USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Fairfield > This is Fairfield, 1639-1940 > Part 15
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More planning was evident when on December 27, 1797 owners were given permission to set out trees on highways either for use or ornament, provided the adjoining proprietor shall be will- ing for such tree to be set out and stand and whenever any such proprietor, their heirs be sent out shall order the same be taken away."
These people were thrifty, too, i.e .:
Voted that the materials in the bridge now called Godfrey's Bridge be appropriated and made use of in the new bridge proposed to be built below and near Peter Perry's Grist Mill.
The following year a request was made to continue Godfrey's Bridge where it "now stands" and to excuse them from building a bridge be- low Peter Perry's Grist Mill.
Fairfield was regaining its pre-war appearance with the rebuilding which was going on all about. It now became the center of intellectual culture and refinement. The County Court sessions brought together renowned lawyers from all cor- ners of the State and men of distinction and wealth came to this place to live.
In 1797, the New England Gazetteer had this to say about Fairfield:
Fairfield, Ct. New England Gazeteer-1797
Fairfield, the Uncoway of the Indians, a post town and port of entry of Connecticut, and capital of the above county, is pleasantly situated on Mill-River, a little above its entrance into Long-Island Sound, 22 miles S.W. by W. of New-Haven, and 64 from New- York. It contains about 200 houses, a neat Con- gregational church, and a court-house. About 4 miles N.W. of the body of the town, and in the township is the beautiful parish of Greenfield, in which is a flourishing academy. A high eminence in the centre of the parish commands a deligthtful prospect. Fair- field was settled from Wethersfield in 1639, and in 1736 contained 400 families. It was burnt by a party of Tories and British, under the command of Governor Tryon, in 1779; the loss sustained, amounted to upwards of £40,000. Fairfield carries on a considerable trade to the W. Indies. The ex- ports for one year, ending September 30th, 1794, amounted to 77,425 dollars.
Let us now pause and view the Village Green
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as it appeared at the close of the 18th century -the parade ground-the training place for the local militia, for it was at this point that many changes were about to take place. Here had stood the whipping post and the stocks where frequent or occasional culprits and crim- inals received punishments for swearing, use of tobacco on the street, Sabbath breaking, drunk- enness, abusive carriages and similar offenses. (The whipping post is currently the town bulletin board or sign post and stands in about the same position.) The Town Hall and Court House stood near the center and the Meeting House and School House were also part of the Green. To the west of the whipping post stood the Jail and the Keeper's House, adjoining which was the "witch pond" where women had been ducked who were thought to have diabolic tendencies- this to test their guilt or innocence.
At the southernmost corner of the Green,
flourished the Bulkley Tavern, the Sun Tavern on the west corner, another Bulkley Tavern on the northwest corner and later on, Knapps Tav- ern on the north corner.
Here, on this Green and in these halls-law- yers and litigants of note gathered-soldiers marched and countermarched-the British un- der Tryon met the few Continental troops and local militia in 1779-General Silliman trained his men-the citizens met for public worship when bereft of the old Meeting House-politi- cal, social, religious and military organizations had assembled for generations.
Here a large boulder has more recently been placed to commemorate the complete history known only to the old sycamore tree which guards the eastern entrance to the center of our government's activities of today, the Town Hall. This is one of the lovely old characteristic greens of New England.
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CHAPTER 7
1800-1860
A calm after the War was settling over our community of 3,735 inhabitants as the new cen- tury dawned but the industrious and active air which had been evident in Fairfield since its founding was more forceful and prominent than ever before. The business of running the Town went on as usual and every effort was made to make Fairfield move forward.
The people were anxious to improve their place of living. New roads were sought, bridges had to be built and each parish was respected and treated with equity in the satisfaction of its needs.
A new bridge was planned to span the Sauga- tuck with the cost amounting to $803.00. This was to come from subscription by the group who would use the bridge and when they refused to pay a suit was brought against them by the Town in the County Court.
A new road from the Black Rock Wharf to Weston was proposed and another from the same wharf to Trumbull was hoped for. Every person was given liberty to work out his rate on the road-working eight hours a day and furnish- ing his own tools. Should any person fail to report when he was assigned, he was to be debarred from working out his rate later. Each Surveyor of Highways was to collect the rate in his district and was allowed 75¢ for each day that he worked at his job. Two-thirds of the labor on the roads was to be done in May and June. Each Society received money according to their lists.
Before 1800 taxes had been collected in rather an easy going way. Collectors kept rate books and did the best they could to get all of the money in but collectors and payees were seldom prompt in their duty. On December 24, 1800 the following regulations concerning the "Rate" for the roads were arrived at and set down for all to follow.
1. The Collector was to be paid out of the Tax collected.
2. The Selectmen were to appoint in each Society an agent or agents to repair said roads and bridges-the agents were to examine the bridges from time to time and an amount of money would be alloted to them.
3. The Selectmen were to decide the roads that should have the repairs.
4. The agents were to be compensated from the Tax money.
5. The road workers were to be paid-if they owed taxes they could work them out.
6. The work was to be done during the period of April 1st to June 30th.
7. The materials and tools were to be obtained in the most economical way.
8. There was to be credit given to people for furn- ishing materials.
9. The credit on the Rate for a day's work was not to exceed 75¢ "for keeping included", and "for a man with cattle team cart, plow be credited to the amount if his tax not exceeding at the rate of $2.00 for a day, keeping also included".
The rate in 1800 amounted to 1 cent 5 mills.
While many proposals for improvements were given, they were frequently not accepted readily and we see that the town opposed the establishment of a turnpike from the "Stratford Ferry to Byram Bridge" and the road from Sas- co towards Hulls Farms and from Saugatuck stores to Weston was rejected. Then too, the pe- tition of Caleb Brewster and others for the road from "Black Rock to Weston be opposed". It was a case of too many projects coming too fast and it was necessary for the people to decide which were needed first. One still feels this tre- mendous stronghold of balance among these people. Fairness was their broad base. They voted that "no nomination made by any of the several parishes shall have preference to be tried in Town Meeting for this or any future meet- ings". They apparently even tried meeting around in the several parishes to divide up the hardship of winter travel for we find that the December 26, 1803 meeting was held at the Meeting House in Greenfield where it was noted that "Doc David Hull be not excused from being
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Selectmen". There were five selectmen chosen at this time.
The Surveyors of Highways were now chosen according to their Society membership. The Se- lectmen were instructed to furnish a suitable number of drays to make and repair the roads and each surveyor was "accountable to the Se- lectmen therefore and return such dray to the place of deposit". It was not long before that first bit of Town Equipment was ordered to in- clude "scrapers and axe shovels so called proper for mending the highways . . . to appoint proper places for deposit of these in each parish . . . these to be used for no other purpose".
It was further voted about that time that the Town accounts were to be lodged with the Select- men for "publick inspection" and the Town Treasurer was to receive $5.00 for his services for the year.
The early years of the new century brought very difficult weather for the people. In March of 1801 we find a report of a continuous storm for 14 days and during the same month the next year "a continued storm of 12 days-no sun, moon or blue sky appeared" and even the tides were troublesome for we find them backing up into springs used for drinking water and cover- ing meadows seriously.
On January 23, 1804, Jonathan Bulkley wrote in his diary:
Mill River froze over last Wednesday night and still continues to be froze so hard that no mast can get out. There is 3 vessels loaded and ready to sail but cannot get out on account of the ice. This day is as severe a snowstorm as any we have had within three seasons. Very cold. The wind is about N.N.E. and blows a gale and so thick you can't see land 1/2 mile.
The Federalists were in power at that time but their majorities were decreasing.
In 1806 on June 16 a total eclipse of "ye Sun" was very clearly visible in Fairfield and the following year on December 14th one finds 'pieces like ore fell out of the sky, one weighed 36 lbs. Several pieces fell in Weston-one near the house of Mr. Prince-went three feet into the Earth-a ball of fire was seen in the North with a sound that lasted a minute-like several can- non". Another report,
Wednesday 30, December 1807 about three or four weeks since there appeared to them who hap- pened to be up at the time a meteor passed through Weston, lower part of Trumbull and the upper part of Greenfield about the break of day. The report which succeeded the blast was equal to a loud clap of thunder and it was said by people who stood
at their doors heard something pass near them which they daren't not venture to see it being so dark, and they so frightened until morning when to their sur- prise they found a large stone two feet below the ground in their dooryard weighing 35 lbs. and it is supposed that in other places that stone fell to weight of 200 lbs.
That year marked the end of Federalism in Town. Jonathan Bulkley wrote,
Thursday December 8, 1807. Town meeting this day which was carried by a majority of 40 in favor of Republicanism and the downfall of Federalism.
In 1808, persons were given "liberty to rail or fence in at their own expense the Court House Green, near the Meeting House and the Church Green so called on the Mill Plain with suitable and proper railing or fencing and have liberty to level or repair such greens without any ex- pense to the Town."
In 1810 there were 4,135 people in Fairfield and 500 of these were electors. There were 550 dwellings in the Town. There were three com- panies of Infantry, part of a company of cavalry and the principal part of a company of artillery. There were more apples than ever before that year.
In 1811 a Committee was chosen for each Society to district the individual Society. There were four Societies now - Fairfield, Green Farms, Greenfield and Stratfield. The result of this vote is included here:
Voted that there be a committee in each located Society for the purpose of districting each society into proper surveyors limits describing such limits and numbering them and make report to some future town meetings.
Voted Israel Bibbins be of the above
Samuel Rowland Edmond Burr
J committee for the first society of Fairfield
Joseph Strong Robert Willson
for Stratfield
David Hubbell
Eben Banks for Greenfield
Eben Burr
Seymour Taylor
Aaron Sherwood Talcot Banks
- for Greens Farms
Four Selectmen were chosen now. The annual meeting of these Selectmen was scheduled for the first Monday in January when two of the civil authority were appointed to audit and adjust the accounts of the Selectmen. Those accounts were exhibited to the "public on the last Monday of November".
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October 31st showed the highest tide in 20 years.
Christmas Day was very cold and 18 vessels went ashore in the Sound.
Clouds of War had hung over the Country for several years and Fairfield had felt its little stinging pricks as had the other coastal towns.
Connecticut as a whole did not regard the War of 1812 as a good War. The Connecticut Senators, Chauncey Goodrich and Samuel Dana voted against the War. They were 2 of the 13 who opposed the move. 19 Senators were in favor of the declaration of War. The militia was not sent out of the State but instead was em- ployed for the home defense. Some from Fair- field volunteered for the regular army and served throughout the Country. There were 15 such volunteers from Fairfield.
When the news of the embargo on the United States reached here on December 26, 1807 a great deal of uneasiness developed because of the fact that many citizens feared the fatal con- sequences to their property which lay in vessels and other property which was exposed to war.
On July 7, 1809 Jonathan Bulkley made this entry in his diary:
July 7, 1809-The embargo is still on and we have no buying on hand nor is it probable we shall have any very soon-so long as these troubles some- times lasts and how long God and time only knows. Our dear sought Liberty I am afraid is in jeopardy.
Soon after the declaration of War on June 18, 1812 by the United States against Great Britain, the local vessels started to arrive and anchor in Mill River and beginning in October, several of the Mill River vessels were captured by the British. Captain Robinson was captured but regained possession of his ship and escaped. The Schooner Betsey Matilda was captured and escaped. The sloop Rose was taken and ordered to Bermuda. The schooner Rising Sun was taken and destroyed. The sloop Filanda was captured and sent to Halifax. Lothrop Burr and Bradley Sturges were taken prisoners and came back from England in June 1815.
Jeremiah Sturges formed a company in South- port known as the 2nd Company of The First Battalion Veteran Volunteers in which there were 42 original members on May 24, 1813. Each owned a musket. Governor John Cotton Smith of Sharon promised them a field piece, small arms and ammunition but he was not able to keep his promise. This necessitated the group finding and digging up a buried 12 pounder in
Black Rock and a six pounder in Compo and they fared for ammunition as best they could. At the mouth of Mill River they built up the earth into a fort known as "Defense" and on June 21, 1813 it was visited by Governor Smith who spoke kindly of the fort and of the company and "partook of Cake and cheese provided by the ladies".
These men had pledged their lives, their prop- erty and their sacred honor "to stand by each other in defense of their wives and families, their lives and properties, their rights and inde- pendence against all attacks of the enemy". They agreed to obey orders and arm themselves and to drill regularly. Officers selected were Captain Jeremiah Sturges, Ensign Ebenezer Dimon Jr., and Lieutenant Joab Squire.
The Company carried out all of their agree- ment but as far as we know never received any pay for their efforts. Although on June 24, 1814 Capt. Sturges and Paul Sheffield sailed to New London in one of the local vessels for the pur- pose of obtaining it.
Their drills continued formally under a spe- cial "Willow tree" which stood somewhere in the center of the village and their special "spreads" were served at Molly Pike's Tavern.
The iron cannon which had been dug up were returned to the State in April 1815.
May 9, 1816-The Mill River Exempt Company was revived Monday the 9th of May by order of his Excellency the commissioner and the Company takes effect from the 22nd of June 1813.
Jonathan Bulkley made several other inter- esting entries in his Journal about the commun- ity's activities and responsibilities during that war period. They follow:
To Jonathan Bulkley-Sergeant of the first Com- pany of Defensive Independent Volunteers in Mill River you are hereby requested to notify the follow- ing non-commissioned officers and privates to ap- pear under the Willow Tree by Mill River near Mrs. Pike's Inn on Monday the second day of No- vember next at 3 o'clock p.m. completely equipped for exercise and reverie Mill River October 27, 1812 per order Sergeant Jon. Bulkley.
and then:
Fort Defense at Mill River commenced building June 15th 1813 by Mill River inhabitants and com- pleted Friday, June 18, without any expense to any government or person more than their voluntary work.
Monday, June 21, 1813 we had the pleasure and honor of a visit from the Governor of this State to view the situation and to make arrangements for its protection. His Excellency John Cotton Smith was
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much pleased with our excursions in self defense likewise with our new fort in which he stood and made his communications, he likewise gave us as- surance that we should have everything done for us that was necessary.
Sept. 7, 1813-Mill River-appeared off this place two English ships of War.
Oct. 27, 1813-yesterday morning there appeared off Mill River a Brig of War said to be H. M. Brig Bores of 14 guns Capt. Coote late from Halifax. She has been in chase of a sloop 2/3 way to Long Island fired 10 to 15 guns, the flashes and smoke of which were very distinctly seen. She was in the sound all day Sunday before as guns were heard from her. She took a small schooner bound to New York with a few on board and manned her out with two men for the Squadron. It blew a gale on Monday from the southward so that she was run ashore on Fair- field Bar in consequence of springing her fore mast and the two men gave themselves up as prisoners of War to the Marshal. The Brig also fell in with the Black Rock Packet and Capt. Brooks of Bridge- port which very narrowly escaped after having re- ceived several shots.
April 16, 1814-Two of the enemy ships appeared off Bridgeport which caused the people of that Borough and Fairfield to be alarmed. The militia consequently was called out and kept under arms for the night. The following day (Saturday) about 10 o'clock a.m. they got underway and stood to the Eastward to the satisfactions of the inhabitants. It is thought by some that their object was to get pro- visions which they had previously contracted for, how true I can't say. Their conduct however is something extraordinary as they lay to anchor about 18 hours-without apparently doing anything.
The guard at Mill River commenced Monday, June 27, 1814 consisting of one sergeant, two cor- porals, twelve privates detached from the Mill River Exempt Company pay $10.00 per month and one ration which is 13¢ altogether amounts to $15.00 or thereabouts.
The guard at this place repaired Fort Defense August 20, 1814 Saturday afternoon.
October 3, 1814-One English Frigate and Brig appeared off Black Rock and this place Friday, September 30, 1814 and continued anchored and part of the time under way standing off and on 'til Saturday night when they sent their barges into Satocket L. I. and cut out 6 sloops one of which was got aground and burnt Sunday, October 2. They fled down the sound to Eastward again. The inhabi- tants of Bridgeport, Black Rock, Fairfield and Mill River were much alarmed and many sent away their furniture.
Mill River Guard was discharged Tuesday, No- vember 22, 1814 by order of his Excellency J. C. Smith after continuing four months and 25 days and no enemy appeared.
Saturday, December 3, 1814 there appeared off Mill River 2 privateer schooners which remained
in sight all day and captured 2 or 3 coasters. The Packet arrived Saturday night safe from New York without discovering the Privateers.
Black Rock Harbor contains 2 long 18 in. and 2 Brass 6 in. (cannon) with all them operating esti- mated to have cost $7,000 belonging to the United States. The Guard was first stationed here in the fall of 1814 under the command of Lieut. Hanford con- sisting of 2 sergeants, 2 corporals, 2 musicians, 26 privates.
Hull Sherwood who lived on Mill Hill and was 21 years old in December 1812, was the great grand- father of Clyde S. Buckingham. He served the Mili- tia during that period, very faithfully and made many references to the War of 1812 which o'er shadowed Fairfield for many, many days. This war next to the American Revolution probably touched Fairfield more closely than any other war activity in which our Country has had a part. At the outset of the War, Fairfield had 3 Companies, 7 Infantry, a part of a company of cavalry and the principal part of a company of artillery. Here is a complete record of how this War affected a young lad of that period.
1812
May 4-Cold rain in the morning and snow-very steady all the remainder of the day which melt- ed by the seashore as fast as it fell. This being Training Day, the company met principally at Capt. Walter Sherwood, it being the first day that he and Lieu. Jonathan Lewis has served in the office. Azor Osborn was this day chosen to be our Ensign and Ephriam Jennings and Jos- eph Bulkley, Sargt. Samuel A. Nichols, James Beers, Seth Jennings, and Samuel Perry were chosen Corporals and I was chosen Fifer for the company and I accepted. Today we done our business in the Court House on account of the storm. We dined at Knapps.
May 7-The music and some of the Militia met and marched up to Knapp's.
May 13-In the evening Capt. Walter Sherwood by order of Colonel Burr made a draft for soldiers and took of privates from his company. Their names were as follows viz: Stephen Osborn Jun., Isaac H. Osborn, Joseph Osborn, David B. Perry, Aaron Morehouse, James Robertson, Walter Perry, R. Jesse Dimon.
June 20-Got some King Crabs. Declaration of War in America.
July 17 -. .. in the evening it being very bright a part of the 2nd Company of Militia were exer- cised on the Green by the Church.
July 23-Fast which was appointed by Gov. Roger Griswold throughout the State on account of the present War-4th and 5th Vol's in the evening we exercised on the Green.
Aug. 8-We hear daily of Wars . .
Aug. 12 -. .. I went to Seth Sherwoods, the officers of the Regiment being collected there-I also bought me a fife of Mr. Godfrey from North- field and the Common Scale for Fife of Major Downs. I staid at my Sister's all night.
Aug. 17 -. .. in the P.M. I went to Mill River, to training, there being a volunteer company col-
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lected in uniform there for the defense of the place. The potatoes I sent to New York cleared 1/9 and the onions 2/7 per bushel.
Aug. 20- This day is appointed by the President of our States and furthered by the Governors of each State as a day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer as the Wars continue we have reason to implore his Almighty's protection and trust suc- cour in case of invasion. Today Mr. Shelton preached at Weston.
Sept. 6-Cloudy in the A.M. and some sunshine in the P.M. Today busy Training Day we had one company of Troops in the A.M. and in the P.M. the Mill River Volunteer. In the A.M. I carried a Gun and in the P.M. a fife though not being able to chord with the Musicians-we had a part of the Band of Music- Colonel Burr presented the 1st and 2nd companies with colours and we dined at J. Knapp's paying 56¢ per man.
Sept. 16-General Training at Fairfield, 1 Reg. of horse and 1 of Foot. Gershom Burr is now Col. of the foot and Foote of the horses. Today I carried a gun.
Sept. 22 -. .. in the evening we trained at the Church after marching to Mill River and in the evening at a ball at Mrs. Pike's.
Oct. 24-Today Capt. Bradley and Walter embark with their Soldiers from Mill River for Green Bush opposite Albany.
1813
Mar. 4 -. .. Some people are rejoicing today that Mr. Madison has arrived at the Office of Presi- dent for another 4 years.
. . practiced some blowing on the fife.
April 5-Capt. Baldwin had his company of Militia out on the Hill for exercise.
April 24-Rain in the morning which slacked about 9. I then went to Wilton at Holiberts Hole, after fifer Andrew Morehouse from there to Northfield and got Robert Downs to play with me Training Day.
May 3-Training Day. Today I blow the Fife with Mr. Downs and we dine at Knapp's Inn.
May 10-In the evening I went to Mill Plain where the boys practice in Military Exercise, it being beautiful moonlight.
May 26-Today a part of the Regiments Music met on Greenfield Hill and officers in order for practice with me among the rest.
June 2-It being warm, I carted seaweed and brush. New London is at this time blockaded by a British Fleet as is reported the cloud of War is darkening and thickening.
June 25-The War being at present the theme of conversation and its effects is expected among us daily.
July 1-A Volunteer Company is formed at Mill River.
July 15-Went to Training at the Church. The Com- pany being called out for Inspection.
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