History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 44

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 44

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A movement was made-so, at least, it is said-for a house of worship for the accommodation of those of Episcopal preferences some four years before the Revolution, and the frame of a building was actually reared. But it was never covered in, and finally dis- appeared, the war bringing defeat to this, as to so many other enterprises.

After the war, though at what precise date it is perhaps now difficult to determine, an edifice was built for Episcopal use upon the triangular spot mid- way between Mrs. Lucy Northrop's residence and that of Mr. Sherman Foote, where services were held until 1837, when the parish entered the more coninio- dious house still occupied, though in the mean time enlarged and otherwise greatly improved.

The ministrations of the Episcopal pulpit and par- ish have been conducted as follows: By the rector,

Rev. Philo Perry, from 1785 (or 1786) to 1798; Rev. Daniel Burhans, D.D., 1798 (or 1799) to 1812; Rev. Benjamin Benham, 1812 to 1828; Rev. Joseph S. Co- vell, 1829 to 1836; Rev. Mr. Shimeal, 1836 to 1837 ; Rev. David H. Short, 1838 to 1839; Rev. Edward C. Bull, 1839 to 1842; Rev. Edward J. Ives, 1842 to 1844; Rev. Henry D. Noble, 1844 to 1858; Rev. J. E. Goodhue, 1863 to 1869; Rev. Levi B. Stimson, 1869 to 1872; Rev. Frank B. Lewis, 1872 to 1873; Rev. Frederick A. Fiske, 1873 to 1876; Rev. E. L. Whitcome, 1877 .*

The occasional services held, as already stated, prior to the organization of the parish were probably largely conducted by Rev. John Beach, of Newtown, who went over to Episcopacy from the ministry of the Congregational Church in 1732.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

At the time the old house of worship standing on the triangle in front of Mr. Sherman Foote's was abandoned for the new edifice, in 1837, certain Meth- odist brethren residing at the "Iron-Works" and in the neighborhood united with others of like views living at Southville, and, forming one society, pur- chased the old Episcopal meeting-house, and there continued services for nearly twenty years, when a portion of the worshipers resumed their separate status at Southville, and the remaining portion began. to hold services at the "Iron-Works" village in the edifice now (1880) occupied by the Reformed congre- gation.

With varying experience the fecble society here held on its way until, by removals from the place and the death of members, its strength was exhausted, and as a separate organization it became extinct in 1865, or at about that date.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

On Sept. 23, 1846, the Baptist inccting-house, so called, was opened for public worship by exercises appropriate to the occasion, and on the 12th day of November following the "First Baptist Church of Brookfield" was constituted, a society of affiliated sentiments having been in existence since 1843. On the 2d day of December delegates from other churches were present for the public formal recognition of the new organization, and at a " covenant-meeting" held December 5th Elder William Biddle was called to be the first pastor of the church, which office he held until September, 1854, when, at his own request. he was released from his official connection, though even to the end of life he was intimately identified with the interests of the church, and was constant in his labors on its behalf.

Additional to services rendered by him the church

* The above list is given as furnished to the writer, but, for the accu- racy of history, it should be stated that the two first-named individuals were rectors at Newtown during the same or nearly the same periods.

95,

ET. ET. ET. ET.

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

has been under the pastoral supervision of Elders Ganung, Shove, Wilson, and Chapman.

THE REFORMED CHURCH.

The Reformed Church began its organic life in 1869 as a mission enterprise under the auspices of the Classis of New York.

Rev. S. W. Roe, Rev. Ransford Wells, D.D., Rev. F. E. Allen, and Rev. F. M. Bogardus have served the church in the ministry.

SCHOOLS.

By a kind of law of association, in New England at least, the mention of schools is closely connected with that of churches, and a sketch of Brookfield would be incomplete without some mention of this kind. The fathers were not indifferent to the need of facilities for a higher grade of education than that furnished by the common or district school, and, accordingly, not unfrequently in the town records there is statement of special appropriations from the treasury for the support of "select schools" or to facil- itate in some way higher grade instruction. Thus, under date of April 4, 1799, the selectmen of the town were empowered to pay forty-five dollars for finishing the upper room in the town-house "for the purpose of keeping a school in the same," and it was also voted "that a committee of two persons from each school district in the town be appointed as a joint committee to hire a teacher to teach school in the upper room of the town-house, and to regulate such school."

Private enterprise has also engaged in the same laudable purpose. In 1840, Mr. Edward Robbins opened a school at the "Centre" which assumed flour- ishing proportions, and was continuously kept up for about ten years.

In 1858, Rev. Henry D. Noble, being measurably disqualified for the services of rector of the parish, conceived the idea of establishing a high-class board- ing-school for boys, and entered with his accustomed energy upon the accomplishment of the plan. "St. Paul's School for Boys" was the result, and was car- ried on with growing prosperity until interrupted by huis sudden death, which occurred Sept. 14, 1868.

Shortly after this Madame Booraem opened a pri- vate school for lads and misses, which continued, with varying patronage, until 1878.

It should be mentioned in this connection that, in 1795, Widow Mary Northrop, at her decease, left for the benefit of the town an estate of which one hun- dred and forty-seven pounds four shillings sixpence was in the form of promissory notes, and the proceeds of this estate have been regularly devoted to the in- terests of education, for a portion of the time being expended in the maintenance of select schools, and at other times being divided among the several dis- tricts as partial support of the district schools. At the present time the interest of this fund-known as

the "Molly Money"-is counted in as part of the public-school money, and is divided among the dis- tricts.

BURIAL-PLACES.

It will not be inappropriate that some reference shall be made here to the burial-places to which the departed have been borne as the six generations dwelling here since the first settlement of the town have lived and died.

The Newbury fathers, while united for ecclesiastical purposes, seem to have maintained, not unnaturally, something of the town feeling, and hence the ceme- tery on "the plain" for the New Milford portion of the society, that by the railroad-track, below Mr. David Northrop's, for the Danbury portion, and that near Hawleyville for the Newtown portion, while a spot marked by a few remaining stones by the side of Hop Brook, on the left of the road to "Obtuse," was a resort for those having no preferences, but looking only to convenience as to distance. The cemetery near Mr. Beman Fairchild's, that known as the "Central," west of Still River, and the one at the "Iron-Works" were of later beginning.

In the burial-place referred to by Hop Brook there stands a slab erected "To the memory of Mr. Henry Baldwin, drowned April 4, 1798," with this somewhat singular poetic inscription :

" Here lies interred a blooming youth ; He lived in love and died in truth. Call, and behold, as you pass by, As you are now, so once was I ; As I am now, so you must be ; Prepare to die and follow me."

For the benefit of such as are always looking into the past for the golden, and upon the present with disparagement, in this connection it may be stated that within the memory of some now living, on fu- neral occasions within the town, liquors were provided for the "bearers," and as the procession moved, here and there on the route, when the "bier" was changed from the shoulders of one set of men to those of another, the bottle, carried by an attendant, was passed around to strengthen the men helping in car- rying the dead. Surely, there is some progress !

The history of a place is inclusive of its outgoing influences, as well as of events which transpire within its boundaries. Emigrant sons and daughters are important factors, therefore, which must not be left out of the account, and of these the following should be enrolled : Rev. William A. Hawley, Rev. William Dibble, Rev. Bennet F. Northrop, Rev. Beebe Ste- vens, Rev. Oliver Taylor, Rev. Oliver St. John, and Rev. Frank Lobdell. Mr. Samuel Ruggles and Mrs. Lucia Holman, missionaries of the American Board, were also natives of the place. Besides these, a long list might be added of non-professional persons who in various secular relations and pursuits have "ob- tained a good report."

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BROOKFIELD.

MILITARY RECORD.

Though no distinguished names or exploits adorn the war record of Brookfield, yet this department of its history is not altogether barren of incident, and there are names which ought not to die out of mem- ory, because they who bore them were willing to hazard life for their country's safety.

When the Revolutionary war broke out it found here a company of militia already organized, which did service under Maj .- Gen. Wooster, and probably was present when he received his death-wound at Ridgefield.

It is represented by the older citizens, who gath- ered their information from the fathers, now passed away, that when Governor Tryon, of "blazing mem- ory," burned Danbury, great excitement swept over Newbury, and that many of the people, their patriot- ism stirred by the words of good Pastor Brooks, rushed to the aid of their Danbury neighbors; also that in another stage of the conflict royal troops were for a little time quartered here.

In the war of 1812 a " draught" was served upon the people here, and, additional to the men thus raised, Lieut. Ruggles enlisted a company of volun- teers, the whole being sent to New London for' active duty. . But the perils of these men were more dread- ful in anticipation than in reality, and their exploits of war were not of such account as to eover either themselves or their country with imperishable glory.

In response to the call of the country for the sup- pression of the Rebellion, fifty-seven men enlisted from Brookfield, serving for a longer or shorter pe- riod, of which number two-Albert Clark and Frank Benson-were killed in action.

The full roll of enlisted men, as they appear upon the books in the State archives, is as follows :

Charles S. Smith, Charles B. Steward, William Turrell, Edwin Wheeler, Samuel Magee, Rockwell H. Smith, Harmon Edgett, Theodore Jack- son, Abner H. Johnson, Patrick Sullivan, Benjamin Stebbins, Leon- ard D. Wilkinson, Frank J. Benson, Charles T. Delevan, Joseph Maddocks, Charles Ilayes, Lemuel Peck, Hanford N. Bassett, William R. Hamlin, George W. Anthony, Lewis J. Ives, Henry W. Seeley, Gilbert H. Campbell, James W. Hamilton, Frederic A. Bennett, Mc- Allister Craig, Charles H. Clark, Thomas Sherman, Tallman Simons, William F. Banks, Edwin II. Nearing, Frederic E. Nearing, William Stebbins, Frederic A. Osborn, Edward A. Osborn, Zenas L. Dibble, Daniel Briggs, James H. Case, Edward H. Northrop, Marcellus Ro Pishon, Allen Rogers, Clarence Smith, George Squires, Jonathan T. Salmons, Joseph II. Caufield, Daniel Mckinnon, Timothy T. Turrell, Albert Clark, John Triel, Joseph C. Goldsmith, William Hamilton, Thomas Hoye, William D. Hoyt, William H. Ilawley, Booth Lattin, John S. Prentice, Thomas Prentice.

Ten died while in the service; their names as fol- lows :

Thomas Hoye, Thomas Prentice, Edwin Wheeler, Rockwell II. Smith, Abner Johnson, Patrick Sullivan, Lemnel Peck, William R. llamlin, Thomas Sherman, and Charles T. Delevau.

The most noteworthy items of Brookfield history have thus been passed in review. In closing such a record the thought is quite natural, "How much there is of unwritten-never to be written-history !" and the thought also, "The generation now living is

making history for those who shall come after, and how important that the record, when filled out by some as yet unknown chronicler, shall be spotless and aglow with honorable incident and names to be held in abiding respect !"

REPRESENTATIVES FROM 1788 TO 1880.

1788, llenry Peck; 1789, Capt. Joseph Smith; 1789-90, Henry Peck; 1790-91, Joseph Smith ; 1792, Heury Peck, Daniel Benedict Cook; 1793, Amos Wheeler, Benjamin Bostwick; 1794, Amos Wheeler, Timothy Ruggles; 1795, Daniel B. Cook, Preserve Wood; 1796, Amos Wheeler, Isaue Hawley; 1797-98, Amos Wheeler; 1798, Jesse Noble; 1799, Daniel B. Clark ; 1800, Eli Perry, Daniel B. Cook; 1801-2, Jesse Noble, George C. Smith ; 1803, Jesse Noble, Riverins Hawley ; 1804, George C. Smith, Jesse Noble; 1805, Jesse Noble, George C. Smith, Thomas P. White; 1806, William Mecker, Liverns Hawley; 1807, Riverius Hawley, George C. Smith ; 1808, Isaac Hawley, Live- rus Hawley ; 1809, George Smith, Daniel Tomlinson; 1810, Riverins Hawley; 1811, Riverius Ilawley, Liverus Hawley; 1812, Daniel Tomlinson, Joseph Smith (3d); 1813, Daniel Tomlinson, Liverus Hawley ; 1814, Liverns Hawley, William Meeker; 1815-16, Noah A. Lacey, Daniel Tomlinson; 1817, Noah A. Lacey, Zerah S. A. Peck ; 1818, William Meeker, Heman Burch ; 1819, Czar Starr; 1820, William Meeker; 1821, Czar Starr; 1822, William Meeker; 1823, Stephen Gregory ; 1824, Eli Ruggles; 1825, William Meeker; 1826, Eli Ruggles; 1827, John B. Sanford; 1828, Daniel Tomlinson: 1829, Stephen Gregory ; 1830-31, Zerah S. A. Peck ; 1832, Ebenezer Wanser ; 1833, Bryant Smith; 1834, Abraham F. Shepard; 1835, Stephen Gregory ; 1836, Benjamin Hawley ; 1837, John Hawley; 1838, Czar Starr; 1839, Ira Keeler; 1840-41, David Burr; 1842, Charles lurd ; 1843, Eli Ruggles : 1844-45, John Ilawley ; 1846, Ethiel Andrews; 1847, Alfred Morris; 1848, Ormon Bradley ; 1849, Abel S. Hawley ; 1850, David W. Northrop; 1851, Bryant Smith ; 1852. David A. Foster ; 1853, William II. Seake; 1854, John Hawley; 1855, Nathan Turrell; 1856, Ira Keeler; 1857, lliram Higby; 1858, William A. Randall ; 1859, Almon Odell; 1860, John Ilawley; 1861, Levi G. Knapp; 1862, Zar Joice ; 1863-64, Philo C. Merwin ; 1865, Curtis Morris; 1866, S. B. Ruggles ; 1867, Edwin G. Turrill; 1868, Harvey Roe; 1869, David H. Meeker; 1870, D. G. Meers; 1871, 11. S. Stevens ; 1872, Augustus 11. Knapp; 1873, Jolin N. Ilawley : 1874, Eugene T. Shepard ; 1875, Marcus Babbitt; 1876, John P. Wildman; 1877, Ezra N. Somers; 1878, William F. Wildman; 1879, Henry S. Peck ; 1880, Benjamin Griffin.

SELECTMEN FROM 17SS TO ISSO.

1788 .- Lee Martin Warner, Capt. Joseph Smith, Capt. Ezra Dibble, Amos Wheeler, Capt, Richard Smith.

1789 .- Joseph Starr, Jesse Noble, Dr. Preserve Wood.

1790 :- Amos Wheeler, Preserve Wood, Isaac Hawley.

1791 .- Amos Wheeler, Lec Martin Warner, Amiel Peck.

1792 .- Capt. Richard Smith, Dr. Preserve Wood, Amos Wheeler.

1793 .- Daniel B. Cooke, Benjamin Bostwick, Le Martin Warner.

1794 .- Samuel Merwin, Jr., Ezra Dibble, Timothy Ruggles.

1795 .- Isaac Hawley, Solomon Warner, Levi Bostwick.

1796 .- Liverus Hawley, Dr. Preserve Wood, Hezekiah Stevens, Jr.

1797 .- Liverus Hawley, Elijah Starr, Ezra Dibble.

1798 .- Liverus Hawley, Jesse Noble, Capt. Ezra Dibble.

1799 .- Liverus Hawley, Jesse Noble, Dr. Preserve Wood.

1800 .- Liverus Hawley, George C. Smith, Niram Blackman.

1801 .- Liverus Hawley, Elijah Starr, George C. Smith.

1802 .- Liverns Hawley, Zar Starr, Samnel Sherman. 1803 .- Liverus Hawley, Elijah Starr, Zar Starr. 1804 .- George C. Smith, Wait Northrop, Levi Bostwick. 1805 .- Elijah Sturdevant, Wait Northrop. George C. Smith.

1806 .- Ileury Peck, Jr., Andrew Northrop, Ruggles Sherman.

1807 .- Nathau Keeler, Robert B. Rnggles, Sanmel Sherman. 1808 .- Jolin Peck, David Osborne, Michael Dunning. 1809 .- Liverus Dunning, Zar Starr, John W. Camp. 1810 .- Henry Peck, Benjamin R. Warner, Wait Northrop.

1811 .- llenry Peck, Robert B. Ruggles, Benjamin R. Warner. 1812 .- Benjamin Lake, Henry Peck, Elijah Sturdevant. 1813-14 .- Henry Peck, Elijah Sturdevant, Zeralı S. A. Peek, 1815,-Walker Lewis, Zar Starr, Elijah Terrill.

1816 .- Peter Hund, Ezra Dibble, Robert B. Ruggles. 1817 .- Peter Hurd, Robert Ruggles, Steven Gregory.

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

1818 .- Peter Hurd, Foster Hurlbert, Eli Ruggles. 1819 .- Steven Gregory, Zar Nearing, Elijah Terrill. 1820 .- Zar Nearing, Jabez Hurd, Abel Booth. 1821 .- Jahez Hurd, Zalmon Goodsell, David Meeker. 1822 .- Zar Nearing, William Meeker, Samuel Merwin, Jr. 1823 .- Zalmon Goodsell, Agur Tomlinson, Isaac Babbitt. 1824 .- Zerah S. A. Peck, Henry Peck, Benjamin Lake. 1825-26 .- John B. Sanford, Heman Burch, Wait S. Northrop. 1827 .- Wait S. Northrop, Heman Burch, Eleazer D. Hawley. 1828 .- Elmore B. Northrop, Eleazer D. Hawley, Wait S. Northrop. 1829-30 .- Wait S. Northrop, Eli Hamlin, Elmore B. Northrop. 1831 .- Eli Hamlin, Zar Starr, Jr., Alonzo Beers. 1832 .- Zar Starr, Jr., David A. Foster, Alonzo Becrs. 1833 .- Zar Starr, Jr., Henry Ruggles, Ezra Osborne. 1834 .- David A. Foster, Ira Keeler, John Hawley. 1835-36 .- Ira Keeler, Ormond Lobdell, John Jackson. 1837-38 .- Curtis Morris, Alfred Morris, Charles Hurd. 1839 .- Ormond Bradley, Curtis Morris, David W. Northrop. 1840-42 .- Curtis Morris, Jolin A. Peck, Darius Bristoll. 1843 .- Elias Camp, Zar Starr, Jr., Zalmon Goodsell. 1844 .- Elias Camp, Hubbell Wildman, Benjamin Hawley. 1845 .- David Burr, Eliud Bristol, Orrin Salmons. 1846 .- Elias Camp, David W. Northrop, Homer Lake. 1847 .- Sidney Hawley, Homer C. Brush, Lemuel Northrop. 1848 .- Elias Camp, Ebenezer. Wanzer, Zar Starr. 1849 .- Ebenezer Wanzer, William A. Randall, Zar Joyce. 1850-51 .- Curtis Morris, Ebenezer Wanzer, Zar Joyce. 1852 .- Curtis Morris, Zar Starr, Alonzo Beers. 1853 .- Curtis Morris, Homer C. Brush, Zar Starr. 1854-56 .- Homer C. Brush, John Hawley, William H. Lake. 1857 .- Homer C. Brush, William H. Lake, Edwin G. Terrill. 1858 .- William II. Lake, Edwin G. Terrill, Philo C. Merwin. 1859,-Curtis Morris, Ezra N. Somers, Henry A. Andrews. 1860 .- Sidney E. Hawley, L. B. Wildman, Ezra W. Wildman. 1861 .- L. B. Wildman, D. B. Dibble, Alfred Morris. 1862 .- Homer C. Brush, Philo C. Merwin, Ezra N. Somers. 1863-65 .- Philo C. Merwin, Ezra N. Somers, Hiram Barnum. 1866 .- Philo C. Merwin, Ezra N. Somers, Harvey Roe. 1867-68 .- Ezra N. Somers, Harvey Roe, David H. Meeker. 1869-70 .- Ezra N. Somers, llarvey Roe, William F. Wildman. 1871 .- Harvey Roe, William F. Wildman, Marcus Babbitt. 1872 .- Harvey Roe, Ezra W. Wildman, Marcus Babbltt. 1873 .- Harvey Roe, Samuel Thoruhill, John H. Merwin. 1874 .- Harvey Roe, Jolin HI. Merwin, David H. Meeker. 1875-76 .- John H. Merwin, Henry D. Lake, Henry C. Gray. 1877 .- Henry D. Lake, Henry C. Gray, Horace Beers. 1878 .- Ezra N. Somers, Barzilla T. Jackson, Horace Beers. 1879 .- Harvey Roe, Ezra N. Somers, Sherman Foote.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

AMOS L. WILLIAMS.

Dr. Amos L. Williams is of Welsh deseent, his an- ccstors coming to America and settling in New Eng- land at an early day.

His father, William Williams, was a native of Lebanon, New London Co., Conn., who followed farming, and took to wife Miss Lydia Loomis of Leb- anon. Salmon L., William C., Lydia, Harrict, Gil- bert, and Amos L. were the names of their children.

Amos L. Williams was born Jan. 11, 1811. His father died when he was but seven years of age. He remained with his mother until he was sixteen, when he took up his residence with his brother, Dr. Wil- liam C. Williams, at that time a practicing physician in Roxbury, Conn. He remained two years, teaeh-

ing the district sehool in the winter, and reading medieine in his hours from school and during the re- mainder of those two years. In the winter of 1831- 32 he attended a course of medieal lectures in New Haven, and in March, 1832, was lieensed to practice. Locating in Greene Co., N. Y., he praetieed there a few months when he removed to Brookfield, Fairfield Co., Conn., where he has lived and followed his pro- fession since Mareh 1, 1833. Eight years afterwards, in 1840, he attended a course of lectures and gradu- ated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia.

Oct. 16, 1833, he married Miss Sarah J., daughter of Daniel and Lucy (Gregory) Holley, of Brookfield. The children born to them have been Ellen F., Julia G., William H. H., and Florence H.

It may be truthfully said of Dr. Williams that he is a self-made man. Commencing the practice of his profession under adverse eireumstances, he has, by careful study and close attention to his professional duties, won for himself the position of trust and honor which he now occupies.

EZRA W. WILDMAN.

Ezra W. Wildman, son of Edward and Anna A. (Bennett) Wildman, was born Dec. 2, 1818, in New Fairfield, where his parents were temporarily residing, having lived in Brookfield prior to and returning there soon after Ezra's birth.

Edward Wildman pursued the calling of farming. He was married to Anna A., daughter of Stephen and Hannah (Lacy) Bennett, of Brookfield, by whom he had seven children. Ezra, the eldest son, lived with his father, attending the district school and assisting in the farm-work, until reaching the age of nineteen, when he began the business of manufae- turing eurriers' knives with Mr. Tomlinson in Brook- field. At the age of twenty-one he entered into partner- ship with Mr. Tomlinson and his uncle, Mr. John F. Bennett, and did business under the firm-name of D. Tomlinson & Co. This connection lasted until the "big freshet" in 1853, which carried away the firm's dam, when, Mr. Tomlinson retiring, the firm became Bennett & Wildman ; the dam was rebuilt and busi- ness resumed. In 1867, Mr. Wildman sold his in- terest in the establishment, and devoted his time to farming.

In February, 1841, Mr. Wildman married Miss Harrict, daughter of Hiram Barlow, of Bridgewater, Conn. Their children were Emily M., Sarah E., Laura A., Henrietta E. His first wife dying in 1850, the following year he married Miss Sarah J., daughter of Albert and Hannalı (Ruseo) Stevens, of New Canaan, by whom he has had the following- named children : Harriet N., Henry S., Josephine, Ida C., and William E.

The family of Stevens are of English origin. Al- bert Stevens was a public educator, devoting a long

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DANBURY.

life to the arduous ealling, teaching in Patterson, Vista, and elsewhere.

In polities, Mr. Wildman is Republiean. He is an attendant at the Reformed ehureh, Brookfield, of which Mrs. Wildman and several of the children are members.

CHAPTER XVI. DANBURY.

Geographical - Topographical - Robbins' Century Sermon - Original Name-Pahquiogne-The First Settlers-Date of Settlement-The First Physician-First Survey of the Town-The Patent-"John Reed, the Lawyer"-First Probate Judge-The Pioncer School-The Revo- lution-First Public Library-Ecclesiastical-Sketch of Mr. Robbins- Danbury in 1770-List of Inhabitants in 1793.

DANBURY lies in the northern part of the county, and is bounded as follows: On the north by New Fairfield; on the east by Brookfield and Bethel; on the south by Redding and Ridgefield ; and on the west by Ridgefield and Putnam Co., N. Y. The surface is diversified with hills and valleys, and the soil is fertile.

In presenting the history of Danbury it is deemed advisable to reproduee, as introductory, a century ser- mon delivered by Rev. Thomas Robbins, A.M., Jan. 1, 1801, wherein was embodied many faets bearing upon the early history of the town whieli ean be ob- tained from no other souree. Mr. Robbins was at the time temporarily supplying the pulpit of the Congre- gational Churel. He was an enthusiast in matters of historie lore, and in the language of Mr. Bailey, of the News, "He builded better than he knew, and de- livered a sermon that will live as long as Danbury it- self has an existence."

THE SERMON.

"The original Indian name of this place was Pahqnioque. The first settlement of this town was begun in the summer of the year 1684 .* The settlers came that year and begun some improvements in buildings, sowing grain, and other things necessary. Some of the families moved here that summer, and continued through the winter; others did not move till the spring following. It may therefore be said that the first permanent settlement was made in the spring of the year 1685, by eight families. The names of the men were, Thomas Taylor, Francis Bush- nell, Thomas Barnum, John Hoyt, James Benedict, Samnel Benedict, James Beebe, and Judalı Gregory. They lived near together, at the sontli end of Town Street. Beginning at the south end, Taylor, Bnslinell, Barnum, and Hoyt lived on the west side ; the two Benedicts, Beebe, and Gregory on the east. All except James Beebe came from Norwalk ; he was from Stratford. They purchased their lands from the Indian pro- prietors. Mr. Taylor had seven sons, from whom all of that name now in town descended. Mr. Bushnell had a family of seven daughters, but no son. There have therefore been none of the name in this town since, only as it is still borne up in several Christian names. Mr. Barnum had five sons, from whom are the families of that name. Mr. Ilvyt left six sons, who are the ancestors of the families of that name now living. Mr. James Benedict left three sons, from whom are a part of the Bene- dict families which survive, particularly those in which tho Christian name James frequently occurs. His eldest son James was the first Eng- lish male child born in town. The sons of Sammel Benedict were four. From them are those families of Benedicts in which the Christian name Samuel is often found. Soon after these first families settled hero, Daniel Benedict, a brother of the other two of that name, came and became a

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 44

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