History of Fairfield County, Connecticut

*' GFXTi.rjiKX. — It being represented to the General .\8semMy of this State at their Sefisions in May last that the public Records of your Town wore consumed by Fire, and said .\fisembly appjiiited us the Subscribers to look into the flatter and Ascertain the right of every individual own- ing Lands in said Town, to facilitate its matter, beg leave to recom- mend to you, Gentlemen, to call u Town-meeting and ap|K>int a Com. in the several imrts of your Town, who shall as soon as may be collect nil the nect»»ury Deeils and Surveys and other Conveyances of Lands in said Town, and where any Deeds or other Conveyances arc lost or con- sumed by tire, so that the title cannot 1*0 otherwise ascertained, then the Committee, with the assistance of those whoso title is thus lost, do bound out said Lands, mentioning who it atljoins upjn; also to notify the persons on whom such lanils do at^oin to be present at the Time of bounding out the same, and to adjourn your Town-meeting to the SDth day of December, and when sjiid doings of said committee shall be pub- lickly read in their cases where there is any Dispute, at which time aud place wo will attend. "Daniel Siifrmax, " I. 9I0SF.I.Y, "NFIir.ulAli BeABDSLEr, **Lf.murl Sanforp, "Calkb Baldwin, Jb, " CommiUct. " Dandvby, Nov. 12, 1777." * A potltion wu prasontcd " in behalf of the plantation of Paiiniago that the same may bo constituted to l>o a towne and to be named Swami>. field," their south bounds to bo " by the north bounds of Fairfleld and Norwalk, the north bounds llalfeway ti> Weaiittnucke, the east bounils, holt way to Stratford river, the went bounds by York line." The petition, dated Octol>er 0th, Is signed by Thiunos I'itch, Jehu Burr, John Burr, and Thomas Bennydlck. Tliey state that " there are twentie families In- habiting at Taqulage, and moru tiesinible persons a commlug." Samuel Hayes, of Norwalk, was deputed to pn-sent the peliUou to the court. The ruuuo substitutes! by the court for that prui)osed by Uio |wlltion was probably adopted from DunlR^y, a village In Kssox, flvo milefl (h>m Cholmaford. (C. J. Iloodley.) t Tho Prubato reconls were saved. At a town-meeting "legally named," held Nov. 18, 1777, the following were appointed a committee, as recommended by the General AsHeinl)ly, to assist per- sons in collecting the necessary conveyances, etc. : Daniel Taylor, Comfort Hoyt, Benjamin .Sperry, Na- than Gregory, David Bougiiton, Joseph Wildmaii, Benjamin Boughton, Jr., David Wildman, Samuel Nichols, Alexander Stuart, John Starr, David Hoyt, Jr., John Dunning, Benjamin Stevens, John Gregory, Richard Shute, Noah Hoyt, Ezra Stevens, Jos. Bar- num, Matthew ].,inley, Richard Barnuni, Samuel Ben- edict, David I'erce, Samuel Weed, Thomas Stevens, Thomas Starr, Eli Segar, Benjamin Shove, Lemuel Benedict, Daniel Wildman, Daniel Wood, Thaddeus Brownson, Daniel Wood, Jr., Thomas Taylor, John Benedict, Isaac Benedict, Jo.seph Starr, Ephraiin Barnum, Nathaniel Hoyt, Jos. Beebe, Nathaniel Benedict, Thomas Benedict, Benjamin Benedict, James Seely, and Nathan Taylor. At the same meeting it was also voted " to have one committeeman in each School District to ]>roeure clothing for their quota of men in the Continental Army, viz., Major Taylor, Silas Hamilton, Justus Barnum, Elisha Dibble, Nathaniel Starr, Benjamin Dunning, Matthew Dilks, Nathaniel Gregory, Na- thaniel Benedict, Thomas Stevens, Thcophilus Bene- dict, Daniel Wood, Andrew Comstock, Epliraini Barnum, and James Seely." i At said meeting it was also voted "that the Select- ' men draw money of the Collector to pay for the afore- said Articles and give him their obligation therefor." Then " the meeting by vote adjourned to the 29tli Day of December ne.xt at nine of the Clock in the morning. Test, Major Taylor, Clerk." THE FIRST TOWN-MEETING AFTER THE BRITISH INVASION". The first town-meeting held after the burning of the town at which town officers were chosen was on Dec. 15, 1777, when the following officers were elected: Constables. — Comfort Hoyt, Jr., and to collect the county-rate, Thomas Taylor and .Justus Barnum. Grand Jurors. — Zadock Benedict, Elijihalet Bar- num, Andrew Comstock. Selectmen. — ^Major Taylor, David Hickok, David Boughttm, Elijah Hoyt, Ezra Dibble, Jr., Capt. Com- fort Hoyt, Jo.scph Benedict. Listers. — Benjamin Hickok, Oliver Benedict, David Wood, Daniel Com; tock, Jonas Benedict, Nathaniel Starr, Paul Hamilton. Tijthingmcn. — Joshua Knapp, Ebcnezer Picket, Jr., Nathaniel Gregory, Joseph Elmore, Ezra Dibble, Matthew Starr. Surreijors of Hir/hways. — Comfort Hoyt, Jr., Jo- seph AVildman, David Boughton, Jr., Eliakiin Starr, Samuel Beneiliet (4tli), Timothy Benedict, Ebcnezer Hickok, Jo.seph Starr, John McLean, Alexander Stuart, Samuel Nichols, Samuel Stevens, Lemuel Linly, Elcazer Benedict, Eli Segar, B. Knapp, Thad- DANBURY. deus nriiwiison, Loniuol 'Wootl, Jr., Doiijainin Stevens, Jr., SaiiuR'l iStunk'vant, and David AVecil. Fence- Viewers. — Daniel Hoyt, Thaddeiis I'arniim, Caleb Church, Josiah Vining, Natlianiel Hoyt, Matthew Bariuim. Srii/er nf Wihihla. — Jarcd Patehcn. Scaler oj Lcatlier. — Jose[)h Benedict. iSi-'a/ersof MrKsi/res. — Ezra Dil)l)le, Thaddeus Bruwn- son. Puuiid-Knper. — Daniel Church. THE BOROUGH OF D.^NBURY. The ciuirter of tlie borough of Danbury was granted upon the application of Moss White and otliers at the May session of the Legislature iu 1822. The first borough-meeting was held at the court-house, Wed- nesday, June 2(i, 1822, when the following officers were elected: Darius 8tarr, Clerk ; Daniel B.Cook, Warchn ; S.uuuel Tweedy, Moss White, Elijah (ircg- ory, David Foot, Samuel Wildman, Willan Patch, Burgesses; Alanson Hamlin, Treasurer; Matthew Curtis, Bail it!'. At a meeting held July 5, 1822, S. P. Clark, Sam- uel C. Dil)l)lc, ,Tohn Foot were appointed haywards. At a special borough-meeting held Jlay 8, 1823, Reuben Booth was appointed agent to oppose the ])e- tition of Comfort Hoyt and others praying tlic (ien- eral Assembly to repeal the whole or in jiart tlie re- solve incorporating the borough of Daidiury. The following is a list of the wardens and clerks from its incorporation to 1880 : W.\KDENS. 1822-23, 182(;-31, D. B. Cooke ; 182-1-25, 1838-30, Samuel Wildman; 1832-35, Eli T. Hoyt; 1836-37, Chandler Smith; 1840-41, Samuel Tweedy; 1842-43, Edward Taylor; 1844-45, Elias S. Sanford ; 184(i-4S, 1850, 1852, Samuel W. Jennings ; 1849, (_)liver Stone ; 1851, 1854-55, Stephen A. Hurll)urt; 1853, David B. Booth; 1850, Ezra P. Bennett; 1857, Samuel Mal- lory; 1858-5ii, Wm. H. Tweedy; 18G0, Geo. E. Cow- perwait; 18(il, Wm. T. Lacey ; 18G2-()5, J. Anisbury ; 1800-08, 1874, Edward S. Davis; 1809-73, 1878, (di- ver P. Clark ; 187.>-77, 1879, James Fry ; 1880, Levi P. Treadwell. CLERKS. Rotation in office does not seem to have been the i rule so far as the office of borough clerk is concerned, for there have been but five from the incorporation of the l)orough, in 1822, to the present time, viz.: 1822-38, Dana Starr; 1839-71, W. P. Comstock ; 1871-74, 1870-77, A. B. Hull; 1875, 1880, A. C. Seeley; 1878-79, W. T. St. John. EXTRACTS FROM RECORD.?, Etc. I).\Xl!UltY. The folliiwing is a copy of the title-page of an al- manac published here in 1792 : THE F.-MniER'-S DIARY; Olt, THE UNITED ST.ATES ALMANACK For ihe Year of our Lord Christ 1792. Being liissextile r)r I.e.ip \'e:tr. And i6th Ye.ir of .Vmerican Indepcmitnco till Jn'y 4: CalctiLited for the Meridian of Danburv, in the Stath of Connfcti- ccr, Lat. 41^ 51' north. Luii. 72^ 54' west ; but will serve iiiditfcreiuly for any of the adjacent Slates. Containing, besides all that is usual and necessary, many things which are unusual and not necessary, — tilings which were never before pilljlished and probably ne\'cr will be ay.iin, — which, if not read within a year, will be nowhere to be found but in an old Almanack the last resort of superannuated rubbish. I!Y JOSEPH FELAND, nilFOM. rublished in Danbury. By Douglass & Ely; and sold Whole- sale and Retail at their Printing-Onice. In tlie FKniier.i' Joiiniu/, Jan. 18, 1791, Timotliy Taylor announces the dissolution of the firm of Cooke cfe Tayhu'. In the same issue, an advertisement of a " Scheme of a Lottery for the purpose of extending and im- proving the Woolen Manufact(^ry in the city of Hart- ford." " Joseph Clark "informs his customers and others that lie continues the business of clock- and watch- making at his shop in Danbury." Eliakim Peck advertises an " ax-manufaetory," and " warrants his axes to be as good as any ever made in this country." Ciirrington & Mygatt state that they have " molasses for sale cheap;" John Dodd will give the " highest price for Continental Loan-(.)ftice Notes, etc. ;" and Eliakim Benedict, Jr., will i)ay the " highest price for all kinds of liatting-furs at his shop, a few rods from tlie church in Danbury." The following advertisement also apjiears: To be sold ; Twenty years' time of a likely Neguo IJov, five years old. Inquire of the Printers. Danbury, Dec. 21, 1790. The "institution" of slavery was not unknown among the good jicople of Danbury, for under date March 1, 1791, ai)pears the following notice: TO BE SOLD. TWO NEGRO SERVANTS, VIZ.: A man and woman. The man is an able and willing fellow, well ac- quainted with farming business, and is exceeding handy with a team. 'I'lie wench, his wife, is neat, and understands all manner of house work. Any person desirous of purchasing the above-mentioned ser- vants may call on the Printers for further information. March 1, 1791. ADVERTISEMENTS OF 1702. The following advertisements appeared in the Farmers JnuriKd of Dec. 22, 1792: 228 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT. The SuDSCRiDBRS to the DANnuRY LIBRARY, A RF, rcqucficd to meet at the hoiifc of Mr. Fatrchild White, on •**■ Tuefd.iy evening, the firft of January next, prepared to pay in the amount of their Subfcriptions, and tranfact the necefifary bufinefs of the Company. Danburj*, Dec. i, 1792. TIMOTHY LANGDON,-) Com- NATHAN DOUGLAS, V mit- LAZARUS BEACH, J tee. O. BURR, & Co.