USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > The town and city of Waterbury, Connecticut, from the aboriginal period to the year eighteen hundred and ninety-five, Volume I > Part 40
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Mr. James Blake of Dorchester, left an account of the severe drought that prevailed in the summer of 1749, in which he tells us that it was the 6th of July before any rain came; that by the end of May the grass was burned up and the ground was white; that the cattle were "poor, lowing things" wandering in search of food, and nothing green to be seen. There was so little hay that one hundred pounds of English hay sold for three pounds, ten shillings; barley and oats were so pinched that only seed was obtained; Indian corn rolled up and wilted, and flax failed-that the next spring, butter sold for seven shillings and six pence the pound, and that June 18th, 1750, was said to be the hottest day ever known in the northerly part of America.
24
370
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
The history of the summer of 1749 in Waterbury is best told in the brief and terse words of a petition of the inhabitants, addressed to the General Assembly of the Colony, in October of that year, in which they say: In the summer past, by the Providence of Almighty God we have been visited with Remarkable and Sore Sickness, which spread itself throughout the whole Town in so extraordinary a manner that in two Parishes scarcely ten families escaped the dis- temper. Many whole families at the same time were incapable of helping themselves in the least degree. It happened at a time when our Hus- bandry required our utmost diligence and labor, and very much distressed us on that account. From the middle of Harvest to the last of September, almost all that were in health were constantly employed in tending and watching with the Sick, or burying the Dead. Without the charges commonly arising in like cases on account of Physicians, Tenders, and loss of time, which are doubt- less very great in such a Distressing time, these are not comparable with what we have suffered by neglecting our husbandry in the proper season for improving the same. Almost all our Low Meadows dried as they stood, so that what of them were mowed were of little or no value and some not mowed yet. Not above half the usual number of Acres of English Grain were sowed, and that so much out of season and so poorly Tilled that we have reason to expect but a thin harvest in proportion to what we have sowed, so that if it should please God to favor us with health in the ensuing year, our Distresses will be great-our Provision to be purchased for our Families and our Town and Society charges greatly increased on many accounts.
They besought the abatement of the Country tax upon the list of 1748. The tax in question was forgiven the people, but the town received no school money for that year.
Of the disease which caused such sore distress and affliction, Dr. Bronson tells us that it took the form of a low, nervous fever, and that if a patient survived the ninth day, recovery was expected. We have a list of ninety-three deaths which occurred during the year 1749. According to Dr. Bronson's estimate of the population in that year-1500-the mortality must have been equal to one-six- teenth of the inhabitants. He also states that "six graves were open in the old burying ground at the same time." These graves were probably made for Rachel Johnson, an infant, Susanna Williams, daughter of Daniel, aged seventeen years, a three year old son of Obadiah Richards, an infant son of Thomas Hikcox, Mary, the three year old daughter of Samuel Hickox, and Osee, the three year old son of Isaac Hopkins, as the first named three
37I
1742 - 1760.
died on the 24th of August, and the second three on two succeeding days. Three deaths also occurred on August 11th. John Barnes, the shoe-maker, lost four children. Thomas Williams died, and three of his children. The Scott family lost six of its members, and the Prichard family seven. The very poor, the utterly desolate, the solitary, the homeless individuals disappeared from record, and left no sign. Their numbers we cannot give. John Allyn, or Allen, had "no near relative," and but for the Probate Records at Woodbury, his very existence as the first known worker in brass and other metals in Waterbury, would have remained unknown. The "estate of John Allen" was presented on October 31st, 1749. "No near relatives, and John Alcox, represented as a man faithful, was appointed administrator." The inventory consisted of more than one hundred and fifty items, of which the first mentioned is a Bible, appraised at £2, followed by a Psalm, a Hymn, and a spelling book. He had a £2 10 shilling gray wigg, a new £6 castor hat, leather, brown Holland, and plush breeches, beside check trousers; a £Io camblet coat, a fro grate coate, and a £7 blue streight body, brown russet vests, blew vest with silver buttons, and, best of all, a costly green vest; neck cloths of muslin and of silk, red checked and brown; stocks of cambric and muslin, both checked and plain; hand- kerchiefs of silk, linen and cotton; woolen, linen, new Holland and old Holland shirts; caps and mittens; old, and Blew linen, brown, and Blew worsted stockings; red flowered and yellow plate ribbons, and a paper of pinns, beside two snuff boxes, knives, combs, a razor, brass ink horn and numerous other articles. But what should interest Waterbury especially is the fact that he was apparently a silversmith and worker in brass. We quote from the inventory.
4? s. d.
€
s. d.
Cash, . 2I 07 00 I pound of steel,
00
05 06
4 pair of knee buckles, .
2 00 00
6 ounces of copper, .
00
03 09
3 pair of shoe buckles, 2 I6 00 5 pounds 6 ounces old iron,
00
II 00
2 pair of cast buckles, O0 17 00 Wire, .
00
IO 00
I 05 Pair silver knee buckles and stock buckles, 3 05 00 A screw plate and taps [?] I O5 00
Sale knee buckles, 00 03 00
2 small screw plates, 00
03 00
Glass buttons set in silver, 00 08 00 A wier plate,
. 00
03 00
Pair of small Dividers, 00
06
00
Knee buckles, .
00 03 00
Pair of large Dividers, 00
04
00
A pair of scales, Old files,
00
I5 00
2 pounds 6 ounces cast brass, OI 00 00
5 pounds of lead, . 00 15 00
A brass box, .
00
05
00
A hand vice, .
00
Pair of brass buttons, 00 04 06
30 pounds and 4 ounces of brass, I2 02 00
. 00
I2 00
Beside the above, there are knives, a chest, boxes, a leather apron, a £13 piece of red broad cloth, thread, and silk, and remnants of
372
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
dry goods, vials, and more snuff boxes. June 11, 1752, an addi- tional inventory was presented, containing wooden flasks, a pair of spring tongs, a brass skillet, sodering iron, an iron spindle, points of comb teeth, tongs for buckles, copper, a pair of flukes, six pairs of boxes for great wheels, Juels without any drops; chisels, thread stockings, and other things, from alspice to seventy bushels of coal, the latter appraised at £2 02 06.
Poor John Allen! no near relatives! died, it must be remem- bered, in 1749. His entire estate appears to have been dissolved in taking care of him in his last illness. It is stated that the adminis- trator brought in an account of debts due from the estate, which amount is £173 07 07. "There remains £8 02 II which the court allows to the administrator in full for his trouble and charge and discharged him June 15th, 1752"-just four days after the second or additional inventory was returned. No list of debts against the estate is on file at Woodbury.
The above view of the case is more than suggested by original documents that have fallen into our hands of other cases. We give a single one, showing that however kind and neighborly and chari- table the inhabitants of Waterbury may have been to their own, they expected full reward for whatever care was bestowed upon the stranger within their gates. The case selected is that of Lydia Cosset. It is entitled:
An account of and Bill of cost of what the Selectmen of Water- bury have done for Lydia Cosset, daughter of Ranney Cosset, of Symsbury, from the fifth day of January, A. D., 1749-50, in her sick- ness in Waterbury, which is as follows:" (The bill was presented to Ranny Cosset. Captain Samuel Hikcox presented his bill to the Town of Waterbury six days after the last charge in the ac- count against Lydia. It is for "his time and money spent in Riding to Simsburey upon Lidey Cosit Bisnes, three days." In his account of expense items for the trip, we infer that he stopped once at "Barnes's," twice at "Owens," twice at "Leweses," once at "Phelpes," and once at three several places, whose owner's names are not deciphered). The following is the bill:
S
d
I the wife of Nathaniel Meril four days, 2
8 00
2. the wife of Roger Pritchard five days, 3 O 00
3. the wife of Thomas Barnes eight days, 4
0 00
4. the widow Prichard one day, O 7 00
5. the wife of Robert Johnson one day, IO 00
6. the wife of Benjamin Judd one day, O IO 00
7. the wife of Ebenezer Bronson one day, IO 00
8. Philas the negro of Mr. John Southmayd one day, O IO 00
9. the daughter of Doct" Porter one day, O IO 00
373
1742- 1760.
IO. Rachel Baldwin one day, . O IO 00
II. the wife of Benjamin Prichard one day and half, .
13. to Ensign Fulford for eight bushels of coal,* I
14. the widow Hickcox two days, I 00 00
15. Isaac Nichols three days tendenc, 2 IO 00
17. to the wife of Ebenezer Bronson one day more, O IO 00
18. to Doct" Levenwurth for medisens, 3 19
09
19. to Doct" Ephrem Warner for Doctring her, 8 09 09
20. to Doct" Benjamin Judd for doctring her, 8 OI 00
21. to Doct" Judd for one month bord and tendence, 6 00 00
to the old Doct" Warner for doctring her, 2 00 00
Total, .
47 IO 06 sikness to the 9th day of Fubrey-as follows:
0 I5
00
2. by five gallons of Rhum,
II
00
00
3. by an ounce of treahel water camphor, 00
IO 00
4. by 12 pound of candels 3-6 pr pond,
2 02 00
5. by damiag to futher Bed,
6 00
00
6. by keeping her and watchers and nurses,
7. wood and house room 4 weeks 4 pound,
s. per week, .
I6 00
00
9. to Sarah Barns 2 weeks more to nurse Said Lyde,
3 00
00
IO. and keeping Lydie and-by us, .
45
03
00
II. to three pints of Rhume more the last fortnight,
47 IO
06
92
I3 06
12. two weeks and candels and hous room, .
2 IO
00
.
Note here-this bill of Corst is from the 5th of January until the 18th of Instant March.
THOMAS BRONSON, - SAMUEL HICKCOX, JOHN SCOVILL,
Selectmen of Waterbury.
Among the bills allowed for the same year, are one to Edward Scovill, "for keeping Chilson's child;" to Samuel Scott, "for keep- ing Mary Arbs;" to James Blakeslee, "for making Widow Camp's coffin, and one for John Welton's child;" to Thomas Porter, "for curing Stephen Camp's arm, and for riding to Sergt. Warner's to prize sheep; " to "Reuben Blackeslee of Captain," Abigail Howe, Thankful Francher, Mary Church, Mary Cobin and Hannah Hull- all for the care of Widow Camp; to John Scovill, " for holding three vandues with the Widow Camp's goods, and one day's ten- dance of Mr. Camp's;" to Jacob Blackslee, "for summonsing and
* It will be noticed that in John Allen's inventory, 70 bushels of coal were valued at only a little over {2.
S
O 15 00
04 00
Item George Nicols bill from the fifth of January In Sd year In her
I. by 21/2 pounds of Shauger at 6 a pound,
to Keeping the old Doctor one night-and hors, 2 IO
00
374
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
bringing persons to tend the sick, three days;" to Doctor Ephraim Warner, "for Mary Arbs' child, and for Mr. Camp."
" Enezer" Welton was another person afflicted with illness. Joseph Lewis, Jr., (who fell a victim to the same disease) spent a day in riding after the Doctor for him, and cared for him in person for two days. John Weed, Abraham Warner, the widow Sarah Warner, Mehetable Rew, John Lewis, Samuel Lewis and even the good Deacon Joseph Lewis himself (also a victim) attended " Enezer" one or more days, while John Lewis spent a day, as his brother Joseph had, in riding after the doctor for him; Ebenezer Richardson is credited in the same year "for a Journey of his Wives Horse to Stratford" (doubtless for medicines). Soon after this time Chilson's child begins its wanderings from family to family. Deacon Thomas Bronson lends the town his man and horse to transport a woman to Farmington, while his son Thomas mends Phebe Warner's shoes and sends in a bill "for keeping her 40 weeks " at 12 shillings a week. It must not be inferred that Phebe Warner is a pauper, because she is a "town charge." The two con- ditions are often confounded, the one with the other. Phebe Warner-a young girl of fifteen years-bereft of her mother by death in 1747; of her father and a brother in 1749, and of her only brother in the next year, became a ward of the town. With a "dis- ordered mind," and an inheritance in lands appraised at £200, we follow her in her wanderings from Samuel Hikcox's house to Joseph Bronson's; from John Judd's to Thomas Bronson's. We find her spending five weeks in the late Charles D. Kingsbury house-then newly built by Andrew Bronson-transferred to Cap- tain Upson's for three weeks, and passed on to the house of his son Stephen for the next three weeks, while Daniel Southmayd makes a "gownd " for her, and obtains liberty from the General Assembly to sell her lands, which sale David Scott achieves in 1752. A con- siderable number of persons became for one reason or another wards of the town, as an outcome of the "great sickness " of 1749. Joseph Lewis, a grandson of Deacon Joseph Lewis, is of that num- ber. Let us look for a moment at the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate youth. About 1748 Joseph Lewis, his father, bought a house and a goodly number of acres on Twelve Mile hill. The house was described as "near the twelve mile stake," so often referred to. Bereft of his mother at the age of two years, of his father at thirteen, and his grandfather Lewis a few days later, the boy was left in the house-that many of us well re- member as standing, in its age, on Andrews' hill, summer winds moaning through its open doors and shaking clapboards-to con- front the desolate outlook of that cruel time, with only a child's
375
1742 - 1760.
knowledge of life to lead him. Tradition tells the story that Joseph went through a corn field and plucked the ears and made a fire on the Sabbath day and roasted and ate the corn-that he was publicly whipped for his crime, and that the whipping destroyed his reason. Dr. Bronson tells us that Joseph Lewis was a town pauper, and was tried before Thomas Clark, Esq., May 12, 1756, on complaint of Oliver Terrell, for stealing forty shillings, proclama- tion money, and condemned to pay six pounds, proclamation money, with costs of suit, and also a fine of ten shillings, lawful money, to the town treasurer, and be whipped on ye naked body ten stripes-costs taxed at £1 3 3." That "he was whipped accord- ing to the judgment of the court, and bound out to the plaintiff, as a servant, till the above sum should be paid." Joseph Lewis was eighteen years of age at the time of this trial. That he was of unsound mind, whether by reason of his early sorrows or of his punishment, seems only too evident from the fact that he never gained control of his property, his name not appearing on the tax list, and that as late as 1779 the town sold land belonging to him for £400. Still later, we find his guardian, the town, buying for him a pair of shoes, and getting another pair mended. Neverthe- less, he served his country as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
In connection with the above incident relating to Joseph Lewis Dr. Bronson gives the following estimate of our Puritan ancestors which we cannot forbear to quote:
Individually, our Puritan ancestors were very much such men as we are-little better, no worse. There were among them men eminent for virtue, knowledge and patriotism ; while there was about the ordinary proportion, found in the farming communities, of the worthless and the vile. A very slight inspection of the records of the criminal courts will dissipate the dreams of those who contend that our great grandsires were perfect beings. They were bred in a rigorous age, and were exposed to peculiar hardships, dangers and temptations. These gave origin to peculiar moral characteristics-to virtues and to vices which were a little different from those of other ages and communities. But, on the whole, they, like us, were average men. We have more science, a more widely diffused literature; better roads, and bulkier ships, but our men are like their men-shoots from the same stock. Undistinguishing eulogy cannot properly be applied to any of the generations of New England; nor will truth justify indiscriminate censure. Saints and sinners, wise men and foolish, have been, and will continue to be found, in fair proportion, among all. We do rightly in judging leniently of the weaknesses and mistakes and even the guilt of our fathers. We make allowances for their circum- stances, the state of their civilization, the age in which they lived, the modes of thinking which prevailed at the time, their education, even their temptations and their prejudices, and the entire group of influences which contributed to mould opinions.
The above estimate of the men of New England, if applied to the period subsequent to 1740, seems eminently fair. The "Great
376
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
Awakening" was unto sin, as well as unto righteousness. Puritan New England became thereafter a thing of the past. Its real gold had become an alloy, still bearing the name and applied to the ancient usages, but dimmed and imperfect in many ways. The good men were here, but the "good old time " had vanished.
It is interesting to note that after two generations many of the old names are still at the helm in town affairs. Year after year Mr. Southmayd is chosen town clerk, and proprietor's clerk. It is his hand that pens the long deeds, and records them; that writes the indentures; that prepares many of the tax lists; that records scores of highway lay-outs; and carefully preserves the minutest minutes of every town and proprietor's meeting. We have a little book of two sheets about eight by eight inches, once folded, and carefully sewed, in which his hand recorded the town's debts and credits for the year 1748. Happy Waterbury of the long ago! The following is the list:
Town Debts for the year 1748:
Ebenezer Bronson,
2
s. d. I6 6 C. Tho. Blaaksle,
00 I9 IO
C. Will Judd,
I 00 6 Jonathan Prindle,
. OI
II
5
Abel Camp,
. I3 I2 4 Abel Curtice,
00
I2
4
John Judd, 0.4 I4 O Cap. Tho. Hickcox,
OI
II 00
Widow Hannah Bronson, . 00 I7 7
Jno. Southmayd,
3
I2 IO
Ambros Hickcox,
00
I5 2
Jno. Scovill,
6
00 0.1
George Welton, .
2 04 4 Abel Sutliff,
OI
IO 00
20 lb granted to Northbury to build the bridge.
Debts allowed 1748:
E 05
s. 00 0
E
s.
d.
C Sam11 Hickcox,
I2 O
Dan11 Southmayd,
2
15 O
D. Thomas Clark,
00
06 O
Abraham Truck,
00
I5 0
Richard Nichols,
00
I2 0
Obadiah Richards,
18 0 Jnº. Southmayd,
OI
18 6
Account of Debts Due to the Town as they stand December, 1748, on Notes:
Gideon Allyn,
.
I3
I5 2 Will Ludington,
00
IO O
Silas Johnson,
00
IO O
John Rew, .
04
I5 O
Samuel Warner,
. 02
IO O Jonathan Scott,
00
IO 0
Timothy Porter,
05
00 0 Jonathan Cook, .
. 00
IO
0
Caleb Thompson,
2
IO 0 Ebenezer Wakelee,
06
I2
3
Ebenezer Warner,
2 IO
0 James Nichols, .
. 04
18
6
Debts to the Town Due for Creatures Sold, Charges Deducted:
d.
S. d.
Deacon Blackslee,
8 00 0 Gamaliel Terrill,
9 00 0
Thomas Barns,
5 00
O
John Sutliff, Jr., I2
IO 0
Gideon Hikcox, . 14 00 O Ebenezer Richards, 3 15
O
.
Benj. Arnold,. · 50 4
00 s.
O
s.
d.
d. Cap. Stephen Upson, 00
S.
d.
00 s. d.
377
1742 - 1760.
In 1745 the town indebtedness was still less. In 1749 it was greatly augmented. Many autograph bills, in which the town is the debtor, still remain. The approved bills are duly signed by the selectmen.
Of the number is one, whereby the "Town of Waterbury is Indebted to the Perambulators of Farmington Line, for a Quart of Rhum oo-12-6 and their expences at Camebridge £1-10-9. And to the Drumer for 2 Days in Oct", 1747, f1-01-0." Other bills are-one of Capt. Samuel Hickcox "for his journey to Stratford," and Ensign Fulford one "for a journey to Stratford "; to "Capt. Upson for carry- ing Mr. Camp to De" Lewis's o-10-0"; to Thomas Bronson, Jr., in 1747, " 16 shillings for 8 meals to the listers "; to "Jane Baldwin, for sundry articles for cloathing for Mary Earls, for victuling and tend- ing the widow Chilson two weeks, for fetching a doctor for her, for four shillings and six-pence paid to the Der. total £5-14-6" (this was in 1749); to Richard Seymour and Eleazer Scott, thirteen pounds (the original charge was twenty pounds) for building a Pound Near the meeting house In Westbury " in 1750; to Stephen Mathews "for making Mr. Wood's cofen "; to Doctor Benjamin Warner "for doctoring Edman Scot's family £10-18-o"; to Thomas Barnes "for keeping Hitte Camp and Moll £23-7-6"; to Ebenezer Wakelee "for making Bier and board [for] Chilson 3-0-04" to " John Scovill for Listers Dinner, &c., £2-12-02"; to " Thomas Porter for taking Coxe's estate and other things "; to " Ebenezer Bronson for keeping Moll"; to "John Southmayd for dressing Moll's child and writing £1-18-00"; to "William Selkrigg for digging a grave £1-15-00"; to "Thomas Cole for keeping Thomsan Wood"; to "Jonathan Baldwin, Jr. for a pair of sheets £2-10-00"; to "me for rum for the bridg 9 Gallans £12-12-00; to rum for-Camp £03-04-00; to rum for Ebenezer Wostar £2-05-00. This is a true account from your friend, George Nickols"; to "Gershorm Fulford for viewing Derby Road ; selling Phebe Warner's land; his and his wives assisting George Scott's wife"; to "Thomas Porter for view- ing Derby Road; selling P. Warner's land, and for going to Mr. Hopkins to borrow money for the town." In 1747 Daniel South- mayd, Abraham Truck, Obadiah Richard, "man, self and 2 cattle," Stephen Upson, Thomas Clark and Richard Nickols sent in a bill "for Drawing bridge Timber out of the river." In 1754 John Bronson sent a bill for dining the County Surveyor and his atendence six meals." Even Mr. Leavenworth is credited in 1749 with three pints of Rhum, two pounds of sugar, a pound of candles, half a pound of butter" and "to Bed, boarding Nurses, House Room, &c., to the amount of £13-16-9."
378
HISTORY OF WATERBURY.
There are also accounts of sales made by the town of the worldly goods of deceased persons-sometimes without a mention even, of the once-owner's name-the belongings intimating a young man without house or home within the town. Occasionally, the load of indebtedness is lightened by a ray of neighborly kindliness, or some- thing that looks like it, as, in the following, addressed to the consta- bles of the town: "These are to Desire you to Abate Caleb Thompson of his Country Rate made on the List of 1749 so much as by Law ought to come to the Listers." This request was written by Daniel Southmayd, and bears his autograph and the signatures of his fellow listers, John Warner, Stephen Welton and John Sutliff.
A list of debts due to the town, lies before me-the date and the names I forbear for obvious reasons to give. The following are some of the terse conclusions arrived at, and expressed against certain of the names of the debtors: "Nothing done. Ordered to be stayed. Given in by the selectmen. Dead and lost. Dead and lost I believe. Poor wretch. In dispute. Very poor, and agreed to be given in. Poor as Death. Poor enough. Rather poor. As poor as you please." The latter is against a prominent member of one of the best known families of the Waterbury of to-day.
In 1749 "it was agreed that in choosing townsmen, constables, and grand jurymen, each man should bring in a vote for five towns- men with their names fairly written, and so for three constables, and so for five grand jurymen." It was in 1749 also that Daniel Southmayd was first chosen moderator of the town meeting, an office which he held as long as he lived. For a number of years he had gradually been taking certain work from his father's over- burdened hands. We recognize his handwriting on numerous docu- ments. It is a younger, bolder, less finished edition of the perfect formula of letters given by Mr. Southmayd for so many years. Honors gathered about the young man. At thirty years of age he was "established and confirmed" Captain of Waterbury train band. He was chosen a deputy for his native town at the October session of the General Assembly in 1748, and re-elected seven times. On the tenth of December, 1753, at the Great Town Meeting he was moderator, elected townsman, and ap- pointed tithingman. Eight days later, he was chosen to his last public work. The road, now called the Watertown road, had just been laid out, then described as "the highway from the bridge up by the west side of the river through Richards's Eight acre Lott to the south end of Tompkins's field against Lieut. Prindle's House." He, with Thomas Barnes, and Thomas Porter, who was Captain Southmayd's lieutenant, were to lay out a passage
379
1742-1760.
from the highway on the east side the river to the new one on the west side, and was also "to search into the circumstances of the mill land and see what title Mr. Baldwin held to the land," for the reason that the above passage would pass through a portion of the ancient mill land that was laid out in the meadows.
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