History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 94

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 94

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Dr. Amos Mead, had gained much experience by active service in the French war. But if any daring deed was to be accomplished, where hardy, brave, and reliable men were necessary, the three former were always selected. After all control of the town was lost to the Americans by the destructive expe- dition of Governor Tryon, it was not safe for a patriot to remain publicly in the limits for an hour, yet these three hung about the place, ready to assist the de- fenseless population against the brutalities of the To- ries. Each possessed of his arms, a faithful dog, and a fleet horse, they spent their time about the village, hidden in the by- and secret places. The winter of 1780 was one of the severest on record. The Sound was frozen across, and a great amount of snow ac- cumulated. Yet these men scarcely knew a night, during the carly part of that winter, in which they did not sleep with their horses and dogs among the snow. During that winter some dozen or twenty head of cattle, the most of which belonged to Mr. Jerad Mead, were taken off in haste by the Tories, and driven towards New York. After much earnest solicitation on the part of the owner, the trio consented to make the most daring attempt of crossing the enemy's lines to retake them. There had been recently a storm of rain, which had frozen as it fell and rendered the roads extremely slippery and made a hard sharp crust upon the snow. The pursuers, therefore, went upon the Sound with their horses and kept the ice as far as Mamaroneck, and then, taking the road, could track the cattle by the blood which had trickled from the wounds of the bayonets which had forced them along. At Mount Vernon they retook the cattle, and were returning when they found they were pursued by a body of the enemy under a lieutenant. Their horses were tired by their swift ride, and they soon knew that their only safety was in separation, and in that case, even, one must be inevitably taken. Ac- cordingly they left the cattle and plunged separately in different directions. The enemy selected Richard Mead, pursued, and took him prisoner. This was about the middle of January, 1780. He was taken to New York and thrown into the famous Sugar-House, where he remained for a period of six weeks until exchanged.

These three men were held in high estimation by the people. Their known patriotism and courage. which could ever be relied on, caused the other citi- zens, long after the Revolutionary war, to remember their acts with the greatest gratitude.

We append the following concerning the brave and redoubtable old Continental chieftain Putnam, being an address delivered by Col. H. W. R. Hoyt at the Centennial commemoration of the ride of Gen. Putnam at Greenwich, Feb. 26, 1779. The address was delivered Feb. 22, 1879 :

" In a quiet graveyard in the town of Brooklyn, in this State, Israel Putuam has long rested from his labors, Through storm and sunshine for nearly ninety years the word and wearied body of the old hero has

5, of

380

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

slept in its well-carned repose. Almost a century, filled with historic deeds and brilliant with the annals of great events, has gone by since he was gathered to his fathers, but his fame has not been lessened, and the halo that surrounds his name has become brigliter with the lapse of time. To-day the State of his adoption, through her Legislature and voluntary organizations, and adjoining States, through their representa- tives, have risen up to do honor to his memory. His fiery courage, his generous qualities, his patriotic zeal, and his important services have made him a most prominent figure among the heroes of those days in which, amid the thunder of cannon and the tread of contending armies, the foundations of a great nation were established. His nature and cducatiou had well fitted him for leadership in that time of turmoil and achievement. His experience in the French and Indian wars, and the estimation in which he was held by the authorities, had given him a high position in the military forces of the State; and when, at Cam- bridge, in 1775, Washington assumed command of the Revolutionary army, bringing. with him the commissions of the four major-generals issued by the Continental Congress, Putnam's alone was delivered, in consequence of a want of confidence in those upon whom tho others were to have been conferred. The incidents of his whole life are tinged with romance. He was familiar with peril from his early youth, and, had he lived in the days of mythology, the popular fancy wonid have invested him with all the attributes and endowments which were be- stowed upon the ancient diviuities.

"The exploit of Gen. Putnam which we now commemorate occurred at a period of deep gloom and depression in the conrse of the struggle for independence. The spirit of the colouists was unconquerable, the fires of their patriotism were unquenched, but their government was a rope of saud. There seemed to be no power in the Continental Congress to enforce its recommendations and resolutions or to provide for the supplies and payment of the troops. The value of the Continental issues had become greatly depreciated. The masses of the people were enduring hardship and privation with patience and resolution. Occa- sional discontent manifested itself and nmutterings were heard among the soldiery, Int their faith was unfaltering, their determination un- flinching, and, although without pay and partially without food, they remained steadfast to the good canse.

"The headquarters of the army for that winter were at Middlebrook, on the Raritan River, in New Jersey. The battle-line extended from the Delaware northerly along the Highlands to West Point, and then, turning eastward, followed the Connecticut shore as far as Stonington. In the fall campaign Savannah had been captured by the enemy, and the province of Georgia was under the dominion of the British. Above the island of New York aud a portion of Long Island floated the banner of St. George, and foreign sentinels paced their beats from the Hudson to the East River; the British general Pigot commanded in Rhode Island; but, with these exceptions, the Atlantic coast was in the pos- session of the patriots. Sir Henry Clinton held supreme command of the British forces, and from his headquarters in New York City caused freqnent predatory excursions to be made up the fertile valley of the Bronx, along the range of hills that forms the backbone of Westchester County, and from point to point along the shores of Long Island and Connecticut.

" In 1778, Gen. Putnam had been relieved from duty in the Highlands, and was afterwards assigned to the command of the forces in Connecti- cut. Hc had the two brigades of the Connecticut line, one brigade of New Hampshire troops, Col. Hazen's regiment of infantry, and one of the four regiments of cavalry commanded by Col. Shelden. His head- quarters were at Reading, in this county, about six miles southerly from Danbury. From this point he supervised the military operations in this State and maintained connection with the Continental forces ou the Iludsou. Detachments were stationed at advantageous places, one of liis most important outposts being located in this vicinity. The territory from Kingsbridge to Greenwich was known as the debatable gronnd, and for the people within its limits there was nothing but anxiety and danger. Living along the border of the disputed territory, the people of Green- wich were in a most deplorable condition. Many of her sons were in the military service. Of those who were at home a large proportion were open avowed loyalists, and a third class, who were living under the protection of British permits, secretly gave information and furnished supplies to the enemy. It was a winter of unusual severity. With but few exceptions, the people were weighed down by poverty. Cold and hunger were their daily companions, and the most rigid economy was scarcely sufficient to supply them with the scantiest meaus for supporting life. The depreciation of the Continental currency, the severe taxation that had been resorted to to enable the State to pay the proportion of the public debt and the expenses of the genoral government that had been

assigned to her, and the uncertain tennrc of life and property, had de- stroyed all enterprise and rendered business undertakings impossible. Men moved abont in fear and trepidation. Their hiding-places were in the fields and woods. No one knew the moment when a bullet from a concealed enemy might strike him down. Families were divided against each other ; social ties were disrupted ; old friends and neighbors regarded each other with hatred and distrust."

GREENWICH IN 1779 ..

" The physical appearance of the town has been greatly changed. Tho stately mansions that now adorn the street along which Putnam rode in 1779 were then represented by the quaint dwellings of that early day, with gable-ends and long, low-slanting roofs. Just beyond the foot of the precipice now known as Putnam Hill, then stood the residence of Gen. Ebenezer Mead, who was a prominent member of the committee of safety and a soldier in the Connecticut service. On the summit of the hill, north of the old Episcopal church, was the residence of Jabez Fitch. The church itself was a plain frame building without walls, with the rafters showing overhead, and was so frail a structure that it was unable to withstand the force of the gale by which it was destroyed in 1821. The rear of the building stood a few fcet from the brow of the hill. The main country road, as it was then called, led through the village to a point near the e lge of the precipice, and then ran northerly for some three hundred feet. At the latter point it turned sharply to the south, and, hugging the side of the hill beneath the rocks that frowned above it, de- scended with a steep inclination to a point about eighty feet sonth of the present canseway. Then, bending again to the east, it trended off in the direction of Stamford. Northerly and westerly of the church, across the point where the passage-way has since been blasted through the rocks, the ground waslevel and unbroken. South of the church edifice was tho graveyard, in which to-day are seen a few lonely and deserted relics of the past. From the rear of the church, across land now owned by Rev. B. M. Yarrington, a fence ran easterly down the hill along the southerly margiu of the old road. Between the carriage-path aud the fence rough aud untrimmed stones had been placed from time to time, forming an irregular stairway up the hill. The face of the precipice was covered with a growth of bushes. Westerly from the summit of the hill, and opposite the present rectory of the Episcopal church, was the old tavern kept at that time by Israel Knapp. The original building is still in ex- istence, and is owned by J. Frederick Holmes, the stone wing having been constructed since the period of which I now speak. Still farther towards the village stood an old house on the northwest corner of the present homestead of A. Foster Higgins, and on the lot now occupied by the Greenwich Academy was the residence of Moses Husted. At this house the American guards were frequently quartered. Just easterly of the church in which we are now assembled stood the house of Daniel Smith, which was burned by Tryon, and on the lot across the street, op- posite the old Town Hall, had been erected another building, the property of Jared Mead. His residence stood near the present homestead of Fred- erick Mead. Angell Husted (2d) owned a house on the land now occu- pied by the Congregational cemetery. Between that building and this churchi edifice the honse of worship of the Second Congregational Society -in dimensions thirty-five by fifty feet-had been standing since 1730. Capt. John Hobby kept a public-house on the property now owned by Prof. William G. Peck. Clemence Ilobby lived on the site of the Green- wich Savings Bank. Another honse was situated on the ground now occupied by the Lenox House, and from that point to Rocky Neck, on the Sound, there was uot a building in existence. Opposite the Lenox House was a building, then kept as a tavern, which is still standing, and is occupied by John H. Suiffen. On the property of Jacob T. Weed stood another dwelling, and near the residence of Capt. J. G. Mead was a dwelling-house that has been destroyed within the past fifteen years. On the brow of the hill, on the ground now occupied by the homestead of Col. Thomas A. Mead, stood another house, then owned by Col. Richard Mead. In place of the magnificent row of trees that now line Putnam Avenuc there stood three ballwood trees, two of which still remain. One of them is on the ground of Col. Thomas A. Mead, the other stauds in front of the residence of the late Peter Acker, and the third stood near the dividing-line between the grounds of Luther P. IIubbard and Prof. William G. Peck."

PUTNAM'S RIDE.

" The 26th day of February, 1779, is memorable in the annals of Green- wich. Guided by the records and traditions that exist, by the statements of eye-witnesses that have been handed down from generation to gen- eration, we are able to put forth our hands into the shadows of the past and rescue from oblivion the true story of the incidents of that day that

" GRANI RESIDENCE OF HANFORD LOW

'IEW" WOOD, GREENWICH . FAIRFIELD CO. CONN.

381

GREENWICH.

stir the blood at the bare recital, As to a few minor details of Putnam's exploit there may be room for dispute, but the main fact is beyond ques- tion. The morning broke cold and dreary. A feeling of uneasiness and uncertain apprehension bad gained a place in the community. Down towards the British lines thero was a movement among the soldiery, Out of that region of silence and desolation that intervened came the sound of marching battalions and the clatter of squadrons of horsemen. Their purposo and destination were unknown, but to the people of Greenwich, accustomed to alarnr, these signs were ominons of danger. The official records show that on the ovening of Feb. 25, 1779, a marand- ing expedition started from King's Bridge, commanded by Maj .- Gen. Tryon, the Tory Governor of New York. Ilis force consisted of about fifteen hundred men, composed of British and Hessian troops and two regiments of Tories. At New Rochelle they were met by a small body of Continental skirmishers, commanded by Capt. Titns Watson, who had been sent forward to reconnoitre. This company at onee retreated, but near Milton, in the town of Rye, was overtaken and attacked. Their force became divided; a number of them were kille:1 A portion of tlie company concealed themselves in the swamps, and the remainder made their escape along the highway to the Byram River, which they reached in time to destroy the bridge before they were overtaken by their pur- suers. Over the hills at full gallop rode Capt. Watson and his com- panions, to give warning to the few troops then in Greenwich, Col. Holdridge, of Hartford County, was in command of the outpost. Gen, Putnam had arrived but a few days previons, to obtain information as to the military situation, and was then in the village. At this point occurs the first discrepancy in the traditions of that day, but the prevailing current of anthority seems to indicate that his quarters at that time were at the public-house kept by Israel Knapp, which was known in later years as the Tracy place. Tho onemy reached Greenwich at about nine o'clock on the morning of the 20th. The small body of Americans were posted across the road on the eminence south of the Congregational church. They hal two small cannon, without horses or drag-ropes. A portion of them were deployed as skirmishiers on either flank, leaving but about sixty men to hold this position. A contest here would have been madness. They liad no cavalry ; the enemy outnumbered them ten to one. The guns were fired upon the advancing column, and then tho order was given for retreat.

"In the van of Tryon's forces rode Delancey's corps, composed of Tories from Westchester County, who had enrolled themselves beneath the royal banners and were the most bitter and malignant enemies of the patriots. At the approach of this body, charging at a gallop, the few Continentals withdrew from the field, and Putnam started on his horse for Stamford to obtain reinforcements. Along the frozen highway ring the steel-shod hoofs of the Continental charger; thundering on in swift pursuit ride the enemy's dragoons. The unexpected prizo is almost within their grasp. Every nerve is strained to its utmost tension. The rowels are driven deep into the flanks of their steeds. Their steel flashes in the sunlight, their scabbards clank loudly in the frosty air. Each man, ambitious of the glory of being the eaptor of so distinguished an officer in the rebel serviee, leans forward in his saddle, as though to lessen the distance between himself and the flying horseman. Nearer and nearer to the old hero come the pursuers. Only a moment more, and the mad chase will be ended and the American general will bo a prisoner in the hands of his enemies. But by this time the brow of tho hill is reached, and the bold rider-to whom fear is unknown, who in his lifetime has bearded the wild beasts of the forest in their den, who in the line of duty has faced grim death a hundred times with unquailing eye-spurs his horse right onward across tho precipiee, and amid a volley of bullets from his baffled pursners takes his leap into history.

" Here again the local traditions do not entirely agreo. Tlrere wero eye-witnesses to Putnam's ride both among the citizens of Greenwich and the troops under his eommand. All the traditions concur as to the spot at which he reached the foot of the hill, but the place at which he began his descent and the precise course he took are involved in some obscurity. Que story is that, leaving the highway, he turnod slightly to his right, and, passing closely by the northeast corner of the church, rode near or directly dowu the steps. Tho othor story places his poiut of divergenee from the highway about one hundred foet north of the church, gives him a southeast course, und makes him strike the steps about one-third of the distance from the foot of the hill. Both accounts are based on statoments made originally by those who witnessed the occurrenee, but which have beon forgotten or misunderstood in the eonrse of frequent repetition. One thing, however, is certain: whatever may have been his starting-point, he performed a deed which the rough riders who followed him dared not emulate, which is worthy of historic mention and is a glorious exploit for commemoration.

" It Is not my parpose to describe the events of that day of terror In Greenwich. The British forces senttered through the town and spent the time In spoilation and debauchery. Insult and cruelty, robbery and munrder, characterized their doings. The wanton destruction of pro- visions and property of every kind proved thelr hatrel and mallguity. A detachment went to the Mianus River and burnel the salt-works, a store, a schooner, and a sloop. At nightfill the order to return was given. Reluforcements had arrived, and the Americans followed the retreating enemy, blazing npon their flanks and rear, taking prisoners, recapturing the pinnder they had stolen, and turning the invasion of the British into a substantial victory."

CHAPTER XXXVII. GREENWICH (Continued). ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

First Congregational Church-Second Congregational Clmarch-Congre- gational Church, Stanwich-Congregational Church, North Green- wich-Steep Hollow Church-Christ Church-Emmanuel Church- St. Paul's Chapel-Calvary Church, Round Hill-Methodist Episcopal Church, Greenwich-Methodist Episcopal Church, Round Hill-Meth- odist Episcopal Church, King Street-Methodist Episcopal Church, Mianus-Evangelical Lutheran-Banksville Baptist-Baptist Church, King Street-St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI.

As early as 1643 Greenwich was taxed for preaching, and there was occasional service held in town. In 1660 the male inhabitants numbered about twenty, and all were obliged to contribute pro rata for the support of preaching, and attendance on divine ser- vice was enforeed by law. Non-attendance was pun- ished by a penalty of five shillings. The church was organized in 1670, and in 1675 a call was extended to Rev. Mr. Wizwell, who declined it.

PASTORS.

The first pastor was Rev. Jeremiah Peck, and his salary was paid at "fifty pounds with fire-wood, or sixty pounds without fire-wood." Rev. Jeremiah Peek, 1678-89; Rev. Abraham Pierson, 1691-94; Rev. Salmon Treat, 1693-97; Rev. Joseph Morgan, 1697-1700; Rev. Nathaniel Bowers, 1707, remained probably two years. Mr. Jones supplied the church for a short time after Mr. Bowers' dismissal, and was succeeded in 1715 by Rev. Mr. Sackett, and probably remained about two years. He was subsequently pastor at New Greenwich eleven years. Rev. Eph- raim Bostwick, 1730-46; Rev. Ebenezer Davenport, 1763-69; Rev. Robert Morris, 1785-94. After 1794 the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. Platt Buffett and Rev. Abner Benedict.

At the beginning of the century Rev. Samuel Sturges was pastor, and remained seven years; Rev. John Noyes, 1810-24; Rev. Charles F. Butler, 1824- 34; Rev. Thomas Payne, 1837-42; Rev. S. B. S. Bis- sell, 1842-53; Rev. William A. Hyde, 1854-64; Rev. W. F. Arms, 1864, nearly two years (supply ) : Rev. William P. Hammond, 1867-72; Rev. J. S. Bayne, 1872-76; Rev. Granville W. Nims, 1876-78. Frank S. Child, A.M., the present pastor, was installed Feb. 27,1879.

382

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

THE CHURCH EDIFICES.

The first church edifice was erected in about the year 1666, near Greenwich Cove. The second church building is supposed to have stood near the Myanus. The third church edifice stood on the elevation of land south of the present residence of Mr. Charles Husted, and was built by Congregationalists, aided by the Episcopalians. The present building was com- menced in 1855, and completed a few years later.

The old society and church books are very meagre in their records, and those in possession of the church to-day date back less than a hundred years. The treasurer's books give us some definite information. From them we learn that the annual salary of com- mitteemen varied from fifty cents to one dollar and a half; in 1830 it was one dollar. The treasurer was more generously paid, receiving for his services the sum of two dollars. In those days it cost thirty-seven cents to sweep the church.

Among the charges on the treasurer's book we find one which denotes the status of the temperance ques- tion at that date. At the society's annual meeting, 18-, the sum of one dollar and twenty-five cents was expended on liquors with which to regale the com- pany.

In the early history of the church the people assem- bled for worship at eight o'clock in the morning; they brought their heaters and their lunches with them. The pulpit was high above the heads of the people. Contributions were made by the magistrate and principal men of the congregation passing to the deacon's seat and depositing their gifts in the cash- box. Seats were assigned by an officer. Position and dignity in the community determined the matter of precedence.

The following extract appears in the Farmer's Journal, published at Danbury, under date Feb. 15, 1791 :

SCHEME FOR LOTTERY*

for raising the remainder of the sum granted by the General Assembly for the benefit of the first society of the town of Greenwich.

THIRD CLASS.

1200 tickets at one dollar each is 1200 dollars.

To be drawn in prizes as follows :

1 prize of 100 dollars .. 2 prizes of 50

100 dollars.

100 =

351

702

1 first blank, 116 dollars

11/4

1 last

401

Subject to a deduction of 1212 per cent.

The drawing is postponed, to begin by the 5th day of April next, or sooner if the tickets are disposed of, and the fortunate adventurers punctually paid.

JABEZ FITCH, WILLIAM FITCH, ELINU P. SMITH,

Managers.

STAMFORD, January 22, 1791.

TICKETS

in the above lottery may be had of the managers and at the printing- office, Danbury.

THIE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI.

In an address delivered by Rev. Joel H. Linsley, D.D., Dec. 5, 1858, he says, --

" In March, 1682, the town, by their vote, directed that a number of home-lots should be laid out at Horseneck, but at the same time forbid the occupants from seeking any organization, eivil or religions, separate from the town. Twelve years later, 1694, the town voted to build a new meeting-house, 32 by 26, which vote, however, does not seem to liave been carried into effect.t Nearly at the same time there began to be dissensions between the inhabitants on the two sides of the river about the maintenance of worship on this side. Two years later, in 1696, Salmon Treat was called to settle in the town, with a provision for his preaching every third Sabbath at Horseneck,-the first recognition of this place as entitled to preaching,-but he did not accept the call. Early in 1699, by vote of the town, a liome-lot was granted for a parson- age at Horseneck. The Rev. Joseph Morgan, the next minister, is be- lieved to have come here in the autumn of 1696. Ile preached at first on both sides of the river, as it had been contemplated Mr. Treat should do; but it soon created dissatisfaction. The proprietors of the town say by vote that 'Mr. Morgan preaching part of the time at Horseneck is a damage to them, and takes away their religious privileges.'t Mr. Mor- gan coutinued the minister of the town four years, till May, 1700. He then left the settlement east of the Mianus, and assigned as a reason tlie want of nnion among the people .. He seems after that to have labored on this side of the river, as we find the inhabitants bestowing upon him in Jannary, 1705, some special privileges. On the 5th of March follow- ing the town was by vote divided into two societies; and here we sup- poso that we find the true date of the founding of this church. After this, Mr. Morgan eontinned its pastor till he was dismissed, October, 1703, by vote of the towu, whether with or without any other formalities does not appear .¿

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 94

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