The Romance of Norwalk

When Governor Thomas Fitch came home to Norwalk, at the close of his last term of office, he may have brought with him, little of the good will or thanks of the Connecticut colony, but he still found his home town ready to welcome him with open arms. The majority of the people in Nor¬ walk at that time were conservative, even as their honored son, and they looked with disapproval on the uprising of the colonists against their respected King. Instead of taking part in the fight for freedom against taxation and striking a blow for the independence of the American colonies, Nor¬ walk chose rather to side with the King to do all possible to suppress any revolutionary spirit within its bounds. But was that not a perfectly natural reaction for a little settlement like Norwalk, more or less removed from the “thick of things?” The burning heat of assembly debates did not reach the people here; the fiery tongues of inspired orators for independence did not echo very loudly down in this little corner of the colony. The people of Norwalk were content to stay as they were. Is not that human na- GOVERNOR FITCH OF NORWALK 129 ture? Do not the majority of people prefer to remain in their status quo, rather than to jump headlong and blindly into a vague, uncertain state, about which they know nothing, alluring though it may be? No, Norwalk was not ready to shout for freedom and independence; she was still content with her lot in life. In emphasis of her position, her elders passed at town meeting under date of November 12, 1765, when the Stamp Act was being enforced in this country, to the tune of riot, fire and murder — an act entitled “Against Riotous Proceedings.” In this act the inhabitants “do declare their utter ab¬ horrence and detestation of all such routs, tumults, and riot¬ ous assemblies, and such alarming threatenings of mischiefs; and as they think themselves bound in loyalty to the King, and for the security of the privileges of the colony, and of the lives and properties of ye subjects, do hereby further declare, they will use their utmost endeavor, in all proper and legal ways, to prevent and suppress all such disorders, so far as appertains to them to be aiding and assisting there¬ in.” And so, having announced its extreme disapproval of the actions of the rest of the colony, pledged its loyalty to the King, and promised to do everything in its power to sup¬ press any uprisings against the mother country, Norwalk settled back once more and turned its attention to its own private affairs. Among other matters which now occupied the attention of the little town was the engagement of a colleague for the Rev. Moses Dickinson of the Congregational church, who was growing feeble. Rev. William Tennent was the new pastor, and his salary was to be paid by subscription. No doubt when the minister arrived, the women of the parish gave an ordination ball in his honor, as was customary. Dancing was the most popular form of recreation for the young folks in those days, even as it is in these, and they seized upon every opportunity imaginable to trip the light fantastic. 130 ROMANCE OF NORWALK EARLY NORWALK WEDDING The manner in which the young people of Norwalk de¬ ported themselves in pre-Revolutionary times, is aptly illu¬ strated in the account of a Norwalk wedding in 1769, read by Miss Katherine A. Sturges of Wilton at a Fairfield county meeting of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The article gives a personal glimpse of Governor Thomas Fitch after his retirement from office and return to Norwalk, de¬ scribes the costumes of the age, and tells something of the customs of the times. The article in part follows: “What woman is there, at all womanly, who does not enjoy a wedding? So I am sure you will not refuse my invitation to attend with me the wed¬ ding of a far, far away cousin. The wedding is to be held at the house of her grandfather, in East Norwalk, my three times great grandfather, Master Samuel Fitch, Crown’s justice appointed by his most royal majesty, George the Third, King of Great Britain and the colonies . “Rhoda Keeller, who, by the way, is to marry Isaac Camp next month, has had a glimpse of the bride’s trousseau, and declares that there are brocaded satins that will stand alone, and that her linen chest is piled to the top with the finest of snowy linen; but be this as it may, one thing we are sure of, that the bride’s great uncle, the venerable Thomas Fitch, has given her an imported china tea set with the initials of the bride and groom upon it . “We are early, so let us glance about the old room and at those who represent the beauty, wealth and dignity of this old town. The furniture of the room is of mahogany, quaint old tables with claw feet and chairs of the same wood, fastened together with wooden pegs. “Over the blazing fireplace hangs the Fitch coat-of-arms in green and gold, with the motto, Virtus OmniaVincit. You probably noticed as you came in, that elegant looking man standing under the mantel; that is Col. Stephen St. John, the bride’s uncle, known in those days as the handsomest man GOVERNOR FITCH OF NORWALK 13 1 in Norwalk. The tall, stately girl a little way from him is Esther Belden. That scanty-skirted, short waisted satin dress shows to advantage her beautiful figure. The scholarly and distinguished young man so absorbed in her conversation is no other than Dr. Trumbull, nephew of Governor Jona¬ than Trumbull. The young doctor has come home from Yale with the bride’s cousin and it is said, considers that Norwalk girls compare favorably with those in New Haven. “Please look carefully at that group of young men near the door. They have rather a conscious air and wear their home spun suits as if they were of the finest of imported satin or broadcloth. We admire the spirit that nerved them to wear those garments here tonight in this assembly of finely dressed men and women, and we have an equal admiration for the Norwalk mother who spun and wove the cloth. The youngest of the group is Stephen Betts; he has vowed not to wear or use any article of English manufacture until Great Britain shall reconsider the arrogant policy which she is adopting with her colonists. That he kept to this resolution was shown by his bravery in this same town ten years later, when Tryon was our uninvited guest. But hark ! The long clock on the stairs is just striking seven and the bridal party is entering. “The bride is 011 the arm of her great uncle, the ex-gover¬ nor Thomas Fitch. Let us take a good look at him, this old colonial gentleman, whose scholarship, statesmanship and toleration did much to steer the town and colony through perilous times. He is tall and rather thin, his face noticeable for the keen gray eyes shaded by heavy eyebrows, high fore¬ head and prominent nose. His shoulders are slightly bowed, but his carriage is dignified and unconscious as one who has lived much before the public eye. His dress, quite in con¬ trast to those about him, is that of the Puritan magistrate rather than the colonial gentleman, consisting of black silk stockings, black knee breeches and long waisted black coat, relieved only by the fine lawn ruffles at neck and wrists. 132 ROMANCE OF NORWALK “But while we are looking at the governor, all other eyes in the room are fixed upon the young bride, the winsome Susannah Rogers, the sweetest girl in all Norwalk, so even her rejected suitors say. Her gown is of finest Indian muslin, beautifully embroidered on waist, cape and skirt, and all by her fair hands. Around her white neck and on her plump arms are costly pearls, a gift from her aunt, Mrs. Moses Rogers of New York. “Following the bride are two others, no less interesting to us. The first is the bride’s widowed mother, the gracious and queenly Elizabeth Fitch Rogers. “Her dress is of myrtle green satin and came straight from England, by the London Packet, at the cost of 50 pounds, for tradition says this distant connection of mine had strong sympathies with the powers that were, and no patience with those who wore homespun and drank sage tea for con¬ science sake. “Beside her walks her father, the old notary. His shapely legs are encased in white silk stockings and his stout figure is in black small clothes and a plum colored coat, with a lining of cherry satin. His ruffles are of lace and his pow¬ dered hair glitters with diamond dust, while his face is beam¬ ing with pride and pleasure at his favorite grandchild’s for¬ tunate alliance. “The groom comes forward to meet his bride in the Eng¬ lish fashion, a handsome youth, one of the proud Lamberts. H is small clothes are of black velvet, while his coat and waist coat are of bright blue broadcloth, lined with white satin and glittering with silver buttons. The Rev. Jeremiah Learning in his robes performs the ceremony, and the shrewd, kindly notary steps forward with solemnity and gives the bride away . “The Governor, like a magnet, draws the older men about him. They talk of the growth of town and colony and then, in sterner voices, they speak of a subject ever present in their minds, our relations with the mother country. GOVERNOR FITCH OF NORWALK i33 “The Governor says but little; his heart is torn between his two countries, but his strong sense of justice bids him take the side of the colonies. His face is grave and mouth compressed. Does his keen, far reaching mind already be¬ hold this much loved town, fair Norwalk, a scene of rioting and carnage ? “The old notary has no such fears. Ever loyal to king and church, and his conception of duty, he refused to read the signs in the already lowering clouds. Well it was, that he died before the struggle came which gave birth to the nation; that he died never knowing that his old home would be destroyed by the powers to whom he was so loyal, and that Fitch’s Point, and all his broad acres, would during the fortunes of war, pass into other hands. But see, the guests are all leaving, for it is 9 o’clock and Norwalk people, you know, keep early hours.” REVOLUTIONARY WAR BEGINS Chapter XIII