History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 69

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 69

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CHAPTER XXVII.

EASTON.

Geographical-Topographical-The Settlement-Names of Pioneers- Revolutionary Incident-A Remarkable Phenomenon-The Tomb of Samuel Staples-Ecclesiastical-Civil and Military History.

EASTON is located near the centre of the county, and is bounded as follows : On the north by Redding and Newtown; on the east by Monroe and Trumbull ; on the south by Fairfield; on the west by Weston

and Redding. Its surface is moderately hilly, and its soil fertile.

The first settlements in this town were made in about the year 1757, by inhabitants of Fairfield. Among the early settlers were :

Samuel Staples, the founder of the free academy which bears his name, died in 1797, about four years after the founding of the school, aged seventy-seven years; Rev. James Johnson, the first Congregational minister here, who died in 1810, aged seventy-six years; Deacon Wm. Bennett, Hezekiah Banks, Samuel Wakeman, John Wheeler, Moses Sturges, El- nathan Williams, Zalmon Burr, Daniel Wheeler, Thomas Sherwood, Benajah Bennett, Daniel Jackson, John Jackson, Nathan Jackson, Benjamin Beardsley, Josiah Brinsmade, Josiah Sanford, John Sherwood, Wm. Prince, James Prinee, Dr. Gabriel Baldwin, Matthew Hubbell, Timothy Hubbell, Nathaniel Hub- bell, Stephen Hubbell, Seth Hubbell, Moses Burr, Joseph Willson, Edmund Jennings, Levi Foote, Nathan Wheeler, Nathan Gould, Daniel Lyon, Ez- born Hull, Miles Merwin, Lyman Merwin, Jeremiah Osborn, Nathaniel Seeley, Ebenezer Seeley, Ezarr Sherman, Lewis Goodsell, David Pendleton, Thad- deus Jennings, Enoeh Jennings, Daniel Glover, Thomas Turney, David Turney, Nathan Wakeman, Joseph Seeley, Abbie Ogden, Burr Gilbert, John Davis, Stephen Lyon, Abram Lyon, Thomas Lyon, Josiah Lyon, Nehemiah W. Lyon, died 1860, in his one hundred and first year, Baraik Taylor, Daniel Wakeman, Ezekiel O. Banks, Job Perry, Hezekiah Thorp, Samuel Thorp, John Olmsted, Daniel Holmes, David Treadwell, David Silliman, Nathaniel Davis, Seth Hill, Miles Oakley, David Thorp, David Seeley, Zaccheus Lyon, Isaae Hubbell, Capt. Daniel Fayer- weather, of Revolutionary memory, Ariel Freneh, Justus Bennett, Stephen Seeley, Ephraim Seeley, Ebenezer Hubbell, Nathaniel Lyon, Samuel Wheeler, Zachariah Somers, Thomas Patterson, Edward Lacy, Nathan Bennett, Matthew Sherwood, David Taylor, Nehemiah Deforest, Stephen Blackman, Andrew Lyon, Stephen Gregory, Lewis Edwards, Edward Duneombe, Solomon Burton, Zachariah Lacey, Ste- phen Bennett, Isaac Bennett.

REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENT.

When the British went to Danbury a small boy named Miles Merwin was discovered by them, and a young offieer caught him and threatened to take him away with them. An older officer told him to let him go, and he scampered off. This was while Moses Bun, an old Tory, was yoking up Samuel Wakeman's oxen for the British to take away: they took them away. Jack, slave of Samuel Wakeman, was going to the blacksmith's shop to get a horse shod and met the advanced guard, who chased him into the woods, where the darkey got away and stayed in the woods several days before he could be induced to come out.

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EASTON.

Moses Bun's house had a trap-door in his floor, so that the Tories or regulars could drop into the cellar in case of being in danger.

Gould Dimon, who was a neutral, was looked up to make him join the army ; he heard of it, and went and seereted himself in an old house, now demolished. Dr. Uriah Patrick lived there last. He was tracked by heavy frost to the house, but seereted himself be- tween a large plate of wood and the chimney. The place was known and several balls were fired into the plate, and at last he was dragged out and taken off. The house was torn down about forty years ago, and the balls were found in the plate.

REMARKABLE PHENOMENON.

The following account of a remarkable phenom- enon which occurred in this town is taken from the Connecticut Journal, under date Dee. 24, 1807 :

"Ou Monday, the 14th inst., at about the break of day or a little after, the weather being moderato and calm, and tho atmosphere somewhat cloudy and foggy, a meteor or fire-ball passing from a northern point ex- ploded over the western part of this State with a tremendous report. At the same time several pioccs of stony substance fell to the earth in Fair- field County. Ono mass was driven against a rock and dashed in small pieces, a peck of which remained on the spot. About three miles distant, in the town of Weston (now Easton), another largo piece fell upon tho earth, of which a mass of about thirty pounds' weight remains entire, and was exhibited the same day at town-meoting. A small mass has been sent to Yale College and examined by a number of gentlemen. It was immediately perceived by Professor Silliman to contain a nictal, and on presenting it to a magnet a powerful attraction proved it to be iron. This is, we believe, the first instanco in the United States in which tho substance of this species of meteor has been found on the earth, though it has often been found in Europe. Fortunately, the facts respecting this wonderful phenomenon are capable of being ascertained and verified by precision, and an investigation will, we understand, be commenced for the purpose. We request gentlemen who may havo observed it, in dis- tant parts of the State, to favor the public with their observations. It is desirable to ascertain the courso or direction of the meteor, tho point of compass in which it appeared in different places, the general appearance and velocity, the mauner of its explosion, and tho timo between the cx- plosion and the report."

THE STAPLES ACADEMY.

This academy, which for more than three-quarters of a century has ranked among the leading eduea- tional institutions in New England, was founded by Samuel Staples in 1798. Under date of Oet. 16, 1798, the following advertisement appeared in the American Telegraphe, published at Newfield (now Bridgeport) :

"STAPLE'S FREE SCHOOL is now opened in WESTON (now Easton) under the care and inspection of James Burnet, A. B., & MR. GIDEON WHEELER. In this school are taught the first rudiments of the Eng- lish Languge, English Grammar, Writing, thio Latin and Greek Lan- guages, Oratory, Geography, Mathematics, etc. Strict attention paid to the deportment and morals of children and youth.

" Price of instruction, one dollar per quarter. The poor aro instructed gratis. Board to be had in good familes as cheap as in any of tho neigh- boring towns.

" ANDREW ELLIOT, - "JOSEPH NOYES, Trustees. "NATHAN WHEELER,

"Oct. 16, 1798."

Samuel Staples lies buried in Easton, and his tomb- stone bears the following inseription :

" In memory of Mr. Samuel Staples, who died Feb. 21, 1787, in tho 79th year of liis age. He was possessed of a Plentiful Fortune, which he

Dovoted to Pious and Charitable Purposes, Especially The Fonuding of a free School for the Education of Poor Children and Youth in FAIRFIELD. Also a Considerable Sum for the Support of the Gospel in the Parish of NORTH FAIRFIELD, And a large Estate for the purpose of Schooling Poor Children at the Different Schools in WESTON. He was A Steady Attend- ant on the Worship of GOD, A Friend to the Liberties of his Country, Both Civil and Sacred, And left this Mortal Scene in Humble Hope of Eternal Bliss Through JESUS CHRIST our LORD."

Hon. Isaae Toucey, Governor and United States senator, received the rudiments of his education at the free academy in Easton, and offered to give five hundred dollars toward erecting a suitable monument to the memory of Mr. Staples.

CIVIL HISTORY.

The first town-meeting was held on the first Mon- day in August, 1845, on "the green near by the meet- ing-house." Walker Sherwood, moderator.

The following officers were elected: Edwin Hill, Town Clerk; Daniel B. Fayerweather, Walter Lyon, Burr S. Wheeler, Selectmen; Eli Adams, Treasurer ; James Baldwin, Treasurer of T. D. Fund; John S. Adams, Walker Sherwood, Loan Agents of T. D. Fund; Charles Wheeler, Town Agent; M. Burr, Burr Bennett, George Knapp, John S. Rowland, Elihu N. Taylor, S. W. Banks, Constables; Judson Windon, James D. Johnson, Samuel Jackson, Grand Jurors; A. W. Thorpe, Alfred Perry, Samuel Jack- son, John S. Adams, Tythingmen ; Benjamin Hall, Curtis Cole, Burr Bradley, D. B. Fayerweather, Jo- seph Silliman, Poundkeepers ; Albert Gusline, H. B. Hall, John Wells, Haywards; George Knapp, Ezra B. Seeley, J. D. Johnson, Fenee-Viewers; Ransom Lyon, Sealer.

The following is a list of seleetmen from the organi- zation of the town to 1881 :

1846, Orando Perry, Walker Lyon; 1846-49, Samnel Jackson; 1846-50, Walker Shorwood; 1849, D. B. Fayerweather; 1848-50, Willis Wheeler; 1851-56, John Edwards ; 1851, Eli Adams; 1852-55, James Baldwin; 1852, Jesso Wakeman; 1853-55, Edward Hill; 1850-58, Sherwood Lyon; 1857, Charles Wheeler ; 1857, P. B. Sherwood ; 1858, N. S. Sillimau; 1859-60, Mullett Seeley ; 1859-60, 1863, David W. Sherwood; 1861-63, Floyd Tucker ; 1861-62, 1864, Dimon Bradley ; 1862-64, Isaac P. Wheeler ; 1863, J.S. Cole; 1864, Burr Bennett ; 1865 -66, Samuel W. Wheeler, Philo Hall; 1867, J. S. Rowland; 1867 -68, William Wakeman ; 1868-69, Philo B. Sherwood; 1869, John Wheeler; 1870, C. W. Blakeman, John Wheeler; 1871-72, Joseph E. Fields; 1871, F. R. Wheeler; 1873, Joseph W. Johuson; 1874, G. Bradley Sanford, William Wakeman; 1875-76, Willian Ward; 1875-79, Bennett Seeley; 1875, Edwin Godfrey ; 1876, W. W. Jen- nings; 1877, John S. Rowland; 1877, E. N. Taylor; 1877-79, Wil- liam W. Jeunings; 1879, George Burr Tucker.

REPRESENTATIVES FROM 1850 TO 1SS0.

1850-51, Anson Ryan ; 1852, James Johnson; 1853, Samuel W. Wheeler; 1854, Sherwood Lyon; 1855, J. S. Adams; 1856, George Whalen; 1857, David S. Edwards; 185S, Charles Wheeler; 1859, Philo B. Sher- wood ; 1860, Jolin S. Rowlund; 1861, Philo Hall; 1862, Alınz Brad- ley ; 1863, Isaac P. Wheeler; 1864, Burr Bennett; 1865, Charles E. Bradley; 1866, C. W. Blakeun ; 1867, E. P. Fisher; 1868, Dimon Bradley ; 1869, Edwin Whecler ; 1870, Floyd Tucker; 1871, Ransom 0. Smith; 1872, Goorge S. Burr; 1873, Francis L. Staples; 1874, Joseph E. Fields ; 1875, Robert G. Galloway ; 1876, Elihu N. Taylor ; 1877, John Wheeler; 1878, Arthur Tucker; 1879-80, Joseph W. Johnson.

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

RELIGIOUS. CHRIST CHURCH .*

This church was organized as early as 1763, under the care of the London Missionary Societies, and was supplied with ministerial services by it for about twenty years. In 1784 it seems to have been reor- ganized by the appointment of John Nichols as clerk, Benoni Dimon, Calvin Wheeler, and Moses Burr as vestrymen, and. Ezra Winton and Robert Downes as wardens. The Rev. Philo Shelton, the first Episco- pal minister ordained in the United States, was then called as rector, and continued to 1818.

Among the early members were Seth Gilbert, Thaddeus Gilbert, Thomas Colyer, Jonathan Coley, Thomas Treadwell, Nathan Jackson, Alexander Platt, Hezekiah Osborn, Increase Burr, Andrew Gilbert, Nathaniel Davis, David Thorp, Daniel Coley, Gould Nichols, Eliphalet Nichols, Peter Nichols, Ephraim Nichols, Samuel Wheeler, John Wheeler, Adin Jackson, Andrew Winton, Hezekiah Thorp, Joseph Winton, Ebenezer Nichols, Joseph Treadwell, Gould Bradley, Joseph Darling, William Burr, Joseph Burr, Alexander Nichols, Andrew Gilbert, and others.

The first church edifice was erected in 1763,-a rude structure,-and was never completely finished, though it stood until about the year 1850. It was known as the North Fairfield Episcopal Church at Gilberttown. In 1873 a new chapel was built, near the academy at the centre. It has always been rather a missionary station than an independent parislı.

Through the untiring efforts of Mrs. Henry Perry, of Southport, a fund has been raised as a memorial of the Rev. Philo Shelton, the first rector, who was the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Perry; this sum amounts to four thousand dollars, the income to be applied to the salary of the rector of the parish.

The following rectors have officiated for the church: The missionaries of the Church of England to the Revolutionary war; Rev. Philo Shelton, from 1784 to 1812; Rev. Eli Whceler, during 1813; Rev. David Belden, 1813-16 ; Rev. Joseph D. Welton, 1816-19. Then occasional services were held by different cler- gymen until about 1835, when the Rev. D. G. Tom- linson took charge for four years; Rev. Dr. Darkin, 1840, for one year ; Rev. Charles Todd, one year; Rev. William Atwill, 1842-44; Rev. H. V. Gardner, 1849- 51; Rev. Enoch Huntington, 1851-53.

At this time the parish received from the Legisla- ture the corporate name of Christ Church, Easton ; up to this time it was known as the Episcopal Society of North Fairfield. Since that time the rectors have been Rev. Alfred Louderback, 1861-62; Rev. Henry Zell, from February to November, 1863, when death closed his ministry ; Rev. William L. Bostwick, 1864 -65; Rev. John N. Marvin, 1865-71; Rev. Charles W. Kelley, 1873-75; Rev. David M. Elwood, 1876-79; Rev. William H. Bulkley, 1880. Present officers : Eli

Winton, William Ward, Wardens; Arthur M. Oak- ley, James Nichols, Vestry. Present number of mem- bers, about thirty.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH.+

The Baptist Church of Weston (now Easton) was constituted April 13, 1831, and recognized as such by a council consisting of Rev. Elisha Cushman, John Cookson, J. H. Linsly, Alfred Gates, Mr. Duxborough, Mr. Roberts, and Nathan D. Benedict, who had met for the purpose of setting apart Brother Alva Gregory to the work of the gospel ministry. It consisted of sixty-seven members set off from the Baptist Church of Stratfield,-viz .: Deacon David Silliman, Sr., Stephen Jennings, Sr., Eli Adams, Stephen Jen- nings, Jr., Cyrus Silliman, Stephen Blackman, Reuben B. Gilbert, Andrew Leavenworth, Seth Gilbert, Nor- man C. Sherwood, Isaac Jennings, Samuel Gregory, William Rowel, Thomas Peck, Horace Lyon, George Lyon, Alonzo Gilbert, Ezra Silliman, Josiah Platt, Harvey Rowel, Isaac Turney, Isaac Thorp, John Cal- vin, Ruth Beach, Lucy Gilbert, Eunice Edwards, Hannah Wildman, Charity Judson, Polly Silliman, Orra Sherwood, Deborah Silliman, Naomie Mallett, Anna Beardslee, Anna Turney, Mahala Austin, Char- ity Blakeman, Pamela Fayerweather, Abigail Haw- ley, Esther Beers, Sarah Hall, Ruth Seeley, Caroline Gilbert, Maria Silliman, Roda Hayes, Hannah Hayes, Mercy S. French, Miriam Leavenworth, Huldah Adams, Clarissa Silliman, Asenath Beardslee, Hannah Silliman, Ruth Lyon, Clarissa Rowel, Betsey Silliman, Sally Lyon, Laura Lyon, Ruth Hawley, Harriet Thorp, Clarissa Rowel (2d), Phœbe A. Peck, Jemima Jackson, Eliza Turney, Eunice Turney (2d), Abigail Leavenworth, Priscilla B. Dimon, Clarissa Silliman (2d), Eleanor Lyon.

The first officers were: David Silliman, Deacon ; Eli Adams, Clerk. The first minister was Rev. Na- than Wildman; the present minister is Rev. J. M. Phillips.

Name and time employed of each minister : Nathan Wildman, three years; William Dennison, thirteen years; Jacob Gardener, two years; John Warren, twenty-one years nine months; Jabez T. Bender, two years four months ; James M. Phillips, three years.

The present officers are : Morris Banks, William W. Jennings, Deacons; David Silliman, David W. Sher- wood, Trustees ; M. W. Silliman, Clerk. The mem- bership at present numbers one hundred and thirty- two. The first church edifice was erected in 1830, the second in 1849, and the third in 1874. There was expended on the second edifice for repairs, $2775.50; on the third, $1607.93.

Legacies amounting to $1275 have been left this church by the following : Naomie Bennett, for land used as the parsonage, seven acres, $500; Mrs. Greg- ory, for a Sabbath-school fund, $175; Miss Julia

* Contributed by Mr. Eli Winton.

+ Contributed by M. W. Silliman.

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EASTON.

Seeley, $500, and Miss Abba Leavenworth, $100, for the use of the ehureh. Rev. Russell Jennings has paid nearly one-fourth of the pastor's salary for sev- eral years past.

The following have been lieensed to preach from this ehureh : Edmund Turney, Hawley Gilbert, Her- vey Silliman, Sherwood Lyon, John S. Mallette, Jolin Sammis.

For two or three years after the organization of the ehureh an extensive revival of religion visited it, materially strengthening the ehureh, and eneouraging the new field of labor, whieli proved timely, for soon some of the number were dismissed to form a Baptist ehureh at White Hills. The church, now enjoying the indefatigable labors of its pastor, Rev. Wm. Dennison, had many additions.

The ehureh was soon again ealled to part with about seventy-five of its number to constitute the Baptist ehureh of Stepney, in 1848. Sinee that year we have been visited with many precious seasons of refreshing by the Holy Spirit, leading many to walk the narrow way with us, and, ere we were expeeting, many were ealled to the better land. During the stay of each pastor we have witnessed the fruit of liis labors by the ingathering of many ; so that none ean say, "I labored with the Easton Baptist Church in vain ;" for which we sineerely thank the Great Head of the Church.

THE CENTRE METIIODIST EPISCOPAL SOCIETY

of Easton was organized in the winter of 1843-44. The first officers were Eli Wakeman, Clerk; Ranson Lyon, Daniel C. Salmon, and Ira Sturges, Building Committee; Ranson Lyon, Emery Sherwood, Daniel C. Salmon, Harry Fanton, Bradley Williams, William Cogswell, Thomas Goodsell, Trustees; Ranson Lyon, Treasurer; William Cogswell, Colleetor. The first minister was William H. Bangs. The ehureh build- ing was ereeted in 1844.

The present offieers are as follows: Iverson C. Fan- ton, Clerk; D. S. Fanton, Treasurer ; B. F. Banks, D. S. Fanton, William F. Loekwood, A. C. Lyon, William Cogswell, I. C. Fanton, Trustees; B. F. Banks, W. F. Loekwood, M. W. Salmon, Society's Committee. Number of present members, one hun- dred and four. The ehurel was repaired and re- modeled in 1871.

This ehureh and Lee Chapel ehureh form one parish, Lee Chapel ehureh being mueh the oldest.

MILITARY RECORD. TENTII REGIMENT. Company H.

Harris, John, must. Nov. 19, 1864; must. out Ang. 5, 1865.

Jones, Thomas, must. Nov. 22, 1864; hung by sentence of court-martinl, Feb. 18, 1865.

Kerrigan, John, must. Nov. 22, 1864; must. out Aug. 25, 1865.

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT. Company D.

Jennings, Moses B., must. Aug. 12, 1861 ; must. out July 19, 1865.

Marsh, Thomas A., must. Ang. 9, 1861; wounded and trans. to Vet. Res. Corps; disch. for disability, Ang. 12, 1865.

Quick, Charles E., innst. Aug. 9, 1861 ; wounded May 2, 1863; inuet. out July 19, 1865.

Company HI.

Mallett, Charles S., must. Sept. 1, 1861; must. out July 19, 1865.

Company K.

Birchum, Henry, must. Ang. 20, 1861 ; disch. for disability, Oct. 29, 1863. Canfield, George, must. Ang. 15, 1861 ; disch. for disability, Dec. 10, 1862. Edwards, Robert, must. Ang. 15, 1861; mmst. out July 19, 1865. 1fall, David, Jr., must. Aug. 7, 1861; must. ont July 19, 1865.

Lord, James, must. Sept. 1, 1861 ; trans, to Invalid Corps; must. out Aug. 11, 1865.

Tillison, Jesse, must. Ang. 9, 1861 ; must. out July 19, 1865.

llarris, John, must. Sept. 16, 1864; forwarded Oct. 20, 1864; not taken up on rolls.

TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT. Company D.

William Corning, must. Ang. 8, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. Buckley, Gershout B., must. Sept. 8, 1861; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. Burr, William Il., must. Sept. 9, 1861; disch. Aug. 31, 1803.

Edwards, David S., must. Sept. 8, 1861 ; died July 19, 1863, at New Or- Icana, Lit.

French, Levi, must. Sept. 9, 1861; dischi. Aug. 31, 1863. Freneli, Almon 1I., must. Sept. 9, 1861; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. IIill, Park, must. Aug. 25, 1861; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. HIill, Beach, must. Aug. 25, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. HIard, Eli, must. Aug. 25, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. Hall, Charles, must. Sept. 9, 1861; dischi. Ang. 31, 1863. Jennings, William W., must. Aug. 25, 1861 ; dischi. Aug. 31, 1863. Keeler, Peter P., must. Aug. 31, 1861; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. Marsh, Joshua, must. Sept. 8, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. Perry, Jolın L., must. Sept. 8, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. Burs, Able R., must. Aug. 25, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. Earle, George M., must. Sept. 10, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. Freeborn, Edward K., must. Sept. 10, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. Sherwood, Charles 1I., must. Sept. 10, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. Taylor, Ormel P., must. Sept. 10, 1861 ; disch. Aug. 31, 1863. Wade, Joseph S., must. Sept. 6, 1861.

Wauzer, James M., must. Sept. 10, 1861 ; trans. to Thirteenth Conn. Vols. to servo out timc.

Company K.

Edwards, John, must. Nov. 24, 1861 ; dischi. Nov. 24, 1864.

McFarlaud, John, must. Nov. 24, 1861 ; re-enl. Jau. 6, 1864.

McFarland, Robert, must. Nov. 24, 1861; disch. for disability, Jan. G, 1863.

SECOND LIGHT BATTERY CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS.

Seeloy, Frederick O., must. Aug. 6, 1862; must. out Ang. 9, 1865. Burkhard, Louis, must. Aug. 13, 1862; must. out Aug. 9, 1865. Banks, Bradley, must. Aug. 6, 1862; disch. Aug. 19, 1863.

Garmo, John L. D., must. Aug. 13, 1862; trans. to Iuv. Corps, Jan. 5, 1864 ; must. out July 14, 1865.

Lynn, Joseph, must. Aug. 6, 1862; trans. to Vet Res. Corps, Jan. 17, 1865 ; disch. Jnue 29. 1865.

Sharot, Andrew J., must. Aug. 9, 1862; must. out Aug. 9, 1865. Turney, Albert E., must. Aug. 9, 1862 ; mnst. out Aug. 9, 1865. Ward, Johnson B., minst. Aug. 6, 1862; must. out Ang. 9, 1865. Reardon, Patrick, niust. Nov. 19, 1863; must. out Aug. 9, 1865. Seavey, Thomas, must. Dee. 22, 1863; must. ont Aug. 9, 1865.

ARTILLERY. Company M.

Lovejoy, Frederick P., must. Feb. 4, 1861 ; re-enl. Feb. 5, 1864; must. out Sept. 25, 1865.

McDermott, James, must. Feb. 4, 1861 ; re-eul. Feb. 5, 1864.

Patterson, Franklin, must. Feb. 4, 1861; re-enl. Feb. 5, 1864; must. ont Sept. 25, 1865.

SECOND ARTILLERY. Company C.

Stewart, Thomas B., must. Jan. 2, 1864; wouudel Sept. 19, 1864 ; must. out Aug. 18, 1865.

White, Edward, must. Dec. 21, 1863; must. out June 20, 1865.

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

Company D.

White, George, must. Ang. 20, 1863.

Company E.

Craft, George W., must. July 22, 1861.

Howard, William, must. July 22, 1861.

Company H.

Gilbert, Albert P., must. Sept. 23, 1861; disch, for disability, Feb. 26, 1864.

Gilbert, Isaac W., must. Sept. 23, 1861; disch. for disability, May 14, 1862.

Company I.

Edwards, Robert, must. Sept. 21, 1861; disch. for disability, May 12, 1862.

Company K.

Buckley, David, must. Jan. 5, 1864; must. out Aug. 18, 1865.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

FAIRFIELD.

Geographical-Topographical-The Peqnots-Driven to the Swamp- The Battle-Roger Ludlow-The First Scttlements-Indian Treaties- Indian Deeds-The Fairfield Patent-The Departure of Ludlow-The Revolution-The Burning of Fairfield-Incidents.

THE town of Fairfield is located in the southern part of the county, and is bounded as follows : On the north by Easton and Weston; on the east by Bridge- port; on the south by Long Island Sound; on the west by Westport and Weston. The surface of the town is undulating, and the soil is very fertile and generally free from stone.

THE PEQUOTS .- THE DISCOVERY.

To the renowned Indian-fighter, John Mason, and the intrepid and talented Roger Ludlow and the sol- diers who aecompanied them on the expedition against the warlike Pequots, is due the honor of having dis- covered this section. These were the first white men who set foot upon the soil of Fairfield.

The Pequots, after the disastrous eonflagration at Mistick, fled westward and seereted themselves in a swamp near the present village of Southport, in this town, where they awaited the eertain attack of the English. And they had not long to wait. Mason and Ludlow had resolved to utterly exterminate this tribe, whose feroeity at that time stood without a par- allel in the history of Indian nations. With that de- termination which knows no failure, the little band of soldiers followed hard upon the retreating form of the red brother. Their loeation in the dismal, miry swamp was in some respects an advantageous one. It served as a sort of ambush, and the miry nature of the plaee rendered it almost impossible for the English to approach. In this dismal place were seereted about eighty Pequot warriors, with their women and ehil- dren and about two hundred other Indians, ineluding the Fairfield Indians. The Hon. Gideon H. Hollister says,-

" Dangerous as it was, Lient. Davenport rushed into it with his men, eager to encounter the Pequots. The sharp arrows of the enemy flew from places that hid the archers, wounding the soldiers, who, in their

haste to retreat, only sunk decper in the mire. The Indians, made bold by this adventure, pressed hard upon them, and would have carried off their scalps had it not been for the timely aid of some other Englishmen who waded into the swamp, sword in hand, drove back the Pequots, and drew their disabled friends from the mud that had threatened to swallow them up.

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 69

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