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 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
* * * have founded the Parish Chh. aforesaid and for the endowment thereof, do by these presents, truly give, grant
to ye Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, a house and tract of land lying within ye bounds of Norwalk, in ye main street, sd land contains by es- timation about one acre, be ye same more or less ; and is bounded as followeth, vizt, South and East by high-
124
NORWALK.
[1747.
way, North & west by common land
in trust * to say, as soon as there shall be a rector according to the order of the Chh. of Eng- land * ye premises shall be and inure to ye use of such Rector incumbent and his successors as ye glebe land of sd Chh. in fee simple forever
&c. 25 March, A. Dom. 1747.
Grants to the Professors of the Church of England of land upon Strawberry Hill.
At a proprietors' meeting, April 6, 1747, Ralph Isaacs & Saml. Cluckston, who are Church Wardens & have represented to this meeting that those of the Proprietors of the Church of England request that the Proprietors at this meeting would grant to ye sª Professors of the Chh. of England, Five Acres of land * at a place called Strawberry hill; and this meeting having taken sd request into consideration ; being minded to oblige sª Professors, Do hereby grant to sª Church Wardens and the rest of sª Professors said Five Acres, to be laid out by a committee appointed for that purpose, for the sup- port of a missionary settled according to ye canons of ye Church of England, from time to time forever.
[June 14, 1748. The Proprietors granted to the same Two acres and a half, adjoining the above for the same uses.]
Middlesex.
April 6, 1747. Whereas the Proprietors of Norwalk, did by their vote ye 12 Feb. 1728-9, vote and grant six acres of land South East from the land that was called Woods-land land, Westward of Canfield's hill, for ye use & improvement of a dissenting Presbyterian or Con- gregational minister thereabouts improved & settled in
125
TOWN RECORDS.
1759.]
the work & so from time to time ; and there being now a minister settled by some of the people of Norwalk & Stamford and the people of Five mile river that have united with ye people of Stamford, supposing that sd land belongs to them for ye support of sª minister, and thereupon a question being put to this meeting, whether sd land ought to be improved by those of ye sd society that lives in ye bounds of Norwalk for ye use aforesa, passed in the affirmative by a Major vote.
Town House.
Dec. 8, 1746. The town agreed and voted to erect a town house on ye southerly side of the road near where the old town house stood (34 feet long, 24 feet wide).
Soldiers in the French War.
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Nor- walk, Nov. 2, 1757.
Capt. Thomas Benedict is chosen Moderator of sª meeting.
At ye same meeting, upon information of 350 Regu- lars to be posted in this town for Winter quarters, to- wards defraying the charges of the same. the Town by vote grant a Rate of one penny upon pound of all the rateable estate. The Select men * * are by vote appointed to take care of the aforesayd Regu- lars.
Guard House and Hospital.
Feb. 20, 1759. Voted that the Town shall provide fire wood, &c., for the Guard House and Hospital ; and the select men for the time being are appointed to take care of the same, so far as it relates to the town.
Saybrook Platform.
[One Saybrook Platform given gratis to each minister
1
126
NORWALK.
[1767.
in this town ; the select men divide the remaining part according to list.]
Against Riotous Proceedings.
Nov. 12, 1765. Whereas there have been diverse routs and tumultuous and riotous assemblies of disor- derly people in the land, and some in this colony ; and there are diverse reports of many threatenings of such further tumults and riotous assemblies, to the intent of doing mischief to the persons and properties of diverse people, and especially against some in the principall places of rule and government ; all of which are contra- ry to the peace, and to subvert all order and govern- ment ; and whereas the inhabitants of the town of Nor- walk, in general town meeting assembled, taking these matters into serious consideration, think it their indis- pensable duty to bear proper and publick testimony against such unlawfull proseedings ; and accordingly do declare their utter abhorrence and detestation of all such routs, tumults, and riotous assemblies, and such alarming threatenings of mischiefs ; and as they think themselves bound in loyalty to the King, and for the security of the privileges of the colony, and of the lives and properties of ye subjects, do hereby further declare, they will use their utmost endeavor, in all proper and legal ways, to prevent and suppress all such disorders, so far as appertains to them to be aiding and assisting therein.
Burying Ground on Mill Hill. :
(Last Monday of Dec. 1767.) " At the same meet- ing the Inhabitants by major vote give and grant all their right and title to the burying place on Whitney's hill, so called, to ye inhabitants of the First Society.".
127
TOWN RECORDS.
1774.]
Non Importation.
Aug. 20, 1770. Col. Thomas Fitch chosen modera- tor of the meeting. Voted that they will send a com- mittee to N. Haven to attend the general meeting which is proposed the next day after commencement, to con- sult affairs relative to importing goods, &c.
(Capt. John Cannon, Col. Thos. Fitch, and Capt. Benjamin Isaacs were chosen delegates of this town to attend the general meeting aforesd. )
Dr. Thadds. Betts, Mr. Thos. Belden, Capt. Ste- phen St. John, and Samuel Gruman were chosen and appointed to draw such instructions as they shall think proper for the aforesd delegates, and lay the same be- fore this meeting, which is to be adjourned.
The Continental Congress.
Dec. 5, 1774. Whereas, this meeting have taken into consideration the matters contained in the association come into by the Continental Congress held at Phila- delphia the 5th day of September, 1774, and approved of by the lower house of assembly, and recommended by them to the several towns in this colony, to appoint committees for the purposes in the eleventh article in sd association contained-Do approve of the same, and in pursuance thereof do appoint Eliakim Raymond, John Cannon, Thadds. Betts, Stephen St. John 2d, Lemuel Brooks, Eliphalet Lockwood, Nathl. Benedict, Samuel Gruman, Goold Hoyt, Thos. Betts, Ozias Mer- wine, Phinehas Hanford, Daniel Betts, jr., Blackleach Jesup, Ezra Gregory, John Carter, James Richards, Samuel Richards, Gershom Raymond, Asa Hoyt, a committee for the purpose in sª Eleventh Article con- tained, during the pleasure of the town.
128
NORWALK.
[1776.
County Congress.
Feb. 6, 1775. Doct. Thadds. Betts, Capt. Stephen St. John, Gershom Raymond, and Samuel Gruman, were chosen a committee to represent this town in County Congress.
Donations for the Poor inhabitants of Boston.
At the same meeting, Messrs. Thomas Benedict, Eli- phalet Lockwood, and John Cannon, were appointed to receive any donations that may be brought in for the relief of the poor inhabitants of the town of Boston.
The Committee of Inspection.
Feb. 6, 1775. Voted that those persons which have been warned by the committee of inspection, to bring in their arms, shall not vote in choosing a committee of inspection at this meeting.
At the same meeting were chosen Messrs. Phinehas Hanford, Stephen St. John 2d, Thadds. Betts, Nathl. Benedict, Osias Merwine, Lemuel Brooks, Thos. Fitch, Uriah Rogers, Jabez Gregory, Seth Seymore, Timothy Fitch, Danl. St. John, Blackleach Jesup, Danl. Betts, jr., Clap Raymond, Ezra Gregory, James Richards Moses Comstock, Samuel Cook Silliman, Samuel Rich- ards, and Jesse Raymond, a committee of Inspection during the pleasure of the town.
Be saving of Gun-powder.
At the same meeting, voted, that they disapprove of ye unnecessary use of Gun-powder, and recommend it to the committee of inspection to take care of the mat- ter.
The Nullifiers of Poplar Plain and Norfield.
Jan. 8, 1776. Whereas, information hath this day
129
TOWN RECORDS.
1776.]
been made to this meeting, that there are numbers of the inhabitants of this town, living at Poplar Plain and parts adjacent, have united with numbers of the inhabit- ants of Fairfield, living in Norfield Parish and the Wes- tern part of the town of Fairfield adjoining to this town, and have unwarrantably formed themselves into a body, and call themselves a committee, and being so formed, have resolved and determined that every person that is in debt shall not be liable to be sued for the same, nor be liable to pay any interest on obligations, but be discharged therefrom ; and that justices of the peace shall not sign any writ, or grant any executions, and the officers shall not serve either writs or executions ; and have also in case any creditor shall attempt to sue for his debt or require interest on obligations, or a justice sign a writ, or any officer serve the same, they will unitedly prevent and oppose with all the force and strength they can procure the same .- This meeting, taking into con- sideration the aforesaid matters of information, and the aforesaid illegal resolves and determinations, are of opi- nion that the same have a direct tendency to set aside all law, and leave us in the hands of a merciless set of men, and to throw us into confusion and distraction, and to deprive us of all our valuable and constitutional rights. We therefore do hereby vote and agree to use our utmost influence, power, and strength, to disapprove and to dis- countenance every such illegal measure ; and do every- thing in our power, unitedly, to aid and assist the au- thority in suppressing the same in every proper and legal way.
Salt Petre Works.
At the same meeting, the select men are directed to erect Salt Petre works, and carry on the making of Salt
130
NORWALK.
[1776.
Petre at the expense of the town, agreeable to the law of this colony ; unless some particular person or persons shall appear to do the same.
Magazine.
At the same meeting, the select men are directed to erect a magazine to keep the warlike stores belonging to the town, " and that on the hill between Mr. Leaming's house and Ebenezer Lockwood's."
Committee of Inspection.
May 20, 1776. Whereas, complaint is made to this meeting by the committee of inspection in this town, that some inconveniency has arisen on account of the difficulty of having the major part of said committee collected on sudden and special occasions, voted, that any seven of sª committee shall have power to act in said capacity on any sudden and special occasion.
Donald McAuley's Salt.
Oct. 14, 1776. Whereas there has been great unea- siness among the inhabitants, with respect to the great rise of salt ; and there being a large quantity in the possession of Donald McAuley of this place, which the inhabitants of this town are necessitated to have for their use at some price ;- the said Donald McAuley there- fore came into this meeting, and agreed with the inhabitants, that he would not ask them more than twelve shillings, lawful money, per bushel, out of the said quantity, for their own consumption; and if the market price shall be less, any time hereafter, he will accept of the same. Upon which the inhabitants con- sent that any one person may purchase salt of him ac- cordingly.
131
TOWN RECORDS.
1777.]
The Watch.
Oct. 14, 1776. Voted, that the select men give a proper reward, to the persons appointed and ordered by the authority to set the watches, for their service; and draw an order on the town treasurer for the payment thereof.
Allso voted, that the select men make such provision for the watches as they shall think proper in regard to housing.
Cannon and Cannon Ball.
Dec. 2, 1776. The select men are directed to trans- port six cannon, such as they shall judge best for the defence of this town, from Salisbury ; and provide car- riages for the same ; and also a sufficient quantity of ball for the security of the town.
Monopolies and Oppressions.
March 12, 1777. The inhabitants by vote agree that they will assist the officers of this town in carrying into execution one certain law of this state, entitled an act to prevent monopolies and oppressions, by excessive and unreasonable prices for many of ye necessaries and con- veniences of life.
The Guard.
March 12, 1777. The inhabitants by major vote approve of what the authority and select men have done, in regard to hiring 75 men as a watch or guard to this town.
Filling the Continental Battalions.
Whereas, the slow progress made in filling up the continental Battallions to be raised by this state, and the vast importance of their being immediately com-
132
NORWALK.
[1777.
pleted, &c., was on the 18th day of March, 1777, taken into consideration by his Honor the Governor and the Council of safety ; and thereon voted and resolved by said board, to ascertain the quota or proportion of each town to complete sª battallions and to promote and encourage such enlistment. Lest any should be embarrassed by a prospect of leaving their families, without a security of their being properly provided for ; it is by said board earnestly recommended to the seve- ral towns in this state to engage and promise such sol- diers as shall undertake in sd service, and have not time and opportunity to lay out their money, and make provision for their families (such as have any), that their said families, on their reasonable request, shall be supplied in their absence with necessaries at the prices stated by law ; and that cach town severally appoint a committee for that purpose, to see them provided for and supplied accordingly, on such soldiers lodging, or from time to time remitting money to said committee for that purpose ; and without any additional expense ; and the necessary expense attending the same, to be borne by the town respectively, &c ;- It is therefore recom- mended by this meeting, that all the inhabitants, of every rank and condition, vigorously exert themselves in encouraging, promoting, and forwarding the filling up the quota or proportion ascertained by said board for this town, in order to complete said Battallions ; and also voted, that Messrs. Stephen St. John 2d, Thomas Benedict, Phinehas Hanford, Jesse Raymond, Thadds. Hubbell, Oliver Whitlock, James Richards, and Nehe- miah Benedict, be a committee for the purposes con- tained in said resolves, with full power and authority to engage and promise to such soldier as shall inlist in sª
133
TOWN RECORDS.
1777.]
service, that all matters and things contained in sd resolve respecting them, shall be punctually performed agreeable thereto, and it is recommended by this meet- ing, that the virtuous sons of liberty cheerfully and readily engage in sd service at this critical time ; so that peace and rest may once more be restored to the United States of America ; by means whereof this meet- ing have reason, by the blessing of God, to expect the same may be effected.
Messrs Eli Reed, Asa Hoyt, John Gregory, jr., Levi Taylor, Nathan Hubbell, and Moses Comstock, were appointed a Committee to endeavour to find the number of soldiers enlisted in the continental army, in this town, and report to this meeting.
This meeting is adjourned to meet Tuesday, at 2 o'clock.
Met according to the foregoing adjournment. Doct. Thadds. Betts, Moderator, present.
Voted, that it is the desire of this meeting, that the recruiting officers in the Continental service request the several Captains of the military companies, in this place, to warn their respective companies and House- holders to muster as soon as may be, to beat up for vol- unteers ; and the inhabitants are desired to incourage the enlistment by their liberality. The companies and inhabitants of the first society are desired to muster to- gether on the parade of the first company.
Salt brought from Boston.
September 25, 1777. Nehemiah Benedict, Natha- niel Benedict, and David Comstock, were appointed a committee to get what salt there is in the town of Bos- ton, belonging to the inhabitants of this town, from 7
134 .
NORWALK.
[1777.
thence, in the best manner they can, at the expense of the town.
Clothing for the Soldiers.
At the same meeting Hezekiah Hanford, John Lock- wood, Jr., Hooker St. John, Levi Taylor, Thadds. Hubbell, Abijah Betts, James Olmsted, Samuel Gates, Abijah Comstock, Timothy Reed, Levi Hanford, James Lockwood, and Gershom Richards, were appointed a committee to procure and collect such articles of cloth- ing as is requested by a resolve of the Governor and Council of Safety, for the use of the soldiers in the Con- tinental army, and deliver the same to the select men in order that the same may be forwarded according to said resolve.
Supplying the families of soldiers.
At the same meeting, voted that the Committee for- merly appointed to procure provisions for the families of those soldiers which are gone into the army, from this town, go on and procure the same for such families, at the rate set by law ; and in case they are obliged to give more, the select men to order the treasurer to pay the overplus.
Dec. 1, 1777. Matthew Marvine added to the Com- mittee for providing for the families of those that are in the army.
Considering the Articles of Confederation
At the same meeting, voted Messrs. Thomas Fitch, Thaddeus Betts, Stephen St. John, David Comstock, Joseph Chapman, Nehemiah Mead, and Samuel Gru- man, were appointed a committee to revise the articles of Confederation published by Congress, and make report to this meeting which is to be adjourned.
135
TOWN RECORDS.
1778.]
Jan. 13, 1778, at one of the clock, Met according to the foregoing adjournment.
Blackleach Jesup was chosen to supply the families of ye soldiers of the Continental army, in addition to the former committee.
Whereas his Excellency the Governor, on receipt of the articles of the confederation published by Congress, for the approbation of the several assemblies of the United States, sent a copy of the same to this town, in order for the town to show their sense relative thereto.
It is voted by this town, that they are sensible of the great difficulty of concerting any plan of union with so many different states, under so many different circum- stances, free from objection, and without being liable to exceptions ; yet the articles contained in said confede- ration generally appear to this town to be well framed, and calculated to form a union for the general benefit of the whole ; yet, notwithstanding, this town beg leave to submit to ye consideration of the General Assembly whether the method of supplying the common treasury, contained in the eighth article, and the mode of raising a continental army, in the ninth article, is so just and equitable as may be devised.
Voted also that a copy of this be sent forthwith to the General Assembly to show the sense of the town in the premises.
Regulating the price of labor.
March 25, 1778. The select men are desired to pro- cure such a number of the late act of the Assembly printed, respecting the regulations of the prices of la- bor, &c., with the doings of the authority and select men of this town relative thereto, as that each House-
136
NORWALK.
[1779.
holder in this town may be supplyd with one at the expense of this town.
Distributing the State salt.
Aug. 10, 1778. Voted that the select men are de- sired and empowered to distribute the salt lately pur- chased by this state for their inhabitants of this town, to and among the said inhabitants, in just proportion according as each man's particular list in the year 1777, and to draw orders on the Town treasurer for the ne- cessary cost arising on such division.
Borrowing money to buy Clothing for Soldiers.
At the same meeting voted, that the committee here- tofore appointed to procure clothing for the officers and soldiers in the Continental Army, are desired to pro- cure money on interest, to purchase said clothing as soon as may be ; and the select men are ordered to pay the interest and cost of procuring the said money, out of the town treasury.
Giving salt to the families of Soldiers.
August 10, 1778. Whereas on a division of salt belonging to the town, there is yet a small part remains on hand, and the inhabitants agree and vote that the select men shall pay the expense that has arisen on sd salt out of the said remainder ; and if there is still any remains, to deliver the same to ye families of such sol- diers belonging to this town, as are in the army.
Fines for neglect, when the enemy came to Tarry Town and to Horseneck.
2d Monday in March, 1779. Doct. Betts not being present, Capt James Richards chosen Moderator.
Voted and agreed, that all fines and forfeitures that shall be collected out of the alarm list, and militia
137
TOWN RECORDS.
1779.]
companies, and light horse, in this town, for neglecting to turn out at the time the enemy landed at Tarry Town last Decr., and at the time the enemy came to Horseneck last Feb., and shall hereafter neglect to turn out, shall be delivered by the town treasurer to the Captain of the company from which the same shall be collected, and this vote to continue in force during the pleasure of the town.
Depreciation of Continental Currency.
3d Monday in June, 1779, at 4 o'clock.
Col. Thomas Fitch, Capt. Eliphalet Lockwood, and Samuel C. Silliman, Esq., were chosen committee to meet a County Convention at Fairfield, to consult the address from the Continental Congress respecting the deprecia- tion of the Continental currency, &c.
Classes for providing Soldiers with clothing.
At the same meeting voted that the inhabitants of this town shall be put into as many classes as their cota of soldiers in the Continental Army, and each class to provide clothing for one soldier.
Town House.
At the same meeting (1st Monday of August, 1779), voted to have a town house built as soon as conveniently may be.
(The dimensions to be 45 feet by 30, posts 16 feet ; lower story 12 feet in height, a convenient chimney at each end; and to be set on the Westerly part of the Town House Hill. )
Continental Currency.
Aug. 16, 1779. Voted that we will strictly and punctually adhere to the recommendation of sd conven- tion (of the County)-with respect to putting a stop to
138
NORWALK.
[1780.
the depreciation of the Continental Currency ; and also abide by any such measure as sd convention shall here- after adopt for such purpose.
Small Pox.
2d Thursday of October, 1779. Voted that ye Small Pox by enoculation may be carried on for 2 months at the house of Moses Bixbe and Capt. Solomon More- house, under such regulations as the law prescribes.
Tax to raise Soldiers.
27th Day of June, 1780. Doct. Thaddeus Betts chosen moderator.
Voted, that they will tax themselves to raise money to hire the number of Soldiers to compleat the quota of this town for the Continental Army.
Voted that Col. Matthew Mead, Capt. Nathan Gil- bert, Capt. Saml. Keeler, Lt. James Betts, Capt. Solo- mon Morehouse, Lt. Jer. B. Ells, and Capt. Danl .. Richards, be a committee with full power to enlist such a number of able-bodied men as shall be sufficient to compleat the quota of this town for the Continental Service during the war, or three years resolved by the General Assembly last May; and that they engage such sums, and in such a way, as their discretion and judgment shall direct, to such as shall appear to en- gage in said. service ; and that the same be done forth- with, and a report thereof be made to this meeting at their adjournment.
Adjourned to meet the last day of the same month.
At the same meeting voted that they will take the late emission of paper money emitted by this state, equal to silver and gold in all payments whatever.
139
PROPRIETORS' RECORDS.
1781.]
Tax for Provisions for the Army.
(NOTE .- On Aug. 25, 1779, they had levied a tax of two shil- lings and six pence on the pound to defray the charges arisen and arising on the town.
On the 13th of March, 1680, they had laid a tax of two pence on the pound to hire soldiers for the continental army) now
Nov. 13th, 1780. The inhabitants grant a tax of six pence lawful money on the pound, in silver and gold equivalent, upon the polls and ratable estate of the inhabitants of this town, on the list for the year 1779, to be paid in Beef, Pork, Wheatflour, or money ; the beef to be delivered before the 16th day of Dec. next, and the pork and flour, before the 15th of Jan.'y next, to the person or persons that may be appointed to re- ceive the same or the money ; the beef, pork, and flour at the prices mentioned in one certain statute law of this State, intituled an Act for Collecting and Storing a quantity of Provisions for the use of the Continental army, and the forces for the defence of this State.
4th day of Dec. 1781. The select men are directed to deliver the sum of ninety pounds in state money, which they have now in their hands, to the collectors and receivers of provisions, for them to lay out in pur- chasing casks and beef.
The Select men are desired to hire money to procure this town's quota of Soldiers for the Continental Army; and the town engages to indemnify them in doing the same.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.