The Ancient Historical Records of Norwalk, Conn.

It is voted by this town, that they are sensible of the great difficulty of concerting any plan of union with so many different states, under so many different circum- stances, free from objection, and without being liable to exceptions ; yet the articles contained in said confede- ration generally appear to this town to be well framed, and calculated to form a union for the general benefit of the whole ; yet, notwithstanding, this town beg leave to submit to ye consideration of the General Assembly whether the method of supplying the common treasury, contained in the eighth article, and the mode of raising a continental army, in the ninth article, is so just and equitable as may be devised. Voted also that a copy of this be sent forthwith to the General Assembly to show the sense of the town in the premises. Regulating the price of labor. March 25, 1778. The select men are desired to pro- cure such a number of the late act of the Assembly printed, respecting the regulations of the prices of la- bor, &c., with the doings of the authority and select men of this town relative thereto, as that each House- 186 NORWALK. [1779. holder in this town may he suppljd with one at the expense of this town. Distributing the State salt. Aug. 10, 1778. Voted that the select men are de- sired and empowered to distribute the salt lately pur- chased by this state for their inhabitants of this town, to and among the said inhabitants, in just proportion according as each man's particular list in the year 1777, and to draw orders on the Town treasurer for the ne- cessary cost arising on such division. Borrowing- money to buy Clothing for Soldiers. At the same meeting voted, that the committee here- tofore appointed to procure clothing for the officers and soldiers in the Continental Army, are desired to pro- cure money on interest, to purchase said clothing as soon as may be ; and the select men are ordered to pay the interest and cost of procuring the said money, out of the town treasury. Giving salt to the families of Soldiers. August 10, 1778. Whereas on a division of salt belonging to the town, there is yet a small part remains on hand, and the inhabitants agree and vote that the select men shall pay the expense that has arisen on sd salt out of the said remainder ; and if there is still any remains, to deliver the same to ye families of such sol- diers belonging to this town, as are in the army. Fines for neglect, when the enemy came to Tarry Town and to Horseneck. 2d Monday in March, 1779. Doct. Betts not being present, Capt James Richards chosen Moderator. Voted and agreed, that all fines and forfeitures that shall be collected out of the alarm list, and militia 1779.] TOWN RECORDS. 137 companies, and light horse, in this town, for neglecting to turn out at the time the enemy landed at Tarry Town last Deer., and at the time the enemy came to Horseneck last Feb., and shall hereafter neglect to turn out, shall be delivered by the town treasurer to the Captain of the company from which the same shall be collected, and this vote to continue in force during the pleasure of the town. Depreciation of Continental Currency. 3d Monday in June, 1779, at 4 o'clock. Col. Thomas Fitch, Capt. Eliphalet Lockwood, and Samuel C. Silliman, Esq., were chosen committee to meet a County Convention at Fairfield, to consult the address from the Continental Congress respecting the deprecia- tion of the Continental currency, &c. Classes for providing Soldiers with clothing. At the same meeting voted that the inhabitants of this town shall be put into as many classes as their cota of soldiers in the Continental Army, and each class to provide clothing for one soldier. Town House. At the same meeting (1st Monday of August, 1779), voted to have a town house built as soon as conveniently may be. (The dimensions to be 45 feet by 30, posts 16 feet ; lower story 12 feet in height, a convenient chimney at each end ; and to be set on the Westerly part of the Town House Hill.) Continental Currency. Aug. 16, 1779. Voted that we will strictly and punctually adhere to the recommendation of s"^ conven- tion (of the County) — with respect to putting a stop to 138 NORWALK. [1780. the depreciation of the Continental Currency ; and also abide by any such measure as s'' convention shall here- after adopt for such purpose. Small Pox. 2d Thursday of October, 1779. Voted that ye Small Pox by enoculation may be carried on for 2 months at the house of Moses Bixbe and Capt. Solomon More- house, under such regulations as the law prescribes. Tax to raise Soldiers, 27th Day of June, 1780. Doct. Thaddeus Betts chosen moderator. Voted, that they will tax themselves to raise money to hire the number of Soldiers to compleat the quota of this town for the Continental A.rmy. Voted that Col. Matthew Mead, Capt. Nathan Gil- bert, Capt. Saml. Keeler, Lt. James Betts, Capt. Solo- mon Morehouse, Lt. Jer. B. Ells, and Capt. Danl. Richards, be a committee with full power to enlist such a number of able-bodied men as shall be sufficient to compleat the quota of this town for the Continental Service during the war, or three years resolved by the General Assembly last May ; and that they engage such sums, and in such a way, as their discretion and judgment shall direct, to such as shall appear to en- gage in said service ; and that the same be done forth- with, and a report thereof be made to this meeting at their adjournment. Adjourned to meet the last day of the same month. At the same meeting voted that they will take the late emission of paper money emitted by this state, equal to silver and gold in all payments whatever. 1781.] PROPRIETORS' RECORDS. 139 Tax for Provisions for the Army. (Note. — On Aug. 25, 1779, they had lened a tax of two shil- lings and six pence on the pound to defray the charges arisen and arising on the town. On the 13th of March, 1680, they had laid a tax of two pence on the pound to hire soldiers for the continental army) now Nov. ISth, 1780. The inhabitants grant a tax of six pence lawful money on the pound, in silver and gold equivalent, upon the polls and ratable estate of the inhabitants of this town, on the list for the year 1779, to be paid in Beef, Pork, Wheatflour, or money ; the beef to be delivered before the 16th day of Dec. next, and the pork and flour, before the 15th of Jan.'y next, to the person or persons that may be appointed to re- ceive the same or the money ; the beef, pork, and flour at the prices mentioned in one certain statute law of this State, intituled an Act for Collecting and Storing a quantity of Provisions for the use of the Continental army, and the forces for the defence of this State. 4th day of Dec. 1781. The select men are directed to deliver the sum of ninety pounds in state money, which they have now in their hands, to the collectors and receivers of provisions, for them to lay out in pur- chasing casks and beef. The Select men are desired to hire money to procure this town's quota of Soldiers for the Continental Army; and the town engages to indemnify them in doing the same. The inhabitants grant a tax of one penny on the pound, on the list of 1779, to be paid in wheat & rye flour, and Indian corn, agreeable to one certain statute, &c. 140 NORWALK. [178L Inimical Persons. At flie same meeting the authority and select men are directed to send for the committee respecting inimical persons, at the expense of this town. Judgment against Inimical Persons. We the subscribers, agreeable to an act and appoint- ment of the Honorable Gen'l Assembly, having been called upon and requested by the Civil authority and select men of the Town of Norwalk, to enquire into the character and conduct of a number of persons whose names are contained in a list or roll by them presented to us, as Inimical and Dangerous to the Liberties and Independence of the United States of America ; and wo having duly examined into the premises, are of opinion that the following persons whose names are hereafter expressed, are inimical and dangerous as aforesaid ; and therefore give judgment and order that their names be enrolled in the town clerk's office in s*^ town of Norwalk as dangerous and inimical as aforesaid for the purposes mentioned in an act of the Gen'l Assembly of this state, entituled. An Act more effectually to prevent robberies and plunders from our open and secret enemies, vizt. : Obadiah Wright, Nathan Burwell, Jr., Thomas Hanford, Nathan Jarvis, Thomas Fairweather, David Bolt, Peter White, Hezekiah Whitney, 2d, Nathan Gregory, Phil- lip Scribner, Hezekiah Belden, John Beldin, Edward Nash, Gershom Raymond, James Fillio, William Bolt, Ebenezer Church, David Lambert, Goold Hoyt, Abra- ham Whitney, John Saunders, Jr., Garner Olmsted, Richard Patrick, Nathan Fitch, all of Norwalk afore- said ; each of the above named persons having first been duly notified and cited to appear before us at time and 1783.] TOWN RECORDS. 141 place by us appointed for that purpose ; to shew reason if any they had, why their names should not be enrolled as aforesaid. Done at Norwalk, this 20th Day of April, A.D. 1781, By us, Daniel Sherman, Benja. Henman, To the Town Clerk Andw. Adams, of Norwalk. Increase Mosely. Clothing for Soldiers. Dec. 4, 1781. James Selleck, Thos. Benedict, Eli Reed, Ezra Benedict, David St. John, Aaron C. Com- stock, & Matthew Merwine, were chosen a committee to purchase cloathing for the soldiers belonging to this town in the Continental Army ; and directed to hire money on interest to purchase the same ; and the town engages that the same shall be made good to them, with interest, as the same was at the time of hiring. Classes for Raising Soldiers. At the same meeting the select men and military officers are to look into the affair of the Continental Soldiers ; and the select men are to class the inhabitants for such a number as they shall find wanted for the quota of this town ; and also to class the inhabitants for such a number of soldiers as shall be wanted in 9j State regiment at Horseneck for one year.