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 8
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This meeting is adjourned to ye next Monday morn- ing come sevennight at Eight of ye clock in ye morn- ing. Test, JOHN COPP, Town Clerk.
How to settle the difference about the old house or a new one.
At a town meeting convened by adjournment on the 19th day of January, 1718-19, in Norwalk, in the old school House.
108
NORWALK.
[1718.
The Town by major vote determines to leave the whole affaire of ye present differance in the town res- pecting the Repairing the old meeting house and en- larging ye same by addition; or the building a new meeting house, and determining the place where the new house shall be erected, unto a wise and judicious committee of three persons hereafter nominated and chosen ; all which charge of the sd committee to be de- frayed by ye town.
Upon Tryall of ye minds of ye town upon the above vote, it was proposed that those yt were of the mind to pass sª vote into their act, should move out of ye house. Upon tryall of whiche, Forty one persons went out of ye house, and eight persons yt were not in ye house when ye proposals were made, came to me and declared them- selves for ye said act. The negative vote was proposed in ye same manner, and no person or persons appeared to move out ; the number of ye persons yt remained in the house, as near as I could come at, were in number Twenty six.
At ye same meeting, the town by a major vote, made choise of Major Peter Burr, Major Samuel Eals, and Mr. Jonathan Law, Esq., for their committe, with whom they would leave the whole affair of their differ- ence above expressed, and to make a decision thereof.
At the same meeting the town by Major vote Deter- mines that any two of the abovesaid committee agree- ing, their determinations shall be as binding to the town to fulfil, as if they all three concurred and signed their result,
At ye same meeting ye town by a major vote have chosen Capt. John Raymond, Capt. Joseph Platt, Lt. Matthew Seamer, Ensigne Saml. Comstock, Mr. Samll.
109
TOWN RECORDS.
1720.]
Betts, and Mr. John Marven, a committee to represent ye town in laying before sd committee the surcomstances of ye town in their present differences.
At the same meeting ye town by major vote makes choise of Mr. Copp to entertain the Get"men Commit- tee afore chosen, when come to town.
At the same meeting the town by a major vote makes choise of John Copp to go forth with ye gentlemen ye said committee in order to obtain their coming over with as much expedition as may be.
At the same meeting, the town by a major vote im- powers the town's committee afore chosen to render and pay to ye Gentlemen committee, honorable reward for their service (in these affairs) for the town ; for which the town treasury shall reburst ye sd charges.
Beginning the new Meeting House.
At a town meeting convened in Norwalk August 17th, 1720, The town by a major vote resolves and concludes that men shall be hired to raise the meeting house, such men and so many as Mr. Samll. Grummon, carpenter, shall think needfull ; in ye town, and by ye advice of the Committee.
The town, by a major vote, resolves and oblidges themselves seasonably to grant such leavies by way of rate, on ye inhabitants of ye town, as shall be sufficient to discharge all such necessary charges, as the commit- tee appointed to manage that affair of the new meeting house, as already have or shall find needful, to contract for the accomplishment of ye underpining, raiseing, covering, and encloseing sd house, at or before the first day of March next ensueing the date hereof.
The Town, at ye same meeting, by a major vote,
6
110
NORWALK.
[1721.
determines that the new meeting house shall be raised fronting East, and to ye street.
The second School District.
(Note. On the 4th of January, 1719-20-the town voted that the winter school should be kept half of the time at the old school house, and the other half the time at the new school house at the North end of the town.)
January 30, 1720-21. The town by a major vote determines to have two schools attended and kept for the year ensuing, one at ye south end of ye town, and the other at ye north end; at ye two respective school houses now in being, in ye winter time; and ye summer schoole at ye south end, and at ye school house on ye west side of ye river. And ye country money shall be divided according to lyst by ye military lyne.
Gathering Oysters.
Dec. 4, 1721. The town by major vote prohibits all persons whatsoever excepting the proper inhabitants of ye town, rakeing and gathering of Oysters within ye har- bours, coves, or any other place, appertaining and being within the limits of our township. And any such per- son or persons as shall be found rakeing or gathering oys- ters within ye aforesayd limits, shall suffer the penaltie of three shillings per bushell.
Right of commonage to all young men arriving at the age of 21 years.
Dec. 4, 1721. The town by a major vote resolves and determines that a copy of a certain vote passed at a town meeting convened in Norwalk Dec. 15, 1698, in the words following, to wit : "Also granted that all the town born children, shall, as they attain ye age of Twen- ty one years, all of them have a fifty pound right of commonage in the town, and also as are twenty one
111
TOWN RECORDS.
1723.]
years of age to have it in this last division granted." -A true copy of ye town act lost,
Test, JAMES OLMSTEAD, Town Clerk.
Shall be put on record, and be of as good force and efficacy as the original was before it was lost; and that no female shall have benefit by this act, by their being born in ye town.
Selling Oysters to oyster vessels.
April 16, 1722. The Town Resolved, that whosoever of ye inhabitants of the town shall directly or indirect- ly sell any oysters, or give leave to any vessel, men, or any other person or persons to gett oysters within ye town bounds, or shall carry and put on board any oys- ters, shall incurr a penalty of five shillings pr. hundred, and so in proportion for greater or less quantites.
Seats taken from the old Meeting House for the new.
March 11, 1722-23. The town gives liberty to ye committee for the new meeting house, to take from ye old meeting house such seats and boards, plank, and other things, that may be needful to use in the new meeting house.
The Town Magazine.
At the same meeting, the town by a major vote de- termines that a suitable place shall be made in the new meeting house to put ye towns magazine in, and remove the same as soon as may be. 1
Seating the new Meeting House.
June 3, 1723. The town left the business of seating the new meeting house to a committee of seven ; viz. Capt. Joseph Platt, Lieutenant Samuel Marvin, Serjent John Bennedict, Samuel Kellogg, Lieutenant Matthew Seymor, Captain Samuel Hanford, Mr. John Betts, Sen.
112
NORWALK. .
[1723.
Mrs. Hanford still alive .*
At ye same meeting, the town voted Mrs. Hanford into ye pue with Mrs. Buckingham.
December 11, 1723. The town voted Capt. Samuel Hanford to sit in ye pue with Captain Olmsted and Captain Platt.
No town meeting to be holden in the new Meeting House.
At the same meeting (Dec. 11, 1723), the town by a major vote resolves, that no town meetings shall be warned to convene at the new meeting house, nor at- tended and held within sd house ; nor that any act or acts of the town shall ever be accounted of any value that shall be passed within the walls thereof. Also de- termines that no other improvement shall be made there, but what is consistent with, and agreeable to the most pure and special service of God, for which end it was built and now devoted.
Selling the old Meeting House.
At the same meeting; the town by a major vote de- termines to make sale of the old meeting house. Mr. John Bartlett, Ensign Samuel Comstock, and Mr. James Lockwood a committee to sell and dispose of the same.
A School Dame at Saugatuck.
At the same meeting, the town grants liberty to Drye Brook and Sawkatuck inhabitants to improve a School
* "From the first settlement of the town to 1732, a term of more than 80 years, there was no general sickness in the town. From 1715 to 1719, there died in this large town twelve persons only. Out of the train-band, consisting of 100 men, there died not one person from 1716 to 1730, during the term of 14 years."
" Mrs. Hanford, relict of the first minister of the town, died Sept. 12, 1730, aged 100 years."-(Manuscripts of Rev. Moses Dickin- son in Trumbull's History.)
113
TOWN RECORDS.
17:25.]
Dame among themselves to schoole their children in ye summer season, and also grant to them their proportion of ye country's money.
At ye same meeting ye town grants that the refuse boards left at ye new meeting-house, be used about ye school-house neerr ye Mill plain.
The old bell hung upon the new Meeting House.
At the same meeting the town by major vote deter- mines to hang ye bell on ye new meeting house, and there to be rung upon necessary occasions until there appear a suitable opportunity to sell the same.
Mr. John Copp in the second pew from the pulpit.
At the same meeting, the town by a major vote grants ye seating of John Copp in ye second pue from ye pulpitt ; and his wife in ye third pue on ye woman's side.
Mr. Thomas Fitch in the pew with the Justices.
Mr. Thomas Fitch, Jr., is by major vote of ye town seated in ye pue with the Justices, and the town desires that he would read ye psalme, and set ye tune in ye time of publique service.
Mr. Thomas Benedict to set the Psalm tunes.
December 2, 1724. The town by major vote desires Ensigne Thomas Bennedick, Jr., to sett ye tune to ye Psalme, at such times as that part of service is to be . performed in ye publik worship of God; and to read ye Psalms needed, ye town also seats ye said Bennedick in ye 3d long seat at ye end of ye middle alley.
The town votes Mr. Benjamin Lynes into ye pue at ye S. W. corner.
The Parish of Wilton begun.
December 7, 1725. The town by a major vote sig- nifies their willingness that the inhabitants of Kent,
114
NORWALK.
[1725.
Belden's Hill, and Chestnutt Hill, and so upwards, be- come a Parish or village by themselves ; if the Generall Court (upon their application) shall see meet so to es- tablish them ; and in order for ye settling ye bounds of said village, a committee from each party shall take a view and present to the town where they think the bounds should be stated ; that the town may consider upon it, and, upon their liking, establish the same.
At the same meeting, ye town by a major vote made choise of ye Worshipfull Joseph Platt, Esq., Captain Raymond, and Lieutenant Seymor committee for to joyne with a committee from ye said inhabitants, in vewing where ye bounds may be best fixt for said upper village, and make a report to ye town of their opinion therein.
Stone steps for the Meeting House.
February 18th, 1725-6. The town by a major vote determines that they will have stones obtained for ye makeing of steps at each of ye doars of ye meeting house. Joseph Platt, Esq., Mr. John Bartlett, and Ensigne Thomas Bennedick, Jr., to see to ye obtaining of sd stones, and get ye steps made, &c., at the town's cost.
Difficulty with the Rev. Mr. Buckingham.
At the same meeting (Feb. 18, 1725-6), the town by a major vote determines that something shall be done in order to regulate ye difficulties ariseing in the town about ye Reverend Mr. Buckingham.
The town by a major vote made choice of Joseph Platt, Esq., Mr. James Brown, Lieutenant Comstock, John Copp, Deacon John Benedick, Jr., Mr. John Betts, Sen., and John Betts, carpenter, Committee to present the grievances of the town to the ministers of the county.
115
TOWN RECORDS.
1725.]
Mr. Buckingham's salary stopped.
A bill was brought into ye meeting of ye following tenure, viz. :
Att a town meeting regularly warned by the select men of ye town of Norwalk and convened at the new school-house at the north end of said town, Feb. 18, 1725-6, the town by their major vote agrees and re- solves, that for the future no colector in the town of Norwalk shall be oblidged to colect Mr. Buckingham's rate in the specie as hath been usual ; and that the in- habitants of the town shall not be under any obligation, by force of any vote, to pay any provision for the an- swering of their severall proportions of sd Mr. Buck- ing's sallary ; and doe hereby determine and fully agree, that all votes and grants of that kind shall be wholly null and void.
Read off to ye town, put to vote, and passed in the affirmative.
The Association of Ministers called.
Feb. 28, 1725-6. The town accepts what Mr. Copp & Mr. James Brown (with concurrence of ye rest of ye committee) have done, in obtaining from ye Reverend Mr. Davenport, Moderator of ye Association (ye Reve- rend Mr. Webb & Mr. Chapman adviseing and con- senting therewith) letters of notification to ye ministers of ye county, for an Association of sª ministers at Nor- walk, on ye eighth day of March next ; and resolves to have ye said letters of notification sent to the Reverend persons to whom they are directed ; and make pro- vision for ye entertainment of sª ministers when they come, which charge shall be defrayed by the town.
The Old Pulpit.
At ye same meeting, the town by a major vote, grants
116
NORWALK.
[1726.
to the inhabitants of ye upper society the old pulpit upon free gift.
A Minister allowed to Saugatuck.
At the same meeting, the town by a major vote grants to ye inhabitants about Sawkatuck, liberty to improve some meet person or minister of ye gospel to preach among them, &c., they paying their full dues to ye sup- port of ye minister of ye town.
Mr. Buckingham's Letter to the Town.
At a town Meeting convened in Norwalk, March 22d, 1725-6 :
To the Town of Norwalk now conven'd together, I being heartily concerned for ye difficult state of the town, and thinking sincerely within myself, that a loving accommodation of ye difficulties and differences at pre- sent between ye town and myself, will be everyway most conducive to ye peace and union of the town, and the satisfaction of every member therein; and so, in the whole, most declarative of the glory of God, and most for the interest of religion, more especially in this place, I thereupon, with Christian concern, move to ye town for an accommodation of ye sª difficulties.
S. BUCKINGHAM.
The Town most gladly receiving Mr. Buckingham's desire, do heartily fall in with his motion for an accom- modation of ye difficulties ; provided the Rev. Mr. Davenport, Mr. Cook, and Mr. Chapman, do propose any meathod for such an accommodation, which they do think to be equivalent to, or may answer, the advice of the late association at Norwalk.
Read off to ye town
and by a major vote past in ye affirmative.
117
TOWN RECORDS.
1726.]
The Council for Advice.
March 30th, 1726. The town mett, and by a major vote requests the Reverend Mr. Sacket to joyne with ye Reverend Mr. Davenport, Mr. Cook, & Mr. Chapman, in that affair refer'd to them ye last meeting before ye adjournment.
A Supply for the Pulpit.
The town by a major vote grants to Mr. Thomas Fitch, jnr., Thirty shillings pr. day for two days and a half preaching with us in times past ; and also for what days he may be so improved by us for the future.
The Council.
March the 31st, 1726. The Town mett, and by a major vote made choice of Mr. James Brown to offer in ye town's behalf in ye present affair now before the Reverend Gentlemen, viz., ye Rev'd. Mr. Davenport, Mr. Cook, Mr. Chapman, and Mr. Sacket being pre- sent.
The Town closes with the advice of Council.
At the same meeting, the town having had read off to them the advice of ye late association of ye ministers of ye County at Norwalk, for ye Calling of a council of the elders and also of the messengers of the churches in the County ; and also the further advice of ye above Reverend Gentlemen, to pursue sd advice, as most agreeable to rule and order, and most conducible to an orderly and decisive determination of our difficulties, - the town closes with ye advice aforesd & by a major vote determines that a council of ye elders, & also of the messengers of the Churches in this County shall be called.
6* .
118
NORWALK.
[1726.
Calling the Consociation.
The town by a major vote determined that a suitable person shall be sent to ye Rev'd Mr. Stodard of Wood- bury, Moderator of ye last council in this county, to obtain letters of notification to ye elders and messen- gers of the churches in this county, to convene at Norwalk on the first Monday evening in May next, according to ye advice and discretion of ye late asso- ciation at Norwalk ; and that due provision be made for the entertainment of ye said council when convened ; the whole charge to be defray'd by the town,
Ł The Committee to represent the Town before Consociation.
April 27, Annoque Domini, 1726. (The town ap- pointed Mr. James Brown, Joseph Platt, Esq.", & John Copp, their committee to appear in behalf of the town before the Consociation, and to manage the whole affair relating to the difference between ye Rev. Mr. Buck- ingham & the town.)
The Town dissatisfied with Mr. Buckingham's Conversation.
At a town meeting convened in Norwalk, August 12th, 1726, at ye same meeting, the town by a major vote do signifie their dissatisfaction with the former and latter conversation of the Reverend Mr. Stephen Buckingham, viz. : before and since ye determination of council; as also with the determination of the council in that affair.
At ye same meeting, the Reverend Mr. Buckingham appeared, and read off before ye town then convened the following proposals, and directed in manner fol- lowing :
119
TOWN RECORDS.
1726.]
Mr. Buckingham's proposal.
To ye town of Norwalk, with ye Church appertaining thereunto :
Being apprehensive of disquietments among many respecting my continuance in ye service and work of ye ministry among you, these are to signifie to you, that if you are disposed, and do so agree to call a consocia- tion of ye elders and messengers of ye churches of this county, whereby I might have a regular discharge from ye work and service of the ministry, and ye care of your souls ; as by a like consociation I was regularly estab- lished in, and unto ye same; and that the said conso- ciation shall allso take cognizance of such publike scan- dalls that any of ye members of this church may lye under, in breaches of severall commands of the morall law, and other Scripture rules; that so, whatsoever of that nature may appear, may be orderly removed, and y chhs. peace established,-Under which surcomstan- ces once obtained, I shall freely lay down ye work and service of ye ministry among you.
August 12th, 1726. STEPHEN BUCKINGHAM.
The proposal voted to be irregular.
Sept. 14, 1726. The town according to adjourn- ment met, at which meeting it was proposed to the town, whether they would call a consociation according to foregoing proposall of the Rev. Mr. Buckingham, presented to ye town August 12th, 1726.
By a major vote, ye town determines the above sª pro- posal to be irregular, and therefore, by a major vote, re- solves ye above question in the negative. '
A Committee to treat with Mr. Buckingham, about his salary.
Dec. 1, 1726. The town determines to have a com-
120
NORWALK.'
[1727.
mittee chosen to treat with the Reverend Mr. Bucking- ham, refering to his salary, and the act of the town upon the same, Feb. 18, 1725-6.
Building a town house.
[Note. After the town were shut out of the meeting house, they met, generally in ye " North," or " Upper," School House. ]
Dec. 9th, 1726. The Town determines to have a house built upon such place as the town by major vote shall agree to determine, that may well entertain the town to meet in at their town meetings, and others as the town shall or may have occasion from time to time ; and also for the entertainment of a generall schoole.
[At the same meeting it was put to vote whether they would build a town house " between the meeting house and Mr. Street's, or whether they would " build an ad- dition to the upper school house ;" upon which 18 voted for the former, and 33 for the latter.]
Mr. Buckingham's " frequent visits at ye house of Mr. Lines."
Jan. 25th, 1726-7. The town determines that some thing shall be done respecting ye yet remaining dif- ficulties about ye Reverend Mr. Stephen Bucking- ham, in order for the obtaining relief; and in con- sideration of ye difficult surcomstances of ye church and people of this town, by reason of the sd Gentle- man's frequent visit at ye house of Mr. Lines, with some other remarkable occurrances, the town have by major vote agreed that a council of elders and messen- gers of this county be called, in order to hear the grievances, and quiet the uneasiness of the Chh. and peeple herein.
At ye same meeting, the town made choice of John
121
PROPRIETORS' RECORDS.
1728.]
Copp, Mr. James Brown, and Mr. Saml. Betts, com- mittee to represent ye town before sd council when con- vened, and to manage the whole affair respecting ye pre- mises abovesd.
[Soon after this date some drew off to the Church of England, and the First Congregational Society was organized under the style of "The Prime Ancient Society." The Town then ceased to manage the eccle- siastical affairs, and all proceedings relative to such mat- ters, connected with the Congregational Society, will be found under the head of SOCIETY RECORDS.]
Land to Wilton Parish.
At a Proprietors meeting convened in Norwalk, Feb. 1, 1726-7, the proprietors by major vote grant to ye Parish of Wilton, Tenn Acres of land, to be layd out where ye proprietors alow land to be taken up, to be to ye use of ye Presbiterian or Congregational ministery among them forever.
Parsonage.
Feb. 12, 1728-29. The Proprietors grant Tenn Acress of land to be layd out West of ye High way that leads up from Isaac Hayes's to Strawberry Hill, and North of the high way that lead up by Ebenezer Hyat's lott, towards the said Hayes's, where it can be most conveniently had, and that not prejudiciall to any High wayes ; which Tenn acres of land ye said proprietors grant for the use of a Dissenting Presbyterian or Con- gregational minister, that now is or shall be improved and ordained to that work in ye ancient and prime so- ciety in ye township of Norwalk from time to time.
[At the same meeting the Proprietors granted to the Parish of Wilton, five additional acres: six acres
122
NORWALK.
[1733.
" Westward of Canfield's Hill ;"' six acres "about ye Wolf pits ; and six acres " Where it may be most con- venient about ye White Oak Shade, for ye use and Im- provement" " of a Dissenting, Presbiterian or Congre- gationall minister thereabouts Improved and settled in that work, and so from time to time."]
Grant to Canaan Parish.
April 3, 1732. The Proprietors by major vote grant to the Inhabitants of Canaan Parish all ye common land where their meeting house standeth, and Thirty Rods from the meeting house, that is common and highway there, so long as they shall support a meeting house in said place.
Grant to the Church of England Professors.
Feb. 11, 1733-4. The Proprietors by major vote grant to such persons in the Town of Norwalk that are professors of the Church of England by law established, One Rood of land on such part of the plain before Lt. Lees, as the committee hereafter named and chosen by sd proprietors shall think most fitting, stake the same out, for them to build a Church upon, for ye worship of God in that way ; and for a burying yard ; to be for yt use forever ; Provided they build a Church on any part of it.
[Oct. 5, 1750. Nehemiah Mead and Joseph Lock- wood, Jr., purchased of the Proprietors a small parcel of land " Near the Mill Brook, where their Tann fatts now stand ;" and "At the same meeting the Proprietors by major vote, grant to ye professors of the Church of England in Norwalk, seventy one Poles of land adjoin- ing to ye aforesaid land, as ye same is staked out by sd committee ; who are hereby ordered to execute a deed in proper form and manner for their holding the same."
123
TOWN RECORDS.
1747.]
A deed of the same is on record in Book of Deeds from 1753 to 1762.]
Sept. 25, 1760. A Deed from the Committee of the proprietors, to the Chh. Wardens of St. Paul's Church, and the rest of the professors of the Chh. aforesaid, " for the use and benefit of a burying yard, a small piece of common undivided land in sd Norwalk, situate and adjoining Northerly and Westerly of the land formerly granted by sd proprietors unto sd profess- ors on which sd Chh. is built, in quantity fifty eight poles of land :" "bounded Easterly by highway and land belonging to sd professors, Southerly by sd land of sd professors, and partly by glebe land and common land, Westerly by sd glebe land, and Northerly by com- mon land or highway."
Deed from the founders of St. Paul's Parish. (Book of Records from 1740 to 1747.)
Sundry persons, all Professors of ye Chh. of England, * * intending the same * * for ye first Glebe lands to endow sd Certain Parrish Chh. called St. Pauls, in the township of Norwalk * * * * KNOW YE that the sd Saml. Cluckston & Ralph Isaacs, John Bel- den, Jonathan Camp, * in great reverence and regard to the Chh. of England as established by law, and her excellent Doctrine, service, unity and order, prefer- able to any other upon earth *
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