USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Ridgefield > The history of Ridgefield, Conn. : from its first settlement to the present time > Part 2
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The proprietors at once fixed upon this ridge as the most desirable point at which to begin a settle- ment. A street six rods wide was surveyed, to run north and south along the eastern declivity of the ridge, and on either side of the street ; home lots of two and one half acres were laid out, and in the rear of these, additional lots of five acres, making in all seven and one half acres.
After the lots had been surveyed and numbered, that there might be no favoritism shown, but that all might share equally, a lottery was formed of the num- bers, and each man was given the lot corresponding to the number drawn by him.
Subsequent divisions were made of the plough land, meadow land, and bogs. The following minutes from the town records will further explain the order and manner of these divisions :
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SETTLEMENT.
"The several Acts Relating to ye Home Lotts & the addition made to the Same is as followeth
" Nov Ist 1708 Voted by said proprietors that a Commettee shall be chosen to Lay out the Town Plott
" At the Said Meeting the said proprietors by a Major Vote appointed and made Choise of Mr Samuel Keeler Sen" Matthew Seamer, Joseph Bouton with John Copp to Lay out the Town Plott
" At the said Meeting Voted by said proprietors that the Home Lotts now to be Lay'd out by said Committee shall be Two Acres and one half acre.
" At the said Meeting ye Said Proprietors by a Major Vote Resolves and agrees that there shall be a Division of Land added to the Rear of the Home Lotts to the Number of five acres to Each Division. And the said Committee is Impowered to act their best Skill & Judgement to Equalize the Want of quality by adding or allowing quantity to such Home Lotts & Division of Addition as they in judgement may find wanting
" At a Meeting of the said Proprietors Convened in Norwalk Nov ye 8th 1708
" The above said Committee makes a Return of their doings in and about the Home Lotts & ye addition made to ye Rear of ye .same. With an account of such Disproportion of their quality, that by all that they had done in ye matter of equalizing them there still needed a fur- ther Allowance to some Lotts as they were by them Layd out with the Division added to ye Rear of them
" Upon which Return made by said Committee The said proprietors at ye said meeting by a Major Vote Impower said Committee to Reg- ulate that matter according to ye best of their judgements to add to such Home Lotts & Division annexed. Or to any other Division of Lands to be Lay'd out to any such proprietor, to whom such Home Lott with ye anext Division shall fall to when Drawn, that by said Committee shall be Judged Wanting in quality with the Generality of ye best of the Home Lots and annext Divisions
"At a meeting of ye said Proprietors Convenied in Norwalk November ye 25 1708
" Voted by Said proprietors that the Lotterie prepared for ye Distribu- tion of the Home Lotts with ye anext Division, unto the said proprie- tors Shall at this time be Drawn, Which Lottery is methodized as fol- loweth
" Beginning on the East Tear of Lotts, ye southermost Lott joining to the Land Lay'd out for a burying Yard-Calling that Lott the first in
2
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HISTORY OF RIDGEFIELD
Number, & sucsevively Northward to the 12th Lott and then begining at ye Northermost Lott on the West tear numbering said Lott ye thir- teenth Lott and so sucsessively Southward to the Twenty fifth Lott. " The Draught of which Lottery was as followeth .
No.
No.
I Samuel Saint John
I4 John Sturdevant
2 Samuel Keeler Jun' I5 Thomas Hyot
3 Jonathan Rockwell I6 Benjamin Wilson
4 Thomas Caufield
17 Benjamin Hickock
5 The Proprietors Reserve
I8 Matthew Saint John
6 Matthias Saint John 19 Joseph Keeler
7 Joseph Whitney
8. Samuel Smith of Milford
9 James Brown
10 John Belden
II Richard Olmsted
I2 Thomas Smith
25 Samuel Keeler Sen™
It is a matter of interest to locate the original lots. The actual number of feet fronting the street, as well as the exact boundary of each division, is not cer- tainly known, and cannot at this late day be positively determined ; but the relative location of the lots in al- most every instance may be ascertained by consulting carefully the town records.
Lot No. I was where Mr. John S. Keeler now resides. No. 2 was immediately north of this, and lying between it and the corner south of Mr. Abraham Holmes's. Nos. 3 and 4 extended from Mr. Abraham Holmes's to the present residence of Mrs. Mary Hatch.
No. 5 was the one now owned and occupied by Mrs. Irad Hawley.
No. 6 extended from the south side of Mr. Henry E. Hawley's residence to the north side of Mr. Joshua I. King's garden.
No. 7 extended from the north side of Mr. King's gar-
23 Samuel Smith
24 Daniel Olmsted
I3 Jonathan Stevens
20 Matthew Seamer
2I James Bennedick
22 Joseph Crampton
٩
1
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SETTLEMENT.
den to the corner of the street north of Mr. Sereno Hurlbutt's residence.
No. 8 was the lot now owned and occupied by Phineas Lounsbury, Esq.
No. 9 is now occupied by Philip L. Barhite, Esq., and Dr. William S. Todd.
No. 10 extended from the fence south of Mrs. Hyatt's house to the fence north of Mr. Samuel J. Barlow. No. II embraced the Town-House lot, Mr. L. C. Sey- mour's house and store, and Mrs. Wescott's house.
No. 12 extended from the residence of the late Josiah Danchy, Esq., to the road north of Mr. Isaac Os- born's.
No. 13 included the present residences of Mr. Henry Mead, Mr. Elijah L. Thomas, and Mr. Keeler Danchy.
Nos. 14, 15, 16, 17 extended from the fence north of the Episcopal Church to the corner south of the residence of J. Howard King, Esq.
Nos. 18, 19, 20, 21 extended from the road north of Mrs. Sarah Jewitt's to the one south of Mr. David K. Hoyt's.
Nos. 23, 24, 25 extended from the corner now occu- pied by the carriage manufactory of Mr. Ebenezer Jones, to the fence south of the residence of Mr. William Benedict.
It will be observed that lot No. 22 is omitted in this reckoning ; the reason for which is found in the fact that it nowhere appears on our town records after it was numbered and drawn. The inference is that it was thrown out ; for we find Mr. Joseph Crampton, who drew the lot, located on the land now owned by Mrs. Shaw and Mr. L. O. Northrop.
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HISTORY OF RIDGEFIELD.
The next spring, after the division of the home lots, the proprietors proceeded to divide such parts of the outlying lands as would be most suitable for grazing, ploughing, and mowing, sharing equally in each.
The following will show the method of such division :
" At a Meeting of said proprietors Convened March Ist 17089
" The proprietors, by a Major Vote do agree upon a Division of Plow Land to be Lay'd out as soon as may be
" At the said Meeting the Proprietors by a Major Vote have chosen Mr Samuel Keeler Sen" Matthias Saint John and Samuel Smith for their Committee -. To take a view of what Lands 'are suitable to Lay out for a Division of Plow Land within the Limits of One Mile and a half from the Center of the Town Plott, and Lay out what Land they so find into such Divisions as the Land will allow according to the num- ber of proprietors."
" " At a meeting Convened of said Proprietors March 28th 1709
"The said Committee make Return of their Doings on the Land found within ye Limits stated in ye Vote passed March the Ist as above said, fixing upon six acres to a Division, and accordingly to their best skill and Judgement have Lay'd out a number of Divisions equal to the number of proprietors, allowing to some Divisions more measure than ye fixt quantity to equalize them with the better Divisions."
It will be observed in every instance that the quality of the land determined the quantity. No home lot fell below two and one half acres, but it might consist of three or three and one half acres if it was deemed of poor quality. So also the five-acre lots in the rear might have five acres in them, or more. Then there would be sections of land not reckoned, and these might lie between two divisions ; afterward to be ap- propriated to some new-comer. This would apply to the outlying lands rather than to the village lots.
In the spring of 1709, on the 22d of April, Ebenezer Smith, of Milford, by a major vote of the proprietors, was permitted to come in and share equally with the
HIR
13011 4017
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SETTLEMENT.
twenty-five. He settled on the lot where George
Smith, Esq., now resides. This property has never passed out of the Smith family.
Joseph Benedict, of Norwalk, was admitted in like manner on the 3Ist of the following October. He set- tled on the lot lying between Mr. William Benedict's and Mr. L. O. Northrop's, or, as originally desig- nated, between Mr. Samuel Keeler's and Mr. Joseph Crampton's.
In anticipation of their necessities as a town, a reser- vation was made of one twenty-eighth part of all the purchased lands for a blacksmith.
In the year 1712 the proprietors took the following action in reference to Mr. Benjamin Burt :
" At a Meeting of the Proprietors of Ridgefield at Ridgefield May the 6th A.D. 1712
"The said proprietors by their Major Vote Do Grant to Mr. Benja- min Burt now resident of Norwalk, a certain Right of Lands, Reserved by them for a Blacksmith, which Right of land contains one twenty eighth part of all the purchased Land contained within the limits of their granted propriety or Township With also a priviledge to pur- chase with them a like part or proportion of the unpurchased lands that lyeth within ye granted Bounds of their Township (of the Native proprietors thereof) with al the Several Divisions already Layed out under said Right.
" To be to him, his heirs and assigns absolutely and as fully to have To Have Hold, use occupie possess and injoy in as full and free a manner, with the rest of the proprietors of said Granted Township, Provided he the said Benjamin Burt, pay to Joseph Keeler of said Town of Ridgfield ye sum of nine pounds in money according to the agreement now made with him, And with all convenient speed dwell as an inhabitant among them in order to carry on the trade of a Black- smith among them, And forthwith Supply them with an able hand, to perform such Smith work for them, that they stand in need of untill he shall remove with his family among them and be thereby able to perform such work for them himself, or by others under his care and Command, And it is to be understood that if the said Burt (shall at
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HISTORY OF RIDGEFIELD
any time before the full Termination of four Years from May the Ninth 1712,) have a Mind to remove from them, he shall not give, grant, bar- gain, sell Directly nor Indirectly make any Alienation of said Right of Land granted to him, but to such a person as shall be found capable to carry on the work of a Blacksmith among them. And further the said Burt doth hereby promise and Oblidge himself faithfully to use his utmost endeavour to settle a Blacksmith on said Right. If he shall incline to remove from them after his continuence among them ye term of Years above said
"The above said ye original Draught of said act
" Test RICHARD OLMSTED Town Clerk
" Recorded November 28, 1712
" Per me JOHN COPP Recorder."
Mr. Burt settled on the lot now occupied by the Methodist Episcopal Church.
It is not certainly known when Rev. Thomas Haw- ley came into the town, but he is known to have been here in the following year, 1713. The fact is proven by his signature annexed to a deed as a witness.
On the 30th of January, 1716, the first miller agreed with the proprietors to erect a grist mill. The cove- nant then entered into with the proprietors, in consid- eration of one twenty-ninth part of the purchased lands, is as follows, and is known by the name of the Mill Covenant :
" To all Christian People to whom these Presents shall Come Greet- ing Know Ye that I Daniel Sherwood of Ridgefield in the County of Fairfield and Colony of Connecticut in New England, For and in Consideration of a bill of sale of Lands received of the Proprietors of Ridgfield and bearing date with these presents, which is to my full sat- isfaction. For and upon which consideration aforesaid I the said Daniel Sherwood for myself heirs and assigns, Do by these presents, · engage unto and Covenant with ye said Proprietors of Ridgfield their heirs assigns, and associates, for the faithfull punctual, universal fullfil- ment of this Covenant, following in every Condition Clause and article hereof viz.
" Imprimis, I ye said Daniel Sherwood do engage for myself heirs
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SETTLEMENT.
and assigns to erect a good sufficient Grist Mill on the Outlet of Mama- nasguog Pond so called and known by the Proprietors of Ridgfield.
" 2ªly I declare myself bound hereby to maintain ye same and uphold it (or another in the same place) always in good rigg, and order for grinding.
"3dly I covenant for myself heirs and assigns upon ye Teusdays and Fridays of every week (when ever water may be had by ye use of means) to grind for said Proprietors, their heirs assigns and associates all sorts of their grain, well and sufficiently, making good and well conditioned meal, and to take but, and no more, than three quarts out of each bushel of Indian corn, and two quarts out of each bushel of wheat or rye, and one quart of each bushel of malt (that I my heirs or assigns shall grind) for toll.
" Fourthly What was of grain shall be brought to ye said Mill by the said proprietors, their heirs assigns or associates on the forementioned grinding days, more than can be ground on said days, that it shall on the next following week days be ground without delay, and the said Sherwood do hereby bind and oblige myself heirs and assigns that whatever grain shall be brought on or before any of the said grinding days (on any day) more than the mill grinds on said days, shall be ground out of hand, whether men wait and attend on the grinding thereof or not.
" Furthermore, (according to the original intent of both parties) I ye said Sherwood do bind and Oblige myself heirs and assigns by virtue of this Covenant (in case of failure and nonperformance of every clause, article and condition according to plain intent, or upon neg -. lect of due means, and all thorough, seasonable, and faithfull endeav- ours upon any breaches whatsoever, to rectify keep and maintain ye same with every thing necessary and essential thereunto, in good trim and order, for the ends before, covenanted, and accordingly improve it) I say I the said Sherwood by virtue hereof, do bind myself heirs and assigns to forfeit and deliver up ye said Mill and Stream unto the said proprietors with all its properties and appurtenances and privi- ledges whatsoever in anywise thereunto, shall at the time of forfeiture appertain, hereby Covenanting not to export or carry away any part property or utensill whatsoever thereunto belonging and do upon con- dition of failure in covenant for myself heirs and assigns give unto the said Proprietors of Ridgfield their heirs and assigns all full power and authority to enter upon possess and enjoy the same ; and to convert and improve it, to what end and use soever they please by virtue of these presents. In Testimony whereof I do bind myself heirs and
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HISTORY OF RIDGEFIELD.
assigns, set to my hand and seal this thirtieth day of January anno Dominis 171617
"DANIEL SHERWOOD [SEAL]
" In presence of us JOSEPH PLATT EBENEZER BARNUM
" Ridgfield Jan' 30th 171617 Personally Ap- peared Daniel Sherwood ye subscriber to this instrument and did acknowledge it for to be his free act and deed before me "JOSEPH PLATT, Justice
" Received to Record and Recorded ¿ Jany 30th 171617 . per me " THOMAS HAULEY Register."
Mr. Daniel Sherwood erected his mill as designated on the outlet of Mamanasco Lake, and was appropri- ated a home lot immediately north of Mr. Benjamin Burt's.
This completed the number of the original twenty- nine proprietors of the town.
CHAPTER III.
FURTHER PURCHASES FROM THE INDIANS.
ON the 18th of March, 1715, the proprietors made a second purchase of lands from the Indians, as the fol- lowing deed will show :
" Know all men by these presents that I Tackora alias Oreneca, in- dian, one of the native proprietors and owners of these tracts of un- purchased lands Lying above Ridgefield in ye County of Fairfield and Colony of Connecticut in New England for and in consideration of four pounds Current money of ye Colony of Connecticut to me in hand paid, or secured to be paid by ye proprietors of the Town of Ridgfield in the County and Colony aforesaid viz Mr Richard Osburn Samuel Saint John Benjamin Wilson Thomas Smith Thomas Hauley Jonah Keeler, Timothy Keeler Nork Samuel Smith Daniel Olmsted, Jonathan Rockwell Benjamin Hayt Henry Whitne Joseph Northrup Milld Samuel Smith Joshua Lobdell Moses Northrup Benjamin Benedick, Richard Olmsted, Ebenezer Smith James Wallace Daniel Sherwood, Benjamin Burt David Scott John Sturdevant Joseph Platt Milford Thomas Hyatt ye Heirs of Thomas Rockwell deceased Matthew Saint John Matthias Saint John Joseph Keeler Matthew Seamer Daniel Arrus James Benedict Joseph Benedict James Northrup Joseph Cramp- ton and Jonathan Wood, Have and do by these presents freely crearly and absolutely Grant Sell and Confirm unto the above named proprie- tors of the Town of Ridgefield and their heirs and assigns for ever a certain tract or parcel of Land belonging unto me ye said Oreneca Lying Situate being bounded as followeth viz beginning at a White Wood tree standing about four rods west of ye Mill and stands on the north side of the outlett running out of Mamanasquogg pond on which the Mill now stands and from thence running by ye said Outlett till we come to a small Elm Staddle marked on each side and standing on the East side of ye Mill outlett, and from thence over Titicus to a but- ternutt tree, and from thence under the Mountain as tis bounded by marked trees till we come to a black Oak tree marked on each side, thence Elbowing till we come to a marked Bass tree Lying by a brook,
22
HISTORY OF RIDGEFIELD.
near the lower end of Mopoas Ridge, thence immediately across ye brock to a black Oak tree a little below the Lower End of Mopoos Ridge, thence over Titicus near a Northwest line as tis bounded by trees, to a small black Oak Staddle standing by a small brook, running out of the West hills, thence Directly over the brook near a southwest line to a white Oak tree under ye mountain with stones laid about the same which is a corner boundary and from hence a South or South East line as tis bounded to a Small Walnut Staddle standing on a heap of rocks, thence something South East down towards ye pond ; thence something Eastward between the mountain and Mamanasquogg pond to the lower end thereof, over a small run then named punch Brook, thence about fourty rods South East to a white Oak tree marked and stones Lay'd about the same which was the lower corner meeting with the Old Purchase, all which quantity or parcel of Land, I the said Oreneca Have Sold and Confirmed unto ye above named proprietors their heirs and assigns for ever to enjoy ye same in quantity and quality, according to each mans interest or propriety of Lands in Ridgfield, immediately before the purchase hereof i.e. a half right man shall have but half so good an interest in the bargained premises as a whole right man shall, (the said James Wallace excepted To Have and to Hold unto them ye said proprietors their heirs and assigns for ever, ye said bargained premises with all the priviledges and Appurte- nances thereunto belonging, to the only use benefit and behoof of the said proprietors their heirs and assigns for ever, without any Let Claim or molestation from me the said Orreneca, alias Tackora or my heirs Executors administrators or assigns for ever, or from any person or persons, Indian or English or any other by from or under me or them whatsoever Laying and Demand Challenge or Claim thereunto and I the above named Oreneca do bind myself my heirs Executors and ad- ministrators firmly by these presents to free and exonerate all the above bargained premises from any former and other Grants, bargains mortgages or any other incumbrances Whatsoever. In Witness whereof I the said Oreneca have hereunto Set my hand and Seal this 18th day of March anno Domini 1715.
his "ORENECA x alias TACKORA. mark
" Signed sealed and delivered in presence of us ELIPHALET LOCKWOOD JOSEPH PLATT OCOMOYWA x mark Consent."
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FURTHER PURCHASES.
" Norwalk within the County of Fairfield March 18th day anno Domini 1715, Personally appeared Tackora, alias Oreneca, indian the sub- scriber to this instrument and did acknowledge it to be his free act and deed before me.
"JOSEPH PLATT, Justice Peace.
" Received to Record April 1715 and recorded by me.
" THOMAS HAWLEY, Register."
Again, on the 22d day of November, 1721, a third purchase was made., The following is the deed :
" Know all men by these Presents, that I Tackore, otherwise Called Norreneca Indian do for and in consideration of the Sum of Six Pounds in Money to me in hand paid or secured to be paid by the Proprietors of Ridgefield, whose names hereafter follows viz Thomas Hawley Richard Osburn Samuel Saint John Benjamin Benedict Benjamin Burt Benjamin Stebbins Ebenezer Smith Thomas Smith Richard Olmsted Joshua Lobdell Milford Samuel Smith Nathan Saint John Henry Whitny Jonathan Rockwell Benjamin Hayt Nowk Samuel Smith Daniel Olmstead Timothy Keeler Jonah Keeler Matthew Seamore Moses Northrup Jonathan Abbott Allexander Resseguie Jonathan Wood, Joseph Benedict James Benedict James Northrup Joseph Northrup Joseph Keeler Matthew St John Thomas Rockwells Heirs, Benjamin Wilson Thomas Hyatt, John Sturdevant Heirs, Joseph Platt Gideon Platt Henry Dwight David Scott James Scott Daniel Sherwood, Do Give Grant bargain Sell and by these presents have given Granted Bargained Sold and fully confirmed unto the aforesaid Proprietors viz Thomas Hawley Richard Osborn Samuel Saint John Benjamin Burt Benjamin Benedict with all the rest before named and to their heirs and assigns for ever, a certain parcel or tract of Land lying within ye Pattend bounds and supposed Township of said Ridgefield lying and Described as follows viz Beginning upon ye north side of the Brook at the South End of Titicus or Tomspring mountain (so called) at a great Tree marked in the Old purchase line. Thence South West to the South End of ye long swamp marking trees, Thence to the East side of Round pond, and by said Pond to the North West side of it. Thence Norwest acrost the Hills to a brook running into the east end of the Long Pond marking Trees from thence a di- rect course over the brook to a Hemlock tree standing on Titicus River by the Sand Bank near a brook running into Titicus on the West side of said Tree which tree is thus marked B and thence as the river runs to said Tackores Old House to a white Oak Tree marked near a horse
24
HISTORY OF RIDGEFIELD.
pound, thence crossing the River to a Tree marked just on the River Thence across ye south end of Mopoos Ridge to a great White Oak tree standing at the northermost part of a swamp thence crossing the end of the swamp to another marked tree crossing the end of a plain Ridge of Land over Mopoos brook comeing from the north to a white Oak tree marked standing on ye East side of a brook by the bank.
"Thence easterly to the range of Asproom Mountain and southerly down under the mountain to the head of Mamanasco hill to a white Oak tree standing on the East side of the River near the Watering place. Thence under Asproom mountain at the foot thereof to Copps Mountain and down to the Old line and by said line Westerly to the Mill at the old boundary, and from thence to the first mentioned place in the boundaries in computing their former purchased called the New purchase.
"To Have and To Hold said Granted and bargained premises with all the priviledges and appurtenances to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining I Norreneca say I have sold and fully made over ye same unto the said Thomas Hawley Richard Osborn Samuel Saint John &c with the above named proprietors and to their heirs and assigns for ever, who shall and may for ever hereafter by virtue here- of Enter upon possess and Enjoy ye same Convey Convert alienate and improve the same according to their Several Interests in what way and manner, to what use and end soever, they the above named pro- prietors their heirs and assigns shall find convenient. Furthermore I the said Norreneca do hereby Covenant and Engage to Warrant and Defend ye same for ever to ye above said proprietors, their heirs and assigns from me my heirs Executors or Administrators or any Indian or Indians, whatsoever Laying any Lawfull Claim or Challenge there- unto. In Testimony Whereof I do hereunto Set my hand and Seal this 22ª day of November Anno Domini 172I.
his "NORRENEKE x Indian. [SEAL.] mark.
"Signed Sealed and Delivered in presence of us
BENJAMIN STEBBINS TIMOTHY CANFIELD
"On the 22ª of November anno Domini 1721 Norreneca indian per- sonally appeared and acknowledged the above written Instrument to be his free act and deed before me.
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