History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 130

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1572


USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 130


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).


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0


0


William Sturdivant. 160


0


0


Samuel Camfield


155


0


0


Thomas Gregory


100


0


0


Jolin Reed, Sr.


125


0


0


William Lees


103


0


0


Jachin Gregory


100


0


0


John Betts.


69


6


2


Robert Stewart


225


0


0


Andrew Messenger.


225


0


0


Thomas Fitch


200


0


John Olmsted


159


0


Christopher Comstock


201


10


0


Daniell Comstock


60


0


0


Thomas Seamer.


184


15


0


John Raymond, Sr


200


0


0


John Raymond, Jr


50


0


0


0


0


John Naslı


100 0


0


John Bouton, Jr.


50


0


0


James Browne ..


50


0


0


Samuell Hayes


150


0


0


Samuell Belldin


63


0


0


Peter Clappum


100


0


0


00


To half the Stonny Hill lott, ye east end of it. 10


OC


To thirty acres aud half at White Oak Shade. 7 13


LISTS OF VOTERS AT TOWN-MEETINGS.


"On the 4th of December, 1694, an order was taken 'that all persons who are members of town-meetings, who have a vote and suffrage in towne affaires,' who should not attend town meetings when legally warned, and within one hour after the time, should pay a fine of two shillings.


"The following is the roll, with the names checked according as they were present or absent at some subsequent meeting :


John Gregory, Jr.


Ebenezer Web.


Nathll. Hayes.


Thomas Hanford.


James Hayes.


Daniell Betts.


Richd. Holmes.


Ralph Keeler.


John Ruscoe.


James Betts.


Thomas Ruscoe.


Samuel Betts.


Eliezer Hanford.


Danicl Lockwood.


John Benidick, Jr.


John Bouton.


John Platt, Sr.


James Browne.


John Platt, Jr.


Thomas Betts.


Ebeuczer Sension.


Daniel Kellogg.


James Jupp.


Matthew Marvin.


John Crampton.


Mr. William Haynes.


Thomas Hyatt.


Jonathan Abbitt.


John Stewart.


Samuel Smith.


Andrew Messenger.


Sammel Kellogg.


Thomas Benedick.


Thomas Fitch.


John Olmstead.


James Olmstead.


Joseph Sension.


Christopher Comstock.


Samuell Beldin.


Samuell Hayes.


Matthew Seamer.


Benjamin Scrivener.


David Monroe.


Richard Cosiar.


Thomas Seamer.


Joseph Gregory.


* This was just after the destruction of Schenectady and Salmon Falls. The country was in great alarm: the frontier towns were everywhere in peril. A special Assembly had been called on the 11th of April, which determined that there was a necessity for the utmost exertions to pre- vent the settlement of the French at Albany. "It was ordered that a constant watch should be kept in the several towns, and that all the males in the colony, except the aged and infirm, should keep watch in their turns. If the aged and infirm were more than £50 in the list, they were to procure a man in their turns, to watch and guard in their stead."


case hee and the towne can agrec, for five months more. And he to be allowed and payd one pound, ten shillings for cach moneth that he shall attend to the sayd work and imployment." -


KILLING WOLVES.


"June 7, 1693. Agreed and voted that there shall be allowed and payd unto any person who shall kill any wolfe or wolves within the bounds of the towne, the sum of 12s. more than is allowed to be payed by the towne. This order to stand in full force a twelve- month."


DEATH OF MR. HANFORD.


"At a towne meeting, Dec. 26, 1693, voted and agreed for to allow unto Mrs. Hanford, widow of Mr. Thomas Hanford, deceased, for his labor and work in the ministry the sum of sixty pounds the yeere ex- pireing the first of March next."


DISTRIBUTING MR. HANFORD'S ESTATE.


Distributed to Elnathan Hanford for his part and portion out of his father's estate, viz., ye Reverend Mr. Thomas Hanford, late of Norwalk, deceased, viz. :



S


To one eighth part of the Home lott or homestead. 13


15


To pasture lott.


18


00


To half ye Indian Brook land. 9


Jonathan Abbitt.


50


0


0


Samuel Benidick.


50


0


0


Thomas Barnum


40


0


0


Frances Bushnell


10


0


0


James Benidick.


37


0


0


Daniell Benidick.


36


0


0


FORTIFYING THE MEETING-HOUSE .*


" At a towne meeting held in Norwalk, April the 30, 1690, the towne voted and agreed, that the Meet- ing house should be the place to be fortified, and a garrison to be erected in order to the security of the towne.


"The committee for 'carrying on this work were Serjt. John Platt, Serjeant John Belldin, Jolın Rus- coe, and Saml. Hayes.' These liad power to propor- tion to every inhabitant his allotment of work, and to take them in ' the.order of house rows,' beginning 'at John Gregorie's' and 'so along that row,' and 'the first man's proportion to begin at the south gate, and so goe along in the same order.' "


SCHOOL-KEEPING.


"Feb. 21, 1692. Thomas Hanford, junior, was chosen to the work and imployment of a school- master, for to learn childeren for to read and write, and to begin present on that work, and to continue on sayd work one moneth ; and then at the beginning of next somer, to enter the sayed work againe, and in


Mr. Thomas Fitch.


John Fitch, Sr.


Joseph Ketchum.


John Abbitt.


George Abbitt.


Zerubbabell Hoyt.


Walter Hoyt.


Matthias Sension, Sr.


Samuell Keeler.


John Raymond Jr.


John Beldin.


0


0


Thomas Murwin


100


0


15


Edward Nash


216


-


Matthias Sension, Jr.


529


NORWALK.


James Stewart.


Stephen Beek with. Joseph Rock well.


John Raymond, Sr. Samuell Raymond. Edward Nash,


John Whitney.


John Nash.


William Sturdivant.


Isaac Sherwood.


Andrew Lyon,


John Reed, Sr.


James Sension.


John Reed, Jr.


Jonathan Rockwell.


John Butler.


William Lees.


Ebenezer Camfield.


Jolın Betts.


Richard Wood.


Jachin Gregory.


Peter Clappum.


John Keeler.


Joseph Goldsmith."


Thomas Rockwell.


PROCURING A MINISTER.


" At a towne meeting held in Norwalk, January the 16th, 1694; at sayed meeting, the towne made choyse of ten of their inhabitants as the Towne committee, viz., Serj'nt John Platt, Matthew Marvin, Serj'nt Christopher Comstock, Serj'nt John Bouton, Samuel Hayes, John Benidick, James Olmsted, Ensign John Beldin, Ralph Keeler, Samuel Smith; and commis- sioned they their said committee, in the belialfe of the towne (viz.) as followeth ; they are to exercise their best prudence for to look out for, and endeavor what in them lyeth, in the use of all lawfull meanes, for to obtaine a faithfull Minister and Dispenser of the word of the Gospell to us in this place; and in order there- unto, they are to send forth their requests or invita- tions according to their best prudence and judgment to that end, either by writing or by messenger, or both, as the major part of the committee shall agree; and they their sayd committee are to order and take care for his entertainment when obtained ; while the Towne doth hereby engage for to discharge and pay all nec- essary charges arising therefrom."


REPAIRING THE BRIDGE.


"Feb. 20, 1694-95. The towne made choyse of Matthew Marvin, John Whitney, and Thomas Betts, for to take exact view of the Bridge over Norwalk River, and to repaire the same, eyther by erecting a new bridge or by repaireing the old, according to their best judgment and prudenee in that matter; desiring them to be as speedy on the sayd work as may be, and as the season will permitt ; and they the above named persons are and have hereby granted them full power for to warn forth and to eall to the carrying on the said work, either handes or teames, or botlı, as oeea- sion shall require, and as they shall see meet for the carrying on and effecting sayed work, for the eom- pleat repayering the sayd bridge."


MR. STONE EMPLOYED AS PREACHIER.


" At a towne meeting held December the 5th, 1694, it was voted and agreed by the towne, Andrew Mes- senger was chosen collector for to give notice to the inhabitants for the bringing in their proportions when the rate shall be made by the townsmen, and to see that the whole of the thirty pounds due to Mr. Stone for his half yeere's preaching the word, be duly and truly payed according to the towne's engagement with the sayed Mr. Stone; and the sayed Andrew for to aet according to the law directing in sueli eases."


OBTAINING A MINISTER.


" At a Towne meeting held in Norwalk, 2d of April, 1695; at sayed meeting it was voted and agreed, and by the towne declared as their mind, that the com- mittee formerly chosen for to act for the towne for the obtaining a minister, have hereby full and free liberty from the towne for to move to whom or whear they shall see cause, for the obtaining of the end pre- mised ; without any restraint or limitation to any per- son or persons ; this to stand full and good, notwith- standing any former aet of the towne contrary to this present order, vote, and declaration of the mind of the town."


PURCHASING A MINISTER'S LOT.


"May 23, 1695, voted and agreed by the towne, that that lott obtained of Joseph Gregory, shall be for the aecommidating of a Gospell minister for the towne; and that it is allso agreed by the towne, that at such time as God shall please to bring in unto us sueli a minister, then and at that day that he shall be called to office and ordayned pastor of the church in Norwalk, then the aforesaid lott shall be and remaine to him, his heires for ever .*


" At a towne meeting, held July the 2d, 1695, at sayed meeting it was voted and agreed upon by the towne, that that land, pasture, and swamp lying in the generall field, granted to the ministry, shall be cleared and fenced, and made for improvement for pasture and meadow.


" Also at the same meeting it was voted and allso granted by the town unto the minister, to him and his heirs, a parcell of salt marsh meadow lying in the bounds of Norwalk, and that over the river on the west side of the towne, &e .- the sayed parcell of meadow the towne engages for to fence and make capable of improvement, &c.


" Also, at the same meeting, the towne by vote hath given and granted to the minister ten acres of land for plowing, and that in the township of Norwalk on the east side of the brook called the north brook, and on the North East part of Mathew Marvin's Boggy Meadow, to be to him and to his heires for ever."


THE MINISTER'S FIREWOOD.


" At a towne meeting, July 17, 1695, it was voted and agreed by the towne for to allow and freely give Mr. Buckingham his firewood annually, and at all times, soe long as lie shall continue to carry on the work of the ministry in Norwalk."


MINISTER'S SALARY.


" Also at the above meeting (July 17, 1695), it was voted and agreed by the towne, for to allow and pay 807. per yeer, after the two first veeres abiding with us, unto Mr. Steven Buckingham, respecting his car- rying on the work of the ministry. The said 80/. to


* This was the lot between Capt. Daniel Hanford's and the residence of the late Hanford Fitch. It was occupied by Rev. Stephen Bucking- ham. The railroad now crosses it.


530


HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.


be annually payed by the town by way of proportion ; extraordinary cases only excepted."


THE MINISTER'S HOUSE.


" December 18, 1695. At the sayd meeting the Towne did manifest and by vote did agree, that they would build a house for the minister, with as much speed as might be with conveniency ; and the dimen- sions of the sayd house are as followeth : two and fourty foot in length, and two and twenty foot in breadth, and two story high, or two lofts, and double chimneys; and a comely porch to syd house; and a seller under one end of the syd house; and stone the syd seller; the sayed house is allso to have a comly gett at each end of the same; and all to be decently finished upon the towne's cost."


THE MINISTER'S SALARY .*


" At a towne meeting held in Norwalk, October the 8th, 1697. At sayd meeting it was voted and agreed by the towne that the eighty pounds sallary granted to Mr. Buckingham, the towne doth agree to pay it as followeth, both for specic and price, vizt .; winter- wheat, at five shillings per bushell, Indian corn at two shillings and six pence per bushell, Rye at foure shillings per bushell, porke at three pence farthing per pound; biefe at two pence per pound ; all good and merchantable, none of the inhabitants to pay above one-third part of their rate or proportion in Rye.


" Allso at the same meeting the towne by their vote did manifest their desire that the Reverend Mr. Steven Buckingham should be ordayned pastor of the church in Norwalk before winter; in case the sayd Mr. Buck- ingham will please to give the towne a dispensation soe long as till the last day of May next insueing for the completing and finishing the house, and allso till the next Michaelmast for the fencing and cleareing of the land engaged by the towne to be fenced and cleared for improvement."


CONCURRENCE OF THE TOWN WITH THE CHURCH IN SET- TLING THE MINISTER.


" Allso at the same meeting the towne made choyse of Matthew Marvin and James Olmstead for to signifie unto the Reverend Elders at the time of ordination, the desire and good agreement of the townc with the church in ordayning Rev. Mr. Steven Buckingham."


* The deed of the lands granted to Mr. Buckingham as his settlement bears date April 7, 1699:


"I. One homelot, 4 acres, bound E. by the land of Thos. Betts & the common fence partly, W. The towns highway. N. The homelot of Thos. Seamer. S. land & homelot of heirs of John Raymond, senr., Decd .- with the house which is now built.


"2. Land in the field; swamp & upland 16 acres; one half to him and his heirs forever; the other half after his decease, to return to the town. "3. Ten acres of upland lying in the woods; lying near the Towne over the North Brook so called.


"4. Three score acres of land in the woods-bounded by marked trees, adjoining part of the land of Saml. Hayes, and Ensign John Beldin, above Chesnut Hill.


"5. Salt marsh meadow, 2 Acres, bounded E. by the cove, & N. & N. W. by the bank of upland. S. by a fence and a small creek near John Bouton's meadow.


" 6. Three Hundred pounds right in commonage."


A GALLERY IN THE MEETING-HOUSE.


"Oct. 25, 1697. Voted and agreed to erect tlie foundation of a gallery in the meeting house, over the fourth part of sayd house; speedily, before the ordination if it can be accomplished. And have made choyse of Ralph Keeler, and Samuel Keeler, and John Whitney to doe the work, and to doe it soe as in their best judgment, best for the strength and conveniency of the gallery, &c."


ENTERTAINING THE ELDERS AND MESSENGERS AT THE OR- DINATION.


" Allso (Oct. 25, 1697). The towne made choyse of Matthew Marvin, Serjnt. John Platt, and Samuell Hayes, and John Bennidick and Thomas Betts, who are by the towne desired to take care for the providing of a comfortable entertaynment for the Reverend Elders and Messengers when heare at the time of or- dination ; the charge of their entertaynment to be payd by the inhabitants of the towne."


FLAX FOR THE DRUM-CORD.


" Allso voted and agreed for to allow to John Crampton for the yeere insueing, for beating the Drum on all publique occasions, and allso to sweep the meeting house, and to keepe the house cleane and decent; and the towne engages for to allow and to. pay unto sayd Crampton two pounds ten shillings for his labour; and the towne allow the townsmen for to furnish the sayd Crampton with soe much flax as may make necessary cords for the townc's Drum ; to pro- cure the flax where they can, and the towne to pay the cost of the flax."


INDIAN DEED TO MR. HANFORD:


" Know all inen by these presents, that I Winni- pank, Indian Sagamour of Norwalk, do freely Give to my beloved friend Thomas Hanford, senior, Minister of Norwalk in ye County of Fairfield, in ye Colony of Connecticut, my Island of Land Lying against Rower- ton, containing Twenty acres more or less, with all ye trees, Herbage, and other Appurtenances thereof; which sª Island is bounded on ye East with ye Island called Mamachimins, and Chachanenas, and on ye West with the point of Rowerton; I the said Winni- pank Do by this my act and Deed, Alienate the sª Island from all claims of English or Indians, and as being my peculiar propriety, never by deed of gift, or sale made over to any, but now by this my deed I do give it freely to my beloved friend Thomas Hanford, senr., to possess, improve, to him and his heirs for- ever. In confirmation of this my act or deed, I have set to my hand & seal this second day of December Anno Domini One thousand six Hundred and Ninety.


The mark of 3 Winnipank.


"Signed, sealed, and delivered in Winnipank Indian, ye subscriber the presence of


" JOHN GREGGORY,


" SAMUEL HANFORD.


acknowledged ye above Instrument to be lis free act and deed, before me in Norwalk.


" Dec. 28th, 1698, NATHAN GOLD, Assist."


531


NORWALK.


HUNGRY SPRING.


" Feb. 23, 1699. Voted and agreed that Thomas Seamer shall be warned for to lay open to the use of the towne the Spring called Hungry Spring; for free passing of man and beasts to the sayd spring ; he to remove any fence or incumbrance in the way to sayd spring, that is or was by him sett up or erected."


THE PRICE OF FIRE WOOD.


" Feb. 23, 1699. It was voted and agreed that all persons as carry fire wood to Mr. Buckingham, shall be allowed for cach load of wallnut wood three shil- lings and six pence, and for each load of oake wood is allowed two shillings and six pence."


BUILDING A SCHOOL-HOUSE.


"November 27, 1699. Agreed that the towne would build a schoole house as soon as may be with conveniency ; and the dimensions of sayd house is agreed to be as followeth : the length 20 foote; the breadth thereof eighteene foot; and at least six foot betweene joynts &c. &c."


CERTAIN TOWN CHARGES IN 1699 .*


8. d.


Burning the woods, Serjt. John Platt one day ...


Saml. Belden one day burning woods-one day (and so of seven others in succession). 2


6


Samuell Smith for towne barres. 2


6


John Platt for a ponnd of butter. 0


9


4 The widow Hyett a 3d part of a wolfe ... 3


Allowed to James Hayes for flax 2 pounds for the Towne's Drum delivered to Jolin Crampton


2 0


Samuel Keeler for mending the towne barres


1


G


CHARGES FOR WOLVES.



8. d.


Ensigne Belden, five wolves.


10 0 0


Samll. Belden, one wolf. 10


Saml. Hayes, one wolf. 10


0


Joslı. Rockwell, one 3d of a wolfe. 3


4


Tho. Gregory, one wolfe. 10 0


Saml. Smith, one wolfe 10


0


Elizar Hanford, one wolfe


10


4


POWDER AND LEAD.


"April 10, 1700. It was voted and agreed by the inhabitants and hearby declared as the towne's act, that there shall be a rate made and levyed forthwith, for the procuering of powder and Icad for the towne store or magazine; to be levyed in money, a half- penny on the pound."


CERTAIN TOWN ACCOUNTS (Dec. 30, 1701).


Joseph Ketchum, for running the lyne betwean Stamford and £ s, d. our towne ... 3 0 6 Itm. One day burning woods 0


2 6 Allso, a pint of runt ...


9 0


0 Samuel Keeler, one day burning woods


2


G


7 0 His horse to the Court at New Haven. 0


Allso one day renewing the bounds of the purchase ; him and his horse.


4


Allso a piut of rnm ..


0 One third of a wolfe


10 0


Samuel Beldin, two-thirds of a wolf.


0


6


S


Serj't. John Raymond, one-sixt part of a wolf.


0


1 S


Zernbabell lloyt, half one wolf.


0


5


0


0 0 18 Allso burning the Islands.


G 1 2 Matthias Sension, for beating the drum


Allso a drum-cord.


JOHN COPP, SCHOOLMASTER.


"Dec. 30, 1701. Voted and agreed by the towne that they would have a schoolemaster for the next


yeere insucing in case he can be obtained. Allso voted and agreed that Mr. John Copp shall be the person for that work in case he can be obtained on reasonable termes.


" Allso voted and agreed, that for the paying of the charge of a schoolemaster shall be as followeth : that all children from the age of five yeeres old to the age of twelve yeeres, shall all pay an equall proportion ; excepting the female; all that doe not goe to schoole, and all yonthis above the age of twelve years as goe in the day, shall pay equally with the others above sayed ; and all night schoollers shall pay a third part soe much as the day schoolers; and the schoolers to pay fifteene pounds; and the remaynder of the charge of schoole master's sallary shall be payd by the towne according to their list of estate in the publique list of the Collonie."


PAYMENT OF THE TOWN RATE IN 1701.


"Voted and agreed, that the town rate shall be payd in maner as followetli, vizt, in wlicat at 5s. per buslil, Indian corne at 3s. per bushell, flax at 9d per pound, oats at 1s. 8d, rye at 3s. 6d, Barley at 3s. per bushell, and not to pay to any, above a third part of their debt in flax, oats, Barley, but two thirds of all be in wheat or Indian corne."


THE ISLANDS.


" Whereas the inhabitants of the towne of Norwalk, have had possession of severall Islands lying adjacent to their township, and allso improvement of them forty yeares, and longer, without being interrupted by any persons laying. claime and prosecuting their claime in due forme of law, the sayd towne having hrad quictt possession long before the sayd law of pos- session was enacted, and ever since; the select men and justice doc in the name of sayd towne and for their behoofe, enter and record unto the said towne, them their heires and assignes for ever ; namely Cock- enocs Island known by sayd name, and Mamachimons Island, and the Long Island, and Camfield's Island, known by sayd names, and all other Islands lying in or adjacent unto the towneshipp of Norwalk; to the legallity of this record we whose names are hereunto sett and subseribed, our names and hands.


" JAMES OLMSTEAD, Justice and Recorder. "SAMUEL SMITH,


" THOMAS BETTS,


"SAMUELL BELDEN,


Townsmen.


"SAMUELL BETTS,


" SAMUELL MARVEN.


"Recorded this 4th day of January, 1762-3.


"From Book 2 & 3."


SITTING IN THE DEACONS' SEAT.


" Jan. 14, 1702. The towne did by their vote, allow John Gregory, senior, liberty to sitt in the Deacon's seat before the pulpitt, for the advantage and benefitt of his hearing the word preached.


" Allso at the above sayd meeting the towne did by


* The town clerk had turned ovor several lcavos, and made this record out of its order.


() 0


1


0


0


3


4


0 Samuel Hayes, his horse to Hartford ...


0


1 0)


Allso half one side of the pound: allso some rayles carrying to the towne Barres,-all.


0


0 Ebenezer Seusion, a 3d of one wolfe.


3


3


0


532


HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.


vote grant and allow, unto Matthew Marvin, liberty to sitt in the Deacon's seat before the pulpitt for the benefitt of his hearing the word preached."


HIORSE SHEDS BY THE MEETING-HOUSE.


"Jan. 14, 1702. Granted liberty to those inhabitants out-dwellers, for to erect shelters for their horses for the Saboath and publique occasions, by Matthias Sension's jr. Lott in the common, not to hinder or obstruct his passage to his barne and yard, or to his shop."


IN CASE OF FINE BY THE SERGEANT MAJOR.


" Feb. 26, 1702, it was voted and agreed by the towne that in case the present select men shall be fyned by the Serjnt. Major, for the townes defect in not having their proportion of armes and ammunition in their towne stock according to law, the towne engages to pay the fyne, and that by way of rate."


THE MEETING-HOUSE BELL.


" Feb. 3, 1703. The towne voted that the Bell should be fetcht from Ralph Kecler's and forthwith hung up in the meeting house for to be wrung ther for the probation of the goodnes of the Bell.


" At the same meeting the towne made choyse of Ralph Keeler and James Stewart to hang the bell in the meeting house, and to doe all that is necessary respecting the hanging the sayd bell, and allso to put a new tongne into the bell if it shall in there judg- ments soe need it."


RINGING THE BELL AND BEATING THIE DRUM.


"Dec. 1704. William Lees did engage with and unto the towne to beat the Drum or ring the bell, and that on all publique occasions. And also to sweep the meeting house every week decently ; and the towne engages to allow and pay unto sayd Lees the next yecre the sum of one pound ten shillings."


FETCHING ARMS FROM STAMFORD.


" Allso the towne engages to pay any damage that may be done, or happen to be done, in the armes that are to be fetcht from Stamford; and allso to pay those persons as shall fetch them, reasonable satisfaction for their labor."


SEATING THE MEETING-HOUSE IN 1705.


"Voted, that the meeting house shall be seated with as much conveniency as may be; and that the order or method of seating the meeting house shall be in the act of the towne bareing date Feb. 21, 1698; only further agreed that noe person shall be degraded, or brought lower than they are now seated.


" Allso voted and agreed that the first long seat in the gallery of the meeting house shall be accounted and deemed as the fifth long seat below, and those as sitt below have liberty there to sitt still.


. " Also that there shall be twelve men seated in the long seat of the gallery ; namely, the first seat of the gallery.


" Also, there is to be two seats of the gallery seated on the woman's side of the gallery, if need be.


" Allso, the towne made choyse of Thomas Betts, senr., Samuell Smith, senr., and Ralph Keeler, senr., they to scat the meeting house according to the order of the towne."


SEATING THIE MEETING-HOUSE IN 1706.


"The towne made choyse of a committee, vizt .; James Olmsted, John Benedick, senr., Samuel Smith, senr., Zerubabell Hoyt, Thomas Betts, senr., Ebenezer Sension, Joseph Platt, persons with whom the towne have left that affaire, vizt., the seating of the meeting house; and they the sayd committee to order and de- termine that matter according to their best discretion ; they to have respect to age, quality, and the estates of persons iu the publique list, and the towne to abide their determination."




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