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THE

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT

FROM ijoo TO 1800

Mrs. ELIZABETH HUBBELL SCHENCK

VOL.

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR

NEW YORK

1905

^

THE LIBRARY OF

CONCRtSS.

Two Copies Received

FEB fl 1305

CopyrKtht Entry

Copyright, 1904, by ELIZABETH H. SCHENCK.

I'rcs« o( J. J. Little * Co., A>tor I'lacr, iNew York.

PREFACE

In presenting the second volume of the History of Fairfield to the )ubHc the author has labored under many disadvantages in delay from 11-health for four or live years after the publication of the first volume, rhe closely-written State records having proved too severe a strain upon he eyes, the historian has hitherto largely depended upon the published ecords by the late State librarian, Mr. Charles J. Hoadley.

It is not out of place here to impress upon the Legislature of Con- lecticut the necessity of yearly setting aside a liberal sum of money for he publication and preservation of the Connecticut State records, which yossess for the historian and the genealogist civil, military and ecclesias- ical documents and records of inestimable value.

The town, probate and parish records of Fairfield, now well worn md faded, ought to be published without delay; a work by which the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Colonial Dames, with heir earnest zeal for the preservation of valuable relics and the recorded ieeds of our ancestors, would add lustre to their many praiseworthy lets of patriotism.

Having had for many years a copy of the first extant parish records )f Christ Church, FairfieW, the author has thought wise to add them o this volume, that many who frequently apply to her for genealogical amily records may themselves be able to trace them out. The parish •ecords of Green's Farms, Stratfield, Greenfield Hill, Northfield, Mill =*lain and Southport, which follow those of Fairfield, are most interesting ind valuable.

In recording the names of the military officers of Fairfield and of ts several parishes the reader is requested to bear in mind that the men vho composed the army were as worthy of honor as the officers who ed them, for they were among the soldiers of the army who won the lard fought battles which made the United States a free and independent :ountry.

It is with deep regret that the author feels obliged with this volume o end her work of compiling the History of Fairfield ; as, with advancing ^ears, the labor of such an undertaking is too great a strain upon her itrength. The years which follow she leaves to some other pen to record md publish.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER VII

1700 — 1 7 10

WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS

Dawn of the eighteenth century. — Free grammar schools. — Yale College Charter. — The Gen- eral Assembly to be held at Hartford and at New Haven. — Fairfield Village changed to Stratfield and made a parish. — Tornado at Fairfield. — Death of King William. — Acces- sion of Queen Anne. — Smallpox town hospitals and maritime laws for vessels. — Slaves. — Court of Assistants held annually at New Haven in October.— A portion of Fairfield school tax to be paid to Stratfield school. — Grant of grammar school lands. — War declared against France and Spain.— School tax.— Freeman's fine.— Kenzey's Point.— Indian Sasco Neck land. — School at Bankside.— Compo mill. — Grant to John Edwards on Meeting-house Green.— School at Greenfield Hill.— Clapboard Hill.— Nathan Gold judge of New Haven Court of Assistants. — Peter Burr one of the Court of Assistants. — Surveyors of Fairfield. — Protection sent to the eastern and western plantations. — Townships confirmed in their patent rights. — Protection to friendly Indians. — Reward for taking Indian enemies. — Com- mittee of Safety.— Preparations for defending the frontier towns.— War tax.— Fairfield military officers. — Queen's Attorney. — Connecticut Charter in danger. — Burning of Rich- ard Ogden's mill. — Demand of England for masts and stores. — Repeal of laws against Quakers. — Fast day. — Ministers and families exempt from taxes. — Drunkenness punished. — Stocks. — Land granted to Rev. S. Wakeman.— Grant of land for Pequot war service to Capt. Richard Osborn.— Renewal of Long-lots. — Efforts of the governors of Massa- chusetts and New York to nullify colony charters.— Sir tienry .A.shurst's defense of the Connecticut Charter in England. — Heavy taxes. — Introduction of the Church of England. — Unfriendly Indians sent to Fairfield jail. — Refusal of men and arms to the governors of Massachusetts and New York. — Law of Inhabitants and who to admit. — Charity for Samuel Carter.— Petitioners of New Fairfield.— Nathan Gold elected Deputy Governor.— Church of England at Fairfield.— Governors to be elected by the people instead of by magistrates.— Bankside farmers apply for parish rights. — Grant of parish rights to towns. — Laws for dissenters from Congregationalism. — The Saybrook Platform. — Impost on home and foreign liquors.— Election Sermons in towns. — Thanksgiving Day. — Stock of town guns and ammunition. — Fresh taxes. — Persons exempt from train-band service. — Nathan Gold in charge of military arms, etc.— Dogs.— Penalty for selling arms, etc., to Indians. — Peter Burr major of Fairfield County Regiment. — Church of England members disheartened. — Expedition against Canada, etc. — P'ailure of the expedition. — Fairfield sur-

CONTENTS

geon and military officers. — Resolve to renew the expedition. — First issue of paper money. —Petition of Connecticut to the Queen.— Military affairs.— The sick and wounded at Albany. — Laws for encouraging and improving military companies. — Young people not to gather on Sabbath evenings, etc

CHAPTER VIII 1710 — 1720

CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR

Election of officers.— Bills of credit.— Counterfeiting.— Council of War.— Efforts to capture Canada. — Queen Anne's letter. — Response to the Queen's letter. — Troops ordered out. — Ships and transports.— Officers of Expedition.— Capture of Port Royal.— Military officers of Green's Farms. — Tax for the Expedition. — Parish petition of Green's Farms. — Con- necticut and New York boundar>- line. — Major Burr's soldiers. — New Fairfield. — Expe- dition against Canada. — Green's Farm a parish. — Educational interests. — Bills of credit and taxes. — Smallpox hospitals. — County Courts. — Superior Courts, — Expedition against Canada. — Punishment of deserters. — Army supplies from Connecticut. — Dr. James Laborie and Dr. Copp. — Troops, supplies, and drums from Fairfield. — Army and Navy leave for Canada. — Failure of the expedition. — Connecticut garrison in frontier forts. — Land grant to heirs of Major Nathan Gold. — Renewed efforts against Canada. — Green's Farms bound- ary.— Laws for tavern-keepers. — Post fees. — Assembly at Fairfield of an Ecclesiastical Court. — Church attendance obligatory. — Public land to be sold for erecting a court-house. — Taxes. — Schools. — Yale college fees. — Grant of land to Green's Farms minister, to Rev. Mr. Webb and Rev. Charles Chauncey.— Perry's grist mill.— Laws for vicious per- sons.— New issue of bills of credit 1713. — Taxes on imports. — Reward for wolves and panthers. — Peace of Utrecht. — Great expense of Connecticut in the French and English war. — Charters in danger. — Indian deed of Clapboard Hill. — Highways between Long- lots. — County officers. — Preservation of forests. — Duties on wood exports. — Strict religious laws. — Bibles in families required. — Decline of religion.— Custom house at Black Rock. — A long drought. — Death of (^ueen Anne. — .Xccession of George I. — Green's Farms allowed to embody in a society. — Schools. — New mills. — Rev. Daniel Chapman called to Green's Farms. — Death of Rev. Charles Chauncey. — Fairweather Island. — Trustees of school lands. — Temperance laws. — Train-band officers of Green's Farms and Greenfield. — Chief Justice Nathan Gold. — Regulations for vessels on Sabbath days. — Parish laws for Sab- bath worship, teaching, and for good morals. — Thanksgiving. — Fast day. — Greens Farms opens its Church and ordains Rev. Mr. Chapman. — Individual land grants to be secured. — Train-band officers for county troops. — Election sermon. — Schools. — Private persons not to purchase lands of Indians. — Ta.xes on imports, and on peddlers and non-residents of the colony. — Cattle pound laws. — Evangelizing the Indians. — Saw mill on .\spetuck River.- Dr. James Laborie a resident of Fairfield. — Land grant to the heirs of Captain Nathaniel Seeley. — County cavalry officers. — Drainage of Pine creek meadow. —Yale col- lege.— Vagrancy not permitted. — Taxes for bills of credit. — Bills of credit issued. — Mr. Timothy Green of New London the engraver of bills of credit. — Bounds of parsonage lands. — Rev. Samuel Cook minister of Stratfield parish.— Value of estates of Fairfield 1719. — Fast day

CONTENTS

CHAPTER IX

1720-1730

CHURCH AND STATE

Green's Farms Church. — Court House. — General Assembly officers. — Upper and Lower Houses of Assembly. — Trouble with Indians. — Increased ta.xes on liquor. — Fast day. — Fairfield school land patent. — Contribution to Yale College. — Beliefs and customs of the Estab- lished Church of the Colony. — 'A summary of their persecutions. — Church of England vig- orously maintained. — Opposition of the Established Church. — Laws against the Rogerenes. — Tithingmen. — Punishment for non-observance of the ecclesiastical colony laws. — .Supe- rior Courts. — Trouble with the eastern Indians. — County troops. — Fast Day. — Yale Col- lege converts to the Church of England. — Rev. George Pigot. — His letters to England. — Persecution of Church of England members. — Rev. Joseph Webb's letter. — Rev. Mr. Pigot's and Dr. Laborie's letters. — Duties of upper and lower houses of Assembly. — School money. — Judge Peter Burr elected Chief Justice. — Death of Justice Nathan Gold. — Public tax. — Land grant to heirs of Justice Nathan Gold. — Value of Fairfield estates. — Rev. Samuel Johnson. — His letters. — State and military officers. — Parliament oath taken. — Sheriff of Fairfield. — Laws for Indians. — Military sent against eastern Indians. — Signal of friendly Indians. — Massachusetts calls for military assistance. — Death of Justice Peter Burr. — Troops sent against eastern Indians. — Greenfield petitions for parish privileges. — Rev. Noah Hobart an assistant to Rev. Mr. Webb. — Captain Samuel Couch's land patent. — Thanksgiving Day. — Opening of the Church of England and location. — Laws against swearing. — Official fees. — Admission of strangers. — Northwest parish (Greenfield) embody in church and state. — Covenant. — Rev. John Goodsell. — Church officers. — How to warn new societies. — Value of Fairfield estates. — Greenfield meeting- house. — Growth of the Church of England. — Taxation without representation. — Rev. Dr. Johnson's letters. — Petition of Church of England ofiicers. — Petition granted. — Northwe.-;l parish named Greenfield. — Death of George I. — Accession of George II. celebrated at New Haven. — House of Correction. — Earthquake and its effects. — Lottery evils. — Churchmen persecuted. — Mr. Caner's letters. — Public notifications. — Probate Court of Stamford. — Lotteries for- bidden.— Viciousness of the Indians. — Reading petitions to be made a parish. — Fairfield County enlarged. — Requisites of a freeholder. — Reading made a parish. — Official fees. — . Freeman's rights

CHAPTER X 1730— 1740

GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF FAIRFIELD

State military officers. — Law for slaves. — Settlement of boundary between New York and Con- necticut.— Value of Fairfield estates. — Maintenance and growth of the Church of Eng- land.— Law for erecting meeting-houses. — Vice to be suppressed. — Stratfield military officers. — Canaan meeting-house. — Town ta.xes. — Death of Dr. Laborie. — I'arsonagc

i CONTEXTS

lands. — Reading petitions England for a clergyman. — Rev. John Beach. — Towns not to entertain strangers. — Death of Rev. Joseph Webb. — Rev. Noah Ilobart's ordination. — Election ball. — Church customs. — Queen Anne's munificent grant to the Church of Eng- land in America. — Dean Berkeley's visit to America. — His gift of books and scholarship to Yale College. — Diversion of Queen Anne's gift. — Dean Berkeley's mortification and return. — Berkeley Divinity School at Middletown. — Western Lands. — School laws. — Green- Held and Fairfield military officers. — Preservation of Forests. — New bills of credit. — Value of Fairfield estates. — Encouragement of silk and linen weaving. — Manner of calling church gatherings. — Epidemic in the colony. — Decline of religious interest in families. — Sale of parsonage lands. — Church of England not allowed to share in the sale of these lands. — Law for gathering church ta.xes. — Capt. .Samuel Couch's patent of Indian land. — New Fairfield to be settled. — Severe laws against theft and burglaries. — Restrictions on tavern keepers. — Military laws. — Magistrates of 1736. — Mutilated bills of credit. — Evangelizing the Indians. — New Fairfield. — Magistrates of 1737. — Superior Court. — New Fairfield. — Wilton meeting house. — Creen's Farm's meeting house. — Western lands. — Greenfield militia officers. — Magistrates of 173S. — Report of Colony laws and bills of credit. — Reading. — Town privileges of New Fairfield. — Fairfield military ofificers. — Magistrates of 1739. — Reading bounds. — Military and naval regulations 96

CHAPTER XI

WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE AND SPAIN

Religious awakening. — Rev. George Whitefield. — New Lights. — Revivals. — Assistants and deputies of 1740. — Proclamation of war. — Soldiers raised. — Bills of credit issued. — Taxes l.iid. — Stratfield exempt from Fairfield school and ministers' ta.xes. — New Fairfield meeting-house. — Incorporated a town. — Hemp, canvas, and linen. — Bills of credit. — Volunteers for war. — Deserters punished. — Military officers. — Colonial laws sent to Eng- land.— 1741. — E.xpedition against West Indies. — Colony and military ofificers. — Embargo on grain, etc. — Military preparations. — Sale of western lands for .schools. — Prayers for King and Royal family. — Fresh troops sent to Cuba. — Sloop Defence. — Invasion of Georgia. — Rev. Daniel Chapman's death. — 1742. — Colony and military ofificers. — Probate seal. — College license. — License for ministers. — Old Lights and New Lights. — Church of England convention at Fairfield. — Green's Farms meeting-house, seatings, and bell. — Reading meeting-house. — Greenfield Hill meeting-house. — 1743. — Colonial and military officers. — Ecclesiastical law for dissenters. — Fourth Regiment officers. — Preparations for war. — Fairfield ta.xes. — 1744. — Political and military officers. — Superior Court at Fairfield. — War between England and France. — Military officers and troops raised to assist New ^'ork. — Powder money tax. — Friendly Indian badges. — Punishment for ofiicers and soldiers. — Fairfield doomed. — 1745. — French expedition against Louisburg. — Assembly of Febru- ary.— Expedition against Cape Breton and neighborhood. — Volunteers raised. — Sloop De- fence and transports prepared. — Major Andrew Burr. — Colonel of forces. — April 3d a fast day. — Bills of credit issued. — Political and military officers. — Reinforcements. — Bills of credit issued. — Commanding ofiicers. — Commodore Warren's course. — Expedition sailed. — Orders from England. — Louisburg and Cape Breton taken. — (jreal rejoicing in colonies. — Valuable prizes. — Fisheries preserved. — Col. Andrew Burr's regiment maintained at Louisburg. — Connecticut requests share in jirize money, etc. — 1746. — England resolved to

CONTENTS ix

conquer Canada, and France to retake her possessions. — Ofikers of the civil and military appointments. — Care of disabled soldiers. — Fresh officers and soldiers raised to attack Canada. — Day of fasting and prayer ordered. — Bills of credit. — Troops to protect frontier towns. — Expedition against Crown Point. — French fleet. — Alarm on New England coast. — Disasters and failure of French fleet. — New England dissatisfied and alienated from England. — Enterprise and bravery of Fairfield men and women. — Political and military officers. — Protection of currency, trade, and lumber. — Bounty to Indian allies. — Oath of allegiance and supremacy. — Estates of Fairfield. — Agreement to defend English colonies. — French attack on English possessions and failure. — Indian depredations. — Ecclesiastical affairs. — 1748.— Political and military officers. — Rev. Henry Caner goes to Boston. — Rev. Joseph Lamson. — Death of Rev. Samuel Cook.— Rev. Lyman Hall. — New church. — Cross- highway. — St. John's Church, Stratfield. — Reading meeting-house. — Rev. Mr. Beach. — Death of Rev. Mr. Hunn. — New Fairfield's tax for church. — Tax for Yale College. — Ecclesiastical laws. — 1749. — Political and military officers. — Treaty of peace between England, France, and Spain. — Louisburg ceded back to France. — Depreciation of cur- rency.— England called upon for assistance and reimbursement. — Taxes raised to pay England's war expenses. — Heavy tax on Fairfield. — Indian Sagamore Chicken deeded his land at Reading 128

CHAPTER XII 1750— 1760

FRENCH AND ENGLISH WAR IN AMERICA

Connecticut soldiers. — Religious dissensions. — Civil and military officers of 1750. — Money from England. — English laws introduced. — Reply to English Board of Trade and Plantations. — Peter Penfield's Mill.— Death of Col. John Burr. — Religious Controversies, — The Church of England. — New Congregational Church. — Death of Bishop Berkeley. — Civil and military officers of 1751. — French projects in America. — Persecution of English trad- ers.— Connecticut alliance with Six Nations. — Form of prayer for King George II. — Baptists at Stratfield. — Stratfield bounds enlarged. — Civil and military officers of 1752. — Grammar Schools. — School lands. — Law for Sabbath Day. — Civil and military officers of 1753. — Tax for Colony expenses. — Houses of Correction. — Epidemic. — Tobacco. — War preparations. — Flax water-machine. — New Style calendar. — Congregationalism at Yale College. — Religious controversies increase. — Civil and military officers of 1754. — English traders murdered by French. — Fort Du ()uesne taken. — Colonel Washington. — Connecticut petitions England for assistance and protection. — Grand council of war at Albany. — Com- bination of colonies under one president. — Plan of Great Britain for taxing colonies. — Re- ligious controversy. — Donations of Bishop Berkeley and Governor Yale to Yale College. — King's College. — President Johnson. — Liberal response to King's requirements. — Bills of Credit. — War tax. — Fairfield War Committee. — Troops for war. — Reimbursement from England. — Bounty money. — Chief ofilicers. — Colony's full power to call out troops. — Eng- land's act against paper money. — Colony act for paper money. — Civil and military officers, 1755. — Fast day. — Call for troops from New York. — Expeditions planned against the French. — French armyand navy. — Troops for Crown Point. — Billsof Credit. — Connecticut officers of Fourth Regiment. — Increase of Bills of Credit and taxes. — Ebenezer Silliman commissioner to New York. — .\rrival of English fleet. — French prizes taken. — Prepara-

CONTENTS

tions of Gens. Johnson and Lyman on Lake George. — Attack on Johnson's camp. — Defeat of the French. — Colonel Moncton's victory at Nova Scotia. — General Braddock's defeat at Fort Du Quesne. — Bravery of Colonel Washington. — Governor Shirley's forces against Niagara disheartened. — Erected Fort Ontario. — Bravery of Connecticut forces rewarded by King. — Fairfield parsonage and school lands. — Secret council against the French. — Appeal to King for money. — Gratuity to Connecticut forces. — Act to preserve Indian friendship. — French prisoners sent to Fairfield. — Commissioners sent to New York to prosecute the war. — Connecticut preparations. — Crown Point. — Connecticut borrows money. — Taxes to repay it. — Call for arms and ammunition. — Fairfield Council of War. — Jonathan Trumbull sent to England. — Civil and military officers of 1756. — Law against bribery in elections. — Long lots. — Loans to private individuals. — England sends timely money. — Fast day. — War declared against France, May i8th. — Preparations to defeat the French at all points. — Inefficient British generals. — Loss of fort at Oswego. — General Webb's incompetency. — Abercrombie's humiliating delay. — Industry of colonial troops. — Earl of Loudon in Connecticut. — French and Indian atrocities. — Gold and silver from England. — Embargo on grain and provisions. — Fast day. — Fresh troops for Lake George. — Officers of Fourth Regiment. — Earl Loudon's vexatious orders. — Fairfield parishes. — Weston parish. — Stratfield Baptists. — New Bridge. — Jail bounds. — Commissioners to meet at Boston on war, January, 1757. — Collections taken in churches. — Public lottery for colony eypenses. — Civil and military officers of 1757. — Preparation of troops to march. — Norfield bounds. — Public, shipping, and tea taxes on merchandise and peddlers. — Lieut. - Col. John Read. — Connecticut's noble response for troops. — Change from Crown Point to Louisburg.— Large forces sent from England. — E.xpedition relinquished. — French achieve- ments.— Fort William Henry reduced. — Albany threatened. — Connecticut sends large rein- forcements.— Great distress on frontiers. — English officers disgraced. — Fourth Regiment troops at Fort Edward. — General Council of War at New York. — Officers promoted. — Fairfield war taxes. — English soldiers at Fairfield. — Rev. Seth Pomeroy minister at Green- field.— Baptists at Stratfield. — King's orders for large army to invade Canada. — Fresh troops raised and Bills of Credit. — Heavy taxes. — Commissioners. — Embargo on ships. — Military and civil officers of 1758. — British activity. — Connecticut agents to England. — Fairfield agent to Albany. — Fast day. — British troops at Fairfield. — Lottery. — Supplies for troops at Fort Edward and Station No. 4. — Roads to Albany. — Bell Foundry. — Troops from England. — Louisburg and St. Johns taken. — P'orts Du Quesne and Frontenac taken. — .A.bercrombie's defeat at Fort Ticonderoga. — Besieged and taken by General Bradstreet. — Connecticut raises more forces and money. — Fairfield officers. — David Rowland to assist in counting seven chests of English money. — Civil and military officers of 1759. — More troops raised. — Brigade major. — English troops quartered at Fairfield. — Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and Isle Aux Noix taken. — Surrender of Quebec. — Preparations to take Montreal. — Fairfield taxes. — Old Lights and New Lights 165

CHAPTER XIII 1760 — 1770

SEVEN years' WAR AND REVOLUTION

Quebec taken. — 1760. — Political and military officers. — Bills of credit and taxes. — Boston fire collection in churches. — Renewed attack on French possessions. — Montreal taken. — Con-

CONTENTS xi

gratulations to the King and to General Amherst. — Money sent from England. — Thanks- giving day throughout Connecticut. — War with Indians. — 1761. — England calls for more troops. — Troops raised. — Officers. — Bills of credit and taxes. — King's proclamation. — Ecclesiastical laws sent to towns. — Money from England. — Bridge across Saugatuck river. — Pitiless war against Indians. — Peace declared. — England's drain upon American colonies. — Answers to England about trade, etc. — General Amherst calls for troops to protect forts. — Industry of troops, — Taxable estates. — Ecclesiastical controversies and taxes. — Northfield parish. — New meeting-house at Greenfield Hill, and call of Rev. Mr. Pomeroy. — 1762. — England calls for more troops. — Troops raised. — Bills of credit and taxes. — Military officers. — Colonial forces take the place of English regulars. — More troops raised. — Civil and military officers. — Large bounty offered. — Embargo on food and grain. — Attack on West Indies. — War against Spain declared. — Attack on Havana. — Great mor- tality among troops. — General Amherst reinforced. — Officers from Fairfield. — Fall of Ha- vana.— Fatality of the New England troops. — Money from England. — Abatement of taxes. — Officers commissioned. — 1763. — Peace declared and concessions made. — Great rejoicing. — Men of Connecticut. — Fairfield's brave course. — Wave of great prosperity. — Affection and pride of the colonies for England. — Honored men of Fairfield. — Law for debtors. — Bills of credit issued to pay officers and soldiers. — Taxes levied. — Money granted by England used for billeting her soldiers, etc. — A day of thanksgiving appointed. — Col. Andrew Burr inspector of army accounts. — 1764. — Fresh Indian conspiracy. — Civil and military officers. — More troops ordered out. — Bills of credit. — English taxation burden- some.— Check upon industrial prosperity. — Protest against stamp duties, etc. — Peace with western Indians. — Intellectual impetus. — Stamp Act. — Benjamin Franklin's discovery of electricity. — Church officers. — Protest against Stamp Act. — Jared Ingersoll's English ap- pointment of Stamp Distributor. — Colony expenses laid before parliament. — 1765. — Ac- count of war and colony taxes sent to England, etc. — Civil and military officers. — Golden Hill Indians. — Congress of colonies held in New York. — Resolution. — Treatment of Stamp Act Commissioner. — Public protests. — Rise of Sons of Liberty. — Great excitement. — Re- fusal to use English importations. — Home industries used only. — Proceedings of Congress indorsed by General Assembly. — Petitions to king and parliament signed and sent to England. — Golden Hill Indians. — A public fast. — Stamp Act ignored. — 1766. — Stamp Act repealed. — Ecclesiastical controversies at Fairfield. — Connecticut refuses Stamp Act Oath. — Governor Fitch and four others take the oath. — Their mistake. — Civil and mili- tary officers. — Repeal of Stamp Act. — Letter of gratitude to king and parliament. — Public day of thanksgiving. — Oath of allegiance to George III, rejecting pretensions of James III. — Taxes for schools. — Act to preserve shell-fish. — Church of England convention at Stratford. — Petition for bishop. — 1767. — General Gage requested British troops to be quartered in Fairfield and towns adjacent. — Civil and military officers. — Increase of school money. — Reading petitions for a distinct township to be named Redding. — King's troops quartered in the colony. — Mile-stones. — 1768. — Civil and military officers. — Guar- dian of Golden Hill Indians. — British renewal of taxes. — Resistance, riots, and indigna- tion.— American patriots. — Non-importation. — Rise of Sons and Daughters of Liberty. — Petition to the King and Colonial Secretary. — Letter to Massachusetts Assembly. — Death of David Rowland, Esq. — Fairfield jail and court-house burned by Frazer. — New court- house and jail on the Meeting-house Green. — Draining salt marsh at Green's Farms. — Church of England purchased Glebe land. — 1769. — Separate troops of horse in Fourth Regiment. — Civil and military officers. — Effort to remove court-house and jail to Norwalk defeated. — New military exercises. — Death of Governor Pitkin. — Jonathan Trumbull elected governor. — Resolutions to sustain colonial rights and liberties. — Search for land titles. — Death of Col. John Burr. — Powder-house 229

ii CONTENTS

CHAPTER XIV 1770 — 1780

THE WAR OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

?70. — Increasing spirit of liberty. — Civil and militar)' officers. — Repeal of colony duties on ex- ports.— E.xasperating conduct of English troops. — Boston Massacre. — Day of fasting and prayer. — 1771. — Civil and military officers. — Personal taxes. — Death of Col. James Smed- ley. — 1772. — Civil and military officers. — Great storm. — Drilling soldiers. — 1773. — Civil and military officers. — Purchase of arms. — Judge Silliman's letters to the colonies. — Census of the colony and regiments. — Western Lands. — Tea shipped back to England. — Boston Tea Party. — 1774. — Civil and military officers. — Western Lands. — Boston Port Bill. — Dr. Benjamin Franklin. — Action of General Assembly. — Day of fasting and prayer. — Prepara- tions for war. — Congress of colonies at Philadelphia. — Boston port closed. — Fairfield sends assistance and supplies. — Connecticut regiments called out. — Industry of Daughters of Liberty. — Military arms inspected. — Importing slaves into Connecticut prohibited. — Mili- tary officers appointed and ammunition distributed. — Bills of Credit. — Assembly opposition to British colonial acts. — Fairfield's approval of Colonial Convention's resolutions, and call a county congress. — Strict economy agreed upon. — 1775. — Large call for ammunition. — Negro spirit roused to fight. — Bonds of naval officers. — Contributions to Boston while be- sieged.— Letter to Earl Dartmouth. — King permits limited fishing on New Foundland banks. — Patrick Henry. — Preparation for war throughout the colonies. — Battle of Lexing- ton.— Troops set out for relief of Boston. — Men from Fairfield. — Special Assembly. — Embargo on food, grain, etc. — Committees of supply and relief. — Forces for Connecticut. — Officers appointed. — The Fifth Regiment. — Bills of Credit. — Committees for ammu- nition.— Defence of seaports. — Four regiments sent to Boston. — Fasting and prayer. — Governor Trumbull's letter to General Gage. — Insolent reply of Gen. Gage. — May Assem- bly.— Civil and military officers. — Bills of credit and taxes. — Every war preparation made. — Regiment standards. — Premium for stands of arms and ammunition. — Act passed for defending the colony. — Expedition against Ticonderoga and Crown Point. — Kindness to prisoners of war. — Council of War. — Provincial Congress of New York, New Jersey and I'hiladelphia. — Col. George Washington appointed Commander-in-Chief of the army. — Israel Putnam Major General of Connecticut forces. — Continental bills of credit. — Con- necticut forwards troops and ammunition to Boston. — Battle of Breeds and Bunker Hill. — Battle flags. — Connecticut troops sent toJNew London and New York. — General Wash- ington sets out for Massachusetts and passes through Fairfield. — General Tryon arrives in New York. — Connecticut officers and troops posted near New York. — Fairfield sends food and ammunition of relief to Boston. — More regiments raised. — Fairfield officers. — Naval vessels. — Mile stones. — General Montgomery's forces to attack Quebec. — Bills of credit issued. — Provisions sent out of the colony. — Embargo laid. — First colony uni- forms.— Marriage of Hon. John Hancock and Miss Dorothy Quincey. — Continental money. — General Washington prepares his troops for action. — Calls for more troops from Connecticut. — New stands of arms. — Money and supplies sent to sick soldiers at Ticon- deroga and prisoners of war. — Capt. Stephen Thorp's sloop of provisions sent to Massa- chusetts.— Connecticut retains her charter government. — Brother Jonathan. — Expedition against Canada. — Heroes of Fairfield. — .Minute-men. — Bounty for salt-pelre and nitre. — Powder mill in each town. — Punishment of Tories. — Enemy ordered to harass coast towns. — Congress makes it a crime to assist the British. — Vessels and row galleys ordered to de- fend the coast of Connecticut. — Coast guards. — Ammunition and stores. — 1776. — Rein-

CONTENTS >

forcements for New York. — Cannon and ammunition for Fairfield. — Fort at Grover Hill erected. — Lieut. Ebenezer Bartram. — Captain Harding of Brig Defence. — Dorchester Heights. — Boston evacuated. — Great rejoicing. — Col. Gold Sellick Silliman's regiment sent to New York to join General Washington. — Lieut. John Mills. — Lieut. Samuel Smedley of Brig Defence and Joseph Squire. — Row galleys fitted out. — German troops sent to assist the English. — Fresh troops ordered out. — General Washington's reply to General Howe. — General Assembly of May. — Civil and military officers. — Five regiments of cavalry. — Major David Dimon of new regiment. — Bills of credit issued and taxes. — Call for all able bodied men. — Continental bills of credit. — Captain Samuel Squire com- missary.— Premium for gun-lock. — Letters of marque and reprisal. — Mr. Thaddeus Burr specie agent of postal money, etc. — Fairfield officers. — Inhabitants of towns ordered to arm and form themselves into companies of defence. — Attack to be made on Fairfield dis- covered.— Armed galleys ordered out. — Embargo on provisions and grain. — The General Assembly proposes through their delegates to Continental Congress to declare the United American Colonies free and independent states. — National standard of stars and stripes. — British attack upon Virginia. — The Declaration of Independence declared July 4, 1776. — Prayers for the king and royal family omitted. — Battalions raised for northern department. — Continental army. — Boston. — Fairfield officers. — Bills of Credit. — Last Assembly of the colony of Connecticut. — Patriotic proclamation read in every church. — Ammunition for Fairfield. — Three regiments of light horse sent to New York. — Supplies and money sent to Black Rock Fort. — Brig Defence captures several British vessels. — Newgate Prison. — Tow-cloth tents. — Military uniforms. — Spies punished. — Cannon supplied to Black Rock Fort. — Brigantine Defence sent out to secure prizes. — Naval officers and seamen raised for northern lakes. — General Howe's attack on Charleston, and Long Island. — Battle of Long Island. — American prisoners and /"rfjow-^/n^^j. — Gen. Washington retreats to Har- lem.— Eight regiments sent to New London to harass the English on Long Island. — Families flee from Long Island to Connecticut. — Fast Day. — Regiments sent to West- chester.— Hospital erected. — Nathaniel Hale. — Gen. Washington defeats the British on East River. — British occupation of New York. — Public and private buildings burned. — Fort Washington. — Battle of White Plains. — Gen. Washington retires to New Castle and Gen. Howe to New York. — State of Connecticut Assembly endorsed the Declaration of Independence. — State, civil and military officers amenable only to the State of Connecticut. — Charter rights maintained. — Punishment of traitors. — Oath of Fidelity. — Tories warned. — Counterfeiters punished. — Necessary supplies impressed. — Embargo on food and clothing. — Women and children plow and plant fields. — Husking parties. — Relief sent to General Washington. — Captain Samuel Squire to seize all necessary articles for the army. — Thaddeus Burr sent to Washington's camp. — Eight regiments sent to protect the bor- ders of the Sound. — Tories sent to western parts of the State. — Gold Sellick Silliman, Abraham Gold and Jonathan Dimon promoted in Fourth State militia regiment. — Prizes taken by brig Defence. — Ammunition .sent to Fairfield. — Defeat of Americans on Lake Champlain. — British fleet off Fairfield and Norwalk. — Guards stationed along the coast. — Defeat of General Lee at Fort Washington. — Gen. Washington retired from Fort Lee to Trenton and Pennsylvania. — Washington attacks and defeats the British at Trenton and Princeton and occupies Morristown Heights. — Gen. Lee taken prisoner. — Great drain of officers and men from Connecticut. — Twenty-five Connecticut regiments formed into si.\ brigades. — Prices fixed upon labor of all kinds. — Industrial and imported goods. — State Loan office. — Troops sent to Gen. Washington from western Connecticut. — Thaddeus Burr one of committee for this design. — Alarm officers and men from sixteen to sixty years of age to protect coast towns. — Fairfield alarm soldiers. — Troops sent to Rhode Island. — Care of all sick soldiers. — Gold Selleck Silliman Brigadier General of Fourth State militia brigade. — State tax. — Guard at New-Field Harbor. — 1777. — Lieut. Samuel Smedley

/ CONTENTS

promoted. — Brig Defence prizes. — Washington sends for all available troops for eastern New York. — Distribution of other prizes. — Fort Black Rock reinforced. — Rev. John Sayer sent as a Tory prisoner from Fairfield to Farmington. — Thaddeus Burr to collect tons of flax for the State; and hundreds of tons of flax and rye to send out of the State. — Lieut. Samuel Smedley promoted captain of Brig Defence. — Smallpox hospitals. — Fairfield military guard commanded by Brig. Gen. Silliman. — Troops sent to Fort Black Rock. — Treaty with the Six Nations. — France tenders supplies to Governor Trumbull. — Silas Dean, Arthur Lee and Benjamin Franklin sent by Congress commissioners to France, Prussia and Spain. — France sends arms and ammunition. — Marquis de LaFayette and De Kalb sail for America. — Families of volunteers supported at the expense of the State. — Alarm at Fairfield from enemy's ships. — Capt. Samuel Squire to supply two armed ships to cruise the Sound. — Cannon and ammunition sent to Fairfield and New Field. — General Silliman to protect stores at Danbury. — All towns called to furnish full military quotas. — .Ammunition sent to Fairfield. — Captain Smedley takes prizes. — General Gates sends for reinforcements. — British attack on Danbury. — Attack on Gen's Silliman's, Arnold's and Wooster's forces. — General Wooster mortally wounded. — Battle at Ridgefield. — Lieut. Col. Abraham Gold killed. — Battle at Saugatuck Bridge. — British sail from Compo to Hunt- ington, L. I. — Gen. Wooster's valuable services. — Reinforcements sent to Continental forces. — Gen. Meigs' retaliation. — Troops sent to sea coast. — Connecticut credit. — Ecclesi- astical laws. — Court-martial regulation. — Three years enlistment. — Taxes. — Battalions raised to protect towns on the Sound. — Salt manufacturers. — State of Connecticut army commissions. — Pensions for disabled soldiers. — War Record office. — Deserters. — Ex- change of prisoners. — Pardon to deserters upon taking State oath of allegiance. — Fairfield military officers. — Captain Samuel Squire to supply state troops and those at Peekskill with stores and clothing. — Captain Samuel Smedley sent on naval cruise. — First national flag. — Troops sent to Fairfield. — Rev. John Sayer returned to Fairfield. — Movements of Washington. — Gen. Howe's victories on the Delaware. — Movements of Gen. Burgoyne and Gen. Schuyler. — Gen. Silliman sends troops to Peekskill. — Larger taxes laid on towns. — Declaration of Independence ordered recorded. — More troops sent to Peekskill. — Sale of prize goods at Fairfield. — Thaddeus Burr to impress necessarj' provisions and clothing for the army. — Arnold's victory at Fort Schuyler. — Battle of Bennington. — Thanksgiving. — Death of Col. David Dimon. — Great economy practiced. — Fortifications of New Field and Stratfield. — Outburst of patriotism. — Kosciusko's fortifications. — Battle of Bemis Heights. — Detachments from Fairfield brigade sent under General Silliman to Peekskill to join General Putnam's forces. — Oath of allegiance and fidelity. — Economic laws and licenses. — Connecticut and United States bills of credit maintained. — Maintenance of aged slaves. — Ministers to urge strict honesty and morality. — Reduction of Continental bills in circulation. — Each state taxed for war expenses. — Prison ships provided. — ;^20,ooo to supply blankets and wool goods from France and elsewhere. — Connecticut's new issue of bills of credit. — English defeated at Bemis Heights. — Burgoyne's retreat. — Ticonderoga taken by Americans. — Renewed courage and hope for victory. — General Silliman sends fresh troops to Peekskill. — Washington at Valley Forge. — Sufferings of his army. — Wash- ington censured. — Upheld by the country. — Thanksgiving Day for victories appointed by Congress throughout the United States. — Military uniforms sent to Washington. — Constant alarm at Fairfield and neighboring towns. — British Prison ships in New York harbor. — Hon. John Hancock resigns presidency of Congress. — 1778. — Brighter prospects. — Well disciplined troops. — An united resolve to conquer. — France recognizes the independence of the American States. — Joyous news reaches Washington at Valley Forge. — Barrack masters for each town. — Fresh troops raised and equipped. — Everything needed to be im- pressed.— Troops for Fairfield. — Clothing sent to .'\merican prisoners in New York. — Fourth Regiment officers. — Release of prisoners at Fairfield. — Naval officers. — Reception

CONTENTS

of Benjamin Franklin and Silas Dean by French king. — Treaty of amity and peace. — English offer of almost absolute independence rejected — England declares war against France. — Large bounties for recruits. — Large taxes and liberal offers to farmers. — New England states join in uniformity of labor prices. — Six battalions raised for immediate and constant service. — Day of fasting and prayer. — Extra teams impressed to carry provi- sions and clothing to New York for troops under Washington. — Guard at New Field Harbor. — Fairfield military posts. — Petitions for an armed vessel to guard coast. — All the States aroused to drive the British from the country. — Gen. Lafayette's skillful services to relieve Washington. — Washington appoints a day of thanksgiving in his army at Valley Forge. — Great exultation.— Estates of Tories confiscated. — General muster and alarm forces in Connecticut. — ;^ioo,ooo ordered to be borrowed. — Cattle seized for U. S. army. Embargo laid on clothing and provisions except for the U. S. A. — Taxes. — Address of Con- gress sent to each town in the U. S. to be read in each congregation. — Cannon for G rover Hill Point. — Battle of Monmouth. — British retire to New York. — Washington to White Plains. — Connecticut coast towns in constant alarm. — Special couriers. — Arrival of Count D'Estaing's fleet. — French ambassador Gen. Gerard's arrival in Philadelphia. — D'Estaing sails for Newport. — Washington sends for Connecticut troops to march to Providence, R. I. — Company sent from Fairfield. — Captain Samuel Smedley sent from Ijoston to seize enemy's vessels. — Engagement off Newport between D'Estaing and Admiral Byron's Eng- lish fleet. — Land engagement at Newport. — Forces sent to New London and Fairfield. — Horse racing forbidden. — Taxes. — Ammunition sent to Fairfield. — Ship Defence prize money. — Massacre at Wyoming and Cherry Valley. — Dec. 30, Thanksgiving Day. — 1779. — State tax. — Congress calls upon the states for fifteen million dollars. — Connecticut to raise seventeen hundred thousand dollars. — Heavy taxes to meet this demand. — Mainten- ance of military officers and private families. — Prize money distribution among naval officers and seamen. — Sixty thousand pounds distributed among Connecticut soldiers. — Volunteers sent to Fairfield. — Connecticut towns send relief to Rhode Island sufferers. — Fairfield sends 1500 bushels of grain. — Spain for once joins against the English. — 1779- — Artillery officers for Fairfield. — Cap. Smedley sent out against the enemy. — Supplies for Black Rock Battery. — Family inspection of grain and army supplies made. — Battalions filled, bounties paid, army paid equivalent to gold and silver. — Shrinkage of Continental Bills of Credit. — General Silliman taken prisoner.— General Assembly in May at Hartford.— Civil and mili- tary officers. — Taxes. — Town votes for congressional delegates. — Dueling prohibited. — Call for full state battalions.— Demand from Fairfield recruits.— Military officers.- Value of Fairfield estates — Adjoining states call for assistance and supplies. — Wreck of the ship Defence. — Loss of ship Oliver Cromwell. — Fairfield supplies ammunition to Lieut. Col. Noadiah Huntington. — The ship Guilford. — British attack New Haven. — British attack towns I-^airfield, Mill River, and Green's Farms. — Officer and men in Black Rock Fort. — Penfield Mills saved.— Rev. Andrew Eliot's description of burning of Fairfield.— Pilot of General Tryon's forces. — Rev. Dr. Timothy Dwight's description of the conflagration. — Major Talmage from White Plains reached Fairfield July gth.- Threat to Mrs. Jonathan Bulkley.— Heroic women of Fairfield.— Ellen Gold.— Christ Church record.— Rev. Dr. John Sayerwith family leave with the British army. — Dr. Sayer's letter to the S. P. G. from Flushing, L. I. — Patriotic zeal increases at Fairfield. — New and temporary homes prepared. — Patriotic meeting of citizens of Fairfield. — Reward offered for General Tryon. — Gov. Trumbull and Council order town contribution for Fairfield. — Capt. Caleb Brewster's hero- ism and ancestry. — General Assembly raises two regiments of 4000 men for Continental army with supplies. — Demand on Fairfield.— Appeal to Assembly for Fairfield losses. — Count D'Estaing and General Lincoln defeated at Savannah. — Death of Count Pulaski. — Recovery of Stony Point and Verplanck by General Wayne. — Attack on the Iroquois. — Portsmouth and Norfolk retaken from the British. — Spain joins France against the British.

XVI CONTENTS

CHAPTER XV 1780 — 1790

END OF REVOLUTION. FREEDOM OF UNITED STATES

1780 — Severity of winter. — General Assembly Officers. — Embargo on Provisions. — Recruits and bounty. — Hartford sends money to Fairfield sufferers. — Order to exchange prisoners. — Fourth Regiment officers. — Payment of Kills of Credit. — New issue of Bills of Credit. — Taxes. — Order to borrow money on State credit. — Effort to sustain State credit. — Tax to rebuild Fairfield Court-house. — Legal rights granted to holder of French estates in America. — Bills of Congress and Connecticut made legal tender. — Jonathan Buckley's petition for release as British prisoner granted. — Value of estates at Fairfield. — Order to exchange General Silliman and other prisoners. — Mrs. Silliman's account of the ex- change.— Ammunition sent to Fairfield. — Exchange of grain, etc., with Boston for build- ing materials. — Depreciation of currency. — Efforts to relieve the depression. — Tax at Fairfield. — Account of currency by W. Wheeler. — Causes of depreciation. — Efforts of the British to sustain a spirit of cheerfulness. — Its failure. — Patriotism of American women. — Congress calls upon Connecticut for supplies. — Large bounties offered for recruits. — Supplies of food, etc., from Fairfield. — Indians of Golden Hill. — The visit of Major Talmage to Fairfield and his victory at Fort George, L. I. — Capt. Caleb Brewster's brave deeds. — Victories of Paul Jones. — Money and articles sent from Hartford to Fair- field sufferers. — Companies sent from Fairfield to assist Greenwich. — Destruction and plunder of privateers — Burning of mills at Mill Plain. — Troops raised for Continental army. — General Washington's visit to Wethersfield with French Counts to carry on war. — Treason of Benedict Arnold. — Capture of Major Andre. — Patriotism and industry of Fairfield women. — 1781. — Washington's efforts to clothe and provide for army. — Death of Gen. Israel Putnam. — Agent sent from Connecticut to borrow money from France. — March ist. Final ratification of articles of confederation between States. — Great rejoic- ing.— Fairfield officers. — Resolve to regain the South. — Battle of Cowpens, King's Mountain, Guilford Court-house, and Eutaw Springs. — Brilliant victories of Genera! Green. — Plundering of Cornwallis and Arnold in Virginia. — General Lafayette's forces in Virginia. — Washington's plan for taking New York. — His resolve to march to Virginia. — The French fleet in Chesapeake Bay. — Clinton's attack on Tarrytown. — Benedict Arnold's attack on New London. — Washington reaches Yorktown. — Position of the French army and fleet. — Position of the American army. — Bravery of Connecticut troops. — Duke of Lauzun prevents Cornwallis' escape. — Storming of Yorktown. — Surrender of Cornwallis. — Accounts of the surrender. — Great rejoicing throughout the country. — Gen- eral Clinton's tardy effort too late. — Washington's proclamatiofi of pardon to criminals. — Washington appoints day of thanksgiving and prayer for victory. — Signing articles of peace at Versailles and Paris. — Boundaries of the United States established. — Fisheries secured. — Washington's proclamation of peace. — Disbands his army. — Fairfield officers belonging to the Order of Cincinnati. — British evacuate New York. — Bravery of Fair- field troops and energetic loyalty towards independence. — Fairfield town meeting. — Tories not allowed to return. — Rebuilding of Congregational and Episcopal churches, private residences. Academy, and jail. — Equal rights granted to all classes of Christians. — Sale of Connecticut land west of Pennsylvania granted to the support of churches and .schools. — First newspaper of Fairfield. — Newfield's (Bridgeport) rapid growth. — Fairfield a centre of legal and intellectual culture. — Gentlemen of note

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD

CHAPTER VII 1700 — 1710

WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS

Dawn of the eighteenth century. — F"ree grammar schools. — Yale College Charter. — The General Assembly to be held at Hartford and at New Haven. — Fairfield Village changed to Stratfield and -made a parish. — Tornado at Fairfield. — Death of King William. — Accession of Queen Anne. — Smallpox town hospitals and maritime laws for vessels. — Slaves. — Court of Assist- ants held annually at New Haven in October. — A portion of Fairfield school tax to be paid to Stratfield school.— Grant of grammar school lands.— War declared against France and Spain. — School tax.— Freeman's fine. — Kenzey's Point. — Indian Sasco Neck land. — School at Bank- side.— Compo mill.— Grant to John Edwards on Meeting-house Green.— School at Greenfield Hill. — Clapboard Hill. — Nathan Gold judge of New Haven Court of Assistants.— Peter Burr one of the Court of Assistants.— Surveyors of Fairfield.— Protection sent to the eastern and west- ern plantations.— Townships confirmed in their patent rights.— Protection to friendly Indians. —Reward for taking Indian enemies.— Committee of Safety.— Preparations for defending the frontier towns. — War tax. — Fairfield military officers. — Queen's Attorney.— Connecticut Charter in danger.— Burning of Richard Ogden's mill.— Demand of England for masts and stores.— Repeal of laws against Quakers.— Fast day.— Ministers and families exempt from taxes.— Drunkenness punished.— Stocks.— Land granted to Rev. S. Wakeman.— Grant of land for Pequot war service to Capt. Richard Osborn.— Renewal of Long-lots. — Efforts of the governors of Massachusetts and New York to nullify colony charters.— Sir Henry Ashurst's defense of the Connecticut Charter in England. — Heavy taxes. — Introduction of the Church of England. — Unfriendly Indians sent to Fairfield jail. — Refusal of men and arms to the govern- ors of Massachusetts and New York.— Law of Inhabitants and who to admit.— Charity for Samuel Carter.— Petitioners of New Fairfield.— Nathan Gold elected Deputy Governor.— Church of England at Fairfield.— Governors to be elected by the people instead of by magis- trates—Bankside farmers apply for parish rights.— Grant of parish rights to towns.— Laws for dissenters from Congregationalism.— The Saybrook Platform.— Impost on home and foreign liquors. — Election Sermons in towns. — Thanksgiving Day. — Stock of town guns and ammuni- tion.— Fresh taxes. — Persons exempt from train-band service. — Nathan Gold in charge of military arms, etc.— Dogs.— Penalty for selling arms, etc., to Indians.— Peter Burr major of Fairfield County Regiment. — Church of England members disheartened. — Expedition against Canada, etc. — Failure of the expedition. — Fairfield surgeon and military officers. — Resolve to renew the expedition. — First issue of paper money. — Petition of Connecticut to the Queen.— Military affairs. — The sick and wounded at Albany. — Laws for encouraging and improving military companies. — Young people not to gather on Sabbath evenings, etc.

1700. The dawn of the eighteenth century was pregnant with great events for the American colonies. The struggle for political and religious

2 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i70o

liberty, which had made rapid progress within the last decades of the past century, now breathed a spirit of bolder resolution. Out of the dreams and ambitions of the past, the light of intelligence was framing for the American people a republic, which was destined to become the greatest nation of the world. With such wisdom, patient endurance and conscien- tious zeal had the attainment of this end been conducted by the General Court and Council of Connecticut, that already they had begun to realize the day was not far distant when this republic should be firmly estab- lished. In no town was this aim more zealously pursued than in Fair- field ; and, alas, no town was destined to sufler more in consequence.

Capt. Nathan Gold, who at this time was an assistant of the General Court, was made judge of the Fairfield County Court, and Samuel Squire and Nathaniel Burr deputies. Capt. Jonathan Selleck was made sur- veyor of Fairfield County. Free grammar schools were ordered to be kept in the four counties of Hartford, New Haven, New London and Fairfield. Every town of seventy families was taxed towards the sup- port of a common school, at the rate of forty shillings upon every thou- sand pounds. In case any town neglected this order this tax was to be paid to the public treasury.*

Active measures were being carried on in Fairfield towards the es- tablishment of a college within the colony. In 1698 ten of the leading members in Connecticut were appointed to " stand as trustees to found, erect and govern a college," of which the Rev. Joseph Webb of Fairfield was one. These gentlemen met at New Haven about this time and formed themselves into a society of eleven ministers and a rector to found a college. Each minister present laid upon a table several books, which they in words " donated, for the founding of a college in this colony." Forty volumes were given, which were intrusted to the care of Mr. Russell of Brariford. Donations of other books and money fol- lowed, so that the trustees were greatly encouraged with the hope that they would soon have a college for the education of young men nearer home than Cambridge College. Application was at once made to the General Assembly for a charter which should make legal this under- taking. The Hon. James Fitch of Norwich " donated sixteen hundred acres of land in Killingly, & all the glass & nails which should be necessary to build a college house & hall."t

* Col. Rec. Conn., i(>S()-i-joCi, p. 331.

f Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. I., page 500.

1701] WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS 3

1 701. The following October the General Assembly granted these gentlemen " full liberty, right & privilege to erect, form, order, establish & improve " all suitable ways and means to maintain such a collegiate school. The trustees were not to exceed eleven, and not less than seven in number. They were to be above forty years of age, and chosen from the established or Congregational Church of the colony. An annual tax of one hundred and twenty pounds was granted out of the public treasury towards the support of this college. The trustees met in November at Saybrook and chose the Rev. Abraham Pierson of Killingworth rector of the college. They also fixed upon Saybrook as the most convenient place to locate the institution for the time being; but until the rector could remove thither, it was agreed that the scholars should be instructed at or near Killingworth. The library was removed from Branford to his house. Various attempts were made to induce Mr. Pierson to remove to Saybrook, but his people were wholly unwilling that he should leave them, and in consequence the students were kept at Killingworth during his life. The first commencement was held at Saybrook September 13,

1702. The use of a house and land was given by Mr. Nathaniel Lynde at Saybrook, while the college should continue there. The following year,

1703, a contribution was made throughout the colony towards erecting a college.*

Captain Nathan Gold was made an Assistant of the General As- sembly, and Mr. Peter Burr and Lieutenant James Bennet deputies. Mr. Peter Burr was chosen Speaker of the House.

An act was passed by which the General Assembly, hitherto held at Hartford, should be held in May at Hartford, and in October at New Haven. t

The western boundary line of Fairfield Village was fixed, and the name changed to that of Stratfield.J It was given this name from being formed out of a part of the east parish of Fairfield and of the west parish of Stratford, taking a part of the former and latter names to form the new parish of Stratfield.t

A copy of the new commission for Justices of the Peace in each county was ordered to be sent to the several towns in colony.

The Rev. Mr. Webb of Fairfield and the Rev. Charles Chauncey of

* Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. I., p. 501-502. Col. Rec. Ccnn., 1089-1706, p. 363.

f Col. Rec. Conn., 1689-1706, p. 343.

X Col. Rec. Conn., 1689-1706, pp. 122, 357.

4 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1702

Stratfield received the thanks of the General Assembly for preaching election sermons.

In a journal left by the Rev. Mr. Webb, he relates that on the 23d day of May, 1700, about three o'clock in the afternoon, " a prodigious tempest of wind, thunder, rain and hail, occurred; the hail stones were as large as hen's eggs, houses were unroofed, tihe rain fell in such abundance that it was driven by the wind under the eves & through the chimneys & roofs into the houses; blew down fences & overturned & destroyed twenty barns. The full force of the wind of this tornado, and the damage it did, lasted but three minutes, but the storm continued much longer."

1702. King William died at Hampton Court on the 8th of March, and his wife. Queen Anne, was at once proclaimed Queen of England, and crowned in Westminster Abbey on the 23d of April.

Captain Nathan Gold was chosen im Assistant and Lieutenant James Bennet and Mr. Samuel Squire deputies to the General Assembly.

By an act of the Assembly every seaport town was ordered to have a house set apart for smallpox patients, and no captain of a vessel was from this time allowed to enter within a half mile of any harbor without license from the Governor, Commander-in-Chief or from two Justices of the Peace. Fairfield was numbered one of eight lawful ports of the colony. An act was passed for entering and clearing ships and other vessels, and an offlcer appointed, called the Naval Officer, to attend to this business.*

In order to prevent persons who owned slaves from setting them at liberty when they were too old to take care of themselves, an act was passed causing such owners to support their slaves during their old age.+

The five assistants or judges of the counties of New Haven and Fair- field were appointed to hold the Court of Assistants at New Haven in October, and any three of them Avere to constitute a quorum, the eldest assistant to preside.

The constables of Fairfield and Stratford were ordered to pay a law- ful portion out of the annual school tax to the school in Stratfield. Cap- tain Nathan Gold, Lieutenant Jolin W^akeman and Mr. Peter Burr, or any two of them, were appointed to lay out six hundred acres of land in the town of I'\-iirfie1d. for the benefit of a grammar school. ^ ■

* Col. Rec. Conn., I689-1706, p. 372. + Col. Rec. Conn., 1689-1706, p. 375. X Col. Rec. Conn., 1689-1706, p. 402.

1703] WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS 5

In response to a letter of the Privy Council announcin^^' the death of King William, in which the Queen expressed her good will to her sub- jects in Connecticut, it was ordered that an address should be drawn up and sent to the Queen, " to congratulate her upon her majestie's happy accession to the crown, with thanks for her majestie's grace & favor manifested to us."* Soon after (May 4th) Queen Anne, the Emperor of Germany and the States General declared war against France and Spain. Thus the colonies were again involved in a French and Indian war.

A tax of two pence half-penny was laid on taxable estates in every town for the maintenance of schools. The town clerks were ordered to keep a list of the freemen of each town, and to call each freeman's name at every freeman's meeting, and if any of them was absent without good cause a fine of two shillings was imposed. f

Dougal McKensey received from the town a grant of land on the extreme end of Sasco Hill, now known as Kensey's Point. About the same time the town granted John Barlow a point of land on the opposite side of Mill River, called the Indian Sasco Neck field.

Captain Nathan Gold and Peter Burr, Esq., were chosen Assistants and Lieutenant John Wakeman and Mr. Samuel Scjuire deputies from Fairfield to the General Assembly.

1703. The farmers at Maxumux were given liberty to erect a school- house on the green about wdiere the present sdiool-house now stands. Thomas Whitney was granted liberty to build a mill upon Compo Creek. :{:

Forty foot of land by a town vote was granted John Edwards at Fairfield in front of his house, once the homestead of the Rev. John Jones. In this way this place was extended out into the Aleeting-house Green towards the pond.

A portion of the school long-lot was granted to Joseph Bradley in exchange for other land in the Mile of Common (towards maintaining a school at Greenfield Hill). Land called Rocky Neck, lying west of the creek which puts in from Mill River, was also re-purchased of the Indians.

The hill known as Clapboard Hill, and occupied as an Indian reserva- tion, was now ordered to be purchased for the use of the town. John Burr and Moses Dimond were granted liberty to erect a saw-mill on Mill River. John Edwards and John Sturges were given liberty to build a wharf on the Uncoway River, where the Penfield Mills afterwards stood.

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1689-1706, p. 399. t Col. Rec. Conn., 16S9-1706, p. 398.

I B. Town Votes, 117.

6 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1704

Air. Peter Burr of Fairfield was made an Assistant of the General Court at this time. Captain Nathan Gold was appointed to be Judge of the Court of Assistants at New Haven.*

Soldiers in the fall were sent against the Eastern and Western Indians. A C-ommittee of War was organized to send troops to Massachusetts and the frontier towns. Each township was confirmed in its patent rights.

1704. A special Assembly was holden in Hartford on the T5th of March, when the civil and military commissioned officers were required to care for the friendly Indians, and to set them their limits, that none of them should harbor or be exposed to the influence of unfriendly In- dians. A premium of ten pounds was offered to any one who should deliver up an unfriendly Indian. Suitable houses were ordered to be for- tified in each town. Si.xty men were to be sent to garrison the County of Hampshire, sixteen of whom were to be sent from Fairfield County. Mr. John Burr, Jr., son of Major John Burr, was appointed a Commissary for the County of Fairfield. t At the meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford May nth, Captain Nathan Gold and Mr. Peter Burr were chosen Assistants, Ensign John Osborn and Sergeant John Burr deputies for Fairfield. Captain Nathan Gold, Mr. Peter Burr and Captain John Wakeman of Fairfield were appointed on a committee of public safety for Fairfield County. The frontier towns in the colony were ordered not to be broken up, as they were to be properly guarded. No male person from sixteen years old and upward was allowed to leave any of the towns, under a penalty of ten pounds. The selectmen in every town in the colony were ordered to provide a sufficient numl)er of knapsacks and hatchets, with strong belts for them, for every sixth man in each train- band ; snow-shoes were also to be provided, and the troops held in readi- ness to march in sunnner or winter. Encouragement was offered to friendly Indians to enlist as volunteers. Drums were ordered to be beaten for raising volunteers. A rate of a half-penny was levied on all the in- habitants of the colony. Ensign John Osborn was apJDointed captain and Sergeant John Hawley lieutenant for the soldiers raised in Fairfield County.:}:

Captain Nathan (iold was made Judge of the County Court and Pro- bate Court of Fairfield.

It was also made a law that in every county " a sober, discreet (!v

* t:ol Rcc. Conn., 16S9-1706, p. 412. f Col. Rec. Conn., 1689-1706, p. 458.

I Col. Rcc. Conn., 1689-1706, p. 465.

I

17051 WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS 7

religious person should be appointed by the County Court, called the Queen's Attorney, to suppress vice & immorality."

1705. The chartered rights of the Connecticut Colony were still threatened by the ambitious intrigues of Governor Dudley of Massachu- setts and Lord Cornbury, then governor of New York. Both hoped by their influence in England and by their representations to parliament of the necessity and value of uniting all the English colonies under one government, to thus deprive the colonies of their charters and the land holders of their chartered landed estates from the General Courts. But our wise forefathers appointed Sir Henry Ashurst, a firm friend of the colonies, their agent to protect and plead with the court party of Eng- land for their chartered privileges. In the latter part of King William's reign a bill to unite all the colonies was prepared, and upon the accession of Queen Anne it was presented to parliament. But so earnestly and impressively did Sir Henry Ashurst plead the chartered rights of the colonies before the Lords, spiritual and temporal, May 3, 1701, that it could not be carried through the House. Again, in 1704, Governors Dudley and Cornbury made a direct declaration that Connecticut, " while not guilty of mal-administration, piracy, or any illegal trade, yet she had illegally & fraudulently possessed herself of large tracts of lands belonging to gentlemen residing in & out of the colony, & to Owaneco a Mohegan chief." In an article of complaints other grave charges were brought against Connecticut.

The Assembly appointed Governor John Winthrop, Captain Nathan Gold and Mr. Peter Burr, with four other gentlemen, to be a committee to consider the complaints laid against the colony in England, and to furnish their agent in England with directions and information, in order to answer said complaints. They were also instructed to inquire into the complaints of Owaneco. Before the Queen had heard from the Connecticut agent, she appointed Governor Dudley and eleven others to examine into and determine the whole afTair. These men soon after gave judgment against the colony.

Sir Henry Ashurst meanwhile had not been idle, and the following year appealed to her Majesty's Council, and so ably and skilfully pre- sented the facts of the situation that in consequence her Majesty ap- pointed a commission of review. For seventy years this matter remained unsettled; but the first decision of King George III. in Council was in favor of Connecticut. During all these years Connecticut continued to

8 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1706

flourish and in the wise and even tenor of her ways to act under her chartered hberties, and in confirming her chartered privileges to the planters of each town.

1705. Captain Nathan Gold and Peter Burr, Esq., were made Assist- ants, and Lieutenant John Wakeman and Mr. John Burr deputies for Fairfield to the General Assembly. The town was visited with a sad calamity this year in the burning of Richard Ogden's mill, which was afterwards rebuilt. To burn a mill in those days was a serious matter to the inhabitants of any town.

Captain Nathan Gold was again appointed Judge of the County and Probate Courts of Fairfield.

Captain John Wakeman, Lieutenant Joseph Wakeman and Samuel Squire were appointed ofificers of the train-band for the east end of the town of Fairfield; and Captain John Osborn, Lieutenant John "Barlow and Ensign Theophilus Hull ofificers for the company at the west end of the town. Messrs. Peter Burr, Sergeant Richard Hubbell and Lieu- tenant John Barlow were appointed to make a list of the freemen of Fairfield.

Byan act of parliament the colonies were ordered to supply her Majesty with masts and stores for her navy and other shipping. Captain Natlian Gold was appointed one of a company of thirty to supply this demand. Thus our fine forest trees were hewn, and the colony forced to support the English navy and shipping interests.*

During this year a distinguished French gentleman named Anthony Nougier settled at Fairfield, who became an honored and useful resident of the town.t

1706. Captain Nathan CjoIcI and Mr. Peter l)urr were again elected Assistants, and Captain John Wakeman and Mr. John Edwards deputies from Fairfield to the General Assembly. The law against heretics, so far as it respected Quakers, was repealed. Hitherto Quakers had not been allowed to remain in the colony under a penalty of five pounds against any town that entertained them. They were fined and impris- oned if they remained in the colony. " Any pers-m who should unneces- sarily discourse with them " was made liable to a lino of 20 shillings. A fine was imposed upon masters of ships who landed them in the colony, and also upon anyone who read their books. The repeal of this law was made through the influence of Sir Henry Ashurst. tlie Governors of

* Col. Rcc. Conn., i68(;-i7o6, p. 523. f .Vppciulix Ccnealogical.

I705] WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS 9

Massachusetts and New York having entered this law against the Quak- ers in their bill of complaints to the English government.

The last Thursday in May was appointed a day of fasting and prayer.*

In the October sitting of the General Assembly at New Haven all ministers and their families were made exempt from paying taxes of any kind.f Several other acts of importance were passed.

Drunkenness, " whereby a man was bereaved or disabled in his under- standing, speech or gesture," was fined ten shillings.:}; All public and private tippling was forbidden under a penalty of forty shillings against the heads of families where it took place. If the offenders had not means to pay fines, then they were to be " set in the stocks not more than three hours & not less than one hour." Every town in the colony was ordered " to maintain at their own expense a good pair of stocks with lock & key to secure offenders," under a penalty of ten shillings a month against selectmen who failed to comply with this law.

Captain Nathan Gold and Mr. Peter Burr were appointed to lay out to the Rev. Samuel Wakeman two hundred acres of land granted to him May 8, 1703, as well as to lay out to Richard Osborn of Fairfield eighty acres of land for his good services in the Pequot War.§

The town appointed a committee to renew the highways between the Long lots, and to survey them as exact as possible, according to their first laying out, and make a report to the town.

The towns throughout the colony were greatly pleased at this time to receive assurances from Sir Henry Ashurst that, in spite of all the demands, expense and impositions practised upon them by Governors Dudley and Cornbury, " they had a clear right to command their own militia; & that the governors of the neighboring colonies had no right to demand their men or money, nor were they under any obligations to them beyond furnishing such quotas as her Majesty required."

This was joyous news for the colony of Connecticut, which had been put to great expense by the ill-disposed methods in which Dudley and Cornbury had drained them of men and resources. To such expenses had the colony been reduced by these extortions, that the General As- sembly was forced at this time " to levy a tax of more than two shillings on the pound, on the whole taxable list of the colony," li of which Fair-

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1689-1706, p. 547. t Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 2.

X Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-17 16, p. 5. § Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1 7 16, p. ii.

I Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. I., p. 451.

lO HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i7o6

field bore her proportion. These taxes, says Mr. Trumbull, " were laid & collected on grain, pork & beef & other articles of produce; & were taken to Boston & shipped for the West Indies, from the sale of which money & bills of exchange were made to pay the bills drawn upon the colony in England, & to discharge its debts at home."

Since the opening of this century a new religious element had arisen, which threatened secession from the long Established Church of the colony. From its beginning Connecticut had allowed only the Congre- gational mode of worship. We have, therefore, now reached a very interesting epoch in the ecclesiastical afifairs of the town of Fairfield. In the year 1701 a society was established by the Church of England for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. One special object of this society was to instruct the American Indians and African slaves in the doctrines of the Christian religion. It appears that several mission- aries from this society were sent to Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey before one was sent to Connecticut. The Rev. Mr. Muirson of Rye, in the province of New York, where the Church of England was the established church, was the first clergyman who intro- duced the service of the Church of England to the people of Fairfield. It appears that he had been invited by a few English families at Stratford, who had removed there from New York, to visit and preach in that town. Mr. Trumbull says: "The ministers & people in that & the adjacent towns, it seems were alarmed at his coming, & took pains to prevent their neighbors & families from hearing him. However, the novelty of the afTair & other circumstances brought together a considerable as- sembly, & Mr. Muirson baptized five & twenty persons, principally adults." Colonel Heathcote of New York accompanied him to Stratford upon this occasion.*

* "Colonel Ileatlicote was Judge of Westchester, and Colonel of its militia all his life; first Mayor of the borough of Westchester ; a counsellor of the Province ; Mayor of New York for three years ; for a time Commander of the Colony's forces, and from 1715 to the time of his death Receiver General of the Customs in North America. He was also one of the founders of Trinity Church, New York." Bolton's Church in Westchester County. He resided at Mamaroneck and was very zealous in spreading the influence of the Church of England wherever he found an opportunity.

In 1679 a number of Episcopalians living in Boston petitioned King Charles that they might bo allowed to exercise the rights and usages of the Church of England. The petition was granted and they soon after erected King's Chapel. — In a letter written "To the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London and all others, the Honorable Members of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, by the Rev. Mr. Keith, dated Nov. 2g. 1702, he gives an interesting account of his mission, ary works after his arrival in Boston June 11, of the same year. He says: "In divers places in New England where we travelled, wc found many well affected to the Cluirch, not only the people-

1707] WAR WITH THE FRENCH OND INDIANS II

1707. A special Council of War, of which Mr. Peter Burr was a member, was held at Hartford on the 6th of February, to take into con- sideration a letter sent to them from Deputy-Governor Treat; and also a letter from Colonel Schuyler, informing the Council he had informa- tion that the French and their Indian allies were about to make a descent upon the frontier towns of New England. The Photatuck and Owian- tonuck Indians were also reported to be in league with them. The Coun- cil at once resolved to send Captain John Minor and Mr. John Sherman of Woodbury with all convenient speed to " remove the said Indians to Fairfield & Stratford." But if sickness prevailed among them, then to take some of their principal persons and convey them to Fairfield, to be kept safely as hostages to secure the fidelity of those that remained in those inland places. The frontier towns of Synisbury, Waterbury, Wood- bury and Danbury were ordered to fortify themselves immediately, and to send out scouts daily to watch the enemy.*

At a special meeting of the General Assembly holden in Hartford April 2(1, by order of Governor John Winthrop, he informed those pres- ent that the occasion of calling them together was on account of receiv- ing a letter from Governor Dudley requesting forces to be sent from Connecticut to assist him in an expedition against the French and Indians in Acadia and Nova Scotia. On the 3d of April Assistant Nathan Gold was made one of a committee to consider and prepare a letter in reply to Governor Dudley's. A letter w^as drawn up, presented and approved by both houses, in which it was stated : " They did not consider it their

but several Presbyterian ministers in New England, who received us as brethren, and requested us to preach in their congregations, as accordingly we did. These were Mr. John Cotton (a grandson of old John Cotton) the Presbyterian minister at Hampton, where I preached twice, and Mr. Talcot once, having very great auditories ; Mr. Gushing, a Presbyterian minister at Salisbury, eight miles distant from Hampton westward, where we both preached on a Sunday, and I had a great auditory ; Mr Gordon Saltonstall at New London, fifty miles westward from the Narragansetts, where we both preached on a Sunday ; the people generally well affected, and those three ministers aforesaid, all worthy gentlemen, who declared their owning the Church of England, and that if they were in Eng- land, they would join in external communion with her ; and were there a bishop in America, we doubt not but several would receive ordination from him."

Among the churches enumerated in New England in 1696 in Cotton Mather's Magnalia (Chapt. 8, B. I.) he states that in the County of Suffolk, Mass. : " There is a small congregation that wor- ship God with the ceremonies of the Church of England ; served generally by a change of persons, occasionally visiting these parts of the world." Altogether the county of Suffolk seems to have been an independency of itself, for Mather again states, that in that town there was, "also another small congregation o{ A Hff/>edo Bap/is^s, " with a settled minister named Mr. Emblin. And 2^ french congregation of Protestant Refugees, under the pastorate of Monsieur Daille."

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-17 16, p. 15.

12 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1707

duty to comply with his request, & therefore for clivers reasons do decline the same; & what may be further expected of like nature do altogether discourage from joining in any such enterprises."*

The Assembly met again May 8th, and held its session until the 22d. Mr. Jonathan Sturges was present as one of the deputies from Fairfield. An addition was made to the law entitled :

"Inhabitants & whom to admit, That if any transient person should take up his or her abode in any town, contrary to the estabHshed law of the colony, without the authority of the select-men, said person should pay twenty shillings for the use of the poor; & if after due warning to depart, he refused to leave & had no estate to satisfy a fine, then such person after the expiration of ten days was ordered, " to be whipt on the naked body, not exceeding ten stripes." f

One Samuel Carter of Deerfield, who had been attacked by the French and Indians, who had rified his house, destroyed his cattle, killed his wife and three children, and had four other children taken into captivity, one of whom was redeemed by paying twenty-five pounds, was recommended by the Governor and Council to the charity of New Haven and Milford and to the several towns in the County of Fairfield.

At the October session of the Assembly, held in New Haven on the 9th, a petition was offered by Captain Nathan Gold, Mr. Peter Burr, Captain John Wakeman, John Edwards, Jonathan Sturgis, John Barlow, Gideon Allyn, Samuel Wilson, Samuel Jennings, Moses Dinion and Jos- eph Wakeman, all inhabitants of Fairfield, for a certain tract of land lying- north of Danbury, to be laid out for a township, the boundaries of which were: " Southerly by Danbury, running north fourteen miles; easterly by New Milford & westerly by the colony line." This petition was granted, the regulations of which were to be subject to the judgment of the As- sembly. This tract was afterwards called New Fairfield. It was not. however, settled for some time, on account of the war with the l-'rcnch and Indians.:}:

The death of Governor John Winthrop was the cause of calling the Assembly together at New Haven, December 17th, to elect a new gov- ernor. Mr. Gurdon Saltonstall was elected by a majority of both houses, and Captain Nathan Gold was made one of a committee to announce to Mr. Saltonstall that he had been chosen governor. The governor's oath was administered to him January i, 1708.

The Church of England services were this year again held in a private

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 17. \ Col. Roc. Conn., 1706-1717, p. 21. J Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 34.

I707] WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS I3

family at Fairfield by the Rev. Mr. Muirson, where he baptized a number of adults and children. He was accompanied by Colonel Heathcote, " to whose prudence & the eminence of his station, as he was a man of great consequence among" them," Mr. Muirson attributed his success. The excitement caused by this effort to establish the Church of England in Connecticut was very great.

Among those of the New England colonists who were ranked under the name of Puritans there were many who had not separated from the Church of England, but had differed from that body in regard to cer- tain errors which, from time to time, had crept in, or had been thrust upon them by the Church of Rome. They, too, had been subject to the same persecutions which the Congregationalists, Presbyterians and all other dissenting churches had endured; but when the Mother Church, purified from these errors, was presented to them by her missionaries, they welcomed her services with tears of joy. How touching and beauti- ful must her prayers, the Gloria in Excelsis, the grand Te Deum and the Benedicite. have sounded to them on this side of the Atlantic ! Not all, however, who appeared pleased with the introduction of the Church of England in the colonies were honest by any means. Some were attracted by novelty; others thought to escape being taxed for the support of religion; while there were others who were from that leaven of evil which since time immemorial, from an inherent love of opposition and mischief- making, as natural to them as the air they breathe, have existed in all Christian bodies, and who are classed by our Saviour under the head of tares. Those, however, who professed to favor the Church of England were but few in number when compared with the multitude belonging to the Congregational or the Estabhshed Church of the Colony.

From an account given at this time by Colonel Heathcote to the Secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, it is shown how our forefathers were, many of them, greatly opposed to the intro- duction of the Church of England in Fairfield. He wrote :

" It would be absolutely necessary for the better & more easy effecting this great & good work, that an order be procured from her Majesty, requiring the government of that Colony not to force any of her subjects to pay for the maintenance of the minister settled by their laws, & to repeal that act whereby they pretend to refuse liberty of conscience to those of the Established Church. If these grievances were re-dressed, which in itself is very reasonable & proper, & not much more than hath been granted the Quakers, on their petition against the same government, it would be of greater service to the Church than can at first sight be imagined."

14 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [^707

In the same letter he recalls some mention having been made in a previous letter:

—of a very ingenious gentleman at Stratford, one Mr. Reed, the Minister of that place, who is very inclinable to the Church, & if the charge can be dispensed with, he is well worth the gaining, being much the most ingenious man they have amongst them, & would be very capable to serve the Church. By reason of the good inclination he shows for the Church, he has undergone persecution by his people, who do all in their power to starve him ; & being countenanced & encouraged therein by all the ministers round them, they have very near affected him ; so that if any proposal could be made for his coming over for ordination, his family, which is pretty large, must be taken care of in his absence."

In a letter from Mr. Muirson to the Secretary, dated April 4, 1707, which was written about two months after Colonel Heathcote's com- munication, he relates his experience with the magistrates of Stratford, and says :

" One of the magistrates came to my lodging on Saturday evening. & read a long paper in the hearing of Col. Heathcote, & a great many people ; the meaning of it was to let me know that theirs was a chartered government ; that I had done an illegal thing in coming among 'em to establish a new way of worship, & to forewarn me from preaching any more."

The law was also read to him, and he goes on to say :

" I was lately invited to preach & baptize some children in a town called Fairfield ; upon which, I sent a letter to the minister & magistrates of said town, entreating the use of their meeting-house, supposing they would really grant it, being on a week day; but they refused it, & told me they would discountenance such new ways. A gentleman was so kind as to invite me to his house, where, notwithstanding all the stratagems they used to hinder the people from coming, I had a large congregation ; but so cruelly was the Independent party set against us, that they railed & scoffed at the Church, making her as idolatrous as Rome, & denied us the liberty of ringing the bell, or beating a drum to give the people notice."

Mr. Muirson was accompanied on this missionary visit to Stratford and Fairfield by the Rev. Mr. Evans, another missionary of the Society, who reported that they " found a considerable number of people in a ready disposition to be received into the Church, flexible to invitations, & only wanting occasions of instruction."

A letter from Colonel Heathcote to the Secretary, dated .April 14, 1707, relates that Mr. Reed was turned out of his church on account of his tendencies to the Church of England. He calls the Rev. Mr. Evans " an extraordinary good man, & one that hath done very great service to the Church, not only in Philadelphia, but in other neighboring towns."*

* Doc. Hist. I'rol. Kpisc. Churcli, U. S. A., by Francis L. Hawks, D.D., LL.D., and William Stevens I'crry, A.M., p. 19.

I70S] WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS 1 5

1708. On the 5th of January the Assembly passed a law that the governor should be chosen by the people instead of by the magistrates in nomination as had been previously the case.*

On the 13th of May the General Assembly and Court of Election were held at Hartford, where Nathan Gold and Peter Burr were chosen Assistants, and Ensign Theophilus Hull and Mr. John Burr as deputies to the General Assembly. Gurdon Saltonstall, Esq., was chosen gover- nor for the ensuing year. Captain Nathan Gold was chosen deputy governor.f

The inhabitants of the west farms of Fairfield petitioned that they might be granted liberty to settle among them an orthodox minister of the gospel. The matter was recommended to the consideration of the reverend elders in the County of Fairfield, and to make their report at the October session of the Assembly.^

It was decided at this time " that the major part of the inhabitants of a town who were entitled to vote, & were in full communion with the Church, should have full power to call & settle a minister, any law, usage, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding. And that all agreements made by them respecting the settlement & maintenance of a minister, should be binding upon the whole of said town or society."§

As concerning Dissenters from the lawful way of worship, " That if any such persons should qualify themselves according to an act made in the first year of the late King William & Queen Anne, granting liberty to worship God in a way separate & apart from that which is by law established, they shall enjoy the same liberty & privilege within the colony without any let or hindrance or molestation whatever. Provided always, that nothing herein shall be construed to the prejudice of the rights & privileges of the churches by law established in this government, or to the excusing any person from paying any such minister or town dues as are now or shall hereafter be due them." *

Owing to misunderstandings in regard to the government of the Congregational Church, and for a nearer union among the churches, it was advised that the ministers of the several counties in the colony should meet together in their county towns, on the last Monday in June, with messengers from each church, to agree upon more definite rules for the management of ecclesiastical affairs. At the time of their meeting two or more or their number were to be appointed to meet at Saybrook at the next college commencement, for the purpose of devising a form of

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 39. f Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 41.

X Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 42. § Col. Kec. Conn., 1706-1716, pp. 48, 50.

l6 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD l^loS

ecclesiastical discipline to be presented to the fall term of the General Assembly.*

The Synod met May 13th, and the messengers chosen from Fairfield County were the Rev. Charles Chauncey of Stratfield and Rev. John Davenport of Stamford. The time appointed for meeting was at Say- brook, September 9th, when the Savoy Confession of Faith, with only a few alterations, was accepted. It was called the Saybrook Platform of Faith. This platform was approved of by the fall Assembly, and adopted as the instrument by which the established church and college of the colony should be governed.

It was made a law that the regular Council appointed to assist the Governor in maintaining the affairs of the colony according to their charter were not to raise men or money to send out of the colony, unless in case of exigency.!

The elders of the County of Fairfield were appointed to meet at Fair- field the last Monday in June to invite and call some special person to settle in their ministry; and whoever they saw fit to call should be main- tained and supported until they agreed to settle a minister among them.

A home impost was levied on all liquors towards defraying the ex- penses of the colony, at the rate of fourpence a gallon on wine, rum, brandy and distilled liquors, twelve pence on each barrel of cider and two pence per gallon on metheglin. Every public and private house was sub- ject to this fine, under a penalty of forfeiture, if not duly reported to the authorities. A duty was also levied on all imported liquors, at the rate of fifty shillings for a pipe of wine, rum or brandy, or other distilled liquors. A custom-house officer was ordered to be appointed in each county to collect these customs, and to employ as many officers under him as he should need to assist him in collecting said duties. He was authorized to seize all 'home liquors not reported, as well as such as should be landed without paying duty. The delinquents were subject to arrest and trial before each county court, and to be prosecuted from court to court till the case was ended. Black Rock was made the port for collecting these custom^ for Fairfield.

The ministers in the several towns were directed to preach an annual sermon proper for direction in the choice of civil rulers, on the day of election. This appears to have been the origin of town election sermons, t

* Col. Rcc. Conn., 1706-1716, pp. 51, 87. f Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 32. J Col. Rec. Conn., 1 706-1 716, p. 61.

I

i7o8] WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS I7

Peter Burr, Esq., was appointed Judge of the County Court of Fair- field, and Deputy Governor Nathan Gold Judge of the Probate Court.

At the fall session of the Assembly, holden at New Haven, only one constable was appointed in each town, society or village, to make up and collect the annual taxes, with the treasurer of the town, etc.

The second Wednesday in November was appointed a day of public thanksgiving throughout the colony, and " all unnecessary servile labor " was forbidden.*

The selectmen of each town were ordered to supply " a stock of ammunition, & a stock, also, of arms for the poor if need be."

Deputy Governor Nathan Gold was granted forty pounds salary for the year.

" Seven pence on the pound was levied on all rateable estates to pay the public expense, viz. : wheat at six shillings a bushel, rye three shillings a bushel, six pence on Indian corn a bushel ; pork three pounds fifteen shillings a barrel ; beef forty-five shillings a barrel; or if any person was disposed to pay his or her taxes in money at fifteen penny- weight for six shillings, it should be accepted at two-thirds." f

All persons above the age of forty-five were released from serving in the train-bands, but not from keeping arms and ammunition, nor from voting in the choice of their commissioned officers. Every sentinel was ordered to appear complete in his arms on the regular training days, or pay a fine of five shillings. +

The tax upon cider and metheglin was repealed. The constables and treasurers of the County of Fairfield were required to make all their tax collections on or before the first week in June.

Deputy Governor Nathan Gold was ordered to take charge of " one barrel of powder with lead & flints " for the use of the soldiers in the county. He was also given authority to erect two garrisons at Wood- bury, Danbury and Oweantenuck, and support them with men and pro- visions at the expense of the colony.

Fifty pounds was allowed for bringing up and maintaining dogs tor the northern frontier towns, to hunt after the Indian enemies, to be always ready for the service of the colony. §

A severe penalty was inflicted upon those who sold guns or ammuni- tion to the Indians.

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 72. f Col, Rec. Conn., T706-1716, p. 82. J Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 83. § Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1706-1716, p. 86. 2

l8 HISTORY OF FAIRRIELD [1709

Mr. Peter Burr was appointed major of the Fairfield County militia regiment.*

The introduction of the services of the Church of England into Fair- field do not seem to have met with much success this year; on the con- trary, they met with great opposition. In a letter written by the Rev. Mr. Muirson to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, he says:

"They call the Church of England the sister of Rome." On the 9th of January, 1708, he writes to the Secretary: "And though every Churchman pay his rates for the building & repairing their meeting-houses, yet they are so maliciously set against us, that they deny us the use of them, though on week days. They tell our people that they will not suffer the house of God to be defiled with idolatrous worship. They say the sign of the cross is the mark of the beast, & the sign of the Devil. & those who receive it are given to the Devil." f

It seems that in 1707 several gentlemen in Stratford formed them- selves into a Church of England Society and petitioned the Queen that they might be allowed to enjoy the freedom of the services of that Church, and also to be made exempt from paying taxes towards the support of the Congregational Society. Before they received a reply to their peti- tion the Rev. Mr. Muirson was taken from them, he having died in October of this year. The Rev. John Talbot wrote, February 14, 1708, of the Rev. Mr. Muirson : " The people of Norwalk and Fairfield are reach- to break open their meeting-house doors & let him in if he would sufler them." They had hoped to enjoy the regular services of Mr. Muirson in their society and to unite with Fairfield in his maintenance. His death was a great blow to them, and their past efforts to establish the Church now seemed almost hopeless. For some years the churchmen of Strat- ford and Fairfield were visited only occasionally by missionaries stationed at New York and New Jersey, among whom were the Rev. Messrs. Talbot, Sharpe and Bridge. Mr. Sharpe upon one of his \'isits spent a month at Stratford, and baptized a number of people both in Stratford and Fairfield.

1709. At the meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford, May 12th. Nathan Gold w^s re-elected Deputy Governor, Peter Burr an Assistant and Captain John Osborn and Mr. James Bennet deputies from Fairfield.

A letter from Queen Anne, dated March 2. 1709. to Governor Salton- stall, requiring the assistance of her subjects in the colony in an expedi-

*Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1706-1716. p. 38.

f Hist. Prot. Episcopal Church. Hishops Hawks and Terry, p. 30.

lyog] WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS I9

tion to be immediately made against the French in Canada. Acadia and New Foundland, was laid before the Assembly. Connecticut was directed to raise three hundred and fifty men to be sent on the expedition.

Anxious to be freed from the common enemies of the colonies, who had constantly harassed, murdered and plundered their frontier towns, and burned and laid waste their homes and plantations, the .Assembly without hesitation granted to arm and equip the number of troops re- quired. All the towns in the colony were to send their quota of men, and thirteen men w-ere to be sent from Fairfield.*

This expedition w^as, by the advice of the Earl of Sunderland to her Majesty, to be dispatched from Boston by the middle of May, with five regiments of regular troops. Twelve hundred of these troops were to be sent from the towns east of Connecticut, thoroughly equipped and prepared with " transports, fiat-bottomed boats, pilots & provisions for three months," to make an attack upon Quebec. Fifteen hundred men were to be raised and sent from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and the southern colonies. They were to proceed by way of the lakes and make an attack upon Montreal.

Colonel WilHam Whiting was given the conmiand of the Connecticut troops.

Ex-Lieutenant Governor Nichols of New York was appointed to com- mand the troops by land as far as Wood Creek, and there aw^ait the arrival of the English fleet at Boston. " More than a hundred batteaux & an equal number of birch canoes were constructed for crossing the lakes. Three forts, block iiouses & stores for provisions were erected." But the fleet from Eng'land did not arrive, on account of the defeat of the Portuguese, which caused the fleet destined for America to be sent to Portugal. The troops of the colonies returned home in the fall, greatly disheartened and chagrined at the failure of the expedition. Many of them had died, and Connecticut lost about ninety of her men. But it was resolved not to give up the undertaking, but to await the opening of spring, when, with the friendly assistance of the Five Nations, they hoped to continue the war. Governor Saltonstall visited New York for the purpose of holding a consultation with the governors of the other provinces as to the best mode to prosecute the war.f

Moses Dimon was appointed lieutenant and Mr. John Wheeler en- sign of the train-band of Fairfield. Lieutenant John Wheeler of Strat-

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, pp. 90, 93. f Trumbull's Hist. Conn., 2, 457.

20 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1709

field was appointed surgeon and physician to go with the expedition to Canada.*

On the 8th day of June a special Assembly was convened by order of the Governor and Council at New Haven. Governor Saltonstall laid before the Assembly the result of his visit to New York, and that the gov- ernors of New York and New Jersey and Pennsylvania were thoroughly in favor of another expedition. All necessary arrangements were made to further this agreement, as the colonics were inspired with the hope that their French and Indian enemies would be brought into subjection.

To such straits had the colony been reduced by the drain upon its treasury that the first paper money in Connecticut was issued by this Assembly, consisting of bills of credit upon the colony from two shillings to five pounds, the whole sum to amount to eight thousand pounds. These bills were to be taken and accepted in payment for the public debts at the advance of I2d. on the pound. Bills to the amount of four thousand pounds were to be first signed and issued, the remaining four thousand to be left unsigned until further orders. For the repayment and drawing in of these bills of credit and for defraying any further charges of the colony a rate of tenpence on the pound was granted to be paid into the treasury, one-half to be levied against the heads of the next list of public taxes, to be paid into the treasury before or by IVlay i, 1710. and the other half on or before May i, 1711. The planters were to pay this tax either in bills of credit, silver money or in pork at fifty shillings per bar- rel, or beef at thirty shillings per barrel, winter wheat at four shillings per bushel, rye at two shillings fourpence per bushel and Indian corn at two shillings per bushel." all to be in good order and signed with the packer's mark.f This issue with all others up to 1740 were called old tenor bills.

The following note gives a correct description of the three shilling bill issued at this time:

CONNECTICUT.

No. 1237 3S-

THIS INDENTED BILL OF THREE SHILLINGS

Due from tlic Cfilony of Connecticut in New England to the Possessor tlicrcof shall be in value equal to Money. And shall be accordingly accepted by the Treasurer and Receiver subordinate to him ; for any stock at any time in ye Treasury. Hartford, July the twelfth, .Anno Dnm. : 1709. By order of ye General Court.

John Eliot, ^ John IIavnes, j- Conunittee. John Chester, ) * Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 99. f Col. Rcc. Conn., 1706-1716, pp. 11 r, 112.

lyog] WAR WITH THE FRENCH AND INDIANS 21

On the left of the committee signatures was the seal of the Colony of Connecticut with the grape-vines and our motto, " Qui Transtulit Sustinet." (He who transplanted still sustains.)

The list of estates at Fairfield this year were valued at £16,708 i6s.

Governor Saltonstall was appointed by the Assembly to visit Eng- land and to present to the Queen and her Council for the well-being of the colonies the absolute necessity of prosecuting this war against the French and Indians. At the October session of the Assembly Captain Theophilus Hull, Lieutenant Samuel Couch and Ensign John Osborn were confirmed as officers of the west train-band of Fairfield; and Captain David Hubbell, Lieutenant Samuel Hubbell and Ensign Richard Hubbell for the village of Stratfield.

It appears that Colonel Whiting's Connecticut troops were some of them ill and in a sad condition at Albany. The Assembly ordered that the sick should be conveyed home by water and provided with every comfort, and that those able to move should march as speedily as pos- sible, and Colonel Whiting was ordered to have his officers to disband their men when they reached home.*

Laws for the improvement of militia companies were passed, and for calling out troops for her Majesty's service. Major Peter Burr, Captain Joseph Wakeman and Captain Theophilus Hull of Fairfield, with Mr. Joseph Curtis of Stratford, were appointed a committee of war for Fair- field County, to care for and defend the Connecticut frontier towns against the enetny.f

An act was passed to prevent young people from meeting in the evenings of the Sabbath Day; and if any sojourner, or any young person under the government of parents or masters, should meet in the streets, or elsewhere, or on the Sabbath or any public fast day or lecture day, they should be taken before a Justice of the Peace, and, if convicted, " pay a fine of five shillings to the public treasury, or be set in the stocks not more than two hours; provided this act should not be construed to hinder the meeting of young persons upon religious occasions.

In no town in the colony were the inhabitants more energetic and responsive to the call of the Governor and the General Assembly in rais- ing men and money for the furtherance of the expedition against the French and Indians than Fairfield. Deputy Governor Nathan Gold was constantly active in all the duties of his various offices. Major Peter

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 123. f Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 130.

22 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1709

Burr, the Captains Burr, Hubbell and Wakeman, with other officers, were busy in drilling and equipping their men for any emergency, either for the protection of the frontier towns near them or for the expeditions by land or water against the enemy. The town clerk and treasurer were constantly occupied in collecting the revenue, town and colony taxes. The mothers and daughters of Fairfield were equally busy in preparing clothing, stockings and bread for their fathers and sons, for everything was home made in those days. The spinning-wheel and the flax-looms were in constant use. and many a garment was wet with tears, lest their loved ones should never return. In all these undertakings, privations and hardships our forefathers struggled for the independence of our beloved country.

CHAPTER VIII 1710 — 1720

CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR

Election of officers. — Bills of credit. — Counterfeiting. — Council of War. — Efforts to capture Canada. — Queen Anne's letter. — Response to the Queen's letter. — Troops ordered out. — Ships and transports. — Officers of Expedition. — Capture of Port Royal. — Military officers of Green's Farms. — Tax for the Expedition. — Parish petition of Green's Farms. — Connecticut and New York boundary line. — Major Burr's soldiers. — New Fairfield. — Expedition against Canada. — Green's Farm a parish. — Educational interests. — Bills of credit and taxes. — Smallpox hos- pitals.— County Courts. — Superior Courts. — Expedition against Canada. — Punishment of deserters. — Army supplies from Connecticut. — Dr. James Laborie and Ur. Copp. — Troops, supplies, and drums from Fairfield. — Army and Navy leave for Canada. — Failure of the expe- dition.— Connecticut garrison in frontier forts. — Land grant to heirs of Major Nathan Gold. — Renewed efforts against Canada. — Green's Farms boundary. — Laws for tavern-keepers. — Post fees. — Assembly at Fairfield of an Ecclesiastical Court. — Church attendance obligatory. — Public land to be sold for erecting a court-house. — Taxes, — Schools. — Yale college fees. — Grant of land to Green's Farms minister, to Rev. Mr. Webb and Rev. Charles Chauncey. — Perry's grist mill. — Laws for vicious persons. — New issue of bills of credit 1713. — Taxes on imports. — Reward for wolves and panthers. — Peace of Utrecht. — Great expense of Connecticut in the French and English war. — Charters in danger. — Indian deed of Clapboard Hill. — Highways between Long-lots. — County officers. — Preservation of forests. — Duties on wood exports. — Strict religious laws. — Bibles in families required. — Decline of religion. — Custom house at Black Rock. — A long drought. — Death of Queen Anne. — Accession of George I. — Green's Farms allowed to embody in a society. — Schools. — New mills. — Rev. Daniel Chapman called to Green's Farms. — Death of Rev. Charles Chauncey. — Fairweather Island. — Trustees of school lands. — Temperance laws. — Train-band officers of Green's Farms and Greenfield — Chief Justice Nathan Gold. — Regulations for vessels on Sabbath days. — Parish laws for Sab- bath worship, teaching, and for good morals. — Thanksgiving. — Fast day. — Greens Farms opens its Church and ordains Rev. Mr. Chapman. — Individual land grants to be secured. — Train-band officers for county troops. — Election sermon. — Schools. — Private persons not to purchase lands of Indians. — Taxes on imports, and on peddlers and non-residents of the colony. — Cattle pound laws. — Evangelizing the Indians. — Saw mill on Aspetuck River. — Dr. James Laborie a resident of Fairfield. — Land grant to the heirs of Captain Nathaniel Seeley. County cavalry officers. — Drainage of Pine creek meadow. —Yale college. — Vagrancy not per- mitted.— Taxes for bills of credit. — Bills of credit issued. — Mr. Timothy Green of New London the engraver of bills of credit. — Bounds of parsonage lands. — Rev. Samuel Cook minister of Stratfield parish. — Value of estates of Fairfield 1719. — Fast day.

1 710. At the Court of Election holden at Hartford, May nth. Nathan Gold was chosen Deputy Governor, Peter Burr an Assistant, Captain John Wakeman and Colonel John Burr representatives from Fairfield to

24 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD L^Tio

the General Assembly. Nathan Gold was appointed Judge of the Court of Probate of Fairfield, and Peter Burr Judge of Faii-field County Court.

Judge Peter Burr and Moses Dimon were appointed to take charge of the arms, etc., of the soldiers of the County of Fairfield on the late expedition to Wood Creek, and to sell and dispose of them to the best advantage for the colony.

Dr. James Laborie was granted three shillings and fourpence per day for his services at Wood Creek as doctor and surgeon.

A provision was made that the fund to be raised for securing the re- payment of the public bills of credit should be paid either in bullion at the rate of eight shillings an ounce Troy, or in bills of public credit, and in no other manner. And that all taxes levied for the payment of the public debts should be collected and paid into the colony treasury before the last day of June, 1715.

A law was enacted against counterfeiting the bills of credit under a penalty of six months' imprisonment, and such other penalty and cor- poral punishment as the Assembly should see fit to inflict.*

Peter Burr was made one of the treasury auditors at a court to be held in New Haven in October, to consider the debts of the colony and the value of the bills of credit remaining in the treasury.

It was made a law that the Council to assist the Governor, or in his absence the Deputy Governor, in the inten^als of the General Assembly, should consist of two assistants and four able, judicious freemen, to man- age the public affairs; but not to send men out of the colony, nor to raise money unless in case of emergency, t

The failure of the expedition against Canada by no means discouraged New York or the New England colonies. It was believed that if Eng- land would send out an armament of sufficient size to join the troops of the colonies and their Indian allies Canada would soon be taken from the French. Accordingly, Colonel Schuyler of New York, at his own private expense, sailed for England, and took with him five sachems of the Five Nations. The sachems were introduced to the Queen. They made an address to her, setting forth their disappointment and grief at the failure of the late expedition against Canada, and entreated her to. send out an armament to assist her Majesty's colonies in America to join them and her loyal Indian subjects to accomplish this most desirable

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 158. f Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, 159.

I7IO CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 2$

undertaking, which, they represented, would not only bring peace to her subjects, but gladden the hearts of their tribes. Other efforts had been made to further this end, which proved to be for the subjection of Port Royal and Nova Scotia instead of Canada.*

A letter from Queen Anne, requiring the assistance of her subjects in America on this expedition, led to a special Assembly convening at New Haven August 4th, which continued, after several adjournments, until August lith.t

Owing to the defenseless situation of the frontier towns of the colony, and the numbers of men required for their protection, as well as great loss of men in the late expedition, the Governor and Council could only agree to send three hundred men from Connecticut to join in the new enterprise.

It was also agreed to procure sailors, vessels, provisions, etc., towards furthering the expedition. Each train-band was required yearly, in Sep- tember, to send in an exact account of the number of its officers and men to the major of each regiment, who should make a report of the same to the General Assembly the following October.:}:

General Nicholson was put in command of this expedition. Colonel William Whiting was commissioned to command the Connecticut forces. Captain John Burr of Fairfield was chosen major, and Dr. James Laborie surgeon. § Everything was immediately made ready, and on the i8th of September a fleet of thirty ships set sail from Nantasket for Port Royal. The of^cers and soldiers landed without opposition on the 24th; and on the 22d of October the French commander, Monsieur Subercase, capitulated and surrendered the fort to Great Britain. After leaving a garrison to protect it under Colonel Vetch, who had been appointed Governor of the country, Geenral Nicholson returned triumphantly home with the remainder of his forces. From this time this port received the name of Annapolis Royal. .

The General Assembly met on the 12th of October, when Mr. James Bennet and Mr. Samuel Couch represented Fairfield. Mr. Samuel Couch was confirmed captain, Mr. John Osborn lieutenant and Mr. Benjamin Rumsey ensign of Green's Farms train-band.

Samuel Morehouse, Jr., of Stratfield, having embarked with Major

* Trambull's Hist. Conn., I, 460. f Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 163.

X Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, pp. 164, 165. § Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, pp. 167, 168.

I Trumbull's Hist. Conn., I, 462.

26 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD UJ^o

John Burr from New Haven on the expedition against Port Royal, and by an accident in firing a gun lost his right hand, was granted ten pounds, and afterwards a yearly pension of five pounds.*

The sum of seven shillings a week or one sliilling a day was ordered to be paid to all private sentinels of the Port Royal expedition.

Bills of credit in sums of two shillings to five pounds, amounting to five thousand pounds, of the same tenor and date of June 8, 1709, were ordered to be printed, stamped and indented towards the payment of the public debts of the colony, " and accepted at an advance of twelve pence on the pound more."

A tax of five thousand two hundred and fifty pounds was ordered to be levied on all the poll and ratable estates of the towns in the colony and paid into the public treasury on or before August, 1718. to meet the payment of the outstanding bills of credit. t

Mr. Samuel Couch, on behalf of himself and the inhabitants of the western farms of the town of Fairfield, petitioned the Assembly that they should have liberty granted them to provide and settle an orthodox minister among them; and also be freed from paying towards the main- tenance of the minister of the first society of the town. This privilege was ordered to be granted in full, at the May session of the Assembly, provided the town of Fairfield was notified four days previously, so as to give them an opportunity to show cause why this application should not be granted, t

The salary allowed Deputy (lovernor Nathan Gold was fifty pounds for the year.

Hon. Nathan Gold and Judge Peter Burr, with Joseph Curtis. Esq.. were apj)ointed to apply to Governor Robert Hunter of New York to settle the boundary line between that province and Connecticut.

An act was passed at this time for the year ensuing that all ministers', town and school taxes should be paid in wheat, rye. Indian corn, pork and beef, according to their fixed valuation by the General Assembly.

The custom passed May 13. 1708, of collecting a tax laid upon all the churches in the colony with the town taxes for the sup]K)rt of the Congregational ministers was repealed.

At a meeting of the General Court. November 3d. at New London, Major John Rurr was allowed a bill of charges for the support of him-

• Col. Rcc. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 176. f Col. Rec. ("onn., 1706-1716, p. 182.

I Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p.183.

[I7IO CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 2/

self and twenty-eight of his company in the late expedition from Plymouth to Stonington.*

In the month of May, Ensign John Mitchell of Woodbury, acting as attorney for the Indians in the sale of their lands for the town of New Fairfield, conveyed deeds through John Minor to the following gentle- men residing at Fairfield, viz. : Captain Nathan Gold, Mr. Peter Burr, Ensign John Reed, John Edwards, Jonathan Sturges, John Barlow, Gideon Allen, Samuel Wilson, Samuel Jennings, Captain John Wakeman, Moses Dimon and Lieutenant Joseph Wakeman. The price agreed upon for the purchase of this land was twenty pounds. This deed was recorded May 19, i/io.f

1711. Encouraged by the success of the expedition against Port Royal and Nova Scotia, General Nicholson in June of this year made a voyage to England, with the hope of fitting out another expedition against Canada, in which all her Majesty's colonies in America should join. He was so successful in his appeal to the Crown that a fleet was immediately prepared to sail for Boston, there to be joined by the forces of the colonies.

The General Assembly and Court of Election met at Hartford May loth, and continued at intervals until the 31st of the month. Nathan Gold was again chosen Deputy Governor of the colony, Judge Peter Burr an Assistant and Major John Burr and Captain Joseph Wakeman repre- sentatives for Fairfield.

Captain Samuel Couch, on behalf of himself and the inhabitants of the West Farms of Fairfield, again presented their petition for liberty to settle an orthodox minister of the gospel among them. Major Peter Burr, Captain Joseph Wakeman and Major John Burr, in behalf of Fair- field, opposed the petition; but the General Assembly saw fit to grant it, and freed the western farmers from paying towards the support of the minister of Fairfield, and that "they should have full power; as if they were a distinct town, to order all alTairs relating to the support of the ministry among them : & for leasing & improving any land or estate formerly given to the support of the ministry, or of the school in the said town of Fairfield . . . and that the lands which shall fall within the said parish of the West Farmers, & not belonging to any inhabitants within the parish, shall not be rated or assessed to any charges or duties arising within the said parish." Judge Joseph Curtis of Stratford, Joseph

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 189. f Fairfield Town Records.

28 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i?"

Piatt and John Copp of Nonvalk were appointed a committee to survey and lay out the lands of the said western parish, and make a report of the same to the next Assembly.*

The long and distressing wars in the reign of Queen Anne, which made many sad hearts and desolate homes in Fairfield and throughout the colony, had brought about a train of social demoralization. The Governor and General Court resolved to elevate the tone of society by being more rigid in the maintenance of public schools; and, owing to a general neglect throughout Connecticut in payment of forty shillings upon every thousand pounds, allowed for the support of grammar schools, the Assembly ordered that this sum should be paid out of the colony treasury and by the treasurer in bills of credit, " two thirds that sum as money. "'t

A patent of six hundred acres of land was ordered to be confirmed to Fairfield, near Danbury, which had been previously granted in 1672, for the maintenance of a grammar school. J

One hundred acres of this land had been previously granted to Mr. George Hull of Fairfield, which the Assembly took care to reserve to him. Particular mention is made of this land in the grant made to the Rev. Mr, Webb and the Rev. Samuel W^akeman, which included in all one thousand acres. §

At the same time, upon the petition of Captain John Wakeman, two hundred acres of land, previously granted to the Rev. Samuel Wakeman, deceased, near Danbury, was confirmed to his heirs. An Indian deed of which was recorded at Fairfield October 25, 1710.II

An Indian deed of one hundred and fifty acres of land to Dr. Isaac Hall, Jr., Francis and John Hall, sons of the late Dr. Isaac Hall, lying near this land was confirmed to them and recorded 22d April. 1709.

Four thousand bills of credit w^ere ordered forthwith to be printed, indented and stamped of the same tenor and date of June 8, 1709, and after being duly signed by the committee, to be delivered to the treasurer of the colony and used toward paying the public debts. A tax of four thousand five hundred pounds was levied on all polls and taxable estates within the colony, as a fund of security for the repayment of these bills

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 209. f Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol. 1706-1716, p. 213.

I Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1706-1716, p. 215.

(^ Indian Deed of this land, Fairfield Town Records, Vol. 2, pp. 326, 240.

I Col. Rcc. Conn., Vol, 1706-1716, p. 11, 215.

17II] - CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 29

of credit, to be paid into the colony treasury before the last of May in 1720.*

Separate houses in each town were ordered to be set apart for small- pox and contagious diseases. The officers of the towns w^ere authorized to provide a house, lodgings, nurses, attendants and other necessities for the accommodation of the sick. Ship officers and seamen were not al- lowed to land if any contagious disease existed on board their vessel, and if they landed " they were to be immediately sent on board again." Nor was any person from the port permitted to go on board. Nurses caring for any person suffering from a contagious disease were not al- lowed to expose themselves to others in health under a heavy fine.t

Negro, mulatto or Spanish Indian slaves, who had been set at liberty by their owners in the colony, and who failed to support themselves, the former ow^ners and their heirs were held responsible for their mainten- ance.:]:

An act was passed for establishing Superior Courts and altering the time of holding County or Inferior Courts, by which one chief judge and four other judges, or any three of them, should hold court in each County town in the months of March and September of each year. This Court was ordered to be held for the County of Fairfield, at Fairfield, on the first Tuesdays of March and Septemiber. The Inferior Courts were ordered to be holden on the third Tuesday in April and the first Tuesday in November. The Governor, or in his absence the Deputy Governor, was made Chief Judge of the Superior Court. Judge Peter Burr, in the absence of the Governor or Deputy Governor, was made Chief Judge for the year. Commissions from the General Assembly were ordered to be given to each of the Superior Court Judges and Justices of the Peace, signed by the Governor and stamped with the seal of the colony. §

Upon the receipt of a letter from General Nicholson that a fleet from England w^ould soon reach Boston for the reduction of Canada, the Gov- ernor and Council of War met on the loth of June at New London to consider ways and means to assist in the undertaking. It was agreed that an immediate issue of six thousand pounds in bills of credit should be printed in advance of the meeting of the General Assembly, to fit out the Connecticut quota for the expedition.!

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, pp. 228, 229. f Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 231.

X Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 233. § Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 238.

II Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 244.

30 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [lyn

A special General Assembly was convened at Xew London June iQtli. Judge Peter Burr, Major John Burr and Captain John Wakeman of Fairfield were present. A letter was addressed to Oueen Anne, in which, after representing the danger and frequent murders which the colonists had sulTfered from the French and their Indian allies, they pledged them- selves to do all in their power to carry out her will and requests in the new expedition against Canada. They thanked the Uueen most gra- ciously, for the clothing, arms and ammunition she had sent them for their quota, w^hich had animated the soldiers to a just sense of their duty to her.

Three hundred and sixty men were ordered to be equipped and made ready to join the expedition, of which sixty of them were to be Indians placed under the command of. English of^cers. A suitable vessel to ac- company the fleet was ordered to be made ready to carry supplies for our troops after they reached Canada, and to bring back the sick and wounded. Provisions for a four months' campaign were ordered to be made ready, part of which w^as to be sent by land by way of Albany and the remainder by the vessel which was to join the fleet. Two chaplains and three surgeons and physicians with suitable stores of medicines were ordered to go with the expedition. The troops were to be mustered as quickly as possible at New Haven and proceed to Albany.

A law was passed that deserters from the land or sea forces should be punished by a fine of twenty pounds, or six months' imprisonment.

The General Council of War having asked Governor Saltonstall to send a supply of beef and sheep, he at once forwarded to Colonel Hunter at Albany two hundred beeves and six hundred sheep. Ten ship car- penters were ordered to be sent to Albany to assist in making canoes and batteaux for the troops.*

Dr. James Laborie, with Dr. Copp of Norwalk. were the only avail- able surgeons to accompany the Connecticut troops, in consequence oi which they were allowed to select two suitable i)ersons to assist them.f

Troops and supplies were sent from Fairfield, and Captain Moses Dimon and John Blackman were paid forty shillings each for two drums fur the band.i

b^-erything was made ready in about a month's time; and on the 3()th of July a fleet of fifty men-of-war, fifteen of which were from Eng- land, forty transports and six storeships " set sail from Boston ft)r Canada.

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, pp. 245-251. f Col. Kcc. (Onn., 1706-1716, p. 260. I Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-17 16, pp. 267-269.

17"] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 3 1

There were on board five regiments from England & Flanders, & two regiments from Massachusetts, Rhode Island & New Hampshire. The tieet was commanded by Admiral Hovenden Walker, & the army by Brigadier General Hill."*

On the same day that the fleet sailed General Nicholson set out on his march for Albany at the head of four thousand men. The Connecticut forces were commanded by Colonel William Whiting, those of New Jersey and New York by Colonels Schuyler and Ingoldsby.

Admiral Walker's fleet reached the mouth of the St. Lawrence on the 14th of August, and put into the bay of Gaspee to await the arrival of the transports. Here he remained until the 20th, when he set sail for Canada. On the 22d his fleet encountered a severe storm, and they were enveloped in a dense fog. The pilots advised sailing southward, but the Admiral, without having proper soundings or a true knowledge of the coast, ordered them to sail northward. In consequence he soon afterwards found his ships among breakers on all sides. Eight or nine of the English transports were wrecked, and out of seventeen hun- dred English officers and soldiers eight hundred and eighty-five were lost. Admiral Walker and General Hill only saved themselves by an- choring their ships. Admiral Walker as soon as the storm abated sailed for Spanish River Bay. Eight days passed before the remainder of the fleet arrived, when a council of war was held, and it was decided that the undertaking should be given up, and that English ships should return to England. General Nicholson had only the alternative left to retrace his steps, t

Tlie failure of this expedition was a bitter disappointment to the colonists, upon whom the English officers laid all the blame of its mis- carriage. They also blamed the French pilots, but they disclaimed all such charges, having early warned Admiral Walker of his danger. Learning of the fate of the fleet. General Nicholson returned with his army, as he deemed it at that time unsafe to cross the lake.

Fortunately not one of the colonial soldiers was lost, and only one small transport wrecked. But the failure of the expedition caused great alarm lest the French and their Indian allies should take advantage of the situation to harass and destroy the border settlements.

Meanwhile the Canadians, aware of the contemplated attack upon

* Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. I, p. 464.

t Trumbull's and Ilollister's Hist, of Conn. Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, PP- 243-274-

32 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1712

them, had made every possible preparation for resistance. Governor de Vaudreuille concentrated the full strength of his forces at Montreal and Lake Champlain. He encamped at Chambly with a force of three thou- sand men to resist the advance of the English and colonists.

The General Assembly met the i ith of October at New Haven. Dep- uty Governor Nathan Gold, Judge Peter Burr, as Assistant, and Mr. John Edwards and Mr. Samuel Hubbell as deputies were present from Fairfield. Judge Peter Burr was appointed to assist in auditing the treasury accounts.

The taxable estates at Fairfield, at this time, were valued at £16,881.

It was agreed that Connecticut should assist in sending thirty or forty men, and in paying towards maintaining garrisons in the Indian forts of the Five Nations on the Connecticut, New York and Massa- chusetts frontiers, and to secure the influence of the Five Nations to assist the English in any designs the enemy might make against them.*

Judge Peter Burr and Dr. Copp of Norwalk were directed to lay out one hundred acres of land to the heirs of the late Major Gold, granted in i687.t

Several councils of war were held in the fall to induce England to assist in continuing a war against Canada, and to send the pilots who served on board the men-of-war in the late expedition to England, and there make a true representation of the disastrous failure they had sus- tained. The pilots were sent, but an utter indifference was shown to anything they represented, or that any further effort should be made towards taking Canada.

1 71 2. At the annual meeting of the General Assembly, holden at Hartford May 8th, Nathan Gold was elected Deputy Governor, ]\Iajor John Burr Assistant, who was also a representative with Captain John Wakeman from Fairfield.

Ensign John Wheeler was appointed a lieutenant and Sergeant Gideon Allen ensign of the Stratfield train-band of Fairfield.

The committee appointed to lay out the boundary lines of Green's Farms having fixed the necessary bounds, made a return of the same to the Assembly. It was further shown by a petition dated May 9th. and signed by Joseph Lockwood, Simon Couch, John Lockwood and Christopher Sturgis, that they had erected and paid for a school-house, t

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 279. + Col. Rcc. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 2S0.

\ Col. Rcc. Colleges and Schools, Vol. I.

I7I2] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 33

Three thousand pounds in bills of credit were ordered to be issued at the rate paid in 1711, "to pass out of the treasury at the advance of twelve pence on the pound more." A tax of three thousand three hun- dred pounds was levied on the polls and taxable estates of the colony to meet this demand, to be paid in or before the last day of May, 1720.

On the 28th of March, at a town meeting at Fairfield, it was voted, that Mr. John Meridith, the county surveyor, should renew the high- ways between the long lots as they were originally laid out. The build- ing lots north of the mile of common were also ordered to be laid out.*

Fairfield being the shire-town of the county, had several taverns and private places used for the accommodation of the assembling of the courts. It was also a seaport town. The following law was passed at this time for the well-being of all the towns in the colony. It was ordered that no inn or tavern keeper s'hould entertain sing'le person boarders or sojourners, or any young persons, or other inhabitant under the control of parents or masters, to meet together in their houses, or in the evening after the Sabbath, or public days of fast, or lecture days, under a penalty of fifty shillings cash.f

The postmen who carried the mails from town to town complained of the small amount paid them. It was agreed by the Assembly " that they should be allowed from April to November for themselves & horses three pence a mile, & from November to April three pence half-penny a mile in money.":}:

Judge Peter Burr was made one of the treasury auditors, and also Judge of the County Court, and Deputy Governor Nathan Gold Probate Judge of Fairfield.

Great care w^as taken at this time in regard to the good character, attainments and strict orthodox belief of the candidates of the Established Church of Connecticut. The General Association met at Fairfield on the 1 2th September, 171 2, and agreed upon a series of rules for their examination.!

Persons neglecting to attend the public worship of God, " as the law directs & obliges them," w^ere to suffer the full penalty of the law.||

The Assembly nominated and appointed Deputy Governor Nathan

* Fairfield Town Records. t Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 317.

X Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 318. § Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. I, p. 516.

II Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 323. 3

34

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1713

Gold Chief Judge of the Superior Court, and Judge Peter Burr one of his assistants.*

It was agreed to sell at a public vendue, to be held at Fairfield Meet- mg-house in August, all strips of land and all public land lying between Danbury and Fairfield, reserving highways. Judges Nathan Gold and Peter Burr were appointed to make the sale. The proceeds of this sale were to be appropriated towards erecting a public-house or houses for the use of the Assembly and other courts. The purchasers of this land were to be given patents for it, provided they purchased the native Indian right, t

All improved lands and home lots of three acres were valued at three pounds a lot; meadow lands, both salt and fresh at Fairfield, at ten shil- lings an acre and boggy land at seven shillings and sixpence per acre. +

The General Assembly met at Hartford on the 9th of October. Ill- ness prevented Deputy Governor Nathan Gold and Judge Peter Burr from being present. Captain Samuel Couch represented Fairfield.

It was decreed that every parish should have a school of its own, and that forty shillings on every thousand pounds should be paid out of the taxes of each paris'h towards its support; that the forty shillings on every thousand pounds for the maintenance of grammar schools in the county towns should be paid in money or bills of credit, and that the villages which should become offshoots of the county towns should receive forty shillings for school purposes.^

For maintaining a rector and tutor of the Collegiate School at Say- brook one hundred pounds was allowed out of the colony treasury in money or in bills of credit.

1713. At a town meeting held at h'airfield in April: "The town granted to the first gospel minister that should settle at Maxumux or the west parish in ]'\'iirfield six acres of land in some convenient place within the parish. It was also voted that a liousc should be built for the accommodation of the minister of the west farms, two & forty foot long, twenty foot wide, two stories hig*h, with a cellar under one end. two chamber chimneys. & to cover it with four ^l- a half shingles." An annual tax of sixpence on the pound was levied on the west farmers until the house should be paid for.!;

* Col. Rec. Conn., i7o6-i7if>, p. 332. \ Col. Rec. Conn,, 1706-1716. p. 333.

X Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 334. 5^ Col. Rec. Conn.. 1706-1716, p. 353.

i I'iiirlicld Town Records.

I7I3] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 35

Several acres of land were granted the Rev. Mr. Webb on the north- west side of Mill Hill, which was afterwards exchanged for other land. Mr. Webb was also granted " the sum of ninety pounds in the current money of the colony, as his standing salary, in lieu of one hundred & two pounds formerly paid him in county pay." He was also granted fire wood.*

Six acres of land was also granted to the Rev. Charles Chauncey of Stratfield, to be taken up within the limits of that parish, in some con- venient place in the town commons. A committee was appointed to lay out these grants of land to the several ministers.!

Joseph Perry was given permission to erect a grist mill near the place where the saw-mill stood.

At the meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford May 14th, Judge Nathan Gold was again elected Deputy Governor, Judge Peter Burr an Assistant and Captain Joseph Wakeman and Ensign Richard Hubbell representatives from Fairfield.

It was ordered that the Assembly should in the future meet in the fall at New Haven.

'* For the Correcting & Restraining of Rogues & Vagabonds, & other Persons of Evil Name & Fame, for Rude & Profane Discourse — having proved a snare to youth, especially which tended to the detriment of religion & pernicious consequences," it was made a law that the jail of each county town s'hould also be a house of correction; and that any delinquent should be lodged in jail until brought before a court, where, if proven guilty, " he should be chastised by a whipping on his naked back in the jail, & to be kept at such labor as he was capable of doing, provided such an offender should not suffer for one offence more than fifty stripes." The keepers of the jails were to be allowed their pay for caring for said offenders out of their estates or labor.:}:

The sum of £20,000 was ordered by the Assemby to be remitted and delivered to the colony treasurer, and to be the sum paid out by him for the public debts of the colony from time to time, according to the order given him.§

On account of counterfeiting the bills of credit, at a meeting of the Governor and Council held at New London, June nth, Mr. Dunimer of Boston, who had printed the bills, was ordered to reprint others, in

* Fairfield Town Record*. + Fairfield Town Records.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vd., 1706-1716, p. 382. ^ Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1706-1716, p. 496.

36 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1713

the lower right-hand corner of each were to be, " on 2s. bills A Dove; 2s. 6d A Cock; ^s. A Squirrel; ^s. A Fox; los. colored green, A Lamb; 20s. in yellow, A Deer; 4.0s. in blue, A Horse; £5 in red, A Lyon; all dated May 1713." This new issue was in part to be exchanged for counterfeit and broken bills of credit.*

At the General Assembly held in New Haven, October 8th, Deputy Governor Nathan Gold, Judge Peter Burr, Major John Burr and Cap- tain Joseph Wakeman were present from Fairfield.

It was found necessary for protecting the financial welfare of the colony to lay a custom tax of five per cent, on all goods and liquors brought into the ports of the colony by persons of other colonies or places, and all such importers were to appear before the ofificers of each town, and after declaring the value of their goods or cargoes, to give bonds for the payment of said tax.

The Worshipful Peter Burr and Captain John Wakeman were com- missioned to join with the Honorable Jonathan Law in running a divi- sion line between Connecticut and the Province of New York.

A reward of forty sihillings was ordered to be paid to any person who should kill a grown wolf, a catamount or panther, and ten shillings for every young wolf.

It was announced to this Assembly that the Treaty of Peace of Utrecht had been signed on the 30th of March. A letter of congratulation was forthwith ordered by the Assembly to be sent to the Queen.

By this treaty the Bay and Straits of Hudson, the Island of St. Chris- topher, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland were surrendered by the French, f

The restoration of peace between Great Britain and France was of great consequence to the American colonies. Connecticut had lost many of her soldiers and been at great expense to meet the demands of the Governors of Massachusetts and New York. In the attem.pts to take Canada, and in protecting her own frontier towns and those of New York and Massachusetts, she had shown a most liberal spirit.

At this time the planters of Connecticut were alarmed at a design on the part of ambitious Englishmen " to obtain a new modelling of the plantations, & to make alterations in the civil government." It was agreed after several meetings of the Governor and Council to invite a union of all the New England colonies, in an effort to preserve their chartered liberties.

♦ Col. Rec. Conn., pp. 387-389. f Hollister's Hist. Conn., Vol. I, p. 382.

I7I41 CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 37

Deputy Governor Nathan Gold was not able, from ill-health, to be present. Colonel Mathew Allen was sent in November to confer with him and with the Assistants at Fairfield as to the advisability of calling an immediate General Assembly. The reply was that they did not think it necessary.* Nevertheless, it was agreed by the Council to send Jere- miah Dummer of Boston to England, as an agent in behalf of Connecti- cut, and to place in his hands one thousand pounds sterling for this purpose.

At a town meeting held in Fairfield December 28th, Captain Samuel Couch, John Lockwood and Ensign Benjamin Rumsey were appointed a committee to lay to the west parish ten acres of land granted to the first gospel minister within their precincts. t

1 714. On the 25th of March following, the town ordered that this grant should be laid out on Clapboard Hill in the west parish, lately purchased of the natives. In January of this year the Indians of the west farms gave a deed of Clapboard Hill to the town of Fairfield, t

The committee appointed to renew the highways between the long lots made the following report in May of this year :

"A record of the places & bounds of the highways renewed by the committee, appointed by the town, viz. : Lieut. CorneHus Hull, Segt. John Thompson, & Sergt. John Wakeman is as followeth, which highways are running up the Long Lots :

1st. One highway running up between the widow Wheeler's Long Lot & Stratford line, six rods in breadth be it more or less.

2nd. An highway running up between Richard Hubbell's Long Lot & Henry Jackson's, four rods in breadth be it more or less.

3rd. An highway between Samuel Morehouse & Robt. Turney's Long Lots, five rods in breadth be it more or less.

4th. An highway between Hendrick & Jos. Middlebrook Sen., long lots, four rods in breadth, be it more or less.

5th. An highway between Nathaniel Burr Sen. & Daniel Burr Sr. long lots, four rods in breadth, be it more or less.

6th. The mile of common bounded on the east with the long lots of Thomas Barlow's children, & on the west with the long lots of Jacob Grey, the front of the east line of the sajd mile of common, within about ten rod of Daniel Burr's fence at an heap of stone \tith a walnut spire in the midst, & an heap of stone at a black oak tree on the west side near a path.

7th. An highway between Obe'h Gilbert Sen. & Esbond Wakeman's long lot, four rods in breadth be it more or less.

8th. An highway between John Cabel, Sr., & Richard Osborn's long lot, six rods in breadth at the front, & at some distance from the front upward four rods in breadth.

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-17 16, pp. 410-422. f Fairfield Town Votes.

I Fairfield Town Records.

38 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [HM

9th. An highway between Francis Bradley & Nathaniel Finche's long lot, four rod in breadth be it more or less.

loth. An highway between John Sturges Sen., & John Cabel jun. long lots, four rods in breadth, be it more or less.

nth. An highway between Eleazer Smith & Robt. Rumsie's long lots, four rod in breadth, be it more or less.

I2th. An highway running near the road beyond Ma.xunni.x which goes to Saugatuck, bounded on the east with the long lot of Simon Couch, & on the west with Norwalk line, the south east side hath at the front a great oak tree betwen the said Couch. & said high- way with an heap of stones." *

It was upon these long lots that the descendants of the first settlers took up valuable and lucrative farms. The hig-hways were wonderfully straight for miles back into the centre of Redding.

At the gathering of the General Assembly at Hartford. May 13th, Deputy Governor Nathan Gold was present, Judge Peter Burr as an Assistant, and Captain Joseph W'akeman and Major John Burr as repre- sentatives from Fairfield.

Judge Peter Burr was chosen one of a committee to audit the colony accounts.

Major John Burr was commissioned captain and Dr. James Laborie of Stratford lieutenant of the Fairfield County troops.

For preserving the forests of the colony, which had been an extensive source of revenue to many in the way of barrels, pipes, hogsheads and staves sent to the West Indies, it was enacted :

" That all barrel staves sent out of the colony to Massachusetts Bay, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island & New Hampshire, should pay to the naval officers in each port where the said staves were shipped from, twenty shillings per thousand; & all hogsheads, or pipe staves, thirty shillings per thousand ; and that all captains of vessels should give bonds for the payment of this custom, in default of which, their cargoes should be for- feited, one-half of the sale paid to the informer & one-half to the colony treasury." f

It was ordered that no town officer in time of peace should be obliged to mount any guard or soldier on the Lord's Day, or on other days of public worship.

The General Assembly,

— "taking into their serious consideration the many evident tokens that the glory is de- parted from us, the providences of God are plainly telling us that our ways do not please him, & knowing the great obligations that we are under, not only for the suppressing of all profancncss & immorality that so greatly threatens the ruin of the land, but also to encourage piety & virtue, do pray the Honorable, the Governor, to recommend to the

* Fairfield Town N'otes, 1714. + Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 434.

I7I4] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 39

reverend elders of the General Association, that tiie state of religion be strictly inquired into in every parish throughout this government ; & particularly how & whether catechising be duly attended, & whether there be a suitable number of Bibles in the various families in the respective parishes; & also if there be found in any of our parishes, any person that neglect attendance upon the public worship on Lord's days — to enquire what means hath been used with such persons to regain them to a compliance with their so necessary a duty, that thereby the worship of God be duly encouraged, observed & attended both in families & parishes ; & likewise that there be a strict inquiry, which & what are the sins & evils th.it provoke the just Majesty of Heaven to walk contrary unto us in the ways of his provi- dences, that thereby all possible means may be used for our healing & recovery from our degeneracy." *

Mr. John Edwards was appointed and commissioned the naval or custom-house officer of the port of Fairfield. f Deputy Governor Nathan Gold was made Judge of Probate, Peter Burr Judge of the County Courts and Major John Burr, James Bennet and John Edwards justices of the peace and Quorum of Fairfield County.

On account of a long drought, the first day of September was ap- pointed " to be observed as a day of fasting & prayer throughout the colony."

At a meeting of the Governor and Council in New Haven, October 13th, a letter from Jeremiah Dummer, then acting as agent for Con- necticut in England, was read, announcing the death, August ist. at White Hall, of her most gracious Majesty Queen Anne of happy mem- ory, and that Prince George had been proclaimed king of Great Britain,. France and Ireland. The Council ordered :

That the death of the Queen should be solemnized by firing minute guns on the following afternoon at three o'clock ; and that the accession of King George I. should be celebrated at noon by the assembling of the New Haven regiment, fully armed, before whom the proclamation of his accession should be read. Each soldier was allowed half a pound of powder, & also wine & biscuit to celebrate the occasion. To prevent disorders on so joyfufan occasion, no bonfires or fireworks were allowed, "but instead of these, illumina- tions be used, as a much more honorable signal of joy." if

At the meeting of the General Assembly in October, Deputy Governor Nathan Gold, Judge Peter Burr. Captain Joseph Wakeman and Major John Burr were present from Fairfield. The Assembly ordered that an address of congratulation should be forthwith prepared and sent to King George upon his accession to the throne of Great Britain.

The Bankside or west farmers of Fairfield were made happy by a

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 436. f Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, p. 437.

X Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1706-17 16, pp. 450, 451.

40 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1715

decree that they should be allowed " to embody themselves into a church & state."*

For ui)holding and supporting good schools in every town and vil- lage in the colony, it was enacted : " That the selectmen of each town should visit & inspect its schools quarterly, & inquire into the qualifica- tions of the masters, their diligence in teaching, as well as the proficiency of the scholars, & to make a report of the same to the next Assembly."

Richard Whitney proposed to erect a grist mill, and Gershom Bulkley and Moses Ward a fulling mill on the Sasco River.

On the first of November the inhabitants of the west farms held a parish meeting, and by vote it was agreed that the Rev. Daniel Chapman should be installed as pastor of the church. One penny on the pound was levied in order to pay the expenses of his ordination and to put up the meeting-house for the occasion. His ordination did not take place until the next year.f

A committee was appointed " to convey the first six acres of land to the Rev. Mr. Chapman of the West-farms, granted to the first gospel minister who should settle there." +

The parish of Stratfield was deprived this year of its beloved and honored pastor, the Rev. Charles Chauncey, wdio died May 4th, leaving a widow and several children. His labors amang the Stratfield people had been crowned with marked success. His church and house were situated near the old Pequonock burial ground. §

It appears at one time that Mr. Chauncey owned what is now called Fairweather's Island, which he sold on the 24th of March, 1709, to Ben- jamin Fairweather of Stratfield for the sum of eight pounds and six shillings in money. I

1713. In February Captain Joseph W'akeman. Alajor Peter Burr and Caj)tain Sanuiel Couch were appointed trustees by the town for the school lands, and particularly for the six hundred acres granted by the (General Assembly to the town of b^airfield for the use of a grannnar school.

At the meeting of the General Assembly held at Hartford. May 12th. the Hon. Nathan (lold was elected Deputy CJovernor. Judge Peter Burr

* ("ol. Kec. Conn., Vol. 1706-1716, p. 454.

t CJrecn's Farms Records, by Rev. Mr. C'hapni.an.

X Fairfield Town Records. S Appendi.x — (.Genealogical.

I {'"airfield 'l"o\vn Records of iJceds.

I7I5] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 4 1

an Assistant and Captain Joseph Wakeman and Mr. Richard Hubbell representatives from Fairfield.

It was deemed necessary to make every possible effort to preserve the forests and to prevent hewing timber to be sent out of the colony.

Still more stringent laws " for the better regulating of taverns, & for preventing drunkenness & expense of precious time." Any one found guilty of " drinking strong drink, viz. : rum, cyder, metheglin or brandy (or mixt drink made with any of them) in any tavern, or house of public entertainment in the town in which he or they belonged, should be fined ten shillings in money. The tavern keeper for every breach of this act was fined thirty shillings." All money arising from such transgressions of this law was to be paid, '' one half to the informer, & the other half towards the maintenance of the town poor." The constables and grand jurymen in each town were required to make diligent inquiry into any breach of this law.

Mr. John Osborn was confirmed captain, Jonathan Sturges lieutenant and Mr. Samuel Barlow ensign of the zvcst cud train-bond of Fairfield. Mr. Thomas Nash was confirmed lieutenant and Mr. John Andrews en- sign of the zvcst parish train-band in Green's Farms.*

Judge Peter Burr was made Judge of the County Courts and Deputy Governor Nathan Gold Judge of the Probate Court of Fairfield. The Hon. Nathan Gold and Judge Peter Burr w^ere appointed Judges of the Superior Court, and Judge Gold was also made Chief Judge of the Supe- rior Court, t In case of his absence the five judges named in succession were to act for him.

In October the General Assembly met at New Haven, where Deputy Governor Nathan Gold, Judge Peter Burr, Captain Joseph Wakeman and Lieutenant Richard Hubbell were present.

The chartered liberties of the New England colonies were again en- dangered. There were parties in England who were strongly opposed to charter government, and who looked upon the New England colonies as too independent of the government of the mother country. A bill was therefore introduced into Parliament to repeal the charters which had been given to the colonists. Mr. Jeremiah Dummer of Boston used his utmost endeavors to s'how cause why this injustice should be allowed. Several years passed, however, before a favorable turn took place in the

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1706-1716, p. 504. t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1716-1725, p. ii.

42 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i7r5

State of affairs by which the colonists felt more secure in their chartered privileges.*

A remarkable law was passed at this time:

" That no vessel sailing past any town or parish lying on said river, where the public worship of God is maintained, or shall weigh anchor within two miles of said place, unless, to get nearer thereto on the Sabbath day, any time betwixt the morning light & the setting sun ; the master of such vessel shall be liable to the like penalty, as if he had sailed out of a harbor, any former usage or custom to the contrary notwithstanding."

At the sitting of the General Court in October, answers were re- turned to the questions recommended in regard to the declension of reli- gion in the colony, which were as follows :

" 1st. A want of Bibles in particular families.

2nd. Remissness & great neglect of attendance on the public worship of God upon Sabbath days & other seasons.

3rd. Catechizing being too much neglected in sundry places.

4th. Great deficiency in domestic or family government.

5th. Irregularity in commutative justice upon several accounts.

6th. Tale-bearing & defamation.

7th. Calumniating & contempt of authority & order, both civil & ecclesiastical.

8th. And intemperance; with several other things therein mentioned."

The General Council and representatives of the Court ordered:

"That all judges & justices of the peace in the respective counties in this Colony be diligent & strict in putting in execution all those laws & acts of this Assembly made for the suppressing & punishment of all or any of the aforesaid mentioned immoralities & irre- ligious practices, that thereby the good end proposed in such acts & laws may be attained.

"That the select-men, constables & grand jurors in the respective towns in the Colony, shall from time to time strictly observe the following directions :

"That the .select-men make diligent inquiry of all householders within their respective towns, how they are stored with Bibles; & upon such inquiry [if] any such householders be found, without one Bible at least, that the said select-men shall warn the said house- holders forthwith to procure one Bible at least, for the u.se & benefit of the said family, & if the same be neglected, then the said select-men shall make return thereof to the ne.xt authority; and that all those families, who are numerous, & whose circumstances will allow thereof, shall be supplied with a considerable number of Bibles, according to the number of persons in such families ; & that they see that all such families be furnished with a suitable number of orthodo.x catechisms & other good bonks of practical godliness, viz.: such especially as treat on, encourage & duly prepare for the right attendance on that great duty of the Lord's Supper.

"That the constables and grand-jurynun in tlio respective towns in this Colony shall make diligent search after & presentnieni of all breaches of the following laws of the Colony :

'■ 1st. An Act entitled Children to be Educated.

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-17 16, pp. 376, 410, 522,

I7I5] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 43

" 2nd. The two last paragraphs of the law entitled Ecclesiastical.

" 3rd. The first paragraph of the law entitled, An Act for the better detecting & more effectual punishing of Profaneness & Immorality.

" 4th. An Act for the better observation & keeping the Lord's day.

" 5th. The law, title lying.

"6th. The Law against Profane Swearing.

"7th. An Act to prevent Unseasonable Meetings of young people in the Evening after the Sabbath Days & other times.

" And to the end that all breaches of the said law be duly put in prosecution :

"// is now resolved. That the constables & grand-jurymen in the respective towns shall, in the evening mentioned in the said law, walk the streets & search all places sus- pected for harboring or entertaining any people or persons assembling contrary to the said act.

" 8th. An Act for preventing Tipling & Drunkenness.

"9th. An Act for suppressing Unlicensed Houses, & due Regulating such as are, or shall be licensed, in the several paragraphs thereof.

" loth. An Act suppressing certain Meetings in licensed houses. And this law shall be understood & extended to prohibit heads of families & all other persons, as well as young persons (strangers & travelers only excepted) under the same penalties in said law, as well as to tavern keepers as others, so convening.

" nth. And that the several constables in the respective towns shall strictly observe & duly execute the several paragraphs of the law, title Constables, by making due present- ment & information of all breaches of said law, & warning to all persons in their respective towns, who spend their time idly, or are tiplers & tavern-haunters.

" I2th. That the said constables & grand- jurymen, in their respective precincts, shall take due care that the Lord's Day be sanctified, according to law, by inquiring after & making presentment of all such who shall profane the said day.

"And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid That this act, together with a proclamation enforcing it, be forthwith printed & published throughout this Colony; & that they shall be publicly read annually, in the several towns in this Colony, at the public meetings, for choice of town officers. And that the said meeting be careful in the choice of their said constables, & grand- jurymen, that they choose men of known abilities, integrity & good resolution." *

One of the growing evils of the times, by which murders, thefts, bur- glaries and other notorious crimes were committed, was by bringing into the colony slaves and Indian servants, on account of which a law was passed : " that any master of a ship or vessel, or any other person who should bring into the colony slaves to be left or sold, should give fifty pounds security for each slave to the naval officer of the port he had entered, to carry them away within a month's time."

The third Wednesday in November was appointed, " to be observed as a day of public thanksgiving to Almighty God," and the Governor was requested to draw up a proclamation of the same, to be sent to each town in the colony.

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1706-1716, pp. 529-532. 1

44 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1716

A proclamation was also ordered that the nth of April should be strictly observed as a day of fasting and prayer throughout the colony,

1 71 6. At a town meeting held January i ith Justice Gold, Major Peter Burr, Lieutenant James Bennet, Major John Burr, Captain Joseph Wake- man and Captain Samuel Couch were appointed a committee to take into consideration the b'est way to secure " to the original & ancient proprietors & their descendants, a more ample & better confirmation of the lands within the limits of the township; & to make a report of the same to the next General Assembly, that they might obtain a grant or patent of said lands."

The General Assembly met at Hartford, ]\Iay loth. The Hon. Nathan Gold was elected Deputy Governor, Judge Peter Burr an Assistant, Cap- tain Joseph Wakeman and Lieutenant Richard Hubbell deputies from Fairfield.

Captain Joseph Wakeman was appointed one of a committee to thank the Rev. Mr. Anthony Stoddard for his election sermon, preached upon the opening of the Assembly, and to request a copy for publication.

A tax of £3,150 was ordered to be levied on the towns in the colony to meet the repayment of the bills of credit.

Hon. Nathan Gold was made Judge of Probate and Peter Burr Judge of the County Courts. Hon. Nathan Gold was also made Chief Judge of the Superior Court.

Matters of little interest to Fairfield occurred at the sitting of this court. The Assembly met again on the nth of October at New Haven, when Fairfield was fully represented. Its taxable estates were shown to be valued at £18,443 5-^- 8c/.

The Parish Record of Green's Farms gives a very interesting account of the events which took place in the history of that parish at this time.

On the second page of the first volume of the Green's Farm's Parish' Records is to be found the following entry :

"Oct. 26. Anno Dom. : 1715 — A Church of Christ was then gathered & embodied at Fairfield West Parish, & ye Rev. Daniel Chapman ordained their pastor. Ye Rev. Mr. Davenport gave ye charge, he with the Rev. Mr. VVebli, Air. Shove, Mr. Ciittler & Mr. Hawly imposing hands ; ye Rev. Mr. Cuttler gave ye rigiit hand of fellowship to ye pastor, & Mr. Hawley to ye church.*

The Original Covenant:

" We do in the humble sense of our deep unworthiness of an acknowledgement in ye

* Mr, Shove was the minister of Danbury, Mr. Cuttler of Stratford, and Mr. Ilawley of Ridge- field.

1717] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 45

covenant of divine grace, & also of our inability unto the performance of ye duties of ye holy covenant, through the strength & grace of Christ alone, heartily & sincerely engage & promise in ye presence of God & his people, denying all ungodliness & worldly lusts, to live soberly, righteously & godly in this present world, solemnly devoting ourselves & our seed unto ye Lord to be his people, avouching Almighty God for our God & portion, avouching the son Jesus Christ for our only Prophet & Teacher, & for our only Priest & Propitiation, & for our only King, Lord, & law-giver; avouching ye Holy Ghost for our Sanctifier, professing our subjection unto ye gospel of Christ; & yet we will walk together in a conscionable attendance upon all the ordinancy of ye Gospel, & in a member-like Com- munion helpfulness & watchfulness unto Christ.

Signed, Daniel Chapman, Joseph Lockwood, Jonathan Squire, Joshua Jennings, Henry Grey, Samuel Couch, John Andrews, Thomas Nash."

It appears that this record and covenant were found among the posthumous papers of the Rev. Mr. Chapman, and entered upon the book of church records July 7, 1742.

From the seven names under this interesting covenant, it would ap- pear that the society of the West Farm.s was formed very much upon the same basis as the societies of Massachusetts and New Haven, viz. : by choosing seven men of good repute, whom they called the seven pil- lars, which idea appears to have been based upon the scriptural passage, " Wisdom hath builded her an house, she hath hewn out seven pillars." These men were elected ofificers of the church upon their receiving the covenant, as it was called, when they were joined by others of the con- gregation in like manner. This act of receiving the covenant was the first step taken towards forming an ecclesiastical society. Thomas Nash, a great grandson of Thomas Nash, one of the first settlers at New Haven, was chosen the first deacon.

The Rev. Mr. Chapman was given a salary of £70 a year.*

1 71 7. At the meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford, May 9th, the Hon. Nathan Gold was again chosen Deputy Governor, Judge Peter Burr an Assistant, Major John Burr and Captain Joseph Wakeman repre- sentatives from Fairfield.

Major John Burr was made one of a committee to thank the Rev. Timothy Cuttler of Stratford for the great pains he had taken in an elec- tion sermon, preached upon the opening of the Assembly, and to ask for a copy for publication.

Mr. Benjamin Fairweather was appointed a cornet player and Mr., John Taylor quartermaster for the Fairfield County troops.

* Appendix — Genealogical.

46 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [i/i?

It was made a law that every society, or parish, consisting of seventy families in the colony should keep a school eleven months in the year, and where there were fewer families not less than half the year.*

Major Gold was appointed Chief Judge of the Superior Courts and Judge Peter Burr Judge of the Fairfield County Courts.

Difficulties and perplexities having arisen on account of persons pur- chasing and obtaining Indian titles to lands w'ithout the consent of the Assembly, it was enacted : " That all lands in this government are holden of the King of Great Britain as the lord of the fee," and, therefore, that no valid deed could be given from the Indians, on pretence of their being native proprietors, without the consent of the General Assembly, t

The Judges of the Superior Court were allowed £150 salary for the year.

At the fall session of the Assembly, held at New Haven, October loth, the following law^ was passed :

" That all non-residents, who came to trade in the colony, should pay a custom duty of I2J. 6 d. on every hundred pounds worth of goods, & so proportionably, for all greater or lesser quantities. And that every hawker, peddler, petty chapman, or other trading person, going from town to town, either on foot or with a horse or horses, carrying wares or merchandize for sale, should appear & declare the value of his goods before some assistant or Justice of the Peace of the town he entered & pay the sum of 20s. for every hundred pounds worth of goods, one-fifth of said tax to be paid to the Assistant or Justice of the Peace & the remainder to the colony treasury4

It was also made a law that all stray horses, cattle, or swine should be impounded, & cried for twenty days by the constable of that town, and the next two neighboring towns, ■' with the age and colour of said horse or creature & all his marks natural or artificial." If no owner could be found, then the stray animal was to be sold at a public auction.

An act was passed : that in case a husband or wife went away, & remained beyond the seas over seven years, so that there was every reason to believe that the absent party was dead, a second marriage was adjudged lawful. Or in case a husband or wife sailed for some foreign port, & neither the ship or the party who had sailed in it was heard from within three years, so that there was every reason to believe said party was dead, then the living wife or husband should be esteemed single. & be able to lawfully marry again; upon consent of the Superior Courts. §

At the same time a resolution was offered in regard to evangelizing the Indians, which was referred to the next October court. In the mean- time the Governor and Council were desired to consider and draw up what they judged most proper and effectual to that cnd.||

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1717-1725, p. 10. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1717-1725, p. 13. X Col. Rec. Conn., 1717-1725, p. 23. ^ Col. Rec. Conn., 1717-1725, p. 27. II Col. Rec. Conn., 1717-1725, p. 31.

I7I7] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 47

In October the Governor and Council, having laid before the As- sembly several measures for bringing the Indians in the colony to the knowledge of the gospel, which they represented was the avowed design of those who had obtained the Connecticut patent, they proceeded to pass laws for the furtherance of this project. It was ordered :

" That care should be taken annually, by the officers of each town, to convene the Indian inhabitants & to acquaint them with the laws of the government for punishing such immoralities as they shall be guilty of;" & make them sensible, "that no exemption from the penalties of such laws lies for them any more than for others of his Majestie's sub- jects."

It was also made a law that any person found guilty of selling strong drink to an Indian, " either by the testimony of one person, with other strong circumstances, or by the accusation of any Indian," should pay the penalty of twenty shillings. In case the con- victed person should appeal to the County Court & judgment be pronounced against him, he was then to pay the sum of forty shillings, the money to be divided equally between the informer — whether an Englishman or an Indian, & the county treasury."

As idleness was accounted *' a great obstruction to the Indians re- ceiving the gospel truth," it was thought that they might " be brought off from their pagan manner of living " if they were encouraged to make settlements in villages after the English fashion. It was, therefore, re- solved :

" That measures shall be used to form villages of the natives, wherein their several families should have suitable portions of land appropriated to them, so that the said por- tions should descend from the father to his children, & the more to encourage them to apply themselves to husbandry & good diligence therein to their support." The Judges of the Superior Court, or any two of them, were appointed to view the said tracts of lands, visit the Indians living on them, take account of the number of their families and persons, of the quantity and quality of said lands, with other circumstances thereof, in respect of any claims made thereto, or possession held thereon, and lay a plan of the same before the General Court for their further direction ; " & that they may be the better enabled to pro- ceed in forming a village of the said Indians there, & bring them to such civil order, co- habitation & industry, as may facilitate the setting up of the gospel ministry among them, & that they view & make report of all the land formerly sequestered to said Indians."*

At a meeting of the Governor and Council at New London, Decem- ber 14th, Deputy Governor Nathan Gold of Fairfield was one of the Judges of the Superior Court appointed to this service.

It was found necessary at this time to erect suitable court-houses in the county tow-ns of Hartford, New Haven, New London and Fairfield. It was, therefore, enacted that a quantity of ungranted land in the colony should be sold for this purpose, out of the proceeds of which £300 should

* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1716-1725, pp. 15, 31, 32-40.

48 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1718

be granted to erect a court-house at Fairfield. Fifty pounds was allowed for furnishing it. Two hundred pounds was also allowed to he divided among the schools of the towns.*

At a town meeting held " December 13, Moses Dimon, Jacob Sterling, Luke Cuire & Nathaniel Lyon were given liberty to erect a saw mill on the Aspetuck river in the mile of common, & to raise ye dam so high, as they shall think needful, for the improvement of said mill." t

1 71 8. About this time a very interesting and valuable acquisition to the society of Fairfield was gained in the person of Dr. James Laborie. He settled at Stratford about 1703. For his usefulness as a surgeon of the Connecticut troops in her Majesty's service at Wood Creek, in ]\Iay of 1 7 10, he was granted by the General Assembly three shillings and four pence per day. He was appointed, with Dr. Samuel Mather, sur- geon of the Connecticut troops against Port Royal in August of 1710. In March of 171 1 the General Council at Hartford ordered that he should be paid forty shillings for his good services as chaplain on board the transport " Brigantine Mary," in the expedition against Port Royal. In the following August he was granted ten pounds a month in money by the General Assembly for his services in the expedition against Canada. He was also allowed " a suit of regimental clothes gratis," and one month's pay in advance. His medical diploma, dated London, 1697, w^hich was recorded by the Clerk of the Fairfield County Court in 171 3, is written in Latin, and represents him to have been the son of a cele- brated physician of France. The same year the town of Stratford granted him liberty " to build a pew " in the Congregational meeting-house, where Mr. Blacklatch, a churchman of Stratford, had a pew. He left Stratford and came to reside in Fairfield in 1718.^ The same year he purchased of " Mr. Isaac Jennings the stone house on the rocks," which. in a letter to the Secretary of the Church of England, he says " he had destined to the service of the Church of England." On the town records we find the following vote: " Dec. 16. 171 8. The town grants unto Dr. Labarree ye ups of what land he cnfenced ajoining to his orchard in Fairfield during ye town's pleasure." §

No sooner had Dr. Laborie settled at Fairfield than he began the labor of Christianizing the Indians in this region. He also gathered such

* Col. Rec. Conn. 1716-1725, p. 36. \ Fairfield Town Records.

X History of the Protestant Episcopal Church, by IJishops Francis L. Hawks and William S. Perry, pp. 80-S3. § Fairfield Town Records.

I

I7i8] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 49

persons as favored the Church of Enghmd at his house on the Sabl)ath, and with them used the services of the Church. In this work, however, he was soon silenced by Lieutenant-Governor Nathan Gold, who used him not over tenderly; but he patiently abided his time, as will be shown hereafter.*

The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 8th. The Hon. Nathan Gold was elected Deputy Governor, Judge Peter Burr an Assistant, and Captain Joseph Wakeman and Lieutenant John Edwards representatives from Fairfield. Justice Nathan Gold was made Chief Judge of tlie Supe- rior Court. Judge Peter Burr was chosen one of the auditors for the colony treasury and Judge of the Fairfield County Courts.

At the October Assembly, held in New Haven, Fairfield was fully represented in both houses. " In consideration of the good services of the late Captain Nathaniel Seeley, formerly of Fairfield, who lost his life in the service of the country," the Assembly granted his heirs two hun- dred acres of land, to be taken up in the ungranted land in the counties of Fairfield or New Haven. t

Mr. John Taylor was confirmed lieutenant of the cavalry troops, and Mr. Gershom Bulkley quartermaster for Fairfield County.

Judge Peter Burr having been appointed one of four to burn £792 ys sd. of the old bills of credit, a report was made that they had " burned & utterly destroyed them."

At a Council held at New Haven, October 27th, a petition was pre- sented from the proprietors of the salt meadows of Pine Creek, above the new dam, and of the low meadows adjoining, called Wolf Swamp, and Reed's pond in Fairfield, that commissioners be appointed for drain- ing said meadows, which was granted. +

Judge Burr was by the General Council made one of a committee to settle the division line between New York and Connecticut.

Yale College having become the central educational institution of all the towns in the Connecticut colony, and having from its foundation been largely supported by Fairfield, a more particular mention of this insti- tution has been interwoven with the educational interests of our town than might otherwise be deemed justifiable. The Rev. Joseph Webb was not only one of its founders, but one of its most active trustees during a period of nearly thirty years. He made long journeys on horseback to

* Appendix — Geneal0gic.1l. f Col. Rec. Conn., 1716-1725, p. 71.

t Col. Rec. Conn. 1717-1725. p. 89.

50 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1719

Saybrook, W'cthersfield, Hartford and New Haven, in order to meet with the other trustees and advise with them for the welfare of the college.

Lieutenant Governor Nathan Gold, Judge Peter Burr, Major John Burr and Captain John Wakeman, with many other leading Fairfielders, were appointed to important trusts connected with the affairs of the college.

At the opening of the General Assembly in IMaj', 1716, the Rev. Timothy Woodbridge, ^Ir. Thomas Buckingham & other trustees placed before them the languishing condition of the College at Saybrook, & petitioned that a committee be appointed to examine into the circumstances of this unhappy state of the college. It was represented that, as Hart- ford was situated niore in the center of the Colony & surrounded with many flourishing towns, which would undoubtedly send a large number of students, the college should be located there instead of at Saybrook. It was also thought that if it was located at Hart- ford quite a number of people from Massachusetts would send their sons there to be educated ; & that some six or seven hundred pounds had already been subscribed, with good reason to expect other consideral)le donations, which would make up a thousand pounds more.

1719. " It appears that the causes attributed to the languishing condition of the Collegiate School, were not only a want of funds to carry on the institution, but a general dissatisfaction with its location at Saybrook. Many of the students were obliged to board a mile or more from the college, while those who lived near Hartford & Wethersfield, said that it was a hardship for them to be obliged to reside at Saybrook, when they could as well or better be instructed nearer home." In April of 1717, by a vote of six of the trustees, the college was removed to New Haven. Owing to the dissatisfaction of some of the trustees to this movement, an appeal was made to the General Assembly the follow- ing October, when, " A question being put whether under the present circumstances of the artairs of the Collegiate School, the reverend trustees be advised to proceed in that affair & finish the house they have built in New Haven for the entertainment of their scholars belonging to the collegiate school." It was voted " that the work should continue."

From a marginal note in the Connecticut Colonial Records the fol- lowing important facts of what took j^lace at that time in regard to the Collegiate School is to be gathered in reference to the above note:

" This passed the Lower House in the affirmative by 36 voices. Two days previously the representatives had resolved to .settle the college at Middletown by a vote of 35 for that place, & 32 for New Haven. At the session of May, 1717, they had voted that it might be most for the public good & the health of the collegiate school, to have it settled in

some place at or near the Connecticut river. In May. 1718, the House considering the

great dissatisfaction of the country in general, do conclude that in order to [the collegel flourishing & having the support of this government, it must be settled somewhere near the Coimccticut river, and that for the present & until it be so settled, the hundred pounds granted to the tutors for the year 1716, shall be divided between the tutors at Wethersfield, Saybrook & New Haven, according to the proportion of scholars under their tuition; & that it may be recommended to the reverend trustees, that the commcncemenls be inter-

1719] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 5 1

changeably one year at Wethersfield, & one year at New Haven till it be further settled to the satisfaction of this Assembly." "This was passed by 35 voices against 21."*

In 1718 the General Assembly ordered the students to repair to New Haven; but there appears to have been a considerable opposition to this order on the part of some of the students, who had placed themselves under the tuition of Mr. Elisha Williams of Wethersfield. The concilia- tory acts of the legislature, however, united with the wisdom and pru- dence of Mr. Webb and some others of the trustees, overcame much of the opposition. The building of the college now rapidly progressed, and the hall and library were finished by commencement time. " The build- ing was 170 feet in length & 22 feet in breadth. It was three stories in height, with a convenient & spacious hall, a library, about fifty studies in large chambers, & a kitchen." It was altogether a very fine and elegant building for those days. Mr. Henry Caner of Stratford was the builder of the college, and its cost was about one thousand pounds sterling.

Only a few days before Commencement, to the great delight of the rector, tutors and students, there arrived at Boston, from England, '' a large box of books, the picture & arms of King George, & two hundred pounds sterling worth of English goods, all to the value of eight hun- dred pounds in our money, from Governor Yale of London."

Governor Saltonstall and his lady, the Hon. Colonel Taylor of Bos- ton, Mr. Joseph Webb, Lieutenant-Governor Nathan Gold, Judge Peter Burr, Major John Burr, Richard Hubbell, Esq., and the whole Superior Court were present at the Commencement, which took place September 10, 1 718, when, in the presence of all assembled in the new hall upon this happy occasion, the Collegiate School was named Yale College, to perpetuate the memory of its liberal and bountiful donor, Governor Elihu Yale. Colonel Taylor represented Governor Yale in an appropriate speech, after which the audience proceeded to the church, where the Commencement exercises took place. " In which ofifice, in the first place, after prayer an oration was had by the saluting orator, James Pierpont, & then the disputations follow as usual; which concluded, the Rev. Mr. Davenport (one of the trustees & ministers of Stamford) ofifered an ex- cellent oration in Latin, expressing their thanks to Almighty God & Mr. Yale under Him, for so public a favor, & so great regard to our lan- guishing school. After which were graduated ten young men ; where- upon the Hon. Gov. Saltonstall, in a Latin speech, congratulated the

* Journals L. H., 1717-1718.

52 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1719

Trustees on their success & in the comfortable appearance of things with relation to their school. All which ended, the gentlemen returned to the College Hall, where they were entertained with a splendid dinner. & the ladies, at the same time were also entertained in the Library ; after which they sang the four first verses in the 65th Psalm. & so the day ended."*

Strange to relate, the disaffected trustees and students at the same time held a Commencement at Wethersfield, upon which occasion Mr. Woodbridge and Mr. Buckingham gave degrees to those whom they graduated.

Party feeling ran high for some time about having the college at New Haven, which was eventually happily settled. The Rev. Mr. Tim- othy Cutler was chosen rector of the college.t Several grants of land were made by the Assembly to be sold for its benefit, and there was every prospect of its becoming a flourishing institution.

The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 14th. Hon Nathan Gold was elected Deputy Governor, Judge Peter Burr an Assistant, and Major John Burr and Captain Joseph Wakeman representatives from Fairfield.

A law was passed entitled, " An act for the better Ordering of Idle & Poor Persons in the towns of the colony," by which all such persons were placed under the care of the selectmen of each town and their es- tates improved for their benefit and their families. No one in health was allowed to be idle.

Taxes having been levied from lime to time for the re])ayment of the bills of credit issued in May and June, 1711, and October of 1713. as they should be drawn in, a further tax was levied of twopence on all tax- able estates in the colony.

Judge Peter Burr was made one of a committee to examine the re- turned bills of credit and to burn such as were of no value.

A further act for issuing bills of credit was passed. Mr. Timothy Green of New London was instructed to procure the best paper from Boston to print them on. It was also resolved that the engraved plates, then in the possession of William Dummer, Esq.. son of Jeremiah Dum- mer, deceased, in whose care they had been left, should be safely con- veyed to New London for the use of the government. Mr. Timothy

* 'rnimbiill's Hist. Conn., N'ol. II, p|). 22-33. ^''>1- l'^'-"^- Conn., \ol. 1710-1725, pp. 30-83. t Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1716-1725, pi>. loi, 159.

1719] CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 53

Green was placed under oath for the faithful discharge of printing the new bills of credit for the colony.*

The Hon, Nathan Gold was appointed Chief Judge of the Superior Court and Judge of the Fairfield County Court, Judge Peter Burr of the County Courts, and Mr. Richard Osborn was made a Justice of the Peace for Fairfield County.

A committee was appointed by the town of Fairfield to renew the bounds of the parsonage lands within the township.

The Rev. Samuel Cook, having been chosen to succeed the late Rev. Charles Chauncey of Stratfield, the town granted him, " for his encour- agement in the ministry, the whole right of the herbage of Golden Hill, both meadow & upland, during the town's pleasure. "t

A long and vexed question — since 1709 — in regard to land and islands at Maxumus on Green's Farms, was settled at this time by Joseph Bishop of Stamford, David Sherman of Stratfield and Edmund Lewis of Strat- ford, with the Couch claimants, by which the Couches gained meadow lands. " & all the islands of marsh in Compo Creek," dated September 17, 1719.+

The General Assembly met at New Haven October 8th, when Fair- field was fully represented.

The election sermon preached before the Assembly by Rev. Timothy Cutler, Rector of Yale College, from the g2d Psalm, verse 5th, " his thoughts being very deep," was ordered to be printed. §

The taxable estates at Fairfield were valued at £21,084 2.y. od.

Wednesday, April 13, of 1720, was appointed a pubhc fast day throughout the colony.

* Col. Rec. Conn., 1717-1725, p. 133. f Fairfield Town Votes.

X Fairfield Town Records. § Col. Rec. Conn., 1717-1725, p. 148.

CHAPTER IX 1720— 1730

CHURCH AND STATE

Green's Farms Church. — Court House. — General Assembly officers. — Upper and Lower Houses of Assembly. — Trouble with Indians. — Increased taxes on liquor. — Fast day. — Fairfield school land patent. — Contribution to Yale College. — Beliefs and customs of the Established Church of the Colony.^A summary of their persecutions. — Church of England vigorously maintained. — Opposition of the Established Church. — Laws against the Rogerenes. — Tithingmen. — Punishment for non-observance of the ecclesiastical colony laws. — .Superior Courts. — Trouble with the eastern Indians. — County troops. — Fast Day. — Yale College converts to the Church of England. — Rev. George Pigot. — His letters to England. — Persecution of Church of Eng- land members. — Rev. Joseph Webb's letter. — Rev. Mr. Pigot's and Dr. Laborie's letters. — Duties of upper and lower houses of Assembly. — School money. — Judge Peter Burr elected Chief Justice. — Death of Justice Nathan Gold. — Public tax. — Land grant to heirs of Justice Nathan Gold. — Value of Fairfield estates. — Rev. Samuel Johnson. — His letters. — State and military officers. — Parliament oath taken. — Sheriff of Fairfield. — Laws for Indians. — Military sent against eastern Indians. — Signal of friendly Indians. — Massachusetts calls for military assistance. — Death of Justice Peter Burr. — Troops sent against eastern Indians. — Greenfield petitions for parish privileges. — Rev. Noah Hobart an assistant to Rev. Mr. Webb. — Captain Samuel Couch's land patent. — Thanksgiving Day. — -"Opening of the Church of England and location. — Laws against swearing. — Official fees. — Admission of strangers. — Northwest parish (Greenfield) embody in church and state. — Covenant. — Rev. John Goodsell. — Church officers. — How to warn new societies. — Value of Fairfield estates. — Greenfield meeting-house. — Growth of the Church of England. — Taxation without representation. — Rev. Dr. Johnson's letters. — Petition of Church of England officers. — Petition granted. — Northwest parish named Greenfield. — Death of George I. — Accession of George II. celebrated at New Haven. — House of Correction. — Earthquake and its effects. — Lottery evils. — Churchmen persecuted. — Mr. Caner's letters. — Public notifications. — Probate Court of Stamford. — Lotteries forbidden. — Viciousness of the Indians.— Reading petitions to be made a parish. — Fairfield County enlarged. — Requisites of a freeholder. — Reading made a parish. — Official fees. — Freeman's rights.

1720. The inhabitants of Green's Farms, or the west parish, had the satisfaction this year of seeing their meeting-house finished. It had pre- viously been a rude structure, but now it was finished with galleries and seats. Ensign Rumsey was invited " to sit under the desk, where he used to sit . . . & that Capt. Samuel Couch, John Lockwood & Lieutenants Nash &: Andrews should sit under the desk on the west side."

i72o] CHURCH AND STATE 55

A commodious court-house was also erected on the Fairfield AliHtary Green and situated behind the present Town House.

At a meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford, May 12th, Judge Nathan Gold was again elected Deputy Governor and Chief Judge of the Superior Courts in Fairfield County, and Major John Burr and Captain Samuel Couch representatives from Fairfield.

Major John Burr was made one of the public treasury auditors. Judge Peter Burr was chosen Judge of the County Court.

Major John Burr, with four others, was appointed to receive and destroy the old bills of credit which had been returned to the treasury.

An act was passed for forming the lower house or house of represen- tatives to the General Assembly, that when the new State House was finished at Hartford they should meet at eight o'clock in the morning on election day in the chamber set apart for them, and choose a speaker and clerk for the session.

It appears that since the Treaty of Utrecht, in 1713, there had ex- isted more or less ill-will between the French of Canada and their Indian allies, which caused frequent alarms along the frontier towns of the New England colonies. The English attributed the existing troubles to the influence of one Father Sebastian Ralle and the French Jesuits, while the French Canadians laid all the blame to the ever encroaching spirit of the English in acquiring territory by unlawful means.* The Indian dep- redations became at this time more and more alarming, so that the inhabitants of Danbury made an appeal to the Governor and Council for protection. They represented that Chicken, living in Fairfield County near Danbury, had received two belts of wampum from Indians west of the Hudson, and asking for permission to come and live within the Con- necticut colony. Major John Burr, with three other gentlemen, were forthwith ordered to visit " the Potatuck & Wiantinuck & Poquannuck Indians, & cause the said Chicken, to whom the belts & message were sent, to disclose all he & his tribe had learned of the design of their Indian visitors, & to order them to attend the next meeting of the General As- sembly." Major Burr was requested " to return home by way of Dan- bury, & to quiet the inhabita,nts there & those near them, of their appre- hensions of danger from the Indians." t

The General Court met October 13th at New Haven, when Deputy

* Hollister's History of Connecticut, Vol. I., pp. 382-3S9. f Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1716-1725, p. 203.

56 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD 1 1720

Governor Gold, Peter Burr as Assistant, and Captain Joseph Wakeman and Captain Samuel Couch were present.

The alarming increase of intemperance in the colony led to renewed effort to suppress it, and at this time a tax of fifteen pounds was levied on every hogshead of rum imported into the colony, one-tenth part of which should be paid to the naval officers and the remainder to the colony treasurer. Any evasion of this law led to the confiscation of the liquor.

Wednesday, April i9rh, was ordered by proclamation to be set a])art as a day of public fasting throughout the colony.

At the sitting of this court the Fairfield members were so fortunate as to obtain a patent for their school lands; which land was "to be im- proved for the use & behoof of a Grammar School to be kept in said town, & for no other use whatsoever." As no particular persons were named to whom the patent should be granted, the Court ordered " that a patent be granted to the Hon. Nathan Gold Esqr., Peter Burr Esqr., Major John Burr, Capt. Joseph Wakeman, Capt. Moses Dimon, & Lieut. Jon- athan Sturges, all of Fairfield, & their heirs at the common law, to hold the said six hundred acres of land for the use aforesaid."*

It was voted that as a suitable dwelling-house was needed for the use of the rector of Yale College, a collection should be made in July in all the towns in the colony for this purpose, of which Fairfield paid her share.

In order to comprehend the history of the ecclesiastical affairs of Fairfield at this time, we must turn to the earliest records of the colony. One of the first steps taken by a colony in beginning a settlement was to enter into a mutual covenant " in the presence of God, to walk to- gether in all His ways, according as He was pleased to reveal Himself in His blessed word of truth."

Before a company was allowed to enter upon the work of a new set- tlement, the General Court required that they should prove themselves capable of colonizing a town and maintaining a clergyman. The neces- sary number to form a church, it was thought, " should be of no greater number than may ordinarily meet together conveniently in one place, nor ordinarily fewer than may conveniently carry on church work." Those who entered into covenant for the maintenance of a church were not admitted as church members, nor allowed the i)rivilege of partaking of the Lord's Supper, or to present their children in baptism until they

♦<ol. Rec. Conn., Vol. 1716-1725, p. 243.

1720] CHURCH AND STATE - 57

had made a public profession of a change of heart. Each parish was com- posed of a body of members independent and separate from all other parishes, which elected and ordained its own officers. The duties of the officers were to admit, govern, censure and expel its members, as well as to make such laws as should be for the benefit of the church. They acknowledged the necessity of synods or general councils in weighty matters, but regarded the discipline of every church to be vested " in the church alone," and not subject to any outside influence. For these reasons they were called Congregationalists.

The earliest parishes generally supported two ministers, one called a pastor and the other a teacher. There were one or more ruling elders, as well as deacons, who shared with the pastor and teacher the govern- ment and discipline of the church. " The office of the pastor was to work upon the wills and affections of his people, that his hearers might be led to love & praise the truth; while that of the teacher was to expound the doctrines of Christianity, & particularly to explain the scriptures." The office of the latter was at an early date merged into that of the pastor.

Their ministers were men of education, many of whom were gradu- ates of Oxford and Cambridge in England. Some of them were men of distinction, who were wealthy and gave largely of their means towards the support of their congregations. Voluntary contributions, however, were taken up every Sabbath for some years for the maintenance of ministers. In 1644 t'he commissioners of the United Colonies met at Hartford and passed a law: "That those who were taught in the word in the several plantations should be called together, that every man vol- untarily set down what he is willing to allow to that end, &c., & if any man refuse to pay a meet proportion, that then he be rated by authoritv in some just & equal way, & if after this any man withhold or delay due payment the civil power is to be exercised as in other just debts."

The ministers were not at first ordained by other ministers, accord- ing to the custom of the present day. but by the officers of the congre- gations by whom they were elected; and when without officers, by pri- vate members laying on of hands. Each minister was a layman to all the world but to his congregation. They were not regarded as ministers before their election over a congregation or after their resignation.

The office of the ruling elder was to maintain the discipline of the church, to watch the walk and conversation of its members, to admin-

58 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD bl'°

ister to the spiritual and temporal needs of the sick, and in the absence of the pastor to expound the scriptures, and to exhort and pray with the congregation. The deacons conducted the prudential affairs of the church and provided for the poor. All the officers of the church were set apart to their trusts with the most solemn services.

In religious views our ancestors were Calvinists. The doctrines of original sin, total depravity, election and predestination, particular re- demption, effectual calling and perseverance of saints, formed the basis of many lengthy and most earnest sermons. They aimed to control society by the discipline of the Mosaic law.

Finding, as they concluded, no scriptural ground for calling a house of worship a church, they adopted the name of Meeting-House instead. And as only church members were allowed to hold civil offices, that they might be controlled by true wisdom and righteousness in all their acts, their public meetings and elections were held in the Meeting- House. It was the custom for many years in Fairfield to hold a town meeting immediately after the week-day prayer meeting, which was regularly appointed on Wednesday evening by a vote of the town.

The first churches were necessarily of a rude and simple style of architecture, and for many years were stifif and bare of ornament of any kind. In the place of the high altar of the Romanist overshadowed with cherubims, rose a pulpit which elevated the head of the preacher almost to the ceiling. When in the course of time the Meeting House required more room than the members could conveniently find within its walls, galleries were introduced. And many undoubtedly remember the two boxes in each corner over the main entrance above the galleries, which were set apart for the sons and daughters of Africa. Pews or slips and square sittings with high backs took the place of the first long benches without backs.*

It was the custom of Puritan ministers to explain passages in the Bible as they read them to the people. Not to do so was to bring re- proach upon their calling, it being regarded as conforming to the old usages of the churches they had forsaken. Their desire was to make plain the word of God to all men. To read a chapter or psalm from the Bible without explanation was called dumh-ycadiui^.

The act of exhorting the people was called prophecy. Officers and private members of churches were called upon to prophesy. It was the

* ralfrty, History of New England.

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custom when a neighboring clergyman officiated, after the singing of a psalm, for the ruHng elder of the congregation to say : " If this present brother hath any word of exhortation, let him say on." And the ex- hortation was called prophecy.

Our forefathers believed in early infant baptism. They were not wholly able to shake off the customs of the religion in which they had been trained, consequently they were much more strict than the Con- gregationalists of the present day. Palfrey says : " Their children were baptized in the meeting-house but a few days after their birth, & some- times the very day following. If a child was born on the Sabbath it was baptized on that day." Great care was taken of the children of their slaves. The church records in Fairfield, Green's Farms and the neigh- boring towns ofifer many interesting proofs of the above statements.

During the communion service the fashion of sitting while receiving the elements was observed. This was thought to be the most fitting posture, and the idea seems to have originated from the custom of the Jews at the Passover feast, and because our Saviour is represented as sitting while he instituted the Sacrament. Another reason for this pos- ture was to do away with eucharistical adoration.

Of forms our ancestors had a real horror. A surplice was to them but the invention of the Evil One. The cross, which but reminds us of the sufferings of the Redeemer of the World, was allowed no place within or without their houses of worship, lest some ignorant soul break the second commandment by bowing down to it, and thus commit the sin of idolatry.

The Lord's Day, or Sabbath, was a day of great solemnity among our ancestors. Their Sabbath commenced at six o'clock on Saturday evening and continued until six o'clock on Sunday evening. The big oven in the kitchen was opened for an array of bread, meats, cakes and pies on Saturday morning to be baked, for no cooking was allowed on the Sabbath until the services of the day were over. A cold lunch was served in the place of a dinner. But upon their return home from the afternoon service they made up for any deficit in that respect by a boun- tiful hot supper. Those who came from Stratfield, Greenfield and Green's Farms, before those places were incorporated as separate parishes, rode to church on horseback, and carried their lunches in their saddle-bags. The children were taught their Sunday-school lessons on Saturday after- noon. The little ones used the short Assembly Catechism and the older

6o HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1720

children the long Westminster Assembly Catechism. They were also required to commit to memory one or more passages of scripture, be- sides a hymn or psalm, as well as to remember the texts on the Sabbath and learn them by heart after church was over.

One of the most pleasing recollections of their Sabbath was the noon gatherings in the summer of neighbors and friends who lived long dis- tances apart, under the shade trees of the Meeting-House Green, where in groups scattered here and there friendly greetings were exchanged and the repose of the Sabbath enjoyed until the roll of the drum called them into the church for the afternoon service. In the winter they gathered in the Sabbath Day house and in the houses of hospitable relatives and friends,*

The young men were not allowed to stand at the entrance of the meeting-house to comment on those who came to church, and to make public their want of reverence for the place and for those who entered within. The delinquent, who so far forgot the honor due to the house of God and to his betters, was ordered into church by the sentinels on duty, and if he forgot himself in church he was melted into propriety by the fixed gaze of the minister, the ruling elders and the deacons, as well as the constables, the grand jurors and tithing men, whose duty it was to watch for such offenders.

The efYort made by the Church of England in the reign of Edward the Sixth to restore the simple ritual of her ancient church, which her bishops and clergy declared to St. Augustine in the fifth century they had received through Lyons from the Apostle St. John, was the first glimmer of light which preceded the Reformation in England. To re- store the old ritual, not to destroy, was the aim of those good men who sacrificed life and fortune in order to throw off the power and errors of the Church of Rome.

The name of Protestant, which originated at the diet of Spires in Germany, when a protest was raised against further innovations on the part of Rome until the convocation of an Ecumenical council could be

* Many comments in both religious and secular publications are maile now-a-days about the solemnity of the Puritan .Sabbath ; but the worldings of to-day, who know nothing of the peace and happiness of a New England Sabbath are incapable of forming any idea of the happiness of keeping a hallowed Lord's iMy, with its sweet communion with CJod, nature and loved friends. It "hal- lowed all the week to come," and made life's burdens lighter. There was nothing lost in keeping God's commandment " Thou shalt keep the Sabbath Day holy," but a peace and joy was gained, which comes only in obeying this holy will. — Author.

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called, extended to all classes opposed to the new dogmas of the Church of Rome.

In the reign of Queen Elizabeth the Protestants were divided into two parties, those who favored the ritual order of the Church of Eng- land, which had been adopted in the reign of Edward the Sixth, and those who desired to cast aside any ritual whatever, in order to carry out what they conceived to be a purer and more simple form of worship. The desire of the latter was not at first to separate from the Church of Eng- land, but to gain pre-eminence in ecclesiastical power. In 1567, how- ever, this separation took place, and those who seceded from the church were first called Separatists. The name of Puritan also was given them, from their rigid views in regard to a religious life, as well as to their strict observance of the Sabbath. This name was first applied to those small bodies of Protestants who fled from England to the Continent dur- ing the reign of the Bloody Mary. Under the reign of Queen Elizabeth they were treated with great rigor, which but alienated their affe.ctions and caused them to cling all the more closely to their religious views. They had hoped for brighter days when King James the First, who had been partly educated under Presbyterian influence, ascended the throne. But this hope faded away under the severity of the persecutions he caused them to endure. The marriage of Charles the First to Henrietta Maria, the beautiful daughter of Henry the Great of France, was an offence in the eyes of the Puritans, and under her influence, and that of Archbishop Laud's mistaken zeal and want of gentleness for the interests of the Church of England, they turned their thoughts towards America. Here thev hoped to establish a church in which they might worship their Maker without restraint from king or prelate.

At the present day we must look back upon all ecclesiastical bodies of that age as lacking in those great essentials of Christianity embodied in the new commandment of our Redeemer. " Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." The age in which Puritanism had its rise was one of great religious intolerance. Whichever ecclesiastical body was in the ascendancy for the time being was chronicled with such persecutions towards those who differed from them in religious thought as cannot give any one of them an exalted place in history as having been the pos- sessors of those lovable traits which our Saviour left as a guide upon the inspired pages of His Holy Word.

The reign of Bloody Mary was marked with most cruel persecutions

62 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1720

towards all who differed from the prescribed views of the Romanists. No less than three hundred Protestants suffered by fire at the stake, among whom were Archbishop Cranmer, Bishops Latimer, Hooker and Ridley.

The reig-n of Elizabeth, while much more mild than that of Mary towards those who differed with her in religious beliefs, was harsh and intolerant towards the Puritans. Many were imprisoned, some were ban- ished and others were hanged. The Queen declared: "that she would maintain the religion that she was crowned in, & that she was baptized in; & would suppress the Papistical religion that it should not grow; but that she would root out Puritanism, & the favorers thereof." It was during the latter part of her reign that the Rev. John Robinson and his devoted flock fled to Leyden in Holland, and who from the repeated efforts they made to leave England at this time, and in the early part of the reign of James the First, and finally to seek a home in the wilder- ness of America, have most justly been called The Pilgrim Fathers of New England.

The severity which characterized the reign of James the First, who professed even to hate the name of Puritan, caused many of those who bore this dread name to flee to Holland and finally to America.

The harsh measures pursued by Archbishop Laud in the reign of Charles the First, when the Puritans were fined, whipped, pilloried and imprisoned, is most saddening to contemplate. The barbarities inflicted upon Leighton, and afterwards upon Prynne, Bostwick and Burton, al- though accused of publishing schismatic and seditious libels, are without excuse.

But when the Puritans gained the ascendancy all righteous souls to this day have felt a chill of horror run through every vein when the mild, vacillating Charles First, through the power of the victorious Cromwell and the Puritans, was brought to the cruel block. Burnet says of this unhappy monarch : " He was much inclined to a middle way between Protestants & Papists, by which he lost the one without gaining the other."

The revenge of the persecuted Prynne, when he gained power over the aged Archbishop Laud, finds no excuse among Christian writers. The banishment of that good man, Roger Williams, who appears to have risen above the persecuting spirit of the age in which he lived, is a blot u])on the historic pages of Massachusetts. The banishment also of so

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afflicted and unfortunate a lady as Mrs. Ann Hutchinson, by which she and her household became the victims of savage rage, was an act of in- tolerance lamentable in the extreme. The persecutions endured by the Quakers and the Baptists at the hands of our ancestors history cannot overlook.

These instances have been recalled lest some of us attribute to our forefathers a greater degree of Christian charity towards those who dif- fered from them in religious thought, which, in reality, they did not pos- sess. At the same time we must recall the severity of the persecutions they had endured in England, and the age in which they lived.

In contrast to the gay Cavaliers of the court of King Charles, the Puritans assumed an austerity of dress and religious deportment which became a subject of jest among the court attendants. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, " affected a gaiety & freedom of manner inconsistent with Puritanical ideas, & in order to show their contempt of Puritanical austerity, often carried their convivial humor to an indecent excess." The name of Puritan, therefore, became a term of reproach to those bodies of Christians who were called Independents, Presbyterians and Brown- ists or Congregationalists. The Puritans looked with equal contempt upon the Cavaliers, whom they regarded as an abandoned set of profli- gates, as many of them in truth were. The Puritans accepted the Bible only as their guide, and established church law and discipline according to the light which they received from its sacred pages. In dress and manners as well as in church decoration they aimed to be the opposite of the Church of Rome and the Church of England. Reform was their watchword, and everything was reformed but the heart of man, which leaves in the history of each century traces of its original father Adam.

There are many who are too much inclined to cavil at the idea that the Pilgrim Fathers and the Puritans sought the shores of New England purely to escape the religious persecutions of the mother country. That there were many adventurers who joined them from time to time, who were often a source of great discomfort as well as detriment in keeping peace at home and with the Indians, is a well-established historical fact. But no one can deny that those of Robinson's congregation, who set- tled at Plymouth, the Rev. Mr. John Wareham and his congregation, of whom the historian, Trumbull, says, " this was an honorable body," and the congregation of the famous preacher, Thomas Hooker, fled to New England purely and solely that they might escape from the perse-

64 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD [1721

eutions of the intolerant religious spirit inflicted upon them in England. From these three congregations the earliest settlers of Fairfield separated. Some of them were among that memorable company of about one hun- dred, men, women and children, who left Cambridge with the Rev. Mr. Hooker and his assistant, Mr. Stone, and who made their way through the trackless wilderness to Wethersfield, Windsor and Hartford with no guide but their compass, no covering but the canopy of heaven and the overshadowing forest, " nor any lodgings but those which simple nature afforded them."

To vigorously maintain their ecclesiastical views the Pilgrim Fathers and those of the Massachusetts Bay Colony were influenced at an early date to make the Congregational Church the established church of those settlements. Connecticut followed their example. Therefore, the foot- hold gained by the Church of England at Stratford and Fairfield at this period caused great excitement.

1721. The General Assembly met at Hartford May nth. when the Hon. Nathan Gold was elected Deputy Governor and Chief Judge of the Superior Court, Judge Peter Burr an Assistant, and Major John Burr and Captain Joseph Wakeman representatives from Fairfield. Judge Peter Burr was made one of the treasury auditors and Judge of the Fair- field County Court, and Air. Richard Osborn Justice of the Peace for the county.

It was thought advisable at this time to make more stringent laws in regard to the observance of the Sabbath, and also to rigorously main- tain the worship of the Congregational Church of the colony, as well as to prevent the Church of England or any denomination from gaining a foothold among them. There was a growing tendency, however, towards favoring these services. Therefore the General Assembly proceeded to pass the following laws :

"Be if enacted by the Governor, Council & Representatives, in General Court assem- bled, & by the authority of the same, That whatsoever person shall not duly attend to the public worsliip of God on the Lord's day in some congregation by law allowed, unless hindered by sickness or otherwise necessarily detained, & to be therefore convicted before an assistant or Justice oT the Peace, either by confession or sufficient witnesses, or bein.u presented to such authority for such neglect, shall not be able to prove to the satisfaction of the said authority that he or she has attended the said worship, shall incur the penalty of five shillings money for every such offence.

"Be it also further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That whatsoever person shall go from his or her place of abode on the Lord's Day, unless to or from the public worship of God, attended or to be attended upon by such person in some place by law allowed for

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that end, or unless it be on some other work necessary then to be done, & be therefore convicted as aforesaid, shall incur the penalty of five shillings money for every such offence.

"Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That whatsoever persons shall on the Lord's day, under any pretence whatsoever, assemble themselves in any of the public meeting houses provided in any town, or parish or society, for the use of the minister & congregation