History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 22

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 22

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).

"Salmon Hubbell. Lieutenant 5th Continental Regiment, served through the whole Revolution. He died March 11, 1830, in liis 76th year."

"Justin Smith. Born, Springfield, Mass., June 21, 1755. Died at Bridgeport March 22, 1835, in the 80th year of his age. He was one of the few that periled all in the cause of his country, through the dark times at Valley Forge to the peace of 1783, when he was honorably discharged."

"' Asa Benjamin. Died Aug. 17, 1833, in the 70th year of his age. A soldier of the American Revolution."

"James Wakelee. A Revolutionary pensioner. Served 7 years and 6 mos. for the liberty of his country. Died June 3, 1829, æt. 74."

" In memory of Benjamin Muirson Woolsey,* who died on the 17th day of January, 1813, aged 55 yrs. and 11 mos,"

* A royalist officer : see pages 82 and 88.

" Dr. James Eaton Beach. Born in Chesbire, Ct., A.D. 1762. Died Feb. 21, 1838, æt. 76.

In his youth he took an active part in the Revolutionary contest. A friend to education, and for more than 30 years Deacon in the 1st Congregational Church."

(From the old Stratfield Cemetery, on North Avenue.)

" In memory of Mr. Edward Burroughs, who departed this life Sept. 14, 1776, in tho 42d year of his age. Glory with all her lamps shall burn And watch the warrior's sleeping clay. Rest his dear sword beneath his head: Round him his faithful arms shall stand The guards and honours of our land."

" Major Aaron Hawley in his turn received the shaft of death July 21st, 1803, in the 63d year of his age, and was here deposited in hopes of a glorious resurrection. Man wants but little, nor that little long : How soon must he resign his very dust, Which frugal nature lent him for an hour !"

ANECDOTES OF GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Referenee has already been made to the fact that Gen. Washington several times passed through Strat- field by the old stage road, now North Avenue. One of thesc occasions was in 1775, when on his way to Boston after having been appointed eommander-in- chief of the American army. Rev. Dr. Ripley, pastor of the Congregational Chiureh in Green's Farms, mounted his horse and joined the eavalcade. "They stopped at Bulkley's Inn, in Fairfield, and I think dined there. After passing from the house, and while standing in front of it, waiting for their horses, Wash- ington, continuing his conversation on publie affairs, passed his finger through the button-hole of the doe- tor's coat, and said that if the Americans could pro- long the contest for one year they would ultimately succeed, because by that time arms and ammunition could be obtained and they would be invincible. Dr. Ripley was a man of commanding presence,-of tall, athletic, and dignified frame. His fine countenance beamed with intelligence and kindness, and yet there was something in his look which gave assurance of unyielding firmness. I think it would be difficult to find two men who would be a finer subject for a painter than those two patriots communing together under such interesting cireumstances. The doctor accompanied Gen. Washington to Stratford Ferry."t

It may have been upon this oceasion, as has been said, that Washington, accompanied by Maj .- Gen. Lec, Major Thomas Mifflin, and Samuel Griffin, aides- de-eamp, halted at Nichols' tavern, in Stratfield, for refreshment, occupying the southeast corner room as their parlor. Another version of the incident, per- haps the correct one, is that Washington stopped in Stratfield in Mareh, 1781, when on his way to meet Count Rochambeau at Newport.

+ Sprague's Annals of American Pulpit.

abr On

herr

ferry

were

a nu dire

the bad

hous

the brok ing hin Ge Her ride har Wash simp famil hap -and table ton a on h her n be a easily stance

On New said Well on.N Bridg living be see Old M. forty-fi shire, own C nearly prisec and qu to get that : serve could Mill - the water effect

Ben died She

Com

BRIDGEPORT.

Still another interesting anecdote connected with Washington's progress through this part of the country used to be related by a daughter of George Benjamin, Mrs. Alice Thompson, of Stratford, who died in May, 1862, aged nearly ninety-eight years. She was eleven years of age in 1775, and may have been about thirteen or fourteen when she saw Washington. On that occasion she with other girls was picking berries on the banks of the Housatonie, near the ferry, when suddenly a cry was heard that soldiers were crossing the river, and presently an officer witlı a number of others landed and asked the ferryman to direct them to the tavern. He replied, "Yonder is the tavern-keeper's daughter," and, calling Alice, bade her show Gen. Lafayette the way to her father's house. She walked beside his horse on their way to the village, Lafayette talking to her in his charming broken English, telling her of his children, and ask- ing her if she would not like to go to France with him to see them. On reaching home she found that Gen. Washington had arrived by the western road. Her mother, thus unexpectedly ealled upon to pro- vide dinner for two sueh distinguished guests, would have apologized for her fare, but was reassured by Washington, who told her that all he wanted was simple food, and that what was good enough for her family was good enough for him. . Mrs. Benjamin happened to have some potatoes,-then a great rarity, -and Alice obtained leave to place them upon the table. In doing this she stepped between Washing- ton and Lafayette, when the former, placing his hand on her head and turning her face towards him, asked her name, and after some other questions told her to be a good girl and gave her his blessing. It may easily be believed that she never forgot the eircum- stance.

On a tour made by President Washington through New England after the war, in October, 1789, lie is said to have halted and asked for a drink from the well of the old Seeley house, which is still standing on North Avenue, a short distance from Island Brook Bridge. At that time Capt. Alison Benjamin was living in West Stratford, in a house which may still, be seen, about half-way down the western slope of Old Mill Hill. This Capt. Benjamin built a sloop of forty-five tons burthen, called the "Hunter, of Berk- shire," in a field south of the road, just opposite his own door, although no water was in sight. It was nearly completed when Washington passed, and, sur-, prised at the sight, he alighted, went over to the place, and questioned the workmen as to how they expected to get the vessel to the water. In reply they told him that strong ways were to be built beneath the craft to serve as a sled, upon which, when winter came, it could glide down hill to the ereek (a branch of Yellow Mill stream, fully a quarter of a mile away), and with the spring it would settle through the ice into the water,-a plan which was subsequently carried into effect.

CHAPTER X.

BRIDGEPORT (Continued).

Newfield Stores in 1760-Newfield Ferry chartered, and Main and State Streets widened, 1787-Act establishing Lottery Bridge, 1791-Stratford Avenue laid out, and the first Newspaper established in 1795-Curions Advertisements from the American Telegraphe-Tragical Fate of Wilson Hubbell-Incorporation of the Borough of Bridgeport, 1800-Copy of the Petition and List of Signatures-St. Jolin's and the Congregational Churches removed to Bridgeport-Founding of the first Methodist Church in New England-The Bridgeport Bank incorporated-Descrip- tion of the Borough in 1810-Incidents of the War of 1812-Reception of Gen. Lafayette-The Town of Bridgeport set off, 1821, and the City incorporated, May, 1836.

ZACHARIAH LACEY, a Revolutionary veteran and grandfather of Mr. R. B. Lacey, used to say that he well remembered the time in his boyhood when there was not a single dwelling-house on either side of the river within that part of Bridgeport now occupied for business purposes .* There were, however, two shan- ties on the shore, near the present intersection of State and Water Streets, one of them owned by Capt. Stephen Burroughs, Sr., and the other by Aaron Hawley. There was no wharf, vessels being laden and unladen in the stream by boats or by teams driven out into the water. This was between the years 1760 and 1765. It is evident, however, from the petition for a harbor-guard in the preceding chapter, that Newfield, as the place was called, had begun to increase a little in size before the Revolution, and after the close of the war it developed rapidly in im- portance. There was then no bridge across the Pe- quonnock below the head of tide-water, which was where the old stage road, now called North Avenue, erosses the river. Near this bridge was the store of Philip Nichols, established before the Revolution.

In May, 1787, the following resolution was passed by the Connectieut Legislature :

" Upon report of a committee appointed in May last, which is now ac- cepted and approved, resolved by this Assembly that the town of Strat- ford be and they are hereby Impowered and allowed to keep and main- tain a public Ferry in said town, across the Creek or Harbour called New Field Harbour, from the point of land called New Pasture Point, below Toby's Ware, to the opposite shore of said harbour or creek, to and on the land of Aaron Hawley, about ten rods south of said Hawley's dwell- ing-house, and that two sufficient Boats shall be constantly kept, one on each side of said Creek, plying from shore to shore as occasion may re- quire, at the places aforesaid, during the pleasure of this Assembly, all subject to the same regulations that other Ferries in this State are by Law subjected to."

The western terminus was near the present foot of Union Street and the following were the legal rates of fare :

Each man, horse, and load 4 cents and 2 mills.

Each footman .. 2 cents and 1 mill.

Each led horse. 2 cents and 8 mills.

Each ox or other neat-kine 5 cents and 5 mills.

Each sheep, swine, or goat. 1 cent.

With such a tariff it must have sometimes been a diffi- cult matter to make change.

Whether Benjamin's Bridge-now called Yellow Mill Bridge-had been built at this time, the writer

* Municipal Register for 1877, p. 308.

0 0

DET

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

does not certainly know. He has been told that it had not, and that passengers by this ferry, if bound to Stratford, were obliged to take boat again across the eastern arm of the harbor ; but of this there is no mention in the act.

PETITION FOR A BRIDGE.

It is obvious that this mode of travel must have been very inconvenient, and in May, 1791, Robert Walker, of Stratford, and others petitioned the Legis- lature for authority to establish a lottery to raise the funds necessary to build a bridge across Newfield Harbor. At that time this was a favorite method of raising money for public improvements. Nor was the purchase or the sale of lottery tickets even at a later period regarded as disreputable by the best people in the commonwealth.

In response to the petition the Assembly appointed Messrs. James Davenport, John Chandler, and Jona- than Ingersoll a committee, with the following in- structions : "To view the place where the petitioners propose to build a bridge, and make an estimate of the expense, and to determine what kind of bridge it will be proper to build, and report to this Assembly."

The committee reported favorably, and in October, 1791, the following resolution was passed. The origi- nal may be found at Hartford in one of the ponderous manuscript volumes containing the public acts :

ACT ESTABLISHING LOTTERY BRIDGE.

" Upon petition of Robert Walker and other inhabitants of the town of Stratford, and Jonathan Sturges, Thaddeus Burr, Andrew Rowland, and other inhabitants of the town of Fairfield, in Fairfield County, show- ing to this Assembly that the road from the town of Stratford to the town of Fairfield through a village called Old Mill is about nine miles, aud by reason of the rocks, hills, and other bad quarters of said road, the same is extremely incommodious to traveling in general, and particularly to the public stage, and that another road leading from said Stratford to said Fairfield through a place called New Field is three miles shorter and capable of being an extremely good and pleasant road and very commo- dious to the public, but that by reason of the intervention of an arm of the sca across said road at Newfield the same cannot be rendered con- venient without a bridge at said New Field across said arm of the sea, and that the said town of Stratford, to which said village of Newfield belongs, is unable to erect said bridge at their own expense ; praying for liberty to raise a sum of money to build said bridge by Lottery, as per petition on file, etc.,-

" Resolved by this Assembly, that liberty be and the same is hereby granted to the petitioners for the setting up a lottery for the purpose of raising a sum of fifteen hundred pounds lawful money ; and that the moneys so to be raised shall be appropriated to the purpose of building said bridge; which said bridge shall contain therein a draw or draw- bridge over the most convenient place in the channel, of twenty-four feet in width, and shall be completed in every respect and commodious for the public; and that John Benjamin, Amos Hubbell, John Thompson, Josiah Lacey, David Burr, and Daniel Salmon (?), or any of theni not less thau four, be and they hereby are appointed managers of said lottery, and fully authorized to establish a scheme or schemes of said lottery, to consist of one or more class or classes, make sale of the tickets and collect the money arising therefrom.

"Provided they do within three months after the rising of this Assem- bly lodge with the treasurer of this State a bond payable to said treas- urer or his successors in said office, with one or more sureties, to be ap- proved of by said treasurer in the penal sum of three thousand pounds lawful money, conditioned for the faithful management of said lottery, payment of the proceeds, and that the money so raised be faithfully ap- plied to the building said bridge, and that the said bridge be erected and completed by the 1st day of December, 1793, and that the sale of said tickets shall not commence before the first day of July next."

The eastern extremity of Lottery Bridge was that of the present lower bridge, but on the west it ex- tended nearly to what is now the foot of Wall Street, and some traces of the abutments which supported it could until recently be seen there under the dock at low tide. It had a draw, parting in the middle and raised by pulleys on either side, but must have been very poorly built, as within three years' time it needed repairing. About the year 1804, while undergoing further repairs, the whole structure gave way, and, tipping over to the southward, fell into the water, where it remained, a melancholy ruin, for a number of years.

Benjamin Hall, of Stratford, and afterwards Abel Hall, Jr., and Elijah Burritt, were given permission to repair it by the Legislature, but failed to improve the grant, and in 1807 Salmon Hubbell and others rebuilt the bridge, or rather built a new one,-the present Bridgeport or lower bridge,-with western terminus farther up stream, at the foot of Fairfield Avenue.

In January, 1787, Josiah Lacey, of Newfield, Nathan Seeley, of Danbury, and David Burr, of Fair- field, were appointed a committee by the Fairfield County Court to lay out and widen the highways now known as Main Street and State Street. The former is designated in the committee's report, dated April 13, 1787, as "the road at the foot of Golden Hill," and the latter as "the road from the dwelling-house of the Widow Eunice Hubbell, near the stores at New- field, to the town-line between Stratford and Fair- field." The following persons are stated by the report to have sustained damages by the alterations made :

Aaron Hawley.

The Indians, or natives at Golden Hill.

Rev. Robert Ross.

James Hoyt ...

Philip Nichols ...

3 10

Ebenezer Whitney

...

Amos Hubbell

William Peet

John Hubbell.

Widow Eunice Hubbell.

Nathan Odell.

William Wordin

Benjamin Hubbell.

Benjamin Wheeler.

William Hubbell

...

3 7

The report in full, with notes explanatory by R. B. Lacey, Esq., may be found on page 228 of the "Mu- nicipal Register" of Bridgeport for 1874.

In October, 1795, William Herron and Eli Mygatt were appointed by the General Assembly a committee, with instructions " to view the great road leading from Dragon Bridge, between East Haven and New Haven, through New Haven, Milford, Stratford, Fairfield, Norwalk, Stamford, and Greenwich, to Byram River, and to make and lay out any necessary alterations in said road." Following is an extract from their report, dated Oct. 20, 1796, on file at the State-house, in Hart- ford. The paragraph relates to the first opening of the street now known as Stratford Avenue, in East Bridgeport. Previous to this time the stage road had

Redis seller. Street- printe paper which throw scripo and it succes The

issued

Street over G not ver thence ing-po The Bridge Courde

ceedi engi purch In tenor ing h These Tong ner of

to S Ne Bri Tho beit In ture annt Dece ing give teetic

The thin min 1

take whi

the

pas whi

chas

fo P

...

BRIDGEPORT.

followed the shore around the extreme end of the point,-a route sometimes impassable at high water :

" The alterations between Newfield Bridge and Benjamin's Bridge are grounded on the necessity of avoiding or shunning the road now trav- eled, under the hank where the tide flows, which renders it at times im- passable, to the detriment of travelers; heing likewise very crooked, which is now remedied hy a straight line on good ground through Asa Benjamin's rope-walk. Twenty rods of the south part thereof must be taken up and shifted to the north end, together with his wheel-house, which is thirty feet in length, and subjects him to the necessity of pur- chasing a lot of land of about seven acres at an extravagant price, beside the expense of taking up the rope-walk."

The committee recommended that three hundred and thirty dollars damages should be paid to Asa Benja- min by the town of Stratford.

Their report was accepted by the Assembly, and a resolution passed making the road, as recommended, "an open public highway." Liberty was also given to Stratford to set up a toll-gate at Lottery Bridge, in Newfield, for the support of that and of Benjamin's Bridge, which was accordingly done in 1799, John Thompson, Amos Hubbell, and Thaddeus Benedict being the commissioners,

In October, 1797, an act was passed by the Legisla- ture authorizing the inhabitants of Newfield to meet annually at the school-house on the first Monday in December to choose for firemen twenty-five men liv- ing within the limits of Newfield. Power was also given the village to make regulations for better pro- tection against fire, and to impose penalties not ex- ceeding ten dollars in case of their violation. A fire- engine and a number of fire-buckets had already been purchased by subscription.

In the following year another resolution of similar tenor was passed by the Assembly, which is interest- ing because it defines the limits of Newfield Village. These were briefly as follows: Beginning at Welles Tongue, and following the river to the northeast cor- ner of the Indian Lot, a short distance above the present horse-railroad bridge ; thence crossing to Main Street and following the line of Washington Avenue over Golden Hill to a stone bridge across Cedar Creek, not very far from where St. John's church now stands ; thence southcastwardly through the fields to the start- ing-point.

The first newspaper published in Newfield or Bridgeport was the American Telegraphe and Fairfield County Gazette, which was commenced in 1795 and issued weekly by Lazarus Beach, who came here from Redding and carried on the business of printer, book- seller, and stationcr on the corner of Wall and Water Streets, opposite the old Washington Hotel. It was printed upon what would now be called fair wrapping- paper and circulated about eight hundred copies, which were distributed by means of post-riders throughout the whole of Fairfield County. The sub- scription price was one dollar and a half per annum, and it continued to be issued by Mr. Beach and liis successor, Samuel Mallory, for nearly ten years.

The art of reporting is quite a modern one, and the

news and editorial columns of the Telegraphe contain very little that is interesting at the present day. The advertisements, on the contrary, are often very enter- taining, and I have thought it worth while to copy quite a number of them as illustrating, much better than could be done in any other way, the customs and the business of the place at the beginning of the present century :

ADVERTISEMENTS FROM THE "TELEGRAPHIE."

FOR SALE.

A healthy NEGRO GIRL, 14 years of age. Enquire of the Printer.

Newfield, Sept. 6, 1796.

Newfield, May 18, 1796. De Foreft's

CASH STORE, Replenifhed.

This day received a very large fupply of Fafhionable goods, fuitable to the feafon, among which are

A VERY handfome affortment of the moft faf hionable, fuperfine Broad Cloths .- Caffimeres of a variety of colours .- Nankeens, clouded, plain and ftriped .- Calicoes and Chintzes, as cheap as ever before known; notwithftanding the almoft univerfal cry of " goods are dear this fpring." -- A large affortment of silks, fuch as black and coloured luteftring, taffety, mode, perfian, fattin, &c. &c. as cheap at retail, as in New York or Bofton ; Thofe ladies who can with convenience ride to Newfield, will oftener be pleafed in choofing for themfelves, than in leaving it to the choice of fome taftlefs captain of a packet boat .- Veft Patterns of the neweft and moft approved faf hions .- Ribbands a great variety .- Nankeens, fix yard pieces, by the bundle or lefs quan- tity .- Long and fhort white kid Gloves .- Men's Silk, Cotton and Plated Hofe .- Ladies white cotton do .- Dimities-Janes-Fuftians-Furniture Calico .- Shawls-White Fringe-Laces & edgings-Jaconet and book Muffins-Shirting do .- Bandanoes hy the piece or fingle-Ladies and Gentlemen's Hats.

A very handfome affortment of Jewelry fuch as Beads, Ear-rings, Breaft-pins, Watch-chains, Watch-keys, Dead watches, &c .- Berga- mot-Lavender-Hair-Powder-Tooth-Powder, &c.

LOOKING GLASSES.

HARDWARE and CUTLERY of all kinds-SPADES-STEEL.

CROCKERY, a general affortment.

PATENT LAMPS by the dozen or fiogle, very low indeed .- Tea boards & fervers-Bread Bafkets.

RUM and WINES by the barrel or lefs quantity-BRANDY.

Cherry RUM, a cheap good liquor for taverns.

Loaf, Lump and Brown SUGARS, at New-York prices .- Chocolate & Coffee .- Hyfon, Suchong and Bohea Teas .- Raifins-Pepper-Al- spice-Ginger-Nutmegs by the quarter pound or fingle.

MOLASSES-PLUG and PAPER TOBACCO, wholefale and re- tail.

Flotong and Carolina INDIGO.

Ladies and Gentlemen who are in want of dry goods, may depend on having at all times a large affortment to pick out of, and on the moft reafonable terms, at the ftore of their obedient fervant,

David C. De Foreft.

More GOODS ! ! LAMBERT LOCKWOOD, Pleafed with the effects of the Motto, " Cheap Cafh STORE,"

W ISHES also to come forward with his mite, pro bono publico- Should any one scruple his sincerity in the cause, he humbly in- vites fuch to give him an opportunity of convincing them by ocular demonftration-and fhould they then find his old prices fufficiently re- duced, and the packages now before him, and to be displayed for their infpection ; to confift of feafonable, frefh and good Goods, and felected with as much "tafte and paffionate attention" as any whatever; why then, he also may hope in the eftablifhment of a CASH STORE .- His articles and qualities in the different branches of country merchandize

وضـ

- -

led

P. B.

Di-z.

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

now opening, are many and varying. An inventory of which, would be too voluminous for a Newfpaper already fo crowded, that with diffi- culty this curtailed piece is promifed admiffion.

Newfield, May 18, 1796.

WILLIAM EATON,

S under the neceffity of calling on all Perfons indebted to him, to oblige him by making payment, previous to the firft day of July next ; as he wifhes to carry on bufinefs in a different line after that time, and will then be much in want of money.

HE HAS FOR SALE, ROCK SALT, COD FISH,

GURRIE for tanners and curriers, and a fupply of new Superfine and common FLOUR. Alfo, Weft India, Hardware and Dry GOODS as ufual.

N. B. He will pay Cash for 500 bufhels of OATS, if delivered within ten days. Newfield, May 18, 1796.

The Sloop ELIZA, John Curtis, Mafter, will fail for Albany, and other places on the North River, on Saturday next-for freight or paf- fage apply to Hull and Lyon, or the mafter on board.

L OST on the 27th of April, a lightifh coloured GREAT COAT, no buttons on it except three on the cape. Enquire of the Printers.

To be Sold, Cheap for Cafh, An elegant New Chaife, and Harnefs, Compleat. Enquire at this office.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 22

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