The Romance of Norwalk

Just how many Indians there were here at the time the first white settlers arrived is a matter for conjecture. How¬ ever, it is doubtful, if there were more than 200 at any one time, the greater number of these being Mohegans. For several years after the purchase of Norwalk in 1640, PURCHASE OF NORWALK 29 there was no white settlement in this vicinity. Some of the histories maintain that a few families came here before the regular settlement during the year 1651, but there seem to be no definite facts to uphold this assertion. It is quite possi¬ ble though that some of the planters who signed the Indian deed in Norwalk on February 15, 1651, spent one or per¬ haps even two or three seasons here before the settlers’ log cabins were built. It would be interesting had the impressions of these first Norwalk settlers been recorded. What did they think of their new home? Of the beautiful country which held their future? Of the aboriginals who greeted them upon their arrival? Picture the Indian Village of Naramake on Wilson Point in the summer along in the early 1640’s. Huge oaks, great elms and glorious pine trees swayed majestically in the breezes while flowers of every description, including a legion of wild tulips, brightened the landscape. In a little clearing on the south side of the main hill were set the wigwams thatched with brushes and bark and placed in straight and parallel rows, an even number to a line, with the exception of one line which boasted the sachem’s chambers. Before the wigwams, brown-skinned children played, the little boys naked, the girls garbed only in aprons. Mothers squatted on the ground, some slowly grinding the corn in the stone hollowed mortars, some weaving gay blankets on looms of their own making, some intent on the tanning of hides brought home from the hunt by lord and master. A short distance from the wigwams was another clearing. Here grew corn and beans and the hemp tilled by the Indian women. Methodically they labored, their long black braids hanging loose, dark faces glistening with the sweat of hot work, their brown leather clothing blending harmoniously with the green of growing things. Below to seaward, in the acres of tall rushes, the canoes were tied by thongs to trees in the cove. Perhaps on the sandy shore close by, Indian braves, garbed only in mocca- 30 ROMANCE OF NORWALK sins and breech cloths, busied themselves with fish net and hookr\while others, far out on the lazy blue of the Sound, fished, at peace with the world. The heavy scents of summer mingling with the odor of cooking meats, the lazily curling smoke from branch fires, scattered earthen pots in prepara¬ tion for dinner, bronze figures, moving slowly here and there, the twittering of many birds, the shrill call of the sea gull, the intermittent staccato barking of the many dogs which always surrounded an Indian camp. These perhaps can be set down as impressions of primitive Norwalk. PLANTERS* AGREEMENT We have now passed over the purchase of that part of Norwalk, lying between the Saugatuck and Norwalk rivers, by Roger Ludlow in February of 1640, and of the purchase of the central part of Norwalk in April of the same year, by Captain Daniel Patrick. The western portion was not pur¬ chased until 1651. Before that time a petition for the planting of Norwalk was presented at a session of the General Court of the Colony of Connecticut, June 26, 1650, by Nathaniel Ely and Richard Olmsted, both of Hartford, on behalf of themselves and other inhabitants of that city. They stated that they “desired the leave and approbation of the Court for the planting of Norwalk.” The Court, after solemn consideration of the matter, failed to find any good reason why this city should not be planted. In June, 1650, Roger Ludlow made an agreement with Nathaniel Ely and Richard Olmsted, both of Hartford and a group of planters, for the first settling of this city as fol¬ lows : “A copyie of the agreement and articles made between Roger Ludlow, of Fairfield, and Nathaniel Eli and Rithard Olmsted, with the rest, for the settlinge and plantinge of Norwalke. Articles of agreement made between Roger Ludlowe of Fairfield, esquire, of the one parte, and Nathan¬ iel Eli of Hartford, in the River of Connecticut, Rithard Olmsted of the same in the behalfe of themselves and Rit- PURCHASE OF NORWALK 3i hard Webb, Nathaniel Rithards, Mathew Marvin, Rithard Seamer, Thomas Spencer, Thomas Hales, Nathaniel Rus- koe, Isacke Graves, Ralph Keeler, John Holloway, Edward Church, John Ruskoe, and some others about plantinge Norwalke, over the 19th day of June, 1650. Imprimis, the sayed Nathaniel Eli and Rithard Olmsted, doe covenant, and promise, and agree,” etc. — Wise in the ways of men was Roger Ludlow who inserted in the planting agreement a clause to the effect that the men should “set upon the planting with all convenient speed” so that the settlers might not tarry too long and lose their zest for the job; another clause to the effect that “an approved minister” should be secured as soon as possible, to guide and cheer them in times of stress; a third clause to the effect that the settlement must be commenced with at least “thirtie approved families” and not a scattering of adventurers and ne’er do wells; and lastly a clause to the effect that no one should be taken in who might be “obnoxious to the publique good of the Commonwealth of Connecticut,” in order that the little settlement might grow up in peace and harmony, unhampered by dissenters and malcontents. Of course, the planters pledged the purchase price of the property, fifteen pounds, to Mr. Ludlow, but it is doubtful if Ludlow, who was very well off for those times, needed the tiny sum, or if he ever asked for it. Rather we may assume that the settlers themselves maintained it was only right Mr. Ludlow should be paid; or perhaps they thought they would “feel better about it,” if the land was properly bought and paid for. It is noticed that sometimes Ludlow’s name is spelled with a final “e” and sometimes without. In those days spelling was considered little consequence and often in the same ar¬ ticle, one name would be spelled in as many as three ways. In the Ludlow family histories the final “e” was found to be missing and so it is not being used in this history, except where it appears in records. It is interesting to note that our own Roger Ludlow Junior High school does not use 32 ROMANCE OF NORWALK the final “e” while the Roger Ludlowe high school in Fair- field, does use the final “e”. Thus is there a difference of opinion today in towns next door to one another. ROWAYTON PURCHASE In February, 1651, the western part of Norwalk including Rowayton was purchased. Kettles, coats, knives, stockings, hooks and pipes formed part of the price required by the redskins. Life and land were cheap in those days and large tracts of woods, meadows and shore property could be bought for a song. It is curious to discover that no glass beads entered into the deals between the Norwalkers and local children of the forest, although it has been generally accepted that the Indians insisted on beads as part payment in all transactions. That this was true of the southern braves is proven by the fact that as early as 1622, there was in Virginia a small factory the sole output of which was glass beads, to dazzle the eyes of the Indians. The deed for the purchase of the western part of Nor¬ walk was as follows : “This Indenture made the 15th of February, 1651, be¬ tween Runckinheage, Piamikin, and Magise, and Towntom, and Winnapucke, and Magushetowes, and Concuskenow, and Wampasum, and Sasseakun, and Runckenunnett, and Pokessake, and Shoakecum, and Soanamatum, and Prodax, and Matumpun, and Cockenoe-de-Long-Island, Indians, of the one Partie, and Richard Web, Nathaniel Eli, Matthewe Marven senr., Nathaniel Richards, Isacke More, Thomas Fitch, Thomas Hales, Richard Holmsted, Richard Seamer, Ralph Keeler, Mathew Marven, junior, Nathaniel Haies, Edward Church, Joseph Fitch, Planters of Norwake, for the use and behalfe of said Town, Witnesseth, that the said Runckinheage, and Piamikin, and so forth, Have, and in and for the consideration of Thirtie Fathum of Wampum, Tenn Kettles, Fifteen Coates, Tenn payr of Stockings, Tenn Knifes, Tenn Hookes, Twenty Pipes, Tenn Muckes, Tenn I PURCHASE OF NORWALK 33 Needles, to them in hand paid, Have, and Every of them, for themselves and their heyers, Granted, Bargained, Sold, assigned, Enfeoffed, and confirmed; and by these Presents doth Bargain, grant, sell, enfeoffe, assigne, sett over, and confirme, unto the said Richard Web and so forth, all their lands called and known by the name of Runckinheage, Rooa- ton, or by whatsoever name or names the same is called or known, Lying and bounded on the East upon ye land pur¬ chased of Captain Patriarke, so called, on the West bounded with the Brook called Pampaskeshanke, which said Brook and passage, the Bounds west, extendeth up into the Country by marked Trees; and so far as the said Runckinheage, and the rest above mentioned, hath any Right and propertie; and the aforesaid Land bounded with the Brook called as afore¬ said Pampaskeshanke, from the aforesaid passage and path down along to the Sea. And the aforesaid Land bounded on the South with the Sea; and on the North the Moehakes Country; with the Islands, Trees, pastures, meadinge, water, water courses, Rights, members and Appurtenances what¬ soever, To Have and To Hold, and quietly and peacebly in¬ joy, all the aforesaid lands, and so forth unto the aforesaid Richard Web and so forth, and to their heyers forever. And the aforesaid Runckinheage and Piamikin, and Magise, and Townetom, Winnipucke, Magushetowes, Conkuskenow, Wampasum, Sasseakun, Runckenunnutt, Pokessake, Shoake- cum, Soanamatum, Prodax, Matumpun, Cockenoe-de-Long- Island, Do by these presents, acknowledge to have received the aforesaid Thirtie fathum of Wampum and so forth, in full satisfaction. In witness whereof, the above said parties have for themselves, and every of them, sett to their hands, the day and year above written to this present Indenture.