USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Norwalk > The romance of Norwalk > Part 11
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EARLY NORWALK WEDDING
The manner in which the young people of Norwalk de- ported themselves in pre-Revolutionary times, is aptly illu- strated in the account of a Norwalk wedding in 1769, read by Miss Katherine A. Sturges of Wilton at a Fairfield county meeting of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The article gives a personal glimpse of Governor Thomas Fitch after his retirement from office and return to Norwalk, de- scribes the costumes of the age, and tells something of the customs of the times.
The article in part follows: "What woman is there, at all womanly, who does not enjoy a wedding? So I am sure you will not refuse my invitation to attend with me the wed- ding of a far, far away cousin. The wedding is to be held at the house of her grandfather, in East Norwalk, my three times great grandfather, Master Samuel Fitch, Crown's justice appointed by his most royal majesty, George the Third, King of Great Britain and the colonies.
"Rhoda Keeller, who, by the way, is to marry Isaac Camp next month, has had a glimpse of the bride's trousseau, and declares that there are brocaded satins that will stand alone, and that her linen chest is piled to the top with the finest of snowy linen; but be this as it may, one thing we are sure of, that the bride's great uncle, the venerable Thomas Fitch, has given her an imported china tea set with the initials of the bride and groom upon it
"We are early, so let us glance about the old room and at those who represent the beauty, wealth and dignity of this old town. The furniture of the room is of mahogany, quaint old tables with claw feet and chairs of the same wood, fastened together with wooden pegs.
"Over the blazing fireplace hangs the Fitch coat-of-arms in green and gold, with the motto, Virtus Omnia Vincit. You probably noticed as you came in, that elegant looking man standing under the mantel; that is Col. Stephen St. John, the bride's uncle, known in those days as the handsomest man
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in Norwalk. The tall, stately girl a little way from him is Esther Belden. That scanty-skirted, short waisted satin dress shows to advantage her beautiful figure. The scholarly and distinguished young man so absorbed in her conversation is no other than Dr. Trumbull, nephew of Governor Jona- than Trumbull. The young doctor has come home from Yale with the bride's cousin and it is said, considers that Norwalk girls compare favorably with those in New Haven.
"Please look carefully at that group of young men near the door. They have rather a conscious air and wear their home spun suits as if they were of the finest of imported satin or broadcloth. We admire the spirit that nerved them to wear those garments here tonight in this assembly of finely dressed men and women, and we have an equal admiration for the Norwalk mother who spun and wove the cloth. The youngest of the group is Stephen Betts; he has vowed not to wear or use any article of English manufacture until Great Britain shall reconsider the arrogant policy which she is adopting with her colonists. That he kept to this resolution was shown by his bravery in this same town ten years later, when Tryon was our uninvited guest. But hark! The long clock on the stairs is just striking seven and the bridal party is entering.
"The bride is on the arm of her great uncle, the ex-gover- nor Thomas Fitch. Let us take a good look at him, this old colonial gentleman, whose scholarship, statesmanship and toleration did much to steer the town and colony through perilous times. He is tall and rather thin, his face noticeable for the keen gray eyes shaded by heavy eyebrows, high fore- head and prominent nose. His shoulders are slightly bowed, but his carriage is dignified and unconscious as one who has lived much before the public eye. His dress, quite in con- trast to those about him, is that of the Puritan magistrate rather than the colonial gentleman, consisting of black silk stockings, black knee breeches and long waisted black coat, relieved only by the fine lawn ruffles at neck and wrists.
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"But while we are looking at the governor, all other eyes in the room are fixed upon the young bride, the winsome Susannah Rogers, the sweetest girl in all Norwalk, so even her rejected suitors say. Her gown is of finest Indian muslin, beautifully embroidered on waist, cape and skirt, and all by her fair hands. Around her white neck and on her plump arms are costly pearls, a gift from her aunt, Mrs. Moses Rogers of New York.
"Following the bride are two others, no less interesting to us. The first is the bride's widowed mother, the gracious and queenly Elizabeth Fitch Rogers.
"Her dress is of myrtle green satin and came straight from England, by the London Packet, at the cost of 50 pounds, for tradition says this distant connection of mine had strong sympathies with the powers that were, and no patience with those who wore homespun and drank sage tea for con- science sake.
"Beside her walks her father, the old notary. His shapely legs are encased in white silk stockings and his stout figure is in black small clothes and a plum colored coat, with a lining of cherry satin. His ruffles are of lace and his pow- dered hair glitters with diamond dust, while his face is beam- ing with pride and pleasure at his favorite grandchild's for- tunate alliance.
"The groom comes forward to meet his bride in the Eng- lish fashion, a handsome youth, one of the proud Lamberts. His small clothes are of black velvet, while his coat and waist coat are of bright blue broadcloth, lined with white satin and glittering with silver buttons. The Rev. Jeremiah Leaming in his robes performs the ceremony, and the shrewd, kindly notary steps forward with solemnity and gives the bride away. .
"The Governor, like a magnet, draws the older men about him. They talk of the growth of town and colony and then, in sterner voices, they speak of a subject ever present in their minds, our relations with the mother country.
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"The Governor says but little; his heart is torn between his two countries, but his strong sense of justice bids him take the side of the colonies. His face is grave and mouth compressed. Does his keen, far reaching mind already be- hold this much loved town, fair Norwalk, a scene of rioting and carnage ?
"The old notary has no such fears. Ever loyal to king and church, and his conception of duty, he refused to read the signs in the already lowering clouds. Well it was, that he died before the struggle came which gave birth to the nation; that he died never knowing that his old home would be destroyed by the powers to whom he was so loyal, and that Fitch's Point, and all his broad acres, would during the fortunes of war, pass into other hands. But see, the guests are all leaving, for it is 9 o'clock and Norwalk people, you know, keep early hours."
REVOLUTIONARY WAR BEGINS
CHAPTER XIII
Troubled Rumblings Reach Town-Nullifiers Bring Terror Here-King George Comes to Norwalk-Prominent Fig- ures On Battlefield Here-British Land In Westport- Danbury and Ridgefield Burned.
TROUBLED rumblings and sinister mutterings reached the Norwalk people from the outside world during the next few years, 1770 to 1775, informing them that all was not well between King and colonies. They themselves took no part, however, in the loud outbursts and wild demonstrations against the Mother Country, which were prevalent in Amer- ica at the time. Norwalk citizens did meet, however, in Au- gust, 1770, to name a committee to attend the New Haven meeting called for the purpose of discussing affairs relative to the importing of goods. Captain John Cannon, Colonel Thomas Fitch and Captain Benjamin Isaacs were so chosen.
By this time, all the former, heavy and unfair taxes levied on the colonies by Great Britain had been abandoned with the exception of the tax on tea. The latter tax naturally affected the price of tea in Norwalk. Many of the local people refused to drink tea at all, moved partially by patriot- ism and partly by the outrageous prices. Others changed the size of their cups, and tea became a distinct luxury served in receptacles even smaller than the demi-tasse.
Story has it that there was one lady in Norwalk who wasn't concerned either with patriotism or money where her tea was concerned. This was Mrs. St. John who lived in the old Josiah St. John House on Cannon street, near the ancient sawmill. Mrs. St. John was immensely fond of her "little sip" and neighbors who dropped in of an afternoon, to enjoy an hour or so by her comfortable hearth were
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always rewarded by a bowl of the fragrant, steaming tea. It was said that good Mr. Moses St. John, her father-in- law, tried to argue Mrs. St. John out of her life-long habit, and even went so far, in his patriotic wrath, as to dump the boiling water out of the kettle. But all to no avail. Mrs. St. John calmly continued her tea drinking.
Norwalk's first real measure savoring of war was passed February 6, 1775, and concerned those persons which the "committee of inspection" newly appointed, had ordered for particular reasons, to bring in their arms. At the same meet- ing, the townsfolk voted that "they disapprove of ye unneces- sary use of gun-powder, and recommend it to the committee of inspection to take care of the matter." The committee included Phinehas Hanford, Stephen St. John second, Thad- deus Betts, Nathaniel Benedict, Osias Merwine, Lemuel Brooks, Thomas Fitch, Uriah Rogers, Jabez Gregory, Seth Seymore, Timothy Fitch, Daniel St. John, Blackleach Jesup, Daniel Betts, Jr., Clap Raymond, Ezra Gregory, James Richards, Moses Comstock, Samuel Cook Silliman, Samuel Richards and Jesse Raymond.
The town was thrown into a panic in January of the year 1776 when there broke out in the vicinity of Norwalk and Fairfield, an uprising fostered by men who called themselves "The Nullifiers." These men opposed all taxes and the payment of all obligations for the raising of funds for soldiers. They announced that persons in debt should not be liable to be sued for the same, nor be liable to pay any interest on obligations ; and that justices of the peace should not sign any writs nor grant any executions, nor should offi- cers serve writs. The townsmen, terrified by the idea that such an outlaw group might gain control in the community, immediately called a town meeting and vigorously voted : "that the same (the nullifiers) 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
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influence, power and strength, to disapprove and to discoun- tenance every such illegal measure; and do everything in our power, unitedly, to aid and assist the authority in sup- pressing the same in every proper and legal way."
In December, 1781, at another town meeting, the Fath- ers passed an act entitled "Judgment Against Inimical Per- sons." Included among these 'inimical persons" were all those who might be classed as outlaws, "riotous" or "dan- gerous to the liberties and the independence of the United States of America." On the list were: Obadiah Wright, Nathan Burwell, jr., Thomas Hanford, Nathan Jarvis, Thomas Fairweather, David Bolt, Peter White, Hezekiah Whitney 2nd, Nathan Gregory, Phillip Scribner, Hezekiah Belden, John Beldin, Edward Nash, Gershom Raymond, James Fillio, William Bolt, Ebenezer Church, David Lam- bert, Goold Hoyt, Abraham Whitney, John Saunders, jr., Garner Olmstead, Richard Patrick, Nathan Fitch. Their names were duly enrolled on a list labelled: "Inimical and dangerous" and placed in the hands of the town clerk.
Norwalk turned patriotic with the signing of the Declara- tion of Independence, July 4, 1776. Committees of inspec- tion were appointed, watches were set, and in December, 1776, on application of Thaddeus Betts, Esq., there were brought here, six cannon, including two four-pounders and four three-pounders, one hundred round shot to suit them and grape shot in proportion, from the Salisbury furnace. The latter were stored in a magazine erected early in the year "on the hill between Mr. Leaming's house and Ebe- nezer Lockwood's," near St. Paul's church.
KING GEORGE IN NORWALK
A few days after the signing of the Declaration of In- dependence, King George came to Norwalk. His visit was entirely unexpected but he was heartily welcomed just the same. Not all of him came to Norwalk, of course, just
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small portions, for there were many other towns in the country which demanded a part of him. It could hardly be said that he came here of his own volition, but rather that his visit was the result of the actions of well-meaning citizens.
It so happened that on August 21, 1770, a fine lead statute of King George had been placed at Bowling Green, New York, in honor of the King's father's birthday. It was an excellent piece of work and pictured the sovereign seated majestically astride a noble horse. But, after the signing of America's Declaration, the statuary did not appear in the citizens' eyes as a very decorative piece of scenery. On the contrary, they looked upon it as something quite offensive. And so on the night of July 11, 1776, they promptly de- throned His Majesty and when the morning of the 12th dawned, only the pedestal remained as evidence of the once noble piece of art. King George was forthwith unhorsed, his body and his animal hacked to bits and part of him was shipped to sea, while the rest traveled across the country wrapped in paper packages. One John Cannon, New York merchant, formerly of Norwalk, who lived right near Bowl- ing Green, sent some of the statute by sloop to this harbor. The rest of the statue was brought to Connecticut on horse- back, under cover of darkness and finally taken to the home of Major General Oliver Wolcott, in Litchfield. Here in an old shed, at the back of the ancient house on South st., built in 1754, under the shade of a comfortable apple tree, the remains of the King were melted in a huge pot.
Crowds of the villagers stood around and watched the features of their Sovereign slowly change to the blurriness of a molten mass. More than 42,000 bullets were made out of His Majesty, King George. They proved a godsend to Connecticut, sadly lacking in adequate ammunition and cannon with which to carry on its end of the war.
HARD TIMES HERE
Lack of bullets did not by any means constitute the whole of Connecticut's troubles in the beginning of the Revolution-
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ary war. Several other hoodoos mocked her footsteps. Most important of all was the difficulty in raising fast enough the required number of men for the army. The second problem was concerned with clothing and feeding the men, after the battalions were filled. Thirdly, there was the smallpox scourge.
Last but not least, there was a continual shortage of salt in Connecticut from the time the war commenced until it ended. Since salt was used in those days by all housewives, not only for seasoning, but for "salting down" all meat and fish in lieu of iceboxes, the shortage was a very serious one. The scarcity and high value of salt in Norwalk is revealed in town meeting under date of October 14, 1776, when one Donald McAuley on whose farm there was a large quantity of the precious mineral, was called before the town fathers and did promise to sell his salt at a price not more than 12 shillings, (about $3) a bushel. Of course, even Mr. Mc- Auley's generosity couldn't supply the whole of Norwalk with salt, and so, many of the residents resorted to making their own salt, even as the people in most of the Connecticut coastal towns were doing. Large pans or kettles were filled with salt water and then left for hours, simmering over slow fires until the water had entirely evaporated and only the salt remained. Meanwhile, Connecticut was offering boun- ties to those who would produce 500 or more bushels of salt. In June, 1777, the government commenced making salt pans for the use of those who were evaporating the salt water, the pans to be made "as fast as they can consistently, with the casting of cannon, which must not be interrupted."
In September of the same year, Nehemiah Benedict, Na- thaniel Benedict and David Comstock were appointed a committee to go to Boston and receive a quantity of salt, about 70 bushels, which had been set aside for Norwalk. The town fathers, August 10, 1778, voted the selectmen power to distribute among the inhabitants, a certain quantity of salt purchased by the state for Norwalk. After the divi- sion had been made and it was discovered that a small
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amount of salt was still left, it was decided that the re- mainder should be given the families of soldiers who were then fighting at the front.
That the Town of Norwalk made other provision for the comfort and welfare of the soldiers' families, besides seeing that they had sufficient salt, is evidenced by a town meeting record under the date of March 12, 1777, which considered the solution of the problem of the slow filling of the battalions. The town fathers, realizing that many citi- zens hesitated to enlist because they did not like to leave behind them, their families, for whom the government made no provision, called a town meeting to consider the care of the soldiers' wives and children.
The gist of the meeting March 12, 1777, was to the effect that every man who volunteered for service would be assured that while he was gone, were his family in need, it would be cared for until his return, within reasonable limits. Of what happened if he never returned, no mention was made. Food and clothes were to be obtained for the soldiers' fami- lies, "at prices stated by law." There was a distinct connec- tion between this resolution and a second passed at the same meeting to the effect that the town fathers would assist the officers of the town in carrying into effect a certain law just passed by the state entitled "An act to prevent monopolies and oppressions, by excessive and unreasonable prices for many of ye necessaries and conveniences of life."
Very shortly after the Revolutionary War broke out, "profiteers" made their appearance. Some posed as govern- ment agents and bought up large quantities of food and clothing, later selling the same to the government at their own prices. Others purchased everything in sight and held it until the demand for it grew so insistent they were able to cull the exorbitant prices they demanded. In November, 1776, the government passed a law, regulating the prices of various staple articles, beyond which prices it was unlawful to go. October, 1777, saw the passage of another act by Connecticut wherein the people of the state were advised
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to discountenance profiteers, whom the state considered were "totally unworthy of election to any public office and even as the vilest pests to society." A month later the state passed a further act which provided that certain articles could only be purchased in small quantities, "except on li- cense given by the town."
From time to time the government of Connecticut found it necessary to issue new price lists owing to the fact that the scarcity of goods kept forcing the prices higher. Great price differences are shown in the two lists of 1776 and 1778. Here are some of them: 1776, wheat $1.50 bushel and $2.43 in 1778; 1776, corn $.75 bushel, and $1.12 in 1778; 1776, West Indian Rum, $1.91 gallon and $4.50 in 1778; 1776, molasses, $1.00 gallon and $2.25 in 1778; 1776, men's shoes, $2 and in 1778 $3. After the second list was made public by the state, Norwalk voted to procure suffi- cient copies to provide every householder with one at the expense of the town, so that the householders would be pro- tected against the profiteers.
Those were hard times, and they were busy times. The women and children, in addition to caring for themselves, had to assist in the provision of clothing for their soldiers. Each family was required to provide so many garments. The women carded the wool, "hetcheled" the flax and wove the cloth. When the people had been taxed to the limit, the town borrowed money to purchase material for the gar- ments.
Times would not have been so hard for the Norwalkers during the Revolutionary War had the people not been pestered by disease brought on by unsanitary conditions and ignorance.
Smallpox was perhaps the most horrible, if not the most hopeless disease, with which the New Englanders had to battle in the early days and Norwalk came in for her share of the plague, for this town was no farther advanced than any other in the matter of scientific treatment of disease or in matters of sanitation and drainage. When inoculation
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was first introduced the idea was received with horror, but it was not long before the people began to see its benefits and to demand it. Smallpox classes or parties were formed and whole families and community groups passed through the ordeal "ensemble," breaking out, sweating, scaling and convalescing together. Sometimes these parties were held in private homes and sometimes in hospitals. Dr. Uriah Rogers of Norwalk advertised his new smallpox hospital "just within the jurisdiction line of the Province of New York" in the Connecticut Courant of November 30, 1767. The charge was only $20 per patient and one might come alone or in a "set." A cordial welcome was promised in either case. Mention of other smallpox hospitals appears in the local records from time to time, in 1779 when per- mission was given for smallpox inoculation in the homes of Moses Bixbe and Captain Solomon Morehouse," in 1791, 1797 and 1799.
GENERAL TRYON APPEARS
To the very doors of Norwalk came the war early in April in the year 1777, when General William Tryon, Brit- ish soldier and governor landed on the shores of Compo, advanced through Westport, burned parts of Danbury and Ridgefield and killed a number of the local soldiers. Sev- eral outstanding characters took part in the battles of Compo, Ridgefield and Danbury, and later in the burning of Norwalk. Heading the list was General Tryon who took a fiendish delight in tormenting the helpless in his power; next came Benedict Arnold, noble fighter and despicable traitor, who distinguished himself in the battle of Ridgefield.
In addition, there were: Nathan Hale, who passed through Norwalk on his dangerous mission as a spy; Gen- eral David Wooster, American patriot, who lost his life on the battlefield of Ridgefield; General Samuel Parsons, Amer- ican patriot, who gave battle to the British in Norwalk, compelling them to retreat; Brigadier General Oliver Wol-
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cott, who also gave battle to the British in Norwalk; and Captain Israel Putnam who fought in the battle of Ridge- field.
Let us stop for a moment and consider those who took part in the purely local history: Tryon, Hale, Parsons, Wol- cott.
Ireland was Tryon's birthplace, in 1725. He found him- self in 1751 a captain in the British army, from which rank he rose to lieutenant colonel. After coming to this country, he gained the lieutenant governorship of North Carolina and later the governorship of New York. When the Rev- olutionary War broke out, Tryon fled to the sloop Halifax, lying off New York. However, when Howe occupied New York and everything was safe again, he returned. In 1778, he resigned as governor of New York but retained his posi- tion as general in the army.
In 1777 he attacked Ridgefield and Danbury.
In 1779, he accomplished the burning of New Haven, Fairfield and then Norwalk. The general returned to Eng- land in ill health in 1780 and died in 1788 in London. Tryon was generally hated throughout the country. His rigorous administration, and his cruelty on many unnecessary occa- sions, incurred the intense bitterness of the patriots. The Indians looked upon him in terror and called him "The Big Wolf."
The ministry was the goal set by the parents of Nathan Hale for their son, who visited Norwalk on his way to Long Island on his trusted mission as a spy for George Washing- ton, during the Revolutionary War.
It is not known from just which point on this coast that Hale embarked for Long Island, but it is known that he bade good-bye on the Norwalk shores to his companion, Ser- geant John Hempstead of his own company of Knowlton's Rangers, and was taken across to Huntington, Long Island by Captain Pond in the Sloop "Schuyler," according to Stephen Jenkins in his "Old Boston Post Road." Without exciting suspicion, Hale succeeded in getting the necessary
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plans and information concerning the enemy forces on Long Island. He had just reached a point on the Island which he considered safe for a crossing to Norwalk again, when he was captured by the British and later hanged.
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