USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Fairfield > This is Fairfield, 1639-1940 > Part 43
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under 20 shall be one penny per head. The shep- herds were to receive "towards their wages 1/3 in wheat". Animals had to be carefully marked. The keeper of the Brand Book was ordered "to enter such horse kind marked in the Brand Book according to the true intent of ye said order that all horses kind above two years old taken up unmarked that have no owners appearing shall be laid at the next Towne meeting". All horses had to be branded in public. Further "if any person take up, or brand mark any horse con- trary to this order, he shall pay for the first offense five pounds to the treasury, or to be whipped ten lashes on the naked body; for the second offense he shall pay ten pounds or be whipped twenty lashes; for the third offense he shall be committed to the house of correction and there be kept at hard labor and with coarse diet for 6 months and be whipped once a quarter severely, or pay a fine of twenty pounds". Every- one valued the Pound and when it was to be re- placed, they spelled out very carefully how it was to be built. At one time it was directed that "sufficient pound to be made of samen planks, with sufficient posts speedily as maybe and in the interim to cause the present pound to be re- paired".
Rules were few but rigid with regard to the domestic animals for example: Racing one's animals was not permitted. It was voted in 1683 that "the town votes that whoever for the future shall run a race or races or run his horse or mare with full speed except in he upon extra- ordinary occasion in any of the towne streets within the bounds of Fairfield, each delinquent shall pay a fine of ten shillings to be paid 1/2 to the Towne Treasury and the other 1/2 to the Informer that prosecutes his action to effect." In 1677 it was voted
to repair ye old horse pound at Saugatuck so as to hold what horses they can get in and what horse kind that are strays they or any of them catch there they are to bring them to the Town of Fairfield to Sergeant Squire, Town Treasurer to be sold after ye usual manner at an outcry at ye beat of ye drum and they are to have what they can catch that are strays for themselves ye first week which week is to begin this day in ye warning also they are to have ye benefit of said Pound ye first seven days of Octo- ber which satisfaction to them for their repairing said Pound and what they shall catch beside that fortnight the town is to have one half and them- selves ye other of what they do produce being sold as above.
Group responsibility shows again and again throughout the records. "Whosoever of ye In-
habitants of Fairfield ... hath at anytime sheep and shall withhold them from ye flock when de- manded by ye sheepmaster or shall draw them without leave unless it be to kill or sell them, they shall have no benefit in or be deemed to have any right to ye sheep dung". It was also decided that there were too few rams for the flock and six bulls at 20 shillings each were ordered to be secured for the town. Later it was ordered that "if any Ram or Rams shall through the owner's negligence get into his neighbors en- closure amongst his sheep between the first day of Sept. and the 1st day of November next the owner of such enclosure and sheep has liberty to cut or gueld such ram or sheep". It was also noted that the minister would have £30 paid to him out of the sheep treasury for the year past. The Schoolmaster was given £35 for each of two years, paid yearly out of the sheep treasury. About that time a mortal distemper developed among the horses and it was voted that the dead beasts were to be burned.
In 1698 to preserve deer and their young, an act was passed, that if anyone between the 15th of January and the 15th of July killed a buck, doe or fawn he would forfeit 20 shillings for the first offense, 40 shillings for the second, and £3 for the third. In the event they were not able to pay the fine, the guilty one was to work as many days as shillings covered his fine. The deputies of the town informed the remaining Indians in Fairfield to restrain them from break- ing this act.
No tame geese were allowed on the Commons at that time. If they were found there, they were impounded at one penny per head and notice was given to
ye owners as soon as may be (if known) and if ye owners thereof is not known then one of ye Con- stables of said town to set up a cry on ye sign post in ye Parish in which said geese are taken from their artificial mark; if no owner appear within three days after so posted ye said Constable shall sell ye said geese at an outcry (auction) at said Sign Post viz: so many thereof as we answer ye poundage and damage and charges to be paid out of ye money the said geese shall sell for. And it is further voted and agreed that when any geese are taken, damage fees out as afore said it shall be as sufficient as any pound one for him or them that shall take said geese to put them into his own yard or any secure place. All swine may go without yokes and rings. 4d paid if pounded one penny whereof to John Bulkley who shall keep the pound key.
Common fields generally were open for crea-
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tures except for swine and sheep. Later no cows were to be halted on the Common. At times the Commons were open to swine if they had rings in their noses.
The East farmers were allowed their own Pound and they were also granted feed for their flocks of sheep over Uncoway River to Chair Brook. It was also ordered that the sheep of Pequonnock farms not to be in the town flock. John Osborn who was going to Boston, was asked to purchase "twenty bells to hang on ye flock of sheep and he shall be paid out of ye sheep treasury".
In 1699 the Town Meeting was adjourned be- cause so many were busy shearing sheep. The hill at Indian Neck was hired from the Indians for "ye keeping of ye rams at as cheap a rate as possible".
Captain Robert Farney was chosen Brander for Fairfield. A later entry showed that all horses had been duly branded. Some of the Earmarks and Brands which were registered:
(1) Gershom Hubbell ear marks a half slit under each ear. Recorded June 18, 1755 P. D. Burr Registrar. (2) Nathan Adams Jun. His ear marke is as followeth viz-a half penny on ye fore side the near ear and an half penny on ye underside ye off ear. Recorded on ye 24th day of November 1716. (3) John Bradley son of John Bradley late of Fair- field deceased his ear mark for his creatures is as followeth viz two halfe penny ye fore side ye off ear. Recorded February 8d: day Anno Domini 1716/7. (4) Samuel Cooke his ear marke is an halfe crop on the upper side the near ear a slit in the off ear and a half penny on the under side the same ear. Recorded March 30, 1717. (5) Benj. Treadwell his Ear Mark is a halfe slit on ye fore side of each Ear. Recorded May 30th 1718. (6) Joseph Perry son of Joseph Perry his Ear mark for crea- tures is as followeth: two halfe pennys the under side the near ear recorded November 8th 1720. (7) Samuel Rowland his Ear Mark is as followeth viz is a crop on the near ear and a slit down the off ear. Recorded 19 Mar. 1711/12. (8) Moses Dimon Junr. his ear mark for his creatures is as followeth viz: two slits down the off ear and half penny the fore side the same ear recorded June 10, 1713. (9) Joseph Gruman his ear marke is as followeth viz: two slits down lengthways of each ear. Recorded Janry 25, 1713/14. (10) Jabez Daviss, son of Samll Daviss his ear mark for his horses and sheep is a halfe penny the under side the off ear and for cattle and hogs two halfe pennys ye under side the near ear and a halfe penny the fore side the off ear. Re- corded Janry 25, 1713/14. (11) Caleb Fairchild his ear mark is as ear mark for his creature is as followeth a halfe slit under the near ear a halfe penny the fore side of each ear and a nick the un- der side the off ear. Recorded Mar. 13, 1715/16. (12) William Hill, son of Mr. Eliphalet Hill his ear
mark is as followeth a half slit the under side the off ear and a nick the fore side the same ear. Re- corded Aug. 19, 1717. (13) David Down, his ear mark for his creatures half slit under the near ear and a hole in the off ear. Recorded March 5, 1721 etc. etc. (14) Mr. Samll Osborn's ear mark for his creatures is a slip on ye fore side of each ear: Re- corded Janry ye 27th, 1725/26, E. Wakeman Reg- istrar. (15) Aaron Burr his ear mark for his crea- tures is two slits down ye near ear. Recorded March 26, 1730 Thad. Burr Registrar. (16) Edward Web- ber his ear mark for his creatures is a swallow fork on ye top of both ears and a half penny ye fore side ye off ear and a half penny under ye near ear. Recorded March ye 13th 1730/31 Pr me T. Burr Regist. (17) Mary Burr, her ear mark for her crea- tures is two slits down ye near ear and a half penny under ye off. Recorded Decemb'r 29th 1733 per Thad. Burr Registrar. (18) John Sherwood, his ear mark for his creatures is a half penny under ye near ear and two half pennies under ye off ear. Recorded Decemb'r 6, 1733 T. Burr Registrar.
Straggling sheep with their natural and arti- ficial marks had to be entered on the Town Rec- ords. The Maxumux farmers were granted liber- ty to erect a Pound. Greenfield requested that they have their own Pound and Redding was allowed to establish a Pound at their own charge and Ephrim Sanford was chosen key keeper. Later when he died his widow Elizabeth became the key keeper. Stratfield Parish was given lib- erty to build a Pound in 1744. In 1784 Thank- ful Platt, Joseph Hill Jr., Nathaniel Seeley, Benjamin Dean, Hezakiah Bradley, Daniel Wil- son, Ebenezer Ogden, Stephen Godfrey, Abigail Sturges were chosen key keepers. Finally more than one Pound was needed in each society and two new ones were planned with the Old Society -"one at Bridge Hill and one on the open land opposite Solomon Sturges on ye Mill Plaine". Solomon Sturges was chosen to be the key keep- er of the latter and Peter Morehouse key keeper of "ye pound at ye East end of ye Prime Society also voted that Samuel Gray be key keeper of ye pound he built at Compo and Benjamin Wyn- coop be the key keeper of ye pound he has built near his dwelling house". It was also voted that Widow Elizabeth Couch be the key keeper of the pound her husband built and Hezakiah Bradley the key keeper of the Pound at Greenfield and John Gilbert key keeper of the pound near his house. The Society of Norfield was given liberty to erect a Pound at their own costs and Daniel Dunkins was to be the key keeper when it was built. Individuals were given permission to build Pounds near their homes. In 1794 it was "voted that Jason Gould have liberty to build a pound at his expense only and to erect said pound on
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Buddington's Hill so called viz: the Hill a few rods east of Gould's Bridge and without expense to the Town".
Two advertisements again show the value placed on the animals at that time.
Connecticut Journal-printed in New Haven
Broke into the enclosure of the subscriber a Red Stecr with a white face, about three years old with- out mark or Brand. The owner is desired to prove property, pay charges and take him away.
Samuel Pearsall August 5th, 1783
Green's Farms
Taken up in Norfield, on the 19th of June last, a bright farrel mare about 14 hands high, a flip to her face, her white fore foot a little white and her left hind leg white up to her gambrel, branded FB on the right shoulder, trots and paces. The owner may have her by proving property, paying charges and applying to Stephen Hurlburt.
at Norfield in Fairfield-August 3, 1779.
The notice below appeared on one of the Town sign posts in 1776 and shows again the import- ance laid on the animals and their care.
Fairfield 17 Oct. 1776
We the subscribers have appraiscd the damage the sheep hath done in Timothy Wakeman's wheat to be nine shillings lawful money.
Luther Gould Ephram Nichols
By 1800 the main product of wool had given way to flax and as the Town became more and more organized, the activities of the animals of the people were not listed as carefully or in as detailed a fashion. Pound keepers were chosen each year however and continued to be numer- ous. As the town became more populous new problems appeared on the horizon and new dis- cussion topics evolved. Pound Keepers elected in 1837 were James Hopkins, Abel Hubbell, Thomas Bartram, James Knapp, James B. Wil- son, George Wheeler, George Ogden, John Wil- son, N. B. Alvord, Eli Couch, Abraham Banks, John Banks, William Banks, Horace Ogden. Their responsibilities were:
To:Hezh Ogden Junr., Greenfield
The following is a part of the present Law relat- ing to the Right of impounding creatures-the duty of the impounder and keykeeper-Fees etc .- viz:
Every person shall have right to impound horses, cattle, sheep, swine etc. found doing damage on his or her land-providing sd land is inclosed by a sufficient and lawful fence-and when any person shall have impounded any creatures he shall give notice to the owner if he be known, within twenty- four hours, and on neglect thereof he shall forfeit the sum of 20 cts. per head for every beast so by him impounded and the same sum for every day
after the first day that he shall neglect to give notice as aforesaid-to the use of the owner thereof-who shall recover the same by Law and shall also pay all necessary expenses to the Poundkeeper for pro- viding food and water for such beasts so impounded -If the owner be not known, the impounder shall forthwith after impounding sd creatures, inform one of the Constables of the Town thereof-who will proceed with sd creatures as the Law directs- It is the duty of the Poundkeeper to receive and keep until lawfully redeemed all creatures lawfully brought to Pound, and to provide for them neces- sary food and water while in Pound-for which he shall be allowed for horses, cattle and swine each 12 cents per day and 3 cents per day for each sheep. The fees for the poundage for horses, cattle and swine is 12 cents each and 2 cents each for sheep- and the owner or owners of any beasts impounded shall not redeem or replevy the same out of the Pound until he, she or they have paid to the Pound Keeper his poundage fees and the lawful expense for providing food and water for such creatures while in Pound etc. etc.
AD 1836
In 1880 different kinds of wild animals had become troublesome and it was voted "A motion was made by A. P. Wakeman that a bounty of 50¢ per head be paid by the selectmen for the killing of skunks, woodchucks, weasels and rac- coons". This motion was laid on the table how- ever.
It was said that "Connecticut salt pork is the best of America, they finish the fattening of their hogs with Indian Meal".
In 1884 the Fairfield Advertiser reported "Wild Goose shooting on the Sound rare sport and plenty of it. Wild Geese fly to the Southward the middle of Sept. and return middle of March. A wild goose may yield a half a lb. of feathers", and "H. A. Lyman, W. Malland and R. L. Shep- herd bagged 12 quail, 3 woodcocks and 3 rabbits last Saturday". Oct. 15, 1885 Fairfield Adver- tiser.
Mrs. Lottie Burr told me an interesting story about a cow which was pastured by his owner along the road. One of the neighbors had reseed- ed his lawn and the cow chose that particular spot to romp across and eat new grass in the very center. The owner of the new lawn took the creature to the Pound. The owner of the cow had to pay a $1.00 to retrieve it. This seemed to bother the animal owner little for in no time, the cow was foraging again the road's edges and the neighbors' lawns. This of course bothered the community and they were not to be bested. One unnamed neighbor placed a sign on the cows horns for all to see which read "If you don't keep your cow home, we'll put it in the Pound again".
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The last time one finds a complete list of Pound Keepers in the Town Records is for the year 1901. This of course is what one would ex- pect for Fairfield's role as an agrarian com- munity was beginning to show signs of change at this point.
Pound Keepers chosen on Dec. 7, 1900 and their districts were:
John Hawkins Southport
John B. Wakeman Hulls Farms
William Burr Middle District
Francis B. Perry Mill Plain District
Lloyd N. Sherwood
Greenfield Hill District
B. Wesley Burr
Banks North District
Hezekiah B. Ogden Levi Jennings
Banks South District
Fairfield Woods District
Everett B. Sherwood Hoydens Hill District
Charles M. French
Holland Hill District
Bradley B. Meeker
Edgar S. Wilson
Plattsville District Stratfield District
William Meeker
Bulkley's District
William H. Burr
Deerfield District
William C. Bulkley
Burr's District
In 1904 J. A. Hickok was the only Pound Keeper listed. Thus once again Fairfield moved on into a new mode.
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CHAPTER 16
CHRISTMAS IN FAIRFIELD - AND OTHER HOLIDAYS
Christmas in Connecticut, as in other parts of the New World, came quite late. In 1659 laws were established by the Pilgrims forbidding any celebration of Christmas whatsoever and it was 1681 before the law was repealed.
In 1749 here in Fairfield, a Town Meeting was held at 3:00 p.m. on Christmas Day. Un- doubtedly there was little celebration that day. I also found where a Church Meeting was held on December 25, 1815:
Christmas Day Society Meeting at Fairfield- purchased a slip for Walter Thorp No. 31-cost 4 dollars-an attempt was made to raise the salary of the Reverend W. Humphreys and failed by an ad- journment for three weeks for consideration. 3% Tax laid. (A slip is a pew.)
On Christmas Day 1813, Mr. Hull Sherwood made the following entry in his diary:
Christmas, clear and cold. Today I attended the Court between Alfred Perry and Levy Jennings concerning the taking of Toll. The judgment is not yet given.
Even in 1800 business went on pretty much as usual on December 25th except that the Churches did take precedence for the season.
Christmas Eve was mainly a Church time and the "dressing" of the Church was the way of celebration.
Mr. Hull Sherwood made these entries:
For December 21, 1812-clear and cold. This day I spent in adorning the Church with greens.
December 22, 1812-clear in the morning after a light snow in the night of 2 inches deep and warmer. Today, I and others went to Fairfield Woods after some hemlock brush for to adorn God's Church.
December 23, 1812-Cloudy in the morning and likely to snow, but very pleasant in the P.M. In the A.M. I threshed some and in the P.M. I went again to help dress the Church and in the evening there was a dance at Wilson Nichols and in attempting to attend it from Walter's, the girls took charge of Mr. Darrow's carriage and as luck and chance would have it, none of them got hurt much that was in the carriage, although the horse blundered and put
them in the greatest fright and picked Abby under his heels and in attempting to save them, Darrow got wounded in his lip and went not to the dance.
December 24, 1812-In the fore part of the day some snow squalls and in the P.M. clear and pleas- ant. I went down to Church in the P.M. and in the evening we had it luminated with 21 lights to a window besides being beautifully dressed in green. The Text was 2nd Chapt 10th V. I am now troubled with the tooth ache-but coming home and finding some young company the pain ceased.
December 25, 1812-Christmas-clear and pretty cold. We all went to Church today as well as last night. The Text was in Isa. 9th. Chap. 2nd. V. I dined at my sister's with the Priest and others. In the evening I went to Greenfield to a ball at Mr. Bradley's and fell from my horse coming home.
Again in Hull Sherwood's diary we find for
December 24, 1813-cold-I carried a load of wood from Smedley's Lot to Grandmother. In the evening I went to Bridgeport Church, it being dressed not very elegantly, neither were the windows illuminated. On our return, took supper at Mr. Joseph Bulkley's. Hubby traveling.
One can easily sense a note of genuine disap- pointment in Mr. Sherwood in finding that spe- cial effort had not been made to make the Church more beautiful for this lovely season of the year.
Contrast this last thought with the personal pride expressed in his 1814 diary entries for:
December 23-In the P.M. I help dress the Church in greens of various kinds-much taste is displayed in what we have already done particularly by the ladies around the pulpit and tomorrow I ex- pect to bring it to the completion of perfection.
December 24-today I collect some candles and complete the dress of the Church. In the evening we illuminate it with 10 candles to a window and 12 upon the rail of the altar and one on every pew's corner and there was a numerous congregation as- sembled. Mr. Shelton's discourse from St. Luke 2 Chap. 15th .. . .
December 25-In the evening we have a dance at Daniel P. Burr's. The company is small and we dance until 2 in the morning, my lady accompanies me in the dance until 11:00 o'clock. Dancing is not quite out of fashion, and is practiced but seldom by any and the majority have entirely abandoned it.
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Mill Plain formerly produced a company possessed of the same spirit in this mode of recreation but the present set which have come after them are re- versed ....
And again in 1815:
December 24-The Church is adorned with hang- ing of box and pine neatly suspended with simplic- ity and taste and the house is not only illuminated externally but glitters with heavenly light of a new born Saviour.
December 25-Christmas dinner-roasted and boiled turkeys, pies of chickens, pudding and pies of vegetable kind, pumpkin and mince and tarts.
Jonathan Bulkley mentioned that on Decem- ber 24, 1845
The Church was dressed as usual on the Eves of Christmas.
Another report showed:
December 23, 1810-went to Episcopal Church in Fairfield and found it part dressed for Christ- mas.
For Christmas Day, 1811, William Wheeler simply mentioned:
Cold Christmas.
and on December 25, 1818:
A Green Christmas.
meaning no snow covered the ground.
The Christmas Tree too came quite late to the United States. The 19th Century had passed the half way mark before we find any mention of this much looked forward to part of our Christ- mas today. From then on it gained a larger and larger place over the years. At first there was just one for the entire town.
The Southport Chronicle for December 21, 1870 carried the following story:
December 21, 1870-Southport Chronicle
A splendid "Christmas Tree" for the children of Fairfield, will be held at the Town House on Mon- day evening 25th inst.
This "Tree" will be on exhibition we hear during the day on Monday and none of our citizens should fail to see it. It will be of very large proportions, magnificently decorated and loaded with presents. The children of Fairfield should ever be grateful to Mr. Mott and his friends for this generous provision for their entertainment.
That was on the Town Green. One wonders if it might have been the same tree which stands today.
The following week the Chronicle (December 28, 1870) carried several Christmas items of interest.
The Southport Chronicle, Wednesday, Dec. 28, 1870 CHRISTMAS EVE
Mr. Nehemiah Jennings celebrated "Christmas Eve" by a most gorgeously brilliant illumination of his Market.
The market, which is always kept scrupulously neat, was on this occasion gaily decked with ever- greens, while the tempting meat was adorned with many colored rosettes, presenting altogether a mar- velously attractive appearance. But it was not all "show", for the beef deserved to be honored with an extraordinary adornment. Such tender, juicy steaks we have never before eaten. They were splen- did. Mr. Jennings is entitled to great credit for the efforts he makes to please his customers. Long may he wave.
CHRISTMAS IN FAIRFIELD
The ancient, beautiful arrangement, so admirably sustained in our own day, of making Christmas commemorate the wonderful scheme of man's re- demption, as well as an occasion of conviviality, has by the universal approval of the world, made this festival the grandest and most delightful of holidays.
The festivities which have so agreeably inter- rupted the usual stillness of Fairfield, have been unusually inspiring and mirthful. Extending through Saturday night, the Sabbath, and Monday; we have had Christmas Eve-the occasion for gathering to- gether family connections around the paternal fire- side, that rallying place of our dearest affections; Sunday with its hallowed memories, and sacred rites; Monday with its abandonment to good fellow- ship, and hilarious mirth.
At least in one good old town, no effect of modern refinement appears to mar this hearty old holiday. It threw open every door and unlocked every heart, bringing the high and low, the rich and poor to- gether, in one warm congregation of joy and kind- ness.
The decorations of St. Paul's Church were im- mensely rich and tasteful this year. Heavy wreaths of brightest laurel suspended from the center of the roof, draped gracefully to the end of each gable, forming a canopy of richest green beneath which, in every niche and window seat, were placed ap- propriate emblems of laurel and myrtle. On the walls were displayed, significant mottoes and Scriptural designs. Over the chancel hung a heavy chain of evergreens, under which, seemingly resting in mid-air, was a large star of glittering white. The baptismal fount held a magnificent bouquet of choice exotics, and a beautiful cross of white carnations adorned the lectern. The music was especially fine, and as the choir and organ pealed forth the Christ- mas anthems, the entire edifice seemed to glow with triumphant harmony.
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