USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 91
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In 1669 a demand was made by Daniel Patrick, son of the pioneer, Capt. Daniel, for all the land which had been formerly owned by his father. A com- promise, however, was finally effected, and for a horse, saddle and bridle, and fifty pounds he relin- quished "all his right, title, and interest in any land or estate in the settlement."
HORSENECK.
West Greenwich (now the borough) was called " Horseneck," from a peninsula of high ground, now known as " Field Point," west of Greenwich Harbor, and one and a half miles southwest of the borough, the peninsula having been a horse pasture.
Horseneck was purchased of the Indians in 1672 by twenty-seven individuals, known as the " 27 Pro- prietors of 1672," as follows : Ephraim Palmer, Jona- than Reynolds, or Renolds, John Hubbe (Hobby), Stephen Sherwood, Joseph Mead, John Bowers, Joseph Finch, William Rundle, John Mead, John Asten, Jeremiah Peck, Johu Palmer, Walter Butler, Samuel Peck, Joseph Seres, Angell Heusted, William Hubbard, Samuel Ginkins (Jenkins), William Ratere, Jolın Marshall, Jonathan Lockwood, John Renalds, Gershom Lockwood, James Seres, Thomas Close, Thomas Close, Jr., Daniel Sinith.
CHURCH MATTERS.
The town now seemed to manifest a decided interest in church matters, and, although there had been oc- casional preaching prior to 1676, this year at a " full meeting" it was resolved to call a minister. A Mr. Nizwale was accordingly called, but, he not accepting, two years later, in 1678, a call was extended to Rev. Jeremiah Peck, of New Jersey, who was one of the twenty-seven proprietors mentioned above. He promptly accepted the call, and in the fall of the same year settled in the town, receiving for his salary sixty pounds.
THE FIRST MARRIAGE, ETC.
The first recorded marriage in the town is that of Jolin Mead, Jr., and Miss Ruth Hardey, by Rev. Mr. Peck, in 1681. In 1685, Lieut. Lockwood dicd, and the town passed resolutions of regret. In this year a saw- and grist-mill was erected at Dumpling Pond. In 1686 the Indians sold nearly their last acre of land in the town. These lands were on the western bank of the Myanos, near its mouth.
During the year 1687 permission was given to the citizens of the town to build fish-pounds on the sea- shore "anywhere outside ye feelds." John Mead, Jr., was elected constable, then the most remunera-
* He had also been bearer of dispatches to Queen Elizabeth, confi- dential servant to the Earl of Leicester, Governor of the Dover colony in New Hampshire, etc.
RESIDENCE OF SAMUEL ADAMS
ADAM GREENWICH FAIRFIELD CO. CONN.
309
GREENWICHI.
tive as well as important office in the gift of the town. Gershom Lockwood and his brother William during this year agreed to build a bridge across the Myanos at Dumpling Pond, and receive in payment whatever the town should see fit to give after the work was done.
EARLY VOTERS.
In 1688 the legal voters numbered about fifty, and the settlement had increased to three hundred inhab- itants. The following is a list of the legal voters in 1688: "Jonathan Lockwood, Angell Heusted, Joseph Mead, John Mead, Joseph Ferris, John Renalds, John Hubbe, Meriam Hubert, Jeames Ferris, Jona- than Renalds, John Bowers, Joseph Finch, Meriam Hubert, Jr., Thomas Lyon, John Banks, Thomas Close, Frances Thorne, Nathaniel Howe, Joseph Palmer, William Rundle, Gershom Lockwood, Jolın Marshall, Daniel Smith, Jonathan Huested, Ebenczer Mead, Ephraim Palmer, Jeamnes Palmer, Walter Butler, Samuel Peck, Rev. Jeremiah Peck, John Mead, Jr., Henere Rich, Jonathan Mead, Joshua Knapp, George Hubbert, Joseph Huested, Angell Husted, Jr., John Renalds, Jr., Peter Ferris, Thomas Hubbe, John Hubbe, Jr., Job Ferris, Jonathan Loek- wood, Robert Lockwood, Caleb Peck, Joseph Mead, John Mead's son, Joseph Mead, Joseph Mead's son, Joseph Knapp, Jr., John Tash."
In 1689 it is voted that "ye towne per vote hathe agreed to bye a bulle." In 1691 it was voted to have a new meeting-house ; and Jolin Mead, Sr., John Mead, Jr., John Hubbc, Dauiel Smith, and Samuel Peck were appointed a committee to procure mate- rials and build the house. A subsequent mecting made its dimensions thirty-two feet long, twenty-six feet wide, aud fifteen fect high. A controversy which lasted for years concerning the site delayed the put- ting up of the building. It was finally built upon a small rise of ground northwest of the old burying- ground in Old Greenwich.
TOWN-LIST FOR YEARS 1694-95.
The following exhibit shows the comparative wealth of the town in 1694 and 1695:
£
8.
d.
John Rundle ..
102
10 0
Samuel Peck
81
0 0
Joseph Ferris.
154
0
0
James Ferris and Son 0
103
0
Robert Lockwood.
61
0 0
Jonathan Ileustod.
77
0 0
Joseph Finch and Son.
0
0
John Hobby ...
94
15
0
Angell Heusted and Son.
33
10
0
John Hensted.
30
0
0
Samnel Heusted.
45
10 0
Moses Ferris.
22
0
Benjamin Ferris ..
91
0
0
Gershom Lock wood & Son.
153
15
0
Joseph Knapp.
73
0
0
Jonathan Rundle. 47
5
0
Benjamin Mead .. 87
0
0
Daniel Smith & Sou
161
0 0
William Rundlo ....
60
10 0
William Hubbart 40
10
Ruth Mead, widow of John Mead
10
0
Daniel Mead.
42
0
Zacharialı Mead.
30
0
()
Caleb Knapp ..
39
10
Thomas Marshall ..
34
0
Ebenezer Mead
103 10 (
Joseph Mead, the tanner. 45 10 0
Jonathan Whelpley.
45 0 0
John Marshall & Sou.
165 10 (
Heury Rich
39 10
Jolin Ferris.
55
Joseph Palmer
12
6
Jonathan Moud.
45
(
John Marshall, Jr.
69
S
John Rundle & Sou
43
14
Nathaniel Mead.
47
Jobin Ansten.
31
0
Joseph Finch, Jr
20
0
0
Caleb Peck.
2X
Thomas Closo, Jr.
20
=
Joseph Hensted
54
(
51
10
30
0
Stephen IJolines.
31
(
Thomas Close, Sr.
80
Angell Ileusted, Jr.
4I
0
Elisha Mead.
38
0
Thomas Studwell
30
0
0
William Palner ..
39
0
John Rundle, Jr.
40
10
Thomas Butler
0
Gershom Lockwood, Jr
47
0
0
Joseph Lock wood.
25
0
6
Benjamin Knapp
31
0
0
Benjamin Hobby.
29
0
=
Joshua Knapp
5-1
0
Samuol Mead
87
10
0
Joseph Studwell ..
18
0
(
John Banks
76
10
0
Samuel Lyon.
57
12
(
Joseph Mead, not the tunner.
25
(
0
Joseph Close.
24
0
-
Total
2638
8 0
The selcetmen for this year were Daniel Smith, Jonathan Heusted, Joseph Finch, and John Hubbe.
In 1703 it was voted that the town-meetings be held one-half of the time at " Horseneck." Prior to this time the meetings had been held at " Old Green- wich."
The following are extraets from the records :
" At a Town meeting bareing Date May ye 3 1704 the town taking into consideration that which hath formerly been Don by ye towne in order to Mr. Nathaniel Bowers setling in tho towno hath been ineffectual & considoring Mr. bowers hath promised to setel at HIorsneck if ye inhabi- tants did not call him to office on ye East sid Mianus river & being in- formed mr. bowers Designs to leave ye town these things considered ye towne pr vote see eaus & reson to invite Mr. Bower to setle at Greenwich towne plott on ye west side Mianns river which if Mr Bowers sees canso to except, Then yo town doth promis & Ingage to make snitable prove- sion for himself & for setling him in his ministerial office."
" At a town moeting, December yo 19 : 1704 : The Town per vote grant Liberty unto Corinal hetheut to build tow small sloops sum where about Mianos river."
" Furthermore, moved yo towne put it to vot whether Mr. bowers should have fifty-fivo pounds, and it passes in the Negative.
" Furthermore, ye town pr vot do not Desire Mr. Bowers to continue any longer in yo work of yo ministrye in Greenwich."
" Furthermore, ye Town per vot grant Liberty unto ye inhabitants on ye cast sid mianus to bueld a mill upon any strem whero they shall think convonient.
"Furthermoro, the Town per vot do grant Liberty unto the inhabitants of greenwich living on the west side Mianns river, to build a tide mill upon Sticklin brook or Coscob river themselves or to imploy som other parson whom they shall think fitt and likewise Do grant them use of yo streams for that end."
" At a meeting of ye Inhabitants of ye town of Greenwich on ye west side of Myanos river legally named and met on ye nineteenth day of June, 1705. Whereas, ye sd inhabitants have had u grant from ye town at n town meeting on yo 9th day of January 1704 of ye stream of ye tide or creek of Coscob river to own a grist mill, or imploy whom the see cause therein the sd inhabitants have granted sd stream to Mr. Joseph Morgan to build a grist will, and do therein oblige him, his heairs and asines to grind for ye inhabitants of ye towne of Greenwich for about one 12 part of all the grain and do grant that toll and do oblige him and his heaires asigns, to grind for said inhabitants what grain they bring to mill
10
0
Thomas Lyon
a. d.
Timothy Kuapp.
Thomas llobby
Ebonezer Ilnudle.
James Forris, Jr.
105
370
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
on Tuesdays and Fridays forthwith not to hinder them for strangers and do oblige him his heairs and successors by virtue of ye grant to keep a sufficient hous for to secure ye grain yt is brought to sd mill."
THE FRENCH WAR.
In the beginning of this war Greenwich had no volunteer company, and several of the inhabitants were pressed into the service. "James Green," says the late D. M. Mead, " now long since dead, used to relate that while a company of young people, himself among the number, were quietly enjoying themselves at the tavern (then kept by one Mead, but now occu- pied as a dwelling-house by Epenetus Sniffin, Esq.), they were surprised by a press-gang and several of them forced into the service, while he with a few others escaped from a window. After this time a regular volunteer company was raised. This com- pany seems to have marched directly to Ticonderoga in 1759, and joined the Third Connecticut Regiment. One of the company, a Mr. Coit, residing in King Street, was mounted upon a rather sorry- nag, which by the time the company had reached Nine Partners, in Dutchess County, had become quite leg-weary, and Coit, thinking perhaps that all is fair in time of war, took a noble horse from a pasturage and turned his own there instead, without any whys or where- fores with the real owner. His new horse did him good service during the company's stay at Ticonde- roga, which was but little more than a month; and on his return the company halted, that Coit might deliver the horse to his owner. So well pleased was the latter with the boldness of Coit that he made the whole company stop for the night at his house free of expense. After the war Mr. Coit went to Vermont and settled there permanently; several years after, having become wealthy, he came to Greenwich in his carriage, and visited all his old comrades of the vol- unteer company."
Greenwich formed an association for the relief of the soldiers, of which Mrs. Abraham Mcad was presi- dent.
An ancient powder-horn is still preserved by Col. Thomas A. Mead, upon which is almost perfectly de- lineated the relative positions and forts of the hostile armies while at Ticonderoga. This work was done by Dr. Amos Mead, who was surgeon of the Third Connecticut Regiment, while at Ticonderoga. The horn beside this chart has engraved upon it this in- scription :
" Amos Mead Surgn of ye 3d Conn Reg Ticonderoga October 1759."
At a town-meeting March 2, 1756, it was
" Furthermore voted that Mr. Nehemiah Mead should have liberty to sell the Town stock of Powder as soon as he can conveniently to ye Towus best advantage and lay out all the money that he shall sell said powder for, in powder that is good and put the same into Town stock as soon as he conveniently can."
In 1757, December 3d, Monday,
" Voted to Mr. Edmund Brown aud associates liberty to build a saw mill on Horseneck brook at Haugroot."
By this agreement Brown and his associates were to build and keep in repair the bridge at Hangroot, and be responsible for damages that might thereby occur by accident to any person.
The following record, taken with other similar ex- tracts, shows that in 1758 the town-meetings were held alternately in all the places of worship in the town :
" At a Town meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Greenwich, legally warned and attended at the House Built by the Professors of the Church of England in the Society of Horseneck on the top of the great lill on the Third Monday of December A. D. 1758, being ye 18th day of said mouth," etc., etc.
But on the 15th day of December, 1760, it was
"Further Voted to Build a Town House and leave it to the authority and select men how large it shall be and where it shall stand."
" Further Voted that the Rate for building the Town House shall be paid by the first day of September uext."
In 1767 the following petition was presented at town-meeting, relating to the dock at Coscob :
" To the benevolent inhabitants of the Town of Greenwich, in Fairfield County, the petition of Nathaniel Close, of said Greenwich, Humbly showetli, that your Petr. being under a necessity of a store-house, as his performing a weekly Pauquet or stage boat from here to New York lays both him and the inhabitants under a great disadvantage, in Respect he hath no proper place to store the effects of his Freighters, nor for them to store what effects and produce they severally bring when Ins vessel is not tliere to Receive it; which Disadvantage hatlı been sen- sibly Felt during the last summer. He therefore Prays Liberty of this meeting, that he may be permitted to build a store-house of 26 feet by 30, adjoining the Bank, between the Dwelling house of Mr. John Bush and the Gristmill of David Bush, so as to leave about sixteen feet from said inill to sd store, for a cartway, if need be, & that he may build it by the bank adjoining thereto, & to sd mill Pond ; and as your Petr. conceives a Honse so built would Incommode, no particular Person, but be a General profit to the inhabitants, as well as your Petr. He there- fore lopes that yon, gentlemen, in your Prudence will grant his Request and your Petr. as in duty bound shall ever pray.
" NATHANIEL CLOSE.
" December, 21st, 1767."
The above was passed, and the acting selectmen were appointed a committee to select the exact site of the building, which was afterwards erected.
" At a Town meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Greenwich legally warned and holden on the 5th day of May, 1768, this question is put to vote, whether this town, in conjunction with the Town of Nor- walk, in the County of Fairfield, will send their agent to the next en- suing Assembly to prefer a memorial to sd Assembly, that the Court House and Goal in said county of Fairfield may be built at said Norwalk. Resolved in the affirmative."
Afterwards, in the following October, after the ses- sion of the Assembly, in reference to the same sub- ject the town voted, that
" Whereas, the Town of Norwalk, in conjunction with several other towns in the County of Fairfield, Preferred a memorial to the General Assembly, held at New Haven, in October last, and now lyes before said Assembly to be heard at the adjournment, in January next, praying that the said Town of Norwalk may be the Head or county town, &c .; and whereas Mr. David Bush signed the same as agent, for and iu behalf of said Town. It is therefore now voted and agreed that this Town allows and approves of the said David Bush's signing said Memorial as agent for this Town, and he is hereby fully Impowered and authorised in the name and behalf of this town to appear and Prefer sd Memorial to a Final determination in the General Assembly, and that it is the earnest Reqnest aud Desire of the Inhabitants of this town, that the General As- sembly would take the matters contained in said memorial unto their wise consideration, aud Grant the Prayer thereof, and that a copy of this
371
GREENWICH.
vote may be nsed in the Tryal of sd memorial, in order to signifye the minds of the inhabitants of this town in the premises."
In 1773,-
"Further voted, the Town in sd meeting Grant Liberty nuto David Bush, upon his Petition for building a mill upon stick lin's brook Stick- lin's brook under the overseeing of a Committee by sd Town appointed to grind for Town Inhabitants, and not to put them by for strangers. Voted in the affirmative.
" Edward Brush, Nehemiah Mead, and Deliverance Mead, Jabez Mead jun., Nathaniel Finch, and Caleb Mead, enters their protest on ye pro- ceedings of sd meeting in sd vote."
EARLY MERCHANTS.
Among the earliest merchants at Greenwich were J. & B. Brush, in about the year 1827. This firm also had a store at Coscob. Knapp & Bush were also early merchants there. Jabez Mead was a pioneer merchant at Mianos, and Reuben Finch at Stanwick. The "red store" on West Street was built by Abra Smith. On Round Hill, Nathaniel Knapp, father of O. C. Knapp, was an early merchant.
PIIYSICIANS.
Among the physicians who have practiced in this old town, and some of whom are still here, are men- tioned the names of Shadrack Mead, Darius Mead, Sylvester Mead, James H. Hoyt, Barto F. White, Joel W. Hyde, D. W. Teller, James H. Brush, Fran- cis M. Holly, James L. Marshall, John C. White, and Leander P. Jones.
LAWYERS.
The first permanent Gamaliel of the law in Green- wich was Julius B. Curtis, who now resides in Stam- ford. The present attorneys are Col. H. W. R. Hoyt, R. Jay Walsh, firm of Hoyt & Walsh, and Myron L. Mason and Frederick O. Hubbard, firm of Mason & Hubbard.
POST-OFFICE.
The first post-office at Greenwich was established at an carly day, and was kept in a building which stood on the premises now owned by W. H. Knapp. It was subsequently removed to the place now occupied by Jacob T. Weed. The postmasters have been as follows : Isaac Mead, Stephen Holly, Samuel Close, Dr. F. M. Holly.
In 1849, J. E. Brush was appointed, and the office moved to present site. In 1853, Samuel Close was rcappointed, and the office removed to a new build- ing, which stood on premises now owned by William Scofield. In this building, also, Stephen Holley had kept the office. In 1861, Mr. Brush was reappointed, and the office came back. In 1866, William B. Wcs- comb held the office three or four weeks, when John Dayton received the appointment, and remained post- master until 1869, when Mr. Brush was reappointed, and is the present incumbent.
The present postmaster at Stanwiek is Geo. A. Lockwood; at Round Hill, O. C. Knapp; at Mianos, Allen J. Phinney ; at Glenville, Webster Haight; at Riverside, William F. Thall ; and at Banksville, -. The office at Riversville has been discontinued.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
GREENWICH (Continued).
THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
Resolutions in Answer to Continental Congress-Letter to the Delegates -Committee of Inspection and Safety-Committee appointed for Sup- plying Necessaries to Families of Continental Soldiers - Charges against Rev. Jonathan Murdock-Incidents of the Revolution-Gov- ernor Tryon's Expedition to Greenwich-Rivington's Prese-The King Street Skirmish-The British in North Stamford-Putnam's Ride, etc.
THE first reference to the war of the Revolution found in the old town records is under date Oct. 11, 1774, as follows :
"At a Town meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Greenwich, legally warned and Holden on Tensday, the 11th day of October, Anno Dom. 1774, A Letter is Read from the Honorable Eliphalet Dyer and Roger Sherman, Esq., from ye Continental Congress, at Philadelphia. It is proposed to this meeting whether there shall be a committee appointed to Draw a set of Resolves and an answer to said letter from said Con- gress, and to lay the same before the next meeting of this town for their approbation. Resolved in the affirmative, and Dr. Amos Mead, Messrs. John Mackay, Jesse Parsons are per vote appointed u committee for the purpose aforesaid, on which the town per vote adjourned their meeting to the 17th day of Instant October, to the place where their annual Town meetings are held in said Town.
" At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Greenwich, in the County of Fairfield, & Colony of Connecticut, holden on the 17th day of October, 1774.
" This Meeting takeing into their Serious consideration the alarming State of American Liberty, do unanimously approve of and adopt as the Sentiments of the Inhabitants of this Town the Resolves of the Ilonora- ble House of Representatives of this Colony, passed in their sessions at Hartford, in May last.
And Whereas, Certain Acts of the British Parliament have appeared since the above resolves were entered into ; Partienlarly an aet for alter- ing the Government of Massachusetts Bay, and another for Establishing the Roman Catholic Religion in Canada, etc.
"Resolved by this meeting, that those acts are repugnant to the free prin- ciples of the English Constitution, and in a High Degree Dangerous to the Civil and Religious Liberty of both British and Amerienn Protestant subjeets, and that notwithstanding the Torrent of False and malicions nspersions poured forth by designing men, We believe and declare the Contrivers and Devisors of these and all such uneonstitutional nets Their Dupes and Emissaries, to be the only enemies to our Gracious Sovereign, and the Illustrious House of Hanover that we know of in his majesty's dominions.
"Resolved, That this meeting hereby approve of the Honorable Congress of Delegates from the several American Colonies, and will aeqniesee and abide by their final determination.
"Resolved, That as the Province of Massachusetts Bay, especially the Town of Boston, is now suffering under the Iron Hand of Despotic Power and ministerial Infinence, it is the Indispensable duty of this town, in Imitation of ye noble Examples set up by most of the Colony to con- tribute to the relief of the oppressed and suffering Poor in said Town of Boston, and that Messrs. David Bush, Jolin Mackny, Benjamin Mead, Jr., Daniel Merritt, James Ferris, Nathaniel Mead, Jr., Joseph Hobby, Jr., be a Committee to receive and keep an exnet account of ull donations that shall be Given by the Inhabitants of this town, and Transmit the same to the Select men of the Town of Boston, to be by them appropri- ated for the purpose aforesaid.
"Ordered by this meeting, that Dr. Amos Mead, Messrs. John Mackay, and Jesse Parsons be Desired to write to the Honorable members of Con- gress for this Colony an answer to theirs of the 10th ultimo, Inclosing a Copy of the Present Doings of this meeting, and transmit another copy thereof to the Printer, at New Ilaveu, in order to be published.
" Recorded by me,
"JESSE PARSONS, "Town Clerk."
372
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
COPY OF TIIE LETTER TO TIIE DELEGATES.
"GENTLEMEN,-We acknowledge the receipt of your favor of tho 19th ult., inclosing the Resolutions of the Honorable Congress, and with the Highest grattitude receive the assurance of the earliest intelligence of the proceedings of your Honorablo Board, as soon as they shall be made Public. We have called a meeting, and communicated to them your let- ter and those proceedings, and do now inclose their resolutions thereon " We are, Gentlemen, your most obedient, Ilumble servants,
" AMOS MEAD, " JOHN MACKAY, " JESSE PARSONS.
"P. S. Upon enquiry into the Present State of the magazine of this Town, tho Inhabitants are much surprised to find that the price of that most necessary article for our defence, viz., Gunpowder, is now doubled, which we are Desired to mention as worthy the notice of your Honora- ble Board.
" The Honorable Eliphalit Dyer and Roger Sherman, Esqs."
At the same meeting it was further voted that
" As the Town Stock of ammunition wants a supply, there be a Com- mittee appointed to examine the state of the Town Stock of Powder, Lead, &c., and the Selectmen are appointed a committee for that purpose and to take care to supply what is wanting at the expense of the town."
On the 8th of February, 1775, it was
"Proposed to this meeting whether they will send Delegates to attend a County Congress at Fairfield on the 19th of February instant pursuant to a letter from Fairfield Committee agreeable to the Association of the Continental Congress, entered into and adopted by the Honorable House of Representatives of this Colony and said Committee to attend on their own expenses. Resolved in the affirmative, and that Doctor Amos Mead and John Mackay be their Delegates for the purpose aforesaid."
On the 3d of December of the same year (1775) the following persons were appointed a committee of in- spection and safety. They, besides their duties as a vigilance committee, were empowered to appoint two or more from their own number to attend the next County Congress, should any be called: Amos Mcad, Samuel Peck, James Ferris, John Mackay, Benjamin Mead, Jr., Nehemiah Mead, Col. John Mcad, Roger Brown, Bezaleel Brown, David Wood, Maj. Thomas Hobby, Odell Close, Nathaniel Mead, Jr.
It was also
"Voted, That no body of men presume to assemble together and go upou any expedition, unless by order of the Houorable the Continental Congress, the Honorable the General Assembly, the County Congress, or Committee of Safety for this town, either of whom are to ascertain the number and direct the measures."
" At a special meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Greenwich, legally warned and holden on the 15th day of January, Anno Dom. 1776, The Town per vote Add to their Committee of Safety the following per- sons,-viz : Israel Knapp, Jr., Samuel Seymour, John Hobby, Messenger Palmer, and Peter Mead, Esq.
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