USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Greenwich > A history of the town of Greenwich, Fairfield County, Conn., with many important statistics > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15
On the 3d of December 1836, a town-meet- ing was held on the site of this town-house, which was not then completed. Since that time the house which now stands at the junc- tion of North street and the Turnpike, has been the place for holding town-meetings.
SKIMETON PARTIES.
Much excitement used frequently arise among the good people of the town, up to the year 1850, on account of what were known as Skime- ton parties. The people fond of such things, young and old, used to celebrate every tangible wedding which took place within the precincts of the town, with a turn-out of drums and guns. A large six-pounder did much service in this cause, and seems, indeed, of latter years to have been the very life of these parties. For when it made its sudden disappearance, the practice went almost as suddenly out of exist-
199
HISTORY OF GREENWICH.
ence. Some time in the month of February A. D. 1850, a large Skimeton party was held in the village, which is believed to have been the last of the custom. We are indebted to an anonymous writer for his account of this matter, obviously intended to be poetic, and although a failure in that respect in a great degree, we believe it to be a correct and impartial account of the affair. If it should be a little too personal in some of its points, we hope the public will forgive its insertion, for the value of the his- torical relation. Nearly or quite all the parties connected with the affair are yet living. Some of the names are, of course, assumed.
The Last Skimeton.
'Twas late in winter, and Sabbath day ; But what the month I'll never say. Or first, or second, one or t'other,- To remember is too much bother. A happy day it was to many, Nor should there be unhappy any ; Yet truly was it most certain sure That two were happy, if no more ; For this good, very happy couple In one were to be made, from double. Ages well suited, sweet seventeen Multiplied thrice-fifty-one, I ween.
-
200
HISTORY OF GREENWICH.
Of the parties, no more need I say ; To tell all, then, must hurry away. Respected by all, they certainly were ; To think not so, you surely err.
The sun goes down in all its splendor, And to the roosts the chickens venture. The guests have all come to see the fun, And hear the two all knotted in one, And kiss the bride in spite of the groom, And see their own wives safe to their home, And drink hard cider and eat sweet cake, And with a good spree the dull spirit break.
The two stood up, and Dominy Gorse Tied up a knot as strong as a horse. The knot all tied ; the bride often kissed ; The cake passed round; and what each one wished, The barrel below wasn't half drinked up ; Enough was left for many a cup ; When quickly spoke Father Gorse-quoth he, " My dear, dear Sir, now truly tell me, How would you act, and what would you do, If the Skimeton should visit you ?" "Oh ! no fear of that, good friend," Sir cried ; " They'll not salute, Sunday night, my bride ; But should they come, I've a barrel full Of cider-the right sparkling, hard school. Or rather, 'tis full I can make it, Though now there is but one-third of it. With water I can fill up the cask,- In what way it came there none will ask.
201
HISTORY OF GREENWICH.
And none drunken from this will be found When the cask I'll roll out on the ground. They will eat this cake and drink this cider, And then, like me so much the better."
Sir spoke like a man, so all will say ; And they came not on that sacred day. The guests that night departed in peace, And those not over-crammed slept with ease ; Though, doubtless, many had flighty dreams, In which they saw great guns drawn by teams, And loaded and fired, without dismay, At the glass from windows jarred away.
Next day came ; and, though unsuspected, A Skimeton had been collected. Brush sold the powder, little knowing, 'Twould cause so terrible a blowing. The powder was made up in cartridges, To load the gun in greater ease ; The charcoal furnace was hunted up,- All was right for the hardy troop.
Night soon came ; the B'hoys were on hand. The chief addressed, in manner bland ; Said he, "There will be no firing done, But a Bridegroom treat for all and one." He told to them what was said to Gorse ; Then rose loud cheers, that made them hoarse,- Long, loud cheers for the generous groom : For cider they had plenty of room.
202
. HISTORY OF GREENWICH.
Then marched down the street, dragging their gun, And, feeling well, were agape for fun. Before the house, goodnatured, they halt, Winking and blinking, waiting their malt.
But look as they are at that hale band, While I may group them all as they stand. Of full-grown men I find there are five ; Of boys thrice that, as I'm alive ; Of out-siders, much as a full score ; If cider comes out, there'll surely be more. Oh ! what a bitter tale I could tell, Of the young hopefuls I know full well, Who stray'd from their mammas that night, Among the outsiders here in plight. But, as they'll 'scape the trial so dread, Which fearfully hangs o'er each one's head, And their bad deed will never be known, But to their own consciences alone, I'll forbear to give them the expose, And let each one follow his own nose.
I've spent some time in grouping them all ; They are waiting yet, and one doth call A halloo to the gunner to fire, Just to tell the groom that they're there., " Agreed," he cries, and plies the hot rod, And the thundering peal breaks off the nod Of all the sleepers in that region,- When from the house comes forth a legion. The happy crowd stand a little back, Thinking Sir is coming with the cake.
203
HISTORY OF GREENWICH.
True, 'tis Sir, 'tis very, very true, But no cake he brings, and they look blue. And no kindness now by him is meant, Prepared he is, and on war intent. " War to the ram-rod ;" let come what will, His dozen compeers will back him still. The kind feeling's changed since wedding day, For then 'twas thought 'twould be all O. K. Sir seized the ram-rod, and held it tight, And swore, if at all during the night Any one dare to touch the big gun, That same, and sure, would be a dead " mun." Outsiders now scamper, and the boys all run, Leaving but few to tend to the gun. They look for their chiefs-not finding one, For they all left when the fracas begun. So the few, at last, concluded to run , Catching the rope, away they did bound, And left Boss Sir the boss of the ground. And back they went to the rendezvous. Poor fellows, they didn't know what to do ! But as each one felt tired and sad, Concluded at last to go home to bed. Yet with faithful heart they each resolved, Of their cowardly fault to be absolved ; When to-morrow's sun is out of sight, With the favoring darkness of the night, On the ground they'd again assemble, Greater in force, and much more nimble ; Courage from Coscob, and Glenville too,- Borrow, and begin all anew.
Homeward went, but their sleep was troubled With sights of a man whose size was doubled.
204
HISTORY OF GREENWICH.
Huge ram-rod shouldered ever so bold, Daring any with him to take hold.
Morning came; they awoke from their dreams And found their way with the sun's bright beams Some, to pretty GLENVILLE's happy vale, And told to their friends their pitiful tale, And gained recruits, a dozen or more, With fifer and drummer to go before. Others, to CoscoB, well known in fame For the bravest sons in any game. When CoscoB men their strength do try, What they wish, is done, or I do lie. Indeed by the time that sun-down came, Some fifty, that I might call by name, Were all ready on the coming night, To man the gun and never know flight.
All gathered at night with fife and drum At th'appointed place, with busy hum, Each one cheered his brother's courage up. Some cheered their own with drink from the cup. Soon, to move on, the word was given, And onward they went, dragging their gun ; Arrived at the house, they met a crowd, Brave defenders who scolded them loud, Entreated, commanded, all in vain, And all get wrathy as bad as Cain. Both sides were naughty it must be said, And things were coming all to a head, When out spoke the bride-groom, and said he "I've in hand a musket, you see, 'Tis loaded, 'tis cocked, 'tis ready to fire, And he that toucheth off this cannon dire,
205
HISTORY OF GREENWICH.
Shall never live to fire another, I swear, at him, I'll pull the trigger."
This treat gave all a conniption fit, But one fellow didn't mind it a bit ; And a brave little fellow was he, . Coscob tinker Palmer, bold and free. He faced old musket and man behind. Says he, " Mr. Sir, in you 'tis kind, Me to shoot, and bereave my family ; But than fire, you'll have more charity." " No, I won't" was the thundering reply, " Touch off that gun and then you die." " Fire and be darned;" and he took the match, And fired off the gun without a scratch. If Sir fired at Palmer, then the sound, When the cannon went off was all drowned. Sands was too small or Sir didn't aim straight, For then to be shot wasn't Palmer's fate. But what a noise that cannon did make. Every thing got a terrible shake. A score of glass lights ; all ranged in rows, Came to the earth with terrible blows ; Doors open ; and stoves jump two feet high, Not minding the leap more than a fly ; Success gives courage to Skimeton ; The gun is drawn back at a stiff run. But the charcoal furnace, that is lost By some vandal, the fence overtoss'd. Then arise free fights more than my pen Shall lay at the door of any man, But words were all the weapons of war. Some could whip twenty and some still more.
10
206
HISTORY OF GREENWICH. .
They brought back the gun and would have fired, For by this time all really dared, But damp the priming had got, and wet By water, from a pail thrown on it. At last fired it off and then drew it back, When the powder was missing, alack. A traitor must have been in their camp, And, in the wet dew strewed it, so damp. Gone ammunition ; no powder to burn, Backward again, their swift steps they turn, And two miles ride in a gig, Of powder, to obtain a full keg. Soon they return and met with success, Exhibit their keg with a good grace. Again to the field, though it is late, And plant the old piece by Sir's old gate. No enemy 's there, the field is won, The victory claimed by firing a gun ; Another, another, and one more, Till the number equals a full score. And, at length, ammunition was spent, And their weary step homeward they bent. Their gun, they locked up, in the old barn, There to keep it all safe until morn. Then went to their homes to sleep quite sound, And on the morning to brag all around, How the gun was fired and battle won, By the dauntless, the brave Skimeton.
But, a deed, I have now to relate, A dark deed committed the selfsame night. Of the men I'll not speak, nor say who, But they were a bold and daring crew,
207
HISTORY OF GREENWICH.
Sheltered by darkness a lock they broke ; Got in the barn by hook or by crook ; Stole out that gun and carried it off, And certainly handled it quite rough. They took it away and no one knows where And I think very few ought to care. It was hidden, many think, away In a high loft very full of hay, Or, 'twas hid in a potato heap, Or, in the Sound had taken a leap, But though a sharp search was strictly made, They never found where the cannon laid, Nor ever to tell, do I now care. Yet the gun didn't travel that night very far. But with his gun, in this manner lost. Skimmeton quietly gave up the ghost.
But the end is not yet, no not yet. The lawyers they must have a benefit. 'Tis an ill wind blows nobody good, And so Sheriff Seely understood ; Warrant in hand, got all he could catch, Though some fastened on him, their door-latch. Then he scared one up into a tree, But finally caught some twenty-three, And brought them all in before a Squire, To be dealt with by Justice so dire.
Though it seemed strange yet it is true Of wily lawyers, the State had two, The prisoners against these had but one, To struggle against both all alone.
208
HISTORY OF GREENWICH.
The Justice he said never a word, Though every thing said, he surely heard. Prisoners were charged with making a row ; Wouldn't they catch it, wouldn't they now. Wanting proof, some were freed in a huff, Although they wan't half humbled enough. The trial took some two I think days, For they tried to get clear in many ways. Lastly, they were bound over to Court, But the prisoners didn't take the least hurt. Indeed had no trial up there at all The papers were wrong respecting them all.
The trial mentioned took place in the upper part of the shop now used by Joseph E. Rus- sel, Esq. ; Hon. Charles Hawley and Hon. Joshua B. Ferris, of Stamford, were employed for the prosecution, and Hon. William T. Minor, of Stamford, for the defence before the justice. All of them were most able attorneys, and with the bystanders, appeared to enjoy the sport which necessarily arose at the trial.
In the year 1853, the town was set off as a probate district by itself. Previously, it with Darien and Stamford, had formed the Probate District of Stamford. At the special meeting then held for election of a judge, Augustus Mead, Esq. was chosen. Since that the office has been filled by Mr. Mead.
209
HISTORY OF GREENWICH.
The road from Glenville to Byram bridge on the west side of Byram river, was laid out by Messrs. Hubbell and Shepard, Fairfield County Commissioners, in 1856. This road was contested strongly by the town authorities, backed by a vote of the town. A lengthy trial was held before the Commissioners, who decided in favor of the road. The attorneys employed by the petitioners were Julius B. Curtis and Henry Dutton, Esqs .; in behalf of the town, Daniel M. Mead and Charles Hawley, Esqs. Wm. H. Holly of Stamford was also employed by a private citizen opposed to the road.
And now the greater part of the interesting historical matter relating to the town, has been given. Should the author, in after days, find opportunity to enlarge this History, he will be able to record many interesting details. In this volume, we have sought simply, and in the smallest possible compass, to relate reliable facts, With the Appendix, containing reliable statistics of value, we now take our respectful leave of the reader.
AN APPENDIX
CONTAINING
VALUABLE STATISTICS,
WITH A Distory of the Other Towns in the County.
ALSO, A
HISTORY OF THE VARIOUS RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES ;
WITH THE GENEALOGIES OF SEVERAL FAMILIES, AND
OTHER VALUABLE INFORMATION.
BY THE AUTHOR.
COLLECTED FOR THIS WORK FROM RELIABLE AUTHORITIES.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY.
THIS county, extending from the Sound northward, in a triangular form, nearly two thirds of the way along the boundary line between New York and Connecticut, is a populous, thickly settled, and very fertile district. It abounds in rocks and hills, which render cultivation in many cases difficult. But the fertility of the soil amply repays the hardest labor. In 1855, the county embraced the following towns, which are given, showing the comparative wealth of each during that year, as reported by the Con- necticut Register.
212
APPENDIX.
Polls.
Valuation.
Stores.
Manufactories.
Bridgeport
1,059
6,041,593
811,530
484,750
Brookfield.
266
645,721
9,401
15,225
Danbury
1,079
3,025,095
144,650
125,894
Darien.
239
854,732
16,330
3,230
Easton
260
631,100
5,947
1,450
Fairfield
676
2,957,008
22,735
3,750
Greenwich.
625
2,495,215
41,940
34,200
Huntington
249
622,920
5,225
5,650
Monroe.
255
604,345
6,943
2,450
New Canaan ..
455
931,608
29,540
19,375
New Fairfield
189
397,584
4,850
3,050
Newtown.
606
1,327,436
39,060
Norwalk.
705
2,561,577
135,050
237,150
Redding
306
1,014,963
20,930
21,425
Ridgefield
449
1,106,296
22,140
9,157
Sherman
161
390,723
3,897
Stamford.
717
3,183,183
112,520
153,945
Stratford.
321
1,341,981
11,195
9,990
Trumbull.
290
637,253
13,758
15,366
Weston.
175
424,040
10,120
4,300
-Westport.
452
1,613,686
73,850
19,800
Wilton ..
336
644,722
6,171
900
The above towns were settled in the following order :
FAIRFIELD, or as the Indians called it, Unquowa, was settled by eight or ten families, under a Mr. Lud- low, the principal settler, in the year 1639. Ludlow had been twice Deputy Governor of Massachusetts Colony, and was twice elected Deputy Governor of Connecticut Colony. He afterwards moved to Vir- ginia. The first purchase comprised the parishes of
213
APPENDIX.
Fairfield, Greenfield, Greensfarms, a part of Strat- ford, a part of Reading, and the whole town of Weston. The lighthouse on Fairweather Island, on the easterly side of Black Rock harbor, is in Lati- tude 41 deg. 8 min. 30 secs., and Longitude 73 deg. 12 min. 44 secs. Time, 4 h. 52 m. 51 s. The light is 52 feet above the sea, and may be seen at a distance of 12.6 nautical miles.
STRATFORD, or in the Indian tongue Cupheag, was purchased in 1639 by a Mr. Fairchild. Settlement was commenced immediately. The principal early settlers were John and William Eustice, Samuel Hawley, Joseph Judson, and Timothy Wilcoxson. At Stratford the first Episcopal Church was estab- lished in Connecticut, under Rev. Mr. Muirson, of Rye, in 1704. The latitude of Stratford Point Light- house is 41 deg., 9 min., 4 sec .; longitude, 73 deg., 5 min., 53 sec. Time, 4 lı., 23 m., 52 s. The light is 53 feet above the level of the sea, and may be seen at the distance of 12.7 nautical miles.
GREENWICH was purchased and settled upon in 1640, on the 18th of July, by Capt. Daniel Patrick, Robert Feaks, Elizabeth Feaks, &c. The lighthouse on Captain's Island is in latitude 40 deg., 58 min., 54 sec., and longitude 73 deg., 37 min., 6 sec. Time. 4 h., 54 m., 28 s. Light is 62 feet above the level of the sea, and may be seen at the distance of 13.4 nautical miles.
10*
214
APPENDIX.
NORWALK was first purchased of the Indians in 1640. It then included part of New Canaan, Wil- ton, and Westport. The whole was purchased with " 8 fathom wampum, 6 coats, 10 hatchets, 10 hoes, 10 knives, 10 seizers, 10 juseharps, 10 fathom to. bacco, 3 kettles, 3 handsabout and 10 looking glasses." The bounds were on the north, one day's walk into the country, hence the name Norwalk, from North-walk. On petition of Nathan Ely and Richard Olmsted, it was incorporated in 1649. On the 11th of July, 1779, the village was burned to the ground by the Tories under Gov. Tryon. The loss of property as estimated by the General As- sembly was $116,238 and 66 cents. Eighty dwell- ings, with two churches, eighty-seven barns, seven- teen shops, four mills and five vessels were con- sumed. The lighthouse on Sheffield Island, one of the Norwalk Islands, is situated in latitude 41 deg., 2 min., 53 sec., and long. 73 deg. 24 min., 51 sec. Time. 4 h., 53 min., 39 s. The light is 40 feet above the level of the sea, and may be seen at the distance of 11.6 nautical miles.
STAMFORD, or Rippowams, was purchased by Capt. Nathaniel Turner in 1640. The boundary line be- tween Greenwich and Stamford was settled in No- vember of the same year. Turner paid the Indians for the purchase, " twelve coats, twelve hoes, twelve hatchets, twelve knives, two kettles and four fathom of white wampum," Thirty or forty inhabitants
215
APPENDIX.
settled on the purchase in 1641. The variation of the needle at Stamford in September, 1844, was 6 deg. 40 min. The Stage House Hotel is in latitude 41 deg. 2 min., 53 sec., and longitude 73 deg. 32 min., 30 sec.
DANBURY, or Pahquioque, was first settled in the summer of 1684. The settlement consisted of eight families. The heads of the families were Thomas Taylor, Judah Gregory, Francis Bushnel, James Beebe, Thomas Barnum, Samuel Benedict, John Hoyt and James Benedict. They were, with a single exception, all from Norwalk. Danbury is a half- shire town of the county, containing Court House and Jail. Bethel, a flourishing town, southeast of Danbury, has been recently set off from it and been incorporated as a town by itself. Danbury was burned by the British on the 26th of April, 1777 ; and the loss which incurred thereby amounted to £15,862 98. 7d. A hospital for the Americans was kept at Danbury for some time during the war. Two buildings of large dimensions were built for that purpose. A great many sick were sent here from White Plains, and about two hundred soldiers were buried here during the war, When the British made their attack, or rather committed their depre- dations, upon the town of Danbury, they passed through the village of Bethel. They were met, while descending a hill, a short distance from the village on the Reading road, by Mr. Luther Hol-
216
APPENDIX.
comb, an old inhabitant of Danbury. He was on horseback, and rode to the top of a knoll in front of the enemy, and turning about waved his sword as if to an immense host behind him, shouting in tremen- dons tones, " Halt the whole Universe, break off by kingdoms." Upon this, the British not knowing who might be against them besides the whole Uni- verse, came to a full halt, planted their cannon, and sent out the proper wings, while Mr. Holcomb seized the opportunity to ride off with all speed to a place of safety, even without his army.
NEW-TOWN, by the Indians called Pohtatuck, was incorporated as a town in the year 1703. The Indian name was derived from a small stream which empties into the Housatonic. The soil is quite fertile and productive.
RIDGEFIELD, or Candatowa, was settled by inhabi- tants mostly from Norwalk, in the year 1708. John Belden, Matthias St. John, Matthew Seymour, and Samuel Keeler, were the most influential of the early settlers. Their deed was dated the thirtieth of September, and was signed by Catoonah, the principal Indian chief. Just over the boundary line is the cave, or rather the semblance of a cave, where Sarah Bishop, the hermitess, lived during the latter part of her life. She died in 1810. She dwelt there alone, many of the superstitious regarding her as a witch. But ill treatment by one of the many
217
APPENDIX.
unprincipled and detestable British officers, during the Revolutionary War, is said to have been the cause of her leading so singular a life among the mountains.
NEW FAIRFIELD was not settled until 1730. Set- tlement was then made in what is called the lower seven miles. The first minister was the Rev. Bena- jah Case, who was ordained in 1742.
READING, so called in honor of one of its first and most influential settlers, was incorporated as a town in May, 1767. Gen. Putnam's head-quarters were here while stationed in this part of the country. Under his command were the New Hampshire brigade, two Connecticut brigades, a corps of infan- try and a corps of cavalry. During the first part of their being under command at this station, the soldiers were but indifferently fed and clothed. While the legislature were in session, they were on the point of marching to Hartford, to demand assistance from that body at the point of the bayonet. Putnam, with his accustomed boldness, made them a short and effective speech, in which he took occa- sion to point out to them the shame which would come upon Connecticut men, should they carry out their foolish designs. His speech satisfied them. And shortly afterwards, by the exertions of Connec- ticut women, none of them had reason to complain of not being comfortably clothed. Two executions
218
APPENDIX.
took place while Gen. Putnam was quartered here. One, a youth of sixteen or seventeen, was shot for desertion ; and the other was a Tory, named Jones, of Ridgefield. One of the most distinguished men of Connecticut, Joel Barlow, LL. D. was born here in 1755. He was a poet and a statesman. He died Dec. 22d, 1812, at Zarnawica, a small village in Poland, near Cracow.
BROOKFIELD, named after Rev. Mr. Brooks, their first minister, was incorporated in 1788. Before that time it formed portions of Newtown, Danbury, and New Milford. Settlement had been made on the tract some thirty years before.
The town contains 17 square miles, or 11,000 acres. There are beds of limestone and marble in the town. The soil is well adapted to the raising of grain.
HUNTINGTON was incorporated as a town in 1789. Rev. Jedediah Mills was the first minister in what is now Huntington. He was settled in 1724, and the settlement began about 70 years previous to its incorporation.
NEW CANAAN was incorporated in 1801. It was formerly a parish lying partly in Stamford and Nor- walk, incorporated as a parish in 1731. In 1732 there were forty-seven members of the parish, thirty from Norwalk and seventeen from Stamford. Their first minister was Rev. John Eeels of Milford,
219
APPENDIX.
who was ordained in June, 1733. He preached until 1741. His death occurred at New Canaan in 1785, when he was in his 85th year. Rev. Robert Silliman preached there from 1742 until 1771. William Drummond succeeded him in 1772, and preached five years, after which he was dismissed and deposed from the ministry in 1777. Rev. Jus- tus Mitchel then followed in the year 1783, and preached until 1806, when he suddenly died. The business of the town is mostly shoe and leather manufacture.
SHERMAN, forming the northern angle of Fairfield County, was originally a part of New Fairfield. It was incorporated as a town by itself in 1802. It has but few inhabitants, though the soil is good and well adapted to the raising of grain of all kinds.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.