USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Ridgefield > The history of Ridgefield, Conn. : from its first settlement to the present time > Part 1
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Gc 974.602 R434t 1164602
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01125 7570
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyofridgefi00tell_0
Alfred H. Lee
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Ralph W. Le 1514 Norton Sa Nashua atom
١٥٠٠١-١٠
THE HISTORY
OF
RIDGEFIELD, CONN.
FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME. RT W
BY
DANIEL W. TELLER,
PASTOR OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, RIDGEFIELD, CONN.
DANBURY : T. DONOVAN. 1878.
1164602
TO
My Fellow=Townsmen,
FROM WHOM I HAVE RECEIVED SO MANY EXPRESSIONS OF KINDLY FEELING, AND OF WHOM I SHALL HAVE ALWAYS THE MOST GRATEFUL RECOLLECTIONS,
THIS LITTLE VOLUME, THE WORK OF SPARE MOMENTS,
JS
DEDICATED.
05% -0 200
Douche
t
CONTENTS.
PAGE
CHAPTER
I .- SURVEY AND PURCHASE OF LAND
3
CHAPTER
II .- SETTLEMENT.
I2
CHAPTER
III .- FURTHER PURCHASES FROM THE INDIANS ..
21
CHAPTER
IV .- COLONIAL HISTORY
3I
CHAPTER
V .- REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY .- TRYON'S INVA-
SION.
45
CHAPTER
VI .- INCIDENTS OF REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY.
.
68
CHAPTER VII .- CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 92
CHAPTER VIII .- ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH
II3
CHAPTER
IX .- METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
132
CHAPTER
X .- RIDGEBURY CHURCHES
I4I
CHAPTER
XI .- SCHOOLS OF THE TOWN
15I
CHAPTER XII .- RIDGEFIELD IN 1800. 163
CHAPTER XIII .- RIDGEFIELD IN 1855. 180
CHAPTER XIV .- TRADITION AND REMINISCENCE
202
CHAPTER XV .- TOWN RECORD IN THE WAR OF THE RE-
BELLION.
212
CHAPTER XVI .- PRESENT CONDITION OF THE TOWN.
239
APPENDIX
245
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
FRONTISPIECE-Residence of J. Howard King, Esq.
Residence of Phineas C. Lounsbury, Esq.
-East View.
Battle-ground, April 27th, 1777.
A. Resseguie's Hotel.
Residence of Dr. D. L. Adams-Late Residence of Col. Philip B. Bradley.
Residence of Hon. Joshua I. King.
Congregational Church.
St. Stephen's Church.
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Congregational Church, Ridgebury.
The "Peter Parley" House-Residence of Wm. O. Seymour, Esq. Residence of Mrs. Nathan Smith.
Residence of Henry E. Hawley, Esq.
Residence of John W. Rockwell, Esq .- Battle-ground in the dis- tance.
Town House, erected 1876.
The Lake View from West Mountain-Waccabuc in the distance. ' The Hawley Homestead "-Residence of Mrs. Irad Halsey.
INTRODUCTION.
THERE are those who love Ridgefield. No other word fully expresses their regard for the old town. Every thing done in it is of consequence, every thing written about it is of interest. They read and forget to criticise. They recog- nize in every incident of its history a gem ; rough and un- cut though it be, or tossed from its native bed by stranger hand, it is nevertheless a gem-fancy will brighten it and memory will set it. For such I have written.
A residence of nearly seven years in this beautiful town has greatly endeared it to me. Its hills and valleys have grown as familiar as the faces of its people, and if what I have written shall in any way contribute to the pleasure of my readers, I can assure them that on my part it has been also a pleasure to write.
No claim is made to originality. It has been my purpose to collect rather than to compose ; to procure from all avail- able sources such fragments of history as related to the town and arrange them in the most convenient order. The Town Records have been carefully searched, and such portions se- lected as were thought of greatest interest and value. The Colonial Records, so far as published, have also been ex- amined.
In short, every available means of information has been made use of, and I would take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to those who have so kindly aided me in
2
INTRODUCTION.
every possible way. Especially do I desire to acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. Elijah Thomas, Mr. Gould Rock- well, Mr. George Boughton, and Town Clerk Hiram K. Scott, Esq.
I am also greatly indebted to the " Library Association of the Athenæum" of Hartford, to " Hollister's History of Connecticut," which I esteem the most accurate as well as the most enjoyable history of the State, and to S. G. Good- rich's "Recollections of a Lifetime," which gives in the most pleasing manner the romance of the town.
The necessity for collecting as speedily as possible all items of history must be apparent to every one who for a moment considers the rapidity with which the opportunities for information are being diminished. Records grow old and fade out. Men grow old and die. Since the work was commenced several of our oldest inhabitants, whom I con- sulted on various points, have passed away. Every year re- duces the ranks of those who have received directly from their parents and grand-parents the recollections and tra- ditions which help so much to explain incidents of history.
If what I have written shall seem to deal too largely with the simple statement of fact, of " unvarnished truth," an apology may be found in the desire to give only that which should be of actual utility. My personal friends will also . consider that I have written in the immediate shadow of a great sorrow. In the quiet shade of our cemetery is a grave whose making has left my house unto me desolate ; my interest in the town is thereby insured. It will be of all places on God's fair earth the most sacred to me while life lasts, and no less sacred at death, for here I too hope to lie down to rest " when the night cometh."
HISTORY OF RIDGEFIELD.
CHAPTER I.
SURVEY AND PURCHASE OF TOWN TRACT.
IN the month of May, 1708, a number of the in- habitants of the town of Norwalk petitioned General Assembly, then in session at Hartford, to grant them " libertie to purchase of the Indians a certain tract of land, bounded south on Norwalk bounds, north-east on Danbury, and west upon York line."
Such "libertie" was granted the said petitioners " provided it doth not prejudice any former grant ; this Assembly reserving to themselves a power for the settlement and allotment of the land so to be purchased among the petitioners, and such others as the said General Assembly shall judge meet."
On the 30th of September, 1708, such a purchase was made, as the following deed will show :
" To all people to whom these presents shall Come Greeting &c. Know ye that I Catoonah Sachem of Ramapoo Indians and Associ- ates within her Majesties province of New York in America. For & in Consideration of ye sum of One Hundred Pounds as current money of said province. To us in hand before the ensealing hereof well and Truly Paid by John Belden, Samuell Keeler Sen", Matthew Seamor James Brown Benjamin Wilson, Joseph Birchard, John Whitne Sen",
4
HISTORY OF RIDGEFIELD.
Matthias Saint John Benjamin Hickcock, John Beebe Samuel Saint John, John Bouton Joseph Keeler, Samuel Smith Junior, Jona- than Stevens, Daniell Olmsted, Richard Olmsted, John Stirdevant, Samuel Keeler Jun', Joseph Bouton, Jonathan Rockwell, Edmond Wareing, Joseph Whitne, Daniel Hait, Thomas Hyott, James Bene- dick, Joseph Crampton, Ebenezer Sension, Matthew Saint John, all of the Town of Norwalk in ye County of Fairfield, within her Majesties Colony of Connecticot in New England, and Thomas Smith, Thomas Canfield, & Samuell Smith, of the Town of Milford in ye County of Newhaven & Colonie aforesaid. The Receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledg, and our selves therewith fully Satisfied, and Con- tented, and thereof and of every part and percell thereof Do Exon- erat Acquitt & discharge the said John Belden, Samuell Keeler Sent, Matthew Seamor, James Brown, Benjamin Wilson, Joseph Birchard, John Whitne Sen', Matthias Saint John, Benjamin Hick- cock, John Beebe, Samuell Saint John, John Bouton, Joseph Keeler, Samuell Smith, Jonathan Stevens, Daniell Olmsted, Richard Olm- sted, John Stirdevant, Samuell Keeler Jun™, Joseph Bouton, Jona- than Rockwell, Edmond Wareing, Joseph Whitne, Daniell Hait, Thomas Hyott, James Bennedick, Joseph Crampton, Ebenezer Sen- sion, Matthew Saint John, Thomas Smith, Thomas Canfield, and Samuel Smith, their heirs executors, administrators forever by these presents. Have given, granted bargained, sold Alowed Conveyed and Confirmed, and by these presents Do freely fully and absolutely give grant bargain sell, Aliene Convey and Confirm unto them the said John Belden, Samuell Keeler Jun", Matthew Seamor, James Brown, Benjamin Wilson, Joseph Birchard, John Whitne Senr, Mat- thias Saint John, Benjamin Hickcock, John Beebe, Samuell Saint John, John Bouton, Joseph Keeler, Samuell Smith, Jonathan Ste- vens, Daniell Olmsted, Richard Olmsted, John Stirdevant, Samuell Keeler, Joseph Bouton, Jonathan Rockwell, Edmond Wareing, Joseph Whitne, Daniel Hait, Thomas Hyott, James Bennedick, Joseph Cramp- ton, Ebenezer Sension, Matthew Saint John, Thomas Smith, Thomas Canfield, and Samuell Smith, their Associates heirs and assigns for- ever. A Certain Tract of Land Scituat Lying and being so esteamed within her Majesties Colony of Conecticott aforesaid Butted and Bounded as followeth, at a Rock with stones Lay'd thereon that lyeth upon ye west side of Norwalk River about twenty rod northward of the Crossing or where Danbury old Cart path Crosseth the River which said Rock is the South East Corner and from said Corner a line Runneth upwards unto Umpewange pond to a White Oak Tree,
5
SURVEY AND PURCHASE.
Standing by the Northwest Corner of said Pond, the said tree being marked and Stones Lay'd about it and is the North East Corner, and from the said Corner Tree, another line Running near Two points to the North of West into a pond Called Nesopack and Continues ye Same Coarse untill it meets with a second pond Called Aokkeels, Crossing by ye south End of both ponds, and from thence Running Near West untill it Extends to a place Called Mamanasquag, where is a Oak Tree Marked on ye North Side of the outlet of water that Comes out from a sort of a grassy pond, which is known and Called by Said Name, which tree is the North West Corner, and from said Tree another line Runing South bearing to ye East About one mile and half. Runing by ye East side of another Mountain Called Asoquatah untill it meets Stanford Bound line, about a quarter of a mile to ye Eastward of Cross River pond, where stands a Marked White Oak tree with Stones about it, and is ye South West Corner, and from Said Marked tree a long by Stanford line untill it Comes to Norwalk purchase and so by Said Purchase Bounds to the Said Rock at the South East Corner. Containing by Estimation Twenty Thousand Acres, be it more or less. The Four Corners of Said Tract of Land being Called by the following Indian Names South East Corner 'Wheer Cock' North East Cor- ner 'Wononkpakoonk' North West Corner 'Mamanasquag ' South West Corner 'Narahawmis.'
"To Have and to Hold, the Said granted and bargained premises with all the appurtenances priviledges, and Comodities to the same, belonging or in anywise Appertaining to them ye Above Named per- sons their Associates heirs and assigns forever, to them and their only proper Use bennefitt and behoof forever. And I the Said Catoonah and Associats for ourselves our heirs Executors, admin- istrators, Do Covenant promise and grant to and with the above Said persons their associates heirs and assigns, that before the Ensealing hereof. We are the true Sole and Lawfull Owners of ye above bar- gained premises and by Native Right Seized and possessed of the Same in our own proper Right as a Good perfect and Absolute Estate of Inheritance in fee Simple and have in Ourselves good Right full power and Sufficient Authority to grant bargain Sell Convey and Confirms said Bargained premises in manner as above said, and that the said John Belden, and the rest above said their Associats heirs and assigns Shall and may from time to time, and at all times forever hereafter, by force and virtue of these presents Lawfully and peaceably and quietly Have, Hold, Use, Occupie, possess and injoy the said Demissed and bargained premisses.
6
HISTORY OF RIDGEFIELD.
" With the appurtenances free and Clear, and freely and Clearely Aquitted Exonerated & Discharged of from all and all Mannor of former and other gifts grants bargains, Sales Leasses Mortgages, Wills, Intails Joynters Dowries Judgements Executions Incumbrances & Extents. .
"Furthermore I the said Catoonah and Asociates for ourselves our heirs Executors administrators Do Covenant and Ingage ye above Demissed premisses to them the said John Belden, and the rest above said, their Associates heirs and assigns, against the Lawfull Claims, or Demands of any person or persons whatsoever, forever hereafter to Warrent secure and Defend.
" In Witness whereof we have hereunto Sett our hands and Seals this Thirtieth Day of September in the Seventh year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lady Ann Queen of England &c. and in ye year of our Lord God, 1708.
"Signed Sealed and Delivered in presence of
JOHN HOLMES, Jr., CATOONAH, GOOTQUAS, WAWKAMAWWEE.
JOSEPH SEELEY, WOQUACOMICK, MAHKE, NARANEKA.
JOHN COPP, WASPAHCHAIN, TAWPORNICK, CAWWEHORIN.
"This Above Written Bill of Sale is acknowledged by ye Grantors this 30th Day of September 1708.
" Before me, SAMUEL HAIT, " Justice of Peace."
The purchase having been made, General Assem- bly, in session at Hartford, May, 1709, appointed Major Peter Burr, of Fairfield, John Copp, of Nor- walk, and Josiah Starr, of Danbury, a committee to make a survey of the aforesaid tract of land, and to lay it out for a town plat, and to make return to the General Assembly at New Haven in the following October " of their doings therein, and of their opin- ion how many inhabitants the said tract of land may admit and contain.".
This was accordingly done, and the following grant was made by General Assembly in session at New Haven, October 13th, 1709.
7
SURVEY AND PURCHASE.
"WHEREAS, the Generall Assembly of this Colony, Holden at Hart- ford May 13th 1708-Upon the petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of the town of Norwalk praying for liberty to purchase of the Indians a certain Tract of Land lying within this Colony Bounded Northerly and Northeasterly with the Town of Danbury, Southerly with the Said Town of Norwalk and West or Westerly with ye line or boundary be- tween this Colony & ye province of New York, to the end they might make a Plantation there, and settle upon the Same- Did Grant to the said Petitioners a liberty to purchase the same Tract of Land.
"And pursuant thereto ye said Petitioners did buy and purchase of Catoonah a Sachem-and other Indians the aforesaid tract of Land as by their Deed of Conveyance thereof under their hands and Seals bear- ing Date September 30 1708 now laid before this Assembly had been made appear. And whereas the General Assembly of this Colony Holden at Hartford, May ye 12th, 1709. Did desire and Impower Major Peter Burr Mr John Copp, and Mr Josiah Starr to make a Sur- vey of the said tract of Land and to lay out a Town Platt there and to Make Return of their doings therein to this Assembly at this time, and the said Peter Burr & John Copp in pursuance thereof, haveing taken a view of the said Tract of Land, & have thereupon made a Return or Report thereof to this Assembly which hath been read and Con- sidered.
" This Assembly Do now give and Grant to the said petitioners, that is to say to the Persons hereafter named viz John Belden Samuel Keeler Sen', Matthew Seamor Matthias St John, Benjamin Wilson Samuel St John James Brown Benjamin Hickcock Joseph Keeler, Samuel Keeler Jr Samuel Smith Matthew St John Jonathan Stevens Daniel Olmstead John Sturdevant Jonathan Rockwell Joseph Whitney Thomas Hyatt James Benedict Joseph Crampton & Richard Olmstead of the said Town of Norwalk and Thomas Smith Thomas Canfield Samuel Smith & Ebenezer Smith of ye Town of Milford, and to their heirs and assigns forever, All the afore Mentioned Tract or Parcel of Land But- ted & Bounded as followeth, that is to say, On the South or Southerly with the said Town of Norwalk, On the West or Westerly with the line or boundary between this Colony and the Province of New York, On the East or Easterly partly with the line to be continued and Run like unto the line between ye said Town of Norwalk and the Town of Fairfield from the North End thereof unto a certain black Oak tree marked with Letters and haveing Stones layed about the Same Standing upon the Mountain, commonly caled the West Cedar Mountain and partly with a direct and Strait line to be run from said Black Oak Tree to a certain
8
HISTORY OF RIDGEFIELD.
Large White Oak Tree marked and having Stones layed about it Stand- ing at or near the North West Corner of Umpewange pond. And on the North or Northerly with a direct Strait Line to be run from the said White Oak Tree to the South Westerly Corner of the Town of Dan- bury and continued unto the Said Line or Boundary between this Colony and the Province of New York be the said Tract of Land more or Less, With all and Singular the rights Members and appurtenances thereof. And this Assembly do hereby Enact & Grant That the said Tract of Land shall be an Intire Township of it self, and shall be Called and Known by the name of Ridgfield, and shall be held and enjoyed by the said John Belden Samuel Keeler Sen" Matthew Seamor Matthias St . John Benjamin Wilson Samuel St John James Brown Benjamin Hick- ock Joseph Keeler Samuel Keeler Jr Samuel Smith Matthew St. John Jonathan Stevens Daneel Olmstead John Sturdevant Jonathan Rock- well Joseph Whitney Thomas Hyatt, James Benedict Joseph Cramp- ton and Richard Olmstead of Norwalk and Thomas Smith Thomas Canfield Samuel Smith and Ebenezer Smith of the Town of Milford and their heirs and Assigns in Equal and Even Shares, & be divided accordingly into lotts and parcells from time to time by the Order of the Major Vote of them, to be accounted by the Major part of interests therein. Provided that this act shall not be construed to the prejudice of any former Grant of this Court and provided always-Nevertheless that if the said John Belden Samuel Keeler Sen" Matthew Seamor Matthew St John Benjamn Wilson Samuel St John James Brown Ben- . jamin Hickock Joseph Keeler Samuel Keeler Jr Samuel Smith Matthew St John Jonathan Stevens Daneel Olmstead John Sturdevant Jonathan Rockwell Joseph Whitney Thomas Hyatt James Bennedick Joseph Crampton and Richard Olmstead Thomas Smith Thomas Canfield Samuel Smith and Ebenezer Smith their heirs assigns or associates. Do not or shall not within four Years next after the date of this act or Grant, Settle or Dwell upon the said tract of Land to ye number of twenty Eight families, and after continue and Dwell there for the Space of four Years next following, that then it shall be in the Liberty and power of this Assembly to grant of the said Tract of Land Settlement to any other persons as they shall se cause."
" A true copy of Record
" Test
"CALEB STANLY, Secretary."
The patent was not issued until the year 1714, and reads as follows :
9
SURVEY AND PURCHASE.
"WHEREAS the Governour, Councill and Representatives of Her Majesties Colony of Connecticutt in New England in General Court assembled, Did by an Act bearing Date Octobr 13th Anno Domini 1709, Grant unto John Belden, Samuel Keeler Sen", Matthew Sea- more, Matthias Saintjohn, Benjamin Willson, Samuel Saintjohn, James Brown, Benjamin Hickcock, Joseph Keller, Samuel Keeler, Jun', Sam1 Smith, Matthew Saintjohn, Jonathan Stevens, Daneel Olmsted, John Sturdevant, Jonathan Rockwell, Joseph Whitne, Thomas Hyatt, James Benedict, Joseph Crampton, and Richard Olmsted, all of ye Town of Norwalk, in ye County of Fairfield in ye Colony aforesaid, and Thomas Smith, Thomas Canfield, Samuel Smith, and Ebenez" Smith of the Town of Milford in ye County of New Haven, in ye Colony aforesaid, One Certain Tract of land, as by the said act doth full appear, the same tract of land, being situate, butted, and bounded as in the said act and Grant is Expressed, Viz, On ye South or Southerly with ye said Town of Norwalk, On the West, or westerly with the line or boundary between this Colony and the Province of New York, On the East or Eastwardly partly with a line to be Continued and run like unto the line between the said Town of Norwalk and the Town of Fairfield, from the North end thereof unto a black Oak tree mark't with letters & having stones laid about the same, Standing upon the mountain Commonly Called ye west Cedar mountain, and partly with a direct and streight line to be run from the said black Oak tree to a Certain large white Oak Tree mark't, and having stones laid about it. Standing at or Near the Norwest Corner of Umpawaug Pond, and on the North or Northely with a direct Strait line to be run from ye said white Oak Tree to the Southwest Corner of the Town of Danbury and Contin- ued unto the said line or boundary between this Colony, and the Prov- ince of New York, be the same Tract of land more or less, all which ap- pears by the aforesaid Act, And Whereas they, the said John Belden, Samuel Keelar Sen, Matthew Seamore, Matthias Saintjohn, Ben- jamin Willson, Sam1 St. John, James Brown, Benjamin Hickcock, Joseph Keeler, Sam1 Keeler Jun", Sam Smith, Matthew Saintjohn. Jonathan Stevens, Daniel Olmsted, John Sturdevant, Jonathan Rock- well, Joseph Whitne, Thomas Hyatt, James Benedict, Joseph Cramp- ton, and Richard Olmstedd, Thomas Smith, Thomas Canfield, Samuel Smith, and Ebenez" Smith pursuant to the law Title, the Tenure of Our lands, have made application for a Pattent, for the Confirmation of the said Tract of land to them, their heirs and assigns, Know all men Therefore by these presents, that the Governour and Company of Her Majestie To Colony of Connecticutt by Virtue of the Power
IO
HISTORY OF RIDGEFIELD.
Granted to them, by our Late Soveraign Lord King Charles the Second, of blessed memory in and by his said Majesties Lett's Pattents under the Great Seal of England bearing Date the Twenty third day of Aprill in the fourteenth year of his Reign ; Have Given, Granted, Ratified and Confirmed, and by these presents, Do Give Grant, Ratifie and Confirm both for themselves, their heirs and Successors, unto the said John Belden, Samuel Keeler Sent, Matthew Seamore, Matthias St John, Benjamin Willson, Sam1 St John, James Brown, Benjamin Hickcock, Joseph Keeler, Sam1 Keeler Jun", Sam1 Smith, Matthew St John, Jonathan Stevens Daniel Olmstedd, John Sturdevant, Jonathan Rockwell, Joseph Whitne, Thomas Hyatt, James Benedict, Joseph Crampton, and Richard Olmsted, Thomas Smith, Thomas Canfield, Samd Smith and Ebenez" Smith and to their heirs and Assigns for ever all, and singular the above mentioned Tract of land and Every part thereof, with all and Singular rights proffitts, privilidges Commodities, Emoluments and appurtenances what forever To the said Tract of land belonging or in any wise apportaining, To Have And To Hold the said Tract of land, and every part thereof unto them the said John Belden, Samuel Keeler Sen", Matthew Seamore, Matthias St John, Benjamin Willson, Sam1 Saintjohn, James Brown, Benjamin Hickcock, Joseph Keeler, Samuel Keeler Jun", Sam Smith, Matthew Saintjohn, Jonathan Stevens, Daniel Olmsted, John Sturdevant, Jonathan Rockwell, Joseph Whitne, Thomas Hyatt, James Benedict, Joseph Crampton and Richard Olmstedd, Thomas Smith, Thomas Canfield, Samuel Smith and Ebenez" Smith and To their heirs and assigns forever and to their Only proper benefitt and behoof, from the day of the date hereof, and from time to time and att all times forever hereafter as a good, sure, lawfull, absolute, and Indefeafable Estate of inheritance in Fee Simple, without any Condition Limitation use or other thing to alter, or make void the same. And in such Shares and in such proportions, as they either already have or hereafter shall agree for ye Division and partition of the same, To Hold of her Majes- tie, Her heirs and Successors, as of her Majesties Mannor of East Greenwich in the County of Kent, in the Kingdom of England in free and Common socage, and not in Capitee, Nor by Knights service Yielding and paying therefor to Our Soveraign Lady the Queen her heirs and Successors forever, Only ye fifth part of all the Oar of Gold and Silver which from Time to Time and att all times forever hereafter Shall be there Gotten had or obtained, in Lieu of all Services, Duties and demands what forever according to Charter. In Witness whereof we have caused the Seal of the Colony to be hereunto affixed in Hart-
II
SURVEY AND PURCHASE.
ford ye Twenty second day of May in the Thirteenth year of the reign of Our Soveraign Lady Anne, by the Grace of God, Queen of Great Brittain France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith &c Anno Domini 1714."
"G: SALTONSTALL Governor " By His Hond Command HEZ: WYLLYS Secry.
" Recorded in ye Publick records of ye Colony of Connecticutt Second book of entries of Pattents and Surveys of lands Folio 52, 53, 54. "p" HEZ: WYLLYS Secrett."
CHAPTER II.
SETTLEMENT.
AFTER purchasing the town tract, the next thing in order was to settle it. This the petitioners pro- ceeded at once to do. It had previously been called by the Indians Caudatowa, or high-land. This name was probably suggested by a north and south ridge, situated nearly in the geographical centre of the town, and rising to the height of eight hundred feet above the level of the sea-the same ridge which gave it its present name.
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