History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 72

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 72

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When further urged and reminded that she was "now to die, and therefore should deal truly," this convicted witch burst into tears and implored her persecutors to cease, saying, in words that lingered long in the memory of those who stood by, and can hardly be read even now without emotion, "Never, never poor creature was tempted as I am tempted ; pray, pray for me !" Under such a pressure it is not sur- prising that her fortitude sometimes wavercd, and that a frivolous confession, afterwards recanted, was made by her, implieating Mrs. Staples.

A clue to the spot where Goody Knapp was exe- cuted is furnished by a remark of one of the witnesses in the depositions already alluded to, who describes it as being between the house of one Michael Fry and the mill. Fry's property was near thic castern border of the settlement, hence the locality referred to must have been between the present sites of Bridgeport and Fairfield.

On the way thither the Rev. Mr. Jones, who walked by the prisoner's side in the procession, again exhorted hier to confess her guilt, but was reproved by her com- panion, Mrs. Staples, who eried, " Why bid her con- fess what she is not ? I make no doubt but that if she were a witch she would confess," and also intimated that for her own part she had beeu troubled with doubts as to whether there really was auy such crea- ture as a witch.

Beneath the gibbet the heart of Goody Knapp again failed her, and after all was in readiness she was al- lowed to deseend the ladder and repeat a confession in the ear of Mr. Ludlow, similar to that already re- ferred to. If ler expectation was to obtain a reprieve she was disappointed, for the executioner shortly did his work, and her body hung suspended until life was extinct. It was then cut down and laid upon the green turf beside the open grave, while a number of her own sex elustercd around, some waiting to take a last look at the face of their unfortunate neighbor, but the greater part intent only upon satisfying their base curiosity respecting the witchmarks of which the witnesses had spoken. Kneeling beside the corpse was Mrs. Staples, who, to borrow the language of one who was present, "wringing her hands, and taking y" Lord's name in her mouth," called upon all within hearing to listen to her solemu protestation of the innocence of the murdered woman.

Pointing to the supposed witchmarks, slic declared that they were naught but such as she herself or any

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

woman might have. "Ay, and be hanged for them, too," was the rejoinder of one of the older women present.

The question of the guilt or innocence of the de- ceased continued to be discussed with acrimony for a long time. Mr. Ludlow saw fit to repeat the story told him by the dying woman, and to add, upon his own responsibility, that Thomas Staples' wife was not only in all probability a witch, but also " made a trade of lying." On this Staples brought suit against Ludlow for defamation of his wife's character, and after listening to the evidence a New Haven court had the good sense to allow the plaintiff damages in the sum of fifteeu pounds. Had similar spirit been shown at a later period in Massachusetts, much suffering might have been averted.

The last person condemned to death for witchcraft in Connecticut was a woman named Mercy Disbrow, who was tried in Fairfield in 1692, Governor Robert Treat, Secretary Allyn, and other eminent person- ages being present and assisting in the proceedings. With her were indicted tliree others,-the widow Elizabeth Staples and Goodwives Miller and Clawson. In the indictment of Mercy Disbrow she was charged with "familiarity with Satau, the grand enemy of God aud man," and with "conspiring to injure in a preternatural way the bodies and estates of divers of his majesty's subjects."

From the testimony it appears that all the sickness and every accident occurring in the neighborhood for months previous were laid to the charge of thesc uufor- tunatc women. They were believed to have the power of the evil eye, to torment their victims, whether by throwing them into convulsions and by pricking them with pins, or by appearing to them at midnight and dancing in fantastic guise at the foot of their bed. Their power was also thought to extend to animals.

In the end all were acquitted except Mercy Disbrow, who was sentenced to deatlı by the Governor. A petition for her pardon was, however, extensively signed, and must have been granted, since a number of years afterwards she was still living in Westport. The real reason for her escape was doubtless the gen- eral revulsion of feeling following the Salem tragedies, which occurred about the same time.

"AUNT NAB," THE WITCH.#

When a small boy, the writer has often had pointed out to him a small building a few miles north of Grecu- field Hill, where it was said that " Aunt Nab," a noted old witch, once resided. She had such a reputation for practicing the " black art" that the community for miles around was afraid of offending lier. It was said that there would some casualty surely happen to any person so unfortunate as to make her angry. All sorts of incredible stories were told of her revengeful acts towards her enemics, and all mysterious happenings

in the neighborhood were ascribed to her wonderful powers.

Tradition relates that she at one time, for some un- accountable reason, did not exercise tlie diabolical power attributed to her. A number of persons with carts loaded with hay were going from Redding to the seaboard and stopped at the brook uear her house to water their oxen. When leaving, oue wheel of Uncle John H.'s cart came off, and the hay had to be thrown off and loaded again. While thus engaged " Aunt Nab" came out and ridiculed them. Uncle John told her to go into the house, but she continued the derision and laughed all the more. At last, the patience of Uncle John being completely exhausted, he gave her a severe eart-whipping. The neighbors looked on with amazement at what they conceived to be an act which would lead to a fearful retribution, and told the old man that something terrible would befall him before his return; but he, with an oath, declared that if he had any further trouble about it he would surely kill the old witch. As uothing un- usual happened to him, she was either unable or afraid to do him an injury. .

We remember to have listened with breathless si- lence to stories told of her by one of her con- temporaries. The following, which was believed to be true, we distinctly recollect: In the immedi- ate vicinity of this notable personage resided an old gentleman of sterling character and worth, enough of a Presbyterian to defy witches or devils, and of muscular power and courage "to grapple with foes material or ghostly." Our hero was a farmer by profession, and after he had forced the rugged soil to yield its scanty crop, and the grain was safely gar- nered, he frequently missed quantities from his bins. He watched the witch in vain. She eluded his grasp, and vanished into air whenever he discovered lier in the darkness of night. These petty depredations continuing, he, becoming impatient, at last con- structed an ingeuious trap in his granary, and, lo ! the next morning, when he went to his barn, there stood witchcraft embodied and visible to human eyes. It appeared to be the veritable "Aunt Nab." The lord of the manor passed her without saying a word or apparently noticing her. After doing his " chores" he was quietly leaving, when the ghost in the trap called out, "Uncle Thomas, for God's sake let me go !" Uncle Thomas was, however, deaf and blind just then, and after breakfast went out to interview his game. The old woman made a full confession, and promised reformation. She was released with tlie solemn warning of Paul to the Ephesians : " Let him that stole steal no more."

After a few months a daughter of Uncle Thomas, who was a prepossessing young lady of fifteen summers, was awakened from her quiet slumber at midnight. A fiendish form stood beside her couch, and in an instant seized her by the lower limbs and with super- human effort hurled her bodily through the door into

* Contributed by A. B. Hull.

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her father's apartment. The family, being thus unduly alarmed, sought the cause. But the daughter was in- sensible, and the witch invisible. The girl suffered intensely for weeks, and gradually drew her knees to her chest, and was in that condition for years, help- less and a burden to her friends, but intelligent and skillful wiih needle and pen. Years after "Aunt Nab" "shook off the mortal coil" the bonds were loosened from the afflicted girl, and she bceaine straight and strong. She confirmed the above state- ment, and fully believed "Aunt Nab" was hier tor- menter.

CHAPTER XXX. FAIRFIELD (Continued).

COLONIAL IIOUSES.# =

THE houses which are at present standing that were built in the old colonial times, and were spared from the conflagration of July 8, 1779, are :

1. The old house nearly opposite the old burying- ground in the rear of town-hall. It has not yet been ascertained who built it nor when it was built. The first ownership was of the Bulkeleys; probably it was Thomas Bulkcley (second son of the Rev. Peter Bulke- ley, of Concord, Mass.), who came with his father-in- law, the Rev. John Jones, first minister in the Prime Ancient Church (Congregational), in 1644, and died in 1656. The Bulkeleys deserve more than passing notice, as through them our history has been greatly augmented.

The Rev. Peter Bulkeley, B.D., was of honorable descent. He was of the tenth generation from Robert Bulkeley, Esq., one of the English barons, who in the reign of King John (who died in 1216) was lord of the manor of Bulkeley, in the county-palatine of Chester. The names of the lineal descendants from Robert, furnished by Charles Bulkeley, Esq., of New London, a grandson of Gershom, gathered from a sketch on the names and titles of nobility, were: 1, William ; 2, Robert; 3, Peter, who married Nicholaus Bird, of Hampton; 4, John, who married Andryne, daughter and heir to John Colley, of Ward, and died in 1450; 5, Hugh, who married Hellen Wilbriham, of Woodley ; 6, Humphrey, who married Cyle, daugh- ter and heir of John Matten; 7, William, who mar- ried Beatryce, daughter and heir to William of Bulansdale; 8, Thomas, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Randelle Grovenor; 9, Edward, D.D., of Woodhill, who married Olive Islby, of Lincolnshire ; 10, Peter, of Concord. He (Peter) was born at Wood- hill, in Bedfordshire, Jan. 31, 1583. His father, the Rev. Edward Bulkeley, D.D., was a faithful minister of the gospel, under whose direction his son received a learned and religious education suited to his distin-

guished rank. About the age of sixteen he was ad- initted a member of St. John's College at Cambridge, of which he was afterwards chosen fellow, and from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. He succeeded his father in the ministry in his native town, and enjoyed his rich benefice and estate, where he was a zealous preacher of evangelical truth about twenty years, and for the most part of the time lived an unmolested nonconformist.

At length, his preaching meeting with distinguished success, and his church being very much increased, complaints were entered against him by Archbishop Laud, and he was silenced for his nonconformity to the requirements of the English Church. This cir- cumstance induced him to emigrate to New England, where he might enjoy liberty of conscience. He ar- rived in Cambridge in 1634 or 1635, and was the leader of resolute and self-denying Christians who settled with him at Concord, where he expended most of his property for the good of his people, and there he died March 9, 1659, aged seventy-six. He was twice married : (1) To Jane Allen, daughter of Thomas Allen, of Goldington, whose nephew was lord mayor of London. This marriage resulted in ten sons and two daughters. (2) To Grace Chet- wood ; they had four children.

By the first marriage their eldest son, Edward, was born in England. He was a highly educated min- ister, and was the father of four children, of whom Hon. Peter Bulkeley (appointed to offices of great distinction) had a son Joseph, who married the widow Rebecca Minot, daughter of John Jones, and Thomas, brother of the Rev. Edward Bulkcley, married Sarah, another daughter of Rev. John Jones. They had five children, four of whom are on the Fairfield (Connecticut) records. The Bulkelcy property was quite extensive, occupying the place of the present John Glover and the two houses known as the Deni- son property.

Jonathan,t the eightieth descendant of the first Bulkeley settler in America, born Sept. 21, 1731, married Hannah Hoyt, daughter of James Hoyt, of Norwalk, Conn., June, 1762. They occupied the old building which was on the site of John Glover's house, an illustration and description of which are found in Barber's "Collection of Connecticut Rem- iniscences."

On the 7th of July, 1776, Governor Tryon, with his army, sailed from New Haven to Fairfield, and the next morning disembarked upon the beach. The Hessians who accompanied Tryon were his incendi- aries. To them he intrusted the wielding of the torch, and faithfully they obeyed their master. When the people fied from the town, not suspecting that their homes would be burned, they left most of their furni- ture behind. The distress was, consequently, great,

+ See Bulkeley's Genealogy. Dr. Rankin in his Historical Discourse calls him Benjamin.

* By. Mrs. Kate E. Perry.

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

for many lost every earthily possession. Among the buildings saved was that of Mr. Bulkeley. Tryon made it his headquarters. The naval officer who had charge of the British ships, piloted them to Fairfield, was Mrs. Bulkeley's brother (George Hoyt), and he had requested Tryon to spare the house of his sister. Tryon acquiesced, and, feeling his indebtedness to her brother, the general informed Mrs. Bulkeley that if there was any other house she wished to save she should be gratified. After the enemy left the enraged militia, under Capt. Sturges, placed a field-piece in front of the dwelling, and then sent Mrs. Bulkeley word that she might have two hours to clear the house and leave it, or they would blow her to atoms. She found means to communicate a notice of her sit- uation to Gen. Silliman (see "Colonial," No. 45), who was about two miles distant. He immediately went to town and found one hundred and fifty men at the common. By threats and persuasions he induced them to withdraw. The next day Col. Benjamin Talmadge, with his regiment, arrived from White Plains, and, encamping on the smoking ruins, made Tryon's quarters his own. Mrs. Bulkeley was uot a friend of the enemy. According to her testimony under oath, she was badly treated by the soldiery, notwithstanding she had a protection from Gen. Garth, the second in command. They plundered her house, stripped the buckles from her shoes, tore a ring from her finger, and fired the house five times before leaving it. The four houses on the opposite side of the street now standing were saved through her in- tercession.

The occupant of this house, opposite the cemetery, in 1779, was Peter Bulkeley (sce Dr. Rankin's " His- torical Discourse," July 8, 1879). The houses built at the colonial period embrace two styles of archi- tecture,-the one long and one .short roof, and the gambrel or hip roof. This Bulkeley house has the one long roof, and has never been remodeled. This antiquated structure has been the shelter for the an- cestors of the numerous Bulkeley families in South- port and adjoining towns. Passing out of the family, it has been used as a tenement-house for years. It may be interesting to know that two thousand or more people can trace their ancestry to the Thomas Bulkeley who settled in one of the two (the one which was Tryon's headquarters, or No. 1, colonial) houses already mentioned.

No. 2. This was also built at an early date on the Bulkeley domains, and was owned by members of the family for several consecutive generations. At the time of the burning of Fairfield it belonged to Nathan Bulkeley, son of Joseph and Esther Bulkeley, born Jan. 16, 1718. He married Sarah, daughter of Joseph Perry, Sr. (see "Colonial," No. 9). He was active in Church and State and a prominent man, as he was deacon in the Prime Ancient Church and was town clerk for thirty-two consecutive years. His daughter Esther married David Judson. She inherited

these two (houses 1 and 2) from her father. In 1786, Nathan Bulkeley resigned his deaconship, owing to ill health, and David Judson was chosen in his place. He was also town clerk from 1791 to 1794. He was a prominent man, as may be inferred from the inci- dent of his conferring with Dr. David Hull and Hon. R. M. Sherman on the question as to whom there was in Fairfield to care for the interests of the church, the academy, and the library, which they had close to their hearts, when their declining years forbade them bearing their part of the enterprise.

Mrs. Esther Judson willed this property to the second wife of the late Dr. Jeremiah T. Denison, an excellent and worthy physician of the homœopathic school. He died in this house in 1879 in the seventy- fourth year of his age, mourned both by the profes- sional and social circles, where he was extensively known and universally respected. He was born in 1806, and was a son of Capt. Henry Denison, who for twenty years was the honored president of the New Haven Bank. Dr. Deuison graduated from Yale College in 1824. Immediately after he pro- ceeded to Europe, and in Paris and London devoted himself to medical and surgical science. Having familiarized himself with the methods in vogue at the principal scientific institutions in Europe, he returned to his native city to complete his curric- ulum at his own Alma Mater under the preceptor- ship of the late Prof. Knight, with whom he was an especial favorite, and into whose family he afterwards married. In 1827 he took his degree in medicine, and commenced the practice of his profession at Warehouse Point, Conn., from whence, after two years of successful practice, he returned to New Haven, and became professionally associated with his old preceptor. Being thoroughly qualified by theory and practice, he availed himself of a favorable opening for a permanent location in Fairfield, Conn., where for nearly forty years he was known as a suc- cessful physician and an honorable and honored cit- izen.

About twenty-five years before his death the prin- ciples of homœopathy were pressed upon his atten- tion, and his earnest and rigid investigation resulted in his adoption of Hahnemann's system of science, for which he underwent relentless persecution. He was one of the founders of the Connecticut Homœ- opathic Society, and was elected its first president in 1851. His respect for the conscientious convictions of others was most exemplary, never allowing differ- enee of opinion and belief to mar persoual friendship. He was a genial gentleman, and underwent many afflictions, which he bore with Christian resignation, and his loss was sincerely mourned by the community in which he lived, where his virtues were so conspicu- ous. (See Republican Standard, Bridgeport, Conn., May, 1879.)

Dr. Denison was also judge of Probate in this town, and was a person of fine æsthetie tastes. He remod-

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eled and newly covered the house, adding the veranda, and so modernized it that it has the appearance of a more recent structure.

House No. 1 has belonged to this estate for several years. Dr. Denison willed both of these houses to his relatives, who are awaiting a disposal of the same. No. 2 has been occupied for several months by Dr. J. Dobson, who was elected to oecupy thie professor's chair of physiology in the United States Medical Col- lege, in New York City, to the regret of those citizens in Fairfield who enjoyed the benefit of his skill as a physician and the pleasure of his acquaintance as a scholar and gentleman.

No. 3 was built by Justin Hobart in 1765. He was a native of Hingham, Mass., and son of Rev. Nehe- miah Hobart, who died when Justin was eight years old, and a brother, Rev. Noah Hobart, adopted him, and on being called to accept the pastorate of the Prime Aneient Church, brought him hither.

An account of the calling is given in the church record, which is here given :

"Att a meeting of ye Brothron ye communicants of yo Church in yo Prime Society in Fairfield, on Wednesday, ye 5th day of Jan'y, A.n. 1733%, Deacon William Hill chosen Moderator,* Eben" Silliman chosen Scribe,t put to voat at sd meeting whether ye church make choice of ye Revd Mr. Noah Hobart for ye head & pastor. In ye affirmative nom. con.

"Put to voat at sd meeting whether yo Ordination of ye Revd Mr. Ho- bart be attended on Wednesday, ye 7th Day of February next ; & in yo affirmative nomne Conto. At sd meeting also Andw Burr, Esqr., Deacon Lothrop Lewis, & Mr. Eben" Silliman were chosen a comtee to call a counsil to Ordain ye sd Revd Mr. Hobart on sd Day.

"The Consociation of the county of Fairfield sat at Fairfield Feb. 6th & 7th, 17333, at the Desire of the Church of tho Prime Society in said Place to ordain a pastor over them."

The members of the council given, it is further stated that,-

" The committee of the socicty produced in council the doings of said Society, by which it appeared that Mr. Noah Hobart, a candidate for the ministry, who for some time had been laboring among them, has a unani- mous call of ye sd Society to the work of the ministry in sd Placc. A copy of the doings of the church of sd Society was their call to ye sd Mr. Ho- bart to be their pastor.

" Mr. Hobart produced a certificate under the hands of Sundry minis- ters, who, from their personal acquaintance with tho said Mr. Hobart, do signify his being one of a virtuous conversation, in full communion with their churches, and of desirable ministerial accomplishments. The Coun- cil, after a serious and impartial examination, are well satisfied with Mr. Hobart, both in respect to orthodoxy and ministerial qualifications, and do heartily concur with the sd society and church in respect to their motion."

The ordination was conducted according to the motions, and Mr. Hobart labored with them from that time till his death.

The recorder wrote in the record,-

"The Revd Mr. Noah Hobart diod in this Town on Monday, Dc- ccuber 6th, 1773, at half-past 4 o'clock. Hc was born at Hingham, in the Massachusetts, Jan'y 2d, 1705-6, old stilo, and was ordained to the pas- toral charge of this church Feb'y 7th, 1733g. There were baptized during his ministry 909 persons."

His body rests under the slab in the old burying- ground containing the following inscription :

* See Colonial, No. 37.

t See Colonial, No. 44.

" In Memory of

Tho Rev. Noah Hobart, A.M., Ordained Pastor of the first Church of Christ in Fairfield, February 7th, 1732, In which station IIc served God & his Generation with Fidelity and Usefulness until December 6th, 1773, Whon he was taken From the approaching trouble

To receivo

The mercy of God thro' Christ.

" Remember them who have spoken unto you the word of God, whose faith follow."

As Rev. Noah Hobart was minister in this place and introduced the Hobart family here, his history was worthy of a space.

It is related that Justin Hobart was brought up to mind the striet letter of the law, which in those days contained such regulations as these :

" No ono shall run on the Sabbath-day, or walk in his garden or elsc- where, except reverently to and from meeting."

" No one shall travel, cook victuals, make beds, sweep house, cut hair, or shave on the Sabbath-day."

A neighboring minister was to officiate in Fairfield that Sunday, and in entering the town it seems that his horse had assumed an unlawful gait. Mr. Hobart stopped him, telling him that he would better accom- pany him home, whichi the minister did. After a while meeting was called. Mr. Hobart asked him if he would attend church. The minister thought he would, so they walked on together into church, when Mr. Hobart turned to seat his eomrade; but what was Mr. Hobart's surprise to sce the minister pass on and ascend into the pulpit and commence services, which was the first intimation he rceeived of the mis- sion of his professional friend. Mr. Hobart's feelings may be better imagined than described.

This was one of the houses saved through the inter- cession of Mrs. Jonathan Bulkeley.

The court-house, shops, barns, most of the dwell- ings, and the churches being burnt, services were held in various houses till some place of worship could be rebuilt. The court-house was first built in 1720, burnt in the general eonflagration in 1779, and re- built in 1794. Divine services were held in Mr. Ho- bart's honse for some time, and then in the house used for courts till the church was rebuilt, which was in 1785.

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 72

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