History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 63

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 63

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He was one of the first selectmen elected in the town of Bridgewater when it was incorporated, and rendered efficient service in making an amicable set- tlement between New Milford and Bridgewater.

He celebrated his golden wedding Nov. 26, 1868, and a large company of his neighbors and friends were present, with children, grandchildren, and great-grand- children. On that occasion he was presented with a beautiful gold-headed cane by his friends and neigh-

Roswell having

John Wooster

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BRIDGEWATER.

bors. Decided in his opinions, he was not unchari- table to others. He was for many years a member of the Episcopal Church, to which he was warmly attached. He was warden of St. Mark's for many years, and held that office at the time of his death, Sept. 22, 1874.

During the last years of his life he was greatly af- flieted with rheumatism, and suffered almost constant pain, yet as long as crutches could help him to the church he was in his seat.

In the prime of life he was characterized by prompt- ness, energy, and a will to carry through whatever he undertook. To such a man it was hard to find him- self reduced to a state of helplessness, but he bore it with a Christian spirit worthy of imitation.

JOHN WOOSTER.

The ancestors of the subject of this sketch were among the early settlers of New England. His great- grandfather, Timothy Wooster, settled in New Haven colony, in what is now the town of Oxford.

As early as 1774 his grandfather, Jabez Wooster, purchased land in the town of Bridgewater (then New Milford), and is described in the records as Lieut. Jabez Wooster, in the fourteenth year of the reign of George III., King of Great Britain. He seemed to be searching for mineral lands, and laid out several tracts on Rocky Mountain, Falls Mountain, and Wolfpit Mountain, where he dug in several places for iron ore, but without success, He purchased a home- stead a little east of the Housatonic River, and about a mile south of the Great Falls (so called), which he leased to a company for nine hundred and ninety- nine years, with the privilege of digging for minerals, reserving a certain portion to himself if any were found. He built a house, and followed farming, as did two generations of the same family after him at the same place. The house is still standing as it was originally built, with the back roof extending nearly to the ground, one of the few left to show the an- cient style of architecture.

Jabez Wooster had two sons, Peter and Isaac. Peter Wooster, the father of John Wooster, was born in 1762. He married Betsy Canfield, Jan. 16, 1787. He followed farming, as his father had before him at the same place. He died Sept. 12, 1798, leaving two children, John and Susannah.

John was born March 27, 1790. He passed his- youth like most country boys, going to district school and helping on the farm. Hle nearly lost his life when a boy, a log rolling on him and making an in- dentation in his skull, which affected the brain. A piece of the skull was taken out, and a silver shilling placed under the skin to protect the brain, which always remained there; so it can truly be said that in after- life he was never without a shilling. He acquired a good common-school education, and early commenced teaching school in winter. He soon came to be con-

sidered one of the best teachers of his day. As soon as he became of age he applied all his energies to redeem his father's farm, and to buy out his sisters' claims, farming in summer and teaching school in winter for many years. He married Jerusha Loek- wood, daughter of David and Sarah Loekwood, by whom he had four children,-Mary E., Peter, David, and Susan.

Mary E. married Harmon Treat, living in Bridge- water; has six children, viz., Helen J., Julia A., Emily A., D. Allen, Susan C., and H. Wooster. Julia A. married Charles Sanford, living in Roxbury, Conn. D. Allen married P. Belle Meeker, and resides in Bridgeport, Conn. The other children are living with their parents in Bridgewater.

Peter married Caroline Morris, by whom he had four children,-Laura J., John Morris, Charles M., and Edward R. John Morris died Jan. 14, 1856, aged five years. Laura J. married Richard J. Ran- dall ; died Aug. 29, 1880, and left one child, Jennie C. Charles M. is a practicing physician in Tariff- ville, Conn. Edward R. is in Bridgewater.

David married Emily C. Sherman, by whom he had three children,-Edward S., Edith E., and John S. Edward S. died at the age of two years and nine months. Edith E, married Rev. George A. Graves, now at New Canaan, Conn. ; has two children, Carle- ton A. and Bertha E. John S. married Katie A. Kelley; has one child, Emily S .; resides in Bridge- port, Conn.

David Wooster's wife, Emily C. Wooster, died April 17, 1875. He married, for his second wife, Mrs. Angie W. Boland, with whom and her son, Frank W., he is now living, in Bridgeport, Conn.

Susan married Lorenzo 1). Sanford ; had three children,-Martha, Mary E., and John W. Martha died in infancy. Mary E. married Cornelius Blakes- ley ; resides in Brooklyn, N. Y., and has two children, Raymond I. and Jennie M. John W. resides with his father in Bridgeport, Conn.

John Wooster was one who thought much of his home, and seemed most happy when surrounded by his family, to which he was strongly attached, and when enjoying the society of his friends and neigh- bors, with whom he always lived on the best of terms, Politically, he identified himself with the Whig party, and was somewhat active in the councils of that party in the town of New Milford. He once represented that town in the State Legislature. In the prime of life he met with an accident which in- capacitated him for hard labor on the farm, being thrown from a wagon and injuring one knee ; but he almost constantly held some publie office in the town which occupied his time, and in some measure com- pensated for his inability to labor. He was correct and methodical in business, prompt and punctual to fulfill all his engagements, and perhaps it is not too much to say that, in respect to honesty of purpose, correctness and fidelity in the discharge of public

264

HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

duties intrusted to him, no one in the town of New Milford had the confidence of the people to a greater extent than he.

He was assessor many years, and visited every tax- payer, and wrote out every item of taxable property. At his decease bushels of lists written with his own hand were found carefully filed and preserved. He held the office of constable, and was for many years justice of the peace. He was selectman for many years, aud was often called the "Old Selectman." He often kept the books and accounts of the town, although living three and a half miles from the vil- lage, and there was no item of account that could not be found in its proper place. He was often in- trusted with the settlement of estates. When Bridge- water was incorporated as a town he had become ad- vanced in years, and retired from active politics.

The old Whig party being dissolved, his sympathies were with the Republican party. He was a firm be- liever in the doctrines of Christianity, but, for reasons best known to himself, never united with any church. He was a regular attendant of the Congregational Church, of which his wife was a member, and paid of his substance for its support.

A year or two before his death he left his farm and went to live with his daughter Susan, at the centre of Bridgewater, where he died, as he had loved to live, with his children all around him, May 29, 1858, aged sixty-eight years.

CHAPTER XXVII.

CANAAN.

Geographical-Topographical-The Housatonic Falle-Sale of the Town -First Meeting of Proprietors-Held at Wethersfield-Name of the Town-First Settlement of the Town-Names of Pioneers and Gran- tees-Early Birthe and Marriages-Ecclesiastical History-Congrega- tional Church, South Cauaan-Congregational Church, Falls Village -Methodist Episcopal Church, Falls Village-The Iron Bank-The Falle Village Savings Bank.

THIS town is located in the northwestern part of the county, and is bounded as follows: on the north by North Canaan, on the east by Norfolk, on the south by Cornwall, and on the west by the Housatonic River, which separates it from Salisbury. The surface of this town is broken and mountainous. The town is watered by the Housatonic River and its tributaries.

THE HOUSATONIC FALLS.

On this river, below Salisbury, are located the Housatonic Falls. "The falls are formed by a ledge of limestone rocks crossing the Housatonic River obliquely from northwest to southeast ; the length of the ledge is about thirty rods, its perpendicular height perhaps sixty feet, and its front irregular and broken. Here in a formidable mass on the western side, and on the eastern, the water rushes from the rapid torrent

above, and descending in every variety of form, with the mass of foam at the bottom rising in a misty cloud, and the surrounding scenery, presents a scene of remarkable picturesque beauty. There are falls and rapids both above and below the river cataract, but of much smaller size. 'The whole descent,' says Dr. Dwight, 'is about one hundred and thirty feet, nobly arranged and distributed, and comprehending a re- markable variety of beauty and grandeur.'"*

FIRST MEETING OF PROPRIETORS.

The tract of land embraced within the present towns of Canaan and North Canaan was sold at public vendue at the court-house in New London, Jan. 3, 1737-38. The first meeting of these towns was held at Wethersfield, Feb. 22, 1737-38, with Capt. David Whitney, of Plainfield, moderator, and Humphrey Avey, of Groton, clerk. At this meeting it was

" Toted, That said Humphrey Avey, said Capt. Whitney, and John Beber of latchfield, Samuel Bryant of Stanford. aud Silas Belding of said Wethersfield, are a committee who are hereby fully Impowered to Lay out Such part of the Land in said Townships, sold as afore Said, as they Shall judge Best for the Interest of Said proprietors in Gineral, and to Lay out to Each proprietor in Equal part for Quantity and Quality and Give Surveys of the euune under the hands of the major part of said committee and to Lay out Nessary High ways in Said Town. Not Less to be Laid out to Each Proprietor than Thirty acres and he Laid ont in one or two parts or parcels for Each Proprietor as said Committee Shall Think fit and the Avey to have Twelve shillings per Day for his wages Serving as Committee man and surveyor and the rest of said Committee to have Eight Shilling per Day for their wages to be paid by said Pro- prietors according to their Interest in said Town."

Also

" Voted, That if any of said Committee Should be Hindered from At- tending Said Service that in that case those of Said Committee who Do Attend Shall appoint and employ other persons to Serve in ye room of Such as Shall be absent in Every thing but Signing the Survey."

It was also

" Voted, That Said proprietor shall Draw their Lots by number."

"Voted, That Said Committee Shall make Such agreement with all Those Persons who have Trespassed unto Lands in Said Town as they shall think Best for the Interest of said proprietor in Generall, and hire a pilot."

" Voted, That the Name of Said Town Shall be Canaan."

" Voted, That this meeting is adjourned to the Second Wednesday of April next at the New Dwelling house of Mr. Peter Hogobourn in said Town at one of yo clock after Noon; and said proprietors to appear by themselves or Agent to Draw their Lots and pay Sald Committee for ye Service aforesaid.

" Attest: HUMPHREY AVEY, Proprietors' Clerk."

THE SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN.

The settlement of the town commenced in June, 1738. Among the first settlers were Daniel and Isaac Lawrence, John Franklin, and others.

The following names appear in Book I of the town as grantees of lands : Daniel and Amos Andrus, James Adams, Charles Burrall, Augustin Bryan, James Beebe, Silas Belding, Samuel Bryan, Charles Bulkley, Abigail Belding, John Brower, Elizabeth Burrows, Timothy Brown, John Beebe, Jonathan

* Barber.

265

CANAAN.

Bates, Jacob Bunee, Nathaniel Butler, David Bick- nell, Joseph Beckley, Joshua Belding, Caleb Case, John Carrier, Benjamin, Samuel, Joseph, Daniel, and Isaac Cowles, Elijah Cleveland, John Coon, Josiah Cleveland, John Camp, Simon Cook, Moses Copley, Josiah Dean, Zachariah Dibble, Zebulon Deming, Benjamin Douglass, Jonathan Dearcox, Asa Douglass, Elizur Diekinson, H. Deming, Christopher Duteher, Joseph Eaton, James Egleston, William Edminster, James Evens, Ephraim, William, and Thomas Fel- lows, John Franklin, E. Freeman, John Forbes, Jacob and Elijah Griswold, John Gillett, David Holly, Abraham Holenbeek, Samuel Hall, John Hart, Timothy Horsford, Abraham Harris, Gibson Harris, Peter Hogeboon, Joseph Hinsdale, David Horsford, Josiah Hurlburt, Nathaniel Howe, Ebe- nezer Hanchet, Samuel Halloway, Isaac Hinsdale, Charles Hewitt, Jonathan Hinsdale, Daniel Hancox, David Holeomh, Joseph Holabut, John Horsford, C. Hinman, B. Hogeboom, P. Holcomb, Gideon Hunn, Samuel Jones, Isaac Johnson, Jacob Johnson (heirs), Joseph, Bey, Martin, and Timothy Kellogg, Isaac, Daniel, Jeremiah, and Daniel Lawrence, Jr., E. Mayo, Anthony D. Mills, Jonas March, John Morton, Jacob, Asa, and Elisha Merrills, Jonathan and Samuel North, Ebenezer Norton, James Nichols, Thomas Orton, John, Abraham, and Isaac Peek, Joseph Prin- dle, Thomas Pieree, Daniel Phelps, Amis Pierce, Jo- seph Phelps, Daniel Porter, Joel Prindle, Samuel Prindle, John Palmer, William Patison, Isaac and James Pattison, I. Palmer, George Palmer, Thomas Pattison, Benjamin Phelps, Edward Pattison, Samuel Robbins, Lemuel, William, and Samuel Robbards, M. Rood, Jonathan Russel, Z. Robbins, Samuel Robbins, Josiah Stodder, Andrew, Uriah, Thomas, Samuel, Simeon, Zebulon, Benjamin Stevens, Isaac Sheldon, James Slauson, John Sutliff, James Stymson, Z. Scott, Z. Seymour, P. Smith, Giles Slawter, Nathaniel Spaulding, Elias Slanter, Benjamin Sedgwick, E. Thomas, Samuel Priscott, Josiah and Eleazur Whit- tlesey, Josiah Walker, Elisha Webster, Elizur Wright, David Whitney, William Warner, William Whitney, Aaron Webster, Joshua Whitney, Thomas Weeks, David Waterbury, Joseph Wooster, Thomas Youngs.

EARLY BIRTHS AND MARRIAGES.

The following is a record of a number of the early births and marriages :

" Noah Holcomb, son to David Holcomb and Sarah, his wife, was Born Aug. y. 12, 1750. And. Stovens, Register."

"Sarah Holcomb, daughter to David Holcomb and Saralı, his wife, was Born July yo 26, 1747. Entered pr. And". Stevens, Register."

" Aun Horsford, Daughter To Timothy Horsford and Nanicy, his Wife, was Born June y. 25, A.D. 1747."

" Sunil, Ilide, of Norwich, Married To Azuboh Lawrence, of Canaan, Oct. the 25, 1750."

" Ephraim Fellows, Jr., Married to Aune Pulmor, of Sheffield, May y. 11, 1740." .

"John Stevens, Sou to Andw. Stovons and Esther, his wife, was Born Wednesday, y. 19th of October, 1737."

' Gideon Lawrence, of Canaan, married tu Jerusha Richards, of Nor- folk, the 12th day of Oct., 1749."

" Nehemiah Kellogg, son to Benjamin Kellogg and Elizabeth, his wife, was born March 4, 1747."

The first deed of lands in this town was made to Daniel Lawrence, under date Jan. 4, 1737.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

In Canaan, as well as in nearly all other towns in Connecticut, almost the first vote of the inhabitants was in regard to church matters. In December, 1739, "Josiah Walker, Benjamin Kellogg, and Daniel Law- renee are chosen a committee to agree with John Hart to fit his house convenient to meet in on the Lord's day." Under date of April 29, 1740, it was voted as follows :

" Voted, That ye town will Build a meting Hows for ye worship of god." " Voted, That yo said meting Hows shall be Built forty fots in Length and thirty-five fots in width and twenty fots post."

" At ye game meting, voted, that sd meting Huwse shall Be Built at ye East End of ye first ministry Lot by ye Sixth Rod High way that gose throw ye town."

" Voted, At ye same meting, Sam1 Prindel, Daniel Lavinia, and James Beeby and P. Hlogoboom, and Silas Belding are Chosen a Comity to Sea that sª Hows Be built and finished."

In the following May a vote was passed to request the General Assembly to send a committee to "stake a place for a meeting-house for ye worship of God." Jan. 2, 1744, it was

" Voted, That ye town will finish our Meeting-House So far as To Build a Pulpit, to finish ye Body of Seats, leaving a space for l'ewa to be Built."

The church was organized in March, 1741, with Jacob Bacon and wife, and Isaac Lawrence and wife.

The proprietors of the town of Canaan made pro- visions for preaching the gospel to the first settlers. From that time down to 1818 ministers were sup- ported by a tax levied on the town, as for other purposes. Persons were allowed to pay such minis- ters as they preferred. Rev. Elisha Webster was the first minister settled in Canaan. He was settled Oet. 1, 1740, and dismissed Oct. 14, 1752. It is stated that Rev. Daniel Farrand was ordained two months prev- ious to the dismission of Mr. Webster. Mr. Farrand continued in the pastorate of the church till his death, March 28, 1803, a period of more than fifty years.

The following is a list of the pastors from the or- ganization of the church to the present time: Elisha Webster, 1740-52; Daniel Farrand, 1752, died March, 1803; Charles Prentice, 1804, died May, 1838; Edward B. Emerson, 1841-43; Harley Goodwin, 1845-54; Isaac De Voe, 1855-56. Rev. Henry Snyder supplied from May 1, 1858, to MIny 1, 1860; Rev. Mr. Dickerman from May, 1860, to May, 1861 ; E. Froule Howe, sup- ply from June 9, 1861, to Dee. 17, 1862, when he was ordained and installed pastor, dismissed Nov. 12, 1865; E. N. Andrews, supply, December, 1865, to Septem- ber, 1867; W. 11. Teel, from September, 1867, to December, 1869; Rev. Joseph E. Swallow, from Juno 5,1870, to April, 1873; Edwin Hall, Jr., from Aug. 3, 1873, to October, 1874; N. G. Bonney, from January, 1875, to June, 1876; Joseph A. Tomlinson, from July 1, 1876, to May 1, 1877 ; D. M. Moore, from May 12, 1878, to present time.

266

HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

About the year 1769 the old house of worship was moved nearly a mile from the old site. It was occu- pied till 1804, when the present house was built, which has been several times repaired.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, FALLS VILLAGE.#

The Congregational Church at Falls Village was organized Oct. 27, 1858, by the L. N. Consociation, with the following members : Dr. Lemuel H. Aiken, Deacon Charles Beebe, Mrs. Mary Ann Brewster, Mr. Oramel King Brinton, Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, Mr. Elisha Holabird Dean and Mrs. Cherry Ann Dean (his wife), Mrs. Ann M. Miner, Mr. Uriel Holmes Miner and Mrs. Caroline Eliza Miner (his wife), Mr. Warren Walker and Mrs. Philena Walker (his wife). The first named of these was received from the church in Norfolk, the others from the church in South Ca- naan.

The deacons of the church have been as follows: Charles Beebe and Lemuel H. Aiken were chosen Nov. 5, 1858 ; Willis Gibbs, in place of Lemuel Aiken (resigned), Jan. 4, 1861; W. H. Dean and U. H. Miner (resigned July 13th), Jan. 12, 1873 ; O. K. Brin- ton, Aug. 31, 1873; J. S. Lane, Dec. 31, 1875 (re- signed in 1880) ; J. D. Egleston, Jan. 6, 1881.

The list of pastors, acting pastors, or stated supplies is as follows: Rev. Henry S. Russel, stated supply from Oct. 27, 1858, to Sept. 1, 1859 ; Rev. Jolin Ed- gar, stated supply from Nov. 1, 1859, to June 9, 1863 (was ordained as an evangelist by L. N. Consociation Oct. 20, 1860, and installed pastor by the same con- sociation June 9, 1863, and served till Oct. 31, 1865) ; Rev. L. N. Woodruff, stated supply from November 1, 1865, to March, 1867. The church had no preaching from March, 1867, to May 2, 1869. From May to Sep- tember it was supplied by different ministers. Rev. Henry B. Mead, stated supply from Sept. 1, 1869, to May 1, 1870; Rev. Joseph E. Swallow, stated supply from June 5, 1870, to April, 1873. From April to July supplied by students from Yale Seminary. Rev. N. G. Bonney began labors July 1, 1873; he was in- stalled pastor Sept. 17, 1873, and served till May 1, 1876. Rev. Joseph A. Tomlinson, acting pastor from July 1, 1876, to May 1, 1877; Rev. F. J. Grimes, stated supply from May, 1877, to May 5, 1878; Rev. D. M. Moore, stated supply from May 12, 1878, to Jan. 6, 1880; he was ordained to the work of the ministry January 6th; acting pastor from Jan. 6, 1880.

The church building was erected in 1859. The present officers are : Acting Pastor, Rev. D. M. Moore ; Church Committee, U. H. Miner, O. K. Brinton, J. D. Egleston ; Deacons, O. K. Brinton, J. D. Egleston.

TIIE IRON BANK

was chartered in May, 1847. William H. Walton, Esq., the first president, was chosen in 1847. His successors have been Lee Canfield, in 1854; A. H.

Holley, in 1860; W. P. Burrall, in July, 1862; Leon- ard Richardson, in January, 1863; Augustus Miles, in July, 1863 ; Geo. W. Peet, in July, 1864. Mr. Ran- dall, the present cashier, has held that office about twenty-nine of the thirty-four years of the bank's ex- istence.

THIE FALLS VILLAGE SAVINGS BANK

was chartered in May, 1854. The charter members were Jolın Adam, Geo. W. Peet, Win. S. Marsh, Dan- iel Brewster, Uriel H. Miner, Jabez Brewster, David M. Hunt, Horatio N. Wetherell, Chauncey S. Foster, and Henry E. Wetherell. The following have been the officers :

Presidents .- John Adam, 1854-56; Wm. M. Bur- rall, 1856-57; Daniel Brewster, 1857, present incum- bent.

Secretaries .- Uriel H. Miner, 1854-76; O. M. Brin- ton, 1876, present incumbent.

Treasurers .- R. M. S. Pease, 1854-57 ; A. C. Ran- dall, 1857-70; Wm. H. Barnum, 1870-76; M. A. Dean, 1876-78; U. H. Miner, 1878, present incum- bent.

The first deposit was made by Samuel Adams, of Cornwall, May 12, 1855, of fifty-five dollars. The amount of deposits Oct. 1, 1880, was three hundred and forty-three thousand dollars.

RELEASE FROM PARISII RATES.

In the early history of Connecticut the Congrega- tional was the "State Church,"-that is, the church and town were identical, and all the inhabitants gen- erally were taxed to support the church, and could only be released from said tax upon certifying their attendance upon some other form of worship or at another church. The following are specimens of the certificates of inhabitants of this town :

" CANAAN, Dec. 4, 1787.

" To the Collector of ministers' rate or Town treasurer, or whom it may concern : this may certify that Joseph Kellogg is a professor of the Bap- tist Faith and order, and doth attend to worship God in that order, and hath contributed for the support of the Gospel. This is, therefore, ac- cording to law to clear him from paying taxes to support the Gospel in any other order.

"Signed in behalf of the Church,

" JEDATHAN GRAY, Elder. " A true copy of the original certificate.

" Test : ELIZUR WRIGHT, Society Clerk."

Dec. 3, 1788, Oliver, Benajah, Uriah, David, and Isaac Dean certified that they also attended " Baptist meeting."

" CANAAN, Jan. 9, 1790. " This may certify that Jacob Brown, Jr., belongs to the Episcopal Church.

"ISAAC JOHNSON, C. Clerk.

" A true copy of the original received for record Jan. 9, 1790."

" This is to certify that William Trafford, of the State of Connecticut and Town of Canaan, is a standing hearer of the ministers and preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and contributes towards their sup- port agreeable to their order. Given from under my hand this 3d day of February, 1790.

" FREEBORN GARRETTSON, presudling minister in said Church.

" Test : ELIZUR WRIGHT, Society Clerk.

"A true copy of the original received for record August 23, A.D. 1790."

* Contributed by Rev. D. M. Moore.

267

CANAAN.

"CANAAN, July 22, 1793.

" This may certify whom it may concern, thet I, Ruloff Dutcher, have annexed myself to the Episcopal Society in Canaan, and consider myself n member of the same.

" RULOFF DUTCHER."

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

This church was organized in about the year 1792 with the following members : Elisha Horton and wife, Rufus Landon and wife, Aaron Mills and wife, and Nathaniel Church.

The first church edifice was erected at Battle Hill in 1793, and present edifiee in 1854.

The present stewards are Edward Ward, P. C. Ste- vens, P. M. Jaqua, O. M. Brinton, S. Brigner, E. B. Gillett, Chas. Preston, N. C. White, and J. B. Owen ; Trustees, P. C. Stevens, O. M. Brinton, P. M. Jaqua, E. Ward, Lee French, E. W. Spurr, G. W. Hall, and W. G. Kellogg.

The first pastor (1790) was Jno. Bloodgood. The present pastor is J. Lee Gamble.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

CANAAN (Continued).

Incorporation of the Town-First Town-Meetings-Bounty on Rnttle- snake Taile-Religious Service-The Itinging of Swine-Pounds- Church Service-Extracts from Town Records-Vawholesome Inhab- itaats-Fire-Locks-Grist-mill-New County-Petition for Bank- Trouble with Proprietors-Inhabitants Admitted-Bounty on "Squir- ralls," etc .- List of Representatives from 1757 to 1881-Military Record.

INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN.

THIS town was incorporated in 1739. The follow- ing is a copy of a portion of the proceedings of a town-mecting convened in the early part of Decem- ber, 1739, which doubtless was the first meeting held in the town. The record begins by offering a reward for rattlesnakes' tails :

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History of Litchfield county, Connecticut, Part 63

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

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