The Ancient Historical Records of Norwalk, Conn.

A Guard for the Defence of Norwalk. Feb. 18, 1782. Voted that a sufficient number of men be raised, by inlistment, for a sufficient guard in this town. Col. Thos. Fitch, Col. Matthew Mead, Capt. James Richards, Capt. Eliph. Lockwood, & Mr. Hooker St. John, were chosen a committee to ascertain the number 7* 142 NORWALK; [1782. of men wanted for a guard, and lay a plan for raising the same. To the inhabitants of the town of Norwalk now assembled in town meeting : We the subscribers being appointed a committee to lay a plan for raising a num- ber of guards sufficient to defend this town, with a sum of twelve hundred and forty pounds lawful money granted to this town by the General Assembly for that purpose ; beg leave to Report : That there be forthwith raised by inlistment for the town, of six months unless sooner discharged, ninety men including corporals ; and that there be appointed one Captain, and one Ensign for the purpose of defending this town ; and that a Captain have £6 lawful money per month ; an Ensign ,£3 5 0 per month, a Corporal £2 4 0, and a Private aS2 0 0 per month ; and that we find that the said sum will amount, for six months, to the sum of Eleven Hundred and fifty three pounds Ten. Shillings: and that 18 be stationed at the lower end of the town on the East side of the river; and 18 at Ketchum's, one half thereof to keep centry at the going on at Stephens Island ; and 18 at the Old Well, and 18 at Flax Hill, and 18 at Middlesex ; and that officers or privates, at their election, have one half of their wages in provisions at the following prices, vizt. : fresh beef 3-|d, salt beef 4d, flour at 2jd per pound ; and that there be a Cor- poral to each class ; and that the officers be appointed by the authority and select men ; all of which is sub- mitted by your most obed't humble serv'ts. Increase of Wages to the Guard. Aug. 1, 1782. Whereas the wages given by this town to the Guard to serve for the defence of this town 1783.] TOWN RECORDS. 143 for the term of five months unless sooner discharged, are found insufficient to induce a sufficient number to engage in s"^ service, it is therefore voted and agreed by this town, that the officers already engaged in said ser- vice receive, in addition to the wages given, the usual rations for such officers hereafter ; and that the soldiers already engaged, receive from this time, in addition, rations as usual, and that those who shall hereafter enlist into s*^ service to the 20th of August next, shall receive 40s per month to that time, unless sooner dis- charged, and rations ; and that such a number of s* guard do duty, in the day time, as the Captain shall judge proper ; and at all times when he shall judge it necessary for the safety and defence of the town. The authority and select men to nominate a Lieuten- ant to serve in the guard & in this town ; and to have his pay and rations in proportion to the other officers. At the same meeting voted that on a complaint being made, to the authority and select men of this town, against any officer or soldier in the guard, of his or their not being faithful in doing their duty, the said authority and select men shall cause the s*^ officer or soldier to be called before them and examine into their conduct, and on proof of their misconduct, may dismiss them from service. Hiring Soldiers. May 6th, 1782. Voted that there shall be a com- mittee appointed to hire three soldiers to serve in the continental army for the term of one year. Applying for Relief on account of the burning of the town by the enemy, Aug. 11, 1783. This town taking into consideration the many and great distresses, difficulties, and losses a 144 NORWALK. [1783. numlber of the inhabitants have sustained, met with, and are reduced to, hy means of the enemy^s burning up, destroying and plundering them of their most necessary property during the late war with Great Britain ; and the very great injury and damage done to the town by means thereof ; and that the same was brought on the town during the course of a war undertaken by the direction and order of the inhabitants of this State united with the other States, and the common consent of the inha- bitants of this State, for the defence and security of the common liberties, privileges, and freedom of this State ; in which war it was then understood and fully ex- pected the misfortunes accidentally thrown on any par- ticular part during the course of the war, as it was un- dertaken for the defence and security of the whole, and considering that it is altogether just, equitable, and righteous so to be : — have thereupon agreed and voted that Col. Stephen St. John, Esq., be agent for the town^ to make use of such measures as he shall judge proper, by memorial in conjunction with other suffering towns, or separately, to the General Assembly, or otherwise, in order to obtain redress of the town's grievances sus- tained and met with during the course of the war, and for a repair of the damages done by the enemy, to be made to the individual sufferers ; excepting to those suf- ferers who are known to be inimical to the liberties and independence of the United States of America. Tories. *Feb. 24, 1783. Put to vote whether those persons *Note. — I copy this record in the order that it stands on the book. The preceding article is recorded first, though the date is posterior to this. Drawf? A'OJn Nafare d/ Ji 0 PaJnt-e 1783.] TOWN RECORDS. 145 whicli have gone off and joined themselves with the enemy, should return back and inhabit in this town. Past in the Negative. (At an adjourned meeting, a fortnight from the above date,) Eli Reed, Danl. Betts, Jr., James Benedict, Justus Hayt, Saml. Seymore, Lt. Joseph Rockwell, Thomas Betts, Jr., & Enoch Scribner, were appointed a commit- tee to assist the civil authority and select men, in keep- ing out of this town any suspected or transient persons who shall attempt to reside within the limits thereof ; and make information of such persons to the authority and select men ; & take their direction in all proceed- ings with them. Dec. 1, 1783. [Hezekiah Rogers, Job Bartram, Isaac Keeler, Saml. Deforest, Justus Hayt, Matthew Grego- ry, Saml. Comstock, Stephen Betts, Eli Reed, a com- mittee] to take directions from the select men of this town, and deal with those persons who have been to the enemy and returned, according to their directions. Last Monday in December, 1783. Voted that the select men and Committee are to act their discretion respecting those persons which have joyned the enemy^ notwithstanding any former votes. END OF TOWN RECORDS. ^ W2imW iDlF j-^fvOl^iWiilLiSls. Cg®S5"^c /'Vvv//? ///(■ Bocks, 146 NORWALK. [1726. SOCIETY RECORDS. EXTRACTS FROil THE RECORDS OF THE FIRST CO>-GRE'' GATIOIN'AL SOCIETY. Calling the Society Meeting apart from the Town. To Lt. Matthew Sejmore in Norwalk Greeting, &c. Pursnant to an act of je Generall assemhlj, passed in Oct. 1726, Entitled An act for directing how societies siall meet and form themselyes after other societies are drawn off from them. " In his Majestie's name yon are herel^y required to warn ail ye inhabitants of ye Prime Ancient Society in ye township of Xorwalk, to meet together on ye first Fryday of March next ensning ye date hereof, at eight of ye clock in ye morning, then and there to act any thing proper and lawful for them to act when so met to* gether. Joseph Platt, Dated at Norwalk, Feb. ye 27, Justice Fs. Amioqne Domini, 1726-7. (The society met according to the above warning,) made choice of ye "WorshipfuU Joseph Platt, Esq., Mo- derator. At the same meeting it was proposed to the society whether any thing should be done about obtaining a suitable person to supply ye vacancy of our pulpit. Voted in ye affirmative. The society considering ye awfull frowns of heaven upon them for months past, and are still obvious, con- cludes it their incumbent duty to set apart a day for the humbling and abasing their souls before the Lord by fasting and prayer for redress ; By their major vote do appoint Wednesday, ye loth of this instant March for that solemnity; and desire Rev. Mr. Davenport, Mr. Cook, Mr. Sackett, ^Nlr. flauley, and Mr. Sturgeon, to 17:26.] SOCIETY RECORDS. 147 grant ns their presence and assistance in carrying on ye work of s^ day. (Mr. Bnckingliani-s rate due last year Toted to be paid as heretofore, " any act of ye town to ye contrary not- witlistanding.") Asscoiarion of ^Ministers. March 16, 1726. The society determines to haye an Association Qnomm, at least of ye Ministers of this connty called, and to associate with ns on Wednesday ye 22d of this instant, March, to adyise, direct, and guide ns in ye weighty affair before ns. QLuestions for Advice, March 23, 1726. According to adjonrnment ye so-^ ciety met. The Reyd ^h. Cooke, jVIr. Chapman, 'Mr. Sacket, & ]Mr. Hauley associated with the society. The society, by major yote, desires ye Reyd. Associa- tion to giye them an answer to ye following qnestion, yiz. Whether it be proper or expedient that ye Reyd !Mr. Buckingham be introdnced into ye work of ye min- istry in this society or not. Tiis answer from y« Reyd. Associadcn. The Prime Ancient Society in Norwalk moying this Question for resolution to ns ye snbscribers associated at their desire in Norwalk March 23, 1726 — 7, yiz. Whether, &c. — We are of opinion that inasmuch as ye Reyd Mr. Buckingham hath resigned his pastoral charge here, considering ye distressed circumstances of ye place, and that under the countenance of ye late Council in this place, who also haye signified themselves persuaded that the interest of religion and edification of souls are the great ends of ye Gospel ministry, and iorrowfolly affected with the consideration of those 14S NORWALK. [1726. ends in this place being greatly obstructed and disad- vantaged, We are of opinion that it is not proper or ex- pedient that the sd Revd. Mr. Buckingham be intro- duced into ye work of ye ministry in this society, for ye reasons above alleged.