History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 24

Author: J.W. Lewis & Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1532


USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > History of Litchfield county, Connecticut > Part 24


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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Maj. Edwin McNeill died in September, 1875, and his son, Edwin McNeill, was chosen director in his place.


The present board of directors are Henry W. Buel, Henry R. Coit, William Deming, Origen S. Seymour, Dorsey Neville, Asahel HI. Morse, Holmes O. Morse, Leverett W. Wessells, and Edwin McNeill. The officers are Henry W. Buel, President ; Henry R. Coit, Vice-President ; William Deming, Secretary ; Henry R. Coit, Treasurer ; Edwin MeNeill, Superintendent.


The road extends from the borough of Litchfield thirty-two and one-half miles to Hawleyville, in Fair- field County, where it connects with the Housatonic, Danbury and Norwalk and New York and New Eng- land Railroads. Arrangements have been made for the erection of a union freight and passenger station builling and platforms for the accommodation of the business of the four roads meeting at that point. The cost of the Shepaug road has been about one million dollars, a local enterprise, the entire cost furnished by the section of country traversed by the road, about three-quarters of the amount unmed having been raised in the town of Litchfield. The road traverses a good section of country heretofore comparatively isolated, and much credit is due to its enterprising progenitors and those through whose influence and energy it has been sustained.


A branch of the New Haven and Northampton Railrond extends from Farmington to New Hartford, the New York and New England road passes through Woodbury, and a branch of the Naugatuck extends from Waterbury to Watertown.


104


HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.


CHAPTER VIII. POPULATION AND SCHOOL STATISTICS. POPULATION OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY.


1756


1774


1782


1790


1800


1810


1820


1830


1840


1850


1860


1870


1880


Litchfield


1,366


2,554 250


3,077


4.285


4,639


4,610


4,456


4,038 1,571


3,953


3,11G


3,113


3.410


Barkhamsted


18


503


1,056


1,138


1,118


939


90G


77G


815


812


750


655


Bridgewater.


1,100


1,635


2,0GZ


2,137


2,203


2.332


2,301


2,166


2,627


2.770


1,257


1,157


Colebrook


150


273


1,119


1,243


1,274


1,332


1,23%


1,317


1,339


1,141


1,148


Cornwall


500


974


1.158


1,470


1,614


1.602


1,662


1,714


1,703


2,041


1,915


1.772


1,583


Goshen ...


610


1,111


1,450


1,493


1,641


1,586


1,734


1,529


1,457


1,356


1,223


1,093


Harwinton.


12


1,018


1,215


1,307


1,481


1,718


1,500


1,516


1,20[


1,175


1,038


1,044


1,016


Kent


250


1,996


1,883


1,318


1,607


1,794


1,956


2 001


1,759


1,848


1,810


1,744


1,622


Morris ...


1,000


1.001


1,296


1,753


1,507


1,685


1,76G


1,703


2,643


2,701


3,078


3,302


New Milford.


1,137


2,776


3,015


3,221


3,537


3,8330


3,979


3,974


4,058


3,400


3,586


3.907


North Canaan.


84


969


1,246


1,649


1,441


1,422


1,485


1,393


1,643


1,731


1,641


1,418


Plymouth ..


1,100


1,980


9.225


2,266


2,321


2,695


2,580


2,562


3,103


2,994


3,303


3,715


1,205


2,012


2,230


2,340


2,606


2.573


2.615


2,407


2.5017


2.421


2,141


2,580


650


$ 15


1,077


1,417


1,58€


1,449


1,651


1,707


1,916


2.206


2.893


3,327


Washington ..


1,503


1,675


1,568


1,575


1,487


1,62L


1,622


1,802


1,656


1,563


1,589


Watertown.


2,732


3,170


1,622


1,714


7,439


1.500


1,442


1,533


1,562


1.698


1,897


Woodbury


2,911


5,313


5,0G3


2,602


1,944


1,963


1,885


2,045


1,948


2,150


1,944


1,9.31


2,148


Sonthlmry


Thomaston.


11,827


27,345


33,656 *38,755


41,214


41,375


41,267


42,855


40,448


45,253


47,318


48,727


52,043


SCHOOL STATISTICS.


SCHOLARS.


TEACHERS.


TOWNS.


Grand List, 1878.


Registered.


Av. Attend, Male. Female. Wages, Month.


Diff'nt


Schol.


Private


School.


School.


W.


S.


W. S. W.


S.


Male. Female.


Litchfield


$1,880,337


20 20 20 151.48


691


509


456


44


644


76


62


342


311


11


1


9


19 $31.58


$25.82


Barkhamstod.


412,50L


11 11


12 134.50


274


257


205


19


286


7


17


179


144


2


10


11


24.73


24.38


Bethlehem.


4×5,794


8


8


8 149.00


123


128


82


11


141


7


89


60


4


1


4


5


25.72


22.67


Bridgewater


431,708


5


5


185


181


132


16


206


1


5


129


4


1


2


5


37.06


24.00


Canaan ...


600,001


10


10 10 137.00


245


104


155


15


215


21


27


G


14


174


115


212


6


2


0


13


28.25


24.67


Goshen


774,108


11


11 164 00


255


228


172


28


268


14


164


125


4


1


7


10 26.64


22.65


Ilarwinton.


484,307


12


12 145.08


228


192


176


10


239


10


151


132


159


82


6


1


0


5


27.18|


22.00


New Hartford


1,088,983


9


13 174.62


757


48"


447


19


573


201


360


299


8


5


6


9


38.51


24.67


New Milford


1.963,846


18


18


21 179.96


833


697


627


19


798


34


5G


454


358


14


2


7


19: 38.19


22.17


Norfolk


763,935


13


11


12 137.50


296


247


17


35G


20


1961


188


5


3


7


9


28.00


22.31


North Canaan


703,361


5


5


8 180.00


414


302


270


13


355


20


5G


212


200


3


5


6


37.38


28.12


Plymouth


1,030,042


0


9


13 175.38


548


443


410


164


27


212


Z


113


90


7 24.00


19.32


Salisbury


1,948,471


13


18 198.61


889


586


558


18


792


39


74


404


369


4


14


7


7


11


11 24.28


23.14


1,317,345


1


4 10 180.00


617


455


450


558


32


771


51


33


414


420


1


1


12


14 66.80


33.89


Warren ..


264,113


7


6


G 160.83


171


134


109


6


158


10


83


77


2


...


4


6


24.01


22,40


Washington


939,358


12


12 177.92


29G


234


238


14


318


10


3


175.


165


G


1


G


11


28.14


22,94


Watertown


1,643,347


9


0


11 168.18


372


327


253


29


371


14


23


226


180


3


1


8


9


41.60


29,37


Wiachester.


2,804,248


8


16 187.50


979


7.19


588


66


761


199


85


409


449


5


4


13


62.67


39.85


Woodbury


1,138,185


14


14 14 172.00


428


344


310


21


427


6


15


236


208


6


1


13 33,71


25,35


$25,920,938 276 274 318 169.48 11,495


8,866 7,953 588


10,874 580 878 6,163 5,464 129 43 193 273 $35.11


$26.19


-


-


-


7


9


22.00


21.69


Cornwall


655,790


15


15 169.73


416


329


281


16


394


21


17


14


204


10 .


3


13


23.90


17.92


Morris


370,852


6


G


6 167.00


139


133


111


14


164


1


43


332


301


4


3


9


10


57,14


34.83


Roxbury


474,910


7


7


7 164.26


174


641


474


450


24


612


34


10


289


258


3:24


1


1


9 110.00


36.50


Torrington.


1,510,281


10


10


15 176.67


814


Over


Reg.


W.


S.


16.


Colebrook


440,577


10


10


11 150.00


289


250


252


13


16


12


12


493,619


13


13


13 183.08


361


317


252


27


379


2


...


10


12


30.50


23.37


Kent ...


24


339


688


1,371


1,466


1,60L


1,76G


1,667


2,179


3,439


4,00G


5,142


Westmoreland


1,922


790


1,093


1.09G


875


08G


872


830


702


673


G39


Warren


No. of Districts.


No. of Schools.


Departments.


Average Length.


1,791


1,882


1,758


2,0G4


2,205


2,5G8


3,241


4,149


2.350


Roxbury


1,121


1,217


1,124


1,122


971


1,114


616


950


Salisbury


Sharon ..


Torrington.


500


763


701


G27


New Hartford


200


1,695


1,537


Bethlehem.


1,715


1,524


1,264


1,439


1,208


1,041


877


708


Canann.


1,437


1,50G


1,592


23


587


...


53


336


113


1


...


G


10


20.00


22.74


310


950


4


2


3


...


4


15: 28.00


27.97


Sharon ..


1,270,829


18


18 18 200.00


356


18


537


3


99


In no


Enum. Jas. '79.


3,225


1,738


1,757


175


Thomaston


13


12


8


12


9


* Total for county ; no returns for other towns.


...


6 175.33


Hartland


Norfolk


3,167


612


3


Winchester.


105


LITCHFIELD.


SCHIOOL STATISTICS (Continued.)


RECEIPTS.


EXPENSES.


TOWNS.


School


Town


Local


Town Tax.


District Tax.


Total.


Teachers' Wages.


Fuel, etc.


Repairs.


Other Objects.


Total.


Litchfield.


$1,658.40


$522.90


$96.00


$2,543.52


$500.00


$5,370.74


$4,318.15


$344.25


$13.45


$230 50


$4,922.92


Barkhanısted.


€57.60


264.28


920.80


348.86


2,241,25


1,733.85


96.23


349.42


61.75


2,241.25


Bethlehem


295.20


139.00


980.15


100.00


1,514.35


1,245.05


123.30


100.00


46,00


1,514.35


Bridgewater


444.00


148.88


9.72


963.97


1,573.32


1,471,64


65,68


36.00


1,573.32


Caudan.


588.00


180.00


1,037.99


1,805.99


1,544.90


157.09


104.00


1.805.99


Colebrook


693.60


92.69


1.172.70


70.00


2,093.99


1.701,40


134.00


28.73


65.06


1,950.79


Cornwall


998.40


243.50


60.19


1,531.98


26.81


3,372.72


2,965.05


245.44


26.81


91,39


3,372.72


Goshen


612.00


241.81


1,294.22


300.00


2,903.53


2,088.82


206.47


52.42


105.00


2,752.71


Ilarwinton


547.20


242.00


1,373.84


73.87


2,236.91


1,978.35


112.69


73.87


72.00


2,236.91


Keut


866.40


308.35


1,359,94


296.78


2,076.45


2,433,26


203.17


215.80


124.22


2,976.45


Morris


333.60


131.02


725.00


1,247,32


1,081.97


84.38


7.19


36,00


1,244,54


New Hartford


1,816.80


195.64


2,259.96


1,657.59


5,979,49


3,908.18


442.49


935.34


420.98


5,726.84


New Milford


1,999.20


465.30


160.00


4,201,36


1G3.00


7,375.30


6,202.87


592.63


G1.98


428.45


7,375.00


Norfolk


854.40


22.50


70.65


1,387.43


2,582.62


2,280.00


214.61


8.40


79.41


2,582.42


North Canaan.


993.60


174.57


1,392.83


2,591.50


2,172.50


310,50


7.00


71.00


2,581.50


Plymouth


1,315.20


159.03


3,390,08


1,330.70


6,252.8G


4,502.24


282.07


57 54


1,041.14


5,922.99


Roxbury.


2.133.60


204.87


47.32


3,263.42


1,900.00


7,569.2)


5,020.00


477.77 1,918.52


152,92


7,509.21


Sharon ...


1,538,40


453.00


2,958,74


4,955.14


4.395.11


4-4:3.78


1.00


115,25


4,955.14


Thomaston


1,480.80


159.03


3,545,74


5,183.57


4,088.70


454.78


261.76


3.80.33


5,185,57


Torrington ..


1,953.60


285.18


4,123.77


6,428,55


5,440,88


575.17


177.50


168,50


6,427.45


Warren


410.40


132.04


680.48


234.36


1.515.78


1,098,21


89.89


137.14


60,40


1,406.14


Washington


710.40


249.80


1,629.17


166.27


2,889 89


2,433.95


193.67


166.25


96,00


2,889,89


Watertown


892.80


269.15


2,153,29


1,093.57


4,420.81


2,951.84


242.15


9,84


216.98


4,420.81


Winchester.


2,349.00


301.54


6,098,02


8,850,48


7,658 14


801.72


1,504.85


1,181.43'


11,239.85


Woodbury


1,027.20


345.13


6.00


2,076.81


3,405.14


3,145.19


219.95


100.00


3,405.14


$27,588.00 $6,324.01 $440.88 853,674.97 88,201.81 $98.646.18 $70,000.18 $7,192.52 80,114.83 $5,513.71 $99,587.47


CHAPTER IX. LITCHFIELD.


Geographical-Topographical-The Indian Purchase-The Explorations of the Township-List of Proprietors-The Town Divhled into Sixty Shares-Court of Probate, 1719-Original Cost of the Town-One Penny Three Farthings per Acre-The Patent of Litchfield-The First Settle- ments-Names of l'ioneers-" House Lots"-The Pioneer tomes-The Forts-Indian Depredatione-Incident-Litchfehl In the French War, 1755-63-Names of Soldlers.


THE town of Litchfield* lies near the centre of Litchfield County and is bounded as follows : On the north by Goshen and Torrington ; on the east by Har- winton and Thomaston ; on the south by Thomaston, Morris, and Washington ; and on the west by Mor- ris, Washington, and Warren, The surface of the town is rolling and hilly, and the soil is generally strong and fertile. The town is watered by tho Naugatuck, Bantam, and Shepaug Rivers and their tributaries. Bantam Lake, located partly in this town and partly in Morris, is the largest sheet of water in the State.


THE INDIAN PURCHASE.


By grants from the Indian occupants and the Colo- nial Legislature the title to this territory became vested in the towns of Hartford and Windsor. The initiatory steps towards the opening and settlement of the " Western Lands," as the tract in this section of the State was called, was the extinction of Indian titles. This was effected, by a committee appointed for the purpose, by the following deed given at Wood- bury, March 2, 1715:


THE INDIAN DEED.


" To ull People to whom there Presents shull come, GREETING :


"KNOW YE that we, Chusquenoag, Corkscrew, Quiump, Magnash, Kehow, Sepuukum, Poni, Wouposet, Suckqunookqueen, Toweecume, Mansumpaush, and Norkgnotonekquy, Indian Natives belonging to the Plantation of Putatuck within the Colony of Connecticut, for aud in con- sideration of the sum of fifteen pounds money in hand received to our full satisfaction and contentment, have given granted bargained and soll and by these presents do fully freely and absolutely give grant bergalo sell and confirm, unto C'olo William Whiting, Mr. John Marsh, and Mir. Thomas Seymour, a Committee for the town of Hartford,-Mr. Jut:n EHut, Mr. Daniel Griswold, and Mr. Samuel Rockwell, a Committee for the Town of Windsor, for themselves, and in the behalf of the rest of the Inhabitants of the Towns of Hartford and Windsor,-a certain tract of Land, situate and lying, north of Waterbury bounds, abutting southerly, partly on Waterbury and partly on Woodbury,-from Waterbury River westward cross a part of Waterbury bounds, and cross at the north end of Woodbury bounds to Shepaug River, and so northorly, In the middle of Shepang River, to tho spruins of Shepang River bolow Mount Tom, then running up tho enst branch of Shepang River, to the place where the suid Hiver runs out of Shepnug Pond, from thence to the north end of said Pond, thon enst to Waterbury River, then sonthorly as the Bliver ruus, to the north end of Waterbury bounds upon the sald Rivor; which wahl tract of laud thus described, To Have and to ilorp, to the sahil Col. William Whiting, Mr. John Marsh, and Mr. Thomas Seymour, Mr. John Ellot, and Mr. Daniel Griswold, and Mr. Samuel Rockwell, Commilitees for the Towns of Hartford and Windsor, as aforesald, iu behalf of them- seives and the rest of the Inhabitants of snid Towns, to them, their heirs nud assigus, to nso occupy and improve, as their own proper right of In. heritance, for their comfort forever; together with all the privileges, appartenances and conditions to the same belonging, or in any wise ap- purtaining. And further, wo the sald Chusgunnvag, Corkscrew, Qui- ump, Mugnash, Kchow, Sepunkum, Pont, Wonpeet, Suckquunokqueon, Toworcume, Mansumpansh, and Norkgnetonckquy, owners and proprie- turs of the above granted Land, do for ourselves and our heirs, to and with the above said William Whiting, Juhu Marsh, Thomas Seymour, John Eliot, Daniel Griswold, mint Samuel Rockwell, committee as afore- maid, them, their heirs and algus, covenant and ongage, that we have good right and lawinl authority, to sell the nbuvo grunted land; And Further, at the desiro and request of the aforeanil Committoes, and ot their owo proper cost and charge, will give a moro ampio deod.


" Andl for n moro fuil confirmation horoof, we have set our hands and seals, this second day of March, la the second year of Ilis Minjostie's lleign, A.D. 1;15.


" Nucred from Lichfield, Staffordshire, England.


-


1,247 57


417.00


172.80


605.76


1.247.57


1,139.93


78.64


29.00


Salisbury


Fund, etc. Deposit. Funds.


106


HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.


" Memorandum .- Before the executing of this instrument, it is to be understood, that the grantors above named have reserved to themselves a piece of ground sufficient for their hunting houses, near a mountain called Mount Tom.


"CHUSQUNNOAG


his mork. [L. s.]


" CORKSCREW


his mark. [L. s.]


" QUIUMP


his mark. [L. s.]


" MAGNASHI


+


his mark. [L. s.]


" The Town of Hartford, Dr.


Jan. 22, 1715-16, To G days journey to Woodbury. to treat with the Indians about the Western Lands, by Thomas £


8.


Seymour ..


1 1


4


0


To expenses in the journey.


2 18


9


" The Town of Hartford, Dr.


To Thomas Seymour, Committy. £ 8.


6


Expenses at Farmington ... at Waterbury


4


9 7


7 10


0


0


" WONPORET


his mark. [L. s.]


1


10


0 U


Expenses at Waterluiry


1


to Col. Whiting for writing 40 deeds 1 10


0


to Cupt Cooke for acknowledging 18 deeds.


18


U


to Ensign Seymonr.


1


0


0


at Arnold's


1


7


by sending to Windsor


4


49 10


" TAAWEECUME


his mark. [L. 8.]


his mark. [L. s.]


" Signed sealed and deliv- )


ered in our presence.


" WEROAMAUG R 2 his mark.


bis mark.


" WOGNACUG


" TONHOCKS


+ his matk.


" JOUX MITCHELL.


" JOSEPH MISOR.


" The Indians that subscribed and sealed the above said deed, appeared personally in Woodtmry, the day of the date thereof, and acknowledged the said deed to be their free and voluntary act and deed. Before me "JOHN MINOR, Justice."


The committees named in this decd conveyed all their interest in said lands to the towns of Hartford and Windsor by deed dated Aug. 29, 1716.


The conflicting claims in this township, between the towns of Hartford and Windsor on the one part, and " certain considerable persons in the town of Far- mington" on the other, arising out of the preceding conveyances, were subsequently amicably adjusted by the parties. The Farmington company, by their at- torney, John Stanley, on the 11th of June, 1718, con- veyed their interest to the towns of Hartford and Windsor, and, in consideration thereof, those indi- viduals were invested by those towns with one-sixth part of this township.


The title to the lands having been acquired from the aborigines, the town took immediate measures to explore and survey the township of Litchfield.


Mr. John Marsh, of Hartford, one of the settlers of this town, and the ancestor of the Marshes of Litch- field, was one of the committee appointed for that purpose by the town of Hartford. He was an ener- getic and courageous man, and in May, 1715, under- took what was then a perilous journey into the path- less wilderness. His bill, as appears from the ancient records, was as follows:


" The Town of Hartford, Dr. To John Marsh. May, 1815, For 5 days man and horse. with expenses io viewing the Land at the New Plantation .... £2


" KEHOW 8


his mark. [L. s.]


his mark. [L. s.]


" SEPUNKUM


6


" PONI


his mark. [L. s.]


"SUCKQUNNUCKQUEEN


his mark. [L. s.]


Ang. 4, 1718 .- Sold 11 lots for.


Expenses for writing 20) deeds, to Mr. Fitch. to Capt. Cooke for acknowledging deeds


7


2


0


0


¥ at Arnold's.


11


0


1


6


4 4


1


0


Feb. 10, 1818 .- At a meeting of the Committees, then


9


12 37 sold 16 luts reserved by Marsh for Hartford's part ..... At same meeting, paid by John Marsh for expenses. 17 ... At sume meeting, loss of money by mistake iu acc't ..... 3


0 0


6


0


April 14, 1719,-A meeting of the Committees, expenses April 27 .- At a meeting of the Committees, expenses .... 7


LIST OF PROPRIETORS.


In 1818 a company was formed for the settlement of the town, and the individuals composing it were known as the "proprietors" of the town. The fol- lowing is the list : John Marsh (two rights), Samuel Sedgwick, Jr., Nathaniel Goodwin, Timothy Seymour, Paul Peck, Jr., Joseph Mason, Nathaniel Messenger, Benjamim Webster, Joshua Garrett, from Hartford; Samuel Forward, Thomas Griswold, Jr., Jacob Gibbs, Joseplı Birge, Benjamin Hosford, from Windsor ; John Hart, Timothy Stanley, John Bird, Joseph Bird, Samuel Lewis, Ebenezer Woodruff, Samuel Root, Nathaniel Winchell, Hezekiah Winchell, from Farmington ; Joseph Gillett, from Colchester ; Jona- than Buck, from New Milford ; William Goodrieb, Jr., John Stoddard, Ezekiel Buck, from Wethers- field ; Jacob Griswold, John Buel (two rights), Ed- ward Culver, Hezekiah Culver, Thomas Lee, Eleazer Strong, Supply Strong, Caleb Chapel (two rights), Thomas Treadway, John Caulkins, from Lebanon ; Ezekiel Sanford (two rights), Nathan Mitchell, Thomas Pier, John Mann, Joseph Peet, Samuel Som- ers, from Stratford; Nathaniel Smith (two rights), John Collins, Ephraim French, from Taunton, Mass .; Josiah Walker, Samuel Orton, Joseph Waller, Isaac Judson, from Woodbury.


May, 1716, By 2 quarts of Rum.


2 11 1 Paid Thomas Miner towards the Indian purchase. Expenses at Woodbury. for a l'ilot and protection ..


Fastening horse-shoes ut Waterbury.


D U 0 0


for making ont a way


" MANSUMPANSH


L


to Tho's Seymour for perambulating north line at Arnold's


14


107


LITCHFIELD.


Of the above, the following became residents of the town : John Marsh, Paul Peck, Jr., Joseph Mason, Benjamin Webster, Joshua Garrett, Jacob Gibbs, Jo- seph Birge, Benjamin Hosford, John Bird, Joseph Bird, Joseph Gillett, William Goodrich, Jr., John Stoddard, Ezekiel Buck, Jacob Griswold, John Buel, Hezekiah Culver, Thomas Lee, Eleazer Strong, Sup- ply Strong, Thomas Treadway, Nathan Mitchell, Thomas Pier, Nathaniel Smith, Josiah Walker, Sam- uel Orton, and Joseph Waller.


"The town was divided into sixty shares, three of which were reserved for pious uses-one to the first minister and his heirs forever, one for the use of the first minister and his successors, and oue for the support of the school. The title was conveyed to the adventurers, and in May, 1719, was confirmed by the Legislature, which granted leave to settle a town at Bantam, to be called Litchfield.


" At the October session of the Assembly of the same year, a Court of Probate for the town was ordered to be held at Woodbury, and at the October session, 1722, the town was annexed to Hartford County.


"The town was in length, east and west, eight miles, three-quarters, and twenty-three rods, and in breadth seven miles and a half. The cost to the pro- prietors did not exceed one penny three farthings per acre.


THE PATENT OF LITCHFIELD.


"In 1724, a formal patent of the town, signed by Governor Saltonstall, was granted by the Governor and company of the colony, to John Marsh and John Buell and their partners."* It read as follows:


" The Gorernor and Company of the English Colony of Connecticut in Neve Englund, to all to whom these Presents ahull come, GREETING:


"KNOW YE, Thet the said Governor and Company, by virtue of the power granted unto them by our late sovereign, King Charles the Sec- ond, of blessed memory, in and by His Majesty's Patent, under the great seul of England, dated the twenty-third day of April, In the fourteenth year of Ilis Majesty's reign, nud in pursuance thereof and In General Court assembled, according to charter, did, by their act, minde May four- teenth, Anno Domini, 1719, upon the humbde petition of Lieut. John Marsh, of Hartford, within the said Colony, and Den. John Buell, of Lebanon, grant nuto the said John Marsh and John Buch, and partners, settlers, being in the whole fifty-seven In number, liberty to settle a town westward of Farmington, in the county of Hertford, at n place called Bantam, which town was to be la length east and west eight miles, three quarters, und twenty-eight ruds, and in breadth, seven miles and an half-to be bounded cust on Mattatack river ; west, part on Shepaug river and part on the wilderness ; north, by the wilderness ; and south by Waterbury bonnds and a west line from Waterbury corner to the said Shepaug river. And Ordered, that the said town should be called by the name of LITCHFIELD, as more fully appears by the salil net. The said Governor and Company, by virtue of the aforesaid power, uml by their speclul act bearing even dato with these presents, for divers good causes nud considerations them hereunto moving, have given, granted, and by these presents, for themselves, their heirs, and accessorn, do fully, clently, and absolutely give, grant, rutify, and confirm unto the


" " The familles of John Marsh and John Buell Intermarried. Their descendante had a family jdeute In the grove uf Mr. F. A. Marsh, on the shore of Bantain Lake, Sept. 3, 1846, nt which at least six hundred of the family wore present, and the nanice of five hundred and eighty -one were registered. Mrs. John Buell died in 1768, having had thirteen children, ene hundred and one grandchildren, two hanudred atul seventy-four greut- grandchildren, and twenty-two great-grent-grandchildren. Total, four hundred and ten, of whom three hundred atul thirty-six mirvived her." -Hon. Genrge C. H'oodrug, in 1976.


said John Marsh and John Buell, and the rest of the said partners, set- tlers of said tract of land [in their actual, full, and peaceable possession and seizin being], and to their heirs and assigns, and such as shall legally succeed and represent them, forever [in such proportions as they, the said partners and settlers, or any of them, respectively, have right in and are lawfully possessed of the same], all the said truct of land now called and known by the name of Litchfield, in the county of Hartford aforo- said, be the same more or less, butted and bounded as followeth, viz .: Beginning at the north east corner, at a tree with stones about it, stand- ing in the crotch of Mattatuck river aforesaid, and running southerly by the side of said river until it meets with Waterbury bounds, where is a well known white oak tree standing about fifteen rods west of said . Mattatuck river, anciently marked with IS: IN : From thence running west twenty-three degrees thirty minutes south, to two white oak trees growing out of one root, with stones about them, and west one mile and a half to Waterbury north west corner bound mark; and from thence west five degrees thirty minutes north to Shepaug river, where is a treo and stones about it butting upon Waterbury township; then beginning at the first mentioned tree by Mattatuck river and running westward into the wilderness, to an oak tree marked and stones laid around it; then south to a croteli in the Shepnug river ; and thence by the wester- most branch of Shepnug river to Woodbury bounds. And also all and singular, the lands, trees, woods, underwoods, wood-grounds, up- lands, arable lands, meadows, moors, marslies, pastures, ponds, waters, rivers, brooks, fishings, fowlings, huntings, mines, minerals, quarries, and precious stones, upon and within the said land. And all other rights, members, hereditaments, ensements, and commodities whatsoever, to the same belonging or in any wise nppertaining, so butted and boundled as is herein before jurticularly expressed er mentioned, und the reversion or the reversiona, reminder or remainders, rights, royalties, privileges, powers, or jurisdictions whatsoever, of and In all and singular the said tract of land and premises hereby granted, and of and in any nud every part and parvel thereof. And the rents, services, and profits to the same incident, belonging, or uppertalning-To Hare and to Hold all the said tract of land, and all ond singular other the premises hereby given or grunted, or nientioned, or intended to be granted, with all the privileges and appurtenances thereof, unto the said John Marsh and John Buell, and the rest of the partuers, settlers of the same, their heirs and assigns, to their only proper use, benefit, und behovf, forever ; and to and for no other use, intent, or purpose whatsoever. And the said Governor and Company, for themselves and their successors, have given und granted, and by theso presents do give audl grant, unto the sald John Marsh and John Buell, and the rest of the partners, settlers of the tract of land herein before granted, their heirs and assigns; the sand tract of land so butted and bounded as nforcenhl, shall from time to time and at all times forever hereafter, be deemed, reputed, denominated, and be an entire town of itself, and shall be called and known by the name of LitenFIELD, lu the county of Hartford, and that the aforesall partners, settlers, and Inhabitants theroof, shall and lawfully may from time to time and at all times, forever hereafter have, use, exercise, and enjoy all auch rights, powers, privileges, immunities, and franchises, In and among them- selven, as are given, granted, allowed, used, exercised, and enjoyed, to, by, and amongst the proper inhabitants of other towns in this Colony, according to common approved custom and olservance ; and that the mail tract of Innd and premises hereby granted as afurcsald, and appur- tenances, shall remain, continue, andl bu unto the enld John Marsh and John Buell, and the rest of the partnera, settlers, thelr hrirs and nosigns, in proportion nforceadd forever, a good, percentle, pure, perfect, absoluto, and indefeasible estate of Inheritance In feo simple, to be holden of His Majesty, his heles and successors, ns of His Majesty's Manor of East Greenwich, In the t'onnty of Kent, In the Kingdom of England, in free and common wecage, and not In capite, nor by Knight's service .- Yield- lug therefor and paying unto our Sovereign Lord King George, his heim and successore forever, one fifth part of all ore of Gold and Silver, which from time to time, and at all times forever hereafter, shall be there gut- ten, had, or btained, in lieu of all servicos, duties, and demands whatau- over.




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