C^in^y^ 7: A HISTOEY OF THE TOWN OB' GREENWICH, ^ FAIEFIELD COUNTY, CONN., (p;an2 Jmyaiitant ^tatisti^^. DANIEL M. MEAD, ATTORNEY, ETC., AT LAW, GREENWICH, CONN. NEW YORK: PAKER & GODWIN, PRINTERS CORNER NASSAU AND SPRUCE STREETS. 18 5 7, \* Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by DANIEL M. MEAD, In the Clerk's Office for the District Court of Connecticut. CONTENTS. ' W ' Page Introduction . . . . . 5 Discovery ...... 13 Petuquafaen ...... 18 Settlement ...... 21 Agreements with Neiguboks 26 Trouble with the Indians .... 30 Legend of Labden's Rock .... 41 A New Exfedition ..... 43 The Successful Attack .... 47 Boundary on the West ..... 54 Increase of Inhabitants, &c. 59 Items from 1665 to 1690 ..... 65 Another Quarter of a Century : 1690 to 1715 74 Episcopalianism ...... 97 1715 TO Revolutionary War 107 French War ...... 114 The Revolutionary War .... 130 Incidents of the Revolution .... 153 Trton's Expedition ..... 159 Rivington's Press ..... 175 Expeditions on the Sound .... 176 Skirmish beyond King Street ... 179 The Enemy's Excursion to North Stamford 181 Andrew Mead, Humphrey Denton, and Richard Mead 182 Mill and Docks at Mianus .... 185 The War OF 1812 190 Constitution of 1818 195 Skimeton Parties ..... 198 2()12127 4 CONTENTS. APPENDIX. Page Fairfield County . 211 Sovereigns of England after the Settlement . . 227 Governors of Connecticut . 227 Town Officers . . 229 Business Directory . , , 235 School Districts . .... . 243 Indian Names . . 245 Chronological Table . . 246 The Second Congregational Society 251 Methodist Episcopal Society . 268 Christ's Church . 270 Emanuel Church, at Glenville . . 273 Genealogy of the Mead Family 277 Genealogy of the Peck Family . 295 Biographical Notice of Rev. Jeremiah Peck 300 The Brundig Family . 306 The Bush Family • . 306 The Close Family . 307 The Curtis Family . 309 The Dayton Family . 311 The Field Family 312 The Ferris Family . 312 The Holmes Family , 313 The Lyon Family . 313 The Lockwood Family 313 The Palmer Family . 314 The Purdy Family . 314 The Brush Family . 315 The Lewis Family . 316 The Howe Family . 317 INTRODUCTION. The author, wlien very young, was mucli interested with the tales and ditties of olden time; and was in the habit of spending the days, not occupied at school, in the office of our 23resent town-clerk, Samuel Close, Esq., in searching the early records of the town. As a result, many things of interest were found upon the decayed and much-worn, early rec- ords. We found too, that this town was the scene of many important incidents, in the his- tory of our country, which have never been recorded on the pages of history; and that the few that have been noticed by historians, are mentioned in so vague and uncertain a light as to be of little use to the public. b INTRODUCTION. We therefore set ourselves to work to col- lect tlie more important facts and incidents for publication, that our fellow-citizens might have them in a convenient form for reference, and that many facts' which otherwise would have been lost may be preserved. We have not published matters of mere private interest ; but only such things as appear to us to be of importance to the public. Such as it is, the volume is now before you. Its reliability may be depended upon as far as it goes; though no doubt many would have made it a more voluminous work. We have been es]3ecially indebted for as- sistance to our obliging town-clerk, to Col. Thomas A. Mead (and papers and reminis- cences in his possession), and to several aged people of the town. The other works to which we have referred with advantage are, O'Callaghan's History of the New Nether- lands, Bolton's History of Westchester County, mTKODUCTION. Trumbull's, Barber's and Hollister's Histories of Connecticut, and others. For our genealogy of tlie Mead family we are indebted in part to a manuscript in the possession of Titus Mead, Esq. Other genea- logies are accredited properly on the pages of the volume. The Author's services are at the command of any person, for assistance in collecting their genealogies from the town or other records. Dedicating this volume to his fellow citizens of the town of Greenwich, the author would Remain theii' Humble servant, D. M. MEAD. HISTORY OF GREE?^WICH. DISCOVERY. QuDfNEHTUKQUT, tlie old ludiaii name for Connecticut, lying l)eliind Long Island and a Sound with one outlet almost impassable to tlie unaquainted navigator, escaped for a while the attention of the early European navigators. And although John and Sebastian Cabot, in 1498, sailed along the whole coast of North America under the auspices of cross old Henry VIII., yet they never caught a view of Connecticut. Nevertheless, King Henry deemed himself rightfully possessed of the whole territory of North America, because, forsooth, a few of his subjects had cast their eyes on some of the jutting capes and prom- ontories. In 1524, John Verazzano, a Floren- tine adventurer, with an outfit under the auspices of King Francis I. of France, sailed 2 14 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. along nearly tlie same extent of coast more leisurely, and lie more definitely exj^lored its bays and harbors. He lay witli his vessel fif- teen days in the beautiful harbor of Newport. Whether he visited New York Bay is still a mooted question among authors. The French maintain and the Dutch deny, that he did so. But it is not claimed by any that he sailed through the Sound ; and he must have passed by without having seen the bays and harbors of Connecticut. Hendricke Hudson, on the 4th of September, 1609, with a mixed crew of English and Dutch on board the Half-moon (Halve-Maan), sailed gallantly into New York harbor. He pro- ceeded up the North river instead of the East, and searched for the Northwest Passage ; for he sailed with the same purpose which actuated the unfortunate Sir John Franklin three hun- dred and fifty years later. Though Hudson was in his own purpose unsuccessful, yet his discoveries led to the early settlement of the Island of Manhattan. The Dutch soon com- menced trading with the Indians along the shores of the Hudson, which river the Indians called Mahiccannittuck. And then in the early part of 1613, began the early settlement HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 15 of Niew Amsterdam under the command of Hendricke Corstiaensen, who afterward became noted as an adventurer. Four small huts built at that time, were the small beginnings of the present city of New York. About this time there was a check upon marine enterprise throughout all Europe. The Dutch, being then the most extensive na^agators, recovered first from its effects. An Ordinance, passed at Gravenhague by the As- sembly, on the 27th of March, 1614, restored to theu' navigators theii' customary activity. A company of merchants fitted out a fleet of five ships, and put them under the command of three distinguished sailors, Adrien Block, Hendricke Corstiaensen, and Cornelius Jacob- son Mey. All arrived safely at Mew Amster- dam on the " mouth of the great river of the Manhattans " in the latter part of September of the same year. Here they separated. It was the intention of Block to sail farther up the Hudson than the original discoverer had done, while Corstiaensen should examine the Southern coast of Long Island (Serwan-Hacky or Mentoac, the land of shells), and Mey, his other fellow-commander, should sail along the coast of New Jersey. 16 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. After the departure of his former comrades, Block was compelled by accident to relinquish his design. His vessel was consumed by fire, while yet lying at Niew Amsterdam filled with provision for the projected expedition. But the intrepid Dutchman, not disheartened by the loss of his ship and the absence of his fel- low-voyagers, immediately built a small vessel, which he called the Kestless. Its length was forty-four and a half feet, and its breadth eleven and a half. This was the beginning of ship-building in New York, now owning the largest and fleetest ships in the world. Not knowino; whether the Hudson would lead to a northwest passage or not. Block would not venture in so small a vessel to find out, but chose rather to explore the East River. Accordingly, proceeding in this new direction, the Restless passed safely through a dangerous strait, to which Block gave the name which it has borne ever since, calling it " Hellegat, after a branch of the river Scheldt in East Flanders." After reaching the open sound he kept along the northern shore. Con- sequently he made the first discovery of what now forms Connecticut, when, from the deck of his vessel, he and his crew looked upon the HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 17 rocky hills of Greenwicli. This was in the early part of 1614. As he passed by them, he named the Norwalk Islands the " Archipele- gos," and the Housatonic he called the " Kiver of the Red Mountains." Farther on he dis- covered the Connecticut, and calling it Fresh Kiver, he sailed several miles from its mouth upward. Descending again, he continued his course through the Sound. Block Island yet bears the name of the navigator himself. Off Cape Cod he fell in with his former companion Corstiaensen, who had been exploring the southern coast of Long Island. The crew of the Restless then, having been diverted this way by accident, were the first to look upon our hills. Yet they passed by, only seeing. This was five years previous to the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, in 1620. We will now forget those European visitors, and turn our attention to the native Indians, and look at their situation as given us by the various authorities, O'Callaghan in particular. Not having seen the stranger vis- itors, who passed them in a single day, they little dreamed of the terrible destruction about to come upon them by the hands of the brethren of these very strangers who came 18 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. thus boldly with their winged canoes into un- known waters. Or if, perchance, some watch- ful warrior ever on the look out, descried the whitened sail, we have no record preserved by the Indians of what was done at their council fires, chronicling the curious expressions of fear, of wonder, admiration, or bravery, which were expressed by the fierce, wise old Chiefs and Sachems of Sioascock. But- such excite- ment, if any existed, gradually died away, and the Indians returned to their more peaceful and profitable emj)loyments of hunting, clam- ming, and fishing. PETUQUAPAEN. On the present main road passing through the town of Greenwich, about mid-way be- tween Stamford and the New York boundary line, was situated this Indian village. The plain, now called Stricklands, is divided by a small brook bearing the same name, which enters the western bank of the Myanos River and is thus emptied into the Sound. On the west side of this brook, and close under a rather abrupt eminence, on which now stands the house of William White, Esq., were built three rows of closely collected Indian huts HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 19 made of bark. " These tliree rows were some- what more than eighty yards in length, stretching along under a high bluff covered with tall oaks which sheltered the town from the chilling northwest winds." On the plain, east of the hamlet and between it and Strickland's brook, the wood and un- derbrush had been cleared away and the ground fitted for raising Indian corn. This brook then ran more clearly than now, as a distillery has since cast in its refuse and helped the formation of a miry, creek mud. Here the Indians drew up their canoes, after a fish- ing excursion upon the Myanos or the neigh- boring waters of the Sound. To the north, far away for hundreds of miles, extended the Green Mountains, abounding in game, which the Indians residing at the very foot of that beautiful range of hills, hunted both for plea- sure and subsistence. To the southwest lay an extended swamp, a part of which still exists as such, which afforded a safe retreat to the inhabitants when attacked by their enemies, the Mohawks, a much stronger and fiercer tribe of the northwest. Northeast from this Indian village, and about a mile north of the present village of 20 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. Dumpling Pond, was an Indian fort, known to tliem as Betuckquapock, to which they could retire when any danger approached from across the Sound. In such a situation, and one seemingly so desirable for savage life, these aborigines lived for centuries, unknowing and unknown by European nations. It is not wonderful that, in time of trouble, the Indians should congregate here in great numbers, rais- ing their tents by the side of the more per- manent ones constituting the village. The tract of land about Petuquapaen, ex- tending from the Patommuck brook (now a part of the boundary line between Stamford and Greenwdch) westward to the two streams now known as the Brothers, w^as called by the same name. West of this was Miossehassaky, extending from the Brothers to the Byram river, which was called Armonck or Cokamong. On the west bank of the Byram was another though smaller village, called Haseco. This was not far from the present village of Portchester. Petuquapaen and Miossehassaky were nearly equal in extent, together forming Sioascock. Over this territory and Poningoe, which was on the west side of the Byram, Bonus was the ruling Sachem. The tribe were Siwanoys. HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 21 On tlie northwest of them were the "Weeques- queecks, who were the friends of the Siwanoys, both belonging to the great tribe of Mohegans, who were possessed of a great part of Quinneh- tukqut (Connecticut). Ponns had a brother named Wascussue, who was the ruling Sachem of the Rippowams or Stamford. Ponus had died previous to 1640, leaving several sons, who afterward be- came powerful and influential chiefs, and had much to do with the English and Dutch settlers. The names of some of them were Owenoke, Taphance, and Onox. Before the discovery and settlement of this part of the country by Europeans, this was one of the most thickly inhabited sections of the whole region. Those living regularly at Petuquapaen were estimated at between three and five hundred. And this number was in- creased afterward to more than a thousand, when others were driven by the Dutch from their customary abodes near Niew Amsterdam. SETTLEMENT. On the sixteenth day of July, 1640, or twenty-five years after the discovery of Green- wich by Adrien Block, Captain Daniel Patrick, a distinguished English pioneer, accompanied 22 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. by Robert Feaks, landed upon Greenwich. Point, by the Indians called Monakewego, and finally concluded a bargain with Owenoke, one of the sons of Ponus, for that part of Petnquapaen lying between the Asamuck (the next small stream east of the Myanos) and the Patommuck rivers. The brooks Patommuck and Asamuck gave their names severally to those portions of land lying next west of them ; so that the land thus purchased was more particularly called Patommuck. The nature of the bargain will be most easily understood from the deed itself, which we have below transcribed from the early records in the Town Clerk's office. It will be observed that the deed prescribes no northern limit to the tract, and we have no means of ascertain- ing that there was any. Wee Amogeron, Sachem of Asamuck, and Ram- matthone, Nawliorone, Sachems of Patomuck, have sould unto Robert Feaks and Daniell Patricke all theire rights and interests in all ye severall lands betwene Asamuck river and Patomuck, which Pa- tomuck is a littel river which divideth ye bounds be- twene Capt. Turner's Purchase and this, except ye neck by ye Indians called Monakewego, by us Eliza- beth neck, which neck is ye peticaler perciiase of Elizabeth Feaks, ye sd Robt. Feaks his wife, to be HISTORY OF GKEENWICH. 23 hers and her heaires or assigns, forever, or else to be at ye disposal of ye aforementioned purchasers for- ever, to them and theire heaires, executors or as- signs, and theye to enjoy all rivers, Islands, and ye severall naturall adjuncts of all ye forementioned places, neigther shall ye Indians fish within a mille of aney english ware, nor invite nor permit any other Indians to sett down in ye forementioned lands : in consideration of which lands ye forementioned purchasers are to give unto ye above named sachems twentie five coates, whereof they have reserved eleven in part payment ; to witness all which, they have hereunto sett theire hands this IS July, 1640. AMOGERONE, NAWHORONE, AMFSETTHEHONE, KEOFFERAM. Witness, — Eobert A. Heusted, Andrew Messenger, his r mark. Rasobibitt, \ Saponas, / WhONEHORONjV mi • 1 . )> rheir marks. Akeroque, ( Pauonohas, \ powiatoh. / Keofferam hath sould all his right in ye above sd to Jeffere Ferris. Witness, — Richard Williajis, Angell Heusted. These men were then acting with authority 24 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. from tlie New Haven Colony. They were both, noted personages in the early liistory of New England. They had been the pioneers in the settlement of many places, and were ready to push out into the wilderness at any time when the steady habits of the Puritans threw too many restraints upon their conduct. Elizabeth Feaks, the wife of Robert, had been a widow, and was the daughter of Gov. "Win- throp. A few years ago there was but a single descendant of Robert Feaks living in Old Greenwich. Jeffere Ferris has many descendants, a great part of whom never have left the town in which he settled. Capt. Patrick was an old soldier. He was second in command in the famous Pequot war, which terminated so disastrously to the Indians. It was Patrick's division which made the suc- cessful charge, and fired the fort. Another distinguished man became a sort of settler on this purchase during the year. Capt. John Underhill was a cunning and crafty En- glish officer. Though still young, he had seen many trials, and learned much by experience. He had been Bearer of Dispatches to Queen Elizabeth, and a tool and confidential servant of the talented but unfortunate Earl of Leices- ter, whose courtship with the homely Queen HISTORY OP GREENWICH. 25 terminated so fatally. On tlie death of Essex, Underhill enlisted in the army of Holland. He then distinguished himself as a soldier ; and when the Puritans were about to embark on their perilous enterprise, he offered himself for the position of commandant. But after- wards, learning that the brave and popular Miles Standish was thought of for that post, he wisely withdrew his name. In a few years, however, he came to Massachusetts, though his principles were really too loose for the rigid Puritans. He was compelled to depart, and removing to New Hampshire, was made governor of the Dover Colony. But Massa- chusetts obtaining authority over that colony also, he came and settled on a part of Capt. Patrick's purchase in Greenwich. Kindred spirits, both having been engaged in many Indian battles, and of whom Deforest, in his Indians of Connecticut, says, — " Both these men had been members of New England churches, but their conduct had little corre- sponded with their professions ; and, unable to bear the restraint and frequent admonitions which had met them in Massachusetts, they had retired to these lonely shores, where ministers and church committees were few and 26 HISTORY OF GEEENWICn. far between." Capt. Underliill afterwards moved to Killingwortli ; but Capt Patrick died at his own house in Greenwich, as we shall afterwards see. With these men there were also some Dutch and some English settlers. Among them were — Jeffere Ferris, Angell Heusted, Kobert Heusted, Richard Williams, Andrew Messenger, Everardus Bogardus, John Winkelman, Cornelius Labden. Others were spoken of, though not by name, upon the records. They proceeded to build their houses, and attended to the customary duties of pioneers ; having little to do with their neighbors until forced into contentions which needed to be settled. AGREEMENTS WITH NEIGHBOES. The present town of Stamford was originally settled under the name of " Wethersfield Men's Plantation ;" and in October, 1640, a conten- tion and difficulty arose between the two set- tlements concerning their dividing boundary. Accordingly, on the 2d of November of the same year, a meeting was had of those ap- HISTOKT OF GREENWICH. 27 pointed to represent their respective towns, and after considerable discussion tlie following arrangement was effected : — Wee, the underwritten, mutually Agreed that the Dividing line betwene both our Plantations of Green- wicli and Wethersfield Men's Plantation shall begin at Patommog brook, where thee path at present cuts, and rim on in a straight line to ye west end of aline Drawn e from ye sides of Wethersfield Men's Plan- tation River, which runs by theire towne plot, to bee Dravvne on a due west point towards Greenwich bounds, a neat mile, and from ye west end of ye sd line to run due North up into ye contrie, about twentie miles ; These lines to run on ye meridian compass. Nether will aney of us or shall aney for us object against this agreement upon ye account of ye Indians ; although we shall at aney time hereafter conclude a mistake in respect of what each one bought, yett this to stand unalterable, without a mutual consent on both sides. To Testifie which, wee each for our own townes have sett to our hands this 2ond Nov. 1640. DANIEL PATRICK, ROBT. FEKES, ANDREW WARDE, ROBERT COE, RICHARD GILDERSLEEVE. The first two of these were the representa- tives of Greenwich, and the remainder from 28 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. Stamford. Willi tlie removal of this bone of contention the inhabitants expected peace ; but tlie Dutch began to reiterate their claims against the English. The former seemed determined, and hostility all but ripened into war. As has been said, Greenwich was osten- sibly purchased under the favor of the New Haven Colony. But our settlers, not having drawn much sustenance from that colony, and perhaps being somewhat averse to some of its laws, did not feel strongly bound to that power. Hence, tired of contention and strife, and withal, as they say, being convinced of the rightfulness of the Dutch claim, they signed over, in an agreement written at New Amster- dam, of which the following is a translation. Doubtless self-interest was looked at as much as any thing, and the deed was done with an eye to the stronger arm with which the Dutch could defend them from the Indians. But here is the record : — Whereas, we, Capt. Daniel Patrick and Elizabeth Feake, duly authorized by her husband Robert Feake, now sick, have resided two years about five or six miles east of the Kew Netherlands, subject to the Lord States General, who have protested against us, declarins: that the said land lav within their HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 29 limits, and that they should not allow any person to usurp it against their lawful rights ; and whereas, we have equally persisted in our course during these two years, having been well assured that his Majesty the King of England had pretended some to this soil ; and whereas, we understand nothing thereof, and cannot any longer presume to remain thus, on account both of this strife, the danger consequent thereon, and these treacherous and villainous Indians, of whom we have seen so many sorrowful examples enough. We therefore betake ourselves under the protection of the Noble Lord States General, His Highness the Prince of Orange, and the "West India Company, or their Governor General of New Ne- therlands, promising for the future to be faithful to them, as all honest subjects are bound to be ; where- unto we bind ourselves by solemn oath and signa- ture, provided we be protected against our enemies as much as possible, and enjoy henceforth the same privileges that all Patroons of the New Netherlands have obtained agreeably to the Freedoms. 1642, IXth of April, in Fort Amsterdam. DANIEL PATEICK, Witnesses, — Everardus Bogardus, Johannes Winkleman. Greenwich, from tliat time, became a manor, and Capt. Patrick and Feaks were Patroons of the Manor, with all the privileges of other patroons. The two witnesses to their agree- so HI8T0EY OF GREENWICH. ment were tlien residents of tlie Manor ; and it was, doubtless, in a great measure owing to their influence tliat the agreement was ever executed. TEOUBLE WITH THE INDIANS. Wm. Keift became the Governor-General of the New Netherlands in the year 1638, or two years previous to the settlement of Green- wich, and four years before the writing was signed placing the town under the control of that officer. He was the successor of Wouter Von Twiller, the fat, good-natured Dutchman, who had, by a kind and hospitable manner, in a great measure conciliated the fierce Indians about the settlements. But with the new governor came a change. He was cruel- minded and revengeful in the extreme. Hav- ing collected some half-a-dozen advisers, all congenial spirits, he brought the colony, and all connected with it, into the greatest trouble, by the extreme severity which he exercised toward the natives. So revengeful was he in his disposition, that sooner than let a crime go unpunished he would take full vengeance upon the relatives of the accused, when the criminal himself had escaped. HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 31 The Indians, during their visits to the European settlements, after having tasted the foreign fire-icatei\ gave full displays of their roguish inclinations, and were never scrupulous in their bargains, frequently taking goods without stopping to pay for them ; and in many instances they robbed and murdered the in- habitants. Returning to theu* own country, they there, with a feeling of safety, often boasted of their deeds in this line. And these boasts were duly reported to the governor by those straggling settlers who chanced to hear them. On the other hand, the traders, before bar- gaining for furs, so befuddled the owners of them as to get valuable articles for little or no consideration, and not unfrequently having made their victim well drunken, stole his richest furs. Such a state of things could but create strong feelings of animosity, and ripen a spirit of hatred, already arisen, into open war, whenever a conspicuous deed committed by either party should rouse the anger of the other. Before the arrival of Keift, and as soon as 1626, an aged Indian was murdered, and his furs stolen, by a company of traders, to whom 32 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. he had offered liis skins for sale. They secreted the body, not observing his little nephew, who, hidden amid the bushes, had witnessed in silence the horrid deed, and secretly vowed eternal vengeance against the murderers of his uncle. He was one of the tribe of Weeck- quesqueecks, living north of Mamaroneck. When a full-grown Indian, still bent on his purpose, he watched anxiously the faces of the various traders, that he might discern the countenances of those upon whom he hoped for full vengeance. As a result of his constant search he fell in with one whom he recognized — one Claes Corneliz Smitz, now become an old man. On him he revenged his uncle's death by a like punishment, and then fled. This was the open act, out of which grew more open and extensive hostility. A prompt demand was made on his tribe for the mur- derer. They replied that he had escaped to Sioascock, and that they could not give him up. Demand after demand brought but the same reply. The governor now resolved to punish the whole tribe for the crime of the one who had escaped. He then appointed the " twelve imen^'' with whom it was left to punish the Indians HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 33 as they saw fit and proper. After mature consideration it was resolved to make two distinct expeditions against the Indians ; one against the tribe to which the Indian belonged, on the east bank of the Hudson, and the other against Petuquapaen, whither he was sup- posed to have fled. Both these expeditions were, however, delayed for a considerable time by a difficulty which arose between Keift and "The Twelve Men." Such was the im- patience and haste of the former, that the latter refused to comply with all his requisi- tions. And the expedition, as then planned against Petuquapaen, was never carried out at all, owing partly to this delay, but more to the total want of success which attended the other. This, Keift undertook on his own authority, and ordered Ensign Van Dyck to collect and equip eighty men, and immediately proceed against the Indians and inflict upon them summary punishment. The governor felt sure of complete success, as this Hendrick Van Dyck had been in the service of the colony for years, and was well trained in Indian warfare. To make success still more certain, a trusty guide had been employed to conduct the party. They moved 34 HISTOET OF GREENWICH. forward at the edge of the evening of a dark and cloudy night, early in March, 1642. An injudicious halt was made by Van Dyck, during which the darkness came on so thick and fast that the guide was quite unable to point out the way. The leader, thus dis- appointed, and angry at his own foolishness, led his men back to New Amsterdam, dis- heartened at not ha^dng seen a single enemy. Thus both these expeditions failed. But another opportunity was soon offered to the Dutch to take signal vengeance on their enemies. Some traders from Staten Island came up the Sound to trade with the Indians, and barter rum for furs. Having treated' one until they had made him well drunken, they robbed him of all his furs, and left him in a helpless condition. Afterwards, becoming sober, and fully aware of the treatment to which he had been subjected, the enraged Indian swore vengeance against the first ^'' Sivannehin'^'' whom he should meet. And true to his oath, he killed one Dutchman and an Englishman, whom he chanced to meet together. The murderer fled to the Tankitekes, a tribe of which Paeham, who was favorable to the Dutch, was Sachem. They knew full well HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 35 that cruel measures were now likely to be adopted against them. They therefore ex- postulated with the Dutch for selling to their people the " cussed firewater ^^"^ laying to its charge all their troubles, and claiming that they had been more wronged than the traders. But Keift turned a deaf ear to all their entreaties, and was fully bent on their blood- shed and destruction. It was but a few days after this, in February, 1643, that the power- fid tribe of Mohawks came down upon the tribes dwelling about New Netherlands in great numbers, demanding a tribute, which, being the stronger tribe, they were accustomed yearly to exact from their weaker neighbors. These Indians, now forgetting every thing but their intense fear for the dreaded Mohawks, fled in hundreds to the settlements of Manhattan for protection. They were received with pre- tended kindness and hospitality. But with fiendish design, Keift secretly planned a strata- gem to punish many for the crime of one. The settlers, having received them into their in- closures, and having prayed God to favor their cruel purpose, commenced a terrible massacre, thus graphically described by an eye-witness, 36 HISTORY OF GREKNWICH. in O'Callaghan's History of the New Nether- lands : — I remained that night at tlie Director's, and took a seat in the kitchen near the fire. At midnight I heard loud shrieks, and went out upon the parapet of the fort, and looked toward Pavonia. I saw nothing but the flashing of guns. I heard no more cries of the Indians : they had been butchered in their sleep. The horrors of this night cause one's flesh to creep, when we ponder over them even now, long after their occurrence. Eighty Indians were slaughtered at Pavonia, and thirty at Corlear's Hook, while sunk in repose. Sucklings were torn from their mothers' breasts, butchered before their parents' eyes, and their mangled limbs thrown quivering into the river or the flames. Babes were hacked to pieces while fastened on their little boards — their primitive cradles ! Others were thrown alive into the river, and when parents instinctively rushed in to save them, the cruel soldiers prevented their land- ing, and both parent and ofispring were sunk into a watery grave. Children of half a dozen years, de- crepit men of three score and ten, shared like fates. Those who escaped and next morning begged for shelter, were killed in cold blood, or thrown into the river. Some came running to us from the country, having both hands cut off; some lost both legs and HISTOKY OF GREENWICH. 37 arms ; some were supporting their entrails with their hands, while some were mangled in other horrid ways, too horrid to be conceived. And this massacre was conducted by the governor so secretly, and with so much stra- tegy, that the Indians for a long time laid the cold-blooded deed to the Mohawks. Many of the Dutch, even, were so deceived. But after some days, during which the Mohawks had departed, the truth became evident ; and the Indians on the eastern bank of the Hudson, and on both shores of the Sound, rose with one accord to demand blood for blood. And if ever revenge can be justified, and rightfully pursued, surely these poor, bunted Indians may be justified in revenging this act, a more barbarous one than which was never recorded on the j^ages of history. They made their first attacks with such rage and fury, that the question of the continuance of the Dutch at the mouth, of the Hudson was an extremely critical one. They were soon forced from Long Island, and on the main land all their settlers withdrew to the fort on Manhattan Island. The few who were in Greenwich also with- drew, leaving the English to take care of them- selves as best they might. 3 S8 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. But once more fortune turned against the Indians, and they were driven hack in turn. Reinforcements having arrived from Holland, the colony were able not only to defend them- selves, but also to drive their enemies far back from their settlement. Great numbers of these having hitherto lived on the northern coast of the Sound, between Greenwich and Manhat- tan, now retired to Petuquapaen and Betuck- quapock, in Greenwich. Driven here from their former homes, they became desperate, and gave full vent to their native cruelty. Among their acts, which are but very vaguely described by history, was the murder of the unfortunate Mrs. Anne Hutchinson, and her son-in-law, Mr. Collins, with sixteen others who lived in the wilderness somewhere in Greenwich, near the present boundaries of Greenwich and Stamford, by a party of In- dians from Petuquapaen. Of this affair. De- forest, in his Indians of Connecticut, says, — Tlie Indians desolated the Connecticut coast as far east as Stamford, killing not only Dutcli, but En- glish ; for the English in this quarter were but few in number, and had been compelled to submit to the government of New Amsterdam. The pretended pro- phetess, Anne Hutchinson, who had taken refuge here HISTORY OF GREEKVVICH. 39 from her persecutors in Massachusetts, was among the victims. Until the last moment, the Indians came to the house in their usual friendly manner ; then the hatchet fell, and the unfortunate woman perished, with sixteen others, in the massacre. To close the scene, the horses and cattle were driven into their barns, the barns set on fire, and the help- less animals roasted to death in the flames. Nor was Capt. Patrick safe from the attacks of the Indians. Mayn Mayano, a tall, stout Indian chief of Petuquapaen, sought to distin- guish himself by proving untrue the boast of the whites, that one of them was equal to several Indians. In fact, he wanted to reverse the statement. Accordingly, Capt. Patrick and two others of the settlers, were attacked one day by this single brave. And though they were armed, Mayn Mayano had killed one and felled the other to the ground with his tomahawk, before Patrick, the survivor, could shoot him dead. He showed a wily courage and daring, although he failed so en- tirely of success. One other tradition is the following, being told in many different ways ; of which we ac- cept the simplest, as being, probably, the nearest to the truth. A rough old Dutchman named Cornells Labden, was riding away from 40 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. tlie settlement in Old Greenwich on horseback, when he discovered that he was pursued by three Indians on foot. They could pass more nimbly through the forest than he, and unless he could free himself by some desperate at- tempt, he well knew the destruction that awaited him. In this strait he bethought him of that steep precipice which still bears the name of Labden's Rock, and resolved rather to die by plunging down its depths than by the torturing hand of the red man. Just as his pursuers were about overtaking him, he dashed over the steep, and they, too eager on their pursuit, went headlong after him. Of the whole mass of mangled flesh, Labden only lived to tell the story, and that with his two legs broken. This Rock still presents much of its old appearance, and is visited by many of the curious. The story in itself is too sim- ple to suit all ; for many love the marvelous. For the sake of such, we give a version of this very tradition, as it appeared in 1854, in the Stamford Advocate^ under the initials of C. L. B. We will not stop to point out the glaring inconsistencies, or to ask how, when all so fearfully perished, the story became known. Here it is in the writer's best style, without any further comments of ours : — HISTOKY OF GREENWICH. 41 THE LEGEND. BY C. L. B. Soon after the settlement of New York by the Dutch, a few English families emigrated to the eastern part of Greenwich, and began a settlement upon an eminence commanding an extensive view of Long Island Sound. The names of these families are now forgotten, with the exception of that of Laddin (?) who, with his wife and daughter, a lovely girl of sixteen suinmers^ located himself a short distance in an easterly direction from the main settlement. The little hamlet for some time con- tinued to enjoy the blessings of peace and security, but its grateful quietude was soon to be disturbed by its hostile neighbors, who were stimulated by the Dutch traders to deeds of violence and revenge against the English. While Laddin (?) was one day occupied in his usual occupation of clearing and cultivating his farm, he was surprised at discovering the humble dwellings of his neighbors enveloped in dense clouds of smoke. Knowing full well the merciless foes would next proceed to his own cottage, and would complete their fiendish work of devastation and slaughter, he hurried thither with the utmost speed, and prepared to defend it and his family to the last extremity. Scarcely had he barricaded the doors, and loaded his trusty musket, when the savages with their passions whetted by the previous 42 ''history of GREENWICH. massacre, surrounded tlie liouse, yelling terrifically, and expecting to witness its speedy ruin with appa- rent delight. But, stop! Laddin stands at the ■window with his trusty weapon ; his resolute deter- mination surprises thein ; they deliberate for a moment, then advances one (?) of the fiercest war- riors with lighted torch in hand ; he approaches within a few feet of the house, and falls the victim of unerring marksmanship ; they are not thus to be repulsed and deprived of their satisfaction, at be- holding the hated pale faces writhing in the flames. At the word of command on steps another (?) and rolls back upon his former comrade with a heavy groau ; another and another advance and share the same fate ; then, with unearthly yells they rush upon the house, eii masse. They try to break down the well-barred doors, hoping to capture and consign the poor settlers to a more lingering torture, as vengeance for their fallen brethren. In this confusion, Laddin's wife and daughter begged him to leave them to the mercy of the Indians, and secure his own safety ; he steadily re- fuses, determined to meet death with them and for them ; but by earnest entreaties and solemn assu- rances that life without him would be made worse than death, he is at length moved to make the at- tempt, with faint hopes that the foe would have some respect for their sex and spare them. The front door begins to open — all rush to enter, and thus the back door is left unguarded. Now is the time ; the heroic wife and daughter brace the door HISTORY OF GKEENWICH. 43 against the savages, while with extreme reluctance, the despairing man softly makes his escape in the rear. Scarcely has he done this, when the door gives way ; his beloved wife and daughter are dragged from the house by the hair, tomahawked and scalped before his eyes. Assistance to them was impossible. He mounts his horse, which he had concealed a short distance oif, under a thick copse of alder bushes. He knows not whither to flee ; death is before and behind him ; the savages behold him, and pursue. With despair stamped on his manly countenance, he suddenly turns his horse's head toward the well-known precipice, resolved not to fall into the hands of inhuman victors. On came his pursuers, and reached the summit of the barren rock, to hear him cry out with a voice of thunder, — " Coine on, ye foul fiends, I go to join your victims!" A crash — and all is hushed. The rider and his faith- ful steed shall here mingle their dust together. Sucli is the tradition as increased by a fertile imagination. And here we leave him to ruralize in some other place, to conjure up new ideas for the edification of the people ; while we continue our chronicles. A NEW EXPEDITIOlSr. These attacks following one another rapidly, were duly revealed by Captain Patrick, the 44- HISTORY OF GREENWICH. patroon, to Governor Keift ; and lie resolved not only to punish tbose outrages, but if pos- sible, to exterminate tlie whole race. Indeed, the actual settlers claimed this, as full protection had been 23romised in the agreement of the *Jth of April, by which the town had been ceded to the Dutch. It was supposed that this object could be accomplished by a force of soldiers acting in unison with the settlers them- selves, and that the Indians of Petuquapaen would be cut off at a single blow. Hence, not far from the 1st of January, 1644, a privateer, with two smaller vessels, having been well armed and fitted out, left New Amsterdam with a force of a hundred and twenty men. They were under the command of Captain Blauvelt, Caj)t. Joachim Pieterson Kuyter, Lieut. Baxter, and Sergeant Peter Cock. On Saturday, toAvard evening, they landed on Greenwich Point (Monakewego). And so great was their desire to surprise the Indians, and such their haste to consummate the object of their expedition, that their com- mander thought it advisable to march imme- diately against the encampment. Accordingly, having received instructions as to their way from Capt. Patrick, who for some reason did not HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 45 accompany them, tlie whole body set out. But after proceeding some distance, it became evi- dent tliat they had missed their way, and wan- dered too far back into the country. Thus they wandered about all night, and became wearied and dispirited ; and they returned without hav- ing found a clue to the object of their search. Furthermore, they had doubtless given to the scouts of the enemy a knowledge of their ap- proach. They encamped next day near the house of Capt. John Underhill, highly enraged at their want of success. On the following day, which was the Sab- bath, the Dutch commandant met Capt. Patrick at the house of Underhill, and an alter- cation ensued. The soldier charged him with deceit and treachery; that he purposely misled them, and finally called him a liar. To resent this the Englishman, who had hitherto re- mained silent, spat in the Dutchman's face and turning directly back, walked away. The other, in turn, drew a pistol and fired a ball through his head. For this homicide the sol- dier was arraigned, but never punished. And thus died Daniel Patrick, the pioneer settler of Grreenwich, He left a wife and one son. The wife's name before marriage was Annetje 3* 46 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. Van Beyeren. As her name indicates, she was a Dutch woman ; and she afterwards married one Tobias Feeck, sheriff of Flushing, Long Island. In a day or two, this company of soldiers went off on another wild-goose chase into the country ; when they met with but little better success than before. True, they fell in with a few old men, women, and children, whom they mostly killed, saving a few who were made slaves. Disappointed and vexed, they soon after went back to New Amsterdam. After this, John Underhill went to New- York, joined the company and was made com- mander. Having first led his company against the Indians of " Hemestede" on Long Island, where the enemies were easily routed, he was ordered to Greenwich. Meantime Keift had sent scouts, to learn if the Indians were still congregated about Petuquapaen. It was re- ported that they were collected there in still greater numbers, and that the greater part of the women and children had been sent back into the country. Underhill was glad to take the command of this expedition for two rea- sons ; first, because it was necessary for the protection and safety of his family, and the HI6T0KY OF GREENWICH. 47 preservation of liis property tliat tlie enemy should be dislodged from their stronghold, so near his plantation in Greenwich ; and secondly, that he might prove to the Dutch that he was in no Avay connected with their former failure and disgrace. THE SUCCESSFUL ATTACK. Accordingly, in February of the same year, 1644, Capt. Underhill and Ensign Van Dyck, with a complement of a hundred and thirty men, embarked at Fort Amsterdam for Green- wich Point. They landed safely, just as a ter- rible snow-storm was commencing. The snow continued to fall throughout the whole day and succeeding night. It had been their design to proceed, as in their other expeditions, by night, and take their enemies by surprise ; but the continuance of the storm prevented the accomplishment of their purpose for that night at least. But on the following day the storm cleared away, leaving between two and three feet of snow upon the ground. However, they immediately set out for Petuquapaen, advanc- ing as fast as the deep snow would permit. As had been intended, they reached the Myanos at 48 HISTORY OF GKEI':NWICn. about eight o'clock. They then halted for two hours on the eastern bank of this stream. Many had become quite fatigued, and they now had ample time for rest. At ten o'clock they resumed their march, and descending the steep bank, they crossed the river, as they say in their own report, where it " was about two hundred feet wide and three feet deej^." And as the just-risen moon was brightening the white snow with its light, they ascended the western bank, and then " passing a steep ridge" were afforded a beautiful \dew of the plain below. In the distance, on the other side of the plain, they could see the fires in and about the village ; while between it and them, the trees of the forest had been felled, that the In- dian women might raise their only grain, the Indian corn. The much-dreaded and long- sought-for Petuquapaen is at last found. As they advance still nearer with quickened step, they discover that the village consists of "more than a hundred permanent huts arranged in three rows, partially defended by a sort of palisades," with many wigwams collected about and scattering along under a "high bluff sheltering them from the chilling northw^est winds." HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 49 The inliabitants were on tlie alert, and by no means unprepared to meet tlieir assailants. Their women had been sent back to the old fort Betuckquapock, near the present village of Dumpling Pond. None but the painted braves were left, and they were fully prepared for the desperate struggle. They betook them- selves to the trees on the slight rise of ground now occupied by J. K. Stearns, Esq., on the western bank of the Strickland brook. From this cover they showered their arrows upon the advancing foe. The soldiers then divided into two parties, and from different directions poured . their deadly fire upon the Indians, who, when thus attacked, found the trees an insufficient protection. The brave Sinawoys fought long and desperately ; but the arrow and the toma- hawk, of necessity, yielded to the bullet, bayo- net, and broadsword. More than once the Indians made gallant charges, hoping to break the lines of their enemies. But the incessant firing thinned their numbers, and they at last retired, leaving between one and two hundred braves dead on the scene of the first terrible struggle. At the more permanent inclosure of the village they rcillied, hoping there more effectually to defend themselves, and resolved 60 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. there to make tlieir final, desperate struggle for victory. Sheltered by the light palisades, if so they may be called, they once more poured forth incessant flights of arrows upon the Dutch. The latter now advanced from the northeast and the southeast in two divisions. Fire was the enemy of the Indians, as often as it was their familiar weapon in destroying the habitations of the whites. And Under- hill had learned its utility by his experience at the celebrated Pequot fort. To cast a fire- brand upon the row of dry bark huts and wig- wams, was but the work of a moment ; and a most terrible destruction now awaited them. Roasted and tortured to agony by the fire, they darted out here and there from the flames only to be brought to the ground by the unerring aim of the soldiery, who were on the alert for the poor victims. Finally their horrid moans and cries were hushed, and the flames and the hissing of the boiling pools of blood died away, leaving hundreds of crisj^ed bodies on the blood-stained snow. And thus miserably perished from six hun- dred to a thousand Sinawoy Indians, variously enumerated by different authors. And of the whole number of warriors that had been HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 51 gathered at the ancieut village, only eight escaped. All, besides these and twelve who were taken prisoners at the first conflict on the knoll, were cut off in battle. These prisoners were sold as slaves, some to the English and some to the Dutch ; for prisoners were then the spoils of war. So quickly had this work of destruction been accomplished, that the night was yet far from being spent. The Dutch therefore, warmed and cheered by the fires that had scorched and crisped their enemies, spent the remainder of the night upon the field ; and when the morn- ing came and the sun had arisen and looked upon the work of the preceding night, they threw the dead bodies of the Indians into heaps and covered them with the ashes of their village and frozen earth and snow, and left them without farther monument. Yet the mounds thus formed bore testimony to the place of the battle for many years. Tradition has long pointed out with accuracy the place of these mounds. An aged lady, Mrs. Howe by name, who lived to the adv^anced age of a hundred and two years, and who died some forty years since, remembered these mounds distinctly. Five of them she said were between 52 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. the present houses of J. K. Stearns, Esq., and Mrs. Hitchcock, and twenty were scattered about just across the lane southeast of the present residence of William White, Esq., on the land of Edward Mead. And some fifty years, or more, ago, Joseph Sackett, who lived close by, was digging with one of his men for the purpose of covering potatoes from the cold of winter, — which was then done by digging four or five feet in the ground, — and came upon one of these settled heaps, then mostly turned to dust. But the good old farmer turned to his man, whose name was Avery, and told him to " tliroiv ill the 2^otaioes any tuay^^'' for the bones couldn't hurt them if they were " Injins;" and in they went, and I believe were kept safe just as the old man had said. Bushels of flint arrow-heads have been plowed up by the ownei^ of land on all parts of Strickland's plain. Some of them are beautifully cut from the finest white flint ; but the greater part of them are rougher hewn, from blue flint. Their old burial place as yet is not all extinct ; but what remains is but a monument of the care- lessness of the people of the neighborhood. Not only is the place neglected, but absolutely is being demolished by the penny grinders HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 53 who want dirt to fill in docks, or for some other purpose. It should have been fenced long ago, and protected from men who will take dirt from dead men's bones. This battle is equal to any ever fought in Connecticut in the numbers of those engaged in fight, in the fierceness of the contest, and in the carnage and destruction made. And the Indians in this part of the country never recovered from the blow. True, a few desper- ate ones hung about the settlements seeking revenge ; but they soon melted away, and their few descendants had none of their fathers' ambition. Now none are to be seen. The proud, civilized, and enlightened European has driven the aborigines fi'om the lands which were theirs by discovery, inheritance, and actual occupation. And now it is too late to repair the injury. Proud of their victory, the soldiers on the next day after the battle began their return march, '^ the Lord endidmg the wounded with extraordinary strengtliT Great was the re- joicing at New Amsterdam when the result of the expedition was known. Public thanks- giving was ordered by the Dutch authorities ; and it is said by O'Callaghan in his History of New Netherlands to have been regarded as a 54 HISTORY OF GKEENWICH. special Providence that when the attack was made on Petuquapaen " the Lord liad collected most of their enemies there to celehrate some pecidiar festival^ But the results of the war were most favorable to the settlers themselves. What few Indians were left lived peaceably, and brought rich furs to the whites in trade for rum. This trade yielded of course a double traffic to the whites, while it cheated and wronged the aborigines. Underbill, the hero of the battle, on returning to New Amsterdam, took with him Elizabeth Peaks, the widow of Robert Peaks, and married her, each thus entering upon matrimony for the second time. In the same year he settled in Plushiug, L. I. Again he moved to Killing- worth, Ct., where he died in 1672. He was artful and intriguing, and he had changed his name before taking the command of the Dutch forces to Hans Van Vanderhill. His son, Nathaniel, emigrated from Killingworth to Westchester county in 1685. BOUND AEY ON THE WEST. The boundary line on the southwestern part of Connecticut has been frequently changed ; and probably we can do no better than give an HISTORY OF GREENWICH. account of tlie various clianges liere, altliougli we may he obliged to anticipate somewhat the events of tlie history. As has been before said, Patrick and Feaks bought under the New Haven Colony in 1640 ; but they also, in 1642, made over the town to the Dutch, they both becoming patroons of the manor. This left the western boundary of Connecticut to be the Potommuck river, that is, the present boundary line between Stamford and Greenwich. But a treaty was made in Hartford in 1650, making the boundary line as follows : to com- mence on Long Island "on the westernmost part of Oyster bay, so, and in a straight and direct line to the sea ; and upon the main land a line to begin on the west side of Greenwich bay (i. e. all that bay within Capt's I.) and so run in a northerly line twenty miles up into the country, and after as it shall be agreed by the two governments of the Dutch and New Haven, provided said line come not within ten miles of the Hudson river." (Hazard's State Papers, vol. ii., p. 218.) This boundary was made without the parti- cipation of the mhabitants of Greenwich. Accordingly, some of the spirited ones con- tinued on under theii* old customs and habits 56 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. and laws, and regardless of those of Connecti- cut. On the eastern bank of the Armonck (Byram) river there was a little trading ham- let at which the Indians, those which were left of the once powerful tribe, used to purchase their firewater. Hence the place was called, as it is properly spelled. By-rum. And during the year 1656, "from representations previous- ly made at New Haven that the people of Greenwich lived in a disorderly and riotous manner, sold intoxicating liquors to the Indians, received and liarhored servants ivlio had fled from their masters., and joined 'persons unlaio- fully in marriage!!'' the General Court of that colony resolved to assert their jurisdiction over the town and bring its citizens to a more orderly manner of demeaning themselves. In May, the General Court sent a letter, calling upon those living in Greenwich to submit to its authority. They returned an answer couch- ed in very spirited language, declaring that New Haven had no right to set up such a claim, and that they would never submit to its authority unless compelled to do so by Parlia- ment. But when the spirits of such men as Eaton and Davenport pervade a body, it is not easily driven from any position that has been HISTOKY OF GKEEMWICH. 57 deliberately taken. The General Court passed a resolve that unless the recusants should appear in open court and make a formal sub- mission by the 25th of June, Eichard Crab and some others who were most stubborn in their opposition should be arrested and punished according to law. This had the effect intend- ed ; Crab and others who had been ready for martyrdom, yielded with as good grace as they could. This Crab will be mentioned hereafter, and was a large landholder in town. (Colo- nial Records and Hollister's History of Con- necticut.) This settled the matter for a time. But when, in 1664, the Dutch surrendered to Col. Richard Mcolls, the Duke of York's Governor, the three Commissioners appointed to settle the boundary line between the Duke of York's patent and the colony of Connecticut decided That the creek or river called Mamaronec, which is reported to be about twelve miles east of West- chester, and a line drawn from ye east point or side, where the fresh water falls into the salt, at high water mark, north-northwest to ye line of Massachu- setts, shall be ye western bounds of ye said Colony of Connecticut. RICHARD NICOLLS, GEORGE CARTRIGHT, SAMUEL MAURICKE. cO HISTORY OF GREENWrCIf. Again on the 28tli of January, 1673, The General Court ordered the bounds between Greenwich and Rye to be from the month of the Byram river, to run np the one quarter of a mile above the great stone, lying on the cross-path, by the sayd commons, upwards, between Stamford bounds and the colony line, is to be equally divided between them by a parallel line, with Stamford and Norwalk to the end of their bounds, up in the country. EGBERT TREAT, JONATHAN SELLICKE, PETER DISBROW. The town of Rye thus remained a part of Connecticut until December 8d, 1683. But at that date we find from Gov. Treat, of Con- necticut, a letter formally bidding good-by to those living west of the Armonck or Byram, and making them over to the New York Gov- ernor, Dougan. In 1696-97, Bye and Bed- ford were again received into Connecticut. And the western boundary w^as never finally fixed until May the 14th, 1731, when the present one was agreed upon. Greenwich, however, since 1650, has formed a permanent part of Connecticut. HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 59 INCREASE OF INHABITANTS, ETC., 1645-1665. A blight seems to have fallen upon the little settlement during the five or ten years follow- ing the summary destruction of the Indians on the plain. In general, the Indians had never shown so great animosity to the English as to the Dutch settlers. And it was for this reason that Capt Patrick refused to lead the Dutch in their first expedition, and that the greater part of the English settlers had not offered their services in the more successful one. And being now fully under the dominion of the governor of the New Netherlands, few addi- tions were made from honest Englishmen. Still, they remained at their post, buying from the Indians all the land they could afford, and without hindrance or molestation they attended to the usual avocations of early settlers. But after 1656, when Connecticut had forced Crab and his adherents to submit to her authority, the prospects of the settlement brightened. Crab or Crabbe, before coming to Greenwich, had been a member of the first Assembly of Connecticut, which was held in Hartford in 1639. Previously, he had bought large tracts CO HISTORY OF GREENWICH. of land of the Indians in many places, and sold it again in smaller parcels to the new set- tlers. In 1656, he sold portions of his estate to the ancestors of the Studwells, the Hobbys, and the Hubbards. Peter Disbrow and John Coe, who, with Thomas Studwell, afterwards bought the greater part of the town of Kye, settled here at about the same time. Jeffere Ferris returned from Fairfield, where he had gone upon the ceding of Greenwich to the Dutch. Others came, many of them from Long Island, when that was given over to the authority of the Duke of York. Among them were John Mead and John Hobby or Hubbe. The deed under which John Mead first held lands is given on the town records as follows : — These presents witnessetli an agreement made be- twene Richard Crab, of Greenwich, on ye one side, and John Mead, of Hearastead, on Long Iseland, on ye other side, viz. : ye said Richard Crab hath sould unto ye sd John Mead all his houses and lands, yt Bd Richard Crab hath in GreeuVich with all ye Apurtenances, Rights & privileges, & conveniences, yt Doth belong unto ye sd houses & lands, or shall here after belong unto them, viz: ye house yt Richard Crab liveth in, ye house yt Thomas Stud- HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 61 well livetli in, with ye Barne yt is on ye other side of ye hye waye ; also ye home lott yt ye house stands on, being bounded with a fence lying about tlieni on ye northwest, against ye houselott ; also eightene Acres of land in Elisabeth neck, more or less, being bounded by ye sea on ye east and southeast, and a fence on ye west, northwest, and ye north. Also ye Rig, with 5 acres of Meadow lying in it, more or less; ye rig being bounded by ye sea on ye southeast, william low on ye east, and ye fence on ye northwest, & north ye hye waye & hethcut's (Heathcote) & angell Hensteds on ye west ; also 3 acres of meadow in ye long meadow, & 1 acre of meadow by Ferris, bounded by Jeifere Ferris land on ye southeast, and ye cove on ye west and north- west ; also 5 acres of meadow in myanos neck, all ye above specified I do hereby acknowledge to have sould unto ye above sd John Mead, his heaires and asignes, fully and freely to be ])ossest forever, and for ye quiet and full performance hereof, I have hereunto subscribed my hand, anno 1660, October, 26 Daye. RICHARD CRAB. Adam Mott, ) ,,7-.^ „ TTT > vVitnesses. RoBT. Williams, j The John Mead above referred to is not the oldest John, but his son ; which latter having himself a son John always went, as we too shall call him, by the name of John Mead, 4 62 HISTORy OF GUEENWICII. senior. The first John had become an old man, and all the purchases and other business was done in the name of his son. Joseph Mead, his only other child, is reported by tra- dition to have died young, although it is not improbable that he may have removed to New Jersey or elsewhere, and become the ancestor of another branch of the family. The brother who remained here married a Miss Potter, whose father afterwards owned Shippan Point at Stamford ; and through her he afterward received a considerable amount of property. John — and many of his thousand and one de- scendants take greatly after him — was a queer fellow, though honest and charitable. The following anecdote, which has been preserved by tradition, shows his character. One day when he had ])ecome quite an old man, as he was going for his grist on horseback to the mill at Dumpling pond, before he reached the Myanos, he overtook an old Quaker jogging slowly along, loaded with a heavy budget. In a real spirit of kindness, he offered to take the Quaker^s load upon his horse and thus give him a lift on his journey. " No," replied the Quaker, " thee don't get my bundle, for I can read men's thoughts. Thee wants to get my HISTORY OF GKEENWICH. 63 bundle, and then thee'll run off. Thee don't get my bundle." " Very well," was the sim- ple reply, and so they went slowly on together. At last they came to the brink of the Myanos. Here Mr. Quaker was really in trouble. How to cross a river, two or three feet deep, dry shod was quite a puzzle. But he gladly ac- cepted a second offer of assistance from the horseman. The bundle was mounted in front, John in the middle and the Quaker behind. Arrived at the centre of the stream, in pre- tending to adjust his stirrup, John Mead caught the Quaker by the heel and gave him a gratuitous bath. Such treatment was too much for even Quaker forbearance, and the victim wdth his hands full of pebbles would have taken summary vengeance, had not the other party threatened to put the bundle under a similar course of treatment. This threat and the lecture following it gradually cooled off the fellow's anger. Mead informed him that all had been done for his good, to learn him a lesson. And the lecturer said he hoped the stranger would never again profess to read men's thoughts. " For," said he, " I asked you to ride, kindly, in the first place, when you refused ; but at the second time of asking, I p4 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. really intended to do as I have just done." So saying, and tossing hack the bundle, he rode on, leaving his companion to apply the moral as he thought proper. As early as this date (1660), the settlers felt the want of a minister ; and, although not numbering perhaps more than twenty adult male settlers, annually subscribed, or rather taxed themselves, for preaching during a por- tion of the year ; as did also Kye, which was at this time included in Connecticut. But no church was formed or pastor ordained. Dr. Trumbull says, " Greenwich and E,ye were but just come under the jurisdiction of Connecti- cut, and not in circumstances for the support of ministers ; they had only occasional preach- ing for a considerable time." Several settlers, though livirig here about this time made large purchases in the town- ships of Rye, Northcastle, Harrison, Bedford, and even as far oif as Westchester. Hence we often see the names of John Coe, Thomas Studwell, Peter Disbrow, Thomas Lyon, and a number of others, figuring extensively upon the records of those towns. HISTORY OF GKKENWICH. 65 ITEMS FROM 1665 TO 1690. A few years must now be passed over with but slight notice ; as the town records of that period, from which we gain the most of our information, are remarkably barren. Never- theless the little settlement increased greatly, both in wealth and population. As has been said, meetings were held regularly on the Sab- bath, though but a part of the time attended by preaching. In 1666 a school-house was established. Mention of the school-house is made, but we have no means of learning its situation, or the name of the teacher. He, no doubt, was revered more than most modern pedagogues, since there was no minister, and the largest landholder (John Mead) wrote his name with a " his mark." At any rate the school, thus early established, shows that Greenwich, then as well as now, properly valued the advantag^es of education. In the year 1669, Daniel Patrick, the only son of the original settler by that name, came hither from Flushing, L. I., and opposed the doctrine of " squatter sovereignty^'' by asserting his claim to all the land which his father had owned here, but which was now passed into dif- 66 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. ferent hands. But as young Patrick, like liis father, was of a roving disposition, a compro- mise was easily effected, and " all his right, title, and interest in any land or estate in the settlement," were bought with a horse, saddle and bridle, and fifty pounds ; with all which he left for parts unknown. The actual settlement, as we have said, was made east of the Myanos river ; but about the year 1672, a number of persons, mostly living in town, though some, as Rev. Jeremiah Peck, were even from other colonies than Connecti- cut, purchased Miosehasseky from the few In- dians yet living about the western part of the town. These purchasers were twenty-seven in number, and styled the "27 Proprietors of 1672." Their names are, we believe, nearly all preserved in the town, and we give them as we accidentally found them on a stray leaf of the well-worn records : — 27 Proprietors of 1672. Ephraim Palmer, Samuel Peek, Jonathan Reynolds, or Joseph Seres, Renolds, Angell lleusted, John Hubbe (Hobby), William Hubbard, Stephen Sherwood, Samuel Ginkius (Jenkins), Joseph Mead, "William Ratere, HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 67 John Bowers, John Marshall, Joseph Finch, Jonathan Lockwood, "William Rundle, John Renalds, John Mead, Gershoin Lockwood, John Asten, James Seres, Jeremiah Peck, Thomas Close, John Palmer, Thomas Close, Jun,, Walter Butler, Daniel Smith. Tliese kept separate records of tlieir own, and West Greenwich (by tliem called Horse- neck), was entirely under tlieir control. In 1676, the people began, more tban pre- viously, it is said, to feel tlie need of having the Gospel preached more regularly upon the Sabbath. Accordingly, at a full meeting of the voters of the town, it was resolved to in- vite some " suitable minister" to come and live among them. Inquiries were immediately made for some proper man, and upon the recommendation of a certain Mr. Bishop, an invitation was extended to the Rev. Mr. Wiz- wale. For some reason, this call was never ac- cepted ; and the town was two years longer without a pastor. But, in 1678, an in\dtation was given to the Rev. Jeremiah Peck, of Eliza- bethtown, N. J. He was one of the proprie- tors of the larofe tract of land on which Eliza- bethtown is built ; and it was no small recom- 68 HISTORY OF GREF.NWICH. mendatlon of the man that he was one of the "2*7 Proprietors of 16 72" at Horseneck. This invitation was almost immediately accepted ; and in the fall of the same year Mr. Peck settled in Greenwich, and became the pro- genitor of the numerous Pecks still to be found in Greenwich. The first salary paid to Mr. Peck wns>jifty lyounds with fireioood^ or sixty without. He chose the latter. In 1679, Thomas Close sold his land, lying on both sides of the Myanos, which was a veiy large tract, and purchased other land in the southeastern part of the town. The house or a portion of the house in which he lived a hun- dred and sixty years ago, is claimed to be still standing, half a mile southeast of the present borough of Greenwich. In 1681, took place the earliest marriage that is recorded, although others must have preceded it, by the Rev. Jeremiah Peck, — John Mead, jun., to Miss Ruth Hardey. About the same time, John Banks and Thomas Lyon received a large grant of land. The whole tract consisted of four hundred acres, and was situated in the angle made by the Armonck or Byram river and the West- chester path. 1684. Mr. Peck still continues to preach, HISTORY OF GKEKNWICn. 09 and for the same salary. In February of this year they granted liiui a riglit to build him a house anywhere north of the Westchester path, and west of the Myanos river. The meeting-house, however, was not far from the head of the cove ; and why he wanted a house so far from his church we are at a loss to con- jecture. Still, as he obtained the grant, we trust he made good use of it. Up to 1685, Lieut. Lockwood had been the leading and influential man in the town. This year he died, and the people met in town's meeting and passed resolutions deploring the loss of so valuable a citizen. A saw and grist mill was put up at Dumpling Pond. An old mill building still marks the site, and doubt- less contains some of the same timber. In 1686 the town voted that all the land lying in commons and belonging to the town should be divided, and whoever should take his share of the same should pay thei'efor six- pence per acre. It was also voted that a line of fence should be built on the front of this land, along the Westchester path from the Myanos to the Byram river. Each owner was to put up that part of the fence before his own land, and have it completed by the 1st of April thereafter ; and for every rod un- 70 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. finished by that time was to pay a fine of six- pence. During the year another grant was made to Rev. Mr. Peck, of the use of certain land as parsonage land for three years ; being the first record of any grant of the kind in the town. 1687. During this year, permission was given to the citizens of the town to build fish- pounds on the sea-shore " anywhere outside ye feelds." John Mead, jun. was elected constable, then the most remunerative as well as im- portant ofiice in the gift of the town. Gershom and his brother William Lockwood, during this year, agreed to build a bridge across the Myanos at Dumpling Pond, and receive in payment " ^ohatever the town should see Jit to give after the ivorh ivas doneT A good way to insure good workmanship, and at the present day most builders would shrink from such a test. The building used for church and town- meetings was repaired, but to what extent does not appear. The number of legal voters in town now amounted to about fifty, and the number of inhabitants probably exceeded three hundred. We find the following list of legal voters re- corded in 1688, which may not now prove uninteresting to readers : — HISTORY OF GKEENWICH. 71 Jonatlian Lockwood, Angell Husted, Joseph Mead, John Mead, Joseph Ferris, John Ren aids, John Hnbbe, Meriam Hubert, Jeames Ferris, Jonathan Eenalds, John Bowers, Joseph Finch, Meriam Hubert, Jun. Thomas Ljon, John Banks, '-^ Thomas Close, Frances Thorne, Nathaniel Howe, Joseph Palmer, William Rnndle, Gershom Lockwood, John Marshall, Daniel Smith, Jonathan Huested, Ebenezer Mead, John Ephriam Palmer, Jeames Palmer, Walter Butler, Samuel Peck, Rev. Jeremiah Peck, John Mead, Jun., Hen ere Rich, Jonathan Mead, Joshua Knapp, George Hubbert, Joseph Huested, Angell Husted, Jun., , John Renalds, Jun., Peter Ferris, Thomas Hubbe, John Hubbe, Jun., Job Ferris, Jonathan Lockwood, Rol)ert Lockwood, Caleb Peck, Joseph Mead, John Mead's Son, Joseph Mead, Joseph Mead's Son. Joseph Knapp, Jun. Tash. It will be noticed that the names tlien written Heusted, are now written Husted • Hubbe, Hobby ; Renalds, Reynolds ; Hub- 12 HISTORY OF OREKNWIOH. bert, Hubbart, &c. The name of Tasb is, I believe, tlie only one now unrepresented in town. He was a sbeplierd, employed by tbe "Twenty-seven Proj)rietors " to watch their herds on their commons. This fact proves that Greenwich is indeed a portion of the land of steady habits, and that her sons are great lovers of home. A little previous to this time, about 1686, the Indians sold their almost last acre of ground in the town. These lands were at the mouth of the Myanos, on its western bank, and are now in the possession of Capt. Noah Mead, who still possesses the veritable deed. A controversy arose in 1688 upon the sub- ject of infant baptism. Mr. Peck refused to baptize the children of non-professors, and for the time was supported by a majority of the members of the church. He claimed to be unable to find any command enjoining such a practice, and said we were constantly breaking too many direct commands, whilst rigorously obeying supposed but doubtful ones. The question coming before the town meeting, resulted as follows : — At a towne meeting, may 21st, ye major part of ye towne did pr vote Desire mr. Jeremiali Peck's HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 73 continuance, & going on in ye work of ye ministrye — amoungst us. Protest. We John Mead, Sen., & Jun., Thomas Close, John Hubbe, Sen., Jonathan Huested, do enter our protest against ye above sd Rendering this our rea- son, yt as is fulloweth, that this caule is not accord- ing to 3^e rules of ye gospel Mr. Jeremiah Peck refusing to baptise our children. ye above sd John Mead Sen reasons are because sd Jeremiah Peck hath Given him John Mead offence. It is to be feared that few of even church members are as honest as said John Mead, sen., in giving their reasons for opposing their ministers. In accordance with " this caule," Mr. Peck continued to preach during the year. But when that time had rolled around, there were so many to whom he had "given offence," that he was not again asked to continue, and was dismissed in 1G89, after having preached here eleven years. Afterwards, he removed to Waterbury in this State, with all his family excepting Samuel and Caleb. Furthermore it is recorded that "yar^^aZZy a subject that ought in Justice and Equity to be taken upon a larger scale. Thirdly^ That the burden of a war carried on for the General defence of a State whether occasioned by friends or foes ought to be borne as equal as HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 145 possible by the citizens at large and that unless the principle is adopted and applied to the suiferings of the inhabitants of the town they are so far from be- ing on equal footing with the greater part of their fellow citizens in the State that the contrary must doom them to a species of oppression incompatible with the equitable maxims of legislation. Fourthly^ That the inhabitants of this town do not entertain the most distant thought of an ex- emption from such part of the public burden as they are able to bear but when they view the pres- ent alarming situation of the town for want of re- sources occasioned by the check put upon their industry for years past and the powers of Provi- dence on their labor in permitting their crops of wheat on which they chiefly depended to be cut off this season should they under these circumstances be called upon for a collection of their full proportion of the state taxes they will be reduced to such hard- ships as must terminate in uncomfortable ruin to themselves and families ; Whereupon it is agreed and voted by the said inhabitants that Brigadier General Mead the town agent do pursue such means^ by memorials to the General Assembly at the ensuing October ses- sion predicted on the foregoing sentiments or other- wise as he may judge most eligible for the purpose of obtaining redress of the grievances aforesaid by the appointment of a judicious committee invested with such power as the complicated distresses of this town evidently require or in such other way as 146 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. the Honorable Legislature may in their wisdom direct. It was also " Kesolved by this meeting that it is their opinion that the selectmen do not take bonds of any person or persons that have gone over to the enemy for the purpose of making said person or persons inhabitants of this tow^n, or giving him or them a residence therein." On the 12th day of July, 1784, the people having passed through the troubles of the war, and now having some opportunity to turn their attention to other topics, met and pre- ferred the following solemn charges against their minister the Rev. Jonatlian Murdoch. The original copy of these charges is in the possession of Col. Thomas A. Mead. Whereas, at a meeting of the Church of Christ, in the "West Society, holden at the House of Mr. Ben- jamin Peck, in said Society, on the 12tb day of July, 1784. The said church Voted that the Asso- ciation of the Western District, in Fairfield County, be called to meet on the 2ond Teusday of August next, at the house of Capt. John Hobby, in said Society, at 12 o'clock, at noon, then and there to Enquire into all matter of Difference and Grievance Subsisting between Mr. Jonathan Murdock, the HISTORY OB' GREENWICH. 147 Pastor, and the Church of Christ in this place, and to give their pastoral advice thereon ; and that it was also Voted that Amos Mead and Benjamin Mead, Esqrs., be a Committee to call the said Asso- ciation and to lay all matters of Dirlereuce and Grievance before them. Pursuant to the above said appointment take leave to offer the following matters of fact as the cause of the Difference and Grievances subsisting between the said Church and the said Pastor, viz. : 1st, with Kespect to his the said Pastor's public performances as a Minister of the Gospel in this place. 2d, with Respect to his conduct since he was settled in the Worke of the ministry in this place. 1st, as to the first, it is the opinion of this church that the said Pastor hath not followed the apostolick advice of Studying to make himself approved, Eightly dividing the word of truth, t%c., — for in- stance, in a discourse from the 13th chapter of Luke & the 24th verse, " Strive to eiiter in at the straight gate^ for I say unto you that many xoill seek to enter in and shall not l)e aljleP In which discourse he said that striving and seeking meant the same thing, and attempted to prove it. In another sermon against oppression and high prices, he observed that it was the crying sin of the land, for which the judg- ments of God were on the land ; and in the close observed that everybody had gone into it, so that some must practice it, and could not live without it. 148 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. He has lately in two sermons attempted to describe Evangelical Repentance, and did it in these words, viz., that it consisted in an unfeigned sorrow for sin Sir, sincere intention to forsake it. There are many others that might be mentioned. 2ond. His general mode of proof has not been taken from the Scripture or Reason of things, But that he has heard so, that he believes it, and that he verily believes it, 3d. That he dwells on general heads and does not descend into particulars, or adapt them to the Con- sciences of the hearers ; but so delivers himself that it hath been frequently observed by his hearers that a person might be a Deist, & not be offended, but join with him. Secondly, with Respect to his conduct since he was settled in the work of the ministry in this place. 1st. That soon after he was Installed in this place he began to enter into a multiplicity of Business, & wickedly neglected his study, and has continued so to do to this time. 2ond. That although he early took the Oath of Fidelity to this State, and in the beginning of the late War showed much zeal in the American Cause in the pulpit as well as elsewhere, yet con- trary to his said oath of Fidelity, in 1779, on or about the 10th day of July, he voluntarily went to a Brittisli officer with a flagg then at the house late Seth Mead's, in this place, and there acknowledged his Political Friendship to the British, and that soon HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 149 after he began to justify trade with the then enemies of this State, among the people in this place, and In- com-aged it by his own example. 3d. In May, 1780, he was (with his own consent) taken by Delancy's Core and Paroled, only to come to their lines a prisoner when called for, but under no restraint by his parole as to his preaching or prayer. Yet after that he totally neglected in public to pray for protection to us. Discretion to our Councils, or Success to our arms, to the great Grievance of the people here. 4th. That he was offered an exchange, but his friendship to the British interest prevailed over his oath of Fidelity & duty to his country as well as people, and he refused the exchange. 5th. That on or about the 10th of October, 1779, his cows were (as he said) taken from him on a Friday night, and on the next Sabbath he went after them down among the Enemy, he obtained a permit to take them, he found them and sold them and bo't British ^oods with the money & brought the Goods into this State, contrary to law, and in thus doing he broke the Sabbath, set an ill example, and broke covenant with the church in neglecting his duty on the Lord's day. 6th. In 1780, in the summer season, he frequently left the House of God in this place vacant in the afternoon of the Lord's day, & without the consent of the Church, in neglect of his duty here, went and preached to the separate Baptists at their place of 160 HISTOBT OF GREENWICH. worship, thereby countenancing that separation, to the great Greife of this Church and all the good people here. 7th. In 1780, between fore and afternoon worship on the Lord's day, he sent Mr. Samuel Peck, jun. and called Mr. Silas Mead to his house, Mr. Benja- min Peck being present ; he dunned him for what they owed him, and desired them to do the same to their neighbors. Yet not far from that time he reproved Mr. Theophilus Peck for breaking the Sabbath only for bringing back a sermon book in his pocket on the Lord's day. In other instances he admonished Mr. Philips, the Baptist minister, against marrying upon the Sabbath as a great Immorality, since which he has frequently practised it himself. 8th. He has frequently and abroad knowingly misrepresented and traduced this Church & society, in perticular Capt. Marsh, before the ordaining Committee at JSTorth Stamford, in declaring that this Society had never paid him in any thing but Continental money, which words so spoken, he Mr. Jonathan Murdock then knew were false, he himself being possessed of the means of knowledge -that*. they were so. . ... 9th. He has frequently, as this Church takes it, . been guilty of the breach of the 9th command in denying facts and appealing in an unchristianlike manner to the father of lights for confirmation of what he said. Viz. : — On or about the 30th ot HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 151 April last, before the Society's meeting in this place, he publicly declared that the report that he had refused to settle accounts with the people of this society was without foundation, groundless and false ; which declaration he, the said Mr. Jonathan Murdock, at the House of Mr. Henry Mead did in a publick manner make a few days before. 10th. That the foregoing matters of Greivance and many more whicK might be mentioned have so disaffected the people in this place that there are many who have left the Society and gone over to and joined other denominations, and but few who attend Mr. Jonathan Murdock's ministry in this place. 11th. That in the opinion of this church the breach is become so great between the said Mr. Jonathan Murdock & this Church & great part of the said Society that it can not be healed, but that his usefulness is at an end in this place. Upon these charges Mr. Murdock was heard, and he was dismissed, being found guilty. He appears to have been a man of but little mind and energy, and at the time when dismissed had no friends in the church whatever. He graduated at New Haven in the class of seven- teen hundred and sixty-six, with Dr. Timothy Dwight, Dr. Backus, David Ely, Dr. David Macclure and Dr. Nathan Strong. Soon after 152 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. his settlement at Greenwich, he fell in love with Miss Ann Grigg, a bouncing girl of six- teen or seventeen, who was a much greater lover of fun than of Mr. Murdock. He per- secuted her with epistles of love, by bribing the blacks to bear his messages to her, or when that was impossible, by thrusting them under her room door. The blacks gladly car- ried his notes, and greatly enjoyed the reading of them with Miss Grigg herself. Once, on seeing him coming in at the door, she hid away in the garret, while a favorite negro woman politely informed Mr, Murdock that she, in a spirit of fun, had climbed up the chimney to hide from him. He, innocent of any thought of a joke, really believed the story, and put his head up the large winding chimney to find her. Finally raising himself high enough in the chimney with the greatest difficulty, not only found her not there, but also found his clothes covered with soot and his throat exceedingly well choked with hot smoke. He visited considerably in his parish ; and on a certain visit at Mr. Theophilus Peck's, where he was obliged on account of the dis- tance, to take dinner, he was much surprised mSTORY OF GEEENWICH. 153 when being seated at the table, that Mr. Peck did not ask Ms pastor to implore the divine blessing, but that Mr. Peck performed the duty himself, using the following words : " Oh Lord I we have a wolf in sheep's clothing amongst us. Put a hridle in his month and a hooh in his nose^ and lead hi^n hack to the place whence he earned INCIDENTS OF THE EEVOLUTION. Thus far we have given to our readers the simple records of the town-meetings held dur- ing these times so trying to true patriotism. At the outbreak of the war, some, from their loyal and religious zeal immediately sided with the enemy. However, they did not at that time openly avow their design. So little spirit was shown on the part of the Tories ivithln the Ihnits of the toton up to 1777, that a vote sustaining the Declaration of Independence, and the Continental Congress was passed in town-meeting without a dissenting voice. Yet there were disaffected ones, as the event proved ; and before the war was finished, ninety- ttuo men had gone over to and openly joined the ranks of the enemy from the second society 154 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. alone. A complete list of the names of these is in the hands of the author, having been made years ago by one of the Committee of Safety. The number of family names in the list is tldrty-four. And twelve of these names are not now to be found in the town. The immediate descendants of the others are but few, and in many instances the race is quite extinct. There seems to have been a doom upon them and their descendants. After the British had occupied New York, there arose another class of men, much worse than the first. This body was composed of certain lawless characters, who seized upon every opportunity for plunder with avidity. They committed their depredations both upon the Americans and their enemies. Old grudges contracted before the war, were now satisfied with relentless vigor. Hence, the Americans suffered most from these wretches. And inas- much as they did by far the greater injury to the Americans, they were often assisted by British troops to carry out their foul cruelties and barbarites, and were always sheltered by the enemy when hotly pressed by the citizens. They banded together to carry out their ne- farious designs. Skulking about at night in mSTOKT OF GREENWICH. 155 tlie woods and by-places, tliey would shoot down the inhabitants when they least supposed an enemy near. Their mode of warfare can only be compared with that of the Indians in the early history of the country. A few in- stances will show the refinement of blood thirstiness which they had attained at about the close of the war. Shubal Merritt, whose family is now extinct, was one of these. With one of his boon com- panions, he was once lurking about the village of Rye for the accomplishment of some hidden purpose. An aged man was plowing a field hard by their hiding place, and as he diligently pursued his labors backward and forward across the lot, they were whiling away the time by playing cards. Finally, Shubal pro- posed a game to decide which should shoot the victim. The result was against Shubal, who, as the old man approached them slowly with his team, deliberately raised his musket, and shot him through the heart. After the war was over, the murderer suffered his just deserts. A son of his victim met him at White Plains, face to face, and shot him dead upon the spot. And so great was the feeling of hatred to him on the part of the citizens, that no notice was taken of the act. 156 HISTOEY OF f&REENWICH. Dr. Amos Mead, one of the Committee of Safety, was so chased and hunted by these men as to be obliged, with dog, horse, gun, and blankets, to travel about back in the country for a whole winter. He retraced by night the tracks he had made by day, and then moving off a short distance in another direction, to spend the night in the first shel- tered place that could be found. At the close of winter, he came down to look at a field of wheat, but when arriving at a certain point he turned back, deeming it unsafe to proceed farther. Soon after, one William Sackett, a refugee, met him, and told him that five men bent on his life, had been hidden in that field of wheat, with their muskets all aimed at a certain point in the road where he must have passed had he proceeded onward. Sackett had not become so hardened but that he gave this timely warning, and Dr. Mead wisely retired again into the country. Among the most inveterate Tories were a family of the name of Knapp, living on what is now known as the Tracy place. One of them, Timothy Knapp, had been paying his attentions with a view to marriage, to a daughter of Titus Mead, then living in the old house, at present Mr. Solomon Mead's, a HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 157 little northeast of the village. And on her refusing his hand, he proudly told her, that she dioiddyet speaJc to Idin^ and lie woiddin liis turn take no notice of her. This threat was verified in a more terrible way than he inten- ded. Horses were the most valu^ible booty that the refugees could lay their hands upon and knowing that Mr. Mead possessed a fine animal, which he every night led up the oaken stairs to his garret, Knapp with two of his brothers went to the house to take it. Mr. Mead had knowledge of their approach, and stationed a man who was with him at a back window up stairs. It was at dusk, and when the three men had come to the door-step, after some words, Mr. Mead fired, the ball j)assing throuorh the door and enterino; the heart of Timothy Knapp. Without waiting to see the result of the shot, his brothers ran off in an easterly direction ; and at the same time the man stationed by the back window sprang out and ran Avith all his might. The remaining refugees, seeing him, and supposing it to be their brother, called out, "J??r?i, Tim^ run^'> which made him run the faster. At last, the daughter, opening the door and seeing Timo- thy lying there, asked him if he were badly 8 158 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. hurt. And lie making no answer, was found dead. She had spoken to him^ and he had taken no notice of her. On finding liim dead, word was sent to the family that his body was lying as it fell on the door-step. They paid no at- tention to the messenger ; and after the body had lain there for a considerable length of time, Mr. Mead buried it in a lot belonging to the Knapps in a pair of bars, where they must have driven over it in going out and in. Afterwards, the family took up the body and buried it close by the house where he was shot ; and his bones still rest there. A line of willow-trees now marks the spot, a little way south of the house. Many such incidents might be related, show- ing the disposition of this class of our enemies ; but a perusal of some of the incidents upon the succeeding pages will more fully convey a correct idea respecting them. Another class not so violent in their indi- vidual conduct, but equally inimical in other respects, were those who under guise of per- mits from the English, resided here without molestation from the enemy, and in return for this privilege, gave them sufficient and well- timed information of the doings of Americans HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 159 in this quarter. There were quite a large number of this class among us ; and we cannot but deplore the situation of our forefathers, thus situated with spies and villainous Tories in their midst, and ready enemies close at hand. teton's expedition. The attack made upon Greenwich by Gov. Tryon, and the escape of Gen. Putnam down the precipice, are the most prominent incidents in the history of the town. And it is an ex- ceedingly difficult task for a historian, collect- ing facts merely from tradition, with the as- sistance of no other record than the official report of the commanding officer, and short letters written from a distant part of the county. An officer, when forced to retreat after being almost, or perhaps quite, surprised at an outpost, feels in duty bound to represent the facts in as favorable light as possible, to avoid discouraging the patriots fighting for their country. Putnam, according to his own account, spent but little time in the village while the enemy were here. And the letters are obviously incorrect in many prominent points. Here is Putnam's account : — 160 HISTORY OF GKEENWICH. Camp at Heading March 'Ind, 1779. A detachment froin the enemy at King's bridge, consisting of the 14th, 44:th and 57th British regi- ments, one of the Hessians and two of the new levies, marched from their lines for Horseneck on the evening of the 25th, ult. with the intention of snrprising the troojDS at that place, and destroying the salt works. A captain and thirty men were sent from our advance lines from Horseneck, who discovered the enemy at New-Rochelle in advance. They retired before them undiscovered as far as Kyeneck where it growing light, the enemy observed and attacked them. They defended themselves as well as posi- ble and made their way good to Sawpitts where they took advantage of a commanding piece of ground and made some little stand, but the superior force of the enemy obliged them to retire over By- ram bridge, which they took up and by tliat means had an opportunity of reaching Horseneck in safety. As I was there myself to see the situation of the guards, I had the troops formed on a hill by the meeting house, ready to receive the enemy as they advanced. They came on briskly and I soon dig- covered that their design was to turn our flanks and possess themselves of a defile in our rear, which would effectually prevent our retreat. I therefore ordered parties out on both flanks with directions to give mo information of their approach, that we HISTORY OF GKEENWICH. 161 mio;ht retire in season. In the meantime a colmnn advanced up the main road, where the remainder of the troops (amounting to only about sixty), were posted. We discharged some old field pieces which were there, a few times, and gave them a small fire of musketry, but without any considerable effect ; the superior force of the enemy soon obliged our small detachment to abandon the place. I therefore directed the troops to retire and form on a hill a little distance from Horseneck, while I proceeded to Stamford and collected a body of militia, and a few continental troops which were there, with which I returned immediately, and found that the enemy, (after plundering the inhabi- tants of the principal part of their effects, and destroy- ing a few salt works, a small sloop and a store,) were on their return. The officer commanding the continental troops stationed at Horseneck, mistook my orders and went much farther than I intended, so that he could not come up with them to any ad- vantage. I, however, ordered the few troops that came from Stamford to pursue them thinking they might have an opportunity to pick up some strag- glers. In this I was not mistaken, as your Excel- lency will see by the enclosed list of prisoners. Besides these eight or nine more were taken and sent ofl", so that I cannot tell to which particular regiments they belonged, one ammunition and one baggage wagon were taken. In the former there were about two hundred rounds of canister, grape 162 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. and round shot, suited to three pounders, some slow matches, and about two hundred tubes ; the latter was filled with plunder, which I had the satisfaction of restoring to the inhabitants from whom it was taken. As I have not yet got a return, I cannot tell exactly the number we lost, though I don't think more than ten soldiers, and about that number of inhabitants, but a few of which were in arms. List of Prisoners taken at Horseneck on the 26th. ult. 17th Kegiment, 15 privates ; 44:th do. 5 privates, 57th do, 3 privates, Loyal American Regiment 5, Emmerick Corps 8. First battallion of Artillery 1, Pioneers 1.— Total 38. N'. B. Seven deserters from Emmerich'' s corps. The following is from Barber's Historical Collections of Connecticut, being extracts from two letters from Fairfield county, dated March 1st, 1779, four days after the occurrence : — The enemy have made an excursion within four miles of Stamford, by the best accounts of about 1400 or 1500, under the command of Gov. Tryon ; they reached Horseneck on Friday morning about 9 o'clock ; at Stamford they were not alarmed till ten o'clock, notwithstanding the enemy was discov- ered at 9 o'clock the preceding evening by a small guard of continental troo])s at East Chester, under the command of Capt. Titus Watson, who were obliged to give way though they fought on their HISTORY OF GKEENWIOH. 163 retreat, and some of them were wounded and taken prisoners. Capt. Watson was closely pursued bj a light horseman whom he had the good fortune to kill, and by the * * * * * made his escape. Gen. Putnam was accidentally at Stamford, but the continental troops were too much scattered to be collected in season to oppose the ene- my. About 200 militia, and a few continental troops, fell in with the enemy's rear, just as they were leaving Horseneck about the middle of the afternoon, who killed eight or ten of them, and took about fifty prisoners, who had made too free with the liquor they had plundered. They destroyed a small salt work, and burnt a schooner which lay at Mianos creek. They plundered the inhabitants of every thing they could lay their hands on, broke windows, &c. and many families are stript of every thing but the clothes they had on ; even the house where Gov. Tryon had his head quarters was not spared. They retreated to Eye on Friday even- ing, and next day to Kings bridge. Their retrea^ was so precipitate, that they left behind two wagons loaded with plunder. From the above reports, and from twenty or more different accounts, some of w^hich have been handed down by the hottest of the Tories, and some by over-zealous Americans, we have arranged the following account of the expedition, as being the most consistent 164 HISTOKY OF GKEENWICII. and reliable. It is necessary that we should contradict some accounts, and even dispute some of the facts stated by Gen. Putnam him- self. We ask all, therefore, who would relate the matter in a different manner, to look upon our account in a spirit of leniency, remember- ins: that where there is so much disasrreement all cannot be right. The headquarters at this time were at the house of Captain John Hobby. Col. Hol- dridge, of the vicinity of Hartford, an officer much disliked by the Americans, was in com- mand of the outpost. The house was situated a few feet south of the one now occupied by Henry M. Benedict, Esq. And a small guard- house was erected in the corner of the yard, but a few feet south of Mr. Benedict's western entrance, close by the side of the street, of which the carriage path ran more than its width farther south than it now does. Some say that this out-post was at the house of the late John J. Tracy ; but this was a hot- bed of Toryism. And further, those giving this account say that Putnam arose from the breakfast table, sprang upon his horse and rode for Stamford ; in which case he could have given no orders to the men who were HISTORY OF GKEENWICH. 165 drawn up by the meeting-house ; which he in fact did. We therefore take this account to be a mistake. On the evening of the 25th of February, ITYO, Gen. Putnam was at Horseneck, quar- tered with the picket guard, where it was his custom to come almost every day to gain in- formation of the doings of the enemy below. That evening a ball was held at the house of Moses Husted, Pecksland, on the same site where is now the residence of William A. Husted, Esq. Putnam attenderl, taking a lady on his horse behind him, according to the custom of those days. This lady, after- wards Mrs. Rogers, was a daughter of David Bush, of Coscob, living in the same house now occuj^ied by George J. Smith, Esq. It was late when he accompanied her home, so that he did not leave her father's residence for Horseneck until nearly daylight on the morn- ing of the 26th. This fact has led many to suppose that his headquarters were at Coscob, which is evidently a mistake. The day before (the 25th), a small company of the Continental light horsemen, under Capt. Titus Watson, consisting of about thirty men, bad been ordered forward by Putnam to a* 166 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. observe the doings of the enemy. They went doAYE nearly as far as New Kochelle, where between eight and nine o'clock in the evening they found the enemy approaching with De- lancy's body of Tories in the van. The Conti- nentals retired before them, but were discov- ered and come up with. By reason of superior numbers they were defeated, and many of them were killed. The enemy drove them from the stao^e road down into Milton, where they managed to keep away from their pursu- ers, crossing the heads of the creeks, many of them hiding in the swamps. A few of them, with Capt. Watson, succeeded in reaching Byram bridge, which they had time to take up when their pursuers were just in sight. Watson with one or two others then rode directly to Horseneck, with the company of Tories in full pursuit. Five of them turned southward and were pursued by a body of the enemy, who came up with one of the fugitives in the lot recently excavated by the New York and New Haven Railroad Company, now owned by Capt. Caleb W. Merritt. The soldier was there shot down and the horse in- humanly butchered, from which the inclosure has since been known as the " horse lot^ The HISTORY OF GKEENWICH. 16T other four succeeded in reacliing the Myanos in safety, where they were set across by Daniel Banks. The alarm was given to the picket guard by Capt. Watson, but there was little or no time to prepare for defense. The enemy had been informed of the weakness of the outpost and advanced steadily for it. Mr. Matthew Mead, then a boy of twelve, was back of his father's house, where Mr. Bush Mead now lives, when he saw them at the top of the hill by Horse- neck brook. His father sent him off with the other children and the cattle, back in the lots, where he reached a place of safety. The Americans, warned by Capt. Watson, number- ing, according to the various accounts, from one to two hundred, having no cavahy , formed in front of the meeting-house and fired a six- pounder three times, which was a signal of alarm, just as the Tories passed the house of Mr. Matthew Mead. They then were walking their horses, but when they came in sight of Capt. John Hobby's they saw Putnam spring on his horse at the barn with his coat on his arm and ride with full speed to the meeting- house, where the Americans were drawn up. They now gave him full chase. He stopped a 168 UISTOKY OF GREENWICH. moment to order liis men to retreat to a con- venient distance, while lie should ride on to Stamford for reinforcements. Being nearly come up with, he dashed on ; and by the time he reached the precipice now known as Putnam's hill, the commander of the Tories, Thomas Merritt, of Westchester county, was within two lengths of him. The road, before reaching the brink of the precipice, then ran nearly east and west, then turning a short right angle ran noi'th about thirty rods, when it turned directly about and ran south along under the precipice to about five rods below the causeway forming the present road, where it again turned eastward. Putnam plunged his horse down this steep, which being overgrown with stinted bushes presented a wild appearance, at a headlong pace across the road at the foot of the hill into the thicket which then lay between the post road and the swamp now known as the " Ten Acres," and pursuing a sort of drift-path through the thicket till he was beyond the present residence of Theodore H. Mead, Esq., where he again took to the road. The hill now presents a totally different aspect from what it formerly did. And the hardest part HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 169 of Putnam's descent was after lie crossed the road running along the side of the hill. Some will have it, that he started down the hill from the same point but took a south- eastern course, reaching the road at the foot of the stone steps, where the enemy had full aim at him all the while. Others, that he rushed headlong down the seventy-four stone steps, placed roughly one above another for the convenience of foot passengers, his weight being two hundred and forty pounds. Others, again, claim that he followed the road as long as it ran on the top of the hill, and then set off in a northeastern direction above the Ten Acres. While the author has been coolly told that he was in no danger of being taken at all, and rode slowly around the hill as other people did. We have carefully traced and examined these different accounts, and have the fullest evidence that the account first given is correct, by the testimony of eye witnesses. One of the many balls fired at him by the Tories from the brink of the hill as he passed through the bushes, passed through his hat. Old Put on this occasion could not refrain from his customary exclamation when in trouble from the Tories, which he shouted as 170 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. the balls whistled thickly past him, " God cuss ye; when I catch ye Til hang ye to the next treeP Col. Holdridge, who was in command of the continental soldiers, retreated in an unsoldier- like manner to Stanwich, while Putnam only intended that he should retire a short distance. From the account given of this officer, who was a Hartford man, by the Americans, he was totally unfit to be a soldier at all, and much less an officer. The citizens hung about the village as near as they dared, hiding in the swamps and by- places during the whole day, taking advantage of every opportunity, by some daring feat, to secure prisoners, and even fire upon the enemy. x\bout an hour after the arrival of the body of Tories, Gov. Tryon with his full force of about twelve hundred men, took full posses- sion of the town. He made his quarters at the house of Mr. Henry Mead, who then kept a public house on the present site of the res- idence of Miss Sarah Lewis and Mrs. Mason. The soldiers, meantime, separated themselves into squads, and pillaged every house in the neighborhood ; a large body of them visited Coscob, where they destroyed the salt-works HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 171 which were upon Bush's Point, a small sloop, and a sloop's store-house. A party of them also entered the house of Daniel and Joshua Smith, which was situated a little way south of the present parsonage of the Second Congregational Society. They found this house deserted by all its inhabitants, excepting a deaf old lady, the mother-in-law of Joshua Smith. As they entered they saw her standing at the head of the front stairs. As she could not hear, she disobeyed their orders to come down ; which so enraged the soldiers that one of them sprang up stairs and cut her down with his sword. After this murder, the house was set on fire and burned to the ground. This is said to have been the only house wholly burned by the British. The houses of those who held the enemy's permits were safe from these depredations, but the others were ransacked and plundered of every valuable. The wagons brought to carry back the plunder were filled to their utmost capacity. After that, every thing was destroyed. The farmers made granaries of their garrets ; and the enemy, after cutting holes through the garret and main-floors, shoveled all the grain into the cellars, where 172 HISTOKY OF GKEENWICH, the cider barrels were knocked in, and all mingled in one useless mass. The cider, however, was not all permitted to run upon the ground ; but by the middle of the afternoon, nearly all the privates had be- come so drunken with it, as to be unfit for the least defense. And so little guard was kept by the enemy, that an American crept slyly into the orchard by the Henry Mead house, in the midst of the enemy, and fired a ball through the clapboards, which whistled close by Gov. Tryon's head and struck the mantle-piece, from which it rebounded upon the floor. This startled Tryon so much that he, without wait- ing for his late dinner, gave immediate orders for a retreat. The ofiicers now experienced the greatest difiiculty in forming their men. Many were beastly drunk, and a great number made irregular marches, so that the Greenwich men managed to take several prisoners. Though several shots were fired at the enemy before, their first man was killed in the road opposite the cedar-tree, a little west of the house of William Knapp. Others were wounded, and the enemy was in a full and disorderly retreat. The Americans so hotly pressed upon their rear, that the drivers cut HISTORY OF GKEENWICH. 173 their horses loose from an ammunition and a plunder-wagon, and rode off after their com- panions at full speed. The Americans had just taken possession of them when Gen. Putnam, with between one and two hundred conti- nentals and militia, arrived from Stamford, too late to render any assistance to the inha- bitants. This was an eventful day for Greenwich. Houses though not burned were ruined, and in the midst of winter. All provision had been destroyed by the hostile army. And the Tories, from that time for about a year, had an almost complete mastery of the town. It is absolutely impossible to depict the miseries of the people who, loving the American cause, were obliged to stay here until the next season. It seems that Putnam, as well as the inhab- itants, supposed from the large number of the enemy, they were to proceed farther on, to Stamford and Norwalk. Hence, Col. Mead early dispatched Mr. Titus Mead to New Haven to ask of Gen. Silliman reinforcements. The messenger arrived at New Haven a little before six that evening, and Gen. Silliman im- mediately issued his orders. The following is 174 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. a copy of the one sent to Woodbury, taken from Cothren's History of Woodbury : — New Haven Feby 26th 1779, 6PM Gent, — Mr. Titus Mead, a man to be depended on, is this moment arriv'd express from Col, Mead, with a message by word of mouth only, from Col. Mead, For their circumstances were such that Col. Mead could not write. He says when he left Horse- neck (which was early this morning) a Body of about 600 men and a Body of Horse, had pushed up the road into Horseneck, and were on this side of Knap's tavern ; and it was reported that a Body of two or three thousand more were not far behind. Tou are therefore directed to muster & march your Kegiments, forthwith to ISTorwalk to oppose the enemy, & where you will receive further Orders, loose not a moment neither by Night nor day, G, SELLECK SILLIMAN", Brigr Gent of foot and Col. Ct of Horse. To Col. Mosely & Major Bull, Woodbury. - Of course, the early retreat of the enemy rendered the execution of this command of no avail. The Tories now soon became possessed of the entire town. Their headquarters were a part of the time at the house of Mr. Abraham Mead, where Mr. Oliver Mead now resides. HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 175 This now being the neutral ground, was plun- dered by both friends and foes ; and poor and sickening indeed was the lot of those who were obliged to stay here. kivington's peess. Some time during the war, a paper was published in the city of New York by one E-ivington. This paper was professedly, and to all outward appearance, devoted to the British interests. It was afterwards, how- ever, known to have aided the Americans much, and was under the control of Washing- ton himself. The hostile appearance of the sheet, however, deceived the Americans as well as their enemies. And about a half-dozen Green- wich men resolved that the press should be stopped ; and they stole into the city, destroyed the press, and bagged the type, which they brought off with them, from the very midst of a watchful enemy. Messrs. Andrew and Peter Mead were the principal men of the expedition. It is said that they only of the company were able to carry the bags of type from the printing-office to the street, and throw them across the backs of their horses. After 176 HISTORY OF GKEENWICH. the type was brought to Greenwich it was totally destroyed, except enough to print each of the company's names, which the veterans kept for a long time in memory of their ex- ploit. EXPEDITIONS ON THE SOUND. While the enemy were in New York, their vessels had almost complete command of the waters of the Sound. There were, however, many daring men engaged in a sort of priva- teering against them. Their hazardous ex- ploits have formed the basis of many an exciting tale, written by eminent authors, and read by the American people of the present day with great avidity. For a considerable period during the war. Captain Andrew Mead and Elnathan Close, of Greenwich, with quite a large number of men, were engaged in this business, and with great annoyance to the enemy. They went upon their expeditions provided with large whaleboats, which might easily be hidden in the smaller bays along the coast and glide through shallow waters in escaping or attacking the enemy. In one of their expeditions, they proceeded by night to Ferry Point and seized upon a HISTORY OF GREENTVICIT. 177 small store vessel of the enemy, and brouglit her off with them. She was anchored in a small inlet known as Chimney Corner. The prize was so valuable a one, that the enemy pursued them with one of their war vessels. The enemy anchored off Chimney Corner, at a short distance from the shore. But the peo- ple collected for the defense of the prize, and fired upon them from behind a knoll with a six-pounder, which was the only large gun in the town. Their first shot struck upon the deck of the pursuers, and wounded a dog, as was supposed from his sudden and vehement yelping. Other shots were fired, and replied to by the enemy's guns. But finding it im- possible to retake the vessel or damage the people upon the shore, the British relinquished their efforts and made sail. Mr. Andrew Mead was wounded on this occasion in both arms. As they were boarding the vessel at Ferry Point, he first leaped upon her deck and received two shots, one in either arm, from the two marines on guard, who, so still had been the approach, then perceived the attack for the first time. This had been made, however, by two divisions of the force on the opposite sides of the vessel. Captains Mead 178 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. and Close simultaneously mounted tlie sides of tlie vessel, and while Mead was wounded, Close and his division soon had jiossession of the decks, and the force below quickly sur- rendered with but little resistance. Soon after this, the same body of men, under Elnathan Close, went down into Cow Bay and there seized upon a vessel, and had brought their prize off Hempstead, when the wind died away and the tide drifted her fast toward the Long Island shore, which was in the full possession of the British. Boats were sent from the shore for the rescue. No alternative remained but to relinquish the prize and seek personal safety. This was accomplished by all the Americans except one, Smith Mead, who, either from chance or choice, remained on board and was taken prisoner. Many sup- posed this to have Ijeen willingly done on the part of the prisoner, as he was soon after found fighting upon the other side. He fought on either side, whenever and wherever it appears to have been to his interest to do so. He was one of those who drove off the cattle of Abra- ham Mead from Field Point, and after the war was over had the boldness to solicit the aid of the same family in procuring a pension. Al- HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 179 tlioiigli this was refused, lie did, finally, obtain one througli others. SKIEMISH BEYOND KlXa STKEET. One great disadvantage whicli tlie people were subjected to during the whole war, was the absolute want of bayonets. Few compa- nies could be found wholly armed with these valuable weapons. But Lieut. Mosher was the commander of a small company of men, who were amply provided with them. This company may have been larger, but consisted of but eighteen soldiers at the time here men- tioned. Seven of them were from the farm of Gen. Pierre Van Cortland of Cortlandtown, about half-a-dozen of them from Greenwich, and the remainder from the vicinity of the town of Harrison. On the 4th of December 1781 (Heath's Mem. p. 324), Captain Richard Sackett of the same company was taken pris- oner, having unwisely se^^arated himself from his company. The light horse of the enemy, under Col. Holmes {a Tory) and Capt. Kipp, attacked the company. The latter retreated to the vicinity of a tavern recently kept by William Merritt, in King street, where they 180 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. formed, to witlistand tlie cliarge of the troop of horse. Without shelter of any kind, and upon an open plain, these eighteen men suc- cessfully stood charge after charge from the troop. Lieut. Mosher ordered his men not to fire a shot, but sternly to await the onset. At the first charge. Col. Holmes, finding himself repulsed, ordered Mosher to surrender or he would cut them all to pieces. The only reply vouchsafed by Mosher was, " Cut and he damned j'''' and with silence he withstood the first and second charges. But after the third charge he ordered his men to fire on the retir- ing troops, which they did with terrible execu- tion. One man was killed, and eight dangerous- ly wounded, Capt. Kipj), mortally. The horses of Col. Holmes and Capt. Kipp, were also killed under them. Mosher's men taking advantage of the discomfiture of their assailants escaped to a neighboring piece of woods, not having a man even wounded. It is said to have been the most astonishing feat, on the part of both the ofiicers and men, that was enacted during the whole war. Gen. Washington often spoke of this affair; and it was reported all over Europe, to show the utility of the bayonet, and that a small body of infantry thus armed HISTOKY OF GREENWICH. 181 may successfully resist a strong body of cav- alry. Several of the enemy were severely wounded, before they were fired upon. THE ENE]MTS EXCURSION TO NORTH STAMFORD. At one time during the war, the nearest American outpost to New York in this quar- ter, was at Byram. And the enemy being bent upon a depredatory expedition to North Stamford and Long Ridge, came suddenly in the night and cut every one of the guard to pieces. The next guard in their way was posted at the site of a house now occupied by Mr. Hancock at the right angular turn of the road leading to Pecksland. Here they also cut the guard to pieces, after having surroun- ded the house. This whole expedition seems to have been marked by bloody and horrible deeds ; and it is said that Tarleton himself commanded the force. The whole populace around collected and followed the enemy, to attack and worry them on their retreat. An ambuscade was formed at a defile in Round Hill near the residence of Roswell Mills, Esq., where the road passes through steep rocks overgrown with thick laurel. At other places 9 182 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. on their return tlie Britisli and Tories were sorely pressed, but here a deadly fire poured in upon them killing and wounding great num- bers. On that day in the retreat, one of their regiments lost their standard, to their great mortification and disgrace. ANDEEW MEAD, HUMPHREY DENTON, AND EICHAED MEAD. These men, more, perhaps, than any others, deserve the highest praise for their brave and daring acts. It was not so much their prov- ince to counsel and advise as to act. " Old men for counsel and young men for action^ Such men as Dr. Amos Mead, John Mackay, and Abraham Mead, were of great service to the inhabitants as counselors. They were past the meridian of life. And one of them, Dr. Amos Mead, had gained much experience by active service in the French war. But was any daring deed to be accomplished, where hardy, brave, and relicible men were necessary, the three former were always selected. After all control of the town was lost by the Am- ericans, by the destructive expedition of Gov. Tryon, it w^as not safe for a patriot to remain HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 183 publicly in tlie limits for an liour. Yet tliese three hung about the place, ready to assist the defenseless population against the brutalities of the Tories. Each possessed of his arms, a faithful dog, and a fleet horse, they spent their time about the village, hidden in the by and secret places. The winter of 1780, was one of the severest on record. The Sound was frozen across, and a great amount of snow ac- cumulated. Yet these men scarcely knew a night, during the early part of that winter, in which they did not sleep with their horses and dogs among the snow. During that winter, some dozen or twenty head of cattle, the most of which belonged to Mr. Jerad Mead, were taken off in haste by the Tories, and driven towards New York. After much earnest solicitation on the part of the owner, the trio consented to make the most daring attempt of crossing the enemy's lines to retake them. There had been recently a storm of rain, which had frozen as it fell and rendered the roads ex- tremely slippery, and made a hard sharp crust upon the snow. The pursuers, therefore, went upon the sound with their horses, and kept the ice as far as Mamaroneck, and then taking the road could track the cattle by the blood which 184 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. had trickled from the wounds of the bayonets which had forced them along. At Mount Vernon they retook the cattle, and were re- turning when they found they were pursued by a body of the enemy under a lieutenant. Their horses were tired by their swift ride, and they soon knew that their only safety was in separation ; and in that case even, one must be inevitably taken. Accordingly, they left the cattle and plunged separately in different directions. The enemy selected Richard Mead, pursued and took him prisoner. This was about the middle of January, 1780. He was taken to New York and thrown into the famous Sugar House, where he remained for a period of six weeks until exchanged. These three men were held in high estima- tion by the people. Their known patriotism and courage, which could ever be relied on, caused the other citizens, long after the Revo- lutionary war, to remember their acts with the greatest gratitude. Other facts might be recited and incidents given. Many, beside Richard Mead, found their way as prisoners to the Jersey Prison Ship, the Provost, and the Sugar House ; but we should swell the bounds of this volume to HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 185 a greater extent than we intended, should we make further narrations. MILL AND DOCKS AT MIANUS. Greenwich October 5th 1787. "Whereas apph'cation hath been made to the Se- lectmen of said Greenwich by William, John, Samuel and Daniel Titus owners of the mills lately carried off by a freshet from Myanos River in said Greenwich, to call a town meeting that the inhabi- tants may take into their consideration the propo- sals made by the said Tituses, provided the town give them liberty and a grant to build mills on that part of Myanos river where Purdy began a dam across near Capt, Nathaniel Peck's in said Green- wich, which proposals are as followeth ; 1st. The said mills to be built on said Purdy's old dam under the same restrictions as to grinding for the public as the mills above were. 2ond, To lay out public landings each side of the river below the new built dam as far as may be deemed necessary for the use of the public and to erect and keep in repair a sufficient dock on each side of the river, which shall be done by them their heirs and assigns as long as they or any of them oc- cupy said mills. 3d. The Flood-gate shall be so constructed as to open something in the form of a field gate for the 186 HISTOET OF GREENWICH. convenience of vessels and a crane shall be erected for the purpose of hoisting boats and swinging them over the dam by the said Tituses their heirs, and as in the second article. 4th. They will also erect a good and sufficient horsebridge across said river and keep it in repair on or near said dam and likewise a good scow will be kept in the mill-pond for the use of the public at all times, they giving one day's notice previous to the wanting of it. Wherefore and with the advice of the civil authority of said Town, notice is hereby given and the inhabitants of the town of Green- wich are hereby warned to attend a town meeting at the meeting-house in the West Society in said Greenwich on Monday the fifteenth instant October at two o'clock in the afternoon for the purpose of considering and discussing and granting or voting any thing relative thereto, that they shall judge ex- pedient, and the said John, Samuel and Daniel, with the assistance of Col. Thomas Hobby, Jonah Ferris, Nathaniel Mead, Jonathan Coe and Abra- ham Hays are hereby empowered to notify all the inhabitants by reading to the legal voters in the hearing of their families. At the meeting, — The foregoing petition was read and discussed and the meeting voted to grant the prayer of the petitioners with these alterations and restrictions — HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 187 That instead of a horse and foot bridge mentioned in the petition, the petitioners are to erect and main- tain a sufficient cart bridge across said river which together with the mills and other articles enumerated in their propositions are to be completed within four years from the date of this grant, and that Messrs. John Mackay, Jabez Fitcli and Seth Palmer (the present selectmen) with Messrs. Samuel Peck, Sam- uel Lockwoodjr, Nehemiah Mead, Abraham Mead, and William Bush be a committee to covenant with the petitioners in behalf of the town for the purpose of conveying the right of this town to the premises unto the petitioners and to ascertain the dimen- sions of the landing places proposed in said petition and that said committee go out at the expense of the petitioners, and that what said committee or the major part of them shall covenant and contract in behalf of this town shall stand good and firm as if the same were done at this meeting, and that should the petitioners fail in their engagements with said committee, the privileges hereby granted to them will revert to the town. Protest. The following persons protest against the proceed- ings of this meeting with respect to said town grant- ing away the privileges of Myanos river to tiie 188 HISTORY OF GKEENWICH. Messrs. Titus to set a mill on agreeable to their re- quest by petition. Dated this October 15th 1Y87. MESSENGER PALMEE, DANIEL EEYNOLDS, SETII PALMER, PETER GAUFF, JOHN W. PALMER, STEPHEN MARSHALL, DENHAM PALMER, JEREMIAH RUNDLE, STEPHEN PALMER, JOHN PALMER. On the 12tli of November, 1787, a meeting was held to elect delegates to a convention to be holden at Hartford on the first Thursday of the following January, to ratify or disapprove of the Constitution recommended by the Federal convention. The election was by bal- lot, and the result of the election was the ap- pointment of Dr. Amos Mead, Col. Jabez Fitch • as such delegates. It was voted by the inhab- itants of the town, to " approve the doings HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 189 of tlie Federal convention lately held at Phil- adelphia, and thereupon direct their delegates to use their influence in the convention to be holden at Hartford on the first Thursday of January next, to establish and ratify the Con- stitution recommended by the said Federal convention." In 1793, the town by a strong vote indicated its opposition to the proposition of the legis- lature to sell the western lands to create a fund for the support and benefit of the clergy. The prompt rebuke which this and other towns gave to this legislature, saved us from a sort of established religion, and gave us our present school- fund. The resolution of the town against the proposal of the legislature was passed with- out an opposing vote. In 1802, a proposition to build a town-house was voted down. In 1803, Elkanah Mead and Jabez Fitch were sent as agents to the Assembly at New Haven, to oppose the proposed Turnpike road. Their opposition had little or no effect. About this time the town was paying from twenty to twenty-five dollars yearly, for the use of the meeting-house where they held their meetings. 9* 190 HISTORY OF GKEENWICH. THE WAK OF 1812. It is believed that Greenwich, on her own land at least, lost no killed, wounded or mis- sing during this war. Still many of the good people of the town became too much alarmed on certain occasions, to furnish much evidence of their personal daring and valor. This w^ar was declared in June, 1812. In the spring of the following year, Commodore Hardy, with a British fleet appeared off the eastern end of Long Island, and for a length of time had almost complete control of the w^aters of the Sound. Many vessels were burned or sunk by the enemy. And they pushed through the Sound almost or quite to Throgg^s Neck. During the season, an eastern sloop was chased by one of the enemy's vessels, and run ashore on Hog Island ; although there was a great sufficiency of time for the crew to have run her safely into Kocky Neck harbor, where she could have been protected by the force upon our shores. The British, having taken pos- session of the sloop set her on fire, with her sails all set in the same position in which she had been run ashore. At this time the people were greatly alarmed. HISTOKY OF GEEENWICH. 191 lest the enemy should attempt to land. The Pot-pie company of Horseneck was posted upon Field Point; the Coscob company of militia on Capt. Noah Mead's Point, and a company from North Stamford guarded Green- wich Point. During one of the nights when these points were so guarded, Capt. Elijah Reynolds un- dertook to bring his vessel round from Bush's harbor into the Myanos river. Being seen and well known from Field Point, he was permit- ted to pass out. But the sentry at the mouth of the Myanos, having hailed him to no pur- pose, and supposing it might be an enemy, fired upon him. However, lying close to his deck, he passed on, appearing to take no notice of his challengers. One of the sentries, Mr. Peter Horton, now supposed it to be a real live British vessel, and throwing down his gun, and calling upon his locomotive powers, cried, " Noiv legs ! if you ever did your diity^ do it now ! " It is gravely said by those who heard and saw him, that he tore down three rows ol standing corn, in making his exit from the place of danger. Mr. Bush Mead, one of the Horseneck com pany, having been sent from Field Point afte^ 192 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. some straw, found on being hailed by tlie sentry when returning, that lie had after all, so little discipline in the war, that he had for- gotten the pass-word, and finally stammered out in reply, " Straw ! straw for the beds ! " in a doleful tone. Mr. Selah Mead, was one of the sentries upon Field Point, and seeing but little excite- ment arising from the approach of the enemy, put into execution a practical joke of his own. Having stripped himself of his clothing, he dropped without noise into the water, and swam silently around the Point, where he found another sentry sleeping, whom he suddenly clasped around the waist, and shook him to wakefulness. The other awoke the neighbor- hood with his cries, supposing he was in the power of a real, live, naked mermaid. For some time this blockade of the Sound continued impervious for all vessels. The sloop Orion, Capt. Daniel Merritt, however, watching her opportunity, when the whole British fleet lay east of Greenwich point, slip- ped out and sailed safely to New York. After this time, the enemy's ships withdrew to the eastern part of the Sound, and our land-forces were Avithdrawn from the Points. HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 193 111 case of alarm the bells were to be rung. And one fine morning soon after, the greatest consternation was created by the fierce ring- ing of the alarm-bells. Men hurried to and fro, and the news spread like wildfire, that the British had landed during the night upon Greenwich Point. The militia collected hastily together, and the people, especially in the eastern part of the town were in a terrible flurry. Some of the Mianus people hastily collected their furniture together, ready to be transported and concealed in the Cat rocks. Col. Ebenezer Mead havino^ collected his forces from this part of the town, hastened to the scene of action, with all of his ojficers who were willins: to serve in that ever-to-be-re- membered conflict. Arrivins^ at the meetino;- house in Old Greenwich, about two miles from the position known to be occupied by the sup- posed enemy, they came to a dead halt. None were willing to proceed farther. The whole company would not proceed in a body, neither would any of the ofiicers or men advance singly to reconnoiter. At last the ofiicers were relieved from this emergency Tjy the arrival of Mr. Whitman Mead, who volunteered to ap- proach the point of danger. And mounted 19i HISTORY OF GREENWICH. upon a fleet horse, bearing a white handker- chief spread upon a cane, he set off to recon- noiter. He found the suj^posed enemy to be a fleet of American gun-boats under Commodore Lewis, who had been in search of one of the enemy's j)rivateers during the previous night, and had landed upon the Point for breakfast. Mr. Mead so liked the joke that he stayed with the Commodore much lousier than he should have done, and breakfasted with him. Meantime, our forces were in a great agony of susj)ense, supposing their scout had been taken prisoner, and their flag of truce violated. Finally, they found a seaman belonging to the fleet, and took him prisoner. They of course took him to be an enemy's spy, and he endured a rigid examination, but was unable to per- suade his caj)tors of his true character until the return of the flag of truce, whose bearer explained all to the ofiicers of our force. And they, feeling that they had earned glory enough for one day, disbanded and returned home. However, lest some enemy of the country might consider this a vulnerable point of attack, we will assure our readers, that this town furnished many brave soldiers for the war of 1812, and is now nobly able to under- HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 195 take lier own defense against any ordinary force "which might be brought to bear against us. The trouble in the case above related was the uncertainty, and not the certainty, of the approach of enemies. The war was ended by the treaty of Ghent, signed on the 24th of December, 1814, and which was ratified by President Madison on the 17 th of the following February. CONSTITUTION OF 1818. At a special meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Greenwich, legally warned and holden on the 25th day of March 1818, for the purpose of taking into consideration and expressing their opinion on the subject of a formation of a written constitution of civil government for the state of Connecticut, and to appoint surveyors of highways, when the meeting voted as follows ; That Isaac How be moderator. Resolved, that in all well regulated communities of mankind it is essential to the public welfare that there be a social compact originating in and ema- nating directly from the people detining the powers granted to their rulers and those retained, that it is also the duty of the people from time to time to amend or frame anew, the charter of their rights, 196 HISTOKT OF GREENWICH. as experience may suggest, or change of circum- stances may render necessary. Resolved, that -whereas the people of this state have, from immemorial, yielded an implied consent to the present form of government, we feel no dis- position to deny its legitimacy, or to impair its obli- gations, by denying the validity of acts and laws made under it, but deeming it materially imperfect in man}^ important particulars, tlierefore we are in- duced to declare onr opinion that a written consti- tution of civil government, made and approved by the people will have a tendency to improve the in- ternal peace and happiness of the state and promote the general welfare. Resolved, that it be respectfully recommended to the good people of this state to express their feelings freely and publicly on this important subject. Resolved, that the town clerk be directed to fur- nish an attested copy of the proceedings of this town meeting to the Representatives from this town to the next General Assembly and to the editors of newspapers published at Hartford and Bridgeport. On the 4th of July of the same year, Clark Sanford, Esq., Enos Lock wood, Esq., were elected as delegates to the constitutional convention which "was holden at Hartford on the fourth Wednesday of August. HISTORY OF GREEISrWICH. 197 On the first Monday of October following tlie constitution was ratified in town-meeting, by a vote of ninety yeas and thirty-seven nays. On the fifth day of May A. D. 1829, a special town-meeting was held to take into considera- tion measures to prevent the slaughter of sheep by dogs. During the year, thirty-two of the inhabitants reported that one hundred and ninety-seven sheep, and one hundred and six- teen lambs had been killed by dogs. The loss was estimated at eight hundred and seventy- six dollars. Besides these, many had been killed which were not reported. In 1832, it was " voted that we will receive proposals from the building committee of the Episcopal Society relative to building a town- house." " Voted that we will build a town-house, on condition we can agree upon a proper place for locating it, and upon proper terms." In 1834 and 1835, the town-meetings were held at the Methodist Episcopal Church at Mianus. On the fifth of October, 1835, it was " voted that the town of Greenwich l)uild a town- house to hold their public meetings in ; that it be for that express purpose, and no other." 198 HISTORY OF GEEENWICH. " Voted that said house be built on or near the ground where Seymour's blacksmith shop formerly stood in Horseneck." Silas Davis, Thomas A. Mead, William Tinipany, were ap- pointed a committee to " oversee and contract for the same, and to consult the selectmen as to size and shaj^e." On the 3d of December 1836, a town-meet- ing was held on the site of this town-house, which was not then completed. Since that time the house which now stands at the junc- tion of North street and the Turnpike, has been the place for holding town-meetings. « SKIMETON PARTIES. Much excitement used frequently arise among the good people of the town, up to the year 1850, on account of what were known as Skime- ton parties. The people fond of such things, young and old, used to celebrate every tangible wedding which took place within the precincts of the town, with a turn-out of drums and guns. A large six-pounder did much service in this cause, and seems, indeed, of latter years to have been the very life of these parties. For when it made its sudden disappearance, the practice went almost as suddenly out of exist- HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 199 ence. Some time in the montli of February A. D. 1850, a large Skimeton party was held in the village, which is believed to have been the last of the custom. We are indebted to an anonymous writer for his account of this matter, obviously intended to be poetic, and although a failure in that respect in a great degree, we believe it to be a correct and impartial account of the affair. If it should be a little too personal in some of its points, we hope the public will forgive its insertion, for the value of the his- torical relation. Nearly or quite all the parties connected with the affair are yet living. Some of the names are, of course, assumed. The Last Skimeton. 'Twas late in winter, and Sabbath day ; But what the month I'll never say. Or first, or second, one or t'other, — To remember is too much bother. A happy day it was to many, Nor should there be unhappy any ; Yet truly was it most certain sure That two were happy, if no more ; For this good, very happy couple In one were to be made, from double. Ages well suited, sweet seventeen Multiplied thrice — fifty-one, I ween. 200 HISTORY OP GREENWICH. Of the parties, no more need I say ; To tell all, then, must hurry away. Respected by all, they certainly were ; To think not so, you surely err. The sun goes down in all its splendor, And to the roosts the chickens venture. The guests have all come to see the fun, And hear the two all knotted in one. And kiss the bride in spite of the groom, And see their own wives safe to their home, And drink hard cider and eat sweet cake. And with a good spree the dull spirit break. The two stood up, and Dorainy Gorse Tied up a knot as strong as a horse. The knot all tied ; the bride often kissed ; The cake passed round ; and what each one wished, The barrel below wasn't half drinked up ; Enough was left for many a cup ; When quickly spoke Father Gorse — quoth he, "My dear, dear Sir, now truly tell me. How would you act, and what would you do. If the Skiriieton should visit you ?" " Oh ! no fear of that, good friend," Sir cried ; "They'll not salute, Sunday night, my bride ; But should they come, I've a barrel full Of cider — the right sparkling, hard school. Or rather, 'tis full I can make it, Though now there is but one-third of it. With water I can till up the cask, — In what way it came there none will ask. HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 201 And none drunken from this will be found "When the cask I'll roll out on the ground. They will eat this cake and drink this cider, And then, like me so much the better." Sir spoke like a man, so all will say ; And they came not on that sacred day. The guests that night departed in peace, And those not over-ci'ammed slept with ease ; Though, doubtles*, many had flighty dreams. In which they saw great guns drawn by teams, And loaded and fired, without dismay. At the glass from windows jarred away. Next day came ; and, though unsuspected, A Skimeton bad been collected. Brush sold the powder, litlle knowing, 'Twould cause so terrible a blowing. The powder was made up in cartridges. To load the gun in greater ease ; The charcoal furnace was hunted up, — All was right fur the hardy troop. Night soon came ; the B'hoys were on hand. The chief addressed, in manner bland ; Said he, "There will be no fifing done, But a Bridegroom treat for all and one." He told to them what was said to Gorse ; Then rose loud cheers, tbat made them hoarse, — Long, loud cheers for the generous groom : For cider they had plenty of room. 202 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. Then marched clown the street, dragging their gun, And, feeling well, were agape for fun. Before the house, goodnatured, they halt, Winking and blinking, waiting their malt. But look as they are at that hale band. While I may group them all as they stand. Of full-grown men I find there are five ; Of boys thrice that, as I'm alive ; Of outsiders, much as a full score ; 1( cide7' comes out, there'll surely be more. Oh ! what a bitter tale I could tell, Of the young hopefuls I know full well, Who stray 'd from their mammas that night, Among the outsiders here in plight. But, as they'll 'scape the trial so dread. Which fearfully hangs o'er each one's head, And their bad deed will never be known. But to their own consciences alone, I'll forbear to give them the expose. And let each one follow his own nose. I've spent some time in grouping them all ; They are waiting yet, and one doth call A halloo to the gunner to fire, Just to tell the groom that they're there. " Agreed," he cries, and plies the hot rod. And the thundering peal breaks off the nod Of all the sleepers in that region, — When from the house comes forth a legion. The happy crowd stand a little back. Thinking Sir is coming with the cake. HISTORY OF GREENWICH. 203 True, 'tis Sir, 'tis very, very true, But no cake he brings, and they look blue. And no kindness now by him is meant, Prepared he is, and on war intent. "War to the ram-rod ;" let come what will, His dozen compeers will back him still. The kind feeling's changed since wedding day, For then 'twas thought 'twould be all O. K. Sir seized the ram-rod, and held it tight, And swore, if at all during the night Any one dare to touch the big gun. That same, and sure, would be a dead " mim" Outsiders now scamper, and the boys all run, Leaving but few to tend to the gun. They look for their chiefs — not finding one, For they all left when the fracas begun. So the few, at last, concluded to run , Catching the rope, away they did bound. And left Boss Sir the boss of the ground. And back they went to the rendezvous. Poor fellows, they didn't know what to do ! But as each one felt tired and sad. Concluded at last to go home to bed. Yet with faithful heart they each resolved, Of their cowardly fault to be absolved ; When to-morrow's sun is out of sight, With the favoring darkness of the night, On the ground they'd again assemble, Greater in force, and much more nimble ; Courage from Coscob, and Glenville too, — Borrow, and begin all anew. Homeward went, but their sleep was troubled With sights of a man whose size was doubled. 204 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. Huge ram-rod shouldered ever so bold, Daring any with him to take hold. Morning came; they awoke from their dreams And found their way with the sun's bright beams Some, to pretty Glenville's happy vale, And told to their friends their pitiful tale, And gained recruits, a dozen or more, With fifer and drummer to go before. Others, to Coscob, well known in fame For the bravest sons in any game. When Coscob men their strength do try. What they wish, is done, or I do lie. Indeed by the time that sun-down came, Some fifty, that I might call by name, W^ere all ready on the coming night, To man the gun and never know flight. All gathered at night with fife and drum At th'appointed place, with busy hum. Each one cheered his brother's courage up. Some cheered their own with drink from the cup. Soon, to move on, the word was given, And onward they went, dragging their gun ; Arrived at the house, they met a crowd, Brave defenders who scolded them loud, Entreated, commanded, all in vain. And all get wrathy as bad as Cain. Both sides were naughty it must be said. And things were coming all to a head. When out spoke the bride-groom, and said he " I've in hand a musket, you see, 'Tis loaded, 'tis cocked, 'tis ready to fire. And he that toucheth ofi" this cannon dire, HI8T0ET OF GREENWICH. 205 Shall never live to fire another, I swear, at him, I'll pull the trigger." This treat gave all a conniption fit, But one fellow didn't mind it a bit ; And a brave little fellow was he, Coscob tinker Palmer, bold and free. He faced old musket and man behind. Says he, " Mr. Sir, in you 'tis kind. Me to shoot, and bereave my family ; But than fire, you'll have more charity." "No, I won't" was the thundering reply, " Touch ofi'that gun and then you die." *' Fire and be darned ;" and he took the match. And fired ofi" the gun without a scratch. If Sir fired at Palmer, then the sound, When the cannon went off was all drowned. Sands was too small or Sir didn't aim straight. For then to be shot wasn't Palmer's fate. But what a noise that cannon did make. Every thing got a terrible shake. A score of glass lights ; all ranged in rows. Came to the earth with terrible blows ; Doors open ; and stoves jump two feet high, Not minding the leap more than a fly ; Success gives courage to Skimeton ; The gun is drawn back at a stiff run. But the charcoal furnace, that is lost By some vandal, the fence overtoss'd. Then arise free fights more than my pen Shall lay at the door of any man. But words were all the weapons of war. Some could whip twenty and some still more, 10 206 HISTORY OF GREENWICB. They brought back the gun and would have fired, For by this time all really dared, But damp the priming had got, and wet By water, from a pail thrown on it. At last fired it off and then drew it back, When the powder was missing, alack. A traitor must have been in their camp. And, in the wet dew strewed it, so damp. Gone ammunition ; no powder to burn, Backward again, their swift steps they turn, And two miles ride in a gig, Of powder, to obtain a full keg. Soon they return and met with success, Exhibit their keg Avith a good grace. Again to the field, though it is late. And plant the old piece by Sir^s old gate. No enemy's there, the field is won, The victory claimed by firing a gun ; Another, another, and one more, Till the number equals a full score. And, at length, ammunition was spent. And their weary step homeward they bent. Their gun, they locked up, in the old barn, There to keep it all safe until morn. Then went to their homes to sleep quite sound. And on the morning to brag all around, How the gun was fired and battle won, By the dauntless, the brave Skimeton. But, a deed, I have now to relate, A dark deed committed the selfsame night. Of the men I'll not speak, nor say who, But they were a bold and daring crew, HISTOET OF GREENWICH. 207 Sheltered by darkness a lock they broke ; Got in the barn by hook or by crook ; Stole out that gun and carried it off, And certainly handled it quite rough. They took it away and no one knows where And I think very few ought to care. It was hidden, many think, away In a high loft very full of hay, Or, 'twas hid in a potato heap, Or, in the Sound bad taken a leap. But though a sharp search was strictly made, They never found where the cannon laid. Nor ever to tell, do I now care. Yet the gun didn't travel that night very far. But with his gun, in this manner lost. Skimmeton quietly gave up the ghost. But the end is not yet, no not yet. The lawyers they must have a benefit. 'Tis an ill wind blows nobody good, And so Sheriff Seely understood ; Warrant in hand, got all he could catch. Though some fastened on him, their door-latch. Then he scared one up into a tree. But finally caught some twenty-three, And brought them all in before a Squire, To be dealt with by Justice so dire. Though it seemed strange yet it is true Of wily lawyers, the State had two, The prisoners against these had but one, To struggle against both all alone. 208 HISTORY OF GREENWICH. The Justice he said never a word, Though every thing said, he surely heard. Prisoners were charged with making a row ; Wouldn't they catch it, wouldn't they now. Wanting proof, some were freed in a huff, Although they wan't half humbled enough. The trial took some two I think days. For they tried to get clear in many ways. Lastly, they were bound over to Court, But the prisoners didn't take the least hurt. Indeed had no trial up there at all The papers were wrong respecting them all. The trial mentioned took place in the upper part of the shop now used by Joseph E. Rus- sel, Esq. ; Hon. Charles Hawley and Hon. Joshua B. Ferris, of Stamford, were employed for the prosecution, and Hon. "William T. Minor, of Stamford, for the defence before the justice. All of them were most able attorneys, and with the bystanders, appeared to enjoy the sport which necessarily arose at the trial. In the year 1853, the town was set off as a probate district by itself. Previously, it with Darien and Stamford, had formed the Probate District of Stamford. At the special meeting then held for election of a judge, Augustus Mead, Esq. was chosen. Since that the office has been filled by Mr. Mead. HISTOKY OF GREENWICH. 209 The road from Glenville to Byram bridge on tlie west side of Byram river, was laid out by Messrs. Hubbell and Sbepard, Fairfield County Commissioners, in 1856. This road was contested strongly by the town authorities, backed by a vote of the town. A lengthy trial was held before the Commissioners, who decided in favor of the road. The attorneys employed by the petitioners were Julius B. Curtis and Henry Button, Esqs. ; in behalf of the town, Daniel M. Mead and Charles Hawley, Esqs. Wm. H. Holly of Stamford was also employed by a private citizen opposed to the road. And now the greater part of the interesting historical matter relating to the town, has been given. Should the author, in after days, find opportunity to enlarge this History, he will be able to record many interesting details. In this volume, we have sought simply, and in the smallest possible compass, to relate rehable facts. With the Appendix, containing reliable statistics of value, we now take our resj^ectful leave of the reader. AN APPENDIX CONTAIINNG VALUABLE STATISTICS, WITH A ALSO, A HISTORY OF THE VARIOUS RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES; * WITH THE GENEALOGIES OF SEVERAL FAMILIES, AND OTHER VALUABLE INFORMATION. BY THE AUTHOR. COLLECTED i'OR THIS WORK TROM RELUBLE iCTHORITIES. FAIRFIELD COUNTY. This county, extending from the Sound northward, in a triangular form, nearly two thirds of the way along the boundary line between New York and Connecticut, is a populous, thickly settled, and very fertile district. It abounds in rocks and hills, which render cultivation in many cases difficult. But the fertility of the soil amply repays the hardest labor. In 1855, the county embraced the following towns, which are given, showing the comparative wealth of each during that year, as reported by the Con- necticut Register. 212 APPENDIX. Bridgeport Brookfield Danbury Darien Easton Fairfield Greenwich Huntington Monroe New Canaan... . New Fairfield... Newtown Norwalk Eedding Eidgefield Sherman Stamford Stratford Trumbull Weston Westport Wilton Polls. 1,059 266 1,079 239 260 6*76 625 249 255 455 189 606 705 306 449 161 717 321 290 175 452 336 ValuatioD. Stores. Manufactories. 6,041,593 645,721 3,025,095 854,732 631,100 2,957,008 2,495,215 622,920 604,345 931,608 397,584 1,327,436 2,561,577 1,014,963 1,106,296 390,723 3,183,183 1,341,981 637,253 424,040 1,613,686 644,722 811,530 9,401 144,650 16,330 5,947 22,735 41,940 5,225 6,943 29,540 4,850 39,060 135,050 20,930 22,140 3,897 112,520 11,195 13,758 10,120 73,850 6,171 484,750 15,225 125,894 3,230 1,450 3,750 34,200 5,650 2,450 19,375 3,050 237,150 21,425 9,157 153,945 9,990 15,366 4,300 19,800 900 The above towns were settled in the following order : Fairfield, or as the Indians called it, Unquowa, was settled by eight or ten families, under a Mr. Lud- low, the principal settler, in the year 1639. Ludlow had been twice Deputy Governor of Massachusetts Colony, and was twice elected Deputy Governor of Connecticut Colony. He afterwards moved to Yir- ginia. The first purchase comprised the parishes of APPENDIX. 213 Fairfield, Greenfield, Greensfarras, a part of Strat- ford, a part of Reading, and the whole town of Weston. The lighthouse on Fairweather Island, on the easterly side of Black Rock harbor, is in Lati- tude 41 deg. 8 min. 30 sees., and Longitude 73 deg. 12 min. 44 sees. Time, 4 h. 62 m. 51 s. The light is 52 feet above the sea, and may be seen at a distance of 12.6 nautical miles. Stratford, or in the Indian tongue Cupheag, was purchased in 1639 by a Mr. Fairchild. Settlement was commenced immediately. The principal early settlers were John and "William Eustice, Samuel Hawley, Joseph Judson, and Timothy Wilcoxson. At Stratford the first Episcopal Church was estab- lished in Connecticut, under Rev. Mr. Muirson, of Rye, in 1704. Tlie latitude of Stratford Point Light- house is 41 deg., 9 min., 4 sec. ; longitude, 73 deg., 5 min., 53 sec. Time, 4 h., 23 m., 52 s. The light is 53 feet above the level of the sea, and may be seen at the distance of 12.7 nautical miles. Greenwich was purchased and settled upon in 1640, on the 18th of July, by Capt. Daniel Patrick, Robert Peaks, Elizabeth Peaks, e^c. The lighthouse on Captain's Island is in latitude 40 deg., 58 min., 54 sec, and longitude 73 deg., 37 min., 6 sec. Time. 4 h., 54 m., 28 s. Light is 62 feet above the level of the sea, and may be seen at the distance of 13.4 nautical miles. 10* 214 APPENDIX. ISToRWAL-K was first purchased of the Indians in 1640. It then included part of New Canaan, Wil- ton, and Westport. The whole was purchased with " 8 fathom wampum, G coats, 10 hatchets, 10 hoes, 10 knives, 10 seizors, 10 juseharps, 10 fathom to- bacco, 3 kettles, 3 handsabout and 10 looking glasses." The bounds were on the north, one day's walk into the country, hence the name Norwalk, from North-walk. On petition of Nathan Ely and Richard Olmsted, it was incorporated in 1G19. On the 11th of July, 1779, the village was burned to the ground by the Tories under Gov. Tryon. The loss of property as estimated by the General As- sembly was $116,238 and 66 cents. Eighty dwell- ings, with two churches, eighty-seven barns, seven- teen shops, four mills and five vessels were con- sumed. The lighthouse on Sheffield Island, one of the Norwalk Islands, is situated in latitude 41 deg., 2 min., 53 sec, and long. 73 deg. 21 min., 51 sec. Time. 4 h., 53 min., 39 s. The light is 40 feet above the level of the sea, and may be seen at the distance of 11.6 nautical miles. Stamford, or Rippowaras, was purchased by Capt. Nathaniel Turner in 1640. The boundary line be- tween Greenwich and Stamford was settled in No- vember of the same year. Turner paid the Indians for the purchase, " twelve coats, twelve hoes, twelve hatchets, twelve knives, two kettles and four fathom of white wampum." Thirty or forty inhabitants APPENDIX. 215 settled on the purchase in 1641. The variation of the needle at Stamford in September, 18M, was 6 deg. 40 min. The Stage House Hotel is in latitude 41 deg. 2 min., 53 sec., and longitude 73 deg. 32 min., 80 sec. Danburt, or Pahquioque, was first settled in the summer of 1684. The settlement consisted of eight families. The heads of the families were Thomas Taylor, Judah Gregory, Francis Busjmel, James Beebe, Thomas Barnum, Samuel Benedict, John Hoy t and James Benedict. They were, with a single exception, all from ISTorwalk. Danbury is a half- shire town of the county, containing Court House and Jail. Bethel, a flourishing town, southeast of Danbury, has been recently set off from it and been incorporated as a town by itself. Danbury was burned by the British on the 26th of April, 1777 ; and the loss which incurred thereby amounted to £15,862 9s. Id. A hospital for the Americans was kept at Danbury for some time during the war. Two buildings of large dimensions were built for that j)urpose. A great many sick were sent here from White Plains, and about two hundred soldiers were buried here during the war. When the British made their attack, or rather committed their depre- dations, upon the town of Danbury, they passed through the village of Bethel. They were met, while descending a hill, a short distance from the village on the Reading road, by Mr. Luther Hoi- 216 APPENDIX. comb, an old inliabitant of Danburj. He was on horseback, and rode to the top of a knoll in front of the enemy, and turning about waved his sword as if to an immense host behind him, shouting in tremen- dous tones, "TZ^^i the 'whole Universe^ hreah off l)y kingdoms.'''' Upon this, the British not knowing who might be against them besides the whole Uni- verse, came to a full halt, planted their cannon, and sent out the proper wings, while Mr. Holcomb seized the opportunity to ride oiT with all speed to a place of safety, even without his army. New-Town, by the Indians called Pohtatuck, was incorporated as a town in the year 170S. The Indian name was derived from a small stream which empties into the Ilousatonic. The soil is quite fertile and productive. RiDGEFiELD, Or Caudatowa, was settled by inhabi- tants mostly from Norwalk, in the year 1708. John Belden, Matthias St. John, Mattliew Seymour, and Samuel Keeler, were the most influential of the early settlers. Their deed was dated the thirtieth of September, and was signed by Catoonah, the principal Indian chief. Just over the boundary line is the cave, or rather the semblance of a cave, where Sarah Bishop, tlie hermitess, lived during the latter part of her life. She died in 1810. She dwelt there alone, many of the superstitious regarding her as a witch. But ill treatment by one of the many APPENDIX. 217 unprincipled and detestable British officers, during the Revolationary War, is said to have been the cause of her leading so singular a life among the mountains. New Faiefield was not settled until 1730. Set- tlement was then made in what is called the lower seven miles. The first minister was the Kev. Bena- jah Case, who was ordained in 1742. Reading, so called in honor of one of its first and most influential settlers, was incorporated as a town in May, 1767. Gen. Putnam's head-quarters were here while stationed in this part of the country. Under his command were the Kew Hampshire brigade, two Connecticut brigades, a corps of infan- try and a corps of cavalry. During the first part of their being under command at this station, the soldiers were but indifi'erently fed and clothed. While the legislature were in session, they were on the point of marching to Hartford, to demand assistance from that body at the point of the bayonet. Putnam, with his accustomed boldness, made them a short and effective speech, in which he took occa- sion to point out to them the shame which would come upon Connecticut men^ should they carry out their foolish designs. His speech satisfied them. And shortly afterwards, by the exertions of Connec- ticut women, none of them had reason to complain of not being comfortably clothed. Two executions 218 APPENDIX. took place wliile Gen. Putnam was quartered here. One, a youth of sixteen or seventeen, was shot for desertion ; and the other was a Tory, named Jones, of Ridgefield. One of the most distinguished men of Connecticut, Joel Barlow, LL. D. was born here in 1755. He was a poet and a statesman. He died Dec. 22d, 1812, at Zarnawica, a small village in Poland, near Cracow. Beookfield, named after Rev. Mr. Brooks, their first minister, was incorporated in 1788. Before that time it formed portions of Newtown, Danbury, and New Milford. Settlement had been made on the tract some thirty years before. The town contains 17 square miles, or 11,000 acres. There are beds of limestone and marble in the town. The soil is well adapted to the raising of grain. Huntington was incorporated as a town in 1789. Pev. Jedediah Mills was the first minister in what is now Huntington. He was settled in 1724, and the settlement began about 70 years previous to its incorporation. New Canaan was incorporated in 1801. It was formerly a parish lying partly in Stamford and Nor- walk, incorporated as a parish in 1731. In 1732 there were forty-seven members of the parish, thirty from Norwalk and seventeen from Stamford. Their first minister was Eev. John Eeels of Milford, APPENDIX. 219 who was ordained in June, 1733. He preached until 1741. His death occurred at J^ew Canaan in 1Y85, when he was in his 85th year. Rev. Robert Silliraan preached there from 1742 until ITH. William Drummond succeeded him in 1772, and preached five years ; after which be was dismissed and deposed from the ministry in 1777. Rev. Jus- tus Mitchel then followed in the year 1783, and preached until 1806, when he suddenly died. The business of the town is mostly shoe and leather manufacture. Sheeman, forming the northern angle of Fairfield County, was originally a part of New Fairfield. It was incorporated as a town by itself in 1802. It has but few inhabitants, though the soil is good and well adapted to the raising of grain of all kinds. Wilton, though organized as a society in the town of iSI'orwalk in 1726, was not incorporated as a town until 1802. The chief occupation of the inhabitants is agriculture. There is a silver mine in the limits of this town, which has not been worked since the Revolutionary war. Wilton is the birth-place df Prof. Stuart, of Andover Theological Seminary. Darien, formerly known as the Middlesex Parish, in the town of Stamford, was incorporated as a town in 1820. Throughout the Revolution, a large num- ber of the inhabitants of this district were Tories. 220 APPENDIX. Dr. Moses Mather was preaching in the Congrega- tional Church on Sunday the 22d of July, A. D. 17S1, when a party of Tories completely surrounded the church and took most of the peo])le prisoners, only a few young men escaping through the win- dows. Two shots were fired at these ; but they dare fire no more, as three guns was the well known sig- nal of alarm in this part of the country. All the males were then tied two and two and led out of the church, with the venerable Dr. Mather at their head. The Toz'ies also carried oft" some forty horses belonging to the congregation which had assembled, and marched the prisoners to the Sound shore, where they were embarked for Lloyd's Neck on Long Island. From thence they were taken to New York, and confined in the Provost prison, where they underwent the most severe treatment. The following contains a portion of a poem entitled A Poetical Relation of the CajJture of the Congregation at Middlesex, with an Account of their Sufferings, (&c., while in captivity ; by Peter St. John, Now to relate 'tis my intent A sad and tragical event. On what I write you raay rely, As I've the history lying by. July the twenty-second day, Where Christians meet to sing and pray, In seventeen hundred and eighty-one, An horrid action was begun. APPENDIX. 221 While to the Lord they sing and pray, The Tories, who in ambush lay, Beset the house -with brazen face ; At Middlesex it was the place. A guard was placed the house before, Likewise behind and at each door. Then, void of shame, those men of sin The sacred temple entered in. The Rev. Mather closed his book, — How did the congregation look ? The reverend priest, the man of God, Severely felt the smarting rod, — Not by a whip do I pretend. But by abuses from those friends. How must he feel to see his sheep Thus worried, whilst they silence keep. Those demons plundered what they could, Either in silver, or in gold. The silver buckles, which we use Both at the knees and on the shoes. These cailitfs took them ; in their rage Had no respect for sex or age. And as they all were searching round. They several silver watches found. They who were placed as guards without, Like raging devils ranged about. Took forty horses to the shore. Not many either less or more ; With bridles, saddles, pillions on. In a few minutes all was done. The men which hence they took away, Upon this sacred awful day. 222 APPENDIX. Was forty-eiglit, besides two more They chanced to find upon the shore. When to the shore they were conveyed, The orders given they obeyed. On board the shipping they were sent, But greatly feared the sad event ; As well they might, because they knew Their captors were the Devil's crew. They hoisted sail, the Sound they cross'd, And near Lloyd's neck they anchored first. Then every man must tell his name ; A list they took, and kept the same. Now twenty-four of fifty men Were ordered home again ; The twenty-six who stay'd behind, Most cruelly were they confined ; On board the brig were ordered quick, And were confined beneath the deck. A nasty hole, with filth besmear'd, — But 'twas no more than what they fear'd. But to return whence I left off". They at our misery made a scoff", — Like raging devils tore about. Swearing they'd tear our vitals out ; That they'd no quarter ever give, Nor let a cursed rebel live ; But would their joints in pieces cut;— Then round the deck like devils strut. Oh, human nature, how depraved ! Can any mortal e'er be saved ? APPENDIX. 223 So void of good, so full of evil, And wholly bent to serve the Devil. July the four and twentieth day, We all were sent to Oyster Bay. ****** We to the ferry came at last, View'd by spectators as we past : The gazing rabble, tory throng, Would curse us as we passed along. Ten thousand curses round us rung ; But some would laugh, and some would sneer, And some would gi'in, and some would leer. A mixed mob, a medley crew, I guess, as e'er the Devil knew. To the Provost we then were haul'd, Though we of war were prisoners called ; Our irons now were ordered off, — The standers-by would swear and scoff. But O, what company we found ! With great surprise we looked around ! I must conclude that in this place We found the worst of Adam's race ; Thieves, murderers, and pickpockets too, And every thing that's bad they do. One of our men found, to his cost, Three pounds of York money he had lost ; — His pockets picked, I guess, before We had been there one sinffle hour. Full eighteen days, or something more, We fairly were exchang'd before ; 22J: APPENDIX. Of the exchange they let us know, Or from that place of bondage go. That of the number twenty-five, But just nineteen were left alive ; Four days before December's gone. In seventeen hundred eighty-one. Bridgeport was formerly part of the parish ot Stratfield, in the town of Stratford, and also a part of the town of Fairfield. It was incorporated as a town in 1821. The city of Bridgeport was incor- porated as such in 1836, and is situated on the mouth of the Pequanick river, at the head of a harbor two miles from the Sound. At the close of the Revolutionary war, there were only twelve houses where the city now stands. The population in 1790 was only one hundred and ten, while in 1850 the population is seven thousand five hundred and fifty-eight. Bridgeport is one of the county towns for Fairfield County. The Court-house is as good a one as can be found in the United States. Monroe, formerly a part of Huntington, was in- corporated in 1823. It contains about twenty-six square miles. Westport, formerly known by the Indian name of Langatuck, was formed from the territory of Fairfield, "Weston, and Norvvalk. It was settled as part of those towns, and incorporated by itself in 1835. It contains about seventeen square miles. APPENDIX. 225 Weston was incorporated in 1787, being formed bj two parishes before that time belonging to Fair- field. It was, however, settled earlier than 1740. With Easton it contained nearly or quite forty square miles. The first Methodist Society in ISew England is said to have been at Bridgeport ; but the first church built by that denomination of Chris- tians was at Weston. It was known as Lee's chapel. Trumbull, containing a little more than twenty- one square miles, was incorporated from iNorth Stratford in 1798. Easton has been, some two or more years since, incorporated as a town by itself, from Weston. Bethel, formerly the southeastern corner of Dan- bury, was incorporated as a town in 1855. Population. 1830. 1850. Bethel, . See Danbury. Bridgeport, . 2,800 7,558 Brookfield, . 1,255 1,360 Dan bury, . . . . 4,311 5,964 Darien, • . 1,212 1,454 Easton, . 1,212 1,432 Fairfield, • • 4,222 3,618 Greenwich, . 3,801 5,040 226 APPENDIX. 1830. 1850. Huntington, . 1,371 1,301 Monroe, . 1,522 1,440 "New Canaan, . 1,830 2,601 iNew Fairfield, 939 927 Newtown, 3,096 3,358 Norwalk, . . 3,792 4,051 Reading, 1,686 1,754 Eidgefield, . 2,305 2,237 Sherman, 947 984 Stamford, . . 3,707 5,004 Stratford, 1,814: 2,040 Trumbull, . . 1,242 1,313 Weston, 2,997 1,063 "Westport, . 2,642 Wilton, 2,097 2,066 The County, (in 1810, 42,739) . 46,950 59,841 In population Bridgeport ranks the highest, Dan- bury next, then Greenwich, then Stamford, &c. Yariations of Magnetic Needle for Fairfield County. Place. Variation. When observed. By whom. Greenwich, 6°38' west. Sept. 1844. Prof. Renwick. Stamford, 6° 40' " " " Norwalk, 6°46' " " " Bridgeport, 6° 19' " Sept. 1845. " Black Rock, 6°54' " Legget's Station, 5°41' " Oct. 1847. R. H. Fauntleroy. APPENDIX. 227 Professional Statistics for 1855. Attorneys in Fairfield County, . . . 51 Clergy in do do ... 108 Physicians in do do . . . 84: Sovereigns of England after the Settlement of Greenwich^ 1640. Cromwell. His son, .... 1658. Charles II., . . 1660. James IL, 1685. "William and Mary, . 1689. William m., . 1694. Anne, . 1702. George I., 1714. George 11., .... . 1727. George III., 1760. The latter ceased to reign in 1811, but lost the colonies in 1776. List of the Governors of Connecticut. John Winthrop, . from 1653 to 1676, died. William Leete, . . " 1676 to 1683, " Kobert Treat, . . " 1683 to 1687. Government was here interrupted for a year and a half. Eobert Treat, . . from 1689 to 1698. Fitz John Winthrop, . " 1698 to 1707, died. 228 APPENDIX. Gurdon Salfconstall, . from 1707 to 1724, died. Joseph Talcott, . a 1724 to 1741, u Jonathan Law, (( 1741 to 1750, u Roger Wolcott, . « 1750 to 1754. Thomas Fitch, a 1754 to 1766. William Pitkin, . (C 1766 to 1760, died. Jonathan Trumbull, . u 1769 to 1784. Matthew Griswold, a 1784 to 1786. Samuel Huntington, . u 1786 to 1796. Oliver "Wolcott, . u 1796 to 1798. Jonathan Trumbull, . u 1798 to 1809, died. John Treadwell, . (( 1809 to 1811. Koger Griswold, a 1811 to 1813, died. John Cotton Smith, u 1813 to 1817. Oliver Wolcott, cc 1817 to 1827. Gideon Tomlinson, a 1827 to 1831. John S. Peters, a 1833 to 1834. Samuel A. Foot, . u 1834 to 1835. John S. Peters, u 1835 to 1838. William W. Ellsworth, u 1838 to 1842. Chancey F. Cleveland, ii 1842 to 1844. Eoger S. Baldwin, . a 1844 to 1846. Isaac Toucey, a 1846 to 1847. Clark Bissel, u 1847 to 1849. Joseph Trumbull, (( 1849 to 1850. Thomas H. Seymour, u 1850 to 1853. Charles H, Pond, by resig- nation of Seymour, a 1853 to 1854. Henry Dutton, (( 1854 to 1855. William T. Minor, . u 1855 to 1857. APPENDIX. 229 The foUowino; are tlie votes of the town for Electors to elect a President and Vice-President of the United States, since 1820, before which time the Electors weie chosen bj the Legislature : — • In 1820, Monroe rec'd 34. In 1824, Adums " 28. In 1828, Jackson " 24. In 1832, Jackson " 166. In 183Q,VanBureH " 102. In 1810, Harrison "309. In 18U,Polk " 355. In 1848, Tai/lor " 316. In 1852, Fierce " 371. In 1856, Bucka7ia7i " 377. Opposition 0. Scattering 0. u 1. " 0. Adams 89. 0. Opposition I 73. 47. Harrison 64. 0. V Buren 337. " 6, Clay 348. Birney 14, Cass 234. V Buren 49. Scott 310. Hale 20. Fremont 385. Fillmore 119, The column in italics are the successful candi- dates. When the town first began voting for electors, little interest was taken in the result, which accounted for the paucity of the votes cast. In the vote of 1856, probably every vote was cast which ought to have been deposited. Men were brought from their sick beds, and the greatest excitement prevailed. Town Officers in 1855. Samuel Close, Augustus Mead, . Benjamin W. Husted, Allen Sutton, Levi Mead, 11 Cleric and Register. Treasurer. Selectman. 230 APPENDIX. Augustus Mead, . Town Agent. "^William II. Dusenbury, ConstaUe. John Dayton, a Sliadracli Smith, u Charles Ferris, a Philander Button, Grand Juror. John B. Wilson, . u u Calvin Purdy, U (( Ard Knapp, Assessor. Cornelius Ford, a John B. "Wilson, . 11 Selah Savage, . u Jolin E. Grigg, u James Wilson, Board of Belief. Augustus Mead, . a u Edwin Keeler, u a Seth Lyon, Surveyor. Wm. H. Dusenberry, u George J. Smith, Collector. *Jacob D. L. M. Armour, Justice of the Peace John Banks, . a (( Gideon Close, U (( Isaac 0. Close, (C (( George Derby, (( (( William A. Ferris, (( (( l^athan Finch, u (( Conklin Husted, (( (( Ezra Keeler, u u Ard Knapp, . (( u * All of this list did not take the oath, though all were elected. APPENDIX "I'd! Seth Lyon, . Justice of the Peace Alvan Mead, . . a i( Augustus Mead, . . ii a Drake Mead, . a (( Elkanali Mead, . <( li. Solomon Mead, , it a Samuel Mills, '. (( (( Augustus R. Newman, (( a Selah Savage, . li u John B. Wilson, • (( (( Toion Officers in 1856. Samuel Close, , ClerK Joseph E. Brush, . Register. Augustus Mead, . . Treasurer. Allen Sutton, . . Selectman. Thomas A. Mead, , u Levi Mead, , ii Levi Mead, . Town Agent. George J. Smith, , Collector. William H. Dusenberry, . Constable. John Dayton, . a Philander Button, , Grand Juror. Seth B. Downs, a a James Wilson, , . Assessor. Jabez Mead, jun. a Josepbus Palmer, . u Elkanah Mead, a Benjamin Page, . u Solomon Mead, Board of Relief. 232 APPENDIX. Ezra Keeler, Board of Belief. Isaac 0, Close . a a SethLyon, . Surveyor. William H. Dusenberry, a Kev. George H. Dunbar, Sch. Visitor Sec. So. George A. Palmer, li u Rev. Frederick Mimson, a u Seth Lyon, a u Julius B. Curtis, . u a Philander Button, ii ii Merritt Geralds, u a Wm. H. Dusenberry, . a a Town Officers {nlS57. Samuel Close, Clerk and Register Augustus Mead, Treasurer. Ard Knapp, Selectman. Titus Mead, u George Ferris, u George J. Smith, Collector. George J. Smith, . Constable. John Dayton, . u Charles Ferris, 11 B. F. Husted, . u George B. Christison, u Isaac Weed, Gra/nd Juror. John B. Wilson, . i( a Jabez Mead, jun. a (( Gilbert P. Finch, . ii ii Henry Dayton. a u John B. "Wilson, . Assessor. Jabez Mead, jun. u B. F. Husted, u Benjamin Page. (( James "Wilson, Board of Belief. Gideon Close, . a M Brush Knapp, a (( "William H. Dusenberry, Surveyor. Seth Lyon, u 233 Board of School Visitors. Gideon Close, Chairman. Daniel M, Mead, Cleric and Acting Visitor^ and Examining Committee. James H. Hoyt, Examining Committee. Joseph K. Stearns, Acting Visitor, and Examin- ing Committee. Samuel Mills, . . Visitor. Joseph E. Kussell, . " Jacob R. "Williams, . " Silas Husted, . . " George Derby . . " Justices of the Peace for 1857. Joseph Brush, William L. Lyon^ C. Silas Burley, Augustus Mead, * Gideon Close, Drake Mead, * Those in italics only, have taken the prescribed oath and arc acting justices. 234 APPENDIX. George Derby ^ William A. Ferris, Daniel M. Griffin, Benjainin F. Ilusted^ Conklin Husted, Ezra Keeler^ Ard Knapp, Titus Mead, Augustus R. Newman, William Newman, Samuel Peck, Joseph E. Mussel^ Minot S. Scofield, James Wilson, John B. Wihon. Officers of the Borough for 1857. Solomon Mead, Warden. Samuel Close, . Burgess. Alvan Mead, a Thomas A. Mead, li. Philander Button, . a James W. Dominick, . u Robert W. Mead, . Clerk and Treasurer. John Dayton, . Bailif. Julius B. Curtis, . Attorney. APPENDIX. 235 BUSINESS DIRECTORY FOR THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE TOWN OF GREENWICH, FOR 1857. BLACKSMITHmG. William Scojield keeps a blacksmith-shop, con- nected with the carriage-making business, in the village, a few feet north of Sniffin's Corner, on the road leading to Pecksland and Glenville. Moses Sargent keeps a shop on Bush's Point, at Lower Coscob, near the ship-yard. Ephraim Lane also keeps a shop at Coscob Vil- lage ; all kinds of blacksmithing done. Abraham S. Palmer keeps a shop at Mianus, con- nected with a wheelwright's shop. BOARDING AND SELECT SCHOOLS. Lewis Howe J A.M.., a graduate of Yale College, is the principal of an excellent institution, situated on a beautiful eminence, one door west of the Second Congregational Church. All the branches of edu- 23 O APPENDIX. cation, including music and the languages, are taught. And every facility is offered to the student. Mi's. Hess keeps an excellent private school for small children, in Mechanic street. Philander Button, A.M., a graduate of Yale Col- lege, is the principal of the Greenwich Academy, on the corner of Main and JSTorth streets. All the branches of an English education are taught, with Latin and Greek ; and the institution is in an ex- ceedingly flourishing condition. Prof. B. A. ISTorville, formerly Professor in West- ern Reserve College, and Conductor of Music in Centre Church, New Haven, has a full class in music throughout the year, and receives those desiring a thoroughly finished musical education by the term, as boarders, at his place of residence in Greenwich Avenue. Miss Elathea Newmaii's private school, at Mianus, is much appreciated as an excellent school by those in the vicinity. BUTCHERING AND MEAT-SHOPS. Henry Held keeps a shop for the sale of all kinds of meat, on the west side of Greenwich Avenue, a few rods from the corner of Main street. Wm. H Henderson. Shop in Greenwich avenue, opposite Mead and Dayton's building. Amos If. Brush & Co. Shop at Coscob village. J. Home c& Co. Shop at Mianus. Isaac 0. Close. Shop at Roundhill. APPENDIX. 237 CABINET-MAKER. Mr. Hunt. Shop in Greenwich avenue, connect- ed with sash and blind making. Stephen Stoothoff^ near Railroad Depot, connected with general carpenter work. CAKPENTEEING. Isaac Weed. Shop in Greenwich avenue. Charles Tlmpany. Shop at the village of Coscob. William Eddy. Shop at Mianus. William H. Lyon., at East Portchester. Many others are engaged in this business, but these are the heaviest contractors. C ARRIAGE-MAKING. Joseph E. Russet., one door north of Sniffin's corner, on road to Pecksland ; connected with a blacksmith's shop. Elijah Lent. All kinds of finished carriage- building, at the shop in Mechanic street. COAL For sale, by E. Husted, at Caleb W. Merritt's Dock. CLOCKS REPAIRED. Jonas Mead., jun.., a few doors from Sniffin's corner, on the road to PecksUand. DRESSMAKERS. Mrs. William E. Ferris., in Mechanic street. Mrs. Sarah Peolc, at Humphrey Denton's. 11* 238 APPENDIX. Mrs. Gilbert Marshall and Miss Wilmoty at Coscob. The Misses Davies^ at Miaiius. FACTORIES. Screw and Bolt Factory of Riissel, Birdsall & Ward, on the Byram River, a half-mile below Glen- ville. Tinners^ Tools Factory of Josiah "Wilcox, on Byram River, two miles north of Glenville. Ishani's Factory^ at Glenville. Rolling Mills, Burrington Hiclcs, agent, on the Mianus River, at Dumpling Pond. Sash and Blind Factory of Charles Timpany, a few rods north of Coscob village. HOTELS. Augustus Lyon keeps the Mansion House, on the corner of Greenwich avenue and Main street. Jacob T. Weed keeps Weed's Hotel, on Main street, nearly opposite Greenwich avenue. 3frs. Bancroft, on Main street. Joseph F. Page keeps the Railroad House, at Coscob Tillage. ICE. John Henderson will supply the people through the season with pure crystal ice. INSURANCE OFFICE. Greenwich Mutual Fire Insurance Company, office over the Post-office. Augustus Mead, Presi- dent ; G. J. Smith, Secretary. appendix. 239 lawyers' offices. Daniel M. Mead^ Attorney and Counselor for Connecticut and New York, and Commissioner of the Superior Court. Office in Mead and Dayton's Building, on Greenwich avenue, second story, front room. All kinds of conveyancing carefully attended to. Julius B. Curtis, Attorney and Counselor at Law, and Commissioner of the Superior Court. Office in Lyon's Building, on Main street, second story. All kinds of conveyancing carefully attended to. MERCHANTS. Francis Dauchy, agent for William Hoyt. Oppo- site the head of Greenwich avenue, in Main street. A very extensive assortment of dry goods and groceries for sale. Peter Acker keeps for sale a constant supply of dry goods and groceries at the Old Stand, on the corner of Greenwich avenue and Main street. Abraham Acker. Store in Lyon's Building, Main street. Joseph E. Brush. Dry goods and groceries, on the corner of Mechanic and Main streets. John Henderson. Confectionery, Main street. Benjamin Peak. General assortment of goods, Main street, one door from Mechanic street. Henry S. Banks, Glenville Bridge. Dry goods and groceries. Mosher & Co., Glenville. Groceries. 2i0 APPENDIX. Gould Selleck, Ooscob. Dry goods and groceries. A. and R. Bimsh <& Co. Dry goods and groceries, Coscob Village. Lockwood P. Clarh. Groceries, Coscob. Joseph Home c& Co. Dry goods and groceries. Mianus, Charles F'erris, do, Mianus. Newman and Ilewes, dry goods and groceries. Contractors for sewing and general tailoring. Jesse L. Wessels, East Portchester. MILLINERY. Mrs. Coles., in Main street. Mrs. Elliot^ near Railroad Depot. The Misses Lane, at Coscob Village. PHYSICIANS. Dr. Darius Mead. Residence on the brow of Putnam's Hill, Dr. James H. Hoyt. Residence in tlie center of the village, on Main street. Dr. Bartow F. AVhite. Residence is at Round-hill. Dr. Charles C. Allen. Residence at Coscob Vil- lage. SADDLERY. William Mead. Shop a half-a-mile north of Putnam's Hill. Epenetus S^iiffin, on SuifRn's Corner in the Vil- lasre. APPENDIX. 241 SALOONS. John H. Merritt. On Greenwich avenue. Oys- ters and ice-cream all in their season. John Henderson. On Main street, about the center of Yillaore. All the delicacies in their season. Joseph E. Page, at Coscob Tillage. All kinds of refreshment in their season. SHIP-YAKD. The ship-yard of Chard, Duff & Palmer, at Coscob, has turned out many elegant, durable, and fast-sailing vessels. SEXTONS. Jonas Mead, jion., of Second Congregational Church. John Hancock, of Episcopal Church. Gilbert Marshall, of Methodist E. Church. Others not known to the author. SHOE-MAKING. John Dayton, first floor of Mead and Dayton's Building, in Greenwich avenue. An extensive assortment of boots, shoes, and gaiters. Marshall and Mead, three doors west of Green- wich avenue, in Main street. Isaac Olmsted, at Coscob. Daniel Olmsted, at his residence on the road to Pecksland. 242 APPENDIX. Jonathan Jessup^ at Mianus. Henry Dayton^ at Mianus. STABLES AND CONVEYANCES. Edward Angevine. Stage line from Depot to every part of tlie town. John D. Elliot, do. Samuel Finch's line from Banks ville. TAILORS. George Slllick, at J. E. Brush's store, in Main st. J. Home & Co., at Mianus, Newman da Ilewes, Mianus. WHEELWRIGHTS. Jonas Mead, jun., at the Village. Humphrey D. Mead & Co., at Glen ville. Robert M. Harris, at Mianus. ^ GRAND LISTS. The following are the Lists of the town for several consecutive years, in the earlier and later periods of the history of Greenwich. Date. List in Pounds, 1665, .... £1,434 Os. 1666, . . . . 1,607 17 1667, .... ],632 14 1668, .... 1,609 15 1669, .... 1,667 10 1670, . , , . 1,897 5 APPENDIX. 243 1671, , , £1,806 1672, . . > . 1,162 1673, , 2,060 5 1674, • • • . 1,915 1675, , , 1,950 1676, thirty-six freeholders. . 1,719 1677, forty do 1,822 1694, sixty-six do . 2,638 8 List in Dollars. 1854, • • $2,495,215 1855, . . . . 2,680,304 1856, . 2,748,578 For a considerable period after the incorporation of the to WD, it was by far the smallest in the valua- tion of the Grand List, And while its valuation was less than two thousand pounds, that of the neighboring town of Stamford was more than six thousand. They are now about equal. SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN GREENWICH. The following are the names of the various school districts in the town, with the number of persons be- tween the ages of four and sixteen in each district, on the first of January, 1857. 1. Old Greenwich, ... 79 2. Palmer Hill, . . . .33 3. Mianus East, .... 61 4. Mianus West, . . . .47 5. Steep Hollow, .... 105 244: APPENDIX. 6. Coscob, .... . 108 7. North Coscob, . . . . 58 8. Meeting-house, . 321 9. North Street, . . . . 39 10. Stanwich, Uj^per, , . 73 11. " Lower, 102 12. Round Hill, . 103 13. Pecksland, . . . . 40 14. Clabbord Ridge, . . 43 15. Bjram, including East Portchester, 157 16. Factory, .... . 51 17. King street, Lower, 32 18. " Upper, . 51 19. Qunker Ridge, 55 20. Riverville, . 59 1627 The school-houses of the Coscob and Meeting- house school-districts were built in 1851, the former at an expense of about $1,450, including the land, the latter at an expense of about $8,000. A forty- cent tax was laid in the Meeting-house district for the purpose. The building committee were Augustus Mead, Zaccheus Mead, and William L. Lyon, Esqs. North Greenwich, Old Greenwich, Factory, and Pecksland districts, also built new houses about this time. TheRiversville District has now (1857) com- menced a school house of stucco. The building is octagonal in shape, with a porch toward the south. The East Portchester District was set off by the APPENDIX. 245 town about the 1st of December, 1856 ; and tbe se- lectmen placed tbe boundaries soon after, which was indorsed by the town at a succeeding town-meeting. East Portchester is a thriving village, on tbe east- ern bank of tbe Byram river. Tbe land on which it stands was purchased from a neighboring farmer, and laid out in building lots, only four or five years since. It has built up so rapidly that there are now ninety-four children within the limits of the school- district. INDIAN Indian. Patommog, Asamuck, Myanos, or Mebanas, Petuaqupaen, Betuckquapock, Miossehasseky, . Sioascock, Minniwies, or Menusing, Armonck, or Cokamong, Pimpewig, Haseco, Poningoe, . Mockquams, . Qnaroppas, Quinnehtuqut, liippowams, Mohiccannituck, NAMES. Modern. Patommuck Brook. Asamuck Brook. Mianus River. Coscob and Old Green- wich. Dumpling Pond. Horseneck and vicinity. Greenwich. Manursing Island. Byram River. Pimpewig Brook, Portchester. Town of Rye. Blind Brook. White Plains. Connecticut. Stamford. Hudson River. 246 APPENDIX. Sewanhacky or Mentoac, land of shells, . Long Island. Monakewego, . . Elizabeth, or Greenwich Point. Muhhekanno, . . Seven "Mohegan" tribes on coast. CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. 1492. Columbus discovered America. 1494. John and Sebastian Cabot discovered North America. 1524. John Yerazzani do. do. 1602. Bartholomew Gosnold do. do. 1609. Hendrick Hudson discovered Hudson River. 1614. Adrien Block discovered Connecticut. 1614. Greenwich discovered by Adrien Block. 1620. Landing of Pilgrims at Plj^raouth Rock. 1631. Old Patent of Connecticut issued. 1633. First house built in Connecticut by English. 1633. do. do. do. by Dutch. 1635. Famine in Connecticut. 1636. First General Court in Connecticut. 1640. Settlement of Greenwich. 1642. Greenwich ceded to the Dutch. 1643. Indians massacred at New Amsterdam. 1641. First expedition against Petuquapaen. 1644. Capt. Daniel Patrick shot by a Dutch officer. 1645. Petuquapaen finally destroyed. v^ 1650. Boundary line of Connecticut removed to west side of Greenwich. APPENDIX. 247 1656. Eiotous inhabitants threatened by General Court. 1656. Settlement bj Mead, Studwell, Hobby, and Hubbard, with several others, mostly coming from Long Island. 1664. Boundary line removed to Mamaroneck Kiver. 1666. First school-house built. 1672. 27 proprietors purchased West Greenwich. 1673. Rye still accounted a part of Connecticut. 1676. Rev. Mr. "Wizwale invited to preach. 1678. Rev. Mr. Peck came and settled. 1681. First recorded marriage is that of John Mead, jun., to Miss Ruth Hardey. 1683. Boundary of Connecticut settled at Byram River. 1685. Grist mill built at Dumpling Pond. 1688. JSTumber of legal voters, forty-nine. 1689. Rev. Jeremiah Peck dismissed. 1691. Rev. Abraham Pierson preaching. 1691. Yoted to have a 7iew meeting-house. 1694. Mr. Pierson left Greenwich. 1695. Mr. Salmon Treat commenced preaching. 1695. Grand List £2,638 8s. 1696. John Mead's Will. 1697. Mr. Treat left the town. 1697. Rev. Joseph Morgan began preaching. 1700. Rev. Nathaniel Bowers settles in Old Green- wich. 1700. Rev. Joseph Morgan moves to Horseneck. 1703. Town-meetings began to be held one-half time in Horseneck. 248 APPENDIX. 1704. Rev. George Muirson, an Episcopal clergy- man, preached in Greenwich occasionally, he Ijeing settled over the parish at Rye. 1705. Mr. Morgan builds mill at Indian Harbor. 1705. Final separation of the town into two religious societies. Permanent articles of agreement made. 1708. Mr. Morgan dismissed from active duty as minister at Horseneck. 1707 or 1708. Mr. Nathaniel Bowers left preaching in Old Greenwich. During a short period here, neither society had a minister. 1713. A question of reunion of the societies arose, which was never carried out. 1716. Mill and dock built at mouth of Horseneck Brook. 1717. Rev. Richard Sackett commenced preaching at Horseneck 1724. Horseneck Brook Dock enlarged. 1727. Rev. Mr, Sackett died. 1728. Rev. Stephen Munson settled at Horseneck. 1730. Rev. Mr, Munson died in May. 1732. Rev. Abraham Todd settled at Horseneck. 1739. War declared against Spain by Great Britain. 1740. Rev. James Wetmore, an Episcopal church- man, settled at Rye, preached regularly once a month in Greenwich. 1744. "War declared against France by Great Britain. 1745. Mrs. Ruth Peck, -svife of Samuel Peck, died. 1746. Death of Samuel Peck, aged 90. APPENDIX. 249 1747. Eev. Ebenezer Dibble, D.D., an Episcopal clergyman preached one half the time at Greenwich, and the other half at Stamford. 1748. Peace concluded with France and Spain. 1749. First Episcopal church built. 1755. Second war with France begun. 1756, War actually declared in May. 1759. Connecticut troops at Ticonderoga, and a company from Greenwich among tliem. 1760. Peace again concluded with France. 1763. Permission to David Bush to build a mill. 1768. Town petitioned to make Norwalk a shire- town. 1774. On the 21st of March, the town takes prompt action in o2:)po3ition to a suit before the King, in reference to western lands. 1774. On the 17th of October, the town takes strong action in favor of a revolution, and appoints a committee to raise sums by sub- scription, to be sent to Boston. 1775. February the 8th, Dr. Amos Mead and John Mackay were appointed delegates to a County Congress. 1775. December 13th, thirteen persons were ap- pointed a Committee of Safety. 1776. Jesse Parsons, Town Clerk, died July 26th. 1777. Remonstrance against Col. Enos's conduct, 1778. January 12tli, doings of Continental Congress indorsed. 1778. December 14th, Tories outlawed. 250 APPENDIX. 1779. Gov. Tryon makes his expedition to Horse- neck on the 26th of February. Gen. Putnam makes his daring escape from the band of Tories under the command of Thomas Merritt, 1780. Town House and law books sold. 1781. The skirmish of King street. The Americans under Lieut. Mosher, and the British under Col. Holmes. 1783-4. Petition of the town to be released from taxes for these years, and to be paid the amount of damages sustained. 1784. The Church call the Consociation to dismiss Pev-. John Murdock. 1787. Liberty granted to the brothers Titus to rebuild their mills at Mianus, 1787. Dr. Amos Mead and Col. Jabez Fitch ap- pointed delegates to the convention to ratify or disapprove of the Federal Constitution. 1793. The town oppose the clergy fund. 1802. Proposition to build a Town-house was voted down. 1803. Opposed the Turnpike road. 1812. War broke out in June. 1813. Wondrous display of valor. 1818. Clark Sanford, Esq., and Enos Lockwood, Esq., elected delegates to the State Constitu- tional Convention, which was held on the fourth Wednesday in August. 1828. A great many sheep killed by dogs. 1834. Town-meeting held at Methodist church, at Mianus. APPENDIX. 251 1835. Voted to build a Town House. 1836. Town meeting held at new house. 1850. The grand finale of Skimetons. 1853. Greenwich a Probate District. 18 56. Trial of Glenville-road case. 1857. History of Greenwich published. THE SECOND CONaREGATIONAL SOCIETY. The final separation of the second from the old Congregational Society by their recorded agree- ment did not take place until the year 1705. But a virtual separation took place in 1700, when the Old Greenwich people, having contracted a dislike for Mr. Morgan, because of certain favors which he granted to Horseneck, refused to hear him, and asked the Reverend Nathaniel Bowers to preach to them; and the Horseneck people invited Mr. Mor- gan to preach to them exclusively. A more minute history of the doings of the town in relation to that matter, may be found upon the preceding pages of this volume. Mr. Morgan seems to have preached regularly to the congregation of the Second Society, only until 1708 ; after which time the pulpit was filled by him and other transient preachers until 1717, when a call was extended to the Rev. Richard Sackett, who came and preached for the Society to the time of hia death, which occurred in 1727. He was succeeded by the Rev. Stephen Munson, who came here in 252 APPENDIX. 1728, built Mr. Solomou Mead's old house, and preached until his death, which occurred only two years after, in May, 1730. His next settled succes- sor was the Rev. Abraham Todd, who settled in 1733 and preached until his death, which occurred 1773, after forty years' service as pastor. He was buried in the old burying-ground, in Davis' lane. In 1769 the Society '-'-'by vote impowered Mr. Tod to desire one or more persons to tune the Psalm as he shall see proper." After the death of Mr. Todd (of whom, and the pastors which preceded him, much more is said in the body of this work). Rev. Amos Butler and others supplied the pulpit for about a year. In 1774, Capt. John Grigg and Henry Mead, being appointed a committee for that purpose, extended a call to Rev. Jonathan Murdock. The salary offered him was one hundred pounds, and a bonus of two hundred pounds, one-third of which was to be paid in three months, one-third at the end of the first year, and the remainder at the end of the second year. Mr. Murdock accepted the call, and had an immediate settlement, Oct. 20tli, 1777. " Further the society voted that Mr. Murdock be appointed to say when the Psalms shall be read line by line, there being often several strangers who have no book." During the year 1781, Mr. Murdock released the Society from paying his salary, on account of their poverty, and did not preach. On the first Monday in April the Society fully APPENDIX. 253 concurred with the church in requesting Mr. Mur- dock to unite with them in asking for his dismission, after the question had been seriously considered through several meetings. On his refusal to unite with his church and congregation, the people pre- pared the grave charges against him, found upon a preceding page of this work. They finally, how- ever, compromised the matter by the payment to Mr. Murdock, of the one years' salary which he had previously released ; and he united with his oppo- nents and obtained a dismission. Rev. Mr. Austen followed him, and preached as supply for a period of six months, when Rev. Isaac Lewis, afterwards Doctor of Divinity, preached for three months with a view to settlement. After- wards, on the 24th of August 1786, a call to settle was extended to him, which was answered by letter On the 19th of the following September, as follows : To the Church and Members of the West Society iu Greenwich. Brethren and Friends, — Your choice of me as your pastor, and the oflFers you have made for my temporal support, have been duly considered. I thank you for the confidence you have put in me, and for the generosity of your proposals. Would, however, observe that in order to my reaping the benefit from the parsonage lands, which, I have no doubt, the society really intends me, it will be necessary that they be put in proper repair, with suitable division fence. If the Society will see this matter accomplished and your unanim- ity continues, I will accept the important office to which you 12 254 APPENDIX. liave chosen me. Humbly relying- on the all-sufficiency of Divine Grace to enable me to discharge its duties and earn- estly requesting a union of your prayers with mine to the Great Head of the Church, that the proposed relation may be a mutual and lasting blessing, — I am, Brothers, your cordial friend and servant in the Lord . ISAAC LEWIS. The request of Mr. Lewis was granted, and he was soon afterwards settled in the work of the ministry, with one hundred pounds salary. For several years previous to 1798, the subject of a new meeting-house was brought up and discussed ; but the subject failed to meet the approbation of the Society, until, on the 15th of January, 1793, the Society "judged it necessary to build a new meet- ing-house. The question being put, there appeared more than three quarters in the affirmative." " Further voted that they accept of the proposals of the subscribers. Then voted that Abraham Husted be the Treasurer to receive the subscribers' money." The Society then voted that ^^ Decon Abraham Mead" and Benjamin Mead, Esqs., be a committee to superintend the purchase of materials, and defraying the necessary expenses of building said house. Yoted, that the above committee pro- ceed, as soon as the season will admit, to build the meeting-house. Further voted, that the committee sliould contract to have it built by the great if they think it necessary. The meeting dismist by vote." "Recorded by JOB LYON, Clerk." APPENDIX. 255 SUBSCRIPTION LIST. We, the subscribers, inhabitants of the West Society in Greenwich, do promise to pay unto Abraham Husted, the sum in money annexed to our several names, viz. one third of such subscribed sum on the first day of March next, and one third on the first day of June next, and one third on the first day of October next, to be apphed to the only purpose of and for building a meeting house or a church for public worship in said Society, which house is to be made of wood, and in length fifty-two feet, in width forty feet, and in height twenty-one feet, with a steeple of a suitable length and to be set on the same spot of ground or within eight rods of the same where the present house stands, which money so subscribed shall by the said Husted be paid to such persons or person who shall by the subscribers be appointed to superintend the purchase of materials and defraying the necessary expenses of completing said house, and this sub- scription to be in force if three thousand dollars are sub- scribed, if not to be void. Dated at Greenwich the 23d day of November, 1797. SUBSCKIBEKS' NAMES. Amos Mead, $125 Lois Holly, $5 Richard Mead, 125 Jerusha Graham, . ,- 100 Abraham Mead, 250 Peter Avery, 2 Zaccheus Mead, 60 Joshua Banks, 5 Jared Mead, 125 Nathaniel Ferris, 2 Jonah Mead, 125 John Banks, 5 Benjamin Peck, . 40 John Addington, 9 Robert Mead, 125 Henry Grigg, 10 Nehemiah Mead, jr., . 70 Stephen Holmes, 15 Peter A. Burtis, 60 David Holmes, . 10 George Lockwood, 30 Nehemiah Mead, 30 Wm. Skidmore, 30 Peter Husted, 70 Joseph Reynolds, 20 Abraham Husted, 70 Phebe Mead, 5 Joshua Mead, 100 256 Ebenczer Mead, . Job Lyon, Isaac Weed, George More, Peter Mead, Margaret Knapp, Jabez Fitch, Amos Green, Benj. Holmes, Ebenezer Hubbj', Squire Hubby, . Squire Hubby, Squire Holly, Noah Stiles, . Isaac Holly, Reuben Holmes, Hardy Mead, Shadrach Mead, Martha Ritch, . Lydia Reynolds, Theophilus Peck, Solomon Peck, Thomas Hubbj'^, jr, Charles Peck, JefFery Felmetta, John Hobby, Justus Sackett, . Nathaniel Mead, jr Jacob Fletcher, . Thomas Hubly, Jabez M. Hobby, Hezekiah Hobby, Peter Moe, Stephen Davis, Justus B. Mead, Israel Peck, . Titus Mead, Abraham Mead, Amos Mead, Samuel Peck, jr., Gideon Close, APPENDIX. $100 Abraham Reynolds, $10 45 Joshua Mead, 30 8 Robert Mead, . 15 8 Daniel Banks, . 10 46 Sarah Mead, . 12 5 Nehemiah Mead, jr., . 18 60 Ebenezer Mead, 25 5 Abraham Mead, 50 10 Ambrose Reynolds, 40 30 Eliphalet Peck, . 1 25 John Mills, 5 5 James Knapp, . 2 5 Charles Lyon, 4 5 Nathaniel Peck, 6 25 Caleb Lyon, . 6 15 Oliver Fairchild, 5 10 Gilbert Peck, 5 25 Nathaniel Finch 25 4 David Brown, 8 12 Robert Peck, jr.. 20 20 James Brown, 5 3 Gilbert Close, . 10 15 Hannah Peck, 5 20 Samuel Peck, 30 15 Nathaniel Mead, . 30 20 Gideon Peck, 6 25 David Mead, . 40 10 Benj. Mead, 100 10 Caleb Lyon, jr.. 10 80 Reuben Green, jr.. 5 15 Elisha Belcher, 30 15 Isaac Peck, jr., . 20 3 Jabez Husted, 10 10 Levi Ingersoll, . 1 10 Daniel Davis, 3 30 Matthew Mead, . 1 40 Matthew Mead, jr , 1 10 Silas Mead, jr., and 10 Abner Mead, 70 15 10 Total, ^3,076 It will be noticed that the names of some are re- peated more than once, they having made an addi- APPENDIX. 257 tional subscription in order to secure the raising of the three thousand dollars, which was called for. The house was placed ten or twelve feet south of the old one, and the former house was moved out of the way and left standing for use during the building of the new one. After the completion of this build- ing, which was not walled, David Webb, Orrin Marvin, and Enos Knapp were appointed arbitrators, to decide whether the building was completed in a workmanlike manner. Their decision was against the builders ; and they decreed that the amount of four hundred and thirty dollars and fifty cents should be deducted from the amount to be received by the builders. The seats were taken out of the old house, and put in the new one. The cost of the steeple was $197,33. FIEST SALE OF PEWS. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Hi 8. 9. 10. 11. To Isaac Lewis, D.D., " ISTehemiah Mead, 3d, " Jerad Mead, " Joshua Mead, " Benjamin Mead, " Dr. Shadrach Mead, " Richard Mead, . " Eichard Mead, " Gilbert Peck, " Solomon Peck, " Abraham Mead, Gratis. $8 50 . 6 00 4 50 . 5 00 4 50 . 3 50 3 75 . 2 00 1 00 . 2 00 258 APPENDIX. No. 12. To Benjamin Mead, Total, 3 00 13. ' Silas Mead, . 2 50 14. ' Benjamin Holmes, . 1 25 15. ' Zaccheus Mead, . . 1 00 16. ' Kehemiah Mead, 1 75 17. ' Kobert Mead, . 2 00 18. ' Jonathan Close, 2 25 19. * Peter Mead, . 3 00 20. ' John R. Cosine, 7 00 21. ' Gilbert Close, . 5 00 22. ' Abraham Mead, 6 00 23. " Stephen Waring, 11 00 24. ' Peter A. Bnrtis, 11 00 $97 50 At tlie sale of the next year (1803), the same pews sold for $202 50, The sexton was paid fifteen dollars, for taking care of the church and ringing the bell. The latter was imported from England, at a cost of one hundred dollars, by Benjamin Mead, as may be seen by his bill of sale to the Society, re- corded in their books. The origin of the Society's fund was in a subscrip- tion, made to and accepted by the Society, in 1816. The subscription was to be void unless two thousand dollars were raised, and the amount was to remain upon interest during the pastorate of Dr. Lewis ; and after the cease of his ministry, the avails of it were to be devoted to the support of the ministry. The following persons contributed to the fund : — APPENDIX. 259 Rev. Isaac Lewis, D.D., $50 Joshua Mead, . $50 Abraham Mead, 150 Robert Mead, . 50 Jabez Mead, 100 Stephen Waring, 50 Samuel Peck, . 25 Isaac Holly, . 25 Elisha Belcher, 100 Alvan Mead, . 50 Zophar Mead, 200 David Mead, . 50 Isaac Mead, 200 Jonathan Mead, Jr., 50 Daniel S. Mead, 50 Ambrose Reynolds, 50 Noah and Jonas Mead, 100 Gideon Close, 50 Zenas Mead, . 100 Israel Peck, 80 Nehemiah Mead, Jr., . 100 Eliphalet Peck, 35 Darius Mead, Jr., . 25 Piatt Mead, 15 Reuben Holmes, 15 Elnathan Husted, 50 Zaccheus Mead, 50 Jehiel Mead, Jr., 40 Timothy Walker, 25 Silas H. Mead, 50 Jabez M. Hobby, 25 Samuel Close, 5 Hezekiah Hobby, 20 Seymour Hobby, 25 Nathaniel Hibbard, 50 Jonah Mead, 100 Job Lyon, 50 Obadiah Mead, 35 Shadrach Mead, 50 Caleb Husted, . 15 Gilbert Close, 50 Amos Husted, . 25 Isaac Peck, Jr., 50 Aaron Husted, 25 Elias Purdy, 25 Total, 2,475 In 1818, Rev. Isaac Lewis, D.D., requested to be relinquished from taking further care of the church, after having acted as pastor of the church for thirty- foic7' years. The Society voted that he should never lack their support, and invited his son. Rev. Isaac Lewis, jun., to become their pastor, with a salary of eight hundred dollars. He accepted, and was in- stalled soon after his letter of acceptance, which was dated on the 2d of November, A. D. 1818. At the next sale of pews the amount of $299 50 was real- ized. In 1821, it was " Voted, that hereafter, in all cases each person who shall bid off a pew in tlie meeting-house, shall procure another person, to the 260 APPENDIX. acceptance of the committee, as security, both of whose names shall be entered by the Clerk, and shall be considered as joint purchasers of said pew, and a failure of such security being procured, said pew shall be again put up for sale, and such person shall be debarred from biddino; again during that meeting." In 1822, for the first time, the meeting-house was warmed by a stove. This innovation was struggled against by many, but the minority were obliged to endure the innovation. In 1827, Silas Harvey Mead, Calvin Mead, Lu- ther Mead, Heman Mead, Levi Mead, Darius Mead, Obadiah Mead, Jehiel Mead, Nathaniel Knapp, Isaac Peck, 3d, Seymour Hobby, Allen Hobby, Gilbert Close, and Sarah Mead, withdrew from this Society for the purpose of forming the North Green- wich Congregational Society. In 1828, a lightning-rod was erected upon the steeple. During this year, the Society united with the church in desiring the dissolution of the pastoral relation existing between them and the Rev. Isaac Lewis, jun. Mr. Lewis at first opposed this action ; but finally the matter was arranged, and he con- sented to leave, after nearly ten years' ministry. On the 10th of September, 1828, it was " Yoted, that Eev. Noah C. Saxton receive pay at the rate of six hundred dollars per annum at the termination of his labor, &c. He, with others, filled the minis- terial office until 1829. The Society directed the fund agents (Zenas Mead and Thomas A. Mead) to APPENDIX. 261 pay to the North Greenwich Society so much of the fund as had been subscribed by the persons now members of that Society ; and afterwards by another vote, to pay them so much as had been subscribed by persons living north and west of Pimpewig Brook. In 1829 Rev. Albert Judson acted as supply, at the salary of six hundred dollars, and at a special meeting on the 29th of May, in the same year, a call was extended to the Rev. Simeon North, who did not accept, although a fall salary of eight hun- dred dollars was offered. Afterwards, on the 7th of January, 1830, a call was extended to the Rev. Joel Mann. The vote was 33 yeas, 5 nays, and 11 silent. He was at first offered a salary of seven hundred dollars, which he refused. By a vote of twenty- three to ten, eight hundred dollars was then offered him, which he accepted. It was further voted that the ground lying northeast of the church (the present parsonage place), should be purchased, and that a parsonage house should be erected upon it at a cost not to exceed the sum of two thousand three hun- dred dollars. Out of his salary Mr. Mann was to jjay a four per cent, rent for the use of this parson- age. This was protested against by Stephen Waring, William Husted, Ephraim Mead, William Mead, Joshua Reynolds, Ambrose Reynolds, jun., Drake Mead, Benjamin Reynolds, Daniel Peck, Drake Mead, and Peter Mead, on various grounds, but chiefly that inasmuch as this is an agricultural com- 12* 262 APPENDIX. rnimity, the minister should be like to thein ; and the old parsonage land, which was by this arrangement to be sold, should be retained for the minister to farm upon. They cited, in support of this objection, the course of life pursued by the venerable Dr. Lewis, and Rev. Piatt Buffet, of Stanwich. Mr. Mann wrote a long letter of acceptance, dated June 12th, 1830. The barn, cistern, &c., at- tached to the parsonage were built in 1831. Also during this year, the old barrel pulpit was removed by individuals having obtained permission from the Society, and a more modern one was substituted. By a note, dated Nov\ 23d, 1835, Mr. Mann re- quested the Society to unite with him in asking for his dismission, and at a special meeting held the same day, the Society concurred. The Consociation, however, refused to dismiss him ; whereupon he again applied for a separation, bringing certain charges against the church, the principal of which was laxity in discipline. Ilezekiah Hobby, Samuel Close, Drake Mead, John Knapp, K. P. Smith, Wm. A. Husted, and John C. Sanford (who wished to unite with the Society at Portchester), withdrew from the Society. Also Arad Peck and Solomon Peck. Upon the second application, Mr. Mann was dismissed, after five years' ministry. On the 30tli of March, 1837, a call was extended to the Rev. Noah Coe, who accepted and was soon after installed. In 1839 a special meeting was called to reconsider APPENDIX. 263 a former action of the Society in granting to persons the right to erect sheds for horses upon the parson- age ground. The former action was sustained, liow- ever, and the sheds were built. Those who opposed the project, were Zenas Mead, Darius Mead, Solo- mon Mead, Isaac Mead, Augustus Mead, Abra- ham D. Mead, Zopbar Mead, Joshua Reynolds, Ambrose Reynolds, Jerad Reynolds, Benjamin Reynolds, Job Lyon, Isaac Lyon, Eliphalet Peck, B. "W. Husted, Isaac Mead, jnn. The principal reasons set forth in their objections were that the congregation would be disturbed by the noise of carriages passing to and from the sheds, and that the encroachment upon the parsonage ground would be too great. However, the sheds were placed much nearer the church than was at first intended. On the 23d of April, 1845, the Society united with the church in asking for the dismission of Mr. Coe. He refused to concur. " 1st. Because it is unnecessary to the accom- plishment of your wishes, for you could call the Consociation in your dvvn right. " 2ond. Because I could not by any act of mine share in the responsibility of the measure proposed." After receiving this answer, the Society by a vote of thirty-one to six, with the church, called the Consociation. And after a serious and stormy controversy before the Consociation, Mr. Coe was dismissed after an eight years' ministry. Rev. Frederick G. Clark now 264 APPENDIX. preached for more tlian a year as supply, receiving a salary of six hundred and fifty dollars. Rev. Mr. Henry, and Rev. Mr. Bushnell, an excellent preacher, also acted as supply until the 28th of August, 1847 ; when the Rev. Joel II. Liiidsley, D.D., was tendered a call to settle. The vote upon this question stood thirty-one yeas and two nays, with one blank. He is now (Jan. 1857), the pastor of the church, receiving seven hundred dollars salary, with a present an- nually of two hundred dollars, and the free use of the parsonage and its appurtenances. On the 7th of December, 1852, a committee was appointed to take into consideration the building of a new church. After various meetings, nothing was accomplished until finally, on the lltli of April, 1856, it was decided by a vote of thirty-five to seven, to build a church of stone, according to a plan pre- sented by the committee. Its position to be a little northeast of the present site, but so near as to render the removal of the old church necessary. The building, in its whole length, including a lecture- room, to be one hundred and thirty-eight feet. Its extreme widtli, one hundred and ten feet. The tower upon the southeastern corner to be one hundred feet high, and the spire upon the opposite front corner, two hundred feet. The building was contracted for by Robert W. Mead, Esq., one of the largest subscribers, at the following estimate : APPENDIX. 265 Mason work, including stone furnished, cut, and set, $10,000 Cartage, breaking stone, and sand, . . 4,100 1,000 1,600 Plastering, including lime, sand, and lath. Brick, $400, Lime, $1,200 Carpenter, including materials, iron work and cartage, 10,500 1,200 1,100 1,600 180 1,220 Slating roof, < . . . Glazing, $600, painting, $500, Spires, if of wood, including slating, Digging, for masons, $100, iron Avork, Architect and contingencies, Total, . . $32,500 The final vote in reference to entering into this contract was decided by twenty-eight yeas and six nays. Abovit this time, Messrs. Mills H. Husted, Wm. H. Mead, Jacob D. L. M. Armour, Zacclieus Mead, and Augustus Mead, withdrew from the Society. The Society's officers for the year 1857 are — Moderator — Lewis Howe, Esq., r Thomas A. Mead, Committee, < Nehemiah Howe, [ Philander Button, a^r^— Robert W. Mead, Treasurer — Robert W. Mead, Collector — Daniel M. Mead, Fund Agent — Zenas Mead and Thomas A. Mead. The use of the pews for the year 1855 sold for the sum of one thousand and seventy-six dollars. For 1856, nine hundred and seventy-four dollars. 266 APPENDIX. We give here the epitaph of the Rev. Isaac Lewis, D.D., who was buried in his private bury- ing-groiind, a little north of the present residence his daughters. Rev. Isaac Lewis D.D. died August 2Y. 1840, in the 95 year of his age He was born in Stratford and was educated at Yale College. Was the faithful Pastor of the Congregational Church in Wilton eighteen years, and of the Congregational Church in this place thirty-three years. In his social relations, he was kind and affectionate ; for piety and learning eminently distinguished. In the same grave-yard are the remains of Rev. Piatt Buffet, marked by the following : Rev. Piatt Buffet. Departed this life May 25th 1850 in the 86th year of his age He was born on Huntington, Long Island 1754 Graduated at Yale College 1791 Studied Divinity with Rev. Dr. Edwards Was licensed to preach the Gospel by the New Haven Association. He was ordained and constituted pastor of APPENDIX. 26Y the Congregational Church in Stanwich By the Consociation of Fairfield West on 25 may 1796. He died peaceful and happy in the full assurance of that faith in Christ which he preached to others for more than half a century. List of Ifinisters of the 2<^ Society. Began to Name. Left Preaching. Salary.* preach. 1700. Joseph Morgan, . ITOS.f £ 1717. Eichard Sackett, . . 1727. 1728. Stephen Munson, . 1830. 1733. Abraham Todd, . . 1773. 1774. Jonathan Murdock, . 1783. £100 1786. Isaac Lewis, D.D., . 1818. 100 1818. Isaac Lewis, jun., . 1S27. $800 1828. JSfoah C. Saxio?i, . . 1829. 600 1830. Joel Mann, . . 1836. :};800 1837. Noah Coe, . . . 1845. 700 1845. Frederick G. Clarl:, . 1847. 650 1847. Joel H. Lindslej, . . §700 * The salaries as paid at the commencement of each minister's term of service. In many instances the sums were increased. \ Mr. Morgan, with others, preached from 1708 tn 1*717 occasionally. \ Out of this salary Mr. Mann paid a four-per-cent. rent for the new parsonage. Mr. Coe and the succeeding ministers liave not paid this or any other rent. § Besides this amount, Dr. Lindsley receives the free rent, of the parsonage, and an annual present of $200. The rent of the par- sonage is worth from two hundred and fifty to three hundred and fifty dollars. 268 APPENDIX. METHODIST EPISCOPAL SOCIETY OF HORSENECK. This Society was formed on the 14th day of No- A^ember, A.D. 1843. The mutual agreement by which this association was formed, is recorded upon the records of the Society as follows : Whereas the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church resident in Horseneck, in the town of Greenwich, Fairfield Co., Conn., desire to make provision for the main- tenance of the public worship of God according to the usages and doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church in said Horseneck as may be considered necessary. Therefore we the undersigned for the accomplishment of the above named object do hereby by mutual agreement associate ourselves together as a religious society for the maintenance of the public worship of God according to the said usages and doctrines of the said Methodist Episcopal Church in said Horseneck, by the name and style of the Horseneck Methodist Episcopal Society ; by which name and style the said Society is to be called and known ; which said society we do hereby constitute to be subject to all the incidents and liabilities to which religious societies and con- gregations are by law subject and possess and enjoy all rights powers and privileges given by law to religious so- cieties and congregations. And we hereby declare this meeting at which the under- signed are present to be the first meeting of said Society the same being holden by us all this 14th day of November, A. D. 1843 at the school house in said Horseneck. And we do hereby appoint John A. Merritt clerk of said Society to continue in oflSce until another be chosen and sworn in APPENDIX. 269 his room. And we also appoint Jonathan A. Close, Elisha Halsted, Gilbert Marshall, Solomon S. Gansey and Benja- min Peck jun. to be the committee of the said Society to order the affairs of said society according to law. And we do hereby fix on the school house in Horseneck Society as the place of holding the meetings of said society until the society shall otherwise direct and we direct that the clerk of this society shall cause the articles of association to be recorded in the records of this Society. We also appoint Elisha Halsted Treasurer of this society. We also fix on the first Monday of November as the time when the annual meetings of this society shall be holden until the society shall otherwise direct. Witness our hands this 14th day of November A. D. 1843. SOLOMON S. GANSEY, ELISHA HALSTED, JOHN A. MERRITT, GILBERT MARSHALL, JOHN M. WEED, JONATHAN A. CLOSE, BENJAMIN PECK, JUN. On the 14tli of November, 1S48, the following united with the Society. Gilbert Lent, Samuel Slagle, Samuel Minor, William Funston, Wm McF. Howard (withdrawn), John Marshall, William Barmore, Charles Gorse. 270 APPENDIX. And on or soon after the 8th of December, 1851, Charles Owen, Drake Marshall, Kichard Burns, David H. Smith, Samuel Riker, Samuel Burns, Humphrey D. Mead, John Dayton. On the 22d of January, 1844, by unanimous con- sent it was voted to build a meeting-house. The dimensions were thirty feet by forty-five. The building committee then ajDpointed were Elisha Halsted, Jonathan A Close, and Benjamin Peck, jr. This building was immediately commenced, and soon completed. The ministers of this Church have been in the following order — Rev. Rufus C. Putney, " Benjamin Redford, " Jacob C. Wasbburne, " Charles Gorse, " John A. Selleck, « G. L. Fuller, " P. L. Hoyt, " George Dunbar, " Senaca Howland, present minister. chkist's church. With respect to the early labors of Rev. Mr. Muirson of Rye Parish, assisted by Caleb Heath- APPENDIX. 271 cote, in the early part of the eighteenth century, for the benefit of the Episcopalian faith in this town, the reader is referred to the body of this volume. Later in the same century, Rev. James Wetmore, also of Rye parish, preached once a month in Greenwich, as may be gathered from preceding pages. In 1747, Rev. Ebenezer Dibble, a graduate of New Haven, began his labors as a missionary for Greenwich and Stamford. In 1749, upon the petition of several people the town granted them liberty to build an Episcopal Church upon the brow of Putnam's Hill. It was accordingly built there, where are yet many grave- stones marking the site. Dr. Dibble preached here for a long time, al- though the author is not informed of the particular time at which he resigned the pastoral charge. He used frequently to preach at the house of Moses Heusted, on the site where William A. Husted, Esq., now resides, and that within the memory of persons now living. He is described as a venerable man, of dignified appearance, his long white locks flowing gracefully over his shoulders. Rev. Amzi Rogers, afterwards preached here, but when or for how long a time we are unable to ascertain. There appears to have been a period when there was but little permanent preaching. During the great September gale of 1821 (some say 1823), the church upon the brow of the hill. 272 APPENDIX. which had been built iu 1749, was blown down. The roof was blown off at one gale, and the build- ing completely demolished at the other. Chrisfs Church was raised July 4th, 1832. In November 1833, the Eev. Robert Davis was invited to take charge of the Parish. On May 4tb, 1834, the Church was consecrated by the Right Rev. Thomas Church Brownell, D. D., LL. D., Bishop of the Diocese. There were also present at the conse- cration, the Rev. Ambrose Todd, Rector of St. John's Church, Stamford, Rev. Jackson Kemper, D. D., Rector of St. Paul's Church, Norwalk, and the Rev. Robert Davis, the minister of the Parish. The Rev. Frederick Beasely, of Penn., was also present. Mr. Davies continued in charge of the Church until July, 1834, when he relinquished the cure. On the 9th of September following, the Rev. Joseph H. Nichols, was imanimously invited to the pasto- ral charge of the church ; and having accepted of the call, he entered upon the duties of the cure on the 14th day of the same month. He resigned the pastoral charge in February A. D. 1839. On the 5th of April following, the Rev. Benja- min M. Yarrington, was called to the pastoral duties of the church. On the 15th of the same month he accepted the call, and entered upon the duties on the 27th of the same month. April 20th, 1840, being Easter Monday, after the usual election of church wardens and vestrymen, APPENDIX. 273 the Rev. B. M. Yarriiigton was unanimously elected the Rector of Christ's Church by the members of his parisii, and accordingly signified his acceptance. Emajs'uel Church at Glenville, was consecrated on the 22d of April, 1842, by Right Rev. Thomas Church Brownell, D. D., LL. D., Bishop of the Diocese. Present, Rev. Ambrose Todd, D. D., Rev. William C. Mead, D. D., Rev. John Purves, Rev. Mr. Howell, Rev. B. M. Yarrington. Also, of Diocese of New York, Rev. Thomas Coit, D. D., Rev. Mr. Harris and Rev. Mr. Partridge. The church erected in 1832, was torn down in 1856, and a beautifid stone edifice was erected. During the year 1856, the services were held at the Methodist Episcopal Church. The following is a correct account of the consecration of the new edi- fice taken mostly from the Churchman, a New York paper : — • " This church was consecrated on Wednesday the 14th of January A. D. 1857. There were of the clergy, besides the Right Rev. the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese, and the Rev. B. M. Yarrington (the Rector), the Rev. Drs. Mead, Todd, and Harris (of New York), and Rev. Messrs. Carter, Lefiingwell, Potter, Purdy, Purves, Robertson, Short, Stimson, Williams (of Ridgefield), Williams (of New Canaan), Vermilye ; and from the Diocese of N. York, Messrs. Bull, Partridge, Rumney, Peck, and Weaver. The day being extremely fine, and the sleighing good, large numbers of the inhabitants of the vicinity, to- gether with many from the neighboring cities and vil- 274 APPENDIX. lages, were also present on the occasion ; and the church, which is capable of seating nearly six hundred adults, was densely crowded, so much that the nave, aisles, and every other portion of the building where standing room could be obtained, were quite filled. The Request to Consecrate was read by the Rector, and the Sentence of Consecration by Dr. Todd. Morning prayer was commenced by Rev. Mr. Bull, Rev. Mr. Weaver reading the First Lesson, Rev. Mr. Purdy the Second Lesson, Rev. Mr. Purves the Creed, Prayers, and Litany, Rev. Mr. Yermilye the Epistles, and the Rev. Mr. Stimson the Gospel. The music was v^ery good, and in the choir were Mrs. Bostwick, of Calvary Church, New York, Miss Juliet Davis, formerly of the same church, but now a member of Rev. Mr. Yarrington's congrega- tion, and Rev. Mr. Riggs of New York. The sermon was preached by the Bishop, from the following text : ' The true worshiper's shall worship the Father in sp>i7'it and in truth.'' — John, iv. 23. " The Offertory was then proceeded with, the sen- tences being read by the Rector. The offerings amounted to one hundred dollars, which will be applied to the liquidation of a remaining debt on the church of about one hundred dollars. The Prayer of the "Whole State of Christ's Church Militant was said by Dr. Mead. The Communion Service was performed by the Bishop, who was as- sisted in administering the Holy Sacrament to the clergy by Dr. Mead ; and the Rector, Dr. Mead, Rev. Mr. Stimson, and Rev. Mr. Vermilye, ad- APPENDIX. 275 niinsterecl to the laity. After which the Benedic- tion was pronounced by the Bishop. " We understand that the Rev. Mr. Yarrington has been rector of this parish for the last seventeen years. When he entered upon the charge, he had but one male, and some twenty female communi- cants. He has now, of both sexes, about one hun- dred communicants. And his congregation, though small is full of vigor, as is shown by the fine church they have erected, the whole expense of whicb, in- cluding -furniture, has been about $15,500. The free-seat system, we learn, will not be fully carried out in this church ; but free seats will be reserved for strangers and for the poor. The style of the edi- fice is middle pointed. The material employed in the construction of the main walls is rubble-stone from quarries in the vicinity; the quoins, the window- jams, the doorways, the dressings, &c., being of Caen stone. The whole length of the building in- cluding chancel, is about one hundred and seven feet ; and the width, including tower and butresses about sixty feet ; and consists of chancel, nave, north and south aisles, having a west porch, a tower on the north side at the west end. There is a small gallery at the west end, intended only for the organ and choir. The tower and sacristy occupy positions different from those in most churches, in order that the main entrance shall face the street. The chancel is some seventeen by nineteen feet, and the tower is sixteen feet square. The hight of the tower and spire is about one hundred and seven feet. Tlie 276 APPENDIX. church is capable of seating five hundred and fifty adults. The roof is open, of good pitch, and is covered with slate. In it are dormer-windows, giving it the effect exteriorly of a clerestory. The internal frame-work of roof, nave, arches, pillars, &c., is of pine ; and the panels of the ceiling are plastered. The seats are without doors, and as well as the furniture are of chestnut. The altar is of good size, and has a handsomely carved panel in front. The jDulpit is on the north side against the chancel arch, and the reading-desk occupies the same posi- tion on the south side. The font stands in front of the chancel. It is of small size, constructed of mar- ble, and was used in the old church. The chancel- window is large, and of geometrical tracery. It contains in its four departments, effigies of the four Evangelists with their symbols in very rich glass ; and it also has appropriate symbols in the head of each light. At the west end of the church is a magnificent window. The side lights of the nave, are in couplets with ornamental glass in their heads. This is thought by many to be the finest country church in the State. Mr. Frank Wills is the arch- itect, Mr. Doremus furnished the glass, and NichoUs & Washburne were the builders." Table of Ministers. Ebenezer Dibble, began to preach . . 1747. Amzi Rogers, " " . Robert Davies, " " . . 1833. Joseph H. Kicholls, " " . . 1834. Benj.M.Yarrington," " . . 1839. APPENDIX. 277 GENEALOGY OF THE MEAD FAMILY, D. M. MEAD John Mead was one of two brothers, who emi- grated from England about the year 1642. The family was then an ancient and honorable one, though it is not within the author's means to trace their genealogy previous to their emigration to this country. One of their ancestors had been the friend and the physician of the talented though not very amiable Queen Elizabeth. One of two brothers emigrated to Yirginia, where the family still exists. The other, John Mead, with his two sons came to New England about the year 1642. The name is spelled Meade as well as Mead. Many claim that they emigrated from Greenwich, Kent Co., England ; but we have not fallen in with any direct proof of the fact, and this town was known by its present name long before the settlement of the Mead family. John Mead and his two sons, John and Joseph, having tarried awhile in Massa- chusetts, first settled at Hempstead, Long Island, wliere they remained until October, 1660, when the two sons came to Greenwich and bought land of Richard Crab and otliers. which was deeded to John 13 278 APPENDIX. Mead, lie being the elder. Either John, the father, never came to Greenwich, or if so, he took no active part in life, now having become qnite an old man. His son Joseph left no children in this town. He may have died young, or left no issue, or may have emigrated to a different part of the country. John Mead the second, died 1696, married Miss Potter, of Stamford, and left, as appears by his will given on the preceding pages of this volume, eight sons, and tradition says three daughters, viz., John, Joseph, Jonathan, Ebenezer, Kathaniel, David, Samuel, Abigail, Mary, and Susan or Susannah. Jolin^ the first son of second John, died in 1691, while in the office of Constable of the town. Mar- ried Kuth Hardey, and left John, Nathan, Jonathan, and Elizabeth. (We regret our utter inability to trace this branch of the family farther.) Jonathan, the third son of second John, had a son Elnathan, who had Elnathan, Eunice, — married Jo- seph Close, — and Deborah. Second Elnathan left, I. Elnathan, who had Elnathan and Sarah. This last Elnathan had 1. Hibbard, 2. Solomon, the father of William, Seth, Sarah, Tyler, Charles, Thomas, and Solomon. 3. Tyler, the father of Mary, Hetty, Abel, and Floy. 4. Sarah. II. Henry, married Elizabetii Denton, and left Charlette, Henry, Artimas, By- theny, Priscilla, Lavinia, and Martlia. III. Abra- ham, married Ruth Lyon and left 1. Abram, 2. Esbon, 3. Jotham, 4. Enos, 5. Daniel, 6, Lemuel, 7. Isaac, who married Polly Mead, who left Darius APPENDIX. 279 (married Emily Goodrich and left Samuel G. and four others), Julia Ann, and Lucinda (married Ben- jamin Reynolds). 8. Job, who married Elsie Mead, and left Zacclieus (who married Laura Mead and has Hannah), Abraham (married Miss Selleck and has some children), Amanda, Emmeline, Eliza (married Isaac Lyon). 9. Zebulon, married Miss Marshal and left (married Isaac Mosher), and (married Laac Babbitt), and Eliza. 10. Manoah, married Electa Mead, and leaves Mary, and Ophelia (married Livingston). 11. Eunice, married first, Solomon Mead, second, Benjamin Weed of JSTorth Stamford. 12. Ruth, married Major Brown. IV. Stephen, who had 1. Stephen, who had Jane (married Mr. Gulliver), and Betsey (married Mr. Glover). 2. Israel, who has James (married Miss S. Lester, and has Emmeline, James, Marilda, and Daniel), Alexander (married Harriet Lester, and has Elias, Gordon, Sidney, Angeline, Mary, and Nancy), Alfred (married Marilda Ferris, and has Orlando and Anne), Mary (married Daniel Lester), Israel (married Susan Mead, and has Mary, Albert, Cordelia, Lucian, John" A., and Mary L)., Lemuel, (married Ilurlbut, and has Henry, Mary, and Ste- phen), Stephen (married Tibitha Mead, and has Asaph E.) and Hiram, who has two children. 3. Ed- ward, who has Edward, Betsey (married Lord), Lu- cinda, and Esther. 1. James, who had Mary (married William Lawrence), and John Wolcott (married Lucinda Wood and has William, Benjamin, Albert, Mary Jane, and Betsey Ann). 5. Amos, had Harvey, 280 APPENDIX. Gilbert, Albert, Amy, and Sarah. 6. Matthias, married Miss Lyon, and left William, Amy, Mark, Luther, Alfred, Orrin, Eunice (married Green), and Fanny. 7. Albert, had Hannah, Mary, Malcom, Edmund, Sarah, Albert AV,, Olive, Hannah, Abram, and Nancy. 8. Eunice, married Orra Piatt. 9. Wil- liam, married Hannah Barmore, and has Susan (married Israel Mead, and has Ann and others), Ann (married Abraham H. Close), Mary (married Horace Mead, and has William H., Silas, and Ann Augusta), William Albert (married Ann Barmore, and has Emma, William, Mary, Adalaide, Joseph- ine, and infant). Elizabeth (married Green), Henry, Benjamin, Lucian, Hannah (married Brush Knapp), Emily, John Randolph, Caroline (married Elbert White, of Stamford), and Sarah. 10. Mary, mar- ried Job Brown, of Stamford, Ehenezei\ fourth swt of second John, was born in 1663, and married Sarah Knapp, of Stamford, and left Ebenezer, Caleb, Sarah, married Jonathan Hobby, Hannah, married John Hobby, Jabez, David, Abigail, married Isaac Holmes, Susannah, married Moses Husted, Jemima, married Moses Knapp. The second Ebenezer was born October 25th, 1692, and died May 3d, 1775. He married Hannah, of Rye, N. Y., on the 12th of December, 1717. His children were — Ebenezer, born October 8th, 1718, died Feb. 25th, 1758 ; married Mary Mead, and left I. Ebenezer, married Nancy Mead, and left 1. Nancy. 2. Han- APPENDIX. 281 nah. 3. Marilda, married T. Boiightou. 4. Ebe- nezer married first, Zetta Mead, and second, Elizabeth Holmes, and had by his first marriage. Rev, Ebenezer (by his first wife, Maria Lester, he had William, died yonng ; Ebenezer, married in Pennsylvania, calling his oldest sou Ebenezer ; and Maria; — by his second wife, Mary A. Lyman, one son, Theodore), Hannah (married Selah Mead), Almira (married Rev, Mr. Piatt), Emmeline (mar- ried Catru) ; by second marriage, Mary E., Enoch (married in Vermont, and has James R., and Mary E., with others), Zetta (married Rev. Mr. Day), Nancy died young, Lydia A. died young, and Theodore H. Mead (married Miss Mead, of Nor- walk). 5. Hannah, married Timothy "Walker. 6. Jabez, married Laura Davis, and left Col. Jabez, (married Miss Mary J. Hobby, and left Lucina Ja- nette (married Mr. Reynolds, Harriet R., Herman H., Arthur D., and Edward E). ; Amy, and Martha (married Silas Husted). T. Amy, married Epenetus Lockwood. n. Hannah, married Elkanah Mead, and left Hannah, Sarah, and Amos. HL Enoch, died Sept. ISth, 1807, aged 52, married Jemima Mead, who died April 4th, 1837, aged 82. Their children were, 1. Solomon, married Mi^s Gilbert, and left Mary, Enoch, Gilbert, Laura, and Thurza. 2. Alfred, married Mary Brundage. 3. Thurza, married Joseph Brundage. 4, Laura, married Joel Todd. 5. Henry, died aged 11. 6. Rufus. 7. Nancy. 8. Sarah, who died May 19th, 1784. 282 APPENDIX. Silas^ second son of second Ehenezer^ was born May 22d, 1Y20, died 1817, married Mary Mead, who was born 172-1, and died 1787. Their children were, I. Silas, born 1748, and died 1813, married Sarah Mead, and left 1. Sarah, 2. Francis, and 3. Silas Harvey, who married Harriet Mead, and left Sarah M. (married Selah Savage), and Silas D. (married Emily L. Close, and has Myrtilla M., and others). II. Abner, born 1750, died 1810, without issue. III. Aaron, married Sarah Mead, daughter of Eliphalet Mead, and left 1. Aaron, of Cross river, married Miss Finch. 2. Allen, of Greenburg, married Mabel Todd. 3, Amos, of Cross river. 4. Anna, married Isaac Seely. 5. Lucinda, married Joseph Banks. 6. Sarah, married Mr. Hoyt. 7. Mary, married Harvey Keeler. IV. Mary. V. Mary. VI. Calvin, married Deborah Mead, daughter of Jehiel Mead, and had, 1. Leander, of Quaker Ridge, married Anna Mead. 2. Luther, of Ohio, married Alice Mead, and had William Martin, Thomas L., Joseph, Thurza and Anna, with others. 3. Thurza, married Mr. Palmer. 4. Myrtilla. 5. Lisetta, married Obadiah Peck. 6. Marcus, married Harriet Sturges, and has William E., Elizabeth S., and Alice. 7. Rufus, married Anna Waterbury, and has Lucinda, Harriet, Stephen, Catherine, Sarah. 8. Mary Jane. 9. Ileman, married Mar- garet West, and has Marcus W. 10. Lucinda. Hev. Abraham^ third son of second Ehenezer, was born June 15th, 1721, and died on Long Island, aged 22. APPENDIX. 283 Jonas, the fourth son of second Ehenezer, born 1723, died 1783, married ^r^?;, Sarah Yqyv'iq, second, Sarah Howe, and left 1. Solomon. II. Edmund, who left 1. Solomon. 2. Maria. 3. Benjamin, married Elizabeth Holmes, and left Edmnnd, Abi- gail, and others. 4. Obadiah, who married Alia Mead, and left Benjamin and others. 5. Pollj, married Judge Eeed of Bedford. 6. Sarah, married Benjamin Mead. 7. Ralph, married Sarah Holmes. 8. States, married Lydia Mead first, and second, widow Hannah Glass, III. Noah, married Eliza- beth Peck, and having no children, adopted Charles, the son of Deacon Jonas Mead. IV. Rev. Mark, married Hannah Mead, and had 1. Jonas, who married Abigail, daughter of Zenas Mead, and had Isaac L. (married Esther A., daughter of Daniel S. Mead), Emmeline, and Lucretia. 2. Dr. Sylvester Mead, of Wilton. V. Deacon Jonas Mead, married Hannah Mead, and has 1. Charles, married Eachel E. Sackett, and has Sarah A., Whitman S., Mary E., Charles, and others. 2. Hannah, married Ben- jamin Mead, of Rye. 3. Mark, married Deborah Howe, daughter of Jonas Howe. 4. Milo. 5. Sarah. 6. Sarah. Rev. Solomon Mead, fifth son of second Ehenezer, removed to South Salem, N. Y., from Greenwich, first pastor of the Presbyterian Church in that place, was born 1725, and died 1812, married first, Hannah Strong, and second, Hannah Clark, and left I. Andrew, who married Miss Barton, and had 284 APPENDIX. Thomas, Benjamin, Alice, Lncy, Hannah, and Maria. II. Theodosia married Mr. Smith. III. Clark, of Lewisborough, married Miss Gilbert, and left Merlin, Richard, Eufus, Sophia, Laura, Ehoda, and Linns. TV. Martin, of Lewisborongh. Deliverance, the sixth son of second Ehenezei\ was born May 4tli, 1728, and died Mav 3d, 1785, mar- ried Abigail Howe, and had I. Elisabeth born 1760, and died 1823, married Job. Lyon. II, Sarab born 1761, died 1812, married Silas Mead. IIL Eachel, born 1763, died 1831, married "Whitman Mead. lY. Hannah born 1765, married Joshna Mead, and left Solomon, who married Miss Mary E. Dayton, and has a daughter born Feb. 14th, 1857. V. Jabez died yonng, YI. Robert born 1768, died 1836, married Prudence Mead, and left an only son Ed- ward, who was born in 1809, and married Susan A. E. Merritt, daughter of Capt. Daniel Merritt, she being born in 1814, and left 1. Daniel M., born June 2d, 1834, married Louisa S., daughter of Thomas A. Mead, born June 29th, 1834. They were married June 16th, 1856. 2. Mary A., born July 22d, 1836, married John G. Clark of Bedford, on the 17th of December, 1856. 3. Sarah E. 4. Amelia. 5. Susan C. 6. Catharine M. 7. Robert. 8. Edward W., and 9. Augustus. YII. Huldah, born Feb. 26th, 1773, still living, married Zophar Mead. YIII. Ephraim, born in 1775, married Zuba Mead, and left, 1. Mary, married "Willis J. Merritt, of Norwalk. 2. Huldah, married Daniel S. Mead. APPENDIX. 285 3. Thurza died young. 4. Alithea died young. 5. Jane, married Elkanali Mead. 0. Isaac H., mar- ried Mary E., daughter of Zophar Mead of New York, and lias Ephraim. 7. Elisabeth L. 8. Ophelia died young. 9. Mithea. IX. Jabez Mead, born 1777, died 1839, married Sarah Knapp, and left, 1. Julia B. 2. Mary E., married Kalph Sackett. 3. William K., married Miss Sackett, and has several children. X, Zenas Mead, born 1779, married Mary Lashlers, and has 1. Abigail,- married Jonas Mead. 2. Lucretia died young. 3. Deborah died young. 4. Henry. 5, Julia, married Isaac Peck. 6. Eliza, married Lockvvood P. Clark. 7. Lyman, married Miss Sarah Acker, and has two children. XL Mary, who was next older than Eobert, died young, Di\ Amos, the seventh son of second Ehenezer, married Miss Ruth Bush. Their children were, I. Richard, married, first, Sarah Mead; second, Rachel Mead, who left, 1. Thomas A., who married Hannah Seaman, of New York, and has Louisa S. (married Daniel M. Mead), Thomas R., Seaman, Abigail R., Elisabeth H., Adelia, Zophar, and Lncinda P. 2. R. Elisabeth, married George Webb. 3. Sarah A., married Joseph Brush of Coscob. By his first wife Richard had Sophia, married Mr. Demill. IL Thomas, who died at the commencement of the Revolutionary War. Edmund, the eighth son of second Ebenezer, was born 1732, sailed fur the West Indies, October 25th, 1755j and was never afterwards heard from. 286 APPENDIX. Hannah^ the first daughter of second Ehenezer was born 1735, and died June 25th, 1757, aged 22 years. Jahez^ the ninth son of second Ehenezer was born in 1737, March 3d, and died September 14th, 1766. Jaredy the tenth son of second Ehenezer was born December 15th, 173S, married Lydia Smith, and left, I. Zetta, married Ehenezer Mead. II. Daniel S., married Rachel Mead, and lefr, 1. Daniel S., who married Hnldah, daughter of Ephraim Mead, and left Esther A, (married Isaac L. Mead), Ophelia, Daniel S., Oliver, Abram, Huldah, and others. 2. Jerad, married Miss Watson from Maine, and left several children. His sloop was run into by a steamboat, opposite Butter Hill on the Hudson, and he with all his crew were drowned. 3. Zetta. 4. L. Delia. 5. Elisabeth, married, first, Mr. Odle, second, David B. Mead. 4. Adeline died young. 5. Edwin, married Miss Reynolds, of Bedford. 6. Silas M., who married Miss Elathea Reynolds, of North Street, and has some children. HI. Lydia, married Mr. Lockwood. TV. Alma. V. Hannah, married Deac. Jonas Mead. VI. Jerad, married Anna Armstrong, and leaves Ammi A. VII. Alvan, married Eliza Peck, and has Ralph P., of California, Avho married a lady there. Warren B. do. do. Cornelia G., who married Mr. White, of California. Melancthon W., and Elam C. Ahrahani^ eleventh son of second Ehenezer., born December 14th, 1742, died in 1827 or 8, married Keziah Howe, and left, I. Deborah. II. Zophor, APPENDIX. 287 married Huldah Mead, and left 1. Abrain. 2. Amelia, married Isaac Lyon. 3. Louisa, married Mr. Stafford. 4. Oliver. 5. Esther. 6. Sarah.. 7. Mary E. III. Isaac, married Clarinda Mead, and left Angnstiis, who married Sarah Hnsted. lY. Oliver, and several other children of Abraham Mead, who died young. A large number of the family trace back their origin to Mr. Titus Mead, though it is not exactly determined who his father was ; he was a nephew to the second Ebenezer. His children were — I. Andrew, who married Amy Hobby, and had Lucy M., who married Titus Mead, grandson of 1st Titus. II. Titus married Eunice Hobby, and had — 1. Delia, married Obadiah Mead. 2. Hobby, married Miss Wood. 3. Sophia, married Philander Mead, and has Philander, Sophia (married Hobby), Charlotte, Edward, Nelson. 4. Ann. 5. Shadrach, married Miss Waite, and has Ann Maria, Cordelia, Titus, Swain, "Waite, and Lyden. 6. Sarah. 7. Andrew, married Miss Waite, and has — Mary, James, Joseph, Julia and Philander. 8. Fanny, married Mr. Green. 9. Martin, married Miss Waite. 10. Titus, married Lucy M. Mead. 11. Eliza, married Mr. Peck. 12. Charlotte, married Mr. Seaman. 13. Eunice, mar- ried Mr. Young. III. Jabez, married Elizabeth Hobby, and has — Augustus married Miss Mead, Bethia married Higley, Hiram married , Har- riet married Lake, Annice married Lake, Nancy married Legget, Anna married , Edwin mar- 288 APPENDIX. ried Miss Chandler. IV. Shadrach, married Miss Hobby. V. Hardy, married Rachel Brown, and had — Alice, Eliza, William, Rachel, Sarah, Andrew, and Amy. VI. Ira, married Nancy Marshall. VII. Rachel, married Reuben Green. VIII. Sarah, mar- ried Jasper Mead. Caleb Mead was the second son of the First Ehenezer. He left — ^I. Elkanah, married Hannah Mead, and left — 1. Hannah, married D. Ilusted. 2. Sarah, married Benjamin Smith. 3. Amos, who married ^7'5^ Alice Belcher, and second^ia.Yy Purdy, and left Edgar died young ; Elkanah (married Jane, daughter of Ephraim Mead, and has Catharine L., and others), Stephen Waring (married Miss Mackay, and left one child), Catharine (married Wm. L. Lyon), Sarah (married Amos M. Brush), Evelina married (Stephen Howe, of Bedford), Mary P. (mar- ried John G. Clark, of Bedford). 11. Jonah, Ya2iv- v\Q,(\. first Mary Mead, second Rachel Husted, and third Hannah Mead. By his fi.rst wife., he had, 1. Rachel, married Daniel Close. 2. Lot. 3. Drake, died young. 4. Mary, married Andrew Hubbard. By his second wife, Electa married Manoah Mead, and Zuba married Ephraim Mead. By his last wife, 1. Drake, married Miss Knapp, and has Cornelius, and William J. (married Miss Kate Carroll). 2. Hannah. III. Abel, who had Zadok, Benjamin, Phebe, Lucy, and Fanny. IV. Jemima. V. Deborah, married Jehiel Mead, and had, 1, Deborah, 2. Jehiel, who left Lewis, Henry, Wil- APPENDIX. 289 liain, Mary, Mary Ann, and Handford. VI. Stephen. VII. Zadok. VIII. Eebecca. IX. Han- nah. X. Mary, married Jabez Peck. XL Ca- leb, married Miss Hobby, and had Eachel, Amy, Huldah, Hannah, Elizabeth, Caleb (who had Har- vey), Fanny married Selleck, Hanford, Charlotte married Selleck, Mills H., Samuel, and Joseph. Benjamin^ fifth son of second Jolin^ left a son Benjamin, who had, I. Benjamin, whose children were, 1. Mary. 2. Anna, married first David Mead, second James Baily. 3. Theodosia, married Edmund Mead. 4. Obadiah, killed during the Revolutionary War, said to have been engaged to be married to Charity Mead. 5. Phebe, married Jehiel Mead. II. Thaddeus, who left, 1. Edward Mead, of Somers, married a Miss Finch, and left Squire Mead, John, Elizabeth (married Henry Lane), Anna (married James Banks), Clarissa (mar- ried Mead Sutherland), Sarah (married David Hor- ton), and Hannah. 2. Ebenezer, married Abigail Chapman, and had Harvey (married Amy Brown), Whitman, Solomon (married Nancy Ferris), and Edward. 3, Amaziah, married Miss Jessup, and has William and others. 4. Benjamin, left Solo- mon. 5. Sarah, married Stephen Sutherland. 6. Mary, married ]S[oah Lyon. 7. Martha, married Andrew Quick. 8. Tamar, married Benjamin Jes- sup. III. Sylvanus, who had, 1. Whitman, mar- ried Pachel Mead, and left Mary (married John Sackett), Zophar (married Miss Martha Seaman, and left Araminta, Mary Elizabeth married Isaac 290 ^ APPENDIX. H. Mead, and Sarah A), Whitman (married Grace Cornell, and left Grace married Cornelius Minor, and Henrietta, who died young). 2. Piatt, who mar- ried Deborah Peck, and had Sackett, Sylvanus, Sarah (married John Bobbins), Hannah (married Daniel Peck), Gideon, Nathan, and Harriet (married Brad- ley Redfield). 3. Gideon, who married Mary Miller, and left Underhill, Mary, and Maria. 4. Asel, mar- ried Anne Mead, and had Martin (who had Alva, John, Amaziab, and Asel), Henry (who had Wil- liam H., and David), Levi (who has Joseph and others), Mary (married Mr. Baily), and Hannah. lY. Gideon, left Gideon. V. Edward. VI. Wil- liam, who had William, Abigail, and Anne. YH. Benjamin, left Margaret, married Hon. Nathan Rockwell, Elizabeth, married Brown, of Somers, Sarah, married Joshua Peck, Mary, married Sylva- nus Ferris, Rachel, married Caleb Lyon, jun. YHI. Sarah, IX. Elizabeth, married Theophilus Peck. X. Keziah, born February 1707, died in the latter part of 1808, married Isaac Howe. XL Elipbalet, born 1708, died 1796, left, 1. Elipbalet, born 1738, died 1808, married Miss Anne , and left Anne, and Darius who married Hannah Peck, and left Anne (married Leander Mead), Alia (mar- ried Obadiah Mead), Huldah, Alva (married Jane Arundel, and had Samuel E., Hannah E., Samuel E., Leander, Hannah E., and Mary E), and Adelia. 2. Jehiel, married Deborah Mead. 3. Jesse, mar- ried Rachel Knapp, and left Jesse (married Miss V:- APPENDIX. 291 Compton, and bad William, Elizabeth, and George), Elizabeth (married Daniel Van Yard), Rachel (married Richard Dyckman), Rebecca, and Dimions (married Richard Loyd). 4. Abigail, born 1717, died 1796, 5. Libeus, msirried Ji/'st^ Hannah Ben- edict, and second, Widow Pocock, and has, Eli, Martin, Jared, Hannah, Abbj, Clarissa, Eliphalet, Sarah, and Sibah. 6. Eli, married Deborah Brush, and has Polly, Obadiah, Orson, Hannah, and Cyn- thia. Y. Sarah, married Aaron Mead. 8. Nancy, married Ebenezer Mead. 9. Rachel, married Ben- jamin Knapp. XH. Rachel, by second wife. XHI. Obadiah, had Phebe and Mary. XIV. Zebediah, left Henry, born 1751:, Hannah, born in 1755, Lydia, born in 1757, and Levi, born in 1761. XV. Nehemiah, left, 1. Lncy, married Isaac Howe. 2. Sarah, married Richard Mead. .3. Rachel, mar- ried Charles Weed. 4. J^ehemiah, married Miss Richards, and left Samuel (who left a daughter, Eliza- beth Stillson), William H. (who married Abby Jane Mead), James, Sarah, Laura (who married Zaccheus Mead), and Caroline. 5. Clarinda, who married Isaac Mead, and left Augustus. 6. Bethiel, who married Stephen Davis. Nathaniel, the sixth son of the John who hoxight land in Greenvnch, had, I. Gen. John, who left John, the father of Seth, Walter, Hipsibeth mar- ried J. Simmons, and Alice married Peter Mead. II. Capt. Matthew, had, 1. Matthew, who left Mattheio, Clemence (married Ralph Ritch), Hannah 292 APPENDIX. (married II. Merritt), Justus (married Nancy Han- ford and has Joseph, Justus, Matthew, Andrew J., Eliphalet and three others), Mary, Thomas, Amos, William (married Ehza Lawrence, and has Jane Eliza, and others), and Hohhj. 2, Justus had Susan (married Lewis Eldridge), Bush, Walter, James, Joseph (married Mary Taylor, and has Louisa, Joseph G., Mary D., James II., Samuel B., Ara- bella, and others), Eebecca (married Drake Mar- shall), Anne (married John Craft), and William, who died young. 3. Bush had Matthew (married Polly Ray, formerly Miss Marshall, and has two cliildren), Eliza (married Harry Ferris), Susan (married John Matthews), Sophia A. (married Joseph E. Russel, Esq.), Bothena (married Capt. Caleb Holmes), William Henry (married Miss Per- melia Pay, and has John and George). HI. Na- thaniel, left, 1. Jaspar, the father of Bush. 2. Na- thaniel. 3. William, married and left John, Gilbert, Nathaniel, William, Charity, Hannah, and Mary. 4. Charity. 5. Rachel. 6. Betsey. 7. Anna. Na- thaniel, the grandson of first Nathaniel, married Prudence Wood, of Long Island, and had, I. Epen- etus. 11. Nathaniel, who married Miss Brown, and left Nehemiah, Nathaniel, William, Tyler, Epene- tus, Walter, Harvey, &c. III. Joshua, who mar- ried, 1st, , 2d, Hannah Mead, and left, 1. Prudence, who married Robert Mead, and left Ed- ward. 2. Polly, married Isaac Mead, and left Rev. Darius (who married Miss Goodrich, and left APPENDIX. 293 Samuel G., and others), and Lucinda (married Ben- jamin Reynolds, Esq.). 3. Jonathan, who moved with his children, Horace, Samuel B., Albert and others, to Hancock Co., Illinois. 4. Joshua, of Roundhill, who married Miss Mary , and left Selah^ married Zetta Mead, Hannah, Rachel, and Elmira. 5. Darius, a physician living on the brink of Putnam's Hill, married Miss Lydia Bel- cher, and left, ^Robert W. (married Clarissa Shel- don), Zalmon (married Miss Scribner, and leaves Frederick B., Mary A., and one other), Frederick (married Miss Scribner, and has some children), Julia (married Philander Button, Esq.), and Henry W. 6. Rachel Mead, married Daniel S. Mead. 7. David, married Miss Chloe , and left, Leon- ard (married Miss Frances Studw^ell, and left two or three children), Theodore, Robert (married in Ohio), David "W". (married in Ohio), Clarissa, and Rachel. lY. David, married Anna Mead. V. Israel. YI. Halsey. YII. Jonathan, married Miss Lyon. YIII. Hannah, married Mr. Wheeler. IX. Dimny, married Thaddeus Husted. X. Theo- dosia, married Benjamin Close. XL Robert. XII. Daniel S. XIII. Isaac. We regret that in the haste with which this part of the family genealogy has been prepared, we have not time to correct and extend the number and names of the descendants of Joshua the thii'd son of the third Nathaniel, and also of his brothers. Their descendants may, however, easily trace it for 294 APPENDIX. themselves, as it is not a great length of time since the children of this Nathaniel were some of them alive. The author would recommend such branches of the family to write out distinctly their genea- logy upon the blank leaves hereinafter provided for the purpose. Samuel^ the seventh so)i of the John who hought land here J or second John^ left, I. Peter, who had, 1. Peter, who had Mary, Peter, Deborah, Luckner, Anna and Sandford (who married Cynthia Hiisted, and has Alexander, Hannah, Maria, "William H. H., and others). 2. Zaccheus had hlsie (who mar- ried Job Mead, and had Zaccheus married Laura Mead, Amanda, Abraham married Miss Selleck, Emmeline, and Eliza married Isaac Lyon), Hannah married Rev. Mark Mead. 11. Zaccheus. IIL Sam- uel, who left Charlotte, Henr}'-, Artemas, Betheny, Priscilla, Lavinia, Martha. Arms. sa. a chev. between three pelicans, or. vulned. gu. The author, in collecting the above genealogy, has been especially assisted by a manuscript found in the possession of Titus Mead, Esq., and a collec- tion in the appendix of Bolton's History of "West- chester county, vol. ii. APPENDIX. 296 GENEALOGY OF THE PECK FAMILY, DARIUS PECK, Esq., OF HUDSON, N. Y. WITH REMARKS BY THE AUTHOR. The great portion of the Peck family of this country are descended from William Peck, a merchant of England, who was born about the year 1600, died October 4th, 1694. His second wife was named Sarah. He is said to have been one of the company of Eaton, Davenport, and others, who emigrating from London, England, or its vicinity, arrived at Boston on the 26th of July, 1637, and became the first settlers and planters at New Haven in the spring of 1638. He was chosen deacon of the church there in 1659, and was long known as Deacon William Peck of New Haven. His children were: I. Kev. Jeremiah Peck, born in England in 1623, and died at Waterbury, June 7tb, 1699. He mar- ried ^rs^ Johannah Kitchell at Guilford, November 12tb, 1656. Ho was a man of good education. Taught school at Guilford in 1656, and was teacher in the Grammar and Colony School at New Haven 296 APPENDIX. during 1G60 and 1661. Became a minister of the congregational order, and began to preach at Say- brook in the fall of 1661, and continued to preach there until 1665, when he removed to Guilford, and in 1666, or 1667 removed to Newark, New Jersey, with many others, who were dissatisfied with the union of the colonies of New Haven and Connec- ticut; then being also a joint owner, and patentee with other associates, of a large tract of land at Elizabethtown, N. J. In 1672, he became one of the twenty-seven proprietors of common lands in Greenwich, Conn,, which was confirmed to the pro- prietors by Gov. Treat in 1697. lie continued to reside at Newark and Elizabethtown until 1678 ; when he received a call to preach in Greenwich. Here he preached until dismissed for refusing to countenance the doctrine of half-way covenant, in 1689. He then received a call to preach at Water- bury, where, as at Greenwich, he became their first settled pastor. His widow was living there in 1711. His children were, 1. Samuel, born at Guilford, Jan. 18th, 1659, died at Greenwich, April 28th, 1696 ; married Ruth Ferris and left Samuel, Jere- miah, Josepli, David, Nathaniel, Eliphalet, Theo- philus, Peter, Richard, of whom an account is given below. 2. Ruth, born at New Haven, April 3d, 1661, married Jonathan Atwater, of New Haven, on the 1st day of June, 1681. She had ten children, born between 1682 and 1698. 3. Caleb, the father of a great part of the family APPENDIX. 297 living in Greenwich, had Rev. Jeremiah's home lot and otlier rights in land here. 4:. Anne, married Thomas Stanley, of FarmingtoD, in 1690, where she afterwards resided. 5. Jeremiah, who was a farmer at Waterbury, where he married Rachel Richards, and died in 1752. He was there the constable for a series of years, and Deputy to the General Court, as well as Deacon of the Northbury Church. He had one son, Jeremiah, beside nine daughters. 6. Joshua, who was also a farmer at Waterbury, and died unmarried on the 14tli of February, 1736. II. John, the second son of William Peck, mar- ried Mary Moss, of New Haven, on the 3d of No- vember, 1664. He first resided at New Haven, where four of his children were born, until 1689, when he removed his family to Wallingford. III. Joseph, born at New Haven in 16il, after- wards settled in Lyme, Conn. lY. Elisabeth, born also at New Haven, married Samuel Andrews, and had a very numerous family. Siunuel the son of the first Samuel, was born at Greenwich in 1688, where he died in middle life. He left three children, I. Samuel, who was born April, 1720, at Greenwich, married Mary Ferris, and died Jan. 29tli, 1793. Was known as Deacon Samuel Peck. II. John, who married Sarah Adams, and died in 1771. His widow died in 1815, at the residence of licr son Abijah, at Clifton Park, N. Y. The children of John were, 1. John, born Nov. 12t]i, 1742, at Greenwich, married Sarali Northrop, 298 APPENDIX. and removed liis family from Greenwich in 1772 to Nine-Partners, now Milan, Dutchess Co., New York. Afterwards, he removed from thence to Sherbourne, and soon after (in 1791) to Norwich, Chenango Co., where he died Sept. 19th, 1819. He had ten chil- dren, two of whom died in infancy, and the others had large families. The three oldest of these were born in Greenwich, and the others in Dutchess Co. He was a continental soldier in the Kevulutionary War. 2. Heth, born in Greenwich, married Rachel Roselle, and was shot by a Tory in the Revolution- ary War. 3. Nathau, born also in Greenwich, was drowned in Long Island Sound. 4. Abijah, born in Greenwich, April 3d, 1758, was a clergyman, married Mind well Close, and died Nov. 12th, 1848, at Clifton Park, New York. He was in tlie army during several campaigns in the Revolutionary War. After the war, he resided at North Salem, Westchester county, nutil 1784, when he removed to Galaway, Saratoga county, and in 1794 removed to Clifton Park, in the same county, where he re- sided at his decease. He was ordained a minister in 1801, and left four sons and four daughters, all of whom married and had children. 5. Sarah, born in Greenwich in 1750, married Wilson North- rop, and died at Clifton Park, Saratoga county, Feb. 28th, 1841. 6. Abigail, born in Greenwich, married Alexander Baird, and died in Herkimer county. New York. 7. Ruth, born in Greenwich, married William Kinch, and died at Tinmansburgh, APPENDIX. 299 N. Y, 8. Elisabeth, born in Greenwich, married Joseph Young, and died at Otsego, N. Y. III. Rutli^ daughter of the second Samuel^ born in 1724, in Greenwich, married Nehemiah Haight, and died Sept. 3th, 1807. Her husband was the first Deacon of Stanwich Church. Jeremiah^ the second son of first Samuel, was born in Greenwich, 1690. Joseph, the third son of f/rst Samuel, was born in Greenwich, 1690. David, the fourth son of first Samuel, was born in Greenwich in 1694. Nathaniel, the fifth so)i of first Sarnuel, was born in Greenwich in 1697. Settled in Old Greenwich, though some say Flushing, L. I. Eliphalet, the sixth son of first Samuel, was born in Greenwich in 1699. He settled and died in Greenwich. Theophilus, the seventh so?i of first Samuel, was born in Greenwich in 1701. He lived in Green- wich. He early removed from Old Greenwich to Pecksland, where he had twelve children, six sons and six daughters. The locality took its name from him. Peter, the eighth son of first Samuel, was born and lived in Greenwich. His descendants mostly live at Glenn's Falls, New York. Richard, the ninth son of first Samuel, y^as born in Greenwich, but his descendants live at Flush- ing, L. I. 300 APPENDIX. From tlie above, the author presumes that every member of the family may trace their Genealogy with entire accuracy. Many facts relating to indi- viduals of this family, may be found upon the pre- ceding pages of this volume. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE .REVEREND JEREMIAH PECK, DARIUS PECK, ESQ., OF HLTDSOIN', N. Y. Rev. Jeremiah Peck was born in London, En- gland, about the year 1623, and was the oldest son of William Peck, a merchant ; and in 1637, at the age of about fifteen years, emigrated to this country with his father, who was one of tbe first settlers of the New Haven colony in the spring of 1638, and for many years a deacon of the church at New Haven, Conn. He was a man of good education, acquired in part before he left England, and per- fected in this country. His name is contained in a list of Connecticut ministers, in the Magnalia of Cot- ton Mather, and be is noticed in the Genealogical Register of Farmer; and both mention him as liav- APPENDIX. 301 ing been a graduate of Harvard College ; but, thoiigli he may have been and probably was a student, he was not a graduate of that institution. Little is known of his early history until 1656, when he taught school in Guilford, Conn., where on the 12th of November of that year he married Joannah, a daughter of Robert Kitchell, one of the first princi- pal planters of that town. His oldest son, Samuel Peck, was born there, January 18, 1659. He con- tinued his school at Guilford until October, 1660, when, having been appointed the previous June of that year, he became the teacher of the Grammar school at New Haven. This was a colony school ; and in it were taught Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Young men were fitted for college, and it was attended by young men from other colonies. He continued the teacher of this school until the fall of 1661 ; when, becoming a congregational minister, he commenced preaching occasionally to the people at Saybrook, Conn., whose minister, the Rev. James Fitch, had the previous year removed to Norwich, Conn. In the spring of 1662, he was settled at Saybrook. In 1661 there was some dis- sati.-faction with his ministry there ; and he gave them liberty to procure a successor, offering to yield his claim under their agreement of settlement, if the cause of religion could thereby be promoted. His address on the subject to the inhabitants and plant- ers of Saybrook evinces a warm heart, a proper ap- preciation of the sacred duties of his profession, and 14 302 ArPENDix. a Christian resignation to the will of Providence and the desires of his people ; but it does not appear that there was then any action in the matter. He was the owner of considerable real estate at Say- brook, and seems to have had a partiality for that species of property. In the year 1664, he, with several others, principally from Long Island and Connecticut, purchased of the Indians a large tract of land in I^ew Jersey, lying on the sound separat- ing that State from Staten Island, and between the Earitan and Passaic rivers. The purchase was confirmed to him and seventy-eight others by let- ters patent, dated October 28, 1664, from Pichard Nichols, the first English colonial governor under the Duke of York. This tract embraces several towns in Essex and Middlesex counties. New Jer- sey ; and, the city of Elizabethtown being located upon it, was then and still is known as " Elizabeth- town" and " Elizabethtown Grant," and its purchasers and patentees as the " Elizabethtown Associates." He continued to discharge his official duties at Say brook until sometime in 1665, when he removed with his family to Guilford, being succeeded at Saybrook early in 1666 by Rev. Thomas Bucking- ham. No reliable account is found of the time and place of his ordination. Trumbull and Farmer both state it to have taken place, August 26, 1669, at "Waterbury, Connecticut ; but that town was not then settled, nor was he then a resident of Connec- ticut. He was probably ordained at Saybrook dur- APPENDIX. 303 ing his ministry there ; of wliicb, however, there is no direct evidence, but much incidental evidence of his having been ordained prior to his removal from Saybrook to Guilford, in 1665. By the union of church and state in the colonies, up to about this period, Congregationalism had be- come the established religion. All civil as well as ecclesiastical power was vested in the church ; and, especially in the New Haven colony, none could be freemen, hold office, or vote, but members of the church in fall communion. The New Haven colony had been included in the charter granted to Con- necticut by Charles II. in 1662. By this charter the right of voting, holding office, and other civil immunities were not restricted to church members ; and many of the leading ministers and inhabitants of the New Haven colony were violently opposed to any union with Connecticut under the charter, believing that it would mar the purity and order of their churches, and have a bad influence on their civil government. After a powerful but unsuccess- ful resistance of about three years, the union of the two colonies was finally effected in 1665 ; but many were so irreconcilably hostile to the union that they resolved to emigrate from the colony. Among them was Kev. Jeremiah Peck, who, with his father-in- law, Kobert Ivitchell, and others of Guilford, Eev. Abraham Pierson (afterwards minister at Green- wich, &c.), and most of his church and congrega- tion of Branford, and many other prominent indi- 304 APPENDIX. viduals of Milford and Kew Haven, in 1666 entered into a "Plantation Covenant" preparatory to a re- moval to Newark, N. J., providing " for the main- tenance of tbe purity of religion professed by the Congregational Churches," and also that their civil affairs should " be carried on according to God and godly government," and as they had heretofore been in the New Haven colony. Rev. Jeremiah Peck probably did this the more readily from his then owning lands at Elizabethtown, in the imme- diate neighborhood of the intended settlement. He removed to Newark, N. J., in the spring of 1666, and resided there and at Elizabethtown until 1678. No evidence is found of his having been a settled minister in New Jersey. In 1670 he was invited by the people of Woodbridge, N. J., to become their pastor ; but he did not accept their call. The lirst settlement of tbe town of Greenwich, Conn., was made in 1640, on lands purchased of the Indians lying east of the Myanos river, a navigable stream, running southerly through the center of the town into Long Island Sound, the Indians still re- taining the title to that part of the town lying west of the Myanos, and between it and the Byram. In 1672 this tract was purchased of the Indians by twenty-seven proprietors, of whom was Rev. Jere- miah Peck, the title to which was confirmed to them by Governor Treat in 1697. At the time of this purchase he resided in New Jersey, and during the whole period of his residence there, serious con- APPENDIX. 305 flicts and violent civil commotions often occurred from the demand of quitrent from the associates in the Elizabethtown purchase, of whom he was one, in behalf of the proprietors, Lord Berkely and Sir George Cartaret, against which the associates set up their title derived from the Indians. In this dis- turbed state of affairs, in connection with his pur- chase at Greenwich in 1672, he had a sufficient mo- tive for a removal from Elizabethtown. His visits to Greenwich to look after his land there led to a call, in 1676, by the people of that town to settle with them in the ministry, which, however, was not accepted by him ; but in 1678 he had another call from them, which he accepted ; and removing late in the fall of that year from Elizabethtown to Greenwich, he became the first settled minister of that town. Previous to this time the town had only had oc- casional supplies. His pastorate there was a very useful one, continuing until 1689 ; but he did not escape the agitation and disturbance, then not un- common in other churches, occasioned by the intro- duction of what was called " Half-way Covenant^'' allowing of the baptism of children of non-commu- nicants. Agreeing with the Rev. Mr. Davenport, President Chauncey, and many other leading minis- ters of that day, he was decidedly opposed to the decree of the synods of 1657 and 1662 to that effect. His refusal to conform to it was the cause of considerable dissatisfaction in the minds of a 306 APPENDIX. minority of his church and congregation, which (?) induced him, in 1689, to accept the unanimous in- vitation of the residents of Waterbury, Conn., to settle with them in the ministry. He removed from Greenwich to Waterbury the same year, and became the settled minister of the church at Water- bury on its organization in 1691, and continued his official duties there until a short period before his death, which occurred June 7, 1699.* He appeared to have had considerable talents, energy, and enterprise, and though largely interested in lands in New Jersey and Connecticut, was a man of great usefulness, both as a teacher and clergy- man, in his day and generation. BKUNDIG FAMILY. The inhabitants of Greenwich bearing this name are descended from one John Brondish or Brondig, who was one of the first proprietors of Manursing Island and Rye Neck, in 1662. His sons were John, Joseph, Daniel, and Joshua. BUSH FAMILY. Justus Bush in 1737 was one of the proprietors of Rye. His wife was named Anne. His sons were named Bernardus, Henry, and Abraham. * He came to Boston in the ship Hector, June 26, 1637. APPENDIX. 307 Though Henry's descendants, many of them, live in Greenwich, the author has been nnable, in the haste with which this was collected, to fully trace them. Abraham married Ruth daughter of Gilbert Lyon, and had — 1, Abraham, who left "William, of King street, the father of William S., Andrew L., Hobart, and Newberry. 2. Gilbert. 3. Anne, married Jon- athan Fisher. 4. Sarah, married Thomas Theall. 5. Elizabeth, married Ezra Wetmore. 6. Rebecca, married Daniel Merritt. CLOSE FAMILY. This family are quite numerous at the present day. They were settled (Bolton's Hist, Westcb es- ter Co., vol. ii.) formerly at Langsley, near Mac- clesfield, England, A. D. 1486. The word Cloughes, now contracted into Clowes and Close, is an old Saxon word, and signifies a clifi" or cleft in a valley between high hills. Thomas Close removed to Greenwich in or about 1G61. He had four sons, Thomas, Joseph, Benjamin, and John. From the second of these, viz., Joseph, the family at North Salem claim their descent. He was born in 1674, removed to North Salem in 1749 and died in 1786. Before he removed from'' Green- wich, he lived near the present residence of Jona- than A. Close, He married Rebecca Tompkins, who died in 1761. Their children were — 1. Joseph, 2. Elizabeth, 3. Solomon, 4. Sarah, 5, Rachel, 6, Thomas, 7, Benjamin, and S.Rebecca. Solomon, the second son of this Jo^ejjh, was born 308 APPENDIX. June 23d, 1706, and died 1788, aged 82. He mar- ried Deborah Brush and had ten children, viz, : I. Solomon, of North Salem, who left — 1. Mrs. Pad- dock, 2. Phebe, married Epenetus "Wallace, a phy- sician of Kortb Salem. II. l^athaniel, of North Salem, born 1732, and died in 1773 and left — 1. Nathaniel. 2. Jesse. 3. Isaac. 4. Deborah, who married Thomas Chapman. 5. Rachel. 6. Sarah. 7. Matilda. III. Deborah. IV. Hannah. y. Rev. John Close, of North Salem, a graduate of Princeton, and born in 1737, and died in 1813. He was preaching at New Windsor in 1792. He married a Miss Weeks, from Long Island, and left two daughters, who live at Water- ford, New York, where their father died. YI. Sa- rah. YII. Jesse, who died at Half Moon Point, on the 29th of June, 1758, aged 17, while in the military service of the colony. VIII. Rev. Da- vid Close, a Presbyterian minister of Paterson, N. J. He suffered much in the Revolutionary war. He was a graduate of Yale, and died in the town of Paterson, in Putnam county, in 1783, aged 41. IX. Rev. Tompkins Close was a Presbyterian min- ister, and died, aged 27, at Fishkill, on the 26th of September, 1770. X. Mindwell, who married Elizabeth Mead, and died on October 22d, 1762. Benjamin, the third son of the Thomas who emi- grated to Greenwich, had nine children — to wit : Benjamin, Martha, Elizabeth, Reuben, Jonathan, Nathaniel, Samuel married Miss Mead, Mary, and Nathaniel. APPENDIX. 309 Samuel, the seventh sou of Benjamin, married Miss Mead and had eight children— to wit: Samuel, who died while engaged in the Revolutionary war, Elnathan, an active partisan in the war, Henry M. Close married Rosina Brundage, Benjamin, Jona- than, Daniel, Hannah married Peter Mead, and Deborah married Zaccheus Mead. Henry M Close, the third son of Samuel, married Rosina Brundage, and had Samuel, an only son. Samuel, son of Henry M. Close, for more than twenty years the Town Clerk of the town of Green- wich, married Eliza Hobble, and left — 1. George W. Close, who married Miss Esther Smith, daugh- ter of Cul. Smith, of Long Island, and has Samuel, George "W., Esther, Caroline, and one other. 2. Re- becca is the daughter of Samuel. THE CURTIS FAMILY. BY J. B. CUKTIS, ESQ. William Curtis embarked in the ship Lion, June 22d, 1632, and landed December 16th of the same year, in the eighth year of the reign of Charles I., at Scituate, Massachusetts. He brought with him four children, Thomas, Mary, John, and Philip, and shortly afterwards another son, named "William, was born. William the ^5^ removed from Scituate to Roxbury, with his family, from whence John, Wil- liam, and their mother removed to Stratford, Conn., where the moiher died in 1655. 2d. Capt. William Curtis (his name is spelled 310 APPENDIX. Curtice), was a man of high standing in Connecti- cut. He was a member of the General Court ten or twelve years, from Stratford, often a Commis- sioner or Justice of the Peace, and from year to year appointed on committees of importance, in various parts of the colony. He was appointed. Kov. 23d, 1673, Captain of the forces raised in Fairfield to serve against the Dutch at New Am- sterdam, now New York. In October, 1675, he was apj)ointed by the General Court, Captain of the sixty men to be raised in Fairfield County, to serve in King Philip's war, with power to appoint his inferior officers. In May, 1676, he was appointed with Mr. Samuel Sherman, Commissioner for Strat- ford and Woodbury. He died at Stratford, Dec. 2l8t, 1702. His will bears date Dec. 15th, 1702, by which it appears he had eight children,. Daniel, Ebenezer, Zachariah, Josiah, Joshua, Sarah, Eliza- beth, and Jonathan. 3d. Cajpt. Josiah Curtis^ lived and died at Strat- ford, 1745. His children were "William, Josiah, Abraham, Benjamin, Peter, Matthew, Charles, Abigail, Eunice, Mary, and Mehitable. 4th. Benjamin was born Dec. 25th, 1704, and died July 28th, 1783. He, with his brothers Josiah and Matthew, settled at Newtown, and Benjamin there had sons Nehemiah and Benjamin. 5th. Benjamin^ had sons by his 1st wife, Philo and Benjamin. By his 2d wife he had Epenetus and Divine. APPENDIX. 311 6th. Philo, had sons Nichols, Carlos and Philo. and daughters Fatima, Huldah, Polly, and Betsey. 7th. Nichols Curtis was born in 1784, and died in April, 1852. His children were, Charlotte N., born June 1820, and Julius B. Curtis, born Dec. 10th, 1826. The latter removed to Greenwich, Conn., where he now resides, having married Miss Mary Acker. Arms. Az. a chev. dancettee btw. three mural coronets, or. crest a lion sejant ppr. supporting with his dexter foot a shield of the arms. Motto — Sepere et aude. DAYTON FAMILY. David Dayton came to Greenwich from Long Island in the latter part of the eighteenth century. A brother came with him named Jacob, who never married. David, married Elizabeth Osborne, and had, 1. Betsey, married Jonah Brundage. 2. Jacob, married Sarah Brown, and had Samuel B. Dayton (who married Mary E. Hustedj'^and has Mary E. Day- ton). 3. Sarah Dayton, married William E. Wood. 4. David Dayton, married Elizabeth Brush, and had John Dayton (who married Matilda Selleck, and has Mary Francis). Sarah Dayton (married George Selleck), Charles, Henry, Mary, Elizaleth (mar- ried Solomon Mead), David, and George. 5. Amy, married Benonah Rundle. 6. Mehitable. These Daytons now all reside in Greenwich. 312 APPENDIX. FIELD FAMILY. Bolton, in his history of Westchester county, says, that the name of Field is frequent in Doomsday JBook, and is there often interchanged with Lea, which is a word having the same signification. John Field, of Ardsley, county of York, England, was a distinguished mathematician and astronomer. He married tTanc Amyas, of Kent, and left Richard, Christopher, John, Matliew, Thomas, James, Mar- tin, William. Robert, the oldest son of James, who was the oldest son of Mathew, the fourth son of John Field, emigrated from England and settled in Flushing, L. I., in 1645. He left Anthony, Benjamin, and Robert, who were the ancestors of the family in this country. FERRIS FAMILY. This family is plainly of Norman origin. Henry de Ferriers, a Norman, obtained from William the Conqueror large grants of land in the counties of Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire. John Ferris and Jeffery Ferris appear to have been ac- tive pioneers in the settlement of many new places in this country. It is probable, though not certain, that they were brothers. APPENDIX. 313 HOLMES FAMILY. John Holmes euiigrated from Beverly, York- shire comity, in 1660. He first settled in Bedford, N. Y. A full account of this family may be found in the Appendix to Bolton's history of Westchester county. LYON FAMILY. This family claims to be of Scottish origin. The name of John Lyon occurs in the history of Massachusetts as early as 1648. John Lyon, a de- scendant of the above, removed to the town of Rye, in Westchester county, and was a large landholder there. His son, John's fourth son, was named James, who was the proprietor of Byram Point, and left five children. 1. Daniel. 2. David. 3. Benjamin. 4. Wolsey. 5. James. LOCKWOOD FAMILY. The name of Lockwood is traced back as far as 1470, when Annie, only daughter of Richard Lock- wood, married Thomas Ilenshaw, who thereby be- came possessed of a large estate in Stafiordsbire, England. Those of the name in Greenwich, Stam- ford, and Brundridge are probably descended from " Edmunrl Lockwood^ freeman, 18th May, 1631, was of Cambridge, Mass., in 1632, and ju-obably 314 APPENDIX. removed to Connecticut with Messrs. Hooker and Stone." Lieut. Jonathan Lockwood and Lieut. Gershom Lockwood were in their day prominent and influential men in the town. Arms. — Arg. a fesse btw. three martletts, sa. Crest. On the stump of an oak erased, ppr., a martlett, sa. PALMER FAMILY. William Palmer, of "Westchester, died about 1670, and left Joseph, Benjamin, Samuel, Obediah, and Thomas. PURDY FAMILY. This family are descended from Francis Purdy, an early settler of Fairfield, who died there, in 1658. His sons were Francis, John, and Samuel. All these families and many others, if so disposed, may easily trace out their complete genealogies by reference to the town records and good standard histories of the present day. (The following were handed in just in time to go to press). APPENDIX. 315 BRUSH FAMILY. BY MISS EMILY C. BRUSH. Two brothers of this name came from Long Is- land to GreenwicK soon after the year 1700, though the exact time appears uncertain. Of these, Ed- ward had a son named Benjamin, who married Suraantha Reynolds, and had I. Fanny, married William Rundle. II. Edward, the father of 1 Re- becca, who married John Hoyt, Esq. 2. Elma C, who married Job Husted, Esq. 3. Joseph E. who married Miss Mary C. "Wright, and has Edward. 4. Shadrach M., who married Emmeline lugersoll, and has Sumantha, "William P., and Shadrach A,, 5. Mary A., who married Mills Hobby Husted. 6. Sumantha. II. Joseph, who married Sarah Mead, daughter of Richard Mead, Esq., and has 1. Amos M., who married Sarah P. Mead, and had Joseph B., Richard M., Amos E., and Augustus, 2. Rich- ard E., who married Miss Mary Kelly, and lives at Stanwich. 3. Elizabeth S., who married Dr. James M. Hoyt, a physician, of Greenwich. 4. Mary Louisa, who married Lewis Howe, A. M., Principal of the Collegiate Institution of Greenwich, 5. Jo- seph E. B. 6. Emily C. 7. Benjamin P. 8. Stella P. 9. George W. 10. Catherine. 11. Julia, and some others, who died young. IV. Benjamin, who married Clarissa Sackett. V. Sarah, who married Deacon Joel Wright. YI. Sumantha, who married David Hobby, Esq. YII. Deborah, who married Mr. Fitch, of Peekskill. VIIT. Piatt, who married Maria Close. IX. Edmund Burke. 316 APPENDIX. THE LEWIS FAMILY MISS SARAH LEWIS. The great-grandfather of tlie Rev. Dr. Isaac Lewis, came from England about the year 1675. Two of his brothers accompanied him to America, one of whom settled on Long Islano^ and the other at or near Cape Cod. The first-mentioned had four sons, viz. : James, Edmund, Benjamin, and Joseph. Of these Ed- mund, the grandfather of Dr. Lewis, was born in 1683. He married a lady by the name of Beach, and settled in Stratford, Conn. He was Counselor of the State, and first Judge of the County Court. He died in 1758. lie had four sons and several daughters. The sons were Sevignor, Edmund, Nathaniel, and Icbabod. Nathaniel was born in 1717, married the daughter of Mr. Zechariah Beardsley, of Ripton Parish (now the town of Huntington), where he went to reside. He had four sons and three daughters. One of the sons died in infancy. Zachariah, the eldest, died at Huntington in early life, leaving a widow and one daughter, whose descendants (it is supposed) are still residing in that place. Nathaniel, the youngest, married a Miss Worcester. Their children were five in number, three sons and two daughters, all APPENDIX. 317 of whom subsequently removed to the State of New York, a large proportion of them to Augusta in the vicinity of Utica, where their families still reside. Two of the sisters, Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Hawley, died in the vicinity of Huntington, leaving children and grandchildren, most of whom continue to re- side in that part of the State. The family of the third sister removed to Ballston, JST. Y., where some of them, it is supposed, are still located. Dr. Isaac I '^wis, the second son of his parents, (who lived to grow up to manhood), was born Feb. 1st, 1716. Graduated at Yale College in 1765. Was ordained to the work of the ministry and pastor of the church in Wilton, toward the close of the year 176S, and shortly after in December of the same year married Miss Hannah Beale, daughter of Matthew Beale, Esq., of New Preston, a native of England. They had six sons (of whom one died in infancy), and three daughters. Further particulars respecting this family may be obtained of Miss Sarah Lewis, or Eev. John N. Lewis, both of Greenwich, Conn. THE HOWE FAMILY. About the year 1696, Isaac Howe removed from Darien, where several of the name were then set- tled, to Coscob in Greenwich. He was the father of several children, some twelve or fifteen. Of these^ one, named Isaac, had also a very large family, of 15 ^18 APPENDIX. whom Isaac, the third, settled in Pecksland, and married Elizabeth , and had four sons and nine daughters. The sons were named Jonas, Isaac (who died young), Nehemiah, and Rev. Samuel. The daughters were (here given without regard to the order of their ages) Laura, Lucy, Cornelia, Betsey, who married Rufus Knapp, of Stamford, Sally, who married Gilbert Close, one who died young, Keziah, Esther, Rachel. Of the sons, I. Jonas, married Anna Mead, and had 1. Allen, who married a daughter of Daniel Lyon, of JSTorth Coscob. 2. Isaac, who married Miss Finch, and removed to the State of Ohio, where he has George, Anna, and one other. 3. Deborah, who married Mark Mead, jun. 4. Lewis, who married Miss Mary L. Brush, and has Anna M., Joseph B., and one other. 11. Nehemiah, married a daughter of Isaac Holly, Esq., and has a son, William A. Howe. III. Samuel, who married a daughter of Rev, Piatt Buffet, and lives at New Haven, having two children, named Theodore L. B. Howe and Charlotte E. Howe. University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 305 De Neve Drive • Parking Lot 17 • Box 951388 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90095-1388 Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed. UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY A 000 136 445 4