USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Norwalk > The ancient historical records of Norwalk, Connecticut; with a plan of the ancient settlement, and of the town in 1847 > Part 4
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Burning the Woods.
And that the Townsmen shall see the woods burned · in the fitting season ; and of the time of burninge to give convenient notice to the inhabitants that they may secure their fences.
Town Officers in 1654.
At a meten helde by the inhabitants of Norwake on the 13 April 1654, when they maid choyce of Mr. Fitch and Goodman Moore to be townsmen for the insuen yere; at the same time they chose-Ely as constable for the ensueng yere.
Making Drains.
At a meetinge holden the 24th of Aprill, 1654, it was ordered and agreed and voted that there shall be a drain made through every man's lott in the meadows- and of the lottes in the meadows on the other side --- that whenever those men that are chosen to appoynt
44
NORWALK.
[1654.
the same, and also the breadth and depth of the same -to be made as such indifferent men chosen-appoynt ; provided also that whenever the saied draines are to be made, there shall be allowance afforded to every man, in meadow, for the losse of the ground by reason of the said drains ; also that the same drains are also to be kept and sustained by the owners thereof, for perpetual -as they were appoynted ; and those men that are to vewe and appoyent the saied drains-Mr. Camfield, Nath. Eli, Tho. Fitch.
Allotments of Land.
Ordered allso that the allotments to beginne to be layed out as following : Videlicett to beginne-at the end of the hither plaine where John Greggory mowed the last yeare, &c.
The Mill.
f At a meetinge held the 6th of January, 1654, it was voted and agreede, that the *- mill shall desist* and not to be carryed on, and Richard Web, Tho. Fitch, Nath. Richards, shall send upon the first opportunitie to Leeiftenant Swaine, and acquaint him with the minds of the Towne concerning saied mill.
Voted, ordered, agreed, and concluded at the aforesaied meetinge, that the three undertakers of the mill in the behalfe of the Towne, with Leeiftenant Swaine, should with all convenient speed agree with the said Leeif- tenant Swaine for the desystinge and leavinge of the said mill, as well as they could ; and what charges the saied agreement amounted to, the said Towne would satisfy & pay.
* Obliterated.
45
TOWN RECORDS. '
1655.]
Townsmen in 1655.
At a meetinge held the 29th of March 1655, voted and agreed that Richd. Web, and Richd. Seamer, are chosen Townsmen for the ensuinge yeare.
Agreed and voted also at the saied meetinge that Waltar Haite and Ralph Keeiler are to worke the fence for the yeere ensuinge.
Agreed and voted that Robt. Beacham is Gate Keeper for the yeere ensuinge,
The Town Herd.
At a meeting held ye 30 of May 1655, agreed and voted that all dry cattle excepting 2 yeer ould heffers shall be herded together on the other side of Norwake river ; and ther keep by the owners of the cattle; every man keping according to his proportion of cattle ther herded. It is also agreed at ye same meeting that for the lodging and wonting of ye sayed herd in the place fore named there shall be a pound erected by the first Wednesday in June, every man sending in help for ye efecting of the pound according to his proportion of cattle there herded. It is also agreed that there is* to be employed in keeping the herd *- but suficient able man. It is also agreed that whosoever, after lawfully warned, shall neglect his day in keeping, shall forfeit five shillings to ye use of the towne, and for every our that a man is defective after sun halfe an our hye, by not going forth of the towne to the keeping of his herd, he shall forfeit six pence for the town's use.
Fetching the Smith's tools from Hartford.
At the same meeting agreed and voted, by the towne of Norwake to give Matthew Camfield and Nathaniell
* Obliterated.
3*
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NORWALK.
[1655.
Hayes six and twenty shillings for the fetching of the tools pertaining to the Smith from Hartford, and is to be payd the next rate.
The estate of lands and accommodations - in the hands of as followeth [in 1655].
S.
£ 8.
Mstr. Hanford, 300 00
Matt. Marvin, jr., 139 10
Nath. Eli,
293 00
Thos. Hales, 118 00
Math. Campfield, 283 10
Walter Haite, obliterated.
Nathl. Richards,
282 00
Dan. Kellogge,
Rich. Web, 255 10
Nath. Haies, 66
Isacke More,
252 00
Jonath. Marsh, 66
Math. Marvin, sen. 279 00
Ralph Keeiler,
Sam. Hales, 250 00
John Bowton,
Tho. Fitch,
314 00
Richd. Homes, 66
Richd. Olmsted, 219 10
Mathew Sention,
Mathias Sention,
Steph: Beckwith,
sen.,
189 00
Thos. Seamer,
John Griggorie,
188 10
Thos. Lupton,
Robt. Beacham,
173 00
Wid. Morgan, 66
John Ruskoe,
150 00
To dispose of,
200 00
Math. Sention, jr., 150 00
Ralph Keeiler,
150 00
Summ total is
5475 00
Geo. Abbitt,
75 00
Ladders provided.
At a meetinge holden the 21st of January, 1655, by the inhabitants of Norwake, voted and agreed that every householder shall provide, erect, and sett up a good and sufficient ladder reaching.up to the chimney above the house, the said ladder to be made and sett up within one mounthe after the date hereof, and that if any householder shall be defective herein, the said
47
TOWN RECORDS.
165%}
. householder shall - of five shillings to the use of the town.
At the same meetinge, it was fullie agreed, voted and concluded, between the inhabitants of Norwake of the one syde, and Waltar Haite of the other syde, that the said Waltar Haite is to erect and sett up a good and sufficient gate leading into the meadows of the other side, &c. * *
Feb. 5, 1657. Voted and agreed that Robt. Beach- am shall enjoy and possess that parcell of lande lyinge betweene his home lott and the Coafe Bancke, as his owne ; being given and granted by the Towne at the saied meetinge ; and the saied Robt. Beacham has promised and ingaged to keepe and maintaine the gate leadinge into the necke for the yere ensuinge.
March 5, 1657. 3 At the saied meetinge, Isacke More, Matth. Sention, Mark Sention, Ed. Nash, with consent of the Towne, have undertaken to make and provide a good and sufficient wolfe-pitt upon the other side in some convenient place, &c.
(1657.) Memorandum. That Jonathan Marsh does ingage to build a corne mill and sufficient
Memorandum. That Jonathan Marsh is to have upland to be laied out adjoininge to the mill -
At a Towne meetinge held the first day of March, - 58, agreed with Goodman Marsh about grinding our corne, and he hath agreed to attend the towne 3 dayes in the week, that is to say, the 2d, the 4th, and the 6th day of the week, and these days he is to attend, that we may have -- to fetch and carry corne to the mill.
48
NORWALK.
[1656.
The Indians.
At a Towne meetinge the 18th of Aprill, 1655, voted and ordered Leeiftenant Olmsted and Thos. Fitch are to take care and look after the Indians - are per- mitted to plant butt such as properly belongs to the towne ; that those that doe plant doe speedily make up the fence, and so allso keep it up sufficient, and allso that noe Indian - within a quarter of a mile of the towne.
Nails for the Meeting House.
At a Towne meetinge heild the 22d of May, '55, voted and instructed the Townsmen to procuer nayles, with all speed, for the meeting house, and at as reasonable rate as they can-Towne's account. Allso, Thos. Fitch, sen. and Leeiftenant Olmsted are desired to be helpfull unto Nath. Richards in-the procuringe helpe for the making up the mill Damne.
The Cows to Pasture.
Memorandum. The cowe keeper began to herd the cowes the second Monday in May, being the 8th or 9th day ; and the dry hearde began to be driven out by 3 men-to Rooton, that was Marke Sention, Math. Sention, and Waltar Haite --- to be allowed 6d. a turne.
Admitting Mr. Reed.
At the aforesayed meeting, voted and agreed that Math. Reed is admitted to come into the towne as an inhabitant.
Must come to Town Meetings.
- Anno 1656, April 1st. At the same meeting agreed and voted, that all the inhabitants of Norwake
49
TOWN RECORDS.
1659.]
shall all be present at the town meetings lawfully warn- ed, and answer to their names, upon the forfeit of 12 pence a man, on such default; and there remayn till the townsmen or townsman shall - the meeting, upon the same forfeit.
Mr. Hanford's Salary.
At a meeting held by the inhabitants of Norwalke (1656), agreed and voted, that Mr. Handford shall have three score pounds allowed for the yere insuing, by them for his rate, and he is to be paid as followeth : 30 pounds in wheat, and pease, and barley, at the prices - -4 shillings per bushell for wheat and barley, and for pease, 3 shilling per bushell. The other 30 pounds is to be payed, 8 pounds in - and the other 22 pounds is to be payed in beefe and pork at the common currint prise that it brings, when it is dew.
The Meeting House.
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of Norwake, the 3d of January (1659) agreed and voted, that there shall be a meeting house built by the joint concurrence of the inhabitants, 30 foot in length, and 18 foot in * * * to be set upon posts in the ground, 12 foot in length, that there be 10 foot distance from the ground to the to the effect of the building, the inhabitants · hav- ing engaged 48 days worke, which each is to performe as he may be called thereunto by - chosen and ap- pointed by the towne-to call them forthe, provided that the said men give warning two days at least before- hand.
Wolf-pits.
At a meeting held on the 16th of September, 1659, voted and agree that it shall be lawfull for any person
50
. NORWALK.
[1664.
or persons to make any wolfe pitt or pitts in convenient places, and what wolfes shall be taken and killed by the sayed persons, they shall be allowed for every wolfe 10s. by the towne.
Clapboarding the Meeting-house.
At a meeting held the 12th of December, 1660, the towne hath agree with Mr. Fitch, and Goodman Rich- ards, and John Rusco, to claboard the meeting house with inside so hy as the window ; to find the bords, and to have 3l. 6s. for the doing of itt ; this worke to be don by the last of January next.
Difficulty with Fairfield.
At a meeting held the 6th of May, 1664, voted and agreed, that the deputies made choice of to attend the general court - are authorized by the said vote, that if they have an opportunitie to issue the difference be- tween the Towne of Faierfield and ourselves concerninge the bounds, they are impowered to issue the same, either by agreement with them according to former proposi- tions propounded unto them, if accepted, and if not accepted, then to issue it in the court if it may be ; and Thomas Fitch is voted to be assisting in the busi- ness, &c.
At the same meeting, voted that the Townsmen are hereby empowered to hier a man, or man and horses, at the towne charge, for the sending for Mstr. B -- , and bring him again to Faierfeild, for so many times as he may be procured, while Mstr. Handford is absent.
Addition to the Meeting-house.
At the same meetinge (1664), voted and agreed, that there shall be an addition made and sett up, to the meet- ing-house, and that - ende sett up and joined
51
TOWN RECORDS.
1665.]
unto the fore part of the meetinge house, the sayed building to be in bredth 20 or 22 foote, and in lenth 16 foote at least ; and the towne engages, and every person to worke twoe days a man, if need be; and there being appoynted Thomas Fitch, sen., and Mathew Marvin, sen., to call out so many men as they think fitt - to fell and cutt the timber, and allso to summon each to drawe the saied timber.
Nath. Richards buys the Mill.
At the same meetinge, the Towne doth approve and consent unto Nath. Richards of his purchasinge and buyinge of the mill and land, both upland and meadow of Jonathan Marsh ; the saied Nath. Richards being to give and pay unto Jonathan Marsh for the sayed mill and all that belonges unto the sayed mill, with the up- land and meadow, being 6 akers and 2 roodes of upland lying upon the mill hill, and 3 parcells of meadow, and called Cranbury swamp, &c.
Henry Whitney's Mill.
At the sayed Meetinge (July 24th, 1665), Henry Whitney hath agreed and Ingaged with the Towne, to make, build, and erect a good and sufficient ground corne mill, and that at the mouth of Norwake River by the falles ; and that upon certain conditions, which conditions are to be fullie drawn up, by Thomas Fitch, Leeiftennant Olmsted, Mstr. Fenn, Mr. Whitinge, to confirme * * * signed by the Towne or thosse they shall depute their * * * which conditions were fully agreed upon at the sayde ** * betweene the Towne and Henry Whitney * *
Also at the sayed meetinge the Towne voted and granted unto the said Henry Whitney a Homelott, con-
52
NORWALK.
[1667.
sistinge of twoe akers, the sayed lott to be layed out upon the mill plaine upon the right hand of the path leading down to the old mill, being over the Runlett 2 or three rodd from the sayed Runlett and also from the cart way ; and so the grant of the other Lott is relin- quishede.
Beating the Drum.
Also (1665), Walter Haite has undertaken to beate the drumm for meetings when all occasions required, for which he is to have 10s. Also Tho. Bennidict has un- dertaken to have the meeting house swept for the yeere ensuing ; he is to have 20s.
How to deal with the Stamford men.
It was also voted and agreed, August 26, '66, that such men of our inhabitants as doe goe to cutt hay on the other side five mile river, the towne will stand by them in the action to defend them, and to beare an equall proportion of the damage they shall sustaine upon that account ; and if they shall be afronted by Stam- ford men, the towne will take as speedy a course as they can to prosecute them by law, to recover their just rights touching the lands in controversy ; and also they have chosen and deputed Mr. Thomas Fitch to goe with the sayed men when they goe to cutt or fetch away, to make answer for and in behalfe of the towne, and the rest to be silent.
Mending the fences.
At a towne meeting in Norwalk, March the 20th, 1667, it was voted and ordered that it shall be left to the townsmen from yere to yere, to appoint a time or day, at or before the 10th of March, for the securing of the fences on both sides, and that they shall give notis
53
TOWN RECORDS.
1668.]
to all the inhabitants the night before ; and the drumb to be beten in the morning ; which shall be accounted sufficient warning for every man to secure his fence, or else to beare his own damage.
Fetching the Cows.
At the same meeting (Oct. 17th, 1667), voted and ordered, that after the field is cleared, the townsmen shall hier Steven Beckwith, or some other man, to fetch the cowes out of the neck; and that he that shall be hiered shall give warning by sounding a horne about twelve of the clock, that he that is to accompany him may repaier to him.
Wolves.
Also at the same meeting in Norwalk, Oct. 28, '67, it was voted and ordered, that the townsmen, for every wolfe that shall be kild in this town, eyther in pits or otherwise, the head or eares being brought and shewed, after this present day till the town rates are made for the defraying such charges, shall have twenty shillings for every such wolfe.
Training.
At a meeting of the inhabitants of Norwalke, May the 7th, 1668; being met together upon an occasion of trayning, and having some other business to transact touching towne officers, did unanimously agree, that what orders should be made and concluded of at the aforesayed meeting, should stand in as full forse as if it had bin legally warned.
Keeping the Young People still in Meeting.
At a meeting of the inhabitants of Norwalk, July the 13 : '68, Tho. Lupton was chosen to look after the young people in the meting house on the Lord's day,
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NORWALK.
[1668.
and to doe his best indevor to kepe them from playing and unsivill behavor in time of publik worship.
The Herdsmen.
At a towne meeting in Norwalk, March the 16, 1668, it was voted and agreed, that there shall be two herds- men hired, one to keep the dry heard and the other to keep the milch heard for this whole somer.
At the same .meeting it was voted and agreed that Steven Beckwith is to keep the milch heard this somer, and is to have twelve shillings a week for his paynes ; and half a pound of butter for every cow as part of his pay, and the rest in wheat, pease, indian corn, at 4s. 6d. ; 3s. 6d, and eight groats pr bushell.
Difficulty with Stamford.
Sept. 30, 1668. Voted and ordered that the depu- ties that ar chosen to goe to the court in October next, shall doe there best indevor that the diferance betwen Stamford and Norwalk may be brought to an issue.
At the same meeting it was voted and ordered that it shall be left to the towns men to send a letter to Stam- ford to signifie the towns intension about the difference of Bounds.
Making a fence for a winter wheat-field, Anno 1668.
Dec. 4, 1668. It was agreed and concluded that a fence shall be made and sett up for ye taking in of a winter wheat field, which sayd fence is to begin at the gate by goodman Nash his house, and to Run along by the highway that goes to stony hill, and to end at the creek that comes in between Matthue Camfield his Is- land, and Nathaniell Richards out meddow, which fence is to be made good sufitient fence ; eyther postes and
55
TOWN RECORDS.
1669.]
Rayls, or stones or logs ; but not hegg; and this to be finished by the last of September next ensueing, and to be layed out and divided by Mr. Fitch, Daniell Kellogg, and Christopher Comstok ; and also it was concluded that the first lott should begin at the gate; which first lott was drawn by
1. Matthew Marvin, sr.
16. Christopher Comstok,
2. Samuel Sension, 17. Mr. Fitch,
3. Robert Stewart, 18. Nathl. Hayes,
4. Samuel Camfield, 19. John Gregory, sen.,
5. Tho. Lupton,
20. Mark Sension,
6. Tho. Fitch,
7. Tho. Seamer,
8. Edward Nash,
9. Mr. Hanford,
10. Matthias Sension,
11. Tho. Bennydick,
12. George Abbet,
13. Walter Hayte,
14. Tho. Betts,
29. John Ruscoe,
15. Daniell Kellog,
30. Richard Wholms,
31. Matthias Sension, junr.
Ralph Keeler did promise and ingage to fence forty Rodd of the aforesayd fence provided that he may sett it up against his own land.
Ash House.
At a towne meting in Norwalk, January the 22d, '69, it was voted and granted that Thomas Oviet of Milford shall have liberty to set a house by the water side before John Gregory's, senr., to put ashes in.
The Indians.
At the same meeting it was voted that Mr. Fitch,
L
23. Matthew Marvin, junr.
24. Nathl Richards,
25. Richard Olmstead,
26. John Bouton,
27. John Gregory, junr.,
28. John Platt,
21. John Raymond,
22. Widdow Webb,
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NORWALK.
[1669.
and Matthew Marvin, junior, are desired and apointed, and it is left to their discretion, to treat with the In- dians touching the lands between the West branch of Norwalk river and Saketuk river ; to git it to be marked out and bounded twelve miles up the contery at the least, and that it may be dun and finished according to law, and being so bounded and marked, the Indians are to have their 4 coates.
Four Coats to Mamachimon.
Dec. 25, 1669. Voted and concluded that Mama- chimon shall have fowre cotes. paid to him by the towne, when he shall have settled the bounds of the land up the country, 12 miles at the leaste, against all claims whatsoever.
Undivided Lands.
At the same meeting voted and agreed that all the lands within the bounds of Norwalk that are at present undivided, shall for futor be divided onley to such as are the present proper Inhabitants of this towne, according to estate given in, only excepting ye division of six acors the 100 to home lots already granted.
At the same town meeting voted and ordered, that until such time as ye Indian fence be made up so as to serve the feild, their shall not any of our inhabitants let any Indian have any parte of his property neither less or more to plant upon, eyther on this side or the other, upon the penalty of 20/ an acre so sett ; and so propor- sionaly for every greter or lesser quantity ; and the same order to stand in force against any person that shall either hier or exchang any land of the Indians for the futor ; and this to stand in force from yere to yere until it be repealed.
At the same meeting it was voted and ordered that
57
TOWN RECORDS.
1670.]
the corne feilds on both sides ar to be layd in by the next thirsday com senit, and the fences to be made up sufficient.
Indian Land.
At the same meeting it was voted and ordered that no person or persons whatsoever inhabiting in this towne shall for futor improve any land of the Indians within the indian feild eyther by hiring, or exchanging gifts, or any other way, under the penalty of twenty shillings an acor yerly, for every acor so improved, and so for every greator or lesser quantity.
At a towne meting in Norwalk, Aprill the 12th, 1670, it was voted and agreed that the order yt was made March 15th, '69, to prohibit exchanging of lands with the Indians, shall be suspended for the next somer, & that any that have a mind to exchange with them may soe do ; but not to hold it any longer than the next Indian harvest, and then the aforesaid order to stand in as full forse as before.
Boundaries.
At a town meting in Norwalk, June the first, 1670, it was voted and ordered that Lieutent Olmsted and John Gregory, senr. ar to be joyned with Mr. Fitch and Mathu Marvin Jun. to git the bounds marked out be- tween Norwalk river and Saketuk river as is expressed in a former order ; and being so done to such satisfac- tion as their is exprest in that former order, the Indians are to receive six cotes at the town's charg.
Treating with Stamford.
At the same meeting voted and agreed that Mr. Fitch and leuetent Olmsted and Daniel Kellogg are chosen a commitee to goe to Stanford to treat with the inhabitants
58
NORWALK.
[1670.
their, to se if they and we can come to a loving and neighborly issue and agreement, about the division of bounds betwixt them and us ; and the said committee is to make these propositions to the men of Stanford, eyther to divide betwixt five mile river and pine brook ; that is to say in the middle betwin both ; or else to di- vide in the middle betwin Saketuk River and the bounds betwin Stanford and Greenwig.
John Gregory.
At the same meting it was voted and concluded that their shall be two men chosen to prosecute the case against John Gregorie, senior, as touching the lands he howlds from the right of James the Indian, eyther by law or otherwise, as that they may howld and maintaine the rights which the town - or any other land which he claims in the like natuer, as the island called Cokkanus Island.
Town Officers in 1670.
At the same meting [Feb. the 21, 1670] Matthu Marvin, Junior, chosen to swepe the meating house, and to have 20s for his pains, and Walter Hayte chosen to beate the drume, and to have 10s for the sayd imploy- ment; Tho. Bennydick senr. chosen towne clerk, and to have 20s for his pains ; Mr. Fitch & John Bouton chosen survaiors, Leutent Olmsted, Ensign Tho. Fitch, Na- thaniell Richards, Daniell Kellogg & Tho. Bennydick, senr. chosen celect men.
The Guard.
At the aforesayed meting it was voted and ordered that it shall be left to the five men, to procure a hand- some and convenient seate made and sett up in the me- ting house, for a garde to sitt in, in the most suitable place, with all such conveniances for their Arms as they
59
TOWN RECORDS.
1671.]
shall jug necessary, and the charg to be borne by the towne.
Burning the Woods.
At the same meeting voted and agreed, that the townsmen shall hier a man to burn the woods, onely they shall not give above 12s for that cervice.
Cover over Mr. Hanford's Desk.
At a town meeting in Norwalk November 17th, 1670, it was voted and agreed that there shall be a man or men hired to make a comely and convenient cover over Mr. Hanford's desk, in the meting house, at the town's charge.
The Bridge.
At the aforesayd meeting [Jan. the 1st, 1671] it was voted and agreed on that there shall be a bridg made over Norwalk river ; the charg shall be born according to the list of estates then in being of every inhabitant in the town of Norwalk.
At the same meting voted that it shall be left to the select men in this town, to improve their best skill to see what will be contributed by the severall towns adja- cent towards the building of a bridg over Norwalk river ; it was further voted that the select men shall send to serjent Andrues of Newhaven, to git him to come over to give us advise about the bridg, & the town will bear the charg of his coming and going.
Recompense for bad coats to Mamachimon.
Feb. 9th, 1671. Voted and agreed that inasmuch as Mr. Fitch have given a rate to Mamachimon to make him a recompense for the badness of the former coats he received, that the prise of it shall be put into this town rate that now is to be made.
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NORWALK.
[1671:
Division of land, and laying out Home-lots.
At the same meeting voted and agreed that Nath. Hays & Tho. Fitch, Junr, shall fall in with the rest of the inhabitants in the last devision that was agreed on to be layed out, notwithstanding their former gratuety ; onely they are to take it up in the woods, becase they have received already in the neck.
(John Platt & Thomas Bennydick, senr. were to lay out the last division, according to the grant ; and also to lay out the home-lots. )
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