USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 71
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"The militia did all they were able to accomplish, keeping up a run- ning fire, and more were on their way to join them. So the signal of retreat was sounded early on Thursday, and in the course of that morn- ing of the 8th of July thie squadron was off for Huntington, only to cross the Sound again, and on the subsequent Sunday repeat their ter- rible work at Norwalk. It was on the morning of the 8th that the re- maining private edifices and all the publie buildings were consumed. More destruction would doubtless have been effected but for the whole- some fear of the ambush of the watchful militia.
"The enemy dreaded the stone walls, fences, and shrubbery. On this account the old mill of Peter Perry, which had ground' the corn of the people for a hundred years, was still left to do its work. Through the exertions of the women who kept watch some fires that had been kiudled were put out. This was done four times by Mrs. Lucretia Redfield during that Wednesday night, and the house she then saved stands to-day a pleasant abode occupied by some of the same name. The Nichols family, always proverbial for notable housewifery, employed large hanks of yarn theu soaking in preparation for the dye, and with it extinguished the flames that had begun to consume their home.
"There were burned a conrt-house and jail, three churches, two school- houses, ninety-seven dwellings, sixty-seven barns, forty-eight stores and shops-in all, two hundred and eighteen buildings. The gathered labors of the field, the books, papers, pictures, the well-preserved products of the spinning-wheel and needle, the precious heirlooms, tokens of love and memorials of friendship, how were these brought into destruction as in a moment!
" The sparks, cinders, and half-burned feathers floating in the summer air,-what sickness must they have brought to many hearts!
"Some things had been removed to safe places beyond the reach of the fire. Isaae Burr, the jeweler, hil the watches left for repair at liis shop within the stone fissures of his well, aud placed his Bible and some of his own precious goods with them.
" Prudent Phillis, servant of Judge Sturges, took the wet linen from the wash-tub aud hid it among the currant huishies. Pewter dishes, kept
bright by constant scouring, were thrown into the bottom of wells, to be recovered when the danger was past. One looking-glass is still as re- flecting as ever. It was hidden in an uncradled rye-field, and when, a . few days later, a black man cut the swatlı that revealed it standing there upright, he saw his own figure in the sunshine, and mistaking it for Satan, whom he feared, he threw down his sickle in terror and ran away.
" The sadness had by that time been mollified, the people had hegun again to provide means for living. They made new homes, some in warehouses or out-buildings that had heen spared, some rearing them again upon the old foundations. The large grant of State lands (on this account called the burnt lands) in Ohio tempted a few to find new homes in the West. Some of our own people thus changed their place of resi- dence, and their descendants are there abiding to this day, adorning their ancestral teachings by lives of honor and usefulness; and of the stock transplanted in this manner from our neighboring town of Norwalk sprung the two brothers Sherman, one presiding to-day over our nation's treasury, and the other courmanding its army.
" The life of Fairfield was not extinguished in its burning, nor did the energy of the town expire. Its source of strength was too deep to be reaclied by the kindled brands, too high to be fatally affected by the ascending flames. The town rose from its ashes, and has had an lionor- able history down to the present day. From the fire that consumed Mr. Eliot's dwelling one book was rescued, the church record, running back to 1694. In his clear handwriting he inscribed within it a brief account of the events which, after the lapse of a century, we now recall.
" As in concluding this address I repeat h's words, they may convey to us the spirit of submission unto God and trust in Ilim which strength- ened this people to pass through the furnace of calamity. In suhse- quent times of prosperity and safety these sentiments have not been wholly lost. May they always prevail, and may the intelligence, sober- ness, and industry of our people render them fit dwellers in those pleasant places chosen more than two hundred and forty years ago by the founders of our beautiful town. By maintaining these principles in peace and purity, and through a wise and constant exercise of that public spirit which characterized our fathers, we will show how greatly we prize this rich inheritance, made more precious by the refining fire.
"A List of the Persons who suffered by the enemy in burning the town of Fairfield, on the 7th and 8th days of July, 1779, and had their taxes abated by the Committee appointed by the General Assembly for that purpose.
List, 1781.
List, 1782.
£
8.
d.
s. d.
Anthony Annibil
20
0
0
20
7
6
David Annibil
18
0
0
12
0
Elijah Abel.
: 30
0
28
11
6
George Allen.
33
7
G
11
6
David Allen
56
8
3
77
=
Eben Bartram.
44
11
0
42
15
0
John Allen.
18
6
18
.0
Nehemiah Buddington.
23
0
0
0
0
Andrew Bulk ley
20
0
0
0
=
James Bulkley
20
0
0
21
0
0
Walter Buddingtoll ....
23
5
24
15
0
Peter Burr.
76
1
81
7
C
Samuel Beers
55
G
8
G
Joseph Beers.
31
19
0
37 3
8
0
d
0
Willian Buddington
21
0
21
0
0
David Burr.
4
4
21
0
0
Samnel Burr
42
17
G
44
17
6
Job Bartram
11
12
6
11 19
Priscilla Burr.
24
0
32
6
6
Thaddeus Burr:
145
1
4
167
16
G
David Beers
55
2
6
Anni Dimon
26
19
0
William Dimon
51
6
0
Elizabeth Gold.
48
8
9
Peter Wendzich
8
27
8
0
David Jennings.
39
G
51
22
66
0
Moses Jennings
70
5
0
62
18
G
Abigail Jennings.
4
2
2
14
9
Stephen Jennings
76
2
0
6
0
Jeremialı Jennings.
40
5
0
O
6
G
6
0
.19-
3
6
Eleazer Osborn, Jr.
12
5
0
Marble Osborn.
30
G
G
Daniel Osborn.
96
5
9
74
0
6
Johu Parsons.
18
0
0
21
0
0
C
in
11
0
Hezekiah Nicholls.
54
19
48
10
0
b
6
Jonathan Lewis.
130
19
132
12
G
Thomas T. Nicholls
20 -15
39
1
18
0
Isaac Jarvis.
43
9
0
0
96
5€
10
()
Lathrop Lewis
40
Sturges Lewis.
19
73
7
0
0
2
0
0
David Burr.
22
10
28
0
0
0
Wakeman Burr.
25
0
0
7
6
62 225
2
6
A
to
tn
en
20
2
0
0
19
0
Abigail Burr
3
12
0
21
29
0
6
34
12
28
G
of
1
1
10
60
283
FAIRFIELD.
List, 1781.
List, 1782.
€
8.
19
5
=
1
5
0
Jolin Parritt ...
24
0
0
23
Sammel Penfield.
52
8
3
54
8
3
Jolin Robertson ...
26
0
39
0
0
Samuel Rowland.
Andrew Roland
48
3
0
01
16
7
Samuel Squier.
Jolin Smedley.
87
12
0
87
51
10
G
Joseph Squier.
25
14
35
1
Thomas Staples.
74
16
0
24
38
71
35
13
18
11
Samuel Squier.
85
4
G
85
18
5
0
Samuel Sturges.
13
4
0
12
13
19
0
13
19
(
Joseph Smith
40
14
6
40
5
G
Eliphalet Thorp ..
30
4
0
31
14
0
Ansel Truby
19
10
0
28
1
Isaac Tucker.
18
0
Stephen Thorp.
30
4
0
31
14
0
John Turney.,
61
6
58
Eben Wakeraan.
99
18
0
8
6
Andrew Wakeman ..
124
17
0
4
Jabez Thorp ...
52
13
6
8
G
Isaac Turney
34
0
Reuben Burr.
27
2
31
3
9
Wakeman Burritt.
85
27
5
Wright White
4
31
0
John Mason
25
10
0
0
Thomas II. Wakeman
6
17
6
GREEN'S FARMS.
List, 1781.
List, 1782.
Sarah Andrews
8
10
0
14
0
Abraham Andrews
72
0)
69
3
George Patterson.
21
0
21
0
0
Walter Carson ..
9
0
13
18
1
Nathan Godfrey
8
G
93
15
3
Ebenezer Jessup ..
141
3
101
19
9
Moss Kent.
161
0
0
105
8
0
Eunice Morehouse
95
6
G
0
0
Eben Morehouse ..
111
91
17
3
Grnman Morehouse
21
14
43
0
0
Samnel Surith
21
0
27
6
Gideon Morehouse.
45
66
35
16
6
Jessup Wakeman.
32
5
9
John Morehouse
57 14
0
64
18
G
. " Abated by the Assembly the sum of £4088.12 in the year 1781. The sum of £4088.12 to be apportioned to the sufferers of said town."
The following highly interesting account of the burning of Fairfield is from the pen of Rev. An- drew Eliot, being a copy of a letter written to his brother, Rev. John Eliot, of Boston. Rev. Mr. Eliot at that time was pastor of the Fairfield church :
"FAIRFIELD, July 15, 1779.
" DEAR BROTHER,-I sit down to write to you some account of the sad and awful scenes which have been exhibited in this once pleasant and delightful town, now, alas ! a heap of ruins,-a sad spectacle of desola- tion and woe.
" It was in the beginning of wheat-harvest, a season of extraordinary labor and festivity,-a season which promised .the greatest plenty that has been known for many years, if within the memory of man. Never did our fields bear so ponderous a load, never were our prospects with regard to sustenance so bright.
" The British fleet and army, with the American refugees that had possessed and plundered New Haven, set sail from that distressed place on the Gth instant. About four o'clock the next morning the approach of the fleet was announced by the firing of a gun from a small fort we have on Grover's Hill, contiguous to the Sound. They seemed, however, to be passing by, and about seven o'clock we with pleasure beheld them all to the westward of us, steering, as we thought, to New York. A very thick fog came on, which entirely deprived us of the sight of them till between the hours of nino and ten, wheu, the mist clearing awny, we beheld the whole fleet under our western shore, and some of them close in Kensie's Point. They presently came to anchor, und lay till about four iu the afternoon, when they began to land their troops a littlo to the east of Kensie's Point, at a place called the Pines. From thence tho troops marched along the beach until they came to a lane opposite the eentre of the town, through which they proceeded, and in about an hour
paraded in their divisions on the green, between the meeting-house and court-house. From thence they detached their guards, and, dividing into sinall parties, began their infernal business. Their commanding officers were Sir George Collier by sea, Gens. Tryon and Garth by fand.
" The approach of the fleet was so sudden that but few men could be collected, though the alarm-guns were fired immediately on the dissipa- tion of the fog. There was no thought of opposing their landing, as our force was nothing to theirs. Our little party, however, posted themselves so as to annoy them to the best advantage, expecting they would land at the Point. When our people found them landing on the left, and march- ing in the rear to take possession of the town, they innnediately retreated to the court-house ; and, as the enemy advanced from the beach lane, they gave them such a warm reception with a field-plece, which threw both round and grape-shot, and with their musketry, as quite disconcerted them for some time. The column, however, quickly recovered its solidity, and, advancing rapidly, forced our small body to retreat to the heights back of the town, where they wero joined by numbers coming in from the country. The enemy were likewise galled very much, as they turned from the beach to the land, by the cannon which played from Grover's 1Iill.
"The town was almost cleared of inhabitants. A few women, sonie of whonr were of the most respectable families and characters, tarried with a view of saving their property. They imagined their sex and character would avail to such a purpose. They put some confidence in the generosity of an enemy who were once famed for generosity and po- liteness, and thought that kind treatment and submissivo behavior would secure them against harsh treatment and rough nsage. Alas ! they wero miserably mistaken, and bitterly repented their eoufidence and presumption.
" The HIessians were first let loose for rapine and plunder. They en- tered the houses, attacked the persons of Whig and Tory indiscrimi- nately : breaking open desks, trunks, elosets, and taking away every- thing of value. They robbed women of their buckles, rings, bonnets, aprons, and handkerchiefs. They abused them with the foulest and must profane language, threatened their lives without the least regard to the most earnest cries and entreaties. Looking-glasses, china, and all kinds of furniture were soon dashed to pieces.
" Another party that came on were the American refugees, who, in revenge for their confiscated estates, carried on the same direfut business. They were not, however, so abusive to the women as the former, but ap- peared very furious against the town and country. The Britons, by what I could learn, were the Icast inveterate; some of the officers seemed to pity the misfortunes of the country, but in excuse said that they had no other way to gain their authority over us. Individuals among the British troops were, however, exceedingly abusive, especially to wowen. Some were forced to submit to the most indelicate and rough treatment in de- fense of their virtue, and now bear the bruises of horrid conflict.
" About an hour before sunset the conflagration began at the house of Mr. Isaac Jennings,* which was consumed, with the neighboring build- ings. In the evening the house of Elijah Abel,t Esq., sheriff of the county, was consumed with a few others. In the night several buildings in the main street. Gen. Tryon was in various parts of the town-plat, with the good women begging and entreating him to spare thicir houses. Mr. Sayre, the Church-of-England missionary, a gentleman firmly and zealously engaged in the British interest, and who has suffered consider- ably in their eause, joined with them in these eutreaties; he begged the general to spare the town, but was denied. 1Ie then begged that some few houses might be spared as a shelter for those who could provide habitations nowhere else; this was denied also. At length Mr. Tryon consented to save the buildings of Mr. Burrt and the writer of this epistle. Both had been plundered ere this. IIe said, likewise, that the houses for public worship should be spared. Ile was far from being in good temper during the whole affair. Gen. Garthi, at the other end of the town, treated the inhabitants with as much humanity as his errand would admit.
" At sumise some considerable part of the town was standing, but in about two hours the flames became general. The burning-parties car- med on their business with horrible alacrity, headed by one or two per- sons who were born and bred in the neighboring towns. All the town, from the bridge by Col. Gold's to tho Mill River, a few houses excepted, was a heap of ruins."
# The house on this site was the first rebuilt, and is ocenpied by Mrs. E. L. Huntington.
f Tho house occupying this site is known to-day (1880) as the Benson House.
# The home of O. W. Jores, Esc., oceurics that site.
1
0
2
Joseph Sturges (children)
31
16
2
0
137
Jonathan Sturges.
99
Hezekiah Sturges.
157
4
0
142
4
0
Ebenezer Sturges
John Squier, Jr.
37
0
0
21
0
12
0
Seth Sturges.
44
7
0
59
16
3
16
17
0
0
1
67
116
37
0
0
11
John Williams, Jr
1
4
0
0
€
S.
£
7
6
0
0
84
0
8
Nathaniel Parsons
0
13
Judson Sturges ..
Samuel Smedley.
8
284
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
" About eight o'clock the enemy sounded a retreat. We had some sat- isfaction, amidst our sorrow and distress, to see that the meeting-house and a few other buildings remained. But the rear-guard, consisting of a Landitti the vilest that was ever let loose among men, set fire to cvery- thing which Gen. Tryon had left,-the large and elegant meeting-liouse, the minister's houses, Mr. Burr's and several other houses which had received protection. They tore the protection to pieces, damned Tryon, abused the women most shamefully, and then ran off in a most disgrace- ful manner. Happily, our people came in and extinguished the flames in several houses, so that we are not entirely destitute.
" The rear-guard, which behaved in so scandalous a manner, were chiefly German troops, called Yaugers. They carry a small rifle-gun and fight in a skulking manner, like our Iudians. They may be prop- erly called sons of plunder and devastation.
"Our people on the heights back of the town were joined by numbers, but not cqual to the numbers of the enemy. They were skirmishing all the evening, part of the night, and the next morning. The enemy were several times disconcerted and driven from their outposts. Had they continued longer in the town it must have been fatal to them, for the militia were collecting from all parts.
"Our fort* yet stands. The enemy sent a row-galley to silence it, and there was constant firing between them all night. One or two attempts were made to take it by parties of troops, but it was most bravely and obstinately defended by Lieut. Isaac Jarvis,t of this town, who had but twenty-three men besides himself.
"The militia followed these bloody incendiaries to the place of em- barkation, and galled them considerably. The embarkation took place about twelve o'clock, and they set sail for Long Island about two or three in the afternoon.
" Many were killed on both sides. The numbers cannot be ascertained. They carried off some prisoners, but no person of distinction.
"One particular I would mention. After Tryon had begun to burn, he sent out the proclamation which you have iu the Hartford paper. In the midst of hostilities, while the flames were' raging and bullets flying, who should come out with the flag but Mr. Sayre! A spirited answer was sent in, and the people were so enraged that hostilities should be going on in the time of negotiation, and that Mr. Sayre should be the bearer of such an insulting proclamation and at such a time, that tlie said gentleman was obliged to quit the town when the enemy left it. His whole family were obliged to got with him, leaving the greatest part of their substance behind, which became fuel for the flames indis- criminately scattered by the rear-gnard. The reply which Gen. Tryon made to Mr. Sayre when he asked to go with him was, 'You may go ou board the ships, sir, but I cannot promise you any help or assistance.'
* This was on Grover's Hill, near George's Hotel. + He lies in the old burying-ground with this above him:
" This monument is erected in memory of Isaac Jarvis, who departed this Life 20th June. A.D. 1788. Aged 32 years & 5 mouths.
" Let frantic Mirth be pensive here, Let mortals mourn their final doom, Let friendship pay the tribute's tear, For Isaac moulders in the Tomb."
# Dr. E. E. Rankin, in his Fairfield historical discourse, states that " Mr. Sayre with his wife and eight children, stripped of every earthly pos- session excepting the clothes they were wearing, found refuge on board the British fleet, and after serving a church in Nova Scotia lie closed his earthly ministry. According to their tombstones, they must have re- turned to and resided in Fairfield, as in the old burying-ground are the following:
"' The corruptible of James Dennie Sayre, son of Jamcs Sayre, Minister of the Gospel, & Sarah his Wife, who fell asleep on the 25th Day of May, A.D. 1793. Aged almost 17 years.
"'Young man ! Trust not thy youth, health, or strength. Trust in the Lord with all thy Heart, and remember thy Creator, who is also thy Releemer.'"
"The Church-of-England building¿ was consumed, but by whom or at what time I am unable to say.
" Unconnected with them, unsolicited on my part, through the inter- cession of Mr. Sayre, my house and property received a protection in Gen. Tryon's own handwriting. A sentinel was placed there some part of the time. But sad experience convinces me to how little purpose all this was. My property was plundered, my house and furniture all consumed, | though a lady was so kind as to show them the protection which, like others, was torn in pieces by the rangers.
"Our friend, Joseph Bertram, was shot through the breast; old Mr. Solomon Sturgis, { an Irish servant of Mr. Penfield, and a negro man belonging to Mr. Lewis, were put to death by the bayonet.
"The distress of this poor people is inexpressible. A most pleasant and delightful town in flames ! What a scene did the 8th of July pre- sent !
" But I must forbear! Everything I have written you may depend upon as a fact : my peu has not been guided by prejudice, whatever my feelings are ; and should you publish the letter, every reader may be assured that there is not the least deviation from what actually took place upon this melancholy occasion.
" Yours, etc.,
" ANDREW ELIOT."
CHAPTER XXIX.
FAIRFIELD (Continued).
Witchcraft-Goodwife Knapp-Her Trial-Her Execution-The Last Person Condemned for Witchcraft in Connecticut-Mercy Disbrow Tried at Fairfield in 1692-Sentenced to Death-Pardoned-" Aunt Nab," the Witch.
IN the confession of Goody Basset, of Stratford, ** she spoke vaguely of others who "held their heads full high," but who were in truth equally guilty with herself. This was thought to have reference to a woman in the neighboring village of Fairfield, who thenceforward became the subject of suspicion, and in October, 1653, about two years and a half after the death of Mrs. Basset, was arraigned for trial. Her case caused great excitement throughout that portion of the colony, and Mr. Ludlow, with three other
Another stone is to "Mrs. Sarah Sayre, consort of Rev. James Sayre and daugliter of James Dennie, who died in 1797." Another is very plain and to
" Reyd James Sayre, departed this Life Fely 18th, 1798. ÆEt. 53."
While the fourth stone is to
" Miss Elizabeth Sayre, Daughter of Revd James & Mrs Sarah
· Sayre, departcd this Life Feby 27, 1793. Æt. 18."
Uriah Bulkley (see "Colonial 18") married Jane Sayre, one of this family, and they were the parents of eleven children.
¿ This stood by Mr. Henry Rowland's.
| Mr. Jonathan S. Burr, of Brooklyn, states of his grandfather (Rev. Andrew Eliot) that " directly after the conflagratiou he removed with his family to Holland Hill, where he taught school and remained a con- siderable length of time. The house where he lived stood almost directly opposite the dwelling of Mrs. Mary Bibbins."
[ Has numerous descendants in Fairfield to-day (1880). (See "Colo- nial No. 9.")
** See Stratford history.
285
FAIRFIELD.
magistrates, was desired by the General Court to go down to Fairfield to officiate at the trial, and to " exe- cute justice" there as cause might require. The Mr. Ludlow named in tliis order was the distinguished Roger Ludlow, who served at different times as Dep- uty Governor of Massachusetts and Connecticut, and whose name is still held in respect in the latter State as the first resident meniber of the legal profession, and the framer of its earliest code of laws. His home was in Fairfield, so that he was well acquainted with all the actors in this melancholy tragedy, and it is in part to events growing out of it that his subsequent removal to Virginia may be attributed. A full account of the affair is afforded by a number of depositions which are given at length in the New Haven Colonial Records. From these we gather that the trial of the accused, who is designated simply as Knapp's wife, or Goodwife Knapp, took place in the autumn of 1653, be- fore a jury and several "godly magistrates," probably the same named in the order of the General Court. The trial lasted several days, and there were many witnesses, but the most convineing evidence against the accused was given by Mrs. Lucy Pell and Goody Odell, the midwife, who, by direction of the court, had examined the body of the prisoner, and testified to finding upon it certain witchinarks which were re- garded as proof positive of diabolical dealings. Present also at this examination was Mrs. Joncs, wife of the Fairfield minister, though whether as one of the com- mittee or as a simple spectator is not clearly stated.
The result of the trial was a verdict of guilty of witchcraft against Goodwife Knapp, and sentence of death was passed upon her. In the interval between her condemnation and execution she was visited by numbers of the townspeople, some of whom pressed her to own herself a witch and to reveal the names of her supposed accomplices, considerately reminding her that, while there might have been some reason for her silence during her trial, since a confession then would have prejudiced her ease, there could now be none, as she was sure to die in any event. The pains of perdition were held up as her certain portion in case of refusal.
Upon one of these occasions, the minister and a num- ber of the townfolks being present, the poor woman replied to her tormentors that she "must not say anything that was not true, she must not wroug any- body," but that in case she liad anything to say be- fore going out of the world she would reveal it to the minister, or to Mr. Ludlow, at the gallows. Elizabeth Brewster, a bystander, roughly answered, "If you keep it till you come to the ladder the devil will have you quick, if you reveal it not till then."
"Take care," was the indignant reply of the pris- oner, "that the devil have not you, for you cannot tell how soon you may be my companion. The truth is," added she, "you would have me say that Good- wife Staples is a witch, but I have sins enough to answer for already, and I hope I shall not add to iny
condemnation. I know nothing against Goodwife Staples, and I hope she is an honest woman."
On being rebuked for these words by Richard Lyon, one of her keepers, on the ground that their tendency was to create discord between neighbors after she was gone, she replied, "Goodman Lyon, hold your tongue! You know not what I know : I have been fished withal in private more than you are aware of. I apprehend that Goodwife Staples hath done me some wrong in her testimony, but I must not return evil for evil."
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