem as his colleague wished for. But although the difference
between him and Sherman was probably more radical than
that between him and Madison, he could act with Sherman
against Madison because the double representation offered by
the former and rejected by the latter, was precisely what ex-
isting facts, as Johnson saw them, made not simply expedient
but right. He virtually held up before his associates that
unwritten constitution which is, as Judge Jameson says, to
be “considered as the outcome of social and political forces
in history, as an organic growth . . . as a fact,” " " We
need not assume that Johnson had learned the doctrine of his-
torical development; it is enough that his clear insight showed
him a certain result of development. He perceived that the
new system, really evolved out of the old, retained the unity
and the diversity of the latter, and must be accepted as it was.
The single state and the group of states, the one political
society, and the many, were alike there, only they now occu-
pied the same territory, and the one people inhabiting them
all had taken the place of the crown. It was nation and
empire in one. The national character of this complex body
politic should appear, therefore, in a popular branch of the
supreme legislature, speaking for the Sovereign people, while
another, the mouthpiece of co-equal states, should be the sym-
bol and the safeguard of the old colonial liberties, the impe-
rial signet on the young republic.
54 Elliot’s Debates, v. 127, 181; Hildreth’s History of the United States, Revis. Ed
iii. 485.
55 Elliot’s Debates, v. 218–9, 260, etc.
56 The Constitutional Convention, 3d Ed., 66.
42
Mr. George Ticknor Curtis says, with reference to Dr. John-
son's speech, that “neither party was ready to adopt the Sug-
gestion” about a combination of views, & 7 and what Johnson
urged as right in itself, was finally done under the form of a
compromise, and largely through the efforts of Sherman and
Ellsworth. But what took place was, in reality, the submis-
sion of both parties to the impersonal, infallible arbitration of
an historical evolution, the results of which Johnson saw more
clearly than either. And when, a year later, Hamilton and
Madison were pleading so ably and magnanimously for the
constitution with discontented state rights partisans, we find
them more than once defending positions which the older
statesmen had defended against them, and doctrines on which
he had been acting when they were school-boys. They were
bearing unconscious witness to the strength of the system
which he knew to be already in operation, and which had been
the real antagonist of their theories.**
Dr. Johnson made an interesting contribution to the com-
pleteness of the federal system after the great struggle was
over, and when, as Mr. Bancroft says, “Connecticut had won
the day.” It was voted on his motion, by a large majority,
that the jurisdiction of the supreme court should be “ex-
tended to cases of law and equity,” and then, with no dissent-
ing votes, that it should embrace “all cases arising under the
Constitution.” This, according to Mr. Bancroft, finally dis-
posed of the plan favored by Madison, of giving congress a
veto on state legislation, and confined the power fo revers-
ing state laws to the judiciary, in cases brought before it.”
This is the principle (differently applied) for which Johnson
pleaded with Lord Hillsborough in 1768. He thus fitly closed
the battle in behalf of the freedom of local legislation which
he had begun in England nearly twenty years before," " and
the supreme court is to-day the most conspicuous guardian
of state rights.
57 Curtis's History of the Constitution, ii. 138.
58 See The Federalist, Ed, 1826, 152, (No. 28), 200 (No. 37), 263 (No. 46), 333 (No. 59).
346–7 (No. 62).
f;9 Bancroft's Hist. of Const., ii. 198; Elliot's Debates, W. 170–1, 481–2,
60 See above, pp. (13–13–15.)
43
When the draft of the Constitution was to receive its final
form, and was entrusted for that purpose to a committee ap-
pointed by ballot, which included four leaders of debate, Alex-
ander Hamilton, Gouverneur Morris, James Madison and Rufus
King, Dr. Johnson was its chairman. And though the prep-
aration of the new draft was the work of Morris, Johnson did
not fail in his own duty of oversight and revision, for his
handwriting is still to be seen in corrections made in the Orig-
inal document, and included in the Constitution as it stands.""
And the Constitution as it stands probably expresses his life-
long political convictions more adequately than those of any
other member of the committee. The convention chose the
right man to superintend the final touches upon its great work.
But he was the right man especially because its great work
had really been done by “progressive history,” and because
few Americans, if any, had been so closely identified with the
development of the federal out of the imperial constitution,
from the moment when the process becomes clearly visible at
the Stamp Act congress. This is not less but more true as
respects his attitude at the middle point of the process, eleven
years after the congress, eleven years before the convention,
when his countrymen seemed to him to be removing one essen-
tial part of their political system, the supreme central author-
ity, without knowing whether it could be replaced. For then
he accepted a situation which he would have no hand in creat-
ing, and adjusted himself to it without factious and useless
opposition. And so he could take, and his countrymen could
let him take, an honorable and useful part in the task of giv-
ing just scope to the new central authority which was all the
while present, and which had spoken in the Declaration of In-
dependence, “the authority of the good people of these colo-
nies.” Dr. Johnson was undoubtedly one of the most culti-
vated men in America, and his mental and moral action at this
period admirably illustrate the value of culture. In that we
have, according to Mr. Matthew Arnold, “the endeavour to see
things as they are, to draw towards a knowledge of the univer-
sal order which seems to be intended and aimed at in the
61 Life and Times, 128.
44
world, and which it is a man's happiness to go along with or
his misery to go counter to.” Dr. Johnson instinctively
yielded to that which makes history progressive, the move-
ment of regulated forces, forces which control the most sensi-
tive conscience because they are the expression of laws, of
laws which instruct the best trained intellect because they are
thoughts. He is an admirable example of that unreserved
self-surrender of the good and wise to the irresistible march
of progress which is their testimony to the truth that
“— thro’ the ages one increasing purpose runs,”
and which gives them the power to serve their fellow-men by
helping “to make reason and the will of God prevail.” And
his firm and effective maintenance from first to last of the polit-
ical principles which are embodied in the Constitution warrant
the assertion that he was one of the best qualified statesmen
of the most critical period of American history.
When the Constitution went into operation in 1789, Dr.
Johnson became one of the senators from Connecticut, Oliver
Ellsworth being his colleague. The two acted together in or-
ganizing that “court for commonwealths . . . the most
august in Christendom,” (as a descendant of Roger Sherman
has styled the supreme court,)" 8 over which Ellsworth was
afterwards to preside, the principle of which Johnson had
long before taught a British minister to respect. In 1791, soon
after congress removed to Philadelphia, whither he could not
follow it without neglecting his duty to Columbia College, (of
which he had been made president in 1787,) Johnson resigned
his seat in the senate. He was succeeded by Sherman, who
meanwhile had been serving with distinction in the house of
representatives. His academic career lasted nine years longer,
until his resignation in 1800, when he was almost seventy-
three. He lived in cheerful and dignified retirement for nearly
twenty years in Stratford, where he died, soon after passing
his ninety-second birthday, on the fourteenth of November,
1819. He barely outlived the colonial charter, which, by
62 Culture and Anarchy, Eng. Ed., 11.
63 Prof. S. E. Baldwin, in New Haven Col. Hist. Soc. Papers, iii. 291.
45
serving as the state constitution until 1818, had vindicated
his belief that the English sovereigns had established true and
free states in America. It had also been proved that the great
native sovereign whose accession, in disguise, had not been
much more visible to Dr. Johnson than to other men, was a
rather better guardian of local government than the king of
England. For the charter had had nearly thirty years of
security, not absolute indeed, but greater, upon the whole,
than it enjoyed even when it lay, (if it did lie,) in the heart of
the Wyllys Oak.
NoTE.—The foregoing paper was read before the New Haven Colony Historical Society,
February 27, 1888. Slight additions were made at that time, and a few verbal changes
have been made since. But it appears in very nearly the form in which it was read at
Bridgeport.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY.
B Y — LAW S.
RULE I.
The officers of the Fairfield County Historical Society shall
consist of a President, three Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, Re-
cording Secretary, and Corresponding Secretary, who shall be
chosen annually from its members, by a majority ballot, at the
annual meeting of the Society.
The term of the officers of said Society shall be for one
year from their election, and until others shall be chosen in
their places; and their powers and duties shall be those
usually appertaining to those officers, except when otherwise
ordered by the Society.
Said officers shall also be the Executive Committee of said
Society, and as such shall have charge of and direct all mat-
tters of executive, financial and clerical business appertaining
to the management of the Society, except when otherwise
ordered by the Society.
The President of this Society shall be eac-officio, Chairman
of the Executive Committee. . *:
Any vacancy occurring in any of the said offices, before the
expiration of its term, may be filled for the unexpired portion
thereof, by those of the Executive Committee of said Society,
who shall be in the exercise of their Offices at the time.
RULE II.
The regular meetings of said Society shall be held on the
second Friday evening of each month, at the rooms of the
Society.
The annual meeting of said Society shall be held on the
47
second Friday of April in each year, and special meetings
may be held whenever the Society shall so order, or when the
President and Recording Secretary shall deem it necessary to
call the same. Notice of the annual and special meetings
shall be given by the President and Recording Secretary, of
the time, place, and purpose thereof, by three days’ publica-
tion in one or more daily newspapers, published in the city
of Bridgeport, at least four days before said meeting.
RU [.E III.
The Chairman of the Executive Committee, shall be the
auditor of the accounts of the Society, and as such shall audit,
and approve all bills of expenses incurred by the Society be-
fore the same shall be ordered paid, and only upon such
audit, and an order of payment, by the Society or Executive
Committee, shall the Treasurer pay out any funds of the
Society.
RULE IV.
The Treasurer of the Society shall be also, Curator of the
same so long as he shall be Treasurer; and the duties of the
office of Curator shall be, to have the care, custody and pre-
servation of books, papers, antiquities, and all other property
of the Society.
RULE V.
The election of new members of said Society shall be by a
unanimous vote, by ballot, or otherwise, at any annual, regu-
lar or special meeting of the Society; the nomination of such
new members having first been made at a preceding meeting,
and not less than one week previous to such voting.
RULE VI.
No application for membership of said Society shall be en-
tained or acted upon, unless accompanied by a written or
printed request of the applicant, dated and signed by the
applicant in person.
RULE VII.
An initiation fee of two dollars shall accompany each appli-
cation for membership.
48
RULE VIII.
A due of two dollars shall be laid upon each member of the
Society living in Bridgeport, Stratford, Trumbull and Fair-
field, and one dollar on all the others. This amount shall be
paid to the Treasurer annually, during the month of July, un-
less excused by the Society.
Any member 1 emaining in arrears for dues may be dropped
from membership by a majority vote of the members present
at any regular meeting of the Society.
RULE IX.
Any approved person may, upon election, according to
Tule V, become a Life Member, on the payment of two hund-
red dollars, or a Patron Member, for five years, on the pay-
ment of twenty-five dollars, and both Life and Patron Mem-
bers shall be entitled to all the privileges of the Society. The
Society may elect, according to the manner in Rule V, as
Honorary Members, persons, whose membership may be an
honor, or advantage to said Society, and they shall be entitled
to all the privileges of the Society except voting.
All members, other than Life, Patron and Honorary, shall
be known and designated as Annual Members.
RULE X.
These Rules and By-Laws may be altered, amended, re-
pealed or added to, by a majority vote of the members pres-
ent at any annual, regular or special meeting of said Society,
notice of such proposed repeal, alteration or amendment, hav-
ing been given at a previous meeting af the Society, not less
than one week before final action thereon is taken. -
RULE XI.
The Rules of this Society may be temporarily suspended
by unanimous consent of all the members present, at any reg-
ular, annual or special meeting of the Society.
M E M B E R S
OF THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Rowland B. Lacey, Bridgeport, - *
Nathaniel E. Wordin, M.D., Bridgeport,
William H. Noble, Bridgeport, -
George C. Waldo, Bridgeport, - sº
William B. Hincks, Bridgeport, - *
Louis N. Middlebrook, Bridgeport, -
*Aaron B. Hull, Danbury, - - - Elected Feb.
Joseph N. Ireland, Bridgeport, - - Elected Feb.
Richard C. Ambler, Bridgeport, - - Elected Feb.
*William T. Minor, Stamford, - - Elected Mar.
Lemuel Sanford, Redding, - tº - Elected Mar.
James L. Gould, Bridgeport, - - Elected Mar.
James W. Beardsley, Bridgeport, - Elected Mar.
*Henry M. Hoyt, Bridgeport, - - Elected Mar.
Charles Burr Todd, Redding, - - Elected Mar.
Henry G. Scofield, Bridgeport, - - Elected May
Elias S. Hawley, Buffalo, N. Y., - - Elected June
Curtis Thompson, Bridgeport, - - Elected Aug.
*William A. Beers, Fairfield, - - Elected Sept.
Eaton W. Maxcy, D.D., Troy, N. Y., - Elected Sept.
*William Shelton, D.D., Buffalo, N. Y., Elected Sept.
George S. Burroughs, Rev., N. Britain, Elected Oct.
A Homer Byington, Norwalk, - - Elected Nov.
Winthrop H. Perry, Norwalk, - - Elected Nov.
Walter Hubbell, New York City, - Elected Nov.
David B. Lockwood, Bridgeport, - Elected Feb.
18, 1881.
18, 1881.
18, 1881.
18, 1881.
18, 1881.
18, 1881.
18, 1881.
18, 1881.
18, 1881.
6, 1881.
3, 1881.
5, 1881.
2, 1881.
2, 1881.
2, 1881.
14, 1881.
11, 1881.
11, 1881.
11, 1881.
10, 1882.
*Stiles N. Middlebrook, Bridgeport, - Elected Mar. 10, 1882.
* Deceased.
50
Frederick Bronson, Greenfield Hill,
O. P. Dexter, New York City, -
David H. Miller, Georgetown, -
Horace L. Fairchild, Trumbull, -
Samuel M. Main, New York City,
*Barzillai B. Kellogg, Brookfield,
J. M. Bailey, Danbury, - gº
John W. Bacon, Danbury, - *
*John D. Candee, Bridgeport, -
Warren B. Nichols, Bridgeport, -
Samuel Garlick, M.D., Bridgeport,
Plumb N. Fairchild, Trumbull, -
Morris B. Beardsley, Bridgeport,
Thomas Calef, Bridgeport, -
*Eli T. Hoyt, Danbury, - -
Oliver B. Jennings, Fairfield. -
Frederick S. Wildman, Danbury,
Samuel Orcutt, Rev., Bridgeport,
Thomas B. Fairchild, Stratford, -
Edward F. Meaker, Bridgeport, -
Albert Relyea, Norwalk, - -
- Elected Apr.
- Elected Apr.
- Elected Apr.
- Elected Apr.
- Elected Apr.
- Elected Apr.
- Elected Apr.
- Elected Apr.
- Elected Apr.
- Elected Jan.
- Elected Mar.
- Elected Mar.
- Elected Apr.
- Elected Feb.
- Elected May
- Elected July
William L. Sherwood, Newark, N. J., - Elected Sept.
G. H. Nicholls, D.D., Hoosic Falls, N.Y., Elected Feb.
Phineas T. Barnum, 13ridgeport, - Elected Feb.
Robert W. Curtis, Stratford, -
Nathaniel Wheeler, Bridgeport, -
Arthur E. Meeker, Bethlehem, Pa.,
Nathan B. Wells, Stratford, tºº
Albert S. Comstock, New Canaan,
Samuel L. Carter, New York City,
*Amos S. Treat, Bridgeport,
Silas Burton, Bridgeport, - -
Ebenezer S. Phillips, Bridgeport,
Charles H. Carter, New Canaan, -
Horace Nichols, Bridgeport, -
Alexander Hawley, Bridgeport, -
Robert H. Russell, Stratford, -
* Deceascăl.
- Elected Apr.
- Elected Apr.
- Elected Apr.
- Elected July
- Elected July
- Elected May
- Elected May
- Elected Mar.
- Elected Mar.
- Elected June
- Elected June
- Elected Mar.
- Elected Aug.
- Elected Aug.
- Elected May
10, 1882.
10, 1882.
21, 1882.
21, 1882.
21, 1882.
21, 1882.
21, 1882.
21, 1882.
21, 1882.
21, 1882.
21, 1882,
12, 1883.
9, 1883.
9, 1883.
5, 1883.
9, 1883.
9, 1883.
8, 1884.
9, 1884.
- Elected July 11, 1884.
11, 1884.
12, 1884.
13, 1885.
13, 1885.
13, 1885.
10, 1885.
10, 1885.
10, 1885.
- Elected June 26, 1885.
10, 1885.
- Elected July 10, 1885.
10, 1885.
14, 1885.
9, 1885.
13, 1887.
13, 1887.
13, 1887.
51
Samuel B. Sumner, Bridgeport, -
Sidney B. Beardsley, Bridgeport,
Mrs. Mary C. Wheeler, sms --
Mrs. Julia A. Bishop, - - -
Mrs. Frances H. Cruttenden, -
Mrs. Susan H. W. Hawley, -
Mrs. Mary K. Perry, - - -
Mrs. Harriet L. Torrey, - *
Mrs. Elizabeth R. Lacey, - º-
Miss Henrietta M. Noble, - -
James R. Burroughs, - * -
Mark R. Leavenworth, * º-
Oliver C. Bullard, Bridgeport, -
- Elected July
Mrs. Agnes Hills, Bridgeport, - - Elected Nov.
C.W. DeL. Nichols, Rev.,Tot'ville, N.Y., Elected Jan.
Walter Nichols, Bridgeport, º - Elected Jan.
William F. Nichols, Rev., Phila., Pa., - Elected Apr.
Cyrus Bradley Sherwood, Southport, - Elected Apr.
Charles Merritt, New York City, . - Elected May
Edward R. Lambert, Bridgeport,
Seth B. Squires, Bridgeport, -
Johnson T. Platt, New Haven, -
Samuel C. Kingman, Bridgeport,
- Elected Aug.
- Elected Dec.
- Elected Dec.
HONORARY MEMBERS.
Rev. Benjamin L. Swan, - --> -
Rev. E. E. Beardsley, D.D., L.L. D, .
J. Hammond Trumbull, L.L. D.,
Charles J. Hoadley, - * - -
Hev. Horatio N. Powers, D.D., - -
Abraham W. Morehouse, . - -
- Elected Sept.
- Elected Sept.
- Elected Sept.
- Elected Sept.
- Elected Sept.
- Elected Sept.
- Elected Sept.
- Elected Sept.
- Elected Sept.
- Elected Sept.
- Elected Nov.
Mrs. Cornelia C. Comstock, New Canaan, Elected Nov.
- Elected Aug.
- Elected June 10, 1887.
8, 1887.
9, 1887.
9, 1887.
9, 1887.
9, 1887.
9, 1887.
9, 1887.
9, 1887.
9, 1887.
9, 1887.
9, 1887.
11, 1887.
11, 1887.
11, 1887.
13, 1888.
13, 1888.
13, 1888.
13, 1888.
11, 1888.
10, 1888.
9, 1889.
14, 1889.
14, 1889.
Mendham, N. J.
New Haven, Conn.
Hartford,
Hartford,
Orange, N. J.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Conn.
Conn.
Gj
3.u. 3.} \emoriam.
HON. JOHN D. CANDEE.
Born June 12, 1819.
Died February 27, 1888.
§
3m 3}\emoriam.
HON. WILLIAM T. MINOR.
Born October 3, 1815.
Died October 14, 1889.

FORM OF APPLICATION.
To the Fairfield County Historical Society:
GENTLEMEN:
The undersigned hereby makes application for admission
as an Annual Member of said Society.
Dated at … this
RULE VII of By-Laws: “An Initiation Fee of Two Dol-
lars shall accompany each application for Annual Member-
ship.”
U M {V. ©E MiWGłu-
MAY 19490t
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Şairfield County 3.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
FOR 1891-2
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
?airfield ©ounty
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Bridgeport, Conn.,
FOR 4894–2.
Published lºy
The Fairfield County Historical Society,
1892.

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CONTENTS.
_Tº->
Barnum Institute (illustration,) - - º -
Officers of the Society, • * = -
Report of the Executive Committee, -
Sketch of Rev. Blackleach Burritt, - - -
The Pilgrim Fathers, and what they Wrought -
Inscriptions in the Cemetery at Easton, Conn. -
Ancient Stratford Patent or Charter, º -
“Extracts " P. T. Barnum's Will and Codicils
de Barnum Institute,
Original Articles of Association, - - -
Act of Incorporation, - - * - - -
By-Laws, - - - - - - * *
List of Members and Residence, - *-* -
Honorary Members, - º - - - -
Members Deceased, - <- * - *- 4-
-r
Necrology, - - - - - - - -
Chart of American Revolution, - - cº-
III––
VII—
IX—
1— 44
45— 61
63— 93
95— 97
98–100
101
102–103
104—106
107–109
110
110
111–116
118
O F F I C E R S .
} - OF THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
PRESIDENT,
ROWLAND B. T.ACEY.
WICE-PRESIDENTS,
GEORGE C. WALDO, CHARLEs BURR TODD,
GEN. WILLIAM H. NOBLE.
RECORDING SECRETARY,
SAMUEL ORCUTT.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY,
ALBERT M. TALLMADGE.
TREASURER AND CURATOR,
EDWARD DEACON.
'THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Report of the Executive Committee for 1891-2.
The special and most noteworthy feature of the year
1891-2, in connection with our Society is, the commencement
and progress of the building now being erected for the kin-
dred societies—The Bridgeport Scientific Society, and The
Fairfield County Historical Society; dedicated to Science
and History, as provided by our distinguished and public
spirited fellow citizen, the late Hon. P. T. Barnum.
The year is memorable also as marking the close of the life
work of this distinguished man, one of the most remarkable
our country has produced.
- PHINEAS T. BARNUM,
Born July 5, 1810, Died April 7, 1891.
Some fitting words are spoken of him in another place. A
full account of his best monument now being erected, for the
promotion of Science and History, will be in order when the
building is completed. -
For years we have been saying—as we deeply felt—that
our great need was a suitable building for the safe deposit of
the valuable books, documents, pictures and relics donated,
and waiting to be donated, to illustrate and perpetuate our
early and current history—where they could be properly
arranged for exhibition, study and preservation. Our previ-
ous reports have chronicled the first movements of Mr. Bar-
num towards supplying this want, in giving our Societies an
elligible site and providing in his will (as a matter of pre-
X
caution) for the erection of a suitable building. This was
highly appreciated and gratefully acknowledged, while we
strongly hoped and confidently believed that he would elect
to have the work of construction done in his life time. This
hope and belief is partially realized in that Mr. Barnum did
decide to erect the building, approved the plans, and signed
the contract for the noble structure now in progress at the
corner of Main and Gilbert streets, but was not permitted
personal supervision of its erection. So well did he plan,
however, that thereby it may be truthfully said, being dead
he yet speaketh, and will continue to, for a long time to come.
At the breaking up of the Waldemere residence, Mr. Bar-
num gave this Society the unique library set of furniture,
consisting of large book case, writing desk, two tables, sofa,
easy chair and five other chairs. It is of curled maple in
uniform style, of elaborate Chinese carving, and the sofa and
chairs elegantly upholstered.
This set is historic, in that it was originally made for, and
used in Iranistan”. It was saved from the fire which de-
stroyed the first elegant home of Mr. Barnum, in Bridgeport,
and was successively installed in Lindencroft and Waldemere,
his later residences.
It has been the study of this society to locate and fit up
appropriately a room in the new building, for the proper re-
ception and use of this furniture, where may also be located
the marble bust of Jenny Lind, and other mementoes of Mr.
Barnum and his life work, making it distinctively a Barnum
I’OOIll.
We recognize that the support of such a building, and the
proper work of the Societies, even by the combined energies
of the two, on a scale commensurate with its importance and
* IRANISTAN, the first elegant residence of Mr. Barnum in Bridgeport, located on
extensive grounds at what is now the northwest corner of Fairfleld and Iranistan ave-
nues, built in 1847-8, was destroyed by fire Dec. 18. 1857. Most of the furniture and
effects in the house were saved. Imuch of it in a damaged condition. The building was
a total loss, and so far as known, this Society has the only vestage of it extant. On
the spandrils of the arches across the front, were placed facial carvings of ancient
characters in mirthful mood, or otherwise. During the progress of the fire, one of these
carvings became detached, and was lying on the ground. It was picked up by Mr. N.
H. Jones, then a boy, who very properly appealed to the Chief Engineer of the Fire
ljepartment in charge, (the late Isaac M. Conkling) for liberty to take it away. He
replied, “Yes, take it along and get out of the way, quick.” He did so, and kept his
relic until 1887, when he turned it over to the Historical Society, where it is relig-
iously preserved as a memento of the once famous Oriental Villa, as its name signifies.
XI
the possibilities, presents a problem quite formidable to a
weak faith. We have heretofore said that if a building is
provided. the means for its support would be forthcoming.
This we believe still. The work of our Society is compara-
tively but little known, or appreciated, by the people at
large. It will be more and more appreciated as it is devel-
oped. We have been quietly eruployed for seven or eight
years, gathering materials and laying it by in our own pos-
session, or in the custody of friends, doing what we could
with our means and opportunities, and we take satisfaction
in referring to the results, and the strength and solidity of
our position to-day. We have not gone beyond our means,
nor have we made any special appeals to the generosity of
our citizens, beyond the pittiance of one and two dollars in
annual dues. Yet we have paid our bills and have a fair bal-
ance in our treasury, and we have to-day a literature to be
proud of. Our reports and papers contributed and read—
all most valuable, many of them of remarkable interest,
would make two good volumes of six or seven hundred pages
each. We have ancient records and relics of exceeding
value. This is beginning to be known by many inquirers in
Colonial History, and Family Genealogy, who have visited
our rooms and been greatly helped by the facilities we have
afforded them. Parties have come here, or corresponded
from all parts of the country, and the applications increase
year by year.
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
This Society has special facilities for aiding decendants of
Revolutionary Soldiers in preparing applications for member-
ship in the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution,
of which large numbers have availed themselves.
oUR PUBLICATION FOR 1891-2
will be one of unusual interest, containing (from the papers
read during the year) the Burritt Paper of M. D. Raymond,
and the paper on the “Pilgrim Fathers and What They
Wrought,” by Rev. Dr. C. R. Palmer. It will also contain a
complete transcript of all the inscriptions on the tombstones
XII
in the cemetery in Easton, near the Baptist church, embrac.
ing dates from 1760 to the present time. This work of col-
lecting and recording or publishing the inscriptions of the
ancient and older burial grounds, was commenced and fairly
prosecuted by Mr. Orcutt, in his History of Old Stratford
and Bridgeport, and for preservation and reference is of
great value. It is one of the lines of work we desire to fol-
low up until the cemeteries of the entire county have been
canvassed and recorded.
OLD CHURCH RECORDS
Our Society has the transcript in alphabetical order, of the
marriages, births or baptisms of children, and membership
of several among the oldest churches of the county, which
are found to be of great interest and value for reference and
study, and opens a line of work which also should be followed
up throughout the county.
ABSTRACT OF ANCIENT WILLS AND FAMILY DEEDS.
Still another field very fruitful and interesting is in the
ancient Probate records and land records of the oldest towns
—where are found wills and family deeds of great historic
and genealogical value. We want, and would be glad to col-
lect and publish a volume made up of copious abstracts of
thees, and the State should bear the expense, as it has of other
Colonial records.
BRANCH SOCIETIES.
The foregoing indicates appropriate work for branch so-
cieties in nearly every town, in which they may become
greatly helpful to the County Society. There are several
such in existence. Only one has organized as auxiliary to
this Society, that is the New Canaan Society, which is fully
alive and has an excellent record of work done and doing.
The President visited and attended one of its meetings in
October last by invitation, and with much satisfaction. It
has a good room furnished by loan and gift, in Colonial style.
The monthly meetings are well attended and enriched by
valuable papers, conversations and reports. Gentlemen and
ladies, in about equal numbers gather and equally participate
YIII
in the active work, A very copious and valuable history of
the Canaan Parish, and the town of New Canaan has been
prepared and a copy lodged with this Society. We are also
indebted to it for a number of contributions to our museum
and library. We refer to this with satisfaction on its merits,
and as an example to other towns. Copies of all historic
and genealogical papers should be furnished the County Soci-
ety, which in turn will furnish the Branches, with copies
of its published reports.
We are glad to mention that Westport has an active Soci-
ety, and the occasional notices published, indicate that it
it is doing a good work. We shall be glad to be brought
into closer relations with it.
CATALOGUE.
A commencement has been made by the Curator at a class-
ification and catalogue of our library, which consists of over
two thousand volumes, about five hundred pamphlets bound
and unbound, one hundred volumes of local newspapers of
the last twenty years, and a large collection of local and oth-
er newspapers, dating from 1780 to 1850, the New York Ob-
server from 1834 to 1891, the London Spectator and other
magazines unbound. -
A catalogue of our specimens of Colonial furniture and
utensels, relics of the olden and more modern times, will be
made as early as possible, and will be very interesting.
Very interesting and valuable additions have been made to
both library and museum, during the past year.
SITE OF LEE's CHAPEL MARKED.
At the late Centennial of Methodism in New England,
(1889) much interest centered around Lee's Chapel, under-
stood to have been the first building erected for public wor-
ship by the Methodist Episcopal denomination in New
England. It was erected in 1796, and was located in
the Old Stratfield Parish, on the line road dividing Strat-
ford town from Fairfield, now Park Avenue Extension,
about three and one-fourth miles north of North Avenue, or
about five rods above the southern boundary of the present
XIV
town of Trumbull. Its construction was promoted by Rev.
Jesse Lee, whose pioneer work in this region is sketchd in
Orcutt's History of Old Stratford and Bridgeport, pages 442,
658, and 661*. At the period above referred to, (1889), Mrs,
Laura Hall, the widow of the late Mr. Turney Hall, was liv-
ing with her son Mr. Nelson T. Hall, in her old homestead
near the above site, at the age of ninety years, but in full
possession of her faculties. She was born and reared in the
aforesaid old homestead, and in her girlhood was perfectly
familiar with the chapel building, both exterior and interior,
and was able to describe it to her son, who made a drawing of
it for the use of the Conference, on the Centennial occasion.
It was drawn to scale, as to size and proportion, 34x24 feet,
and was recognized by Mrs. Hall and others of the small
remnant who had seen the Original, as a good representation
of it. The figures of the size are verified by an examination
of the main timbers of the frame which are extant in the
barn of Mr. Frank Staples, on the Easton turnpike, near the
Flat Rock M. E. Church. Mr. Hall made a duplicate of his
picture for Rev. Dr. George Lansing Taylor, of the New York
East Conference, but the original is framed and hung in his
own parlor. During the past year Mr. Hall on solicitation,
consented to make another copy of the Old Chapel picture
for the Historical Society, in which he has outdone his former
efforts, and we hope to secure from Mr. Staples enough tim-
ber from one of the white oak beams in his barn to frame it.
The President of the Historical Society has had a substantial
brown stone block of suitable size inscribed “Site of Lee's
Chapel 1796,” located by Mr. Hall, and placed securely in the
stone fence precisely over the spot where the chapel stood.
Lee's chapel was removed about 1816, and its supporters
merged into the present Easton Church at Flat Rock.
MEMBERSHIP.
Twenty-five have been added to our membership, making
our total over one hundred after deducting our losses by
death. With the prospect of our early occupancy of the new
* See also Rev. George Lansing Taylor, D. D.'s Centennial sermon at Bridgeport.
Sept. 26, 1889 and accompanying papers, -
XV
building it should at once be doubled. We bespeak the
favorable consideration of our fellow citizens in our effort in
that direction.
As we enter upon a new period in the history of our Socie-
ty, may it be with new life and vigor—old friends and new
vieing with each other, in efforts in behalf of its noble work
of gathering up and preserving the history of the past, also
to fix and transmit to posterity the present and passing.
OUR HOME IS FAIRFIELD CouxTy CoNNECTICUT. OUR ITIELD
Is THE World.
MAINTENANCE OF BUILDING ASSURED FOR THIREE YEARS.
Since the printing of this Annual was commenced, a plan
has been approved by our two Societies for raising a fund to
provide for the expenses of the maintenance of the new build-
ing by securing undividual pledges amounting to twenty-five
hundred dollars per year, for three years. Of this sum, Mrs.
P. T. Barnum has generously and nobly pledged fifteen hun-
dred dollars per year, for three years, and we cannot omit
here a recognition of her free, voluntary and unsolicited gift
for this worthy object, in furtherance of her late husband's
generous purposes. The two Societies by their joint com-
mittees are canvassing vigorously with good encouragement
among our public spirited citizens, to make up the balance,
the success of which we cannot doubt. May we not hope
that the work of the Societies in their respective depart-
ments, will so commend them to persons of means and gen-
erosity, as to insure gifts for a liberal endowment to cover
future expenses,
REW. BLACKLEACH BURRITT
AND
Related Stratford Families.
BY
M. D. RAYMOND, ESQ.
OF TARRYTown, N. Y.
READ BEFORE THE
Fairfield County Historical society,
Bridgeport, Feb. 19, 1892.
REV. ELACKLEACH EU FFITT.
It may seem presumptuous for a resident of New York to
appear before the Fairfield County Historical Society with a
page of local history, and yet is it not fitting that Westchester
Co., especially, should bring some offering as a tribute to the
debt it owes, for ever since the days of Wouter Van Twiller,
and William the Testy, and Antony Van Corlear, who essayed
in vain with windy proclamations and his wonderful trumpet
to stop the inroads of those terrible Yankees, the peaceful
invasion has been going on, so that to erase the names of the
sons of Fairfield from its annals, would make a blank on many
of the most illustrious pages of its history. The son may well
indeed turn back and crown his honored sire with laurels.
“There be of them that have left a name behind them, that
their praises might be reported; and some there be which
have left no memorial; who are perished, as though they had
never been.”
In a secluded spot on the eastern slope of the Green Moun-
tains is the unmarked grave of a son of Stratford whose name
well deserves to be illustrious in the annals of the County of
Fairfield. A man of liberal culture, of more than ordinary
gifts, a stalwart Patriot in the stormy days of the Revolution,
a pioneer preacher of unusual power, of marked individuality
and rugged character, of honorable ancestry, and with numer-
ous and not less honorable posterity, such a man was Rev.
Blackleach Burritt. The story of his life is not devoid of
interest, and yet strange to relate, although here born, fitted
for college, educated for the ministry, and within the borders
of this county captured during the Revolution and taken to
the notorious Sugar House Prison in New York, his name
appears but once in your annals, in a brief note in the history
of Stratford. But first of his ancestry:
4
THE EU FRITTS
May not have had heraldic fame, but they were of the un-
crowned Kings of Welshland, whom even William the Com-
queror did not find it easy to dethrone, and who when they
sailed away over the sea to the New World brought with them
not only their brave hearts and brawny arms, but their indom-
itable love of liberty as well.
Among those early of Stratford were William Burritt and
Elizabeth his wife. They are said to have been from Glamor-
ganshire, Wales, but the exact date of their arrival has not
been ascertained ; quite possibly they had tarried for a time
somewhere else in New England before coming here. The only
place wherein William Burritt's name appears prior to the in-
ventory of his estate, date of January 15, 1650–1, is in a mem-
orandum of the number of rods of fence the share of each
settler to build. The paper bears no date, but was of course
prior to his death. In the schedule of his estate he is spoken
of as “lately deceased.” The amount of the inventory was
about £140. A very moderate heritage for the widow and her
children, of whom there were three, two sons and a daughter;
Stephen, John, and Mary, who is said to have married a Smith
at an early day and hence the numerous Smith family in
America.
The widow, Elizabeth Burritt, appears to have been a thrifty
and sagacious woman, controlling her own affairs and ordering
her household well. Though apparently not able to write her
own name, she made her mark all over the early town records
in more senses than one. She was buying more than selling
and evidently adding to her possessions. She apportioned
considerable real estate to her sons by conveyances dated
April 5, 1675, as follows: “To my loving and dutiful son,
John Burritt, of ye said place, an equal half of my whole
accommodations in Stratford aforesaid, being ye allotment and
interest of my deceased husband, Wm. Burritt, or by procure.
ment of myself and my children, excepting only ye home lot
and parcel of land at ye Eresh Pond, in ye old field, ye which
has already been contracted to Stephen Burritt,” one of which
contractions being that “ye aforesid John Burritt should have
5
the parcel of land lying on “Quimby's Neck,” &c. Stephen
Burritt drew lot No. 40 in division of lands in 1671, and John
Burritt No. 84.
Widow Burritt evidently made her home with her eldest
son, Stephen. Her will is dated Sept. 2, 1681, and she prob-
ably died soon after.
Stephen Burritt, the eldest son, was in the list of Freemen
at Stratford “8th month, 7th day 1669,” a lot owner 1671, and
confirmed by the General Court as Ensign of the Train Band
at Stratford in 1672, appointed Lieutenant Jan. 17, 1675, and
the Council at Hartford, date of Sept. 18, 1675, ordered that
“The Dragoones from Fairfield County being come up, and
Major Robert Treat sending to us to hasten them to their
headquarters near Suckquackheeg, it has ordered that
accordingly the Dragoones of Fairfield should forthwith
march away up to Norwottag, and so to our army, under
the conduct of Ensign Stephen Burritt, and join them in
defence of the plantations up the river, and to kill and destroy
all such Indian enemies as should assault them on the afore-
said plantations.” Again, at a meeting of the Council of the
Colony held Nov. 23, 1675, Stephen Burritt was appoint-
ed Commissary of the Army, so rapidly was he promoted.
No wonder Hinman says, “he was a noted Indian fight-
er.” Evidently a man of force, courage and resource,
Ensign Stephen Burritt stands out a heroic figure on the
pages of the history of Stratford. He was not only a
brave soldier, but the old town records give evidence
that he was a man of affairs. At the Town Meeting held
Jan. 1, 1673, he was chosen Recorder, and his beautiful
and character-like autograph which thereafter frequently ap-
pears on the Town Books, may well be the envy of any of his
descendants. In 1689 he was appointed on a committee to
assess damages for the changing of Black Creek into Mill
River, by which one Robert Lane claimed to have been “dam-
nified!” The same year he was chosen one of the Townsmen.
In 1690 was an auditor of the accounts of the Town Treasurer,
and also chairman of the committee on killing wolves. What
a wolf killer that brave old Indian fighter must have been
6
He held other offices of trust, and was in his day one of the
very foremost citizens of Stratford. The inventory of his
estate, dated March 4, 1697, shows a footing of £1,1772s.
which includes £66s, as the value of his “arms and ammunition.”
He had died January 24, 1697-8, according to the old tomb-
stone, fortunately still preserved. It appears that this ancient
memorial was recently discovered by Mr. Robert H. Russell
in the footpath leading from his house to his garden. It was
several inches under ground, and about 200 feet from the
southeast corner of the old Congregational burying ground,
where it was doubtless originally placed. It is believed that
many years since it was taken from thence by some vandal
hands, and used for a time as a step-stone. Mr. T. B. Fair-
child, of Stratford, though not a descendant or of kindred, to
his credit be it said, caused this memorial stone to be returned
and reset.
He had married, Nov. 8, 1673, Sarah Nichols, the
daughter of Isaac Nichols, a prominent Stratford family, one
of her sisters having married Rev. Joseph Webb, and another
Rev. Israel Chauncey, pastor of the Stratford church from
1665 to 1703, who was one of the founders of Yale College,
and was chosen its first president, but declined the honor. By
this marriage Stephen Burritt had seven children, as follows:
Elizabeth, born July 1, 1675; William, born March 29, 1677;
(died young,) Peleg, (1st) born Oct. 5, 1679; Josiah, born
1681; Israel, born 1687; Charles, (1st) born 1690; Ephraim,
(1st) born 1693.
Peleg Burritt (1st) married Sarah Benit, (sic) Dec. 5, 1705,
and had issue : William, baptized Oct. 13, 1706 ; Daniel,
(Bridgeport church records) 1708; Sarah, (Stratford town
records) born July 20, 1712; Peleg, (Jr.,) born Jan. 8, 1720-1.
Peleg Burritt, Sr., of Stratford, deeded lands to his son
Peleg Jr., at Ripton Parish, including forty acres on Walnut
Hill, “excepting only my own new dwelling house, " date of
April 25, 1746. He had sold land on Snake Brook, to Rich-
ard Nichols, April 27, 1713. Date of his death not ascer-
tained. Sarah, wife of Peleg, united with the church at Strat-
field in December, 1709. -
7
Of the other sons of Ensign Stephen Burritt, Josiah was
one of the proprietors of Newtown, 1710, and had numer-
ous descendants there. He married Mary Peat, March 10,
1703, and had Elizabeth, baptized (Bridgeport church) July
23, 1704; Stephen, baptized (Bridgeport church) Feb. 10,
1706; Benjamin and Phoebe, (twins) born (Stratford town
records), Jan. 29, 1708; William, born January, 1709, all of
whom were of Newtown. Israel, 4th son of Ensign Stephen,
married Sarah Coe, March 4, 1719, and is said to have settled
in Durham. Charles, 5th son of Ensign Stephen, had Daniel,
Israel, Charles and Elihu (1), who married and had among
other children, Elihu (2), who had Elijah, Elizabeth, Emily,
George and Elihu (3), distinguished as the “Learned Black-
smith,” who was born at New Britain, Conn., Dec. 8, 1811,
and whose fame is world wide. Charles Burritt took Free-
man's oath at Stratford September, 1730. He and Mary
his wife, were members of the Stratfield church, 1718.
Daniel Burritt, son of Charles and Mary, his wife, died
prior to his father, who by will dated Jan. 23, 1761, gave to
the children of his son Daniel. The distribution of the estate
of Daniel mentions the widow Comfort, daughters, Roxanna
married Richard Hubbell 4th, Penninah, married Samuel
Brinsmade, and Amelia, and sons Stephen, Rollins and Elijah
Burritt. Elijah, though mentioned last, was probably the
eldest, and probably not a son of the widow Comfort, but of
a former wife, as there is good authority for saying—Steph-
en was his half brother. Elijah was born in 1743, it is the
family tradition, on the site of his lifelong residence, which
still stands, and appears good for another one hundred years.
He was a man of fine form and presence, six feet in height, of
uniformly good health, never sick until the last year of his
life. He died Sep. 23, 1841, at the advanced age of ninety-
eight years and six months. His life was one of great activi-
ty, his business embracing blacksmithing, buckskin leather
dressing, and cooperage, as well as farming. He was over-
seer and agent for the Golden Hill Indians from A. D., 1812
to 1834, at a period when their numbers comprised quite a
8
band. This rendered the distribution of the income of their
small fund both delicate and difficult. By them he was
looked up to as a father. He was a man of high character
and intelligence, of the strictest integrity and religiously a
strong Churchman. He retained his faculties unimpaired in
a remarkable degree until the last, and from his intelligence
and long life, he occupies in local history a peculiar position.
In his younger years he was acquainted with the men and
events of the earliest period. In his latest years, he reached
down, and communicated his knowledge to men now living.
Isaac Sherman, Esq., says: “It was from him, (Mr. Bur-
ritt) that I derived much of the information I possess relative
to the early settlers of Stratfield,” (now Bridgeport), and
which he has so well transmitted in his published recollec-
tions. *
Elijah Burritt was thrice married. His first wife was Sarah
Hall, daughter of John Hall, Stratfield, by whom he had one
son and five daughters, viz;
1. Daniel, merchant, Bridgeport, known as Colonel Burritt,
unmarried.
2. Comfort, died young.
3. Ann, married Ephraim Wheeler Sherman, and had issue,
three sons and three daughters.
4. Hannah, married Silas Shelton, of Huntington, and had
issue, two sons five daughters.”
5. Mercy, married Captain James Fayerweather, of Bridge-
port.
6. Phoebe, married Captain Samuel Hawley, No. 2,335 in
the Hawley family record.
*—Of these daughters, Elizabeth was a member of the family of her grandfather
Burritt until her marriage to Captain George Lafield. Their children are Harriet, mar-
ried Dr. Joseph S. French, Charles Howard, married Susan Lobdell, Mary Burritt,
married Edwin J. Nettleton. Another daughter Harriet, married Henry Bassett, and
had one son, Frank H., who with his mother now own and occupy the old homestead
of her Grandfather Burritt, Mrs. Lafield, aged seventy-eight years, and Mrs. Bassett,
aged seventy-five years, were able to attend the meeting of the Historical Society,
Feb. 19, 1892, and listened with much interest to the reading of this paper. The oldest
daughter, Alary Shelton, who married Mr. F. Huge, was also represented by her daugh-
ter, Mary Burritt, who by contributions of her pen and pencil illustrates and perpetu-
ates the history of the Ancestral Home which was erected in 1783, on the site occupied
by Mr. Daniel Burritt, father of Elijah. A crayon picture of this house made by
Mary Burritt Huge is hung upon the walls of the Historical Society, as a companion
piece to the portrait of Mr. Burritt, painted by Edwin White, for Mr. and Mrs. B. T.
Nichols. Mr. Nichols who was the survivor, at his death directed it given to the His-
torical Society. R. B. L., Feb. 1892.
9
Mr. Burritt married second, Sarah Fairchild, of Redding,
Conn. Her only child was
7. Mary, married Barak T. Nichols.
His third marriage was to Sarah (Chappell) McLean. She
had by her first marriage, Dr. John McLean, physician, Nor-
walk, Conn., and Sarah, who married George Wade, Bridge-
port.
Stephen Burritt, son of Daniel, and half brother to Elijah
Burritt, had his residence on Old Mill Green near the Mill
Pond. He married Hannah Platt Avery, daughter of Rev.
Elisha Avery, of Norwalk, Conn., and cousin of John S. Avery*
and had Charlotte C., born 1797, died Aug. 8, 1837; Mary
Ann, born 1799, died Dec. 21, 1820; and Stephen Elisha
Avery, born Nov. 8, 1804, died April 1825. Stephen Bur-
ritt died 1815, aged sixty-two years; Hannah, his wife, died
Oct. 25, 1843, aged eighty years. The children were all un-
married, and the grave marks of the entire family stand
together in Pembroke cemetery.
Stephen Elisha Avery Burritt appears to have been a very
bright and promising young man. He was graduated at Yale
College in the class of 1824, when but nineteen years old. A
class album of his, of remarkable interest, is in the posses-
sion of the Fairfield County Historical Society, donated by J.
N. Ireland, Esq. The original contributions and selections
show a high appreciation of young Burritt, and bear the sig-
natures of such men as Judge Origen Storrs Seymour, Hon.
Eliphalet T. Bulkeley, father of Governor Morgan G. Bulke-
ley, Linus Child, Ebenezer Jessup, Dr. Jeremiah T. Dennison,
Benjamin D. Stillman, Esq., New York; Hamilton Murray,
New York; Dr. Frederick J. Judson and Henry D. Sterl-
ing, (brother of Hon. D. H. Sterling,) of Bridgeport, and
others of equal standing.
Ephraim's children were Eunice, Martha, Mary, Ephraim,
Jr., Stephen, William, Abel and Lewis.
Daniel Burritt, son of Stephen, who was a son of Josiah,
son of Ensign Stephen, probably married Sarah Collins, at
New Milford, Feb. 8, 1756, and lived at Arlington, Vt., for
*NOTE.-John S. Avery occupied the Stephen Burritt place about 1840.
10
some years prior to the Revolution, when, being a Loyalist,
he went to Canada and settled at Augusta, near Prescott,
where he died aged ninety-three. Of his sons, Adoniram
lived to be ninety-eight, Stephen, eighty-four, Daniel, Jr.,
eighty-seven, and Major upwards of ninety; a daughter, Lois
lived to be ninety-three. Whether Toryism had anything to
do with this extraordinary longevity is not recorded. Per-
haps it was to give time for repentance. But there were
many patriots among the Burritts, some of whom lived to be
aged. Among those whose names appear on the list of Rev-
olutionary soldiers in Connecticut are John, Philip, Abijah,
Anthony, Charles, Elihu, Israel, Nathan, Abel, Eben, Stephen,
William Burritt and others. Israel Burritt was from New
Milford, and was commissioned as Lieutenant. Andrew Bur-
ritt, born 1741, who married Eunice Wells, Jan. 27, 1763, and
was the great-grandfather of Oscar C. Burritt, of Hydeville,
Vt., is also said to have been engaged in the Revolution.
Some of the descendants of the daughters of the above Daniel
Burritt, still reside at Arlington, Vt.
John Burritt, son of William and Elizabeth, and the young-
er brother of Ensign Stephen, as appears in the Stratford
records was a lot owner as early as 1671. He married Debo-
rah Barley, or Barlow, May 1, 1684, and had a son Joseph,
born March 12, 1685, as the records show. Although Savage
says in his Genealogical notes that John was unmarried, he
appears to have been twice married, his second marriage
having been with Hannah Fairchild, date of May 5, 1708. It
is claimed that he had a son John, but that is doubtful,
for Joseph is named as Administrator, and as sole heir of his
father's estate, date of Oct. 3, 1727, the will having been
filed Feb. 17, 1726-7. The inventory of the estate amounted
to £1754.9sld. Joseph Burritt made his will March 10, 1750;
left widow Mary, sons William, John, Nathan, Samuel, daugh-
ters Deborah, wife of Jonas Thompson, Hannah, wife of Isaac
Beach ; also had Mary, born Sep. 22, 1721, and Ebenezer,
born Dec. 18, 1728. This Joseph Burritt, son of John, was
probably the ancestor of Joseph Burritt, born in Stratford in
1758, who married Sarah Ufford, and was the father of Joseph
11
Burritt, Jr., who died at Ithaca, N. Y., in 1888, aged ninety-
four. He had married Asenath Curtiss, of Stratford, June
17, 1816, and left many descendants.
Peleg Burritt, Jr., born Jan. 7, 1719-20, married first (his
second marriage is elsewhere noted) Elizabeth, daughter of
Richard Blackleach, Jr., of Ripton Parish, date unknown, but
evidently prior to Dec. 15, 1742, for on that date Richard
Blackleach, Jr., conveyed land “to my son, Peleg Burritt, Jr.,
of said Stratford.” He doubtless lived at Ripton Parish.
There was a daughter born of this marriage named Mehitabel,
after her grandmother, Mehitabel Laboree Burritt, and a son
Blackleach Burritt, but the church records of Ripton Parish,
prior to 1773, having been destroyed, and the family record of
Peleg Burritt, Jr., having been lost at the time of the Wyo-
ming Massacre, it has been found impossible to definitely
ascertain the date of the marriage or the birth of either of
these children. The birth of Blackleach Burritt has been
placed by some as early as 1740, but as his father was then
scarcely twenty years of age, it cannot be taken as even ap-
propriately correct, especially in view of the fact that his sis-
ter's name precedes his in order of mention in the will of
their grandfather Blackleach. Probably she was born about
1742, and he about 1744. As will be noticed he was cotempo-
rary with the late Elijah Burritt, of Stratford, and not dis-
tantly related to him.
T H E E LACP LEACH FAMILY.
The Blackleach family was early of Connecticut, John
Blackleach, Jr., of Hartford, 1659, being perhaps the grand-
father of Richard, Jr. Richard Sr., was of Stratford as soon
as 1676; was a merchant, and is called Richard Blackleach,
gentleman. In 1698, in the prosecution of his business, he
was plaintiff in a suit against Mr. William Hoadley, merchant,
of Branford, concerning some Negro Slaves delivered by him
to the said Hoadley, to be paid for in corn, which was in the
courts for several years, but in which he was finally successful.
He was a high Churchman, but instead of carrying the Gospel
to the Heathen on “Afric's golden sands,” he evidently
brought the Heathen to the Gospel ! This experiment of his
12
in the way of Evangelization, is in striking contrast with an
earlier fact recorded of John Blackleach, (probably his father)
who kept the ferry over the Housatonic river between Stratford
and Milford, who in 1669, petitioned to be allowed to make
known to the Indians, as he should have opportunity, “some-
thing of the knowledge of God.” Richard Blackleach, Sr.,
died in 1731, aged seventy-six years. -
Richard Blackleach, Jr., married Mehitabel Laboree, prob-
ably the widow of Dr. Laboree, Feb. 2, 1715-16, and had two
children, Elizabeth, who married Peleg Burritt, Jr., and Sarah,
who married Mr. Edward Jessup Mehitabel Laboree Black-
leach died Feb. 21, 1735. His will made Feb. 27, 1747, was
recorded Oct. 2, 1750, and inventory filed April 28, 1751.
The following is a transcript of the substance of it: *
“I give unto Mehitabel Burritt, daughter of Peleg Burritt,
Jr., of Stratford, one Silver Cup, two Silver Spoons, together
with all my Movable Estate, provided she lives to ye age of
eighteen years or marriage; but if she die before, I give said
Movables unto Blackleach Burritt, ye son of Peleg Burritt,
Jr.” He also gave £5 to his daughter Sarah Jessup, wife of
Edward Jessup of Fairfield, and £5 to each of her six children.
He further gave “unto Blackleach Burritt, son of Peleg, Jr.,
and unto his heirs and assigns forever, all my land, meadow
and buildings in said Stratford, being butted and bounded
as appears of record.” Ephraim Judson and Daniel Thomp-
son were named as executors, and were given authority to
sell land on Fawn Hill if necessary to pay the debts and be-
quests, and they did so sell lands to Peleg Burritt, Jr., date
of March 5, 1753. The total inventory shows £1,051.3s 7d,
of which £850 was real estate. In the personal property
was “one Silver Cup, holding near one pint, two Silver Spoons,
and two dozen Silver West Buttons,” valued altogether at
£2.955d. And these were for Mehitabel, and something of
personal property besides; quite a dower. Little is handed
down in regard to this young lady, and it is not known
whether or not she married. She is said to have been very
handsome, and of a somewhat mercurial disposition.
The probate records of Fairfield show the final settlement
13
of the estate of Richard Blackleach to have taken place in
1758. The debits include a charge for going to Green's
Farms to pay the bequests to Mrs. Edward Jessup and her
children, and £46 paid out by the executors for the expenses
involved in a law suit, the records of which considerable re-
search failed to disclose.
And so the lad Blackleach Burritt was made the heir to
quite an estate, the disposition of which, however, does not
fully appear. Nothing notable is known of his boyhood and
youth except the stories of his acrobatic performances on the
roofs of buildings which he seemed to delight in, to the terror
of his step-mother, to whom he is said to have been much
attached. He does not appear to have been the traditional
goody, goody boy, who is expected to die young, but he had the
timber in him that men are made of. Aspiring after an educa-
tion, he entered Yale College, where he graduated, as his
still well preserved diploma, an ancient parchment testifies,
in the class of 1765. An exciting incident of his college life
was the celebrated case of the poisoning of a large number
of the students. In answer to recent inquiry, Professor
Dexter, of Yale, gives the following version of the affair :
“The mysterious sickness at College occurred on April 14,
1764. A common rumor at the time, and later, imputed it to
poison administered by a French woman employed in the
College commons; but the more reasonable view held by
President Clapp was, that some students that were rebel-
lious against the food furnished in the commons, bribed the
French woman to put some strong physic into the food, in
the hope of breaking up the system.”
In a sketch of Rev. Isaac Lewis, D. D., who was a native of
Stratford and a classmate of Blackleach Burritt, which ap-
pears in Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit, the fol-
lowing account of that affair is given : “At that time the
whole College was poisoned through the villainy of certain
French neutrals. These fellows had taken mortal offense at
the conduct of a few wild students,” and they meditated
“ the most deadly revenge. To accomplish their purpose,
they contrived to visit the kitchen where the food of the stu-
14
dents was prepared and infused a large quantity of arsenic
into one of the dishes that was to be placed before them. A
deadly sickness came over all who partook of the food, and a
few were so affected that they died shortly after.”
Of Blackleach Burritt it is said that he was at that time
engaged in nursing his sick chum, Samuel Mills. Another
account says that he took a frugal meal of bread and milk on
that occasion and so escaped being poisoned. Samuel Mills'
father, Rev. Jedediah Mills, who was then and for many
years the pastor of the church at Ripton Parish, in Stratford,
was preaching in the pulpit when a messenger arrived from
New Haven, and went first up into the pulpit, and then to
Captain Burritt. Service was then dismissed, and both im-
mediately went to New Haven. All of which is of interest as
leading up to the fact that not long after this, Whitfield vis-
ited New Haven, and delivered a memorable discourse in the
College chapel, that is said to have led to a great change in
the current of Mr. Burritt's life, and which resulted in his
uniting with the church in Yale College, date of Feb. 3, 1765,
and led to the consecration of himself to the noble work of
the Christian Ministry.
On graduating he pursued his theological studies with his
venerable and able pastor, Rev. Jedediah Mills, of Ripton
Parish, evidently in company with his classmates and compan-
ions of his boyhood, Samuel Mills and Isaac Lewis, for at
a meeting of the Fairfield East Association, as appears
in the old records now in the possession of Rev. Joel S.
Ives, of Stratford, the Stated Clerk of that Association, held
at Danbury on the last Tuesday of Feb'y, 1768, “Isaac Lewis,
A. B., and Blackleach Burritt, A. B., presented themselves
as Candidates for Examination to preach the Gospel. Their
credentials being required, they offered the following, viz.:
“To the Revd. Asso'n convened at Danbury. Gent’m : Being
detained by bodily Indisposition, I do hereby signify that
Mr. Lewis and Mr. Burritt, the bearers, were sometime
since recommended to us by Mr. Dagget, Pastor of a
Church in New-Haven, and are in Good Standing with us in
all things as becometh the Gospel. Mr. Jedediah Mills, Pas-
15
tor, Ripton, Feb'y 22, 1768.” Adjourned till to-morrow morn-
ing eleven o'clock. Met according to adjournment and pro-
ceeded to the examination of the Candidates as to their
Qualifications for the Work of the Ministry and then ad-
journed until to-morrow morning eight o'clock. Met Feb.
24, 1768, according to adjournment, and proceeded to com-
plete the examination of the aforementioned Candidates, as
to their Abilities natural & acquired, their Knowledge, Doc-
trinal and experimental, and finding them hopefully qualified
for the work of the ministry; do accordingly License them to
preach the Gospel, and recommend them to the Service of the
Churches wheresoever God in his providence shall call them.”
Rev. Jedediah Mills, born 1697, was a son of Peter Mills, of
Windsor, Conn., born 1668; he graduated at Yale, 1722, was
pastor of Ripton Parish from 1723-4; a friend of Whitfield,
who commemorates him in his journal as “a dear man of God.”
He died in 1776, greatly lamented, having retired from active
service three years previously. His son Samuel, who was a
classmate of Blackleach Burritt, was for some time pastor of
the Presbyterian Church in Bedford, Westchester County,
N. Y. Rev. Isaac Lewis, D. D., the other classmate referred
to, who was a native of Ripton Parish, Stratford, was located
many years at Wilton, was a Chaplain in the Continental
Army, 1776; and after the Revolution, was settled over the
Church at Old Greenwich, where Rev. Mr. Burritt, as will be
seen, was for a time located. He died Aug. 27, 1840, in his
ninety-fifth year.
And so Rev. Blackleach Burritt was regulary licensed to
preach. He had previously married Martha Wells, daughter
of Gideon and Eunice Wells, of Ripton Parish, at a date not
known, but probably soon after graduating from College, as
his second daughter was born Feb. 26, 1768. And as he
not only so married a descendant of the distinguished Colonial
Governor of Connecticut, Thomas Welles, but two of his
daughters were afterwards also united with kindred of that
name, it seems fitting to here give a brief lineage of that
noted family.
16
THE VVELLES FAMILY
Is illustrious in the annals of this country, but as the head of
one among the many different branches which here appeared
at an early day, Thomas Welles, the distinguished Colonial
Governor of Connecticut, stands out pre-eminent. It may be
difficult to trace his direct connection with heraldic honors,
or to those whose names were inscribed at Battle Abbey, by
order of William the Conqueror, (the family tracings go back
it is said to 794) but he was evidently of good family and so
bore himself as to be well entitled to the kingly title of a
man. Late investigations indicate that Thomas Welles was
from Northamptonshire, where he was born in 1598. In the
English Calendar of Colonial State Papers, is found, date of
1635, “Thoma; Welles and Elizabeth his wife Recusant,
(i. e. Non-Conformists) in Rothwell, Northamptonshire.”
Articles of accusation were drawn up against him and he was
warned to appear in the Court of Star Chamber to answer
charges. He was admonished to answer “ plene " under pain
of being taken pro confesso. Was then warned to appear
next court day to receive final judgment. Feb. 12, 1635, he
had been ordered sentenced. As he then disappeared from
Rothwell, having lost all of his property by confiscation, he
doubtless at that time entered the service of his kinsman,
Lord Saye and Sele, who protected all of the Puritans to the
best of his ability.
“In the year 1635, John Winthrop arrived at Boston with
a commission from Lord Saye & Sele, Lord Brooks and other
noblemen interested in the Connecticut Patent, to erect a fort
at the mouth of the Connecticut river. They sent men, amu-
nitions and two thousand pounds sterling, (Winthrop's Jour-
nal). Early in 1636, Lord Saye & Sele, with his Private Sec-
retary Thomas Welles, came out to Saybrooke, but his Lord-
ship discouraged by the gloomy aspect of everything about
him, and not finding his golden dreams realized, returned to
England, leaving his Secretary behind to encounter the dan-
gers and difficulties of the then wilderness. Thomas Welles
proceeded up the Connecticut river with his company as far
as Wethersfield and Hartford.
17
Thomas Welles on his arrival in Connecticut, disclaimed
“Arms,” in compliance with the general custom, but that did
not prevent his taking a prominent position at an early day
in the affairs of the Colony, and from bravely counselling to
take up arms against the warlike Pequots at that memorable
Court of the Magistrates of whom he was one, held on the
7th day of May, 1637. He held the office of Magistrate for
twenty-two years, and until his death. In 1639 was Treas-
urer of the Colony; in 1641, Secretary; in 1649, a Commis-
sioner of the United Colonies; in 1654, Moderator of the
General Court, and Deputy Governor; in 1655, Governor; in
1656-57, Deputy Governor; 1658, Governor, and in 1659
again Deputy Governor. Was considered one of the best
writers in the Colony and most of the laws of that period
were drafted by him. Was a man of affairs, and one of the
largest taxpayers. He died at Wethersfield, Jan. 14, 1660,
leaving a widow and seven children, four sons and three
daughters, besides one son deceased.
John Welles, the eldest son of Governor Welles, born in
Northamptonshire, 1621, came to this country with his father
in 1636; was made a Freeman at Hartford, April 1, 1645;
removed shortly after to Stratford in which he received his
father's interest; was the Representative, 1656-7; Magistrate
and Judge of Probate, in 1658. He died in 1659, aged thirty-
eight years, leaving the following children: John, Thomas
and Robert, (twins) Temperance, Samuel and Sarah. The
widow, Elizabeth Welles, who was left by her husband's will
“all that is due her in England and forty pounds to carry
her there, if she chooses to go,” married second, in 1663,
John Willcockson, of Stratford.
John Welles, Jr., called Captain Welles in the Stratford rec-
ords, was born at Stratford, in 1648, and was married to
Mary Hollister, daughter of John Hollister, of Wethersfield,
1669. There were eight children, viz.: Mary, Thomas and
Sarah, (twins) John, Comfort, Joseph, Elizabeth and Robert,
all born in Stratford. John Welles, Jr., died Nov. 24, 1714.
Thomas Welles, eldest son of John Welles, Jr., born Jan.
2, 1674, was married about 1710, to Sarah, daughter of
18
Ephraim Stiles, of Stratford. There were nine children, as
follows:
Bathsheba, born April 30, 1711; Ephraim, born Nov. 7,
1712; Comfort, born Sep. 15, 1714; Thomas, born Aug. 20,
1717; Gideon, born Nov. 12, 1719 ; Daniel, born May 19,
1722; Gurdon, born Feb. 3, 1724; Hezekiah, born July, 1732.
Thomas Welles was commonly known as Deacon Welles,
being the first of that name to hold that office in the old
Stratford church.
Gideon Welles, son of Deacon Thomas, married Eunice (–--)
and lived at Ripton Parish, in Stratford, where she died
Jan. 8, 1805, aged eighty-five, and he died Oct. 19, 1805, aged
eighty-six years. His will, probated Nov. 2, 1805, on file in
the Bridgeport records, gives to his daughters Eunice Welles,
who had married Simeon Hamilton, June 4, 1794;
Ruth Welles, who had married Timothy Hatch, Nov. 28,
1782 ;
Diantha Welles, who had married John Ayers, Dec 1, 1782;
Blackleach Burritt, Jr., son of my daughter (deceased,)
Martha Burritt ;
Each five pounds'; while the real estate was divided be.
tween his sons, Stiles, Gideon, Jr., and Robert Welles, all of
Ripton Parish. Robert Welles married Anna Wheeler, Dec.
9, 1779. The marriages of the other sons do not appear.
Hezekiah Welles, the youngest son of Deacon Thomas, was
married at Stratford, about 1753, to Phebe Latin, and had
five sons: David, Josiah, born about 1756, Gurdon, Abijah
and Abner. She died at Ripton Parish, Jan. 2, 1812, aged
ninety years. Hezekiah was a Sergt. in Capt. Edward Barnard's
company in the French war, 1759. He is believed to have re-
moved to New Milford. His son, Josiah, married Prudence
Leavenworth, at Ripton Parish, Jan. 13, 1770, and had a son.
James, born 1780, who married at DeRuyter, Madison Coun-
ty, N. Y., Oct. 1802, Prudence, daughter of Rev. Blackleach
Burritt.
Gurdon Welles, third son of Hezekiah, born Feb. 28, 1758,
in Ripton Parish, was there married March 1, 1792, to Sarah,
daughter of Rev. Blackleach Burritt.
19
The Fairfield East Association, which licensed Mr. Bur-
ritt, recommended him to the church at Ridgebury, as a
worthy and proper person, and the records show him to have
been there for a short period, from April 8, 1768, the prede-
cessor of Rev. Samuel Camp, who was ordained there in 1769.
From then until 1772, there is no record of him, but he is be-
lieved to have been at New Milford, Conn., where there were
kindred of his wife's, and where there was a Separatist
church, or at North Salem, Westchester, County, N. Y. As
early as 1772, he appeared at Pound Ridge, in Westchester
County, N. Y., and was the first recorded pastor of the Pres-
byterian church at that place. The records of the old Dutch-
ess County Presbytery, of which he became a member, at a
meeting held May 4, 1774, recommended the Congregation
at Pound Ridge, to give a call to the Rev. Blackleach Burritt
to settle among them in the work of the ministry. Whereupon
a formal call was duly extended to him, and on June 15, 1774,
an adjourned meeting of the Presbytery was held at that
place for the purpose of his ordination. On the day follow-
ing, after account of some preliminary business, and the for-
mal ordaining of Rev. Mr. Burritt, the following record ap-
pears : “But inasmuch as there are certain difficulties sub-
sisting in this Church and Congregation respecting Mr. Bur-
ritt's being settled over them, the Presbytery does not think
proper to give Mr. Burritt the particular charge of this Con-
gregation, as their stated Pastor, but do ordain him with ref-
erence to them, and appoint him to labor here in his Ministe-
rial office for the space of one year.” At the end of that year
another remonstrance from aggrieved members of that con-
gregation was presented to the Presbytery, but his friends
were more powerful, and he was continued there for another
year. A copy of the original protest is here with presented,
not only as a quaint and original document, but as giving
occasion to show the trend of his religious thought.
To the Reverend Presbytery now Convened in Pound Ridge:
REv. SIRs: We the subscribers beg leave to show before
you the Reasons why we are not willing the Rev. Mr. Burritt
should not be introduct into the work of the Gospel Ministry
20
in this place, which are as followeth, viz; The first &
great reason is Because we in our opinions Look upon his
principals in matters of a Religious Nature not to be Agree-
able to the Directions, Rules & Precepts of the Gospel, &
so consequently contrary to the Dictates of our Consciences,
& also contrary to the Peace & good order of this place as to
Ecclesiastical Enjoyments, & notwithstanding the Desirable
qualities & Endowments which are Discoverable in the gen-
tleman in other respects. As Sundry of us have signed for
Mr. Burret's Salery, we stand ready to give the reasons sev-
erally when required. We desire to guard against a Party
spirit, requesting the same of our fellow members of this
community, humbly imploring Divine assistance that we may
all be brought to such conclution in unity as in this important
afare shall be most conducive to God's glory & the public
weal of this Ecclesiastical communite, is the earnest request
of your most obedient and Humble Servis, the subscribers.
Pound Ridge, June 14, 1774.
Eb C. Brown, Ebenezer Seymour,
JDavid Fansher, Nathaniel Fansher,
Amos Scofield, Abraham Slason,
Enos Brown, William Garnsey,
Joseph Scofield, Timothy Bowton,
Ebenezer Bouton, Jr., Joseph Fanshaw,
David Dart,
Joseph Seymour.
To understand the causes of this protest it is only necessa-
ry to recall the fact that Mr. Burritt had imbided the spirit
of Whitfield's preaching while in College, and that he had
studied Theology under Rev. Jedediah Mills, who was a friend
of Whitfield, and in favor of revivals, the new light movement,
and less restrictions of Church and State, as it then existed
in the Colony. That was evidently the reason of his early
migration over the borders and into the larger ecclesiastical
liberty which then obtained in the State of New York;
but Pound Ridge being essentially a New England commun-
ity, offered some resistance to his theological thesis. The
opposition also embraced all there was of incipient toryism
21
there, which his stalwart patriotism was sure to antagonize.
Mr. Burritt's official relations with the Church at Pound
Ridge closed April 1, 1776, but his family appears to have re-
mained a while longer. The well preserved tradition is, as
stated by Rev. W. J. Cumming, in his History of the West-
chester County Presbytery, that when Rev. Samuel Sackett,
of Crompond, present Yorktown, N. Y., was so outspoken that
he was obliged to seek safety in flight, Blackleach Burritt
supplied his place. Miss Mary Lee, of a family long connect-
ed with the Church at Crompond, has the well remembered
tradition, and says, “He was thought very much of as a Min-
ister of the Gospel by the people of that place.” He was
doubtless there and in that vicinity for some two years after
severing his relations with his previous charge.
MR. EU F FITT'S CAPTU FE.
As patriotism was a crowning glory to Rev. Mr. Burritt, so
his capture was the dramatic event of his life. As already re-
lated, he bravely held the post of danger when others retired,
but the Federal lines having been forced back so that it be-
came desirable to use the Church and Parsonage at Crompond
(present Yorktown) for military purposes, it became a neces-
sity and duty to take his family to a place of greater safety.
This probably occurred sometime in 1778. And then he and
they seemed to disappear. His subsequent capture and in-
carceration in the old Sugar House Prison, was indeed a well
authenticated tradition in every branch of his family, but
where and when did the capture occur 3 As to the time, no
date was mentioned, and as to the place, there was a wide di-
vergence, some claiming that it was at White Plains, West-
chester County, and others that it was on Long Island.
Long continued research disproved both of these theories,
but negations prove nothing. And ºthen was the capture ?
Light unexpectedly flashed upon that query from a chance
perusal of Washington Irving's biography, in which, in a
quaint certificate to William Irving, testifying to his kindly
interest in the welfare of patriot prisoners, and to which
further reference will be made, he says that he was “ prisoner
in this city, (New York) as early in the war as June, 1779.”
22
There was a clue and it was carefully followed up.
Where was he captured 2 That was the perplexing question.
The search was continued as opportunity offered. The tradi-
tionary account seemed to place the scene near some navi-
gable body of water, the river or the sea. The Sound line
in Westchester County was devastated and in the possession
of the unrelenting loyalists—he certainly would not take his
wife and children into the jaws of such a lion. Fairfield
County only remained, but a careful scanning of its history
gave no clue. Nothing in its recorded or unrecorded annals
gave the first faint glimmer of light. But at last, patient
waiting, patient looking, had its abundant reward, and the
truth was made as clearly to appear as the sun in the heav-
€Il S.
The following Tory account of Mr. Burritt's capture was
found in Frank Moore's “Diary of the Revolution,” credited
to the New Hampshire Gazette of the issue of July 13, 1779,
and it was the first discovery of the long looked for event. It
led up to others that follow :
“June 19.-Yesterday morning about 4 o'clock 32 Refugees
commanded by Capt. Bonnell and other officers landed at
Greenwich, in Connecticut. A thick fog favored their en-
trance, and they marched through the town undiscovered ;
but the Itebel guard being at length alarmed, and imagining
the Refugees to be more numerous than in fact they were,
fled with precipitation before them, and so close was the pur-
suit that some were overtaken and secured. The inhabitants
of the town refused to open their doors to the Refugees, and
reduced them to the necessity of entering the windows;
notwithstanding which they plundered the houses of nothing
but arms and ammunition, their principal object being horned
cattle, of which they brought off 38, also 4 horses and 10 or
12 prisoners. Among the latter is a most pestiferous Rebel
Priest and preacher of sedition, who when taken swore that
there was no firearms in his house, but upon his being cau-
tioned against equivocation and threatened with the conse.
quences which would result from persisting in it, his timid
spouse produced his firelock and a cartouch box with eighteen
23
rounds in it. The Refugees proceeded about six miles into
the country collecting cattle, &c. On their return they were
attacked by a body of Rebels, supposed to consist of about
150, with two field pieces, but they kept at such a distance
that only one loyalist was wounded by their fire. Before the
Refugees embarked they landed a field piece, which was of
great service, and after engaging the Rebels two hours, dur-
ing which time they expended all their ammunition, they got
safe on board, and arrived at Oyster Bay about noon, with
their cattle and prisoners. They were obliged to leave a
number of the former on the Rebel shore for want of boats
to bring them off.”
No doubt this “pestiferous Priest’ was Rev. Mr. Burritt, as
the following account of the same affair taken from the files
of Rivington's Royal Gazette, date of June 23, 1779, abund.
antly testifies:
“Some days ago a party of Rebels came over to Treadwell's
farm, Long Island, conducted by Major Brush, and carried
off Justice Hewlett and Capt. Young—since which the Refu-
gees went over to Greenwich in Connecticut and returned
with 13 prisoners, among whom is a Presbyterian Parson
named Burritt, an egregious Rebel who has frequently taken
arms, and is of great repute in the Colony ; 48 head of cattle,
and 4 horses were brought in with the prisoners.”
The following from the Connecticut Gazette of New Lon-
don, issue of July 8, 1779, gives as will be seen, quite a differ-
ent version of this Tory marauding expedition :
“New Haven, June 23.−Wednesday night last a party of the
enemy from Long Island, landed at Green's Farms in Fairfield
and plundered the house of Dr. Jessup of all they could carry
off. The next night, (Thursday, June 17), a considerable party
landed at Stamford, who before the inhabitants could collect
in force, made prisoners of 8 or 10 persons, among whom was
a Mr. Blackleach Burritt, an unordained preacher, and took
off 30 or 40 head of cattle, which they got on board under
cover of the fire of a privateer which landed close in under a
point. They likewise plundered all they could lay their hands
on, broke windows, &c., and committed many outrages.”
24
It was easy to make the error of locating the raid at nearby
Stamford; and as has already been noted, Mr. Burritt was a
regulary ordained Minister of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Joel Hatch, Jr., nephew of Ruth Wells Hatch, sister of
Mrs. Rev. Burritt, in his history of Sherburne, N. Y., says:
“He was a zealous Whig during the Revolutionary War, often
carrying his patriotism into his pulpit. A party of British
soldiers, guided by Tories, surrounded his house in the night,
took him prisoner, and hurried him into their boat, not allow-
ing time to put on his clothes until they had him safe on
board. They sailed immediately for New York, where he
was confined most of the time in what was known as the
Sugar House Prison.”
The following dramatic account of the capture is by Mrs.
D. E. Sackett, widow of the late Rev. H. A. Sackett, now of
Cranford, N. J., an aged lady of rare gifts and culture, and
a granddaughter of Mr. Burritt, as received from her mother,
Diantha Burritt Gray, wife of John Gray, Jr., one of the orig-
inal proprietors of Sherburne :
She says of Rev. Mr. Burritt that “He used often to take
his musket into the pulpit for defence, and, if need be, for
ready joining in offensive warfare.” Again, “At the seizure,
some privates burst into the room. Grandmother sprang
between the raised bayonets and her husband, holding them
at bay, (heroic daughter of the Revolution, Patriot mother,
wife I) till an officer ordered them to desist. As they did
not then allow him time enough, or had not enough of human
kindness to let him dress, his poor wife followed, clothes in
hand, begging a chance for him to put some on, which finally
they granted with rough oaths. She then followed to the
water pleading for her two cows. With ‘Let the – Rebel
minister's wife have one of them l’ she drove it back to her
desolated home, grief for her lost husband and pity for her
helpless children dividing her heart.”
It is said that as Rev. Mr. Burritt, and the other prisoners
were being hurried along toward the beach, the wives and
children followed in the rear. When they had gone some dis-
25
tance an officer rode up to the little band, and urged them to
turn back, saying that they were being pursued by the Colon-
ists, and that if they failed to reach their boats before they
were overtaken by them, the women and children would be
between two fires; yet they followed on, and did not return,
but stood in silent protest against the robbery of their homes
though there were signs of battle near at hand. And so the
marauders sailed away with their prisoners and pillage, leav-
ing devastation in their track. And this was the spot, this
the scene of the capture—Old Greenwich, modern Sea Beach.
There is still the old burying ground near which the Church
stood, and there in full view to the passing traveller, is the
old building, then the parsonage and the home of Mr. Burritt
and his family, from which he was so rudely taken. The re-
cords of the old church are missing for the Revolutionary
period, and the records of the Fairfield West Consociation do
not show Mr. Burritt's appointment there for the reason that
they were destroyed at the burning of Fairfield by the British
early in that year, but the town records of Greenwich bear
evidence to the fact that he was there, by his officiating at a
marriage there, date of February 10, 1779.
Soon after the capture, the disconsolate family removed to
Pound Ridge, Westchester County, N. Y., where they had
friends and were cared for during Mr. Burritt's imprisonment,
which was for a period of about fourteen months. The refer-
ence to Mr. Burritt in Irving's biography may pertinently be
here introduced. Mr. William Irving, the father of Washing-
ton Irving, had remained in trade in the city of New York
during the British occupation, and as the time for evacuation
drew near, evidently feeling that his situation was some-
what precarious, and fearing pro scription from the now
victorious Patriots, he obtained from Rev. Mr. Burritt the
following quaint certificate as a means of security:
“These may certify whom it may concern ; whether civil
or military officers, that Deacon William Irving, merchant in
this city, appeared to be friendly inclined to the liberties of
the United States & greatly lamented the egregious barbari-
ties practiced by her enemies on the unhappy sons of Liberty
26
that unhappily fell in their power—contributed largely to my
relief (who was a prisoner in this city as early in the war as
June, 1779), and was probably an instrument under God of
the preservation of my life, and by credible accounts I have
had from other prisoners, has been the means of the preser-
vation of theirs also.” -
This document was signed “Blackleach Burritt, Minister
of the Gospel in the Presbyterian Church,” and bears date
Nov. 15, 1783, just ten days before Washington and his army
entered the city in triumph.
The story of Mr. Burritt's relations with Mr. William Irv
ing while in Prison are told by his granddaughter, Mrs. D.
E. Sackett, as follows:
“He discovered Mr. Burritt very low with prison fever, in
his miserable cell, and by personal influence had him given a
suitable place and medical care, and when he rallied Mr.
Irving looked after him each day in his convalescence. Mrs.
Irving also sent him a good bowl of coffee, in the bottom of
which was a cheering couplet painted ; and that grandfather
said did him about as much good as the comforting, strength-
ening beverage. And at last he rounded up his good deeds
by securing a release for him through an exchange of pris-
oners.”
He used often to preach to his fellow prisoners, and was
known among the British officers and soldiers as the “Rebel
Priest.” It is said that expecting to be released on a certain
Monday he prepared a specially spicy sermon for the Sunday
previous, which the officers in charge of the prison, knowing
his spirit and independence, were determined to prevent his
delivering, and accordingly released him on the Saturday
night before, ordering him to leave at once, which to his
r2gret, he was obliged to do.”
The exact date of Mr. Burritt's release from prison is not
known, but the records of the Dutchess County Presbytery,
which at that time included a portion of Westchester County
as well, show that he was present at a meeting held Oct. 11,
1780, and officiated as clerk. The next mention made of him
is that at a meeting of the same body held Oct. 8, 1783,
27
“Presbytery was opened with a sermon by Mr. Burritt,
from Psalm, 122:6. ‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem : they
shall prosper that love thee.’” At this meeting the record
says, “Mr. Burritt being reduced to low circumstances as to
the comforts of this life and outward means of subsistence by
reason of ye late-war and otherwise, request ye advice of the
Presbytery respecting ye means of relief, whereupon we agree
to recommend him to the warmest charity of our Christian
Brethren, and appoint ye clerk to draw up the commendation
for the purpose.” At the same meeting he and two others
were appointed to spend one Sabbath each in missionary
work in the lower parts of Westchester County.
Where Mr. Burritt was between 1780 and 1783, does not
appear, but his family seems to have been a part of the time
at least, at Ripton Parish, for he had a daughter born there
in November, 1782. He is believed, however, to have been
at Crompond a portion if not most of that period. The next
reference to him is of the date of Dec. 1, 1783, when “the
Presbytery met at Mr. Burritt's in the West Congregation in
Fredricksburg,” present town of Carmel, Putnam County,
N. Y., having charge of the Mt. Gilead Church as well as the
one at West Fredricksburg so called, and where he evidently
resided. The site of the old log Church, (Mt. Gilead), where
he preached, near Carmel, is still pointed out, and his memo-
ry is still cherished there.
On the death, June 5, 1784, of Rev. Samuel Sackett, for a
long time except a brief period during the Revolution, pastor
of the Church at Crompond, Rev. Mr. Burritt preached his
funeral sermon. He was located at West Fredricksburg,
or Red Mills—the present Mahopac Falls—for some three
years, and it was there that a great affliction befel him in the
death of his wife, in April, 1786. She was yet comparatively
young, not more than 41 or 42,-the Church records of
Stratford show her baptism Feb. 23, 1745—but the burdens
of her life had not been light nor her tasks easy. She had
come to be the mother of twelve children, and their care and
the terrible strain of war times had been too great for her
overtaxed powers. The youngest child and daughter was
28
but an infant of a few weeks old when the mother gave it
her last loving look, and fell asleep, another martyr to moth-
erhood and duty, as was fitting a loyal daughter of her sire
who bravely suffered confiscation and expatriation for con-
science sake. The home was desolated by her death, and the
children scattered, several of them going to live for a time
with their kindred at Ripton Parish. On the 10th of May
following, 1786, Mr. Burritt was present at a meeting of the
Presbytery, but no further record is made of him until
May 8, 1794, when his name was dropped from the rolls
as being then of Vermont.
The following mention of him is copied from the Court
Records of Fairfield County, book of Executions, date of
Nov. 30, 1789:
To the Constables and Sheriff of the County of Fuirfield:
“Whereas, Elisha Mills, of Huntington, recovered judg-
ment against Blackleach Burritt, late of New Fairfield, in
said County, and now an absent and absconding debtor and
gone to parts unknown, before the County Court holden
at Danbury within the County aforesaid on the 3d Tuesday
of November, 1789, for the sum of £59.19s.6d, lawful money
debt, and the sum of £2.10 costs, whereof execution remains
to be done hereon, therefore by the authority of the State
of Connecticut, you are commanded to levy on the goods,
chattels and lands of the said Burritt as the law directs,”
&c., and if they were not sufficient to satisfy in full the debt
and costs, then the said officers were “commanded to take
the body of the said Burritt and him commit unto the keep-
er of the gaol in Fairfield County aforesaid,” and there to
keep him “until he pay unto the said Mills the full sum afore-
mentioned,” with fees, &c. And so this Veteran Patriot Pas-
tor, who had suffered imprisonment for devotion to the cause
of his country, was in danger of being thrust into a common
jail as a debtorſ
The records show that the officer reported on Dec. 1, that
Burritt could not be found—he was probably elsewhere too
actively engaged in his Master's service to pay any attention
to these proceedings—“ or money or other valuable consider-
29
ation,” but that he had levied upon a tract of land in Hunting-
ton, Ripton Society, called the “Mohegan Rocks,” (probably
the rocks are all there yet, though the last of the Mohegans
disappeared sometime since) containing nineteen and one-
half acres, which was appraised at £2 per acre, and that was
turned over to the said Mills towards the satisfaction of his
claim. It is interesting in this connection to state that the
town records of Stratford show that Blackleach Burritt pur-
chased that same piece of real estate, then called “the South
End of Mohegan Hills,” of his father, Peleg Burritt, Jr., Jan.
5, 1765, paying therefor £142.10s. Evidently he had paid a
high price for it, or there had been great depreciation, or
Mills was a grasping monopolist. Perhaps something of each,
but Mr. Burritt evidently had considered the land as ample
security for the debt incurred.
An important fact disclosed by the foregoing, is that after
leaving West Fredricksburg, Mr. Burritt was for a time at
New Fairfield. Perhaps his second marriage, which was
with Deborah Wells, of the Long Island, Southold family, she
being a direct descendant of William Wells, one of the fore-
most men of that settlement, Recorder, Deputy to the Gen-
eral Court, and Sheriff of Suffolk County, N. Y., from 1665 to
1669—was while at New Fairfield, although she had kindred
at Wells, in Hamilton County, N. Y., not far from which, in
Greenfield, Saratoga County, he next appears, having been
the pioneer Pastor of a Church there as early as 1790, the
records showing that at a meeting held Sept. 12 of that year,
he was authorized to represent the Greenfield Church at a
convention “at Bennington, in the State of Vermont, the
present week.” An old letter at hand also shows his residence
there during the early part of that year. The year following,
1791, Mr. Burritt is found at Duanesburgh, then of Albany
County, N. Y., where he is said to have formed a Church com-
posed mainly of Connecticut families, who tarried there for a
while, among whom were a brother, Stiles Welles, and a
sister, Mrs. Ruth Welles Hatch, of his first wife, and that was
probably what attracted him thither. In a letter dated at
Duanesburgh, Dec. 28, 1791, he writes: “Stiles Welles has
30
lately returned from Huntington.” During the same period
he was also ministering to a Church in the adjoining town of
Florida, Montgomery County, N. Y. But this pioneer preach-
er could not long remain in any one place. The true spirit
of the Pilgrims was in him, and impelled him on. The old
records of the Church at Winhall, Bennington County, Vt.,
state that on Friday, Jan. 6, 1792, only about a week later
than the date of the above quoted letter, he was there present
and officiating. Again on the 11th of March following, the
records show him to have been there, and so on from time to
time during that year. The records then show that an Eccles-
iastical Council was “convened at Winhall, on the 1st day of
January, A. 1)., 1793, for the purpose of the Instalment of the
Rev'd Blackleach Burritt to the Pastoral care of the Church
and Congregation there,” Rev. Robert Campbell, formerly
of New Milford, Conn., officiating as moderator. It cannot
be said to have been an inviting field for a preacher of his
ability, but in passing that way he had been strongly urged
to come; the offer of a farm to be given him affording a home
for his large family doubtless may have influenced his decis-
ion, but he is quoted as saying with his characteristic self
forgetfulness, “That if he did not go there perhaps nobody
else would !” And so a log house was built for him and a
log Church, and he became the first pastor of the Church in
Winhall. The records show considerable additions to that
Church under his ministrations, but it was a brief pastorate,
and death seon came in between him and his family, and his
people, and they were sorely bereft. The last mention of
him in the records is of the date of “Lord's Day, January ye
5, 1794,” when he officiated at a baptism. His health had ev-
idently been broken, for in the letter referred to he says, “I
have for a length of time been more feebled and disordered
than usual.” The privations and sufferings to which he was
subjected as a prisoner and otherwise, during the Revolution,
and subsequently as a pioneer preacher, had been a severe
strain upon even his strong constitution, and he was stricken
down by a prevailing malady which devastated New England
during the summer and autumn of 1794. There was no cessa.
31
tion in those early days of struggle ; no vacation for tired
and overworked pastors; no palace cars to carry them away
to famous watering places; no beds of inglorious ease ; but
like good soldiers these Watchmen of Zion must die at their
posts ; and so
“Tranquil amidst alarms,”
The summons found him “in the field,
“A Veteran slumbering on his arms,
Beneath his red-cross shield.”
The broken family was again scattered, never to be re-unit-
ed. Some had already married, and others were elsewhere,
yet of the fourteen children, twelve by the first marriage and
two by the second,--a most interesting group—all survived,
and all but two lived to have families. As evidencing their
wide divergence, only two, those by the second marriage,
died in the same place, although six of them and the widow,
came soon afterwards to reside for a time in one place—Sher-
burne, Chenango County, N. Y., where Rev. Mr. Burritt had
preached the first sermon to the Pioneers in 1792; and hence
the interest of the writer in this story of his life.
In the absence of the family record, irrecoverably lost dur-
ing some of the many removals, it has been a difficult task to
gather up the somewhat imperfect data of his descendants
here presented.
THE CHILDREN. -
Eunice, named for her mother, appears to have been the
eldest child, born at Ripton Parish, in 1766 She married a
Mr. Hopkins, had children, and lived for a time prior to 1820,
near Batavia, N. Y. {
Melissa, the second child, was born Feb. 26, 1768, probably
at Huntington, just two days after Mr. Burritt was licensed
to preach. She married at Johnstown, N. Y., Oct. 9, 1791,
James Raymond, a native of Kent, Conn., a descendant of
Captain Richard Raymond from Essex, England, Freeman at
Beverly, Mass., 1634, and afterwards of Norwalk and Say-
brook, Conn. James Raymond was one of the original pro-
prietors of Sherburne, N. Y., where he settled in 1792-3, his
wife, Melissa Burritt Raymond, being one of the members of
32
the first Congregational Church organized in that place July
6, 1794. She was a strong, independent character, and her
son, Philander Raymond, was distinguished as one of the
founders of the city of Toledo, Ohio, was the promoter,
builder and superintendent of the celebrated Brady's Bend
Iron Works, on the Alleghany river, Pennsylvania, and inter-
ested in other large enterprises. Melissa Burritt Raymond
died at Brady's Bend, Pa., July 3, 1849, in her eighty-second
year. Mrs. Rev. J. R. Preston, of Creighton, Nebraska, and
E. F. Ensign, Esq., of Madison, O., are her grand-children.
Martha, (called Patsy) Burritt, was born Oct. 1770, and
married about 1790, Elisha Gray, then of Florida, Montgom-
ery County, N. Y. She removed with her husband, to Sher-
burne, N. Y., in 1793, and was a charter member of the
Church there. By various removals they came to make their
home at Madison, O, where she died May 20, 1851, in her
eighty-first year. She had two daughters, and a son Alanson,
who removed to Kentucky, and there had seven sons and five
daughters. The eldest son, John Tarvin Gray, born 1821,
married his accomplished cousin, Cynthia Raymond, grand-
daughter of Melissa Burritt Raymond, and became a noted
civil engineer and bridge builder, and still resides at Coving-
ton, Ky. Another son, Philander Raymond Gray, was a loyal
Rentuckian in the war for the Union, was afterwards Sheriff
of Wenango County, Pa., Collector of Internal Revenue for
that district, and for several years Superintendent of the great
Eclipse and Standard Oil Co. works, near Franklin, Pa. He
is the father by one mother, of an interesting family of eight
sons and three daughters, one of the sons bearing the name
of Burritt Gray. His present residence is at Elizabeth, N. J.
Sarah Burritt, the fourth daughter, was born at Pound
Ridge, Westchester County, Jan. 29, 1772, and married her
cousin, Gurdon Wells, born Feb. 28, 1758, son of Hezekiah,
son of Deacon Thomas, at Huntington, March 1, 1792, and
removing to Lincklaen, Chenango County, N. Y., their daugh-
ter Matilda, born Aug. 9, 1800, who still survives,” a Widow
Smith, at Three Rivers, Mich., was the first white child born
*—She died March 17, 1892, in her ninety-second year,
33
in that township. Gurdon Wells died there Dec. 27, 1827,
and she died Oct. 31, 1831, in her sixtieth year. She was a
very decided character, and eminent in Christian piety. It is
said that a man who had heard of her, came thirty miles once
to see her, hoping that she would be able to expound the way
of life more perfectly unto him. But then, that was a time
when people believed something and thought it of some con-
sequence what they did believe.
Ely Burritt, the eldest son, born at Pound Ridge, March
12, 1773, graduated at Williams College in the class of 1800,
was licensed to practice medicine at Troy, N. Y., March 29,
1802, and became eminent as a physician. Dr. Wayland, who
studied medicine with him, says: “Dr. Burritt was a man
of remarkable logical powers, of enthusiastic love of his pro-
fession, and of great and deserved confidence in his own
judgment. He stood at the head of his profession in Troy,
and in the neighboring region, and was a person of high mor-
al character.” He married Mehitabel Stratton, daughter of
Deacon Stratton, of Williamstown, Mass., April 12, 1798.
There were four sons and three daughters born to them, of
whom only one son and a daughter had descendants. This
son, Alexander Hamilton Burritt, born in Troy, April 17, 1805,
commenced the practice of medicine in 1827, after the Alo-
path system, which he continued until 1838, when he em-
braced Homoeopathy, placing himself for a time under the in-
struction of his distinguished kinsman, the late Dr. John F.
Gray, of New York, who was a grandson of Rev. Blackleach
Burritt. He then practiced the new system; first, in Craw-
ford County, Pa. He afterwards removed to Cleveland, O.,
where he aided in the organization of the Western Homoeo-
pathic College in 1850, and was Vice President and Professor
of Obstetrics until 1854, when he resigned on account of his
health, and removing to New Orleans, was successfully en-
gaged in practice there until his death, Oct. 1876. His son,
Amatus Robbins Burritt, born in 1833, graduated from the
Western Homoeopathic College in 1853, engaged in practice
at Huntsville, Ala. In 1866 he married Miss Mary K. Robin-
son, by whom he had a son, Dr. William H. Burritt, born 1869,
34
now in practice at Huntsville, where his father died Aug. 22,
1876. Dr. A. R. Burritt was for a time in the Confederate
service, while his only brother, (there is a surviving sister,
Mrs. Julia A. Gary, of Evansville, Ind,) Ely Burritt, now of
Fall River, Mass., was in the Union Army, and being taken
prisoner, Dr. A. R., was instrumental in securing his release.
This branch of the Burritt family, is remarkable in that it is
represented by four generations of physicians, all of high
reputation, being the son, grandson, great-grandson and great-
great-grandson of Rev. Blackleach Burritt. Dr. Ely Burritt
died at Troy, Sep. 1, 1823, in his fifty-first year. His widow
afterwards married Professor John Adams, the noted Principal
of Exeter Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass. Julia Ann Burritt,
daughter of Dr. Ely, and said to have been a remarkably
beautiful girl, married; Dr. Amatus. Robbins, and died Dec.
12, 1839, in her nineteenth year, leaving a son who is a phy-
sician in New Haven. A tradition of Dr. Ely Burritt is, that
on the capture of his father, being then a boy of six years,
he threw corn cobs at the British soldiers as expressive of
his patriotic indignation
Gideon Burritt, son of Rev. Blackleach, born in Pound
Ridge, Sep. 15, 1774, married Sarah Bowne, lived at Winhall
and Manchester, Vt., where he died in 1858. Had ten chil-
dren, of whom three still survive at Manchester, viz.: Dea-
con Edwin Burritt, who married Mary Chellis, and has de-
scendants, Jared Burritt, and Hon. Johnson Burritt. A son,
Fly, married Esther Strait, whose mother was Rachel Purdy,
and removed to Columbia, Bradford County, Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Sarah Burritt Mosher, of Albany N. Y., widow of the
late Dr. C. D. Mosher, of Albany, is a daughter of Ely.
Diantha Burritt, daughter of Rev. Blackleach, born at Pound
Ridge, Jan. 9, 1776, married John Gray, Jr., at Winhall, Vt.,
May 26, 1793. Judge John Gray was an early and prominent
citizen of Sherburne, N. Y., and afterwards removed to Sheri-
dan, Chautauqua County, where she died Oct. 14, 1846.
There were six sons and two daughters born to her. Three
of the sons became physicians, one of them, the late Dr. John
F. Gray, pre-eminent as the first to embrace the doctrines of
35
Hahnemann, in the city of New York, and distinguished for
his large and successful practice. Another of the sons, Rev.
I3]ackleach Burritt Gray, was a Presbyterian Minister, and
one of his sons, General John Burritt Gray, now of New York,
won distinction by his services as Adjutant General of the
State of Missouri, during the War of the Rebellion. A
daughter, Diantha, became eminent as a teacher, and with her
late husband, the Rev. H. A. Sackett, was influential in the
founding of Elmira Female College, at Elmira, N. Y. This
lady of rare gifts and high Christian character, whose home
is at Cranford, N. J., is one of the surviving grand-children
of Rev. Blackleach Burritt, whose memory she has done much
to perpetuate.
Rufus Burritt, supposed to have been born in 1777, studied
medicine with his brother, Dr. Ely, at Troy, and was admitted
to practice in 1806. It is said that going away for a time to
look about the country, he returned to find his intended mar-
ried to some one else ; hence he never married, and led a
roving life, teaching some—and he is said to have been an
excellent teacher—as he had opportunity both in Pennsylva-
nia and Kentucky, in which latter State he died, in Campbell
County, about 1850. A gifted but very eccentric man.
Blackleach Burritt, Jr., born at Pound Ridge, N. Y., Oct.
27, 1779, while his father was in the old Sugar House Prison,
after the death of his mother went to Huntington, Conn., to
live with his kindred, and on Nov. 1, 1802, married Sally,
Hubbell, daughter of John Hubbell, Jr. They removed to
Pennsylvania in 1810, and he died at Wilksbarre, Oct. 1, 1830.
They had two daughters and six sons, as follows:
Hepsa, born 1804; married Ziba Burns; residence, Union-
dale, Susquehanna County, Pa.
Grandison, born 1806; lived in Wisconsin.
Samuel, born 1808; lived at Uniondale, Pa.
Rufus, born 1814; lived at Uniondale, Pa.
Ely, born 1817; lived at Carbondale, Pa.
Sarah Caroline, born Aug. 18, 1819; married Otis M.
Dimmick, Uniondale, Pa.
Charles, born 1823; died 1825.
36
Samuel Burritt, third child of Blackleach, Jr., born at
Huntington, Conn., March 31, 1808; married Amanda Nich-
ols, Sep. 19, 1836; lived at Uniondale, where he died June 20,
1863. His children were :
Loren, (Col.), born June 26, 1837; died Nov. 11, 1889;
married Delphine D. Raynsford.
Ira Nichols, born Dec. 28, 1838; Washington, D. C.
Philo, born April 11, 1840; lives at Uniondale.
Payson, born July 16, 1847; Kansas.
Newell, born Dec. 19, 1851.
Anna B., born July 25, 1853.
Lilian, born Feb. 16, 1858.
Colonel Loren Burritt, son of Samuel, and great-grandson
of Rev. Blackleach, enlisted in the Union Army as a private
in Company K, Fifty-sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volun-
teers, Jan. 1862. Was promoted successively to Orderly Ser-
geant, Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, and on the 2nd
of July, 1863, at the Battle of Gettysburg, was assigned to
duty on the Staff of General Cutler. In Nov. 1863 was com-
missioned Major of the Eighth Regiment, U. S. Colored
Troops; was severely wounded at Olustee, Fla., Feb. 20, 1864;
was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel while in the Hospital at
Beaufort, S. C. ; succeeded to the command of his Regiment,
in front of Petersburg; was afterward detailed at Newport
News and Norfolk, Va.; was President of a Board of Inquiry
to investigate the commandant of the Eastern Department of
Virginia. In the Summer and Fall of 1865, was in Texas, and
received his discharge in December of that year. Engaged
in practice of the law for a time at Philadelphia, but suffer-
ing from his wounds broke his health, and after being an in-
valid for several years he died at Athens, Bradford County
Pa., Nov. 11, 1889. A man of high character and attain-
ments and a worthy descendant of his patriotic sire. He
was greatly interested in his ancestry, and the genealogical
statistics which he collected has added much of interest to
this sketch. His widow resides at Owego, N. Y.
Mrs. S. C. Dimmick, of Uniondale, Pa.,is a daughter of Black-
leach, Jr., and a grand-daughter of Rev. Blackleach Burritt.
37
Prudence Burritt, next to the youngest daughter of Rev.
Blackleach Burritt, born at Huntington, Nov. 2, 1782, mar-
ried in Oct. 1802, James Welles, son of Josiah, son of Heze-
kiah ; lived at Edmeston, Otsego County, N. Y., then at
Portage, Livingston County, N. Y., where he died Aug. 26,
1848, and she died March 13, 1852. A son, Delos C. Welles,
of Monticello, Minn., and two daughters, Mrs. Semantha Wil-
cox, and Mrs. L. C. Britain, of Sodus, N. Y., still survive.
Samuel Burritt, the youngest son, born about 1784, was a
protege of Miss Susannah DeLancey, who seems to have cared
for him after the death of his mother, in 1786. He studied
law, for a time acted as agent for a part of the DeLancey
estate, and died in the city of New York in 1820, leaving two
children who died unmarried.
Susannah Burritt, was born at Red Mills, modern Mahopac
Falls, Putnan County, N. Y., March 5, 1786, just six weeks
before her mother's death. Believing her illness to be fatal,
it is said that Mrs. Burritt sent for Miss Susannah DeLancey,
the unmarried daughter of Lieutenant-Governor DeLancey,
who lived at nearby Crompond, who despite powerful family
influence remained true to the cause of the Colonies, and was
a warm friend of the Burritt family. On her dying bed she
gave her infant daughter to Miss DeLancey's keeping, and
she was faithful to the trust. Bringing her up carefully as
her own child, she willed her a considerable estate, a farm
of 129 acres in Yorktown, Westchester County, N. Y., and all.
her personal estate, including a Negro Slave, “Hannah.” Sus-
annah Burritt, named after her benefactress, married Elijah
Fowler, in 1804, who died in 1812, leaving two sons, one of
whom, Samuel Burritt Fowler, now resides at Putnam Valley,
Putnam County, N. Y. She married second, Charles Adams,
Dec. 1821, and had a daughter Charlotte, born in 1823, who
married George W. Seeley, and resides at Lansing, Mich.
Mrs. Susannah Burritt Adams, died at Bristol, Ind., Sept. 19,
1881, in her ninety-sixth year, the oldest as well as the young-
est of her mother's twelve children.
Deborah Burritt, the first child by the second marriage,
38
must have been born as early as 1791, as her father makes
mention of her in that year. She was taken to Sherburne
soon after her father's death, there married Milo Hatch,
and died Oct. 11, 1854. Had four sons, of whom three sur-
vive; Wells Burritt Hatch, of Syracuse, N. Y., Watson A., of
Loyd, Wis., and Albert R. Hatch, of Greeley, Col.
In regard to the youngest child and son of Rev. Black-
leach Burritt, the following is copied from the old Church
records, of Winhall, Vt. : “March the 3d, A. D., 1793, was bap-
tized Selah Wells, the son of the Rev. Mr. Blackleach, and
Deborah Burritt.” The following inscription from the me-
morial stone at his grave in Sherburne, N. Y., shows how he
was cut down while yet in the bloom of youth :
“Selah Wells Burritt, youngest son of Rev. Blackleach
Burritt, and only son of Deborah Burritt, died Nov. 19th,
in the 18th year of his age.”
“Insatiate Archer, could'st thou not spare to riper age the virtuous
youth,
The widow's only hope, the staff of her declining years ?”
In view of his widowed mother's helplessness, in her old
age this seems an almost prophetic as well as sad lament.
This interesting group of Bev. Blackleach Burritt's descend-
ants of fourteen children and sixty grand-children, fourteen
of the latter of whom still survive, might well form the theme
of an interesting paper, but must be passed by without fur-
ther notice here. He certainly had prolific posterity as well
as a virile ancestry.
But to return to his father, Peleg Burritt, Jr. : It is said
that within a reasonable time after the death of Peleg's
first wife, his mother made a quilting party, to which she in-
vited all the eligible young people of the neighborhood, and
among them, Deborah Beardslee. She recommended Deborah
as the most sensible of the girls; and Peleg took her for his
second wife. The marriage took place at Tipton Parish, “on
the evening of Thanksgiving Day,” as the record says, in 1746.
She was born at Stratford, Feb. 1, 1726, and was the great.
granddaughter of Richard Booth and Elizabeth Hawley his
wife, of Stratford as early as 1640.
39
Peleg Burritt, Jr., took the Freeman's oath April 13, 1741;
is mentioned as Peleg Burritt, Junior, several times from
1752 to 1761, in the Society records of Ripton. At a meet-
ing held at his house Dec. 6, 1752, he was chosen Clerk,
and sworn for the year ensuing. Was also Clerk in 1753-4.
In 1773-4, he is said to have joined the Connecticut Colony
in the Wyoming Valley, taking up his residence in the town-
ship of Hanover, now in Luzerne County, Pa.
“Hanover Green " was laid out in old New England style
containing an open court or green, flanked on two sides by
the homes of two of the children of Captain Peleg Burritt,
Stephen and Sarah, each with its symmetrical front yard,
garden, orchard, &c., while the green was open to the street
at the front, and occupied at the rear by a Church, back of
which was a Cemetery. The whole establishment was laid
out by the Burritt family; whether by Captain Peleg
Burritt or his son Stephen, is not known. But all this hap-
py scene was broken in upon by the terrible tragedy of the
Wyoming Massacre, which occurred the 3d day of July,
1778, and in which Cyprian Hibbard, a son-in-law of Peleg
Burritt, husband of his daughter Sarah, was killed. Although
Mr. Burritt was not in the Wyoming Valley at the date of the
battle, his wife Deborah, was there, and rendered efficient
aid during the escape of the fugitives. It is related that
all the books and papers belonging to the Burritt's were
hastily thrown into a bag, as the result of the battle became
known, and that inasmuch as the first thought was to escape
by way of the river to Shamokin, the bag was hastily thrown
into a boat in which some of the refugees did so make their
escape, and thus went down the river without anyone to
care for it; since the Burritt's changed their plan, and es-
caped, with many others, to the east, over the mountains,
to the Delaware river. The important consignment was after-
wards traced as far as Shamokin or Northumberland, but after
that was lost sight of. And thus were lost the only records
and papers of this branch of the Burritt family, brought
from their early home in Connecticut.
It is related that Mrs. Burritt, on the hasty retreat, had
40
the forethought to throw upon her horse a bag of flour; and
that was the sole sustenance of a considerable party, on their
flight to the Delaware. On camping at night, or halting for
refreshment, she would form the meal into a cup shape in the
mouth of the bag, and pouring in water, would mix up the
meal into dough, and bake it upon the coals. It is impossible
now to find out who formed the Burritt contingent in this
retreat. Mrs. B.'s husband is supposed to have been at the
time absent, probably in Connecticut. It is fair to presume
that all of their children may have been present in the valley
at the time, yet one or more of them may have been with their
father in Connecticut.
The following is a partial list of the descendants of Peleg
Burritt, Jr., by his second marriage :
Gideon, unmarried, died in Hanover township, Luzerne
County, Pa.
Sarah, born Nov. 19, 1750; married first Cyprian Hibbard,
Jan., 1775; second, Matthias Hollenback, who was an officer
in the Battle of Wyoming, and escaped from the massacre by
swimming the river. He was entitled Colonel Hollenback.
Sarah Burritt, had by her first husband, Hannah D., born
June 18, 1788; being thus fifteen days old at the time of the
battle and massacre of Wyoming, in which her father,
(Cyprian Hibbard), was killed. She married John Alexander
and had three children.
Thomas, died in infancy.
Sarah, died in infancy.
William H. Alexander, married Caroline Ulp ; Miss E. I.
Alexander of Wilksbarre, is of one their six children.
Sarah Burritt had by her second husband, Judge Matthias
Hollenback:
1. Mary Ann, married Laning ; three sons and three daugh-
ters. One of her grand-children was Mrs. Anthony J. Drexel,
of Philadelphia.
2. Ellen J., born Jan. 21, 1788; married Charles F. Welles,
born at Glastonbury, Conn., 1789, son of John Welles, of
Glastonbury, born 1756; son of John, born 1729; son of
Thomas, born 1693; son of Captain Samuel, born at Wethers-
41
field, 1660; son of Samuel, born in England, 1630; son of
Governor Thomas Welles. There were nine children by this
marriage, of whom Rev. H. H. Welles, graduate of Princeton,
'44, of Kingston, Pa, and Edward Welles, Esq., of Wilkes-
Barre, are two of the six surviving. -
3. Sarah Hollenback, married first Jacob Cist; second,
Chester Butler; seven children.
4. George M. Hollenback, Wilkes-Barre, born Aug. 11, 1791,
married twice, and died Nov., 1866; no children.
Mr. Charles F. Welles was a man of large property in coal
lands.
Stephen Burritt, son of Peleg, Jr., married a Miss Keeler,
and had Joel, who married Ruth, and had numerous descend-
ants, including a grand-son Joel, now of White Haven, Pa.
Also Stephen, had a son Stephen, Jr., who may have had de-
scendants, and a daughter Polly, who married a Mr. Dilley,
and was the mother of Rev. Alex. B. Dilley, of Florida.
Mary, the youngest daughter of Peleg Burritt, Jr., was
twice married but left no children. Captain Peleg Burritt, as
he was sometimes called, died at Hanover Green, Pa., April
10, 1789, and his widow, Deborah, at the same place, Aug. 7,
1802.
Characterization of Rev. Blackleach Burritt is not wanting.
He is said to have been a little visionary and unpractical, but
very pious and devoted. He was strong and earnest in de-
bate, and as evidence of his controversial powers, it is related
of him, that meeting a brother minister one evening on the
highway, and getting into a discussion-with him on some
theological, doctrinal point, they continued there, sitting on
horseback, until the dawn of the next morning ! He pos-
sessed wonderful physical strength and agility, and at Col-
lege was noted for such feats. As a preacher, he was dis-
tinguished for readiness and a love of argument. He
preached a great deal extemporaneously, and would some-
times take a text handed to him, as he went into the pulpit,
and preach from it without any previous preparation. He
was a very thoughtful man, a student; but so occupied with
his reflections, and the study of life and immortality, as to be
42
almost indifferent to ordinary mundane matters. It is
said that with his other gifts he had a glorious voice for sing-
ing, and that it almost carried one away to hear him in some
of the grand old anthems. -
The following, extracts from a letter of Rev. Blackleach
Burritt to his sister, Mrs. Sarah Hollenback, wife of Colonel
Matthias Hollenback, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., now in the posses-
sion of Miss E. I. Alexander, of that place, and the only letter
of his known to be in existence, is a striking self character-
ization: -
Duanes Borough, N. Y., December 28. A. D. 1791.
DEAR SISTER : Your Relations in this Place are generally in good
Health, except myself who for a length of Time have been more fee-
ble & Disordered than usual. . . Stiles Wells has lately Returned
from Huntington (alias Ripton), & informs (me) that our Friend(s) are
in good Health there. . . Brother Hubbell & Sister were well last
Spring, Since which Time I have not heard from them. . . I know
not but you are ready to Imagine I am forgetful of you & my Mother
& Brethren in Wyoming, as I have not Wrote to any of them, since I
Received your Kind Letter Informing me of the Death of Father,
which was the First Certain Intelligence I obtained of his Death.
“Our Fathers, where are they 2 and the Prophets, do they live for-
ever ?” We are hastening to follow them; a few more Revolving
Suns brings us to the concluding Scene of all Earthly Joys & Sorrows;
we momentarily hasten to the House appointed for all the Living.
I am not unmindful of you, & my Relations so remarkably Scattered
from Each other, as I am almost Daily praying for them, in my Fam-
ily, & many Times conversing of you & them; but it is Rare that we
have any opportunity of Conveying Letters from this Quarter of the
Country to where you Dwell. I desire to embrace every opportunity
of Writing to you in my Power, & wish you & my Friends near you
would Do the Same in letting us hear from them. I greatly wish to
hear of the State of Religion in Wyomen in General, where Discord
hath so greatly abounded in years past, & whether they obtain Regular
Presbyterian or congregational Settled Ministers in the towns in gen-
eral, what Success there is of the Preaching of the Gospel in your Part
of the Country, as there is but little visible good Effect of the Preach-
ing of the Gospel in general in the Northern Part of this State. —
Real Godliness is the All Important Concern, without which nothing
will Serve our Turn in the Hour of Death, or in the future Judgment,
to which we are swiftly Hastening. Temporal Prosperity, & External
Privileges, while Zion languishes, and the Interest of that glorious
Kingdom that will finally brake in peaces all the Kingdoms that have
43
opposed it, & Stand forever, is visibly Discarded among us in our Part
of the land, but little Satisfies. – I am greatly concerned for my
Friends at Turns, least Prosperity, or the love of it, should Drown
them in Destruction & perdition. Prosperity is generally far more
Dangerous than Adversity to Christians in Every Age: but why should
I fear? Since Zion's Glorious King Reigns in wisdom, Righteousness
& Goodness, & is ever Accomplishing the noblest Ends by the wisest
& Best of ALL possible Means. We may fear for them, in a partial
View; tho' in the most large & Extensive View, there is the utmost
Reason of Rejoicing in the Absolute perfection of the Divine Govern-
ment, or Disposal of Events in Providence,—
Perhaps you may have an opportunity of Writing to me by Mr.
John Gray, the young Man who is the Bearer hereof, a Neighbor of
mine, on his Return to Duanesborough.- Pray give my Dutiful Re-
gards to Mother, & let her know I often think of her in her lonely cou-
dition; my youngest Child is of her Name.— Give my love (if you
Please,) to All My Breathren & yrs. and my unknown Brother will
have a share among the Rest. The Bearer is waiting, I must Subscribe
myself, Your Effectionate Brother,

It has been stated that his grave at Winhall was unmarked.
It should be added in explanation that several years since a
sum was contributed to furnish a stone for that purpose, but
by some misdirection it was placed at Manchester, eight miles
away over the Green Mountains, on the plot of one of his de-
scendants there. The following is the inscription upon it:
REW. BLACKLEACH BURRITT,
Born at Stratford, Ct., 17—,
Died at Winhall, Vt., 1794.
“An earnest Minister of the Gospel, a learned and upright man,
His spotless memory is piously cherished by his descendants.”
A son of Fairfield County and of your own Stratford, he
well deserves a place in your annals, and is worthy to be held
in honored remembrance by his kindred and descendants
NotE.—Acknowledgement is made for kindly aid in the preparation of this paper,
to Rev. Samuel Orcutt, the Historian of Stratford; to R. B. Lacey, Esq., President of
the Fairfield County Historical Society; Rev. W. J. Cumming, of Yorktown, N.Y.:
Edward Welles, Esq., of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Mrs. Col. Loren Burritt, of Owego, N.Y.;
Mrs. D. E. Sackett, Cranford, N. J.; Mrs. C. D. Mosher, Albany, N. Y., and many
others. M. D. R.
44
MILLS MEMO FAN DA.
Rev. Samuel Mills, son of Rev. Jedediah Mills, and class-
mate of Rev. Mr. Burritt, referred to in the foregoing pages,
as of Bedford, Westchester County, from 1769, having been
ordained as pastor of the Church there, Dec. 13, of that year,
remained there until by the stress of the Revolution he was
obliged in 1779, to remove to Fredricksburg, North Society,
now Patterson, Putnam County, and did not return to Bed-
ford after the close of the war, though strongly urged to do
so. In 1789 he became an Ana-Baptist, and so severed his
relations with the Dutchess County Presbytery. He soon
after removed to the Geneseo country, locating at Williams-
burg, between Geneseo and Mt. Morris. He was a pioneer
preacher in that region, and his memory was long cherished
in that locality, for his worth and devoted piety. He died in
1813, and was buried in the Geneseo cemetery. His widow,
second wife, was a sister of Colonel Daniel Humphrey, an
aides-de-camp of Washington. He left four sons, viz: Alex-
ander, Lewis F., Philo and William Augustus Mills, the latter
of whom born in Bedford, May 27, 1777, located at Mt.
Morris, Livingston County, N. Y. Was Major-General in the
War of 1812-15, Supervisor twenty years, a man of great en-
terprise, a large landed proprietor and active member of the
Presbyterian Church, died April 6, 1844. He had ten chil-
dren, of whom Myron Holly Mills, born Dec. 8, 1820, re-
sides at Mt. Morris, N. Y. He graduated at the Geneva
Medical College in 1844, was Assistant Surgeon U. S. Army
in the Mexican war; was in practice at Rochester from 1850
to 1870, was one of the founders of the Livingston County
Historical Society, President of the Board of Education and
of the Mills Water Works, author of a series of articles on
Indian History, has delivered many addresses, lectures, &c.,
and held various positions of honor and trust. Another
son, Rev. Samuel J. Mills, of Nevada, Iowa, graduated at
Yale in 1837, was for a time engaged in practice of the law,
and has been engaged in the ministry since 1859.
ADDITIONAL DATA.
Ira Nichols Burritt, son of Samuel Burritt and grandson of
Blackleach Burritt, Jr., as appears on page 36, enlisted as a
private on the first call for volunteers in the war for the
Union; was at Gettysburg, in the Battle of the Wilderness,
and in front of Petersburgh, was severely wounded, promot-
ed to Captain, and served until the close of the war. He
then lived at Washington, D. C., married Miss Elizabeth
Nicholson. and had three sons and two daughters. Was edi-
tor and publisher of the Sunday Herald; was highly respect-
ed; died from the effects of his wounds.
Alice Burritt, sister of above, whose name should have ap-
peared on page 36, is the eldest daughter of Samuel Burritt
and Amanda Nichols his wife. She studied medicine, gradu-
ated in New York, has practiced very successfully for
thirteen years in Oakland, California. and has been vice-
president of the Medical Association of that state.
The widow of Samuel Burritt, and mother of the above,
still survives at Uniondale, Pa. Her father was Eli Nichols,
son of Philo, and he son of James, all of the noted family of
Nichols, early of Stratford, Fairfield County, Conn.
The above would have appeared in its proper place had the
desired data been furnished in time.
THE PILGRIM FATHERS
AND
What They Wrought.
BY
REW. CHAS. RAY PALMER, D. D.
READ BEFORE THE
Fairfield County Historical Society.
Bridgeport, March 1 1, 1892.
THE PILGRIM FATHERS
* And what they Wrought.
An inquirer after the beginnings of the colonization of
America will have his attention directed, first, to a French
Colony at Port Royal in 1562, very soon broken up; then to
another on the banks of the St. John's River, in Florida, de-
stroyed by the Spaniards, in 1565, and then to the founding
of St. Augustine, by the latter, in the same year. This town
claims the distinction of being the first permanent settlement
by Europeans within what is now the territory of the United
States. It needs hardly to be said, however, that its relation
to the evolution of the great Republic is entirely insignifi-
cant. The next beginning, an inquirer will observe, is the
Roanoke Colony, in 1585, the earliest English attempt at a
settlement. In a very few years not a trace of this could be
found. On May 13, 1607, Jamestown was selected as the
site of a new English Colony, and this date is chosen as the
beginning of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The ruin of an
old church tower and some graves, upon an island, are the
only remains of this beginning, and the real life of Virginia
dates twelve years later, with the coming of Sir George
Yeardley in April, 1619, up to which date, the would be Col-
onists “repeatedly suffered an extremity of distress too hor-
rible to be described,” and were more than once on the verge
of extinction. In August of that same year, a Dutch vessel
entered the James River, and offered for sale twenty Negroes.
The trade thus inaugurated supplied to a Colony of planters
the element of labor ; and so began that type of social
life which become characteristic of the Southern States of
this Union. The next beginning was that made at Plymouth,
in 1620; the next that of the Dutch at Albany, in 1623;
the next, the settlement on the Piscataqua, also in 1623, and
the next that of the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay, in 1629.
The Great Republic is little more Dutch than Spanish,
46
Practically it is true to say that the settlement which deter-
mined the future of America, were the English Colonies, and
that the successful inauguration of these lay within the years
from 1619 to 1630. Confining our attention to these a dif-
ference appears at once between the Southern Colony and the
two New England Colonies. Mr. Bancroft lucidly sets forth
the fundamental principle of this difference thus: “Unlike
Massachusetts, Virginia was a continuation of English society.
The first Colonists were not fugitives from persecution; they
came rather under the auspices of the nobility, the Church,
and the mercantile interests of England; they brought with
them an attachment to Monarchy, a deep reverence for the
Anglican Church, a love for England and English institu-
tions. Their minds had never been disciplined into an an-
tipathy to feudalism, their creed had never been shaken by
the progress of skepticism; no new ideas of natural rights
had as yet inclined them to “faction.” The Anglican Church
was therefore without repugnance, sanctioned as the religion
of the State; and a religion established by law always favors
aristocracy, for it seeks support not in conviction but in
vested rights.” “The germs of an aristocracy existed (from
the beginning) and there was a tendency towards obtaining
for it the sanction of colonial legislation.” “The aristocracy
of Virginia was from its origin, exclusively a landed aristoc-
racy.” “The power of the rising aristocracy was increased
by the deplorable want of the means of education.” “The
mass of the rising generation could receive little culture.”
The direction of affairs necessarily fell into the hands of the
few. Moreover, “many of the Plebeian class had reached the
shores of Virginia as servants,” “some of them, even were
convicts.” “The division of society into two classes became
strongly marked, in a degree unequalled in any Northern
Colony, and unmitigated by any public care for education.
The system of common schools was unknown.”
In this Anglican aristocratic formation, then, we see the
characteristic type of society as it developed from its South-
ern focus. I need not tarry to emphasize how differently
New England ultimately developed, nor that the root of the
47
difference lay in the fact that its settlers were fugitives from
persecution; planted Churches that were not subject to the
Archbishop of Canterbury, and would not be ; organized so-
ciety on more Democratic principles; were solicitous for pub-
lic education, had free schools and free presses abundant,
and how after an irrepressible conflict between the two types
of civilization, thus originated, it is the more sturdy and
complex Northern type which has become dominant upon the
continent.
While this unlikeness of Virginia and Massachusetts has
been generally understood, it has not always been as well
understood that in the formation of Massachusetts herself,
there were originally two very unlike elements. About two
hundred and fifty years ago, the four New England Colonies,
Plymouth, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut.
were confederated. Two hundred years ago the Plymouth
Colony ceased to be, swallowed up in its younger sister of
the Bay. In time there came about a forgetfulness how un-
like in their early history and development, the Colonies thus
united had been. In fact, they were almost as unlike each
other, as either of them was unlike Virginia. Of course such
historians as Mr. Bancroft, and Mr. Palfrey do not fail to set
forth this difference as it was, but in the popular apprehen-
sion of the facts, and especially upon the other side of the
sea, it has been largely ignored. The late Benjamin Scott,
for the last thirty-four years the Chamberlain of London,
delivered in January, 1866, and afterwards published in a
pamphlet, a lecture before the Friends' Institute in London,
entitled “The Pilgrim Fathers Neither Puritans nor Perse-
cutors,” in which he labored to overcome the obtuseness of
his countrymen in this particular. He republished his pam-
phlet last autumn, complaining in his preface that its testi-
mony was still needful. He put upon the cover the follow-
ing quotation from Dr. Waddington. “The ignorance still
existing on this subject is almost incredible. We find men
of education who seem to have no exact information respect-
ing the origin of the Pilgrim Fathers. Quarterly Reviewers,
Members of Parliament, Christian Divines, and Ecclesiastical
48
Historians, speak of them with the same complacent disre-
gard of facts. This is discouraging, but nothing is gained
by yielding to prejudice, learned or illiterate, and the only
remedy is more light !”
I am not assuming in coming before you to-night that the
Fairfield County Historical Society is in especial need of in-
struction in the line of Mr. Chamberlain Scott's contention,
but in response to a request, I shall emphasize somewhat the
independence of the current of influence traceable to the
Plymouth Fathers, and indicate some points of difference be-
tween them and the men of Massachusetts Bay.
Puritanism properly denominates a movement within the
Church of England. Its era is John Hooper's “scrupling the
vestments,” and refusing to take the oath of supremacy, until
Ring Edward VI, had run his pen through a part of it, in
1550. Cartright became its first great leader. It drew in-
spiration from Geneva. It was a grand movement in respect
of its moral earnestness, and its contributions to the history
of the English people. But this is not my subject to-night.
The Pilgrim Fathers did not become exiles from England be-
cause they were Puritans, but because they were something
else—something obnoxious to the Puritans, and their oppon-
ents alike—Separatists from the National Church of England,
for conscience's sake. There were Separatists in England as
early as 1562, but the era of the movement generally recog-
nized is 1582, the publication of the book in which Robert
Browne evolved from the New Testament, as he believed,
what was essentially the Democratic system of Church polity.
Browne relapsed, and died in the communion of the Church
of England. But the principles he had enunciated were
further developed under other and stouter-hearted leaders.
Barrowe, Greenwood, (condemned to death March 23, 1592,)
and Penry became the martyrs of the cause and John Robin-
son the great representative leader, “The Gospel,” said Mar-
tin Luther in 1524, “is every man's right, and it is not to be
endured that any one should be kept therefrom. But the
Evangel is an open doctrine ; it is bound to no place, and
moves along freely under Heaven, like the star which
49
ran in the sky to show the wizards from the East where
Christ was born. Do not dispute with the Princes for place.
Let the community choose their own pastor, and support him
out of their own estates. If the Prince will not suffer it, let
the pastor flee into another land and let those go with
him who will, as Christ teaches.” This obiter dictum of
Luther, indicated the course which in the beginning of
the next century, the Separatists of England were con-
strained to take. It was as a self-originated community,
which had chosen its own pastor, and for liberty had fled into
another land, that the Pilgrim Fathers wrought their part in
the colonization of America. "“Without any warrant from
the Sovereign of England, without any useful charter from a
corporate body,” without any ecclesiastical head but one of
their own choosing, without any civil head at all, they set
sail for a new world. They left Leyden in canal boats on
July 21, to take ship at Delftshaven, about fourteen miles
south, on the Maas. The vessel was the “Speedwell,” Rey-
nolds master, of sixty tons burthen, which had been pur.
chased and fitted in Holland, and was to remain with the
Colonists in their new home. They embarked the day fol.
lowing, and made a prosperous run to Southampton, where
awaited them the “Mayflower,” Jones, Master, a chartered
ship of 180 tons, which had come thither from London.
After some readjustment of passengers and lading, the two
ships sailed together Aug. 15. Leaks in the Speedwell, or as
the Pilgrim leaders thought, in the courage of its master,
compelled them to put back to Dartmouth for repairs. A
second outset proved equally unsuccessful, they put into
Plymouth, the Speedwell was abandoned, and the expedition
was consolidated with some losses, into the Mayflower. She
finally sailed from Plymouth Sept. 16. By this loss of six
weeks time, they were subjected to heavy charges, and to the
misery of their arrival in winter. Rough and weary was the
voyage, but it ended at last. On Nov. 19, they sighted Cape
Cod. On the 21st in Provincetown Harbor, they signed their
compact of civil government, and chose Carver Governor, and
*Bancroft.
50
one month later, Monday, Dec. 21, they landed upon Ply-
mouth Rock, and the history of the Plymouth Colony began.
This was the vanguard of the Leyden Church, future migra-
tions brought the rest in installments, and accessions from
England as well, some desirable, some by no means so. It
was the pioneers, however, who gave its character to the
settlement, and moulded its destinies. Of these, at the date
of the landing, Brewster was a man between fifty-five and
sixty, Allerton was thirty-seven, Standish was in his thirty-
sixth year, Bradford in his thirty-second, Carver was thirty,
Dr. Fuller about that and Winslow twenty-five. These were
the real beginners of New England, and a remarkable group
they were. They had all been in Leyden, though not all had
been in the original Scrooby Church. Indeed, Standish nev-
er joined the Church at all. But they were one in their
counsel, and their work. “Let it not be grievous to you,” it
was written to them from England, “Let it not be grievous
to you, that you have been instruments to break the ice for
others. The honor shall be yours to the world's end.” Yes,
the honor is theirs forever !
Now as to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The transporta-
tion of the Pilgrim Fathers from Leyden to New England, was
of course an operation which had its business aspect. The
financial burden of it had to be assumed like any other busi-
ness operation, by competent parties. It was assumed by
certain parties in London, who became partners in the under-
taking, and bound the Emigrants by an agreement with them
through which they expected to derive a share in the ultimate
profits of the settlement. The relation of these Adventurers,
as they were styled, to the enterprise was wholly a commer-
cial one, yet naturally gave them not a little power to influ-
ence the development of it. Some of these gentlemen were
Puritans, who disrelished the fact that the Mayflower compa-
ny were Separatists, from the first, and as time went on, in-
creasingly so. When the Colony was an accomplished fact,
they desired, and intrigued, to capture it, find bring it under
Puritan control. They made repeated attempts in this direc-
tion. They sent out Emigrants not in sympathy with the
51
pilgrims. They prevented J ohn Robinson from joining the
Colony. They sent out with their endorsement, a minister
of their own selection, John Lyford, through whom they
hoped to counter-work Robinson's influence, and carry their
point. This was in 1624. The endeavor collapsed through
the caution of the Church, and through the break-down of
the moral character of the emissary. At length the Puritan
Adventurers withdrew their coöperation, and the company
broke up, and the Pilgrims finally bought out their London
partners. But the success of the Plymouth Colony, and their
persistent adherence to their Separatist principles led to the
projection of another Colony, one that should be of the right
sort, a Puritan Colony out and out. The times were favor-
able for the enterprise. The Stuarts' tyranny was making
many men in England ready for a migration, and thus the
affair took shape, and it prospered. A charter was ob-
tained for “the Governor and Company of Massachusetts
Bay,” many men of character and substance identified them-
selves with it, and thus came about the settlement of Naum-
keag, or Salem as it is now called, and the great Puritan
exodus which laid the foundation of the State of Massachus-
etts. I have nothing to say about the promoters of this
movement to-night, except to emphasize that they were
Puritans, resolutely determined to keep themselves beyond
the reproach of Separation from the National Church of
England. They came with a Royal charter, a body politic in
virtue of that fact. They were careful to Organize their
Church by the authority of the government they had set up.
They were careful to maintain the legal fiction of their Na-
tionalism, even when they were resolved to practice “the
positive part of Church reformation,” as they said. which
they had been forbidden to do in England. The Plymouth
people looked on with some amusement, but cordially ten-
dered to the new Church the right hand of fellowship. The
antipathy of Puritan to Separatist in England had been very
bitter. On this side of the Sea such an antipathy could not
be maintained. There was nothing to feed it. John Robin-
son had ventured upon a prediction. “There will be no dif-
52
ference” he said, “between the conformable ministers and
you, when they come to the practice of the ordinances out of
the Kingdom of England.” His words proved true, although
he did not live to see the day. But the fact is not altered
that at the outset, while the Plymouth men held on their
way, the Bay Colonists made their own way, and exhibited
both the excellences and the narrowness of their Puritan
principles. They established an aristocracy, as truly as did
the Virginia Colony, but it rested on a different basis. The
suffrage was restricted to Church members. It was intended
that only Christian men should be entrusted with power.
The purpose was good, but it proved impracticable. In due
course Democracy supplanted it, in effect the Plymouth De-
mocracy. All I wish to emphasize is the difference at the
start. The Puritans came in greater numbers, their Colony
outran the Plymouth Colony in political importance, and after
one and seventy years absorbed it. But the Pilgrims were
the pioneers, their point of departure from the Old World
life was distinct, and the ideas which they brought with them
and the institutions they inaugurated, time proved to be the
more sagacious, the more liberal, the more enduring, the more
expansive. Although their Colony became ultimately a town
in Massachusetts, the Pilgrims' polity and the Pilgrims' pol-
icy proved to have in them the greater vitality and the great-
er adaptability, and supplanted in American life the narrower
notions of the later comers. In this fact, as well as in their
ten years' priority, lies the Pilgrims' claim to be the real
founders of this Republic, and the fact becomes more and
more clearly seen. That was correctly said which is written
of them, “in pursuit of religious freedom, they established
civil liberty, and meaning only to found a church, gave birth
to a nation, and ºn settling a town commenced an empire.”
This must be their everlasting distinction.
Nor was it an accident. They did what they had been
carefully prepared to do. Deep and solid foundations had
been laid in the character and the convictions of the Pilgrim
Fathers, upon which were to be builded not alone the super-
structure of their own personal lives and fortunes in a new

53
country, but of a social fabric in many particulars a far ad-
vance upon any ideals men had as yet attempted to realize.
Very remarkable were their religious and their political aspir-
ations, very thoroughly matured their plans; and both these
were the ripe result of a special and a varied experience.
They had suffered oppression until they became possessed by
a burning desire of liberty. They had made sacrifices to
their conscientious convictions of truth and duty, until those
convictions were endeared to them beyond all price. They
had become used to hardships and difficulties through a
long exile, and had waxed strong of heart and of will in the
process. They had been agriculturists in one land, and arti-
zans and tradesmen in another, and in both had been indus-
trious and frugal, and had lived beyond reproach. They had
become firmly bound together by ties of brotherhood and of
mutual obligation, and were profoundly impressed with the
necessity of unity and order. They had been for half a gen-
eration instructed, counselled, educated by a pastor of a large
mind, a large heart, a liberal spirit, a wide culture, wonder-
ful force of character and strength of purpose, until they
were men of spiritual enlightenment, and of faith that no
misgivings could weaken, no perils could daunt. They were
men not so much prompted to adventure by the desire of
personal advantage, as filled with the conviction that they
had a common service to render to their own generation, and
to coming generations, and to the Kingdom of Christ. With
good reasons may it be doubted if there ever was such a com-
pany of Colonists before or since, so wonderfully and vari-
ously prepared for the precise task to which they were called
in the Providence of God, or so conspicuously enabled of
God in the face of all difficulties, antagonisms and losses, to
persist unto its accomplishment.
Some of the contributions of these pioneers to American
civilization can never be forgotten by intelligent and patriotic
American citizens. “Government of the people for the peo-
ple by the people,” was Mr. Lincoln's apt description of De-
mocracy. Where did it originate? When and where did it
begin? History answers in the cabin of the Mayflower, on
54
p:
the 21st of Nov. 1520, when the Fathers made and signed
their compact combining themselves into a civil body. This
was done in accordance with the counsels and instructions
contained in John Robinson's farewell letter, and in face of
the manifest necessity of their situation. It is a most inter-
esting instrument, the first constitution of civil authority on
American soil, the first written constitution of civil authority
anywhere, resting government primarily and wholly upon the
consent and covenant of the governed ; the germ of the con-
stitution of this Republic, and the constitutions of its forty-
seven States. It is impossible to overstate the significance of
this great transaction to the future of the American people.
The Colony had no royal charter until long after, and the
charter when it came found it a self-complete society. Justly
does Mr. Bancroft declare the signing of the compact “the
birth-hour of popular constitutional liberty.” If in the eyes
of Kings and Cabinets, and great Municipal Corporations
that little organization in the cabin of the Mayflower would
have seemed a subject for mirth, time has revealed that there
was in it solemnity enough to make it memorable while the
world stands; the beginning of what was to fill and master a
continent, and “shall never perish from the earth.”
In another aspect the little Colony at Plymouth was most
noteworthy. There was to be seen for the first time just that
relation between Church and State which exists in this Re-
public to-day, by virtue of its constitution. There was a free
Church and a free State. “There was no identification of
the one with the other ; no subjection of either, in its own
sphere. There was a free Church dependant upon the State
for nothing but protection; a free State in which the Church
had no control otherwise than through its legitimate influ-
ence in quickening and enlightening the moral sense of the
people,” Theoretically they were a detachment of the Church
in Leyden, in charge of an Elder of that Church, who was a
layman. Practically, as they were authorized to receive new
members, and elect new officers, they were what afterwards
they became, the Church in Plymouth. Theoretically and
*Dr. L. Bacon.
55
practically, they were a body politic, a civil society in Ply-
mouth, with Carver or his successor, as their magistrate.
The constituents were not identical, but of course the most
of the men were members of the Church and of the State,
but it was in the clear and definite apprehension that in the
one relation their head was Christ, and in the other their head
was King James, and between the two relations there was a
coordination, but a mutual independence. Nor was this a
legal fiction, but a reality. This idea of the independence
and self-completeness of every body of believers, organized
of its own impulse, and by its own act ; the idea that such a
body is a true church, and as such is responsible to Christ
alone, this largest conception of the inherent rights of be-
lievers, and the sovereignty of the individual conscience;
this conception taking shape in the freest, and by consequence
the most Catholic of all types of Christian communion, was
unmistakably the ruling idea of the Mayflower men. It was
that idea to which under Robinson's guidance they had suf-
fered, and thought and felt their way. And it is this Demo-
cratic Congregationalism of the Plymouth men which has
survived and has been perpetuated, and not the aristocratic
Congregationalism of the Puritans of the Bay. The measure
of the influence which this conception of the Church exerted
over the Plymouth men is seen in their superior tolerance.
After the Puritan Church was organized at Salem, two heads
of families protested against the departure from English
usage upon which the Church had resolved. They were
loyal members of the Church of England, and they preferred
to adhere to the Prayer-book. They had their choice given
them, of conforming to the Church in the Colony or return-
ing to England. They declined to conform and they were
sent back. That was consistent with Puritan, principles, but
it could not have happened at Plymouth. I have said that
Standish never was a member of the Pilgrim Church. There
is some reason to believe that he was a Roman Catholic.
But he was the trusted and beloved military leader of the
Colony, none the less, and in all respects as free as any man.
Nor was he the only member of the Plymouth community not
56
connected with the Pilgrim Church. In rejoinder to a letter
in which it had been reported to them that their enemies said
they would have among them none but their own sort, they
officially pronounced the assertion false, and declared that
any honest men who would live peaceably and seek the com-
mon good were welcome there, and that there were many
among them, not members of their Church whom they liked
well and of whose company they were glad. All they asked
was that themselves should not be oppressed in the place
whither they had come so far to find freedom. This liberal-
ity of the Plymouth men was abundantly shown toward Roger
Williams, and received ample acknowledgement by him in
his letters, as it has in later times by the historians of
Rhode Island.
This for example is what is said to this point by Arnold's
History of Rhode Island. “The spirit of Robinson appeared
to watch over his feeble flock on the coast of New England,
long after his body was mouldering beneath the Cathedral
Church at Leyden. Again their twelve year's residence in
Holland had brought the Pilgrims in contact with other
sects of Christians and given them a more Catholic spirit
than pertained to those whose stay in England had been
embittered by the strife of contending factions in the Estab-
lished Church. The records show, that as they were distinct
from the Puritans in England, and had been long separated
from them in Holland, so did they preserve that distinction
in America. The Pilgrims of Plymouth were more liberal in
feeling, and more tolerant in practice than the Puritans of
Massachusetts Bay.”
The appearance of the Quakers in New England was so
much later than the era of the Pilgrim Fathers—thirty-five
years after the Mayflower's coming—that it seems like an
anachronism to speak of the two together; but it remains
true that there never was any statute against Quakers in the
Plymouth Colony, and when in 1659, an effort was made to
have measures taken against them, by the Commissioners of
the United Colonies, Isaac Robinson, the son of Pastor John
Robinson, who was then one of the Commissioners on behalf
57
of the Plymonth Colony, refused, and was removed from his
office for befriending them. Cudworth, also, and Hatherly
—Plymouth Colony men—suffered the same deprivation, and
the former was deprived of his military rank, for the same
reason. “I told them,” he says, “that as I was no Quaker,
so I would be no persecutor.”
I submit that men who were tolerant of religious diversity
on principle, who were censured by their contemporaries for
being tolerant in practice, who were acquitted of any intoler-
ant spirit by such as were the special victims of intolerance
elsewhere, and who refused under severe pressure, to become
a party to intolerant measures originating elsewhere—it is
grossly unjust to brand with intolerance, because their Puri-
tan contemporaries were intolerant. It is about time to learn
to distinguish men who so widely differed So far as the
Pilgrim Fathers were concerned, it may be confidently af-
firmed that Mrs. Hemans' lines are literally true of them :
“They left unstained what there they found,
Freedom to worship God.”
The measure of the influence which the Democratic Con-
gregationalism of the Pilgrims has exerted in the development
of the religious life of America is by no means to be estimat-
ed from the number of Congregational Churches, or of Con-
gregationalists to be found in any denominational list. There
is no Church polity on this continet to-day—I do not except
from this remark the Roman Catholic—which is not modified
by the free American atmosphere in which it stands, and this
atmosphere you will not account for until you find that men
breathed it first in the little commonwealth which the Pil-
grims founded. Indeed, I seem to myself to recognize the
exhalation of it in the writings of John Robinson himself.
A Connecticut Poet whom some of us remember with ven-
eration, sings in lines with which we are all familiar:
“I laws, Freedom, Truth and Faith in God,
Came with those exiles o'er the Sea.”
About the “laws,” the “freedom,” and the “faith,” there
can be no question. If there be any rhetorical exaggeration
in saying truth was a passenger in the Mayflower, one thing
58
must be recognized as beyond a peradventure; there came
with the exiles a love of truth, a reverence for her sanctity,
and a delight in her pursuit, which became a permanent ele-
ment of the society they founded, and have persisted to a
wonderful degree in their descendants. I was extremely in-
terested some two years since in a study by Dr. H. M. Dexter
of the sworn inventory of Elder Brewster's library, which he
brought to light from the Colonial Records, and illustrated
with the wealth of his Bibliographical learning. It was most
interesting thus to get access to the intellectual life of this
leader of the Pilgrim Fathers, and get a glimpse of that with
which it was busied. One is surprised by the bulk of the
collection, by its richness for its times, and by the fact that
in only two years out of the twenty-three of Brewster's life
at Plymouth, did he fail to add to it some fresh importations
from England. The fact is set in the clearest light that this
man was in touch with the best thought and learning of his
age. He was but one of this Colony, but he was one, and
doubtless in some sense a representative One. The leaders of
the Pilgrims were unmistakably all of them men of intellect-
ual force, lovers of knowledge, and firm believers in educa-
tion. And in this respect one need claim no precedence for
them as compared with the men of the Bay. But they were
in no respect behind them either. They made their own
mark upon the intellectual life of New England. Is it an ac-
cident that their successors and representatives have been
recognized as among the intellectual leaders of their time?
It was said a few years ago of the Congregational denomina-
tion by one outside of it, that it was undoubtedly the fore.
most intellectual power on the Continent of America. The
president of a college presented to the Congregational Club
of Boston, a year or more ago, a paper entitled “The Denom-
ination which Educates.” This paper brought out the fact
that the Churches so described had been far in advance of
any others in the founding of educational institutions, and
had justified the claim on their behalf that they had been
preeminently the educators of the American people. They
have in these United States seven Theological Seminaries,
59
and between forty and fifty Colleges, they have established
an Academy or a Seminary for girls within easy reach of
every Church of their order in the land, and now maintain
eighty schools in the South and thirty-one in the far West.
In foreign lands these same American Congregationalists keep
up fourteen Theological Schools, sixty-six Colleges and High
Schools for boys, fifty-six similar institutions for girls, and
nearly nine hundred common schools. I need not speak in
the presence of this audience of the unequalled influence and
prestige of the great University in our own neighborhood,
nor of its origin in an Association of Congregational ministers.
But it is in point to say that the example of these far-sighted
founders of nearly two hundred years ago is still followed
with unflinching courage, and unhesitating self sacrifices in
every new State in which Congregational ministers find a
footing. A school in every district, a Church in every village,
and a College within reach, is still the motto of these pioneers
of Christian civilization. The old blood runs still, the old
aspirations burn still, the old and ever new hopes sustain
their advance. The sons of the Pilgrims and of the Puritans
of the Bay, cannot forget that their fathers loved learning,
and coveted for their descendants the facilities for acquiring
it, with a passion only surpassed by their love of liberty it.
self. I ask again, is this an accident, or is it the persistence
of a certain type of moral force 2
The most memorable and characteristic fact about the
Mayflower men is that they crossed the sea, and founded
their Colony, asserting the sacred right of a free society to
act for itself by the major vote, according to the light given
it, in things sacred and things secular, and in their own ex-
ercise of this right revealed a political sagacity and a religious
liberality which command the highest admiration. They
were in advance of their contemporaries, they showed the
path upon which their posterity have advanced into the larg-
est civil and religious liberty as yet enjoyed by mankind.
Beyond a question, it seems to me, they were the true begin-
ners of this magnificent Republic. -
Extraordinary sometimes is the contrast between the meas.
60
ures adopted by human wisdom and those chosen in the
counsels of God. The sailing of the invincible Armada from
the coast of Spain, in the end of May, 1588, for the conquest
of England, was an event most imposing. It was fitted out
by the greatest empire of the age. To the eyes of that day
the ships which composed it seemed enormous. The number
of them seemed immense. The preparations for this expedi-
tion had been costly, and the expectations concerning it were
vast. It set out in the midst of impressive religious ceremo-
nies. It was deemed sufficient not only easily to overwhelm
England, but to conquer the worid. Now that sort of enter-
prise would commend itself to human wisdom. That looked
like business. From such an endeavor men would anticipate
great results. But from the little vessel crowded to discom-
fort, which dropped out of the port of Plymouth in England,
on the 6th of Sept. 1620, for a voyage across the ocean to an
unknown wilderness, which they would reach in the depth of
winter, who would have anticipated any distinguished per-
formance 2 Who would have believed that in her went the
seeds of empire 2 How foolish would have seemed the pre-
diction that her passengers would accomplish a task vastly
more significant to mankind than any measure of state then
engaging the Cabinet of England or of Spain either But
the Armada in a few weeks met its fate in a disastrous over-
throw, which filled Spain with mourning, and became the
mockery of her foes; and the Mayflower brought to Plymouth
. Rock the Pilgrim Fathers, whose landing is commemorated
in the Palace of the British Parliament, and in the Capitol at
Washington, as one of the most memorable scenes of history,
and unmistakably was the most fruitful event of the seven-
teenth century. Verily the weakness which is of God is
stronger than the might which is of men.
Some of the Pilgrim Fathers lived to exult in what they
had wrought, or as they would piously have said, in what
God had wrought by them. But it is interesting to reflect
how little they imagined the actual measure of their work.
Far-sighted as they were, how impossible was it for them to
apprehend the dimensions unto which it has expanded al-
61
ready, not to speak of what the future shall reveal. “They
builded better than they knew,” yes, indeed, but they builded.
They “did the duty that they saw,” in magnanmity and her-
oism, and the issue has crowned their work. Men who have
never shown a thousandth part their moral earnestness, or
wrought a millionth part their service to mankind, find it easy
to gibe at them. Critics having with microscopic observa-
tion examined the record of their lives and labors, and found
them not in all respects correspondent with the highest ideals
of the last quarter of the nineteenth century, make haste to
decry them, and find the ears of the self-indulgent more than
ready to listen. But this surprises no one, and signifies
nothing. The world in the long run does justice to the men
of deeds. The men of quips and carping words are soon for-
gotten. The heroes of a great fight can easily endure the
mockery of carpet knights. And as generations pass, and
the centuries roll on, there stands out ever more clearly upon
the page of history the fact that among the mighty souls
lifted by God's grace, and guided by God's providence to
great and important services to the world's progress, and to
Christ's Kingdom on earth, the men of the Mayflower are en-
titled by what they dared and suffered, and wrought, and
founded, to rank among the largest minded, the bravest, the
noblest, the most worthy of remembrance. Within the past
year men have set up new memorials of them, among these a
monument on the spot their feet last trod in old Plymouth,
has been erected by that Municipality. Greener grows their
memory and fairer their fame. But after all, the best com-
memoration of them is the continuance in the life of the
American people of the spiritual forces which were generated
by their love of truth, their jealousy for freedom, their rev-
erence for law, their zeal in behalf of righteousness, their all
conquering faith in God. This is as they would have it.
Though long dead, they yet speak, to say to their posterity,
“Not unto us, not unto us, but unto God be all the glory!”
THE INSCEIPTIONS
IN THE
Cemetery at Easton, Conn.
NEAR THE BAPTIST CHURCH,
As Copied in May, 1892. by R. B. Lacey and Samuel Orcutt, for the
Historical Society.
Eli Adamns, Dicq Feb. 19, 1861, AE.
77.
Huldah, Wife of Eli Adams, Died
Dec. 29, 1862, Aged 70.
Pliza Adams, Died Dec. 26, 1862,
AE. 74 y’rs.
IFrank, Adams, Son of Andrew B.
and Caroline E. Lyon, Died Apr. 13,
1854, aged 7 mo.
George W. Adams, who died
Oct. 17, 1851, AE. 29 y's. 5 mo, & 6
ds.
John S. Adamns, Died March 7,
1875, AE. 58 y’rs & 6 mo's.
Mary H., Wife of J. Sherwood Ad-
ams, Died Dec. 11, 1890, Aged 48
years 4 mos.
Rest after weariness.
Crown after Cross.
Alice Alosia, Daughter of John S.
& Marietta S. Adams, Born Mar. 1,
1855, Died May 12, 1856.
Our loved ones are not Ollr OWIl.
Erected to the memory of
Doct. Gabriel Baldwin, who
died Sept. 1, 1825, aged 60 years.
Sarah, Relict of Dr. Gabriel Bald
win, Died June 9, 1852, AE. 84.
Died April 10, 1817
Mr. Jared Baldwin, in his 87th
yr.
John Baldwin died July 7, 1840,
AF. 73 y’rs. -
Matopni Brimsºn ade, wife of Jolin
Baldwin died Dec. 16, 1812, AE. 43
yrs.
Mariamma Whiting, Wife of
John Baldwin died Sept. 12, 1819,
AE. 42 yrs.
Louisa C., daughter of James &
Cornelia Baldwin Died Oct. 30, 1847.
AE. 4 y’rs & 2 mo.
Amma, daughter of Ezekiel B. O. &
Mary O. Banks, Died May 9, 1846,
AF. 34. -
Bradley Banks died June 16,1876,
Aged 53 years.
I'reddie, son of Arthur M. & Mary
A. Banks, Died May 7, 1878, AE. 4
y’rs 8 mo's & 2 D’s,
64
Gertie, Dau. of Arthur M. & Mary
A. Banks Died May 12, 1878, AE. 7
y’rs 4 mo's & 20 D’s.
They were lovely in life, and in death they
were not separated.
George N., Son of Munson & Al-
mira O. Banks died Jan. 25, 1849,
in his 19th y’r.
Henry B. Banks, Born May 5.
1836, Died March 29, 1886.
Jabez T. Banks Died August 13,
1885, AE. 69 y’rs 7 m's 8 d’s.
Farewell but not forever.
Susam, A., Wife of Jabez T. Banks
Died July 20, 1875, AE. 56 y'rs 7 m's
10 d’s.
Mother we miss thee.
Joseph T. Banks died July 11,
1860, AE. 20 y’rs 7 m's.
Gone but not forgotten.
Medad Bank's Died June 6, 1871,
Aged 83 y’rs 1 mo, & 10 Days.
Polly, widow of Medad Banks Died
July 10, 1879, Aged 86 y’rs 8 mo. &
6 Days.
In memory of
Medad, Son of Medad & Polly Banks
died Aug. 8, 1843, AE. 14 y’rs 1 mo.
.6 ds.
Dea. Morris Bam/cs Died May 12,
1881, AE. 65 y’rs 7 mo. -
His faith was an anchor to the Soul,
Father
Munson. O. Banks Died April 30,
1888, aged 81 y’rs.
In memory of
Nehemiah Bartow, who died May
24, 1822, AE. 56.
In memory of
Wal, Rebecca Ba?"tow, who died
April 4, 1847, AE. 80 y’rs.
Sarah A., Wife of Baldwin Beach
Died Aug. 22, 1886, AE. 69 y’rs 4
mo's.
Gone but not forgotten.
Sarah F., daughter of Baldwin &
Sally Ann Beach Died May 2, 1876,
AE. 23 y’rs 1mo.
Death came, thou art gone, alas how sad the
hour.
Burr, Son of Baldwin & Sally Ann
Beach Died March 31, 1877, AE 20
y’rs 1 mo.
God called our loved ones from earth, the
Will of the Lord be done.
Benjamin Beardslee Died May 4,
1832, AE. 54 y’rs & 3 mo.
Eleanor, his wife, died Nov. 14,
1861, AE. 72.
In memory of
Benjamin Beardsley who died
March 9, 1827, in his 88 year. *
In Memory of
Elizabeth Beardsley, wife of
Benjamin Beardsley who died Oct.
24, 1821, in the 80 year of her age.
In Memory of
IIannah, daughter of Benjamin
Beardsley who died Dec. 25, 1814,
AE. 44.
With joy she passed the dreary vale
To fairer worlds on high.
Joseph Beardsley Died Dec. 18,
1827 AE. 49 y’rs 10 mo. 15 d’s.
Eunice, His Wife, Died Jan. 1,
1878, AE. 87 y’rs 11 mo. 12 ds.
A mson Beers Died Aug. 16, 1886,
Aged 83 y’rs 10 mos.
Huldah, His Wife Died Feb. 1, 1853,
Aged 61 y’rs.
Andrew Beers Born Mar. 9, 1801,
Died Oct. 6, 1876.
65
Mary Wheeler, Wife of Andrew
Beers Born Jan. 30, 1800 Died Jan.,
31, 1889. º
Charles N., Son of Andrew & Mary
Beers died Jan. 21, 1832, aged 25
days.
Charity B. Beers Died March 26,
1885, Aged 79 y’rs 10 mo.
Eliza A., Wife of Benjamin T.
Beers Died June 27, 1872, AE. 44 y’rs
8 mo's & 25 days.
Safe at Home.
Sylvia J. daughter of Benjamin T.
& Sylvia Beers died Aug. 11, 1847.
AE. 1 y’r & 3 mo.
George B. Son of Benjamin T. &
Sylvia A. Beers died Mar. 13, 1853,
AEt. 8 m. 17 d’s.
Sylvia A., Daughter of Benjamin
T. & Sylvia A. Beers died Nov. 3,
1853, AE. 3 yrs 9 mo's.
Isaline, daughter of Benjamin T.
& Sylvia A. Beers died Jan. 13, 1857
AE. 9 mo's.
John W., Son of C. E. & E. A. Hub-
bell, step-son of B. T. Beers, Died
March 8, 1877, AE. 24 y’rs 10 mo's &
5 days.
Earth changed for Heaven.
Burton, M. Beer’s died Nov. 5,
1829, aged 33.
Eurvice, his wife died Jan. 11, 1860,
aged 63.
Francies L. Daughter of Aaron &
Sarah Beers Died Jan. 28, 1854,
Aged 15 Days.
But though thus early called to die
To leave this world of care
We feel that she is placed on high
A glorious crown to wear.
In Memory of
Isaac Beers who died Oct. 9, 1829,
aged 67 y’rs.
Also
Jennium a his wife died June 17, 1832,
AE. 56 yrs.
Lilliam E. Daughter of Abel R. &
Sarah S. Beers Born Sept. 22, 1862
Died May 9, 1891.
Because I live ye shall live also.
Oliver Beer's Died Oct. 3, 1848, in
his 50 yr.
My Wife
Mary, Wife of Wilson W. Beers
Died May 21, 1887, aged 52 y’rs.
Asleep in Jesus.
Noah Beer's Born Jan. 20, 1818,
Died Aug. 17, 1864.
In memory of
Two Infant Sons of Aaron & Hul-
dah Beers died Feb. 27, 1830.
Sarah L., daughter of Birdsey &
Lucina Beers, died Aug. 10, 1849,
AE. 6 y’rs 8 mo. & 15 d’s.
Dear child 1 we never can forget
The winning, frank, sweet smile
That played around thy rosy lip
And did our hearts beguile:
Heaven took thee from this evil world,
Thou wast our idol here :
And now thou dwellest near the throne,
Our hearts are with thee there.
Knowing that thou art blessed above,
Our Sorrows we restrain
For who that saw thee pass away
Would wish thee here again 7
And though thou canst not come to us,
Hope whispers when we’re free
Thro' the abounding grace of God
That we may come to thee.
Anson, Bennet Died Sept. 25, 1873,
AE. 79 yrs & 8 mo.
Abigail H., wife of Anson Bennett,
Died March 17, 1869, AE. 52 y’rs &
6 mo.
Father.
Burn" Bennett Died July 9, 1879,
AE. 70 y’rs 5 mo's & 4 d’ys.
66
My Wife
Nancy, Wife of Burr Bennett Died
Sept. 9, 1863, AE. 52 y’rs 5 mo's.
George B., Son of Burr & Nancy
Bennett Died Feb. 27, 1859, AE. 23
y’rs 9 mo's. & 15 D's
JWashington, Son of Burr & Nancy
Bennett Died Oct. 5, 1850, AE. 5 y’rs
& 6 mo.
Esther L. Bennett died Jan. 10,
1854, Aged 28 years & 6 mo's.
Joseph H. Bennett died Nov. 19,
1853, Aged 30 years & 9 mo's.
In Memory of
Joseph Bennettº who died May 30,
1844, in the 73d year of his age.
In Memory of
Justus Bennett who died Nov. 6,
1847, AE, 74.
In Memory of
Eunice Bennett wife of Justus
Bennett who died Sept. 20, 1833.
In Memory of
Sarah P. Bennett, daughter of
Justus & Annise Bennett who died
Sept. 24, 1833, aged 34 years.
Isaac Bennet died May 2, 1860, AE,
90 yrs & 9 mos.
In memory of
Mary Bennet, wife of Isaac Bennet
Esq. who died May 16, 1841. aged
71 years,
In Memory of
Mr. Isaac Bennett who departed
this Life December 10th A. D. 1791,
in the 82d yeard of his Age.
Here lyes ye Body of
Mrs. Mary Bennett Wife of
Lieut Isaac Bennett who was born
June 10th 1708 and died July 5th
1768, Aged 60 years.
Here lies Buried the Body of
Mr. Justice Bennett, who De-
parted this Life Novmbr 23d 1772,
In ye 25th Year of his Age.
In Memory of
Najah Bennett who died Aug. 26,
1821, in the 80 year of his age.
In memory of
Mary, relict of Najah Bennett who
died Feb. 21, 1827, aged 83 years.
Nathaº, Bennett Died Nov.
1878, AE. 93 yrs & 8 mo.
Sarah, his wife Died Sept. 10, 1864,
AE. 76 yrs & 8 mo.
In Memory of
Mr. Nath (tº Bennett, who de-
parted this Life Septr. 20th A. D.
777, In the 34th Year of his Age.
Here lies Buried the Body of
Mr. Stephem. Bennett, who de-
parted this Life March 31st 1773, in
ye 34th Year of His Age.
S. L. [on a field stone]
Here lies Buried the Body of
Deacow. Willia an Bennett who
departed this Life Febry 15th A. D.
1788. In the 80th Year of his Age.
In memory of
JMT's. Cottº (t?” ºne Benvºet Relict
of Deacn William Bennet who died
July 22d 1809 in the 88th Year of her
age. -
14,
In memory of
Nath (t?viel Batºrtom, Be???vit son
of William & Mary Bennit who
died Aug. 13th 1795 aged 15 months
& 8 days. -
Alamson B. Son of Birdsey & Lu-
cina Beers Died Nov. 9, 1870, AE. 22
y’rs & 10 mos.
One less to love on earth
One more to meet in Heaven.
*For Naomi his wife see next to Stephen Gregory.
67
In memory of
Abigail, Daughter of Mr. Daniel &
Mrs. Mary Blackman born Novr 2,
782, died June 14th, 1796 in the
14th Year of her Age.
Little Robert
Ito be?'t A. Son of Charles W. &
Frances E. Blakeman, Born Aug.
20, 1861, Died Sept. 5, 1861.
: In memory of
JP illiam Blackºn (17), Son of Mr
Daniel & Mrs Mary Blackman born
Decr 26th 1773, died Novr 25th 1795
Aged 21 Years & 11 months.
Behold as you pass by
beneath these clods I’m laid
In this cold grave I lie
in death's Impervious shade.
In Memory of
Josiah Booth, who died Feb. --
1812, in the 64 year of his age.
In Memory of
S(t?’ ſt/a, Wife of Josiah Booth who
died Sept. 20, 1804, in the 55 year
of her age.
Mary P. Thorp, Wife of David
T. Booth Died Oct. 11, 1888, AE. 37
years 2 mo's.
In Memory of
Je?”t shot F., Wife of Charles
Wheeler, daughter of Burr & Sarah
Bradley who died April 9, 1837,
aged 25 years 11 mo & 3 d’s.
Sybil, Wife of Abel Bradley Died
Dec. 25, 1855 AEt. 75.
IFred Braat mach eiger Co. G 17
Regt. Conn. Wols. Died Oct. 20, 1873.
In Memory of
Joam math, Wife of Cyrus Brinsmade
who died April 15, 1804, AE. 36.
Also of their daughter
Fanny, who died Dec. 31, 1795, AE.
5 y.
Sacred to the Memory of
Mº’s. Notoani Brins ºn attle, wife
to Mr. Joseph Brinsmade who de-
parted this Life Sept. 21st 1776, in
the 42 year of her Age.
IIan'iet Bºyan, Wife of Titus A.
Bryan, and daughter of Elijah &
Patience Seeley, died Feb. 19, 1836,
aged 21.
Strongest ties how soon they're severed
Brightest prospects soon are gone
Fairest blossoms soon are withered
Borne by death unto the tomb.
Alfred IB at P1’ Died Jan. 8, 1861,
aged 70 y’rs & 10 mo's.
Marth (t, Wife of Alfred Burr Died
Aug. 21, 1883, aged 82 y’rs.
A deline, Wife of William Burr
Died May 4, 1871 AF. 37 y’rs 5 mo's
& 2 days. *
Francis Irving But y'a', Son of
Alfred & Martha Burr died June 8,
1836, aged 4 years & 2 mo's.
In Memory of
Increase Batra', who died Nov. 17,
1841, AE. 82.
Ithodſt J. Died Dec. 4, 1827, AE. 6
m. & 7 ds. |
Joseph B. Died Oct. 3, 1841, AE. 1
y. & 10 mo.
Demey, Died Jan. 5, 1842 AE. 5d.
Children of David & Deney Burr.
In Memory of
Maºietta Bat?'ling who died Jan.
19, 1860, AE, 17 y'rs & 10 months.
Mr. Benjat an in Bat?'ton died June
26, 1816, aged 27 years.
Mr. Cyrus Batºton died April 15,
1812, in the 53 year of his age.
This truth how certain, when this life is o'er
Man dies to live and lives to die no more.
68
In Memory of
Mº’s. A mºve Burton wife of Mr.
Cyrus Burton who died July 19th
1791, Aged 31 Years 1 Month & 11
Days.
[Field Stone. Probably a Burton.]
In memory of
Mrs. Elizabeth, Relict of Mr. Cy-
rus Burton who departed this life
Jan. 7, 1826, in the 68th year of her
age.
Mary Burton, Daughter of Mr.
Cyrus & Mrs. Anne Burton died
April 26th 1798, Aged 4 Years 8
months & 13 days.
[Field stone. No lettering.
a Burton.]
Probably
In Memory of
Mr. Cyrus W. Burton, Son of
Mr. Cyrus & Elizabeth Burton who
departed this life Nov. 10, 1827, in
the 27 year of his age.
In Memory of
Jerenniah Bat?‘ton, who died Nov.
5. 1827, aged 40 years.
In Memory of
Mary, Wife of Jeremiah Burton who
died Oct. 15, 1827, aged 34 years.
In Memory of
Silas C. Batºton, who died June
22d, 1844, aged 71 years.
Wrapt in the shades of death
No more that friendly face I see
Empty, ah empty every place
Once filled so well by thee.
In Memory of
Anna, wife of Silas C. Burton who
died Jan. 11, 1836, aged 60 years.
In Memory of
Polly M., Wife of Aaron Beers &
only daughter of Silas C. & Anna
Burton, who died Sept. 19th 1827,
aged 26 years
With joy she passed the dreary vale
And soared to worlds on high.
In Memory of
Mr. Solomon Burton who died
May 1st 1821, aged 75 years.
In Memory of
Hannah, wife of Solomon Burton
who died July 23, 1835, aged 86
years.
Amos Camdee Died Aug. 14, 1855,
Aged 78 years.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.”
Lydia, wife of Amos Candee, Died
Nov. 25, 1878, AE. 81 years & 8 mo's.
Fletcher’, son of J. & C. A. Candee
Died Mar. 16, 1867, AE. 16 years &
3 mo's
He sleeps to wake again.
Clara, daughter of J. & C. A. Can-
dee Died Jan. 19, 1867, AE. 11 y’rs
& 4 mo's.
Gone home.
Lewelleyn died Sept. 2, 1869, AE.
1 yr & 3 mo's.
Benjamin F. died July 9, 1872, AE.
2 mo's & 15 D's.
[on opposite side of the monument]
Leºtyi dº Benny, Children of Jason
& Caroline A Candee.
JWilber, Son of Jason & Caroline A.
Candee died Sept. 10, 1853, Aged 2
mo's & 10 ds.
Dear Wilber around thy tomb
May sweet flowers forever bloom
For while in dust thy body lies
Thy spirit blooms above the skies.
Lysander B., Son of Jacob B. &
Julia Case, Died Aug. 5, 1865, aged
18 yrs & 10 mo.
Not lost but gone before.
Maº'y Loatisa, wife of Charles S.
Clark Died Dec. 19, 1889, aged 45
y’rs & 5 mo's.
William Colley Died Sept. 7, 1843
AE, 73 years.
69
Itachel, wife of William Colley
Died March 25, 1843 AE. 71 years.
Lawra, daughter of William & Ra-
chel Coley Died Aug. 11, 1849 AF. 52
yrs & 4 mos. º
JWilliam, Son of William & Rachel
Coley Died in Ogdensburg Aug. 29,
1830 Å. 21 years.
Charles, Son of William & Rachel
Coley Died Jan. 26, 1815, AE, 1 year
& 7 mo.
Clara, Widow of Robert Curtis Dicq
Aug. 12, 1872, aged 82.
In memory of
Mr. Nehemiah, De Fon'est, who
died Dec. 9, 1801, in the 58th year
of his age. -
The wise, the just, the pious,
and the brave,
Live in their death and flourish
from the grave ;
Grain hid in the earth repays the
peasants care,
And evening suns set but to rise
more fair.
Hena?" iſ G. son of Levi L. & Ellen
S. Disbrow Died Feb. 10, 1867 AE. 2
mo's & 8 d’s.
Death seeking whom it may devour
Came to our home one mournful hour
And took away our little flower,
Our Darling Baby.
Levi L. Disbrow Died Jan. 23,
1879, AE, 41.
In the sweet bye and bye
We shall meet on that beautiful shore,
In memory of
Isaac Downs, who died Feb 21,
1853, AEt. 74 y’rs.
Sarah, wife of Isaac Downs, died
Feb. 10, 1857, aged 77 years & 5
months.
JEdward Dunconnb died Nov. 12,
1837, AE. 77 y'rs.
In memory of
Anna, wife of Edward Duncomb
who died June 18, 1848, In her 87
year.
Isaac Duncomb Died April 3,
1878, AE. 84 y’rs
Amma, His Wife, Died Mar. 17, 1878,
AE. 88 y’rs.
Charles H. Edwards, Died in
Minneapolis, Minn. Feb. 12, 1879,
aged 29 y’rs.
David S. Edwards, Died in New
Orleans, La. July 19, 1863, aged 34
y’rs.
John Edwards Died Apr. 19, 1883,
aged 86 years.
Polly, wife of John Edwards Died
Feb. 9, 1838, aged 36 years
[A single stone]
In memory of
Polly Edwards, wife of John Ed-
wards who Died Feb. 9, 1838, aged
35 y’rr & 5 mo.
In memory of
Lewis Edwards, who died May
13, 1815, in the 44 year of his age.
Itobert Edwot?'Cls Co. IC 17th
Regt. Conn. Wols. Died Feb. 12th,
1882.
Eunice M. S. Ely, Died Feby. 28,
1868, Aged 81 y’rs & 4 mos.
JWI, eeler M. Even’itt Died Aug.
13, 1879, AE. 63 y’rs 2 mo's & 25
Days.
So he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
Sarah, Wife of Wheeler M. Everitt,
Died Jan. 31, 1864, AE. 50 y’rs & 20
ID's.
Farewell to earth and dearest friends
I bid you all adieu
I'm going to dwell with Jesus
Apd there may I meet you.
70
Charles B. only son of Wheeler M.
& Sarah Everitt, Died Aug. 8, 1862,
AE. 26 y’rs 5 mo's & 9 D's.
Earth has his dust.
Friends his memory
And the Redeemer his spirit.
Elizabeth, Fillnvoye Died March
29, 1842, AE, 75,
Sister.
Ein novct J. daughter of D. S. & C. A.
Fisher, Died Feb. 1, 1878, aged 20
y’rs & 5 mo's.
My heavenly home is bright and fair
No pain nor death can enter there
Its glittering towers the sun outshine
That heavenly mansion now is mine.
Mother -
Dot viol S. Fis/neº Died Nov. 5,
1886, aged 66 years
Buried at Middlebury, Conn.
His wife
Esther A. Died Sept. 28, 1874, aged
57 years.
At Rest.
Erastus B. Fishen Died Feb. 3,
1879, aged 61 y’r 8 mo's.
Mary E. Fisher Died Aug. 25,
1875, aged 51 y’rs 11 mo's.
Edson B., Son of Erastus B. &
Mary E. Fisher, died Oct. 26, 1846,
AE, 1 y’r 4 mo & 22 d’s.
Turney Foot died Nov. 3, 1825,
aged 41 years.
Jenniºn (t, wife of Turney Foot, died
Nov. 25, 1825 aged 32 years.
b’rench [monument]
Alºnopº, H. French, . ſº
Louisa, L. Wife of Almon II.
French Died Oct. 14, 1887, Aged 72
years. -
Retsey B., Wife of Levi French
Died Oct. 1, 1879, AE. 60 y’rs 3 mo.
& 18 d’s. º
GOne Hopme.
Galloway [monument]
Lawra E., Wife of Robert G. Gal.
loway Died Feb. 18, 1890, aged 53
y’rs & 10 mos.
Minnvie A. T., Daughter of R. G.
& L. E. Galloway Died Sept. 5, 1877,
aged 3 y’rs 8 mo's.
Albert S. Gilbert, Late member of
Co. II, 8th Regt. C. V. Died May 7
1864, AE 20 y’rs 7 mo. & 10 days.
When this atrocious rebellion shall
have been subdued and the unwritten
history of this struggle recorded,
his name with others who gave their
lives to secure to us the glorious inher-
itance handed down to us by the
Father will receive the appropriate
niche in the temple of fame.
Henry Gilbert Died Feb. 12, 1862,
AB. 55 y’rs 4 mo. & 14 days. -
Eliza, Wife of Henry Gilbert Dicci
Dec. 27, 1853, AE. 49 y’rs & 6 mo.
Euvily S. Daughter of Henry &
Eliza Gilbert Died May 7, 1856, AE.
19 y’rs 5 mo. -
Satrath, R., Daughter of Henry &
Eliza Gilbert Died Feb. 21, 1839, AE.
17 D’S.
Sarah Gilbert Died Sept. 16, 1878,
AE. 54 y’rs 3 mo's & 20 days.
Iteubenv B. Gilbert Died April 11,
1846, aged 44 years.
Anva avda Lottisot, daughter of
Reuben B. & Catharine Gilbert Died
Jan. 6, 1843 AE, 4 yrs & 10 mo's.
Danviel B. Glove” Died Sept. 7,
1866, AE 83 y’rs 11 mo. & 22 d’s.
Eat mice, Wife of Daniel B. Glover,
Died Mar. 17, 1873, AE. 86 y’rs 7 mo.
Ilorenzo B. Gloren Died Nov. 3,
1856, aged 37 y’rs 3 mos 16 days.
Edwin Godfrey Died Oct. 17,
1880, Aged 62 y’rs.
Hope softly whispers we shall meet again,
Agnes and George
Agnes It. Died May 18, 1869, AE.
7 y’rs 3 mo. & 10 d’s
George A. Died July 11, 1869 AF. 9
y’rs 6 mo. & 22 d’s.
Children of Edwin & A. M. Godfrey.
John Gray Died Sep. 6th 1887 Age
63 y’rs 1 mo.
George JV. Gray dicd Sept. 2,
1888, aged 61 years.
Gone Home.
II attie A. daughter of G. & E.
Gray Died March 21, 1862, AE. 6
mo's.
In memory of
Abel Gregory, Esq. who departed
this life Jan. 23, 1823, aged 48.
In memory of
Lydia, Wife of Abel Gregory Esq.
and relict of Aaron Sherwood, who
departed this life Nov. 21, 1859,
aged 84 y’rs & 7 mo.
Charles C. Gregory Died Jan. 2,
1888, AE. 58 y’rs 11 mo's.
His Wife
Man'y M. Died Apr. 24, 1883, AE, 48
y’rs 5 mo's.
Our loved ones.
Cordelia and Fannie. We miss thee.
Cordelia A. Died Dec. 20, 1869,
aged 14 y’rs 10 mo, & 8 days.
Famºvie J. Died Dec 25, 1869, aged
6 y’rs & 18 d’s.
Children of Charles C. & Mary M.
Gregory.
Lorinda, widow of George Gregory,
Died May 29, 1887, Aged 82 years.
In memory of
Geol'ſſe H. Gregon'ſ, who died
May 17, 1834, AE. 27.
How short the race our friend has run
Cut down in all his bloom
And thus the Lord reveals his grace
The youthful love to gain
The Soul that early seeks my face
Shall never seek in vain,
In memory of
Eiza Amm, Daught’r of Clark &
Betsey Gregory who dicd April 1,
1806, aged 3 years.
In memory of
IIoa'atce, son of Clark & Betsey
Gregory, who died April 2, 1812, AE.
1 year & 8 months. -
In memory of
Stephen Gregory, who died Dec.
2, 1817, aged 66 years.
In memory of
Ithodot Gregon'ſ wife of Stephen
Gregory, who died Sept. 16, 1834,
aged 80.
In memory of
Stephem. Gregory who died Dec.
22, 1832, aged 44 years 7 mo.
Notoani, wife of Joseph Bennett
Died Jan. 30, 1845, AE. 72.
Huldah, wife of Stephen Gregory
Died Nov. 23, 1846, AE. 58.
In memory of
Col. Abel Hall, who died Dec. 30,
1836, Aged 64 years.
In memory of
Sotº’ah, Wife of Col. Abel Hall who
died Dec. 31, 1855 AE. 84.
Died Dec. 11, 1811.
Blizzt, daughter of Abel & Sarah
IIall aged 1 year & 5 mo.
Benjamin Hall Died Oct. 13,
1886, AE. 87 y’rs & 1 mo.
Iºachel, wife of Benjamin Hall,
Died Feb. 15, 1859, AE. 60 y’rs, 6
mo's & 16 D's.
Modesty and meekness adorned her in life
Faith and hope supported her in death.
Charles B. Hall Died Sept. 26,
1874, AE. 55 y’rs & 5 mo's.
CIn ſtyles E. Hall, Died Dec. 18,
1861, Aged 13 yrs 1 mo, & 8 Days.
72
Ebenezer Silliman Hall Died An Infant, daughter of Harvey B.
Apr. 13, 1881, Aged 85 y’rs.
Bliza Coley, His Wife Died Apr.
11, 1880, Aged 81 Y’rs.
In memory of
JEdson Hall, who died Dec. 13, 1851,
AEt. 26 y’rs 6 mo. & 20 ds.
We miss thee.
In memory of
Ezbom Hall who died Aug, 15, 1833,
aged 80 y’rs & 6 mo. {
In memory of
Ithodot, Wife of Ezbon Hall, who
died April 5, 1850 aged 95 years
This grave is mine house,
In Memory of
Priscilla, Wife of Peter C. Oakley
and daughter of Ezbon Hall, who
died Sept. 25th 1815 AE. 25.
The Almighty spake and she was gone.
In memory of
IPhilentort, Son of Ezbon & Rhoda
Hall who died May 23 1837, aged 35
y. 2 mo, & 25 ds.
Ye holy angels guard my clay
until thc resurrection day.
IRhoda, Daughter of Ezbon & Rhoda
Hall Died Feb. 10, 1888, E. 89 y’rs
11 months
Gone Home. º
Ezra Hall Died Nov. 3, 1876, AE.
84.
Esther Hall Died Jan. 3, 1872, AE.
74.
Jem met Hall, daughter of Ezra &
Esther Hall Died April 22, 1852,
aged 19 years.
Farewell within this vale of tears
A little while we yet remain
At most tis but a few short years
Till kindred souls shall meet again.
In memory of
Mary A. wife of Harvey B. Hall,
who died May 15, 1858, aged 38 y’rs
& 4 ds.
& Mary Ann Hall died March 21,
1844, aged 2 d’s.
Sleep lovely Babe
And take thy rest
God called thee home
He saw it best.
Caroline L., daughter of Harvey
B. & Mary Ann IIall, died July 19,
1851, AE. 7 w” ks.
In Memory of
Mary O., daughter of Harvey B &
Mary Ann Hall who died March 31,
1858, aged 13 y’rs 9 mo & 17 d’s.
Sister
Polly, daughter of Aaron & Polly
Gould Wife of Isaac Hall. Born at
Greenfield Hill, Ct. Died at Easton
Nov. 16, 1880, AE, 74 y’rs.
In memory of
Nelson, AE. 10 years.
In memory of
Stiles, AE. 5 years.
&
Infant. [on Hall monument]
Sacred to the Memory of
Ammanda B. who died Dec. 6, 1822,
aged 14 years 9 mo's & 3 days.
Daughter of Isaac & Polly Hall.
Reader behold as you pass by
As you are now so once was I
As I am now so you must be
O then prepare to follow me.
In memory of
Gideon H. Hall, who died Jan. 22,
1826, aged 53.
IRuth, wife of Gideon H. Hall Died
Mar. 20, 1859, Aged 88 y’rs.
Isaac Hall, Died Oct. 29, 1874, AE.
76 yrs 3 mos & 8 d’s.
In Memory of
IPolly, wife of Isaac Hall, who died
Dec. 16, 1841, aged 47 y’rs
73
James W. Son of Isaac & Polly
Hall died Oct. 18, 1858, AE. 16 y’rs 3
mo. & 7 D's.
Joseph B. Hall Died Dec. 6, 1866,
In the 74th year of his age.
Prepare to meet thy God.
Died Sept. 6, 1823,
Priscilla, daughter of Joseph B. &
Caroline Hall aged 3 years & 2 mo's.
In memory of
Josiah B. Hall, who died April 17,
1858 Aged 82 y’rs.
In memory of
Elizabeth, Wife of Josiah B. Hall
who died Jan. 24, 1848, AE. 72 y’rs
& 6 mo.
In memory of
Molly Hall, who died Jan. 17, 1875,
AE. 71 years.
Alana C., wife of Nathan E. Hall
died Feb. 9, 1854, AEt. 26.
At last she has gone to rest
We have laid her in the tomb
But her Soul is not dead
For God hath called it home,
Mary E. daughter of Nathan E. &
Alma Hall Died May 20, 1857 AE. 6
y’rs & 9 mo.
I must weep when I do see
These lines upon this Stone
Since God was pleased to take away
So dear a child of mine.
[A large field head-stone and foot]
Polly Hall died March 30, 1852, in
the 51 year of her age.
In memory of
Samuel . Hall, who died Feb. 7,
1831, aged 22 years.
Gain wisdom from this mournful stone
And make the Christian cause your own.
In memory of
Simmon B. Hall who died Nov. 2,
1848, aged 22 years & 9 months.
Wildman Hall died July 10, 1851,
in the 86 year of his age.
In memory of
Alley, wife of Wildman IIall, who
died Jan. 20, 1843, aged 78 yrs.
Willett J. Son of George & Adelia
M. Hall, Died Dec. 31, 1855, aged
10 mo.
Dr. Zalmon H. Hall,” Died
July 25, 1867, AE. 72 y’rs.
Wrapt in the shades of death
No more that friendly face we see
Empty, ah empty every place
Once so well filled by thee.
Charlie L. Died Sept. 8, 1861, AE, 1
yr. & 2 mo's.
Annie M. Died Aug. 23,
11 mo's & 23 ds.
Children of David H. &
Hard.
Maº'y Elsie, Daughter of David II.
& Sarah A. Hard Died March 17,
1858, AE. 8 mo's.
Father take this babe
Embrace it in thy love
A flower too pure for earth
Buded to bloom above.
Harmon Hard Died July 28, 1839,
AE, 46.
Lydia, Widow of Harmon IIard
Died Jan. 12, 1874, AE. 71 y’rs 8
mo's & 20 days.
“Till the day dawn and the shadows flee away.”
Eli Haº'd Died Dec. 8, 1878 AF, 47
y’rs 8 mos. Co. D 23d Regt. C. V.
Our Darling Boy Charlie
Charles Harvey, Infant Son of
Charles W. & Frances E. Blakeman
died June 4, 1861.
A nºn Maria Heitzan (tº died Dec.
20, 1887, AE. 72 y’rs 5 mo's 7 dsys.
Rest in peace.
1863, AE.
Sarah A.
* The beloved Physician. (R. B. L.)
74
Andrew Heitzm (tal, Born Dec.
26, 1818, Died Dec. 13, 1880.
Rest in peace.
In memory of
Catharine Hendri.c
May 22, 1840, aged 63.
who died
In memory of
Catharine Hendria', who died
Jan. 4, 1837, aged 26 y. 9 m. 8 ds.
Adieu my dear mother, adieu
I love thee with feelings full Well
O may we thy footsteps pursue
To meet thee in glory to dwell.
Obi (liah, Hendriac Died Jan. 8.
1855, AEt. 70.
In memory of
Abigail G. wife of Obadiah Hen-
drix who died June 13, 1836 aged 52
y. 10 m. 8 ds.
Esther, wife of Obadiah Hendrix
died April 19, 1864, AE. 79 y’rs & 9
Ill ().
In memory of
Aby Jenett, daughter of Obadiah
& Abigail G. Hendrix who died Oct.
7, 1839, aged 17 y’rs.
In memory of
Mahala, Hendriac, daughter of
Obediah Hendrix who died Sept. 1,
1837, aged 26 years 1 mo. & 27 days.
In memory of
Daniel Hill, who died July 25, 1851,
AEt. 46 y’rs 8 mo. & 20 d’s.
In memory of
Elizabeth. Amºn, Wife of Daniel
Hill, who died Dec. 19, 1830, aged
26 y’rs 3 mo. & 16 days.
The sweet remembrance of the just
Shall flourish when they sleep in dust.
Polly Betsey, daughter of Daniel
and Elizabeth Ann Hill died April
19, 1843, aged 18 years.
In Memory of
Dotniel Holmes, who died April 4,
1828, aged 73 years.
The sweet remembrance of the just
Shall flourish when they sleep in dust.
Mrs. Mary Holmes, wife of Mr.
Daniel Holmes died April 29, 1813,
in the 58 year of her age.
In Memory of
Lydlitt Holºnes wife of Daniel
Holmes who died Sept. 13, 1841,
aged 65 years.
Behold and see as you pass by
As you are now so once was I
As I am now so you must be
Prepare for death and follow me.
Lydia, daughter of Daniel and Eliz-
abeth Ann Hill, died Feb. 13, 1858,
aged 29 years.
David S. Hubbell Died Nov. 26,
1847, AE. 72.
Phebe, Wiſe of David S. Hubbell
died Jan. 1, 1844 AE. 72.
IIere Lyes Buried the Body of
IM2”. Ebenezer Hºubbel Who de-
parted this Life March the 6th 1761
in ye 74th Year of His Age.
In memory of
Mº’s. Sam’ah Hatbūell who died
May 20th 1788 in the 93d Year of
her age.
An age which few Survive.
In memory of t
Polly, wife of Harvey Hubbell, who
departed this life Nov. 26, 1855,
with full hope of a blessed immor-
tality, aged 56 years.
Charles Elliott, son of Harvey
and Polly Hubbell Born Feb. 26,
1825, died Jan. 24, 1854.
Isaac Hubbell Died April 22, 1873,
Aged 76 y’rs 6 mos.
In memory of
Nath (tºniel Hubbell, who died
May 27, 1837, in the 91 year of his
age.
In memory of
Sarah, wife of Nathaniel Hubbell
who died Dec. 8, 1835, aged 85 years.
Itebecca, daughter of Turney &
Jemima Foote, Wife of Charles El-
liott Hubbell, [Born] June 2, 1833,
[died] Dec. 15, 1845.
In memory of
Stephew Hubbell who died Feb.
27, 1836, aged 91 years.
In Memory of
Ithodot Hubbell Wife of Stephen
Hubbell, who died Aug. 15, 1826,
aged 83 years.
Eloisa Hull died July 15, 1878,
Aged 63.
Hammoth, wife of Hezekiah Hull
Died March 9, 1873, AE. 81 y’rs.
In memory of
A ſlim Jackson, who died Oct. 9,
1815, aged 78 years 17 days.
In memory of
Sarah Jackson wife of Adin Jack-
son deceased, who died Aug. 28,
1818, aged 75 years 1 month & 6
days.
In memory of
John Jackson, who died Sept. 17,
1810, In the 80th year of his age.
• In memory of
Jenni mah, wife of John Jackson,
Jr. who died Feb. 26, 1841, aged 73
years & 9 mo.
In memory of
Mino?" Jackson, who died Sept,
16, 1828, aged 57 y. 9 mo. & 28 ds.
In memory of
Joanna, wife of Minor Jackson who
died June 13, 1806, aged 29 years.
In memory of
Selene, daughter of Minor & Joanna
Jackson who died June 20, 1815,
aged 11 years 4 months 14 days,
In memory of
N (tthet M. Jackson, who died Dec.
18, 1826, aged 80 years.
In memory of
Elizabeth, wife of Nathan Jackson
who died March 22, 1824, AEt. 79.
In Memory of
Itoll in Jackson, who died Jan. 21,
1834 AE. 26.
Satanatel Jackson Died Oct. 15,
1874, AE. 74 yrs 4 mo.
Elizat, Wife of Samuel Jackson died
July 16, 1874 AE. 66 y’rs 8 mo,
In memory of
Elijah Jennings who died April
15, 1831, aged 36 years.
Huldah, Wife of Elijah Jennings
died Dec. 10, 1881, AE. 85 y’rs & 10
mo's.
In memory of an
Infant son of Elijah and Huldah
Jennings who died Dec. 15, 1825,
aged 17 days.
In memory of
Nehemiah Barlow son of Elijah
& Huldah Jennings who died Nov.
12, 1832, AE. 6 years & 14 days.
John M. Jennings Died Dec. 2,
1867, AE, 32 y’rs 10 mo's & 23 ds.
Ichabod Jennings died Feb. 13,
1864, aged 87 y’rs 2 mo, & 12 days.
Sarah, wife of Ichabod Jennings
died May 30, 1840, AE. 66 years &
14 days
Our age to seventy years is set
How short how frail the time,
And if to eighty we arrive
We rather sigh and groan than live.
76
Moses, Son of Ichabod & Sarah Jen-
nings died June 16, 1820, AE. 9 yrs
10 mo, & 6 ds.
In memory of
Isaac Jennings who died July
26, 1851, AE. 49.
Esther, wife of Isaac Jennings Died
Sept. 12, 1878 AE 74 y’rs 10 mo.
Our Daughter
Ida Lillian, Adopted daughter of
Charles & Betsey P. Jennings Died
Nov. 3, 1872, AE. 17 y’rs.
We call her dead but well We know
She dwells where living waters flow
Gone to her “Better Home * above
A world of light and joy and love.
Our Babies
Infant children of Charles & Betsey
P. Jennings Born & Died April 14,
1857.
Precious gems laid up in Heaven.
Ithodoº Jew win ſys died Lec. 31,
1832, aged 57.
Dea. Seth Jen avian ſys Died Jan 31,
1870, AE, 79.
Into thy hands I commend my spirit
Thou has redeemed me O Lord God of truth.
Caroline S., daughter of Seth &
Caroline Jennings Died March 30,
1858 AF. 32 y’rs.
Asleep in Jesus, oh for me
May such a blessed refuge be
Securely shall my ashes lie,
Waiting the summons from on high.
Phebe, daughter of Seth and Caro-
line Jennings Died Feb. 7, 1858, AE.
23 y’rs.
That star went down in beauty, yet it shineth
sweetly now
In the bright and dazzling coronet that decks
the Saviour's brow;
She bowed to the Destroyer whose Shafts none
may repel
But we know, for God hath told us, He doeth
all things well.
In Memory of
Stephen Jennings who
March 26, 1834 AE. 62 years.
died
In Memory of
Sally, wife of Stephen Jennings who
died Jan. 28, 1840, aged 62.
We loved thce.
II (ittie E. Wife of Simeon H. Jen-
nings, Died Dec. 21, 1866, AE. 22
y’rs.
Anna Carrie, daughter of Joseph
W. & Martha J. Johnson died Aug.
14, 1862, aged 1 yr. & 8 mo.
A tº gºt stat A., daughter of Nathan
B. & Areta A. Johnson died June
17, 1849, AE. 5 yrs & 2 mo,
Jaanes E., Son of Nathan B. &
Arita A. Johnson died April 20,
1842, aged 1 yr. & 2 mo.
In memory of
Patº'ºnzelia, wife of Ebnr. Johnson
who died Sept. 17, 1815, in the 39
year of her age.
In memory of
The Rev'd. James Johnson first
minister of the Church and congre-
gation of the Presbyterian Society
of North Fairfield who was ordained
the 14th day of December A. D.
1763, and continued in the ministry
until his decease which was on the
18th day of September, A. D. 1810,
Aged 76.
He was a faithful Steward in the service Of
his Divine Master, labored assiduously for the
Salvation of those committed to his charge.
He was an affectionate husband, parent and
obliging neighbor, worthy Citizen, a warm and
generous friend. Having finished his course
he fell asleep in the joyful hope of a glorious
Resurrection from the grave.
“Mark the perfect man and behold the up-
right for the end of that man is Peace.”
77
Sacred to the memory of
Mrs. Abiath, Johnson, Relict of
the late Rev. James Johnson, who
died January 14th A. D. 1822, in the
83d year of her age.
Capt. James Johnson" Died
Feb. 25, 1851, aged 77 y’rs & 24 d’s.
Elizabeth, Johnson, wife of Capt.
James Johnson, Died Oct. 12, 1849,
aged 75 y’rs & 4 mo.
2emas Johnson Died Sept. 20, 1874,
AE, 72 y’rs & 9 mo's.
Adelia F 1'ances, daughter of Zenas
& Anna Johnson died July 5, 1837,
aged 5 mo's.
Two Infant sons of Zenas & Anna
Johnson, who died March 21, 1833,
AE. 5 weeks & 2 d’s.
Autº-illa, Wife of Elihu Judd, Died
Sept. 21, 1837, aged 39 years & 9
Ill O,
In memory of
Betty Lacey, wife of Zachariah
Lacey, who died Dec. 9, 1841 aged
82 years.
In memory of
2atch (trict/t. Lacey who died Oct.
22, 1837, aged 83 years.
Here lyes Buried the Body of
Mr. Edward Lacey who departed
this Life June ye 18th 1772 in ye
61st Year of His Age.
In Memory of &
Deborah, Lacey, Daut r of Mr. Ed-
ward & Mrs. Deborah Lacey who
Died March 1, 1769 Aged 17 months.
Eli Lacey Died March 16, 1849, AE.
65 years 1 mo & 5 d’s.
Mary Munsom, wife of Eli Lacey,
Born June 24, 1785, Died Dec. 30,
1855.
How glorious he who reigns on high
Oh let all Heaven adore
May we a full fruition find
When time shall be no more.
Died Dec. 22, 1821
Monson, Son of Eli & Mary Lacey,
aged 12 years
Though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death I wtll fear no evil.
Jesse Lacey, Born March 7th 1789,
Died Jan. 24, 1867.
IEclava, Matavson, Wife of Jesse
Lacey, Born Jan. 18, 1788, Died
June 4, 1844.
For more than twenty-five years unable to
walk she bore affliction with real Christian
heroism and eminently realized the ideal of
the Wise man of a true wife and mother.
IProv. xxi.
There is rest in Heaven.
In memory of
Mºtbell, wife of John E. Lewis who
died Aug. 23, 1843, aged 22 years.
Modesty and meekness adorned her in life
Faith and hope supported her in death.
Polly Olmstead, Wife of Heze
kiah R. Lockwood Died July 6, 1884,
AE. 82.
Clark S., their son died Aug. 13,
1858, AE. 27.
Cyrus B. Son of Hezekiah & Polly
ockwood died Nov. 2, 1811, AE. 1
yr. 9 mo. & 10 days.
Andrew Lyon died Aug. 4, 1826,
AE. 61 yrs & 11 mo.
Mark the perfect man and behold the upright
for the end of that man is peaee.
Andrew B. Lyon Died Jan. 30,
1861, aged 46 years & 3 mo.
My friends, all is well.
* Son of the Rev. James Johnson. (R. B. L.)
78
Caroline E. wife of Andrew B.
Lyon Died Oct. 31, 1875, AE. 56 y’rs
10 mo. 16 d’s.
Estella, Daughter of Andrew B. &
Caroline E. Lyon, Died June 20,
1876, as. 24 y’rs 8 mo. 18 D's.
Joseph B. Lyon, son of Andrew
I3. & Caroline Lyon Died May 6,
1861, aged 19 years 3 mo. & 15 Days.
Here Lies Buried the Body of
MI1". Nath (t1uiel Lion, who depart-
ed Life June the 29, 1773 in ye 63d
Year of IIis Age.
In memory of
Nath a mic! Lyon, who died May
23, 1837, aged 65 years.
Rotty, wife of Nathaniel Lyon, Died
Dec. 13, 1858 AF. 77.
Mehemnioth, Lyon,
1842, aged 70 years.
died April 1,
| A monument]
JNehemnioth, JP. Lyon Died April
19, 1860, AE. 100 y’rs 8 mo. -
Sam'alº, Wife of Nehemiah W. Lyon,
Died April 23, 1827, AE. 67 y’rs 7
mo. & 18 d’s.
[A single stone.]
In Memory of
Sarah, Wife of Nehemiah W. Lyon
who died April 23, 1827, aged 67
years 7 mo's. & 18 d’s.
Julia, Lyon, daughter of Nehemiah
& Ruth Lyon died Aug. 2, 1831,
aged 28 y’rs. º
Iºwth Lyon wife of Nehemiah
Lyon, died March 4, 1832, aged 55
years. -
In Memory of
George Frederick, Son of George
& Ann Jennette Lyon who died
Sept. 17, 1834, AE. 5 mo. & 25 d's,
Sleep on sweet child and take your rest
Thy God hath called, he thought it best.
Morris Lyon Died June 22, 1851,
ae 41.
Samuel S. Lyon Died Jan. 24,
1843, aged 24 years.
Susam, Wife of Hanford Lyon Died
July 25, 1888, AE. 70 years.
Sherwood Lyon Died Feb. 2, 1876,
aged 78 y’rs 1 mo.
Sally, wife of Sherwood Lyon Died
June 21, 1878, aged 76 y’rs 10 mo's.
JWalker Lyon Died Nov. 23, 1873,
AE. 83 years & 6 mo's.
In memory of
Batwice Lyon, Wife of Walker
Lyon Esq. who died August 12, 1850,
Aged 60 years.
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord
for they rest from their labors and their
works do follow them.
Emeline, wife of Walker Lyon
Died May 18, 1887, AE. 80 y’rs 7 mo's
& 10 Days.
William Lyon Died July 18, 1861,
AE. 77 y’rs 3 mos. & 21 D’s,
In memory of
Eleano,' wife of William Lyon, who
died Oct. 31, 1829, aged 44 y. & 5
Ill O.
Jesus made her dying bed
Feel soft as downy pillows are
While on his breast she leaned her head
And breathed her life out sweetly there.
Priscilla, Wife of William Lyon,
died Feb. 17, 1851, Aged 61 years.
MI)'. Zatch (triath, Lyon, died June
10, 1819 & was 74 years old the 19th
of Sept. last.
Mº’s. Rarth, wife of Mr. Zachariah
Iyon, died July 19, 1805, and was
65 years old the 20th of Aug. last,
Time, how short,
Eternity, how long.
79
In memory of
Mary Lyon, wife of Zachariah
Lyon who died Aug 14, 1835, aged
80 years.
Elmira J. Keeler Died April 24,
1870, aged 36.
In memory of
Ithodſt Mallett, wife of Seth Mal-
lett, & daughter of Cyrus Silliman
who died Oct. 27, 1841, aged 45
years.
Albert B., Son of Christopher B. &
Frances R. Marsh, Died March 5,
1889, AE, 31 y’rs & 10 mo's.
May death’s best slumbers occupy thy urn
The turf that hides thee natures livery wear
O be thou sacred in the silent bourn
Till time rolls round the great Sabbatic year.
I'lorence L., daughter of Thomas
A. & Sarah M. Marsh Died Oct, 26,
1876, AE. 8 y’rs 7 mo's 3 days.
As the roses in the garden
Fall and wither in a day
So our darling little Flora
Faded from our sight away.
Caroline E. Mellen Died May 7,
1870, aged 39.
Zebinat T. Mellent, Died Jan. 25,
1875, AE. 42 y’rs & 10 mo's.
“Not lost but gone before.”
Elizabeth, Wife of James Millen
Died Oct. 31, 1886, aged 77 y’rs 3
II] O.
“Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.”
Elizabeth, P. Millipu, Died Oct.
10, 1867, Aged 49.
In memory of
Matz’ſ Ann Morehouse, wife of
Edson Morehouse and daughter of
Cyrus Silliman who died Jan. 5,
1842, aged 36 years.
Henry B. Nichols Died March 11,
1889, Aged 58 y’rs.
At Rest.
º
y
Celestia A. Hard, His Widow
Died Jan. 16, 1890, Aged 55 y’rs.
Her end was peace.
I’olly J. wife of Charles Nichols
died April 12, 1859, AE. 30 y’rs 8
mo. & 26 D's.
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
Medora J. died Jan. 17, 1855, AE. 2
y’s 4 mo. & 12 d’s.
Charles F. died June 28, 1858 AE 1
y’r & 1 mo.
Children of Charles & Polly L. Nichols.
In memory of
Hot!”iet, Wife of Jarvis Nickerson
who died Feb. 4, 1843. Aged 23 y’rs.
Also an Infant aged 7 days.
PIanvavah, Wife of Rev. L. D. Nick-
erson Died Mar. 25, 1832, Aged 65
years.
Ann Olmstead Died Feb. 28, 1869
AE. 80 y’rs.
Susannah L., Wife of George W.
Oliver, Died Aug. 3, 1864, AE. 45
y’rs 7 mo & 16 d’s.
Our mother, we loved her.
II tºldah. Celestia, daughter of
George W. &. Susannah L. Oliver,
departed this life Aug. 9, 1819, AE. 1
yr. 6 mo. & 24 days.
Suffer little children to come
unto me and forbid them not
for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Itosillia M., daughter of George
W. & Susannah S. Oliver, Died
April 25, 1864, AE. 11 y's & 5 mo.
Early removed from life's embittering woes
Beneath the clod her mouldering limbs repose
Her spirit pure has wing'd her airy flight
And soared to realms of unalloyed delight.
In memory of
Anna Osborn Daughter of Mr.
Jeremiah & Mrs Anna Osborn who
died Octr 25th 1793 Aged 4 Years 7
Months 1 day.
80
Frankliny Patters onv, Co. M I
Regt. Art’y C. W. Died Sept, 22,
1874. -
Here lyes the Body of
M1's. Sarah, Patten’son, Who de-
parted this Life Nov. the 19th 1772
in ye 29th Year of Her Age.
Phebe A., Wife of Wm. Patchen,
Died July 8, 1885, AE. 40 y’rs 10
mo. & 20 Days.
Thomas Peck died July 14, 1813,
AE. 58.
Farewell my partner and children dear
Prepare for death while I sleep here.
Mother
PIvel»e A. Peck, Died Feb. 10, 1866,
Aged 58 y’rs &4 mo's.
Soon we'll meet thee.
Mariette Peck, Died July 25, 1855,
AEt. 21.
We watched thee as thou wasted,
Thou dear departed one :
And fain would have lengthened
The race so early run,
Yet let there be no weeping,
Thou'st gained a brighter sphere;
We would not call the back again
Nor shed for thee a tear.
Harriet Hendriac, Wife of Sidney
B. Peckwell Died July 21, 1883, AE.
67 y’rs 7 mo's & 3 days.
In Memory of
IXtviol Pendleton, who
Feb. 11, 1826, aged 79 years.
Alfred Perry Died May 19, 1858,
AE. 52 y’rs & 3 mo's.
Caroline Peºry Seeley widow
of Alfred Perry Born Feb. 20, 1807,
Died Dec. 26, 1887.
Frank A. Perry Died April 5,
1885, aged 45 years.
Han'riet N. Wife of John L. Perry
Died Sept, 3d 1869, AE. 29 years.
Hattie thou art gone to rest,
died
Sadie S. M. Infant daughter of
John L. & Anna Perry, died June
3, 1875.
In memory of
Annos Platt, who died Jan. 29,
1856, Aged 88 years.
In memory of
Hot 10.10 (th, Wife of Amos Platt, who
died Apr. 20, 1840, Aged 82 years.
E. L. B.
Joseph Platt Died Sept. 2, 1858,
Aged 54.
Triumphant in his closing age,
The hope of Glory shone
Joy breathed in his expiring sigh
To think the race was run.
Mother
A now at S. Platt Died April 15, 1876,
AE, 76 y’rs 11 mo.
Asleep in Jesus blessed sleep,
From which none ever wake to weep.
In memory of
Sally, wife of Josiah Platt, who died
Oct. 8, 1830, AE. 26 y’rs.
In memory of
Alfred S., son of Josiah & Ruth
Platt who died Oct. 24, 1831, AE. 3
y’rs & 5 days.
Benjamin Porte,' Died Dec. 22,
1873, Aged 82 yrs.
Earth has his dust
Friends his memory
And the Redeemer his spirit.
Eunice Porter Died May 3, 1862,
aged 60 years.
Earth has her dust
Friends her memory
And the Redeemer her spirit.
Isotac Porten', Died Jan. 3, 1872,
AE. 82 y’rs & 2 mo.
We loved him on earth
May we meet him in Heaven.
Betsey, Wife of Isaac Porter Died
Feb. 5, 1881, AE. 87 y’rs & 10 D's.
Gone but not forgotten.
81
Silas H. Porter Died April 5, 1883,
Aged 66 y’rs.
Hope gently whispers “We shall meet again.”
Sister
Ennan at J. L. Only daughter of
Charles S. & Mary E. Powell Died
Jan. 14, 1890, Aged 13 y’rs 7 mo's &
11 Days.
Sylvester Died June 15, 1857, AE. 6
y’rs.
Mary Died June 25, 1857, AE. 3 y’rs.
Sarah Died January 7, 1858, AE. 8
y’rs.
Children of David & Jane Powell.
JWillian Itowell Died April 21,
1863, AE. 79 y’rs.
Mourn not dear wife that I am gone,
Nor sorrow that you are left alone :
But think of me, prepare to die,
For sure you here with me must lie.
Clarissa, Wife of William Rowell
died April 8, 1875, AE. 89 y’rs 9
mo's.
Gone home,
To be at rest in Heaven.
William. Itowell died Oct. 17, 1840,
AE, 20.
In memory of
Lois, wife of Daniel Prindle who
died Sept. 21, 1845, aged 46 y’rs.
In Memory of
Joseph Prince who died Oct. 28,
1826, aged 87.
In Memory, of
Matº'th a Pº' ince who died March
13, 1818, aged 74.
In Memory of
JWTilliot on Prince, who died Feb.
15, 1825, in the full hope of a happy
immortality, aged 78.
Also of his wife
Rattle Prince who died Jan. 23,
1780.
In Memory of
Abigail, wife of William Prince
who died Nov. 1, 1797, aged 39
years 6 months & 2 days.
Thos. He male?’som Raymond,
Died Jan. 20, 1876, AE, 60 y’rs 3
mo's 11 D's.
Father rests from his labors.
Eat mice Joanna Thorp, Wife of
T. H. Raymond Died June 19, 1883,
AE. 67 y’rs 5 mo's 6 D's.
Mother is at rest.
Edgar Rich was the treasure to us
given
And pure we yield it up to heaven.
Our Angel boy.
- In memory of
Hezekiah, Ito wilarval, who died
June 8, 1837, aged 65 years 3 mo's &
7 d’s.
Ballah, Wife of Hezekiah Rowland
Died Dec. 3, 1855, aged 82 years 2
mo & 2 d’s.
John S. Howland Died Mar. 10,
1886, aged 78 y rs 11 mo. 23 d’s.
* Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.”
D(t) viel L. Satavſon'tl, ...................
tº c & G G & º º ºs & 8 tº º a ſe s tº a º º e º e º O & © tº £ tº º e º 'º e º e º e º e s tº e º e º is a e e
His Wife
Anna Samford Died May 26, 1883,
aged 57 y’rs 5 mo's & 21 D's.
Yet again we hope to meet thee
When the path of life is fled,
Then with joy in heaven to greet thee
Where no farewell tear is shed.
In memory of
My'. Ebenezer" Sanfor’tl who De-
parted this Life the 16th of April
1786 in the 78th Year of his age.
In memory of
Mrs. Sarah Sanford who died
March 20th 1809, In the 92 year of
her age.
82
Nathan Sanford. (Near Mr. Eb-
enezer Sanford.) -
Ebenezer T. Samford Died Nov.
22, 1873, AE, 79 years & 7 mo's.
In Memory of
Sam'altº Samford, wife of Ebenezer
T. Sanford who died Aug. 2, 1849,
In the 57th year of her age.
In memory of
Sally, wife of Ebenezer T. Sanford
who died Sept. 22, 1817, aged 24
years.
Also
Joseph, their son died Aug. 27, 1817,
aged 13 months & 9 days.
In memory of
Eat mice Samford, who died Feb.
15, 1860, AE. 89 y’rs.
IHammah Samford Died Sept. 25,
1868, AE. 77 y’rs 6 mo's.
Sacred to the memory of
Mr. Josiah Samford, who de-
parted this Life Aug. 7, 1811, In the
65th year of his age.
In memory of
Mary Samford, wife of Josiah
Sanford, who died Oct. 2, 1838,
aged 81 years.
In memory of
Nath any Sanfon't! Son of Mr. Jo-
siah & Mrs. Mary Sanford who died
Oct. 1, 1773 Aged 10 months & 20
days,
In memory of
Ma's. San'ah, Samford who died
Feb. 25th 1809, In the 68 year of her
age.
Sylvia Alosia, Wife of Stephen M.
Sanford Died April 4, 1881, AE. 28
y’rs & 3 mos.
Aarom Seeley Died May 3,1864, AE.
88
Clarissa Seeley}, Wife of Aaron
Seeley, died Feb. 14, 1875, AE. 90
years 5 mo.
Esther, Wife of Aaron Seeley Died
July 16, 1824, AE. 43.
Also an Infant, their son died July 10,
1824,
In Memory of
Aaron S. Son of Aaron & Esther
Seeley who died Jan. 18, 1810, AE.
10 days.
In memory of
A mºna, daughter of Aaron & Esther
Seeley who died Sept. 22, 1826, in
her 19th year.
Farewell my lovely daughter
I bid a short adieu
You cannot come to me again
But I must come to you.
Eleanor A. Wife of Bradley C.
Seeley Died Feb. 15, 1857.
With us her name shall live
Through long succeeding years
Embalmed with all our hearts can give
Our praises and our tears.
In memory of
Deat. Ebemeze?" Seely, who died
May 21, 1842, in the 82 year of his
age.
. He lived and died trusting in God.
In memory of
A mºnot Seeley, wife of Ebenezer
Seeley who died April 14, 1813 in
the 51st year of her age.
* “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord
from henceforth : Yea saith the spirit that
they may rest from their labours and their
works do follow them.”
* Daughter of Aaron Lyon of Redding Ridge.
t She was a Summers, of Cow Hill, near Bridgeport.
(R. B. L.)
(R. B. Lacey.)
83
In memory of
Eloisa, daughter of Ebenezer &
Anna Seeley, who died Sept. 10,
1815, in the 16 year of her age.
In memory of
Philandez’ Horace, Son of Ebe-
nezer & Anna Seeley who died
Sept. 3, 1815 aged 8 years.
In Memory of
IIoratio N. Seeley, Son of Ebene-
zer Seeley, who died Sept. 24, 1824
in his 20 year.
He was sincerely beloved and respected in life,
and greatly lamented in death.
Elijah Seeley Died March 9, 1851,
AE. 81.
Patience, Wife of Elijah Seeley
Died Feb. 20, 1863, AE. 88 y’rs 11
mo. & 3 d’s.
Elijah, son of Elijah Seeley Died
Sept. 5, 1815, AE. 13 y’rs.
Eatºvice, daughter of Elijah & Pa-
tience Seeley, Died May 9, 1861, AE.
64 y’rs & 3 mo.
Elmath am JP. Seeley Died Oct. 4,
1840, aged 52.
Be wise to-day.
Asleep in Jesus.
To the memory of
Latcy Seeley, Wife of Elnathan
W. Seeley, born in Reading Conn.
Dec. 3, 1794, died in New York
Nov. 30, 1835.
Emily Seeley, Died March 1, 1884.
AE. 76 y’rs 4 mo's 8 d’s.
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.
Here lies Buried the Body of
Mr. Ephraim Selye who depart-
ed this life Jan. the 8th 1763, In the
29th Year of His Age.
Eumice Seeley Died Nov. 27, 1848,
AE. 37.
In Memory of
Ezrat Seeley, who died Jan. 31, 1814,
in the 38 year of his age.
Sarah, daughter of Ezra Seeley,
who died April 20, 1822, AE. 18.
& ,
“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.”
Seeley [monument]
Ezra B. Seeley Died Feb. 29, 1864,
AE. 51. -
Eumice, His Wife Died Mar. 2,
1863, AE. 45.
Envily Elizabeth, daughter of
Ezra B. & Eunice Seeley died April
16, 1841, aged 15 mo's.
Han'?"iet It. Seeley, Wife of Ezra
S. Seeley Died May 28, 1853, Aged
27 y’rs, & 6 mo.
Also Their
Infant son Died May 21, 1853.
Nay do not weep
You'll all come soon.
To the memory of
Jammes Seeley who was born Dec.
5, 1794, and died July 16, 1834.
His mind naturally strong he cultivated with
diligence. He was an enlightened and upright
man, an active and valuable member of society,
firm in his principles, amiable, frank and gen-
erous in his disposition. From early youth he
was a steadfast and devoted Christian, and
distinguished for zeal and faithfulness in the
discharge of every duty.
He was universally respected and beloved
while he lived, and deeply lamented in death.
To his bereaved widow and children, to his sur-
viving father, brothers and sisters his memory
will be precious, and the recollection of his
virtues will long be cherished by all who
knew him.
Let me die the death of the righteous and
let my last end be like his.
84
Alma Seeley, Wife of James See-
ley Died March 30, 1857, aged 58
years.
The record of her life, engraven on
the hearts of her children and friends—
a life of good deeds, kind words, and
Christian example—is her best memorial.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.”
James H. Seeley,................. .....
e g º e º e º e g º e º e º 'º e º e º e º ſº tº a dº e º e º 'º e º e e º ſº a * * * * * * * * * * *
Susie E, Baawk's his wife, Died
may 22, 1878, Aged 22 years.
In Memory of
Jatolsom, JW. Seeley who died Dec.
26, 1822, aged 23 years 8 months &
* 20 days.
In the midst of life when all appears so gay
God sends his summons forth and I obey
Oh must I die and leave the world behind
I must for ’tis the doom Of all mankind.
Julia, wife of Thomas Seeley, died
June 2, 1861, AE. 64 years.
Thy willing spirit glad obeyed
The summons to the skies
Suffering had weaned thee from the earth
Prepared thee to arise.
Julia Seeley Died Jan. 5, 1877, AE.
72 y’rs 7 mo.
There is rest for the weary.
Seeley [momument]
Mallett Seeley, Nov. 9, 1801, April
28, 1881.
Caroline, wife of Mallett Seeley,
Jan. 22, 1801, Sept. 28, 1885.
In memory of
Philandle,” S. Seeley, who was
born in Weston Nov. 22, 1825, and
died in New Haven. (while a mem-
ber of Junior Class of Yale College)
Sept. 19, 1847.
In the hope of a glorious imortality.
His memory will be precious.
In memory of
Mrs. Itebecca Seeley Wife of
Capt. Nathaniel Seeley who depart-
ed this Life Feby ye 16th 1773, in ye
52 Year of Her Age.
In memory of
Itos well, Son of Aaron & Esther
Seeley who died Nov. 27, 1832, in
the 29 year of his age.
Go home dear friends dry up your tears
I must lie here till Christ appears
My debt is paid my grave you see
Prepare yourselves to follow me.
Samvatel Seeley, Born Sept. 2, 1814,
Died Nov. 23, 1874.
Effie May, Daughter of Samuel &
Josephine C. Seeley Born Sept. 29,
1861. Died May 15, 1887.
At Rest.
Sherwood Seeley died July 30,
1858. AE. 78 y’rs & 4 mo's.
Man'y, Wife of Sherwood Seeley
died Jan. 4, 1879, aged 96 yrs 6
Ill OS.
Here lyes Buried the Body of
Mr. Stephew Seelye Who depart-
ed this Life Jany ye 30th 1767, in ye
31st Year of His Age.
Williotan. Seeley died Nov. 24, 1880,
Aged 81 years.
L. S., [small marble stone]
Wºm. A. Seeley Died Jan. 26, 1874,
AE. 25 y’rs & 4 mo's & 15 Days.
Jºn. H. Sharot, Died May 17,
1864, AE. 33 yrs 5 mo. & 20 d’s.
Ebeneze” She wºn at nº died Oct. 23,
1822, aged 70.
In memory of
A ºn y She?”un (tºw, wife of Ebenezer
Sherman, died Dec. 26, 1807, AE. 51.
Leaving an afflicted family to mourn an irre-
parable loss.
Thy darts O death that fly promiscuous round
In such a victim may others wound.
In Memory of
Maº'y She?”nan wife of Daniel
Sherman who died March 10, 1799
AE. 73,
85
[Sherman monument]
I’hilo B. Shep'man Died Oct. 6,
1885, Aged 77.
A novelict. His Wife Died Nov. 7, 1871,
Aged 64.
In memory of
Mr. David Sherwood who died
Sept. 19, 1815, aged 36 years.
In memory of
Polly, Wife of Jonathan Gould,
formerly wife of David Sherwood,
who died Jan. 22, 1820, aged 40 y's.
In memory of
Edson, J., son of David & Polly
Sherwood who died August 31,
1821 aged 11 y's.
In Memory of
Mº’s. A mºnt. Shep'mood, wife of Mr.
I)avid Sherwood, who died July
30th 1803, in the 23d year of her
age.
D (trict J.W., son of David W. and
Harriet Sherwood died May 8, 1840,
AE, 1 y’r. & 8 mo's.
This lovely plant we wished to raise
Resign it here we must
Into the hands of God who gave
And in his mercy trust.
Charles G. Son of David W. &
Harriet Sherwood, Died Aug. 18,
1848, aged 5 years.
Sylvin at Antoinette, only daugh-
ter of David W. & Harriet Sher-
wood died Jan. 6, 1847, AE. 10 years
& 3 mo.
Called sudden from her earthly home
To heaven's immortal bowers
Through all eternity to bloom
A sweet and fadeless flower.
Mr. Dotniel She pºtood died June
2. 1813 in the 53 year of his age.
May angels with their guardian wings
This dreary tomb o'er spread
And guard until the close of time
This mansion of the dead,
In memory of
Mrs. Eumice Sherwood, Wife of
Mr. Daniel Sherwood, who departed
this Life Febry 5th 1790, In the 22d
Year of her Age.
ID(t) viel B. Sherwood Died Jan.
16, 1878, Aged 78 y’rs 6 mo.
Electot, MI. She?" tooool Died Oct.
12, 1866, Aged 61 y’rs 7 D's.
Elect mon', daughter of Amos O. &
Betsey Sherwood, Died June 18,
1832, aged 4 y’rs 5 mo's & 20 d.
FI (ta'n'iet J. wife of Justus Sher-
wood Died Feb. 4, 1864, Aged 39.
In the midst of life we are in Death.
Lillie M. Daughter of J. & M.
Sherwood Died April 24, 1869, AE. 5
y’rs & 7 mo.
wº **Safe Within the fold.”
Sacred to the memory of
John. She lºwood Esq.
Charity, Philanthropy & Urbanity united to
make him beloved by his family, Esteemed by
his friends & Respected by his acquaintances.
He died June 30th 1810,
MI pºs. Erthwice Shen'ttyood relict of
John Sherwood Esq. died Sept. 12,
1814, in the 76 year of her age.
In memory of
Mr. John Sherwood who depart.
ed this Life May 10th A. D. 1795, In
the 25th Year of his Age.
John Sherwood Died at Chicago
Jan. 1, 1855, AE. 27.
John Sherwood Died April 6,
1858, AE. 66 y’rs 5 mo. & 14 ds.
Flosio, Wife of John Sherwood,
Died Sept. 9, 1868 AF. 72 Y’rs & 6
mo's.
Sacred to the memory of
John Shem' wood, only child of
Sherwood and Caroline Staples who
died May 2, 1838, aged 7 years 5 mo.
& 24 d’s,
86
Elizabeth S., Wife of J. W. Sher-
wood Died June 15, 1882, Aged 30
y’rs. --
Asleep in Jesus.
Died April 29, 1808
Samuel W. aged 9 months.
June 13, 1811 an
Infant aged 3 days.
Sept. 1, 1827
Charles E. aged 1 year.
Sons of David & Anna Sherwood.
Jotunes I?’ winſ, son of David W.
& Laura W. Sherwood died Dec. 7,
1846 Aged 10 mo, & 3 d’s.
In memory of
Julia. She?"wood, who died Sept.
8, 1842, AE. 30.
Farewell my partner child and friend
Prepare for death while I sleep here.
In memory of
Isaac Sherwood who died May 28,
1838, Æ. 41 y’rs 10 mo's & 1 day.
Abigail Joj’clan, wife of Isaac
Sherwood, Died Dec. 28, 1876, Aged
77 yrs.
“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.”
Eliza, A., wife of Justus Sherwood
Died Oct. 13, 1890, AE. 60 y’rs 10
mo's.
Not safe till saved in Heaven.
In memory of
Abigail. Sher”ood wife of Mat-
thew Sherwood who died Sept. 28th,
1786. In the 29th Year of her age.
A. H. (At the left hand of Abigail
Sherwood)
Philo B. Sherwood Died Sept.
24, 1887, AE. 73 years, & 5 mo's.
Eugene W. died Oct. 13, 1851, AE,
2 y's & 8 mo. tº
Also an
Infant daughter died 1846, AE, 3
IłłS. -
Children of Philo B. & Jerusha Sher-
wood.
In memory of
Phebe A. Shen'evood who died
Oct. 22, 1844, aged 25 y’rs.
Modesty and meekness adorned her in life
Faith and hope supported her in death.
In Memory of
MI)”. Thoºn (ts She pºtºooºl who
died Sept. 15th 1798, in the 70th
year of his age.
In memory of
Mi’s. A mºve , SJºey” twood, Wife of
Mr. Thomas Sherwood, who died
Decr 3d 1777 in the 52d year of her
age. -
Jjºulkey" Sherwootl (lied Oct. 15,
1826, AE. 26 years.
#; ºthken' She?'ttwood.” Died Oct. 21,
1863, AE. 81 y’rs 2 mo's & 6 D's.
Father, we miss him.
Aſ nºva. She?” wood, wife of Walker
Sherwood Died April 18, 1862, AE.
82 yrs 4 mo. & 11 days.
Our mother, we loved her.
Betsey Sillimatn Died Sept. 20,
1858, AE. 73.
Here lies a friend of Jesus.
Cyrus Sillianau Died May 6, 1864,
AE. 51 yrs 1 mo. & 19 D's.
Chat?’les C., Son of Cyrus. & Anna
H. Silliman, Died March 21, 1871,
AE. 16 Yrs 8 mos.
Meet me in Heaven.
In memory of
Mr. Cyrus Silliman, who died
Aug 12, 1842, AE, 72.
Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his saints.
* One of Nature's noblemen. His wife was a Summers.
(R. B. L.)
87
In memory of
M2”. David Silliman, who died
August 29th 1810, In the 73d year
of his Age.
Mrs. Lydia, siuiman widow of
David Silliman died Dec. 28, 1816,
aged 75.
In memory of
Miss A punct Silliman, daughter
of David & Lydia Silliman, who
died June 8, 1820, aged 32 years.
Once you must die and once for all
The solemn purpose weigh
For know that heaven or hell attend
On that important day.
David Silliºn (tn Died April 23,
1853, Aged 88 years & 6 months.
Clarissa, Wife of David Silliman
died May 19, 1855, Aged 81 years.
Tharles E., only son of David &
Mary B. Silliman Died Oct. 5, 1852,
Aged 13 years & 10 mo's.
In memory of
Lanviel Sillion am, who died Sept.
13th 1818, AE. 66 years 2 months &
16 ds.
Emily Sillion any wife of Ezra Sil-
liman died July 11, 1838, aged 31
y’rs & 10 mo.
John Silliºn a nu, son of Mr. Cyrus
& Mrs. Hannah Silliman died Feb.
8, 1815, in the 16 year of his age.
Joseph, Sillion an died June 18,
1849, AE. 59 y’rs.
Deacon, Justus Silliºn (the De-
parted this life April 30th 1839, AE.
71 years & 10 months,
In memory of
It atth, Silliºn atm, wife of Justus
Silliman who died March 20, 1836,
aged 70 years & 6 months.
In memory of
Isotºtc Sillimam, who died July 8,
1840, AE, 48 yrs & 4 ms.
In memory of
Mctrºy, wife of Isaac Silliman, who
died Nov. 21, 1825, aged 34 y’rs & 6
months.
Lottie H. Daughter of Nathaniel L.
& Eliza B. Silliman, Born Jan. 17,
1859, Died March 10, 1862, AE. 3
y’rs 1 mo. & 21 D's.
Nathaniel Sillion (tº died Nov. 6,
1825, AEt. 33.
Nath at miel L. Silliºn (law
May 30, 1868, Aged 43.
Carlton, E. Smith, Died Dec. 11,
1871, AE. 17 y’rs 9 D's.
Carlton dear one I thou art at rest
God called him home He knew twas best
We mourn thee, yet we know that soon
We too may share thy heavenly home.
James A. Son of J. B. & C. Smith
Died Dec. 12, 1868, AE. 1 y’r 4 mo.
Our Jamie.
Tread softly for an angel band,
Doth guard the precious dust,
And we can safely leave our boy
Our darling in his trust.
Quann, Smith, died March 30th
1860, AE. 84.
Ransom. O. Smith, Died May 31,
1871, aged 54 y’rs & 9 mo's.
One less to love on earth
One more to meet in heaven.
Lucinda, Wife of Ransom O.
Smith Died July 27, 1883, aged 71
years.
Sylvester. B. Smith Died June 16,
1886, AE. 49 y’rs 1 mo. & 11 days.
JWilliot ºn JV. Smith, Died March
17, 1857 AE. 43 yrs & 1 mo.
Earth has his dust
Friends his memory
And the Redeemer his spirit.
Died
88
Wm. Wilmot, Son of Wm. W. &
Susan A. Smith, Died July 22, 1865,
aged 14 y’rs.
Seek ye the Lord while he may be found.
We lived together.
Johaw A. Son of Wm. W. & Susan A.
Smith, died Sept. 6, 1851, AE. 12
y’s.
We parted but to meet again.
JWilliotºv. W. Son of Wm. W. & Sus-
an A. Smith died Sept. 8, 1851, AE.
10 y's.
In Memory of
Sherwood Staples who died Oct.
15, 1839, aged 38 years & 8 mo's.
In Memory of
Caroline, Wife of Sherwood Sta-
ples who died Oct. 12, 1888, aged 84
years & 4 d’s.
Staples, Jennings, [monument].
Mary R. Chappell, Wife of Sid-
ney Staples, Died May 6, 1848, AE.
32 years.
In memory of
M1'. Zatchaº"itth Satan inven's, who
departed this Life May 28th 1787,
In the 53d year of his Age.
In memory of
M?’s. Man'that Swampmen’s, wife of
Mr. Zachariah Summers, who died
April 12, 1820, in her 87 year.
Schuyler', N., Son of Samuel A. &
Eliza A. Sweet, Died Nov. 6, 1875,
Aged 17 y’rs.
We part to meet again:
Meet me in heaven.
Sweet rest in heaven.
died Sept. 2
&
Barak, Taylor, 7,
1838, aged 75 years.
In Memory of
Abigail, wife of Barach Taylor, who
died April 23, 1829, aged 61 years.
In Memory of
Mr. David Taylor, who died May
5, 1805, In the 89th year of his
Age.
David Taylor, Died July 26, 1848,
AE. 60.
Man'y N. Wife of David Taylor
Died Jan. 24, 1856, AE. 63.
In Memory of
Elihu Taylor', who died Nov. 4,
1845, AE. 55.
Angeline, wife of Elihu Taylor died
Jan. 28, 1874, AE. 81 y’rs 9 mo.
“Let me die the death of the righteous
and let my last end be like his.”
Samuel E. Thorp, Died March
10, 1875, AE. 53 years 3 mo's & 16
days. *
Mary B., wife of Samuel E. Thorp
Died April 22, 1885, AE. 65 years 7
mo's.
Isototo W., Son of Samuel E. & Mary
B.Thorp, Died April 21, 1875, AE. 17
years & 8 mo's.
Lelius [Monument].
Floyd Tucken', Died October 12,
1888, aged 83 y’rs.
His Wife
A monto, T'ztoker, Died Feb. 24, 1891,
aged 78 y’rs.
Charles J. Batken', son of Jesse &
Anna Baker Died April 1, 1887,
aged 56 y’rs.
Dea. Albert Tatravey, Died April
14, 1871, Aged 79 y’rs.
In memory of
Hammah, Turney Wife of Dea.
Albert Turney, who died Dec. 17th,
1839, aged 46.
Lucreţia, Wife of Dea. Albert Tur-
ney Died Sept. 1, 1868, Aged 82.
Albert T. Twº'ney Died June 15,
1886, aged 70 years.
In Memory of
Clarissa Turney, who died April
14, 1844, AE. 78 y’rs.
Cyrus Turney Died Nov. 14. 1886,
aged 69 years.
Blessed are the pure in heart
for they shall see God.
In Memory of
David Turney, who died July 25,
1829, aged 64 years 6 months.
In memory of
Mrs. Pan'thema, wife of Mr. David
Turney, who died Sept. 30, 1815, in
the 47 year of her age.
In memory of
Sally T'at?"ney, daughter of David
& Parthena Turney, who died Nov.
25, 1834, aged 24 years 6 mo. & 23
d's.
In memory of
Thomas J. Tºtº'mely, Son of M .
David & Mrs. Parthena Turney,
who died Nov. 1st, 1805, in the 19th
year of His Age.
Willis, Son of Mr. David and Mrs.
Parthena Turney, born May 31st &
died July 30th 1804, aged 2 months.
Hema'iy M., Son of A. T. & E. M.
Turney, Died Oct. 29, 1877, aged 34
Years.
We miss thee.
Edith, daughter of A. E. & M. E.
Turney died April 21, 1863, AE. 4
mos & 3 dys.
John Turney Died Nov. 24, 1849,
AE. 81.
In memory of
Eunice Turney, wife of Jöhn Tur-
ney, who died Oct. 4, 1831, aged 58
years.
Blessed are the dead who die in the
Lord from henceforth: Yea saith the
Spirit, that they may rest from their
Labors; and their works do follow them.
In memory of
Annºt Turney, daughter of John
& Eunice Turney, who died Dec. 17,
1833, aged 26 years.
Stephen, Son of John & Eunice
Turney died Oct. 3, 1815, AE. 2 y’rs.
9 mo. -
Zalm on Turney Died Dec. 31,
1880, AE. 80 y’rs 8 mo.
In memory of
Mary M., wife of Zalmon Turney,
who died Nov. 15, 1835, aged 26
years & 8 mo.
David B. Son of Zalmon & Mary
M. Turney died July 4, 1832, Aged
4 mo. & 13 ds.
In memory of
San’ (th, wife of Squire Turrel, who
died Feb. 24, 1809, in the 24 year of
her age.
L(tº ima, wife of James J. Ward
Died Nov. 15, 1880, AE. 28 y’rs 2 mo's
& 9 days.
Man'y, wife of James J. Ward, Died
Mar. 27, 1883, AE. 21 years.
Ičev. John Warrem Died July 26,
1889, aged 74 y’rs 9 mo's.
In memory of
John Wells, who died May 26, 1848,
AE. 75 y’rs.
In memory of
II annah, widow of John Wells, who
died June 4, 1855, AE. 79 y’rs.
My Husband
.1marew S. Wheeler Died Oct.
26, 1870, Aged 23 years.
They call thee dead my husband, for the grave
Now holds thy body in its cold embrace
They call thee dead because the coffin lid
Shuts out the sight fore Ver from thy face.
I saw thee wasting on thy couch of pain
Stood by thy bedside when thy spirit fled
Know what thou wast, camst not be again
And yet! and yet to me thou art not dead.
In Memory of
Daniel JVIveeler', who died Feb.
11, 1844, aged 76 years.
Farewell my partner and children dear
Prepare for death while I sleep here.
In Memory of
Antha, wife of Daniel W. heeler, Died
Dec. 29, 1880, aged 96 years.
In Memory of
Sarah, wife of Daniel Wheeler, who
died April 27, 1817, AE. 51 yrs.
Pollina their daughter died Feb.
1806, AE. 10 mo's.
In Memory of
Ezra, Son of Daniel & Antha Wheel-
er, who died Sept. 18, 1826, aged 4
y’rs & 6 mo's.
Phebe M., Wife of Daniel Wheeler
died May 7, 1876, AE. 66 y’rs 7 mo.
Asleep in Jesus.
Mary Augusta, daughter of Dan-
iel and Phebe M. Wheeler died Oct.
9, 1847, AE. 4 y’rs 6 mo & 12 ds.
Sarah Jane, died Nov. 27, 1841,
aged 3 years.
Nelsom died March 24, 1842, aged 8
IIl O.
Also an Infant,
Children of Daniel & Phebe M.
Wheeler.
Edwin, JJ"heeler Born Dec. 8,
1812, Died Nov. 29, 1870.
Lucinda Wheeler', wife of Edwin
Wheeler, Died Jan. 17, 1875, AE. 57
y’rs.
In memory of
Eli JP heeley', who died Aug. 5,
1845, aged 50 y’rs.
In Memory of
Hot movah, wife of Eli Wheeler, who
died April 9, 1836, aged 44 years.
Elect mon', Daughter of Eli & Han-
nah Wheeler died Nov. 22, 1863,
aged 43 y’rs 2 mos & 25 d’s.
In memory of
JP'akeºvatn, Son of Eli & Hannah
Wheeler, who died May 27, 1814, AE.
1 year 10 months.
Eumice F. Wife of IIenry K. Wheel-
er Died Nov. 28, 1876, AE. 45 y’rs 3
II] O.
Emma ſerve, daughter of Joseph &
Emily. Wheeler died Jan. 30, 1852,
aged 2 y’rs & 24 days.
George JWheeler Died Dec. 13,
1856, AE. 32.
In memory of
Susan JWheeler, Wife of George
Wheeler, who Died May 8, 1850,
Aged 43 years.
Henry Wheelen' Died April 10,
1876, Aged 41 y’rs 6 mo.
Afflictions sore long time he bore,
Physicians' aid was vain
Till God was pleased to call him home
And free him from all pain.
Hiram. Wheeler Born Dec. 9,1802,
Died Aug. 21, 1882.
A mana, Wife of Hiram Wheeler
Born, Feb. 19, 1809, Died April 16,
1877.
Johan. Wheeler died Jan. 10, 1820,
AE. 65.
91
In Memory of
Mrs. Abiah JWheeley', widow of
John Wheeler decd. who died July
4, 1828, aged 89.
John J.P. In eeler' died Feb. 3, 1819,
in his 90th year.
Sarah, Wife of Jesse Wheeler Died
Feb. 12, 1846, AE. 64 y’rs.
Infant, daughter of John A. & Ruth
A. Wilson died Sept. 13, 1851.
Here lyes ye Body of -
MIr's. A nºm JJ heelen' Wife of Mr.
John Wheeler, who departed this
Life March ye 17th, 1767, in ye 38th
year of Her Age.
In memory of
Obadia/, JWI, eele?” who died May
28, 1848, AE. 82.
In memory of
Sarah, wife of Obadiah Wheeler, who
died Oct, 25, 1855, AE. 90 y’rs 6
In O.
In memory of
Ruth, wife of Jabez Wheeler, who
died Sept. 30, 1827, in her 45 year.
In Memory of
Sammatel. Wheeley’, who died July
19, 1833, in the 81st year of his
age.
In memory of
Esther, Wife of Samuel Wheeler
who died Jan. 5, 1860, AE. 99 y’rs 8
mo's & 20 d’s.
Sarah, Wife of Samuel Wheeler
died January 20th, 1795, AE, 44 y’rs.
In memory of
Stephem. Wheeler, who died May
22, 1837, aged 67.
In Memory of
Eleanor', wife of Stephen Wheeler,
who died Aug. 21, 1846, aged 72.
In Memory of
Jem' ush at F., wife of Charles Wheel-
er, daughter of Burr and Sarah
Bradley, who died April 9th, 1837,
aged 25 years 11mo's and 3 d’s.
But I'n' JWakeman, JJ heeley, Son
of Charles & Jerusha Wheeler, died
Dec. 9, 1838, aged 4 y’rs 9 mo's & 15
days. -
In memory of
A moll’eat, J., Son of Charles & Jer-
usha Wheeler, who died June
1848, aged 20 years. .
He was at the time of his death a member of
the Junor Class in Yale College.
In memory of
Motble, daughter of Stephen & Elean-
or Wheeler, who died Dec. 5, 1850,
aged 51.
re,
* ,
In Memory of
Not ºvcy, daughter of Stephen &
Eleanor Wheeler, who died June 23,
1851, aged 50.
In memory of
Pen'thema, Wife of Stephen Wheel-
er, who died May 24, 1841, aged
72.
JJ’illiam Wheeley Died March 8,
1878, aged 65 y’rs 2 mos.
Silas JW7teele?" Died Oct. 10, 1864,
AE. 83.
In memory of
Deborah, WWheeley’, who ended this
mortal life July 5, 1846, AE. 65.
So one generation passes away.
Another soon follows.
Isaac JWhitehead Died April 21,
1858, Aged 70 y’rs.
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
Anna, Wife of Isaac Whitehead
Died Jan. 14, 1864, AE. 79 y’rs &6 mo.
Sylvia A., Only child of Isaac &
Anna Whitehead & wife of Benja-
man T. Beers Died Dec. 3, 1856, AE.
33.
In memory of
Hannah Wildman, Formerly
wife of Lewis Edwards, who died
Oct. 29, 1862, AE. 86 y’rs 4 mo &
20 D’s. -
Eleanom' Elizabeth, Wife of
George F. Wildman died Aug. 9,
1854, Aged 22 years.
James I. Wilson Died Noy. 2,
1879, aged 54 y’rs.
Asleep in Jesus.
Latciº da A. widow of William Wil-
son died Oct. 19, 1856, AE. 86 y’rs.
At Rest.
Joseph H. Wilson Died Dec. 11,
1886, aged 60 years.
In memory of
David B. Wintom, who died Jan.
19, 1849, aged 21 y’rs.
Dea Ebenezer S. Wintom, Died
Nov. 10, 1867, ae. 54 y’rs & 1 mo.
For me to live is Christ & to die is gain.
David E., Son of Ebenezer S. &
H. M. Winton, Died Sept. 25, 1849,
aged 8% mo's.
Happy finfant early blessed
Rest in peaceful slumbers rest.
Col. Jaames Winton Died Mar.
21, 1857, aged 78 y’rs & 11 mo's.
In memory of
Jotu"vis Wintom, who died Mar. 15,
1850, in the 29th year or his age.
In memory of
Perthenia Wintom, who died
April 13, 1850, aged 65 years 8 mo
& 20 d’s.
In memory of
Iłºta and, wife of Eli Winton who
died Jan. 23, 1852, AEt. 40 years &
2 mo.
IHaº'n'iet Newell, wife of Eli Win-
ton, Died Oct. 13, 1855, AE. 26.
Also
George H. their son Died Feb. 22,
1856, AE. 6 mo & 17 days.
Forgive blest Shade the tributary tear
Which mourns thy exit from a world like this
Forgive the wish that would have kept thee
[here
And stayed thy progress to the realms of bliss.
COFFECTIONS.
Page 64, omitted
Aaron Beers, Died Aug. 16; 1886,
Aged 83 y’rs 10 mos.
IIuldah, His Wife, Died Feb. 1,
1853, Aged 61 y’rs.
Page 66, Eunice Bennett for Annice
Bennett. -
Page 67, Wife of William H. Burr, for
wife of William Burr.
Page 67, Jerusha F. wife of Charles
Wheeler, misplaced and repeated on
page 91.
Page 68, Clara only daughter of J. &
C. A. Candee, for Clara, daughter
of &c.
Page 69, Polly Edwards age, 36 yrs.
for 35 yrs. 5 mos.
Page 70, Emma J. Fisher, Died 1868,
for 1878.
Page 69, omitted
David S. Edwards, Died in New
Orleans July 19, 1863, Aged 34 y’rs.
Smile Softly skies down upon our loved one's
grave,
Bloom brightly flowers l Angels 1 keep holy
watch,
Cherished ones oft wander here, for he who
Laid himself a sacrifice upon our
Country's altar is numbered ever with
Its brave defenders,
A priceless offering
Here rests in glorious hope the mortal;
The immortal far from toil and strife,
Through grace divine rests with the
- Prince of peace.
Tis well our yearning hearts do say to Him
Whose will not ours be dome. Forever free
From pain and Sorrow, and each day each
hour
Brings us nearer to his eternal home.
THE PATENT OR CHARTER
Of the Town of Stratford. *
1686.
Whereas the General Court of Connecticutt have formerly
Granted unto ye proprietors Inhabitants of Stratford all
those lands both meadows and upland within these abut-
ments viz upon ye sea on ye South on Stratford River on ye
east & on Fairfield bounds on ye west and to run from ye
sea on ye south ye whole breadth full twelve Miles and from
ye norwest corner to run easterly to ye middle of Stratford
Biver & abuts on ye wilderness on ye north the said land
having been by purchass or otherwise lawfully obtained of
the Indian native proprietors & whereas ye proprietors the
aforesaid Inhabitants of Stratford have made application to
ye Governor & Company of said Colony of Conecticut assem-
bled in Court May 25, 1685, that they may have a patent for
Confirmation of ye aforesaid lands so purchased & granted
to them as aforesaid and which they have stood seized and
quietly possessed of for many years late past without inter-
ruption now for a more full confirmation of ye abovesaid
tract of land as it is abutted & Bounded aforesaid unto ye
present proprietors of ye township of Stratford in there pos-
session & enjoyment of the premises Know yee yt. ye said
Governor & Company assembled in General Court according
to ye Commission & by vertue of ye Power granted to them
by our late soverraign Lord Charles 2d of blessed memory
In his letters pattents bearing date the three and twentyeth
year of said Majesties Raigne have given & granted & by
these present doe give grant ratifye & Confirm unto Capt.
Wm. Curtiss Mr Joseph Hawley Mr Isaac Nicholls Mr Jere.
Judson Leut. John Beardslee Ensigne Stephen Burritt Sergt.
* It was unfortunate that this charter was not printed in the History of Stratford,
and partly to supply that defect it is inserted in this annual. In copying the record
we have followed the original, without punctuation.
96
John Curtiss Mr Richard Blackléach Mr Timothy Wilcoxson
Mr. John Welks Mr. Samuel Sherman & Mr Ephraim Stiles
and all the rest of ye said present proprietors of ye Town-
ship of Stratford and theire Heires and assignes for ever and
to each of them in such proportion as they have alredy
agreed upon for the division of the same all yt aforesaid
tract and percells of lands as it is butted and bounded to-
gether with all ye woods uplands arrable lands meadows pas-
tures ponds havens portes waters rivers with all adjoining
Islands therein fishings huntings fowlings mines mineralls
quarries & precious stones upon or within ye said tract of
lands with all other proffits & comodities there unto be-
longing or in any waise appertaining : and doe alsoe grant
unto the aforenamed Capt. Wm. Curtiss Mr Joseph Hawley
Mr Isaac Nicholls Mr Jeremy Judson Leut John Beardsly
Ensign Stephen Burritt Sergt John Curtiss Mr Richard
Blackleach Mr Timothy Wilcoxson Mr John Wells Mr Sam-
uel Sherman & Mr Ephraim Stiles and all the rest of ye
present proprietors Inhabitants of Stratford aforesaid there
heires & assignes for ever yt the aforesaidtracts of land shall
be for ever hereafter deemed reputed & bee an Intire
Township of itself to have & to hold the said tracts of land
& premises with all & every those appertenances together
with the priveleges Immunities & franchises herein given &
granted unto ye said Capt. Wm. Curtiss Mr Joseph Hawley
'Mr Isaac Nicholls Mr Jeremiah Judson Leut John Beardslee
Ensign Stephen Burrit Sergt. John Curtiss Mr Richard Black-
leach Mr Timothy Wilcoxson Mr John Wells Mr Samuel
Sherman Mr Ephraim Stiles & all other ye present proprie-
tors Inhabitants of Stratford there heires and assignes for
ever & to ye onely proper use and behoofe of ye said Capt.
Wm. Curtiss Mr Joseph Hawley Mr Isaac Nicholls Mr Jer-
emy Judson Leiut. John Beardslee ensign Stephen Burrit
Sergt. John Curtiss Mr Richard Blackleach Mr Timothy
Wilcoxson Mr John Wells Mr Samuel Sherman & Mr
Ephaim Stiles and all other the present proprietors Inhabi-
tants of Stratford their heires successors & anssignes for ever
according to ye tenor of his Majests Manor of east green.
97
wich in ye County of kent in ye kingdom of england in free
& comon soceage & not in Capitee nor by knight service
they yeilding and paying therefor to our sovreigne Lord ye
king his heires & successiors onely the fifth part of all ye
oare of gold & silver which from time to time & all times
hereafter shall be there gotten had or obtained in lieu of all
rents services duties & demands whatsoever according to
charter In witness whereof we have caused the seal of the
Colony to be hereunto affixed this fowerteenth of May one
thousand six hundread eighty & six in ye second year of ye
Iłaign of our Soveraign Lord James the second by the Grace
of God of England Scotland France and Ireland king de-
fender of ye faith &c
Postcript note. Also yt ye Islands in said river belonging
to Stratford are called by ye names of Mr Knells Brins-
meades the lower & upper Islands & Harvies Island in all
five with all the wanted privileges of the river to have & to
hold to ye said town of Stratford to them & their heirs for
€Ve]".
RoBERT TREAT Govermor.
Pr Order of ye General Court of Con-
necticut signed proſohn Allyn Secre-
tary March 30th 1687 prorder of ye
Governor & Company of the Colony
of Connecticutt
Entered in the pub: records lib, P.
fo. 158:159 May 19, 1686.
Pr JoHN ALLYN Secretyr
Exactly Recorded from ye
Originall Assignmts & dilli-
gently Compared there with
this 22d Decembr 1688
Pr Joseph CURTIss Recorder
[of the town of Stratford]
Vol. 2 p. 489.
98
D A TRINTUIM INSTITUTE
of Science and History.
EXTRACTS FROM THE VVILL AND CODIC ILS
OF
HON. PHINEAS T. BARNUM, DECEASED,
In Relation thereto, from the Records of the Court of Probate,
District of Bridgeport, Vol. 51, pages 676, 690, 697.
FIRST codicIL, ART. 9, PAGE 676.
If my estate (exclusive of the show business and all prop-
erty pertaining thereto) shall amount after appraisal to one
and a half million dollars over my debts, then I give to the
Fairfield County Historical Society and to the Bridgeport
Scientific Society, corporations organized and existing under
the laws of the state of Connecticut, and located in said city
of Bridgeport, $50,000, to be expended by said societies in
erecting a building on a lot of land situate in said Bridge-
port on the southeast corner of Gilbert and Main streets, and
recently conveyed by me to said societies for the purposes
hereinafter provided for. Said building is to be duly marked
and forever known as Barnum Institute and used for
promoting and carrying out the purposes respectively of
said societies, and it shall be constructed so as to furnish
suitable rooms for each of said societies with one large room
or hall for meetings and lectures which may be used in com-
mon and by each society separately on such nights as they
shall mutually agree upon. Each society shall have exclu-
sive control of its own rooms.
Said building may in the discretion of the Trustees of said
societies be so constructed as to allow stores on the first
floor, and such stores and other rooms in said building as
may not be required for the use of either of said societies,
99
may be rented for their equal benefit, except one room con-
veniently situated which shall be set apart for the sole use of
the Bridgeport Medical Association for its meetings, its col-
lection of pathological specimens, and all other necessary and
useful purposes of said association. Said room shall be in
size equal to 14x18 feet, and said Medical Association shall
always have control of the same, and convenient access and
right of passage to and from the same, and such a room
shall be provided not only in said building but also in any
building that may be erected in place thereof thereafter.
In the division of rooms between the two first named socie-
ties and the management of the rest of the building, and the
division of the receipts and expenses, each of said societies
shall have equal interest, power accommodation and obliga-
tion, and if they cannot agree as to the same, or in any patic.ru-
lar thereof then I hereby empower the Judge for the time
being of the Probate Court of the district of Bridgeport, on the
application in writing of either party with due notice to the
other, to hear and determine the same, and all questions and
controversies relating thereto, and the decision of said Judge
on the premises shall be final, until for good cause shown
the Judge of said Court shall make further order in the mat-
ter. Should I erect a building for said purposes in my life-
time, then in lieu of the above legacy, I give said building
and premises to said societies, (Historical and Scientific) to
be theirs forever as equal tenants in common, and should I
begin and not complete said building before my death, then
the amount if any expended by me on said building shall be
deducted from the legacy above given, and I direct my ex-
ecutors immediately after my death to pay the balance of
such legacy to said societies who shall forthwith use the
same to complete such building. This gift is made on the
express conditions that the said building and premises shall
at all times be kept in good condition and repair, that all as-
sessments, taxes, and charges of every nature on the same
shall be promptly paid by the grantees, the said Historical
and Scientific societies, and their successors forever, which
shall apply all rents and incomes from the building and
100
premises first for the above purposes. The same conditions
shall apply to any new building erected by them, or any
other buildings taken by purchase or exchange by them, and
they shall be binding on said Historical and Scientific socie-
ties and their successors forever.
FourTH CODICIL, ART. 2, PAGE 690.
I give to the Fairfiéld County Historical Society and the
Bridgeport Scientific Society, both of them being established
and located in said Bridgeport, $10,000, for the use and ben-
efit of said societies, in accordance with the provisions of my
said will and codicils. This gift is in addition to my previous
gifts to said societies and is made for the same purpose and
on the same terms and conditions as those heretofore ex-
pressed in my said codicils.
ARTICLE 3.
The special reason for making the above , additional be-
quest and gift is, that the cost of erecting and constructing
the new building contemplated, will be much larger than it
would have been at the time of making my original gift, and
my executors are directed and authorized to carry out my
intentions accordingly.
EIGHTH CODICIL, ART. 1, PAGE 697.
Whereas I have recently accepted plans and made con-
tracts for the erection of such a building on said lot in which
building a large room is set apart for the said Bridgeport
Medical Society, and said building is to be known as “The
Barnum Institute of Science and History.” Therefore it is
my will that the said building when completed shall be in
lieu of any and all other testamentary provisions by me
made heretofore for the erection of said building, and if the
same as now contracted for shall not be finished and paid
for by me during my lifetime, then I direct and authorize
my executors to finish and pay for the same out of my es-
tate, and I hereby empower them to do all things necessary
and proper to be done in the premises.
Date of last codičil, March 30, 1891.
101
FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
ORIGINAL ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION.
WE, whose names are hereunto subscribed, to wit: Row-
land B. Lacey, William H. Noble, William B. Hincks, Na-
thaniel E. Wordin, George C. Waldo and Louis N. Middle-
brook, all of Bridgeport, Fairfield County, State of Connecti-
cut, do hereby form a Voluntary Association, under the laws
of said State, for the promotion and encouragement of His-
torical, Antiquarian and Genealogical Investigation relating
to said County and the towns composing it; the same to
consist of the undersigned as present members thereof, to-
gether with such others as may be chosen by a unanimous
vote of such meetings of said Association as may be hereafter
held for that purpose ; we the subscribers and our asso-
ciates and successors, forever to be known as The Fairfield
County Historical Society, and to be governed by such
officers, rules and by-laws as may from time to time be estab-
lished by said Association.
Subscribed by us at said Bridgeport, this February 4th,
A. D., 1881.
ROWLAND B. LACEY, GEORGE C. WALDO,
NATHANIEL E. WORDIN, WILLIAM B. HINCKS,
WILLIAM H. NOBLE, LOUIS N. MIDIDLEBROOK.
Under the above Articles of Association the Society was
formed, and continued down to the date of the following
Act of Incorporation.
102
INCORPORATING THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY HIS-
TORICAL SOCIETY.
JResolved by this Assembly:
SECTION 1. That Rowland B. Lacey, George C. Waldo,
William A. Beers, Samuel Orcutt, Richard C. Ambler, Na-
thaniel E. Wordin, L. N. Middlebrook, William B. Hincks,
and Curtis Thompson, all of Fairfield County, present officers
and members of The Fairfield County Historical Society, a
voluntary association located at Bridgeport, in said county,
together with such other persons as are now or may hereafter
be associated with them, be, and they are hereby, with their
successors, constituted a body politic and corporate by the
name of The Fairfield County Historical Society, for the pro-
motion and encouragement of historical, antiquarian and
genealogical investigation relating to said county and the
towns composing it, and for the preservation and publication
of the same, and with power to purchase, receive, hold and
convey real and personal estate to an amount not exceeding
fifty thousand dollars, which together with the income there-
of, used for the purposes aforesaid, shall be exempt from tax-
ation; that said corporation may have a common seal, and
may establish such rules and by-laws not contrary to this
charter or the laws of this State or of the United States, as
it may from time to time deem necessary, relating to all mat-
ters connected with the objects, membership and government
of said corporation.
SEC. 2. Said corporation shall meet once in each year for
the election of a president, secretary, treasurer and such
other officers as may be designated from time to time by the
rules and by-laws of said corporation; provided, however,
that in case of a failure to hold such annual meeting, or elect
its officers, said corporation shall not thereby be dissolved;
but the officers of said corporation shall continue to exercise
103
the powers and duties of their several offices until others
shall be duly appointed in their stead. -
SEC. 3. The present by-laws and rules of said voluntary
association, and the officers thereof, shall remain the by-laws,
rules and officers of said corporation until others are adopted
and appointed in their stead.
Sec. 4. The first annual meeting of said corporation shall
be held in the Mayor's office in the City of Bridgeport, at
such time as shall be designated by Rowland B. Lacey, the
president of said voluntary association, one week's notice of
the time, place and objects thereof being previously given by
him in one or more newspapers printed in said Bridgeport.
SEc. 5. This resolution may be amended or repealed at
the pleasure of the general assembly.
Approved, March 24, 1885.
104
BY-LAWS.
RULE I.
The officers of The Fairfield County Historical Society
shall consist of a President, three Vice-Presidents, Treasurer,
Recording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary, who shall
be chosen annually from its members by a majority ballot at
the annual meeting of the Society.
The term of the officers of said Society shall be for one
year from their election, and until others shall be chosen in
their places; and their powers and duties shall be those usu-
ally appertaining to those offices, except when otherwise
ordered by the Society.
Said officers shall also be the Executive Committee of said
Society, and as such shall have charge of and direct all mat-
ters of executive, financial and clerical business appertaining
to the management of the Society, except when otherwise
ordered by the Society.
Thé President of this Society shall be, ea:-officio Chairman
of the Executive Committee.
Any vacancy occurring in any of said offices before the ex-
piration of its term, may be filled for the unexpired portion
thereof, by those of the Executive Committee of said Society,
who shall begin the exercise of their offices at the time.
RULE II.
The regular meetings of said Society shall be held on the
second Friday evening of each month at the rooms of the
Society.
The annual meeting of said Society shall be held on the
second Friday of April in each year, and special meetings
may be held whenever the Society shall so order, or when the
President and Recording Secretary shall deem it necessary
105
to call the same. Notice of the annual and special meetings
shall be given by the President and Recording Secretary of
the time, place and purpose thereof, by three days publica-
tion in one or more daily newspapers, published in the City
of Bridgeport, at least four days before said meeting.
RULE III.
The Chairman of the Executive Committee shall be the
Auditor of the Accounts of the Society, and as such shall
audit and approve all bills of expenses incurred by the society
before the same shall be ordered paid, and only upon such
audit, and an order of payment by the Society or Exective
Committee, shall the Treasurer pay out any funds of the
Society.
RULE IV.
The Treasurer of the Society shall be also Curator of the
same so long as he shall be Treasurer; and the duties of the
office of Curator shall be, to have the care, custody and pres-
ervation of books, papers, antiquities, and all other property
of the Society.
RULE W.
The election of new members of said Society shall be by a
unanimous vote, by ballot or otherwise, at any annual, regu-
lar or special meeting of the Society; the nomination of
such new members having first been made at a preceeding
meeting and not less than one week previous to such voting.
RULE WI.
No application for membership of said Society shall be
entertained or acted upon, unless accompanied by a written
or printed request of the applicant, dated and signed by the
applicant in person.
RULE VII.
An initiation fee of two dollars shall accompany each appli-
cation for annual membership.
RULE VIII.
A due of two dollars shall be laid upon each annual mem-
ber of the Society living in Bridgeport, Stratford, Trumbull
106
and Fairfield, and one dollar for all the others. This amount
shall be paid to the Treasurer annually, during the month of
July, unless excused by the Society.
Any member remaining in arrears for dues may be dropped
from membership by a majority vote of the members present
at any regular meeting of the Society.
RULE IX,
Any approved person may, upon election according to
Rule V., become a Life Member on the payment of two hun-
dred dollars, or a Patron member for five years on the pay-
ment of twenty-five dollars, and both Life and l’atron Mem-
bers shall be entitled to all the privileges of the Society.
The Society may elect, according to the manner provided in
Rule V, as Honorary Members, persons whose membership
may be an honor or advantage to said Society, and they shall
be entitled to all the privileges of the Society except voting.
All members other than Life, Patron and Honorary shall
be known and designated as Annual Members.
RULE X.
These Rules and By-Laws may be altered, amended, re-
pealed or added to, by a majority vote of the members
present at any annual, regular or special meeting of said
Society, notice of such proposed repeal, alteration or amend-
ment having been given at a previous meeting of the Society,
not less than one week before final action thereon is taken.
RULE XI.
The Rules of this Society may be temporarily suspended
by unanimous consent of all the members present at any reg-
ular, annual, or special meeting of the Society.
107
MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY
NAME.
ADAMs, F. C.,
AMBLER, MRs. JENNIE B.,
BEARDSLEY, JAS. W.,
BURRoughs, PROF. GEO. S.
ByINGTON, A. HoMER.
BRONSON, FREDERICK,
BAILEy, J. M.,
BACON, JoHN W.,
BEARDSLEY, MoRRIS B.,
BURTON, SILAs.
BISHOP, MRS, JULIA A.,
BURRoUGHS, JAMES R.,
BRADLEY, CYRUs SHERwooD,
BURTON, HENRY EUGENE,
BREwsTER, LYMAN D.,
BUCKINGHAM, MRS. G. A.,
BANKs, SAMUEL S.
CALEF, THOMAS,
CURTIs, Robert W.,
CoMSTOCK, ALBERT S.,
CARTER, SAMUEL L.,
CARTER, CHAs. H.,
CRUTTENDEN, MRS. F. H.,
CoMsTock, MRS. A. S.,
Cough LIN, PATRICK,
CHAPMAN, GEO. P.,
CoGGSwFLL, H. C.,
DExTER, O. P.,
DEacon, Edward,
DEFoREST, T. B.,
FAIRCHILD, HoRACE L.,
FAIRCHILD, THOMAS. B.,
RESIDENCE.
Bridgeport, Ct., 25 Hough ave.
Nichols, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Amherst, Mass.
Norwalk, Ct.
Greenfield Hill, Ct.
Danbury, Ct.
Danbury, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct., 231 Park ave.
Bridgeport, Ct., 286 Stratford axe.
Bridgeport, Ct., 254 Was’ton ave.
Bridgeport, Ct., 500 Fairfield ave.
Southport, Ct.
Middletown, Ct.
Danbury, Ct.
Newtown, Mass.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct., 170 Park ave.
Stratford, Ct.
18 Wall st., N.Y., A.M.Kidder&Co.
N. Y. City, 4 Irving Place.
N. Y. City, 138 West 43d st.
Bridgeport, Ct., 187 Stratford ave.
New Canaan, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct., 24 Park st.
Bridgeport, Ct., 101 Was'ton ave.
N. Y. City, Box 193.
Bridgeport, Ct., 77 Grove st.
Bridgeport, Ct., 227 Main st.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Stratford, Ct.
108
NAME.
Gould, JAMES L.,
RESIDENCE.
Bridgeport, Ct., 21 Fairfield ave.
GARLICK, SAMUEL MI., M. D., Bridgeport, Ct., 256 State st.
HINCKs, WM. B.,
HAwLEY, ELIAs S.,
HUBBELL, WALTER,
HAWLEY, ALEXANDER,
HAwLEy, MRs. ALEXANDER,
HILLs, MRs. AGNES,
Hold EN, ISAAC,
IRELAND, Jos. N.,
JENNINGs, OLIVER B.,
JoHNSON, SAMUEL W.,
JoNEs, N. H.,
KINGMAN, SAMUEL C.,
LACEY, Rowland B.,
LACEY, MRs. Row1AND B.,
LockwooD, DAVID B.,
LEAVENworTH, MARK R.,
LAMBERT, EDWARD R.,
LEE, HENRY,
Lyon, HENRY W.,
Lyon, FREDERICK H.,
Lyon, HENRY MI.,
Lyon, WM. I.Q.,
MIDDLEBROOK, LOUIS N.,
MAXEy, EATON W., D. D.,
MILLER, DAVID H.,
MEAKER, EDWARD F.,
MEAKER, ARTHUR E.,
MERRITT, DR. CHAS.,
MoRFoRD, GEORGE,
MoRGAN, DANIEL N.,
MARSH, EDWARD W.,
NICHOLs, WARREN B.,
NICHOLs, REv. G. H.,
NICHOLs, HoRACE,
Bridgeport, Ct.
Buffalo, N. Y., 110 Franklin st.
N. Y. City.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct. Public Library.
Bridgeport, Ct., 142 Stratford ave.
Bridgeport, Ct.,389 State st.
Fairfield, Ct.
Mamaroneck, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Washington Depot, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct., 225 Noble ave.
Bridgeport, Ct., 58 Harriet st.
Bridgeport, Ct., 236 Myrtle ave.
Bridgeport. Ct., 20 Fairfield ave.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Troy, N. Y.
Georgetown, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct., 269 Fairfield ave.
Bethlehem, Pa.
N. Y. City, 39 West 42d st.
Bridgeport, Ct., 175 Main st.
Bridgeport, Ct., Washington ave.
Bridgeport, Ct., Fairfield ave.
Bridgeport, Ct., 453 Fairfield ave,
Hoosick Falls, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Ct., 99 Courtland st.
NICHOLs, REv. C. W. D.E. L., Tottenville, N. Y.
NICHOLS STEPHEN,
Bridgeport, Ct.
109
NAME.
NICHOLs, WALTER,
NICHOLs, REv. W.M. F.,
RESIDENCE.
Bridgeport, Ct., 350 State st:
San Francisco, Cal.
NoBLE, Miss HENRIETTA. M., Bridgeport, Ct.
NobLE, GEN. W.M. H.,
ORCUTT, REv. SAMUEL,
PERRY, FREDERICK M.,
PERRY, WINTHROP H.,
PHILLIPs, EBENEzER S.,
RELYEA, ALBERT,
RUSSELL, Robert H.,
RYLANDs, HENRY C.,
Scofield, H. G.,
SHELTON, H. T.,
SHELTON, JoHN C.,
SHERwooD, WM. L.,
SoMERS, JAMES, M.,
STEVENS, FRED S.,
STEWARD, AURELIUS,
SEELEY, WM. E.,
ToDD, CHAs. BURR,
THOMPson, CURTIs,
ToRREy, MIRs. HARRIET L.,
THOMP3ON, JoHN W.,
WANKEUREN, Louis N,
WoRDIN, N. E., M. D.,
WALDo, GEO. C.
WELLs, NATHAN B.,
WILDMAN, FREDERICK S.,
WHEELER, GEO. W.,
WHEELER, NATHANIEL,
WHEELER, MIRs. MARY C.,
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Southport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Norwalk, Ct.
Stratford, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct., 64 West ave.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct., 97 Courtland st.
Bridgeport, Ct., 1,068 Main st.
Newark, N. J., Box 55.
Bridgeport, Ct., 62 Park st.
Bridgeport, Ct., 298 Lafayette st.
Bridgeport, Ct., 110 Was'ton ave.
Bridgeport, Ct., 399 State st.
Redding, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct., 500 Fairfield ave.
Stratford, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct., 85 Gol'n Hill st.
Stratford, Ct.
Danbury, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct., 138 Gol'n Hill st.
Bridgeport, Ct, 138 Gol'n Hill st.
110
HONORARY MEMBERS.
Mendham, N. J.
Hartford, Ct.
Hartford, Ct.
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
REv. BENJAMIN L. Swan,
J.HAMMONDTRUMBULL,LL.D.
CHARLEs J. HoADLEY, LL.D.,
A. W. MoREHOUSE,
TEv. C. RAY PALMER, D. D.,
MAJ. L. N. MIDDLEBRooK,
MEMBERS DECEASED.
AARON B. HULL,
RICHARD C. AMBLER,
WILLIAM T. MINort,
LEMUEL SANFORD,
HENRY M. Hoyt,
WILLIAM A. BEERs,
WILLIAM SHELTON, D. D.,
STILEs M. MIDDLEBROOK,
SAMUEL.M. MAIN,
BARZILLAI B. KELLOGG,
John D. CANDEE,
PLUMB N. FAIRCHILD,
ELIT. Hoyt,
PHINEAs T. BARNUM,
AMos S. TREAT,
SAMUEL B. SUMNER,
SIDNEY B. BEARDSLEY,
MRs. MARY KATE PERRY,
OLIVER C. BULLARD,
Johnson T. PLATT,
REv. E. E. BEARDSLEY,
D. D. L.L. D.
REV. H. N. Powers, D. D.
Danbury, Ct.
Nichols, Ct.
Stamford, Ct.
Bedding, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Fairfield, Ct.
Buffalo, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Brookfield, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Trumbull, Ct.
Danbury, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
Bridgeport, Ct.
New Haven, Ct.
New Haven, Ct.
Orange, N. J.
111
N E C R O L O G Y .
OLIVER CROSBY BULLARD,
Was born in Sutton, Mass, in 1822, the son of Dr. and Mrs.
Artemus Bullard. He was liberally educated and studied
for the ministry, but failing health compelled its abandon-
ment. At the breaking out of the late civil war, his patriotic
and humane nature was profoundly stirred, and he enlisted
in the service of the U. S., Sanitary Commission, associated
with Rev. Dr. Bellows, F. Law Olmstead and others, and
continued through the whole conflict, until the affairs of the
Commission were closed up in 1866 or 67. His work took
him into some of the most famous battle fields of the war,
and the story of his heroic service at Gettysburg and in the
Department of the Gulf is most thrilling.
Naturally fitted therefor, he now gave his attention to
landscape gardening, was a number of years engaged in the
improvement and beautifying of Prospect Park in Brooklyn,
N. Y., and the Public Grounds in Washington, D. C., under
the advice and general direction of the celebrated F. Law
Olmstead, whose confidence and friendship he enjoyed. He
was a man of superior taste and executive ability, which was
thus enriched and cultivated by an experience of the best
sort. For six years he resided here, and had charge of our
public parks, devoting himself most assiduously to their de-
velopment and further improvement. Bridgeport was es-
pecially fortunate in securing so competent a man for the
superintendance of her park improvements, in the formative
period. .
While he did not allow anything to interfere with his busi-
mess and profession, he was a man of broad views and a wide
culture. He was especially interested in historical and gene-
ological matters. He became a member of this society Nov.
112
11, 1887, and was counted one of its most valuable contribut-
ing members. He died after a very short illness, Oct. 25,
1890, in the midst of his usefulness, leaving the aroma of a
lovely and unblemished character, deeply mourned and his
loss regretted by all.
PHINEAS TAYLOR BARNUM,
There is probably no man not a politician or statesman,
whose name has been so universaily known among English
speaking people, as that of our late fellow citizen, Phineas T.
Barnum. Born in an obscure village of our state, without
advantage from birth or fortune, by his indomitable perse-
verance, his energy and Yankee wit he became world famous
as the embodiment of American ingenuity and enterprise.
Gifted by nature with a faculty almost approaching to
genius, whereby he turned to personal advantage those vicis-
situdes common to human life, under which so many fail, he
snatched success from misfortune, and attained prosperity
through disaster.
When at length as the reward of unabated effort assured
success and wealth were his, Mr. Barnum did not lock up his
generous impulses in his coffers, but with liberal hand was
ever ready to aid and promote those laudable enterprises
which commended themselves to his judgment.
It does not pertain to this brief notice to sketch the life of
one so widely known. Through his autobiography, of which
it is said upwards of a million copies were sold, the facts of
Mr. Barnum's career can be readily ascertained ; that which
for the present purpose specially interests this society arises
from his noble gift to this and our sister society, which will
ever cause his name to be held in honored remembrance by
them.
IFeb. 13, 1885, Mr Barnum was elected a member of the
Historical Society. In the year 1886, he deeded to the joint
societies a valuable lot situated on the corner of Main and
Gilbert streets, Bridgeport, and anticipating the hope which
had been felt, he supplemented this gift with a noble provis-
113
sion for the erection of a suitable building for the uses of
the two societies. 3.
It is unnecessary to enlarge upon the generosity which has
placed this nearly completed and handsome structure to add
to the beauty of our city and the utility of our institutions,
the deed and its embodiment speak for themselves, as they
will. continue to speak we trust for many generations to
COIſle.
Mr. Barnum's eventful life, rounded out by this notable
act, came to an honored close, April 7th, 1891, in the 81st
year of his age. The rooms of the society exhibit numerous
tokens of Mr. Barnum's lively interest in our work, a hand-
some book-case and a valuable set of furniture sufficiently
testify to his desire to add to our facilities and increase our
usefulness. -
It would be well for the whole community were there more
men of ample means with the large heartedness and public
generosity of our late lamented fellow citizen and honored
member, P. T. Barnum.
RIOHARD 0, AMBLER,
It is with sincere regret that we here record the death of
our late Treasurer and Curator, Richard C. Ambler, Esq.,
who passed away at the early age of 38 years, the 12th day
of September, 1891. #
Strictly conscientious, modest and retiring, yet a man of
scholarly tastes and of literary ability, Mr. Ambler was held
in high esteem by all who knew him. Born at Nichols, in
the town of Trumbull, in 1853, a graduate of Yale Law
School in 1878, he followed the pursuit most congenial to
his taste, and won by the exercise of those qualities we have
noted, that place at the Fairfield county bar which justified
their high eulogium upon him. He was the son of Charles
Ambler of the firm of F. P. Ambler & Son, who conducted a
lucrative saddlery business during the late war.
After his graduation, he entered the law office of Seymour
& Seymour of Bridgeport, but eventually opened an office
for himself, and by industry and ability, steadily built up a
114
business of his own; he was much interested on behalf of his
clients in the French spoliation claims, and labored faithfully
for years to bring about an equitable adjustment for them.
He married Miss Jennie Beardsley, (daughter of Stephen
Beardsley, of Huntington) who and a little daughter sur-
vive him.
Mr. Ambler was a consistent member of Trinity Episcopal
Church, Nichols, where he resided, and was ever active
in the church work of his parish. In politics he was a
Democrat, and though he never sought office was chosen to
represent the town of Trumbull in the Legislature of 1889-
90; he was also a member of St. John's Lodge, F. and A. M.
Mr. Ambler was one of the earliest members of the Histor-
ical Society, and was ever ready to lend his aid to advance
its interests and add to its usefulness. He contributed some
valuable papers which were read before the society upon the
early history of Unity Parish, Stratford, with sketches of the
labors of the Rev. Richardson Minor, first pastor, and Rev.
James Beebe, his successor. An ancient chair donated by
his widow, inscribed on a silver plate with his name and
office, will serve to keep fresh his memory in the rooms of the
Historical Society.
The funeral services were held in Trinity Church, Nichols,
and were largely attended ; his remains were deposited in
the village cemetery Sept. 15th, 1891. In his death the so-
ciety loses a valuable and useful officer.
MRS, MARY KATHARINE (BURROUGHS) PERRY,
Wife of Mr. Frederick M. Perry, of Bridgeport, died Feb. 23,
1892, leaving a husband and son, one sister and one brother,
both married, and both members of this Historical Society.
Mrs. Perry was elected a member of this society, Sept. 9,
1887, and became at once energetic in forwarding its enter-
prises, and rendered special valuable aid in securing material
for the unusually interesting paper published in the Society's
Annual of that year, on Capt. Stephen Boroughs.
It was by a peculiar thoughtfulness, for a young lady,
years before, on the occasion when a considerable quantity
115
of old manuscript books and papers, the accumulation of
more than a hundred years in the Borroughs family were to
be committed to the flames, that she rescued a large quantity
and preserved them, and they proved to be mostly the ac-
count books and papers of Capt. Stephen Burroughs, the
value of which may be seen in the paper above referred to.
The society regrets very sincerely, the loss of its members,
but especially those in active life, who have a taste for hunt-
ing up and preserving material in the line of history; and it
most cordially commends the example set by this, one of its
early members.
PLUMB NICHOLS FAIRCHILD,
Died March 14, 1892, at the Atlantic Hotel in Bridgeport,
Ct., of pneumonia. He was born Nov. 12, 1809, and was 82
years 4 months and 2 days old. He left a good estate but
no children, his wife having died a few days before him.
He was the son of Col. Lewis Fairchild, was born at the
old homestead in Trumbull, Ct., and raised a farmer. In
1827, he engaged in the paper mill, near the homestead, then
owned by his father and uncles, where he remained until
1847, when he and his brother, Daniel Fairchild, purchased
the mill property, which they conducted successfully until
1861, when Mr. Horace L. Fairchild became a member of the
firm, and they sold the same in 1886. He was a director in
the Bridgeport National Bank many years.
Mr. Fairchild was a Republican in politics, and in 1847,
represented the town of Trumbull in the Legislature. He
had also held the office of Justice of the Peace, and was prom-
inent in advancing all the public interests of his native town.
He was elected a member of this society Jan. 12, 1883, and
gave it a cordial support until his decease.
In 1855, he married Jennett H., daughter of Charles A.
Lewis, of Bridgeport, who died a few days before her hus-
band. 4-
Mr. Fairchild's great-grandmother on his father's side was
Sarah Thompson, as recorded in the Stratford town records,
116
and he made considerable effort to ascertain her father's
name but failed. This Historical Society would be glad to
secure that information.
SAMUEL MERWIN MAIN,
Was born in the town of Weston March 14, 1813, the son of
Joshua and Hannah (Gilbert) Main. His life was moulded
in a pure, Christian home with such advantages of early edu-
cation as his native place afforded. These were supplement-
ed by his own unaided efforts in study and observation by
which he became an educated man in the best sense. His
special religious life he dated from his twentieth year when
he connected himself with the Methodist Episcopal church.
Later in life, during his residence in Brooklyn, N. Y., he
joined a Congregational church, and was always an active
Christian worker to the close of his long life—a temperance
man in word and practice—a strong anti-Slavery man, to
whom the fugitive could safely turn for aid and comfort.
Youthful in spirit he was a member of the “Band of Hope,”
and active in the Sunday School.
A true son of New England, the memories of its early
homes, habits and institutions, had for him a peculiar charm.
He became a member of this Society April 22, 1882, and
at once manifested his interest in its work in the interesting
and important paper on the Stillwellite Methodists, prepared
and read before the society, and in relics he collected and
labeled with great care, and presented to the society, where
they will be carefully preserved and exhibited, to interest
and instruct coming generations, and keep his memory green.
Mr. Main's occupation as a salesman, brought him into contact
with a vast number of the busy, active men of the country.
among whom he made a great many fast friends, indeed he
was greatly respected and beloved by all. He was much in-
terested in the new building now being erected for the
Scientific and Historical Societies, and had planned a visit
here during his summer vacation, but the Heavenly Father
ordered otherwise. He ceased his labors May 5th, 1892,
after a short illness, and passed on to other scenes and la-
bors, no doubt even more congenial.
y º iW. C. F. MiłG|H3.
MAY 13 1998
FAIRFIELD COUNTY
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
18934.
OFFICERS.
OF the -
FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
→139°3---e-
PRESIDENT,
ROWLAND B. LACEY.
WICE-PRESIDENTS.
GEORGE C. WALDO, CHARLES BURR TODD,
CURTIS THOMIPSON.
TREASURER AND CURATOR,
EDWARD DEACON.
RECORDING SECRETARY,
HOWARD N. WAKEMAN.
coRRESPONDING SECRETARY,
JAMES R. BURROUGHS,
RESUME OF THE SOCIETY'S WORK
THE PAST YEAR.
A very brief resume of the work of the Society during the past
year includes two most interesting lectures by Hon. Henry T. Blake of
New Haven, on the Conn. East India Company, (Wyoming Valley.)
And an exceedingly valuable lecture by Captain Schley on the Greeley
Relief Expedition, through favor of Capt. McNeil.
Other interesting and instructive papers have been read by Arthur
D. Osborne Esq. of New IIaven, on Captain Samuel Smedley, and by
Cyrus S. Bradley Esq. of Southport, on the burning of the Lexington.
At the regular monthly meetings interesting papers have been read
by the President on the old Berkshire Mills. By the Secretary, In
memoriam of our deceased brother, F. S. Wildman of Danbury.
'I'he Society was represented at the opening of the New Haven
Historical Society building, Sept. 21st, 1893, and took part in the dedi-
cation of the Barnum Statute, July 4th last.
The room of the Society has been gratefully used by the Sons of
the American Revolution and by the Daughters of the American IRevo-
lution for the purpose of inaugurating their respective orders in this
community.
In accordance with the By-law, the room of the Society has been
open in the afternoons of three days each week, and has been visited
by upwards of four thousand persons, of whom 1362 registered their
names in the visitors book. -
Not only are all the Eastern and Middle States represented by these
visitors, but also Canada, Georgia, Colorado, California, England and
Turkey in Europe.
The Society has been the recepient of many valuable books, pham-
plets, historical relics and other articles presented by 148 donors, testify-
ing to the spreading interest in the work in which we are engaged. It is
our sincere hope to be able to issue the usual publication of the Society
during the present year. .
A synopsis of the Treasurers account is herewith presented :
Received annual dues and entrance fees, - sº sº &= $375 00
‘‘ donations from sundry friends, - * º - 138 53
tº g for sales of annuals and photos, - gº * * * 5 00
Gross Receipts, - - $518 53
Paid on account fitting up room, - - - S. - $164 99
6 t t ( & & printing annual, books and binding, * 154 15
“ in full, attendant keeping room open, - * sº- - 155 50
‘‘ expenses, postage, stationery, etc., s - * - - 41 02
Gross Expenditures, $515 66
Balance brought down. - - - - - - - - - 2 87
Add amount brought over from last year, - - - * 29 0()
April 15, 1894, Cash in Treasury, $ 31.87
Dues unpaid this date, $80 00.
BY-LAWS.
RULE I.
The officers of The Fairfield County Historical Society
shall consist of a President, three Vice-Presidents, Treasurer,
Recording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary, who shall
be chosen annually from its members by a majority ballot at
the annual meeting of the Society.
The term of the officers of said Society shall be for one
year from their election, and until others shall be chosen in
their places; and their powers and duties shall be those usu-
ally appertaining to those offices, except when otherwise
ordered by the Society.
Said officers shall also be the Executive Committee of Said
Society, and as such shall have charge of and direct all mat-
ters of executive, financial and clerical business appertaining
to the management of the Society, except when otherwise
ordered by the Society. w
The President of this Society shall be, eac-officio Chairman
of the Executive Committee.
Any vacancy occurring in any of said offices before the ex-
piration of its term, may be filled for the unexpired portion
thereof, by those of the Executive Committee of said Society,
who shall begin the exercise of their offices at the time.
RULE II.
The regular meetings of said Society shall be held on the
second Friday evening of each month at the rooms of the
Society. .
The annual meeting of said Society shall be held on the
second Friday of April in each year, and special meetings
may be held whenever the Society shall so order, or when the
President and Recording Secretary shall deem it necessary
to call the same. Notice of the annual and special meetings
shall be given by the President and Recording Secretary of
the time, place and purpose thereof, by three days publica-
tion in one or more daily newspapers, published in the City
of Bridgeport, at least four days before said meeting.
RULE III.
The Chairman of the Executive Committee shall be the
Auditor of the Accounts of the Society, and as such shall
audit and approve all bills of expenses incurred by the society
before the same shall be ordered paid, and only upon such
audit, and an order of payment by the Society or Executive
Committee, shall the Treasurer pay out any funds of the
Society. -
RULE IV.
The Treasurer of the Society shall be also Curator of the
same so long as he shall be Treasurer; and the duties of the
office of Curator shall be, to have the care, custody and pres-
ervation of books, papers, antiquities, and all other property
of the Society. .
RULE V.
The election of new members of said Society shall be by a
unanimous vote, by ballot or otherwise, at any annual, regu-
lar or special meeting of the Society; the nomination of such
new members having first been made at a preceeding meeting
and not less than one week previous to such voting.
RULE VI.
No application for membership of said Society shall be
entertained or acted upon, unless accompanied by a written
or printed request of the applicant, dated and signed by the
applicant in person. - .
IRULE VII.
An initiation fee of two dollars shall accompany each appli-
cation for annual membership.
RULE VIII.
The Annual dues for members residing in Bridgeport,
Stratford, Trumbull and Fairfield shall be three dollars ($3)
per annum and two dollars ($2) for all members residing else-
where. This amount shall become due and payable to the
Treasurer annually on the fifteenth day of April, and any
members remaining in arrears for more than six months shall
be dropped from membership at any regular meeting of the
Society upon presentation of their names by the Executive
Committee for this purpose, which report shall be deemed
conclusive unless a special vote be passed to excuse said
delinquents. -
RULE IX.
Any approved person may, upon election according to
Rule V., become a Life Member on the payment of two hun-
dred dollars, or a Patron member for five years on the pay-
ment of twenty-five dollars, and both Life and Patron Mem-
bers shall be entitled to all the privileges of the Society.
The Society may elect, according to the manner provided in
Rule V, as Honorary Members, persons whose membership
may be an honor or advantage to said Society, and they shall
be entitled to all the privileges of the Society except voting.
All members other than Life, Patron and Honorary shall
be known and designated as Annual Members. -
RULE X.
The rooms of this Society shall be open on such week
days and during such hours as the Executive Committee shall
designate. A suitable person shall be in attendance to
receive visitors and to protect the property of the Society,
and at no time when open shall the rooms of the Society
be left without the presence of such an attendant.
RULE XI.
The Antiquarian exhibit of the Society shall be freely
open to the public during the appointed hours, and the at-
tendant shall give courteous welcome and information to
visitors. - -
But the Library of the Society shall be exclusively
reserved for the use of its members and no persons other
than members shall be allowed access to the shelves for study
or reference except by the permission of a member of the
Executive Committee and the Curator.
RULE XII.
These Rules and By-Laws may be altered, amended, re-
pealed or added to, by a majority vote of the members
present at any annual, regular or special meeting of said
Society, notice of such proposed repeal, alteration or amend-
ment having been given at a previous meeting of the Society,
not less than one week before final action thereon is taken.
RULE XIII.
The Rules of this Society may be temporarily suspended
by unanimous consent of all the members present at any reg-
ular, annual, or special meeting of the Society.
ANNUAL MEMBERS.
<r--------
INA YE.
ADAMs, F. C.,
AMBLER, MRS. JENNIE B.,
BRONSON, FREDERICK,
BACON, John W.,
BEARDSLEy, MoRRIs B.,
BURTON, SILAs.
BISHOP, MRS. JULIA A.,
BURRoUGHS, JAMEs R.,
BRADLEY, CYRUs SHERwooD,
BURTON, HENRY EUGENE,
BREWSTER, LYMAN D.,
BUCKINGHAM, MRS. G. A.,
BANRS, SAMUEL S.,
BouTON, EUGENE,
JBURRITT, SARAH E.,
BANKs, EDWIN,
BEACH, MARTHA E.,
BowsER, HENRY E.,
BROTHWELL, CHAs. T.,
BUCKINGHAM, JoHN, A.,
CALEF, THOMAS,
CURTIs, RoBERT W.,
CoMsTock, ALBERT S.,
CARTER, SAMUEL,
CARTER, CHAs. H.,
CRUTTENDEN, MIRs. F. H.,
CoMsTock, MRS. A. S.,
Cough LIN, PATRICK,
CHAPMAN, GEO. P.,
CoGGswell, H. C.,
CURTIs, STILES H.,
CoE, DAVID,
CoMSTOCK, GEO.,
DExTER, O. P.,
DEACON, EDWARD,
RESIDENCE.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Nichols, Conn.
Greenfield Hill, Conn.
Danbury, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Southport, Conn.
Middletown, Conn.
T}anbury, Conn.
Newton, Mass.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Stratford, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Newton, Mass.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Stratford, Conn.,
N. Y. City.
N. Y. City.
N. Y. City.
Bridgeport, Conn.
New Canaan, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Cleveland, Ohio.
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Conn.
N. Y. City.
Bridgeport, Conn.
NAME. RESIDENCE,
DEFoREST, T. B., Bridgeport, Conn.
Downs, MRs. ALICE M., Bridgeport, Conn.
FAIRCHILD, HoRACE L., - Nichols, Conn.
FAIRCHILD, THOMAS B., Stratford, Conn.
EAIRCHILD, ALFRED B., Bridgeport, Conn.
Foote, C. B., New York, N. Y.
FAIRCHILD, MRs. MARY L., Bridgeport, Conn.
GoulD, JAMEs L., Blidgeport, Conn.
GARLICK, SAMUEL M., M. D., Bridgeport, Conn.
GoDFREy, CHAs. C., M. D., Bridgeport, Conn.
HINCKs, WM. B., Bridgeport, Conn.
HAWLEY, ELIAs S., Buffalo, N. Y.
HAWLEY, ALEXANDER, Bridgeport, Conn.
HAWLEy, MRs. ALEXANDER, Bridgeport, Conn.
HILLS, MIRs. AGNESS, Bridgeport, Conn.
HoLDEN, ISAAC, Bridgeport, Conn.
HATCH, DANIEL B., - New York, N. Y.
HALL, ORLANDo B., Bridgeport, Conn.
HollistER, D. F., Bridgeport, Conn.
HAWLEY, GEO. B., Bridgeport, Conn.
IRELAND, Jos. N., -> Bridgeport, Conn.
JENNINGs, O. G., Fairfield, Conn.
Johnson, SAMUEL W., Mamaroneck, N. Y.
JoNES, N. H., - Bridgeport, Conn.
JoHNSON, Joseph W., Bridgeport, Conn.
KINGMAN, SAMUEL C.,. Washington Depot, Conn.
KNAPP, HowARD H., Bridgeport, Conn. -
LACEY, Row1AND B., - Bridgeport, Conn.
LocKwooD, DAVID B., Bridgeport, Conn.
LEAVENWoRTH. MARK R., Bridgeport, Conn.
LAMBERT, EDWARD IR., Bridgeport, Conn.
LEE, HENRY, Bridgeport, Conn.
Lyon, HENRY W., - Bridgeport, Conn.
Lyon, FREDERICK H., Bridgeport, Conn.
Lyon, HENRY M., Bridgeport, Conn.
Lyon, WM. K., Bridgeport, Conn.
Lyon, RogFR H., New York, N. Y.
LocKwood, FRED, K. J., Bridgeport, Conn.
Q
NAME.
LoRD, THOMAs,
LINEBURGH, WM. G.,
MAxEy, REv. EATON W., D. D.,
MILLER, DAVID H.,
MEAKER, EDWARD F.,
MERRITT, DR. CHAs.,
MoRFoRD, GEORGE,
MoRGAN, DANIEL N.,
MARSH, EDWARD W.,
MAIN, SAMUEL A. ,
MooRE, ELIZABETH W.,
MAIN, JOHN N.,
NICHOLs, WARREN B.,
NICHOLs, REv. G. H.,
NICHOLs, REv. C. W. DE. L.,
NICHOLs, REv. W.M. F.,
NoHLE, MISS HENRIETTA. M.,
NICHOLS, FRED'K C.,
NICHOLS, WM. J.,
NEAR, JoHN N.,
PERRY, FREDERICR. M.,
PERRY, WINTHROP H.,
PHILLIPs, EBENEZER S.,
PARROTT, HENRY R.,
PARROTT, F. W.,
PARKER, ADELBERT C.,
PECK, MRS. T. E.
RELYEA, ALBERT,
RYLANDs, HENRY C.,
RICHARDSON, GEO.,
Scofield, H. G.,
SHELTON, H. T.,
SHELTON, JOHN C.,
SHERWooD, WM. L.,
SoMERs, JAMES M.,
STEVENS, FRED. S.,
STEWARD, AURELIUS,
SEELEY, WM. E.,
RESIDENCE,
Chicago, Ill.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Troy, N. Y.
Georgetown, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
N. Y. City.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Washington, D. C.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Danbury, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Middleboro, Mass.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Hoosick Falls, N. Y.
Tottenville, N. Y.
San Francisco, Cal.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Southport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Norwalk, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Newark, N. J.,
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
NAME.
BESIDENCE.
SILLIMAN, EUGENE R.,
SHERwood, CHAs.,
SMITH, JAS. H.,
STAGG, HENRY P.,
SILLIMAN, LEWIs B.,
SHERMAN, REv. HENRY MARTYN,
STERLING, JULIAN H.,
STERLING, EDWARD,
STAPLES, JAMES,
SANFORD, L. D.,
ToDD, CHAs. BURR,
THOMPson, CURTIs,
ToRREy, MRs. HARRIET L.,
THOMPsoN, JoHN W.,
TALLMADGE, A. M.,
WANKEUREN, LOUIs N.,
WoRDIN, N. E., M. D.,
WALDO, GEO. C.,
WELLs, NATHAN B.,
WHEELER, GEO. W.,
WHEELER, MIRs. MARY C.,
WAKEMAN, HowARD N.,
WARD, MRs. SARAH C.,
WREN, G. W.,
Stratford, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Stratford, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Tedding, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Stratford, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Dridgeport, Conn.
Stratford, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
HONORARY MEMBERS.
REv. BENJAMIN L, SWAN,
J. HAMMOND TRUMBULL, L. L. D.,
CHARLEs J. HoADLEY, L. L. D.,
A. W. MoREHOUSE,
REv. C. RAY PALMMR, D. D.,
MAJ. L. N. MIDDLEBRook,
PROF. GEO. S. BURRoughs.
MRs. NANCY BARNUM,
BENJAMIN FISH,
Rev. BEVERLEY E. WARNER,
REv. C. M. SELLICK,
Mendham, N. J.
Hartford, Conn.
Hartford, Conn.
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Amherst, Mass.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
New Orleans, La.
Norwalk, Conn.
11
MEMBERS DECEAS E.D.
NAME.
AARON B. HULL,
RICHARD C. AMBLER,
WILLIAM T. MINOR,
LEMUEL SANFORD,
HENRY M. Hoyt,
WILLIAM. A. BEERs,
WILLIAM SHELTON, D. D.
STILEs M. MIDDLEBROOK,
SAMUEL M. MAIN,
BARZILLAI B. KELLOGG,
JoHN D. CANDEE,
PLUMB N. FAIRCHILD,
ELIT. HoyT,
PHINEAs T. BARNUM,
AMos S. TREAT,
SAMUEL B. SUMNER,
SIDNEY B. BEARDSLEY,
MRs. MARY KATE PERRY,
OLIVER C. BULLARD,
JoHNSON T. PLATT,
REv. E. E. BEARDSLEy, D. D. L.L.D.,
REv. H. N. Powers, D. D.,
FREDERICK. S. WILDMAN,
JAMEs W. BEARDSLEY,
OLIVER B. JENNINGS,
MRs. R. B. LACEY,
GENL. W. H. Noble,
HoN. STEPHEN NICHOLs,
REv. SAM'L ORCUTT,
NATHANIEL WHEELER,
HoRACE NICHOLs,
J. M. BAILEY,
BESIDENCE.
Danbury, Conn.
Nichols, Conn.
Stamford, Conn.
Redding, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Fairfield, Conn.
Buffalo, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Brookfield, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Trumbull, Conn.
Danbury, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
New Haven, Conn.
New Haven, Conn.
Orange, N. J.
Danbury, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Fairfield, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn,
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Danbury, Conn.
ºf R. W. C. & A. tº 2: .
MAY S 1 A*
REPORTS
OF THE
Şairfield Gºogrotg
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Bridgeport, Conn.,
FOR 4893–5.
REPORTS
OF THE
'Fairfield CoGrotg
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Bridgeport, Conn.,
FOR 4893–5.
Published by the Society.
1895.

CONTENTS.
Errata, - º - - º: 4
Illustration Barnum Institute, - -4 5
Description of the Building, - - tº- 5
Officers of Fairfield County Historical Society, 9
Public Opening of Barnum Institute, gº 11
Officers of Historical, Scientific and Medical
Societies in 1893, * de de 12
Joint Committees on the Opening, - de 13
Joint Standing Committee having the care
and custody of the Building, dº 13
Opening Exercises and Addresses, - - 15–47
Dy-Laws F. C. Historical Society, . * , 51
List of Members, gº - * - 55
Election of Officers and Report for 1895, - 63
Donations to Library and Museum, - - 73
Sketch from the Life of Rev. James Beebe, 79
The Fatal Silver Bullet, a Revolutionary
incident, - - - * 96
Mary Silliman Chapter, Daughters of the
American Revolution, - - 4- 99
A PPE N DIX.
Oldest Cemetery in Norwalk, Conn., Inscrip-
tions and Illustrations with Index. - I—XLVII
Necrology.
Rev. Samuel Orcutt, XLIX Horace Nichols, LVII
Gen. W. H. Noble, LIX M. R. Leavenworth, Lxvil
Nathaniel Wheeler, LXVI Alfred Hopkins, LXIII
Oliver B. Jennings, LXIX James M. Bailey, LXIX
Frederick S. Wildman, LxxII
ERRATA.
irrata—on page 39, 7th line from the top at the left, “eras'
is superfluous. 8th line at the left, “nials” requires to be
moved up on the 7th line as the terminal of Centen(nials.)
The passage will then read—“Attention to Family History
and Genealogy has within a few years received a great impe-
tus—largely growing out of the occurrence and celebration of
the notable series of Centennials connected with the Colonial
and Revolutionary periods, culminating in the formation
of Societies” &c.
In the 14th line from the top of same page read Collated for
corrected. w
In Appendix page LIX—In memoriam Gen. W. H. Noble,
at the close of the first paragraph should be added (died)
January 18, 1894.
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The ſamum Institute of Stitliſt all History.
DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING,
The munificent gift of the late P. T. Barnum to the His-
torical and Scientific Societies of Bridgeport, of which we
give an illustration, is at once an ornament to the city and a
lasting monument to the beneficence and charitable character
of our lamented and worthy fellow citizen.
As will be seen, it is an elaborate and ornate monument of
architectural skill and a building that can always be pointed
to by the citizens of Bridgeport with pride.
The architectural style of the building is pure Romanesque
and one that seems to be especially adapted for such a struc-
ture affording ample opportunity for artistic ornamentation.
There are three floors, entirely devoted to the purposes of
the societies. The ground floor with a principal entrance di-
rectly on the corner is occupied by the exhibit of the Scien-
tific society; the floor above with principal entrance on the
Main street front under the tower, consisting of a spacious
room lighted on three sides by ample windows, is occupied by
the Fairfield County Historical society, whose rapidly increas-
ing library and museum can scarcely find room within the
walls; an alcove within this room called the “Barnum Room”
is devoted to the exhibition of the relics and memorabilia of
the generous donor.
The upper floor consists of a fine Auditorium with seating
capacity for several hundred persons, where the well-known
and highly appreciated lectures conducted annually under the
auspices of the Scientific society are delivered, as also other
lectures and readings under the auspices of the Historical
society.
This floor also contains rooms for business purposes and
other conveniences. Access to all these floors is through the
6
main entrance on State street, by a handsome and wide stair-
way well lighted and of easy ascent. A fine room on the
second floor facing on Main street is reserved for the uses of
the Medical society.
The material of which the building is constructed is red
sand stone laid up in rock faced work for the first story.
Above the first story the ornamental belts, the clustered col-
umns with their capitals and bases, the ornamental frieze
hereafter referred to, the quoins and arches, are all composed
of dark buff terra cotta, modeled from special designs of the
architects. - -
The treatment of the great dome at the angle of the streets
is especially good, the recessed balconies on either side carry-
ing the rounded form to nearly two thirds its dimensions.
The deep frieze between the circular windows of the third
story and the cornice of the dome has received special treat-
ment. The massivs square tower to the right, on the Main
street front, contains the principal entrance to the building.
The historic frieze which contains figures of about one-half
life size has been divided into five panels: the first with its
group of Indians in the foreground, a canoe, the warrior on
horse back with shield and spear represents Bridgeport during
the year 1670. The next panel shows the early settlers re-
claiming the virgin soil, hunters returning from the forest,
farmers plowing the field, and the dawning life of civilization.
This second panel indicates the period of 1760. The third
and central panel shows Bridgeport in the year 1810.40, when
schooners were sent on their coasting expeditions from this
port, and when whaling vessels could often be seen in the
harbor. The fourth panel indicates Bridgeport during the
year 1861; volunteers have answered the call to arms, and
Bridgeport's quota of brave boys are assembled ready to
march to the scene of action. The fifth and last panel shows
Bridgeport in 1870, beginning her career of prosperous manu-
facturing industry. In the distance may be seen the Howe
sewing machine factories. In the foreground the Rosedale
dock with its piles of freight, and the Housatonic train pass-
ing the docks.
7
The medallions between the panels contain portraits of rep-
resentative men of the various periods mentioned. This
frieze is modelled in bold relief, so as to be easily distinguish-
able from the street, and some of the most skilful workers in
terra cotta in the country were employed to make it as perfect
a work of art as is possible.
The slanting portions of the roof, the covering of the great
dome and of the square tower are in red unglazed tile. The
upper portion of the dome, also the upper portion of the
tower are covered with copper.
The eagle on the apex of the dome is of copper, gilded with
gold leaf, and is six feet from tip to tip of wings.
The round tower looming up in the background is designed
for an observatory. The societies have as yet been unable to
utilize this feature of the building, but the intention has by
no means been abandoned, and it is to be hoped the time is
not far distant when this portion of the structure shall be
made as useful as the rest of it has been. The spherical
shaped roof with its slit or opening running over from side to
side, will then be constructed of steel covered with copper and
will be made revolving. Special care was exercised in the
construction of this tower in conformity with the require-
ments of astronomical science.
The main entrance is flanked on either side by two large
massive columns, elaborately carved, as is also the soffit and
in front of the arch reaching as high as the line of the first
story windows.
The staircase hall is fireproof, and contains no plaster; the
the walls are lined with buff colored pressed brick.
The division wall between the flights of stairs reaching
from floor to floor, is built of the same pressed brick and is
perforated by arches and ornamental terra cotta columns.
In the southeastern corner and directly under the observa.
tory is located on each floor, a large fireproof vault for the
storage of such valuable relics and curiosities as the societies
may deem necessary.
The building is heated by steam throughout, has ample
8
toilet and lavatory accommodations and is in all respects a
complete and model building.
The cost of this beautiful structure with the land aggregates
about $85,000. The architects Longstaff & Hurd of this city
are entitled to great praise for the skill and taste with which
they have carried out the wishes of Mr. Barnum. The inscrip-
tion which appears across the front of the building expresses the
latest wish of the worthy donor, whose desire it was to found
for the people of Bridgeport and for all time to come,
“The Barnum Institute of Science and History.”
OFFICERS
OF THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
PRESIDENT,
ROWLAND B. LACEY.
WICE-PRESIDENTS,
GEORGE C. WALDO, CHARLES BURR TODD,
CURTIS THOMBSON.
TREASURER AND CURATOR,
EDWARD DEACON.
RECORDING SECRETARY,
HOWARD N. WAKEMAN.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY,
JAMES R. BURROUGHS.
ExECUTIVE COMMITTEE,
THE OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY,
The President ea officio Chairman.
18945.
THE PUBLIC OPENING OF
“The Bamum ||Stitute of Scient all History"
0ccured in the Epening of February 18, 1893,
under the follouping
• ‘i: - P R O C R A NIMI E. . . .i. .
~Ovº-
QUARTETTE FOR PIANO AND STRINGS IN C MAJOR, 1}eethoven.
ALLEGRO VIVACE.
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS BY THE CHAIRMAN,
REv. BEVERLEY E. WARNER, A. M.,
PRESIDENT OF THE SCIENTIFIC SocIETY.
PRESENTATION ADDRESS, CURTIs THOMPsoN, ESQ.
ADDRESS OF ACCEPTANCE, REv. BEVERLEY E. WARNER, A. M.
Solo For WIoI.IN, “Gavotte” MR. FuessEL, Popper.
ADDRESS ON BEHALF OR THE BRIDGEPORT SCIENTIFIC SocIETY,
Ex-PRESIDENT ISAAC Hold EN.
“Ave MARIA,” MRs. BAKER, Iłach-Gounod.
ADDRESS ON BEHALF OF THE
FAIRFIELD County HISTORICAL SocIETY,
By THE PRESIDENT, Rowland B. LACEY.
TRIO For PIANO, WIoIIN AND 'CELLO IN D Minor, Mendelssohn.
OP. 49, ALLEGRO MOLTO AGITATO.
ADDRESS ON BEHALF OF THE
BRIDGEPORT MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
By Ex-PRESIDENT, GEORGE L. PortER, M. D.
CoRNELIUS MARCH, Mendelssohn.
MISS M. PECK, AccoxIPANIST,
MRS. CARRIE ALLEN BAKER, SoPRANo,
MR. RICHARD FUESSEL, Vrolin,
MASTER FULLERTON WALDO, WIoI.A.,
DR. LEONARD WALDO, VIOLONCELLO.
STEIN WAY PIANO USED,
THE FOLLOWING WERE OFFICERS OF THE SEVERAL
S00IETIES IN 1893,
The Bridgeport Scientific Society.
PRESIDENT,-REV. BEVERLEY E. WARNER, A. M.
WICE-PRESIDENT,-CHARLES C. GODFREY, M. D.
SECRETARY,-ALBERT N. STANTON.
* ASSISTANT SECRETARY,-HENRY F. NORCROSS.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY,-MISS MARGARET SOMERSET.
TREASURER,-GEORGE J. BROWN.
ASSISTANT TREASURER,-C. B. AYERS.
CURATOR AND LIBRARIAN, DAVID P. SECOR.
Executive Connnnittee.
PRESIDENT,-REV. BEVERLEY E. WARNER, A. M.
D. N. MORGAN, ISAAC HOLDEN, DR. LEONARD WALDO,
GEORGE L. PORTER, M. D., WM. E. BAILLIE,
FREDERICK HURD, AURELIUS STEWARD.
The Fairfield County Historical Society.
PRESIDENT,-ROWLAND B. LACEY.
WICE-PRESIDENTS,
GEORGE C. WALDO, CHARLES BURR TODD, GEN. W.M. H. NoblE,
RECORDING SECRETARY,-HOWARD N. WAKEMAN,
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY,-JAMES R. BURROUGS.
TREASURER AND CURATOR,-EDWARD DEACON.
Executive Corn nºnittee.
THE OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY.
The Bridgeport Medical Association.
PRESIDENT, A. J. SMITH, M. D.
WICE-PRESIDENT,-J. REED TOPPING, M. D.
SECRETARY,-H. S. MILES, M. D.
TREASURER,-F. C. GRAVES, M. D.
Executive Connnnittee.
A. A. HOLMES, M. D., J. W. WRIGHT, M. D., CHAS. C. GODFREY, M. D.
The Joint Committee on the Opening of the
Barnum Institute Were On the part of
The Historical Society.
ROWLAND B. LACEY, CURTIS THOMPSON, GEORGE C. WALDO.
The Scientific Society.
F. M. WILSON, M. D., C. C. GODFREY, M. D., GEN. WM. H. NOELE.
The Medical Association.
A. A. HOLMES. M. D., J. W. wRIGHT, M. D., C. C. GODFREY, M. D
Feception Conn mittee.
IIistorical Society. Scientific Society. Medical Association.
GEORGE C. WALDO, JONATHAN GODFREY, H. S. MILES, M. D.,
EDWARD DEACON, L. N. WAN KEUREN, F. J. BARDWELL, M. D.,
HENRY LEE, J. W. WRIGHT, M. D., GEO. B. COWELL, M. D.,
M. R. LEVEN WORTH. CHARLES W. MC CORD. F. W. Mc CLERC, M. D.,
JAMEs R. BURROUGHS, HON. FRED. S. STEVENS, C. N. HASKELL, M. D.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE
Of THE
SCIENTIFIC AND HISTORICAL SOCIETIES
HAVING IN CHARGE THE CARE OF
TILE BARNUM INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY.
For the Scientific Society.
ISAAC HOLDEN, EDWARD R. LAMBERT.
For the Historical Society.
EDWARD DEACON, GEORGE C. WALDO,
Trustee of the Mainternance Fund.
HON. DANIEL N. MORGAN.
O PEN IN G E X E R C I SES.
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS
BY
REV. BEVER LEY E. WARNER.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Citizens of Bridgeport :
It is unfortunate that the first words heard upon an occa-
sion like this should be words of apology, inasmuch as I have
to say that the announcement of an introductory address by
the chairman is almost a mistake. There is no address to be
made by the chairman of the evening, but simply the an-
nouncement of a few words, of the object of our coming to-
gether and introducing to you those who will enlighten you
in relation to the objects and workings of the different socie-
ties.
The object for which we come together this evening is to
receive from the donor of this building the building itself, to
accept it on behalf of the different societies, and learn some-
thing of the nature of the work that has been thus far accom-
plished, and is to be accomplished in this building in the fu-
ture.
I shall detain you no further than to introduce you to one
who is well known in this community, and who, by his long
connection with the founder of this institute knows whereof
he speaks.
I will introduce to you Curtis Thompson, Esq., who will
make the presentation address, in behalf of the representa-
tives of the donor, P. T. Barnum. (Applause).
MIR. THOMPsons' ADDRESS.
By your partiality, I am honored with the privilege of pre-
senting to you this beautiful home; you already hold the
muniments of title and the keys of possession. That this
particular act of mine does not impoverish me nor enrich you
cannot minify the importance of so remarkable event in the
16
life of our city. Leaving the representatives of these socie-
ties to speak in their behalf, permit me to direct your atten-
tion to the gift, the giver, and the obligations imposed there-
by.
If P. T. Barnum were here, he would in his own rare and
inimitable way, make an address pleasing and instructive.
His remarks were usually of a retrospective and reminiscent
character. He would pay the just meed of praise to those
who had the industry, intelligence, Scholarship and wise fore-
sight first to organize and then to maintain these respective
societies.
The founders of every worthy and successful institution for
the advancement of learning, must ever receive as they de-
serve the highest regard. Fortunately these poor, struggling
and always ambitious societies survived their early trials, and
were in existence th 1883, when Mr. Barnum's attention was
first drawn to them by Mr. Edward R. Lambert, a faithful
member of the Scientific Society. Had they not been in being
at that time, and afterwards, it is safe to say that they would
not now hold the title and possession of this place.
The first recognition of them appears in his codicil of April
29, 1885, by a gift of $1,000, each, to the Historical and Sci-
entific Societies.
On June 14, 1888, he deeded to them the valuable lot on
the corner of Main and Gilbert streets, reserving his life
right in the same.
By another codicil of September 14, 1888, he gave them
$50,000, for the erection of a building on such lot.
These codicils were revoked by one made May 24, 1889, in
which he describes the structure and provides a room therein
for the Bridgeport Medical Association and gives $50,000 for
the construction of the building. -
In 1888 and '89, much was printed about “The Gospel of
Wealth,” and the idea of wealthy men administering their
estates, in their own life time, was planted in Mr. Barnum's
mind. Such idea influenced him to buy this lot and erect
this building, in order that it might serve the double purpose
17
of benefiting the community and of making a perpetual me-
morial of P. T. Barnum.
In the spring of 1890, flushed with the triumphs won in
England, he returned to Bridgeport and spent the summer
apparently in the best of health and with the confident hope
of living many years.
Early in October, he visited his daughter in Denver, ex-
pecting to go on to the Pacific coast.
October 13, he wrote me from Denver, “This delightful cli-
mate makes me feel ten years younger than when I left
home. I eat, sleep and walk like a boy of sixteen.”
But, alas, a change was to come quickly, and as if with some
premonition of it, he wrote again on October 20: “It’s a short
race at best, and he who does best is the best, and finds ade-
quate reward.” He returned home about November 1, and
was up town daily, apparently as well as ever, until November
6, which was his last day out of Marina. When I saw him
again, some weeks later, he said that he had an old heart and
the doctors could not cure an old heart. He soon rallied
from this attack and appeared much better. November 25,
in another codicil he gave these societies $10,000, additional,
to cover increased cost of construction.
Plans and specifications were made and examined, and on
March 16, 1891, Mr. Barnum signed the contract with Long-
staff & Hurd for the construction of this building. I recall
with pleasure the animation of his features on that day as he
proudly contemplated the carrying out of his long-cherished
plans.
By his last codicil made March 30, 1891, (eight days before
he died) he ratifies the contract which he had made, and au-
thorizes his exeutors if the building should not be finished
in his lifetime, to finish and pay for the same out of his estate.
This simple record exhibits but little of his extraordinary inter-
est in the great work, which was his last and crowning act of
benevolence in behalf of this community.
He chose its name with the pardonable pride of a parent
naming his offspring. Nor do I think the criticism just
18
which is sometimes made on thus perpetuating one's name.
No one appreciated less the magnificent Park given to this
city by the late James W. Beardsley, or the Widows' Home
given by the Sterlings, because they bear the names of their
generous donors. -
Mrs. Pettengil christened her magnificent bequests “Bur-
roughs,” because, being the last lineal descendant of her hon-
ored father, Isaac Burroughs, and receiving her wealth from
his family, she desired to preserve the name, and she did well.
So long as the Library—and Chapel and Home—established
by her splendid bequests shall be used and enjoyed, so long
will the name of “Burroughs” be honored and remembered.
I may be excused for now saying that in many interviews
during many months with this modest and noble woman,
while her will was being made, I was most profoundly im-
pressed with her strong conviction, joined to an intelligent
appreciation and sense of obligation and duty, that the
riches which had been gathered by her kinsman largely from
the prosperity of this community, and which had fallen into
her control without her efforts, should be disposed of by her
for the benefit of its people. The day after Mr. Pettengil's
death, Mr. Barnum was among the first, told by me, of her
gifts; and his joy was so intense that he spread the news far
and wide. In this connection it can be said to Mr. Barnum's
credit, and as a suggestion to all, that he never hesitated to
help worthy institutions, bearing the name of other donors.
In September, 1890, he said to me “I have looked over my will
and find I have not given anything to the Burroughs Home.
I will give it $5,000.” It was done accordingly. I have no
doubt that the example of Mrs. Pettengil had a powerful in-
fluence on the will of Mr. Barnum. He had always been a
liberal contributor to Universalist institutions, but his special
contribution to Tufts College for a Museum of Natural His-
tory was not made public until 1884. A large and elegant
building had been built, and the name of the donor had been
kept secret.
At the commencement exercises of that year, President Ca-
pen announced that it was the gift of P. T. Barnum, and it
19
would be known as “The Barnum Museum of Natural His-
tory.” It was accepted with enthusiastic shouts of delight
and gratitude. Mr. Barnum was not present, but he wrote a
letter to the president of the college, a part of which I will
read to you. -
“Deprived in my own youth of rare educational advantages, I
have learned to appreciate their worth and to take solid de-
light in every evidence of greater enlightenment and pro-
gress. My interest in higher education has ever been con-
stant and profound. Had my earlier educational advantages
been greater, I might have achieved more. I have conscien-
tiously labored to elevate and ennoble public amusements,
which play no small part among the educational agencies of
the times. I hope the college may possess for many decades
to come, facilities sufficient to inspire its students to investiga-
tions in a branch of science which so wonderfully reveals in
varied form the infinite wisdom and power of the Creator.”
Mr. Barnum was upon the original Board of Trustees of
Tufts College, and all that remains of the colossal “Jumbo”
are in this museum, to which altogether he gave nearly $100,-
000. It seems to me proper to advert briefly to some facts
which have linked forever his name and fame with what he
many times called, “my well beloved city of Bridgeport.”
Born in Bethel, July 5, 1810, of pure New England stock—
the best in the world—with a sturdy frame and a large brain,
though illy schooled, he became by dint of constant applica-
tion, tremendous force, and dauntless genius, a wonderful
man. What he would have been had he enjoyed the benefits
of a collegiate and university training, we do not know.
An irate parent after many complaints to the college faculty
of his son's backwardness, was told by a professor that it was
not worth while to give a $5,000 education' to a $5 boy. P.
T. Barnum was a $5,000 boy with a $5 education, and yet he
met with grand success as a Lecturer ; he won a high place as
as a Statesman in our legislative halls; he acquired a reputa-
tion as a Theologian ; and he was always welcomed as a
public speaker. Baffled in his early enterprises, at last in
1836, he found his true vocation. He afterwards said, “fame
20
and fortune awaited me when I appeared before the public in
the character of a showman. I did not seek the position or
character, the business came my way and far beyond any of
my predecessors on this continent I have succeeded.
By force of a remarkable ability which aroused the com-
munity and won its patronage, and a lofty purpose to ennoble
the business, he not only made it profitable, but also respect-
able and instructive.
Of special moment to us was his choice of this location as his
permanent residence. In a speech in 1874, he said: “I first
came to Bridgeport as an experiment in 1842. I preferred
Bridgeport to any other place, and I have never changed my
opinion. I had a pride in the place of my selection, and had
no desire to expend my money elsewhere ;” and with frank-
ness he added, “I am glad to have it understood that mine is
usually a profitable philanthropy. If by helping those who
help themselves, I can do it without loss, and if by improving
and beautifying our city and adding to the pleasure and pros-
perity of my neighbors, I can do so at a profit, the incentive
to good works will be twice as strong to me.”
October 30, 1846, Oran Sherwood sold him the land on
which he built the famous “Iranistan’’ (then in Fairfield).
Here Jenny Lind came in 1850. This oriental villa was a
great attraction for many years. It burned down December
18, 1857. October 31, 1851, William H. Noble sold him inter-
ests in large tracts of East Bridgeport lands, and Barnum and
Noble became promoters of that section of our city. These
are the first purchases of land by Mr. Barnum in this vicinity.
Volumes would be required to state his subsequent transac-
actions in real estate, which he was always ready to improve,
use and dispose of on fair terms. His first order to his agent
after buying a new piece of land, was to plant trees, and long
rows of beautiful shade trees, so planted, now form a delight-
ful feature of our city streets. Our parks, hundreds of com-
fortable homes, and many factories, have been aided by him.
The Gymnasium built expressly for that purpose, at the re-
quest of Henry E. Bowser, is said to be the best in New Eng-
land, outside of the colleges.
21
My acquaintance with Mr. Barnum began in 1865, when we
were members of the Legislature. The assembly of that year
was noted for its eminent men, and for its important acts.
Mr. Barnum astonished, delighted and convinced the assem-
bly time after time by his eloquence, wit, and argument. His
labors were untiring and his victories complete. As Mayor
of our city he also won an enviable reputation. For many
years my relations to him were very intimate, and I saw him
frequently at his best. He grew more charitable and gentle
as he grew older. Devotion to his family and kind words for
all, marked the later years of his life. Had he died in 1882,
he would have left in his will but $5,000 for charitable pur-
poses, and in 1891, when he died, he left (including the gifts
to these societies and to Tufts College) nearly $250,000 for
such purposes.
Mr. Barnum stated in his will of 1882 as a reason for not
giving more to charity, that a large share of his income for
nearly 40 years had been devoted to the public and private
charities of Bridgeport. That his mind during these years
was much occupied by testaments, you may gather from his
letter to me, of October 13, 1890, in which he says: “It be-
ing more than 10 days since I have m de a codicil, I hope you
will excuse me, as absence from home and a busy time have
prevented.”
He was always loyal to his convictions. His patriotism
never yielded to the claims of partisanship. In his wide and
varied experience he mingled with men of all classes, and his
wit, humor and characteristic originality, made him a wel-
come guest on all occasions. Among his loyal and devoted
friends were such men as Greeley, Chapin, Colyer, and other
distinguished men of his time. This indicates the versatili-
ty of his mind and the breadth of his attainments. The
words applied to another great man can be applied to him.
“He was not a type, he stands alone, no ancestors, no fellows
and no successors.”
Happily for himself and others, he was one of the rich in
whom old age brings a deeper sense of stewardship, and
having first provided liberally for the natural objects of his
22
bounty, he relished the pleasure of assisting others. His
youthful and buoyant nature continued, and his interest in
new thoughts, objects and enterprises, did not cease, but
rather increased with advancing years.
The great Darwin at 59, wrote that his soul was too dried
up to appreciate the “Messiah,” as in old days, and that he
was a withered leaf for every subject except science, but the
lapse of time produced no such lamentable result in the mind
of P. T. Barnum. To the very last, his active intellect was
engrossed in developing original projects for the improve-
ment of his adopted city. The night before he died, he said
to me, “Have we everything in order?” I said, “Yes, I think
so.” He said, “There is the “Emporium,’” which he desired
to put upon the site of the Baptist Church, “that we will
leave.” He added, “I have to go, and I am ready. I have
invited Dr. Colyer to preach my funeral sermon from the text
“Not my will but thine be done.’” I have never seen such a
calm, perfect resignation in the hour of death. It was an
ideal departure from this world. “Calmly he looked on
either life, and here saw nothing to regret, there to fear.”
From Nature's temp'rate feast rose satisfied, “Thanked
Heaven that he had lived, and that he died.”
With the calm consciousness that he had only a short time
to live his cheerfulness, courage, constancy and contentment
were surprising and inspiring, and literally, he approached his
grave, “Like one who wraps the draperies of his couch about
him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.”
He died April 7, 1891.
Two years almost have gone since his death and this unique,
imposing and useful structure is finished. We have had in
completing the same the active co-operation and assistance of
Mrs. Barnum,_the executors, Wm. B. Hincks and Benj. Fish,
and the agents, Charles R. Brothwell and Henry B. Bowser.
You have examined its spacious halls, elegant rooms and am-
ple accommodations. It will remain a most enduring monu-
ment to the memory of P. T. Barnnm in the city he loved
so ardently.
I welcome you, the students and promoters of science, his-
23
tory and medicine, to the occupation of this building and bid
you take, use and keep it forever for the true uses and pur-
poses for which it was conveyed to you; and may the perma-
ment establishment of these institutions prove of immense
value to the material, intellectual, moral and physical well be-
ing of the people of this city in all the ages to come.
Permit me in conclusion to make a single practical sugges-
tion. It was ever the policy of Mr. Barnum in his public and
private benefactions, to leave something to be done by the
recipients of his bounty, believing that by so doing the great-
er interests would be aroused and better results obtained
than would follow a gift which obviated the necessity of any
active co-operation and assistance on the part of the benefici-
aries. The gift of this building to these societies affords no
exception to this policy. This building has been accepted
with full knowledge of the responsibilities thereby assumed.
He has left something, both for us, as members of these socie-
ties, to do, and for those who, although not members, are pre-
sumably interested in the worthy objects of these organiza-
tions. -
The societies will soon be in need of a permanent endow-
ment fund. Is it too much to expect that this generous and
magnificent gift will be speedily supplemented by the estab-
lishment of such a fund 3 Already evidences of this interest
have been clearly manifested.
It affords me pleasure to announce that a person, financial-
ly able to respond, has duly authorised me to make the fol-
lowing proposition: For the purpose of establishing an “En-
dowment Fund” of not less than $40,000, to be held by
Trustees, or otherwise, as these societies, Historical and Sci-
entific, shall order and determine: the principal to be secure-
ly invested and the income thereof to be applied, first, to de-
fray the expenses of heating, lighting, insuring, repairing and
other charges on the property, and of a janitor ; and, second,
to use the surplus income for the general purposes of the so-
cieties.
Such person will give $10,000, provided an additional sum
of sº or more shall be raised on or before January 1,
1896.
24
ADDRESS OF ACCEPTANCE.
Rev. Beverley E. Warner, M. A., President of the Scien-
tific Society :
It is a very grateful and pleasant task indeed to accept, on
behalf of the Scientific, Historical and Medical Societies, this
Barnum Institute of Science and History. It is a very pleas.
ant and grateful thought, to realize that the Scientific Society
will hereafter have, what it has not had heretofore, a work-
shop for the potencies that are possible from the present mo-
ment. It is pleasant to think and to know that our collec-
tion, which in some respects is unique in this state, and in
this country, has now a place within the rooms of the Scien-
tific Society, on the first floor of this building, and will have
hereafter an appropriate, dignified and convenient home for
its exhibition. It is equally good to think that the Historical
Society, standing for the past of this city, of this county, of
this state, and to a certain extent for the past of New Eng-
land, will have for its accommodation a handsome and pleas-
ant home also, so that those of us descended from that ances-
try; from those who came from the old country to people this
new, and indeed made of this coast a “New England” without
fear and without reproach among the nations; may have be-
fore us these pictures and stones of the past. It is a goodly,
I say a grateful task to have charged upon one to receive such
a receptacle for these reminders of the olden times and events,
of that old and in some sense harsh life; but so full of such
splendid possibilities and noble hopes, and to know that the
Historical Society will have as its home a convenient place for
its future work, so that the children of those who come here
may see these evidences of that splendid past before them
day by day, and take in some sense, heart and courage to live
their lives in the 19th century along the moral lines of that
life of which the collection of the Historical Society illustrates
and typifies.
It is also a grateful task to receive, on behalf of the Medi-
cal Society, their worthy home, a place which will stand as a
centre, not only for them but for the Medical Society of the
county and state, a type of that constancy and force, which is
one of the highest types of which any community can boast.
And we as citizens may be grateful that the Bridgeport Medi-
cal Society has in this building such comfortable quarters to
which Bridgeport may point with pride as the home of that
body of its citizens who act under the title of the Bridgeport
Medical Society; for nowhere in the state, nowhere in the coun-
try is there a body of men to whom a community may look
with greater respect, from whom a community may expect to
receive greater help than to and from those who have their
home in our midst, cradled between the homes of the Scien-
tific and Historical Societies.
We receive this trust—I believe I am not stating the mat-
ter too strongly or going beyond the facts in the case too far
when I say, we receive this trust not merely for the Scientific
and Historical and Medical Societies—I think the intention of
the donor of the Barnum Institute went beyond the mere ac-
ceptance of this building on behalf of these societies for their
own accommodation. I think his far-seeing eye looking down
the distant future would say this institute was built for the
public good. I think that was his intention in its construc-
tion, from the foundation to the top pinnacle of this temple
of science and history. It was along the line of making it
minister to the people at large. If not, he builded better in-
deed than he knew. We receive this trust—I am sure I speak
for the members of these societies who have so kindly dele-
gated the task to me of receiving it and speaking for them—
I am sure I speak for them, as I speak for myself, when I say
I accept this building as a trust for the whole community. . It
is not a building which any one or two or three societies should
occupy and run merely for their own convenience. It is not a
building to be occupied by this or that handfull, labeled by
this or that name; it is not to be occupied in the interest of
any party or any society or any clique. Far beyond the pos-
session, the legal possession of this building by the societies
themselves, is the sacred idea that they hold it in trust for the
people (loud applause). *
Leaving, then, to the representatives of the different socie-
ties to explain the purposes and in some sense the workings
26
and the methods and the aim of these societies, let me ask
you to note an answer to the question; just for what are we
ministering this trust? In other words, just for what in this
community does the Barnum Institute of Science; and His
tory, with all it involves, just for what does it stand ' What
is it we are to minister? Of what shall we give an account
of our stewardship from time to time to the citizens of this
community? And will it not be found to be in this: that
this institute stands for the intellectual life, the higher life of
this community ? We have nothing like it in the city, we have
nothing like it in the county or in the state. Surely in this
community we cannot point to anything that may occupy,
that is intended to occupy just this position, it being as it
were a point of light upon the horizon, lifting itself into the
higher intellectual atmosphere. Now leaving, as I say, the
details t othe representatives of the Societies gathered here, let
me say that this institute properly administered will give to
the intellectual life of this community an impulse such as it
has never had before. -
Our stores mark the commercial development of the com-
munity, and, to a certain extent, stand for it. Our factories
stand to mark that great light, that thrilling impulse to mod-
ern civilization, invention and the application of invention.
They stand for that in the community, and wherever the name
of Bridgeport is known at all, it is known chiefest of all per-
shap, as one of the great manufacturing centres of the United
States.
Our churches stand distinctly, whatever the name, for the
religious idea; and they meet, and they unite upon the one
plane of pointing man upward as regards the life of the soul
and spirit.
Our schools stand for still another idea, which is the lead-
ing forth of the individual powers of childhood that they may
be trained for the good of the whole.
The Barnum Institute of Science and History stands for
something different from any of these. It may draw from them
all, here and there and yonder, but it stands for something
different still. Rearing its noble front above the chimneys of
27
our factories, and the walls of commerce, towering nearly to
the spires of the surrounding churches, looking in a certain
way, like some very fine building for purely educational pur-
poses, it marks the high-water mark so far—of the intellectual
life of this community. It looks upward. ‘It stands for
something that elevates man and lifts him upward.
Now will you say this is unreal and unsubstantial and will
you say that the name of the Barnum Institute of Science and
History, does not, after all, convey any strong idea of some-
thing definite? Let us enroll the history of all mankind and
see what has been at the bottom, see what has been the mov-
ing force of every great thing, that has raised mankind—I
care not in what form or plane of life it may be, I care
not whether you bring the church or the schools or com-
merce or trade or literature or art of whatever nature ; but
wherever the force of progress has been potent, wherever
the power of advance has taken root downward and borne
fruit upward, that has been in some sense in its beginning,
an unreal thing, an unsubstantial thing, an immaterial thing,
and the great results that have been wrought for the best life
of this age have sprung from those things which in the begin-
ning were dreams. If not that, they have been things that
you could not interpret in mere words. Let one undertake to
interpret the flow of harmony from these instruments this
evening. We receive the impression ; the technical scholar
can mark the movements. We get something that is intangi-
ble, and yet something that moves and stirs us. Perhaps we
can use no better illustration than to say this institute
stands for something that, to most of us, is perhaps just a
mere name, and yet promises something that is far more than
a name. I accept, then, on behalf of these societies, this
building. I accept it in its work as a splendid dream. I ac-
cept it, if you will say so, as merely a noble hope. I accept
it, if you will as a beautiful prophecy. Now a hope, a dream,
a prophecy, are neither one of them tangible things; but out
of them springs sacred things—noble lives, splendidaccom.
plishments of the human race. And I say, fellow-citizens of
Bridgeport, that we owe a great debt to the one who has
28
made it possible for us to embody in actual outward form, an
aspiration to the higher life; and it is better, to fail along the
line of striving to reach the higher life than it is to be satis-
fied with a low life.
Now, as we minister from time to time through the Scien-
tific and Historical Societies to the community, remember
that just at this point we are as it were in the condition of
reaching the goal after a night of trial and hardship. Our
purposes are still unformed, naturally our accomplishments
are crude. Possibly, if you will, there is little to show in a
tangible shape just for what this institute is to be made. But
standing here, remembering it is the community's building,
that it is the people's university, that it is the possession of
the public for which we are as stewards and trustees; so let
us try to see—I do see it in the dim distance—the morning
coming, and this building one of the first points of light,
flaming upwards on the horizon of a higher and better life for
this community than has ever dawned upon it before, because
some one had a brave enough soul, and strong enough hope,
and keen enough prophecy and a belief in the achievements
of his fellow men, to enable him to see what might be done,
and so he laid his hand upon the ground and the temple
sprang up to its full magnificence and its full beauty; but re-
member it is the gift of a trust which must be used and
must not be abused ; and let us trust this use may be what
you and I long to see it, a real blessing and a real benediction
and a real way mark on the new road of the higher life of
this community we all love so well. (Applause.)
MR. WARNER:—On behalf of the Bridgeport Scientific So-
ciety, I have great pleasure in introducing one who has been
long interested in its work, Ex-President Holden.
MR. Hold EN's ADDRESS.
Mr. President, Dadies and Gentlemen :
To say a word in behalf of the Bridgeport Scientific Socie-
ty, upon an occasion like this, I esteem an honor and a high
privilege. Would that I were possessed of the requisite abil-
ity and eloquence adequately to set forth in a few minutes,
29
the progress of that society from its foundation to the present
time, the importance and value of the untrumpeted work it
has done, wherein, too, it has failed to do those things which
ought to have been done, and which remain to be done, the
reasonable possibilities within its power of accomplishment,
and its consequent legitimate claims for support—in short, to
state clearly the reasons why it has a right to exist. Unfor-
tunately the only qualifications I possess for the performance
of any part of such a task are some experience in the society's
affairs, and a sincere devotion to its interests. I shall not
weary you with any historical or statistical details nor, with
laudatory allusions to any particular persons, but invite your
attention briefly to what seems the most important feature of
the relations of the Bridgeport Scientific Society to the
Bridgeport public.
It is self evident that an institution in any wise of a public
character that by its operations continuously returns less in
value of some kind than it expends in money and in the time
and labor of its workers is a source of loss, and has no right
to exist. On the other hand, an institution the returns of
which exceed its expenditures is a source of profit. It pays,
and is entitled to support.
But how shall the question of the relative value of cost and
product be determined? How shall we compare the intangi-
ble results, of which there is no unit of measure—with the
definite sum of money involved in the cost.
It costs a certain, specific sum of money to support our pub-
lic schools. The returns are intangible and incorporeal, an
increment of unmeasured intelligence and mental power: but
the public has decided in that case, without a shadow of
doubt, that the upward difference between an ignorant and an
enlightened community is worth all it costs. In any anala-
gous case, although no rule of measure or comparison can be
formulated, the judgment of an enlightened public, from
which there is no appeal, may be relied upon with full confi-
dence that a correct decision will be made.
When the ground upon which stands this temple of science
and history was conveyed to the society whose property it
30
now is, the grantor, after executing the deed, said to me, “I
have made this gift because the Bridgepert Scientific Society,
as well as the Fairfield County Historical Society, is an edu-
cational institution. I confine my gifts now to educational
purposes exclusively. Why, I would not run my circus
another day if it were not a great educational institution.” If
I have mentioned this incident in public before, I think it will
bear repetition, for the remark disclosed the motive and noble
purpose of the giver, and at the same time illustrated his
peculiar business bent.
Mr. Barnum was right. The Bridgeport Scientific Society
is an educational institution, and on that ground only, I ap-
prehend, can it lay claim to be worthy of support.
But what has it done in the way of education? You may
read upon the programme for the current evening “Sixteenth
Annual Lecture Course.” This is beginning with what is in
reality of the least importance, but perhaps the best known.
The annual lecture course has usually consisted of from fifteen
to twenty lectures or papers, mostly of a popular character,
delivered in part by members of the society and other resi-
dents of Bridgeport, and in part by professional gentlemen
of the highest standing from elsewhere, especially from Yale
University and other seats of learning. The admission to
these lectures has sometimes been free to the public, but
more usually at a small charge averaging about ten or fifteen
cents a lecture for the course. The attendance at these lec-
tures has upon the whole increased year by year, and their
appreciation is thus attested. The necessary conclusion is
that these lectures pay. It must be admitted, however,
that they are not of the highest educational value, for the
reason they are not logically connected one with the other,
and they require the attention of the hearer only for the time
being. They may be edifying or satisfying, but they do not
usually spur the audience to thought and action.
What is of much more importance, but I apprehend much
less known, is the instruction which has been given to classes
which have been formed from time to time under the auspices
of the society for the study of special subjects, such as chem-
31
istry, electricity, mineralogy, geology, botany, entomology, etc.
Not a few of the members of the society have given of their
time and labor freely to the instruction of these classes, sea-
son after season.
The admission to these classes has been absolutely free to
all comers, whether members of the society or not. The
members of the classes have really been obliged to think and
to work. They have not only learned something but they
have acquired the ability to use their knowledge. But far too
little has been done in this direction. Visit our museum on
the first floor of this building and you will see a magnificent
collection of great pecuniary value, and of much greater edu-
cational value, if rightly used. But it must be admitted that
that collection is not, to any great extent, the direct result of
the work of this society. With the exception of specimens of
Connecticut minerals, a collection of birds of this vicinity and
a herbarium of limited proportions, but which will certainly
soon be materially increased almost the whole of that splendid
collection has been donated to us, it having originated in the
fields outside of our sphere of labor here. We trust we are
not unworthy of it; we prize it: we appreciate it; but it is not
the direct result of our own activity and labor. We should
do something ourselves in the way of forming an educational
museum of natural history.
Classes should be formed every season for the study of the
different departments of natural history; and, if necessary,
specialists from Yale University or elsewhere should be em-
ployed, at any requisite cost, to give the proper, systematic
and progressive instruction to the students; and, above all, to
teach them to work. Within the short radius of a mile we
have a practically inexhaustible mine of wealth for study and
research. One result of such work, though not the main
purpose of it, should be the formation of a museum completely
illustrative of the botany, the zoölogy and the mineralogy of
this neighborhood, a museum outweighing in educational value
for us anything that could be obtained from abroad. The study
of natural objects, organic or inorganic, together with chem-
istry and physics, is undoubtedly best suited to the educa-
32
tional purposes of this society. The pursuit of the sciences
of observation and experiment is peculiarly fitted to develope
a multitude of capabilities and to afford unbounded satisfac-
tion. They afford the best and most valuable means of ration-
al recreation the best hobby-horse. The man who is in pos-
session of a good hobby-horse, if he rides it intelligently, has
a never failing source of happiness. I really pity the buisness
man who is without one. But there is no reason why our
efforts in the direction of education should be confined to the
subjects or the methods which have been mentioned; quite
the contrary. During the past year and the present season
there have been formed classes, under the auspices of the
Bridgeport Scientific Society, upon the plan of University
Extension, with very gratifying results.
The lectures delivered to these classes are progressive and
logically connected one with another. The members of the
classes are actually required to do something to study, inves-
tigate and formulate results. In the accomplishment of the
purposes for which this society exists, and to which we are
pledged, let us avail ourselves of every legitimate resource
that nature and human progress have placed within our reach.
It is to be hoped that Our Aesculapian friends, imbued with
the spirit of Hippocrates, will lend a helping hand by giving
instruction in anatomy, physiology and especially hygiene and
the means of saving life which the lay-men may employ in
cases of accident and other emergencies. Our efforts will un-
doubtedly be supplemented by the Historical Society, our
natural aliy.
In view of the motive which prompted the giver of the
home which we now posses, and the promises which we have
made to the public, it is incumbent on us to do everything in
our power to promote the diffusion of knowledge and make
this edifice the home of a public school of high order, a sort
of popular university, as our president has happily put it.
There is only one obstacle at present in the way, and that is
a purely financial one. The expense of maintaining this
building amounts to no small sum, and whatever schemes of
education are carred out, they will involve the outlay of a con-
siderable sum of money.
33
How are these expenses to be met 2 Fortunately, for about
three years to come the way is clear, thanks to the generous
subscriptions of many of our fellow citizens, and especially
the munificent contribution of Mrs. Barnum. Those of us
who have repeatedly had experience in begging, hope that
at the end of three years it will not be necessary to resort to
it again. It ought not to be so. The yearly dues of the Sci-
entific Society amount to $4, for each member. In this city
of 50,000 inhabitants there ought to be members enough in
that society alone to defray, from the annual dues, the entire
cost of the maintenance of this building and the expenses of
the society's proper work.
In this connection I would say that a large membership of
ladies is particularly desirable. The time will doubtless
come when this institute, or the societies which compose it,
will be endowed, It was a gratifying surprise to me, as
doubtless it was to every one of you, when an encouraging
announcement was made in that direction from this platform
this evening? Let us hope that such a desirable consumma-
tion may soon be accomplished; and in the meantime let us
make a strenuous effort to support ourselves, to push forward
vigorously the work to which we are committed, and return
to the public more than we receive to the end that we may
justify our existence, redeem our pledges and make the Bar-
num Institute of Science and History a worthy monument to
our benefactor, and an honor to our city, our state and our
country. (Loud applause).
MR. WARNER :-The next address upon the programme
which you will listen to, I am sure with a great deal of pleas-
ure, is that of President Rowland B. Lacey of the Fairfield
County Historical Society. I have great pleasure in introduc-
ing Mr. Lacey. (Loud applause).
MR. LACEY's ADDRESS.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen —
Though I feel my weakness most profoundly, I will not
waste time in excuses—but proceed to say a word, 1st, about
History in general, and, 2nd, about the Barnum Institute and
its relation to History, especially to our local History.
34
“History” has been defined “A methodical record of im-
portant events which concern a community of men, usually so
arranged as to show the connection of causes and effects.”
The pre-eminent importance of the study of History does
not need to be argued. That it has ever been thus regarded
is attested by the honorable place accorded the true historian
in ancient and modern times. The names of Herodotus, and
Tacitus, Hume and Gibbon, Motley and Bancroft, are among
the most illustrious of our race and will be cherished while
time lasts. -
History is made a prominent and essential part of the
course of study, not only in all our colleges and higher educa-
tional institutions, but of our common public schools; and no
one can be considered as accomplished and educated unless
he is conversant, at least, with the leading events of both
ancient and modern times.
Its uses are obvious. In short, we learn in great measure
by experience. Hence the record by competent authority of
the experiences and observations of those who have preceded
us is one of the best sources from which we can derive wis-
dom for the guidance of our opinions and conduct. Then,
history gives permanence. Facts, their connections and re-
sults, duly recorded, are made available and useful for all the
generations following. But I must not enlarge.
We are met, as has already been stated, to receive and ac-
knowledge the crowning contribution of one of our most lib-
eral and honored fellow-citizens, to the well-being of this
community and to Fairfield County.
“The Barnum Institute’ has already entered into history.
Its story and its relation to Science has been rehearsed. It is
my province to speak of it in its relation to History, and in
some slight measure, its uses. Would that my powers were
equal to the dignity and importance of the occasion.
We are well apprised that P. T. Barnum was a practical
man, and anything producing or fairly promising practical re-
sults of value, had a pull upon his recognition and generosity.
Eairfield County was the stamping ground of his young life.
He knew it in its length and breadth, and every nook and
corner, and Bridgeport came to be his peculiar treasure. Mr.
Barnum's family was among the very early settlers of Nor-
walk, and in the first generation intermarried with the
Thompson family of Stratford, and in the second with the
Beardsley family of Stratfield, (now Bridgeport). They were
among the first and most substantial settlers of Danbury and
Bethel, and the generations and families are orderly and
quite fully set forth by the listorian of the Fairfield County
Historical Society, the late lamented Samuel Orcutt, in his
history of Old Stratford and Bridgeport, which we know was
very much appreciated by Mr. Barnum.
P. T. Barnum himself began to make history quite early in
life, and it grew in volume and interest to the very end of his
long and eventful career. He more than most men knew and
appreciated the value of the pen of the scribe, and the types
that multiply the results of the labors of his head and hand.
He knew the rich fields for historical research in his native
county and state, and that for effective work this Society must
have a home. His practical mind intuitively saw the beneficial
and elevating effects of the study of history and application of
the sciences, and, not least, of Medical science—the healing art
divine. Hence he grouped science and history under one roof,
covering a pile of such proportions, elegance and solidity as
shall be his best and most enduring monument.
We are thus elegantly housed, and have a noble and neces-
sary work before us, but we need the means to prosecute it.
To give effect to the grand gift of Mr. Barnum, we must have
the cooperation of his and our fellow-citizens. We want and
must have your names as members and a reasonable attend-
ance upon our meetings for business and instruction. We
need the pecuniary aid a large membership will give us. To
give solidity and momentum to our progress, we need the ap-
preciation and confidence of friends who have the means to
contribute a fund, of not less than fifty thousand dollars, the
income of which, with the annual dues of members, would en-
able us to gather up, record and publish history of great in-
terest and vital importance.
It will be our object, as we may, and have the means, to
36
gather facts of history, their causes and results, from fields of
widest scope, giving special attention however to our own
county and Commonwealth. Pre-eminently, our field is local,
extending over Fairfield County as we can secure the co-oper-
ation of interested parties in the various towns of the county.
It is highly important that the ancient records of the old
towns; also, old church records with their lists of marriages,
baptisms and membership, be looked after, copied and index-
ed. The old records are fast fading out and going to decay.
Their loss would be irreparable. These form the skeleton or
frame work of our local history. They need to be supple-
mented, amplified, clothed or illustrated by personal and fam-
ily sketches, specimens of implements and articles, useful and
ornamental. The store rooms and attics of many old family
residences in every town are the receptacles of books, papers
and quaint articles, useful in their time, and exceedingly use.
ful now as illustrative of the methods and industries of a cen-
tury or two ago, and should be preserved to show the present
and coming generations how our grand parents lived and
worked. Numerous facts about our early history are now ac-
cessible on research, more or less diligent, which in a very few
years will be beyond recovery.
If, to illustrate, we take the history of Stratfield. Here in
this parchment covered book are the records of the founda-
tion of this parish, the first, by the way, in the colony (of
Connecticut) on lines other than those of the township. Ec-
clesiastical privileges were granted to the inhabitants on the
western border of the town of Stratford, and on the eastern
border of Fairfield with Division street (now our Park ave-
nue) as a central line, and extending northward from the coast
about four miles, covering substantially the territory of the
present town and city of Bridgeport. It was first chartered
under the name of Fairfield Village, subsequently changed to
Stratfield, significant of the fact that it was partly from
Stratford and partly from Fairfield. This grant rendered it,
in most respects an independant communitv, having its own
society's committee or Selectmen, as they were called, Re-
corder and Constable ; its own minister and church privileges.
37
They managed their own schools, laid and collected their own
taxes, &c. Here are the records of their doings, for a hun-
dred years, many important deeds and family records, throw-
ing a flood of light on the conditions and methods of those
early times. But look at its condition. It was written in
from both ends and there are some twenty leaves at either
end which have become detached, torn and worn, rendering
portions of the writing illegible. This book has been copied
under the auspices of the Historical Society, and none too
soon for the preservation of its contents. Another book of
the same antiquated style is the special record of the Church
of Christ in Stratfield, kept by the ministers or pastors of the
church and parish, and covering about the some period as the
first mentioned Parish record.
It commences with the formation or, as it is called, the gath-
ering of the church in 1695, June 13, with nine male mem-
bers, five of whom were previously the members of the first
church in Fairfield and four were from the church in Strat-
ford. On the tenth of July following, fifteen females were
admitted, on letters from the churches in Stratford and Fair-
field. Then followed the records of the votes and acts of the
church concerning the strictly religious interests of the com-
munity, records of marriages, baptisms and memberships.
The Historical Society has made copies of these, alphabeti-
cally arranged, for its own purposes, which are frequently
consulted and are found to be very useful. This work should
be extended to every old town and parish in the county for
convenience of use ; also, for preservation and amplification
now while that is possible.
Our plans of labor thus embrace local biography and his-
tory, in which we have made a good beginning. We may in-
stance as subjects already treated—in Biography—Rev. John
Jones, Roger Ludlow, Nathan Gold, Roger Minot. Sherman of
Fairfield and John Read the Colonial Lawyer, by the late
William A. Beers.
Rev. Richardson Miner and Rev. James Beebe of North
Stratford (now Trumbull), by the late Richard C. Ambler.
Rev. Gideon Hawley of Stratfield, an early missionary to
38
the Indians in Stockbridge, Mass., and in Central New York,
afterwards an Indian Pastor at Marshpee near Plymouth,
Mass., by N. E. Wordin, M. D.
Stephen Burroughs of Stratfield, Merchant, Mathematician
and Astronomer, by Rev. Samuel Orcutt.
William Samuel Johnson, L. L. D., by Prof. W. G. Andrews,
D. D.
Rev. Blackleach Burritt, by M. D. Raymond, Esq., of Tar-
rytown, N. Y., besides numerous shorter sketches of promi-
nent deceased citizens, by the President of the Society.
Also the following historical subjects, History of New-
bury (now Brookfield, Conn.), and its first minister, Parson
Brooks, by Rev. Asa C. Pierce.
History of the old Stratfield Baptist Church and its first
elder, John Sherwood, by R. B. Lacey.
The Stillwell Methodists of Stratfield and vicinity, by Mr.
Samuel Main.
Early Dutch troubles between New Netherlands and Con-
necticut, by William A. Beers.
Stratford, New Hampshire, settled from Stratford, Connec-
ticut, in 1772, by Rev. Samuel Orcutt.
Sketches of the Bridgeport Churches in 1835.
History of the Bridgeport Bank, 1806–1884, and History of
the Saddlery business, all by R. B. Lacey.
The Pilgrim Fathers of Plymouth, and what they wrought,
by Rev. Charles Ray Palmer, D. D.
And notably “The History of Old Stratford and Bridge-
port,” in two vols., by Rev. Samuel Orcutt.
These with others unmentioned, constitute a record of his-
tory garnered, that we may point to with satisfaction. We
mention them as showing what may be accomplished in one.
direction with very slender means. There is yet a rich field,
which only needs to be worked to yield abundant harvest, for
which adequate means are required.
Library and museum have already been alluded to. These
are exceedingly interesting and important. Vigorous meas-
ures will be taken to awaken interest in gathering additions
by loan or gift from the valuable old books, documents and
relics now resting in secluded corners of attics and closets
39
in every part of the county. Their deposit with the Histori-
cal Society will insure their safety and avail ability for obser-
vation and study for all time.
Attention to Family History and Genealogy has within a few
years received a great impetus—largely growing out of the
occurrence and celebration of the notable series of Centen-
eras, connected with the Colonial and Revolutionary periods,
nial's culminating in the formation of Societies of Colonial
Wars, and the several societies of the Sons and Daughters of
, the Revolution and the American Revolution. This upheaval
and search among the official and family Records and tradi-
tions, for evidence of elligibility to membership in these soci-
eties, brings out a great amount of data that will need to be
collected, arranged, corrected and harmonized in consistent
reliable history. Here is an immense field for the Society, re-
quiring patient and expert labor, and all involving a liberal
income in money for its encouragement and support.
We are right then, in appealing to our fellow citizens of
all classes. Your membership and reasonable attendance are
helpful. Those especially who are blessed with abundant
means and are seeking a channel in which it may be useful
and promotive of the well-being of socirty, we ask to exam-
ine the claims of the great objects represeted in “The Bar-
num Institute of Science and History” and supplement the
generous gift of its donor by a liberal endowment—thus
making possible its highest usefulness.
MIR. WARNER:—I don't know as I have ever been so solemn
on a platform as I have this evening. The reason is I took
up some casual remark and wanted to throw a little more
light on the matter. I looked down the list and saw on the
platform all were presidents or ex-presidents. I see one or
two have left the platform because the seats were not com-
fortable, declining the historical chairs at a meeting of the
Historical Society, which it seems to me is a thing a man ought
to be ashamed of. (Laughter,) As they have declined them
and as there are other ex-presidents to address us I shall re-
frain from the remark I was going to make and introduce Dr.
G. L. Porter who will address you on behalf of the Medical
Society. (Applause.) -
40
DR. PortER's ADDREss.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen :-
The province of medicine recognizes no hours; and if your
introduction to the Medical Society is a little late to-night, you
must remember that “midnight oil” is that which counts in
the long run ; although to-night I trust that the light thrown
upon this medical investigation may not turn out all gas.
In common with our sister societies the Bridgeport Medical
Society rejoices to night in the possession of its new domicile,
and our joy is only tempered by the thought that one who
had looked forward to this inauguration with as many antici-
pations as any has been removed from us; and in the death
of our president, Dr. Young, we feel that part of the joy of
this meeting to our society is erased. His chair is draped
with crape. It is indeed a badge of woe. There are drapings
which a man may show, but we have that within our hearts
which passeth show, in that we loved him as a man, we hon-
ored him as a physician.
As a happy home to the individual citizen, enriched by the
labor of willing hands through years, and perhaps gener-
ations, enshrined in memory by the recollection of the joys
of boyhood and the sorrowful and happy experiences of ma-
turity is the best guarantee of loyalty to the country and the
preservation of the state; so the development of a literary
and scientific institution is best secured by the possession of
a permanent home which may become the repository of its
treasures and a rendezvous of its members. Therefore our
hearts rejoice, owing to the beneficence and the practical gen-
erosity of Mr. Barnum, that the home our society has received,
without restrictions, a local habitation and a name.
The members of the legal profession for their assemblages
have provided for them rooms in our public buildings. For
the meetings of our clerical brethren the congregations pro-
vide churches and vestries; but for the meetings of the Medical
Society hitherto we have had only private homes or hired
halls. This results from the failure to appreciate the proper
relations which exist between the medical profession at large
and the community, a matter of the very gravest importance.
41
The treatment and the cordial recognition of the services of
the individual practitioner, by their respective clientage
among the people of Bridgeport is a matter in which they
are examples to others. But it seems to me in some respects
they fail to furnish to the medical profession those opportu-
nities of improvement which would largely redound to their
personal and public welfare. I speak in a particular sense of
the relation of public opinion to the medical profeesion, and
not especially to the acts of the people of Bridgeport, for I
remember that they deserve well of us for their liberal and
generous contributions to our hospital, for their sturdy sup-
port of the action of the Board of Health, and for the wise
and beneficient and intelligent enactments of our city officials,
which has placed the medical profession in Bridgeport far
ahead of any other city in the state and of the state itself,
and as the result of what such an enactment may accomplish
allow me to call your attention for a moment to the last return
of the State Board of Health for the month of January, in
which was stated the number of deaths to the thousand. In
New Haven it was 26 ; in Hartford 27 : in Stamford 34;
while in Bridgeport it was 21; and of these 9 per cent. oc-
curred from accident and violent deaths, a larger number
from these causes than took place in any other part of the
state.
The application of surgical appliances to the treatment of
individual cases of sickness constitute the art of medicine.
The discovery of the causes of disease, their action upon the
organism of the body, means for their destruction and pre-
vention elevates medicine to a science. Hence it is that to-
day, among intelligent and educated people, the profes-
sion of medicine, if not the practitioner, occupies a higher
plane than it has ever done before. The modern investigations
which have shown us largely the causes of disease have con-
tributed to this result. The “germ theory” fighting many
desperate battles with doubt and deception, has finally earned
a well won victory and established, the generally accepted
theory that every disease has its specific seed. The germ of
diphtheria, of typhoid fever, of consumption, of cholera, has
42
been shown as conclusively to be the causes of those several
diseases as that the oak grows from the acorn, or corn or rye
or wheat or any other grain requires the germination of its
respective seed. This gives to the profession great power.
Could they but learn those things that are necessary to be
known, and which are now largely the subject of investiga-
tion, but which are not yet revealed so that it may be ap-
plied; could we have these methods of investigation placed
within our power, we cannot realize how much the people at
large would be benefitted by the prevention of those diseases
and of the other active diseases to which our flesh is heir.
Now public opinion, the intelligence of a community, is re-
sponsible, in the long run, for the general health of that com-
munity, and for the average attainment of its medical men.
The practitioner of medicine is required, or theoretically
expected to be conversant with the action of disease upon
the human body ; but a perverted, ignorant and selfish public
opinion deprives the medical man of almost the only accurate
means of acquiring such knowledge. Should there be de-
manded by the public opinion of Bridgeport—not Bridgeport
alone but of the whole country—that every cause of death
should be examined there would be less sickness in the im-
mediate family, there would be a much smaller number of
deaths among the young, Sudden deaths, and there would be
very much wiser doctors. The logical result of depriving
them of this knowledge is we have non-accommodated doc-
tors; we have unnecessary funerals, we have the nonsensical
certificate of death “heart failure.” New York is to-day
more or less terrified by the typhus fever. It may extend to
other cities. It is a matter, not only of personal, but of gen-
eral danger. It is a disease more desperately dangerous than
any other, it is more dangerous than the perils of battle. It
is more dangerous than a trip to the north pole. As showing
the evidence of the malignancy of this disease, let me cite a
single instance. Not many weeks ago I was told by Mr.
Wilson, the president of the Board of Health of the City of
New York, that one batch numbering 220 of unfortunate ten-
ants was taken from an old tenement house, and within ten
days, of this 220, 190 had died.
43
It is the only disease that the couregeous doctor fears. The
list of professional volunteers, who have died in discharge of
their duty, caring for patients with this disease, enriches the
list of many hospitals.
But dangerous as this disease is, supported by public
opinion, there are plenty of doctors who would gladly ex-
amine the cause of it, and probably stamp it out.
Why, you say, of course they have public opinion in behalf
of so benficient an object. Well, now, let us see. There was
a right clever man in Providence, Doctor Miller, who was
called in an emergency to a poor fellow who had been so se-
verely injured in a railroad accident as to require amputation
of the leg. He was surrounded by a crowd of smpathizing
on-lookers who were urging the doctor to do the best he could
for the poor fellow. The doctor was a quick man, and he was
nettled. Said he, “words are cheap.” Now I am going to
give this poor fellow one hundred dollars and take the risk of
losing my life from blood poisoning. What is the sympathy
of this crowd worth in dollars and cents? This brought a
ready response.
Now the support of public opinion means this:–That in
our schools and colleges and universities and laboratories, the
investigation of the diseases, their causes, their nature, their
effect upon the human organism will be studied, understood
and taught. It means that every community should require
that whoever comes in their midst to practice should show
that they are qualified for the performance of the sacred
duties of the profession. (Applause.) It means that the in-
telligent action of the Board of Health should receive the
support of the community in its exercise. It means that
every practitioner in his public functions should receive from
the State honors and emoluments commensurate with the im-
portance of his grave responsibility. -
We are ready for all this you say in Bridgeport. I mean
the community at large through the republic. Is it so?
Yellow fever, typhus fever and cholera terrify a community,
create panics, and speedily demand medical interference.
But there is a disease which annually destroys a larger num-
ber of persons than these three all put together. It is con-
44
stantly with us, and we have been informed officially that it is
a preventable disease.
Now in a republic whose corner-stone is that each man has
the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of hap-
piness one might ask in such a community when life and the
pursuit of happiness is imperiled by disease, would not public
opinion demand that such preventable diseases be discovered
and met, if assured by so eminent an authority as Dr. Austin
Flint, author of the American Physician, that constitutions
predisposed to consumption would never have the disease if it
were not for tuberculosis baccilli, the particular germ of that
disease. Would they not demand that by the national assist-
ance they should seek out the cause of that disease and seek
out the nature of its action, and its great tendency to pro-
duce this large loss of life. If assured by their official sta-
tistics that annually one hundred thousand of its citizens die
of preventable diseases wouldn't they demand some official
and national investigation? For a decade of years hundreds
of thousands of unwilling victims have fallen under this jug-
gernaut of ignorance and indifference. A father's care, a
mother's love, a sister's affection and a brother's respect, a
citizen's loyalty, a philanthropist's humanity, a philosopher's
study, one and all have failed to arouse a nation to demand its
rights. Against them all has appeared the handwriting on
the wall, “mene, mene tekel upharsin,” they have all been
tried in the balance and found wanting.
Not many years ago in the memory of many of us, a poor
tramp received from the benevolent in Bridgeport money and
food to relieve his pains and sickness. But when it was dis-
covered he was suffering from small pox that showed in his
face, four weary hours he plodded our streets, his brain racked
with sore pain, his body feverish with sore sickness. Women
drove him from their homes, men fled from his presence. Oh
it was pitiful. In that whole city of philanthropists, of
friends he had none. As I watched by his dying bed I wished
that every opponent of vaccination could have been with me.
He was a man, when in health, much like the rest of us ; but
then moaning in pain or in delirium referring to the home of
45
his childhood. His face that had once been hallowed by the
tears of a mother's affection, or dimpled with joy at a moth-
er's smile, now so changed that none might know his name or
family or lineage or race, without the hand of a father's love
without a word of sympathy from a loved brother, without
the care of a sister he died, no reckoning made, but sent to
his account with all his imperfections on his head.
That death was unnecessary. If by his own fault he died,
then it were a grievous fault, and grievously had that man
answered it. If by the fault of his parents then did they
doom him to a shameful and painful death. If by the neglect
of the state, then was it a blunder which is worse than a
crime.
Small pox, from a preventable has become almost a pre-
vented disease. Till all preventable diseases receive a like
Quietus it is the duty of public opinion to demand that the
means of that prevention shall be discovered. Says Prof.
Merwin, every citizen of every state owes it to himself and
the community and to those who are weak and Wronged that
they shall go to his assistance and help redress the wrong.
If any law or social custom should inflict injury on any one,
and that one of the humblest, then it is the duty of those who
are stronger or know better to right or redress his wrong, and
demand and fight for the repeal or correction of the law or
custom.
We boast and boast rightly of our great Republic. But
this Republic conferring upon its individual citizens liberty,
demands a personal service. Throwing open all means for
self improvement it imposes the greatest responsibilities.
When then shall we look for this public opinion which may
accomplish these beneficient results 3 As I look over this
audience to-night, so representative of the financial and the
political and the social institutions of this city I am reminded
of that scene in the far east where the trusted advisor said,
as Nathan said unto David, “Thou art the Man.” (Loud Ap-
plause.)
MR. WARNER:-I have now an announcement from one who
is deeply interested in the Barnum Institute, Dr. Godfrey.
46
DR. GoDFREy:—Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen —
The hour is late, I will detain you but for a few moments.
Mr. Barnum was always fond of surprises. That was one
of the secrets of his great success, he always had something
to surprise the great American public.
Mrs. Barnum has kept after him to some extent, and she
thinks it is a good plan to have a surprise once in awhile.
She has arranged a surprise for the members of the Scientific
Society, by presenting to them the two beautiful globes which
you saw in the lower hall, one being a globe of the earth and
the other of the celestial bodies (applause) these are very ac-
curate and will bear careful and patient study.
There is also another surprise, and this surprise is from
Mrs. Barnum and to the Medical Society. It is in the form
of a magnificent carved table which decorates their room.
A friend of the Medical Society who takes a deep and warm
interest in it has also presented to it a beautiful skull (laugh-
ter), which will be placed in the hall, and has promised a
skeleton which I trust will be interesting to the ladies (re-
newed laughter).
Before I close I would like to make a few remarks upon
the surprise which Mr. Thompson mentioned at the close of
his lecture. As I understand it some person will give $10,-
000, provided the balance of $30,000 can be raised for the
support and running of this building. I don't think that
people generally realize how much they owe to science.
Within the last 50 years—I think I am correct—more has
been done to promote our welfare, our happiness and our
knowledge than in all the ages that preceeded it, since the
earth was first formed. There is not a pleasure that you en-
joy, there is not an improvement that you have but what
science has been at the bottom of it. The people of this
commonwealth are noted the world over for their genius.
They are a race of inventors. They depend upon science for
the principles underlying these inventions. Now as we are a
race of inventors and have given to the world the sewing
machine and the telegraph and the telephone and all the
modern scientific improvements which are for our benefit, I
47
think that each and every one of us owes something towards
promoting any institution which tends to advance our know-
ledge on these subjects, and I hope that this $30,000 will be
raised almost at once and think that every one in the city of
Bridgeport should contribute to it. I think they owe it to
themselves and to this community to give something them-
selves, though it may be small. Let every one do something
towards raising that fund.
MR. WARNER:—Just one moment more. Mr. Lacey has a
surprise. -
MR. LACEy:—We had given us by Mr. Barnum some time
ago a bust of Jennie Lind, and you know the relation between
Jennie Lind and Mr. Barnum. It has come to the knowledge
of Mrs. Barnum that we had no proper pedestal to set the
bust on in the nook or corner of the room below, which we
call the Barnum room, and she very generously provided a
pedestal which has been already seen and may be further ex-
amined by you as you go out.
I will not detain you further but there is something very
interesting that might be said about the relation of Jennie
Lind and Mr. Barnum, but you naturally will anticipate what
might be said.
We have a great treat promised from Henry T. Blake, Esq.,
of New Haven, who is well known to this community, on the
History and the Massacre of Wyoming, which has been deliv.
ered in New Haven with great effect. We shall have it here
at a very early date and now give notice that you may be pre-
pared for it.
MR. WARNER —Thanking you very heartily and very warm-
ly for your attendance and your attention we will give you
the greatest and pleasantest surprise of the evening—we in-
tend to let you go home before morning (laughter) after the
performance of the last number of the programme. You are
cordially dismissed, hoping you will be here very many times
in the course of the next 40 or 50 years.
FRIRFIELD COUNTY
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY

BY.I.AWS.
RULE I.
The officers of the Fairfield County Historical Society shall
consist of a President, three Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, Re-
cording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary, who shall be
chosen annually from its members by a majority ballot at the
annual meeting of the Society.
The term of the officers of said Society shall be for one
year from their election, and until others shall be chosen in
their places; and their powers and duties shall be those usu-
ally appertaining to those offices, except when otherwise
ordered by the Society.
Said officers shall also be the Executive Committee of said
Society, and as such shall have charge of and direct all mat-
ters of executive, financial and clerical business appertaining
to the management of the Society, except when otherwise
ordered by the Society.
The President of this Society shall be, eac-officio Chairman
of the Executive Committee.
Any vacancy occurring in any of said offices before the ex-
piration of its term, may be filled for the unexpired portion
thereof, by those of the Executive Committee of said Society,
who shall begin the exercise of their offices at the time.
RULE II.
The regular meetings of said Society shall be held on the
second Friday evening of each month at the rooms of the
Society.
The annual meeting of said Society shall be held on the
second Friday of April in each year, and special meetings
may be held whenever the Society shall so order, or when the
President and Recording Secretary shall deem it necessary
to call the same. Notice of the annual and special meetings
shall be given by the President and Recording Secretary of
the time, place and purpose thereof, by three days publica-
tion in one or more daily newspapers, published in the City
of Bridgeport, at least four days before said meeting.
RULE III.
The Chairman of the Executive Committee shall be the
Auditor of the Accounts of the Society, and as such shall
audit and approve all bills of expense incurred by the society
before the same shall be ordered paid, and only upon such
audit, and an order of payment by the Society or Executive
Committee, shall the Treasurer pay out any funds of the
Society.
RULE IV.
The Treasurer of the Society shall be also Curator of the
same so long as he shall be Treasurer; and the duties of the
office of Curator shall be, to have the care, custody and pres-
ervation of books, papers, antiquities, and all other property
of the Society.
RULE W.
The election of new members of said Society shall be by a
unanimous vote, by ballot or otherwise, at any annual, regu-
lar or special meeting of the Society; the nomination of such
new members having first been made at a preceding meeting
and not less than one week previous to such voting.
- RULE VI.
No application for membership in said Society shall be
entertained or acted upon, unless accompanied by a written
or printed request of the applicant, dated and signed by the
applicant in person.
RULE VII.
An initiation fee of two dollars shall accompany each appli-
cation for annual membership.
RULE VIII.
The Annual dues for members residing in Bridgeport,
Stratford, Trumbull and Fairfield shall be three dollars ($3)
per annum and two dollars ($2) for all members residing else-
where. This amount shall become due and payable to thc
Treasurer annually on the fifteenth day of April, and any
53
members remaining in arrears for more than six months may
be dropped from membership at any regular meeting of the
Society upon presentation of their names by the Executive
Committee for this purpose, which report shall be deemed
conclusive unless a special vote be passed to excuse said
delinquents.
RULE IX.
Any approved person may, upon election according to
Rule V., become a Life Member on the payment of two hun-
dred dollars, or a Patron member for five years on the pay-
ment of twenty-five dollars, and both Life and Patron Mem-
bers shall be entitled to all the privileges of the Society.
The Society may elect, according to the manner provided in
Rule V, as Honorary Members, persons whose membership
may be an honor or advantage to said Society, and they shall
be entitled to all the privileges of the Society except voting.
All members other than Life, Patron and Honorary shall
be known and designated as Annual Members.
RULE X.
The rooms of this Society shall be open on such week
days and during such hours as the Executive Committee shall
designate. A suitable person shall be in attendance to
receive visitors and to protect the property of the Society.
and at no time when open shall the rooms of the Society
be left without the presence of such an attendant.
RULE XI.
The Antiquarian exhibit of the Society shall be freely
open to the public during the appointed hours, and the at-
tendant shall give courteous welcome and information to
visitors.
But the Library of the Society shall be exclusively re-
served for the use of its members and no persons other than
members shall be allowed access to the shelves for study or
reference except by the permission of a member of the Execu-
tive Committee and the Curator. * * * *
54
RULE XII.
These Rules and By-Laws may be altered, amended, repealed
or added to, by a majority vote of the members present at any
annual, regular or special meeting of said Society, notice of
such proposed repeal, alteration or amendment having been
given at a previous meeting of the Society, not less than one
week before final action thereon is taken.
- RULE XIII.
The Rules of this Society may be temporarily suspended
by unanimous consent of all the members present at any reg-
ular, annual, or special meeting of the Society.
55
A N N UAL MEMBERS.
NAME.
ADAMs, F. C.,
AMBLER, MRs. JENNIE B.,
BRONson, FREDERICK,
BEARDSLEY, MoRRIs B.,
BURTON SILAs,
BISHOP, MRs. JULIA A.,
BURRoughs, JAMES R.
BRADLEY, CYRUs SHERwooD,
BURTON, HENRY EUGENE,
BREwsTER, LYMAN D.,
BUCKINGHAM, MRS. G. A.,
BUCKINGHAM, JOHN A.,
BANKs, SAMUEL S.,
BURRITT, SARAH E.,
BANKs, EDWIN,
BEACH, MARTHA E.,
BowsER, HENRY E.,
BROTHWELL, CHAs. R.,
CALEF, THOMAs,
CURTIs, Robert W.,
CoMsTocK, ALBERT S.,
CARTER, SAMUEL,
CARTER, CHAs. H.,
CRUTTENDEN, MRs. F. H.,
CoMsTock, MRs. A. S.
Cough LIN, PATRICK,
CHAPMAN, GEO. P.,
CoGGswell, H. C.
CURTIs, STILES H.,
CoE, DAVID,
CoMsTock, GEO.
DExTER, O. P.
DEACON, EDWARD
BESIDENCE.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Nichols, Conn.
Greenfield Hill, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Southport, Conn.
Middletown, Conn.
Danbury, Conn.
Newton, Mass.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Stratford, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
66 { %
66 66
Bridgeport, Conn.
Stratford, Conn.
N. Y. City,
$6 66
6t 66
Bridgeport, Conn.
New Canaan, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
6 & 6 &
{{ 6 &
Cleveland, Ohio.
Stratford, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
N. Y. City.
Bridgeport, Conn,
56
NAME.
DEFOREST, T. B.,
Downs, Mrs. ALICE M.
FAIRCHILD, HoRACE L.,
FAIRCHILD, THOMAs B.,
FAIRCHILD, ALFRED B.,
FootB, C. B.,
FAIRCHILD, MRs. MARY II.,
GoulD, JAMES L.,
GARLICK, SAMUEL M., M. D.,
GoDFREy, CHAs. C. M. D.,
HINCKs, WM. B.,
HAWLEY, ELias S.,
HAWLEY, ALEXANDER,
HAwley, MRS. ALEXANDER,
Hold EN, ISAAC,
HATCH, DANIEL B.,
HALL, ORLANDo B.,
HollistER, D. F.,
HAwLEy, GEO. B.,
IRELAND, Jos. N.,
JENNINGs, O. G.
Johnsos, SAMUEL W.,
Jon Es, N. H.,
Johnson, Joseph W.,
KINGMAN, SAMUEL C.,
KNAPP, HowARD H.,
LACEY, Rowland, B.,
LockwooD, DAVID B.,
LAMBERT, EDWARD R.,
LEE, HENRY,
Lyon, HENRY W.,
Lyon, FREDRRICK, H.,
Lyon, HENRY M.,
Lyon, WM. K.,
Lyon, RogFR H.,
LockwooD, FRED'K J.,
LoRD, THOMAS,
LINEBURGH, WM. G.,
* *
RESIDENCE,
Bridgeport, Conn.
Nichols, Conn.
Stratford, Conn,
Bridgeport, Conn.
New York, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Conn.
6 * G
Buffalo, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Conn.
$6 & 6
New York, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Conn.
46 $ (,
Fairfield, Conn.
Mamaroneck, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Washington Depot, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
New York, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Chicago, Ill.
Bridgeport, Conn.
57
NAME.
RESIDENCE.
MAxcy, Rev. EATON W., D. D., Troy, N. Y.
MILLER, DAVID H.,
MEAKER, EDWARD F.,
MERRITT, DR. CHAs.,
MoRFoRD, GEORGE,
MoRGAN, DANIEL N.,
MARSH, EDWARD W.,
MAIN, SAMUEL A.,
MooRE, MIRs. ELIZABETH W.,
MAIN, JOHN N.,
NICHOLs, WARREN B.,
NICHOLLs, REv. G. H.,
NICHOLs, REv. C. W. D.E. L.,
NICHOLs, REv. W.M. F., D. D.,
NoDLE, MIIss HENRIETTA, M.,
NICHOLs, FRED'K C.
NICHOLs, WM. J.,
NEAR, John N.,
PERRY, FREDERICR. M.,
PERRY, WINTHROP H,
PHILLIPs, EBENEZER S.,
PARROTT, HENRY R.,
PARROTT, F. W.,
PARKER ADELBERT C.,
PECR, Mrs. T. E.,
RELYEA, ALBERT,
RYLANDs, Henry C.,
IticIIARDSON, GEO.
Scofield, H. G.,
SHELTON, H. T.,
SHELTON, JoHN C.,
SIERwooD, WM. L.,
SoMERs, JAMES MI.,
STEVENS, FRED. S.,
STEWARD, AURELIUS,
SEELEY, WM. E.,
SILLIMAN, EUGENE R.,
SHERWooD, CHAs.
Georgetown, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
N. Y. City.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Washington, D. C.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Danbury, Conn.
Dridgeport, Conn.
Middleboro, Mass.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Hoosick Falls, N. Y.
Tottenville, N. Y.
San Francisco, Cal.
Bridgeport, Conn.
{ % $ 6
Southport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
& G { {
& * {
{ % § {
{ % { %
Norwalk, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
( & * *
§ { { %
{ % { %
{ % & 4
Newark, N. J.
13ridgeport, Conn.
Stratford, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
58
NAME. IRESIDENCE.
SMITH, JAS. H., Bridgeport, Conn.
STAGG, HENRY P., Stratford, Conn.
SILLIMAN LEWIs B., Bridgeport, Conn.
SHERMAN, REv. HENRY MARTYN,
STERLING, JULIAN H. { % { %
SEGEE, PHILIP B., ( & 6 (;
STERLING EDWARD, { % { %
STAPLES, JAMEs, { % { %
SANFORD, L. D., 4 & C
SExTON, JR., JAMEs, & 4 & 6
ToDD, CHAs. BURR, - Tedding, Conn.
THOMPson, CURTIs, Bridgeport, Conn.
ToRREy, MRs. HARRIET L., € $ & 8
THOMPson, JoHN W., Stratford, Conn.
TALLMADGE, A. M., Bridgeport, Conn.
WANKEUREN, Louis N., *: { %
WoRDIN, N. E., M. D., 6 : 6 *
WALDO, GEO. C., § { 6 &
WHEELER, GEO. W. Bridgeport, Conn.
WHEELER, MRs. MARY C., 46 § {
WAKEMAN, HowARD N., 66 { %
WARD, MRs. SARAH C., § { “
WREN, G. W., & 6 (;
HONORARY MEMBERS.
REv. BENJAMIN L. Swan, Mendham, N. J.
J. HAMMOND TRUMBULL, L. L. D., Hartford, Conn.
CHARLEs J. HoADLEY, L. L. D., 66 £ 6
A. W. MoREHOUSE, Brooklyn, N. Y.
REv. C. RAY PALMER, D. D., Bridgeport, Conn.
MAJ. L. N. MIDDLEBRook, { % 6, 6
PROF. GEO. S. Burroughs, Amherst, Mass.
MRs. NANcy BARNUM, Bridgeport, Conn.
BENJAMIN FISH, * { & is
REv. BEVERLEY E. WARNER, New Orleans, La.
REV. C. M. SELLICK, Norwalk, Conn.
MEMBERS DECEASED.
NAME.
AARON B. HULL,
RICHARD C. AMBLER,
WILLIAM T. MINort,
LEMUEL SANFORD,
HENRY M. Hoyt,
WILLIAM A. BEERs,
WILLIAM SHELTON, D. D.,
STILES M. MIDDLEBRook,
SAMUEL M. MAIN,
BARZILLAI B. KELLOGG,
John D. CANDEE,
PLUMB N. FAIRCHILD,
ELI T. Hoyt,
PHINEAs T. BARNUM,
AMos S. TREAT,
SAMUEL B. SUMNER,
SIDNEY B. BEARDSLEy,
MRs. MARY KATE PERRY,
OLIVER C. BULLARD,
JoHNSON T. PLATT,
REv. E. E. BEARDSLEY, D. D. L.L. D.,
REv. H. N. Powers, D. D.,
FREDERICK S. WILDMAN,
JAMEs W. BEARDSLEY,
OLIVER B. JENNINGs,
MRs. R. B. LACEY,
GENL. W. H. Noble,
HoN. STEPHEN NICHOLs,
REv. SAM'L ORCUTT,
NATHANIEL WHEELER,
HoRACE NICHOLs,
J. M. BAILEy,
ALFRED HOPKINs,
MARK R. LEAVEN worTH,
WELLs, NATHAN B.,
RESIDENCE.
Danbury, Conn.
Nichols, Conn.
Stamford, Conn.
Redding, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Fairfield, Conn.
Buffalo, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Brookfield, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Trumbull, Conn.
Danbury, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
New Haven, Conn,
46 § { € $
Orange, N. J.
Danbury, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Fairfield, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
{ % $ $
& 9 § {
Danbury, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
€ $ { %
Stratford, Conn.
Annual Election of Officers
Fairfield Countu º
* Historical Society,
Mau 11th, 1895.

63
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
The Special Meeting of the Fairfield County Historical So-
ciety for the election of officers for the ensuing year was held
at its rooms in the Barnum Institute, May 11, 1895.
The meeting was very interesting and was largely atten-
ded. All the Officers of the past year were re-elected as
follows:—
T. B. LACEY, President.
Vice-Presidents,
GEORGE C. WALDO, CURTIS THOMPSON,
CHARLES BUIRIR TODD.
EDWARD DEACON, Treasurer.
HOWARD N. WAKEMAN, Recording Secretary.
JAMES R. BURROUGHS, Corresponding Secretary.
The report of the treasurer was an interesting document
and gladdened the hearts of the members with the announce-
ment that the society was entirely free from debt and had a
balance in the treasury.
Previous to the business meeting, the audience enjoyed
an interesting paper on the “Services of the First Battalion,
Connecticut Cavalry,” by Major L. N. Middlebrook. The
paper was an excellent effort and was read in a manner
which aroused enthusiasm. Many of the men present served
on the same field, and the memory of those days of hard-
ships and trials, was brought vividly to their minds. There
were many Bridgeport boys in that courageous band of
fighters and their record was a brilliant one. Maj. Middle-
brook, was in command of Company D when it left Bridge-
port, and it remained in service until the last gun was
fired. His description of the many encounters was re-
lated in a thrilling manner. The talk was varied occasion-
ally with a humorous incident that was appreciated by the
veterans present. This was especially true of the exciting
exploits with the guerrillas in the South. Major Middlebrook
was frequently applauded and will favor the society again in
the near future.
64
REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
We are met this evening on occasion of our 14th Anni-
versary. A little more than 15 years ago, six individuals met
in the office of the Bridgeport Gas Light Company and sub-
scribed Articles of Association under the laws of this State
“for the promotion and encouragement of Historical Anti-
quarian and Genealogical investigation relating to the County
of Fairfield and the towns composing it, to be known as
The Fairfield County Historical Society.”
Thenceforward the institution had a name, but was some
time without a local habitation. A tabernacle was at length
found in Wheeler's Building at No. 446 Main street, occupy-
ing at first a single interior dark room, but sharing the light
and privileges of the room occupied by the President. Here
in quarters subsequently enlarged much good preliminary
work was done and foundations laid for a future. The So-
ciety was incórporated by special act of General Assembly,
March 24, 1885. It is not intended to occupy your time in
rehearsing the details, the history of those thirteen years.
Suffice it to say, substantial progress was made upon which
we may look back with much satisfaction. -
We note with sorrow the first breach made in the group of
original members, which occurred January 18th, 1894, in the
death of Gen. William H. Noble, long a Vice-President of
this Society, a faithful friend and veteran worker in the cause
of historic research. An appreciative account of his worth
and valuable services will appear in the forthcoming publi-
cation of the Society, now in press.
For years the great need has been felt and it has been our
constant aspiration frequently expressed, that some good
friend of sufficient means would honor himself and promote
the cause, by furnishing us with a suitable building for a per-
manent home.
Our liberal-minded and honored fellow citizen, the late
Phineas T. Barnum, was inspired to provide for the erection
of this noble structure as the joint property of the Historical
65
and Scientific Societies with provision therein for the Fairfield
County Medical Society, a full account of which, its dedica-
tion and formal opening will appear in the publication already
alluded to. :
We take a laudable pride and satisfaction in our Home thus
provided. The fitting up of our new quarters and removal
hither taxed our slender resources so thoroughly as to leave
us little means for current work, and our advancement has been
limited thereby. Nevertheless we have made and are con-
stantly making progress. We have and maintain free to the
public, a library and museum which we know is much appre-
ciated by its numerous visitors.
The Treasurer, Recording and Corresponding Secretaries,
will give briefly some account of our Resources and current
work, and the Curator the additions to our Library and Mu-
seum—with valuable suggestions. Our forthcoming volume
will contain the inscriptions on the stones and monuments in
the oldest Cemetery in Norwalk from a careful canvass by
Mr. David H. Wan Hoosear, with illustrations. This has been
secured and published as a part of our plan of work com-
menced by Rev. Samuel Orcutt, Historian, and which we
deem of the highest importance. We invite from other towns
similar data which the Society will print in connection with
its future publications.
There are numerous attics of ancient Colonial residences
throughout the county, which would afford more and richer
copies of ancient books, newspapers, valuable old manu-
scripts, documents and papers—throwing a flood of light on
our early history—specimens of articles of furniture and do-
mestic use and manufacture, all liable to be soon destroyed
or scattered to the winds.
We wish the co-operation of our friends in securing such
articles as gifts, or loans to this society in trust for preserva-
tion and study. It is the intention of our Executive Com-
mittee to issue a circular to be widely circulated and followed
up by personal solicitation, to he above ends.
l{.. lx. LACEY,
President.
66
REPORT OF THE TREASURER AND CURATOR.
It was with no little trepidation that the officers of the so-
ciety at the close of 1893, entered upon the year then open-
ing.
At that time our Treasury was not only in a meagre con-
dition, but a great burden of debt was hanging over us,
clouding our prospects and threatening to hamper our use-
fulness. This debt, aggregating nearly four hundred dollars,
was the inevitable result of what otherwise seemed a most
auspicious change in our affairs : namely, our removal to the
new quarters in the Barnum Institute. But with no surplus
to draw upon, nor funds provided for the emergency, this
radical change in our location and relatively in our position
towards the public, entailed upon us an imperative outlay, in
furnishing the rooms with necessary cases, fittings and para-
phermalia requisite to enable us to utilize the facilities then
placed at our disposal.
It did indeed seem as though we were about to be prostra-
ted in the very hour of our triumph. Happily however, the
consideration of our friends, calm deliberation, and the wise
and kind judgment of the Trustees of the Institute, aided us in
the solution of the difficult problem and enabled us to close
the year with very different feelings from those with which it
was begun.
We enter upon the year 1895, free from debt, and with all
our prospective annual income available for our proper work.
Our membership is slowly increasing, but not at such a rate
as we should naturally expect ; when we entered the new
building the Annual dues were increased by the written eon-
sent of a majority of the members, to Three dollars for resi-
dents in this city and vicinity, and Two dollars for those living
at a distance, this was deemed necessary in view of the in-
creased expense entailed upon us by our enlarged quarters
and the consequent greater demands made upon us by the
public.
Notwithstanding this increase, the entire amount annually
67
due the society is less than $375, from which must be deduct.
ed about 15 per cent. for dues never paid and for losses by
removals, resignation and death.
It will thus be seen that to make the work of the society
really serviceable a much larger membership is requisite, and
it should be the aim of every member to extend the influence
of the society and induce others to join us, by creating a sen-
timent favorable to our aims and work.
ANNUAL STATEMENT, APRIL 19th, 1895.
Dalance from last report, * * - * $ 31 87
Received for annual dues, * * * * 291 00
“ from Joint Fund, * * - gº 155 50
“ for sale of photos, &c., gº- - º: 4 25
$482 62
CoNTRA.
Paid printing and binding, * = sº sº. $131 00
“ Furniture and fittings, - * sº -- 205 00
“ N. E. Genl. Register, - * * * 85 00
“ Stationery, postage and sundries, * - 26 94
$447 94
Balance in Treasury, * * * * $ 34 68
Liabilities, none.
Active Members, 137.
Honorary Members, 11.
As Curator and custodian of the Library and Museum, it is
a pleasure to report a satisfactory growth in the number and
value of the donations received during the past two years.
In consequence of the increase in the number of similar
societies in other counties and states, which are desirous of
exchanging publications with us, the library has been enriched
by the addition of several valuable books which it would be
otherwise difficult to obtain. Some authors and publishers
68
of historical works likewise, being desirous of placing their
volumes where they will be appreciated and preserved, make
a practice of donating copies to societies like our own, and it
is gratifying to note that we are recognized as worthy of
being included with some of the largest libraries in the
country as recipients of these valuable gifts.
The Museum grows day by day as our society becomes
more known, and it will soon be a question, not as to how
much more we can get, but what shall we accept for exhibi-
tion ; it is unnecessary to add that the more select and unique
our Collection can be made, the more will its value enhance
and its utility be demonstrated. Our rooms are open on the
afternoon of every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday free
to the public, and have been visited by upwards of ten thous-
and persons, many of them from foreign countries. We have
been pleased in receiving many expressions of commendation,
evincing a growing interest in the objects for which we are
organized.
The society's room is perhaps not the most satisfactory that
could be planned, but we endeavored to make it attractive,
and desire to make it more useful for the purpose of study
by our members. At present our Library is scattered in
numerous book cases, curious antique and interesting in them-
selves, but not well adapted for the purpose of arranging in
scientific older a well assorted collection of books; we need
a room set apart from the Museum, where our volumes can
be arranged on convenient shelves, classified and indexed,
and preserved from vagrant hands; a study provided with
necessary tables and seating, and with convenient access to the
library, where the student in local history or genealogy may
make the best use of the treasures at his disposal.
This at present may be a dream, but we hope some morning
to wake up and find it realized.
A list of the Donors to the Library and Museum since the
issuance of the last publication of the society in 1892, will
be found on another page.
EDWARD DEACON,
Treasurer.
69
REPORT OF THE RECORDING SECRETARY.
Since our last publication was issued in 1892, many changes
have taken place in the work of the Society. During that
period the home of the Society has been moved to its present
quarters in the Barnum Institute. The work of the Society
devolves on a few who take a deep interest in its welfare and
growth. The people of this city should more heartily sup-
port this institution than they do, because the collection and
preservation of the historical facts of this locality should be
of interest to all good citizens.
Since our removal to the new building—we have listened
to interesting papers from the following persons :
H. G. Blake, Esq., of New Haven read a paper upon the
Connecticut East India Company or the Story of Wyoming.
A paper by A. D. Osborne of New Haven was read upon
Captain Smedley, the first Collector of Customs, for this dis-
tlict.
A short paper upon the Berkshire Mills, was read by the
President.
Cyrus S. Pradley recited a poem upon the Burning of the
Lexington.
Captain Schley, the rescuer of the Greeley Arctic Expedi-
tion, gave a very interesting account of his adventures in
those ice-bound regions of the North.
Dr. Spalding gave us an interesting talk on Photographs.
Mr. Lacey and Col. O. B. Hall gave us an account of Early
Times in North Bridgeport—particularly in the vicinity o
Thacher's Mills. '-
Mr. George P. Chapman read a paper upon the Battle of
Lake Erie and the History of Perry's Fleet.
Morris Seymour, Esq., occupied an evening with us upon
the Hiding of the Charter in the old oak at Hartford.
And Major L. N. Middlebrook read a paper to us upon the
services of the first battalion of Connecticut Cavalry.
On the 4th of July 1893, the Society participated through
70
its representatives in the ceremonies at the unveiling of the
Barnum Monument.
I have thus briefly alluded to this department of our work
which we according to our resources shall endeavor to extend
in the future.
HOWARD N. WAKEMAN,
Recording Secretary.
71
REPORT OF THE CORERESPONDING SECRETARY.
The correspondence of the Society during the past years
of 1893 and 1894, consisted of the usual notifications of elec-
tions to membership ; of appointments on committee work,
and to some events of great interest to the Society.
In the Dedication of the P. T. Barnum Statue on July 4,
1893, members of the society participated in the parade and
in the exercises following, at Sea Side Park.
An example of hearty response, in sentiment and enthu-
siasm, is evidenced by a copy of the following letter received:
. BRIDGEPORT, June 21st, 1893.
J. R. Burroughs, Jºsq. :
Your favor of the 16th inst., received. I will with pleasure
join with the members of the Historical Society to partici-
pate in the parade and dedication of the Barnum Statue on
the 4th of July next, and hope every member (Ladies not ex-
cepted) will join on this occasion to honor the memory of him
who has given us this beautiful and substantial edifice as a
safe deposit for the history of the past.
Yours Truly,
ORLANDO B. HALL.
An acceptance was sent to the invitation of the New Haven
Colony Historical Society for our President and delegates to
attend the dedication of their new building ; a memorial to
James E. and Caroline A. English. The exercises were held
in New Haven, Sept. 28th, 1893.
Francis Jelliff and Aaron Jennings of Southport, and of the
rescue party, were invited to a meeting of the Society, on
Nov. 10, 1893, to listen to a poem by Cyrus Sherwood Brad-
ley, on the Burning of the Steamer Lexington in Long Island
Sound, Jan. 13, 1840, at night. Rescue was made Jan. 14.
Capt. John F. Bradley was expected to have been present, to
relate his experience of the rescue of the survivors.
The invitation for the Society to co-operate in the Bi-cen-
tennial anniversary of the institution of the Parish of Strat-
72
field, in June 1695, to be celebrated June 1895, was accepted
on Aug. 1, 1894.
The latest correspondence was in relation to the reading of
a valuable paper, on May 11, 1895, by Major L. N. Middle-
brook, upon the First Connecticut Battalion of Cavalry in the
late war, which was a graphic account of valarous deeds in
the service of our country. -
JAMES R. BURROUGHS,
Corresponding Secretary.
3
DONATIONS TO THE LIBRARY AND MUSEUM,
April 1892 to April 1895.
DONORS.
RESIDENCE.
A
Ambler, Mrs. R. C.
American Catholic Historical Society,
Anderson, Rev. Joseph
Anon,
B
Barnum, Mrs. P. T., ;
Beardsley, Morris B.,
Beardsley, James W.,
Beardsley, Mrs. Wm. L.,
Bedient, Stephen S.,
Beers, Mrs. Wm. A.,
Benedict, Celest A. M. D.
Bishop, Mrs. W. D.,
Boardman, Miss Ellen L.,
Bouton, Eugene
Boston Record Commissioners,
Bradley, Cyrus
Bridgeport Board of Health,
{ % Board of Education,
$ tº Hospital,
$ $ Public Library,
Scientific Society,
{ % . M. C.
Brothwell, Chas. R.,
Buffalo Historical Society, l
Buffalo State Hospital, .
Burns, Owen
Burroughs, George
Burton, Henry E.,
Burritt, Sarah E.,
A.,
Bridgeport, Conn.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Waterbury, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
ſº tº $ tº
{ $ $
{ % $ &
6 e $ $
* { § 6.
§ {. St.
{ % § {
{ % $ $
$ $ $ i.
Boston, Mass.
Southport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
{ % { {
$ i. § {
* * { %
(, b. # *
tº $ $ $
Buffalo, N. ..Y.
* { $
Bridgeport, Conn.
. § { %
& ( ò
Stratford, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
{ % * {
{ { & 6
tº $. { %
Auburn, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Conn.
$ $ §
New Canaan, Conn.
Hartford, Conn.
§ { b
Unknown.
Utica, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Syracuse, N. Y.
New Haven, Coun.
Bridgeport, Conn.
$$. § {
--
--
i
ſ
* * * * * *
* * * *e e
* * * * * *
* * * * * *
• e s e g tº
* e s & e 9
* & & © tº ºr
& sº sº º sº gº
C
Calef, Thomas
Castle, Wm. M.,
Candee, J. D.,
tº $. Mrs. J. D.,
Cayauga, Co. Historical
Chapin, Geo. F.,
Chihaus, N ,
Clarke, Samuel C.,
Coe, David t
Cole, Mrs. J. H.,
Collins, Holdridge, O ,
Comstock, Mr. and Mrs. A. S.,
Conn. Historical Society,
Conn. Humane Society,
Curtis, C. F.,
D
Day, Mrs. Mary B., (Rev. Geo. B.,)
Darling, Chas. W.,
Deacon, Edward
Dean, A. H.,
Denton, A. L.,
Dexter, Franklin B.,
Derrick, Chas. L.,
Doolittle, E. T.,
Dorus, James H.,
Scoiety,
Marietta, Ga.
Stratford, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Los Angeles, Cal.
| Library.
|- sº
| 9. it.
# g
Q
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2 6
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74
DON OF.S.
E
Enright, Mrs. J. N.,
Exchange,
F *
Fitzgerald, J. N.,
Fairchild, T. B.,
Foster, Frank A.,
Foskit, Wm. A.,
C
Gaylord, Mrs. Samuel
Gee, C.
Gilbert, Enoch H.,
Godfrey, Dr. C. C.,
Gold. T
• *-* * *
Gordon, Miss Jane
Graham, A. A.,
H
Halsey, Edmund D.,
Hansell, S. N.,
Hall, Stiles
Barding, Henry
Harper, Francis P.,
Harrington, Lois C.,
Hamilton and Hill,
Heddenburg, F.J.,
Heminway, F.
#ibbard, Rev. A. G.,
Hincks, Wm. B.,
Hoadley. Chas. J.,
Hooker, Edward
Hopson, W. R.,
Hughes, John R.,
I
Ireland, J. N.,
J
Jones, Mrs. H., Estate of
Jaynes, Mrs. M. O. S.,
K
Kaler, Edward
Keeler, Emily C.,
Kingman, S. C.,
Klopstock, Isaac
Knapp, Geo. S.,
L
Lacey, R. B.,
Lambert, E. R.,
Lathe, E. W.,
Lee, Henry
Lee, Wm. H.,
Lewis, Geo. W.,
Lewis, Julia F.,
Lines, G. O.,
Lord, Thomas
Lyon, Roger H.,
M
Magri, Countess M.
Marsh, E. W.,
Lavinia.
RESIDENCE.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Stratford, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
6 : $ 0.
{ { { *
Los Angeles, Cal.
Norwalk, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
West Cornwall, Conn.
Columbus, Ohio.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Rockville, { %
Bridgeport, “
{ { { {
New York, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Boston, Mass.
Bridgeport, Conn.
$
Goshen, Conn.
Bridgeport. Conn.
Hartford, Conn.
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Conn.
{ $ .
{ { { {
* * $ $
{ { $ tº
$ $ * *
Washington, Conn.
Bridgeport, “
{ % { %
§ { { %
§ { - * {
Charlton, Mass.
Bridgeport, Conn.
• $
{ { { %
$ & $ i.
( * * {
Chicago, Ills.
Bridgeport, Conn.
cº
Library. 5 § º
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75
DONORS.
M
May, Wm. H.,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
Meriden Scientific Association,
Middlebrook, L. N.,
Morford, Geo.,
Morgan, D. N.,
Morris, Chauncey R.,
Morton, Mrs. Sarah T.
N
Nebraska Historical Society.
New Haven Colony His'ſ Soc'y.,
New London Co. His’t Soc'y.,
Nichols, Horace -
Nichols, Prof. Frederick
Noble, Mrs. Wm. H.,
O
Ohio Archaeological & His’t Soc'y..
Oneida His’t Soc'y.,
Orcutt, Rev. Samuel
Osborne, Arthur D.,
Osborne, Geo. R.,
P
Palmer, Rev. C. R.,
Park, E. W.,
Peet, F. C.,
Plumb, Capt. Chas.,
Phillips, E. S.,
Porter, Doctor G. L.,
Potter, Arthur E.,
Price, Lee & Co.,
R
Raymond Mercurius D., |
Roff, Adjutant H. C.,
Rylands H. C.,
S
Savage, W. L.,
Scott, Mrs. P. R.,
Secor, D. P.,
Selleck, Rev. C. M.,
Senger, Louise
Setchell, Wun. A.,
Seward, James
Seltsam, Mr. and Mrs. Geo.,
Sharpe, W. C.
Shelton, Jane DeForest
Sherman, E. B.,
Silliman, Mrs. E. B.,
Silliman, Ezra B.,
Smith, F. C.,
Steele, Mrs. James Huntington
Sterling, Edward
Stevens, Frederick S.,
Stiles & Tucker,
Stiles, Henry B.,
T
Terry Mrs. Hattie E., -
Thompson, Curtis |
KESIDENCE.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Boston, Mass.
Meriden, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
ſº $
tº $ * {
$ 6 { %
Hartford, Conn.
Lincoln, Neb.
New Haven, Conn.
New London, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Nova Scotia.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Columbus, Ohio.
Utica, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Conn.
New Haven, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
New Haven, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Stratford, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn-
* º
Torrington, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Tarrytown, N. Y.
Unknown.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Stratford, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Norwalk, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Boston, Mass.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Seymour, Conn.
Birmingham, Conn.
Bridgeport. Conn.
&
$ $ { %
$ tº $ $
{ % $ $
$ tº tº $.
{ % $ tº
{ * $ tº
$ $ • {
Bridgeport, Conn.
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76
DONORS,
RESIDENCE.
T
Thompson, Geo.,
Tomlinson, Mrs. S. R.
U
U. S. Commissioner of Labor,
V
Vance, R. G.,
Wose, Thomas
W
Waldo, George C.,
Watkins, Walter J.,
Ward, Sarah C.,
Warner, Rev. Beverly E.,
Wells, O. B.
Westchester Co., His’t Soc'y.,
White, Wm. J.,
Whitmore, H.,
Wordin. Dr. N. E.,
Wren, Geo. W.,
Wright, Carroll D.,
Y
Yale University,
Ygung, W. G.,
Bridgeport, Conn.
{ %
Washington, D. C.
Hartford, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
{ % * *
Boston, Mass.
Bridgeport, Conn.
* { $ i.
tº b * {
tº { { %
Boston, Mass.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Washington, D. C.
New Haven, Conn.
Bridgeport, Conn.
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PA Sketch from the Life
—OF—
Rep. James Beebe, A. M.,
Who from Mag 6, 1747 to Sept. 8, 1785
WAS pHSTOR OF
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST
AT NORTH STRATFORD,
WRITTEN AND READ BY
RICHARD C. AMBLER, ESQ.,
Before the Fairfield County Historical Society.
Sketch of the Rep. James Beebe.
The records do not show any further attempt to continue
the old Society of Unity after the discharge of Richardson
Miner. The name of the society being changed from Unity
to North Stratford about that time.*
Under the date of May 5th, 1747, three years after, the fol-
lowing record is to be found upon the pages of the same old
record book which was used by “The Church of Christ at
Unity.” There was a church gathered and settled at North
Stratford and the same day was ordained there, and took the
pastoral charge of that church the Rev. Mr. James Beebe,
by Presbyters the Rev. Messrs. Hezekiah Goold of Stratford,
Jedediah Mills of Ripton, John Grayham of Woodbury, John
Bellamy of Southbury—North Purchase—David Judson of
Newtown, and Thomas Canfield of Roxbury. And Mr. Wood-
bridge of Amity was present and preached ye sermon from
ye first of Timothy 3–1, “This is a true saying if a man desire
the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.”
Mr. Grayham was moderator. Mr. Goold made the first
prayer. Mr. Mills gave the charge. Mr. Judson gave the
right hand of fellowship. Mr. Bellamy made the last prayer.
Mr. Cook present, but by sickness indisposed to business. Of
these clergymen, Messrs. Hezekiah Goold, Jedediah Mills,
and Samuel Cook, were present at the ordination of Richard-
son Miner, and at this time they respectively held the same
pastoral charge that they did when Mir. Miner was ordained
seventeen years before.
Mr. Beebe came to North Stratford trom Danbury. He
was born in the year 1717 of English ancestry. In assuming
the charge of the “Church of Christ at North Stratford,”
many difficulties must have presented themselves to Mr.
Beebe. The excitement in the community occasioned by the
discharge of Mr. Miner was very great and in many instances
resulted in personal quarrels carried on between members of
*This paper closely followed one by the same author on Rev. Richardson Miner.
80
the same family. (Mr. Miner's discharge was occasioned in
consequence of his espousal of Episcopal faith.)
There was not only this difficulty but there was a strong
sentiment against the position held by the Puritan faith.
The spirit of liberty and of resistance to everything that had
a semblance to monarchical power was very strong with many
of the people. The law of the commonwealth was such that
every one must pay taxes to the support of the Congrega-
tional pastor or show by certificate that they were members
of some other faith. The spirit of opposition, which in later
years revolutionized the system, was at this time at work, and
its effect was to chill the zeal even among those of the “stand-
ing order.”
But this was not enough to discourage James Beebe. He
belonged to an age that was characterized by the zeal of its
ministry. His path though rough knew no turning back, his
zeal knew no faltering. This is shown by his remarkable
success in adding to the numbers of the society; 74 persons
signed the articles of faith on the day of his ordination and
167 persons signed at subsequent times, making 242 persons
in all. He baptized 1,112 persons. He married 359 couples.
A record not very much unlike a city parish of to-day was
made up by Mr. Beebe in a society, the majority of which
lived two or three miles from the “Meeting house” and of
the minority in all probability not over ten families at the
greatest lived within the radius of a mile.
Mr. Beebe was a man who lived up to the times and with-
out much doubt was the fortunate possessor of the faculty of
foreseeing to some degree the rapid strides the spirit freedom
would take in the future. Some of the Congregationalists as
they began to see their strength losing ground formed the
idea of centralizing their power into consociations composed
of several church societies of a county and the decision of
this standing council, to be one from which there could be no
appeal, thus meeting heresies and new doctrines with a bold
front.
*The theory was that every householder must pay his proportion towards the sup-
port of the institutions of Religion and Education and in the standing order—unless
he was a member of some other regularly constituted religious society,
81
Washington was once asked in conversation what he thought
of a retreat. The General replied saying, “I do not like re-
treats, but if I see that it is inevitable, then it is my policy to
take a position ahead of my army and retreat as fast if not
faster than they do, for in so doing I do not lose my com-
mand.” Mr. Beebe felt that the day of Puritan absolutism
in State affairs was fast becoming unpopular. He was a man
of liberal mind and felt that those were not the means of at-
taining the end in view, “a cicular letter was sent out calling
the churches of this county to Bethel in the year 1772, for the
settlement of a dispute which virtually involved the inde-
pendance of the local church.” Mr. Beebe and James Walk-
er, Esq., went with the following instructions expressed by a
vote of the church : “Voted Wemine contradiciente by this
church. That we are all willing to consociate for advice and
counsel in all matters ecclesiastical, but cannot and will not
join in that arbitary claim of judicial authority in consocia-
tions to “judge and determine” in all matters ecclesiastical
compelling all parties to abide by the judgment of such a
judicial consociation.”
In this vote we can see the spirit of opposition to Puritan
arbitrary rule and on the other hand we can see that Mr.
Bebee like the great commander was making an honorable re-
treat to gain a position not behind the demands of the times.
Mr. Beebe was very particular about making up his records,
often to such an extent that while perhaps it satisfied the de-
mands of his own conscience, still it does not satisfy those
who are anxious to trace a genealogical connection, —e.g— he
makes the following record : “The first day of February the
Rev. Mr. Ross preached in this place and baptized two chil-
dren, one for Ephraim Peet and one for Nathaniel Sherman.”
“July 10th, I exchanged labors with Mr. Ross of Stratfield,”
and he baptized a child for Samuel Gregory.”
(By-the-way, Mr. Beebe served Mr. Ross a good turn only
a few years before, for I find the following record : “Rev.
Robert Ross of Stratfield, and Mrs. Sarah Hawley of Strat-
field, were married Dec. 18th, 1753.”)
Another peculiar record is as follows: “In the year 1747,
82
were admitted Robert Murray and his wife Rebecca, before I
could get the church record to record them I forgot the
month and the day they were admitted.” February 23rd,
1751, the wife of John Thompson admitted to communion,
Her first name I did not know then, but since understand it to
be Elizabeth.” “Oct. 28th, 1771, I baptized a child on the
account of Joseph Beach and his wife, the names I can't re-
member at present. There are many other instances of Mr.
Beebe's good intention on record when it is evident his diffi-
culty in remembering names interfered with his desires of
making the record complete, but in nearly every instance he
has left a full confession of the fact and an excuse for his
neglect, hence I trust if any should see fit to hand in a de-
cision against Mr. Beebe on this issue, that judgment at least
will be suspended.
Mr. Beebe by the act of recording many incidents out of
the natural order of events has not only shown that he had a
kind and sympathetic nature, but it gives us an insight into
many phases of life. His pen seems by impulse to leave a
record in recognizance of some incident of joy or of woe in
his little flock, and shows how dearly was Mr. Beebe bound to
them by ties of love and of how from the heart he rejoiced
with his people in their joy, and sorrowed with them in their
sorrow. What a sad tale is conveyed in this record. “Mary,
dau., of Thomas Sherwood and his wife, born in July, bap.,
Sept. 10th, 1749. The father and mother being both dead
she was presented by her Uncle Daniel Sherwood,” less than
three months old, and left alone to fight this hard battle of
life. A little farther on there is another record of sorrow.
Sept. 5th, 1756, baptized Reuben, son of Jakin Treadwell.”
Four weeks after, he again opens the book and adds to the
record “and died Oct. the 9th. Mr. Beebe's baby dau. Elizabeth
died a short time before. Again he announces in a P. S. that
one infant which he has just baptized is the first born child of
its parents. Who would doubt that that household was a
happy one and that the good pastor rejoiced with them 7
July 11th, 1767, Mr. Beebe was present at a scene which
shows how sacred the christening of a child must have been
83
held by our ancestors. Here he baptized an infant only fifteen
days old and at the funeral of its mother.
After the record of the birth of James, son of Josiah
Nichols, Mr. Beebe adds the following ambiguous clause,
“whose father was killed by the fall of a tree about twenty-
four hours after his birth.”
Sept. 12th. 1779, Mr. Beebe who usually wrote in an indis-
tinct cramped and almost illegible hand, made the following
entry in large and plain characters, as if he were aware that
the act which he recorded was sufficient in itself to make him
famous. The record reads as follows: “Benjamin, son of
Brig'dr Gen'l Gool Syllick Sillamin and his wife, born August
the 3rd, and baptized Sept. 12th, (1779.) The Gen'l then
being a prisoner on Long Island and his Lady fleeing from
the conflagration of Fairfield took refuge in this society.”
Little did the good pastor think when, with his cheek flushed
with pride as he recorded the birth and baptism of a son of a
Brigadier General, that he had baptized one who in after years
would become one of the greatest scientists of the world, Prof.
Benjamin Silliman. Then truly did parson Beebe entertain
an angel unawares. The grand old building, owned and used
by the town of Trumbull as a Town Hall for several years,
and which with ordinary care would have lasted for a hun-
dred years longer, but was torn down during the past year by
a prevailing spirit of vandalism, was the place of his birth.
A patriotic disposition followed this great event, and soon
after he baptized an infant with no less a famous name than
that of “George Washington Hall.” It is perhaps unneces-
sary to add that I find no further mention of the youngster
on the records, He must have died young or else the world
would have heard of him too.
Toward the end of the record Mr. Beebe shows how his
heart, which we have seen, was bound up with his people in
their joys and sorrows could rise in indignant horror and fer-
vent patriotism. He makes record of a birth in the follow-
ing: “Belthela, daughter of Peleg Sunderland and Bethiah
his wife,” (and here he stops,) and as if his indignation knew
no bounds, adds) “he left this life at that memorable event
84
when Tryon with a band of British butchers and murderers
burnt the town of Fairfield,” (then he finishes the entry,)
“baptized July 29th, 1781.” There is another sad tale here,
for by turning to the record of marriages I find that on May
28th, 1778, only three years before Pelig Sunderland and
Bethiah Hawley were united in holy wedlock by Mr. Beebe.
No wonder as that good and kind:hearted man recorded the
birth of that first born and fatherless infant, his sorrow and
sympathy kindled the thoughts of righteous indignation he
embodied in the words we find on the records.
in the time of Mr. Beebe many of the more prominent
farmers owned slaves, among these were such men as Daniel
Fairchild, Thomas Sanford, Ephraim Beach, David Booth,
Jr., and Jonathan Curtis. They were not called slaves on
the record however, but generally were designated as “negro
boy” or “negro child,” sometimes as “negro servant,” as for
—eg—“Negro boy and servant of Jonathan Curtis.” In one
place the entry, which sounds a little more of slavery, is made
as follows: “Lid, a negro child of Daniel Fairchild, present-
ed by the master and mistress, baptized Jan. 24th, 1759.’’
The slaves were all brought to baptism, and were regular at-
tendants of church, sitting in what were called the “contrary
pews,” close under the parson's eye, at the right or left of the
pulpit. The entry is often made as follows: “Dorcas a negro
servant of Jonathan Nichols and his wife Mary.” The Rev.
James Beebe was also a slave owner. “Nero” and “Peg"
were two faithful servants, and as near as I can determine
were owned by Mr. Beebe and his wife Ruth (as the record
has it) during his entire pastorate at North Stratford. They
had six children, who were by Mr. Beebe baptized, their names
are of some interest, and are as follows; Claret, Linde,
Obid, Salone, Dinah, and the last, either to show his disre-
spect of the child or of the British general he named Peter
Tryon.
Of Mr. Beebe's slave Nero a person living near where Mr.
Beebe's house stood told the writer of this sketch the follow-
ing narrative. Pointing from in front of his house to a fence
running by a clump of apple trees standing a number of rods
85
below on the opposite side of the road, he said, “do you
see that there is a length of rails in that fence much shorter
than the rest ? Well, Parson Beebe built that length of fence,
and while he was doing it Old Nero, his slave came back to
his work, and seeing that the parson had cut his rails much
shorter than the rest, and that the symmetry of the lengths
of the whole fence would be broken, exclaimed “Oh, Massa
Beebe can’t make de fence, better let Ole Nero build de
fences and Massa Beebe do de preaching.” That the parson
finished that length of fence is evident, because there it stands
as a monument of what Mr. Beebe knew about fences, but I
judge that the rest of it was finished by Old Nero.
Some question arises as to where Mr. Beebe lived. The
Rev. N. T. Merwin in a discourse delivered at the One Hun-
dred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Trumbull Church, page
15, says: “Mr. Beebe's dwelling was a little east of the present
parsonage on White Plains street, the north side, on land in-
herited by Captain D. B. Hinman. The old cellar is there
still. Near it, and a smaller one, is a cellar too, over which
stood the hut of Mr. Beebe's slaves “Nero” and Pegg.”
Rumor and tradition corroborate Mr. Merwin's statement.
The records show that Mr. Beebe rented the Sanford prop.
erty. In the year 1767, Thomas Sanford a member of Mr.
Beebe's society left by will, his house, barn and land to the
North Stratford Society. Mr. Merwin in his anniversary dis-
course says that this property was situated “somewhere in
Long Hill, Trumbull.” The property was rented at a meet-
ing of the society held at the house of the pastor, January
8th, 1778, by adjournment from Dec. 23d, 1777, and by the
following vote of the society, “voted that the church would
rent out the whole of the farm with the house and barn for
three years to Mr. Beebe, pastor of said church for £20 for
the first year and the two succeeding years to be left to a
committee to set a price by the year, and if the committee
and Mr. Beebe cannot agree to be left to the church.” Mr.
Beebe evidently had some trouble in paying his rent, for at a
meeting held Nov. 15th, 1780, “voted that — pounds that
Mr. Beebe has paid to the Deacons be accepted by the church
86
as five pounds hard money,” voted that the church will re-
ceive and accept the remainder of what is yet due from Mr.
Beebe to the church upon his last year's note at two per one.”
The next year at a meeting held February 28th, 1781, the
church lands were again rented to Mr. Beebe for a term of
two years from April 1st, 1781.” The rent was reduced to
#15 lawful money. “Voted that Ephraim Beach, David Mid-
dlebrook, Joseph Burton and Jabez Beach, be their committee
with full power to give a lease to said James Beebe and take
his security for the use of the aforesaid interest. At a meet-
ing held May 12th, 1773, it was “voted that some part of the
money for the church's interest (they sold the Sanford farm a
short time before) be paid to Mr. Beebe for the support of
the gospel to the amount of one penny on the pound. Voted
that we give Mr. Beebe ten pounds upon consideration Mr.
Beebe will discount what is due from the church towards his
salary for the year past. At a meeting held March 3rd, 1775,
“and after due deliberation the church unanimously voted
that they would give Mr. Beebe, their Pastor, fifty pounds
lawful money towards his salary, 2ndly unanimously voted
that their committee, viz. Mr. Ephraim Beach, Capt. Joseph
Burton and Capt. Ephraim Sterling, pay the aforesaid sum to
Mr. Beebe and take his receipt for the same.”
It seems a little strange to the writer that a clergyman,
should rent a large farm, together with the dwelling house
and barns, and at the same time reside three miles away.
Most of these business meetings were held at “the house of
the pastor.” From this fact we might conclude that the
house of the pastor was near the church, but necessarily so, for
a large portion of his people lived at Long Hill. This doubt
as to his residence may be settled as was the story of the
shield, for Mr. Beebe may have lived in both places at differ-
ent times.
Mr. Beebe did not confine himself entirely to preaching for
a living for in addition to farming, we find that he was the
proprietor of a grist and saw-mill. Mr. Stephen Middlebrook
of Long Hill, for several years kept a chronological record of
events. Under date of June 1762, he records that the Rev.
87
Mr. Beebe's grist mill was raised. The mill was situated at
Saganawamps. There has been much enquiry and some
dispute as to the locality of Sagamawamps. Some holding
that it was the mill near the Trumbull Church, now known as
Trumbull Mills, and some that it was the mills known as
Berkshire Mills, and some have even held that it was either
the Yellow Mill or Johnson's Mill. Now by a search of title
deeds I find that none of these traditions are right, after
the death of Mr. Beebe, one half of the Mill property came
into the possession of his son James, who Dec. 21st, 1789,
for consideration of £130 deeds one-half of grist mill and
one half of saw mill situated at Saganawamps to Daniel Sal-
mon. In deed of Feb. 24, 1797, to Daniel Salmon of two
acres more or less lying in Town of Stratford at a place
known as Saganawamps—the boundaries are given as fol-
lows: North on land of Jonathan Beers, West on the river
and South on cross highway, leading from Long Hill to
Daniels Farms, so-called. Hence the mill must be the same
as that now known as Beers' Mill in Trumbull. This deed
also is signed by James Beebe, son of the subject of this
sketch together with his wife Mehetable, who was a daughter
of Daniel Fairchild and Hepseba Lewis, and was born Dec.
18th, 1755. Daniel Fairchild lived at Nichols Farms on the
west side of the Huntington Turnpike about opposite the
Methodist Church. By consulting the North Stratford
records I find in Mr. Beebe's handwriting the record of his
son's marriage to Miss Fairchild as taking place June 4th,
1771.
I doubt if Mr. Beebe owned more than one-half interest in
the Mill property, at least he did not at his death, for in con
sulting the title records, I find that Daniel Salmon bought it
all, besides the half interest he bought of James Beebe, Jr.,
he bought one-quarter interest of David and Stephen Beards.
ley; (By-the-way, this deed says Stephen is son of David
Beardsley) and one-quarter right from his father Richard Sal-
mon. The latter mentions in his deed that he sells all right
and title which he got from William Pixlee and James French.
There was one Samuel Beebe, (whether he was a near relative
88
of the pastor I know not) who had some right in the Mill
property, which was also deeded to Daniel Salmon, who by-
the-way was one of the most prominent men as well as one
of the largest land owners in the community; too much land
for his own good, for the fifty and odd thousand acres which
he and Mr. Samuel Beebe owned together in Virginia, was one
of the causes of his financial ruin.
Daniel Salmon among numerous other enterprises was a
tailor and in his old account book we find an account with the
Rev. James Beebe which may not be out of place, nor lack
enough of interest to repeat here.
MR. JAMES BEEBE, PASTOR, Dr.
Dec. 2d, 1795, To making a pair of breeches, £. s. 10 p.
“ finding toe cloth, 7
“ 12 lbs. veal () 4 p. 4.0
“ 1 day tayloring, 2.8
# § { £ 6 1.0
July 25th, 1779, “making pair breeches, 5.0
“finding two buttons, .4
“cutting out pair breeches & jacket ; , 1.0
1.4.7
March ye 12th, 1782. Then cast all accounts with Mr.
James Beebe and find due to him two shillings and a penny.
JAMES BEEBE.
The account was thus balanced in accordance with the cus.
tom of the times. Mr. Beebe signing Salmon's book and
Salmon signing Beebe's. The account then continues as fol-
lows: º
Nov. ye 13th, 1782. MR. JAMES BEEBE, Dr.
g £. S. p.
To making pair of drawers for Lewis, 3.
“ one day myself, 2.9
“ making a pair of overhalls for Obid, 3.0
“One sack of salt, 1.3.9
June ye 6th, 1794, weaving 133 yds at 8 p. pr: yd. 9. “
Obid for whom the overhalls were made was Mr.
Beebe's slave, and Lewis was a son of Mr. Beebe, who
was baptized David Lewis, according to his father's record
“the first Sabbath in March 1763, born Jan. 16th,” as the
89
account of Mr. Salmon shows, he must have been commonly
known as Lewis and not by his first name David. This was
undoubtedly to avoid confusion of names. Mr. Beebe had a
brother David as is shown in a note made on the North Strat-
ford records whom I identify to be the same person as Dr.
David Beebe with whom I find an account on the Day Book
of Daniel Salmon. Mr. Beebe was chaplain in the army
during a portion of the French and Indian war. On the
record of births and baptisms in the year 1759, he records
the fact on Nov. 9th, that “from 5th of May in this place
were baptized while I was absent in the army and recorded
by my brother David,” and on a line or two below, he enters the
birth and baptism of his daughter Sarah and adds “baptized
by Rev. Mr. Ingersol of Ridgefield, her father being absent
in the army at Ticonderoga.”
A sermon which Mr. Beebe delivered about this time to
soldiers who were about to set forth to the French and Indian
war has been preserved by his descendants and was kindly
loaned to the writer of this sketch through the kindness of
the venerable mother of Col. H. B. Carrington. who is a
grand-daughter of the Rev. James Beebe.
The whole address is one of masterly skill, and one which
could not but inspire his audience with redoubled zeal for the
enterprise and patriotism for the cause. Not only a complete
knowledge of what should constitute a good soldier must
have guided Mr. Beebe's pen, but also he felt the respon-
sibility of giving them the fervent christian zeal, of a warfare
carried on by christian warriors. He takes his text from 1
Chron. 19–13, “Be of good courage and let us behave valiant-
ly for our people and for the cities of God and let the Lord
do that which is good in his sight.” In showing that through
sin war is a necessary evil he says, “had not sin drawn the
sword of divine justice, men would never have drawn the
Sword against one another. There would have been no armies
to confront or guard against, no passes to ford, no sieges to
raise, no garrisons to storm, but unblemished innocency would
have possessed mankind in perfect unity. The necessity
therefore of this order of men is consequent upon this apos-
90
tacy and now they are absolutely necessary. Indeed they
would not be so necessary if the principles of christianity
were fully received and universally embraced and acted upon
throughout the world, for peace is one of the blessings which
the gospel actually tends to introduce among men. The re.
ligion of our Holy Jesus is wonderfully calculated to inspire
men with the most sincere love and tenderness to each other.
The principles of that blessed religion tend mightily to re-
move the causes of discord, war and contention, by checking
those very lusts that draw the sword.
And from whence come wars and fightings among you' saith
the Apostle James, ‘come they not hence even of your own
lusts which war in your members ?" and were the blessed
rules of our holy religion enforced, it would expell those
lusts, it would root out and kill the ambitions of aspiring
monarchs. It would strike death to that hellish pride to
which whole kingdoms have fallen as devoted nations.”
He teaches in a most forcible way the necessity for valor and
courage, not alone for the battle but says “you will be called
to long and tedious marches, burdened with the necessary
weapons of defence and here you may be exposed to hunger
and thirst, to heat and cold, and a thousand casulties and
dangers which you will not be able to forsee, nor I able to
forename and these may bring on aches and pains, sickness
and weakness and even death itself, in all which circumstan-
ces you will have occasion for this valor and courage and for
want of it, the least disorder in body may prove fatal. IFor
as soon as a man's spirit sinks he becomes an easy prey to
the gentlest fever and the most subtle disease alike. I don't
tell you these things to terrify you or try your courage, but
only to forewarn you of what may be, that you may fortify
yourselves against the worst. Mr. Bebee did not picture
downy beds of ease, nor did he by subtle rhetoric, coax boys
into the battle field. No, in forming his soldiers he struck
blows as would the sturdy blacksmith when he turned the
plowshares and pruning hooks into implements of war, and
as firm as the iron of the plowshare must have been the ma-
terial that composed Mr. Beebe's audience or else they would
91
have quailed under the force of his words, and the vivid
picture of the horrors of war which he draws. “And now
the artillery begins to play, the cannon belching forth not
only fire and smoke, but the massive ball and showers of fatal
lead and those mingled with the horrid screaches of your
foes, the hallooing of your heathenish enemies and wild
savages, more blood thirsty than the hell hounds of Proser-
pena and Pluto, and all mingled with the sobs of the dying
and groans of the wounded ready to die, and when you see
that verified, which was prophesied by the evangelical prophet
Isaiah, 9-5, ‘for every battle of the warror is with confused
noise and garments rolled in blood: but this shall be with
burning and fuel of fire.' But it is impossible to point out
this bloody scene and fully depict the horror that results
from this confusion, unless I could speak flames and smoke
and sulphur. The howling of savages, the screaming of the
dying—the rattling of the spears, the mangled bodies, the
streams of blood and the horrors of death itself with words
and syllables 1 and now in the midst of this horrible scene,
who will not now need valor and courage? Who but the
truly spiritual soldier will be able to bear up under all the
hardships of this warm and affecting service with an unbroken
and steady mind, however pressing may be the cause of God
and his people. Who but the man of courage in this scene will
be able to say with the good Nehemiah, 6–11, “shall such
a man as I flee ? Nothing can be expected of soldiers who
are destitute of this valor, but that they will betray the cause
of God and their country in which they are engaged and
bring a lasting reproach and infamy upon their own names.”
Mr. Beebe tells them to exercise this courage and valor in
putting down “the shameful vices of the camps, swearing,
debauchery, and the accompanying profanation of the name
of God, His titles and attributes.” He tells them to beware
of idleness, for “by sloth the vigor of the soul is abated, and
all the noble purposes of it dampened or destroyed.” Again
he says, “soldiers you should guard against slothfulness for it
not only makes a man sick of himself but breeds a plague in
the camp.” Neat camps are always the healthiest and their
*}
92
men are men of the best spirits and boldest courage.” He
finishes by admonishing the assembled people against doing
anything that will tend to weaken the courage of the soldiers.
Thus do we see, how in those “times that tried men's
souls” did the pastor throw on the garments of war, and like
the druids of old, incite the warriors to go forth with courage
and valor. As we picture that band of soldiers, surrounded
by wives, mothers and children, all listening with singular
eagerness and perchance with fear and trembling to the
sincere words of that devout servant of God, listening as I
fear few congregations of to day are taught to listen, can we
not conceive that then was the planting time for those seeds
of courage and valor which a few years later, yielded such a
harvest that it carried a poorly clad and fed body of men
through a Revolution which severed the American colonies
from the most powerful nation of the earth.
The manuscript of the Rev. N. T. Merwin present pastor
of the same society shows Mr. Beebe to have been in the
Revolutionary war, he says “Mr. Beebe lived in the Revolu-
tionary period and was a zealous patriot of the times. He
preached the right of revolution against the mother country
and went personally into the conflict. In the year 1776,
asking leave of absence from his people for three months; he
was gone eight months in service in the army. The church
shared with the pastor the same spirit. They hire Rev.
Joseph Barker, to supply the pulpit and the parish pay the
expenses. A tribute to the patriotism of the parish is seen in
the treatment of their soldiers who served in the Revolu-
tionary war. A manuscript document by Stephen Middle-
brook dated 1778, now in possession of L. N. Middlebrook,
of Bridgeport, narrates a contribution from the ‘Parish of
North Stratford to the Continental soldiers of that parish, to
Gen'l Washington's headquarters at Valley Forge.’ This con-
tribution consisted of money and provisions, the receipt of
which is signed by Dr. James Beebe, captain.'” This James
Beebe was a son of the Pastor and was an active officer during
the war of the Revolution.
It is nearly impossible for us living as it might be truly
93
said in a cosmopolitan age, to picture the life of our ancestors
as they lived One Hundred or One Hundred and Fifty years
ago, when their wanderings seldom if ever, took them out of
the limits of the sound of a church bell of to-day. They
were a people entirely local in their habits, having customs
and notions of their own, which were handed down from one
generation to another, as were the rules by which society
was governed. They rode on horseback to meeting taking
their wives and small children on the pillion of their saddle.
They went to mill in the same way carrying their bag of grist
behind. The “meeting house” was not heated even in the
coldest weather, but the old ladies and feeble took with them
a foot stove, made of tin, in which was placed some burning
wood coals, to place under their feet while the hour and a half
sermon was preached. Fires were kindled not with matches
but with the flint, steel and tinder, or often might be seen the
thrifty house wife hurrying from the house of the next neigh-
bor with a pan of burning coals, having been “after fire.”
The church government in most matters was their local
government, offenders were brought before the church, and
the difficulties settled by vote of the church. “At a church
meeting duly warned and held by adjournment on the 7th of
September 1797. Whereas unhappy disputes had for a long
time subsisted between two brothers of this church respect-
ing the bounds of their land, viz.: David Nichols and John
Burton, and particularly respecting some corn that said Bur-
ton took off from land improved there by sq Nichols in order
to bring on a trial at law on account of which the sd Nichols
thought himself aggrieved, and as the sd Burton declared
himself willing to return the corn, it was voted by the church,
as their opinion that the sd Burton ought in justice to return
the sd corn or the value thereof to the sd Nichols. After
the vote was taken and passed, both parties publicly declared
their acquiescence in sq vote.
Mr. Beebe was a graduate of Yale College of the class of
1745. The following remarkable coincidence was related to
the writer by Col. Henry Beebe Carrington, author of the
“Battles of the Revolution :” James Beebe and Daniel Brins-
94
made, were both graduates of the class of 1745, at Yale.
They were intimate friends and roomed together during their
college course. Just one hundred years later, James Beebe
Brinsmande and Henry Beebe Carrington, were members of
the class of 1845 at Yale and chumed together. They are
both great-grandchildren of James Beebe and Daniel Brins-
made. Mary, daughter of Rev. James Beebe, married Daniel
Brinsmade May 9th, 1777.
Two years after coming to North Stratford Mr. Beebe mar-
ried Mrs. Ruth Curtis of Stratford. They had seven children
as follows: *
Elizabeth, born March 17th, 1750, bap. by her father.
( & died Dec. 19th, 1754.
James, born Nov. 29th, 1751, bap. by his father.
Mary, “ Jan. 28th, 1755, “ “ her “
Elizabeth, “ July 19th, 1756, “ “ “ { %
Ruth Anne" Jan. 27th, 1758, “ 4 & 6 & { %
Sarah, “ July 28th, 1759, “ “ Rev. Mr. Ingersol.
David Lewis, born Jan. 16, 1763, “ “ his father.
Mr. Beebe died at North Stratford, Sept. 8th, 1785, and his
remains were buried in the little “burying ground” near where
the church of Unity stood, near the foot of White Plains
street. His wife died July 29th, 1818, at the advanced age
of 95 years. Her grave is beside that of her husband. At a
meeting of the North Stratford Society held in April 1794, it
was “voted that the society's committee procure a pair of
grave stones for the Rev'd Mr. James Beebe and set them
up.” At the head of the grave is a tablet with the following
inscription, “This monument was erected by the church
and Society of North Stratford, out of regard to the memory
of Rev. James Beebe, A. M., who departed this life, Septem-
ber 8th, 1785, in the 68th year of his age. He was ordained
to the work of the ministry over said church and society May
6th, 1747, and continued therein faithful as a pastor for
thirty-eight years.”
The writer has labored to avoid the monotony in the chron-
icle of the life of the Rev. James Beebe, which must have
existed in his every-day life, replete as it was with the duties
95
of his ever active parish work. “How often we fancy in pass-
ing a quiet village hidden among its orchards, that this at
least must be the abode of peace and unambitious content-
ment. But alas, when we enter the cottages what do we
find?—there, as everywhere else, distress and need, passion
and unsatisfied longing, fear and remorse, pain and misery,
and by the side of these, Ah, how few joys.” I cannot but
feel the application of this sentiment to Mr. Beebe's life.
We find by his long parish record almost a daily event re.
corded of a baptism or of a marriage. Of how many open
graves he stood beside, as he committed “earth to earth and
dust to dust” we know not, for it did not seem to be the cus-
tom to record those events of mortality, but we do know with
a dreadful certainty that it must have been many. All this
shows that he was unceasingly at his post of duty, and
save the few months spent in the army (when he was absent
because he was conscious of a stronger call of duty) or an
occasional exchange with a neighboring minister he was ever
toiling at his work as pastor. His whole life's work was
spent in his charge over the North Stratford Society. As the
life of a nation seems to be marked in stages of war begin-
ning or ending with days of peace or quietude, leaving the
intervening history of blissful days of peace to be told as that
of one day, so are the days of the thirty-eight years of this
faithful servant of God numbered almost as one unchanging,
long day of struggle in his work for the good of his people,
REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENT
READ BEFORE THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY,
By FAvor of MRS. EDWIN R. IVES,
A lineal descendant of Capt. Joseph Mansfield.
THE FATAL, SILVER BULLET.
In the summer and autumn of 1777 while Sir Wm. Howe
with a fleet and part of the royal army was lying at New
York, General Burgoyne with his army was advancing from
Canada towards Albany.
The object and design of the enemy was to possess them-
selves of Lake Champlain, with the whole of the Hudson, and
thereby to cut off all intercourse and communication between
the Eastern and Southern states. For the purpose of watch-
ing the motions and annoying the operations of the hostile
armies, General Washington had directed small bodies of
troops to be stationed at Fishkill, Redhook, Greenbush, and
several other places on the East side of the river between
New York and Albany, with strict orders to take up and ex-
amine all strangers traveling up and down the river, either
by land or water; and if detected in espionage, or employed
in communicating information between the British armies, to
be punished according to the rules of war.
About the first of September, a pedestrian passing north-
wardly, was hailed and stopped by a sentinel of the guard
stationed at Redhook, commanded by Capt. Joseph Mans-
field of Connecticut. The man was about thirty years of age,
and clothed in the habit of a farmer. He was conducted to
the guard-house. Capt. M., inquired of him his name, the
place of his residence, as well as that to which he was going,
his business there, &c. He replied by giving a name and
stated that he belonged to the place below Redhook, and was
a farmer ; that he was on his way to the next town above with
a view to purchase a. pair of oxen from a farmer of his ac-
97
quaintance living there. He was asked whether he had about
him any letter or other communication from Lord Howe, or
any other British officer at New York, addressed to Gen.
Burgoyne, or any officer in his army 2 To which he promptly
answered in the negative. Capt. M., then told him that such
were the Orders of his superior officer, that it became his duty
to search the person of every traveler under similar circum-
stances; to which he replied, he had no objection to being
searched. Capt. M., then directed two or three of the guard
to take off his coat and examine the pockets, folds, lining and
every other part very critically. While this was doing, one
of the guards observed the prisoner to pass his hand with a
quick motion from his vest pocket to his mouth, and by the
motion of his chin seemed to be swallowing something that
“went down rather hard,” as he expressed himself. The
search, however, continued and was finished, without any
discovery which would justify the further detention of the
prisoner. Capt. M., was then informed of the suspicious cir
cumstance noticed by the guard.
What was now to be done? Strong suspicion had attached
itself to the stranger, but no positive proof had yet appeared
against him. An expedient soon suggested itself to the ready
thoughts of our Yankee Captain. He observed to the priso-
ner, “we have detained you on your journey for some length
of time, and subjected you to pretty strict examination. I
feel bound by the rules of civility to treat you to a bowl of
toddy before you proceed on, and if you will drink with us
you shall be made welcome.” The man was pleased with the
invitation and readily agreed to accept it. The Captain took
upon himself the office of bar-keeper, and soon prepared the
toddy. To make it genuine and answer the purpose for which
he wanted it, he stirred in a good and sufficient dose of tartar
emetic. Our stranger being thirsty and somewhat fatigued
by traveling, drank very freely of the beverage, while the
Captain and others present barely tasted and passed it
around. -
A free conversation soon commenced between the stranger
and his new acquaintances. He inquired of Capt. M., the
98
number of men under his command and at the different milita-
ry stations above Redhook, whether they were furnished with
field pieces or any kind of cannon—what number of sentinels
were placed on the watch at a time—how often,_and at what
time in the night they relieved, &c., &c. About twelve or fifteen
minutes after the toddy went round and went down, our
guest began to grow pale and look wild,—“something,” said
he “is the matter with me; I feel very sick at my stomach all
at once.” He rose immediately from his seat and went out
into the wood-yard, where a quantity of chips were lying, and
soon began to evacuate his stomach. He was carefully
watched by Capt. M., and several of the guard, and was seen
by them to draw with his foot a parcel of the chips over the
matter emitted from his stomach before he returned into the
house. While he was rinsing his mouth in the house, Capt.
M., directed a search to be made among the chips, where was
soon found a silver ball of the size of a small musket bullet,
made by two pieces of very thinly plated silver, bent round,
and slightly soldered together. Inclosed in this fatal bullet,
was found a letter on silk paper, signed by Lord Howe,
addressed to Gen. Burgoyne, giving information respecting
the situation of the royal fleet and army at New York, and re-
questing advice from the General by the bearer, what pro-
gress he was making with the army under his command, at
which place he expected to meet him. But the deciphering
and reading the letter presented at first another puzzle for
the Yankee Captain. It commenced “in the words and
figures following,” (viz.) “M6 dolr S3r b6 th? b2112r y45
w811 121 rn,” &c. After a little examination and study,
however, the difficulty was overcome. It was discovered that
the arithmetical figures up to 6 inclusive, were substituted
for our vowels, thus al, e2, ië, o4, uß, y6. The key being
now found immediately unlocked the whole contents of the
silver bullet. The bearer of course was continued in custody,
and a court martial speedily formed, by whom on the clearest
evidence of guilt, the unfortunate prisoner was convicted,
sentenced, and executed.
Captain Joseph Mansfield, (the hero of the foregoing in-
99
cident,) was for thirty years a resident of the town of Litch-
field, parish of South Farms, and died here in 1822. He is
spoken of by our elder citizens, as a true patriot, a prompt
and Cfficient officer, and a most worthy citizen. He made
many sacrifices for his country in the days of her peril, and
lived to see her independent, prosperous and great. His
name is worthy of being remembered among those who have
done honor to our State, and as one whose history is linked
with that of the nation for the welfare and glory of which
he periled his life and sacrificed his estate.
. — Editor Litchfield Jºnquirer.
March 18th 1852.
MARY SILLIMAN CHAPTER,
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
If, among the citizens of Bridgeport there are any who are
inclined to forget the part taken by ancestors, in the great
struggle for independence, who would think carelessly of the
hardships endured by the heroic men and women who “made
and kept” our country, and of the inestimable benefits that
broaden and deepen with each succeeding year, the result of
their efforts and sacrifices; a visit to the Historical rooms on an
afternoon when the Mary Silliman Chapter, Daughters of the
American Revolution are in session, would certainly do much
towards kindling to flame the smoldering fires of patriotism.
The dullest soul would feel the influence, and the coldest heart
would pulsate with the pride in a nation's glory that is at once
its “foundation and turret,” while listening to the songs and
recitations, the original poems and the carefully prepared pa-
pers that tell so well the stirring story. Although organized
in the Board of Trade rooms, the Chapter has held all its
eleven meetings since, by courtesy of the Historical Society
in its pleasant rooms; and grateful indeed, are all its members
for the privilege so kindly extended. Surely not in the
County, and perhaps not in the whole State could a more
fitting place be found; easy of access, light and airy, with
100
abundant room for the steadily increasing numbers, and with
convenient facilities for the social functions that have added
such a charm to the gatherings, it is a source of continual
congratulation that such delightful quarters have been pro-
vided. Surrounded on all sides by rare and curious relics,
china from which great-grand mothers sipped their tea; arti-
cles of ful niture that once graced colonial homes; spinning
wheels that in ye olden time hummed encouraging accompany-
ments to the day-dreams of matron and maid; guns, swords,
and all warlike accoutrements that played a part in the long
conflict; implements for farm and household, the workings of
which would require explanation to be understood, quaint
costumes and bullet pierced garments; continental money of
various denominations; commissions, deeds and other valua-
ble papers; old engravings and books and portraits, in the
presence of which, one would almost think he had stepped
back a century; what more could be desired to inspire en-
thusiasm?
To guard well these precious relics gathered from all parts
of the State, and to learn well the lessons they would teach;
to add to them when opportunity offers: to encourage every
movement that would increase resources, as well as to keep
in touch with the principle that governed our ancestors—in
all these points, every one of the one hundred members of the
of the Mary Silliman Chapter is at one with the honored
President and other officers of the Historical Society, who
have labored so faithfully to establish upon a firm basis an
institution so far reaching in its interest to the community
and who have so generously given to the young society a
temporary home in their beautiful building.
A COMPLETE COPY
OF THE
INSCRIPTIONS
FOUND ON THE
Monuments, Headstones, &C.
In the Oldest Cemetery
IN
NORWALK, CONN.
SEPTEMBER, 1802.
Dedicated to the Memory of Norwalk's First Ancestors
BY
DAVID H. VAN Hoos EAR,
WILTON, CONN.
(P. O. HURLBUTT STREET, CONN.)
—sº cºe Cº-
BRIDGEPORT, CONN.:
THE STANDARD ASSOCIATION, PRINTERS.
1895.
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Fº Cemetery from which this copy was taken is situated at East
Norwalk in the old village where the first settlement was made,
Home lots laid out, and a few rods South-east of the site of the first
Church, which was on the North corner of East Avenue and Fort Point
Road. The Cemetery is triangular in shape, bounded on all sides by
highways and enclosed by a picket fence. There are many graves seen
which are unmarked by Headstones, and very many more of the early ances-
tors remains were deposited in this burial place, of which no mark or tra-
dition is left. Here rests one of our Colonial Governors, (Gov. Thomas
Fitch) No. 230. Probably the first minister IRev. Thomas Hanford is
buried here, (tradition says near the headstone of his son Thomas,) where
is seen a “flat Brown stone” the inscription is wholly obliterated. The
2d minister Rev. Stephen Buckingham, (No. 209) and 3d minister Rev.
Moses Dickenson (No. 234) a tutor of Yale college. Buckingham St.
John (No. 20), a son of the 1st Pastor, Rev. Jedeiah Buckingham. Two
deacons; one of 1st church.
Five militia Capt., one militia Col., a Rev. Soldier, a Col., two Capt.,
and seven soldiers in late war who have inscribed stones, a Master of Arts,
M. D., an eminent Dentist, and many whose title has never been chis-
eled on the stone marking their grave.
The yard contains but one vault; (The Raymond.) In summer the
flowers placed in this cemetery by descendents of deceased friends show
that the memory of the dead here are not forgotton. It is well cared
for. May this interest continue, and the forefathers be allowed to rest
and remain where they are. The object of the undertaking is to pre-
serve definite memory of these early ancestors of Norwalk.
“He is a public benefactor who gathers together from the crumbling
monuments and preserves in printed form the memorials erected by their
cotemporaries over the early fathers of the country.”.
[N. L. Collamer, Wash. D. C.]
The reader may say where are our Earliest Ancestors? To this the
answer must be within the above enclosure. It is true over fifty years
had passed after the settlement of the town before the first inscribed
headstone appears, yet we have no record yet found, no tradition still
kept or kūown of, or evidence of the existance of any other. This was
for the first church in the heart of the ancient settlement. Imported
stones were costly, and in a few Graveyards, stones from the field were se-
lected, with the initials and year of death roughly chiseled upon them. A
number appear in Stratfield Cemetery (now Bridgeport, Conn.,) before
1700, the earliest 1688 and one in Fairfield 1687. No well inscribed
stone appear in either of these before 1700. From the above facts we
are led to believe this is the first cemetery in Norwalk.
Each Stone is given a number commencing on the South side, and
is copied in six sections between parallel lines from East to West so the
small numbers are stones on the south part of the yard and so north-
ward.
THE INSCRIPTIONS
IN
THE
Cemetery at Norwalk, Conn.
As Copied in September, 1892, by David H. Van Hoosear, Wilton
Conn.
1—Samuel J.W. Potter,
Died June 15, 1869, AE. 80 y’rs
8 mo's & 7 days. Also, Sarah
B. wife of Samuel W. Potter,
Died April 1, 1864, AE. 76 y’rs
& 12 days.
Father.
2–Charles Dennis.
Born July 6, 1829.
Died April
14, 1888. At Rest.
In Memory of
3— Wºn. St. John.
Who died July,
years.
1805, AE, 42
In Memory of
4–Hannah, [St. John]
Relict of Wm. St. John, who
died Nov. 21, 1810, AE. 50 yrs.
6– James Andrew,
Died March 9, 1871, AE. 66 y’rs
3 mo's & 19 days. Elizabeth, his
wife, died Feb. 1, 1888, AE. 76
y’rs & 5 mo's.
Mother.
6–Elizabeth, [Silcoac)
Wife of William Silcox.
March 7,
days.
A light from our household is gone,
A voice we loved is stilled,
A place is vacant in our hearts
That can never be filled.
7–Delia, [.(St. John) Thorp |
Daughter of William and Han-
nah St. John, and wife of David
B. Thorp; died June 11, 1845,
aged 50 years, 6 months and 17
days.
Died
1890, AE. 47 y’rs 4
In Memory of
8–Maria P. St. John.
Born May 18, 1794, Died De-
cember 9, 1873.
Here Lies Interred the Body of
Who departed this life Feb'ry
1st, 1800, in the 56th year of his
age.
Tremendous death, how awful is thy sway,
Thy dreadfull Summons Mortals must obey ;
In time of sacred ardor, seek the heavenly
Shore
Where joys forever bloom, and death shall be
In O IOlore.
10–David Burr Thorp.
Born March 6, 1794. Died
March 16, 1857, aged 63 years
and 10 days.
11—Our Little Zaydee Thorp.
In Memory of
12–Matthew C. St. John,
Born March 16, 1792. Died May
9, 1856.
In memory of
13—Mary Esther St. John.
Who died April 15, 1850, AE.
97 y'rs. 5 mo's. & 2 d’s.
“Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full
age, like a shock of corn cometh in
his season.”
[Brownstone.]
In Memory of
14—Mrs. Ann St. John,
Wife of Col. Stephen St. John,
who departed this life April 28th,
1797, in her 64th year.
15–Morris Jennings.
Died Nov. 8, 1882, AE. 58 yrs. 9
mo. and 9 d’s.
Here lies interr'd the body of
16—Mr. Hooker St. John,
Who departed this life March
the 10th, 1782, in the 40th year
of his age.
All you who pass by may drop a tear
O'er one who was as now you are.
But now he's gone and paid ye debt
The lot of all both small and great.
In Memory of
17—Ellen St. John.
Who died Oct. 27, 1849, AE. 19
y’rs. Coloured.
18–Edward F. Jennings.
Died Aug. 10, 1885, AE. 36 y’rs,
9 mos, and 9 IDs. At Rest.
[Marble Tablet.]
—d the body of
19—S-phen St. John, Esq.,
and —of the 9th IRegt. of Foot
— he State of Connecticut who
departed this —— May the 9th
1785, in the 50th year of his age.
Hark from the tombs a doleful soul—
—and the Cry
—view the ground
—must shortly lie.
The Grave of
20–Buckingham St. John,
A. B., late Tutor of Yale Col-
lege in New Haven who was
drowned in returning home on
the 4th of May, 1771 in the 26th
year of his age.
A youth adorned with strong men-
talendowments, cultivated with
polite and usefull literature, but
a sudden gust plung’d him in
the sea Blasted Our holyes and left
his friends his country and sci-
ence to bewail the Loss: And
learn the Vanity of depending on
fleeting dust.
[Slate.]
Here Lyes Buried ye Body of
21—Mr. Mathias Saint John,
Aged 37 years. Dec’d 1732.
[Captain Joseph St. John, s. of
Joseph and Sarah (Betts) St. John
and “probably” grandson of Mark
Sention was born Nov. 5th, 1705,
married Susannah – who was
born 1709, d. Dec. 4, 1749, aged 40
yrs, 2 mo., and buried near Jo-
seph’s Tomb Table. Her inscrip-
tion reads “ye wife of Capt. Jo-
seph St. John.” He died Sep.
(probably) 1756 or 1760, aged 53 or
57 yrs. His residence was where
Inow lives Wm. H. Earle, East av.
nearly opposite the Governor
Fitch place. He was a rich man
and large land holder, and after
his death there was erected to his
lmemory a brownstone Tomb Ta-
ble similar to the Governor Fitch.
Beyond the memory of those liv-
ing the entire inscribed slate
which was placed in the top of
this table, was missing, and vari-
ous traditions and rumors have
been handed down of the cause of
its removal, whereabouts and dis-
appearance. The author has thor-
Oughly traced these to establish
for whose memory this table was
erected. At last he has in his
hands a part of the original slate
which was found while excavating
a blind drain. On the Wrm. H.
Earle’s place, 1893. The St. John
coat of arms is a shield, and the
upper third has two stars and the
motto is “Data Fata Secutus,”
The coat of arms engraved on the
broken slate (which exactly fits in
the Socket for it in the tomb ta-
ble) bears a part of this motto
(“Data Fata —--”) the “Secu-
tas”, being broken off. A largé
portion of the shield is seen.
What remains to be seen of the
inscription is as follows:]
**The Rema—
CAPt. JOSEPH –
lies here waitin—
Resurrection of S-
He departed SEP, t—
AFtat, 5–
Hark mortals Hark what vol—
Comes echoing from—
O my dear friends be wise
While vital spirits animat—”
Here lies the body of
22—Mrs. Susannah St. Johns,
ye wife of Capt. Joseph St.
John, who died December ye 4,
1749, aged 40 years and 2
months.
She that lies at rest within this tomb
Had Rachels face and Leah’s fruitfull
WOImb,
Abigail’s wisdom, Lydia's faithfull
heart
With Martha's care we hope Mary's
better part.
|Slate.]
23–Sarah Saint John,
Dau’r to Mr. Joseph & Mrs.
Susannah Saint John, aged 7
years 4 mo & 12 Ds. Died April
18, 1741.
[Slate.]
Here lies Buried the Body of
24–1Mrs. Sarah St. John,
Wife of Mr. Joseph St. John,
who departed this life Aug'st
26th 1755 in the 90th year of her
age.
|Slate.]
Here lyes Buried the Body of
25–Mr. Nehemiah Rogers,
Who departed this life May ye
º 1760, aged 42 years and 12
(! ?, W.S.
[Slate.]
Here lyes Buried the Body of
26–James IRoger's, Esq.,
Aged 58 years& 5 mo. De’d,
July ye 13th, 1733.
[Brownstone.]
Here lies the Body of
27—Mrs. Freelove Rogers,
Relict to Capt. James Rogers
Esqr, who died Jan’ry ye 26th,
1739, in ye 46th year of her age.
28–Our Little Eddie,
Died Feb. 18, 1873, AE, 1 yr. 7
m's 8 da.
[Slate.]
1Iere lyes ye Body of
29–Saa’ah Saint John,
T)aut to Joseph Saint John, aged
24 years. Dec'd Decrye 23d 17––
In memory of
29a–Job Ba?"tratºn, Esq.,
Who died July 19, 1813, AE. 78.
= *** *-
29b–Jane Ban't,'a mn,
Died Oct. 1, 1847, AE. 33.
29c–Henry S. [Ban’t ram,
Born Feb. 5, 17, 1867.
Jennie G.,
Born Oct. 10, 1837. Died Dec.
14, 1875. Children of Charles
J. and Elizabeth G. Bartram.
30—Arthur R. [ Underhill,
Son of Charles H. & Alice E.
Underhill. Died Aug. 28. 1882,
AE. 21 y’rs & 20 days.
He died trusting in Jesus.
In memory of
31 – Mr. Isaac Scar ddle?”,
Who died March 5th, 1784, aged
78 years.
|Slate.]
32—IRuth,
—N—O—DS—7.
[Brownstone.]
Here lies buried the Body of
3.3—Mr. Samuel Grºtºn man.
Who departed this life Aug. ye
21st, 1747, aged 53 years.
In memory of
34–Ma's. Elizabeth, Scatalder,
Relict of Mr. Isaac Scudder,
who died Aug. 21, 1798, aged
93 years.
Here lies ye Body of
35—Ma's. Sam’ah, Scat (lea”,
Wife to Mr. Isaac Scuder, aged
30 yrs., 8 ms., 11 dayes, Dec'd.
[Brownstone.]
In memory of
36—Itebeck (th, Grºtºn an am,
Wife of Samuel Grumman, who
died May 24th, 1790, in the 94th
year.
37—Clarat Christerisen,
Died March 9, 1892, AE. 23 y’rs,
7 mo's & 11 days.
38–Baby IIeleme E. [Madden,J
Daughter of Fred. H. and Susie
Madden, born Dec. 22, 1890,
died June 13, 1891.
[Brownstone.]
Here lies Buried the Body of
39—Mrs. Lois Carten”,
Relect of Mr. Sam’l Carter, who
died January ye 12, 1752, in ye
82d year of her Age.
XIf
40–Betsey Marvin,
Widow of Allen Betts, died Jan.
29, 1882, AE. 90 Yrs., 3 mo's &
19 Days.
Here lies Buried the Body of
41—Mr. Johan Grego?”y,
Dec’d January ye 18, 1751, in ye
75th year of his age.
[Brownstone.]
42—Seth Man” im,
Died July 6, 1836, AE 85 y’rs
& 6 mo.
Hann (th, -
His wife, died Dec. 12,
AE. 85 y’rs & 4 mos.
1846,
43—Eliza A man [Got /], -
Wife of Wm. Gay, died Mar.
25, 1835, AE. 29 y’rs, 3 mo, &
11 d’s.
He loved him because he first loved us.
—John, 11, 19.
44—Ltt Cºetict,
Wife of Wm. Gay, died May
26, 1852, AE. 52 y’rs & 14 d’s.
But I trusted in thee, O Lord, I said,
Thou art my God.—Ps., 31, 14.
45–JWilliam Gay,
Died March 4, 1864, AE. 62 y’rs,
3 mo's & 1 Day.
[Brownstone. I
In memory of
46 – Seth, [Samith,)
Son of Hutton & Phebe Smith,
who died of the Small Pox,
Feb. 22, 1799, in the 14th year
of his age.
47–Isabell E. [IRichards,
Wife of Frank H. Richards,
died Dec. 9, 1879, AE. 25 y’rs, 7
mo & 20 days.
[Brownstone.]
In memory of
48—Sally [Smith,J
Daughter of Hutton & Phebe
Smith, who died of the Small
Pox, March 24, 1799, in the 17th
year of her age.
49—James II. Brush,
Died May 20, 1884, aged 33 y’rs,
4 mo's & 14 Days.
—: O –
We shall meet beyond the river.
In memory of
350—John E. Ring,
A Mechanical Engineer, Died
Sept. 19, 1881, AE. 36 y’rs,
A 1 — Pſena'y Marvin,
Died June 18, 1882, AE. 84 yrs,
2 mo's & 15 Days.
“Who shall separate us from the love
of Christ 7”
52–IHarry [Youngs,
Son of Washington & Susie
Youngs, died Dec. 2, 1881, AE.
2 yrs., 10 mo's & 29 days.
Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.
In memory of
33–Bhebe [Smith,J
Wife of Hutton Smith, who
died June 4, 1836, AE. 72 years.
How in an instant she is called,
Eternity to view:
No time to regulate her thought,
Nor bid her friends adieu.
54--Phebe E. [Marvin,)
Wife of Henry Marvin, died
Jan. 1, 1892, AE. 89 y’rs, 2 mo's
& 1 Day.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed
is death.
55—Theresa J. [Marvin,
Daughter of Henry & Phebe
E. Marvin, died April 24, 1845,
AE. 2 years & 10 Days.
56– Charles F. [Lockwood,
Died Feb. 20, 1871, AE. 6 mo's
& 10 D’S.
Stephen A.
Died Mar. 9, 1872, AE. 2 mo, &
10 D's, children of C. M. &
M. F. Lockwood.
These lovely ones, so young and fair,
Call'd hence by earthly doom,
Just came to show how sweet flowers
In paradise would bloom.
57—Mattie [Goodwin,)
Daughter of William
Goodwin, born Mar.
died Mar. 16, 1879,
She sleeps in Jesus,
& Ann
4, 1873,
XIII
In memory of
58 – Hammah [Smith,)
Wife of Founten Smith, who
died Aug. 8, 1824, aged 93 years.
In memory of
59–IIannah [Smith,)
Wife of James Smith, who
died Aug. 20, 1811, AE. 57.
60—John Austin,
Born Aug. 16, 1798, died Sept.
4, 1872, aged 74 years & 18
Days.
61 – JWilliot ºn Goodwin,
Died Aug. 20, 1885. A. 52 yrs.
5th N. Y. Heavy Art'].
A num,
Wife of William Goodwin, T)ied
Feb. 7, 1892, AE. 58 y’rs.
In memory of
62–Jann es Smith,
Who died June 17, 1813, AE. 57.
— + —
6.3—Mata'ſ A at stin,
Wife of John Austin, died Aug.
5, 1882, aged 69 years.
“She hath done what she could.”
—Mark, 14:8.
64—Nehem ioth Got 10 ºf n ſy, J J'.,
Co. F, 1st N. Y. Eng.
65—A (t1'on Cook',
IDied Nov. 19, 1873.
aged 67
Y’s. 6 m's & 18 Days.
A native of Lancaster, Mass.
[Slate.]
IIERE lyes ye body of
66—Mr. Eliph at let Lockwood,
Jun'r, aged 28 years, 3
MONTHS & 24 Days, dec'd
October THE 17th, 1734.
[Brownstone.]
67—Mrs. Abigail Lockwood.
68–Jacob JP ef:enstein,
Co. C, 75 Regt., N. Y. Wols.
died March 22, 1888.
69–CI, arles E. [Pitzer’,
Our Darling is Sleeping.
Son of Gustave & Augustine
Pitzer, born Sept 3, 1884, died
May 23, 1885.
70--Henry J. Brush.
Born. Jan. 15, 1816, Died June
20, 1884.
Pesta, A.,
His wife, born Aug. 12, 1820,
died Apr’l 25, 1886.
[Slate.]
71 – Ruth Belden,
Daughr of Lieut T John and
Ruth Belden aged. 14, years
died Jan'ry ye 21st 1704–5.
[Slate.]
—yes ye body of
72 — Iºwth, IN GOL I) SY.
Died March ye 30 1729, in ye
23d year of her age.
73–Sarah F. [Allen,)
wife of Frank Allen Died Feb.
5, 1886. AE. 50 yrs, 3 mos & 3
DS.
At Rest.
[Brownstone. I
Here lies the body of
74—Peter [Hayes,
Ye son of Isaac and Margaret
Hayes who died Nov'r ye 17.
1750 in ye 8 year of his age.
7 5–Alfred G. Con’son.
Died March 14, 1887, AE–36 yrs.
2 mos. & 15 Ds. 4.
At Rest.
COrson.
- [Brownstone.]
76 — Ma'. Sct in at el Hot yes.
[There is no No. 77.]
78–Mary Mildred. [Corson]
Wife of Alfred D. Corson, Died
Dec. 10, 1883, AE. 55 yrs 4 mos
& 26 D's.
Asleep in Jesus.

XIf I
In memory of
58 – Ham mah [Smith,)
Wife of Founten Smith, who
died Aug. 8, 1824, aged 93 years.
In memory of
359–PIannah [Smith,)
Wife of James Smith, who
died Aug. 20, 1811, AE. 57.
60—John Austin,
Born Aug. 16, 1798, died Sept.
4, 1872, aged 74 years & 18
Days.
61 — JWilliam Goodwin,
Died Aug. 20, 1885. A. 52 yrs.
5th N. Y. Heavy Art’l.
A mºn,
Wife of William Goodwin, Died
Feb. 7, 1892, AE. 58 y’rs.
In memory of
62–Jannes Smith,
Who died June 17, 1813, AE. 57.
— + —
63–Maº'y A at stina,
Wife of John Austin, died Aug.
5, 1882, aged 69 years.
**She hath done what she could.”
—Mark, 14:8.
64—Nehemiah Got nºt no ſy, Jr.,
Co. F, 1st N. Y. Eng.
G5—Aaa’Ono, COO/C,
Died Nov. 19, 1873,
aged 67
Y’s. 6 m's & 18 Days.
A native of Lancaster, Mass.
[Slate.]
HERE lyes ye body of
66—Mr. Eliph a let Lockwood,
Jun'r, aged 28 years, 3
MONTHS & 24 Days, dec’d
October THE 17th, 1734.
[Brownstone.]
67—Mrs. Abigail Lockwood,
68–Jacob JPeteenstein,
Co. C, 75 Regt., N. Y. Wols.
died March 22, 1888.
69— Charles E. [Pitzer’,
Our Darling is Sleeping.
Son of Gustave & Augustine
Pitzer, born Sept 3, 1884, died
May 23, 1885.
70–-Henry J. Brush.
Born. Jan. 15, 1816, Died June
20, 1884.
Vesta, A.,
His wife, born Aug. 12, 1820,
died Apr’l 25, 1886.
[Slate.]
71 –Iºwth. Beldem,
Daughr of Lieut T John and
Ruth Belden aged. 14, years
died Jan'ry ye 21st 1704–5.
[Slate.]
—yes ye body of
72 –Iºwth, ING OL I) SY.
Died March ye 30 1729, in ye
23d year of her age.
73–Sarah F. [Allen,)
wife of Frank Allen Died Feb.
5, 1886. AE. 50 yrs, 3 mos & 3
DS.
At Rest.
[Brownstone. I
Here lies the body of
74—Peter' [Hayes,
Ye son of Isaac and Margaret
Hayes who died Nov'r ye 17.
1750 in ye 8 year of his age.
75—Alfred G. Con’son,
Died March 14, 1887, AE–36 yrs.
2 mos. & 15 Ds. *
At Rest.
COrson.
- [Brownstone.]
76 – Ma'. Samuel Hayes.
[There is no No. 77.1
78 – Mary Mildred. [Corson]
Wife of Alfred D. Corson, Died
Dec. 10, 1883, AE. 55 yrs 4 mos
& 26 D's.
Asleep in Jesus.
XIV’
79 – Freddie [Raske]
Died Nov. 2, 1874, age 9 mos.
& 20 Ds.
Charlie
Died Feb. 26. 1888, age 16 yrs,
& 24 DS. Children of John
& Caroline Kaske.
Safe in the arms of Jesus.
[There is no No 80.]
81—Annie E. [Beer's]
Wife of Wm. H. Beers I)ied
O t, 2, 1885. AE 26 y’rs 5 mo's
& 11 ID's.
Safe in the arms of Jesus.
82—Emeline [Merrills]
Wife of Addison Merrills, Died
Mar. 20, 1882, AE, 35 yrs, 8 mos,
& 20 days.
Dearest mother thou hast left us,
And thy loss we deeply feel:
But 'tis God who hast bereft us,
He can all our sorrows heal.
[Brownstone.]
In memory of
83–Deborah [Hanford,
Wife of Hezekiah Hanford,
who died Septr. 15th, 1803, in
the 78th year of her age.
[Hezekiah the son of No. 94 was buried
in this cemetery; His headstone was
standing within the memory of Some
living—but it is now absent. He was
buried next to his wife Deborah [No.
83]. He married Deborah Hayt dau
of Caleb Hayt Oct 7, 1743. He
served in the Coast Guards during
the Revolution. His children were: —
I. Daniel. b. June 26, 1744 Died April 12,
1797 [See No 86]
II. Deborah, b. Sep 26, 1746
III. Samuel, b Jan 7, 1748 d. July —.
IV. Hezekiah, b. July 24, 1753.
W. Mehitable, b. Oct 7, 1755, d. July —.
VI. Josiah, b. Dec 10, 1757, d. July. —.
VII. Lydia, b. May 27, 1759. -
VIII. Elizabeth; b. Feb 27, 1762
IX. Grace, b. Oct 5, 1765 d. Mar 28, 1840
X. Susannah b. Oct 7, 1768.]
84—Joseph P. Hanford.
Died Aug. 10, 1870, aged 88
years.
[Joseph Platt Hanford—[84] married
1st Charlotte St. John [See No 85].
Their children were:—
I. Daniel, who d. Sept 25, 1857.
Winfield Scott Hanford his son is buried
in Union Cem. Norwalk. His dau.
Mary, C. married Hon E. A. Woodward
of So Norwalk. Their child Lottie
I
Hanford Woodward is the 8th genera-
tion inclusive, of Wm and Mary
Haynes, [No 96] 5 generations of which
are buried in this cemetery.
II. Charles.
III. Winfield Scott.
Joseph Platt Hanford 2nd married Phebe
Northrop dau of Seth Raymond of
Wilton, Ct. [See No 88]. Their chil-
dren :
Joseph Platt Hanford b. March 8, 1818
Joseph P. Senr, d. Aug 10, 1870.]
85–GI, arlotte [ Hamford]
wife of Joseph P. Hanford,
Died Feb, - 1816, AE. 30 y’rs,
[Before marriage her name was Char-
lotte St. John. Sister to Chas. who
Imarried Nancy Marvin dau of Mat-
thew Jr.]
In memory of
85%–1) aniel Hamford,
who died April 12th, 1797 in
the 51st, year of his age,
86–Susannah [Hamford] º
Relict of Daniel Hanford, Died
March 10, 1836. AE. 86 y’rs.
[Daniel Hanford. m. Jan 9–1773 Susan-
nah Platt dau. of Capt. Joseph Platt,
she was born Jan. 4, 1750 d. Mar. 12
—1836. He was Capt. of Militia and
served in the active service for 3 mos
in the Revolution. His children
Were :–
I. Edward, b. Mar 3, 1774.
II. Andrew, b. Aug. 18, 1775, d. Cot. 16, 1776.
III. 'ºh, Platt, b. Aug. 23,1777, d. Sep. 18,
IV. Andrew, b. Dec. 9, 1779.
V. woºl, Platt, b. April 17. 1782 [See No
84].
VI. Deby, b. April 19. 1784.
[There is no No 87 |
88–Phebe,
Second wife of Joseph P. Han-
ford. Died May 26, 1860, AE, 74
y’rs.
89—I lizabeth. [Toby]
wife of William T. Toby, Died
Oct. 17, 1872, aged 47 years,
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
$)0—S. I”. Fºllºw OO (l
Co. C 28th. Conn. INF.
[Slate.]
HERE Lyes ye Body of
91—Mº’s. Man'y Hot mes
W1 fe to Mr. William Hanes
aged 51 years Dec'd. July ye
221). 1711.

XV
$/2 – Edwin Barnes
Co. F 17, Regt, Conn. Vols,
Died Mar, 7. 1882.
[Brownstone]
In memory of
9.3— Deacon Da Q'i (! Co an stock:
who died Nov’r. 19th .1782 in the
62d. year of his age.
[Brownstone.]
Here lies Buried the Body of
94–Satan "l. Hanford Esqr
who died Febr. ye 2nd. 1751 in
ye 77th year of his Age.
[Samuel Hanford was born April 5,
1674 and d. Feb 2d 1751. Married
Isabel “Haynes,” “Haines,” or
“Hanes,” &c. He was a Capt. of Mili-
tia, Justice of the Peace, &c.
His children mentioned in his will,
Were :
I. Samuel, b. 1710, d. Mar 28, 1795.
II. Thadeus.
III. Haynes.
IV. Hezekiah, b. 1722 d. May 2, 1812. Aged 90.
[See his wife No 83. ]
W. William
VI. Isabel Married Jonathan Hall of New
Haven, died 1749.]
[There no No 95
[Slate.]
Here Lyes Buried the Body of
$96—Mº'. J.Willia an II (tº es
aged 64 years. Died April ye
2d. 1712.
[William Haynes [96] sailed from Lon-
don Jan 8, 1685 on board the Betty,
James May Captain. He made his
will April 1st. 1712 n which he men-
tions his daughter's Elizabeth wife of
John Bartlett, Isabel the wife of
Samuel Hanford [94] and Mary
Haynes who was the daughter of his
last wife who died 1711. The Prop-
erty mºntioned in the will was de-
vided Nov 8, 1749. (See his wife No
91).j
[Brownstone.]
Here lies Buried the Body of
97–Capt. Samuel Comstock
who Departed this life October
the 26th. 1752 in the 73d. year of
his age
[Capt. Samuel Comstock abovo men-
tioned was a Son in Law of Rev
Thomas Hanford having married his
youngest daughter Sarah Dec. 27,
1705. She was born May 1677.]
$98–Sct (lie
Daughter of C. H., Hendrick
99–| Clarkie Hendrick]
Son of C. H. Hendrick
[Brownstone.]
Here Lies the Body of
100— Ma's Satpºt J. Daº”Ow
Wife of Mr John I)arrow who
(lied Decembr 11, 1749 in the
34th ye'r of her age
101–Hem ’ietta. D. Andrew8
Born May 7th, 1833, Died Jan.
16th, 1886.
[Small Marble Monument.]
101,– Owº Little Harry
Died Oct. 2, 1878, AE. 6 yrs. 5
mos, & 10 Days,
The Lord gaveth and hath taken.
102–Willie [Hendrick]
Son of C. H. Hendrick
10.3—Mot?"ja DOtºyi (ls
Born Aug. 21st, 1805, Died June
8th, 1885.
[Sſate.]
HERE Lyes ye Body of
104—Man'y Man' ven
Wife of John Marven aged 35
years. Departed This life April
ye 17th, 1720. ,
In memory of
105–Sidney S. Kat gler
Died Aug. 14, 1877, aged 20 ys,
10 m's and 3 D's.
[Brownstone.]
106–Mrs Mary St John
the wife of — Mr James St John
I}ec'd Oct'r 17th. 1749 in ye 76
year of her age.
[Brownstone.)
In memory of
107–Polly [Even’sley]
Daughter of John & Mary
Eversley who died Sep'r 3d. 1801
aged 1 year & 8 mo.
XVI
In memory of
108–10amiel Eversley
who died Sept. 23, 1825.
years.
AE. 85
[Brownstone.]
Here lies the Body of
109–Ma's Mercy Saint Johm.
Wife of Mr Moses Saint John
who died Nov’r ye 23d. 1748.
aged 37 years & 8 months
110–IIannah. M. [Weed]
Wife of Harvey S. Weed Died.
April 1, 1887, AE, 62 yrs. 6 mos.
& 23 DS.
Dear Mother at Rest
[Brownstone.]
In memory of
111—John Eversley
who died May 17th, 1798 in the
62d. year of his age.
In memory of
112—Abigail Even’s legſ,
who died Oct. 9, 1821.
84 years.
— .O ...—
AE T,
In memory of
113—John Even’sley,
who died Feb. 22, 1836, in the
70, year of his age.
114–IHarriet A. [Camp]
Wife of Rev Harvey Camp, Died
July 31, 1886.
[Stone fallen on ground.]
115 – John Even’sley
Died Aug. 26. 1848, AE. 51 y's,
& 5 Ds.
—: O :—
[Brownstone.]
Here lies the Body of
116—Mrs Deborah [Mead]
the wife of Leut'n Nehemiah
Mead who died July ye 3d. 1749
in ye 40th. year of her age
117–JWillis D. [Gregory]
Son of George W. and Eliza J.
Gregory, Died Aug. 19, 1864,
AE, 1 y’r 8 mo's. & 20 Days.
[Other side of stone 1
Oºt º' WWillie
Grand son of Rev. Z. & E.
Davenport.
[Stone Broken on the ground.]
In memory of
118–NIan'y [Eversley]
wife of John Eversley, who died
Aug. 21, 1857, in the 88th, year
of her age.
119—John B. Gregory
Died July 22, 1842, AE. 59 y’rs,
[Little monument.]
120–13. Edwin [Carmam]
Son of Samuel & Irene Carman,
Born May 13, 1884, Died Oct.
7, 1884,
Our Baby.
[Small marble monument.]
Our Darling.
121–Zophar S. [Carmam...]
Son of Samuel & Irene Car-
man Born Feb. 24, 1878, Died
Dec. 10, 1884. -
122—Mary. J. A. [Hoyt.]
Wife of William B. Hoyt Died
Feb 5, 1889. -
“Precious Jesus”
123–Bertha May [Even den]
Daughter of James & Elizabeth
Evenden. Born Dec. 18, 1882.
Died Feb. 17, 1891.
124 — George. F.
125–Mother’
126 – Olive
Wife of John B. Gregory, Born
Oct. 18, 1785, Died Feb. 1, 1881.
127–Bertha A. [Hime
daughter of U. W. & E. L. Hine
Died Jan. 9, 1888. AE. 2 yrs.
& 7, mo's. -
[Other side of stone.]
Darling Berth a
Safe in the arms of Jesus
Sister.
XVII
128–Jane Star chie ly
Died August 15, 1881, Aged 28
years 10 months, and 15 days.
[There is no No 129.J
130— Charles F. G. Gregory,
Died March 5, 1845, aged 25
y’rs.
Mancy.
Wife of Charles F. G. Greg-,
ory. Died March 22, 1890, aged
75 y’rs.
13 1 — Ch (trºles. F. Gilbert
Died Aug. 10, 1881, AE 30 y’rs,
8 mo's. and 26 Days.
Lord remember me when thou comest into thy
- Kingdom
[Slate.]
Here lie ye Remains of
132—Mr. Seth, Spaith.
Who departed this Life May the
7th 1772. aged 31 years.
[Quincy Granite.]
13.3—John G. Cooper’,
Born Sept. 19, 1828, Died Oct.
13, 1860.
Margaret E.
His wife Born July 23, 1833,
Died June 2, 1891.
Mary Emily
Their infant daughter, aged 7
weeks.
In after-time we’ll meet them.
COOPER
In memory of
134—Eliza S.
Daughter of Capt. Samuel., and
Elizabeth. S. Page. who died
Sept, 13, 1842. AF. 7 years 6
mos. and 10 Days.
A widowed mother's lovely child
Last of my earthly Ties,
I placed her in certain hope
To meet her in the Skies.
135—Samuel Page
died May 12, 1835, AE 2 years 8
mo. and 12 days. Son of Capt.
Samuel and Sarah. E. Page
In memory of
136—Charles L., White 2d
who died Jan, 15, 1834, aged 25
ye, 7 mo. and 20 d’s.
In memory of
137—Mary L, [JWhite]
daughter of Charles L. & Sal-
ly White who died April 4, 1835,
AE. 6 mos. & 4 ds
In memory of
138–Harriet H. [ICelly]
Daughter of William & Esther
Kelly who Died July 21, 1839.
AE 18 years
In memory of
1384–Sally (Mallon'ſ) [White]
Widow of Charles L., White.
& daughter of John & Han-
nah, J Mallory who died July
31, 1855. aged 43 years 9 mo,
& 17 days.
In memory of -
139—Samuel [Mallory]
Son of John & Hannah Mal-
lory who died June 1, 1810 AF.
1 mo, and 21 ds.
In memory of
140–Mary Mallory
who died Nov. 10, 1795. AC. 45
years
wife of Matthew Mallory who
was lost at sea 1781.
141—Charles [Mallon'ſ]
Son of Lewis & Anna Mallory
died Jan. 31, 1800, AE. 6 years
& 2 mo.
In memory of
142—Lewis Mallo?”y,
who died July 21, 1838, aged 69
years 10 months & 10 days.
[Mal-
143–IHarriet (Hatlin)
lory]
wife of Rev. George. H. Hulin
and daughter of Lewis and An-
na Mallory died April 1, 1836,
AE. 25 years.
Doubting Christian cast thyself
upon the devine assurance “My
grace is sufficient for thee” then, as
did she in thy dying day thou
shalt have dying grace.
XVIII
1434–Florence. N, [IRaymond I
T}au of Edward and Georgianna
Raymond. — Died — Jan. 9,
1888, AE. 8 yrs, 4 mo. & 13
days
Safe in the arms of Jesus.
144—Folly Thorp [Mallory]
Daughter of Matthew and Mary
Mallory l)ied August 4, 1868.
AE. 93 y’rs. and 10 m's.
In memory of
145 —Ann (t. Mallon'ſ
wife of Lewis Mallory, who
died Jan. 3, 1848, AE. 75 y’rs,
11 mo's. and 22 Days.
146—George Lewis [II at lin)
Son of Rev. George H. & Har-
riet Hulin died Nov. 14, 1835.
AE. 4 months & 3 days.
In memory of
147–IIannah Jarvis,
lor’y J
wife of John Mallory, who died
Sept. 7, 1851. AE. 65 years 6
mo. & 2 Days
[MI al-
'To the memory of
148–Daniel [Mallor'y]
son of John and Hannah Mal-
Jory who died July 7, 1838. AE.
21 years 10 mos & 9 Days.
In memory of
149—John Mallon'ſ,
In memory of
152—A melia E. Smith.
Daughter of John L. & Jane
Smith, who died Feb. 7, 1839.
In the 21. year of her age.
Jesus can make a dying bed,
Feel soft as downy pillows are,
While on his breast i lean my head
Alld breath my life out sweetly there
15.3—Jame
wife of Jolin J. Smith Died
Sept. 3d, 1887, AE. 93 years.
1.54 – John. L. Smith.
Died Dec. 7, 1872.
years 1 mo. & 2 Days,
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord
aged 86
1.55––L at the P. M. Lock, wood
son of Sylvester B. & Emily
F. Lockwood AE. 6 months &
20 days
Not lost but gone before.
1.56––TIt On), as Coº’n wat!!
Died Dec. 12, 1815, AE 75
— () ——
So teach us to number our days that we
may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
In memory of
157—Mary B. Cornwall
who died Feb. 20, 1826, in the
20 year of her age.
who died March 23. 1846, AE.
66 years 9 mo. & 23 Days.
150 – JWilliam Mallon'ſ
Died July 31, 1859, aged 51
years & 7 months.
Farewell, farewell, to the a long and last adieu
In deaths dark hour, where earthly scenes are
fadeing from my view
Thy blessed spirit, hovering near, shall soar
with mine above,
Where fadeless flowers forever bloom, and all
is peace and love.
[Quincy Granite.]
151 – San'ath, Husted
wife of Capt. A. B. St John Died
Sept, 23rd 1886.
“Dearest sister thou hast left us.
And thy loss we deeply feel,
But 'tis God that hast bereft us
He will all our Sorrows heal.”
The hope of her eternal bless
edness gives comfort and supp
ort, to an afflicted and discon
solate mother.
In memory of
1.58––Josiah, Con”vºtall
who died Feb 8, 1820 AE 34
159–-Francis B. [St John]
Son of Oscar and Mary D. St.
John. Died Sept. 23, 1870, AE.
1 y’r 9 mo's and 25 Days.
[Other side.]
I, ittle F1'ſ pok:
160–-C/º (t?"les ('ook: St John.
Died Mar. 17, 1876. AE. (;1
years 11 mo's and 3 Days,
**Servant of God Well done”
XIX
In memory of
161—Elizabeth [McNiel]
daughter of Robert. A. & Sa-
rah Ann McNiel, who died July
1, 1845, AE. 16 years 5 mo, &
26 Days, -
Peace ’tis the Lord Jehovah’s hand
That blasts our joys in death,
That mars that form to us so dear
And gathers back the dust.
162—Sarah A. [IRockwell]
[McNiel]
Widow of Eli Rockwell, and
formerly wife of Robert A. Mc.
Niel. Died Aug. 23, 1886, AE. 57
years 2 mo's & 10 Days.
163—Mary E. [Richards] [Mc-
Niel]
wife of Joseph S. Richards,
& daughter of Robert A., &
Sarah Ann McNiel Died May 25,
1866, aged 32 years.
“In life beloved, in death lamented.”
Edward Townsend [Rich-
ards] -
only son of Joseph S., & Mary
E. Richards, Died May 16, 1870,
AE. 4 y’rs & 7 m's.
164—Robert A. McNiel,
HDied Feb. 3, 1837 in the 30th
year of his age.
Mary McNiel,
died May 10, 1831, AE. 2 years
and 2 mo.
IXavid McNiel,
Died Dec. 18, 1836, AE. 7 mo.
Children of Robert A. and Sa-
rah Ann McNiel.
[Slate.]
165—Mr. Samuel Hayes
aged 72 years Dec'D April ye 7
1712.
[Slate.]
Here lyes the Remains of
166--John Copp Esq.",
Deacon of ye first church in this
place, who Departed this Life
May ye 16th Anno Domni 1751.
in ye 78th year of his age.
When the archangel shall aloud proclaim,
The total ruin of the worlds great Frame,
And gastly Horrours seize this trembling ball,
And frighted stars shall from their centers fall
Then }. last Trump shall raise the conscious
ead
And thou bold man shalt hide thy guilty head
Such humble saints shall wake with glad sur-
prise
To meet their Saviour from the bending skies.
[Marble monument.]
I 67––Marth ot, A Saacom,
wife of William E. Root Died
July 11, 1876, AE. 52 y’rs. & 10
mo's.
Ičoot
Matthew Saxon
Died June 22, 1882. AE. 58 y’rs
& 9 mo's.
Saacom,
Isaac T.
Died Aug 30, 1861. AE, 12 y’rs
& 1 mo's.
Mathew S.
Died Oct. 20, 1862. AF, 11 yrs.
& 7 mo's
Children of Wm. E & Martha
A. Root -
[Brownstone.]
Here lies Buried the Body of
168–-Joseph Platt Esq.r
who Departed this life 12th June
1748 in the 76 year of his age.
[Slate.
1683—Easte?" Lines
Dau to Benja’h & Easer Lines
aged 2 Years 11 Mo & 12 Das
Decid. May ye 22d 1722
[Granite monument.]
169–. CIvan’les. J, Saunders
Born May 15, 1791 Died June
6, 1874.
Oriºn dia, Sotºwn den’s
Born Oct. 10, 1810 Died Nov.
25, 1884
170–Maº'th ot.
[Platt])
Wife of Henry G. Disbrow and
Daughter of Alfred & Abigail
Platt. Died June 8, 1882, In the
24 year of her age
Safe in the arms of Jesus
H. (Disbrow)
XX
171––Bertha [Platt]
Daughter of Alfred & Abigail
Platt. Died May 7, 1877, AE.
2 years, 7 mo's. & 10 Days.
Little Birdie,
Beautiful Birdie,
lamb of the blest,
Jesus has taken thy
pure spirit to rest.
172––Reuben L. [Platt]
Son of Alfred and Abigail Platt,
Born Jan, 18, 1853, Died Nov.
25, 1872,
Our loved one.
173–- Jacob Reynolds
Died July 17, 1885, aged 74 yrs.
& 8 mo's.
—— O ––
174—Lucinda [Iteynolds]
Wife of Jacob Reynolds Died
Jan. 9, 1882, aged 69 yrs. 2. mo's.
& 8 Ds.
In memory of
175––Rebecca E. [McLean]
Daughter of Hugh & Angeline
McLean who died July 21,
1827. Æ. 1 year & 7 mo
An empty tale a morning flow'r,
Cut down and wither'd in an hour.
176––Sarah A. Fitch,
Wife Of William E. Fitch. Born
March 5, 1848, Died February 3,
1875.
177—Sammºtel M. Fitch.
Died Feb. 12, 1857, AE. 87 y’rs.
178––Betsey Fitch, [Roberts]
Wife of David Roberts, Died
May 2, 1869, aged 65 years.
- —— O. —
179––Mary. A, Qatiºn,
Died D'ec 25, 1884 Aged 23 y’rs.
& 9 mo's,
180––J, A, Amnes
Co. D 7th Conn. Inf.
181—-Emily. [Fitch]
daughter of ‘Samuel M. Jr. &
Mary Fitch, Died Sept. 27, 1836.
AE. 2 y’rs.
-*-
182—Satom wel, M. Fitch, Jr.
Died May 18, 1854, AE. 54 yrs,
183—Esther [ Fitch]
wife of Samuel M. Fitch, Died
June 3, 1854, AE, 74 y’rs.
184—Itebecca E, [Fitch]
Daughter of Daniel & Sarah
Fitch. Died April 13, 1882, AE
48 y’rs 8 mo's.
Safe in the arms of Jesus.
185——Sarah Fitch,
wife of Daniel Fitch, Died Dec.
1869, aged 60 years and 3 m's.
He giveth his beloveth sleep.
186—Daniel Fitch,
Died July 27, 1885, aged 86 y’rs.
3 mo's. and 25 D's.
He is not dead but sleepeth.
187——Catherine A. [Fitch]
Daughter of Daniel & Sarah
Fitch. Died Feb. 6, 1839, AE. 3
y’rs and 5 D's.
Then rest the loved one, rest
Thy warfare soon was o'er
We’ll Strive thee with the blest
Where Sorrows come no Imore
In memory of
188––Sarah. A, [Fitch]
daughter of Daniel & Sarah
Fitch who died Aug 27, 1826,
AE 9 mo & 14 days
An empty tale a morning flower
Cut down and withered in an hour
189—Henry Fitch.
Died Nov. 10, 1868, AE. 95 y’rs
9 mo. & 12 D’s.
In memory of
190––Ruth. Whitney,
Widow of Ebenezer Whitney.
of Revolutionary memory De-
ceased who departed this life
May 31, 1839, AE 82 years 6
mo, & 16 Days.
In life of a meek and quiet spirit
in death serene,
Asleep in Jesus O for me
may such a blissful refuge be
securely shall my ashes lie
Waiting the summons from on high
|XXI
191 ––Eilen WW I, it we ly
Born Nov. 19, 1783, Died May
22, 1869,
The law of truth was in his mouth.
and iniquity was not found on his lips
he walked with me in peace and equity
and did turn many away from iniqility.
In memory of
19:2––Enneline [ JJ Jº itney]
wife of Eben Whitney who de-
parted this life Jan. 9, 1854, AE.
48 yrs & 7 mos.
19.3–10 by Fitch
wife of Henry Fitch. Died Dec.
22, 1858, AE. 83 y’rs 6 mo & 14
ID's.
[Slate broken.]
In memory of
194––Jo no oth (tn Fitch. Aſ . WI
who departed this life July 7th
A D 1773 in the 30th year. of his
age youngest son of Samuel
Fitch Esqr.
195—Edwin. JW. Fitch,
Son of Daniel & Sarah Fitch,
Died Aug. 2, 1870, AE. 38 y’rs
& 10 mo's.
Blessed are those servants
Whom the lord when he cometh
shall find watching.
[Granite headstone
196—TIt coolo, 'e JJ Tilcoa,
died June 17, 1882, aged 45 yrs.
9 mo. & 19 Days
“Be thou faithful unto Death.”
197—Frances J. [Fitch
wife of George W. Fitch.
Died June 21st 1888,
years 5 mo's.
AE. 44
“The Lord gave, and the Lord hath
taken away, blessed be the name
of the Lord.”
Mother.
19s—EI i:(tbeth. I. Van Nat ºne
Died Jan. 10, 1890, AE. 62 years.
[Quincy Granite monument.]
199––Le nº is I; a yan on (l
Born July 21, 1807, Died Nov.
20, 1881.
His wife
(!(tf/ ey'inne Meeken”
Born Dec. 9, 1811, Died Nov. 18.
1S71. --- -
It (ty in on (l
Platt Raymond
J3orn Dec. 3, 1774, Died Dec. 6,
1857.
t
His wife
Hot mana/º S. Benedict
Born Jan. 4, 1779, Died April 27,
1844.
Their Children
Jesse B. Italy in on (l
Born April 17, 1799, Died Aug.
S, 1872,
Alfred Raymond
Born Jan. 27, 1802, Died Oct. 20,
1828,
Mehetable Raymond'
Born Oct. 25, 1804. Died March
29, 1888
Children of Lewis & Catherine
MI, Raymond
Hot manah, MI, IRaymond
Born Nov. 9, 1835, Died June
29, 1843.
CJ (t?’les, Italynn on (l
Born Dec. 21, 1837, Died. Jan.
5, 1869.
200–– JWilliam It. Knapp
Co. C. 5, Regt. Conn. Wols.
i)ied Dec 28, 1891.
201——Josephine [Knopp]
Daughter of Charles & Hul-
dah Knapp. Died Aug. 5, 1857,
age 10 Days.
202––Charles IXmºtºpp
Died Aug. 24, 1860, AE. 42 yrs
& 3 mo's.
When trials do surround you,
And troubles cross your way,
Then cast your cares on Jesus,
And dont forget to pray.
XXII
203–CI, arles, E. Raw app,
a member of Company D, 13th
Reg., Conn. Vol. Died March
18, 1862, AE. 19 yrs. 5 mo's. and
7 D'ys.
Sleep Soldier still in honored rest.
Your truth and valor wearing :
The bravest are the tenderest
The loveing are the dareing.
204––J. E. Lacey
Co. C 25th Conn. Inf.
205––Nath a niel Fishe?”
Died Oct. 18, 1888, AE. 58 years
& 2 mo's
Our father at rest.
Sister.
206—Anna War”en.
Sept. 29, 1847, Oct. 11, 1891.
She sought not her own comfort;
but that of Others.
In memory of -
– Wm. Francis [Hull]
Son of Isaac P. & Henrietta
Hull who Died Sept. 4, 1846,
aged 7, years and 10 Days.
[Brownstone.]
Here Lyeth the Body of the Rever
2074--Mr Jedeiah Bucking-
haºn,
Late preachr' of The Gospel at
the West Part of New ark in
East Jersey Who Depar’ed This
Life March the 28th 1720
AE TATIS SU––24
[Quincy Granite monument.]
PIOO}ce?”
208—Mary Willett [Hooker]
Daughter of Capt. Thomas
Willett Who was the first mayor
of the City of New York Wife
of Rev. Samuel Hooker of
Farmington Conn From her
sons came all Hookers who are
descended From Rev. Thomas
Hooker First Settler Of Hartford
Conn. Born at Plymouth Mass.
November 10th 1637 Married
at Plymouth Mass. Sep 22ND
1658 Died at Norwalk Conn
June 24th 1712
This stone is erected by her
descendents 1890
[Other side is inscribed.]
Near here are buried
Rev. Stephen Bucking-
Jº (tº
and his wife Sarah Hooker,
Daughter of Rev, Samuel and
Mary W. Hooker also
Josiah. Hooker'
and his wife Hannah he a
great-grand son of Rev. Samuel
and Mary W. Hooker.
[Slate broken——Supplied with an Iron
Back.]
Here lyes buried the Body of the
Rev'd
209—Mr Stepheſn] Bucking-
Jº (tº
late Pastor of the 1st Church of
Christ in Norwalk departed
this life F--bry 3d 1745–6
AE tatis 70.
[Brownstone.]
Here lies the Body of
2 10–Maº Thomas Hamfon’d
ye Eldest son of ye Revd Mr
Thomas Hanford who died June
ye 7 AD 1743 in ye 75 year of his
his age with Hannah his wife
lying at his rite hand who
Dec'd Dec’r 28 1745 aged 78 years
& 5 days
[The Rev Thomas Hanford was the 1st
IPastor of the first church in Norwalk
and was ordained 1652. (Cotton
Mather says—he was Educated in
England). His mother Eglin Han-
ford aged 46 a widow come to Amer-
ica in 1635. “She embarked at Lon-
don 10 Aprl 1635 on the Planter,
Nicholas Trarice Master. She
brought with her, two daughters
Margaret aged 16 and Elizabeth aged
14. She afterwards married Deacon
Richard Sealis of Situate, Mass,” her
son Thomas is known to have been
in Mass in 1643—and taught school
there. “Thomas Hanford married
1st Hannah dau of Thomas Newbury
of Dorchester, no issue is heard of
by her ; 2nd married Oct 22–1661
Mary widow of Jonathan Ince the
New Haven Scholar.” She d. 1723 or
before. He died probably before
1693, and is said to have been buried
under a brownstone tablet lying
close to the ground near where his
Son Thomas was buried [210].
His children were :
I. Theophilus b. July 29–1662 “went to
parts unknown [Probate Recds].
II. Mary b. Nov 30–1663 married John Ed-
Wards of Fairfield.
III. Hannah b. June 28, 1665.
XXIII
[Slate.]
Here lyes Buried the Body of
211—Capt. Elmathan Hanford
who departed this life August
ye 24th 1764 in ye 58th year of
his age.
[Brownstone.]
212 – Mary [Hanford]
the Daughter of Elna & Sarah
Hanford Dec’d Novr ye 27,
1750 in ye 3rd year of her age
Oh now sweet Babe
Because twas best
God took you home
With him to Rest
[Slate.]
2 13 — Elizabeth Thatchen”
Daughtr of Mr Josiah & Mrs
Mary Thatcher Died Septembr
5 1743 aged 6 years 4 months &
10 Days -
In memory of
214–Henrietta, [Hull (Gibbs)]
wife of Isaac P, Hull &
daughter of Horace A. & Julia
Ann Gibbs who died April 24.
1842 AF). 26 years 7 mo & 26
Days,
Therefor be ye also ready for in such
an hour as ye think not Son of man
cometh.-Mat 24, 44.
In memory of
215–Julia Ann Gibbs,
wife of Horace A. Gibbs, who
died Feb. 4, 1833, AE. 38 years.
In memory of
216–Stephen St John
who died Aug, 27, 1828, AE 66
years.
In memory of
217–Sally, [St John]
wife of Stephen St John, who
died Oct. 22. 1825. E, 59
years.
[Double Brownstone.]
In memory of
218–Thomas Fitch Esq.):
who died Janry 16th 1795[or 93
in the 70th year of his age
In memory of
Sct Path,
wife of Thomas Fitch Esq.r who
died Janry 27th 1795 in the 61st
year of her age
[Granite]
Mabel
219–Mabel. G. [Mead]
Daughter of George E. & Ella G,
Mead, Oct. 21, 1882, Sept. 29,
1891.
Alas the fairest fade early.
[Slate.]
IIere Lyes Buried the body of
220–Mrs Am?". Thatcher"
wife to Mr. Josiah Thatcher
aged 34 years & 11 MO, Decd
Febry ye 25 1733–4
[Slate.]
In memory of
221—MIr's Mary Thatcher,
T wife of Cap, Josiah Thacher,
who departed this Life April 6th
AD 1774, in her 68th year.
Who follow here, ye paths of truth,
Shall Bloom in everlasting youth,
Clad with new Glories they shall shine,
In charmS immortal and devine.
|Slate.]
Here lyes Buried the Body of
2.22—John Betts Esq.”,
who departed this Life June the
7th 1745 aged 60 years & 11
months,
[Brownstone.]
2224 – MIT’s. Hanºvah Betts.
[Brownstone]
22.3— TV & Ololetts Hill, Fitch,
son of Tha’s & Sarah Fitch died
Oct 21–1776 age 11 months
[Brownstone]
224–Hannah [Fitch]
Daughter of Mr Thomas & Mrs
Hannah Fitch who Departed
this life on the 24th of August
1744 in the [14 or 17] year of her
age is here buried
XXIV
|Slate.]
22.5–Giles Fitch.
son of Mr Thomas & Mrs Han-
nah Fitch who departed this life
in April 1747 in ye 2nd year of
lı is age and in liere interred
|Slate.]
Here lyes Interred the Body of
226 – Ebenever I'ito Jº.
who departed this life Febry 23d
AD 1762 in ye 33d year of his
age
[Slate.]
IIere lyes interred the body of
227—Mº's II atºm (th, Fitch,
who departed this life August ye
7th 1769 in ye 25th year of Her
age.
Sic Tranait Gloria, Mundi
[Slate.]
228— Miss Est/Neº Fitch.
Daghter of the Hon Ble Thomas
Fitch and Hannah Fitch l)e-
parted this life on ye 12th of
March 1771 in ye 30th year of
here age and is here interred
Blessed are ye dead that die in ye Lord
[Brownstone.]
IIere lies what was mortal of
229—M1's Motº’t/l (t Potdalock:
wife of Mr. Enoch Paddock &
I)augt of ye Revd Mr Moses
Dickenson who died July 15
1752 in ye 18 year of her age
[A Tomb Table of Brownstone on 5
pillars and Slate inserted in the
Table.]
2.30 — THE HON’BLE THIO MI-
AS FitcII Esq."
Govºr of the Colony of CONNECTICUT
Eminent, and distinguished among
mortals, For great abilities, large
aquirements and a virtuous charac-
ter; a clear, strong, sedate mind; an
accurate, extensive acquaintance
with Law and civil Government ; a
happy Talent of presiding ; close ap-
plication, and strict fidelity in the
the discharge of important Trusts:
no less than, for his employments,
by the voice of the people, in the
chief offices of State, and at the
HEAD of the COLONY. Having
served his generation by the Will of
God fell asleep July 18th, And Domi-
ni, 1774. in the 75th Year of his age.
[Governor Thos Fitch was son of
Thomas. He married Sep 4, 1724.
Hannah Hall of New Haven the eld-
est dau of Richard and Hannah
(Miles) Hall]. The Hon’ble Thomas
was the Governor’s assistant 1734-5
and from 1740 to 1754 when he was
elected Governor, May, the same year
and remained as such to May 1763
when he came back to Norwalk lived,
and probably died, at what is now
known as the olg Fitch place, oil
East ave. a little south of opposite
the East entrance to the road leading
to Oyster Shell point. A large elm
tree is seen in front of the house as a
landmark undisturbed to his memo-
ry.
23 1–Halsey Dotty
Died Dec. 17th, 1883, AE. 32
years 6 mo's. & 4 Days.
I’apa
[Słatc.]
RELIQUIAE
232—Moses Dickenson,
IIIC Deponuntur O BIIT sep 16
1742 AETAT 20
[Slate.]
IIere lyes what was mortal of
23.3—MIr's Marth a Dickenson
wife to ye Revnd Mr. Moses
Dickenson Who Died Decembr
15th Anno Domi 1755 AFtates 62
| Brownstone.]
3eneath this monumental stone
lies interred the body of the
2.34—Iłevd. Moses I) io/censon,
late pastor of the first Church of
Christ in NORWA I, IX, who de-
parted this life May 1st. 1778. in
thes 3d. year of his age, and 51st
fo his Ministry in said church.
A man of a good Understanding, well
improved by Study, Chearfull in
Temper Prudent in Conduct and
faithfull to his trust He came to his
grave in full age, like as a shock of
corn Cometh in his season.
In memory of
234 – Eliza, F. Chºistian
who departed this life Novem-
ber 26th, 1809;Aged 20 Years 7
months & 22 days
In memory of
235–Timothy Fitch
who died Sept 18, 1802 in the 67
year of his age
***
(See Description No. 230.)
Hon. Thomas Fitch, Colonial Goverson of Conn., 1754 to 1766.

XXV
236—Esther' [Fitch |
Relict of Timothy Fitch died
May 5, 1816: AE 71.
In memory of
237’—Cornelia, [Fitch]
wife of Stephen Fitch, who Died
Sept. 12. 1811, AE. 49 yrs.
23S-Ed 2002°ol Fitch,
Died July 23, 1808, AE. 36 y's.
Mary E, his wife Died Jan. 9,
1841, AE. 67 y's.
This stone is erected by their child An-
jinette Hall of Troy, N. Y.
239–FIammah [Belden
Wife of Azar Belden, died
March 29, 1860, AE. 93 y’rs 6
mo's & 14 D's.
[Granite monument. I
240–Ma' Saº wel Motr” in
Died Nov. 8, 1820, AEt, 80.
—: O –
241—Susat???? (th, Fitch,
Died May 24, 1888, AE. 83 yrs,
1 mo, & 11 Ds,
Jannes Fitch.
Died July 31, 1828, AE, 70 yrs, 3
mos & 20 ds.
Esther Camp
His wife Diep Sept. 9. 1846
AE, 83 yrs, 6 mos, & 17 Ds.
J at lia, Fife/h.
Died June 23, 1857 AE, 57 yrs. 4
mos. & 13 Ds.
[Granite monument. J
242—Col. Henry Rogers
Died Apr. 27, 1857, aged 71.
243— William Francis [Das-
Act an
son of Capt, Samuel & Lucretia
Daskam, Died Oct. 13, 1856. AE, 38.
He has gone to the grave as tenderly loved
As any that ever from earth was removed
And when the last call to us shall be given
Oh may we be ready to meet him in Heaven.
244–Capt., Sam wel Daska.m.
Died April 21, 1858,
years 6 mo. & 11 Days.
aged 71
245–THeodolia [Fitch]
daughr of Josiah H, & Ann P.
Fitch, died April 30, 1816 AE 17.
The firmest rock is now on high
And for all nature he did die
The fairest Plant the fairest flower
Cut down and wither d in an hour.
—. O. —
246 — Josiah H. Fitch,
Died Dec. 1, 1845, AE. 76.
ANN PLATT, wife of Josiah H.
Fitch, died oct, 20, 1845. AE. 73.
“They were lovely and pleasant in their lives
and in their death they were not devided,”
- In memory of
247—Man'y [Com/clin]
wife of Jonas P, Conklin. who
died Aug. 19, 1832: AE. 24 years.
In memory of
248—Samuel Hanford
who died Aug 7, 1833.
249—Sarah [ Hamford]
wife of Samuel Hanford died
April 14, 1823: aged 51 years.
AE. 58.
In memory of
250–IIezekiah, Hanford
who died Jan 16, 1811: AE 57.
—. O –
[Stone Broken]
In memory of
251—Sarah [Hamford]
wife of Hezk Hanford who died
Dec. 25, 1811 Æ 59
252—I'l math (tav IIa mfon’(l
*
died Nov. 19, 1809, AE 24.
—— ; O –
[He was son of Hezekiah.]
2.53— David Hanford
died Dec. 15, 1815, AE 27
— :O: —
254—Polly [Hoyt (Hamford)]
wife of Ira Hoyt, & widow of
David Hanford, died Aug. 25,
1820. AE, 40 years.
XXVI
255—Sarah [(Nash) Van Hoo-
sea??]
Wife of David W Hoosen
[David Van Hoosear]
and widow of Elnathan Han-
ford [See 252] Died May 14,
1817: in her 30th year.
She was dau Of Danieſ alud Freelove
(Wright) Nash—whose residence was
Norwalk—[now Westport, Ct.] She
died at “Grumman Hill” Wilton,
Conn. As wife of Elnathan she had
3 children—Dennis—Mary—and Sal-
ly. Her only child, as wife of David
Van Hoosear, was David Nash Van
Hoosear born May 1st, 1817. Alive
1893. Res. Wilton, Ct.
256–Llizabeth [Hamford] .
wife of Charles Hanford, died
Feb. 20, 1831, AE. 18 years.
257— William H. Hamford
born Feb. 7, 1840, died Nov. 1,
1866.
The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away.
258–Mary Priscilla [Godfry]
Daughter of Silliman & Priscil-
la B. Godfrey Died March 24,
1875 AE. 21 y’rs, 6 mo's & 7 days.
*-
She sleepeth ! so silently
In the last and peacefull rest,
Her sun has set, while yet ’twas day,
Her gentle spirit has soared away
For the angels loved her best.
259—Thomas Fitch,
Son of Edward & Sarall Fitch &
Grandson of Samuel M., & Es-
ther Fitch Born Mar 13 1843
Died May 30, 1888.
Served his country During the war as
Capt. Co. H. 93rd N. Y. V. 3d Bligade
3d Division, 3d Army Corps.
260—Francis Jones,
Died March 24, 1865, aged 32
y’rs 3 mo's & 17 Days.
He served in Co. G., 28 Reg. Conn. Vols.
261–Little JWillie.
Died June 27, 1872,
months.
aged 7
[Double stone]
262—I'rank [Howland]
born Jan. 3, 1856, died Aug. 21,
1858.
*-*-
Ella A. -
born June 11, 1868, died Feb 16,
1872. *
Children of J. H. & Nancy. J.
Howland
“Suffer littly children to come unto me,”
263—Ida J,
Daughter of Cornelius & Eliza-
beth J, Van Name Died Aug.
3, 1872, AE. 15 years 2 mo's & 23
Days.
At Rést.
[Marble monument.]
Erected 1880
264—T. If a ymond
JE (lith,
265–12dith May [Raymond]
Daughter of F. M. & E. R.
lłaymond Died July 31, 1890,
AE. 7 Mo's & 9 Days.
266–Ewan ice [Bradley]
daughter of Clark & Mary Brad-
ley, died Aug. 20, 1866, AE. 17
y’rs 1 mo. & 10 D's.
Jesus to thy dear faithfull hand,
My naked soul I trust :
My flesh shall wait for thy command
And drop into my dust.
267—Grace. M. [Smith]
Daughtr of Charles W. & Emily,
H. Smith Died Jan. 28, 1882,
AE. 5 yrs, 10 mos, & 16 Days
Little Gracie was our darling,
Pride of all the hearts at home,
But the Angels whispered softly
Gracie come.
Little Gracie
[Brownstone.]
Here lies the Remains of
268 – Capt, John Raymond
who was Born Seper ye 18th 1664
and Put on immortality April ye
12th 1737
[Slate.]
Here lyes ye Body of
269 – Ma's Mary Street
Relict to Mr Nathaniel Street
who departed this Life March
7th 1762 in ye 67th year of Her
age
XXVII
[Slate.]
Here Lyes Buried ye Body of
270— Mr. Nott/e (tº "el Street
who Departed this life Sep 24,
1748 in ye 56th year of his age
[Brownstone.]
271–Llizabeth [Street]
ye Daughter of Mr. Nathaniel &
Mrs Mary Street Dec'd March
19—1738 aged 19 yrs
272–Edith May [Beer's]
daughter of Wm. P. & Cornelia
A, Beers Died Dec. 9, 1875.
AE. 5 yrs 1 mo, & 19 Days
Safe in the arms of Jesus
273–Our Little Robbie [Jones]
274—Alice [Jones]
275–Fagan' [Jones]
276–Fletcher [Jones]
[The above 4 are children of
Henry Jones of East Norwalk,
Conn.]
In memory of
277—Man'y. I', [Hoyt]
wife of James Winship, &
daughter of Francis & Nancy
Hoyt, who died Nov, 13, 1846
AE. 24 y’rs
- In memory of
278 – Rosanna B, JPIoyt]
I)aughter of Francis & Nancy
Hoyt who lied July 25, 1851,
AE. 17 y’rs & 9 mo.
279 – A manda. L. Hoyt
wife of Titus K, Merrill, Died
May 1, 1881, AE, 57 y’rs, 2 mos &
20 Days
At Rest.
280–Titus IV, Merrill
Died March 27, 1890. AB. 84 y’rs,
6 mo's. & 15 Days
Blessed are the dead who die in the Ilord
281 – Francis Hoyt
Died June 17, 1842 E 44 y’rs
4 mo's & 14 Days *
In memory of
282 – Goold [Hoyt.
son of Frances & Nancy Hoyt
who died Oct. 26, 1825, AE,2 mo,
& 4 days, Also of
JWilliam Conklin,
who died April 11, 1828 AE. 1
mo & 17 days
28.3—Henry. F. [Hoytl
Died Sept 25 1832, AE 1 mo &
3 Days,
Maºri not, L,
Died July 9, 1833
Days
Harriet A,
Died Sept 15, 1840, AE. 13 mo.
Children of Francis and Nancy
Hoyt
284–Nancy Hoyt
Widow of Francis Hoyt, Died
Jan. 26, 1866, AE. 65 y’rs 6 mo's
& 9 Days
AE 6 mo & 10
285–IBertha Augusta, [Ham-
ford]
Daughter of Charles & Mary
Hanford Died Sept. 8, 1875,
AE. 11 mo's & 13 D’s,
For Jesus I named a sweet child
She was fair as roses half blown
He came to my garden and smiled
. And tenderly took back his own
286—Anna M. Jones,
wife of Alex. Jones, Died March
8, 1870, AE. 24 y’rs 8 mo's. & 5
Days.
Minnie E.
daughter of Alex & Anna M,
Jones Died July 24, 1869, AE. 10
mo's & 3 days.
At rest in Heaven
287—Henry B, Gorham,
Died Jan. 29, 1862, aged 30 Y’rs
& 23 Days.
Mary E, Gorham.
wife of Henry B. Gorham, Died
Dec. 19, 1882, aged 48 y’rs, & 22
Days. *
Sleep on loved ones take thy rest,
God called thee home when he though best,
XXVIII
2874 – Charles [Gorha maj
Son of Henry B, & Mary E,
Gorham. Died Aug. 11, 1864,
aged 6 yrs 3 mo. & 10 Days,
In memory of
288—John II, Fitch. :
who died March 26th 1860, aged
65 years 5 mo. & 20 Days.
[Marble monument. I
289–Lºw Creti (t,
wife of Hiram C, Jones,
Aug, 7, 1807
IHiraºn, C, Jones,
Born Sept, 10, 1806, Died April
8, 1882
Born.
*- ---
Jones
Lewis Jones,
Born June 17. 1844, Died Oct.
2, 1891,
A private in Co. E. 5th Conn. Regt.
1861. –1885.
In memory of
290–Susannah, [ Fitch]
widow of John II, Fitch who
died Sept 26, 1881, aged 84 years
& 10 mos.
In memory of
2.91—James Davis, [Fitch.
- son of John H, & Susannah
Fitch, who died Aug. 28, 1846.
AE. 18 years 1 mo. & 9 Days.
In memory of
292–Charles Fitch,
son of John H. & Susannah
Fitch, who Died Sept. 2nd, 1860,
aged 36 years 10 mo. & 4 Days.
293–Ella I;. [Fitch]
Died Aug. 24th, 1860, aged 8
II].O.
Fºn an a B.
Died Sept. 20th 1860, aged 8 mo.
& 27 Days.
Children of George B, & Eliza-
beth H, Fitch,
He shall gather the lambs with his arm
and carry them in his bosom.
Our Katic.
294–Ratie P, Trownson]
Daughter of Edmund & Cather-
ine Trownson Died June 28,
1874, AE. 5 y’rs 5 mo's, & 19
Days. -
[Board]
In memory of
29.5—Jo/lºw, II Symith.
Son of John H., & Sarah J,
Smith Died Nov. 1st. 1872, aged
2 yrs — ms,
[Board]
296— JJ’illie II. [Campbell]
Son of Augustus and Eunice
Campbell who died July 16th
1872 aged 11 mo's & 25 days
[Board]
297 — Freddie, A, JCampbell]
Son of Augustus and Eunice
Campbell who died April 24th
1874 aged — mo's & 5 days.
298–Augustus Campbell
Died May 8, 1873. AE, 32 y'es,
& 5 mo's.
Waiting on the other side
299–-Co lºnel int's S. J'oon"It is
Died Oct. 24, 1876, E. 40 y’rs,
8 mr's, & 24 days.
All is Well.
300 — JJ Till i (tº S/º effield
Died March 31, 1888, aged 33
years.
Faithfull unto death.
301–Geol'ſſe A, Italy moon (l
Born Jan. 6, 1807. Died Sept.
29, 1888.
3 (22–Hºt! (!(th. Finch, -
wife of George A, IRaymond
I)ied Jan. 22, 1890 AD. 81 yrs 6
mo's.
3.03—Mary E. If a y mom (l
Born May 6, 1825 Died Feb.
10, 1884
304 — Jot be: IRory on on d
Died Aug. 10, 1857, E. 78 y’rs
& 3 mo's.
XXIX
30.5–-Sally [Raymond]
wife of Jabez Raymond, Died
April 27, 1860, AE. 76 y’rs. 2
mo's, & 14, ID's.
306–Platt F. IRaymond,
Died March 15, 1862, E. 58 y'rs
& 7 mo.
307—Hatlolah A. [IRaymond]
wife of Platt F. Raymond Born
Jan 30, 1823. Died Dec. 4 1880.
308—H. M. I. (tymond
Co. G 10th Conn. Inf,
[Buried in the Raymond Vault (the
only one in the yard) in which it is
estimated there are buried 26 more
persons.]
309–Lulu Beatrice [Day]
Infant Daughter of Frank F. &
Annie B. Day. Died oct. 17,
1882. AE, 7 mo's.
3.10–Lottie F, [Day]
Son of Frank F., & Annie B.
Day Died Oct. 2. 1890. AE 6 yrs.
8 mo's & 15 D's.
Safe in the arms of Jesus.
3 11—Nicholas A, Everett
Born Feb. 7, 1812, Died March
6, 1872.
3 1?–Sarah Ann, [Smith]
wife of Andrew Smith
Nov. 15, 1884,
mo's, & 16 Days
Diod
AE. 59 y’rs, 5
[Slate.]
.3 1.3 – R. Aſ Y MON ID
[Top broken off]
[Slate.]
In memory of
3 14 – Hann (th. [IR (ty an on d
Daughter of Jabez & Rebecca
Raymond who died Septemr
23d, A. D. 1770 in tile 31st year
of her age.
In memory of
3 15—Man'y IV iP,
who died oct. 30. 1805, , E 65
+
3 16—Arthur W. [Stabell]
son of Frederick P, & Isabella
Stabell, Died Nov, 22, 1876, AE.
1 year and 12 D's.
In memory of
317–Mary, [Newkirk)
wife of John New kirk. Who
died Sept. 27, 1817 in the 59
year of her age
Let worms devour my wasteing flesh.
In memory of
3 18–JOIN ºn Newkº i n'A'
who died Jan. 14, 1818 in the 67.
year of his age.
Though now this flesh and heart hath fail'd,
And mortal life hath ceas'd :
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of Joy and peace.
In memory of
3 19– Gam'rit II, New Jºin'k.
who died Feb. 1, 1831, AE. 43
years.
3:20 – A now elict Newt'A'in’):
IRelict of Garritt H. Newkirk
1) ied Nov. 8th 1874, In the 87th
year of her age.
In Memory of
321— Polly [IRaymond]
wife of Josiah Raymond, who
died May 19, 1809, AE. 63 years
& 8 mo.
3.22—Mr. Josiah. If a yan on d
died, May 25, 1824, in his 87
year
— :O ––
3:23–Clarim dot [IRaymond]
daughr. of Thomas & Eunice
Raymond, died Jan. 1, 1825 AE.
26
Be ye also ready; for in such an hour
as ye think not the son of man coni-
eth.
324—H (a nºn (th.
ford]
wife of Dennis Hanford &
daughter of Thomas & Eunice
Raymond died July 8, 1826,
AE. 20.
Crush’d as a moth beneath thy hand
We moulder to the dust ;
Our feble powers can ne’r withstand
And all beauty’s lost.
Sophiſt [II at n-
XXX.
325–Eunice [Smith]
wife of Hezekiah Smith Born
June 16, 1790, Died Sept. 7,
1873. - - - -
326–Julia Helme [Smith.]
wife of Hezekiah Smith Jr.
Died Feb 9, 1882. AE. 49 years
& 4 mo's.
327 — Emm ºn a P.
(Fitch)]
wife of Wm. B. Staples &
I)aughter of Walter J. & Huldall
A, Fitch Died Sept 3, 1877.
AE, 24 y’rs, & 5 mo's
Our Loved one.
[Staples
In memory of
328—Silvester J. [Fitch]
son of Walter J. & Huldah A,
A, Fitch, who Died Aug, 16.
1841, AE. 1 year & 1 mo.
[Marble Monument.]
329–Noah Mosher
Died July 17, 1872, AE. 64 y’rs
8 mo's & 26 Days.
Mosher.
J. H. B.
329a–Joseph. H, Brown.
Died May 20, 1872, AE. 38 years
8 mo. & 17 Days.
N. A. M.
3.29b–Naomie A, [Mosher]
Daughter of Noah & Sarah E.
Mosher, Died Mar, 26, 1856.
AE. 14 years & 8 Days.
Jy'. H. F.,
3.29c–JWalter II. [Fisher]
son of Isaac & Damaris E.
Fisher. Died Feb. 12, 1857,
AE. 1 year & 1 Mo.
JV. H. F.
3.29.6— JWillie H. [Fisher]
son of Isaac & Damaris E.
Fisher, Died Aug. 28, 1861,
AE, 2 Years & 1 MO. -
A. M. M.
3.29e—Alonzo M. [Mosher'ſ
son of Omen E. & Sarah
Mosher Died Dec. 8, 1865,
AE. 3 Yrs 2 mo. & 23 D’s.
S. M.
3:29f—Sarah. [Moshen']
wife of Omen E. Mosher, Died
Jan. 5, 1867, AE. 38 Y’rs 10 mo.
& 18 D’s. -
3.30—Lewis Wilson.
Died Sep. 1, 1885, AE. 68 yrs. 6
mos, 15 Ds. His wife
Maº'y A, Elda'ed :
Died Apr. 20, 1868, AE. 54 yrs.
10 mos, 9 Ds.
At Rest.
In memory of
3.31—Hammah M. [IX.etch ann)
wife of Theodorus Ketcham,
who Died March 12, 1881, aged
71 years 1 m'o. & 5 Days.
– :O ...—
“Shall we meet beyond the river,
Never to part again,”
In memory of
.3.32—Jennium (t, Eldº’ed
who died Oct. 30, 1878. aged 70
years
— ; O –
She lived for others
Her memory is precious.
In memory of
33.3—Mary [Smith]
widow of William Smith who
Died Jan. 17, 1844. AE 92 years
& 8 mo
3.34 – Herwry A. Smith.
Died Oct. 27, 1875. AE 35 years
Emily
3.35–Emily J. [Smith]
Daughter of Henry A., & Emily
J. Smith. Died Sept, 13, 1886.
AE. 11 y’rs, 2 mo's. & 24 Days.
[Granite]
Mother
3.36—Mary E. [Wilmot]
wife of Isaac S, Wilmot Died
Feb. 10, 1888. Age 68.
XXXI
3.37—Sarah [Smith]
wife of John Smith Died Oct. 9,
1883. AE. 90 years
In memory of
.338—John Sanith.
who departed this life Jan 18,
1854. A. 78 y’rs & 5 Mo's
Sacred to the memory of
3.39–Elizabeth. [Smith]
wife of John Smith who died
Feb. 24, 1836. aged 54 years.
In Memory of
340–Elizat Smedlicot º' [Smith]
I)aughter of Hutton & Phebe
Smith Born Feb. 16, 1807. Who
Died Oct. 18, 1882.
In Memory of
341–Elph onzo, [Smedico”]
The only child of Platt & Eliza
Snedicor, who died March 29.
1842, AE. 2 years 7 Mo, & 29
Days ºf
Tis hard indeed for me to part
With my fair and gentle child
To me so kindly given.
[Granite monument]
342–TIt oppy as Benedict
Died Sept. 13, 1883, Æ. 86 years
*
Susan [Benedict]
wife of Thomas Benedict Died
June 16, 1876. AE, 77 years
Man'y & Elizabeth
Children of Thos & Susan Bene-
dict
Betsy Ann.
wife of Thomas Benedict Died
Nov. 11, 1879, AE. 62 years
Benedict
In memory of
34.3—Ebenezer H. Smith,
who died Feb. 21, 1857.
y’rs & 11 mo's.
AE, 76
Sacred to the memory of
344–Susan moth [Smith]
wife of Ebenezer H, Smith who
died Aug. 19, 1828, AE t. 45
years.
345 – Harriet N. [Benedict]
widow of David W., Benedict
Died May 6, 1888, aged 59 years
4 mo, & 16 Days. "
“Waiting on the other shore.”
.346 – Datº'i (! JV Benne (lict
Died Dec. 28, 1852, aged 24
years 11 mo, & 25 Days.
Sacred to the memory of
347––Ann Eliza, [Ben'ſ/earl
wife of James Bergen, who died
June 22 1839, aged 22 years.
348—Francis A, Ralstom MI.
L.
Died December 12, 1879, AE 34
years.
349–Nellie [Griswold]
Daughter of Chauncy & Frances
W. Griswold, Born August 3.
1859, Died March 19, 1879.
We shall all meet on the bright shores'
of immortality.
In memory of
350––Saa’ah. A [IX eeler]
Daughter of Jonah C, & Henri-
etta Keeler who Died May 16,
1841 AE 3 years & 6 mo.
In memory of
351—Charles L. [ICeeler]
son of Jonah C & Henrietta
Keeler who died July 5, 1841,
AE 1 year 7 mo & 17 Days
In memory of
352––Henry [Reeler]
son of Jonah C & Henrietta
IXeeler who died July 16, 1842,
• AE 8 months 8 Days
.35.3–– Phoebe WPT, Caº p
Born Sept. 18, 1798. Entercă
into rest July 15, 1885.
354––Natham Camp
born May 22 A. D. 1795, died
August 6, 1880.
A just man, he kept the faith to the end
XXXII
The Grave of
355––A raty IRay an on Gl
wife of Nathan Camp who
calmly yielded up her spirit to
God April 2, 1846.
In memory of
36.3 --Betsey Jennings,
widow of Zalmon Jennings who
died Jan. 29, 1846, aged 73
years & 26 Days.
Dearest mother thou hast left us,
And thy loss we deeply feel
But tis God who has bereft us,
He can all our sorrows heal.
In memory of
364–Edgar [Clark] .
only son of William & Sally Ann
( lark who died Aug. 9, 1848.
AE. 23 y’rs & 5 mo.
“Shed not for him the bitter tear,
Nor give the heart to vain regret :
Tis but the Casket that lies here,
The Gem that filled it sparkles yet”
In memory of
36.5––Maº'y Augusta [Clan'/..]
only daughter of William &
Sally Ann Clark, who died Jan.
1, 1855, AE. 31 y’rs & 5 mo's.
And art thou gone my darling child.
Oh : art thou, now, no longer mine,
Thou wast to us a season given,
But thy abiding place is heaven.
In memory of
.366–– J} illi (tºn, Clot º'A: o
who Died April 8th 1860, aged
65 years 2 mo & 10 Days
But there’s a land where death comes not.
Far, Far beyond the tomb :
When on life’s waves no more we're tost,
There may we meet the early lost.
In memory of
367––James E. [St John]
son of James E. & Mary St.
John who died Nov. 18, 1842.
AE 2 years & 10 Days
In memory of
368–Llisha. S. [Clark]
son of Widow Sarall Clark, who
died Dec. 25, 1828. AE. 13 years
& 3 mo
Her trust was in Christ and her end was
peace
To the memory of
356––A. J, Carter,
a native of New Market E ig-
land AE, 22 years,
He was drowned in the Mill Pond while
in the employ of Mr Thomas Benedict
Dec. 6, 1834.
J. L.
Sacred to the memory of
3.57––Joseph Lo vis,
who died Mar 14. AD 1821.
aged 51. t
358–11ezekiah Smith,
Died June 8, 1852. in his 83 y’r.
Wrapt in the shades of death,
No more that friendly face I see.
Empty ah Empty every place.
tº Once fil’d so well by thee.
[Granite monument]
359 – JJ Tilli (tºn, C. J.; heeler"
Died July 3, 1889. age 59.
A member of Co. G. 23rd Conn. Vols.
'Twas Hard to give thee up.
But thy will, O God, be done.
Wheeler.
360 — George II. [IRoberts]
son of Nathan & Sarah A. Rob-
erts Died March 25, 1872,
AE. 17 years 3 Mo's & 8 Days,
He doeth all things well
36 1––Geom'ſſe B, [Bennett]
son of George & Mary D. Ben-
nett, Died Dec. 20, 1871, AE 16
y’rs 11 mo's. & 26 Days
The Lord is my Shepherd
362–– Emily M. [IRoberts]
wife of Wm. (). Rol)erts. Born
March 19, 1844, Died March 8,
1878,
Mother
Sleep on sweet child and take thy rest.
God call'd the home when he thought best
Our Mother.
369–-Soº 2°6t/t. Clot?"/:
Died at Portchester, N. Y. June
18, 1860, AE. 67 y’rs. 4 mo's, & 4
ID's.
Our mothers gone and soon will we,
Be called to follow on,
We soon will ferry o'er deaths sea,
and meet where mother’s gone.
XXXIII
.370––Geor’ſſe Fu'e de l'iſ'),
John
son of Reuben A., & S. J. St
John, died July 6, 1851, E 1 y’r
8 mo. & 15 d’s.
Our George has gone and left us,
And left this world of vice,
To show the world how fair a flewer
Can bloom in Paradise.
Thus sweetly borne, he ſiies to rest :
We know tis well, may more tis best,
When we our pilgrims path have trod
O ! may we find him with our God
— ... O : —
[St
In memory of
.3 7 I -- Joel Sun it/0,
who died Sept. 11, 1853, E. 69
y’rs.
In memory of
37 2–Not me / [Smith]
widow of Joel Smith who died
Jan. 16, 1867, AE 84 y’rs.
373--Melville F, [IRaymond]
son of Wm, M. & Sarah E. Ray-
mond Mar, 30, 1854. AE, 11 m,
& 12 (i's
It grieved his loving parents sore
With their darling child to part
But think his sufferings now are o'er
Be resigned give God your hearts.
He is not dead but he Melville sleeps
In the gentle Saviours arms
He the little lamb will keep
And protect him now from harm
374-- If uth Elizat [IR (ty on on (l]
daughter of Wm. M. & Sarah E.
Raymond died June 2, 1847,
.E, 3 y’rs, 8 mos. & 22 d’s
An early summons Jesus sends
To call a child above—
And whispers o'er the weeping friend
Tis all the fruit of love.
Tis on the Saviours bosom laid,
And feels no sorrow there:
Tis by a heavenly parent fed.
And need no more your care
37.5-–Sarah Eliza [I; a ymond]
wife of Wm MI Raymond l)ied
March 7, 1882 E. 65 y’rs, 2 mo's
& 18 Days
37 6–– JP illiot nº M. Rot y in on (l
Born Jan. 9th, 1809, Died July
5th, 1887.
377—Nellie F,
Her Daughter 1869 1881
[Probably dau of No 378]
.37 S –– PJ ebe , 1,
wife of IIarvey R. Brown. Born
Feb. 3, 1840. Died June 20,
1870.
Own' Doºrling Josie
Safe in the arms Of Jesus
379–-Joseph in e A, [Iºat yºu? on d')
Daughter of Henry W., & Han-
nah M Raymond Died Oct 6,
1878, AE. 7 y's. & 23 D's
3843—Ollie [Damn]
son of Charles J, & Jennie E.
J)ann Died Feb. 2, 1879, AE. 3
years 9 mo's & 15 Days.
Ollie
Suffer little children to come unto nie,
and of such is the kingdom of
HeaWeen.
Motºk:
38 1––Motº’ſ, II, [Dot m n |
son of Charles J, & Jennie E.
Dann Died April 17, 1891, AE, 18
years 18 mos. & 13 Days.
We dearly loved our boy
Our love was not in vain
He gave us happiness and joy
Our loss his heavenly gain.
In memory of
3S2–– Bet ºn Smith. [IIoyf)
son of Francis & Angenett IIoyt
who died Sept. 28, 1853. AE 27
y’rs 2 mo. & 8 d’s
Brother thy name we bless,
Thy providence adore :
Earth has a mortal loss,
Heaven an angel more.
In memory of
383––Satsa nºn (th. Hoyt
wife of Charles Partrick who
Died July 20, 1858, aged 29 y’rs
10 m O. & 20 ID's.
The grave is now a favored spot
To Saints who sleep in Jesus blessed,
For there the wrecked trouble not
And there the weary are at rest
3S4––Capt. James T. Johnson
I}orn July 17, 1819, Died July
19, 1873, aged 54 years & 2 Days.
He has made his last voyage over the sea of life
And cast anchor in a harbor of rest.
384––Ann M. [Johnson]
wife of Capt. James 'T. Johnson
Died Aug. 16, 1889. aged 57 y’rs
3 ms. & 25 Days.
XXXIV
Our little ones, .
38.5––Harry. [Camp]
Born Jan. 18, 1848. Died Oct. 3,
1849,
Henry
Born July 11, 1849, Died Aug,
15, 1854.
Children of Henry & Anna
Camp.
386––Artie [Fowler)
S() I) of Lewis G & Addie L Fow.
ler i)ied Mar. 15, 1890, aged 7
years.
“Safe in the arms of Jesus.”
387 – Geom'ſſe S, Rayon on d
Died May 30, 1886. aged 47 yrs.
6 mos. 27 DS.
388--Herbert [Hall]
son of Abram I) & Ella Hall
Died Feb. 23, 1874, AE. 4 y’rs 11
mo & 23 D's
Herbbie
389–Emma G. [Sullivan]
I)aughter of Joseph & Cordelia
P Sullivan Born June 5, 1847
Died August 18, 1881
390–Cordelia P. Terry,
wife of Joseph Sullivan. Born
Feb, 1st, 1819. Died Nov. 18th,
1883.
A happier lot than ours, and larger
* light surrounds thee there.
Mother
391--Man'yella Sullivan [Hall]
wife of Abraham D. Hall. Born
Oct. 1st, 1845. Died Nov. 6th,
1883.
Sheltred and safe from sorrow,
Mamma.
39.2—Susan Isaacs [Hill]
wife of Doctor Asa Hill Died
May 11, 1890.
With the loved ones gone before.
39.3––Docton’ Asa II ill
Died November 26, 1874, aged
59 years.
“He rests from his labors.”
394––Rebecca Isaacs,
wife of Charles Isaacs, Died May
31, 1869. aged 72 years.
She sleeps in Jesus.
395––CIn a rºles Isaacs,
Died July 18, 1872, aged 77
years
3.96–George Son ith [Hanford]
Died Nov. 12, 1849, aged 11
years 3 mo. & 23 Days.
George Smith,
Died March 16, 1836, aged 3
Weeks.
Children of Daniel & Caroline
Hanford,
397––Daniel Hamford
Died Sept. 25. 1857, aged 53 yrs,
9 mo's and 6 Days.
Cot roline Sºn ith,
His wife Died Mar. 23, 1888,
AE, 83 yrs and 7 Days.
“He giveth his beloved sleep.”
398––CI, arles E, Hanford
Died May 17, 1883, aged 52 yrs,
& 6 m's, -
399—Sarah [Lockwood]
Relict of Stephen Lockwood
(within) was born March 7, 1757,
and ended a life of practical
benevolence, Sept. 21, 1848, aged
91, among her children in Milan,
Ohio, where beneath their joint
memorial repose her remains.
[On the other side of this stone
is seen the following]
In memory of
3.994––Capt Stephem. Lockwood
who died Feb. 13, 1830, in the
76 year of his age.
XXXV
400—Soſ 2-((J. Betts
wife of D, Fitch Betts, Died
Nov. 30, 1854, AE, 57 y’rs 9 mo's
& 6 D's.
|Lays on the ground)
401––Sctroth, Esther' Betts |
daughter of Henry & Rebecca
J3etts Born March 29, 1804,
Died May 5, 1867
402–Iłebecca, IBetts
widow of Henry Betts Died
Jan, 24, 1851, in the 80th year
of her age. -
Henry Betts
Died at Statten Island, N. Y.
Aug. 18, 1815, in the 49th year
of his age.
Died Aug, 31, 1832.
40.3--Susan, Isaacs, [Betts]
daughter of Daniel F. & Sarah
Betts, AE. 3 years & 11 months.
404--— Uriah Hanford
Died at Unadila, N. Y. D. c 24,
1823, aged 56. years,
Rhodo. - ----.
His wife Died Aug. 26, 1848,
aged 80, years.
In memory of
405––Franklin, [Hanford]
son of Joseph & Jane Hanford
who died Dec 31, 1813–8, AE 2
years & 5 mo
In memory of
406–Emma, [Hanford]
Twin Daughter of Joseph P, &
Jane Hanford, who Died Aug.
2, 1859, AE 7 years & 10 mo.
Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven
In memory of
407––Phebe Amm, [Jennings
(Hoyt J
wife of Henry B, Jennings,
adopted Daughter of Ezra &
Lucretia Hoyt, who Died Feb.
3, 1849, AE. 26 yrs. 6 mo, & 18
Days.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the
death of his Saints.—Ps, 116, 15.
In memory of
408–Freddy, [Lockwood]
son of Stephen I) & Mary E.
Lockwood, who Departed This
life Jan. 1. 1861, In the 6th year
of His age.
Weep not for little Freddy at home with the
blest
Where the notes of the angels lull him to rest
His lay is now mingled with those in the sky
With those robed in white in glory on high
409––Lncretia. [IIoyt]
widow of Ezra Hoyt. Died Oct,
3, 1876. AE. 86 y’rs & 16 Days.
She sleeps in Jesus
410–Bºra Hoyt,
Died April 23, 1871, AE. 81 y’rs
8 mos and 6 Days.
Dearest husband thou has left us,
And thy loss we deeply feel ;
But tis God who hath bereft us.
He can all Our Sorrows heal.
[Marble monument]
Brown,
411––.A (ldlie L., [Brown.]
wife of Junius Brown Died
Dec 28, 1887, AE, 31 yrs. 3 mo's
& 25 Days.
“Blessed are the dead who are in the Lord.”
Junius H. -
Their son Born Aug. 13, 1886,
Died Oct. 4, 1886
** A bud on earth to bloom in Heaven.”
412––Abby F. Lobdell [Os-
born J
wife of Clark H. Osborn. H)ied
Sept. 20, 1887, aged 67 years.
At Rest.
41.3–– JJ alten” D. [Osbornj
son of C. H. & A. F. Osborn
Died Jan. 10, 1879, aged 27
years.
Our loved One
414––Cot ºn an Itemason.
Born Oct. 17, 1822. Died July
14, 1892.
our loved one, Husband
and Father, has gone a
little While before us.
XXXVI
Father
4 1.5–. Frot in c is II o ºſt
Died April 27, 1880. AB. 76 years
2 mo's & 20 Days
*
Mother
416––.1 M genette Smith [Hoyt.
wife of Francis Hoyt D ed June
14, 1886. AB. S3 years, 2 mos. &
4 Days.
417 - – IV (ttie A ºn elict, [Iº e º sonal
Died Sept, 17, 1858, E. 2 y’rs
3 mo's & 10 F)'s.
Geon'ſſe II en l'tſ
Died Sept. 12. 1858 AF. 6 w”ks.
Children of Carman & Catherine
A. Remson.
Two little lambs in Heaven,
In the dear Saviour’s fold,
Led by a gentle Sheperd,
Where love can ne'er grow cold.
In memory of
418–Harriet Emily
[Saunder's] -
only daughter of Purr & Law.
rinda Saunders, who departed
this life Feb. 21, 1847, AE. 19
y’rs, & 2 d’s
Farewell my dearest Emily farewell
My only daughter dear it was hard
For us to part and when I write these lines
Its with a broken heart, but we did last
Part to meet again in that bright world
Above where Emily and her mother call sing
redeeming love.
JJ ebb
Death spares not one the young the fair
The good the gifted fall:
How rich the harvest gathered there,
B, neath the gloomy pall !
Those who in chiidhood climbed our knee
And lisped their infant love.
Laid in the silent tomb we see—
The tomb that yawns for more;
419–Miles Capstick:
Died May 6, 1850. aged 43 years.
“In the cross of Christ I glory.”
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.”
420––Fanny Capstick
Died July 19, 1877,
years.
aged 74
“At rest in Jesus.”
[Double stone]
421--MI (t , y ºf n w [Capstick]
Daughter of Miles & Fanny
Capstick Died April 18, 1856.
AE. 24 years
Miles II. [Captick]
son of Miles & Fanny Canstick
Died Aug. 17, 1866. AE. 29
years.
Another time not—now—will Jesus speak Those
wonderous words he hath ill store
Not now but “afterward” will be revealed The
precious fruit of peace and righteous-
Il CSS.
4:22–-IIan'?"iet S. Tryon.
Died July 11, 1884. AE 49 yrs. &
2 mo's.
Asleep in Jesus.
Tryon
423––Clarrisse L. [For]
wife of William J. Fox. 130rn
Oct. 23, 1830.
424— JWilli (tan. J. Foat,
Died Jan 17, 1882, AE. 52, y’rs 4
m’s.
Not (lead but resting.
425–-Sarah, E, Jarvis [Chris-
topher')
wife of Alfred P. Christopher
Died July 26, 1878. AE, 31 y’rs,
1 mo. & 21 Days,
also infant sons, Jsaac Jarvis, &
Robert Edward, AE, 16 Days.
Loved, Lamented, Blessed.
426––Isaac P. Jat wºvis
IDied April 10, 1885, AE. 73
ye irs & 4 Days.
We thought him faultless,
I(new him to be charitable,
and believed him crowned.
427–IIan'a'iet [Jatra' is
wife of I. P. Jarvis Djed April
10, 1855. AE. 39 y’rs 9 mo's & 10
I)'s
Also an infant daughter of I. P.
& Harriet Jarvis Dicq July 7,
1855. AE. 3 mo's,
XXXVII
428–Mary P. [Jarvis] 4.30—Caroline [Bennett]
died March 3. 1850 AF, 13 y’rs wife of Henry Bennett Died
How short the race our child has run, Jan. 24, 1892, AE. 73 years, & 5
Cut down in all her bloom months,
The course but yesterday began *... --, - . º. -------
Now finish’d in the Tomb.
- 431–IIenry Bennett
Mary L. & pº
* Died Sept. 6, 1875. AE. 6 &
died Oct. 26, 1851, AE 1 year & 6 3 ºr 9 years
mino's.
º 4.32— William Bennett
God called the home Died Sept, 5, 1883. aged 31
When he thought best. years.
Children of Isaac P. & Harriet 43.3 CI, arles II [Bennett]
Jarvis. sº
Jarvis son of Henry & Caroline Ben-
tº & * nett Died Sept. 16, 1849. AE 2
429.ſ in nie Elizabeth, Joly'" is, y’s, 6 mo & º 5
ri Fan g p i or T .*
wife O f G. W. N antz, Died F eb. Though broken from the parent stem
18, 1866, AE. 25 y’rs 9 mo's & 21 A bud so sweet and rare,
ID's. It blooms on high in fields of light
A devoted Wife and Kind Mother More lovely fresh and fair
Cotº'º"i E. N. .. f : 434–Matthew Rotwson,
arrie 1. vants. Born Dec. 23, 1826. Died May
AE. 7 mo's. 9, 1882,
INDEX BY NUMBER.
EXPLANATION,
All persons found under each Number are given that Number
in the Index.
ALLEN Frank, 73
Sarah F., 73
AMES J. A., 1S0
ANDREW Elizabeth, 5
James, 5
ANDREWS Henrietta D., 101
AUSTIN John, 60, 63
Mary 63
BARNES Edwin, 92
BARTLETT John 96
BARTRAM Chas. J., 29C
Elizabeth G., 29C
Henry S., 29C
Jane, 29b.
Jennie G., 29C
Job, 29a
IBEERS Annie E., 81
Cornelia A., 272
Edith May, 272
Wm. H., 81
Wm. P., 272
BELDEN Ajar, 239
Hannah, 239
John “Leut,” 71
Ruth, 71
BENEDICT Betsey Ann, 342
David W., 345, 346
Elizabeth, 342
Hannah S., 199
Harriet N., 345
Mary, 342
Susan, 242
Thomas, 342, 356
BENNETT Caroline 430, 433
Charles H., 433
George, 361
BENNETT George B., 361
Henry, 430, 431, 433
Mary D., 361
William, 432
BERGEN Ann Eliza, 347
James, 347
BETTS Allen, 40
D. Fitch, 400
Daniel F., 403
Hannah (Mrs.) 222}
Henry, 401, 402
John, Esq., 222
Rebecca, 401, 402
Sarah, 21, 400, 403
Sarah Esther, 401
BRADLEY Clark 266
Eunice, 266
Mary, 266
BROWN Addie L., 411
Harvey R., 378
Joseph H., 329a
Junius 411
Junius H., 411
Phebe A., 378
BRUSH Henry J., 70
James H., 49
Westa A., 70
IBUCIXINGHAM, Jedeiah
(Rev.), 2074
Stephen (Rev.), 208, 209
CAMIP Anna, 385
Esther, 241
Harriet A., 114
Harry, 385
Harvey (Rev.), 114
Henry, 385
Nathan, 354, 355
XL
CAMP Phoebe W.,
CAMPBELL Augustus,
296, 297, 298
353
Eunice, 296, 297
Freddie A., 297
Willie H., 296
CAPSTICK Fanny, 420, 421
Mary Ann, 421
Miles, 419, 421
Miles, H., 421
CARMAN Irene, 120, 121
R. Edwin, 120
Samuel, 120, 121
Zophar, S., 121
CARTER A. J., 356
Lois, 39
Sam'ſ (Mr.), 39
CHRISTOPHER, Alfred P., 425
Isaac Jarvis, 425
Robert Edward, 425
CHRISTERISEN Clara, 37
CHRISTIAN Eliza F., 234%
CLARK Edgar, 364
Elisha, S., 368
Mary Augusta, 365
Sally Ann, 364, 365
Sarah, 368, 369
William, 364, 365, 366
COOPER John G., 133
Margaret E., 133
Mary Emily, 133
CONRLIN Jonas P., 247
Mary, 247
William, 282
COMSTOCK David (Dea) 93
Sarah, 97
Sam'l (Capt.), 97, 210
COOK Aaron, 65
COPP John (Dea.), 166
John (Esq.), 166
CORSON Alfred D., 78
Alfred G., 75
Mary Mildred, 78
CORNWALL Josiah, 158
Mary B, 157
Thomas, 156
DANN Chas. J., 380, 381
Jennie E., 380, 381:
Mark H., 381
Ollie, 380
DARROW John, 100
Sarah (Mrs.), 100
DASKAM Lucretia, 243
Sam'l (Capt.), 243, 244
Wm. Francis, 243
DAVIDS Maria, 103
l)AVENPORT. E., 117
Z., 117
DAY Annie B., 309, 310
Frank F., 309, 310
Halsey, 231
Louie F., 310
Lulu Beatrice, 309
DENNIS Charles 2
DICKENSON Martha (Mrs.), 233
Moses (Rev.), 229, 233, 234
Moses, - 232
DISBROW Henry G., 170
Martha H., 170
EDWARDS John 210
ELDRED Jemima, 332
Mary A., 330
ELWOOD S. P., 90
EVENDEN Bertha May, 123
Elizabeth, 123
George F., 124
James, 123
EVERRETT Nicholas A., 311
EVERSLEY Abigial, 112
Daniel, 108
John, 107, 111, 113, 115, 118
Mary, 107, 118
Polly, 107
FINCH Huldah, 302
FISHER Damaris E., 329c. 329d
Isaac, 329c, 329d
Nathaniel, 205
Walter H., 325c
Willie H., 3290
FITCH. Abby, 193
Ann P., 245
Xī.I
FITCH Betsey, 178
Catherine A, 187
Charles, 292
Cornelia, 237
Daniel, 184, 185, 186, 187,
188, 195
Ebenezer, 226
Edward, 238, 259
Edwin W., 195
Ella B., 293
Elizabeth H., 293
Emily, 181
Fmma B., 293
Esther, 183, 236, 259
Esther (Miss), 228
Frances J.. 197
George B., 293
George W., 197
Giles, 225
Hannah, 224, 22S
Hannah (Mrs , 224, 225,
227
Henry, 189, 193
Huldah A., 327, 328
James, 241
James Davis, 291
John H.,288, 290, 291, 292
Jonothan, A. M., 194
Josiah H., 245, 246
Julia, 241
Mary, 181
Mary E., 238
Rebecca E., 184
Samuel )Esq.), 194
Samuel M., 177, 181, 183,
259
Samuel M, Jr., 181, 182
Sarah, 184, 185, 187, 188,
195, 218, 223, 259
Sarah A., 176, 188
Stephen, 237
Susannah, 241, 290, 291,
292
Sylvester J., 328
Thad's, 223
Thad's Hill, 223
Thomas, 218, 224, 225, 230,
259
FITCH Thomas (Hon'bl)
[Gov.], 228, 230
Timothy, 235, 236
Theodolia, 245
Walter J., 327, 328
William E., 176
FOWLER Addie L., 386
Artie, 386
Lewis G, 386
FOX Clarrisse L., 423
William J., 423, 424
GAN UNG Nehemiah, Jr., 64
GAY Eliza Ann, 43
Lucretia, 44
Wm., 43, 44, 45
GIBBS Horace A., 214, 215
Julia Ann, 214, 215
GILBERT Charles F., 131
GODFREY Mary Priscilla, 258
Priscilla B., 258
Silliman, 258
GORHAM Charles, 287%
Henry B., 287, 28.7%
Mary E., 287, 2874.
GOODWIN Ann, 57, 61
Mattie, 57
William, 57, 61
GREGORY Chas. F. G., 130
Eliza J., 117
George W., 117
John, 41
John B., 119, 126
Nancy, 130
Olive, 126
Willis D, 117
GRISWOLD Chauncy, 349
Frances W., 349
Nellie, 349
GRUMMAN Rebeckah, 36
Samuel, 33, 36
HALL Abraham D., 391
Abram l), 388
Anjinette, 238
Ella, 388
Hannah, 230
Herbert, 388
Xf,II
HALL Jonothan, 94 HANFORD Sam'l (Esqr.), 94
Richard, 230 Sarah, 97, 210, 212, 249,251
HANES Mary (Mrs.). 91 Susannah, 83, 86
William, (Mr.), 91, 96 Thads, 94
HANFORD Andrew, 86 Theophilus, #.
Bertha Augusta, 285 Thos. (Mr.),
Caroline, 396, 397 Thos., - 310
Charles, 84, 256, 285 Thos. (Rev.), 97, 210
Charles E, 398 Uriah, 404
Charlotte, 85 Whº. S., ;
Daniel, 83, 84, 854, 86, º wºh, 257
David, 253, 254 HAYNES Elizabeth, 96
Deborah, 83 Isabel, 94.
Deby, 86 Mary. 84
Dennis, 255, 324 William, 84
Edward, 86 HAYES Isaac, 74.
Eleazer, 210 Margaret, 74
Elgin, 210 Peter, 74
Elna, 212 Samuel (Mr.), 165
Elnathan, (Capt), 211 HAYT Caleb: 83
Elnathan, 210, 252, 255 Deborah, 83
Elizabeth, 83, 210, 256 HELMIE Julia 326
Emma, 406 $1 - ...T.
Eunice, 210 HENDRICK Clarkie, 99
Franklin 405 C. H., 98, 99, 102
… º.º. ºr V. 3 101;
George Smith, 396 º.3 98
Grace, 83 º,
Hannah, 210 Willie, 102
Hannah Sophia, 324 HILL Doctor Asa, 392, 393
Haynes, 94 HINE Bertha A., 127
Hez’k, 251 E. L., 127
Hezekiah, 83, 94, 250, 252 U. W., 127
Isabel, 94
Jane, 10, ſº Hookbºº 3.
- - t 8D, 08
Joseph, 405 Mary W., 208
Joseph P., 84, 85, sº Sam’l (Rev.), 208
tº Sarah 208
Josiah. 83 Thomas (Rev.), 208
*... * HowLAND º ;
Mary, 210, 212, 285 3 rank, 62
Mary C., 8 | J. H., 262
Militic, 83 Nancy J., 262
Phebe, 88 HOYT Amanda L., 279
Rhoda, 404 Angenett, 382
Sally, 255 Burr Smith, 382
Samuel, 83, 94, 96, 210, Ezra, 407, 409, 410
248, 249 Frances, 281, 282
XLIII
HOYT Francis, 277, 278, 282, JONES Anna M., 286
284, 382, 415, 416 Edgar, 275
Goold, 282 Fletcher, 276
Harriet, A., 283 Frances, 260
Henry F., 283 Henry, 276
Ira, 254 Hiram C., 289
Lucretia, 407, 409 Lewis, 289
Marina, L, 283 Lucretia, 289
Mary J. A., 122 Minnie E., 286
Nancy, 277,278, 282, 283, Robbie, 273
Polly ; RASKE Caroline, 79
Rosanna B., 278 º: #.
Susannah, 383 John 2 79
William B., 122 REELER cº les L 351
LIN Geor º º 4 . H arles L.,
HULINGº Hº 43, 146 Henrietta, 850, 351, #3
George Lewis, 146 º'c. 350, 351 ;
Harriet, 143, 146 * • 3 5 3 * > * > *
HULL Henrietta, 207, 214 Sarah A., 250
Isaac P., 207,214 KELLY Esther, 138
Wm. Francis, 207 Harriet H., 138
HUSTED Sarah, 151 Wm., 138
INGOLDSY Ruth, tº KPTCHAMHº ;
INCE Jonathan, 210 eOCIOrus,
Mary, 210 RING John E., 50
ISAACS Charles, 394, 395 KIP Mary, 315
Rebecca, 394 KNAPP Charles, 201, 202
Susan, 392, 403 Charles E., 203
JARWIS Annie Elizabeth, 429 Huldah, 201
Hannah, 147 Josephine. 201
Harriet, 427, 428 Wm. R., 200
I. P., 427 KUGLER Sidney S, 105
º P., 426, #2: LACEY J. E., 204
i. #. ; LoBDELLAbby F. 412
Sarah E. 425 LOCKWOOD Abigail, 67,210
JENNINGS Betsey, 363 gº F. º:
#. F., tº Daniel, 210
i. • 3 15 Eliphalet, 66
Phebe Ann, 407 Emily F. 155
Freddy, 408
Zalmon, 363 Hannah, 210
JOHNSON Ann M., 6 384; Luther M., 155
James T., (Capt.), 384,384% Mary E., 408
JONES Alice, 274 M. F., 56
Alex, 286 Sarah, 399
XLIV
LOCKWOOD Stephen, 399
Stephen (Capt.), 399%
Stephen A., 56
Stephen D., 4.08
Sylester B., 155
Thos., 210
LOVIS Joseph, 357
LINES Benjah, 1684
Iºlaser, 168;
Easter, 168%
MADDEN Fred. H., 38
Helene E., 38
Susie, 38
MATHER Cotton, 210
MIALLORY Anna, 141, 143, 145
Charles, 141
Dani'], 148
Hannah J., 1384, 139, 148
John, 1884, 139,147,148, 149
Tewis, 141, 142, 143, 145
Mary, 140, 144
Matthew, 140, 144
Polly T., 144
Samuel, 139
William, 150
MARVEN John, 104
Mary, 104
MARWIN Betsey, 40
Hannah, 42
Henry, 51, 54, 55
Matthew, 214, 85
Nancy. 213, 85
|Phebe E, 54, 55
Samuel, 240
Seth, 42
Theresa J., 55
MAY James, 96
McLEAN Angeline, 175
Hugh, 175
Rebecca E., 175
McNIEL David, 164
Elizabeth, 161
Mary, 164
Robert A., 161, 162, 163, 164
Sarah Ann, 161, 162, 163, 164
MEAD Deborah (Mrs.), 116
Ella G., 219
MEAD George E., 219
Mable G., 219
Nehemiah (Leut), 116
MEEKER Catherin}, 199
MERRILLS Addison, 82
Emeline, 82
Titus K., 279, 280
MILES Hannah, 230
MOSHER Alonzo M., 329e
Noah, 329, 329b
Naomie A., 329b
Omen E, 329e, 329f
Sarah, 329e, 329f
Sarah E., 329b
NANTZ Carrie E., 429
G. W., 429
NASH Daniel, 255
NEWBURY Hannah, 210
NEWRIRK Amelia, 320
John, 317, 318
Garrit H., 319, 320
Mary, 317
NORTHROP Phebe, 84
OSBORN A. F., 413
C. H., 413
Clark H., 412
Walter D., 413
PADDOCK Enoch, 229
Martha (Mrs.), 229
IPAGE Elizabeth S., 134
Eliza S., . 134
Samuel, 135
Sam'l (Capt.), 134, 135
Sarah E., 135
PARTRICK Charles, 383
PITZER Augustine, 69
Chas. E, 69
Gustave, (39
PLATT Abigail, 170, 171, 172
Alfred, 170, 171, 172
Ann, 246
Bertha, 171
Joseph, 168
Joseph (Capt.), 86
Reuben L., 172
Susannah, 86
XLV
POTTER. Sam'l W., 1
Sarah B., 1
QUIN Mary A., 179
RALSTO." Francis A. (M. D.) 348
RAWSON Matthew, 434
RAYMOND —, 313
Alfred, 199
Araty, 355
Catherine M., 199
Charles, 199
Clarinda, 323
E. R., 265
Edith May, 265
Edward, 143%
Eunice, 323, 324
F. M., 265
Florence N., 143%
George A., 301, 302
George S., 387
Georgianna, 143}
Hannah, 314
Hannah M., 199, 379
H. M., 308
Henry W., 379
Huldah A., 307
J., 264
Jabez, 304, 305, 314
Jesse B., 199
John (Capt.), 268
Josephine A., 379
Josiah, 321, 322
Lewis, 199
Mary E., 303
Mehetable, 199
Melville F., 373
Platt, 199
Platt F., 306, 307
Polly, 321
Rebecca, 314
Ruth Eliza, 374
Sally, 305
Sarah E., 373, 374
Sarah Eliza, 375.
Seth, 84
Thos., 323, 324
Wm. M., 373, 374, 375, 376
REMISON Carman, 414, 417
Catherine A., 417
REMSON George Henry, 417
Katie Amelia, 417
TEYNOLDS Jacob, 173, 174
Lucinda, 174
Ruth, 2 32
RICHARDS Frank H., 47
Edward Townsend, 163
Isabell E., 47
Joseph S., 163
Mary E-, 163
ROBERTS David, 187
Emily M., 362
George H., 360
Nathan, 360
Sarah A., 360
Wm. O., 362
ROCKWELL Eli, 162
Sarah A., 162
ROGERS Freelove, 27
Henry (Col.), 242
James (Esq.), 26
James (Capt.), 27
Nehemiah, 25
ROOT Isaac T., 167
Martha A., 167
Matthew S., 167
William E., 167
SAINT JOHN Joseph, 23, 29
[See St. John.]
Mathias. 21
Mercy (Mrs.), 109
Moses (Mr.), 109
Sarah, 23, 29
Susannah, 23
SAUNDERS Chas. J., 169
Burr, 418
Harriet E. W., 418
Lawrinda, 418
Orindia, 169
SAXON Martha A., 167
Matthew, 167
SCUDDER Elizabeth (Mrs.) 34
Isaac, 31, 34, 35
- Sarah (Mrs.), 35
SEALIS Dea Richard, 210
SHEFFIELD William, 300
XLVI
SILCOX Elizabeth, 6 ST. JOHN Buckingham, 20
- William, 6 Charlotte, 84, 85
SMITH Andrew, 312 Chas. Cook, 160
Amelia E., 152 Charles, 214, 85
Angenette, 416 Delia, - 6 7
Caroline [HANFORD, 397 Eddie, ? 28
Chas. W., 267 Ellen, 17
Ebenezer H., 343, 344 Francis B., 159
Elizabeth, & 339 George Frederick, 370
Emily J., 335 Hannah, 4, 7
Emily H., 267 Hooker (Mr.), 16
Eunice, 325 James (Mr.), 106
Fountain, 58 James E., 367
Grace M., 267 Joseph, 21}, 24
Hannah, 58, 59 Joseph, Capt., 22
Henry A., 334, 335 Maria P., s
Hezekiah, 325, 358 Mary, 367
Hezekiah, Jr., 326 Mary Esther, 13
Hutton, 46, 48, 53, 340 Mary (Mrs.), 106
James, 59, 62 Mary D., 159
Jane, 152, 153 Matthew C., 12
Joel, 371, 372 Mercy, 109
John, 337, 338, 339 Moses, 109
John H., 295 Oscar, 159
John L., 152, 153, 154 Reuben A., 370
Julia Helme, 326 Sally, 217
Mary, 333 Sarah, 24
Nancy, 372 S. J., 370
Phebe, 46, 48, 53, 340 Stephen, 216, 217
Sally, 48 Stephen (Esqr.), 19
Sarah, 337 Stephen (Col), 14
Sarah Ann, 312 Susannah, 22
Sarah J., 295 Wm., 3, 47, 21%
Seth, 46. 132 Wm. A. M., $)
Susannah, 344 STREET Elizabeth, 271
William, 333 Mary (Mrs.), 269, 271
SNEDECOR Eliza, 340, 341 Nathan’l, 269, 270, 271
Elphonzo, 341
Platt, 341 STUCKEY Jane, º 128
SNEDICAR Eliza 3.10 SULLIVAN Cordelia P., 389
St 5 Emma G., 389
ph, t 3 *
STABELL Y. ºw ; Maryella, 391
TUnur W., -
Erederick P., 316 TERRY Cordelia P., 390
Isabella, 316 THACHER Elizabeth 213
ST. JOHN A. B. (Capt.), 151 Josiah 213
[See Saint John] Josiah (Capt.) 221
Ann (Mrs.), 14 Mary (Mrs), 213, 221
XLVII
THATCHER Ann (Mrs.), 220
Josiah (Mr.) 220
THORP David B., 7
David Burr, 10
Polly, 144
Zaydee, 11
TOBEY Elizabeth, 89
Wm. T., 89
TRARICE Nicholas, 210
TROUNSON Catherine, 294
Edmund 294
Katie P., 294
TRYON Harriet S., - 422
|UNDERHILL Alice E., 30
Arthur R., 30
Charles H., 30
VLAN) HOOSEN [HOOSEAR]
David, 255
David N., 255
Sarah, 255
WAN NAME Cornelius, 263
Elizabeth I., 198
Elizabeth J., 263
Ida J., 263
WOORHIS Cornelius G., 299
WARREN Anna, 206
WEED Hannah M., 110
Harvey S., 110
WETZENSTEIN Jacob, 68
WHEELER William C., 359
WHITECharles L., 136, 137, 1384
Mary L., 137
Sally, 137, 1384
WHITNEY Eben, 191, 192
Ebenezer, 190
Emeline, 192
Ruth, 190
WILCOX. Theodore, 196
WILLET Mary, 208
Thos. (Capt.), 208
WILMOT Isaac S., 336
& Mary E., 336
WILSON Lewis, 330
WINSHIP James, 277
Mary F., 277
WOODWARD E. A., 84
Lotty H., 84
WRIGHT Freelove, 255
YOUNGS Harry, 52
Susie, 52
Washington, 52
Mother, 125
Little Willie, 261
Nellie F., [Prob.
Brown, J, 377
George F., 124
XI, IX
N E C F O L O G Y .
IN MEMORIAIMI.
The following memoir of the late Samuel Orcutt was read
before the Historical society by the president, T. B. Lacey,
on Friday evening, February 10, 1893.
REW, SAMUEL OROUTT,
Samuel Orcutt was born in Albany county in the state of
New York, April 12, 1824, the son of James and Salina
(Crosby) Orcutt. The family removed to New York state,
soon after the revolutionary war, from Tolland county, Conn.
Samuel was early engaged in such work as he could do on
his father's farm, and attending the public district school a
portion of each year. He became interested in the subject of
personal religion at the age of 16. He pursued clasical stud-
ies and higher mathematics in the academy at Cazenovia,
teaching in the common schools at intervals while pursuing
his theological course. His first appointment as a preacher
in the Methodist Episcopal church was in Tioga county, when
about the age of 21, years. He subsequently had appoint-
ments at Williams Bridge, near New York city, also at
Patchogue and Greenport on Long Island. His last appoint-
ment in the Methodist connection was about 1865, in New
York on Fifty-second or Fifty-third street and a church edifice
was erected for his charge during his stay. Partly at least
through dissatisfaction with the itinerancy he transferred his
relations to the Congregational denomination and was engaged
as acting pastor over the church of that order at Wolcott, in
Litchfield county, Conn. Here he became interested in the early
history of the church and of the town and its families, and re-
ceiving some tangible encouragement he prepared and pub-
lished in 1874 the history of that town; the first of a series of
town histories, which will be his lasting monument.
In 1875 he removed to Torrington, Conn., and during his
T.
stay there, performed a like service for that town. Then fol-
lowed the history of Derby, Conn., in 1880, which he prepared
and published in connection with Dr. Ambrose Beardsley,
He next prepared with more than usual satisfaction and pub-
lished, the history of New Milford, Conn., in 1882.
During this period in New Milford and Derby he studied
the history of the Indians of the Housatonic valley and of
western Connecticut, and published in 1882 his valuable vol-
ume in reference to them.
In 1884 he came to Bridgeport, where after some prospect-
ing among the ancient records of Stratford and the parish of
Stratfield (now Bridgeport) he found a rich field for study
and development, and with the slight encouragement that
could be afforded, commenced the preparation of the history
of the old town of Stratford and Bridgeport, in numbers. The
first nnmber of 186 pages was issued in 1884, and gave such
satisfaction, and he received such encouragement that he went
on, under the auspices of the Historical society, with individ-
ual aid and guarantees. The work grew upon his hands.
The Rev. B. L. Swan placed at his disposal the result of his
studies of the early history and genealogies of the old town,
embracing Trumbull, Huntington, Monroe and much of
Bridgeport, which, supplemented by his own labors, was a
feature, not perfect, but of such immense interest and impor-
tance as he felt could not be omitted, though it involved him
and his friends in unwarranted expense, beyond the original
estimates. The fifth and final number of the work containing
the genealogies and index, cost more for printing, than the
original estimate for the entire work as first laid out. The
work was completed and published entire in 1886, and though
a pecuniary loss to the author and friends that stood by him,
has taken its place as one of the best town histories of the
state and could not be spared from the libraries in which it
has found a place. -
The ill-success, financially, of his last venture at the prepar.
ation and publication of town histories, weakened his interest
in work in that line. Labor in the line of his clercial pro-
fession had more attractions for him, and his eye was directed
LI
to Southern California as a field where he might be able to
exercise his gifts usefully to others and with comfort to himself.
Encouraged and aided by a son who had preceded him, he
crossed the continent and spent several months sojourning at
different points in Southern California. The rest and relaxa-
tion of this period, served to restore and tone up his jaded
system and put new vigor into a constitution which suffered
much from malaria early contracted.
At this period Mr. Elias S. Hawley, of Buffalo, N. Y., who
for 40 years had been collecting and arranging the data for
his “Hawley Record,” came to need the help of a competent
person, “to see it through the press,” and inquired of the
writer. It was my great pleasure to recommend Mr. Orcutt
as just the man for the place and the work. A correspondence
was opened resulting in his engagement which lasted for
nearly or quite two years and brought out a work which, in
its plan, scope and magnitude stands at the head of family
genealogies in this country.
During Mr. Orcutt's previous residence in Bridgeport he
had rendered some assistance in searching and setting in order
the history and genealogy of the Tomlinson family. This
work had further progressed under the hands of members of
the family and as soon as Mr. Orcutt was at liberty they
availed themselves of his services to complete and publish the
work which bears date 1891, and does him great credit. This
is the last of his series and it is safe to say he took more
comfort and satisfaction in its preparation and results, than
in almost any other one of his publications, possibly excepting
that of New Milford.
Mr. Orcutt spent the winter of 1891-92, with his family
friends in New York state, who express a great regard for him
and to whom he was strongly attached.
In March last he was called hither by the sudden illness
and death of his youngest son Herbert J., a bright and
promising young man connected with the hardware establish-
ment of T. Hawley & Co. This blow fell upon him with
crushing weight, and he never ceased to mourn what he
counted his untimely death.
I,II
Being here without special engagement he easily became
enlisted in seaching out and study of old records and corres-
pondence, also the history and genealogy of several of our old
families, viz: Burton, Burroughs, Wheeler and Beardsley.
He spent considerable time in searching the old Stratford
town records, with a view of locating the lands taken up by
the early settlers, the highways laid out or provided for and
the location of districts or neighborhoods mentioned; which
for the most part are very obscure at this period. This work
it is to be regretted he left unfinished. In his examination
of the town records of Stratford and Fairfield during the
period of the revolution, Mr. Orcutt found numerous items
relative to the loyalist element of these communities, and re-
ference to trials in the county court for open aid of the enemy,
for refusal to respond when called to perform military or
coast guard duty, &c. This led him to an examination of the
records and files of the court. He spent several weeks in this
labor, digging out much of very great interest, which he would
have set in order, and given to the public through this society
had his life been spared, thus throwing a flood of light upon
one of the darkest and most difficult features of the history of
our revolutionary period.
At the annual meeting of the society in April last, Mr.
Orcutt was elected recording secretary, the duties of which
position he performed acceptably, and gave extra time and
attention to the preparation and packing of the books and
exhibits of the society, in anticipation of their removal to the
new building, “The Barnum Institute.” The removal was
mainly accomplished in two days, the 6th and 7th of January
last past. The week following he spent with some assistance
in opening and adjusting the exhibits, into which work he
entered with great spirit. At 4 o'clock, P. M., Saturday, the
14th of January, he went to the freight office of the Bridgeport
Steamboat company on South avenue pier to procure a valu-
able box for the society. He performed his errand, saw the
box upon a truck and started briskly upon his return. As he
came out to the railroad tracks, cars were moving and he was
signaled to keep back. He did not heed the signals, but
f.IIf
rushed across the tracks and was nearly clear, when he was
struck by the engine of a fast express train which it is probable
he had not seen, was thrown quite a distance aside, and either
by the engine or some other object with which he came in
contact, his skull was crushed just back of the crown of the
head, which caused almost immediate death. Thus suddenly
and Sadly was terminated a most valuable and useful life.
The following resolutions were adopted by the historical
society and ordered upon the records.
RESOLUTION OF RESPECT.
At a special meeting of the Fairfield County Historical
Society, held January 16, 1893, to take proper action concern-
ing the sudden, violent and startling death of its recording
secretary, Rev. Samuel Orcutt, on Saturday, January 14, it was
Jºesolved, That the services rendered to this community and
state by the deceased as a historian, entitles him to the grate-
ful recognition of all who are interested in the collection and
preservation of the annals of our state.
Resolved, That this society is under special obligations to
him for his untiring zeal, abundant labors and great abilities
so cheerfully and patiently exercised in its behalf.
Resolved, That his social and agreeable manners, his self-
denying and modest deportment, his real merit and knowledge
won our regard, and we deeply deplore his loss.
Jēesolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the records
as a memorial of our appreciation of his worth.
H. N. WAKEMAN,
Secretary pro tem.
Mr. Orcutt left a wife (with whom he had not lived for a
number of years), a son Edward S. Orcutt, residing in Provi-
dence, R. I., a son William H. and a daughter with husband
and five children in Crescent City, California. Mr. Edward
Orcutt was immediately advised of his father's death and
arrived here at 5 o'clock Monday morning, January 17 prepared
to do everything requisite for the funeral and interment, but
the society anticipated him, provided for the funeral as a
testimonial of personal regard, which was largely attended at
the First Congregational church, the Rev. Charles Ray Palmer,
D. D., officiating, and the following gentlemen (members of
the Historical Society) acting as pall bearers: Thomas Calef,
I, IV
James R. Burroughs, Silas Burton, James M. Somers, N. H.
Jones, E. S. Phillips. His burial was in a beautiful location
in the old Stratfield cemetery, in which he had felt a deep
interest, and to which he had given much time and labor.
The “kind and thoughtful attention” of his friends has been
gratefully acknowledged by the children.
Mr. Orcutt was a member in good standing of the New
Haven West Association of Congregational Ministers, embrac-
ing many of the professors and faculty of Yale college and
Theological Seminary, and was very faithful in his attendance
upon its stated meetings when living within reasonable dis-
tance. From his early education and intercourse, as well as
from study, he was not in sympathy with the severer features
of a Calvinistic theology, but was sound in his belief and trust
in Jesus Christ and him crucified as the only hope of a lost
world.
He preached acceptably as an occasional supply in the
churches of the vicinity and performed special labor in the
Putney district of Stratford, which was much prized and was
expected to be repeated this opening season.
He was much interested in the union daily prayer meetings
held in the chapel of the First Congregational church and
which he occasionally led.
Some extracts from a small journal or diary in the posses-
sion of the society, exhibits his character at this period in an
interesting light.
Saturday, April 5, 1890–Enjoyed the day very much at
cousin , especially in reading old letters of my kindred.
Saturday, April 12, 1890–A beautiful day, and this day I
am 66 years old; a perfect astonishment to me, as I look back
or think of the years that are past, which have gone, Oh so
swiftly. I am in full vigor of body and mind, the energy and
grasp of intellect being greater than in any former period.
With great interest I think of and make preparations for the
future of this life and the next.
Thursday, Nov. 13, 1890.-One of the most glorious morn-
ings I ever experienced, and it will long be remembered.
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 1890.-Thus ends the year 1890, so
far as I can judge, it has been to me, the most satisfactory
f,V
year of my life. I have had good health, worked steady about
9 months and traveled more (or in a vacation) than ever be-
fore. My reading and study have profited me more than any
previous year, probably because I know what to read and how
to use it.
I am truly thankful for life through this year to HIM who
gives all life.
He was a very genial man socially and made many friends.
The following are specimens of the letters received since his
death, which bear testimony to the above fact and verbal ex-
pressions of a like tenor have been abundant:
MIDDLETON, Conn., Jan. 17, 1893.
Monday a. m.
R. B. Lacey, Esq. :
DEAR SIR:—I was really shocked on reading of Mr. Orcutt's
tragic death in this morning's Courant. I had found him a
gentle, kindly, lovable man, and had become much attached
to him, and was anticipating many pleasant meetings and
trips with him in genealogical searches.
I don't know when or where his funeral is to be, but if I
can I shall attend it, and I shall surely remember and miss
him, be my life long or short.
Yours truly,
HENRY E. BURTON.
HoosiCK FALLs, N. Y., Jan. 18, 1893.
To the President of the Fairfield County Historical Society:
SIR:—I have just read the statement that the Rev. Samuel
Orcutt, secretary of the society, was almost instantly killed
by the Consolidated railroad on Saturday evening. I am
shocked and deeply grieved.
I have corresponded with him for years. Within the past
month I have received two or three letters from him. In one
he says “so many old friends have gone out of this life within
the past year that I am almost heart broken.” Again alluding
to my own grievious afflictions, he says “I do not see how you
and others have lived through such woes.” There was a sad-
ness pervading his last letters that impressed me. I was
about sending some genealogical and biographical manuscript
to him for his examination. I am indeed grieved, and feel
that I have met with a personal loss. My intercourse with
him was always most pleasant.
He has done a valuahle work for the Fairfield County His-
torical society, and gathered and recorded material facts that
no other person had done, and which, but for him, might have
1,\"f
been irrecoverably lost. . Whatever action is taken by your
society in reference to his tragic departure I hope to be in-
formed of.
Very respectfully yours,
GEORGE HUNTINGTON NICHOLLs.
SAVILLE, L. I., N. Y., Jan., 15, 1893.
JDear Mr. Lacey:
I read in to-day's paper the painful news of the death of
our esteemed friend and office associate, the Rev. Samuel
Orcutt. We shall feel quite keenly the void his death will
make in the little circle, as a missing link in the chain of un-
alloyed friendship. My deepest sympathy is extended to all.
Very respectfully,
- HENRY HARDING.
BUFFALO, N. Y., Jan. 20, 1893.
My Dear Mr. Dacey :
Your postal with its sad announcement reached me while
in the very midst of the labors of a quarterly meeting of our
hospital. I did not acknowledge its receipt, as I was so busy
and expected soon the kind letter (of date 18) this month.
This is one of the very few incidents of the kind which have
ever effected me in that peculiarly indescribable manner,
which requires some word having in it the combined sense of
respect, regret and sorrow, and the questions why and for
what purpose.
There is no such word, and if I should attempt to convey
to you my feeling on the event, I am certain the expressions
would all appear a sad lot of conventionalities falling infinitely
short of what I would desire to say of the character and ability
of the Rev. Samuel Orcutt.
As you know, a two-year intimate association with him gave
me abundant opportunity to become familiar with his personal
traits, and if I were to write an obituary, it would draw heavi-
ly on the good side of the unabridged dictionary.
I enclose a draft to your order as president of the society.
Blease use one-half of it for funeral expenses and one-half
towards a proper headstone, both as contributions of the
“society.”
I am glad the remains are to be buried in old Stratfield
ground. It is proper and fitting that a faithful and painstak-
local historian should rest in locally historic ground.
The members of my family join with me in expressing deep
regret for the sad end of a good friend and worthy man.
Very respectfully yours,
ELIAS S. HAwLEy.
sº MULL OR CL. T. "
zºº º
º
-
ſº
-
-
This Stone marks the grave of REV. SAMUEL oncutºr in theº of stratfield
Cemetery, near the corner of North and Clinton Avenues. It is centrally located on
highest ground, in close proximity to that of the eminent Mr. Samuel Sherman, the
emigrant ancestor of the Shermans of Old Stratford, Woodbury, Bridgeport and
vicinity.
It is fitting that the remains of our friend and brother should rest in this Ancient
and Historic burial place, upon which and the history it illustrates, he bestowed so
much labor, and to which more than any other he became attached.

• • •»�
* * e
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f.VII
IN MEMORIAM.
HORACE NICHOLS
who died March 12, 1894, the result of a fall on Saturday,
was a native of Greenfield in the town of Fairfield, Connecti-
cut, born May 29, 1812, the son of Elijah and Julia (Banks)
Nichols. *
He had the advantage of the public school and academy of
his native village, also the Staples Easton academy, and ex-
celled in penmanship and mathematics, making navigation a
specialty. He taught in the public schools and for a short
time in the Fairfield academy. In the spring of 1836 he en-
tered the Connecticut bank as teller and bookkeeper, succeed
ing the late George Burroughs, of excellent memory, who left
for a better position in New York city. He served the bank
faithfully until 1840. On the opening of the Housatonic rail-
road be became the assistant of Mr. Jesse Sterling, the first
treasurer of that company, and on his early retirement Mr.
Nichols succeeded him as treasurer.
He continued in this position until the organization of the
Naugatuck Railroad Company in 1848, when he was elected
secretary and treasurer of that company and was succeeded
in the Housatonic company by Mr. Charles K. Averill. Mr.
Nichols continued the faithful and efficient treasurer of the
Naugatuck company until its absorption with the Consolida.
ted company in 1888—a period of 40 years. -
The Rev. Mr. Orcutt in his Derby history, among the more
elaborate notices of several men, prominent in the inception.
and management of the Naugatuck railroad, has this to say
of Mr. Nichols: “When the Naugatuck railroad was started,
he was elected secretary and treasurer, and was continued
therein a faithful, honorable, prompt and energetic officer,
until the present time (1880.) He is unostentatious, scarcely
allowing a notice to be made of him in public print.”
Mr. Nichols had in his make up a vein of quiet humor,
which would crop out and scintilate in witty and sage remarks,
in his intercourse with those with whom he was somewhat
familiar. In his early days he was proficient on the violin,
I,VIII
which he kept secluded under his bed in his room in the old
Sterling hotel, but was occasionally induced to bring it out
and regale his friends who had learned to appreciate his skill.
He could blow the fife and beat the drum, and being liable for
military duty, on occasion led the old militia company of that
period under Captain George Thatcher, in its marches and
evolutions, notably the exhibition of the “double quick” On
Golden hill, past the residence of “Uncle Daniel” Thatcher.
In 1843 the Mutual Life Insurance company of New York
was organized, and Henry W. Hubbell, son of Captain Ezekiel
Hubbell of Bridgeport, was one of the original board of trus-
tees. Mr. Daniel Thatcher, a relative by marriage, had suc-
ceeded Captain Hubbell as president of the Connecticut bank,
and took such interest in the new life insurance organization
(then regarded as an experiment) as to act as local agent for
Bridgeport. Other arrangements, however, soon led him to
relinquish the agency, and he turned it over to Mr. Nichols
fully 50 years ago, who has continued it in his quiet way all
this long period, witnessing a prosperity and growth almost,
if not quite, unparalleled.
Mr. Nichols was continued in the directorship of the Hous-
atonic railroad company after his retirement from the office of
treasurer many years.
He was among the original corporators of the Bridgeport
Gas Light company in 1849 and was a director at the time of
his death. One of the corporators of the City Savings bank
he was elected a member of its first board of trustees in 1859
and has had a continuous and faithful service since; recogni.
zed in his advance to the presidency on the death of Mr. Ira
Gregory in 1883. This position he retained to the day of his
death and contributed his full share to its remarkable success.
He was an active director of the First National bank from
1867 to the present time and died in the service.
Mr. Nichols was also a member of the Fairfield County
Historical society. He was much interested in its work and
made several contributions to its library, among them several
volumes of rare old mathematical works.
LIX
A wise and faithful public servant in all these relations, his
removal makes a void difficult to fill.
The domestic features of Mr. Nichols's life were exceedingly
happy. He was united in marriage October 28, 1850, with
Miss Julia Bishop, a sister of Mr. Alfred Bishop, and soon
settled in the pleasant home No. 94 Courtland street, which
he has ever since occupied, a highly esteemed neighbor and
friend. The union was blessed with a daughter (Clara), now
the wife of Mr. George M. Baldwin, who with the widow sur-
vive him, and in their great sorrow have the deep sympathy
of their large circle of friends. -
Mr. Nichols had a great attachment for the parental home
at Greenfield and tenderly cared for his venerable mother who
continued to occupy it until a recent period, when she died
at the great age of 92 years. It is still occupied by his sur-
viving brother, William Nichols.
Mr. and Mrs. Nichols were early identified with the South
Congregational church, during the pastorate of the Rev. Dr.
N. Hewitt, of whom they were ardent admirers. They were
prominent among the company which in 1853 organized the
First Presbyterian church and society, of which Dr. Hewitt
was the first pastor, and they have ever been among its
staunchest supporters. -
— Republican Standard, Mar. 16, 1894.
—Daily Standard, Mar. 13, 1894.
IN MEMORIAIVI.
GENERAL WILLIAM H, NOBLE,
General William H. Noble, so long one of the most promi-
nent and esteemed men in Bridgeport's history and one whose
commanding figure was known to all, died at 12:30 p.m.,
to day.
The general's physical condition was considerably weakened
by wounds and prison life in the late war, where he made so
brilliant a record. But his business activity has suffered little
diminution until laterly when the weight of years have been
1,X
added to drain his strength, his form remaining upright and
soldierly to the last.
During the recent fall, he has been comparatively well, has
attended to his duties as park commissioner, and has been
active in various ways. Last week Tuesday he took cold
while superintending operations at the filling-in along the
harbor, adjoining his property on Kossuth street. Grip en-
sued, and two days ago developed into broncho-pneumonia,
since when his physician, Dr. C. H. Bill has had little hope.
He died without suffering. His wife, his daughter Henrietta,
his son, John F. Noble, and the doctor were at his bedside.
General William Henry Noble, son of the Rev. Birdsey
Glover Noble, and Charlotte Noble, was born in Newtown,
Auguut 18, 1813, at the home of his grandfather, John San-
ford. His father was then rector of Christ church, Middle-
town, and later was made a trustee of Trinity college, Hart-
ford, then Washington college. General Noble was educated
at the military school of Captain Alden Partridge, at Middle-
town.
He came to Bridgeport early in 1834, as a teacher of French
and Spanish in the school of his father, who occupied a house
on Golden Hill, afterward owned by the Tev. G. B. Day.
Very soon after he entered the law office of Judge Joseph
Wood as a student, and was admitted to the bar of Fairfield
county in 1836. In that year he was instrumental in securing
the charter of the city of Bridgeport and the charter of the
Housatonic Railroad company, and was secretary of that
company for a number of years.
He was clerk of the courts in Fairfield county for several
years and in 1839 he married Harriet Jones, daughter of Ben-
jamin Brooks, Esq., of this city. In 1846 he was appointed
the state's attorney of this county, and in 1850 he was nomi-
nated for congress from this district but was defeated.
It was about this time that he began the layout of East
Bridgeport, in which work he was actively engaged for 10
years, building or assisting in the construction of houses,
hotels and factories, opening the streets, setting out trees,
and sharing with the city the cost of repairing the bridges,
LXI
leading to the center. He rendered invaluable aid to the
churches erected in the settlement, gave money, land and a
great amount of time to the city for nothing. In 1852, he,
with the late P. T. Barnum, dedicated Washington park to
public use.
It was in 1853 that he purchased the charter of the Bridge-
port Water company in behalf of Nathaniel Greene and his
associates, who carried out the undertaking. This enterprise
becoming complicated with Mr. Greene's other affairs, fell into
the hands of the bondholders, for whom Mr. Noble in 1857
obtained a grant of incorporation under the name of the
Bridgeport Hydraulic company, under which charter the
water supply of the city is now procured. He was a commis-
sioner of both companies and sanctioned their bonds issued.
In 1856 he was instrumental with Francis Ives, Esq., in dis-
entangling the affairs of the Jerome Clock company and Mr.
Barnum, to admit of the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing
company getting possession of the property of the clock com-
pany and subsequently removing to this city.
In 1860, as a Douglass Democrat, he took a prominent part
in the organization of the Union party in this state, the elec-
tion of Governor Buckingham and the support of all war
measures. In 1862 he was commissioned by the governor as
colonel of the Seventeenth Connecticut volunteers.
General Noble's war record is one of which this city and
his friends were always proud. He received his commission
on July 22, 1862, and within 30 days 1,000 men were ready
for the front. They were mustered into service in August 28,
and left for the front on September 3. The regiment was
severely taxed by marches and countermarches but finally set-
tled down into winter quarters at Brooks Station, Va., until
the Chancellorsville campaign.
At the battle of Chancellorsville Colonel Noble's regiment
bravely
WITHSTOOD THE TERRIBLE ONSLAUGHT
of Stonewall Jackson. Colonel Noble was wounded, having
the main artery of his left arm cut by a minnie ball, being
struck on the left knee by a fragment of shell and having his
LXII
horse shot under him. He was led fainting from the field, the
fortunate clogging of the artery preventing his bleeding to
death, but circulation having stopped in the lower arm he only
saved his arm from immediate amputation at the field hospital
where he was taken, by insisting upon waiting to see Dr. Hub-
bard, the surgeon of his regiment. Dr. Hubbard said the arm
could be saved and the wounded colonel was given a furlough
of 20 days.
His work throughout the war was marked by valor and
perseverence. On July 4, 1863, he charged with his brigade
into the town of Gettysburg early in the morning and recap-
tured it.
On December 24, 1864, he was captured by a band of gue-
rilias and taken to the horrible prison at Andersonville. He
remained in confinement until the following April, when he
with a number of other officers was exchanged. In 1864, for
meritorious service, he was commissioned by congress as
brigadier general by brevet, upon recommendation of General
Grant, and was mustered out of service in July 1865.
Since the war, although much reduced in health, General
Noble has followed his profession and filled
WARIOUS PUBLIC TRUSTS.
He has been a member of the council several times, was for
years chairman of the board of park commissioners, and was
a member of the state legistature in 1884.
At Hartford he was chairman of the military committee of
the house and a member of the committee on ceremonies at
the unveiling of Governor Buckingham's statue in the capitol.
In the midst of a busy life he found time to devote much at-
tention to horticulture and fruit growing, having, probably,
the largest variety of pears in the state. At the request of
the state pomologist, Gen. Noble exhibited specimens of his
fruit in the Connecticut collection at the centennial exposition
in Philadelphia and in the New Orleans exposition in 1884-5.
HIS HOME LIFE.
In the death of General Noble, Bridgeport loses another of
her prominent and influential citizens, who has done much for
her welfare, and whose record was always to her honor.
*
LXIII
General Noble was among the first to forsee and appreciate
the future of Bridgeport while she was still a small town, and
in connection with the late P. T. Barnum to open up and ren-
der available the valuable portion known as East Bridgeport.
He was energetic, active and enterprising and although not
so successful in his schemes at first as others, the develop-
ments of later years have fully vindicated his foresight and
sagacity. In every walk of life he was honorable and distin-
guished and as a citizen and a soldier he bore himself above
reproach. In his family he was the most lovable of men and
only those who knew personally of his domestic life can
appreciate his entire character. He was senior warden of
Christ church, a position which he had occupied for many
years and while physical infirmity had prevented his active
participation in church affairs of late years, he was always
generous and prompt in bearing his share of all the burdens.
General Noble was one of the early members of the Fairfield
County Historical Society, and for many years, and up to the
time of his death one of its Vice-Presidents. He took an
active interest in its affairs and promoted its welfare in every-
way within lais power.
Generosity and hospitality were prominent traits of his
character, and he was endeared to a wide circle of friends by
his open-handed liberality. He manifested these qualities in
his dealings as a pension agent with his fellow veterans, whom
he assisted in every way in his power. He cherished the
recollections and associations of the service as sacred memories
to be shared with all who had known them, and was beloved
and admired by his associates of the army.
His wife and four grown up children survive him, the latter
being John F. and Henrietta M., of Bridgeport, Clarence M.,
of New York, and Mrs. H. E. DePuy, of Philadelphia.
ALERED HOPKINS.
Alfred Hopkins was born in Bridgeport, October 1831, the
son of Mr. John Hopkins a well known shoe dealer for many
years prior to 1860. His mother was Abigail Booth, daughter
of Mr. James Booth of Stratford. His Grand Father John
LXIV
Hophins came to Stratfield from the North of Ireland in com-
pany with Mr. Patrick Keeler during the period of the Revo-
lution and located on the Valley Road so called, a few rods
from the point where it leaves the upper cross road leading
from Truck street, (Clinton avenue) to the site of Toilsom
Hill School House. His wife was Mehitable Smith. Hopkins
was a strong Presbyterian, while his friend Keeler was a firm
adherent of the Church of England party. Though differing
in religious sentiment in the times that tried men's souls, they
ever remained fast friends and rest peacefully in close prox-
imity, in the old Stratfield Cemetery. Alfred Hopkins had
the benefit of the public and private schools of Bridgeport,
especially of that notable teacher, Warren W. Selleck and thus
became well grounded in the rudiments of a good business
education. At proper age his father placed him as an appren-
tice with the firm of Porter & Booth, the leading tin ware and
stove manufacturers of the place. Changes in their business
released him before he attained his majority and he finished
with the new firm of Lockwood & Zane, practical plumbers.
This latter art had just come into prominence, through the in-
troduction of a larger supply of public water.
In 1853 Mr. Hopkins started in business on Water street,
just below State, in the brick store owned by Mr. N. S. Wor-
din, expecting to be joined by a fellow workman Alfred Gould,
but he did not come to time. Edward Beardsley of Stratford
was with him a part of his first year. After that he went on
alone, until he was joined by his brother Lewis Miles Hopkins,
now of 352 Main street. Mr. Frank Booth entered his em-
ploy in 1854 and remained with him through his whole busi-
ness career of forty years. The late Daniel S. Stratton was
also a faithful employee for nearly the same period.
Since the death of Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Frank Booth and his
son Fred. C., a faithful clerk and business manager, have suc-
ceeded to the entire business. After the removal of the Rail
Road Depot from its former location below State street to its
present locality, business also moved up, and the Hopkins
brothers bought out the firm of Ives & Wilmot on Wall street.
Alfred located there, while his brother L. M., soon after
LXV
secured the store No. 352 Main street, and they conducted
each a separate business in similar lines.
Mr. Hopkins interested himself in securing the location of
the Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machine Company in Bridge.
port and became a stockholder in the company. He was a
wide-awake plumber and easily made friends with the mana-
gers as also with the employees who shared in the great pros-
perity of the business. Shops and dwellings with all the
latest improvements were multiplied and A. Hopkins was the
plumber who, it was thought could put them in, in the best
manner. In 1869-70 the north section of Wheeler building
was erected and Mr. Hopkins purchased the site No. 454-456
Main street and erected the building in connection and in
harmony with the other, buildings of the same block. This
was fitted up on several floors most elaborately, and stocked
with a complete assortment of stoves, gas fixtures and House-
furnishing goods, probably the largest and most complete in
the State. As matters turned this became a burden and a
moth in subsequent years. He gave special attention to
steam heating of large structures as churches and school
houses, and his work gave great Satisfaction in economy, ef-
fectiveness and ventilation.
In the midst of his activities, without premonition death
came very suddenly to Mr. Hopkins, April 25, 1894. He was
invited by a friend to join him in attendance upon the auction
sale of the George Hotel at Black Rock on the afternoon of
the above date. Upon arriving the two gentlemen entered
the hotel and Mr. Hopkins had just passed into the hall when
he fell to the floor. In a moment his friend was at his side
but found him unconscious. I)eath was instantaneous and
was due to rheumatism of the heart. Mr. Hopkins was
genial and popular as a man, and in business circles, a
prominent member of the Master Plumbers Association.
Rind and affectionate in his family—kind also to his employees
and in his charities liberal almost to a fault. He became a
member of this Society in 1892 and gave many evidences of
his appreciation and interest,
LXVI
NATHANIEL WHEELER,
Nathaniel Wheeler, son of David and Sarah (DeForest)
Wheeler, was born at Watertown, Connecticut, September 7,
1820.
His father being a carriage manufacturer, the son learned
the same trade. When he was twenty-one years of age he
took the proprietorship and management of a manufactory of
carriages and also of light articles of hardware. By applying
machinery in place of hand labor in the production of his
wares, he reduced the price of some of them to less than one
thirtieth of their former cost. Thus early in life he displayed
the practical ability which marked his whole career.
Mr. Wheeler became interested in the earliest invention of
Allen B. Wilson, whose patents of 1851, 1852, and 1854, cov-
ered the essential elements of the first rotary-hook, lock-
stitch sewing machines as well as of a certain form of “feed”
which has been almost universally adopted in sewing machines
of all systems. The inventive genius of Wilson was assisted,
supplemented and guided by Mr. Wheeler who really or
ganized Wilson's devices into a practical, working mechanism.
In the year 1852 Mr. Wheeler formed with others a co-
partnership under the firm name of Wheeler, Wilson & Co.,
and under the general management of Mr. Wheeler, for the
purpose of manufacturing sewing machines conformably with
the Wilson patents. This copartnership was succeeded by
the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company, organized in
October 1853, and subsequently (June 1864) specially char-
tered by the Legislature of the state of Connecticut. Mr.
Wheeler filled the office of president of that corporation con-
tinuously from 1855 to the end of his life.
Not only did Mr. Wheeler substantially found the Wheeler
& Wilson Manufacturing Company, but he made its business
a success by personally demonstrating the practical value of
its machines for use both in the household and in the factory
—away back in the times when the introduction of labor.
saving machinery was regarded by many as an outrage upon
laboring people; when it was predicted that the success of
sewing machines would be the ruin of seamstresses.
1,XVII
Mr. Wheeler's services to his Company and his part in de-
veloping the art with which it is occupied, were not confined
to executive and purely practical functions. His inventive
ability was of prime importance and benefit. Many radical
improvements in the Company's machines were due to ex-
periments instituted and directed by him, to the consequent
inventions of others put into practical shape by him and es-
pecially to original inventions of his own. In fact, the pro-
gress heretofore made in the art of sewing by machinery has
been due to Mr. Wheeler personally in a greater degree than
to any other one man. In recognition of his services in the
foundation and development of that art and industry, he was
decorated, at the World's Exposition of Vienna in 1873, with
the Knight's Cross of the Order of Francis Joseph, and at
the Eaſoosition Universalle, Paris, 1889, he received the
Cross of the Legion of Honor of France.
In 1856 the works of the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing
Company were moved from Watertown to Bridgeport, and at
that time Mr. Wheeler became a resident of this city. His
life was one of intense activity. Aside from managing the
affairs of the great corporation with which his name is in-
separably connceted, he was an inventor of important methods
of wood-finishing, of refrigeration, and of ventilating public
buildings and railway cars. He was director of the Willi-
mantic Linen Company, the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company,
the Bridgeport Horse Railroad Company, the City National
Bank of Bridgeport, the Fairfield Rubber Company, and the
New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company.
He was directing Commissioner in the laying out and com-
pletion of our Seaside Park, of which he was one of the chief
donors; also one of the Commissioners for building the State
Capitol at Hartford, where was won the great distinction of
having constructed a first-class public building free from jobs
and within the prescribed limits of cost.
Mr. Wheeler became a member of the Historical Society,
April 10, 1885. The Society was born and was housed under
his hospitable roof (Wheeler's Building) nearly twelve years
up to January 1893, when it was removed to its present home
LXVIIi
in the Barnum Institute. He was much interested in the
work of the Society, especially family history and genealogy,
tracing his own lineage among the numerous and honorable
descendants of Moses Wheeler who came from County of
Kent, England, and was in New Haven as early as 1641, and
in Stratford in 1648.
He was repeatedly called by choice of the people to take
part in the legislation of the State of Connecticut and in the
administration of important public affairs. Besides filling
lower offices, he was for a number of years a Senator of the
state ; but he declined more and higher honors than he ever
consented to accept.
No resident of Bridgeport was more generally known or
held in higher esteem than Nathaniel Wheeler. All knew
him as an upright citizen, an enterprising and energetic man
of affairs, an honest politician, a worker for the public good,
and a man of munificent liberality. His courtesy as a gentle-
man, his steadfastness as a friend, his geniality as a com-
panion and his generosity in dispensing private charity won
the admiration of his more intimate acquaintances.
In the Summer of 1893, he was attacked by a disease which
made steady progress and caused his death at his residence
in this city on the last day of that year.
MARK RUSSELL LEAWENWORTH,
The late Mark Russell Leavenworth was born in Bridge-
water, Conn., in 1846. He learned the stove and plumbing
business in the neighboring town of New Milford, serving a
five year's apprenticeship. In 1869 he came to Bridgeport,
and the following year started in business for himself, locating
in Burke's block on the East side. A few years later he re-
moved the business to 531–3 Main street, where he continued
until the date of his death, Nov. 1st, 1894.
He was married in 1872 to Mary, the only daughter of
William H. Perry, who survives him.
Mr. Leavenworth joined the Historical Society, Sept. 9, 1887,
taking an active and enthusiastic interest in the Society's
LXIX
work. He was particularly interested in, and made an ex-
haustive study of the genealogical records of many of Fair-
field County's prominent citizens. In pursuing the study he
accumulated a large number of rare and valuable books. He
was also the possessor of several costly (and now hard to get)
volumes of Revolutionary History. In the early history of
our country, and especially of the two wars with Great
Britain, he was unusually well informed, and took great
pleasure in visiting historic places of interest. He was an
ardent follower of the Masonic craft, making a close study of
the history of the order. His valuable Masonic books are to
be presented to St. John's Lodge on the completion of the
Templé in this city. He had reached the 32d degree, and had
he lived another year would have been Grand Master of the
State. Mr. Leavenworth was possessed of a cheerful disposi-
tion, and ever ready to be helpful to any in need of help. His
name will be held in affectionate remembrance by all who
, knew him.
OLIWER BURR, JENNINGS,
Son of Captain Abraham Gold Jennings and Anna Burr,
was born at Fairfield, Conn., June 3rd, 1825. He went to
California in 1849, and soon became one of the prominent
merchants of the Pacific Coast. He retired from active busi-
ness in 1865, and returning to Fairfield, made that his sum-
mer home.
Mr. Jennings was a man of genial, social qualities, and
though possessed of great wealth, was very unostentatious.
He was a member of a commission appointed by Governor
Bulkley in 1885 for restoring the winter quarters of the right
wing of the Continental Army of 1778–9, in the town of
Redding, Conn. He died in the early part of 1893, leaving a
widow, two sons and three daughters.
JAMES M, BAILEY,
James Montgomery Bailey, the “Danbury News Man,” the
pioneer of American newspaper humor, was born in Albany,
fixx
N. Y., September 25th, 1841. When two years old, his father
having been accidently killed; his mother married again a
gentleman of Rome, N. Y. Young Bailey's boyhood was thus
passed partly in both those cities and he attended school in
both places. After a brief experience in a grocery store and
a lawyer's office, the family removed to Danbury, Conn. in
1860, where he ever afterwards continued to make his home.
In 1862 he enlisted in the Danbury company of the Seven-
teenth Regiment, and his literary instinct early manifested
itself in a series of letters to local papers.
He was made a prisoner at the battle of Gettysburg and
was for some months detained at Belle Isle. When the war
was over young Bailey associated himself with a comrade
whose acquaintaince he had made in the army, who had
learned the printers trade, and together, with the aid of
friends they purchased the Danbury Times, a democratic pa-
per of small circulation—success followed the venture and after
acquiring the Jeffersonian, a republican rival sheet, the two
plants were united and in March 1870, the new paper called
THE DANBURY NEws was established.
Ambitious and emergetic, the young editor gave full scope
to his talents, and the originality of his humerous sketches
soon began to attract the attention of his contemporaries.
From an insignificant circulation, his paper leaped forward
with marvelous strides, until it reached some forty thousand
copies each week. His wit was clean and free from coarse-
ness. None were injured, but all were the better for the pure
fun and spontaneous humor which effervesced in his writings.
When his fame was at the highest, Mr. Bailey was
urgently solicited to remove to New York, but he was wise
enough to recognise the fact that it is easier to make a repu
tation than to sustain one, and all such propositions were
firmly declined. In due time numerous imitators sprang up
on all sides, and scarce any newspaper of any pretension but
had its humorist. But Mr. Bailey was a stranger to envy
and exhibited no jealousy of his rivals. He believed that
honors were fleeting and settled down to realize his ambition
to own and conduct a live newspaper that should be a faith-
LXXI
ful chronicle of the events of his town. During the years
when The Danbury News was one of the best known papers
published, Mr. Baileys income was not less than $40,000 a
year.
In 1873 Mr. Bailey took a trip to California, and a year
later he visited Great Britain and France. His first book
was published in 1873 entitled “Life in Danbury.” This was
followed by “The Danbury Newsmans Almanac" in 1874,
and “They all do it” in 1878, “Mr. Phillips Goneness,” and
“The Danbury Boom in 1880.
In 1878 he commenced to deliver lectures under the auspi-
ces of the Redpath Lyceum Bureau, and was is successful a
lecturer, as he had proved a journalist.
Mr. Bailey married October 4th, 1866, Miss Catherine W.
Stewart, and three children were born , to them, but none
lived beyond infancy, his wife survives him.
Mr. Bailey was a democrat and a member of the Baptist
church, in which he was ever a faithful and zealous worker,
he was interested in the Sunday school and was for many
years a teacher.
He is described as tall of stature, dignified of bearing,
straight as an arrow, with the figure of an athlete. His feat-
ures were handsome and bore an expression of geniality, ten-
derness and sympathy. He was noted for his philanthropy
and unstinted generosity, and notwithstanding his profitable
business died comparatively poor; his invariable rule being
never to turn away empty handed any one in distress or need.
He was an enthusiast is all matters pertaining to the well-
fare of his town, and took a deep interest in all movements
for the public good. He died lamented by all classes and
conditions who had known him personally or by his writings
Sunday morning, March 3d, 1894, and was interred in Woos-
ter cemetery, Wednesday afternoon following.
He was an aide-de-camp on the staff of the national com-
mander, Union Veteran Legion; vice-president of the State
board of trade; president of the Danbury board of trade; pres-
ident of the Danbury Relief society, and a life member of the
Connecticut Humane society. He also belonged to the Society
I, XXII
of Americau Authors, Connecticut Army and Navy club, Union
Ex-l’risoners of War, Knights Templar, Mystic Shrine, Con-
necticut Historical society, Fairfield County Historical society,
Connecticut Press association, Authors Guild, and Seventeenth
Regiment Veterans' association. He was one of the founders
of the Danbury Hospital and was its first president.
FREDERIOK. S. WILDMAN,
Frederick Seymour Wildman was born in Danbury Janu-
ary 20, 1805. He was the son of Hon. Zalmon and Mary
Dibble Wildman. Both the Wildman and Dibble families were
among the earliest settlers of Danbury, and he (Mr. Wildman)
was pardonably proud of his ancestry. He attended the pub- -
lic schools of his native village, and later the academy at
Greenfield Hill and took high rank among the pupils.
From his early manhood he was very active in business and
financial circles. His judgment in such matters was unexcep-
tional, and was much sought. He was at once keen, acute,
sympathetic and scrupulously just. His memory was re-
markably retentive, and his mind was a veritable store house
of local information pertaining to Old Danbury. Naturally
he was interested in the Fairfield County Historical society,
and became a member in 1883. He was prominent in local
affairs and was called upon to administer many estates. He
participated in the organization of the Danbury Savings
Bank, and was its first president, which position he retained to
the day of his death. The same is true of his connection with
the Danbury Fire Insurance Company.
He was a democrat in politics, and held many honorable
positions within the gift of his party. He was modest and
unassuming, invariably courteous, a thorough gentleman of
the old school, and hospitable almost to a fault. Tespected
and beloved, he lived to a good old age, and died in full pos-
session of his faculties, peacefully and painlessly October 16,
1893, thus closing a noble life.

Aiº is 1908.
- REPORTS **. *::: *::$622,
-º-
- PAPERS.
Fairfield eoantº
Historical Societg
* anootrom, coºl

1896-1897.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY

Sºs STANDARD PRINT :
/ @ BRIDGEPort, - conn
sº
->{G}ontents:-
sº sº sº
Officers of the Fairfield County Hist. Soc'y, 1897-98,
Lincoln Anniversary, - * - -
Abraham Lincoln in Bridgeport, 1860, - -
Historical Address by Curtis Thompson, Esq., -
Annual Meeting, Fifteenth Anniversary, F. C. H. S., -
Election of Officers, – -- -
Report of Treasurer, - - -- 4-
Statements of Receipts and Disbursements, -
Carter Comstock Fund, - - - -
Report of Curator, - - -
Church Registers in Society's Library, - -
Swan Library, - - -- - -
Report of Recording Secretary, - - -
Report of Corresponding Secretary, - -
Lecture Course, prospectus Season, 1897-98, -
Index to Principal Contents of the Publications of the
Society, 1882–1897, . - - -
Donors and Donations to the Library and Museum,
April 1895 to Nov. 1897, - - -
Wyoming or Connecticut's East India Co., by Henry
T. Blake, Esq., New Haven, - - -
First paper, Chapter I, - - -
II, - - -
{ % III, - -
& 4 IV, *. - -
Second paper, “ V, - - -
& VI, - - -
& © VII, * - -
(, i. VIII, *
Names and Dates, from the Old Burying Ground in
Greens Farms, *- - - -
Index to the above, - - * - *-
Inscriptions, Osborn-Gregory Burying Ground, Weston,
$ 6 “Den,” Burying Ground, Weston, -
In Memoriam, R. B. Lacey, - - - -
6 * Rev. J. A. Buckingham, - -
VII
IX
XIII
XXI
XXIII
XXIV
XXVI
XXVII
XXVII
XXIX
YXIX
|XXX
XXXI
IXXXII
XXXIII
XXXV
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THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
Holds its Meetings and sustains its Library and Museum
in the
BARNUM INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
AND HISTORY,
Main Street, Bridgeport, Conn.
IT IS OWNER OF ONE-HALF OF THIS PROPERTY BY THE
GIFT OF THE LATE P. T. BARNUM.
—--><s 2-2s-—
Its By-Laws provide for regular Monthly Meetings of
the members.
It publishes every second year, a volume of valuable
and interesting historical matter with its regular reports.
It gives a course of Historical Lectures during the winter
months, delivered by some of the best talent in the country.
Its annual dues are three dollars for residents of Bridge-
port and vicinity, and two dollars for non resident members.
O FFIC E R S
OF THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY,
Elected April 29th, 1897.
PRESIDENT,
CURTIS THOMPSON.
VICE-PRESIDENTs,
GEORGE C. WALDO, OLIVER G. JENNINGS,
ALEXANDER HAWLEY.
TREEASURER AND CURATOR,
EDWARD DEACON.
RECORDING SECRETARY,
FIOWARD N. WAKEMAN.
coRRESPONDING SECRETARY,
JAMES R. BTWRROUGHS.
Executive committee,
THE OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY,
The President eac officio Chairman.
1897-98.
LIN COLN ANNIVERSARY.
The 36th anniversary of Lincoln's visit to Bridgeport was
celebrated by the Society, March 10, 1896. The Lecture
Room was appropriately decorated with flags and on the
platform were placed portraits of Lincoln, the chair in which
he sat while stopping at the house of Mr. Frederick Wood,
and other historic reminders of the great President. The
Wheeler & Wilson Band, which discoursed music on that oc-
casion and one of whose members. Mr. Charles Kiefer, is
still living and actively engaged with the band, participated
in the exercises. -
The President, R. B. Lacey, after outlining the purpose of
the meeting and extending a welcome to all, presented Mr.
Curtis Thompson, as the gentleman with whom originated the
idea of the celebration, to preside over its exercises. The
carefully prepared and interesting paper which follows, upon
Lincoln and his visit, written by Mr. Thompson, was read
to the meeting. Those members now living of the quar-
tette who sang on that occasion, Mr. John S. Atkinson
and Mr. Charles E. Wilmot, assisted by J. Howard Rus-
sell and Edward E. Lyman, rendered some patriotic selec-
tions which had been sung at that meeting in 1860. Mr.
Henry R. Parrott, who was instrumental in getting Lin-
coln to visit Bridgeport, told the audience of his visit to
New Haven as a representative of the “wide awakes,” and the
building of the wigwam near the Post Office. Major L. N.
Middlebrook, who was the commander of the Lincoln Escort,
gave an account of the duties of his company in marching
from the house of Mr. Wood to Washington Hall and to the
railroad station.
Emory F. Strong, Esq., one of the Vice-Presidents at that
memorable meeting, related to the audience his impressions
of Lincoln, of his awkward appearance at first and then how
he held his hearers. D. F. Hollister, who was Collector of In-
XII
ternal Revenue for this District during Lincoln's administra.
tion, told how he sat in the audience listening to Lincoln and
the impression made on him, and the close attention given
the speaker by the audience was never forgotten. Capt. S. C.
Kingman, who was present at the meeting, made some re-
marks in a similar vein. Friend W. Smith, Esq., told a num-
ber of anecdotes of Lincoln and at the conclusion of his re-
marks presented to the society the commission issued by Lin-
coln appointing him Postmaster of Bridgeport. Dr. George
L. Porter, who, although not in Bridgeport at the time of
Lincoln's visit, knew Lincoln and told some interesting facts
about Lincoln's times and his last days on earth and exhibit-
ed a letter written by Lincoln to Grant, March 24, 1864.
Others were present who attended the meeting in 1860.
The singing of America by the quartette and audience ac-
companied by the band closed one of the most successful and
interesting meetings the society has held.
XIV’
dency in 1860.” It was received with loud manifesta-
tions of approval. From that date he was recognized as a
Presidential possibility, and when, in the fall of 1859, he vis-
ited Kansas and Ohio, he spoke always with great acceptance
to vast throngs of enthusiastic people. These marks of ap-
preciation, which he received in the West, did not escape the
careful observation of the astute politicians of the East, where
as yet he was personally almost unknown. In October, 1859,
Lincoln accepted an invitation to speak in Henry Ward Beech-
er's church, but it was finally arranged that the speech should
be delivered at the Cooper Institute in New York, on February
27, 1860. He took time to carefully prepare himself and then
made what is considered by many, as the best and most elab-
orate speech of his life. William Cullen Bryant presided, and
said in introducing Lincoln : “It is a grateful office that I
perform in introducing to you an eminent citizen of the
West, hitherto known to you only by reputation.” The large
audience, notable for its intelligence, cultivation and high
character, was captivated.
The next morning, the four leading New York dailies print-
ed the speech in full, and one of them said : “Mr. Lincoln is
one of nature's Orators, using his rare powers solely to eluci-
date and convince, though their inevitable effect is to delight
and electrify as well. The tones, the gestures, the kindling
eye, and the mirth-provoking look, defy the reporter's skill.
The vast assemblage frequently rang with cheers and shouts
of applause. No man ever before made such an impression
on his first appeal to a New York audience.” With such com-
mendations, it is not surprising that nearly all New England
read with avidity that great speech.
From the States, like our own, where elections were held
in April, invitations to speak were showered upon him. It
was not then generally known that he had spoken at a Whig
Convention in Worcester, Mass., presided over by his relative,
Ex-Gov. Levi Lincoln, for Zachary Taylor, a slaveholder, in
1848. By a strange coincidence, Sept. 22, 1848, in Boston,
both Wm. H. Seward and Abraham Lincoln, from the same
platform made Whig speeches. The Boston Atlas the next
ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
AT BRIDGEPORT, CoNN., MARCH 10, 1860.
AN HISTORICAL ADDRESS BY
M R. CURTIS THOMPSON.
On North Avenue, in this City, is still pointed out a house
at which George Washington is reported to have stopped.
The incidents of Washington's stay at that house have never
been collected or substantiated, and yet at one time that
could easily have been done.
Abraham Lincoln visited our City on March 10, 1860, and
fortunately we are now able to gather some of the incidents
of that visit.
I had the honor to suggest to the Historical Society the
propriety of commemorating Lincoln's visit by holding a
meeting on the 36th anniversary of that event ; an event, I
may say, the importance of which we now but faintly grasp ;
but our descendants will note and take pride in the fact that
both Washington and Lincoln once trod our streets, and min-
gled with our people. Of course, in 36 years, many persons
who could have furnished data, have died, but many are liv.
ing, who remember his unique personality and his remark-
able speech. It seems proper to make a brief reference to the
situation and circumstances which brought him to Bridge-
port at that time.
It was about a year before the war, and political feelings
and passions were wrought up to the highest pitch by the vi-
tal issues of the day. One can hardly realize to-day how
intense the divisions then were in politics, business interests,
churches and families. -
Lincoln had just passed his 51st year, and he was in the
prime of life. In his debates with Senator Douglass, he
had achieved a National reputation. In May, 1859, while
he was at the state convention of Illinois, as an onlooker,
two old fence rails were brought in bearing the inscrip-
tion, “Abraham Lincoln, the rail candidate for the Presi-
XV
day said: “Mr. Lincoln of Illinois next came forward and was
received with great applause. He spoke about an hour, and
made a powerful and convincing speech, which was cheered to
the echo.” -
After the New York speech, Lincoln prepared to go
to New Hampshire to see his son, Robert, who was then
at Phillips Exeter Academy, preparing for Harvard. Cas-
sius M. Clay, of Kentucky, was then on the stump in
this State. Happily for Bridgeport, soon after Lincoln's
New York speech, Henry R. Parrott, Esq., of this City, went
to New Haven for the purpose of securing Clay to speak in
this City, and while Mr. Parrott was there in conference with
the State committee, he was asked to accompany them to the
station to meet Lincoln, who, then on his way to New Hamp-
shire, had consented to stop over and confer with the com-
mittee about his speaking in this State. Unable to secure
Clay to speak, Mr. Parrott endeavored to get Lincoln to
come to Bridgeport, but Lincoln could not at that time ar-
range it; however, after further appeals on the part of Mr.
Parrott, Lincoln consented to speak in Bridgeport on his way
back provided he could do so and leave for New York on an
early train, and he promised to notify Mr. Parrott by tele-
graph, when he would come. On his return from New Hamp-
shire, Lincoln spoke, March 5th, 1860, at Hartford ; on the
6th at New Haven ; on the 7th at Meriden; on the 8th at
Norwich, and on the 9th at Woonsocket, R. I.
Mr. Henry T. Blake was also active in procuring Lincoln's
visit. On the morning of March 8th, in New Haven, James
F. Babcock, editor of the Palladium, introduced Mr. Blake to
Lincoln. Mr. Blake writes: “Lincoln looked very tired and
seemed to think that he could not take any more engage-
ments in this State, but Babcock and I both urged
the importance of Bridgeport, and he finally said that
he was in the hands of the committee.” Mr. Blake re-
lates an incident which he witnessed at the New Haven
depot. There was a great crowd present. It so happen-
ed, that when Cassius M. Clay got off the train he was
recognized by Stephen D. Pardee, who brought Clay into the
XVI
presence of Lincoln. These two great leaders of the West
had never before met. After introducing them, Mr. Pardee
loudly exclaimed: “We are going to nominate Clay for Presi-
dent and Lincoln for Vice-President, or Lincoln for President
and Clay for Vice-President, we don't know which ;” at
this there was a great shout. Lincoln said as soon as he
could be heard : “I must tell you a little story.” But the
bell rang, both hurried into the cars and departed amid
cheers.
On Thursday, March 8th, Mr. Parrott received a telegram
stating that Lincoln would speak in Bridgeport on Saturday
evening, March 10th, beginning precisely at seven and end-
ing so as to enable him to take the 9:07 train for New York.
Notice was therefore given in the Standard on that and the
succeeding days, that the Hon. Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois,
would address the citizens of Bridgeport in Washington Hall,
precisely at 7 p. m., March 10, 1860. No other notice was
required to secure for him a hearty welcome to this city.
Lincoln arrived at the old depot, then located at the foot
of Union street, on the afternoon of the 10th, and was met by
Mr. Blake and Mr. Parrott. Mr. Blake took Lincoln directly
to the Sterling House, where he rested for awhile Mr. Par-
rott prepared for the meeting. Afterwards Lincoln called at
the office of Treat & Blake, in the Sturdevant Building, who
about 5 p.m. took Lincoln to the Hon. Frederick Wood's
residence on the corner of Washington avenue and Coleman
street, where Mr. Charles H. Sanford now lives. In that
house, still standing, Abraham Lincoln was most cordially re.
ceived and entertained. He was nearly exhausted from the
great strain of constant travel and frequent speeches, and he
heartily appreciated the kindly and bountiful hospitality
which Mr. and Mrs. Wood extended to him.
In his tired condition he gladly slipped into an easy chair,
offered to him, in which he took so much comfort, that he re-
marked to his host on leaving, that he wished he could have
the chair placed in the car going to New York that night,
so that he could sleep in it and rest himself. That historic
chair now belongs to Mr. Charles F. Wood, who kindly placed
it on exhibition in the Historical Society's rooms, -
XVII
One other incident of his stay illustrates that Lincoln was
not unmindful of the pleasures of the table and that he pos-
sessed a discriminating palate. He ate with a great deal of
relish some extra large and fine raw oysters. He took one up
on his fork and incredulously asked : “Do I understand, sir,
that that is a single oyster ?” A few years afterwards, when
Mrs. Wood attended one of his receptions in the White House
and was introduced to him, he at once responded, “O, yes, I
remember your house; that is where I got those fine oys-
ters.” He also remarked about those oysters to other Bridge-
port people, all of which goes to show that our boasted
bivalves made a strong impression upon him.
Washington Hall was the central part of the first floor of
our present City Hall, and that evening the State street en-
trance was closed and the Bank street entrance left open, in
order to make room for the expected crowd. Shortly after 6
o'clock, Marshal J. D. Alvord on horseback, and the East
Bridgeport Club, headed by the then recently formed Wheel-
er & Wilson band, under their leader, Mr. Thomas, came
down through the streets to the hall. Major L. N. Middle-
brook commanded the Wide Awakes, who escorted Lincoln,
in company with Wood, Treat and Blake, from Mr. Wood's
house to the hall.
Long before the opening of the meeting the hall was pack-
ed, and hundreds of people were turned away.
Henry Elliott, Esq., promptly called the meeting to order,
and the following well known citizens of that day, were ap-
pointed its officers:
President, Hon. A. A. Pettingill.
Vice-Presidents: D. H. Sterling, Silas C. Booth, Horace
Nichols, Stephen Nichols, Clapp Spooner, William Staengel,
C. B. Hubbell, Sherwood Sterling, Capt. George Wheeler,
Bartlett Doten, F. W. Parrott, Samuel C. Trubee, James
Wilson, Henry M. Hine, Capt. J. Gould, George Keeler,
Frederick Wood, Morgan Seeley, Hanford Lyon, Abijah Haw-
ley, Emory F. Strong, George B. Waller, Russell Tomlinson,
John Conrad, Sherman Hartwell, S. Tomlinson, George
Wade, J. D. Alvord, R. T. Buss, Lewis C. Segee, Stiles Hall,
Charles Foote,
XVIII
Secretaries: S. C. Kingman, J. T. Shelton, H. Elliott, H.
R. Parrott. -
A quartette consisting of Levi W. Eaton, John S. Atkin-
son, James W. Crossley, and Mortimer Griffith, Sang a song,
“Land of the West,” in honor of Mr. Lincoln, and then fol-
lowed music by the Wheeler & Wilson band, both pieces be-
ing finely rendered. -
Mr. Pettingill was then the editor of the Standard, and a
man of great force, integrity and ability. About his intro-
duction of Lincoln to the audience, Mr. Roger H. Lyon, who
was present, writes: Though brief it was so appropriate and
impressive that I have never forgotten it. He said: “Fellow
Citizens, I have the honor and pleasure of presenting to you
the man who dared ‘to beard the lion in his den; the Douglass
in his hall.’” It was a happy allusion to the then recent de-
bate between Lincoln and Douglass. -
As Lincoln arose and faced the audience, his tall, gaunt,
awkward form, his long arms and big hands, and his ill-fit-
ting clothes elicited astonishment, smiles and cheers. In a
slow, deliberate way, he stated his propositions so clearly,
presented his reasons so cogently and humorously, and
reached his conclusions so logically, that we were soon spell-
bound, and forgetting all about his personal appearance
were completely charmed by his forceful eloquence.
Having gone early and obtained a good seat near the
stage, I was able to take it all in, and never before or since
that time, have I heard a speech which so delighted and in-
structed me, as that masterly speech of Lincoln's.
Illustrative of the effect of the speech on the people, T. B.
Fairchild relates that Seymour Curtis and James Booth, of
Stratford, sat together at the meeting. When Lincoln stood
up, Booth said: “Seymour, he is the homeliest man I ever
saw in my life.” While he was speaking, Booth carefully
scrutinized him, and as he warmed up in his speech, Booth
became very excited and he brought his hand down with a
whack on Seymour's knee, and said to him ; “I swear he is
not so homely as he looked. He is good looking. He is
handsome, and I swear he is the Smartest man I ever heard.”
XIX
The speech in Bridgeport was the same in substance as
his famous New York speech; only it was more enlivened
with humor and illustrations. I need not further describe it,
as the same in effect has been frequently published.
When he closed tremendous applause shook the hall for
Honest Old Abe, and the cause he so well advocated. The
quartette sang another song, “Hurrah for Old New England,”
the band again played, and in a thrill of excitement, the
crowd slowly dispersed, many following the band and the
Wide-Awakes, who marched to the depot where more rousing
cheers were given as the train with Lincoln thereon left for
New York.
Both Julius S. Hanover, chairman of Town Committee, and
B. W. Maples, then of Bridgeport, claim the honor of private-
ly escorting Lincoln from the hall to the depot and remain-
ing with him there until the train left.
Seymour Curtis and Lemuel J. Beardsley, of Stratford, af-
ter attending the meeting, hurried to the depot. While there,
Lincoln came and took a seat near them. Mr. Curtis at once
grasped his hand and shouted : “You will be the next Presi-
dent of these United States.” Lincoln replied: “Oh, that is
a long way off.” Mr. Beardsley shook his hand and said to
him : “If you are not, you ought to be.” And Lincoln
answered ; “Ought to be? There are many men, who are able
and capable of being President of these United States, but
there are few who can place their hands on the pulse of the
nation, and recognize the wants of all its citizens, North, East,
South and West, and deal with them in accordance with
justice and wisdom.” An immense crowd then rushed in and
until the train left kept Lincoln busy shaking hands. This
was the last visit of Lincoln to New England.
On June 15, Lincoln was nominated for the Presidency,
and in November, 1860, this State chose for its Presidential
electors: Chauncey F. Cleveland, Roger S. Baldwin, Samuel
Austin, Benjamin Douglass, Augustus Brandagee and Fred-
erick Wood, who cast the electoral vote of this State for
Abraham Lincoln which, with other votes, duly elected him
President of the United States,
X×
Hitherto, Lincoln had never held an executive office, nor
handled large concerns. He was known to be honest and
firm, and to have large views on public questions. He had
won distinction as a matchless debater. Many had grave
doubts as to his capacity to discharge the duties of the high-
est office in the world, especially in a time of such extreme
peril. When Charles II, of England, was told that he never
said a foolish thing, nor ever did a wise one, the King ob-
served: “That is easily accounted for, my discourse is my
own, my acts are those of my ministers.” Our President can
use no such subterfuge ; both his speech and his acts are his
own. It was a great risk, but time and events vindicated
fully the confidence reposed in Lincoln. He showed even
greater wisdom as an executive, than as a public speaker, and
by common consent, H. W. Grady, a Southern orator, at a
New England festival correctly voiced the irupartial judg-
ment of all intelligent and patriotic persons thus: “From the
union of the colonists, from the straightening of their pur-
poses, and the crossing of their blood, slow perfecting
through a century, came he, who stands the first typical
American, the first who comprehended within himself all the
strength and gentleness, all the majesty and grace of this Re-
public, Abraham Lincoln.”
ſ?ppaal feeting
*
FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE
‘Fairfield Gourotg
Éistorical Societg,
ſ?pril 29th, 1897.
∞） º.º.）
XXIII
ELECTION OF OFFICE FS.
The annual meeting of the Fairfield County Historical So-
ciety took place April 29th, 1897, in the rooms of the society,
Barnum Institute. The first vice.president, Mr. G. C. Waldo,
presided, and the meeting was called to order at 8:30 o'clock.
The minutes of the last annual meeting were read by Secretary
Howard N. Wakeman, followed by the annual report of the
treasurer and curator, Mr. Edward Deacon.
The annual report of the secretary was then read and ac-
cepted. Then followed the election of officers for the ensu-
ing year. As first vice president, Mr. G. C. Waldo was in line
for the presidency, and Mr. Curtis Thompson nominated him
for the place. Mr. Waldo declined unconditionally, however,
and in turn nominated Mr. Curtis Thompson, who was pre-
vailed upon to accept. The following officers were then duly
elected and installed :—
CURTIS THOMPSON, President.
Vice-Presidents,
GEORGE C. WALDO, OLIVER G. JENNINGS.
ALEXANDER HAWLEY.
EDWARD DEACON, Treasurer and Curator.
HOWARD N. WAKEMAN, Recording Secretary.
JAMES R. BURROUGHS, Corresponding Secretary.
The resignation of Mr. Charles Burr Todd as vice-president
and member, Mr. Todd having moved out of the state, was
accepted, and Mr. Todd was unanimously elected an honorary
member of the society. Mr. Henry T. Blake of New Haven
was also elected an honorary member.
President Curtis Thompson presented to the meeting a
minute upon the death of the late president of the society,
Deacon Rowland B. Lacey, which was adopted and ordered
spread upon the records.
The meeting then adjourned.
XXIV
REPORT OF THE TREASURER AND OURATOR.
Some extracts from the report presented at the annual
meeting, April 29th last, may be worth preserving.
“Your Treasurer ventures to suggest the propriety of mak-
ing our membership a matter of more value than it appears at
present to be, by giving the members advantages not other-
wise received.
For years past we have practically given the public, freely,
all that the society is able to offer: Our lectures are public ;
our records are refused to none who ask to consult them; our
rooms are open free to all. There being nothing more that
we can offer, our membership becomes in a measure, of an
eleemosynary character, and appeals to but a few in the com-
munity. Would it not be well to change this condition, and
to see if we cannot give something in return to those from
whom we receive.
Could not our Lecture Committee arrange a course of one
lecture a month during the winter, to be given by noted pro-
fessors or historians on imminent topics which would be free
to the members by ticket, the public being admitted on a
small payment, thus enhancing the value of membership 2
Again, I would suggest that a portion of our exhibition
room be partitioned off and devoted to the library; that the
volumes be arranged scientifically and catalogued, and re-
served for the use of members only, and students visiting us
from distant places. It seems reasonable to suppose that by
some such method steadily pursued, as here suggested, our
membership would become of more value and its number in-
creased. -
In the past it has taken about all our available receipts to
pay for publishing our report every two years. The society
has now issued the following valuable publications, many of
them illustrated:
XXV
Rev. John Jones, March 10, 1882.
First Anniversary Report, April 14, 1882.
Roger Minott Sherman, Nov. 28, 1882.
Bridgeport Bank, Nov. 14, 1884.
Fourth Anniversary Report and Papers Read, April 10, 1885.
Fifth Anniversary Report and Papers Read, April 9, 1886.
Study of Locks by A. C. Hobbs, 1887.
Annual Report and Papers, April 15, 1887.
Report and Papers for year 1889.
Report and Papers, year ending 1892.
By-laws, Officers and Members, 1894.
Report and Papers for year ending 1895.
To carry out the suggestions previously noted, we need
more funds. Our dues must be raised or our membership in-
creased, or both. We have a splendid room, a fine exhibit, a
growing library, an increasing constituency. It seems high-
ly desirable that we retain our Autonomy intact, neither unit-
ing with nor merging into any other society; pursue the
line marked out for us at our organization, put our shoulders
together and see if we cannot make a fair use of the great
advantages we already have, and work for the best results.
No one man or two men, however able, can do this ; it is
only by the co-operation of every active member contributing
his own talent, that we can achieve success.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD DEACON,
Treasurer.
XXVI
ANNUAL STATEMENT,
FISCAL YEAR, ENDING APRIL 15TH, 1897.
Received from 84 members, dues, as follows :
22 Country Members, $2.00 each, - * - - $ 44 00
62 City Members, at $3.00 each, - - tº-º * 186 00
7 Arrearages Paid, - - gº * º- gº 23 00
1 in advance 4 years, - - - * * * 8 00
Total, - sº sº & tº gº - $261 00
Received from Daughters of the American Revolution
for use of our rooms, * * * - * 15 00
Received for sales of our annuals, * - * 5 00
Total receipts, year 1896–97, e- gº - $281 00
Add balance on hand from last annual report, tº 45 02
$326 02
DISBURSEMENTs.
Paid printing and mailing notices of meetings - 12 25
Paid express charges and stationery, - Ge. sº 14 76
Paid for new show cases, tables, framing and -
shelving, etc., - gº º gº *- º g- 24 16
Paid sundry small repairs and expenses, tº- -- 4. 70
Paid for books added to library, tº e 4-8 3 50
Paid expenses for lectures, - * * º * 5 25
Paid the Standard Association in full, balance of
old bill for printing last annual, gº º - 186 85
Total disbursements, . - g * - $251 47
Leaving balance in hands of Treasurer, g- * 74 55
Liabilities none.
Thirteen resignations have been received the past year, and
the society has lost by death 3 members including our honor-
ed President.
XXVII
CARTER COMSTOCK FUND.
This fund was donated April 7th, 1892, by Mrs. Cornelia
E. C. Comstock of New Canaan, Conn, “for the purpose of
preserving the Carter Family Burying Ground, for the use of
the members of the Carter family in the present generation,
whose parents have been interred therein previous to the
date of this deed, and their descendants.”
The Carter Family Burying Ground was deeded to the Fair-
field County Historical Society, 21st November, 1891. The
fund was deposited in the Bridgeport Savings Bank, April
11th, 1892.
Principal sum, - - * * - - - $100 00
Accrued interest to January, 1, 1897, - - - 22 54
Total, January 1, 1897, - º - - $122 54
CURATORS’ REPORT.
Your. Curator reports continued interest in the exhibit of
the society as manifested by the number of 3379 persons who
visited the rooms from April 1, 1896, to April 1, 1897.
The Tibrary is in constant receipt of the publications of
kindred societies, with whom we endeavor to exchange. We
have received a total of 253 pieces, consisting of books,
pamphlets and magazines during the year, by donation from
societies and individuals. The Connecticut Historical Socie-
ty, the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia,
the Oneida Historical Society, the Historical Society of Mon-
tana, are regular contributors to us. To these may be added,
U. S. Department of Labor, Washington, and some of the
patriotic societies, Sons of the Revolution, etc., likewise the
Royal Academy of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden, which has
sent us 45 publications in the Swedish language. (Special
notice of the Swan Library is given elsewhere.) The Muse-
um is continually being increased by gifts of friends, who
seek to add to its attractiveness. A list of donors to the so-
ciety, since the last publication, will be found on another
page.
XXVIII
Since the above was written, viz.: April 1, 1897, the exhaus-
tion of the fund subscribed by our citizens for the mainten-
ance of the Barnum Institute, has compelled the closing of
our Museum to the general public, the limited funds accru-
ing from the society's dues being insufficient to bear the ex-
pense of paying for a permanent jamitor, an attendant and the
cost of heating. As will be seen, this is after all largely in
line of the suggestions made in the Treasurer's report, and
may not be regrettable. There is no question, the society was
organized for historical research and not to maintain a pub-
lic museum. The facilities at the disposal of the society, are
just as available to the members as they ever were.
An interesting and instructive lecture course for the season
of 1897–8 has been arranged, the prospectus will be found
published herein.
While unfortunately our doors have been closed to the
public, the society has never been more active in its own
proper work. With this publication, is issued a list of the
inscriptions of the old Greens Farms Burying Ground, also
smaller private grounds in Weston, this being a distinct ad-
dition to the literature on the subject. We have added to our
records the inscriptions from 900 stones in the Coley Ceme-
tery near Weston, and the Hull ground in Reading. One of
our lady members is engaged in obtaining for us copies of the
inscriptions in the Newtown Cemetery, and also in the Green-
field Cemetery, to which will be added in the near future, in-
scriptions from Stepney, and the East and West Cemeteries
of Easton. We have on our list some nine separate grounds,
all of which are being arranged to be recorded and the rec-
ords placed in the rooms of the society. This work has all
been done during the present year. Furthermore, we have
added this summer to the manuscript records in our Library,
a copy of the Episcopal Records, baptisms, marriages and
burials, at Christ Episcopal Church, Tashua. We are also
promised the opportunity to copy for Our Library, the very
valuable Registers of the church at Huntington. It may be
well for the sake of reference to note here the copies of Reg-
isters already in the Library of the society, which are as fol-
1OWS :
XXIX
North Fairfield Congregational Church, Easton :
Births, Marriages, Deaths and Membership, from 1763.
Episcopal Society of Fairfield :
Births, Marriages and Deaths, from 1785.
Church of Christ, in Unity and North Stratford (now Trum-
bull):
Birth, Marriages, Deaths and Membership, 1731 to 1808.
Church of Christ, Stratfield:
Births, Marriages and Membership, from 1695.
Christ Church, Episcopal, Tashua :
Births, Marriages and Burials, from 1805.
It is our hope to have in time a complete record of all the
Cemeteries in the county, and likewise copies of all the Church
Registers, the value of which to future historians and gene-
alogists will be inestimable.
EDWARD DEACON,
Treasurer and Curator.
SWAN LIBRARY.
The venerable Rev'd Benj. L. Swan, so well and favorably
known in genealogical circles, has presented the society with
a valuable collection from his library, numbering upwards of
60 volumes, including a set of Savage's Genealogical Diction-
ary, now becoming rare. These are kept by themselves,
the society having provided a separate bookcase for their pre-
servation.
XXX
REPORT OF THE RECORDING SECRETARY.
The following is the report of the Recording Secretary for
1896-1897:
The work of the Fairfield County Historical Society since
its last publication covering the years 1893, 1894 and 1895
has been carried steadily forward.
March 10th, 1896, the Lincoln Anniversary, a full account of
which will be found in another part of this publication, was
celebrated with great success.
June 5, 1897, Major L. N. Middlebrook read a paper upon
Gen. Fremont's campaign in Virginia. December 15, 1896
Henry T. Blake, Esq., of New Haven, read a paper upon
“New Haven Green as the Seat of Judicial Tribunals.”
January 5, 1897, Phillip H. Smith, Esq., of Pawling, New
York, read a paper upon “Acadia, a Lost Chapter in Ameri-
can History.” February 23, 1897, Curtis Thompson, Esq.,
read a memorial upon the Life and Character of Thomas B.
Fairchild, Esq., a recently deceased member, and Major L.
N. Middlebrook read a paper upon Reminiscences of the War
in Virginia, the Battles of Bull Run and Manasses Junction.
The Daughters of the American Revolution have used the
rooms of the society for their meetings. In March, 1897, the
society lost by death its President, Mr. R. B. Lacey, whose
faithful and devoted service to the society from its organiza-
tion, and as its only President, made his loss keenly felt.
Memorial resolutions upon his life and character were read at
the last annual meeting of the society by Curtis Thompson,
Esq., and placed upon the records of the society. This soci-
ety needs the help and influence of those who are interested
in preserving the local history of this vicinity and it is hoped
that all will join and help sustain it in its present and future
work.
HOWARD N. WAKEMAN,
Recording Secretary.
XXXI
REPORT OF THE coRRESPONDING SECRETARY.
The Corresponding Secretary adds the following brief re-
port :—
In addition to regular routine work, the society appreciates
and solicits more correspondence with other societies or in-
dividuals, upon subjects of historic interest and research,
tending toward mutual benefit.
All relics and documents given for exhibition and preserva-
tion are valued, and will be kept to serve as object lessons to
succeeding generations. They may awaken or stimulate de
sires for a more intimate knowledge of the customs, deeds,
and events in the history of the past.
JAMES R. BURROUGHS,
Corresponding Secretary.
XXXII
LECTURE CO U R S E.
1897-1898.
1897. * *
Oct. 19th. Witchcraft in the Colony of Conn.
By the Rev. Frank S. Childs,
Fairfield.
Nov. 16th. Old New England Days.
By Prof. Anson Titus, - -
Tufts College, Mass.
Dec. 21st. Lafayette.
By Prof. A. M. Wheeler,
Yale University.
1898.
Jan. 18th. Early New England Newspapers.
By W. L. Stone, Esq.,
New York.
Feb. 22d. “Washington Day.”
Symposium by distinguished speakers.
Mar. 15th. “Jackson Day.”
Historical sketch and addresses by
local clergymen and others.
xxxi.11
INDEX TO THE PRINCIPAL CONTENTS OF THE
PUBLICATIONS OF THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY
1882.
1882,
1884.
1885.
1886.
1887.
1887.
1889.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY, FROM
1882 TO 1897.
First Anniversary.
Sketch of the Life of Richardson Miner, Pastor of the
Church of Christ at Unity, 1730 to 1744.
Acceount of the great fire in Bridgeport, 1845.
Sketches of Bridgeport churches in 1835, with list of
members.
Biographical Sketch, Roger Minott Sherman.
History of the Bridgeport Bank, with personal
sketches of its President and early Directors.
Fourth Anniversary and Reports.
Some Dutch troubles in early Connecticut, 1609.
History of the Porter property.
Fifth Anniversary and Reports of Officers.
John Read the colonial lawyer.
Notes concerning the township of Stratford in New
Hampshire.
The old Stratfield Baptist Church ; Elder John Sher-
wood.
Paper concerning the bones discovered at Seaside Park.
Historical discourse on the Consociation, Fairfield
East and Fairfield West, 1736 to 1886.
Necrology.
Annual Report.
Captain Stephen Burroughs and his times.
Stephen Burroughs the astronomer.
Study of Locks, by Alfred C. Hobbs.
Annual Report.
William Samuel Johnson, and the making of the Con-
stitution.
XXXIV
1892.
1894.
1895.
1897.
Annual Report.
Rev. Blackleach Burritt.
The Welles family. -
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1

WYOMING
Connecticut's East India Co.,
TWO LECTURES
Delivered before the
G.airfield Qent, 3G-terical
Śecies.
BRIDGEPORT, CONN,
March 10, 1893,-April 21, 1893,
—BY-
HENRY T. BLAKE, ESQ.,
—OF–
New Haven, Conn.
BRIDGEPORT, CoNN. :
THE STANDARD Association, PRINTERs,
1897.
Connecticut's East India Company;
THE STORY OF WYOMING.
e
• * ~ * * * * * ºl.T.T.T. - - - - -
* -'s
I have selected the title of this paper not because it is ap-
propriate from a geographical point of view, but because I
shall briefly sketch an episode in the annals of our ancient,
and as some suppose, our prosaic commonwealth, which in its
leading features will strikingly remind us of the great com-
mercial corporation of England. Tew among those who have
been but cursory readers of Connecticut history are aware
that there once existed within our borders a similar company
which for more than a generation owned and occupied large
and distant regions in which it founded and maintained col-
onies, established their governments and framed their laws;
which made treaties with independent powers, sent its agents
to represent it before the government of Great Britian, raised
armies and carried on successive and successful wars against
organized states; and which by its enterprise and military
achievements brought under the political jurisdiction of Con-
necticut a beautiful and fertile province whose mountains of
iron, hills of coal and subterranean rivers of oil vied with “the
riches of Ormus and of Ind.” But while the British Company,
fostered and supported by the ambition and greed of England,
has rewarded the mother country by swelling to fabulous
proportions its wealth and power, that of Connecticut tardily
recognised, feebly sustained and finally abandoned by the
parent state, saw all its labors and expenditures end in failure
and its own existence in extinguishment. Nothing now
remains of the former vast possessions of the Susquehanna
Company but a dozen musty volumes of records in the
Historical Society collection at Hartford, and almost un-
known is that tale of fortitude and adversity whose tragic
pathos once stirred the heart of the world. A solitary echo
of the interest it awakened across the Atlantic survives
in literature; the mellifluous but incongruous poem by
Campbell, “Gertrude of Wyoming.”
4
CHAPTER I.
The occasional traveller who strolls along the silent streets
of the venerable town of Windham, meeting no inhabitant ex-
cept perhaps a straggling cow, and hearing no sound but the
hum of a drowsy insect, or the feeble croak of a town born
frog, receives little impression of its activity and importance
as a political and business center before the Revolution.
Then it was one of the wealthiest, most bustling and thriv-
ing towns of the Colony: gay with elegant social life and the
home of influential leaders in Connecticut affairs. Within its
limits were included as parishes several of the now adjoining
towns. It had four well trained military companies, four
meeting houses, a court house and jail and numerous stores.
It furnished nineteen captains and more than sixty other
officers and soldiers to the old French War
Its appearance was far more attractive than at the present
time. At the head of its capacious public square stood the
Congregational church elegantly painted in a brilliant yellow,
and around the square stood public buildings and stores, and
the handsome dwellings of the aristocracy. But in an evil
hour, and in some mysterious manner a portion of the public
square was allowed to be sequestered to private use. Let
other communities hear the sequel and heed the lesson. The
prosperity of Windham has departed, its glory has faded
away, the ancient church and other public edifices have dis-
appeared, and solitude and silence have taken possession of
the streets.
The population of Windham in 1750 was 2400; the entire
county contained but 13,000 inhabitants, and the rest of the
state was peopled in a like proportion. On those rocky hill-
sides where farming was the sole occupation, such a popula-
tion was beginning to seem redundant, and was already
looking for some outlet. Connecticut, it was thought had
about reached the limit of its self-supporting capacity. The
farming lands were all taken up, and there was no longer the
same chance for the young men who were poor, to achieve
prosperity as there had been for their fathers. The time had
evidently arrived to begin the settlement of that vast tract
beyond the Delaware River which belonged to the colony by
its Charter and extended west across the continent to the
unknown shore of the Great South Sea. Adventurous ex-
plorers who had been to spy out its eastern end in the valley
of the Susquehanna, brought back enthusiastic reports of its
beauty and productiveness. It was a land flowing with milk
and honey, waiting to be occupied by the chosen people. True
the savage Canaanite inhabited the land: the Indian tribes
who under French influence in case of war might be objection-
able neighbors. There were suspicions too that the heirs of
Wm. Penn, proprietors on the Southern border of the tract
although it was not included in their domain might be unfavor-
able to its occupation as a part of Connecticut. But these
considerations were easily disposed of. As to the Indians the
land would be purchased from them in a fair trade, and should
they attempt any subsequent treachery, so much worse for
the Indians. Still less was serious trouble to be expected
from the peace loving, non-resistant inhabitants of the city of
brotherly love. Were they not all mild and harmless Quakers,
too fair minded to question the indisputable title of Connecti-
cut and too peaceable to make trouble for inoffensive neigh-
bors who minded their own business and kept within their
rights? Wherefore since the Saints shall inherit the earth,
and we are the Saints, let us go up to the land and possess it.
An emigration fever sprang up which spread from town to
town and from county to county like the California excite-
ment of 1849. It only needed organization and direction to
start the movement; capital and influence must combine to
form a Company, purchase the title to the soil from the In-
dian owners and aid the first Colonists to remove and estab-
lish themselves; these in their turn would buy lands from the
Company, and the abundant crops would support them until
they could realize handsome profits by the sale of farms to
future comers.
Full of such glowing anticipations the Susquehanna Com-
pany was organized at a large and enthusiastic meeting held
at Windham July 18, 1753. Articles of agreement were
signed by 250 subscribers. Eliphalet Dyer and Jedediah
Elderkin, two leading lawyers of Windham took a prominent
part in the movement. Dyer and others were subsequently
appointed a Committee to go to the Susquehanna valley and
select the land; also to make the purchase from the Indians,
and to receive and lay out the tract. Elderkin was appointed
on another committee to collect and pay over the money re-
quired for the enterprise. Representatives of nearly every
family in Windham and the neighboring towns were among
the subscribers; Israel Putnam's name appears on the origi-
nal list. An agent to sell shares or land rights was appointed
in every county of the Colony. Two Spanish milled dollars
was the price fixed per share, but applications were so numer-
ous that in January 1754 it was raised to four dollars, and in
May to five dollars, and at a later date to nine dollars until
1200 members had been enrolled. Nothing stirs the public
mind like the rapid rise of stocks. The whole Colony and es-
pecially the northern counties invested heavily in Wyoming
Rights, and patriotism and profits combined to boom the en-
terprise.
Nor was the excitement confined to the human population
alone for just at this juncture the frogs of Windham broke
out in that extraordinary demonstration which has rendered
the old town famous and covered its batrachian inhabitants
with imperishable renown. What was the cause or purpose
of the uproar has never been discovered. The theories
of a frog migration and battle have been discarded. That
the prodigy had some reference to the Susquehanna move-
ment was evident to the people of Windham from the cries
of “Col. Dyerſ Col. Dyerſ Elderkin, too ! Elderkin, too!”
but whether it was a portent for good or evil was a matter
of controversy. By some it was regarded as a warning of
disaster by old croakers divinely inspired; by others, (and
these were largely in the majority,) it was declared that
the sign was sent like that of the frogs in Egypt as a call
to let the people go. - -
In July, 1754, a Congress of delegates from all the colonies
assembled at Albany to confer with the tribes of Indians
inhabiting central New York, known as the Six Nations, in
7
order to secure their friendship in event of a war between
Great Britain and France, then impending. These tribes
claimed ownership and sovereignty over the Susquehanna
lands, and Dyer and his associate agents of the Land Com-
pany resorted to the conference in order to effect their pro-
posed purchase. The object of the Congress was accomplished,
at least in appearance, as the Indians agreed to an English
alliance. After the treaty was concluded, the negotiation on
behalf of the Susquehanna Company was entered upon.
The Colonial delegates who were present from Pennsylvania
interposed objections, claiming not a jurisdiction or ownership
of the territory, but only a right of pre-emption and made
overtures for purchasing on their own account. But the
astute savages had heard of the modes of trading practiced
by the heirs of Wm. Penn, and preferred to deal with Yankee
customers. Under the persuasive influences of eloquence and
fire water a purchase was soon effected in behalf of the Com-
pany for £2,000. A deed was executed; the cash was paid
over to the Indians in a blanket and the noble red men
immediately adjourned to a neighboring orchard where they
divided the money and drank the rest of the fire-water.
The tract conveyed was bounded on the south and north by
the parallels of 41° and 42° of latitude, east by a line parallel
with the Susquehanna River and always ten miles distant
therefrom, and west by a north and south line 120 miles west
of the north end of the easterly boundary. It thus comprised
an area of 60 miles in breadth north and South, by about 130
miles east and west.
In 1755 the Company in order to obtain the support of the
Connecticut Colony in case of any friction with the Pennsyl-
vania authorities, applied to the General Assembly for its
approval of the purchase and for authority to lay out a town-
ship with forts and mills: to which application that cautious
body gave “a ready acquiescence providing it should be his
majesty's royal pleasure to grant such lands to the petitioners,
humbly recommending them to his majesty's royal favor in
the premises.” In the meantime another company in Connec-
ticut called the Delaware Company had been organized and
8
purchased all the land east of the Susquehanna tract between
it and the Delaware River. This Company had little promin-
ence in subsequent events, as it made but one small settlement
on the Delaware River and had practically no separate history.
Thus by the year 1755 the promised land was ready to be
occupied, but at this time the relations between Great Britain
and France were so strained that war was immediately ex-
pected and the preparations for it in Connecticut together
with the dangers to which new settlements on the Susque-
hanna would be exposed prevented any migration to that
region. War was actually declared in the following year 1756
and continued till 1763, though for the last two years of that
period hostilities were not very active. In this war many of
the promoters of the Susquehanna Company, including
Eliphalet Dyer, Israel Putnam, Zebulon Butler, Phineas
Lyman and others took conspicuous parts as military officers,
and the occupation of the Susquehanna region remained in
abeyance with one disastrous exception. A colony of immi-
grants settled near the present site of Wilkesbarre in 1762, and
in the same year was cut off by the Indians. More than twenty
were killed and the rest fled through the woods back to
Connecticut. This was the first expulsion of the Yankees
from Wyoming. From this time no farther steps were taken
in settling the valley till 1768. -
The delay however was not entirely on account of the war.
Ever since the purchase at Albany in 1754 the authorities of
Pennsylvania had been busily occupied in striving to render it
nugatory. They sent a remonstrance to the Governor of Con-
necticut inquiring whether the purchase had been made by
authority of the Colony; to which that functionary rendered
an evasive reply. They also commenced intriguing with the
Indians to induce them to repudiate their sale under a pretence
that they had been deceived. The operation was a long and
difficult one as the Indians had some scruples against such
barefaced mendacity, but by means of repeated conferences,
abundance of presents and unlimited rum, and through the aid
of Sir William Johnson, the savages in 1768 were finally
9
brought to declare their deed to the Susquehanna Company
void, and to sell the same lands to the honest Quakers.
While these negotiations were going on the Susquehanna
Company had also been endeavoring to fortify its title in
another direction. The cautious approval of its purchase by
the Connecticut General Assembly in 1755 upon condition
that the Crown should grant permission to settle the territory
had seemed to compel the Company to obtain such permission.
During the early years of the war nothing could be done, but
in 1760 at a joint meeting of the Susquehanna and Delaware
Companies held at Hartford it was voted to send Col. Eliphalet
Dyer to England as “Agent to the Court of Great Britain”
with the magnificent salary of £150, and an allowance of his
expenses for “all necessary extraordinary clothing and ap-
paratus for his proper appearance.” Jonathan Trumbull,
Jedediah Elderkin, Hezekiah Huntington, David Edwards,
Samuel Gray and George Wythe, (all but two from Wind-
ham), were appointed a committee to assist him. Col. Dyer
departed to England in 1761 and found there a Pennsylvania
Agent ready to contest his suit. The matter was first referred
to the Attorney General, who rendered an opinion adverse
to the Connecticut claim. An appeal was taken to the King
and Privy Council, which it was understood might not be
heard and decided for years, and on which in fact no decision
appears ever to have been rendered.
In May, 1763 a resolution was passed by the Company,
reciting in substance that, whereas, Mr. Penn has made
opposition to our claim in the Susquehanna and has been
actively inciting the nations to hostilities against our settle-
ment, (referring to the massacre of the settlers there a few
months previous), and has by misrepresentations obtained
from the King an order inhibiting all entries on the Susque-
hanna lands till inquiries be made and precautions taken to
prevent fresh troubles with the Indians, therefore out of high
regard for our gracious Sovereign, &c., &c., Woted to suspend
all settlement till his majesty's pleasure be heard therein.
In May, 1765 Dyer returned and reported the matter still in
abeyance, and there being no one left in England to represent
10
the Company, John Gardiner, Esq., of the Middle Temple,
London, was employed as its agent and attorney. Two and
a half years later Gardiner having removed from London and
the cause having made no progress the Company voted to
“request Wm. Samuel Johnson, Esq., now in London, to
attend to its prosecution.” In Jan'y, 1768 at another meeting
at Windham, nothing being heard from the case, it was voted
that Col. Dyer go again to England, “to appear before the
King's most excellent majesty and obtain his confirmation of
our title.”
In December of the same year, (1768), the Company had
become tired of waiting on the convenience of the King's most
excellent majesty and determined to proceed to business.
The Company held a meeting at Hartford, (meetings seem
to have been held sometimes at Hartford and sometimes at
Windham), and passed a lengthy vote which may be condens-
ed as follows:—“Whereas, in 1763 his gracious majesty the
King inhibited settlement on the Susquehanna lands till pre-
cautions had been taken to prevent trouble with the Indians,
and we then suspended such settlement and have since taken
care to satisfy the Indians and ensure their quietness, Voted
that we now proceed to settle said lands.” It was also voted
that forty persons should set out by February 1st, and that
200 more should follow in the Spring, and £200 was appro-
priated for their outfit and sustenance. Also that five town-
ships should be laid out, to belong to the forty and the 200, in
addition to their share rights provided they would Occupy
and keep possession of the land for five years in the name of
the Company, and not conduct themselves disorderly; and that
if any of them should “be sued or prosecuted in the law by
the proprietors of Penn, this Company will be at the cost
of their defence.”
The five townships were subsequently laid out and were
named Wilkesbarre, Hanover, Kingston, Plymouth and Pitts-
ton. -
In the meantime the amiable Quakers were informed of the
movement and preparing to counteract it. All lands in Penn-
sylvania were owned in fee by the heirs of Wm. Penn, one of
11
whom, John Penn, was the Governor. These proprietors in
pursuance of their custom not to part with the title to the soil,
executed a lease of 100 acres at Wyoming to three persons for
seven years on condition that they should erect an Indian trad-
ing house thereon, and defend the land from encroachment.
These three persons were Charles Stewart, Capt. Amos Ogden
and John Jennings, the latter being the high sheriff of the ad-
joining county. The three were also constituted a Chief Execu-
tive Directory to protect the proprietaries' affairs at Wyoming.
Surely no 100 acres of land was ever leased on conditions
which proved more arduous. The Executive Directory having
notice of the coming of the first forty from Connecticut,
hurried to the ground with half a dozen men and took
possession of an old block house which had been left by the
unfortunate Colony of 1763, and there awaited the arrival of
the Yankees. It was the month of January, 1769; the
country was covered with snow and the stillness of death
brooded over the wooded valley.
CHAPTER II.
Here beginneth the record of “the first Penny-mite War.”
From this time forth the whole population of Connecticut on
the one side and of Pennsylvania on the other stood for 18
years on the tiptoe of excitement watching the vicissitudes of
the contest which now commenced in the valley of Wyoming
between the Penn proprietaries on the one side and the
Yankee immigrants on the other for the possession of the
territory. Few stories are more interesting than that of the
battles, the sieges, the personal adventures and the alternations
of fortune which marked its progress; yet, owing partly to
the fact that its events occurred on the soil of Pennsylvania,
partly to the circumstance that the only histories which fully
narrate them are rare and now out of print, they have hardly
been heard of by the present generation in Connecticut. In
the following account I have drawn my materials from several
sources, local and general, but chiefly from Miner's excellent
history of Wyoming published in 1845. I shall follow the
order and sometimes adopt the language of his narrative.
12
Behold then on the 8th of February 1769 the little garrison
of Pennymites at Wilkesbarre glaring stealthily through the
chinks of the old block house as the first company of forty
doughty Yankees are seen to emerge from the snow clad
forest. Imagine the chagrin of the forty after their long and
weary tramp at finding their expected shelter in the hands of
an enemy. Recovering however from their first surprise they
soon surrounded the fortress and demanded its surrender in
the name of the Colony of Connecticut. The garrison consid-
ering that a dozen men were hardly a match for forty had re-
course to strategy. A very polite and conciliatory note was
addressed by Capt. Ogden to the commander of the besiegers
respectfully soliciting an interview and a friendly conference
on the subject of their respective titles. What could be fairer
or more attractive to the Yankee mind, always ready for an
argument 2 The proposition was immediately accepted and
the three smartest talkers of the investing force were deputed
to enter the edifice and present the points of the Connecticut
case. No sooner were they fairly inside than Sheriff Jennings
clapped a writ on the shoulders of each before he could com-
mence his oration, arrested them all for trespass by authority
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and informed them
that they must accompany him to Easton Jail. The old
Roman who declared that laws are silent in the presence of
arms had evidently never been brought up in Connecticut.
When Sheriff Jennings emerged from the Block house con-
ducting his three prisoners in the name of the law, the invad-
ing army was paralysed. They had bound themselves to the
Company not to conduct themselves disorderly, and though
numbering forty to ten, the thought of rescue or resistance
never entered their heads: the majesty of the law overpowered
all thought of opposition, and by common consent the three
prisoners were escorted to Easton Jail sixty miles distant, the
whole Yankee army following humbly in the rear.
At Easton and in fact throughout Pennsylvania the Penn
Government was extremely odious. The custom of the Pro-
prietaries to sell no land but to grant leases only, rendered
the settlers practically serfs under a feudal aristocracy. The
13
Yankees on the contrary had come to establish democratic
institutions on the basis of private ownership of the soil, and
were viewed with general favor. Consequently it occurred
that when the Sheriff and his troop arrived at Easton, bail
was quickly found for the prisoners, and the reunited forty
speedily took the back trail to Wyoming, this time without
the companionship of the Sheriff, entered the empty block
house and thus found themselves in bloodless possession of the
field. But brief was their state of self-complacency. Sheriff
Jennings having laid in a new supply of writs and summoned
to his aid a more powerful posse of deputies soon appeared
at the block house, stormed the doors and captured the whole
party. Back to Easton Jail they marched, (the second expul-
sion of the Yankees,) again found bail, and then tramped back
once more to their stronghold. Thus twice captured and
sent to Easton, a distance of sixty miles within a month, they
must have travelled going and coming in that period at
least 240 miles in the depth of winter through a rugged and
frozen wilderness. All legal resources against the invaders
had now been exhausted without effect, and the dispossessed
Ogden and Jennings left them for a few months undisturbed.
Spring slowly opened, and as the ice disappeared from the
streams a new and priceless treasure was discovered in this
earthly paradise, which caused the hearts of those men of
Windham and Hartford to leap for joy. Shad began to swarm
in the river and on beholding this clear proof that the region
was within the rightful limits of Connecticut, the settlers were
more firmly resolved than ever to hold it to the last extremity.
Reports of the shad were sent back to Connecticut, and soon
other settlers came pouring into the valley until 270 in all
were on the ground, including women and children. A strong
fort was built, half an acre in extent, which was named after
its commander, Fort Durkee; huts were erected, ground
cleared and crops planted. Meantime however the enemy had
not been idle. Ogden and Jennings recruited their forces
and in May appeared before Fort Durkee. Wisely concluding
however on reflection that it would be madness to attack the
Yankees in the height of the shad season, they retired and re-
14
ported to Governor Penn that the invaders had possession of
the county, and were too strong to be dislodged by any force at
the sheriff's command Great was the indignation of the
Quaker functionary at the news. Regardless of non-resistance
principles, a military company fully armed and equipped with
weapons of war was despatched from Philadelphia to make
short work of the audacious intruders. The martial band in
brave array with banners and music picked their way gallantly
through the woods to Fort Durkee. They then took a care-
ful look at the structure and promptly returned in excellent
order by the same road they had come on.
And now the summer months passed rapidly by. New
bands of settlers came on from Connecticut; homes were
built, crops ripened and the harvest was ready for the gather-
ing. Suddenly in September, the indefatigable Ogden and
Jennings again appeared on the scene with an armed and
organized military force of over two hundred men, includ-
ing an artillery company with an iron four-pounder
cannon—the first piece of Ordnance ever seen in the valley
and destined to become famous in the future history of
Wyoming. By a lucky stroke the Pennymites surprised
and captured Capt. Durkee while haivesting outside the
fort and packed him off at once to Philadelphia prison.
Then having invested the fort with his army and planted the
grim four-pounder in a suggestive position, Capt. Ogden sum-
moned the garrison to instant surrender. It did not take the
Yankees long to decide. Their commander was Captured ;
there were no supplies in the fort; their farms and families
were outside at the mercy of the enemy. And as they contem-
plated the powerful array of besiegers, and gazed reflectively
into the muzzle of that portentous four-pounder, they mutually
confessed “their thoughts were turned on peace.”
Articles of capitulation were agreed upon at once; three of
the Yankees were held as prisoners, seventeen were allowed
to remain to gather the growing crops. All the rest with the
women and children were ordered forthwith out of the valley;
a pledge being given however that their private property
should be respected. “Taking up their melancholy march”
15
says Miner, sad as the exiles from Paradise, the men, their
wives, and little ones with such of their flocks and herds as
could be collected, with aching hearts took leave of the fair
plains of Wyoming. No sooner had the mass of settlers been
expelled than Ogden in violation of the articles of capitula-
tion made pillage of all the property remaining; cattle, horses
and sheep were driven to markets on the Delaware and the
seventeen who remained, left without means to sustain them-
selves, were compelled to follow their exiled friends on their
journey to Connecticut. Thus ended the Campaign of 1769
with the Yankees for the third time completely expelled,
their crops, and live stock, and household goods confiscated,
and their fort and houses in the possession of the Pennymites.
The long procession of hopeless fugitives toiled painfully east-
ward toward Connecticut, while Ogden with his cohorts re-
mained to gather up the plunder and to hold the valley.”
In November when winter was at hand and all fear of a re-
turn of the Yankees had vanished, he disbanded his forces
and leaving a garrison of twelve men to hold the fort, depart-
ed to Philadelphia to air his laurels. Great was the ovation
which awaited him. The city of brotherly love was stirred to
its foundations; bells rang, wine flowed, broad brimmed hats
were tossed in the air and shad belly coats were embraced with
exultation. Capt. Ogden flushed with triumph assured his
cheering admirers that the victory was final and that no in-
truding Yankee would ever again confront that terrible four
pounder on the banks of the Susquehanna.
In the midst of these festivities there came a disagreeable
announcement. Capt. Durkee who had somehow escaped from
prison, together with Capt. Stewart and another Connecticut
forty had suddenly dropped on Fort Durkee, ousted its gar-
rison of ten, and were in full possession : not only the fortress
but the redoubtable four pounder itself with all its balls and
ammunition, was in the hands of the Yankees.
The valiant Capt. Ogden though astonished was not dis-
mayed. Hastily collecting fifty men he started for the seat of
war and on his arrival took possession of the old block house
near the fort which had been his former quarters. Durkee
16
marched out of the fort under the Connecticut flag to recon-
noiter his position and Ogden with a deputy sheriff and
posse attempted his old game of arresting the whole party.
But the magic influence of the writ had been exhausted; the
Yankees resisted; a fight ensued; one Connecticut man was
killed and several wounded. Durkee withdrew to the fort
and brought out the four pounder, and it was now the Penny-
mites' turn to recognise the persuasive influence of their old
associate. Without standing on the order of their going, they
got into their block house as quickly as possible and anxiously
watched the besiegers operations. In the course of a day or
two a log redoubt had been constructed about sixty rods from
the block house. On this the “dread artillery” was mounted
and opened fire; day after day it blazed away shaking the
forest with its roar, knocking off limbs in every direction and
hitting every object in sight except the block house. It was
then moved nearer the building and the siege more closely
pressed; the principal storehouse of the Pennymites was
stormed and destroyed, but Ogden held out for a month hop-
ing for reinforcements. Gov. Penn unable to raise them ap-
pealed in despair to the British commander at New York for
troops but that official flatly refused to interfere. On the
29th of April Ogden capitulated, the Yankees took possession
of their enemy's arms and supplies and immediately burned
the block house to the ground. Ogden collected his dis-
comfited followers, marched gloomily back to Philadelphia
where he reported progress to the Governor, and the air
was immediately blue with execrations and proclamations.
Thus in May 1770 peace once more reigned in Wyoming.
The joy-bringing shad came up the river in myriads and
through the spring and summer, band after band of new
settlers from Connecticut came pouring into the valley.
Again the growing crops adorned the fields and autumn
arrived at last greeted by a cheerful people and bounteous
harvests. Gov. Penn meantime had been nursing his wrath
and planning for new visitations of vengeance. Having finally
succeeded by desperate efforts in raising about 140 men, he
despatched them in September under command of the untir-
17
ing Ogden with the old accompaniment of deputy sheriffs
and plenty of writs to make another attempt to break up the
pestiferous Yankee settlement. Ogden marched so secretly
that he surprised the hard working settlers in the fields and
captured and arrested many of them separately. A few got
into the fort and sent out messengers for aid but these were
intercepted by the enemy. Ogden then made a sudden rush
with his force, beat down the sentinels and captured the fort
after a sharp struggle in which several lives were lost. All
the principal settlers were forthwith sent to Philadelphia
prison; the rank and file of the men were lodged in Easton Jail;
the women and children were as before expelled from the
valley; and as before the entire possessions of the unfortunate
Yankees became the plunder of their Pennymite foes. The
property thus lost was by no means inconsiderable and the
soldiers of the successful party were richly rewarded by the
spoil. This was late in October, 1770 and was the fourth
expulsion of the Yankees.
Ogden remained through the Indian summer gathering and
disposing of his pillage, till the last wretched Connecticut
straggler had reached his home, then as snow settled down
on the deserted valley he left twenty men to hold the fort, and
returned to the re-jubilant Quaker city to spend the winter in
feasting and revelry over the final termination of the war.
Alas for human expectations! On the 18th of December in
the darkness of a winter night the slumbering garrison of
Fort Durkee were aroused by a sudden shout of “ Hurrah for
King George!” and started from their sleep to find the fort
again in the hands of the Yankees. Six escaped nearly naked
to the mountains, the rest were unceremoniously expelled,
and the fugitives making their melancholy way through the
woods as best they could carried the painful news to Phila-
delphia. Dismay and gloom settled down on the city and
quenched the festive Christmas jubilations. The shad belly
coats were turned into garments of mourning and the flowing
bowl was filled with the spirit of heaviness. Thus ended the
second year of the war and the campaigns of 1770.
As the year 1771 opened on the grief stricken Quakers it
18
soon beheld their melancholy harden into a spirit less consis-
tent with their amiable principles. To turn their cheek to the
smiter was forgotten as they reflected on the smiter's cheek.
Proclamations and offers of reward for Yankee prisoners flew
thick as hail, and one hundred men were levied as quickly as
possible and despatched to the seat of war with Capt. Ogden
at their head. When this force arrived before Fort Durkee
they found it shut up tight and fast in the keeping of about
fifty defenders under the command of Capt. Stewart, a former
citizen of Pennsylvania who sharing in the popular hatred
of the Penn Goverment had transfered his allegiance to
Connecticut.
Ogden having erected a counter fortress in the immediate
vicinity first resorted to the old but now played out method
of sending a sheriff with a summons to surrender in the name
of the law. Captain Stewart replied that he held the fort for
the Colony of Connecticut and disrespectfully advised the dep-
uty sheriff and the whole Colony of Pennsylvania to seek a
warmer climate. A few days later Ogden made an assault
with his whole force but was beaten off with the loss of his
brother killed and three more wounded. But though success-
ful in this encounter the garrison concluded that the odds
against them were too great and being in no condition to stand
a siege they decided not to prolong the contest. Capt. Stewart
who as a renegade Pennsylvanian was specially obnoxious to the
Penn government escaped with thirty followers by night
leaving about twenty in the fort, which the next day surren-
dered to Ogden without resistance, and the twenty who were
taken were sent at once to Easton Jail, charged with murder
and other crimes.
It is worth mentioning here as an indication how strongly
the general public of Pennsylvania sympathised with the
Connecticut settlers, that on their trials the prisoners were all
acquitted by the jury, and so far as it appears not a single con-
viction was ever had upon any of the complaints on which so
many of the settlers had been arrested and imprisoned at
Easton and Philadelphia. º
Thus for the fifth time the Connecticut settlers had bee
19
expelled from Wyoming, and now the persistent Ogden ren-
dered wary by experience took up his abode in the valley, and
set himself to strengthen Fort Wyoming so that it should be
proof against either Yankee assault or strategy. But in vain
did he search for its most precious treasure the mighty four
pounder; it was gone, and when or how the Yankees had got
it away was a mystery. Two months passed by in peaceful
repose from the toils of war, when lo! early in April simul-
taneously with the first appearance of shad in the river, 150
doughty Yankees were seen emerging from the forest and
making straight for the fortress. They were headed by the
escaped Stewart, and with them also was a hero of a far
higher order, the gallant Zebulon Butler of whom we shall
hear more hereafter. More familiar and more awe inspiring
to the cooped up Pennymites was the sight of the lost four
pounder with a full supply of balls and ammunition; but most
astonishing and portentous of all was a stupendous engine
of destruction in the form of an enormous piece of artillery
far larger than any known to exist in the world. It was mount-
ed on a pair of wagon wheels and was dragged along with diffi-
culty by the besiegers, It was in fact an immense pepperage
log which had been bored and fabricated into the semblance
of a cannon by an ingenious Yankee blacksmith. Painted a
diabolical black, with a red murderous mouth, and bound
about with iron bands the mysterious monster presented an
appearance truly infernal and appalling. The garrison looked
on with consternation while a redoubt was being constructed
and the portentous ‘what is it,’ was mounted upon it. Then
they beheld it carefully trained to bear on the fort, and then
a slow match was applied and lighted. An awful moment fol-
lowed: the besieged cowered under their ramparts: even
the besiegers scattered behind trees.
“There was silence deep as death
And the boldest held his breath
For a time.”
Then a thousand thunders in one shook the hills and split
the heavens. When the smoke had cleared away the fort to
the astonishment of all was found to be standing unharmed;
20
but the cannon had totally disappeared. Not a vestige of it
could be discovered until several months afterwards when one
of its iron hoops was found hanging in the top of a tree half
a mile away, across the river.
After this imposing demonstration the siege was conducted
with implements of a less titanic order. The more humble four
pounder was now brought into service, but with little better
result, as the Yankee gunners proved far more skilful in mak-
ing a noise than in hitting the fort. More effective work was
done by investing the fortress so closely that Ogden was un-
able to send word of his situation to Philadelphia.
Three months passed away during which time the garrison -
remained thus bottled up while the besiegers had been quietly
combining business with pleasure by erecting shelters, plant-
ing crops and showing a clear intention to fight it out on that
line if it took all summer. Meantime provisions in the fort
were reduced to the lowest point, and it was evident that
starvation would soon compel a surrender unless a message
could be sent to Gov. Penn.
In this emergency Ogden determined to carry the message
himself, and achieved his purpose by a feat of remarkable
coolness, skill and daring. Miner thus relates it: “A little
past midnight on the 12th of July when all was quiet one of
the Yankee sentinels saw something floating on the river
which had a very suspicious appearance. A shot awakened
attention and drew the eyes of every other sentinel to the
spot; a volley was poured in but produced no apparent effect:
the thing still floating gently with the current, the firing was
suspended while still the wonder grew what the object could
be. Capt. Ogden had tied his clothes in a bundle and fas-
tened his hat on top; to this was connected a string of several
rods in length which he attached to his arm. Letting him-
self noiselessly into the water, swimming on his back so
deeply as only to allow his lips to breathe, the whole move-
ment demanding extraordinary skill and self-possession, he
floated down drawing the bundle after him. As he had calcu-
lated, this being the only object apparent, it drew the fire of
his foes. He escaped unhurt and when out of danger dressed
21
himself with his drenched clothing and hat perforated with
bullets, and with the speed of a roebuck was in the city on the
third day, having accomplished 120 miles through a rough
and inhospitable wilderness.”
Instantly Philadelphia was in commotion, bells rang, drums
beat and shad belly coats flew frantically to and fro. Three
hundred pounds was quickly voted, and Capt. Dick was hurried
off to the aid of the garrison with provisions and an escort.
Capt. Morris with a full uniformed company with banners and
music was sent immediately following Capt. Dick. Col.
Clayton as commander in chief with another force came just
behind, and Capt. Leslie was ordered to raise a fourth detach-
ment and follow as soon as possible. º
It was now August, 1771, the fifth month of the siege.
Capt. Butler and his men prudent and indomitable intermit-
ted neither their besieging nor their farming, and were
getting ready to gather in both the corn and the Pennymites.
Ogden's escape being known, they were on the outlook for
reinforcements, and it was not long before the scouts announ-
ced the approach of Capt. Dick with his supply of food for
the garrison. The train cautiously approached undisturbed
and apparently undiscovered until it was quite near the fort;
Then there was a sudden volley from an ambush, a whoop and
a rush by the Yankees cutting the train in two, and quickly
the pack-horses which were in the rear were flying toward
Philadelphia, while the escort was hustling into the fort. The
retreating provisions were soon in the hands of the Yankees
while the garrison already starving found themselves with
twenty more mouths to feed.
The news of Capt. Dick's discomfiture reached Philadelphia
and aroused a feeling the reverse of hilarious. Three hundred
pounds more were drawn with groans from the impoverished
treasury; new recruits were called for, and Leslie was hurried
on to overtake Clayton and Morris. Meanwhile Butler antici-
pating these results was pushing forward the siege by a series
of vigorous attacks in which several of the garrison had been
killed and wounded. By the time Clayton and Morris arrived
the fort had capitulated, and those officers had the pleasure
22
of assenting to the terms of surrender. These were that the
fort and the valley should be abandoned by the Pennymite
forces and the Yankees left in full possession. Thus after
three years of battle and siege during which the Susquehanna
Company had waged war unassisted against the whole power
of Pennsylvania, hostilities closed with the Company the
acknowledged victors. &
The tired Pennsylvania authorities desiring to know why
this was thus, addressed a letter to Gov. Trumbull, inquiring
whether these perverse proceedings were under his counten-
ance or authority, or that of the Connecticut Assembly. The
courteous Governor replied by letter dated New Haven, Oct.
14, 1771, which was more diplomatic than satisfactory. He
assured Gov. Penn that “those persons had had no order or
direction from him or from the General Assembly, and that
the Assembly would never countenance violent or hostile
measures by the Susquehanna Company in vindicating the
rights which it supposed itself to have to lands within the
limits of the Connecticut Charter. But “he understood that
each of the contending parties charged the commencement
of violence on the other, of which he was no proper judge.”
And with this reply, whereby Gov. Penn learned very little
except that Connecticut regarded Wyoming as within its Char-
ter limits, that functionary felt the spirit move him to drop
the subject.
Here endeth the record of the first Pennymite War.
CHAPTER III.
While the stirring events of these three years had been
taking place in the Wyoming valley it will be easily under-
stood that old Windham and its suburbs had not been
indifferent or inactive spectators. The entire people of Con-
necticut had in fact been as fully arous d as the Quakers
themselves. The fighting farmers who had poured into the
valley had been drawn from all parts of the colony though
chiefly from the northern and eastern counties. The Susque-
hanna Company had organized and forwarded them, and had
23
directed their movements, and by sales of its land rights and
through popular subscriptions obtained by its agencies, had
furnished them with both ploughshares and swords as well as
other needed supplies; had assisted them when in prison and
had aided their families when expelled, and now that peace
and security had been reached, the tide of emigration to
Wyoming set in like a flood.
“For the next two or three years” says Miss Larned the
historian of Windham County, “that town alone sent scores
of valuable families and leaders of the colony; these sent back
such glowing reports to the rocky farms of Windham County
that emigration raged like an epidemic and seemed likely to
sweep away a considerable part of the population.” The
General Assembly now took more courage and although there
was as yet no formal adoption of the company and its work,
there was no longer any hesitation in claiming that the settle-
ments were within Connecticut's Charter limits. Under this
quasi recognition the stock of the company rose to $100 per
share. Population and prosperity flowed into the valley.
New townships were located. New forts were also built and
military companies were kept in training; for while the set-
tlers trusted God they had not equal faith in the peacefulness
of Quakers and meant to keep their powder dry. Commo-
dious houses began to be erected; farms were planted and
fenced, and mills and ferries established; there was shad fish-
ing and shad eating, marriage and giving in marriage.
There was however no organized government, all questions
of polity or morals being settled by town committees to whose
decrees all rendered obedience. Thus matters continued
through 1772. Says Miner, “the year passed without justice
or lawyer, judge or sheriff, don or coustable, civil suit or
crime; and from the representations of the old people it may
be considered as a season of Wild, joyous, unalloyed hap-
piness.”
It was now time however that something in the nature of
Civil Government should be established. Accordingly the
Susquehanna Company at a meeting held at Hartford in 1773,
adopted for the settlements what Inight be called a constitu-
24
tion but which was in fact a social compact pure and simple.
By the terms of this instrument the settlers recognized them-
selves as under the authority of the King of England and the
laws of Connecticut. They conferred all the local executive
and judicial powers of each township on three directors for
the purpose of keeping order and suppressing vice, with a
constable to enforce their decrees and judgments. These
several boards of directors were to meet quarterly in general
court with a high sheriff in attendance, in order to hear ap-
peals from the local boards and to try high crimes and mis-
demeanors. A system of taxation was established and a
militia force provided for. It was also declared that this
plan of government should continue in force “until the
country should be annexed to Connecticut or some other form
be provided by the King;” thus hinting at a possible inde-
pendent colony if Connecticut should fail to adopt them.
This compact was accepted by all the townships in the
Wyoming valley and was signed by every adult male inhabi-
tant within their borders; every new comer was also required
to subscribe to it.
In 1773 overtures were made by Connecticut to Pennsyl-
vania for an amicable arrangement between the colonies for
the occupation of Wyoming, but the men of peace and broth-
erly love refused to consider any propositions whatever. Thus
repulsed the General Assembly caused a case to be made up
presenting the Colony's claims and transmitted to England
for the ablest legal opinions that could be obtained upon it.
The case was submitted to Thurlow, Wedderburn, Jackson,
and Dunning, the four highest authorities in England, who
gave their united opinion in favor of the Connecticut juris-
diction. Thus fortified the General Assembly in October 1773,
resolved that the Colony would recognize the settlements
as under its protection, and further resolved that they would
“make their claim to those lands and in a legal manner sup-
port the same.”
In 1774 when two years had passed away without any at-
tempt on the part of Pennsylvania to disturb the settlements
the General Assembly took more formal and decisive action.
25
It passed an act erecting all the territory extending from the
Delaware river to a point 15 miles west of the Susquehanna,
between the Parallels of 41° and 42° north latitude into a town
under the jurisdiction of Connecticut with the name of West-
moreland, and attaching it to the County of Litchfield, with
two delegates to the General Assembly. Governor Trumbull
thereupon signed a proclamation forbidding any settlement
therein except under the Connecticut authority. The Governor
of Pennsylvania followed with a counter proclamation against
any such settlement without the sanction of Pennsylvania.
The town government of Westmoreland was speedily or-
ganized under the Connecticut Act and its delegates were an-
nually chosen to the General Assembly for several years
thereafter and regularly attended its sessions at New Haven
and Hartford. New settlers kept pouring into the valley,
churches and schools were organized and put in operation,
flocks and herds and wealth increased, the shad continued
abundant and Savory, crops were plenteous, and thus prosper-
ously passed away the year 1774 and most of 1775. s
In the meantime the stormy clouds of the coming Revo-
lutionary War had risen above the horizon, and a Continental
Congress had assembled at Philadelphia. The settlers of
Wyoming, true sons of Connecticut had voted in town meet-
ing that they would support the Congress and would “unani-
mously join our brethren in America in the common cause of
defending our liberty.” Resolutions these, which in view of
their frontier situation were full of danger, and which were
afterwards sealed by devotion, sacrifices and sufferings un-
equalled by any other part of the nation in the course of that
long and arduous struggle.
In September 1775 the Governor of Pennsylvania inspired
with martial ardor by the events which had occurred at Lex-
ington, Concord and Bunker Hill, and possibly in view of the
fact that the attention of Connecticut was closely occupied in
that direction, availed himself of an opportunity to seek for
rival laurels in the Wyoming valley.
Two small settlements just started about five miles west of
the township line, and out of reach of any fort presented a
26
tempting prize for the cupidity of any band which would take
the risk of raiding them. Accordingly one Col. Plunkett, a con-
spicuous tory who had fled from England to escape prosecu-
tion for highway robbery, applied for and obtained orders from
Governor Penn to break them up. Secretly collecting a strong
force he surprised the settlements, killing one person and
wounding several others, burned all the buildings and property
which could not be moved, and distributed the remainder as
pillage to himself and followers All the men who were found
were taken to Sunbury jail; the women and children were
driven back to Wyoming. The authorities of Connecticut on
learring of this proceeding and that preparations were being
made for a general attack on the other settlements in the
valley, appealed to the Continental Congress at Philadelphia
to remonstrate with Pennsylvania against the repetition of
such hostilities as “calculated and probably intended to break
up the union of the Colonies.” Congress at once complied,
and by a formal vote entreated the Pennsylvania Assembly to
take effectual measures against further conflict. The Assembly
answered by directing Gov. Penn to give orders for a due
execution of the laws of the Province in the Counties of
Northampton and Northumberland. Gov. Penn without a day's
delay sent a letter to Col. Plunkett dated November 25th in
which he said, “I do most cheerfully order you to use your
utmost diligence and activity in putting the laws of this
Province in execution throughout the County of Northumber-
land; and you may depend on the faith of the House and my
concurrence with them that every proper and necessary ex-
pense that may be incurred on the Occasion will be defrayed.
Thus commenced the Second Pennymite War.
Early in December a force of seven hundred men composed
of several military companies and volunteers all under the
charge of Col. Plunkett, fully equipped with warlike muni-
tions including a cannon, were on their way in a fleet of boats
up the Susquehanna river. The avowed purpose of their
commander was to subjugate and disperse the entire Yankee
population, and he encouraged his troops with the promise
of an easy victory and plunder enough to enrich every man
27
in the army. For the Wyoming people the prospect was
indeed alarming. The whole valley could not muster over
three hundred men and boys and there were not arms enough
for anything like that number. Numerous tories and other
disaffected persons had settled among them and were in
secret sympathy with the invaders. During the previous
four years of quiet and security the population had become
diversified like that of an ordinary peaceful community with
women and children, and the usual proportion of the helpless
and infirm and the prospect of being driven from their homes
in the depth of winter as on former occasions, and of seeing
the accumulations of four years labor swept away in sack and
flames, brought consternation to every face. An earnest ap-
peal was forwarded to Congress to interpose in their behalf,
at the same time every preparation was made for defence.
The heroic Zebulon Butler whose valor and judgment had
saved the settlements in the previous war was placed in com-
mand. The three hundred who could carry arms were collect-
ed, those who had no guns were furnished with scythe blades
fastened to poles; and the approach of the invaders was
anxiously awaited. --
Meantime Congress had received and acted on their appeal.
On the 20th of December it passed resolutions urging the
cessation of hostile demonstrations as prejudicial to the com-
mon cause, “the restoration of all captured property and the
release of all prisoners taken in this unhappy contest,” and
“the general restoration of the previous condition of affairs
until the dispute could be settled in a legal manner.”
The remonstrance came too late to be of any avail, if it
would have availed in any case, an don the day it was adopted
(December 20th, 1775) Plunkett with his army and fleet of
boats was already approaching Wyoming. Capt. Butler and
his motley force were watching them and constructing a bar-
ricade of logs on the bank of the river just below the settle-
ments. On the 23d Plunket's army appeared before the
breastworks prepared for attack and were saluted with a
volley, fired over their heads. When the whistling of bullets
was heard the advancing budy showed such lack of
28
interest in the success of the movement that Plunkett with-
drew his forces to a safe distance and determined to turn the
the enemy's position with the aid of his fleet. A boat loaded
with several men with a dog for a lookout was dispatched
across the river to make a landing; but Butler had foreseen
this maneuvre and as the boat approached the shore there
was a shot from the bushes followed by a yelp from the dog
which dropped to the bottom of the boat with a curtailed
caudal appendage With a simultaneous movement his human
comrades followed his example, and the craft being thus left
to steer itself was quickly caught in the rapids and whisked
with violent plunges and gyrations helplessly down stream.
After several narrow escapes from capsizing, it finally bumped
against a rock and the naval contingent without waiting for
orders scrambled safely ashore. This closed the first day's
operations and Col. Plunkett very much exhausted drew off
his army for rest and reflection. The next morning he again
appeared and made a vigorous assault on the front of the
breastwork while a picked body of men scaled the mountain
side endeavoring to get unobserved to Butler's rear, but that
vigilant and wary veteran of the French War was too old a
campaigner to be caught in this way, and the flanking party
soon found itself in front of a strong barricade where it met
with a warm reception. A sharp contest ensued, several
assailants were killed and the rest returned to Col. Plunkett
with the report that the road in that direction was not a con-
venient one for public travel.
Mr. Miner accounts for the easy discouragement of the
Pennsylvania troops in these several encounters, on the
ground that they sympathized for the most part with the
Wyoming people and were quite willing that the expedition
should prove a failure. However this may be, the situation
was now one which a better general than Plunkett though in
command of a more zealous army would have found embarrass-
ing. Wyoming was evidently not to be conquered without
stubborn resistance. It was the 24th of December. He was
not prepared for a winter campaign and was liable at any mo-
ment to be cut off by a heavy snow from either supplies or re-
29
treat. There was nothing to do but to withdraw, and the
following day his army and navy retired down the river, escort-
ed for same distance by the Yankees who cheered their parting
guests by shouting their hearty wishes for a merry Christmas.
Col. Plunkett on reaching Philadelphia found Gov. Penn in
a less amiable mood than he had shown on his departure.
His expenses also were paid with less alacrity than had been
promised and not without careful scrutiny and comments
which were neither complimentary nor pious. Thus ended
the Second Pennymite War, and with it the year 1775.
CHAPTER IV.
The year 1776 brought the full force of the Revolutionary
storm and with it new and critical dangers to Wyoming. At the
headquarters of the Susquehanna and within 24 hours journey
lay the country of the Iroquois, the most warlike and powerful
race of savages in America. It was known that Great Britain
was making every effort to win them over to hostility against
the Colonies. An uneasy, restless and threatening spirit had
for months been displayed by them and was constantly
increasing. Deputations of Savages appeared in the settle-
ments from time to time Ostensibly to declare friendship, but
in reality as was believed to quiet suspicion, and no reliance
was placed in their good faith.
These apprehensions were fully justified. Before the close
of 1776 the tribe had pledged themselves to a British alliance
and took part in Burgoyne's expedition the following year.
The situation of Wyoming was indeed critical.
There were in the valley about 2,500 inhabitants, hardly 300
of whom as had been shown in the Plunkett invasion, could
bear arms and the supply of weapons was inadequate even for
these ; moreover thirty of the most capable men had since
enlisted in the Continental Army and had taken the best of
the arms with them. Suspicious persons had of late been
settling in the valley in considerable numbers and erecting
private stock houses or forts in the outlying districts. Many
of these were more or less avowed tories in their politics and
were believed by the majority of the settlers to be secretly
30
engaged in plotting their destruction. Under these circum-
stances it was voted in town meeting to erect suitable forts for
defence against the common enemy; every inhabitant to labor
on them without fee or reward. The town also applied to
Congress for aid and especially for arms. In reply Congress
authorized them to raise two companies as a part of the Con-
tinental line, to be stationed in and about the town for the
defence of the inhabitants, but liable to serve in any part of
United States when called on. Under this very meager en-
couragement two companies of 84 men each were raised in
sixty days, and it is supposed that arms were supplied to
them by Congress.
Then followed what have been called “the dark days of the
Revolution.” Washington retreated through the Jerseys, his
army diminishing daily. On the 8th of December he crossed
the Delaware. On the 20th, Congress fled to Baltimore but
not until it had passed an order for the Westmoreland com-
panies to join Washington with all possible despatch. Before
the end of December these companies were in Washington's
camp and Wyoming was defenceless.
The year 1777 was one of anxious expectation in the valley,
and domestic troubles. The smallpox broke out, a fearful
visitation in those days, and spread through the settlements,
raging for several months. The year previous the town had
been promoted to be a county, and in true Connecticut fashion
a controversy almost as virulent as the smallpox began to be
waged over the location of the county buildings. The hardly
concealed plottings of the tories and the occasional suspicious
visits of straggling Indians were constant sources of appre-
hension. Most of the able bodied men were in the army, and
those who remained, together with all the old men and boys,
exhausted as they were with other labors and special burdens
from the sickness, worked unremittingly in strengthening the
forts. Some of the more dangerous tories were expelled.
Scouting parties were kept constantly out to guard against
surprise and these occasionally came into collision with roving
bands of Indians and tories when lives were lost and prisoners
taken on both sides. Meantime the two military companies
31
which had been raised for the defence of the valley were de-
tained in Washington's Army. Under the command of Col.
Zebulon Butler they were actively employed and did gallant
service in several expeditions and engagements. They were
known as the Independent Companies of Westmoreland, and
not incorporated with any corps or regiment—it being under-
stood that they were liable to be returned at any time to their
homes. *
A letter from Col. Butler to Gen. Washington dated May
29th, 1777 thus speaks of their condition, “Many soldiers of
the Independent Companies have received no clothes since
they entered the service and are almost naked. Many of their
arms are useless and some of them are lost. They are also
destitute of tents and every kind of camp equipage. I hope
Your Excellency will give special directions how they are to
be supplied with these articles.” -
To appreciate the sacrifices and the defenceless condition
of Wyoming at this time it should be known that Westmore-
land's proportionate quota of troops for the Continental Army
was 21 men. She had sent 180, and this at a time when every
man was needed at home. The two Independent Companies
had been raised with the express understanding that they
were mainly for home defence, but now that they had been
drawn into the army they counted as part of the general
quota of Connecticut, and no great effort seems to have been
made by the state authorities to relieve them by sending a
substitute force. Notwithstanding the unequale burden of
military service thus imposed on Westmoreland, its full pro-
portion of state taxes was rigidly exacted and it was now
called upon to send to Hartford an assessment of £2,000.
This was nearly one pound to every inhabitant and in addition
to this, county and town taxes were also levied.
Yet heavy as these financial burdens must have been, and
wearing as were the excitements and anxieties of the people
they did not lose their interest in education and literary
improvement. An additional tax of a penny in the pound was
levied for free school purposes, and money was raised by
private subscription to establish a fortnightly post to furnish
32
the valley with the Hartford newspapers. In this year also
for the first time a student was sent from Wyoming to Yale
College, but as that institution then paid no attention to base
ball, foot ball or other “athletics,” it is probable that the
young man derived little benefit from his college course.
Before we close the annals of this trying year one more vote
of this impoverished people deserves to be recorded. It was
passed at the last town meeting of the year, December 30th,
1777, and is in these words: “Voted by this town, that the
Committee of Inspection be empowered to supply the Solger's
wives and the Solger's widows and their families with the
necessaries of life.” When we consider the situation of these
straggling frontier settlements, crippled by poverty, wasted
with sickness, and worn with toil, anxiety and constant con-
flict with the savage foe, and recount their sacrifices amid it
all, for patriotism, education and benevolence we may well
ask, what community can show a nobler record 7
The year 1778 dawned on a rejoicing and hopeful American
people. Burgoyne had surrended in the previous October
and that great event had awakened universal anticipations of
a speedy French alliance, and of an early and successful
termination of the war. These patriotic exultations were
fully shared by the people of Wyoming, but they could not
conceal from themselves that the very circumstances which
largely relieved the apprehensions of other parts of the
country furnished ground for an increase of their own. The
fierce warriors of the Six Nations who had been absent with
Burgoyne's Army were now released inflamed with disappoint-
ment and eager for revenge to murder and plunder in other
quarters. Early in January rumors came thick and fast that
an expedition of tories and savages was preparing for a
descent on Wyoming. The two companies with their officers
who were detained in the Continental line became more and
more restless under the appealing letters which they received
from their families, and clamored for release; but through some
potent influeuce never explained their requests were unheeded.
Gen. Schuyler called the attention of Congress to the
danger of attack on Wyoming, and the importance of prepar-
33
ation for it. The only action taken by that body was to
authorize the town of Westmoreland to raise another company
of foot for its own defence, the Company to find its own arms,
accoutrements and blankets; not even powder was sent them
and the women of the settlements in desperation scraped the
ground beneath their floors and leached out saltpetre that
their husbands and brothers might manufacture material with
which to defend their lives.
In May the scouting parties reported that bands of Indians
were hovering within 20 miles of the settlements. Soon after
a party of scouts was fired on and one man killed. The people -
began to take refuge in the forts and frantic appeals were
again sent to Congress to permit the two companies to come
home. Still the appeals were answered only by obstinate
neglect. But the men could resist the calls of their families
no longer. Every commissioned officer but two resigned and
with 25 of the men who left the ranks, leave or no leave,
hurried to the valley. At last at the end of June, Congress
authorized the remainder who were fast deserting, and who
now numbered 86 to be formed into a single company and to
march to Wyoming. But it was too late.
It was now the 1st of July. The forts were crowded with
women and children; outside were their forsaken homes with
all their possessions abandoned to the rapacity of the approach-
ing foe. Every man and boy able to hold a weapon was
under arms. The old four-pounder was at Wilkesbarre but
there were no balls and it could only be used as an alarm
gun. The greater part of the fighting force was collected at
Forty Fort which was nearest the enemy, with Col. Zebulon
Butler in command. On the 2d, the enemy numbering 400
Tories and Canadians and 600 Indians commanded by Major
John Butler suddenly appeared at Wintermoot's block house,
about 4 miles north of Forty Fort, a place long suspected as
being a Tory headquarters, and took possession of it. On the
same day they attacked another block house a mile nearer
occupied by Connecticut men, and killed and captured its
garrison of seventeen old men.
On the 3d a messenger was despatched by them to Forty
34
Fort demanding that the whole Wyoming Valley with all its
forts and defenders and public property be unconditionally
surrendered. The demand was refused. A council of war
was then held in the fort. Col. Butler and the military offi-
cers generally favored awaiting the arrival of the company
which had been just released from the army. The majority
argued however that in the meantime the enemy would ravage
the valley and overpower the other forts which were but
feebly manned, and that the men in Forty Fort could not be
held there while their families were being slaughtered around
them. They believed it better to take a desperate chance; to
risk everything on a single throw, and to attack the enemy in
the open field. The chance was desperate indeed. Three
hundred men and boys ranging from fourteen years of age to
seventy, untrained and half armed to attack more than a
thousand hardy fighting soldiers and warriors in their own
chosen position. But human nature could not endure the
suspense and agony which the other alternative presented and
the minority yielded.
On the afternoon of July 3d the gates of Forty fort were
thrown open and the little column of men and boys marched
out to meet their fate. It comprised 230 enrolled men and
70 others of all ages. The judges of the court and all the
magistrates, grand fathers, and school boys with their
teacher were in the ranks; a few sentinels were left to keep
the fort together with the weeping and trembling women and
children whose prayers and tears followed the fated band of
husbands and fathers and sons as they moved out to take their
almost hopeless chances with battle and death.
The column marched about three miles before it found the
enemy. These being fully apprised of its approach, had
already taken position. A short pause ensued during which
the little band formed in order of battle. Col. Butler spoke a
few words only, exhorting the men to stand firm and do their
duty. At four o'clock the battle commenced. The Connecticut
men advanced firing by platoons, directly against the enemy's
center which was composed of Canadians and Tories and
commanded by John Butler in person, who was conspicuous
35
with a handkerchief tied about his head. As the Wyoming
men pressed hotly forward this body gave way, but the great
force of concealed Indians on both flanks was pouring in a
murderous fire which soon made further progress impossible.
For half an hour the Connecticut men endured it, their ranks
rapidly thinning. An attempt was then made to face part of
the line to the right so as to confront the hidden enemy on
that side; some confusion occurred in trying to execute this
maneuver and in an instant the savages rushed in with horrid
yells; some one called out to retreat and the disorder in-
creased. Col. Butler rushed to the spot and endeavored to
rally the line, “Dont leave me, my children” he cried, “and
the victory is ours.” But the disparity in numbers was too
great; those who stood still were cut down, every captain in
the whole company had been slain and what were left of the
men soon broke in hopeless rout.
The Indians crowded between the fugitives and the fort
forcing most of them toward the river and followed their
flight in that direction, killing and scalping by the score. At
the river many were killed, a few swam to the island where
they concealed themselves and escaped, others were lured
from the water by promises of quarter and butchered. Lieu-
tenant Shoemaker was thus murdered by a former neighbor
whom he had often befriended.
Large numbers of captives were arranged in circles and
held by savages while a hideous squaw known as queen
Esther slaughtered them with clubs and tomahawk. Four-
teen scalped and mangled bodies were afterwards found in
one such circle and nine in another. These horrible scenes
continued till darkness interfered; then the death fires were
lighted and all night long the black sky was lurid with the
flames at which most of the remaining captives were roasted
while their shrieks rang in the ears of their friends and
families in the fort. Of all the prisoners captured in the
battle and the flight two only were spared; these were both
carried off by the enemy on their return to Canada and one
being too infirm to keep up was killed by the way.
While these dreadful scenes were being enacted the un-
36
happy occupants of Forty Fort were suffering the agonies of
bereavement and despair. Col. Butler had succeeded in reach-
ing the fort with a few survivors and af once hurried to
Wilkesbarre about two miles distant to take measures for its
defence leaving Col. Dennison in command. One hundred
and sixty of his company had been lost. One hundred and
forty escaped by swimming the river; some reached Forty
Fort and some took refuge in the mountains. Immediately
from all the other forts in the valley began a panic stricken
flight; the woods were filled with women and children, and
with the sick and infirm, without guide or protectors and
without food, and some of them in desperate illness. The
day after the battle the enemy sent flags to Forty Fort de-
manding the surrender of the entire valley. Col. Dennison
having sent word to Col. Zebulon Butler at Wilkesbarre to
escape with all the soldiers of the continental line, soon
agreed to the terms of capitulation; these were that all the
remaining forts in the settlement should be delivered up with
all the continental stores, the inhabitants to remain on their
farms and their private property to be protected so far as
Major Butler's influence would avail, all Tories resident in the
valley to be allowed to remain unmolested and the settlers
not to take up arms again during the war.
The gates of Forty Fort were now thrown open and the
arms and stores delivered up. Notwithstanding Butler's en-
gagement to use his influence for the protection of private
property his followers speedily began to pillage unrestrained
and to destroy everything within reach, Butler declaring
himself unable to stop it. Even Col. Dennison was stripped
of his hat and coat. Butler remained in possession of the
fort for three days; then finding his commands disregarded
by his own men and foreseeing that the excesses of the sava-
ges continually increasing would soon grow beyond control
he mustered as much of his force as was still amenable to dis-
cipline and withdrew from the valley, his followers loaded
with scalps and plunder. A considerable proportion of the
Savages however broke up into separate bands and roved
about the neighborhood for many weeks plundering, murder-
37
ing and burning until the whole district had been scathed
with fire and slaughter. Those who could, fled from the
county. Forty Fort was deserted and except a few inhabi-
tants who collected at Wilkesbarre the whole people aban-
doned the settlements. Those who remained and some others
who afterwards returned made an effort to gather in what
little of the crops had escaped destruction. Interrupted
constantly by the Indians, numbers were killed and but little
of the grain could be secured. With the help of a few troops
from the Continental line who were sent to their assistance,
these marauders were finally driven out. It was not till the
end of October however that the bodies of those who had
fallen in the battle of July 3d, could with safety be buried.
The massacre at Wyoming aroused intense feelings of Sym-
pathy and indignation not only throughout this country but
in every other. The story embellished with constantly grow-
ing details of barbarity and suffering was studiously circulated
throughout Europe in the interest of the American cause.
The inhuman course of Great Britain in its employment of
savage allies in civilized warfare was used as a theme by ora-
tors, essayists and poets, until the British Government itself
felt ashamed and sullenly charged that Butler as the comman-
der of the invading force was responsible for its excessive
slaughter and cruelty. Such was also the prevailing impres
sion in this country for two generations, and it colored the
narrative as given in all the earlier histories.
It is now well established however that while Butler justly
merits execration for taking charge of such a fiendish foray,
well knowing what the consequences must be, he was himself
moved by the atrocities that he witnessed and granted easy
conditions of surrender in order to prevent their renewal.
The realities were dreadful enough, but not more so and on
a much smaller scale than numerous horrors which have been
enacted since that date in the warfare of so called christian
peoples, and for which christian congregations have sung
Te Deums in the temples of the Prince of Peace.
Such is war, that relic of human Savagery; justifiable doubt-
less it often is, but only as a dire necessity in order to pre-
38
serve rights whose loss would be worse for the human race
than even War's accumulated crimes and miseries. God
speed the day when in any cause less sacred than this,
The warrior's name shall be a name abhorred.
And every nation that shall lift again
Its hand against its brother, on its forehead
Shall wear forevermore the brand of Cain
39
SECOND PAPER.
Connecticut's East India Company;
THE STORY OF WYOMING.
s tº s & & & E * 3:EEE
CHAPTER W.
When Major John Butler withdrew from Wyoming valley
after the dreadful scenes of slaughter and havoc which were
related in the last paper, the larger part of his Indian allies
went with him, but many bands remained in the vicinity,
murdering, plundering and burning. Forty Fort was
abandoned ; and except a few destitute inhabitants who
gathered at Wilkesbarre the whole people fled from the set-
tlements. The crops of course were lost and the entire valley
became the scene of widespread conflagration and ruin.
A month after the massacre while the whole country was still
quivering with grief and sympathy over the shocking story,
the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania in an address
to the Assembly expressed itself as follows: “ The late fatal
catastrophe which has befallen the Connecticut settlers on the
Penn Susquehanna, deplorable as it is, recollects the disput-
ed footing on which these sufferers stood. Compassion for
them as well as justice to this State require that they be re-
minded of the precarious nature of their tenure before they
re-establish themselves.” Notwithstanding this considerate
warning against any attempt by the surviving victims to res-
tore their ruined homes and fortunes, Col. Zebulon Butler
and a few settlers with the aid of a small force obtained from
the Continental line, began at Once to expel the Indian ma-
rauders from the immediate vicinity. After three months of
hard fighting this was so far accomplished that it became pos-
sible to bury the bodies of those who had been slain in the
battle and the massacre. On October 19th, under a military
40
guard the mangled and unrecognizable forms, still lying where
they fell, were collected and mingled in a common trench.
The spot has since been marked by a plain and suitable mon-
ument.
No sooner had the Continental companies returned to the
army than the Savages renewed their devastations, and sever-
al families who had ventured back were slaughtered or car-
ried off before the Spring of 1779. During the winter Col.
Butler being left with only about 100 men, bands of Indians
appeared about Wilkesbarre, repeatedly threatening and once
attacking the fort. On this occasion the famous four pounder
being called into play made its only recorded hit, actually
killing the Indian chief who led the assault. The attack was
repelled but it was impossible to follow the enemy with so
small a force, and they retired, burning houses and barns and
carrying off large numbers of cattle and horses. A few days
afterwards they returned and in full sight of the Fort killed
and scalped several inhabitants. A detachment of two hun-
dred men sent from the Continental army to Butler's assist-
ance, was surprised and barely escaped defeat. It reached
the fort however and by its aid, Col. Butler was enabled to
clear the open portions of the valley of the human Wolves,
though small packs of them still hovered in the forest and
mountain passes murdering and plundering at every oppor-
tunity. i
Gen. Washington now determined to make an inroad into
the country of the Six Nations in order to punish and to
check these hostile demonstrations. By his orders Gen. Sul-
livan assembled a force of about 3500 men at Wilkesbarre for
the expedition. The enemy which consisted of Indians with
British troops regular and irregular, were on the alert and
while the expedition was preparing, hovered around the very
edges of its encampment, attacking settlements and cutting
off several small detachments of the Continental forces. Sul-
livan's army left Wilkesbarre July 31, 1779, and marched to
the head waters of the Susquehanna harrassed all the way by
the vigilant and active foe. At the Tioga River the enemy
comprising about 2500 men under John Butler made a stand
41
behind fortifications. A severe battle ensued and the Indians
and British were routed. The Indian country was immediat-
ely invaded and ravaged ; every house but one wigwam was
consumed, hundreds of cultivated fields laid waste and numer-
ous peach orchards loaded with ripening fruit cut down,
From the 29th of August till the 28th of September, the whole
army was incessantly engaged in the work of destruction.
Several captives from Wyoming, were discovered and freed,
but besides these and one old squaw too old to be removed,
not a human being was found, so totally was the country de-
serted.
When Sullivan's victorious army returned down the river it
had a grand reception at Wilkesbarre ; the village had already
begun to be filled with returning refugees, and there was new
hope that it would again be safe to reoccupy their desolated
farms. The hope proved illusory. Sullivan's expedition did
not end the Indians' ravages in the valley. Their invasions
continued till the end of the war ; and for three successiye
years Wyoming was the theatre of almost continuous carnage,
plunder, conflagration and captures. Nevertheless during
those years of terror such was the charm of the well loved
spot that few settlers voluntarily left it, and many who had
fled returned.
The population clustered for the most part about the fort
at Wilkesbarre. The civil organization was resumed. Elect-
ions were held and magistrates chosen and representatives
sent to the General Assembly at Hartford. In 1780 some of
the more daring settlers began to re-occupy some of the out-
lying farms. Quickly the Indians reappeared in roving bands,
and numerous and romantic were the exploits and adventures
with which the annals of the settlements teem throughout
this distressful and thrilling period.
In 1780 the General Assembly of Connecticut resolved that
“in view of the great losses and sufferings of the people of
Westmoreland all their taxes be abated :'' and a committee
was appointed to take account of their losses with a view to
farther indemnification. During this year the Indian raids
continued ; almost every month several settlers were slain and
42
others taken captive. Thirteen men in one party were killed
in September. The season was also excessively hot and sick-
ly. Owing to the Indian ravages very little corn could be
gathered or planted and the community suffered from a scar-
city of food. A supply which was coming up the river for
the garrison of the fort was stopped and confiscated by the
Pennsylvanian authorities. In pleasing contrast with this in-
humanity was the act of the parish of Dresden, Virginia, which
sent $180 for the relief of the distressed inhabitants. Faith-
ful little Dresden I I have been unable to find it on the map,
and its name so far as I know appears no where else in his-
tory. That kindly act, the only one of the sort which was ex-
tended at this time to afflicted Wyoming, is all that is known
of it ; shining across the years like a far off candle in the dark-
ness—a good deed in a naughty world! Another friend which
had often cheered and sustained the people also came nobly
to the rescue. The Susquehanna River after furnishing its
usual supply of shad in the spring, this year doubled its ef-
forts and produced in the fall extraordinary swarms of eels.
Fourteen thousand of these wriggling dainties were taken
within three weeks—a welcome boon to the hungry people
which they did not allow to slip through their fingers. In
December came another Indian attack on one of the settle-
ments and seven inhabitants, all prominent men and fathers
of families were carried off. This ended 1780.
For the next two years, 1781 and 1782, the record is mon-
otonous and melancholy of Indian ravages and bloodshed. In
1781 such was the insecurity and depopulation of the valley
that less than 200 acres in all were cultivated. The tax valu-
ation for this year shows less than $7,500 as the entire rate-
able property of the settlements. Comparing this with the
valuation of the year preceding the massacre, a diminution
appears of nearly $60,000, or about 92 per cent. Neverthe-
less the settlers kept up their courage during these arduous
years, enlivening the time with scouting parties, and singing
meetings and marriages, and by way of variety an occasional
good old fashioned Connecticut divorce. The conservation of
morals also by judicial proceedings was not neglected. A Son
43
of Belial who played cards was convicted and punished. It
would appear that the game must have been solitaire as no
associate in crime is mentioned. Mary Pritchard being found
guilty of unnecessarily going from her place of abode on the
Lords day was fined five shillings. It is not unlikely that
these prosecutions were brought not so much on account of
the acts complained of as for the purpose of discouraging con-
tinued residence by disagreeable members of the community,
yet these are the most serious offences which appear on the
criminal records of Wyoming at this period. Says Miner:
“Disjointed as were the times, aroused as were the passions
and unloosed as moral ties generally are during the preva-
lence of war, it is a just and pleasing tribute to Wyoming that
neither tradition, the Court records, nor any memorandum
found discloses a single crime that deserves the character of
heinous. There never was a record for the same number of
years less stained with guilt, its pages more pure and free
from the taint of malignity and corruption.”
In October 1781 Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown. The
war was virtually ended, and the curtain now rises on new
phases and new actors in the complex and animated drama of
Wyoming.
Early in the Revolution the Government of the Penn fam-
ily had been superseded in Pennsylvania and Governor John
Penn had fled to England in 1776. In 1778 the Legislature
sequestered all the proprietary lands except a few manors and
thus the State succeeded to the claim of jurisdiction and
ownership in Wyoming which the proprietaries had previous-
ly asserted. It had then proceeded to make grants in the
valley, of lands already occupied by the Connecticut settlers;
which grants were purchased by parties who speculated on
their chances of getting possession of the lands through fu-
ture judicial proceedings or direct state action. These land
grants were now held by persons of influence with the State
authorities and the first movement in their interest was quick-
ly taken. Fifteen days after the surrender of Cornwallis the
Executive Council of Pennsylvania, presented a petition to
Congress praying for an adjudication under the IXth Article
44
of the Confederation of the respective claims of that State
and the State of Connecticut to the Wyoming Valley. The
State of Connecticut through its representatives in Congress
concurred in the application. A commission of six was agreed
upon by the delegates from the two states and appointed by
Congress August 12, 1782, and the commission opened its
Court November 12, 1782, at Trenton, New Jersey. Wm.
Bradford, Joseph Reed, James Wilson and Jonathan Sergeant
appeared as Counsel for Pennsylvania. For Connecticut came
Eliphalet Dyer, Wm. Samuel Johnson and Jesse Root.
Before referring to the action of the Court let us recur for
a moment to the Susquehanna Company which we have so
long lost sight of and inquire what it had been doing during
the eight years which had elapsed since the town of West-
moreland had been established under the jurisdiction of Con-
necticut. In fact so far as the records of the Company show,
not a meeting had been held since May 24, 1774, only two
months after the township organization. No reference appears
in the record of that meeting to the new political relations of
the settlements, and no indication that the Company expected
to abate its interest in their affairs, yet the next page of the
volume is headed with the date of November 13, 1782, the
day after the assembling of the Court at Trenton. The meet.
ing was held at Hartford with Eleazar Talcott for Moder-
ator and Samuel Gray for Clerk, and proceeded to appoint
Col. Eliphalet Dyer, Wm. Samuel Johnson Esq. and Jesse
Root Esq., as its agents jointly and severally to act before
that Court for the benefit of the Company. These gentlemen
were already in attendance before the Court as counsel for
Connecticut; but the controversy between Pennsylvania and
Connecticut related to political jurisdiction only, while as
against the company Pennsylvania also claimed ownership of
the soil and the invalidity of all the titles which it had given
or might give to settlers. It did not appear that this ques-
tion of ownership of the soil would be at issue before the
Court; but evidently the company feared it might be, and
thought it prudent to fortify themselves by a special retainer
of the same counsel on their own account. The gentlemen
45
named were therefore authorized “to transact all manner of
business necessary to be done and transacted on behalf of
said Company before the Commissioners appointed to try and
determine the right, title and jurisdiction between the State
of Connecticut and the State of Pennsylvania.” Fifty shares
of stock were authorized to be sold to pay expenses and one
share was voted to each of the Connsel “as a gratuity.” or in
modern phrase “a retainer.” A special committee was also
appointed to obtain copies of certain documents from the
State of Massachusetts to be used in evidence if required.
Meantime however the question had been raised at the open-
ing of the Court whether questions bearing on the ownership
of the soil and the validity of private titles were to be consid-
ered on the hearing. The Court decided that they should
not ; on the ground that the proceeding was between the
States alone, and related to political jurisdiction only. An-
other clause in the Articles of Confederation provided for the
adjudication of ownership of the soil in disputed territory, as
between the States and private parties interested, and this
could therefore be made the subject of a separate trial should
one become necessary.
The session at the Court at Trenton lasted 41 judicial days.
It does not come within the province of this paper to pre-
sent the legal questions discussed before the hearing upon
the respective claims of the two States to jurisdiction over
the Wyoming Valley. As we have seen, whatever may have
been the rights of Connecticut she had always been backward
in maintaining them by recognition and vigorous support of
the Wyoming settlements. On the other hand Pennsylvania
had never failed or faltered in her persistent efforts to occupy
the territory. Doubtless these contrasting facts had much
influence on the Court, whose decisions was rendered Decem-
ber 30, 1782, in favor of Pennsylvania. There are grounds to
believe that this decision was not entirely unexpected or even
disagreeable to Connecticut, for reasons which do not appear
on the surface. So many States had conflicting claims to
Western territory that there was every prospect of inextrica-
ble confusion and controversy and possibly a disruption of
46
the Confederacy unless there could be mutual adjustment and
compromise on this subject. That there was some secret un-
derstanding between Connecticut and Pennsylvania is indi-
cated by the fact that immediately after the Trenton decree
Connecticut ceded to Congress all her lands lying west of
Pennsylvania reserving however a certain tract in Ohio since
known as the Western Reserve. These Ohio lands were also
claimed by Virginia, and if the title of Connecticut was bad
to the Wyoming Valley it was bad for the same reasons to all
land west of it. Yet on the question whether Congress would
accept the cession and recognize the right of Connecticut to
keep the Western Reserve, (a question which gave rise to
much debate) Pennsylvania always voted with Connecticut
and in one instance in opposition to all the other States. But
whatever may have been the real grounds or secret influences
which determined the decree, the fact remains that on the
30th of December 1782, the Court rendered its unanimous
judgement, but without giving any reasons, that the State of
Connecticut had no rights to the Wyoming lands in controv-
ersy and that the jurisdiction and pre-emption of all those
lands did of right belong to the State of Pennsylvania. With
this event so important to Wyoming, and as the sequel show-
ed so fraught with new complications and direful consequen-
ces to its hapless settlers, the year 1782 came to a close.
CHAPTER VI.
The news of the decision brought consternation to the peo-
ple of Wyoming. Within 18 days after it was issued they pre-
sented to the Assembly of Pennsylvania an eloquent and pa-
thetic petition reciting the good faith with which they had
sustained the claims of Connecticut under the encouragement
of that Commonwealth, the increased value they had given to
the land by their improvements, and the losses and sufferings
they had endured. “If we have committed faults,” they say,
“we pray for mercy and forgiveness. If we have deserved
anything we hope something from the gratitude of our coun-
try.” “We are yet alive, but the richest blood of our neigh-
47
bors and friends, children, husbands and fathers, has been
spilt in the general cause of their country and we have suffer-
ed every danger this side of death. We supplied the Continent-
al army with many valuable officers and soldiers and left our-
selves weak and unguarded against the attacks of the savages
and others of a more savage nature. Our houses are desolate
many mothers childless, widows and orphans multiplied,
our habitations destroyed and many families reduced to beg-
gary, which exhibits a scene most pitiful and deserving of
mercy. If the greatest misfortunes can demand pity and
mercy we greatly deserve them.” “We are yet entitled to
another trial for our particular possessions according to the
Ninth Article of the Confederation, but reduced in every res-
pect we are unable to maintain a trial against an opulent State.
We therefore present a request which the laws of justice and
policy suggest and which the dictates of humanity demand.”
“That your Honors of vour abundant goodness and clemency
would be pleased to grant and confirm to your Memorialists
and those whom they represent, the inconsiderable part of
the claim contested,” [which we actually occupy] “to be apart-
ed as they were before the decision. Thus will you increase
the inhabitants of this flourishing State, will add to its wealth
and strength, will give joy to the widows and fatherless.—
Sure, these must be irresistible motives to a just, generous
and merciful Assembly. Our only resource is in your decis-
ion. If that is unfavorable we are reduced to desperation ;
unable to purchase the soil we must leave our cultivations
and possessions and be thrown into the wide world, our chil-
dren crying for bread which we shall be unable to give them.
It is impossible that the magnamity of a powerful and opulent
State will ever condescend to distress an innocent and brave
people that have unsuccessfully struggled against the ills of
fortune. We care not under what State we live if we can be
protected and happy. We will serve you, we will promote
your interests, will fight your battles; but in mercy, good-
ness, wisdom, justice and every great and generous principle
do leave us our possessions, the dearest pledge of our broth-
ers, children and fathers, which their hands have cultivated,
48
and their blood, spilt in the cause of their country, have en-
riched. We further pray that a general act of oblivion and
indemnity may be passed, and that Courts of Jurisdiction be
established according to the usages and customs of this
State: that we be not only a happy but a well organized and
regulated people ; and that all judicial proceedings of the pre-
rogative Courts and the Common law Courts held by and un-
der the authority of the State of Connecticut be ratified and
fully confirmed.” An appeal to the same effect had already
been sent to the Executive Council of Pennsylvania by the
members of the Trenton Court in the form of a private letter
urging that the Connecticut settlers be confirmed in their
possessions, or at least that their respective titles be fairly
tried as they had not been and could not be in the proceed-
ings just had. --
In response to these applications the Assembly of Pennsyl-
vania passed an Act—non committal in its terms as to con-
firming the settlers titles, but staying ejectment suits against
them and appointing Commissioners to proceed to Wyoming,
to make full inquiry into the situation. They were also in-
structed to “confer with the Pennsylvania claimants as well as
the Connecticut settlers; to endeavor to bring about reason-
able and friendly compromises between such rival claimants
and where they could not be done to consider of and report
such plans of accommodation as may be most advisable.” By
an ominous addition to the Act two companies of Pennsylva-
nia troops were ordered to Wyoming to garrison the fort, os-
tensibly as a protection against the savages—a circumstance
which as the Indian annoyances had completely ended, awak-
ened uneasy suspicion among the settlers.
The Commissioners arrived at Wyoming on the 15th of
April 1783, accompanied by a Committee of the Pennsylvania
claimants among whom the Connecticut men recognized some
of their oldest and bitterest antagonists. They were cordial-
ly received however by the people and a communication was
handed the Commissioners signed by the leading inhabitants
as a committee of all welcoming their inquiries and offering
“straitly, strictly and truly” to give every information. To
49
these overtures the Commissioners returned a cold and
haughty response as if to a conquered foe. Almost its first
sentence contained an intimation that no consideration would
be shown them as respected their title to the land. “Al-
though” said the Commissioners “it cannot be supposed that
Pennsylvania will, nor can she consistent with her Constitu-
tion deprive her citizens of any part of their property legally
obtained, yet willing to do everything in her power to pro-
mote the peace and happiness of her citizens, she wishes to
be fully informed of your case; that if your peaceable de-
meanor and ready submission to Government render you the
proper subjects of clemency and generosity she may be pre-
pared to extend it to you.” They then demanded a list of all
the original settlers, alive and dead, also of the existing in-
habitants with a description of their holdings.
The Wyoming Committee replied the next day in a concil-
iatory strain enclosing a list of the first settlers so far as they
could be recollected, all records having been lost in the Ind-
ian ravages, and the names of the widows and orphans of
those who had been slain. Two days later the Commissioners
without making any farther inquiry or proposing to investi-
gate the settlers titles, transmitted a letter “which’” they say
“has been handed to us by the Pennsylvania land owners'
committee this morning,” and required a clear and explicit
answer thereto.” The letter which was most bitter and in-
sulting towards the Connecticut settlers set forth the terms
which alone would satisfy the Pennsylvania claimants. These
were in brief, that the settlers should at once relinquish in
writing all claim of title to the lands they occupied. That
in return for such relinquishment they should have liberty
to occupy one half their farms for eleven months, giving
up possession at once of the other half to the Pennsylvania
claimants, and at the end of the eleven months abandoning the
whole to their adversaries. Six months longer indulgence to
be given to the widows of those who had been slain by the
savages, and to the Rev. Mr. Johnson a full year. “If these
terms shall be agreed to ” wrote the Commissioners “and rat-
ified by the contending parties we shall think it our duty to
50
recommend your distressed situation to the Legislature of
this State.” Such was the only olive branch tendered by this
Commission of peace; confessedly at the dictation of the op-
posite party; and the cruelty of the terms was heightened by
the insulting language of the letter in which they were con-
veyed. In a temperate reply the settlers protest against both
the cruelty and insults and in conclusion say “As we conceive
that the proposals of the Committee which they offer as a
compromise will not tend to peace: as they are so far from
what we deem reasonable, we cannot comply with them with-
out doing the greatest injustice to ourselves and our associ-
ates, to widows and fatherless children. And although we
mean to pay due obedience to the constitutional laws of
Pennsylvania we do not mean to become abject slaves, as the
Committee of Landholders suggest in their address to your
Honors.” To this response the Commissioners curtly replied
announcing that their efforts at conciliation were ended.
They then immediately and without notice to the settlers di-
vided the valley into three townships; established Justices of
the Peace over them, selected from the most active and im-
placable of the Pennsylvania claimants, and adjourned having
spent just nine days in their arduous efforts to bring about
peace and good will in Wyoming. Four months later the
Pennsylvania Assembly approved and confirmed their doings.
The provisional law to stay ejectment suits against the Wyo-
ming settlers was repealed. The terms offered by the Com-
missioners were styled “generous offers” and the Commission-
ers were complimented “for the laudable zeal and industry
displayed by them in the execution of their mission.” Two
more companies of troops were ordered to be enlisted and
these were at once sent to Wyoming where they were quart-
ered upon the impoverished inhabitants, eight or ten men in
some cases upon a single family, to be lodged in their already
crowded little cabins, and fed from their scanty stores of food.
The soldiers, crowded and hungry, became abusive and violent,
took by force what they wanted and spread terror and dis-
tress through the community.
Among the Justices of the Peace who had been appointed
51
by the Peace Commissioners and confirmed by the Assembly
was one Alexander Patterson. He was the Chairman of the
Land-holder's Committee (the band of speculators who were
endeavoring to get possession of the Wyoming lands), and
had been a bitter and unrelenting foe of the Connecticut set-
tlers from their first occupation of the valley. This man was
now practically the supreme authority in Wyoming, and be-
ing free to employ his own methods of ousting the inhabit-
ants from their homes he proceeded to exercise his powers
legal and illegal, as if in a conquered territory. He first
changed the name of Wilkesbarre to Londonderry. He then
caused Col. Zebulon Butler for expressing indignation at the
soldiers' brutalities to be arrested for high treason and sent
60 miles to Sunbury Jail. After some days detention Butler
was released on bail, whereupon Patterson billeted twenty
soldiers on his family although his house was very small and
his wife critically ill. In October Patterson with a band of
soldiers arrested eleven citizens of Shawney, some of whom
were aged and others ill, and confined them in a wretched
guard house having only a wet muddy floor to lie down upon.
No charges were made and no explanation given, but during
the eight or ten days that they were kept in confinement with
little food and no fire, their families were all evicted from
their houses, and creatures of Patterson placed in possession.
These and other outrages perpetrated by Patterson or with
his sanction impelled the people at last to address a petition
to the Legislature of Pennsylvania setting forth his lawless-
ness and brutalities and praying for protection. A commit-
tee was appointed to inquire into the matter which proceeded
to Wyoming, took depositions and made a report, fully sub-
stantiating the truth of the charges. Upon this report the
Assembly took no action except to pass a resolution to the ef-
fect that the wrongs complained of were such as could be
fully redressed by actions at law against the perpetrators and
that the application to the Legislature for relief was there-
fore unnecessary ahd improper. The petition was according-
ly dismissed and Patterson was continued in power, and with
52
this cold Christmas comfort the Wyoming people came to the
close of the year 1783.
In January 1784 the despairing settlers turned to Congress
for relief. They sent a petition to that body setting forth their
unhappy situation and praying that a Court be instituted un-
der the 9th Article of the Confederation to try the question
of their private rights in the soil. The petition asked only
for an undoubted legal right. It was supported by an ap-
peal in its favor from the Legislature and Governor of Con-
necticut, but it was opposed by Pennsylvania, and after vari-
ous delays and vacillations by Congress was dismissed late in
the year. Meantime, in March as if Nature itself were in
league to increase the sufferings of the unfortunate people, a
great freshet carried away all the dams in the river and
houses, barns, fences and cattle were swept away, farms were
ruined and provisions, clothes and implements destroyed. As
soon as spring opened Patterson and his cohorts began to re-
move the landmarks of private enclosures and to fence up
highways. Many of the inhabitants were thus practically cut
off from their wells; families who had been made homeless
and starving by the freshet were forbidden to cut a stick of
timber or to construct any shelter, and (unkindest cut of all)
the people were prevented from spreading their shad nets in
the abounding stream.
In May, while the application for a trial of right in the soil
was still pending before Congress, Patterson and his troops
at the point of the bayonet dispossessed 150 families at once,
set fire in some cases to their dwellings and commanded them
to leave the country forthwith. Says the historian Miner of
this occurrence: “Unable to make any effectual resistance the
people implored for leave to remove either up or down the
river in boats; as with their wives and children in the then
state of the roads it would be impossible to travel. A stern
refusal met this seemingly reasonable request and they were
directed to take the Laxawaxen road as the One leading most
directly to Connecticut. But this way consisted of 60 miles
of wilderness with scarce a house and the roads had been
wholly neglected during the war. They then begged leave to
53
take the Easton or Stroudsburg road where bridges spanned
the larger streams still swollen by the recent rains. All im-
portunities were vain; and the people fled towards the Dela-
ware, objects of destitution and pity that would have moved
a heart of marble. About 500 men womer and children with
scarce provisions to sustain life plodded their weary way
mostly on foot, the roads being impassable for wagons.
Mothers carrying infants and women who were sick literally
waded streams the water reaching to their armpits, and at
night slept on the naked earth, the heavens their canopy with
scarce clothes to cover them. Several of the unhappy suffer-
ers died in the wilderness; others were taken sick from ex-
cessive fatigue and expired after reaching the settlement.”
The news of this flagrant transaction sped apace and pub-
lic indignation too long suppressed began to make itself felt
even by the Government of Pennsylvania. A month later the
troops in the Valley were summarily dismissed. Patterson
immediately got together a band of land claimants to take
their place, and set both the settlers and the State at defi-
ance. The Sheriff of the County hastened to Wilkesbarre and
despatched messengers to recall the scattered fugitives as far
as possible, promising them protection. Gladly was the sum-
mons received, and such as had the strength, aided by charit-
able donations, crawled feebly back to their former homes.
Here however they found that the Sheriff was powerless
against the illegal and desperate forces of Patterson. Their
houses were occupied by his bandits and the doors were shut
against them. Thus situated they encamped on the mount-
ain side. Patterson enticed some of the leaders back to
their houses under pretence of a conference and then had
them tied up and cruelly beaten with ramrods. The Sheriff
left for assistance and the forlorn fugitives after remaining in
their comfortless camp for a month removed to Kingston on
the 3rd of July, 1784.
CHAPTER VII.
Here beginneth the record of the Fourth Pennymite War.
The patience of the settlers could endure no longer. Patter-
54
son's troops being neither paid nor recognized by the State
hung around the settlements living on plunder. They soon
became so formidable that the inhabitants for self protection
repaired and garrisoned Forty Fort as a military headquart-
ers. In July a party of settlers on their way to the grain
fields were fired on by a detachment from Patterson and two
were killed. The fire was returned and Patterson's men fled
to their fort. A general rally of the settlers able to bear
arms was the consequence.
Sixty-two armed men under Capt. John Franklin who was
a survivor of the massacre and whom we shall hear of again,
marched up and down the river on both sides, dispossessing
every inhabitant who did not show a Connecticut title, and
driving them all into Patterson's fort. The fort itself was
then closely invested. The garrison made a sortie and set
fire to 23 houses which were consumed. The fort mounted
four pieces of cannon including the iron four pounder, fam-
ous in previous Pennymite wars, and the garrison of 100 men
with plenty of small arms and ammunition defied the Yankees.
Eranklin having in vain summoned it to surrender made a
vigorous assault but was beaten off with the loss of several
lives on both sides. Finally the Yankees were compelled to
retire and reoccupied Forty Fort. Soon after the Sheriff of
the County appeared with warrants for the arrest of forty of
Patterson's party who had been concerned in the previous ex-
pulsion of the inhabitants; but Patterson secure in his ram-
parts refused to deliver them up. The men however were
subsequently taken and tried several months later, when, to
use the language of Mr. Miner “the majesty of the laws was
nobly vindicated. The culprits,” he explains, “were convicted
and severely fined. The charge of the Judge was long re-
membered for its just sentiments, its deep feeling and the im-
pressive manner in which it was delivered; but the fines were
never collected.” sº
When the State authorities at Philadelphia learned that
civil war had actually begun, they despatched three agents
Hewitt, Martin and Mead, Justices of the Peace, with the
Sheriff of the County to interpose and stop hostilities. They
55
also sent at once a force of three hundred men under the
command of Col. John Armstrong” and Hon. John Boyd to re-
store law and order in the district. Before the arrival of
these forces another battle occurred at Locust Hill between
a band of 30 settlers under Capt. Swift, and a party of men
who were marching, as was supposed, to reinforce Patterson,
but who were in fact Armstrong's advance guard. In this
battle one man was killed and several wounded, Three days
later Hewitt, Martin and Mead reached Wyoming in advance
of Armstrong's army and at once commanded both parties to
deliver up their arms to the Sheriff in the name of the Com-
monwealth. With this demand the settlers under Franklin
promptly complied, stating in their reply, that they did so,
“relying on your honors that we shall have the benefit of the
laws of the State; and at the same time lamenting the neg-
lect of the law in times past which has been the occasion of
all the hostilities we are charged with.” The band then dis-
persed in the presence of the Commissioners. Patterson's
party however met the demand for surrender with an absolute
refusal. The Commissioners reported the facts to the Gover-
nor and Council, adding an expression of belief “that had it
not been for the cruel and irregular conduct of our own peo-
ple, the peace might have been established long since and the
dignity of the government supported.” They also sent a sim-
ilar message to Col. Armstrong advising him that the Con-
necticut party had dispersed but that Patterson and his peo-
ple defied them and requesting that the militia might be
brought forward as soon as possible. Meanwhile in view of
Patterson's hostile attitude the Commissioners allowed Frank-
lin's party to resume their arms for self defence until Arm-
strong's force should come up.
On the 8th of August Col. Armstrong reached Wyoming
* Col. John Armstrong had been a major in the Pennsylvania line of the Continental
army, and the year previous to this had made himself famous as the author of the an-
onymous Newberg Letters in which he urged the officers of the army to mutiny
against Congress, and by force to compel it to settle their accounts... He was a bril-
liant writer after the style of Junius, and Washington in denouncing the unknown
author of the letters had said “that he deserved more credit for the goodness of his pen
than for the rectitude of his heart.” He became a U. S. Senator from New York in
1800, and in 1804 was sent by Jefferson as Minister to Spain, and later as Minister to
France. He was Secretary of War under Madison, but being censured by Congress for
neglecting to defend Washington when it was captured by the British, resigned and
lived in obscurity till his death in 1843.
56
with his troops. Finding the settlers strongly entrenched in
Forty Fort he dared not hazard an attack upon it and there-
fore had recourse to stratagem. He issued a proclamation to
the effect that he had come to repress violence on both sides
and to maintain law and Order, and commanded both parties
to deliver up their arms. A conference with the Connecticut
men ensued at which the latter expressed misgivings should
they comply, “having” as they said, “experienced nothing but
oppression and treachery.” “But Col. Armstrong” says Min-
er “pledged his faith as a soldier and his honor as a gentle-
man that Patterson's band should also be disarmed and equal
protection extended to all.” On the faith of these assurances
the Connecticut men paraded and grounded their arms; but
what was their surprise and mortification when by order of
Col. Armstrong they were immediately surrounded and made
prisoners. Resistance was in vain, and escape hopeless. Not
a musket was taken from Patterson's forces and these beheld
the successful treachery of Col. Armstrong with unrestrained
delight and taunting execrations.” The thirty Connecticut
men who had been in the fight at Locust Hill, were immed-
iately bound with cords and thrown into the guard house
charged with murder, and orders were given to shoot instant-
ly any one who attemped to escape. As soon as irons could
be obtained they were marched to Easton and committed to
prison. Forty-six others were bound and confined with their
hands tied behind them and so remained in great suffering
till the next day when the cords were loosed. All were sub-
sequently sent to jail. Says Miner “Thus 66 men of the Con-
necticut party were in prison; the conquest was complete;
the work effectually done; the pacification of the Valley ac-
complished and tenants of the Pennsylvania claimants now
took posesession of the empty dwellings. The only difficulty
that remained was how to get rid of the wives and children
of those in jail, and of the widows and Orphans whose hus-
bands and fathers slept beneath the sod.”
“Crowned with victory if not with laurel,” (I am still quot-
ing from Miner) Col. Armstrong returned to Philadelphia to
report formally to the Council and confidentially to his real
57
though less ostensible employers the Pennsylvania Claimants
the success of his mission. Scarcely had he time to receive
the congratulations of friends on the promptitude and vigor
with which he had brought the enterprise to a close, when the
mortifying tidings reached the city that the Sunbury prison-
ers were all released on bail; also that the Locust Hill band
had risen on their keepers and escaped, only eleven having
been retaken, and the rest having returned to the contested
district.” With signal celerity Armstrong raised a force of
50 men and by rapid marches reached Wilkesbarre on Sep-
tember 20th and occupied the Fort.”
The sufferings of the Connecticut settlers had by this time
aroused indignation and sympathy throughout the country
and volunteers began to arrive for their assistance. Among
others came numerous hardy Green Mountain boys who had
just gone through a similar struggle with the State of New
Hampshire and New York and had successfully maintained their
independence against both. An attempt made by Patterson's
men to gather the settlers' crops was met and repelled. For-
bearance had now ceased to be a virtue, and on September
20th the Connecticut men attacked a house occupied by Arm-
strong and Patterson. A battle ensued; the house was burn-
ed, several on both sides being killed and wounded, but the
inmates escaped to the Fort. The Fort was then invested
and a siege commenced. After a loss of several lives the
Yankees were obliged to abandon the siege. Col. Armstrong
immediately returned to Philadelphia where events were tak-
ing place to which we must now direct our attention.
The indignation which had long pervaded all classes of
right minded men at the course of the Pennsylvanian Gov-
ernment toward the Connecticut settlers, was now breaking
out in influential quarters and when Col. Armstrong returned
to the city he found himself confronted with it from a new
and unexpected direction. By the first Constitution of the
State of Pennsylvania which was established immediately aft-
er the Declaration of Independence, a curious tribunal was
* At the next session of the Court the Grand Jury refused to find bills against any
of the Connecticut men who had been arrested and imprisoned: but indicted a large
number of Patterson’s party and these were tried and convicted.
58
created savoring of the classical ideas then so much in vogue,
called “The Council of Censors.” It was a body elected by
the people and directed to meet every seventh year; and its
duty in the language of the Constitution was “to inquire
whether the Constitution has been observed inviolate in every
part and whether the Legislative and Executive branches of
the Government have performed their duty as guardians of
the people or assumed to themselves or exercised other or
greater powers than they are entitled to by the Constitution.”
In the discharge of these duties the Council had power to
send for persons and papers, and also “authority to pass pub-
lic censures; to order impeachments; and to recommend to
the Legislature the repealing of such laws as appeared to
them to have been enacted contrary to the principles of the
Constitution.” In 1784 this Council met at Philadelphia. It
was composed of 26 of the most distinguished and upright of
the citizens of Pennsylvania, Frederick A. Muhlenberg being
its President. In September having received information of
Armstrong's transactions at Wyoming, the Council immediate.
ly called upon the Supreme Executive Council and its legal
advisers to furnish certain documents in relation to the pro-
ceedings at that place. Such documents as were in the pos-
session of the lawyers were immediately delivered up, but as
to the others, the Executive Council declared that they had
been sent to the Assembly. On the following day the Coun-
cil of Censors required the Assembly to furnish the papers.
The Assembly refused to comply. The Council of Censors
then issued a formal and peremptory mandamus to the As-
sembly to send the papers without excuse or delay. The
mandamus was disregarded and unanswered. Thereupon the
Council of Censors placed on record a solemn declaration of
opinion with regard to the measures which had been pursued
against the Wyoming settlers. The opinion was unanimous.
It is not long and lest it should be suspected that the view I
have given of the Pennsylvania proceedings has been colored
by Connecticut prejudice, I will give the paper entire. It is
as follows:
“It is the opinion of this Council that the decision made at
59
Trenton early in 1783, between the State of Connecticut and
this Commonwealth concerning the territorial rights of both
was favorable to Pennsylvania. It likewise promised the
happiest consequences to the Confederacy, as an example was
thereby set of two contending sovereignties adjusting their
differencies in a Court of Justice instead of involving them-
selves and perhaps their confederates in war and bloodshed.
It is much to be regretted that this happy event was not im-
proved on the part of this State as it might have been. That
the persons claiming lands at and near Wyoming occupied by
the Emigrants from Connecticut, now become subjects of
Pennsylvania, were not left to prosecute their claims in the
proper course without the intervention of the Legislature.
That a body of troops was enlisted after the Indian war had
ceased and the civil code had been established, and was sta-
tioned at Wyoming for no apparent purpose but that of pro-
moting the interests of the Claimants under the former
grants of Pennsylvania. That these troops were kept up and
continued there without the license of Congress in violation
of the Confederation. That they were suffered without res-
traint to injure and oppose the neighboring inhabitants dur-
ing the course of the last winter. That the injuries done to
these people excited the compassion and interposition of the
State of Connecticut, who thereupon demanded of Congress
another hearing in order to investigate the private claims of
the settlers at Wyoming, formerly inhabitants of New Eng-
land, who from this instance of partiality in our own rulers
have been led to distrust the justice of the State: while in
the meantime numbers of these soldier's and other disorderly
persons in a most riotous and inhuman manner expelled the
New England settlers before mentioned from their habitations
and drove them towards the Delaware through unsettled and
almost impassable ways leaving those unhappy outcasts to
suffer every species of misery and distress. That this armed
force stationed as aforesaid at Wyoming as far as we can see
without any public advantages in view—has cost the Com-
monwealth the sum of £4460 and upwards for the bare levy-
ing, providing, and paying of them, besides other expendit-
60
ures of public monies. That the authority for embodying
these troops was given privately and unknown to the good peo-
ple of Pennsylvania, the same being directed by a mere resolve
by the House of Assembly brought in and read the first time
on Monday the 22nd September 1783, when on motion and
by special order the same was read a second time and adopt-
ed. That the putting this Resolve on the Secret Journal of
the House and concealing it from the people after the war
with the savages had ceased, and the inhabitants of Wyoming
had submitted to the Government of the State sufficiently
marks and fixes the clandestine and partial interests of the
Armament, no such condition having been thought necessary
in the defense of the Northern and Western frontiers during
the late war. And lastly we regret the fatal example which
this transaction has set of private persons, at least equally
able with their opponents to maintain their own cause, pro-
curing the interest of the commonwealth in their behalf and
the aid of the public treasury. The opprobrium which from
hence has resulted to this State and the dissatisfaction and
prospect of dissension now existing with one of our sister
States, the violation of the Confederation, and the injury
hereby done to such of the Pennsylvania Claimants of lands
at Wyoming occupied as aforesaid as have given no counten-
ance to but on the contrary have disavowed these extravagant
proceedings. In short we lament that our Government has
in this business manifested little wisdom or foresight—nor
have acted as guardians of the rights of the people committed
to their care. Impressed with the multiplied evils which have
sprung from this imprudent management of this business WE
Hold IT UP TO PUBLIC CENSURE to prevent if possible further
instances of bad government which might convulse and dis-
tract our new formed nation.”
In contemptuous reply to this manifesto the Executive
Council and the Assembly forth with promoted Col. Arm-
strong to the rank of Adjutant General, “as a token,” they de-
clared,” of extraordinary merit and valuable services.” They
also authorized him to raise a competent force of militia with
which to proceed to Wyoming and to complete the work of
61
expelling the Connecticut settlers. President Dickinson of
the Executive Council disapproved of this action and sent
from a sick bed a strong remonstrance against it but in vain.
The Council read the remonstrance and immediately voted
that “the measures adopted be pursued,” and on the same
day issued a proclamation offering £25 for the apprehension
of eighteen of the principal inhabitants, their names being
given. tº
Fortified and encouraged by his promotion Col. Arm-
strong endeavored to collect the competent force of militia
authorized by the Executive Council. But such was the pop-
ular sympathy with the settlers that the men generally re-
fused to march, and it was with only 40 men that he reached
Wyoming on the 19th of October On the next day he at-
tacked a post consisting of four block houses occupied by
Connecticut men, but after a sharp battle of an hour was for-
ced to retreat. On the day following he evicted 30 families
who had returned to their farms, and set his troops to gath-
ering in the harvest. A body of Yankees surprised this force,
captured their arms and their stolen grain, and took them all
prisoners. The garrison at the fort turned out to the rescue
with cannon but the Yankees placed their prisoners in front
as a shield and thus prevented an attack. More than 100
bushels of grain were thus saved—a supply of great import-
ance to the settlers whose sowing and reaping had been al-
most entirely prevented during this disastrous summer.
Meantime too many influences had been working on the
Pennsylvania Assembly to permit them to continue in a com-
plete defiance of public opinion. The rebuke of the Council
of Censors, the disapproval of the President of the Execut-
ive Council, the refusal of the militia to march, and the gen-
eral sentiment of sympathy with the armed resistance of the
settlers furnished a part of these influences. Besides this
the petition of the settlers to Congress for a trial of their
rights in the soil was pending before that body and was being
vigorously pressed, with a prospect that it would be granted.
Some show of conciliation could no longer be avoided. On
the 15th of September an act was passed recalling Armstrong
62
and Patterson and ordering that the families who had been
evicted the previous May should be allowed to occupy their
former holdings. This was all—the act did not recognize
the titles of the dispossessed families. Still less did it con-
cede any rights to the general body of settlers. Nevertheless
it was hailed at Wyoming as a sign that the tide had at last
begun to turn, and as throwing a ray of hope on the gloomy
situation. Two immediate results of the act, it concerns our
story to mention. The first was an order of Congress dated
September 25th, ten days after the passage of the act—re-
pealing the resolutions previously passed which secured to
the Wyoming settlers a trial of their rights to the soil. The
second is tersely stated in a journal kept by Capt. John
Franklin at Wyoming as follows:--“November 27th, The
Pennymites evacuated the fort. November 30th, The Yank-
ees destroyed the fort.”
Thus ended the Fourth Pennymite War. Says Miner, “It
is true and honorable to those who effected it that the New
England people were repossessed of their farms. But a sum-
mer of exile and war had left them no harvest to reap and
they returned to their empty granaries and desolate homes,
crushed by the memories of the Indian invasion, mourners
over fields of more recent slaughter, destitute of food, with
scarce clothing to cover them through the rigor of a Northern
winter, while clouds and darkness shrouded all their future.
Assuredly the people of Wyoming were objects of deepest
commiseration and the heart must be harder and colder than
marble that could Jook upon their suffering without a tear of
tenderest pity.”
CHAPTER VIII.
The fiercest of the storm was apparently over, but the ele-
ments had been too long and too deeply stirred to subside at
once into peace. Moreover clouds still hung threateningly in
the sky. Pennsylvania had yielded nothing except reposses-
sion to a few evicted families from motives of humanity. It
had made no provision and promised none for a general quiet-
ing of titles, and Congress had finally refnsed to grant the
63
only measure which could legally determine the settlers'
rights. It was inevitable therefore that there should exist
among the people so long oppressed by violence and outrage
a strong resentment against the state which had subjected
them to such sufferings, as well as jealousy and suspicion
with regard to its future course. Among those who most
strongly shared these feelings was Capt. John Franklin, a
native of Canaan in Litchfield County, Connecticut, and one
of the early settlers of Wyoming. He was one of the sur-
vivors of the massacre, a brave soldier, a fluent and impas-
sioned speaker and an indefatigable champion of the Connec-
ticut interests. In one of the conflicts with Patterson and
Armstrong, as a comrade fell by his side he had seized the
bloody rifle of the dying man and sworn a solemn oath upon
it that he would never lay down his arms until the people
were restored to their rights of possession, and a legal trial
guaranteed to every citizen by the Constitution, by justice
and by the law. During this year (1784) when he was not
fighting in the field he was attending the Sessions of Con-
gress, urging forward the abortive petition of the Connecti-
cut people for a trial of their titles, or travelling back and
forth between Wyoming and Connecticut addressing crowded
meetings with fiery zeal, and pressing the cause of Wyoming
on private individuals, on public officials, and especially on
the Susquehanna Company. The Company immediately after
the Trenton decree had protested against the result and de-
clared its determination to pursue its just claim to the own-
ership of the lands which they had purchased from the Indian
proprietors, and to protect the Connecticut settlers in their
titles until Congress should have adjudicated the same, and
had been active in pressing the unsuccessful application to
Congress for such adjudication. Inspired by Franklin's ap-
peals the General Assembly and the Governor had sent pro-
tests to Congress and to Pennsylvania in behalf of the set-
tlers; hardy and adventurous volunteers were flocking into
Wyoming to support their cause; and now the Susquehanna
Company finding all hope of justice through Congress lost
held a meeting at Hartford July 13, 1785, and took new and
vigorous action.
64
In a series of energetic resolutions it declared “that the
company had expended large sums of money in the purchase,
settlement and defence of the lands on the Susquehanna
river. That the purchase had been made in good faith un-
der the Charter of Connecticut,” which then it says “never
had been and never ought to be called into question.” The
resolutions proceed to declare that “though the Court at Tren-
ton by a decision which astonished the world gave Pennsyl-
vania jurisdiction over the territory, yet our title to the soil
is clear and unquestionable and we cannot and will not give
it up.” The company then arraigned the conduct of Penn-
sylvania as impolitic, unjust and tyrannical, and as having a
tendency to interrupt the harmony of the States. It further
declared “that the company would support its claim and
right to the soil,” and would support the settlers in their pe-
tition to Congress, and would protect them from all lawless
outrage, unjustifiable and wanton depredations of property
or personal abuse, whether under countenance of law or oth-
erwise until their rights were justly determined.” It did not
confine itself to words, but proceeded to offer to every able
bodied man, not exceeding 400 in all, who would repair to
Wyoming before the 1st of the following October, and there
submit himself to the orders of the company for three years,
a half share right in the company. A committee was ap-
pointed to carry out this vote and 600 rights in the general
tract of country were placed at their disposal to be used at
their discretion.
To appreciate the significance of this manifesto which was
little else than a declaration of war against Pennsylvania, and
the movements which followed, let us recall the material and
political condition of the country at the close of the Revolu-
tion. Back of a few seaboard towns the whole continent was
a wilderness. Wyoming was on the extreme frontier, having
only forests and savages on the NCrth and West, and was
separated from southern Pennsylvania by wild and almost
pathless mountains. The jurisdiction of Pennsylvania over
the valley had indeed been established by Congress, but Con-
gress was then a body without power and almost without pub-
65
lic respect. The Confederacy was fast falling to pieces. The
several states, unaccustomed to mutual action, were getting
ready each to secure as much for itself as possible when the
disruption should come and a general conflict with new ar-
rangements of boundaries seemed almost inevitable. In such
a case if Wyoming should be in rebellion, Pennsylvania which
had been unable to enforce its claim hitherto, would be still less
able to do so impoverished by the revolution and embarrassed
by the danger of being embroiled with other states. The ex-
perience of New York with the people of the New Hampshire
Grants, (now Vermont,) was fresh and instructive. For twenty
years it had been vainly striving to bring them under its jur-
isdiction and had finally been compelled to recognise their
independence. There was no reason why Wyoming should
not with equal success throw off its allegiance to Pennsylvania
supported as it would be by the resources and influence of
the Susquehanna Company and perhaps the state of Connecti-
cut, by bands of volunteers who were already moving into the
valley and by the sympathies of the whole country including
a large proportion of the people of Pennsylvania itself. Over-
tures could also if necessary be made to the state of New
York, offering annexation as the price of assistance.
Such was the view held out by Franklin and accepted by
the Susquehanna Company as the basis of its action. It fol-
lowed up energetically its declaration of war. Wyoming be.
gan to swarm with able bodied men, old soldiers many of
them, from the disbanded Continental Army, having arms in
their hands and half-share rights in their pockets. Public
meetings were held fiery with the spirit of resistance and in-
dependence. A militia force was enrolled and Franklin was
appointed its commander. These ominous proceedings were
not without effect on Pennsylvania. Late in December 1785,
the Assembly enacted a law “to quiet disturbances at Wyo-
ming, for pardoning certain offenders, and for other purposes
therein mentioned.” This law provided that all offences com-
mitted before November 1, should be pardoned and put in
oblivion provided the offenders should surrender themselves
before the coming April, and give bonds to obey the laws.”
66
The act excited only contempt in those whom it was designed
to conciliate. No notice was taken of it and it remained a
dead letter on the Statute book. Thus close the annals of
1785.
The spring of 1786 found the Susquehanna Company
actively pursuing its programme of defiance, with political
separation in the background. At a meeting held at Hart-
ford in May 1786 it reiterated its resolution “to maintain its
own claims to the lands bona fide purchased from the Indians
and to effectually justify and support the settlers holding
under it.” As a measure of policy and perhaps of contrast it
recognized and confirmed the possession of all actual resi-
dents in the valley holding under Pennsylvania titles. It also
appointed a committee consisting of Col. John Franklin, Gen.
Ethen Allen, Major John Jenkins, and Col. Zebulon Butler to
locate townships, establish titles, and admit proprietors in
Wyoming. Gen. Ethan Allen was in fact already on the
ground, loaded down with company shares, promising to
settle in Wyoming and to bring with him his Green Mountain
boys to assist in defending against Pennsylvania claims. But
these were hardly needed. Hundreds of former settlers were
returning to rebuild their former homes; new adventurers had
come to purchase; farms were being restored and frame
buildings erected on all sides, and upwards of 600 fighting
men were enrolled ready and determined to “man their
rights.” The civil authority of Pennsylvania in the valley
was but nominal. Its laws were not resorted to and the
settlers governed themselves as before by a committee of
magistrates which tried and punished offenders. The shares
of the Susquehanna Company carrying rights to land were
selling freely at about forty dollars a share. It was time for
Pennsylvania to awake to the gravity of the situation and to
adopt conciliatory measures quickly if she would save to her-
self this fairest part of her domain.
Happily wisdom at last prevailed. In September 1786
an act passed the Assembly for organizing the whole Wyom-
ing district into the county of Luzerne, providing for elections
there and appointing Zebulon Butler and others Commission-
67
ers of the county buildings. Owing to a defect in the law the
elections could not be held that year so that the county still
remained unorganized Meantime the Susquehanna Company
and its indefatigable agent Franklin, utterly irreconcileable
in spirit toward Pennsylvania, were pushing forward their
revolutionary schemes. The names which figure at this period
in the records of the company's meetings, suggest the high
character and powerful influence which were behind it, ren-
dering it an important factor in the controversy. On Decem-
ber 26, 1786 Joel Barlow, three of the Wolcott family
(including Oliver Wolcott, Jr.,) Dr. Timothy Horner, Ebenezer
and Samuel Gray and others were appointed commissioners
to make out a list of all the persons entitled to lands in the
valley with descriptions of their holdings as a full and com-
plete record evidence of their titles, and to assign new
locations to intending settlers. They were also constituted a
court for the trial and settlement of all controversies at law,
until “in the language of the vote” a form of internal govern-
ment shall be established in the county; “and said commis-
sioners, the vote significantly adds, shall likewise have full
power to do and transact any other matters and things which
they may judge necessary for the security and protection of
the settlers on said lands and for the benefit of said company
of proprietors.” This vote was passed two months after the
failure to hold the county election of Luzern county under
the laws of Pennsylvania. On the same day the Pennsylvania
Assembly passed a supplemental act which introduces a new
personage of national distinction, and occasioned new and
exciting episodes in the political drama.
This supplemental act provided that Timothy Pickering,
Zebulon Butler and John Franklin should give notice of an
election to be held in the county of Luzerne for county offi-
cers, February 1, 1787, and correct the defects of the pre-
vious election acts. The olive branch could hardly have been
more conspicuously tendered than by naming John Franklin
as one of the commissioners, engaged as he had been for
months previous in openly planning and waging hostilities
against the state. Zebulon Butler was also wisely selected
68
as the most eminent and able man among the settlers, whose
influence over them would be paramount whether for concilia-
tion or controversy, and whose sound and conservative
judgement had kept him from taking part in the violent
action of Franklin and the Susquehanna company. The ad-
dition of Timothy Pickering was a remarkable one, and
indicated in the clearest manner that the disposition of Penn-
sylvania was now fully awakened to bring the unhappy con-
dition of Wyoming to a close honorable to both parties. A
native of Massachusetts, he had held during the war the im-
portant posts of Adjutant General, and Quartermaster Gen-
eral of the Army, and at the close of the war he had settled in
Philadelphia where he was now residing, held in the highest
esteem for his ability, integrity and moderation. At later
periods he filled many conspicuous positions in the national
and state governments. He was Postmaster General, Secre-
tary of War and Secretary of State successively in Washing-
ton's administration. Then having returned to Massechusetts
in 1801, he became Judge of a Massachusetts court, afterwards
U. S. Senator and later still a member of Congress from that
state. In 1786 he had had occasion to visit Wyoming and had
interested himself while there to ascertain the real feelings of
the inhabitants with regard to submission to Pennsylvania.
Having become satisfied that the great majority would readily
assent to it if their land titles could be recognized and quieted
by the state he returned to Philadelphia and exerted himself
to bring about an accommodation on that basis. By his in-
fluence with leading citizens he secured the passage of the
supplemental act referred to and a pledge was given him that
if the Connecticut settlers would accept it and organize the
county under Pennsylvania laws, a statute should be passed
quieting them in their possessions. He was selected as the
head of the commission from confidence in his abilities, integ-
rity and impartiality and because it was thought his New
England birth would inspire confidence in the Wyoming
people. Armed with the authority conferred by the act and
with the assurances behind it, he returned to Wyoming and
laid the matter before the Connecticut settlers.
69
The effect became speedily apparent. The more prudent
and conservative class including Col. Butler were for concili-
ation and peace. Another party led by the fiery Franklin
who refused to act under his appointment by the state, and
including the newly arrived enlisted men of the company were
for opposition and separation. The discord between the
parties soon became rife. The cry was no longer “Penny-
mite against Yankee” but “old settlers against the wild Yan-
kees and half-share men.” Pennsylvania had succeeded in
dividing the community and thus the first great step toward
their absorption was accomplished.
A month after Col. Pickering arrived in the valley, notwith-
standing the vigorous opposition of Franklin and his suppor-
ters the election was called and held. Says Miner “It was a
day of high excitement even for Wyoming, indeed of riotous
commotion. Many a stalwart Yankee was engaged in combat
fierce, and sometimes bloody though not mortal, with a friend
by whose side he had formerly fought. In the midst of
the wild uproar Col. Butler mounted his war steed and rode
up and down amid the crowd exclaiming “I draw my sword
in defence of the law: Let every lover of peace and good order
support me.” In spite of the opposition the election was
consummated and the County of Luzerne was organized under
the laws of Pennsylvania. A petition headed by Col. Picker-
ing was at once sent to the Assembly praying for a confirma-
tion of the Connecticut titles, and in response thereto and in
accordance with the previous understanding the Legislature
on the 28th of March 1787 passed what was afterwards known
as the Confirming act. By this measure the titles of all Con-
necticut claimants who were actual settlers before the decree
of Trenton were confirmed and established to them and their
heirs forever.
To show his confidence in the finality of this proceeding
and in the future peace and prosperity of Wyoming, Col.
Pickering took up his residence in the valley purchasing his
land under the established Connecticut claims. He soon be-
came a general favorite and employed all his influence in
promoting harmony and good will. Franklin on the other
70
hand although he had been chosen at the election to repre-
sent Wyoming in the Pennsylvania Legislature was still as
irreconcilable as when he swore hostility on the bloody rifle.
Refusing to accept his appointment he moved from village to
village and from house to house stirring up opposition to the
new order of things, inflaming old jealousies and resentments
and arraying all whom he could influence against submission
to Pennsylvania authority. Party excitement and animosity
increased from day to day, and the unhappy valley which had
been so often torn in pieces by external foes was now rent
with civil dissension, friend against friend and brother against
brother.
By common consent to relieve the tension and soothe the
turmoil, resort was had to that genuine yankee remedy for
civil disorder, a general town meeting and a public discussion
of the existing situation. It was called to take place in that
spot so hallowed by the memories of common heroism and
common suffering, the old “Forty Fort.” Here on the ap-
pointed day assembled almost the entire population of the
valley, all aroused to the importance of the occasion but un-
fortunately all inflamed with the passions of the hour and in
the mood of mutual defiance. The meeting organized, and
Col. Pickering supported by most of the older and more sub-
stantial inhabitants, the Butlers, the Hallenbecks, the Nesbits
and the Denisons appeared as the leading advocate of law and
compromise. Earnestly and eloquently he appealed to the
people to lay aside their doubts and suspicions of Pennsyl-
vania: he pledged his honor that the State was sincere and
that full faith might be reposed in its promises. “Your lips
speak fair” cried one of his excited auditors, “but oh! that
there were a window in that breast that we could read your
heart!” Major Jenkins replied to Pickering: “What guaran-
tee have we” he exclaimed in language long remembered after-
wards, “that Pennsylvania will keep her plighted faith? She
has forfeited her honor, time and again.” If we accept the pro-
visions of this law, when she finds we are tied hand and
foot, she will repeal it and leave us without hope.” Col.
Franklin who was gifted with unusual popular eloquence
71
followed Jenkins with his utmost energy and bitterness. He
dwelt on the justice of the Connecticut claims, both those
acquired before and after the Trenton decree; he referred to
the persecutions and suffering which the community had
endured from Pennsylvania: declared the compromise hollow
and deceptive and denounced Pickering and his supporters in
vigorous language. Overcome by excitement Col. Hollenbeck
drew his riding whip and aimed a blow at Franklin's head.
Instantly the meeting was in an uproar. By a common impulse
a rush was made to the neighboring woods for a supply of
cudgels and amid the rapid play of these helps to calm delib-
ation, the meeting adjourned: but not until a vote had been
taken and declared carried, to support the law and accept the
proposed terms of compromise.
The crisis was imminent both for Pennsylvania and for
Wyoming. The one was threatened with the loss of her
fairest portion, and the other with the evils of a fratricidal
war. The Susquehanna Company pushed forward its schemes
of secession with unremitting energy. A constitution for the
proposed new state had been already drawn up by Oliver
Wolcott, Jr., having a preamble like that of the Declaration
of Independence, and the Governor and Lieutenant Governor
had been selected. Ethan Allen again appeared in the valley;
this time arrayed in a cocked hat and regimentals openly de-
claring that he had already made one new state, and was
ready with 100 Green Mountain boys and 200 riflemen to
make another in spite of Pennsylvania. Col. Pickering and
his associates now determined to take decisive action. A
writ was taken out against John Franklin for treason, and in
September he was arrested at Wilkesbarre after a violent
struggle. Held on a horse by his captors he was taken to Col.
Pickering's house, when he flung himself free, lustily shout-
ing for help, and fiercely fought for liberty. The alarm being
given and his partisans beginning to assemble, Pickering
himself rushed out and held a pistol to his breast while six
others replaced him on the horse and tying his feet beneath
hurried him away and took him to jail at Philadelphia. His
friends quickly collected and surrounding Pickering's house
72
threatened to burn it and to take Pickering prisoner. He
had however already escaped to the woods and through the
interference of Col. Butler the house after being searched for
him in vain, was spared. Not daring to return to Wilkes-
barre, Col. Pickering with one companion started on foot
through the mountain forests for Philadelphia and although
closely pursued by scouts succeeded in reaching his destina-
tion. Here he remained for several months. It was the
memorable summer of 1787 when the United States Consti-
tution was framed in Philadelphia and submitted to the States
for their ratification. Col. Pickering was chosen by the County
of Luzerne to represent it in the Pennsylvania Convention
which was called to act upon its acceptance, and having per-
formed this duty he deemed it safe in January 1788 to return
to Wyoming. -
But the troubled waters there were by no means quieted,
Though the tide of conservatism and of submission to Penn-
sylvania was daily rising, and the loss of Franklin as a leader
had crippled the revolutionary party, the latter was still numer-
ous and its passions excited against Pickering as the principal
agent in Franklin's capture. His return to Wyoming while
their chieftain was kept closely confined in a Philadelphia jail
loaded with 27 pounds of iron chain, sick with a fever, and
unavailingly petitioning for release on bail, did not tend to
allay their animosity. It was not however till June that this
broke out in overt action. On the 26th of that month Picker-
ing's house was burst open at night by an armed band. They
took him from his bed pinioned his arms and led him off by a
rope into the mountains. Here they kept him prisoner for
three weeks, moving about from place to place, occasionally
chaining him to a tree in retaliation for Franklin's fetters, but
treating him on the whole as considerately as could be expected
in view of the rough nature of the compulsory picnic. Mean-
time the militia had been rallied for his rescue and pressing
hard on his captors occasionally exchanging shots with them
or their scouts. During all this time every effort was made by
the abducting party to obtain their captive's written request
for Franklin's pardon and release, but in vain. At length
73
finding him decidedly an elephant on their hands, and being
so closely pursued that escape could not be much longer pos-
sible, they set him at liberty on the 16th of July and he then
returned to Wilkesbarre. In November of the same year, the
first Pennsylvania Court was held at Wilkesbarre. Before
this Court twenty-five of those who had been concerned in
his abduction were indicted and all were sentenced to fine or
imprisonment. Those who were imprisoned straightway
broke jail and escaped, that is, returned to their homes with-
out let or hindrance. The only one who obstinately remained
in prison was pardoned in order to get rid of him. None of
the fines were ever collected.
At the same term of the Court Col. Franklin having been
brought from Philadelphia was arraigned for high treason in
endeavoring to subvert the government of Pennsylvania and
to erect an independent state in the room and stead thereof.
It was no longer however the implacable Franklin of the year
before, swearing defiance to Pennsylvania with his bloody ride
in his hand. He had been in confinement more than a year
and now returned broken in body and depressed in spirit to
find his partisans scattered, the Susquehanna Company para-
lysed, and an overwhelming unanimity in the valley in favor
of peace and quiet. Sensible as well as brave, he had already
yielded to the inevitable and had virtually consented to sub-
mit to the laws. He was admitted to bail and the prosecu-
tion was subsequently abandoned. He became a prominent
and trusted citizen of Pennsylvania; was repeatedly elected
to the Legislature and was for some years High Sheriff of the
County of Luzerne. Nevertheless he never ceased to defend
with his voice and pen, the titles of his half-share partisans
acquired from the Susquehanna Company and through whom
unwilling justice had been wrung from Pennsylvania to the
original inhabitants of Wyoming. His efforts however were
in vain. “Separated from the old settlers who had borne the
hardships of early emigration and the crimsoned severities of
Savage war, the new grants, though plausibly urged for a
while, soon found little favor and sank into oblivion.”
Thus by the Confirming act of March 1787 whereby Penn-
74
sylvania recognised the titles of the original Connecticut
settlers, she succeeded in securing the support of the more
conservative part of the Wyoming people and through their
efforts and influence in establishing her authority throughout
the valley. After thirty years of unavailing strife and vio-
lence, this, the first conciliatory overture had healed all wounds
and in the very nick of time had saved to the state at least
one-half its territory. Relying on the good faith of the state
the settlers as we have seen, organized the county of Luzerne,
suspended and suppressed all further opposition and devoted
themselves to the quiet pursuit of peace and prosperity. The
sequel remains to be told. It corresponds with all the rest of
this strange eventful history. Just one year after the con-
firming act was passed the Pennsylvania Legislature suspend-
ed its operation. Two years later (April 1, 1790) it was
totally repealed. Thus the prophecy of John Jenkins at the
town meeting proved true and the Connecticut titles were
again repudiated by Pennsylvania. The repeal was brought
about by the old enemies of the Connecticut men, the Penn-
sylvania claimants. Col. Pickering who opposed it declared
later that its purpose was to enable those claimants to get
possession of the land through the courts and thus rid the
state of the burden of compensation. If such was its purpose
it had but little success. Such litigation presented but few
attractions to the Pennsylvania claimants. They had expe-
rienced the difficulty of shaking off the grip of a Connecticut
yankee on his farm, and were reluctant to make any new at-
tempts even by legal proceedings. One such suit was brought
in the United States Court, apparently as an experiment, and
although decided in the first instance in favor of the claimant,
yet an appeal being taken, the proceeding was not pursued
and no attempt was ever made to put the plaintiff in posses-
sion. The influence of the Confirming act was still felt in the
public conscience notwithstanding its repeal, and there was
moreover a grim expression on the faces of the Connecticut
holders which reminded Pennsylvania contestants of former
days and discouraged a re-opening of the controversy. Mean-
time public opinion both within and without the state, with
75
constantly accumulating force, demanded that the pledged
faith of the state to the old settlers should be redeemed.
Col. Pickering even when no longer residing in the state con-
stantly exerted his influence in the same direction. Finally in
April, 1799, a decisive act was passed for the quieting of all
disputed claims in the Wyoming Valley. By this act the
state purchased the claims of its own grantees and issued new
certificates of title to all Connecticut holders before the Tren-
ton decree. This enactment was faithfully carried out and
with its execution died out at last all distinguishing marks
between an original Connecticut settler and a genuine native
of the Keystone State.
But what in the meantime had become of the Susquehanna
Company 3 It was dead. Dead as Julius Caesar! The Con-
firming act of 1787, by separating the interests of the earlier
settlers from those of the later comers and thus dividing the
people into opposing factions, was the first effective stroke at
its vitality. Nevertheless for months thereafter as we have
seen, the company had vigor enough to put forth spasmodic
and dangerous efforts to foment rebellion against Pennsylva-
nia and the setting up of an independent state. The final
and fatal blow to its existence was given by the establish-
ment of the new national government under the Constitution
of 1787. After that event successful rebellion within a state
or war against it was no longer possible and nobody recog-
nised this sooner than the Dyers, the Talcotts, the Hosmers
and the Wolcotts of Connecticut. They were not the men to
pursue a lawless and hopeless filibustering conspiracy and
they quickly found new and more congenial fields for their
political energies and ambitions.
And so as the reconstructed Republic like a new light house
of constitutional freedom flashed forth its first rays on the
sight of the nations, the great Connecticut corporation, a
rudderless drifting hulk, struck on the shore and lay stranded
at Hartford. Its career was finally ended. For twenty years
it had gallantly breasted the waves of war and adversity.
Again and again it had borne colonies to the promised land
76
and sustained them with its stores in their bitter days of
poverty and hardship. But now, repudiated by those whom
it had served, deserted by its officers and crew and left to its
fate by the commonwealth whose flag it had so long displayed
and whose interests it had so faithfully defended, it lay at
last an abandoned wreck, soon to disappear beneath the sands
of time from mortal view and remembrance. To-day its only
relics are the musty record books in Wadsworth Atheneum:
Connecticut has forgotten its very existance: and even in
Windham wherei n 1753 its keel was laid with such hope
and rejoicing, and where in 1769 it raised its colors and
spread its canvas to the breeze, and set forth with its first
forty brave spirits to found a new empire, the name of the
Susquehanna Company is almost unknown and its memory
has faded into oblivion.
And Windham itself with its silent and grass grown streets,
its vanished social life and its shorn village square; all vesti.
ges lost of its former importance and business activity, and
even its ancient frog-pond drained and dried up, seems like a
fitting grave yard for enterprises that are dead, and achieve-
ments which have failed and been forgotten.
sº º sº sº sº
NAMES AND DATES
FROM THE
OLD BURYING GROUND.
GREENS FARMS, CONN.,
From the Earliest Date
TO
1897.
* 2° sº sº sº
COPY OF NAMES AND DATES
FIR () \{ T H E { } I_ ] }
GREENS FARMS BURYING GROUND,
Taken May, 1897.
Contributed by ROBT. P. WAKEMAN, Southport, Conn.
• , , , , , , , , - , , , * g : * s , - - , , , , , , , --, * * *
* * * * **, *, *... .º. º. º. º. º.
* u, * * * * * - & w is a 3 tº , tº tº . , a tº $ tº it is ºn R. A.
Hezekiah Lockwood, died April 22, 1887. Age 82 years.
Frederick Elwood, died June 13, 1883. Age 55 years.
Charlotte Lockwood, wife of Frederick Elwood, died Sept. 21,
1883. Age 48 years.
Jennie, daughter of Frederick and Charlotte Elwood, died
July 13, 1884. Age 5 years and 3 months.
Mabel, wife of David Mills, died Feb. 1, 1883. Age 62 years.
Ester, died Sept. 15, 1848. Age 7 mos., and 5 days.
Lorenzo, died Sept. 25, 1851. Age 1 yr., 3 mos., 7 days.
Children Of David and Mabel Mills.
Joshua Jennings, died Feb. 13, 1830, in his 71st year.
Sarah, wife of Joshua Jennings, died Jan. 28, 1845. Age 75
years, 1 month and 29 days.
Albert, son of Joshua and Sarah Jennings, died Dec. 4, 1831.
Age. 30 years.
Ebenezer Jennings, died Jan. 15, 1879. Age 82 yrs., 1 mo.,
and 6 days.
Helena, wife of Edwin B. Jennings, died May 29, 1865. Age
23 years, 11 months and 22 days.
Abbey J., wife of Edward Jennings, died Jan. 9, 1868. Age
63 years, 4 months and 8 days.
Edward Jennings, died Sept. 26, 1858. Age 56 yrs., 5 mos.,
and 23 days.
Eliza J., daughter of Edward and Abbey Jennings, died Sept.
3, 1851. Age 15 years, 11 months and 9 days.
Sally Wakeman, daughter of Peter and Sarah Jennings, died
May 16, 1832. Age 19 years, 9 months and 10 days.
Peter Jennings, died May 5, 1841. Age 78 years.
80
Sarah, wife of Peter Jennings, died July 13, 1857. Age 84 yrs.
Peter B. Jennings, died Nov. 12, 1867 In the 71 year of his
age.
Catharine, wife of Peter B. Jennings, died June 9, 1880. Age
81 years and 9 months.
Samuel Craft, died Dec. 6, 1872. Age 80 yrs., 3 mos., 11 dys.
Abigail, wife of Samuel Craft, died May 14, 1888. Age 92
years, 3 months and 26 days.
George, son of Joseph and Angeline Nash, died Oct. 18, 1857.
Age 23 years, 8 months and 5 days.
Angeline, wife of Joseph Nash, died April 20, 1884. Age 78
years, 4 months and 20 days.
Joseph Nash, died March 12, 1886. Age 80 years, 4 months,
and 10 days.
Eliphalet Stratton, born Feb. 7, 1779, died Jan. 7, 1849.
Sarah, wife of Eliphalet Stratton, born June 2, 1774, died
Aug. 29, 1849. -
Angeline Keys, daughter of Ezra (Ml, or N.) and Angeline
Stratton, died Feb. 9, 1840. Age 1 month and 15 days.
John, son of Eliphalet and Catharine Stratton, died Dec. 13,
1845. Age 9 days.
William West, son of Eliphalet and Cathaiine Stratton, died
Sept. 23, 1842. Age 1 year, 2 months and 7 days.
William, son of Eliphalet and Catharine Stratton, died July
22, 1839. Age 11 months and 7 days.
Sarah Ann, daughter of Eliphalet and Catharine Stratton,
died Nov. 21, 1840. Age 8 yrs, 2 mos., and 29 days.
Amelia, daughter of Wm. H & A. D. Smith, died May 22, 1869.
Age 18 years, 10 months and 11 days.
Ann, widow of Edward M. Griffith, died Oct. 28, 1871. Aged
72 years, 1 month and 10 days.
Edward, son of Erastus P. and Myrtilla Smith, died Aug. 26,
1856. Age 1 year, 5 months and 25 days.
Myrtilla, wife of E. P. Smith, died Feb. 7, 1884. Age 58
years, 6 months and 13 days.
David S. Smith, son of Samuel S. and Betsey Smith, died
April 15, 1841. Age 52 years and 17 days.
Henry L. Luff, died April 12, 1843. Aged 27 years, 2 months
and 5 days.
81
Samantha, wife of Henry Luff, died Jan. 11, 1848. Age 28
years, 8 months and 22 days.
Daughter of Samuel and Betsey Smith.
Betsey, widow of Samuel Smith, died July 22, 1865. Aged
80 years, 3 months and 25 days.
Samuel S. Smith, died May 5, 1849. Aged 67 yrs. and 8 mos.
Esther, wife of Cornelius Winant, died Sept. 24, 1851. Age
45 years, 2 months and 23 days.
John Henry, son of Cornelius and Esther Winant, died Feb.
1, 1845. Age 20 years, 7 months and 27 days.
Cornelius Winant, died Feb. 2, 1855. Age 53 years, 2 months
and 29 days.
Samuel S. Smith, born Jan. 17, 1862, died Oct. 6, 1892.
Jennie, daughter of Geo. and Sarah Hale, died July 13, 1871.
Age 3 years, 10 months and 5 days.
Ebenezer Baker, died Feb. 9, 1875. Aged 68 years and 10
months.
Elizabeth, wife of Ebenezer Baker, died June 19, 1883. Age
65 years, 3 months and 25 days.
Johnathan Nash, died Oct. 9, 1757. Age 43 years wanting 3
days.
Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Nash, died Mar.
1, 1775 in the 19th year of her age.
Eliza, daughter of Joseph and Grace Whitehead, died May
13, 1861. Age 46 years, 5 months and 17 days.
Joseph Whitehead, died March 6, 1855. Age 84 years and
8 months.
Grace, widow of Joseph Whitehead, died July 27, 1863. Age
86 years.
Helen, daughter of David and Charlotte Jennings, died July
21, 1852. Age 17 years.
Charlotte, wife of David Jennings, died May 22, 1874 Age
82 years and 7 months.
David Jennings, died Oct. 4, 1850. Age 58 years.
Abigail Jennings, consort of David Alvord, died Nov. 20, 1857.
Age 78 years.
Talcott Jennings, died Nov. 3, 1861. Age 73 yrs. and 8 mos.
Eunice, wife of Nathaniel Dewey, died July 31, 1863. Age
73 years.
82
Mary Augusta, daughter of Joshua J. and Mary Thorp, died
Jan. 12, 1830. Age 1 year and 3 months.
Abagail, wife of David Jennings, died Mar. 3, 1847. Age 94.
Seth Meeker, her former husband, died in West Indies, 1794.
David Jennings, died Feb. 12, 1831. Age 75 years.
Eunice, wife of David Jennings, died Nov. 1798. Age 42 yrs.
Paulina Craft, died Sept. 25, 1863. Age 70 years.
Rev. Bradford Craft, died Oct. 10, 1827 in the 33d year of his
age.
Joshua Jennings, died Feb. 1, 1818. Age 90 years.
Esther, wife of Joshua Jennings, died May 12, 1819. Age
85 years.
Jennings Thorp, son of Capt. Eliphalet and Esther Thorp,
died Aug. 28, 1804 in the 15th year of his age.
Capt. Eliphalet Thorp, died Aug. 27, 1804 in the 40th year
of his age.
Esther Thorp, widow of Capt. Eliphalet Thorp, died April 12,
1816 in her 50th year.
Eleanor Thorp, wife of Almon Alvord, died July 4, 1876. Age
79 years and 7 months.
Almon Alvord, died Nov. 30, 1889. Age 86 yrs. and 10 mos.
Abram Bulkley, died Dec. 26, 1838 in his 81st year.
Jane, wife of Abram Bulkley, died Nov. 4, 1838 in the 78th
year of her age.
Rachel Osborn, wife of Stephen Osborn, died Oct. 21, 1819.
Aged 35 years and 5 months. -
Peter Bulkley, died May 12, 1804 in the 89th year of his age.
Anna Bulkley, wife of Peter Bulkley, died April 11, 1795 in
the 76th year of her age.
William Bulkley, died March 4, 1787. Age 45 years, 5 months
and 17 days.
Grace, daughter of Peter Bulkley ye 2d and Anne his wife,
died April ye 7, 1766 in ye 21st year of her age.
Gideon Morehouse, died Aug. 5, 1829. Aged 83 yrs., 7 mos.,
and 18 days.
Morehouse Jennings, died Dec. 31, 1863. Aged 70 years and
18 days.
Sally A., widow of Morehouse Jennings, died Sept. 14, 1864.
Aged 66 years, 4 months and 10 days.
83
Mary B., daughter of Morehouse Jennings, died March 9,
1861. Aged 27 years, 9 months and 27 days.
Samuel Taylor, died Jan. 27, 1805. Aged 71 years.
Mary, relict of Samuel Taylor, died Mar. 29, 1815. Aged 85.
Gershom Sturges, died March ye 15, 1762 in ye 32d year of
his age, and his daughter Martha, aged 2 yrs., 9 mos.
Abraham Morehouse, died Feb. 21, 1816. Age 53.
Mary, wife of Abraham Morehouse, died March 29, 1842.
Aged 82.
Ebenezer Morehouse, died Jan. 5, 1829. Aged 86 yrs.
Temperance, wife of Ebenezer Morehouse, died March 18,
1819. Aged 79 years.
Daniel Meeker, died Sept. 20, 1784. Aged 45 yrs.
Abigail, his wife died Sept. 10, 1789. Aged 45 years.
Capt. Simon Couch, died April 10, 1770. Aged 72 years, 9
months and 13 days.
Abigail Couch, relict of Capt. Simon Couch and daughter of
Joshua Jennings, died July 14, 1765. Aged 65 years,
4 months and 15 days.
Mary Morehouse, died May 18, 1854. Aged 81 yrs., 9 mos.,
and 19 days.
Evelina B., daughter of Morehouse and Sally Ann Jennings,
died June 25, 1838. Aged 3 yrs, 8 mos., and 20 days.
Grumman M, son of Joshua and Sarah Jennings, died Oct. 2,
1792. Age 9 months.
Hulda, wife of Grumman Morehouse, died May 19, 1815.
Aged 71 years.
Grumman Morehouse, died April 15, 1833. Aged 88 yrs.
John Andrews, died Aug. 23, 1830. Aged 43 years.
Thomas Andrews, died March 26, 1815. Aged 31 years.
Mary, wife of Thomas Andrews and daughter of Talcott
Banks, died I)ec. 19, 1820. Aged 30 years.
Altheia, consort of William Hobby, and daughter of Thomas
and Mary Andrews, died Nov. 15, 1836. Aged 25 yrs.,
8 mos., and 22 days.
Thomas Andrews, died July 30, 1801. Aged 40 yrs., 2 mos.,
and 4 days.
Abigail, wife of Jeremiah Rowland, died Dec. 6, 1831. Aged
69 years.
84
George Andrews, died April 9, 1791. Aged 26 yrs., 9 mos.,
and 24 days.
Capt. John Andrews, died Nov. 19, 1777. Aged 46 yrs., and
9 months. -
Deacon John Andrews, died March 28, 1771. Aged 63 years,
7 months and 11.
Mrs. Sarah Andrews, relict of Dea. John Andrews, died Mar.
9, 1783 in her 77th year.
Sarah, daughter of Deacon Gideon Morehouse, died May 26,
1769. Aged 20 years and 30 days.
Abijah, son of Gideon and Sarah Morehouse, died Oct. 14,
1751 in ye 4th year of his age.
Sarah wife to Gideon Morehouse, died June 12, 1756. Aged
38 years and 3 months.
Gideon Morehouse, died Jan. 29, 1771.
John Morehouse, died June 13, 1753 in ye 26th year of his age.
Gideon Morehouse, died May 12, 1753. Aged about 71 yrs.
Buir Nash and Thomas Nash, sons of Joseph and Mary Nash,
died in infancy 1816.
Thomas Nash, died Jan. 20, 1844 in the 47th year of his age.
Grace, his wife, died Sept. 12, 1845 in the 44th year of her age.
Thomas, George, Mary, Mary Burr, Mary B., William B.,
children of Thomas and Grace Nash, 1819.
Lieut. Samuel Morehouse, died Jan. 17, 1776. Aged 65 years,
3 months and 14 days.
Abigail Golham, 1st wife of Samuel Morehouse and 2d of
Jabez Raymond and 3d of Shubael Gorham, died Dec.
9, 1800. Aged 77 years and 3 months.
William Burr Nash, son of Capt. Thomas and Mary Nash, died
March 6, 1783. Aged 8 years, 9 months and 17 days.
Mrs. Mary Nash, wife to Capt. Thomas Nash and daughter of
Wm. Burr of Stratfield, died May 20, 1784 in her 34th
year. .
Capt. Thomas Nash, died June 8, 1748 in the 69th year of
his age.
Mrs. Sarah Nash, widow of Capt. Thomas Nash, died Feb. 20,
1760 in the 83d year of her age.
Capt. Thomas Nash, Jr., died Aug. 2, 1769. Aged 61 years
wanting 12 days. -
85
Mrs. Rebecca Nash, relict of Capt. Thomas Nash, died April
22, 1791 in the 84th year of her age.
Mrs. Ann Ripley, died Dec. 26, 1830. Aged 66 years.
Samuel Hazard, died July 24, 1794. Aged 38 years.
Mrs. Tammisin Hide wife of Deacon Joseph Hide and daugh-
ter of Michael Dunning, died April 30, 1808 in the
69th year of her age.
Deacon Joseph Hyde, died Aug. 28, 1811. Aged 86.
Mrs. Betty Hide, wife of Mr. Joseph Hide and daughter of
Samuel Sherwood, died June 13, 1785. Aged 53 years,
3 months and 20 days.
Deacon John Hide, born Oct. 6, 1692, died Jan. 15, 1761.
Rachel Hide, wife of John Hide, died Sept. 30, 1736 in the
37th year of her age.
Mrs. Mary Kent, died Sept. 13, 1822. Aged 91 years.
John Hazard, died March 29, 1771. Aged 52 years.
Joseph Hazard, died Jan. 7, 1775. Aged 22 years.
Mary Fish, died Dec. 3, 1769. Aged 77 years.
Mary Wakeman, wife to Stephen Wakeman, died Aug. 16,
1741 in the 24th year of her age.
Stephen Wakeman, died March 25, 1760 in the 44th year of
his age.
Jesup Wakeman, died Jan. 2, 1780 in the 32 year of his age.
Mrs. Happy Wakeman, wife of Banks Wakeman, died June 16,
1794 in the 25th year of her age.
Banks Wakeman, died March 29, 1835. Aged 65 yrs., 7 mos.
Eleanor, relict of Banks Wakeman, died Mar. 25, 1861. Aged
84 years, 10 months and 25 days.
Sally, daughter of Banks and Eleanor Wakeman, died Dec.
22, 1833. Aged 26 years and 10 months.
Eleanor, died Feb. 15, 1809. Aged 5 days.
Amelia, died Feb. 5, 1814. Aged 2 years and 7 months.
Mary, died Aug. 9, 1819. Aged 2 years and 2 months.
Children of Banks and Eleanor Wakeman.
Also infant son of Charles and Elizabeth Wakeman.
Eleanor, daughter of Banks and Eleanor Wakeman, died Nov.
14, 1836. Age 26 years and 9 months.
Eliza Wakeman, daughter of Banks Wakeman, died April 5,
1887. Age 74 years and 4 months. -
86
Henry B. Wakeman, died March 30, 1892. Age 71 years, 11
months and 18 days.
Willie H., son of H. B. and E. M. Wakeman, died Jan. 24,
1853. Age 1 year and 1 month.
Ella Maria, daughter of H. B. and E. M. Wakeman, died Jan.
3, 1879. Age 16 years and 7 months.
Ruth Penfield, daughter of Wm. J. and Mary R. Wakeman,
died Sept. 26, 1892. Age 1 yr. 6 mos. and 21 days.
Elsie Ruth, daughter of L. P. and J. S. Wakeman, died Feb.
15, 1880. Aged 1 year and 6 months.
Edward Baker, died March 10, 1857. Aged 22 yrs, 7 mos.,
and 1 day,
Talcott Banks, buried June 25, 1812. Aged 55 years.
Eunice, widow of Talcott Banks, buried March 26th, 1831.
Aged 70 years.
Eunice, daughter of Talcott and Eunice Banks, died Oct. 17,
1795. Aged 6 years, 3 months, and 22 days.
Abigail, daughter of Talcott and Eunice Banks, died March
18, 1802. Aged 9 years and 24 days.
James Jesup, son of Eben and Sarah Jesup, died Oct. 17,
1811. Age 22 months.
Caroline, daughter of Ebenezer and Sarah Jesup, died Jan. 31,
1799. Aged 8 months and 8 days.
George Weeks, died Nov. 20, 1850. Aged 47.
Eleal, or Weeks, his wife, died April 21, 1867. Aged 67 years,
3 months and 15 days.
Martha, daughter of George and Eleanor Weeks, died April
7, 1873. Age 37 years, 4 months and 15 days.
William Squire, son of Melancthon and Emily Disbrow, died
Aug. 27, 1860. Aged 10 months and 25 days.
Mary J., daughter of Melancthon and Emily Disbrow, died
Oct. 12, 1865. Aged 6 months.
Rev. Sylvester Haight, born July 22, 1776, died April 6, 1864,
Mrs. Zerviah Darling, relict of Samuel Darling of New Haven,
born at Framingham, July 1710, died June 9, 1790.
Rev. Hezekiah Ripley, D. D., died Nov. 29, 1831. Aged 88
years, 2 months and 15 days. g
Dorothy, wife of Hezekiah Ripley, died Aug. 9, 1831. Aged
94 years.
87
David Bradford, son of Rev. Hezekiah and Mrs. Dorothy
Ripley, died Oct. 7. Aged 1 year and 7 months.
Aletheia Bartlett, died Jan. 13, 1859. Aged 93.
Bradford, son of Rev. Hezekiah and Mrs. Dorothy Ripley,
died April 19, 1874. Aged 1 year.
Rev. Daniel Buckingham, died May 25, 1766 in his 55th yr.
Mrs. Mary Buckingham, relict of Rev. Daniel Buckingham
and daughter of Dr. Herpin of Milford, died June 6,
1766. Aged 47.
Abigail Salome, daughter of Nathaniel Adams, born Aug. 30,
1828, died April 4, 1845.
Jerusha, wife of Nathaniel Adams, daughter of Henry Bull of
Milford, born March 27, 1798, died March 4, 1835.
Nathaniel Adams, born Sept. 24, 1789, (Yalensis). Died April
7, 1837. -
Salome, wife of Nathaniel Adams, daughter of Joseph Hide.
Died May 15, 1802. Aged 44 yrs. 8 mos. and 15 dys.
Nathaniel Adams, died March 29, 1784. Aged 68 years.
Ann Adams, wife to Nathaniel Adams, died Nov. 14, 1748.
Aged 29 years and 16 days.
Rebekah, the wife of Joseph Wakeman, died April 16, 1772.
Aged 29 years, 10 months and 13 days.
Joseph Wakeman, died Sept. 2, 1784. Aged 44 yrs., 5 mos.,
and 26 days.
Elizabeth, daughter of Ebenezer and Angelina B. Disbrow,
died May 15, 1862. Aged 37 yrs., 8 mos., and 19 days.
Aletheia, daughter of Ebenezer and Angelina B. Disbrow,
died Dec. 20, 1858. Aged 17 yrs, 1 mo., and 4 days.
Clarissa, daughter of Ebenezer and Angelina B. Disbrow, died
Dec. 6, 1857. Aged 26 yrs., 3 mos., and 4 days.
Arthur, son of Ebenezer and Angelina B. Disbrow, died April
14, 1857. Aged 17 years, 7 months and 5 days.
Angelina, daughter of Ebenezer and Angelina B. Disbrow,
born Nov. 16, 1841, died Dec. 3, 1846.
Seth Bartlett, son of Ebenezer and Angelina B. Disbrow, born
Oct. 7, 1837, died Sept. 11, 1838. -
Ebenezer Disbrow, born June 1, 1798, died Sept. 2, 1868.
Angelina, wife of Ebenezer Disbrow, died July 13, 1870. Aged
69 years, 6 months and 25 days.
88
Deacon Abraham Sherwood, died Oct. 21, 1799 in the 36th
year of his age.
Mrs. Abigail Sherwood, died June 29, 1797 in the 29th year
of her age.
Eunice Burr, relict of Ephraim Burr, died May 1793. Aged 49.
Ephraim Burr, died Dec. —, 1779. Aged 43.
Mary, wife of Moses Sherwood and daughter of Denney Chap-
man, died Jan. 24, 1784, in the 31st year of her age.
Mrs. Abigail Chapman, wife of Lieut. James Chapman and
daughter of Deacon Sherwood, died Nov. 9, 1801, in
the 49th year of her age.
Deacon Jeremiah Sherwood, died Aug. 28, 1777, in the 52d
year of his age.
Capt. Samuel Sherwood, died June 2, 1762, in the 69th year
of his age.
Mrs. Jane Sherwood, died March 10, 1779. Aged 78 years.
Mrs. Abigail Gold, widow of Rev. Hezekiah Gold and wife of
Deacon Jeremiah Sherwood, died Sept. 3, 1804, in the
77th year of her age.
Mrs. Hannah Clift, consort of Major Willis Clift, died Oct.
19, 1787. Aged 29 years.
Major Willis Clift, died April 27, 1810. Aged 64 years, 11
months and 9 days.
Miss Ellen Thorp, daughter of Capt. Stephen and Mrs. Sarah
Thorp, died Dec. 2, 1790, in the 24th year of her age.
Capt. Stephen Thorp, died July 14, 1807, in the 69th year of
his age.
Marcy, wife of John Coley, died Jan. 29, 1773, in the 65th
year of her age.
Daniel Sherwood, died Dec. 19, 1828. Aged 67 years.
Catharine Sherwood, wife of Daniel Sherwood, died Sept. 2,
1835. Aged 69 years. -
Ebenezer B. Sherwood, died May 10, 1860. Aged 71 years,
11 months and 10 days.
Eleanor Andrews, wife of Ebenezer B. Sherwood, born Oct.
27, 1786, died Sept. 24, 1873.
Ebenzer B. Sherwood, son of E. B. and Eleanor S., died May
10, 1821. Aged 3 years, 11 months and 19 days.
89
Ebenezer B. Sherwood, son of E. B. and Eleanor S., died
Nov. 12, 1852. Aged 29 years, 7 months and 17 days.
Philander, son of Abraham and Mary Sherwood. born Oct. 22,
1830, died May 4, 1847.
Francis, son of Abraham and Mary Sherwood, born Aug. 1,
1835, died Aug. 10. 1835.
William, son of Abraham and Mary Sherwood, born Sept. 27,
1841, died Oct. 13, 1841.
Samuel Sherwood, born June 6, 1843, died Aug. 9, 1853.
Abraham Sherwood, died June 27, 1873. Aged 71 years.
Mary Sherwood, died Oct. 28, 1879. Age 74 years.
Francis, son of E. B. and E. A. Sherwood, died Sept. 5, 1879.
Age 49 years. -
Franklin and Jane Sherwood, died May 23, 1859. Age 12
years, 1 month and 24 days.
Capt. Franklin Sherwood, died Sept. 9, 1888. Age 77 years,
10 months and 6 days.
Jane Guyer, wife of Franklin Sherwood, died Nov. 11, 1882.
Aged 63 years, 2 months and 1 day.
Elsie May, daughter of John H. and Fannie L. Elwood, died
Oct. 22, 1892. Aged 5 years, 9 months and 6 days.
Mary, daughter of Talcott and Eunice Banks, died Jan. 21,
1791. Aged 7 years, 6 months and 1 day.
Talcott, son of Talcott and Eunice Banks, died Sept. 6, 1792.
Aged 6 years, 9 months and 17 days.
S Eleanor Gray, wife of Samuel Gray, died Feb. 4, 1762, in the
58th year of her age.
Ellen C. Chapman, daughter of James and Ellen Chapman,
died Nov. 23, 1810. Aged 3 years, 8 mos. and 14 dys.
Lieut. James Chapman, died Sept. 6, 1822. Aged 72 years.
Sarah, wife of Phineas Chapman, died Nov. 23, 1812. Aged
87 years.
Capt. Phineas Chapman, died Nov. 20, 1782. in the 66th year
of his age.
John Chapman, died June 2, 1757, in the 29th year of his age.
Albert Chapman, son of Rev. Daniel Chapman and Mrs. Griz-
zel Chapman, died Oct. 28th, 1747, in the 26th year of
his age.
90
Rev. Daniel Chapman, died Nov. 28, 1741, in the 52d year of
his age.
Daniel Chapman, died Oct. 11, 1753, in the 37th yr. of his age.
Mrs. Grizzel Chapman, died June 10, 1754, in the 57th year
of her age.
David Burr, died Aug. 29, 1792. Aged 73 years, 4 months
and 5 days.
Joshua Jennings, died Jan. 2, 1746. Aged 59 years.
Hannah Jennings, widow of Joshua Jennings, died Nov., 1745,
in the 83d year of her age. -
Mrs. Mary Burr, relict of Daniel Burr, died Oct. 11, 1748, in
ye 59th year of her age.
Edward Jesup, died Sept. 30, 1750, in the 54th yr. of his age.
Sarah, relict of Edward Jesup, died Nov. 18, 1783, in the 84th
of her age.
Abigail, wife of Ebenezer Jesup, died March 14, 1787, in the
43d year of her age.
Ebenezer Jesup, died Nov. 9, 1809, in the 53rd yr. of his age.
Eleanor Jesup, wife of Ebenezer Jesup, died May 7, 1772.
Aged 34 years.
Ebenezer Jesup, died Dec. 8, 1812, in the 74th yr. of his age.
Edward Squir, son of Edward and Esther Jesup, died Aug.
13, 1810. Aged 1 year, 5 mos. and 19 days.
Edward Jesup. died Dec. 21, 1844. Aged 35 years.
Louisa A., daughter of Edward and Esther Jesup, died March
7, 1822. Aged 16 years.
Lorinda Wood, daughter of Elizar and Eleanor Wood, died
Sept. 1, 1822. Aged 28 years.
Samuel Gilbert, died Dec. 9, 1848, in his 73d year.
Ann, wife of Samuel Gilbert, died Aug. 1, 1850, in the 80th
- year of her age.
Harriet B., daughter of Beal and Anna Bunnel, died May 17,
1849. Aged 24 years, 10 months and 25 days.
Sarah Davis, died June 19, 1858. Aged 80 years.
Mrs. Eunice Coley, daughter of John and Abigail Hyde, died
Sept. 22, 1805, in the 30th year of her age.
Widow Abigail Hide, relict of John Hide, died Oct. 15, 1817.
Aged 88 years.
91
John Hide, born Nov. 25, 1725, died Sept. 6, 1792.
William Rumsey, died Jan. 3, 1748 in the 41st year of his age.
Joseph Wakeman, died Sept. 23, 1762 in the 59th year of his
age. g
Abigal Wakeman, relict of Joseph Wakeman, died Jan. 1, 1804,
in the 100th year of her age.
Susannah Hazard, died Jan. 24, 1800. Aged 1 year, 5 months,
and 17 days.
Benjamin Rumsey, died Nov. 3, 1732. Aged 65 years.
Thomas Couch, died April 1, 1736. Aged 40 years, 9 months,
and 22 days.
Thomas Couch, died Dec. 4, 1764 in ye 39th year of his age.
Elizabeth Couch, relict of Thomas Couch, died Nov. 25, 1815.
Aged 87 years and 9 months.
Gideon Couch, died May 31, 1846. Aged 57 years, 7 months,
and 12 days. - -
Gideon Couch, born Sept. 12, 1757, died Sept. 21, 1817.
Eleanor, wife of Gideon Couch, died May 21, 1846. Aged 84
years, 3 months and 21 days. -
Eli Couch, died Sept. 3, 1796. Aged 5yrs, 3 mos., 2 dys.
Chary Couch, died Sept. 3, 1796. Age 3 yrs., 2 mos.,
and 1 day.
Children of Gideon and Eleanor Couch.
Mrs. Eliza Ann Staples, wife of H. Staples and daughter of
Samuel and Anna Hull, died June 10, 1832. Aged 28
years, 3 months, 7 days.
Mary E., only daughter of H. and Eliza Ann Staples, born
June 3, 1829, died April 7, 1880.
Capt. William Cowper Staples, born May 7, 1832, died April
29, 1891.
Chary, wife of H. Staples, born Feb. 11, 1802, died Dec. 23, '81.
Maria, wife of Harry Gregory, died Jan. 11, 1878. Aged 74
years and 5 months.
Dorcas Hyde, died Aug. 31, 1876. Aged 78 years.
Lynnette, wife of Henry Munroe, died Aug. 21, 1836. Aged
58 years, 5 months and 8 days. .
Mrs. Kezia, wife of Samuel Pearsall, died June 19, 1793 in
the 57th year of her age.
92
Anna Hurlbutt, wife of James Hurlbutt, died June 15, 1779.
Aged 17 years.
Gideon Hurlbutt, died Sept. 30, 1775, in the 47th year of his
age.
Capt. Gideon Hurlbutt, died Sept. 13, 1775, in his 47th year.
Harriet, his wife, died July 21, 1772. Aged 41.
Hannah, wife of Capt. Gideon Hurlbutt, died July 21, 1772,
in her 41st year.
Margaret Hurlbutt, wife of Gideon Hurlbutt, died Feb. 28,
1754, in the 54th year of her age.
Gideon Hurlbutt, died March 9. 1757, in the 70th year of his
age.
Godfrey, died Nov. 20, 1790, in the 67th year of his
age.
Ebenezer Godfrey, died Jan. 9, 1793, in the 67th yr. of his age.
Margaret Godfrey, wife of Christopher Godfrey, died Nov. 4,
1759, in the 71st year of her age.
Christopher Godfrey, died Aug. 20, 1758, in the 73d year of
his age.
Ephraim Bradley, died Oct. 3, 1748. Aged 45.
And his daughter Ruth. Aged 6 years.
Abigail, wife of Stephen Godfrey, Jr., died June 30, 1772, in
the 22d year of her age.
Isabel, wife of Nathan Godfrey, died May 26, 1772, in the 29th
year of her age.
Nathan Godfrey, Jr., died Oct. 28, 1775, in the 32d year of his
age. -
Stone marked, T. M. 1740.
Steven Bradley, died March 3, 1772. Aged 26 years, 6 months
and 17 days.
Molly, daughter of Steven and Abigail Bradley, died March 4,
1772. Aged 2 years and 10 months.
Jabez Gorham, died Feb. 26, 1764, in the 46th yr. of his age.
Martha, daughter of Jabez Gorham, died Sept. 17, 1788.
Aged 35 years, 1 month and 4 days.
Eleanor, daughter of Jabez Gorham, died June 28, 1789.
Aged 25 years, 4 months and 21 days.
Joseph Gorham, died July 8, 1779, in the 40 year of his age.
Mary Coley, died Sept. 25, 1825. Aged 79.
93
Phebe, daughter of Samuel and Phebe Gorham, died Aug, 21,
1804. Aged 10 years, 6 months and 11 days.
Phebe, wife of Samuel Gorham, died Aug. 16, 1855. Age 88
years, 10 months and 17 days.
Samuel Gorham, died April 8, 1842. Aged 76 years and 11
months.
Thomas Sherwood, died Sept. 11, 1748, in the 29th year of
his age.
Betsey Gorham, died June 4, 1865. Aged 81 years, 6 months
and 4 days.
Rachel, relict of Joseph Gould, died July 28, 1817. Aged 78.
Almira, daughter of Alva and Almira Burr, died Dec. 17, 1806.
t Aged 6 months and 8 days.
Mr. John Burr. died April 9, 1783. Aged 70 yrs, and 3 mos.
Grace, wife of John Burr, died Feb. 21, 1772, in the 52d year
of her age.
Talcott Burr, died Oct. 17, 1802. Aged 56 years.
Mindwell Burr, relict of Talcott Burr, died July 23, 1827.
Aged 77 years.
Abigail Burr, wife of Zalmon Burr and daughter of John
Hyde, was born Sept. 12, 1779, died Dec. 21, 1798.
Lucinda Scribner, daughter of Nathaniel and Phebe Scribner,
died April 20, 1796. Aged 2 years.
Shuball Gorham, died Nov. 20, 1807, in the 82d year of his
age.
Rebekah, wife of Shuball Gorham, died Feb. 27, 1799, in the
- 71st year of her age.
John Stevenson, born at Durham, England, died Aug. 7, 1845,
Age 62 years.
Sarah Gorham, wife of John Stevenson, died March 21, 1862.
Aged 76 years.
Abby Gorham, wife of Dr. Bedient, died May 30, 1872. Aged
72 years.
Mary W. Bennett, died July 14, 1888. Aged 61 years and 6
months.
Rufus Bennett, died Oct. 20, 1885. Aged 70 years, 1 month
and 17 days. *
Lydia, wife of Capt. Isaac Bennett, died May 9, 1842. Aged
62 years, 6 months and 8 days.
94
Capt. Isaac Bennett, died Aug. 1, 1854. Aged 74 years, 6
months and 22 days.
Sarah Bennett, wife of Capt. Joseph Bennett, died Jan. 6,
1786. Aged 38 years, 5 months and a few days.
Nabbe, wife of Capt. Joseph Bennett, died Aug. 7, 1805.
Aged 56 years.
Mary, widow of Deliverance Bennett, died April 23, 1835.
Aged 93 years, 5 months and 22 days.
Deliverance Bennett, died March 7, 1808. Aged 69 years,
11 months and 28 days.
Mary Bennett, daughter of William and Abigail Bennett, died
Oct. 4, 1754. Aged 11 years and 29 days.
William Bennett, died Sept. 16, 1772. Aged 62 yrs., 7 mos.,
and 26 days.
Abigail Morehouse, formerly wife of William Bennett, died
Dec. 30, 1800 in the 83d year of her age.
Deliverance Bennett, died April 18, 1761. Aged 72 years, 3
months and 13 days.
Mrs. Mary Bennett, wife of Deliverance Bennett, died April
14, 1761. Aged 72 years and about 6 months.
Mary Dorothy, daughter of Benjamin and Rhoda Elwood,
died Jan. 23, 1858. Aged 28 years, and 10 months.
Willissayana Maranda, daughter of Benjamin and Rhoda El-
wood, died Oct. 1, 1823. Aged 16 years, 1 month and
15 days.
Thomas Bennitt, died June 5, 1781, in the 88th yr. of his age.
Mercy Bennitt, wife of Thomas Bennitt, died June 8, 1771.
Aged 60 years.
Sarah Bennitt, wife of James Bennitt, died Oct. 28, 1779.
Aged 39 years and 9 months.
James, died Sept. 25, 1773. Aged 1 year, 9 months and
14 days.
Sarah, died Sept. 29, 1773. Aged 5 years and 10 months.
Gershom, died Nov. 11, 1773. Aged 3 years, 10 months
and 11 days.
Children of James and Sarah Bennitt.
Moses Bennitt, died Dec. 20, 1796. Aged 69 years.
Eunice, wife of Moses Bennitt, died March 19, 1796. Aged
70 years, 2 months and 25 days.
95
Sarah Allin, wife of John Allin, and daughter to Deliverance
and Mary Bennett, born April 8, 1716, old stile, died
April 18, 1761, new stile.
Joshua Couch, died Feb. 25, 1869. Aged 75 years, 6 months
and 1 day.
Mary Couch, died May 26, 1888. Aged 85 years, 1 month
and 25 days.
Sally Ann Patrick, died Jan. 18, 1888. Aged 86 years, 3
months and 12 days.
Charles E. Couch, died Aug. 9, 1890. Aged 54 years, 2
months and 4 days.
Patty, wife of Joshua Couch, died Oct. 11, 1851, in her 91st
year.
Joshua Couch, died Oct. 13, 1841, in the 84th year of his age.
Rachel Couch, daughter of Joshua and Patty Couch, died
Nov. 19, 1808. Aged 19 years, 8 months and 4 days.
Died Sept. 11, 1804, their son Joseph Couch. Aged 18
years, 8 months and 3 days.
Samuel, son of Joshua and Patty Couch, died Sept. 30th, 1793,
Aged 2 years wanting 5 days.
Mariett, daughter of Hezekiah and Almira Couch, died Aug.
1, 1828. Aged 1 year and 10 months.
Eldrei Couch, wife of Capt. Samuel Couch, died Nov. 24,
1737. Aged 63.
Benjamin Couch, died Sept. 27, 1748, in the 47th year of his
age. -
Solomon Couch, died Sept. 26, 1748, in the 36th year of his
age.
Abraham Higgins, died March 21st, 1757, in the 92d year of
his age.
Eunice Couch, died Feb. 9, 1849. Age 72.
David Couch, died June 20, 1816. Age 83.
Mary Couch, his wife, died March 26, 1822. Age 89.
Capt. John Knot, died July 11, 1756. Aged 74 years.
Easter, daughter of Gabriel and Sarah Allen, died July 30,
1793. Aged 12 years, 10 months and 22 days.
James Hull Allen, son of Capt. Gabriel and Sarah Allen, died
Aug. 6, 1792. Aged 15 yrs, 3 mos. and 21 dys.
Maria, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Wood, died April 18,
1788, Aged 16 months and 2 days.
96
Irene, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Wood and wife of H.
Phillips, died May 24, 1810, in the 26th year of her
age. Her infant daughter died a few weeks after.
Merinda, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Wood, died Jan.
2, 1807. Aged 2 weeks.
Mrs. Rebecca Wood, died Dec. 16, 1842, in the 83d year of
her age.
David Wood, son of Samuel and Rebecca Wood, died Nov.
26, in the 49th year of his age.
Samuel Wood, a Revolutionary soldier, born April 12, 1758,
died Aug. 13, 1843.
Caroline Wood, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Wood, born
June 19, 1803, died April 23, 1865.
Alathea, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Wood, born May 14,
1797, died Dec. 25, 1881.
David Lyon, died Nov. 22, 1764, in the 44th year of his age.
William Thorp, died May 13, 1812, in the 84th year of his age.
Mary, wife of Alexander McFarland, died Oct 9, 1849. Aged
55 years.
Elnathan Allen, Co. E, 17th Regt., Conn. Wols., died June 26,
1883.
Elias Disbrow, died Jan 12, 1832. Aged 81 years.
William Allen, died Aug. 22, 1861. Aged 62 years and 9 mos.
Jeremiah, son of William and Polly Allen, died Sept. 12,
1862. Aged 18 years and 11 mos.
Burr S. Nash, died Jan 23, 1889. Aged 76 years, 9 mos.
Harriet Chubs, his wife, died July 1, 1857. Aged 38 years.
Susannah, wife of Abijah Elwood, died Jan. 5, 1852. Aged
85 years, 5 months.
Lieut. Samuel Elmer, son of Col. Samuel Elmer of Sharon,
was killed at Fairfield, fighting for the liberty of his
country, April 28, 1777, in the 25th year of his age.
George Cable, died Sept. 17, 1763, in the 60th year of his age.
Thomas Bennett, died Sept. 28, 1863. Aged 80 years, 6 mos.
and 10 days.
Betsey, wife of Thomas Bennett, died Nov. 8, 1856. Aged 72
years, 2 months and 11 days.
George Moyer, died June 3, 1835, Aged 78 years. Also
97
Asenath, his wife, died Sept. 19, 1806. Aged 47 years.
George Bennett, died Dec. 16, 1858. Aged 51 yrs. and 7 dys.
Solomon Gray, died March 1, 1798, in the 58th year of his age.
Marian, wife of Solomon Morehouse, died March 19, 1824, in
the 87th year of her age.
Capt. Solomon Morehouse, died May 15, 1808. Aged 76 years,
5 months and 13 days.
Lydia, wife of Jesup Darling and daughter of Solomon and
Mariam Morehouse, died July 28, 1814. Aged 51 years
and 22 days.
Deborah, wife of Benjamin Allen, died April 7, 1810. Aged
68 years, 10 months and 7 days. -
Benjamin Allen, died Feb. 16, 1848. Aged 75 years.
Gideon Allen, died Dec. 14, 1829, in his 35th year.
Jeremiah Allen, died May 4, 1843. Aged 57 years. Also
Azor, son of Jeremiah and Lydia Allen, died June 21,
1816. Aged 5 years and 9 months.
Sally B. Allen, born April 27, 1807, died Jan. 26, 1867.
Charles Allen, died April 8, 1891. Aged 72 years.
Clorynda, widow of George Folliett and wife of Gershom Al-
len, died July 22, 1879. Aged 66 years.
Joseph Allen. born Jan. 28, 1819, died Dec. 27, 1881.
Rhoda, wife of Benjamin Allen, died Oct. 19, 1814. Aged 64
years, 1 month and 8 days.
Benjamin Allen, died March 27, 1827. Aged 80 years.
Martha Ann, daughter of Jesse and Delia Ann Lynn, died
Aug. 11, 1833. Aged 2 yrs., 9 mos and 11 dys.
Polly, wife of Charles Allen, died April 27, 1887. Aged 63
years, 11 months and 7 days.
Polly, wife of Daniel Fairchild, died May 8, 1859. Aged 42
years and 6 months.
Daniel Fairchild, died Aug. 6, 1883. Aged 70 years.
Hezekiah Fairchild, died Sept. 1, 1862. Aged 82 years.
Rhoda, his wife, died Sept. 20, 1854. Aged 77 years.
Gould A. Murray, died Aug. 28, 1891. Aged 73 years, 10
months and 6 days.
Sarah, daughter of Gould A. and Catharine A. Murray, died
June 30, 1863. Aged 9 years and 8 days.
98
S. Josephine Adams, wife of Charles S. Wakeman, died July
1, 1891, in the 52d year of her age.
Frankie, son of Charles S. Wakeman, died March 21, 1878, in
his 4th year.
Talcott B. Wakeman, died Jan. 18, 1888. Aged 72 years.
Sarah J., wife of William H. Couch, died April 24, 1873. Aged
39 years, 6 months and 14 days.
John Andrews, died May 29, 1825, in the 66th year of his age.
Lydia Andrews, wife of John Andrews, died Sept. 7, 1851.
Aged 87 years, 8 months and 14 days.
Shubel, son of John and Lydia Andrews, died in Alexandria,
D. C. Age 29 years.
Ebenezer Andrews, born April 30, 1795, died April 28, 1864.
Rachel Hyde, wife of Ebenezer Andrews, born June 13, 1802,
died Aug. 13, 1881.
Benjamin Andrews, born March 22, 1788, died Jan. 19, 1850.
Eliza Hobby, wife of Benjamin Andrews, born March 19,
1792, died Jan. 26, 1867.
Abigail Andros, formerly wife of Simon Couch, died Sept. 14,
1730. Aged about 57 years.
George G. Andrews, born Jan. 27, 1822, died Aug. 3, 1877.
Hannah W. Dawson, wife of George G. Andrews, born Nov.
17, 1839, died April 18, 1891.
Dr. Thomas D. Andrews, born Oct. 24, 1825, died Aug. 27,
1852. --
Philip Punzelt, born July 27, 1806, died June 24, 1881.
Mary Muller, his wife, born May 11, 1810, died June 11, 1870.
Children Of above :
Rosina M., born 1838, died 1876.
Leonard, born 1841, died 1870.
James P., born 1843.
Edward, born 1845, died 1883.
Frank, born 1848.
George, born 1850.
Mary M., born 1852.
Margaretha, born 1832.
John B., born 1835.
Elizabeth M., born 1836.
IN DE}<
TO THE
Greens Farms Burying Ground.
.*.*.*.*.*.*
Where there is more than one entry of the same name on a page, it is indi-
cated by a number after the name
JºJº,38.9%
A PAGF.
PAGE. Andrews, Sarah (Mrs.) 84
Adams, Abigail 87 { { Thomas 2 83
‘‘ Ann 87 “ Thomas D. (Dr.) 98
‘‘ Jerusha 87 Andros, Abigail 98
‘‘ Nathaniel 2 S7
‘‘ Salome 87 B
Allen, Azor 97
“ Benjamin 2 97 Baker, Elbenezer 81
‘‘ Charles 97 ‘‘ Edward 86
“ Clorynda 97 ‘‘ Elizabeth 81
‘‘ Deborah 97 Banks. Abigail 86
‘‘ Easter 95 ‘‘ Eunice 2 86
‘‘ Elnathan 96 “ Mary 89
‘‘ Gideon 97 ‘‘ TalGOtt 86
‘‘ James Hull 95 ‘‘ TalCOtt 89
‘‘ Jeremiah 96 Partlett, Ale theia 87
‘‘ Jeremiah 97 Bedient, Abby Gorham 93
“ Joseph 97 Bennett, Abigail Morehouse 94
“ Polly 97 { { Betsey 96
‘‘ Rhoda 97 & Deliverance 2 94
“ Sally B. 97 $ $ Eunice 94
“ William 96 ‘‘ George 97
Allin, Sarah 95 * { Gershom 94
Alvord, Abigail Jennings 81 & # Isaac (Capt.) 94
& Almon 82 { { James 94
“ Eleanor Thorpe 82 ‘‘ Lydia 93
Andrews, Benjamin 98 “ Mary 2 94
§ - Ebenezer 98 • * Mary (Mrs.) 94
$ & Eliza Hobby 98 “ Mary W. 93
* { George 84 G - Mercy 94
* { George G. 98 ‘‘ Moses 94
{ { Hannah W. Dawson 98 Nabbe 94
& 4 John 83 Rufus 93
* & John (Capt.) 84 & 4 Sarah 3 94
{ { John (Deacon) 84 * * Thomas 94
‘‘ John 98 ‘' Thomas 96
$ tº Lydia 98 Bradley, Ephraim 92
{ % Mary 83 ‘‘ Molly 92
& & Rachel Hyde 98 ‘‘ Ruth 92
§ { Schubel 98 ‘‘ Steven 92
100
Buckingham, Daniel (Rev.)
{ { Mary (Mrs.)
Bulkley, Abram -
& & Anna
‘‘ Anne
‘‘ Grace
‘‘ Jane
& 6 Peter
§ { William
Bunnel. Harriet B.
Burr, Abigail
‘‘ Almira
‘‘ David
‘‘ Ephraim
‘‘ Eunice
‘‘ Grace
‘‘ John
“ Mary (Mrs.)
‘‘ Mind Well
‘‘ Talcott
C
Cable, George
Chapman, Abigail (Mrs.)
§ { Albert
& & Daniel .
{ { Daniel (Rev.)
$ & Ellen C.
{ { Grizzel (Mrs.)
£ & James (Lieut.)
{ % John
& 6 Phineas (Capt.)
£ 4 Sarah
Chubs, Harriet
Clift, Hannah (Mrs.)
“ Willis (Major)
Coley, Eunice (Mrs.)
“ Marcy
“ Mary
Couch, Abigail
§ { Benjamin
( & Charles E
* & Chary
& 6 David
{ { Eldrei
& £ |Eleanor
g & Eli
& ſº Elizabeth
& & Eunice
£ & Gideon 2
Joseph
& & Joshua 2
& 4 Mariett
4 & Mary 2
“ Patty
§ { Rachel
Couch, Samuel
* { Sarah J.
§ { Simon (Capt.)
{ { Solomon
& 4 Thomas
Craft, Abigail
Bradford (Rev.)
‘‘ Paulina
‘‘ Samuel
D
Darling, Lydia
é & Zerviah
Dawson, Hannah W.
Davis, Sarah
Dewey, Eunice
Disbrow,
Aletheia
& &
Angelina 2
Arthur
Clarisa
Ebenezer
Eliza
Elizabeth
Mary J.
Seth Bartlett
William Squires
E
Elmer, Samuel (Lieut.)
Elwood, Elsie May
€ $
4 &
& &
6 &
Frederick
Jennie
Mary Dorothy
Susannah
Willissayana Miranda
F
Fairchild, Daniel
& &
& 4
Hezekiah
Rhoda
Fish, Mary
G
Gorham, Rebekah
{ {
Shuball
Gray, Solomon
H
Haight, Sylvester (Rev.)
Hale, Jennie
Hazard, John
& 6
4 &
Joseph
Samuel
Hide, Abigail (widow)
{ %
{ {
John
Tammisin (Mrs.)
Higgins, Patrick
Hobby, Altheia
Hurlbutt, Anna
{ { Gideon 2
£ & Gideon (Capt.)
• { Hannah
£ 6 Harriet
Margaret
Hyde, Betty (Mrs.)
‘‘ Dorcas
‘‘ John (Deacon)
‘‘ Joseph (Deacon)
‘‘ Rachel
é &
J
Jennings, Abby J.
“ Abigail
4 * Albert
& & Catherine
tº £ Charlotte
* & David
i º David
Ebenezer
$ f Edward
§ { Eliza J.
t & Esther
Eunice
4 & Ezelina B.
Grumman M.
& t Hannah
Helen
Helena
& 4 Joshua
{ { Joshua
Joshua -
“ Mary B.
Morehouse
& 6 Peter
* { Peter B.
& & Sally A.
Sally Wakeman
4 4 Sarah
6 & Talcott
Jessup, Abigail
6 º' Caroline
Ebenezer 2
& & Edward 2
Edward Squire
Eleanor
James
Louisa
§ { Sarah
K
Kent, Mary (Mrs.)
Keys, Angelina
Knot, John (Capt.)
|-
Lockwood, Charlotte
ſº º Hezekiah
Luff, Honry L
‘‘ Samantha
Lynn, Martha Ann
Lyon, David
M
McFarland, Mary
Morehouse, Miriam
& 4 Solomon
Moyer, George
Murray, Gould A.
‘‘ Sarah
N
Nash, Angeline
‘‘ Burr
‘‘ Burr S.
“ Elizabeth
George
George
Grace
Jonathan
Joseph
ary
“ Mary (Mrs.)
Mary B.
Mary Burr
“ Rebecca (Mrs.)
“ Sarah (Mrs.)
Thomas 3
“ Thomas (Capt.)
Thomas, Jr.
‘‘ William B.
‘‘ William Burr
O
Osborne, Rachel
P
Patrick, Sally Ann
Pearsall, Kezia (Mrs.)
Punzelt, Edward
Elizabeth M.
{ { Frank
§ { George
{ { James P.
§ 4 John B.
* { Leonard
g & Margaretha
§ { Mary M.
{ { Mary Muller
£ 6 Philip
£ & Rosina
102
R
Ripley, Ann (Mrs.)
§ {
{ {
& £
Bradford
David Bradford
Dorothy
Hezekiah
Rowland, Abigail
Rumsey, William
S
Scribner, Lucinda
Sherwood,
§ {
§ {
{ {
* {
& 4
& 6
& 6
{ {
4 &
& 4
* {
§ {
* {
£ 6
§ {
- t £
Smith,
& ©
6 &
§ {
& &
& &
Abigail (Mrs.)
Abigail Gold (Mrs.)
Abraham (Dea.)
Abraham
Catherine
Daniel
Ebenezer
Ebenezer B.
Ebenezer B.
Eleanor
Francis 2
Franklin
Franklin (Capt.)
Jane (Mrs.)
Jane
Jane Guyer
Jeremiah (Dea.)
Mary
Mary
Philander
Samuel
Samuel
Thomas
William
Amelia
Betsey
Daughter of Samuel and
Belsey
T)avid S.
Myrtilla
Samuel
Samuel S.
Staples, Chary
{ {
§ {
6 &
Eliza Ann
Mary E
William Cowper (Capt
Stephenson, John
Stratt On,
{ %
{ %
& 4
6 &
Sturges,
Eliphalet
John
Sara
Sarah Ann
William
William West
Gershom
Martha
..)
T
PAGE
Taylor, Mary 83
* * Samuel 83
Thorp, Eliphalet, (Capt.) 82
* { Esther 82
Jennings 82
Mary Augusta 82
$ £ William 96
Thorpe, Ellen 88
{ { Stephen, 88
W
Wakeman, Abigail 91
§ { Amelia 85
€ $ Banks 85
& & Eleanor 3 85
iſ & Eliza 86
{ { Ella Maria 86
& & Elsie Ruth 86
& 4 Frankie 98
{ { Happy (Mrs.) 85
& 4 Henry B. 86
* { Infant son of Charles
and Elizabeth 85
{ { Jessup 85
{ { Joseph 87
• * g. Joseph 91
* { Mary 2 85
& & Rebekah 87
6 & Ruth Penfield 86
& & S. Josephine Adams 98
{ { Sally 85
§ { Stephen 85
& 4 Talcott B. 98
{ { Willie H. 86
Weeks, Eleanor 86
“ George 86
‘‘ Martha 86
Whitehead, Eliza 81
{ { Grace 81
§ { Joseph 81
Winant, Cornelius 81
‘‘ Esther 81
“ John Henry 81
Wood, Alathea 96
& 4 Caroline 96
& & David 96
{ { Infant daughter of Irene 96
£ Irene 96
§ { Lorinda 90
* { Maria 95
£ 6 Merinda 96
t & Rebecca (Mrs.) 96
{ { Samuel 96
103
INSCRIPTIONS FROM THE
USDOII.GICJOI) Fallily Bllying GTOIſld,
WESTON, CONN. -
Taken by R. K. Fitch, 1897.
Jº.2%.2%.9%
Knapp Osborn, died Dec. 17, 1831. Aged 27 yrs., 3 mos.
Sarah, wife of Turney Osborn, died June 16, 1859. Aged
75 years, 9 months and 18 days.
Turney Osborn, died Sept. 12, 1865. Aged 73 yrs., 4 mos.
Isaac Osborn, died March 25, 1850. Aged 74 years.
Hannah, wife of Isaac Osborn, died Aug. 17, 1841. Aged
61 years.
Maria, wife of of Isaac Osborn, died Dec. 25, 1823. Aged
78 years, 2 months and 14 days.
Aaron Osborn, son of Isaac Osborn, died Sept. 8, 1807, in the
. 27th year of his age.
Seth Osborn, died June 13, 1818. Aged 43 years.
Hezekiah Osborn, died May 12, 1812. Aged 78 years.
Ruth, wife of Hezekiah Osborn, died Oct. 17, 1803. Aged
59 years. -
Matthew Gregory, died Feb. 20, 1835. Aged 86 years.
Sturges, 2d son of Sturges and Charlotte Bennett, diēd April
26, 1836. Aged 8 months and 19 days.
Adele, daughter of Sturges and Charlotte Bennett, died Mar.
11, 1843. Aged 4 years and 10 months.
Adele, 2d daughter of Sturges and Charlotte Bennett, died
June 27, 1843. Aged 6 months and 25 days.
Wm. Osborn, died Feb. 16. 1795, in the 86th year of his age.
Isaac Osborn, died Sept. 10, 1816. Aged 77 years.
Wife of Wm. Osborn, died Jan. 6, 1796, in the 32d year of
her age.
104.
Marian, wife of Samuel Higgins, died April 23, 1800. Aged
89 years. - *
Comfort Osborn, died May 13, 1844. Aged 91 yrs., 2 mos.,
and 4 days.
Eunice, wife of Matthew Gregory, died Nov. 2, 1828. Age
76 years.
Mabel, wife of Matthew Gregory, died Nov. 20, 1818. Aged
25 years, 9 months and 18 days.
Rebecca, wife of Lewis Lobdill and daughter of Joseph and
Amelia Noys, died Sept. 6, 1826. Aged 32 years.
Lewis Lobdill, died April 6, 1834. Aged 46 years, also
Lewis his son who died May 20, 1834. Aged 6 mos.
Sarah, wife of Barrabas Rider, died Feb. 3, 1820. Aged 38
years.
Abba Jane, daughter of Moses and Hannah Jennings, died
Sept. 15, 1834. Aged 17 years. -
Polly, wife of Matthew Bennett, died Sept. 21, 1849. Aged
54 years and 11 days.
Matthew Bennett, died Jan. 7, 1851. Aged 80 years.
Matthew Bennett, died Dec. 18, 1853. Aged 23 years.
105
INSCRIPTIONS FROM THE
(Private) "||\" |}|Tying (IOIll.
WESTON, CONN.
Taken by R. K. Fitch, 1897.
Jºº.2%.9%.9%
Edmond Godfrey, died Feb. 15, 1836. Age 17 yrs., 6 mos.,
and 13 days.
Monson, son of Priscilla Godfrey, died March 25, 1824. Age
1 year and 8 months.
Levi Godfrey, died Aug. 19, 1821. Age 26 yrs., and 1 mo.
David Godfrey, died Dec. 28, 1828. Age. 67 yrs., and 9 mos.
Salome, wife of David Godfrey, died Feb. 28, 1843. Age 82
years and 8 months. *
Eli B. Godfrey, died Sept. 11, 1844. Age 47 years 11 months
and 3 days.
Elias Godfrey, died May 2, 1830. Age 73 yrs., 9 mos., 21 dys.
Eunice, wife of Elias Godfrey, died April 8, 1835. Age 75
years, 7 months and 18 days.
Eli, son of Anson and Milly Morehouse, died Nov. 19, 1827.
Aged 12 years, 1 month and 19 days.
Bradley Godfrey, died Aug. 12, 1839. Age 56 yrs., 1 mo.
Nathaniel Hendricks, died Sept. 30, 1828. Age 83 years.
Silas Smith, died July 10, 1841. Age 38 yrs., 8 mos., 7 dys.
Eliza Smith, wife of Silas Smith, died Jan. 21, 1836. Age 33
years, 9 months and 20 days.
Hannah, wife of Isaac Godfrey, died Jan. 7, 1831. Age 87 yrs.
Isaac Godfrey, died Feb. 12, 1831. Age 86 years.
Sarah, wife of Fanton Beers, died Dec. 6, 1827. Age 67 yrs.,
10 mos., and 6 days.
Fanton Beers, died Sept. 26, 1847. Age 91 yrs., 9 mos., and
15 days.
Q —
IC . . .
-4 reſl
106

IN MEMORIAM.
ROWLAND B. LACEY.
The following resolutions were adopted at the Annual Meeting,
April 29th, 1897.
Whereas, The Fairfield County Historical Society has
sustained a loss, which seems to be well nigh irrepara
ble, by the death of Rowland B. Lacey, its founder, the
first of the six persons who subscribed to its original
articles of association and its first and only President
from the date of its organization in February, 1881, to
the time of his demise on the 31st day of March, 1897, .
therefore.
JResolved, That while he will be missed in other walks
of life, in his home, in his church, and in his other asso-
ciations, he will be especially missed by the members and
friends of this society, for it is not too much to say that
without his indefatigable efforts the society might not
now exist and this temple might not have been built.
Resolved, That in the field of local history his work
has been invaluable. He preserved the collections of his
father-in-law, Isaac Sherman. He encouraged and great-
ly aided the Rev. Samuel Orcutt in the preparation and
publication of the history of Stratford and Bridgeport.
He wrote countless biographical notices, and articles
treating on early business enterprises and events.
He was wonderfully equipped for this work by nature,
by expelience, by study and by an intense love for the
subject. -
Resolved, That we shall cherish his memory for his
patient, kindly and courteous manner, for his labors and
generous contributions, and we shall especially remem-
ber him as the pioneer in the local historical field and
as the rescuer of many facts from oblivion.
Ičesolved, That these resolutions be placed on the
records of the society, and that a copy of the same be
sent to his family.
107
IN MEMORIAM.
REV, JOHN A. BUCKINGHAM
OF NEWTON, MASS.
An old and respected member of the Society, passed
away during the year after . a brief illness.
Born in Boston, Nov. 16, 1816. -
Died in Newton, May 4, 1897.
OF HIGAN
Bourº III,
JAN27s., 9015 03079 4153
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