History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 132

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 132

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).

MR. BUCKINGHAM'S LETTER TO THE TOWN.

" At a town Meeting convened in Norwalk, March 22d, 1725-26,-

"To the Town of Norwalk now conven'd together, I being heartily concerned for ye difficult state of the town, and thinking sincerely within myself, that a loving accommodation of ye difficulties and differ- ences at present between ye town and myself, will be everyway most conducive to ye peace and union of the town, and the satisfaction of every member therein; and so, in the whole, most declarative of the glory of God, and most for the interest of re- ligion, more especially in this place, I thereupon, with Christian concern, move to ye town for an ac- commodation of ye sª difficulties.

"S. BUCKINGHAM.

" The Town most gladly receiving Mr. Bucking- liam's desire, do heartily fall in with his motion for an accommodation of ye difficulties ; provided the Rev. Mr. Davenport, Mr. Cook, and Mr. Chapman, do propose any meathod for such an accommodation, which they do think to be equivalent to, or may answer, the advice of the late association of Norwalk.

"Read off to ye town and by a major vote past in ye affirmative."

THIE COUNCIL FOR ADVICE.

" March 30th, 1726. The town mett, and by a major vote requests the Reverend Mr. Sacket to joyne with ye Reverend Mr. Davenport, Mr. Cook, & Mr. Chapman, in that affair refer'd to thein ye last ineet- ing before ye adjournment."

A SUPPLY FOR THE PULPIT.

" The town by a major vote grants to Mr. Thomas Fitch, jur., Thirty shillings pr. day for two days and a half preachring withr us in times past ; and also for what days he may be so improved by ns for the future."

THIE COUNCIL.

"March the 31st, 1726. The Town mett, and by a major vote made choice of Mr. James Brown to offer in ye town's behalf in ye present affair now before tlre Reverend Gentlemen, viz., ye Rev'd. Mr. Daven- port, Mr. Cook, Mr. Chapman, and Mr. Sacket being present."

THE TOWN CLOSES WITH THE ADVICE OF COUNCIL.

" At the same meeting, the town having had read off to them the advice of ye late association of ye ministers of ye County at Norwalk, for ye Calling of a council of the elders and also of the messengers of the churches in the County ; and also the further ad- vice of ye above Reverend Gentlemen, to pursue sª advice, as most agreeable to rule and order, and inost conducible to an orderly and decisive determination of our difficulties, - the town closes with ye advice aforcsd & by a major vote determines that a council of ye elders, & also of the messengers of the Churelics in this County shall be called."

CALLING THIE CONSOCIATION.

" The town by a major vote determined that a suit- able person shall be sent to ye Rev'd Mr. Stodard of Woodbury, Moderator of ye last council in this county, to obtain letters of notification to ye elders and messengers of the churches in this county, to convene at Norwalk on the first Monday evening in May next, according to ye advice and discretion of ye late association at Norwalk ; and that due provision be made for tlic entertainment of ye said council when convened; the whole charge to be defray'd by the town."

THE COMMITTEE TO REPRESENT TIIE TOWN BEFORE CON- SOCIATION.

" April 27, Annoque Domini, 1726. The town ap- pointed Mr. James Brown, Joseph Platt, Esq., & John Copp, their committee to appear in behalf of the town before tlie Consociation, and to manage the whole affair relating to the difference between ye Rev. Mr. Buckingham & the town."

THE TOWN DISSATISFIED WITH MR. BUCKINGHAM'S CON- VERSATION.

" At a town meeting convened in Norwalk, August 12th, 1726, at ye same meeting, the town by a major vote do signifie their dissatisfaction with the former and latter conversation of the Reverend Mr. Stephen Buckingham, viz .: before and since ye determination of council; as also with the determination of the council in that affair.

" At ye same meeting, the Reverend Mr. Bucking- ham appeared, and read off before ye town then con- vened the following proposals, and directed in manner following."

538

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD. COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

MR. BUCKINGHAM'S PROPOSAL.

"To ye town of Norwalk, with ye Church appertain- ing thercunto:

"Being apprehensive of disquietments among many respecting my continuance in ye service and work of ye ministry among you, these are to signifie to you that if you are disposed, and do so agree to call a con- sociation of ye elders and messengers of ye churches of this county, whereby I might have a regular discharge from ye work and service of the ministry and ye care of your souls ; as by a like consociation I was regu- larly established in, and unto ye same; and that the said consociation shall allso take cognizance of such publike scandalls that any of ye members of this church may lyc under, in breaches of severall com- mands of the morall law and other Scripture rules ; that so, whatsoever of that nature may appear may be orderly removed and ye clhs. peace established, -- Under which surcomstances once obtained I shall freely lay down ye work and service of ye ministry among you.

"STEPHEN BUCKINGHAM. " August 12th, 1726."

THE PROPOSAL VOTED TO BE IRREGULAR.

"Sept. 14, 1726. The town according to adjourn- ment inet, at which meeting it was proposed to the town whether they would call a consociation accord- ing to foregoing proposall of the Rev. Mr. Bucking- ham, presented to ye town August 12th, 1726.

"By a major vote ye town determines the above sd proposal to be irregular, and therefore, by a major vote, resolves ye above question in the negative."

A COMMITTEE TO TREAT WITH MR. BUCKINGHAM ABOUT HIS SALARY.

"Dec. 1, 1726. The town determines to have a committee chosen to treat with the Reverend Mr. Buckingham, refering to his salary, and the act of the town upon the same, Feb. 18, 1725-26."

BUILDING A TOWN-HOUSE .*

" Dec. 9th, 1726. The Town determines to have a house built upon such place as the town by major vote shall agree to determine, that may well entertain the town to meet in at their town-meetings, and others as the town shall or may have occasion from time to time: and also for the entertainment of a generall schoole.

" At the same meeting it was put to vote whether they would build a town-house 'between the meeting- house and Mr. Street's,' or whether they would 'build an addition to the upper school-house ;' upon which 18 voted for the former, and 33 for the latter."

MR. BUCKINGHAM'S "FREQUENT VISIT AT YE HOUSE OF MR. LINES."

"Jan. 25th, 1726-27. The town determincs that something shall be done respecting ye yet remaining

difficulties about ye Reverend Mr. Stephen Bucking- ham, in order for the obtaining relief; and in consid- eration of ye difficult surcomstances of ye church and people of this town, by reason of the sd Gentleman's frequent visit at ye house of Mr. Lincs, with some other remarkable occurrances, the town have by major vote agreed that a council of elders and messengers of this county be called, in order to hear the grievances, and quiet the uneasiness of the Chh. and peeple herein.

"At ye same meeting the town made choice of John Copp, Mr. James Brown, and Mr. Saml. Betts, committee to represent ye town before sª council when convened, and to manage the whole affair respecting ye premises abovesª."+

LAND TO WILTON PARISII.

" At a Proprietors meeting convened in Norwalk, Feb. 1, 1726-7, the proprietors by major vote grant to ye Parislı of Wilton, Tenn Acres of land, to be layd out where ye proprietors alow land to be taken up, to be to ye use of ye Presbiterian or Congregational ministry among them forever."

PARSONAGE,

"Feb. 12, 1728-29. The Proprietors grant Tenn Acress of land to be layd out West of ye High way that leads up from Isaac Hayes's to Strawberry Hill, and North of the high way that lead up by Ebenezer Hyat's lott, towards the said Hayes's, where it can be most conveniently had, and that not prejudiciall to any High wayes; which Tenn acres of land ye said proprietors grant for the use of a Dissenting Presby- terian or Congregational minister, that now is or shall be improved and ordained to that work in ye ancient and prime society in ye township of Norwalk from time to come.

" At the same meeting the Proprietors granted to the Parish of Wilton, five additional acres : six acres 'Westward of Canfield's Hill;' six acres 'about ye Wolf pits ;' and six acres ' Where it may be most con- venient about ye White Oak Shade, for ye use and Improvement' ' of a Dissenting, Presbiterian or Con- gregationall minister thereabouts Improved and set- tled in that work, and so from time to time."

GRANT TO CANAAN PARISH.

" April 3, 1732. The Proprietors by major vote grant to the Inhabitants of Canaan Parish all ye common land where their meeting house standeth, and Thirty Rods from the meeting house, that is common and highway there, so long as they shall support a meeting house in said place."

GRANT TO THE CHURCHI OF ENGLAND PROFESSORS.

"Feb. 11, 1733-4. The Proprietors by major vote grant to such persons in the Town of Norwalk that

t Soon after this date some drew off to the Church of England, and the First Congregational Society was organized under the style of " The Prime Ancient Society." The town then ceased to manage the ecclesi- astical affairs.

* After the town were shut out of the meeting-house, they met gen- erally in ye " North," or " Upper," school-house.

539

NORWALK.

are professors of the Church of England by law estab- lished, One Rood of land on such part of the plain before Lt. Lees, as the committee hereafter named and chosen by sd proprietors shall think most fitting, stake the same ont, for them to build a Church upon, for ye worship of God in that way ; and for a burying yard; to be for yt use forever ; Provided they build a Church on any part of it.

" Oct. 5, 1750. Nehemiah Mead and Joseph Lock- wood, Jr., purchased of the Proprietors a small parcel of land 'Near the Mill Brook, where their Tann fatts now stand ;' and ' At the same meeting the Proprie- tors by major vote, grant to ye professors of the Church of England in Norwalk, seventy one Poles of land ad- joining to ye aforesaid land, as ye same is staked out by sd committee; who are hereby ordered to execute a deed in proper form and manner for their holding the same.' A deed of the same is on record in Book of Deeds from 1753 to 1762.

"Sept. 25, 1760. A Decd from the Committee of the proprietors, to the Chh. Wardens of St. Paul's Church, and the rest of the professors of the Chh. aforesaid, ' for the use and benefit of a burying yard, a small piece of common undivided land in sd Nor- walk, situate and adjoining Northerly and Westerly of the land formerly granted by sd proprietors unto sd professors on which sd Chh. is built, in quantity fifty-eight poles of land,' 'bounded Easterly by high- way and land belonging to sd professors, Southerly by sd land of sd professors, and partly by glebe land and common land, Westerly by sd glebe land, and North- erly by common land or highway.'"

DEED FROM THE FOUNDERS OF ST. PAUL'S PARISII .*

". .. Sundry persons, all Professors of ye Chh. of England, . . . intending the same . . . for ye first Glebe lands to endow sd Certain Parrish Chh. called St. Pauls, in the township of Norwalk . .. KNOW YE that the sd Saml. Cluckston & Ralph Isaacs, John Belden, Jonathan Camp, .. . in great reverence and regard to the Chh. of England as established by law, and her excellent Doctrine, service, unity, and order, preferable to any other upon carth . . . have founded the Parish Chh. aforesaid ... and for the endowment thereof, do by these presents, truly give, grant . . . to ye Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, a house and tract of land lying within ye bounds of Norwalk, in ye main street, sd land contains by estimation about one acre, be ye same more or less ; and is bounded as followeth, viz, South and East by highway, North & west by common land .. . in trust . .. to say, as soon as there shall be a rector according to the order of the Chh. of Eng- land . .. ye premises shall be and inure to ye use of such Rector incumbent and his successors as ye glebe land of sd Chh. in fee simple forever . . &c. 25 March, A. Dom. 1747."

GRANTS TO THE PROFESSORS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND OF LAND UPON STRAWBERRY HILL.

" At a proprietors' meeting, April 6, 1747, Ralph Isaacs & Saml. Cluckston, who are Church Wardens & have represented to this meeting that those of the Proprietors of the Church of England request that the Proprietors at this meeting would grant ye sª Pro- fessors of the Chh. of England, Five Acres of land . . . at a place called Strawberry hill; and this meet- ing having taken sd request into consideration ; being minded to oblige sd Professors, Do hereby grant to sd Church Wardens and the rest of sª Professors said Five Acres, to be laid out by a committee appointed for that purpose, for the support of a missionary set- tled according to yo canons of ye Church of England, from time to time forever.

"June 14, 1748. The Proprietors granted to the same Two acres and a half, adjoining the above for the same uses."

MIDDLESEX.

" April 6, 1747. Whereas the Proprietors of Nor- walk, did by their vote ye 12 Feb. 1728-9, vote and grant six acres of land South East from the land that was called Woods-land land, Westward of Canfield's hill, for ye use & improvement of a dissenting Pres- byterian or Congregational minister thereabouts im- proved & settled in the work & so from time to time ; and there being now a minister settled by some of the people of Norwalk & Stamford and the people of Five mile river that have united with ye people of Stamford, supposing that sª land belongs to them for ye support of sd minister, and thereupon a question being put to this meeting, whether sd land ouglit to be improved by those of ye sd society that lives in ye bounds of Norwalk for ye use aforesd, passed in the affirmative by a Major vote."

TOWN-HOUSE.

" Dec. 8, 1746. The town agreed and voted to ereet a town-house on ye southerly side of the road near where the old town-house stood (34 feet long, 24 feet wide)."

SOLDIERS IN THE FRENCH WAR.

" At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Norwalk, Nov. 2, 1757.

"Capt. Thomas Benedict is chosen Moderator of sª meeting.

"At ye same meeting, upon information of 350 Reg- ulars to be posted in this town for Winter quarters, towards defraying the charges of the same the Town by vote grant a Rate of one penny upon pound of all the rateable estate. . . . Tlie Select men . .. are by vote appointed to take care of the aforesayd Regu- lars."

GUARD-HOUSE AND HOSPITAL.

"Feb. 20, 1759. Voted that the Town shall provide fire wood, &e., for the Guard House and Hospital : and the select men for the time being are appointed to take care of the same, so far as it relates to the town."

* Book of Records from 1740 to 1747.

540

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

SAYBROOK PLATFORM.

"One Saybrook Platform given gratis to each min- ister in this town; the select men divide the remain- ing part aeeording to list."

AGAINST RIOTOUS PROCEEDINGS.

"Nov. 12, 1765. Whereas there have been diverse routs and tumultuous and riotous assemblies of dis- orderly people in the land, and some in this eolony ; and there are diverse reports of many threatenings of such further tumults and riotous assemblies, to the intent of doing mischief to the persons and properties of diverse people, and especially against some in the prineipall places of rule and government; all of which are contrary to the peace, and to subvert all order and government; and whereas the inhabitants of the town of Norwalk, in general town meeting assembled, tak- ing these matters into serious consideration, think it their indispensable duty to bear proper and publick testimony against such unlawfull proccedings ; and accordingly do deelare their utter abhorrenee and de- testation of all such routs, tumults, and riotous assem- blies, and such alarming threatenings of mischiefs ; and as they think themselves bound in loyalty to the King, and for the sceurity of the privileges of the colony, and of the lives and properties of yc subjeets, do hereby further declare, they will use their utmost endeavor, in all proper and legal ways, to prevent and suppress all such disorders, so far as appertains to them to be aiding and assisting therein."

BURYING-GROUND ON MILL HILL.

"Last Monday of Dce. 1767. At the same meeting the Inhabitants by major vote give and grant all their right and title to the burying place on Whitney's hill, so ealled, to ye inhabitants of the First Society."

MEETING OF POPLAR PLAIN AND NORFIELD CITIZENS.

"Jan. 8, 1776. Whereas, information hath this day been made to this meeting, that there are numbers of the inhabitants of this town, living at Poplar Plain and parts adjacent, have united with numbers of the inhabitants of Fairfield, living in Norfield Parish and the Western part of the town of Fairfield adjoining to this town, and have unwarrantably formed themselves into a body, and eall themselves a committee, and determined that every person that is in debt shall not be liable to be sued for the same, nor be liable to pay any interest on obligations, but be discharged there- from; and that justiees of the peaee shall not sign any writ, or grant any executions, and the officers shall not serve cither writs or executions; and have also in case any ereditor shall attempt to suc for his debt or require interest or obligations, or a justiee sign a writ, or any offieer serve the same, they will unitedly prevent and oppose with all the force and strength they can proeure the same .- This meeting, taking into consideration the aforesaid matters of information, and the aforesaid illegal resolves and determinations, are of opinion that the same have a direet tendeney to set aside all law, and leave us in the hands of a

merciless set of men, and to throw us into eonfusion ,and distraetion, and to deprive us of all our valuable and constitutional rights. We therefore do hereby vote and agrec to usc our utmost influenee, power, and strength, to disapprove and to discountenanee every such illegal measure ; and do everything in our power, unitedly, to aid and assist the authority in suppress- ing the same in every proper and legal way."

SALTPETRE-WORKS.

" At the same meeting, the seleet men are direeted to erect Salt Petre works, and earry on the making of Salt Petre at the expense of the town, agreeable to the law of this colony; unless some particular person or persons shall appear to do the same."

MAGAZINE.

" At the same meeting the selectmen are directed to erect a magazine to keep the warlike stores belonging to the town, 'and that on the hill between Mr. Leam- ing's house and Ebenezer Lockwood's.'"

COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION.

"May 20, 1776. Whereas, complaint is made to this meeting by the committee of inspection in this town, that some inconvenieney has arisen on aeeount of the difficulty of having the major part of said com- mittee eolleeted on sudden and special oceasions, voted, that any seven of sd committee shall have power to act in said capacity on any sudden and special occasion."

DONALD MCAULEY'S SALT.

"Oet. 14, 1776. Whereas there has been great un- easiness among the inhabitants, with respect to the great rise of salt; and there being a large quantity in the possession of Donald MeAuley of this place, which the inhabitants of this town are necessitated to have for their use at some priee ; the said Donald MeAuley therefore came into this meeting, and agreed with the inhabitants, that he would not ask them more than twelve shillings, lawful money, per bushel, out of the said quantity, for their own consumption ; and if the market price shall be less, any time hereafter, he will aceept of the same. Upon which the inhabitants eonsent that any one person may purehase salt of him accordingly."

RECORDS OF MARRIAGES, BIRTHS, AND DEATHS DOWN TO THE YEAR 1700.

The following records are from Hall's "History of Norwalk :"

"Thos. Seamer, the Sonne of Rieh'd Seamer, of Norwake, tooke to wiffe, Hannaih Marvin, the daugh- ter of Math. Marvin of the same, January, 1653 .*

* " The following items concerning the family of Matthew Marvin, I have received from T. R. Marvin, of Boston, from a record of the names of persons permitted to embark at the port of London after Christmas, 1634, contained in a MS. folio, at the Augmentation office (so called). Under the date of 15th April, 1634, is the following entry : 'Theis partics, hereafter expressed, are to be transported to New England, imbarked in the Increase, Robert Lea, Master, having taken the oath of allegiance

541

NORWALK.

"Hannaih Seamer, the Daughter of Thos. Seamer, borne the 12th of Desember, 1654.

" Abigall Seamer, the Daughter of Thos. Seamer, borne in January, 1655.

"Mary Seamer, and Sarah Seamer, beinge twinns, daughters of Thos. Seamer, borne in the month of September, 1658.

"Thos. Seamer, the sonne of Thos. Seamer, borne in September, 1660.

"John Bowten of Norwake, tooke to wiffe Abigall Marvin, the daughter of Math. Marvin, senr. of the same, January the 1st, 1656 .*

and supremacy, as also being conformable, &c., whereof they brought testimony per certif. from the justices and ministers where their abodes have lately been. The following names are included in said list:

"husbandman, Matthew Marvyn, Age 35 yrs.

" Uxor, Elizabeth Marvyn, 31

" Elizabetlı Marvyn, 31

" Matthew Marvyn, 8

" Marie Marvyn, G

"Sara Marvyn, 3

" Hanna Marvyn,

" Reinold Marvin, who removed to Saybrook in 1639, and his brother, Matthew Marvin, were among the original settlers of Hartford, Conn. Matthew represented the town of Norwalk in the General Court in 1654.

" The children of Matt. Marvin, Sr., were as follows :

"1. Matthew, born in England, about 1627.

" 2. Mary, born in England, about 1629, married to Richard Bushnell, of Saybrook. ;-. 1048.

« barah, born in England about 1632, married to William Goodridge, of Weathersfield, 1648.

"4. Hannah, born in England about 1634, married to Thomas Sey- mour, of Norwalk, January, 1653.

"5. Abigail, born at Hartford, Conn., married Jolin Bouton, of Nor- walk, Jannary, 1656.

"6. Samuel, born at Hartford, February, 1647-48.

"7. Rachel, born at Hartford, 'close of 1649.'"

* " The name of Jolin Bouton appears on p. 17 as among the first set- tlers of Norwalk. At what time he came to this country the family have no record. 1Ie was a French Protestant, and it io said there are many of the same name still living in France and Germany, and that a great similarity exists between the families there and here. He had five chil- dren after his marriage as here recorded,-viz., John, Matthew, Rachel, bigail, and Mary. He must also have liad children by a previous mar- ride.

" His son John had two children, Jakin and Joseph, and perhaps morc, althougho others appear on the record.

"His grandson, Jakin, had two children by his first wife, Josephi and Sarah ; and by his second wife, two sons, Esaias and Moses, and seven or eight daugliters.

"Joseph, his great-grancon, married Susannalı Raymond, Aug. 25, 1748, daughter of Joshua Raymond, and had eleven children, six sons and five daughters. The sons wer William, Joshua, Joseph, Seth, Ira, and Aaron. The daughters were Rebekah, Betty, Nancy, Susannah, and Deborah. He was an officer in the xpedition sent against the French Provinces in 1758-59, and kept a jour>al of the service, which was un- fortunately lost in pulling down the old family mansion, a few years since, which stood on the spot where Deacor. Jolin Bouton, his grandson now resides.

" William, the son of Joseph, the fifth descendant from the first Jolin, was married to Sarah Benedict, Feb. 15, 1769, by whom he had fourteen children,-viz., Isaac (who died), Isaac, William, Betty, Estlier, Sally, Clara, Seth, Joseph, Susannah, John, Mary, Ann, and Nathaniel.

"Josepli, the son of Joseph, was killed at Red Hook in the Revolu- tionary war, Seth, his brother, was killed by falling from a tree. Joshua listed in the army at the age of fourteen, as a drummer, was taken prisoner, and kept on board a man-of-war till the peace, and ar- rived home just in time to see liis father before he died. He afterwards followed the sea, and was a skillful and able captain.

" The descendants of the fourteen children of William are very mi- merous .- Communicated by S. W. Benedict."

"John Bowten, the sonne of John Bowten, borne the last day of September, 1659.

" Matthew Bowten, the sonne of John Bowten, borne the 24th of Desember, 1661.

" Mstr Thomas Handforde, pastor to the church of Norwake, tooke to wiffe the widow Mary -; married unto his sayed wiffe at Newe Haven, October the 22th, 1661.

"Theophilus Handforde, sonne of mstr Tho. Hand- forde, born in July, the 29th, 1662.

"John Haite tooke to wiffe, Mary Lindall, the daughter of Henry Lindall, deacon of the church of Newe Haven, late deceased, the 14th of September, 1666.

"John Haite, the sonne of John Haite, borne the 21st of June, 1669.

" Ephraim Lockwoode tooke to wiffe Mercie Sen- tion, daughter of Mathias Sention, sen. of Norwake, the 8th of June, 1665.

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 132

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

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