USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Derby > The history of the old town of Derby, Connecticut, 1642-1880. With biographies and genealogies > Part 29
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THE PUBLIC GREEN.
This is made up of what is called the "meeting-house acre land " given by a Mr. Chatfield, for a site for a meeting-house, and of land thrown out by proprietors along down on the eastern side until it ends upon the turnpike road. This constitutes what is called Upper Green. It was agreed at that time, that
. anything of rubbish or whatever could encumber the ground, if thrown out and left thereon, should after thirty days become a forfeiture to the owner. The Lower Green is proprietors' land and laid by a committee for a public common and a military parade ground. The honor of making the suggestion for thus laying out the lower end of the green belongs to Esq. Charles Bunnell, an unselfish, public spirited, worthy and respected citizen ; and held a prominent place in the confidence of the
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HISTORY OF DERBY.
people. His residence was that of the late Harry Sutton. He died in March, 1838, aged 80 years.
The land thus given being a thickly grown bramble the peo- ple turned out under the lead of a committee, three military officers of the day and time, Capt. John Davis(afterwards colonel) Lieut. Samuel A. Buckingham and Ensign Ebenezer Fairchild. They cleared the land of rubbish and brought it to its present desirable condition by a large expense of time and money. The whole public common, both upper and lower, were laid out and improved under the leading of the same committee.
Before the laying and constructing of the turnpike, public travel was not as now, but passed easterly by the school-house in the center to and down what we now call Back street. The dwelling house now occupied by Michael Flynn was the hotel kept by Mr. Gideon Tucker.3""
QUAKER'S FARM4 IN OXFORD.
Quaker's Farm is a small village in the western part of Oxford, originally in the north-western part of Derby, lying in the valley on the east side of Eight-mile brook. The first Indian deed given which seems to have included this territory was dated August 6, 1687, but Mr. Joseph Hawley, of Stratford, proposed in 1683 to have his grant in Derby, then agreed upon, laid at Quaker's Farm, and therefore he may have purchased it of the Indians before that date, and when it was transferred to the town a new Indian deed may have been given dated in 1687, as was the case in regard to several other tracts of land.
A tract of land containing 170 acres was laid to Ebenezer Johnson in 1688, "at the place or near to it commonly called the Quaker's Farm, bounded east with the common road about a mile of the place called Quaker's Farm."
On the 17th of February, 1691-2, Ebenezer Johnson deeded to "John Butler, yeoman," then resident of Stratford, "a tract of land commonly called Quaker's Farm, being one hundred and fifty acres, and another piece of land to the north side thereof."
This one hundred and fifty acres was the Quaker's Farm
3Judge Wilcoxon's historical paper.
4The town records always say, Quaker's Farm, not Farms.
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SETTLERS AT QUAKER'S FARM.
itself ; and was such when sold to John Butler, who is in the deed of sale of this land said to be a doctor. Therefore John Butler was not the Quaker by whom the name became estab- lished upon the locality. Who this Quaker was, where he came from, or where he went and when, has not been ascertained. The name was here as early as 1683, and the Quaker appar- ently was gone.
The administrators of "Dr. John Butler, late of Stratford, de- ceased," sold this land in 1707, and it was purchased by Mr. William Rawlinson of Stratford.
Soon after this, or about this time, lots were laid to a num- ber of the inhabitants of Derby, but the following record was made January 8, 171I, "Whereas there is found that many of the lots laid out at Quaker's Farm purchase were not recorded," therefore the town appointed another committee to lay out all the lots and "draw notes of every man's lot as they were for- merly pitched, and the recorder may record them at each man's charge."
Soon after this, it is probable that the settlers began to make their homes in this locality, but before this, aside from the Quaker, and Dr. Butler, who resided here a number of years, there were probably no residents in this place.
Abraham Wooster, father of General David Wooster, bought land here in September, 1722, and may have inherited through the right of his father, Edward, the first settler in Derby, a grant of considerable value. At this time he is said to be of Derby, but had been residing in Stratford since about 1706 until a short time previous to this date. That he resided here is very certain, for in 1733 he sold his "mansion house near Munson's Corners in Quaker's Farm," and a farm with a saw- mill to Samuel Wooster, jun., and if the first white child was born here in 1725, as we shall see, then Abraham Wooster was among the first settlers at this place.
It was the earliest settled of any part of Oxford except along the Naugatuck river above Seymour. Next to Quaker's Farm, a neighborhood in the northern part of the town, bordering on what is now called Middlebury, once called Bristol Town, was settled in advance of the central part of the town.
Quaker's Farm is a region of valuable land, and it is not sur-
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HISTORY OF DERBY.
prising that it was early sought as a farming community. The first English person born at Quaker's Farm was Lieut. John Griffin, born at this place in 1725, who died in 1821, aged 96 years. He was distinguished as a soldier of the French war; was lieutenant in the army, spending his summers in campaign service, returning home and remaining during the winter and returning to duty in the spring for three successive campaigns, and at last participating in the victory under Wolfe upon the plains of Abraham before Quebec. These facts were handed down by the lieutenant's son-in-law, William Morris. The first, second and third births in Oxford occurred at Quaker's Farm. The third was Dr. Joseph Perry of Woodbury. Perry was a prominent name with the first inhabitants of Quaker's Farm ; so also was Wooster, Hawkins, Hyde and Nichols. Of the name Perry, there were numerous representatives, but only one, Capt. H. A. Perry, remains.
Capt. Zechariah Hawkins was a farmer, and his house stood on the site of the Meigs dwelling-house. He was a substantial man, of sound judgment and a valuable citizen. Silas and Charles Hawkins, his grandsons, and Lewis, John and Samuel Hawkins, his great grandsons, represent the name.
Of the Wooster name there were many, and were mostly farmers. Nathan, a son of Arthur Wooster; was a graduate from Yale College. He was educated with the intention of be- ing a clergyman of the Church of England, but lived and died on his farm at Quaker's Farm. Joseph Wooster located on Good hill, was an enterprising farmer, and sixteen was the number of his sons and daughters. Rev. Henry Wooster, minister of the Baptist church at Deep River, was a son of Joseph Wooster, jun., and was a man of culture, popular standing, and well ap- proved as a useful minister. He is deceased.
Col. William B. Wooster of Birmingham, a popular politician and a well-known, influential lawyer, is a son of Russell Woos- ter and grandson of Joseph Wooster. He took an active and valorous part as a loyalist, contesting against the secessionists in the late civil war. Capt. Nathaniel Wooster was a notewor- thy citizen, and by trade a blacksmith. He died at a great age, being but little short of ninety years.
Capt. Ira Hyde and Marcus, his son, represent the Hyde name.
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A SUCCESSFUL MERCHANT.
Hon. Benjamin Nichols, alone represents the Nichols name. The name of Tomlinson is of a little later date at this place. David Tomlinson was in his day a distinguished citizen. He came from Woodbury to Quaker's Farm when about twenty years of age, and took charge of land owned by his father, and engaged in business as a merchant. Having married a daugh- ter of Jabez Bacon of Woodbury, he began in a small way and enlarged gradually ; occupying a room in the chamber of his dwelling as a salesroom, and from that removed to more com- modious quarters when his business demanded it. He was re- markably successful as a merchant, extending his trade many miles, and he was not less known in his operations as an agri- culturist. His acres numbered 1,500, and he manifested great wisdom in applying fertilizers as the varieties of soil required, and seldom allowed his land to lie idle for want of application. Possessed of a keen discernment, he knew at once what seed to plant or sow upon the land as soon as he looked at it. The late Judge Phelps of Woodbury said of him, that he was the best specimen of a patroon there was in Connecticut. When he had become largely successful, he entered upon trade in foreign ports, chartering vessels and fitting them in some cases, and sending them with cargoes to different ports. One of his ves- sels and cargo was taken by French privateers, which loss with others finally somewhat embarrassed his estate. He was eleven times sent to the House of Representatives, was also a member of the state senate, and when he died, which occurred March, 1822, he was only sixty years of age. His eldest son, Charles, lived to be over ninety years of age. Mr. Samuel Meigs mar- ried into his family, was a merchant in Mr. Tomlinson's store some years, but spent his last days as a farmer, and died at Quaker's Farm. He represented Oxford several times in the Assembly ; was a judge of the county court, and many years a justice of the peace. His two sons, David T. and Charles A. Meigs, are merchants, occupying what was the stand of their grandfather.
The Quaker Farms [as this name is now written] Episcopal church was erected about 1814, and was for a time a chapel, but after some years was dedicated under the name of Christ Church. (See further account in the appendix).
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HISTORY OF DERBY.
During the Revolution, Oxford was a part of Derby, and whatever glory Derby has, falls alike on Oxford in that great struggle for freedom. At the beginning of the present century, or a little later, Oxford had the honor of the following pension- ers as citizens : Capt. Samuel Candee, Capt. Job Candee, David Peck, Edward Bassett, Isaac Chatfield, Timothy Johnson, Phin- eas Johnson, Jeremiah M. Kelly.
The following story is given upon the authority of this Timo- thy Johnson, and corresponds to the items already written in public print concerning the taking of Stony Point, one of the most brilliant exploits of the American Revolution, and shows also that in that grand achievement, Derby had several soldiers besides the brave General William Hull. The corps of which Mr. Johnson was one was on the bank of the Hudson under General Wayne and in the presence of Washington. Wayne besought Washington for a permit to lay siege to the British fortress on the bank of the Hudson, called Stony Point. Wayne was refused permission. He besought a second time. Wash- ington said the undertaking was too hazardous, it could not be successful, and refused permission, believing it would be but a sacrifice of life.
Wayne nothing daunted applied a third time to the com- mander-in-chief for his permit ; told his plan and expressed his confidence of success in an earnest and decided manner. Per- mission was granted. He was allowed to pick his men. Tim- othy Johnson, the narrator, was one, and his brother Phineas another. The march began, Washington reviewed the men as they passed; he looked very sober and feared they would all be killed. They were marched near to the enemy's picket and halted. They were fed. Wayne came along with a piece of bread and meat in his hand, saying : "Blood may run in rivers; any one who desires may leave the ranks and not be branded with cowardice." Not one left. Wayne then went through the line and took the flints from every gun, that there might not be a gun fired to give light for the enemy's aim. The night was very dark, and when all was ready for the march, Wayne said: "Death to the man that attempts to leave, or falters in his duty." Onward they marched and soon came upon the enemy's picket. The picket hailed, but no answer, and he fired
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TAKING OF STONY POINT.
and ran. Wayne and his force ran after. The fortress was encircled with the limbs of the apple trees piled thick and high, the twigs of which were sharpened so that it would seem im- possible to climb over or press through. "But," said Johnson, "we were so close on the picket that he could not fill the gap left him. We ran through the same and so entered the inclos- ure. The enemy in the meantime continued a brisk fire, but not a man was hit. They reached the walls of the fort and be- gan scaling them. The man first over the walls was killed, the only one lost of the detachment. The contest was sharp and severe, but short. The British surrendered. Wayne received a severe wound with a cutlass over the eye, which caused the eyelid to fall. He bled like a butcher. Wayne said he would ever be proud in carrying the scar of that wound."
This account, save a few items, such as Wayne's taking the flints from every gun, is very correct. With pleasure and pride the bravery of Oxford's sons, as well as others then of Derby, in so daring a contest, may be recorded.
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
In 1861, at the breaking out of the civil war, Oxford's sons proved themselves true to the old flag and the support of the authority of the nation. Cheerfully they joined the marching ranks and moved to the front until victory was won. No fewer than seventy-five men entered the loyal army by enlistment, of which but few, probably not more than five, disgraced them- selves by desertion. Mainly they stood manfully at their posts and bravely fought the battles of their country, and suffered the hardships of war, and so continued until victory gave honor and perpetuity to their nation. Thanks, and more than thanks -an undying gratitude is due to them.
In the year 1798, the school society of Oxford, which in- cluded the whole of the town, was divided into school districts, but school-houses were built and schools supported long before that. Within the last fifty years, select schools have been kept in different parts of the town many terms, by which many were qualified for teaching, some of whom have reached consid- erable celebrity. Eight or more of Oxford's sons have been graduated at colleges.
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HISTORY OF DERBY.
The occupation of the people of the town has been chiefly agricultural, yet about fifty years since there were a number of mechanical and manufacturing enterprises conducted with con- siderable success. A hat shop conducted by a Mr. Crosby employed at one time seventy-five men. There was also a shop for the manufacture of edge tools by a Mr. Turner. There were coopers not less than four, producing casks for the West India trade ; blacksmiths, tailors and shoe-makers, all in and about the central part of the town, except what was done in these lines at Quaker's Farm.
OXFORD IN 1836.
The above engraving is a view of the central part of Oxford from the south-east, and is a very perfect representation of the place at the time. Mr. J. W. Barber, in his " Connecticut His- torical Collections,"5 makes the following record in regard to the picture and the place :
"The building with a Gothic tower is the Episcopal church ; a part of the Congregational church is seen on the extreme right. The elevation seen in the background is called Gov- ernor's hill, so named, it is said, from its being principally owned, many years since, by a Mr. Bunnell, who was considered by his neighbors as a lordly kind of personage, having had con-
5 Conn. Hist. Col. 248.
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CHANGES IN OXFORD.
siderable to do with the law, and being engaged in many law- suits for the support of his real or imaginary rights.
"About one mile south of the central part of the town is a remarkable mineral spring called The Pool, from the circum- stance of its waters being efficacious, and much used for the cure of salt rheum and other complaints. 'Once in a month a yellowish scum will collect upon the surface of the water, which in a few days runs off and leaves the pool perfectly clear. In the coldest weather this spring never freezes, and in the dryest season it is as full as at other times.'
"The length of the township from north-east to south-west is about eight miles, and its breadth nearly five miles. The sur- face of the township is uneven, being diversified with hills and valleys. The prevailing soil is a gravelly loam; the eastern and western parts of the town are generally fertile and produc- tive. There are in the town three satinet factories, and an extensive hat manufactory owned by Messrs. Hunt & Crosby. A number of extensive manufacturing establishments are about being erected on Naugatuck river."
Oxford has changed in fifty years ; changed as to inhab- itants. Then, the Candee families were many, now, but two. Caleb, the first of the name, came from West Haven, and resided where John Candee now does. He raised nine sons, who were remarkable for longevity ; John and Sterne Candee are great-grandsons.
Lieutenant Samuel Wheeler, an early settler from Stratford, was prominent as a business operator. Robert Wheeler, his great-grandson, occupies his place. Of the Wheeler name, that of Abel stands as prominently as any other, being a man in whom the people placed the utmost confidence and trust. He was sent to the legislature ten terms. As a justice of the peace, he was a dispenser of justice and equity. He was judge of the county court, and a state senator. He died in 1830, aged . sixty-five years.
Of the Riggs families who were once numerous, there re- mains but one, the grandson of Capt. Ebenezer Riggs, a valua- ble citizen in his day. Esquire John Riggs, a public spirited and respected citizen, a leader and servant of the people, raised a family of ten, five sons and five daughters. He built
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HISTORY OF DERBY.
and settled his sons in a row of houses with his own, and there being so many, the locality was named Riggs street, which it still retains ; but not one of the name remains in that street.
John Davis was eminent in the military lines, reaching the position of colonel, commanding the second regiment of the Connecticut militia. He retained his faculties remarkably well until his death, which occurred when ninety-five years of age. Dr. Hosea Dutton, a physician from Southington, was an early settler, and spent his life in the practice of his profes- sion, and died September, 1826, aged seventy-two years. He was a man remarkable for application, a useful physician, an influential politician, not only at home, but as a writer.
Dr. Noah Stone, from Guilford, settled in Oxford about the year 1810, and was a valued practitioner, exemplary in life, correct in deportment, a fair model for imitation. He died March, 1851, aged sixty-nine years. Rev. A. L. Stone of San Francisco, and David M. Stone, editor of the New York Four- nal of Commerce, were his sons. Mrs. Martha Hubbell, au- thoress of "Shady Side," was his daughter. How great is the change in Oxford in fifty years !
CHAPTER IX.
COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES.
HE first ax that sounded on Derby territory was struck for the establishment of commercial relations between the English and the Indians, in the first trading house, erected on Birmingham Point in 1642. In 1646 this enterprise was attracting the attention of zealous parties in New York, and therefore must have been of consid- erable importance. This trading post was commenced by New Haven men, and continued until 1653 or 1654, when they sold their interests, including a tract of land, to a company of ten men of Milford, the principal leader being Richard Baldwin. In 1657, Lieut. Thomas Wheeler of Stratford bought about forty acres of land on Birmingham point, and engaged in building sailing vessels, most probably in partnership with Alexander Bryan of Milford. The number of men employed by Mr. Wheeler, with the three or four families living in Derby, were supplied with what trading was necessary through Mr. Wheeler, whose vessels necessarily must have passed frequently between Milford and Derby for these purposes, in addition to any trade with the Indians. Mr. Wheeler sold his interests at this place in 1664, to Mr. Bryan, who continued to conduct some kind of mercantile business here in connection with the building of vessels, as in later years when land was appropriated to Mr. Joseph Hawkins, a provision was made that highways should not be obstructed to hinder Mr. Alexander Bryan. In 1682, Richard Bryan, son of Alexander, made arrangements to settle in Derby, and was probably then engaged here in building ves- sels and keeping some kind of a trading house or store.
In 1676, a highway was constructed through the long lot to a point called the fishing place; that is from the first settle- ment at Old Town, down the meadow to a location on the east side of the valley below the present bridge, where was built, a few years later, a landing from which to ship produce. And this was the object of the road built in 1676. Before 1700,
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HISTORY OF DERBY.
there was put up here a building called the fish-house, and referred to as such in the records.
In 1709, a business place is spoken of on the Ousatonic river, the first mention of anything of the kind on the west side of Birmingham Point.
"Dec. 15, 1709; Voted, That the town will raise forty-five pounds in pay, that is to say in grain and flax at these following prices : wheat at six shillings per bushel, Indian corn at three shillings sixpence per bushel, flax at ninepence per pound ; and said forty-five pounds shall be delivered by the collector of town rates, or town's men, to Mr. Joseph Moss, or his order, at the warehouse of Joseph Hawkins in Derby, at or before the first day of March next ; and thereupon the said Joseph Moss is to pay to the town's men of Derby for the use of the town, the sum of thirty pounds current silver money of fifteen penny- weight, at or before the said first of March, always provided that if any man will pay his part of said forty-five pounds in money, it shall be taken at two-thirds."
Here was the warehouse of Joseph Hawkins, who was the son of Joseph the first permanent settler on the Bimingham neck, and who probably built this warehouse some years before 1700, or bought it of Mr. Bryan. The probabilities are that a warehouse store was kept continuously at that place from 1660 to the time this warehouse is mentioned in 1709.
In 1702, William Tomlinson was chosen leather sealer for the town, which shows that leather was made in the town, and was inspected and stamped or sealed according to law before being placed in the market.
In 1703, a sealer of weights and measures was appointed to see that all weights and measures were according to the stand- ard of justice which the law required. Before 1690, re-packers were appointed to re-pack meats, or to see that meats were put up according to law to be exported. The sale of beef and cattle became one of the first important items for foreign trade.
Fish were quite an item of mercantile profit from the first organization of the town. In 1677, the town made a penalty of twenty shillings per barrel for any one to come into the town and fish without liberty, and soon after this they required three- pence per barrel to be paid for catching fish in the town, and
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FIRST STORES UP TOWN.
under this rule Mr. Joseph Hawkins reported in one season that Fairfield men took eighty-two barrels and Milford men thirty- nine barrels.
In 1680, "the town, at the desire of Joseph Hawkins, in be- half of Milford men hath granted to the said men, namely, Mr. Benjamin Fenn, Daniel Baldwin, and their partners, liberty to fish anywhere in Derby bounds, provided they damnify no man's corn or grass, and also that they pay threepence per pound and so proportionably for all they catch and carry away."
The mercantile operations aside from fishing seem to have been conducted at Birmingham Point and Old Town, although the highway down the valley, from the long lot to the fish-house, received special attention in 1704, as though there was consid- erable of landing of produce, at the fish-house, or something of the kind. It is probable that some of the shipping from Hull's mills was effected at this fish-house in time of low water, for some years.
It is uncertain when the first store or shop was set up at Derby, or what was afterwards called Up Town, for the purpose of selling goods. The first record seen that indicates anything of the kind was made in 1712 by Edward Pierson, who styles himself merchant in a paper by which, in view of contemplated marriage with a lady of Stratford, he deeded his property, in keeping for himself and wife, to the ministers of Derby and Stratford. Two years afterwards, he was a merchant at Strat- ford. How many years he had been a merchant here is not stated, but as he had considerable property, and at this time changed his location to Stratford, it is probable that he had been thus engaged some years.
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