USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Fairfield > This is Fairfield, 1639-1940 > Part 6
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That was a hard winter for Fairfield with the possibility of an invasion, and the preparation of an army to march against the Dutch seemed ever present. There was need for constant vigi- lance. However, as it worked out the Indians caused the settlers more real trouble that winter than did the Dutch and as Spring arrived a treaty was signed between England & Holland and peace restored.
On March 31, 1674 it was voted that the Towne Rate was "to be paid ten days after this date in provisions at current price or in flax at 10 pence per pound .. . ". The next year the Towne Rate was to be paid in "wheat, peas, Indian Corn or flax at 9 pence per pound with any or all of the said specie of pay payable to the rate, the above said rate is to be paid at or before the first of April next such as are delin- quent in payment by the time prefixt, the mar- shall is forthwith to levy it by distress."
Other votes showed that Thomas Bennett was
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to beat the drum for the meeting ensuing and in payment received the pasture of the Burying Hill and 5 shillings.
And "The Towne appoints Robert Rumsie to oversee the boys on the Sabbath in the gallery that they carry it orderly."
It was that year when a Post was established by the General Court in Hartford and in Octo- ber 1674 some new laws were passed to expedite the mail service. A postman was sent out the first Monday of each month to carry small par- cels and letters.
The rates are included here. A fine was im- posed upon anyone who detained the postman without good cause.
ESTABLISHING A POST
(The General Court held in Hartford Oct. 8, 1674)
This Court being made sensible of the great dam- age that might accrue to the publique, by a liberty of boldness which some persons may take to them- selves (when employed by order of authority for the conveyance of letters, post and other important oc- casions of this colony) by profuse and extravagant spending at the ordinaries and other places on the road upon the countries and other places on the road upon the countries account, and also by great delays on journeys, were pre-judicial to the colony, which willing to prevent, do therefore order that the allow- ance for those persons (who shall be employed on such services) for their wages and expenses of them- selves and horses, shall be as followeth, from the first of May to the middle of October :---
From Rye to Hartford, the horse hire twelve shillings, the man and expenses twenty, all, is one pound twelve shillings.
From Greenwich to Hartford, the horse hire ten shillings sixpence, the man and expenses seventeen shillings, all, one pound seven shillings and sixpence.
From Stamford to Hartford, the horse hire ten shillings, the man and expenses, sixteen shillings, all, is one pound seven shillings.
From Norwalk to Hartford, the horse hire nine shillings, the man and expenses fifteen, all, is one pound four shillings.
From Fairfield to Hartford, the horse hire eight shillings, the man and expenses, thirteen shillings sixpence, all, is one pound one shilling and sixpence.
From Stratford to Hartford, the horse hire seven shillings, the man and expenses twelve shillings, all, is nineteen shillings.
From Milford to Hartford, horse hire six shillings, the man and expenses, ten shillings, all is sixteen shillings.
From New Haven to Hartford, the horse hire five shillings, the man and expenses eight shillings six- pence, all is thirteen shillings sixpence.
From Wallingford to Hartford, the horsc hire four shillings, the man and expenses six shillings, all, is ten shillings.
From Branford to Hartford, the horse hire five shillings, the man and expenses, eight shillings, all, is thirteen shillings.
From Guilford to Hartford, the horse hire five shillings, the man and expenses eight shillings, all is thirteen shillings.
From Kenilworth to Hartford, the horse hire five shillings, the man and expenses eight shillings six- pence, all is thirteen and sixpence.
From Saybrook to Hartford, the horse hire five shillings, the man and expenses eight shillings six- pence, all is thirteen shillings and sixpence.
From Lyme to Hartford, the horse hire five shil- lings, the man and expenses eight shillings sixpence, all is thirteen shillings sixpence.
From New London to Hartford, the horse hire eight shillings, the man and expenses eleven shil- lings, all, is nineteen shillings.
From Stonington to Hartford, the horse hire nine shillings, the man and expenses thirteen shillings sixpence, all, is one pound two shillings sixpence.
From Norwich to Hartford, the horse hire six shillings, the man and expenses eight shillings, all is fourteen shillings.
From Haddam to Hartford, the horse hire four shillings, the man and expenses six shillings, all is ten shillings.
From Middletown to Hartford, the horse hire two shillings, the man and expenses four and sixpence, all, is six shillings sixpence.
From Wethersfield to Hartford, the horse hire sixpence, the man and expenses one shilling, all is one shilling sixpence.
From Windsor to Hartford, the horse hire one shilling, the man and expenses one shilling sixpence, all, is two shillings sixpence.
From Farmington to Hartford, the horse hire one shilling sixpence, the man and expenses two shillings sixpence, all is four shillings.
From Simsbury to Hartford, the horse hire one shilling sixpence, the man and expenses two shil- lings sixpence, all is four shillings.
From Windsor to Springfield, the horse hire three shillings, the man and expenses four shillings six- pence, all, is seven shillings sixpence.
And from the middle of October to the last of April, to be eight pence more than the above for every night they lay out, for oats to the horses, wherein great care is to be had by the ordinary keepers, that hired horses are not deprived of their allowance.
Also the difference in the above said sums is to be the stated wages from Towne to Towne, if they go not to Hartford, and the like proportion by the mile, to those who shall be employed in this colony where their wages is not stated. It is further ordered, that all Posts, their Ferridg shall be kept on the country account, and that the ordinary keepers in the plantations shall provide suitable accomodations for men and horses whose allowance for the men by the meal shall be sixpence, and for the horse at grass, four pence a night, and oats four pence the half peck and for hay the night, four pence.
It is also ordered, that whosoever upon these terms shall unnecessarily stop, or detain his journey, forth or back, shall be necessarily stopped or dc- tained by authority or other just occasion, such per- son or persons shall have penalty, or receive recom-
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pence extraordinarily as the authority who sent them shall judge right to be abated or augmented in his wages.
In 1687 John Perry was appointed postman between Boston, Fairfield and Stamford, to carry the mail once each month in the winter and every three weeks in the summer or more often if it was required. His return was eagerly awaited each time for as he distributed the mail all gathered around him to hear the latest news. When he was supplied with a fresh horse he would be off again.
Every planter had a stake in the community and it was made very sure that this responsi- bility was realized. On June 21, 1677 it was voted that: "The Towne orders that whoever shall not personally appear to be the time ap- pointed to every future Towne meeting: except they can render a satisfying reason to the con- trary to the satisfaction of the Townsmen: or shall depart from the meeting without leave: til the meeting be broken up: shall for his fault therein be fined six pence a piece to be annexed to their Towne rates :- The Towne hath chosen George Squire moderator for the present meet- ing and who speaks disorderly is to be fined 3 pence for each delinquency.
These were still anxious days and the fear of war continued among the villagers. The Town Meeting Minutes show that Richard Hubbell was authorized to furnish 800 weight of lead within three months for use of them at the Town's Maga- zine and "Receive for ye Towne use what is due from any for such for powder and lead bullets and matches they borrowed out of the Towne Magazine and upon ye default of such specie to pay ye value thereof in wheat or peas." And later
The Towne orders that the fortifications about a considerable part of the Towne concluded by the Committee formerly chose for that purpose shall be forthwith made and erected by all the Inhabitants of the Towne with all their Teams. All male persons from 10 years old to seventy, the mayor and the minister excepted: and there shall be satisfaction to each Inhabitant given by the Towne Rate. If any Inhabitant of the Towne if they sustaine loss of their houses by the enemy what is equitable to be allowed by the whole towards their reparation: is referred to two indifferent men chosen by each party: the losers, those that have not sustained loss of their houses to award: and what they award is to be performed by the whole: It's also provided that all those that are without fortification in this day of danger shall have free liberty of the use of the houses and lands contained within said fortification with the Proprietors for the preservation of the per-
sons and estates provided they come in and cannot make use of their lands abroad without emminent danger.
And
"The West end of Towne have liberty to cross the highways with fortifying fence provided they leave sufficient carteways through the fences in each highway."
The fear of the Indians became a reality when following the great trouble with Philip in Massachusetts it was rumored that all of the seashore towns were to be attacked one by one on moonlight nights. Sixty troopers were ordered to be raised in each County and Josiah Harvey of Fairfield, son-in-law of Major Gold was to be appointed surgeon and Nathan Seeley was made a lieutenant-"these to go to the scene of diffi- culty".
This early army was badly disabled and new recruits in the capacity of privates, surgeons, gunsmiths, and blacksmiths were ordered to be sent from Fairfield to join the forces stationed in New London. Supplies too were sent regular- ly. The rage of the Indians continued along the eastern colonies. The Indians about Fairfield (the military center of the county) apparently did not appear too hostile.
The soldiers from Fairfield and the seaside were ordered to furnish supplies for the army at the rate of "about five pounds of cheese & meat & fifteen pounds of bread to a man." They were to take as many cutlasses as they could. By this time the sons of almost every leading family were in the regular army or one of the volunteers. However at length this war too was brought to a close by the killing of Philip and his men, when another Indian betrayed their place of rest.
The troops and volunteers of Connecticut were now disbanded but each county kept a mili- tary force ready for service, in the event of any sudden new emergency-"Extent of the Towne watch shall westward include the mill and all the Inhabitants eastward and eastward to Daniel Sullivants & they included and the Inhabitants westward. The two seats for the guard is to be only for the guard and the officer of the guard hath power to remove the intruders."
Fairfield's position in the Colony continued to be an enviable one. John Banks of Fairfield was a member of the Committee which audited the colonial treasurer's account and a member of the committee to settle the bounds between Nor- walk and Stamford. Jehu Burr was also appoint- ed to administer the oath of a commissioner to
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the other commissioners of the county; Jehu Burr and Richard Hubbell were elected deputies and William Hill and Jehu Burr commissioners from Fairfield. Major Gold had been elected an Assistant. The townsmen of Fairfield enjoyed a great deal of prestige among the men of the colony.
1679 proved to be a hard year for all as a sickness fell upon the town and seventy persons died within three months, and a severe blight fell upon the crops. The Indians still were troublesome as all of those in the west had joined with the Mohawks in plotting against the English. Each plantation was to procure one or two large pieces of artillery and training days were ordered. It was voted to lend the Military Company of the Town thirty-seven shillings towards payment of their colors and that the Town would pay one half of the drummer's fee (to call them to meetings) and the Military the other half. A heavy fine was imposed upon the guards at meeting houses for neglecting their duty.
The Magistrates of Fairfield hastened to make sure that their lands were secure and on October 6, 1680, assembled all of the Fairfield sachems or their descendants and had them sign and wit- ness a new deed of the sale of their lands to the people of Fairfield. This included all lands with- in the deeds of 1656, 1661 and 1670 and re- assured the Indians of their reservations at Sasco, Pequonnock, Uncoway, Old Indian Field, Wolves Pit Plain and Aspetuck. Buying from the Indians continued over the years.
On April 4, 1681, the Towne Meeting voted "The Towne grants unto the Inhabitants of the Towne Liberty to build a stone wall 20 or 24 or 5 rods square, four foot thick at the bottom, 12 foot high: on the Meeting House Green for a fort with sufficient flankers and gates for that end: provided it be either completed for that end within 3 years after this date"-in other words, a stone fort. It was also voted that-"a small piece of land upon the green be granted for building of a prison with a dwelling house thereon,-also a garden plot and a yard plot to be a part of the prison property."
Some were against laying out the Green in this manner and thus registered their protest. Those who were opposed were :- "The following make a protest against the laying out of the Green according to this mode: John Wheeler, Isaac Hall, John Jackson, Joseph Jackson, Sam- uel Jackson, Daniel Sullivan, Samuel Treadwell,
William John Barlow, James Ben- nett, Ezekial Sanford." Eight years later-1689 a stockade was planned to encircle the Meeting House, the schoolhouse and the minister's house.
The list of taxpayers had increased consid- erably by 1681 and those included were:
A List of the Inhabitants proportions of Lands in the Commons granted to them in the year and is now Recorded December 1681.
Estates Acres
Estates Acres
Widow Wheeler 706
Robert Rumsie 458
* goodm Hals farme .. 701
John Tomkins 233
Joseph Wheply 263
Samuel Ward 452
John Odell 467
Richard Ogden 745
Samuell Tredwell 245
Joseph Lockwood 681
Isaac Wheeler 635
Daniel Frost 779
James Bennett 465
Nathan Sherwood 412
Robert Beachem 584
Richard Hubble 971
William Ward 644
Henry Jackson 946
Daniell Burr 321
Mihil Try 647
Moses Dimon 292
Ezekil Sandford 428
Roger Knapp 486
Thomas Morehouse 412
Daniel Sillevant
Thomas Oliver 303
Nathaniel Seeley senr 852 Thomas Staples 1128
William Odell snr 362
Edward Adams 715
John Grumman 620
Ensign Robt. Turney 608
Robert Meeker 387
Thomas Bennett 459
John Tomson 203
Sgt. George Squire .. 855
Mr. Jehu Burr
812
John Banks 795
Ezbon Wakeman 287
Tho. Skidmore 433
Steven Hedges 305
Major Nathan Gold .. 1500
Cornelius Hull 792
Sarah Wilson 506
Benjamin Turney ...
260
Obadiah Gilbert 603
Nathaniel Burr 626
William Odell senr 362
Joshua Jennings 825
Ensign Robt. Turney 608
Henry Rowland 943
John Tomson 203
Joseph Middlebrook
senr. 757
William Hill
694
Francis Bradley 639
Thomas Sherwood 682
Nathaniel Finch 237
Humphrey Hide 569
Samuel Godwin 121
John Hide 398
Peter Coley 387
Nathaniel Perry 191
Peter Clapham 604
John Bennett
254
John Knowles 553
John Smith
254
John Sturgis 774
John Cable Junr. 501
Daniel Lockwood 479
James Beers 645
Henrisk
203
Samuel Drake 260
Richard Lyon 800
John Applegate 132
Mr. Wakeman 641
Samll Smith 450
George Squire junr .. 132
John Barlow senr 391
Parsonage
650
*Goodman
Thomas Wilson 375
Steven Sherwood 445
Mr. Harvey 466
Widow Bulkley 477
John Bulkley 249
Samuell Morehouse .. 816
Mrs. Jones 184
Jacob Gray 370
Joseph Middlebrook senr 757
Thomas Jones 286
William Hill 694
Mr. John Burr 863
Joshua Knowles 582
John Cable senr 449
Richard Osborn 825
Sarah Wilson 506
Nathaniel Burr 626
Simon Couch 578
Patchin 195
John Wheeler 1004
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John Green 675
Estates Acres Estates Acres
John Barlow junr 398
Phebe and
Deborah Barlow . 434
Mr. Pell 292
School 325
Isaac Sherwood 097
Thomas Lyon 254
John Andrews 296
Thomas Shervington 305
In 1683 the General Assembly ordered that every town should erect a sign post in the cen- ter of town. The Fairfield sign post was placed upon the Green directly opposite the Meeting House and on it were posted proclamations, sales of houses and lands, meeting announcements, etc. A sign post still stands there today and warnings of meetings, registration dates for dogs, voters, etc, etc are all shown here at es- pecially designated times. 30 December, 1693-
that it shall be sufficient warning for ye same to set upon a post a paper at ye East Bridge declaring yc time of such meeting and to be set up four days before said meeting and a paper of ye same at ye meeting house ... or about Samuel Smiths upon a post there all fair to be seen but in case of any sud- den or immediate occasion that will not allow four days, then ye townsmen for ye time being to cause it to be warned as usually they have been.
Along in this same manner of announcement the Town Meeting would vote that land or per- haps stray animals would be sold at an "outcry next training day"-an auction at the signpost.
The early years were never easy, and 1682 marked another one where a "malignant fever" swept away the lives of many of those within the borders of Fairfield. This same year in the months of June, July & August a drought caused extensive loss of corn and grass. The wild ani- mals too were annoying them for it was voted that "every Englishman or men shall receive 20 shillings per head of every bear killed within the next two weeks." Indians were to receive 10 shillings per head-all to be paid out of the Towne Treasury.
Provisions were used more and more as pay- ment for almost anything. One half might be paid in pork while the other half could be paid in wheat or "The Towne order that to any the Towne is indebted to: the Treasurer shall pay him only 1/3 part in wheat & they grant that the shepherd shall have towards their wages 1/3 in wheat."
And "The Towne rate shall be paid in the same specie as the Sheep Money is to be paid in, that is 1/3 wheat and the other 2/3 in pro- vision pay-oats excepted."
In 1683 the Towne Rate was set at 1/3 wheat
and 2/3 pork or Indian Corn. Another year it was payable in flax and barley. There were 184 taxable persons in Fairfield now with valued estates of £10,302.
In 1685 the long disputed line between Fair- field and Norwalk was set to be run once again and the Fairfield Patent became a reality. King James assured the Fairfield planters that he would care and protect them in exchange for their loyalty.
FAIRFIELD PATENT
The General Court of Connecticut have formerly granted to the proprietors of the inhabitants of the Town of Fairfield, all those lands both meadow & upland within these abutments upon the sea towards the south about seven miles in breadth, & in length from the sea into the wilderness twelve miles, & upon Stratford bounds on the east, & the wilderness north, & in Norwalk bounds on the west, only a par- cel of land between their bounds & Saugatuck river, that is likewise granted to the said Fairfield, pro- vided, the said Saugatuck do not exceed two miles from the bounds of the said Fairfield, the said lands having been by purchase or otherwise lawfully ob- tained of the Indian native proprietors; & whereas the proprietors, the foresaid inhabitants of Fairfield, in the colony of Connecticut, have made application to the Governor & company of the said colony of Connecticut, assembled in court, May 25, 1685, that they may have a patent for confirmation of the aforesaid land, so purchased & granted to them, an aforesaid, & which they have, stood, seized, & quietly possessed of for many years, last past, without in- terruption. Now for a more full confirmation of the aforesaid tract of land, as it is butted & bounded as aforesaid unto the present proprietors of the said Township of Fairfield in the possession & enjoyment of the premises, know ye that the said Governor & company assembled in General Court according to the commission granted to us by his Majesty in our charter, have given, granted, & by these presents do give, grant, ratify & confirm unto Major Nathan Gold, Mr. Samuel Wakeman, Mr. Jehu Burr, Mr. John Burr, Mr. Thomas Staples, Mr. John Green, Mr. Joseph Lockwood, Mr. John Wheeler, Mr. Rich- ard Hubbel, Mr. George Squire, & Mr. Isaac Wheel- er, & the rest of the present proprietors of the Town- ship of Fairfield, their heirs, successors & assigns forever, according to the tenor of East Greenwich in Kent in free & common socage & not in capitte, nor by Knights' service, they to make improvements of the same, as they are capable according to the custom of the country, yielding, rendering, & pay- ing therefore to the Sovereign Lord, the King his heirs & successors, his due, according to charter.
In witness whereof we have caused the seal of the colony to be hereunto affixed this 26 of May, 1685, in the first year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, James the Second of England, Scotland, & Ireland, King, defender of the faith, etc.
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Eluzer Smith 298
By the order of the General Court of Connecticut. Signed,
Robert Treat, Gov. John Allen, Sec.1 During that same year a "Bell for the Towne" was voted. It was to be hung in the turret of the Meeting House and the turret was to be floored. The town borrowed money from Samuel Wilson and from Daniel Burr to pay for the bell and they in turn received special land privileges. For more than 100 years this bell was rung regularly twice each day, once at noon and again at 9 in the evening (except Saturday nights) at which time the law required all to be at home. It was also rung on the Sabbath and for lectures.
As the years continued one has ever before him the feeling of law and order and organiza- tion. At Town Meeting it was voted "the Towne this day ordereth ye Constables of ye towne upon Sabbath days in time of exercises take notes who they are lying or sleeping or playing and inform those with whom they are concerned yt they may reform from such evil practices".
Also at another meeting-
Whereas there is a report that Evan Owen intends to come again to this towne with his family to settle here, the Towne absolutely prohibits the enter- tainment of him and his family upon sufficient rea- sons and therefore do order that no inhabitant shall entertain him or his family 24 hours without spe- cial leave from the Townsmen: . . . the Towne orders that such as shall so entertain him or them, they shall pay a fine for every 24 hours ensuing the first 24 hours he or they shall pay a fine of 20 shillings per time to the Towne Treasury for every such offense.
And "the Towne doth not approve of Peter Clap- ham to sell any of his wood lands unto Edward Lacy".
Then on October 7, 1686, it was voted that every home owner must have-"a sufficient lad- der to be made to reach to ye top of the house under ye penalty of two shillings per week"- for every week they defaulted in having said ladder.
No person could build a house or dig a cellar without permission.
"The Townsmen of Fairfield this 21 day of January 1690 being informed of a woman, a stranger at Daniel Frost's, the townsmen do order said Daniel Frost to convey her to her
Uncle Bushey at New Haven & if she be sent back again there to be sent westward from where she came to clear ye Town of her."
Liberty was given by vote to Obadiah Banks to let Mr. Livingston be in his house for 3 months.
No peas were to be sowed within towne for 3 years so that all oats and barley could be made clear of peas.
It was voted that all incumbrances such as hog pens, gardens, and otherwise were to be removed from Town streets and from the Common.
A gallery was voted for the Meeting house "for ye Maids to set".
Many of these things may seem strange to us today, but thinking through them they are not too far away. This is where our standards had their beginnings. The foundations were made firm and strong and through the years a solid way of living has developed our democracy.
They planned where their lands should be bounded and how they should be bounded. No one went off on his own but instead all tried to work together and do what was best for the group.
Town Meeting - 5th March 1693/4
Whereas the town's Committee for regulating the disorders done in the highways and severing the Town's land from particular persons' properties they have ordered that in Case any person that have fenced in any Towne land and shall refuse or neg- lect to remove the same after warning such person shall pay a fine of twenty shillings per week for every such fence or fences shall stand unremoved after warning as in the order of the Committee may more fully appear the Towne does this day approve their said orders only they see cause to abate the fine of twenty shillings as aforesaid and see cause to lay a fine of ten shillings per week upon such as shall be defective as aforesaid upon the request of John Sturges Senr: to the Towne to exchange a small par- cel of land with him the Towne appoints Left: Hull and Sargt: Osborn to take a view of what land Goodman Sturges would exchange with the Towne and Make report thereof to the Towne.
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