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 5
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It was voted and agreed that only the proper inhabit- ants that are now in being shall have a home lott, and all such shall Injoy one according to a former order.
Agreed on that all those men that now draw lots with their neighbors, shall stand to their lotts that now they draw.
Agreed on that the first lot shall begin at the hether end of Drye Hill, as soon as the hill shall be found ca- pable of lotting, by those that are to laye out the lotts, and on this side the hill by the path that goes to Cram- berry plain, and so back againe on the other side of the hill homward, & so all the rest of the land in that order.
Agreed that those that do not draw lots with the rest of their neighbors shall take them up with their devi- sion of six acors to the hundred; if it be their to be had; if not, then they shall fall in with their neighbors whear they shall end, or at the side of them, whear it shall be most convenient.
Further agreed that it shall be left to the 3 men that are to lay out the lotts, that they shall size them so as they may be made most equall, according to their best discression.
61
TOWN RECORDS.
1673.]
The Estates of lands & Accommodations of ye town of Norwalk.
IMPRIMIS : £
John Gregory, senr.,'
253 10 0 George Abbet,'
075 00 0
Nath. Hayes,
115 00 0 Walter Hayte, 192 00 @
Tho. Lupton,
070 00 0 Mathias Sension, 145 00 0
Richd Holmes,
150 00 0 Ralph Keiler, 053 10 0
John Ruscoe, 150 00 0 Samuel Hayes,
100 00 0
Mr. Hanford, 300 00 0 John Hayte,
100 00 0
Tho. Bennydick, sea., 150 00 0 Tho. Betts,
146 10 0
John Bouton,
100 00 0 Sam. Bennydick,
050 00 0
John Bennydick, jr.,
150 00 0 Ephraim Lockwoo.1,
070 00 0
Daniel Kellogg,
125 00 0 Tho. Fitch, jr.,
150 00 @
Math. Marvin, junr,,
139 10 0 John Platt,
168 13 4
Mr. Tho. Fitch, sen.,
314 00 0 Samuel Sension,
100.00 0
Nath. Richards,
268 00 0 Robbart Steward,
200 00 0
Mark Sension,
252 00 0 Jonathan Pirkins,
10 00 0
James Sension,
175 00 0 James Picket,
10 00 0
Mathu Marvin, sen,,
169 00 0 Samuel Keiler,
53 10 0
Thomas Gregory,
50 00 0 Peter Lupton,
50 00 0
John Olmsted,
50 00 0 Frances Bushnell. 10 00 0
Andrew Messenger,
25 00 0 James Olmsted,
50 00 0
Saml. Camfield,
233 00 0 James Bennydick,
37 00 0
Richard Olmsted,
119 10 0 Danl. Bennydick,
36 00 0
Christopher Comstock, 146 10 0 Joseph Gregory,
50 00 0
Tho. Seamer, 100 00 0 John Nash,
50 00 0
Widdow Webb,
255 00 0 Tho. Hiet,
*5 00 0
John Raymond,
150 00 0 Steven Beckwith,
5 00 0
Edward Nash,
166 10 0 John Crampton,
3 68
John Keiler, 050 00 0 James Miller,
80 00 0
Judah Gregory,
50 00 0 Thos. Betts, jr.,
10 00 0
Jakin Gregory,
50 00 0 John Belding,
3 00 0
Thomas Tayler,
55 00 0 William Lees,
3 00 0
Samuell Smith,
M
70 00 0 Saml. Belding,
3 00 0
Estate for the Children.
At the aforesaid meeting voted and agreed on, that every one of our inhabitants that have not as yet had any estate for their childring, shall have five pounds for every childe now in being ; to be added to their father's estate, & this is to take place in the land that is now to be lay- ed out in ye Indian feild, and not before.
Tavernkeeper.
At the same meeting Christopher Comstock was chosen .
4
40 00 0
John Gregory, jr., 50 00 0 Thos. Barnum,
62
NORWALK.
[1676.
and approved of to kepe an ordinary for the entertayn- ing of strangers.
Chesnut Hill.
At the aforesayed meeting, March 19th, 1671, it was voted and agreed on that Chesnut Hill is to be resarved for a feild for the Indians, if need be, and if they shall except of it.
Cockenoes Island.
Allsoe at the same meeting [Feb. 20th, 1672], it was voted & agreed on that the sayd Island called Cockenoe, is to lye common for the use of the towne as the other Islands doe.
The Children of the Town.
John Gregory, Jr. have childring
Tho. Bennydick, Jr., 2
John Gregory, Sr.,
1 Math. Marvin, Jr., 6
Nath. Hayes,
7. Geo. Abbot, 7
Tho. Lupton,
2 Maths. Sension, 7
Rich. Holms,
2 Keilers, 3
John Ruscoe,
5 Samuel Hayes,
1
Tho. Bennydick, Sr.,
6 Tho. Tayler, 2
John Bouton,
5 Judah Gregory,
3
John Hayte,
1 Samuel Camfild, 1
Thos. Betts,
8 Tho. Fitch, Jun.,
4
Ephraim Lockwood,
3 Tho. Seamer,
7
John Platt,
3 John Raymond, 1
Samuell Sension,
2 Edward Nash, 2
Robbart Steward, 5
The soldiers in the Indian war.
At a Town meetinge January the 12th, 1676, the Towne in consideration of the good service that the
6 Jachin Gregory, 2
Mr. Hanford,
3 Daniel Kellogg, 6
63
TOWN RECORDS.
1677.]
souldiers sent out of the towne ingaged and performed by them in the Indian warr, out of respect and thank- fulnesse to the sayed souldiers, doe with one consent and freely, give and grant unto so many souldiers as were in the service at the direful swamp fight,* twelve acors of land ; and eight acors of land to so many souldiers as were in the next considerable ser- vice ; and fowre acors to those souldiers as were in the next considerable service ; the sayed souldiers having libertie to take up the sayed granted lands within the bounds of the town, provided that it be not upon those lands that are prohibited, and also such lands as are pitched upon before the date hereof by the proprietors or proprietor ; provided also the sayd grant is only to such souldiers as shall within one yeere, and possess and im- prove the sayd lands.
John Roach, a soldier in the " direful swamp fight."
Whereas the towne of Norwalke having given and granted unto John Roach as a gratuety being a souldier in the late Indian war, the parcell of land, consistinge of twelve acres more or less, layed out upon the West side of the West Rocks so called, &c.
Daniel Benedict, a soldier in the swamp fight.
Granted by the plantation unto Daniel Benedict as a gratuity, being a souldier in the Indian warr, twelfe acres of land, and lyeth in three parcels ; whereof one parcell lyeth upon the hill and plaine of the other side of Norwalke River, not far distant from the West side of the cart path leading to the meadow field &c. Feb. 16, 1677.
Thos. Gregory, a soldier in the Indian war.
Granted by the plantation unto Thos. Gregory as a gratuety, being a souldier in the Indian warr, eight acres of land, and lyeth in two parcells, the first parcell
* See page 66,
64
NORWALK.
[1677.
lying upon the West Rocks, containing six acres, &c. Feb. 25, 1677.
Thomas Hyatt, a soldier in the Indian war.
Feb. 19, 1682. The Towne granted unto Thomas Hyatt, libertie to resign seven acres of land which the town hath formerly granted him respecting as he was a souldier in the Indian warres, and he had taken up the same upon Clapboard Hill, soe called ; namely to re- sign the same up to the towne, so as to take it up else- where.
Joseph Platt, a soldier.
Feb. 21, 1698. Granted unto Joseph Platt, as he was a souldier out in the service against the common enemie, the Town, as a gratification for his good service, do give and grant unto him ten Acres of land, to take it up a mile from the town, and wheare it lyes free not yet pitcht upon by any other persons.
Jonathan Abbot, a soldier.
Allso granted unto Jonathan Abitt as he was a soul- dier, ten Acres of land, to be taken up whear it lyes free not yet pitched on by any persons.
For a man sent out to the warres.
Feb. 21, 1698. The town granted to James Betts, as he sent out a man into the warres, and was at charge and expense of money on account of hireing ; the towne does grant unto the sayd James, five acres of land, &c.
Saml. Keeler, a soldier in the swamp fight.
Granted by the plantation of Norwalke, unto Saml. Keeler, with respect to his service, as he was a souldier in the late Indian warr, one parcell of land lying upon Clapboard Hill, so called, containing twelfe acres more or less ; and lyeth bounded East and West the com-
65
TOWN RECORDS.
1677.]
mon, North Tho. Hyatt Land, South Ebenezer Sen- tion Land. Recorded May, 1681.
John Crampton, a soldier in the Indian war.
John Crampton hath granted him by the towne as he was a Souldier in the late Indian warr, two Roodes of land more or less, and lyeth bounded in the East by the high way, West Saml. Bennydict's home lott, North Tho. Betts house lott, South, James Miller's house lott.
John Crampton hath granted him by the towne, as he was a souldier in the late Indian warr, eight acres foure roodes of land, more or less, and lyeth upon the est branch of Norwak River, not far distant from that meadow called Webbs meadow &c.
James Jupp, a soldier in the Indian war.
James Jupp hath granted him by the towne, as he was a souldier in the late Indian warr, eight acres of land, and lying upon the hill called Clapboard Hill, &c.
John Belding, a souldier.
Dec. 12, 1676. Granted unto John Belding the re- mainder of the swamp that shall be left, when his Father Hales is laid out, and to be a part of the land that he is to have for his being a souldier.
Jonathan Stevenson, a souldier in the direful swamp fight.
Feb. 20, 1677. Granted by towne vote unto Jona- than Stevenson libberty to take up 4 acres of his twelve acres given him by the town for his being a soul- dier ; and that against Tho. Hiet's home lot, on the East side of the aforesaid Hiet, joyning unto him ; onely due care is to be taken by them that lay it out, that the towne be not deprived of the benefit of the springs for their cattel in the winter season.
66
NORWALK.
" THE DIREFUL SWAMP FIGHT." [See p. 63.]
[This was in king Philip's war. After some successes of Philip, there was a general rising of the Indians against the English, for an extent of nearly three hun- dred miles. The Indians were perfectly acquainted with the situation of every English settlement. They lurked at every unguarded pass-crept by night into their barns, gardens, and out-houses-concealed them- selves behind fences-laid in wait in the fields. The whole country, save some few towns, was a wilderness. Parties of Indians would plunder and burn a town, carry the inhabitants away captive, and then retire into the forests and swamps. Brookfield had been burnt ; Had- ley, Deerfield, and Northfield had been attacked, and numbers killed : Captain Lathrop and ninety or a hun- dred men had been ambushed and slaughtered between Hadley and Deerfield. Springfield had been attacked and partly destroyed. The Narragansetts, who had made a treaty with the English, now harbored their ene- mies ; and many of their warriors, after having been engaged in these marauding expeditions, had returned wounded. There was the clearest evidence that the Narragansetts were preparing to join openly in the war. They could muster two thousand warriors, and had a thousand muskets. Should the Indians all engage in the spring, in such a warfare as they had hitherto car- ried on, there was scarcely any hope, but that nearly all the English settlements must be cut off in detail, with- out the possibility of successful resistance.
It was therefore determined to attack them in the winter, though such an enterprise was full of hazard. Should any disaster befall the troops of the colonies, it might be difficult or impossible to send them succors or
67
A
THE SWAMP FIGHT.
supplies, on account of the deep and pathless snows, and the exposures of the winter and the wilderness, be- sides the danger from the Indians. But dreadful neces- sity compelled them to make the attempt.
Massachusetts furnished 527 men, Plymouth 158, and Connecticut 300 men, and 150 Mohegan and Pequot Indians. The Connecticut troops had marched from Stonington to Pettysquamscot. Here they expected shelter, but the Indians had burned the buildings and killed the inhabitants only a day or two before. This was on the 17th December. The weather was cold and stormy. The next day they marched, and formed a junction with the Massachusetts and Plymouth forces. Here again they were obliged to spend the night un- covered in the open field. The next morning, at break of day, the army marched towards the Narragansett fort, which was in a deep tangled swamp, fifteen miles distant. The snow was deep, and the weather extreme- ly cold. At one o'clock they reached the enemy's fort. It was on rising ground, in the midst of the swamp, surrounded with palisades, and, outside of these, with a hedge of brush a rod thick. The only entrance which appeared practicable, was over a log which lay five or six feet from the ground ; and this entrance was defended in front by a fortress of logs, "and on the left by a flanker." The Massachusetts troops, who were in front, mounted the log and rushed on. A few. entered the fort. The fire 'from the loghouse and flanker was so hot, that a sufficient number could not force their way through to support them, and those who had entered were cut down. The deep snow, and the tangled thicket, rendered it impossible for the whole body of troops to come up at once ; and it was a con- siderable time before all could be brought into action.
68
NORWALK.
[1677.
At length, the Connecticut troops, who formed the rear, mounted over the log and rushed into the fort. Some others forced their way to the opposite side of the fort, and succeeded in making good their entrance, while the attention of the enemy was engaged in front. A long, bloody, and dubious conflict ensued; but the enemy were at length overcome ; and what were not killed in the battle fled to the swamp. Three hundred Indian warriors perished on the spot. Many were wounded, and perished from their wounds and from the cold. Nearly the same number were taken prisoners. It was a dreadful day.
The victory was dearly bought. Six captains fell in the action, and eighty men were killed or mortally wounded. One hundred and fifty were wounded, who afterwards recovered. After burning the fort, and all that it contained, the little army, just at the setting of the sun, carrying about two hundred dead and wounded, marched [back to their head-quarters. The night was cold and stormy. It was midnight before they got in. . None could have their wounds dressed till they reached their head-quarters. Many died, who might otherwise have recovered. Many perished with cold and fatigue. Well might the fathers of this town call it " The dire- ful swamp fight."]
The Watch.
At a towne meeting November ye 9, 1677, it was agreed that ye watch should be laied down, until such time as there is more danger apering; and that we will stand by ye constable if any trubble should arise upon that account.
The Miller.
At ye aforesaid meeting, it was voted and agreed on between the towne and the miller, John Whitne, that the
69
TOWN RECORDS.
1678.]
townsmen are to carry their corne to the mill upon the third and sixt days of the weak, comonly called tus- day & friday ; which days he is to attend to grindin, & if the sayd John can clere the mill of the corne that is brought in the aforesaid two days or before, then the rest of the days of the week he may take to attend to his own occasions ; but if he cannot clere the mill of the corne then seasonably brought in, he must clere it before he leaves.
Saw Mill.
Also at ye same meeting, granted unto Richard Holms liberty to erect, set up, and improve a saw mill upon five mile river, and liberty for timber one mile on this side of ye sayd river ; onlly the sayd Richard is not to pass over ye sayd grant to any but such as the town shall approve of; this saw mill is to be set up & finished within two yers after this date, or else it is forfit ; and the said Richard is to sell his boards and planks to the townsmen as the doe at other towns to their neighbors, and whear their are saw mils.
The School.
At a towne meting May the 29th, 1678, voted and agreed to hier a scole master to teach all the childring in the towne to lerne to Rede and write ; & that Mr. Cornish shall be hierd for that cervice, & the towns- men are to hier him upon as reasonable terms as they can.
New Meeting House.
At a towne meeting Desember 17, 1678, it was voted and agreed that the towne will leave the diference about where the meting house shall stand that is now to be erected, to three honest indiferent judisious men ; 4* .
70
NORWALK.
[1678.
and they are to vew the places in controversy, and to hear all Resons & arguments on both sides, & the towne ingages to sit down satisfied with there detar- mination, as to the place of its standing.
And further it was voted and agreed, that the honered deputy Governor, the honered Major Goold, with the Reverend Elder Buckingham, shall be the men that the towne shall put this matter of difference too, respecting the place whear the meting house shall stand. At the same meeting voted and agreed, that the meting house that is to be erected shall be forty foote square, & sixtene foote betwin joynts, & the Rofe of the sayed house to be built after the manner of Faierfild meting house.
Tavern Keeper.
At the same meting, Mathias Sention was chosen to keep an ordinary for the entertayning strangers, &c.
Meeting House Committee.
Also voted and agreed (Jan. 31st, 1678), that the six men that were formerly choosin to oversee the work aboute the meting house as a commite for that cervice, should now be named and recorded ; that is to say, Mr. Fitch, senr., Thos. Bennydick, senr., Nathaniel Hayes, John Bouton, John Platt, Thos. Fitch, junr.
Building the Meeting House.
At the sayd meting, the towne by a vote doe give and grant unto the above sayd commite full power to let out the said meting house that is to be erected, according to their best discression; & the dimensions formerly agreed on; as may best advantage the sayd work; and in the same to have respect to the inhabit- ants for to improve them, both hands and carts, as
71
TOWN RECORDS.
1678.]
they are capable of, so as may best advantage the work. And allso to set a prise of their work by the day, eyther in the labor of a man, or carting. Allso provided that what hands or carts are warned out to the work, & shall not attend to the work, having two days warning, by the committee or any one of them by appointment from the rest, the laboring man shall forfeit two shillings by the day, and a teme fower shillings ; and what charges shall arise upon the sayd work, the town ingages to discharge it by way of rate.
Allso at ye said meeting it was voted and agreed that it shall be left to the commite that is to overse the work, to take the next convenient seson to send for the Jentlemen yt is chosen to put an end to our diferences about the meting house, & to take care for their com- fortable and honorable entertainment; and what chargis shall be expendid aboute it shall be defrayed by the towne.
Beating the Drum.
At a towne meting-February ye 18, 1678, Robbart Stuard ingages yt his son James shall beate the drumb on the Sabbath and on other ocations; is to have it for that cervice.
Working at the Meeting House.
At a towne meetting held at Norwalk March 4th, 1678 or '79, it was voted that the Comitty Chosen By the Town, viz .: Mr. Fitch, Thomas Bennydick, senr., Nathaniell Hayes, John Bouton, John Platt, Thomas Fitch, junior, should goe on with the worke Comitted to them, in refferance to the meeting house, and to goe on with the worke forthwith, according to their best Discression.
72
NORWALK.
[1679.
Cedar Shingles.
At the aforesayed meeting it was voted and agreed that the Comittee shall and may gett or procure Ceader shingles for the Meeting House, if they can be procured upon Reasonable tearmes.
Site of the Old Meeting House.
At the afore said meeting (23 April, 1679), it was voted and agreed by the inhabitants of the town of Nor- walk, that all the common land commonly known and called and improved for a meeting house yard, wheare the old meeting house now standeth, Bounded on the south by Mr. Hanford's Lott, on the North with Ma- thew Marvin, senior's Lott, on the east with Thomas Seamer's Lott, on the West with 'Mathew Marvin, Ju- nior's Lott, shall, as at this present it is, for ever be im- proved for that end and use; namely of setting up & meeting house there ; unless that every particular pro- per Inhabitant shall freely consent to any other im- provement thereof.
At the same Meeting it was allso voated and agreed by the towne that all that Common Land, commonly known and called Goodman Hoyt's hill ; every part and parcel of it, shall, as heartofore, forever for the future, be common, and not be improved to any other use ; unless it be for the setting up of a watch house there ; without the consent and approbation of every Individual proper Inhabitant.
Meeting House Committee.
At the same meeting it was voted and agreed by the towne that Daniel Kellogg shall be joyned with the comittee in the acting and transacting of the business and worke committed to them in carrying on of the worke of the meeting house, according to the former order of the towne in that case.
73
TOWN RECORDS.
1679.]
The Committee strengthened.
At a Towne meeting October the 4th, 1679, it was voted and agreed that there shall be suitable persons chosen to strengthen the committee to carry on the worke of the new meeting house.
At the aforesayd meeting, October 4th, 1679, voted and agreed, that -- Haite and Robbart Stewart are added unto the committee as commit- tee men for the carrying on the worke of the new meet- ing house, and to have equall power with the rest of the committee that was formerly chosen for the aforesayed worke.
Stray Horses.
At the aforesayd meeting, the town did Declare and manifest they would stand by the act of the select men in the act of selling the stray horses for the use and ben- nefitt of the Towne. At the aforesayd Meeting it was agreed and voted, that the Money for the stray horses souled, shall be improved for to Defray Townes Charges ; and the overplus to remaine in the Treasurer's hand for the use of the Towne.
Warning to Town Meetings.
At the aforesayd meeting, it was voted and agreed that if the select men shall be necessitated to send to Peter Clapum to warne him to meetings, those that are sent shall be allowed one shilling for every warning.
At the aforesayd meeting it was voted and agreed that the Towne would stand by Samuell Smith Towne Trea- surer, in case of need, to straine any that either neglect or refuse to pay.
The Watch.
At the sayd meeting (Feb. 20, 1679) the Towne en- gageth to bare the Constable harmless from any damage
7.1
NORWALK.
[1679.
in forbarcing the watch until such time as ye constable with ye select men shall sce cause for to sett up a watch.
Pounds.
At the sayd meeting it was voted that those pounds as are now erected within the Bounds of Norwalk, shall returne to the townc.
At the aforcsayd meeting it was voted and agreed that there shall be noc pound or pounds either begun er perfected for that end, for to catch horses, within the bounds of Norwalk, on the pennalty of 20s a wecke, soe long as they are soe improved, without the approbation of the towne.
Marking Colts.
At the aforesayd meeting it was voted and agreed that Jachin Gregory, John Hayt, John Keeler, and Joseph Gregory shall be the masters or overseers of those pounds lieing by five mile river side, who are to be sworne to a faithfull performance of the trust committed to them ; who are to mark all colts and yeerlings as they apprehend belong to the owners of such mares as shall be brought in, with their owners markes, and also they are to bring in all such strays, or unmarked horses, as they shall take in those pounds, unto the townc.
Unmarked Horses.
At the afforcsayd meeting it was voted and agreed that all unmarked horses, as either have been sould or shall be for the future sould, the one half of the prices for which they are sould for, shall be to those by whom they are taken; the other half of the price to the use and benefitt of the townc ; and none of those horses that arc taken, arc to be any way marked or disposed of out of the pound without the approbation of the Master or masters of the pound, on the pennalty of the forfeiture of twenty shillings.
75
TOWN RECORDS.
1680.]
Determining the place for the New Meeting House
At a towne meeting held the 3d of May, 1679, there was a writing Presented by Mr. Thomas Fitch, senr., and Thomas Fitch, Junr, unto the towne to be read ; and was read; which they did say and affirm was the award and determination of the Gentlemen, namely, Major Treat and Major Gold, Respecting the place for the setting up of the new meeting house.
At a towne meeting held at Norwalke June the 2d, 1680, voted and agreed by the towne that they doe close in with, and accept of, the act of the Generall Court in refference to a lott for the settlement of the place of the new meeting house.
At the afforesayd Meeting, agreed and voted that the towne will choose some honest, Judicious, Indifferant men, for to see this act of the Generall Court, in reffer- ance to a lott for the settlement of the place of the meet- ing house put into execution ; and it is also left to the select men to procure those men; and the time when the matter shall be put in execution in case of need.
Bridge.
At the afforesayd meeting (December the 28th, 1680), John Whittney, James Pickett, Thomas Bennidick, Ju- nior, were chosen a committee to determin the place of erecting a Bridge over Norwalk River ; they or any two of them concurring as to the place, whither at the great rock below the lower cart path ; or Below the falls ; and the abovesayed committee have power to call forth and improve hands and teames for the carrying on and finish- ing the sayed Bridge : viz, a sufficient horse bridge ; and that with as much expedition as may be convenient.
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