USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Meriden > Historical sketches of Meriden Connecticut > Part 6
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Quite in keeping with this fact is another, stated to me by a gentleman whose business led him at various times, into every house, and of course enabled him to know whereof he affirmed. He assured me that in 1802, there was but one carpet in the whole town of Meriden.
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ROADS-TAVERNS.
Until the year 1802, there was not a single road in town, which was made by being rounded from the centre to the sides, in the manner of a turnpike, and as our roads are all now made. They were more fre- quently lower than the sides, by continual wear of use, and washing of the rains, rather than raised above them. There can be little doubt that we find in this fact, the reason for laying out roads of the enormous width of six and even twenty rods. For as one track became worn, full of ruts, and sunk below the surface, the traveller could find sufficient room to pick out for himself a another and still another track, yet fresh and unworn, in the broad space of one hundred, or three hundred feet, reserved for a highway. As there were few laborers and plenty of land, this mode working the roads was cheaper than our modern process of la- boriously constructing one good, rounded track. As to the comfort of the traveller, there could not be much question. The present Hartford and New Haven turnpike which passes through the centre of the town, was completed about the year 1800. It was considered a vast, wonderful and curious work at the time, so that people came to see it, just as they afterwards flocked to see the first rail road.
TAVERNS.
So far as the morals of the town are concerned, there. are some rather curious facts. The number of taverns was astonishingly great. In 1790, and for some time
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92
SUBSTITUTE FOR A BELL.
before, when the whole population of the town was not more than 900, and as late as 1812, there were five if not eight taverns within the limits of Meriden. As these taverns always kept ardent spirits, and as the population of the town was small, and as the amount of travel then, was much less than it is now, these facts, indicate a low state of morals.
There are at present but two taverns in Meriden, with a population of about 3000. At only one of these, are spirituous liquors sold.
SUBSTITUTE FOR A BELL.
We find in the old records frequent mention, of a curious custom, that of beating the drum on the Sabbath. As there was no bell, a substitute was procured in the form of a drum, which was beat all over the village, [of Wallingford] on the Sabbath, to call the people to the Church, and as the signal for all other public meetings. As early as 1673, is the following vote.
" June 17, 1673. Sam'll Monson shall be alowed 40s. for maintaining and beating the Drum in good order for the yeare ensuing."
And in 1675, voted, "that Jeremiah How, have 40s. allowed him, for beating the drum, Sabbath days and other days." In 1676, 2£, 16s., was allowed "for beating the drum, Sabbaths, lecture days, and for town meetings." Again is voted "for beating drum, sab- baths, lecture days, trainings, and keeping in repair, 20s." In 1694, the town voted 3£ to purchase a new
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WOLVES-THE FIRST CIDER MILL.
drum." With an increase of population, more sound was needed, and of course a larger drum. We find therefore a vote for the purchase of the instrument, with the order to sell the old one as follows, "Dec. 25, 1705. The town sould the litle drum to Thomas Hall at an outcry for fifteen shilings and threepens to be paid this yeare." . As late as 1714, we find the practice still continued. There is little doubt that it was kept up, till a bell was purchased, in 1727, when the town voted to build a belfry, and we may suppose that they then purchased a bell, and gave up the drum after it had done service about 60 years.
WOLVES.
As in every new country, wild animals were numer- ous and troublesome. The town offered a bounty for killing them. As early as 1678, eight years after the town was settled, we find it voted, that "2s. more be added to the bounty given for killing each wolf." As late as 1702, this reward for killing wolves was still continued, and in Feb. 1713, I find this vote.
"Feb. 17, 1713. The town voatted yt they would alow five shillings to him that tracks a wolf or woolfs into a swamp, and then giv notis of ye same, and then raises a company of men so that ye wolf or woolfs be killed."
FIRST CIDER MILL.
How soon orchards were planted, and cider made, is
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REGISTRY OF PERSONAL PROPERTY-PRICES.
unknown. But in 1718, about 40 years after the set- tlement of the town, the town granted permission to one person, "to set up a cider mill."
REGISTRY OF PERSONAL PROPERTY.
There appears from the records another custom now entirely abolished. Our present custom of entering on town records, all sales, and mortgages of real estate, was then in existence. But it was also customary to enter on the town records the sale and transfer, and description of personal property, and particularly of animals of all kinds. There is a large volume entire- ly filled with these entries. I will copy only two, as specimens of several thousands.
" The 5 of March, 1709, for sayd hall, a Blackish culered mare colt, one yeare coming a few whit hars in the forhad a few whit hars Below the Eys sum whit Bee twene ye Nostrils Brandid y on the Left shoul- der."
" The begining of Janewary, 1706, Sold by Samuell Roys to me, Joseph Whitin of harford, a bay hors a bout 5 year old sum whit one won of his foore feet 2 notchis, one the back sid of Left Ear brandid y one the left shoulder."
PRICES.
For many years, the amount of money in the country was very small, and allusion has been made to the subject on a previous page. In Massachusetts, at one -
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POPULATION.
time, the scarcity of small coin was so great, that a law was enacted, declaring that bullets should pass for farthings. Very naturally, therefore, it was common in contracts for work, salaries, and taxes, to make a spe- cific agreement that payments might be made in various kinds of produce, with the prices attached. I have thought that some curiosity might be gratified by a statement of these prices, in this town, at different periods, which I have extracted from various old docu- ments.
In 1673, Corn was 3s. per bushel.
In 1674, Winter wheat 5s. 6d .- summer wheat 5s .- Peas 4s .- Corn 3s.
In 1679, Winter Wheat 5s .- Summer Wheat 4s. 6d. -Peas 3s. 6d .- Corn 2s. 6d .- Pork 3 1-2d. per 1b .- Beef 2d.
In 1710, Wheat 5s .- Rye 3s. 6d .- Corn 2s. 6d.
In 1755, Wheat 4s .- Rye 2s. 6d .- Corn 2s.
In 1770, Wheat 6s. 8d .- Rye 4s. 6d .- Corn 3s. 6d. -Oats 2s. 1d .- Pork 3 1-2d. per lb .- Beef 3d .- But- ter 1s .- Cheese 7d.
In 1641, Mechanic's wages, 1s. 8d. per day, in Massachusetts.
POPULATION.
Some items relative to population not only in this town, but in the State, which I have found scattered in books and documents, may also gratify a rational cu- riosity, and hereafter may be of real value. They
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MISCELLANEOUS STATISTICS.
suggest many interesting thoughts though consisting only of figures.
In 1655, there were but 775 taxable inhabitants in the whole State.
In 1665, there were about 1700 families in Connec- ticut.
In 1713, there were about 17,000 inhabitants in the State.
In 1748, about 70,000 inhabitants in the State.
In 1672, there were 42 "planters" in Wallingford.
In 1690, there were 73 families in Wallingford.
In 1709, there were about 700 inhabitants in Wal- lingford.
In 1729, there were 25 families in Meriden.
In 1770, there were 123 families in Meriden.
MISCELLANEOUS STATISTICS.
In the year 1680, the home government sent over to the Colonies, a long list of questions relative to their condition, agricultural, financial, political and ecclesi- astical. A full reply to these queries was sent back by the Legislature of Connecticut, from which I have gleaned a few facts, here annexed.
" The country is a mountainous country, full of rocks, swamps, and hills; and most that is fit for plantations is taken up." Yet the whole state then contained but about 10,000 inhabitants.
Again they say, " The imports into the Colony are about of the value of £9000 annually."
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CONCLUSION.
"The whole property of the Colony is rated at £110,788."
" There are 21 Churches in the Colony : the salaries of the ministers, are from £50 to £100.2
" There are twenty merchants in the Colony."
"There are owned in the Colony, 4 ships, 3 pinks, 8 sloops, and 12 other smaller vessels."
The Post Office system was first established in Con- necticut in 1693, by special authority from the king. The mail went through the Colony from Boston to New York, once every week. The postage from Boston to Hartford was 9d.
CONCLUSION.
I have thus presented my readers with a few sketch- es of olden time. But I am well aware that the pre- vious pages give a very imperfect view of the real worth of our fathers. For records and documents usually present only the bad or ludicrous side of hu- man nature. The Church, really holy and energetic, has but little business which goes on the records, though its members work like true men, and leave deep and permanent their mark on the community. But when offences and divisions, and cases of discipline occur, these fill up the records. One who reads such docu- ments, therefore, finds the evil which has transpired, fully embalmed, while the remembrance of the good has perished, or must be sought in other monuments. So has it been with our fathers. Something which is
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CONCLUSION.
bad or ludicrous, something defective or rough accord- ing to our views of civilization and progress, attracts our notice, and we insensibly form an unfavorable opinion of their character. I fear that these pages may be charged with fostering such a mistake. We ought not therefore to forget, the true heroism, the noble conscientiousness, the far-reaching sagacity of those stern men in the wilderness : who in the midst of perils, discouragements, and poverty, laid broad and deep the foundations of New England institutions. Let me therefore in conclusion suggest some thoughts which may serve to bring out more distinctly both their disadvantage and their excellencies.
Let us go back, one hundred and eighty years, and look at them and their circumstances, on the spot where the first village in the town was built. It is Sabbath morning ; but how different from our Sabbaths. With the exception of that little spot where the village stands, the eye wanders over a wide wilderness and forest, in whose deep recesses the savage was then lurk- ing. You look around for the Church, and see a little low building 28 by 24, and ten feet high, built of logs, without chimney, or steeple. About twenty-five houses, small and low, make up the whole of the village. As the time of public worship approaches, each man steps out of his house with a loaded musket on his shoulder, and powder-horn, and shot-bag, slung around his neck. The little congregation are soon gathered into the house of God, and the humble settlement is
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CONCLUSION.
still, save the tramp of armed sentinels, who pace back- wards and forwards in the narrow space which they call a street. For there is war, not war a thousand miles off, fought by hired mercenaries, whom we send away to butcher, or be butchered, as the case may be, and whose marches and exploits just serve to make the newspapers interesting and exciting ; but war around their own houses, war from savages who have conspired to exterminate the white man; war which may burst like thunder on their homes, and let loose the toma- hawk and scalping-knife on their families at any moment.
We will enter the Church. There, on rough board seats are about 60 or 70 men, women and children, and on a little block or platform stands the minister. He prays for protection from the Lord God of hosts, and that prayer means something, when the next note they hear, may be the war-whoop ringing out from the adjacent forest : and there is not a solitary house, nor an arm to help them, nearer than Hartford or New Haven. He preaches : and the hopes of heaven, the consolations of religion mean something, when within their earthly horizon there is only wilderness, poverty and war. The congregation looks poor and rough in their apparel, and there is sad meaning in the loaded musket on which each manly head is bent as he stands up for prayer.
But there are manly and earnest hearts, underneath that unpromising exterior, and there is the deep devo-
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CONCLUSION.
tion of men who from their inmost souls honor God, and feel their dependence on him.
Mark the contrasts now. Look over that same landscape, and see on every valley and hill-top, the marks of labor, wealth and taste. Hundreds elegantly dressed-perhaps too much so-are crowding into a spacious Church, where art has done its utmost to gra- tify the taste and promote the comfort of the worshipper. I wish I could say that all who lounge on these elegant and luxurious seats, sent up as devout homage to God as went up from that old log Church. Luxuries and improvements which those old "planters" never dream- ed of, are lavishly scattered through our houses, and over our town.
Look again : you see a traveller starting from Hart- ford, on his way to New Haven. He is on horseback, with heavy saddle-bags depending from the saddle, and perhaps with pistols at his saddle-bow. After passing Wethersfield, he drives into the forest, where there is only a "bridle path," cut out through the trees. Slow- ly picking his way among stumps and swamps, with now and then some trepidation as an Indian crosses his path, he reaches towards nightfall, the old stone house called Meriden, and is glad to find that its stout doors and shutters can resist all hostile attacks. The next morning, at early dawn, he commences another hard day's journey, and has hardly gone beyond the tavern door, when he spies a troop of gaunt wolves upon Mount Lamentation, just returning from their
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CONCLUSION.
night's hunt. He gets almost bemired in passing the swamp and unbridged stream at Pilgrim's Harbor, and about noon reaches the little settlement at Wallingford. In that day when mails and newspapers were unknown, but human curiosity was no less intense than it is now, the traveller was the news bearer. So our horseman as he enters the street is quickly besieged with the towns- people, inquisitive for the most recent intelligence. He tells them perhaps that a letter was received in Hart- ford but a week before he left, which had been brought through from Boston in three days. In this letter was the latest intelligence from Europe. The "Sea- bird," after a quick passage of two months, had brought the news of the death of Charles 2d, and of the acces- sion of James, four months ago. He gives them the latest account of the elections in Massachusetts and Plymouth, which took place three weeks previous, and adds a few items about the state of the Indians, and the arrivals of emigrants. But he must hasten on ; so leaving the country people to digest their news, he proceeds, wades through deep sands, and salt marshes, and by sunset, of the second day, arrives safely at New Haven.
Contrast that journey, with the telegraph which car- ries news from Boston to New Haven in less than a second, and the rail road car which transports the travel- lerin one hour from Hartford to New Haven, in what may be appropriately styled a flying palace.
Contrast their poverty with our wealth, their inabil-
t
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CONCLUSION.
ity for some years, to build for a house of worship a log cabin, such as any single journeyman now, could pay for out of his own pocket without feeling it. Con- trast their poor schools and poorer school houses, with our elegant school houses and academies, where are the most lavish aids for the comfort and intellectual pro- gress of the pupils. Let us look at these contrasts, and be thankful.
But while we may smile at some of the awkwardness and roughness of our fathers, let us remember that we have reached our present stage of progress, because those fathers of ours were MEN, Christian men, New England men. One hundred and eighty years ago, there was more of the outward adornments and indica- tions of civilization in China, than in Connecticut. But China has stood still, and Connecticut has made pro- gress. Why ? because in Connecticut God had breathed into the souls of our fathers the breath of life-Chris- tianity and all the invigorating and elevating influences which ever accompany a true Christianity. Had they been vicious, heathenish, mean-souled, and degraded, we should now have been the ever degenerating sons of a degenerate race.
Back to the institutions which they founded, the character which they transmitted to their children, must we trace the causes of the growth, intelligence and wonderful improvement of the present day. What- ever is really valuable in Meriden now, stands out as the true history, and the best monument of our fathers.
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CONCLUSION.
Let us then this day, with grateful hearts, THANK GOD, that such men lived and toiled before us; and embalm their memories, by imitating their virtues.
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APPENDIX .
APPENDIX NO. 1 Earliest deed of what appears to have been the north half of Meriden.
" OCT. 15, 1664.
" Know all men by these presents, that I *Seaukett, Indian, (abiding in or about Hartford, on Conec't) Sa- chem, owner and true proprietor of a large tract of Land in the Woods towards New Haven att and about the land now in possession of Mr. Jonathan Gilbert, intitled and known by the name Merideen, doe sell unto Edward Higbey, one parcell of land adjoining to the lands of Jonathan Gilbert, aforesaid,-Hills, Rocks, brooks, swamps and all other appurtenances, bound- ed and formerly delivered, by marked trees, and by the land of say'd Jonathan Gilbert and Pilgrim's Harber
* Of this Seaukett, we know nothing. He was probably one of the Mattabesitt tribe, who like many others, wandered away from their original habitations as their respective tribes gradually crumbled to pieces, before the combined influence of vice and civilization.
t This land of Jonathan Gilbert was a tract lying in the south- erly part of Berlin. Of course, land lying between that and Pilgrim's Harbor Brook, can be easily traced now. Its eastern and western boundaries are not here stated.
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APPENDIX.
Brook or River-all which sayd parcell of land with all prerogatives, privileges and any kind of appurte- nances thereon, and thereunto belonging, it shall be Lawful for the sayd Edward Higbey, his heirs and assigns, to improve, possess, enjoy and that forever, as fully and as freely as the said Seaket ever did or might have done, in witness whereof by these presents, I bind myself, my heirs and assigns, quietly and peaceably to leave in the full possession of all the premises, the sayd Edward Higbey never to be molested by me the sayd Seakit, my heirs, or any other Indian or Indians, whatsoever, and so subscribe my name.
" the mark of
Seaukeet.
" In presence and witness of Bryan Rossetter and Mary Gilbert."
APPENDIX NO. 2.
Another deed, which seems to have covered very nearly the same territory, conveyed by a previous deed of " Seaukett."
" HARTFORD, AUGUST 10, 1684. (date of record.) " Know all men whom this may concerne, that I Adam puit, Indian, belonging and now residing at *Podunk,
* Podunk, was the original name of a river in Windsor, and was also the name of an Indian tribe, residing near that river.
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APPENDIX.
have and doe hereby morgage all my land lyeing upon the Road towards Newhaven, beyond and next adjoyne- ing to Jonathan Gilbarts *farme which tract of land being in length East and West Six Miles, and in breadth North and South five miles, with all the swamps, Rivers and meadow Land lyeing within the sayd Bounds and limits thereof, to John Talcot of Hartford in Conecticut Colony and his heires for ever. And in case the said Adam Puit do pay for and make full satisfaction for one parcell of Trucking cloaths in hand received of the said John Talcot within one full year after the sale hereof, and in case we the said partyes agree about the said land before the end and term of one year, (to say) for the purchase or sale thereof the said Adam is to receive foure coats more, as full satisfaction for the purchase thereof, the premi- ses not being performed as above said, I the said Adam Puit doe fully and freely resigne and deliver up the said land to John Talcott and his heires forever, to be theires to possess to enjoy, and to hold as their own, for ever, as witnesseth my mark on the day and year above said.
" The mark of Adam
Puit.
* This land of Jonathan Gilbert, has been mentioned in the previous deed and note. Of course, land lying " beyond" that or south of it, must have been in the north half of Meriden.
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APPENDIX.
" Witnessed buy us : Sammuell Talcott, Dorothy Talcott.
" Hartford, October 18, 1682."
APPENDIX NO. 3.
John Talcot's deed of assignment to the town of Wal- lingford.
" Know all men by these presents, that I John Tal- cott of Hartford, In Conecticut colony, do fully, freely, clearely and absolutely, Alienate, assign and set over, resign and deliver up all my right, title, and interest, in the within written deed of sale,* to Mr. Sammuel Street, Mr. John Moss, Lieut. nathaniell Meriman, Mr. John Brocket, Serg't Abraham dowlittle of Walling- ford, within the said Colony of conecticut, to themselves for their proper use only benefit and behoof, of them- selves and the inhabitants of the sayd towne of wallingford within the said colony ; to them, their heires and assigns forever, to hold, use, occupy and improve the same, withall the emoluments, rents, emunitys, privilidges, franchises, comoditys and appurtenances, whatsoever and herein consigned, grant-
The land is not described and bounded in this assignment : but in the original records this assignment is accompanied by a copy of the Adam Puit deed, and also by a letter of Mr. Talcot to the town of Wallingford, too long to be inserted, and of no material value, in which he speaks of this "deed of sale," as the one received by him from Puit.
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APPENDIX.
ing him and every one of them, full power and authority to Record the same to themselves, their heires and assignes for ever, for the confirmation of the premises, for my selfe, heires, executors and Administrators doe fully ratifie and confirm this assignment unto Mr. Sammuell Street, Mr. John Moss, and to their associ- ates the inhabitants of Wallingford, them, their heires and assigns for ever, as witnesseth my hand and seal this fifteenth of may in the year of our lord, one. thousand six hundred eighty and three.
" John Talcott, seal.
" Witnessed by John church, Daniell Butler."
APPENDIX NO. 4. 1 lingford, of that territory previously assigned and set off to them by the action of the town of New Haven.
Confirmation or grant by the State, to the town of Wal-
" At a Court of Election held at Hearford, May 12, 1670. This court having been moved to state the bounds of the new village, that is settling upon the plaine as you goe to New Haven, doe grant that the bounds shall come from the little brook at the south end of the great plain to the northward ten miles, and from the said brook Southward to Branford Bounds, and on each side of the river five miles. That is five
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APPENDIX.
miles on the east side and five miles on the west side the river, Provided, that the said village be carried on and made a plantation, without any relation or subord- ination to any other town, and provided the bounds hereby granted to ye said village do not predjudice any bounds formerly granted to any plantation or par- ticular person, or do not extend to the north any farther than where the old road to New Haven goeth over Pilgrim's Harbor ; and this court orders that the plantation on the plains, on the road to New Haven, shall be called Wallingford."
APPENDIX NO. 5.
The document to be inserted here, has already been printed on Page 30.
APPENDIX NO. 6.
Action of the town of New Haven, originating the " plantation" at. Wallingford, and appointing Com- mittee with instructions, to carry out the design; referred to on page 17.
" Extract from Wallingford Plantation Records, Vol. 1. 31st 11th month, 1669.
1. The Committee do consent to put the said village designe into ye hands of a competent number of per-
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APPENDIX.
sons fitly qualified for that work, provided, they seas- onably appear and engage to undertake ye same upon theire articles and further shall appoint some fit persons of ye said number to be a committe with full power to manage their plantation affairs, untill the place come to be an orderly establishment within itself.
"2. For ye safety and well being of church affairs, for ye Ministry and maintainance, the Committe do order yt ye s'd undertakers and successors, before (they are) admitted shall subscribe to the following engage- ment, Vide He, or they, as afs'd shall not by any means Disturb ye church when settled there, in their choice of Minister or Ministers, or other ch'h officers-or in any of their Ch'h Rights, Liberties, or administrations, nor shall refuse nor withdraw due maintainance from such ministry and untill such Ch'h be settled, shall submit to such order as ye said committe shall make, for a Godly Minister to dispence ye word of God among them.
"3. That the said Committe to be appointed and ' their successors, in receiving of Planters, shall have due respect to New Haven persons, being fit and offer- ing themselves, so far as it can consist with the good of the place and capacity thereof.
" 4. Lastly. These articles being accepted, the s'd Company and all others admitted planters among them, shall enjoy their accommodations and Lands, without payment of purchase money to New Haven ; to themselves, their heirs, successors and assigns, for
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APPENDIX.
ever, so far as concerns New Haven town's purchase within the village bounds, the said town of New Haven consenting there unto.
" And we do nominate, Mr. Samuel Street, John Moss, John Brockett and Abraham Doolittle to be a Committe whom we hereby impower to manage all plantation affairs in ye said village according to, and in pursuance of the above written articles, and to see the same attended and performed by the planters, eith- er, are or shall be by them the said committe, and also for to disposal and distribution of allotments in some such equal way as shall best suit the condition of the place and ye inhabitants thereof, and to use their best means, they can for procurement of some able and fit man to dispense the word of God among them, and lastly, we do impower them, the above-named committe to make choice of such other fit persons into the exer- cise of their power and trust with themselves, for their assistance, if any such shall appear among them, and the major part of the said committe, hereby appointed or intended, have full power to act in all the premises, as they shall see cause, in pursuance of the said arti- cles and undertakings. In testimony whereof, and to all the said articles and premises, We the Committe ap- pointed by New Haven, thereunto, have set to our hands. " William Jones, John Harriman, Mathew Gilbert, John Humiston,
Wm. Broadley, Abraham Dickerman."
Jeremiah Osborn,
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APPENDIX.
APPENDIX NO. 7.
The covenant or original agreement of the first planters at Wallingford, referred to on page 17.
" We whose names are underwritten, being accepted by the Committee of New Haven, for ye intended Vil- lage as planters, and desiring that the worship and ordinances of God may in due time, be set up and encouraged among us, as the main concernment of a christian people, doe sincerely and in the fear of God, promise and engage ourselves that we shall not neither directly nor indirectly, do anything to hinder or ob- struct any good means that shall be used by the said committe, or others intrusted by them, to promote the premises, by securing a Godly and able ministry among us to dispense to us the word of God, and when such ministry, or a Church of Christ shall be settled among us, we engage by no means to disturb the same in their choice of a minister or ministers or other ch'h officers, or in any other of their ch'h rights, liberties, or admin- istrations, nor shall refuse or withdraw due maintainance from such minister, or ministry, and farther we doe engage ourselves peaceably to submit to such settle- ment, and Civil order as the said committe shall direct among us either by themselves, or some others as a committe by them appointed, upon the place, untill the said village come to be an orderly establishment within itself, and lastly we doe engage personally to settle upon the place, by May next, come twelve month, if God's providence inevitably hinder not, and to observe
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APPENDIX.
and perform all and every the other articles agreed upon.
" Samuel Street, John Mosse,
John Brockett,
Nath'l Merriman,
Abraham Dowlittle, Jero How,
William Johnson,
Daniel Hogge,
Sam'l Whitehead,
Benjamin Lewis,
Thomas Curtiss,
Thomas Yale,
Thomas Hall,
John Beech,
Elisaph Preston,
Jehiel Preston,
Eliazer Holt,
Samuel Andrews,
Daniel Sherman,
John Hall,
Samuel Hall,
Samuel Cook,
Zac'h How,
Nath'l How,
Joseph Benham,
Samuel Potter,
Joseph Ives,
William Johnson,
Eleazer Peck,
Samuel Munson,
John Peck,
Samuel Browne,
John Milles,
Nathan Andrews,
John Ives,
Simon Tuttell,
Samuel Milles,
John Harriman,
Frances Heaton."
APPENDIX NO. 8.
The document to be inserted here, has already been printed on Page 27.
APPENDIX NO. 9. Deed to Bartholomew Foster.
" SEPT. 19, 1710. -
" Thomas Yale, John Merriman and Thomas Hall, committee of Wallingford, to sell Indian lands, grant to Bartholomew Foster, the Town right to a certain Tratct of land of 350 Acres, situated between Pil- grim's Harbor and Merridan, bounded on ye N. E. corner by a Black Oak tree, thence by the road that goeth to hartford 207 Rods to a W. Oak tree, thence
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APPENDIX.
westward 312 Rods to a Black oak tree, that side bounds by land of Mr. John Hudson, thence Northwardly 112 to a Bl'k oak tree, thence 120 Rods to a Walnut tree, thence on a line to the first station 266 Rods."
APPENDIX NO. 10. Deed of land, north and east of Pilgrim's Harbor, to John Merriam, 1716.
" Know all men by these presents, that I John Prout Sen'r, of New Haven, and Col. of Conn. Gent., for and in consideration of ye sum of Three Hundred and five pounds, current money, to me in hand well and truly paid by John Merriam of Wallingford, have sold, grant- ed and C. a certain tract or parcel of Land, known by ye name of ye Country farme formerly granted to James Bishop of New Haven, by the Governor and Company of ye said Colony of Conn., containing three hundred Acres Abutting south on ye old line of Wal- lingford Township, North on ye Coles farm, East on, a brook, or land formerly Mr. William Jones' Esqr., west on commons or land of late years laid out to sundry persons of ye said town of Wallingford, situate lying and being the wilderness at a place,* commonly called
* This part of the deed, shows that there was a precise locality, called Pilgrim's Harbor : and that West Meriden, was that place. The stream running though it is sometimes called Pilgrim's Har- bor brook-and sometimes Pilgrim's Harbor simply, without putting on the word brook-just as we sometimes speak of Con- necticut river ; and sometimes speak of the Connecticut merely, without adding the word river.
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APPENDIX.
Pilgrim's Harbor, northward of Wallingford old bounds and 5 1-2 Acres of hoop land, situated in Wallingford, aforesaid nere ye said farm be ye same more or less, formerly belonging to Robert and Isaac Roys, as wit- nesseth my hand at New Haven, this 3 day of Novem- ber in the year 1716.
" JOHN PROUT, " MARY PROUT."
APPENDIX NO. 11. The document to be inserted here is omitted.
APPENDIX NO. 12. Manufactures in Meriden in 1849,
[omitting the ordinary mechanic arts, which furnish articles for use in town.]
Julius Pratt & Co .- Ivory Combs, of great variety of sizes and qualities ; 42 hands.
Walter Webb & Co .- Ivory Combs of great variety of sizes and qualities ; 33 hands.
Pratt, Ropes, Webb & Co .- Table cutlery of great variety of size, finish and cost ; 75 hands.
Curtiss, Morgan & Co .- Locks and latches in great variety, with a large assortment of small iron castings ; 50 hands; raw material $12.000 .*
Charles Parker .- Coffee mills, latches, vises, britta- nia and plated spoons, of each a great variety, with a large miscellaneous assortment of other iron castings ; 60 hands.
C. & E. Parker .- All kinds of brass and iron castings-
* In this and all cases, the sum attached to the words "raw material," indicates the value annually consumed.
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APPENDIX,
Oliver Snow & Co .- Iron Pumps, and all kinds of machinery to order ; 20 hands.
Foster, Merriam & Co .- Castors, and a variety of brass and iron castings ; 14 hands ; raw material $8000.
Julius Parker .- Harness trimmings, hinges and iron castings ; 8 hands.
Henry M. Foster .- Spring balances and Steelyards; 3 hands.
Julius Ives .- Cast iron inkstands ; 3 hands.
H. T. Wilcox .- Steelyards and bit braces ; 7 hands ; . raw material $4000.
Sanford, Parmelee & Co .- Augurs, skates, rakes and bitts, in great variety ; about 40 hands.
Stedman & Clarke .- All kind of plain and japan- ned tin ware ; about 40 hands ; raw material $20,000.
Goodrich & Rutty .- All kinds of plain and japan- ned tin ware ; 18 hands; raw material $10,000.
Lauren T. Merriam .- All kinds of plain and japan- ned tin ware; 25 hands ; raw material $6000.
H. W. Curtiss .- All kinds of plained and japanned tin ware; 8 hands; raw material $6000.
Charles Pomeroy .- All kinds of plain and japanned tin ware; 18 hands.
Blakeslee, Stiles & Co .- Plain and japanned tin ware ; 4 hands.
Charles Waterman .- Kettle ears and candlesticks; about 5 hands.
Frary & Benham .- Brittania ware of various kinds; 10 hands ; raw material $20,000.
Wm. Lyman .- Britannia ware of various kinds ; 6 hands.
L. C. Lewis .- Britannia ware of various kinds; 8 hands; raw material $8000.
117
APPENDIX.
S. L. Cone .-- Britannia ware of various kinds ; 4 hands.
L. G. Baldwin .-- Britannia ware and spoons ; 5 hands.
Crocker & Pratt .- Brass and plated articles, like letters for signs, lamp chains, stove ornaments, &c. ; 20 hands.
Edwin Birdsey .- Wood turning, wooden combs and packing boxes ; 15 hands ; raw material $8000.
Birdsey & Williams .-- Bone buttons ; 12 hands ; raw material $7000.
H. Griswold. Bone buttons ; 20 hands ; raw mate- rial $8000.
Calvin Coc. Neats foot oil, ground bones and gyp- sum ; 4 hands.
Wm. Hale. Suspenders ; hands work at their own homes ; raw material $20,000.
Jedediah Wilcox .- Carpet bags.
W. K. & S. . Treat .- Sashes, blinds and doors ; 5 hands.
Osgood & Co. Platform Scales ; 3 hands.
Samuel Yale. Tin ware and lamp screws ; 4 hands.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS of Meriden, in 1845, as taken by the Assessors. Firewood, 1,147 cords ; Wool, 1,191 lbs. ; Corn, 8,523 bush .; Buckwheat, 2,114; Rye, 5,206 ; Oats, 7,180; Potatoes, 8,590; Hay, 1,656 tons; Tobacco, 8,000 lbs .; Butter, 52,560 lbs .; Cheese, 5,675 lbs .; Honey 706 lbs.
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