History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 90

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 90

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

grandfather of Mrs. William Sherwood, lived in a house on Great Lot, near the sea-shore, which was burned by the British during the Revolution. He afterwards removed to Redding Ridge, and married a daughter of old Capt. Nash, who lived near Green's Farms, on a place now belonging to Daniel Burr's estate. His son Simon was born at Green's Farms, in a house which was built by his father, in 1743. He married Abigail Chapman, Nov. 25, 1779. She was born Oct. 10, 1758. Their children were Simon, William, and Abigail, mother of Capt. Edwin and Cyrus Sherwood. All of the nine children-Sinion, William, Edwin, Cyrus, Aaron, Albert, Abby, Eliza- beth, and Mary-were born at Hull's Farms.

EDWIN SHERWOOD, son of William and Abigail (Couch) Sherwood, was born Feb. 24, 1805. He had a common-school education ; at the age of seventeen left his father's farm and shipped as a sailor before the mast on a vessel plying between New York, Boston, and the Southern cities. He was mate for two years, and was master of a sloop of sixty tons, called "John," owned by Meeker & Sherwood, be- fore he was twenty-one. About 1827 he became fourth owner of the brig " America," carrying one hundred and forty-seven tons, of which he was made captain. He ran her about four years; then pur- chasing an interest in the schooner "Georgia," two hundred tons, running between New York and Sav- annah, commanded her four years. Capt. Sherwood then superseded the "Georgia" by a brig carrying four hundred tons, which he built expressly for this route and commanded ten years, when he sold it, and has not been on active duty since 1845 or 1850.

Capt. Sherwood is now a director of Danbury and Norwalk Railroad, and vice-president of Southport Savings Bank, and, with his wife, belongs to the Congregational Church. He married Mary A., daughter of Deacon Joseph Hyde, Dec. 12, 1837. Their children are Edwin H. and Simon C. Edwin H. is a farmer at Omaha, Nebraska, and Simon also a farmer at the old home. Mrs. Sherwood was born at Green's Farms, July 12, 1813. She claims direct descent from Humphrey Hyde, whose name appears on the early records of the town of Fairfield as one of its earliest tax-payers, having possession of a large tract of land in what was called the "long lots." Her ancestors originally came from England, where, at different places, they have impressed their name on various locations, as Hyde Park, and left property valued at millions of dollars. Her father, Joseph, was born in 1761, married Arete Jesup, and had a family of fourteen children, of which Mrs. Sherwood was youngest. Her grandfather was Joseph, born in 1739, and married Betty Sherwood. Her great-grand- father was John, third of the name, the father of the first being the Humphrey Hyde above spoken of. He was born in 1692, and married Rachel Holmes. John Hyde (2) was born in 1668, and married Rachel Rumsey. John Hyde, son of Humphrey, married

Elizabeth -, and inherited from his father vari- ous tracts of land, in connection with his sisters, Han- nah and Sarah, under will bearing date May 8, 1666, and recorded in records of the town of Fairfield on the same day.

CYRUS SHERWOOD, son of William and Abigail (Couch) Sherwood, was born Aug. 24, 1807. He re- mained on the farm with his father, receiving a com- mon-school education, until he was about twenty years old, when he shipped as sailor before the mast oll a vessel making trips from Southport to Provi- dence. Shortly after he became captain of the sloop "Cornelia," running between Southport and New York. Following this for a year or so, he discovered that it was not good for man to be alone, and mar- ried, on March 6, 1831, Sally Bradley, daughter of Lyman and Amelia Hull, of Fairfield. For nearly fifty years this worthy pair have trodden life's path- way together, in peace and harmony with all, and with " kindness to all and malice to none" as a guid- ing maxim of their life. Soon after their marriage they settled on the old homestead of her ancestors. He left it once to engage with Wakeman B. Meeker and Simon Sherwood as captain of sloop "John." Selling his interest, he bought a share, with Capt. Joseph Jennings, in the sloop "Ganges." He was afterwards a merchant for a short time, but after he sold his store to Capt. Joseph Jennings he has made his home permanently on the farm.

Mr. Sherwood is a Republican in politics ; has been selectman several years, member of the Legislature, and magistrate for a number of ycars.

Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood have only one child, Mary C., who married John Dimon Bradley, of Easton. She has one son, who is named Cyrus Sherwood, in honor of his grandfather.

Mr. Sherwood is a good citizen, a staunch friend, a kind neighbor, and has the esteem of a large circle of friends.

LYMAN HULL.

Lyman Hull, son of John and Eleanor (Sherwood) Hull, was born in the town of Fairfield, Aug. 22, 1776. He was a farmer, and resided always in the town of his birth. He was a quiet, undemonstrative man, caring little about publicity, and strong in his attach- ment for home and its surroundings. In 1798 he mar- ried Amelia Bulkley. Their children were Benjamin S., Eliza (Mrs. Simon Sherwood), Amelia Eleanor (Mrs. Capt. Joseph Jennings), Sally Bradley (Mrs. Cyrus Sherwood), Delia Maria (second wife of Capt. Joseph Jennings), Mary Catharinc (Mrs. William Wakeman).

Mr. Hull was an attendant of the Congregational Church, and in his day was well considered by his associates. He was upright, generous, honest, and blessed not only with a fair share of this world's goods, but, better far, with that spirit of content

Peryour flurwood

RESIDENCE OF CYRUS SHERWOOD, HULL'S FARMS, FAIRFIELD CO CONN.

EPHRAIM BURR.

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FAIRFIELD.

which is more than riches. He died Oct. 11, 1822, from disease resulting from exposure while engaged in farming, leaving to his children the inheritance of an unblemished name.

The home of Cyrus Sherwood, on the place so long owned and occupied by Mr. Hull, is represented on another page.

EPHRAIM BURR.

The name Burr, formerly spelled Buer, is of Ger- man origin, but the ancestors having lived several generations in England are generally termed English. Between the years 1630 and 1640 three Puritans, heads of families, set sail for the New World, then, above everything else, attracting the attention of the bold and daring in every country of Europe. The first of these to arrive in this country was Jehu Bnrr. He came with Winthrop's famous fleet in 1630, and on his arrival settled in Roxbury, Mass .; thence he accompanied William Pynchon to the founding of Springfield, Mass., and eventually settled at Fairfield, Conn., where his descendants became the firmnest pil- lars of the old colonial structure, and prominent in both civil and military affairs. The second was Ben- jamin Burr, who aided in the settlement of Hartford in 1635, and from whom has descended a very numer- ous and highly respectable family, known as the Hartford branch. The third was the Rev. Jonathan Burr, founder of the Dorchester branch. He was a man of fine education and eminent abilities.

Jehuc, or Jehu, Burr was born in England about 1600, and died in Fairfield, Conn., about 1670, leaving a family of four sons, perhaps daughters, viz., Jehu (2d), John, Nathaniel (1), and Daniel. Nathaniel (1) was probably born in Springfield, Mass., about 1640, and settled with his parents in Fairfield; made freeman in 1664; was constable in 1669; representa- tive during the years 1692, '93, '94, and '95. He was a farmer. He was twice married, and had two chil- dren by his first marriage, viz., Sarah and Nathaniel (2), and six children by his second, viz., John, Daniel, Ann, Mary, Esther, and Rebecca. His will is dated Feb. 22, 1712, and approved March 5, 1712.

Nathaniel (2) Burr was born in Fairfield, Conn., was a lawyer by profession and well reputed in the colony. He was deputy for Fairfield from October, 1697, until 1700. His children were as follows: Joseph and Nathaniel (3), twins, died in infancy, Sarah, Anna, Nathaniel (4), and Ephraim (1).

Ephraim (1) Burr was a native of Fairfield, Conn., married Abigail, daughter of Judge Peter Burr, Jan. 7, 1725. Their children were as follows: Eunice, Anna, Ellen, Ephraim (2), Ebenezer, Abigail, Sarah, and Peter, born Nov. 2, 1754. Ephraim Burr died in 1776, and his wife died in 1810.

Peter Burr married Esther, daughter of Dr. Seth Jennings, of Fairfield, Conn. Their children were

as follows : Thaddeus, Sarah, Eunice, Ama, Esther, Abigail, Mary, Ephraim (2), and Ebenezer, or Eben, all of whom were born in Fairfield, Coun., and all had families except Mary.

Peter Burr was a farmer. He died July 4, 1816.

Ephraim (2) Burr was born in Fairfield, Conn., Oct. 7, 1794. He remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age, except some six months which he spent in coasting, and while thus engaged he was taken prisoner by the British in the war of 1812 and retained sixteen days. He then returned home and worked on the farm.

He married Eunice, daughter of Daniel Sherwood, May, 1823. Of this union.two children were born, viz., Henry S. and Frances. Honry S. went to Cali- fornia, where he died in 1871, and left one son, Henry S.

Capt. Burr has been a farmer, and many years ago owned an interest in a vessel. He was for many years a captain of a company of State militia. He is one of the staunchest Republicans in the town. While he is not a member of any church, he gives to the support of the Congregational Church. His wife died June 9, 1864, aged seventy-two years.

BRADLEY H. NICHOLS.

Bradley H. Nichols, son of Ephraim and Mary (Bradley) Nichols, was born in Fairfield, Conn., in September, 1792, and died in the same town, Nov. 8, 1874. Ephraim Nichols was a tanner and currier and boot and shoemaker. Bradley was early initiated into his father's business, and followed it until his love of agriculture caused him to become a farmer. Into this new employment Mr. Nichols carried not only a love for rural life, but the system and precision acquired in the practical business life of his early manhood, and was a thorough, successful, and good farmer. Through all the changes of his long life he never forsook the farm, but continued a live, prog- ressive agriculturist until his death. He had a large stock of vitality, inherited from his Puritan ancestry, and, with a genial and social nature, was universally a favorite.

Mr. Nichols married Charlotte, danghter of Isaac Banks, a former resident in Fairfield, Jan. 19, 1815. Their children were Susan W., who married Zalmon Wakeman, an influential citizen of Fairfield, who left her a widow in 1865, and Eleanor Maria, who married William Bradley, a farmer, and formerly a merchant at Greenfield Hill.

Intelligent, of quick perceptions, ever active in works of progress and improvement, Mr. Nichols was held in high repute by his many friends and those who met him in business relations, and when, in the fullness of a hale old age, he was called away from earth, all felt the loss of an honest man.

ISAAC BANKS was born May 26, 1766, and married Eleanor Sturges, who was born May 20, 1765. They

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

had four children,-Eleazur (deceased), Charity, Charlotte, and Horaee. Mr. Banks died Dec. 26, 1840. His wife survived him six years, dying Feb. 19, 1847.

CHAPTER XXXV. GREENWICH.

Geographical-Topographical -Indian Occupancy-Petnquapaen - The Indian Purchase-The Deed-Greenwich Manor-Patrick and Feaks as Patroons-Indian Troubles- The War-The Pioneers-" Horse- neck"-Early Interest in Church Matters-The First Marriage-List of Voters in 1688-Town-List for 1694-95-Extracts from Records- The French War-Early Merchants- Physicians - Lawyers-Post- Offices.

THIS town lies in the southwest corner of the county, and is bounded as follows : On the north by Westehes- ter Co., N. Y .; on the east by the town of Stamford ; on the south by Long Island Sound ; and on the west by Westchester Co., N. Y. The surface of Greenwich is hilly, and the soil is very fertile.

INDIAN OCCUPANCY .- PETUQUAPAEN.

Prior to the advent of the white settler this was one of the most thickly-settled portions of the Indian country, the permanent residents at Petuquapaen numbering about five hundred. The ruling saehem was Ponus, who died prior to 1640, having long wielded a powerful influenee among the various tribes of the East. Waseussue, a brother of Ponus, was the ruling sachem of the Rippowams, at Stam- ford. The traet of land embraced within the bounds of what may properly be styled Petuquapaen extends from the present boundary-line between Stamford and Greenwich westward to the two streams known as the Brothers. On the west of this tract, extending to Byram River, was Miossehassaky, and still west of Byram was a smaller village, known as Huseco, which was located not far from the present village of Port- chester, N. Y.

THE INDIAN PURCHASE .- THE DEED.

The first purchase from the Indians of land lying within the bounds of the present town of Greenwich was made by Capt. Daniel Patriek and Robert Feaks, July 16, 1640. The following is a copy of the deed which conveyed the lands to Patrick and Feaks :

"Wee Amogeron, Sachem of Asamnck, and Rammatthone, Naw- horone, Sachems of Patomuck, have sonld unto Robert Feaks and Daniell Patricke all theire rights and interests in all ye severall lands betwene Asamuck liver and Patomnek, which Patomnck is a little river which divideth ye bonnds betwene Capt. Turner's Purchase and this, except ye neck by ye indians called Monakewego, by us Elizabeth neck, which neck is ye peticaler perchase of Elizabeth Feaks, ye sd Robt. Feaks his wife, to be bers and her heirs and assigns, forever, or else to be at ye dis- posal of ye aforementioned purchasers forever, to them and theire heaires, executors or assigns. and theye to enjoy all rivers, Islands, and ye severall naturall adjuncts of all ye forementioned places, neigther shall ye indians fish within a mille of aney english ware, nor invite nor permit any other indians to sett down in ye forementioned lands ; in con- sideration of which lands ye forementioned purchasers are to give unto

ye above named sachems twenty-five coates, whereof they have reserved eleven in part payment; to witness all which, they have herennto sett theire hands this 18 July, 1640.

" Witness :

Robert Hensted,

Keofram hath sold all his Right in ye above sd Necks unto Jeffere Ferris as witness underwritten :

his

Andrew

Messenger.

Amogerone.

mark.

his

Russ

abelt.

mark.

his

Whawhoron

mark.

his

Saponas

Akerogne

mark.

his

Ampell- heettone

mark.

his

Whawhoron

Kefferam

mark.

Witness or lafhanones to ye last

his

named

Richard Williams, Angell Hnested.

his

Panorohas

A. H.

mark.

his

Powiatoh

mark.

" The above written bill of sale was entered in ye yeare 1686 pr Samuel Peck, recorder."

GREENWICH MANOR.

The purchase was made ostensibly under the au- spices of the New Haven eolony, but Patrick, who, with various others of the early settlers, not regard- ing with favor the Puritanical restraints of the church, and having received but little assistance from that colony when the Dutch laid claim to the land ineluded within his purchase, signed the following deed:

" Whereas, we, Capt. Daniel Patrick and Elizabeth Feake, duly anthor- ized by her linsband Robert Feake, now sick, have resided two years about five or six miles east of the New Netherlands, subject to the Lord States General, who have protested against us, declaring that the said land lay within their limits, and that they should not allow any person to nsnrp it against their lawful rights; and whereas, we have equally persisted in our course during these two years, having been well assured that his Majesty the King of England had pretended some to this soil; and whereas, we understand nothing thereof, and cannot any longer pre- snme to remain thus, on account both of this strife, tho danger conse- qnent thereon, and these treacherous and. villainous Indians, of whom we have seen so many sorrowful examples enongh. We therefore be- take ourselves under the protection of the Noble Lord States General,

Feslifieth

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GREENWICHI.

His Highness the Prince of Orange, and the West India Company, or their Governor General of New Netherlands, promising for the future to be faithful to them, as all honest subjects are bound to be; wherenuto we bind ourselves by solemn oath and signature, provided we be pro- tected against our enemies as much as possible, and enjoy henceforth the same privileges that all Patroons of the New Netherlands have obtained agreeably to the Freedoms 1642, IXth of April, in Fort Amsterdam. " DANIEL PATRICK.

" Witnesses, EVERARDUS BOGARDUS, JOHANNES WINKLEMAN."

Greenwich now became a manor, with Patrick and Feaks as patroons.

INDIAN TROUBLES.#

For five or six years after the first settlement (1640 -46) the people of Greenwich had much trouble with their Indian neighbors, the indirect cause being rum, -"enssed fire-water," as the savages called it,- bought of the Dutch at New York. To begin with (1642), some Dutch traders, a drunken Indian, cheat- ing in a bargain for furs, and a murdered Indian, all near New York. Next, the killing of two Dutehmen, as an offset to the murdered Indian. Next (February, 1643), by way of retaliation, the treacherous and indiscriminate butchery, by order of the Dutch Gov- ernor, of more than one hundred sleeping Indians, men, women, and children, who had fled into the city for refuge from the pursuit of a band of Mohawks. Next (summer and fall of 1643), in revenge for such a deed of infamy, a general Indian war, waged by a confederacy of fifteen hundred warriors, up the east side of the Hudson, on Long Island, and on the Sound, castward from New York, as far as Stamford, -everywhere murders, burning buildings, desolation, all the atrocities of savage warfare.

Ann Hutchinson was among the victims. Says De Forest, " Until the last moment the Indian ; came to the house in their usual friendly manner ; then the hatchet fell, and the ill-fated woman perished, with seventeen others, in the massacre. To close the seene, the horses and cattle were driven into the barns, the barns were set on fire, and the helpless animals were roasted to death in the flames." So great was the devastation and so wide-spread the alarm, that the settlements were well-nigh broken up all along the shore from Stamford to New York.

Greenwich at that time being under the jurisdiction of New York, the settlers called on the Dutch Gov- ernor, Keift, for help. Accordingly (January, 1644) one hundred and twenty men, in three vessels, were sent to Greenwich, where their commander was in- formed by Capt. Patrick of a large encampment of the enemy a short distance inland. It was nearly night, but, desiring to surprise the Indians, the Dutch at onec set off, and marched all night in a mistaken direction without finding the object of their pursuit. Next day the Dutch captain met Patrick; accused him of treachery and of purposely giving false infor- mation, and finally gave him the lie direct. The al-

tereation resulted in Patrick's death. The Dutch force soon returned to New York, having succeeded only in surprising a small Indian village, killing eighteen or twenty inen, and taking a few women and children prisoners.

Soon after, receiving fresh news of a great body of savages at Greenwich, Governor Keift (February, 1644) dispatched a second expedition in quest of them. The force consisted of one hundred and thirty men, under command of Capt. John Underhill, who reached Stamford in the evening and in a heavy snow- storm, which detained him there all night. Next day lie made a slow march through two feet or more of snow, and about eight o'clock in the evening reached the Mianus River, where he rested two hours till the moon rose. Crossing the river at, or not far above, the present village of Mianus, and ascending the high western bank not far north of the present main road between Greenwich and Stamford, he had in front of lim "Strickland's Plain," lying to the north and northwest of the present village of Cascob. On the western border of this plain, half a mile distant, he could see the lights of the "long-sought-for Petuqua- paen,"-a village containing "more than a hundred permanent huts," partially protected by palisades, with numerous outside wigwams, the whole village lying under a low wooded rise of ground, which shel- tered it from the northwest winds. The savage; had warning of the approach of their enemies, and were prepared to give them a warm reception. Only the warriors hield the village, the women and children having been sent to a place of safety.

Space is wanting for a full description of the mid- night battle, which was long and desperately fought. The undisciplined valor of the red man, with his bow and tomahawk, was no match for the musket, the bay- onet, the broadsword, in the hands of the whites. The savages finally betook themselves to their fortified dwellings, but not till nearly two hundred of their number had fallen. Within their rude defenses they fought obstinately, till the terrible lesson tanghit to the Pequots a few years before recurred to Underhill's mind, and the fearful order, " Burn 'em out !" rang through the midnight air. The huts were built of bark and other light materials, and took fire as readily, almost, as tinder. In a very few minutes the whole village was in flames, and its wild and tortured ten- ants were yelling and howling in the agonies of de- spair and death. Such as darted out of the inelosure were mercilessly shot down by the soldiers who sur- rounded the village ; and of the whole body of war- riors who were gathered at the spot not more than ciglit or ten, at most, are supposed to have escaped.

The Dutch passed the night on the field they had so signally won, "warmed and cheered" by the fires which suffocated and roasted their enemies. The morning revealed a horrid sight. More than six hundred-some authors say more than one thousand- dead Sinawoys lay bathed in blood over an area whose

* Contributed by Hon. Myron L. Mason.

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

circumference must have been considerably less than one mile.

THE EARLIEST SETTLERS.

Daniel Patrick was a fighting Englishman from Massachusetts ; he had bravely seconded Mason in the Pequot war and in the great swamp-fight in Fair- field. He was shot dead in Greenwich iu 1644 by a Dutch officer into whose face he spat on being called a liar. He was high-tempered and reckless, scarcely fearing God or man, and indefatigable in promoting the interests of the settlement he planted. It is be- lieved that no descendant of his is now living in Greenwichı.

During 1640, Capt. John Underhill settled on the Patrick and Feaks' purchase, where he lived till his restless nature led him to New York in 1644, and finally to Killingworth, where he died in 1672. A warrior also, he was wounded at the burning out of the Pequots, in which engagement he was with Mason; he fought and defeated the Sinawoy warriors in a hard-fought battle; and, like Patrick, he had turned his back on Massachusetts on account of her Puritanic restraints .*

Jeffere Ferris was an early settler, whose descen- dants now abouud in "Old Greenwich." Several Dutchmen were among the first comers, and one of them, Cornelius Labden, left his name to a ninety- foot precipice, now known as Labden's Rock, over which he is said to have plunged on horseback rather than be taken prisoner by some pursuing savages.

Among the first settlers also were the following : Robert Heusted, Andrew Messenger, Jolın Winkel- man, Angell Heusted, Richard Williams, Everardus Bogardus.

The prophetess, Ann Hutchinson, spurned by Mas- sachusetts, lived secluded in Greenwich forests till a band of Iudians hunted up and murdered both her- self and family in 1643.

The numerous Meads, Heusteds, Pecks, Lockwoods, et alii, now residing in Greenwich are representatives of its early people. Such Dutch settlers as escaped the wrath of the savages soon gravitated, under political stress, to New York, with their families, and few, if any of them, are now represented amoug the people of Greenwich.

Up to 1665 the little settlement, now under the jurisdiction of the New Netherlands, showed no marked signs of activity. Among the few who came in 1656 were the ancestors of the Hubbards, the Studwells, and the Hobbys. Peter Disbrow, John Coe, and Thomas Studwell settled about this time, and Jeffere Ferris returned from Fairfield, whither he had gone when the town was ceded to the Dutch. John Mead and John Hobby settled in 1660. This year the settlement numbered about twenty adult males.

From this time on the settlement increased with

marvelous rapidity, and not much time elapsed ere Greenwich became peopled by an intelligent and sturdy class of settlers, who have left their impress upon their numerous descendants. Meetings were held and in 1666 a school-house was built, but no record or tradition tells us of its location or who had the honor of wielding the pedagogue's sceptre.

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 90

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