History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 206

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 206

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).

Daniel Gregory's mark was "two halfpennies un- der side the off car."

The early records show that the patent-right vender was abroad in the land, as under date of April 5, 1803, appears a sale of a patent right for churning to Daniel Betts, Sr., from Joel Johns. The inventor was Isaae Baker.

PRICE OF PRODUCE IN 1777.

At a meeting of the society of Wilton, held Nov. 26, 1777, it was " voted to give Rev. Isaac Lewis one hundred pounds lawful money for his services in the ministry for the year past, and one half to be paid in produce : wheat at four shillings and sixpence; rye at three shillings; corn at two sillings and sixpence ; oats at one shilling and sixpence per bushel; pork at twenty-five shillings per. hundred; beef at twenty shillings per hundred; sheep's wool at two shillings per pound ; flax at nineteen shillings per pound ; leather shoes at six shillings per pair; turnips at one shilling per bushel," and three shillings a load was allowed for good wood.

SILVER-MINE.

A silver-mine is located in the northern part of this town, near the residence of the late Charles Sturges, about an eighth of a mile east of the old Danbury turnpike. It appears that it was originally divided into shares and worked a short time before the Rev- olutionary war, and that the manager or over-ecr, after having sent away all the ore that had been dug, under pretense of having it examined, suddenly left "between two days," leaving the shareholders minus the amount of their subscriptions, and also their share of "the rocks." After it was known for a certainty that the superintendent did not intend to return and resume work, the stockholders began to look around to see if there was not some property left that could be made available towards paying them for money in- vested and labor rendered. Tradition says that all the property to be found consisted of an old negro slave and a pair of oxen, which were sold for the benefit of the creditors. It is also said that many persons in comfortable circumstances, who had sub- scribed liberally towards working the minc, were by this operation considerably reduced in circumstances.

The following "Indenture" is copied from the town records of Norwalk, and gives the contract for work- ing the mine and the names of the parties engaged :

"This Indenture made this seventeenth day of May, 1765, between Alexander Ressique, of Norwalk, in the County of Fairhell and Colony of Connecient of the one part, and Samuel Betts, Nathan Hubbell, Mat- thew Mead, Matthew Merwine, James Olmsted, Jr., Silas Olmsted, Joseph Rockwell, Jr., Jesse Ogden, all of Norwalk, and Matthew Fountain, of Bedford, in Westchester County and province of New York of the other part, Witnesseth that the said Alexander Ressique as well in Considera- tion of the Costs and Charges which the s'il Samuel Betts, Nathan Hal- bell, Matthew Mead, Matthew Merwine, James Olmsted, Jr., Silas Olmi- sted, Joseph Rockwell, Jr., and Jesse Oglen, and Matthew Fountain, must necessarily Expend in and about the undertaking Adventure and works hereafter Mentioned, and in Consideration of Reservation & Cove- nants hereafter mentioned* contained by and on the parts of the s'il Samuel Betts, Nathan Hubbell, Matthew Mead, Matthew Merwine, James Olmsted, Jr., Silas Olmsted, Joseph Rockwell, Jr .. Jesse Ogden, and in Matthew Fountain, their heirs, Executors, Administrators, and assigns, free Liberty; Licence, and authority from time to time, and at all or nny time or times During the Term hereafter mentioned to Dig. Search, work for, and raise all such Lead Oar or Copper Oar. Tin Oar, and all other Oars and Minerals whatsoever which can or shall, or may be found, Digged, gotten up, or raised as well as from or Out of all or any

* Uncertain.

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

part or parts of the Lands or grounds of or belonging to the said Alex- ander Ressique, situated and lying in the Town of s'd Norwalk, near thio dwelling-house of Azar Belden, in Quantity about forty acres bounded North, by John Belden; East, by Ezekiel Wood; Sonth, by Ezekiel Wood and Solomon Wood's heirs ; West, by highway, and for the pur- pose afores'd, to Dig and sink all such pits, Grooves, Levels, addits, Drains, Shafts, Trenches, and other works whatsoever in any part or parts of the said Lands or Grounds as the said Samuel Betts, Nathan Hubbell, Matthew Mead, Matthew Merwine. James Olmsted, Jr., Silas Olmsted, Joseph Rockwell, Jr., Jesse Ogden, and Matthew Fountain their heirs and Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, or any of them think fit and Convenient, and the said ores and minerals there found, and all the Earth and rubbish which shall from time to time be raised, Digged, and brought above ground Ont of the s'd mines, pits, grooves, Levels, addits, Drains, Shafts, or Trenches, or any other work afores'd to lay upon the grounds nearest the mines and other place where the same shall be digged, or within the s'd Lands afores'd and the same to Spall and try, and wash, pick, stamp, and Dress to make Merchantable and fit for the Smelting and Refining the same shall be washed and the parts thereof hereafter mentioned to be Delivered Ont to the s'd Ressique, his heirs and assigns as is hereafter Expressed to have take Convert to his Own use and to the s'd Ressique, for the Consideration afores'd for him- self, his heirs and assigns, Doth hereby Lease, Let to form lett unto the s'd Sammel Betts, Nathan Hubbell, Matthew Mead, Matthew Merwine, James Olmsted, Jr., Silas Olmsted, Joseph Rockwell, Jr., Jesse Ogden, and Matthew Fountain, their heirs, Executors, Administrators, and as- signs, free Liberty and Leave at all times During the Term hereafter Mentioned to sett up, Erect, aud build, in and upon the grounds afores'd Cupolus, Smelting-house, Store-Houses, and any Other buildings as the s'd Samuel Betts, Nathan Hubbell, Matthew Mead, Matthew Merwine, James Olmsted, Jr., Silas Olmsted, Joseph Rockwell, Jr., Jesse Ogden and Matthew Fountain, their heirs, Executors, administrators, or as- signs, or any of them shall think fit for the purpose afores'd, and like Liberty and Authority to Dig, have, and take for their own use from and Out of the Land afores'd, Clay, Sand, Stones, and Timber, as Can be then gotten or found for the purpose afores'd, and Liberty of Ingress, Egress, & Progress to and for the s'd Samuel Betts, Nathan lubbell, Matthew Mead, Matthew Merwine, James Olmsted, Jr., Silas Olmsted, Joseph Rockwell, Jr., Jesse Ogden, and Matthew Fountain, their heirs, Execu- tors, administrators, and assigns, and their Servants and Workmen at all times During the Term hereafter mentioned, with and Carriges to and from the same Except and always Reserved Out of the s'd grant unto the s'd Alexander Ressique, his heirs and assigns one full Equal Eight part the whole into Eight Equal parts being Divided of and in the s'd Ores, Minerals, which shall onse be Digged & gotten in the Lands atores'd after the same is pounded and Washed and fitted for Refining, tree of all Charges of the same tor and in Lease of the Toll and farm to be had and Taken by tho s'd Alexander Ressique, his heirs and assigns in such manner as is hereafter mentioned To have and to hold all aud Singular s'd Libertys and priviledges before Lease, Let, and to form letten as afores'd with the s'd Samuel Betts, Nathan Hubbell, Matthew Mead, Matthew Merwine, James Olmsted, Jr., Silas Olmsted, Joseph Roekwell, Jr., Jesse Ogden, and Matthew Fountain, their heirs, Executors, Ad- ministrators, and assigns from the day of the Date hereof for and During the Term of Ono hundred Years next Ensuing, fully to Compleat and Ended yielding and Delivering unto the s'd Ressique, his heirs and as- signs, the s'd one-Eight part the whole into Eight Equal, being Divided herein before Excepted of all tho ores and minerals which shall be so Digged, Raised, after the same is pounded and fitted for Refining out of the Lands afores'd or any part thereof as afores'd, and to have, hold, & Enjoy their Remaining Seven-Eights thereof to them, their heirs, Execu- tors, Administrators, & Assigns to their own proper use & uses as afores'd. As Witness whereof we have Set our hands and seals.

" The consideration of the above written Instrument is such, that if the above-mentioned persons shall Continue to Carry on and prosecute the above-mentioned Enterprise, then this Lease to stand in full force. Otherwise to be null and void.

" JAMES OLMSTED, JR. [SEAL] ALEXANDER RESSIQUE. [SEAL.]

" SILAS OLMSTED. [SEAL]

SAMUEL BETTS. [SEAL]

" JOSEPH ROCKWELL, JR. [SEAL]

NATHAN IIUBBELL. [SEAL]

" JESSE OGDEN. [SEAL] MATTHEW MEAD. [SEAL]

" MATTHEW FOUNTAIN. [SEAL] MATTHEW MERWINE. [SEAL.]

" Syned, Sealed, & Delivered In presents of Thaddeus Hubbell, Ephrm Kimlerly, Peter Hubbell.

" Reed to Record May 24, 1765, and Recorded pr. Mr. Sam1 Gruman, " Register."

It is at present owned by heirs of John Hurlbutt (deceased). This mine was formerly owned by Capt. Azar Belden, a large landowner, who first introduced merino shcep into this section of the State. He was a man also of some military renown. Soon after the Revolutionary war somc Englishmen called on Mr. Belden with a view of working the mine. They in- troduced their business by asking him the state of his mine. The old gentleman, not understanding them fully, flew into a ragc. "The state of my mind !" says he. "What impertinence !" Such a question, as he understood it, from such a source was more than he could brook. The scenes of the Revolution flashed across his mind. He had held a captain's commis- sion in the train of artillery, and served with distinc- tion during eight long years of bloody conflict; was at the battle of Bunker Hill, assisted in drawing the chain across the Hudson, was with Gen. Washington when he evacuted New York, and with Gen. Wooster when he fell mortally wounded on the plains of Ridge- field by a well-aimed ball from Britishi musketry, and for them to inquire the state of his mind was to him a downright insult. The gentlemen, seeing the cap- tain had wholly misunderstood them, and intending no harm, soon explained by stating they had called to see him relative to a silver-mine which they learned he had on his farin, and would like to arrange with him for working it.

The mistake was happily gotten over, and he went with them to the mine. Everything was soon ar- ranged between the parties. They put up their machinery, which was a common windlass worked by hand, and soon commenced business in a small way, digging to a depth of about one hundred and fifty feet. They built a small shanty in the woods near by where they lived, and where, during the night-time, they coined a considerable amount of bullion. They kept their silver hid from the vigilance of officers and sightseers. After having worked the mine some time they suddenly absconded, taking their treasure and about five barrels of ore with them.

Nothing further was done in regard to this mine until a few years ago, when a party from New York came up and had it reopened, it having been filled up to near the surfacc. They carricd off specimens of the ore, but have never returned to resume work.

STATUE OF KING GEORGE III.#

Mr. Hollister, in his " History of Connecticut," has the following note in relation to this statue, purporting to be in the handwriting of the last Governor Wol- cott :

"N. B .- An equestrian statue of George the Third of Great Britain was erected in the city of New York, on Bowling Green, at the lower end of Broadway ; most of the materials were lead, but richly gilded to resemble gold. At the beginning of the Revolution

* Contributed by A. B. Hull.

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WILTON.

this statue was overthrown. Lead being then scarce and dear, the statue was broken in pieces and trans- ported to Litchfield as a place of safety. The ladies of this village converted the lead into cartridges, of which the preceding is an account. O. W."

The account referred to is a list of the names of those who made the cartridges and the number made by each.

Mr. Hollister adds: "Forty-two thousand and eighty-eight bullets in times when lead was dear, and not easily to be had at any price, made no in- significant accession to the resources of the Conti- nental army. They were earefully distributed and faithfully expended. Some of them were committed to the keeping of Col. Wigglesworth, others must have aided Putnam in defending the Highlands, a part of them may have gone with Maj. Seymour to Saratoga, and it is certain that fifty of them were used to welcome the king's provincial Governor when he paid his first and last visit to Danbury.

"On the 21st of Angust, 1770, this statue was erected, attended with much festivity, and destroyed on the night of the 11th of July by the 'Sons of Liberty.' The next morning nothing but the ped- . estal was left."

Tradition says that the lead of the statuc was taken to Norwalk on a sloop and distributed from there about the country. It is certain that it did not all go to Litehfield. About fifty years ago several small pieces of it were found in the eellar of an old house in the town of Wilton, formerly occupied by "Aunt Nabby Sloan," by the workmen engaged in tearing it down. About the same time Mr. William Comstock, while digging a ditch near the Episcopal church in that town, dug up about one hundred and twenty-five pounds of it. This was a portion of the saddle. Mr. Peter S. Coley, who now resides in a house erected near the site formerly occupied by the old Sloan house, while plowing in the old door-yard, plowed up what he supposed to be the root of a tree, but, upon elose examination, proved to be the tail of the horse, with the exception of a few inches. The work must have been elaborate, for upon cleaning this piece the marks representing the hair showed very plainly. Digging in this place deeper brought to light three other pieces of the statue, the whole weighing about three hundred pounds. Mr. Coley disposed of the lead to the New York Historical Society, who had previously obtained the pedestal of a gentleman in New Jersey who was utilizing it for a door-step.

CHAPTER LXXXVI.

WILTON (Continued).

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

Congregational Church-St. Matthew's Church-Zion Hill Church- Other Churches.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

THE meeting which resulted in the organization of the Congregational Church of Wilton was held June 5, 1754, and was organized June 20th following. There were thirty-one petitioners to the General Assembly in Hartford that the parish might be con- stituted.

June 7th the society elected Richard Bouton clerk, and voted unanimously to call Rev. Robert Sturgeon to officiate in the work of the ministry among them, and fixed his salary at " ninety pounds, paramount or equivalent to good bills of credit of the Colony of Connecticut, or other good bills of credit passing cur- rent at the respective times of payment," and "a full supply of firewood for his family's use," ... "to be brought to his habitation from time to time as is needed." Five acres of land were also granted for a " house-lot."

Mr. Sturgeon had not been long in this country. and probably reached Wilton in April, as his salary commenced the 14th of that month. He was of Scotch, or probably of Scotch-Irish, descent.

The site chosen for the first meeting-house was on the south side of the upper road leading from Kent to Belden's Hill, near the present railroad-track. This was then near the geographical centre of the population. The 30thi of September the society voted " that they would have their meeting-house rectified by laying the floor, and by plastering the walls, and by making comfortable seats to set in." John Kceler and John St. John were appointed to get this work done. Deacon Hickok, Richard Bouton. John Dun- ning, John Stuart, and Matthew St. Jolin were ap- pointed "to search out and agrec for a convenient piece of land for an house-lot" for the pastor. Mat- thew St. John was appointed a committee on meet- ing-house expenses.

The work of finishing the mecting-house made good progress. On the 30th of November, in accord- ance with the custom of those days, the society voted "to seat it," and appointed a committee of three to "scat it by list and age, according to the best of their judgment." But in some form the plan was continned more than half a century longer. The order of seat- ing nearly one hundred years ago has been preserved. Seven years later, in 1733, it was voted that John St. Jolin should sit with Deacon Elmer "so long as he sets ye tune."

On the 20th of December the society "voted that every man shall bring unto the Reverend Mr. Stur- geon a load of wood within fourteen days," and that any man who failed should forfeit three shillings.

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

After a time dissatisfaction with the "life and con- versation" of Mr. Sturgeon so increased that the churchi consulted the Association, which met at Rip- ton (now Huntington), in November, 1731, and was advised to call a council. This was agreed to in De- cember. By committee an understanding with Mr. Sturgeon was reached ; but to complete the arrange- ment the society's meeting adjourned to the last day of December, "at ye sun one hour high at night.".

There is no record of the dismission of Mr. Stur- geon, but as the society held a meeting in April, 1732, to adopt measures to obtain a minister, we may infer that the pastorate of Mr. Sturgeon ended the first of that month.

The society, April 11, 1732, chose Deacons Trow- bridge and Hickok and Jonathan Elmer a committee "to advise with ye Reverend ministers where to go for a minister, and empowered them to go or send for a minister at the cost of the Society."

They soon found Mr. William Gaylord, a graduate of Yale College in 1730, a licentiate of Hartford North Association, who was born Nov. 29, 1709. August 29thi the society voted to call Mr. Gaylord to settle in the work of the gospel ministry. It was also agreed to buy the house and land of Mr. Sturgeon. Joseph Birchard, Capt. Ketchum, and Matthew St. John were appointed to carry out the vote. The church was unanimous in calling Mr. Gaylord, which he accepted.

Dec. 25, 1736, it was voted to build a new meeting- house, forty-six feet long, thirty-five feet wide, with twenty feet posts, to be placed on what in the record is called "Sharp Hill," but which for above half a century has now been known as "the old burying- ground." Nov. 18, 1737, it was voted to build a house forty-eight by thirty-five feet and twenty-two feet posts ; and also to raise by taxes one hundred pounds for building-purposes. Of the land needed for tlie site, John Marvin, Sr., gave eight rods square; and seven- teen years later (1755) Richard Dunning sold above lıalf an acre for a burial-place for fifty pounds, old tenor. It was not till 1743 that the seats were in readi- ness to receive persons, in the order designated by the committee, and not till 1747 that the vote was passed by which the galleries should be finished and be made of good white wood and white-oak boards, with one seat round the front, and one tier of pews round the house.

Mr. Gaylord died Jan. 2, 1767, aged fifty-seven years, having been pastor of the church nearly thirty- four years.

After the death of Mr. Gaylord, the society called Mr. Samuel Mills, who declined.

In July the society called Mr. Isaac Lewis, who was ordained in the following October. He was dismissed June 1, 1786. In 1777 his salary was made one hun- dred pounds lawful money, one-half to be paid in provisions, the prices of which were fixed and low. For example: Wheat was to be seventy-five cents a

bushel; beef, two dollars and a half a hundred ; leather shoes, one dollar a pair. But the next year, while the salary was the same, wheat was one dollar and sixty-seven cents per bushel; rye had increased twenty per cent. ; pork, twenty per cent. ; beef was to be two cents per pound in the autumn and three cents per pound in the winter. In 1782 it was voted that the salary be one hundred pounds lawful money, to be paid in silver or gold. During these later years the financial difficulties of the country were so great that it became necessary for the towns to assume the support, at least in part, of their own soldiers in the Continental army. Accounts kept by Abijah Betts are still in the possession of the Betts family.

A new church edifice was erected A. D. 1790. The pulpit and seats of the old house were transferred to the new, and were used thirteen years, when new oncs were substituted, which remained till 1844. It was entered by two doors, between which, directly in front of the pulpit, was a shelf or narrow table that was transformed into the communion-table by raising a leaf attached by hinges to the inner edge. This, when in position, was supported by an iron rod. The table and leaf were stained to imitate mahogany. The slips in the body of the house had a door at each end, as there were three aisles. The ceiling was arched. The galleries on each side, supported by four large pillars, were high, as was also the pulpit, which had its lofty, conical, but well-proportioned and or - namented sounding-board firmly supported by two pillars that rose from the rear of the pulpit. The box of the pulpit was reached by a flight of stairs with balusters on either side, but when reached could with difficulty accommodate two persons. The pew of the pastor adjoined the great pew on the east side.

This building was formally dedicated to Almighty God in December, 1790. The sermon was preached by Rev. Timothy Dwight, D.D., forever illustrious as the president of Yale College for nearly twenty-two years, from 1795 to 1817.

Nov. 18, 1793, the society, by a unanimous vote, invited to the pastorate Mr. Aaron Woodward, at " a yearly salary of one hundred pounds lawful money, twenty cords of good wood, and the use of one hun- dred and fifty pounds until a parsonage shall be pur- chased." Mr. Woodward accepted the call, and was ordained pastor the 8th of January, 1794. The or- dination sermon was preached by Rev. Benjamin Trumbull, D.D., pastor in North Haven sixty years, from 1760 to 1820, and distinguished as the author of a valuable history of Connecticut.

Rev. John J. Carle, a native of New Jersey, a graduate of Queen's, now Rutgers, College in 1789, who received the degree of A.M. from Princeton in 1792, was the next pastor.

Mr. Carle was installed June 3, 1801, and three years later he asked a dismission.

During the pastorate of Mr. Carle the parish of Wilton was, A.D. 1802, incorporated by the Legisla-

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WILTON.

ture into a town. On the 1st of July of that year members of St. Panl's parish in Norwalk, residing in Wilton, formed an ecclesiastical society for the Protestant Episcopal Church known as St. Mat- thew's.

It is worthy of note in this connection as illustrat- ing the liberality of the Congregationalists towards other denominations that, in 1758, James Truesdale was, by vote, "excused from paying a rate to the minister in case he get a certificate from the Baptist Society." In January, 1764, it was voted to abate the minister's rate to Mr. Whelpley "so long as he at- tends the Baptist meeting and no longer." In 1772 this ecclesiastical society began yearly to appoint a special collector to take the minister's rate from those living in the bounds of this society who belonged to St. Panl's parish, and pay it to the rector thereof, in the same manner as the others collected and paid over to their own pastor the rates of other inhabitants. How rigidly the tax was collected may be inferred from one example. Dec. 1, 1780, Clapp Raymond, justice of the peace, notifies Abijah Betts that he is appointed collector of the society tax for the support of the ministry, or, in default of payment, to levy on the goods of the delinquents, or, in default of goods, to take their bodies to the jail in New Haven.

The next pastor was Samnel Fisher, who was in- stalled Dec. 3, 1805, and was dismissed July, 5, 1809. Mr. Fisher was born in Sunderland, Mass., the 3d of June, 1777.

Oct. 17, 1810, Rev. Sylvanus Haight was installed. Mr. Haight was born at Fishkill, N. Y., July, 22, 1776.

When Mr. Haight was ordained there were few buildings of any kind near the meeting-house, ex- cept the one nearest to it on the east, recently oc- eupied by Mr. Moses Betts. There was no house on the road towards Kent till one reached that now oc- eupied by Mr. John Betts, near the river. The house of Deacon Daniel Gregory on the hill, west, now oc- cupied by his grandson, William D. Gregory, Esq., was the only one near this house except the one across the bridge on the north, now the residence of Deacon Edward Ohinstead. There was here no par- sonage, no town-house, conference-room, or horse- sheds. If in remote parts of the town dwellings have decreased, there has been growth in this neighborhood.

In December, 1831, Rev. Samnel Merwin, a native of Milford, a graduate of Yale in 1802, took a dis- mission from the North Church in New Haven, of which he had been pastor nearly twenty-seven years, and to which, during his ministry, eight hundred and fifty persons were added. He accepted a call to this church, and on the 23d of February, 1832 (ninety- nine years after the ordination of Mr. Gaylord), was installed its pastor. He was dismissed Sept. 25, 1838.

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 206

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