USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Seymour > History of Seymour, Connecticut, with biographies and genealogies > Part 7
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Soon after his return, he was elected by his fellow citizens to be their representative in the legislature of the State, and continued to be elected for two years, when he was appointed to the command of a regiment raised for the western service. During the period that he held his office, he remained most of the time in Hartford; and, with Hopkins, Barlow and Trumbull, as- sisted in the publication of the Anarchiad. On the reduction of his regiment, he repaired to Mount Vernon, and continued with Gen. Washington until 1790, when he received the appointment of Minister to the court of Portugal, where he resided seven years. He was then appointed Minister to Spain, in which position he continued until 1802. He married a Spanish lady and thus added to his influence and rendered easier a project he had formed for the benefit of his native land. Knowing the superiority of Spanish wool, he planned to export some of the unrivalled Merino sheep to the United States, and in this he succeeded, though at great risk and cost, inasmuch as the Spanish laws forbade the exportation by stringent laws. He obtained permission to purchase
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four hundred Merinos in the mountain pastures of Estremadura and employing shepherds, drove them to the coast by night, remaining secreted by day. During this trip and the voyage to America the number was rapidly reduced, so that when landed at Derby dock they numbered only about one hundred. This was the first importation of Merino sheep into the United States. Gen. Humphreys then erected the first woolen factory in the United States in the village which took his name-Humphreysville-and in connection with which the labor of his later years will be spoken of at length.
Capt. Ebenezer Dayton was one of the brave privateersmen of the Sound, who annoyed the transports and boats of the tories and the British admiral offered a large bounty for his head and that of Caleb Brewster, his cousin. Fear- ing to leave his family at their home in Brookhaven, L. I., he brought them across the Sound to Milford. After remaining there a while, as a further precau- tion, he removed them to Bethany hill in Woodbridge. The robbery of the house occupied by Mrs. Dayton at that place by a British company and a band of tories is well described at length by Rev. Israel Warren in the book entitled "Chauncey Judd." Soon after the Revolution Capt. Dayton removed to Chusetown, where he opened a tavern, afterward the home for a time of Gen. Humphreys while he was establishing his woolen factory. Capt. Dayton, early seeing the advantage to his public house of a more direct communication with Waterbury and the towns above, set about the project of opening the Dug Road, which was finished about the beginning of the present century. Being of a restless disposition, he, after a while, undertook an enterprise in Louisiana, where he spent the latter part of his life.
Capt. Raymond Sanford, died in March, 1805, aged 53 years. E.
Lieut. Jabez Pritchard, who enlisted in July, 1777, under Capt. Corris, in the regiment of Col. Enos, was in command of the guard at Horseneck and afterward under the command of Major Humphreys near Fort Independence. In the conflict which occurred there, Lieut. Pritchard, with others, was taken prisoner and confined, first at King's Bridge, then in New York, and afterward on a prison-ship in the North River. His commission was taken from him by his inhuman captors and he was so ill treated that-like most of the other prisoners on that infamous ship-he survived but a short time. His generous character may be inferred from the fact that he might have escaped being taken prisoner but that he would not abandon a wounded comrade, and that he afterward divided his funds with a fellow prisoner, to which act of liberality - Bradford Steel ascribed his own recovery by means of the decent provision and comforts which he was thus enabled to purchase.
Bradford Steel, son of Capt. Bradford Steel, born in 1761, enlisted July 10, 1777, at the age of sixteen, under Capt. Corris, regiment of Col. Enos. Tho company was at first stationed at Horseneck, but was soon after ordered to join a branch of the continental army under the command of Maj. Humphreys. They marched to Peekskill and there joined the army and marched to West Chester, about 2,000 strong and having two pieces of artillery. At the battle near Fort Independence, (General Varnum, com- mnanding officer,) Steel, with Lieut. Pritchard and others, were taken prison- ers. One of the number becoming deranged under his sufferings, the British soldiers beat him with their muskets, then tied him on a horse, took him to King's Bridge and threw him over, leaving him with his head and shoulders buried in the mud. At night Steel and thirteen companions were placed in a small tent guarded by Hessian soldiers, and if any one pressed out the tent cloth he was sure to feel the prick of a bayonet. Next day they were taken
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to the Sugar House, where most of the prisoners had nothing to cat for three or four days. They were then allowed four ounces each of wormy sea biscuit and four ounces of Irish pork daily.
About the 1st of December they were put on board a ship in the North River. After fifteen days the small pox broke out. Steel and twenty-five others were taken to the hospital, where they had so little care that only four of the number survived. Steel saw one man with his feet so frozen that after a time they dropped off at the ankles. One day while Steel was im- prisoned at the Sugar House, a well known tory came along and was all allow- ed by the guard to pass in. The prisoners seized him, dragged him to the pump, and the old pump handle went up and down in fine style until he was thoroughly drenched. He was then allowed to run, the prisoners saying good-bye to him with a shower of brickbats. Aug. 8, 1778, the few survivors received tidings that they were to be exchanged. Said Steel, "On the next day we were called out and paraded in the prison yard. To behold such a company of living skeletons, one might almost imagine that the prophecy concerning the dry bones had been fulfilled in us." Aug. 16th, they landed at Elizabethtown Point, and were marched to the meeting house where the exchange was effected. Steel and three others who were too much reduced by their sickness and sufferings to be capable of farther military service, were discharged and returned home. Steel recovered his health after some months and was for many years a highly respected citizen of Humphreysville, and deacon of the Congregational Society, dying Dec. 24, 1841, aged 80 years.
John White, son of Daniel White, died Feb. 19th, 1830, aged 73. C.
- Leach, fought under Washington seven years, was several times badly wounded. M.
Abram Bassett, died Nov. 17th, 1853, aged 81 years. E.
Theophilus Miles, died 1822, aged 83 years. E.
Truman Loveland. E.
Sergt. James Baldwin. -
Jesse Baldwin, brother to above.
Isaac Johnson, son of Benajah, died April 10th, 1813, aged 78. M.
Ezra Butler, afterward lived in the house now standing in the rear of the house of Sheldon Tucker.
Ball.
Jethro Martin, colored, Gen. Humphrey's servant, died in North Haven. Received a pension from the government until his death.
Joseph Mauwehu, (Chuse.)
Phineas Johnson, from Pinesbridge.
Nathaniel Johnson, from Pinesbridge, drafted, served till the close of the war.
Linus Lounsbury, of Nyumphs, was a soldier in the last French War and in the Revolution.
C-Buried in the Congregational Cemetery ; E-Episcopal Cemetery ; M-Methodist Cemetery.
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The memorandum of Lieut. Jabez Pritchard, who was taken prisoner with Bradford Steel and others, and died on board the prison ship, was brought home by Steel, and contains the list of guards detailed at Horseneck from Sept. 15th to 21st. Most of the company were probably from this immediate vicinity. The names are
Gideon Alling, Isaac Durand,
Philo Sperry,
Samuel Andress,
Vespation Eastman,
Jabin Sperry,
Abraham Barns,
Corp. Foot, Job Sperry,
Nathaniel Black,
Amos Fox,
Alexander Sperry,
Edward Bassett,
Joseph Hulse,
. Johnathan Sperry,
David Blakesley,
Johnathan Lyman,
Corp. Smith, Wm. Smith,
Corp. Bristol,
James Leech,
Corp. Candee,
James Lines,
Lieut. Steel,
Oliver Chatfield,
Nathan Mallory,
John Swift,
Caleb Chatfield,
Major Morriss,
Wm. Tomlinson,
Reuben Canfield,
Abraham Murray,
Thomas Torrance,
Martin Clark,
Asahel Newel,
Adam Vose,
George Clark,
Ensign Osborn,
David Whittemore,
Chauncey Clark,
Lieut. Pierson,
Samuel Wood,
Amos Collins,
Noah Peck,
Hezekiah Wooding,
Johnathan Cartright,
John Prindle,
Eli Washband,
Jairus Congdon,
Jabez Pritchard,
Aaron Webster,
Joseph Deremore,
John Priestly,
Bowers Washburn,
George Dachester,
Oliver Root,
married the widow of David
Samuel Durand,
Joseph Sanford,
Wheeler, who died in the revolutionary service.
Ebenezer Durand,
James Yatman.
That those who had sacrificed so much for freedom were prompt in more peaceful times to frame aright the new government may be seen from the following resolution, adopted Oct. 8th, 1787 :
"Resolved that this Town will instruct, and that it does hereby instruct its representatives in the General assembly to use their influence to have a Convention called as speedily as possible for the purpose of taking into con- sideration the Constitution proposed by the Federal Convention, agreeable to the recommendation of Congress ; in hopes that the business may be entered upon at an early period by the Legislature. Voted and passed unanimously."
Capt Daniel Holbrook and Capt Jolin Holbrook were appointed the dele- gates to the State Convention.
A lottery was established in 1782 by authority of the Town of Derby to defray the expense of a highway from Derby to Woodbury, by the House- tunnock river and Wesquantuc or Rock House Hill Purchase, the cost not to exceed £500. Capt. Thomas Clark and Daniel Holbrook were to petition the General Assembly for its consent and approval. John Humphrey and Lieut Joseph Riggs were appointed to lay out the road. The same year Ashbel Loveland was appointed to build a bridge over the Naugatuck "below the falls."
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Amity, embracing the present towns of Woodbridge and Bethany, was constituted a parish in October, 1739, in the following words :
Whereas upon the memorial of Ebenezer Beecher, Jasper Gunn, and the rest of the inhabitants of that part of the town of New Haven called Chestnut Hill, and also of Barnabas Baldwin, Joel Northrop and others, to the number of fifteen, living on the northerly bounds of Milford, moving to the General Assembly at New Haven in October last that they might become one entire distinct parish, and praying for a committee, &c., the said General Assembly did appoint a committee, who accordingly making their report to the General Assembly at Hartford in May last, and the same not being ac- cepted ; and the said General Assembly in May last appointing another com- mittee, (viz.) Messrs. William Gould, William Ward and Joseph Thompson, to view and report, &c .: And whereas the said last mentioned committee have to this Assembly made their report, that according to the direction of the said Assembly they have repaired to the above said places, &c., and find and are of opinion that they, the above said inhabitants and farms, are able and sufficient to support parish charges, and that their bounds and limits ought to be as follows, riz : The north bounds in part upon the line between New Haven and Wallingford, so far as from New Haven north-west bounds easterly to the West Rocks till it comes down to the south side of Samuel Baldwin's land; thence westerly to the highway at the end of Sperry's Farms ; thence southerly, keeping said highway that leads up the great hill to Darby road ; then southerly at the rear of Westfield lots or second division lots ; then southerly till it comes to the south side of Capt. Isaac Johnson's farm ; then westwardly, between said Johnsons and that which was formerly Jeremiah Osborn's farm, to Milford east line; then westwardly to a cross highway; then keeping said highway to the south-east corner of Hogs Meadow Purchase, so called, in Milford ; then westerly with the south line of Hogs Meadow Purchase, to the partition line between Milford and Derby ; then northerly, in said partition line, to Lebanon brook, so called ; then east- erly by said Lebanon brook to New Haven line; then northerly in said line between New Haven and Milford till it comes to New Haven north-west corner bounds aforesaid ; excluding the lands in said Milford on the race be- tween New Haven line and Hogs Meadow Purchase from the aforesaid south bounds of the same, north to Derby road ; and the lands of Fletcher Newton and John Hind in said Hogs Meadow Purchase, and Ephraim Gillett and his estate; and also exclusive of Samuel Sperry, Joshua Sperry and Jona- than Sperry, with their estates in New Haven bounds ; as per said report on file, dated October sixth, 1738, doth appear :
It is thereupon resolved by this Assembly, That the above said memo- rialists, inhabitants of New Haven and Milford situated and living within the bounds and liinits above described, exclusive of the persons and estates above in said committee's report exempted and excluded, as also exclusive of the lands of Capt. Jolin Riggs, Samuel Riggs and Joseph Riggs, lying within the bounds of Milford, be and become together one entire, separate and distinct society or parish, subsisting and known by the name of the Parish of Amity, and endowed with all powers and privileges wherewith other parishes within this government are by law endowed." Col. Records, Vol. 8, pages 201-2.
Woodbridge was incorporated as a town in 1784, and was named from Rev. Benjamin Woodbridge, the first clergyman, who was ordained in 1742. This town has a fund of about five thousand dollars, given by Mr. Stephen
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Sanford, who it appears was a firm friend to the American cause during the Revolution. His will read thus : "I also give to the society of Amity, in the town of New Haven, for the support of a Presbyterian or Congregational minister, in said society, he being a friend to this, and the United States of America, after my wife's estate therein shall be ended," &c.
Rev. Daniel Humphreys, the father of General David Humphreys, for fifty-four years the established minister of the First Society, died in 1787. The follwing is a copy of the inscription on his monument in the old Derby burying ground:
The Revd. Daniel Humphreys died Sept. 2d, 1787, in the Sist year of his age. For more than half a century he was the established minister of the first Society in this town. Mrs. Sarah Humphreys, the affectionate wife of his youth, and the tender companion of his advanced age, died July 29th, 1787, just five weeks before him.
The seasons thus As ceaseless round a jarring world they roll, Still find them happy ; and consenting spring Sheds her own rosy garlands on their heads: Till evening comes at last serene and mild, When after the long vernal day of Life Enamour'd more as more remembrance swells
With many a proof of recollected love,
Together down they sink in social sleep, Together freed their gentle spirits fly, To scenes where love and bliss immortal reign.
In 1789 the Congregational Society was formed by the withdrawal of twenty-six persons from the Congregational church in Derby, as narrated in the account of the Congregational church of Seymour, on pages 10 and 17 of this book. Capt. Timothy Baldwin was the first deacon of the new society and Levi Tomlinson the next. The latter lived in the house on the Ansonia road now owned by Judge Bronson. After losing three children he moved to Ohio. The third deacon was Bradford Steel, Jun.
The first mention on record of any action leading to the incorporation of the parish of Oxford as a separate town is in the record of a town meeting held Dec. 28th, 1789 :- Doctr Edward Carrington and Mr Shadrac Osborn were appointed a comtte to take into consideration all the circumstances of the town respecting Oxford being made into a town.
In 1791 the first Methodist sermon in this vicinity was preached by Rev. Jesse Lee and from that time meetings continued to be held in the open air, in school-houses, and in dwelling houses, until 1818.
At this time there was a gristmill at the mouth of Little River, known as "Baldwin's Mill." The owner was Isaac Baldwin, a man of strong re- ligious opinions and an unwearying student of the Scriptures. The Bible was kept near at hand and when the mill did not require his attention he improved his leisure in conning the sacred pages. William Kelly, of Litchfield, who was then a boy of eight or nine, living with his parents above Pinesbridge, said that when he came on horseback to the mill he would frequently find Mr. Baldwin reading his bible. One day in the winter of 179- he went down in the wheelpit to chop away the ice and was killed by the sudden starting of the wheel. His remains were interred in Milton Parish, Litchfield. His children were named Isaac, Esther, Sarah, and Eunice.
Bezaleel Peck owned the farm where Naaman Peck's house was since built. He was one of the early Methodists.
Samuel Sanford, from Bethany, was the first physician who located here. The following petition, in which he represented Chiusetown, was granted at a town meeting held Jan. 7th, 1793 :
"To the Inhabitants of the Town of Derby in Town Meeting assembled, sirs, we the subscribers, of sd Derby, Physicians, humbly beg liberty of said
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town that we may have liberty to set up the Enoculation of the Small Pox in sd Town, as there is many of the inhabitants of said Town that have and now are going into other towns for sd purpose, and the, yongue people much exposed to have it the natural way if not enoculated, & we beg leave to sug- gest whether it be not for the advantage of this town to save as much of the money in the town as may be, and your Petitioners are willing to be under any restrictions as shall be thought reasonable, and are likewise of opinion that they can enoculate as cheap if not cheaper than is done by other Ply- sicians in other Towns.
Derby, Dec. 10th, 1792.
EDWARD CRAFTS, SAMUEL SANFORD, LIBERTY KIMBERLY.
The following is a copy of a report relative to the incorporation of the town of Oxford accepted in a town meeting held Feb. 4th, 1793. Pages 203-204, Derby Records, B., M., D. & T. P.
To the inhabitants of the town of Derby to be assembled in a meeting of sd town to be held at the town house in sd Derby, on Monday, the 4th day of Feby instant-we the subscribers, comtte appointed at a meeting of sd town on Monday, the 7th day of Jany last, to go out and view the circumstances and situation of sd town respecting a division thereof, and to ascertain certain boundaries and lines for sª division, and also to to take into consideration the expense or burden of sd town, and all matters relating to sd division, and to report our opinion thereon, beg leave to report ;- That we have attended to sd business and mutually agreed on the following boundaries and lines of a division of sd town, viz :- beginning fifty rods above the mouth of Eight Mile Brook by Ousatonic River, from thence running north-easterly to the bend in Five Mile Brook at the foot of the hill, from thence running by sd Brook to the bridge over sd Brook in Woodbury old road, from thence to the south-east corner of Timothy Johnson's-formerly Abner Johnson's-dwelling house, from thence a due east course to the Little River, from thence by said River to the mouth where it empties into Naugatuck River, from thence crossing sd Naugatuck River to the eastern shore, from thence running up by said River on the east side of sd River to the mouth of the brook at the lower end of old Rimmon Plain, from thence to the end of the hill on the . north-easterly side of sd brook at the lower end of sd Plain called Pessemire Hill, from thence on the ridge of sd Rock to the upper end of sd brook, from thence a due east course to the Woodbridge line. Also agreed that all land on either side of sd line where lands are divided by sd lines shall be put into the List in either of the towns where the owner thereof resides so long as the present owners shall possess the same. And it is further agreed that Oxford or the new proposed town shall support one-half of the Falls Bridge, so long as the present bridge shall stand; and when the present bridge will not an- swer to repair and it is necessary that a new bridge to be built, then Oxford or the sd new town shall at their own expense, build a good and sufficient new bridge where sd bridge now stands, to the acceptance of sd town of Derby. And it is further agreed that any persons living near said line on either side where the line divided their land shall have their choice on which town they will belong, provided they make their choice in one year after sª division, and shall belong where they enter ther List the first year after sd division. And it is further agreed that when a division of sd town shall be completed, the poor of sd town of Derby shall be divided to each town, and all other bur- dens which may arise in consequence of any existing circumstances, shall be
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equally borne by each of said towns if divided according to the List of each town. All of which is submitted by vour most humble servants.
SAMI HULL, DANIEL HOLBROOK, | THOMAS CLARK, CALEB CANDE, JOSIAH STRONG, LEMAN STRONG,
Comtte
Dated, Derby, Feby 4th, A. D., 1793.
Leveret Pritchard, son of Sergt. Leveret Pritchard, who perished in the war of the revolution, was a sergeant of the 8th Company of the 32nd Regi- ment of Connecticut militia in 1793. Following is a copy of his commission.
Daniel Holbrook, Esq", Lieut Colo Commandant of the Thirty Second Regiment of Militia in the State of Connecticut in America.
To Leveret Pritchard, Greeting: You being nominated by the Eighth Company or train band in said Regt to be a Sergt in Sª Company; Reposing special trust and confidence in your fidelity, courage and good conduct, I do by virtue of the Laws of this State me thereunto enabling, appoint and im- power you to take Sa Company into your care as one of their Sergts and carefully and diligently to discharge that trust, exercising your inferior officers and soldiers in the use of their arms according to the discipline of war ordained by this State, keeping them in good order and commanding them to obey you as their Sergt, and you are to observe all orders and directions as from time to time you shall receive from one or other your superior officers pursuant to the trust hereby reposed in you, and this shall be your sufficient warrant. Given under my Hand in Derby, the 2nd day of May, A. D., 1793.
DANIEL HOLBROOK.
Following is the roll of the company from the list left by Lieut. Pritchard. The marked > were crossed off on account of death, removal to other towns, etc.
Ahira Anderson, X
Simeon Gunn,
John Riggs, 4th,
Isaac Baldwin, X
Jonalı Harden,
Samuel Riggs,
Elias Baldwin,
Joseph Hawkings, John Sanford,
Jesse Baldwin,
Samuel B. Hine,
Moses Sanford, X
Silas Baldwin,
William Hine,
Abial Skeals, X
Samuel Bartist,
Chancy Johnson,
Elijah Smith,
David Beach, X
David Johnson,
Jesse Smith,
William Beard,
Elijah Johnson,
Lyman Smith,
Rubin Blake, X
Levy Johnson, X
Jolın Spenser, X
Henry Carpenter,
Timothy Johnson,
George Steel,
John Church Caftrin,
Seley Judd,
Nathan Stiles, Jun.,
John Churchel,
John Kelley, X
Oliver Stoddard,
Timothy Churchel, X
Thomas Leavinsworth,
Josiah Swift,
Amos Clark,
Zebulon Lines,
Thadias Thomas,
Elias Clark,
Ethel Lounsbury,
Cyrus Tomlinson,
Levy Clark,
Samuel W. Mitchell,
William Tomlinson, X
Rufus Clark, X
Sebra Molthrop,
Benjamin Tuttle,
Hezekiah Clark, Jun.,
Ebenezer Orsborn, X
Abel Church,
Philo Page,
William Church,
Salmon Parker,
Worrin Cridenton,
Eleazer Patchen, X
Jacob Warner, X
Sheldon Davis,
John Perry, X
William Warner,
Asey French,
Thomas Pitcher, X
Enoch French,
Jeremiah Grissell,
Asher Rheylee, James Riggs,
Abel Wheeler, Moses Wheeler, Jun.,
Thomas Wooding,
Josiah Worshburn, Jun., Henry Wooster, Jun.
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In a town meeting held Sept. 21st, 1795, it was voted that to facilitate the division of the town, Derby would divide its representation with Oxford, if set off, each to have one representative.
At the same meeting it was "voted unanimously that this Town (Derby) Remonstrate agt the Petition of Thads Burr & his associates praying for leave to build a bridge over Ousatonnaek River near Stratford ferry, and do hereby appt Mes's Leman Stone & John Howd our agents to Prefer a Remonstrance to the General Assembly & to prepare all Needful Evidence & Information to oppose Said Petition at the General Assembly."
Small Pox continued to be subject of legislation, and Dee. 11th, 1797, it was voted that "twenty-six persons and no more be granted liberty to receive the small pox, they to receive it by the evening of the 12th, and give bonds that they remain at the dwelling house of Mr. Benj. Davis in Derby and not depart the house until liberty be obtained from the authority and selectmen, and that the physician who inoculates them shall give bonds not to spread the small pox, and that the bonds be made payable to the seleetmen, and that the seleetmen and eivil authority or their committee shall set limits to said house and have the superintending of the Physician and Patients, and that those who receive the small pox shall pay all expenses and save the town harmless."
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