USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Fairfield > The history of Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut, from the settlement of the town in 1639 to 1818. Vol. I > Part 35
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In response to a letter addressed to the Assembly from King William, for men and arms to be sent to fortify Albany, a special court was con- vened on the 7th of February. Major N. Gold, Captain John Burr, and Nathaniel Burr were present. The offer of six hundred pounds to Colonel Fletcher was voted to be collected and sent without delay to Albany. A penny on the pound was levied upon Fairfield and the other towns for this purpose. Orders were issued that every town in the colony subject to attack from the enemy, especially the border, river and harbor towns, should be speedily strengthened and prepared to resist invasion. Fifty bushels of wheat in each county was ordered to be gathered and made into biscuit, to be ready for use should any sudden emergency arise for sending out forces. The train-bands were to be held in readiness to pro- tect the towns, or to march to New York if the French, as it was feared, should make an attack upon the island. During the time of this war, Fairfield and all the seaport towns on the ocean and Long Island Sound, were held in constant dread of an attack from French vessels of war. Every vessel which appeared in sight was closely scrutinized, lest it might belong to the enemy.
John Perry, the mail carrier's return from Boston and New York was eagerly looked for; when, in the few moments allowed him for delivering the mail, he gave them the latest news. Men and women gathered round him, some out of simple curiosity, and others to hear from those who had been sent to defend some one of the various posts of danger. But a few moments elapsed, however, when, supplied with a fresh horse, capable of speed, he was on full gallop for Norwalk and Stamford, or for New Haven and Hartford. Before another month passed, the inhabitants of Fairfield mourned with heart-felt grief the death of Major Nathan Gold. The town records give the following notice of his death : "Major Nathan Gold departed this life into the mansions of rest upon the Day of Rest, on the Sabbath, it being the 4, of March 1693/4." `Almost since his coming to Fairfield, for nearly forty years, Major Gold had been a leader in the political, military, and ecclesiastical affairs of the town and colony, a father to the town, and it had increased in thrift and renown under his guiding wisdom and influence. His name for many years stood at the head of the list of assistant judges of the General Court. Under his supervision, band after band of soldiers was equipped with arms, ammunition and provisions,
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and sent to the various fields of action to which they had been ordered. He saw vessels laden with supplies for these expeditions sail out of Black Rock, Bridgeport, and Mill River harbors for Saybrook, New London, Providence, Boston, and New York. In every critical emergency, either in foreign or domestic relations, he was called upon to take an active part. His native intelligence, courtly bearing, natural suavity and winning man- ners, made him a fit person to be sent as an ambassador, on many occa- sions of importance, to the councils of the courts of the neighboring colo- nies ; and on special matters of interest to counsel with the governors of New York. He was frequently made the executive head of affairs, when the magistrates of New York had occasion to seek for counsel and assist- ance from the colony ; in fact, his position as the leading judge and military commander of Fairfield county, was one in which he exercised an influence almost equal to that of the governor himself. In the largeness of his executive ability, and in his quick conception of the best and most efficient way to promote the interests of the town and colony, he stood unrivaled. In the functions of his numerous offices, he tempered justice with mercy. No man in the country was more respected or honored than Major Gold, and none in New England stood higher in the esteem of the Lords of the Council Chamber at Whitehall. As a statesman he had but few superiors. He was keenly alive to the perplexities involved in establishing a republican form of government, and was cautious to preserve a respectful attitude to the orders of the reigning kings, who had occupied the throne of England in the course of his public career. He accumulated a handsome fortune during his residence in Fairfield, and was the largest land holder, and called the richest man in the town. He was a stanch devotee of the Congregational church, the principles of which he defended with the earnestness and zeal of the times in which he lived. He abhorred Popery, and was a bitter opponent of the Church of England.
Every tribute of respect was paid to the memory of this remarkable man, so much honored and beloved at home and by multitudes throughout the country. The day on which he died was made one of deep lamentation in the church in which he had worshiped for forty-four years. Two funeral sermons were preached by the Rev. Joseph Webb, one in the morning and one in afternoon of the following Sunday, from the 14th verse of the 13th chapter of II. Kings : "Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him & wept over his face, & said, O my father ! my father! the chariot of Israel, & the horsemen thereof !" *
* A manuscript of these sermons is in the possession of Mrs. Elizabeth Gould of Fairfield ; a descendant of Major Nathan Gold.
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. At the May election Captain John Burr was chosen assistant, Samuel Wakeman and Eliphalet Hill deputies, and Nathan Gold, jr., Captain Mathew Sherwood and Samuel Wakeman, commissioners for Fairfield. By order of the king and queen, new post office regulations were established for conveying as speedily as possible, letters and packages throughout New England for the special service of their Majesties. Persons employed by the post-master general in the various post towns in the colony, were given liberty to pass and repass ferries free of expense.
For the maintenance of the public forts in the colony, it was ordered, that every vessel of over eight tons weight entering a harbor protected by a fort, to load or unload, should pay to the officer in command a quarter of a pound of powder for every ton. Vessels in the service of the king and queen of England, entering for wood and water were exempt from this rule, provided they remained but forty-eight hours, unless prevented from leaving by a stress of weather. Vessels frequently passing and re-passing were only required to be cleared twice a year. This was called powder money. Joseph Bastard of Fairfield, was made one of a committee to audit the colony accounts.
The year of 1694 was a memorable one to all the planters of Connecti- cut. Major-general Winthrop, reached England in safety, and was so fortunate after presenting his petition of the Assembly to the lords of the council chamber, as to succeed in having a carefully written statement of the case of Connecticut laid before the king. The main features of the charter were duly set forth, especially the right vested in the governor to control its militia ; that the king's lieutenants could only draw out a certain part of the militia in proportion to its numbers and wealth; that to act otherwise was to deprive the people of their freedom, which ought to be regulated by an act of Parliament ; for which reason it was argued, that Colonel Fletcher's commission ought to be restricted by the laws of Con- necticut, so long as they were not repugnant to the laws of England. It was further argued that it was impossible for any one belonging in another colony or province, to judge of the condition and ability of each town, as could a military officer who lived in the colony ; nor was it possible for a stranger to exert as much influence among the soldiers as one who had lived among them, for whom, as one of their own, they entertained those natural feelings of pride and affection, which would stimulate them to serve the interests of his Majesty in time of need.
The king's attorney and solicitor-general gave their opinions in favor of the chartered rights of Connecticut, which vested the control of the militia in the governor. It was decided that the quota of Connecticut
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during the war should be one hundred and twenty men, who should be under the command of Colonel Fletcher ; but that the militia of the colony should be under the command of the governor of Connecticut.
At the solicitation of the governors of Massachusetts and New York, that Connecticut would send agents and a company of troops to join their agents at Albany, for the purpose of renewing the old league of friend- ship with the Five Nations, the governor and council dispatched Lieuten- ant-Colonel Allyn and Captain Stanley, with a guard of sixty dragoons, commanded by Captain Wadsworth, to attend the council. The money expended in this expedition cost the colony £4,000, of which Fairfield bore her just proportion. A tax of 3d. on the pound was levied on all the towns, to defray the expenses of the colony.
Captain John Burr was appointed sergeant-major of Fairfield county. This additional honor to those he had already acquired, was paid him but a few days before his death, which occurred on the 16th of the month, while still in the prime of his life and usefulness. The valuable services rendered to the town, and colony and to the country in Philip's and the French and Indian wars, by Major Burr, have been so thoroughly inter- woven in the pages of this work, that a greater eulogy of him as a states- man, judge and soldier, need not be offered here. His death, with that of his brother, Jehu Burr, in 1692, of the Rev. Samuel Wakeman, the same year, and that of Major Gold in March of this year, deprived Fair- field of four of her ablest and most honored citizens.
On the 28th of December, Queen Mary died of small-pox. The respect entertained for her in New England was very great, and her untimely death was made an occasion of public manifestations of sorrow and sympathy for the king, in Fairfield, and in every town in the colony.
The first extant parish records, which commenced with the Rev. Joseph Webb's ministry, this year, explain the views of the Fairfield peo- ple as to baptism, and their desire to become acquainted with the opinion he entertained upon the subject. Mr. Trumbull states "that notwith- standing the result of the synod of 1662, & the various attempts which had been made to introduce the practice of what was termed " Owning the covenant," it was not generally observed until 1696. In Fairfield, how- ever, it was used by Mr. Webb immediately after entering upon the care of the parish. A Renewal of the Covenant, is found in the early pages of Mr. Webb's record, by which " the children of parents who did not enter into full communion " were baptized. The birth and marriage records, however, were still kept by the town recorder. This Renewal of the Covenant was not always the same in power; but the synod allowed the
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churches to adapt their form of covenant to the special circumstances of each church." * The covenant used by Mr. Webb was probably the same as the one found in the Green's farms and Greenfield parish records, which is as follows :
" We do in the humble sense of our deep unworthiness of an acknowledgement in ye Covenant of divine grace, & also our inability unto the performance of ye duty of ye holy covenant, through ye strength & grace of Christ alone, heartily & sincerely engage & promise in ye presence of God & his people, denying all ungodliness & worldly lusts, to live soberly, righteously & Godly in this present world, solemnly devoting ourselves & our seed unto ye Lord to be his people ; avouching Almighty God for our God & portion; avouching the Lord Jesus Christ for our Prophet & Teacher, & for our only Priest & Propitiation, & for our only King, Lord & Lawgiver; avouching ye Holy Ghost for our sanctifier, professing our subjection to ye Gospel of Christ, & yt we will walk together in a companionable attendance upon all ye ordinances of ye Gospel, & in a member-like Com- munion, happiness & watchfulness."
" The practice of owning the Covenant by people," says Mr. Trumbull, " & offering their children in baptism, was in time gradually introduced into most of the churches in the colony. It became a custom for the ministers & deacons to pay annual visits to every family in the town, & to warn all young people before marriage, to publicly subscribe or own the covenant ; " but this was more generally done after they became parents, and wished to have baptism administered to their children, "though they made no profession of religion, & neglected the Lord's supper & other duties, peculiar to members in full communion; " and this was called the halfway covenant.
" The practice of relating of christian experiences, & admitting none to full commun- ion but such as appeared to be christians indeed, yet prevailed ; but the number of church members, in full communion, was generally small. In those churches, where owning the covenant was not practiced, great numbers of children were unbaptized." +
After the renewal of the covenant in 1694 by many in Mr. Webb's church, follows other names of persons who recognized their baptismal engagements. In the " Record of Baptisms " families of children were bap- tized at one time, as for instance : " Joseph, Richard, Jonathan & Sarah," the children of Richard and Sarah Ogden ;- " Mary, Abigail, Susanna & Elizabeth," children of Abraham Adams.
At the sitting of the General Court in May, "Upon the humble request of Fairfield, alias Paquanaug, that they might have liberty to
* Trumbull's Hist. Conn., I., 325-327, 497. Magnalia, B. V., p. 98.
+ Trumbull's Hist. Conn., I., 498.
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join themselves in church order," the Court having considered their motion, granted their request :
" They proceeding in an orderly way, with the approbation of neighboring churches ; & this court desire they may have the blessing of God accompanying their good endeavors therein ; & the Court do grant that the name of Paquanage shall be altered & for the future it shall be called Fairfield Village, & whereas they have desired liberty to choose a Soci- ety recorder, this Court understanding not their end therein, they belonging & being of the towns of Fairfield & Stratford, & there being recorders there according to law, this Court see no need of any others, but leave them at liberty to make record of their own particular affairs, as they see cause, & appoint who they judge most suitable to make these records, always provided that the recorder of Fairfield, is the only proper recorder of Fairfield & the village, so far as their bounds goes."
As a part of the village was composed of the planters living on the east side of the division line between Pequonnock and Stratford, it was for many years called the east parish, and the Fairfield side the west parish. According to the wishes of the parish the Rev. Charles Chauncey now became the first regularly sanctioned pastor of Fairfield village. At the October Assembly, for the satisfaction of such as were conscientiously desirous of being married by their minister, liberty was granted to or- dained ministers of the several plantations in the colony, "to join in mar- riage such persons as were qualified for the same, according to law."
During the following spring, particular attention was paid to laying out lands to the several owners of Sasco-hill ; and care taken to preserve the highways running across the hill to Kensey's point, and across the new bridge to the main street in Fairfield. Joseph Bastard, Robert Rumsie, and John Bulkley, were appointed to renew the bounds of the Mile of Common and to stake out the highways and lands belonging to the town, by setting up mere-stones. Highways were also laid out at Fairfield woods, at which place was a noted wolves' swamp.
At the May election Nathan Gold, the only son of Major Nathan Gold, was advanced to the office of an assistant judge of the General Court, to supply the place of Major John Burr. Nathaniel Burr and Lieutenant James Bennet were elected deputies ; and Captain John Wakeman and Cap- tain Mathew Sherwood commissioners. The law passed in 1682, restricting the orders of execution of fines, etc., between the first of May and the first of November, was repealed, and it was now made legal to issue writs of execution at any time in the year. Instead of estates under execution being sold at an outcry, it was ordered that they should from hence- forth be sold only after an appraisal, rates and fines excepted. Joseph Bastard was again appointed one of a committee to audit the accounts of the treasurer of the colony.
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Owing to the increase of intemperance among all classes, a law was passed restricting the sale of liquors and wines, strong beer, and even cider, to such only as were licensed to entertain strangers and travelers, under a fine of 20s. for each offense. A license could be obtained only from the county court, under a bond of ten pounds, for keeping order and good conduct. An addition was made to the powder money law, which obliged all masters of vessels, except such as belonged to the colony, "before they broke bulk," to enter their vessels in the office of the port of entrance, and give a correct measurement "from stem to stern, breadth & depth, from the under side of the beam to the ceiling, the length to be accounted no more than the length of the keelson, & to divide it by a hundred." Before they left port, they were required to pay half a pound of powder or one shilling in money for every ton according to this measure. If a master of any vessel did not obey this rule, the gunner of the fort thus defied, was ordered to fire upon him ; " first, to fire over his masts," and if he did not then come to anchor " to fire a second athwart his forefoot ;" and if he still refused to anchor, "to fire a third shot with endeavors to strike his masts," and " do further dam- age if necessary." For every shot thus fired, a fine of ten shillings was ordered to be paid by the ship-masters to the gunner, in part for his own use, and in part for the use of the fort, to be paid to the lieutenant in charge, for the purchase of necessary ammunition. Vessels belonging to the colony sailing out of any port, were exacted to take out passes, deliver them to the gunner, and pay accordingly.
At the October sitting of the Assembly, Nathan Gold was appointed captain, and John Osborn lieutenant of the Fairfield train-band. Ferry tolls were regulated. Every single man crossing the Stratford ferry, lead- ing over the Housatonic river, was required to pay three pence in county pay, or two pence in money ; and for a horse and load, six pence county pay, or three pence in money. The repeal of the famous bolting and baking act in New York, led the Assembly to pass a law prohibiting the transportation of grain and flour out of the colony for one year, under a penalty of forfeiting the whole. By the repeal of the bolting and baking act, the sale of flour and bread was thrown open to the public. Private farmers ground their own flour, and sold it to speculators, who sent it out of the country, or sold it to pirates. New York was threatened with a famine; and fears were entertained that the drain upon Connecticut would bring about a like result within the colony.
Piracy, which had existed for many years, had increased to an alarm- ing extent, so that it became as necessary for vessels to carry guns and
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ammunition, as it was to supply the forts and principal ports with means of defense. Privateers, with and without licenses, roved the seas, and preyed upon the commerce of all nations, not even that of England excepted ; in fact, privateers sent out under commissions from the king of England to intercept the commerce of France, turned pirates, seized, plundered, and sunk every vessel that crossed their track. It was not until commerce was almost destroyed, that the lords of trade and nav- igation awoke to the perils of the situation. Even private citizens, and men of wealth, both in England and America, were accused of complicity with the pirates which infested the Indian Ocean, in accumulating prop- erty in this atrocious manner. Gold coin, luxuriant silks, satins, and vel- vets, with other elegancies, were freely brought into this country. Men hitherto in moderate circumstances, erected fine mansions, and in conse- quence, became the subjects of envy and suspicion.
The destruction of a ship of the Mogul in the Indian Ocean, laden with presents to Mecca, caused that monarch to threaten to take out let- ters of reprisal against all English vessels. It became necessary that England should send, without delay, a man-of-war to protect her com- merce, and to capture vessels of a piratical character, but the appropria- tions of Parliament had almost exhausted the public treasury. In this emergency, the king proposed to make it a private undertaking, and prom- ised £3,000. Lord Somers and the Earls of Rumsey, Oxford, Bellomont, and Robert Livingston of New York, then in England, contributed the whole £6,000, the king failing to advance the amount he had promised. Robert Livingston recommended, and introduced Captain Kidd as a brave man, well fitted to command the expedition, and well acquainted with the eastern seas, and the haunts of the pirates. Kidd was furnished with a commission under the great seal of England, giving him authority to capture all vessels of a piratical character, in whatever place he should find them. Livingston and Kidd signed a bond to Lord Bellomont, in which it was stipulated, that all prizes and effects taken belonged to the parties who fitted out the expedition, should be at their disposal, after allowing one-tenth for the king. A great deal of fault was afterwards found with this arrangement, but the expediency of the undertaking served as ground to justify the resolution, for the protection of those who had thus ventured their property for the public safety. That it turned out as it did, however, is not at all remarkable. With a fast sailing ship, well armed and equipped, Kidd set sail on the 16th of April ; and, after tarrying a few days at New York, where he took in ninety more men, he passed out into the ocean. Instead, however, of capturing pirates and
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carrying them to England, he became the most notorious pirate of the times.
Captain Kidd is described as having been an intelligent, cultivated man of pleasing address, and up to the time of engaging in this expedi- tion, regarded as thoroughly trustworthy. He had married in 1691 Sarah Oort, the beautiful and cultivated young widow of a fellow officer. At the time of his sailing for the eastern ocean, he was living in comfortable circumstances with his wife and a lovely little daughter in Liberty street, New York. When it was discovered a few years later that Kidd had turned pirate and was sailing under the black flag, every one connected with the undertaking, not even the king of England excepted, was charged with complicity in his piratical deeds for their private enrichment ; and every valuable jewel or ornament worn, was supposed to be connected with some frightful story of wretched captives and horrible deaths. The wildest stories of his daring deeds and of his acts of cruelty to men and to the women whom he captured, in putting them to death, or obliging them to walk a plank into the sea, that their end might never be known, was the theme of public and private gatherings, until his name became a terror alike to people on land and on the seas. He was finally taken cap- tive at Boston by an order from Lord Bellomont, the governor of New York, and sent to England for trial. He was there condemned and exe- cuted on the 12th of May, 1701. Songs were sung on board ship and in taverns of his deeds of courage and cruelty, and of his vast accumulations of gold and precious stones, which, it was believed, he had buried in chests on the shores and islands of the ocean, Long Island and Connecticut.
A tradition exists that one of Kidd's rendezvous in the summer was a point on Sherwood's Island at Green's farms, and there is some ground for this tradition, from the fact that the little island lying west of it has been made a resort from time to time of many persons, who believed that he had buried a large amount of gold there. The island bears traces here and there of deep holes, which have been dug with the hope of finding some one of his numerous chests of gold .* At Black Rock repeated searches have been made for Kidd's treasures, and also at Berkshire, a ham- let about two miles north of Bridgeport. +
* Stratford Point has also been made a frequent place of resort, especially at, night, for the same purpose.
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