USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Fairfield > This is Fairfield, 1639-1940 > Part 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
July 17-A draft has been made from a part of the companys of our Regiment for the purpose of going to New London to defend it but on their way got discharged.
Aug. 9-Today the Commissioned and Non-Com- missioned officers are called together of this regiment and the Band of Music.
Aug. 27-Practice fifing with drummer Beers.
Sept. 6-Annual Training Day, we paraded, ma- neuvered and exercised near the Church through the Day with a company of volunteers from Mill River, we dined at B. Beers. I played upon the fife with Brother Banks to assist me, after Training I ate an excellent watermelon. Sept. 7-Today 3 English ships pass the Sound westward at night they took off 60 sheep from Horseneck and have took as I understand 20 sails of our vessels.
Sept. 8 -. .. the British still lie off the West part of the Sound.
Sept. 10-The British ships come up the Sound and pass by to the Eastward. In the P.M. I went to Greenfield with the Regiments. Officers and music after Major Downes, Major Silliman is appointed.
Sept. 15-General Training at Bridgeport-Golden Hill-we paraded at 10 o'clock-marched from Benedict through Bridgeport, on to the appoint- ed parade, the training consisted of Stratford Regiment and our own. We have dismission before night and orders to appear at 8 in the morrow morning. I return home it being hor- rible dusty traveling.
Sept. 16-We wind off the Training, commanded by Col. Burr-Tom Sturges Adj. who fell from his horse.
Sept. 17 -. . . I learn some tunes on the fife.
Sept. 18 -. . . today I learn a tune upon the fife without notes.
Oct. 25-A heavy dash of rain. In the A.M. In the P.M. I husked corn and Father brought it into the Chamber. In the evening I purchased a clarinet of Gad Root-$4.00. Some of the Brit- ish Vessels of War are in our Sound and have made attacks on our port Packets, some they have taken. One came ashore on our beach to- day which had been taken by them. The men resigned themselves as prisoners.
Dec. 16 -. .. The British are now shouting about the Sound and it is expected it will be block- aded shortly.
Dec. 31-Court sets in Fairfield. There is an embar- go law enacted with most rigid instructions so as to debar all intercourse whatever with Eng- land. Molasses 12 S per gal., Sugar brown 33 cts and all imported merchandise is sold at an enormous price.
1814
Jan. 3-It's now a prospect of peace presents itself as I understand an English Packet has arrived with proposals which it is expected will be ac- cepted. The price of West India produce is now rapidly falling. Sugar has been up to the enor- mous price of $40.00 per 100 weight and is now fell to $22.00 and other things in propor- tion. Salt from 2 dollars down to 75¢.
Mar. 7-We have training today in Mill Plain of the Mill River Volunteers.
86
Apr. 15 . .. part of the time with the Tailor who finished my military coat and vest. In the even- ing I go to fife with the drummer-there being an alarm at sunset, we were ordered with the Company to Fairfield where some were sent to stroll the beach and some staid all night at the Town House. I returned home after midnight. The Enemy's ships were only 2 and were lay- ing off Bridgeport. On the morning of the 16th I arise and saw the Ships still laying two. I dressed myself in my new uniform and went down early and found the company dismissed until 10 by this time Capt. Baldwin had arrived with his company. I returned home again and at 10 went down and marched a part of our company from the Church to Fairfield. We re- mained there all day maneuvering a little, dined at Knapps and at night had orders from Brig. Gen. Foot for dismission. The Enemy's Ships are now out of sight.
Apr. 19 -. . . Received 2 dollars from Abel Beers for a military coat and 3 more are due. Apr. 28-Went down to Drummer Beers.
May 2-Today is Training Day. We parade and train all day by the Church. Dine at Maj. S. Beers. The Music march a part of the Mill River Volunteers up and they parade with us, we have a sham fight with them, but no lives lost, though some were wounded and some guns and bayonets broken.
May 4-Today our Regiment is called together in Fairfield for general inspection by order of Gov. J. C. Smith. The Regiments of the 4th Brigade are all called out severally on this week. Aug. 10-Today the Reg'ts officers and music as- semble at the Church on Mill Plain for the pur- pose of practice and interview, we dine at Maj. Beers. Today the Col. issues drafting orders from our Company is taken 6 privates-Ste- phen Osborn, Jun., Burr Dimon, Able Beers, Walter Ogden, Ephriam Burr, John Phillips.
Sept. 30-This day is seen in the Sound 2 ships of his Britannic Majesty, in the evening there is an alarm. There being a bright moonlight this and the Greenfield Company turn out with some Volunteers and watch all night but no attempts are made to molest us.
Oct. 1-The enemy's ships be off at anchor all day, towards night they make sail for the Eastward. No alarm at night.
Oct. 31-The British are now troublesome in the Sound.
1815
Jan. 10-I will note they have now a guard of about 30 men stationed at Black Rock fort-and we have no news of peace as yet we have got a kind of new congress setting in Hartford with closed doors. What their motives are I know not.
Jan. 14-A rumor of peace has for some days cir- culated.
Jan. 20-Visit to Black Rock Fort ... At length we arrive at Soldiers Barracks, being hailed by the guard and not knowing the countersign we
were conducted in the officers apartment by the sergeant of the guard where we were treated with much hospitality and respect. We were then conducted by the Sergeant to the para- pet to take a view of their cannon after which we took our leave.
Feb. 12- Peace-Peace-word came from an ex- press sent on to Boston which goes through our Town this day ... Today there is considerable firing from every port on account of the peace- ful news.
Feb. 24- Peace is celebrated in Fairfield and a joy- ful day indeed. The maneuvers of the day be- gan with 18 guns from the parapet answered by 18 from a brass piece on Fairfield Green- after breakfast I walk down and fall in with the procession following a boat drawn from Mill River by a host of boys and rigged out with many flags and colors after some simple maneuvers and the displaying of colors in tri- umphal arches across the street together with the soldiery of Fort Union commanded by Lieut. Hanford, attracted many peoples atten- tion by their expert exercises about 11 o'clock the Meeting House was opened and a proces- sion was formed headed by the Priests and presidents of the Day viz Colonel G. Burr, president, Mr. Shelton makes the prayers and Mr. Humphrey addresses the people upon the joyful occasion, some Psalms are sung, chord- ed with instruments shouting the praises of Re- deeming love-from thence the procession is again formed and we march around the Court House and into the Academy where we partake of a sumptuous dinner for which we pay one dollar per man. The weather being very cold and the snow now begins to fall and continues through the day-the Ox was carried into the Court House and there carved and I believe principally ate up. About 5 or 6 hundred ladies dined by turns in the Court Room. The day was closed by the National Salute as it had be- gun. In the evening it hailed by the light of 18 tar barrels which are put on sparrs sat on a pyramid in a conical form-sending forth flames and smoke while the huzaha of the be- holders echo through each ear-the day or rather the night closes with a ball at J. Knapp's-each house in the Main Street be- ing illuminated brightly.
May 1-We train as usual. Jesse Banks to assist me in the blowing the fife and we have three drummers-viz the Major, P. Beers and the Major's apprentice. Mr. Celick the singer. We dine at Knapp's.
Aug. 22-Today the Regiment of officers meets in Fairfield.
Sept. 4-Training Day and very cool indeed for the season with but little sunshine. The proceed- ings are as usual only that we dine at S. Nicho- las's and fare sumptuously upon dead hogs and baked pigs, etc. Hezekiah Davis chosen 4th Corporal, James Beers 4th Sergeant.
Sept. 8-Today the Officers and music of our Regi- ment meet in Weston.
87
Sept. 15-Today our Regiment, with a Regiment of Horse train upon ground near Jesse Wakeman's in Weston and we have jovial times on our return.
1816
May 6-This is Training Day, I serve as a fifer under Captain Sherwood but have the assist- ance of Major Wood from Danbury, he is an extraordinary fifer by which means I receive some ease of duty. We dine at Knapp's Hotel.
In the Town Records one finds no mention of the War of 1812 as such but on October 17, 1814 it was voted that "the Inhabitants of the Town build a Powder House" and also "that there be a Committee of 5 persons appointed with discretionary power to erect and superin- tend the building of a Powder House at the ex- pense of this Town with all apparatus necessary for the preservation of the munitions of war and to place the same in such place as the Committee may direct and that the moderator be requested to name said Committee."-Samuel Rowland, Esq., Aaron Sherwood, Esq., Sullivan Moulton, Jeremiah Sturges, Abraham G. Jennings being named by the Moderator.
The Powder House was built according to plan and still stands today at the rear of Roger Ludlowe High School on Unquowa Road, over- looking the New Haven Railroad tracks.
We do find however that the Peace was re- joicingly celebrated on Friday, February 24, 1815 with the roasting of a whole ox on the green and 18 tar tubs being burned atop poles for the celebration. Some 150 gentlemen were served a "sumptuous repast" in the long upstairs room of the Old Academy. The ladies dined at the Court House. There was a gay ball held at Knapp's Tavern on the north corner of the Green that same evening. The day had started with an 18 gun salute from the Artillery and this was repeated at 4 P.M. There was a short address delivered at the Meeting House by Rev. Herman Humphrey, minister of the First Society. A boat was drawn through the street during the after- noon. All houses were gaily illuminated in the evening.
It was further reported that it was good sleigh- ing that day! Isn't it fun to let your mind wander back to that day and to see the more than 100 sleighs with their horses tethered about the Green, to smell the savory aroma of the roasting ox and to hear the great shouts of joy ringing through the very crisp winter air? A very severe snowstorm closed the day.
There was also a bountiful supper served and
ball held at Molly Pike's Tavern in Mill River (Southport). The older folks arranged this the report relates.
The people of Fairfield felt the aftermath of the War rather severely for some had been very active in shipping and trade and found that the sudden sharp decline in prices for West Indian goods to just half in a matter of two or three days caused great losses for them.
Rev. Lyman Atwater said of this War: "The late War (1812) also, as all wars of necessity must, occasioned great distress among these peo- ple, on account of their interest in navigation and other causes, so that the return of peace was hailed by a public feast, by bonfires and illum- inations".
The Connecticut Directory for 1812 shows in- teresting bits concerning our Town. Fairfield's people were active throughout the State.
Yale College:
Rev. Timothy Dwight S.T.D., LL. D., President and Professor of Divinity
Jeremiah Day A.M., Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy
Benjamin Silliman A.M., Professor of Chemistry and Mineralogy
James L. Kingsley A.M., Professor of Languages and Ecclesiastical History.
The directory for the same year shows the following officers for the Bridgeport Bank:
Isaac Bronson, Esq. President Cashier George Hoyt
Directors: Isaac Bronson William Peet
John S. Cannon Joseph Nichols
Salmon Hubbell Isaac Hinman
Samuel W. Johnson Ebenezer Jesup, Jr.
Elijah Boardman
Rev. Timothy Dwight, S.T.D. and LL.D. who had preached at the Greenfield Hill Congrega- tional Church from 1783 to 1795 and had estab- lished the Dwight Academy across the Greenfield Green where, more than 1000 pupils studied Latin, Greek, Calculus, Surveying and Naviga- tion, had been called to become President of Yale in 1795. Students came from many states in the southern and central parts of our country as well as from Canada, South America and France to take work under Dwight at Greenfield. Many of those listed later became leaders of their time. There was DeBois from France, Joel R. Poinsett1 afterwards minister to Mexico and Secretary of War under Van Buren, Dexter of
1 The Poinsettia was named for Mr. Poinsett as he discovered it in Mexico in 1828.
88
Newburyport, Charles Denison of New Haven, William Williams of Norwich, Hancock from North Carolina, Charles Hobby Pond of Milford, afterwards Lt. Governor of Connecticut, Wilson and Philo Hubbell of Bridgeport, Capers from South Carolina, Henry Baldwin, afterwards Jus- tice of the United States Supreme Court, A. Tom- linson, Dr. Roger's daughters, the three Misses Burr of Fairfield, Miss Young of Bridgeport, Sally Nichols from Newtown, David Hill, Ezek- ial Webb, Jonathan Pomeroy, Parson Bartlett, Lemuel Sanford of Redding, David Rogers, Abraham Davenport of Stamford, two Henry Livingstones from Poughkeepsie, James Ana- ram of Richmond and many, many others.
Rev. Jeremiah Day, D.D. followed Dr. Dwight at the Academy and later followed him to Yale, first as instructor and later as President.
Dr. Bronson who had been a surgeon in the Revolutionary War, bought the Timothy Dwight home on Bronson Road in Greenfield after Rev. Dwight had been called to New Haven to become President of Yale.
Following the close of the War of 1812, a great revival of Religion was in progress in Fair- field and the surrounding area. According to one report "a revival of religion commences among the youths of Fairfield (especially the boys be- tween 10 to 14 years of age)-about the same time some attention to divine things is excited among the youths at Bridgeport". This revival continued for some twenty years. Church mem- bership rose sharply-"42 entered the Church at one time" and "100 entered the Church to- day" and another "50 entered the church" and "40 entered the church" the reports showed. Meetings were held for 14 days at a time. 1815 -Jonathan Bulkley recorded in his diary: "Mr. Fowler preached or read a lecture last evening at the schoolhouse to a very crowded assembly, it is reported that religion is every day reviving in this wicked Mill River-I really do hope we are a growing better . . . ".
There were camp meetings in other areas and people from here attended them. I read of one attended by 40 who went on the sloop-Morning Star. It left Mill River on Thursday and did not return until Sunday. The people once again were seeking divine guidance for their daily tasks.
The collection of highway taxes was still a problem in 1815. Each surveyor had to account for his highway book by the last Monday of November with the Selectmen on "penalty of
$3.34 for refusal or neglect". The rate was 41/2¢ on a $1.00 and collected parishwise. Each collector was given a bond with surety. The col- lectors were chosen that year according to "who would do it for the lowest sum". Voted: "On the offer of Samuel O. Seeley to collect said tax in the parish of Stratfield for 21/2 per cent thereof on the monies by him actually collected that he be the collector for said parish".
Robert Knapp was chosen to collect for the Society of Fairfield for 2 per cent. Thomas I. Rowland was chosen to collect for the Parish of Greens Farms for 2 per cent and Mr. Rowland was also given the Parish of Greenfield at 21/2 per cent commission.
The following year the collectors were Abel Hubbell Jr. in Stratfield at 1¢ 4 mills; Robert Knapp in Fairfield at 9 mills on the dollar; Burr Meeker in Greens Farms at 1¢ 5 mills; and Rob- ert Knapp in Greenfield at 1¢ 8 mills.
Gideon Tomlinson represented the town again and again in numerous ways during that period and as we know became Governor of the State of Connecticut for four years, United States Senator for six years, member of the House of Representatives for nine years and lived on Bronson Road in Greenfield-just south of the Church. This marked another contribution of Fairfield to the leadership of the entire country.
In the winter of 1817 there was extreme cold and the Harbors were said to be frozen as far as one could see and sleighing was good. The ice on the fresh water was one and one-half feet thick. This was the most severe winter since 1805. Corn was being sold for $2.00 per bushel and rye $1.50 per bushel.
In 1817 the aggregate list of the town amoun- ed to $86,872, there were 16 primary schools- one in each district and three academies which were said to be well established and respectable. The three would include the Old Academy so called on the Old Post Road, the Dwight Acad- emy on Greenfield Hill and one in Black Rock. There were two Social Libraries-one in the Society of Fairfield and one in Greenfield.
There were four societies at this point: The Society of Fairfield, The Society of Greenfield, The Society of Greens Farms, and The Society of Stratfield.
That year many forsook their native Fairfield to seek greener fields in "New Connecticut"- in Ohio. These venturesome souls were looked upon with a bit of awe by those who remained at home. They hated to see their friends and
89
neighbors go.
The Bulkley diary showed several interesting entries at that period and I repeat them for their real value in again revealing to us the manners and modes.
Mrs. Gould Turney and children, her mother, sister Amelia and Brother Monson set out Wednes- day Oct. 1, 1817 under the protection and direction of a Mr. Thomas Hill bound from the land of steady habits to the western world where all surplus inhabi- tants of New England are fast drifting to a place called Louisburgh on the Ohio by the way of Pitts- burgh to her husband who is there and sent for her -a distance of about 1500 miles-a loss. December 1817.
A letter was received by Mrs. Deborah Bennet a few days since from Mrs. Marietta Turney, saying herself, mother and children had arrived safe at Louisville went down the Ohio from Pittsburgh in the steamboat James Munro, commanded by Capt. Turney her husband. They have commenced house- keeping next neighbor to the Rev. Chapman Banks. Mrs. Turney writes she has not had occasion to regret leaving old Fairfield as yet she was accom- panied down the Ohio by a number of Fairfield folks.
July 1818.
M. J. Wakeman arrived home from New Con- necticut Wednesday July 15 bringing letters and news from Capt. Squire and family of their being in good health and fine prospects and that Adeline was married to a Mr. Brooks and Ruth engaged.
On November 18, 1817 the new Black Rock Academy was raised-the size 30' x 20'.
In 1818 the U. S. Gazeteer had this to say about Fairfield:
Fairfield-Port of Entry-Population 4,126. The village is very pleasantly situated on Mill River a little above its entrance into the sound, and contains a court house, an academy and a Congregational Meeting House and has considerable trade. The shipping belonging to this port in 1816 amounted to 7,033 tons. In the township there are 5 churches, 3 for Congregationalists, 1 for Episcopalians and 1 for Baptists.
On February 19, 1818 it was voted that "Mr. Sturges Ogden have power and he is requested to take charge of the great oak tree standing in the publick highway near his barn and preserve it for a shade for publick use during the plea- sure of the town". A picture of the old white oak is included in the picture section here. It stood on the west side of Bronson Road at the entrance of Oaklawn Cemetery. Tree experts believed the tree to be well over 500 years old in the 1930's and it was estimated at that time that it would last another century or two. The circumference measured 15 feet 8 inches, the diameter 5 feet and raised its branches 70 feet in the air. Many
a horse rider and many a pedestrian had paused beneath those great spreading branches to be refreshed before continuing on his journey north or south.
In 1939, this poem by Mrs. Gertrude F. O'Neill who lived at the time just across from the old oak appeared in the newspaper-The Fairfield News. The tribute to the old oak was a part of the Tercentenary celebration of the Town.
THE OLD OAK SPEAKS
The following is a contributed poem by Mrs. Ger- trude F. O'Neill. "It seems to me," she writes, "at this time when all things old in Fairfield are being honored, our very oldest 'inhabitant' should be honored also." The "oldest living thing" is the old oak standing at the gate of Restmore, on Bronson Road .- Editor's note.
I am Fairfield's oldest living thing
Of all its trees I am the King.
Here I stood a century and more
Ere Roger Ludlowe reached our shore.
Beneath the shelter of my boughs
The Indians held council and many pow-wows.
I grew by the road to Greenfield Hill
When the hill was but a green field still;
I saw the hill-men march to the wars
To fight so bravely for freedom's cause.
I stood there when time-honored Timothy Dwight
Came to teach children to read and write. And there to the South within my view
George Washington feasted and rested too.
Just yonder to the East aged and gray
Is the Town's oldest house, some folk say.
I've seen Fairfield grow to a beautiful Town
Its beauties in Nature's best abound.
No date-plate adorns my wide old trunk Yet deep into my bark is sunk
The scars of many a long lost limb
My boughs are crooked, my foliage thin.
I am Fairfield's oldest living thing
Of all its trees I am the King!
By Gertrude F. O'Neill Bronson Road
When Congress adopted a new design for the flag in 1818, Mrs. Reid of Fairfield, wife of Captain S. C. Reid, a naval officer and daughter of Captain Nathan Jennings, made the first ban- ner in accordance therewith, the design being her husband's.
In 1819 there were 2 post offices, 4,137 peo- ple, 550 dwelling houses, 6 religious societies and 16 school districts in Fairfield. It was listed as an ancient maritime post town and the semi- seat of justice of the County. The Township in- cluded 54 square miles being 9 miles long and 6 miles wide.
It was said that there were no minerals in town except several quarries of freestone which
90
was valuable for building and other purposes. In the Greenfield Society, "the most important is at Blue Stone Hill about one mile north of Greenfield village". This would have been at about the spot where Congress Street meets Brett Road.
It was said that wood and timber were of real value in the town and commanded a high price. The timber which grew upon the Sound was less porous and tougher than that in the interior. The natural growth of timber included oak of vari- ous kinds, hickory, chestnut, maple, birch, etc. Black birch was growing in great abundance at that time. Timber "at the landing" per cord was quoted as: hickory $5.00, oak $4.00, chestnut rails $5.00 per 100. Indian corn was the staple of the town and potatoes were raised in large quantities and sent to the New York market. Rye, oats and grass were cultivated and fruits of vari- ous kinds received attention.
Seaweed and sedge or salt grass which grew in the salt marshes near the Sound afforded a valuable and inexhaustable manure and the salt hay was used for bedding for cattle.
The mode of cultivation was principally by oxen. A yoke of oxen and a horse made up a team. The number of teams in the Stratfield Par- ish alone were said to be between 60-70 with as many carts and ploughs.
Then, large quantities of peat were also found in several of the swamps which supplied a valu- able manure. Peat was also used for fuel pur- poses.
Three Harbors were mentioned-one at Black Rock, Mill River and another at Saugatuck. Mill River, Sasco River and Ash Creek were navi- gable for nearly three miles. Black Rock Harbor was surpassed only by New London and meas- ured 19 feet of water below the middle ground at the summer tides. In that area Fairweather's Island belonging to the United States Govern- ment and the "Cows", a point of rocks extending a mile into the Sound were visible on all maps of the period. Vessels were able to enter and depart from that harbor at any time of the tide. The Fort-erected on the hill at the entrance of the Harbor for the Revolutionary War was manned by a small body of militia as a garrison. The cannon for the Fort was supplied by the United States. The Harbor would often be frozen "out as far as one could see". Six coasters sailed for Boston that Spring (1819) and all were owned there. There were 28 sailors listed for Black Rock for that year and 14 of them were
Captains. There was much typhoid fever that year and many died.
Mill River Harbor was very commodious for the coasting trade but was not sufficiently deep to admit large vessels. The Harbor as we know it was formed by the River of the same name on which within a distance of two miles stood three large grain mills, two fulling mills and two card- ing machines. The Harbor was seldom frozen.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.