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D^ 14?^?. '^^' ^^^
HARVARD
COLLEGE
LIBRARY
! ' tJM^^■il ' wu|lUJ,l ■ ■s^] i il
r^
"^;.'
s
A HISTORY
OF THS TOWN OF
^
GREENWICH,
FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONN.,
WITH
Jftani Jmptitant ^iEthti^s.
BY
DANIEL M. MEAD,
ATTORNEY, ETC., AT LAW, GREENWICH, CONN.
-♦♦♦■
^NEWYORK:
BAKGR A GODWIN, PRINTERS
CORNER NASSAU AND SPRUCE STREETS.
186 7.
\
Entered according to Act of Oongrees, in the year 1857, by
DANIEL M. MEAD,
In the Clerk's Office for the District Court of Connecticut
>
I
^
CONTENTS.
«4k V
• » •
Introduction ....
Discovery ....
Pbtuquapaen ....
Settlement ....
Agreements with Neighbors
Trouble with the Indians
Legend of Labden's Rock
A New Expedition
The Successful Attack
Boundary on the West .
Increase of Inhabitants, &c.
Items from 1665 to 1690 ....
Another Quarter of a Century : 1690 to 1716
EriSCOPALIANISM .....
1715 to Revolutionary War
French War .....
The Revolutionary War
Incidents op the Revolution
Tryon's Expedition ....
Rivington's Press ....
Expeditions on the Sound
Skirmish beyond King Street .
The Enemy's Excursion to North Stamford
Andrew Mead, Humphrey Denton, and Richard Mead
Mill and Docks at Mianus ....
The War op 1812 . .
Constitution of 1818
Skimeton Parties
Paf«
5
18
18
21
26
80
41
48
47
54
59
65
74
97
107
114
180
158
159
175
176
179
181
182
185
190
195
198
4 CONTENTS.
APPENDIX.
Page
Fairfield County ....
211
So VERSIONS OF EnGI/AND AFTER THE SETTLEMENT .
. 227
Governors of Connecticut .
227
Town Officers .....
. 229
Business Directory ....
285
School Districts .....
. 243
Indian Names ....
245
Chronological Table ....
. 246
The Second Congregational Society
261
Methodist Episcopal Society
. 268
Christ's Church ....
270
Emanuel Church, at Qlenville .
273
Genealogy of the Mead Family
277?
Genealogy of the Peck Family
. 295J
Biographical Notice of Rey. Jeremiah Peck
300?
The Brundig Family ....
. 306
The Bush Family ....
306
The Close Family ....
. 807
The Curtis Family . . . . .
309
The Dayton Family ....
. 311.
The Field Family ....
312
The Ferris FamtTiY ....
. 812
The Holmes Family ....
313
The Lyon Famh-y ....
. 313
The Lockwood Family
813
The Palmer Family ....
. 314
The Purdy Family ....
814
The Brush Family ....
315
The Lewis Family ....
816
The Howe Famh.y ....
. 317
INTRODUCTION.
• ♦ •
The author, when very young, was much
interested with the tales and ditties of olden
time ; and was in the habit of spending the
days, not occupied at school, in the office of
our present town-clerk, Samuel Close, Esq., in
searching the early records of the town. As
a result, many things of interest were found
upon the decayed and much-worn, early rec-
ords. We found too, that this town was the
scene of many important incidents, in the his-
tory of our country, which have never been
recorded on the pages of history ; and that
the few that have been noticed by historians,
are mentioned in so vague and uncertain a
light as to be of little use to the public.
6 INTRODUCTION.
We therefore set ourselves to work to col-
lect tlie more important facts and incidents
for publication, that our fellow-citizens might
have them in a convenient form for reference,
and that many facts which otherwise would
have been lost may be preserved. We have
not published matters of mere private interest ;
but only such things as appear to us to be of
importance to the public. Such as it is, the
volume is now before you. Its reliability
may be depended upon as far as it goes;
though no doubt many would have made it a
more voluminous work.
We have been especially indebted for as-
sistance to our obliging town-clerk, to Ool.
Thomas A. Mead (and papers and reminis-
cences in his possession), and to several aged
people of the town. The other works to
which we have referred with advantage are,
O'CaUaghan's History of the New Nether-
lands, Bolton's History of Westchester County,
lUTEODUOnOW. 7
Trumbull's, Barber's and HoUister's Histories
of Connecticut, and others.
For our genealogy of the Mead family we
are indebted in part to a manuscript in the
possession of Titus Mead, Esq. Other genea-
logies are accredited properly on the pages of
the volume.
The Author's services are at the command
of any person, for assistance in collecting their
genealogies from the town or other records.
Dedicating this volume to his feUow citizens
of the town of Greenwich, the author would
Remain their
Humble servant,
D. M. MEAD.
fflSTORY OF GREENWICH.
DISCOVEEY.
QujLNNEHTUKQUT, the old Indian name for
Connecticut, lying behind Long Island and a
Sonnd with one outlet almost impassable to
the unaquainted navigator, escaped for a while
the attention of the early European navigators.
And although John and Sebastian Cabot, in
1498, sailed along the whole coast of North
America under the auspices of cross old
Henry VIIL, yet they never caught a view
of Connecticut. Nevertheless, King Henry
deemed himself rightfully possessed of the
whole territory of North America, because,
forsooth, a few of his subjects had cast their
eyes on some of the jutting capes and prom-
ontories. In 1524, John Verazzano, a Floren-
tine adventurer, with an outfit under the
auspices of King Francis L of France, sailed
2
14 BI8T0BY or OBEENWICH.
along nearly the same extent of coast more
leisurely, and lie more definitely explored its
bays and harbors. He lay with his vessel fif-
teen days in the beautiful harbor of Newport.
Whether he visited New York Bay is still a
mooted question among authors. The French
maintain and the Dutch deny, that he did so.
But it is not claimed by any that he sailed
through the Sound ; and he must have passed
by without having seen the bays and harbors
of Connecticut.
Hendricke Hudson, on the 4th of September,
1609, with a mixed crew of English and Dutch
on board the Half-moon (Halve-Maan), sailed
gallantly into New York harbor. He pro-
ceeded up the North river instead of the East,
and searched for the Northwest Passage ; for
he sailed with the same purpose which actuated
the unfortunate Sir John Franklin three hun-
dred and fifty years later. Though Hudson
was in his own purpose unsuccessful, yet his
discoveries led to the early settlement of the
Island of Manhattan. The Dutch soon com-
menced trading with the Indians along the
shores of the Hudson, which river the Indians
called Mahiccannittuck. And then in the
early ^rt of 1613, began the early settlement
mSTOBT or GBBKHWIOH. 15
of Niew Amsterdam under the command of
Hendricke Corstiaensen, who after wai*d became
noted as an adventurer. Four small huts
bmlt at that time, were the smaU beginnings
of the present city of New York.
About this time there was a check upon
marine enterprise throughout all Europe.
The Dutch, being then the most extensive
navigators, recovered first from its effects. An
Ordinance, passed at Gravenhague by the As-
sembly, on the 2Yth of March, 1614, restored
to their navigators their customary activity.
A company of merchants fitted out a fieet of
five ships, and put them under the command
of three distinguished sailors, Adrien Block,
Hendricke Corstiaensen, and Cornelius Jacob-
son Mey. All arrived safely at Niew Amster-
dam on the " mouth of the great river of the
Manhattans '^ in the latter part of September
of the same year. Here they separated. It
was the intention of Block to sail farther up
the Hudson than the original discoverer had
done, while Corstiaensen should examine the
Southern coast of Long Island (Serwan-Hacky
or Mentoac, the land of shells), and Mey, his
other fellow-commander, should sail along the
coast of New Jersey.
16 HI8T0BT OF OBEBNWICH.
After the departure of his former comrades,
Block was compelled by accident to relinquish
his design* His vessel was consumed by fire,
while yet lying at Nie w Amsterdam filled with
provision for the projected expedition. But
the intrepid Dutchman, not disheartened by
the loss of his ship and the absence of his fel-
low-voyagers, immediately built a small vessel,
which he called the Kestless. Its length was
forty-four and a half feet, and its breadth
eleven and a half. This was the beginning of
ship-building in New York, now owning the
largest and fleetest ships in the world.
Not knowing whether the Hudson would
lead to a northwest passage or not. Block
would not venture in so small a vessel to find
out, but chose rather to explore the East
River. Accordingly, proceeding in this new
direction, the Restless passed safely through
a dangerous strait, to which Block gave the
name which it has borne ever since, calling it
" Hellegat, after a branch of the river Scheldt
in East Flanders." After reaching the open
sound he kept along the northern shore. Con*
sequently he made the first discovery of what
now forms Connecticut, when, from the deck
of his vessel, he and his crew looked upon the
HI8T0BT OV GBEKirWIOH^ 17
rocky hills of Greenwich. This was in the
early part of 1614. .As he passed by them,
he named the Norwalk Islands the " Archipele-
gos,*^ and the Housatonic he called the '^ River
of the Red Mountains.'' Farther on he dis*
covered the Connecticut, and calling it Fresh
River, he sailed several miles from its mouth
upward Descending again, he continued his
course through the Sound. Block Island yet
bears the name of the navigator himself. Off
Cape Cod he fell in with his former companion
Corstiaensen, who had been exploring the
southern coast of Long Island.
The crew of the Restless then, having been
diverted this way by accident, were the first
to look upon our hills. Yet they passed by,
only seeing. This was five years previous to
the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, in
1620. We will now forget those European
visitors, and turn our attention to the native
Indians, and look at their situation as given us
by the various authorities, O'Callaghan in
particular. Not having seen the stranger vis-
itors, who passed them in a single day, they
little dreamed of the terrible destruction about
to come upon them by the hands of the
brethren of these very strangers who came
18 HI8T0BT OF GSEB^WIOH.
thus boldly with their winged canoes into un-
known waters. Or if, perchance, some watch-
ful warrior ever on the look out, descried the
whitened sail, we have no record preserved by
the Indians of what was done at their council
fires, chronicling the curious expressions of
fear, of wonder, admiration, or bravery, which
were expressed by the fierce, wise old Chiefs
and Sachems of Sioascock. But such excite-
ment, if any existed, gradually died away, and
the Indians returned to their more peaceful
and profitable enaployments of hunting, clam-
ming, and fishing.
PBTUQUAPAEN.
On the present main road passing through
the town of Greenwich, about mid-way be-
tween Stamford and the New York boundary
line, was situated this Indian village. The
plain, now called Stricklands, is divided by a
small brook bearing the same name, which
enters the western bank of the Myanos River
and is thus emptied into the Sound. On the
west side of this brook, and close under a
rather abrupt eminence, on which now stands
the house of William White, Esq., were built
three rows of closely collected Indian huts
HISTOBY OF OBBSNWIOH. 19
made of bark. " These tliree rows were some-
what more than eighty yards in length,
stretching along under a high bluff covered
with tall oaks which sheltered the town from
the chilling northwest winds."
On the plain, east of the hamlet and between
it and Strickland's brook, the wood and un-
derbrush had been cleared away and the
groTind fitted for raising Indian i>m. This
brook then ran more clearly than now, as a
distillery has since cast in its refuse and helped
the formation of a miry, creek mud. Here
the Indians drew up their canoes, after a fish-
ing excursion upon the Myanos or the neigh-
boring waters of the Sound. To the north,
far away for hundreds of miles, extended the
Green Mountains, abounding in game, which
the Indians residing at the very foot of that
beautiful range of hills, hunted both for plea-
sure and subsistence. To the southwest lay
an extended swamp, a part of which still
exists as such, which afforded a safe retreat to
the inhabitants when attacked by their enemies,
the Mohawks, a much stronger and fiercer tribe
of the northwest.
Northeast from this Indian village, and
about a mile north of the present village of
20 maroBT or obebhwiqh.
Dunpling Pond, was an Indian fort, known to
them as Betuckqnapock, to whicli they could
retire when any danger approached from
across the Sound. In such a situation, and one
seemingly so desirable for savage life, these
abori/ni lived for centuries, unLowiig and
imknown by European nations. It is not
wonderful that, in time of trouble, the Indians
should congregate here in great numbers, rais-
ing their tents by the side of the more per-
manent ones constituting the village.
The tract of land about Petuquapaen, ex-
tending from the Patommuck brook (now
a part of the boundary line between Stamford
and Greenwich) westward to the two streams
now known as the Brothers, was called by the
same name. West of this was Miossehassaky,
extending from the Brothere to the Byram river,
which was called Armonck or Cokamong. On
the west bank of the Byram was another though
smaller village, called Haseco. This was not
far from the present village of Portchester.
Petuquapaen and Miossehassaky were nearly
equal in extent, together forming Sioascock,
Over this territory and Poningoe, which was
on the west side of the Byram, Ponus was the
ruling Sachem. The tribe were Siwanoys.
HUTOBT OV GBEENWIOH. 21
On the northwest of them were the Weeqnea-
queecks, who were the Mends of the Siwanoys,
both belonging to the great tribe of Mohegans,
who were possessed of a great part of Quinneh-
tukqnt (Connecticut).
Fonus had a brother named Wascnssne,
who was the ruling Sachem of the Rippowams
or Stamford. Ponus had died previous to
1640, leaving several sons, who afterward be-
came powerful and influential chie&, and had
much to do with the English and Dutch
settlers. The names of some of them were
Owenoke, Taphance, and Onox.
Before the discovery and settlement of this
part of the country by Europeans, this was
one of the most thickly inhabited sections of
the whole region. Those living regularly at
Fetuquapaen were estimated at between three
and five hundred. And this number was in-
creased afterward to more than a thousand,
when others were driven by the Dutch from
their customary abodes near Niew Amsterdam.
SETTLEMENT.
On the sixteenth day of July, 1640, or
twenty-five years after the discovery of Green-
wich by Adrien Block, Captain Daniel Patrick,
a distinguished English pioneer, accompanied
22 HISTOBY OF GBEENWIOH.
by Robert Feaks, landed upon Greenwich
Point, by the Indians called Monakewego,
and finally concluded a bargain with Owenoke,
one of the sons of Ponus, for that part of
Petuquapaen lying between the Asamuck
(the next small stream east of the Myanos)
and the Patommuck rivers. The brooks
Patommucl^ and Asamuck gave their names
severally to those portions of land lying next
west of them ; so that the land thus purchased
was more particularly called Patommuck* The
nature of the bargain will be most easily
understood from the deed itself, which we
have below transcribed from the early records
in the Town Clerk's office. It will be observed
that the deed prescribes no northern limit to
the tract, and we have no means of ascertain*
ing that there was any.
Wee Amogeron, Sachem of Asamuck, and Bam-
matthone, Kawhorone, Sachems of Patomnck, have
sould unto Bobert Feaks and Daniell Patricke all
theire rights and interests in all ye severall lands
betwene Asamnck river and Patomuck, which Pa-
tomnck is a littel river which divideth ye bounds be-
twene Capt. Tamer's Purchase and this, except ye
neck by ye indians called Monakewego, by us Eliza-
beth neck, which neck is ye peticaler percbase of
Elizabeth Feaks, ye sd Bobt. Feaks his wife, to be
mSTOBT OF GBBXNWIOH. S8
hers and her heaires or assigns, forever, or else to be
at ye disposal of ye aforementioned purchasers for-
ever, to them and theire heaires, executors or as-
signs, and theye to enjoy all risers, Islands, and ye
severall natnrall adjuncts of all ye forementioned
places, neigther shall ye Indians fish within a mille
of aney english ware, nor invite nor permit any
other indians to sett down in ye forementioned lands :
in consideration of which lands ye forementioned
purchasers are to give unto ye above named sachems
twentie five coates, whereof they have reserved
eleven in part payment ; to witness all which, they
have hereunto sett theire hands this 18 July, 1640.
AMOGERONE,
NAWHORONE,
AMFSETTHEHONE,
KEOFFERA.M.
Witness, — ^Robbbt A. Hbusted,
Andsew Messenger,
his r mark.
RASOBJBlTr,
Saponas,
Whokehobobt,! mu • 1
. ' > Their marks.
Akeboque,
Patjonohas,
powiatoh.
KeoflFeram hath sould all his right in ye above sd
to JeiFere Ferris.
Witness, — ^Richard Williams,
Angell Heusted.
These men were then acting with authority
24 HIBTOBY OF GREENWICH.
from the New Haven Colony, They were
both noted personages in the early history of
New England They had been the pioneets
in the settlement of many places, and were
ready to push out into the wilderness at any
time when the steady habits of the Puritans
threw too many restraints upon their conduct,
Elizabeth Feaks, the wife of Robert, had been
a widow, and was the daughter of Gov. Win-
throp. A few years ago there was but a
single descendant of Robert Feaks living in
Old Greenwich. JefFere Ferris has many
descendants, a great part of whom never have
left the town in which he settled.
Capt. Patrick was an old soldier. He was
second in command in the famous Pequot war,
which terminated so disastrously to the Indians.
It was Patrick's division which made the suc-
cessful charge, and fired the fort.
Another distinguished man became a sort of
settler on this purchase during the year.. Caj)t,
John Underhill was a cunning and crafty .En^
glish officer. Though still young, he had isieeiii
many trials, and learned much by experience.
He had been Bearer of Dispatches to Queen
Elizabeth, and a tool and confidential servant
of the talented but unfortunate Earl of Leices-
ter, whose courtship with the homely Queen
HI8T0BT OF eSESNWIOB. 85
terminated so fatally. On the death of Essex,
Underhill enlisted in the army of Holland.
He then distinguished himself as a soldier ;
and when the Puritans were about to embark
pn their perilous enterprise, he offered himself
for the position of commandant But aftert-
wards, learning that the brave and popular
Miles Standish was thought of for that post,
he wisely withdrew his name. In a few years,
however, he came to Massachusetts, though
his principles were really too loose for the
rigid Puritans. He was compelled to depart,
and removing to New Hampshire, was made
governor of the Dover Colony. But Massa-
chusetts obtaining authority over that colony
ailso, he came and settled on 'a part of Capfc
Patrfck^s purchase in Greenwich. Kindred
spirits, both having been Engaged in many
Indian battles, and of whom Deforest, in his
Indians of Gbtinecticut, say^,— ^" Both these
men had been memlwirs >0f iS^
^lW|t^K% thaif ^ndloct hid ^li^
8p6si#!i ^wllrktheii? i>t^ofetoi^ ; : andi, , unabid to
b^$3r i tiie ii^strai add fVequeirt adtxtbnitions
which had met them in Massachusetts, th^
had -retired to these ^ lonely '»h9?^»r^^
ministers and charch cpmtmttees were few; and
26 HIBTOBT OV OBEBNWXOH.
far between.'' Capt. Underhill afkerwards
moved to Killingworth ; but Capt. Patrick
died at his own honse in Greenwich, as we
shall afterwards see.
With these men there were also some Dutch
and some English settlers. Among them
were —
Jeffere Ferris, Angell Heusted,
Robert Heusted, Richard Williams,
Andrew Messenger, Everardus Bogardus,
John Winkelman, Cornelius Labden.
Others were spoken of, though not by name,
upon the records. They proceeded to build
their houses, and attended to the customary
duties of pioneers ; having little to do with
their neighbors until forced into contentions
which needed to be settled.
AGBEEMENTS WFTH KEIGHBOBS.
The present town of Stamford was originally
settled under the name of " Wethersfield Men's
Plantation ;" and in October, 1640, a conten-
tion and difficulty arose between the two set-
tlements concerning their dividing boundary.
Accordingly, on the 2d of November of the
same year, a meeting was had of those ap-
HI8T0BT OV OBEBHWICn. S7
pointed to represent their respective towns,
and after considerable discussion the following
arrangement was effected : —
Wee, the underwritten, mntnally Agreed that the
Dividing line betwene both onr Plantations of Green-
wich and Wethersfield Men's Plantation shall begin
at Patommog brook, where thee path at present cnts,
and ran on in a straight line to ye west end of a line
Drawne from ye sides of Wethersfield Men's PIan«
tation Kiver, which runs by theire towne plot, to bee
Drawne on a due west point towards Greenwich
bounds, a neat mile, and from ye west end of ye sd
line to run due North up into ye contrie, about
twentie miles ; These lines to run on ye meridian
compass. Nether will aney of us or shall aney for
us object against this agreement upon ye account of
ye Indians ; although we shall at aney time hereafter
conclude a mistake in respect of what each one
bought, yett this to stand unalterable, without a
mutual consent on both sides. To Testifie which,
wee each for our own townes have sett to our hands
thi£j 2ond Nov. 1640.
DANIEL PATRICK,
EOBT. FEKES,
ANDREW WARDE,
ROBERT COE,
RICHARD GILDERSLEEVE.
The first two of these were the representa-
tives of Greenwich, and the remainder from
28 HIBTOBT OV GABKETWICH.
Stamford. With the removal of this bone of
contention the inhabitants expected peace;
but the Dutch began to reiterate their claims
against the English. The former seemed
determined, and hostility all but ripened into
war. As has been said, Greenwich was osten-
sibly purchased under the favor of the New
Haven Colony. But our settlers, not having
drawn much sustenance from that colony, and
perhaps being somewhat averse to some of its
laws, did not feel strongly bound to that
power. Hence, tired of contention and stiife,
and withal, as they say, being convinced of
the rightfulness of the Dutch claim, they signed
over, in an agreement written at New Amster-
dam, of which the following is a translation.
Doubtless self-interest was looked at as much
a^ any thmg, and the deed was done with an
f ye to the ^stronger arm with which theDutc^
could deitend them from the Iniiians. • Bfft
here is the recotd :—
Whereas, we, Capt. Danid Patrick and Elizabeth
Feake, duly authorised, by her husband Robert
Feake, now sick, have resided two years about five
or six milefe east of the New Netherlands, subject to
the iiOtd States Gernerai, wlib have protested against
US) declaring thiat the seM land lay • within their
HISTOBT OF QBElfiN WIOH* 29
Emits, and that thej shonld not allow anj person to
usurp it against their lawful rights ; and whereas,
we have equally persisted in our course during these
two years, having been well assured that his Majesty
the King of England had pretended some to this
soil ; and whereas, we understand nothing thereof,
and cannot any longer presume to remain thus, on
account both of this strife, the danger consequent
thereon, and these treacherous and villainous Indians,
of whom we have seen so many sorrowful examples
enough. We therefore betake ourselves under the
protection of the Koble Lord States General, His
Highness the Prince of Orange, and the West India
Company, or their Governor General of New Ne-
therlands, promising for the future to be faithful to
them, as all honest subjects are bound to be ; where-
unto we bind ourselves by solemn oath and signa-
ture, provided we be protected against our enemies
as much as possible, and enjoy henceforth the same
privileges that all Patroons of the New Netherlands
have obtained agreeably to the Freedoms. 1642,
IXth of April, in Fort Amsterdam.
DANIEL PATRICK,
Witnesses, — ^Everardus Bogardus,
Johannes Wineleman.
Greenwicli, from that time, became a manor,
and Capt Patrick and Feaks were Patroons of
the Manor, with all the privileges of other
patroons. The two witnesses to their agree-
30 HI8T0BT 07 OBBENWIOH.
ment were tlien residents of the Manor ; and it
was, doubtless, in a great measure owing to
their influence that the agreement was ever
executed.
TBOUBLB WITH THE INDIANS.
Wm. Keift became the Governor-General
of the New Netherlands in the year 1638, or
two years previous to the settlement of Green-
wich, and four years before the writing was
signed placing the town under the control of
that officer. He was the successor of Wouter
Von Twiller, the fat, good-natured Dutchman,
who had, by a kind and hospitable manner, in
a great measure conciliated the fierce Indians
about the settlements. But with the new
governor came a change. He was cruel-
minded and revengeful in the extreme. Hav-
ing collected some half-a-dozen advisers, aU
congenial spirits, he brought the colony, and
all connected with it, into the greatest trouble,
by the extreme severity which he exercised
toward the natives. So revengeful was he in
his disposition, that sooner than let a crime go
unpunished he would take full vengeance upon
the relatives of the accused, when the criminal
himself had escaped.
HIBTOBT 07 OBEXNWIOH. 81
The Indians, during their visits to the
European settlements, after having tasted the
foreign fire^water^ gave full displays of their
roguish inclinations, and were never scrupulous
in their bargains, frequently taMng goods
without stopping to pay for them ; and in many
instances they robbed and murdered the in-
habitants. Returning to their own country,
they there, with a feeling of safety, often
boasted of their deeds in this line. And these
boasts were duly reported to the governor by
those straggling settlers who chanced to hear
them.
On the other hand, the traders, before bar-
gaining for furs, so befuddled the owners of
them as to get valuable articles for little or no
consideration, and not unfrequently having
made their victim well drunken, stole his
richest ftirs. Such a state of things could but
create strong feelings of animosity, and ripen
a spirit of hatred, already arisen, into open
war, whenever a conspicuous deed committed
by either party should rouse the anger of the
other.
Before the arrival of Keiffc, and as soon as
1626, an aged Indian was murdered, and his
furs stolen, by a company of traders, to whom
33 BISTOBT OF QSESNWIOH.
he liad offered liis skins for sale. They secreted
the body, not observing his little nephew, who,
hidden amid the bushes, had witnessed in
silence the horrid deed, and secretly vowed
eternal vengeance against the murderers of his
uncle. He was one of the tribe of Weeck-
quesqueecks, living north of Mamaroneck.
When a full-grown Indian, still bent on his
purpose, he watched anxiously the faces of the
various traders, that he might discern the
countenances of those upon whom he hoped
for full vengeance. As a result of his constant
search he fell in with one whom he recognized
— one Claes Comeliz Smitz, now become an
old man. On him he revenged his uncle's
death by a like punishment, and then fled.
Tlds was the open act, out of which grew more
open and extensive hostility. A prompt
demand was made on his tribe for the mur-
derer. They replied that he had escaped to
Sioascock, and that they could not give him
up. Demand after demand brought but the
same reply.
The ^governor now resolved to punish the
whole tribe for the crime of the one who had
escaped. He then appointed the " lAvdve menj^
with whom it was left to punish the Indians
BISTORT OF OBKENWICH. 88
as they saw fit and proper. After mature
consideration it was resolved to make two
distinct expeditions against the Indians ; one
against the tribe to which the Indian belonged,
on the east bank of the Hudson, and the other
against Petuquapaen, whither he was sup-
posed to have fled« Both these expeditions
were, however, delayed for a considerable
tune by a difficulty which arose between Keifb
and "The Twelve Men." Such was the im-
patience and haste of the former, that the
latter refused to comply with all his requisi-
tions. And the expedition, as then planned
against Petuquapaen, was never carried out
at all, owing partly to this delay, but more to
the total want of success which attended the
other. This, Keifb undertook on his own
authority, and ordered Ensign Van Dyck to
collect and equip eighty men, and immediately
proceed against the Indians and inflict upon
The governor felt sure of complete success,
as this Hendrick Van Dyck had been in the
service of the colony for years, and was well
trained in Indian warfare. To make success
still more certain, a trusty guide had been
employed to conduct the party. They moved
34 BIBTOBT OV GRBBKWIOH.
forward at the edge of the evening of a dark
and cloudy night, early in March, 1642. An
injudicious halt was made by Van Dyck,
during which the darkness came on so thick
and fast that the guide was quite unable to
point out the way. The leader, thus dis-
appointed, and angry at his own foolishness,
led his men back to New Amsterdam, dis-
heartened at not having seen a single enemy.
Thus both these expeditions failed.
But another opportunity was soon offered
to the Dutch to take signal vengeance on their
enemies. Some traders from Staten Island
came up the Sound to trade with the Indians,
and barter rum for furs. Having treated one
until they had made him well drunken, they
robbed him of all his furs, and left him in a
helpless condition. Afterwards, becoming
sober, and fully aware of the treatment to
which he had been subjected, the enraged
Indian swore vengeance against the first
^^ Sfwammskin^'^ whom he should meet. And
true to his oath, he killed one Dutchman and
an Englishman, whom he chanced to meet
together. The murderer fled to the Tankitekes,
a tribe of which Paeham, who was favorable to
the Dutch, was Sachem. They knew full well
HIBTOBT OF OBBENWIOH. 35
that cruel measures were now likely to be
adopted against them. They therefore ex-
postulated with the Dutch for selling to their
people the ^^ cussed firewater^ laying to its
charge all their troubles, and claiming that
they had been more wronged than the traders.
But Keift turned a deaf ear to all their
entreaties, and was fully bent on their blood-
shed and destruction. It was but a few days
after this, in February, 1643, that the power-
ful tribe of Mohawks came down upon the
tribes dwelling about New Netherlands in great
numbers, demanding a tribute, which, being the
stronger tribe, they were accustomed yearly to
exact from their weaker neighbors. These
Indians, now forgetting every thing but their
intense fear for the dreaded Mohawks, fled in
hundreds to the settlements of Manhattan for
protection. They were received with pre-
tended kindness and hospitality. But with
fiendish design, Keift secretly planned a strata-
gem to punish many for the crime of one. The
settlers, having received them into their in-
closures, and having prayed God to favor their
cruel purpose, commenced a terrible massacre,
thus graphically described by an eye-witness,
36 HISTOBT OF OBKKNWICH.
in O^Callaghan^s History of the New Nether-
lands : —
I remained that night at the Director's, and took
a seat in the kitchen near the fire. At midnight I
heard loud shrieks, and went out upon the parapet
of the fort, and looked toward Pavonia. I saw
nothing but the flashing of guns. I heard no more
cries of the Indians : they had been butchered in
their sleep.
The horrors of this night cause one's flesh to creep,
when we ponder over them even now, long after
their occurrence. Eighty Indians were slaughtered
at Pavonia, and thirty at Corlear's Hook, while
sunk in repose. Sucklings were torn from their
mothers' breasts, butchered before their parents'
eyes, and their mangled limbs thrown quivering into
the river or the flames. Babes were hacked to
pieces while fastened on their little boards — ^their
primitive cradles I Others were thrown alive into
the river, and when parents instinctively rushed in to
save them, the cruel soldiers prevented their land-
ing, and both parent and offspring were sunk into a
watery grave. Children of half a dozen years, de-
crepit men of three score and ten, sbared like fates.
Those who escaped and next morning begged for
shelter, were killed in cold blood, or thrown into the
river. Some came running to us from the country,
having both hands cut off ; some lost both legs and
HI8T0ST or GKBKNWIOH. 37
arms ; some were snpportiiig their entrails with their
hands, while some were mangled in other horrid
ways, too horrid to be conceived.
And this massacre was conducted by the
governor so secretly, and with so much stra-
tegy, that the Indians for a long time laid the
cold-blooded deed to the Mohawks. Many of
the Dutch, even, were so deceived. But after
some days, during which the Mohawks had
departed, the truth became evident ; and the
Indians on the eastern bank of the Hudson,
and on both shores of the Sound, rose with
one accord to demand blood for blood. And
if ever revenge can be justified, and rightfully
pursued, surely these poor, hunted Indians
may be justified in revenging this act, a more
barbarous one than which was never recorded
on the pages of history. They made their first
attacks with such rage and fiiiy, that the
question of the continuance of the Dutch at
the mouth of the Hudson was an extremely
critical one. They were soon forced from Long
Island, and on the main land all their settlel«
withdrew to the fort on Manhattan Island.
The few who were in Greenwich also with-
drew, leaving the English to take care of them-
selves as best they might.
8
38 uurroBT ow obeumwicu.
Bnt once more fortune tnmed against the
Indians, and they were driven back in turn.
Reinfor^^mente having arrived from Holland,
the colony were able not only to defend them-
selves, but also to drive their enemies far back
from their settlement. Great numbers of these
having hitherto Kved on the northern coast of
the Sound, between Greenwich and Manhat-
tan, now retired to Petuquapaen and Betuck-
quapock, in Greenwich. Driven here from
their former homes, they became desperate,
and gave full vent to their native cruelty.
Among their acts, which are but very
vaguely described by history, was the murder
of the unfortunate Mrs. Anne Hutchinson, and
her son-in-law, Mr. Collins, with sixteen others
who lived in the wilderness somewhere in
Greenwich, near the present boundaries of
Greenwich and Stamford, by a party of In-
dians fi'om Petuquapaen. Of this aff^dr. De-
forest, in his Indians of Connecticut, says, —
•The Indians desolated the Connecticut coast as far
east as Stamford, killing not only Dutch, but En-
glish ; for the English in this quarter were but few
in number, and had been compelled to submit to the
government of New Amsterdam. The pretended pro-
phetess, Anne Hutchinson, who had taken refuge here
HI8T0BT OF OBKENWICH. 39
from her pereectitors in Massachnsetts, was among
the victims. Until the last moment, the Indians
came to the hoose in their nsnal friendly manner;
then the hatchet fell, and the unfortunate woman
perished, with sixteen others, in the massacre. To
close the scene, the horses and cattle were driven
into their bams, the bams set on fire, and the help-
less animals roasted to death in the flames.
Nor was Capt. Patrick safe from the attacks
of the Indians. Mayn Mayano, a tall, stout
Indian chief of Petuquapaen, sought to distin-
gaish himself by proving untrue the boast of
the whites, that one of them was equal to
several Indians. In fact, he wanted to reverse
the statement. Accordingly, Capt. Patrick
and two others of the settlers, were attacked
one day by this single brave. And though
they were armed, Mayn Mayano had killed
one and felled the other to the ground with
his tomahawk, before Patrick, the survivor,
could shoot him dead. He showed a wily
courage and daring, although he failed so en-
tirely of success.
One other tradition is the following, being
told in many different ways ; of which we ac-
cept the simplest, as being, probably, the
nearest to the truth. A rough old Dutchman
named Gomelis Labden, was riding away from
40 HXSTOBr OF anasNwioH.
the settlement in Old Greenwich on horseback,
when he discovered that he was pursued by
three Indians on foot. They could pass more
nimbly through the forest than he, and unless
he could free himself by some desperate at-
tempt, he well knew the destruction that
awaited him. In this strait he bethought him
of that steep precipice which still bears the
name of Labden's Kock, and resolved rather
to die by plunging down its depths than by
the tbrturing hand of the red man. Just as
his pursuers were about overtaking him, he
dashed over the steep, and they, too eager on
their pursuit, went headlong after him. Of
the whole mass of mangled flesh, Labden only
lived to tell the story, and that with his two
legs broken. This Rock still presents much
of ita old appearance, and is viflited by many
of the curious. The story in itself is too sim-
ple to suit all ; for many love the marvelous.
For the sake of such, we give a version of this
very tradition, as it appeared in 1854, in the
Stamford Advocate^ under the initials of C.
L. B. We will not stop to point out the
glaring inconsistencies, or to ask how, when all
so fearfully perished, the story became known.
Here it is in the writer's best style, without
HI8T0BX OF OSEEETWIOB. 41
THE LEGSND.
BT C. L. B.
Soon after the settlement of New York by the
Datcb, a few English families emigrated to the
eastern part of Greenwich, and began a settlement
npon an eminence commanding an extensive view
of Long Island Sound. The names of these families
are now forgotten, with the exception of that of
Laddin (?) who, with his wife and daughter, a lovely
girl of sixteen summers^ located himself a short
distance in an easterly direction from the main
settlement. The little hamlet for some time con-
tinued to enjoy the blessings of peace and security,
but its grateful quietude was soon to be disturbed
by its hostile neighbors, who were stimulated by the
Dutch traders to deeds of violence and revenge
against the English.
While Laddin (?) was one day occupied in his
usual occupation of clearing and cultivating his
farm, he was surprised at discovering the humble
dwellings of his neighbors enveloped in dense
clouds of smoke. Knowing full well the merciless
foes would next proceed to his own cottage, and
would complete their fiendish work of devastation
and slaughter, he hurried thither with the utmost
speed, and prepared to defend it and his family to
the last extremity. Scarcely had he barricaded the
doors, and loaded his trusty musket, when the
savages with their passions whetted by the previous
42 ^HOnO&T OF OBBKETWIOB.
massacre, snrronnded the honse, yelling terrificallj,
and expecting to witness its speedy min with appa-
rent delight. Bat, stop! Laddin stands at the
window with his trusty weapon ; his resolate deter-
mination surprises them ; they deliberate for a
moment, then advances one (?) of the fiercest war-
riors with lighted torch in hand ; he approaches
within a few feet of the house, and falls the yictim
of unerring marksmanship ; they are not thus to be
repulsed and deprived of their satisfaction, at be-
holding the hated pale faces writhing in the flames.
At the word of command on steps another (?) and
rolls back upon his former comrade with a heavy
groan ; another and another advance and share the
same fate ; then, with unearthly yells they rush upon
the house, en masse. They try to break down the
well-barred doors, hoping to capture and consign the
poor settlers to a more lingering torture, as vengeance
for their fallen brethren.
In this confusion, Laddin's wife and daughter
begged him to leave them to the mercy of the
Indians, and secnre his own safety ; he steadily re-
fuses, determined to meet death with them and for
them ; but by earnest entreaties and solemn assu-
rances that life without him would be made worse
than death, he is at length moved to make the at-
tempt, with faint hopes that the foe would have
some respect for their sex and spare them. The
front door begins to open — all rush to enter, and
thus the back door is left unguarded. Now is the
time ; the heroic wife and daughter brace the door
HIBTOBT OF OXBBNWIOH* 43
agaiBst the savages, while with extreme reluctance,
the despairing man sofUj makes his escape in the
rear. Scarcely has he done this, when the door gives
way ; his beloved wife and daughter are dragged
from the house by the hair, tomahawked and
scalped before his eyes. Assistance to them was
impossible. He mounts his horse, which he had
concealed a short distance off, under a thick copse
of alder bushes. He knows not whither to flee;
death is before and behind him ; the savages behold
him, and pursue. With despair stamped on his
manly countenance, he suddenly turns his horse's
head toward the well-known precipice, resolved not
to fall into the hands of inhuman victors. On came
his pursuers, and reached the summit of the barren
rock, to hear him cry out with a voice of thunder, —
" Come on, ye foul fiends, I go to join your victimsl"
A crash — and all is hushed. The rider and his faith*
ful steed shall here mingle their dust together.
Such is the tradition as increased by a
fertile imagination. And here we leave him
to ruralize in some other place, to conjure up
new ideas for the edification of the people ;
while we continue our chronicles.
A KEW EXPEDITION.
These attacks following one another rapidly,
were duly revealed by Captain Patrick, the
4i HIBIORT or GBKBRWIOH.
patroon, to Gov emor Keift ; and he resolved
not only to punish those outrages, bat if pos-
sible, to exterminate the whole race. Indeed,
the actual settlers claimed this, as full protection
had been promised in the agreement of the
9th of April, by which the town had been
ceded to the Dutch. It was supposed that this
object could be accomplished by a force of
soldiers acting in unison with the settlers them-
selves, and that the Indians of Petuquapaen
would be cut off at a single blow.
Hence, not far fipom the 1st of January,
1644, a privateer, with two smaller vessels,
having been welt armed and fitted out, left New
Amsterdam with a force of a hundred and
twenty men. They were under the command
of Captain Blauvelt, Capt. Joachim Pieterson
Kuyter, Lieut. Baxter, and Sergeant Peter
Cock. On Satui'day, toward evening, they
landed on Greenwich Point /(Monakewego).
And so great was their desire to surprise the
Indians, and such their haste to consummate
the object of their expedition, that their com-
mander thought it advisable to march imme-
diately against the encampment. Accordingly,
having received instructions as to their way
from Capt. Patrick, who for some reason did not
H1BT0BT OF OBBENWICH* 45
accompany them, the whole body set out. Bat
after proceeding some distance, it became evi-
dent that they had missed their way, and wan-
dered too far back into the country. Thus they
wandered about aU night, and became wearied
and dispirited ; and they returned without har-
ing found a clue to the object of their search.
Furthermore, they had doubtless given to the
scouts of the enemy a knowledge of their ap-
proach. They encamped next day near the
house of Capt. John Underhill, highly enraged
at their want of success.
On the following day, which was the Sab-
bath, the Dutch commandant met Capt.
Patrick at the house of Underhill, and an alter-
cation ensued. The soldier charged him with
deceit and treachery ; that he purposely misled
them, and finally called him a liar. To resent
this the Englishman, who had hitherto re-
mained silent, spat in the Dutchman's face and
turning directly back, walked away. The
other, in turn, drew a pistol and fired a ball
through his head. For this homicide the sol-
dier waa arraigned, but never punished. And
thus died Daniel Patrick, the pioneer settler
of Greenwich. He left a wife and one son.
The wife's name before marriage was Annetje
8»
46 HDTOBT OF OKSJESTWlOBm
Van Beyeren. As her name indicates, slie was
a Dutch woman ; and she afterwards married
one Tobias Feeck, sheriff of Flashing, Long
Island.
In a day or two, this company of soldiers
went off on another wild-goose chase into the
country ; when they met with but little better
success than before. True, they fell in with
a few old men, women, and children, whom
they mostly killed, saving a few who were
made slaves. Disappointed and vexed, they
soon after went back to New Amsterdam.
After this, John Underhill went to New-
York, joined the company and was made com-
the Indians of "Hemestede" on Long Island,
where the enemies were easUy routed, he was
ordered to Greenwich. Meantime Keift had
sent scouts, to learn if the Indians were still
congregated about Petuquapaen. It was re-
ported that they were collected there in still
greater numbers, and that the greater part of
the women and children had been sent back
into the country. Underhill was glad to take
the command of this expedition for two rea-
sons; first, because it was necessary for the
protection and safety of his family, and the
HI8T0BT OF O&ESNWICH. 47
preservation of his property that the enemy-
should be dislodged from their stronghold,
so near his plantation in Greenwich; and
secondly, that he might prove to the Dutch
that he was in no way connected with their
former failure and disgrace.
THE SUCCESSFUL ATTACK.
AccordiDgly, in February of the same year,
1644, Capt. Underhill and Ensign Van Dyck,
with a complement of a hundred and tlurty
men, embarked at Fort Amsterdam for Green-
wich Point. They landed safely, just as a ter-
rible snow-storm was commencing. The snow
continued to fall throughout the whole day and
succeeding night. It had been their design
to proceed, as in their other expeditions, by
night, and take their enemies by surprise ; but
the continuance of the storm prevented the
accomplishment of their purpose for that night
at least. But on the following day the storm
cleared away, leaving between two and three
feet of snow upon the ground. However, they
immediately set out for Petuquapaen, advanc-
ing as fast as the deep snow would permit. As
had been intended, they reached the Myanos at
48 HISTORY OF GBEKNWICH.
about eight o'clock. They then halted for two
hours on the eastern bank of this stream.
Many had become quite fatigued, and they
now had ample time for rest. At ten oVlock
they resumed their march, and descending the
steep bank, they crossed the river, as they say
in their own report, where it " was about two
hundred feet wide and three feet deep." And
as the just-risen moon was brightening the
white snow with its light, they ascended the
western bank, and then " passing a steep ridge"
were afforded a beautifal view of the plain
below. In the distance, on the other side of
the plain, they could see the fires in and about
the village ; while between it and them, the
trees of the forest had been felled, that the In-
dian women might raise their only grain, the
Indian corn. The much-dreaded and long-
sought-for Petuquapaen is at last found. As
they advance still nearer with quickened step,
they discover that the village consists of " more
than a hundred permanent huts arranged in
three rows, partially defended by a sort of
palisades," with many wigwams collected about
and scattering along under a "high bluff
sheltering them from the chilling northwest
winds."
HI8T0BT 09 aSElirWICH. 49
The inhabitants were on the alert, and by
no means unprepared to meet their assailants.
Their women had been sent back to the old
fort Betnckqnapock, near the present village
of Dumpling Pond. None but the painted
braves were left, and they were fully prepared
for the desperate struggle. They betook them-
selves to the trees on the slight rise of ground
now occupied by J. K* Steams, Esq., on the
western bank of the Strickland brook. From
this cover they showered their arrows upon the
advancing foe. The soldiers then divided into
two parties, and from different directions poured
their deadly fire upon the Indians, who, when
thus attacked, found the trees an insufficient
protection. The brave Sinawoys fought long
and desperately ; but the arrow and the toma-
hawk, of necessity, yielded to the bullet, bayo-
net, and broadsword. More than once the
Indians made gallant charges, hoping to break
the lines of their enemies. But the incessant
firing thinned their numbers, and they at last
retired, leaving between one and two hundred
braves dead on the scene of the first terrible
struggle. At the more permanent inclosure
of the village they rallied, hoping there more
effectually to defend themselves, and resolved
60 BISTORT OF OSEEMWIOH.
there to make their final, desperate struggle for
victory. Sheltered by the light palisades, if
so they may be called, they once more poured
forth incessant flights of arrows upon the Dutch.
The latter now advanced from the northeast
and the southeast in two divisions.
Fire was the enemy of the Indians, as often
as it was their familiar weapon in destroying
the habitations of the whites. And Under-
hill had learned its utility by his experience
at the celebrated Pequot fort. To cast a fire-
brand upon the row of dry bark huts and wig-
wams, was but the work of a moment ; and a
most terrible destruction now awaited them.
Boasted and tortured to agony by the fire, they
darted out here and there from the flames only
to be brought to the ground by the unerring
aim of the soldiery, who were on the alert for
the poor victims. Finally their horrid moans
and cries were hushed, and the flames and the
hissing of the boiling pools of blood died away,
leaving hundreds of crisped bodies on the
blood-stained snow.
And thus miserably perished from six hun-
dred to a thousand Sinawoy Indians, variously
enumerated by different authors. And of the
whole number of warriors that had been
HIBTOBT OV GBJEKMWIOH* 61
gathered at the ancient yillage, only eight
escaped. All, besides these and twelve who
were taken prisoners at the first conflict on the
knoll, were cut off in battle. These prisoners
were sold as slaves, some to the English and
some to the Dutch ; for prisoners were then the
spoils of war.
So quickly had this work of destruction been
accomplished, that the night was yet far from
being spent. The Dutch therefore, warmed
and cheered by the fires that had scorched and
crisped their enemies, spent the remainder of
the night upon the field ; and when the morn-
ing came and the sun had arisen and looked
upon the work of the preceding night, they
threw the dead bodies of the Indians into
heaps and covered them with the ashes of their
village and frozen earth and snow, and left
them without farther monument. Yet the
mounds thus formed bore testimony to the
place of the battle for many years. Tradition
has long pointed out with accuracy the place
of these mounds. An aged lady, Mrs. Howe
by name, who lived to the advanced age of a
hundred and two years, and who died some
forty years since, remembered these mounds
distinctly. Five of them she said were between
£2 BI8TOBT OF OSESHWIOH.
the present houses of J. K. Steams, Esq., and
Mrs. Hitchcock, and twenty were scattered
abont just across the lane southeast of the
present residence of William White, Esq., on
the land of Edward Mead. And some fifty
years, or more, ago, Joseph Sackett, who lived
close by, was digging with one of his nien for
the purpose of covering potatoes from the cold
of winter, — which was then done by digging
four or five feet in the ground, — and came upon
one of these settled heaps, then mostly turned
to dust. But the good old farmer turned to
his man, whose name was Avery, and told him
to " throw in tJie potatoes any way^'^ for the
bones couldn't hurt them if they were " Injins ;"
and in they went, and I believe were kept safe
just as the old man had said. Bushels of flint
arrow-heads have been plowed up by the
owners of land on all parts of Strickland's
plain. Some of them are beautifully cut from
the finest white flint ; but the greater part of
them are rougher hewn, from blue flint. Their
old burial place as yet is not all extinct ; but
what remains is but a monument of the care-
lessness of the people of the neighborhood.
Not only is the place neglected, but absolutely
is being demolished by the penny grinders
HI8T0BT OF OBEENWIOH. 5S
who want dirt to fill in docks, or for some other
purpose. It should have been fenced long ago,
and protected from men who will take dirt
from dead men's bones.
This battle is equal to any ever fought in
Connecticut in the numbers of those engaged
in fight, in the fierceness of the contest, and in
the carnage and destruction made. And the
Indians in this part of the country never
recovered from the blow. True, a few desper-
ate ones hung about the settlements seeking
revenge ; but they soon melted away, and their
few descendants had none of their fathers'
ambition. Now none are to be seen. The
proud, civilized, and enlightened European has
driven the aborigines from the lands which
were theirs by discovery, inheritance, and
actual occupation. And now it is too late to
repair the injury.
Proud of their victory, the soldiers on the
next day after the battle began their return
march, ^''the Lord endvjing the wounded with
€Xtraordi7ia/ry et/rengthr Grreat was the re-
joicing at New Amsterdam when the result of
the expedition was known. Public thanks-
giving was ordered by the Dutch authorities ;
and it is said by O'Callaghan in his History of
New Netherlands to have been regarded as a
54 HIBTOBT OF O&EBirWIOH.
special Providence that when the attack was
made on Petuqnapaen " the Lord hod ccUected
most of thei/r enemiea there to celebrate eome
pecvUar feetwaiy But the results of the war
were most favorable to the settlers themselves.
What few Indians were left lived peaceably,
and brought rich furs to the whites in trade
for rum. This trade yielded of course a double
traffic to the whites, while it cheated and
wronged the aborigmes.
Underhill, the hero of the battle, on returning
to New Amsterdam, took with him Elizabeth
Feaks, the wioow of Robert Feaks, and married
her, each thus entering upon matrimony for
the second time. In the same year he settled
in Mushing, L. I. Again he moved to Killing-
worth, Ct., where he died in 1672. He was
artful and intriguing, and he had changed his
name before taking the command of the Dutch
forces to Hans Van Vanderhill. His son,
Nathaniel, emigrated from Killmgworth to
Westchester county in 1685.
BOUNDARY ON THE WEST.
The boundary line on the southwestern part
of Connecticut has been frequently changed ;
and probably we can do no better than give an
HIBIOBT OV OaiKMWIOB* 66
account of the various changes here, although
we may be obliged to anticipate somewhat the
events of the history. As has been before said,
Patrick and Feaks bought under the New
Haven Colony in 1640 ; but they also, in 1642,
made over the town to the Dutch, they both
becoming patroons of the manor. This left the
western boundary of Connecticut to be the
Potommuck river, that is, the present boundary
line between Stamford and Greenwich.
But a treaty was made in Hartford in 1650,
making the boundary line as follows : to com-
mence on Long Island "on the westernmost
part of Oyster bay, so, and in a straight and
direct line to the sea ; and upon the main land
a line to begin on the west side of Greenwich
bay (i. e. all that bay within Capt's I.) and so
run in a northerly line twenty miles up into
the country, and after as it shall be agreed by
the two governments of the Dutch and New
Haven, provided said line come not within ten
miles of the Hudson river." (Hazard's State
Papers, voL ii., p. 218.)
This boundary was made without the parti-
cipation of the inhabitants of Greenwich.
Accordingly, some of the spirited ones con-
tinued on under their old customs and habits
56 HI8TOBY OF OVXENWICH.
and laws, and regardless of those of Connecti-
cut. On the eastern bank of the Armonck
(Byram) river there was a little trading ham-
let at which the Indians, those which were left
of the once powerful tribe, nsed to purchase
their firewater. Hence the place was called,
as it is properly spelled, By-rum. And during
the year 1656, "from representations previous-
ly made at New Haven that the people of
Greenwich lived in a disorderly and riotous
manner, sold intoxicating liquors to the Indians,
received and 7ia/rbored servants who had fled
from their rruiaters^ and joined persons urdaw-
fvUy in marria^e^ the General Court of that
colony resolved to assert their jurisdiction over
the town and bring its citizens to a more
orderly manner of demeaning themselves. In
May, the General Court sent a letter, calling
upon those living in Greenwich to submit to
its authority. They returned an answer couch-
ed in very spirited language, declaring that
New Haven had no right to set up such a
claim, and that they would never submit to its
authority unless compelled to do so by Parlia-
ment. But when the spirits of such men as
Eaton and Davenport pervade a body, it is not
easily driven from any position that has been
HI8T0BT OF OBBSNWKV. &7
deliberately taken* The General Conrt passed
a resolve that nnless the recusants should
appear in open court and make a formal sub-
mission by the 25th of June, Richard Crab and
some others who were most stubborn in their
opposition should be arrested and punished
according to law. This had the effect intend*
r
ed ; Crab and others who had been ready for
martyrdom, yielded with as good grace as they
could. This Crab will be mentioned hereafter,
and was a large landholder in town. (Colo-
nial Becords and Hollister's History of Con-
necticut.)
This settled the matter for a time. But
when, in 1664, the Dutch surrendered to CoL
Bichard Nicolls, the Duke of York's Governor,
the three Commissioners appointed to settle
the boundary line between the Duke of York's
patent and the colony of Connecticut decided
That the creek or river called Mamaronec, which
is reported to be about twelve miles east of West-
chester, and a line drawn from ye east point or side,
where the fresh water falls into the salt, at high
water mark, north-northwest to ye line of Massachu-
setts, shall be ye western bounds of ye said Colony
of Connecticut.
KICHARD NICOLLS,
GEORGE CARTRIGHT,
SAMUEL MATJRICKE.
£8 HISTOST OF GBSENWICH.
Again on the 28th of January, 1673,
The General Court ordered the bonnds between
Greenwich and Rje to be from the month of the
Byram river, to run up the one quarter of a mile
above the great stone, lying on the cross-path, by
the sayd commons, upwards, between Stamford
bounds and the colony line, is to be equally divided
between them by a parallel line, with Stamford and
Norwalk to the end of their bounds, up in the
country.
ROBERT TREAT,
JONATHAN SELLICKB,
PETER DISBROW.
The town of Rye thus remained a part of
Connecticut until December 3d, 1683. But at
that date we find from Gov. Treat, of Con-
necticut, a letter formally bidding good-by
to those living west of the Armonck or Byrano,
and making them over to the New York Gov-
ernor, Dougan. In 1696-97, Rye and Bed-
ford were again received into Connecticut.
And the western boundary was never finally
fixed until May the 14th, 1731, when the
present one was agreed upon. Gi*eenwich,
however, since 1650, has formed a permanent
part of Connecticut.
BI8T0BT OW OR1BRNWICH. ^'9
INCREASE OF INHABrTATHB, ETC.,
1645-1665.
A blight seems to have fallen upon the little
settlement during the five or ten years foUow-
ing the summary destruction of the Indians on
the plain. In general, the Indians had never
shown so great animosity to the English as to
the Dutch settlers. And it was for this reason
that Capt Patrick refused to lead the Dutch
in their first expedition, and that the greater
part of the English settlers had not offered
their services in the more successful one. And
being now fully under the dominion of the
governor of the New Netherlands, few addi-
tions were made from honest Englishmen.
Still, they remained at their post, buying from
the Indians all the land they could afford, and
without hindrance or molestation they attended
to the usual kvocations of early settlers. But
after 1656, when Connecticut had forced Crab
and his adherents to submit to her authority,
the prospects of the settlement brightened.
Crab or Crabbe, before coming to Greenwich,
had been a member of the first Assembly of
Connecticut, which was held in Hartford in
1639. Previously, he had bought large tracts
60 BISTOBY OF 0BEBNWIOH.
of land of the Indians in many places, and
sold it again in smaller parcels to the new set-
tlers. In 1656, he sold portions of his estate to
the ancestors of the Studwells, the Hobbys,
and the Hnbbards. Peter Disbrow and John
Coe, who, with Thomas Studwell, afterwards
bought the greater part of the town of Rye,
settled here at about the same time. Jeffere
Ferris returned from Fairfield, where he had
gone upon the ceding of Greenwich to the
Dutch. Others came, many of them from
Long Island, when that was given over to the
authority of the Duke of York. Among
them were John Mead and John Hobby or
Hubbe. The deed under which John Mead
first held lands is given on the town records
as follows : —
These presents witnesseth an agreement made be-
twene Bichard Crab, of Greenwich, on ye one side,
and John Mead, of Heamstead, on Long Iseland, on
ye other side, viz. : ye said Richard Grab hath sould
unto ye sd John Mead all his houses and lands, yt
sd Bichard Crab hath in Greenwich with all ye
Apnrtenances, Bights & privileges, & conveniences^
yt Doth belong unto ye sd honses & lands, of shall
here after belong unto them, viz: ye house yt
Bichard Crab liyeth in, ye house yt lliomas Stud«
BIBTOBT OV OSEKETWIOH. 61
well Ureth in, with ye B«me yt is on ye other Bide
of ye bje waye ; also ye home lott yt ye house stands
on, being bouDcled with a fence lying about them
on ye northwest, against ye honselott ; also eightene
Acres of land in Elisabeth neck, more or less, being
bounded by ye sea on ye east and southeast, and a
fence on ye west, northwest, and ye north.
Also ye Rig, with 5 acres of Meadow lying in it,
more or less ; ye rig being bounded by ye sea on ye
southeast, william low on ye east, and ye fence on
ye northwest, <fe north ye hye waye & hethcut^s
(Heathcote) & angell Heusteds on ye west ; also 3
acres of meadow in ye long meadow, & 1 acre of
meadow by Ferris, bounded by Jeffere Ferris land
on ye southeast, and ye cove on ye west and north*
west ; also 5 acres of meadow in myanos neck, all
ye above specified I do hereby acknowledge to have
Bould unto ye above sd John Mead, his heaires and
asignes, fully and freely to be possest forever, and
for ye quiet and full performance hereof, I have
hereunto subscribed my hand, anno 1660, October,
26 Daye.
RICHARD CRAB.
Apam Morr, ) ^j^^^,
ROBT. W ILUAMS. j
The John Mead above referred to is not the
oldest John, but his son ; which latter having
himself a son John always went, as we too
shall call hina, by the name of John Mead,
4
62 HISTaBT OF GREENWICH.
senior. The first John had become an old
man^ and all the purchases and other business
was done in the name of his son. Joseph
Mead, his only other child, is reported by tra-
dition to have died young, although it is not
improbable that he may have removed to New
Jersey or elsewhere, and become the ancestor
of another branch of the family. The brother
who remained here married a Miss Potter,
whose father afterwards owned Shippan Point
at Stamford ; and through her he afterward
received a considerable amount of property.
John — and many of his thouscmd and one de-
scendants take greatly after him — ^was a queer
feUow, though honest and charitable. The
followmg anecdote, which has been preserved
by tradition, shows his character. One day
when he had become quite an old man, as he
was going for his grist on horseback to the
mill at Dumpling pond, before he reached the
Myanos, he overtook an old Quaker jogging
slowly along, loaded with a heavy budget. In
a real spirit of kindness, he offered to take the
Quaker's load upon his horse and thus give
lum a lift on his journey. " No," replied the
Quaker, " thee don't get my bundle, for I can
read men's thoughts. Thee wants to get my
HKTOBT OV aBSXHWIOH. 63
T>imdle, and then theell run off. Thee don^t
get my bundle." " Very well," was the sim-
ple reply, and so they went slowly on together.
At last they came to the brink of the Myanos.
Here ~Mr. Quaker was really in trouble. How
to cross a river, two or three feet deep, dry
shod was quite a puzde. But he gladly ac-
cepted a second offer of assistance from the
hoi*seman. The bundle was mounted in front,
John in the middle and the Quaker behind.
Arrived at the centre of the stream, in pre-
tending to adjust his stirrup, John Mead
caught the Quaker by the heel and gave him
a gratuitous bath. Such treatment was too
much for even Quaker forbearance, and the
victim with his hands fuU of pebbles would
have taken summary vengeance, had not the
other party threatened to put the bundle under
a similar course of treatment. This threat
and the lecture following it gradually cooled
off the fellow's anger. Mead informed him
that all had been done for his good, to learn
him a lesson. And the lecturer said he hoped
the stranger would never again profess to read
men's thoughts. " For," said he, " I asked y<5u
to ride, kindly, in the first place, when you
refused ; but at the second time of asking, I
64 BISTORT OF GBIXNWIOH.
really intended to do as I have just done.'' So
saying, and tossing back the bundle, he rode
on, leaving his companion to apply the moral
as he thought proper,
As early as this date (1660), the settlers
felt the want of a minister ; and, although not
numbering perhaps more than twenty adult
male settlers, annually subscribed, or rather
taxed themselves, for preaching during a por-
tion of the year ; as did also Rye, which was at
this time included in Connecticut. But no
church was formed or pastor ordained. Dr.
Trumbull says, " Greenwich and Rye were but
just come under the jurisdiction of Connecti-
cut, and not in circumstances for the support
of ministers ; they had only occasional preach-
ing for a considerable time.''
Several settlers, though living here about
this time made large purchases in the town-
ships of Rye, Northcastle, Harrison, Bedford,
and even as far off as Westchester. Hence
we often see the names of John Coe, Thomas
StudweU, Peter Disbrow, Thomas Lyon, and a
number of others, figuring extensively upon
the records of those towns.
HIBTOBT OF QBBBNWIOB. 65
ITEMS FBOM 1665 TO 1690.
A few years mnst now be passed over with
but slight notice ; as the town records of that
period, from which we gain the most of our
information, are remarkably barren. Nevei^
theless the little settlement increased greatly,
both in wealth uid population. As has been
said, meetings were held regularly on the Sab-
bath, though but a part of the time attended
by preaching. In 1666 a school-house was
established. Mention of the school-house is
made, but we have no means of learning its
situation, or the name of the teacher. He,
no doubt, was revered more than most modem
pedagogues, since there was no minister, and
the largest landholder (John Mead) wrote
his name with a "his mark." At any rate
the school, thus early established, shows that
Greenwich, then as well as now, properly
valued the advantages of education.
In the year 1669, Daniel Patrick, the only
son of the original settler by that name, came
hither from Flushing, L. I., and opposed the
doctrine of " squatter sovereignty^'* by asserting
his claim to all the land which his father had
owned here, but which was now passed into dif-
66 HI8TOBT 07 OBEKNWIOH.
ferent hands. But as young Patrick, like his
father, was of a roving disposition, a compro-
mise was easily effected, and " all his right,
title, and interest in any land or estate in the
settlement," were bought with a horse, saddle
and bridle, and fifty pounds ; with all which he
left for pa^ unknot.
The actual settlement, as we have said, was
made east of the Myanos river ; but about the
year 1672, a number of persons, mostly living
in town, though some, as Rev. Jeremiah Peck,
were even from other colonies than Connecti-
cut, purchased Miosehasseky from the few In-
dians yet living about the western part of the
town. These purchasers were twenty-seven
in number, and styled the "27 Proprietors of
1672." Their names are, we believe, nearly
all preserved in the town, and we give them
as we accidentally found them on a stray leaf
of the well-worn records : —
27 Proprietors of 1672.
Ephraim Palmer, Samuel Peek,
Jonathan Beynolds, or Joseph Seres,
Kenolds, Angell Heusted,
John Hubbe (Hobby), WiUiam Hubbard,
Stephen Sherwood, Samuel Ginkins (Jenkins),
Joseph Mead, William Batere,
BttTOBT OV OBBBNWIOH. 67
John Bowers, John Marshall,
Joseph Finch, Jonathan Lockwood,
William Bundle, John Renalds,
John Mead, Gershom Lockwood,
John Asten, James Seres,
Jeremiah Peck, Thomas Close,
John Palmer, Thomas Close, Jan.,
Walter Bntler, Daniel Smith.
These kept separate records of their own,
and West Greenwich (by them called Horse-
neck), was entirely under their control-
In 1676, the people began, more than pre-
viously, it is said, to feel the need of having
the Gospel preached more regularly upon the
Sabbath. Accordingly, at a foil meeting of
the voters of the town, it was resolved to in-
vite some " suitable minister" to come and live
among them. Inquiries were immediately
made for some proper man, and upon the
recommendation of a certain Mr. Bishop, an
invitation was extended to the Rev. Mr. Wiz-
wale. For some reason, this call was never ac-
cepted ; and the town was two years longer
without a pastor. But, in 1678, an invitation
was given to the Rev. Jeremiah Peck, of Eliza-
bethtown, N. J. He was one of the proprie-
tors of the large tract of land on which Eliza-
bethtown la built ; and it was no small recom-
68 IU8TOKT OF GBBKNWIOH.
mendation of the man that lie was one of the
" 27 Proprietors of 1672" at Hoi-seneck. This
invitation was almost immediately accepted ;
and in the fall of the same year Mr. Peck
settled in Greenwich, and became the pro-
genitor of the nomerons Pecks still to be found
in Greenwich, The first salary paid to Mr.
Peck was fifVy pownda with jvrewood^ or eiscty
vntJumt. He chose the latter.
In 1679, Thomas Close sold his land, lying
on both sides of the Myanos, which was a very
large tract, and purchased other land in the
southeastern part of the town. The house or
a portion of the house in which he lived a hun-
dred and sixty years ago, is claimed to be still
standing, half a nule southeast of the present
borough of GreenwicL
In 1681, took place the earliest marriage
that is recorded, although others must have
preceded it, by the Rev. Jeremiah Peck, — John
Mead, jun., to Miss Buth Hardey.
About the same time, John Banks and
Thomas Lyon received a large grant of land.
The whole tract consisted of four hundred
acres, and was situated in the angle made by
the Armonck or Byram river and the West-
chester path.
1684. Mr. Peck still continues to preach.
mSIOBT OW aRXENWIOB. 69
and for the same salary. In February of tliia
year they granted him a right to bnild him a
house anywhere north of the Westchester
path, and west of the Myanos river. The
meeting-house, however, was not far from the
head of the cove ; and why he wanted a house
so far from his church we are at a loss to con-
jecture. Still, as he obtained the grant, we
trust he made good use of it,
Up to 1685, lieut. Lockwood had been the
leading and influential man in the town. This
year he died, and the people met in town's
meeting and passed resolutions deploring the
loss of so valuable a citizen. A saw and grist
mill was put up at Dumpling Pond. An old
mill building still marks the site, and doubt-
less contains some of the same timber.
In 1686 the town voted that all the land
lying in commons and belonging to the town
should be divided, and whoever should take
his share of the same should pay therefor six-
pence per acre. It was also voted that a line
of fence should be built on the front of this
land, along the Westchester path from the
Myanos to the Byram river. Each owner was
to put up that part of the fence before his
own land, and have it completed by the lat
of April thereafter; and for every rod un^
70 HI8TOBT OF OBSBNWIOH.
finislied by that time was to pay a fine of six-
pence, . During the year another grant was
made to Rev. Mr. Peck, of the use of certain
land as paraonage land for three years ; being
the first record of any grant of the kind in the
town,
1687. Dnring this year, permission was
given to the citizens of the town to build fish-
pounds on the searshore " anywhere outside ye
feelds,'^ John Mead, jun, was elected constable,
then the most remunerative as well as im-
portant office in the gift of the town. Gershom
and his brother WiUiam Lockwood, during
this year, agreed to build a bridge across the
Myanos at Dumpling Pond, and receive in
payment ^whatever tlie town should see fit to
give after the work was done^^ A good way
to insure good workmanship, and at the present
day most builders would shrink from such a
test. The building used for church and town-
meetings was repaired, but to what extent
does not appear.
The number of legal voters in town now
amounted to about fifty, and the number of
inhabitants probably exceeded three hundred.
We find the following list of legal voters re-
corded in 1688, which may not now prove
uninteresting to readers :-^
BISTOBT or GBBBHWIOH*
71
Jonathan Lockwood,
Angell Husted,
Joseph Mead,
John Mead,
Joseph Ferris,
John Kenalds,
John Hubbe,
Meriam Hubert,
Jeames Ferris,
Jonathan Benalds,
John Bowers,
Joseph Finch,
Meriam Hubert, Jun.
Thomas Lyon,
John Banks,
Thomas Close,
Frances Thome,
Nathaniel Howe,
Joseph Palmer,
William Bundle,
Gershom Lockwood,
John Marshall,
Daniel Smith,
Jonathan Huested,
Ebenezer Mead,
John
Ephriam Palmer,
Jeames Palmer,
Walter Butler,
Samuel Peck,
Rev. Jeremiah Peck,
X John Mead, Jun.,
Henere Rich,
-^Jonathan Mead,
Joshua Knapp,
George Hubbert,
Joseph Huested,
Angell Husted, Jun.,
, John Renalds, Jun.,
Peter Ferris,
Thomas Hubbe,
John Hubbe, Jun.,
Job Ferris,
Jonathan Lockwood,
Robert Lockwood,
Caleb Peck,
— Joseph Mead, John Mead's
Son,
^ Joseph Mead, Joseph
Mead^s Son.
Joseph Knapp, Jun.
Tash.
It will be noticed that the names then
written Heusted, are now written Husted*
Hubbe, Hobby ; Benalds, Reynolds ; Hub-
72 HI8T0BT or OSBSXrWIOH.
bert, Htlbbart, <fec. The name of ^ash is, I
believe, the only one now unrepresented in
town. He was a shepherd, employed by the
"Twenty-seven Proprietors" to watch their
herds on their commons. This fact proves
that Greenwich is indeed a portion of the land
of steady habits, and that her sons are great
lovers of home.
A little previous to this time, about 1686,
the Indians sold their almost last acre of ground
in the town. These lands were at the mouth
of the Myanos, on its western bank, and are
now in ike possession of Capt. Noah Mead,
who still possesses the veritable deed.
A controversy arose in 1688 upon the sub-
ject of infant baptism. Mr. Peck refused to
baptize the children of non-professors, and for
the time was supported by a majority of the
members of the church. He claimed to be
imable to find any command enjoining such a
practice, and said we were constantly breaking
too many direct conmiands, whilst rigorously
obeying supposed but doubtful ones. The
question coming before the town meeting,
resulted as follows : —
At a towne meeting, may 2lBt, ye major part of
ye towne did pr vote Desire mr. Jeremiah Peck's
HIBIOBT OF OBSBNWIOH. 73
continuance, & going on in ye work of ye ministrye
— amonngst us,
Protest
We John Mead, Sen., & Jan., Thomas Close,
John Habbe, Sen., Jonathan Hnested, do enter our
protest against ye above sd Rendering this our rea-
son, yt as is foUoweth, that this caule is not accord-
ing to ye rules of ye gospel Mr. Jeremiah Peck
refusing to baptise our children.
ye above sd John Mead Sen reasons are
becanse sd Jeremiah Feck hath Given him John
Mead offence.
It is to be feared that few of even chnrch
members are as honest as said John Mead,
sen., in giving their reasons for opposing their
ministers.
In accordance with " this canle," Mr. Peck
continued to preach during the year. But
when that time had rolled around, there were
so many to whom he had "given offence,"
that he was not' again asked to continue, and
was dismissed in 1689, after having preached
here eleven years. Afterwards, he removed
to Waterbury in this State, with all his family
excepting Samuel and Caleb.
Furthermore it is recorded that " ye tovme
per vote hatJie agreed to bye a hdle.^
. 74 HI8T0ET OF GBEBMWiOfi.
▲NOTHXB QUABTEB OF A GENTIIBT|
1690 TO 1Y16.
Nothing of importance is recorded in 1690.
Feeling tbe want of a minister, the town ap-
pointed a committee to procure one. John
Mead was appointed town brander, to keep a
record of the brands or marks of cattle and
slaves.
In 1691, Mr. Abraham Pierson, having re-
ceived a call from the committee appointed
daring the preceding year, agreed to supply
the pnlpit for a time, but refused to become
a settled pastor. He came here from New
Jersey, where he had settled soon after his
graduation at Cambridge in 1668. He had
there been successful and popular as a preacher,
and was dismissed after a pastoral labor of
more than twenty years. He accepted, dur-
ing the first year, of the same salary as had
been paid to Mr. Peck, choosing as did his
predecessor the sixty pounds without the fire-
wood, in preference to fifty pounds with.
Before this year no record is made of a tax
having been made, so lax were the records
kept. They now speak of the tax of a " penny
on the pound."
HIBTOBT OF GBSSNWICH.
75
It was also voted to have a new meeting*
house ; and Jobn Mead, sen. and John Mead,
jan«, John Hubbe, Daniel Smith, and Samuel
Peck, were appointed a committee to procure
materials and build the house. A subsequent
meeting made its dimensions thirty-two feet
long, twenty-six feet wide, and fifteen feet
high. A controversy which lasted for years
concerning the site, delayed the putting up of
the building. It was finally built upon a
small rise of ground, northwest of the old
burying-ground in Old Greenwich, where now
stands a small dwelling-house.
1692. No records of importance.
1693. The death of John Mead, jun., the
acting constable, was lamented by the people.
They called an extra town-meeting, and passed
resolutions deploring the loss of so estimable
an officer. He was the grandson of the first
settler, and left three children.
1694. Mr. Pierson, having now preached
in the church, as indefinite supply, for three
years, left and settled in Killingworth in this
State. He afterwards was the most zealous of
all the ministers in founding Yale College at
Saybrook, and was elected its first rector or
president. Dr. Trumbull says of him, ''At
76 HI8XOBT OF GBSEHWIOK.
his death his loss was deeply felt, and the
friends of the College deeply lamented it,"
1695. Although frequent mention has been
hitherto made in the records, of a school, we
have now for the first time the name of so
important a personage as the schoolmaster.
He rejoiced in the name of Thomas Prent.
The school-committee were Jonathan Benalds,
Joseph Pinch, and William Bundle. It was
voted that no person should be obliged to
help support the school who sent no children.
The committee were a security for the pay-
ment of the schoolmaster's wages. A com-
mittee was also appointed ^^ to counte ye clab-
bords and ye shingles to tell how many each
peticular individual should bring toward ye
new meeting-house." A horse-bridge was
built by Jonathan Whelpley over the Myanos,
according to a vote of town. In payment, he
was to receive from each voter, " one bushel
of good marchean table com." He was also
to have the use of a horse and team of oxen
until the bridge was finished, which was to be
during the next summer. " The bridge to be
wide enough for a horse with two bushels of
corn on his back to pass without danger of
hitting the rails."
HI6T0BT OF aBBBNWIOH. 77
The committee wUcli was appointed, after
tKe departure of Mr, Pierson, to procure
anotber minister, soon extended a call to the
Rev. Salmon Treat, ^' to come and settle among
them, and preach upon the Sabbath.'' He
came here, but like Mr. Pierson acted only
as stated supply. His reason for this was the
unsettled and divided state of the church,
which arose concerning the site of the new
church. During his first year, he received a
salary of "fifty-five pounds with firewood''
or five pounds more than had been before
paid. And as an inducement to a more per-
manent settlement, it was soon after Increased
to sixty pounds. But the inducement proved
insufficient.
Below we have copied the town-list for the
years 1694 and 1695, which shows the com-
parative wealth of the town at that date. It
runs as follows : —
John Bundle,
. ;ei02 10
Samuel Peck,
81
Joseph Ferris,
. 154
James Ferris and Son,
103
Bobert Lockwood, .
. 61
Jonathan Heasted,
77
Joseph Finch and Son, . 105 )
78
BIBIOBT or eBBBHWIOB.
John Hobby,
£94 15
Angell Hensted and Son,
33 10
John Hensted,
30
Samnel Ueosted,
45 10
lifoees Ferris,
22
Benjamin Ferris,
24
Gershom Lockwood & Son,
153 15
Joseph Enapp,
73
Jonathan Bnndle,
47 6
Benjamin Mead,
87
Daniel Smith & Son,
161
William Bnndle,
60 10
William Hnbbart,
40 10
Bath Mead, widow of John
Mead,
22 10
Daniel Mead,
42
Zachariah Mead, .
30
Caleb Knapp,
39 10
Thomas Marshall,
34
Ebenezer Mead,
108 10
Joseph Mead, the tanner.
45 10
Jonathan Wbelpley, .
45
John Marshall & Son,
165 10
Henry Bich, .
39 10
John Ferris,
65
Joseph Palmer,
38 12
Jonathan Mead, .
45
John Marshall, Jan.,
69
John Bundle & Son,
43 14
Nathaniel Mead,
30
Timothy Enapp, .
47 6
BI8IOBT at emSKRWICR.
79
John Ansten,
. JB31
Joseph Finch, Jan.,
29
Caleb Peck, .
. 28
Thomas Close, Jon.,
26
Joseph Hensted,
. 64
Thomas Hobby, .
64 10
Ebenezer Bundle,
. 80
Stephen Holmes, .
81 6
Thomas Close, Sen., .
. 80
Angell Hnsted, Jnn.,
41
Elisha Mead,
. 38
Thomas Stndwell,
80
0.
William Palmer,
. 39
John Bnndle, Jnn.,
61 6
James Ferris, Jnn., .
40 10
Thomas Butler,
21
G^rsbom Lockwood, Jnn.,
. 47
Joseph Lockwood,
25
Benjamin Knapp,
. 31
Benjamin Hobby,
29
Joshua Knapp,
. 64
Samuel Mead,
87 10
Joseph Studwell,
. 18
John Banks,
76 10
Samuel Lyon,
. 88 10
Thomas Lyon,
67 12
Joseph Mead, not the tamMr.
26
Joseph Close,
24
Total. .
£2688 8.
80 BIBTOBT OV OBBKNWIOH.
1696. By this time so great a number had
removed from Old Greenwich to Horseneck,
that Mr. Treat preached at the latter place
one Sabhath out of three. He was again in-
vited by a unanimous vote of the town to
settle permanently ; but he declined as firmly
as before.
According to the custom of several towns
in this vicii^ty, a bounty had hitherto been
granted, per head, to those killing wolves and
bears; but it was now found that Indians and
others went way back into the country, and
took many of these animals which could do
no harm to the people living in this town,
and created a continual drain upon the town
treasury. It was therefore voted to discon-
tinue a practice which, while it did no good,
was periodically filling the town with a set of
drunken Indians and lazy white men. The
bounty was then allowed only to the white
citizms of the town.
Ebenezer Mead was appointed by the town
to keep "a place of publick entertainment for
man and beast." John Finch, a mariner, ob-
tained permission from the town to build a
warehouse and dock at the mouth of Pato-
muck brook, on Elizabeth Neck. The select-
BISTOST OF OBBKNWIOH. 81
men or townsmen for this year were, Daniel
Smith, Jonathan Heusted, Joseph Finch, and
John Hnbbe.
1697. The Rev. Mr, Treat having received
a call to Preston, New London county, and
accepted it, went away, leaving the town
again without a minister. Through a com-
mittee of the town, invitations to settle were
addressed to several ministers. A Mr. Joseph
Morgan accepted the call, came to Greenwich
in the latter part of the year, and immediately
commenced his labors. His salary was sixty
pounds beside firewood. It was increased in
sixteen hundred and ninety-eight, to sixty-
five pounds. He then preached one half the
time at Old Greenwich and the other half at
Horseneck, there being a gradual moving on
the part of some of the inhabitants toward
the latter place. The selectmen for 1698,
were John Hobby, Timothy Ejiapp, and
Jonathan Heusted.
1699. Mr. Morgan still pastor. But his
popularity with a part of the town was wan-
ing. A sectional dispute had arisen between
the people of Old Greenwich and those of
Horseneck, and Mr. Morgan took sides with
the latter. The difficulty arose simply on the
83 HIBTOBT OF GBBBNWIOH.
question of how mucli time should be devoted
to the Horseneck people by the minister;
they claiming one half and their brethren
being only willing for them to have one third.
The Horseneck people obtained the sympathy
of their minister, while he lost the favor of
the people on the other side of the river.
The latter turned their anger upon Mr.
Morgan, and circulated slanderous stories
against him; while the former became his
faster friends, and were ready on every occa-
sion to defend him from his calumniators.
It became evident early in the year
1700, that should Mr. Morgan choose to
remain, a division would be the inevitable
result of the difficulty. But Mr. Morgan, as
I think every minister is in duty bound in
such circumstances, chose rather to resign
than bring about a hopeless division, and sent
in the following, which is far more creditable
to the minister than to the people to whom
he speaks : —
Beasons Why mr Morgan hathe left preach-
ing.
Greenwich, Anno 1700, may 9, Mr Joseph Mor-
gan's reasons wherefore hee seeth cause to leave
ye work of ye preaching ye gospel in green wicb,
BIBTOBT 07 GBKXNWIOH. 88
^nprimisy because there is not a Fnitie in je place,
viz: Greenwich and Horseneck for ye pabliqne
worship of god — 21y because I do not see a proba-
bilite of there coining in gospel order, having given
you warning long ago, yt if they were not pro-
moters of I would desert ye towne. 8Zy, heoause I
see not yt mastere of famUieB do laye restrant tipon
there fa/rmUee on ye edbbiUh nighty Hohich is a kin-
drance ofmyvxyrhe: for by ye afore sd was 1 article,
yt I declare to ye towne, when I first came. & I
see several good reasons, yt I think most for ye
towne's advantage for me to desert ye towne*
"Which several peticalers I have Publiquely at a
towne meeting 1700 may ye 6 then having exprest
my mind to ye towne. At which time I tendered
to hear reasons to ye outside of anything:, yt any
person should bring against it ^y^rLn^mU^^
to remain with you if it might be for the best. I
not finding these things answered, I desire to leave
ye towne being loth in respect to those who will
wamrme, ofiering to help to ye outside of my skill to
gett another minister.
JOSEPH MORGAN.
His request, Ohristianlike as it was, was
granted by the town. But the people at
Horseneck were unwilling to lose their favorite
minister ; and branching off and forming a
new society, they invited Mr, Morgan to
preach for them.
84 ' BI8T0KT OF OBBBNWIOfi.
We now find recorded the will of John
Mead, senior, or the second John who came
to this country. His will was written in
March, 1696, or thirty-six years after his set-
tlement here with his father and brother ; and
his death probably occurred in the same year,
when he was not far from eighty years of
age. He had been a prominent citizen, re-
spected not only for his even temperament
but for his energy and decision of character.
An anecdote given on a former page, shows
many points in his character. In another
part of thia work will be found a table of all
of his descendants. Here is his will signed
by ^^ his ma/rk^
John Mead Senior's WiU.
Know all men by these presents yt I John Mead
Senir. of Greenwich in yo collonie of Gonecticut
for ye love good will and affection which I have
and bare towards my natnrall sonn John Mead of
ye towne of greenwich, and collonie aforesaid, have
given and granted and by these presents do give
& grant unto my sd sonn, John Mead, now de-
seased for his sonn John Mead my grandsonn a
Sertaine persale of land and meadow lying and
being in greenwich being bounded by ye land
yt I John Mead Senir. bought of John Bowers
, HBnOBT OF OBEBNWICH. 86
Dorth ; and a line drawn from ye northeast comer
of ye land I bought of Angell Hensted, Junior, to a
grate rock lying in ye frunt fence. AH ye land
lying in this compass with ye house as it is bound-
ed. Ye frunt of said land being bounded upon the
hywaye west. The reare upon ye sea southeast.
Upon these considerations following I give and
grant clearly, fully and absolutely ye above men-
tioned lands to him, his heairs and asignes: Im-
primis^ yt bee fally confirme yt contract yt was
betweene his father and his uncle Ebenezer Mead.
211y yt hee pay to his brothers Jonathan and [Na-
than Mead, when they come to bee of age, five
pounds to each of them & to his sister Elizabeth
Mead fortie shillings. Item I give and fully grant
unto ye above sd John, two acres in ye home lott
insted of yt, which ye sd John, now deseased, had
of me in ye southfield, disposing of yt in ye south-
field as I see convenient.
Further, know all men by these presents yt I,
John Mead Senir. aforesaid for ye love, good will
and afection, which I have and beare towards my
naturall sonn Joseph Mead of ye towne of green-
wich, have given and granted and by these pres-
ents do give and grant fully clearly and absolutely
unto my sd sonn Joseph Mead his heairs & as-
ignes, a Sertaine parsale of land & meadow, lying
in myanos neck estemed seven acres, be it more
or less, as it is bounded. Item, I give unto my
said sonn Joseph Mead his hoaires & asignes,
5
86 HIBTOBY OF ORSBinnCH. ,
three acres of land in Stanford Southfield near ye
upper gate, be it more or less as it is bonnded.
Farther, know all men \>j these presents, yt I,
John Mead Senior aforesd from ye lore good will
and afection which I have and bear towards my
natnrall sonn Ebinezer Mead of ye town of gren-
wich aforesd haye given and granted, and by these
presents do fully clearely & absolutely give and
grant unto my sd sonn Ebinezer his heaires &
asignes a Persale of meadow in ye Hoeack meadow,
estemed two acres and a halfe be it more or less ye
bounds being known by ye sd Ebinezer.
Further know all men by these presents yt I
John Mead Senior aforesd from ye love good will
and efection which I have and beare towards my
naturall sonn, Jonathan Mead, of ye towne of gren-
wich aforesd, I have given and granted, and by
these presents I do fully clearly and absolutely give
and grant unto my said sonn Jonathan his heaires
and asignes, a home lott, layed out to me at horse-
neck, and all my lands lying within Horseneckfield
& a Persale of land containing three acres more or
less, lying at ye southeast end of Widow Howe's
lott.
Further know all men by these presents yt I
John Mead Senior aforesd for ye love good will
and afection yt I have and beare towards my natu-
rall sonn, David Mead, of ye towne of bedford now
in ye government of New Yorke yt I ye said John
Mead Senior have given and granted, and by these
HlSTOltT OF GtOCkH WlOll. 87
presentB, I do ftdlj clearly and absolutely give and
grant unto my sd sonn David Mead his heaires and
asignes je accommodation lying and being at bed-
ford, both lands and meadows, as it was granted to
me.
Farther know all men by these presents, yt I
J dim Mead, Senicnr, aforesaid, for ye love, good will
& afection y 1 1 have and beare toward my natnrall
sonn, Benjamin Mead, of ye towne of grenwich,
aforesd, have given and granted, and do hereby
fnlly, clearly, & absolntely give and grant nnto my
sd sonn, Benjamin Mead, those Persales of land,
hereafter exprest, viz. : five acres of land at Stick-
lin's brook, as it is layed ont to me, and all my lands
and meadow lying and being at that place, com-
monly called Coscob, as it is layed ont to mee, & ten
acres of upland above ye road, added now to ye
five.
Further know all men by these presents, yt I,
John Mead Senior from ye love good will and
afection yt I have and beare towards my natnrall
sonn, Nathaniel Mead, of yesd towne of grenwich,
aforesd, have given and granted, and by these
presents do hereby give and grant nnto my sd sonn,
Nathaniel, his heaires and asignes, an acre and two
rods of meadow in ye sonthfield, as it is bounded ;
likewise seven acres of land lying at a place called
Crock ; also two-thirds of my lands, as it shall be laid
out of that estate, in Patrick's list.
Further know all men by these presents yt I
88 HI8TQBY OF GBKBNWIOH.
John Mead Senior aforsd for ye love good will and
afection yt I have and beare towards my natnrall
Bonn Samll Mead, of ye towne of grenwich, have
given & granted, and by these presents do give &
grant, fully, clearely & absolutely unto ye sd Saml.
Mead, his heaires and asignes, oil my orcherd, item
all my on ye east side of ye hye waye by my house
both meadow & land & plowing land, bounded by
ye grate rock yt lyeth in ye fence of land of my
grandsonn, John Mead, & upon a straight line to ye
northeast corner of ye meadow land yt I John
Mead, aforesd, bought of Angell Husted Jr. Item,
all my land upon Elizabeth Neck, as it is bounded ;
iteniy all my alotment in Stanford eastfield, on Ship-
pan, which was my father Potters, as it is bounded
item y t persale of land I had of the overseers of my
father potter's estate, lying within Stamford bounds,
fronting ye hye waye by ye southfield, as it is
bounded.
Further know yt ye aforesd housing, land &
meadows I do freely give to him sd Samll Mead,
my sonn, his heaires and asignes as aforesd also a
persale of land lying by Gershom Lockwood,
bounded by ye liye waye, west by ye lands of my
Grandsonn John Mead southeast which persale of
land was not mentioned before. Provided, yt ye
sd Samll his heaires & asignes, do well and honor-
ably maintain his mother with a convenient roome
in ye house, such a room as his mother shall cheuse,
& with such other things as may be suitable for her
HIBTOBT OF GBEBMWICH. 89
comfortable subsistence, daring her widowhood, &
yt he paye out to his brother Nathaniel, aforesd, 20
pounds in Provesion paje, as it passeth from man
amoungst us. Beginning ye payement of it after
my decease, and Paying five pounds pr annum,
till tis payde.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto sett my hand
& Seale, this 16 march, 1695--6.
his
JOHN -I- MEAD,
mark.
Signed and sealed in the )
presence of )
Salmon Tbrat,
Zaohabiah Mead.
Certified before me JONATHAN BELL,
Commissioner.
Mr. Mead was, as is supposed, buried in an
old burying-ground a little southwest from
the old one yet in existence on Greenwich
Point. All traces of this burial place are
now removed, the tombstones having been
removed to form fences, and the place being
often plowed over without regard for those
sleeping the sleep of death there. The grave
of even William Grimes is now unknown, as
it has been recently plowed over by farmers
in the vicinity. And if those who enjoy to
90 HISTORY OP GREENWICH.
this day his bounty were disposed to erect a
monument to his memory, they could hardly
denote the place of his burial.
We here give a copy of his will with other
matters of record, as it appears upon the town
record.
William Grimes, of Greenwich, his will.
Tkese testifie that I, weeliam Grimes, of this
towne of greenwich, being of perfect memory and
understanding, but being very sick in body, do give
all my lands to ye disposal of Joseph Mead, John
Benolds and Eliphalet Jones, to bee Disposed of by
them in such a waye as thaye shall judge meet for
ye Inlarging of ye towne of grenwich, by accom-
modating such inhabitant or inhabitants as shall bee
admitted into ye towne in an orderly way, provided
they be such men as the aforesd Mead, Benolds &
Jones shall judge desirable for the promoting of
chnrch and commonwealth. This, my Deade of gift
shall stand good and firme at ye time of my dessease.
Witness my hand, this : 18 : July, 1670.
WILLIAM GRIMES.
Witness, — ^Rxtth Fbbkis,
DsBOBA Bablow.
Inasmuch as the Townsmen of ye towne of green-
wich have sent unto me for information about ye
Disposal of yt persale of land and meadow, which
was William Grimes, to ye disposal of Joseph Mead,
HISTOBY OF GBESNWIOH. 91
John Benolds and myself, to be disposed by them,
6 as they saw most advantageous to ye good &
proffit of thee towne of Greenwich ; so wee did, al
of ns agreed, y t ye sd land shoold bee for ye use of
a minister, as performing ye will, & it ought to have
been so recorded & for as much as Joseph Mead is
now deseased, & I myself beine Bemote cannot act
in my own person about it, I do constitute my
Friend Joseph Ferris, of grenwich, to act in my
stead, with John Henolds to see y t it bee setled and
recorded, as was firmly ordered. My mind is also
that when at anytime the towne shall be without a
minister, yt ye proffits of ye sd land shall go to helpe
mainetaine such as shall bee Imployed in teaching
children to Beade.
EIIPHALET JONES.
Huntington, Apr 22, 1691.
This acknowledge by ye subscriber Eliphalet
Jones, ye date aforesaid.
JOHN AENOLD,
EPENETUS PLATT.
theire m(ye8ties Justices of ye Peace,
Cov/niy ofSufoVk, on Long Isla/nd.
Greenwich, 1694, March ye
7 Day. Wee, namely, John Eenolds & Joseph
Ferris conserned in ye disposal of ye above so-
named Grimes land as doth above appear so for
ourselves our heaires & sucksessors now make this
following disposal to stand good and Authentic for
ever, namely, yt ye land & meadow yt was Grimeses
92 mSTOBT OF GBEBNWIOH.
be Disposd of to ye town for ye use of ye ministrie
of personage land, & if no minister Bee in ye place
ye profit of ye sd land & medow be Improved to
help to maintan such as shall be Imployed to teach
children to Head : and wee do jointly agree that
this our Disposal do stand good for ye method of ye
Improvement of ye towne, as witness our hands, ye
date above sd.
JOHN EENOLDS,
JOSEPH FEREIS.
The above is brought in here for the sake of
the following agreement made in 1Y04 or 1Y05.
When the separation of the town into two
societies had become a plain, settled fact, the
town through committees agreed upon the fol-
lowing division of ecclesiastical property,
which in 1Y05 was ordered to be recorded,
and thus appears upon a page of record : —
Abitoles of Agbeement
Between ye Inhabitants on ye East sid of Myanos
River and ye Inhabitants of sd Greenwich on ye
west sid of sd Mianos River.
1. That from the Dates of these there be a
liberty of calling encouraging and setling the
ministry of the gospel according to ye way of this
Colony of Connecticut in two Societies on ye west
side as well as on ye East sid of Myanos River.
HIBTOBT OF GSEBNWIOH. 93
2. That for ye encourageinent of ye minietrje
in either sid of ye sd river there be a rate raised
annually by ye yearly list of ye towne of Greenwich,
of which ye one halfe to be collected for ye minister
of ye East side & ye other halfe to be collected for
ye minister of ye west side of Myanos Eiver, & yt
for ye present ye annal rate amount to forescore
pounds in provision pay.
3. That all public charges consarning ye minister
of ye gospel be equal, according to ye publick list.
4. That thirty acres of land at Horseneck be
registered ; and be continually for ye use of ye
ministrie, according to ye way of ye sd Connecticut
Colony at Horseneck, in ye lieu of griraeses land
commonly called, which belong perpetually to ye
use of ye ministrye on ye East side Mianos River,
or Greenwich old town.
5. That ye half of ye ordinary yearly salary for
ye minister in Greenwich be collected in proportion
according to ye public list of ye towne for ye minis-
trye residing at either place, whether Horseneck or
Greenwich Old Towne, provided the other place be
destitute of a minister.
6. That it be at ye liberty of each Society to
make choice of their respective ministers.
7. That ye general percell of land on ye east
side of Myanos river, made choice of by mr. bower
& entered upon ye towne records, be absolutely
given to ye minister on ye east side, provided he be
ordained, or Dy in ye place of his Improvement in
Greenwiob, & that upon ye same provesion the
94 maroBT of gbeenwioh.
lands the west side of ye sd rirer o£Fered unto bat
not accepted by sd mr. bower be absolutely given
and confirmed to ye minister of ye said west side.
8. That eney Kight in common lands in Green-
wich mr. bower hath granted to him, or may have
granted to him, as large and full *****
«««««« common lands be granted to
ye minister at Horseneck.
9. & Finally, that it is ye desire & agreement
of ye Inhabitants, both on ye east and also on ye
west side of Myanos Kiver, that ye Articles be
obliging and binding upon themselves and their
associates. All ye above articles and primeses
were published unto & before ye towne. Te sub-
scribers. Committee of six Inhabitants of sd Oreen-
wich, were appointed & ordered in ye name of ye
towne to subscribe theire confirmation of all & every
ye above articles.
On ye west side of Myanos,
EBENEZER MEAD,
JOSHUA KNAP,
TIMOTHY KNAP.
On the East sid Myanos Biver,
SAMUEL PECK,
JON. RENOLDS,
ROBERT LOCKWOOD.
Subscribed in presence of us,
JONATH. SeLLECK,
John Davenpobt,
Sauuel hait,
Davh) Wateebuby.
HIBTOBT OF GBBEirWIOH. 95
In 1702, some farther arrangements had been
made respecting Mr. Morgan, which resulted
in Mr. Morgan's acceptance of a call to preach
for six years more.
Up to 1Y03, all town meetings had been
held in Greenwich " old town f but it was
now voted that they should be held one half of
the time at Horseneck. And about this time
there was quite an emigration from the old
settlement to the western and northwestern
parts of the town.
At a Town meeting bareing Date May ye 3
1704 the town taking into consideration that which
hath formerly been Don by ye towne in order to
Mr. Nathaniel Bowers setling in the towne hath
been ineffectual & considering Mr. bowers hath
promised to setel at Horsneck if ye inhabitants did
not call him to office on ye East sid Mianus river
& being informed mr. bowers Designs to leave ye
town these things considered ye towne pr vote
see cans & reson to invite Mr. Bower to setle at
Greenwich towne plott on ye west side Mianus
river which if Mr. Bowers sees cause to except,
Then ye town doth promis & Ingage to make suita-
ble provesion for himself & for setling him iu his
ministerial office.
At a town meeting, December ye 19 : 1704 : The
Town per vote grant Liberty unto Oorinal hethcut
to build tow small sloops sum where about Mianos
river.
96 mSTORT OF GBSaSNWIOH.
Furthermore, moved ye towne put it to vot
whether Mr. bowers should have fifty-five pounds,
and it passes in the Negative.
Furthermore, ye town pr vot do not Desire Mr.
Bowers to continue any longer in ye work of ye
ministrye in Greenwich,
Notwithstanding this vote, it appears that
Mr. Bowers was here in 1Y06, and we have
been unable to ascertain when he left, or if,
indeed, he preached at all after the last men-
tioned date.
Furthermore, ye Town per vot grant Liberty,
unto ye inhabitants on ye east sid mianus to beuld
a mill upon any strem where they shall think con-
venient.
Furthermore, the Town per vot do grant Liberty
unto the inhabitants of greenwich living on the
west side Mianus river, to build a tide mill upon
Sticklin brook or Coscob river themselves or to
imploy som other parson whom they shall think
fitt and likwise Do grant them use of ye streams
for that end.
After the town had thus given permission
to the inhabitants of Horseneck to build a
mill, a meeting was held of which the follow-
ing is the record : —
At a meeting of ye Inhabitants of ye town of
Greenwich on ye west side of Myanos river
HI8T0BY OF GBBBNWIOH. 97
legally warned &niet on ye nineteAith day of June,
1706 Whereas ye sd inhabitants have had a
grant from ye town at a town meeting on ye 9th day
of January 1704:, of ye stream of ye tide or creek of
Coscob river to own a grist mill, or imploy whom
the see cause therein the sd inhabitants have grant-
ed sd stream to Mr. Joseph Morgan, to build a grist
mill, and do there in oblige him, his beairs and
asines, to grind for ye inhabitants of ye towne of
Greenwich for aboute one 12 part of all grain, &
do grant that toll, and do oblige him and his heaires
& asigns, to grind for said inhabitants what grain
they bring to mill on Tuesdays and Fridays forth-
with, not to hinder them for strangers, and do
oblig him, his heairs and successors, by virtue of ys
grant to keep a suflScient hous for to secure ye grain
yt is brought to sd mill.
This arrangement continued until 1708,
when further action was taken in a similar
meeting.
EPISCOPALIAiaSM.
In the year 1704, Rev. George Muirson
(see Hawkin's Hist. No. 1, of Col. Church),
having been ordained, was appointed to the
mission of Rye. In one of bis reports to
the Society sustaining him, he says:
I have been lately in the Government of Connec-
ticut, where I observe some people well affected to
98 mSTOBY OF GBEBNWIOH.
the chnrchy for *tho6e that are near come to my
parish on Sabbath days ; so that I am assured an
itinerant missionary might do great service in that
province. Some of their ministers have privately
told me that, had we a bishop among ns they would
conform and receive holy orders, from which as
well as all on the continent, the necessity of a bishop
will plainly appear.
Mr. Mnirson was exceedingly zealons and
active in attempting to plant a missionary
Church of his sect of religion in this vicinity.
And he was warmly supported by the assist-
ance of Col. Caleb Heatbcote, of Westchester
county. Col. Heathcote himself also wrote
frequently to the Society upon the subject,
and in his letters frequently complained that
great opposition was encountered, and stating
that Mr. Muirson had been forbidden to preach
by the justices of Connecticut, who had even
threatened to put him and all his hearers in
jail.
Col. Heathcote enters, in some of his letters
to the Secretary, upon a discussion of the gen-
eral aflfairs of the Church in New York, New
Jersey, and Connecticut In his letter dated
Scarsdale Manor, Nov. 9th, 1Y05 (see Bolton's
History of Westchester County, Vol. II. page
106), he says : —
mSTOBT OF OBEBNWIOH. 99
Bat bordering on Connecticut there is no part of
the continent, from whence the church can have so
fair an opportunity to make impressions upon the
Dissenters in that government, who are settled by
their laws from Rye parish to Boston Colony, which
is about 35 leagues, in which there are an abund-
ance of people and places. As for Boston Colony,
I never was in it, so can say little to it. But for
Connecticut, I am and have been pretty conversant ;
and always was as much in their good graces as
any man.
And now I am upon that subject, I will give you
the best account I can of that colony. It contains,
in length about 140 miles and has in it about 40
towns, in each of which there is a Presbyterian or
Independent minister settled by their law ; to whom
the people are obliged to pay, notwithstanding
many times tliey are not ordained ; of which I have
known several examples. The number of people
there, I believe are about 2,400 souls. Tliey have
an abundance of odd kind of laws, to prevent any
from dissenting from their church, and endeavor to
keep the people in as much blindness and unac-
quaintedness with any other religion as possible ;
but in a more particular manner the church, look-
ing upon her as the most dangerous enemy they
have to grapple withal. And abundance of pains
is taken to make the ignorant think as bad as possi-
ble of her. And I really believe that more than
half of the people of that government, think our
church to be little better than the Papists. And
100 HI8T0BT OF GREENWICH.
they fail not to improve everything against ns ; bnt^
and I bless God for it, the Society have robbed
them of their best argument, which was the ill lives
of the Olergy that came into these parts. And the
truth is, I have not seen many good men but of the
Society's sending.
And no sooner was that honorable body settled,
and those prudent measures taken for carrying on
that great work, but the people of Connecticut,
doubting of maintaining their ground without some
further support, they with great industry went
through their colony for subscriptions to build a
College at a place called Seabrook. And the min-
isters, who are as absolute in their respective par-
ishes as the Pope of Bome, argued, prayed, and
preached up the necessity of it; and the passive
obedience people, who dare not do otherwise than
obey gave even beyond their ability. A thing
which they call college, was prepared accordingly,
wherein I am informed, there was a commencement
three or four months ago. Bat notwithstanding
their new college here, and old one in Boston, and
that every town in the colony has one, and some
two ministers, and have not only heard them say
but seen it in their prints, that there was no place
in the world where the gospel shone so brightly,
nor that people lived so religiously and well as
they : yet I dare aver, that there is not a much
greater necessity of having the christian religion
preached in its true light anywhere than amongst
them. Many, if not the greater number of them,
HIBTOBT OF GBESNWIOH. 101
being little better than in a state of heathenism ;
having never been baptised nor admitted to the
communion. And that yon may be satisfied what
I tell you herein is not spoken at random, nor
grounded on careless observation, Mr. Moirson's
Parish is more than three-fonrtbs of it composed of
two towns, viz ; Kye and Bedford, which were first
settled nnder the Colony of Connecticut and of
people bom and bred under that government, and
some time before my coming, had a minister, one
Mr. Denham, and had afterward two more. Wood-
bridge and Bowers at By^ and one Mr. Jones at
Bedford. And the people of Kye only had of this
county, the care to provide a parsonage house.
And notwithstanding all those great shows of reli-
gion, and that at such times as they were destitute
of a minister.
Greenwich and Stanford, the bounds of the for-
mer of which places join upon theirs and the other
is not above ten miles distant, where they were
always supplied. But they could not be said to
want the opportunity of having the Sacrament ad-
ministered to them, yet, I believe, 20 of them have
never received the communion, nor half of them
been baptized, as Mr. Muirson more fully will inform
you. And now I have given you an account of the
state of that colony, what will in the next place be
naturally expected from me, is to know my opinion
of the best and most probable way of doing good
amongst them.
There is nothing more certain, than that is the
102 HI8TOBT OF GBBBHWIOH.
most difficult task that the Society have to wade
through, for the people are not only not of the
church, but have been, and are, trained up with all
the care imaginable to be its enemies. That to
make an impression under all those disadvantages,
is very difficult, though I hope not impossible.
And though, at first view, the prospect of doing any
good upon them is very little yet no doubt but the
most proper measures ought to be taken, leaving
the event to Almighty God.
In the remainder of his letter Col. Heath-
cote recommends that Rev. Mr. Muirson be
sent on a Missionary tour thonghont the
colony.
Afterwards, as late as July IStli 1T40 (see
Bolton's History of Westchester County),
Rev. James Wetmore, in acquainting the So-
ciety with the success of his Mission, writes,
that beside his regular duty at Rye, he offici-
ated once a month at Stamford and Green-
wich.
No Episcopal Church was built in Green-
wich until 174Y, when steps were taken for
that purpose, under Dr. Ebenezer Dibble,
Missionary.
March ye 18, 1708, at a meeting of ye inhabit-
ants on the west sid Mianus river, they vote as
HIBTOBT OF OBEENWIOH. 103
followeth, jt Mr. Morgan should go and live hj his
mill for je space of six years if he see occation for
it, & there keep a lad to tend his mill, and oversee
him therein himself, and continae in ye worke of ye
ministrye.
Oaleb !Knap & Jonathan Hobby & Jonathan
Benolds, benjamin Clos, henry rich Jo hensted
Stephen holmes & Gtershom Lockwood, James
Ferris, Isaack How, Jonthan Finch : these all do
enter there protest against ye aboye sd act of Mr.
Morgan's going to ye mill.
During the same year another meeting was
held relative to the same subject, with the
following result :
At a meeting of ye inhabitants of Greenwich on
ye west sid Mianus Elver Anno 1708 July ye 2ond
ye above sd Inhabitants do vot yt Mr. Morgan shall
be settled up in ye place, & whereas there is a
difference in ye place concerning ye place of Mr.
Morgan's settiement, ye Inhabitants above sd by
vot Do' Joyntly agree to leave it to ye ministers of
this county fully to determine & to say where Mr.
Morgan shall be setled, whether down at the mill,
or up in ye place amoungst us ; & to sett down
contented with their judgment in setlin Mr. Morgan
according to gospel order, ye inhabitants above sd
by vot Do make choice of Ebenezer Mead and
Oaleb Knapp to go to ye ministers & give them ye
reasons of ye difference "abot Mr. Morgan's living
at his mills.
104 HIBTOAT OF GREENWICH.
What the decision given by the Ministers
was, we have been unable to ascertain ; but
we find the following account on record, of
another meeting held during the same year :
At a meeting of ye Inhabitants of Greenwich
on ye west side of ye river, August ye 27, 1708,
vot as followeth, viz. : yt Mr. Ebenezer Mead,-
Joshua Knap and Caleb Knap shall be there Com-
mittee to Bee if Mr. Morgan provideth himself with
a miller, and leaves his mills and betakes himself to
ye work of ye ministry, & to take from under Mr.
Morgan's hand that he relinquisheth ye thirty acres
of land, ye hous, & horn lott, in case he deserts ye
towne ; & in case Mr. Morgan faileth in ye premises,
then ye place is to be at there Liberty, & above
said Committee to take care to provide ye place
with another minister by ye last of September.
Oct. ye 17, Mr. Morgan Desired ye above sd
Committee to meet & give him a full answer, which
accordingly ye above sd Committee met & answered
that according to ye above sd towne act he was at
his liberty and likewise they was at their liberty to
provide ye place with another minister.
From this last record, it would appear that
Mr. Morgan chose rather to live at his mills
and not preach, than to preach and not live
at his mills. Doubtless this was the end of
his stated regular preaching, yet we do not
HIBTOBY Oli" OSXBNWIOS. 105
find that any other mmister came here daring
the succeeding half-dozen years. Possibly
and probably, the Horseneck Society had fre-
quent preaching by transient ministers ; and
no doubt Mr. Morgan preached for them
often, in the absence of others.
The materials for an elaborate history are
wanting during this period, and we must pass
over several years from this time with little
notice.
During the year lYlS, it would seem that
the people freely discussed the question of a
re-union of the town in one ecclesiastical
society. This idea would doubtless be ridi-
culed now ; but it should be remembered that
in those days, distance was little thought of
by good church-going people, and the prevail-
ing fashions did not make so much time requi-
site for preparation as they do now. Besides
this, economy in society expenses doubtless
had its influence with many of the inhabitants.
The Second Society was at that time without
a regular pastor, and, if we judge properly
from the face of the records, the First Society
also. Hence, the project was so plausible, as
to receive the following attention at a town
meeting : —
106 HISTOKt G» GBESHWlOir.
At a Town meetting held in greenwich. Anno
1713 October the 5th day the town taking into
consideration where might be je best place for to
erect a meeting honse for ye unitting of the town
together, ye town by vot Do Judge that between
Joseph Closes honse & Ephraim Palmers hons is ye
most suitable place in the bounds of ye town to
erect said house.
The honse designated in the above extract
as Mr. Joseph Close's, was near the present
residence of Jonathan A. Close, Esq., and that
of Ephraim Palmer was situated where Jose*
phns Palmer now resides. The place selected,
therefore, was nearly the geographical center
of the town. Indeed, it may then have been
the point most easily to be reached for
the then inhabitants, as previous to this
time the portions to the north, and west of
this had become qnite thickly settled. How-
ever, no church was ever built there, and the
design was entirely abandoned.
Another proof that there was no minister
here at that time, is the following:
At fk Towne meeting held in Greenwich Dec.
ye 29th day Anno 1715. Town meeting adjourned
to meet at minister's house.
HSKTORT OV GSSXSWWB* 107
1715 TO REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
A reliable history of this period could
hardly be given. Tradition hands down to
ns a few facts and ditties, while the record
gives us little worth preserving, besides the
ordinary annnal elections and regular business
of the town.
At a Towne meeting held in Greenwich, Anno
1716, June the 16th daye, He Towne by vot Do
give & grant unto Mr. Ju^tice'Bush of New York
the privilege of the stream of horseneck brook
below the contry road to build a grist mill or mills
upon, & sd Justice Bush is to build said mill within
two years time from this date, & to grind for the
inhabitants of Greenwich what grain they shall
bring to his mill to be ground, & not to put them
by for strangers^ & he is to have liberty to gett
stones & timber upon common lands for buildings
and mill, & also to sett up a storehous upon said
landing, & said Justice Bush is constantly to main-
tain a sufficient grist mill upon sd stream, except
said mill should come to some accident by fire or
otherwise & said Justice Bush do not rebuild her
again within three years time, then the said stream
& Privileges to return for there use & benefit as
formerly ;^ & further, Mr. Ebenezer Mead & Angell
Husted & John Ferris fwe chosen to lay out the
108 HtSTOBY or GfiSBNWIOH.
landing and highway on the Northside of horseneck
brook.
On the 22ond day of Dec. 1724 the town granted
liberty to Daniel Smith to build a wharf at the
mouth of Horseneck brook ****** for
ye use of ye towne.
A protracted lawsuit a few years since was
lost by the defendant, because unable to find
the above extracts upon the records ; and so
great is the age and wear of the book, that
but few searches would seriously endanger its
existence.
In lYlY, the Second Society was provided
with another minister, the Rev. Richard Sack-
ett. Little seems to be known of him, even
by his immediate descendants. He is spoken
of as a kind, mild man, and universally be-
loved by his people. Mr. Sackett graduated
in middle life at Yale College, in the class of
seventeen hundred and nine, the largest class
that had then graduated in that College. He
preached in Greenwich until his death, which
occurred in 1*727, ten years after his settle-
ment.
Upon the decease of Mr. Sackett, the Soci-
ety procured the services of Rev.^ Stephen
Munson, who was duly installed as pastor on
HISTORY OF aBBBNWIOH. 109
the 29th day of May, A. D. 1T28. Mr. Mun-
8on was also a graduate of Yale College, in
the class of seventeen hundred and twenty-
five, and came to Greenwich immediately after
finishing his theological studies. He remained
pastor only two years, when he was, like Mr.
Sackett, who preceded him, taken from his
chm'ch by death. This occurred in May,
1730,
The pulpit of this Society was then filled
by various ministers until 1^32, when the
church extended a call to Rev. Abraham
Todd, who accepted the call, and during the
next year was duly installed. Mr. Todd was
then a young man, having just finished his
theological studies. He had been graduated
at Yale College in the class of seventeen hun-
dred and twenty-seven. He remained pastor
of the church for forty years, when in the
year 1773 he died. Of his character, the du-
ration of his ministerial office over a single
church is, perhaps, a sufficient indication. He
is said to have been of a mild, easy disposition,
and many anecdotes are handed down to us
by tradition, concerning him. Although a
general favorite throughout the whole period
6
110 mSTOBT OF GBEBNWIOH.
of his ministry, lie may, like others, have had
some though few enemies.
It is related that daring his ministry, many
of his hearers were out-spoken men, even ex-
pressing themselves publicly during worship,
as to the merits or demerits of the doctrines
advanced. Among this class of persons was
one Palmer, who was present during the ser-
vice on an occasion when an Indian Mission-
ary preached to Mr. Todd's congregation. He
preached fluently, and we presume well ; and
so great an impression did his logic and elo-
quence make upon Palmer, that he exclaimed
at the close of the sermon, with great vehe-
mence, " Let's swap Todd and buy the Injin,
he does a good deal the best." Mr. Todd, him-
self, was present ; but whether he thought it so
much the greater compliment to the Indian,
or a low estimate of his own powers, we are
not informed.
Some other facts relating to Mr. Todd, may
be found upon the succeeding pages of this
volume.
In 1^35, according to Dr. Trumbull, one
Benj. Strong was installed at Stanwich ; but I
deem this a mistake, as no society was formed
mdTOBT O^ OBEEltWICH. Ill
tiiere until some thirty or more years after
this date. It may be, indeed, that such a
minister occasionally performed service there,
but we have no record of the fact. Mr. Ben-
jamin Strong was graduated at New Haven,
in the class of 1784, and probably there may
be a mistake in the date given by Dr. Trum-
bull.
In 1740, Rev. James Wet more, a graduate
from Yale College, and a convert from the
Presbyterian to the Episcopal doctrines, being
then settled at Rye, preached once a month
at Stamford and Greenwich. In 1747, Rev.
Ebenezer Dibble, also a graduate of Yale, be-
came a missionary for the parish including
both Stamford and Greenwich. He was a
member of the class of seventeen hundred
and thirty-four. He became Master of Arts
in 1793, the title of Doctor of Sacred Theol-
ogy was conferred upon him by Columbia
College. His death occurred in 1799. After
preaching two years- at private houses, the
communicants of the Episcopal Church built
a hoase of worship, it being the first in town.
Some of our oldest residents (Samuel Close,
Esq.) remember his preaching at the house
112 HIBTOBT OF aSESHWlOH.
*^)f Moses Heusted, where William A* Heusted,
Esq., now resides. His long flowing white
hair, falling gracefully upon his shoulders,
gave him a reverential and dignified appear-
ance.
In 1745 and 1746, occurred the death of
an aged couple, Mr. Samuel Feck, Esq., and
his wife Ruth. They were buried in the old
burying ground at Old Greenwich, where
their tombstones still remain, upon which the
following epitaphs are quite legible.
Here lies the Here lies the
Body of Mre. Rutb Body of Samuel
Peck, wife of Samll. Peck, Esqr., who
Peck, Esqr., who Died April ye2Sth,
Died sept, ye 17tli, AD : 1746.
1745, about 83 Aged 90 years,
years of age.
The name of Samuel Peck, as well as that
of his wife, has occurred frequently in the
preceding pages of this history, and both are
often met with upon our town records. In
his day Mr. Peck was probably the most influ-
ential man in the settlement. He was the
son of Rev. Jeremiah Peck, and was born in
mSTOBT OF GBEENWIOH. 113
1656. He moved into town with his father
in 16'r6. Though not by any means the most
wealthy, yet, if we may judge from the im-
portant positions he held, he was probably
the best educated. He held the office of Jus-
tice of the Peace as long as his age permitted.
His wife was Miss Ruth Ferris, whose name
is frequently to be found upon the records ;
and she was a high-minded, influential woman.
Contemporary with these, when in the prime
of life, was lieut. Gershom Lockwood ; but he
died some twenty years before them. He
was the principal carpenter and builder in
the town, and filled many offices of trust and
importance. His grave, a few feet north of
Mr. Peck's, is marked by a tombstone with
this epitaph :
Here lyes ye Body
of Mr. Gershom
Lockwood, aged
77 years, dec'd
March ye 12th,
1718-19.
In the same grave-yard stands a tombstone
of a more recent date, through which is a
hole, which has been a matter of considerable
114 mSTOBY OF OBBENWIOH.
speculation. As there was a sort of skirmish
in the vicinity, a report has gained some Cre-
dence, that a musket had sent a bullet entirely
through the stone ; but upon our making a
strict examination, we perceived unmistakable
marks of an auger, and we presume the hole,
though unused, was bored through for the
purpose of mending the stone, which at some
time had been broken.
FBENCH WAB.
During the French wars, as well as in the
Revolutionary, Connecticut furnished more
than her actual quota of men. We shall speak
only of the second French war here, as we
have no account of any detachment or com-
pany from Greenwich in active service during
the first war. That commenced by a declara-
tion of war on the part of Great Britain
against Spain on the 23d day of October,
1Y39. Great Britain contemplated raising
four regiments in America, to be transported
to Jamaica, there to eflfect a junction with
a powerful armament from the mother coun-
try. The expenses, of victualing, transporta-
tion, and other necessaries were to be defrayed
HISTOBT OF GBBENWICH. 115
by the colonies until the force should reach
Jamaica. Dr. Trumbull says, —
Connecticut engaged with cheerftQness and expe-
dition in his Majesty's measures. A special Assem-
bly was convoked in July^ 1740, and it was enacted,
that ^^ Whereas his majesty has thought fit to declare
war against Spain, and hath appointed an expedi-
tion against the Catholic King in the West Indies,
and has given his orders and instructions, under
his royal sign manual, now laid before this assem-
bly by his honor, the governor, for the raising
of such troops in the colony as shall voluntarily
enlist in the said service, to join the Erittish troops
in a general rendezvous in the West Indies : and
whereas, it appears by said instructions that it is
his majesties expectations, that the assembly will
provide victuals, transports and all necessaries for
the said troops, to be raised in this colony, except
their clothes, tents, arms, amnmnition and pay,
until they arrive at the general place of the general
rendezvous, which important affair this general
assembly, feeling most willing to exert themselves
to promote by a cheerful conformity to his majesty's
instructions, therefore be it enacted, — ^That there
shall be provided victuals, transports, and all
other necessaries for said troops, &c., until their
arrival in the West Indies."
Committees were appointed to carry these meas-
ures into immediate effect.
He
sound. '*^°Q of tie se2''P«'ed W 1"'^*'
%it4 f^'^Shnd. Iff' ^^ance d^ ' "? *^e
"'"^^ trouM ^ ^^^tilities )?'"'• Tie Jnd • "^^
tie 17ti o7r^ ^e^eJ^l^^V^'^^^-^^^^^^^^^
a^d the J °°e» 1745 fi. *^® ntino«f ^■
«n f^^.^^^Qd of r« \^® city of f ^*' Oxi
HIBTORT OF OSEENWIOH. 117
belligerents, indicating that they were nearly
exhausted y and verging to a general pacifica-
tion."
In the following April (April the 30th,
1748)5 both nations being heartily tired of a
war arising and maintained merely for na-
tional spite and hatred, preliminaries to peace
were signed at Aix-la-Chapelle ; and in a few
days a cessation of hostilities was proclaimed.
The final treaty was settled upon and com-
pleted on the 7th of October of the same year.
All prisoners and conquests were mutually to
be given up. The reasons for which either
nation entered into this war, are almost a mys-
tery. National jealousy and hostility may be
considered as the whole cause ; and for pure
spite on the part of the old countries, the colo-
nies of each were subjected to great expense
and privation.
The peace which resulted from this treaty
was but of short duration. The French re-
newed their claim to a great portion of that
territory which had been ceded to Great
Britain by the twelfth article of the treaty of
Utrecht, and which had been confirmed by all
succeeding treaties. Their encroachments had
been commenced almost as soon as the first
118 HIBTOBY OF OBEEHWICH.
war had been ended, and in 1749 were fast ad-
vancing towards Ticonderoga. They were,
also, fast extending their line of forts from the
St. Lawrence to the Mississippi, and even
encroached npon the borders of Virginia.
Settling Virginians were driven from the
Ohio, and English trading merchants were
plundered and killed by the Indians, at the
instigation of the French. Active hostilities
may be said to have commenced in 1755, and
on the 18th of May, 1756, Great Britain de-
clared war against France, which was recipro-
cated by France in a similar declaration, early
in the following June. This is termed the
second French war. Connecticut was largely
drawn upon for troops. Young men were
pressed into the service. As Greenwich, in
the early part of the war, had no volunteer
company, several of the inhabitants of Green-
wich were pressed. James Green, now long
since dead, used to relate that while a com-
pany of young people, himself among the num-
ber, were quietly enjoying themselves at the
tavern (then kept by one Mead, but now
occupied as a dwelling-house by Epenetus
Sniffin, Esq.), they were surprised by a press-
gang, and several of them forced into the ser-
HIBTOBT OF OBBENWIGH. 119
vice, while he with a few others escaped from
a window. After this time, a regular volun-
teer company was raised. This company-
seems to have marched directly to Ticonde-
roga in 1Y59, and joined the 3d Connecticut
regiment. One of the company, a Mr. Coit,
residing in King street, was mounted upon a
rather sorry nag, which by the time the com-
pany had reached Nine Partners, in Dutchess
County, had become quite leg-weary. And
Coit, thinking perhaps that all is fair in tinae
of war, took a noble horse from a pasturage
and turned his own there instead, without any
whys or wherefores with the real owner. His
new horse did him good service during the
company's stay at Ticonderoga, which was but
little more than a month ; and on his return
the company halted, that Coit might deliver
the horse to his owner. So well pleased was
the latter with the boldness of Coit, that he
made the whole company stop for the night
at his house, free of expense. After the war,
Mr. Coit went to Vermont and settled there
permanently ; several years after, having be-
come wealthy, he came to Greenwich in his
carriage, and visited all his old comrades of
the volunteer company.
120 BIBTOBT OF OBEENWICH.
In 1756, Connecticut had furnished a thou-
sand men, at the commencement of the cam-
paign ; and after the contest at Lake George,
they sent as a reinforcement to the army, one
thousand more. In 1756, this colony raised
over two thousand five hundred men. This
was much more than her quota, and double
the number required by the king's commander-
in-chief. In the following year, Connecticut
had more than six thousand men in actual
service. But on the 8th of March, 1759, it
was resolved by the Assembly : —
That the number of men raised last year was
greater than the colony could conveniently famish ;
that many had died, and others had been disabled
and rendered unfit for service, in the last campaign ;
that numbers had enlisted as recruits into his ma-
jesty's regiments ; and that others were employed
in the batteanx and carrying service, by which
means the number of the colony were diminished.
Yet that the salutary designs of his majesty might
as far as possible be answered, it was resolved, firmly
relying on his majesty's royal and most gracious
encouragement, that three thousand six hundred
men should be raised in this colony, consisting of
four regiments of ten companies in each. — (Trum-
bull's Hist.)
HI8T0BT OF GSEBNWIOH. 121
Fhineas Lyman was made the commanding
officer of the Ist Regiment ; Nathan Whiting,
of the 2d ; David Wooster, of the 3d ; and
Eleazer Fitch, of the 4th. All between the
ages of sixteen and sixty, were then compelled
to bear arms. The inhabitants gave of their
substance for the support of this war, and the *
ladies of the various towns formed associa-
tions for the clothing of the soldiers. Mrs.
Abraham Todd was the president of such an
association in Greenwich.
Ticonderoga, against which the Connecticut
regiments were especially engaged, was evac-
uated by the French, after blowing up their
magazine, on the 27th of July, 1759. The
city of Quebec surrendered on the 18th of
September following. On March 12th, 1760,
it was resolved by Connecticut again to raise
five thousand men ; and they went into the
field, commanded by the same officers. On
September 8th, 1760, Montreal and the whole
of Canada were given up to the kingdom of
Great Britain ; and peace followed as a natural
consequence.
An ancient powder-horn is still preserved
by Col. Thomas A. Mead, upon which is al-
most perfectly delineated, the relative posi-
122 HISTOBT'OF OBXENWIOH.
tions and forts of the hostile armies while at
Ticonderoga. This work was done by Dr.
Amos Mead, who was surgeon of the Third
Connecticut Regiment, while at Ticonderoga.
The horn beside this chart, has engraven upon
it this inscription : —
Amos Mead
Surgn of ye 3d Conn Reg
Ticonderoga October 1759
At a town meeting March the 2d, 1756, it
was " Furthermore voted that Mr. Nehemiah
Mead should have liberty to sell the Town
stock of Powder as soon as he can conven-
iently to ye Towns best advantage and lay
out all the money that he shall sell said pow-
der for, in powder that is good and put the
same into Town stock as soon as he conven-
iently can.''
1767, December the 3d, Monday, " Voted
to Mr. Edmund Brown and associates liberty
to build a saw mill on Horseneck brook at
Hangroot." By this agreement, Brown and
his associates were to build and keep in repair
the bridge at Hangroot, and be responsible
for damages that might thereby occur by
accident to any person.
HIBTOBT OF GREENWICH. 123
In 1758, the following record, taken with
other similar extracts, shows that the town
meetings were held alternately in all the
places of worship in the town : " At a Town
meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of
Greenwich, legally warned and attended at
the House Built by the Professors of the
Church of England in the Society of Horse-
neck on the top of the great hill on the Third
Monday of December A. D. 1758 being ye
18th day of said month, &c., &c."
But on the fifteenth day of December 1760,
it was "Further Voted to Build a Town
House and leave it to the authority and select
men how large it shall be and where it shall
stand." " Further voted that the Rate ibr
building the Town House shall be paid by
the first day of September next."
In 1762, we have the first mention of a
fund belonging to the town ; which is supposed
in some way to have resulted in the present
fund of the old Second School Society. A
committee was then appointed, consisting of
John Clapp, Silas Betts and Peter Mead, " To
take charge of one certain Bond of £158.0s.0d,
and to divide the money equally according to
the Design of the Assembly for the use of the
124 HIBTOST OF GSfiSNWIOH.
schools.'^ This bond is afterward mentioned
upon the record each year, in connection with
a committee to secnre and distribute the avails
of it. In 1767, it is spoken of as being se-
cured at Norfolk in the following manner:
"And whereas there are certain lands con-
veyed to the committee of the Town of Green-
wich and to their successors by Ezra Knapp
of Norfolk, which lands are lying in said Nor-
folk and are Designed for the use of schools
in Greenwich and as it appears Necessary that
some propter persons be appointed to Lease or
sell said land for the purpose aforesaid for
and in behalf of sd Town and to account
for the sales or profits thereof," a committee
was appointed for the purpose. The bond,
therefore, seems to have become worth as
much or more than the land on which it
had been secured, and to have been given up
in consideration of the land. Before given
up, the land at Norfolk subject to the mort-
gage was conveyed to Epenetus Holmes, also
of Norfolk. In discharge of the bond Mr.
Holmes conveyed some land in Greenwich, to
the town, together with his sloop. Hence —
At a town meeting, &c., Holden ia Greenwich,
on October ye 17th, 1774, The Town per vote do ap»
mSTOBY OF GREENWICH. 125
point the Present Select men for said Town their
Oommittee to sell the sloop and lands and outlands
conveyed to said Town by Epenetns Holmes ; said
sale to be acconnted for to said town, for the nse of
the schools ; and the select men are appointed to sell
said House and lands, Either together or separate,
as may best suit ye purchaser or purchasers, on the
day of the next annual Town Meeting, at 12 o'the
clock, noon, at the Town House at Horseneck, by
way of Public Vendue. Resolved in the affirma-
tive, and that selectmen or any one of them, notify
Mr. Epenetus Holmes by letter that the town expect
the interest Due on his mortgage, or if not, he may
expect, &c.
• In lt67, the following petition was pre-
sented at town meeting, relating to the dock
at Coscob.
To the benevolent inhabitants of the Town of
Greenwich, in Fairfield County, the petition of Na-
thaniel Close, of said Q-reenwich, Humbly showoth,
that your Petr. being under a necessity of a store,
house, as his performing a weekly Pauquet or stage
boat from here to New York lays both him and the
inhabitants under a great disadvantage, in Eespect
he hath no proper place to store the effects of bis
Freighters, nor for them to store what effects and
produce they severally bring when his vessel is not
there to Beceive it ; which Disadvantage hath been
sensibly Felt during the last summer. He there-
126 HI8T0BT Ol* GBBKNWIOH.
fore Prays Liberty of this meetiog, that he may be
permitted to build a store-house of 26 feet by 30,
adjoining the Bank, between the Dwelling house of
Mr. John Bush and the Gristmill of David Bush,
so as to leave about sixteen feet from said mill to sd
store, for a cartway, if need be, & that he may build
it by the bank adjoining thereto, & to sd mill Pond ;
and as your Petr. conceives a House so built would
Incommode no particular Person, but be a General
profit to the inhabitants, as well as your Petr. He
therefore hopes that you, gentlemen, in your Pru-
dence will grant his Request, and your Petr. as in
duty bound shall ever pray.
NATHANIEL CLOSE.
December 2lBt, 1767.
The above was passed, the acting select-
men were appointed a committee to select the
exact site of the building, which was after-
ward erected.
At a Town meeting of the Inhabitants of the
Town of Greenwich, legally warned and holden on
the 5th day of May, 1768, this question is put to vote,
whether this town, in conjunction with the Town
of Norwalk, in the County of Fairfield, will send
their agent to the next ensuing Assembly to prefer
a memorial to sd Assembly, that the Court House
and Goal in said county of Fairfield may be built
at said Korwalk. Eesolved in the affirmative.
HI8T0BT OF aSEBKWIOH. 127
Afterwards, in the following October, after
the session of the Assembly, in reference to
the same subject the town voted, that,
Whereas, the Town of Norwalk, in conjunction
with several other towns in the County of Fairfield,
Preferred a memorial to the General Assembly,
held at New Haven, in October last, and now lyes
before said Assembly to be heard at the adjourn-
ment, in January next, praying that the said Town
of Norwalk may be the Head or county town, &c. ;
and whereas Mr. David Bush signed the same as
agent, for and in behalf of said Town. It is there-
fore now voted and agreed that this Town allows
and approves of the said David Bash's signing said
Memorial as agent for this Town, and he is hereby
fully Impowered and authorised in the name and
behalf of this town to appear and Prefer sd Memo-
rial to a Final determination in the General As-
sembly, and that it is the earnest Request and Desire
of the Inhabitants of this town, that the General
Assembly would take the matters contained in said
memorial unto their wise consideration, and Orant
the Prayer thereof, and that a copy of this vote may
be used in the Tryal of sd memorial, in order to
signifye the minds of the inhabitants of this town in
the premises.
In 1773,—
Further voted, the Town in sd meeting Grant
Liberty unto David Bush, upon his Petition for
128 mSTOBT OF OSBKNWIOH.
building a mill upon sticklin's brook Sticklin's
brook under the overseeing of a Committee by sd
Town appointed to grind for Town Inhabitants, and
not to put them by for strangers. Votod in the
affirmative.
Edward Brush, Nehemiah Mead, and Deliverance
Mead, Jabez Mead, jun., Nathaniel Finch and Caleb
Mead, enters their protest on ye proceedings of sJ
meeting in sd vote.
In 1*773, occurred the death of the Rev.
Abraham Todd, until which time he was pas-
tor of the churcli in the West Society of
Greenwich. For a period of more than forty
years he had enjoyed the confidence of his
people, adding many to his flock. Many laugh-
able ditties are related concerning him, which
only show a warm heart and an innocent life.
Unambitious and unpresuming, none of his
people would seem to have disliked him.
At a Town meeting, legally warned and holden
in sd Greenwich, on the 3d Monday of March, being
the 21st of said month, at the Town House of said
Greenwich, Anno Dom. 1774.
This Towne, Takeing into serious consideration the
Distressed Situation and alarming Prospect That
may occur, and in all human probability will occur,
by Entering Into a Controversy with Mr. Penneand
his brothers, as Joint Proprietors of the Province of
^JBltOnt OF OBlBEtrWiOH. 12^
Pennsylvania, for a certain claim of Lands on or
Near ye Sosquehannah Biver, claimed by a com-
pany of Purchasers, commonly called ye Susque-
hannah Purchasers, &c., &c. ; which claim haviDg
never yet been prosecuted before the King in
Council, (which we apprehend to be the only
proper place of Decision.) We, the said Inhabi-
tants, &c., assembled as above, are of opinion that
the Prosecuting said claims to said lands will be
Tedious and expensive, and of a Dangerous Ten-
dency to this Colony ; Not only subjecting the
Colony considered as such to pay the Expenses of a
litigation of a suit with Mr. Penn, but will or may
mediately Tend to a forfeiture of those Invaluable
Privelledgos whereof we (as a Colony) are now pos-
sessed. It is therefore voted by this meeting. That
Doct. Amos Mead and John Mead Esq. be and They
are hereby appointed to Go to Middletown in Con-
necticut, & on the last Wednesday of March In-
stant, and there to confer with the Delegates of the
other towns in this Colony, what is most proper to
be done and acted in this most interesting affair.
And further, this meeting is adjonrned to the Day
of the Freemen's meeting, in April next, and their
Delegates now appointed are then to make report to
their Constituents of the Doings of said Congress,
and this meeting is accordingly adjourned to said
Day, at 7 o'the clock. Forenoon, to the usual place
where Town meetings are held.
This claim to lands west of the settlement
or colony of New York, was prosecuted be-
180 HIBTORT OF aBXSNWtOtt.
fore the king. And the convention composed
of delegates like the above, sent Eliphalet
Dyer as their agent to England, where he ob-
tained the opinion of four of the most promi-
nent lawyers of Great Britain in favor of the
claim. They were Thurlow, Wedderbum,
Richard Jackson, and J. Dunning. After hav-
ing received this favorable report, the legisla-
ture appointed and commissioned Eliphalet
Dyer, Dr. Johnson, and J. Strong, to consult
and agree with "William Penn, whether they,
with Mr. Fenn or his agents should make an
amicable agreement, or submit the whole
matter to the king. The commissioners went
to Mr. Penn at Philadelphia ; but he would
consent to nothing. The colony of Connecti-
cut itself was divided in respect to the matter,
and thus matters stood when the war com-
menced. It is fortunate that Connecticut did
so assert her right, which Congress afterwards
recognized, and furnished her with those lands
from the sale of which our School Fund arose.
THE BBVOLXmONABY WAE.
In our account of this war, so destructive to
the property and happiness of the people of
the town of Greenwich, we shall first transfer
mSTOBY OT OBSENWIOH. 131
to our pages every fact pertaining, to be found
upon the record books of the town, and then
relate such facts and incidents as may have
come to our knowledge by reliable tradition.
At a Town meeting of the Inhabitants of the
Town of Greenwich, legally warned and Holden on
Teuaday, the 11th day of October, Anno Dom.
1774, A Letter is Read from the Honorable Elipha-
let Dyer and Roger Sherman, Esq., from ye Conti-
nental Congress, at Philadelphia. It is proposed to
this meeting whether there shall be a committee ap-
pointed to Draw a set of Resolves and an answer to
said letter from said Congress, and to lay the same
before the next meeting of this town for their ap-
probation. Resolved in the affirmative, and
DOCTOR AMOS MEAD,
MESSRS. JOHN MACKAT,
« JESSE PARSONS,
are per vote appointed a committee for the purpose
aforesaid, on which the town per vote adjourned
their meeting to the 17th day of Instant October,
to the place where their annual Town meetings are
held in said Town,
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of
Greenwich, in the County of Fairfield, & Colony of
Connecticut, holden on the 17th day of October,
1774.
This Meeting takeing into their Serious consider-
ation the alarming State of American Liberty, do
182 HUTOBT OF OBEBNWIOH.
nnauimouBlj approve of and adopt as the Senti-
meats of the Inhabitants of this Town the Eesolves
of the Honorable House of Bepresentatives of this
Colony, passed in their sessions at Hartford, in May
last.
And whereas Certain Acts of the British Parlia-
ment have appeared since the above resolves were
entered into; Particularly an act for altering ye
Government of Massachusetts Bay, and another
for Establishing the Boman Catholic religion in
Canada, &c.
Besolved by this meeting, that those acts are re-
pugnant to the free principles of the English Con-
stitution, and in a High Degree Dangerous to the
Civil and Religious Liberty of both Brittish and
American Protestant subjects, and that notwith-
standing the Torrent of False and malicious asper-
sions pour'd forth by designing men. We believe
and declare the Contrivers and Devisors of these
and all such unconstitutional acts. Their Dupes and
Emissaries, to be the only enemies to our Gracious
Sovereign, and the Illustrious House of Hanover,
that we know of in his majesty's dominions.
Resolved, that this meeting hereby approve of the
Honorable Congress of Delegates from the several
American Colonies, and will acquiesce and abide by
their final determination.
Resolved, that as the Province of Massachusetts
Bay, especially the Town of Boston, is now suflFer-
ing under the Iron Hand of Despotic Power and
HI8T0BT OF OBESETWICH. 133
miniBterial Influence, it is the Indispensable duty of
this town, in Imitation of ye noble Examples set up
by most of the Colony to contribute to the relief of
the oppressed an.d suffering Poor in said Town of
Boston, and that Messrs.
DAVID BUSH,
JOHN MACKAT,
BENJAMIN MEAD, Jr.,
DANIEL MEREITT,
JAMES FEERI8,
NATHANIEL MEAD, Jr.,
JOSEPH HOBBY, Jr.,
be a Committee to receive and keep an exact
account of all donations that shall be Given by the
Inhabitants of this town, and Transmit the same to
the Select men of the Town of Boston, to be by
them appropriated for the purpose aforesaid.
Ordered by this meeting, that
DOCTOR AMOS MEAD.
MESSRS. JOHN MACKAY,
" JESSE PARSONS,
be Desired to write to the Honorable members of
Congress for this Colony an answer to theirs of the
19th ultimo, Inclosing a Copy of the Present Doings
of this meeting, and transmit another copy thereof
to the Printer, at New Haven, in order to be
published.
Recorded by me,
JESSE PARSONS, Tmn. GUrK
1
134 HIBTOBT OF aBEEKWIOH.
Copy of the letter to the Delegates.
Oentlemen,
We acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the
19th ult.y inclosing the Kesolutions of the Honor-
able Congress, and with the Highest grattitnde re-
ceive the assurance of the earliest intelligence of
the proceedings of your Honorable Board, as soon
as they shall be made Public. We have called a
meeting, and communicated to them your letter and
those proceedings, and do now inclose their resolu-
tions thereon.
We are, Qentlemen, your most obedient, Humble
servants.
AMOS MEAD,
JOHN MACKAT,
JESSE PAKSONS.
P. S. Upon enquiry into the Present State of
the magazine of this Town, the Inhabitants are much
surprised to find that the price of that most necessary
article for our defence, viz., Gunpowder, is now
doubled, which we are Desired to mention as worthy
the notice of your Honorable Board.
The Honorable
EuFHALir Dteb and
EoGEB Shebman, Esqs.
At the same meeting it was further voted
that "As the Town Stock of ammunition
wants a supply, there be a Committee appoint-
HIBTOBY OF OKEXHWIOH. 185
ed to examine the state of the Town Stock of
Powder, Lead, &c. and the Selectmen are ap-
pointed a committee for that pnrpose and to
take care to snpply what is wanting at ^he
esipense of the Town.''
On the 8th of February 1115, it was "Pro-
posed to this meeting whether they will send
Delegates to attend a County Congress at
Fairfield on the 19th of February instant pur-
suant to a letter from Fairfield Committee
agreeable to the Association of the Continen-
tal Congress, entered into and adopted by the
Honorable House of Kepresentatives of this
Colony and said Committee to attend on their
own expenses. Kesolved in the affirmative,
and that
Doctor Amos Mead
and John Mackay,
be their Delegates for the purpose aforesaid.''
On the 3d of December of the same year
(11l5)y the following persons were appointed
a ^^ Committee of Inspection cmd Safety ^ They,
beside their duties as a Vigilance Committee,
were empowered to appoint two or more from
their own number to attend the next County
Congress should any be called : —
1^6 filBfOBT Ot QBJSSNWkM,
Amos Mead,
Samuel Peck, Koger Brown,
James Ferris, Bezaleel BrowD,
John Mackay, David Wood,
Benjamin Mead, jnn. Maj. Thomas Hobby,
Nehemiah Mead, Odell Close.
Col. John Mead. Nathaniel Mead, jnn.
It was also, —
Voted, that no body of men presume to assemble
together and go upon any expedition, unless by
order of the Honorable the Continental Congress,
the Honorable the General Assembly, the County
Congress, or Committee of Safety for this town,
either of whom are to ascertain the number and
direct the measures.
At a special meeting of the inhabitants of the
Town of Greenwich, legally warned and holden on
the 15th day of January, Anno Dora. 1776, The
Town per vote Add to their Committee of Safety
the following persons, viz. : —
Israel Knapp, Jr.
Samuel Seymour,
John Hobby,
Messenger Palmer, and
Peter Mead, Esq.
In this meeting comes Jesse Hallock and pre-
sents himself to set up the Salt Peter works in
HI8T0BT OF OBEBNWIOH. 137
this town, on encouragement Given by act of As-
sembly.
Jesse Parsons, who liad been the town clerk
for many years, died on the 26th day of July,
1YY6, and waa sncceeded in office by Col.
Jabez Fitch, who lived at the top of Putnam's
Hill. Bezaleel Brown was the moderator of
several successive town-meetings about this
date; and Abraham Hays was frequently
elected grand juror. Both these men dab-
bled somewhat at the law ; and when a regular
attorney, by name William Thompson, came
here to practice, they laid their hitherto op-
posing heads together to overcome him in
their iSrst encounter. Says Hays to Brown,
" Now you argue de nice points of law, and I
plackguard de debbeL" How the case termi-
nated is not reported ; but tradition says that
Brown was well acquainted with law, and
Hays really could " plackguard de debbeU'
Hays was born in Holland and was of Jewish
descent.
March 11th, Anno. 1777, the town voted to send
for the sixpounder and shot for the same, which had
been granted to them, on account of a memorial
addressed to the General Assembly.
138 HI8T0BT OF OBEBITWIOH.
At a special Town Meeting of the Inhabitants of
Greenwich, legally warned and held at the Town
House in said Greenwich, on Monday the 14th day
of April, 1777, The Town, by vote, made choice of
Nehemiah Mead to be moderator for this present
meeting. Further, the Town, by vote, make choice
of Messrs.
Titns Mead
Nehemiah Mead,
John Mackay,
James Ferris,
Enos Lockwood,
Roger Brown,
Daniel Merritt.
to be a Committee to inspect into, and see that the
Families of those who enter into the Continental
Army, shall be supplied with the necessaries of life,
at the prices as stated by law according to the Gov-
ernors Proclamation. Further, this meeting will
assist and support the ministers of Justice, in putting
into execution the act of the Assembly respecting
the stating prices.
Same was repeated at the next regular town
meeting.
Daring this year, Col. Enos, of Hartford,
was stationed in this town with Connecticut
troops. His quarters were, during a part of
the time at Palmer's Hill, and a part of the
HISTOBY OF GREENWICH. 139
time at the old Esquire Knapp place, now
occupied by X K. Stearns, Esq. He, as well
as Col. Holdridge who followed him, is much
complained of by the old residents. Being
both, in the fashionable meaning of the word,
gentlemen, they were personally the possessors
of no courage, and at the times when they
were most needed were of the least benefit to
the inhabitants. Col. Welles who succeeded
Holdridge is much better spoken of, and was
an excellent and brave officer. The foraging
of Col. Enos' troops was so excessive that the
town, at a legal meeting, voted : —
Whereas the troops of Col. Enos regiment quar-
tered in this town, have committed great outrages
upon the property of some of the Inhabitants of this
town (viz.), in burning rails, cutting young growth
of Timber, &c. Therefore, it is proposed to this
meeting, whether they will recommend unto the
Select men of this Town, to apply to the Field Offi-
cers, for redress of the aforesaid grievances. Voted
in the affirmative.
At a special Town meeting of the inhabitants
of the Town of Greenwich, legally warned and
held in said Greenwich, on Monday ye 12th day of
January, 1778, in pursuance of the Requisition from
140 HI8T0BT OF OBEENWIOH.
his Excellency the Governor, of ye 16th of Decem-
ber, 1777, communicate to the Inhabitants the Intro-
duction to, and the Articles of Confederation & Per-
petaal Union between the States of America, that
the sense of the Town might be known thereon, the
town by vote made choice of Bezaleel Brown to be
Moderator of this present meeting. The said Arti-
cles being in said meeting deliberately read and
considered, were by vote, Nefm Con.j {no one oppos-
ing) accepted and approved.
It is proposed whether this meeting is willing,
that non-commissioned officer and soldier who is
• draughted and voluntarily serves in this two months
expedition, receive a proportionable part of all the
fines paid in couBcquence of said draught. Voted
in the affirmative, and that the Selectmen receive
the said fines of the Town Treasurer and pay them
out accordingly.
Voted that die artillery men may have the Town
House for a guard-house, and have liberty to build
a chimney to it, and that the Town will be at the
cost of having Masons for that purpose. The Town,
by vote, made choice of Bezaleel Brown to be Bar-
rack-Master, to supply the troops with wood and
other necessaries. Meeting then adjourned.
On March of the same year Bezaleel Brown,
having been made lieutenant, was again chosen
chairman, and the fines of the militia were
disposed of, as the fines of the regulars had
mSTOST OF GBESNWIGH. 141
been disposed of at the meeting of the pre-
ceding year.
At a Town meeting of the Inhabitants of the
Town of Greenwich, holden in the Town House of
said Greenwich, on Monday the 19th day of Decem-
ber, 1778, having made a choice of Eezaleel Brown
for Moderator, and Jabez Fitch for Clerk, the meet-
ing adjourned to the Meeting House. This meeting
taking into serious consideration the danger & dis-
tress of the inhabitants of this town, and the great
loss and damage sustained bj many of the good
citizens thereof, occasioned chiefly by a number of
vile abandoned wretches, who have gone over to
and joined the common enemy of the United States
of America, against the laws of this State, and the
liberties and privileges of the good people thereof.
Thereupon, it is resolved by this meeting, that it is,
in their opinion, dangerous to the safety, liberties.
Peace and good Government of this town, that any
person that hath gone over to, and joined, aided or
assisted the common enemy of the United States, or
taken Protection under them to remain in this town,
or to return to it or ever be capable of obtaining
any settlement in it. Resolved, that is the opinion
of this meeting that the authority and selectmen
take all proper and legal steps to free the town of
all such vile Miscreants. Further the town then
voted for Capt Sylvanus Mead to be Barrack-Master
for the year ensuing. For Messrs. —
7*
143 mfflOBT OF GKKEawlOH.
SylTaniu Head,
Isaac How6>
Benben Randall,
Abraham Mead,
JoBiah Ferris,
Matthew Mead,
Edmaad Mead,
to be the Committee of Safety.
ixcorsion of Gov. Tryon with his
38 to Greenwich, the people and
b large were exceediDgly poor.
money was mnch depreciated ia
ae town was reduced to such ex-
every thing belonging to it was
of the individaal inhabitants as
to boy. The town-honse was sold
i for seven pounds lawful money,
in continental money, eighty-four
me pound lawful money was equal
n continental money. Three or
'oka belonging to the town were
different citizens, as appears by the
oee of the war, "At a special town
;c., on the 12th day of August,
town voted for Benjamin Mead,
their moderator, &c"
HI8T0BT OF GBSBNWIOH. 148
The town taking into consideration the distress
to which the inhabitants there are reduced by the
war-ring and plundering of the Enemy and the
constantly quartering of troops for the defence of
this State in the town during the late war with
Great Britain and the great injury done thereby
and that it was brought to the town during the
course of a war undertaken for the defence and se-
curity of the common liberties of the State in which
it was understood and expected that the whole body
should bear the extraordinary burden and whereas
the General Assembly did make a grant for the
whole and make payment of a part of the damages
done at Danbury accidentally thrown on any par-
ticular part and considering it is altogether just to
us, have there upon agreed and voted that Brigadier
General John Mead be agent for the town to
make use of such measures by memorial to the
General Assembly or otherwise to obtain redress of
the town grievances in this behalf and for a repair
of the damages to the sufferers occasioned by the
war excepting to those sufferers who are known to
be inimical to the liberties and independence of
the United States of America. This meeting is ad-
journed to next Freemen's meeting day in Septem-
ber to begin immediately after freemen's meeting is
over.
At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of
Greenwich convened in town meeting September
144 HI8T0BT OF OBEBirWIOH.
the 16th 1783. The inhabitaDts resnined the con-
sideration of the grievances partly discussed at the
preceding meeting and on reading a copy of the
resolve of the Honorable General Assembly of this
State on a memorial preferred to said Assembly
by the representatives of this town in May last,
the inhabitants thereby agree in the following
propositions ;
Firat^ That the commission granted to the com-
mittee decreed by said resolve does not empower
said committee to enter fally into the grievances
complained of, and damages done to the inhabitants
during the late war (not heretofore estimated)
as it extends only to losses and damages occa-
sioned by the enemy but does reach the losses and
damages occasioned by this being a garrison-town
and its inhabitants harassed and distressed by both
parties.
Second^ that from the confidence that the inhabi-
tants of this town have in the wisdom and justice of
the Legislature of the State they are persuaded that
nothing but the misrepresentations of some men
either through ignorance of their real suffering or
worse motives could have induced that Honorable
body to appoint a Committee with such limited
powers as only warranted to consider pa/rtiaUy
a subject that ought in Justice and Equity to be
taken upon a larger scale.
Thirdly^ That the burden of a war carried on for
the General defence of a State whether occasioned
by friends or foes ought to be borne as equal as
HIBTOBT OF 6BEENWI0H. 145
possible by the citizens at large and that unless the
principle is adopted and applied to the safierings of
the inhabitants of the town they are so far from be-
ing on eqnal footing with the greater part of their
fellow citizens in the State that the contrary must
doom them to a species of oppression incompatible
with the equitable maxims of legislation.
Fcni/rthlyy That the inhabitants of this town do
not entertain the most distant thought of an ex-
emption from such part of the public burden as
they are able to bear but when they view the pres-
ent alarming situation of the town for want of re-
sources occasioned by the check put upon their
industry for years past and the powers of Provi-
dence on their labor in permitting their crops of
wheat on which they chiefly depended to be cut off
this season should they under these circumstances be
called upon for a collection of their full proportion
of the state taxes they will be reduced to such hard-
ships as must terminate in uncomfortable ruin to
themselves and families ;
Whereupon it is agreed and voted by the said
inhabitants that Brigadier General Mead the town
agent do pursue such means^ by memorials to
the General Assembly at the ensuing October ses-
sion predicted on the foregoing sentiments or other-
wise as he may judge most eligible for the purpose
of obtaining redress of the grievances aforesaid by
the appointment of a judicious committee invested
with such power as the complicated distresses of
this town evidently require or in such other way as
146 HiarroBT of queenwioh.
the Honorable Legislature may in tiieir wisdom
direct.
It was also " Kesolved by this meeting that
it is their opinion that the selectmen do not
take bonds of any person or persons that have
gone over to the enemy for the purpose of
making said person or persons inhabitants of
this town, or giving him or them a residence
therein.^
On the 12th day of July, 1784, the people
having passed through the troubles of the war,
and now having some opportunity to turn
their attention to other topics, met and pre-
ferred the following solemn charges against
their minister the Rev. tTonatTicm Murdoch.
The original copy of these charges is in the
possession of Col. Thomas A. Mead.
Whereas, at a meeting of the Church of Christ, in
the West Society, holden at the House of Mr. Ben-
jamin Peck, in said Society, on the 12th day of
July, 1784. The said church Voted that the Asso-
ciation of the Western District, in Fairfield County,
be called to meet on the 2ond Teusday of August
next, at the house of Capt. John Hobby, in said
Society, at 12 o'clock, at noon, then and there to
Enquire into all matter of Difference and Grievance
Subsisting between Mr. Jonathan Murdock, the
HISTOBT OF GSEENWIOH. 147
Pastor, and the Church of Christ in this place, and
to give their pastoral advice thereon ; and that it
was also Voted that Amos Mead and Benjamin
Mead, Esqrs., be a Committee to call the said Asso«
ciation and to lay all matters of Diii'erence and
Grievance before them.
Pursuant to the above said appointment take leave
to offer the following matters of fact as the cause of
the Difference and Grievances subsisting between
the said Church and the said Pastor, viz. :
1st, with Eespect to his the said Pastor's public
performances as a Minister of the Gospel in this
place.
2d, with Bespect to his conduct since he was
settled in the Worke of the ministry in this place.
Ist, as to the first, it is the opinion of this church
that the said Pastor hath not followed the apostolick
advice of Studying to make himself approved,
Eightly dividing the word of truth, &c., — for in-
stance, in a discourse from the 13th chapter of Luke
& the 24th verse, " Strive to enter in at the straight
gate, for I say unto you that ma/ny will seek to
enter in and shall not he ahleP In which discourse
he said that striving and seeking meant the same
thing, and attempted to prove it. In another sermon
against oppression and high prices, he observed that
it was the crying sin of the land, for which the judg-
ments of God were on the land ; and in the close
observed that everybody had gone into it, so that
some must practice it, and could not live without it.
148 HIBXOBT Of QBXXNWIOH.
He has lately in two sermons attempted to describe
Evangelical Bepentance, and did it in these words,
viz., Iliat it consisted in an unfeigned sorrow for sin
Jk sincere intention to forsake it. There are many
others that might be mentioned.
2ond. His general mode of proof has not been
taken from the Scripture or Beason of things, But
that he has heard so, that he believes it, and that he
verily believes it
3d. That he dwells on general heads and does not
descend into particulars, or adapt them to the Con-
sciences of the hearers ; but so delivers himself that
it hath been frequently observed by his hearers that
a person might be a Deist, & not be offended, but
join with him.
Secondly, with Bespect to his conduct since he
was settled in the work of the ministry in this place.
1st. That soon after he was Installed in this place
he began to enter into a multiplicity of Business, &
wickedly neglected his study, and has continued so
to do to this time.
2ond. That although he early took the Oath of
Fidelity to this State, and in the beginning of
the late War showed much zeal in the American
Cause in the pulpit as well as elsewhere, yet con-
trary to his said oath of Fidelity, in 1779, on or
about the 10th day of July, he voluntarily went to
a Brittish officer with a flagg then at the house late
Seth Mead's, in this place, and there acknowledged
his Political Friendship to the British, and that soon
HI8T0BY OP GBEEKWIOH. 149
after he began to justify trade with the then enemies
of this State, among the people in this place, and In-
couraged it by his own example.
3d. In May, 1780, he was (with his own consent)
taken by Delancy's Core and Paroled, only to come
to their lines a prisoner when called for, but under
no restraint by his parole as to his preaching or
prayer. Yet after that he totally neglected in public
to pray for protection to us, Discretion to our
Councils, or Success to our arms, to the great
Grievance of the people here.
4th. That he was offered an exchange, but his
friendship to the British interest prevailed over his
oath of Fidelity & duty to his country as well as
people, and he refused the exchange.
6th. That on or about the 10th of October, 1779,
his cows were (as he said) taken from him on a
Friday night, and on the next Sabbath he went
after them down among the Enemy, he obtained a
permit to take them, he found them and sold them
and bo't British Goods with the money & brought
the Goods into this State, contrary to law, and in
thus doing he broke the Sabbath, set an ill example,
and broke covenant with the church in neglecting
his duty on the Lord's day.
6th. In 1780, in the summer season, he frequently
left the House of God in this place vacant in the
afternoon of the Lord's day, & without the consent
of the Church, in neglect of his duty here, went and
preached to the separate Baptists at their place of
^ I
150 HIBTOBT OF OSEENWIOH.
worship, thereby countenancing that fieparation, to
the great Greife of this Church and all the good
people here.
7th. In 1780, between fore and afternoon worship
on the Lord's day, he sent MrrSamnel Peck, jpn.
and called Mr. Silas Mead to his house, Mr. Benja-
min Feck beiug preseut ; he dunned him for what
they owed him, and desired them to do the same to
their neighbors. Yet not far from that time he
reproved Mr. Theophilus Peck for breaking the
Sabbath only for bringing back a sermon book in
his pocket on the Lord's day. In other instances
he admonished Mr. Philips, the Baptist minister,
against marrying upon the Sabbath as a great
Immorality, since which he has frequently practised
it himself.
8th. He has frequently and abroad knowingly
misrepresented and traduced this Church & society,
in perticular Capt. Marsh, before the ordaining
Committee at Korth Stamford, in declaring that
this Society had never paid him in any thing but
Continental money, which words so spoken, he Mr.
Jonathan Murdock then knew wereialse, he himself
being possessed of the means of knowledge that
they were so.
9th. He has frequently, as this Church takes it,
been guilty of the breach of the 9th command in
denying facts and appealing in an unchristianlike
manner to the father of lights for confirmation of
what he said. Viz.: — On or about the 30th ot
HISTOBT OF QBBBNWICH. 151
April last, before the Society's meeting in this place,
he publicly declared that the report that he had
refused to settle accounts with the people of this
society was without foundation, groundless and
false ; which declaration he, the said Mr. Jonathan
Murdock, at the House of Mr. Henry Mead did in
a publick manner make a few days before.
10th. That the foregoing matters of Greivance
and many more which might be mentioned have so
disaffected the people in this place that there are
many who have left the Society and gone over to
and joined other denominations, and but few who
attend Mr. Jonathan Murdock's ministry in this
place.
11th. That in the opinion of this church the
breach is become so great between the said Mr.
Jonathan Murdock & this Church & great part of
the said Society that it can not be healed, but that
his usefulness is at an end in this place.
Upon these charges Mr. Murdock was heard,
and he was dismissed, being found guilty. He
appears to have been a man of but little mind
and energy, and at the time when dismissed
had no friends in the church whatever. He
graduated at New Haven in the class of seven-
teen, hundred and sixty-six, with Dr. Timothy
Dwight, Dr. Backus, David Ely, Dr. David
Macclure and Dr, Nathan Strong. Soon after
152 HI8TOBT OF OBESNWIOH.
his settlement at Greenwich, he fell in love
with Miss Ann Grigg, a bouncing girl of six-
teen or seventeen, who was a much greater
lover of fun than of Mr. Murdock. He per-
secuted her with epistles of love, by bribing
the blacks to bear his messages to her, or
when that was impossible, by thrusting them
under her room door. The blacks gladly car-
ried his notes, and greatly enjoyed the reading
of them with Miss Grigg heraelf. Once, on
seeing him coming in at the door, she hid
away in the garret, while a favorite negro
woman politely informed Mr. Murdock that
she, in a spirit of fun, had climbed up
the chimney to hide from him. He, innocent
of any thought of a joke, really believed the
story, and put his head up the large winding
chimney to find her. Finally raising himself
high enough in the chimney with the greatest
difSculty, not only found her not there, but
also fouid his cies covered with soot and
his throat exceedingly well choked with hot
smoke.
He visited considerably in his parish ; and
on a certain visit at Mr. Theophilus Peck's,
where he was obliged on account of the dis-
tance, to take dinner, he was much surprised
flltfiK)B¥ OF ^kkumWIou. 153
when being seated at the table, that Mr. Peck
did not ask his pastor to implore the divine
blessing, but that Mr. Peck performed the
duty himself, using the following words : " Oh
Lord! we have a wolf m eheep'e clothmg
amongat ua. Put a hridle in his mouth cmd a
hook m his Those^ and had him hack to the place
whence he earner
INCIDENTS OP THE EEVOLUTION.
Thus far we have given to our readers the
simple records of the town-meetings held dur-
ing these times so trying to true patriotism.
At the outbreak of the war, some, from their
loyal and religious zeal immediately sided with
the enemy. However, they did not at that time
openly avow their design. So little spirit
was shown on the part of the Tories within
the limits of the town up to 1777, that a vote
sustaining the Declaration of Independence,
and the Continental Congress was passed in
town-meeting without a dissenting voice.
Yet there were disaffected ones, as the event
proved ; and before the war was finished, ninety-
1/wo men had gone over to and openly joined
the ranks of the enemy from the second society
/
154 HI8I0BT OF OBEBHWtGfi.
alone. A complete list of the names of these
is in the hands of the author, having been
made years ago by one of the Committee of
Safety. The number of family names in the
Ibt is (kvrty-f(ywr. And twelve of these names
are not now to be found in the town. The
immediate descendants of the others are but
few, and in many instances the race is quite
extinct. There seems to have been a doom
upon them and their descendants.
After the British had occupied New York,
there arose another class of men, much worse
than the first. This body was composed of
certain lawless characters, who seized upon
every opportunity for plunder with avidity.
They committed their depredations both upon
the Americans find their enemies. Old grudges
contracted before the war, were now satisfied
with relentless vigor. Hence, the Americans
suffered most from these wretches. And inas-
much as they did by far the greater injury to
the Americans, they were often assisted by
British troops to carry out their foul cruelties
and barbarites, and were always sheltered by
the enemy when hotly pressed by the citizens.
They banded together to carry out their ne-
farious designs. Skulking about at night in
HI8T0BT OF QBSSISIWIOH. 155
the woods and by-places, they would shoot
down the inhabitants when they least supposed
an enemy near. Their mode of warfie can
only be compared with that of the Indians in
the early history of the country. A few in-
stances will show the refinement of blood
thirstiness which they had attained at about
the close of the war.
Shubal Merritt, whose^^family is now extmct,
was one of these. With one of his boon com-
panions, he was once lurking about the village
of Rye for the accomplishment of some hidden
purpose. An aged man was plowing a field
hard by their hiding place, and as he diligently
pursued his labors backward and forward
across the lot, they were whiling away -the
time by playing cards. Finally, Shubal pro-
posed a game to decide which should shoot
the victim. The result was against Shubal,
who, as the old man approached them slowly
with his team, deliberately raised his musket,
and shot him through the heart. After the
war was over, the murderer suffered his just
deserts. A son of his victim met him at
White Plains, face to face, and shot him dead
upon the spot. And so great was the feeling
of hatred to him on the part of the citizens,
that no notice was taken of the act*
156 HtSTOBT OV OBIEKHWIGtt.
Dr. AmoB Mead, one of tlie Committee of
Safety, was so chased and hunted by these
men as to be obliged, with dog, horse, gun,
and blankets, to travel about back in the
country for a whole winter. He retraced by
night the tracks he had made by day, and
then moving off a short distance in another
direction, to spend the night in the first shel-
tered place that could be found. At the close
of winter, he came down to look at a field of
Wheat, but when arriving at a certain point
he turned back, deeming it unsafe to proceed
farther. Soon after, one William Sackett, a
refugee, met him, and told him that five men
bent on his life, had been hidden in that field
of wheat, with their muskets all aimed at a
certain point in the road where he must have
passed had he proceeded onward. Sackett
had not become so hardened but that he gave
this timely warning, and Dr. Mead wisely
retired again into the country.
Among the most inveterate Tories were a
family of the name of Knapp, living on what
is now known as the Tracy place. One of
them, Timothy Knapp, had been paying his
attentions with a view to marriage, to a
daughter of Titus Mead, then living in the
old house, at present Mr. Solomon Mead's, a
HIBTOBT OF GKBEKWIOH. 157
little northeast of the village. And on her
refusing his hand, he proudly told her, that
she ehovldyet speah to him^ and he wovMm Ma
tu/m take no notice of Tier. This threat was
verified in a more terrible way than he inten-
ded. Horses were the most valuable booty
that the refugees could lay their hands upon
and knowing that Mr. Mead possessed a fine
animal, which he every night led up the oaken
stairs to his garret, Knapp with two of his
brothers went to the house to take it. Mr.
Mead had knowledge of their approach, and
stationed a man who was with him at a back
window up stairs. It was at dusk, and when
the three men had come to the door-step, after
some words, Mr. Mead fired, the ball passing
through the door and entering the heart of
Timothy Knapp. "Without waiting to see the
resnlt of the shot, his brothers ran off in an
easterly direction ; and at the same time the
man stationed by the back window sprang out
and ran with all his might. The remaining
refugees, seeing him, and supposing it to be
their brother, called out, ^^ Rv/n^ Tim^ runj'^
which made him run the faster. At last, the
daughter, opening the door and seeing Timo-
thy lying there, asked him if he were badly
8
158 HI8T0BT OF GBEENWIOH.
hurt. And lie making no answer, was found
dead. She Juid spoken to hi/m^ amd lie had taken
no notice of her. On finding him dead, word
was sent to the family that his body was lying
as it fell on the door-step. They paid no at-
tention to the messenger ; and after the body
had lain there for a considerable length of
time, Mr. Mead buried it in a lot belonging to
the Knapps in a pair of bars, where they must
have driven over it in going out and in.
Afterwards, the family took up the body and
buried it close by the house where he was
shot ; and his bones still rest there. A line of
willow-trees now marks the spot, a little way
south of the house.
Many such incidents might be related, show-
- ing the disposition of this class of our enemies ;
but a perusal of some of the incidents upon
the succeeding pages will more fully convey a
correct idea respecting them.
Another class not so violent in their indi-
vidual conduct, but equally inimical in other
respects, were those who under guise of per-
mits from the English, resided here without
molestation from the enemy, and in return for
this privilege, gave them sufficient and well-
timed information of the doings of Americans
mSTOBT OF QBEENWIOH. 159
in this quarter. There were quite a •large
number of this class among us ; and we cannot
but deplore the situation of our forefathers,
thus situated with spies and villainous Tories
in their midst, and ready enemies close at
hand.
tbyon's expedition.
The attack made upon Greenwich by Gov.
Tryon, and the escape of Gen. Putnam down
the precipice, are the most prominent incidents
in the history of the town. And it is an ex-
ceedingly difficult task for a historian, collect-
ing facts merely from tradition, with the as-
sistance of no other record than the official
report of the commanding officer, and short
letters written from a distant part of the
county. An officer, when forced to retreat
after being almost, or perhaps quite, surprised
at an outpost, feels in duty bound to represent
the facts in as favorable light as possible, to
avoid discouraging the patriots fighting for
their country. Putnam, according to his own
account, spent but little time in the village
while the enemy were here. And the letters
are obviously incorrect in many prominent
points. Here is Putnam's account : —
160 HtsTOBT ov avsEistmcB.
Camp at Beading March %nd^ 1779.
A detachment from the enemy at Sing's bridge,
consisting of the 14th, 44th and 57th British regi-
ments, one of the Hessians and two of the new
levies, marched from their lines for Horseneck on
the evening of the 26th, nit. with the intention of
surprising the troops at that place, and destroying
the salt works.
A captain and thirty men were sent from our
advance lines from Horseneck, who discovered the
enemy at New-Rochelle in advance. They retired
before them undiscovered as far as Byeneck where
it growing light, the enemy observed and attacked
them. They defended themselves as well as posi-
ble and made their way good to Sawpitts where
they took advantage of a commanding piece of
ground and made some little stand, but the superior
force of the enemy obliged them to retire over By-
ram bridge, which they took up and by tliat means
had an opportunity of reaching Horseneck in
safety.
As I was there myself to see the situation of the
guards, I had the troops formed on a hill by the
meeting house, ready to receive the enemy as they
advanced. They came on briskly and I soon die-
covered that their design was to turn our flanks and
possess themselves of a defile in our rear, which
would effectually prevent our retreat. I therefore
ordered parties out on both flanks with directions to
give me information of their approach, that we
HI8T0BT OF OBEENWIOH. 161
might retire in season. In the meantime a colnmn
advanced np the main road, where the remainder
of the troops (amonnting to only about sixty), were
posted. We discharged some old field pieces which
were there, a few times, and gave them a small fire
of musketry, but without any considerable effect ;
the superior force of the enemy soon obliged our
small detachment to abandon the place.
I therefore directed the troops to retire and form
on a hill a little distance from Horseneck, while I
proceeded to Stamford and collected a body of
militia, and a few continental troops which were
there, with which I returned immediately, and
found that the enemy, (after plundering the inhabi-
tants of the principal part of their effects, and destroy-
ing a few salt works, a small sloop and a store,)
were on their return. The oflScer commanding the
continental troops stationed at Horseneck, mistook
my orders and went much farther than I intended,
so that he could not come up with them to any ad-
vantage. I, however, ordered the few troops that
came from Stamford to pursue them thinking they
might have an opportunity to pick up some strag-
glers. In this I was not mistaken, as your Excel-
lency will see by the enclosed list of prisoners.
Eesides these eight or nine more were taken and
sent off, so that I cannot tell to which particular
regiments they belonged, one ammunition and one
baggage wagon were taken. In the former there
were about two hundred rounds of canister, grape
162 HISTOBT OF GREENWICH.
and round shot, suited to three potinders, some slow
matches, and about two hundred tubes ; the latter was
fOled with plunder, which I bad the satisfaction of
restoring to the inhabitants from whom it was taken.
As I have not yet got a return, I cannot tell exactly
the number we lost, though I don't think more than
ten soldiers, and about that number of inhabitants,
but a few of which were in arms.
List of Prisoners taken at Horseneck on the 26th.
vU. 17th Begiment, 15 privates ; 44th do.
5 privates, 57th do. 3 privates. Loyal American
Begiment 5, Emmerick Corps 8. First battallion
of Artillery 1, Pioneers 1.— Total 38.
If, B, Seven deserters from Emmerick^s corps.
The following is from Barber's Historical
Collections of Connecticut, being extracts from
two letters from Fairfield county, dated March
Ist, 1779, four days after the occurrence : —
The enemy have made an excursion within four
miles of Stamford, by the best accounts of about
1400 or 1500, under the command of Gov. Tryon ;
they reached Horseneck on Friday morning about
9 o'clock ; at Stamford they were not alarmed till
ten o'clock, notwithstanding the enemy was discov-
ered at 9 o'clock the preceding evening by a small
guard of continental troops at East Chester, under
the command of Capt. Titus Watson, who were
obliged to give way though they fought on their
HI8T0BT or OBEBNWIOH. 163
retreat, and some of them were wounded and taken
prisoners. Capt. Watson was closely pursued by a
light horseman whom he had the good fortune to
kill, and by the ***** made
his escape. Gen. Putnam was accidentally at
Stamford, but the continental troops were too much
scattered to be collected in season to oppose the ene-
my. About 200 militia, and a few continental
troops, fell in with the enemy's rear, just as they
were leaving Horseneck about the middle of the
afternoon, who killed eight or ten of them, and took
about fifty prisoners, who had made too free with
the liquor they had plundered. They destroyed a
small salt work, and burnt a schooner which lay at
Mianos creek. They plundered the inhabitants of
every thing they could lay their hands on, broke
windows, &c. and many families are stript of every
thing but the clothes they had on ; even the
house where Gov. Try on had his head quarters was
not spared. They retreated to Eye on Friday even-
ing, and next day to Kings bridge. Their retrea*
was so precipitate, that they left behind two wagons
loaded with plunder.
From the above reports, and from twenty
or more different accounts, some of which
have been handed down by the hottest of the
Tories, and some by over-zealous Americans,
we have arranged the following account of
the expedition, as being the most consistent
164 HBTOBT or OBBXHWI0H.
and reliable. It is necessary that we sbonld
contradict some accounts, and even dispute
some of the facts stated by Gen. Putnam him-
self. We ask all, therefore, who would relate
the matter in a different manner, to look upon
our account in a spirit of leniency, remember-
ing that where there is so much disagreement
all cannot be right.
The headquarters at this time were at the
house of Captain John Hobby. Col. Hol-
dridge, of the vicinity of Hartford, an officer
much disliked by the Americans, was in com-
mand of the outpost. The house was situated
a few feet south of the one now occupied by
Henry M. Benedict, Esq. And a small guard-
house was erected in the comer of the yard,
but a few feet south of Mr. Benedict's western
entrance, close by the side of the street, of
which the carriage path ran more than its
width farther south than it now does.
Some say that this out-post was at the house
of the late John J. Tracy ; but this was a hot-
bed of Toryism. And further, those giving
this account say that Putnam arose from the
breakfast table, sprang upon his horse and
rode for Stamford ; in which case he could
have given no orders to the men who were
HI8T0BY OP GSBBNWIOH. 165
drawn np by the meeting-house ; which he in
fact did. We therefore take this account to
be a mistake.
On the evening of the 25th of February,
1YY9, Gen, Putnam was at Horseneck, quar-
tered with the picket guard, where it was his
custom to come almost every day to gain in-
formation of the doings of the enemy below.
That evening a ball was held at the house of
Moses Husted, Pecksland, on the same site
where is now the residence of William A.
Husted, Esq. Putnam attended, taking a
lady on his horse behind him, according to
the custom of those days. This lady, after-
wards Mrs. Rogers, was a daughter of David
Bush, of Coscob, living in the same house now
occupied by George J. Smith, Esq. It was
late when he accompanied her home, so that
he did not leave her father's residence for
Horseneck until nearly daylight on the morn-
ing of the 26th. This fact has led many to
suppose that his headquarters were at Coscob,
which is evidently a mistake.
The day before (the 25th), a small company
of the Continental light horsemen, under Capt.
Titus Watson, consisting of about thirty men,
had been ordered forward by Putnam to
8*
166 HIBTOBT OF OREKNWIOH.
observe the doings of the enemy. They went
down nearly as far as New Kochelle, where
between eight and nine o^clock in the evening
they found the enemy approaching with De-
lancy's body of Tories in the van. The Conti-
nentals retired before them, but were discov-
ered and come up with. By reason of superior
numbers they were defeated, and many of
them were killed. The enemy drove them
from the stage road down into Milton, where
they managed to keep away from their pursu-
ers, crossing the heads of the creeks, many of
them hiding in the swamps. A few of them,
with Capt. Watson, succeeded in reaching
Byram bridge, which they had time to take
up when their pursuers were just in sight.
Watson with one or two others then rode
directly to Horseneck, with the company of
Tories in full pursuit. Five of them turned
southward and were pursued by a body of the
enemy, who came up with one of the fugitives
in the lot recently excavated by the New York
and New Haven Railroad Company, now
owned by Capt. Caleb W. Merritt. The
soldier was there shot down and the horse in-
humanly butchered, from which the inclosure
has since been known as the " horee lot^ The
J
HI8T0BT OF GREENWICH. 167
other four succeeded in reaching the Myanos
in safety, where they were set across by Daniel
Banks.
The alarm was given to the picket guard by
Capt. Watson, but there was little or no time
to prepare for defense. The enemy had been
informed of the weakness of the outpost and
advanced steadily for it. Mr. Matthew Mead,
then a boy of twelve, was back of his father's
house, where Mr. Bush Mead now lives, when
he saw them at the top of the hill by Horse-
neck brook. His father sent him off with the
other children and the cattle, back in the lots,
where he reached a place of safety. The
Americans, warned by Capt. Watson, number-
ing, according to the various accounts, from
one to two hundred, having no cavalry, formed
in front of the meeting-house and fired a six-
pounder three times, which was a signal of
alarm, just as the Tories passed the house of
Mr. Matthew Mead. They then were walking
their horses, but when they came in sight of
Oapt. John Hobby's they saw Putnam spring
on his horse at the barn with his coat on his
arm and ride with full speed to the meeting-
house, where the Americans were drawn up.*
They now gave him full chase. He stopped a
168 HIBTOBT or OBBEKWICH.
moment to order his men to retreat to a con-
venient distance, while he should ride on to
Stamford for reinforcements. Being nearly
come np with, he dashed on; and by the
time he reached the precipice now known as
Putnam's hill, the commander of the Tories,
Thomas Merritt, of Westchester county, was
within two lengths of him.
The road, before reaching the brink of the
precipice, then ran nearly east and west, then
turning a short right angle ran north about
thirty rods, when it turned directly about and
ran south along under the precipice to about
five rods below the causeway forming the
present road, where it again tmned eastward.
Putnam plunged his horse down this steep,
which being overgrown with stinted bushes
presented a wild appearance, at a headlong
pace across the road at the foot of the hill into
the thicket which then lay between the post
road and the swamp now known as the " Ten
Acres," and pursuing a sort of drift-path
through the thicket till he was beyond the
present residence of Theodore BL Mead, Esq.,
where he again took to the road. The hill
' now presents a totally different aspect from
what it formerly did. And the hardest part
mSTOBT OF OBBBNWIOH. 169
of Putnam's descent was after be crossed the
road running along the side of the hill.
Some will have it, that he started down the
hill from the same point but took a south-
eastern course, reaching the road at the foot
of the stone steps, where the enemy had full
aim at him all the while. Others, that he
rushed headlong down the seventy-four stone
steps, placed roughly one above another for
the convenience of foot passengers, his weight
being two hundred and forty pounds. Others,
again, claim that he followed the road as long
as it ran on the top of the hUl, and then set
off in a northeastern direction above the Ten
Acres. While the author has been coolly told
that he was in no danger of being taken at
all, and rode slowly around the hill as other
people did. We have carefully traced and
examined these different accounts, and have the
fullest evidence that the accoxmt first given is
correct, by the testimony of eye witnesses.
One of the many balls fired at him by the
Tories from the brink of the hill as he passed
through the bushes, passed through his hat.
Old Put on this occasion could not refrain
from his customary exclamation when in
trouble from the Tories, which he shouted as
170 HI8T0BT OF GBBENWIOH.
the balls whistled thickly past him, '^ God
cuss ye; when I catch ye TU hang ye to ^
next tree.^
Col. Holdridge, who was in command of the
continental soldiers, retreated in an nnsoldier-
like manner to Stanwich, while Putnam only-
intended that he should retire a short distance.
Prom the account given of this officer, who
was a Hartford man, by the Americans, he was
totally unfit to be a soldier at all, and much
less an officer.
The citizens hung about the village as near
as they dared, hiding in the swamps and by-
places during the whole day, taking advantage
of every opportunity, by some daring feat, to
secure prisoners, and even fire upon the enemy.
About an hour after the arrival of the body
of Tories, Gov. Tryon with his full force of
about twelve hundred men, took full posses-
sion of the town. He made his quarters at
the house of Mr. Henry Mead, who then kept
a public house on the present site of the res-
idence of Miss Sarah Lewis and Mrs. Mason.
The soldiers, meantime, separated themselves
into squads, and pillaged every house in the
neighborhood ; a large body of them visited
Coscob, where they destroyed the salt-works
HISTOBY OF aSEBNWICH. 171
which were upon Bash's Point, a small sloop,
and a sloop's store-honse.
A party of them also entered the house of
Daniel and Joshna Smith, which was situated
a little way south of the present parsonage of
the Second Congregational Society. They
found this house deserted by all its inhabitants,
excepting a deaf old lady, the mother-in-law
of Joshua Smith. As they entered they saw
her standing at the head of the front stairs.
As she could not hear, she disobeyed their
orders to come down ; which so enraged the
soldiers that one of them sprang up stairs
and cut her down with his sword. After this
murder, the house was set on fire and burned
to the ground. This is said to have been the
only house wholly burned by the British.
The houses of those who held the enemy's
permits were safe from these depredations,
but the others were ransacked and plundered
of every valuable. The wagons brought to
carry back the plunder were filled to their
utmost capacity. After that, every thing was
destroyed. The farmers made granaries of
their garrets ; and the enemy, after cutting
holes through the garret and main-floors,
shoveled all the grain into the cellars, where
172 HIBTOBT OV OBEBVWIGH.
the cider barrels were knocked in, and all
mingled in one useless mass. '
The cider, however, was not all permitted
to run upon the ground ; but by the middle of
the afternoon, nearly all the privates had be-
come so drunken with it, as to be unfit for the
least defense. And so little guard was kept
by the enemy, that an American crept slyly
into the orchard by the Henry Mead house, in
the midst of the enemy, and fired a ball through
the clapboards, which whistled close by Gov.
Tryon's head and struck the mantle-piece, from
which it rebounded upon the floor. This
startled Tryon so much that he, without wait-
ing for his late dinner, gave immediate orders
for a retreat. The officers now experienced
the greatest difficulty in forming their men.
Many were beastly drunk, and a great number
made irregular marches, so that the Greenwich
men nianaged to take several prisoners.
Though several shots were fired at the enemy
before, their first man was killed in the road
opposite the cedar-tree, a little west of the
house of William Knapp. Others were
wounded, and the enemy was in a full and
disorderly retreat. The Americans so hotly
pressed upon their rear, that the drivers cut
HX8T0&T or GSEENWIGH. 173
their horses loose from an ammunition and a
plunder-wagon, and rode off after their com-
panions at full speed. The Americans had just
taken possession of them when Gen. Putnam,
with between one and two hundred conti-
nentals and militia, arrived from Stamford, too
late to render any assistance to the inha-
bitants.
This was an eventful day for Greenwich.
Houses though not burned were ruined, and
in the midst of winter. All provision had
been destroyed by the hostile army. And
the Tories, from that time for about a year, had
an almost complete mastery of the town. It
is absolutely impossible to depict the miseries
of the people who, loving the American cause,
were obliged to stay here until the next
season.
It seems that Putnam, as well as the inhab-
itants, supposed from the large number of
the enemy, they were to proceed farther on,
to Stamford and Norwalk. Hence, Col. Mead
early dispatched Mr. Titus Mead to New
Haven to ask of Gen. Silliman reinforcements.
The messenger arrived at New Haven a little
before six that evening, and Gen. Silliman im-
mediately issued his orders. The following is
174 HI8IOST OF OBBBNWIOH.
a copy of the one sent to Woodbury, taken
from Cotbren's History of Woodbury : —
New Haven Feby 26th 1779, 6PM
Gent. — ^Mr. Titos Mead, a man to be depended
on, is this moment amv'd express from Col. Mead,
with a message by word of mouth only, from Col.
Mead. For their circumstances were such that Col.
Mead could not write. He says when he left Horse-
neck (which was early this morning) a Body of
about 600 men and a Body of Horse, had pushed
up the road into Horseneck, and were on this side
of Knap's tavern ; and it was reported that a Body
of two or three thousand more were not far behind.
Tou are therefore directed to muster & march
your Begiments, forthwith to Norwalk to oppose the
enemy, & where you will receive further Orders,
loose not a moment neither by Kight nor day.
G. SELLECK SILLIMAN,
JBrigr OenZ of foot and Col. Gt of Horse.
To Col. Moselt & Majob Bull, Woodbury.
Of course, the early retreat of the enenaiy
rendered the execution of this command of
no avaU.
The Tories now soon became possessed of
the entire town. Their headquarters were a
part of the time at the house of Mr. Abraham
Mead, where Mr. Oliver Mead now resides.
HIBTOBT OF GBEENWICH. 175
This now being the neutral ground, was plun-
dered by both friends and foes ; and poor and
sickening indeed was the lot of those who were
obliged to stay here.
eivington's pbess.
Some time during the war, a paper was
published in the city of New York by one
Rivington. This paper was professedly, and
to all outward appearance, devoted to the
British interests- It was afterwards, how-
ever, known to have aided the Americans
much, and was under the control of Washing-
ton himself. The hostile appearance of the
sheet, however, deceived the Americans as well
as their enemies. And about a half-dozen Green-
wich men resolved that the press should be
stopped ; and they stole into the city, destroyed
the press, and bagged the type, which they
brought off with them, from the very midst
of a watchful enemy. Messrs. Andrew and
Peter Mead were the principal men of the
expedition. It is said that they only of the
company were able to carry the bags of type
from the printing-office to the street, and throw
them across the backs of their horses. After
176 HIBTOBT OV OSBBarWIOH.
the type was brought to Greenwich it was
totally destroyed, except enough to print each
of the company^s names, which the veterans
kept for a long time in memory of their -ex-
ploit.
EXPEDCnOKS OK THE SOTTKB.
While the enemy were in New York, their
vessels had almost complete command of the
waters of the Sound. There were, however,
many daring men engaged in a sort of privar
teering against them. Their hazardous ex-
ploits have formed the basis of many an
exciting tale, written by eminent anthors, and
read by the American people of the present
day with great avidity. For a considerable
period during the war, Captain Andrew Mead
and Elnathan Close, of Greenwich, with quite
a large number of men, were engaged in this
business, and with great annoyance to the
enemy. They went upon their expeditions
provided with large whSeboate, which might
easily be hidden in the smaller bays along the
coast and glide through shallow waters in
escaping or attacking the enemy.
In one of their expeditions, they proceeded
by night to Ferry Point and seized upon a
fiiBtOBT 07 GBEBNWIOH. 177
small store vessel of the enemy, and brought
her off with them. She was anchored in a
small inlet known as Chinmey Comer. The
prize was so valuable a one, that the enemy
pursued them with one of their war vessels.
The enemy anchored off Chimney Comer, at
a short distance from the shore. But the peo-
ple collected for the defense of the prize, and
fired upon them from behind a knoll with a
six-pounder, which was the only large gun in
the town. Their first shot struck upon the
deck of the pursuers, and wounded a dog, as
was supposed from his sudden and vehement
yelping. Other shots were fired, and replied
to by the enemy's guns. But finding it im-
possible to retake the vessel or damage the
people upon the shore, the British relinquished
their efforts and made sail. Mr. Andrew
Mead was wounded on this occasion in both
arms. As they were boarding the vessel at
Ferry Point, he first leaped upon her deck
and received two shots, one in either arm,
from the two marines on guard, who, so still
had been the approach, then perceived the
attack for the first time. This had been made,
however, by two divisions of the force on the
opposite sides of the vessel. Captains Mead
178 mSTOBT OF GBEEKWICH.
and Close simiiltaiieoasly mounted the sides
of the vessel, and while Mead was wounded,
Close and his division soon had possession of
the decks, and the force below quickly sur-
rendered with but little resistance.
Soon after this, the same body of men, under
Elnathan Close, went down into Cow Bay and
there seized upon a vessel, and had brought
their prize off Hempstead, when the wind
died away and the tide drifted her fast toward
the Long Island shore, which was in the full
possession of the British. Boats were sent
from the shore for the rescue. No alternative
remained but to relinquish the prize and seek
personal safety. This was accomplished by
all the Americans except one. Smith Mead,
who, either from chance or choice, remained
on board and was taken prisoner. Many sup-
posed this to have been willingly done on the
part of the prisoner, as he was soon after found
fighting upon the other side. He fought on
either side, whenever and wherever it appears
to have been to his interest to do so. He was
one of those who drove off the cattle of Abra-
ham Mead from Field Point, and after the war
was over had the boldness to solicit the aid of
the same family in procuring a pension. Al-
mSTORT OF QBEBMWICH. 179
though this was refused, he did, finally, obtain
one through others.
SKIB3£[SH BEYOND KING STREET.
One great disadvantage which the people
were subjected to during the whole war, was
the absolute want of bayonets. Few compa-
nies could be found wholly armed with these
valuable weapons. But Lieut. Mosher was
the commander of a smaU company of men,
who were amply provided with them. This
company may have been larger, but consisted
of but eighteen soldiers at the time here men-
tioned. Seven of them were from the farm
of Gen. Pierre Van Cortland of Cortlandtown,
about half-ardozen of them from Greenwich,
and the remainder from the vicinity of the
town of Harrison. On the 4th of December
1T81 (Heath's Mem. p. 324), Captain Richard
Sackett of the same company was taken pris-
oner, having unwisely separated himself from
his company. The light horse of the enemy,
under Col. Holmes {a Tory) and Capt. Eapp,
attacked the company. The latter retreated
to the vicinity of a tavern recently kept by
William Merritt, in King street, where they
180 fflBtOBY OF OBIEICKWtCH.
fonned, to withstand the charge of the troop of
horse. Without shelter of any kind, and
upon an open plain, these eighteen men suc-
cessfully stood charge after charge from the
troop. Lieut. Mosher ordered his men not to
fire a shot, but sternly to await the onset. At
the first charge, Col. Holmes, finding himself
repulsed, ordered Mosher to surrender or he
would cut them all to pieces. The only reply
vouchsafed by Mosher was, " Cut and he
damned ;^ and with silence he withstood the
first and second charges. But after the third
charge he ordered his men to fire on the retir-
ing troops, which they did with terrible execu-
tion. One man wasMlled, and eight dangerous-
ly wounded, Capt. Kipp, mortally. The horses
of CoL Holmes and Capt. Kipp, were also killed
under them. Mosher's men taking advantage
of the discomfiture of their assailants escaped
to a neighboring piece of woods, not having a
man even wounded. It is said to have been
the most astonishing feat, on the part of both
the officers and men, that was enacted during
the whole war. Gen. Washington often spoke
of this affair; and it was reported all over
Europe, to show the utility of the bayonet,
and that a small body of infantry thus armed
HI8T0BY OF GREENWICH. 181
may successfully resist a strong body of cav-
alry. Several of the enemy were severely
wounded, before they were fired upon.
THE enemy's excursion TO NORTH STAMFORD.
At one time during the war, the nearest
American outpost to New York in this quar-
ter, was at Byram. And the enemy being
bent upon a depredatory expedition to North
Stamford and Long Ridge, came suddenly in
the night and cut every one of the guard to
pieces. The next guard in their way was
posted at the site of a house now occupied by
Mr. Hancock at the right angular turn of the
road leading to Pecksland. Here they also
cut the guard to pieces, after having surroun-
ded the house. This whole expedition seems
to have been marked by bloody and horrible
deeds ; and it is said that Tarleton himself
commanded the force. The whole populace
around collected and followed the enemy, to
attack and worry them on their retreat. An
ambuscade was formed at a defile in Round
Hill near the residence of Roswell Mills, Esq.,
where the road passes through steep rocks
overgrown with thick laurel. At other places
9
182 HIBTDRT OF OBEEETWICH.
on their return the British and Tories were
sorely pressed, but here a deadly fire poured
in upon them killing and wonnding great num-
bers. On that day in the retreat, one of their
regiments lost their standard, to their great
mortification and disgrace.
!
ANDBEW HEAD, HUMPHBEY DEITTOK, AND
BICHABD MEAD.
These men, more, perhaps, than any others,
deserve the highest praise for their brave and
daring acts. It was not so much their prov-
ince to counsel and advise as to act. ^^ Old
men for oownsd and yov/ng mm for (uMonT
Such men as Dr. Amos Mead, John Mackay,
and Abraham Mead, were of great service to
the inhabitants as counselors. They were
past the meridian of life. And one of them.
Dr. Amos Mead, had gained much experience
by active service in the French war. But was
any daring deed to be accomplished, where
hardy, brave, and reliable men were necessary,
the three former were always selected. After
all control of the - town was lost by the^ Am-
'ericans, by the destructive expedition of Gov.
Tryon, it was not safe for a patriot to remain
HI8T0ST OF GBEEZrWIOH. 188
publicly in the limits for an hour. Yet these
three hung about the place, ready to assist the
defenseless population against the brutalities
of the Tories, Each possessed of his arms, a
faithful dog, and a fleet horse, they spent their
time about the village, hidden in the by and
secret places. The winter of 1780, was one
of the severest on record. The Sound was
frozen across, and a great amount of snow ac-
cumulated. Yet these men scarcely knew a
night, during the early part of that winter, in
which they did not sleep with their horses and
dogs among the snow. During that winter, some
dozen or twenty head of cattle, the most of
which belonged to Mr. Jerad Mead, were taken
off in haste by the Tories, and driven towards
New York. After much earnest solicitation
on the part of the owner, the trio consented
to make the most daring attempt of crossing
the enemy's lines to retake them. There
had been recently a storm of rain, which had
frozen as it fell and rendered the roads ex-
tremely slippery, and made a hard sharp crust
upon the snow. The pursuers, therefore. Went
upon the sound with their horses, and kept the
ice as far as Mamaroneck, and then taking the
road could track the cattle by the blood which
184 HISTOBT OF OBEXNWICH.
had trickled from the wounds of the bayonets
which had forced them along. At Mount
Vernon they retook the cattle, and were re-
turning when they found they were pursued
by a body of the enemy under a lieutenant.
Their horses were tired by their swift ride,
and they soon knew that their only safety was
in separation ; and in that case even, one must
be inevitably taken. Accordingly, they left
the cattle and plunged separately in different
directions. The enemy selected Richard Mead,
pursued and took him prisoner. This was
about the middle of January, 1780. He was
taken to New York and thrown into the
famous Sugar House, where he remained for a
period of six weeks until exchanged.
These three men were held in high estima-
tion by the people. Their known patriotism
and courage, which could ever be relied on,
caused the other citizens, long after the Revo-
lutionary war, to remember their acts with the
greatest gratitude.
Other facts might be recited and incidents
given. Many, beside Richard Mead, found
their way as prisoners to the Jersey Prison
Ship, the Provost, and the Sugar House ; but
we should swell the bounds of this volume to
HISTOBY OF GREENWICH. 185
a greater extent than we intended, should we
make farther narrations.
HIIX XND DOCKS AT MIAKUS.
Greenwich October 5th 1787.
Whereas apph'cation hath been made to the Se-
lectmen of said Greenwich by William, John,
Samuel and Daniel Titus owners of the mills lately
carried o£F by a freshet from Myanos River in said
Greenwich, to call a town meeting that the inhabi-
tants may take into their consideration the propo-
sals made by the said Tituses, provided the town
give them liberty and a grant to build mills on that
part of Myanos river where Purdy began a dam
across near Capt. Nathaniel Peck's in said Green-
wich, which proposals are as foUoweth ;
1st. The said mills to be built on said Purdy's old
dam under the same restrictions as to grinding for
the public as the mills above were.
2ond. To layout public landings each side of the
river below the new built dam as far as may be
deemed necessary for the use of the public and to
erect and keep in repair a suflScient dock on each
side of the river, which shall be done by them their
heire and assigns as long as they or any of them oc-
cupy said mills.
3d. The Flood-gate shall be so constructed as to
open something in the form of a field gate for the
186 HIB10RT OF OBEENWIOH.
convenience of vessek and a crane ahall be erected
for the purpose of hoisting boats and swinging them
over the dam bj the said Titnses their heirs, and as
in the second article.
4tb. They will also erect a good and sufficient
horsebridge across said river and keep it in repair
on or near said dam and likewise a good scow will
be kept in the milNpond for the use of the public at
all times, they giving one day's notice previous to
the wanting of it. Wherefore and with the advice
of the civil authority of said Town, notice is hereby
given and the inhabitants of the town of Green-
wich are hereby warned to attend a town meeting
at the meeting-house in the West Society in said
Greenwich on Monday the fifteenth instant October
at two o'clock in the afternoon for the purpose of
considering and discussing and granting or voting
any thing relative thereto, that they shall judge ex-
pedient, and the said John, Samuel and Daniel,
with the assistance of Col. Thomas Hobby, Jonah
Ferris, Nathaniel Mead, Jonathan Coe and Abra-
ham Hays are hereby empowered to notify all the
inhabitants by reading to the legal voters in the
bearing of their famiUes.
At the meeting, —
The foregoing petition was read and discussed
and the meeting voted to grant the prayer of the
petitioners with these alterations and restrictions —
EISTOBY OF GBSENWIOH. 187
That instead of a horse and foot bridge mentioned
in the petition^ the petitioners are to erect and main-
tain a sufficient cart bridge across said river which
together with the mills and other articles enumerated
in their propositions are to be completed within four
years from the date of this grant, and that Messrs.
John Mackay, Jabez Fitch and Seth Palmer (the
present selectmen) with Messrs. Samuel Peck, Sam-
uel Lockwoodjr.Nehemiah Mead, Abraham Mead,
and William Bush be a committee to covenant with
the petitioners in behalf of the town for the purpose
of conveying the right of this town to the premises
unto the petitioners and to ascertain the dimen-
sions of the landing places proposed in said petition
and that said committee go out at the expense of the
petitioners, and that what said committee or the
major part of them shall covenant and contract in
behalf of this town shall stand good and firm as if
the same were done at this meeting, and that should
the petitioners fail in their engagements with said
committee, the privileges hereby granted to them
will revert to the town.
Protest,
The following persons protest against the proceed-
ings of this meeting with respect to said town grant-
ing away the privileges of Myanos river to the
188 BISIOBT OF OBKBNWIOH.
Meesrs. Tita8 to Bet a mill on agreeable to their re>
quest bj petition.
Dated this October 15th 1787.
MESSENGER PALMER,
DANIEL REYNOLDS,
SETH PALMER,
PETER GAUFF,
JOHN W. PALMER,
STEPHEN MARSHALL,
DENHAM PALMER,
JEREMIAH RUNDLE,
STEPHEN PALMER,
JOHN PALMER.
On tbe 12tli of November, 1787, a meeting
was held to elect delegates to a convention to
be holden at Hartford on the first Thursday of
the following January, to ratify or disapprove
of the Constitution recommended by the
Federal convention. The election was by bal-
lot, and the result of the election was the ap-
pointment of
Dr. Amos Mead,
CoL Jabez Fitch
as such delegates. It was voted by the inhab-
itants of the town, to " approve the doings
BISTORT OF OREBNWICH* 189
of the Federal convention lately held at Phil-
adelphia, and thereupon direct their delegates
to nse their influence in the convention to be
holden at Hartford on the first Thursday of
January next, to establish and ratify the Con-
stitution recommended by the said Federal
convention,"
In lt93, the town by a strong vote indicated
its opposition to the proposition of the legis-
lature to sell the western lands to create a fund
for the support and benefit of the clergy. The
prompt rebuke which this and other towns
gave to this legislature, saved us from a sort of
established religion, and gave us our present
school-fund. The resolution of the town against
the proposal of the legislature was passed with-
out an opposing vote.
In 1802, a proposition to build a town-house
was voted down.
In 1803, Elkanah Mead and Jabez Fitch
were sent as agents to the Assembly at New
Haven, to oppose the proposed Turnpike road.
Their opposition had little or no effect.
About this time the town was paying from
twenty to twenty-five dollars yearly, for the use
of the meeting-house where they held their
meetings.
9*
190 HISTOBT OF OBKEBTWIOH.
THE WAB OF 1812.
It is believed that Greenwich, on her own
land at least, lost no killed, wonnded or mis-
sing daring this war. Still many of the good
people of the town became too much alarmed
on certain occasions, to famish mach evidence
of their personal daring and valor. This war
was declared in Jane, 1812. In the spring of
the following year, Commodore Hardy, with
a British fleet appeared off the eastern end of
Long Island, and for a length of time had
almost complete control of the waters of the
Sound. Many vessels were burned or sunk
by the enemy. And they pushed through the
Sound almost or quite to Throgg's Neck.
During the season, an eastern sloop was chased
by one of the lenemy'^s vessels, and run ashore
on Hog Island ; although there was a great
sufficiency of time for the crew to have run
her safely into Rocky Neck harbor, where she
could have been protected by the force upon
our shores. The British, having taken pos-
session of the sloop set her on fire, with her
sails all set in the same position in which she
had been run ashore.
At this time the people were greatly alarmed,
HISTOBT or QSEBNWICH. 191
lest the enemy shonld attempt to land. The
Pot-pie company of Horseneck was posted
upon Field Point; the Coscob company of
militia on Capt. Noah Mead's Point, and a
company from North Stamford guarded Green-
wich Point.
During one of the nights when these points
were so guarded, Capt. Elijah Reynolds un-
dertook to bring his vessel round from Bush's
harbor into the Myanos river. Being seen and
well known from Field Point, he was permit-
ted to pass out. But the sentry at the mouth
of the Myanos, having hailed him to no pur-
pose, and supposing it might be an enemy,
fired upon him. However, lying close to his
deck, he passed on, appearing to take no notice
of his challengers. One of the sentries, Mr.
Peter Horton, now supposed it to be a real
live British vessel, and throwing down his gun,
and calling upon his locomotive powei'S, cried,
" Now legs ! if you ever did your duty^ do it
now ! " It is gravely said by those who heard
and saw him, that he tore down three rows ol
standing corn, in making his exit from the
place of danger.
Mr. Bush Mead, one of the Horseneck com
pany, having been sent from Field Point afte^
192 HI8T0BT OF OSEKMWICH.
some straw, found on being hailed by the
sentry when retaming, that he had after all,
so little discipline in the war, that he had for-
gotten the pass-word, and finally stanunered
ont in reply, " Straw ! straw for the beds 1 " in
a doleful tone. *
Mr. Selah Mead, was one of the sentries
upon Field Point, and seeing but little excite-
ment arising from the approach of the enemy,
put into execution a practical joke of his own.
Having stripped himself of his clothing, he
dropped without noise into the water, and
swam silently around the Point, where he found
another sentry sleeping, whom he suddenly
clasped around the waist, and shook him to
wakefulness. The other awoke the neighbor-
hood with his cries, supposing he was in the
power of a real, live, naked mermaid.
For some time this blockade of the Sound
continued impervious for all vessels. The
sloop Orion, Capt. Daniel Merritt, however,
watching her opportunity, when the whole
British fleet lay east of Greenwich point, slip-
ped out and sailed safely to New York.
After this time, the enemy's ships withdrew
to the eastern part of the Sound, and our
land-forces were withdrawn from the Points,
HISTORY OF GBEENWICH. 193
In case of alarm the bells were to be rung.
And one fine morning soon after, tHe greatest
consternation was created by the fierce ring-
ing of the alarm-bells. Men hurried to and
£po, and the news spread like wildfire, that the
British had landed during the night upon
Greenwich Point. The militia collected hastily
together, and the people, especially in the
eastern part of the town were in a terrible
flurry. Some of the Mianus people hastily
collected their furniture together, ready to be
transported and concealed in the Cat rocks.
Col. Ebenezer Mead having collected his forces
from this part of the town, hastened to the
scene of action, with all of his officers who
were willing to serve in that ever-to-be-re-
membered conflict. Arriving at the meeting-
house in Old Greenwich, about two miles from
the position known to be occupied by the sup-
posed enemy, they came to a dead halt. None
were willing to proceed farther. The whole
company would not proceed in a body, neither
would any of the officers or men advance
singly to reconnoiter. At last the officers were
relieved from this emergency by the arrival of
Mr. Whitman Mead, who volunteered to ap-
proach the point of danger. And mounted
194 HI8T0RT OF aBBBNWIOH.
upon a fleet horse, bearing a white handker-
chief spread upon a cane, he set off to recon-
noiter. He found the supposed enemy to be a
fleet of American gun-boats under Commodore
Lewis, who had been in search of one of the
enemy's privateers during the previous night,
and had landed upon the Point for breakfast.
Mr. Mead so liked the joke that he stayed
with the Commodore much longer than he
should have done, and breakfasted with him«
Meantime, our forces were in a great agony
of suspense, supposing their scout had been
taken prisoner, and their flag of truce violated
Finally, they found a seaman belonging to the
fleet, and took him prisoner. They of course
took him to be an enemy's spy, and he endured
a rigid examination, but was unabler to per-
suade his captors of his true character until
the return of the flag of truce, whose bearer
explained all to the officers of our force. And
they, feeling that they had earned glory enough
for one day, disbanded and returned home.
However, lest some enemy of the countiy
might consider this a vulnerable point of
attack, we will assure our readers, that this
town furnished many brave soldiers for the
war of 1813, and is now nobly able to under-
BISTORT OF aEEENWICH. 195
take her own defense against any ordinary
force which might be brought to bear against
ns. The trouble in the case above related was
the uncertainty, and not the certainty, of the
approach of enemies.
The war was ended by the treaty of Ghent,
signed on the 24th of December, 1814, and
which was ratified by President Madison on
the lYth of the following February.
CONSTITUTION OF 1818.
At a special meeting of the inhabitants of the
town of Greenwich, legally warned and holden on
the 25th day of March 1818, for the purpose of
taking into consideration and expressing their
opinion on the subject of a formation of a written
constitution of civil government for the state of
Connecticut, and to appoint surveyore of highways,
when the meeting voted as follows ;
That Isaac How be moderator.
Resolved, that in all well regulated communities
of mankind it is essential to the public welfare that
there be a social compact originating in and ema-
nating directly from the people defining the powers
granted to their rulers and those retained, that it is
also the duty of the people from time to time to
amend or frame anew, the charter of their rights,
196 HISTOST or ORBBliWICH.
as experience may suggest, or change of circum-
stances may render necessary.
Resolved, that whereas the people of this state
have, from immemorial, yielded an implied consent
to the present form of government, we feel no dis-
position to deny its legitimacy, or to impair its obli-
gations, by denying the validity of acts and laws
made nnder it, but deeming it materially imperfect
in many important particulars, therefore we are in-
duced to declare onr opinion that a written consti-
tution of civil government, made and approved by
the people will have a tendency to improve the in-
ternal peace and happiness of the state and promote
the general welfare.
Resolved, that it be respectfully recommended to
the good people of this state to express their feelings
freely and publicly on this important subject.
Resolved, that the town clerk be directed to fur-
nish an attested copy of the proceedings of this
town meeting to the Representatives from this town
to the next General Assembly and to the editors of
newspapers published at Hartford and Bridgeport.
On the 4th of July of the same year,
Clark Sanford, Esq.,
Enos Lockwood, Esq.,
were elected as delegates to the constitutional
convention which was holden at Hartford on
the fourth Wednesday of August.
HIBTOBT OF OEElOrWIOH. 197
On the first Monday of October following
the constitution was ratified in town-meeting,
by a vote of ninety yeas and thirty-seven
nays.
On the fifth day of May A. D. 1829, a special
town-meeting was held to take into considerar
tion measures to prevent the slaughter of sheep
by dogs. During the year, thirty-two of the
inhabitants reported that one hundred and
ninety-seven sheep, and one hundred and six-
teen lambs had been killed by dogs. The loss
was estimated at eight hundred and seventy-
six dollars. Besides these, many had been
killed which were not reported.
In 1832, it was " voted that we will receive
proposals from the building committee of the
Episcopal Society relative to building a town-
house."
" Voted that we will build a town-house, on
condition we can agree upon a proper place
for locating it, and upon proper terms."
In 1834 and 1835, the town-meetings were
held at the Methodist Episcopal Church at
Mianus.
On the fifth of October, 1836, it was " voted
that the town of Greenwich build a town-
house to hold their public meetings in ; that it
be for that express purpose, and no other "
198 HnroBT ov obbenwioh.
^ Voted that said house be built on or near
the ground where Seymour's blacksmith shop
formerly stood in Horseneck." Silas Davis,
Thomas A. Mead, William Timpany, were ap*
pointed a committee to ^' oversee and contract
for the same, and to consult the selectmen as
to size and shape.''
On the 3d of December 1836, a town-meet-
ing was held on the site of this town-house,
which was not then completed. Since that
time the house which now stands at the junc-
tion of North street and the Turnpike, has
been the place for holding town-meetings.
SKQOrrON PABTIEB.
Much excitement used frequently arise among
the good people of the town, up to the year
1850, on account of what were known as Skime-
ton parties. The people fond of such things,
young and old, used to celebrate every tangible
wedding which took place withm thepredncte
of the town, with a turn-out of drums and
guns. A large six-pounder did much service
in this cause, and seems, indeed, of latter years
to have been the very life of these parties.
For when it made its sudden disappearance, the
practice went almost as suddenly out of exist-
HI8T0BT OF OSSEXTWICB. 199
ence. Some time in the montli of February
A. D. 1850, a large Skimeton party was held in
the village, which is believed to have been the
last of the custom. We are indebted to an
anonymous writer for his account of this matter,
obviously intended to be poetic, and although
a failure in that respect in a great degree, we
believe it to be a correct and impartial account
of the affair. K it should be a little too personal
in some of its points, we hope the pubKc wiU
forgive its insertion, for the value of the his-
torical relation. Nearly or quite all the parties
connected with the affair are yet Uving^ Some
of the names are, of course, assumed.
The Last Skimeton.
'Twas late in winter, and Sabbath day ;
But what the month Fll never say.
Or first, or second, one or t'other, —
To remember is too much bother.
A happy day it was to many,
Nor should there be unhappy any ;
Yet truly was it most certain sure
That two were happy, if no more ;
For this good, very happy couple
In one were to be made, from double.
Ages well suited, sweet seventeen
Multiplied thrice — fifty-one, I ween.
200 HISrOBT 07 GBBENWIOH.
Of tbe parties, no more need I say ;
To tell all, then, must hurry away.
Respected by all, they certainly were ;
To think not so, you surely err.
The sun goes down in all its splendor,
And to the roosts the chickens venture.
The guests have all come to see the fun,
And hear the two all knotted in one.
And kiss the bride in spite of the groom,
And see their own wives safe to their home,
And drink hard cider and eat sweet cake.
And with a good spree the dull spirit break.
The two stood up, and Dominy Gorse
Tied up a knot as strong as a horse.
The knot all tied ; the bride often kissed ;
The cake passed round ; and what each one wished,
The barrel below wasn't half drinked up ;
Enough was left for many a cup ;
When quickly spoke Father Gorse — quoth he,
"My dear, dear Sir^ now truly tell me.
How would you act, and what would you do,
If the Skinuton should visit you T
" Oh I no fear of that, good friend," Sir cried ;
*^ They'll not salute, Sunday night, my bride ;
But should they come, I've a barrel full
Of cider — the right sparkling, hard school.
Or rather, 'tis full I can make it.
Though now there is but one-third of it.
With water I can fill up the cask, —
In what way it came there none will ask.
HtSTOBT OF GRERNWIOH. 201
And none drunken from this will be found
When the cask I'll roll out on the ground.
They will eat this cake and drink this cider,
And th^n, like me so much the better.*^
Sir spoke like a man, so all will say ;
And they came not on that sacred day.
The guests that night departed in peace,
And those not over-crammed slept with ease ;
Though, doubtless, many had flighty dreams.
In which they saw great guns drawn by teams,
And loaded and fired, without dismay.
At the glass from windows jarred away.
Next day came ; and, though unsuspected,
A Skimeton had been collected.
Brush sold the powder, little knowing,
'Twould cause so terrible a blowing.
The powder was made up in cartridges,
To load the gun in greater ease ;
The charcoal furnace was hunted up, —
All was right for the hardy troop.
Night soon came ; the B^hoys were on hand.
The chief addressed, in manner bland ;
Said he, " There will be no firing done.
But a Bridegroom treat for all and one."
He told to them what was said to Gorse ;
Then rose loud cheer?, that made them hoarse,—
Long, loud cheers for the generous groom :
For cider they had plenty of room.
202 HIBTOBT OF OBEEHWIOff.
Then marched dowa the street, dragging their gun,
And, feeling well, were agape for fan.
Before the house, goodnatured, they halt.
Winking and blinking, waiting their mait*
Bat look as thej are at that hale band,
While I may group them all as they stand.
Of full-grown men I find there are five ;
Of boys thrice that, as Fm alive ;
Of oni-siderSj much as a full score ;
If cider comes out, there'll surely be more.
Oh ! what a bitter tale I could tell,
Of the yoang hopefuls I know full well,
Who stray *d from their mammas that night,
Among the outsiders here in plight.
But, as they'll 'scape the trial so dread,
Which fearfully hangs o'er each one's head,
And their bad deed will never be known,
But to their own consciences alone,
ni forbear to give them the expose,
And let each one follow his own nose.
Fve spent some time in grouping them all ;
They are waiting yet, and one doth call
A halloo to the gunner to fire,
Just to tell the groom that they're there.
** Agreed," he cries, and plies the hot rod,
And the thundering peal breaks off the nod
Of all the sleepers in that region, —
When from the house comes forth a legion.
The haj^y crowd stand a little back.
Thinking Sir is coming with the cake.
HI8TOST OF GBBBlfWIOH, 203
True, 'tis Sir, 'tis verj, rery true,
But no cake he brings, and they look blue.
And no kindness now by him is meant,
Prepared he is, and on war intent.
" War to the ram-rod ;" let come what will,
His dozen compeers will back him still.
The kind feeling's changed since wedding day,
For then 'twas thought 'twould be all O. E.
Sir seized the ram-rod, and held it tight.
And swore, if at all during the night
Any one dare to touch the big gun,
That same, and sure, would be a dead ^ mtin."
Outsiders now scamper, and the boys all run,
Leaving but few to tend to the gun.
They look for their chiefs — not finding one.
For they all left when the fracas begun.
So the few, at last, concluded to run ,
Catching the rope, away they did bound.
And left Boss Sir the boss of the ground.
And back they went to the rendezvous.
Poor fellows, they didn't know what to do !
But as each one felt tired and sad,
Concluded at last to go home to bed.
Yet with faithful heart they each resolved.
Of their cowardly fault to be absolved ;
When to-morrow's sun is out of sight.
With the favoring darkness of the night,
On the ground they'd again assemble,
Greater in force, and much more nimble ;
Courage from Coscob, and Glenville too, —
Borrow, and begin all anew.
Homeward went, but their sleep was troubled
With sights of a man whose size was doubled.
204 BISTOSY OP OBBENWIOH.
Huge ram^rod Bhouldered ever so bold.
Daring aoj with him to take hold.
Morning came ; thej awoke from their dreams
And found their way with the sun's bright beams
Some, to pretty Glxntillk's happj vale.
And told to their friends their pitiful tale.
And gained recruits, a dozen or more,
With fifer and drummer to go before.
Others, to Cobcob, well known in fame
For the bravest sons in any .game.
When CoscoB men their strength do try.
What they wish, is done, or I do lie.
Indeed by the time that sun -down came,
Some fifty, that I might call by name,
Were all ready on the coming night,
To man the gun and never know flight
All gathered at night with fife and drum
At th'appointed place, with busy hum,
Each one cheered his brother's courage up.
Some cheered their own with drink from the cup.
Soon, to move on, the word was given,
And onward they went, dragging their gun ;
Arrived at the house, they met a crowd.
Brave defenders who scolded tbera loud.
Entreated, commanded, all in vain.
And all get wrathy as bad as Cain.
Both sides were naughty it must be said.
And things were coming all to a head,
When out spoke the bride-groom, and said he
** I've in hand a musket, you see, '
'Tis loaded, 'tis cocked, 'tis ready to fire,
And he that toucheth off this cannon dire.
HISTOBT OF GREENWICH. 205
Shall never live to fire another,
I swear, at him, I'll pull the trigger."
This treat gave all a conniption fit,
But one fellow didn't mind it a bit ;
And a brave little fellow was he,
Coecob tinker Palmer, bold and free.
He faced old musket and man behind.
Says he, *' Mr. Sir^ in you 'tis kind.
Me to shoot, and bereave my family ;
But than fire, you'll have more charity."
"No, I won't" was the thundering reply,
" Touch off that gun and then you die."
" fire and be darned ;" and he took the match.
And fired off the gun without a scratch.
If Sir fired at Palmer, then the sound.
When the cannon went off was all drowned.
Sands was too small or Sir didn't aim straight,
For then to be shot wasn't Palmer's fate.
But what a noise that cannon did make.
Every thing got a terrible shake.
A score of glass lights ; all ranged in rows,
Came to the earth with terrible blows ;
Doors open ; and stoves jump two feet high,
Not minding the leap more than a fly ;
Success gives courage to Skimeton ;
The gun is drawn back at a stiff run.
But the charcoal furnace, that is lost
By some vandal, the fence overtoss'd.
Then arise free fights more than my pen
Shall lay at the door of any man.
But words were all the weapons of war.
Some could whip twenty and some still more.
10
906 HI8T0BY OF OBBBHWIOH.
They brought back the gan and would have fired,
For by this time aH really dared,
But damp the priming had got, and wet
By water, from a pail thrown on it
At last fired it off and then drew it back,
When the powder was missing, alack.
A traitor must have been in their camp,
And, in the wet dew strewed it, so damp.
€k>ne ammunition ; no powder to bum.
Backward again, their swift steps they turn,
And two miles ride in a gig,
Of powder, to obtain a full keg.
Soon they return and met with success,
Exhibit their keg with a good grace.
Again to the field, though it is late.
And plant the old piece by Sir^s old gate.
No enemy 's there, the field is won,
The victoiy claimed by firing a gun ;
Another, another, and one more,
'nil the number equals a full score.
And, at length, ammunition was spent,
And their weary step homeward they bent
Their gun, they locked up, in the old bam,
There to keep it all safe until mora.
Then went to their homes to sleep quite sound,
And on the morning to brag all around.
How the gun was fired and battle won,
By the dauntless, the brave Skimeton.
But, a deed, I have now to relate,
A dark deed committed the selfsame night.
Of the men Til not speak, nor say who,
But they were a bold and daring orew.
HIBTOBT OF OBSBITWIOH. 207
Sheltered bj darkness a lock ihej broke ;
Gbt in the bam by hook or by crook ;
Stole oat that gun and carried it off,
And certainly handled it quite rough.
They took it away and no one knows where
And I think very few ought to care.
It was hidden, many think, away
In a high loft very full of hay,
Or, 'twas hid in a potato h«api»
Or, in the Sound had taken a leap,
But though a f^arp search was strictly made,
They nev^r found where the cannon laid,
Nor ever to tell, do I now care.
Yet the gun didn't travel that night very far.
But with his gun, in this manner lost.
Skimmeton quietly gave up the ghost.
But the end is not yet, no not yet
The lawyers they must have a benefit
'Tis an ill wind blows nobody good.
And so Sheriff Seely understood ;
Warrant in hand, got all he could catch,
Though some fastened on him, their door-latch.
Then he scared one up into a tree,
But finally caught some twenty-three.
And brought ^em all in belbre a Squire,
To foe dealt with by Justice so dire.
Though it seemed strange yet it is true
Of wily lawyers, the State had two,
The prisoners against these had but one.
To struggle against both all alone.
208 HI8T0BT OF OKiaBHWIOH.
The Justice he said nerer a word,
Though every thing said, he surely heard.
Prisoners were charged with making a row ;
Wouldn't they catch it, wouldn't they now.
Wanting proof, some were freed in a huff.
Although they wan't half humbled enough.
The trial took some two I think days,
For they tried to get clear in many ways.
Lastly, they were bound orer to Court,
But the prisoners didn't take the least hurt.
Indeed had no trial up there at all
The papers were wrong respecting them all.
The trial mentioned took place in the npper
part of the shop now used by Joseph E. Rus-
sel, Egq. ; Hon. Charles Hawley and Hon.
Joshua B. Ferris, of Stamford, were employed
for the prosecution, and Hon. William T.
Minor, of Stamford, for the defence before the
justice. All of them were most able attorneys,
and with the bystanders, appeared to enjoy
the sport which necessarily arose at the triaL
In the year 1853, the town was set off as a
probate district by itself. Previously, it with
Darien and Stamford, had formed the Probate
District of Stamford. At the special meeting
then held for election of a judge, Augustus
Mead, Esq. was chosen. Since that the office
has been filled by Mr. Mead.
HIBTOEY OF GREENWICH. 209
The road from Glenville to Byram bridge
on the west side of Byram river, was laid out
by Messrs. Hubbell and Shepard, Fairfield
Comity Commissioners, in 1856. This road
was contested strongly by the town authorities,
backed by a vote of the town. A lengthy
trial was held before the Commissioners, who
decided in favor of the road. The attorneys
employed by the petitioners were Julius B.
Curtis and Henry Dutton, Esqs. ; in behalf of
the town, Daniel M. Mead and Charles Hawley,
Esqs. Wm. H. Holly of Stamford was also
employed by a private citizen opposed to the
road.
And now the greater part of the interesting
historical matter relating to the town, has been
given. Should the author, in after days, find
opportunity to enlarge this History, he will be
able to record many interesting details. In
this volume, we have sought simply, and in
the smallest possible compass, to relate reliable
facts. With the Appendix, containing reliable
statistics of value, we now take our respectful
leave of the reader.
AN APPENDIX
VALUABLE STATISTICS,
WITU ▲
ALSO, A
BISTORT OF THE VARIOUS REUGIOrS SOCIETIES;
WRH TBM
GENEALOGIES OF SEVERAL FAMILIES,
▲HO
OTKBB YALUABIiX IVFOBXATIOB.
BY THE. AUTHOR-
COUSCIED FOft Tins IVOBi: IROU KSUIBLB lUTHORITIBS.
• ♦ •
FAIEFEELD COUNTY.
This county, extending from the Sound northward,
in a triangular form, nearly two thirds of the way
along the boundary line between New York and
Oonnecticut, is a populous, thickly settled, and very
fertile district. It abounds in rocks and hills, which
render cultivation in many cases difficult. But the
fertility of the soil amply repays the hardest labor.
In 1855, the county embraced the following towns^
which are given, showing the comparative wealth
of each daring that year, as reported by the Con-
necticut Hegister.
213
APPENDIX.
Bridgeport...,,..
Bro<>kn6ld.M. . • • .
Danbury
Dflrien
Easton
Fairfield ...
Greenwich
Huntington.......
Monroe •
New Canaan
New Fairfield.....
Newtown
Norwalk.^.
Redding........ .
Ridgefield
Sherman..
Stamford
Stratford • . m. • . .
Trumbull
Weaton
Westport
Wilton
PoUa.
1,050
266
1,079
230
260
676
625
249
255
455
189
606
705
S06
449
161
717
321
290
175
452
336
Yaliifttioii.
Stores.
ManufactorieiU
6,041,593
811,530
645,721
9,401
3,025,095
144,650
854,732
16,330
631,100
5,947
2,957,008
22,785
2,495,215
41,940
622,920
5,225
604,345
6,943
931,608
29,540
397,584
4,850
1,827,436
39,060
2,561,577
135,050
1,014,963
20,930
1,106,296
22,140
390,723
3,897
3,183,183
112,520
1,341,981
11,195
637,253
13,758
424,040
10,120
l,6ia,686
73,850
644,722
6,171
484,750
15,225
125,894
3,230
1,450
3,750
34,200
6,650
2,450
19,375
3,050
237,150
21,425
9,167
153,945
9,990
15,366
4,300
19,800
900
The above towns were settled in the following
order :
Fajbfibxd, or as the Indians called it, Unqnowa,
was settled by eight or ten families, nnder a Mr. Lud-
low, the principal settler, in the jear 1639. Ludlow
had been twice Deputy Oovemor of Massachusetts
Colony, and was twice elected Deputy Governor of
Connecticut Colony. He afterwards moved to Vir-
ginia. The first purchase comprised the parishes of
APPENDIX. ^ 213
PairjSeld, Greenfield, Greensfarms, a part of Strat-
ford, a part of Reading, and the whole town of
Weston. The lighthouse on Fairweather Island, on
the easterly side of Black Eock harbor, is in Lati-
tude 41 deg. 8 min. 30 sees., and Longitude 73
deg. 12 min. 44 sees. Time, 4 h. 52 m. 51 s. The
light is 52 feet above the sea, and may be seen at a
distance of 12.6 nautical miles.
Stbatford, or in the Indian tongue Cupheag, was
purchased in 1639 by a Mr. Fairchild. Settlement
was commenced immediately. The principal early
settlers were John and William Eustice, Samuel
Hawley, Joseph Judson, and Timothy Wilcoxson.
At Stratford the first Episcopal Church was estab-
lished in Connecticut, under Bev. Mr. Muirson, of
Eye, in 1704. The latitude of Stratford Point Light-
honse is 41 deg., 9 min., 4 sec. ; longitade, 73 deg.,
5 min., 53 sec. Time, 4 h., 23 m., 52 s. The light
is 53 feet above the level of the sea, and may be
seen at the distance of 12.7 nautical miles.
Gbeenwich was purchased and settled upon in
1640, on the 18th of July, by Capt. Daniel Pati-ick,
Kobert Feaks, Elizabeth Feaks, &c. The lighthouse
on Captain's Island is in latitude 40 deg., 58 min.,
54 sec, and longitude 73 deg., 37 min., 6 sec.
Time. 4 h., 54 m., 28 s. Light is 62 feet above the
level of the sea, and may be seen at the distance of
13.4 nautical miles.
10*
214 APPSirDix.
NoBWALK was first pnrchased of the Indians in
1640. It then incladed part of New Canaan, Wil-
ton, and Westport. The whole was pnrchased with
*^ 8 fathom wampam, 6 coats, 10 hatchets, 10 hoes,
10 knives, 10 seizers, 10 jnseharps, 10 fathom to-
bacco, 3 kettles, 8 handsaboat and 10 looking
glasses." The boands were on the north, one daj's
walk into the country, hence the name Norwdk,
from North-walk. On petition of Nathan EI7 and
Richard Olmsted, it was incorporated in 1649. On
the 11th of Jolj, 1779, the village was bnmed to
the ground by the Tories under Oov. Tryon. The
loss of property as estimated by the General As-
sembly was $116,238 and 66 cents. Eighty dwell-
ings, with two churches, eighty-seven bams, seven-
teen shops, four mills and five vessels were con-
sumed* The lighthouse on Sheffield Island, one of
the Norwalk Islands, is situated in latitude 41 deg.,
2 min., 58 sec., and long. 73 deg. 24 min., 51 sec.
Time. 4 b., 53 min., 39 s. The light is 40 feet above
the level of the sea, and may be seen at the distance
of 11.6 nautical miles.
Stahfobd, or Rippowams, was pnrchased by Capt
Nathaniel Turner in 1640. The boundary line be-
tween Greenwich and Stamford was settled in No*
vember of the same year. Turner paid the Indians
for the purchase, " twelve coats, twelve hoes, twelve
hatchets, twelve knives, two kettles and four fathom
of white wampum." Thirty or forty inhabitants
APPENDIX. 215
settled on the purchase in 1641. The variation of
the needle at Stamford in September, 1844, was 9
deg. 40 min. The Stage House Hotel is in latitude
41 deg. 2 min.y 53 sec, and longitude 73 deg. 32 min.|
SO see.
Danbubt, or Pahquioque, was first settled in the
summer of 1684. The settlement consisted of eight
families. The heads of the families were Thomas
Taylor, Judah Gregory, Francis Bushnel, James
Beebe, Thomas Barnum, Samuel Benedict, John
Hoyt and James Benedict. They were, with a single
exception, all from Korwalk. Danbury is a half-
ehire town of the county, containing Oourt House
and Jail. Bethel, a flourishing town, southeast of
Danbury, has been recently set off from it and been
incorporated as a town by itself. Danbury was
burned by the British on the 26th of April, 1777 ;
and the loss which incurred thereby amounted to
£15,862 9^. 7d. A h(»pital for the Americans was
kept at Danbury for some time during the war*
Two buildings of large dimensions were built for
that purpose. A great many sick were sent here
from White Plains, and about two hundred soldiers
were buried here during the war. When the British
made their attack, or rather committed their depre-
dations, upon the town of Danbury, they passed
through the village of Bethel. They were met,
while descending a hill, a short distance from the
village on the Beading road, by Mr. Luther Hoi-
316 AFPBNDIX.
oomby an old inhabitant of Danbnrj. He was on
horseback, and rode to the top of a knoll in front of
the enemy, and taming about waved his sword as if
to an immense host behind him, shoating in tremen-
dons tones, *^ HaU the whole Universe^ break off hy
'kingdoms!'* Upon this, the British not knowing
who might be against them besides the whole XJni-
Terse, came to a full halt, planted their cannon, and
sent out the proper wings, while Mr. Holcomb
seized the opportunity to ride off with all speed to
a place of safety, even without his army.
New-Towv, by the Indians called Pohtatuck, was
incorporated as a town in the year 170S. The
Indian name was derived from a small stream which
empties into the Housatonic. The soil is quite fertile
and produative.
BmosriBLD, or Oandatowa, was settled by inhabi-
tants mostly from Norwalk, in the year 1708. John
Belden, Matthias St. John, Matthew Seymour, and
Samuel Keeler, were the most influential of the
early settlers. Their deed was dated the thirtieth
of September, and was signed by Catoonah, the
principal Indian chief. Just over the boundary line
is the cave, or rather the semblance of a cave,
where Sarah Bishop, the hermitess, lived during the
latter part of her life. She died in 1810. She dwelt
there alone, many of the superstitious regarding her
as a witch. But ill treatment by one of the many
APPENDIX. 217
unprincipled and detestable British officers, dnring
the Bevolntionarj War, is said to hare been the
cause of her leading so singular a life among the
mountains.
New Faikfibld was not settled until 1730. Set-
tlement was then made in what is called the lower
seven miles. The first minister was the Ber. Bona-
jah Case, who was ordained in 1742.
Eeadino, so called in honor of one of its first and
most influential settlers, was incorporated as a town
in May, 1767. Gen. Putnam's head-quarters were
here while stationed in this part of the country.
Under his command were the New Hampshire
brigade, two Connecticut brigades, a corps of infan-
try and a corps of cavalry. During the first part
of their being under command at this station, the
soldiers were but indifferently fed and clothed.
While the legislature were in session, they were
on the point of marching to Hartford, to demand
assistance from that body at the point of the bayonet
Putnam, with his accustomed boldness, made them
a short and effective speech, in which he took occa-
sion to point out to them the shame which would
come upon GomieGticut men^ should they carry out
their foolish designs. His speech satisfied them.
And shortly afterwards, by the exertions of Connec-
ticut women, none of them had reason to complain
of not being comfortably clothed. Two executions
S18
took place while Oen. Patnam was quartered here.
One, a jouth of axteea or Beyenteen, was shot for
desertion ; and the other was a Tory, named Jones,
of Bidgefield. One of the most distinguished men
of Oonnecticnt, Joel Barlow, LL. D* was bom here
in 1755* He was a poet and a statesman* He
died Dee. 22d, 1818, at Zamawica, a small village
in Poland, near Oracow.
Bbookfoeld, named after Ber. Mr. Brooks, their
first minister, was incorporated in 1788. Before
that time it formed portions of Kewtown, Danbnrjr,
and New Milford. Settlement had been made on
the tract some thirty years before.
The town contains 17 square miles, or 11,000 acres.
There are beds of limestone and marble in the town.
The soil is well adapted to the raising of grain.
HuHTTBroiON was incorporated as a town in 1789.
Ber. Jedediah Mills was the first minister in what
is now Huntington. He was settled in 1724, and
the settlement began about 70 years previons to its
incorporation.
New Cakaak was incorporated in 1801. It was
formerly a parish lying partly in Stamford and Nor-
walk, incorporated as a parish in 1731. In 1733
there were fortynseveu members of the parish,
thirty from Norwalk and seventeen from Stamford.
Their first minister was Rev. John Eeels of Milford,
APPBHDDC. 219
who was ordained in Jane, 1733. He preached
until 1741. His death occurred at New Oanaan in
1785, when he was in his 85th year. Ber, Bobert
Silliman preached there from 1742 nntil 1711.
William Dmmmond sacceeded him in 1772, and
preached five jears ; after which he was dismissed
and deposed from the ministry in 1777. Bey. Jus-
tus Mitchel then followed in the year 1783, and
preached nntil 1806, when he suddenly died. The
business of the town is mostly shoe and leather
manufacture.
Shebiian, forming the northern angle of Fairfield
County, was originally a part of New Fairfield.
It was incorporated as a town by itself in 1802. It
has bat few inhabitants, thoagh the soil is good and
well adapted to the raising of grain of all kinds.
Wilton, though organized as a society in the town
of Norwalk in 1726, was not incorporated as a town
until 1802. The chief occupation of the inhabitants
is agriculture. There is a silver mine in the limits
of this town, which has not been worked since the
Bevolutionary war. Wilton is the birth-place of
Prof. Stnart, of Andover Theological Seminary.
• Dabien, formerly known as the Middlesex Parish,
in the town of Stamford, was incorporated as a town
in 1820. Throughout the Bevolution, a large num*
ber of the inhabitants of this district were Tories.
220 AITKSDJX.
Dr. M0666 Mather was preaching in the Congrega-
tional Chnrch on Sunday the 22d of July, A. D.
1781, when a partj of Tories completely sarrounded
the church and took most of the people prisoners,
only a few young men escaping through the win-
dows. Two shots were fired at these ; but they dare
fire no more, as three guns was the well known sig-
nal of alarm in this part of the country. All the
males were then tied two and two and led out of
the church, with the venerable Dr. Mather at their
head. The Tories also carried off some forty horses
belonging to the congregation which had assembled,
and marched the prisoners to the Sound shore, where
they were embarked for Lloyd's Keck on Long
Island. From thence they were taken to New
York, and confined in the Provost prison, where
they underwent the most severe treatment. The
following contains a portion of a poem entitled
A Poetical Relation of the Capture of the Congregation at
Middlesex^ with an Account of their SufferingSy Jbc^
whUe in captivity ; by Peter St. John,
Now to relate 'tis my intent
A sad and tragical event.
On what I write you may rely,
Ab IVe the history lying by.
July the twenty-second day, *
Where Christians meet to sing and prayi
In seventeen hundred and eighty-one,
An horrid action was begun.
APPENDIX. 221
While to tbe Lord tbey Bing and pray,
The Tories, who in ambush lay.
Beset the house with brazen face ;
At Middlesex it was the place.
A guard was placed the house before.
Likewise behind and at each door.
Then, void of shame, those men of sin
The sacred temple entered in.
The Rev. Mather closed his book, —
How did the congregation look ?
The reverend priest, the man of God,
Severely felt the smarting rod, —
Not by a whip do I pretend,
But by abuses from those friends.
How must he feel to see his sheep
Thus worried, whilst they silence keep.
Those demons plundered what they could.
Either in silver, or in gold.
The silver buckles, which we use
Both at the knees and on the shoes.
These caitiffs took them ; in their rage
Had no respect for sex or age.
And as they all were searching round,
They several silver watches found.
They who were placed as guards without,
Like raging devils ranged about.
Took forty horses to the shore.
Not many either less or more ;
With bridles, saddles, pillions on.
In a few minutes all was done.
The men which hence they took away,
Upon this sacred awfal day,
S23
Wat forty-eight, beftides two more
They chAooed to tnd upon the shore.
When to the ehore they were conveyed,
The orders givea they obeyed.
On board the shipping they were sent,
But greatly feared the sad event ;
As well they might, because they knew
Their captors were the Devil's crew.
They hoisted sail, the Sound they crossed,
And near Lloyd's neck they anchored first
Then every man must tell his name ;
A list they took, and k^t the same.
Now twenty-fonr of fifty men
Were ordered home again ;
The twenty-six who stay'd behind.
Most cruelly were they confioed ;
On board the brig were ordered quick,
And were confioed beneath the deck.
A nasty hole, with filth besmear'd, —
But 'twas no more than what they feai'd*
But to return whence I left <^,
They at our misery made a scc^ —
Like raging devils tore about,
Swearing they'd tear our vitals out ;
That they'd no quarter ever give,
Nor let a cursed rebel live ;
But would their joints in pieces cut ; —
Then round the deck like devils strut
Oh, human nature, how depraved !
Can any mortal e'er be saved f
APPENDIX* 223
So void of good, so fall of evil,
And wholly bent to serve the Devil.
July the foar and twentieth day,
We all were sent to Oyster Bay.
« * « « • «
We to the ferry came at last,
View'd by spectators as we past :
The gazing rabble, tory throng,
Would curse us as we passed along.
Ten thousand curses round us rung ;
But some would laugh, and some would sneer,
And some would grin, and some would leer.
A mixed mob, a medley crew,
I guess, as e'er the Devil knew.
To the Provost we then were haul'd.
Though we of war were prisoners called ;
Our irons now were ordered off, —
The standers-by would swear and scoff.
But O, what company we found !
With great suiprise we looked around I
I must conclude that in this place
We found the worst of Adam's race ;
Thieves, murderers, and pickpockets too.
And every thing that's bad they do.
One of our men found, to his cost.
Three pounds of York money he had lost ; —
His pockets picked, I guess, before
We had been there one single hour.
• « « * « * «
Full eighteen days, or something more^
We &irly w^fe exohang'd before ;
221 APPENDIX.
Of the excliange they let ne know.
Or from that place of bondage go.
That of the number twenty-five.
But just nineteen were left alive ;
Four days before Deoember^e gone.
In eeyenteen hundred eighty-one.
Bbidoepobt was formerly part of the parish ot
Stratfield, in the town of Stratford, and also a part
of the town of Fairfield. It was incorporated as a
town in 1821. The city of Bridgeport was incor-
porated as snch in 1836, and is situated on the
month of the Feqnanick river, at the head of a
liarbor two miles from the Sonud. At the close of
the Bevolntionary war, there were only twelve
houses where the city now stands. The population
in 1790 was only one hundred and ten, while in
1850 the population is seven thousand five hundred
and fifky-eight. Bridgeport is one of the county
towns for Fairfield County. The Court-house is as
good a one as can be found in the United States.
MoioEOB, formerly a part of Huntington, was in-
corporated in 1823. It contains about twenty-six
square miles.
*
Wbstpobt, formerly known by the Indian name
of Laugatuck, was formed from the territory of
Fairfield, Weston, and Norwalk. It was settled as
part of those towns, and incorporated by itself in
1835. It contains about seventeen square miles.
AFFENBDC* 225
Westoit was incorporated in 1787, being formed
bj two parishes before that time belonging to Fair-
field. It was, however, settled earlier than 1740.
With Easton it contained nearly or quite forty
square miles. The first Methodist Society in ]!)ew
England is said to have been at Bridgeport ; but the
first church built by that denomination of Chris-
tians was at Weston. It was known as Lee's
chapel.
Tbumbull, containing a little more than twenty-
one square miles, was incorporated from Korth
Stratford in 1798.
Eas'TOn has been, some two or more years since,
incorporated as a town by itself, from Weston.
Bethel, formerly the southe^tern corner of Dan-
bury, was incorporated as a town in 1855.
Popvldtion.
Bethel,
Bridgeport,
Brookfield,
Danbury, .
Darien,
Easton,
Fairfield,
Greenwich,
1880.
I860.
See Danburj.
2,800
7,558
1,255
1,360
4,311
5,964
1,212
1,454
1,212
1,432
4,222
3,618
8,801
5,040
issa
I8sa
Huntington, .
1,871
1,301
Monroe, .
. 1,523
1,440
New Canaan, .
1,830
2,601
Kew Fairfield, .
. 939
927
Newtown,
3,096
8,358
Norwalk, .
. 3,792
4,051
Reading,
1,686
1,754
Sidgefield,
. 2,305
2,237
Shennan,
947
984
Stamford, .
. 3,707
5,004
Stratford,
1,814
2,040
Tmmboll, .
. 1,242
1,313
Weston,
2,997
1,063
Weatport, .
2,642
Wilton,
2,097
2,066
The Oonntj, (in 1810, 42,739) . 46,960 59,841
In population Bridgeport ranks the highest, Dan-
bnrj next, then Greenwich, then Stamford, &c.
Vartati&M
of Magnetic Ifeedle for Fairfidd
'
County.
JPUee.
Variaticn, Wkm obiertML
By whom.
Greenwich,
e^'dS' west Sept 1844.
Prof. Renwick.
Stamford,
6*>40' •* «•
u
Nonralk,
QO^^i U CI
u
Bridgeport,
6^19' " Sept 1845.
u
BUckRock,
6°54' " •*
u
Legget'B SUtioB, 6''41' *" Oct 1847. B. H. F8Uitl«K>7.
APFimDIX.
237
Prqfemonal Statistics for 1855.
Attorneys in Fairfield County, .
Clergy in do do
Physicians in do do .
51
108
81
Sovereigns of England after the SetUeinent of
Cromwell.
^CVf*
His son, . • • .
1668.
Charles n.) « . . .
. 1660.
James II.,
1685.
William and Mary,
. 1689.
William ITT., •
1694.
Anne,
. 1702.
George I., ...
1714.
George IT., .
. 1737.
George IIL,
1760.
The latter ceased to reign in 1811, but lost the
colonies in 1776.
lAst qf the Governors of Connecticut
John Winthrop, • from 1669 to 1676, died.
William Leete, . . " 1676 to 1683, "
Eobert Treat, . . " 1683 to 1687.
Government was here interrupted for a year and a
half.
Eobert Treat, . . from 1689 to 1698.
Pitz John Winthrop, . « 1698 to 1707, died.
938
Gurdon Saltonstall, • from
Joseph Talcott, .
Jonathan Law,
Boger Wolcott, .
Thomas Fitch,
WiUiam Pitkin, .
Jonathan Trnmbnll, .
Hatthew Oriswold,
Samuel Huntington, •
Olirer Wolcott, .
Jonathan Trnmbnll, .
John TreadweU, •
BogerOriswold,
John Cotton Smith,
Oliver Wolcott,
Gideon Tomlinson,
John S. Peters,
Samuel A. Foot, .
John S. Peters,
William W. Ellsworth,
Ohancej F. Oleveland,
Boger S. Baldwin, .
Isaac Toncej,
Olark Bissel, •
Joseph Trumbull,
Thomas H. Seymour,
Charles H. Pond, by resig-
nation of Seymour,
Henry Dutton, .
William T. Minor, .
((
a
It
ii
(C
it
a
it
ii
a
li
ii
a
It
ii
a
li
ii
ii
a
ii
a
li
a
ii
ii
ii
a
1707 to
1724 to
1741 to
1750 to
1764 to
1766 to
1769 to
1784 to
1786 to
1796 to
1798 to
1809 to
1811 to
1813 to
1817 to
1827 to
1833 to
1834 to
1835 to
1838 to
1842 to
1844 to
1846 to
1847 to
1849 to
1850 to
1724, died.
1741, «
1750, "
1754.
1766.
1769, died.
1784.
1786.
1796.
1798.
1809, died.
1811.
1813, died.
1817.
1827.
1831.
1834.
1835.
1838.
1842.
1844.
1846.
1847.
1849.
1860.
1863.
1853 to 1854.
1854 to 1855.
1855 to 1857.
APPENDIX. 229
The following are the votes of the town for Electors
to elect a President and Vice-President of the
United States, since 1820, before which time the
Electors weie chosen by the Legislature : — :
In 1820, Monroe rec'd 34, OppositioQ 0. Scattering 0.
In 1824, ^rfam» *' 28. " 1. « 0.
In 1828, Jackson ** 24. Adams 89. " 0.
In 1%Z2, Jackson "166. Opposition 73. " 47,
In 1836, Fan ^wren" 102. Harrison 64. ** 0.
In 1840,JBram«(w "309. V Buren 337. " 6.
In 1844, Polk " 365. Clay 348. Bimey 14.
In 1848, Tayl&r « 316. Cass 234. V Buren 49.
In 1862, Pterce "371. Scott 310. Hale 20.
In \QbQ^ Buchanan " 377. Fremont 386. Fillmore 119.
The column in iUdics are the successful candi-
dates. When the town first began voting for etoctors^
little interest was taken in the result, which accounted
for the paucity of the votes cast. In the vote of 1856,
probably every vote was cast which ought to have
been deposited. Men were brought from their sick
beds, and the greatiest excitement prevailed.
J'
Tovm Officers in 1855.
Samuel Close, . CUrh and Begiater.
Augustus Mead, . . Treasunrer.
Benjamin W. Husted, Sdeotman.
Allen Sutton, . . "
Levi Mead, . . "
11
280
AagQstna Mead, .
Town Agent.
*William H. Dosenbiiry,
ConttcMe.
John Dayton,
u
Shadrach Smith,
u
Ckarlee Ferria,
a
Philander Button,
OrandJinror.
John R Wilson, .
a u
Oalyin Purdy,
(i u
Ard Knapp,
Aesesear.
Ooruelina Ford,
u
John B. Wilaon, .
li
Belah Savage, •
a
John B. Grigg, .
u
Jamee Wilson,
Board of Rdief,
Angnstns Mead, .
U 4<
Edwin Keeler,
ki C<
Beth Lyon,
Swrveyor.
Wm. H. Dosenberry,
u
Geoige J. Smith,
CoUector,
•Jacob D. L, M. Armonr,
Justice of the Peace
John Banks, •
u a
Gideon Close,
u a
Isaac O. Olose,
u a
George Derby,
U <(
William A, Ferris, .
u u
Kathan Finch,
u a
OonUin Hnsted,
a u
ETxa Keeler,
u u
Ard Enapp, .
<( u
* All of tbifl list did not Uke the oatib, Uioagh all were alooted.
▲PlPXBIXIX. 2ol
Seth Lyon,
Justice of ihs Pe&ee.
Alvan Mead, •
U ((
AugastQs Mead, •
u u
Drake Mead,
• ii a
Elkanah Mead,
a u
Solomon Mead,
(( u
Samuel Mills,
a u
Angnstus B. Newman,
a a
Selah Savage,
a it
John B. Wilflon,
ii a
Toion Officers in 1866.
Samuel Close,
Clerk.
Joseph E. Brush,
Regieter.
Augustas Mead, .
Treasu/ret.
Allen Sutton, .
, Selectmcm.
Thomas A. Mead, .
i(
Levi Mead,
u
Levi Mead,
Town Agents
George J. Smith,
CoUecior.
"William H. Dusenberry, .
Constable.
John Dayton, .
a
Philander Button, . '
Chand Jktror.
Seth B. Downs,
ti u
James Wilson,
Assessor.
Jabez Mead, jun.
u
Josephus Palmer, .
u
Elkanah Mead,
u
Benjamin Page,
u
Solomon Mead,
Board of Rdief.
883
Esrm Keeler,
Isaac O. OloBe .
Beth Lyon, •
William H. Dnsenberrj,
Bev. George H. Dnnbar,
George A. Palmer,
Bey. Frederick Monson,
Beth Lyon,
JuliuB B. OartiSy .
Philander Batton ,
Merritt Gteralds,
Wm. H. DoBMiberry, .
Board of Sdief.
<(
<(
Surveyor.
Sch. Vietior See. So.
u
u
a
u
a
a
Town Qfficere in 1857.
Samuel dose, • . Clerk and Begister.
Augustus Mead,
Ard Enapp,
Titus Mead,
George Ferris,
George J. Smith,
George J. Smith, .
John Dayton, .
Oharles Ferris,
B. F. Husted, •
George B. Christison,
Isaac Weed,
John B. Wilson, .
Jabez Mead, jun.
Gilbert P. Finch, .
Henry Dayton.
Treasurer.
Sdeotman.
u
ii
Collector.
Constable.
u
a
u
a
Ora/nd Jvrcr.
(<
((
((
<(
((
((
d
u
APPENDIX.
•
John B. WilsoHy .
Assessor.
Jabez Mead, jun.
a
B. F. Husted,
a
Benjamin Page.
a
James Wilson,
Board of Rdief.
Gideon Close, .
a <(
Brush Knapp,
u a
William H. Dusenberry,
Surveyor.
Seth Lyon,
u
233
Board of School Visitors.
Gideon Close, Chairman.
Daniel M. Mead, Clerk and Acting Visitor^ and
Mcamining Committee.
James H. Hoyt, Msa/mining Com/tnittee.
Joseph K. Stearns, AcHng Visitor^ and .Examine
i/n<i Committee.
Samuel Mills, . . Visitor.
Joseph E. Russell, • **
Jacob R. Williams, . "
Silas Husted, . . '^
Qeorge Derby
a
Justices of the Peace for 1857.
Joseph Brush, WiJUam L. Lyon^
C. Silas Burley, Augustus Mead,
'''Gideon CLosCy Drake Mead,
* Those in iialici onlj^ have taken the presoribed oath and are
aetiog justieea.
984
William A. Ferris,
Daniel M. OriflSn,
Benjamin F. JStuted^
Oonklia Hosted,
Ezra KedeTj
Ard Knapp,
John B.
ntns Mead,
Augustus B. Newman,
William Newman,
Samuel Peck,
Joseph E, Bnsselj
Minot S. Soofidd,
James Wilson,
WU$on.
Officers of the Borough for 1867.
Solomon Mead,
Warden.
Samuel Close, •
Burgees.
Alvan Mead,
Thomas A. Mead,
((
Philander Button, .
(C
James W. Dominick, .
ii
Bobert W. Mead, •
Clerk and Treasurer
John Dayton, •
BaUif.
Julius B. Curtis, •
Attorney.
APPENDXX. 235
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
fOB THE BOCTBEBN FAKT 07 THS
TOWN OF GREENWICH,
FOR 1867.
• ♦ •
BLAOESMTTHING.
William Scqfield keeps a blacksmith-shop, con-
nected with the carriage-making business, in the
village, a few feet north of Sniffings Corner, on the
road leading to Pecksland and Glenville.
Moses Sargent keeps a shop on Bush's Point, at
Lower Coscob, near the ship-yard.
Ephraimi Lane also keeps a shop at Coscob Vil-
lage ; all kinds of blacksmithing done.
Abraham S. Palmer keeps a shop at Mianus, con-
nected with a wheelwright^ shop*
BOABDmO AND SELEOT 80H00LS.
Lewis Howe^ A.M.^ a graduate of Tale College,
is the principal of an excellent institution, situated
on a beautiful eminence, one door west of the Second
Congregational Church. All the branches of edu-
230 APPENDIX.
cation, including mnsic and the langaages, are
tanght And every facility is offered to the stadent.
Mt%. Hesa keeps an excellent private school for
small children, in Mechanic street.
Philander Bntton, A.M., a graduate of Yale Col-
lege, is the principal of the Greenwich Academ j,
on the comer of Main and North streets. All the
branches of an English education are taught, with
Latin and Greek ; and the institution is in an ex-
ceedingly flourishing condition.
Prof. B. A. Norville, formerly Professor in West-
em Reserve College, and Conductor of Music in
Centre Church, New Haven, has a full class in
music throughout the year, and receives those
desiring a thoroughly finished musical education by
the term, as boarders, at his place of residence in
Greenwich Avenue.
Miss Elath,ea NewmmCs private school, at
Mianus, is much appreciated as an excellent school
by those in the vicinity.
BUTCHERING AND 1IEAT-8HOF8.
•
Henry Held keeps a shop for the sale of all kinds
of meat, on the west side of Greenwich Avenue, a
few rods from the corner of Main street.
TFm. H. Henderson, Shop in Greenwich avenue,
opposite Mead and Dayton's building.
Amos JT. Brush dk Co. Shop at Coscob village.
J, Home dk Co. Shop at Mianus.
Imae O. Close. Shop at Boundhill.
APPENDIX. 237
ABINBT-M A KKB.
Mr. Himt, Shop in Greenwich avenue, connect-
ed with sash and blind making.
Stephen Stoothoffy near Railroad Depot, connected
with general carpenter work.
OAJlPENTEEmO.
JiaflkJ Weed. Shop in Greenwich avenue.
Charles Timpany, Shop at the village of Ooscob.
WiUiam Eddy. Shop at Mianus.
Willicmb H. Lyon^ at East Portchester.
Manj others are engaged in this business, but
these are the heaviest contractors.
OAEBIAGE-MAEINa.
JoMph E. Hicssely one door north of SniflBln's
corner, on road to Pecksland ; connected with a
blacksmith's shop.
Elijah Lent. All kinds of finished carriage-
building, at the shop in Mechanic street.
COAL
For sale, by E. Husted, at Caleb W. Merritt's Dock.
CLOCKS REPAIRED.
Jmuis Heady /wn., a few doors from Sniffings
comer, on the road to Pecksland.
DRESSMAKERS.
Mrs. William E. Ferrisy in Mechanic street.
Mrs. Sarah Peok^ at Humphrey Denton's.
IX*
238 APPSHDcr.
21t9. OUbeH J£a/t9hM and JUUs WUmoty at
CJoecol).
JTie Misses DavieSj at Mianos.
FACI0BIB8.
Screw and BoU Factory of Bnssel, Birdsall &
Ward, on the Bjram River, a half-mile below Glen-
ville.
Tinners^ Tools Factory of Joeiah Wilcox, on
Byram River, two miles north of Glenville.
IshanCs Factory y at Glenville.
RMing IRUsj Bv/rrington Sichsy agent, on the
Mianos River, at Dampling Pond.
Sash and Blind^ Factory of Charles Umpany, a
few rods north of Coscob village.
HOTELS.
Atifffistus Lyon keeps the Mansion House, on the
comer of Greenwich avenue and Main street.
Jacob T. Weed keeps Weed's Hotel, on Main
street, nearly opposite Greenwich avenue.
Mrs. Bancroft, on Main street.
Joseph F. Page keeps the Railroad House, at
Coscob Village.
ICE.
John Henderson will supply the people through
the season with pure crystal ice.
mSTJBAKOE OFFICE.
Oreenwich Mutual Fire Insurance Company y
office over the Post-office. Augustus Mead, Presi-
dent ; G. J. Smith, Secreta/ry.
appendix. 239
lawtbbb' omtobs.
Daniel M. Mead^ Attorney and Counselor for
Connecticut and Ifew York, and Commissioner of
the Superior Court. Office in Mead and Dayton's
Building, on Greenwich avenue, second story, front
room. AH kinds of conyeyancing carefully attended
to.
Julius £. OurtiSy Attorney and Counselor at
Law, and Commissioner of the Superior Court.
Office in Lyon's Building, on Main street, second
story. All kinds of conveyancing carefully attended
to.
MERCHANTS.
Francis Dauohy^ agent for William Hoyt. Oppo-
site the head of Greenwich arenuo, in Main street.
A very extensive assortment of dry goods and
groceries for sale.
Peter Acker keeps for sale a constant supply of
dry goods and groceries at the Old Stand, on the
corner of Greenwich avenue and Main street.
Ahraham Acker. Store in Lyon's Building, Main
street.
Joseph jEl Brush. Dry goods and groceries, on
the corner of Mechanic and Main streets.
John Henderson. Confectionery, Main street.
Benjamin Peck. General assortment of goods,
Main street, one door from Mechanic street.
Henry S. Banks^ Glenville Bridge. Dry goods
and groceries.
Mosher <& Oo^^ Glenville. Groceries.
210 APPENDEC.
Gould SeUedk^ Ooecob. Dry goods and groceries.
A. and E. Brush db Co. Dry goods and groceries,
Coscob Village.
Lochjoood P. Clark. Groceries, Coecob.
Joseph Home <6 Co. Dry goods and groceries.
Mianus.
Charles Ferris^ do, Mianns.
Newnian and Hewes^ dry goods and groceries*
Contractors for sewing and general tailoring.
Jesse Z. WessdSj East Fortchester.
MILLIlfEBY.
Mrs. Coles^ in Main street.
Mrs. Elliot^ near Railroad Depot
TJie Misses LanSj at Coscob Village.
PHTSICIANS.
Dr. Darius Mead. Residence on the brow of
Fntnam's Hill.
Dr. James H. Hoyt. Residence in the center of
the village, on Main street.
Dr. Bartow F. White. Residence is at Round-hill.
Dr. Charles C. Allen. Residence at Coscob Vil-
lage.
SADDLEBY.
William Mead. Shop a half-a-mile north of
Putnam's Hill.
i^pevietus Sniffiny on Sniffings Comer in the Vil-
lage.
APPENDIX. 241
BALOONS.
John H. Merritt. On Greenwich avenne. Oys-
ters and ice-cream all in their season.
John, Henderson. On Main street, about the
center of Village. All the delicacies in their season.
Joseph E. PagSj at Coscob Village. AH kinds
of refreshment in their season.
SmP-YASD.
The ship-yard of Chard, Duff & Palmer, at
Coscob, has tamed out many elegant, durable, and
fast-sailing vessels.
SEXTONS,
Jonds Meady jv/n.^ of Second Congregational
Church.
John Hancock^ of Episcopal Church.
Gilhert Marsh^dU^ of Methodist E. Church.
Others not known to the author.
SHOE-MAXING.
John Dayton, first floor of Mead and Dayton's
Building, in Greenwich avenue. An extensive
assortment of boots, shoes, and gaiters.
Marshall amd Mead^ three doors west of Green-
wich avenue, in Main street.
Isaac Olmsted^ at Coscob.
DameL Olmsted^ at his residence on the road to
Fecksland.
^
349 APPBHDIX.
Jonathan Jesmpj at Mianns.
Henry Daiyian^ at
BTABLB8 AND OONYETANGBS.
Edwaitd Anffevine. Stage line from Depot to
everj part of the town.
John D. Elliot^ do.
Samud FincV$ line from BanksviUe.
TAIL0B8.
Oeorge SMick^ at J. E. Brush's store, in Main st.
J. Home db Co.^ at Mianas.
Newman iSk Hewea^ Mianns.
WHBELWBIOHTB.
Jonas Mead^jun.y at the Village.
Hamphrej D. Mead & Oo., at Glenville.
Bobert M. Harris, at Mianns.
GBAKB LI8TB.
The following are the Lists of the town for several
consecntive years, in the earlier and later periods of
the history of Greenwich.
Data Uctia Ponadi.
1665, .... ^1,434 Os.
1666, . , , , 1,607 17
1667, .... 1,682 14
1668, , , . . 1,609 16
1669, .... 1,667 10
1670, , . , , 1,897 6
AFPSNDDC.
1671,
•
• •
1672,
« •
1673,
•
• •
1674,
• •
1675,
•
• •
1676,
thirty-flix
freeholders,
1677,
forty
do
1694,
sixty-sir
do
1854,
•
• •
1865,
• •
1866,
•
• •
243
£1,806
. 1,162
2,060 6
. 1,915
1,950
. 1,719
1,822
. 2,638 8
JMbi'DtXka.
$2,495,215
. 2,680,304
2,748,678
For a considerable period after the incorporation
of the town, it was by far the smallest in the valaa-
tion of the Grand List. And while its valaation
was less than two thousand pounds, that of the
neighboring town of Stamford was more than six
thousand. They are now about equal.
SCHOOL DISTBIOTS IN GSEENWIOH.
The following are the names of the various school
districts in the town, with the number of persons be-
tween the ages of four and sixteen in each district,
on the first of January, 1857.
1. Old Greenwich, . . • 79
2. Palmer HUl, . . • .83
3. Mianus East, .... 61
4. Mianus West, . . . .47
5. Steep Hollow, , , , . 106
244
APPCBDIi;.
m
6. Ooecob,
7. North Coecob, .
8. Meeting-house,
9. North Street,
10. Stan wich, Upper, .
11. ^ Lower,
12. Round HiU,
13. Fecksland,
14. Clabbord Ridge, .
15. Bjram, including East Portchester
16. Factory,
17. King street, Lower,
18. « Upper,
19. Quaker Ridge,
20. RivervUle,
. 108
58
. 321
39
. 73
102
. 103
40
. 43
15T
. 51
82
. 61
55
. 59
1627
The school-houses of the Coscob and Meeting-
house school-districts were built in 1851, the former
at an expense of about $1,450, including the land,
the latter at an expense of about $6,000. A forty-
cent tax was laid in the Meeting-house district
for the purpose. The building committee were
Augustus Mead, Z^ccheus Mead, and William L.
Lyon, Esqs.
North Greenwich, Old Greenwich, Factory, and
Fecksland districts, also built new houses about this
time. The Riversville District has now (1857) com-
menced a school house of stucco. The building is
octagonal in shape, with a porch toward the south.
The East Portchester District was set off by the
APPENDIX.
245
town about the Ist of December, 1856 ; and the se-
lectmen placed the boundaries soon after, which was
indorsed by the town at a succeeding town-meeting.
East Fortchester is a thriving village, on the east-
em bank of the Byram river. The land on which
it stands was purchased from a neighboring farmer,
and laid out in building lots, only four or five years
since. It has built up so rapidly that there are now
ninety-four children within the limits of the school-
district.
INDIAN NAMES.
Modern.
Fatommuck Brook.
. Asamuck Brook.
Mianus Biver.
Ooscob and Old Green-
wich.
, Dumpling Pond.
Horseneck and vicinity.
. Greenwich.
IndiUL
Patommbg,
Asamuck,
Myanos, or Mehanas,
Petuaqupaen,
Betuckquapock, • ,
Miossehasseky, •
Sioascock,
Minniwies, or Menusing, Manursing Island.
Armonck, or Cokamong, Byram Kiver.
Pimpewig, . . Pimpewig Brook,
Easeco, . . . Portchester.
Poningoe, . . . Town of Eye.
Mockquams, . . . Blind Brook.
Quaroppas, . . White Plains.
Quinnehtuqut, . . Connecticut.
KippoWams, . . Stamford.
Mohiccannituck, . • Hudson Kiver.
S46
Sewftnhaekj or llentoac,
land of BhellS) Long Idand.
llonakewego, • . Eluabeth, or Greenwich
Point
lluhliekanno, • Se^en^^Mohegan^ tribes
on coast.
OHBOirOLOOIOAL TABLE.
1492. Oolumbos discovered America.
1494. 3 ohn and Sebastian Cabot discovered North
America.
1524. John Yeraszani do. do.
1602. Bartbolomew Oosnold do. do.
1609. Hendrick Hudson discovered Hudson Biver.
1614. Adrien Block discovered Connecticut.
1614. Greenwich discovered by Adrien Block.
1620. Landing of Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock.
1681. Old Patent of Connecticut issued.
1638. First house built in Connecticut by English.
1688. do. do. do. by Dutch.
1685. Famine in Connecticut.
1686. First General Court in Connecticut.
1640. Settlement of Greenwich.
1642. Greenwich ceded to the Dutch.
1648. Indians massacred at New Amsterdam.
1644. First expedition against Petuqaapaen.
1644. Capt. Daniel Patrick shot by a Dutch officer.
1645. Petuquapaen finally destroyed.
1650. Boundary line of Connecticut removed to
west side of Greenwich.
APPBRBDC. 347
1656. Eiotons inhabitants threatened by General
Court.
1656. Settlement by Mead, Stndwell, Hobby, and
Hubbard, with several others, mostly coming
from Long Island.
1664. Boundary line remored to Mamaroneck Eiver.
1666. First school-house built.
1672. 27 proprietors purchased West Greenwich.
1673. Bye still accounted a part of Oonnecticut.
1676. Rev. Mr. Wizwale invited to preach.
1678. Rev. Mr. Peck came and settled.
1681. First recorded marriage is that of John Mead,
jun., to Miss Ruth Hardey.
1688. Boundary of Connecticut settled at Byram
River.
1685. Grist mill built at Dumpling Fond.
1688. Number of legal voters, forty-nine.
1689. Rev. Jeremiah Peck dismissed.
1691. Rev. Abraham Pierson preaching.
1691. Yoted to have a neto meeting-house.
1694. Mr. Pierson left Greenwich.
1695. Mr. Salmon Treat commenced preaching.
1695. Grand List £2,638 Ss.
1696. John Mead's Will.
1697. Mr. Treat left the town.
1697. Rev. Joseph Morgan began preaching.
1700. Rev. Nathaniel Bowers settles in Old Green-
wich.
1700. Rev. Joseph Morgan moves to Horseneck.
1703. Town-meetings began to be held one-half time
in Horseneck.
1
248
1704. Rev. Oeorge Mnirson, an Episcopal clergy-
man, preached in Oreenwich occasionally, he
being settled over the parish at Rye.
1705. Mr. Morgan bnilds mill at Indian Harbor.
1705. Final separation of the town into two religions
societies. Permanent articles of agreement
made.
1708. Mr. Morgan dismissed from active dnty as
minister at Horseneck.
1707 or 1708. Mr. Nathaniel Bowers left preaching
in Old Oreenwich. During a short period
here, neither society had a minister.
1713. A question of reunion of the societies arose,
which was never carried out.
1716. Mill and dock built at month of Horseneck
Brook.
1717. Rev. Richard Sackett commenced preaching
at Honseneck
1724. Horseneck Brook Dock enlarged.
1727. Rev. Mr. Sackett died.
1728. Rev. Stephen Munson settled at Horseneck.
1730. Rev. Mr. Munson died in May.
1732. Rev. Abraham Todd settled at Horseneck.
1739. War declared against Spain by Oreat Britain.
1740. Rev. James Wetmore, an Episcopal church-
man, settled at Rye, preached regularly once
a month in Oreenwich.
1744. War declared against France by Oreat Britain.
1745. Mrs. Ruth Peck, wife of Samuel Peck, died.
1746. Death of Samuel Feck, aged 90.
APPENDIX. 249
1747. Rev. Ebenezer Dibble, D.D., an Episcopal
clergyman preached one half the time at
Greenwich, and the other half at Stamford.
1748. Peace concluded with France and Spain.
1749. First Episcopal church built.
1765. Second war with France begun.
1756. War actually declared in May.
1769. Connecticut troops at Ticonderoga, and a
company from Greenwich among them.
1760. Peace again concluded with France.
1763. Permission to David Bush to build a mill.
1768. Town petitioned to make Norwalk a shire-
town.
1774. On the 21st of March, the town takes prompt
action in opposition to a suit before the King,
in reference to western lands.
1774. On the 17th of October, the town takes
strong action in favor of a revolution, and
appoints a committee to raise sums by sub-
scription, to be sent to Boston.
1776. February the 8th, Dr. Amos Mead and John
Mackay were appointed delegates to a County
Congress.
1776. December 13th, thirteen persons were ap-
pointed a Committee of Safety.
1776. Jesse Parsons, Town Clerk, died July 26th.
1777. Remonstrance against Col. Enos's conduct.
1778. January 12th, doings of Continental Congress
indorsed.
1778. December 14th, Tories outlawed.
850
1779. Qov. Tryon makes his expedition to Hone-
neck on the 26th of Febraary. Gen. Putnam
makes his daring escape from the band of
Tories under the command of Thomaa Merritt.
1780. Town House and law books sold.
1781. The skirmish of King street. The Americans
under lieut Mosher, and the British under
Col. Holmes.
1783-4. Petition of the town to be rdeased from
taxes for these years, and to be paid the
amount of damages sustained.
1784b The Church call the Consociation to dismiss
Bev. John Murdock.
1787. Liberty granted to the brothers Titos to
rebuild their mills at Mianus.
1787. Dr. Amos Mead and Col. Jabez Fitch ap-
pointed delegates to the conyention to ratify
or disapprove of the Federal Constitution.
1793. The town oppose the plergy fund.
1802. Proposition to build a Town^bouse was voted
down.
1803. Opposed the Turnpike road.
1812. War broke out in June.
1813. Wondrous display of valor.
1818. Clark Sanford, Esq., and Enos Lockwood,
Esq., elected delegates to the State Constitu-
tional Convention, which was held on the
fourth Wednesday in August.
1828. A great many sheep killed by dogs.
1834. Town-meeting held at Methodist church, at
APPENDIX. 251
•
1835. Voted to build a Town House.
1836. Towa meeting held at new hoase.
1850. The grand finale of Skimetons.
1853. Greenwich a Probate DiBtrict.
18 66. Trial of Glenville-road caae.
1857. History of Greenwich published.
THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY.
The final separation of the second from the old
Congregational Society by their recorded agree-
ment did not take place until the year 1705. But
a virtual separation took place in 1700, when the
Old Greenwich people, having contracted a dislike
for Mr. Morgan, because of certain favors which he
granted to Horseneck, refused to hear him, and
asked the Beverend Kathaniel Bowers to preach to
them; and the Horseneck people invited Mr. Mor*
gan to preach to them exclusively. A more minute
history of the doings of the town in relation to that
matter, may be found upon the preceding pages of
this volume.
Mr. Morgan seems to have preached regularly to
the congregation of the Second Society, only until
1708 ; after which time the pulpit was filled by him
and other transient preachers until 1717, when a
call was extended to the Rev. Kichard Sackett, wha
came and preached for the Society to the time of his
death, which occurred in 1727. He was succeeded
by the Bev. Stephen Muuson, who came here in
359
1798, built Mr. Solomon Mead's old house, and
preached until his death, which occurred only two
years after, in May, 1730. His next settled sncces-
sor was the Bev. Abraham Todd, who settled in
1733 and preached until his death, which occurred
1778, after forty years' service as pastor. He was
buried in the old bnrying-groand, in Davis' lane.
In 1769 the Society ^ hy vote impcwered Mir. Tod
to desire one or more persons to tune the Psalm as
he shall see proper."
After the death of Mr. Todd (of whom, and the
pastors which preceded him, much more is said in
the body of this work), Bev. Amos Batler and
others supplied the pnlpit for about a jear. In
1774, Oapt John Origg and Henry Mead, being
appointed a committee for that purpose, extended
a call to Rev. Jonathan Murdock. The salary
offered him was one hundred pounds, and a bonus
of two hundred pounds, one^third of which was to
be paid in three months, one-third at the end of the
first year, and the remainder at the end of the second
year. Mr. Murdock accepted the call, and had an
immediate settlement, Oct. 20th, 1777. " Further
the society voted that Mr. Murdock be appointed
to say when the Psalms shall be read line by line,
there being often several strangers who have no
book." During the year 1781, Mr< Murdock released
the Society from paying his salary, on account of
their poverty, and did not preach.
On the first Monday in April the Society fully
APPENDIX. 253
•
concurred with the church in requesting Mr. Mur-
dock to unite with them in asking for his dismission,
after the question had been seriously considered
through several meetings. On his refusal to unite
with his church and congregation, the people pre-
pared the grave charges against him, found upon a
preceding page of this work. They finally, how-
ever, compromised the matter by the payment to
Mr. Murdock, of the one years' salary which he had
previously released ; and he united with his oppo-
nents and obtained a dismission.
Kev. Mr. Austen followed him, and preached as
supply for a period of six months, when Eev. Isaac
Lewis, afterwards Doctor of Divinity, preached for
three months with a view to settlement. After-
wards, on the 24:th of August 1786, a call to settle
was extended to him, which was answered by letter
On the 19th of the following September, as follows :
To the Church and Members of the West Society in
Greenwich.
Brethren and Friends, — Your choice of me as your pastor,
and the offers you have made for my temporal support, have
been duly considered. I thank you for the confidence you
have put in me, and for the generosity of your proposals.
Would, however, observe that in order to my reaping the
benefit from the parsonage lands, which, I have no doubt,
the society really intends me, it will be necessary that they
be put in proper repair, with suitable division fence. If the
Society will see this matter accomplished and your unanim-
ity continues, I will accept the important office to which you
12
254 APPENDIX.
have ohosen me. Humbly relying on the aU-eufficiency of
Divine Grace to enable me to discharge its duties and earn-
estly requesting a union of your prayers with mine to the
Great Head of the Church, that the proposed relation may
be a mutual and lasting blessing, —
I am, Brothers, your cordial friend and servant in the
Lord.
ISAAC LEWIS.
The request of Mr. Lewis was granted, and he was
soon afterwards settled in the work of the ministry,
with one hundred poands salary.
For several years previous to 1798, the subject of
a new meeting-house was brought up and discussed ;
but the subject failed to meet the approbation of the
Society, until, on the 15th of January, 1798, the
Society "judged it necessary to build a new meet-
ing-house. The question being put, there appeared
more than three quarters in the affirmative."
" Further voted that they accept of the proposals
of the subscribers. Then voted that Abraham
Husted be the Treasurer to receive the subscribers'
money." The Society then voted that ^^ Decon
Abraham Mead" and Benjamin Mead, Esqs., be a
committee to superintend the purchase of materials,
and defraying the necessary expenses of building
said house. Voted, that the above committee pro-
ceed, as soon as the season will admit, to build the
meeting-house. Further voted, that the committee
should contract to have it built by the great if they
think it necessary. The meeting dismist by vote."
"Recorded by JOB LYON, Clerk."
APPENDIX.
255
SUBSCBIFTION LIST.
We^ the subscribers, inhabitaDts of the West Society in
Greenwich, do promise to pay unto Abraham Husted, the
sum in money annexed to our several names, viz. one third
of such subscribed sum on the first day of March next, and
one third on the first day of June next, and one third on the
first day of October next, to be applied to the only purpose
of and for building a meeting house or a church for public
worship in said Society, which house is to be made of wood,
and in length fifty-two feet, in width forty feet, and in height
twenty-one feet, with a steeple of a suitable length and to
be set on the same spot of ground or within eight rods of
the same where the present house stands, which money so
subscribed shall by. the said Husted be paid to such persons
or person who shall by the subscribers be appointed to
superintend the purchase of materials and defraying the
necessary expenses of completing said house, and this sub-
scription to be in force if three thousand dollars are sub-
scribed, if not to be void.
Dated at Greenwich the 23d day of November, 1797.
8UB3CSIBEB8' NAMES.
Amos Mead,
Richard Mead,
Abraham Mead,
Zaccheus Mead,
Jared Mead,
Jonah Mead,
Benjamin Peck, .
Robert Mead,
Nehemiah Mead, jr.,
Peter A. Burtis, .
George Lockwood,
Wm. Skidmore,
Joseph Reynolds,
Phebe Mead,
$125
125
250
60
125
125
40
125
70
60
80
80
20
6
Lois Holly,
Jerusha Graham,
Peter Avery,
Joshua Banks,
Nathaniel Ferris,
John Banks,
John Addington,
Henry Grigg,
Stephen Holmes,
David Holmes,
Nehemiah Mead,
Peter Husted,
Abraham Husted,
Joshua Mead,
$5
100
2
6
2
5
9
10
15
10
30
70
70
100
256
APPENDIX.
Ebenezer Mead, .
Job Lyon,
Isaac Weed,
George More,
Peter Mead,
Margaret Knapp,
Jabez Fitch,
Amos Green,
Benj. Holmes, •
Ebenezer Hubby,
Squire Hubby, .
Squire Hubby,
Squire Holly,
Noah Stiles, .
Isaac Holly,
Reuben Holmes,
Hardy Mead,
Shadrach Mead,
Martha Ritch, .
Lydia Reynolds,
Theophilus Peck,
Solomon Peck,
Thomas Hubby, jr
Charles Peck,
Jeffery Felmetta,
John Hobby,
Justus Sackett, .
Nathaniel Mead, jr
Jacob Fletcher, .
Thomas Hubly,
Jabez M. Hobby,
Hezekiah Hobby,
Peter Moe,
Stephen Davis,
Justus B. Mead,
Israel Peck, .
Titus Mead,
Abraham Mead,
Amos Mead,
Samuel Peek, jr.,
Gideon Close, .
$100
45
8
8
46
5
60
5
10
80
25
5
5
5
25
15
10
26
4
12
20
8
15
20
15
20
25
10
10
80
15
15
3
10
10
80
40
10
10
15
10
Abraham Reynolds,
Joshua Mead,
RobertMead, .
Daniel Banks, .
Sarah Mead, .
Nehemiah Mead, jr
Ebenezer Mead,
Abraham Mead,
Ambrose Reynolds,
Eliphalet Peck, .
John Mills,
James Knapp, .
Charles Lyon,
Nathaniel Peck,
Caleb Lyon, .
OUver Fairchild,
Gilbert Peck,
Nathaniel Finch
David Brown,
Robert Peck, jr.,
James Brown,
Gilbert Close, .
Hannah Peck,
Samuel Peck,
Nathaniel Mead,
Gideon Peck,
David Mead, .
Benj. Mead,
Caleb Lyon, jr.,
Reuben Green, jr.,
Elisha Belcher,
Isaac Peck, jr., .
Jabez Husted,
Levi Ingersoll, .
Daniel Davis,
Matthew Mead, .
Matthew Mead, jr ,
Silas Mead, jr., and
Abner Mead,
Total,
$10
80
15
10
12
18
25
50
40
1
6
2
4
6
6
5
5
25
8
20
6
10
5
80
80
6
40
100
10
5
80
20
10
1
3
1
1
70
$3,076
It will be noticed that the names of some are re-
peated more than once, they having made an addi*
APPENDIX.
257
tional subscription in order to secure the raising of
the three thousand dollars, which was called for.
The house was placed ten or twelve feet south of the
old one, and the former house was moved out of the
way and left standing for use during the building of
the new one. After the completion of this build-
ing, which was not walled, David Webb, Orrin
Marvin, and Enos Knapp were appointed arbitrators,
to decide whether the building was completed in a
workmanlike manner. Their decision was against
the builders ; and they decreed that the amount of
four hundred and thirty dollars and fifty cents should
be deducted from the amount to be received by the
builders. The seats were taken out of the old house,
and put in the new one. The cost of the steeple
was $197,33.
FIKST SALE OF PBWS.
No. 1. To Isaac Lewis, D.D.,
2. " Nehemiah Mead, 3d,
3. " Jerad Mead,
4. " Joshua Mead,
5. " Benjamin Mead,
6. " Dr. Shadrach Mead,
7. " Richard Mead, .
8. " EichardMead,
9. " Gilbert Peck,
10. " Solomon Peck,
11. " Abraham Mead,
Gratis.
$8 50
. 6 00
4 50
. 5 00
4 50
. 3 60
3 75
. 2 00
1 00
. 2 00
258 APPKNDIX.
No. 12.
To Benjamin Mead,
3 00
« 13.
" Silas Mead,
. 2 60
« 14.
<' Benjandn Holmes, .
1 26
« 16.
" Zaechens Mead, .
. 1 00
" 16.
« Nehemiah Mead,
1 75
« 17.
" BobertMead,
. 2 00
« 18.
'< Jonathan Olose,
2 26
« 19.
" Peter Mead,
. 3 00
« 20.
'* John B. Goeine,
7 00
" 21.
<< Gilbert Oloee, .
. 5 00
" 22.
** Abraham Mead,
6 00
" 28.
'' Stephen Waring,
11 00
« 24.
« Peter A. Burtis,
11 00
Total, . . . $97 50
At the sale of the next year (1803), the same
pews sold for $202 50. The sexton was paid fifteen
dollars, for taking care of the chnrch' and ringing
the bell. The latter was imported from England,
at a cost of one hundred dollars, bj Benjamin Mead,
as may be seen by his bill of sale to the Society, re-
corded in their books.
The origin of the Society's fund was in a subscrip-
tion, made to and accepted by the Society, in 1816.
The subscription was to be void unless two thousand
dollars were raised, and the amount was to remain
upon interest during the pastorate of Dr. Lewis ; and
after the cease of his ministry, the avails of it were
to be devoted to the support of the nainistry. The
following persons contributed to the fund : —
Rev. Isaac Lewis, D.D.,
Abraham Mead,
Jabez Mead,
Samuel Peck,
Elisha Belcher,
Zophar Mead,
Isaac Mead,
Daniel S. Mead,
Noah and Jonas Mead
Zenas Mead, .
Nehemiah Mead, Jr.,
Darius Mead, Jr., .
Reuben Holmes,
Zaccheus Mead,
Timothy Walker,
Jabez M. Hobby, .
Hezekiah Hobby,
Nathaniel Hibbard,
Job Lyon,
Shadrach Mead,
Gilbert Close,
Isaac Peck, Jr.,
Elias Purdy,
APPENDIX.
535y
$50 , Joshua Mead, .
$50
150
Robert Mead,
. 50
100
Stephen Waring,
50
25
Isaac Holly,
. 25
100
A Ivan Mead, .
60
200
David Mead,
. 50
200
Jonathan Mead, Jr.,
60
50
Ambrose Reynolds,
• 60
100
Gideon Close,
50
100
Israel Peck,
80
100
Eliphalet Peck,
85
25
Piatt Mead,
16
15
Elnathan Husted, .
60
60
Jehiel Mead, Jr.,
40
25
Silas H. Mead,
60
25
Samuel Close,
6
20
Seymour Hobby,
25
50
Jonah Mead,
100
60
Obadiah Mead,
86
50
Caleb Husted,
. 16
60
Amos Husted, .
26
60
Aaron Husted,
25
25
Total,
2,476
in 1818, Eev. Isaac Lewis, D.D., requested to be
relinquished from taking further care of the churchy
after having acted as pastor of the church for ihiTty-
fourjQ2i,r&, The Society voted that he should never
lack their support, and invited his son, Eev. Isaac
Lewis, jun., to become their pastor, with a salary of
eight hundred dollars. He accepted, and was in-
stalled soon after his letter of acceptance, which was
dated on the 2d of November, A. D. 1818. At the
next sale of pews the amount of $299 50 was real-
ized. In 1821, it was " Voted, that hereafter, in all
cases each person who shall bid off a pew in the
meeting-house, shall procure another person, to the
260 APPENDIX*
acceptance of the committee, as secnrity, both of
whose names shall be entered by the Clerk, and shall
be considered as joint purchasers of said pew, and
a failure of such security being procured, said pew
shall be again put up for sale, and such person
shall be debarred from bidding again during that
meeting."
In 1822, for the first time, the meeting-house was
warmed by a stove. This innovation was struggled
against by many, but the minority were obliged to
endure the innovation.
In 1827, Silas Harvey Mead, Calvin Mead, Lu-
ther Mead, Heman Mead, Levi Mead, Dig*iu8 Mead,
Obadiah Mead, Jehiel Mead, Nathaniel Knapp,
Isaac Peck, 3d, Seymour Hobby, Allen Hobby,
Oilbert Close, and Sarah Mead, withdrew from this
Society for the purpose of forming the North Green-
wich Congregational Society.
In 1828, a lightning-rod was erected upon the
steeple. During this year, the Society united with
the church in desiring the dissolution of the pastoral
relation existing between them and the Bev. Isaac
Lewis, jun. Mr. Lewis at first opposed this action ;
but finally the matter was arranged, and he con-
sented to leave, after nearly ten years' ministry.
On the 10th of September, 1828, it was " Voted,
that Kev. Noah 0. Saxton receive pay at the rate of
six hundred dollars per annum at the termination
of his labor, &c. He, with others, filled the minis-
terial office until 1829. The Society directed the
fund agents (Zenas Mead and Thomas A. Mead) to
APPENDIX. 261
pay to the North Greenwich Society bo much of the
fund as had been subscribed by the persons now
members of that Society ; and afterwards by another
vote, to pay them so much as had been subscribed
by pereons living north and west of Pimpewig
Brook.
In 1829 Eev. Albert Judson acted as supply, at
the salary of six hundred dollars, and at a special
meeting on the 29th of May, in the same year, a
call was extended to the Eev. Simeon North, who
did not accept, although a full salary of eight hun-
dred dollars was offered. Afterwards, on the 7th of
January, 1830, a call was extended to the Eev. Joel
Mann. The vote was 33 yeas, 5 nays, and 14 silent.
He was at first oft'ered a salary of seven hundred
dollars, which he refused. By a vote of twenty-
three to ten, eight hundred dollars was then offered
him, which he accepted. It was further voted that
the ground lying northeast of the church (the present
parsonage place), should be purchased, and that a
parsonage house should be erected upon it at a cost
not to exceed the sum of two thousand three hun-
dred dollars. Out of his salary Mr. Mann was to
pay a four per cent, rent for the use of this parson-
age. This was protested against by Stephen Waring,
William Husted, Ephraim Mead, William Mead,
Joshua Eeynolds, Ambrose Eeynolds, jun., Drake
Mead, Benjamin Eeynolds, Daniel Peck, Drake
Mead, and Peter Mead, on various grounds, but
chiefly that inasmuch as this is ap agricultural com-
12*
262 APPENDIX.
munity, the miniBter shonld be like to them ; aud the
old parsonage land, which was by this arrangement
to be sold, should be retained for the minister to
farm npon. They cited, in support of this objection,
the course of life pursued by the venerable Dr.
Lewis, and Rev. Piatt Buffet, of Stanwich.
Mr. Mann wrote a long letter of acceptance,
dated June 12th, 1830. The bam, cistern, &c., at-
tached to the parsonage were built in 1831. Also
during this year, the old barrel pulpit was removed
by individuals having obtained permission from the
Society, and a more modern one was substituted.
By a note, dated Nov. 23d, 1835, Mr. Mann re-
quested the Society to unite with him in asking for
his dismission, and at a special meeting held the
same day, the Society concurred. The Consociation,
however, refused to dismiss him ; whereupon he
again applied for a separation, bringing certain
charges against the church, the principal of which
was laxity in discipline, Hezekiah Hobby, Samuel
Close, Drake Mead, John Knapp, A. P. Smith, Wm.
A. Husted, and John C. Sanford (who wished to
unite with the Society at Portchester), withdrew
from the Society. Also Arad Peck and Solomon
Peck. Upon the second application, Mr. Mann was
dismissed, after five years' ministry.
On the 30th of March, 1837, a call was extended
to the Rev. Noah Coe, who accepted and was soon
after installed.
In 1839 a special meeting was called to reconsider
APF£NDIX. 263
a former action of the Society in granting to persons
the right to erect sheds for horses upon the parson-
age ground. The former action was sustained^ how-
ever, and the sheds were built. Those who opposed
the project, were Zenas Mead, Darius Mead, Solo-
mon Mead, Isaac Mead, Augustus Mead, Abra-
ham D. Mead, Zophar Mead, Joshua Beynolds,
Ambrose Eeynolds, Jerad Eeynolds, Benjamin
Keynolds, Job Lyon, Isaac Lyon, Eliphalet Peck,
B. W. Husted, Isaac Mead, jun. The principal
reasons set forth in their objections were that the
congregation would be disturbed by the noise of
carriages passing to and from the sheds, and that
the encroachment upon the parsonage ground would
be too great. However, the sheds were placed
much nearer the church than was at first intended.
On the 23d of April, 1845, the Society united
with the church in asking for the dismission of Mr.
Coe. He refused to concur.
''1st. Because it is unnecessary to the accom-
plishment of your wishes, for you could call the
Consociation in your own right.
" 2ond. Because I could not by any act of mine
share in the responsibility of the measure proposed."
After receiving this answer, the Society by a vote
of thirty-one to six, with the church, called the
Consociation.
And after a serious and stormy controversy before
the Consociation, Mr. Coe was dismissed after an
eight years' ministry. Eev. Frederick G. Clark now
264 APPENDIX.
preached for more than a year as supply, receiving
a salary of six hundred and fifty dollars. Kev. Mr.
Henry, and Rev. Mr. Bnshnell, an excellent preacher,
also acted as supply until the 28th of August, 1847 ;
when the Rev. Joel H. Lindsley, D.D., was tendered
a call to settle. The vote upon this question stood
thirty-one yeas and two nays, with one blank. He
is now (Jan. 1857), the pastor of the church, receiving
seven hundred dollars salary, with a present an-
nually of two hundred dollars, and the free use of
the parsonage and its appurtenances.
On the 7th of December, 1852, a committee was
appointed to take into consideration the building of
a new church. After various meetings, nothing was
accomplished until finally, on the 11th of April,
1856, it was decided by a vote of thirty-five to seven,
to build a church of stone, according to a plan pre-
sented by the committee. Its position to be a little
northeast of the present site, but so near as to render
the removal of the old church necessary. The
building, in its whole length, including a lecture-
room, to be one hundred and thirty-eight feet. Its
extreme width, one hundred and ten feet. The tower
upon the southeastern corner to be one hundred feet
high, and the spire upon the opposite front corner,
two hundred feet.
The building was contracted for by Robert W.
Mead, Esq., one of the largest subscribers, at the
following estimate :
APPENDIX. 265
Mason work, includiDg stone furQished, cut, and set, $10,000
Cartage, breaking stone, and sand, . . 4,100
Plastering, including lime, sand, and lath, . 1,000
Brick, 1400, Lime, |1,200 . . . 1,600
Carpenter, including materials, ironwork and cartage, 10,500
Slating roof, .... 1,200
Glazing, |600, painting, |600, . . . 1,100
Spires, if of wood, including slating, . 1,600
^^gg^^Sy for masons, $100, iron work, |80, . 180
Architect and contingencies, . . 1,220
Total, . . 132,500
The final vote in reference to entering into this
contract was decided by twenty-eight yeas and six
nays. About this time, Messrs. Mills H. Husted,
Wm. H. Mead, Jacob D. L. M. Armour, Zaccheus
Mead, and Augustus Mead, withdrew from the
Society.
The Society's officers for the year 1857 are —
Moderator — Lewis Howe, Esq.,
( Thomas A. Mead,
Committee^ < Nehemiah Howe,
( Philander Button,
Clerk — Eobert W. Mead,
Treasurer — ^Robert W. Mead,
Collector — Daniel M. Mead,
Jphmd Agent — ^Zenas Mead and Thomas A. Mead.
The use of the pews for the year 1855 sold for the
sum of one thousand and seventy-six dollars. For
1856, nine hundred and seventy-four dollars.
266 AFFSNDIX.
We give here the epitaph of the Bev. Isaac
Lewis, D.D.9 who was buried in his private bury-
iog-ground, a little north of the present residence
his daughters.
Rev. Isaac Lewis D.D.
died
August 27. 1840,
in the
95 year of his age
He was bom in Stratford and was educated at Yale
College. Was the faithful Pastor of the Congregational
Church in Wilton eighteen years, and of the Congregational
Church in this place thirty-three years.
In his social relations, he was kind and affectionate ; for
piety and learning eminently distinguished.
In the same grave-yard are the remains of Key.
Piatt Buffet, marked by the following :
Rev. Piatt Buffet.
Departed this life
May 25th 1850
in the 86th year of his age
He was born on Huntington, Long Island
1754
Graduated at Yale College
1791
Studied Divinity with Rev. Dr. Edwards
Was licensed to preach the Gospel by
the New Haven Association.
He was ordained and constituted pastor of
APPENDIX. 267
the CongregatioDal Chnrch
in Stanwich
By the Consociation of Fairfield West
on 25 may 1796.
He died peaceful and happy in the
full assurance of that faith in Christ
which he preached to others for
more than half a century.
Liat of Ministers of the 2d Society.
Began to Nune.
preftoh.
1700. Joseph Morgan,
1717. Eichard Sackett, .
1728. SteiAen Munson,
1733. Abraham Todd, .
1774. Jonathan Murdock, .
1786. Isaac Lewis, D.D.,
1818. Isaac Lewis, jun.,
1828. JSToah G. Saxton^ .
1830. Joel Mann,
1837. Noah Coe,' • .
184:5. Frederick Q. Clanrk^ .
1847. Joel H. Lindsley, .
* The salaries as paid at the commeDcement of each minister's
term of service. In many instances the sums were increased.
f Mr. Morgan, with others, preached from 1708 to 1717
occasionally.
X Out of this salary Mr. Mann paid a four-per-cent rent for the
new parsonage. Mr. Coe and the succeeding ministers have not
paid this or any other rent.
§ Besides this amount, Dr. Lindsley receives the free rent of the
parsonage, and an annual present of $200. The rent of the par-
sonage is worth from two hundred and fifty to three hundred and
fifty dollars.
Left Preaching.
Salary.*
1708.t
£.
. 1727.
1830.
. 1773.
1783.
£100
. 1818.
100
1827.
$800
. 1829.
600
1836.
:t800
. 1845.
700
1847.
650
§700
268 APPSNDIX.
KKTHODIBT KPI800PAL BOCIfiTT OF HOB8BNECK.
This Society was formed on the 14ih day of Ko-
vembery A.D. 1848. The mutual agreement by which
this association was formed, is recorded upon the
records of the Society as follows :
Whsrsas the members of the Methodist Episcopal
Chnrch resident in Horsenecky in the town of Greenwich,
Fairfield Co^ Conn., desire to make provision for the main-
tenance of the public worship of Ood according to the
usages and doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church in
said Horseneck as may be considered necessary.
Therefore we the undersigned for the accomplishment of
the above named object do hereby by mutual agreement
associate ourselves together as a religious society for the
maintenance of the public worship of God according to the
said usages and doctrines of the said Methodist Episcopal
Church in said Horseneck, by the name and style of the
Horseneck Methodist Episcopal Society; by which name
and style the said Society is to be called and known ; which
said society we do hereby constitute to be subject to all the
incidents and liabilities to which religious societies and con-
gregations are by law subject and possess and enjoy all
rights powers and privileges given by law to religious so-
cieties and congregations.
And we hereby declare this meeting at which the under-
signed are present to be the first meeting of said Society
the same being holden by us ail this 14th day of November,
A. D. 1843 at the school house in said Horseneck. And
we do hereby appoint John A. Merritt clerk of said Society
to continue in ofSce until another be chosen and sworn ix\
APPENDIX. 269
hisjTOom. And we also appoint Jonathan A. Close, Elisha
Halsted, Gilbert Marshall, Solomon S. Gansey and Benja-
min Peck jun. to be the committee of the said Society to
order the affairs of said society according to law.
And we do hereby fix on the school house in Horseneck
Society as the place of holding the meetings of said society
until the society shall otherwise direct and we direct that
the clerk of this society shall cause the articles of association
to be recorded in the records of this Society.
We also appoint Elisha Halsted Treasurer of this society.
We also fix on the first Monday of November as the time
when the annaal meetings of this society shall be holden
until the society shall otherwise direct.
Witness our hands this 14th day of November A. D.
1843.
SOLOMON S. GANSEY,
ELISHA HALSTED,
JOHN A. MERRITT,
GILBERT MARSHALL,
JOHN M. WEED,
JONATHAN A. CLOSE,
BENJAMIN PECK, JUN.
On the 14th of November, 1848, the following
united with the Society.
Gilbert Lent,
Samuel Slagle,
Samuel Minor,
William Funston,
Wm McF. Howard (withdrawn),
John Marshall,
William Barmore,
Charles Gorse.
270
And on or soon after the 8th of December, 1851,
Charles Owen,
Drake Marshall,
Bichard Bums,
David H. Smith,
Samuel Biker,
Samuel Boms,
Humphrey D. Head,
John Dayton.
On the 22d of January, 1844, by unanimous con-
sent it was voted to build a meeting-house. The
dimensions were thirty feet by forty-five. The
building committee then appointed were Elisha
Halsted, Jonathan A Close, and Benjamin Peck, jr.
This building was immediately conunenced, and soon
completed.
The ministers of this Church have been in the
following order —
Bev. Bufus C. Putney,
" Benjamin Bedford,
" Jacob C. Washbume,
" Charles Gorse,
« John A. Selleck,
« G.L. Fuller,
" P. L. Hoyt,
" George Dunbar,
^^ Senaca Howland, present minister.
ohkist's ohuboh.
With respect to the early labors of Bev. Mr.
Muirson of Bye Parish, assisted by Caleb Heath-
APPENDIX. 271
cote, in the early part of the eighteenth century, for
the benefit of the Episcopalian faith in this town,
the reader is referred to the body of this volume.
Later in the same century, Bev. James Wetmore,
also of Bye parish, preached once a month in
Oreenwich, as may be gathered from preceding
pages.
In 1747, Bev. Ebenezer Dibble, a graduate of
New Haven, began his labors as a missionary for
Greenwich and Stamford.
In 1749, upon the petition of several people the
town granted them liberty to build an Episcopal
Church upon the brow of Putnam's Hill. It was
accordingly built there, where are yet many grave-
stones marking the site.
Dr. Dibble preached here for a long time, al-
though the author is not informed of the particular
time at which he resigned the pastoral charge. He
used frequently to preach at the house of Moses
Heusted, on flie site where William A. Hasted,
Esq., now resides, and that within the memory of
persons now living. He is described as a venerable
man, of dignified appearance, his long white locks
flowing gracefully over his shoulders.
Bev. Amzi Bogers, afterwards preached here, but
when or for how long a time we are unable to
ascertain. There appears to have been a period
when there was but little permanent preaching.
During the great September gale of 1821 (some
say 1828), the church upon the brow of the hill.
272 APPENDIX.
which had been built in 1749, was blown down.
The roof was blown off at one gale, and the build-
ing completely demolished at the other.
ChrispB Chv/rch was raised July 4th, 1832. In
November 1833, the Eev. Robert Davis was invited
to take charge of the Parish. On May 4th, 1834,
the Ohurch was consecrated by the Kight Bev.
Thomas Church Brownell, IX D., LL. D., Bishop of
the Diocese. There were also present at the conse-
cration, the Bev. Ambrose Todd, Hector of St.
John's Ohurcb, Stamford, Rev. Jackson Kemper,
D. D., Rector of St Paal's Ohurch, Norwalk, and
the Rev. Robert Davis, the minister of the Parish.
The Rev. Frederick Beasely, of Penn., was also
present.
Mr. Davies continued in charge of the Ohurch
until July, 1834, when he relinquished the cure.
On the 9th of September following, the Rev. Joseph
H. Nichols, was unanimously invited to the pasto-
ral charge of the church ; and having accepted of
the call, he entered upon the duties of the cure on
the 14th day of the same month. He resigned the
pastoral charge in February A. D. 1839.
On the 5th of April following, the Rev. Benja-
min.M. Yarrington, was called to the pastoral duties
of the church. On the 15l3i of the same month he
accepted the call, and entered upon the duties on
the 27th of the same month.
April 20th, 1840, being Easter Monday, after the
usual election of church wardens and vestrymen.
Ai^Tjasmtyii. 273
the Bev. B. M. Tarrington was unanimously elected
the Hector of Christ's Church by the members of
his parish, and accordingly signified his acceptance.
Ekai^uel Chuboh at Glenville, was consecrated
on the 22d of April, 1842, by Eight Eev. Thomas
Church Brownell, D. D., LL. D., Bishop of the
Diocese. Present, Eev. Ambrose Todd, D. D.,
Eev. William C. Mead, D. D., Eev. John Purves,
Eev. Mr. Howell, Eev. B. M. Tarrington. Also, of
Diocese of New York, Eev. Thomas Coit, D. D.,
Eev. Mr. Harris and Eev. Mr. Partridge.
The church erected in 1832, was torn down in
1856, and a beautiful stone edifice was erected.
During the year 1856, the services were held at the
Methodist Episcopal Church. The following is a
correct account of the consecration of the new edi-
fice taken mostly from the Churchman, a New York
paper : —
" This church was consecrated on Wednesday the
14th of January A. D. 1857. There were of the
clergy, besides the Eight Eev. the Assistant Bishop
of the Diocese, and the Eev. B. M. Yarrington (the
Eector), the Eev. Drs. Mead, Todd, and Harris (of
New York), and Eev. Messrs. Carter, LeflBingwell,
Potter, Purdy, Pnrves, Eobertson, Short, Stimson,
Williams (of Eidgefield), Williams (of New Canaan),
Vermilye ; and from the Diocese of N. York, Messrs.
Bull, Partridge, Eumney, Peck, and Weaver. The
day being extremely fine, and the sleighing good,
large numbers of the inhabitants of the vicinity, to-
gether with many from the neighboring cities and vil-
d74 AFpmHZ.
lageSy were also present on the occasion ; and the
chorch, which is capable of seating nearly six hundred
adults, was densely crowded, so much that the nave,
aisles, and every other portion of the building where
standiug room could be obtained, were quite filled.
The Request to Consecrate was read by the Bector,
and the Sentence of Oonsecration by Dr. Todd.
Morning prayer was commenced by Bev. Mr. Bull,
Bev. Mr. Weaver reading the First Lesson, Bev.
Mr. Purdy the S^ond Lesson, Bev. Mr. Purves the
Greed, Prayers, and Litany, Bev. Mr. Yermilye the
Epistles, and the Bev. Mr. Stimson the Oospel.
The music was very good, and in the choir were
Mrs. Bostwick, of Calvary Church, New York,
Miss Juliet Davis, formerly of the same church, but
now a member of Bev. Mr. Yarrington's congrega-
tion, and Bev. Mr. Biggs of Kew York. The sermon
was preached by the Bishop, from the following
text: ^The true worshi^perB shall worship the
Faih&r in spirit and in i/ruth? — John, iv. 23.
" The Offertory waB then proceeded with, the sen-
tences being read by the Bector. The offerings
amounted to one hundred dollars, which will be
applied to the liquidation of a remaining debt on
the church of about one hundred dollars. The
Prayer of the Whole State of Christ's Church
Militant was said by Dr. Mead. The Communion
Service was performed by the Bishop, who was as-
sisted in administering the Holy Sacrament to the
clergy by Dr. Mead ; and the Bector, Dr. Mead,
Bev. Mr. Stimson, and Bev. Mr. Yermilye, ad-
APPBlfDIX. 375
minstered to the laity. After which the Benedic-
tion was pronounced by the Bishop.
'* We understand that theEev. Mr. Yarrington has
been rector of this parish for the last seventeen
years. When he entered upon the charge, he had
but one male, and some twenty female communi-
cants. He has now, of both sexes, about one hun-
dred communicants. And his congregation, though
small is full of vigor, as is shown by the fine church
they have erected, the whole expense of which, in-
cluding -furniture, has been about $15,600. The
free-seat system, we learn, will not be fully carried
out in this church ; but free seats will be reserved for
strangers and for the poor. The style of the edi-
fice is middle pointed. The material employed in
the construction of the main walls is nibble-stone
from quarries in the vicinity; the quoins, the window-
jams, the doorways, the dressings, &c., being of
Caen stone. The whole length of the building in-
cluding chancel, is about one hundred and seven
feet ; and the width, including tower and butresses
about sixty feet; and consists of chancel, nave,
north and south aisles, having a west porch, a tower
on the north side at the west end. There is a small
gallery at the west end, intended only for the organ
and choir. The tower and sacristy occupy positions
different from those in most churches, in order that
the main entrance shall face the street. The chancel
is some seventeen by nineteen feet, and the tower
is sixteen feet square. The hight of the tower and
spire is about one hundred and seven feet. The
376 APPENDIX.
church is capable of seating five hundred and fifty
adults. The roof is open, of good pitch, and is
covered with slate. In it are dormer-windows,
giving it the effect exteriorly of a clerestory. The
internal frame-work of roof, nave, arches, pillars,
&c., is of pine ; and the panels of the ceiling are
plastered. The seats are without doors, and as well
as the fumitare are of chestnat. The altar is of good
size, and has a handsomely carved panel in front.
The pulpit is on the north side against the chancel
arch, and the reading-desk occupies the same posi-
tion on the south side. The font stands in front of
the chancel. It is of small size, constructed of mar-
ble, and was used in the old church. The chancel-
window is large, and of geometrical tracery. It
contains in its four departments, effigies of the four
Evangelists with their symbols in very rich glass ;
and it also has appropriate symbols in the head of
each light. At the west end of the church is a
magnificent window. The side lights of the nave,
are in couplets with ornamental glass in their heads.
This is thought by many to be the finest country
church in the State. Mr. Frank Wills is the arch-
itect, Mr. Doremus furnished the glass, and IS^icholls
& Washbume were the builders."
TdbU of Ministers.
Ebenezer Dibble, began to preach . . 1747.
Amzi Kogers,
Robert Davies,
Joseph H. Nicholls, "
Benj. M.Tarrington, "
((
u
C(
•
u
•
. 1833.
a
•
1834.
u
. 1839.
APPENDIX. 277
GENEALOGY OF THE MEAD FAMILY, ?
BY
D.M.MEAD.
John Mead was one of two brothers, who emi-
grated from England about the year 1642. The
family was then an ancient and honorable one,
though it is not within the author's means to trace
their genealogy previous to their emigration to this
country. One of their ancestors had been the
friend and the physician of the talented though
not very amiable Queen Elizabeth. One of two
brothers emigrated to Virginia, where the family
still exists. The other, John Mead, with his two
sons came to New England about the year 1642.
The name is spelled Meade as well as Mead. Many
claim that they emigrated from Greenwich, Kent
Co., England ; but we have not fallen in with any
direct proof of the fact, and this town was known
by its present name long before the settlement of
the Mead family. John Mead and his two sons,
John and Joseph, having tarried awhile in Massa-
chusetts, first settled at Hempstead, Long Island,
where they remained until October, 1660, when the
two sons came to Greenwich and bought land of
Richard Crab and others, which was deeded to John
13 «
278 APPENDIX.
Mead, he being the elder. Either John, the father,
never came to Greenwich* or if so, he look no active
part in life, now having become quite an old man.
His son Joseph left no children in this town. He
may have died young, or left no issue, or may have
emigrated to a different part of the country.
John Mead the second, died 1696, married Miss
Potter, of Stamford, and left, as appears by his will
given on the preceding pages of this volume, eight
sons, and tradition says threada^ht^rs, viz., John,
Joseph, Jonathan, Ebenezer^^^Natnamel, David,
Samuel, Abigail, Mary, and Susan or Susannah.
John^ the first son of second John, died in 1691,
while in the office of Constable of the town. Mar-
ried Ruth Hardey, and left John, Kathan, Jonathan,
and Elizabeth. (We regret our utter inability to
trace this branch of the family farther.)
Janathany the third son of second John, had a son
Elnatban, who had Elnathan, Eunice, — married Jo-
seph Close, — ^and Deborah. Second Elnathan left, I.
Elnathan, who had Elnathan and Sarah. This last
Elnathan had 1. Hibbard, 2. Solomon, the father of
William, Seth, Sarah, Tyler, Charles, Thomas, and
Solomon. 3. Tyler, the father of Mary, Hetty, Abel,
and Floy. 4. Sarah. II. Henry, married Elizabeth
Denton, and left Charlotte, Henry, Artimas, By-
theny, Priscilla, Lavinia, and Martha. III. Abra-
ham, married Ruth Lyon and left 1. Abram, 2.
Esbon, 3. Jotham, 4. Enos, 5. Daniel, 6, Lemuel, 7.
Isaac, who married Polly Mead, who left Darius
APPENDIX. 279
(married Emily Goodrich and left Samuel G. and
four others), Julia Ann, and Lucinda (married Ben-
jamin Reynolds). 8. Job, who married Elsie Mead,
and left Zaccheus (who married Laura Mead and
has Hannah), Abraham (married Miss Selleck and
has some children), Amanda, Emmeline, Eliza
(married Isaac Lyon). 9. Zebulon, married Miss
Marshal and left (married Isaac Mosher), and
(married Isaac Babbitt), and Eliza. 10.
Manoah, married Electa Mead, and leaves Mary,
and Ophelia (married Livingston). 11. Eunice,
married first, Solomon Mead, second, Benjamin
Weed of North Stamford. 12. Kuth, married Major
Brown.^ IV^Steghgn, who had 1. Stephen, who had
Jane (married Mr. OuUiver), and Betsey (married
Mr. Glover). 2. Israel , who has Jgmfis (married
Miss S. Lester, and has Emmeline, James^ Marilda,
and Daniel), Alexander (married Harriet Lester,
and has Elias, Gordon, Sidney, Angeline, Mary, and
Nancy), Alfred (married Marilda Ferris, and has
Orlando and Anne), Mary (married Daniel Lester),
Israel (married Susan Mead, and has Mary, Albert,
Cordelia, Lucian, John A., and Mary L)., Lemuel,
(married Hurlbut, and has Henry, Mary, and Ste-
phen), Stephen (married Tibitha Mead, and has
Asaph E.) and Hiram, who has two children. 3. Ed-
ward, who has Edward, Betsey (married Lord), Lu-
cinda, and Esther. 4. James, who had Mary (married
William Lawrence), and John Wolcott (married
Lucinda Wood and has William, Benjamin, Albert,
Mary Jane, and Betsey Ann). 5. Amos, had Harvey,
/
280 APPSfDlZ.
Gilbert, Albert, Amy, and Sarah. 6. Matthias,
married Miss Ljon, and left William, Amy, Mark,
Lather, Alfred, Orrin, Ennice (married Oreen), and
Fanny. 7. Albert, had Hannah, Mary, Malcom,
Edmnnd, Sarah, Albert W., Olire, Hannah, Abram,
and Nancy. 8. Eanice, married Orra Piatt 9. Wil-
liam, married Hannah Barmore, and has Snsan
(married Israel Mead, and has Ann and oth^«),
Ann (married Abraham H. Close), Mary (married
Horace Mead, and has William H., Silas, and Ann
Augusta), William Albert (married Ann Barmore,
and has Emma, William, Mary, Adalaide, Joseph-
ine, and infant). Elizabeth (married Oreen), Henry,
Benjamin, Lucian, Hannah (married Brush Knapp),
Emily, John Bandolph, Caroline (married Elbert
White, of Stamford), and Sarah. 10. Mary, mar-
ried Job Brown, of Stamford*
Ehenezer^ fourth sonoi second John, was bom in
1663, and married Sarah Knapp, of Stamford, and
left Ebenezer, Caleb, Sarah, married Jonathan
Hobby, Hannah, married John Hobby, Jabez,
David, Abigail, married Isaac Holmes, Snsannah,
married Moses Hasted, Jemima, married Moses
Knapp.
The second Ebenezer was born October 25th,
1692, and died May 3d, 1775. He married Hannah,
of Rye, N. Y., on the 12th of December, 1717. His
children were —
EhenezeTy bom October 8th, 1718, died Feb. 25th,
1758 ; married Mary Mead, and left I. Ebenezer,
married Nancy Mead, and left 1. Nancy. 2. Han-
APPENDIX. 281
nah. 3. Marilda, married T. Bonghton. 4. £be-
nezer married first, Zetta Mead, and second,
Elizabeth Holmes, and had bv his first marriage,
Eev. Ebenezer (by his first wife, Maria Lester, he
had William, died young ; Ebenezer, married in
Pennsylvania, calling his oldest son Ebenezer ; and
Maria ; — by his second wife, Mary A. Lyman, one
son, Theodore), Hannah (married Selah Mead),
Almira (married Rev. Mr. Piatt), Emmeline (mar-
ried Catru) ; by second marriage, Mary E., Enoch
(married in Yermont, and has James. B., and Mary
E., with others), Zetta (married Eev. Mr. Day),
Nancy died young, Lydia A. died younp, and
Theodore H. Mead (married Miss Mead, of Nor-
walk). 5. Hannah, married Timothy Walker. 6.
Jabez, married Laura Davis, and left Col. Jabez,
(married Miss Mary J. Hobby, and left Lucina Ja-
nette (married Mr. Seynolds, Harriet B., Herman
H., Arthur D., and Edward E). ; Amy, and Martha
(married Silas Husted). 7. Amy, married Epenetus
Lockwood. II. Hannah, married Elkanah Mead,
and left Hannah, Sarah, and Amos. IH. Enoch,
died Sept. 18th, 1807, aged 52, married Jemima
Mead, who died April 4th, 1837, aged 82. Their
children were, 1. Solomon, married Miss Gilbert,
and left Mary, Enoch, Gilbert, Laura, and Thurza.
2. Alfred, married Mary Brundage. 3. Thurza,
married Joseph Brundage. 4. Laura, married Joel
Todd. 5. Henry, died aged 11. 6. Bufus. 7.
Nancy. 8. Sarah, who died May 19th, 1754.
•
282 APPENDIX.
SUaSjHO(md9(mqfwa>nd.Ebme3er^WBB\}oniMAj
22(1, 1720, died 1817, married Mary Mead, who was
born 1724, and died 1787. Their children were, I.
Silas, bom 1748, and died 1813, married Sarah
Mead, and left 1. Sarah, 2. Francis, and 3. Silas
Harvey, who married Harriet Mead, and left Sarah
M. (married Selah Savage), and Silas D. (married
Emily L. Close, and has Myrtilla M., and others).
II. Abner, bom 1750, died 1810, without issue. HI.
Aaron, married Sarah Mead, daughter of Eliphalet
Mead, and left 1. Aaron, of Gross river, married
Miss Finch. 2. Allen, of Greenburg, married
Mabel Todd. 3. Amos, of Cross river. 4. Anna,
married Isaac Seely. 5. Lucinda, married Joseph
Banks. 6. Sarah, married Mr. Hoyt. 7. Mary,
married Harvey Keeler. IV. Mary. V. Mary.
VI. Calvin, married Deborah Mead, daughter of
Jehiel Mead, and had, 1. Leander, of Quaker
Bidge, married Anna Mead. 2. Luther, of Ohio,
married Alice Mead, and had William Martin,
Thomas L., Joseph, Thurza and Anna, with others.
3. Thurza, married Mr. Palmer. 4. Myrtilla. 6.
Lisetta, married Obadiah Peck. 6. Marcus, married
Harriet Sturges, and has William E., Elizabeth S.,
and' Alice. 7. Eufus, married Anna Waterbury,
and has Lucinda, Harriet, Stephen, Catherine,
Sarah. 8. Mary Jane. 9. Heman, married Mar-
garet West, and has Marcus W. 10. Lucinda.
Hev^Ahrahaniy third son of second Ehenezer^ was
born June 15th, 1721, and died on Long Island,
aged 22.
APPENDIX. 283
Jonas^ the fourth son of second EhenezsTy born
1723, died 1783, married j?r«^, Sarah Ferris, second^
Sarah Howe, and left I. Solomon. 11. Edmund,
who left 1. Solomon. 2. Maria. 3. Benjamin,
married Elizabeth Holmes, and left Edmund, Abi-
gail, and others. 4. Obadiah, who married Alia
Mead^ and left Benjamin and others. 5. Polly,
married Judge Eeed of Bedford. 6. Sarah, married
/^ Benjamin Mead. 7. Ralph, married Sarah Holmes.
8. States, married Lydia Mead firsts and second^
widow Hannah Glass, HI. Noah, married Eliza-
beth Peck, and having no children, adopted Charles,
the son of Deacon Jonas Mead. IV. Rev. Mark,
married Hannah Mead, and had 1. Jonas, who
married Abigail, daughter of Zenas Mead, and had
Isaac L. (married Esther A., daughter of Daniel S.
Mead), Emmeline, and Lucretia. 2. Dr. Sylvester
Mead, of Wilton. V. Deacon Jonas Mead, married
Hannah Mead, and has 1. Charles, married Bachel
E. Sackett, and has Sarah A., Whitman S., Mary
E., Charles, and others. 2. Hannah, married Ben-
jamin Mead, of Eye. 3. Mark, married Deborah
Howe, daughter of Jonas Howe. 4. Milo. 5.
Sarah. 6. Sarah.
R&v. Solomon Mead^ fifth son of second Ehenezer^
removed to South Salem, N. Y., from Greenwich,
first pastor of the Presbyterian Church in that
place, was born 1725, and died 1812, married firsts
Hannah Strong, and second^ Hannah Clark, and left
I. Andrew, who married Miss Barton, and had
284 APPENDIX.
Thomas, BeDJamin, Alice, Lucy, Hannab, and
Maria. II. Theodoeia married Mr. Smith. lU.
Clark, of Lewisborough, married Miss Gilbert, and
left Merlin, Richard, Bufns, Sopbia, Lanra, Ehoda,
and Linns. lY. Martin, of Lewisborongh.
Ddiverancej the sixth aan of second Ehenezer^ was
bom May 4th, 1728, and died May 3d, 1785, mar-
ried Abigail Howe, and had I. Elisabeth bom 1760,
and died 1823, married Job. Lyon. 11. Sarah bom
1761, died 1812, married Silas Mead. III. Bacbel,
bom 1763, died 1831, married Whitman Mead.
lY. Hannah bom 1765, married Joshua Mead, and
left Solomon, who married Miss Mary E. Dayton,
and has a daughter born Feb. 14tb, 1857. Y. Jabez
died young, YL Robert bom 1768, died 1836,
married Prudence Mead, and left an only son Ed-
ward, who was bora in 1809, and married Susan A.
E. Merritt, daughter of Capt. Daniel ^erritt, she
being bom in 1814, and left 1. Daniel M., bom
June 2d, 1834, married Louisa S., daughter of
Thomas A. Mead, bom June 29th, 1834. They
were married June 16th, 1856. 2. Mary A., bom
July 22d, 1836, married John G. Clark of Bedford,
on the 17th of December, 1856. 3. Sarah E. 4.
Amelia. 5. Susan C. 6. Catharine M. 7. Robert.
8. Edward W., and 9. Augustus. YII. Huldah,
bom Feb. 26th, 1773, still living, married Zophar
Mead. YHI. Ephraim, bom in 1775, married Zuba
Mead, and left, 1. Mary, married Willis J. Merritt,
of Korwalk. 2. Huldah, married Daniel S. Mead.
APPENDIX. 285
3. Thnrza died young. 4. Alithea died yoang.
5. Jane, married Elkanah Mead. 6. Isaac H., mar-
ried Mary E., daughter of Zophar Mead of New
York, and has Ephraim. 7. Elisabeth L. 8.
Ophelia died young. 9. Mithea. IX. Jabez Mead,
born 1777, died 1839, married Sarah Knapp, and
left, 1. Julia B. 2. Mary E., married Balph Sackett.
3. William E., married Miss Sackett, and has several
children. X. Zenas Mead, born 1779, married
Mary Lashlers, and has 1. Abigail, married Jonas
Mead. 2. Lucretia died young. 3. Deborah died
young. 4. Henry. 5. Julia, married Isaac Peck.
6. Eliza, married Lock wood P. Clark. 7. Lyman,
married Miss Sarah Acker, and has two children.
XI. Mary, who was next older than Robert, died
young.
Dr. AinoSy the seventh son of second Ehenezer^
married Miss Euth Bush. Their children were, I.
Eichard, married, first, Sarah Mead ; second, Rachel
Mead, who left, 1. Thomas A., who married Hannah
Seaman, of New York, and has Louisa S. (married
Daniel M. Mead), Thomas R., Seaman, Abigail R.,
Elisabeth H., Adelia, Zophar, and Lucinda P. 2.
R. Elisabeth, married George Webb. 3. Sarah A.,
married Joseph Brush of Coscob. By his jBrst wife
Richard had Sophia, married Mr. Demill. 11.
Thomas, who died at the commencement of the
Revolutionary War.
Edmundy the eighth son of second Ebenezer^ was
born 1732, sailed for the West Indies, October 25th,
1755, and was never afterwards heard from.
286 APPEKDIX.
Hannah, the first daughter of second Ehenezer
was born 1735, and died June 25th, 1757, aged 22
years.
Jabezy the ninth son of second Ebenezer was bom
in 1737, March 3d, and died September Uth, 1766.
Jaredj the tenth son of second Ehenezer was bom
December 15tb, 1738, married Ljdia Smith, and
left, I. Zetta, n^arried Ebenezer Mead. II. Daniel
S., married Rachel Mead, and left, 1. Daniel S., who
married Hnldah, daughter of Ephraim Mead, and
left Esther A. (married Isaac L. Mead), Ophelia,
Daniel S., Oliver, Abrara, Hnldah, and others. 2.
Jerad, married Miss Watson from Maine, and left
several children. His sloop was run into by a
steamboat, opposite Butter Hill on the Hudson, and
he with all his crew were drowned. 3. Zetta. 4.
L. Delia. 5. Elisabeth, tnarried, first, Mr. Odle,
second, David B. Mead. 4. Adeline died young.
5. Edwin, married Miss Reynolds, of Bedford. 6.
Silas M., who married Miss Elathea Reynolds, of
North Street, and has some children. III. Lydia,
married Mr. Lockwood. IV. Alma. V. Hannah,
married Deac. Jonas Mead. VI. Jerad, married
Anna Armstrong, and leaves Ammi A. VH. Alvan,
married Eliza Peck, and has Ralph P., of California,
who married a lady there. Warren B. do. do.
Cornelia G., who married Mr. White, of California.
Melancthon W., and Elam C.
Abraham,, eleventh son of second Ehenezer, born
December 14th, 1742, died in 1827 or 8, married
Keziah Howe, and left, I, Deborah. 11, Zophor,
r
APPENDIX. 287
married Hnld^h Mead, and left 1. Abram. 2.
Amelia, married Isaac Lyon. 3. Louisa, married
Mr. StaflEbrd. 4. Oliver. 5. Esther. 6. Sarah.
7. Mary E. lU. Isaac, married Glarinda Mead^
and left Augustus, who married Sarah Husted. lY.
Oliver, and several other children of Abraham
Mead, who died young.
A large number of the family trace back their
origin to Mr. Titus Mead, though it is not exactly
determined who his father was ; he was a nephew
to the second Ebenezer. His children were — I.
Andrew, who married Amy Hobby, and had Lucy
M., who married Titus Mead, grandson of 1st Titus.
II. Titus married Eunice Hobby, and had — 1. Delia,
married Obadiah Mead. 2. Hobby, married Miss
Wood. 3. Sophia, married Philander Mead, and
has Philander, Sophia (married Hobby), Charlotte,
Edward, Nelson. 4. Ann. 5. Shadrach, married
Miss Waite, and has Ann Maria, Cordelia, Titus,
Swain, Waite, and Lyden. 6. Sarah. 7. Andrew,
married Miss Waite, and has — ^Mary, James, Joseph,
Julia and Philander. 8. Fanny, married Mr. Green.
9. Martin, married Miss Waite. 10. Titus, married
Lucy M. Mead. 11. Eliza, married Mr. Peck. 12.
Charlotte, married Mr. Seaman. 13. Eunice, mai'-
ried Mr. Young. III. Jabez, married Elizabeth
Hobby, and has — ^Augustus married Miss Mead,
Bethia married Higley, Hiram married , Har-
riet married Lake, Annice married Lake, Nancy
married Legget, A^T^^ married , Edwin mar-
288 AFFXNDIZ.
ried Miss Chandler. lY. Sbadracb, married Miss
Hobby. V. Hardy, married Bacbel Brown, and
had — Alice, Eliza, William, Rachel, Sarah, Andrew,
and Amy. YI. Ira, married Nancy Marshall. YII.
Kachel, married Reuben Green. YIII. Sarah, mar-
ried Jasper Mead.
Caleb Mead was the second son of the First
Ehenezer. He left — I. Elkanab, married Hannah
Mead, and left — 1. Hannah, married D. Hnsted.
2. Sarah, married Benjamin Smith. 3. Amos, who
married first Alice Belcher, and second Mary Purdy,
and left Edgar died young ; Elkanah (married Jane,
daughter of Ephraim Mead, and has Catharine L.,
and others), Stephen Waring (married Miss Mackay,
and left one child), Catharine (married Wm. L.
Lyon), Sarah (married Amos M. Brush), Evelina
married (Stephen Howe, of Bedford), Mary P. (mar-
ried John G. Clark, of Bedford). II. Jonah, mar-
ried ^r«^ Mary Mead, second Rachel Husted, and
third Hannah Mead. By his first wife^ he had, 1.
Rachel, married Daniel Close. 2. Lot. 3. Drake,
died young. 4. Mary, married Andrew Hubbard.
By his second wife^ Electa married Manoah Mead,
and Zuba married Ephraim Mead. By his last
wife^ 1. Drake, married Mies Enapp, and has
Cornelius, and William J. (married Miss Eate
Carroll). 2. Hannah. IH. Abel, who had Zadok,
Benjamin, Phebe, Lucy, and Fanny. lY. Jemima.
Y. Deborah, married Jehiel Mead, and had, 1,
Deborah. 2. Jehiel, who left Lewis, Henry, Wil-
APPENDIX. 289
liam, Mary, Mary Ann, and Handford. VI.
Stephen. VII. Zadok. VIIL* Rebecca. IX. Han-
nah. X. Mary, married Jabez Peck. XI. Ca-
leb, married Miss Hobby, and had Rachel, A.my,
Huldah, Hannah, Elizabeth, Caleb (who had Har-
vey), Fanny married Selleck, Hanford, Charlotte
married Selleck, Mills H., Samuel, and Joseph.
B&njcmhin^ fifth son of second John^ left a son
Benjamin, who had, I. Benjamin, whose children
were, 1. Mary. 2. Anna, married fi/rst David
Mead, second James Baily. 3. Theodosia, married
Edmund Mead. 4. Obadiah, killed during the
Revolutionary War, said to have been engaged to
be married to Charity Mead. 5. Phebe, married
Jehiel Mead. H. Thaddeus,. who left, 1. Edward
Mead, of Somers, married a Miss Finch, and left
Squire Mead, John, Elizabeth (married Henry
Lane), Anna (married James Banks), Clarissa (mar-
ried Mead Sutherland), Sarah (married David Hor-
ton), and Hannah. 2. Ebenezer^ married Abigail
Chapman, and had Harvey (married Amy Brown),
Whitman, Solomon (married Nancy Ferris), and
Edward. 3. Amaziah, married Miss Jessup, and
has William and others. 4. Benjamin, left Solo-
mon. 5. Sarah, married Stephen Sutherland. 6.
Mary, married Noah Lyon. 7. Martha, married
Andrew Quick. 8. Tamar, married Benjamin Jes-
sup. III. Sylvanus, who had, 1. Whitman, mar-
ried Rachel Mead, and left Mary (married John
Sackett), Zophar (married Miss Martha Seaman,
and left Araminta, Mary Elizabeth married Isaac
290 APPENDIX.
H. Mead, and Sarah A), Whitman (married Grace
Cornell, and left Grace married Cornelius Minor,
and Henrietta, who died young). 2. Piatt, who mar-
ried Dehorah Peck, and had Sackett, Syl vanus, Sarah
(married John Bobbins), Hannah (married Daniel
Peck), Gideon, Nathan, and Harriet (married Brad-
ley Redfield). 3. Gideon, who married Mary Miller,
and left Underbill, Mary, and Maria. 4. Asel, mar-
ried Anne Mead, and had Martin (who had Alva,
John, Amaziab, and Asel), Henry (who had Wil-
liam H., and David), Levi (who has Joseph and
others), Mary (married Mr. Baily), and Hannah.
IV. Gideon, left Gideon. V. Edward. VI. WH-
liam, who had William, Abigail, and Anne. VII.
Benjamin, left Margaret, married Hon. Nathan
Kockwell, Elizabeth, married Brown, of Somers,
Sarah, married Joshaa Peck, Mary, married Sylva-
nus Ferris, Kachel, married Caleb Lyon, jun.
Vni. Sarah. IX. Elizabeth, married Theophilus
Peck. X. Eeziab, born February 1707, died in
the latter part of 1808, married Isaac Howe. XI.
Eliphalet, born 1708, died 1796, left, 1. Eliphalet,
born 1738, died 1808, married Miss Anne , and
left Anne, and Darius who married Hannah Feck,
and left Anne (married Leander Mead), Alia (mar-
ried Obadiah Mead), Huldah, Alva (married Jane
Arundel, and had Samuel £., Hannah E., Samuel
£., Leander, Hannah E., and Mary £), and Adelia.
2. Jehiel, married Deborah Mead. 3. Jesse, mar-r
ried I^achel Knapp, and left Jesse (married Mii^a
APPENDIX. 291
Compton, and had William, Elizabeth, and George),
Elizabeth (married Daniel Van Vard), Rachel
(married Richard Dyckman), Rebecca, and Dimious
(married Richard Loyd). 4. Abigail, born 1717,
died 1796. 5. Libeus, married ^5^, Hannah Ben-
edict, and second^ Widow Pocock, and has, Eli,
Martin, Jared, Hannah, Abby, Clarissa, Eliphalet,
Sarah, and Sibah. 6. Eli, married Deborah firosh,
and has Polly, Obadiah, Orson, Hannah, and Cyn-
thia. 7. Sarah, married Aaron Mead. 8. Nancy,
married Ebenezer Mead. 9. Rachel, married Ben-
jamin Knapp. Xn. Rachel, by second wifo. XHI.
Obadiah, had Phebe and Mary. XIV. Zebediah,
left Henry, born 1754, Hannah, bom in 1755,
Lydia, bom in 1757, and Levi, born in 1761. XV.
Nehemiah, left, 1. Lucy, married Isaac Howe. 2.
_ m
Sarah, married Richard Mead. 3. Rachel, mar-
ried Charles Weed. 4. Nehemiah, married Miss
Richards, and left Samnel(who left a daughter, Eliza-
beth Stillson), William H. (who married Abby Jane
Mead), James, Sarah, Laura (who married Zaccheus
Mead), and Caroline. 5. Clarinda, who married
Isaac Mead, and left Augustus. 6. Bethiel, who
married Stephen Davis.
Nathaniel^ the sixth son of the John who hought
land in Greenwich^ had, I. Gen. John, who left
John, the father of Seth, Walter, Hipsibeth mar-
ried J. Simmons, and Alice married Peter Mead.
11. Capt. Matthew, had, 1. Matthew, who left
Matth^w^ Cleinence (marrie4 Ralph RitQb), Hcmnah
292
(married H. Merritt), JtutuB (married Nancy Han-
ford and has Joseph, Jostns, Matthew, Andrew J.,
Elipbalet and three others), Maryj TJumiaSy AmaSy
William (married Eliza Lawrence, and has Jane
Eliza, and others), and Hdblby. 2. Justus had Susan
(married Lewis Eldridge), Bush, Walter, James,
Joseph (married Mary Taylor, and has Louisa,
Joseph G., Mary D., James H., Samuel B., Ara-
bella, and others), Rebecca (married Drake Mar-
shall), Anne (married John Graft), and William,
who died young. 3. Bush had Matthew (married
Polly Ray, formerly Miss Marshall, and has two
children), Eliza (married Harry Ferris), Susan
(married - John Matthews), Sophia A. (married
Joseph E. Russel, Esq.), Bothena (married Capt.
Galeb Holmes), William Henry (married Miss Per-
melia Ray, and has John and George). IIL Na-
thaniel, left, 1. Jaspar, the father of Bush. 2. Na-
thaniel. 3. William, married and left John^ Gilbert,
NatJianielj William, Charity, Hannah, and Mary.
4. Charity. 6. Rachel. 6. Betsey- 7. Anna. Nd-
thanidj the grandson of jGirst Nathaniel, married
Prudence Wood, of Long Island, and had, I. Epen-
etus. n. Nathaniel, who married Miss Brown, and
left Nehemiah, Nathaniel, William, Tyler, Epene-
tus, Walter, Harvey, &c. HI. Joshua, who mar-
ried, 1st, , 2d, Hannah Mead, and left, 1.
Prudence, who married Robert Mead, and left Ed-
ward. 2. Polly, married Isaac Mead, and left Rev.
Darius (who married Miss Goodrich, and left
APPENDIX. 293
Samuel G., and others), and Lucinda (married Ben-
jamin Keynolds, Esq.). 3. Jonathan, who moved
with his children, Horace, Samnel B., Albert and
others, to Hancock Co., Illinois. 4. Joshua, of
Roundhill, who married Miss Mary , and
left Selah^ married Zetta Mead, Harmahj Rachd^
and Elmira. 6. Darius, a physician living on the
brink of Putnam's Hill, married Miss Lydia Bel-
cher, and left, Robert W. (married Clarissa Shel-
don), Zalmon (married Miss Scribner, and leaves
Frederick B., Mary A., and one other), Frederick
(married Miss Scribner, and has some children),
Julia (married Philander Button, Esq.), and Henry
W. 6. Rachel Mead, married Daniel S. Mead. 7.
David, married Miss Chloe , and left, Leon-
ard (married Miss Frances Studwell, and left two
or three children), Theodore, Robert (married in
Ohio), David W. (married in Ohio), Clarissa, and
Rachel. IV. David, married Anna Mead. V.
Israel. VI. Halsey. VII. Jonathan, married
Miss Lyon. VIII. Hannah, married Mr. Wheeler.
IX. Dimny, married Thaddeus Husted. X. Theo-
dosia, married Benjamin Close. XI. Robert. XH.
Daniel S. XIH. Isaac.
We regret that in the haste with which this part
of the family genealogy has been prepared, we
have not time to correct and extend the number
and names of the descendants of JoBhua the ihi/rd
son of the third Nathaniel, and also of his brothers.
Their descendants may, however, easily trace it for
294 APFKNDDL
themselves, as it is not a great length of time since
the children of this Nathaniel were some of them
alive. Theaatbor would recommend such branches
of the family to write out distinctly their genea-
logy upon the blank leaves hereinafter provided for
the purpose.
Samuel^ the seventh eon of the John who hought
land here^ or eecond John^ left, I. Peter, who had,
1. Peter, who had Mary, Peter, Deborah, Lnckner,
Anna and Sandford (who married Cynthia Hnsted,
and has Alexander, Hannah, Maria, William H.
H., and others). 2. Zacchens had Msie (who mar-
ried Job Mead, and had Zaccheus married Laura
Mead, Amanda, Abraham married Miss Selleck,
Emmeline, and Eliza married Isaac Lyon), Hannah
married Rev. Mark Mead. U. Zaccheus. III. Sam-
uel, who left Charlotte, Henry, Artemas, Betheny,
Priscilla, Lavinia, Martha.
Arme. sa. a chev. between three pelicans, or.
vulned. gu.
The author, in collecting the above genealogy,
has been especially assisted by a manuscript found
in the possession of Titus Mead, Esq., and a collec-
tion in the appendix of Bolton's History of West-
chester county, vol. ii.
APPENDIX. 295
GENEALOGY OF THE PECK FAMILY.^
BY
DARIUS PECK, E8<>, OF HUDSON, N. Y.
WITH REMABKS BT THE AUTHOB.
The great portion of the Peck family of this
country are descended from William Peck, a
merchant of England, who was born about the
year 1600, died October 4:th, 1694. His second
wife was named Sarah. He is said to have been
one of the company of Eaton, Davenport, and
others, who emigrating from London, England, or its
vicinity, arrived at Boston on the 26th of July, 1637,
and became the first settlers and planters at New
Haven in the spring of 1638. He was chosen
deacon of the church there in 1659, and was long
known as Deacon William Peck of New Haven.
His children were :
I. Kev. Jeremiah Peck, born in England in 1623,
and died at Waterbury, June 7tb, 1699. He mar-
ried /r«^ Johannah Batch ell at Guilford, November
12th, 1656. He was a man of good education.
Taught school at Guilford in 1656, and was teacher
in the Grammar and Colony School at New Haven
296 APPSHBIZ.
daring 1660 and 1661. Became a minister of the
congregational order, and began to preach at Say-
brook in the fall of 1661, and continned to preach
there until 1665, when he removed to Gnilford, and
in 1666, or 1667 removed to Newark, New Jersey,
with many others, who were dissatisfied with the
union of the colonies of New Haven and Gonnec-
ticnt; then being also a joint owner, and patentee
with other associates, of a large tract of land at
Elizabethtown, N. J. In 1672, he became one of
the twenty-seven proprietors of common lands in
Greenwich, Conn., which was confirmed to the pro-
prietors by Gov. Treat in 1697. He continued to
reside at Newark and Elizabethtown until 1678 ;
when he received a call to preach in Greenwich.
Here he preached until dismissed for refusing to
countenance the doctrine of half-way covenant, in
1689. He then received a call to preach at Water-
bury, where, as at Greenwich, he became their first
settled pastor. His widow was living there in 1711.
His children were, 1. Samuel, born at Guilford,
Jan. 18th, 1669, died at Greenwich, April 28th,
1696 ; married Buth Ferris and left Samuel, Jere-
miah, Joseph, David, Nathaniel, Eliphalet, Theo-
philus, Peter, Richard, of whom an account is given
below. 2. Ruth, born at New Haven, April
Sd, 1661, married Jonathan Atwater, of New
Haven, on the Ist day. of June, 1681. She
had ten children, born between 1682 and 1698.
3. Caleb, the father of a great part of the family
APPENDIX. 297
lining in Greenwich, had Bev. Jeremiah's home
lot and other rights in land here. 4. Anne, married
Thomas Stanley, of Farmington, in 1690, where she
afterwards resided. 5. Jeremiah, who was a farmer
at Waterbury, where he married Rachel Richards,
and died in 1752. He was there the constable for
a series of years, and Deputy to the General Oonrt,
as well as Deacon of the Northbnry Church. He
had one son, Jeremiah, beside nine daughters. 6.
Joshua, who was also a farmer at Waterbury, and
died unmarried on the 14th of February, 1736.
II. John, the second son of William Peck, mar-
ried Mary Moss, of New Haven, on the 3d of No-
vember, 1664. He first resided at New Haven,
where four of his children were born, until 1689,
when he removed his family to Wallingford.
HI. Joseph, born at New Haven in 1641, after-
wards settled in Lyme, Conn.
IV. Elisabeth, born also at New Haven, married
Samuel Andrews, and had a very numerous family.
Samuel tTie son of the first Samtiel, was bom at
Greenwich in 1688, where he died in middle life. He
left three children, I. Samuel, who was born April,
1720, at Greenwich, married Mary Ferris, and died
Jan. 29th, 1793. Was known as Deacon Samuel
Peck. II. John, who married Sarah Adams, and
died in 1771. His widow died in 1815, at the
residence of her son Abijah, at Clifton Park, N. Y.
The children of John were, 1. John, born Nov.
12th, 1742, at Greenwich, married Sarah Northrop,
298 APPSNDnr.
and removed his family from Greenwich in 1772 to
Nine-Partners, now Milan, Dntchess Co., New York.
Afterwards, be removed from thence to Sherbonme,
and soon after (in 1794) to Norwich, Chenango Co.,
where he died Sept. 19th, 1819. He had ten chil-
dren, two of whom died in infancy, and the others
had large families. The three oldest of these were
bom in Greenwich, and the others in Dutchess Co.
He was a continental soldier in the Kevolntionary
War. 2. Hetb, bom in Greenwich, married Kachel
Boselle, and was shot by a Tory in the Kevolntion-
ary "War. 3. Nathan, bom also in Greenwich, was
drowned in Long Island Sound. 4. Abijah, bom
in Greenwich, April 3d, 1758, was a clergyman,
married Mindwell Close, and died Nov. 12th, 1848,
at Clifton Park, New York. He was in the army
during several campaigns in the Bevolutionary
War. After the war, he resided at North Salem,
Westchester county, until 1784, when he removed
to Galaway, Saratoga county, and in 1794 removed
to Clifton Park, in the same county, where he re-
sided at his decease. He was ordained a minister
in 1801, and left four sons and four daughters, all
of whom married and had children. 5. Sarah,
bom in Greenwich in 1750, married Wilson North-
rop, and died at Clifton Park, Saratoga county,
Feb. 28th, 1841. 6. Abigail, bom in Greenwich,
married Alexander Baird, and died in Herkimer
county. New York. 7. Euth, bom in Greenwich,
married William Kinch, and died at Tinmansburgh,
APPENDIX. 299
N. T. 8. Elisabeth, born in Greenwich, married
Joseph Young, and died at Otsego, N. Y.
III. Ruth^ daughter of the second 8wmAid^ born
in 1724, in Greenwich, married Nehemiah Haight,
and died Sept. 3th, 1807. Her husband was the
first Deacon of Stanwich Church,
Jeremiah^ the second son of first Samud^ was born
in Greenwich, 1690.
Joseph^ the third son of fi/rst Samuel^ was born
in Greenwich, 1690.
Davidj thefov/rth son of fi/rst Scmiuel^ was born in
Greenwich in 1694.
Naihcmid^ the fifth son of fi/rst Somiuel^ was bom
in Greenwich in 1697. Settled in Old Greenwich,
though some say Flushing, L. I.
Miphalety the sixth son of first Samuel^ was born
in Greenwich in 1699. He settled and died in
Greenwich.
TheophiluSy the seventh son of first Samuel^ was
born in Greenwich in 1701. He lived in Green-
wich. He early removed from Old Greenwich to
Pecksland, where he had twelve children, six sons
and six daughters. The locality took its name from
him.
Peter ^ the eighth son of fi/rst Samuel^ was born and
lived in Greenwich. His descendants mostly live
at Glenn's Falls, New York.
Richard^ the ninth son of fi/rst Samuel^ was born
in Greenwich, but his descendants live at Flush-
ing, L. I.
300 APPENDIX.
From the above, the author presumes that every
member of the family may trace their Genealogy
with entire accuracy. Many facts relating to indi-
viduals of this family, may be found upon the pre-
ceding pages of this volume.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE
or THX
REVEREND JEREMIAH PECK,'
BT
DARIUS PECK, ESQ., OF HUDSON, N. T.
Rev. JEBfeMiAH Peck was bom in London, En-
gland, about the year 1623, and was the oldest son
of William Peck, a merchant ; and in 1637, at the
age of about fifteen years, emigrated to this country
with his father, who was one of the first settlers of
the New Haven colony in the spring of 1638, and
for many years a deacon of the church at New
Haven, Conn. He was a man of good education,
acquired in part before he left England, and per-
fected in this country. His name is contained in a
list of Connecticut ministers, in the Magnalia of Cot-
ton Mather, and be is noticed in the Genealogical
Register of Farmer; and both mention him as hav-
APPENDIX. 301
ing been a graduate of Harvard College ; but, though
he may hare been and probably was a student, he
was not a graduate of that institution. Little is
known of his early history until 1656, when he
taught school in Guilford, Conn., where on the 12th
of November of that year he married Joannah, a
daughter of Robert Kitchell, one of the first princi-
pal planters of that town. His oldest sou, Samuel
Peck, was born there, January 18, 1659. He con-
tinued his school at Guilford until October, 1660,
when, having been appointed the previous June of
that year, he became the teacher of the Grammar
school at New Haven. This was a colony school ;
and in it were taught Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.
Young men were fitted for college, and it was
attended by young men from other colonies.
He continued the teacher of this school until the
fall of 1661 ; when, becoming a congregational
minister, he commenced preaching occasionally to
the people at Saybrook, Conn., whose minister, the
Rev. James Fitch, had the previous year removed
to Norwich, Conn. In the spring of 1662, he was
settled at Saybrook. In 1664 there was some dis-
satisfaction with his ministry there ; and he gave
them liberty to procure a successor, offering to yield
his claim under their agreement of settlement, if the
cause of religion could thereby be promoted. His
address on the subject to the inhabitants and plant-
ers of Saybrook evinces a warm heiart, a proper ap-
preciation of the sacred duties of his profession, and
14
802 APFBNBIX.
a Christian reflignation to the will of Providence
and the desireB of his people ; but it does not appear
that there was then any action in the matter. He
was the owner of considerable real estate at Say-
brook, and seems to have had a partiality for that
species of property. In the year 1664, he, with
several others, principally from Long Island and
Oonnecticnt, purchased of the Indians a large tract
of land in New Jersey, lying on the sound separat-
ing that State from Staten Island, and between the
Baritan and Passaic rivers. The purchase was
confirmed to him and seventy-eight others by let-
ters patent, dated October 28, 1664, from Bichard
Kichols, the first English colonial governor under
the Duke of York. This tract embraces several
towns in Essex and Middlesex counties, New Jer-
sey ; and, the city of Elizabethtown being located
upon it, was then and still is known as ^^ Elizabeth-
town" and " Elizabethtown Grant," and its purchasers
and patentees as the ^' Elizabethtown Associates."
He continued to discharge his official duties at
Say brook until sometime in 1665, when he removed
with his family to Guilford, being succeeded at
Say brook early in 1666 by Rev. Thomas Bucking-
ham. No reliable account is found of the time and
place of his ordination. Trumbull and Farmer
both state it to have taken place, August 26, 1669,
at Waterbury, Connecticut ; but that town was not
then settled, nor was he then a resident of Connec-
ticut. He was probably ordained at Saybrook dur-
APPENDIX. 303
ing his ministry there ; of which, however, there is
no direct eyideocei but mach incidental evidence of
his having been ordained prior to his removal from
Saybrook to Guilford, in 1665.
By the union of church and state in the colonies,
up to about this period, Oongregationalism had be-
come the established religion. All civil as well as
ecclesiastical power was vested in the church ; and,
especially in the New Haven colony, none could be
freemen, hold o£Bce, or vote, but members of the
church in full communion. The New Haven colony
had been included in the charter granted to Con-
necticut by Charles H. in 1662. By this charter
the right of voting, holding office, and other civil
immunities were not restricted to church members ;
and many of the leading ministers and inhabitants
of the New Haven colony were violently opposed
to any union with Connecticut under the charter,
believing that it would mar the purity and order of
their churches, and have a bad influence on their
civil government. After a powerful but unsuccess-
fal resistance of about three years, the union of the
two colonies was finally effected in 1665 ; but many
were so irreconcilably hostile to the union that they
resolved to emigrate from the colony. Among them
was Rev. Jeremiah Peck, who, with his father-in-
law, Robert Kitchell, and others of Guilford, Rev.
Abraham Pierson (afterwards minister at Green-
wich, &c.), and most of his church and congrega-
tion of Branford, and many other prominent indi-
804 APPXRBIZ.
vidoals of Milford and New Haven, in 1666 entered
into a ^ Plantation Covenant " preparatory to a re-
moval to Newark, N. J., providing " for the main-
tenance of the pnritj of religion professed bj the
Congregational Chnrches," and also that their civil
aflairs should " be carried on according to God and
godly government," and as thej had heretofore
been in the New Haven colony. Bev. Jeremiah
Peck probably did this the more readily from his
then owning lands at Elizabethtown, in the imme-
diate neighborhood of the intended settlement. He
removed to Newark, N. J., in the spring of 1666,
and resided there and at Elizabethtown until 1678.
No evidence is found of his having been a settled
minister in New Jersey. In 1670 he was invited
by the people of Woodbridge, N. J., to become
their pastor ; but he did not accept their call.
The first settlement of the town of Greenwich,
Conn., was made in 1640, on lands purchased of the
Indians lying east of the Myanos river, a navigable
stream, running southerly through the center of the
town into Long Island Sound, the Indians still re-
taining the title to that part of the town lying west
of the Myanos, and between it and the Byram. In
1672 this tract was purchased of the Indians by
twenty-seven proprietors, of whom was Rev. Jere-
miah Peck, the title to which was confirmed to
them by Governor Treat in 1697. At the time of
this purchase he resided in New Jersey, and during
the whole period of his residence there, serious con-
APPENDIX. 805
flicts and yiolent civil commotioDS often occurred
from the demand of qnitrent from the associates in
the Elizabethtown purchase, of whom he was one,
in behalf of the proprietors. Lord Berkely and Sir
Oeorge Cartaret, against which the associates set
up their title deriyed from the Indians. In this dis-
turbed state of affairs, in connection with his pur*
chase at Greenwich in 1672, he had a sufficient mo-
tive for a removal from Elizabethtown. His visits
to Greenwich to look after his land there led to a
call, in 1676, by the people of that town to settle
with them in the ministry, which, however, was not
accepted by him ; but in 1678 he had another call
from them, which he accepted ; and removing late
in the fall of that year from Elizabethtown to
Greenwich, he became the first settled minister of
that town.
Previous to this time the town had only had oc-
casional supplies. His pastorate there was a very
useful one, continuing until 1689 ; but he did not
escape the agitation and disturbance, then not un-
common in other churches, occasioned by the intro-
duction of what was called " Half -way Covenant^^
allowing of the baptism of children of non-commu-
nicants. Agreeing with the Rev. Mr, Davenport,
President Ohauncey, and many other leading minis-
ters of that day, he was decidedly opposed to the
decree of the synods of 1667 and 1662 to that
effect. His refusal to conform to it was the cause
of considerable dissatisfaction in the minds of a
306 AFPENDIX.
minoiitj of his church and congregation^ which (7 )
induced him, in 1689, to accept the unanimous in-
vitation of the reaidentB of Waterburj, Conn., to
settle with them in the ministry. He removed
from Oreenwich to Waterbury the same year, and
became the settled minister of the church at Water-
bury on its organization in 1691, and continued his
official duties there until a short period before his
death, which occurred June 7, 1699.*
He appeared to have had considerable talents,
energy, and enterprise, and though largely interested
in lands in New Jersey and Connecticut, was a man
of great usefulness, both as a teacher and clergy-
man, in his day and generation.
BRUNDIG FAMILY.
The inhabitants of Oreenwich bearing this name
are descended from one John BrondUh or Brandig^
who was one of the first proprietors of Manursing
Island and Bye Neck, in 1662. His sons were
John, Joseph, Daniel, and Joshua.
BUSH FAMILY.
Justus Bvsh in 1737 was one of the proprietors
of Bye. His wife was named Anne. His sons
were named Bemardus, Henry, and Abraham.
* He eune to Boston in the ship Hector, June 26, 1687.
APPENDIX. 307
Though Henry's descendants, many of them, live in
Greenwich, the author has been unable, in the haste
with which this was collected, to fully trace them.
Abraham married Ruth daughter of Gilbert Lyon,
and had — 1. Abraham, who left William, of King
street, the father of William S., Andrew L., Hobart,
and Newberry. 2. Gilbert, 3. Anne, married Jon-
athan Fisher. 4. Sarah, married Thomas Theall.
5. Elizabeth, married Ezra Wetmore. 6. Bebecca,
married Daniel Merritt.
CLOSE FAMILY.
This family are quite numerous at the present
day. They were settled (Bolton's Hist. Westches-
ter Co., vol. ii.) formerly at Langsley, near Mac-
clesfield, England, A. D. 1486. The word Cloughes,
now contracted into Clowes and Close, is an old
Saxon word, and signifies a cliff or cleft in a valley
between high hills. Thomas Close removed to
Greenwich in or about 1661. He had four sons,
Thomas, Joseph, Benjamin, and John.
From the second of these, viz., Joseph^ the family
at North Salem claim their descent. He was bom
in 1674, removed to North Salem in 1749 and
died in 1786. Before he removed from"* Green-
wich, he lived near the present residence of Jona-
than A. Close. He married Bebecca Tompkins,
who died in 1761. Their children were — 1. Joseph, ^
2. Elizabeth, 3. Solomon, 4. Sarah, 5. Eacbel, 6.
Thomas, 7. Benjamin, and S.Bebecca.
Solomon, the second son of this Joseph^ was born
308 APPENDIX.
Jnne SSd, 1706, and died 1788, aged 82. He mar-
ried Deborah Brash and had ten children, yiz. : I.
Solomon, of North Salem, who left — ^1. Mrs. Fad -
dock, 8. Phebe, married Epenetns Wallace, a phy-
sician of North Salem. U. Nathaniel, of North
Salem, born 1732, and died in 1773 and left —
1. Nathaniel. 2. Jesse. 8. Isaac. 4. Deborah,
who married Thomas Chapman. 5. Rachel. 6.
Sarah. 7. Matilda. III. Deborah. lY. Hannah.
y. Rev. John Close, of North Salem, a graduate
of Princeton, and bom in 1737, and died in
1813. He was preaching at New Windsor in
1792. He married a Miss Weeks, from Long
Island, and left two daughters, who liye at Water-
ford, New York, where their father died. VI. Sa-
rah. YIL Jesse, who died at Half Moon Point, on
the 29th of June, 1758, aged 17, while in the
military service of the colony. VHI. Rev. Da-
vid Close, a Presbyterian minister of Paterson,
N. J. He suffered much in the Bevolutionary war.
He was a graduate of Yale, and died in the town
of Paterson, in Putnam county, in 1783, aged 41.
IX. Bev. Tompkins Close was a Presbyterian min-
ister, and died, aged 27, at Fishkill, on the 26th of
September, 1770. X. Mindwell, who married
Elizabeth Mead, and died on October 22d, 1762.
Senjamin, the third son of the Thomas who emi-
grated to Greenwich, had nine children — ^towit:
Benjamin, Martha, Elizabeth, Beuben, Jonathan,
Nathaniel, Samuel married Miss Mead, Mary, and
Nathaniel.
APPBNDIZ. 309
Samudy the seventh son of Benjamin, married
Miss Mead and had eight children — to wit: Samuel,
who died while engaged in the Eevolationary war,
Elnathan, an active partisan in the war, Henry M.
Close married Eosina Brandage, Benjamin, Jona-
than, Daniel, Hannah married Peter Mead, and
Deborah married Zacchens Mead.
Hevmi M Close, the third son of Samuel^ married
Bosina Brandage, and had Samnel, an only son.
Samuel, son of Henry M. Close, for more than
twenty years the Town Clerk of the town of Green-
wich, married Eliza Hobbie, and left — 1. George
W. Close, who married Miss Esther Smith, daugh-
ter of Col. Smith, of Long Island, and has Samuel,
George W., Esther, Caroline, and one other. 2. Be-
becca is the daughter of Samuel.
THE CUBTIS FAMILY.
BT J. B. oubtis, esq.
William Cv/rtia embarked in the ship Lion, June
22d, 1632, and landed December 16th of the same
year, in the eighth year of the reign of Charles I.,
at Scituate, Massachusetts. He brought with him
four children, Thomas, Mary, John, and Philip, and
shortly afterwards another son, named William, was
bom. William the f/rst removed from Scituate to
Boxbury, with his family, from whence John, Wil-
liam, and their mother removed to Stratford, Conn.,
where the moiher died in 1665.
2d. Coi{pt. WUliam Owrtis (his name is speUed
310 APPSHDIX.
Oortice), was a man of high Btanding in Connecti-
cut. He was a member of the General Court ten
or twelve years, from Stratford, often a Commis-
sioner or Justice of the Peace, and from year to
year appointed on committees of importance, in
various parts of the colony. He was appointed
Kov, 23d, 1673, Captain of the forces raised in
Fairfield to serve against the Dutch at New Am-
sterdam, now New York. In October, 1675, he
was appointed by the General Court, Captain of the
sixty men to be raised in Fairfield County, to serve
in King Philip's war, with power to appoint his
inferior officers. In May, 1676, he was appointed
with Mr. Samuel Sherman, Commissioner for Strat-
^ford and Woodbury. He died at Stratford, Dec.
* 2l8t, 1702. His will bears date Dec. 16th, 1702, by
which it appears he had eight children, Daniel,
Ebenezer, Zachariah, Josiah, Joshua, Sarah, Eliza-
beth, and Jonathan.
3d. Capt. Jtmah Owrtis^ lived and died at Strat-
ford, 1746. His children were William, Josiah,
Abraham, Benjamin, Peter, Matthew, Charles,
Abigail, Eunice, Mary, and Mehitable.
4th. Beryamin was bom Dec. 25th, 1704, and
died July 28th, 1783. He, with his brothers Josiah
and Matthew, settled at Newtown, and Benjamin
there had sons Nehemiah and Benjamin.
6th. Benjcmim^ had sons by his 1st wife, Philo
and Benjamin. By his 2d wife be had Epenetus
and Divine,
APPENDIX. 811
6th. PhUoj had sons Nichols, Carlos and Philo.
and daughters Fatima, Hnldah, P0II7, and Betsey.
7th. Nichda Gv/rtiB was bom in 1784, and died
in April, 1852. His children were, Charlotte N. ,
bom June 1820, and Julius B. Curtis, bom Dec.
10th, 1826. The lattei- removed to Greenwich,
Conn., where he now resides, having married Miss
Mary Acker.
Arms. Az. a chev. dancett6e btw. three mural
coronets, or. crest a lion sejant ppr. supporting with
his dexter foot a shield of the arms. Motto — Sepere
et aude.
DAYTON FAMILY.
Da/oid Dayton came to Greenwich from Long
Island in the latter part of the eighteenth century.
A brother came with him named Jacob, who never
married. Damd^ married Elizabeth Osborne, and
had, 1. Betsey, married Jonah Brundage. 2. Jacob,
married Sarah Brown, and had Samuel B. Dayton
(who married Mary E. Husted, and has Mary E. Day-
ton). 3. Sarah Dayton, married William E. Wood.
4. David Dayton, married Elizabeth Brush, and had
John Dayton (who married Matilda Selleck, and
has Mary Francis). Sa/rah Dayton (married George
Selleck), Cha/rlesy Eenry^ Mary^ Elizabeth (mar-
ried Solomon Mead), Damd^ and George. 5. Amy,
married Benonah Bundle. 6. Mehitable. These
Daytons now all reside in Greenwich.
813 APPCHDIX.
FIELD FAMILY,
Bolton, in his history of Westchester county, says,
that the name of Field is frequent in Doomsday
Book, and is there often interchanged with Lea,
which is a word having the same signification.
John Field, of Ardsley, county of York, England,
was a distinguished mathematician and astronomer.
He married Jane Amy as, of Kent, and left Bichard,
Christopher, John, Mathew, Thomas, James, Mar-
tin, William.
Bobert, the oldest son of James, who was the
oldest son of Mathew, the fourth son of John Field,
emigrated from England and settled in Flushing,
L. L, in 1645. He left Anthony, Benjamin, and
Bobert, who were the ancestors of the family in this
country.
FEBBIS FAMILY.
This family is plainly of Korman origin. Henry
de Ferriers, a Korman, obtained from William the
Conqueror large grants of land in the counties of
Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire. John
Ferris and Jeffery Ferris appear to have been ac-
tive pioneers in the settlement of many new places
in this country. It is probable, though not certain,
that they were brothers.
APPENDIX. 813
HOLMES FAMILT.
John Holmes emigrated from Beverly, York-
shire coantj, in 1660. He first settled in Bedford,
N. T. A full account of this family may be found
in the Appendix to Bolton's history of Westchester
county. •
LYON FAMILY.
This family claims to be of Scottish origin.
The name of John Lyon occurs in the history of
Massachusetts as early as 1648. John Lyon, a de-
scendant of the above, removed to the town of Rye,
in Westchester county, and was a large landholder
there. His son, John's fourth son, was named
James, who was the proprietor of Byram Point,
and left five children. 1. Daniel. 2. David. 3.
Benjamin. 4. Wolsey. 5. James.
LOCKWOOD FAMILY.
The name of Lockwood is traced back as far as
1470, when Annie, only daughter of Richard Lock-
wood, married Thomas Henshaw, who thereby be-
came possessed of a large estate in Staffordshire,
England. Those of the name in Greenwich, Stam-
ford, and Brundridge are probably descended from
^^ EdmAjmd Lockwood^ freeman, 18th May, 1631,
was of Cambridge, Mass., in 1632, and probably
814 APPXHDIX.
removed to Connecticat with Messrs. Hooker and
Stone." Lieut Jonathan Lockwood and lieut.
Gerehom Lockwood were in their day prominent
and influential men in the town.
Arms. — Arg. a fesse btw. three martletts, sa.
Crest On the stump of an oak erased, ppr., a
martlett, sa.
PALMER FAMILY.
William Palmer, of Westehester, died about
1670, and left Joseph, Benjamin, Samuel, Obediah,
and Thomas.
PURDT FAMILY.
This family are descended from Francis Pnrdy,
an early settler of Fairfield, who died there, in
1658. His sons were Francis, John, and Samuel.
All these families and many others, if so disposed,
may easily trace out their complete genealogies by
reference to the town records and good standard
histories of the present day.
(The following were handed in just in time to go
to press).
APPENDIX. 315
BRUSH FAMILY.
BT MIB8 BBOLY 0. BSUSH.
Two brothers of this name came from Long Is-
land to Greenwich soon after the year 1700, though
the exact time appears uncertain. Of these, Ed-
ward had a son named Benjamin, who married
Sumantha Reynolds, and had I. Fanny, married
William Rundle. 11. Edward, the father of 1 Re-
becca, who married John Hoyt, Esq. 2. Elma C,
who married Job Husted, Esq. 8. Joseph E. who
married Miss Mary C. Wright, and has Edward.
4. Shadrach M., who married Emmeline Ingersoll,
and has Snmantha, William P., and Shadrach A.,
5. Mary A., who married Mills Hobby Husted. 6.
Sumantha. II. Joseph, who married Sarah Mead,
daughter of Richard Mead, Esq., and has 1. Amos
M., who married Sarah P. Mead, and had Joseph
B., Richard M., Amos E., and Augustus. 2. Rich-
ard E., who married Miss Mary Kelly, and lives at
Stanwicb. 3. Elizabeth S., who married Dr. James
M. Hoyt, a physician, of Greenwich. 4. Mary
Louisa, who married Lewis Howe, A. M., Principal
of the Collegiate Institution of Greenwich. 5. Jo-
seph'E. B. 6. Emily C. 7. Benjamin P. 8. Stella
P. 9. George W. 10. Catherine. 11. Julia, and
some others, who died young. IV. Benjamin, who
married Clarissa Sackett. V. Sarah, who married
Deacon Joel Wright. VI. Sumantha, who married
David Hobby, Esq. VH. Deborah, who married
Mr. Fitch, of Peekskill. VIH. Piatt, who married
Maria Close. IX. Edmund Burke.
316 ATPBRDIX.
THE LEWIS FAMILY.
KISB BARAH LEWIS.
The great-grandfather of the Eev. Dr. Isaac
Lewis, came from England about the year 1675.
Two of his brothers accompanied him to America,
one of whom settled on Long Island, and the other
at or near Cape Cod.
The first-mentioned had four sons, viz. : James,
Edmund, Benjamin, and Joseph. Of these Ed-
mund, the grandfather of Dr. Lewis, was born in
1683. He married a lady by the name of Beach,
and settled in Stratford, Conn. He was Counselor
of the State, and first Judge of the County Court.
He died in 1758. He had four sons and several
daughters. The sons were Sevignor, Edmund,
Nathaniel, and Ichabod. Nathrniid was bom in
1717, married the daughter of Mr. Zechariah
Beardsley, of Bipton Parish (now the town of
Huntington), where he went to reside. He had
four sons and three daughters. One of the sons
died in infancy. Zachariah, the eldest, died at
Huntington in early life, leaving a widow and one
daughter, whose descendants (it is supposed) are
still residing in that place. Kathaniel, the youngest,
married a Miss Worcester. Their children were
five in number, three sons and two daughters, all
APPENDIX. 317
of whom subsequently removed to the State of New
York, a large proportion of them to Augusta in the
vicinity of Utica, where their families still reside.
Two of the sisters, Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Hawley,
died in the vicinity of Huntington, leaving children
and grandchildren, most of whom continue to re-
side in that part of the State. The family of the
third sister removed to Ballston, N. Y., where some
of them, it is supposed, are still located.
Dr. Isaac Lewis, the second son of his parents,
(who lived to grow up to manhood), was born Feb.
1st, 1746. Graduated at Yale College in 1765.
Was ordained to the work of the ministry and
pastor of the church in Wilton, toward the close
of the year 1768, and shortly after in December of
the same year married Miss Hannah Beale, daughter
of Matthew Beale, Esq., of New Preston, a native
of England. They had six sons (of whom one died
in infancy), and three daughters.
Further particulars respecting this family may be
obtained of Miss Sarah Lewis, or Eev. John N.
Lewis, both of Greenwich, Conn.
THE HOWE FAMILY.
About the year 1696, Isaac Howe removed from
Darien, where several of the name were then set-
tled, to Coscob in Greenwich. He was the father of
several children, some twelve or fifteen. Of these^
one, named Isaac, had also a very large family, of
16
818 APPEXTDIX.
whom Isaac, the third, settled in Pecksland, and
married Elizabeth , and had four sons and
nine daughters. The sons were named Jonas, Isaac
(who died young), Nehemiah, and Eev. Samuel.
The daughters were (here given without regard to
the order of their ages) Laura, Lucy, Cornelia,
Betsey, who married Kufus Knapp, of Stamford,
Sally, who married Gilbert Close, one who died
young, Keziah, Esther, Rachel.
Of the sons, I. Jonas, married Anna Mead, and had
1. Allen, who married a daughter of Daniel Lyon,
of North Coscob. 2. Isaac, who married Miss Finch,
and removed to the State of Ohio, where he has
George, Anna, and one other. 3. Deborah, who
married Mark Mead, jun. 4. Lewis, who married
Miss Mary L. Brush, and has Anna M.^ Joseph B.,
and one other. II. Nehemiah, married a daughter
of Isaac Holly, Esq., and has a son, William A.
Howe. HI. Samuel, who married a daughter of
Bev. Flatt Buffet, and lives at New Haven, having
two children, named Theodore L. B. Howe and
Charlotte E. Howe.