USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Greenwich > Ye historie of ye town of Greenwich, county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, with genealogical notes on the Adams. > Part 14
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As near as can be ascertained, the land on which the Putnam Cottage now stands was granted by the Town of
.
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Putnam Cottage-Knapp Family
Greenwich to Nathan Whelpley, who sold the same to Israel Knapp in 1731. It is therefore probable that the Putnam Cottage was built about 1731, or soon after this purchase. Israel Knapp was born on the thirteenth day of December, 1705, married, Ist, Mary, daughter of Thomas Lyon and Abigail Ogden, about 1730; 2nd, Amy, daughter of Joseph Marshall and Mary - -, in August, 1742; 3rd, Eliza- beth, widow of Dr. Thomas Hugerford, on the seventh day of January, 1762.
The records of the County Court of Fairfield County, at Bridgeport, show that a license "to keep a public house of entertainment and retail strong drink in Greenwich" was granted to Israel Knapp in 1754, and his house was run as a tavern until the year 1790, and was known as the "Knapp Tavern."
It is related that General Putnam stopped at this hos- telry the night before Tryon's raid, the night of the twenty- fifth of February, 1779, and that on that evening a ball was given at the house of Moses Husted at Pecksland, a short distance south of the present schoolhouse, and on the site of the residence formerly of William A. Husted. General Putnam attended, taking a lady on his horse behind him, according to the custom of those days. This lady, after- wards Mrs. Rogers, was a daughter of David Bush of Cos Cob Landing, who lived in the house now occupied by Edward P. Holley. Some say it was his daughter Grace, but she was not born until 1788, some nine years thereafter, died in February, 1858, and was buried in the Episcopal Cemetery, where anybody can see her name on the family monument. It is located on the south side, east of the cen- tre. It is also stated that it was late when General Putnam accompanied her home, so that he did not leave her father's residence for Horseneck until nearly daylight on the morning of the twenty-sixth. This led many to suppose that his headquarters were at Cos Cob. It is further related, that he was in the Knapp Tavern taking his usual morning shave when he saw, through the looking-glass, the British approach-
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Ye Historie of Ye Town of Greenwich
ing, grabbed his coat, ran out of the house, jumped on his horse, and escaped.
The author has interviewed some of the descendants of Captain Israel Knapp, and has been informed by them that there never existed any traditions in the family of General Putnam's sojourn at the Knapp Tavern.
Captain Israel Knapp died in 1783, and on the probate of his will title to his place on Putnam Avenue passed to his son, Israel Knapp, Jr., who was born on the first day of May, · 1743, and married Margaret Hugerford about 1767, by whom he had:
Fanny, b. in 1768, d. June II, 1788, m. William A. Thompson.
Israel, bapt. Oct. 14, 1770, d. young.
Frances, b. in 1771, m. Charles K. Thompson.
Sally W., bapt. Feb. 13, 1774, m. David Wood.
Elizabeth H., b. Aug. 28, 1777, d. in 1848, m. Oct. 8, 1795, John Mackay, Jr.
Anna, bapt. Mch. 17, 1782, m. William Thorn of New York.
Cornelia, bapt. Jan. 6, 1788, d. in New Orleans, m. Read.
Israel Knapp, Jr., died intestate on the twentieth day of August, 1790, seized of the premises formerly known as the "Knapp Tavern," later the "Tracy House," and now known as the "Putnam Cottage." His son-in-law, David Wood, a Revolutionary soldier, seems to have acquired the title and conveyed the same to Hezekiah Tracy on the eighth day of March, 1814. Hezekiah Tracy succeeded Colonel Jabez Fitch, a Revolutionary soldier and a son-in-law of Captain Israel Knapp, as town clerk and registrar in 1814. He married Huldah, daughter of Nehemiah Mead, by whom he had two children, Horatio Nelson Tracy and John Jay Tracy. He died intestate on the tenth day of July, 1829, his widow and children surviving him, and was buried in the Mead family plot near the corner of Lafayette Place and William Street. His son, John Jay Tracy, succeeded him as
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King Street Skirmish
town clerk and registrar. Horatio Nelson Tracy conveyed his interest to his mother, and when she died in 1837 she devised all her right therein to John Jay Tracy. The latter died intestate on the fourth day of December, 1854, and was buried in the Episcopal Cemetery. From the Tracy family, title passed to Francis Tomes, Jr., who mortgaged the premises to Benjamin Tomes, which was assigned to Adrian Iselin and foreclosed by him and he became the owner thereof. Adrian Iselin conveyed the premises to J. Fred- erick Holmes by deed recorded on the first day of May, 1878. From the Holmes family the record title passed on the fifteenth day of January, 1902, to Henry H. Adams, who bought the property with money collected by him for Put- nam Hill Chapter, D. A. R., and on the twenty-fourth day of November, 1902, the record title passed to the "Israel Putnam House Association." In order to settle a dispute in regard to the title an agreement was entered into on the tenth day of May, 1909, between the Israel Putnam House Association, and the Putnam Hill Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, both incorporated, whereby it was de- clared that the premises "are held in trust by the said Israel Putnam House Association for the use and benefit of the Putnam Hill Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolu- tion, incorporated," etc.
One of the great disadvantages which the people were subjected to during the whole war was the absolute want of bayonets. Few companies could be found wholly armed with these valuable weapons, but Lieutenant Mosher was the commander of a small company of men, who were amply provided with them. This company may have been larger, but consisted of only eighteen soldiers at the time here men- tioned. Seven of them were from the farm of General Pierre Van Cortland of Cortlandt Manor, about half-a-dozen of them from Greenwich, and the remainder from the vicinity of the Town of Harrison. On the fourth day of December, 1781,1 Captain Richard Sackett of the same
I Heath's Mem., p. 324.
I2
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Ye Historie of Ye Town of Greenwich
company was taken prisoner, having unwisely separated himself from his company. The light-horse of the en- emy, under Colonel Holmes (a tory) and Captain Kipp, attacked the company. The latter retreated to the vicinity of a tavern recently kept by William Merritt on King Street, where they formed to withstand the charge of the troop of horse. Without shelter of any kind, and upon an open plain, these eighteen men successfully stood charge after charge from the troop. Lieutenant Mosher ordered his men not to fire a shot, but sternly to await the onset. At the first charge, Colonel Holmes, finding himself repulsed, ordered Lieutenant Mosher to surrender, or he would cut him to pieces. The only reply vouchsafed was, "Cut and be damned"; and with silence he withstood the next charge, but after the third charge he ordered his men to fire on the retiring troops, which they did with terrible execution. One man was killed and eight dangerously wounded, Cap- tain Kipp, mortally. The horses of Colonel Holmes and Captain Kipp were also killed under them. Lieutenant Mosher's men, taking advantage of the discomfiture of their assailants, escaped to a neighboring piece of woods, not having a man even wounded. It is said to have been the most astonishing feat, on the part of both officers and men, that was enacted during the whole war. General Washing- ton often spoke of this affair, and it was reported all over Europe, to show the utility of the bayonet, and that a small body of infantry thus armed may successfully resist a strong body of cavalry. Several of the enemy were severely wounded before they were fired upon.
At one time during the war the nearest American outpost to New York in this vicinity was at Byram. The enemy being bent upon a depredatory expedition to North Stam- ford and Long Ridge came suddenly in the night and cut every one of the guard to pieces. The next guard in their way was posted at the right-angular turn of the road at Pecksland. Here they also cut the guard to pieces. This whole expedition seems to have been marked by bloody and
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Incidents of the Revolution-Tories
horrible deeds, and it is said that Tarleton himself com- manded the force. The whole populace around collected and followed the enemy to attack and worry them on their return. An ambuscade was formed at a defile at Round Hill, where the road passes through steep rocks overgrown with thick laurel. At other places on their return the British and tories were sorely pressed, but here a deadly fire poured in upon them killing and wounding great numbers. On that day, in the retreat one of their regiments lost their standard, to their great mortification and disgrace.
The petition of Nathan Finch of Greenwich to the May Session of the General Assembly, 1779, shows that "at about nineteen years of age he was persuaded by his master, to whom he was an apprentice, to go into New York, that he made his escape from the enemy at the first opportunity, and on his return home was taken up and committed to prison, where he hath long been confined." The Assembly directed that he be released and set at liberty, so that he may return and live with his father and friends at said Green- wich.
The petition of John Anderson, a refugee from New York, now a resident of Greenwich, shows, "that in his escape from New York the greatest part of his estate fell into the hands of the enemy, and that he retired to said Town of Greenwich for safety, where he has resided since September, 1776, that he is reduced in his estate and unable to pay his taxes." Ordered that his taxes be abated.
Extract from the minute book kept by Peter Mead, Jus- tice of the Peace for the County of Fairfield. The first entry in the book was in 1764 and the last in 1778. "Fairfield County. In Greenwich on the 14th Dec., 1778, at an Inferior Court holden before me, Peter Mead, Justice of the Peace for said County."
"Samuel Palmer, 2nd, of said Greenwich, is by warrant brought before the court, to be examined respecting the complaint of Abraham Hays, one of the grand jurymen for the Town of Greenwich. Said complaint against the said
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Ye Historie of Ye Town of Greenwich
Samuel Palmer is that he is guilty of the act of high treason against this and the other states of the United States of America for driving and selling to the enemy a pair of oxen and a cart, as per writ and complaint, dated 9th Dec., 1778, on file appears.
"On examination said Samuel Palmer confessed that he did drive and sell within the enemy's line a pair of oxen and a cart and that he entered the said enemy's line by means of a passport. Thereupon this court gives judgment that said Samuel Palmer shall be committed to the Fairfield County jail."
Rev. Jonathan Murdock, pastor of the Second Congrega- tional Church, although he early took the oath of fidelity to this state, and in the beginning of the war showed much zeal in the American cause, in the pulpit, as well as elsewhere, yet contrary to his oath of fidelity, on or about the tenth day of July, 1779, voluntarily went to a British officer with a flag, then at the house of Seth Mead, and there acknowledged his political friendship to the British, and soon after this began to justify trade with them. In May, 1780, he was with his own consent taken by Delancey's Corps and paroled, only to come to their lines a prisoner when called for, but under no restraint by his parole, as to his preaching, or pray- ing; and although offered an exchange, his friendship to the British interest prevailed over his oath of fidelity and duty to his country, and he refused to be exchanged. On or about the tenth day of October, 1779, his cows were, as he said, taken from him on a Friday night, and on the next Sabbath he went after them down among the enemy. He obtained a permit to take them, found them, sold them to the enemy, and bought British goods with the money, contrary to law.
Charges were preferred against him by the society of the church and he was dismissed as its pastor in 1785.
1779, July 12. Minutes of the Governor and Council show that nine tories were captured at Greenwich. Names not given.
18I
Tories
1779, Aug. 28. Minutes of the Governor and Council show that Nathan Merritt of Greenwich was ordered exchanged.
I779, October Session of the General Assembly. Darling Whelpley, Solomon Ferris, William Peck, and David Washburn, under sentence of death for the crime of high treason, sentence was suspended until the first Wednesday of March, 1780. They were finally exchanged.
1779, Oct. 28. Minutes of the Governor and Council show the capture of the following tories of Greenwich : Daniel Lockwood, Isaac Peck, Gilbert Lockwood, Solomon Wright, Isaac Anderson, James Merrill (Merritt), Benjamin Wilson, and Nathan Merrill (Merritt).
1780, Feb. 4. Minutes of the Governor and Council show the following suspected tories of Greenwich, now in jail: Jabez Sherwood, Jr., Hezekiah Hobby, Solo- mon Merritt, Jr., Silas Knapp, William Marshall, Joseph Galpin, and Jotham Mead. They were ordered confined in the County of Hartford.
The following persons having gone over to and joined the enemy, their estates were declared forfeited and confis- cated: (See Stamford Probate Records.)
Adams, Nathaniel,
Addington, Henry, Austin, Samuel,
Brush, Shubael,
Vol. 4, p. 185, Vol. 5, p. 388, and Vol. 6, p. 151.
Carpenter, Daniel,
Carpenter, George,
Vol. 4, p. 185, Vol. 5, p. 388. Vol. 4, p. 185, Vol. 5, p. 388, and Vol. 6, p. 152.
Carpenter, Ruth,
Vol. 4, p. 185, Vol. 5, p. 388, and Vol. 6, p. 152. Vol. 6, p. 177.
Carpenter, Zeno, Davis, Elisha,
Vol. 6, pp. 177 and 366.
Galpin, Joseph,
Vol. 4, p. 185, Vol. 5, p. 388.
Hendrie, William,
Vol. 6, p. 634.
Knapp, David,
Vol. 6, pp. 365 and 630.
Knapp, Nehemiah, Jr., Vol. 6, pp. 365 and 638.
Vol. 6, p. 630.
Vol. 6, pp. 177 and 557. Vol. 4, p. 185, Vol. 5, p. 388, and Vol. 6, p. 562.
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Ye Historie of Ye Town of Greenwich
Lockwood, Jonathan, 4th, Lockwood, Millington,
Vol. 4, p. 185, Vol. 5, p. 388, and
Vol. 6, pp. 151 and 566.
Vol. 4, p. 315.
Lyon, Stephen,
Vol. 4, p. 185, Vol. 5, p. 388, and Vol. 6, p. 172. Vol. 4, p. 185, Vol. 5, p. 388.
Merritt, Daniel,
Merritt, Ezekiel,
Vol. 6, p. 177.
Palmer, Nathaniel,
Vol. 6, pp. 341 and 529.
Palmer, Robert,
Vol. 6, pp. 341 and 529.
Partelow, Jehiel,
Vol. 4, p. 185, Vol. 5, p. 388, and Vol. 6, p. 151.
Partelow, Matthew,
Vol. 4, p. 185, Vol. 5, p. 388, and Vol. 6, p. 151.
Peck, William,
Vol. 4, p. 185, Vol. 5, p. 388, and Vol. 6, pp. 171 and 640.
Perot, John,
Vol. 4, p. 185, Vol. 5, p. 388, and Vol. 6, p. 151.
Whelpley, Darling,
Vol. 4, p. 185, Vol. 5, p. 388, and Vol. 6, p. 152.
At a special town meeting holden on the twelfth day of August, 1783,
the town taking into consideration the distress to which the inhabitants are reduced by the warring and plun- dering of the enemy and the constant quartering of troops for the defence of this state in the town during the late war with Great Britain and the great injury done thereby and that it was brought to the town during the course of a war undertaken for the defence and security of the common liberties of the state in which it was understood and expected that the whole body should bear the extraordinary burden and whereas the General Assembly did make a grant for the whole and make payment of a part of the damages done at Danbury accidently thrown on any particular part and con- sidering it is altogether just to us, have thereupon agreed and voted that Brigadier-General John Mead be agent for the town to make use of such measures by memorial to the General Assembly or otherwise to obtain redress of the town grievances in this behalf and for a repair of the damages to the sufferers occasioned by the war excepting to those sufferers who are known to be inimical to the liberties and independence of the United States of America. This
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Effect of the Revolution
meeting is adjourned to next freeman's meeting day in September to begin immediately after freemen's meeting is over.
At a meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Green- wich convened in town meeting on the sixteenth day of September, 1783, the inhabitants resumed the consideration of the grievances partly discussed at the preceding meeting, and on reading a copy of the resolve of the Honorable General Assembly of this state on a memorial preferred to said Assembly by the representative of this town in May last, the inhabitants thereby agree in the following proposi- tions :
First: That the commission granted to the committee decreed by said resolve does not empower said committee to enter fully into the grievances complained of and damages done to the inhabitants during the late war (not heretofore estimated) as it extends only to losses and damages occa- sioned by the enemy but does not reach the losses and damages occasioned by this being a garrison town and its inhabitants harassed and distressed by both parties.
Second: That from the confidence that the inhabitants of this town have in the wisdom and justice of the Legisla- ture of the state they are persuaded that nothing but misrep- resentations of some men either through ignorance of their real suffering or worse motives could have induced that Honorable body to appoint a committee with such limited powers as only warranted to consider partially a subject that ought in justice and equity to be taken upon a larger scale.
Third: That the burden of a war carried on for the general defence of a state, whether occasioned by friends or foes, ought to be borne as equally as possible by the citizens at large and that unless the principle is adopted and applied to the sufferings of the inhabitants of the town they are so far from being on equal footing with the greater part of their fellow citizens in the state that the contrary must doom them to a species of oppression incompatible with the equi- table maxims of legislation.
Fourth: That the inhabitants of this town do not entertain the most distant thought of an exemption from
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Ye Historie of Ye Town of Greenwich
such part of the public burden as they are able to bear, but when they view the present alarming situation of the town for want of resources, occasioned by the check put upon their industry for years past, and the powers of Providence on their labor in permitting their crops of wheat on which they chiefly depended to be cut off this season, should they under these circumstances be called upon for a collection of their full proportion of the state taxes, they will be reduced to such hardships as must terminate in an uncomfortable ruin to themselves and families.
Whereupon, it is agreed and voted by the said inhabi- tants that Brigadier-General Mead, the town agent, do pursue such means by memorials to the General Assembly at the ensuing October Session predicated on the foregoing sentiments or otherwise, as he may judge most eligible for · the purpose of obtaining redress of the grievances aforesaid by the appointment of a judicious committee invested with such power as the complicated distresses of this town evi- dently require, or in such other way as the Honorable Legis- lature may in their wisdom direct.
It was, at the annual town meeting held on the eighth day of December, 1783,
Resolved that the selectmen do not take bonds of any person or persons that have gone over to and joined the enemy during the late war for the purpose of making said person or persons inhabitants of this town, or giving him or them a residence therein.
On the twelfth day of November, 1787, a meeting was held to elect delegates to a convention to be holden at Hart- ford on the first Thursday of the following January, to ratify or disapprove of the constitution recommended by the Federal convention held at Philadelphia, which resulted in the choice of Dr. Amos Mead and Colonel Jabez Fitch, as such delegates. It was also voted by the inhabitants of the town to "approve the doings of the Federal convention lately held at Philadelphia, and thereupon directed their delegates to use their influence in the convention to be holden at Hart- ford on the first Thursday of January next, to establish and
185
New York and Boston Stage Line
ratify the constitution recommended by the said Federal convention. "
The stage line between New York and Boston was first established in June, 1772, and the following announcement of the running of stages is taken from Baird's History of Rye, New York:
New York, 24th June, 1772.
The Stage Coach between New York and Boston.
Which for the first time sets out this day from Mr. Fowler's Tavern (formerly kept by Mr. Stout) at Fresh Water, in New York, will continue to go the course between Boston and New York, so as to be at each of those places once a fortnight, coming in on Saturday evening and setting out to return, by the way of Hartford, on Monday Morning.
The price to passengers will be four pence, New York, or three pence lawful money per mile, and baggage at a reason- able rate.
Gentlemen and ladies who choose to encourage this useful, new and expensive undertaking, may depend upon good usage, and that the coach will always put up at houses on the road where the best entertainment is provided.
The stage coaches will next trip arrive at New York and Boston on Saturday, July 11th, and will set out from thence to Hartford on Monday the 13th, meeting at Hartford on Wednesday the 15th, where, after staying a week, they will set out again on Wednesday the 23rd, for New York and Boston, where they will arrive on Saturday the 25th, and set out to return on Monday the 27th.
If on trial the subscribers find encouragement, they will perform the stage once a week, only altering the day of setting out from New York and Boston to Thursday instead of Monday morning.
JONATHAN AND NICHOLAS BROWN.
In 1787 the stages made three trips every week in sum- mer and two in winter. They started out from Hall's
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Ye Historie of Ye Town of Greenwich
Tavern, 49 Courtland Street, New York, on Monday, Wed- nesday, and Friday mornings, and arrived in Boston in six days. The fare was four pence per mile.
The old toll-gate was established in Greenwich in 1792, and at a session of the General Assembly held in October of that year, it was:
Resolved, that there may be erected and established by the commissioners in and by this resolve to be appointed, and at such places on the main county, or stage, road in the Town of Greenwich as the said commissioners shall judge most expedient, a gate, or turnpike, for the pur- pose of collecting a toll from persons travelling the said road, etc., and it was further resolved that Jabez Fitch, · Ebenezer Mead and William Knapp be appointed said commissioners.
In 1802, "The Greenwich and Ridgefield Turnpike Com- pany" was incorporated, to run from Ridgefield, through Poundridge, through Bedford, and Stanwich, to the meet- ing house in the West Society of Greenwich, the Second Congregational Church.
In 1803 the question of granting a charter to the Con- necticut Turnpike Company was before the General Assem- bly, and at a special town meeting held on the third day of October, 1803, it was voted:
That Jabez Fitch and Elkanah Mead be the agents to attend the General Assembly, to be holden at New Haven on the second Thursday of October, to oppose the memorial of Joseph Walker and others praying for a turnpike road from Stratford River to Byram River, which is now pending before said assembly.
It was further voted that if our said agents found that their opposition would be of but little, or no avail, then in that case they are to make as good a bargain as they can, by making an agreement with the memorialists, to run from the Stamford meeting house to the bridge over the Mianus River by Mr. Peter Burtus, from thence to the meeting house in the West Society, and from thence to the Byram River.
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Toll Gate
The charter was granted, however, and the company took charge of the present Post Road from the Byram River on the west to the Stratford River on the east, absorbing the various local companies, where it connected with other turn- pike companies for New York, or Boston. In order to raise funds for maintenance, expenses, and dividends, it was authorized to collect tolls from the users of the road. The old toll gate was situated west of Horseneck Brook, about half way up the hill, and was used as such until about 1854, when the company, owing to railroad and steamboat compe- tition, which it was unable to meet, surrendered its charter, and the town repossessed itself of the road.
CHAPTER XI.
WAR OF 1812-SOLDIERS IN THE WAR OF 1812-INCIDENTS OF THE WAR OF 1812-MAJOR EBENEZER MEAD-COL- ONEL JABEZ FITCH-STATE CONSTITUTION OF 1818- VISIT OF GENERAL LAFAYETTE-TOWN BUILDING- BRIDGEPORT PROPOSED AS A COUNTY SEAT-WAR WITH MEXICO-PROBATE COURT-TOWN POORHOUSE.
THE principal cause of the War of 1812 was the claim made by England to the services of every subject born within her dominions, regardless of how long he might have been a resident, or citizen, of this country. War was declared in June, 1812, and fought out, largely, on the sea. It excited here comparatively little local concern, or interest. The town records show no public meetings, or action taken with reference to the war. The inhabitants, however, were called on for such service as the exigencies of the situation required and they responded with alacrity.
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