F 102
.F2 F3
1885
Se* 2
THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY -
Historical Society.
ACT OF INCORPORATION,
LIST OF MEMBERS,
AND
Fourth Anniversary Meeting,
April 10th, 1885,
Etc., Etc.
BRIDGEPORT ;
THE STANDARD ASSOCIATION, PRINTERS.
1885.
THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY
Historical Society,
ACT OF INCORPORATION,
LIST OF MEMBERS,
AND
Fourth Anniversary Meeting,
April IOth, 1885,
Etc., Etc.
^
2.^
r>
JfM 20 1bb6
BEIDGEPOET ;
THE STANDARD ASSOCIATION, PRINTERS.
1885.
>
FORM OF APPLICATION FOR MEMBER-
!SHIP.
T:o the Fairfield County Historical Society,
Gentleviien :
The tmdersigned hereby makes applica=
tion for admission as'' Member of
said Association, under its existing (Rules and
(By=Laivs.
(Dated at (Bridgeport, this day of
188..
Signed,
^^^Ijl^uk'tobe filled with - an Aunual, a Patrou, or a Life Member,_aB the case may be.
THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL
^ SOCIETY.
^ .
PKESIDENT,
ROWLAND B. LACEY.
VICE-PKESIDENTS,
GEORGE C. WALDO, Bridgeport.
AVILLIAM A. BEERS, Fiiirfield.
REV. SAMUEL ORCUTT, Bridgeport.
KECOKDING SEORETAKY,
NATHANIEL E. WORDIN, M. D.
CORRESrOlSDING SECRETARY,
LOUIS N. MIDDLEBROOK.
TREASURER AND CURATOR,
RICHARD C. AMBLER.
HISTORIAN,
GEORGE C. WALDO.
i
I
ORIGINAL ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION.
We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, to wit : Row-
land B. Lacey, William H. Noble, William B. Hincks, Nathan-
iel E. Wordin, George C. Waldo and Louis N. Middlebrook,
all of Bridgeport, Fairfield County, State of Connecticut, do
hereby form a Voluntary Association, under the laws of said
State, for the promotion and encouragement of Historical,
Antiquarian and Genealogical Investigation relating to said
County and the Towns composing it ; the same to consist of
the undersigned as present members thereof, together with
such others as may be chosen by a unanimous vote of such
meetings of said Association as may be hereafter held for that
purpose ; we, the subscribers, and our associates and succes-
sors, forever to be known as The Fairfield County Historical
Society, and to be governed by such officers, rules and by-
laws as may from time to time be established by said Associa-
tion.
Subscribed by us at said Bridgeport, this February 4th,
A. D. 1881.
ROWLAND B. LACEY, GEORGE C. WALDO,
NATHANIEL E. WORDIN, AVILLIAM B. HINCKS,
WILLIAM H. NOBLE, LOUIS N. MIDDLEBROOK.
Under the above Articles of Association the Society was
formed, and continued down to the date of the folloAving Act
of Incorporation.
INCORPORATING THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Mesolved by this Assembly:
Section 1. That Rowland B. Lacey, George C. Waldo,
William A. Beers, Samuel Orcutt, Richard C. Ambler, Na-
thaniel E. Wordin, L. N. Middlebrook, William B. Hincks,
and Curtis Thompson, all of Fairfield County, present officers
and members of The Fairfield County Historical Society, a
voluntary association located at Bridgeport, in said county,
together with such other persons as are now or may hereafter
be associated with them, be, and they are hereby, with their
successors, constituted a body politic and corporate by the
name of The Fairfield County Historical Society, for the pro-
motion and encouragement of historical, antiquarian and
genealogical investigation relating to said county and the
towns composing it, and for the preservation and publication
of the same, and with power to purchase, receive, hold and
convey real and personal estate to an amount not exceeding
fifty thousand dollars, which, together with the income there-
of, used for the purposes aforesaid, shall be exempt from
taxation ; that said corporation may have a common seal, and
may establish such rules and by-laws not contrary to this
charter or the laws of this State or of the United States, as
it may from time to time deem necessary, relating to all mat-
ters connected with the objects, membership and govern-
ment of said corporation.
Seo. 2. Said corporation shall meet once in each year for
the election of a president, secretary, treasurer and such
other ofiicers as may be designated from time to time by the
rules and by-laws of said corporation ; provided, however,
that in case of a failure to hold such annual meeting, or elect
its officers, said corporation shall not thereby be dissolved ;
but tlie officers of said corporation shall continue to exercise
the powers and duties of their several offices until others
shall be duly appointed in their stead.
Sec. 3. The present by-laws and rules of said voluntary
association, and the officers thereof, shall remain the by-laws,
rules and officers of said corportion until others are adopted
and appointed in their stead.
Sec. 4. The first annual meeting of said corporation shall
be held in the Mayor's office in the City of Bridgeport, at
such time as shall be designated by Rowland B. Lacey, the
president of said voluntary association, one week's notice of
the time, place and objects thereof being previously given by
him in one or more newspapers printed in said Bridgeport.
Sec. 5. This resolution may be amended or repealed at
the pleasure of the general assembly.
Approved, March 24, 1885.
B Y-LAAVS.
RULE I.
The officers of The Fairfield Comity Historical Society shall
consist of a President, three Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, Re-
cording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary, who shall
be chosen annually from its members by a majority ballot at
the annual meeting of the Society.
The term of the officers of said Society shall be for one year
from their election, and until others shall be chosen in their
places ; and their powers and duties shall be those usually
appertaining to those offices, except when otherwise ordered
by the Society.
Said officers shall also be the Executive Committee of said
Society, and as such shall have charge of and direct all mat-
ters of executive, financial and clerical business appertaining
to the management of the Society, except when otherwise
ordered by the Society.
The President of this Society shall be, ex-officio, Chairman
of the Executive Committee.
Any vacancy occurring in any of said offices before the ex-
piration of its term, may be filled for the unexpu-ed portion
thereof, by those of the Executive Committee of said Society,
who shall be in the exercise of their offices at the time.
RULE II.
The regular meetings of said Society shall be held on the
second Friday evening of each month at the rooms of the
Society.
The annual meeting of said Society shall be held on the
second Friday of April in each year, and special meetings
may be held whenever the Society shall so order, or when-
ever the President and Recording Secretary shall deem it
8
necessary to call tlie same. Notice of the annual and special
meetings shall be given by the President and Recording
Secretary of the time, place and purpose thereof, by three
days publication in one or more daily newspapers, published
in the City of Bridgeport, at least four days before said meet-
ing.
RULE III.
The Chairman of the Executive Committee shall be the
Auditor of the Accounts of the Societj^, and as such shall
audit and approve all bills of expenses incurred by the So-
ciety before the same shall be ordered i:)aid, and only upon
such audit, and an order of payment by the Society or Exe-
cutive Committee, shall the Treasurer pay out any funds of
the Society.
RULE IV.
The Treasurer of the Society shall be also Curator of the
same so long as he shall be Treasurer ; and the duties of the
office of Curator shall be, to have the care, custody and pres-
ervation of books, papers, antiquities, and all other i^roperty
of Ihe Society.
RULE V.
The election of new members of said Society shall be by a
unanimous vote, by ballot or otherwise, at any annual, regular
or special meeting of the Society ; the nomination of such
new members having first been made at a preceding meet-
ing and not less than one week previous to such voting.
RULE VI.
No application for membership of said Society shall be en-
tertained or acted upon, unless accompanied by a written or
printed request of the applicant, dated and signed by the
applicant in person.
RULE VII.
An initiation fee of two dollars shall accompany each appli-
cation for annual membership.
9
RULE VIII.
A due of two dollars shall be laid upon each annual mem-
ber of the Society living in Bridgeport, Stratford, Trumbull
and Fairfield, and one dollar for all the others. This amount
shall be paid to the Treasurer annually, during the month
of Jul}^, unless excused by the Society.
Any member remaining in arrears for dues may be dropped
from membership by a majority vote of the members present
at any regular meeting of the Society.
RULE IX.
Any approved person may, upon election according to
Rule V, become a Life Member on the payment of two hun-
dred dollars, or a Patron Member for five years on the pay-
ment of twenty-five dollars, and both Life and Patron Mem-
bers shall be entitled to all the privileges of the Society.
The Society may elect, according to the manner provided in
Rule V, as Honorary Members, persons whose membership
may be an honor or advantage to said Society, and they shall
be entitled to all the privileges of the Society except voting.
All members other than Life, Patron and Honorary shall
be known and designated as Annual Members.
RULE X.
These Rules and By-Laws may be altered, amended, re-
pealed or added to, by a major vote of the members present
at an}' annual, regular or si:)ecial meeting of said Society,
notice of such proposed repeal, alteration or amendment hav-
ing been given at a previous meeting of the Society, not less
than one week before final action thereon is taken.
RULE XI.
The Rules of this Society may be temporarily suspended by
unanimous consent of all the members present at any regti-
lar, annual or special meeting of the Society.
MEMBERS
OF THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Rowland B. Lacey, Bridgeport, . .
Natlianiel E. AVordiii, M. D. Bridgepor
William H. Noble, Bridgeport, .
George C. Waldo, Bridgeport, .
William B. Hincks, Bridgeport,.
Louis N. Middlebrook, Bridgeport,
*Aaron B. Hull, Danbu.ry, . .
Joseph N. Ireland, Bridgeport, .
Richard C. Ambler, Bridgeport,
William T. Minor, Stamford,. .
Lemuel Sanford, Redding, . .
James L. Gould, Bridgeport,
James W. Beardsley, Bridgeport
*Henry M. Hoyt, Bridgeport, .
Charles Burr Todd, Redding, .
Henry G. Scofield, Bridgeport, .
James Ryder, Danbury, ...
Elias S. Hawley, Buffalo, N. Y.
Curtis Thompson, Bridgeport,
William A. Beers, Fairfield, .
Eaton W. Maxcy, D. D. Bridgeport,
*William Shelton, D. D. Buffalo, N. Y
Rev. George S. Burroughs, N. Britain
A. Homer Byington, Norwalk, .
Winthrop H. Perry, Norwalk, .
Walter Hubbell, New York City,
David B. Lockwood, Bridgeport,
Original Member.
Elected Feb. 18, 1881.
Mar.
" May 6
" June 3,
" Aug. 5,
" Sept. 2
" Oct. 14
" Nov. 11,
" Feb. 10
11
1883.
*Stiles M. Miadlel)rook, Bridgeport, Elected Mar. 10, 1882.
Frederick Bronson, Greenfield Hill
O. P. Dexter, New York City,
David H. Miller, Georgetown, ... " April 21,
Horace L. Fairchild, Trumbull, .
Samuel M. ]\Iain, -New York City,
Nathan M. Belden, Wilton, . .
*Barzillai B. Kellogg, Brookfield,
J. M. Bailey, Danbury,
John W. Bacon, Danbury, . .
John D. Candee, Bridgeport,
John L. Morehouse, Fairfield, .
Warren B. Nichols, West Stratford,
Samuel Garlick, M. D. Bridgeport
Eugene Morehouse, Stratford, .
William S. Bouton, S. Norwalk,
Plumb N. Fairchild, Trumbull, .
Morris B. Beardsley, Bridgeport,
Thomas Calef, Bridgeport,
*Eli T. Hoyt, Danbury, . . .
Oliver B. Jennings, Fairfield,
Frederick S. Wildman, Danburj-,
Kev. Samuel Orcutt, Bridgeport,
Thomas B. Fairchild, Stratford,
Edward F. Meeker, Bridgeport,
William L. Sherwood, Newark, N. J
Kev. G. H. Nichols, Hoosic Falls, N. Y
Phineas T. Barnum, Bridgeport,
Eobert W. Curtis, Stratford,. .
Nathaniel Wheeler, Bridgeport, .
Arthur E. Meaker, Bethlehem, Pa.
Nathan B. Wells, Stratford, . .
Albert S. Comstock, New Canaan,
Samuel L. Carter, New York City
Amos S. Treat, Bridgeport, . .
Silas Burton, Bridgeport, . . .
Ebenezer S. Phillips, Bridgeport, . . " Aug. 14, 1885.
May
Sept.
Jan.
12,
8,
1%
Mar.
9,
April
June
5,
9,
Feb.
8,
May
July
Sept.
Feb.
9,
11,
12,
13,
Mar.
a
April 10,
u
u
June 26,
July
10,
1884.
1885.
HONORARY MEMBERS.
EEV. BENJAMIN L. SWAN,
Mcndlicam, N. J.
REV. E. E. BEARDSLEY, D. D.,
New Haven, Ct.
J. HAMMOND TRUMBULL, LL.D.,
Hartford, Ct.
CHARLES J. HOADLEY,
Hartford, Ct.
REV. HORATIO N. BOWERS, D. D.,
Bridgeport, Ct.
ABRAHAM W. MOREHOUSE,
Bridgeport, Ct.
FOUETH ANNIVERSARY MEETING.
The fourth auuual meeting of the Fail-field County Histori-
cal Society, the first under the new charter, Avas holden at
the Mayor's office, Wheeler Building-, Main street, April 10,
1885, the President of the Society, R. B. Lacey, Esq., in the
Chair. A large number were present including a goodly pro-
portion of members from out of town. The meeting was
called to order shortly after eight o'clock, and the following
call under the new act of incorporation was read :
*'-THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
The undersigned, duly authorized by Special Act of the
General Assembly, at its present session, incorporating The
Fairfield County Historical Society, hereby gives notice that
the first Annual Meeting of said Society for the election of
officers under the provisions of said Act, will be held at the
Mayor's office, in the City of Bridgeport, on Friday evening,
April 10th, 1885, at 7 o'clock. Also to do any other business
that may properly come before said meeting.
This meeting will be in the place of the usual Annual Meet-
ting, and will receive the annual reports of the officers of the
Society, and will also be favored with interesting papers and
addresses."
ROWLAND B. LACEY, President.
Bridgeport, April 1st, 1885.
The President then delivered the following address :
PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.
Friends and 3Iemhers of The Fairfield County Historical
Society :
We are met this evening on the occasion of the fourth an-
niversary of the organization of this Society. The year past
has been marked with points of special progress. The secre-
*Publi8hed in the Daily aud Weekly Staudard.
14
taries and other officers will take these up, and treat them
properly, under their several heads. There are two or three
only to which I propose to allude.
First, The actual coimnencement and considerable progress
upon the History of Old Stratford and Bridgeport, by Rev.
Samuel Orcutt, under the auspices of this Society. One num-
ber of one hundred and eighty pages has been published and
has been received with nmch favor for its evident thorough-
ness and impartiality. The Society has been favored at its
monthly meetings with scraps from Mr. Orcutt's further
labors and research, which give promise of a faithful and in-
teresting history. More and more interest is elicited in
regard to local and family history and geneologies. The old
family relics — rare and ancient books, and newspapers are
brought out. We have the basis and could easily gather a
collection of great interest and value, had the Society a suit-
able place for their exhibition and safe-keeping. For the pres-
ent we are kindly offered space for valuables of small bulk
in bank safes. But for the proper developement and useful-
ness of the Society we need a building — fire-proof — at least a
portion of it. In our growing community there are kindred
uses, which together with the Historical Society, would
worthily occupy a neat fire-proof structure in a central posi-
tion, and we hope and pray that some citizen or friend, of
ample means may be moved to erect for himself or herself
such a building, as the very best kind of a monument — a
monument that shall not only keep the memory fresh and
green, ))ut shall be a centre from which shall radiate most
benign influences, reaching back and gathering up treasures
from the past, for the pleasure and profit of the present and
future generations.
Second, For the purpose of placing the Society in position
for its highest usefulness in just these lines, we have sought
and procured from the General Assembly now in session, an
Act of Incorporation, " with power to purchase, receive, hold
and convey real and personal estate to an amount not exceed-
ing fifty thousand dollars, which together with the income
thereof, used for the purpose aforesaid, shall be exempt from
15
taxation, &c." It is expected that we elect officers and
organize anew under this act this evening, and anew fling-
ing our banner to the breeze we desire not only to rally and
stimulate the old corjis, but invite enthusiastic recruits, to
prosecute the good work in which we are engaged with new
vigor.
Third, The fact has been emphasized in our labors and
researches, that the ancient records of the original towns,
also ancient church and parish records are fast going to
decay. This could be illustrated most amply and forcibly did
time permit. The value and importance of these early rec-
ords is conceded and need not be argued. Immediate effort
is demanded to have them reproduced, preserved and made
easily accessible to all. Individual interest where it exists,
is apt to be fitful and uncertain for the purpose. The towns
neglect these old records. Nor can the present original
toAvns, though bearing the ancient name, and the custodians
of the early records, retaining as they do only a tythe of their
ancient limits, be expected to bear the entire expense re-
quired. The real interest in them is wider. Wide as the
State and the State's representatives throughout the whole
country. The State has promoted the publication of the so-
called " Colonial Records " found at Hartford and New Haven.
These embrace much that was sent uji to Hartford from
Stratford and Fairfield, for instance, of no more value to the
pviblic at large, than very much or all of the early records of
those towns up to 1700. The State thus is the party largely
in interest and State aid should be afi"orded for the purpose in
question, extending to all such old towns as Stratford, Fair-
field, Stamford, etc. Their position in their earliest settle-
ment was isolated and peculiar — arising from theii* great dis-
tance from the central court, and the great difficulty of com-
munication. The general court appointed magistrates in
special manner for these towns. Ludlow and others exer-
cised large powers, giving the settlements the position of
separate plantations. Holding these sentiments and trusting
that they could be duly impressed upon the minds of our
legislators at Hartford, we petitioned the General Assembly
16
now in session for an appropriation of the sum of $2,000, to
be expended by the Society for the aforementioned objects
under the direction of Hon. C. J. Hoadley, the State Libra-
rian.
We regret that our efforts before the committee on the
"judiciary, to whom our petition was referred, failed. It may
be pursued further this year by our efficient representatives.
Should the effort be altogether unsviccessful we propose to
renew it — we hope successfully, in the near future.
REPORT OF THE RECORDING SECRETARY.
The report of the Recording Secretary, Dr. N. E. Wordin,
was then read. The Secretary stated among other facts, that
the Society numbers twenty-seven members in Bridgeport,
and thu'ty-nine members in the county outside, making sixty-
six in all.* During the past year one member, Major Hoyt,
had died ; there had been eleven regular meetings and one
special meeting, and the work of the Society had been much
advanced. The Secretary also gave some valuable hints as to
the future.
REPORT OF THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.
The Corresponding Secretary, Major L. N. Middlebrook, re-
ported a large amount of correspondence and an increasing
interest in the work of the Society by members and others
scattered over the entii'e country.
REPORT OF THE TREASURER AND CURATOR.
The Treasurer and Curator, R. C. Ambler, Esq., reported a
very satifactory condition of the finances, library and muse-
um, and the reports were accepted for record.
*A number of these have been dropped from the list by action of the Society,
under Rule VIII.
17
SOME DUTCH TROUBLES IN EARLY CONNEC-
TICUT.
READ BEFORE THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AT
THEIR FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING, APRIL IOtH, 1885.
By the Autiiok, William A. Beers.
Perhaps no phase of national significance has so sHght
foundation for Hteral application as the familiar one, " Dutch
Courage"; yet even up to our present epoch of historical
research the notion is quite general that the courage of a
Dutchman is mostly the outcome of schiedani schnapps, beer,
or other stimulant of a 2^ot valor nature.
Motley did much to explode this fallacy when he told the
world of the greatness of the ancient Dutch Republic with its
three thousand ships, and its one hundred thousand sailors,
whose sober, daring and successful enterprise excited the
wonder of the Eastern Hemisphere.
No Connecticut man, therefore, however loyal, need abate
one jot of his pride of ancestry when reminded that the
original {i. e., after the aboriginal) settlers of his country
were Dutchmen, and that his forefathers found, not only a
vigorous opponent to English civilization, but a foeman
worthy of his steel in the lusty Hollander of nearly three
centuries ago.
Nor was the typical " New Amsterdammer " precisely the
sort of person whom the genius of Irving led him to de-
scribe as " a man exactly five feet six inches in height and six
feet five inches in circumference, who ate, drank and smoked
twelve hours and slept the other half of the twenty-four."
The ancient Knickerbocker, it is true, was inclined to be
rotund, convivial, and contemplative, but he was also con-
scientious, orderly and altogether respectable, and he founded
a metropolis that still holds him in pride and reverence.
18
As early as 1609 the little Dutch yacht Half -Moon dropped
anchor in the familiar river that now hears the name of its
discoverer; and although he was an Englishman, he was
prospecting under Dutch avithority, and it was the hand of
a Dutchman that planted the emblem of the States General
on territory that all to-day acknowledge as the Empire State
of the Western World.
English historians are quite fond of. saying that this dis-
covery of the Hudson river was quite as much the result of
accident as design, that the voyage of the Half -Moon was
simply a commercial venture of the East India company who
were stupidly quite as rejoiced to see their vessel returned as
Hudson himself — so little did they comprehend the possibili-
ties to which the voyage pointed ; and that, in the broad sun-
light of the discovery by the Cabots, which they thought
should include the whole continent, the claim presently set
up of priority by a Dutch trading company was all moon-
shine.
Nevertheless, the East India company promptly despatched
to Manhattan a body of traders ; a goodly company of set-
tlers followed and Holland officially took possession of what
is now New York, together with considerable adjoining terri-
tory that included our own State of Connecticut — the whole
being called New Netherlands. And this was done despite
the threats of Old and the protests of New England ; and thus
began troubles between the conflicting nationalities which
continued for more than half a century.
To fully understand why such unnatural troubles should
disturb the natural solitude of early Connecticut, we should
remember that the traders, who penetrated these wilds were
quite different in character from the good people of New
Amsterdam ; for, while the latter came with pretty much the
same purpose as the people of ancient Connecticut, the former
had scarcely other object than to buy up large tracts on
which to monopolize trade with the natives, and being a rov-
ing, careless class, made themselves obnoxious to our sober,
staid fathers, in a variety of obvious ways. When, therefore,
in the autumn of 1G33, a company of x^lanters from Plymouth,
19
broke grountl at Windsor, and found, within half a dozen
miles, a Dutch fort and trading- station, and were confronted
with a claim of the Dutch West India Co. that coolly took in
the entire valley, we cannot wonder that a series of bitter
quarrels was inaugurated. The Dutchman, indignant that
his Indian deeds were questioned, scornfully smiled at any
allusion to Plymouth charter or King James' patent. He
laughed outright at the Scriptural texts with which the pil-
grim was wont to bolster what he considered his peculiar
privileges ; such utterances, the Dutch frontiersman argued,
were those of Christians, who served God, after first taking
care of themselves. But the Plymouth-man gradually got the
better of his rival by cutting down the trees and plowing the
grounds nearer and nearer the trading stations, continuing
the civilizing process until the jovial traders were compelled
to seek more congenial quarters. The Good Hope Fort had
not been happily named ; its promise of future wealth was
broken by English axe and plow ; its wild surroundings soon
gave place to the tilled fields and neat habitations of a people
that had come to stay. Let us remark here, however, that
it was from no lack of courage that the trader withdrew from
this region — the staunch Hollander, who had conquered his
country from the sea and had defiantly sailed the English
channel with a broom at mast-head, was not to be daunted
by any impediment in the American wilderness. But his oc-
cupation gone he discreetly retired, and, as may be said, with
all the honors of w^ar.
It seems pertinent to recall just here that when Captain
Underbill, " the Friar Tuck of New England Greenwood "
feasted his twenty-three men within the abandoned pallisades
of Good Hope, he found little to reward his exploit, and,
indeed, had to supply his own " Dutch Courage."
Failure often follows the best endeavor, and the best suc-
cess is not always the award of better motive ; but our fathers
insisted that the Dutch were wrong, from first to last, both
in object and action. There Avas a wide difference, they
argued, between settlers who came to make permanent homes
for themselves in a land specially reserved by providence, and
20
the godless adventurers who had no better errand than to
multiply patroonships and heap up wealth and temporary-
power after the manner of the greedy monoply, the East In-
dia Company, in heathen lands ; and so, it was clearly a
providential decree that the Dutch must go.
Many attacks of Indians, too, were laid at the door of the
traders — they being supposed to have identity of interests
with the natives — and there was hardly a meeting of the Gen-
eral Court but accusations of a league to destroy all the
English were seriously considered. Many of these reports,
so far as my reading goes to show, were indignantly denied
by the Dutch who, nevertheless, were objects of suspicion
long after the vicinity of Good Hope was rid of them.
Boundary lines continued to be alleged sources of dispute
and often bloodshed, when suspicion and cupidity Avere the
real causes ; and the hard facts of history compel the confes-
sion that our worthy sires were as frequently in the wrong
as the much abused Dutch.
For a notable instance, how shall we explain away the fact
that when, in 1635, John AVinthrop, the younger, brought
over his commission to govern Connecticut, he permitted his
followers to tear down the arms of the " state's general " affixed
to a boundary tree of lands faii'ly bought of the natives three
years before ; and contemptuously carved a grinning face in
its stead.
This piece of effrontery (to put it mildly) prompted even
the loyal Hollister to say he did not think Winthrop " labored
under very oppressive apprehension as to the Connecticut
boundai'y question."
Be this as it may, there was another reason, more potent
even than English aggression, that pushed the traders from
the vicinity of the planters, viz : they failed to maintain the
reputation for fair dealing with the natives whose friendship,
in consequence, gave place to savage resentment.
Diedrich Knickerbocker was not altogher fanciful when, in
speaking of the traders, he said : " In their trading for pel-
teries they were scrupulously honest, (?) establishing as an
invariable table of avoirdupois that the hand of a Dutchman
21
weiglied one pound and his foot two. It was true that the
simple Indians were often puzzled by the great disproportion
between bulk and weight: for let them place a bundle of
furs never so large in one scale, and the Dutchman's foot in
the other, the bundle was sure to kick the beam." The na-
tives, awakening to the one-sidedness of this mode of barter,
needed but little provocation to put in force their subtlest
points of resentment ; and the Dutch soon found the savage
arrow and firebrand to be the most persuasive arguments to
hasten their departure. But fierce quarrels between the
rival colonists were continued for several years along the
New Netherland borders, and not infrequently pushed to
the happy, orderly villages within that province.
When in 1G39 the able but impetuous Ludlowe and his fol-
lowers left Windsor to settle Fairfield, he found the ubiquit-
ous Dutch a formidable obstacle to his somewhat ambitious
designs — an obstacle, indeed, over which his ambition tried
to vault, but overleapt itself and fell on t'other side. I wish
to be perfectly fair to Roger, and before now have attempted
to render his memory the homage it invites by reason of con-
spicuous public service, but it appears quite clear that when,
iu 1G54, the people of Fairfield took the law into their own
hands and appointed Ludlowe leader of the troops to invade
New Netherlands, he knew better than to accept what the
town had no right to bestow.* He failed in this matter to act
for the best interests of the town or colony, and with little
or no regard to that code he himself had formulated. His
repeated reports to the General Court of Dutch complicity in
a plot to exterminate the English do not appear to have had
reliable backing ; they were certainly regarded with suspicion,
and it was through the adverse action of the court that our
baffled and disappointed lawmaker determined to return to
England. I suppose, just here, I should pause to make allu-
sion to the much mooted question of Ludlowe's destination
when he turned his back upon the land of our fathers. He is
generally reported, as we know, to have retired to Virginia ;
but he is also authoritatively heard from in England about
the same time. Now, I think, if I yield a point and observe
• See Note at the end of this article.
22
that possibly be sailed to England from a Virginia port, a
proper deference is rendered to conflicting opinions. " The
truth of this observation lies in the application of it" And
so, amiable leave may be taken of the problem with one
brief remark ; if the Dutch had got hold of Ludlowe at the
time of that very questionable departure, there would have
been no mystery now about his final taking off. As has been
seen, the traders retreated from early Connecticut very sul-
lenly ; which fact reminds me of the remark of a somewhat
profane confederate commander when told that General Seigel
appeared to be making a retrogade movement : " Retreating
is he"? Then look out! for when that Dutchman begins
to fall backwards, he is gathering himself up for a
leap forwards."
Our colonial Dutchman, too, promptly changed front, and
again facing the English settlements looked sternly toward
the lands of which he had been unjustly deprived. Crom-
well, on the other 'side of the water, was shaking his mailed
hand at the States General who defiantly began to arm. New
Nertherlands, of course, followed suit and for the first time,
complained of their Dictator and asked that a new one might
be sent out to them who would be equal to this particular
time of trouble. He appeared in the person of the renowned
Petrus Stuyvesant who, if not blessed with the customary
allotment of legs, had the average supply of brains. He also
was endowed with unequivocal courage, and if falling a little
short in manly beauty, had an executive ability that gained
the regard of his own people and did not suffer in compari-
son with that of his neighbors. Connecticut, too, at this
juncture — with a loyalty not always so hot and ready — was
arming. By order of the General Court, Fairfield county put
her quota of one hundred and twenty men into the field un-
der command of that noted worthy, the Worshipful Major
Nathan Gold, who had succeeded Ludlowe as the leading
man of ancient Fairfield. Savage tells us that Gold was at
the period the "richest inhabitant in the town. He was a man
of sterling character, but unobtrusive — bearing little impres-
sion of the " guinea's stamp " ; and was so beloved by the
23
people as to be called tlieii- father. Intellectually the inferior
of Ludlowe, he was more reliable, and had better balance ;
perhaps he was blessed with one of those equitable tempera-
ments that always seems to enable its happy possessor to do
the right thing at the right moment, a temperament that the
almost great Ludlowe did not possess. All the same, it is
dangerous to excuse the lapses of public men on the ground
of temperament ; as an analytic writer recently well puts it :
" The savage lurks so near the surface in every man that a
constant watch must be kept upon the passions and impulses
or he leaps out in his war-paint, and the poor integument of
civilization that held him, is flung aside like a useless gar-
ment."
So little is known of the individuality of Major Gold, that
even an abstract of one of his orders to his sentries, when
war-like troubles with the Dutch were imminent, seems
worthy of record : " The charge to the watch is that in his
Ma'tie's name you faythfully attende by watching in such
places where you may best discouver danger of an enemie, or
of fire, which you are to give notyce of by cryeing Fii-e ! Fire !
or Arms ! Arms ! ; you are also to examine all such personnes
as you meet unseasonably, command them to Stand ! twice,
and the thu-d time to Stand! vpon their peril! /, but if they
will not stand, or flye from you, you may shoot at them, but
to shoot low, unless you judge them to be an enemie, and
then you are to shoot them as directly as may be."
It is perhaps as well to remark here that, although the
fleet which was dispatched from Holland did sail up the
Sound, not a gun was fired toward Connecticut lines ; but
whether or no the war-like inhabitants of Fairfield were dis-
appointed at having thereby lost an opportunity for open
rupture with New Netherlands, history remains silent.
History tells with much emphasis, however, that the colony
received but little notice from the mother country until i:)eace
was proclaimed and ended all prospects of war between the
English and Dutch on either side of the Atlantic.
But the Restoration brought about a most important
change. Charles, with an eye to fresh sources of revenue,
24
began to take lively interest in his American colonies, and,
with more zeal than intelligence, despatched his brother, the
Duke of York, with a brand new grant of territory. The fresh
patent proved so elastic as to stretch over not only New
Netherlands, but pretty much the whole of Connecticut ori-
ginally granted by the charter of King James.
The Duke's commission was accompanied by a fleet which
got within easy range of the not very formidable Fort Am-
sterdam ; and again the English changed its name to Fort
James. Brave old Stuyvesant was at first determined to
fight, but finally yielded to solicitations of both Dutch and
English residents and stumped out with the historic remark :
" I would much rather be carried out dead." He was the
last of the Dutch governors and on the whole far from a bad
one. Indeed, it is pleasant to recall that he had many ad-
mirable qualities, and, according to later historians, seems to
have given our fathers as little trouble as the peculiar times
and situation would permit. He was the revered ancestor of
a long line of prominent men, whose personality and influence
touches with no light hand the life and thought of our own
time.
It is familiar history that, although the Dutch recaptured
the fort in 1G72 and reasserted their claims, they gave no
special trouble to early Connecticut ; and two years later, by
the treaty of Westminster, Holland ceeded the province she
had discovered, peopled and governed with much wisdom
and order for sixty years.
It is true that New Amsterdam changed hands several
times during the period, being alternately under Dutch and
English rule ; and it is a very significant and novel bit of his-
tory that records the equally good order that prevailed who-
ever was in power.
The original setlers became largely sprinkled with English,
and the two nationalities, so antagonistic in the Connecticut
valley, assimilated quite readily at Manhattan, which fact
partly accounts for the cosmopolitan character of New York
to-day.
In conclusion, it seems to be the verdict of rewritten his-
tory that Sir Edmund Andross, acting for the Duke of York,
gave our sires more real trouble than ever did the Dutch.
It scarcely need be repeated here that our charter escaped
his arbitary clutches by little short of a miracle.
But almost the last vestige of the saplings that beginning
its marvellous life in the wilds of ancient Windsor, finally
spread its protecting arms over our capital city of Hartford,
has passed away, and with it pretty much all the prejudices
of early Connecticut.
Many descendants of the Dutch colonists — may St. Nicholas
ever watch over them — are respected rulers in high places or
live among us in a common brotherhood, rejoicing in and
helping on our prosperity and peace — no longer troublesome
neighbors.
Note.— The author desires to aay, that in the rather hasty preparation of this paper,
he had not the benefit of some facts brought out by Kev. Samuel Orcutt, in his Old
Straiford History, pagas 25G and 2(iO, which must modify the generally received opinion
of the part taken by Roger Ludowe in these matters.
The President then read the following interesting extracts
from a letter addressed to him by Elias S. Hawley, Esq., of
Buffalo, N. Y.
LETTER FROM MR. HAWLEY.
Fairfield County is " sacred turf " to me. When we thinlc
it over what strange and weird reflections arise. Contrast
1G39 with 1885. Imagine the status of " Old Stratford " and
" Old Fairfield," the father and mother of Strat-field, named
from both parents. How the bantling has grown into the
great city of Bridgeyort. " Port " with " bridges " across it,
I suppose.
Think of the old names — Sherman, Wilcoxson, Curtis, Mi-
nor, Fairchild and many more "fit to conjure with."
What, for instance, Avould Joseph Hawley, 1st, of Stratf(H-(l,
think were he to-day to stand on your docks. He built the
first vessel that sailed out of Stratford and the Housatonic.
26
He named her the " Mary and John," after two of his chil-
dren and put his son John in command, who thence and
thereby became for all time " Captain John." It is not stated
that Mary went as cook, perhaps she did. Nor is the tonage
of said " vessel " registered nor whether she were schooner,
sloop, periauger or clam-boat. If you ask me to prove all
this I am silent. Tradition, about the most unreliable of
all authorities, is accountable for the untruth, if it be one.
Now, Mr. Joseph Hawley, standing on the busy docks at
Bridgejiort and looking off to the harbor and the Sound, what
do you quietly remark to your old land-i:)artuer, Mr. John
Minor, whom I see standing at yovir elbow ? Do I hear you
say — "Friend Minor, this beats my boy John's 'Mary and
John ' all out of sight ! " — eh ?
"What a stupid young stick I was when in 1834 (was it?)
I used to trot down of a Saturday aftei-noon from Weston
(now Easton) academy [Staples' Free School which lost a
large portion of its endowment by failure of a New Haven
Bank ?] to Bridgeport to purchase a little writing paper or
a book and pass almost within a stone's throw of that grand
old burying ground now well cared for, Avithout knowing it
was there, and doubtless not caring if I had known.
Your county is full of good points for historical study. I
should like to hear, for instance, a full paper on " The King's
Highway," where it commenced — where it ended — its width
and location — when and by whom " laid out " — how kept in
repair — how the title to much of it has happened to pass into
private hands, and all about it.
Should like to hear or read an exhaustive paper on " Golden
Hill," another on " Greenfield Hill." This paper might men-
tion the orgin of the names and give the locations of the
"Hills of Fairfield Co."— as Break-Neck Hill, Three Story
Hill, Gad's Hill, etc.
By the way, our Buffalo Young Men's Association has in
course of construction a large, commodious and beautiful
building — fire-proof — which, when it is completed, is intend-
ed to be a permanent Home, not only for its own library and
collections, but also for our Natural Science Society and its
27
Museum, our Ai't Gallery, and our Historical Society with its
manuscripts, archives and portraits of early settlers and citi-
zens. This building- will cost $200,000 (besides the land), of
which $117,000 has been subscribed by our citizens, and the
balance is to be borrowed by the association on property it
holds outside the new buiding and from which it receives a
large rental with which to meet interest, taxes, etc. And
this reminds me that it would be just a splendid thing to do
if some of the wealthy and liberal citizens of your city and
county would club and endow The Fairfield County Historical
Society. No money could find a better investment as a per-
manent means of education and improvement, or as a source
of pure and high pleasure to thousands for all time. History
is being made constantly, and no method for its authentic
preservation is so sure, as a pervianent and living Historical
Society.
The other daj' a very intelligent and wealthy lady of this
city found that she had no 'means at hand, of estal^lishing the
date of the death of a sister who died young, many years
ago. I heard of her perplexity, and dropping in to our His-
torical Booms, in ten minutes found the required date. We
have a continuous record of marriages and deaths from A. D.
1811 to the present times, numbering, I think, over 17,000.
Old Mortality with his mallet and chisel is " nowhere " in
comparison with an industrious and conscientious and pains-
taking Historical Society.
Yours, respectfully,
ELIAS S. HAWLEY.
APPENDIX,
2»i:ai> of lli«- i>oYtioia of I?riclffci>ort oast of »Ta.iiT street and.
nortli of <iol<leix Jlill to C^oiiffross street, aT>oiit tlic
yetii* 17&t>, slio^viiip,- tlie olcl I»ortei' i»laoe.
rt'eciitly tieiiiolisliert,
r I' e p a r e <l t" <» r t li e History of JR r i d g e i> o r t .
History of the Porter Property
PAPER READ BEFORE THE
FAIRFIELD COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
By R. B. LACEY, Esq.,
June 12th, 1885.
There is much of interesting and sug-
gestive histoi-y couuected with premises
No. 532 Main street and the house
recently demolished to make room
for a block of stores. The territory,
nearly seven acres, on the east side of high-
way (Main street) from a point at or near
Golden Hill street to Congress, bounded
easterly by the creek or harbor, was pur-
chased by Samuel Porter, Sen., from Zacha-
ariah Hawley Feb. 5, 1759. I have the pleas-
ure of presenting in this connection a plot of
the premises copied from the original made
by Wolcott Hawley, surveyor, found among
the Porter papers and now in my possession.
The following is the interesting portion of
the original deed of the above date:
To all persons, itc, Greeting. Know ye
that I Zakry Hawley of Stratford & County
of Fairfield & Colony of Connecticut in New
England For the Consideration of One Hun-
dred and two pounds York money liy me in
hand received to my full satisfaction of Sam-
uel Porter of Stratford & County & Colony
aforesaid do give grant bargain sell and con-
firm unto the Said Samuel Porter & to his
heirs and assigns forever my Dwelling house
& Land whereon it stands on Golden Hill,
called ye old fort, and is Bounded South on
Deacon Joseph Booth's Land Easterly and
Northerly on ye creek & West on highway —
the Sd house & Laud with all the appurte-
nances thereunto Belonging for him the said
Samuel Porter forever. To have and to
hold, &c.
Witness my Hand and Seal the 5th day of
Feb. in the 32d year of the Keign , •, ^
of our Sovereign Lord GEORGE ( )
the Second of Great Britain, ete., - L, s. -
Kinii Aunoque Domini, 1759. ( \
Signed Zagharia Hawley.
Signed and sealedetc, in presence of
Theophohs Nichols,
Joseph Nichols.
It appears there was a dwelling house on
the plot in 1759, probably not the one which
has just been taken down. The latter was
probably erected bj' Mr, Samuel Porter, Sen.,
soon after the close of the Revolutionary war
and with the ''Old Red house" which stood
on the west side of the highway (Main street)
the site of the present wooden block of Mr.
N. Wheeler, was among the very first resi-
dences of a good class erected upon the New-
field, as Bridgeport was then called. James
and Zachariah Hawley were sous of Gideon
and third in descent from the original Joseph
Hawley of Stratford, through first Ephraim
and Sarah Wells, and second Gideon and
Ann Bennett. They were pioneers here.
The Hawley family were large land owners.
James seems to have settled on the west side
of the highway. His son, Deacon Elijah,
was a house carpenter. He occupied and
probably built the old red house. Isaac
Sherman, Esq., says of him: He removed to
the West very early, and died in Ohio in
1825, aged 8i years. He had a son by the
name of Jesse, who was born in the old red
house. Said Jesse removed to the state of
New York in early life and died there in 18-13
at the age of 70 years. It is said that he
(Jesse Hawley) was the projector of the Erie
canal. He communicated his ideas to Gov-
ernor DeWitt Clinton, which resulted in the
construction of that great work. Major
Aaron Hawley, a brother of Deacon Elijah.
appears to have been the owner of the old
red house in 1787, at which period '.the "up-
right highway" (Main street) was widened
and the site of the famous well in front,
which stood its width upon the street, was
excepted and liberty was given to fence
around it. The same well exists to-day cov-
ered by the sidewalk stone. Zachariah Haw-
ley married Bethia Austin of Suffield, Ct.,
and probably removed to Massachusetts.
None of his descendants appear in this part
of Connecticut.
Samuel Porter, Sen., died'^September 15,
1795.
The Porter purchase remained intact as
field land during his life, except at the south
end he gave a house lot as an advancement
to his daughter Mary, who married ijowis
Sturges. The old house, now a portion of
the Elisha Hubbell property at the northeast
corner of Main and Golden Hill streets, was
the residence of Isaac Sturges, son of Lewis.
His other son, Joseph P. Sturges (commonly
called Porter Sturges), had his residence a
little south. The original house stands, but
it has a brick front and has been raised an
extra story. The main building is occupied
by Cohen (millinery) and Bain (tea and coffee
store). It was a double house, with hall way
and kitcben wings both on the north and the
south. Porter Sturges occupied the south
house and Henry Coty and the late Thomas
Hutchins successively rented and occupied
the north part for many years. '±here was a
vacant lot between the two Sturges houses
through which Golden Hill street was ex-
tended in 1847 from Main street easterly,
leaving a strip of land on the south side of
the street which was leased by the city and
an engine house for the original No. 5 hand-
engine, was erected thereon. The same build-
ing is now occupied as a bakery, &o., by Mr.
A. Brennan.
The original survey from which the fore-
going diagram was taken was made by Wol-
oott Hawlev. surveyor, a brother of Major
Aaron and Deacon Elijah Hawley, October
20, 1795, to aid the distribution of the estate
of Samuel Porter, Sen. The original plotting
has the dotted lines showing the tracts and
quantities set out to the two heirs, to wit :
Samuel Porter, Jr., who had a double por
tion of the real estate, and his sister Mary
Sturges.
Lewis and Isaac Sturges with their families
went West about 1820. and later were settled
in Wisconsin. liev. Albert Sturges, the vete-
ran missionary of the "American Board" ,in
Micronesia, is from this family.
They sold their interest in the remnant of
this property on the death of Samuel Porter,
Jr , who died without issue September 9,
1842. Rev. Thomas B. Sturges, of Green-
field Hill (Fairfield), Ct , is the only sou and
heir of Joseph P. Sturges. He inherited the
undivided one-halt of the old Porter house
and lot, No. 532 Main street, and came into
possession on the death of the widow of
Samuel Porter, Jr.. April 12, 1867. Recently
there has been a division by which be has
acquired sole ownership of the entire Main
street front, and is putting it to use by erect-
ing the one-story block of stores now in
progress. The location is a fine one and
worthy of more substantial buildings.
Having traced the connection of the Porter
and Sturges families with the laud embraced
in the diagram it remains to gather up the
interesting points of history in respect to the
use that has been made of it. It is referred
to in the Ancient deed printed above
— as located "on Golden Hill" showing
that the Golden Hill land as then designated
extended to the Creek or Pequounock River.
And further it was "called Ye Old Fort."
Referring to the diagram, on the right hand
side, bordering the creek at the extreme point
"Ye Old Fort" is located. These are the
only allusions to a fort here, now known and
its previous existence must have beeu tradi-
tionary in 1795. It could hardly have been
built by the English settlers, or there would
have been some record of, or in connection
with its erection and use. It follows then,
that it must have been an Indian fortification
which had gone into disuse at the date of the
deed 1759. The location was a rocky pro-
monotory jutting out into the creek from a
beautiful plateau which extended back to
the Highway^Main street. Later, for three-
quarters of a century it was universally
known as "Porter's Rocks." It retained
nearly its pristine beauty until 1838
and was a favorite resort for sports and bath-
ing, by the young men and boys of the period,
a few of whom survive to-day. There was
the round rock and the flat rock— b )th ex-
tending out so as to afford at their base con-
siderable depth of water at high tide ; the
latter was at the extreme point and was a
favorite place for fishing, especially for frost-
fish in their season. A short distance from
the point on the northern bank was the round
rock, from which the bathers took their leap
head foremost into the briny waters. The
bank here was skirted by cedars, which af-
forded a good cover for this sport.
As has been said the entire Porter property
remained intact, and was used as field land
until after 1795. About this period — just
before the commencement of the present
century, a new spirit of enterprise was
awakened here. Previous to the Revolution-
ary war the parish of Stratfield was a quiet
agricultural settlemant of no special import-
ance. Nothing had been done to develop
business at the Newfields or Bridgeport. Long
Island Sound had indeed become a highway
of commerce. The then frequent disturban-
ces in the political atmosphere of the Old
World, were soon felt here, and the infant
settlements, unprotected as they were, and
their trading vessels especially, were a tempt-
ing and an easy prey to the privateers, which
swarmed on the American coast.
The harbors and settlements lying close
upon the Sound were most exposed. Pe-
quonuock river or creek, however, was ex-
ceptionally safe. There was fully as much
depth of water above the neck, now the site
of Berkshire bridge, as on the bar outside,
and plenty of space also. The wooded bluffs
of the shore, some of them jutting out into
bold promeutories shut out this portion from
the open harbor and Sound, affording a safe
retreat— almost a hiding place. Under the
then existing state of things, it is no wonder
that the first commerce was developed from
this point. Theopholis Nichols and his son
Philip had their store anu wharf at the ex-
treme head of navigation, near what is now
known as the Plumb place. Thej' built and
sailed vessels from there, as did also Capt.
Sttphen Burroughs, Sen. The shore oppo-
site the old red brick house on North avenue,
was long known and designated as the "ship-
yard." The commercial and trading
interests to this period, with Boston, New
York,cfcc. ,were not large, yet were sufficient to
foster a spirit of enterprise, and educate and
prepare the more enterprising younp men to
embrace their opportunities. The es-
tablishment and recognition of our
national independence, not only in-
fused new life, but brought greater
security to our coast and coasting
trade. The back country naturally center-
ing here was rich in agricultural resources.
Boston, New York, South Atlantic States,
and the West ladies, were the markets. Water
street had been laid out from the present
Fairfield avenue, three rods wide, to Wells'
Tongue. Wharves and stores now began
to be built on it. Men and families that had
lived one to two miles interior settled on the
shore and entered vigorously into trade and
commerce. Among these may be mentioned
the Nichols, Hawleys, Hubbells, Shermanp,
Burroughs, Sterlings aud Summers. The ad-
vantages of our location and harbor appear to
have been appreciated then as now aud an en-
terprising and valuable element came in, from
the surroun<liug towns more or less distant.
Esq. Isaac Sherman mentions by name not
less than forty men who came from abroad
aud settled here from 1790 to 1806, who
either bronght families or soon became heads
of families and most of them prominent as
successful business men,*
In 1800, the borough of Bridgeport was
chartered. The bridge across the harbor had
jnst been built, and many now streets had
been laid out. These were now recognized
and named. Among them, Gold street was
laid out, two rods wide, from Main street to
the harbor, and Middle street, extending from
Wall stre< t to Gold. Mr. Nuthauiel Wade, a
watch maker by trade, from Norwich, Conn.,
(afterward merchant,) bought land of Mr.
Porter, and erected his house, the same now
standing on the southeast corner of Main and
Gold streets. Philo and De. Luzern DeForest
secured the northeast corner, and erected the
house now standing there, so long owned
imd occupied by Isaac Sherman, Esq., and
now by his descendants. Captain Joseph Ster-
ling Edwards, from Trumbull, Conn., bought
and built on the south side of Gold street,
from Middle street to Water street. His wid-
ow left this with other property, at her death
to her brother, Isaac Burroughs, Esq., which
has served to swell the Pettengill estate, from
which such muuificeut public benefactions
are now being realized. Mr.
Jesse Sterling, also from Trum-
bull, merchant, purchased the site on
the north side of Geld street at the head of
Water street and erected the house more re-
cently owned and occupied by Mr. Abel
Drew. The same was removed in 1870 for
the extension of Water street. Later, on
Main street, next north of Isaac Sherman,
• This list appears in full in the history of Bridge-
port, now in preparation by Mr Orcutt, and em-
braces most of the old Bridgeport names and promi-
Jieut families among the original settlers of the
place. It shows the places from whence they came
to Bridgeport and how ihi surrounding towns con-
tributed to biuld up the new and enterprising city.
Capt. Gershom E. Hubbell located. Next to
him was Mr. George Smith and last on the
plot was Capt. William Goodsell, who had
his slaughter house on the bank of the creek
in the rear of the dwellings.
Isaac Sherman sold a part of his Main
street front to Capt. Joseph H. Hand from
Long Island— the same property now owned
by Jacob Sutter and occupied by G. P. Coe's
wholesale aud retail grocery.
WEAVER SHOP.
Referring to the diagram, you observe
northerly of the dwelling house of Samuel
Porter, standing back from the highway, is
a builiiiug designated as a Weaver's shop.
Both Samuel Porter, Sen., and his son of the
same name were weavers by trade, and sup-
plied the settlement with their elegant or
plain woolen bed coverlets ("specimens of
which are still extant in the old families),
woolen cloth and blankets, damask and plain
He en, &c.
So far as appears, this building was the
fird specially devoted to manufacture in the
"limits of Bridgeport, and contrasts strongly
with the splendid and extensive structures of
the present day.
SALT WOBK3.
For some reason which does not now ap-
pear, after the close of the second war with
Great Britain, somewhere about 1818-20, it
was deemed a wise measure to secure salt of
home manufacture, and so prudent and
sagacious a man as the late Isaac Sherman
was persuaded it was safe to invest capital
and labor in it. The beautiful platteau north
of Gold street, the property of his brother-
in-law, Samuel Porter, Jun., was selected as
the site for the operations. The location of
the evaporating vats are shown on the dia-
gram. The salt water was pumped from the
bay or creek into the vats, by means of a
wiud mill stationed at or near the Point. No
statistics are extant as to the quantity or
quality of the product, but merchantable
salt was made. One mistake as to location
became apparent, that the water of the creek
at this point was too much diluted with the
fresh water of its tributaries. This and in-
creased facilities for procuring the West
India product, both conspired to render the
enterprise unprofitable. Tbe "Salt Works,"
as they were called, were mentioned in the
will of Samuel Porter, Jun., written in 1828.
The unused vats were admirably adapted to,
and much used for the game of "hide and
seek." The writer remembers them about
1830 They disappeared soon after this date.
SLAUGHTER HOUSE.
Capt. William Goodsell who early lived \a
the old yellow house which was removed
from Main street in 1871 in order to open
Congress street, is believed to have been the
first to fit up and occupy a regular slaughter
house here. Its location is given on the dia-
gram. It was a barn-like structure standing
on the edge of the bluff and extending almost
its whole size over the bank (which was well
washed by each flood tide), the building be-
ing supported by substantial posts. Its site
was included in the purchase of the late Mr.
Benjamin Ray, who had much difliculty in
getting the lines fixed satisfactorily. In his
numerous and vigorous talks about the mat-
ter, well remembered by many, very frequent
allusions were made to "Capt. Goodsell's
slaughter house yard," It is interesting to
note how the progress of the settlement —
moved back tbe slaughter houses. The next
location was that of Gideon and Eli Thomp-
son on the westerly side of North Washington
avenue, not far from the present site or Mul-
loy's lane— say from 1833 to 18-13. From
this, the same parties removed to what is now
the Thompson farm, a little south of the toll
gate on the Huntington Turnpike — while
Smith & Stratton and their succepsors and
Capt. Terry, located theirs on the Newtown
Turnpike about two miles out of town. The
heavy beef is now mostly butchered for this
market in Chicago, 111., transported in Re-
frigerator cars nnd distributed from Refrig-
erator depots (two of them located on this
territory) to be dispensed in steaks and roasts
from the Refrigerators of the local markets
and stalls.
SADDLE BOXES.
The shipment to markets in the South, of
the large quantities of saddles and harness
manufactured here from^ 1815 to 18G0, re-
quired many strong boxes of special form
and sizes. Up to about 1848-9, theso were
almost exclusively made by hatid, by Mr.
Porter Sturges, whose shop and lumber yard
were on Middle street at the preseut^corner ot
Golden Hill street occupied now by the
Naugatnck Valley Ice Co. His assistant
when needed was the late Mr. David Wheeler
who lived on Arch street, later on Newtown
turnpike near Beach street.
This afforded reliable and steady employ-
ment, and with the frugality for which they
were both noted, laid the foundation Of
hatdsome estates, for each.
Increased quantity needed and the compe-
tition of machinery, diverted the source of
supply, to the shops of L. C. Shepard & Co.
aboiat 1850, then located at the site of the
north end of the Atlantic Hotel, the Union
House being a part; later to Lyon & Curtis
on "Simons' wharf."
COMB MAKING.
Moss K. Botsford, from Newtown, pur-
chased of Jesse Sterling the house on the
bank north side of Gold street at the head of
Water street, established and carried on for
awhile the comb making business. This busi-
ness had a great run about 1830-35. Bethel
and Newtown were largely engaged in it.
Some were successful for a time, but the fash-
ions were extremely changeable and business
fitful which led to my failures. The business
hardly obtained a foothold here.
COOPERAGE.
Mr. Abel Drew from Derby was the next
owner of the above mentioned house. The
commerce of the place, especially the West
India trade and for a number of years the
whaling business, required a great many
casks and made a lively business for the
coopers. Mr. Drew's shop was on the south
shore of the point. He employed a number
of men. It was lively times in his shop early
and late and all the time. Mr. Drew saw and
embraced his opportunities and he7'e laid the
foundation of his handsome estate.
HOUSATONIO RAILROAD.
In 1836 the Housatonic Railroad was
chartered for a line from Bridgeport to the
north boundary of the state in the town of
Canaan, Litchfield County. The company
was organized, capital subscribed and right
of way secured to New Milford in 1838.
Commencing at a point near the west ap-
proach to the Bridgeport Bridge (Fairfield
Avenue) it extended uortherlv across the
mud flats and over this Porter property
making thereon quite a deep cut. The com-
pany not only purchased the usual right of
way over this property for main tracks, but
secured the entire point east of the main
line, graded it down, using the material
towards filling the roadway across the adja-
cent mud flats, and then located their engme
house, turn-tables and car shop thereon.
A wharf was constructed at the extreme
point, and the Long Island skipper connect-
ed with Ml. Roswell Lewis, coal and wood
yard, landed thereon the pine wood which
was then used at this end of the line for fuel
for the locomotives. Thus the beatiful bluff
was invaded, and its glory, as such, departed
before the march of modern utilily and pro-
gress. The construction and operating of
the railroad developed the need of foundry
and machine shops. This need was measura-
bly supplied by the late Mr. David Wheeler
of Park avenue, who was in 1813 joined by
Messrs. George and J. R. Young, and had
their works in a wooden building on the same
site as the present Bridgeport Iron Works,
which is made land on the mud flats
fronting this Porter property.
FIRST CENTRE BRIDGE.
When in 1852 Mr. P. T. Barnum joined
Gen. Wm. H. Noble for the development and
improvement of East Bridgeport, they at
once realized that they must have more di-
rect and easier communication with the busi .
ness portion of west side of the harbor.
Hence they procured a charter for a bridge —
the eastern terminus about identical with
that of the present Centre bridge, and the
western end, spanning the Housatonic rail-
road track, and landing upon the high bank
of this Porter property, for which they made
an appropriate purchase of Mrs. Ellen Por-
ter, the widow ^of Samuel Porter, Jr., Nov.
10th, 1852.
This was reached by a street which had
been dedicated as a highway by Mr. Porter,
and named by him Summer street, extending
northerly from Gold street a little east of the
line of Middle street extended. After the
location of the bridge it was called Bridge
street. By the kindness of General Noble
this society has a picture of the bridge on
its walls, painted in water colors — showing a
condition of the surroundings now most
thoroughly changed. When the new Centre
bridge was constructed in 1869, the western
terminus was changed to Congress street,
crossing the railroad at grade. Middle street,
was soon after extended thereto in a direct
line and Bridge street, discontiniaed. In
November, 1864, the city purchased this
bridge and appurtenances with the other
bridges across the harbor, and in the adjust-
ment of property interests affected by these
changes, and the extension of Middle street,
the city obtained the site of the present No. 5
engine house.
Previous to the extension of Congress
street for the western terminus of the Centre
Bridge in 1869, the mud flats and low ground
on the west side of the Housatonic railroad
track from the Porter property to Lumber
street, was flooded, though a water way at
the old mill located near the line of Lumber
street and the face of the wharf at that
point. The water was changed and purihed
each flood tide, but the gate in the water way
retained enough to give at all times a depth
of several feet in the southern portion near
this Porter property. Previous to the intro-
duction of the present water supply much
dependence was placed upon the salt water
of the Harbor for extinguishing fires.
This vicinity was practically shut off from
the water front, especially at low tide. To
meet this necessity Mrs. Ellen Porter deeded
to the town an addition to the Bridge street
highway May 19, 1859, and opened a way to
the water above described, where the city
constructed a platform suSicient to accom-
modate one of the hand engines of that pe -
riod and its company m actual service.
About 18-46 the Housatonic Kailroad com-
pany removed their depot both for passenger
and freight from near Fairfield avenue south-
erly to a point near the present elevator. A
few years thereafter, having fiUei and made
solid ground of the mud flats still further
south they put up a round house, and other
necessary shops end buildings thereon and
withdrew from "Porter's point." The old
engine house and the long car house remain-
ed on the premises for mauy_ years, also a
blacksmith business by Mr. Hunt from Falls
"Village, Ct.— a relative of Superintendent
Charles Hunt of the Housatonic Railroad.
The Vetetan blacksmith. Mr. J. C. Barnum,
also had his shop here for many years until
his death, Feb. 25, 1883, at the ripe age of
80 years.
BOILER WORKS.
In 1869 * 'The Bridgeport Boiler Works"
commenced operations on the Point,
utilizing some of the old build-
ings, and erecting others. This company em-
braced the following names : Humphrey,
Watson, Farrel and Chatfield.
In 1870, Messrs. Farrel and Chatfield retir-
ed, and the business was continued by Hum-
phrey & Watson, until 1872, when Mr. William
Lowe took the place of Mr. Humphrey.
Messrs. Lowe and Watson continued the boil-
er business very successfully for ten years,
until they were burned out, April 24, 1882.
As they were unable to secure a lease of the
premises, for a term of years, Messrs. Lowe
& Watson obtained another location on the
premises of Mr. William H. Perry, adjoining
the Housatonic Railroad track, further north.
The late Mr. Hanford Lyon purchased the
water front of a portion ol this property, and
improved it, in connection with that he pre-
viously owned, adjoining it on the south.
This has been occupied as a coal yard by C.
M. Noble & Co., and by Courtland Kelsey, and
is now a part of the extensive yards of Messrs.
Miller & Strickland.
Mr. Julius Hawley purchased of the Bur-
roughs family, the Edwards' property, on
the south side of Gold street, extending to
the channel of the harbor, which he has im-
proved, and upon which is located the exten-
sive lumber yards and steam saw mill of the
Bridgeport Lumber company.
Messrs. H. N. and A. J. Beardsley pur-
chased the water front of Mr, Abel Drew,
which carried one half the width of Gold
street, form the east side of the tracks of the
Consolidated railroads to the channel, which
they are leisurely filling and will become a
very valuable property.
The Housatonic Railroad Co., have here a
fine property partly mud flats which they
will no doubt fill to the harbor lines, at no
distant day. This done, it will afford room
for the return to this point of their engine
houes &c. — thus relieving the crowded condi-
tion in their present locality and facilitating
the removal of the tracks of the Consolidated
road from lower Water street, an end most
devoutly to be desired.
The whole plot, much of it forty years ago
so quiet and so pleasant for family homes of
the best sort, is now almost wholly given
over to business -the canvas of which I leave
to the future.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
III
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