USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 167
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Mr. Goodrich also says that the "wages given to
masters is from 15 to 18 dollars per month, according to number of scholars and the ability of the teachers. There is taught in our schools Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, and Grammar, some Cateehising, and a little manners. It has been remarked that since the visiting eommittee have attended to their duty our sehools are under better regulation and our scholars make greater profieieney. There are a number of young people who have been taught in our schools who have gone into other parts and taught with ap- plause. Board for children is from seventy-five eents to one dollar per week, and tuition from fifty cents to one dollar per quarter."
" At a Town-Meeting held in Ridgefield, March 18th, 1746, at ye said meeting Sergt James Northrup by a Major vote was chosen Moderator.
"The sd meeting by their Major vote do agree and order that there shall be two women Schools be kept from ye first of April next till ye first of Octobr ensning, ye one of sd Schools to be kept at ye Town house and ye other at ye house that was built for that purpose, a little north- ward of Jonah Smiths.
"Test TIMOTHY KEELER, " Registr."
" Ridgefield, April ye 13th, 1749, then Received of Capt Richard Olm- stead, Matthew Benedict, School Comtee of ye Donation money ye sum of Twenty six Pounds twelve shillings money in order to pay for ye keeping School or Schools in testimony hereof we do set our hands
"SAMI SMITHI, " THOMAS HYATT, " JAMES NORTHROP,
" Selectmen."
" At a Town Meeting held in Ridgefield by Adjournment from Decemr ye 18th to Decenibr ye 24th AD 1753, Matthew Benedict being Moderator, it was Voted in sd meeting that there shall be two Men Schools kept 3 Months between this time and ye first of April next one of theni at ye Town house and ye other at ye School house near Lt Jonah Smiths. It was also voted in så meeting that there shall be three School Mistresses provided and put into Schools ye first of April next and continne therein until ye first of October next, one of them to be kept in ye School house near Lt Jonah Smiths, one of them in ye Town house, and one of them in or near Benn Roekwells house.
" It was voted in sd meeting that two Men Schools shall be kept by two masters in (sd houses or places where ye above said men Schools are to be kept) from ye first of October next till ye next Annual Town Meeting."
In 1761 five sehools were taught in the town,-one at the town-house, one at West Lane, one at Titicus, one at Limestone, and one at Florida.
Dec. 28, 1761, it was
" Voted, That there be five Schools kept within the Limits of this Society for three months, viz., one at the house near John Northrops, Jnr, one at the Town House, one at the house near Benjn Stebbins, Jr., one at Limestone; and one near l'latt's Mill, Provided there be a suffici- ent number of scholars at each school, to be Determined by the School Commitee Capt. Daniel Bradley, Aaron Northrup, Thos Hawley, Theophilus Stebbins, and Obadiah Platt were Chosen a School Committee.
" Granted a Rate or Tax of three farthings upon the Pound to Defray the Charges of the Seliools and Society, to be paid by the first Day of May next.
"John Smith Jur was Chosen a Collector to Collect the Society Rate and pay the same into the Hands of the Committe that has the charge of the School Bonds viz Sam Olmstead Esq Capt Richard Olmstead and Stephen Smith."
Dee. 22, 1762, it was
" Voted, That there shall be 23 Scholars to attend each School in the Society one Day with the other as long as the Schools are Continued."
On the 20th of December, 1763, at a meeting of the First Ecclesiastical Society, it was voted that the
RIDGEFIELD.
sehools be continued the same as the previous year, with the additional clause :
" Liberty is allowed by the Major voto of the meeting to set up Six Schools in the Society at or near the places where they were kept last year and to be kept by Masters for three Months, and cach School to draw an equal Sharo of the ten Shilling upon the thousand allowed by the Government for the uso of Schools and the Interest upon the Dona- tion, provided they are kept two months compleat."
On the 14th of December, 1767, it was voted in the said society meeting that the "Society be Divided into Districts for Sehooling."
In 1773 it was voted at a society's meeting
" That schools may be kept in the same places, and under tho same regulations as last year, with this addition, that each Committee man warn the people in the District where he resides to meet at Time and Place, and the major part of their votes shall Determine who shall bo the master to keep their school, and the Committee shall be concluded thereby and hire the master. Said district shall by their major voto order him to hire ; and also with this reserve that the district np at Tyti- chus have Liberty to keep their school at the houso near to James Smith's, or at any other placo said District shall agree upon."
" At a Town Meeting held April ye 10th 1786 voted
"That the Proprietors of the Frame set up for a School House near ye Dwelling house of Jeremiah Wilson may have the privilege of appro- priating the present Town house towards finishing said School Honso; provided the Proprietors of said School House fully vest tho Town and the first Society with the privilege of holding all their necessary Town Proprietors, First Society and Freemans Meetings therein and that they (the proprietors of sd School House) will finish and compleat said School House and make it Convenient by seating ye same."
The building above referred to was known as the Independent School-House.
"At a meeting of the Proprietors of tho Indepondent School House holden at the House of Widow Clemence Smith on April ye 21st 1786 Silas Hull Moderator and Jacob Smith Jun Clerk protempore of said meeting, Voted
" That the proprietors of ye said Independent School Hlouso will take and Appropriate the now Town House, agreeably to the voto of the Town Respecting said Town and School House and do wholly and fully Iuvest the Town with all the Privileges respecting said School Honso, which are Mentioned in the Town Vote respecting ye same."
This was an advanced sehool, and for nearly thirty years was taught by Mr. Samuel Stebbins.
At present there are fourteen districts, as follows : No. 1, Seotland; No. 2, Bennett's Farms; No. 3, Limestone; No. 4, Titieus ; No. 5, West Mountain ; No. 6, Centre; No. 7, West Lane; No. 8, Whipstiek; No. 9, Flat Rock; No. 10, Branchville; No. 11, Florida; No. 12, Farmingville; No. 13, North Ridgebury ; No. 14, South Ridgebury.
For present condition of schools, see General His- tory.
BURIAL-PLACES.
The first ground set apart for a burial-place was sit- uated immediately west of the present residence of William E. Benedict, and two stones are still to be seen,-one marking the grave of Sarah, wife of Rieh- ard Osborn, Esq., and the other that of Capt. Mat- thew Benedict. The former is the oldest in the town. The following extraet is taken from the town records:
" Att ye Meeting above s'd the Proprietors by their Major Vote do grant and by their order do appoint for ye town's use a certain Spot or plece of land for their burying place or yard ; s'4 spot or parcell of Land Lying a little Sonthward of that lott or homestead that Milford Sam'l Smith bonght of Drinkwaters, and Northward of ye Car-path or Rhode that comes over Titticus river."
This spot is the old portion of the present cemetery. The Ridgebury Cemetery was designated as a burial- place Dec. 17, 1743. The following was the vote of the town:
" Tho town by their major vote, do allow and order ye spot of land lying at ye North-east corner of Joseph Northrops home lot, In ye New Patent, shall be a burying place for ye people of ye New P'atent to bury their dead therein."
CHANGE IN THE BOUNDARY.
In the year 1727 the people of Ridgefield beeame somewhat exercised over a proposed change in the boundary-line between this town and the State of New York. It was proposed by Connecticut to grant to New York sixty-two thousand aeres along its north and south boundaries in exchange for Green- wieh and portions of Stamford on the Sound. By this exchange the loss of territory would be so great as to materially weaken the township, and, May 13, 1727, a petition was presented to the General Assembly for the annexation to the town of a gusset of land lying northward, which was granted May 11, 1732.
THE RIDGEFIELD PRESS.
The idea of establishing a newspaper in Ridgefield was eonceived by D. Crosby Baxter. The first issue appeared on Jan. 13, 1875, printed on a jobber five by seven in the chase, and was entitled Baxter's Monthly, with the motto, "Tall oaks from little acorns grow." On February 13th it was enlarged to eight by eleven ; in Mareh it was further enlarged to eleven by fifteen. In March, 1876, it was enlarged to a quarto sheet, twelve by seventeen, and continued in that form till Sept. 19, 1877, when it was printed on a single sheet, thirteen by twenty, and on the following month still further enlarged to its present size,-viz., twenty-two by thirty-one.
The subscription-list steadily inereased from a round dozen on its initial issue until it has now at- tained a eireulation of six hundred copies weekly, which reaches all the States, and with a limited for- eign eirculation. D. Crosby Baxter is the editor, with whom is associated Charles H. Jarvis, as loeal.
CENSUS OF THIE TOWN.
1756, 1115; 1810, 2103; 1820, 2301; 1830, 2322; 1840, 2474; 1850, 2237; 1860, 1910; 1870, 2213 ; 1880, 2028.
SENATORS.
The following persons have been elected from the town to represent the Eleventh District in the State Senate :
1834, John F. King; 1837, Sammel S. St. John ; 1849, Joshna I. King; 1853, John B. Hyatt; 1867, Peter P. Cornen; 1875, Lewis H. Bailey.
" At a Proprietors Meeting held in Ridgefield, Jan. ye 27th 1735-36. By their major vote, Timothy Keeler was chosen Proprietor's Clerk, or Register for ye year ensuing, and sworn according to Law before Jumes Benedict, Justice of ye peaco" Jan. ye 27th 1735-36.
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
JUDGES OF PROBATE.
1841, Harvey Smith, one year ; 1842, William Sherwood, two years; 1844, Harvey Smith, two years; 1846, Jacob T. Haviland, one year; 1847, Harvey Smith, one year; 1848, Ebenezer Hawley, four years; 1852, Edward Couch, two years; 1854, Henry Smith (2d), oue year; 1855, Hiram K. Seott, fifteen years; 1870, D. Smith Sholes, one year ; 1871, Elijah L. Thomas, two years; 1873, Hiram K. Scott.
REPRESENTATIVES TO LEGISLATURE.
1740, James Benedict, Samuel Smith; 1741, James Benedict; 1742-43, James Benedict, Daniel Olmstead; 1744, James Benedict, Richard Olmstead ; 1745, Timothy Keeler, Joseph Ilawley; 1746-47, Richard Olmstead, Sammel Olmstead; 1748-49, James Benedict, Samuel Olm- stead; 1750, Samuel Olmstead, Stephen Smith ; 1751, James Bene- diet, Samuel Olmstead; 1752, Richard Olmstead, Samuel Olmstead; 1753-55, Samuel Olmstead, Stephen Smith ; 1756, Elijah Olmstead, Samuel Olmstead; 1757, Elijah Hawley ; 1758, Elijah Hawley, Sam'1 Olnistead, S. Smith ; 1759, Samuel Olmstead, Johu Benedict, Stephen Smith; 1760, Samuel Olmstead, Stephen Smith; 1761, Samuel Olm- stead, Lemuel Abbott; 1762, Samuel Olmstead, Steplien Smith ; 1763, Timothy Keeler, Samuel Olinstead; 1764, Samuel Ohnstead, Timothy Keeler, John Benedict; 1765, Timothy Keeler, Stephen Smith ; 1766, William Lee, Nathan Olmstead; 1767, Wm. Lee, Nathan Olmstead, Samuel Olmstead, Stephen Smith ; 1768, Samuel Olmstead, William Lee; 1769, Samuel Olmstead, William Lee, Philip Burr Bradley; 1770, Samuel Olmstead, Philip Burr Bradley, Benjamin Stebbins; 1771, Wm. Lee, Col. Philip Burr Bradley, Samuel Olmstead ; 1772-74, Col. Philip Burr Bradley, Samuel Olmstead; 1775, Col. Philip B. Bradley, Samuel Olmstead, Capt. Lemuel Morehouse; 1776, Samnel Olmstead, Col. P. B. Bradley, Stephen Smith ; 1777, Wm. Forvester, Nathan Olmstead, John Benedict ; 1778, Nathan Olmstead, T. Keeler, W. Forrester, S. Olmstead; 1779, Samuel Olmstead, Wm. Forrester, Timothy Keeler, Jr., Stephen Norris, John Benedict ; 1780, Nathan Olmstead, Joliu Benedict, Col. P. B. Bradley, Capt. Jonah Foster, Timothy Keeler, Isaac Doolittle; 1781, Timothy Keeler, Ichabod Doolittle, Capt. David Oluistead; 1782-87, Col. P. B. Bradley, Capt. David Olmstead; 1788, Col. P. B. Bradley, William Forrester, David Olmstead ; 1789, Col. P. B. Bradley, David Olinstead, Joshua King; 1790, Col. P. B. Bradley, Joshua King; 1791, Col. P. B. Bradley, Joshua King, David Olmstead; 1792, Joshua King, Wm. Forrester, Awios Baker; 1793, Joshua King, David Olmstead; 1794, Joshua King, William Forrester; 1795, Joshua King, David Olmstead, Win. Forrester; 1796, Joshua King, Win. Forrester, David Olmstead ; 1797, David Olmstead, Samuel Danchy; 1798, Samuel Danchy, Nathan Smith, Joshua King, David Olmstead; 1799, Joshua King, Nathan Danchy ; 1800, Jacob Olmstead, Eliphalet Brush, Joshua King, Job Smith ; 1801, Nathan Dauchy, Jared Olmstead; 1802, Joshua King, Samuel Stebbins; 1803, Samuel Stebbins, Nathan Dauchy, Jr .; 1804, Nathan Dauchy, Jr., Timothy Keeler, Nathan Smith; 1805, Nathan Dauchy, Nathan Smith, Job Smith, Jonathan Keeler ; 1806, Job Smith, Jonathan Keeler, Samuel Stebbins, Timothy Kee- ler; 1807, Nathan Smith, Timothy Keeler (24), John Jones, Jesse S. Bradley ; 1808, J. Joues, Jesse S. Bradley, Jacob Dauchy, Timothy Keeler (2d) ; 1809, Jacob Dauchy, Timothy Keeler. Nathan Dauchy, Jesse S. Bradley ; 1810, Nathan Danchy, Aaron Stuart, Daniel Joues ; 1811, Joshua King, Gamaliel L'enedict ; 1812, Joshua King, Benjamin Lynes, Matthew Keeler, Nathan Dauchy ; 1813, Nathan Smith, Samnel Stebbins ; 1814, Daniel Jones, Seth Boughtou, Jesse S. Brad- ley, Jeremiah Mead; 1815,* Jesse S. Bradley, Jeremiah Mead; 1816, Joshua King, Timothy Keeler, Wm. Hawley ; 1817, Wm. Hawley, Gamaliel Benedict, Matthew Keeler; 1818, Eliphalet Brush, Jabez M. Gilbert; 1819, Gamaliel Benediet, Bradley Hull; 1820, Benjamin Lynes, Elijah Hawley ; 1821, Benjamin Lynes, Aaron Lee; 1822, Aarou Lee, Lot Forvester; 1823, Aaron Lee, Riah Nash ; 1824, Wil- liam Ilawley, Richard Randall; 1825, John F. King, Win. Crocker ; 1826, Jesse S. Bradley, John F. King; 1827, Jesse S. Bradley, Jabez M. Gilbert; 1828, Jabez M. Gilbert, Lot Forrester; 1829, Jesse S. Bradley, Aaron Lee; 1830, Aaron Lee, Ebenezer Hawley; 1831, Ebenezer Hawley, Gamaliel N. Benedict ; 1832, Walter Danchy, Thomas St. John ; 1833, Thomas St. John, William Sherwood ; 1834, Ebenezer Hawley, Gamaliel N. Benediet ; 1835-36, Aaron Lee, Joseph C. Sears ; 1837-38, Czar Jones, Major Boughton ; 1839, Thadeus Kee- ler (2ª), Eli Rockwell; 1840, Keeler Dauchy, Eli Rockwell; 1841, William Lee, Samuel S. Olmsted; 1842, William Lee, Joseph C.
Sears; 1843, Albin Jennings, Ebenezer Hawley; 1844, Ebenezer Hawley, Major Bougliton; 1845, Harvey Smith, Hezekiah Scott ; 1846, Chanucey Olmstead, Nehemiah Keeler; 1847, Abijah Ressequie, Benjamin D. Norris ; 1848, George Kceler, Francis A. Rockwell ; 1849, David Scott, Richard L. Gilbert ; 1850, Hiram K. Scott, David IInrlburt ; 1851, Russell B. Keeler, Robert C. Edmonds; 1852, HIar- vey K. Smith, James Smith ; 1853, Edward Williams, Samnel M. Smith ; 1854, Samuel S. Olmstead, Timothy Jones; 1855, Jesse S. Bradley, Charles Smith; 1856, William Howe, William M. Lynes ; 1857, Benjamin K. Northrop, Hiram O. Nash ; 1858, Jacob Danchy, Ebenezer Joues; 1859, Edward H. Smith, Ebenezer B. Sanford; 1860, William Lee, John T. Rockwell ; 186I, Samuel Seott, Benjamin K. Northrop; 1862, Charles Smith (2ª), Jared N. Olmstead ; 1863, Ja- red N. Olinstead, Charles Smith (2d); 1864, Abner Gilbert, Samuel S St. John; 1865, Iliram O. Nash, E. W. Keeler; 1866, Albert Scott, C. W. Slausou ; 1867, Henry Smith, F. A. Rockwell; 1868, Wm. O. Sey- mour, George Boughtou : 1869, Wm. O. Seymour, H. K. Smith ; 1870, Daniel L. Adams, Daniel IIunt ; 1871, Peter P. Cornen, John S. Kee- ler ; 1872, Elijah L. Thomas, George Bougliton ; 1873, H. K. Smith, Edward H. Smith ; 1874, P. C. Lounsbury, L. C. Seymour ; 1875, Na- than Lonnsbury, Ira S. Keeler; 1876, Samuel J. Barlow, Simon Couch ; 1877, Aaron Lee, Matthew Betts; 1878, Sereno S. HurIbutt, David H. Valden ; 1879, Benj. K. Northrop, Charles B. Northrop; 1880, Aaron W. Lee, Johu D. Nash.
TOWN-IIOUSES.
The first town-house was ereeted in 1743, at a eost of seventy-nine pounds seventeen shillings :
"The House, voted to be built for ye use of ye Town, is to be con- structed in the manner following-viz-to be one Story high, 26 feet long, 18 feet wide, and a chimney at one end, quite across ye house-to be covered with good cedar shingles-3 feet long, if laid upou sawed lath-aud if ye shingles be 18 inches or 2 feet-if Iaid on sawed boards -to be well closed with clapboards aud door-two good floors,-to be well ceield with white wood boards-with three Windows -one of the said windows to be on ye back side of ye house-20 in wide, and two feet long,-ye other two windows, each to have 3 feet and one half of glass-and the casement to run into ye wall-a good hearth-a well fastened bench raised within side of ye house-a good lock and key to ye door,-to be well underpined-ye jambs and ye top of ye chimney to be well paiuted-
" The above said house, Gamaliel Northrop hath made an offer to build ye same, according to ye description above mentioned-for 79€ 17s old tenure, and to be finished by ye first day of December next-To being paid 50£ by ye first of April next, and ye said Gamaliel Northrop do promise .- In witness my baud this 29 day of December, 1743.
" GAMALIEL NORTHROP.
" In presence of
" TIMOTHY KEELER.
" JOSEPH FOLLIOT."
This house, says the Rev. Mr. Teller, in his "His- tory of Ridgefield," 1878, "stood in the southwest corner of Mrs. Irad Hawley's yard, immediately in front of the Congregational leeture-room." In the following year it was removed to a point "south of the pound," which was probably south of Mrs. Nathan Smith's present residenee."
This continued to be used both as a sehool-house and a town-house until 1776, when the old house was given to the proprietors of the Independent school- house to be used in finishing that house, "provided that the said Independent sehool-house shall be used for town and society meetings."
After the removal of the Independent sehool-house town-meetings were held in the ehurehes until 1830, when the lower part of the Masonie Hall was made use of for that purpose. Meetings were held here until the ereetion of the present town-house, which
* Special Session-Abuer Gilbert, Jr., Nathau Dauchy.
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RIDGEFIELD.
was completed in 1876, at a cost of six thousand dollars.
THE POUND.
The first pound probably stood on the church- green, near the first town-house.
Dec. 24, 1753, it was
" Voted, That there be a new Pound built in ye lane northward of where David Scott lives-and to bo 30 ft. in length and 25 feet in Breadth-and to Consist or be built with 4 Sills, 4 Plates, and four new Posts, and Eight Braces-all of good Sound White eak timber, hewn Square and well framed together and to be 5 feet between ye sills and plates."
" Annual Town Meeting legally Warned and holden in Ridgefield on ye 14th day of December A.D. 1795.
" Voted, That a Pound bo built ye South side the Rocks, in the Street on ye west side the Path near Samuel Stebbin's Dwelling House, not to contain moro ground in it than is equal to forty feet square."
This pound was located on the spot where Gen. Arnold's horse was shot from under him at the battle of Ridgefield.
JERUSALEM LODGE, NO. 49, F. AND A. M.
This lodge was chartered on the 19th day of Oeto- ber, 1808, with the following officers : Master, Daniel Jones ; Senior Warden, Daniel Bouton; Junior Warden, Philip Bradley; Treas., Gen. Joshua King ; Sec., Benjamin S. Smith ; Senior Deacon, John Wa- terous ; Junior Deacon, Jacob Northrup ; Tiler, Lot Forrester. The first lodge-inceting was held at the house of Amos Smith, Nov. 30, 1808. Abijalı Resse- guie was initiated Oct. 13, 1812, and is now living and running the old Ridgefield Hotel, commonly known as Resseguie's Hotel. He is nearly sixty-eight years old in Masonry. His form is bent, but his mind is clear and active as ever.
The following are the names of the Worshipful Masters in the order in which they were elected : Thaddeus Olmstead, Jacob Dauchy, Jeremiah Mead, James S. Waterous, Lewis Olmstead, William Crocker, Philip Bradley, David Keeler, Erastus S. Bouton, Sherwood Mead, Hezekiah Scott, Hiram K. Scott, David Dauchy, Samuel Scott, Chas. Smith, Jr., Aaron G. H. Hurlbutt, William S. Todd, Samuel J. Barlow, Jacob L. Dauchy, Chas. B. Northrop.
The officers of the lodge for the year 1880 are: W. M., Chas. B. Northrop; S. W., A. G. Paddock ; J. W., Hiram K. Scott; Treas., Lewis C. Seymour; Sec., Wm. S. Todd. The present membership is fifty.
JERUSALEM CHAPTER, ROYAL ARCHI MASONS.
A charter was granted May 12, 1825, with officers as follows: High Priest, Jeremiah Mead; King, David Banks; Seribe, William Crocker.
The following have been the High Priests of the chapter since its organization: William Crocker; Hezekiah Scott, 1827-61; Hiram K. Scott, 1861-73; Wm. S. Todd, 1873-80.
The following are the present officers : H. P., Wm. S. Todd; P. S., F. L. Smith ; King, - Sherwood ; R. A. C., Chas. O. Olmstead; Scribe, Lewis A. Reed ; 3d Veil, J. L. Dauchy ; Treas., Wm. W. Seymour; 2d Veil, Samuel J. Barlow ; Sec., Hiram K. Scott; 1st
Veil, Arthur N. Benedict; C. of H., Chas. A. Jen- nings; Tiler, Lewis C. Seymour. The chapter has twenty-three members.
PILGRIM LODGE, NO. 46, I. O. O. F.
The lodge was chartered in July, 1847. The first officers elected were : N. G., James Scott (21); V. G., Augustus Lyon; Sec., Lewis H. Bailey ; Treas., Sereno S. Hurlbutt. All of them are living and members in good standing.
The following have been Noble Grands of the lodge up to the present time : Augustus Lyon, Lewis H. Bailey, Daniel Lovejoy, James P. Smith, Sereno S. Hurlbutt, Hiram K. Scott, Jolin Borden, Samuel H. Northrop, Jolmn W. Miller, Samuel Lobdell, Richard Studwell, H. D. Taylor, Harvey M. Bouton, Chas. A. Smith, Samuel C. Hawley, John R. Sherwood, Wm. Bennett, Alonzo Byington, Sylvester C. Canfield, Jacob L. Dauchy, Abram S. Nash, Nathan Perry, Ezra M. Bennett, Fred L. Smith, Win. R. Hoyt.
The officers now serving are: N. G., Hiram K. Scott; V. G., Morris G. Bultery ; Sec., Geo. I. Ab- bott; Treas., Lewis H. Bailey. The number of mem- bers in good standing is thirty-ninc.
GRAND LIST, 1879.
465 houses, with two acres to each $349,666
18,882 aeres of land
464,181
39 mills and stores ..
17,000
430 liorses.
21,938
1849 enttło ..
37,920
Sheep, in value
342
173 carriages ..
8,670
Farming utensils, etc ..
350
Clocks, watches, ete ....
1,460
Pianos.
2.825
Household furniture and libraries
4,550
Bank stock
29,997
Bonds
28,500
Invested in trade ..
21,900
Invested in manufactures.
5,100
Money at interest.
44,332
Money on hand ...
31,800
$1,070,525
Ten per cent. added.
15,310
Deducted for indebtedness
9,729
Making net assessment ...
$1,076,106
MILITARY RECORD.
THIE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
In the contest known as the French and Indian war Ridgefield contributed its full share both of men and means.
At a town-meeting held Sept. 20, 1748, "it was voted by a major vote that the powder and lead there was taken up by the soldiers that went for ns to guard the upper towns the present year should be paid in a town way, amounting to the sum of £6, old tenure."
James Resseguie and Vivus Dauchy, two residents of the town, are known to have died in this war.
WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
The detailed history of Ridgefield in the war of the Revolution will be found on previous pages in this work. Here is appended the muster-roll of Capt. Gamaliel Northrup's company, A.D. 1776, probably the first company organized in the town to serve in the war:
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680
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
Captain, Gamaliel Northrup.
First Lientenant, Jantes Betts.
Second Lieutenant, Jolin St. John.
Ensign, Ebenezer Olinstead.
Sergeants, Thaddeus Keeler, Aaron Comstock, Gamaliel Osborn, Sal- mon Hubbell.
Corporals, Benajah Northrup, Alvin Hyatt, John Thomas, William Lee.
Drummer, John Joyee.
Fifer, Samuel De Forest.
Privates, Seth Baker, John Bennett, Abraham Betts, Stephen Beers, Dennis Collins, Ammon Craw, Arthur Forester, Moses Gilbert, Jared Iline, David IIall, Newton Iline, Levi Keeler, Urialı Keeler, David La- ruke, Jeremiah Mead, Mathew Mead, Nathaniel Northrup, James Nichols, Enoch Olinstead, Jeremiah Olmstead, Isaae Olmstead, Bartholomew Par- sons, Stephen Remington, Silas Roekwell, Nathaniel Sterling, Phineas Sherwood, Albert Stuart, Asa Scribner, William Scott, Josepli Trowbridge, Peter Tuttle, Hezekiah Whitlock, Eleazer Watrons, Thomas Woodbridge, Israel White, Jabez Keeler, David Hoyt, Joseph Jackson, Thomas Jarvis, Reuben Jackson, Lockwood Keeler, Elijah Kellogg, Aaron Keeler, Trowbridge Bennett, Josiah Taylor, Gamaliel Benedict, Barnabas Hug- lin, Ezekiel Whitney, Seth Hubbell, Samuel Holmes.
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