V %. V ^^ *"'■ ^. V ^> -"/ "■%. ■Ks.^ - ■f -"n\%f :V' ' '■'%. •c <^ ' ' . . - ' 1 •^^0^ :i "^c^ »: ■ "^^o* -i';*''": ' "^juO< * -n. - V'- V' ./ ' '%.^ : ■x .^^^ ^\ ^. -^^0^ ' ' ' '^^ 0^ « : "^e^c^ \ "^0^ «5 <3<^ ^ V' ,/ ^v^--V=%^:V"^^ •'-\ ^^^■' V--'^ % '■^AO^ •^J.d< -* ■ ■^^6* : ; -"^^0^ * ^' <^^ ^^. ,^^ ^- :% V'- '• ;'■%../ .: '->. ^^ % -^^0^ >^o"* c ' "^0^ '; "^d^ - .^^^ ^"' ^■j:' °- ' ■\^^\. 9^ '"' ■<^- "^ ^ .■^ ^^ .>^ ^ s ^^ <^^ ^# '■^^ 0^ "%d' ^Acf* - =. '"-^^^ ,^^^- 4- ''-> <^ ^-.. v<^' %, '' %--v^.^-.., ^%' ^^i># / '<:<. "'^/" .•^^ %^^^^■ % < c^'' \ -^' : ^\ tf'"'.- '^^o< ■^i- o"! , '-^^ ^ "^AO^ .•^* ^- 'r' c> V i ,^' *^.^ X.^- '^ 4 .^-^ . .T" •;. '^' '^. A^ . . ^ . 1. '■ '^ a\' % ^^o^^^ :.<^^.-V^ %..<^^' ^.^\:::\%^' '^^ 0°' .^^ ^ ^ r S- 53 .;^w^:v^^^ a4 O. ^ ., ^ -w. , < 0^' V. % v^^ D.^' x^' ^^- :.\ % av ." 0^ ^^ ri-, -v H o^ : -^ .H o. ■- o5 o,„ ,^> -^. '\X.^' %.^' ■ # .-.v % %<^' "^ .v^^^ -f^ c ^^d< 9d. ''/::;s D,V C 5 o V . ^ -> " / ^^^ 95. "/TVs ^-/■- s^.^^ 0-> '^ .•«■- = "\^ 'V^^-' -•= "^^i^ :> .:,/=;'. x^ ^ \> „ V " '• , '-U .c^ ^. ^ ' .A<^ <^ ' ' 'y ^%' .'^'z'-^\^ .<^^ ^ % '-^^^ .^^ V .^^ .^^^. ^• 0^ V ^ ■X ,^^ o^. ■^^0^ 9^' .^^ ^^> ^ ^' ^' ,. . . .. V"--^ v^n^ •.., V' •-- v^*\ ^ -. ^V -- K^\ - - 9?; '^ ' ;::, ^ ■- ' # cv ^0^ %. ^_ ^V ^^ .^" .^^ ^ G 0> <. -^^ . ^ > '-e <'. , z^- 1 r 2_ ^t5 :^ ^.^^^ THE HISTORY Old Town of Derby, CONNECTICUT, 1642-I88O. * BIOGRAPHIES AND GENEALOGIES. BY SAMUEL ORCUTT, A nthor of the Histories of Torrington and U'olcott, Com, AND AMBROSE BEARDSLEY, M. D. PRESS OF SPRINGFIELD PRINTING COMl'ANY, SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 1880. Thus once more our journey is ended ; our track hath been centuries long; We liave heard tiie wild whoop of the savage, and the rude note of puritan song ; We have watched the briglit wave of progression as it broke o'er our valleys and hills; We've seen builded the castle of beauty Ijy the lake, with its chattering mills ; E'en we've tarried a while in the present, (so soon to be counted the past!) And have caught at the sparks of the furnace that holdeth the future in " blast ; " We've followed the thread of the stoiy as traced up this history's page. And have seen that forever \.\\^ present was the rose that was crowning the age. There were struggles, and crosses and trials ; and days when the sun was withdrawn ; Vet forever there came in the morning the light of encouraging dawn ; Our men have been men with a purpose, and our maidens have been gentle and true, — With a faith that was strong, and as rugged as the rocks where from childhood they grew. Though the names that these pages have rescued, forgetfulness nearly had claimed, \"et heroes were they that had borne them, as ])roud as our country e'er hath named. So farewell, ancient ])ilgrims! we have sung to your memory our best song. Which in the ages to come, may cheer the travelers on the journey so long. \ PREFACE History is the record of experiences in the ages that are past; and experience, while varying through the changing of circumstances, is a teacher worthy to be carefully studied, and to whose voice it is wise to listen. The person who is indifferent to the past is too selfish to be of much benefit to the world in the present, and too heedless of wisdom to accomplish much for human good in the future. One object sought in the writing of this book has been the promotion of reflection on the past, which would result, it is believed, in careful consideration of what shall be the life of the future, for it would be un- pardonable to give a book to the world without some high motive of good, in the mind of the author. How well or poorly the purpose may have been attained is not a question now, the existence of the motive is the only fact of which we can be certain. As to the completeness of the book, it may be said that no work of the kind which has fallen under the author's observation is more so in the amount and defi- niteness of the matter printed, and yet much remains IV PKKFACE. unwritten that would be of great interest, while the time occupied in putting the material into form has been too short to allow perfectness in any single department. The Indian History, for which the community as well as the authors are under great obligation to the Rev. Joseph Anderson, D. D., of Waterbury, and the prepara- tion of which, so far as he prepared it (more than one- half), cost many weeks of study and research, — he being peculiarly competent for the task, — is but the outline of what might be, and it is to be hoped will be, some day, placed before the public in book form. The Historical and Biographical parts are much more extended than was originally intended, or promised in the circular given to the community ; and the Genealo- gies, although very incomplete, being confined almost wholly to the town records, except such items as dil^er- ent families have by their own effort placed in the hands of the authors, have been obtained by great effort and carefulness, and should give much satisfaction. It is to be hoped that the subject will be taken up by a patient hand, for such only can succeed, and another volume secured to the memory of those who, otherwise, will soon be forever forirotten. The authors present their thanks to the town for their generous purchase of a copy of the work, for without this aid the jjrice must have been greater, or the book much abridged; and even now thev are at their wit's PREFACE. V end to know how to work out of the undertaking with- out loss. They are much indebted to those who have allowed their portraits to enliven the pages of the book, this being a very great addition, and one for which thousands will be thankful as well as the authors. They are specially indebted to the Ousatonic Water Company for help in procuring a picture of the Dam; also to Mr. Wjlliam E. Miller, photographer, for his gen- erous and very satisfactory aid rendered in taking a num- ber of pictures without charge ; to the Town Clerk, Mr. D. E. McMahon, for his genial courtesy in the frequent and oft-repeated calls made upon him to search the rec- ords under his care ; to Mr. Charles Reed who has greatly assisted in hunting up the lost tribes of the benevolent societies, and for many other little attentions in obtaining various items from the records, which were very highly appreciated; and to Mr. George W. Beach, who, in behalf of the Naugatuck Railroad, has furnished several illustrations for the book. Special thanks are tendered to Mr. John W. Storrs for his poem, " The Story of the Years" (page 680), written at the request of the authors, the which they would not be without for a large consideration, and which, as a poem, would do honor, — penned in a hurry as it was — to many a well-read and celebrated poet. The story of the book is thus: When the History of r\ I'KEI'ACE. Torrington, Conn., had been completed, Mr. George W. Beach, Superintendent of the Naugatiick Railroad, see- ing it, remarked to the author, " If you will write a like history of Old Derby, I will see that a portrait of my father is furnished for the work." He then recom- mended a call on Doctor A. Beardsley as being the source most likely to furnish proper information as to anything already done or likely to be done in the matter. Some six months afterwards this su2:o:estion was fol- lowed, but the Doctor spoke discouragingly and the sub- ject was fully dropped. After three months the author met the Doctor again on other business, at which time he urged somewhat the undertaking as very desirable ; a proposition w^as made which was at once accepted and the next day the work was commenced. Whatever matter the Doctor has furnished, being written neces- sarily in great hurry, has been carefully rewritten but designedly left in the Doctor's style, which has hereto- fore been so agreeable to the community. Samuel Orcutt. Birmingham, June i, 1880. During a residence of nearly half a century in Derby many pleasant memories have been awakened and attach ments formed, while endeavoring to aid in beautifying the local surroundings and improve the advantages of the growing population of the tow^n; and being familiar with so many households by reason of forty-four years' practice of my profession ; and, withal, naturally fond of reviewing the historic past, I had gathered interesting, reminiscences at the ,. suggestion of many friends for twenty years, with a view, some day, of publishing them in book form ; but had nearly abandoned the project, wdien the Rev. Samuel Orcutt called upon me and offered to join in the undertaking, and soon the work was com- menced. The researches into musty records, the work of in- quiry for confirmatory evidence of traditions among the oldest families, and the varied correspondence to gain trustworthy information, have been far more onerous than at first was expected. Of this none can know but those who attempt to write a Town History. Much that had been written is omitted in the printing, for want of room. The authors have aimed at correctness, and have endeavored to make such selections as would be most interesting and appropriate in such a work, thus VIU PREFACE. rescuing from oblivion many facts and traditions which would otherwise have slept in the ages of the past. Whatever has been contributed by the undersigned has been written by piece-meals, as Sallust wrote his history of the Roman Empire. The genealogies are necessarily imperfect fr-om the great difficulty in procuring facts and dates from reliable sources, but the authors have been faithful to this depart- ment, and as a whole have published a work far more extended than was promised to the subscribers. With this brief statement of my connection with this book, I tender my cordial thanks ^o the town and those individuals who have aided and encouraged its publica- tion ; resting assured that when the hand that now writes is moldering in the dust, many will feel grate- ful to the authors who have given to the public this History. A. Beards LEY. Yale College, New Haven, Conn., February i, 1880. This may certify that I have looked whh much interest through the History of Derby, by Rev. Samuel Orcutt. It seems to me to have been prepared with great fidelity and thoroughness, and to take rank with the best town histories which are so interesting and valuable to every son ot New England. Noah Porter. CONTENTS INDIAN HISTORY. CHAPTER r. Primitive Condition, ........ xvii CHAPTER H. Ethnographic History, ....... xxviii CHAPTER in. Chuse and the Last Families, ...... xli CHAPTER IV. Further Authentic Records, ...... Ivii CHAPTER V. The Indian as an Enemy, ....... Ixxiv HISTORY OF DERBY. chapter I. Paugasuck and Paugassett, I chapter h. Derby, 1675-1680, ......... 45 chapter hi. A Mill, a Meeting-house, and War, ..... 75 CHAPTER IV. Education, Enterprise and Improve:ments, . . 102 CHAPTER V. Dissenting Derby and the Episcopal Church, . , . 134 CHAPTER VI. Derby in the Revolution, 165 C HAPTER VII. After the Revolution, 201 CONTEiXTS. XI CHAPTER VIII. The Town of Oxford, . . . . . . .228 chaptp:r IX. Commercial Enterprises, 245 CHAPTER X. The First Church of Derby and the War of 1812, . 282 CHAPTER XI. Roads, Bridges and Floods, 304 CHAPTER XII. Birmingham, .......... 343 CHAPTER XIII. The Dam and Shelton, . . . . . . .391 CHAPTER XIV. Ansonia, 413 CHAPTER XV. The Town of Seymour, ....... 442 CHAPTER XVI. The War of the Rebellion, ...... 486 Biographies, .......... 523 Genealogies, .......... 693 Appendix, 785 ILLUSTRATIONS. STEEL ENGRAVINGS. A. Beardsley, Samuel Orcutt, . John I. Howe, Franklin Farrell, Lewis Hotchkiss, . Joseph Arnold, J. H. Bartholomew, Royal M. Bassett, Sharon Y. Beach, Wm. E. Downes, • Almon Farrell, Charles Pinney, '1'homas Wallace, W.M. B. Wooster, Benjamin Hodge, Willis Hotchkiss, LITHOGRAPHS. I I 366 420 438 523 525 528 533 545 547 633 663 674 556 5<'H ARTOTYPES. Abram Hawkins, Sylvester Colburn, Sullivan Colburn, Josiah Colburn, William Hawkins, PHOTO-ELECTROTYPES. Zephaniah Hallock, Zephaniah Swift, WOOD CUTS. First Meeting house, Second Meeting-house, First Episc:opal Church. 358 364 3^4 543 555 554 659 79 126 149 ILLUSTRATIONS. XIU Gen. Humphreys delivering the flags, Oxford in 1836, Derby Landing in 1836, Old Stone Building, The Schooner Modesty Train at Hich Rock, Beacon Falls Dam, High Rock Glen, Sherman's Cut, Birmingham in 1836, . M. E. Church and Parsonage, Birmingham Iron Foundry, Sterling Organ Co , . Allis's Book Store, St. James's Church, Public Square, Birmingham, Congregational Church and Parsonage, Public School, Birmingham, Residence of Geo. S. Arnold, OysATONic Dam, N'orway Iron Bolt Works, Shelton, Wilcox and Howe Hardware, Shelton, Indian Well, ..... OsBORN and Cheeseman Co., Ansonia, Christ Church and Parsonage, Ansonia, Rock Rimmon, Humphreysville, Falls of the Naugatuck, Swan's Mills, Gen. David Humphreys, Edmund Leavenworth, John Lindley, Abiram Stoddard, Stephen N. Summers, . BiRMI ngham, 199 242 255 258 266 317 318 320 321 349 359 365 368 370 374 376 379 387 388 390 407 409 411 421 425 445 472 481 483 593 615 617 632 657 E RRATA. Page 1 6, 5th line from top, read Pomperaug for Pompesaug. Page 87, loth line from bottom, read 1688 for 1668. Page 90, read Agur for Agar, etc. Page 96, read Major for Mayor Johnson. Page 158, read Shelton for Shelon. Page 196, Nathan Mansfield is supposed to be a son of Dr. Mansfield, which is an error. Page 197. James's Church of Hartford is an error. Page 199, last line read 1781 for 1761. Page 214, 3d line from top read credulity for incredulity. Page 248, 9th line from top, read 1773 for 1763. Page 264, 23d line from top, read packets for pickets. Page 442, H. h. Munson is said to have been Representative in 1850, which is an error as to the date. Page, 488, read fires of evil passion, instead of fire's evil passion. PREFACE "TO the: INDIAN HISTORY. This part of the History of Derby has grown far beyond the limits contemplated in the original plan of the work. After some of the material for it had been collected, information was received that the Rev. Joseph Anderson, D. D., of Waterbury, was preparing a brief course of lectures on the aboriginal history and antiquities of the Naugatuck valley, and at once a request was made for the use in this work of such parts of those lectures as related to Derby. The request was very cordially granted and the offer made of any further assistance which Dr. Anderson might be able to render in giving com- pleteness to this part of the work. From Dr. Anderson's researches it was evident on the one hand that the Milford tribe was the stock from which the abo- riginal inhabitants of the lower Naugatuck and Ousatonic val- leys had sprung, and on the other hand, that the Tunxis Indi- ans, who came into the Naugatuck valley from the east, were related to these others in various important ways ; so that any large and thorough treatment of the subject would naturally embrace the whole field covered by the lectures. It was there- fore determined to make the lectures the groundwork of this part of the History. They are given entire, and such other facts are added as could be obtained by diligent search from whatever sources, the additions being chiefly from the Indian deeds recorded in Derby, Milford and StratfortI, which were not within the lecturer's reach at the time his lectures were XVI PREFACE. prepared. These deeds were forty in lumiber, coverino- the space of time from the date of the first to the hist one of over one hundred years. The public, therefore, as well as the authors of this work, are indebted to Dr. Anderson, who is second to few in regard to the extent and thoroughness of his researches in this depart- ment, for something more than one-half of this aboriginal his- tory. His accurate description of the Naugatuck valley, and his brief ethnological sketch of the Indian tribes our readers will without doubt appreciate. In view of all the facts it is believed that the treatment of this field equals in thoroughness and accuracy, if it does not exceed, that accorded to any other piece of territory within the bounds of Connecticut. To the thoughtful reader it will not ojily afford instruction and pleasure in the perusal ; it will aid him in forming a truer judgment respecting the mutual rela- tions of the native inhabitants and the early settlers of New England. The Authors. INDIAN HISTORY >.*.^ CHAPTER I. PRIMITIVE CONDITION. CAREFUL review of the geographical position and re- lations of Derby is important in order to a full under- standing of the movements of the Indian tribes within its borders in historical times, their gradual extinction, and the complete acquisition of the territory by the incoming English. It is also important, because of the close connection, now generally recognized, between a people and the physical characteristics of the region in which they dwell. It seems appropriate, therefore, to begin with a geographical survey, cov- ering the valleys of the Ousatonic and Naugatuck rivers. The chief river of western Connecticut is the Ousatonic (more properly the Owsatunnuck, and known in former times as the Pootatuck and the Stratford river). It enters the state from the north, about seven miles east of the western boundary, and flows in a direction somewhat west of south for about thirty miles. Having almost touched the New York state line, it bends toward the east, and for a distance of thirty-five miles flows in a south-easterly direction, when it turns again and flows nearly due south for nine or ten miles, and empties into Long Island Sound between Stratford and Milford. Between the two bends of which mention has been made (in that part of its course in which it flows to the south-east) it receives several tributaries from the north — prominent among them the She- paug river which drains Bantam lake in Litchfield and smaller lakes in Goshen ; the Pomperaug, which flows through Wood- bury and Southbury ; and P2ight-milc brook, which drains Lake- Ouassapaug. Just above the second bend, where it turns to go c XVlll INDIAN HISTORV. southward, and, as we have observed, nine or ten miles from its mouth, it receives the Naugatuck river. The Naugatuck belongs to this group of southward-flowing tributaries, but is much the largest, and constitutes the main branch of the Ousatonic. Its general course from Wolcottville to Birmingham is south- ward and parallel to the other tributaries. Its length, running between these two points, is thirty-eight and a half miles. The river is formed by the union of the east and west branches at Wolcottville, near the southern boundary of the town of Tor- rington. The west branch rises in Norfolk and flows through the north-east corner of Goshen, and through Torrington in a south-easterly direction ; the east branch rises in Winches- ter and flows more nearly southward. Between the two branches there is a range of hills which terminates abruptly at its southern extremity in a hight known as Red mountain. South of Wolcottville, the hills on opposite sides of the stream are about a mile ai:)art ; but just above Litchfield station they come close down to the river, and the valley for many miles below is narrow, and flanked by precipitous bights. All along its course there are alluvial lands, curiously arranged for the most part in triangular pieces on the east side of the stream ; and between Waterville and Naugatuck these lands broaden out into extensive meadows — the " interval [or inter-vale] lands " of Mattatuck, which attracted the first settlers to this part of the state. In the neighborhood of Waterbury, not only are the meadows wide, but the hills which overlook them are low, and partake of the character of bluffs, while on the eastern side there is an opening in the hills large enough to afford room for a thriving little city. Below Naugatuck the water-shed be- comes narrow again, and the hillsides precipitous. This is especially true of the section below Beacon Hill brook. The hills are not only steep, but high and rocky, and the valley is gorge-like. The "dug road" on the eastern bank, and the rail- road on the western, are cut into the foundations of the mount- ains, and at the same time overhang the rushing waters. From Beaver brook to the mouth of the river at Birmingham, about two miles, there is a fine tract of meadow land about half a mile in width. In the ujiper part of the valley (for example, just above Waterville) there is much that is wild and pictur- BROOKS AND RIVERS. XIX esque ; but the entire section between Beacon Hill brook and Seymour is of cjuite exceptional beauty and grandeur. The Naugatuck has many tributaries ; for instance, Spruce brook which flows through East Litchfield and empties near Campville ; Lead river which rises in New Hartford and flows through Harwinton ; the West branch, which rises in Morris and Litchfield, and divides Thomaston from Watertown and empties at Reynolds's bridge ; Hancock's brook, which rises in the north-east part of Plymouth, and empties at Waterville ; Steele's brook, which flows through Watertown and empties at the north-west boundary of the city of Waterbury ; Mad river, which rises in the north part of Wolcott, and flows through the city of Waterbury ; Smug brook, which empties at Hopeville ; Fulling-mill brook, which flows westward and empties at Un- ion City ; Hop brook, which comes from Middlebury, and emp- ties at Naugatuck; Longmeadow brook, which rises in Middle- bury, drains Longmeadow pond, receives a tributary from Toan- tuck pond and empties at Naugatuck ; Beacon Hill river, (an- ciently the boundary between Waterbury and Derby) one branch of which rises in the north of Prospect, the other in Bethany ; Sherman's brook, which tumbles through High Rock glen ; Lebanon brook, which rises in the south of Bethany and emp- ties at Beacon P^alls ; Chestnut Tree Hill brook, which comes from the west and empties at Pines Bridge ; Bladen's brook, which rises in Bethany and Woodbridge and empties at Sey- mour ; Little river, which rises in Middlebury, drains Oxford and empties at Seymour ; and Beaver brook, which empties a little below Ansonia. These are all rapid streams, plunging- downward into the deep valley of the Naugatuck. Compared with our western rivers it has but an insignificant water-shed ; yet there are eighteen or twenty towns embraced in it. Those which border upon the river are Torrington, Litchfield, Har- winton, Plymouth, Thomaston, Watertown, Waterbury, Nau- gatuck, Beacon Falls, Seymour and Derby.. Those which, although lying back from the river, are drained in part by its tributaries, are Morris, Middlebury, Wolcott, Prospect, Beth- any, Woodbridge and Oxford. It may be seen from this rapid sketch, that this region of country is but a narrow valley drained by a tributary river XX INDIAN HISTORY. of very moderate size, is of limited extent and has a decided geographical unity. Besides this, it has come to possess in modern times a unity of another kind. The township divisions and the centres of population are numerous ; but industrially the valley is one. The district extending from Winsted, just be- yond the head waters of the river and in the same valley, to Birmingham at its mouth, has become the seat of one of the greatest manufacturing industries of our country. As in other valleys of New England, the populations of the hills have crowded to the water courses, drawn by opportunities of lucra- tive employment ; and, at the magic touch of the finger of trade, have sprung up or risen into a larger life such busy cen- tres as Wolcottville, Thomaston, Waterbury, Naugatuck, Sey- mour, Ansonia, Birmingham and Derby. If we take railway connections into account, the thrifty village of Watertown should be included in the list. To dwell upon the physical features of the Naugatuck valley is important, because the Indian history commences at a pe- riod when these characteristics were almost the only ones to be noticed. To obtain a clearer understanding of that history the reader must rid himself, so far as possible, of modern associa- tions, must lose sight of all political divisions of the territory, must forget the existence of these business centers which have just been enumerated, must suppose this dense population, and these dwellings and shops and streets and highways and bridges, and these extensive manufactories, and the railroads with their depots, stations and rolling-stock, all swept away — in fact, all the multitudinous products of modern civilization ; and go back to the primitive period in the history of New England. The river was here and the brooks flowing into it. The hills were here, and the occasional patches of meadow land ; and the entire region — the meadows excepted — was covered with stately forests. The woods abounded in game, and the streams in fish ; but the country was a pathless wilderness — the heritage and the pos- session of the red man. It was not divided as it now is among individual owners, but it belonged to the natives who roamed through its woods, and established their camp'ing grounds upon its streams. The statement in the " History of Waterbury," that at the time of its discovery by white men there was no SOURCES OF INFORMATION. XXI Indian settlement within the limits of the ancient town, might safely be applied to the entire valley, if a spot near the river's mouth be excepted. Rut what was true two hundred years ago may not have been always true ; and besides, although there may not have been settlements here, it does not follow that the valley was totally unoccupied. The Indians not only claimed it ; they roamed over it as a well tried hunting ground. The lands in the upper part of the valley were especially attractive in this respect ; and it is said that in the section which is now known as Litchfield, " many of the hills were nearly cleared of trees by fires" which Indian hunters had kindled. It is to the traces of Indian occupancy in the territory thus described, that attention is directed, in order to a better knowl- edge of the clans that dwelt in and around Derby, from just before the settlement of the English to the final disappearance of the natives from this territory. These traces might be pur- sued in the light of three sources of information : the land rec- ords, the traditions and place names, and the Indian relics dis- covered—the arrow heads, spear heads and knives, the larger ground-stone implements and the soapstone dishes ; but the first of these (the land records) will afford the largest source of information in this brief account of the departing footsteps of the Red man. The primitive condition of things in the Naugatuck valley continued until the hiiddle of the seventeenth century. Pre- vious to this date, however, a number of settlements had been made within the territorial area now embraced in Connecticut. It was in 1635 that parties of emigrants from the neighborhood of Boston pursued their way through the wilderness to the Connecticut river, and settled at Wethersfield, Windsor and Hartford. After the Indian war of 1637, those who pursued the fleeing Pequots toward the west saw for the first time the lands on Long Island Sound lying westward of the mouth of the Connecticut. Their value soon became known, and in 1638 a colony went from Boston and established its head-quarters on New Haven bay. One of the three New Haven companies went still further west and settled at Milford in 1639. In the same year lands were purchased at Stratford, and a settlement was begun, but by a different company of emigrants. All these XXll INDIAN HISTORY. plantations were upon the sea coast, or on navigable waters ; but in 1640 some of the Hartford settlers, attracted by the meadow lands of the Farmington river, removed westward and established a settlement at Farmington. Now, how were the aboriginal inhabitants situated at the time when these settlements were made, that is, from 1635 ^^ 1640, and for some years afterward ? It must be remembered that they all alike belonged to the great Algonkin stock — a division of the Indian race which at the Discovery extended along the Atlantic coast all the way from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Peedee river. Of this extensive family, the most important branch were the Dela- wares. The Abnakis, far to the north-east, were also important. But in N'ew England the native population was broken up into numerous petty tribes, speaking divergent dialects of the one stock language. On the western bank of the Connecticut, an Algonkin people is found extending for some distance up and down the river, constituting a group of tribes, or a confed- eracy, ruled by a sachem named Sequassen. The precise nat- ure of the bond which held them together it is impossible to ascertain ; but it is certain that when the English first came among them Sequassen claimed jurisdiction over territory occu- pied by other chiefs, and sold land to the magistrates of Hart- ford, extending as far west as the country of the Mohawks. His dominion embraced therefore the tribes of the Farmington river, some of whom had their principal seat at Poquonnock, five or six miles from its mouth, and others at the bend in the river, eight or ten miles west of the Connecticut, where Farm- ington was afterwards settled. The first Poquonnock chief known to the P^nglish was named Sehat. He was succeeded by one whose name is familiar to Watcrbury people under the form of Nosahogan, but whose true name was Nassahegon or Nesaheagun. The Indians of F'armington are known as the Tunxis tribe. They had a camping ground also at Simsbury, and claimed all the territory west of that place as far as the Ousatonic river. They are spoken of by Mr. J. W. Barber in his "Historical Col- lections," as a numerous and warlike tribe ; but Mr. J. W. De- Forest, in his " History of the Indians of Connecticut," esti- THE PAlTCiASUCKS AND POOTATUCKS. XXUl mates their number at " eighty to one hundred warriors, or about four hundred individuals." Whatever other chiefs they may have had, the autliority of Nassahegon seems to have been recognized, and also the necessity of securing his consent in the disposal of lands. If now attention is directed from the centre of the state to the shore of the Sound, the country of the Quiripi (or Long Water) Indians comes into view, — a people known around New Haven harbor as Ouinnipiacs. They claimed the land for many miles to the north, and the north-west corner of their territory may be considered as lying within the bounds.of the Naugatuck val- ley. To the west of these on the coast we enter the country of the Paugasucks. The tribe was a large one, occupying a consid- erable territory on both sides of the Ousatonic. It extended in fact from the West river, which separates New Haven from Orange — or at any rate, from Oyster river, which separates Orange from Milford — all the way to Fairfield. On the west of the Ousatonic they claimed all the territory now comprised in the towns of Stratford, Bridgeport, Trumbull, Huntington and Monroe; and on the east side, as far north as Beacon Hill brook, and, as we shall see, still further, overlapping the hunting grounds of the Tunxis. This large tribe was under the domin- ion of the well known sachem Ansantaway, whose " big wig- wam " is said to have been on Charles Island. Outside of Milford, his son, Towetanomow, seems to have held the reins of power, as he signs the deeds as sachem at Stratford and Derby until his death, about 1676' ; and after this a younger son, Ockenunge (spelled also Ackenach), signed the deeds in Derby some years, beginning in 1665. About this time Ansantaway removed from Milford with^most of his Milford tribe, to Turkey Hill, (a little south of the Narrows on the east side of the Ousa- tonic, just below the mouth of the Two-mile brook), where he soon after died, and where some of his people remained about one hundred and forty years. Molly Hatchett and her children were the last of the tribe there. If at this time there were any of the Weepavvaug Indians remaining east of the Ousatonic, they were, probably, absorbed in this settlement at Turkey Hill. This was a strip of land 1 Lambert, 131. XXIV INDIAN HISTORY. between Milford and Derby plantations, bought by Alexander Bryan, and turned over to the town of Milford, containing about one hundred acres. It was set apart by that town as the home of the Milford Indians, and to it they removed some time before the death of Ansantaway ; for in one of the deeds, that chief is named as residing in Derby. It was so near Derby that he is spoken of as belonging there, but it remained under the care of Milford until after the Revolution, when, Lambert says, " This land was lastly under the care of an overseer appointed by the county court." As early as 1671 Chushumack (also spelled Cashushamack) signed deeds as sachem at Stratford, and a little later at Poota- tuck, opposite Birmingham Point, west of the Ousatonic river. In 1673 there was here a fort, which must have been .standing some years before the English first came to Derby, and proba- bly before they came to Milford. Not long after this, these same Pootatucks built a fort about a mile further north, on what is now known as P'ort Hill, on the same side of the river. They are said to have built it for the purpose of keeping the English from ascending the Ousatonic, and therefore it must have been a new fort. It was after this fort was built, and probably about the time when the title was confirmed by several Indians, in 1684, to the town of Stratford, that the Pootatucks collected higher up the river, and established the Pootatuck village at the mouth of the Pomperaug, where they continued many years on land reserved by them in their sales to the Woodbury people. They may have been moving up the the river gradually for some years, but about that time they seem to have been collected at that place in considerable num- bers, and many remained there until the removal to Kent. One of the chief seats of the Paugasucks was at the " Great Neck," between the Ousatonic and the Naugatuck, in the vicin- ity of what is now called Baldwin's Corners. Here they had a fort, mentioned several times in the records as the Old Indian Fort, which was, very probably, built before the English came to the place. There was a large field at this place, frequently called the Indian field, which contained about sixty acres, and was once sold for that number. The Indians of this locality established a fort on the east bank of the Ousatonic, nearly half WESQUANTOOK. XXV a mile above the present dam, which, like that on the opposite side, was built to keep the English from sailing up the river, and which is referred to several times in the records as the New Indian Fort. The Indians of the Neck collected about this fort along the river bank for some years and then removed to Wesquantook", where a good many were living in 1710, and from which place they removed, some to Kent, some to the Falls, afterwards Chusetown, and some to Litchfield and per- haps as far north as Woodstock, in Massachusetts. Wesquan- toock seems to have been the last residence of the Sachem Cockapatana, if he did not remove to some distant place. It is a curious fact, possibly connected with the fate of this chief, that some years ago (that is, within the memory of per- sons now living), there resided in Goshen or in Torrington a white man who was habitually called "Old Kunkerpot." The nickname was given to him because he reported that while en- gaged in some war he had killed an Indian by the name of Kunkerpot. Cockapatana was sometimes called Konkapot, as an abbreviation of his real name. Most of the Indians had nicknames as well as their white neighbors. It is said, how- ever, that this Cockapatana died in 1 731, and if so, he could not have been killed by a man living more than a hundred years later. But it is quite possible, that some of Cockapatana's sons removed to Stockbridge, and that one of them may have borne the same name, for the name is found there. The name Paugasuck seems to have included at a certain time all the minor families of the Indians who descended from the Milford tribe, but it was afterwards used to designate those only who resided on Birmingham Neck, and their descendants. After the death of Ansantaway the proprietorship of the lands inhered definitely in the two tribes, the Pootatucks and Pauga- sucks ; the lands of the former extending on the west and south of the Ousatonic, and those of the latter east and north of the same river ; yet they signed deeds, as is said in one case, " inter- changeably." The Pootatuck chief signed two deeds to the Derby people, one of quite a large tract of land above the Neck. How the Pootatucks came into possession of the lands sold to '^Wesquantook was the original FtKlian name, not Squntook. D XXVI INDIAN HISTORY. the Woodbury settlers is not known, but conjecture is not se- verely taxed to answer the query. There are about forty In- dian names given in the "History of Woodbury" as names of Pootatuck Indians, which are found on deeds given by the Pau- gasuck tribe to the Derby settlers, and some of these names are on quite a number of deeds. Again, the Paugasuck Indians (several of them) signed a quit-claim deed to Milford lands, near the Sound, nearly or more than forty years after these lands were first sold. Another thing seems quite clear : that the Paugasucks, at least, divided the territory among themselves, after the English began to buy ; so that different parties sign the deeds of different tracts of land. Sometimes the sachem signs the deed ; at other times it is signed by others, but the deed says, the land is sold "with full consent of our sachem," but by the "rightful owners." As in Stratford, two sales covering the same territory that was at first deeded to that plantation are recorded, (sales for which payment was made,) some thirty years after the first pur- chase, so in Derby, several pieces of land were sold and deeded three or four times; and had the Indians not removed it is doubtful whether the time would ever have come when the whites would have been done paying for the right of the soil. A careful perusal of the Indian deeds will reveal the masterly ability of the Red man to sell land over and over, without ever buying it, and the wonderful depth of the white man's purse to pay for Indian lands. The land on Birmingham Point and some of that above Birmingham, along the Ousatonic, was deeded four times by the Indians, and each time for a consideration, except once, when that at the Point was given to Lieut. Thomas Wheeler ; and this was probably done so as to sell other lands on the Neck. The prices paid at first were, apparently, every dollar and cent and button and bead that the land was worth, or that they were able to pay. The Indians urged the sale of their lands, and the English bought as fast as, and faster than they could pay for it. In the case of Camp's Mortgage Pur- chase, they hired the money of Merchant Nicholas Camp of Milford to pay for it, and gave a mortgage as security, which mortgage was finally paid, after a number of years, by a town tax, at the rate of four pounds a year. STRATFORD INDIAN DEEDS. XXvii The following items taken from the Stratford records confirm the foregoing statements : " May 26, 1663. An agreement of friendship and loving correspon- dence agreed upon between us and the town of Stratford. — We will no more plant on the south side of the great river Pugusett, to prevent a ground of future variance between us in order to any damage that might be done to corn. And also do hereby engage that we will not either directly or indirectly sell, bargain, alienate or make over lands or any part of our land at Paugasett or thereabouts, with privileges thereon adjoining to any other English resident in any part of the country except Stratford. Okenunge, his mark. Nompunck, hi.s mark. Nansantawav, his mark. Jemiogu, his mark. Amantanegu, his mark. Ahuntaway, his mark. Munsuck, his mark. Ronuckous, his mark. Asynetmogu, his mark. Four of these are leading names attached to Derby deeds during thirty or forty years afterwards. A deed of land lying on the west of land already deeded to Stratford was given April 22, 1665, signed by Okenonge, and witnessed by Ansantaway and Chipps. An agreement to deed lands in Stratford was made May 17, 1 67 1, and signed by Musquatt, Nesumpau and Robin Cassasin- namin. And another was signed a week later by : Musquatt, Takymo, Nisumpaw, Sucksquo, Sasapiquan, Ponseck, Shoron, Totoquan. CHAPTER IT. ETHNOGRAPHIC HISTORY. HE settlement of the Naugatuck valley must be consid- ered in what may be called its ethnographical rela- tions, in order to bring to view the significance and bearings of the various purchases made by the first settlers. The valley was claimed by the Paugasetts^ on the south, the Pootatucks on the west and the Tunxis Indians on the east. With one or other of these tribes the white men had to deal, and in Watcrbury the settlers found it expedient to purchase the same lands from different tribes, without attempt- ins: to decide between their rival claims. Considering the Naugatuck valley as ending where that river enters the Ousatonic, the first sale of land in the valley made by the Indians was previous to 1646, and was probably the land on which Mr. Wakeman's men were employed in 1642 ; which was on what is now Birmingham Point. The then governor of New Haven is authority for the statement that this land was purchased of the Indians,'' but no deed has been seen of that sale. The next purchase was made in 1653, by Mr. Goodyear' and others. It consisted of a tract of land at Paugassett, which was sold to Richard Baldwin and nine other men of Milford, in the spring of 1654, and a settlement was made at that time, of three or four families. All this land lay east of the Nauga- tuck, but no deed is found of this sale of it ; the fact, however, is recorded on Derby books. The next year, in the spring, the settlers petitioned the General Court of New Haven to be made into a separate plantation, which was granted and the name of the place called Paugassett, but in the next autumn, in conse- quence of the strong opposition of Milford, the decree of the court was informally revoked. ^This name was written for many years Paugasuck by the best spellers, but after- wards the name Paugasett became more familiar and it has been mostly used in pub- lic prints. *Ncw Haven Col. Rec. I. 265. 3Ibid. 156. VARIOUS INDIAN DEEDS. Xxix In May, 1657, >a deed of land on what is now Birmingham Point, was given to Lieut. Thomas Wheeler of Stratford, if he would settle upon it, which he did, and remained there until 1664. This deed was signed by Towtanemow, Raskenute and others. In 1665, after the death of Towtanemow, his brother Okenuck (or Ockenunge) confirmed the Goodyear purchase east of the Naugatuck and this land was given to Mr. Wheeler ; making the western boundary of Paugassett on the Great river (Ousatonic) instead of the Naugatuck as at first. From this time forward the Paugasuck Indians sold lands piece by piece, northward, to the Derby people, until the town bounds reached Waterbury and Woodbury on the north ; and some twenty-five or more deeds were recorded, with one hundred or more differ- ent Indian names attached thereto ; the last deed (except of reservations) being given in 171 1. The names recorded as sachems or sagamores, are Ansantaway, Towtanemow, Ocke- nuck, Atterosse, Ahuntaway, Nanawaug, Cockapatana of the Paugassucks and Chushumack of the Pootatucks. The W^oodbury lands were purchased in the same way by pieces, only fewer in number ; and of the forty-five names of Indians attached to those deeds as given in the Woodbury his- tory, one-half are names found on Derby deeds, but the former deeds are later in date and indicate that some of the Derby Indians had removed and joined the Pootatucks, or else that they signed the Woodbury deeds in behalf of the Paugasucks. The same year that Lieutenant Wheeler received his deed of land on Birmingham Point (1657), a transfer of land took place in the upper part of the valley, which found record in a curious deed preserved in the town records of Farmington. Two of the Farmington settlers, Stanley and Andrews by name, in their excursions to the west had discovered somewhere a de- posit of plumbago or something which they mistook for that valuable mineral. Their discovery attracted some attention, and doubtless led to the purchase just referred to. The deed was made on the eighth of P'ebruary, (O. S.) by Kepaquamp, Querrimus and Mataneage and the land was sold to William Lewis and Samuel Steele. The document is as follows : "This witnesseth that we, Kepaquamp and Querrimus and Mata- neage, have sold to William Lewis and Samuel Steele of Farmington, XXX INDIAN HISTORY. a parcel or tract of land called Matecacoke, that is^o say, the hill from whence John Stanley and John Andrews brought the black-lead, and all the land within eight miles of that hill on every side, — to dig and carry away what they will, and to build on it for the use of them that labor there, and not otherwise to improve the land. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands ; and these Indians above mentioned must free the purchasers from all claims by any other Indians." This piece of territory, sixteen miles in diameter, was pur- chased by Lewis and Steele in behalf of themselves and a com- pany composed of other inhabitants of Farmington. For what " consideration " it was disposed of is not known. " Precisely where the hill referred to was situated " says Mr. George C. Woodruff in his " History of the Town of Litchfield," " I have been unable to discover ; but from the subsequent claims of the grantees, from tradition and from the deed itself, it would seem that it was in the southern part of Harwinton." The name of Mattatuck still survives in that part of the valley. From a supplementary deed given some years afterwards, it appears that " a considerable part " of this tract was comprised within the bounds of ancient Woodbury ; but the Waterbury planters, as will be seen, paid no regard to this early transac- tion, nor do they seem to have been any way hampered by it. The deed to Lewis and Steele was made, as has been ob- served, in 1657. At that date, Farmington had been settled seventeen years and the forests to the westward had become familiar ground to the Farmington hunters. From year to year they continued their excursions, and in course of time the Nau- gatuck river became well known to them. Their attention was particularly attracted to the so-called "interval lands" which now constitute the meadows of Waterbury. For obvious rea- sons, such lands were specially valuable in a forest-clad region. Their discovery was duly reported and was enough to arouse the spirit of enterprise. A committee was sent to examine the place and their report being favorable the Farmington people petitioned the General Court for permission to make a settle- ment, "at a place called by the Indians Matitacoocke. This was in 1673, nineteen years after the first settlers took up their residence at Derby. After due investigation the petition was granted and a committee of prominent men of the Colony was WATERBURV LANDS. Wxi appointed " to regulate and order the settling of a plantation at Mattatuck." One of their first duties was to procure the extinguishment of any title to the land on the part of the na- tive proprietors, which they did by honest purchase. A copy of the deed given to this committee by the Indians is pre- served in the land records of Waterbury/ and is dated Au- gust 26, 1674. The consideration was "thirty pounds in hand received and divers good causes thereunto us moving," in re- turn for which the purchasers received a " parcel of land at Mattatuck, situate on each side of the Mattatuck river, hav- ing the following dimensions and boundaries : Ten miles in length north and south and si.\ miles in breadth: abutting upon the bounds of Farmington on the east, upon Paugassett on the south, upon Paugassett, Pootatuck and Pomperaug on the west and upon the open wilderness " on the north. It was to this purchase the first settlers came in 1674, and again, after a serious interruption, in 1677. The dimensions of the town remained as indicated until 1684, when they were greatly ex- tended by the purchase from the native proprietors of a large piece of territory on the north. This territory was bounded on the south by the former grant, or, more definitely, by an east and west line running through Mount Taylor, the precip- itous rock which overhangs the river not far above Waterville. From this line it extended northward into the wilderness, eight miles. It was bounded on the east by Farmington and on the west by a north and south line which if extended southward would run " four score rods from the easternmost part of Ouas- sapaug pond." By this purchase, which cost the proprietors nine pounds, the area of the town was nearly doubled. But it seems to have become necessary at the same time, to buy again from the natives the tract already bought by the com- mittee of the General Court of 1674. The original owners may have claimed that they did not comprehend the significance of their act and were not adequately paid ; but for whatever rea- son Messrs. Judd and Stanley, on the second of December, 1684, purchased again the land lying between Mount Taylor on the north and Beacon Hill brook on the south, extending *Vol. Ti. XXXU INDIAN HISTORV. eastward to Farmington bounds and westward three miles to- ward Woodbury. The amount paid, this time, was nine pounds. These deeds have been examined carefully, to obtain if possi- ble some items of knowledge concerning the aboriginal own- ers, who are described in one of the deeds as " Indians now belong- ing to P'armington." The earliest deed (that of 1674) contains the names of fourteen Indians, eleven of whom (if the copy has been correctly made) affixed to it their mark. The first name is that of Nesaheagon, the sachem at Poquonnock, whose juris- diction has already been described. The occurrence of his signature here indicates what position he held in relation to the Tunxis tribe. The second name is John Compound, which if not of English origin has been forced into a strange resemblance to English. He has been handed down to immor- tality as the original proprietor of Compound's (Compounce) pond. The third name is Oueramoush, which has already been met with, in the deed of 1657 ; for it was Ouerrimus with two other Indians, who deeded to Lewis and Steele the land around the "hill where John Stanley found the black-lead." The other names in the order in which they occur are as fol- lows : Spinning Squaw, Taphow, Chery, Aupkt, Caranchaquo, Patucko, Atumtako, James, Uncowate, Nenapush Squaw and Alwaush. To those who hear them, these names are a mean- ingless jargon ; but it is pleasant to think that originally every one of them meant something and that some of the meanings may have been beautiful. In studying them upon the time- stained pages where they are preserved, one or two points of interest have been discovered. One of the prominent names in the list is Patucko, who will be referred to again. Next to this follows Atumtucko. A relation between the two was sus- pected and this was afterward confirmed by finding in another deed that Patucko's squaw was Atumtucko's mother. In sign- ing this first deed Patucko first promises for James, and then for himself; whence it may safely be inferred that between Patucko and James, who seems to have been well known by his English name, there was some kind of family relationshi]). It is possible that Caranchaquo may have been a member of the same family. Between this first deed and that by which the northern half INDIAN CLAIMANTS. XXXIU of the town was disposed of, nearly ten years had elapsed, so that it would hardly be expected to find precisely the same sig- natures attached to both, even if Indian society had been more stable than it was. In the second deed Patucko's name stands first and Atumtucko's second ; then Taphow, then Wawowus. This fourth name sounds like a new one, but making due al- lowance for inaccurate hearing and spelling on the part of the early scribes, it may be easily identified with Alwaush in the former list. The rest of the signers are new ; Judas (another English name), Mantow, Momantow's squaw, Mercy (Sepuses's squaw) and Quatowquechuck, who is described as Taphow's son. Between this second deed and the third, by which the south- ern half of the town was sold the second time to the settlers, a few months only elapsed, but the names for the most part are different. Patucko has disappeared, but we have in his stead Patucko's squaw, who is here described as Atumtucko's mother. John a-Compound appears again, and Warm Compound appears, who is described as Nesaheag's son. This fact suggests that John a-Compound, whose name stands next to Nesaheagon's in the first deed, may have been an elder son of the same chief. Spinning Squaw also appears and Aupkt under the form of Abuckt ; and besides these there is Mantow, who signed not the first deed, but the second. In addition the following appear : Hachetowsock (and squaw), Sebockett, the sisters of Cocoesen, whoever he may be, and a daughter of one of them. It is prob- able that Cocoesen's sisters were the daughters of James ; ap- parently the same James for whom Patucko promised in the first deed. As one of them was Patucko's squaw and Atumtucko's mother, a connection between the two families is established ; a connection which becomes specially interesting when it is known who James was. But, as already indicated, the Tunxis Indians were not the only claimants. The Paugasucks on the south roamed over the same hunting grounds, and apparently considered their right to them as valid as that of their neighbors on the east. Messrs. Judd and Stanley, without inquiring particularly into the jus- tice of the claim, deemed it expedient to extinguish it by pur- chase. A deed was accordingly drawn, dated February 28, XXXIV INDIAN HISTORY. 1685, and signed by sixteen Paugasuck Indians, by which in consideration of " six pound in hand received " twenty parcels of land, named and described in the deed, all of them appar- ently embraced in the first and third purchases fi'om the Farm- ington Indians, were conveyed to the settlers of Mattatuck. The deed which is contained in the volume of land records already referred to, is peculiarly interesting because the twenty parcels of land are designated each by its Indian name.^ Nine of these were on the east side of the river, the others on the west side. The grantors were sixteen in number. Prominent in the list is the name of Conquepatana, [Konkapatanauh] who signs himself sagamore, the same already spoken of as sa- chem at the mouth of the river until 1731, when he died. In the body of the deed, however, his name is preceded by that of Awowas. Already among the signers of the second deed an Awowas has appeared, apparently identical with Alwaush, who signed the first. It might naturally be supposed that the name occurring among the Paugasucks designated a different per- son, but there are facts which establish a connection between ^Twenty parcels of land, by their names distinguished as follows : Wecobemeus, that land upon the brook, or small river that comes through the straight [Straitsville] northward of Lebanon and runs into Naugatuck river at the south end of Mattatuck bounds, called by the English Beacon Hill brook ; and Pac- awackuck, or Agawacomuck, and Watapeck, Pacaquarock, Mequuhattacke, Mus quauke, Mamusqunke, Squapma sutte, Wachu, " which nine parcels of land lie on the east side of Naugatuck river southward from Mattatuck town, which comprises all the land below, betwixt the forementioned river, Beacon Hill brook and the hither end of Judd's meadows, called by the name Sqontk, and from Naugatuck river eastward to Wallingford and New Haven bounds, with all the lowlands upon the two brooks forementioned. And eleven parcels on the west side ; the first parcel called, Suracasko ; the rest as follows : Petowtucki, Wequarunsh, Capage, Cocumpasuck, Mcgenhuttack, Pa- nooctan, Mattuckhott, Cocacoko, Gawuskesucko, Towantuck, [the only name that has survived] and half the cedar swamp, with the land adjacent from it eastward ; which land lies southward of Quasapaug pond ; we say to run an east line from there to Naugatuck river; all which parcels of land forementioned lying southward from the said line, and extend or are comprised within the butments following : from the forementioned swamp a straight line to be run to the middle of Towantuck pond or the cedar swamp, a south line which is the west bounds toward Woodbury, and an east line from Towantuck pond, to be the butment south and Naugatuck river the east butment, till we come to Achetaqupag or Maruscopag, and then to butt upon the east side of the river upon the forementioned lands, — these parcels of land lying and being within the township of Mattatuck, bounded as aforesaid, situate on each side of Naugatuck and Mattatuck rivers." WESTERN LANDS. XXXV the two tribes. For among the signers of this Paugassett deed there is found the name Cocoesen and not only so, but Co- coesen's sisters also, who signed the third deed given by the Tunxis tribe. Their names are Wechamunk and Werumcaske, and in the Tunxis deed they are described as the daughters of James. In the deed given to Lieutenant Wheeler at Paugassett, in 1657, there is the name Pagasett James. It is almost impos- sible to avoid the conclusion that Cocoesen was his son and Co- coesen's sisters his daughters, that one of these was Patucko's squaw, that a connection by marriage between the two tribes was thus established, and that this relationship was recognized in the various sales of land. Besides the names thus far mentioned there are the following : Curan, Cocapadous (Konkapot-oos, perhaps Little Konkapot), Tataracum, Cacasahum, Wenunta- cum, Arumpiske, described as Curan's squaw, and Notanumke, Curan's sister. To this instrument the following note is attached : " Milford February, 1684 (o. s.). Awovvas, the Indian proprietor, appeared at my house and owned this deed above mentioned to be his act, and that he has signed and sealed to it. Robert Treat governor." On the i8th of April Conquepatana made a similar acknowledgment of the deed before the governor, " and said he knew what was in it." Several years afterward (June 28, 171 1,) the same sagamore and "Tom Indian," his son, for twenty-five shillings, deeded to the proprietors of Waterbury " a small piece of land," north of Derby bounds, west of the Naugatuck river, and south of Toantuck brook. The original owners of all the land in the Naugatuck valley have thus far been traced, except of what lies in Ilarwinton and Litchfield. This territory has a history of its own. On Janu- ary 25, 1687, the General Court of Connecticut, for the pur- pose of saving the so-called " western lands " from the grasp of Sir Edmund Andros, conveyed to the towns of Hartford and Windsor as follows : " Those lands on the north of Woodbury and Mattatuck, and on the west of Farmington and Simsbury, to the Massachusetts line north, and to run west to the Housa- tunock or Stratford river."^ As has already been seen, a por- tion of this territory, sixteen miles in diameter, had been con- ^Conn. Col. Rec. 3, 225. XXXVl INDIAN HISTORY. veyed in 1657 to William Lewis and Samuel Steele of Farming- ton. The General Court, in its action in 1686, paid no regard to this old conveyance, and on the other hand the Farmington company, represented by Steele and Lewis, insisted on their claim. On the eleventh of August, 17 14, they obtained from the successors of the original grantors a deed by which the title to this whole tract was conveyed, " in consideration of the sum of eight pounds received from Lieut. John Stanley about the year 1687, and other gratuities lately received," to Stanley, Lewis, Ebenezer Steele and their associates and successors. To Lieut. Stanley, in especial, fifty acres were laid out and confirmed, near the hill where he found the black lead, " and fifty acres more where he shall see cause to take it up, or his heirs." This deed was signed by Pethuzo and Toxcronuck, who claimed to be the successors of Kepaquamp, Querrimus and Mattaneag, and in the following October it was signed by Taphow the younger and his squaw, by Awowas, whose name (written also in this same deed Wowowis) has been previously noticed, and Petasas, a female grandchild, probably of Awowas. By the action of the General Court, the title to all this land had been vested in the towns of Hartford and Windsor, and these towns therefore claimed the exclusive right to purchase the Indian title and to survey and sell the lands^. In the final settlement of the mat- ter, however, the claim of the Farmington company was to some extent recognized. In 1718 they received from the two towns a grant of one-sixth of the township of Litchfield, in considera- tion of their making over to said towns their interest in the disputed territory. The management of these western lands was intrusted to a joint committee appointed by the towns. In 1715 this commit- tee entered upon an exploration of the region lying west of the Naugatuck river, and appointed as their agent Mr. John Marsh, 'These lands were claimed by Connecticut under its then existing charter, and fearing lest Andros might wrest them from the state and sell them to others, or an- other colony, the General Court gave them to the towns of Hartford and Windsor, to hold until the danger should be past, with the private understanding that the lands should revert to the state as soon as the danger should be past. When the danger was past these towns would not surrender the lands, but claimed them as their property. It was one of the clearest cases of betrayal of trust that ever oc- curred in the settlement of the country, and will be a lasting disgrace to the actors. LAND IN LITCHFIELD. XXXVli one of their number, who in May of that year undertook what was then a perilous journey into a pathless wilderness. When the committee had concluded to commence a settlement they proceeded to purchase the Indian title to the lands. But they did not recognize any claim to these lands on the part of the Tunxis tribe, but applied instead to the Pootatucks, from whom the settlers of Woodbury had made their various purchases, who had their chief village, at that time, it will be remembered, on the Ousatonic at the mouth of the Pomperaug. Mr. Thomas Seymour, a member of the joint committee of the towns, vis- ited Woodbury in Januar}^ 1716, and again in May, and ob- tained the necessary deed. " In consideration of the sum of fifteen pounds money in hand received," the Pootatucks sold a tract of land lying north of the Waterbury and Woodbury lim- its, bounded on the east by the Naugatuck river, on the west by the Shepaug and its east branch, and on the north by a line run- ning from the north end of Shepaug pond easterly to the Nau- gatuck. It comprised nearly 45,000 acres. This deed, dated March 2, 1716, was signed by twelve Indians and witnessed by three others. The witnesses were Weroamaug (whose name is familiar to many as connected with a beautiful lake in New Preston and Warren), Wagnacug and Tonhocks. Among the names of the signers appears the name Corkscrew, which has a very civilized sound. It was originally Coksure or Cotsure. The other names as given in " Woodruff's History " are as fol- lows : Chusquunoag, Ouiump, Magnash, Kehow, Sepunkum, Poni, Wonposet, Suckquunockqueen, Tawseume, Mansumpansh, and Norkquotonckquy. Comparing these names with the names attached to the Woodbury purchase of May 28, 1706, it appears that although that deed precedes this by ten years, yet several of the names are the same in both. Chusquunoag appears in the earlier deeds as Chesquaneag (or Cheshconeag of Paugas- sett) ; Magnash is evidently an error of the copyist for Ma- quash^ (or Mawquash of Paugassett) ; Kehow appears as Kchorc, Sepunkum as Wusebucome, Suckquunockqueen as Wussocka- nunckqueen, and in a still earlier deed, Corkscrew as Cotsure. It appears that Ouiump, under the form of Aquiomp, was also ^Mauquash, the last sachem of the Pootatucks, died about 175S. Wooodbury Hist. XXXVlll INDIAN HISTORY. the name of the sachem of the Pootatucks in 1661 at Pom- peraug. As that was fifty-five years before this, it was proba- bly not the same person, although possibly a relative. Such identifications as these are of but little account to the world to-day, but to the explorer of ancient records, preparing the way for the more stately historian, they are as interesting and perhaps as valuable as the discoveries of the modern genealo- gist or the devotee of heraldry. It thus appears that the aboriginal ownership of the Nauga- tuck valley was divided among three quite distinct tribes, and that the claims of these tribes were recognized by the early set- tlers. It would be interesting to consider the nature of this primitive proprietorship, for it has decided bearings upon the great modern question of the origin of property, and the signifi- cance of that " institution," in the history of civilization. It was said by Sir Edmund Andros that Indian deeds were " no better than the scratch of a bear's paw," and there are those at the present day who for different reasons from those which shaped the opinion of Andros, would deny that the aboriginal ownership of the soil was of any account whatever. Because their system was a kind of communism, their rights amount to nothing in the eyes of these modern thinkers. The early set- tlers, however, either from a sense of justice or out of regard to expediency, and possibly somewhat of both, made it a rule to extinguish the titles of the natives by actual purchase ; and now, in their recorded deeds with the signatures, is treasured up a large part of the only history the world will ever have of the Red man of the forest. And when the value of the money of that day is considered, the unimproved condition of the lands and the fact that in almost all cases the grantors reserved either large sections as hunting grounds, or else the right to hunt every- where, as before the sale, it can hardly be said that the Indians were dealt with unfairly. The late Chief-Justice Church of Litchfield, in his centennial address in 185 1, commented severely upon the action of the early settlers in this respect, but he seems to have looked at the subject in an unjudicial way. The other side is strongly presented in Dr. Bronson's " History of Waterbury^. "Hist., pp. 64-65. THE LAST VISIT. XXxix The Indian usually reserved, or supposed that he reserved, the "right to hunt and fish everywhere, the same as before the lands were sold. In most of the towns he remained harmless and unmolested in the neighborhood of the settlements, from generation to generation. The relations of the aboriginal in- habitants to the whites are well illustrated in the statements of an aged citizen of Farmington, who died within the present century, and who was born about 1730, "that within his recol- lection the Indian children in the district schools were not much fewer than those of the whites. In their snow-balling parties the former used to take one side and the latter the other, when they would be so equally balanced in numbers and prowess as to render the battle a very tough one and the result doubtful." But however good the intentions of the white man may have been, the transformation of the wilderness into a fruitful field must go steadily on, and the red man must inevitably fall back, seeking new hunting grounds. For example, the Paugasucks of the sea-coast removed inland, as we have seen, and made their principal seat at the lower end of the Naugatuck valley, which thus became practically a new settlement, which was their head- quarters from before the English settlement until after King Philip's war, or about 1680, when they began to collect at Wesquantuck and to join the Pootatucks at Pomperaug. After the death of their sachem, Konkapatana, who resided either at Wesquantuck or at the Falls (Chusetown,) but almost certainly at the former place, the " nation " broke up, and as such be- came extinct, except those who remained at Chusetown. " Some joined the Pootatucks," it is said. Quite a large num- ber must have done so, since nearly half the names given in the "History of Woodbury" as being Pootatucks are Paugas- uck Indians and signers of the Derby deeds. Those who col- lected at the Falls were there earlier as well as in larger num- bers than has usually been supposed. " Some went to the coun- try of the six nations." This is quite probable. " In the spring of 1831 a company of Indians, consisting of about thirty, men, women and children, from the shores of Lake Champlain came to the Point [Milford] and encamped for a number of days, per- haps fifteen. They were led by an old patriarch or chieftain of ' eighty winters,' whom they appeared to obey and reverence. xl INDIAN HISTORY. They conversed in the Indian tongue, and some of them knew but little of English. They had a tradition that some of their ancestors lived at Poconoc Point, and said they had come for the last time to the hunting ground of their fathers.""* These were no doubt descendants of the Paugasuck tribe, whose an- cestors had removed from Milford to Turkey Hill, Paugassett, Pootatuck or Newtown, and who went back yearly to Milford to catch and dry oysters, " spending the summer at a watering place." Again, " some emigrated to Scatacook," but this was some years after the decease of Cockapatana. At Turkey Hill a few remained, their number growing less year by year until about 1830, when Molly Hatchett only was left; but ere long she passed on to the far away hunting land of the Indian. There are indications, indeed it is very probable, that some of these Indians removed to Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The last deed of Derby lands that Cockapatana signed was in 17 10. but his son, Waskawakes {alias Tom), seems to have signed a deed, given by the Pootatuck Indians, in 1706, indicating his active part in the business transactions of that tribe. In 1724 the Stockbridge Indians gave a deed of land to the white men which was signed by Konkapot and twenty other Indians. In 1734 Konkapot received a captain's commission from the Massachusetts government; in 1735 he was baptized in the Christian faith, and he died previous to 1770, one of the first fruits of the Housatonic Mission, of which the Rev. Sam- uel Hopkins, born in Watcrbury, was the founder. Konkapot's name became celebrated through the northern part of Litchfield county, and is perpetuated, after a fashion, in connection with one of the streams of Stockbridge, which was originally called Konkapot's brook. It was afterwards known as Konk's brook, and latterly has been degraded to Skunk's brook. i°Lambert, p. 130. CHAPTER III. CHUSE AND THE LAST FAMILIES. CATACOOK in Kent became one of the largest In- dian settlements in the state. It was composed of wanderers who retreated be- fore the advancing colonists, and was founded by Gid- eon Mauwee' (or Mawvvee), who was a resident for a time in or near Derby, and was the father of Joseph Mauwee whose nick- name " Chuse " gave rise to the name Chusetown (now Sey- mour). Considerable has been written about this man ; and most writers have followed what is said of him by Mr. John W. Barber in his " Historical Collections." Mr. Barber says he was a Pequot (or Mohegan) ; but Mr. DeForest says that while "various connections might be traced between the Narragan- setts and the tribes of western Connecticut," "both united in holding the Pequots in abhorrence and seldom bore any other relations to them than those of enemies, or of unwilling sub- jects.'"^ Hence it would have been almost impossible for a Pe- quot to come among the Paugasuck Indians, after the English began to settle here, and become a chief. Chusumack succeeded Tovvtanimo as sachem at Stratford and at Pootatuck, across the river from Derby Landing, and signed a deed as such in 1671. His son, one of several, signed the same deed, and also a grandson. It is barely possible that Chusumack was a Pequot, but not probable. This Chusumack signs three deeds of land conveyed to the Derby settlers, dated respectively 1670, '71 and 'ji, thus indicating ownership with the Paugasucks ; and there are many evidences of this close relation between these tribes. Chusumack may have been the son of Tovvtanimo, but this would make Ansantaway quite aged at his death, which is possible, as he had apparently been chief some years when the English came to Milford. It is worthy of remark that if Joseph Chuse was descended from iSo spelled on Derby records and not Mauwehu. -Hist. Conn. Indians, p. 60. F Xlii INDIAN HISTORY. Chusumack, his nickname could be accounted for as an abbre- viation according to the custom of those days. Another fact must be remembered, that the Indians' land at the Falls lor Chusetovvn) was a 7'escrvation made by Ockenuck in 1678, when the land on both sides of the river at that place was sold to the town. It was reserved in the following words : " Only the said Indians do reserve the fishing place at Naugatuck, and the plain and the hill next the river at the fishing place ; further, the Indians do grant to the inhabitants all the grass and feed and timber on the plain against Rock Rimmon, and do en- gage to sell it to them if they sell it." This reservation com- prised thirty or more acres and belonged to the Paugasuck Indians, and the Pootatucks so far as the latter were inherit- ors with the former. How then could Gideon Mauwee give this land to his son Joseph about 1720, as stated by some writers } He did it only as a chief relinquishes his claim, for it belonged to the Paugasuck tribe. He could surrender his claim as chief, but how did he possess any claim over this land, unless by ancestral right, running back to a time anterior to the date of the reservation.-' And how did Gideon Mauwee become sachem of this land before 1720, when the rightful sachem, Cock- apatana, was living at Wesquantuck until 1731, and his son with him .' Again, Joseph Mauwee is said to have been brought up, or ed- ucated at the home of Agar Tomlinson'' of Derby. But the first man of that name, and quite a spirited business man he was, was first married in 1734, about fourteen years after Joseph was himself married and settled at the Falls, according to report. From this and other facts, it is probable that Joseph Mauwee did not settle at the Falls until a later date. An item in the town records confirms this opinion. It was customary when a man became an inhabitant of the town, to record the mark he was to put, on the ears of his sheep, swine and cattle. The fol- lowing entry has force, for the reason that if Joseph was brought up among the English, which is most probable, he would not have remained thirty-nine years at the Falls before being in possession of animals upon which he would need an ear mark. '* Joseph Mauwee, his ear mark is two halfpennies of the fore »[. W. Barber, 199. INHERITORS OF THE RESERVATION. xliH side of the right ear and a half tenant [tenon] the underside the left ear. June 27, 1759." It is said, however, that his young- est child, Eunice, was born in 1755, and that he had ten children, which would indicate that his marriage took place about 1730. Barber says, " He married a woman of the East Haven tribe." The Seymour history says she was " of the Farmington Indians." The " striking statement " reported to have been made by Eu- nice Mauwee, that she " had seen an old Indian who had seen King Philip," requires only the age of ninety-five in the old Indian, to have made it abundantly possible. It was from this woman that Mr. Barber received most of his information about the In- dians of Derby, as he says,^ and, making some allowances for the memory of an Indian woman seventy-two years of age, the source of information is as reliable as any but actual records, except when it comes to opinions or interpretations, or leg- endary stories, when the stoty is all there is of value.* The story that Chuse's name resulted from the peculiar manner of pronouncing "choose" is not credited by the author of this book. There is no doubt, however, that the story was told to Mr. Barber, as well as several others, which the town records prove to be erroneous. It is more probable that " Chuse " was the abbreviation of a full Indian name, for although among the Indians in early times names were not hereditary, yet later, after much intercourse with the English, the paternal name was used in designating families. Hence, from Moll Hatchett we have Joseph Hatchett and David Hatchett. And we have, as early as 1702, Will Toto, John Toto, Jack Toto. Mr. Barber's account of Chuse and the Indians at the Falls is interesting and worthy of preservation, and is as follows :^ " For a long period after the settlement of this place, it was called Chusetown, so named from Chuse, the last sachem of the Derby Indians, who is said to have derived this name from his manner of pronouncing the word " choose." His proper name was Joe Mau-we-hu; he was the son of Gideon Mauwehu, a Pequot Indian, who was the king or sachem of the Scatacook *Page 200. ^This subject will be further treated of in the history of Chusetown, or Hum- phreysville. ^Hist. Col. 199, 200. Xliy INDIAN HISTORY. tribe of Indians in Kent. It appears that Gideon, previous to his collecting the Indians at Kent, lived in the vicinity of Derby, and wishing to have his son brought up among the white people, sent Joe to Mr. Agar Tomlinson of Derby, with whom he lived during his minority. Chuse preferring to live at Derby, his father gave him a tract of land at the Falls, called the In- dian field. Here he erected his wigwam, about six or eight rods north of where the cotton factory now [1836] stands, on the south border of the flat. It was beautifully situated among the white-oak trees, and faced the south. He married an Indian woman of the East Haven tribe. At the time Chuse removed here there were but one or two white families in the place, who had settled on Indian hill, the bight of land east of the river and south-east of the cotton factory, in the vicinity of the Methodist and Congregational churches. These settlers wishing Chuse for a neighbor, persuaded him to remove to the place where the house of the late Mrs. Phebe Stiles now stands, a few rods north of the Congregational church. When Mr, Whitmore built on the spot, Chuse removed back to the Falls, where a considerable number of the Indians collected and built their w'igwams in a row, a few rods east of the factory on the top of the bank extending to Indian hill. Near the river in the Indian field, was a large Indian burying-ground ; each grave was cov- ered with a small heap of stones. Mr. Stiles, of this place, pur- chased this field about forty-six years since of the Indian pro- prietors, and in ploughing it over destroyed these relics of antiquity. The land on the west side of the river from this place, where the Episcopal church stands was formerly called Shrub Oak. Both the Indians and the whites went to meeting on foot to Derby. Those of the whites who died here, were con- veyed on horse litters to be buried at Derby: these litters were made by having two long poles attached to two horses, one of which was placed before the other ; the ends of the poles were fastened, one on each side of the forward horse, and the other ends were fastened to the horse behind. A space was left be- tween the horses, and the poles at this place were fastened to- gether by cross pieces, and on these was placed whatever was to be carried. Chuse lived at this place forty-eight years, and then removed with most of the Derby Indians to Scatacook, in SHOT BY MISTAKE. xlv Kent, where he died, at the age of about eighty years. He was a large, athletic man and a very spry and active hunter. He had ten children. Eunice, aged seventy-two years, the young- est daughter of Chuse, is still living [1836] at Scatacook and it is from her that most of the particulars respecting Chuse and the Indians are derived. " Chuse and his family were in the habit of going down once a year to Milford ' to salt,' as it was termed. They usually went down in a boat from Derby Narrows ; when they arrived at Milford beach they set up a tent made of the sail of their boat and stayed about a fortnight, living upon oysters and clams. They also collected a considerable quantity of clams, which they broiled, then dried them in the sun and strung them in the same manner as we do apples which are to be dried. Clams cured by this method were formerly quite an article of trafific. " The Indians in the interior used to bring down dried ven- ison, which they exchanged with the Indians who lived on the sea-coast, for their dried clams. Chuse used to kill many deer while watching the wheat fields ; also great numbers of wild turkeys and occasionally a bear. Some of the whites also were great hunters ; the most tamous were Gideon Washborn and Alexander Johnson. Rattlesnakes were formerly very numer- ous about Niumph, near Rock Rimmon, and occasionally have been known to crawl into the houses in the vicinity. About the time of the first settlement at Humphreysville, a white man by the name of Noah Durand, killed an Indian named John Sunk, by mistake. They were hunting deer on opposite sides of the river, Durand on the west side and the Indian on the east ; it was in the dusk of the evening, in the warm season, at the time the deer went into the river to cool themselves. Du- rand perceived something moving among the bushes on the east side and supposing it to be a deer, aimed his gun at the place and fired. Sunk, mortally wounded, immediately cried out, 'You have killed me.' Durand sprang through the river to the assistance of the dying Indian, who begged for water. Durand took his shoe, filled it with water and gave it to Sunk, who, after drinking, immediately died. This took place perhaps twenty or thirty rods south of Humphreysville, just below where Henry Wooster lived. A kind of arbitration was afterward held Xlvi INDIAN HISTORY. upon this case by the white people and the Indians. One of the Indian witnesses remarked that he never knew of deer wearing red stockings before, alluding to the common Indian dress. The Indians, however, appeared satisfied that their countryman was killed by mistake and ever afterwards made Mr. Durand's house their stopping place."^ " Anecdotes are preserved of Chuse, which show that he was somewhat addicted to the use of ardent liquors and considered rum or whisky essentially superior as a beverage to cold water. He used to come when thirsty, to a fine spring bursting from a hollow rock at the foot of the hill and there sit on the bank by the side of the spring and drink the sweet water as it gushed from the rock, and praise it and say that if there was only another spring of rum, flowing by the side of it, he would ask for nothing more, but should Be perfectly happy. " In 1760, he sold an acre and a half of land on the east side of the Falls, including the water privilege, to Thomas Perkins of Enfield, and Ebenezer Keeney, Joseph Hull and John Woos- ter of Derby, who had formed a company for the purpose of put- ting up some iron works. After living at Humphreysville forty-eight years Chuse removed to Scaghticook, where, a few years after, he died at the age of eighty. His land was not dis- posed of until 1792, when it still amounted to thirty-three acres ; and only a part was sold at this time, the rest being sold in I8l2."» On the day-book of the selectmen of Derby are found the following items : " 1809. Abigail Short, credit, by keeping Frederick Fronk, one of the proprietors of the Indian land at Rock Rimmon Falls, and tending him in his illness, $6.^0. By horse and carriage to move Frederick Fronk, one of, etc., $0.67. "Sept. 4, 1809. Isaac Pease, credit, by making a coffin for Frederick P>onk, one of proprietors, etc., $4.50. Abraham Harger, credit, by digging Frederick Fronk's grave, $1.34. Daniel Todd, credit, by tending on Lydia French and Freder- ick Fronk's funeral, $1.00. " 1808. Augustus Bagden, credit, by keeping his mother, Hes- 'Hist. Col. 199, 200. *DeForest's Hist. 406, 407. Town Rec. chuse's removal. xlvii ter, one of the proprietors of the Indian land at Rimmon Falls, Thus did' the town do for the Indians the same as for others under the same circumstances ; and whatever may be said of the treatment rendered to the Indians in America, Derby has paid them for all she ever had of them, over and over and over; living in peace and great friendship with them, caring for them just as for citizens and neighbors, and at last laying them in their last sleeping place as brothers. What more " would ye that men should do unto you .'* " Since preparing the above concerning Chuse, the following items have come under observation : Joseph Mauwee, the sa- chem of Humphreysville, removed to Scatacook about 1780, and in 1786 his name was attached to a petition to the Assem- bly, and hence, he was still living. In 1792 his land was sold (some of it, so said) at Humphreysville, upon the petition of his heirs. Therefore, he died between 1786 and 1792, and is said to have been eighty (or about eightv) years of age. Hence, he was born about 1710, and probably did not settle at Chuse- town before 1740, or when he was about thirty years of age. It is probable that after his marriage he remained some few years at Turkey Hill or Derby Narrows, which was then in- habited only by Indians, and then settled at Chusetown, which agrees with the tradition that his family were closely associated with the Turkey Hill locality. It also appears from these items that he may have lived with Agar Tomlinson a few years after 1734, and after he was twenty-three or twenty-four years of age, to fit himself to become the sachem of the remaining Derby In- dians. It is within the legitimate scope of this brief record, to fol- low Gideon Mauwee to his hunting grounds in Kent. " The clan which collected at New Milford was quite considerable in size, although I cannot find that it had a distinctive name. It was unquestionably a mere collection of refugees and wander- ers, who had migrated hither from the southern and eastern parts of Connecticut, to escape from the vicinity of the English settlements."^ This opinion is not only probable, but demonstrated by the ^DeForest 389. xlviii INDIAN HISTORY. fact that Paugasuck Indians were there, forming no inconsider- able part of that settlement. The New Milford settlers bought the township from the native proprietors, on the eighteenth of February, 1703, for sixty pounds in money and twenty pounds in goods. The first Indian name mentioned in the deed, and the first on the list of signers, was Papetoppe ; from whence it is possible that he at that time was sachem, or at least the leader. The others are Rapiecotoo, Towcomis, Nanhootoo, Hawwasues, Yoncomis, Shoopack, Wewinapouck, Docames, Paramethe, Wewinapuck, Chequeneag, Papiream, Nokopurrs, Paconaus, Wonawak and Tomassett. The deed is witnessed by John Minor of Woodbury and Ebenezer Johnson and John Durand of Derby, Of these seventeen names, sixteen are given in the Woodbury history as belonging to the Pootatucks, and it is possible that they were taken from this deed and placed to the account of the Poota- tucks, but this would be such a stretch of history as seemingly no author would venture upon, unless they were all found previ- ous to the date of this deed among the Pootatucks. Chequeneag is Cheshconeag of the Derby deed, dated 1698; Wonawak is Nonawaug alias Nonawaux of the same deed ; Tomassett is Tomasoot or Chomasseet of the same deed. Taking into con- sideration the different spelling of the same names by different town clerks in Derby, we need not be surprised to find other New Milford names identical with names in Derby previous to the date of the New Milford deed ; as for instance, Paconaus may be the same as Pequonat of Derby. Hence, in his westward emigration, Gideon Mauwee was not peculiar nor alone, nor did he go among entire strangers. It would be interesting to know whether Cheraromogg, signer of a deed at Stratford in 1684, was Raumaug of New Milford in 1 7 16, and finally Weraumaug, of undying fame, at New Pres- ton. Gideon Mauwje finally rested at Scaghticook'" and gath- ered about him many wanderers, until his company became large enough to attract the special attention of missionaries. The name on white lips became Scatacook, and these Indians were known only as Scatacook Indians. Here Eunice Mauwee lived (as have her descendants after her) on a state reservation, and died in 1859, aged about one hundred and four years. 10" Pish-gach- ti-gock, — the meeting of the waters." Benson J. Lossing. THE HATCHETT FAMILY. xlix Her father was the last chief. " Until within a few weeks of her death, she often talked with freedom of the Indians and their habits. It was interesting to hear her pronunciation of Indian words which have now become local property and are attached to so many names. In almost every instance the mod- ern use of them is merely a reduction of larger and more un- manageable ones ; words which, as they are now used, have been shorn of a half or a third of their original syllables. She was in- telligent and accustomed to talk, and remembered many curious things. She made this statement, that she saw when a girl, an old Indian who had seen King Philip. The Indian was telling her father of the personal traits and appearance of this brave hero."^" This last item leads us back to the hypothesis, that Chuse was descended from the Pootatuck chief Chusumack, who signed several deeds about 1670, and whose family consisted of several sons and grandsons ; whose residence was at Pootatuck, opposite Birmingham Point in Stratford, and afterwards at Pomperaug or Newtown. The old Indian in this case might have been her great grandfather. In various other parts of the Naugatuck valley is traced the Red man, lingering amidst the institutions and customs of civ- ilization, and suffering more or less in the contact. MOLLY HATCHETT. Some particular account of the Hatchett family is given by Dr. A. Beardsley, who, having some personal knowledge of the family, has continued the inquiry until the following result has been obtained : On the right of the old Milford road at Turkey Hill, just be- low Two-mile brook, there was once an Indian burying-ground. Around the base of a high hill overlooking the Ousatonic, rough field-stones have within a few years marked the resting place of many Red skins who once occupied these regions. An old saying is that many Indians were buried there. Some of these stones were small, others of large size. In early times the wild turkeys, seeking to escape from the hunter, flew from this hill across the Ousatonic, — a fact which i°Sharpe's Hist, of Seymour, p. 37. G 1 INDIAN HISTORY. gave it the name of Turkey Hill. These lands, long in the possession of Mr. David Burt were held sacred. He did not even allow his ploughshare to disturb the rude grave-spots which told so sad a story of the poor Indian. Like Hippocrates of old, who dug up grave-yards in the night season for imperisha- ble bones, so did the medical students of Yale College search here for materials to aid them in their anatomical pursuits. The New Haven and Derby railroad has extinguished all traces of this ancient cemetery, Indian skulls and bones in large quan- tities having been exhumed in excavating at Turkey Hill. Upon this hill stood the head-quarters of a tribe of Indians. Here they built their wigwams, held their war councils, joined in the noisy dance and smoked the pipe of peace, while the old sachem of Milford, Ansantaway, with his son Ockenuck of Stratford, set his mark upon Derby. It may be inferred from the most reliable sources that the New Milford Indians and the Paugasucks at one time lined the banks of the Ousatonic from Old to New Milford. They had a trail, many traces of which are still visible, along which, by sig- nal and war whoop, they could telegraph from the one place to the other "between sun and sun." They had several fortresses along this trail. The Paugasucks, however, possessed the land of Derby and one of the last of this tribe is still fresh in the memory of our citizens. On the line of Two-mile brook, near the Ousatonic, over an old cellar still to be seen, stood the little hut of Molly Hatchett. Leman Stone, agent for Indian land reservations in Derby, in the goodness of his heart caused it to be erected for her home. Truman Gilbert was the boss carpenter, and David Bradley and Agar Gilbert his apprentice boys, both of whom are still living, assisted. The building was only twelve feet square. Here lived and died Molly Hatchett. She was a wanderer upon the earth, but wherever she went she always found a hearty welcome, and was never turned away with an empty basket. She was a favor- ite among the people, and was looked upon with sad sympathy. The children in the streets flocked to meet her, and the old folks always paid her deference. A hundred families or more she visited once or twice a year, selling her little fancy stained baskets, and wherever a child was born she was sure to appear, MOLLY HATCHETT. H and present the baby with a basket-rattle containing six ker- nels of corn. If the mother had more than six children she put in one more kernel, and so on in arithmetical proportion. In her old age, when she could no longer go her rounds, she was often visited by the good people of Derby Narrows, who gave her great comfort and consolation. Parting with her one day when her death was approaching, a good woman remarked, " Molly, it is too bad that you should die in such a hut as this." " Oh no," she replied, " I shall soon have a better home in heaven, where I shall go and meet the pale faces with the Great Spirit." Her funeral was decently attended, Leman Stone ar- ranging the ceremonies, his workmen acting as pall-bearers. In the parish records of St. James's church, in the hand-writing of the Rev. Stephen Jewett, appears the following : " 1829, January 17, died Molly Hatchett, Indian, aged nearly one hundred, buried by Rev. W. Swift." There is no date of her birth or marriage, but she was the wife, according to Indian custom, of John Hatchett, who died at an early age and is said to have been a descendant of old Chuse, who lived at Humphreysville. Molly had four children. She lived with her son Joseph many years, but most of her family afterwards joined the Scatacook settlement in Kent. Molly Hatchett was a good specimen of the Paugasucks. Nearly six feet tall, muscular, erect, of stately step, with long, black hair falling over her shoulders, with piercing black eyes, of polite and commanding appearance, she was a noble relic of a barbarous race. It was a fashion of her own, always to wear a white blanket shawl and a man's hat, and to carry a cane or her little hatchet. Shrewd and witty, she was seldom overreached in her jokes. She was rather fond of " uncupe," as she called rum, and this was her besetting sin, for which she blamed the whites. One day she called at the store of Mr. S , and asked for a drink of "uncupe." "Can't give it to you," said the conscien- tious merchant, " it is against the law to sell by the glass." " Uh,"" said she, "there is no law against Indians." Thirsty and full of importunity on her part, the rumseller finally yielded, when he said, " Molly, if you will lie down on your back on this Hi INDIAN HISTORY. floor, and let me put a tunnel in your mouth, I will pour down your throat a good horn of uncupe." The action was suited to the words, and both seemed gratified with the evasion of the law. A few days after, calling on her benefactor, smiling and talka- tive, he said, " Well, Molly, what do you want to-day ? " " Oh ! I only called to see if you did not want to tunnel me again." Many years before her death Molly was often heard to say she could remember when the main road through Derby Nar- rows was only a foot-path by the river bank, dense with forest trees. She used to correct the white man's pronunciation of the names of our rivers. " You must call them as did the old ' Ingins,' Nau- g2Litick and Ons>2iX.onuck" When she received a gift her reply was, " Ariunshemoke, thank you kindly. Now you must say Tuptttney, you are welcome." Her real name was unknown, but she was often called, " Magawiska." In the evening of her days, when taking a last survey of the departed glory of her ancestors and standing on their graves, their wigwams leveled, their council fires almost forgotten, this poor, lonely Paugasuck is imagined as thus soliloquizing : " Deserted and drear is the place, Where huts of my fathers arose, Alone, and the last of my race, I watch where their ashes repose. The calumet now is no more, No longer the hatchet is red ; The wampum our warriors once wore, Now smolders along with the dead. The day of our glory is gone, The night of our sorrow is here ; No more will our day-star arise, No more our sunlight appear. Once we listened to hear the war song, Once we sailed on the Naugatuck's wave, When the arm of the hunter was strong. The soul of the warrior was brave. Now lonely and drear is the place Where huts of my kindred arose. Alone ! and the last of my race, I watch where their ashes repose." The above lines, so full of pathos were written by Dr. J. Hardyear, a native of Derby, a young man of talent and prom- OPINION OF A MINISTER. lili ise, who located in Stratford, where he died at the early age of twenty-nine years. Just above Two-mile brook, on the Whitney farm was also an Indian settlement, established there many years after the one at the spot originally called Turkey Hill. This latter place is the one more familiarly known at the present time, and for some years past, as Turkey Hill. An anecdote or two concerning the Indian Chuse, have not appeared in print. Living among the white settlers he became partially civilized, often going to church and thereby obtaining some knowledge of the doctrines of the gospel. Having a child dangerously ill, he became impressed with the desire of having it baptized, and called on the Congregational minister to perform the ceremony. The parson asked him if he was in full communion with the church. He replied that be was not. " Then I must refuse to baptize him," said the par- son. "Do you call yourself a minister of Christ.-*" asked Chuse. " Yes," was the reply. Said Chuse, " You are not ! You are the devil's minister. Christ commanded to teach all nations, baptizing them in the Lord." The sick child, however, received the rite of baptism from the Episcopal minister. This story is authenticated by one who was familiar with all the parties. After removing to Scatacook, he often visited the few who lived at Turkey Hill. Mrs. Deborah Riggs, deceased some years since, well remembered when one of his daughters was married, and the bridal party walked through the drifting snow from Turkey Hill to Chusetown in the night season, to solemnize the nuptials. Some few marks or foot-prints of the Red man in Derby still remain. Close by the New 'Haven and Derby railroad on the Whitney farm, is an Indian corn mill, or mortar, sunk in the bed rock. It is about eight inches in diameter at the top and the same in depth. Here, for many years, the Indians ground the corn for their daily bread. This is a little south of the ravine called the Devil's Jump ; near which are said to be two more mortars sunk in the bed rock. Lover's Leap is a little liv INDIAN HISTORY. further up the river, consisting of a high rock almost over- hanging the river. One Indian ax, of bluestone, has been seen, of the size of an ordinary ax, but from the roughness of the stone it is inferred that it had remained long exposed to the elements after it was made, before it was found. THE MACK FAMILY. The last remnants of the Paugasucks in Derby were the Mack Indians as they were called, who formerly inhabited Bethany. The selectmen of that town, fearing that these In- dians would become paupers, purchased a small tract of land in Deerfield, situated within the limits of Derby, and placed them upon it, so as to be rid of them. They assisted them in build- ing some cheap huts, and in these they dwelt, securing a living by hunting and making baskets. There were James and Eunice Mack, who lived by themselves near the turnpike that leads from Seymour to New Haven. Jerry Mack and four other Indian men, two squaws and three children lived over the hill south of James Mack's about eighty rods. For a long time the place was called the Indian settlement. In 1833, a squaw came from Milford, who became the guest of James and while there was taken sick and was immediately removed back to Milford, where she died of small-pox. In due time these ten Indians sickened with the same disease, and all died except the three children. These children were run down into the woods, and vaccinated by Dr. Kendall, and thus saved from the terrible scourge. The Indians were buried by Samuel Bassett and others, who had had the small-pox, in the garden near their huts. Derby paid all expenses and great excitement prevailed as to the disease, and to make sure that no more Indians should become paupers from that settlement, the torch was applied in the night season by order of the select- men to these modern wigwams, and thus they were reduced to ashes. Of these Deerfield Indians, Mr. DeForest says : " One of the women, old Eunice as she was commonly called, died a number of years since. Her two children, Jim and Ruby, I have INDIAN BURYING GROUNDS. Iv often seen coming into my native village to sell parti-colored baskets and buy provisions and rum. Ruby was short and thick and her face was coarse and stupid. Jim's huge form was bloated with liquor, his voice was coarse and hollow, and his steps, even when he was not intox- icated, were unsteady from the evil effects of ardent spirits. At pres- ent I believe they are all in their graves." There was another family called the Pann tribe, who were described by Mr. DeForest thirty years ago, as wandering about in that part of the country and owning no land. In a letter from a correspondent in Derby (W. L. Durand, Esq.) their settlement is described as located on the west side of the Ousatonic, above the Old Bridge place. He says : "They were called the Pann tribe and the old chief was named Pannee. I remember seeing some of the Panns when I was a boy. In dig- ging a cellar on the plains there, a great many bones were dug up — so many that the wife of the man who was intending to build, would not go there to live. He got the house inclosed, and after it had stood unoccupied a good many years, he sold it." Those Indians who gathered around Joseph Mauwee at Nau- gatuck Falls, where Seymour now stands, were most if not all of them of the Paugasucks. When the Indian census was ta- ken in 1774, there were four of Joseph's band within the limits of Waterbury. INDIAN BURYING-GROUNDS. The first place in which the Indians buried was most proba- bly at Derby Narrows, some years before the English discovered the region. More bones, indicating such a ground, have been exhumed at this place than at any other. Not many years since, when Mr. Lewis Hotchkiss was en- gaged in putting up some buildings near the Hallogk mills, a large quantity of bones was discovered, and the indications were that they had been a long time buried. It is most likely that the Paugasuck tribe buried at this place a long time after the English began the settlement here. The burying-ground at Turkey Hill was commenced proba- Ivi INDIAN HISTORY. bly after that place was set apart for occupancy by Milford, about 1665. Another ground was arranged soon after the beginning of the settlement of the English here, at the new fort on the Ous- atonic, a little above the dam on the east side. A ground of this kind of considerable extent was at Seymour, where many fragments have been found within the memory of the living. Another is said to be in existence, and the graves still visible, near Horse Hill, or, as it is called in one of the very early land records, White Mare Hill. Across the Ousatonic from Birmingham, in the southern part of Shelton, was another burial-place, where the Pootatucks laid their departed to rest ; and there were others still further up that river on both sides. As the Farmington Indians have been included in this survey of the ancient tribes, the monument erected at that place in 1840 may be referred to. On the bank of the river looking out upon Farmington Valley and Indian Neck, stands a block of coarse red sandstone bearing the following inscription, which is becoming rapidly obliterated : , "In memory of the Indian race, especially of the Tunxis tribe, the ancient tenants of these grounds. " The many human skeletons here discovered confirm the tradition that this spot was formerly an Indian burying place. Tradition fur- ther declares it to be the ground on which a sanguinary battle was fought between the Tunxis and the Stockbridge tribes. Some of their scattered remains have been re-interred beneath this stone." The reverse side of the monument bears the following lines : " Chieftains of a vanished race, In your ancient burial-place, By your fathers' ashes blest. Now in peace securely rest. Since on life you looked your last, , Changes o'er your land have passed ; Strangers came with iron sway, .'\nd your tribes have passed away. But your fate shall cherished be In the strangers' memory; Virtue long her watch shall kcjcp. Where the Red man's ashes sleep." CHAPTER IV. FURTHER AUTHENTIC RECORDS. ROGRESS in disintegration and decay in the native tribes may be traced a little further by the examina- tion of documents and records. Mr. J. W. DeForest in his " History of the Indians of Connecticut," a book which, after all deductions are made, is a remarkable production for a youth of one-and-twenty years, makes the following re- marks upon the retirement of the Red men before the aggressive race that had landed on their shores : " Knowing little of European modes of life and judging of the colo- nists greatly by themselves, they supposed that the latter would culti- vate but a little land, and support themselves for the rest by trading, fishing and hunting. Little did they think that in the course of years the white population would increase from scores to hundreds, and from hundreds to thousands ; that the deep forests would be cut down ; that the wild animals would disappear ; that the fish would grow few in the rivers ; and that a poor remnant would eventually leave the graves of their forefathers and wander away into another land. Could they have anticipated that a change so wonderful, and in their history so unprece- dented, would of necessity follow the coming of the white man, they would have preferred the wampum tributes of the Pequots and the scalping parlies of the Five Nations to the vicinity of a people so kind, so peaceable, and yet so destructive." — (Pages 164, 165.) Of course the natives knew not that they were parting with their homes forever ; neither did the new settlers know how swiftly their predecessors upon the soil would melt away before the glow and heat of a Christian civilization. But the process was inevitable, and in New England, at least, however it may have been elsewhere, it was as painless and as little marked by cruelty as it well could be. INDIAN SLAVES. Through several documents still preserved there come be- fore us certain Derby Indians in the peculiar character o( s/^^^^^ (54,^>^^.^S HISTORY OF DERBY CHAPTER I. PAUGASUCK AND PAUGASSETT. 1 642- 1 674. ERBY is situated at the junction of the Ousatonic and Naugatuck Rivers, nine miles by the old turn- pike road from New Haven and thirteen miles from Bridgeport on Long Island Sound. The land at this, place, lying between these rivers, is formed by high rocky bluffs on the Ousatonic, and, in the general, descends gradually towards the Naugatuck, and to the Point whereon is situated the village of Birmingham, and is one of the most beautiful locations for a city, in either the valley of the Ousatonic or Naugatuck Rivers. The land east of the Naugatuck rises eastward gradually, except at the lower portion where it is a liftle abrupt and culminates in what has been called, from the earliest settlement. Sentinel Hill,^ from which a most charming view of Long Island Sound and the surrounding country may be had. The portion of land between the rivers in the rear of Birmingham has been called the Neck from the first laying out of farms in that quarter. Northward of the Neck the territory of the original town is hilly, and Great Hill being the largest elevated portion was well named, and the most elevated part of it affords one of the finest views of the surrounding country and the Sound, that there is in the State. The course of the Naugatuck through the town is south, that of the Ousatonic, on the western boundary, south-east, and these rivers, after their union, form a beautiful water view, from Birmingham, of nearly three miles in extent, closed in on each side by wooded hills. 1 The story that Sentinel Hill was so named from sentinels being stationed on it in the Revolution, to watch war vessels on the Sound cannot be true, since the name is recorded more than a hundred years before the Revolution. 2 HISTORY OF DERBY. The territory of the town as granted by the General Court in 1675, and for which a satisfactory charter was not obtained until 1720, extended from Two Mile Brook on the south, twelve miles northward, and on the southern boundary, eastward from the Ousatonic two and a half miles, and on the northern bound- ary seven and a half miles, making an area of about fourteen thousand acres, in the original township. At present, however, the extent of territory does not equal half the original, by reason of parts having been taken to form other towns. In 1642, four years only after the settlement of New Haven, some workmen were employed by Mr. John Wakeman of New Haven^ within this territory, now known as Derby, but then called Paugasuck by the Indians, and afterwards named Pau- gassett by the English, and because thus employed, they were excused from standing on night guard for the protection of New Haven. The object of Mr. Wakeman in this work appears to have been the biiilding of a trading house for the establish- ment of direct mercantile relations with the Indians in the valleys of these rivers, and perhaps to secure trade with the Mohawk Indians also. This was the beginning of the Englishman's work on these hills and along these rivers, and the end to which this work lifts now come is to be the story of this book. The present number of inhabitants is about ten thousand ; in i860, it was 5,443, and in 1870, 8,027. At this mercantile enterprise at Paugasuck, the suspicious and eager Dutchman, holding the honorable position of gov- ernor of New York, took exceptions in 1646, and sent a charac- teristic letter to the governor of New Haven. The action of the New Haven court in regard to this deliverance is thus re- corded : "A protest from the Dutch Governor was read in court and an answer to the same sent, and directions given to them that keep the trading house. And it was fully and satisfyingly voted, that the court would make good their titles here, and at the trading house, and leave the issue of things to God, what- ever they may be."^ As these letters are in reality a part of the history of Derby, ^New Haven Col. Rcc, I. 74. ^Xcw Haven Col. Rcc, I. 265. THE TRADING HOUSE. 3 the one containing remarkable geographical inaccuracies, the other, an illustration of pure Pilgrim independency and clever- ness, they are given in full. The protest came in Latin, and the reply was made in the same. THE governor's LETTER. '' We Willyam Kieft, General Director, and the Senate of New Neth- erland, for the high and mighty Lords the States of the United Belgicke Provinces for his excellency the Prince of Orange and for the most noble Lords the Administrators of the West India Company. To thee, Theophilus Eaton, Govenor of the place by us called the Red Hills in New Netherland, (but by the English called New Haven.) we give notice, That some years past, your's, without any occasion given by us, and without any necessity imposed upon them, but with an un- satiable desire of possessing that which is ours, against our protestations, against the law of nations, and against the antient league betwixt the king's majesty of Great Britain and our Superiors, have indirectly entered the limits of New Netherland, usurped divers places in them and have been very injurious unto us. neither have they given satisfac- tion though often required. And because you and yours have of late determined to fasten your foot near Mauritius River in this Province, an^ there not only to disturb our trade of no man hitherto questioned, and to draw it to yourselves, but utterly to destroy it, we are compelled again to protest, and by these presents we do protest against you as against breakers of the peace and disturbers of the public quiet, that if you do not restore the places you have usurped and repair the loss we have suffered, we shall by such means as God affords, manfully recover them, neither do we think this crosseth the public peace, but shall cast the cause of the ensuing evil upon you. '•'Given in Amsterdam Fort, Aug. 3, 1646, new styl. "WiLLVAM Kieft." THE REPLY. " To the Right Wor". Wm. Kieft, Govenor of the Dutch in New Netherland, "Sir: By some of yours I have lately received a protest under your hand dated August the 3, 1646. wherein you pretend we liave indirectly entered the limits of New Netherland, usurped divers places in them, and have offered you many injuries ; thus in general and in reference to some years past, more particularly to the disturbance, nay to the 4 HISTORY OF DERBY. Utter destruction of your trade, we have lately set foot near Mauritius river in that Province. " We do truly profess we know no such river, neither can we conceive what river you intend by that name, unless it be that which the English have long and still do call Hudson's River. Nor have we at any time formerly or lately entered upon any place to which you had or have any title, nor in any other respect been injurious to you. It is true we have lately upon Paugassett River, which falls into the sea in the midst of these English plantations, built a small house within our own limits, many miles, nay leagues from the Manhattoes, from your trading house and from any p;irt of Hudsons River, at which we expect a little trade, but can compel none ; the Indians being free to trade with you, us. Connecticut, Massachusetts or with any other, nor did we build there till we had first purchased a due title from the true proprietors. What injuries and outrages in our persons and estates, at Manhattoes. in Deleware River, &c., we have received from you, our former letters and protest do both declare and prove, to all which you have hitherto given very unsatisfying answers, but whatever our losses and sufferings have been, we conceive we have neither done or returned anything, even to this very day. but what doth agree with the law of nations, and with that ancient confederation and amity betwixt our superiors at home. So that we shall readily refer all questions and differences betwixt you and us, even from first to last, to any due hearing, examination and judgment, either here or in England, and by these presents we do refer them, being well assured that his majesty, our Sovereign Lord Charles. King of Great Britain and the Parliament of England now assembled will maintain their own right and our just liberties against any who by unjust encroachment shall wrong them or theirs, and that your own principal upon a due and mature consideration, will also see and ap- prove of the righteousness of our proceedings. *' New Haven in New England. "Aug. 12, 1646, old style. ^ T. Eaton." A FURTHER REFERENCE TO THE TRADING HOUSE. Van der Donck, as cited by O'Callaghan, History of New Nether- land, vol. I. 375, says, in allusion to this post: "The English of New Haven have a trading post on the east or south-east side of Magdalen Island, not more than six (Dutch) miles from the North River, for this island lies towards the upper part of the North River, twenty-three ■•Xew Fiaven CV)1. Rec. I. 265-6. THE TRADING HOUSE. 5 (Dutch) miles and a half higher up than Fort Amsterdam, on the east bank.'" Hence it may be concluded that hereafter it will be in order for the people of this locality to represent themselves as resid- ing either at Mauritius, or Magdalen Island, or Birmingham, whichever they prefer ! In this correspondence several items of history are estab- lished ; that, notwithstanding the error as to locality, there was a trading house in 1646, at Paugasuck on the "east side of the island" or Point, and that the New Haven court determined to maintain it, and make sure the title. No Indian deed of the sale of this land at that date is now to be found, but a purchase was made before 1646, as stated by Governor P2aton, "and it was fully and satisfyingly voted, that the court would make good their title at the trading house," or in other words, main- tain their rights. This house stood on the east side of Birming- ham point, and the vessels sailed up to it, for trading purposes, as the bed of the Naugatuck River passed close to the bank at that time. An Indian deed recorded in Stratford, dated 1671, says : " Who are right owners of one island in the great river Oante- nock where Mr. Goodyear had a trading house." Mr. Goodyear and Mr. Wakeman were partners in this trading post, and being referred to in so early a deed confirms the other writings copied, and determines the location, without any doubt, for no other trading house was established in this region nearer than Milford. Paugasuck, then, for this is the spelling adopted much of the time by the best writers in recording the acts of the place and town, was the name of the locality now called Birmingham, but afterwards was applied to the village east of the Naugatuck ; the Paugasuck River is now the Naugatuck, and the Pootatuck is now the Ousatonic. These items should be remembered in reading the Indian deeds. The work, and the trading house, and the mercantile enter- prise continued, probably, without interruption with some suc- cess, until April, 1654, when the record of the New Haven court was made as follows : " Mr. Goodyear was desired to in- forme those of Newhaven which have part of Paugaset with him, HISTORY OF DERBY. that the court expects an answer from them, at the general court in May next, whether they will put the said place under this jurisdiction or no."'^ But no report was made at the speci- fied time, and the matter passed until May, 1655, when inquiry was made concerning it, and "Mr. Wakeman one of the owners, . . desired a little respite before he gives answer. The gov- ernor informed the court that Richard Baldwin, if not some others of Milford, had been with him and desired liberty from the court to buy some land of the Indians about Paugaset, but the magistrate and deputies for Milford desired they might not have leave till they more fully understand the mind of their town, to whom they think it will be offensive if granted." Before the meeting of the Court in the next October, Richard Baldwin and others had purchased of Mr. Goodyear his claims at Paugasuck, and at that session of the Court the subject came up and Mr. Baldwin made reply, that they desired to inform the Court " that they arc thankful that the court will take that matter into their consideration, and that they are very willing and desirous to have it under this jurisdiction upon the consid- erations hereafter expressed." The conclusion of the Court was rendered in nearly the words of the considerations specified. They say, "that they had considered the several things propounded, and according to their desire they do accept him and the rest of the company, (whose names were now given)** and the place called Paugas- sett,^ under the jurisdiction, and from henceforward shall look upon it as a part thereof. "And first, the court gives liberty that if the place upon se- rious view be found fit for a small village, they grant them liberty so to be, without being under New Haven or Milford. "They do also condescend that they shall have liberty to pur- chase what lands they can of the Indians suitable to this village intended, provided it be without prejudice to these two planta- tions, or to the hindering of any other plantation that may be set up hereafter furthei- into the country. ^New Haven Col. Rec. II. 77. •^Biit not recorded. "Hence the Knglish name is Paugassett, because so stated by the Court, but the Indian name was Paugasuck, as given by the best spellers for 100 years. NAMED PAUGASSETT. J " They are willing that one from among themselves, such as the court shall approve of, shall be entrusted with power and authority to call meetings, execute warrants, moderate in cases of difference, and take the best course he can to carry on things in an orderly and peaceable way. •' They are content that what estate they have wholly em- ployed at Paugassett shall be rate free for three years. " Which things were thankfully received, and Paugassett de- clared to be under and a part of this jurisdiction. " Richard Baldwin was now appointed to be the man to carry On the trust before mentioned, he also now declared that they did intend to purchase large tracts of land of the Indians, but when they had done they should submit it all to this court to allot them out such a proportion as should be thought meet for them."* Under such considerations and grants the village of Paugas- sett seemed prepared to grow into a prosperous plantation, and had there been no opposition just at that time when the spirit of enterprise was fresh and courageous, there might have been more progress made in ten years than was made in forty, as it was. The next spring the people of Milford, headed by their minister. Rev. Mr. Pruden, appeared at court and made remon- strance to the following effect : " The magistrate and deputies for Milford objected against it, and Mr. Pruden on behalf of their town declared that it would be very prejudicial to Milford several ways, so much as they could not comfortably carry on their occasions there by reason of the straitness of accommoda- tions for commonage for their cattle which they should suffer, by reason that Stratford river and New Haven bounds do so confine them to so narrow a compass, all which were duly con- sidered, as also that Richard Baldwin and others concerned in Paugassett did say, . . but after much time spent in many debates about it, the court saw that there was not like to be a comfortable closing betwixt them if the planting of Pau- gassett went on as had been intended, wherefore it was pro- pounded to both parties that those concerned in Paugassett would resign their purchase to Milford, they paying them for 8N. H. Col. Rcc. II. 155-7. 8 HISTORY OF DERBY. the same, and that the town of Milford would accommodate those of their town, that did intend to sit down at Paugassett, with comfortable accommodations for their subsistence." It will be seen by these records that Milford makes no claim of property right in the land then owned by Richard Baldwin and his company at Paugassett, but that Milford needed it for general accommodations, and that the town would purchase it, and it is probably true that Milford never owned a rod square of the territory granted by the Legislature to constitute the original town of Derby. In those days cattle constituted a large part of the wealth of, and subsistence for, the people, as will be hereafter seen, and the meadow lands and Indian fields of Paugassett offered large assistance in sustenance for the herds, and this was one reason why the establishment of a village was proposed at that time ; for such an enterprise could much more easily succeed where there were meadows already cleared and supplying quantities of grass. This question came up again in court in the spring of 1657, when the Paugassett company had offered to deliver their in- terests to Milford on terms which seemed to be reasonable, but which had been rejected, upon which the court desired to know the terms, and they were presented in writing, "which the court considered of, and thought them reasonable, with something added which they acquainted him [Mr. Baldwin] with, and to which for himself and the rest he consented, and therefore upon the terms hereafter expressed, they desire Milford and they may join in a loving \vay, but if Milford refuse, it is likely New Haven will accept them." First, that they have liberty to buy the Indians' land behind them (that is over Naugatuck river" and not toward New Haven bounds, and also above them northward up into the country). Secondly, that according to the number of persons there in- terested, they shall bear their equal share of men which shall be pressed to any public service. ^All the land owned by Baldwin's company at this time lay east of the Xaugatuck River. PLAN OF UNION. 9 Thirdly, that they be free from all such rates which particu- larly concern the town of Milford, paying the jurisdiction rates and to the maintenance of the ministry at Milford so long as they enjoy the same, and a share toward the magistrate when Milford shall agree upon any allowance to that end, and their part of common charges about the meeting-house for the future while they stand a part of Milford, and to bear their share toward the killing of wolves and foxes, and if there be any other questions hereafter which is not now thought of and de- termined, it shall be considered and issued by this general Court, as also how long they shall continue a part of Milford or New Haven, and when it is fit they should be a village of them- selves." At the same time it was ordered concerning the boundaries, that, "The bounds of their land with reference to Milford is agreed, that toward Milford, betwixt their purchase and a brook now called Steephill brook, runing into Paugassett river, a division be equally made runing a line eastward, the one-half next Milford to lie to Milford common, and the other half next their purchase, to go to them for common ; also to run a line from their purchase, thereabout where their houses stand, cross to the line betwixt New Haven and Milford where it is con- ceived it will meet with Paugassett path, or thereabout, and then divide it in the middle north and south, and leave that part to Milford common next to New Haven line, and that part to Paugassett that is next them."'" These boundaries give us important information, namely that at this time, March, 1657, there were "houses" on this land standing at what is now known as Riggs Hill. The record says : " a line from their purchase " [the northeast corner of it,] "thereabout where their houses stand, cross to the line betwixt New Haven and Milford, where it is con- ceived it will meet with [coinside with] Paugassett path," which as we shall see was at that place. Dividing this territory as proposed, from north to south would leav.e a strip of land on the east side o£ the Naugatuck river about two miles long and two miles and a half wide, and the river meadows. This truly »N. H. Col. Rec. ii, 222. lO HISTORY OF DERBY. would have made a "village" of the whole plantation, and a small one at that, covering one hill on the east bank of the river. This indicates the restricted opinions those people had of the territory necessary for the support of a few families, by the cultivation of the soil. Send ten old farmers, such as Derby had a hundred years later, to consider such a proposition of planting a colony on such a garden patch and they would throw up their hats and laugh the thing to scorn, with a relish. The truth is, these men were practically merchants and tradesmen, and knew very little about farming, as all their work shows. Doctor John Hull, who, thirty years later on removing to Wallingford, received a little friendly present of over a mile square, or seven hundred acres of land, nearly one-fourth of the size of this proposed Paugassett wilderness garden patch ! And what kind neighbors these Paugassett planters had ! If Milford would not accept of this big slice instead of the whole, New Haven would, especially if she could secure in the same bargain those who would live on the borders and kill the " wolves and the foxes ! " However, these delays and baitings did not entirely subdue the spirit of enterprise and activity, for, while Milford was dreaming about this matter, and New Haven was waiting for her to wake out of sleep, Lieut. Thomas Wheeler of Stratford makes a purchase or rather accepts a gift of land, in May, 1657, on the point where Birmingham now stands, and thereby com- pletely disarranges the plans and dispels the dreams of Paugas- sett's loving neighbors. No skillfully planned campaign of a great war general could have perfected the defeat of a contend- ing army more decidedly than did this Lieutenant Wheeler, wheeling into the Great Neck, at this time, the counsels of Milford and the New Haven court. His deed received from the Indians reads in part as follows, it being the first Indian deed given that is now to be found of lands in Derby : " This present writing" witnesseth that I Towetanome Sagamore att pagaset & Raskonate with y* consent of all Pagaset indians Doe frely "There are given two or three specimens of the spelling and manner of writing, but beyond that, while the words of the original will be carefully given, all else will be in modern stvle. FIRST INDIAN DEED. II & fully make over from us our Heirs & asigns & Doe freely give apercell of land lying bee Twene Poodertoke River & Nagatuck River, Podertoke River bounding it on the Southwest, Nagatuck River north- east; & Bounded on y'' northwest with trees marked by ourselves & other indians ; To Thomas Wheeler of Stratford his Heires & asigns for ever quiatly to possess it & doe ffree y* said land from all claims of any indian or indians ; & this afore said land wee doe freely give to the afore said Thomas Wheeler & his Heires for ever upon condition that hee come to live on it himself; & if the said Thomas Wheeler seles the said land it must be to such a man as wee like ; in witness here of we have sett toe our hands ; May, 1657. In presents of Towetanamow, his mark Ruth Wheeler, her mark Raskenute, his mark Timothy Wheeler. Waampegon, his mark Manomp, his mark James, his mark" This same land with these precise words of boundary was again deeded to Thomas Wheeler " to have it recorded to him and his heirs according to the laws and customs of the English . . this 20th of April, 1659. Subscribed in the The mark of Towtanamow, presence of us Pagahah, his mark John Wheeler Pagasite James, his mark Richard Harvee Munsock, his mark Thomas Uffott Sasaouson, his mark " John Curtiss John Minor. In May, 1658, Thomas Wheeler applied to the New Haven court to have this land taken under that jurisdiction, "upon the same terms which those other proprietors, at or near Pau- gassett were received," to which the court answered that they " do incline to his motion, but desired first to speak with Lieuten- ant Wheeler himself, before they give a full answer in the case." At the same time the court having some information as to questions about the taxes ordered that, "for the cattle which are for the most part at Paugassett, belonging to the settled in- habitants there, rates are to be paid to ye jurisdiction only," and Lieutenant Treat and Ensign Bryan of Milford were re- quired to send a list of them to the treasurer at New Haven ; 12 HISTORY OF DERBY. the which list if only it had been preserved would furnish us with the names of those settlers then there. What were the precise relations of Paugassett for several years is not stated in the records. It had been regularly ac- cepted as a village or plantation by the New Haven court, and then that decision informally suspended and negotiations en- tered, to make some new combination, but the language of Thomas Wheeler in the above application indicates that he sup- posed they were a separate plantation under the New Haven jurisdiction. In May, 1659, Edward Wooster desired to know where and of whom he should receive pay for seven wolves he had killed at or near Paugassett. He was told that " if Paugassett stand in relation to Milford as a part of them, then he is to receive his pay there, but if they stand as a plantation or village of themselves, then they themselves must bear it ; nevertheless, it being thought by some that both New Haven and Milford have benefit by killing wolves at Paugassett, it was agreed that it should be recommended to both the towns to see what would be freely given him in recompence of his service in thus doing." "Edward Wooster was also told [by the court] that the en- couragement given to the proprietors at Paugassett was in reference to a village to be settled there, which the court now saw no likelihood of, and in the way they were in they saw not how they could attend their duty in reference to the Sabbath, being at such a distance from the means, which the court would consider of ; which being debated and considered, it was or- dered that if the place called Paugasset become not a village to the purposes formerly expressed by the court, betwixt this and the General Court in May next, that the place shall be deserted in reference to settled habitation." But Edward Wooster was not the man to be discouraged by the high authority of New Haven court, any more than to be frightened at the wolves on Sentinel hill or those other gentle cubs from Bear swamp. He intended a life work of honor and success, and being on the ground had no thought, apparently, of leaving. So also was Richard Baldwin, although residing at Milford, struggling manfully against great odds, but was making progress, slowly. The court had done the most discouraging NEW HAVEN COURT. I^ thing that could have been done, by suspending its decree of independency and protection, at the moment when the courage of the company was most enterprising and hopeful, but now it saw fit to complain of these men. Especially was this true the next May (1660), when Richard Baldwin, having made another purchase, desired it to be connected with Paugassett, " where some further preparations had been made this winter by fenc- ing, for the carrying on a village which they intended to pursue." This application Milford opposed, " since it would straiten their plantation if that should be granted." This w^as about Hog meadow, and to Milford Mr. Baldwin replied " that either it be an appendix to Paugassett, or as he is a planter at Milford he may enjoy it, or if Milford have it he may have a valuable consideration for it." Upon which the most frank and honest clerk of the New Haven court recorded, " Concerning which meadow the court did nothing at this time, but the order made (in 1658) was read and they were told that this matter of Pau- gassett had been four or five years under consideration, and that the court had been often exercised with it, and it was now expected that they should have heard that Paugassett had been in a settled way to the ends propounded, before this time ; but when the return is given they only say, they have done some- thing about fencing, and so it is delayed from court to court and held in a dallying way for four or five years together." Nobody had been " in a dallying way " but the court ! The misfortune is that that was not the last old granny court that ever sat in America ! To this wonderful eloquence of the court Sargent Baldwin replied, " that he was hindered by obstruc- tions he had met with by the ordinary [tavern] at Milford and by sickness the last summer." Whereupon the court declared, "that they would make trial one year more, but if Paugassett become not a village by that time, what was ordered last year, they expected to be attended, and that if the work go not on in the meantime to the satisfaction of the court of magistrates in October next Edward Wooster, with any other that is there, shall be removed and not suffered to live in such an unsatisfy- ing way as now they do." While making this wonderful de- liverance, the court must have forgotten all about the seven wolves, besides foxes and bears that Edward Wooster was kill- 14 HISTORY OF DERBY. ing per year, " to the benefit " of other people, while living alone ten miles in the wilderness ! From 1660 to 1664, Paugassett taxes were received separately from Milford or any other place. The amount of these taxes for three years was, in 1660, jQi 8s. 8d. ; in 1661, ;!{^i 6s. 2d. ; in 1662, ^i 1 8s. 5d. On the second of March, 1660, another flank movement was made by which Richard Baldwin secured advantage to his com- pany, as will be seen by the following deed : "At a meeting of Towtanimoe, Sagamore of ' Pawgasutt ' together with some other Paugassett Indians his subjects, at the house of Kich- ard Baldwin of Milford, Mar. 2, 1659-60: The said Sagamore did grant . . the meadow known and denominated by the name of Hogg meadow . . unto Richard Baldwin, . . agreeing also to sell other lands when Paugasuck should become settled. And likewise doth en- gage in the meantime not to make over, sell or dispose of any land . . between the west branch of Milford Mill river and Pootatuck river east and west, and from the little river on the north side of Grassy hill and so northward unto the hither end of the place commonly called Deer's Delight, unto any other persons whatsoever. Towtanimoe, his mark. Secochanneege, his mark. James, his mark. Sassaughsough, his mark. Chub, his mark. Wauwumpecun, his mark. Succuscoge, his mark." In September, 1661, Richard Baldwin made another purchase of "all the upland adjacent to Hogg meadow."'- This purchase completed the Paugassett territory eastward and made the plan- tation of some considerable extent. i2Sept. 6, 1661, Towtanimoe deeded to Richard Baldwin, "all the upland adjacent to Hogg meadow, to begin at Milford line on the south side, and the north side goeth up to the path which goeth from Pagasett to New Haven ; and the west side from Milford line where the cartway now is that goeth over the brook which is on the north side of Grassy Hill, and so broad as it is there, to Milford Mill river, the same breadth it is to run from the said Mill river at Pagasett path on the north side to- wards Pagasett; also all the great swamp that lieth on the east side of said Mill river from Milford line northward and eastward, unto the utmost bounds of it. Towtanimoe, his mark. Younkitihue, his mark. Towheage, his mark." BIRMINGHAM POINT. I 5 Another deed, given to Thomas Wheeler, was executed as follows : "April! 4, 1664. This may certify that I, Okenuck, Sachem of Pau- gassett, have sold Thomas Wheeler of Paugassett an Island lying in the river called ' Podertock ' river, lying before his house, southward from his house, containing three or four acres. The said Thomas Wheeler, in consideration is to pay me two yards of cloth and two pair of breeches " Witness the mark of Okenuck, Sachem. Ansantaway, his mark. Agonahog, his mark." Lieut. Thomas Wheeler settled on his land on the Point, probably in the spring of 1657, and remained there until the winter or spring of 1664, when he removed to Stratford, and in the following June sold this farm, containing as the deed says, "about forty acres," to Alexander Bryan of Milford, and was none the poorer for the adventure as indicated by the deed of sale ; he having received it as a gift and sold it for ^200.''' This was the parcel of land deeded to Mr. Wheeler \)y Tow- tanimow, which the author of the History of Woodbury sup- posed to be nearly as large as Litchfield County. It contained "forty acres, more or less." And this deed is recorded in close proximity to the Indian deed of this same land, which he copied, bounded in the same words. The same author errs when he says this " seems to have been the last sale of lands by the Derby Indians ; " since there were over twenty afterwards. He errs again when he says "their right to sell the land at all, seems somewhat doubtful, as the most of the territory sold, was occu- pied by the Pootatuck Indians." No evidence has been seen indicating that the Pootatucks occupied separately any land east of eight mile brook and the Ousatonic River, but they signed deeds with the Paugasucks. The Pootatuck sachems signed live or six deeds with the 1^" Jan. 6, 1664. Lt. Thomas Wheeler for a consideration of ;i^200 in hand paid hath granted and sold . . to Alexander Bryan one parcel of land and houses where- in he now liveth and occupieth, it being as followeth : bounded with Pootatuck river south-west, Naugatuck river north-east, and on the north-west with trees marked by Towtanimow, sachem. This land containing forty acres more or less. Tom: Wheelkr." l6 HISTORY OF DERBY. Paugasuck Indians, and the Pauf^asucks signed several deeds with the Pootatucks, as will be seen by a glance at the names attached to the Indian deeds of Derby and Woodbury. The very close relationship of these two tribes is given in part on page twenty-two o'f Woodbury history, and indicates that the Paugasucks had as much right to sell Derby soil as the Poota- tucks to sell Woodbury territory. The same author says again : "It is certain that Aquiomp, sachem of the Pootatucks in 1661, was independent of the Paugassett sachem, and that his succes- ors in the sachemdom, after that date, made numerous grants to the English." Rut every deed thus given, after that date, as represented in Woodbury history, was signed by Paugasuck Indians, with the Pootatucks, The truth is, that both these clans descended from the Mil- ford Indians, and removed up the rivers before the incoming English ; and while living in different clans or families, were one in descent, and the claims of ownership in the lands, by both parties, arc recognized by the P2nglish, from the first to the last. The sale of a tract of land lying on the Pequonnuck, in Stratford, in 1661, confirms this opinion, and also indicates that the Paugasuck Indians were regarded as having superiority over all others ; else they could not have given a deed of land occupied by the Pootatucks as they did. It is quite evident that the Paugasucks living in Derby territory were twice the number of the Pootatucks from 1650 to 1680; at which last date the former began to join the latter in considerable num- bers, at the mouth of the Pomperaug. It was in consequence of this ^ift of land to Lieut. Wheeler that the planters had some misgiving about the validity of the title, and \\\)o\\ the death of Tovvtanimow a bond'* was given by the Indians in the sum of five hundred pounds not to molest the possessors in regard to this title. '••"June 27, 1664. This present writinp; witncsscth that I, Okemich, .Sachem of Paugassett and Ansantaway living at Paugassett, considerations moving us hereunto do bind ourselves joyfully and severally . . in a bond of five hundred pounds, that we will not molest or trouble Thomas Wheeler, now or late of Paugassett, nor Mr. Alexander Bryan of Milford . . about a parcel of land that was given to said Thomas Wheeler by Towtanimow, sachem then of Paugassett. Akenants [()kciiuck| his mark. Ansantawav, his mark." A NKW HEED. 17 On June 14, 1665, Alexander Bryan sold this farm of forty acres and the island to Joseph Hawkins of Stratford, and John Brown of Paugassett, and on the twentieth of the next July Mr. Bryan passes over to Joseph Hawkins " his part of the farm at Paugassett, to be paid eighty pounds a year for three years," making a profit to himself of forty pounds, if this was the same land he bought of Mr. Wheeler, in which case the sale to Hawkins and Brown was a failure. Afterwards this land was passed to the town, and Joseph Hawkins received another allotment. At this time, Mr. Richard Baldwin, desirous of securing a perfect title to these lands, and a united jDlantation, obtained a deed from the Indians covering all other deeds heretofore re- ceived, which was a statesman-like policy, on not a very ex- tended scale, although of very great importance. This deed has been relied on hitherto, very much by writers, as the com- mencement of the enterprise that finally issued in the town of Derby, and so far as it relates to the boundary of the town is of importance. ^'^ It takes in no new land and covers only the forty acres on the Great Neck. It is not certain whether the old trading house went with the forty acres or not. Mr. Wheeler .may have converted it into his dwelling house, or continued it as a store or trading house, for there are certain indications that Alexander Bryan, with others, perhaps, kept some sort of a trading house from the time Mr. Goodyear sold his interests there (1654), until after the plantation became a town. After he had sold the Wheeler farm on the Point, he is still said to have land there, and what or where it could be except at the trading; house it is difficult to conceive. ^^"Know all men by these presents bearing date Sept. 15, 1665, that I Ockenunge the sole and only Sagamore of Pagassett together with all the Indians my subjects and proprietors at Pagassett aforesaid, . . do sell unto Richard Baldwin and his company, a tract of land bounded as herein expressed ; bounded north with the pres- ent ])ath that goes between New Haven and Pagassett, on the south with the bounds of Milford town, on the east with the Mill river of Milford, and on the west with the Great river at Pagassett. I do sell the above said tract of land, except what was formerly sold particularly to Ricard Baldwin or granted upon considerations whatso- ever, . . for and in consideration of full satisfaction already by me receved. Ochenunge, his mark. Chupps, his mark. Nehawkunnnc, his mark." 18 HISTORV Ol" DICKIiV. At this time Abel Gunn, a young, unmarried man came to the place, and being a good writer, with a talent and disposition for business habits, obtained a book and commenced keeping accounts and records in behalf of the company, and this book has now the high honor of being A number one of the Town Records of Derby ; never having had the ornament of being dressed in a cover of any kind. Many thanks to Abel Gunn, well named [Able], and of great service an'] honor to old Derby ! The first record made in this book is without date, but from various circumstances there is evidence that it was written in January, 1665-6, when he first obtained the book. This entry gives us important information : "Item. Mr. Goodyear, Mr. Wakenian and Mr. Gilbert of New Haven hath bargained and sold to Richard Baldwin, John Burwell, Edward Riggs, Samuel Hopkins, Edward Wooster, 'J'homas Langdon, John Brown, Francis French, Robert Denison, Isaac Platt, of Milford, a tract of land at a place called Paugasuck, and by these men above named put under New Haven jurisdiction in the year 1655. the bounds of which tract of land is as hereafter followeth, namely, with Naugatuck river west, a small rock south, with a swamp on the east, and a little brook or spring that runs into the Beaver river north." The next record made gives some idea of the location and the work then being done to make the beginning of a settle- ment : " Paugasuck Inhabitants reconed with Edward Wooster this 2d of January 1665-6 and they are indebted to him as follows : For the grass land so called i^i 5 o For the middle island so called ;^3 o o For the two mile island so called £2 14 o " They have further agreed this 2d of January that he is to stay for this money till he hath had the sum by their purchasing their lands or other common works belonging to the place. "They have also renewed upon Edward Wooster a former grant of land, namely, the Long lot so called, only there is to be a sufficient cart wav through it, and the fishhouse island so called, and the two FIRST ACCOUNTS. 1 9 mile island so called ; the above said Edward VVoosterhath three grants conferred upon him ; also these conditions as followeth. namely, present security that he is not to drive any cattle through the meadow without it be where it is common ; and that he is not to common in the meadow but proportionally according to his lands. " Dehts due to the company as followeth, Edward Riggs^'o 7s 2d. The company is indebted as followeth 2:11: 65, John Brown 7:12: 65. Joseph Hawkins for going to Stratford ^o Work done upon the general account April 1666 Samuel Riggs three days and a half John Brown three days and a half Francis French two days John Brown one day Samuel Riggs one day John Brown and his son Joseph each half a day Francis French half a day Joseph Riggs half a day John Bruer for goodman Wooster half a day Francis French one day Joseph Riggs one day 1667. Work done on the general account Setting up that fence which was bought of Samuel Riggs s. d. Francis French 3 days and a half ^o 8 9 Samuel Riggs ^ ''''*' *' 89 Abel Gunn 3 " " '' ^' 89 Francis French i day more 2 6 Samuel Risrgs j «' •« 26" s. d. ;^o I 3 £0 5 s. d. £0 07 06 07 06 05 00 02 06 02 06 01 08 1 03 I 03 I 03 2 06 2 06 'tee>- It is probable that in the spring of 1667 was made, among the ten proprietors, THE FIRST DIVISION OF LAND. It is stated as preliminary to the division that John Burwell sold his right to Thomas Hine, and he to Henry Lyon, and he to Henry Botsford. Also that Samuel Hopkins, one of the ten, sold his to John Smith, and then the division was made. 20 HISTORY OF DERBY. "The laying out of this tract of land above mentioned, and the number of acres both of upland and meadow : Home Lot. Upland. Meadow. John Brown i 1-2 acres 4 acres. 3 acres Isaac Piatt i 1-2 " 4 " 3 •' Edward Rijigs i 1-2 " 4^3 Richard Baldwin 2 "and a rod 6 " 4 1-2 " Edward Wooster i 1-2 " 4 " 3 " Francis French i 1-2 *' 4^3 " Henry Botsford i 1-2 " 4 " 3 " Robert Denison i 1-2 " 4 " 3 " John Smith 112" 4 " 3 " Thomas Langdon i 1-2 " 4 " 3 " Thomas Langdon hath his home lot where his house stands." After this plan was adopted and before the land was laid out, it was recorded that Alexander Bryan had bought of Thomas Langdon all his right at Paugasuck, and Edward Wooster had bought the same of Mr. Bryan ; upon which Thomas Langdon seems to have removed from the place. The description of the laying of these lots is important in order to know where the settlement first began, and thereby to know many other things which transpired in the town. " At the laying out of the meadow, Edward Wooster accepted the lower end of the meadow, for his meadow lot, bounded with Richard Baldwin north, with Naugatuck river west, with a creek south and a creek east. " Richard Baldwin hath a piece of meadow bounded with Edward Wooster south, Naugatuck river west, and Francis French north, and a creek running under the hill east. " Francis French hath his meadow lot bounded with the foot of the hill east, with Richard Baldwin south, with Naugatuck river west, with Edward Wooster north." In this manner they continue to measure out the meadow lots until they came to John Smith, the last of the ten, when they declare that his meadow and upland are joined together, (as in the accompanying plan), that is, his upland joined the east end of the meadow and then went up the hill east, making the southern boundary of the village as then arranged at the place known now as Up Town or Old Town. FIHST VILLAGE PLOT. 21 Meadow I.and. Upland. John Smith, 4 acres. Creek. Ed. Wooster, Richard Baldwin, 4^. Francis French, Edward Wooster, 3. John Brown, 3. Isaac Piatt, 3. Edward Riggs, 3. Robert Denison, 3. Henry Botsford, 3. John Smith, 3. Henry Botsford, 4 acres. Rich'd Baldwin 2 acres. Highway. Ed. Wooster, 4 acres. Isaac Piatt, 4 acres. Rich'd Baldwin, 4 acres. Ed. Wooster, 4 acres. Tree and swamp. John Brown, 4 acres. Francis French, Highway. Rob't Denison, 4 acres. Francis French, 4 acres. Edward Riggs, 4 acres. 22 HISTORY OF DERBY. A portion of the Nauojatuck river at that time came down along the eastern bank a short distance below the old burying ground, then turning to the right, as is still apparent by the trees and the depression in the meadow, passed over to the Great Neck (or I^irmingham) and then down by the old trading house. Hence the meadow land was bounded "west with Naugatuck river," and at the east a little way " with a creek," or the water flowing u\) by the tide, and after two lots, the others were bounded on the " east with the foot of the hill," there being no creek there. The confirmation of this river course will be quite clearly established hereafter. Of the upland lots, five of them are bounded on the west with Naugatuck river, and east with a highway ; the other tier are bounded on the west with a highway and on the east with the foot of the hill. This was the first formal laying out of land by the company. Edward Riggs had selected him a farm on the hill, and Francis French also. Edward Wooster and Thomas Langdon had built their houses, at this place, near the river, but all this was done without a formal division of land. When this division was made Edward Wooster and Thomas Langdon received lots where their houses stood, and these houses were probably built in 1654, and Edward Riggs built at the same time on the hill. Francis French built his later, that is, in 1661, when he was married. Soon after this division was made Richard Baldwin died and his widow sold all her interest in Paugassett to Alexander Bryan, and then followed an interesting time in buying and selling lots as in many other real estate enterprises since that day ; the most important of which was that of John Brown, who sold all his land on the east side of the river and with Joseph Hawkins bought the Wheeler farm, on the point ; but which purchase Mr. Brown soon gave up and removed to New- ark, N. J. Here then was the village of Paugassett as laid by authority in 1665-6, containing two houses, perhaps more, inhabited, and the house on the Wheeler farm ; and Edward Riggs's and P^ancis P^ench's houses on the hill east. Edward Wooster s house stood on the lot laid at the north end of the plot, as it is MKSSRS. GOFF AND WHALLKV. 23 said the road bej^an "at liis gate," and then went south between the two tiers of lots. Mr. Wooster was a farmer and made a specialty of hop raising in Milford, as indicated by the follow- ing town record : "A General Court, Oct. 24, 165 1. Consid- ering the pressing need of hops, the town grants to I'2dward Wooster an acre, more or less, lying up the Mill river, to be improved for a hop garden, according to his request. This is not to pay rates while improved for hops.""^ It is probable that the raising of hops on the meadow land at Paugassett was a leading object in Edward Wooster's settling here in 1654, as he did. Edward Riggs was one of the first settlers in 1654, being one of the original ten proprietors, his house standing on the place still known as the Riggs farm on the hill a mile east of Old Town, or the first village lots laid out. In his house two remarkable men found shelter and protection ; they were Messrs. Goff and Whalley, judges of Charles the First of Eng- land. President Stiles, in his history of these men and the place of their resort called The Lodge, says, " They left it and removed to Milford, August, 1661, after having resided in and about New Haven for near half a year, from 7th of March to the 19th of August, 1661. During this time they had two other occasional lodgments in the woods ; one at the house of Mr. Riggs, newly set up in the wilderness at Paugassett or Derby, another between that and Milford." The same author, speaking of two houses near West Rock a little out of New Haven, says, "these were the only two houses in 1661, west- ward from New Haven, between the West Rock and Hudson's river, unless we except a few houses at Derby or Paugassett. All was an immense wilderness. Indeed, all the environs of New Haven was wilderness, except the cleared tract about half a mile or a mile around the town." In another part of his book, President Stiles gives the follow- ing important information : "The judges might have some other secret retreats and temporary lodgments ; I have heard of two more within ten miles around New Haven, but not with so perfect certainty. The one about four miles from Milford, on the road to Derby where an old cellar remains to this I'^Lamliert's History '>f Milford. 24 IIISIORV ol" DlikliV. day [1794], said to have been one of their recluses. This is called George's Cellar, from one George who afterwards lived there. The other at Derby on the eastern bank of the Naugatuck river at a place then called Paugasset and near the church. Madam Humphreys, con- sort of the Rev. Daniel Humphreys, and the mother of the ambassa- dor, was a Riggs, and a descendant of Edward Riggs, one of the first settlers of Derby between 1655 and 1660. She often used to speak of it as the family tradition that the judges who sometimes secreted them- selves at the cave and Sperry's farm, also for some time secreted them- selves at Derby, in the house of her grandfather, Mr. Edward Riggs ; whose house was forted or palisadoed. to secure it from the Indians ; there being, 1660, perhaps fewer than half a dozen English families there in the woods, ten or a dozen miles from all other English settle- ments, and they all lodged in this forted house. They mi^ht probably shift their residences, especially in the dangerous summer of i66r, to disappoint and deceive pursuivants and avoid discovery. This tradi- tion is preserved in the Riggs and Humphrey families to this day."'^ Here we have the information that Edward Riggs's house was fortified, or made like a fort, in 1661, and that all the families [in times of danger] "lodged in this forted house." This in- formation is reliable, because Madam Humphreys lived several years cotemporary with her grandfather. Ensign Samuel Riggs, (not Edward, as Dr. Stiles has it) ; she being the daughter of Capt. John and not of Ensign Samuel. Erom the fact that these men were protected at Mr. Riggs's home, we learn that the family were residing here at that time, and if so, they probably did not return to Milford after their first settlement in 1654, that is, Edward Riggs's family ; Samuel Riggs was not married until 1667 ; and we have confirmed an- other supposition that there were no dwellings between West Rock, New Haven and the Hudson river, so far back from the Sound shore. Such was the loneliness of the place where three or four families resided about ten years. Francis French was another of these settlers of 1654, but was not married until 1661. His house, no doubt, was built on the hill half a mile east of the village, and it is probable that his lot as laid in the village, joined at the foot of the hill, his land on the hill. I'Stiles's Judges, 1 13. FIRST si':rTLP:KS. 25 Thomas Langdon was living in his house mentioned in bound- ing the lots first laid out, and being 'one of the original pur- chasers, may have resided at this place some of the time since the first settlement, but how much we are not certain. JoJin Broivii was here and did work, and land was laid to him, and it appears that he resided here, but of it we are not certain. He soon removed to Newark, N. J. Henry Botsford may have resided here, but it is very doubtful. Isaac Piatt and Robert Denison sold their rights and never resided here so far as is known. JoJm Smith did not settle here, but his son, Ephraim, did, in 1668 ; and he may have worked here as a single man, some years before. Richard Baldwin did not reside here, probably, but his de- scendants did some years afterwards. There was a John Brewer working here, but the name is not seen again on the records in many years. Joseph Haivkins purchased land on the neck soon after the village lots w^ere laid out, but was not married until 166S ; his father, Joseph, senior, did not settle here. The best information thus far obtained leads to the conclu- sion that the first settlers came in 1654, and were Edward Wooster, Thomas Langdon, located at Old Town ; Edward Riggs, located on the hill east ; and Francis French on the hill in 1661 ; Lieut. Thomas Wheeler lived on the Point from 1657 or 8 to 1664, and returned to Stratford. That there was a settlement made here in 1654, is without doubt, since they made application in the spring of 1655, and were admitted by the New Haven court into the jurisdiction as a village, which could not have been if there had been no settle- ment. It has been entertained that the first settlement was wholly at Squabble Hole, where the first meeting house was built, but that house was built twenty-seven years after the first settlers came, at which time the settlement had extended over Sentinel Hill ; and the people evidently thought a large proportion of future settlers would be in that part of the town, but found themselves quite mistaken after a few years. In the autumn previous to the laying out this first land, the 4 26 HISTORY OF DERBY. colonies of New Haven and Connecticut were united, and the General Court put on a different face towards the little planta- tion in the Naugatuck valley.'^ " This court upon the petition of the inhabitants of ' Paugasuck ' do declare that they are willing to afford the best encouragement they can to promote a plantation there and if there do a sufficient number ap- pear betwixt this and October next that will engage to m;ike a planta- tion there, to maintain an orthodox minister among them, that they may be in a capable way to enjoy the ordinances of God and civil order amongst themselves, then the court will be ready to confer such privi- leges as may be for their comfort, so they do not prejudice the town of Milford or New Haven in their commons. Oct. 12, 1665."^" THE englishman's HOGS AND THE INDIANS. Although from first to last the English and the Indians pre- served great friendliness and fidelity, there were some differ- ences of sentiment and manner of living, especially in regard to the cultivation of the soil. The Paugasuck Indians at this time dwelt on the Great Neck, a little back of Birmingham, and down by the side of the Ousatonic river in the vicinity of the present dam. The Pootatucks dwelt on the west side of the Ousatonic where the village of Shelton now stands, and below towards the narrows. Some few Indians may have been dwell- ing at Turkey Hill, although it was after this or about this time that the Milford Indians as a body took their abode on that hill, just south of the boundaries of Derby ; a few may have been living at the narrows. The Indians made no fences around their cornfields, or very few and poor ones ; the English did about theirs, and desired to allow their hogs and cattle to run in common in the woods ad- joining the fenced fields and meadows, but if this was allowed, the animals, not discerning the difference of ownership, would go into the Indians' corn, and especially when led by the red man's creatures, which though few, always roamed at large, so that the Indians' corn was sometimes nearly annihilated by his 18 Very particular attention and study has been given to these items of the first set- tlement, since the traditions and public prints differ concerning them. A careful examination of the town records will verify what is here written. "Conn. Col. Rec. i. ENGLISH AND INDIANS. 2/ own animals, with a strong inclination in their owners to lay the damages upon the English. This seems to have been about the only trouble that ever occurred between the Derby people and the Indians. It was in view of this difficulty that Lieuten- ant Wheeler of Stratford, two years before, when of Paugassett, had requested advice of the New Haven court, and that body ordered the people of Paugassett and the Indians there and at Milford, to meet the court in the autumn session at Milford and have a hearing from both sides. Mr. Wheeler in his re- quest stated " that he found some annoyance by the Indians planting so near their borders and not fencing anything like, but their creatures may go in as they will, that he can keep no hogs but in pens ; and how far their duty was, and the Indians in reference to fencing he desired to be informed." Hence, "At the General Court, May, 1666, a committee as follows : Capt. John Nash, Mr. Banks, Mr. F'airchild and En- sign Judson or any three of them are desired and appointed to view a tract of land that Towtannamo hath made over to Rich- ard Baldwin of Milford, and to consider what the nature and quantity is of meadow and upland and swamp, and also to hear a difference between the Indians and English at Paugassett and the Indians at Pootatuck and also to view the land at Pau- gasuck whether it may be fit for a township."-'" What difference there was between the Pootatucks and the English, if any, is not suggested anywhere in the records, but one of the greatest annoyances the English endured was the manner of the Indians in coming into their houses without giv- ing any notice or warning, and this would have been endurable if they would stop when they had entered, but this they would not do. The Indian must see everything in the house, in all the rooms, upstairs and down cellar, in the pantry, the pork barrel — anywhere and everywhere unless hindered by the bar- ring of doors or peremptory commands by those who had strength to execute their orders. The toiling housewife, going out to hang the washed clothes on the line, would return to find a not very tidy squaw peering through the cupboard, hand- ling the dishes, the meats, vegetables, breads — no matter »^ I Col. Rec. 1665-77. 28 HISTORY OF DERBV. what nor how, only that the marvelous curiosity should be grat- ified. And, the most trying of all, any amount of gentle re- monstrance or otherwise would be met with that cold, indefina- ble, meaningless look that nobody could exhibit but a squaw, not even an " injun," that patience would seem no longer to be a grace, and yet any other grace would be risky, unless a large amount of force was near at hand in case of need. Therefore, between the trouble of the Englishman's hogs in the red man's corn and the Indians in the white man's houses, there was so little choice as to challenge the wisdom of the General Court and the ingenuity and endurance of the planters and the In- dians to the utmost extent. How Lieutenant Wheeler's family endured six years on Great Neck, the only English family there or within reach without crossing a river, close to the thickest of the Indian settlement, is a marvel, almost beyond belief in the present day. He made seven thousand dollars, apparently, by the enterprise ; his wife should have had twice that amount as her part. No wonder they returned to civilization before they could sell the farm ! Then Edward Wooster's and Thomas Langdon's families at Old Town several years, and not another family within eight miles, except Edward Riggs's on the hill and Thomas Wheeler's on the Neck, and in one respect Wheeler was favored, the In- dians protected him on the north from the wolves, but not so with Wooster and Langdon ; they alone must kill the wolves or the wolves would clear their barn-yards to the last pig, and not be very delicate about the little ones of the family. Prob- ably W\)oster's seven sons had about as many wolf stories in which they were actors as was agreeable, without reading any romance of that character. It is not all romance, however, when we read as we do, a little later, of Samuel Riggs's wolf pit probably half a mile north-east of Wooster's dwelling and the Bear swamp ; they were realities uncomfortably near to those solitary homes. It is not much wonder that the New- Haven court threatened to remove Edward Wooster to the abodes of Christian people if Christian people would not go to him. Nor is it surprising that the General Court had the opportu- nity of recording this request in May, 1667, "Edward Woos- HAKX'KSriNG CORN. 29 ter, in behalf of some in Paugassett, petitioned for the privilege of a plantation and a church," and the court gave them two years to increase their number so as to be able to maintain a minister, but it is surprising that the court would not allow them to admit any inhabitants except such as might be ap- proved by Mr. Bryan, Mr. Bishop, Me. Fairchild and Mr. John Clarke, all of Milford, and in the meantime should pay rates at Milford, thus placing them wholly at the pleasure of that peo- ple. And upon his petition at the end of two years, the court condescended to continue their privileges and encouragement on the same conditions as at this time, that is, two years more of hope and delay. But the court did take one .little step for- ward, so gently as not to hurt any one, by appointing Edward Wooster constable for the year 1669; Mr. Bryan to administer the oath to him. This was really the first officer with which the plantation had been honored, and it was properly bestowed on Edward Wooster, the wolf-killer, and for living so long alone in the wilderness, the Lion-hearted. Hence they en- dured long, and some of the wonderfulness of that endurance we shall see in the progress of this history. Trouble and difficulty in saving their corn in the autumn af- ter it was grown, led to the following AGREEMENT. " Paugasset inhabitants met together and have made the following agreement to secure their corn which was as followeth, that they were to measure their fence to the mouth of the creek that goeth into Nau- gatuck river and set so much upon the hill, and Joseph Hawkins and John Brown is to measure theirs (or as much) and set it upon the hill, and if any be wanting of their railing they are ail of them to join to- gether and make it up and then to divide it equally. They have also agreed that every man's yard shall be a pound and that any cattle that are found in the meadow without a sufficient keeper shall be poundable except when the meadow is common ; and it shall not be laid common without a joint consent ; and if any swine come into it and take the corn, the owner of them shall shut them up and keep them up after they have warning till the meadow is common ; and if any man shall willingly put in any beast, horse or any other beast into the meadow he shall forfeit five shillings for every such offence. This agreement is to 30 HISTORY OF DERBY. Stand authentic till we see cause to alter it." This agreement was made " this 4th of Sept., 1667. John 15rown-^ Ephraim Smith Francis French Abel Gunn Samuel Riggs Joseph Hawkins Edward Wooster." The fence was built around the meadow land lying below Ansonia, and between the hills on either side of the valley. The fence was outside, leaving the river inclosed with the meadow, for i^ set inside the floods would have swept it away every year. The fence being removed back on the hill for a distance on either side would make two small fields, secure from the water, and yet fenced in from the cattle that roamed in the adjoining woods. It is said, and there are many evi- dences confirming it, that the main bed of the river was on the west side of this lot, where the railroad now is, but after the settlement of the place the river went to the east side of the valley, as now, while considerable water continued on the west side and was called the Old river and the other the New. A gentleman (Mr. William B. Lewis) recently deceased, at an advanced age, a native of the town, an old school teacher, quite intelligent and reliable in all he said, and given also to scientific investigations, gives, in a letter to Dr. A. Beardsley, an account of the change of the river bed in this place. "When our ancestors came to Paugassett the Naugatuck pursued a different course through the meadow from the pres- ent one. PVom near the present Birmingham dam, south of the Ansonia bridge, the stream continued down the west side of the valley, not so direct as the race now is, but sometimes closing up to the bank, at others inclining eastward, entering the Ousatonic where the race of the Iron and Steel Works and Foundry now does, leaving a narrow strip of meadow attached to the Point House farm, on which our regimental traininjrs were held before Birmingham was built. "A continuation of the Beaver brook wound through the meadow along the east side, carrying the drainage of that side of the valley, and entering the Ousatonic through the creek '■^iThis is the last appearance of John Brown's na:ne on the records. THE OLD NAl'GATUCK. 3 I south of the causeway which now makes an island of the south part of the meadow, which then joined the Paugassett shore. This alluvial bottom land, being mostly clear of trees and cov- ered with grass suitable for hay, was found to be of great value to the new comers before they had opportunity to clear and cultivate artificial meadows. The upper end of this meadow, being rather dry and sandy, Mr. Wooster undertook to irrigate by plowing and digging a trench from a bend in the river, and flowing the meadow ; in which he succeeded admirably for the first summer. But, neglecting to close his ditch in the fall, and old Naugatuck being unusually swollen at the following spring freshet, found it a very convenient means of disposing a part of its surplus waters, and thus in a few years the main body of the river passed down the east side of the valley, forming what was then called the New river ; the west branch which con- tinued for a long time to carry a part of the water, being called the Old river. The southern portion of it continued to drain the west part of the meadow and its adjacent bank after it had been closed above at the building of Hull's mills, which was done to connect their race with the creek from Beaver brook, as that gave a better outlet. The restless Naugatuck being dissatisfied with the monotony of the east bank, has, within the last sixty years, seceded from it and gone into the meadow westward, and filling up the channel on the east side so that cultivated fields and timbered land now occupy the place where vessels were built and launched, before the bridge and cause- way were built. "The south part of the Old river was formerly famed for fish. Eels were abundant ; large numbers of the delicious smelt were caught in a deep hole or enlargement of the stream a few rods east of the present waste-weir which is not yet quite filled up, notwithstanding the erasive effort of the annual flood. Ros- well, the aged colored man of Ansonia, was celebrated when a boy for skill in taking trout from the. Old river. He was often secretly watched to learn his art, but was never excelled. The Derby boys once saw his two little brothers stirring up the mud up stream, and felicitated themselves, like Deliah and the Philis- tines, but a repetition of the experiment proved its fallacy and Roswell bore the palm alone." 32 IIISTOKV OF DKKHV. This description agrees with all terms used in the records of the town, except that for a time the New river, on the east side, did not continue close to the bank as far down as the pres- ent Derby bridge, but when a little below the old burying ground it crossed the meadow to Birmingham side into the old river, and afterwards cut the channel by Derby village where the vessels were built. That may not have been long after 1665, at which time in laying the meadow lots at that place they are bounded on the east by the hill and not by the river, which must have been if it were there. The Indian field, spoken of frequently in the records, consisted of the upper part of this meadow land, extending down to about the present New Haven road, crossing the valley ; and the Long lot extended from that road south, or down the valley, to where the river crossed from a little below the old burying ground south-westerly to the Point, now Birmingham. Some years later the whole valley from Ansonia to the causeway, or a little below, was probably in one lot, as the fence on either side measured about two miles long, as recorded. In 1665, the General Court required that the owners of Paugasuck''" should jnuxhase no more lands until they had be- come a separate plantation, and for three years they gave heed to the injunction, but the temptation was too powerful, there being so much land to be had, and the Indians being charmed, almost to a frenzy, with the possibility of selling land and receiving pay. The latter seemed to have no idea that such sales would ever necessitate their removal from the community, but only that they should thereby obtain such things as the P^nglishman had, guns, dogs, clothing, ornaments and drinks. The Indians afterward complained that the white man had taken away their lands for inconsiderable considerations, but every circumstance of the sale of the lands here, indicates most unmistakably that they were urged upon the English over and over, and upon various parties under a diversity of circum- stances, some of which indicate debts that- would not otherwise have been paid. At this time Mr. Joseph Havvley and Henry Tomlinson of "In the Conn. Col. Records, this nmne for sonic vears is spelled mostlv Pawgasiick. NEW PURCHASES. 33 Stratford, (they not being proprietors of Paugasuck,) purchased a piece of land on the Great Neck, north of any owned by the English, and opened anew the real estate enterprises of the wilderness. '^^ " Be it known . . that I, Puckwomp, by virtue of full power unto me given . . by my brother Kehore. now living in Hartford, who hath sent his son Nanatoush to join with me to sell to Joseph Hawley and Henry Tomlinson, both of Stratford . . all that tract of land lying upon Great neck near unto Paugassett, bounded by the Great river on the south-west, north and north-west by a small river and the south end of the Great hill. South and south-east by marked trees ; all which land . . reaching into the middle of the neck, for which land we do confess to have received now in hand . . in several goods to the just value of five pounds sterling. Subscribed i6th Aug., 1668. Atterosse, Sagamore, his mark, Poquonat, his mark, Nanatoush, his mark, Cherakmath, his mark, Kehore, his mark, Chesusumock, his mark, Rourkowhough, his mark, Machetnumledge, his mark." Mr. Alexander Bryan the merchant of Milford, followed, by a purchase on the east side, (the Indian deed of which has not been found,) and sold Dec. 17, 1668, to John Hulls and Jabez Harger of Stratford, " a tract of land at Paugassett called Pequacs plain, with meadow adjoining called by the name of James meadow, with all privileges." . . This land lay north of any covered by former deeds, which left its owners unpro- tected by any grants already made to Paugassett ; they agree- ing to inhabit and fence this land and these improvements to stand as security to Mr. Bryan for the sum of twenty-four pounds in current pay at or before the first day of March in the year 1668, or the next March, as they then divided the year. These were new men and both settled in the place, but Mr. Hulls not until some years later, and their descendants are still residents of the old territory as well as being numerous and scattered in all directions through the land. Doctor John Hulls, after being in Stratford a short time, settled here and became ■■^'*A part of this and other Indian deeds are given in order to preserve the local names; names of the Indians, and to indicate the progress of the settlement. 34 HISTORY OF DEKBV. a prominent man ; remained about thirteen years and removed to Wallingford, where he deceased. Jabez Harger married in 1662 the daughter of Henry Tomlinson, who had now (1668) made the purchase on the west side with Mr. Hawley, and made his home here in 1668-9. Abel Gunn made two entries in his book about this time that are a little too much abbreviated as to dates to give perfect sat- isfaction : THE FIRST ENTRY. "March 15, 166, 70: The Trew And Right Proprietares of Pagaset, That Have the sole Dispose of all Lands That are By Them Pur- chased, They Are as Foloeth, Mr. Haly [Hawley]: Ed. Wester: Frances French : Samuel Rigs : Abell Gun : Ephram Smith : Joseph Hawkins: Hen. Boxford." THE SECOND ENTRY. ''March 15, 166, 70. The inhabitants of Pagaset are as followeth : Ed Wester : Francis French : Joseph Hawkins : Samuel Rigs : Ephram Smith : Abell Gun : Stephen Person : Jeremiah Johnson." The one entry was made probably in 1667 and the other in 1670, as the latter gives us two new names, Stephen Pierson and Jeremiah Johnson, who became settlers in that year (1670). Mr. Pierson came here from Stratford where he had married Mary, daughter of Henry Tomlinson. Mr. Johson was from New Haven with a family, and was the grandfather of Bennajah, the early settler at Beacon Falls, and his father, Jeremiah Johnson, Sen., was with him. Why Doctor Hull and Jabez Harger are not mentioned as proprietors is supposed to be, because they were not " of Pagaset " or of the territory recognized by the court ; the' rea- son why Mr. Hawley is mentioned as a proprietor and Mr. Henry Tomlinson as not, is unexplainablc, unless the former retained something of the jiurchases made previous to this last. In the first of these enumerations the persons are called pro- prietors, some of whom resided elsewhere ; in the other they are inhabitants. Samuel Riggs had married the daughter of Richard Baldwin, June 4, 1667, and she was without doubt the second bride in I'augassctt, or the town of Derby. Abel Gunn Cliildren. Families. Children. 9 Ephraim Smith O 5 Abel Gunn O 2 Stephen Pierson 2 I Jeremiah Johnson Jr. 4 THE IIAWLEV PURCH.\.SE. 35 married the .sister of Ephraim Smith Oct. 29, 1667, the third bride in the place ; about which time, probably, Joseph Haw- kins, Jr., married, April 8, 1668, a sister to Ebenezer John- son's second wife, and settled on the Neck. The result of the settlement at the end of si.xteen years as to resident families and number of persons may be supposed as follows : Families. Edward Wooster Francis French Joseph Hawkins Jr. Samuel Riggs In all thirty-nine persons besides servants and help employed ; which was quite an improvement on the lonely habitation of Edward Wooster a few years previous. In May, 1670, Alexander Bryan received another deed-* of land on the Neck, lying north of the one he had sold recently to Hawley and Tomlinson, and sold the same to John Brins- made, Sen., Henry Tomlinson, and Joseph Hawley [.senior] of Stratford, completing a belt of land from the Ousatonic to the Naugatuck river, extending north to the four mile brook and the brook coming into the Naugatuck at West Ansonia, con- taining, as we afterwards learn, about five hundred acres. This land, with the other sold to Mr. Hawley, is afterwards for many years called the Hawley purchase. At this time {spring of 1671) the Paugassett company ac- cepted the Hawley purchase, if it had not been previcnisly, as company property ; and divisions were made to those of whom the tracts of land had been received. For the Hawley piu-- '^* " A tract of land lying in the Great Neck, between Paugassett river and Poota- tiick river, bounded with Pootatuck river on the west side, with a little brook and the English purchase on the south, with a brook that runs from Naugatuck river to a brook called the four mile brook, . . and Naugatuck east, . . to Alexander Bryan . . in consideration of the sum of seventeen pounds in hand received. Chubbs, his mark Coshoshemack*, his mark Ke Ke Sumun, his mark Wataquenock, his mark Wasawas, his mark Atrechanasett, his mark Johns, his mark .Sasaoso, his mark *Tliis is Chusumack,— and probably Momanchewaug alias Cush (or Chusc) of Pootatuck, of Mauwee, whose son or grandson was Old Chuse, of Chuse Town. Everything in the several deeds indicates this relation of these families. 36 HISTORY OF DKRBY. chase Abel Gunn and Samuel Riggs gave their bond to Alex- ander Bryan for thirty-four pounds, and afterwards the follow- ing persons bound themselves with the former to pay the sum : Edward Wooster. Francis French. Joseph Hawkins. Ephraim Smith. Ebenezer Johnson. Jonas Tomlinson. John Tibbals. Moses Johnson. The reason for this leading of Abel Gunn and Samuel Riggs is, probably, that they were the most energetic business men in the place, and hence were more ready to run a venture than the others, but there was another one coming, yea, already at their doors, they knew it not, who was, by his marvelous endurance and energy, destined to surpass them all so far as to scarcely allow friendly comparison ; the marvelous Ebenezer Johnson. From this time for many years the question of dividing lands was most important and most difficult. Those persons already in the company must be made equal in proportion to the money invested. New-comers were in the plantation and others pro- posing to come, and to encourage those without to come, they entered upon a plan of making appropriations gratis, upon con- ditions that the individuals should build themselves houses and fences, and with their families become residents of the place. They were to come within two years and stay four, or the ap- propriation should revert to the company. Under this plan grants were made in 1670 to John Tibballs, Stephen Picrson, and to those already in the place various grants were made that year; and in April, 1671, to Ebenezer Johnson a lot bounded on the north with the common, on the west with the Great river, on the south with the Devil's Jump, so called, and on the east with common land. ]\Ir. Johnson had been in the town probably a short time, and in the next November married Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Edward Wooster, and fullfilled his engagement to settle on the land granted him. The Devil's Jump was a narrow, deep ravine a little north of the mouth of Two-mile brook. Whether this land extended so far east as to include that whereon afterwards his house was built", a mile east of the nar- rows, is not known, but soon after this date he received other rKOFOSlil) BOUNDARIES. 37 grants of small pieces on the " east side of Sentinel hill," and made a purchase of land in the x'icinity, so that he became very early a large land-holder, for that day ; and on it built a fine estate, noted for many years. In February, 1672, it was " voted that Francis French, Sam- uel Riggs, Henry Botsford, Fphraim Smith, Abel Gunn, Mr. Hawley, are to be made up equal in lands with Edward Wooster, according to proportion. Edward Wooster gave in his land which he had more than those above mentioned, and he gave it in as twenty acres of sizable land, and it was agreed that those men should have forty acres of sized land on Sentinel hill ; they are to have ten acres for one ; forty for a double share and twenty for a single share ; and they are to take this land upon Sentinel hill where they see cause, provided highways be not obstructed." There was already a fenced lot on Sentinel hill inclosing lands laid out to ten persons, the older owners. Circumstances and toil having brightened somewhat, the ap- pearance of success and the subject coming up in the May court, that body seemed to wake out of sleep, as to this corner of their vineyard, and issued their encouragement in a tone so spirited as to put new life into the whole enterprise. "Whereas this Court have manifested themselves ready to encourage a plantation [at] Paugasuck provided the people there may be in a capacity to maintain an orthodox minister amongst them there, which this Court cannot see it will be capable unless there may be thirty fam- ilies entertained ; and for the encouragement of such as shall see cause to plant there, this Court are willing and do hereby grant that their bounds shall be on the south on Milford bounds, on the west on Poota- tuck river, and from their South bounds into the north, twelve miles ; and that they shall have liberty to improve all the meadow lying on Pompawraug river, although it be out of their bounds, till the Court shall see cause otherwise to dispose of it." This deliverance gave confidence to every movement, and a warrant of success, and the only wonder is that it was not said years sooner. "April II, 1672. The inhabitants of Paugasuck being lawfully warned, met, and voted that all that now are or shall be to the number of thirty, shall pay to the purchasing of the minister's lot, every man alike, and . . all inhabitants shall go equal in all purchases that here- 38 HISTORY OF DERBY. after shall be made by them, and shall have alike in all divisions, to the number of thirty inhabitants ; only those that shall come after the making of this order shall be made up equal in lands with those that are the last comers to the place, as Ebenezer Johnson, Mosos Tomlin- son, John Tibballs, Stephen Pierson and Joseph Hawkins." They also agreed, a little later, that no inhabitant should be admitted without the lawful meeting of all the inhabitants ; and that no land should be granted except on a vote of two meetings. In 1670 a division was made to Joseph Hawkins of quite a tract of land, which seems to indicate that he surrendered to the town his part of the Wheeler farm, although no deed to this effect has been seen. The boundaries to Mr. Hawkins's grant reads : " bounded with the present fence east (along the west branch of the Naugatuck) with the channel of Poota- tuck river west, with the land between Mr. Alexander Bryan and Joseph [Hawkins] on the south, and with the present path that goes to the old fort and the brook on the north. The terms are as followeth. that no highway convenient for Mr. Alexander Bryan shall be hindered, and that the company shall take up land elsewhere according to proportion." Here it is clear that Mr. Bryan was still in the possession of the Wheeler farm on the point; and if so, was probably engaged in building ships, as the reason why special care is taken not to obstruct the highways to his injury. And it is probable also, that, mer- chant as he was, he had some kind of store or trading house here, which he and his son Richard continued some }ears later and which was passed into the hands of Mr. Joseph Hawkins, probably about 1685, or a little earlier. Alexander Bryan was a very energetic business man, a mer- chant, not only at Milford where he resided but also at Paugas- sett. He was a member of the court at New Haven a number of years, and also of the General Court at Hartford. He was selected by the New Haven court in 1655 to send the laws of the Colony to England to be printed and to ship as a merchant the provisions to Barbadoes to procure the money to pay the bill for printing, thus indicating that he was the most extensive trader in the Colony. As early as 1640 he "sent a vessel to the Bay [Boston] laden with beaver, otter, and other precious MR. ALi:XANI)KR BR\AX. 39 furs," and in return brought such goods as were desired at Mil- ford and the region. And it may have been that those furs were, a considerable portion of them at least, obtained in the region of Paugassett, and became the occasion of stirring Mr. Wakeman of New Haven to build here the trading house in 1642. In 1675, Mr. Bryan, his son Richard, also a merchant, and William East of Milford, merchant, owned two brigs and one sloop, which they kept engaged in trade to the West Indies and Boston, and his vessels, most probably, brought to Derby most of the goods imported, and carried out the surplus provisions, iurs and staves that were provided for the market. His credit is said to have stood so high that his notes of hand were as current in Boston as bank bills at any time. A large proportion of the deeds from the Indians of Paugas- sett lands, passed through his hands as the real owner, and his friendly and constant help in this matter was of very considera- ble advantage to the plantation. A grant of land was made to his son Richard, "merchant," in 1680, to become an inhabitant of Derby, and after a short time the grant was renewed with special inducements mentioned, showing that there were nego- tiations for such an end entered into by him, but the matter failed, and soon after he passed from his earthly work and his father settled his estate property here. Richard Baldwin was the first father of the plantation, Alexander Bryan was the second. In May, 1673, Nicholas Camp and John Beard were accepted as inhabitants, and a grant of land lying near to the new Indian fort was granted them under the rules established, but they do not appear to have settled in the town, unless some years later. This same year, also, Alexander Bryan purchased the western- most island'-'^ in the Ousatonic River in front of Birmingham, and delivered it to the town, probably soon after. This deed was signed by the name Chushumack, who is probably the ^^"All my island in the (heat River called Pootatuck . . l)einj!; situate against the Indian field, which formerly I sold to Mr. Alexander Bryan, senior, and against the Indian fort . . in cousideriition of a guu and other good pay in hand received. This 5th of June, 1673. Chushamack, Sachem, his mark. Ponomskut, his mark. Robbin, his mark. Pawanet, his mark. Amonequon, his mark. Chawbrook, his mark." Kchow, his mark. 40 HISTORY OF DICKHV. grandfather of the Chuse who was chief at Seymour some years later. He signed the deed given to Joseph Hawley and Henry Tomlinson, in 1668, of land above Birmingham. This is the more probable as the gathering of the Indians at Chuse-town was made of the remnants of those who had dwelt lower down on both rivers, the Pootatuck and Paugassett. The name Cliiise, therefore, may have been an abbreviation of his full name, which was a very fashionable custom in those days for English as well as Indians, and not the result of Indian accent in pronouncing the word choose. Another deed of lands partly in Stratford and partly in Derby was signed by this same sachem and fourteen Pootatuck In- dians, which included a tract of land larger than the present town of Derby, covering a large portion of the Great Neck.'^^ In the next year (1674), in March, two parcels of land were deeded, one to Jabez Harger, and the other to Jonas Tomlinson, 2^" Be it known to all Christian people, Indians and others whom it may con. earn, that I Pocona and Ringo and Quoconoco and Whimta who are right owners of one Island in the Great river Oantenock where Mr. Goodyear had a trading house and also the lands on both sides of the river, we do by this present writing grant . . unto Henry Tomlinson of Stratford the above mentioned island and the land on both sides the river three miles down the river southeast and the land on both sides the river upward northwest, which amounts to seven miles in length and ac- cordingly of each side the river three miles in breadth which amounts to six miles in breadth; all which tract of land and island, to have . . We confess to have re- ceived one piece of cloth and other good pay to our satisfaction. April 25, 167 1. Pocono, his mark. Tone, the second son of Ringo, his mark. Mataret, his mark. Quoconoco, his mark. Toto, his mark. Ocomunhed, his mark. Mohemat, his mark. Cheshushamack, Sachem, his mark. Chetemhehu, his mark. Wookpenos, his mark. Oshoron, his mark. Wesonco, his mark. I'apiscounos, his mark." Pomuntock, his mark. Mataret, the Sachem's eldest son, his mark. "Be it known unto all men to whom this present writing shall come that we whose names are hereunto subscribed being Indians belonging to Paqunocke that whereas we have had formerly interest in those lands lying within the bounds of Stratford ; the afores<* lands being made over by our predecessors when the English came first to sit down in these parts; we do therefore for our parts jointly and severally confirm, etc., forever, all that tract of land afores** being bounded on the west with KKLKASE OF .STKATI'C )K I ) LANDS. 4I his brother-in-law, in the vicinity of Horse hill,-' and in the fol- lowing April another piece to Samuel Riggs and Abel Gunn, extending the plantation to the north side of Horse hill and to Beaver brook. -^ Jabez Harger was the first settler in this vicinity east of Sam- uel Riggs, and Dr. John Hulls the next, but apparently did not remove his family thither until 1673 or later. The Weeds, spoken of by Mr. J, W. Barber as among the first settlers in this vicinity, came after 1700, and if here, then were they Fairfield bounds, . . the north liounds Ijeing the Halfway river, the east bounds being the Stratford river, and the south hounds the sound or sea. May 25, 1 67 1. Sucskow, his mark. Musquatt, his mark. Susqua James, " " Nesinpaes, " " Peowse, " " Sasepaquan, " " Totoquan, " " Shoran, " " Tatiymo, " " This deed was confirmed in 16S4, by the following: Papuree, his mark. Chickins, his mark. Ponamscutt, " " Sashwake James, " " Aennhe, " " Crehero, " " Robin, " " Nasquero, " " Matach, " " Cheroromogg, " " Siacus, " " Oct. 8, 1671. A receipt was signed by the following in full acknowledging the re- ceipt of " 20 pounds of lead, five pounds of powder, and ten trading cloth coats, the which we acknowledge to be the full satisfaction for all lands lying within the bounds of Stratford. Musquatt, his mark. Sassapagrem or Piunquesh, his mark." ^"poi- and in consideration of one Indian coat in hand paid by Jabez Harger of Pagasett and other considerations . . one parcel of land . . adjoining to the said Hargers land and John Hulls, south and east, bounded with a rock north as high as Plum meadow, and bounded with the west side of Horse Hill. Also to Jonas Tomlinson ten acres lying on the south of Horse Hill. Indian witness, Okcnug, his mark. I lusks, his mark. •28 "J okenuck, sole and only sagamore of Pagasett do sell . . to Samuel Riggs and Abel (runn . . a parcel of land called . . Horse hill, bounded on the south with a brook, and on the east with a swamp and the Indians land, on the north with a brook, and on the northwest and southwest with two brooks called Beaver brook and Horse Hill brook ; for and in consideration of one blanket by me. April 20, i(')74. Okennck, his mark." 6 42 mSTOKV OF DKRBV. scarcely settlers at Derby Landing as represented by the same writer. In the autumn of 1673. as indicated by the following record, a very important enterprise was planned and put in form to be executed in due time, with a precision becoming the dignity of what was regarded in those days, the great component part of a plantation. Abel Gunn wrote the record with the most careful definiteness, ornamenting the commencement of every line with a capital letter, and although it may appear odd, there is about as much propriety and beauty in it as in the present custom of ornamenting poetry in the same way. " Item. At a lawful meeting of the inhabitants of pagasett together with those proprietors of Stratford And Milford that have some land in improvement there, november 18, 1673. It was voted and agreed that they would build Mr. John Bowers a dwelling house 36 feet In length and 18 feet and a half in breadht and story an half m height Mr. Bowers Finding what glass, nails, and iron works that shall be necessary for the house ; this is to be finished so as Mr. Bowers may live in it with his family by the next May Ensuing the d.ate above written. " Item. It was agreed between Mr. Bowers and the inhabitants of Pagasett that in case the said Mr. Bowers should come to the possession of this house if he should be taken away by de.ith Within the space of six years, that then this house shall be to his heirs and assigns For ever, but in case the Lord continues his life he liath not the power of dispt- Sal of it in way of selling until he hath fulfilled the just time of six years with Them in the Ministry; but after the term of six years Mr. Bowers hath full power Of the disposal of the above said house and in case Mr. Bowers shall see case within The space of this six years to remove from them it is always provided that the Inhabitants shall pay him for what it is any ways better by his improvement and then The [house] to remain to the inhabitants •' Item. The inhabitants at the same time have agreed with John Hulls to build this house Dimentions as above said for the value of 33 pounds, the condition of which agre- Ment is this that the said John Hulls shall do all the timber work concerning 'I'his house and get the planks for the lower floors; the iuhabitants do eng.v Ge to get the clapboards and shingles and to cart all the timber; they also engage A rediness to help in case they are called and desired by John H ulls provided they Have a day's warning before hand; and for every days woik this winter season 'I ill March they are to be allowed two shillings a day, and after the first of Mar- Ch they are to have 2S. 6d. per day. " Item. At the same time Mr. Hawley, Nicholas Camp, John Beard, Henrj' Tomlinson & John Briiis- Mead did en;.;age 20 pounds towards the building of the h Cotnifiittee. Thomas Munson, ) The Court confirmed all the above, except granting Mr. Haw- ley and Mr. Tomlinson longer time to settle their land. The Old field was a cleared tract of land lying west of the Naugatuck a little back from the river, extending so far as to include about sixty acres. The Old Indian fort, stood near Baldwin's Corners, a little south possibly. The New Indian fort was on the east bank of the Ousatonic, on what has been known many years as the Talmadge Beardsley place. The old fort must have been built before the English came to the place, and the new one after they came, as it is said to have been built on the river bank for the purpose of preventing the English sailing up the river. In 1678, this land was laid out according to the directions of the Court ; to Mr. Hawley, Mr. Tomlinson, and the ferry-man whoever he should be, and to the six men to whom were to be apportioned fifty acres each, who were : William Tomlinson, Samuel Brinsmade, Samuel Nichols, Isaac Nichols, afterwards one of the first deacons of the church, John Pringle and John Hubbell, all of whom settled in the town. Plum Meadow, was a piece of land, as said, on the east side of the Naugatuck, and is probably that now occupied by the lower part of Ansonia ; or it may have been half a mile up 60 HISTORY OF DERBY. Beaver brook. Of this meadow, twelve acres were allotted to Thomas Wooster, son of Edward, at this time, and some of it to his brother David, in 1680 ; and a part of it to Samuel Grif- fin, the blacksmith, in 1682. But the difficulty between Mr. Hawley and the town as to these lands was not yet settled, and in 1679 Mr. Hawley had sued the town, and the town appointed Joseph Hawkins and Abel Gunn to defend in the trial. Mr. Hawley at the same time petitioned the Court for just pay for his land, and a full proportionment for his son, and the Court appointed the same committee as before, who rendered their decision promptly, but the matter did not become adjusted, and in 1679 the Court sent a committee to see the land measured ; the deeds which Mr. Hawley held (received from the Indians) delivered to the town, and the money paid, or guaranteed to Mr. Hawley. The com- mittee made their report the next year, and Samuel, son of Jo- seph Hawley is spoken of, as owning the land at what is now Baldwin's Corners. The following shows how the town paid Mr. Hawley. March 31. 1680-81. Paid by the Town of Derby to Mr. Joseph Hawley of Stratford for his purchases on the Great Neck. Item. Paid by Mr John Bowers Paid by Jonas Tomlinson Paid by Jonas Tomlinson Paid by Wm. Tomlinson Paid by Jonas Tomlinson for Francis Frencli Apr. 13 Paid by 4 bushels, 3 pecks of Indian corn Paid by Francis French Paid by a cow hide 33 lbs. 2 oz Paid by Indian corn 18 bushels & a peck " ** 15 bushels & a half Indian corn " " Joseph Hawkins in Indian corn " *' a bushel summer wheat&DaBrinsmead " " 13 lbs. hops " " Samuel Nichols 3 bushels & 12 a peck of wheat Apr. 14 Mr. Isaac Nichols of Stratford Mar 15 Mr. Hawley one rate s. d. £^ 5 6 8 17 3 1 1 8 1 1 10 1-2 8 9 8 10 1-2 2 5 7 1-2 I 18 9 12 17 5 10 10 18 I 1-2 6 05 5 6 WHERE THE FERRY WAS. 6 1 March 31. 1680. Money paid by the town of Derby to Mr. Nicholas Camp for Mr. Joseph Hawley &- by his appointment as the Court or- dered us s d. One steer of two year old & upward 217 6 By John Prindle to Mr. Camp 6 05 6 Per four yards & a half of cloth 1029 Per Ebenezer Johnson 016 2 Per 7 bushels & half a peck of Indian corn & I bushel & three pecks of rye i 491-2 s. d. I 15 6 4 10 2 10 6 12 6 8 1-2 March 31, 1680. Paid by the town of Derby to captain John Beard for Mr. Joseph Hawley & by his appointment . . Paid by Mr. Bryans Bill Paid by two 2 year old steers Paid by Mr. Richard Bryan Paid by Flax 7 pounds & a quarter 916 Per Samuel Nichols 3 bushels 1-2 peck wheat 18 i 1-2 & 13 lbs hops 10 10 Apr. 14. Paid by Isaac Nichols of Stratford in soap 5 5 5 No traditions are now heard about this ferry ; every one sup- posing that the first and only ferry was just above Derby Nar- rows. But several circumstances as well as as the wording of the report establish the locality of the ferry. Woodbury was very much interested in the ferry and did finally plant it, as will be seen, but that people had no use for a ferry across the Ousatonic at old Derby landing, for they would not wish to cross the Ousatonic above Derby, for the sake of crossing it again below that place. The Derby people had no need of a ferry at that place for all lived some distance up the river. Again the people on the Neck did need some way to cross the Naugatuck when the water was high ; and the only path or road out of the plantation, south or east, was from Old Town and several of them owned land which they cultivated on Sentinel hill, besides the meetings were held on the east side where they were about to build a church. 62 HISTORY OF DERRV. The ferry was established at the place where the old New Haven road now crosses the race between Ansonia and Bir- mingham on the west side of the Naugatuck valley, where was then the main bed of the Naugatuck river. Here was the ** point of rocks," and " the gully " mentioned in the report, and the '^ little piece of land " on which to build houses for the pro- tection of cattle and other merchandise that might come thither to be freighted across. Besides, the ferry-man's land was to join this little piece of land ; and when this land was laid out in 1683, the lot of one of the six men who were to be settled near Mr. Hawley's house was laid, bounding on Mr. Henry Williams's lot, who was the ferry-man, and both of these lots were in the old field. The location of Mr. Hawley's house is fixed very definitely by the town records in the vicinity of Bald- win's Corners. When the committee made this report on a ferry, Woodbury offered to put in the ferry and furnish the ferry-man if Derby could not or did not do it. This ofter they fulfilled upon the invitation of Derby. The agreement of Woodbury and the ferryman was by the faithful Abel Gunn recorded among the land deeds, where it might surely be a witness to the engagement, "Woodbury Sept. 8, 1681. Be it known . . that we the Select- men of Woodbury on the one part and Henry Williams on the other part in order to the settlement of a ferry at Derby, appointed by the General Court: " First. That the said Henry Williams shall have the boat that be- longs to the town of Woodbury, furnished and fixed as his own •• That the said Henry Williams shall have as his ferryage for those of Woodbury that have occasion to improve him, if a single person and horse, then at six pence per lime ferryage, and two persons with one horse eight pence ; two horses and two persons or more at four pence per person for each time ferried over. •*It is concluded that this shall no ways hinder any travelers from Woodbury riding over the river at any season when with safety . , they may adventure. " It is concluded that our interest in that accommodation settled by the aforesaid committee of a ferry with the consent and approbation of our neighbors and friends of Derby, shall be and remain the said Wil- liams's absolute propriety during his well and seasonable attending the NEW SETTLERS. 63 said ferry, at his own charge and cost successively as it relates to pro- viding boats forever. '• That this is our mutual agreement is signified by our subscribing hereto. Witness Henry Hitt Joseph Judson Elizabeth Minor John Minor his Henry X Williams" mark The families as established on t"he west side of the Naugatuck river in i6S\, as near as can be ascertained were Joseph Haw- kins, John Pringle,® who may have resided a short time on the east side, William Tomlinson, son of Henry, of Stratford, Sam- uel Brinsmade, Samuel Nichols, Isaac Nichols, John Hubbell, who afterwards removed froin the town, and Henry Williams, the ferry-man. It does not appear, so far as seen, that any of Mr. Hawley's family had settled in the house he had built here. Samuel may have lived here a short time, but soon after he is said to be of Stratford. A large grant was made to him afterwards in the western part of the tou^n, which he may have accepted in place of this at Baldwin's Corners. There may have been other residents here who were not yet accepted as inhabitants. Isaac Nichols, sen., may have been proprietor instead of his son Isaac, or he may have resided with one of his sons, and yet he may have come later. In 1677 town meetings were held nearly every month, and grants of land made on the usual conditions to Daniel Collins, Samuel Nichols, Josiah Nichols, Paul Brinsmade and William Tomlinson, who all afterwards settled in the town, probably within the two years following. The town located several pieces of land for Mr. Bowers ac- cording to the agreement made in 1673 ; and the whole com- munity seemed to put on new courage, without regard to what had passed. They do not seem to have once looked behind them, for, having escaped the land of bondage, they did not de- sire to go back, not even for leeks and onions, but rather to find ^This name was written with a "g" instead of "d" nearly too years. 64 HISTORY OF DKKin'. the milk and honey of the land possessed and now their own in the truest sense. Hence, early in the year they commence a movement of prog- ress that would constitute them truly an independent people, so far as methods, privileges and established ordinances could secure that end — the organization of a church. They had nobly wrought out, step by step, and scarcely more than a step at a time were they allowed to go by the authorities who should have lent a helping hand, their right to the privilege of a township. One thing should not be forgotten ; that, whatever the char- acter of the red man as generally reported, the Indians, in and around Derby, during the King Philip's war, were true friends to their neighbors, the white man, never harming one hair of his head, but the rather rendering important service, so far as all reports and records show, and hence the planters moved on, af- ter a brief pause, almost as though no war had existed in the country ; and the taking possession of this old field, and build- ing houses at the door of the Indians' wigwams caused the In- dians to remove to the new Indian fort, and to Wesquantock, GATHERING A CHURCH. At Milford the church was first organized, then the town out of the church, or by the authority of the church. In Derby the town was first organized, then the church, by the authority of the town and the state. "At a town meeting of Derby, Feb. 25. 1677. The Lord having by his providence called a company of his dear servants into this corner of the wilderness, calls upon us first to seek the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof, which hath put several persons upon the en- quiry of the town for their free will and consent to gather a church at Derby and to walk in a church and set up the ordinances of God ac- cording to gospel rules as near as we can attain, according to our best light. 'I'he town having had two meetings about the same. The first, all the inhabitants were willing, and gave their consent in the thing ; at the second meeting which was Feb. 25, 1677. all gave their consent by word of mouth, not to hinder so great and so good a work, but do en- courage to set upon it and will help to maintain if settled, and give their consent to ask counsel and consent of neighboring churches in order to a church gathering." A CHURCH ORGANIZED. 65 This done, a petition was prepared to set before the court the desire of the inhabitants ; which was dated May 6, 1678, and signed by John Bowers, John Hulls and Joseph Hawkins. This petition appears in Mr. Bowers's handwriting, and is a weari- some thing to read, and if his preaching was like this writing, it would be a sufficient ordeal for all the grace common mortals obtain to hear him preach two sermons a week the year through. On the 30th day of the next April (1678) the town appointed Joseph Hawkins and Abel Gunn to go to the General Court with the petition and secure its request, " provided it be for the good of the town." A certificate was given these men as their authority, signed by John Hulls and Samuel Riggs, and re- corded on the town book by the faithful Abel Gunn. In reply to this petition the court made its record dated at Hartford, May 9, 1678 : " Upon the petition of the inhabitants of Derby this court do see good reason to grant the said people of Derby free liberty in an orderly way to settle themselves in a church state ; and do desire the Lord's gracious blessing presence to be with them, guiding and directing them therein. " In regard to the troubles that have been there late years, the court see cause to remit unto the inhabitants of Derby their ordinary country rates for three years, to commence October next." The troubles referred to were probably the partial removal of the inhabitants during King Philip's war, and the consequent losses and expenses. No records of the organization and attendant ceremonies are to be found, but the " orderly way" enjoined by the court, and the request that the court should give its consent "to ask coun- sel and consent of neighboring churches in order to a church gathering," guarantee that the usual order and services were observed. There are no traditions as to where or in what house such services were held, nor whose was the house in which Mr. Bowers held services, some five years before the meeting-house was built, but with the spirit and devotion manifested there is no reason to doubt that ready accommodations were cheerfully offered in the dwelling-houses of the place. It is possible that the first three or four houses were log-houses, and after that 9 66 HISTORY OF DEKHV. Others may have been built in the newer settlements, but after the laying out of the first land the houses seem to have been constructed with a frame and covered with clapboards and shingles ; these being rived from the logs instead of sawed, there being no saw mill nearer than Milford at that time. The organization of this church was strictly in accordance with law.'' They first asked authority of the town, next of the state (colony then), then \\\q. advice and consetit of neighboring churches. No church could be organized at that time withont consent of the court, no doing in church matters without such consent would have been legal, and all such illegal acts were punishable by law. When New Haven and Milford or- ganized their churches they were under no jurisdiction, but with Derby it was very different. Nor is it surprising that it was so, for the colonists had come from the mother country, where the church was the state, and the state was the church as to authority in government. Mr. Bowers was probably installed at the same time the church was organized. The only mystery in the lives of these planters is, that demanding certain rights of freedom, they could not see the propriety of granting the same to others. Aside from this they did surprisingly well. It was a misfortune, or more definitely a want of wisdom, that when they sought to become more truly devoted to religious life, they went back three thousand years and placed them- selves voluntarily under the old Mosaic laws, instead of taking the gospel of Christ as revealed in the sermon on the mount. However, it is just the same thing that is re-enacted over and over at the present day ; most of the dissenters from any denomination go back, for one thing or another, two hundred and a thousand years ; and some as far back as Moses, again, ""This Court orders that there shall be no ministry or Church administration en- tertained or attended by the inhabitants of any plantation in this colony district and separate from and in opposition to that which is openly and publicly observed and dispensed by the settled and improved minister of the place, except it be by appro- bation of the General Court and neighboring churches, provided always that this order shall not hinder any private meetings of godly persons to attend any duties that Christianity or religion call for, as fasts or conference, nor take place in such as are hindered by any just impediments on the Sabbath day from the public assem- blies by weather and water and the like." Col. Rec. i, 31 1. WHEAT AND CORN AS MONEY. 6/ to find what they are pleased to call "the old paths." But this their folly is their ruin. Forward, not backward, says the gos- pel. HOW THEY PAID TAXES. At a general court held at Hartford October 1 1, 1677, notices were sent to the towns as follows : " This court doth grant a rate of eight pence upon the pound upon all the ratable estate of the Colony, to discharge the country debts, to be paid in good and merchantable wheat, peas and Indian corn, pork and beef ; winter wheat at five shillings per bushel ; corn at 2 shillings and six pence per bushel ; pork at three pounds ten shillings per bar- rel . . and beef . . forty shillings per barrel ; always provided if there be above one third paid in Indian corn it shall be at two shillings per bushel." This last item indicates what was the great article of ex- change, because of the abundance of it. Corn grew everywhere except in the swamps, and rewarded the planter with larger profits than any other kind of grain. Wheat was the gold coin, or standard, for paying taxes or anything that must be paid, or in other words was demanded by law, but corn was the silver exchange, and fell a few grains short of the standard under some circumstances. However, in the simplicity of their arithmetical calculations they had not learned to equalize the matter by making the bushel a few grains short when the supply was abundant. That art was left for the high aspirations of later ages ; they could not compass all things in one generation ! Possibly this abundance of corn and corn meal for bread was the foundation of that remarkable physical strength, great en- durance and long life experienced by the people of the new set- tlements during the early times of pioneer life. Certain it is that Indian pudding was an article well known in Connecticut. In one town many years since a peddler sold his wares at diifer- ent times and observing that the people of the principal road in the town always had hasty pudding at their meals, honored that part of the town with the name Pudding street, and from such glory that street has never yet escaped. In the northern part of Litchfield, Conn., lived a sedate old cap- tain, whose word was never doubted, who used to make the re- 68 HISTORY OF DERHV. mark of honor to his wife, that she had made an " Indian pud- ding every day for forty years, Sundays excused." That was steady habits, as to food, sufficient for any granivorous enthu- siast on the continent, in all probability. Corn was the circulating medium more than a hundred years in Derby, and not much less than that time a legal tender, by colonial law, without depreciation of value, except when more than one-third of the taxes was paid in that commodity. The methods and customs of living, were very simple at this time, and that of necessity, but were seasoned with more culti- vation than became the practice one hundred years later. The necessity for perpetual work under circumstances of privation and great difficulties, had not a refining effect on society ; and add to this, the consequent very limited social opportunities, and want of general education, and there is a state of commun- ity favorable to indifference to culture, with a tendency to morbid roughness of manners and language, and hence, in the general, society degenerated during the first hundred years, rather than improved. The privations were greater at first, but afterward, habit made it honorable to make much out of little, and, to see, not how much comfort could be secured, but how much discomfort could be endured, and maintain a respect- able existence. Sacrifices became the heroic idea, and men, women and children, were subjected to needless hardships, to test their physical powers and spirit of subjection to the idea of honor in sacrifices. The year 1678, was one of great activity and considerable success. Lands were appropriated by small pieces, for special accommodation, and also to be rid of some pieces left in the di- visions already made. The land continued to be parceled out by pieces of three, four, five and ten acres as at the beginning. The first settlers, supposed there could be no good meadow, except in the swamps, (an old country idea) and hence, every swamp was as carefully divided into pieces of two, three and four acres, as though they were the very fountains of life. Every hill, covered with scattering cedars, was pieced out in the same way, lor plow land. Sentinel hill, which then meant the whole elevated land for a mile and a half or more, east and southeast of the present Old town, (or Uptown) was parceled THE OLD BOOK. 69 out into ten-acre pieces, and liome lots of three acres, but sev- eral pieces were inclosed by one fence around the whole, mak- ing a lot of a hundred acres. Home lots of four acres were laid on Great hill after 1700, just the same, and the swamp and up- land the same. Hence, there was much buying and selling of lots, in order to get the farms into one body. Whenever these sales or exchanges were made, no deeds (usually) were given, but the fact entered by the town clerk upon the records, and that was all. One book contains nearly all the deeds, exchanges, records of town meetings, marriages, deaths, births, marks of cattle, that were made before seventeen hundred. Besides, when the General Court enacted regulations effecting the town directly, that faithful recorder, Abel Gunn, wrote them in this book. In October, 1677, the Court sent him the nominations made for the next spring election, and down he put them, in this book, many of them in an abbreviated form, as Major Robt. Treat Esq., Cap. Ben Newberry, Mr. Sam Sherman, Mr. Ed Griswold, Cap. Dan Clark, Mr. Dan Wetherell, Leu. Rich Olmsted. As to faithfulness, Abel Gunn was not surpassed, except in the record of births, and in that only by Rev. John James, who as Town Clerk made this entry : " At a town meeting, Jan. 13, 17CO — I, Samuel Riggs, son of John and Elizabeth Riggs, was born, at Derby." *' Born at a town meeting " would suggest, that young Samuel should have delayed important events, or the town meeting should have adjourned to another place. Promptness, however, has been characteristic of the Riggses, from Capt. Samuel, down, as is still witnessed by the appear- ance of the old farm, and hence, there could be no delay out of respect to a town meeting. In this year it is recorded, that Joseph Gardner, having built a small house upon a lot that was formerly granted him upon conditions, which were never fulfilled, " therefore, the town have taken the forfeiture into their own custody, and sold it to Philip Denman for thirty shillings." If this was the usual cost of houses, they were not very safe fortifications against bears or Indians. In laying out land this year on the Neck, the locations are designated by Paul's Plains, East hill, Indian field, Bar Plains ; 70 HISTORY OF DEKBV. which last is supposed by some, to have meant Bare plains, but as there was another name for land a little further up the river, apparently called Baren plains, the former may have been called Bear plains, where the bears came to obtain grass. Boundaries between adjoining towns received attention, both by the General Court and the town, and of the difficulties in this matter there was no end for a hundred years. In April of this year, a tract of land was purchased of the Indians,^ at what is now Seymour village, lying on both sides of the Naugatuck river, including what is now district number five and district number four, to Bladen's brook, and extending east into Woodbridge and Bethany to Mill river. In this deed, a reservation was made by the Indians of" the fish- ing place at Naugatuck and the plain and the hill." This was probably mostly on the east side of the river, but may have, by the term " fishing place," taken in some land on the west side. This was the land on which Chuse and his company settled. Mr. J. W. Barber** says Chuse's father, gave him this land, then called the Indian field. But this was the reservation of the Paugasuck Indians. Yes, and the Pootatucks as well, for the leading men of each tribe signed deeds conjointly, for many years, denoting general property ownership. Mr. Barber says, ""This indenture made the 22d. of April, 1678, witnesseth that we d5 '4 15 .' Samuel Nichols land, 1681. I acre home lot, 7^ acre in Indian field, ASSESSOR S LIST. Jonas Tomlinson's land, 1681. s. d. £^00 5 i^ o 6 i: Samuel Brinsmead's land, 16S1. s. d. j^ acres, 15s. per acre, ^5 12 Stephen Pierson's land. 1681. S. d. 3^ acres, home lot. £?■> 10 I acre Island meadow. 10 2 acres, James meadow. I 5 John Beach's land, 1681 s. d. i^ home lot. £^ 10 Abell Holbrook's land, 1681. 4 acres home lot, John Pringle's land, 1681. 7 acres plow land, Joseph Hawkins's land, 16S1. 19 acres plow land, i^ Island, 2| Upon the hill, 3 acres meadow, 5 acres mowing land, 7 acres waste land, Jerimiah Johnson's land, 1681. s. d. .^400 s. d. £S 5 o s. d. £^9 o o 300 500 070 28 15 o ^Z s. d. 10 acres of land, £10 ID acres plow land, 1 5 per acre, 7 17 10 o Sargent [Ebenezer] Johnson, 1681. ^5 io| in field, 21 waste land in field, 3 acres home lot, I acre in meadow, 8 acres Rimmon, Isaac Nichols, sen, land, 1681. s. d. 5 o 13 16 s. d. I acre home lot, 7I acres field. Philip Denman's land, 16S1. 3I acres meadow, ) 4- acre plow in med, ( 1 4 plow, home lot, I acre home lot, I acre Island, ^I 5 i^ 6 12 s. d. £3 15 I 10 I 15 700 Phop. Isaac Nichols's land, 1681. s. d. 8 acres, 15 s. per acre, ^,^5 19 o Daniel Collins, 16S1. s. d. 3I acres home lot, £2, 10 4 acres Sentinel hill. 2 3 meadow Rimmon land. I 10 5 acres plow land. 2 10 3^ acres home lot, George Beaman's land, 16S1. 2 acres home lot, Abel Gunn's land, 1681. 6 acres meadow, 3-i plow land, in meadow, 2 acres home lot, 44- acres at the plains, 910 o [ li bought of Jonas, £3 £~ £(> s. d. 10 o s. d. John Tibball's land, 16S1. 24- acres home lot. s. d. £2 10 o I acre \n pastor, I acre Cankrod hill, I 15 o 3 10 o I 5 o I o o 16 84 HISTORY OF DERBY. DERBY LIST IN THE YEAR Sar. Wooster. I Person, /i8 4 Horses, i6 2 Two year old horses. 4 2 Oxen, 4 cows. 26 3 Three year olds, 9 2 Two year olds, 3 Yearlings, 8 Swine, 4 3 8 Land, 34 lo 122 10 Sar. Hulls. 3 persons, 3 horses. ;^54 14 2 o.xen, lO r Three year old, 3 5 Cows, 20 2 Three year olds. 6 I two year old. 2 I yearling, i6 Swine, 1 i6 Land, 28 153 Ebenezer Johnson. 2 Persons, £36 3 Horses, 12 3 o.xen, 15 3 Cows, 12 I three year old, 3 I three year old horse, 3 I two year old. 2 6 swine, 6 I Two year old, 2 Land, 13 16 104 16 Jeremiah Johnson. 2 Persons, £36 I ox. 5 I Cow, 4 2 four year olds, I three year old, i two year 8 old, 5 2 Yearlings, I horse, i three year old. 2 7 4 swine, 4 Land, 9 10 1 68 I, PERSONAL Joseph Hawkins. 1 Person, 2 horses, 2 oxen, 2 four year olds, 2 three year olds, 5 Cows, 2 two year olds, 4 yearlings, 8 swine. Land, ESTATE. £26 18 6 20 4 4 8 28 15 Samuel Riggs. "4 15 I Person, £^s 2 horses and 2 oxen. 18 4 four year old. 16 2 three year old, and I two year old. 8 4 yearlings. 4 9 swine, 9 Land, Haven. 20 10 Joseph Peck of New 93 10 I cow. £4r Francis French. I Person, ^>8 I ox, I horse, 3 3 cows. 12 2 three year olds. 6 I two year old and 2 yearlings. 4 S hogs. 5 Land, 10 5 80 10 Thomas Wooster. 1 Person, 2 horses, 2 oxen, 3 cows, 10 swine, I two year old, 4 acres of land. Widow PLirger. 1 Person, 2 horses, 2 oxen, 2 cows, 10 swine, Land, 64 5 10 2 62 s 10 8 10 10 64 AMOUNTS OF GRAND LIST. 85 The amount of the General list of estates for the town, as sent to, and preserved by, the General Court, possesses special interest as showing the very gradual growth as to property and persons in the town. The number of persons paying taxes, was not reported after 17 10. It is quite surprising that the in- crease of persons paying taxes in the town, from 1685 to 17 10, twenty-five years, was only twelve. Paugassett was taxed separately under New Haven jurisdic- tion in 1660, £1 8s. 8d., in 1661, jCi 6s. 2d., in 1662, ;^i i8s. 5d. After this the proprietors paid taxes as individual members of the town of Milford until 1775, when organized as a town, then out of the next ten years the General Court released them eight years from country taxes. LIST OF ESTATES AND PERSONS : I6S5 ;{:204I 38 1686 1893 39 1687 2051 41 1689 1304 38 1690 1337 39 1 69 1 1963 41 1692 1559 37 1693 1630 34 1694 1695 1804 42 1696 1696 42 1697 1698 1863 40 1699 1920 40 1700 2109 51 I70I 2389 47 1702 2327 53 1703 ^377 60 1704 2756 56 ^2749 6s 1705 1706 1707 1708 1709 1710 1711 1712 1713 1717 1718 1719 1720 1721 1722 1723 1724 1725 The meeting-house was framed in the spring of 1682, as ap- pears from a vote of the town to allow the men who should do the work, three shillings a day for this work, and it was prob- ably completed in the plainest manner that summer. No ac- count has been seen of the seating of this house, or any work done on it until 1707, when after having voted to build a new meeting-house, they concluded to repair the old one, which con- tinued to serve them until 1718. 2697 57 2855 53 2825 50 2856 49 2927 3006 3367 3241 3667 3823 3994 4287 ' 4389 4615 4506 4494 5310 86 HISTORY OF DERHY, The support of the minister in addition to all taxes was quite an item. " November 21, 168 1. The Town for the providing Mr. Bow- ers wood this year do agree that every man shall cary for his proportion as it was agreed upon last year (viz) Sar Wooster 5 loode Sar Riggs 5 loode Joseph Hawkins 5 loode Thomas Wooster 4 loode Jonas Tomlenson 4 loode Sar Harger 4 loode Sar Jo Hulls 5 loode Win Tomlinson - 2 loode Jo Pringle 2 loode Samuell Nical & Isaac 6 loode Samuel Brinsmead 4 loode Phop Isaac 2 loode George Beaman 2 loode Jer Johnson 4 loode Phillep Denman John Tibbals Da Collins Stephen Pierson Abel Ilolbrook Sar Johnson Abell Gun Frances French Ephraim Smith Joh Griffen ^ Joh Beach David Wooster 4 loode 4 loode 2 loode 4 loode 2 loode 4 loode 4 loode 2 loode 2 loode 2 loode 2 loode 2 loode " It is agreed that if any man neglect or refuse to carry in Mr. Bowers's wood by the last of March next he shall carry double to what his proportion is now above written. Further the town have voted to give Mr. Bowers fifty pound for his main- tenance this year. "Dec. 31, 1683. The town have voted to give Mr. Bowers for his^ salary this year fifty pounds to be paid in good mer- chantable pay by the lAst of April next ensuing ; and have agreed to convey Mr. Bowers's wood as followeth : Philip Denman 3 1- Sar Johnson 41 Sa Riggs 4 Fran French 3 Abel Gunn 4 Ephraim Smith 2 Geor Beaman 2 Stephen Person 3 Jo Griffen • 2 Sar Woster 5 Abell Holbrook 2 John Hulls sen 5 Jonas Tomlinson 3 Widow Hawkins 3 Jer Johnson 4 Henry Williams 2 Wm Tomlinson 3 Jo Pringle 2 Sar Hulls 3 Tho Wnster' 2 John Tibballs 4 Sam Brmsmead 2 Sa Nicols 3 John Beach 2 Isaac Necols John Huls 2" MR. BOWERS. 87 It is SLipposable that the above names represent all who were obligated to support the preaching of the gospel, which in- cluded at that time all who paid taxes in the town. In September, 1684, Mr. Bowers was very ill, and had a will recorded, which was very brief, giving all his property to his wife Bridget, desiring her to remember "the birthright, if he carry it well to his honored mother." That is that John, the eldest child and son, should have the proportion according to the old English law. But John survived only three years and died in 1687, the record of whose death has been taken for that of his father in all published accounts except Trumbull's. The father lived until 1708, but it is doubtful whether he was able to preach after this illness, as he had done before. The town record certifies : " Mar 1685-6. Town have voted to give Mr. Bowers sixty pounds this year, for his salary, and Mr. Bowers is to find himself wood ; and to give him the rate of all his proper estate of lands and cattle to be added. It is to be meant his rate to the minister. " Moreover, the town having granted to Mr. Bowers the use of the Town's sequestered land in the meadow while he carried on the work of the ministry in Derby, maintaining the fence that belonged to it, the said Mr. Bowers hath engaged to pay one pound five shillings per year for ten years or so long as he shall enjoy the land." Mr. Bowers, probably, supplied the pul- pit mostly four years longer, possibly securing some assistance, but the above record indicates some ohange, although his sal- ary was continued as before, only the free use of certain lands was not granted. Mr. Trumbull says he "removed from Derby and settled at Rye about the year 1688." This was an error, it being Nathan- iel Bowers the son of John, who preached in Rye. He says Mr. Webb preached here twelve years, but this is an error ac- cording to Trumbull himself, in his second volume. It is un- fortunate that no records of town transactions can be found of the years between 1686 and 1690, and therefore we obtain from this source no knowledge of the dismissal of Mr. Bowers or the employment of Mr. Webb. The latter was ordained at Fair- field in 1694, and therefore could not have been in Derby over six years, and the town was seeking another minister in 1692. S8 HISTORY OF DEKHV. He was probably a licensed preacher, while here, but not or- dained, and preached here not over two years. He was appointed Town Clerk in December, 1690, and served one year with great elegance and correctness. He was a much better scholar and writer than his successor in the pulpit, al- though it is doubtful as to his having been graduated at college. Scarce any writing on the town records equals his, for the first two hundred years. In 1685, probably the first military company was organized in the town, and Ebenezer Johnson was confirmed by the Gen- eral Court, lieutenant, and Abel Gunn, ensign of Derby Train Band. There had been military men, and military drill and service in the town before this time, but a regular company had not been officered and established of the town. The records show that at various times the town by regular tax, had pro- vided a stock of powder and lead, and obeyed the directions from the General Court as to preparations for defense, but it does not appear that a company was organized before this time. The amount of ammunition required was quite considerable. In 1682, every man was required to purchase as much powder and lead as would cost equal to his rate or tax. The town valued the powder at three shillings per pound, and lead at sixpence per pound ; and so every man to have eight pounds of lead or bullets to two pounds of powder. From 1680 to 1686, a few new inhabitants were accepted, and grants of land made tQ them upon the usual conditions. In 1680, Richard Bryan of Milford was admitted, and he pur- chased ninety acres of land, but for some reason did not settle here, and not long after died. In 1682, Samuel Griffin, and in 1685, John, his brother, settled near John Hull's mill at North- end. Samuel Griffin was a blacksmith. In 1685, Hope Wash- born, and in 1687, John Chatfield, became inhabitants. In 1683, Henry Hitt, the new ferry -man. In this same year the town granted to Samuel Riggs, " half that land at Rimmon on the northwest of the said Samuel Riggs's cellar, between that and the rock, and at the same time granted Sar. Ebenezer Johnson the other half northwest of the said cellar." This cel- lar was the first ground broken in the vicinity of what is now Seymour x'illage, or near Rimmon, for the erection of dwellings. SETTLERS AT RIMMON. 89 It is probable that Ebenezer Johnson and Jeremiah Johnson soon built upon the land they owned in the vicinity. " April II, 1682. The town have granted Sargt. Johnson and Samuel Riggs, liberty to make a fence at Rock Rimmon, from Nauga- tuck river up to the top of Rimmon, and also give liberty to pasture the land they fence ; tho' liberty is granted provided higways be not hindered, & liberty to enjoy it during the towns pleasure ; the town engageth to put up the bars of the said fence if they pass through it ; also the town engageth the same respecting Philip Denmans fence & John Tibbals at Rimmon." It is said' that Bennajah Johnson, who was son of Jeremiah, who came from- New Haven, and Timothy Johnson, son of Major Ebenezer Johnson, no relation to Bennajah, so far as the records show, were the first settlers in this region, and that they settled near, or at Beacon Falls. The records indicate as above that the first houses were near Rock Rimmon, where this cellar was already built in 1685. Knowing the energy and characters of the men who owned land first in this vicinity, it may be a fair inference that the two or three first settlers, in what is now Seymour, were there before the year 1690. It is stated' that when the Indian Chuse made his residence at this place, " there were only two or three white families in the vicinity," which is most probably true, but if so then it was Gideon Mauwehu, and not Joseph or " Jo," that superintended the settlement here at first. Agar Tomlinson was married in 1734, and Jo Chuse living with him several years, perhaps five or six, would have been twenty one about 1641 or 2. He lived, at this Chusetown forty-eight years and removed to Kent and soon died. His land at Chusetown was sold in 1792, which was a short time after his death, or making a little allowance for running tradition, he may have removed soon after selling his land. Now in 1741 or 2, there must have been nearer twenty families than three in the vicinity of Chusetown. At that time, Tobie had been in possession of his land a little over thirty years. In May 1682, the town granted to Abel Gunn, " ten acres of land up the Little river above the Nau- 'Hist. of Seymour, by W. C. Sharp, 37. ■■^Barber's Hist. Col. 199. DeForest's Hist, of tlic Iiulians of Conn. .^06. 90 IIISTORV OF DEKI5V. gatuck Falls ; or upon the long planes above Naugatuck Falls, on the west side of Naugatuck river where the said Gunn pleaseth." David Wooster purchased of the Indians'' the Long plain a little above Seymour in 1692, and apparently set- tled on it soon after. The Paugasuck Indians had no land left, below this reservation at Seymour, in 1690, except at Turkey hill, and must have removed from the Great Neck some time before 1700; so also the Pootatucks, across the river from Bir- mingham, and the most probable supposition is that they began to gather in the vicinity of Seymour before 1690. Again the story of a Pequot sachem (Mauwee), coming to Derby and tak- ing the rule of the Pootatucks and the Paugasucks, while yet the sachems of these two clans were living, viz., Cockapatana Ahuntaway and Chusumack, descendants of a long line of royal blood, is scarcely to believed. It is far more probable that Gideon Mauwee, was the son of Chusumack, the signer of three deeds with the Paugasucks in Derby, who, by no strange trans- formation for those days, became possessed of the name Mau- wee, his more common name being Chuse, (or " Cush " as at Poot- atuck) from Chusumack. If he or his ancestors came from the Pequots, it must have been very early, apparently before the English settled in Derby. Since writing the above concerning Chuse, the statement has been seen in print that Chuse settled at Seymour, about 1720, in which case he could not have lived with Agar Tomlinson as stated by Barber, which information he obtained of Chuse's daughter as he informs us. The Indian deed of the sale of the land surrounding Seymour, was dated in 1678, with a reserva- tion of the land Chuse afterwards occupied, and it would seem scarcely possible that there should be no settlers here until forty years later. "Know ye that we Huntaway and Cockapatany, Indians of Paujiasuck . . for a valuable consideration confirm unto David Wooster . . a certain parcel of land on the Northwest side of Naugatuck river in the road that goeth to Rinimon, the Long plain, so called, in the bounds of Derby, be it bounded with Naugatuck river South, and east and north, and west with the great rocks, be it more or less. Iluntawa, his mark. April I, 1692. Cockapatany, his mark. WAR PREPARATIONS. 9 1 THE ENGLISH AND FRENCH WAR. At the breaking out of the war between the P^nglish, assisted by the Dutch, and the French, a great effort was made in Amer- ica to secure the aid of the Indians against the English. The French were then in possession of Canada and the Mississippi valley, and although the war was declared between France and England, the principal theater of the war was in the American Colonies, and this theater was extended to wherever an English subject inhabited in this country. As soon as the information was received of the beginning of the war, the General Court was called together and resolved to raise in the Colony as their proportionate number, two hundred English and Indians ; and if that number could not be secured by volunteers, then they should be drafted from the militia. Officers were appointed in various parts of the state for the militia and volunteers. " Ebenezer Johnson is chosen captain of such volunteers as shall go forth against the enemy, and is to be commissioned accordingly, and he hath liberty to beat the drum for volun- teers to serve under him in every plantation in the county of Fairfield and New Haven." This was in September, 1689, and this army was ordered, mostly to protect English subjects from the Indians who might join the French. In the following April the court was again convened, under pressing entreaties for help to defend Albany, which was threatened by the French and the western Indians. "All which was considered by the court, and the court did see a necessity of utmost endeavors to prevent the French of attacking or settling at Albany, and therefore did order that two foot companies shall be with all speed raised and sent to Albany, to take all advantages against the enemies to destroy them."^ One company was to be raised in Hartford and New London counties, and commanded by Capt. Fitch appointed for that purpose. " The other company is to be raised in the counties of New Haven and Fairfield, and is to consist of sixty English and forty Indians, if so many In- dians shall be found willing to go, and Ebenezer Johnson is appointed their captain. The companies to be raised are so *i Col. Rec. 92 HISTORY OF DERBY. many volunteers as shall appear, and the rest to be prest sol- diers." "a commission given to captain EBENEZER JOHNSON. *' This Court having ordered and appointed you to be captain of a com- pany that is to go forth against the enemy, and for the county and city of Albany, for his majesty's interest, there being sundry soldiers already who have enlisted themselves for that service, as we are informed ; These are to appoint you to make what haste you can to those planta- tions of the seaside, and to inform the said volunteers that the General Court hath appointed you to be their captain, and Samuel Newton to be their Lieutenant, and Ager Tomlinson to be their Ensign, and that you will take care and charge of them to lead them out against the enemy, and that your commission shall be sent after you to the seaside speedily, that so you may proceed with the best expedition you may, and you have liberty to raise of the English to the number of sixty, of Indians not above forty in all. which you are to raise as you may by volunteers, so far as you can, and the rest by press, and you may expect that for your encouragement you shall have besides wages the benefit of what you shall obtain by plunder, and all smiths in those plantations of the seaside are hereby required to apply themselves to mend such arms as shall be brought to them which are to be employed in this ex- pedition. These soldiers are to be raised in the counties of New Haven and Fairfield." The court ordered a rate to be raised for this bei^inning of the war of fourpence on the pound. This made the amount for Derby twenty pounds, a sum of some consequence when to be paid, as was the fact, by thirty-nine men, besides fitting out the men who might volunteer or be drafted from the town. Captain Johnson raised his company, went to Albany, remain- ing some time, but was appointed the next spring one of the War Commissioners for the state, to which office he was ap- pointed seven years. For expenditures at Albany in conse- quence of damages by his soldiers and in part for the loss of a horse, the court allowed him six pounds, in 1698. This war continued until 17 10, and was the cause of much expense to the Colonies, and of perpetual fear from treachery of the Indians in allowing or directing unfriendly Indians in their devastations and terrible raids. In 1697, Captain Johnson was ordered to go to New York with sixty men in company EFFECT OF THE WAR. 93 with Captain Matthew Sherwood of Fairfield, with a like num- ber, to protect that city from a French fleet expected there from the West Indies. In 1703 he was appointed "to have the care and ordering" of the Paugasuck Indians, to protect them from other Indians, and to set their bounds beyond which they were required not to go, and to take care that they did not har- bor or entertain unfriendly Indians." It is very probable that Captain Johnson was sent upon several other expeditions dur- ing this war since the soldiers of New Haven and Fairfield were appointed in such expeditions, and since also the consid- eration granted Captain Johnson would indicate further services. In 1698, the court granted him " (over and above the interest in the grant to the volunteers) two hundred acres of land, to be taken up where it may not prejudice any former grant to any township or particular person." In 1700, however, the court order that the amount should be three hundred acres, and that Mr. Samuel Sherman and Ephraim Stiles should lay out the same. The town afterwards gave him one hundred and fifty acres in consideration of his public services. The effect of the ten years' war from 1689 to 1699 was quite perceptible upon Derby and its prosperity, for during this time the tax-payers increased only two, and the Grand List increased only one-third of the whole, and during the next ten years the increase was about the same. For the twenty years ending 1709, the increase was only eleven, and most of these were raised in the town, but few coming in ; some going out, and a few dying. Among these last were Edward Wooster and Fran- cis French, two of the first settlers of the town. They were more public in the work they did than in offices or display as public servants. They began life empty-handed, and during forty years appear to have worked hard ; enduring the wilder- ness ten years almost alone, fighting against wild beasts, watch- ing, kindly, the natives of the forest, and trusting them to a marvelous degree ; clearing the land of timber and stone by the hardest work ; rearing considerable families ; and when they had departed, some portion of their real estate had to be sold to meet claims that could not be otherwise met. This is a comment on the times in which their lot was cast, by a hand whose counsels none understand. Could they have had casJi in 94 HISTORY OF DKKHV. hand, one dollar in twenty of their equals in the present day, they would have died w'ealthy ! To whom shall it be said, "Well done, thou faithful servant?" Abel Gunn and Joseph Hawkins, two of the second class of settlers had gone ; men of the most solid worth, seeking not high places, but when called to them could meet the responsibility with great manliness and much ability. Abel Gunn was the town clerk twenty-one years, but so modest, that so far as seen, he never wrote or recorded that he was elected to that office. We learn the fact when at first he says "Abell Gun his book," and then in the same hand writing records the doings of the plantation and the town. He after- wards, in a few instances, signed papers as recorder. He was a fair speller, and a much better writer than some who follow him in that office. Ebenezer Johnson, Samuel Riggs, and Ephraim Smith of the second class of settlers were still living, and in the zenith of their glory. While this war was going on, bringing not a farthing to the Colonies, but great expense, and much sacrifice of life, the in- habitants of Derby were making noble, although slow progress purchasing lands of the Indians and extending their settlement north and north-west. The agents of the tow^n purchased a tract of land north of the Four-mile river, said to belong to the W^esquantuck and Pootatuck Indians, and received a deed of them.^ Here the Pootatuck and the Pausfasuck Indians unit- "*In consideration of twenty-one pounds; have sold one parcel of land lying in the great neck at Derby, bounded on the southeast with four mile brook and another little brook that falls into the Little river, north & northeast with the Little river that runs into Naugatuck river, and Northwest and west with the eight mile brook, and west and southwest with the west channel of the Pootatuck river, and Wood- bury path from the six mile brook to the four mile brook. Aug. 6, 16S7, Cockapatonce, his mark. John Banks, his mark. Cockapotany, his mark. Meskilling, his mark. Indian Witnesses Stastockham, his mark. Nanoques, Sunkaqucne, his mark. Curex. Pussccokes, his mark. Nanawaug, his mark. Tackamore, his mark. Chebrook, his mark. Wankacun, his mark. Wetupaco, his mark. INDIAN TOBIE S LAND. 95 ing in signing deeds of the same land at ten years distance of time, and some different names at each time. They say they sell this land with consent of their Sagamore, which indicates, as well as the same fact in other deeds, that the Indians were not only divided into clans, or small companies, being still of the same tribe, but that the lands were divided among the In- dians, certain ones owning a certain tract set apart to them. This is indicated in most of the later deeds. It has been supposed and published in different papers that the Indian Tobie received his land of Capt. Ebenezer Johnson, and while there is no doubt but that gentleman aided his former servant, yet the deed of that land speaks to the honor of others as well.*^ This land was bounded by Lopus plain and rocks, in part. It is said that this name originated from that of a man by the name of Loper. It is quite certain that no man by that name had owned land there up to this time when the name is used. If such an one had been there before, he was a squatter, and such a man the town would have sent out of its borders so quick that he could give no name to anything, and in that case there would have been some record of the transaction, which record has not been seen. " Proprietors of Wesquantock, with consent of our Sagamore, for twenty pounds in hand received, have sold a certain tract of land called Wesquantook and Rockhouse hill. Derby Aug. 15, 1698. Boundaries nearly the same as in 1687. Neighbor Putt, his mark. Cockapatouch, his mark. Indian Witnesses Nonawauk, his mark. Mawquash, Gyouson, his mark. Cheshconeeg. Kenxon, his mark. Raretoon, his mark. Tazchun, his mark. Rashkoinoot, his mark. Thomasseet, his mark." "^Know all men . . that we Cockapatana and Huntawa, Sachems of Paugasuck, and Jack Tots, Shoot Horn and Mutshok, in the name and upon the proper account of ourselves and all the Indians of Paugasuck that are proprietors there of, for and in consideration of ten pounds and a barrel of cider paid and secured, with which we do acknowledge ourselves fully satisfied, sell . . unto Tobe, a Narranganset Indian formerly servant unto Capt. Ebenezer Johnson of Derby, . . a certain tract of land, bounded North with Chestnut tree hill and Lopus rocks, east with Naugatuck river against Beacon hill, west with the Little river against Thomas Woosters land, and southward with Rimmon hill and Rimmon hill rocks pointing into the Little river, and from the upper end of Rimmon hill through Lopus plain running between two 96 iiisTOKV or OKuriv. It is said a^^ain that the man, whoever he may have been, had a horse that had a peculiar gait or movement in trotting, and by this horse called the Loper, the place received its name, but it should be remembered that no luiglishman had resided in that region with a title of land but possibly Thomas and David Woostcr, and that only a few years; and some of tlie Johnsons on the east side of Nau■ At the town meeting just before the drawing took place, they voted that the first lot be at the north corner next the I lO HISTORY OF DEKHV. Little river, next to Sergt. Thomas Wooster's land, and to go westward to the Great hill and then to go back in the second tier up to the Little river, and then back again in the third tier of lots, down by Naugatuck river. Voted that a rod and an half go to the pound of ratable estate according to the two last years' rates, since the purchase was made. The surveyors of this land were Capt. Ebenezer Johnson, Ensign Samuel Riggs, John Riggs, Sergeant Brinsmade, John Bovvers and Timothy Wooster ; and the rule that was to govern them was that " where it wanted in quality it was to be made up in quantity." Great carefulness, in regard to equity, was manifested in all the management of so many divisions, continued through many years. In 1703, Capt. Ebenezer Johnson received an allotment in Quaker's farm to make him equal with others, on a certain reckoning in 1689. Many pieces of land were given away upon the asking, without counting them in divisions. As an illus- tration we have the gift of a little land to Josiah Baldwin whose father or grandfather, Richard, was the first fatJier of the plan- tation. "In 1696. The following persons, inhabitants of Derby, agreeing to give unto Josiah Baldwin an homestead of three or four acres. . . He was a physician. Ebenezer Johnson, ^ Jeremiah Johnson, sen., Ensign Riggs, John TiV)bals, Samuel Bowers, Stephen Pierson, \ Joseph Hulls, E]5hraim Smith, Jr., William Washborn, Abel Holbrook, \ John Bowers, Henry Wooster, John Pierson, Stephen Pierson, Jr., ^ John Riggs, John James, John Chatfield, John Hulls, George Beaman, Jeremiah Johnson, Jr. John Johnson, Samuel Washborn, Ebenezer Riggs, Wm. Tomlinson, sen., Timothy Wooster, Samuel Brinsmade, Jose]:)h Hawkins, John Pringle, Samuel Nichols, Jonathan Lumm, Isaac Nichols, Abraham Tomlinson, Francis French, Andrew Smith, John Davis, sen., John Twitchell, Thomas Wooster, James Hard, Ebenezer Harger, Wm. Tomlinson, Jr., David Wooster, Moses Johnson. AN HOUR GLASS. Ill This man became somewhat noisy about town in a few years later; perhaps in recognition of former favors. "1703, voted that Josiah Baldwin beat the drum whenever it is necessary that the town be called together for and to any meetings except training days, and that he have eight shillings for so doing." The petition of John Davis, Jr., to the town of Derby, Greet- ing : " Gentlemen I by necessity am forst to put forth my petition to your selves requesting this favour of all to whom it dusconserne y' you will be pleas to sett your Hands to this my small request, for four acres and A half of land lying upon white mayre's hill ; I having not land to Improve : hope you will not denie this my request : gentlemen as your- selves know I have lived these several years in this s'' town and have not had one foot of land of y' town but what I have bought hoping gentlemen y' upon these conditions, you will be pleas to sett your hands to this my small petition that is above mentioned signifieing me the s"* John Davis to be true proprietor of y*" s'' lands a bove mentioned — pray sor, denie not this request to yor friend & servant John Davis. Feb. 2, 1710." Forty names were signed and the deed recorded. Another long step was taken in the civilization of the world and of progress, in 1 702, when the town ordered " that John Pringle (town treasurer) disburse so much of the towns money on his hand as will buy an hour-glass." This may have been to time the minister, to see if he preached full length sermons. What but this, if anything, the toivn could do with an hour- glass is the mystery. In 1704, there was much uneasiness about the security of the titles to the lands, as there had been several times in pre- vious years, and a committee was sent to the General Assem- bly and obtained a patent, so called in those days, but this did not give them rest, for about 17 10, they made another effort to be secure, and some years after that, they made another. Mil- ford obtained its Patent in 171 3. The matter as to Derby was finally settled in 1720, when the Legislature voted to give the town a quit-claim deed. The only town act that has been observed, that indicated any disturbance among the Indians is dated March 4, 1702, and pro- claims a state of considerable excitement. " Voted that Capt. 112 HISTORY OF DERBY. Ebenezer Johnson and Henry Wooster treat with the Indians to pacify and satisfy them on any tolerable terms." The word satisfy, is probably the largest key to the trouble ; their lands in the town were nearly all gone. They had removed from the vicinity of what is now Baldwin's Corners, to the side of the Ousatonic, where the new fort stood, a little way above the dam on that river, and thence to the neighborhood of Wesquantook, and Pomperaug, some going to the reservati(m possibly at the Falls, (or Seymour) and others still farther away. The two chiefs, Cockapatana and Ahuntaway, were probably residing at Wesquantook, or its vicinity, as intimated in one of the deeds. Woodbury was clearing the country above them and what were they to do } The war with France was still going on, and com- munications were passing from tribe to tribe, and great rewards offered for the tribes to turn against the English. The uneasi- ness is indicated also by the carefulness of the town to keep a lawful stock of ammunition on hand, as indicated by several votes ; and it is said that " every soldier, was provided with ammunition." The Indians had been so friendly and true to their white neighbors fifty years, that it seems almost unkind to think of their being anything else, but it is certain that those old white neighbors were alarmed to an unusual extent, to pass such a resolution in town meeting. So far as appears on the records the English had dealt honorably with the Indians. There is a story that the Indians became indebted to Mr. Camp (merchant) for whisky, and he obtained a mortgage to secure his pay. If true, it should be remembered that the traffic in whisky was just as honorable then, as traffic in tobacco to-day, and the amount which the town paid for this tract of land was so much that they divided it into installments of four pounds a year for four or five years, and this land as it lay when divided wcnild sell for little more if anything, than what they paid, if we judge by the sales which were made of some of the land under cultivation. The first appointment to keep an ordinary or tavern was given to Ebenezer Johnson at his residence near Two-mile brook, which was, doubtless, continued some years. In 1704, Samuel Nichols and Abel Holbrook were appointed to this office or privilege. MK. JAMES DISMISSED. I 13 Abel Holbrook resided on what is now the Swift farm, the house standing a little south of the present dwelling. Samuel Nichols was in the vicinity of Baldwin's Corners, as called at present. Both these men continued to keep an ordinary by appoint- ment, until 1 716, when John Pringle seems to have taken the place of Samuel Nichols. One of these men, probably kept the ordinary on the hill north-west and in sight of Baldwin's Cor- ners, on the first and old Woodbury road, now closed up or nearly so, but an old house or barn is still standing at that place. But another trial was at hand for the Lord's people "in this corner of the wilderness " as they had written at first when they sought to become a church. The health of the Rev. Mr. James had nearly failed, and it was evident another minister must be obtained. The town record for March 4, 1706, reads : "The town have freely granted and given Mr. James the house wherein he liveth and the barn and the lot whereon his house and barn standeth whether he live or die in the town. " Mr. James having at sundry times signified and declared unto the church of Christ in Derby and also to the town that he is unable under his disabilities to attend and discharge the ministerial work unto and amongst them ; he hath manifested his willingness freely to lay down his work and the church of Christ in Derby ; and also the town, under a sense of the heavv burden upon him are freely willing to set him at liberty, he having signified his willingness and desire that they may with speed provide themselves, that so they may have the word and ordinances amongst them. The town and the church with Mr. James desire the council of the neighboring churches and elders in this affair and matter. " The town have chosen Mr. Pierpont, Mr. Andrew and Mr. Stoddard to give advice in the sorrowful case between Mr. James and the town. " Voted that the town are very sensible of their need of a minister to preach the gospel among them. "The town have chosen Sargt. Samuel Brinsmade to carry a letter unto Mr. Moss, and to treat with him about being helpful to them in the work of the ministry and they have agreed in '5 1 14 IlIsrOKN" Ol' DKKI'.V. case he cannot be prevailed with, the townsmen are a committee empowered to set out for some other as they shall be advised." Mr. Moss was obtained to sujiply the pulpit a time, and the next August the town gave him an invitation in order to a set- tlement, and made an offer concerning salary and other items, but the offer was not accepted. Probably he continued to preach regularly among them some months. After Mr. James was dismissed, he sold his house and lot to Ebenezer Johnson in behalf of the town, for ninety pounds money, and removed to Wethersfield. The town then bought the property of Captain Johnson for the same price to be a par- sonage. They also had a lot in the field on Sentinel hill, which they called the parsonage lot. The next February they voted that Mr. Joseph Moss should be their settled minister, if they could obtain him upon the terms hereafter mentioned. " Voted that whereas formerly the town of Derby saw cause to give Mr. Moss, provided he settle among them, six acres of land for an home lot, they now see cause in lieu thereof to make over to him the home lot belonging to the house they bought of Mr. James, or Major Johnson, provided he settle among us in the ministry, as also the house and barn they have bought with it. "They also see fit to give him the hillside adjoining as it is bounded in Major Johnson's deed, and the use of all the parson- age land and meadow; and also the town see cause to continue their former minds as to the forty acres of land voted to him before. Also that they agree to give him fifty pounds per annum as formerly voted more fully, and to provide him his fire wood, and get his hay for him, and to maintain the parsonage fenced." (Very good ; is there anything further that can be done.'') But this was not all, for a young and vigorous minis- ter coming into a parish after an older one, — sick with all, — his work nearly done, — lifts the courage and devotion of a people very wonderfully. "Further; voted the town grant to the said Mr. Moss and his heirs forever the aforesaid housing and lands on this condi- tion, that he live and die with them in the work of the ministry, but if he see cause to leave the town and desert that work, the aforementioned house and barn, home lot and pasture to revert A NEW MINISTER. II5 to the town again." (That is the way to have settled pastors if people want them !) "Voted that the town will this ensuing year at their own charge clear and break up, two acres of the parsonage land, and sow the same in good season and order, with wheat for Mr. Moss's use. "Voted that: — (What, not through yet.'' O, no, we are to have a nezv minister !) Major Johnson, Ensign Samuel Riggs, and Lieut. Thomas Wooster be a committee to treat with Mr. Joseph Moss in order to settle him in the ministry among us." Such was that new broovi, heard of in so many ages in the past; the same one, that always sweeps clean when nezv! However, it may be said that Rev. Mr. James was not a popu- lar speaker, although a faithful, efficient man, undertaking more than he could possibly do, but Mr. Moss was a good speaker, with interesting and attractive ways and methods ; and he knew somewhat his value, and the town did wisely in its decisions, as to extra worth, but the real facts are that parishes are not often governed by the plain fact of worth, but by fancy, preju- dice, personal pleasure or interest. The great question of the good of human kind without regard to minor questions seldom prevails in these later days. The salary, and most of the items, were just what Mr. James received. In 1708, they changed and gave him money instead of furnishing wood ; and most of the years of his service his salary was voted to be fourpence on the pound, whatever that might be, but was on a scale of gradual increase as the town improved in valuation, until about 1730, when it was made three pence on the pound. Mr. Joseph Moss became their settled pastor in the spring of 1707, having preached on trial nearly a year, and was probably ordained and installed by a council of the ministers named and elders of their churches, who were invited by the town. The records mention "The church of Christ in Derby," and that was the customary name used in those days throughout the Colony. Some years afterwards, the habit of calling them Presbyterian grew up, and also the name Congregational. There was just as much propriety in calling the Episcopal church the Roman church as in calling these colonial churches Presbyte- rian, and it is pleasant to know that in these later times people, Il6 HISTORY OF DERBY. generally, have become more definite and proper in the use of terms. While Mr. Moss was preaching on trial and the parish were quite anxious to secure him as settled pastor, they voted in December that the town would build a new meeting-house, but soon after the conclusion was to repair the old meeting-house and use it some years longer. " Dec. 1 706. Voted that the town will add to the present meet- ing-house and not build a new one for the present. Voted that the addition shall be made at the end of the meeting-house and not at the side, viz. : 14 feet added in length to the west end. "Voted that thfe town will refit the old meeting-house by shingling and plastering the walls with clay and whitewashing with lime upon the clay, and that the addition shall be fitted in like manner, and that when it is thus enlarged and repaired the town will procure seats for the convenient seating of the same." Major Johnson, Ens. Samuel Riggs, Mr. Isaac Nichols, were the building committee. Hence, previous to this time this house was provided with neither stationary seats nor plastering. The seats were proba- bly loose plank or slab seats, like those provided for some other meeting-houses since that day. In 1706 they " voted that the town do agree with Major John- son to get, cart, frame and set up the timber for the new end of the meeting-house for five pound in country pay, and Major Johnson to stay for his pay until the next year, and to get the work done by the last of March next ensuing." They agree with Mr. Samuel Bowers "to get, prepare, cart and lay, the clapboards and shingles, for four pounds, and wait one year for his pay, and have the work done by the fifteenth of May next." This was attended to during the summer of 1707, as appears by votes passed to pay for such work. This was the meeting- house that stood at Squabble Hole. "Voted that the town will give Major Johnson forty shillings for his work about the New and Old flour [mill] and the meet- ing-house." "Voted that Jeremiah Johnson shall have four pounds ten shillings for what he did for the town about the meet- ing-house ; and that the town allow Adino Strong thirteen SEATING THE MEETING-HOUSE. II7 pounds and ten shillings for his work about the meeting-house ; and that John Pringle shall have two pounds nineteen shillings for his work about the meeting-house." In October they voted that " the town will seat the meeting-house ; and have seated Major Johnson, Ensign Riggs, Mr. William Tomlinson, sen., and Isaac Nichols in the first seat before the pulpit ; Lieut. Thomas Wooster, Ensign Joseph Hull, John Tibballs and Stephen Pierson, sen., in the first short seat joining to the pul- pit, and further they have not proceeded yet." But they did proceed further very decidedly, for in this arrangement there was not a sufficient number of classes ; it was too common, and therefore on December 15th following, they "voted that Major Johnson shall, according to his desire, sit at the end of the pul- pit in a short seat alone, and that the town be at suitable charge to make it handsome and convenient to entertain the Major honorably. " At the same time voted that Mrs. Bowers, Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Moss shall sit in the seat on the women's side next to the pulpit, which is made with banisters like a pew. Voted that Stephen Pierson, John Tibbals, Ens. Joseph Hull and Joseph Hawkins, shall sit in the first short seat, facing to the end of the pulpit behind where the Major sits ; and that Mother Pier- son, wife of Stephen Pierson, senr., shall sit in the seat next behind the pew. Voted to seat the widow Washborn, widow Johnson, widow Tomlinson and widow French and wife of Abel Holbrook in the next seat behind the pew. "Voted that those seats before the pulpit be parted." That is, being long seats running from aisle to aisle, each seat counted for two. When the addition to this house was completed there were probably two doors and an aisle from each door, and the pulpit standing on the back side between these aisles. "Voted that Ens. Samuel Riggs, Mr. William Tomlinson, senr., shall sit in the first seat facing to the pulpit, and their wives likewise." That is, their wives in the opposite end. " That Mr. Isaac Nichols and Lieut. Thomas Wooster in the second of those seats facing the pulpit, and tlieir wives in the same rank" [but on the women's side]. "ThatDoct. John Durand and Mr. John Davis in the third of these seats and their wives in the same order. Il8 HISTORY OF DEKRV. " Voted that the town will have tlie rest of the meeting-house seated according to rates ; and that John Tibbals, Ens. Joseph Hull and Joseph Hawkins be a committee to see that matter of seating according to rates performed. That heads shall be taken out of the list, all except one head to each estate in ojder to seat the meeting-house according to rates." This method a few years later excluded a man's son and daughter, if adults, from his own pew or seat; which arrangement made it necessary to appoint the tithing man to watch the young people in the meet- ing-house, as they were shut out of their proper place with their parents. In this house the young people must have been seated in the back seats, but when the second house was built they went into the gallery. "Voted that the first long seat shall be accounted the highest in dignity yet unseated and that the first short seat yet unseated be accounted the second in dignity ; and then the second long seat the third in dignity and the last short seat the fourth in dignity, and then the other seats being all in one tier to receive their dignity from their order successively. "At the same time John Pringle, Samuel Bowers, Abel Gunn and John Riggs were appointed a committee to seat the meet- ing-house that is yet unseated," and they did the work and de- clared it at the same town meeting. " At the same time voted that Abraham Pierson shall have his head taken out of his father's list and Seth Perry's head shall be taken out of Adino Strong's list in order to seating, and they the said Abraham and Seth shall have seats equall to the men of eighteen pound estate. " Voted that the wife of John Tibballs shall sit precisely ac- cording to the list of her husband's ratable estate." She prob- ably held a ratable estate of her own, which added to her hus- band's would have placed her higher than he. Such an arrange- ment could not be tolerated in those days, but according to the rule established as to estates she could claim it. "Voted that the town will convert those two hindmost seats before the pulpit into a pew for the women." In the next March they voted further that " Edward Riggs, Peter Johnson, and Richard Holbrook shall have liberty to build a seat before the women's pew [at the side of the pulpit] PROGRESS IN DFRKV. IIQ for their wives to sit in." This shows that there were not seats enough when arranged in classes, although previously there were sufficient. Therefore it may be seen that the spirit of class order ex- isted one hundred and fifty years ago, the same as now, and as ever it had. At one time it is the boast of physical strength, at another of physical weakness, or idleness, independent of work ; at another beauty ; another, wealth ; another intellectual culti- vation ; in all ages it has lived and done good and evil ; and where it is not there is death of all that is improving in human society ; the only question is to guide it aright. In 1710, they "granted the guard [soldiers] liberty to have the two hindmost seats but one on the men's side," which indi- cates the presence of from ten to fifteen soldiers each Sunday. The spirit of enterprise was stronger now in Derby than ever before, in all that would bring prosperity. Another tract of land is purchased on the east side* of the Naugatuck, in 1709, extending the right of the soil to Beacon hill river north and Milford line on the east. The proprietors of this land say they are " Indians of Milford " an historical statement denoting the fact of their descent from the original tribe at Milford. In this sale, Chetrenaset an Indian receives a squaw from Major Ebenezer Johnson at the value of seven pounds, money, which was securing a wife at more than an ordinary cost for an Indian, but reveals the system of abomination that has cost America more, in every view taken, than any other to be mentioned to the present day. This purchase was the last on the east side of Naugatuck and left the Indians no land on that side of the river except the reservation at Seymour. "*We . . Indians of Milford, for and in consideration of seven pounds paid to Major Ebenezer Johnson of Derby from Chetrenaset upon the account of a Squaw Sarah, sold unto said Chetrenaset, and three pounds ten shillings in hand received of Major Ebenezer Johnson . . which we do acknowledge, have sold a certain tract of land lying in a place called Nayumps, bounded northerly with Beacon hill river, easterly with Milford, westerly with Naugatuck river, south with Lebanon river. April I, 1709. Cockapatana his mark Cockapatouch his mark Waskawakes his mark Mamook his mark Chipps his mark Jack his mark "John Minor, justice, says Cockai)ataiKi and his son Waskawakes, alias Tom." 120 HISTORY OF DERHV. Another piece of land was purchased the next spring by Rev. Joseph Moss and his brother, Samuel Moss, containing one hun- dred and twenty acres, the only piece bought by the acre of any extent" of the Indians. The price is stated to have been "a certain valuable sum of money." "^A tract of land in the precincts of Derby, situate at a place known by the name of Twelve mile hill joining upon the bounds of the town of Waterburv on the north running from mile stake which standeth on the top of said hill, one quarter of a mile eastward, which will make the length of said tract of land half a mile, and to run from said stake one hundred rods south which maketh one hundred acres. Mar. 13, 1 7 ID. Indian Witnesses Cockapatana his mark Powheak Will Doctor his mark Rowagosook Sisowecum his mark " All of us Indians, native proprietors of the lands in Derby, for the consideration . . of six pounds current silver money by Ens. Samuel and Lieut. Joseph Hull of Derby, agents, . . have sold . . a certain tract of land, bounded as follows, south- ward by the Little river, so called, westward by Woodbury bounds up to two chest- nut trees marked, which are the bounds between Waterbury, Woodbury and Derby, and then the line runs in the line dividing the township of Derby and Waterbury until it comes to the middle of Towantick pond, which is the northerly bounds of the land ; thence Southwardly by marked trees until it comes to the brook that runs down the west side of Towantick hill imto the Little river. "And further we . . hereby remise, release and quit claim . . all the rights and title we have . . in any of the lands within the bounds of Derby, excepting such small piece or pieces that we have by expression in particular deeds before reserved for our own use as may be seen by the records of Derby. Jan. 31, 1710. Nanawaug his mark Jack his mark Indian Witnesses Charles his mark Curens his mark Tackamore his mark Wattakis his mark Meskilling his mark Mackwash his mark Durgen his mark Ackcutrout his mark " We whose names are under written being Indians living near Derby do witness that Sisowecum alias Warouth, Pequet, Will Doctor, Daupauks alias Will Toto, John Toto and Tom Toto are the right owners of all the land in the northern and northwestward parts of Derby bounds yet unsold as witness our hands in 1 )erliy', this 1st of Feb. 17 10 II Nanawaug his mark Jacob his mark Jack his mark Skilling his mark Mockwash his mark Curen his mark Watakis his mark Charles his mark Chips his mark Durgen his mark." TURKEY HILLS. 121 One hundred acres of this tract was given to Mr. Joseph Moss by the town in the place of the forty acres promised him at his settlement. One more purchase was made of the Indians, which, though dated a month earlier than the one above, seemed to complete the territory of Derby, very nearly as to purchases. The names of the two sachems are not on these deeds, which raises the supposition that the lands were before this, divided among the Indians, and these chiefs with others had removed to other regions.** Ten others signed their names to a paper declaring that certain other Indians were the owners of all lands yet unsold in the northern and north-westward parts of Derby, meaning doubtless the reservations. But this last paper may have been intended to confirm what was said in the last deed that all lands hitherto owned by the natives except reservations were now sold. The only reservations made so far as seen were at the Falls. The Turkey hills possession was a grant from Milford to the Indians. The original deed for Derby was for land so far south as to the " point of rocks ; " that is, the rocks at the mouth of Two-mile brook. Between that and the Mil- ford line was a strip of land running some distance east, if not to New Haven line. This strip Alexander Bryan bought of the Indians and Milford became possessed of it, and the portion called Turkey hill consisting of about one hundred acres Mil- ford appointed to the Indians about 1680 as their home. l-5ut Ausantaway, the faithful chief of Milford was settled in Derby before this, and closed his life career in 1676, and some of the clan resided here until the death of Molly Hatchctt in 1829. Ausantaway is said to have been in Derby and hence probably lived north of the mouth of Two-mile brook on what is called also Turkey hill, where was also an Indian burying ground. The following record can scarcely be true, although a matter of fact in history. "Jan. 9, 1707. Voted that the bargain the town made with Samuel Bowers about beating the drum for twenty shillings till next August be hereby ratified and con- firmed ; and that John Chatfield have six shillings for beating the drum for the time past." He did not beat the drum all the ""Lambert 130, who says Cockapotanv died at his home in Derby in 1731. 16 122 HISTORY OF DERBY. time, day and night, as the record might imply, but for the calling the town together, but for what they should come together so often as to cost twenty shillings in seven months is the mystery. The Rev. John James was the the first person employed in town to teach the public school, so far as has been observed in the records of the town, and this work began in 1701, in De- cember, and he continued it three or four years ; and all that he was required to teach was reading and writing, and that as or when the children came to him. For these services he received only forty shillings, the amount required by law to be raised and used in the town during the year ; the record says forty shillings, but this may have meant forty shillings per thou- sand on the grand list, and he kept night school as well as day. In 171 1, a considerable advance had been made, as indicated in the recorded statement, *' that every person improveth the school-master by sending their children or servants to school this year, shall pay their proportion of that part of the school- master's salary which is over the money that comes to the school out of the country treasury in proportion to the number each sends, to the whole number and the time each child attends. And it is further agreed that all the night scholars shall pay per night or per week, half that proportion that day scholars do, and bring in their accounts as aforesaid or suffer like penalty as aforesaid, excepting such night scholars as belong to those that find house-room for the schools, and they to pay nothing for their learning if there be nothing demanded for house-room." Six years before, they were content in using what money the law required, but now they tax themselves, and have night schools as well as day. Another item of advance in the arts, was made in the secur- ing a cunning workman in iron. "• Voted that the town grant John Smith of Milford, blacksmith, four acres of land for a home lot, to build upon, anywhere within one mile from the meeting- house where he shall choose, in the land not laid out, upon con- dition that he build a mansion house and smith's shop, and set up the trade of a blacksmith, and follow it for the benefit of the inhabitants of the town for the space of seven years." And they specify that if Mr. Smith will not accept the offer, then the town ANCIENT DWELLINGS. I 23 offered the same to any other good blacksmith that would come. This John Smith may have been the son of the first blacksmith in Milford, who came from Boston in 1643, and followed his trade in Milford some years. No other men of trades are spoken of in the town acts up to this time. Doctor John Hull, seems to have been the carpen- ter while in town, he having built the first parsonage, the mill and the first meeting-house, and his son John took his place after the father removed to Wallingford. In building their own houses, most of the farmers were their own carpenters and work- men, except as they exchanged work with their neighbors, and returned the same. Many of the best houses were not plastered, but ceiled in the first story, the half story or part under the roof very seldom was finished any way, except the outside cov- ering, and this was the lodging apartment for the young people, having sometimes a partition, but more frequently not. In some of the early houses, and indeed up to the Revolution and later, the chimney of the house was so constructed as to be open on the front, above the chamber floor. It is related that in an interior town, two young men engaged in trying their strength at a wrestling match, after preparing themselves for bed in the chamber, and not taking notice of the opening at the chimney, went down, both into the fire below, and rolled out on the floor, converting the embers into a warmirg pan for that evening. In May, 1716, Sergeant Joseph Hawkins was granted by the General Assembly, " the liberty to keep a ferry over Stratford river [the Ousatonic] where the said Ilawkins's house now stands by the said river, at the same fare with the ferry at Strat- ford ; and so often as he shall have occasion at the said place to carry or ferry over the mouth of the Naugatuck river, he shall have the same allowance as aforesaid ; and when to cross both, eight pence for man and beast. This ferry was continued, so far as known, until a few years before the Revolution, when, as we shall hereafter see, a ferry was established at the Narrows. In 1 71 3 the town voted, " that so often as any man shall track a wolf into a swamp & give notice of it, and the people of the town do assemble pursue the s^ wolf & find him in said swamp the informer shall have five shillings reward out of the town 124 HISTORY OF DERBY. treasury ; and it is agreed that when and so often as it is a con- venient time to pursue & hunt wolves, all the effective men able to bear arms, shall assemble well mounted and armed at the call of Col. Johnson, Lieut. Hulls, and Sarg*. Brinsmade or any one of them & under their conduct & direction shall pursue, hunt & slay the wolves what they can and any men that refus- eth to go out when so called shall pay a fine of three shillings unto the town treasury unless a reasonable excuse be offered." A further improvement as to the crossing of the river seemed a question so difficult and therefore of such an amount of cost, that the town hesitated to enter upon the work, although of so much importance. The words in which the record is made show a doubt as to the hope of success. "Feb. 25, 1716-17 voted that the town are desirous of a good bridge over Nauga- tuck river." Having proceeded thus far, they ventured to ap- point a committee " to consider what is the most likely way for the building " of such a bridge. And then they request the same committee " to petition the General Court for a brief to raise money for said bridge, and collect what sums they can for said building and to make report to the town." The General Court gave the grant and appointed a committee to receive the money and disburse the same for the specified purpose. Sergeant Samuel Brinsmade and John Pringle were to circulate the subscription ("or brief"), and were to have " three shillings as money per day for carrying it." At the first meeting they voted the " place for building a bridge over Naugatuck river shall be against Doctor Durand's and that it is the most likely and expedient place for a bridge." " Voted twopence on the pound to build a bridge over the Naugatuck river — those to work out their money who choose to under directions of the committee. Col. Ebenezer Johnson, Joseph Hawkins and William Moss, committee and are empow- ered to call out men to work on the bridge." It was built at that place, apparently, since Doctor Durand claimed damages for encroachment on his land after the bridge was built. Doctor Durand then owned the old homestead of Edward Wooster, the first settler, deceased, and probably resided A NEW MEETING-HOUSE. 1 25 in it ; just opposite where the road from the bridge now enters the river road, at the old town. This shows that the bed of the Naugatuck was at this time on the east side of the valley, although the old river is still re- ferred to in the deeds. The following receipt shows the prevalent method of transact- ing business without money : "• Milford Dec. 26, 1723. Then received of John Holbrook of Derby upon the account of the Bridge Logs of Derby one hundred and thirty- six pounds of pork at three cents per pound. Barnabas Baldwin, Junr." Thus almost everything was paid for by exchange of produce or some kind of merchandise. Very unfrequently was an en- gagement made by which silver or gold could be required by law. Gold, in pay, is not mentioned in the records during a hundred years, but silver is mentioned several times, yet nearly always to be delivered by weight. Only twelve years had passed since the repairing of the old church when the spirit of enterprise determined that a new meeting-house was needed, and hence in December, 17 19, they declared " that the town will build a new meeting-house, and that it shall be set in some convenient place near where the old meeting-house now standeth, and that the dimentions shall be as followeth, viz. : forty feet long and thirty-two feet wide and twenty feet posts. " Granted a six penny rate for defraying the charge of build- ing the meeting-house ; and every man to have liberty to dis- charge his own rate in labor, provided he can labor in any way to advantage the building. Col. Ebenezer Johnson, Capt. Jo- seph Hull, and Lieut. John Riggs, to be the building com- mittee." But this was one of the enterprises that progressed slowly, for more than a year after. May, 1721, a vote was passed that " the whole town will come together when it is a convenient time and raise the meeting-house without bringing the charge of it into any town rate ; and that the town will be at the charge of buying six gallons of rum for the above said occasion and that to be all the entertainment which shall be upon the town cost." This buying rum for such an occasion sounds surpris- ing, but it should be remembered that rum (alcoholic drinks,) 126 HISTORY OF DF.KBV. held about the same estimation in the public mind at that time 'as tobacco does at the present; that is, it was supposed to be harmless to all if moderately used, and of great good to many ; and it would be difficult to judge which opinion is most wise or most unwise and injurious, the old or the new. THE SECOND MEETING-HOUSE IN l)KRi;N, KKhlTEl) IN 1 72 1. This meeting-house was built in the years 1721 and 1722, but it was not seated until after the following vote: "Jan. 28, 1722- 3, voted that the meeting-house shall be seated by such rules as followeth : Col. Ebenezer Johnson, Ens. Samuel Riggs and John Tibbals, Stephen Pierson, Ens. Nichols shall sit in the first seat next the pulpit ; Doctor Durand, Mr. Samuel Bowers and Jeremiah Johnson shall sit in the second seat of the square next the pulpit ; John Pringle, Sargent Brinsmade, John Chat- field, senr., shall sit in a short seat by Mr. Moss' pew." At the same time it was voted " we will scat all that remain according to the list." They had previously directed (Feb. 5, 1721-2,) "that Mr. Moss have liberty to build a pew six feet square joining to the pulpit stairs, for his wife and family." EXEMPT FROM RATES. 12/ It was at this same time that the first tithing men were ap- pointed, Mr. Samuel Bowers and John Smith. The young people could no more sit with their parents, and therefore offi- cers must be appointed to watch them and keep them in quiet order in church. It was not the last religious movement that brought nothing but trouble and evil consequences. "That the charges of building said house shall be upon tak- ing but one head to a list. Voted that Francis French, Jere- miah Johnson and William Moss shall seat the meeting-house. " Voted that Francis French, Gideon Johnson and John Chat- field shall be a committee to sell the old meeting-house. '■ Granted a rate of twopence on the pound on the country list of 1722, for defraying the charge of building the meeting- house " Dec. 26, 1 72 1. Voted that they who refuse to pay the whole or any part of the town rates for the building the meeting-house shall within one month from this date come & enter it upon the public records, what sum or sums they refuse to pay, & the clerk shall give a note to the collector stating the matter as it is, . . and upon this note from the clerk the treasurer shall deduct these sums refused to be paid before any distress is made against any person, & thereupon the collector & treasurer shall dis- charge the party so refusing either in whole or in part." In reply to this the following were entered : "Jan. 17, 172 1-2. The town of Derby refused to make up accounts concerning the building the bridge over Naugatuck river, whereby Joseph Hawkins was much wronged, therefore Joseph Hawkins keep- eth back & refuseth to pay forty shillings of the 4 penny rate toward building the meeting-house. Joseph Hawkins. " Henry Wakelee refuseth to pay both the six penny and four penny rate for the building the meeting-house . . unless the town hire him to keep sheep again, & if they do he saith he will pay both." "In Jan. 1722-3, voted that Barnabas Baldwin, Junr, and Joel Northrop upon paying the three rates that are past & the two penny rate now granted according to their lists for defray- ing the charge of building said meeting-house & paying all charges yet to come by said house according to their lists, upon so doing shall have an interest in said house." 128 HISTORY OF DERBY. This house was located at what was known then as Derby, but known now as Up Town or Old Town, the latter name be- ing used mostly in these pages of history. The present school- house stands near the old site of this house. The settlement at the mill a mile rorth from this meeting-house was called the North End, and in the neighborhood of Ebenezer Johnson's and Dea. Abel Holbrook's was the South End. There seems to have been a distinction made as to the hill east ; one portion being called Sentinel hill, another New Haven Sentinel hill. Riggs hill and Squabble Hole do not occur as yet, in the records. Repairs were made on this house in 1738, when they "re- moved the three hind seats on the men's side of the meeting- house forward by making a seat in the alley, and made choice of Mr. Abiram Canfield, Mr. Joseph Hull, Junr., and Mr. Daniel Hull for their committee to remove said seats on the town's charge." THE NEGRO PEW. "Again the town order the said committee to build a conven- ient seat for the negroes on the beams over the front gallery, and stairs to go up, on the town's charge." The posts of that house were twenty feet high, which gave room for a second gallery, or this seat "over the front gallery." These distinctions of class and caste were much, if not wholly, indebted to slavery, for their existence. At the first settlement and the beginning of the first church, it was not so, but when slavery had existed some years, not only were the slaves re- duced to a position of degradation, but every other man and his family in the community, not on the basis of color, but that of money, they were seated in church in accordance with the amount of money they were worth or held in possession. SABADAY HOUSES. In 1725, the following record was made, showing that the people began to think something about comfort on Sunday or First Day, as then called, or yet more strictly, it may be said that recorders frequently wrote second day, third day, and fourth day. "The town granted liberty to the inhabitants to I'IRST SCHOOL-HOUSE. 129 build convenient houses for tiieir families on the Sabbath and public days, near the meeting-house on the common." This was followed in 1728, by another institution to be used for the same purpose, a part of the time. Mr. Lumm, John Smith and Gideon Johnson were appointed to gather subscriptions " to build a school-house near the meeting-house, which house shall be at said Lumm's and Smith's and Johnson's command on the Sabbath days;" and a committee was appointed at the same time to "hire a school-master according to law." This was the first school house, and was near the church and used as a " Sab- aday house," and although the meeting-house is gone, there is a school-house, greatly enlarged and beautified, still at that place ; and the location is now called Academy hill. In 1764 "the town granted liberty for any of the inhabitants of the town to build Sabbath day houses and horse houses on the sides of the highway near the meeting-house, not to incom- mode any highways." Thus early did religion and education walk together. Rev. Mr. James started school-teaching in the town by doing the work three months or more, for forty shillings, or possibly forty shillings on a thousand pounds on the list, and Mr. Moss so stimulated the public mind, that a school-master was hired to give his whole time to the work for some months, and additional money raised to pay the teacher, and in Mr. Moss's day a school- house was built. THE LIST OF ESTATES IN DERBV IN 1 7 1 8, BY AUTHORITY OF THE TOWN. Col. Eben Johnson, ^146 Eben Harger, Capt. Joseph Hulls, 226 Mr. John Durand Ens. Samuel Riggs, 59 Francis French, Abel Gunn, •5« Jonathan Hill, John Johnson, 33 George Black, Jabez Harger, ^ 22 John Munson, Ens. Samuel Nichols, 60 Andrew Smith, Samuel Brinsmaid, 15 Jonathan Lum, Wm. Moss, 98 John Davis, Isaac Tomlinson, 68 Wm. Washbon, Abiram Canfield, 23 Saml Moss, Lef. John Riggs, 160 John Weed, John Hulls, I? 69 •Stephen Pierson, ^91 55 90 21 21 18 lOI 54 54 90 43 56 51 I30 IIISTORV ()|- nKRI!\" Tlioma.-s W'oostei', ;^ii7 Samuel 'I'oinlinsoii, 62 William 'I'omlinson, 39 John Twitchfl, 65 Abraham Tomlinson, 29 Joseph Hawkins, 137 Samuel Washbon, 57 Timothy Wooster, 78 John Pringle, 57 John Tomlinson, 51 Joseph Smith, 31 John Smith, sen., 82 Kphraim Smith, 39 Ens. Eben Johnson, 48 John Chattiekl, 87 Jeremiah Johnson, 106 Kenj. Styles, 21 .Stephen I'ierson, sen. John Tibbals, Joseph Nichols, John Towner, Samuel Bowers, Abraham Pierson, Abel Holbrook, Josiah Baldwin, Joseph Johnson, Mr. Samuel Gunn, Mary Wooster, Samuel Bassett, Mr. Abraham Pinto, Peter Johnson, Micah Denman, James Humphreys, 63 59 48 86 5° 28 15 3 28 29 8- 31 18 ARRANGEMENTS OF FENCE ON THE RIVER IN 1 72O. "An account of the fence that is about that common field which is on the east and west side of Naugatuck river in Derby, as it is now moddled and laid out by Capt. Joseph Hulls, Lef. John Riggs, John Pringle, John Smith & Abel Gunn, the former & standing committee of said field ; new moddled in the month of March, 1720. " The beginning is on the north end on both sides of the river & to each man's name here inserted there is set so much fence as is laid out to . . him . . and there is marks made & the letters of the men's names on wood or stone at the beginning & ending of their fence. NORTH END, EAST SIDE. 66 rods. 163 37i 122 Capt. Joseph Hulls, Thomas Wooster, John Hulls, Eben Harger, Capt. Joseph Hulls, Israel Moss, Ens. Saml Riggs, Abel Gunn, Joseph Smith, Abel Gunn, Eben. Harger, Ens. Samuel Riggs, Joseph Smith, 79^ II 33 88 19 69 12 12 33 Mr. Durand, Francis French, Joseph Smith, 15 rods. 32 45 NORTH END, WEST SIDE RIVER. Wm. Washbon, 63 rods Thomas Wooster, 20 Tim Wooster, 64 Abram Tomlinson, 18 Ens. Saml Nichols, 8 Stephen Pierson, 8 Wm. Tomlinson, 4^ John Smith, 28 A \K\V RKIDGK. 13 Andrew Smith, 20 rods. Eben Harger, 4i rod Saml Brinsmade, 7 Abel Gunn, 31 John Hulls, 14 Stephen Peirson, 32 John Tomlinson, 9i Tim Russell, 14 Eliphalet Gilbert, 9 Joseph Hawkins, 30 Andrew Smith, 20^ Sam. Harger, 9 Sam Harger, 20 Wm. Moss, 49 Abiram Cantfield, 31 Sam Bowers, 4 John Pringle, 27 Joseph Hawkins, 35 Abram Cantfield, 27 Lieu. John Riggs, 58^ Eliphalet Gilbert, 9 Michal Denman, '4 John Pringle, 136 Abram Peirson, 12 879A '• Sam. Harger, 43 It is said that this fence on the south ended at the island bars, but precisely where those were at that time, is not certain. THE PROPRIETORS OF SENTINEL HILL FIELD. '■ Mar. 14, 1703 At a meeting of the Proprietors of Sentinel hill field, the proprietors did accept of what the committee hath done in laying out every man his proportion of fence about the said field. Jeremiah Johnson, John Pierson, Samuel Bowers, John Riggs, John Tibbals, Moses Johnson, John Baldwin, Adino Strong, Jeremiah Johnson, Jr., Parsonage, Ensign Riggs, John Chatfield, Abel Gunn, Capt. Johnson, Abell Holbrook, Francis French, Stephen Pierson, Widow Henman. The following record shows a confidence in public officers quite interesting and instructive. " February 5, 1722, voted that the town appoint Samuel Hulls and Joseph Johnson to make up accounts for five years last past with the several collectors of town rates and treasurers, and to make report to the town how they find accounts to stand." Ofificers could be trusted five years in those days. The town had enjoyed tbe privilege of a bridge over the Nau- gatuck just ten years, or a little over, when it went down the stream by a freshet. They immediately voted to build a new one at the expense of the town, except what might be given by 132 IIISTOKV OF DKRRV. persons out of the town. But they soon found the cost a larger item than they felt able to contend with, and petitioned the General Assembly for a " brief to build the bridge over the Nau- gatuck river which was lately carried away by the flood." The bridge had been repaired in the autumn, and therefore was in good condition to go down the river the next April as it did, taking all repairs along. The advancement of the town in numbers, and the state of society is indicated in a record made by the town clerk during ten years from 1730 to 1740, of those who were made freemen. In 1732, they made twenty-six; in 1736, they made twenty- seven, and in 1740, nineteen. These, nearly all, were raised in town. In 1731 another piece of land was purchased of the Indians,' It is a frequent charge that the white people took away the In- dian's land, but in Derby they not only paid for it, and some of it three times over, but the Indians were urgent to sell much faster than the white people were able to buy. This seems to have been the reason why the tract called Camp's mortgage was bought. They offered it so cheap that Mr. Camp took a mortgage, and there it lay quite a number of years before the town felt able to raise the money to pay for it. At the time that the town felt it necessary to '•'pacify the In- dians as though they were ready to rise in war, they were urg- ing (some of them) the sale of a piece of land, andHenryWooster was appointed to go with the Indians and view their lands and make report." Land seemed to be a burden on their hands until it was gone, and then they grieved for it as thrown away. ''We . . in consideration of thirty pounds good pay, part money and part goods . . have sold . . all that tract of land known by the name of the Indial Hill in Derby, situate on the east side of Naugatuck river, near the place called the Falls, all the land at or near that place we sell, except the plane that lieth near the falls up to the foot of the hill unto a heap of stones on the south, and a heap of stones on the north end: all that land that lieth eastward, northward and southward of said plane that is not purchased before by the English. This 2l,6'-;)Q nearly.) This being the amount of the list they paid for the settlement (;^ioo) and the salary (^100) just one twentieth of their tax list, yearly, a sum surprisingly large, when their circumstances are consid- ered, or when compared with the sums paid at the present day. Nearly all of their money was gathered from the soil by contin- uous hard labor. The Connecticut Home Missionary Society, 'Dr. Bacon's Hist. Discourse, P'ccl. C'o! 136 HISTORV OF DERBV. requires at the present clay, that the members of a Congrega- tional church shall pay, in the agg^regate, a sum equal to one per cent, on their grand list, before receiving aid from that society. What if it required five per cent. ? There would be scarcely a church in the state that would need help, if such were the rule. The grand tax list of the town of Derby for 1878, was a little over three and a half millions, and five per cent, on that would give one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars. The whole expense of all the churches in the town does not probably ex- ceed one-fifth of that sum, so that the comparison of the church cost of the present day with one hundred years ago is as one to five, or one-fifth. The only difference being, that at that time the grand list was made by taking a small percentage of the valuation of property as the basis for assessments. The regu- lar salary of Mr. Daniel Humphreys after a few years was one hundred and forty pounds money, or four hundred and seventy dollars. The four hundred pounds was given for the minister to purchase a farm which was supposed to furnish a considera- ble portion of the minister's living; and a minister in that day without a farm would have been a mystery as great as for one to have one at the present day. Some considerable difterence of opinion as to ecclesiastical or- der grew up in the parish after the legal establishment of the Say- brook Platform in 1708, and by which the church became a dis- senting church, and the way was opened for the establishment of the Episcopal Church in the place. The dissenters claimed that a change of heart or actual experience was important in order to the reception of the sacraments, while the New way or Half-way covenant administered baptism to all children whose parents assented to the doctrines of the church, and such parents were regarded as in a half covenant state with the church. The half-way membership had been in practice among the churches some years but without any formal conventional sanc- tion until 1708, and very probably this had been the position of the Derby church until sometime after Mr. Moss's settle- ment, and after the matter had been discussed in the churches generally. After the decease of Mr. Moss, and a new minister was to be settled, the division of opinion took a more definite form, and THE NEW LIGHTS. I 37 yet the vote of the town in settHng a minister seems to have been ordinarily harmonious ; sixty against nineteen, and all announcing that they would yield to the majority vote. After the settlement of Mr. Humphreys and the revival excitements of 1740 and 41, the establishment of the Episcopal church be- came an easy matter and took some of the old substantial sup- porters of the Congregational church into it. If the records of the Derby church had been preserved, some things more definite might belearned. In Sprague's Annals^ Mr. Humphreys is mentioned as one with Dr. Bellamy and others who promoted the revival work in 1740. and it was in conse- quence of this, doubtless, that he fell into some little trouble as indicated in the following record. The following complaint against Mr. Humphreys is recorded, but whether it went any further is not known. " To the Clerk of the Parish or Society in Derby to which the Reverend Mr. Daniel Humphrey doth belong these may in- form that the said Daniel Humphrey, contrary to the true in- tent and meaning of a law of the Colony of Connecticut entitled an act for Regulating abuses and correcting disorders in Eccle- siastical afifairs, has presumed to preach in the Parish or First Society of New Haven. Dated at New Haven, Sept. 24, 1742. Signed per Samuel Bishop, Justice of the Peace, John Hubbard, Justice of the Peace." The effort made by those who sustained the half-way covenant, which method was called the Old way, and was at that time the legal way, to stop the progress of the New way, the followers of which were called New Lights, was very arbitrary and deter- mined, as given by Dr. Trumbull.'^ " While these things were transacted in the eastern and north- ern parts of the colony, a violent opposition was made in the county of New Haven, to the new lights, and to the religious revival which had been in the country. They appeared to hes- itate at no means to suppress the new light ministers. In 1741, when the grand council was to sit at Guilford, the association drew up several resolutions to be laid before the council ; ^Vol. I, 315. 18 138 HISTORY OF DERBY. among which was the following: ' That Tor a minister to enter into another minister's parish, and preach, or administer the seals of the covenant, without the consent of, or in opposition to the settled minister of the parish, is disorderly ; notwith- standing, if a considerable number of the people of the parish are desirous to hear another minister preach, provided the same be orthodox, and sound in the faith, and not notoriously faulty in censuring other persons, or guilty of any other scandal, we think it ordinarily advisable for the minister of the parish to gratify them, by giving his consent, upon their suitable applica- tion to him for it, unless neighboring ministers should advise him to the contrary.' Mr. Humphreys of Derby had preached to a Baptist society, and on that account was soon after deprived of a seat in the association. The Rev. Mr. Timothy Allen of West Haven, who was an able and zealous Calvinistic preacher, was not pleasing to them, and for some little imprudences, the consociation dismissed him from his ministry. The principal ar- ticle alleged against him was that he had said, ' that the read- ing of the scriptures, without the concurring influence and oper- ation of the spirit of God, will no more convert a sinner, than reading an old Almanac' Though it was true, that no external means would convert a sinner, yet, Mr. Allen lamented the manner of expression, and offered his confession to the associa- tion for it ; but the council dismissed him, and it is said with this ill-natured triumph, that they had blown out one new light, and that they would blow them all out. Mr. Allen was a man of genius and talents, and an able defender of the doctrines of the gospel, as appeared by some of his publications ; he was also a man of strict morals, and a powerful and fervent preacher. Though his light was not permitted to shine in the county of Nev^ Haven, yet it shone in other churches until he was be- tween eighty and ninety years of age. In the year 1800 he was pastor in Chesterfield, in Massachusetts, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. "In 1744, a church was formed in Salsbury, on the princi- ples of the Cambridge platform, and the town and church made choice of Mr. Jonathan Lee for their pastor ; and, among other gentlemen, made choice of the Rev. Mr. Humphreys of Derby, and the Rev. Mr. Leavenworth of Waterbury, and the Rev Mr. NEW EXPENSES. I 39 Todd of Northbury, to assist in his ordination. He had re- ceived a liberal education at Yale College, and studied divinity under the care of Mr. Williams of Lebanon ; was of a good moral character, and a zealous preacher of the Calvinistic doc- trines. The association suspended these gentlemen from all associational communion, for assisting in the ordination of Mr. Lee, because he and the church had adopted the Cambridge platform, and were not on the constitutional establishment of the colony." Therefore, Mr. Humphreys was twice suspended from the fel- lowship of the association, for holding just the views which are now generally entertained by Congregational ministers and churches. In those days as at the present, there was no end to expen- ses which called for extra taxes, for scarcely had one enterprise of progress, or an unusual calamity been provided for, when another would come. The settlement of Mr. Humphreys had been but just paid, and the regular order of expenditures reached, when it was found that the bridge over the Naugatuck was in a decayed condition, and a committee appointed to repair it if possible, if not, to rebuild it, and it was rebuilt in 1739. Two years later it went away with the flood. Then a company was organized, and petitioned the Assembly for a toll bridge, as a private or stock enterprise. The Assembly granted '' liberty to the memorialists, and such other persons as shall see cause to join with them, to build a bridge over the river aforesaid at the place aforesaid, or as near it as may be convenient, for all persons to pass and repass over said river ; and that the toll or fare for all persons, except the inhabitants of Derby, shall be six pence for man horse and load, and three pence for each person, and for each team one shilling ; and that the fare above said, shall be taken in old tennor-bills of all persons except the in- habitants of said Derby until this Assembly shall order other- wise. Oct. 1 741." Six years later the town voted to repair this bridge upon the town's cost, provided the proprietors would give the property to the town, and in 1752 they send a committee to the Assembly to ask for higher rates of toll. In 1760, the town " voted to make the bridge across the Naugatuck near the meeting-house free for one year," and in 1762 they voted to 140 HISTORY OF DERBY. build a bridge across the Naugatuck at the town's expense, the old bridge being carried away by the flood." Straws tell which way the wind blows, is an old saying, mean- ing that very small items illustrate character, customs and man- ners. An item of this kind is recorded: "March 25, 1745, voted . . that the town of Derby do discharge the Selectmen, Samuel Riggs and Joseph Hull from that note of forty pounds old tennor which they became obliged to pay to Doctor Leaven- worth of Stratford upon demand for taking and keeping a cer- tain negro man named Nero, and also discharging the said town forever hereafter from any charge arising by said negro." This negro, probably, had escaped from the town of Stratford and was arrested by these selectmen of Derby, and detained so long that the owner demanded pay, and they gave their note, but having arrested the negro, as the selectmen of Derby, the town was obligated, and held the property ; this note gave the negro to these men and they were to pay the note. This trans- action reveals the fact that since 1681, the price of a slave had risen from eighteen pounds to forty, providing money values were equal. It has been often alleged that slavery was given up in Connecticut only when it was found that it would not pay ; but if it was profitable when slaves were worth one hundred dollars, why was it not when they were worth two and three and four and five times that sum ? Logic always demands an actual basis for the assertion made. In 1742, a little further extension of Derby territory was made by the purchase of an island in the Ousatonic river just above the mouth of Eight-mile brook. This island was really beyond the boundaries of Derby, and hence was not reserved when the adjoining land in Derby was sold. It was now bought by an individual for his personal possession and not as a town agent, yet he being a resident of Derby, the deed was recorded here.' A peculiarity about one name attached to the deed is, that this same person, apparently, signed the deed in 1731 as John Cuckson, but in this deed he had become John Cockshure, of whom more may be seen in the Indian history of this book! ^We Manchero and John Cockshure and Hannah Tous, . . do sell . . to James Hard, his heirs etc., one small island of land, lying in Powtatuck river, being FLOURING MILLS. I4I It is quite evident that John Howd and John Cockshure were heirs or successors of Cockapatana. Notwithstanding the floods, the taxes, and the passing away of their great men, the town moved on in progress just as the world will for ages to come, profiting little by the experience ot the past, and giving but small attention to the lessons of that past, although on the whole making some progress as to the general good of humanity, hull's mills. • Samuel Hull's mill is mentioned in 1745, when a highway was made from Bare plains to it for the convenience of the people. When this mill was set up on the Old river, now the race to the Birmingham Iron Foundry, a little above the New Haven road, is not definitely known. In 1707, the town voted to pay "Major Ebenezer Johnson for work done on the old and new flour mill, and on the meeting-house," which is almost an assurance that Hull's mills were then standing, since no others are known to have been built up to that time; and in 17 14, the "old mill- pond " is mentioned. Samuel Hull, was the son of Captain Joseph, born in 1692, and it is very probable that his father built this mill,-at the first a small one, to which additions were afterwards made. In 1696, John Hull, brother of the first Joseph, received the old mill as a gift from his father, and it is most probable that he and his brother Joseph or Joseph alone, built the new mill about 1705 or 6. The only mention of any mill enterprises other than the above seen in the records between 1696 and 1745 is in regard to a grant of land and liberty to Benjamin Stebbins of New Haven to set up the trade of tanning and shoe-making, with accommo- dations " on Meeting-house hill," which meant where the meet- ing-house then stood at the old town, but which was not erected. Samuel Hull's mills became a great institution, and continued thus, until within the memory of many now living, although all in quantity about eight acres, lying about the Eight Mile Brook, and is the first island above said brook, bounded on all sides with said river. Aug. 4, 1742. Hannah Tous her mark John Cockshure his mark 142 HISTORY OF DERBY. physical traces of them are now nearly gone. They were called, many years, and are still known, as the Old Yellow Mills, and Hull's mills. There is not much doubt but that several of the Hull family were interested in them as owners, but this is not stated in any records seen. These mills secured profitable em- ployment to a considerable amount of capital. The flouring mill, in addition to the making of flour for the farming commun- ity, contained appliances for manufacturing kiln-dried meal which, being packed in hogsheads, was shipped to the West Indies, causing not a little mechanical and mercantile employ- ment. A saw-mill was attached, which not only did work for the use of the people of the town, but prepared timber and lum- ber of various kinds to be shipped to different sea ports, as is evidenced by the yearly appointment by the town of a person or persons as inspector of timber, which could mean nothing else than that timber was a mercantile product. The oil mill, for making oil from flaxseed, required a large capital, the oufit being extensive as well as the help employed, and the profits were very gratifying for some years. The ma- chinery was the first imported to this part of the country, and gave the company a monopoly of the business for some years. It was doubtless some years after 1745, when the oil mill at- tained its highest efficiency. But when the practice in Ireland of gathering the flax before the seed was ripe, was adopted in that country, an additional market was opened, at higher prices for American flaxseed, and the demand for the oil not equaling that for the seed, the work of the mill became unprofitable. As often occurs in such enterprises, the business was continued in hope of better times until former profits were consumed. There was also a cloth-dressing establishment as a part of these mills which had the first fulling mill and carding machine of any in this part of the country ; and which was not equaled until General Humphreys started a larger enterprise at Hum- phreysville. In later years, the brothers, Samuel and Richard Hull, with a son of Dr. Mansfield, were the owners of these mills. But the Old Yellow Mills have faded away ; " The mill wheel has tumbled in, And Ben Bolt lies under the stone ! " And "sweet Alice," also ! OLD YELLOW MILLS. 143 Doct. A. Beardsley, gives the following interesting particu- lars in regard to these mills. The Old Yellow Mills, sometimes called Hull's Mills, recently demolished, located at the head of the present Birmingham res- ervoir water works, was a place of business for revolutionary times. For miles and miles the country round, even as far as Woodbury, Waterbury and New Haven, it was a central spot where farmers came with corn or rye in one end of the bag and a stone in the other, to get their "grist ground." A singular death occurred at these mills to a Derby citizen, nearly a hun- •dred years ago. The people were honest in those days, and locks and keys scarcely used, the miller vacated his premises one afternoon, leaving his customers, if any should come, to help themselves. Capt. Isaac Smith, grandfather of the late Sheldon Smith, Jr. of the Neck, went for his grist, and shouldering his bag, and while descending a flight of steps, as is supposed, fell to the outside door, where he was found next morning dead, with his burden on his back, his neck broken and his faithful horse standing by his side. The burial of this good man was in striking contrast with modern times, for his pall bearers con- sisted only of two horses, his remains being suspended between them, and were thus borne to their last resting-place. At these mills a set of stones were run day and night, which ground out monstrous quantities of linseed oil for exportation. Some of the credulous at one time, believed there was a sort of witchcraft about this turning flaxseed into oil. An apparatus was so connected with some portion of the machinery, that after a given number of revolutions of the stones were made, a bell commenced ringing in a remote corner of the mills. This un- seen signal told the story that the seed had run to oil, which was a great puzzler to some of the natives for a long time. The Old Yellow Mills finally run down and fell into the hands of one John Lewis, a speculative Yankee, who, in selling out his interest to Sheldon Smith of New York, in part laid the founda- tion of the present prosperity of Derby. Another flaxseed oil mill, was established on Two-mile brook some years later, but continued only a short time and that with- out much success. Another mill enterprise was planted further in the wil- 1.)/] HISTORY OF DEKBV. derness, even to Little river, and the first introduction to it granted is as follows : "New Haven Aug. 5, 1747. I George Albott of Derby have re- ceived of Stephen Perkins of New Haven, five hundred pounds money, Old Tennor, in full for one-half of a Saw-mill, the whole of a Grist- mill or Corn mill, and a dwelling house ; the mills standing on the Little liver so called and the dwelling house near by, all in good order ; which house and mills I do sell. . . George Abbott." But Abbott's Mills, were not destined long to be the only fore- runner of what should beat Seymour. In 1760, the town granted " to James Pritchard the liberty of the stream of the Little river from its mouth up against the dwelling of said Fairchild to erect and keep in repair a corn mill or mills." The next mill enterprise was on the Naugatuck river at the Falls, and for this purpose about two acres and a half, including the Falls, at what is now Seymour, was purchased by Ebenezer Keeney, John Wooster and Joseph Hull, Junr., of the Indians.^ This was not all the land then owned by the Indians at that place, but only a small part of it, purchased in order to secure the water power ; and upon this land these persons as partners erected a saw mill, two fulling mills and a clothiers shop, all which they or their successors sold to General David Humphreys in 1803, which was the beginning of the manufacturing age of the town of Derby. The town had previously manufactured vari- ous commodities, such as leather and staves for barrels, more than it consumed, but this was the beginning of enterprises without number that should be instituted for the production of large quantities of goods for exportation, not only out of the town, but to foreign parts to the end of the world. David Hum- phreys, stands before the world as the first great general of the manufacturing enterprises of Derby, as well as a celebrated mil- "*We Joseph Chuse and John Houde, Indians . . with the advice of Samuel Bassett, Esqr., agent for the said Indians . . for the consideration of eight pounds, lawful money to us paid by the said Ebenezer Keeney, John Wooster and Joseph Hull Junr., to our full satisfaction . . do confirm . . a certain parcel of land . . bounded . . and taking in the falls rocks, containing one acre against the falls and one acre and a half of land for a highway to said acre with privileges and appur- tinances belonging to said falls and land Oct. 4, 1763. Joseph Chuse John Hude." THE NORTH FARMERS. I45 itary general, and whatever his native town may think of him, he will ever stand as one of the great men of enterprise and so- cial improvement of his own nation. OXFORD SOCIETY. Several records are found concerning the formation of Oxford into an Ecclesiastical Society, and by these records the thought involuntarily arises that Derby thought it the time to pay an old grudge by treating the North Farmers as Milford treated Derby at the beginning, and so they put in opposition towards the movement. In March, 1733, the town voted that " these Quaker Farm men whose names are under written, who petition for abate in the town's charge, we the said town declare that [we] will abate these our neighbors four pence upon the pound on the grand list for two years from this date." Caleb Terry, Josiah Terry, John Smith, Jr., Jonathan Griffin, John Towner, Abraham Wooster, Abel Holbrook, Ebenezer Hawkins. No reasons are given for this petition, and it is difficult to conjecture except these rates were abated from the support of the minister, and that in consequence of their distance from the meeting-house. Fourpence on the pound was Mr. Moss's rate for many years. In April 1740, " Capt. Samuel Bassett'^ was chosen agent to represent the town of Derby in May next to show why the me- morial of the north farmers in said Derby should not be granted." The petition failed as to that year, but the next May, upon the report of a committee, the petition was granted, mak- ing an ecclesiastical society named Oxford, Timothy Wooster, John Twitchell and John Towner leading the" names from the north farmers, and Isaac Trowbridge, John Weed, Jonas Weed, Joseph Weed, Thomas and Joseph Osborn, dwelling in the south- west part of Waterbury, and Isaac Knowles, Joseph Towner, Eliphalet Bristol, John Tift and Aaron Bristol, dwelling in the south-east part of Woodbury, were included within the parish. "^In 1738 the General Assembly appointed Mr. John Fowler of Milford, Capt. Samuel Bassett and Mr Gideon Johnson of Derby a committee to repair to said Waterbury, and at the charge of the people of the northwest quarter of said town, view the circumstances, and if they judge it best that the said northwest quarter be a distinct Ecclesiastical Society, that then they state the bounds thereof." 19 146 HISTORY OF DERBY. In December, 1740, while the matter was in the hands of the committee of the Legislature, the town appointed "John Riggs Esq., Mr. Francis French and Mr. Joseph Johnson agents for the town of Derby, to agree with a committee by the North Farm- ers to settle a dividing line between the south and north parts of Derby township in order to make an ecclesiastical society in the north part of said township; and the town declare they will excuse all the North Farmers paying any ministerial charge to the present minister of Derby for the year 1740 ; viz. : all whose dwellings are above the Five-mile brook bridge, and so above a line from said bridge that shall strike the south end of John Riggs's farm provided they hire preaching among themselves for the whole year." Thus in about six months their opposition gave way and they seem ready to work harmoniously with them, but why should they put on the last clause or condition : "pro- vided they hire preaching among themselves for the whole year .-• " Simply because they had not learned the idea of lib- erty in its general and full meaning. To let people do as they might choose as to religion, had not entered their minds ; and although there is some dawning of that coming day at the pres- ent time, yet, the clear and true light has not yet come. The Lord himself did not prohibit a known sinner to partake of the first sacramental bread and wine, but for a church not to take to itself greater authority than the Lord pretended to exercise, is thought to be so great a sin that the church would lose all char- acter, and the favor of Heaven ! The day is not past when the civil authority is invoked to try to make men religious, however much we abhor the thought. The requiring of all children in a public school to pray, any prayer, no matter what, without re- gard to their wish or pleasure, and under the fear of penalty, if compliance is not acceded, is of the same principle possessed by those who burned men at the stake by civil authority. Also the proposition to amend the Constitution of the United States by inserting the name of the Deity, in any form, is of the same quality ; viz. : to compel men to profess to be religious whether they desire so to do or not. When God shall sift the nations and plant Colonies for freedom a thousand or two thousand years longer, he may get them where they can understand His gospel, rather than the gospel of men. OXFORD MADE A PARISH. I47 No man has a right to put a finger's weight on his neighbor to make him religious ; and if he had, it would do only injury and not good. The free reception of the truth by the individ- ual, is the only possible way human character can be elevated ; and any theory that does not give every intelligent being a fair opportunity, somewhere, for thus receiving the truth that would save him, is utterly to be rejected by the highest dictates of reason, and is a reproach to the Divine character. The good Christian people of Derby must put their neigh- bors and old friends, and their own children, under legal obliga- tion to hire a minister, or they would not release them from paying to the old society, as though some state authority must be exerted by somebody or they might not attend to religion. The town appointed in 1742, Samuel Tomlinson, Joseph John- son, sen., and James Wheeler, a committee to lay out a bury- ing place for the parish of Oxford upon the charge of said parish. That is, the expense of the laying out to be paid by the parish, but the land given by the town. In 1745, they voted to divide school money with Oxford parish according to their grand list; the sum to be received being forty shillings on every one thousand pounds in the list ; and in 1754, they sell the parsonage lands and divide with Ox- ford, the latter receiving forty pounds and Derby sixty. Thus did the people of the North Farms become the parish of Oxford ; and they completed their organization on the 30th of June, 1741, by electing the officers of their society. They immediately entertained the idea of building a meeting- house, and on the 6th of October of that year decided by a two- thirds vote to build it, and to request the Legislature, by com- mittee as was the custom, to designate the site, or in their terms, " fix the place whereon their meeting-house shall be erected and built;" which was finally fixed upon "at the south end of the hill commonly called Jack's Hill, and near the high- way that runs on the east side of the Little river, on land be- longing to Ephraim Washborn."' In May, 1743, they were authorized to settle themselves in "a church estate, by and with the consent and approbation of the neighboring churches and settle a minister according to the ® Seymour and Vicinity, by W. C. Sharp, 44. 148 HISTORY OF DERBY. establishment of the churches in this government " This was effected according to the order imposed, and the Rev. Jonathan Lyman was ordained the first minister of the parish, Oct. 4, 1745, with a settlement of ;!^500, to be paid in four yearly- installments, and a yearly salary of ;^i25. This was when Con- necticut- lawful money, or bills, were valued at four dollars to one dollar in silver. Christ's church, derby. The difference of opinion as to church order which arose in the First Church of Derby, as well as most other Congrega- tional churches in Connecticut, opened the way for the com- mencement of the Episcopal church in this place ; and was, probably, an influence which hastened the organization of the Oxford Ecclesiastical Society. A custom grew up in Connecti- cut of receiving persons to the " watch and care" of the church, upon consenting to the doctrines of the church, and of baptiz- ing the children of such consenting parents. The old rule was to baptize no children unless one at least of the parents was a member in full standing in the church. The Council at Say- brook, Conn., in 1708, sanctioned the new practice, and the General Assembly confirmed this order or method in the church, and thereafter if any church held to the old way, they were called a dissenting church. In 1733, when a minister was to be ob- tained in Derby to supply the place vacated by the death of Mr. Moss, this church took its position avowedly as a " dissenting Presbyterian' church ; which, whatever else may have been in- tended by the expression, meant that no children were to be baptized except one of the parents should be a member of the church in full standing. The Episcopal church, or as then called "the Church of Eng- land," held views quite to the contrary of this, admitting any children to that ordinance upon the assured watch and instruc- tion in the Christian faith by some one, a member of that church. Several Episcopal churches had recently, that is, within thirty years, been established in the Colony ; the first at Stratford, in 1707, one at Fairfield, and, some years later,- another at New- town, and others, so that there were some five Episcopal par- ishes in the Colony when Mr. Daniel Humphreys was ordained FIRST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 149 at Derby. Mr. Humphreys became quite zealous in upholding the dissenting opinions, and went out of his own parish to preach in so doing, and for which he was complained of as we have seen, by two justices of the peace of New Haven. It was soon after this that the movement began which event- uated in the organization of the Episcopal church in Derby. Just after the erection of the house of worship by the Church of England, the people of Derby passed the following vote, greatly to their honor, showing that the spirit of oppression was not in their hearts, whatever their views of church order may have been : THE FIRST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN DERBY, ERECTED IN 1738. "Again the town made choice of Mr. Abiram Canfield and Mr. Samuel Botsford to cast Derby list for the year 1739, ex- clusive of the rates of Churchmen and what was granted to farmers (the north farmers,) to find what sum on the pound on said list will make one hundred and forty pounds which is granted to Mr. Humphreys. Voted and passed, Dec. 10, 1739." Here the Churchmen, in the beginning of their enterprise, were exempted from paying to the support of the Congrega- 150 HISTORY OF DERBY. tional minister. The further history of this church is faithfully given by Dr. A. Beardsley. The cut gives a fair representation of the architecture of the first Episcopal Church built in Derby. A small band of Episcopalians in the year of our Lord 1737, composed of Capt. John Holbrook and seven others, commenced "to fell the trees and hew the timbers " preparatory to erecting this humble house of worship. It was located in the old churchyard, about six rods from the highway and almost directly in front of the resi- dence of Rev, Daniel Humphreys, in later times known as the Capt. Vose place ; as indicated by the following deed : " This indenture made this seventh day of Nov , in the Twelfth year of the Reign of our sovereign Lord, George the Second, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France & Ireland, King Defender of the faith &c. and in the year of our Lord 1738 Between John Holbrook of Derby in the county of New Haven, . . with Abigail Holbrook his wife of the one part, and the Rev*^ Jonathan Arnold of New Haven afores*^ Mis- sionary from the Honorable Society in England for the propagating the gospel in foreign parts, and Rector of the Church at Derby afore- said, of the other part, whereas the said John Holbrook and Abigail Holbrook his wife, are seized in fee simple . . of one quarter of an acre and two rods of ground, situate . . in Derby afores"* butting, on the highway eastwardly, on land belonging to Mr. Humphries south- wardly on land belonging to and in the improvement of John Holbrook afores*^ ; westwardly and northwardly ; and whereas the said John Hol- brook and Abigail Holbrook his wife, out of their piety towards God and out of their zeal for the Protestant Religion, and the Church of England as by law established, have of their own free will resolved to give and grant the said premises to the said Jonathan Arnold and his successors in the ministry in trust ; nevertheless for the building and erecting a church (or finishing the house already raised thereupon,) for the worship and service of Almighty God according to the practice of the Church of England, and the rest of the land to be used as a Church yard for the burial of the dead ; Now this indenture witnesseth that the said John Holbrook and Abigail his wife upon the considera- tion aforesaid and of five shillings of lawful money to them in hand paid by the s^ Jonathan Arnold before the erecting hereof, . . and that the said Jonathan Arnold, or the incumbent for the time being or the Church Wardens for the time being, for the enclosing the above bargained premises, do faithfully make & maintain the fence forever ; REV. GEORGE WHITEFIELD. I5I have given granted, . , to the said Jonathan Arnold as minister of the Church of England & his successors in that place and in that order forever to the use interests or purposes herein before recited & men- tioned concerning the same ; and to no other use. interest or purpose whatsoever. John Holbrook. Abigail Holbrook." The entire expense of this edifice was borne by eight men, but it must have been constructed by piecemeals as it does not appear to have been completed until about the year 1746. The first "Meeting House" having been built in 1682, from that ti"me until about 1737, Presbyterianism or Congregationalism was the dominant religion of the town, supported by taxation. An incident is here worth relating that shows how the first dis- ciple of Episcopacy in Derby was made. During the labors of the celebrated Rev. George Whitefield in this country he visited in Derby and preached in a private house now standing Up Town. Quite a religious stir and an exciting revival took place in Derby, about that time. A Mrs. Plum living near Plum Brook became so much excited concerning her spiritual welfare, that she hastened on foot to Milford to see and con- sult with her mother upon the subject. While there she had an interview with a colored woman who had been brought up and instructed in the Church of England. The colored Church- woman talked feelingly to Mrs. Plum and gave her several books, (some of which are still preserved,) on the doctrines and worship of the English church. She read them prayerfully and thus became the first open and known Episcopalian in the town. The religious awakening caused by Whitefield's preaching, pro- voked much inquiry and warm discussion as to the qualifications of church members, but his converts by no means were the only ones benefited by his labors. John Holbrook and his compan- ions became more interested in serious matters, and chose to worship God after the manner and discipline of their mother church. Episcopal gatherings became frequent in the neigh- borhood and from house to house, in the largest room of some dwelling, church services were held, and the seed sown a cen- tury and a half ago in this way has borne abundant fruit. A central place of worship had become most desirable. There was a rude park "where three roads meet" near (now 1879) 152 HISTORY OF DEKin. Joseph H. Reemer's residence, called the Commons. The few who dissented from the "Meeting-house" on Riggs Hill, resolved to locate their house of worship on one corner of the Commons, which was then the court end of the town, but they were unexpectedly met with opposition, for a town meet- ing was called and a vote passed against the right of any one to build a house of worship on the Commons, Capt. Holbrook, more earnest than ever in a good cause, then donated the lot in front of Mr. Humphreys's residence, for a burying ground and a church. From that day to this it has been called " the Epis- copal grave yard," and many a departed one from a long dis- tance has been brought here to be placed in his narrow cell by the side of his endeared ancestors. With slender means the church as above stated was completed in 1746. It was called Christ's Church, a designation not uncommon at that period in the Colony, for Episcopal churches that could have no fixed name and consecration by a Bishop. It belongs to the office of a bishop to consecrate churches, and there were none in this country before the Revolution. Here in this little barn-like structure, with its raftered walls, the godly shepherd Mansfield was married, and here the worshipers for half a century went in and out to their morning and evening devotions, loving the church as the apple of their eye. The " Sabbaday House" as it was called, in which resided a mother in Israel, Mrs. John- son, stood near by the little church. When suffering from cold or tired of a dull, prosy sermon, the people often sallied out and congregated here to warm themselves and partake of refresh- ments from their scanty bags or baskets. In those days the luxury of heat from stoves or furnaces was unknown to church- going people. On one occasion the slowest and most uninter- esting of preachers found his congregation almost wholly retired into the "Sabbaday House," which obliged him to omit the "tenthly and lastly" part of his sermon. The first stated ser- vices held in Derby by an Episcopal minister were those of Rev. Jonathan Arnold, an itinerant missionary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel and formerly a Congrega- tional minister at West Haven. He declared for the Church of England in 1734, and afterwards went to England to receive Holy Orders. His residence was in West Haven, and the chief EPISCOPAL GLEBE. I 53 places beyond it where he most frequently officiated were Derby and Waterbury.'' He was succeeded by the Rev. Theophilus Morris, a second missionary from England, who preached about these parts and the neighboring towns nearly three years, when Rev. James Lyons, a third missionary, followed, whose labors ceased in Derby soon after the church edifice was completed. Dr. Mansfield was the fourth missionary of the society ; a par- ticular account of whom will be found in his biographical sketch. Two parcels of land were deeded by Samuel Hull, William Clark and Mordecai Marks, April 13, 1747, "in consideration of the sum of four hundred and fifteen pounds current money . . paid by John Holbrook. Jonas Smith, Thomas Wooster, Abel Gunn and sundry other persons who are professors of the Church of England . . do by these presents with the advice and concurrence of the best of our neighbors therein concerned, all professors of the Church of England ; do hereby give and grant the following pieces of land hereafter expressed intending the same for the first glebe lands to endow a certain parish church in the township of said Derby now erected and carrying on called Christ's Church by us the said Hull, Clark, Mordecai Marks and the rest of our neighbors concerned therein ; For the better accomplishing the endeavors aforesaid in great reverence and regard to the Church of England as established by law, and her excellent doctrine, service, piety and order, prefera- ble to any other upon earth ; for the honor of God, the surest peace and comfort of ourselves, neighbors and posterity ; have founded the parish church aforesaid for the use aforesaid, and for the endowment thereof do by these presents freely give, grant, convey and confirm unto the society for the propagating the gospel in foreign parts, two certain parcels of land, within the township of Derby lying near the meeting-house ; one of said parcels of land contains by estimation three acres be it more or less, with an orchard and barn thereon standing, . the other containing six acres lying near the other . . be- ing part swamp and part upland with a house and orchard thereon standing ; . . to said society and their successors forever, but in trust and for the special interest and purpose hereafter mentioned, to say as soon as there shall be a rector ' Beardsley's History of the Church, Conn. vol. I, p. 3. 20 154 HISTORY OF DERBY. according to the order of the Church of Enj^land by law estab- lished, instituted and inducted, the premises shall be and inure to the use of such rector incumbent and his successors for the glebe lands of the said church in fee simple forever. In wit- ness etc. Samuel Hull. William Clark. Mordecai Marks." This was the home of the Rev. Richard Mansfield as long as he lived. The growth of Episcopacy in Derby from 1737 to 1797, called for a more commodious house of worship. The enterprise and even the population which had centered " Up Town " seemed now to be centering towards the Narrows, which in 1797 com- mercially and in other respects, was in the hight of its pros- jierity. The parish with great unanimity, voted to remove the church edifice half a mile down towards the Narrows, then called New Boston and located it on the beautiful knoll overlook- ing the Naugatuck, and in front of the house now (1879) owned by Mr. P. McEnerney, but formerly long the residence of the Rev. Calvin White. This edifice, spacious in dimensions and in keep- ing with the style of churches then built, was commenced in 1796, and its corner stone laid the following year. After its completion, the members of the parish voted to change the name of Christ's to that of St. James's Church, and in 1799 it was consecrated with this name by Bishop Jarvis. The parish continued to flourish under the rectorship of Mans- field, Jewett and others, but after a period of forty-two years, the question of again changing the location of the church was agitated. Birmingham then was growing rapidly as a manu- facturing village, and the worshiping members of the languish- ing parish were drifting away from the old edifice. Rev. Joseph Scott, then rector, importuned by his parishioners, made a re- port to a parish meeting. May 5, 1841, setting forth "the bad condition of the old church with regard to its location, and ad- vancing reasons in support of its immediate removal to a more central part of the parish as being vitally connected with its prosperity and permanent welfare."** At this meeting, a com- *Parish Record. ST. JAMES 5 CHURCH. 155 mittee of three was appointed, viz. : E. N. Shelton, Birmingham, Benjamin Hodge, Up Town, and Levi Hotchkiss for the Nar- rows, to take a look at the situation and report progress. The removal was not opposed by a7iy but approved by all, yet the new location was not so easily settled. Some favored the Narrows opposite the Congregational church, but here a suit- able lot could not be obtained. The good and pious Leman Stone, a tottering pillar in the parish, favored the Causeway and urged the building of a mound raised above all freshets, whereon to locate the church, while a large majority was for Bil-mingham. A census of the families of the parish was taken, and the committee, May 26, 1841, reported strongly in favor of Birmingham. An additional incentive was, that a spacious lot in front of the public park would be donated by Smith and Phelps for church purposes. The parish at the same meeting voted unanimously to build their new edifice at that place, provided the money could be raised by subscription for that purpose. A liberal spirit was awakened and the money raised. A stone church was decided upon, its corner stone laid by Rev. Stephen Jewett in 1842, and a historical discourse was deliv- ered on the occasion, by Rev. Dr. Coit of Bridgeport. April 1 1, 1843, it was consecrated St. James's Church, by Bishop Brow- nell " in the twenty-fourth year of his consecration." At the regular Easter meeting, April 17, 1843, the parish in full vote, passed the following resolution. "That the regular services of St. James's Church shall be held in the new church edifice at Birmingham, and that the bell, organ and other fix- tures belonging to said church or parish, be removed into the same,"'' which was done. Naturally tenacious of precious and long cherished associa- tions, some of the church people up town felt aggrieved that their candle-stick had been removed, and at once withdrew from "their first love" and formed a nucleus which resulted in a " new parish which was admitted June, 1844, into the diocese as such by the name of Christ's Church, Derby, "^'' the history of which will be found in its proper place. The rectors connected with this parish, are Mansfield, ^Parish Record. I'^See Church Journal, 1844. 156 HISTORY OF DERBY. White, (assistant,) Blakeslee, Jevvett, Bradley, (assistant,) Scott, Ashley, Guion, Flagg, Coxe, Fuller, Brainard, Chamberlain and Baldwin, — only six now living. Keeping within the record, it will thus be seen that St. James's parish with its long roll of worthy and devoted rectors, through all its vicissitudes, has comedown unbroken from its origin in 1737, to the present time. In the division of lands at various times, various tracts were left, which at the time it was thought unwise or inconvenient to divide, or no one desired to settle on them. Such a tract was held at Great Hill consisting of something over one hun- dred acres. This division was made on the 20th of March, 1756, to the propyietors, which meant all who had paid toward the original purchases of the Indians, and none others except by a special vote of the town. Hence rigJits are named to the original settlers who had been deceased many years ; and hence there are many deeds recorded, signed by the heirs of such original proprietors. Others had sold their rights to all lands in the town, whatever they might be, to new settlers, or per- sons resident out of the town. The division was made mostly to the original owners, and then the new owners must prove their right to possession. Hence this list of names brings up nearly all the persons, familiar in the history of the town one hundred years. This land it is said belonged to the fourth division, and was parceled in lots of about one and a half acres to each, to the rights of : 1. Jonathan Miles, 2. Joseph Hawkins, 3. Ephraim Smith, 4. Edward Riggs, 5. John Smith. 6. Samuel Nichols, 7. Thomas Wooster, 8. Samuel Russell, 9. Gideon Johnson, 10. Joseph Nichols, 1 1. Ebenezer Riggs, 12. Nathaniel Bowers, 13. John Weed, 14. John Towner, 15. Stephen Pierson, 16. Capt. Joseph Hull, I/- Samuel Clark, 18. Samuel Bassett, 19. Samuel Brinsmaid, 20. Samuel Hull, 21. John Smith, '»'> John Chatfield, 23- Samuel Bovvers, 24. Samuel Gunn, 25- Abraham Pierson, 26. John Prindle, Jun., 27- Ebenezer Johnson, Jun., 28. Heirs of David Wooster 29. Moses Wooster, 30- Andrew Smith, 3'- Ebenezer Harger, y- Joseph Johnson, A NEW TOWN HOUSE. 157 33 John Hull. 59- Heirs of Sylvester Wooster 34 Samuel Harger, 60. James Humphrey, 35 Bridget Bovvers, 61. Wm. Tomlinson, 36 John Twitchell, 62. Francis French, 37 Heirs of Samuel Bryan, 63- Samuel Moss, 38 John Davis, 64. John Johnson, 39 John Tibballs, 65. John Riggs, 40 Peter Johnson, 66. Israel Moss, 41 Wm. and Abigail Moss, 67. George Black, 42 Martha Beaman, 6S. Col. Ebenezer Johnson, 43 Wm. Woolcott and wife. 69. Timothy Russell, 44 Stephen Pierson, 70. John Holbrook, 45 John Munson, 71- Jonathan Hill, 46 Samuel Washborn, ■^72. Eliphalet Gillett, 47 Samuel Tomlinson, 73- Abel Holbrook, 48 Micah Denman, 74- Barnabas Baldwin, 49 John and Elizabeth Durand, 75- John Prindle, 50 .Samuel Riggs, 76. Lsaac Tomlinson, 51 Joseph Summers, -/-77- Jabez Harger, 5- Abraham Tomlinson, 78. Abel Gunn, 53 Joseph Moss, 79- John Bowers, 54 Joseph Smith, 80. Benjamin Stiles, 55 Timothy Wooster, Si. Jonathan Lumm, 56 Jeremiah Johnson, 82. Nathan Smith. 57 John Tomlinson, 83- William Washborn. 58 Abiram Canfield, Another effort was made for the erection of a town house in 1767, and the place designated by a Court committee, the re- port not being seen, the location is unknown, but it was prob- ably on Meeting-house hill ; now known as Academy hill, at Ansonia, but at Derby and Birmingham as Up Town. The committee to build this house was Capt. Joseph Riggs, Dea. Eliphalet Hotchkiss and Ens. Nathan Smith. Here is the old builder, Eliphalet Hotchkiss, who has been found on two other occasions at the same business ; but he has become deacon and therefore, as a matter of certainty, must be a far better work- man than before, making money all the faster ; for whoever knew a deacon that was not rich ? A town house had been built some years before according to the following town action : "Dec. 23, 1745. Voted that the place for building a town house for the use of the town of Derby shall be at a place called Cankwood Plain, and that said house may be improved for a 158 HISTORY OF DERBY, school-house for the use of schooling for the inhabitants of the said town." This house was built, since a record was made in 1747, of fifty pounds paid towards the cost of it. The late William R. Lewis of Huntington, a native of Derby, had left the following valuable information of LAND SLIDES. " Mr. J. W. Barber in giving publicity to the land slide that occurred in 1764, a few rods south of Mr. Edward N. Shelon's residence, leaves the impression that something like a volcanic eruption occurred at that place. I wish to remove that impres- sion. There have been three land slides in Derby of which this was the first. The second was on the Baldwin lot, so called in former times, in the prolongation of the road leading up the hill, passing the school-house in the Narrows, some six or eight rods beyond the angle where the road turns to the right. This was about 1790, and some remains of it may be seen yet. Another since came into the road between the house of Col. Gates, formerly Jesse Beach's and that of Wyllis Hotch- kiss. These land slides are common in all mountainous, tem- perate and arctic countries, and take place during a warm rain after a long, severe frost has compacted a mass of earth, some- times strengthened by intertwining roots. Frost expands the mass with great power. If the surface is curved a little upward or other things favoring, the mass of earth rising a little, leaves a vacancy under it, into which water insinuates itself, and hav- ing entered higher up the acclivity through a crack, an animal's burrough, a spot protected from frost by snow or other cause, creates an upward pressure, proportioned to the difference in the altitude of the water where it enters the ground, and where its descent is arrested, and it exerts a force, the amount of which may be appreciated by reference to hydro-mechanical law as dis- played in the hydrostatic press used to lift ships out of water, and as used to place the tube of the Victoria bridge on its piers at Montreal in 1859, when ten thousand tons of iron was raised from floats and placed on the piers with ease and safety. This upheaval detaches the mass from its surroundings and then ofravitation sends it thundcrin994- 1 62 HISTORY OF DERBY. houses, except at the village, Derby, now Academy hill, at Cank wood town house, and for a short time previously at Great hill. DERBY LANDING. Among the first records of the town the FishitK^ Place is men- tioned, and in 1666 a highway was made by Edward Wooster, through the Long Lot to the Fishing Place, which place it ap- pears, was at or near Derby Landing, or possibly a little above it, at first. At that time there was no river on the east side of the meadow land ; nothing but a little brook. The History of Seymour says there were no islands or meadow below the cause- way between Birmingham and Derby, and that there was deep water where the meadow now is, but it seems almost impossible to have filled up in so short a time, two hundred years ; be- sides, the first records mention several islands as then existing, namely, "Two-mile island," below the Narrows, "Walnut tree island," at the junction of the rivers, owned some time by Stephen Pierson, the "Fish island" or fishing place, and the island lying in the Ousatonic, south of Lieut. Thomas Wheeler's house on Birmingham point, and which Mr. Wheeler bought of the Indians, and still later the westernmost island in the Ousa- tonic is purchased of the Indian chief. There were then three islands at this place, at the first settlement, besides Two-mile island. After a few years from the making of the highway to the Fishing Place, a landing was constructed at that place for shipping ])roduce. This highway through the Long lot was the only road up and down the river at the time, except Milford road that went over the hill by the Swift place, and no road from the Narrows east. All commodities brought to the Landing were carted up this highway to the old village. Up Town. There was a landing all this time at Birmingham point on the Ousatonic. At first, and for a few years this was on the east side of the point, but after- wards went to the west side. Sometime before 1700, there was a house built at the Fishing place, that was called the fish house, but which served, doubtless, somewhat as a warehouse, for some years. A little after 1700. the principal shipiiing place CAPT. ITHIEL KEENEY. 1 63 was at Joseph Hawkins's warehouse on the west side of Bir- mingham point, and continued there nearly fifty years. In 1745, the old road through the Long lot was given up, or nearly so, and a new highway made from the Narrows on the bank up to Old Town, and in 1772, this road was changed some- what and improved, being about where it now is. A little be- fore 1 78 1, the first highway was made from the Landing out south- east towards Milford. In laying the highway on the bank, from the Narrows, in 1745, although a full description of its boundaries is given, no dwellings or buildings are mentioned, and hence it is probable none were there at that time, except possibly the old fish house at the Landing. In Barber's History it is said that Capt. Ithiel Keeney was the first white child born at the Landing; the date of his birth being March 17, 1755. This information Mr. Barber obtained from Mr. Keeney himself, and is no doubt correct, as Mr. Keeney was one of the most reliable men ever in the town. The fact that for more than thirty years he was the treasurer of the town, is sufficient proof of this statement. Ebenezer Keeney, the father of Ithiel, came into the town a young man and married Betsey Davis in 1738, and resided on the road a little way south-east from Old Town until he built his house at the Landing in 1754, for Ithiel's sister Abigail was born in 1753, yet Ithiel was the first born at the Landing. It is, there- fore, very probable, that the Keeney house was the first at the Landing. Stephen Whitney bought a piece of land at New Boston, ad- joing Mr. Keeney's, in 1762, and another in 1764, and built on this land a store, and continued in business as a merchant until he delivered it to "James Juancy, Samuel Broome and Com- pany, with all that were the said Whitney's creditors in New York, on the i6th day of September, 1768, and Abraham Demill of Stratford, . . which said store house stands on the bank of the river, with some land west side of the store house called store-house square." The next movement for building this place, then called New Boston, is recorded in town meeting as follows : "December 18, 1769, voted that Capt. Ebenezer Gracey (spelled also Grassee) have liberty to build a wharf adjoining the landing place at New 164 HISTOKV OF I)KK15V. Boston, beginning at the bassvvood tree northward of Stevens's ferry, and to extend northward sixty feet, and also to build a warehouse on said wharf, and to build three feet into the bank with this reserve, that all the inhabitants in this town that freight upon said Gracey's vessel, shall have liberty to stjore any goods or grain in said warehouse so long as they shall stand in need, store free, provided the said Gracey build the same within three years from this date." The next year, Capt. Gracey bought ninety-one feet front on the river, of Joseph Wheeler, " bounded northerly on Betty Keeney, and southerly on the land of Samuel Broome of New York, and company." "Dec, 1770. Voted that the town of Derby thinks that it will be a public advantage to have a ferry started on Derby side of the river at the Narrows, and that Mr. Joseph Wheeler's wharf is the most convenient place, and that the town desires the Hon. General Assembly to start a ferry there on said Wheeler." This indicates that Stevens's ferry which had been running one year certain and probably longer, from the then Stratford side of the river, but Derby people proposed to have one on Derby side. The amount of generosity toward Mr. Stevens, who had been at the expense of starting a ferry, is not spoken of ; probably they thought it not " enough to speak of." A ferry was continued, at least until 1833, when a proposi- tion was made in town meeting to give it up, but just when it did stop is not ascertained. From 1770, onward for some years, there was much specula- tion in lots of land at Derby Narrows, the people supposing that really a New Boston was to arise to be a great city, if not to eclipse any other city of that name. CHAPTER VI. DERBY IN THE REVOLUTION. 1774—1783- HE history of the American Revolution is yet to be written, and when such a work shall be completed it will have been gathered as well from local history as the more public prints and archives. It is also within the narrow scope of local history, giving particulars for which the general historian cannot find room, that we may gain some of the most definite views of those hardships which were apart of the great sum by which our fathers obtained their freedom, and in order to know the full force of such an event on the lo- cal community it is necessary to understand the relations of such local town to the state and of the state and nation to the causes of such an event. And, as it is the practice at the present day to give a distorted or perverted meaning to the actual relations and principles which caused the Revolution, it is important to repeat and delineate those causes, in order that those who are disposed may have a just understanding of those principles. The policy of England with reference to the American Colo- nies had long been of a nature to produce uneasiness and re- sistance in the minds of the more intelligent classes. The Eng- lish who came hither were from the first unwilling to be con- sidered as having lost any rights they had possessed at home, and boasted themselves as loyal subjects to the ruler whoever it might be of the parent country in almost every written trans- action and deed of land executed in the country. One of the principles concerning which they were most tenacious, was that of taking p^rt in framing the laws by which they were to be governed. It was held at an early day that no law of Eng- land ought to be binding upon the people of the Colonies with- out their own consent, and as they were not allowed a repre- sentation in the English Parliament they claimed that all enact- ments of Parliament for the Colonies were without force until l66 HISTORY OF DERBY. assented to by the Colonial Assemblies ; and this idea had been instituted and cherished under the idea of Constitutional Gov- ernment as maintained by a large proportion of the people of the mother country. Had England at that time possessed statesman of no extraordinary ability, instead of arbitrary dicta- tors there would have been no Revolution in the Colonies. This claim was especially insisted upon in regard to measures for their ta.xation, whether direct or by way of import duties. Little account, however, was made in England of the pre- tended rights of the colonists as subjects of the crown, although they had in part sanctioned these claims for many years, both in their parliamentary legislation and the grants of the crown. It became necessary to increase the revenue of the kingdom, and the British ministry determined to do this by means of a tax on the people of America. There was the religious element, also, that came into consid- eration. It was well known that after the restoration of Charles II. there was a strong purpose in the government and a large party, to make the Church of England the ruling church in America, and it was in regard to this idea that much contro- versy had been indulged among the leading men of the Colo- nies for more than fifty years previous to the Revolution. The starting point to the re-establishment of church authority was to subjugate the Colonies politically or by governmental author- ity and hence they maintained that the power of Great Britain to tax them without their consent, must be asserted and main- tained at all costs, and to this end many efforts had been j^lanned but failed to be effective. The French war had left the Colonics greatly reduced and some of them heavily burdened. In 1762, the public debt of New York was ;^300,ooo and the population of that province was taxed ;!{^40,ooo per annum to discharge it; yet the Assem- bly granted a new appropriation demanded by England for the support of the army. Connecticut had been issuing bills, dur- ing the war against Spain from 1740 to 1750, and again to sup- port the war against France from 1755 to 1763, until the mother country ordered the Colony to stop, (about 1760,) at which time it took eight dollars of paper to buy one of silver, or there- abouts, and suddenly they came to flat hard times. Then in OPPRESSIVE ACTS OF PARLIAMENT. 167 March, 1765, Parliament passed the Stamp Act. This law, which provided for the raising of a revenue in the Colonies by requiring the use of paper bearing a government stamp for every legal or commercial instrument in writing, produced so much disturbance, and awakened so much opposition both in England and in America, that it was repealed the next year. But the determination to tax the Americans was by no means abandoned. In 1767, a bill was passed imposing duties upon tea and certain other articles imported from Great Britain into the colonies. This law, more directly than any other measure, led to the conflict which resulted in the Revolution. A passive resistance was at first offered throughout the country, to the designs of the government, by an agreement of the people not to import the articles upon which this tax had been laid. The first meeting held for the purpose of entering into such an agree- ment took place in Boston, October 28, 1767, and was followed by similar meetings in the towns of Connecticut and New York. The firmness and self-denial with which these resolutions were very generally carried out, tended greatly to increase a spirit of self-reliance and independence in the popular mind. Other measures of the British government excited the colon- ists to more violent resistance. The Stamp Act, which was re- ceived with riotous demonstrations in various places, had been accompanied by another bill quite as offensive, which remained in force when the former was repealed. This bill obliged the several Assemblies of the provinces to provide quarters for the British troops maintained in America, and to furnish them with sundry supplies, at the expense of each province. New York refused to make any appropriation for this purpose ; and Parlia- ment to punish the refractory colonists, passed a law depriving that province of all powers of legislation until its orders should have been complied with. This was an infringement of their liberties which greatly alarmed the colonists. About the same time, their irritation was increased by the stringent measures taken with a view to the enforcement of the revenue laws. Un- der the oppressive and arbitrary system of duties which had been established, smuggling had come to be considered as a matter of course. The colonists, denied of all participation in making of laws which affected their interests, thought it no 1 68 HISTORY OF DKKBY. wrong to evade those which were manifestly unreasonable and injurious. The attempt at this moment to enforce them led to repeated disturbances, especially in Boston and New York. These various acts of the British government tended to one result, which every deed of violence and bloodshed hastened, namely, the union of the Colonics in a pronounced opposition to the control of the mother country. It may be imagined with what interest the news of public events at this period must have been received by the inhabi- tants of Derby. The doings of Parliament ; the meetings of the Colonial Congress; the proceedings of the "sons of liberty;" the outrages of the British soldiery ; the risings of the exasper- ated people ; these and other tidings came from week to week to this quiet neighborhood, in the columns of the small gazettes, whose dingy pages wear such an old-fashioned look at present, but which to them were so full of fresh and lively import. The course of events was watched with various feelings, for there were warm partisans of the British cause at Derby, as well as a large number who earnestly espoused the side of re- sistance, which they regarded religiously as well as civilly a righteous thing in the sight of the Lord. The prevailing mood was one of uncertainty. As yet none had any thought of the matter reaching any state except resistance to these special acts of Parliament. The first recorded action of the town of Derby took place at a legal town meeting, November 29, 1774. It was after the closing of the port of Boston, in consequence of the famous tea- party which occurred in Boston on the i6th of December, 1773, and in j^unishmcnt the government declared the port of Boston closed. Upon this, public meetings were held throughout the Colonies, renewing the agreement against the use of tea and ex- pressing sympathy with the people of Boston. At the meeting in Derby, "Daniel Ilolbrook, P^sq., was chosen moderator of the meeting. " At said meeting the extracts of the doings of the respect- able Continental Congress held at Philadelphia, Sept. 5, 1774, were considered, and the same appearing to us to be a wise and judicious plan, and most likely to effect the much to be desired union between Cjrcat Britain and the American Colonies; there- LOYALTY TO GREAT BRITAIN. I69 fore, we do resolve that we will faithfully adhere to and abide by the association entered into by said Congress. "Again, voted that the gentlemen hereafter named be a com- mittee to see the same carried into execution, viz. : Capt. John Holbrook, Capt. John Coe, Mr. Henry Tomlinson, Capt. Nathan Smith, Major Jabez Thompson, Lieut. John Bassett, Mr. Joseph Pickett, Capt. Henry Whiting, Capt. Thomas Clark, Capt. Joseph Riggs, Mr. Abraham Smith, Lieut. Bradford Steele, Mr. Thomas Gale, Lieut. Ebenezer Buckingham. "Again, voted that in case a county Congress should be agreed upon in this county, then the aforesaid committee shall choose and appoint two of their number to attend such Congress. "Again, the town have taken into their consideration the needy and distressed circumstances of the poor of the town of Boston, by the operation of a late act of Parliament blocking their harbor, the town is of opinion it is necessary and their duty to contribute for their relief." Here it may be seen that they declare it to be their opinion that this movement was the " most likely to effect the much to be desired union between Great Britain and the American Colo- nies," as though the idea of a permanent separation had scarcely entered their minds, and much less was it entertained as a probable event, showing that nothing but persevering violations of their rights by Parliament ever drove them to revolution. This was the case throughout the country wherever action was taken at this period. Dr. P>anklin, just before the fight at Lexington, told the Parliament committee that he had more than once traveled almost from one end of the continent to the other, and kept a variety of company, eating, drinking, and con- versing with them freely, and never had heard in any conversa- tion, from any person, drunk or sober, the least expression of a wish for a separation, or a hint that such a thing would be ad- vantageous to America." John Adams said afterwards : "There was not a moment during the Revolution when I would not have given everything I possessed for a restoration to the state of things before the contest began, provided we could have had a sufficient security for its continuance." 170 HISTORY OF DEKRY. As confirming this sentiment and showing the public senti- ment of the people at the time, a quotation is given from the records of the town of Rye, N. Y., a near neighbor to Derby in associations at the time, expressed at a public meeting, held July 6, 1774:' " This meeting being greatly alarmed at the late proceedings of the British Parliament, in order to raise a revenue in Amer- ica, and considering their late most cruel, unjust and unwar- rantable act for blockading the port of Boston, having a direct tendency to deprive a free people of their most valuable rights and privileges, an introduction to subjugate the inhabitants of the English Colonies, and render them vassals to the British House of Commons. '^Resolved First: that they think it their greatest happiness to live under the illustrious House of Hanover, and that they will steadfastly and uniformly bear true and faithful allegiance to his Majesty, King George the Third, under the enjoyments of their constitutional rights and privileges, as fellow subjects with those in England. " Second, That we conceive it a fundamental part of the British Constitution, that no man shall be taxed but by his own consent or that of his representative in Parliament ; and as we are by no means represented, we consider all Acts of Parlia- ment imposing taxes on the Colonies, an undue exertion of power, and subversive of one of the most valuable privileges of the English Constitution." The fourth resolution of that meeting in Rye, reveals the object for which the colonists were seeking at that time, and is the same as intimated in the resolution of the people of Derby, a little later in the same year : viz. : " That the unity and firm- ness of measures in the colonies, are the most effectual means to secure the invaded rights and privileges of America, and to avoid the impending ruin which now threatens this once happy country."" The fifth resolution of that meeting, expressed the purpose iMany like resolutions were passed in public meetings throughout the state of Connecticut at that time. See Hinman's War of the Revolution. ^Many like resolutions were passed in the towns in Connecticut at that time. See Hinman's Hist, of the Revolution. PRIVILEGES OF FREEDOM. I7I to support the counsels and doings of the General Congress, as was expressed with marvelous unanimity throughout the country. Many extracts like these might be made, but are un- necessary, as the oneness of the people at that time, in the general, is a conceded matter. But what were the rights and privileges that the people of the Colonies claimed, or were striving to maintain ? Certainly not those of tinivetsal liberty and freedom, as entertained in the United States since the Revolution. No such liberty was then dreamed -of. The statement of Dr. Benjamin Trumbull in the commencement of his History of Connecticut, that, "The set- tlement of New England, purely for the purposes of religion, and the propagation of civil and religious liberty, is an event which has no parallel in the history of modern ages," is clearly true in a limited sense, but the extent and broadness of religious and civil liberty as developed by the American Revolution was no part of the plan of the first settlers, nor of the claims of the people of New England up to the battle of Lex- ington, on the 19th of April, 1775. When Patrick Henry said " Give me liberty or give me death," he made the key that unlocked the mind and heart of man, to the grand idea of Hii- viaji Liberty. Since tJiat day it has .been very easy to declaim about freedom, but before that it was but certain, or particular rights and privileges that were claimed by anybody, anywhere in Christendom. These particulars as claimed by the Colonists were, first to order their churches as they had done from the first, as they judged the Bible directed, without being governed by the English, or any other church ; and second, the civil privileges guaranteed, as they believed were guaranteed, and as they had enjoyed by and under the British Constitution. These are the historical facts, according to hundreds of sermons and public documents of those times. The Rev. Alexander Gillet, one of the most learned young men of the period, preached a sermon of two hours and a half in length, in Wolcott, Conn., on Fast day, 1774, in which these definite points and claims are stated, and this is corroborated by hundreds of other sermons of that time, as well as by the declaration of rights by the Co- lonial Congress in September, 1774, and the Declaration of In- dependence. 172 HISTORY OF DERBY. If then the fathers before the Revolution are found acting upon principles not in accordance with universal freedom, it should be no mystery ; for they knew of nothing of the kind, and profess.ed nothing of the kind. If any be so unfamiliar with history as to ask whether the fathers propagated a larger degree of liberty in these Colonies than they could and would have enjoyed in the mother country, it would be easy to answer in the affirmative, by a mass of historical testimony sufficient to convince any but the willful. Obedience to the majority vote of the persons interested, was a principle not allowed in England, but practiced here by extending the application, from the first. The Rev. John Beach of Newtown, in writing to England in 1767, said;'' " It is some satisfaction to me to ob- serve that in this town, of late, our elections, the church peo- ple make the major vote, which is \.\vq. first instance of that kind in this Colony, if not in all New England." How strange such an expression. The people of Derby, an adjoining town to Mr. Beach, had practiced on that principle from 168 1, nearly one hundred years, in all their church business. Mr. Beech could have learned the fact if he had been disposed to look at the records of the town, at any time. Mr. Beech also says in the same communication, "And I am full in the opinion, that if those great men, upon whose pleasure it depends to grant us such a blessing, [a bishop] did but know as we do that the church people here are the only fast friends to our subjection to, or connection with England, as hath lately appeared, they would, even upon political reasons, grant us the favor which we have so long wished and prayed for." What was the significance of the ^"45,000 raised in Connecticut, to aid England in the war against Spain, in 1740, and the equipping and sending the sol- diers who with Massachusetts captured Louisburg, where sev- eral millions of dollars worth of war material were captured, and not a dollar's worth allowed to those who did the work ; and the fitting a vessel, TJie Defence^ on which were sent in 1741, two hundred soldiers, to Cuba in this same Spanish war } What meant the immense taxes levied in Connecticut, and soldiers sent in the French war of 1755 to 1763, in which Connecticut had but little to gain and much to lose, if it did not mean loy- ^Beardsley's History of The Church in Connecticut, vol. i, 251. ()PEMN(; OF THE WAR. 173 alty to, "and connection with" England? Connecticut raised about 5,000 soldiers during the first three years of the French war, for the several campaigns against Crown Point ; and the whole expenses of that war, to Connecticut, must have exceeded ;!^500,ooo ; a sum immense for the number and circumstances of the people. What is loyalty, if this is not ? At a meeting of the General Assembly in April, 1775, a law was passed to raise one-fourth of the militia for the special de- fense of the Colony, formed into companies of one hundred men each, and into six regiments. A major general, two brigadier generals and six colonels were appointed. This force was sent to Boston immediately after the fighting at Lexington. Major Jabez Thompson, Captain Nathaniel Johnson and their thirty- two men from Derby were among the companies sent, and after- wards drew ten pounds and four shillings as part pay of the expenses of that journey. Therefore Derby had a part in the first rally in the great struggle for freedom. The officers from Derby at this time were : David Wooster, Esq., major general ; Jabez Thompson, ist major of the ist regi- ment, and captain of the 2d company; Bradford Steele, ist lieutenant in the same company ; Nathan Pierson, ensign, and Nathaniel Johnson, captain, of another company. This company was probably in the battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775. On the first day of the next July, the Connecticut Assembly ordered two more regiments, the seventh and eighth, to be fitted at once and sent forward to the army at Boston. Wil- liam Hull of Derby was appointed first lieutenant in the second company of the seventh regiment.* While the Derby troops were on this expedition to Boston, one of the most brilliant ex- ploits of the Revolution, the capture of Ticonderoga, was planned, principally by General David Wooster, a Derby citizen, in consultation with some of his associates in the Legislature, and the expedition started on its war mission ; the accomplish- ment of which surprised both the Old and the New World. General Wooster and some others became responsible for the expenses of this expedition, but they were afterwards relieved from them by the Colony. *Royal R. Hinman's War of the Revoluti(jn — Connecticut. 1/4 HISTORY OF DEKBV. The fall of Ticonderoga alone gave to Congress, aside from the importance of the place, about one hundred and twenty iron cannon, fifty swivels, two mortars, one howitzer, one coehorn, ten tons of musket balls, three cart loads of flints, thirty new carriages, a large quantity of shells, one hundred stands of arms, ten barrels of powder, two brass cannon, to say nothing of materials for ship building, pork, flour, beans, peas and other valuables. In August of the same year, Giles Hall was appointed cap- tain of the brig Minerva, and Thomas Horsey of Derby first lieutenant on the same vessel. In the summer of 1775, General Wooster in command of a regiment nearly full of Connecticut troops, in which were some from Derby, was sent to New York for the defense of that place. A correspondent of those times has given the following pleasant notice of these soldiers : " Our people now begin to see something of the pomp and circumstance of war. June 12, 1775, the Connecticut forces encamped near Greenwich are reviewed by General Wooster. A great number of gentlemen and ladies and a prodigious con- course of the inhabitants of the surrounding country have gath- ered to witness the review. The troops are an exceeding fine body of men and perform their exercises and evolutions with spirit and exactness, much to the satisfaction of their officers and to the spectators also. On the 27th instant, these troops, or a portion of them, pass through Rye on their way to New York, and they are to encamp a short distance from the city. General Wooster with seven companies of his regiment, and Col. Waterbury with his regiment complete, constitute the force. They appear to be a healthy, hearty body of men, about 1,800 in number, and some of them at least were destined to become well acquainted with Rye, for General Wooster afterwards had his head-quarters here for a considerable length of time."^ After the battle of Bunker Hill it became very evident that a heavy struggle of war was at hand, and the hope of a friendly settlement seemed to have departed forever. The courage of the Americans was high, for, although defeated at Bunker Hill, that defeat was in effect equal to a victory, from the fact that 6 History of Rye, N, V., 224. COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION. 175 a few militia soldiers had resisted so successfully for some hours the regular army of England. The colonists now began to act with great vigor in putting the country in a state of de- fense. The long line of sea coast, without a navy to protect it, demanded and received as far as possible, particular atten- tion, especially that of Connecticut, which was greatly exposed to the enemy. Some considerable division of sentiment existed as to the propriety and right of engaging in a war of resistance to the mother country. This made it necessary to watch the movements of all persons throughout the country, lest enemies at home might do more harm than any abroad ; and therefore it became necessary to appoint in each town a Coimnittee of In- spection, as the following for Derby, appointed Dec. ii, 1775 : Capt. John Holbrook, Mr. Henry Tomlinson, • Col. Jabez Thompson, Mr. Joseph Pickett, Capt. Thomas Clark, Mr. Abraham Smith, Mr. Thomas Yale, Mr. John Coe, Capt. Nathan Smith, Lieut. John Bassett, Capt. Joseph Riggs, Lieut. Bradford Steele. Capt. Ebenezer Buckingham, Charles French, Esq., John Davis, Esq., Eliphalet Hotchkiss, Esq., Capt. John Tomlinson, Daniel Holbrook, Esq., Capt. Zechariah Hawkins, Sheldon Clark, Mr. Noah Tomlinson, Capt. Nathaniel Johnson, Capt. Timothy Baldwin, Mr. John Howd, Mr. John Humphrey, Mr. John Riggs, jun., Mr. Ebenezer Keeney, Capt. Ebenezer Gracey, James Beard, Esq., Mr. Agar Tomlinson, Mr. Benjamin Tomlinson, Samuel Wheeler, jun. It should not be supposed that all the captains above titled were military men, unless all the men, women and children of Derby were soldiers, but some two or three of them may have been captains of vessels, yet having as much honor, or more than the military captains. It is worthy of notice that this list contains a very large pro- portion of the men who had been prominent in the town during the twenty-five years preceding ; prominent in offices and as citizens, and in paying taxes and sustaining England in her wars against Spain and France. Capt. John Holbrook, whose name heads the list, was the man who with his wife, Abigail, had given the land for the site of the first Episcopal church and bury- 1/6 HISTORY OF DERBY. ing-ground thirty-seven years before, but who, on the breaking out of the war, withdrew from that church and returned to the Congregational church and supported the war vigorously to the end. Some of them had been engaged many years in exporting produce and importing all kinds of merchandise, until Derby was as well known in foreign parts as any town in the Col- onies, and especially so in the West Indies.'' Whatever, there- fore, affected the Colonies, affected Derby, and the people un- derstood the fact and prepared themselves accordingly. No locality took its position of resistance more coolly, yet decidedly, boldly and manfully, than Derby. David W^ooster, although born in Stratford, removing with his father into the tow^n when about ten years of age, retaining it as his residence fifteen or more years, had distinguished himself in the Spanish and French wars, becoming quite celebrated, now took his stand for the rights of his native land, with great decision and firm- ness, although his old Tory friends of Stratford said if he "turned against his king he ought to be shot." William Hull, a liberally educated young lawyer, accepted the appointment of his native town as captain for the Derby company, with manly de- cision to serve during the war. His father, Joseph, a sea cap- tain as well as a military, went at the first call to New York, doing noble service. Captain Jabez Thompson, of high stand- ing, went out at the first call to Boston with several other offi- cers of the town, and returned in a few months entitled colonel. And back of these stood this first committee of inspection of thirty-two first-class men. One company of thirty-two or more had been to Boston in the first campaign. The whole military company had been to New York with General Wooster in the summer of 1775. Truly, Derby's flag need not trail in the dust the first year of the Revolution; and what is said by Hinman^ may be appropriately said of Derby. "At this critical junct- ure of the war, no Colony was more deeply interested in the result than Connecticut, and none better prepared for the emer- gency. The people of this Colony had for more than a century, enjoyed one of the most beneficent colonial governments that ''Produce was at that time carted from New Haven to Derby to be shipped to foreign parts. ''Connecticut in the Revolution, Royal R. Ilinman, p. 7Q. DERBY CONSPICUOUS. I // ever fell to the lot of the subjects of a monarchical government. They had literally governed themselves, although nominally subject to the crown of Great Britain. Notwithstanding their extraordinary privileges, no colony stepped forth with more alacrity to the aid of the oppressed people of Massachusetts, than Connecticut ; and none exhibited more sympathy, or poured forth its blood and treasure more freely in the onset. In the campaign of 1775, she sent forth her thousands to the aid of Massachusetts ; and not only this, but she was the first to com- mence operations against Great Britain. Her citizens, unaided by any other colony, had conquered the forts on Lake Cham- plain, captured the garrisons, and brought the prisoners and munitions into Connecticut. She had also been the first to rally in sustaining the cause of the Revolution in the commer- cial city of New York, where she had sent her militia, under General Wooster, in the summer of 1775. Again in the autumn of the same year, her citizens had destroyed one of the most offensive royal presses in the colonies ; and finally, by the ad- vice of General Washington, Connecticut had raised a force, which, commanded by General Lee, had wrested New York from the royal authority early in 1776." Li all these move- ments except the printing press, Derby had an honorable, and in some of them, a conspicuous part. hi the summer of 1776, one-third of Washington's army in New York were from Connecticut, including from nine to ten thousand militia ; all the remainder of the militia of the state were ordered to Long Island, except two regiments. It is very probable, that all the soldiers or militia of Derby were at New York, and this too just at harvest time. In this year also, a company was enlisted at Derby ; William Clark, captain ; Edward Howd, lieutenant ; Jabez Pritchard, ensign. Joseph Hull, brother of General William, was appointed lieutenant of artillery, and went to New York where he was taken prisoner and detained two years. (See his Biog.) The real spirit of self-sacrifice and true loyalty of the Derby people to freedom is seen in the self-sacrifice of the following votes. It is easy to be patriotic when it costs nothing, but these votes were at the expense of every man that had provisions to sell. 1/8 HISTORY OF DERBY. "February lo, 1777. Whereas the General Assembly of this state at their session at Middletown on the i8th of December last, by an act did regulate the prices of a number of articles in said act enumerated : and whereas it appears to this town that it is of the utmost consequence to the community in gen- eral, and to this town in particular, that said act shall be imme- diately carried into effect : "Voted, therefore, that the town will by every legal means endeavor to have the directions of said act strictly complied with ; this town being fully sensible that it is the duty of every friend of his country, to sell and dispose of the articles enu- merated in the act of Assembly fixing the price of labor, provi- sions etc., at the prices at which they arc therein stated ; there- fore : "Voted, that those of us who have any of them beyond what we want for our own consumption, will readily and cheerfully sell them, either for money or produce at the prices in said act stated ; and that we will esteem all persons who shall not do the same, enemies to their country, and treat them accordingly, provided such person is properly convicted thereof before the committee of inspection of this town, whom we empower to take cognizance of such offenses. "Voted, that this town do recommend the civil authority, se- lectmen, committee of inspection, constables and grand jurors, to proportion the several prices of the articles not enumerated in the act of Assembly and make the same public, that we may all know the same." In 1777, they first appoint a committee to take care of the families of the soldiers in the army, consisting of John Coe, Da- vid De Forest, Capt. Thomas Clark. In the autumn of 1778, the following committee to take care of the soldiers' clothing — that is, to invite and aid persons in making and forwarding such clothing and to see that the town received pay or credit, to balance for taxes to a certain extent, — were appointed. Samuel Hull, Capt. Joseph Riggs, David De Forest, Isaac Smith, Abraham Beecher, Reuben Tucker, Capt. John Tomlinson, Ebenezer Clracey, ANNUAL TAXES. 1/9 Capt. Timothy Baldwin, Capt. Nathaniel Johnson, Nathan Buckingham, Joseph Russell, Capt. John Riggs, Capt. Hotchkiss, Esq., Lieut. Samuel Wheeler, Noah Tomlinson, Samuel Bassett, Thomas Clark, Esq., Daniel Holbrook, jun., John Howd, Capt. John Holbrook, " The town by their vote give to each soldier in the conti- nental army that counts for the town of Derby, ten pounds money each, in lieu of the linen overalls, linen shirts and shoes that were voted to them last year as a bounty." The following rate, fixed the same year, was the lowest im- posed at any one year during the war. " The town grants a rate of one shilling and ninepence on the pound lawful money on the grand list to pay the bounty granted to the soldiers and to defray town charges." In 1775, the rate was one-halfpenny. And it was not in consequence of depreciated currency that the rate was so high now, for they had just accepted the prices fixed by the Assembly, which made wheat six shillings per bushel, rye three shillings and sixpence, and all other things proportion- ate. The list for Derby stood a little less than twenty thousand pounds in 1775. The amount of tax would nearly equal one- tenth of the list ; or one-tenth of the valuation on the assessors' list. This indicates somewhat the burden sustained in that war. The following rates of tax were fixed by town vote in the year as indicated. There may have been other additional rates in some of the years named : 1775, one and one-half penny on the jDOund. Eleazer Hawkins, collector. 1776, two and one-half pence on the pound. David De For- est, collector. 1777, threepence on the pound. 1778, one shilling and ninepence on the pound for bounty and town expenses. 1779, six shillings lawful money on the pound. Mr. Ebenezer Keeney, collector. 1780, two shillings on the pound, lawful money. Mr. Eben- ezer Keeney, collector. 1780, an extra rate of sixpence on the pound to pay soldiers' i8o HISTORY OF DERBY. bounties ; and a committee of Capt. John Riggs, Capt. Daniel Holbrook, Capt. Bradford Steele, to enlist continental soldiers and pay them their bounty. GRAND LIST OF THE COLONY IN 1775. I s. d. £ s. d. Ashford, ^I^'^IZ II 3 New Haven, 73,210 6 2 Bolton, 10,526 I New Milford, 28,169 18 3 Branford, 23.472 8 I New Hartford, 8.837 18 6 Coventry, 20,856 14 New London, 35,528 17 6 Canterbury, 20,730 Norwich, 66,678 19 2 Canaan, 15,212 3 Norwalk .41,955 18 I Chatham, 22,881 8 New Fairfield, 12.273 3 6 Cornwall, 9.358 14 6 Newtown, 23.737 11 II Colchester, 34.763 6 Plainfield, 14,216 16 Durham, 12,205 7 6 Preston, 25,272 14 II Danbury, 28,501 10 8 Pomfret, 27,711 12 4 Derby, 19.313 19 7 Redding, 14,263 4 4 East Haddam, 26,674 18 Ridgefield, 17,491 8 6 East Windsor, 27.409 15 6 Stonington, 38,213 5 10 Enfield, 12,478 15 Simsbury, 30.631 8 Eairfield, 51,27s 15 6 Suffield, 19,140 9 Farmington, 66,577 3 10 Salisbury, 17,087 16 Greenwich, 24.632 7 II Stratford, 52,611 16 7 Groton, 26,902 6 3 Stafford, 10,412 10 Glastenbury, 18,752 15 7 Saybrook, 26,304 8 Guilford, 36,406 14 5 Stamford, 34,078 2 9 Goshen, 11,348 18 Sharon, 17,325 16 Hartford, 48, 1 20 10 Somers, 9,153 19 Hebron, 23.815 10 Tolland, 1,432 S I laddani, 16,591 4 7 Torrington, 5,816 15 Harwinton, 8,023 18 Voluntown, 13,801 4 Killingly, 27,907 12 4 Windham, 32,222 10 7 Killingworth, 20,221 I 5 Wethersfield, 32,674 3 Kent, 16,971 9 6 Watcrbury, 37,064 3 3 Lebanon, 41.632 7 8 Wallingford, 51,504 2 9 Litchfield, 23.396 13 Windsor, 24,095 2 II Lyme, 28,570 16 2 Woodstock, 20,S00 Milford, 29,181 II 5 Willington, 8,660 7 I Middletown, 42,567 12 9 Woodbury, 56,495 14 10 Mansfield, 22,077 18 3 The committees for the soldiers' families and clothing for the soldiers were continued from year to year. Sometimes the state was required to furnish a certain amount of clothing, and this was proportioned to the counties and then to the towns, TRYON S VISIT. I8l and the town committee were required to see that the cloth was obtained and the clothes made by the inhabitants of the town. In the midst of privations and heavy taxes ; the departure of soldiers, and the returning of the sick, or more dreaded news than sickness, there was the terrible fear of the raids of the enemy all along the shore of Long Island Sound, Derby escap- ed any very serious visitation, although General Tryon made them one call as described by Doct. A. Beardsley, as follows : PORK HOLLOW. During the dark days of the Revolution, Derby, in common with many other towns of the colony, suffered from the red coats of King George. Some weeks prior to the burning of Danbury, when the gallant Brigadier General David Wooster was mortally wounded, the tory Governor of New York, Gener- al Tryon, with his two thousand men, learned that valuable military stores were secreted in Derby, which was then a sea- port town in advance of New Haven, carrying on a brisk trade with the West Indies. The stores consisting mostly of pork, were packed in the old building located on the Ousatonic, on land now owned and occupied by Messrs. A. H. and C. B. Ail- ing, a few rods east of the rear of L. L. Lomer's brick block recently erected on Main street in Birmingham. In architec- tural beauty and finish this structure would contrast oddly with the custom houses of to-day. The lower story, its wall, three feet thick, was built of rough stone, exteriorly resembling a coarse stone wall ; the upper story was of heavy wood work, roofed over with rent clapboards, many of our older citizens, including the writer, well remember its antique appearance, though demolished fifty years ago. General Tryon, whose barbarous footprints polluted the soil of Connecticut among its first invaders, sent a detachment to New Haven to annoy the people of Derby, and as this old tory was ever bent on plunder, but when this could not be accom- plished, he delighted in applying the torch of destruction to houses, churches, barns and other buildings, scattering in wild confusion defenseless women and children into narrow lanes and public streets, he determined to visit Derby. When his 102 HISTORY OF DERHV. forces arrived at New Haven, Capt. John Tomlinson, who then lived at Derby Neck, in the old mansion now owned by Truman Piper, happened to be in that city, and, mistrusting the object of their mission, quickly mounted his horse, and spurred him on in hot haste over the hills until he reached the peaceful hamlet of Derby Narrows, when he shouted at the top of his voice "The British are in New Haven ; look out for your pork, look out for your pork !" Now this Captain Tomlinson was a reliable man, a convert to the Whitefield doctrine, and it is said he did more praying and exhorting than half the town. He labored for the good of his fellow men. He lived to be ninety years old. In his last sick- ness a neighbor was called in to watch with him who was not particularly a religious man ; and who had on a short coat, but he was soon relieved of his expected night's work. When he entered the sick chamber Mr. Tomlinson greeted him with the salutation, " Be gone, thou enemy of all righteousness, the Devil never looked worse than when in a short coat." When Tomlinson brought the news to Derby Narrows con- cerning the British, the day was far spent and the shades of evening were closing thick and fast, but in those times Yankee Doodle, ever on the alert, ready to fight for country and fireside, was equal to the emergency. Alarmed at the near approach of the enemy, men, women, and even boys sallied out, and soon the work of removal to a place of safety commenced. Among others, a tall, slender lad aged sixteen years, named Isaac Smith, whose son in his old age still resides on the shores of the Ousatonic, was singled out to assist in taking care of the mili- tary stores. His father, by the same name, was then an officer in the militia company from Derby stationed at Danbury, and we may here mention that the old slave. Quash, father of Gov- ernor Roswell Quash [colored] who died about two years ago, was his body guard. Young Smith full of patriotic fire, yoked his father's oxen, hitched them to his cart, and soon the work of hauling the pork f om the old building was in lively opera- tion. Load after load was conveyed up the lonely cart and cow paths, zigzag here and there among the shrub oaks, guided only by the glittering stars, and dumped into the famous hollow about a quarter of a mile below the almshouse on the right of I'ORK HOLLOW XO FIC'lIOX. 1 83 the main road as you now go to Seymour in West Ansonia. This hollow was dense with low shrub oaks, furnishing a capital hiding place. Yet some have attempted to establish the hollow a little to the east of the one named, but this is of little conse- quence since each is in close proximity to the other. It is said that the British appeared on the east hill near the old Col. Jackson place, but the tory sentinels of the town, few in number, from some cause failed to connect with their allies, and thus General Tryon was cheated out of his coveted game. It has been believed by some that the hiding of pork in Derby from the tories in the Revolution was more of romance than reality, but reliable testimony obtained through patient re- searches establishes its authenticity beyond a question. Pork Hollow should live in our memories. More than a hundred years have rolled away ; the shrub oaks are gone, and the farmers ploughshare has made smooth and even the rough places in this deep, deep hollow, yet the passer by as he lingers around this revolutionary spot, may drink in admira- tion for the noble efforts of our rude forefathers, who helped to lay deep and broad the foundations of the government under which we now live. Here the selfish patriots of to-day may learn that neither inglorious love of money, nor the rewards of ambition, were the incentives to defeat, in his madness. General Tryon, that remorseless and implacable foe to the interests of the American Colonists. The committees appointed, and the objects for which they were appointed, constitute a large proportion of the town records of the Revolution. If the town treasurer's book for that time could be found, the amount of work and expense would more fully appear, but diligent search does not secure so valuable a prize, although the book with accounts beginning just after the war is well preserved ; when one is starved to death of what value then is abundance of food .■* 1779. Committee to procure soldiers' clothing, etc. : Benjamin Bassett, Joseph Wheeler, Isaac Smith, Capt. Bradford Steele, Capt. Timothy Baldwin, James Pritchard, Joseph Chatfield, Samuel Hull, Amos Bassett, Ca]it. Daniel Holi)r()ok, 1 84 HISTORY OF I)P:RBV'. Agar Tomlinson, Capt. John Tomlinson, Eli Hawi_0S:, 0^. IQ>\\ CHAPTER VII. AFTER THE REVOLUTION. I 784- 1 800. HE war of the Revolution had reduced the Colonies to extremity in almost everything but courage. The simple and only fact of freedom and independency, filled the country with rejoicings and celebrations. The day dawn of freedom, such as they had not at first dreamed of, had come with its high promises of future greatness and shining glory for the whole world. From the north to the south and from the east to the far west, even to the depths of the wilderness, and to the shores of far off lands ran the thrilling joy of a nation's birth ; a nation of Freemen ! While the tears of affection ran down the faces of the people like floods in nearly every household in the land, for the dear ones who would come no more to greet them, as in other days, the thrill of freedom sent up a shout, long and high, of victory and triumph, and the past seemed only as a dreary night now gone, and the morning bright and clear, filled with hope and promise, come. At the very dawn of promise, Derby began to stretch her arms for progress and improvements, and nothing daunted her courage but the extremity to which she, as all other towns, was reduced, because the war had eaten up everything but the houses and lands and the devastated inhabitants. During the wars which had fallen upon them the preceding forty years, with only short intervals, the most that was done as a plantation, was to maintain the stage of acquirements to which they had arrived before the war race began. The condition of the town in this respect is quite clearly re- vealed in a preamble and a vote which was recorded December 23, 1782, when they had resort to A LOTTERY. "Again, considering the great expense this town has been at in building and supporting two large bridges across the Nauga- 202 HISTORY OF DERHV. tuck river, and said bridges now want to be rebuilt ; also a highway from Woodbury to Derby by the Ousatonic river, all which as computed will amount to five hundred pounds; this in addition to other burdens lying on said town in supporting highways and other public burdens, the town feel themselves very unable to bear, therefore voted, that Capt. Thomas Clark and Capt. Daniel Holbrook be appointed and directed to peti- tion the General Assembly for liberty to set up a lottery for the sum of five hundred pounds, for the purpose of building said bridges and making said highways ; said lottery to be at the risk of said town." At an adjourned meeting two months later, they appointed the managers of the lottery, which the Assembly had granted, which consisted of the following persons : Mr. Samuel Hull, Capt. Daniel Holbrook, Mr. David De Forest, Mr. John Humphrey and Lieut. Joseph Riggs. These persons were put under oath and required to give sufficient bonds to secure the money which might be placed in their hands. They also directed that after a certain time all tickets unsold should be called in and depos- ited in the hands of the selectmen before drawing the tickets that might have been purchased. On the first day of March. 1784, they voted to draw the lottery tickets on the 21st day of April next ; but two days before that time arrived the town was called together, and they voted to postpone the drawing in consequence of so few tickets having b.een sold ; and then peti- tioned the General Assembly to extend the time allowed for the drawing. In February, 1783, as soon as the privilege of the lottery was granted, the town appointed Ashbel Loveland " to oversee and build a bridge over Naugatuck river below the falls," and Mr. Samuel Hull to build a bridge over Naugatuck river " where the old bridge now stands, called the lower bridge, and Capt. Zechariah Hawkins to oversee and make a new highway from Woodbury to Derby by the Ousatonic river." In the next March the town's committee were directed to lay out a high- way through Wesquantuck or Rock House hill purchase, by the Great river, and make returns of their doings." They seem to have no doubt but that the lottery would bring the money and proceeded in that faith, and it is probable that the work was all LOTTERY TICKETS. 203 done sometime before the lottery reported its net proceeds. All that is recorded of the results is that in February, 1785, they voted that the managers be directed to draw "the lottery ; and at the same time voted that the "selectmen be enabled when the lottery is drawn, to tax the town to raise money to secure the managers and pay the necessary expenses that shall arise thereon." After this there are no more lotteries talked of in the town records. From all the records say, it seems probable that some considerable number of tickets were sold, possibly to half the amount desired, out of which the costs must be taken, and the result would not warrant another trial. And there has not been a time since then when so great need of foreign aid ex- isted, or when the town has been driven to such extremities to raise money for necessary repairs and expenses. At the pres- ent day a large majority of the better classes of community judge all lotteries, great and small, to be immoral, dishonest, and that they ought to be discountenanced by all true Christians. An old book is still preserved having been made for the pur- pose of keeping the account in building one of these bridges, for the payment of which the lottery was granted. It explains itself. "An account book kept by Ashbel Loveland who was appoint- ed a manager or a committee by the town of Derby to build a bridge across Naugatuck river, near Rimmon Falls, containing the costs which said town of Derby has been at to build said bridge. "Posted alphabetically. The bridge cost ^^144 lis. Qd." This book shows eighty-eight tickets bought by thirty-three persons at twelve shillings a ticket, and most of them paid for by work done on the bridge and material furnished. The work began in March, 1783. tickets. ti ;kets. Joel Chatfield, 3 Levi Hotchkiss, 3 John Crawford, 2 Moses Hotchkiss 3 James Baldwin, 1-3 Joel Hine, S Abiel Canfield, I Amos Hine, 21-3 Daniel Davis, 2 Hiel Hine, 2 Ebenezer Dayton, 3 Gideon Johnson, jun.. I Enoch French, 6 Asahel Johnson, • 2 Isaac Foot, T Hezekiah Johnson, 3 204 HISTORY OF DERBY. Levi Johnson, Joseph Johnson, jun., Gideon Johnson, sen., Ebenezer Keeney, William Keeney, Ashbel Loveland, tickets sold, Peter Nostrand, Elisha Pritchard. tickets. I 4 I I 2 17 David Parsons, Polycarp Smith, Samuel Smith, Benjamin Twitchell, Benjamin Tomlinson, Ebenezer Warner, Hezekiah Wooden, John Wooster, Turrel Whittemore, tickets. I 1-3 I 2 6 1-2 1-3 3 After the Revolution the school districts were re-arranged, and for some years much attention was devoted to education ; first, to meet the requirements of the new laws made in regard thereto, and also, a spirit of emulation and ambition in regard to education seems to have come upon the whole people as the consequence of freedom, and they moved harmoniously to the inspiration. In 1785, a proposition to build a new school-house at the then village of Derby (Old Town) resulted in the end in an academy. Apparently, a number of persons agreed to unite in certain proportions to furnish the money to build a new school-house at this place, the lower story of which should be used for the common school, and the upper story for a higher branch of education. The building was put up in the winter or early spring of 1786, and finished that summer. When the building was completed, the items of cost were collected and the amount divided according to the agreement. By an agreeable fortune the paper containing this account is preserved, but bears no date. THE SCHOOL HOUSE COMPANY. The whole amount of the bill is ;i^240 is. 3 i-2d. The proprietors Dr. for their several shares as follows, viz. : £ s. d. I s. d. Samuel Hull, 25 5 5 Richard Mansfield, 12 12 81 John Humphreys, 25 5 5 Jabez Thompson, 12 1 2 81 Daniel Holbrook, 25 5 5 John Howd, 1 2 12 8i Joseph Riggs, jun., 25 5 5 David Hitchcock, I '^ 12 81 Sheldon Clark, 25 5 5 Edward Craft, 12 12 81 James Beard, 12 12 81-2 Joseph Hull, 12 12 Si Levi Tomlinson, 12 12 8 1-2 David Tucker, 12 12 Si One bill is i)rcscrved and shows something of the material used*and the cost of such items at that time. £ S. d. o 3 6 o 9 6 o 8 o o 12 o o lO o o 3 6 5 14 o o 6 o 3 o I 5 6 2 14 o 2 14 o ACADEMY BELL. 205 March, 1786, School House Company, Dr. to Joseph Riggs, jun.. To one load of timber, ' To studs and plank for turret rafters. To two days getting window frame timbers, To timber for the window frames. To carting three load of window frame timber, To one day carting sand and slacking lime. To 3,800 brick delivered at the school house a 3 per C, Jan., 1787. To cash paid Mr. Hull, 6s., To 1,000 feet of white oak floor boards delivered at the school-house from O.xford, a 6s. pr. C, June 9, 1789, To 512 feet of boards a 5s., To 900 feet of white wood clapboard from Isaac Wooster, a 6s. pr. C, To 3,000 shingles, a i8s, Joseph Riggs, jun." Although some of the items of this bill are of a later date, yet it is probable the house was completed in 1786, and thereafter for a time the upper part was devoted to accademic studies, but after some years the whole building was devoted to such studies and called the academy. THE ACADEMY BELL. The further account of the academy and the academy bell is very graphically given by Doct. A. Beardsley; The old oblong house with its two chimneys now standing midway between Merritt Clark's and Patrick McEnerney's was long known and somewhat celebrated as the Derby Academy, located on elevated ground, commanding a fine view, the build- ing was an imposing structure when first built. Within its walls many an aspiring youth, then experiencing that the root of learning was bitter while its fruit was sweet, studied Sallust and Virgil, conquered his Greek, and fitted for venerable Yale. The people of the town evinced a lively interest in the institution, for to them it was a pride and boast. Among other features show- ing the good will of the people towards the academy was the supplying it with a bell purchased jointly by the Episcopalian and Presbyterian churches, then located in Up Town, and for a long time it was the only bell in Derby which on the Sabbath day rang out its merry notes, calling the pious to the house of prayer. Those who were to join in the long supplication of the 206 HISTORY OF DERRV. Pilgrims' faith or the solemnity of the Church, alike pressed their footsteps, hastened by the academy bell. The academy fell into financial embarrassment and was dis- continued, but its bell, like Noah's dove was given to unrest, for in process of time it became a bone of contention and finally fell a victim of dishonor among its friends. We must not forget to mention, that old Todd was its ringer, and on the advent of a death or a funeral he was always on hand. On one occasion he came near ringing the bell for his own de- parture. The bell was so constructed as to require the going into the belfry to ring it. One morning he ascended the belfry to toll the bell, and slipping his foot-hold, tumbled out on the roof and fell a distance of thirty-five or forty feet, but, fortu- nately he was caught in a peach tree standing close to the academy and escaped serious injury. A few years after this he slept over night in the old town house, and from a loft fell a dis- tance only of seven feet, and was instantly killed. Being poor he now and then obtained a little loose change for his services at the bell. One night at high twelve he was asked by a man ripe for fun at the old tavern at the Narrows, if he was the Derby bell ringer. "I am," said he; "got a job .^ " " Yes," was the reply. " My name is Gillett, from Hell Lane (now Seymour) and I want to get out of the town. My horse travels best with music. If you will ring the bell till I get over the line I will give you this silver dollar." " Agreed," said the bell-ringer, and he was soon tugging at the bell, when Gillett mounted his horse and galloped away. The neighborhood, quiet as a graveyard, was startled from its midnight slumbers, and among others, Samuel Hull rushed out in his night-clothes, hurried up to the academy and brawled out, " You crazy man, what are you doing with that bell this time of night ? " Old Todd answered from the belfry, " I am ringing a man out of Derby into Hell Lane, on contract." From long and constant use this bell became cracked, the academy boys palsied its tongue, and for a time its music was silent upon the hill. It had the misfortune of having many owners, and they one by one lost interest in its care and keep- ing. It was said the Presbyterians owned the largest share, but it was difficult to divide the stock, and so some of the wise THE STOLEX BELL. 20/ heads down in the Narrows attempted to make a corner, and if possible to steal the bell from the Up Towners. A plan was con- cocted and the program arranged. A few boys, and some of older growth, on a certain night, armed with some good old Jamaica, ventured up to the academy, ascended the belfry and rolled off the bell. For safe keeping and to elude the search of the aggrieved, they lowered it into a secret place about the premises, there to remain until the excitement and noise over its loss should die away. Every one of these nocturnal thieves was sworn to keep the secret and some have done so even to this very day. Next morning, the honest people of Up Town found out that the old academy bell was missing, and so6n the whole neighborhood was in uproar, and filled with indignation. Detectives from all parts were sent out to seek diligently for the lost treasure. Day after day and week after week, the inquiry was anxious as to the stolen metal, but all was a mystery. . After a while, in the dead of night, some who participated in the first movement went up and hauled from its hiding place the bell, put it upon a stone drag and conveyed it to the Narrows, where they dumped it into a certain cellar near what was then called Swift's Corner. A roguish boy who held the candle on the occasion started the story some days afterwards, that he "guessed Capt. Kinney knew where the bell was, but before search could be made it was buried out of sight. The boy was closely ex- amined and cross-examined, which led to the belief that he had not far deviated from the truth. Suspicion at once rested upon one young Downs as the ring-leader, who has long since in good faith been gathered to his fathers. Downs was even ap- proached by the sheriff with a view to intimidation, but one Mr. Harvey, the shrewdest man of the neighborhood, publicly declared that he had plenty of money and would defend the accused to the last dollar. " A halt between two opinions " delayed matters for a while, but believing they were on the right track, the Up Towners now threatened the Narrows people in a body with a lawsuit, if the stolen property was not forthwith returned and the matter settled up. Much was said upon both sides, men and women entering into the discussion. Capt. Thomas Vose, who was a sort of moral regulator in the town and who had a holy horror of wrong doing, argued that as the bell was owned 208 HISTORV OF DERBY. by two religious bodies and others outside of the church, it was sacred property, and to use his own words he " fancied that state's prison would follow conviction of the guilty parties," and entreated and begged for the peace of the town, that the bell might be returned and no questions asked, for he was "afraid the affair would make more noise in the future than it had done in the past." But the missing bell could not be found, while the Up Town people wondered and grew sorely vexed. During the painful suspense, a similar bell was landed one evening at the Derby dock opposite Col. R. Gates's store, which stood near the pres- ent Naugatuck depot. This bell was designed for the back country and it was in charge of Col. Gates. A splendid opportunity now offered itself to get up " a good sell " on the Up Towners. The keeper of this bell, brim full of fun, sanction- ed any proceeding, provided the "up country bell was returned safe and sound on his wharf next morning." So the lovers of sport made all due preparation. The right men were selected and this bell in the stillness of night was hauled up near the academy and quietly hung in a tree with a long rope attached stretching over a stone wall where a boy was stationed and ordered to ring it at a certain signal, when its ding dong awoke the sleepers who exclaimed in ecstacies, "Oh ! our bell has come back — our bell has come back !" a victory surely had now been gained. Peace for a moment breathed upon the troubled waters, and the perversity of human nature was ready to make full atonement for offenses committed. The advice of Capt. Vose had been heeded. Some rushed out to examine the premises, but alas ! all was silent and nothing to be seen. They returned to their homes in wonder, when again the bell sounded. They were now doubly sure and went to their repose, fully satisfied, but in the morning no bell was to be found for it had quietly been returned to the Derby dock where it belonged. A warm dispute now arose among the people, whether a bell really had been heard or not on the night in question, many declar- ing it was all an empty dream of the Up Towners. Some were positive, others very doubtful, no one could satisfactorily unfold the mystery ; but finally, honest Capt. Tucker, who had heard much music on the battle fields of the Revolution and who RESTORATION' OF THE BELL. 2O9 believed in ghosts and witches settled the question, for he declared that he " heard it a mile in the distance and if there was no bell, he believed that there was either some witchcraft about it or the spirit of old Todd had returned, and it was high time that Derby people were honest and without trifling in matters so serious." After a long silence the bell, undiscovered, was returned to the arches of the old academy and Mr. Coe, who settled up its fallen fortunes, turned it over to the Up Town school district where it rested for years without creating further dissensions. Good nature had scarcely outlived the moss of ill feeling, how- ever, when the once olive branch of peace again stirred up the passions of men, for as it was the first bell of the town, in time it became the first church bell in Birmingham. Laying idle without notoriety, a well meaning church member very adroitly obtained possession of it without valuable consideration and it was soon rigged, new tongued and hung in the steeple of the Methodist church, by Lewis Hotchkiss, in the then infant village of Birmingham ; when its first notes were heard Up Town its sound was familiar to old Capt. Curtis, who vehemently ex- claimed, " There goes our old academy bell ! another trick on us ! They'll steal in Birmingham as bad as they used to in the Narrows." Capt. Curtis fidl of indignation set himself about ferreting out the offenders, declaring the bell should come back as he was still one of its owners, and the Methodists, unwilling to be sac- rilegious or provoke any discord in the town, forthwith returned it and its sound was again silent. About this time in the good providence of God the members of St. James's parish voted unanimously to change the location of their church edifice from Up Town to Birmingham. This con- templated an entire and final change in the full services of the church. After a hard struggle the new edifice was completed and consecrated in 1842, and then the church bell, organ, etc., were at once removed to Birmingham. Very naturally this created much warm and ill feeling among the good people Up Town, for nothing sublunary did they love and cherish with more veneration than this their mother church. Long had they lived and flourished under the very droppings of the old sanctu- 27 210 HISTORY OF DERBY. ary. Honest differences of opinion, however, led to a swift decision and the disaffected resolved on separate services simultaneously in the old parish. Without a church they could occupy, the little district school-house was selected for religious services, a belfry forthwith erected upon its roof, and again the old academy bell was brought out from its obscurity and once more devoted to a sacred purpose. The first Sunday morning that the deep mellow tones of the Episcopal bell in Birmingham sounded the old academy bell responded up the valley, and soon the pious and devoted, in hope and trust, with the spirit of for- giveness and charity, were assembling in their respective abodes of worship. Thus among its last services did this instrument of varied musical discords, ring out the nucleus of a new church organization which now flourishes with great harmony in Ansonia. Once again this pet of the town fell into disuse, and a few years ago the school district committee sold it to the Birming- ham Iron Foundry for old metal. If its tongue had been gifted with speech what "a tale could it unfold." In its ancient vicis- situdes it is said the old men planned while the boys executed. Its early friends have mostly gone to their rest, while its history with all its lessons in human nature still lives in the recollec- tions of the past. The academy of which much might be said was built in 1786, and was made a sort of joint stock corporation. Through the long years of its existence it was favored with only seven differ- ent teachers, viz. : Kerkson, Whittlesey, Dr. Pearl Crafts, Shelden Curtis, Josiah Holbrook, Truman Coe and John D. Smith. Whittlesey distinguished himself for his novel mode of punishment. When a boy disobeyed the rules of the academy he punished him by sandwiching him between two colored scholars seated on a bench in one corner of the school room. This mode of discipline worked well until Whittlesey lost one of his best pupils from New York, rather high toned, when the practice was abandoned. Trueman Coe for many years was a most acceptable teacher and established the reputa- tion of the school as a successful classical academy. Many young men were here fitted for college, and the ins^titution was a credit to the town, but it fell into disrepute from a want of sufficient HOLBROOKS SEMINARY. 211 patronage and was finally merged into the district school and the old academy building passed into other hands for private use. AN AGRICULTURAL SEMINARY AT DERBY. The following account of this institution was furnished by one of its pupils, and is taken from a published memoir of Mr. Jo- siah Holbrook : " You ask me what I remember about the academy of Messrs. Josiah Holbrook and Truman Coe. It was established in the town of Derby, in this state, in the spring of the year 1824, and was, I believe, discontinued after one or two years. The pros- pectus published in the newspapers of that day gives an outline of the course of study and the plan of operations. It is as follows : '"The exercises designed are the study of the Latin, Greek, French and English languages, Rhetoric, Elocution, Geography and History ; the mathematics, as Arithmetic, Algebra, Geom- etry, Plane and Spherical Trigonometry, Mensuration and Fluxions ; Natural Philosophy in its various branches ; Astron- omy, Chemistry, Mineralogy, Botany and Zoology. No efforts will be spared to render these sciences practical and fitted to common life. With that view, particular attention will be given to Composition, Declamation with extempore debates, the uses of the higher branches of Mathematics in common business, Practical Surveying, the application of Natural Philosophy to various kinds of machinery and agricultural instruments ; test- ing the principles of chemical science in mixing and preparing soils, farming manures, making cider, beer, spirit and various other articles of agriculture and domestic economy, agricultural, geological and botanical excursions into various parts of the country, examining and analyzing soils, and practical agriculture. "'One prominent object of the school is to qualify teachers. The most approved methods of instruction will be introduced, and lectures will be given on most of the Physical Sciences, at- tended with demonstrations and illustrations sufficiently plain and familiar to admit of their being introduced into common education. Courses on Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Miner- alogy and Botany will commence at the opening of the semi- nary. Ladies will be admitted to the lectures, and there will 212 HISTORY OF DERBY. be a department connected with the institution where females can pursue any branch of education they may desire.' " The number of scholars of both sexes during the summer of 1824, was perhaps fifty or sixty; among whom were five boys from New Haven, about as many from New York, and some from other places, near and remote. The school was certainly an attractive and pleasant one, and those who were so disposed made good progress in useful learning. Several of the boys were intrusted with surveying and leveling instruments, and used them frequently and successfully. Mr. Coe gave special attention to the mathematical studies, and Mr. Holbrook gave lectures and instruction in natural history and allied subjects. The boys rambled extensively over the hills of that region, did some work in hoeing and digging potatoes and in making hay, and once made a pedestrian excursion for minerals to Lane's mine in Monroe. "" The working of the school was harmonious ; a spirit of study generally prevailing among the pupils, and the supply of out- door exercise and sports was ample." If Mr. Josiah Holbrook could step into one of the agricultural colleges or universities of the present day he would find his little seminary grown to robust manhood, but not quite to perfection. It is customary at the present day to represent the people as having become more dishonest, unreliable and unworthy to be trusted than the people were one hundred years ago. It is rep- resented that public officers make all the expense they can and waste the property of the people. It is represented that public expenses were so small in old times that the people could lay up money and become independent. Two selections of illustra- tions will show the error of these statements, and also that offi- cers of old sometimes made larger bills than were ever paid. When there were comparatively few fences and vast tracts of land over which cattle, horses and sheep roamed or would roam if once strayed, it frequently occurred that a strayed horse or other animal was found and put into the pound. After a cer- tain time they were advertised, and if no owner appeared to prove property, they were sold at public auction. The follow- ing shows how such proceedings frequently resulted : " Derby, Dec. 12, 1794. A bill of expenses on one colt taken OFFICIAL "honesty. 213 and impounded by Henry VVooster of said Derby, and the said colt was put into my care as one of the constables of said town on the 23d day of August, 1794, and the said colt was sold at the sign-post in said Derby town at public vendue, on the 12th day of September, for the payment of expenses and damages as fol- lows, by me, Joseph Riggs, constable of Derby. £. 5. d. Aug. 29, 1794. To advertising and pasturing. To looking for pasture and driving the colt, To paying pasturing bill, To do. for damage and expense to Henry Wooster, i 19 To attendance and expense on vendue, o To poundage and baiting, o To recording, cash paid town clerk, o 4 II 4 6 9 6 S 6 II I 6 3 5 4 Credit. Bv sale of the colt, 211 o There remains e.xpenses and damages not paid, o 14 4 About the same time four sheep were taken up, advertised and sold, and "there remained five shillings not paid, or the sheep sold for five shillings less than the charges brought against them. In only one case observed did the receipts surpass the expenses connected with the sale, and therefore the times and the people have not so materially degenerated within one hun- dred years, in respect to such transaction. These are but small items in themselves, but are just what occurred over and over during more than one hundred years. The first mercantile enterprise started at Derby Narrows failed in six years, and an assignment was made to New York and Stratford creditors. We know not the cause of this failure, but know that the events of those times were very much like the present, with the exception that ghosts and witches were believed in and feared, but this can scarcely be said of the pres- ent age. The reason, we apprehend, is because so many ghosts have been found to be mundane animals rather than of a higher or lower sphere, that knowledge banishes fear. This was the case in a story related by Doctor A. Beardsley, which is far too good to be lost, and hence is here recorded. Many are the stories, true or false, which our mothers and grandmothers used to tell the children, to excite their curiosity 214 HISTORY OF DERBY. and increase their bump of veneration, now and then loading the memory with some moral and useful lesson. If any, with old Dr. Johnson are inclined to " listen with incredulity to the whispers of fancy, or pursue with eagerness the phantoms " of witchcraft demonology, ghosts, hobgoblins or modern spirit rap- pings, we commend to their perusal the following adventure, which is not only founded on fact, but in the language of the novelist, actually and circumstantially true. Though of no political reminiscence, our story dates back nearly to our national epoch ot 1776. An inhabitant wearied with a day's journey, was returning from one of our northern villages up the valley, at midnight, by an unfrequented route to his home not a thousand miles from Derby. His path though " straight and narrow," carried him across a secluded burial ground, which he could not in the darkness of a starless night very well avoid. Perhaps some, in the degeneracy of these modern times, may be surprised at the courage which would pre- fer a shorter walk through a grave-yard, to a longer and more circuitous one in another direction, especially in the night sea- son. But such was the resolution of our traveler, and he entered boldly, " at high twelve " and without mental reservation, the dwelling-place of the ancient dead. He paused ; but, solitary and alone, his line of safety impelled him forward. He had scarcely passed the silent enclosure when, as is usual on such occasions, he saw a figure in white moving slowly and conspicu- ously at some distance. Unused to pray, our trembling hero raised his eyes toward heaven, but before he had time to re- cover from the shock of his vision, he was suddenly raised from the ground by some invisible agency, carried a few rods and as unceremoniously deposited again on terra firina. The fig- ure in white in his Jim Crow movements, brought to his imagin- ation a thousand frightful and solemn fancies of the sleeping dead. Can the legends of witchcraft furnish anything more terrific or a situation more dreadful .' Many a heart which at Lexing- ton and Bunker Hill, ^t Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, stood unmoved in front of the hottest battle, and quailed not when the dead and the dying lay thick around them, would have trem- bled and begged for mercy in that dark and trying hour, for it was not a dream but a reality. SLAVES IN DERBY. 215 But we hasten to the denouement that relieved our traveling " Hervey in his meditations among the tombs." A black colt sent forth a shrill cry a few moments after depositing his un- welcome and involuntary rider who had unconsciously stepped astride him, and was answered by his white mother at the other end of the grave}'ard. From that hour until the day of his death, our adventurer would never believe m the ghost and fairy stories so common among the good people of olden times. The leading men of Derby, including ministers of the gospel, held slaves and thought it no sin, while Connecticut was a slave state, but from an early day they were required by law to learn their slaves to read. The slave trade was carried on in Derby both for shipping purposes as well as the home market. Nicho- las Moss, it is said, bought and sold, and now and then sent a slave to the West Indies He was engaged in this business as shown by the following bill of sale : " Know all men by these presents, that I, William Cogswell of New Milford in Litchfield county, do sell and convey unto Nicholas Moss of Derby in New Haven county, one certain negro girl named Dorcas, about eighteen years of age, which girl I sell to the said Nicholas Moss (Turing her natural life, and I have good right to sell the same, and do bind myself and my heirs to warrant her to him and his heirs, for forty- five pounds lawful money, from all other claims and demands whatever. "In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of July, Anno Domini, 1773. In presence of us, Daniel Moss, Ephraim Keeney. William Cogswell." Slaves were owned in Derby nominally as late as 1840, they not having accepted their freedom, their owners being obliged to maintain them in their old age. Bennet Lumm, Esq., and Joseph H. Riggs, both of Derby, were the last to care for slaves in this town. "New Haven County, February 7, 1791. "Personally appeared Mr. Agar Tomlinson and made oath that he has in his possession a negro boy named Peter, belonging to the heir of David Tomlinson, deceased, aged five years and three months want- ing one day. " Entered per John Humphreys, town clerk. 2l6 HISTORY OF DERBY. " Before me, John Humphreys, justice of the peace. •'On April 21, 1791, Mr. Daniel Wooster made oath that he was possessed of a mulatto boy called Peter, aged one year and four months and two days. "On March 22, 1792, Capt. Timothy Baldwin made oath that he was possessed of a negro girl aged four years, eight months wanting five days. "In December, 1792, Mr. Agar Tomlinson made oath to the pos- session of a negro boy named Timothy, aged one year and twenty-five days. "On April 20, 1795. Mr. Agar Tomlinson made oath that he was possessed of a negro girl named Olive, aged eight months the first day of May, 1795- "April 4, 1797. Personally appeared before me Mrs. Anna Hum- phreys and made solemn oath that she is possessed of a negro girl named Twinet, aged one year and nine months wanting seven days. '' Before me, John Humphreys, justice of the peace." GREAT HILL. The tract of land including Great Hill was purchased of the Indians in 1670, and was bounded "with Potatoke river on tl;e west side, and with a little brook and the English purchase on the south side (extending south nearly to the old Bassett place), and with a brook that runs from Naugatuck river to a brook called Four-mile brook, the which Four-mile brook is the bounds northerly, and Naugatuck river is the east bounds of the above said tract of land." This purchase was made by Alexander Bryan of Milford, to whom the Indian deed was given, the consideration being seventeen pounds, and it was by him, for the same consideration, turned o\'er to John Brinsmade, sen., Henry Tomlinson and Joseph Hawley, all of Stratford, on the third of December, 1670. This purchase was included with another on the south side of it in the difificulty which arose, and was placed in litigation between Mr. Joseph Hawley and the town of Derby, and which was finally settled by a commit- tee from the General Court, ten or eleven years later. It was a part of this land that Sergt. Robert Bassett of Stratford bought of Mr. Hawley and ga\e to his son Samuel Bassett, the first settler of this name in Derbv, in 1716, soon after which (IREAT HILL. 21/ this Samuel Bassett settled on this land, making his residence at the foot of Great Hill. Soon after 1700, lots began to be laid on Great Hill, and the work continued some years before all who had a right to land in that purchase were accommodated. In 171 1, quite a number of lots were surveyed and assigned to different parties of the former settlers. On pages 156 and 157 of this book are re- corded the names of those who held rights to this land. This locality is well named Great Hill, being nearly the high- est elevation in the town, and extending from north to south on the Woodbury road about three miles, and from east to west about two miles, l^^rom it most charming views may be had in every direction, esi^ecially on Long Island Sound. Several old houses remain, indicating quite satisfactorily the antiquity of their existence, but others are in good repair, and present the comfort, quietude and success of a farmer's home. GREAT HILL ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETY. In 1775, Timothy Russell and others, inhabitants of Derby, some of them residing in Oxford society, petitioned the Gen- eral Court to release them from paying ministerial taxes to either of those societies in order that they might support preaching and church services among themselves. This memo- rial was granted, and the limits of the district so exempt con- fined between hMve-mile brook, the Great river, down to the old Bassett place and the Naugatuck river. In the records of this society the first entry made reads thus : "A book of records of the votes of the inhabitants included in a memorial, part in Derby and part in Oxford, for winter preaching. Nov. 29, 1775." They then appointed Benjamin Tomlinson uKKlerator of the meeting, and Joseph Canfield, Joseph Tomlinson and Noah Tomlinson, the society's committee, John Bassett collector of the one and a half penny rate, and Samuel Russell clerk of the societ}'. The first meetings of the society and for religious services were held in the school-house, standing then on the site of the present one. This arrangement for winter preaching con- tinued four years, when they sent a memorial to the Assembly to be made a distinct society. 28 2l8 HISTORY OF DKRHV. In May, 1779, "Upon another memorial of John Holbrook and others, inhabitants of the south-westerly part of the town- ship of Derby, praying this Assembly to grant and enact that that part of Derby laying within the following bounds, viz. : beginning at the southerly corner of Benjamin Bassett's land by the Great river, running thence a straight line to the mouth of Hasekey meadow brook, where it empties into Naugatuck river, thence up said river to the Great new bridge, thence running north-westerly as the county road runs, to the easterly corner of David Wooster's meadow, thence running to Abner Johnson's dwelling house leaving the same on the north side of said line, from thence to the Five-mile brook, where it crosses Woodbury road leading to Derby, thence down said brook to the Great river, and from thence down said river to the first mentioned boundary, be constituted and made an ecclesiastical society by the name of the Great Hill society, with all the privileges, immunities and advantages that other ecclesiastical societies by law have and enjoy. ''Resolved by the Assembly, That all the inhabitants dwelling in that part of the township of Derby, lying within the above described lines and boundaries, be, and the same are hereby constituted and made an ecclesiastical society by the name of the Great Hill society, with all the privileges, immunities and advantages that all other ecclesiastical societies by law have and enjoy." After this the first record made by the society, they denomi- nate, "The first society meeting of the third society in Derby, Sept. 20, 1779." After a few years they learned to use their legal name, Great Hill society. In the above memorial we are introduced to an old acquaint- ance, Capt. John Holbrook, the same that with his wife, Abigail, gave the land for the site and burying ground for the first Episcopal church of Derby, and who left that church to sustain the Revolution. It is said he built the Great Hill mccting-housc himself, that is, mostly at his own expense. He is said to have been cjuite wealthy, owning a thousand acres of land, a saw mill and much personal projicrty. He was elected the first deacon of the Great Hill Congregational church, and was to all appear- SFXURING A MINISTER. 2I9 ance a grand, noble, generous man, seconded always by that noble woman whose name joined with his in the deed to the Episcopal church. In April, 1781, they voted not to hire any more preaching for the present except one Sabbath. The next February they voted to "adjourn said meeting to the second Monday in March, 1782, to be holden at the meeting-house." Hence, probably that house was built in the summer of 178 1. It stood about half a mile north of Priest Smith's house, which is the gambrel-roofed house on the hill, still standing. "November, 1783, they voted to hire preaching every other Sabbath until the first of May next. "Voted, Mr. Abraham Canfield, Nehemiah Candee, Daniel Canfield, Benjamin Bassett, Joseph Bassett, Isaac Bassett, chor- isters of said Society " Voted, Capt. John Holbrook, Benjamin Bassett, Jonathan Lumm, jun., to appoint a burying place in the Society." Four weeks later they voted to have " a burying place east of John Holbrook, jun.'s land," part of it being of the highway, and a part belonged to Capt. John Holbrook. John Holbrook, jun., Enoch Smith and Benjamin English, were appointed to dig the graves for the society." The choristers thus appointed began a system of vocal culti- vation that made the place celebrated in this respect for many years, the fame of which is still spoken of with great delight, although the singers are all passed on to the new life. December 3, 1782, they voted to hire Mr. Birdsey to preach until the first of the next May, which is the first minister's name mentioned in the records. They continued thus to hire preaching for certain specified terms of a few weeks or a few months, until Dec. 28, 1786, when they voted that the society committee should confer with Mr. Abner Smith to preach four Sabbaths from the first of January, 1787. On the 2 1st of Dec, 1787, they voted to give Mr. Abner Smith a call, with a settlement of one hundred pounds, a salary of seventy pounds, and his fire-wood. Mr. Smith's letter of acceptance of this call, dated March 8, 1787, is still preserved, and is a mo.'St beautifully written letter. 220 HISTORY OF DERBY. The penmanship is elegant, and the whole production is very honorable to him. That he was a man of no pretentiousness is very apparent, but a man sincere, intelligent and devoted. He was ordained and settled soon after, but no records of the services, nor of any doings of the church, or marriages, deaths, and baptisms, have been seen, nor is it known that there are any records of these events. In the first starting of raising rates, or taxes, for the support of the gospel, they say the rates are to be paid in silver, or gold, or Connecticut money, which is a record very seldom seen. About 1790, a law was passed that those desiring to be released from paying rates to the minister, should present a writing that he belonged to some other denomination, and that thereupon he should be exempt. " Derby, August 24, 1801. This may certify that Richard Holbrook, of Derby, has this day subscribed his name to the clerk's book belonging to the Episcopal Union society, and considers himself holden to pay taxes to said society. Test, Samuel Sanford, clerk. The above certificate received by me, Jonathan Lumm, 4th, clerk of this book." Rev. Abner Smith, not long after his settlement, bought land, or the society did for him, and he built a good sized gam- brcl-roofed house on the most picturesque location on Great Hill. The house is still standing, and is said to be about ninety years old. In this house Mr. Smith and family resided until 1829, when he sold this farm and removed west. After his removal the old meeting-house was converted into a school-house, although meetings were held in it occasionally some years later, both by Congregationalists and Methodists. After a time it was taken down, very much to the grief of some of the old members of this church. The communion set is still preserved in the care of Mrs. Thomas C. Holbrook, of Great Hill. GREAT HILL M. E. CHURCH. It is said that this is one of the oldest Methodist churches in Connecticut, and that from the time the Rev. Jesse Lee fiREAT HILL U. E. CHURCH. 221 preached in the valley of the Naugatuck, services were held here by his successors. The first minister sent into the New England states by a Methodist conference, was the Rev. Jesse Lee in 1789. In 1790, the appointments for New England were: Jesse Lee, pre- siding elder, John Bloodgood at Fairfield, John Lee at New Haven, Nathaniel B. Mills at Hartford, Jesse Lee and Daniel Smith at Boston.^ If then Methodism began on Great hill, as said, it must have been about the year 1790, but no written dates have been seen confirmatory of this tradition. Previous to the organization of the Congregational society for winter preaching at this place, the Rev. Dr. Mansfield' of Derby had held services some years in Great hill school- house once a month, and the same at Oxford and Quaker's Farm. The Congregationalists held their services in the same school-house six or seven years, until their meeting-house was completed in the autumn of 178L When, therefore, the Metho- dists began preaching here, they probably held their services in the school-house, and continued so to do until regular ser- vices were given up in the meeting-house after Rev. Abner Smith became feeble in health or after he removed west in 1829 or 1830. After this, by common consent, the Methodists occupied the meeting-house until they dedicated their present church on Wednesday, October 25, 1854. The Great hill soci- ety became one of the strongest points on the Derby circuit, which at first extended up the Naugatuck valley as far as Water- bury. The Rev. Elijah Woolsey, circuit preacher here in 17 14, gives in his book called "The Lights and Shadows of the Itin- erancy," space to incidents of his experience on Great hill, and the Rev. Heman Bangs, who was presiding elder about 1820, said Great hill was his main support. After the close of the ministerial labors of Rev. Mr. Smith, Congregational services grew more and more infrequent, and the Methodist people occupied the old meeting-house until they built their new one. Several ministers and laymen are spoken of in connection with this society as specially serviceable to the church. The ^Stevens's Hist, of Methodism, IL 417, 41S. 222 HISTORY OF DERBY. Rev. George C. Fuller, pastor in 1825-6, is remembered for his eccentricities, earnest and successful labors. Cyrus Botsford, the music teacher, was chorister many years from about 18 10. Capt. Isaac Bassett and wife, grand parents of Capt. Elliot Bassett, are said to have been among the first Methodists in this place. The late Judson English was closely identified with this church during half a century.'^ The " History of Seymour'" tells fi^ us that Anson Gillett was the first class leader over sixty-five years ago. If it is intended to indicate by this that the first class leader was appointed sixty-five years ago, it must be a mistake, since preaching began here by Jesse Lee, or his successors, about twenty-four years before that time, and a regular preach- ing service held by the Methodists of that day twenty-four years without a class and a class leader, is an unheard of thing. Methodists were not of that kind in those days, nor do we know of any such in these latter days. It is said in the same book that "Almost the only preaching on the hill for forty years preceding 1854, had been by the Methodists."* The Rev, Abner Smith was here and services were kept up most of the time until about 1829, and after that Congregational ministers have preached in the place frequently, and are cordially invited and frequently accept the invitation to preach in the present Methodist church. THE SMALL POX. The era commonly assigned for the first appearance of small- pox is A. D. 569 ; it seems then to have begun in Arabia, and the raising of the siege of Mecca by an Abyssinian army is attributed to the ravages made by the small-pox among the troops. Razes, an Arabian physician who practiced at Bagdad about the beginning of the tenth century, is the first medical author whose writings have come down to us who treats expressly of the disease-; he however quotes several of his pre- decessors, one of whom is believed to have flourished about the year of the Hegira, A. D. 622. Inoculation was introduced into civilized Europe from Constantinople through the sense and ^Three or four of these items are taken from the Hist, of Seymour. 8Wm. C. Sharp, 1879. *Hist. of Seymour, 119. INOCULATION. 223 courage of Lady Mary Wartlv Montagu, but since the discovery of vaccination by Dr. Jenner has been discontinued. Vaccination (Latin, vacca, a cow), inoculation for cow-pox as a protection against small-pox was first practiced by Dr. Jenner, an English physician, in 1796. Inoculation for small-pox and for cow-pox are very different things as to the diseascbut the same in preventing small-pox, the latter, however, being a much milder disease and far less dangerous. It was the former of these that was first introduced into this town. The following petition was presented in town meeting January 7, 1793, " To the inhabitants of Derby in town meeting assembled, sirs : we the subscribers of said Derby, physicians, beg liberty of said town that we may have liberty to set up the inoculation of the small-pox in. said town as there are many of the inhabitants that are now going into other towns for said purpose, and the younger people are much exposed to have it the natural way if not inoculated. . , Edward Crafts, Samuel Sanford, Liberty Kimberly. "December, 1793, Voted that John Humphreys, Esq., Capt. Joseph Riggs, Mr. Samuel Hull, Col. Daniel Holbrook, be a com- mittee to inspect the inoculation of the small-pox, and make further rules and regulations respecting the small-pox as they shall judge necessary for the inhabitants, and to put a stop to the inoculation if they judge best." No report of this committee has been observed, but a fair conclusion is that the physicians were allowed under very care- ful restrictions to make some experiments, which proved suc- cessful so that the following risk was ventured four years later. " December ir, 1797. Liberty is hereby granted to twenty- six persons and no more to receive the small-pox, viz. : Isaac Smith, Elizabeth Smith, Clark Smith, Edward Smith, Joseph Smith, Elizabeth Smith, jun., Susan Smith, Milly Keeney, Sheldon Keeney, Betsey Keeney, Sally Keeney, Isaac Keeney, Linda Keeney, Medad Keeney, Abijah Canfield, Charity Can- field, Sarah Canfield, William Canfield, Joseph Hawkins, Joseph HISTOKY OF nKKMV, Hawkins, jun., Knos Smith, jun., Joseph Durand, Samuel P. Sanford, Mamerry Sanford, provided they receive it by the evening- of the twelfth instant, and give bonds that they receive it at the dwelling house of Mr. Benjamin Davis in Derby and not depart said house until liberty obtained from the authority and selectmen, and that the physicians who inoculate shall also give bonds not to spread the small-pox, and that the bonds be made payable to the selectmen, and that the select- men and civil authority or their committee shall set limits to said house and have the superintendency of the physician and patients ; and that those who receive the small-pox shall pay all expenses and save the town harmless." This last clause is the only surprising one in this whole rec- ord ; for if anything like the benefit hoped for should result, the town could well afford to pay all expenses and send nurses if needed, to take the care of the patients while ill. There is no excuse for the penuriousness of public bodies in regard to health, while lavish with money on improvements and ornamen- tation. The strictness of the town in the conditions imposed on the physicians and the patients in this matter, may provoke a smileat the present stage of medical knowledge, but at that time it was the only reasonable course to be followed. Such had been the terrible scourge of the small-pox, that every possible precaution was demanded of physicians and all public authorities, and any other course than that pursued would have been justly chargeable with the heaviest penalties if adverse results had befallen the practice, and it was then as at the present day, no pestilence equaled in frightfulness, the small-pox. THK KKSULT. In December, 1798, a i)etiti()n signet! by thirty-three i)ers()ns was presented, requesting the town to give liberty to Doctors Sanford and Crafts, to practice inoculation, assuring the town that they were capable in that practice. The petition was granted, and each physician was required to inoculate in a separate hospital under the restrictions of the authority and selectmen. DEER HUNT AND LAW-SUIT. 225 THE DEER HUNT. In the famous deer hunt, which occurred in the western part of this town about seventy-five years ago, while there were no dukes, major-generals nor Spotted Tails such as we read of in the Great West at the present day, joined in the chase, yet there was real fun. A little south of the community known as Quaker Farms, was Wooster's park, an inclosure of between one and two hundred acres, safely surrounded by a high rail- fence. Within this inclosure Jacob Wooster had gathered a large number of valuable deer, and it was a state law at that time, that if any one should kill a deer from this park he should pay a fine not less than eight dollars. During a storm in Janu- ary, the wind blew down the fence, and the largest deer es- caped and wended his way towards the Ousatonic, near Zoar bridge. A posse of men sallied out and made at him several shots, but unharmed at this firing he darted down the river as far as the Red House where he encountered young Leaven- worth, familiarly called Uncle Ned. Some eight or ten men under his lead hotly pursued the panting venison and encoun- tered him on a spot near Alling's factory, in Birmingham. "Now," said oyr youiig hunter "stand back, boys, and I will fetch him the first fire." After due and careful preparations, he fired but the deer was still master of the situation. There was a great freshet in the rivers, and the meadows far up were covered with water, and tightly packed over with broken ice. Eluding his pursuers, the deer in triumph cut around the point near where the pin factory now stands, crossed over the mead- ows on the ice, and landed on Parsons Island, nearly opposite the residence of Mr. B. B. Beach. By this time, the quiet den- izens east of the Naugatuck became interested in the chase, and soon the whole neighborhood was in a blaze of excitement. Young Johnson, long known as Uncle Andrew, had just en- tered double blessedness, but forgetting his loving bride, seized his "king's arms," and hastened to the field of conflict. His fire only wounded the affrighted animal in the hind leg, and be- fore he had time to reload Leverett Hotchkiss, the second white male child born in the Narrows, came up, leveled his gun at the deer and shot him dead. The captors then hauled -9 226 HISTORY OF OFiRMV. their booty up to the old blacksmith shop near by and com- menced the work of dissection. Before they were through Uncle Ned with his companions arrived, and claimed that as he had fairly bagged the game, he was justly entitled to a share of the venison. A warm dispute arose. Hotchkiss having made the dead shot wanted the whole, but he finally awarded to young Johnson the hide and one hind quarter, but Uncle Ned, less lucky than Alexis, could not get so much as the tail as a trophy for his day's pursuit. Chagrined at this treatment, he stirred up a lawsuit against the parties for violating the maj- esty of the Connecticut laws. Finding that the deer w^as from Wooster's park. Uncle Andrew, fearing the law, entered a com- plaint against Hotchkiss, although he had himself lugged off the hide and one quarter of the deer. The case was tried be- fore Justice Humphreys. After a two days' trial in which the Blackstones of the town exhausted all their wits, the court found a true verdict against Hotchkiss and fined him eight dol- lars and costs. The affair created quite a sensation, which lasted a long time, for at a town meeting subsequently held for the purpose, the people sympathizing with the defendant, voted to relieve him by paying from the treasury, at least the costs of the prosecu- tion. .So much for that hunt. B. THE RED HOU.se. The long red hou.se now standing at Leavenworth Landing, on the west side of the Ousatonic lake, is among our Derby rec- ollections. It was once a favorite stopping place between the two counties, when the place was lively with ship-building, and thousands flocked thither on a day when a vessel was to be launched. After the Leavenworth bridge, which spanned the river a few rods above, became rickety and unsafe for travel, a public ferry was kept up opposite this red house. A blunt, sensible, burly Yankee, familiar in his old age by the name of Uncle Ed., officiated as ferry-man. On one occasion he was aroused from his midnight slumbers by a signal to ferry over a friend from the opposite side. The river was high, the night dark and rainy, and the wind blowing a gale. With great effort, Uncle Ed. reached the Derby shore, when his tallow candle THE RED HOUSE. 22/ went out, leaving him in bad humor, and he exclaimed, " Who are you, out this time of night, when honest men should be abed and asleep ? It is enough to make a minister swear to turn out for a friend such a time as this ! " The traveler said not a word, but carefully placed himself, horse and wagon on board, when he was told, " Now take hold of this rope and pull with all your might, or we shall all go down stream," accom- panying his orders with language not polite nor very decorous. The order was rigorously obeyed, while the ferry-man continued his strain of epithets, clothed not in the choicest English. Safely over. Uncle Ed. demanded an extra ninepence if his friend refused to give his name. " Why," said the stran- ger, "the man toward whom you have been using such abusive language, is your reverend minister from Huntington Center." " Oh ! yes, parson, I've heard you preach many times, but I guess I won't take back anything I've said." B. CHAPTER VIII. THE TOWN OF OXFORD. HE Oxford ecclesiastical society was established in 1 741, and in 1742 a burying-ground was laid out, and from that time until 1798 they exercised the rights of such a society, but remained a part of the township of Derby. The effort to make the parish of Oxford a town began in 1789, and was continued with intervals until that object was attained. In 1793 an agreement with Derby was effected and the boundaries fixed by a committee, but the Assembly did not confirm the agreement. In December, 1796, the parish of Oxford having previously petitioned the General Assembly to be made a town, the town of Derby voted that "We will not oppose the incorporation of Oxford as a separate town on account of representation, but will consent to divide the representation and each district have only one member, and that we will as a town unite with Oxford in a petition for the purpose, and the lines to divide said town shall remain as agreed by a committee of said town about three years ago, and if the inhabitants of the respective districts cannot agree on a division of the burdens of said town, we will submit a division thereof to a disinterested committee who shall adjust and divide said burdens which shall be binding on each party." In the next April, Capt. John Riggs was appointed to carry the petition' to the Assembly and urge the request of the people ; but it was not agreeable some way to that body, and another committee was sent in December, 1797. At the same time they appointed a committee to adjust the burdens of the town, who made their final report April 23, 1798, recommending that " Said parish of Oxford, in consequence of the extraordinary burthens and public expense to be incurred by the old town in bridges and roads, etc., in said division lines shall pay as a com- pensation to said old town one hundred and seventy pounds lawful money in three yearly installments." This report was OXFORD TOWNSHIP. 229 accepted and passed in a lawful town meeting, and Oxford was made a town in October, 1798. The territory now included in the township of Oxford, which was originally included in Derby, was obtained of the Indians by some twelve to fifteen deeds, the principal of which were the Wesquantuck and Rockhouse hill, Camp's mortgage, Moss's pur- chase, North purchase, Quaker's farm, Tobie's grant, and sev- eral others of smaller quantities in the north-eastern part of the township. The first of these, Wesquantuck and Rockhouse hill, was made in 1678, and the last in 17 10. Major Ebenezer Johnson, Ens. Samuel Riggs, Jeremiah Johnson and two or three others purchased small tracts of land at Rock Rimmon, or in the vicinity of what is now Pine's bridge, in 1678 and in 1680, where the first permanent settlement was made within the present township of Oxford. In 1692-3, Thomas Wooster and David Wooster made purchases south of Major Johnson's land on the west side of the Naugatuck, being a little above Seymour, but precisely when they or any of their descendants began to reside on these lands has not been ascer- tained. In 1708 Ens. Samuel Riggs gave to his son, Ebenezer Riggs, two hundred acres of land with houses and other im- provements in this vicinity, and he at that time or soon after made his home here. The first permanent settler at Quaker's farm was some time after 1707, and it is quite certain there were settlers in the vicinity of Pine's bridge and Rimmon some years before this date. At the meeting of the Oxford society, October 6, 1741', it was voted " to build a meeting-house, and to meet the Assembly in the next session at New Haven, to pray for a commission to appoint, order and fix the place whereon their meeting-house shall be erected and built." No report of that committee is to be found. The society meetings were held at private houses until the ^Much of the following account of Oxford and Oxford people is taken from an historical paper read by Judge N. J. Wilcoxson at the centennial celebration on the fourth of July, 1876, in Oxford. The paper was prepared by considerable research and great carefulness, and is worthy of high commendation. The matter of nearly the whole paper is incorporated in this book. 230 HISTORY OF DERBY. 31st day of March, 1743. The meeting" next after that was held at the meeting-house on the 21st of June, 1743. The next important step after the building of the meeting- house in those days was the settlement of a minister, but in the present day the first move would be to obtain a minister in order to the building of a meeting-house. Mr. Joseph Adams was called to settle, being offered ;!^50o settlement, and a yearly salary of ;^I50 old tenor, which brought to the silver standard meant £i4S settlement and ^£4$ salary.- The call was not accepted, and at a society meeting held in June, 1745, it was voted to give to Mr. Jonathan Lyman a call to preach on pro- bation. A committee consisting of Capt. Timothy Russell, Capt. John Lumm and Ensign John Chatfield, was appointed to hire Mr. Lyman on probation for the space of four Sabbaths. At the end of this time, in July, "it was voted to give Jonathan Lyman a call to settle over the parish in the work of the gospel ministry," with a settlement of ^500, and a salary of ^125, until the settlement should be paid, and then to be raised to ^150. Subsequently it was voted to add ten pounds yearly to the salary for five years. Mr. Lyman accepted the call and was regularly ordained over the parish Wednesday Oct. 4, 1745, and continued in this office with usual success eighteen years, when, as he was riding in the western part of the town on a visit to a sick person, he fell from his horse, and, it is supposed, instantly died. Mr. Lyman was a brother to General Phineas Lyman, and was baptized at Durham, April 21, 171 7; was a graduate of Yale College in 1742; preached in Middlefield, Conn., six Sab- baths in 1745, and ordained as above the first minister of the parish. The following records show somewhat of the esteem in which he was held : " To all persons to whom these presents shall come, I Samuel Wheeler send greeting. Know ye that I ye said Samuel Wheeler, of Oxford, in Derby, in the county of New Haven and colony of Connec- ticut in New England, do for, and in consideration of love, good will and respect which I have, and do bear tow-ards the Rev. Mr. Jonathan Lyman, pastor of the church of Oxford, in Derby, in the county and *Ne\v Haven Mist. Papers, i. 74. OXFORD MINISTERS. 23 1 colony aforesaid in New England, have given and granted and by these presents do fully and clearly and absolutely give and grant unto the said Rev. Mr. Jonathan Lyman his heirs and assigns forever a certain parcel of land lying in Derby, parish of Oxford, near the meeting-house . . Sept. lo, 1746." April 21, 1747, John Lumm gives him a piece of land " For and in consideration of the good will and respect that I have and do bear to the Rev. Jonathan Lyman, for encourage- ment to him in his settlement, in ye work of the ministry with us, which consideration is to my good and full satisfaction." The next minister settled in the parish was the Rev. David Bronson, of Milford. The call is dated Monday, March 3, 1764 ; settlement ;!£^200, and a salary of ^60, to be increased to ;^70, after four years. Dea. Ebenezer Riggs, Mr. John Twitchell, Mr. Thomas Clark, Capt. Russell, Capt. Hawkins, Lieut. Wheeler, Joseph Osborn, were the committee for treating with Mr. Bronson regarding his settlement. The 25th of April, 1764, was appointed for the ordination. Mr. Bronson lived to serve the parish until the year 1806, a period of forty years, when he departed to his future reward. The next settled minister of the parish was the Rev. Nathaniel Freeman. His continuance was from June, 1809, to Septem- ber, 1 8 14. The society was without a settled minister from Sept., 1 8 14, to the settlement of Rev. Abraham Brown, June 2, 1830. During these sixteen years of vacancy, the people were variously supplied with preaching, principally by Rev. Zephaniah Swift, a man of much personal worth and highly respected. Mr. Brown was dismissed, Oct. 16, 1838. A call was next extended to Rev. Stephen Topliff, on the 2 1 St day of April, 1841, on a salary of $500 annually so long as he should continue with the church and society as their minister, which call he accepted and was installed the following Septem- ber. He served them nearly twenty years and was dismissed in i860. He was esteemed for his integrity, faithfulness in the discharge of his professional duty, kindness as a neighbor and the wisdom of his actions as a citizen. Following Mr. Topliff the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Mr. Barton one year ; by Rev. Mr. Strong, who was installed, two and a half years ; Rev. Mr. Chamberlin two and a half years, and after that by Rev. John Churchill, of Woodbury, seven 232 HISTORY OF DERBY. years. It is remarked of Mr. Churchill that, faithful to his call- ing as a preacher he deserv^edly ranks with the ablest, as a friend the kindest, as a neighbor unselfishly loving, and as a citizen discreet, just and true. THE NEW MEETING-HOUSE. Not long before the close of the year 1792, the people began to talk of building a new meeting-house, and on the third day of January, 1793, voted so to build on the meeting-house acre, near the old one, a house 56 feet by 40. Thomas Clark, Esq., Capt. John Riggs and Mr. Josiah Strong, were appointed a com- mittee to apply to the Hon. County Court to establish a place for the site for the same. In the meeting on the 23d day of December, 1793, Mr. Timothy Candee was appointed to build the meeting-house, the same vote agreeing to give him therefor the sum of six hundred and seventy-five pounds. It has been said that the stipulated sum did not pay Mr. Candee the expenses of the building, and to meet which so embarrassed him pecuniarily, that he gave up what of estate he had and removed to Pompey, N. Y., where he spent the remainder of his days. The house then built, the present Congregational church, was raised in the year 1795 as entered upon public records by Dr. Hosea Dutton. The same year the Oxford turnpike, said to have been the second in the state, was chartered. The same year the hotel building, now styled the Oxford House, was erected by Daniel and Job Candee. It was first and for many years occupied by Daniel Candee as innkeeper. He was succeeded by his nephew, David Candee, who con- . tinu^d in the position a space of forty years. The first post-office was kept in the same building, Daniel Candee, post-master. David Candee, upon taking the position of landlord, took also that of postmaster, which he held for a great number of years, and then it passed to his son, George N. Candee, by whom it was taken into a merchant store. OXFORD lUMSCOFAL CHURCH. 233 THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. This parish was gathered and established by the kibors of ■^'Rev. Richard Mansfield, U. D., in 1764, who was located at Derby as a minister of the gospel. The following deed shows that the church was already organ- ized ; and although it says, "for a valuable consideration," it is probable that the land was mostly a gift. " I, Joseph Davis, of Derby, in the parish of Oxford, . . for a valuable consideration of current money, . . received by Abel Gunn and William Bunnell, church wardens of the parish of Oxford, . . do give, grant and confirm unto them, and to others of the parishioners of the Church of England, in said Oxford, one certain tract of land known by the name of Meet- ing-house Lot, lying near Oxford meeting house, being by esti- mate five acres, . . to have and to hold to the said Abel Gunn, Benjamin Bunnell, and to all the rest of the professors of the Church of England, in said Oxford." December 22, 1766. / A like deed was executed by John Twitchell, June 21, 1770, for " near eighteen acres of a certain piece of land in the parish of Oxford, lying on Govenror's Hill, so called, lying near the church." Information of the regular succession of ministers in this St. Peter's Church has not been obtained. The Rev. Chauncey Prindle, a native born citizen of Oxford, a graduate of Yale College, after a twelve years ministerial service at Watertown, Conn., was pastor at St. Peter's for several years. He was noted for a sound and forcible intellect and stern integrity, and was orthodox and firm in principles. He was a useful minister. His last residence for many years was on a farm in the north- ern part of Oxford, where he died at a great age about the year 1832. After Mr. Prindle, the Rev. Aaron Humphreys was pastor, but how long he continued is not ascertained, possibly ten years or more. The Rev. W. A. Curtiss, a native of Coventry, Conn., came here in Ai)ri], 1829, from New York. His pastorate continued a little more than two years, being a preacher of con- siderable ability, but such was his imprudence and indiscretion that he was ever upsetting his own dish. After him, Rev. 30 234 HISTORY OF DERHY. Ashbel Baldwin, Rev. Dr. Ikirhans, Revs. Messrs. Todd, San- ford, Marvin, Nichols, Eastman, Loop, Gray, Smith, Clark, Pierce, Anketel, and Iku-k, were in turn in charge of the parish and church. ■ The church first erected stood on the hill adjacent to the cemetery. It was taken down and removed, and the one now standing on the green was erected in the year 1834, and was dedicated by Bishop Brownell in the year following, the Rev. Charles Smith then being the minister. OXFORD CENTER AND GREEN. I "To the year 1798, Oxford was part and parcel of the town of Derby. About the year 1791, the people aspired to become a town, and year after year to the seventh they presented their petition, when on the seventh they were successful, and O.xford was incorporated a town. But this was not obtained without extra effort, for the people at last resorted to strategy, and thereby succeeded. The election of the town at Derby was at hand. The town-meeting was warned to be held at nine o'clock in the forenoon, but the custom was not to open it until one o'clock in the afternoon. The people of Oxford agreed to go together in a body, ready to open the meeting at nine o'clock. The hour of meeting in Oxford was know-n to every voter, and prompt at the time they were all assembled and formed in pro- cession on the main street, and at a given signal the procession moved in stately order toward its destination, the town house of Derby. It was so much the custom then to open the town meeting with prayer, that such proceedings without prayer were hardly regarded as legitimate, and therefore to save trouble in that direction the Rev. William Bronson, the minis- ter at Oxford, was taken along to offer the opening prayer. It was not the first time nor the last that religion has been called in to help carry out mischief, but this seems to have been that kind of mischief over which it is legitimate to pray. The pro- cession reached the place of meeting ; it was nine o'clock ; they set about the business of the hour with a diligence that told what was meant. The Derby people were in consternation, and started out, running their horses in various directions, calling on ])ersons to hasten to the meeting; but before enough of the PUBLIC ENTERPRISE. 235 voters had reached the place to outnumber the Oxford voters, Nathan Stiles, who resided in what is now Seymour, was chosen town clerk, and they had voted that the town-meetings should be held one-half the time in Oxford. It is said that from that day, Derby no longer opposed the effort of Oxford to become a town. It is certain, however, that Derby consented to Oxford becoming a town some three or four years before the General Assembly made the grant. But the above account is doubtless true as to matter of fact, and was given by Capt. David McEwin, a prominent citizen, one every way competent to remember such an occurrence, a man of laudable character, active in public enterprise, a farmer by vocation, and when in the prime of life was one of the most thorough, flourishing and successful operators. He is said to have been marshal of the day in that grand Oxford descent upon old Derby, leading the procession to complete triumph, being assisted by the parson. In and by the act of incorporation, it was ordered that the first town meeting should be held on the third Tuesday of November, 1798, that Thomas Clark, Esq., should warn the meeting, and that John Riggs, Esq., should serve the meeting as moderator, and in accordance with these arrangements the meeting was held. It was a very stormy day ; the snow fell deeper than is often seen, yet the meeting was fully attended and the organization completed: THE PUI5LIC GREEN. This is made up of what is called the " meeting-house acre land " given by a Mr. Chatfield, for a site for a meeting-house, and of land thrown out by proprietors along down on the eastern side until it ends upon the turnpike road. This constitutes what is called Upper Green. It was agreed at that time, that anything of rubbish or whatever could encumber the ground, if thrown out and left thereon, should after thirty days become a forfeiture to the owner. The Lower Green is proprietors' land and laid by a committee for a public common and a military parade ground. The honor of making the suggestion for thus laying out the lower end of the green belongs to Esq. Charles Bunnell, an unselfish, ]3ublic spirited, worthy and respected citizen ; and held a prominent place in the confidence of the 236 HISTORY OF DERBY. people. His residence was that of the late Harry Sutton. He died in March, 1838, aged 80 years. The land thus given being a thickly grown bramble the peo- ple turned out under the lead of a committee, three military officers of the day and time, Capt. John Davis(afterwards colonel) Lieut. Samuel A. Buckingham and luisign Ebenezer Fairchild. They cleared the land of rubbish and brought it to its present desirable condition by a large expense of time and money. The whole public common, both upper and lower, were laid out and improved under the leading of the same committee. Before the laying and constructing of the turnpike, public travel was not as now, but passed easterly by the school-house in the center to and down what we now call Back street. The dwelling house now occupied by Michael Flynn was the hotel kept by Mr. Ciidcon Tucker.^" Quaker's farm* in oxford. Quaker's Farm is a small village in the w^estern part of Oxford, originally in the north-western part of Derby, lying in the valley on the east side of Eight-mile brook. The first Indian deed given which seems to have included this territory was dated August 6, 1687, but Mr. Joseph Hawley, of Stratford, proposed in 1683 to have his grant in Derby, then agreed upon, laid at Quaker's Farm, and therefore he may have purchased it of the Indians before that date, and when it was transferred to the town a new Indian deed may have been given dated in 1687, as was the case in regard to several other tracts of land. A tract of land containing 170 acres was laid to Ebenezer Johnson in 1688, "at the i)lace or near to it commonly called the Quaker's Farm, bounded east with the common road about a mile of the place called Quaker's Farm." On the 17th of February, 1691-2, Ebenezer Johnson deeded to "John Butler, yeoman," then resident of Stratford, "a tract of land commonly called Quaker's Farm, being one hundred and fifty acres, and another piece of land to the north side thereof." This one hundred and fifty acres was the Quaker's Farm *Judge Wilco.xon's historical paper. *'F"he town records always say, Quaker's Kann, not Farms. SETTLERS AT QUAKER S FARM. 237 itself ; and was such when sold to John Butler, who is in the deed of sale of this land said to be a doctor. Therefore John Butler was not the Quaker by whom the name became estab- lished upon the locality. Who this Quaker was, where he came from, or where he went and when, has not been ascertained. The name was here as early as 1683, and the Quaker appar- ently was gone. The administrators of "Dr. John Butler, late of Stratford, de- ceased," sold this land in 1707, and it was purchased by Mr. William Rawlinson of Stratford. Soon after this, or about this time, lots were laid to a num- ber of the inhabitants of Derby, but the following record was made January 8, 171 1, "Whereas there is found that many of the lots laid out at Quaker's Farm purchase were not recorded," therefore the town appointed another committee to lay out all the lots and "draw notes of every man's lot as they were for- merly pitched, and the recorder may record them at each man's charge." Soon after this, it is probable that the settlers began to make their homes in this locality, but before this, aside from the Quaker, and Dr. Butler, who resided here a number of years, there were probably no residents in this place. Abraham Wooster, father of General David Wooster, bought land here in September, 1722, and may have inherited through the right of his father, Edward, the first settler in Derby, a grant of considerable value. At this time he is said to be of Derby, but had been residing in Stratford since about 1706 until a short time previous to this date. That he resided here is very certain, for in 1733 he sold his "mansion house near Munson's Corners in Quaker's Farm," and a farm with a saw- mill to Samuel Wooster, jun., and if the first white child was born here in 1725, as we shall see, then Abraham Wooster was among the first settlers at this place. It was the earliest settled of any part of Oxford except along the Naugatuck river above Seymour. Next to Quaker's Farm, a neighborhood in the northern part of the town, bordering on what is now called Middlebury, once called Bristol Town, was settled in advance of the central part of the town. Quaker's Farm is a region of valuable land, and it is not sur- 238 HISTORY OF nr.RBV. prising that it was early souL;ht as a farming; community. The first English person born at Quaker's Farm was Lieut. John Griffin, born at this place in 1725, who died in 1821, aged 96 years. He was distinguished as a soldier of the French war; was lieutenant in the army, spending his summers in campaign service, returning home and remaining during the winter and returning to duty in the spring for three successive campaigns, and at last participating in the victory under Wolfe upon the plains of Abraham before Quebec. These facts were handed down by the lieutenant's son-in-law* William Morris. The first, second and third births in Oxford occurred at Quaker's Farm. The third was Dr. Joseph Perry of Woodbury. Perry was a prominent name with the first inhabitants of Quaker's Farm ; so also was Wooster, Hawkins, Hyde and Nichols. Of the name Perry, there were numerous representatives, but only one, Capt. H. A. Perry, remains. Capt. Zechariah Hawkins was a farmer, and his house stood on the site of the Meigs dwelling-house. He was a substantial man, of sound judgment and a valuable citizen. Silas and Charles Hawkins, his grandsons, and Lewis, John and Samuel Hawkins, his great grandsons, represent the name. Of the Wooster name there were many, and were mostly farmers. Nathan, a son of Arthur Wooster, was a graduate from Yale College. He was educated with the intention of be- ing a clergyman of the Church of I^ngland, but li\cd and died on his farm at Quaker's Farm. Joseph Wooster located on (lood hill, was an enterprising farmer, and sixteen was the number of his sons and daughters. Rev. Henry Wooster, minister of the Baptist church at Deep River, was a son of Joseph Wooster, jun., and was a man of culture, popular standing, and well ap- proved as a useful minister. He is deceased. Col. William B. Wooster of Birmingham, a popular politician and a well-known, influential lawyer, is a son of Russell Woos- ter and grandson of Joseph Wooster. He took an active and valorous part as a loyalist, contesting against the secessionists in the late civil war. Capt. Nathaniel Wooster was a notewor- thy citizen, and by trade a blacksmith. He died at a great age, being but little short of ninety )-ears. Capt. Ira Hyde and Marcus, his son, represent the Hyde name. A SUCCESSFUL MERCHANT. 239 Hon. Benjamin Xichol.s, alone represents the Nichols name. The name of Tomlinson is of a little later date at this place. David Tomlinson was in his day a distinguished citizen. He came from Woodbury to Quaker's Farm when about twenty years of age, and took charge of land owned by his father, and engaged in business as a merchant. Having married a daugh- ter of Jabez Bacon of Woodbury, he began in a small way and enlarged gradually ; occupying a room in the chamber of his dwelling as a salesroom, and from that removed to more com- modious quarters when his -business demanded it. He was re- markably successful as a merchant, extending his trade many miles, and he was not less known in his operations as an agri- culturist. His acres numbered 1,500, and he manifested great wisdom in applying fertilizers as the varieties of soil required, and seldom allowed his land to lie idle for want of application. Possessed of a keen discernment, he knew at once what seed to plant or sow upon the land as soon as he looked at it. The late Judge Phelps of Woodbury said of him, that he was the best specimen of a patroon there was in Connecticut. When he had become largely successful, he entered upon trade in foreign ports, chartering vessels and fitting them in some cases, and sending them with cargoes to different ports. One of his ves- sels and cargo was taken by French privateers, which loss with others finally somewhat embarrassed his estate. He was eleven times sent to the House of Representatives, was also a member of the state senate, and when he died, which occurred March, 1822, he was only sixty years of age. His eldest son, Charles, lived to be over ninety years of age. Mr. Samuel Meigs mar- ried into his family, was a merchant in Mr. Tomlinson's store some years, but spent his last days as a farmer, and died at Quaker's P'arm. He represented Oxford several times in the Assembly ; was a judge of the county court, and many years a justice of the peace. His two sons, David T. and Charles A. Meigs, are merchants, occupying what was the stand of their grandfather. The Quaker Farms [as this name is now written] Episcopal church was erected about 1814, and was for a time a chapel, but after some years was dedicated under the name of Christ Church. (Sec further account in the appendix). 240 HISTORY OF DEKHV. During the Revolution, Oxford was a part of Derby, and whatever glory Derby has, falls alike on Oxford in that great struggle for freedom. At the beginning of the present century, or a little later, Oxford had the honor of the following pension- ers as citizens : Capt. Samuel Candee, Capt. Job Candee, David Peck, Edward Bassett, Isaac Chatfield, Timothy Johnson, Phin- eas Johnson, Jeremiah M. Kelly. The following story is given upon the authority of this Timo- thy Johnson, and corresponds to the items already written in public print concerning the taking of Stony Point, one of the most brilliant exploits of the American Revolution, and shows also that in that grand achievement, Derby had several soldiers besides the brave General William Hull. The corps of which Mr. Johnson was one was on the bank of the Hudson under General Wayne and in the presence of Washington. Wayne besought Wa.shington for a permit to lay siege to the British fortress on the bank of the Hudson, called Stony Point. Wayne was refused permission. He besought a second time. Wash- ington said the undertaking was too hazardous, it could not be successful, and refused permission, believing it would be but a sacrifice of life. Wayne nothing daunted a[iplied a third time to the com- mander-in-chief for his i)ermit ; told his plan and expressed his confidence of success in an earnest and decided manner. Per- mission was granted. He was allowed to pick his men. Tim- othy Johnson, the narrator, was one, and his brother Phineas another. The march began, Washington reviewed the men as they passed ; he looked very sober and feared they would all be killed. They were marched near to the enemy's picket and halted. They were fed. Wayne came along with a piece of bread and meat in his hand, saying: " J^lood may run in rivers; any one who desires may leave the ranks and not be branded with cowardice." Not one left. Wayne then went through the line and took the flints from every gun, that there might not be a gun fired to give light for the enemy's aim. The night was very dark, and when all was ready for the march, Wayne said: "Death to the man that attempts to leave, or falters in his duty." Onward they marched and so(jn came ui)on the enemy's picket. The jiickct hailed, but no answer, and he fired TAKING OF STONV POINT. 24I and ran. Wayne and his force ran after. The fortress was encircled with the limbs of the apple trees piled thick and high, the twigs of which were sharpened so that it would seem im- possible to climb over or press through. "But," said Johnson, "we were so close on the picket that he could not fill the gap left him. We ran through the same and so entered the inclos- ure. The enemy in the meantime continued a brisk fire, but not a man was hit. They reached the walls of the fort and be- gan scaling them. The man first over the walls was killed, the only one lost of the detachment. The contest was sharp and severe, but short. The British surrendered. Wayne received a severe wound with a cutlass over the eye, which caused the eyelid to fall. He bled like a butcher. Wayne said he would ever be proud in carrying the scar of that wound." This account, save a few items, such as Wayne's taking the flints from every gun, is very correct. With pleasure and pride the bravery of Oxford's sons, as well as others then of Derby, in so daring a contest, may be recorded. THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. In 1 86 1, at the breaking out of the civil war, Oxford's sons proved themselves true to the old flag and the support of the authority of the nation. Cheerfully they joined the marching ranks and moved to the front until victory was won. No fewer than seventy-five men entered the loyal army by enlistment, of which but few, probably not more than five, disgraced them- selves by desertion. Mainly they stood manfully at their posts and bravely fought the battles of their country, and suffered the hardships of war, and so continued until victory gave honor and perpetuity to their nation. Thanks, and more than thanks — an undying gratitude is due to them. In the year 1798, the school society of Oxford, which in- cluded the whole of the town, was divided into school districts, but school-houses were built and schools supported long before that. Within the last fifty years, select schools have been kept in different parts of the town many terms, by which many were qualified for teaching, some of whom have reached consid- erable celebrity. Eight or more of Oxford's sons have been graduated at colleges. 242 HISTORY OF DERBY. The occupation of the people of the town has been chiefly agricultural, yet about fifty years since there were a number of mechanical and manufacturing enterprises conducted with con- siderable success. A hat shop conducted by a Mr. Crosby employed at one time seventy-five men. There was also a shop for the manufacture of edge tools by a Mr. Turner. There were coopers not less than four, producing casks for the West India trade ; blacksmiths, tailors and shoe-makers, all in and about the central part of the town, except what was done in these lines at Quaker's Farm. OXI'OKI) IN iS^O. The above engraving is a view of the central part of O.xford from the south-east, and is a very perfect representation of the place at the time. Mr. J. W. Barber, in his "Connecticut His- torical Collections," ■' makes the following record in regard to the picture and the place : " The building with a Gothic tower is the Episcopal church ; a part of the Congregational church is seen on the extreme right. The elevation seen in the background is called Gov- ernor's hill, so named, it is said, from its being principally owned, many years since, by a Mr. Bunnell, who was considered by his neighbors as a lordly kind of personage, having had con- 5 Conn. Hist. Col. 24S. CHANGES IN OXFORD. 243 siderable to do with the law, and being engaged in many law- suits for the support of his real or imaginary rights. "About one mile south of the central part of the town is a remarkable mineral spring called The Pool, from the circum- stance of its waters being efficacious, and much used for the cure of salt rheum and other complaints. ' Once in a month a yellowish scum will collect upon the surface of the water, which in a few days runs off and leaves the pool perfectly clear. In the coldest weather this spring never freezes, and in the dry est season it is as full as at other times.' "The length of the township from north-east to south-west is about eight miles, and its breadth nearly five miles. The sur- face of the township is uneven, being diversified with hills and valleys. The prevailing soil is a gravelly loam ; the eastern and western parts of the town are generally fertile and produc- tive. There are in the town three satinet factories, and an extensive hat manufactory owned by Messrs. Hunt & Crosby. A number of extensive manufacturing establishments are about being erected on Naugatuck river." Oxford has changed in fifty years ; changed as to inhab- itants. Then, the Candee families were many, now, but two. Caleb, the first of the name, came from West Haven, and resided where John Candee now does. He raised nine sons, who were remarkable for longevity ; John and Sterne Candee are great-grandsons. Lieutenant Samuel Wheeler, an early settler from Stratford, was prominent as a business operator. Robert Wheeler, his great-grandson, occupies his place. Of the Wheeler name, that of Abel stands as prominently as any other, being a man in whom the people placed the utmost confidence and trust. He was sent to the legislature ten terms. As a justice of the peace, he was a dispenser of justice and equity. He was judge of the county court, and a state senator. He died in 1830, aged sixty-five years. Of the Riggs families who were once numerous, there re- mains but one, the grandson of Capt. Ebenezer Riggs, a valua- ble citizen in his day. Esquire John Riggs, a public spirited and respected citizen, a leader and servant of the people, raised a family of ten, five sons and five daughters. He built 244 HISTORY OF DERBY. and settled his sons in a row of houses with his own, and there being so many, the locality was named Riggs street, which it still retains ; but not one of the name remains in that street. John Davis was eminent in the military lines, reaching the position of colonel, commanding the second regiment of the Connecticut militia. He retained his faculties remarkably well until his death, which occurred when ninety-five years of age. Dr. Hosea Dutton, a physician from Southington, was an early settler, and spent his life in the practice of his profes- sion, and died September, 1826, aged seventy-two years. He was a man remarkable for application, a useful physician, an influential politician, not only at home, but as a writer. Dr. Noah Stone, from Guilford, settled in Oxford about the year 18 10, and was a valued practitioner, exemplary in life, correct in deportment, a fair model for imitation. He died March, 185 i, aged sixty-nine years. Rev. A. L. Stone of San Francisco, and David M. Stone, editor of the New York yoiir- nal of Commerce, were his sons. Mrs. Martha Hubbell, au- thoress of "Shady Side," was his daughter. How great is the change in Oxford in fifty years ! CHAPTER IX. COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES. "HE first ax that sounded on Derby territory was struck for the establishment of commercial relations between the English and the Indians, in the first trading house, erected on Birmingham Point in 1642. In 1646 this enterprise was attracting the attention of zealous parties in New York, and therefore must have been of consid- erable importance. This trading post was commenced by New Haven men. and continued until 1653 or 1654, when they sold their interests, including a tract of land, to a company of ten men of Milford, the principal leader being Richard Baldwin. In 1657, Lieut. Thomas Wheeler of Stratford bought about forty acres of land on Birmingham point, and engaged in building sailing vessels, most probably in partnership with Alexander Bryan of Milford. The number of men employed by Mr. Wheeler, with the three or four families living in Derby, were supplied with what trading was necessary through Mr. Wheeler, whose vessels necessarily must have passed frequently between Milford and Derby for these purposes, in addition to any trade with the Indians. Mr. Wheeler sold his interests at this place in 1664, to Mr. Bryan, who continued to conduct some kind of mercantile business here in connection with the building of vessels, as in later years when land was appropriated to Mr. Joseph Hawkins, a provision was made that highways should not be obstructed to hinder Mr. Alexander Bryan. In 1682, Richard Bryan, son of Alexander, made arrangements to settle in Derby, and was probably then engaged here in building ves- sels and keeping some kind of a trading house or store. In 1676, a highway was constructed through the long lot to a point called the fishing place ; that is from the first settle- ment at Old Town, down the meadow to a location on the east side of the valley below the present bridge, where was built, a few years later, a landing from which to ship produce. And this was the object of the road built in 1676. Before 1700, 246 HISTORY OF DERBY. there was put up here a building called the fish-house, and referred to as such in the records. In 1709, a business place is spoken of on the Ousatonic river, the first mention of anything of the kind on the west side of Birmingham Point. "Dec. 15, 1709; Voted, That the town will raise forty-five pounds in pay, that is to say in grain and flax at these following prices : wheat at si.x shillings per bushel, Indian corn at three shillings sixpence per bushel, flax at ninepence per pound ; and said forty-five pounds shall be delivered by the collector of town rates, or town's men, to Mr. Joseph Moss, or his order, at the warehouse of Joseph Hawkins in Derby, at or before the first day of March next ; and thereupon the said Joseph Moss is to pay to the town's men of Derby for the use of the town, the sum of thirty pounds current silver money of fifteen penny- weight, at or before the said first of March, always provided that if any man w411 pay his part of said forty-five pounds in money, it shall be taken at two-thirds." Here was the warehouse of Joseph Hawkins, who was the son of Joseph the first permanent settler on the Bimingham neck, and who probably built this warehouse some years before 1700, or bought it of Mr. Bryan. The probabilities are that a warehouse store was kept continuously at that place from 1660 to the time this warehouse is mentioned in 1709. In 1702, William Tomlinson was chosen leather sealer for the town, which shows that leather was made in the town, and was inspected and stamped or sealed according to law before being placed in the market. In 1703, a sealer of weights and measures was appointed to see that all weights and measures were according to the stand- ard of justice which the law required. Before 1690, re-packers were appointed to re-pack meats, or to see that meats were put up according to law to be exported. The sale of beef and cattle became one of the first important items for foreign trade. Fish were quite an item of mercantile profit from the first organization of the town. In 1677, the town made a penalty of twenty shillings per barrel for any one to come into the town and fish without liberty, and soon after this they required three- pence per barrel to be paid for catching fish in the town, and FIRST STORES UP TOWN. 247 under this rule Mr, Joseph Hawkins reported in one season that Fairfield men took eighty-two barrels and Milford men thirty- nine barrels. In 1680, "the town, at the desire of Joseph Hawkins, in be- half of Milford men hath granted to the said men, namely, Mr. Benjamin Fenn, Daniel Baldwin, and their partners, liberty to fish anywhere in Derby bounds, provided they damnify no man's corn or grass, and also that they pay threepence per pound and so proportionably for all they catch and carry away." The mercantile operations aside from fishing seem to have been conducted at Birmingham Point and Old Town, although the highway down the valley, from the long lot to the fish-house, received special attention in 1704, as though there was consid- erable of landing of produce at the fish-house, or something of the kind. It is probable that some of the shipping from Hull's mills was effected at this fish-house in time of low water, for some years. It is uncertain when the first store or shop was set up at Derby, or what was afterwards called Up Town, for the purpose of selling goods. The first record seen that indicates anything of the kind was made in 17 12 by Edward Pierson, who styles himself merchant in a paper by which, in view of contemplated marriage with a lady of Stratford, he deeded his property, in keeping for himself and wife, to the ministers of Derby and Stratford. Two years afterwards, he was a merchant at Strat- ford. How many years he had been a merchant here is not stated, but as he had considerable property, and at this time changed his location to Stratford, it is probable that he had been thus engaged some years. William Clark, who resided at this Old Town village, is called in a deed, merchant, in 1742, and shop keeper in 1748, both probably being the same business. He apparently con- tinued here as merchant, initiating his sons to the same work, until his death, after which, during the Revolution, or just before, his son Sheldon removed his store or started a new one at the Landing. In 1755, when considerable of the trading was transacted at the Old Town, the highway was transferred from the meadow to the side of the hill, near where it now is. About 1754, 248 HISTORY OF DERBY. Ebenezer Keeney built the first dwelling at the Landing, and in 1762, Stephen Whitney bought a piece of land of James Wheeler at this place, built a store and continued to trade as a merchant until 1768, when he surrendered his store to "James Juancy, Samuel Broome and company, with all who were his creditors in New York, and Stephen Demill of Stratford." Hence the first mercantile effort at the Landing was a failure. In 1769, Captain Gracey (spelled also Grassee) bought land here and built a store on the wharf, and in 1763, he entered partnership with Joseph Hull, and continued his store some years. From this time onward the Landing was the center of mercantile operations, not only for Derby, but for many adjoin- ing towns. During the Revolution, a large amount of state provisions for the army were bought and packed and shipped at Derby. About 1790, the celebrated Leman Stone commenced here his energetic and, for some years, prosperous career as a mer- chant. In the language of the old proverb, " he left no stone unturned" which he thought might bring success to himself or the place. He was a man of untiring energy, determined pur- pose, and for some years was successful in nearly everything he attempted as a business man. He came from the town of Litchfield, Conn., which may account somewhat for his great energy for there is not a town in the whole state more celebrated for producing great men than Old Litchfield. And at the pres- ent day there is no man to whom reference is so frequently made in the prosperous times of Derby Narrows as Leman Stone. The following very just remarks were written not long since by Dr. A. Eeardsley : A few years prior to 1800, Mr. Leman Stone and others set- tled in Derby, and for a long time carried on an extensive com- mercial trade with New York, Boston, and the West Indies- At one time Derby Narrows was nearly blockaded with carts and wagons loaded with all sorts of produce from Waterbury, Woodbury and other towns. Sometimes a string half a mile long would throng our highways, and teamsters would have to wait half a day, or over night for their turn to unload for ship- ping. Importation was also large. A truthful veteran informed EARLY COMMERCE. 249 US that he-had counted at one time no less than sixty hogsheads of rum landed on the dock in a day. We would not have our readers suppose for a moment, that this quantity was all con- sumed in Derby. It was carted to various parts of the country whence the produce came. In the hight and glow of his com- mercial prosperity, Mr. Stone entered into the project of the turnpike from Derby to New Haven with a view to draw the business of the latter to this place. The petition was presented to the Legislature for a charter, and after two or three years' hard fighting and as many embarrassments, seemingly, as the Derby and New Haven railroad had in their project, the charter was obtained and the road built at great expense to Mr. Stone, and then the unfortunate man had the pleasure of sitting in his store-house door and seeing all his friends and customers go by him to empty their treasures into New Haven. The building of that turnpike, together with the old Washington bridge at Stratford impeding our navigation, operated against the inter- ests of this town at that time most decidedly. Derby became a port of delivery by the establishment of the collection district of New Haven on the second of March, 1799, " to comprise the waters and the shores from the west line of the district of Middletown westerly to the Housatonic river, in which New Haven shall be the port of entry, and Guilford, Branford, Milford and Derby ports of delivery." EARLY COMMERCE OF DERBY. After the close of the Seven Years' War, from 1755-63, the commercial prosperity of Derby rose rapidly, and as rapidly de- clined on the outbreak of the American Revolution, resumins: increased activity after the independence of the Colonies was acknowledged. Long before this we had an indirect trade with Europe through the Colonies and the West Indies, in which Derby sloops of eighty to one hundred tons, carried live stock and provisions to the leeward and windward islands of the Caribbean sea. In return they brought the products of these islands, also wines, fruits and manufactured goods of France, Spain and Hol- land, to whom these islands then belonged. This prosperity reached its culminating point about the year 1800, and began to 250 HISTORY OF DERBY. decline about 1807 from three distinct causes, although the peo- ple of Derby attributed it solely to the fierce struggle then going on between Napoleon and England, in which the inhabi- tants of all Europe seemed to be breathing nothing but the spirit of war, which then gave sufficient employment to the mariners of the eastern continent. This was an incentive to leave the world's carrying trade open to other powers not en- gaged in war, in which our country with its facilities for ship- building took a most prominent part. The Derby Fishing Company was then fully organized, and in seeking a market for their fish prosecuted an extensive trade upon the northern shores of the Mediterranean. By simplifying a trade that had been somewhat complicated and very expen- sive, this project gave fair promise of success, which would have undoubtedly been realized had not events transpired which no human foresight could have anticipated. The cod fishery on the banks of Newfoundland and its vicinity by New Englanders was carried on in small schooners, which brought their cargoes to our ports, where they changed owners, and after supplying the home demand the surplus was shipped to the south of Europe. The Derby company abbreviated this process by send- ing their ships to their fishing stations during the fishing season, taking in their cargoes directly from their drying grounds and proceeding thence to southern Spain, France and Italy, return- ing to Derby with the products of those countries, thus saving the import profits on their goods, since then swallowed up by New York and other places. The entire circle of this trade, thus pursued without changing hands, must have resulted ad- vantageously to the fishing company had times continued pros- perous as they were in the first few years' operations, but Eng- land disliked our feeding her enemy, the French, and issued her orders of prohibition, while Napoleon intent on starving the proud islanders issued his Berlin and Milan decrees, aimed alike at our trade, but both transcending international law. As our company's vessels carried nothing contraband of war, they continued their trade until they were seized and confiscated wherever found, in plain violation of national right and manifest justice. Nor was this all that worked commercial ruin to the Derby Fishing Company. Flushed with their early prosperity DISASTER AT SEA. 25 I they had engaged in a species of marine insurance against dis- asters from any cause, and their risks in common with others of being captured on the high seas, encountered of necessity untold losses. Thus was the company's capital swept away be- yond the remotest hope of recovery. An incident may be re- lated in this connection. The crews of a fleet of merchantmen that was confiscated by order of Napoleon, were sent home in an old unseaworthy vessel which foundered on the passage and nearly all perished. A few were saved by their only boat, which was taken possession of by as many as could safely be accommo- dated and held at some distance from the wreck to prevent others from overloading her. In their haste to gain this posi- tion they had neglected to supply themselves with provisions or nautical instruments, when Samuel Crafts of Derby, chief mate of the schooner Naugatuck, one of the Fishing Company's ves- sels, volunteered to procure them from the wreck, which he ac- complished by swimming with great exertion and hazard, no one offering in the excitement the needed assistance. The boat was put off while he was on the wreck for the last time, leaving him to go down with it. He was the son of Dr. Edward Crafts and brother of Dr. Pearl Crafts, a young man of great promise, uni- versally esteemed, and in his death deeply lamented by the peo- ple of Derby. Another version of this painful story, better authenticated by Miss Rachel Smith, still living in serene old age, is, that Crafts with fourteen others perished from the pangs of hunger and exposure, while striving to save themselves from a watery grave. Although this piracy of France and England was sufficient in itself to crush the enterprise of Derby, yet other causes com- bined might have produced a similar result. Our farmers in the interior where the line of trade began, in their eagerness to accumulate, sent off the products of their soil without sufficiently compensating the ground for the loss of its fertilizing elements, as our wheat growers at the West are now doing, until their naturally thin soil became exhausted, and finally refused to yield to their demands. Another cause was the jealousy of New Haven and Bridgeport, These places cast an eye of envy and desire at the prosperity of their neighbor on the Ousatonic. New Haven contrived and executed the plan to tap the Derby 252 HISTORY OF DERBT. traffic, by cutting a road south of Woodbridge hills to Derby, and by offering the facilities of a harbor unobstructed by ice, and willing to accept a diminished rate of profit, drew the long line of loaded wagons directly past Wheeler's tavern at the Nar- rows to their Long Wharf in New Haven. Judge Isaac Mills of the latter, formerly a Huntington man, and brother of the late Samuel Mills, was the prime mover in this new turnpike, and singularly enough some of the Derby people favored the project, hoping in this way to invite increased trade from New Haven to Derby. Leman Stone was one of these, and he saw the disastrous results. The Leman Stone building as it has long been called, over- hanging the mouth of the Naugatuck, defying the fury of ice floods and water freshets, for nearly a hundred years, at first a vast store-house, then the receptacle of wholesale garden seeds, next a seat of learning, long the domicile of its enterprising builder, Mr. Stone, and still longer a part of it the residence of one of the most gifted and estimable women of Derby, Mrs. Ellen Stone, still stands out in bold relief, through all its vicissi- tudes, without occupancy, a commercial landmark and relic of better days. This building, now in venerable decay, was once the head-quarters of commerce in Derby. Here Capt. Henry Whitney, a bitter opponent of the encroachments of England to destroy our commerce, father of the New York millionaire, Stephen Whitney, and Archibald Whitney, late of Derby, and one of the ancient worthies who assisted in laying the corner- stone of old King Hiram Lodge, for years carried on an exten- sive and profitable business of shipping horses to the West Indies, which gave him rather an enviable reputation. Grain of all kinds, pork, butter and cheese were brought here for export from Woodbury, Waterbury, New Milford and towns around in great abundance. Within the fading memory of the oldest inhabitant, the old road now called Derby avenue has been seen lined and crowded with loaded teams by the hundred, waiting turns to deliver their goods for shipping and return to their homes. Imports were correspondingly large, hogsheads of rum, brandies, sugar, molasses, were brought here in large quantities, and either carried into the interior or transported over the hills to supply the business of New Haven. CAUSES ADVERSE TO DERBY. 253 At this period, sailing vessels in number from the docks of Derby and Huntington Landing were more than equal to those plying between New Haven and other places. An extensive business was also carried on at Hull's mills in the manufacture of linseed oil, situated at the head of the present Birmingham reservoir. Flaxseed in large quantities was imported and ground into oil and exported to New York and Boston. In addition to this they manufactured kiln-dried meal, which when packed in hogsheads was shipped to the West Indies. The two brothers Hull, sons of Samuel, senior, and Richard, son of Dr. Mansfield, were the proprietors through the most prosper- ous times, and were from the nature of the case so connected with merchants and the shipping interests of Derby as to be in- volved in their ruin from the same causes. The Hitchcock mill built during this period at Turkey Hill, now occupied by De Witt C. Lockwood as a turning shop, added much to the commerce of Derby in the manufacture of linseed oil. Bridgeport having absorbed Black Rock turned a wistful eye to Derby, and by great effort constructed the Bridgeport and Newtown turnpike in 1801, which immediately drew off the trade from Newtown, Brookfield, and ultimately New Milford and adjacent places. Bridgeport harbor being open at all seasons of the year, the millers in neighborhoods above, fre- quently having pressing orders, paid cash for grain instead of barter, and the regularity of their market boats at Bridgeport gave a better sale for the products of the farm at New York than when shipped from Derby. Besides, the roads away from Derby were less sandy and better adapted to loaded wagons, many a day no less than a hundred being counted passing over the Bridgeport and Newtown turnpike to empty their cargoes at Bridgeport, instead of going mostly as formerly to Derby. The embargoes and non-intercourse acts of our government in aid of the downward tug left little in Derby for the war of 1 8 1 2 to prey upon, and that little was effectually wiped out. The commerce of Derby then disappeared as docs the wave along the shore. A few families, having reserved a portion of the earnings of their better days, remained to spend it, but many of the young and enterprising, discouraged at the outlook, emi- 254 HISTORY OF DERBY. grated to New York or further west. Busy streets became lonely, buildings decayed beyond repairs, property offered for sale found no purchasers, the docks along the shores of New Boston were thinned of their thickly crowded vessels, the Nau- gatuck rolled its waters by the old oil mill without turning its wheels, the toll gate on the New Milford turnpike rotted down, the green grass once more carpeted the barren roadway. These indeed were gloomy times for the prospects of Derby. Manu- facturing had not then been established, and there was nothing comparatively left to stimulate industry in the town. Mr. Abijah Hull, part owner of the mill and a leading man in soci- ety, took his family to the wilds of Ohio, after having enjoyed the comforts of wealth until advanced age among his ancestors. This allusion is made merely to show the type of a class. Sea captains and seafaring men once so plenty and frolicsome in Derby, generally cultivated, from necessity, small plots of ground in their neighborhoods, or became tillers of the soil in the west- ern country. We g^ive only one example : Capt. Frederick Hopkins purchased a tract of wild land at a place called Somer- set Hill, in Oxford, Chenango county, N. Y. In going into the wilderness he carried all his effects with his family in an ox cart, and left the last house and road on his way twenty miles before reaching his place of destination. Mrs. Hopkins, whose cour- age had been buoyant thus far, in viewing the dense entangled forest before her, away from home and friendship, away from the endearing associations of her youth, and bereft of all the pleas- ing hopes she had formed under her once cloudless sky, began to despair and refused to proceed further. Captain Hopkins though kind and sympathetic as a husband and father, was firm and resolute as a man. He had expended nearly the last rem- nant of his former competency in this enterprise, which he could not now recall. By adverse fortune his occupation was gone, and this was his dernier resort. He took his wife tenderly in his arms and placed her in the cart, she almost unconscious, and with a heavy heart, ax in hand, proceeded to cut his way through the woods, which after great fatigue and privation he accomplished, sleeping in the cart as best he could while acting the part of guard, sentinel and pioneer. With ax and saw he built his first house and furnished it. His table was made of DERBY LANDING. 255 the largest log he could saw oft', his chairs of smaller ones, and all other things correspondingly rude. His gun and faithful dog furnished most of his food until his crops matured. Blessed with good health and an iron constitution, he cleared his lands of timber, and soon found market for his crops. With new adventurers who settled around him, in a few years he found himself surrounded with agreeable society, mostly of Connecti- cut people. His family became contented and happy, himself highly respected and often consulted in public affairs, and his neighbors styled him the Duke of Somerset. He passed the evening of a well spent life in comfort and repose, and left his children in affluent circumstances. Often visiting the scenes of his youthful prosperity, Hopkins delighted to entertain his old friends with a recital of his adventures. DERBY LANDING IN 1836. "The above engraving' shows the appearance of the village at Derby Landing, or Narrows, as you enter it on the New Haven road, descending the hill, looking towards the north-west. The village is on the east side of the Ousatonic, immediately below ^The illustrations, Derby Landing, Birmingham, Oxford and Humphreysville, rep- resenting these places in 1836, were drawn and engraved by Mr. J. W. Barber of New Haven, author of the" Connecticut Historical Collections," and numerous other works of large circulation. He drew \\h pictures by visiting the places in person, and standing so as to obtain the views represented. Hence their great accuracy respecting the scenery, architecture and surroundings, they being represented pre- 256 HISTORY OF DERBY. its junction with Naugatuck. It consists of about fifty dwelling houses, four or five mercantile stores, and a number of mechan- ics' shops. These buildings stand mostly on three short streets running parallel with the river and on the side of a hill, which from its summit descends with considerable abruptness to the water, and of course the easternmost street is considerably ele- vated above the others. There are two churches in Derby proper, one for Congregationalists and one for Episcopalians, both situated about a mile north of the Landing. On the left of the engraving, in the distance, is seen the Leavenworth bridge leading to Huntington, crossing the Ousatonic river. The pres- ent bridge was erected in 1 831, at an expense of about fourteen thousand dollars. Part of Birmingham is seen in the distance, situated on the elevated point of land between the Naugatuck and Ousatonic rivers. " There are two packets which ply weekly between this place and New York. .Considerable quantities of wood and ship timber are exported, and ship building to some extent is carried on at the Landing. Derby Landing is about fifteen miles from the mouth of the river where it empties into Long Island Sound and eight and a half miles north-west from New Haven. The river is navigable to the Landing for vessels of eighty tons, there being about ten feet of water^" Sea captains and seafaring men were for many years very plenty about Derby. Those recollected and here named were residents of Derby : Ebenezer Gracie, James Humphreys, Fred- erick Hopkins, Ethel Keeney, James Lewis, Silas Nichols, Eugene Olmstead, who sailed to all points of the world, William Clark, Thomas Horsey, William Whiting and his two sons — PLenry and \ViIliam Whiting, Gibbs and his son William, and William Sheffield. All these were residents in Derby Nar- rows, and most of them came here after the Revolution. Those cisely as seen upwards of forty years ago. The value of his work on Connecticut, in this respect alone, is beyond estimate. He has also very kindly consented to engrave the cuts for this work, which repre- sent the three first houses of worship erected in the town, having had the precise dimensions furnished him from the records, and being familiar with the old style of architecture. From these facts great acci^racy has been secured. This last work he has done being in his eighty-second year. ■'Barber's Conn. Hist. Coll. 197. LOST AT SEA. 257 residing at Up Town and who. sailed to all parts of the world, were : Harry Curtiss, Carleton White, Thomas Vose, Jared Bartholomew, Morris, Joseph Prindle and Mordecai Prin- dle, brothers, Elijah Humphreys, Francis M. French, Stephen Mansfield, son of Dr. Mansfield, James Thompson and his two sons — William and Sheldon, and George Gorham. Upon the Huntington side of the river were Captain Hart and his two sons, Clark Elliot, Tomlinson, Moore and others, who sailed to the West Indies. One of the above captains, Mordecai Prindle, made a sad record on his last voyage. With seven men from Derby, in a vessel heavily laden with live stock, with his scuppers under water, he sailed for the West Indies, and after a few days out at sea a September gale came on, endangering many vessels off Cape Hatteras. Among the dying embers of superstition, more rife then than now, it is mentioned that a kildeer out of season perched upon the window sill of Mrs. Prind^e's house, which stood near Dr. Mansfield's, and was heard to sing distinctly several times, in plaintive notes, and then disappear. Mrs. Prindle was deeply affected, and declared that her husband was that moment sinking beneath the merciless waves. From that day to this Captain Prindle, his seven men and vessel have not been heard from. After the commercial downfall of Derby its northern portion, Humphreysville, became a more lively and flourishing part of the town. The zeal, enterprise and noble heartedness of Gen- eral Humphreys had already set in motion various kinds of machinery. Skilled mechanics were brought from Europe, and many were attracted here through the influence of General Humphreys, and this gave employment to and increased the population of the place. For a series of years Derby, with its diminished ship build- ing, was enlivened by the shoe-making business and cooperage. Captain Lewis Remer, his brother Abram Remer, George Blackman and others were manufacturers, and sold their stock rnostly in New York. These men became celebrated in their business, and employed many hands, and a shoe-maker in Derby was thought to be of some consequence. A large proportion of their work was on women's shoes. 33 258 HISTORY OF DERBY. In the line of cooperage, Willis Hotchkiss, Levi Hotchkiss and Isaac Thompson at the Narrows, and Capt. Alva Bunnell and Dea. John Carrington at Sugar Street, carried on extensive operations in the manufacture of casks. In one season Capt. Bunnel made one thousand casks and shipped them to New Orleans. When more important manufacturing interests en- gaged the attention of the people of Derby, these employments dwindled into insignificance, until shoe-making and cooperage have about disappeared from the town. CONFLUENCE OF THE NAUGATUCK WITH THE OUSATONIC AT DERBY. The illustration of the confluence of the Naugatuck with the Ousatonic was sketched in 1857, from near the bridge over the Naugatuck at Derby. The Naugatuck appears on the left, the Ousatonic on the right. The picturesque edifice which is the most prominent in this cut, called " The Castle, the Leman Stone Building," was built about 1785, by Leman Stone, and was occupied by him as a residence and a store more than twenty years. It has been a landmark, both by sea and land about ninety-five years, and has outlived its builder and all his children and all his grandchildren except one. The walls of its founda- OLD PARKSt 259 tion on the water side were laid deep and five feet in width, and njo mighty tide or ice floods of old Naugatuck have as yet stir- red a stone. But time begins to make his mark on its outside appearance, and he is the great conqueror of all except the ever- lasting hills. B. THE DERBY FERRY-MAN. Connected with Derby Landing was the ferry and the turnpike toll bridge of which it may be pleasing to record some remi- niscences. It would be difficult to picture to the fancy a more pleasing view than meets the eye at the confluence of these two rivers when enlivened by vessels and little sail boats, with charm- ing meadows here and there, beautiful islands environed east and west with green-wooded hills dotted with farm-houses and cultivated fields, and with all the necessary wants of life suffi- ciently supplied so as to bring serenity of mind and happiness. In delineating the character of society in bygone days, even- handed justice seems to require an occasional portrait from the lower strata by way of contrast, and therefore the following character is presented, he having been the Derby ferry-man, well known in his day by the name of Old Parks. He was for years the toll gatherer on the river turnpike when the toll-gate was located at the east end of the Naugatuck bridge. Faithful to his trust no man could get through his gate without first answer- ing to the demand, "Your toll, sir." On one occasion he was over faithful. An ox team with a load of flaxseed from Bridge- port was being driven over the ice and broke through in deep water near the causeway. The team belonged at Up Town, and a messenger was dispatched to the owner for assistance. Captain Bartemy came down in great Iraste, prepared to rescue the drowning cattle, and coming to the toll-gate without any change in his pocket, Mr. Parks demanded his toll before turn- ing the key. Captain Bartemy having once cut his way through Washington bridge, said no petty toll-gate should foil him on an errand of mercy. He seized a new ax from Willis Hotchkiss's wood-pile and cut loose the iron fastenings of the gate, dumped it over the wall and drove on and saved the team and a part of the load of flaxseed. The gate and the ax were completely de- molished and the toll gatherer acknowledged himself beaten. 26o HISTORY OF DERBY. Mr. Parks was S7(i generis in his way, and at the head of his class among the sinners of olden times. A more uncouth., boisterous, fearfully profane and vulgar man could scarcely be found in a day's journey. He was a terror to the school boys, offensive to the refined and shunned by all. In vain did the good parson expostulate with him. Independent in his sayings and doings, he was not, however, without his troubles. Attracted by an outcry from his house, a neighbor on a certain day ven- tured in and found him beating his wife most unmercifully, a not unfrequent occurrence when divorce laws were more strin- gent than at present. The neighbor remonstrated and inquired the cause of such brutal treatment. The husband replied in anger, charging his wife with such abusive use of his tongue that no mortal man could stand it. The neighbor having ex- hausted all his wits to allay excited passion, finally said, "Why Mr. Parks, you should consider that your wife is the weaker vessel." " I know it," said he, " and let her then carry less sail." Mrs. Parks was often seized in a fit of what the doctor called violent hysterics. Driven to the wall, there was no relief for old Parks, in the dead of night, in a pitiless storm, in one of these attacks, until he brought to his wife old Dr. Kimberly, whose frequent visits told upon his purse. On one occasion he demanded of the doctor the cause of hysterics. He replied very gravely, "There are many causes for this disease ; in the case of your wife, Mr. Parks, I think the cause is mostly hard work and trouble." "I don't agree with you, doctor," said Parks, "all the hysterics she's got comes from wind, will and the devil, and if you have got any medicine for these, unload your saddle-bags." For a long time old Parks discharged the duties of ferry-man across the Ousatonic from near Huntington Landing to the Narrows. He usually sculled over his ferry boat without the aid of rope moorings. Many a weary traveler, more frightened at his rounded profanity than the swollen current of the river, while crossing the river rebuked him without let or hindrance, though to no good result. But as the strongest will is often broken by a little matter, so is the hardest heart sometimes softened by "trifles light as air." Returning one night from the opposite shore, having ferried over a passenger from New Haven, a turning point in his life A GHOST STORY. 261 occurred, which imparts a lesson unparalleled in all we have heard or read among the legends of demonology. Sudden re- formations, even though brought about by the power of gospel preaching, are seldom permanent, but this is an instance of a man turning from the errors of his ways almost instantly and with lasting effect, on seeing a ghost. We do not tax credulity beyond what is real and full of traditionary proof. Mr. Parks was alone at an hour favorable for deep and sober contemplation. The night was dark, still and foreboding. His thoughts turned upon himself and he fell into a reverie, which Addison tells us sometimes occupies the minds of fools as well as wise men. The usually dormant imagination of our hero was worked to an extent that fitted him for seeing objects not otherwise apparent. As he was sculling his boat in the stream, looking intently forward for some object for which to steer, an apparition suddenly met his eye a short distance ahead of him, directly in his course. Unused to fear, he said to himself, come on, nobody is frightened at ghosts. Yet the figure vanished not, but grew upon his imagination, and as he frequently and uni- formly described it afterwards, it was a column of fire in the shape of a human skeleton of colossal size, apparently resting upon the surface of the water, and slowly advancing towards him, giving him ample time for examination and reflection. He saw the outstretched arms, the fiery eyeballs, the ribs, the heart, and the shriveled tissues of this skeleton, which was perfectly transparent, enabling him to see through it objects on the oppo- site shore, which the previous darkness had rendered invisible. Finally the figure, approaching nearer and nearer, rested upon the bow of the boat, and he was conscious of its movements until within five or six feet of him. 'At this instant Mr. Parks recollected a strange feeling coming over him, and then his judg- ment failing, he dropped his oar, fainted and fell on the bottom of his boat, which at falling tide floated down stream and lodged on Graven Rocks, just below Hallock's ship yard. A party re- turning from an excursion down the Ousatonic found him early next morning and believed him dead, but they restored him to consciousness and brought him with his boat up to the ferry- house. The persistent uniformity and self-reliant relation of this story 262 HISTORY OF DERBY. SO often reiterated by him, induced a general belief at the time that this affair was not the mere creation of an overwrought imagination. He might have seen a distant meteor, or a nearer ignis fatiius, but whatever it might have been it was no goblin to him, for it brought " fruits meet for repentance," and from that hour the Derby ferry-man was a new man, reformed in all his habits. Everybody remarked, " What a change in Old Parks." He read his bible and attended church ; was respected and beloved, prospered and became conscientious in his daily walk. As proof of his better heart, when he married his second wife he supposed her a widow, but it appeared that her husband, whose name was Sacket, ran away and left her, and years after- wards a notice of his death revealed the fact that he had been living with another man's wife. It is said he went straightway and was married again. The writers upon superstition may be challenged to furnish a more striking illustration of the power of ghosts than the one which had so happy an effect upon the character of the Derby ferry-man. SHIP BUILDING IN DERBY. This for a series of years was one of the most active and prominent industries of the town. Among the earliest vessels built were those constructed upon the shores of the Ousatonic and Naugatuck rivers, above their junction at the Narrows. The first ship building was conducted, most probably, by Thomas Wheeler of Stratford, who settled on Birmingham Point in 1657 ; remaining six years, when he returned to Stratford. Soon after Mr. Wheeler returned to Stratford Mr. Alexander Bryan, a merchant and ship builder of Milford, became the pos- sessor of Mr. Wheeler's privileges, or a part of them on the Point, and continued these enterprises in his line until about 1680, when his son Richard made some arrangements to settle in the town as an important business man. Joseph Hawkins the first became the possessor of Mr, Bryan's interests at the Point, in which his son, Joseph Hawkins, junior, succeeded him in mercantile business, but to how great an ex- tent is not known, except that in 1712-20 it was the principal trading place in Derby. SHIP BUILDING. 263 At the cove near by the Stone building, where ancient walls in part are still standing, on the east side of the Ousatonic, a long mile above the dam, there was a- busy ship yard, among the earliest great enterprises of the town. The little vessels built here were called the Boston Coasters^ and employed in car- rying on trade with Boston, the Southern Plantations and the West Indies. Here was also kept by Isaac Lane, at a later day, a trading house or store, from which were supplied the towns around with rich treasures, such as molasses, sugar and the like, brought up the river in these little coasters. The first Leaven- worth toll bridge, a short distance below, was built in 1798, after which this building was transferred down the river to the west side, near the old red house now standing. Capt. Ed- mund Leavenworth and his son Gideon built the bridge, and some years afterwards, it having been condemned by the com- missioners, it was in part rebuilt by Gideon. This Capt. Ed- mund Leavenworth was the son of Dr. Thomas Leavenworth, who first purchased the large farm, including the famous Indian Well, which farm has been in the possession of the Leavenworth family more than one hundred and fifty years. Dr. Thomas was born in 1673, ^^^ after mature age made his home here upon this obscure spot along the wild shores of the Ousatonic. He was a man of uncommon energy of character, and was the pro- genitor of the numerous family of Leavenworths now scattered throughout the United States. His farm was bounded on the river some miles, and his habits of primitive frugality made him wealthy and gave him a commanding position. The first vessel built at the Red House was called the Ana- conda, and was launched at the ship-yard which lay between the Red House and the Leavenworth Hotel standing on the bank of the river a few rods below. Schooners, sloops and vessels to the number of twenty-one were here constructed by Capt. Edmund Leavenworth and his sons, Gideon and Edmund, the latter having been long known by many now in this vicinity by the familiar name of Uncle Ed. Gideon Leavenworth in his early life was a captain in the Revolution in 1777, and commanded an infantry company raised by the state from Ripton, now Huntington. He was in the battle of White Plains, where he was wounded in the thigh by 264 HISTORY OF DERBY. a musket ball. Religiously trained, he had a kind, social and Christian heart, and was noted for his praying propensities, but like many other good and noble-souled men, he sometimes, when provoked, lost his balance of mind, even in his pious moments. A truthful story is related of him in reference to a mischievous swine which often annoyed him by coming into the kitchen whenever she could escape from her inclosure. On one occasion while at his morning devotions, leaning over the back of his chair in the good old Puritan way, Captain Gid- eon [sometimes called the " Presbyterian deacon "], being dis- turbed by a noise in the kitchen, opened his eyes, and looking through the open door discovered that his domestic intruder had turned over the butter churn filled with new milk. Pausing a moment, he bawled out, "Boys, go and drive out that damned old sow from the kitchen," and then went on and finished his devotions. The last two vessels built were unfortunate, one was called George and Jane^ the other TJie Fox. They were owned mostly by Uncle Ed., and were captured by the French in the war of 18 1 2, which was a serious loss to their owner. On launching days thousands of people flocked to see a vessel ride from dry land into the water, and a launch generally ended with a merry dance at the Leavenworth hotel. Pickets were built up the Naugatuck river earlier than 1797 opposite the " Old Parsons Place," just above S. H. Proctor's residence. Soon after a schooner was built by Capt. George Gorham and launched near the present Naugatuck Derby sta- tion. Capt. Gorham was in the war of the Revolution and helped to stretch the famous iron chain across the Hudson to obstruct the British from going up the river. He built many vessels below the Point of Rocks at the Thompson Place, near Reuben Baldwin's distillery, now known as Hallock's Old Ship Yard. Capt. Bradley of Guilford built several vessels for the Derby Fishing Company about 18 10, and among them was the Ocean, a large and fine sailing vessel, and being fitted out and heavily, laden she was captured by the French and all her valua- ble cargo confiscated, which proved a heavy and serious loss to Derby people at that time. The Rev. Mr. Ruggles, for some time pastor of the Derby VESSELS BUILT. 265 Congregational church, then Up Town, having fallen into some imprudences unbecoming a minister of the gospel, was obliged to resign his pastorate, and he then went into ship building. He built a fine schooner which was launched just above the Point of Rocks upon the Huntington side of the river. Mr. Ruggles had a wife and daughter, both named Hannah, and to perpetuate their names in seafaring life he called his schooner Haufiah. The night before she was to be launched, some wag, with a paint brush, daubed on three sides of the schooner in glaring capitals, " The Pulpit," which name adhered to the ves- sel through all its misfortunes, outliving in fact its baptismal name, Hannah. Ezra Hubbell built a vessel soon after, which was launched opposite or near the Doct. Jennings place, just above Capt. Z. M. Piatt's store in the Narrows. Now Ezra was an old bachelor, slow, sure and circumspect in all his movements and undertak- ings, and some of the fair damsels of the town thought he was uncommonly so in reference to matrimonial alliance. It was predicted that he would never finish his vessel, but after a long while it was completed and when launched it rested upon the meadow, and the disappointment then gave it the name Wlio'd Thought It., but Ezra called his vessel Laura, and with much difficulty she was made to rise and float on the waters. Just below this last place, a vessel was built by John Lewis, and was named Mary, in honor of three families. Smith, An- drews and Kimberly, each of whom had a daughter by the same name ; only one of the three, the venerable and accom- plished Mary Smith at the Narrows, is still living. We learn of vessels being built next, at Sugar street, by Talmadge Beardsley, where he built jeveral of different tonnage, and has the credit of building the first center-board vessel ever built upon the Ousatonic. This was called the Commodore, and was the fastest sailing vessel that ever plied between Derby and New York. Beardsley afterward worked at ship building in Bridgeport, and again in Derby, for the Hallock's. He is believed to have been the first man, especially in these parts, who went into the forests, felled the trees, hewed the timber and every way constructed the framework of a vessel before it 34 266 HISTORY OF DERBY. was delivered to the ship-yard. His workmanship was of a su- perior order. He was employed by Robert Fulton, and assisted in building the first steamboat that was commercially successful, and that moved upon the waters of the Hudson. As we come down to later times, we find that during the cold summer of 1816, Capt. Lerhuel Chatfteld built a sloop called the Champion, which, was launched just north of what is now the west end of the Ousatonic bridge in the new and enterprising THE SCHOONER MODESTY. village of Shelton. Chatfield employed Zephaniah and Israel Hallock, brothers, as builders, who came from Stony Brook, Long Island. The Huntington side of the river being unfavorable for launching, Chatfield bought the Sugar street place of about ten acres, including the old store which was used afterwards as a ship carpenter's shop. In 1820, at Sugar street, just below the dam, the ship-yard was thought to be a permanent establishment, and the Hallocks then removed and made their residence in Derby. Here at Sugar street they built many large vessels, LAUNCHING VESSELS. 26/ but experienced a difficulty in launching and getting them down the river, when a more desirable spot being offered them, they bought, in the spring of 1824, a tract of land at Derby Landing, including the famous Reuben Baldwin's peach and cider brandy distillery. Being temperance men, they thought it wise to break up the old distillery. Here ship-building was carried on successfully until 1868, when the march of progress in railroads rather compelled the Hallocks to sell the interest in their ship-yard as the Nauga- tuck railroad by charter passed directly through it. Four ves- sels however, were built after the railroad was in operation. The last one built by the Hallocks was named Modesty^ which was certainly in good keeping with the character of the build- ers. The Modesty was named by Mary Louisa, daughter of Thaddeus G. Birdsey. It was a vessel of two hundred tons burthen, built for Thomas Clapman. In all, they built fifty- two vessels, great and small, and only one was unfortunate in being launched, having stopped on "the ways" causing much delay and trouble in remedying the mishap afterwards. Great precautions were always taken in launching, as it was a sort of superstition among sailors that any bad luck at such a time is ominous of evil on the waters, and they will never ship on board of such a vessel for service if aware of the fact. This vessel proved no exception to the belief, for she was early lost at sea. The launching of vessels at Derby was always a great curios- ity, and when this took place, the people at home and for miles the country round, came to see the wonder of the craft, and thus launching day with colors flying, was made a grand and excit- ing hoJiday among the denizens of the town. On one occasion, a gentleman and his little son came a great distance to witness the launching of a vessel, and going on board and examining her minutely as they were on deck, the son looking down the hatchway into the hold cried at the top of his voice, "O, daddy, look here ! She's all holler." The Hallocks as ship-builders always bore an enviable name at home and abroad. Zephaniah the elder, familiarly known by the name of Uncle Zeph., was among the most hon- est men that ever lived. Pious to the rule, there was no du- plicity or double dealing in his character, and rather than shirk 268 HISTORY OF DERBY. * « his contracts by putting in shoddy timbers or practicing any dodge upon his employes, he would sooner suffer great loss in dollars. Therefore, any vessel labeled in memory, Uncle Zeph., whether in port or on the ocean, always bore the palm of great merit. Ship building therefore has been, nearly from the commence- ment of the town, a large element in the enterprises which have employed capital and labor. At one time few if any towns in Connecticut built more sailing craft than Derby, and this in earlier years gave it the name of " Ship building town." The question may be asked, how could vessels built so high up the river be launched and floated down to deep water .'* The an- swer is, that once the volume or quantity of water flowing down these rivers was much larger than now, besides the vessels were launched during freshets and on tide water, and were buoyed with hogsheads or other floating material. Thus once a lively branch of profit and loss among our enter- prising forefathers has at length given place to the noisy hum of machinery, and a great variety of manufacturing interests, and in a little while all traces of ship building in Derby will have passed from sight except in the records of history. Since the above writing the following additional items have been obtained. If correctly informed, many vessels were built in colonial times below the junction of the rivers. One called the Loriuda, a brig, was launched at Huntington Landing, directly opposite the present residence of William Holmes, the florist. She was owned by George Thompson, a wealthy merchant who carried on a brisk trade with the West Indies, keeping quite an exten- sive store at the Landing. Sometime during the Revolution this brig, returning from the West Indies heavily laden with a cargo of sugar, rum and other valuables, was captured and detained by a British man-of-war otT Stratford harbor. Thomp- son was a cautious, shrewd, far-sighted man, and being imme- diately sent for, hastened on board his brig, where he met the British captain. After the usual courteous salutations, Thomp- son, who had never signed the pledge, said to the British cap- tain, " We have on board some liquors, superior to anything ever drank in Old England, I propose a drink all round.'' " I TRADE OBSTRUCTED. 269 have no objections," said the British captain. The smooth, oily rum once swallowed, the verdict was, " nothing ever better." The wily merchant then said, " This will hurt no one, I pro- pose one more." " Agreed," was the response all round. An- other and matters grew friendly, and good feelings prevailed, although beginning to be a little mixed, and the British captain said to Thompson, " I perceive that your captain is a Scotch- man." " Yes, sir," with a graceful bow. " I also perceive that your mate and yourself are Scotchmen," continued the rough commander. " Yes, and may it please you majesty's honor, I perceive that yon are a Scotchman, making the fourth, all good blood." Another taste of sugar and rum and Thompson's brig with her valuable cargo was re-captured, and without further molestation she was safely taken into the port of Derby. THE STRATFORD BRIDGE. The navigation of the Ousatonic by so many of Derby's ves- sels brings before the mind one of the items of difficulty with which these later day navigators had to contend. In the begin- ning of the present century was built the first bridge across the Ousatonic between Stratford aud Old Milford. Its completion formed an epoch in the history of these ancient settlements, which was celebrated with appropriate demonstrations of joy and re- joicing ; for prior to this, only a step behind the Indian's canoe, travelers were borne across the waters from town to town with scow and oar. At that period the coasting trade between Derby and the West Indies was in its hight of glory and prosperity, and the people in this vicinity very naturally were tenacious of their rights, and waxed violent in their opposition to any obstruc- tion in the great highway of commerce. Derby was then an important port of entry, and paid heavy duties to the govern- ment on her importations. Singularly enough, among other complaints, it was claimed that the fishing interests up and down the river would suffer from the noisy travel over this bridge, and as Ousatonic shad then sold at fourpence and sixpence apiece, and as there was a statute law against hindering them from going up stream within certain hours of the day, between Half Moon Point and Quimbo's Neck Point at the mouth of the 270 HISTORY OF DER15Y. river, the Legislature was importuned with lobbies to stave off and prevent at all hazard the entrance of this proposed charter for a bridge. A warm contest ensued, lasting many weeks, which led to some cruel personalities. But the bridge petition- ers finally found favor among the wise Legislators, the charter was granted and the bridge built ; but in a few years an ice flood swept it into the deep. This providential mishap in turn cre- ated much rejoicing among the opposers of the bridge in Derby, while the good people of Stratford and Old Milford were deeply chagrined over their unexpected calamity. Horace Bradley was deputized to go down the river and make sure the bridge was gone, and he returned with the glad tidings that nothing was left of it but the piers. The people then had an impromptu gathering and made merry over its destruction, some of them in their rejoicing getting not a little exhilarated with sugar and rum. One Col. Tomlinson, not unknown to Derby farmers liv- ing on the Huntington side, it is said, slaughtered on the occa- sion ten innocent turkeys and made a jubilee, inviting his friends and neighbors to partake of the entertainment. He gave the following toast to his guests, which was characteristic of the feeling then prevalent, showing a little of the old Adam of hu- man nature : " May the fishing and shipping interests of our river never more be disturbed by the intolerable nuisance of another bridge across the mouth of its waters." Music, Yankee Doodle. This bridge question engendered an enmity between the people up and down the Ousatonic, which generations have scarcely effaced. By dint of great effort, but mostly as the result of a lottery scheme in which some of our Derby citizens drew large prizes, the bridge was soon re-built, and commerce and shad again obstructed. Among the first vessels coming up to Derby after the re-building of the bridge, was Captain Bar- tholomew's, better known as Capt. Bartemy, a shrewd and plucky Frenchman, who was at the time a resident of Derby. It was the law, that vessels npproaching the bridge to go through its draw should either fire a gun, or blow a horn, as a signal. Capt. Bartemy, whose vessel was heavily laden with rum, sugar, molasses and coffee, blew his horn, but the bridge sentinel most peremptorily demanded his papers, as a pass to the port ot Derby. WASHINGTON BRIDGE. 27 1 This incensed the old captain, and he ordered his own men to leave the vessel and open the draw ; but they failed in their attempts, be- ing unable to get the hang of the machine. He then ordered them to get out of the way, for he could clear the obstruction, and having on board two large cannon loaded nearly to the muzzle with iron spikes and what not, he ranged them and blazed away, and made the splinters fly in all directions. This caused the bridge party to show the " white feather" and hasten to open the draw, very glad to get rid of the Derby Frenchman, who was never afterwards troubled or hindered at the bridge. Not long after this annoyance and before old sores were for- gotten, there was again trouble at the draw. The proud vessel named Delight, commanded by Captain Morris of Derby, was sailing down the river at a falling tide and with a strong wind ; nearing the bridge, they hauled down their sails and gave the signal, but the draw, from some neglect refused passage, and the vessel swung round, her boom striking hard against the draw, causing damage. Night came with a piteous storm, and the vessel was obliged to cast anchor, and remain in the river until the next morning, when she managed to get through and make her trip to New York. Willis Hotchkiss of the Nar- rows, then a little boy, was on board as cook of the vessel. This affair became a test question on the future res gestce of the bridge, for the sloop company sued the former, and brought their case before Esquire Tomlinson, then living at Wesquan- tuck. As parties in interest could not then testify, the boy Hotchkiss was the only important witness. After a rigid ex- amination by two eminent lawyers, and a long and elaborate plea on both sides, the case was finally given to the judge, who gave the plaintiff eight dollars damages and costs. Ever after this, vessels sailing to and from Derby were no more annoyed at the draw by the good people of Stratford or Milford. How different now the condition of that old and long hated Washington bridge ! Her crumbling, tottering piers still defy the ebb and flow of tides, exhibiting only the sad relics of better days, while the traveler takes the iron horse by rail, or wends his way to Derby and crosses over in safety. 2/2 HISTORY OF DERBY. STEAM-BOATING ON THE OUSATONIC. On a bright Sunday morning in the summer of 1824, the General Lafayette rested upon the bosom of the Ousatonic. A steamboat at that time was a great curiosity, and thousands made "a Sabbath day's journey " to see its advent into Derby. As she steamed up the river, passed the highlands and neared Derby wharf, the streets were filled and the shores lined with spectators eager to. catch a glimpse at the invention which has /rendered the name of Robert Fulton immortal. Imagine your- self back more than half a century, when the almost barren / fields now dotted by the thrifty villages of Birmingham, Ansonia ( and Shelton were cultivated by the rustic ploughman, and ' Derby Narrows was a little neighborhood, and see fathers and mothers with their children, rushing from the hillsides and back settlements, many of them for the first time to witness a steamboat, and the reader is inspired with the thought that there was some enterprise in Derby, years ago. The Lafayette was a small boat built with a mast and bowsprit and had side wheels. Thomas Vose her captain, was in ill humor on her first trip. At old Washington bridge, at the mouth of the river, long an eye-sore to Derby interests, a dispute arose as to let- ting the boat through the draw, when Capt. Vose said with emphasis, " I have sailed over the Atlantic for years, and I have the honor to command this boat ; let me through ; my orders must be obeyed, right or wrong." The man at the draw obeyed, and the boat was put through, not however without producing a fearful fracture of the box that inclosed one of the side wheels of the boat. On her arrival in Derby, a boy remarked that she had " lost one of her ears." The next day was the Fourth of July, and the boat was advertised to make an excursion on the Sound. What was to be done ? Why ! they rallied Tru- man Gillett from his devotions, and with his apprentice boys, although it was a holy day, the boat was repaired and with flying colors, on Monday morning sailed down the river, with many Derby adventurers on board, returning at an unseasona- ble hour. The Lafayette wdi?, owned mostly by a company in New York, STEAMBOATS. 2/3 and destined to run between that city and Derby, touching the borough of Bridgeport on her regular trips. Meeting with united opposition from a line of Derby packets, the Partliena, Commodore and Pulpit, these combined making three voyages a week through the season, the Lafayette was obliged to succumb and sell out to Bridgeport parties, who at that time were jealous of Derby's prosperity. Derby, then a sea-port town was ambitious of keeping up the commerce of the place. The citizens of Bridgeport had no steamboat, and to head off Derby, they bought the Lafayette which was lucky for the own- ers, for it was a sort of elephant on their hands, not being adapted to the navigation of our river. One of the above pack- ets, the Pulpit, was fast sailing, built by a Congregational min- ister, and while running agamst the boat never lost a trip during the summer season ; so it seems our first steamboat had strong opposition even from Derby citizens. Not satisfied with their first experiment, a part of the people of Derby had a steamboat built under the superintendence of Capt. Vose, ex- pressly for the navigation of the Ousatonic, and it was called after the name of the river, the Ousatonic. After running one season between Derby and New York, she was run into the cove once owned by Gen. David Wooster, about four miles from the mouth of the river, where she remained for the winter. The next spring she commenced her regular trips, but meeting with the old opposition of Derby packets besides interfering with the sloop navigation of Bridgeport, she passed into other hands and steamboating on the Ousatonic was not attempted again until 1836. The founder of Birmingham, Sheldon Smith, prom- ised the villagers that they should have steamboat facilities. He first put on the Caroline^ which was destined to run up to Birmingham ; but this boat with Capt. Battell did not prove a success. Mr. Smith in his zeal then built a dyke and expended sev- eral thousand dollars in deepening the channel across the river, when he purchased the little steamer Maria which made several trips in 1837 between New York and Birmingham. On her last trip, Capt. John C. Hotchkiss in command, when nearing the Birmingham wharf one Saturday evening, the boat instead of rounding the dyke ran upon it at high water and was fast, the passengers being transported to Birmingham in boats, and 35 274 HISTORY OF DERBY. the next morning the Maria rested upon the dyke high and dry above water. Steamboating on dry land and the Otisa- tojiic, being unsatisfactory, was abandoned on the part of Mr. Smith, when in 1845 the Naugatuck Transportation Company built an iron boat called the Naugatuck^ by some nicknamed the Iron Pot which ran to the great accommodation of Derby citizens two or three seasons, and afterwards the same company put on the Ansojiia^ and for two years more a brisk business was continued between Derby and New York. The Valley City was the next steamer on our river, built by.the Atwater iron and steel works, and after the war broke out was sold to the govern- ment. The eighth and last steamboat running from Derby to New York was the Monitor. She was built by a party of Derby cit- izens, at a cost of about $30,000 and running a few seasons, Capt. Henry Bemot in command, was run into off New York by another vessel, badly damaged and nearly sunk, and this foul col- lision, as it was claimed, involved an expensive lawsuit, and the stockholders of the unfortunate Monitor lost every dollar of their capital. Thus within fifty-five years, eight different steam- boats have plied between Derby and New York, the citizens having the benefit, while the owners were poorly remunerated for their zeal and enterprise in trying to accommodate the public. DERBY FISHING COMPANY. By an act of the General Assembly the "Derby Fishing Com- pany " was chartered in 1806, James Lewis, Leman Stone, Can- field Gillett and Philo Bassett being the corporators, Canfield Gillett was elected president and James I. Andrews secretary. The primitive object of the company mostly was to be confined to " Cod and other fisheries, exporting and disposing of the same and carrying on the fishing business in all its branches." The capital stock was to be not less than $50,000. After the organization of the company, the stock of which was liberally subscribed to by the people of Derby and vicinity, they at once commenced the building of vessels. The first built was called the Eli::a, and Capt. Clarke Elliott went four voyages with her to the West Indies. She was afterwards captured by the French THE FISHING COMPANY. 275 and lost. About this time Capt. J. Hull went out as a super- cargo in a large vessel heavily laden with fish, bound for Spain, and a gale coming on before reaching the coast, all the fish and valuables were thrown overboard to save the vessel and crew. The Ojisaton'ic and Naiigatiick vessels were built by the Fishing Company and launched in the Narrows near Baldwin's old dis- tillery, where 2000 barrels of cider were distilled annually, and much of the brandy was put upon the market unadulterated at 37 1-2 cents a gallon. The Fishing Company carried on a large trade with different ports until near the breaking out of the war of 18 12, and it was not surprising that New Haven people should become jealous of its prosperity. It made tempting dividends, and after several amendments to its charter, it was allowed to deal in various kinds of speculation. The stock was largely increased, parties by virtue of charter, giving their ne- gotiable notes in lieu of money paid in. The company sub- scribed for many shares of the first Derby bank, incorporated in 1809, which afterwards did a flourishing business. The Fish- ing Company and the Derby bank were in harmony with each other financially, yet both were violently opposed by capitalists of New Haven, as there was then a lively competition between the interests of Derby and the then small place, now the great City of Elms. At one time the Fishing Company brought from New York a chest of specie, which required eight men to re- move and place in the Bank, the old brick house still standing in the back street of the Narrows, owned and occupied by Da- vid T. Osborne. In the memory of the oldest inhabitant this Derby bank once had " a fearful run " upon its specie deposits by the Eagle bank of New Haven. On one Saturday ten thousand dollars of Derby bills were presented at the counter and the specie demanded. Fitch, the cashier, very quickly and coolly said to his teller, " Hand out that smallest box of specie from the vault and we'll begin to count." The box was filled with six cent pieces of silver, and just then it was all the specie the bank had on hand. Before the ten thousand dollars were counted out, however, the doors were closed, by the Spartan rule of these moneyed institutions. In the meantime the cashier, Fitch, had stepped out and penned a note to the president of the bank, 276 HISTORY OF DERBY. Wm. Leffingvvell, who resided in New Haven, stating the plan on foot by the Eagle bank, and immediately dispatched a mes- senger over the hills to New Haven. On Monday Leffingwell had gathered up thirty thousand dollars of Eagle bank bills and when a further run was continued on the Derby bank by the Eagle bank the bills of the latter were presented in payment, and thus the New Haven sharpers were foiled in their attempt to break the first bank of Derby. The Derby bank lost heavily by the Fishing Company, but no man ever lost a dollar by the bank. It paid in full be- fore stopping business. An effort afterwards was made to transfer its charter to New Haven, but it was opposed by the people of Derby and the Legislature, and the project failed. Successful and highly prosperous at first, the Fishing Com- pany was destined to encounter financial shipwreck. The war of 181 2, together with bad management, proved its utter ruin. Most of their shipping with valuable cargoes was captured by the French and confiscated, involving total loss. The sheriff became busy in attaching all the available prop- erty of parties refusing to pay and owing notes to the company. These notes were collectible by suits at law. Many who thought themselves in good circumstances were made poor by this operation, and left the town in disgust. The .president of the company for the first few years was voted by the directors a salary of $1500 a year for his services, the last two, each year, he was voted six and a quarter cents. An act of the Legisla- ture, passed in 18 15, transferred the office of the company to the city of New Haven, with all the books, papers, etc., and thus the Derby Fishing Company was wound up by receivers, with more than a total loss to the stockholders of Derby and its vicinity. THE FIRST DERBY BANK REVIVED. The charter of the Derby bank being owned mostly by John Fitch and others of New Haven, was suffered to remain dor- mant until 1824, when it was resuscitated. Some Derby peo- ple in connection with Horace Canfield and his brother, both financial adventurers of New York, purchased for $12,000 the charter, with the brick building used by the bank. Horace DERBY BANK REVIVED. 2// Canfield had married a very worthy and respectable lady of Derby, which gave a favorable impression among the people of the town. The bank was soon in active operation. John L. Tomlinson a lawyer, was made president, and Edward Crafts, cashier. They operated under the charter of 1809, which al- lowed a capital stock of $200,000, but could commence bank- ing business when $60,000 was actually paid in. The Can- fields were the agents, the moving power of the bank. Little business was done within doors by way of discounts ; exchange of bills on other banks being a prominent feature of the agents. Crafts, the cashier, obtained and had in hand, through the Canfields, in current bills and specie, $100,000, which he de- posited with the Fulton bank of New York to the credit of the Derby bank. Derby notes were then issued which read as follows : — "The Derby bank promises to pay at Fulton Bank New York," etc. An ordinary observer without scrutiny would take the bill for a Fulton bank bill. These Derby bills, were then put upon the market and for the first few months redeemed at the Fulton bank of New York. The Canfields in one month ex- changed with drovers and other business men $80,000. They bought largely of real estate and dabbled in other speculations, and paid in Derby money when it would be received. When $200,000 w^ere issued, the deposits were withdrawn by the Canfields from the Fulton bank, and then the Derby bank as a matter of course failed. The excitement over the affair was intense and many were the anathemas heaped upon its man- agers. At the Genera] Assembly in 1825, Mr. Tomlinson was called before the standing committee on banks, to explain the condition and management of the Derby bank, when he became so confused in his statement, showing that he had been most egregiously duped, that the chairman of the committee told him to take his seat and forthwith a report to the House re- voked the charter. The stigma of the Derby bank failure has long rested upon the town and more than was deserving upon Mr. Tomlinson. It haunted him in streets and public places and even annoyed him in his forensic eloquence at the courts. On one occasion he was counsel for a party in Quakers Farm, Oxford, when his 278 HISTORY OF DERBY principal witness was under impeachment for truth and verac- ity. To maintain his reputation Tomlinson relied upon a good old lady who happened to be blessed with a five-dollar Derby bank bill. When called upon the stand the question was asked her, " Do you know the witness, Mr. ?" "I do ; well acquainted with him ; always known him." " What of his general character for truth and veracity .-'" "On a par with the Darby bank." " Madam, what do you mean by that comparison ?" " Good for nothing now, nor never was while your honor was president of the bank," was the reply. "That's all." The witness was impeached. In justice to Mr. Tomlinson it is proper to say that he was not a 'particeps crinwiis to the affairs of the bank, except that he suffered it to be managed loosely. Lyman Osborn, an hon- est man, aged 84 years, now living, 1879, who was assistant cashier while Crafts was absent on a sea voyage for his health, says he has no reason to think that the president of the bank, or the cashier. Crafts, ever received one dollar of the swindle money. Osborn's duty was simply to sign bills and nothing more, though after the failure of the bank he went down to New York, spending many days to see what could be done to relieve the unfortunate bill holders, but as he writes, " Could find nothing of the Canfields." A SUIT IN LAW. There was a peculiar specimen of judicial administration in Derby at a time when law was less a science than at present, and the rules of evidence not so strictly confined to proper lim- its. A Mr. D., peaceably and piously disposed, had from time to time missed corn from his crib, and his suspicions resting upon one of his distant neighbors, Mr. R.,he entered complaint to punish the offender. Petty larceny in olden times was con- sidered, and visited with swifter and more condign punishment than is meted out to those who steal on a more magnificent scale in these later days. The constable brought Mr. R. be- fore Justice Hotchkiss, then living at North End, who was good authority for the whole town in matters of law and equity. BREVITY IN LAW. 2/9 The justice, as was customary, called in an assistant to give dignity to the court and aid him in the rendition of a ver- dict. The evidence offered by the prosecution was that corn had been stolen from his crib, and as the accused had for some time maintained a suspicious character, he could be no other than the thief. All of which Mr. R., pleading his own cause, stoutly denied, alleging his entire innocence of the crime, declaring that he did not know that Mr. D. had any crib, much less corn. After a patient hearing from both sides his honor. Judge Hotch- kiss, turned to his associate for his opinion. He replied that the complainant had undoubtedly been dispossessed of a certain quantity of corn, and whatever might be the probabilities of the guilt of the accused, there was no real evidence before the court to convict him, and the most prudent course would be to discharge him with a friendly admonition to beware of exposing himself to suspicion in the future. The chief justice, some- what disconcerted by the leniency of his associate, taking the whole responsibility, forthwith pronounced the judgment of the court, which was that as Mr. D. was a very worthy citizen, it was the duty of the magistrate and the laws of the land to pro- tect him in his property, and as the prisoner was known to be the only thief in Derby, therefore Mr. R. must have stolen the corn, and ordered that the constable take him to the nearest post and inflict "one dozen on his bare back, well laid on." The sentence being carried out, and Mr. R., smarting from the lash, confessed to the bystanders, saying, " Well, I did steal his corn, and if he don't keep his crib locked, I'll surely steal more." Another case is given, which is a beautiful illustration of brevity. The prisoner, poor Pat, was arraigned before our wor- thy judge for certain violations of the st^ute, for which he had frequently been tried but never proved guilty. This time he was sure he would get clear, for he had a shrewd lawyer. The evidence against him being all in, his counsel, full of quibbles, informed the court that he should offer a mass of testimony to prove beyond a doubt the entire innocence of his client, but the justice promptly ruled out the evidence as inadmissible, and said to the prisoner, " Guilty or not guilty, you are fined seven dollars and costs." 280 HISTORY OF DERBY. JUDGE LYNCH. Tradition gives us but one case as tried before Judge Lynch in Derby. A lawyer once took up his abode in town, who, find- ing the people opposed to litigation and thus affecting his inter- ests, stirred up unnecessary suits, which were extremely annoy- ing. The pettifogger was declared a nuisance and a meeting was held and a committee appointed to wait upon him. The com- mittee after exhausting mild and humane means to abate the nuisance, as a dernier ressort warned the knight of Blackstone to desist from his- nefarious business, and leave the town within ten days, on penalty of a visit from Judge Lynch. The lawyer laughed at their threats, and defied their interference in his affairs. At the expiration of the ten days, however, the com- mittee waited on him at his house in the night season, took him from his bed, apologizing to his wife for the rude disturb- ance, and in his sleeping garments gently seated him on a wooden horse, previously prepared, and paraded him through the street, accompanied with a tin kettle band, at last deposit- ing him in a mud puddle, a mile from home, with the promise of another ride, with a coat of tar and feathers, if found in town at the expiration of another ten days. The lawyer was naturally very indignant and lavish with his threats, but the remedy was successful. In his own behalf he entered a nolle prosequi, left for parts unknown, and the good people of the town were a long time without the luxury of petty lawsuits. During the West India trade Derby was a place of frequent resort for planters' families, who came, as many now go to Sar- atoga, for recreation. A Mrs. Gallagher and family from St. Martins spent severjfl summers at the residence of Mr. N. Lewis in the Narrows. She was a lady of rare attainments, of finished education, benevolent, and an ornament to society, but no argument could harmonize her views with the Yankees on the status of the negro. She had lived on the jilantation where the grades in rank were strongly marked, and by the force of education and association, like thousands under similar circum- stances, had no just conception of human rights. Her idea was that the negro was a semi-human being, a sort of domestic A SOUTHERN LADV. 28 [ animal, holding the same relation in her estimation as a favorite dog or horse that ministers to the comfort or amusement of its owner, and was horror stricken at our recognition of the negro as differing from us only in color. Always kind and indulgent to her slaves, ministering to their animal wants, recognizing no other, it was an amusing novelty to Mrs. G. to think it was any more unjust to enslave the negro than any other animal that served her convenience, but how many precious lives and how many millions of money have been wasted to explode this one idea, so deeply rooted in the mind of the slave-holder by the force of circumstances. At one time large quantities of alewives were caught in Derby and packed for the West India market. She was asked what use was made of them in St. Martins. She replied, " We give one to each of our negroes every Sunday morning as a special indulgence. They are an excellent fish for ourselves, but we never eat them." The alewives are a dry, very bony fish of the herring species, and were mostly used by our farmers at that time as fertilizers. One hundred barrels were caught in one day by two men near Naugatuck bridge. This was accom- plished by means of a weir. Then two men with a scoop net held between, facing each other, entered the pocket of the weir and scooped up as many fish as they could carry or hand in, when they were emptied alive into huge vats of strong brine, and afterwards packed in barrels for shipment. This was con- sidered a paying business in those times at ^1.50 to $2.00 a barrel. b. 36 CHAPTER X. THE FIRST CHURCH OF DERBY AND THE WAR OF 1 8 1 2. N account of church administration, by Daniel Hum- phreys, December, 1735. March 6, 1734, then the pastoral charge of the Church of Christ in Derby was committed to me." Such is the title given and the record made on the first page of the oldest book of church records now in possession of the First Church in Derby. When the fifth chapter of this work was written the authors were not informed of the existence of this book, having understood that the earliest records preserved began in 1787. It is probable that for a time it was missing, since we have the following record, made by Rev. Mr. Tullar : " At the time of the foregoing ordination [Rev. Mr. Tullar's, in 1783], the Rev. Daniel Humphreys was senior pastor, who departed this life September 2, 1787. After whose death there was search made for the records of the church and there being none found, the church proceeded to procure a book for records, and also appointed a committee to assist in making out a cata- logue of those who belonged to their body ; and it appeared from the best of their recollection that the following persons were members of their church." Then follows a list of names which it is quite evident was made " from the best of their rec- ollection," for if this book had been at hand a list of nearly all who had united with the church during the previous thirty years could have been secured. The records which Mr. Humphreys made consisted of baptisms and the admission of members to the church. These entries he commenced in January, 1736, and after continuing them regularly three years stopped, and made no more for eighteen years. This is surprising, since the book was large enough, and no pages have been removed, for the record was again attended to from 1756, and was so written that the removal of leaves would have broken the continuous- ness of the record, which now appears uniform. From these records we learn that, althoufrh at the settlement of Mr. Hum- RECEPTION OF CHURCH MEMBERS. 283 phreys the church was a dissenting church, or opposed to the Half-way Covenant, yet after 1756 that method of receiving members was practiced until the enactment of the following decision : '•March 12, 1783. The church voted that they would not go on in the practice of the half-way owning the Covenant, as it was called, and that the two forms used in owning the Covenant and joining with the church being essentially one, should be brought into one confession of faith — and voted, that Deacon Hotchkiss and Deacon Holbrook, Esq. Beard and Capt. Tomlinson and Mr. Yale should join with me to draw a confession of faith, and we accordingly made a draft and chiefly taken out of the words of the two former confessions of faith above mentioned, and soon after at a church meeting, that confession of faith was read and approved by the church, and it was voted that for the future that form should be used in admitting members to this church. " And it was the advice of the church that such persons as had owned the covenant (as it was called) should come to the minister and con- senting to the confession of faith as it now stands, which for substance is the same as before altered, and resolving to live the Christian life, should be admitted by the church to full communion as it had been wont to be called." The following records show the difference in the forms or methods of receiving members : " February 8, 1736, then was admitted to the state of full commun- ion with the church : John Lumm. John Bowers and his wife, Daniel Smith and his wife, Solomon Chatfield and his wife. Samuel Twitchell, Arthur Wooster, Elizabtth Wooster, Elizabeth the wife of Joseph Smith, Abigail the wife of Ebenezer Chatfield, Mary the wife of Josiah Smith, jun., Rachel Davis, Betty Davis, Mabel Johnson, and Abigail Tom- linson, who at the same time was baptized." Thus they continued some years to receive members to full communion only, but afterwards they changed as indicated by the records : ''April II, 1756, then Samuel Tucker and Sarah his wife renewed the Covenant, and Samuel their son was baptized." *' April 25, 1756, Philo Mills and Elizabeth his wife owned the Cov- enant, and their daughter Abigail Elizabeth Ann was baptized." "June 12, 1757, then admitted to full communion Sibyl the wife of Daniel Todd. At the same time were baptized Mary, Daniel and Cath- arine, children of Daniel Todd and Sibyl his wife." 284 HISTORY OF DERBY. The second book is entitled " Church Records for the First Church of Christ in Derby," and was commenced by Rev. Mr. Tullar, an account of his ordination being the first entry. The council " was convened by letters missive, at the house of Charles French, Esq., in Derby, July i, 1783, with a view to the ordination of Mr. Martin Tullar to the work of the gos- pel ministry. Present, the Rev. Messrs. Daniel Humphreys, Mark Leavenworth, Benjamin Trumbull, Benjamin Wildman, David Brownson, Jonathan Edwards, John Keep, David Ely. Delegates : Mr. Isaac Brownson from the First church in Wa- terbury, Dea. Jonathan Mitchell from the church in Southbury, Dea. Thomas Clark from Oxford, Dea. Daniel Lyman . from White Haven, Capt. Stephen Dewey from Sheffield and Dea. Timothy Peck from Bethany. The Rev. Mark Leavenworth was chosen moderator, and Benjamin Trumbull scribe." In the services on the next day, the sermon was preached by the Rev. John Keep, and " the imposition of hands was performed by Messrs. Humphreys, Leavenworth, Trumbull and Brownson." From the date of this ordination it may be seen that the change in the method of receiving church members was made only four months previous, and was probably effected at Mr. Tullar's suggestion, while he was preaching as a candidate. In 1788 a case of church discipline of more than ordinary dig- nity, and in it His Honor, Oliver Wolcott, sen., then governor, was a witness. James Beard, Esq., of Derby, a man of high and honorable standing many years, while a member of the Legislature in the spring of that year, applied to Governor Wolcott, "as one of the committee of Pay Table, to adjust an account between him and the state, relative to the avails of a number of confiscated estates." Governor Wolcott says fur- ther : " That in the course of the business it appeared to be the claim of the .said James Beard that the balance which was found to be due to the state should be received by the treasurer in continental bills of the old emission at the nominal sum. To support which claim, the said James Beard repeatedly al- leged that a part of said balance had been used in the public service during the war, for the purpose of supplying officers' and soldiers' families, and that the remainder, which I understood to be the most considerable part, was there in his hands in the iden- EXCOMMUNICATION. 285 tical bills in which he had received the same, which allegations the said Beard offered to confirm by his oath in the customary way. That upon examination of the bills which were tendered it appeared that the sum which was offered greatly exceeded the balance due to the state, and also that a large proportion of the same appeared to have been emitted after the time wdien the said Beard had received the moneys for which he was ac- countable." Upon this discovery the committee of Pay Table refused to settle, and in the autumn of the same year Capt. Joseph Riggs, sen., presented charges against Mr. Beard before the church. In the prosecution of the case the above testimony of Governor Wolcott and that of several other high officers of the state was received, given by deposition under oath before a magistrate. Upon the vote of the church, one month after the commence- ment of the proceedings, three of the four charges were sus- tained, implicating the accused in false representation in three particulars. A form of confession was then prepared, and a committee appointed by the church to present it to Mr. Beard to sign, if he felt so disposed. This he " entirely refused to do," and we find the following record : " Lord's da)-, January 25. 1789. The doings of the church were then publicly read. It was then proposed to the church by their pastor whether he should deliver sentence of excommunication against said James Beard .-' Voted in the affirmative. Sentence was pronounced in the following manner : ' In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the concurrence of this Church, I now publicly declare that James Beard is rejected from our number, fellowship and communion ; that he is delivered unto Satan, and is unto us as an heathen man and a publican ; that henceforth we shall exercise no watch over, nor treat him with any respect as a brother until he come to repentance.' " Such were the ideas concerning church discipline one hun- dred years ago. How greatly changed is the sentiment of the church ; the very form of that sentence is at the present time regarded as highly presumptuous, in that an earthly subject as- sumes the authority of the Infinite, to judge and condemn his fellow creature. There is seen also the arbitrary authority claimed by Congregational ministers, as well as those of other denominations. He does not say that the sentence is given in 286 HISTORY OF DERBY. behalf, or by the authority of the church, but the sentence is declared by the minister, "with the concurrence of the church." The minister was also the judge of the fitness of persons to be- come members of the church, and upon his recommendation they were to be received by the church, as appears by the vote in 1783. The conditions, however, required in the candidate for membership were not severe : namely, " owning the cove- nant and resolving to live the Christian life." Rev. Mr. Tullar's administration continued until 1795, when he was probably regularly dismissed, although no record of the fact is preserved, for a vote of the society was passed, bearing date, December 29, 1795, making provision for raising money to pay a candidate for supplying the pulpit. He died in 18 13. The next pastor was Mr. Amasa Porter, who was ordained by a council, June 21, 1797. He was dismissed by a council, on Wednesday the 20th of March, 1805. In November, 1808, the church voted to call Mr. Joshua Wil- liams as a gospel minister, but the society not uniting in the call, the church one month later sent an urgent request to the society to unite in such a call, but that body did not so decide. The ne.xt March, the church gave a call to Mr. Thomas Rug- gles, and to this the society seems to have consented. Mr. Ruggles's letter of acceptance is recorded, and is a lengthy one ; rehearsing somewhat the circumstances, and revealing the fact that the advice of the association had been given, to the effect that it would be well for him to wait six months before accept- ing the call. The letter indicates good scholarship, discrimi- nating judgment, and a faithful purpose of devotion to the gos- pel ministry. It is reported that during Mr. Ruggles's ministry the spirit of strife and division which had existed in the con- gregation sometime before he came to it, continued, and that there existed somewhere a purpose to make trouble if opportu- nity afforded, and that had the minister been ever so faithful and perfect, harmony could not have been restored. On April 9, 18 12, a council was convened at the house of Levi Smith, for the purpose of dissolving the pastoral rela- tion between Mr. Ruggles and the church and society. The records declare that sundry communications were made to the council, from which it appeared that Mr. Ruggles had some- INSTALLATION OF MR. SWIFT. 28/ time since requested, and still continues to request, a dissolution of the pastoral relation, on account of inability to discharge the ministerial ofifice by reason of ill health, and that the church and society had consented that the connection should be dis- solved." The finding of the council was that it was expedient that the relation should be dissolved, and so pronounced the decision. Sympathy is then expressed for the church and so- ciety in the following manner : " We deeply feel and deplore these repeated trials with which God has been pleased to visit you. Once and again have you been left as sheep without a shep- herd." After rather special deliverance of this kind, the coun- cil, in the same spirit of kindness, directed their attention to the pastor dismissed. " We recommend Mr. Ruggles to the grace of God, and invite him to review with seriousness and solem- nity the manner in which he hath discharged his ministry, as also the various dealings of God toward him, that he may de- rive profit from divine chastening and be excited thereby to live near to God and not be driven from him ; and that as he is now dismissed from his ministerial charge, he may enjoy in his retirement the consolations of a well grounded hope ; . . that when life shall be done, he may be able to give up his ac- count with joy and meet the approbation of his judge." He was, therefore, only dismissed from the pastoral relation, not deposed from the ministry, and it is singular that such a deliv- erance should have been rendered if there were any evidences of gross immorality on the part of this minister, as is spoken of in the community. A little over one year elapsed from the dismissal of Mr. Ruggles, when a council was called on the i6th of November, 1813, for the purpose of installing the Rev. Zephaniah Swift as pastor of this church and society. After the usual proceed- ings, the council adjourned, and met on the following day and "proceeded to the house of God and installed Mr. Swift," the Rev. Dr. Ely preaching the sermon. Mr. Swift entered upon his work in the midst of many diffi- culties and discouragements. He had preached in Roxbury, Conn., about fifteen year.s, and from that experience was con- siderably prepared to take a steady, onward and dignified min- isterial course, by which he led the people from their perplexing 288 mSTOKV Ol" DKRBV. difficulties and unkindly feelings, into a larger field of active and consistent Christian life. The following account of the church and his labors with it are given by the Rev. J. H. Vorce, in a centennial, historical discourse delivered in the Derby Congregational church, on Sunday, July 9, 1876. "•Mr, Swift was settled in Derby in 1813 and never dismissed. His pastorate was long and successful. Revivals were frequent and numbers were added to the church during his ministry, which was on some accounts the most eventful in the history of the church. We have found some decided peculiarities in regard to the salaries of other pas- tors, and there was one in regard to Mr. Swift's, it being apparently about what it happened to be, varying with the times and w'ith the ne- cessities of the people. He sometimes relinquished a large part of it, and at others, would take the notes of the society's committee, or pinch along almost any way to help through the difficulties that often sur- rounded them. " In the same year in which Mr. Swift was settled, what is known as the Increase Fund was started. By the conditions of the gift, no part of the principal could ever be used for any other purpose what- ever, and no part of the interest could be used until the fund had ac- cumulated so that the income would be sufficient to support a gospel minister in this society. The minister must be of the Presbyterian or Congregational order, and must J>ro/t'ss and farc/i the 'doctrines of the gospel as expressed in the shorter catechism of the assembly of divines at Westminster, or the creed inserted in the statute of the theological seminary at Andover.' '^ In 18 14, the church adopted by a series of votes, the rule laid down in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, as a rule of discipline ; also that public offenses require a public confession, and thenceforward the disci- pline of the church was kept up remarkably well. If a person deserved the attention of the church in this respect, he was labored with accord- ing to the rule, and if he did not heed the admonition he was dealt with. The cases of discipline were numerous. " In December, i8i6, the society voted that Mr. Swift preach a part of the ensuing year at Humphreysville, in proportion to the money raised there, but not to exceed one-fourth of the time. *' We have now arrived at a time in the history of the church when it was tossed more by storms than at any period in its history. Darker skies it may have seen, but never when the waters were more troubled. The old meeting-house had become much dilapidated and was nearly unfit for use as a place of worship. It became necessary to build a SITE FOR A MEETING-HOUSE. 289 new one, and the question of its location divided the society in senti- ment and to a considerable extent, permanently. Quite a number with- drew from it and never returned. A majority, with the pastor, favored the place where the present house stands, but a minority favored the old site ; while the controversy ran high and threatened serious conse- quences. Dr. Leonard Bacon's remark in regard to a Guilford trouble, would be thoroughly applicable to the state of affairs here : ' Both parties were conscientious as well as willful ; perhaps more conscientious for being willful, certainly the more willful for being conscientious.' "On the 30th of March, 1820, a vote was passed that 'all former votes respecting the location of a house of worship be rescinded.' It was then voted, two-thirds concurring, that the house should stand on its present site, and a committee was appointed to wait upon the County Court, to procure its approbation of the location selected. The decree of the Court 'appointing, ordering and fixing the said place,' was given at the March term of 1820. Specifications were drawn and the new house contracted for, on the i8th of July, 1820. These specifications were very definite, and left nothing to be taken for granted and disa- greed about afterward, and as a sample it may be mentioned that it was provided that there should be ' furnished suitable and wholesome board and washing for the workmen while employed in said work, and a reasonable quantity of liquor for said workmen, to be drank in the yard where said work is done.' " A paper on file, proposing to convey the house and land to the in- habitants of the First Ecclesiastical society of Derby, contains some pro- visions which are a novelty, and without which the history of this church building would be incomplete. " ' First, that the said society shall annually, on the first Monday in January, rent the slips on the lower floor of said house, and those in the gallery wherever by them deemed best, excepting the four easterly front slips, and excepting on the lower floor one slip for the use of the family of the clergyman settled over said society for the time being, and two for poor widows, and excepting said slips on the lower floor, shall be rented to white persons only; the same to be set up in classes as follows : the first ten slips at a sum not less than ten dollars, the second ten slips at a sum not less than eight dollars, the third ten slips at a sum not less than seven dollars, the fourth eight slips at a sum not less than five dollars, the fifth six slips at a sum not less than four dollars, the sixth five slips at a sum not less than three dollars.' "These conditions were accepted by the society. Jan. i, 1822. The expense of building the house so seriously crippled the resources of the society, that in 1823 they voted that the income from the fund must 37 290 HISTORY OF DERBY. supply the pulpit for the ensuing year, as they could not think of in- curring any additional debt for the supply of the pulpit. The pastor, always ready to help his people in bearing burdens, declared his will- ingness to conform to the straitened circumstances of the society for that year provided they would pay up arrears so as to come to the next year unencumbered. " In the year 1824, a subscription was started to purchase a bell. In the appeal to the public for contributions, the society pledged that the bell might be ' used for all meetings of religious societies and all lawful meetings of the inhabitants of the town, and tolled at funerals of all denominations of Christians when requested by the friends of the deceased, except that no person shall at any time be permitted to ring or toll said bell, except such as is appointed to that business by said standing committee.' " There was previously an old bell on the school-house. Up Town, which was used both by this society and by the Episcopal society, as well as for town and school purposes. This bell was stolen, and, at the time the Congregational society was proposing to raise money for a new bell, could not be found. At the time of the vote above alluded to, it was agreed that, provided the old bell could be found, the com- mittee should take possession of it, and pay any one a fair price who could prove ownership. About a month later the committee reported that they ' had found the old bell ; that the same had been claimed by the proprietors near the old meeting-house and by the committee of the Episcopal society, on the ground that said society were entitled to the one-half thereof, and that it had been demanded by said proprietors, and that in the opinion of the committee, this society have as good a right to said bell as any one.' Thereupon the society voted that ' since they had always had control of it from the time it was first hung, they presumably had an equal right with others, the committee were directed to cause said bell to be appraised by disinterested persons, add to it as much as would make a bell of seven hundred pounds, and the society would pay over whatever should be judged not lawfully to belong to said society.' Thus much of the bell story must be reliable for it is too late to make headway against these records of the society. " Owing to the financial embarrassment of the society, a committee was appointed in January, 1824, to apply to the domestic missionary society of Connecticut for aid. At the meeting held to take action as to the bell, this committee reported that the missionary society had granted to the church, the sum of eight dollars per Sunday for six Sun- days. There is no record of any additional grant having been made. "These appear to have been the end of the society troubles in re- COLLEAGUES OF MR. SWIFT. 29 1 gard to a new meeting-house. It is a curious commentary on the Con- gregational form of government, that while the society records are filled with details of disagreement or severe conflicts, no sign of diffi- culty appears upon the record of the church. All through these troub- les the church, under the lead of its devoted pastor, was faithful to its trust, and held its government with a kind but firm hand apparently in the profoundest peace. "The next date of importance is the year 1833, in which the 'articles of Christian faith and practice ' were added to the manual. One of these rules makes the neglect of family prayer an offense liable to dis- ciplinary action, and another declares ' the making, vending or using ardent spirits as a drink, inconsistent with Christian character.' One of the most admirable of these articles, makes it the duty of the church ' to secure a religious education to such children of the church as may in the providence of God be left orphans.' "The pastorate of Mr. Swift closed only at his death, which occurred February 7, 1848, but during the latter part of his life he had col- leagues in his office. These were Rev. Lewis D Howell, Rev. Hollis Read and R^v. George Thatcher. The last of these was laboring here at the time of Mr. Swift's decease. The remains of four pastors were buried in the oldest grave-yard of the town ; those of Rev. John Bow- ers, probably, although there is no grave-stone to mark his resting- place, Rev. Joseph Moss, Rev. Daniel Humphreys and Rev. Zephaniah Swift. " Rev. Lewis D. Howell, the first colleague of Rev. Mr. Swift, was probably settled as pastor in 1836, and upon his request was dismissed Nov. 20, 1S38, and given the usual testimony, and of him we hear nothing more The Rev. Hollis Read, the second colleague of Rev. Mr. Swift, was called by the church December 24, 1838, and he con- tinued to preach here until I843 when he was dismissed, but the influ- ence of the differences of feeling on that occasion is not all gone to this day. The Rev. George Thatcher, was by vote of the society, bear- ing date June 14, 1843, hired as a supply until the end of the year, but before that time expired he received a call to settle, which he accepted on the 7th of December. During his pastorate, the Derby church was prosperous and peaceful. Mr. Thatcher was dismissed in 1848." From 1848 to the present time there have been several min- isters employed by the society. The Rev. Jesse Guernsey, was settled over the Derby church on the. 7th of November, 1849, and dismissed in 1852. During his pastorate the Congregational church in Ansonia was formed. 292 HISTORY OF DERBY. The next April, four members of this church were dismissed and recommended to an ecclesiastical council, to be convened for the purpose of organizing a church in Ansonia. Mr. Guern- sey was a native of Watertown, Conn., and after leaving Derby he preached a little more than a year in Woodbridge, when he removed to Iowa, where he died. The Rev. Robert P. Stanton, was settled here in May, 1853, and dismissed in January, 1856. He was a native of Franklin, Conn., and was licensed by the New Haven West association in 1847. After leaving Derby, he was settled over the church in Greenville, in the town of Norwich, Conn., where he still re- mains, making a pastorate there of more than twenty-three years. The Rev. C. C. Tiffany was called in 1857, and dismissed in 1864. He was licensed by the New Haven Central association in 1857, and was called from Derby to Longwood, Mass., in 1864; from which place he went to the rectorship of an Epis- copal church in New York city. The Rev. William E. Brooks, was engaged as supply in 1865, and remained until 1867, when he removed to Clinton, Conn., where he remained until 1874; removing thence to West Ha- ven, Conn., where he still remains a settled pastor. Rev. Thomas M. Gray, was installed pastor of the Derby church in December, 1867, and dismissed in 1871. He after- wards settled as pastor of a Presbyterian church in South Sa- lem, Mass., where he remained a number of years. The Rev. Cyrus B. Whitcomb, was engaged in January, 1872, to supply this church, and remained one year from the first of the next April, i^^^ ^iog.) The Rev. Henry T. Staats, was engaged sometime in 1873, to supply the pulpit for the remainder of the year, at the ex- piration of which time he was re-engaged and remained with the church until the autumn of 1874, when he was settled over the Congregational church of Bristol, Conn. During his labors here, a lecture-room was built and the church was re-modeled and re-furnished. The Rev. J. Howe Vorce, was acting pastor in this church from April, 1875, to August, 1879. (See Biog.) It is with much pleasure that the following letter is intro- LETTER OF THE REV. CHARLES NICHOLS. 293 duced. It was written by the Rev. Charles Nichols, at the request of the Rev. J. Howe Vorce, in view of a centennial his- torical sermon ; and although too lengthy for insertion on that occasion, it is very appropriate for the present work. It gives on the authority of an eye-witness, and that witness one of the noblest sons of Derby, the things which if asserted without such personal knowledge might be doubted by many. It is given nearly entire as written by himself at an advanced age : "New Britain. June 24, 1876. "7^ Afy Dear Cluistian Brother^ Rev. Mr. Vorce : "I write to you as being myself a Derby man. I was born at Derby Narrows in the year 1798, and am now in my 79th year. My early ITe, until nearly twenty years of age, was spent in Derby. My parents were in principle Congregationalists, attending the Congregational church, and when, after my father's death, I was put out to service by my mother, being then fifteen years of age, I was put into a family, all of whose members were Congregationalists of the strictest sort, they adopting, as did my mother, the Assembly's Catechism, as containing the summary of their faith. "The Meetinghouse in which the Congregational order worshiped, and where I attended meeting from my childhood up to my nineteenth year, was called the old meeting-house on the hill. It was probably more than half a mile from the church edifice which is now in use, a little east of north. I recollect it perfectly. The place on which it stood was called Meeting-house Hill. Roads led to it from four direc- tions ; and all around it the surface of the ground was uneven, and its position was in the middle of several unfenced acres, gullied somewhat by rains, and yet generally green in summer, and affording pasturage for slieep. The meeting-house stood alone except that there was one small dwelHng house near it on the north-east, and a red school build- ing a few rods south-west, two stories high, having a cupola in which was hung the church bell. My strong impression is, that this church bell, thus hung on the Old Red school-house, was owned either by the town of Derby or jointly by the Congregational and Episcopal socie- ties. The school-house on which it hung was nearly midway between the two church edifices. This bell had a history after I left the town, which probably caused some merriment, and also stirred some bad blood ; but that history is not familiar to me to any such extent that I can state the facts in regard to it. " The old meeting-house was unpainted, dingy, inconvenient, un- 294 HISTORY OF DERBY. sightly, and in warm and damp weather it had within, a musty smell, ungracious, as things in a process of decay generally have. " In its shape this house was almost square. I judge it was forty- five feet long and forty feet broad, and was constructed with two stories. Excepting for the two rows of windows all around the house, it looked like a large neglected barn. It had neither steeple nor tower. During all my young days the underpinning was in some places almost wholly removed, and thus a convenient opening was afforded for the sheep and lambs which often grazed in the neighborhood, at which they might enter and there ruminate and give an example of quietness and sweet peace to the human sheep who were in the fold just a little above them. "The old meeting-house had two doors, one in front and one in the east end. "It was made with a gallery on each of the sides, and seats in these galleries rising one above the other as if constructed on an inclined plane. The seats in each gallery were long slips, and there were four or five slips in each gallery. The music of the sanctuary was then, as now, a very important part of worship, and the front slip in each galle' y was sacred to the use of the singers and the * players on instruments.' We had not the organ in those days, but we did have both vocal and instrumental music, that to my youthful mind was impressive and in- spiring beyond what I can express. In the winter season we had reg- ular weekly singing-schools, holding them in private houses, now in one part of the town and now another. All the youth who had the ' ear for music ' were invited and urged to attend them, and they were social and useful gatherings ; presenting to us themes for study ; often intro- ducing us to new and valuable acquaintances, and to some extent fitting us for a sphere of usefulness. "In those days the choir would on pleasant Sabbaths almost fill the three front slips around the galleries of the old meeting-house. Four parts were usually carried, two by the ladies and two by the gentlemen. The chorister always gave the key-note by a little instrument called the pitch-pipe. Then, the whole choir sitting would ' sound the pitch ;' each distinct part sounding the first note with which said part was to start off in the exercise. The chorister made himself prominent by a large flourish of the hand in beating time, often eying the singers earnestly, significantly, and sometimes by a sudden and loud slap of his book, as if he would say, ' You drag ; wake up and sing with more spirit.' " I remember how in those days of my boyhood the ' tithing-man ' did often seek to magnify his office. The young urchins were just as full of fun and nonsense then as are their descendants of the present NEGRO PEWS. 295 day. Heads often bowed in seeming reverence were, as a matter of fact, frequently down in a worshipful condition simply to conceal from the watchful tithing-man the merry laugh, or the mischievous knife in its work of carving, or the recounting in soft whispers the story of some exploit. " Now and then, as I well remember, we would cease through for- getfulness to be awed by the tithing-man's presence, and some ludicrous word would work upon our childish natures and the inevitable snicker would burst forth. Holding the nose, as we perhaps did, would do no good. The laugh was in us and the more we tried to suppress it, the more it would not be suppressed. In the very midst of the fun, the tithing man, with a countenance like an angry thunder cloud, would show himself true to the requirements of his official station. Some- times he would simply rise from his seat and stare the culprits in the face. Sometimes he would rap loudly with his knuckles. Sometimes he would leave his seat and take the irreverent boy by the collar and drag him to another seat of the house, which feat nine out of ten of the boys and girls would enjoy with a keen relish and a hearty ' laugh in the sleeve.' " Before leaving the gallery of the old meeting-house I wish to speak of two regularly inclosed pews ; one in the south-west corner of the men's gallery, and the other in the south-east corner of the women's gallery, designed for slaves and their children. They were vulgarly called the ' Nigger pews.' Slavery still existed in Connecticut when I was quite young, and I remember to have seen here and there one whom I knew as a slave, owned by their masters according to law, just as the ox or horse was owned. The slaves generally bore the name of their masters. If, for example, Richard was the slave of the Mansfields he was called Richard Mansfield ; if colored Cato was the slave of the Holbrooks he was called Cato Holbrook. The fact that a provision was made for people of color when the old meeting-house was built, shows that their spiritual necessities were thought of, even while their separate seats in the most distant corners of the church edifice may in- dicate that the prejudice against color was strong, even in the minds of Christian people. Some of the slaves owned in Derby were regarded as devoutly pious. Such a slave was owned by the Holbrook family. He died before my remembrance, but as I lived almost five years in the same family, I often heard him spoken of tenderly by those about me. He is reported, though he could not read a word, as having been in the habit of carrying the Testament in his coat pocket. When he was questioned for his reason for so doing, his reply was, *to keep the devil off.' 296 HISTORY OF DERBY. " This same slave was once, according to tradition, sent into a tract of woods, distant from home, to do several days work at chopping wood. It so happened that he forgot the days of the week, and by mistake kept on chopping through the whole of the Sabbath. When he re- turned home Sabbath evening, supposing it to be Saturday evening, learning his mistake, he determined that the next day — that is, Monday — should be his Sabbath. He would not work or do anything on Mon- day which was inappropriate to the Sabbath. When he was told that it was Monday, his ready reply was, ' I know it, but I am not going to cheat the Lord out of one day.' " In 1798 a law was passed by which all persons born of slave par- ents after that date should be free at the age of twenty-one ; but there were still slaves, a very few, in 1848, when a law was passed abolishing slavery altogether in Connecticut. " The gallery in the old meeting-house was fitted for the youth of the place, and the children just merging into boyhood and girlhood. It was considered quite an attainment to leave the pews below and the watchful eyes of parents, and 'go up' into the gallery. The lower part of the house was arranged with pews next to the walls, and if I remem- ber right, with four tiers of slips in the body of the house. There was one wide aisle from the front door to the pulpit, and other narrow aisles extending around the room. According to my recollection, what are called the wall seats, especially those near the pulpit, were occupied by the more aristocratic part of the audience. The seats were all occupied by an industrious, intelligent, high-minded and honest class of men and women, who revered the name of God, loved his ordinances, and cher- ished a high respect for the minister of the gospel. The gray hairs and venerable looks of many of them are present to my mind while I write. " The shape of the pulpit in that old house was that of a box, about six feet long, three feet wide, and not far from four feet deep. There was a rounded projection on the front of this box and on this was a narrow book-board and a very simple cushion, where lay the Bible and the hymn book. In this projection, which was in shape like the half of a barrel cut lengthwise, stood the clergyman when he spoke to God in prayer, or read to his audience from the Bible, or hymn book, or his manuscript. Directly beneath the pulpit sat the deacons, known by their position, if not otherwise, as the chosen officers and the two lead- ing men of the church. The two deacons in all the period of my child- hood were Deacon Holbrook and Deacon Tomlinson, both of honest report, and, as I think, endued with the Holy Ghost and with wisdom. Deacon Holbrook died in the early part of the year 1813. Himself and wife were the parents of twelve, seven daughters and five sons, all OLD FORMS OF WORSHIP. 297 of whom lived to adult age. I think not one descendant of the name of that great family remains in Derby. Deacon Holbrook was suc- ceeded as deacon by Deacon Carrington, who was entirely unpreten- tious, but a true and good man, ' not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.' " Many of the people who gathered at the old meeting-house came from the distance of miles. Numbers came from the Neck, from Sugar Street, from Sodom and from Squabble Hole ; and they seem to me to have been harmonious and united until the time of the call for the Rev. Thomas Ruggles. They then became seriously divided. " When I was a boy what is now Seymour was Chusetown. Manu- facturing then being introduced there by General David Humphreys, it ceased to be Chusetown, and was called in honor of the distinguished manufacturer, Humphreysville, but was still a part of the town of Derby. While I remained in Derby the Humphreysville people who were of the Congregational order, came either three-fourths or five-sixths of their Sabbaths to the old meeting-house to worship, and by agreement of parties, the pastor of the church went the other fourth or sixth of the Sabbaths to Humphreysville, and we in the old meeting-house held a deacon's meeting, and heard some one of good voice and manner read a sermon from some volume. When, finally, the people of Sey- mour established permanent public worship among themselves I am not informed. It must have been at a later date than 181 7, for that was the year of my leaving Derby, and they were then, if I do not misremember, still worshiping with us in the old church. " This old meeting-house never knew the luxury of a carpet upon its aisles. Many of the best families knew no such luxuries ever in their best parlors. No fire in the winter ever modified the freezing air of the house. The worshipers came, in many cases, two. three and four miles, sometimes with the weather at zero, or even below that point, and sat from one to two hours, having had no glimpse of a fire till they caught it on returning near sunset to their own dwellings. It seemed not to have entered the mind in those days that the place of public worship should or could be made comfortable or attractive. Nor was it recognized as a fact, that when the whole person was chilled, and the whole congregation wishing for the final amen, the worship could be neither very spiritual nor effective of good upon the general mind. "The forjHS of worship in that church were, at the period of which I speak, very nearly uniform throughout our state. There was first the invocation, then reading the scriptures, then the first singing. After this came the general prayer. Almost universally if any persons were severely sick, a note was sent to the clergyman, which was in form 38 298 HISTORY OF DERBY. about this, viz. : ' Mr. A. B , being severely ill (sometimes it would read dangerously) asks for an interest in the prayers of this church and con- gregation, that if consistent with God's will he may be restored to health, but if not, that he may be prepared for his great and last change.' Mothers often sent up a note of thanks for God's preserving goodness to them in time of peril, and for permitting them once more to appear in the house of worship. " The attitude in family prayer, in the days of my childhood, was that of standing. I never knew the head of the family or any of the mem- bers of the household to kneel in prayer until I left Derby and resided in another state. Bibles were far less common then than now. So far as I had opportunity to observe, they were not passed to the children and other members of the household in time of family praj^er in the morning that each might read ; neither, to my knowledge, was there any singing in connection with the season of family worship. The al- most universal custom was for the head of the family, who only had a bible, to read a passage and then rise, stand erect, holding to the back of his chair, and in that attitude offer his prayer. 1 he other members also stood. Consequently young minds were not greatly interested, and as this morning prayer was generally offered at the time when the table was spread for breakfast, and the rich flavor of the smoking vi- ands made the young appetites sharp, the sense of relief at the word ' amen ' was greater than any sense of virtuous resolution to which the prayer had led. '' The people with whom I worshiped in the old church almost, if not quite, universally considered the evening of Saturday as holy time. Often we heard whole sermons which were designed to prove that the Sabbath began at the going down of the sun on Saturday, and we thought it was proved. Accordingly when it began to be dark on Sat- urday secular cares were laid aside. The plays for the week were ended, the playthings were put away. All labor in the field must cease. But the moment the sun set behind the western hills on Sunday, that moment the holy day was closed, and play might then be resumed. The farmer then would, if necessary, grind his scythe preparatory to early mowing Monday morning. The young people might assemble for sport, and lovers in their neat Sabbath dress might lawfully meet and build together their airy castles for some happy future day. " In my childhood there was one, and only one, other organized church and society besides the Congregational, and that was the Epis- copal. Rev. Richard Mansfield, D. D., was the pastor of that church in my childhood He was a graduate of Yale College in the class of 1741, received his degree of D. D., in 1792, and died an old man, full MINISTERS AND THE CATECHISM. 299 of years and of honors, in 1820. I remember him well. He was tall, of spare habits, and wore a white, large wig. He was very old when I was very young. " Occasionally I attended that church and heard him officiate. His voice was then feeble, but his countenance indicated gentleness, and a kind and benevolent heart. He continued in Derby until his death, and I think is laid among his own people. While Dr. Mansfield was yet living, Rev. Calvin White became the pastor, as a colleague. Mr. White also graduated at Yale. He was in the class of 1786, and died in 1853. Both Dr. Mansfield and Mr. White were very gentlemanly. I knew their families well in my boyhood, and still think of them with respect and affection. After I left Derby, and somewhere about 1820, Mr. White became a Roman Catholic. Being excluded from the Episcopal church, he remained in town and officiated, as I have been told, in his own house to a few who were of his own belief. " Methodism, in my boyhood, had hardly gained a foothold in Derby. There was just a little sprinkling of that element over the town, but no organized society to my knowledge, until I ceased to be a member of the town. " Of Baptists, there were none. " In the common school at Derby Narrows, it was a rule, strictly ob- served during my school days, to repeat each Saturday forenoon, the catechism. Two catechisms, called commonly, " The Church Cate- chism" and " The Presbyterian Catechism " were in use. The Sabbath- school was not known in Derby till the summer of 18 17, when one was organized by Mr. Josiah Holbrook, The school then met in the up- per story of the old red school-house on Meeting-House Hill, and held its sessions in the morning of the Sabbath, during about one hour pre- ceding the first exercise in the church. " There were three clergymen who were natives of Derby, and by many years my superiors in age, whom about once a year I used to hear preach. These were Rev. Amos Bassett, D. D., Rev. Daniel Tomlinson and Rev. Archibald Bassett. All these were born and spent their childhood in the Neck district. Dr. Amos Bassett I knew personally. He was of a very serious, and one would think of a sad countenance. He was quite scholarly, and was for a long period one of the fellows of Yale College. For many years he was pastor of the Congregational church in Hebron, Conn. He graduated with the class in Yale, in 1784 ; died in 1828, and his remains lie buried in the cemetery in Derby. " Rev. Daniel Tomlinson was long the pastor of the church in Oakham, Mass. He also graduated at Yale in the year 1781, and died in 1842. 300 HISTORY Ol' DKKHV. Mr. Tomlinson was a man of distinguished excellence. His voice and manner in the desk were very peculiar. They were his own, and in- imitable. He always preached with black gloves on his hands, and I well remember that my pastor, sometimes noticing that there was smiling about the house when Mr. T. officiated, would rise from his seat and in a dignified and solemn way, request that there should be no levity in the house of God. " Of Rev. Archibald Basssett, I have little knowledge except that he graduated at Yale in 1796, and died in 1859. " The Rev. Abner Smith, had his home in that part of Derby called Great Hill. I remember him as he used often to appear in our church, and as I sometimes heard him preach. His delivery was very moder- ate, his voice nasal, his body short, his legs long and very crooked, and his whole aspect and manner unique. My strong impression is that he was a graduate of Harvard. I spent a little time in his house about 1823, since which I have kept no track of him. "Two other Derby men became ministers about the year 1826, viz., John L. Tomlinson and Truman Coe. The former had been a law- yer in Derby for years. He graduated at Yale in 1807, and died in 1833. Mr. Coe did not graduate, but received an honorary degree from Yale in 1825. He had been a distinguished teacher of youth, and also a lecturer of science ; was wholly a self-made man. He died in 1858." THE WAR OF 1 8 12. This war, like many others in the history of the world, was originated and organized in the interests of a political party, upon a basis of small pretexts and with the intention of ac- quiring the British territory of Canada. The disgrace and dis- honor of it has ever been a cloud over the fair name of the United States. At this time David Ilimiphreys, who had borne the military title of colonel for many years, was residing in Humphreysville, busily engaged in his manufacturing enterprises and philan- thropic plans. Upon the opening of the war, his love for his country was aroused as in his younger days, in the Revolution, and calling a public meeting at the old and then dilapidated appearing meeting-house standing on Academy Hill, he delivered a stir- ring and eloquent oration, and called for volunteers. A com- pany, called then troopers, (now cavalry) was enlisted, with the COMPLIMENTS TO COMMODORE HULL. 3OI Colonel as its first officer, and was accepted by the state. Mr. Humphreys was then appointed major general of the state mil- itia, and afterwards was called General instead of Colonel Hum- phreys. No records of town acts in regard to the war are found, except that introduced by General Humphreys as complimentary to Commodore Isaac Hull, and very seldom is a document seen which is more perfect and complete. '' At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Derby, legally held by adjournment, April 12, 1813, the following resolutions were intro- duced and read by Col. David Humphreys. "Resolved, that Isaac Hull Esq., a native of this town, captain in the Navy of the United States, and lately Commander of their Frigate Constitution, with the aid of his gallant officers and ship's company and the smiles of Providence, having led the van in the career in our naval glory by capturing His Britannic Majesty's Frigate Guerriere, commanded by Captain Dacres, has, in our opinion, deserved well of his country, and is an ornament to the place of his nativity. " Resolved, that joining cordially in the universal applause bestowed by our native countrymen, on Hull, Jones, Decatur, Bainbridge and Lawrence, and their brave and skillful associates in perils and triumphs, for their glorious naval achievements, we judge we have a right in our corporate capacity, without showing an undue partiality to the first men- tioned officer, or stepping aside from our municipal duties, to notice more explicitly his exemplary merits, from having better opportunities of being acquainted with them. " Resolved, that Messrs. John L. Tomlinson, William Humphreys and Pearl Crafts, be a committee to collect and digest such distinguish- ing illustrative facts on the subject matter now before us as may be attainable, and that they will cause the result to be communicated to the public in such manner as they shall deem most proper. " Resolved, that from the interruption of our fisheries and navigation by war, gold and silver we have not, to offer costly demonstrations of respect and esteem in imitation of richer towns, yet what we have we freely give, to wit, a tribute of gratitude. "Therefore, voted that Isaac Hull, Esq, being already constitution- ally entitled to the freedom of this corporation, the thanks of this town be presented to him in a box made of heart of oak, the genial growth of his native hills. " Voted, that the committee take order from the selectmen for the performance of this service and report their proceedings to a future 302 HISTORY OF DERBY. meeting, for the express purpose that a town record be made for the perpetual remembrance of these transactions. " Voted, that tlie committee above named be directed to transmit to Capt. Hull a certified copy of the foregoing resolutions. J. L. Tomlinson, clerk." Diligent search has been made through the town records and newspapers of that day for the report of the committee which was to be " communicated to the public," but nothing of the kind has been found. During the war, Derby also furnished a company by draft, which, after repeated trainings in town, was ordered to New Lon- don, where, under Captain Gates (of Derby) it rendered mate- rial aid against the British, and gained lasting credit to the American service. The company — the bone and sinew of Derby — prided themselves on being patriotic and brave, full of Revo- lutionary pluck, and having enrolled among their ranks no drones or, what were equally as despicable, cowards. But they were slightly mistaken, for one of their number, private E — B — , was shy of gunpowder, and if possible always shirked his duty. Threatened with an attack, the balls beginning to fly from the enemy, Capt. Gates nerved his men by saying, " Now, boys, is the time to think of your wives and sweethearts, and live or die, fight for the honor of old Derby." Private B. and another, G. W., rather hung back in fear, say- ing they did not expect to fight ; when the Captain quickly retorted, " What did you come for, if not to fight ? We tolerate no cowards in our ranks." Private B. was often ordered out foraging for the company, his mission being to rob hen-roosts or gather anything he could find good to eat, but he generally played sick or truant, and came to camp empty. His designs at length became apparent and his comrades thought him good game for a little sport. For some military misdemeanor which was construed into rank treason, he was arraigned before a court-martial, and after due trial found guilty and sentenced to be hung. As might be expected, he was overwhelmed at the severity of the sentence. He was given his choice, however, to swing as did Major An- dre, or more military like, be shot. He preferred neither, for to lose his life in such a way with his back to the enemy would COURT-MARTIAL. 303 be an eternal disgrace to Derby, and he plead for pardon, prom- ising to take the front in the future. But the laws of war are cruel, and he was led out for execution, but just in time a re- prieve from head-quarters reached him, and he was pardoned on certain conditions. The joke was rather severe, but it had the desired effect, for he was returned to the ranks, became a true soldier, and faith- fully endured to the end of the war. After the return of the company at the close of hostilities, its frolicsome members had many a hearty laugh over the New London court-martial, which proved so opportune and happy in its effects. CHAPTER XI. ROADS, BRIDGES AND FLOODS. ILP^ORD path is the first of anything like a highway spoken of in Derby records, and the next is that to New Haven. The first of these began at the place where the first lots were laid out, (Up Town) running south-easterly, probably just where the highway docs now, until it passed the Swift place, where it was changed some years later and run further east than at first. The New Haven path went past the Riggs's place as the highway does now, but somewhere east of that point to the New Haven line, the record tells us a new highway was laid in April, 1717. In 1676 a cart path was made from Up Town, through the meadow in Naugatuck valley to the fishing place somewhere near the present Derby bridge at the causeway. This road was changed and placed on the bank, near where it now runs, about 1755, but it was somewhat al- tered in 1772, and is described as the highway from Doctor Silas Baldwin's to Stevens's ferry at the Narrows." On the Great Neck, the Woodbury path is spoken of, in 1683, and passed from the present Baldwin's Corners, a little west of north over the hill, the road being now used but little. On this road just up the hill, was probably John Prindle's ordinary, or tavern in 17 16. About 1683, the highway was constructed from the first ferry, near the site of the old Hull's mills, up the river on the west side, passing the west end of the present lower Ansonia bridge, and then went north-west into the Woodbury path. At this same time also there is mentioned a " path from Barren Plain brook to Rimmon," probably about a mile west of the river. In January, 1728-9, the town appointed "a committee to meet a committee of Watcrbury, concerning a highway to said Waterbury." This had reference, probably, to the valley above Rock Rimmon. After 1 71 2, highways were constructed and re-arranged in TURNPIKES. 305 the northern part of the town as they became necessary for the new settlers, at the cost of much time and labor, and when made it must have been weary work traveling on them except on horseback. In 1746, the town "appointed a committee to meet a com- mittee from New Milford, and view and see if there can be a convenient highway made near the Great river from said Derby to said New Milford, and to make report to the town." In 1783, the lottery was instituted in part for the purpose of making " a highway from Woodbury to Derby, by the Ousa- tonic river," and this road was constructed soon after, along the river to meet the one, or it may have been in part the one, that crosses Rock House Hill. In 1794, the town "Voted, that Col. Daniel Holbrook, Mr. Caleb Candee and Mr. Nathan Fairchild, be a committee to view the circumstances of the town, respecting the petition of Mulford and associates to the General Assembly in regard to a turnpike in O.xford, and make their return to this or some future meeting." This turnpike, chartered in 1795, is said to have been the second in the state, and is likely to be the last given up, for toll is still regularly collected from all who use it. From this time forward for twenty years or more, there was much attention given to the construction of turnpikes through- out the state, and Derby partook rather freely of this method of speculation, for after some of these good roads were made, a large proportion of the trade that had previously centered in Derby, was carried to New Haven. The first of these is re- ferred to as follows in the town records : "Sept. 1796. Voted, that Col. Daniel Holbrook, Capt. John Riggs and Capt. Bradford Steele, be appointed a committee to wait on a committee appointed by the General Assembly, to view and lay out a road or highway from the state house in New Haven to Derby Landing, and from thence through Ox- ford, etc., to Litchfield." The proposition to make this road a turnpike as far as Derby Landing was entered into by leading men of Derby, Huntington and New Haven, and especially by Leman Stone, who had been a merchant at Derby Landing from 1791 ; and it was only after many obstacles were over- come and much money expended, that the road was completed, 306 HISTORV OF DERHV. and it thereafter furnished a grand highway for carrying the farm produce to New Haven to be shipped, instead of bringing New Haven trade to Derby as was predicted. When this turn- pike was finished to the Landing, it became a great question how to extend it to Oxford, and the subject came up in town meeting in the following form : "Sept. 19, 1803. Question: Will the town do anything respecting the road laid out by the Honorable General Assembly committee, from Oxford turnpike to Mr. Leman Stone's at Derby Landing ? Voted in the af- firmative." " Question : W^ill the town oppose the acceptance of the above mentioned road in Derby unless the company purchase the land .-' Voted in the negative." A committee was then appointed to confer with the proprietors of the turnpike on the subject. The Oxford turnpike when first constructed did not come down quite to the village of Chusetown, but turned from the Little river some distance above its mouth, over the hill and up the Naugatuck river, crossing that river at Pine's bridge and uniting with the Naugatuck and New Haven turnpike on Beacon brook. Hence, in order to connect Chusetown with that turnpike we find the following action of the town : " April 12, 1802. Voted, that the town of Derby will petition the Gen- eral Assembly at their session at Hartford, May next, for a grant for a turnpike road from the Falls bridge in said Derby, taking in said bridge and to extend to Oxford turnpike, and liberty to set up a gate at said bridge and to take such toll as shall be affixed, and that Russell Tomlinson, Esq., be appointed agent for said town to prefer said petition." This petition not being granted, was renewed the next year. All efforts having failed to connect Derby Landing by a turnpike with the Ox- ford turnpike, the town proceeded in its own behalf as follows, in December, 1804: "Voted, that the selectmen be directed to accept of the donations, and proceed as soon as the weather will admit, and lay out a road from Shrub Oak, so called, to Derby Narrows, where it will in their judgment best accommo- date the public and the town of Derby with the least injury and exjiense." The report of the selectmen in laying out this road was accepted April 18, 1805, and a vote passed to make the road. LEAVENWORTH BRIDGE. 3O7 The extravagant ideas of the profits arising from a turnpike and toll bridge at that time, may be seen from the following record: "March i6, 1807. Voted, that this town will aid Dan Tomlinson, Nathan Mansfield, Nathan Lewis and Isaac Botsford, in an application to the General Assembly for liberty to erect a bridge over the Naugatuck river at the westernmost end of Rimmon Falls turnpike road, and maintain the same, to- gether with the road from said bridge to Oxford turnpike road, and collect a toll therefor at such place as the General Assem- bly or the committee shall direct, provided they exonerate the town from all expenses in making and maintaining said bridge and road in future, and provided the inhabitants of said town have liberty to pass, toll free." It would seem that if the town could be relieved from maintaining a bridge which had been an expensive article for many years, it would have gladly rendered its aid as proposed without further consideration, but it went so much further as to ask to withhold a large source of revenue to the proprietors of the proposed bridge and turnpike, for if the inhabitants of the town passed toll free, where would sufficient funds come from to remunerate the owners of the property ? It must have been a time of " great expectations " from turnpikes. It was after this effort to get rid of the Falls bridge that the New Milford turnpike was chartered and made. The bridges, however, continued to be of great expense to the town, and the day for the prevalence of this luxury is not yet passed. Seven large bridges are now maintained on the Naugatuck within the bounds of ancient Derby, and one on the Ousatonic. For a hundred and twenty-five years the town built, on an average, one bridge in ten years at the place called the Lower Bridge (Up Town), and nearly the same expense, although not quite as great, was incurred at the upper bridge (at the Falls). It is said that the first Leavenworth bridge was built across the Ousatonic, a little way above the Red House, in 1768, and was a toll-bridge, but the following town record indicates that either the bridge had not been built, or, if built it had been carried away before that time : " Dec. 13, 1790. Voted, that the town will oppose the building of a bridge at the Leaven- worth ferry, and that Capt. John Wooster and Thomas Clark, 308 lirSTORV OF dkkrv. Esq., be appointed agents for the town of Derby at the (Gen- eral Assembly, to oppose the building of said bridge at Leaven- worth ferry." The bridge, after standing at that place some years, was partly carried away by an ice-flood, and rebuilt, re- maining afterwards until 1831, when it was removed down the river to Hawkins Point, and there rebuilt by Donald Judson and Philo Bassett. In February, 1857, it was again carried away by an ice-flood, and immediately rebuilt and continued a toll-bridge until about 1875, when it became free. It is now the great thoroughfare between the prosperous villages of Shelton and Birmingham. But while the want of bridges in the town was a great calam- ity, the fact of one being built at Stratford, obstructing the com- merce of Derby, was thought to be almost a greater one. Some account of the difficulties concerning this bridge have already been given, but further items have been obtained and are here added, connecting the troubles of that bridge with the efforts of men now living. In 1800, the town voted to send an agent to the General Assembly to oppose the building of this bridge, and in 1802 they did the same thing, showing that for a time they prevented the building of the bridge, but finally it arose, " master of the situation." THE BRIDGE AT STRATFORD. Washington bridge at Stratford, to which allusion has already been made, being long a serious obstacle to the commercial prosperity of Derby may properly be connected further with Derby. Its charter was granted in 1802, the Legislature mak- ing no provision to alter or amend it. The draw was only thirty- two feet wide, while the right of navigation was in no way to be obstructed. In the winter of 1805 and 1806 a freshet car- ried away a large portion of the bridge, and in 1 807 the Leg- islature granted the original company a lottery to aid them in rebuilding it. On the early introduction of steamboats they were built of small dimensions and thus enabled to pass the draw, though frequently not without damage. When the manufacturing in- terests of Derby increased it became necessary to transport large quantities of freight, which required boats of greater ca- STRATFORD BRIDGE. 3O9 pacity and thus the bridge became a great barrier to steamboat navigation. In 1845 an application was made to the Legisla- ture to compel the bridge company to widen the draw. Hon. R. I. Ingersoll of New Haven was employed as counsel. He took the broad ground that the state had no right to close the river against steamboat navigation, especially when Derby was a port of delivery, having vessels and steamboats regularly enrolled and licensed. Edward N. Shelton, Esq., took a very active and influential part in pushing the matter before the Legislature, where it was referred to the appropriate committee, which reported a bill compelling the bridge company to widen the draw to sixty feet. It passed both Houses but was vetoed by the governor, R. S. Baldwin, on the ground that it was in conflict with the condi- tions of the charter. This created much indignation, espe- cially among those in the interests of Derby, and the bill was finally passed over the governor's veto. The bridge company refused to comply with the law and a quo warranto was issued by the state's attorney in Fairfield county against the company to show cause why the charter should not be forfeited by neg- lecting to widen the draw. The case was ably argued, but in the absence of any proof that any vessel had been prevented from passing the draw, although admitted by all that steam- boats could not, the court decided in favor of the bridge com- pany. The citizens of Derby became highly incensed at this dodge of the main question, and at once a meeting was called, money raised, and a committee appointed to act with Anson G. Phelps of New York to force a passage through the bridge, as had been done in a similar case at the Pelham bridge in the state of New York. The committee, Mr. Edward N. Shelton and Mr. Thomas Burlock, called on Mr. Ingersoll, who said, under the circumstances, he could not blame the citizens for this sum- mary process, but after the committee left him, fearing he might be censured for favoring mob-law, wrote to Mr. Phelps saying that he had discovered that in the statutes the act of obstruct- ing the travel over a public bridge was a criminal offense, upon which Mr. Phelps decided to have nothing to do with forcing a passage through the bridge. Not to be beaten in a good cause 310 HISTORY OF DERBY. the committee, with Mr. Phelps, decided to charter a steamboat, load it with freight and send it to Derby. The steamer Salem of New Jersey was engaged and soon headed for Derby, being ten feet wider than the draw. As she neared the bridge, with colors flying, there was great excitement. She was forced into the draw when open, as far as she could be and remained wedged tight nearly two hours, and then with difificulty backed out and sailed to Stratford dock. The next step was to hire a sailing vessel and take the freight to Derby. A suit was then brought by Mr. Phelps in the United States court for the expense of getting the freight from the steamer to Derby. While this suit was pending the New York and New Haven railroad company to avoid any conflict with the Washington bridge company, which had in its charter a provision that no bridge should be built within three miles of it, purchased the bridge and pro- posed to put in a draw sixty feet wide, provided the suit be withdrawn without cost to the railroad company. In 1848 the draw was widened to sixty feet, and in 1869, the bridge having been abandoned by the owners, the citizens of Milford and other towns applied to the state for aid in some shape to rebuild it, when it was enacted that when " said bridge should be rebuilt it should be with an eighty feet draw, also when the railroad bridge should be rebuilt it should have the same width of draw," which is the width in both at the present time. Thus for more than half a century this bridge has been a bone of contention, and during great freshets many a wish has been expressed that it might drift into the ocean and no longer obstruct the navigable waters of the Ousatonic. b. THE OUSATONIC CANAL. Considerable excitement was awakened at one time in view of the proposition to construct a canal from Derby to the Mas- sachusetts state line, and the subject came before the town meeting, and on it the following record was made : " March 4, 1822. Whereas it has been reported to this meeting that a petition will be brought to the next General Assembly to incorporate a company for the purpose of establishing a navigation by the Ousa- tonic river, by means of a canal near its banks or by improving the bed NAUGATUCK RAILROAD. 3II of the river as far as the state line ; and whereas said operations are in part to be done within the limits of this town, therefore voted, that said canal may be laid through this town and the contemplated opera- tions in the river be made, and that this town waive all objections to said petition on the ground that said petition shall not be regularly served on this town ; and the representation from this town is hereby instructed by all proper means to forward the object of said petition, provided nothing herein contained is to be constructed to subject this town to the expense of purchasing the land over which said canal may pass." THE NAUGATUCK RAILROAD. The proposition for a railroad in the Naugatuck valley was entertained first by Mr. Alfred Bishop of Bridgeport, who, after consultation with various parties whom he supposed might be interested in the enterprise, brought the subject before the Legislature of Connecticut, and a charter was granted in the year 1845, which was amended in 1847 and in 1848. The per- sons named in the grant were the following : Timothy Dwight of New Haven. Philo Hurd of Bridgeport. Green Kendrick of Waterbury. Alfred B. Brittain of Bridgeport. Thomas Burlock of Derby. George L. Schuyler of New York. William P. Burrall of Bridgeport. At first it was proposed to make the road only from Bridge- port to Waterbury, with a capital stock of $800,000, but after- wards it was e.xtended to Winsted and the capital increased to $1,200,000. This amount of stock was afterwards increased to $1,500,000 to furnish the road with engines, cars and coaches, or what is commonly called rolling-stock. An organization of the company was effected in February, 1848, and a contract made with Mr. Alfred Bishop to build the road complete and receive in pay $800,000 cash and $400,000 in bonds. The first officers of the road were : Timothy Dwight, presi- dent ; Ira Sherman, secretary, and Horace NichoLs, treasurer. The profile and survey of the road, having been prepared, was presented to the directors March 14, 1848, and was adopted, and in the following April the work was commenced. The contract stipulated that the road should be built in the most thorough and durable manner, with a heavy H rail, similar to that used on the Housatonic road, which Mr. Bishop had just 312 HISTORY OF [)KRHY. completed, it being among the first railroads built in the United States. When the building of the road was assured appHcation was made to the business men along the line of the road to sub- scribe for stock, and thus aid the project by furnishing money with which to build it. This proposition was declined, suppos- ing that no dividends would ever be realized, and they preferred to make a donation at once, without any expectation of returns except in the use of the road. In view of such want of faith in the enterprise Mr. Bishop named the sum of $100,000, but in a final arrangement he accepted $75,000, which was raised and delivered to the company. In raising this sum and render- ing special aid in the construction and completion of the road, Mr. Philo Hurd, who was the general agent in all the work, mentions the following men as having been of great service. At Winsted, John Boyd, Mr. Beardsley, M. and J. C. Camp, William L. Gilbert, George Dudley. At Burrville, Milo Burr. At Wolcottville, George D. Wadhams, John Hungerford, Fran- cis N. Holley and William R. Slade. At Thomaston, Seth Thomas gave $15,000 or more'. At Waterbury, Dea. Aaron Benedict and his son, Charles M. Benedict, W'. C. Schofield, Green Kendrick, John P. Elton, Brown Brothers, William Phylo, Almon Terrell, Scofield Buck- ingham, Charles B. Merriman, Norton J. Buel, Israel Holmes. At Naugatuck, Milo Lewis, William B. Lewis, J. Peck, Wil- liam C. DeForest, Mr. Goodyear, Josiah Culver. At Seymour, Dwight French & Co., George F. DeForest, S. Y. Beach, General Clark Wooster. At Ansonia, Anson G. Phelps, Thomas Burlock. At Derby and Birmingham, John J. Howe, Edward N. Shel- ton, Henry Atwater, Fitch Smith, Abraham Hawkins. Two men are mentioned by Mr. Hurd as having rendered special aid throughout the valley, George D. Wadhams of Wol- cottville and Israel Holmes of Waterbury. The former of these was peculiarly qualified for pushing new enterprises ; the latter was remarkable for his general insight into enterprises for the 'The amounts would have been given but for the fact that the old records are kept in New York. OPENING THE ROAD. 3I3 public good, in which respect, probably, he had no superior in his day. On the fifteenth of May, 1849, the first fifteen miles of the road was ready for the transaction of business, and Old Derby was connected with the outside world by a railroad. On the eleventh of June the road was open to Waterbury ; on the twenty-third of July it was open to Plymouth, and on the twen- ty-fourth day of September, 1849, the whole road was completed. Mr. Bishop, the contractor, having died in June the completion was thereby delayed a few days. The first time-table was issued on the fourteenth of May, 1849, '1"'^^ o'^ tl"'^ fourth of July of the same year a regular ex- cursion train was run, and that time-table mentions the follow- ing stations, beginning at Inchliff's Bridge and passing Water- ville, Waterbury, Naugatuck, Pine's Bridge, Humphreysville, Ansonia, Derby, Baldwin's Platform, the Junction and Bridge- port. On the twenty-third of July a time-table was issued, the train starting at Plymouth. On November 15th, the same year, a time-table was issued naming the following stations : Winsted, Rossiterville, Wol- cottville, Harwinton, Plymouth, Waterville, Waterbury, Nauga- tuck, Humphreysville, Ansonia and Derby. No particular change was made from the first plan of the road except at the south end, where instead of crossing the Ousatonic river at Derby and going direct to Bridgeport, they ran down the east side of the river, as at present, to the New York and New Haven railroad, and on that to Bridgeport. The directors in their first report, 1849, say: "The road commences at Winsted, in Litchfield county, about nine miles from the north line of the state, and terminates in the town of Milford, near the Ousatonic river, about twelve miles from New Haven and five miles from Bridgeport, at which point it intersects with the New York and New Haven railroad. It is fifty-five miles in length, and passes through the villages of Winsted, Wolcottville, Thomaston, Waterville, the city of W^ater- bury. Union City, Naugatuck, Seymour, Ansonia, Derby and Birmingham, besides several other intermediate stations." While the country all along the line of the road has been 40 314 HISTORY OF DERBY. greatly benefited, it is pleasant to know that the road, as. a business enterprise, has been a success, and in every respect an honor to the country and the men who have conducted it. There has been no repudiation of bonds, nor of bills, nor dam- ages, from the first day to the present time. The president of the New York and New Haven railroad not long since, pronounced it "one of the best managed roads in the country." This must be true or it would have been a one horse affair, instead of be- ing one of the most prompt and energetic institutions in the state. The expense in repairs on this road, above that of many oth- ers, absorbs annually a large per cent, of the income. The road is built in a narrow valley, and the hills on either side, much of the distance, are very precipitous, and the water rush- ing down the steep rocks and hills often does much damage to the grading of the road. The clouds sometimes settle down below the tops of the adjacent hills and empty their waters as in a flood, when bridges and heavy masonry are carried away as floating chips, as was the case in 1875, between Thomaston and Waterbury, and also on another occasion when the bridge was carried away at Pine brook, a short distance above Thomaston. On this occasion the workmen on the road above the bridge closed their work at six o'clock and went down the road over the bridge (which was then all right) to Thomaston. Soon after, a heavy shower came along above the bridge, mak- ing a great flood, most of it within the distance of about one mile, which flood carried away the abutment of the bridge, the bridge remaining in its place. When the up train came to Thomaston the workmen took a baggage or freight car, which when they came to the bridge went into the river with the bridge, and nine out of the sixteen men in the car were drowned. Great precaution is taken to have track walkers examine the road after showers as well as after the passing of trains, but in this case the shower was so confined to a short distance, and that between the stations, that no apprehension was entertained as to the safety of the road. That shower in its extent was very unusual, as it fell within the distance of one mile on the road, and in three or four hours the flood of water was gone and the river assumed its natural low water mark. NAUGATUCK VALLEY. 315 In consequence of the abruptness of these rocky hills the scenery along the road is wild and picturesque. At Wolcott- ville the valley widens a little, and the rising of the hills both east and west is gradual and free from rocks, forming one of the most beautiful sites for a city that ornaments the valley. THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY. The valley of the Naugatuck, through the entire length of which the railroad passes, has long been famed for the variety and beauty of its scenery. Not only has it attracted the at- tention and enlisted the pens of writers who have been familiar with it from childhood, but those who have come as strangers from remote parts of the nation have taken pleasure in de- scribing its picturesqueness and grandeur. From Wolcott- ville, where the two main branches of the Naugatuck unite, to Derby and Birmingham, where it empties into the Ousa- tonic, the river flows between wooded hill-sides, verdant mead- ows and precipitous ridges of rock. All these, with busy manufacturing villages interspersed, present themselves in rapid alternation to the traveler on the Naugatuck railroad, as he is borne northward or southward along its winding track. A recent quite noted writer speaks in the following manner : "The Naugatuck railroad runs through one of the most charm- ing valleys in all New England. The scenery is rare in its beauty, and renders the locality delightful either for permanent residence or for brief visits. Besides these natural advantages, the towns all along the line of the road are homes of numerous and important manufactures, whose products are shipped all over the world, and whose industries give employment and support to large numbers of people."^ It is believed that eighty per cent, of all these manufacturing interests have been introduced into the valley since the construction of the rail- road. Hence, the writer just quoted thus continues: "In view of these things it is a matter of the highest importance that the railroad facilities afforded shall be ample and ably managed, for without such assistance that whole fertile and productive country would lose its value to the rest of the world. It is, therefore, most fortunate that the Naugatuck railroad is ^Rev. George Lansing Taylor. 3l6 HISTORY OF DERBY. one of the best managed institutions in the country. It does a very large passenger and freight business, and at the same time all its officials are courteous and accommodating, looking care- fully to the wants and conveniences of the public, and making business intercourse agreeable and profitable ; the credit of which is almost entirely due to the superintendent, Mr. George W. Beach." Until the opening of the railroad, the knowledge of this val- ley scenery was comparatively limited, but since then, and es- pecially within the last ten years, the visitors have been so many that " High Rock Grove" has become a household word in thousands of families, the children being as familiar with it and the name of Superintendent George W. Beach, the deviser of so many pleasant things for them, as the older people. At High Rock, a little above Beacon Falls village, the scen- ery is notably wild and picturesque, and very much so for two miles below that place. On ascending the river on the railroad, the first prominent hight seen is Castle Rock, just below the village of Seymour, on the west side of the river, where it stands in all the grandeur of its ancient days, looking down upon the Falls of the Naugatuck as it did when the Red man of the valley made that his chief fishing place. This rock is about two hundred feet in hight, and without trees or shrubbery. Passing above the village of Seymour, Rock Rimmon rises in sight, jutting out, apparently, in the middle of the valley from the north, and rising to the hight of about four hundred feet, as if it were the foremost tower in a range of hills, like a bat- tlement, to defy the northward progress of an army of railroads. When this rock is seen from a distance at the south, it seems to be on the confines of a boundless wilderness, and this ap- pearance was probably the suggestion of the name it bears, as brought to mind in a very ancient historical declaration, upon the defeat of a great army : " And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmonl" On the west side of the river from Seymour, northward for two miles, the scen- ery is wild and hilly, but after this the hills disappear so as to allow the coming of two brooks into the Naugatuck, and some little valley land at the place called Pines Bridge. At the up- 8Judges, 20:45- HIGH ROCK GROVE. 317 per end of this little opening of the hills is Beacon Falls vil- lage, just above which the hills again close in, leaving little more than space for the river and the railroad, and then again the scenery becomes magnificently wild and rocky. On the west side of the river the hills rise very abruptly to the height of three and four hundred feet ; the rocks standing out in prom- ontories successively, in a gradual curve, until they reach High Rock, which has an elevation above the river of four hundred VIEW OF TllK IKAIN AI'I'ROACHINt; HIGH ROCK (JKOVK 1-KoM THE NORTH. and seventy-five feet, and from which northward the hills grad- ually decrease in height to the village of Naugatuck. On the east side of the river at High Rock the hills rise more gradu- ally, but are still very steep, and covered with trees of small growth. The accompanying picture represents the hills and the valley just above High Rock, where the valley is but about twenty rods wide. A little below this is the picnic ground. HIGH ROCK GROVE. In the summer of 1876, the centennial year of the nation, the Naugatuck railroad company prepared a delightful picnic ground at this place, for the comfort and enjoyment of multi- HIGH ROCK GROVE. 3I9 tildes of visitors, as well as to add somewhat to the returns from the investments made in the road. By the washing of the river, and the deepening of the channel on the east side of the valley, a strip of land had been formed on the west side, which had grown up within the last fifty years into a beautiful grove. This was cleared of underbrush and graded as far as was needful ; two spacious pavilions and other houses were erected ; croquet fields arranged ; a supply of boats provided on the river, which is here well adapted for rowing in consequence of the Beacon Falls dam just below, and numer- ous other provisions made for the entertainment of visitors. In the above cut. High Rock Grove is in the centre at the upper edge of the water, and High Rock is the high point at the left. The grounds of this Grove, together with all the various con- veniences and privileges for entertainment and amusement, are furnished by the company without expense to visitors, except the usual rates of fare, unless in the case of picnics when the fare is greatly reduced. In the heart of this rugged region, and just at the upper end of the grove, there is a narrow wooded glen, opening upon the river on its western bank, which in former years was a favorite resort for small picnic parties, and was known as " Sherman's Gorge." Through this a beautiful mountain stream comes plunging down, winding around the huge boulders which lie in its path, and leaping over rocky ledges, forming a series of charming little cascades, some of them hidden under the dense shadows of the woods. Southward and northward from this glen extends a ridge of hills, or rather crags, the southern division of which is known in history as Tobie's Rock Mountain. It derives its name from an Indian who, in colonial times, was the slave of one of the chief men of the region, and who soon after his freedom received from the Paugasuck Indians, " upon the con- sideration of friendship," a considerable tract of land including this mountain. To the highest of these great crags the name of " High Rock" has been given, and the gorge at its base has been named "High Rock Glen." Just below the mouth of the glen, between the railroad and the river, lies the strip of level land which constitutes the famous Hi^ ^(^mA^vL^ L^^lC^ IRON FOUNDRY. 365 Bassett. In 1850 the concern was incorporated under the above name, and the Colburns then removed to Ansonia. Henry Whipple (now sheriff) made the first castings in Birmingham, and continued in this department about forty years, when fail- ing health forced him to leave the shop. This foundry was started on a capital of $32,000, which has been increased to $100,000. On the death of Sheldon Bassett in 1865, who had for some years managed the concern, his son Royal M. Bassett was chosen president, and his brother Theodore S. Bassett sec- retary and treasurer. The company has been very prosperous BIRMINGHAM IRON FOUNDRY. under their administration. The average number of hands em- ployed from year to year being about one hundred and twenty- five ; the monthly pay-roll amounting to $6,000 ; goods produced yearly, $200,000. The sale of goods during the war amounted to $35,000 per month. F. M. Clemons is the general superin- tendent, and H. F. Wanning book-keeper. THE HOWE MANUFACTURING COMPANY. The Howe Manufacturing Company was organized in New York, Dec, 1835, to manufacture pins by means of Doct. John I. Howe's machines and he was appointed its general agent. In 366 HISTORY OF DERBY. the winter of 1836, a shop was fitted up and the company in New York commenced making their own machinery, and after a year and a half five machines had been constructed and put into operation for making what was then called the "spun- head pin." Previous to this, however, one machine had been changed to make the solid-headed pin. In April, 1838, the company, encouraged by Smith and Phelps, removed their manufactory to Birmingham for the advantages of water power. The machines then in use were all altered to "solid-headers." These were successful for a time, but were superseded by others invented by Doct. Howe. This man, whose reputation is world wide in the pin business, met with many discourage- ments in the outset with his inventions. Even after he came to Birmingham, the stock of his company went begging on the streets at fifty cents on the dollar, and many capitalists pre- dicted its failure. But Doct. Howe was patient, indomitable and persevering, and, as general manager of his company for thirty-five years or more he made it one of the most lucrative and successful enterprises ever established in the town. (See Biog.) The officers of this company are : W. Howe, president ; Charles E. Atwater, secretary ; Wm. E. Downes, treasurer ; Truman Piper, general superintendent of the factory. The company on an average employ about thirty hands, and turn out annually over one hundred tons of pins. THE IRON AND STEEL WORKS. The Birmingham Iron and Steel Works were prosperously carried on for many years under Abraham Hawkins and Henry Atwater, and afterwards by Thomas Elmes, employing on an average nearly two hundred hands, but recently the works have passed into the hands of Royal M. Bassett, E. N. Shelton, Wm. E. Downes, D. W. Plumb, N. H. Downes and Roswell A. Neal, and the old business is now being prosecuted with promise of good success, by Mr. E. S. Wheeler of New Haven, as agent, and Mr. Marvin Warner, superintendent ; employing about si.xty hands. These works have in the past added greatly to the industries and prosperity of Birmingham. BUSINESS ENTERPRISES. 367 THE SHELTON TACK COMPANY. This firm was organized in 1854, with a capital of ^80,000. The tack business was started successfully in the place in 1836 by Sanford and Shelton, and after the death of Mr. Sanford in 1 841 was continued by E. N. Shelton until the formation of the present company, which has now a capital of $100,000. It is one of the best and most substantial establishments in the place, having a branch factory in Shelton, just across the Ousa- tonic river, and the two employ on an average 125 hands. The company manufacture into tacks, small nails and bolts about a thousand tons of iron yearly, producing $200,000 worth of goods. E. DeForest Shelton, president ; George Blakeman, secretary and treasurer ; Edward N. Shelton, George Blake- man and E. De Forest Shelton, directors ; Almon P. Glover, general superintendent. THE FURNITURE FACTORY. Stephen N. Summers commenced the manufacture of furni- ture in 1836 in a little shop, and the firm of Summers & Lewis was established prior to the purchase of the Atwood factory in 1858, since which time they have done a large busi- ness in the wholesale and retail departments. The firm employs about thirty hands, and the establishment has been very success- ful from the beginning. The firm is known as Summers & Lewis. PAUGASSETT MILLS. These well-known mills constitute one of the busiest indus- tries of the borough. The senior members established their reputation in Orange in 1845, ^^id, after thirteen years, their business demanding a change to a more convenient locality, they purchased the property of the Globe Company and removed their machinery into Birmingham in 1858. In January, 1864, their mills were entirely destroyed by fire. In 1865 the old Copper Mills property was purchased and their present exten- sive factory buildings were erected. The firm consists of Amos H. and C. B. Ailing, and the son of the latter, Charles H. Ailing. ORGAN COMPANY. 369 They employ about 250 hands; their monthly pay roll amount- ing to $7,000. They produce about 7,500 pairs of hose per day, and the valuation of their products amounts to about $400,- 000 annually. THE STERLING ORGAN COMPANY. The manufacture of reed instruments had been carried on in a limited way for a number of years in Derby, by various parties, but the business did not assume extensive nor profita- ble dimensions until the establishment of the Sterling Organ Company in 1871. Their works were destroyed by fire in 1875, but promptly rebuilt, and in 1879 were enlarged to nearly dou- ble their former dimensions, making a very spacious building, 265 by 40 feet, four stories high, affording ample room for the construction of many thousands of organs a year. Mr. Rufus W. Blake, now the secretary and general manager, being the founder of a leading manufactory of a similar char- acter in Massachusetts, accepted the direction of the business of this company in 1873, since which time the enterprise has been very successful, with the exception that in 1875 it sus- tained a loss of $25,000 by fire, but was put upon a firm basis by Charles A. Sterling and the enterprising manager, R. W. Blake, and its reputation is now widely extended, its mercan- tile standing number one, and the various styles of organs pro- duced are unsurpassed by any establishment in the country. Their instruments are shipped to every state and territory in the Union and to various foreign ports. They employ about 125 hands, and produce 4,000 organs per year. Charles A. Sterling, president ; R. W. Blake, secretary and general man- ager, and Oliver E. Hawkins, cashier. ALLIS'S BOOK STORE. The illustration represents the store of George C. Allis, the oldest continuous firm with one exception in Birmingham. Mr. Allis started his business when he was only fifteen years of age, in the stone building on Main street, in a room eight by sixteen feet, his original capital being fifty dollars of borrowed money. In 1857 Edward Lewis, to encourage Mr. Allis, built him a small store on the south side of Main street, which he occupied 47 370 HISTORY OF DERBY. until 1866 when he purchased the store he now occupies, which he has rearranged and very much improved by extensive alter- ations and additions. In 1859 he founded his circulating library of the current pop- GEORGE C. ALUS S BOOK STORE. ular literature, which now numbers more than 3,000 volumes. He has been successful and is a standard representative in his line of. business. THE TRANSCRIPT. 371 DERBY PRINTING COMPANY, Thomas M. Nevvson and John B. Hotchkiss of New Haven started the first newspaper in Derby December, 1846, which was called the Derby Jojirnal. Mr. Newson was the editor, and was young, talented and energetic. For a time he published in Birmingham a lively daily paper, but it failed for want of support, the community being too limited for such an enter- prise ; and Mr. Newson disposed of his paper and pushed into a larger field. He is now the editor and proprietor of a large monthly illustrated magazine in St. Paul, Minnesota. The yournal passed into other hands and for many years it was published by various editors, under the names of Valley Messenger and Derby Transcript. In 1868 William I. Bacon bought the paper and established the Derby Printing Company, from the ofiice of which he, in connection with his son Daniel Bacon, issues the Transcript weekly ; a stirring, enterprising and valuable newspaper. The department of job printing is commensurate with the wants of the locality, and is conducted with promptness, accuracy and enterprise. But what is of de- cided value in the paper is the fact that its moral influence is carefully guarded by its editors so as not only not to be offen- sive to a Christian community, but also to sustain the Christian sentiment of such a community. AN ANTIQUARIAN. John Whitlock, a mechanical genius, came to Birmingham in 1844, and is particularly noted for tl>e variety of styles in his collection of old clocks. These time-keepers he has collected from various parties, in various stages of dilapidation, and with great ingenuity repaired the worn or broken parts and put them in good spirits, and set them at their old and almost forgotten work of measuring the revolutions of the earth. The variety consists of ninety or more different clocks, most of them the production of different makers. The oldest clock bears the date of 1656 (one year before the first deed of Birmingham Point was given by the Indians), having iron wheels, made in Germany, and was brought to this country by a Hungarian. Another is one hundred and fifty years old, and was once the l'J2 HISTORY OF DERBY. property of the grandfather of Commodore Isaac Hull of Derby, and of Revolutionary fame. Another, made in the black for- ests of Germany, is a tall pipe-organ clock and plays eight tunes. Two others, of " Crane's patent," run each 385 days with one winding. Mr. Whitlock is believed to be good authority on clocks, but if he is not his clocks are. The clock dated 1656 was an artistic and costly article, being constructed of iron and brass ; about six inches square, and was intended to lay on the table or mantel. The face is ornamented with allegorical figures ; those on the corners representing the four angels blowing the four winds of heaven ; those outside of the dial are Adam and Eve, between 7 and 8 o'clock in the morn- ing, the latter holding out the apple ; between 10 and 1 1, a group of young people; at 12 m., the Savior loosing the tongue of the dumb ; at 3 p. m., the good Samaritan pouring oil on the wounds of the bruised man by the wayside ; at 5 p. m., a monk going to the church in the Gothic age. Different styles of architec- ture representing different ages of the world are on the face. The case, constructed of brass and originally gilded, is orna- mented with allegorical figures and Latin inscriptions under them. Beneath the figure of " Minerva " is {the Latin ren- dered), " No one knows all things at all times ;" beneath " Tem- pus," "Time flies never to return ;" beneath " Hora," "Honor time as a god;" beneath "Mors," "We are dying every mo- ment." A partial classification of this collection may be stated : Of eight-day, brass hall clocks there is one by Osborn of Birming- ham, Eng.; one by WiUiams of Birmingham, Eng.; one by Richardson Miner of Stratford-on-Tyne, Eng,; one by Joseph Clark of Danbury, Conn.; one by Isaac Doolittle of New Ha- ven, Conn., and two by Macock Ward. Of the tall wooden clocks there are two made by Silas Hoad- ley of Plymouth, Conn.; one by J. and L. Harrison of Water- bury ; one by Asa Hopkins of Litchfield ; one by Eli Terry of Plymouth, and one by Hoadley & Thomas of Plymouth, Conn, Of the wooden shelf clocks there are three each by Mark Leavenworth of Waterbury and Silas Hoadley of Plymouth, and one each by the following : Eli Terry, Henry C. Smith, Robert Seymour, Bishop & Bradley, James Bishop, Sedgwick CLOCK MAKERS. 373 & Bishop, all of Waterbury ; one each by Ephraim Downs, Oli- ver Weldon, Boardman & Wells, Jerome & Darrow, Eldridge G. Atkins, Mitchell & Atkins, and Chauncey Boardman, all of Bristol ; one each by M. & E. Blakeslee and Seth Thomas of Plymouth, and one each by the following : Riley Whitney of Winchester, Hotchkiss & Field of Burlington, Eli Terry, jun., of Terryville, William Orton & Preston of Farmington, Orton, Preston & Co. of Farmington, Samuel R. Hitchcock of Hum- phreysville, R. E. Northrop of New Haven, Charles Stratton of Worcester, Mass., Wads worth, Lounsbury & Turner of Litch- field, Julius Peck & Co. of Litchfield, B. H. Twiss of Meriden, B. & A. Richards, made for Lawson & Ives of Bristol, and L. & F. Andrews, John Bacon, Barnes & Bacon, Terry & Andrews, Samuel Terry, E. & G. W. Bartholomew, all of Bristol, Conn.; George C. Marsh of Torrington, and Norris North of Wolcott- ville. Conn. Mr. Whitlock's object has been to obtain a wooden clock by every maker of clocks who has conducted his work in Connec- ticut, and thinks he has made a good beginning, but is still far from the end. He has many brass clocks with peculiarities in their mechanical construction, in various stages of wear and tear, and a variety of cases, faces and ornamental parts, suffi- cient to meet the wants of repairing for many years to come. OTHER ENTERPRISES. L. L. Loonier & Sons are manufacturers of corsets, and pro- duce about $175,000 worth of goods annually, employing 13d hands. Tomlinson & Brewster are manufacturers of corsets, employ- ing 60 hands at an expense of $1,500 a months producing yearly about $75,000 worth of goods. In addition to the enumeration thus far given should be men- tioned the following enterprises now in active operation, con- tributing to the industries of the place : Robert May, corset maker, and the first importer of kid gloves into Birmingham ; Robert N. Bassett, maker of corset steels ; Wm. Hawkins, rhan- ufacturer of skates and wrenches ; Henry G. Bassett, box maker ; Sturges Whitlock, machinist and builder of printing presses ; John Whitlock, machinist ; H. S. Sawyer & Sons, grist-mill ; 374 HISTORY OF DERBY. S. L. Otis, machinist ; George G. Shelton & Brothers, baby carriages; Cornell & Shelton, folding boxes; R. M. & T. S. Bassett, corsets, successors to Downes & Bassett, and Downes & Krous, corsets, just established. In closing this brief account of business companies it is proper to say that Birmingham has been the starting point from which have sprung many of the now prosperous enterprises in the town of Derby and its vicinity. The Derby Building and ST. James's church. Lumber Company at the Narrows ; Wallace & Sons, Slade Woolen Company, formerly owned by D. W. Plumb, Colburn's Foundry, now owned by F. Farrell, Osborn & Cheeseman Com- pany, W. & L. Hotchkiss Lumber Company, and the Copper Mills, of Ansonia ; and Sharon Bassett's bolt factory, Star Pin Company, Wilcox & Howe Company, Shelton Factory, Derby Silver Company, and Derby Gas Company, of Shelton, are all outgrowths of men and capital once largely identified with the interests of Birmingham. April 30, 1 84 1, the members of the Episcopal parish of St. James's church held their first meeting to change the location of SAVINGS HANK. 375 their church edifice, by a warning duly given, and it was voted to change it to Birmingham. The accompanying cut represents the present structure, which is in striking contrast with the first church built in this ancient parish in 1738. The lot was donated by Smith and Phelps, and the money ($6,000) raised by subscription for a stone church. Since its erection it has been enlarged, a stone tower erected in place of a wooden one, and a chime of bells furnished. The stone work was built by Harvey Johnson, and the wood work by Nelson Hinmon ; the building committee being A. Beardsley, E. N. Shelton and Jo- seph P. Canfield. This edifice was erected under many dis- couragements, but was completed in the spring of 1843, and consecrated by Bishop Brownell, April 11, the same year, the following clergymen being present : Rev. William B. Ashley, rector, Rev. Drs. Daniel Burhans and William C. Mead, and Rev. Messrs. Stephen Jewett, E. E. Beardsley, G. H. Stocking, Rodney Rossiter, D. G. Tomlinson, G. S. Coit, J. Pures, G. S. White, C. Hopson, Joseph Scott, J. D. Smith, S. S. Stocking and J. L. Clark. The earlier and more complete history of this church is given in chapter fifth of this book. Three of the churches in Birmingham are beautifully located on the Green, St. James's on the east, the Methodist on the north or upper end, and the Congregational on the west side. Two of these, with the old public school-house, are represented in the accompanying illustration. DERBY SAVINGS BANK. The Derby Savings Bank was chartered in May, 1846, the original corporators being John I. Howe, Donald Judson, Thomas Burlock, David W. Plumb, George W. Shelton, Fitch Smith, David Bassett, George Kellogg, Thomas Wallace, Samuel French, George Blakeman, S. M. Colburn, Henry Atwater, S. N. Summers, Isaac J. Gilbert, Edward Lewis, Sheldon Bassett, Henry Hubbard, Sheldon Smith, jun., John W. Davis and Sid- ney A. Downes. The officers were, John I. Howe, president; Edward N. Shelton, vice-president ; Joseph P. Canfield, secre- tary. Mr. Canfield held his office sixteen years. At the end of the 376 HISTORY OF DERBY. first year the deposits in the bank amounted to $2,391.50. In the sixteen years following they increased to $187,103.50, with a surplus of $5,337. In 1862 Mr. Canfield resigned and Thad- deus G. Birdseye was elected to fill the place as secretary and treasurer, which office he has ever since held. The deposits have increased to $1,226,085.95, with an increased surplus of $55,381.63, without the loss of a dollar. During the past two years the directors have limited the deposits, thereby reducing the total deposits nearly $200,000. PUBLIC SQU.'VRK, BIRMINGHAM. Of the original incorporators, twenty in number, only ten are living, four of whom remain its officers. It is believed that few if any savings banks in the state have been better, more judiciously or honestly managed than this. Both officers and institution have the entire confidence of the community. The present officers are, president, Joseph Arnold ; vice-president, D. W. Plumb ; directors, David Torrance, Sid- ney A. Downes, Stephen N. Summers, \Vm. E. Downes, Henry A. Nettleton, Clark N. Rogers, Truman Piper. BANK CHARTERED. 377 MANUFACTURERS BANK. This bank was chartered in 1848, with a capital of $100,000, with authority to increase the same to $300,000. It was organized and commenced business the same year, $100,000 being subscribed. The first board was composed of the follow- ing gentlemen : president, Edward N. Shelton ; directors, J. I. Howe, Lewis Downs, Fitch Smith, William Guthrie, Thomas Burlock, Edward Lewis, Sidney A. Downes, H. S. Nichols ; cashier, James M. Lewis. The granting of the charter was violently opposed in the Legislature on account of the prejudices against the old Derby Bank, but soon after its organization it was found that the $100,000 capital was insufficient for the business of the town and vicinity. In 185 1 the stockholders voted to increase the capital to $300,000, which amount was subscribed and paid during the next two years. In 1853 Mr. Lewis resigned his position as cashier to accept the position of president of the Union National Bank of New York city, and Mr. Joseph Arnold of the' Meriden Bank was elected to and accepted the vacated position, which he has retained to the present time. With the exception of a few months in 1865, Edward N. Shelton has remained president of this Bank, from the time of his first appointment in 1848 until the present. In 1865 the institution was reorganized under the National Bank Act with the title of the Birmingham National Bank ; the same officers being retained. At first the Bank was located in a small room over the Shel- ton tack factory. In 1850 a banking house was built on the low grounds opposite the Iron and Steel Works, but in conse- quence of injuries done by freshets, another location was selected and the present bank building was erected on the cor- ner of Main and Caroline streets, which is still occupied by this Bank and the Derby Savings Bank. The institution has proved a successful and most accomodat- ing enterprise to the citizens of Derby and its vicinity. The present board of officers and employes are : president, Edward 48 378 HISTORY OF DERBY. N. Shelton ; vice-president, D. W. Plumb ; directors, George Blakeman, Edward Lewis, Merritt Clark, Wm. E. Downes, Charles H. Pinney, Joseph Arnold ; cashier, Joseph Arnold ; book-keeper, Wm. S. Browne; teller, Charles E. Clark; clerk, Charles C. Blair. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. The Birmingham Congregational Society was organized July 30, 1845. The first meeting was held at the house of Ephraim Birdseye, the present residence of Sharon Bassett, in Birmingham. There were present, David Bassett, Asa Bas- sett, G. Smith, Ephraim Birdseye, David Nathans, George W. Shelton, F. T. Frost, Edward Kirby and Samuel P. Tomlin- son ; four of whom are still living. David Bassett, Josiah Smith, 2d, and George W. Shelton were the first society's com- mittee, and Ephraim Birdseye, clerk and treasurer. The name adopted was the " Birmingham Congregational Society." The church edifice was erected the same year by Hotchkiss, Clark & Company, at an expense of about ^6,000. The lot was donated by Anson G. Phelps, for church purposes only, and the new edifice was dedicated January 28, 1846; the sermon on the occasion being preached by the Rev. Joel Parker, D. D., of Philadelphia. In the summer of 1859 ^^^ edifice was enlarged by adding seventeen feet to its rear, at an expense of ^2,500. In 1866 the present parsonage was erected at a cost of about ;^6,ooo. On January 4, 1846, sixty persons, in good standing, were dis- missed from the First Church of Derby, and on February 13, 1846, organized themselves as a church by the adoption of arti- cles of faith and a covenant. Feb. 25. 1846, a council of neigh- boring churches was held and the church formally recognized, the Rev. George Thatcher, pastor of the Derby Congregational church preaching the sermon. On March 9, 1846, the society voted to hire the Rev. E. W. Cook for six months and to pay him three hundred and twenty-five dollars. Rev. Charles Dickinson was installed as the first settled pas- tor, Sept. 16, 1846, and continued as such until his death in 1854. Rev. Zachary Eddy of Warsaw, N. Y., was installed Dec. 19, 1855, and dismissed at his own request Feb. 11, 1858. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 379 The Rev. C. C. Carpenter was ordained pastor of this church Feb. 13, 1861, and continued thus until June zj, 1865, when he voluntarily resigned. May i, 1866, the Rev. Stephen S. Mer- shon was installed, and by his own request was relieved of the CuNCKia.A'liUNAL CllUKClI AND PARSONAGE. duties of pastor March 17, 1869. The Rev. Charles F. Bradley was installed over this church Dec. 30, 1873, and remains at the present time its pastor. At a church meeting, April 10, 1846, Josiah Smith, 2d, and David Bassett were chosen deacons. The followine: have since 380 HISTORY OF DERBY. been chosen : Truman Gilbert, E. G. Atwood, Henry Somers, J. R. Hawley, G. W. Shelton, S. M. Gardner, and Joseph Tom- linson. The last three are acting at the present time. At a church meeting held Feb. 13, 1846, George W. Shelton was appointed superintendent of the Sabbath school and was re-appointed yearly until 1854, in which year William B. Lewis was elected. In 1855 George W. Shelton was again chosen and held the office until April, 1858, when Truman Piper was elected. In April, 1859, Joseph Tomlinson was appointed and has held the office with the exception of one year up to the present time. During vacancies in the pastorate the Rev. J. Wiley, D. D., Rev. Robert G. Williams and Rev. John Willard have occupied the pulpit as stated supplies. In the early history of the church the music was vocal and instrumental. At one time the latter consisted of a bass-viol, two violins and a flute. In 1856 an organ displaced these in- struments. In 1 87 1 the pulpit was removed from the recess at the west end of the church and the organ transferred from the gallery to it, and a movable platform with a neat plain desk substituted for a pulpit, occupying a few feet in front of the former. With this change the gallery choir was abandoned and singing was congregational, led by a precentor, the organ being accompanied by a flute. In 1874 an orchestra was added and has continued to the present time, mostly without a precentor. This church has been harmonious and prosperous, and now numbers 221 members. KING HIRAM LODGE. The King Hiram Lodge, No. 12, was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to Brothers Charles Whittlesey and twenty-six others, Jan. 3, A. L., 5783, in the year of our Lord, 1783. The first communication was held at Derby Narrows, and the first lodge building was erected in 1791, of which the lodge was only part owner, the lower story being used for a schoolroom ; the upper one for the lodge. The corner stone of this building is all that remains (a sacred relic), on which is inscribed the following : masonic lodge. 38 i "This Stone was Erected to KING HIRAM LODGE, No. XIL, By Samuel B. Marshall in the year of light, 5797." " Breast to Breast Let Brotherly love continue." This lodge received its present charter from the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, May 12, 1792. Its ancient records with many Masonic valuables were destroyed in the great fire at Birming- ham Jan. 12, 1879, and like many other institutions has had its seasons of growth and depression, and received its full share of odium in the days when bitter invectives were hurled against all who dared to profess the name of Freemasonry, but in spite of all this the light of the order was kept burning upon its altar. Lodge meetings were held at the Narrows until 1828, when it was voted to hold them at Humphreysville. In 18 1 2 the lodge was called upon, and assisted in laying the corner stone of St. Paul's church, Huntington, an edifice still standing. Communications at that time were often held during the day, and sometimes a whole day was occupied in Masonic work. " The refreshments furnished at the lodge rooms were such as would shock our sense of propriety at the present day, for we read from the records that the steward be instructed to procure one gallon of rum or half a gallon of French brandy for the use of the craft. But if we consider that in those days it many times took large quantities of the ardent to celebrate a fashionable wedding or raise a meeting-house, it would not be unreasonable to suppose that a little would be required on the occasion of raising a brother to the sublime degree of Master Mason. That custom however has long since been prohibited ; ar- dent spirits of no kind being now permitted within the walls of the lodge room, and the practice of temperance is among the first duties taught in the lodge. "^ In 1850 the furniture of the lodge was removed from Hum- phreysville to Birmingham where its communications have ever since been held. About this time the indiscriminate use of the ®John H. Barlow's Historical Sketch King Hiram. 382 HISTORY OF DERBY. blackball created internal dissensions and proved a dark day for King Hiram, for because of this its charter was arrested in September, 1854, by the Grand Master of the state, but afterwards, in May, 1857, it was restored, and the lodge since that has increased in energy and vigor ; numbering at present, 216 members, and attends to all regular Masonic work. It has nearly reached its centennial, and few lodges in the state are in a more flourishing condition. The present officers are : Clarke N, Rogers, W. M., Leonard Jacobs, S. W., Wm. T. Gilbert, J. W , Wm. H. Hull, treasurer, John H. Barlow, secre- tary, H. Stacy Whipple, S. D., George C. Moore, J. D. VALLEY LODGE, NO. I4. This is a benefit and benevolent association, organized March 4, 1870 and called the Knights of Pythias. It has a fund of of about ^1,000, and a membership of seventy-five, and the or- der is in a prosperous condition. Present officers : D. A. Beeman, C. C., George Munson, V. C., A. Gould, P., H. Hertz, M. of E., W. S. Thomas, M. of F., George Johnson, K. of R. and S. OUSATONIC LODGE, NO. 6, L O. O. F. On the 13th day of October, 1841, five brothers of the order resided in Derby, a territory in which there are now three flourish- ing lodges and two encampments. Their names were Sheldon Bassett, Robert Gates, Peter Phelps, Richard Evans and Robert R. Wood. These having received a dispensation from M. W. James B. Gilman, then Grand Master, met in a small, dingy room at Derby Narrows and were organized into the present lodge by P. G. M. Rev. Charles W. Bradley assisted by brothers from lodges Nos. i, 4 and 5, located at New Haven and Bridgeport, the only lodges then existing in the western part of the state. At this time eight were initiated into the order, and thus, with an empty treasury, a little apartment without furniture for meetings, and a membership of thirteen, Ousatonic Lodge commenced its work. It was very prosperous up to 1853, when its members numbered 168 with a fund of ^2,000. At this time there were sixty-nine lodges in the state, with a membership of 5,000. From apathy and other causes the BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES. 383 number of lodges in the state in i860 had dwindled to twenty, with only 1,600 members, but the Ousatonic Lodge with only sixty-eight of the faithful persevered in well doing against the disrepute into which Odd Fellowship had then fallen, and as a result of their labors, No. 6, I, O. O. F. has been resuscitated and now has a membership of 180 with a fund of over $5,000. In the great fire of Jan. 12, 1879, everything in the lodge room appertaining to the order was destroyed, including a se- lect library of 600 volumes. Within the past year a spacious and most magnificent hall has been erected, richly furnished for the use of the order, and its free library is fast accumulating. It is not too much to say that this hall is one of the finest and and most tasty in the state. The disbursements from the treasury since its organization for relief purposes have been a little short of $15,000. The lodge has never been in a more flourishing condition than at present, numbering in its enrollment of members our enterpris- ing and substantial citizens. Its present officers are : Charles E. Clark, N. G., Charles E. Bradley, V. G., Gould A. Shelton, M. D., S. P. G., John H. Barlow, secretary, Charles H. Coe, treasurer, W. V. Bowman, librarian, A. B. Ruggles, chaplain. EXCELSIOR ENCAMPMENT, NO. 1 8. This institution has been established some time but the fire of Jan. 12, 1879, destroyed all its effects. The present officers are : A. E. Burke, C. P., G. M. Wakelee, S warden, Franklin Burton, high priest, P'rank D. Jackson, treasurer, J. H. Barlow, scribe. The misfortunes which have overtaken the order have been overcome and it is now in a flourishing state. THE PEOUOTS. Many, many moons ago, on a beautiful summer day in August at Cold Spring on the banks of the Ousatonic this so- cial, friendly, and harmonious organization had its birth. A great medicine man, Thomas A. Button, M. D., who had stud- ied the history of the wild though friendly Pequots of Derby, found that many of their social qualities and harmless amuse- ments were worthy of imitation by the white man, and acting upon this principle, imbibing the Indian's Cold Spring water, 384 HISTORY OF DERBY. and devouring some game of which he was so fond in olden time, and while around the festive board this medicine man called a council, addressing them in the native language of the tribe. Credentials were at once issued for membership and from that day to this, the Pequots have been known as a well orofanized and select council, which has a limited number of twenty- five active members and twelve honoraries. The Pequots during the Indian summer of every year, rain or shine, visit their hunting grounds in quest of wild game, and the Great Spirit in the past has crowned their pastimes with abundant success. From their conquered game a royal feast or annual supper is prepared and enjoyed with invited guests, speeches, poems, songs, and the merry dance. They also have a masquerade ball at which the members appear in Indian cos- tume ; also their clam-bakes at the sea side in imitation of their tribe. Nor is this all ; the Pequots are a benevolent organization. They never quarrel among themselves, but help one another in sickness and in distress from accumulated funds, and do other acts of Christian kindness which entitle them to the name of the good brotherhood. The first grand sachem of the tribe was William C. Beecher ; the present grand sachem is Henry Whipple ; R. C. Gates, 2d sachem and scribe ; A. Beardsley, medicine man. THE NOUS CLUB. This is an institution in the borough composed of a limited number of literary gentlemen who meet at least once a week for readings, discussions, the presentation of essays, poems and other exercises for mental elevation. It has been in existence about ten years, and enrolls among its members those of our best citizens An agreeable and interesting feature of the club is that the birthday of Robert Burns is yearly commemo- rated with invited guests, and supper, speeches, poems and other intellectual entertainments. IRISH SOCIETIES. There are several Irish societies in Birmingham ; the oldest being the Hibernian, established a quarter of a century ago, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. 385 and is benevolent in its object. Its officers are John Dockery, president, Timothy Gorman, vice president, Edward Mansfield, secretary, Thomas Sawyer, treasurer. The St. Mary's Roman Catholic Total Abstinence society has been in existence about twelve years and numbers seventy members. Its officers are : George Beeman, president, John E Dockery, vice president, John Corcoran, secretary, Thomas I. Reynolds, treasurer. St. Vincent De Paul organization has been in existence some years and has disbursed many charities to the poor. It has sixty- four members, and during the past year has paid $150 to the destitute in the town and $100 to suffering Ireland. The offi- cers are : John Dockery, president, Patrick Doghan, vice presi- dent, William Rowan, secretary, Thomas Cordon, treasurer. The Young Men's Temperance Roman Catholic association has seventy-eight members and holds monthly meetings for mental improvement, and having a fund in its treasury. Its officers are : Joseph McDonald, president, Dennis Reiley, vice president, Thomas Malloy, secretary, James Sweeney, treasurer. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. St. Mary's church was erected in 1845 5 the spacious lot being donated by Anson G. Phelps for the Catholic people of Birmingham. It was consecrated by Bishop O'Reilley, and since the first edifice was erected, large additions have been made, a tower built and furnished with the heaviest and finest toned bell in town. The priests connected with this church have been Fathers McDermont, Smith, O'Neal, James Lynch, Sheridan, P. J. O'Dwyer, J(jhn Lynch, Peter Kennedy ; the curates ; C. Duggett, Michael McCauley, James Gleason, P. McKenna, Wm. O'Brien and Thomas F. Shelley, Of the priests only one is now living, Peter Kennedy, and of the curates only two, Gleason, and Shelley the present in- cumbent. With this parish, in and out of town, are connected about two thousand and two hundred persons. Looking through the past history of this people we call to mind the Irish pioneers of Birmingham, John Phalan, Wm. P^oley, John O'Conners and Matthew Kellady, who, on the loth of September, 1833, were 49 386 HISTORY OF DERBY. landed at Derby dock from on board that old sloop The Guide. A son of Erin at that time was rather a curiosity to the deni- zens of the town. Phalan and Conners in the quietude of old age, with honest and well- spent lives, still linger among us as Irish landmarks. Michael Stokes, Patrick Ouinn, John Regan, Parrel Reilley and others soon followed the first, until their number was legion. Along the canal banks, through the workshops, at the dam, and around the private residences may be seen the handi- work of this foreign element. As the Irishman looks back and contrasts the rustic mud shanties of his fatherland with his present cosy dwelling or neat little cottage that he here enjoys, through temperate and industrious habits, he may love the shamrock, but he ought no less to love the country of his adop- tion. He may here say with the Irish poet : " Tho' poor the peasant's hut, his feast tho' small. He sees his little lot, the lot of all ; Sees no contiguous palace rear its head To shame the meanness of his humble shed." THE BOROUGH. Birmingham, in territorial limits is small and the settlement and population very compact In 185 1 it was chartered as a borough and the following gentlemen have since then held and discharged the duties of the office of warden : Thomas Wallace, 2 years. Thomas Elmes, i year. Abraham Hawkins, 3 " William Hawkins, i " John 1. Howe, i year. Sharon Bassett, i " Henry Atwater, 3 years. Henry Whipple, 5 years. R. M. Bassett, 3 " Ambrose Beardsley, 8 " L. L. Loomer, i year. The borough has three well organized fire companies : The Hotchkiss hose company. No. i ; Storm company, No. 2 ; and the R. M. Bassett hook and ladder company. In 1859 William B. VVooster and William E. Downes with laborious efforts obtained a charter for constructing the Birmingham water works, which being completed is proving to be a great blessing to the borough. The supply of water is abundant, with a fall of about two hundred feet ; which not only accommodates the entire community, but is of incal- culable value to the property owners in case of fire. The BIRMINGHAM. 387 reservoir is located on Sentinel Hill, near the old Col. Daniel Holbrook place, now the property of Mr. U. H. Swift, but at first the home of Capt. Abel Holbrook, one of the early set- tlers. These works were constructed late in the summer of 1859 at a cost of $26,000, and the outlay since has increased the sum to $60,000. Prior to this public desideratum, the people were poorly supplied with water thrown into a small reservoir, from a force pump in the old grist-mill of Fitch Smith, one of the earliest enterprises of the place. This reservoir stood near the residence of Stephen N. Summers on Caroline street. The present officers of this company are : S. N. Summers, president, Col. David Torrance, secretary and treasurer, Chas. H. Nettle- ton, superintendent. The principal streets of the borough are lighted with gas from the Derby gas company located in Shelton. Within the limits of the borough there are 365 houses, twenty factories and forty-four stores, great and small ; the population being over 3,200. Many of the houses accommodate two or more families ; in some instances from eight to fifteen in a block, and many live over stores which are not included in the above estimate. The municipal authorities have within the present year taken measures to carry into effect a thorough system of drain- age by sewers, and when this is accomplished the village will stand, especially in a sanitary point of view, second to no city in New England. The borough has four churches, Methodist, Episcopal, Con- gregational and Roman Catholic ; five clergymen, four lawyers, five resident physicians, three dentists, two banks, a post-office, two hotels, and a district school-house which is an ornament to the place. It was built in 1869, at a cost of about $40,000, un- der the superintendency of Joseph Arnold, Royal M. Bassett and Father O'Dwyer. It is a noble structure ; of large dimen- sions, three stories high above the basement, built of brick, and ought to stand a thousand years. The building has twelve separate divisions or apartments ; fourteen teachers ; the highest room being classical. The an- nual expense of running the institution, including interest on the debt, is about twelve thousand dollars. ?88 HISTORY OF DERBY. The location of Birmingham is picturesque in every point of view ; even the rocky, wooded hill to the north-west being pleasant to the sight, and a beacon defense from the wind. The street opened but a few years since from a little above Edward N. Shelton's residence, along the brow of the hill to the Anso- nia lower bridge, is surpassed for beauty of location by very RESIDENCE OF GEORGE S. ARNOLD. little inland scenery in New England. This street, called At- water avenue, is being rapidly adorned with beautiful, palatial residences, surrounded by spacious, ornamented lawns ; begin- ning with that of Mr. Shelton, built of gray stone, and continu- VIEW FROM SENTINEL HILL. 389 ing nearly to the bridge just mentioned, a distance of over a mile. The accompanying illustration is but a sample of fifty or more residences, in the upper part of Birmingham and on this avenue, that indicate the newness and prosperity of the place. The eastern and southern view from all the residences on this avenue is very agreeable in the day-time or during the evening. The Naugatuck valley lies on the east, and above it rises old Sentinel Hill, covered on its brow with picturesque green fields a large portion of the year, and along its base extends one con- tinuous village from the point of rocks at the Narrows, on the south, to the extremity of the old North End on Beaver brook, and joining this, extending northward and westward, in full view, is the new and flourishing borough of Ansonia. In the evening this whole region presents the enchanting scene of one grand amphitheatre more than three miles in length and nearly two in breadth, illuminated by hundreds of street lamps and lights from the windows of the dwellings, to such an extent that, in the darkest evening, the whole panorama in its various parts is visible to the beholder. Such a sight as this, probably, the early fathers did not dream of when they stood on Sentinel Hill and saw only one dozen lights in all this region. Passing to the west side of Birmingham, on the high point in the ceme- tery, the view overlooking the village of Shelton, on the Ousa- tonic, although not as extensive, is like unto that on the east side, augmented by the beautiful Ousatonic Lake, and the sound of the water rolling over the great dam. CHAPTER XIII. THE DAM AND SHELTON. ^"HE OusATONic Water Company at Birmingham was organized in December, 1866, with a cash capital of ^322,500, having as its object the building of a dam across the Ousatonic river. On the loth of October, 1870, the completion of the work was honored by a grand celebration, consisting of an imposing procession, music by the Birmingham brass band, speeches by distinguished personages, and the gathering of a vast concourse of people. The day opened cloudy, and seemed unfavorable for the ful- fillment of the expectations of the occasion, but before noon the clouds were all dispersed, and, with the exception of high winds, the weather was every way delightful. A little after noon the Russell Rifles, Capt. Naramore com- manding, together with members of Kellogg Post, No. 26, Grand Army of the Republic, began to gather in the streets and soon after assembled in the public park with a section of battery, preparatory to marching over to Derby to receive Governor English and staff, Mayor Lewis of New Haven, and other distinguished guests. Between one and two o'clock, these gentlemen were met, and escorted to the Perkins hotel, Birmingham, where they dined ; the battery on the park thundering its jubilee and wel- come ; after which a procession was formed in the following order : Capt. A. E. Beardsley, grand marshal of the day, with Messrs. Abijah Gilbert, Henry Blackman, William Beecher, Dr. Pinney and Son, S. H. Brush and George T. Bushnell, mounted as assistants ; Birmingham brass band ; Russell Rifles, with bat- tery ; Governor English and staff; Mayor Lewis of New Haven ; General Kellogg, Paymaster Charnley of New Haven and others ; president and directors of the Ousatonic Water Com- pany ; children of the public schools, followed by an immense train of carriages and a multitude of people, closing up with 392 HISTORY OF DERBY. the faithful working oxen of the company with trucks and carts ; the whole cavalcade and procession exceeding a mile in length. Reaching the vicinity of the dam, the great multitude gath- ered on the eastern shore around a large platform, on which were seated the speakers and invited guests of the day ; and the great multitude listened with much interest for two hours or more to the speeches, interspersed with music by the Bir- mingham band, manifesting, thereby, their high appreciation of the triumph of the great undertaking, the making of an im- mense water power by damming the Ousatonic river. The president of the day, after a few introductory remarks, introduced the speakers, and directed the services of the occasion. SPEECH OF JUDGE GEORGE H. PECK, PRESIDENT OF THE DAY. Fellow Citizens : Those of us who have watched from day to day, from week to week, and from year to year, the progress of this great work until its final completion, have thought it fitting to turn aside from our usual occupations and close our places of business, and show by this appropriate demonstration that we consider this the completion of a work of no ordinary character. The committee having the matter in charge have to submit to you the following order of exercises : SPEECH OF DOCTOR A. BEARDSLEY. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentktnen : We have met to celebrate a great event. 1 am glad to see so large an assemblage on an occasion SO interesting and important to this whole community. In common with a sentiment which I hope prevails in the breast of every one here, and in behalf of the citizens of Derby and Huntington, I heartily con- gratulate the pioneers, projectors, stockholders and builders of this dam, on the completion, thus far, of this grand and most magnificent enterprise. Thirty years ago the project of making the waters of the Ousatonic available for manufacturing purposes was discussed in this community, by capitalists of that day; a survey up and down this river was made, a charter obtained and other preliminaries arranged ; but for want of sufficient encouragement that project failed, and it has remained for the zeal, the energy, and the indomitable perseverance of a Shelton and his companions, to carry forward and consummate a work, which now guarantees to this locality a water power scarcely equaled in the whole OUSATONIC DAM. 393 country. Where can you find another structure of such magnitude, pushing back such a stream, forming a lake so beautiful, environed with such charming scenery, and built as this has been, in tide water, and near the head of navigation ? Certainly not in Connecticut, and scarcely in all New England. We ought to be more than thankful that we have had men in our midst of sufficient nerve, pluck and financial ability to prosecute this herculean task to a successful termination. This structure, now more than three years in the Potter's hands, has been built under great dis- couragements, but you see we have at last an earthen vessel " made to honor," capable of holding more water than that which turns the factory wheels of the famous " Spindle City " of the old Bay State. I said this dam had been built under great embarrassments. No one can know the anxious days and sleepless nights of the men who have had the matter in charge, except those who have passed through the experience. It is easier to croak and find fault than to go forward, take the responsibility, and make things come out all right. Great en- terprises always have their difficulties. Diversities of opinion will pre- vail, mistakes happen, but final success will eventually silence all doubt and harmonize discordant feelings. Many have predicted this undertaking a failure from the start. Why, I remember, about the time the books were opened for subscriptions, a worthy gentleman, and one whose opinions I have generally received as law and gospel on most subjects, said to me ; " Why Doctor, the boy isn't born who will live long enough to see the Ousatonic dammed." I can tell my friend if he is here to-day, that a good many boys have been born in Derby since that prediction, and some of them, I am glad to say, have already opened their eyes upon this structure. The granite, timber and cement have been fashioned and consolidated into graceful form, and we hope to see this solid wall of masonry standing for years to come in grateful memory of Shelton, Potter, Wooster, Plumb, Howe, Smith, and many others, even to every toiling Irishman who has been instrumental in completing the work which has called us together to-day. Let us then rejoice on this occasion, and not only wish the stockhold- ers abundant success, but a rich reward for their investment. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their untiring efforts, paralyzed as they have been, from time to time, by perils in the water as well as perils among the people. For the success of this work, thus far, we are under greater and more lasting obligations to the president of the company, Mr. Edward N. Shelton, I was about to say, than all others combined. He has not only largely invested his fortune here, but for more than three years, day and night, this " dam of dams " has hung like an in- 5° 394 HISTORY OF DERBY. cubus on his mind, but with an iron will and devotedness of pur- pose, with an eye single to success he has braved every obstacle in in his way, and without his exertions this water power might have re- mained idle for ages and we not have been here to-day rejoicing. The building of this dam will form a new era in the history of old Derby and Huntington. I do not expect to live to see the results expected, but there are those within the sound of my voice, who may yet see in reality what I see in imagination, the rising glory of the city which is to line these shores and cover these hill-sides as the " waters cover the sea." Factories, mansions and temj^les of worship, neat little cottages, beautiful parks, verdant lawns and spacious avenues, teeming with a population of life and activity, will rise up here and in the glow of prosperity, and through the dignity of all the varied occupations of in- dustry make this place take her stand among the first manufacturing cities of New England. Already the signs of the times are working in our favor. Why, you see we have here to-day, for encouragement, our worthy governor and staff, his Honor Mayor Lewis, General Kellogg and other distinguished gentlemen, and we expect railroads from every point of the compass aided by liberal state legislation will centre here, and when our congressmen shall have removed the clogs of navigation, and this dam shall have proved immovable against the fury of ice and water floods, then who shall doubt, who shall deny that in this vicinity and to this spot in the future, " The Star of Empire shall take its way !" Standing near this monument of Yankee enterprise and looking back through the past, how striking is the contrast to day in comparison with two hundred years ago ! Then Derby contained a population of only eleven small families of British stock ; Huntington " beautifully less," while these surroundings were a mere howling wilderness, lined with winding footways, along which the savage man and more savage beast traveled alike in single file ; birds here built their nests in the forests, unmolested by roguish boy^, while the cunning fox dug his hole in yonder hill unscared. Sturdy oaks and taller pines hung in deep shadows over the margins of this ancient Pootatuck, which for centu- ries had rolled its waters unchecked in silent majesty down to their ocean bed. " Here lived and loved another race of beings." Yonder mound of mother earth, which now links the savage with the civilized was once an Indian fort, in front of which no white man dared show his face. The " Poor Indian," monarch of all he surveyed, brought to his wngwams here and there the fruits of his daily hunt, smoked his pipe in peace, and sailed up and down this river, not in the Monitor nor OUSATONIC DAM. 395 the Dunderburg^ but in his little bark canoe. Such was this spot in its primitive loveliness, stamped as it were from the first dawn of creation, but wild and uncultivated as it was, still it was the paradise of Indians : " Over whose graves the reckless ploughshare driven, Has scattered their ashes to the winds of heaven." Tradition tells us that in later times just below where we stand, our good forefathers once erected a vast store-house, where cargoes of sugar and not a little good rum were brought from the West Indies, dumped and stowed away to cheat the colonial government, just as some of our pious rascals nowadays cheat the federal government out of its lawful revenue. Hence this place was given the savory name of " Sugar street." It is well that they did not call it " Rum street." But how changed ! It has lost its historical significance in the slow but sure march of civilization. The same river rolls at our feet, but changed in its course as it now is, may its waters in the noisy hum of factory wheels, yet roll down streams of plenty to this people, and to genera- tions that shall come. Once more, let us rejoice in the completion of an undertaking which unfolds to our view a brighter, more hopeful, more prosperous future. May the blessings of heaven rest upon the enterprise ; and when the dwellers upon the east and upon the west in after years shall from day to day, go to their evening repose lulled by the roaring music of this little Niagara, may they, in gratitude, never forget the authors and finishers of the Ousatonic dam. SPEECH OF EDWARD N. SHELTON, ESQ., PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY. I must make my grateful acknowledgments for the manner in which the doctor has alluded to the directors of the Water Company. They have labored incessantly for more than four years, and the result is be- fore you and will speak in more impressive language than anything that I can say. As to the eulogy pronounced on myself it does not become me to speak, but I will leave it to the citizens to say how well it is merited. Few persons that have not been engaged in a similar enterprise can appreciate the amount of labor necessary to bring a work of this magnitude to completioh, to say nothing of the annoyances and interruptions always attending it. And perhaps a brief statement of the origin and progress of the enterprise may not be out of place at this time. The question of damming the Ousatonic river for manufacturing pur- poses was first agitated in 1838 ; and in 1839 application was made to the Legislature of this state for a charter, or rather the revival of a charter that was granted in 1822, for a canal from Derby or Hunting- ton to New Milford, for purposes of navigation, and which had expired 396 HISTORY OF DERBY. by its own limitation. The requisite legislation was obtained, but as the shad interest was so important, and science had not then discov- ered that fish like individuals could climb ladders and go over dams, the company were not permitted to build a high dam like the one com- pleted, but a low dam, with a tumbling rapid over it for the shad. This required the location of the dam near Zoar bridge and the water to be brought down in a canal to the present location or below. The surveys made at that time made the expense so great that it was aban- doned, and most of the men who were engaged in the enterprise at that time have gone and but few remain to be with us to-day. The enterprise was then allowed to sleep more than twenty years, and many supposed it would rest forever. But in 1863 a few individ- uals, looking upon it as of much importance to this vicinity, concluded to make another effort. To make it an object to enlist the necessary capital, the real estate must be secured, which was obtained after much labor and many embarrassments. Application was made to the Legis- lature in I864 for permission to dam the river. Here we were met by parties from New Milford and other places by a strong opposition on account of the shad fisheries. A delegation was sent to Maine to inves- tigate the fish weirs in operation in that state. So satisfied were they of the success of the weirs that they engaged a gentleman who had had considerable experience, to come with them to New Haven and bring a model of a weir, and they were successful in convincing the commit- tee of the Legislature of the practicability of passing the shad over the dam, and thereby obtained a report in their favor, and thus secured the legislative enactment, and we trust we shall be equally successful in demonstrating to our New Milford friends the coming spring that shad will go over dams on properly constructed weirs. The weir now bei^g built will be the first in the state. An effort was made in 1864 to raise the necessary capital and failed. After the close of the war, in 1865, the revival of manufacturing by the great demand for all classes of goods revived the hopes of the friends of the enterprise. Another effort was made in 1866 with better resiflts and the company was organized in the autumn of that year, since which time the work has been progressing, embarrassed and retarded by fre- quent freshets. In 1869 the dam was nearly completed, when by the great freshet of October 4, owing to the manner in which the work was left, a portion of the dam was swept away, being near one quarter of the work. We were disheartened but not discouraged, and now pre- sume the work to be completed and able to resist the roaring torrents of the Ousatonic, as we put perfect confidence in its stability. It is also proper to mention in this connection, that most of the capital for this OLD DAYS OF YORE. 397 great work was raised in our vicinity, an instance of the great public enterprise of its citizens. But, gentlemen, although the dam is completed our task is but half finished. That sheet of water, as beautiful as it is, is of no particular value to this community until it is made to turn the wheels and drive the machinery, guided by skillful hands, to be made productive, and every citizen should feel that he has an interest in the enterprise, for if it prospers the whole community will prosper, and if it is allowed to lan- guish the community will be affected by it. As the dam has become a fixed thing, all discussion whether it is located in the right place, or built in the best manner, or of the best and most approved materials, should cease, and everything should be done to give confidence and thereby secure success by attracting capital and labor to it, and we shall then soon see these hills covered with residences and the whole valley teeming with prosperity. POEM BY JOHN W. STORRS, ESQ. O fair and smiling stream that flows So sweetly, grandly on, Beneath the slanting, genial rays Of mild October's sun; We come to-day a festal throng. To give thee joyous hail. And crown thee in our speech and song The monarch of the vale. To-day the bow of promise spans The crystal waters o'er, While Hope with radiant visage stands Upon thy shining shore; And with her prescient finger points To history's glowing page. Where foremost stands thy name among The blessings of the age. Fair Ousatonic ! Round thy banks Full many a mem'ry clings, Of tree and crag and eddying nook — Those old familiar things. There's not a rock upon thy banks. No pebble on thy shore. That has not some sweet tale to tell Of good old days of yore. Lo ! yonder cliff with frowning front Reveals a granite page. Whereon is writ in mystic lines Of that primeval age, 398 HISTORY OF DERBY When, from earth's groaning centre came — By fierce volcanic shock — 'Mid sulph'rous fumes and burning flame, The boiling, bubbling rock. On old Fort Hill, athwart the stream, Methinks an hundred braves Awake to anger as the spade Of progress strikes their graves ; And forth they come upon the trail — The war whoop sounds again, And burning cabins tell the tale Of vengeance on the plain. Nay, 'twas a dream ! Through fairer fields To-day thy waters flow, Nor molten rock, nor forest child The present age can know ; Forever hence 'mong peaceful scenes Thy onward waters press. While busy progress bendeth down Thy white lipped waves to kiss. Upon thy fair and sunny slopes, Luxurious homes of ease Raise their proud forms, while wealth and art Join hand in hand to please. Around your rustic cottage door The laborer tills the soil, And finds in love — 'tis all he asks — Sweet recompense for toil. Behold the future bringeth now A vision to the eye ! A city, lofty spired and domed. Looms up against the sky ; Its serried walls of brick and stone Wind upward from the shore, Where men may come, whence men may go. Till time shall be no more, With restless hearts, to chafe and beat Against life's prison walls, Or sport the hour of pleasure sweet Among its palace halls. And hark ! Along the winding shore An hundred giant mills. With hammer clack, and screaming gong, Re-echo to the hills. While forge and wheel and glowing steel Take up the glad refrain, And sing the song of toil redeemed From manacle and chain. OUSATONIC DAM. 399 Oh, glorious thought that l)reaks upon The spirit of the age, Which lights and cheers the present and Illumes the future page : That tells of those millennial days Which e'en may now begin, When common aims and common ends, Make all mankind akin. When generous wealth, forgetting self. Shall come with lavish hand To spread broadcast for public good Its influence through the land, To build its giant walls of rock The mountain streams to span. To stay their rushing tides and tame Their energies for man ; Who dies that other men may live . The world hath crowned with bays, Who sows that other men may reap Shall surely wear the praise. O generous men ! heroes of peace Whose courage never failed, When timid hearts beat faint and low And croaking tongues assailed ; This lesson let us learn from thee. That not life's sunny side Shall give us strength ; that greatness comes From battlins; with the tide. SPEECH OF JAMES E. ENGLISH, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE. Fellow Citizens of Birmingham : While it was not my fortune to have been born in the Naugatuck valley, it was my good fortune to be born in the good old state of Connecticut, and to have spent my life within her borders. As a citizen of Connecticut, I have always felt a deep interest in every thing that was calculated to promote the best in- terests of both the people and the state. Geographically speaking we are confined within very small limits. Our ancient fathers were for the most part farmers, and at best ob- tained but scanty reward for their labor. We have a hard and un- yielding soil, which submits reluctantly to the hand of toil and gives but grudgingly of its rewards to industry. The agricultural production of the state is but a small portion of our consumption ; in fact there are not four months' food in Connecticut to-day. Stop the importation of food and our people would have to leave the state or die of starvation within that period. Hence the 400 HISTORY OF DERBY. necessity for a diversity of pursuits. Early in the eighteenth century there was but a single fulling mill in the state ; this manufactured what is called fulled, but undressed cloth. Col. Humphreys commenced the manufacture of fine cloth in this valley early in the present century. So celebrated had become his cloth, that in November, 1808, Thomas Jefferson, then president of the United States, desirous of appearing at the White House on New Year's day. with a suit of clothes of American manufacture, sent the collector of customs at New Haven the following order : " Home- spun is become the spirit of the times. I think it an useful one, and therefore that it is a duty to encourage it by example. The best fine cloth made in the United States, I am told is at the manufactory of Col. Humphreys. Send enough for a suit." From that early be- ginning to the present time manufacturing in your valley has been increasing, until to-day it ranks as one of the most extensive manufact- uring districts in the state. In this whole dam, with its gates and canals, you have a work of which you may well be proud. It is a monument to your foresight, skill and liberality. We celebrate its completion to-day, and all re- joice that we are permitted to be here and witness the water as it flows over this grand structure. It is a beautiful sight. You that have erected, at so much cost, this power, need not be told by me how to utilize it. A liberal man deviseth liberal things. This work is but an evidence of your great liberality. I doubt not you will extend to those who may seek to use your power the same liberality you have expended in erecting your privilege. When this power comes to be used, as it will, to its full capacity, then your village will reap all the benefit which must come from a work of so great a magnitude. Nor will the benefit be confined to your town, as every town and county in the state will be benefited by it. SPEECH OF HON. S. W. KELLOGG. It is no ordinary event that has brought this vast assembly together. It is the happy consummation of an enterprise, rare in its magnitude and rare in the difficulties that have been surmounted, which has called out every household in this community, has closed their shops and factories, and poured forth their whole industrious population on this auspicious occasion, as if it were a day of jubilee. It is right, emi- nently right, to celebrate such an event. It is right for the whole peo- ple to come together, to do honor to tbe energy and the enterprise of the men who planted and carried forward this great work, in spite of disaster and unexpected obstacles, to its glorious completion. I well OUSATONIC DAM. 4OI remember the history of the legislation of 1864 by which the charter of this company was obtained, which has been so well related by Mr. Shelton in his speech ; and it is to his individual energy and persever- ance that you are so much indebted for this great work. Mr. Shelton and other leading citizens of your place came to the Legislature that year with a petition for a charter ; and I was associated with John S. Beach, Esq., as counsel in the matter, and the case was heard before the committee. The petitioners came before the committee with their evidence ; and the case was so strong, that it seemed as if there could be no objection to the granting of a charter for so beneficent an enter- prise, but all at once we heard the shrill cry of " Shad ! shad ! " echoing down the river from the lips of some representatives of towns above you, interested in their up-river shad fisheries. They thought they could defeat the petition with this cry, too ; for you know it is the popular impression, that, with a Connecticut Legislature, there is not in the whole field of logic or in the wide range of legislative debate, so potent and controlling an argument as "shad ! " But the men who had charge of the petition ; Messrs. Shelton, Downs and others, were not to be de- feated in that way, and one of them, Mr. William E. Downes,went at once to Maine and brought back with him an expert in the building of dams on the rivers in that state. They then produced before the committee a model of a fish weir, such as had been used in the construction of their dams in Maine, and it was made so plain that the fish could go above the dam by means of this weir, that the committee were satisfied they could grant the charter and preserve their respect for the right of the shad and the shad-eaters at the same time. I am not very certain what the shad will do about it now. And although opposition did not cease, the charter was granted, and we knew then that the fulfillment of this great enterprise would come. The war was then being prosecuted to its final grand struggle ; it was the last year of the war, and the whole resources of the country, money as well as men, were demanded to sustain the government in its efforts to preserve its existence. It was impossible at such a time to raise the necessary capital for so great a work. When the war was at an end, we watched with interest the progress of the enterprise and were glad when its success was assured. And when one year ago this month, the floods had broken up our railroad and interrupted our com- munication with each other, and we learned that the same destructive storm had swept away the work of years of anxiety and toil, I did not meet with a single man among all the business men of Waterbury, who did not speak of it with sadness and with sympathy for you in your great calamity. But though the work of weary years was gone, disas- 51 402 HISTORY OF DERBY. ter and loss could not stay the enterprise in such hands as yours ; its fulfillment has come and before us is the grand result which you are here to-day to celebrate. Our good state of Connecticut must depend upon manufactures, more than any one interest, for its increase in wealth and prosperity. Our worthy governor has just told you, in his speech, that Connecticut was very early a manufacturing state, and was among the first to establish certain branches of manufacturing industry. While we are proud of the history of our state for this and many other reasons, we must ad- mit, I think, that the manufactures of the state were comparatively a small interest, until within the last thirty years. I think my friend Plumb and some others I see before me remember well that in the Naugatuck valley thirty years ago, the manufacturing establishments were upon a very small scale compared with those of the present day. The increase in this time has been wonderful — thanks to the energy of men like him and others here. Some have claimed that the day of increase in the manufacturing interests and prosperity of New England has gone by, and that other sections of the country are fast supplanting her in this respect. I know that the manufacturing interest has largely increased in the West the last few years. But while some branches of industry may seem to have declined, let us see if the manufactures of New England, as a whole, have not rapidly increased during these years. By statistics taken during the last year, it was found that in 1869 there were, in New England alone, four thousand and one hundred factories, whose annual production of goods would average one hundred and fifty thousand dollars for each factory. One-half of these had been estab- lished since the beginning of 1863, and one-fourth since the beginning of 1866. And the whole annual production of these establishments is more than six hundred millions of dollars, more than enough in four years to pay our whole national debt, and this in New England alone. Tell me not, then, that the manufacturing interest of New England is declining, and that the day of its rapid increase is gone. At the same time, many branches of manufactures have been established in the Western states and in other sections of the country ; and there are to-day over six hundred woolen mills west of the AUeghanies, more than half of which have been established within the last five years. Thank God, there is room enough in this broad land for them all ; and there is room enough in the rapid development of the resources of the country for new and more extensive establishments of the manufactur- ing interest of the country. The great work in whose presence we stand is the combined result THE DAM. 403 of capital and labor. Capital employed as this has been is devoted to the interests of labor. Upon labor it bestows its blessings and benefits. Their interests are the same and they go hand in hand. How many families have had their daily wants supplied, and the rewards of toil freely bestowed upon them, in the progress of this work ; and how many more there will be, we trust will be seen in the near future, when the mills shall line both banks of the river below ! Give labor its full reward ; but the men who have planned and carried forward this great work, through discouragement and disaster, have had the hardest of the labor. Unto each be their full share of the merit of its completion, and how soon in this land the energetic and industrious laborer may become the capitalist. There are to-day, upon the banks of a single branch of the Naugatuck, in Waterbury — the Mad river — five large manufacturing establishments, that employ daily from 1,200 to 1,400 hands, and furnish the means of support and the comforts of life to more than three times that number of population. And yet the gener- ation has not entirely passed away since the men who built these establishments might be found, from morning until night, in their little one-story shops where their rolling mills and four-story factories now stand, with their coats off and their shirt sleeves rolled up, and with their own sturdy toil laying the foundations of their own future wealth and prosperity, b'o has it been here, and so has it been with others who have won the success they deserved. We trust you will gather a full reward for the energy and toil that have brought this great work to a successful completion. May the results of the increase and pros- perity of your community far outrun your most sanguine expectation. May the year soon come when both sides of your river shall be lined with factories, and the ringing of hammers and the rattle of machinery shall resound from bank to bank, and these beautiful hillsides and summits shall be covered with houses, the houses and homes of the people. And may the good God in his mercy, who gathereth the waters and bindeth the floods from overflowing, preserve you from any disaster or destructive freshet to sweep away the work of your hands. THE DAM. The Ousatonic is one of the largest rivers in New England, having a much greater volume of water than the Rlackstone, Quinebaug, Chicopee, Shetucket or Willimantic, all bordered by flourishing manufacturing towns, and but little less than the Merrimac, which drives the countless spindles of Lowell. The Ousatonic takes its rise among the hills of Berkshire county, 404 HISTORY OF DERBY. Massachusetts, more than one hundred miles above the head of tide water at Birmingham, and empties into Long Island Sound near Bridgeport. It drains about two thousand square miles of territory and receives numerous tributaries, some of which are rivers of considerable magnitude, such as Still river, Pom- peraug and Shepaug. These affluents usually commence their course at the outlet of large lakes which serve as natural reser- voirs, equalizing the flow of water, and insuring an unfailing supply at all seasons of the year. The minimum average flow of water during the lowest stages is estimated at not less than five hundred cubic feet per second, which is equivalent to twenty-five hundred horse power for twelve hours per day. Aside from the abundance of water which the Ousatonic affords, the fact that it was the last available large water power in close proximity to navigable tide water along the whole New England coast would seem to have been sufficient inducement for its speedy utihzation, but it was only recently that its in- comparable advantages appear to have been fully recognized. The dam is located at the head of navigation on the Ousa- tonic river, only seventy miles by rail from the city of New York. It consists of solid masonry twenty-two feet in height, constructed in the most approved and substantial manner across the Ousatonic, a distance of six hundred and thirty-seven feet. The great extent of country drained by this river, together with the immense reservoir above the dam five miles in length, en- sures a permanent supply of water equal to twenty-five hundred horse power twelve hours a day. Mr. Henry T. Potter was the engineer and superintendent of this great work, which occupied nearly three years in its construction and in rebuilding a portion which was torn away by a flood when the enterprise was near its completion. The work began on the eastern side late in the spring of 1867. The first year a considerable portion of the eastern abutment was built, and a portion of the dam proper was run across to an island near the middle of the river. The next year this portion was completed, a bed and apron were put in place for about one hundred feet in the middle of the river, and another section of the dam was pushed westward about half-way across the remaining portion of the river. Here be- gan a contest between human skill and the powers of nature, THE DAM. 405 and after a struggle of no small magnitude, nature conquered and the work rested during the winter. In the spring of 1869 it was taken up vigorously again, the dam was constructed to the western shore ; then the workmen returned to the middle gap in the river, and had very nearly brought it to perfection when a heavy flood came, drove the workmen away, tore out about two hundred feet of the structure to its foundations, and rolled it down the stream. In the spring of 1870 the work was again taken up, when the whole central gap was closed up by a solid wall and the whole dam stood in its place, a magnificent work of art. On Wednes- day afternoon, Oct. 5, at three o'clock and ten seconds, the final cap stone was lifted to its position. The engineer, Mr. H. T. Potter, received most hearty com- mendation and praise. He was a man of no specious pretense, yet very able ; patient as most men, often more so ; seeing at a glance what he could do, and always did what he promised ; many times under censure, and yet he went on his way steadily, pushing to the end, beating back one and another difficulty, until finally the work under his hands grew to its final comple- tion, a monument to his engineering skill. The length of the construction, compassing the curve of fifty feet in crossing the river, is six hundred and thirty-seven feet, to which must be added one hundred and seventy-five feet in length in both abutments, making eight hundred feet of solid masonry. The abutments are twenty feet at the base, eight feet at the top and from twenty-five to thirty-two feet in height ; the whole length of the masonry being capped with granite blocks from Maine. At the base of the dam juts an apron twenty-four feet in width of southern pine logs one foot square, resting upon and fastened to some two feet more of timber and masonry. The abutments at each end are thirty-seven feet high, each pierced by three eight feet square gate-ways, through which the water passes into the canals constructed on each side of the river. There is a lock constructed on the western canal ; also a weir or fish race through which an occasional June shad with a sprinkling of youthful lamprey eels are allowed to go up for the special benefit of the up country people. The whole structure consists of blocks of rock laid in water 406 HISTORY OF DERBY. cement, all done by first-class labor under rigid directions ; and so perfect is the masonry over which the water pours, that the surface of the sheet of water the entire length of the dam is as unbroken and smooth as if it were but a foot in length. The effect of the fall of such a body of water is as if the earth were trembling, rather than a great sound in the air, although science tells us it is in the air. This trembling has been observed many times in the upper or western part of the city of New Haven, a distance in a direct line of over eight miles. While the whole community have cheered on this work and rendered its aid in many ways, it is nevertheless due. to men- tion in a distinctive form the men who have been prominent in securing the construction and completion of this enterprise. Edward N. Sheltou, William E. Downes, Edwin Wooster, Thomas Elmes, John I. Howe, Royal M. Bassett, A. H. Ailing, Robert May, C. B. Ailing, Thomas Burlock. David W. Plumb, SHELTON. This new and growing village, named after one of its pio- neers, Edward N. Shelton, is located directly opposite Birming- ham, across the Ousatonic in the town of Huntington. Its landscape rises gradually westward from the river over half a mile, reaching an elevation of two hundred and fifty feet facing the Orient sun, overlooking the Ousatonic and commanding a fine view of the charming and diversified scenery of Derby. The stranger is delighted with its natural and picturesque sur- roundings, and probably ftw localities in New England afford a more desirable site for a healthy and beautiful city. Since the completion of the Ousatonic dam in 1870 Shelton has grown rapidly and now numbers one hundred and seventy-five dwelling houses, many of which are spacious single residences, illus- trating the present day architecture as finely as any village in the country. "• Adam's block " on Howe street is a good illus- tration of that style of combination of less expensive residences. Shelton has now in operation twelve manufacturing establish- ments, all built of brick except the stone factory, and which afiford opportunity for the employment in the aggregate of about THE BASSETT FACTORY. 407 one thousand hands. Nelson H. Downs built the first factory, which is now occupied by J. W. Birdseye & Company, under the name of the Birmingham Corset Company, where they con- duct an extensive business, employing about 225 operatives. Sharon Bassett's extensive carriage bolt factory was com- pleted in 1872 ; employs at present about sixty hands ; the monthly pay roll amounting to $2,000, and the yearly products to one hundred thousand dollars. The stone factory, now occupied by E. C. Maltby & Son, manufacturers of spoons, forks and Maltby'sdessicated cocoa-nut. NORWAY IKON BOLT WORKS. was one of the early buildings of the village. This firm employs about 80 hands. The factory was built by Edwin Wooster in 1872, he being one of the directors in the Ousatonic Water Com- pany, and labored industriously and was highly instrumental in obtaining subscriptions to the stock, overcoming prejudices against the undertaking, and was very efficient in forwarding the dam to completion, but the enterprise proved to be a sad misfor- tune to him. In 1873, while at work about the dam, he suffered the calamity of fracturing his thigh, which made him a cripple for life. On the 20th of April, 1876, he, in company with Frank Hayes and Patrick Cronan on board the Dunderburg laden with 408 HISTORY OF DERBY. wood, was engineering the boat down the river about eight o'clock in a dark night, the water in the river being above its usual height, when, being deceived by an unusual light below, instead of entering the canal lock as he intended the boat went on the dam and all went over it. Wooster's last expression while going over was, " God save us all ! " Cronan either floated or swam to the western shore near Wilkinson's paper mill, while Hayes was rescued from the artificial island just be- low the dam, both men being nearly exhausted. Wooster was a good swimmer, but he was lost. His relative, Col. Wm. B. Wooster, spared neither pains nor expense to find the body ; experienced divers being employed with others for several days but without success. On the 5th of May following, Bradley Crofut and others, while fishing, discovered his body standing nearly erect in the river opposite the old Thompson place just below the point of rocks. Mr. Wooster was a native of Oxford and was connected in mercantile and manufacturing enterprises more than ten years. He was also for a long time deputy sheriff, and was a busy and enterprising man in his relations to society. He was sixty years of age, and his accidental death was deeply lamented and spread universal gloom over the community. Wilkinson Brothers & Company put up their extensive mills in 1 87 1 and 1872. In 1878 these mills were entirely destroyed by fire, sustaining a loss of 1^150,000. After the removal of the debris, through the remarkable energy and perseverance of Wil- liam Wilkinson, they were rebuilt in four months and eighteen days, and the manufacture of paper again commenced. The products of the mill are manilla colored envelope and hardware papers. They employ seventy hands and turn out over a million dollars worth of paper annually. The firm consists of William Wilkinson, sen., Thomas P. Wilkinson, William H. Leach, Charles A. Wheedon and George S. Arnold. This ex- tensive concern is surpassed by no paper mill in the country, and that the quality of their goods is superior to all others in their line is manifest from the extent of the annual sales. Derby Silver Company has been organized since 1872. Their present large factory was built in 1877. Mr. Edwin L. Britton inaugurated in Shelton the manufacture of Britannia or silver WILCOX AND HOWE. 409 plated goods of various descriptions, and the business is now in a most prosperous condition and constantly increasing. The capital stock of the company is ;$ 140,000. They employ one hundred and thirty hands and produce annually $200,000 worth of goods; their monthly pay roll being $8,000. E. De Forest Shelton, president ; William J. Miller, secretary ; William E. Downs, treasurer. The Tack and Bolt factory, a branch of the Tack Company of Birmingham, was built in 1871 ; employs about fifty hands, and is amono; the substantial firms of the villaire. in WILCOX AND HOWE, CARRIAGE HARDWARK. The Derby Gas works, which supply Derby and vicinity with gas, were constructed in 1871 ; the charter having been ob- tained in 1859 ^y William B. Wooster. Present officers: William B. Wooster, president ; Charles H. Nettleton, secretary and treasurer, and general manager. The board of directors are : Charles B. Hotchkiss of Bridgeport, Charles Nettleton of New York, Charles Hill, Sidney A. Downes, Wm. B. Woos- ter and Wm. E. Downs of Derby, Wilcox & Howe erected their present factory in 1875 ; the company consists of a copartnership, employing about forty hands, and is engaged in the manufacture of carriage hardware 4IO HISTORY OF DERBY. of a superior quality of over $100,000 worth annually. Darius Wilcox, one of the partners, started the business in Ansonia on a capital of $39. Their monthly pay roll exceeds $2,000, and the business is constantly increasing. The Star Pin Company was organized in 1867 with a capital of $40,000 ; George H. Peck was then president, and Joseph Tomlinson, secretary and treasurer. At first the company manufactured pins at Wells Hollow in Huntington, Conn., but finding their business increasing, in 1875 they erected their present brick factory in Shelton. At that time Mr. Tomlinson sold largely of his stock to Mr. Peck, who has succeeded to the management of the business. Present officers : D. W. Plumb, president ; G. H. Peck, secretary and treasurer. To the mak- ing of pins has been added the manufacture of hooks and eyes and hair pins. The company is prosperous, employing fifty hands and turning out one hundred tons of goods yearly, at a value of $125,000. Radclifife Brothers, manufacturers of hosiery goods, built their factory in 1874. They employ about one hundred and ten hands, and produce $140,000 worth of goods annually, the monthly pay roll being $3,000. The Beardsley Building Company is located in Shelton and is among the foremost in house and factory building. They employ on an average forty hands. The Derby Cotton mills, for the manufacturing of linings, mosquito nettings, buckram and crinoline, have just been estab- lished and promise to be a regular bee-hive to Shelton. Their extensive works, as lately enlarged, are now nearly in full opera- tion. Robert Adams, sole proprietor of the concern, is a live man, enterprising, and understands thoroughly his business ; and will employ at least three hundred and twenty-five hands, with three hundred power looms, 17,000 spindles, turning out 4,500 pieces of goods per day. Monthly pay roll $7,000, and the annual products amounting to $350,000. There are several smaller enterprises in the village. Zachariah Spencer, machinist, turns out fine goods and work- manship in his line as a specialty. Church Brothers, manufacturers of brackets and fancy wood- ware. THE INDIAN WELL. 411 The village is supplied with four grocery stores, two meat markets, one large carriage and blacksmith shop, conducted by John Donavan ; two extensive coal yards, one by Horace Wheeler, the other by Perry Brothers, and two livery stables. IHK INDIAN WELL. The place is blest with only one physician, Doctor Gould A. Shelton, a graduate of Yale Medical school, who is now in ac- tive and successful practice. The Shelton Water Company, at an outlay of $20,000, have supplied the village with good water, having a fall of two hun- 412 HISTORY OF DERBY. dred and fifty feet, and preparations are in progress for ample protection against fire. D. W. Plumb, president ; C. H. Net- tleton, general agent. The accompanying illustration represents the Indian Well on the west of the Ousatonic about a mile above the dam ; it being one of the attractions of the Shelton side of the river and is a quiet spot in the gorge of the mountain where the sun seldom penetrates its rays. Silence reigns here supreme, broken only by the soft murmur of the stream falling a distance of twenty- five feet. Tradition says the Indians fathomed the well to the depth of a hundred feet and found no bottom and that they held some superstition of awe and veneration for the place. It is an enchanting spot and thousands of pleasure seekers visit' it in the summer to enjoy its romantic scenery and seek recrea- tion from the busy routine of daily avocations. In the midst of all this money and enterprise there is one in- stitution not professedly engaged in the acquisition of wealth, " The Scattergood Mission," the beginning of a church, sup- ported by all denominations, which is prosperous under the energy and perseverance of Rev. Friend Hoyt, who inaugurated the movement. A bill is now before the Legislature to legalize it into a Union Church society. Thus within the last decade Shelton has put on the garb of a miniature city. The place is so intimately connected with Birmingham and Derby in business enterprises and social life that although located in another town it properly belongs to the history of Derby. , CHAPTER XIV. ANSON I A. HE territory on which Ansonia stands was originally called the Little Neck, it being formed a neck by the Naugatuck river and l^eaver brook. Plum meadow was that part of this neck, which is low land lying between the river and the brook and extending up the brook until it is partly in the rear of the village. Thomas Wooster, son of the first lidward, seems to have been the first man to own any of the territory of this Little Neck, he being granted one-half of Plum meadow in 1680. In 168 1 John Hull built the first grist-mill in the town on Beaver brook at the upper end of Plum meadow. In October, 1684, the town granted to John Hull and John Griffin, "each of them a home lot in the Little Neck near the ponds." These ponds were caused, most probably, by the dam constructed for the grist-mill. This locality about the old mill and along the road on the east side of Beaver brook below the dam was called the North End one hundred and fifty years, and is still recognized by that name. John Griffin and his brother, Samuel Griffin, resided in this place, one being a blacksmith, perhaps both. This mill continued some time after 1700, but Hull's mills on the old Naugatuck, absorbed all mill work after about 17 10. From this last date the Little Neck was devoted exclusively to farms, un- less it might have been that some small enterprises of manufact- uring were conducted at the old mill-dam, perhaps a hat factory by James Humphrey and afterwards removed to Humphreys- ville. This flourishing and enterprising part of the town is located over a mile above Derby Narrows and Birmingham. On the east and west the hills gradually rise from the Naugatuck, form- ing a picturesque landscape on either side. P'orty years ago a large portion of the locality was a sandy plain with a few scat- tered farm residences on the elevated grounds. Ansonia proper, 414 HISTORY OF DERBY. or within the borough limits, contains 456 dwellings, capable of accommodating 600 families, but many of these houses are pal- atial residences and the surrounding lawns beautified with or- namental trees and shrubbery. There are twelve factories, five churches, two banks, thirty-four stores of all kinds, three school- houses, three drug stores, three coal yards, four meat markets, and a great variety of shops where different kinds of goods are made and retailed. The factories are located on the east side of the Naugatuck, and are mostly built of brick or stone. In 1852 a fire destroyed several manufactures, causing an aggre- gate loss of $75,000, and in 1854 the Ansonia Clock Company was burned at a loss of $120,000, all of which was a great in- jury to the place. After Birmingham had become established, as far back as 1836, Anson G. Phelps conceived the idea of utilizing the wa- ters of the Naugatuck for manufacturing purposes upon the west side of the river, and thus making one continuous village (and finally a city), from Birmingham north a distance of two or three miles, the location being eminently beautiful, and he continued in an unsettled state of mind six or eight years be- fore making any purchases of land in view of carrying out his noble project. By this time he had come into possession, by various purchases, of all the desirable real estate on the west side of the river except one piece called the " Old Bassett farm," and which was so situated as to be the key to the whole enter- prise. Learning from busy rumor what was going on, Stephen Booth (often called Squire Booth) stepped in to play a sharp game at speculation, and bought the farm for $5,000, a big price in those times, for agricultural purposes. Whether this was done to defeat the grand object of Mr. Phelps or to extort money, is not easily determined, but Mr. Phelps, chagrined at the movement, rested from his labors and took matters coolly, as he was not easily cornered and held in " durance vile " by strategy. At length Peter Phelps, the agent of his uncle, Anson G., made advances to Mr. Booth, and the result, after much circumlocution, was like the last chapter in the history of Rasselas, viz. : " the conclusion in which nothing was con- cluded." Ten thousand dollars was the sum talked of and par- tially agreed upon, but no writings were drawn. Meanwhile OLD RASSETT FARM. 415 Mr. Booth moved into the ancient house on this farm, and when the rising sun greeted the old mansion his speculative brain fancied golden visions of the future while he thus soliloquized : " This farm is the key to Phelps's adventure, and to me these rocks are as diamonds of great value, and I will yet get my price." At the next meeting the old farm had gone uj) in value to $15,- 000. Mr. Phelps was ready to strike the first blow could the dog in the manger be removed, and the people, for the success of his project, now became interested. Many stories pro and con were raised about town, and an influential committee from Birmingham, — Sheldon Bassett, Donald Judson and others — waited on Mr. Booth, and in vain tried to persuade him to sell his farm, and as he wanted it for cultivating purposes, as he claimed, another was offered worth twice as much, but this seemed no temptation. The farm grew in value upon his mind, and after a while, matters remaining in statu quo, Mr. Booth became anxious, and hearing from one and another that he could get his $15,000, made advances to Peter Phelps, and an hour was appointed for an interview. The meeting was held in the parlor of Doct. Beardsley at Birmingham. After a lengthy preamble Mr. Booth said, " I have concluded to part with the farm, and after all that has been said the lowest price now cash down is $25,000, but if this offer is rejected the lowest figure hereafter will be $30,000. Peter Phelps, the agent who had full powers to close the bargain at $15,000, and expected to do so, spurned the proposition and turning indignantly said : " Go to h — 1 with your old farm ; when you get what we first offered you let us know." This was a back stroke to the wheel of for- tune to Mr. Booth and a fatal blow to the city project of Bir- mingham. Mr. Phelps now turned his attention to the east side of the Naugatuck, but this was claimed by Old Booth, (as he was now- called) simply as a ruse to overreach him, and once more the old farm was held in still higher valuation. The first survey of the grounds now teeming with the busy life of Ansonia was made by John Clouse, Anson G. Phelps, Almon Farrell and other gentlemen. After nearly a day's tramp around the lots Clouse planted himself upon a high rock near where the Congregational church now stands, and casting: 4l6 HISTORY OF DERBY. his eyes around, said, " Mr. Phelps, this is one of the finest places for a village in this Western world. I would be content here to live and die, and be buried near this very spot with no other monument to my name than this rock and the memory of those who may come after me." Purchases were immedi- ately made, and about the same time the Seymour dam, built by Raymond French, was bought, which defeated the pur- pose of a manufacturing village on the west side of the river a mile north of Ansonia, to be called Kinneytown. . Mr. Phelps now bent his masterly energies towards carrying out his plans, and the last lingering hope of selling the diamond farm did not vanish from the mind of Mr. Booth until he saw, in 1845, 3- lorig liiiG of Irishmen with picks and shovels, carts and horses ready to commence broad and deep the canal and other foundations for the new village. From the first building erected on Main street, Ansonia has steadily grown in wealth, population and enterprise until she now vies with any manu- facturing village in the state. Eagle like, she has spread her wings in all directions, and the old Bassett farm, having under- gone many mutations, is now adorned with beautiful lawns and gardens, and dotted with neat little cottages and elegant man- sions. Many imprecations were heaped upon Mr. Booth by the people of Derby, for being a stumbling block in the way of Bir- mingham progress, while the denizens of Ansonia may now rise up and call him blessed. While Mr. Phelps was one day at Doct. Beardsley's dinner table, about this time, he said " Doctor, we are in a quandary as to what name to give our new village. Some are in favor of calling it Phelpsville, but I have one place by that name already." The Doctor remarked, " 1 suppose you would like your name associated with the place." "That would be very desirable." Impromptu, the Doctor said, "Take your Christian name, An- son, and make a Latin name of it and call it Ansonia ; this will be euphonious, rather poetical, and will carry your name down to the latest generation." Instantly Mr. Phelps dropped his knife and fork, and exclaimed. "That's the name; it suits me exactly ; " and at the next meeting of the company it was adopted, and hence it was called Ansonia. The embankment, a mile and a half long, forming the great COPPER MILLS. 417 reservoir, was commenced in 1845 and finished in 1846. The first contractors, two in number, from Massachusetts, after expending $10,000, abandoned the work, and it was then given into the hands of Ahnon Farrell with Abraham Hubbell, the latter having come to Ansonia in April, 1845, and under their supervision it was completed. The Copper Mills of Ansonia were the first mills built ; the company having a capital of $50,000. The foundation was laid in the fall of 1844, by Almon Farrell, and the superstructure was erected by Harvey Johnson the same year. Donald Judson was president of the company, and Sheldon Bassett, secretary and treasurer. In 1854 the big copper mills at Birmingham were removed to Ansonia and merged into the present copper mills of the latter place. Donald Judson soon retired from the company with others, and the concern, most of it, fell into the hands of Anson G. Phelps. Afterwards, for several years, the business was conducted extensively and successfully by Abra- ham Hubbell, Thomas Whitney, now deceased, and Major Powe. This " Ansonia Brass and Copper Company " is probably the most extensive manufacturing establishment in the town, having several branch factories in Ansonia, namely, the upper copper mills and the lower wire mills, besides the factories on Main street, alP within the limits of the borough. The company has also a branch factory in Brooklyn, N. Y. It owns largely of real estate in the town. The company manufactures largely brass and copper, iron wire, sun-burners, nickel and silver plated sheets, brass-kettles, copper tubing, and many other articles in this line of goods. The good management of this company has added greatly to the wealth and prosperity of Derby, and its business is continually increasing. Its warehouse is the elegant store in Cliff street, Phelps Building, New York. On an average it employs 175 hands and turns out about $2,000,000 worth of goods annually. The monthly pay-roll for several years past has been from $20,000 to $25,000. The present officers are : William E. Dodge, jun., president; George P. Cowles, vice-president and treasurer ; A. A. Cowles, secretary. The Birmingham Water-power Company is now owned by parties in Ansonia, where the office is located. It originally belonged to Smith and Phelps, and was one of the first enter- 53 41 8 HISTORY OF DERBY. prises of Birmingham. It fell into the hands of Anson G. Phelps, and his heirs sold it to the present stockholders in December, 1859. The present officers are : J.H.Bartholomew, president ; George P. Cowles, secretary and treasurer ; Abraham Hubbell, general superintendent. WALLACE AND SONS. The names of statesmen, warriors, philosophers, scientists, and those toiling in the professions may stand out most promi- nently in history, and the masses accord them the highest honors, yet some of the ablest men in the world have been those engaged in secular pursuits. To carry forward great manufact- uring and mercantile interests demands an amount of talent, enterprise, brain power ; a broad comprehensive and executive ability far beyond that required in any of the learned profes- sions, — a knowledge must be obtained that can only be acquired by practical contact with the business world, while many a man would have utterly failed in business pursuits, yet, by devoting all his energies to some special study he has become eminent. Great manufacturing establishments do not grow up spon- taneously from nothing, although nearly all the largest and most successful ones, in this country at least, germinated from very small seed, producing at first but tiny plants which by dint of careful culture have developed to commanding proportions. Every such establishment has been emphatically worked up by the strong hands and active brains of earnest thinking men. These statements are not only especially applicable to the Wallace and Sons' mammoth establishment, but are equally so to many others alluded to in the pages of this history. Thomas Wallace, now deceased, came to Derby with his wife and seven children and all his effects on board the Old Par- thena and were landed on a bright Sunday morning in May, 1 841, at the Birmingham wharf. Captain E. F. Curtiss, com- mander of the sloop, often said, he "felt proud of having trans- ported from up the Hudson so valuable an acquisition to the town as the Wallace family." Mr. Wallace came here through the influence and in the interests of Doct. Howe of pin notoriety, as a wire drawer. But he was not the first in Derby to manufacture wire from the metal, for William Smith, father WALLACE AND SONS, 4I9 of Wm. W. Smith now of Birmingham, was an adept in this business. He came from England to Derby in 1842 and was an experienced and capital mechanic, but he died in a few years after his arrival. He manufactured from the raw material and drew wire for Charles Atwood and others while in Birmingham. Thomas Wallace with his sons, John, Thomas and William, whom he taught the trade, by application during about seven years, drew wire for the Howe Pin Company, and in 1848 established with moderate beginning the brass business in Ansonia. Although small at first, the enterprise proved suc- cessful, it being in the hands of an experienced, energetic and sagacious man, who, by honest persevering industry and fair dealing with his fellow men, struggling on in his way in life, was granted abundant success, and his business soon grew into promising proportions, and in later years his sons, imbued with the spirit and sturdy methods of the father, imparted fresh vigor to the establishment, enlarging its resources, and in every way meeting the exigencies and demands of the times and of a pros- perous business. From the first factory building erected in 1848, others have almost yearly been added until now the establishment covers, in buildings, an area of nearly five acres of land. A prominent part of these is the tall chimney (the largest in the state) which rises to an altitude of over 200 feet, and in its construction, over 500,000 bricks were used. It is a marvel of strength, beautiful in proportions, and the draught all that could be desired. A novel feature of it is that one of its massive sides is made to do duty as a clock tower, and at the height of eighty feet one of Seth Thomas's celebrated town clocks points to the employes the correct time, as well as to all living in that vicinity. This noble structure was planned and built under the imme- diate supervision of Mr. William Wallace, a member of the firm. Most of the main buildings are either stone or brick, and one of the latter has just been erected thirty feet wide and one hundred and forty feet long, four stories high. A large store and warehouse at 89 Chambers street. New York, is connected with this concern. Brass and copper goods, pins, burners and more than a hundred other articles are manufactured from 420 HISTORY OF DERBY. metals by the Wallace and Sons, and the great perfection and variety of their machinery give them the advantage over com- petitors, and their goods are found in almost every market in the world. Their business is immense and constantly increas- ing, and to obtain any just idea of their works and the variety of goods made would require a day's inspection. The average number of hands employed is 450, and the weekly pay-roll is about ^5,000 ; annual products, over ^2,000,- 000. The present officers are : William Wallace, president ; Thomas Wallace, secretary and treasurer. The Farrell Foundry and Machine Company is one of the largest concerns in the town, with vast buildings, and does an extensive and varied business. The company was started early in the history of Ansonia by Almon Farrell, and with him were connected the Colburns, formerly of Birmingham. Their first building was erected by Lindley and Johnson, who came to Ansonia from New Haven in 1845. At that time the capital was only ^15,000, but it has gradually increased. The company now manufactures chilled-rolls, and about forty different kinds of goods in connection with their branch factory at Waterbury. It has shipped various kinds of iron machinery to France, Germany, Switzerland, England, Sandwich Islands and Cuba. To the latter place they have shipped two sugar mills for crushing sugar cane since 1877, the last one in 1878, which weighed over 320 tons, the heaviest and largest ever cast and built in this country, if not in the world. The sole management of this establishment has been for many years under the direction of its president, who has brought the stock of the company from a nominal cash capital of $100,000 to a real capital of $500,000. The number of hands employed is 175, and the monthly pay-roll about $11,000. The present officers are : Franklin Farrell, president ; Alton Farrell, secretary ; E. C. Lewis, agent and treasurer. The annual products, without the Waterbury branch, $500,000. THE OSBORN and CHEESEMAN COMPANY. The accompanying plate represents in part the extensive manufactory of the Osborn and Cheeseman Company, which was built upon the ruins of the Ansonia Clock works, destroyed OSBORN AND CHEESEMAN. 421 by fire in 1854. The present factory, 200 by 50 feet, was built in 1 86 1. The large addition built since, 280 feet long and 40 feet wide, and three stories high, does not appear in the cut. Osborn and Cheeseman conducted a mercantile business in Birmingham some years, and in 1858 went into the hoop-skirt business at that place, and removed to Ansonia in 1859. In 1866 the Osborn and Cheeseman Company was organized with a capital stock of $120,000. Charles Durand was president of the company until 1875, when he sold his interest in the enter- .^1^- OSIiORN ANlJ CHEESK.MAN COMPANY. prise. The company now manufactures a great variety of goods, such as sheet and brass ware, gilding metal, German silver, copper and German-silver wire, seamless ferrules, and other kinds of metallic goods, which are sold in all parts of the United States. The number of hands employed averages about 250; the monthly pay-roll is about $10,000; and the amount of goods produced about $500,000. The prosperity of the com- pany was never greater than at the present time. The officers of the company are : president, Wilber F. Osborn ; treasurer, George W. Cheeseman ; secretary, Charles D. Cheeseman. 422 HISTORY OF DERBY. THE SLADE WOOLEN COMPANY. The Woolen Mill of Ansonia was established by David W. Plumb in 1847, (formerly in the same business in Birmingham,) and was run very successfully during the war of the rebellion. In 1865 Mr. Plumb sold his stock, and the new firm of the Slade Woolen Company was formed with a capital of $100,000. The firm manufactures cassimeres, beavers, doeskins, and vari- ous kinds of woolen goods. The number of hands employed is 135, and the monthly pay-roll $4,000. The annual amount of goods produced is $300,000. The present officers are : Charles L. Hill, president and treasurer ; Morris A. Hill, secretary. The Ansonia Land and Water-power Company has for its president, D. Willis James, and for its secretary and treas- urer, George P. Cowles. The Ansonia Clock Company has for its president, W^m. E. Dodge, Jr. ; for its vice-president, George P. Cowles ; for secre- tary and treasurer, A. A. Cowles ; and for general manager, Henry I. Davis. It manufactures clocks in great variety both at Ansonia and Brooklyn, N. Y. The W. and L. Hotchkiss Company, with an office on Main street, conducts a large and varied business in lumber, doors, sash and blinds. They have been successful dealers in lumber and house building from their boyhood. The business amounts to about $100,000 annually. The officers are : Willis Hotch- kiss, president; H. J. Smith, secretary and treasurer. John B. Gardner, in his large factory on Main street, man- ufactures clock dials and all sorts of clock trimmings, novelties, and picture frames, and employs on an average 40 hands. He started this business in Ansonia in 1857, and has had good success. On the ist of April, 1880, he took his son into part- nership, and the firm stands, John B. Gardner & Son. The monthly pay-roll is $2,000. George C. Schneller, on Main street, manufactures eye- lets, and is doing a brisk business for a manufacturer who has but recently started. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 423 Charles Schnucks & Company manufacture nickel and Japan plating; and employ about 40 hands and are doing a lively business. Wales, Terrell & Company make fifth wheels for car- riages, and have a well established business ; the company hav- ing been established about ten years. The Naugatuck Valley Sentinel was started on the 9th of November, 1871, with Jerome and Carpenter, editors and proprietors. On the 19th of the following April (1872) Mr. Carpenter re- tired, leaving Mr. Jerome sole editor, and on the 24th of Au- gust, 1876, Mr. Jerome sold to Messrs. Emerson and Kramer. On the 1st of September, 1877, Kramer sold his interest to his partner, who has since conducted the paper under the title of "J. M. Emerson & Company." The paper takes its place with credit among all its stirring neighbors in the Naugatuck Valley, and is an energetic, enter- prising publication. The Ansonia Opera House, on Main street, was built some years since by a joint stock company at a cost of about $40,000.' It is a fine structure of brick, four stories high, and the Hall is one of the finest in the state. It has recently passed into the hands of Dana Bartholomew, and is conducted by him. The present Ansonia Hotel was built by Lindley and John- son in 1846, when there was scarcely a finished dwelling in the place. It has had many landlords, but under the proprietor- ship of Mr. Wm. H. Dayton has a reputation second to none in the Naugatuck Valley. THE congregational CHURCH. Ansonia had scarcely an existence as a village when this church was organized in 1848. Previous to this the few fami- lies that resided within its circuit were cared for by the First Congregational Church of Derby Narrows. Religious meet- ings were occasionally held for their accommodation by the pastors of the last named church, and prayer-meetings were maintained by the pious portion of the population. In the winter of 1848-9, stated religious services on the Sab- bath were commenced in the village, but intermitted after a few 424 HISTORY OF DERBY. months. In the winter of 1849-50 they were renewed and have been regularly continued to the present time. The church, with its covenant and standing rules, was fully organized April 17, 1850, with thirty-one members, as follows, with the names of the churches from which they had been dismissed : From the First Congregational Church of Derby — Wales Coe, Julia E. Coe, Luther Root, Mary Tucker, Geo. W. Nettleton, Sarah Johnson, Roswell Kimberly, Delia M. Kimberly, Martha Jud- son, Phebe H. Phelps, Martha Fitch, Nancy Johnson, Eli Car- rington and Susan Carrington ; from Wolcottville — Jeremiah H. Bartholomew, Polly H. Bartholomew, Caroline Skinner and Edith Hubbard ; from Northfield — Benjamin Smith, Julia A. Smith ; from Plymouth Hollow — Francis C. Smith ; from Ober- lin, O., Lester B. Kinney ; from Norwalk — Edwin Ells ; from Bristol — Charles Cramer, Nancy Cramer, Salmon Root and Eliza Root ; from Waterbury — Fred Treadway and Esther J. Treadway ; from Plainville — Lucas H. Carter and Jane Carter. Colburn's Hall, on Main street, was used temporarily as a place for meetings, and the Rev. J. R. Mershon employed as the stated supply of the church during the first year of its exist- ence ; his support being furnished in part by the Home Mis- sionary Society. The winter of 1850-51 was signalized by an extensive work of grace in the community, resulting in the uniting of forty-four persons with the church by profession of their faith. In the meantime a church edifice had been com- menced which was completed and dedicated July r, 1852. Rev. Owen Street was the first pastor, being installed Sep- tember I, 1852, and dismissed May, 1857. Following this, for nearly three years, the church was without a settled pastor. Rev. Chauncy Goodrich and Moses Smith and S. L. Thompson, (afterwards missionaries to the NestoriansJ acted as supplies for a considerable portion of the time. Mr. A. L. Frisbie, then pursuing his preparatory studies at Andover, Mass., was called to the pastorate in 1859. Accepting the call, he was not or- dained until March 22, i860, and remained until July 11, 1865. While some women were cleaning the church in October, 1865, it took fire in the flue of the furnace and was entirely de- stroyed. The present handsome stone structure was immedi- ately built, and dedicated May 25, 1865. During the five years CHRIST CHURCH, ANSONIA. EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 425 succeeding the dismissal of Mr. Frisbie, the church was with- out a pastor, but enjoyed the ministrations of the Rev. Wm. S. Adamson and James T. Hyde about three years. Rev. Charles J. Hill was the next pastor, being installed in September, 1872, and dismissed October i, 1875. He was succeeded by the Rev. Edward P, Payson, who commenced his labors December i, 1875, and still continues his pastoral relations with the church. Like many others, this church has had its struggles and dis- couragements, but has never been more prosperous than at the present time. The present number of members is 250. The ofificers of the church and society are : Pastor, Rev^ Edward P. Payson ; deacons, John Jackson and Wales Terrell ; clerk, V. Munger ; treasurer, Charles C. Blair ; prudential committee, Robert Coe, Wm. H. Corwin and Dana Bartholomew ; society's committee, V. Munger, Josiah H. Whiting and Dana Barthol- omew ; clerk and collector, Reuben H. Tucker ; treasurer, Charles H. Pine. CHRIST CHURCH. At the house of Mr. Lorenzo D. Kinney, in Ansonia, a pre- liminary meeting was held November 25, 1849, for the laudable purpose of forming a new Episcopal parish in this village. The Rev. Thomas Guion, then rector of St. James's Church of Derby, was called to the chair, and Mr. John Lindley appointed secretary. After mutual consultation the meeting adjourned to November 27, 1849, to meet at the residence of Samuel French. Rev. Mr. Guion was present at this adjourned meet- ing, and the parish was organized under the name of Trinity Church of Ansonia, by the following persons : Samuel P'rench, Charles Cooper, Eleazer Peck, Samuel P. Church, Charles Gale, William B. Bristol, Lorenzo Kinney, John Gray, E. B. Gillett, H. S. Hill, R. M. Johnson, John Lindley, H. L. Smith, L. A. Clinton. Measures were at once adopted to secure a lot for the erection of a house of public worship, and on the 28th of January, 1850, the following officers were chosen: Senior war- den, Samuel French ; junior warden, Eleazer Peck ; vestrymen, R. M. Johnson, John Lindley, H. S. Hill, John Gray, Charles Gale, H. L. Smith. Of the above only three are now connected with the parish, 54 426 HISTORY OF DERBY. viz.: Lindley, Gale and Smith. Mr. Lindley has been a zealous worker in the parish, having been continuously in office, since its organization, over thirty years. In this connection it is necessary to mention that when the members of St. James's Church, the old parish of Mansfield, Jewett and others resolved in great harmony and by legal vote in 1841 to remove their edifice from Up Town to Birmingham, as being more central, a few families in the vicinity of the old edifice, who at first acquiesced in the removal, became dissatis- fied on seeing the services, bell, organ and records transferred to the new edifice at Birmingham, withdrew from the old church and established regular services in the village school- house Up Town, and at the next diocesan convention applied for admission as a new parish under the name of St. James's of Derby. A request so much at variance with good order was denied and the applicants were recommended to petition for admission as a new parish, and the next year, 1844, were ad- mitted as such under the name of Christ Church, as appears by the following vote of the convention : " Voted that the parish in Derby organized on the first day of June, 1843, under the name of St. James's Parish be and the same is hereby admitted as a new parish into the union of this convention by the name of Christ Church, Derby." Thus was this new parish instituted and recognized as such according to the usages of the Episco- pal Church, and when this had taken place the officers of St. James's Church conveyed by deed the grounds and old edifice in good faith to this new parish, and the old church was then re-opened with Rev. N. S. Richardson as its first rector. He was followed by the Rev. Mr. Putnam in his rectorship, who labored with pious zeal and good spirits until this church united with the new parish of Trinity at Ansonia, the latter surrender- ing their first ecclesiastical name and adopting that of Christ Church.. Thus these infant parishes were wisely merged into one. The Rev. Henry Olmstead was the first rector of Trinity, and for a short time religious services were maintained in two localities within the limits of the parish, at Up Town and An- sonia. Messrs. Olmstead and Putnam being a sort of co-rectors, resigned at the same time, and were succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Stryker, under whom all parochial interests were then consol- RECTORS OF CHRIST CHURCH. 42/ idated. Mr. Olmstead remained rector of Trinity le.ss than a year and is now rector of Trinity Churcli at Branford, and has received the degree of D. D. Mr. Putnam has long since deceased. The Rev. P. Mansfield Stryker, now deceased, may be con- sidered the second rector of Christ Church at Ansonia, remain- ing one year, and among the results of his labors were three marriages, six baptisms, five confirmations by Bishop Brownell, and eight burials. The third rector was the Rev. D. F. Lumsden, who remained over one year. He was deposed from the ministry a few years ago by Bishop Coxe of Western New York. The fourth rector was the Rev. Samuel G. Appleton, whose labors extended from Easter 1854 to Easter 1856. Mr. Apple- ton died of apoplexy at Morrisania, N. Y., in 1874. The fifth rector, the Rev. John Milton Peck, was in charge of the parish ten months. He is now and has been for a num- ber of years rector of Christ Church at Danville, Penn. The sixth rector, the Rev. Louis French, remained six years. Mr. French, since leaving Ansonia, in 1863, has been rector of St. Luke's Church at Darien, Conn. The seventh rector, the Rev. Julius H. Ward, remained as such from January, 1864, to August, 1865, and is now located in Boston, engaged in church work. The eighth rector was the Rev. Charles H. W. Stocking, during whose service of three years and a half there were eighty-one baptisms. He is now rector of Grace Church, De- troit, Mich., and has received the degree of D. D. The ninth. Rev. J. E. Pratt, was rector from October, 1869, to June, 1872. Mr. Pratt, since leaving, has been rector of Trinity Church at Syracuse, N. Y. The tenth, the Rev. Samuel R. Fuller, assumed the rector- ship in July, 1872, and resigned November, 1874. He is now rector of Christ Church at Corning, N. Y. The eleventh rector, the Rev. S. B. Duffield, came to this parish in December, 1875, and left March, 1878. Mr. Duffield is now in charge of St Peter's Church at Monroe, Conn. After the resignation of Mr. Fuller a vacancy for thirteen months occurred, during which the Rev. Sheldon Davis was in 428 HISTORY OF DERBY. charge of the parish, he being largely instrumental in gathering the class for confirmation at the beginning of Mr. Duffield's labors. During the rectorship of Mr. Ward the church edifice was enlarged at an expense of about ^2,000. In 1875 it was re- built at a cost of $12,000, and adorned with costly and appro- priate memorial windows to the embassadors of the church in Derby, viz.: the pious Mansfield and the devout Jewett. The present officers of the church are : rector, Rev. H. T. Widde- mer ; wardens, John Lindley and E. W. Webster ; vestrymen, F. Farrell, J. B. Gardner, H. J. Smith, F, E. Colburn, N. S. Johnson, Chester A. Hawley, Robert Peck, R. R. Wood, H. A. Shipman ; Alton Farrell, parish clerk and treasurer. During the rectorship of Mr. Widdemer since April 20, 1878, there have been one hundred and thirty baptisms, one hundred and sixteen confirmations. Rev. Mr. Widdemer was born in Philadelphia, July 2, 1848 ; was prepared for college by his father, the Rev. E. S. Widde- mer, now rector of the Church of Reconciliation in New York city ; was graduated in 1867 at St. Stephen's College, N. Y., at the head of his class, and pursued his theological course at the Berkeley Divinity School at Middletown, from which he gradu- ated in 1870. He was ordained in Albany, N. Y., July 12, 1870, by Bishop Doane, and advanced to the priesthood July 6, 1872 : was a short time rector of St. Ann's Church at Amster- dam, N. Y., and in January, 1875, removed to New York city and became associate rector of the Church of St. John the Baptist. Severing his connection there he was called to the rectorship of Christ Church at Ansonia in April, 1878. This church is now substantially out of debt, and, dating its organization in 1849, only thirty-one years ago, few parishes in the diocese within that period can show a more rapid or pros- perous growth. The reflection is pleasing that the good seed sown by the early ministers of the church in Derby and their successors has taken deep root and is still producing much fruit. CATHOLIC CHURCH. 429 CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION. The Catholic parish of Ansonia was organized in 1866, and the present church edifice built in 1867. The Rev. P. J. O'Dwyer was the first pastor, and his zealous efforts were largely instrumental in building the church. Father O'Dwyer was born in Ireland and received his ecclesiastical education at "All Hollers College," Dublin. Prior to his pastorate in An- sonia he was a very acceptable and efficient priest of St. Mary's Church, Birmingham, for five years. On his transfer to Nor- walk, where he recently died, he was succeeded by the present pastor, the Rev. H. ¥. Brady, who was born in Ireland, and came to this country in his youth, about thirty-seven years ago. He received his rudimental ecclesiastical education at the Col- lege of St. Charles Bonemeo, Philadelphia, where he passed through a course of the classics, metaphysics and ethics. Af- terwards he spent eight years in the University of St. Mary's of Illinois, being both student and professor of de//es lettres. Not being a subject of that diocese, which then included the whole of that state, he returned from the West and was ac- cepted by the Archbishop of New York, Dr. Hughes, and ap- pointed pastor successively of St. Joseph's and St. Ann's. In 1 86 1 he resigned charge of the latter, went to Europe and at- tended lectures in Paris for three years. At the end of that time he was offered the degree of D. D., but respectfully de- clined the honor, saying that he had no ambition to add to his name a tail which so many wagged with so little credit, a degree that was originally granted only to men of talent, great worth and industry. Returning from P^urope he attached himself to the diocese of Hartford, then comprising the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island. He was appointed pastor of St. Patrick's Church, Rhode Island, for a short time, and was then trans- ferred to Naugatuck, Conn., where he remained from 1866 to 1876, when he was transferred to his present parish at Ansonia. His congregation is flourishing, and numbers about 3,000 souls ; the largest Christian organization in the town. A commodi- ous parsonage has been built within a year. 430 HISTORY OF DERBY. Scholarly, and gentlemanly in his manners, Father Brady has won the respect and confidence of the community in which he resides. THE BAPTIST CHURCH. This church was organized June 22, 1874, under the state Baptist convention. Dr. Turnbull then being its secretary. Only thirty-nine members joined the church on its organiza- tion. The Bible school was instituted by Dr. Turnbull and others with thirty-four scholars. Mr. Sharon Y. Beach of Sey- mour was very efificient in the office of superintendent, and la- bored very acceptably until his resignation in 1879. Religious meetings were held at first in the rooms of the Opera House, under the auspices of the "Christian Association," having reg- ular preaching every Sunday by Dr. Turnbull, Rev. E. M. Jerome and others, until a hall was secured in the Hotchkiss Block. Measures were soon taken to build an edifice, which was completed in April, 1877, at a cost of about $15,000, and occupied ; the services of the Rev Mr. Jerome being secured as pastor. The membership of the church at this time being seventy-five. On April i, 1879, ^^'- Jerome resigned his pas- torate and the church was without a settled minister until Feb- ruary I, 1880, when the Rev. F. B. Dickinson of Boston was secured. The present membership numbers 107. The Sunday or Bible school of this church was well and most successfully managed by the unremitting efforts of its super- intendent, Mr. Beach, as stated, and when he resigned Doct. B. F. Leach was appointed, and accepted the position, and is successfully conducting this department of the church work. The present officers of this church are : Rev. F. B. Dickin- son, pastor ; Henry C. Cook, clerk ; Sharon Y. Beach, William Spencer and H. C. Cook, deacons ; Doct. F. B. Leach, superin- tendent ; E. N. Barnett, assistant ; A. H. Baldwin, secretary ; and H. C. Cook, treasurer. The Sunday-school numbers 120. This is the only Baptist society in the town of Derby ; is free from debt, under good management, and is increasing steadily in its usefulness and work. THE BANKS OF ANSONIA. 43 1 METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. This church was organized in 185 i, Rev. David Osborn being the first pastor while preaching and residing at Seymour. Rev. John L. Peck was pastor in 1852 ; Rev. E. S. Hibbardin 1853 ; Rev. John Pegg in 1854 and 5 ; Rev. J. J. Wooley in 1856 and 7 ; Rev. Wm. Porteus a part of 1858, and Rev. Wm. Tracy the remainder; Rev. Silosloerthome in 1859; Rev. Wm. Howard in i860 and 61 ; Rev. A. B. Pulling in 1862 and 3 ; Rev. C. F. Mallory in 1864 and 5; Rev. Wm. H. Waddell in 1866 and 7 ; Rev. C. S. Wing in 1868, 69 and 70; Rev. George P. Mains in 1 87 1 and 2; Rev. S. H. Smith in 1873 and 4; Rev. Mr. Lindsay in 1875 and 6 ; Rev. J. M. Carroll in 1877 ; Rev. I. K. Smith in 1878 ; Rev. R. H. Loomis in 1879 ^^^ ^o. The place of worship at first was Colburn's Hall on Main street. The present edifice, a neat and commodious church, erected in 1865, located on Main street near the Farrell foun- dry, is capable of seating about 600 persons. The membership numbers 180, and the Sunday-school 232. This church has struggled through many discouragements, but is now in a healthy and prosperous condition. THE SAVINGS RANK OF ANSONIA. This institution was incorporated in 1862; the original cor- porators under the charter being : George P. Cowles, Thomas Wallace, jun., John Lindley, William B. Bristol, J. H. Bartholomew, David W. Plumb, J. M. Colburn, Sylvester Barbour, Abraham Hubbell, Jonah C. Piatt, Thomas Whitney, Richard M. Johnson, Egbert Bartlett, Eli Hotchkiss, Nathan S. Johnson, Eleazer Peck, Albert Hotchkiss, Willet Bradley. With the exception of four all are still living. The secretary and treasurer, Mr. Bartlett, is the only officer or person who receives any compensation for services. The institution is prosperous ; the amount of deposits constantly increasing, and were on the ist of March, 1880, $367,865.31. The present officers are : j^resident, William B. Bristol ; vice-president. 432 HISTORY OF DERBY. Thomas Wallace ; directors, Abraham Hubbell, Robert Peck, Jonah C. Piatt, Dana Bartholomew, John Lindley, Henry J. Smith, Charles L. Hill and James Swan ; secretary and treas- urer, Egbert Bartlett ; auditors, Alton Farrell and Lockwood Hotchkiss. ANSONIA NATIONAL BANK. The residents of Ansonia, early in the year 1861, bought the stock of the " Bank of North America," then located at Sey- mour, which had been reduced to a low standing by losses and other calamities, and removed it to Ansonia, and changed the name in July, 1861, to that of Ansonia Bank with a capital stock of ^100,000, which was afterwards increased to $200,000. In 1865 the name was changed to the National Bank of Ansonia and is in a prosperous state of success. The present officers are : Thomas Wallace, president ; George P. Cowles, vice-president ; Charles H. Pine, cashier. The direc- tors are : Thomas Wallace, George P. Cowles, J. M. Colburn, Wm. B. Bristol, J. H. Bartholomew, Charles L. Hill, Alton Farrell. DERBY PAPER BOX COMPANY. Under this name Mr. R. R. Colburn at his old Lead factory on Main street is manufacturing paper boxes, employing several workmen. Henry B. Whiting is the maker of fish poles, which has become an established, lucrative business. the BOROUGH. Ansonia was chartered as a borough by the Legislature at its May session in 1864, and in 1871 the charter was amended giving full powers and privileges ordinarily granted to boroughs. The organization was effected at Bradley's Hotel August i, 1864, with the following officers: David W. Plumb, warden; A. J. Hine, clerk; Wm. B. Bristol, treasurer; D. F. Hoadley, bailiff. The burgesses are : Wm. B. Bristol, J. H. Bartholo- mew, Robert Hoadley, Wm. Wallace, John Lindley, M. P. Wilson. The limits of the borough are quite extended and take in ANSONIA BOROUGH. 433 larger territory than that of Birmingham. The following gentle- men have discharged the duties of wardens since 1865 : Wm. B. Bristol, 4 years. Egbert Bartlett, 2 years. Robert Peck, i year, Michael Walsh, i year, Charles F. Williams, i year. Henry B. Whiting, i year, D. F. Hoadley, 2 years, John B. Quillinan, i year, H. A. Shipman, i year. The present ofificers are : Henry A. Shipman, warden; Mor- ris Drew, H. C. Spencer, S. B. Bronson, Alfred Barnett, Henry B. Whiting, Patrick B. Fraher, burgesses ; Charles H. Pine, treasurer ; R. N. Tucker, clerk ; D. J. Hayes, bailiff. The borough is well supplied with water from a distance with sufficient fall to extinguish fires. It was procured at great expense by the Ansonia Water Company, whose officers are : president, Thomas Wallace ; secretary and treasurer, Dana Bartholomew ; directors, J. H. Bartholomew, Thomas Wallace, Geo. P. Cowles, Wm. R. Slade, Robert Hoadley, A. Hubbell, E. Bartlett, D. Bartholomew, Wm. Wallace. Ansonia is well protected from fire, having a good supply of water. In 1871 the Eagle Hose Company No. 6 was organ- ized with twenty-nine charter members, with the following- officers : F. H. demons, foreman ; E. A. Wadhams, assistant ; Wm. Powe, 2d assistant, and John H. Hall, secretary and treas- urer. The borough in 1879 removed and enlarged their house, which now stands opposite the Farrell foundry on Main street, and the members of the company at their own expense have furnished their spacious apartments with elegant furniture and a library, papers and periodicals, which make their head-quarters attractive for daily evening meetings. A hook and ladder com- pany is connected and the name has been changed to Eagle Hose and Ladder company No. 6. They number 60 members, many of whom are among the first young men of the place. The present officers are : Wm. Powe, foreman ; W. O. Wallace, first assistant ; W. S. Hurd, second assistant ; Thomas Hurd, treasurer ; Fred M. Drew, secretary. This company constitutes the entire fire department of the borough, and being efficient on every emergency is the pride and boast of the place. In harmony with the active and energetic 55 434 HISTORY OF DERBY. fire company of West Ansonia, Ira Newcomb, foreman, and the Fountain Hose, both fitted with necessary apparatus, this part of the town is as well protected from fire as most places within city limits. BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS, George Washington Lodge No. 82, F. and A. M., was organized under a dispensation granted by the Grand Master of Connecticut, dated November 25, 1856. Its charter was granted by the General Lodge of Connecticut at its annual communication in May, 1857, and bears date of May 18, 1857. The first officers were : Joseph A. Bunnell, W. M., John Cowell, S. D., John Wallace, S. W., T. B. Smith, J. D., Joseph S. Riggs, J. W., Rev. J. J. Woolley, Chaplain, Samuel A. Cotter, Treasurer, H. Skinner, Tyler, Thomas Wallace, jun.. Secretary, The present officers are : A. F. Hoadley, W. M., E. P. Dodge, S. U., C. T. Beardsley. S. W., Philip E. Newsom, J. D., Frank Middlebrook, J. W., Edwin Ells, Chaplain, George A. Tomlinson, Treasurer, Levi B. Boutwell, Tyler, R. H. Tucker, Secretary, The lodge room from the start until 1876 was in the building where Randall's store is. The present lodge room over John- son & Hotchkiss's store was opened in 1876. Mount Vernon Chapter, No. 35, R. A. M., was organized under a dispensation granted by Grand High Priest Charles W. Stearns, dated January, 1872. Its charter was granted by the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the state of Connecticut at its annual convocation in May, 1872, and instituted by Grand High Priest W. W. Lee on the 25th of June, 1872. First officers : J. N. Whiting, H. P., James Pemberton, P. S., J. E. Remer, K., D, F. Hoadley, C. of H., John Lindley S., John Cowell, R. A. C, N. Sperry, Treasurer, N. Skinner, Tyler. George O. Scheller, Secretary, ' J. H. Whiting was H. P. from the organization until April, 1874, and D. F. Hoadley has held that office ever since. BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES. 435 The meetings of this society are held in the rooms of the George Washington Lodge. Present officers : I). F. Hoadley, H. P., F. G. IJassett, K., W. W. Joy, S., A. T. Hoadley, Treasurer, J. H. Whiting, Secretary, P. B. Mackey, P. S., J. G. Redshaw, C. of H. R. N. Tucker, R. A. C, L. B. Boutwell, Tyler. Knights of Pythias, No. 24, was instituted December 9, 1870, with eleven charter members. Robert Peck was the pre- siding officer. In January, 1872, the lodge contained seventy members in good standing, and after eight years of varied suc- cess, with many disbursements for the sick, it now stands as the banner lodge of the state, and numbers 114 members; has a cash fund of over ^1,500, besides $700 in furniture and library. Garnet Temple of Honor, No. 24, T. O. H. and T., was instituted December 15, 1877. Met in rooms of I. O. O. F. in Hotchkiss block until 1879, when they removed to the room over Judd Brothers' market. Charter members : Benj. Hutchinson, W. C. T.. Henry Jeynes, sen., W. V. T., Alex. Veitch, W. R., Joseph Closson, Treasurer, Charles Vandercook, S. S. Wilcox, Samuel B. Bronson, n. T. Saiiford, James Parker, Walter Baldwin, George A. Hoyt, The following have been W. C. T Benjamin Hutchinson, Henry Jeynes, sen., Frank A. Snell, - First Officers. Thomas Law, Joseph McBrien, Henry Jeynes, jun., George Thompson, Thomas Davidson, R. H. Tucker, William T. Mercer. Henry Jeynes, jun., Robert Allen. The present officers are : Robert Allen, W. C. T., F. A. Snell, W. R., John A. Lewis, W. V. T., John Ballantyne, Treasurer. Whole number of members, 52. Ruby Social T. of H. and T., No. 13. This is the female branch of the preceding; instituted April 8, 1879. Meet with Garnet Temple of Honor. Membership, total, 55. 436 HISTORY OF DERBY. , First officers : Elizabeth Jeynes, S. P. T., Lottie L. Smith, S. R. Henry Jeynes, sen., B. P. T., Veteran Soldiers and Sailors' Association of Ansonia hold regular meetings the third Monday in each month. It is benevolent in its object and has especial care for the graves of deceased soldiers. Its officers are : John Jackson, president ; Charles H. Pine, secretary and treasurer ; Julius A. Bristol, W. R. Mott, Charles Stowell, executive committee. It numbers 60 members. Ancient Order of Hibernians is of long standing and be- nevolent in its object. Present officers : John M. O'Brian, pres- ident ; John Cahill, vice-president ; Mike Cahill, secretary; Peter Larkins, treasurer. It numbers about 45 members. Father Mathew T. A. and B. Society is benevolent in its character and numbers 30 members. Its officers are : John Cahill, president ; John R. Hayes, vice-president ; Hugh Graff- ney, secretary ; John O'Brian, treasurer. St. Vincent de Paul Society is benevolent in character, and has for its president, John Lane ; secretary and treasurer, Peter McAuliff. There are other societies of this kind, such as the Young Men's Total Abstinence society, the Friendly Sons of St. Pat- rick, the Wallace Sick Benefit society, Herman Lodge, No. 400, and perhaps others. west ansonia. In close proximity to Ansonia proper, separated only by the Naugatuck, is situated this flourishing part of the town. Ele- vated and facing the east, while overlooking for a long distance the valley, it is one of the most beautiful and desirable locations in Derby. Adorned with many fine residences and away from the noisy hum of machinery, its population is already vieing in improvements with other parts of the town. It contains no factories ; only two stores, two meat markets, a school-house, 225 dwelling houses, and a population of 1,000. The place is blessed with good water from a distant lake, supplied by a running stream ; its main streets are lighted ; many of the sidewalks are paved — some flagged ; a well organized I DERBY NARROWS. 437 fire company, the Fountain Hose with engine house and good apparatus for the extinguishment of fire, — all these combined with pleasant scenery give promise of future growth and pros- perity. Within the limits of the village is located the spacious grounds of the " Evergreen Cemetery " in which the citizens take a just pride. About six years ago an appropriate and im- posing Soldiers' Monument was erected in it and dedicated with appropriate ceremonies, to the memory of Derby's heroic dead. It will stand a credit to the patriotic, good people of Ansonia who caused its erection. DERBY NARROWS. Few landmarks remain as reminders of the prosperity of this place before its commercial downfall. The old Leman Stone castle, the tavern and some old dwellings with their surround- ings may be pleasant for the oldest inhabitants to contemplate, but ship building is gone, the once lively trade with foreign ports no longer continues, for the cut of railroads against the navigation of the Ousatonic has brought its blessing and advan- tages and imbued this ancient part of the town with the spirit of modern improvements. Costly mansions now stand on grounds almost venerated one hundred years ago. The popu- lation is increasing annually from Up Town to Turkey Hill. The streets are lighted with gas, sidewalks flagged and the people are keeping pace with other sections of the town. The Derby post-office, in name replete with migration— now here, now there — finally in Birmingham and changed to the name of Birmingham post-office, has resulted in giving a new one to the Narrows under the old name of the Derby post-office. But little manufacturing has ever been done in this place. The tannery established by Isaac J. Gilbert fifty or more years ago is still continued, although less extensively, by his son, Abijah H. Gilbert. The sash and blind factory of David Bradley & Son on Two- Mile brook at Turkey Hill, is one of the oldest establishments of the kind in New Haven county. It furnished the sash and blinds to the first buildings erected in Birmingham, and still continues its work, the products having always been considered of a superior quality. 438 HISTORY OF DERBY. Agur Gilbert & Sons, makers of planes and other wooden articles are located at Turkey Hill on the same brook, and must be classed among the manufacturers of the town. At the old Hitchcock Oil mill DeWit C. Lockwood for several years has turned out a great variety of Yankee articles in wood, turning in this line having been first started at Birmingham. The Derby Building and Lumber Company being a prominent establishment at the Narrows its history is here given. It manufactures sash, blinds, doors, and deals largely in lumber, timber and shingles. It was first started at Birmingham in 1836 by Willis and Lewis Hotchkiss, brothers, on the property now owned by Robert N. Bassett. The firm continued the business until 1840 when Willis P. Sperry and Merritt Clarke were taken into partnership and the name of Hotchkiss, Clarke & Co., adopted. Continuing in business until 1850, the company then consolidated with Lindley & Johnson, a firm at Ansonia in the same business, thus forming a joint stock company under the name of Derby Building and Lumber Company, removing their works to Derby Landing. Here was erected a large fac- tory for the prosecution of a wholesale trade. In 1868 these buildings were entirely destroyed by fire, and the energetic managers not discouraged erected a larger factory with increased facilities and improved machinery, and in six weeks from the date of the fire they were again in full operation in the production of merchandise. The facilities of this company for doing their work are unsurpassed. The capital stock is ^55,000 ; number of hands employed 50 ; monthly pay roll about $3,000 ; annual product of goods about $150,000. The present officers are: president, Wm. E. Bur- lock ; secretary and treasurer, John G. Townsend ; general manager, Clark N. Rogers. An extensive business carried on at the Narrows is the coal trade by Merritt Clarke & Sons of Derby, and Wm. B. Bristol of Ansonia. J. W. Whitlock of West Ansonia is also a coal dealer. The Clarke Sons alone retail annually 5,000 tons of coal, and the whole consumption in the town is estimated at 35,000 tons yearly. The first coal introduced into Derby was in 1807, by Abijah Smith, father of the founder of Birmingham. The first cargo IS nrst staj Logers, ness ca years h-j •: i^' a piuliliilcii ' ^h' in 1 -larke ss, Clarke inghan '/-^^^ ANTHRACITE COAL. 439 of anthracite coal offered for sale in this country was by Abijah Smith. He left Derby in 1806, and in 1807' mined fifty tons of coal in Plymouth, Penn., at the old mine which is now rented to the Lehigh and Wilkesbarre Coal Company, known as the Smith red-ash coal. In November, 1807, Smith purchased an ark for $24, which had been used for the transportation of plas- ter, and on the 4th day of that month this ark was floated to Plymouth and loaded with fifty tons of anthracite coal and was floated down the Susquehanna river. Safely landed at Columbia, Penn., the German settlers looked with wonder at what they called " black stone," and said Smith must be a crazy man to think of selling such stuff as that. In order to demonstrate the value of coal as an article for fuel Mr. Smith arranged with a landlord of that place, for the use of his fire-place, — procured a grate made under his directions by a blacksmith, put it into the fire-place, built a fire of wood and put on the coal, but the wood burned out leaving the coal only a little ignited. They poked it much and worked to make it burn, but not succeeding well, left it and went to dinner. When they returned there was a splendid fire, and the effort a victorious success. Per- sons from Philadelphia, Baltimore and New York beheld with wonder and delighted surprise the burning of this "black stone." The effort being satisfactory Mr. Smith, joined by his brother John Smith in 1808, sent three ark loads of coal to Havre de Grace, and there transferred it to a schooner named Washington and sent it to New York in care of Price and Waterbury, which company sold the coal on commission, dis- posing of it by chaldrons, and not by tons. After 1808 Abijah and John Smith followed the business of transporting coal in arks down the Susquehanna for a number of years, the annual average of sales to 1820 being about six ark loads. Nearly all the early operators in the coal trade made failures except the Smiths. Some of their descendants are still prosecuting it successfully." In 1820 the annual product of coal for the whole country was less than a thousand tons ; now annually thirty-five thousand tons are brought to Derby ; and the whole amount mined and ^History of Plymouth, renn., by H- I'- Wright, 313. 440 HISTORY OF DERBY. consumed in the United States (1879) i^ estimated at 20,000,- 000 tons. In the early process of mining no powder was used, it being all done by the slow process of pick and wedge, but after a time Mr. Smith thought it could be done with powder-blast, and sending to Milford, Conn., obtained the services of John Flan- igan, an experienced stone quarrier with powder, and set him at the work, which experiment proved a success. This was in 1 8 18. It should therefore be recorded that John Flanigan was the first to apply the powder-blast in the coal mines of Pennsyl- vania, an important experiment in the commencement of a trade which has become so immense in later years. The first load of coal brought to Derby was by Abijah Smith, in his coat pocket, as a curiosity, and the credit is due, there- fore, to one of Derby's native citizens, for having developed the coal trade. A STEAMBOAT AGAIN. Minnie B., a steamboat recently constructed for the purpose, is soon to be put on the river to run from Derby Narrows to Bridgeport in connection with the People's Line to New York, and also for excursions on the Sound. The owner of the boat, Mr. George W. Briggs, has a patent for a newly arranged pro- pelling wheel, and this boat is constructed for demonstrating the value of the patent, as well as to secure transportation of passengers from Derby to New York by water. The wheel is so arranged as to enable the boat to draw two or five feet of water, although of 40 tons burden. Mr. Briggs was formerly of Warwick, Rhode Island. The officers are : commander. Dr. B. F. Leach of Birmingham ; pilot, Henry M. Porter of Strat- ford ; engineer, G. H. Bartlett of New Haven. BURTVILLE. This place, containing about thirty dwellings, is a little be- low and in close proximity to Derby Narrows, bordering on Turkey Hill. A Sunday-school mission was started at this place by Mrs. D. M. Church, June 17, 1877, in her own house, where it con- tinued until a larger place of meeting was needed, when, in BURTVILLE MISSION. 44 1 December, 1877, Mr. George Waterman gave the use of a suit of rooms for the mission. In March, 1878, a school was regularly organized by the elec- tion of Mrs. D. M. Church superintendent ; Dea. David Brad- ley, assistant, and Almon Ticknor, treasurer. Soon after this Mrs. Church was called away from the place, and Dr. B. F. Leach of Birmingham accepted the position of superintendent, which he still holds. In April, 1879 the mis- sion school was re-organized with the same officers ; the school numbering 45. At this Mrs. Almon Ticknor donated a site for a chapel, and a building committee of the following" persons was appointed : Mr. Lewis Young, Dea. David Bradley and Mr. Almon Tick- nor. The money was raised by subscription, and the work commenced June 8, 1879, and was completed and occupied July 6, 1879, at a cost of $500. The school now numbers about 70. 56 CHAPTER XV. THE TOWN OF SEYMOUR. PON the petition of Leman Chatfield and others, the town of Seymour was organized in the May session of the General Assembly in 1850, all its territory having been comprised within the original town of Derby. The number of inhabitants contained in it, as given in the gen- eral census of i860, was 1,749, and in 1870, 2,123, ^ large proportion of which reside in the manufacturing village of Sey- mour, on the Naugatuck river. In securing this organization of a new town the inhabitants met with strong opposition, and succeeded in their object only by adopting the name the town now bears. In 1850 Derby was a strong whig town with a working ma- jority of over two hundred, but the northern portion of it was strongly democratic. A little before this there was a little post-office fight in which Thomas Burlock took an active part and succeeded in securing the appointment of John W. Storrs as postmaster. At the spring election of 1850 Mr. Burlock was the whig nominee for the Legislature, and H. B. Munson the democratic nominee, and was elected. The proposition of dividing the town entered into the election. Ansonia was then a thriving village, and being central in its location was talked of as the place to build a new Town Hall. Mr. Munson, as representative, saw that the opportunity had come to secure the new town, if it was to be done within many years, and suc- ceeded in that body in obtaining a favorable report from the committee, and his bill passed the Senate before the people of Ansonia were really aware of it. Birmingham and Derby Nar- rows were rather in favor of the movement for a new town, as there had always been a rivalry between the places, but An- sonia marshaled all its forces in opposition, and would have succeeded had not Mr. Munson made a change of base to save his bill in the House and from the veto of the Governor. The new town was to be called Humphreys, a historical name in NAUGATUCK FALLS. 443 which all were agreed. Mr. Munson and Gen. Pratt, then a member of the House, proposed to drop the name of Hum- phreys and adopt that of Seymour. Thomas H. Seymour was then Governor, and the town bearing his name it was believed he would not veto the bill, which finally passed the House by two or three majority ; the Governor gave his signature, and thus the town was organized. The deed given by the Indians, of the land in the vicinity of where the village of Seymour now stands, was dated April 22, 1678. The tract thus conveyed extended from the Naugatuck river, eastward, to Mill river, now in Woodbridge, and from Bladen's brook on the north to about where the Henry Wooster house stands, a mile and a half below Seymour village, with the exception that the Indians reserved " the fishing place at Nau- gatuck, and the plain, and the hill next the river at the fishing place." This reservation included nearly all the territory now occupied by the village of Seymour east of the river, extending over the hill into the hollow. By this deed' it may be seen that this place at that time was known by the name of "Naugatuck." In the report of a com- mittee dated two years before the deed just referred to, this name is used in the same manner : " Plum meadow and the ad- jacent land is by estimation about twenty acres, lying on the east side the river that cometh from Naugatuck."' This latter record was made in 1676, one year after the organization of the town. It is to be observed, also, that the Fishing Place at Naugatuck is mentioned, and from it may be obtained the meaning of the word Naugatuck. In the Indian language Amaug means fishing place ; and suck means tidal water, or a pouring out of water. Hence Amaug-siick, or, as the English caught the sound from the Indians' rapid pronunciation, Naug- tuck, was the fishing place at the Falls ; and hence Naugatuck was the name of the locality. P^rom what may be seen of the different spellings of the Indian names, it may be concluded that, although regarded by some as "far-fetched," this is not a tenth as much so as to suppose the place was named from "a big tree that stood at Rock Rimmon," a mile distant. Besides, ^The deed may be seen on page 70 of this book. ^Ibid page 59. 444 HISTORY OF DERBY. it may be noted here that if there was a big tree designating any locality in that region, it was probably two miles further from the falls than Rock Rimmon, on what is now called "Chestnut Hill," for that hill was originally called "Chestnut Tree Hill," as if named from one tree. In the onward march of nearly two hundred years, some one hearing the story of a big tree, transplanted it by a forgetful memory from that hill to Rimmon, and then concluded that since Hick in the Indian tongue meant a tree, tuck meant Naugatuck, or the fishing- place-at-the-falls. The next land purchased in this vicinity, after that in which the reservation was made at the Falls, was secured by David Wooster, son of the first Edward, in a deed from the Indians dated in 1692 : "A certain parcel of land on the north-west side of Naugatuck river, in the road that goeth to Rimmon, the Long plain, so called, in the bounds of Derby." This descrip- tion, of itself, gives no word by which its locality may be known, but one month later Mr. Wooster bought another piece adjoin- ing the first, by which we learn that the first piece included the Long plain at the foot of Castle Rock from the Falls southward, taking the whole plain. The second piece bounded eastwardly with the ledge of rocks (Castle Rock), southward " with a pur- chase of David Wooster," or in other words, his own land, and northward with the Little river, and westward with another "ledge of rocks." This piece, containing all that part of the village of Seymour west of the Naugatuck Falls, and much more, was bought " in consideration of a shilling in hand re- ceived,"' and was reasonably cheap considering the amount of rock it contained. Both of these pieces deeded to David Woos- ter were included in the Camp's mortgage purchase of 1702, which was " a parcel of land three miles square."* In 1704 the town voted " that David Wooster have that land that he bought of the Indians on the west side of the Naugatuck river, above the Little river, allowing for highways." How far up the Nauga- tuck above Seymour this land extended has not been ascer- tained. In the year 1678, two months before the purchase of the ^See page 96 of this book. ^Page 108 of this book. ROCK RIMMON. 445 tract of land bounded north by Bladen's brook, Col. Ebenezer Johnson bought of the Indians, "three small parcels of land, bounded on the north-west with Rock Rimmon, and on the east with Lebanon, and on the south with a small brook and Nauga- tuck river, and on the west with a hill on the west side of Naugatuck river so as to take in the little plain." One or more ROCK RIMMON. of these pieces of land must have laid in the valley west of Rock Rimmon, for the town record shows us the following grants: "December 30, 1678. The town have granted to Ebenezer Johnson the upper plain land against Rock Rimmon, and that it shall lie for division land and be so called if Milford do not take away the propriety of it f and the town grant the said ^Having seen, since writing the foregoing chapters, the statement repeated sev- 446 HISTORY OF DERBY. Ebenezer liberty to take in another man with him." At the same time also the town granted " to Jeremiah Johnson twenty acres of land at the lower end of the plain against Rock Rim- mon, provided highways be not hindered." At the same time they granted to Daniel Collins, John Tibbals and Philip Den- man ten acres each. Not quite a month later they granted " liberty to Samuel Riggs to take up twenty acres of land at or near Rock Rimmon on the west side of the river." In 1682 the town "granted Abel Gun ten acres, either on Little river above Naugatuck Falls, or on the Long plain, west side of Nau- gatuck river above the falls, as he shall choose." Upon searching for the first settling of persons in this part of the town, it was supposed that the first house was erected at Pine's Bridge, but the following records indicate otherwise. One of the three pieces of land purchased by Ebenezer Johnson which is said to be "bounded on the north-west by Rock Rimmon," must have been located south-east of that rock, and hence the di- vision of it was made in thefollowingform in 1683 : "To Samuel Riggs, half that land at Rimmon on the north-west of the said Samuel Riggs's cellar, between that and the Rock, and at the same time granted Sergeant Johnson the other half north-west of said cellar." This fixes the cellar south-east ofRimmon, and this was the first beginning for the erection of dwellings anywhere in the vicinity of the present village of Seymour. In 1700 Maj. Ebenezer Johnson and Ens. Samuel Riggs purchased of the Indians a tract of land extending from their land in the vicinity of Pine's Bridge southward so as to join that eral times as historical, that Milford at first owned the township of Derby, it is proper to say that the first land deeded by the Indians to the Milford Company ex- tended only so far north as to the mouth of Two-Mile brook, which is about a mile below Derby Narrows. Ten years after the organization of the town of Derby, Milford purchased one piece of land of the Indians, lying north of the Derby and New Haven road, and in 1700, another north of the first, and in 1702, another north of the second, extending to the Waterbury line, but each of these joined the township of Derby on the east, as may be seen by the reading in the history of " Seymour and Vicinity," page 6, second edition, and were never any part of Derby territory. The Paugassett Company paid taxes, the first three years that they paid any, direct to the New Haven Company, and after that, thirteen years to Milford, and they attended and supported the church at Milford, but all the doings of the plantation, with the above exceptions, were independent of Milford from first to last, and Milford never pretended to own or be in possession of any territory that ever was claimed by Paugassett or Derby. FIRST SETTLERS. 447 of David Wooster, on the west side of Naugatuck river, and meeting also Tobie's land on the north."" When Maj. Ebenezer Johnson and Ens. Samuel Riggs divided their land at Pine's l^ridge in 1708, Ensign Riggs accepted that which lay west of the Naugatuck river and south of the brook that enters that river from the west near the bridge, including the "two islands at the mouth of that brook;" and Major John- son accepted " the land on the east side of said river and on the north side of said brook, with a road six rod wide running up- wards by said brook until it come to Tobie Indian's land." It was this land, called by Col. Ebenezer Johnson (for he was then colonel) "my farm at Rimmon," that he divided equally to his sons Timothy and Charles Johnson in 1721. It was also two hundred acres of this land west of the river, that Ens. Samuel Riggs gave to his son Ebenezer Riggs in "December, 1708, with houses and all appurtenances thereunto pertaining," and on which this son settled soon after, and where he died in 171 2 or 13, a young man, thirty-one years of age. It is most proba- ble that some of the children of Maj. Ebenezer Johnson settled in this vicinity about the same time Ebenezer Riggs 'did. They may have settled finst south-east of Rimmon, and so far south-east as to be on the Skokorat road where Bennajah John- son afterwards resided, he being heir to the property of both Jeremiah and Maj. Ebenezer Johnson, for his mother was the eldest daughter of the latter, but probably not so far from the Rock. It is also recorded that in 1684 " Jeremiah Johnson, jun., was granted a home lot containing four acres, in the Scraping-hole plain," and that John Tibbals was granted a pasture "on both sides of Beaver brook below Scraping-hole plain." In 1 73 1 the town purchased "all that tract of land known by the name of the Indian Hill, in Derby, situate on the east side of Naugatuck river, near the place called the Falls ; all that land that lieth eastward, northward and southward, except the plain that lieth near the Falls up to the foot of the hill." The deed of this land was not given by Chuse, but by John Cookson, John Howd and other Indians, which is proof that Chuse was •"On page 96 of this book the deed says this land was hounded westward with Naufratucic river: it siiould read iv/.f/ward. 448 HISTORY OF DERBY. not here, nor in possession of this land at that time, nor was he in such relations to the owners of this land as to make it im- portant that he should sign the deed, and therefore it may be inferred, as is the case in the Indian History of this work, that he belonged to a family of the Pootatucks, and that it was some years after this that he was elected sachem and became the es- tablished governor of the Indians collected at this place. In the Historical Collections we are told that " At the time Chuse removed here there were but one or two white families in the place, who had settled on Indian Hill ; " and it is quite certain the whites did not build on the land until after they had pur- chased it. And since, as we are informed by the authority just referred to, he resided here forty-eight'' years, and was residing at Scaticook in 1783,^ he must have settled here in 1738 (or only a short time before), the same year that the Indian settlement was commenced in Kent. Chuse " erected his wigwam about six or eight rods north of where the cotton factory now stands, [1836] on the south border of the fiat. It was beautifully situ- ated among the white oak trees, and faced the south. He mar- ried an Indian woman of the East Haven tribe."'' His wife's name was Anna, concerning whom the Rev. Daniel Humphreys made the following record: "September 12, 1779, then Ann Chuse was admitted to communion with the Church of Christ." The Rev. Martin Tullar recorded her name in 1787, "Anna Mawheu," and at the same time he recorded Chuse's name "Joseph Mawheu," as having been a member of the church up to the time of his removal, but when he first joined is not known. In the " Indian History " of this work the name as re- corded on the town records was followed, which is " Mauwee " only, but finding since that time on the church records the name " Mawheu," it may be properly concluded that the name in full was Mauweeheu. In 1780 the town appointed Capt. Bradford Steele and Mr. Gideon Johnson a committee with full power " to take care of the Indian lands in Derby, and let out the same to the best advan- tage for the support of said Indians, and to take care that there 'Hist. Col. 200. ^DeForest, 417. ^Barber's Hist. Col. 199. INDIANS LAND. 449 be no waste made on said land and to render an account of their doings to the town." This opens the way for the supposition that Chuse had ah-eady removed to Scaticook, but does not make it certain. John Hovvd appears to have been the successor in office to Chuse, as indicated by the signing of deeds, and the following record: "Whereas the Assembly held on the 2d of May, 1810, authorized Joseph Riggs of Derby to sell certain lands, the property of Philip, Moses, Hester, Frank and Mary Seymour, Indians ; lands which descended to them from John Howd an Indian," therefore the lands were sold by Lewis Prindle and Betsey Prindle, agents in place of Joseph Riggs, in behalf of these Indians, and two years later some part of this land was sold to Col. David Humphreys, and another piece, at the same time to Mrs. Phebe Stiles. This John Howd, Indian, should not be taken for the prominent white citizen some years before, by the same name, and after whom most probably this Indian was named. At the time the Indian Hill was purchased by the town there were probably some families residing on Little river within two miles of the Falls on the Naugatuck. In August, 1747, '"George Abbott of Derby sold to Stephen Perkins of New Haven a saw-mill, grist-mill and dwelling house on Little river, above the P^alls." In 1760 the town granted " to James Pritchard the liberty of the stream of the Little river from its mouth up against the dwelling of said P'airchild to erect and keep in repair a corn- mill or mills." For more than sixteen years the water power of the Little river was utilized in mills of various kinds, within a short dis- tance of the much greater power which might have been secured on the Naugatuck, but the effort to use the latter seemed too great to be undertaken. On the 4th day of October, 1763, Ebenezer Keeney, John Wooster and Joseph Hull, jun., of Derby, purchased of the Indians, one acre of land, including the P^alls on the Naugatuck river, and one acre and a half for a road through the Indians' land to the P^'alls. This deed, which was given for only this small portion of the Indians' reservation, was signed by Joseph Chuse and John Howd, the chief men of 57 450 HISTORY OF DERBY. the little tribe. On this land were erected by this company two fulling-mills, a clothier's shop and a saw-mill, before 1803 ; probably only one fulling-mill was standing there, at first, for some years. In 1785 John Wooster and Bradford Steele, leased for 999 years, for fifteen pounds, "a certain spot or privilege at a place called Rimmon Falls upon the east side of Naugatuck river, a certain plot of ground to erect a blacksmith-shop, or hammers to go by water, for the purpose of scythe making or other black- smith work, containing thirty feet of land in front, next to the flume, . . . together with the privilege of setting up grind- stones or other work necessary for said work." The next manufacturing enterprise, apparently, was erected on Bladen's brook, nearly one mile east of the Falls. Thaddeus Hine of Derby sold to Titus Hall Beach of the same town in 1799, "one certain piece of land lying in said Derby on each side of Bladen Brook, so called, containing half an acre on the north side of the middle of said Brook." Upon this land Mr. Beach erected a fulling-mill, and in 1801 sold it and removed to Paterson, N. J. This fulling-mill stood on the site of Mr. Sharon Y. Beach's present paper-mill, at what is called Blue street. Soon after the building of the blacksmith shop and scythe manufactory at the Falls, religious services began to be held in this community. The first church in the place was organized about the time of the following record: "Derby, Nov. 3, 1789. This may certify all whom it may concern, that the subscribers have joined and paid towards the support of the Gospel as the Congregational Society in Derby, near Bladen Brook, and mean for the future to support the Gospel there ■}" Capt. Timothy Baldwin, Trueman Loveland, Asahel Johnson, Ebenezer Warner, Gideon Johnson, Leverett Pritchard, Capt. Bradford Steele, Levi Tomlinson, Elisha Steele, John Coe, Isaac Baldwin, Ebenezer Beecher Johnson, Turrel Whitmore, Nathan "Wheeler, Amos Hine, Bezaleel Peck, Bradford Steele, jun., Francis Forque, Medad Keeney, Joseph Lines, ^"History of Seymour, 21. FIRST CHURCH. 45 I Hezekiah Woodiii, Moses Clark, John Adee, Philo Hinman, Ashbel Loveland, Thomas Hotchkiss. In furthering the work of establishing a church in this place a deed of land was given according to the following record, by Isaac Johnson : " For and in consideration of Mr. Benjamin Beach of North Haven coming and settling in the Gospel minis- try in the Congregational or Independent church in the third school district in the town of Derby, do give unto the said Ben- jamin Beach and to his heirs and assigns forever, one acre of land lying a little east of the meeting-house in said district, . . . . being bound north on highway, east, south and west on my own land. November 25, 1789." The house Mr. Beach built on this land is still standing, a little east of the Methodist church, and is owned by Mr. Charles Hyde. In 1791 Mr. Beach bought an acre and a half of Mr. Johnson, "lying east and south" of the first, and in 1799 he bought seventeen acres for $333, at a place called " Success Hill," which he sold in 18 10 to John Swift for $686.06^ when he (Mr. Beach) is said to be of Cornwall. Mr. Beach is said to have preached here two years before moving his family here, which is very probable since the meeting-house was standing when this land was given him ; and it is said to have been built for him to preach in, and in those days such a work could not be done in much less time than two years. The inhabitants were then (1789, soon after the Revolutionary war) residing near the church, in the valley east of Indian Hill, up Bladen's brook, on Skokarat road, at and below Pine's Bridge, on Little river, and a few families on the west side and others on the east side of the Naugatuck, a little distance below the Falls. Such was the situation in 1789, except that the Indians, few in number, were occupying their huts on the plain near the fulling-mills. There may have been a house or two at this time standing on the land belonging to the mill company. For fourteen years after this the enterprise of the place was manifest in clearing away the forests and improving the mill property in the vicinity, until Col. David Humphreys purchased in 1803 the fulling-mills, when everything took on the form of new life. Already (in 1794) the Oxford turnpike had been constructed above the Falls, and there was 452 HISTORY OF DERBY. much interest in connecting the Falls Bridge with that turnpike and making another turnpike to Derby Landing, and the spirit of progress was running high, just as it did forty-five years later, when the railroad was built. Col. Humphreys brought his merino sheep (an account of which may be seen in the biography of him) into the town of Derby in 1802, but did not proceed at once to erect the woolen mill. He continued the dressing of cloth in the mills in the usual manner of that day, but a fulling-mill or carding mill was not a spinning and weaving mill of later days ; the spinning and weaving were done at the homes of the inhabitants throughout the community. The first wool from his sheep was thus spun and woven, and then dressed at his mills. Col. Humphreys's plans were philanthropic and enterprising to a high degree for his time, but he had not the mechanical skill to run a loom or set up a spindle for the manufacture of woolen cloths ; all this was executed by others. When Col. David Humphreys was on his last visit to England, he was greatly interested in the manufactures of that country and was anxious to introduce them into the United States. At this period he became acquainted with Mr. John Winterbotham, who was then a manufacturer of woolen cloths in the vicinity of Manchester, where he had inherited the business and property of an uncle, after he had been educated to the business and become master of it in all its branches. Arrangements were made by which Mr. Winterbotham was to settle his affairs in England and join the manufacturing enterprise commencing, or about to commence, by a company under the name of T. Vose & Company at Humphreysville, which arrangement .he fulfilled and took his place as a junior partner in the firm, and was given the entire charge of the manufacturing department. The other partners were Colonel Humphreys and Capt. T. Vose, neither of whom had any knowledge of the manufacturing business. Perhaps no person could have been found more capable of filling this arduous position than Mr. Winterbotham. He was in the prime of life, vigorous in mind and in body, and of well tried executive ability, — a man to meet and conquer difficulties with unflinching perseverance. These qualities he devoted entirely to the management of the factory, allowing himself no amuse- HUMPHREVSVILLE. 453 ments except two or three days shooting in the season when the birds were plentiful, a short bathing season with his family in New Haven once a year, and a ride on horseback now and then. It was a rare thing if he spent an evening away from home, or permitted one to pass without reading aloud to his family. His memory was remarkable; he being able to communicate, at any time, whatever he desired, from books he had read. In all re- spects he was a plain, outspoken man, simple in his habits, almost austere in the performance of his duties, and so opposed to show and all sorts of pretensions, that he sometimes fell into the opposite extreme and was severe in his scorn of both. Of Humphreysville and various personages residing there while Colonel Humphreys was living, Mrs. Ann S. Stephens, daughter of Mr. Winterbotham, thus writes in answer to some questions asked by the authors of this work : "Two nephews of Colonel Humphreys represented him in the manufacturing business, and may have had considerable interest therein. The younger, William Humphreys — a fine young man as I first remember him — was the head of the count- ing-house, and, I think, cashier. The other, John, must have been a lawyer, for he was known as Judge Humphreys, and lived in one of the best houses in the neighborhood, a square white building that stands now on Falls hill, where the road that leads to Bungy crosses the highway. Judge Humphre)-s and his wife, an elegant, handsome lady, were great favorites with the Colonel, and were generally looked up to in the neighbor- hood as superior persons. He was one of the finest looking and most dignified men that I remember. Indeed, the whole Humphreys family were remarkable for great personal beauty, both in that and the next generation. Two of Judge John's daughters, Mrs. Canfield and Mrs. Pease, were beautiful and elegant women. A son of Mrs. Pease has not only retained the family grace of comeliness, but is now one of the first musical geniuses of the country. " Mrs. Mills, an aged widow lady, when I remember her, was a sister to Colonel Humphreys and lived in a brown house be- tween Judge Humphreys's dwelling and the church which was then, and is now one of the most conspicuous objects on the hills. She married in her old age Chipman Swift, Esq., father 454 HISTORY OF DERBY. of the Rev. Zephaniah Swift of Derby, and I remember seeing her at the Colonel's rooms during the wedding festivities in her bridal dress, a silver-gray pongee silk, trimmed to the knees with narrow rows of black velvet ribbon, while her soft, gray hair was surmounted by a lace cap brightened with pink ribbons. '• My own first recollections of Humphreysville, or indeed of anything in life, was a low-roofed two-story, or story and a half house in Shrub Oak, about a mile from the factory flats, on the western side of the Naugatuck. This house had a large garden at the back, in which were currant bushes and some peach trees, a front door-yard, shaded by maple trees, in which were lilac bushes and cinnamon roses. This, so far as I know, was the first residence of my parents in this country. It is, I suppose, now standing almost directly opposite a large, wooden residence built by Walter French. From our house, perhaps a quarter of a mile up the road, two other dwellings were in sight, a white house, whose occupants I do not recollect, and a red farm house, lifted from the road by a rise of ground and backed by a fine old orchard. This was called the Pritchard farm, and was owned by a family of that name with which our household became very intimate. On the other side of the way was a stream that emptied into the Naugatuck a mile below. Just opposite the farm, it gathered into a water-power of sufficient volume to drive a rude saw-mill which gave its lively music to the whole neigh- borhood. Turning back, half way below this dam and the French mansion, stood a red school-house close to the road. In front was a young apple-tree, and the back windows looked into a small pasture lot in which a tall pear tree stood, a per- petual temptation ; for the scholars could hear the ripe fruit rustle through the leaves and fall upon the grass where they were forbidden even to search for it. In this red school-house I learned the alphabet, at so tender an age that it all seems like a dream. Abby Punderson, a maiden lady, taught me from Webster's spelling book, bound in wood covered with bright blue paper. "To me this stately old maid had reached the pinnacle of human dignity when she sat in her high backed, splint bottom chair, holding that spelling-book by the top and pointing out the letters with a pair of bright, sharp pointed scissors, fastened to HUMPHREYSVILLE. 455 her side by a steel chain. The very rattle of her thimble against the wooden cover had an august sound to me " This decorous spinster not only taught me the alphabet, but she put the first tiny thimble on my finger and guided my ear- liest attempts at an over-and-over seam. I can even now hear the click of the knitting-needles and see that ball of yarn roll in her lap, when I was seized with a wikl ambition to knit with two needles and went up to that high-backed chair for my first les- sons For these branches of useful knowledge I have thanked Abby Punderson a thousand times with a degree of pride and gratitude that I have failed as yet to bestow on my writing- master. " Doctor Stoddard who lived at that time on the west side of the Naugatuck, sent his children to this school and was perhaps the first intimate friend my father made in this country. He was the principal if not the only physician in the place, and the medical attendant of our family all the time we lived in Hum- phreysville. I hold his kind attention to me during an attack of typhoid fever in grateful remembrance to this day. "• Indeed Doctor Stoddard was an extraordinary man, cele- brated for his professional skill through the whole country, over which his ride often extended both as a practicing and consult- ing physician. He was a man of wonderful humor and caustic wit, social, eccentric and kind. The poor of that neighborhood had good reason to bless the sight of him when he tied his well- trained horse to their gate posts and entered their dwellings with saddle-bags on his arm, filled with medicines for their re- lief; for, to those that were unable to pay for his care, the good Doctor was always cheerful and promptly kind. His daughter Hannah, now the wife of Doctor Johnson, was the first school and playmate I ever had. In that red school-house we two tiny children formed a friendship that has lasted pleasantly through all our after life. Her brother Jonathan was also one of my first playmates, and I have a sad, dim remembrance of a sweet little girl named Theresa, whose funeral was among the first mournful scenes that rests upon my mind. " In this school-house my first friendships were made, and after this fashion my education began. But I could hardly have advanced beyond words of two syllables when our family re- 456 HISTORY OF DERBY. moved from Shrub Oak to a low-roofed dwelling on the factory property. This house fronted on the factory, from which it was separated by an open green. A clump of fine oaks stood half way between the two buildings, and a garden ran back to the banks of the river. " On the left of this house, as you stood facing the factory was a long range of buildings erected as boarding-houses for the operatives, and beyond that, lifted into prominence by an abrupt rise of ground, stood the counting-house, crowned by a cupola which gave it the look of an academy, " Besides these buildings, there was a paper-mill run by the same water-power that supplied the factory, and opposite to that, a dwelling in which the superintendent lived. Halfway between the fiats and the bridge was a never failing spring which formed a pond and had some fine trees growing on the hill-side behind it. This was called " the Spring Pond," and many of the houses were supplied with water from it. Above this pond on a rise of the road that crossed Bladen's brook, then a bright, wild stream, running through beautifully wooded banks, where we searched for berries and young winter- greens, stood a white basement house, to which William Hum- phreys brought his bride, a fair, pleasant lady, who was very popular among the people. All these buildings lay low down in the valley of the Naugatuck above the bridge and I believe were a part of the factory property. From " The Falls " to Castle Rock the bottom land was covered with the finest grove of white pines I ever saw. Here and there a grand old oak, a hemlock, a whitewood or tulip tree enriched the solemn mo- notony of the pines. The highway ran down the sand banks across the bridge through these woods and up " Falls Hill " near the Episcopal church where another group of dwellings appeared. This was the aspect of Humphreysville when I first remember it. " Among its inhabitants the first person who presents him- self to my mind is the man who gave his name to the place. Col. David Humphreys was then a grandly handsome man, who kept up in his appearance and habits all the traditions that have come down to us from the Revolution. I remember him, at first dimly, in a blue coat with large gold — or what appeared IIUMPHREYSXILLE. 457 to be gold — buttons, a buff vest and laced ruffles around his wrists and in his bosom. His complexion was soft and bloom- ing like that of a child, and his gray hair, swept back from the forehead, was gathered in a cue behind and tied with a black or red ribbon. His white and plump hands I recollect well, for wherever he met me they were sure to ruffle up my curls, and sometimes my temper, which was frequently tranquilized with some light silver coin ranging anywhere from a " four pence half penny " to a half dollar. " Whenever this old gentlemen visited Humphreysville, he occupied a suit of rooms in the boarding-house building. These apartments were superintended by a housekeeper with whom I was a petted favorite. They contained pictures, books and many beautiful objects calculated to charm the fancy of a child, all of which I was permitted to examine and admire to my heart's content. "Colonel Piumphreys took great interest in the discipline and education of the apprentice boys attached to the factory. Sev- enty-three of these boys were indentured, I have been told, at the same time from the New York almshouse, and others from the neighboring villages. For these he established evening and Sunday-schools, with competent teachers ; and indulged his military tastes by uniforming them at no light expense as a militia company, drilling them himself. Of course so many lads, gathered from the lower classes of a great city, must have numbered some bad ones. Thefts and other small vices were sometimes discovered, and at such times the offender was given his choice to be rendered up to the legal authorities, or tried and punished by a court organized on the premises. Almost inva- riably, they elected the latter, where they expected, and usually received a milder sentence than the severe laws of that period would have given. " Sometimes the Colonel brought very distinguished com- patriots to visit the mills of which he was said to be very proud. I remember him dashing up the road one day in an open carriage, drawn by four horses, with Stephen Van Rensselaer, the Albany patroon at his side. They spent some time walking over the premises — took refreshments at the Colonel's apartments and drove back to a cottage that he owned in Hotchkiss Town on the New Haven road. 458 HISTORY OF DERBY. " Indeed the old soldier usually came in state when he visited his native town, and his presence there was always followed by more or less commotion. "One day, coming along the river road, near the bridge, he checked his carriage to learn the meaning of a crowd that had collected on the bank. A child had just been taken from the water insensible and apparently dead. The old man gave a few hasty directions, snatched the reins from his coachman, dashed across the bridge and up Falls hill with the dangerous reckless- ness of a man who had no thought of his own life, and disap- peared. In less time than seemed possible, he dashed back with Doctor Stoddard by his side. His prompt action saved the child, and endeared both the old soldier and the physician more than ever to the people. "In his business enterprises Col. Humphreys did not forget the literary propensities that had mated him with Trumbull and Barlow in Yale College. He wrote a great deal for the benefit and amusement of the operatives, and the Christmas holidays were frequently celebrated with private theatricals where an original play, of which he was the author, would be performed by the most talented work people, and he more than once took a prominent part in them. " As the best people of the neighborhood and other towns were invited to form an audience, these plays became a favorite amusement. In fact Col. Humphreys omitted" nothing that could arouse the ambition or promote intellectual improvement among the operatives although he did it after a grand military fashion. " After our removal from Shrub Oaks the nearest school was on the hill back of the sand banks. A new academy had been built in that neighborhood, known up to that time as Chusetown, after some famous Indian chief; but the good town of Derby has always evinced wonderful eagerness in dropping historical names, and when that new academy, with a pretentious belfry, loomed up on the hill, looking proudly down on the cluster of houses at the cross roads, that Indian chief was crowded into the background and Chusetown became' School Hill." "Among these houses on the cross roads, one of which was a country tavern, two or three dwellings were in the progress of IIL'MI'IIREYSVILLE. 459 building, one of which was intended for our future residence. They stood on a walled terrace and, in those primitive times, were planned with some degree of taste : but when the time came that the house by the factory was, by agreement, to be vacated, that in Chusetown was hardly half completed. ' Houses to let ' were not plentiful in Humphreysville just then, and the only dwelling in which we could find temporary shelter was a small building on the edge of the pine woods, into which our family was crowded for several months. Happy months they were for my sister Sarah and myself, for we absolutely lived in the pine woods, built our play-houses there, made ourselves acquainted with all the birds-nests, learned how to twist white- wood leaves into drinking cups, and enjoyed our young lives so completely that it was an absolute calamity to us when the new house was ready and we removed into it. This little house, which I am told has sometimes been pointed out as my birth- place, was occupied simply as a convenience until a more com- modious one was completed. "Some time before the death of Colonel Humphreys it was arranged that my father should travel extensively through the South and West. I have an idea that he went in the interest of the firm to extend the market in the principal cities for an over stock of goods. In these travels, which were continued over six months, I infer that the condition of the slaves in the South made a vivid and painful impression on him ; for after his return he never arose from family prayers any morning without asking God's grace for the negroes. My father had reached Philadelphia on his way back from this journey, when he was met by the news of Colonel Humphreys's death. The suddenness of this event had given a shock of surprise and grief to every one in the old soldier's native town. He had seemed in good health an hour before his last breath was drawn. He was stay- ing at a hotel in New Haven, and, with the usual courtesy that distinguished all his actions, handed a lady friend to her carriage, stood, hat in hand, until she drove off, when he returned to the room from which he had led her, lay down on the sofa and died. "Soon after this event, when I was about eight years of age, my father left Humphreysville and purchased a place in the Berkshire hills. Here his children were placed in school and he 460 HISTORY OF DERBY. had a short season of rest. But a life of semi-activity to a man of his temperament soon became irksome and he grew restive under it. Hearing that a pleasant old homestead was for sale in South Britain, Southbury township, he purchased it and re- moved back to Connecticut. Directly after this he bought a factory some miles below on a tributary of the Ousatonic, and went into business again. " During some years he prospered in this new undertaking ; but prolonged and uncertain legislation in Congress, that kept the tariff in an unsettled state, made judicious contracts impos- sible ; the year 1829 or 30 found him with heavy payments to meet, a falling and uncertam market and an establishment that for more than a year had been running at a dead loss. This ended in financial ruin. He gave up everything to his creditors, gathered his family about him, and, with the exception of his eld- est daughter and myself, who were both married in 1831, removed to Ohio, then deemed, 'the far west.' Here, at the age of 58 years, he secured a tract of wild land, and with the aid of his young sons, the oldest of whom was but sixteen, cleared a farm and built a new home upon it. At the age of eighty-four years he died upon this farm, leaving the best inheritance that any man can give to his children when he said almost with his last words, ' no child of mine has ever given me an hour of pain.' " Some of his children were born in Seymour. " Mary, the eldest, married Robert B. Mote, a lawyer and county judge, who died in Auburn, DeKalb county, Indiana, where she is still residing a widow. " Sarah, the second daughter, married Samuel Woodcock of Ohio, who became quite a land-holder in Savannah, Andrew county, Missouri, and died there leaving her a widow. " John H. Winterbotham, the fourth child and eldest son, mar- ried Mahala Rosecrans, a niece of General Rosecrans ot the United States Army. He inherits his father's intellectual ability and firmness of purpose, and has for some years been a state senator of Indiana. He has grown wealthy by close application to business and heads the firm of J. Winterbotham & Sons, contractors for the prison labor of Indiana and Illinois. He resides in Michigan City, Indiana, and has branch houses in Chicago and Joliet, Illinois. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 46 1 "Robert, the second living son, is a resident of Columbus, Ohio ; a man of independent means and out of business. He married Charlotta Roberts of Fredericktown, Ohio. '• Martha Elizabeth, the fourth daughter, married Fermin Fer- rer, a lawyer of Nicaragua, Central America, and resides in New York. William W., the youngest son, inherits his father's quali- ties of mind and character. He married Elizabeth Miller, the daughter of an influential citizen of Pittsburg, Penn., from whom they inherited a considerable property in Fort Madison, Iowa, where they reside. " Ann S., married Edward Stephens of Portland, Me." (See Biog.) THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. As seen in the account of the M. E. Church in Birmingham, '' Methodist preaching was introduced in 1791, and the first soci- ety formed at the old village of Derby in 1793, with John Coe leader of the class. The members of this society who lived in Chusetown were first organized into a separate society in 1797, but it is probable that their ministers preached here several years before this organization. The first members were : Jesse Johnson, Isaac Baldwin, Sarah Baldwin and Eunice Baldwin. Daniel Rowe of Derby was their first class leader, and the fol- lowing names were soon added : George Clark, Lucy Hitchcock, Silas Johnson and Oliver Johnson. The ministers preached wherever they found open doors ; once or more in Mrs. Dayton's tavern, the house now owned by William Hull, at the corner of Main and Pearl streets ; also in the house of Mr. Stiles, now the residence of Doct. Stoddard. Some years later they preached in the ball-room of the Moul- throp tavern, on the north-east of Hill and Pearl streets. The ministers who were sent to the Middletown circuit, which in- cluded this place, were : in 1792, Richard Swain and Aaron Hunt; in 1793, Joshua Taylor and Benjamin Plsher ; in 1794, Menzies Raynor and Daniel Ostrander ; in 1795, Evan Rogers and Joel Ketchum ; in 1796, Joshua Taylor and Lawrence Mc- Combs ; in 1797, Michael Coate and Peter Jayne ; in 1798, Augustus Jocelyn ; in 1799, Ebenezer Stevens ; in 1800, James "Page 360 of this book. This account of the M. E. Church in Seymour is taken mostly from Mr. W. C. Sharpe's History of Seymour. 462 HISTORY OF DERBY. Coleman and Roger Searle. The Revs. Jacob Brush, George Roberts, Jesse Lee, Freeborn Garrettson and Sylvester Hutch- inson served as presiding elders. For a long time the society continued small and encountered much prejudice and some persecution. On one occasion, while a meeting was held in the house of Isaac Baldwin, which stood on the flat east of H. B. Beecher's auger factory, the persecutors went up a ladder and stopped the top of the chimney in the time of preaching, so that the smoke drove the people out of the house. Squibs of powder were often thrown into the fire in time of worship, to the great annoyance of the people. The preachers appointed to the circuit from 1801 to 1810 were: in 1801, Abijah Bachelor and Luman Andrus ; in 1802, Abner Wood and James Annis ; in 1803, Abner Wood and Nathan Emory; in 1804, Ebenezer Washburn and Nathan Em- ory ; in 1805, Ebenezer Washburn and Luman Andrus ; in 1806, Luman Andrus and Zalmon Lyon ; in 1807, William Thatcher, R. Harris and Oliver Sykes ; in 1808. James M. Smith and Phineas Rice; in 1809, Noble W. Thomas and Coles Carpen- ter ; in 1 8 10, Oliver Sykes and Jonathan Lyon The presiding elders on the district were; Freeborn Garrett- son, Daniel Ostrander, William Thatcher and Joseph Crawford. Freeborn Garrettson held the first quarterly meeting in this place in the old Congregational meeting-house in 1803, and Moses Osborn, a zealous local preacher of Southbury, by his faithful labors in Derby four or five years, prepared the way for a great revival in 1809, when seventy persons were converted in the Neck school-house. Li 181 1 the preachers were: Zalmon Lyon and Jesse Hunt; in 1812, Aaron Hunt and Aj-nold Scholefield. In 1813 Middle- town circuit was divided and Stratford was made the head of the new circuit, and Ebenezer Washburn and James Coleman were the preachers. Stratford, Milford, Derby, Humphreys- ville, Nyumphs, Great Hill, Quaker's Farm, George's Hill, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Newtown, East Village, Stepney and Trumbull were included in the circuit. Among the early Methodists on Great Hill were Anson Gil- lett and his wife, five sons and two daughters ; Mrs. David Tomlinson,. one son and three daughters ; Capt. Isaac Bassett METHODIST EPISCOl'A I- CilL'RCH. 463 and wife, one son and six daughters, and James Tomlinson and his wife. In 1S14 Nathan Bangs was presiding elder on the Nev/ Ha- ven district, and Elijah Woolsey and Henry Ames were the preachers o'n this circuit, where the preaching was divided — half a day at Humphreysville, half a day at Nyumphs, and once a fortnight at Derby Neck, it being a revival year at the Neck and Great Hill. The two brothers, Samuel and David Durand, and their wives, were added to the church in the little red school- house which stood north of where the Great Hill church now stands. Samuel was a good singer. In 1815 Elijah Hebard and Benoni English were the preachers on this circuit, but Mr. English soon located at Humphreysville and went into business. This year Walter French, a resident of Humphreysville, re- ceived license to exhort, and afterwards to preach, and became a useful, successful minister ; having a good memory, a ready utterance, and often spoke with great persuasive influence. He died in 1865, aged over eighty years. When Nathan Bangs was presiding elder in 18 16, he came to preach in the Bell school-house, and stopped with Stiles John- son on the Skokorat road. After some cautions from his host against doctrinal preaching, he went down in the evening and preached a free salvation to a crowded house, giving Calvinism its portion, as was the custom, and such was the influence of his words that at the close, when he inquired : " Who will have this salvation ? " the whole congregation stood up, and a revival en- sued. In 18 17 the society numbered fifty-six members. On October 31, 18 17, the Methodists bought the old Congregational meeting-house, and at watch-meeting the succeeding New Year's eve, an extensive revival commenced in this house, when Jesse and Stiles Johnson, sons of Isaac Johnson, and their wives, united with the Methodist society. Jesse was afterwards a local preacher, a close student of the Bible, but became insane, and after a long confinement died in 1829. Stiles, who died October 4, 1818, by his will gave the land on which the church stands to the Methodist society, and also $334 in money. The old meeting-house was soon after made a two-story building, but not painted. , In 18 19 the members of the church constituted three classes ; 464 HISTORY OF DERBY. the leaders being Robert Lee, Timothy Hitchcock and Orrin Peck, the last class being in Woodbridge. The members of Timothy Hitchcock's class were Cynthia Johnson, widow of Stiles, Thomas and Lois Gelyard, Jared and Sally B. Bassett, (daughter of Stiles Johnson^, Timothy and Urania Hitchcock, Anna Davis, widow of Reuben, Bezaleel and Martha Peck, Alva Davis and his wife Polly (daughter of Capt. Daniel Holbrook), Hepziba Johnson (daughter of Jesse), and Sheldon Hitchcock. The circuit preachers from 18 16 to 1820 were : Nathan Emory, Arnold Scholefield, Reuben Harris, Ezekiel Canfield, Samuel Bushnell, Aaron Pierce, Beardsley Northrop, David Miller and Bela Smith. The circuits were large and two preachers were appointed yearly to each circuit to alternate at the different ap- pointments. The quarterly meetings of those times were largely attended ; the people going from all parts of the circuit to attend services on Saturday and on the Sabbath. The presiding elder was usu- ally present, and preached strong doctrinal sermons ; one on Saturday, after which was held the quarterly conference, con- sisting of all the preachers, exhorters, class leaders and stew- ards, and one on the Sabbath after the love-feast service. At one of these meetings on Great Hill, in 1820, E. Washburn, presiding elder, fifteen persons were converted in one afternoon. From 1 82 1 to 1830 the membership of the church was much increased. The preachers were : James Coleman, Laban Clark, E. Barnett, John Nixon, Eli Denniston, Wm. F. Pease, Julius Field, Samuel D. Ferguson, Valentine Buck, John Lucky, Na- thaniel Kellogg, Reuben Harris, John Lovejoy and Laban C, Cheney. The presiding elders were : Samuel Merwin, Samuel Lucky, D. Ostrander and Laban Clark. The circuit was divided in 1828, and this part called Hum- phreysville and Hamden ; at which time Samuel R. Hickox, a local preacher from Southbury, settled in this place and had charge of a grist-mill at the Falls, keeping boarders from the cotton mill, being a good preacher was of great service to the church. In the next year Thomas Ellis, a Welchman and a spinner in the cotton mill, was converted and joined the church, his wife being already a member. He had tjeen a wild young man and a great singer ; it being said that he could sing all METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 465 night without repeating a song ; but in two years after his con- version he had forgotten them all. In consequence of his mu- sical ability he was of great value to the church. In 183 1 Daniel Smith was appointed to this circuit, and was assisted by William Bates, a local preacher residing in Hum- phreysville. In that year a camp meeting was held in the woods west of the present Catholic church in Birmingham, and continued eight days. On the Sabbath ten thousand people were supposed to be there, and the result of the meeting was reported to be one hundred converts. Rev. Sylvester Smith, afterwards long identified with the interests of the church, was present during the whole of that meeting. In this year the churches in South Britain and Middlebury were built, the foun- dation of one at Waterbury laid, and a parsonage commenced in Humphreysville. Three hundred dollars' worth of books were sold on the circuit, a large amount of missionary money raised, and the ministers' salaries paid. In 1832 Sylvester Smith, a local preacher from Hotchkisstown, now Westville, where he was first licensed in 1850, settled in this village, add- ing to the strength of the church, at which time Robert Travis was preacher in charge, assisted by JDaniel Smith. The parson- age, built by the two brothers. Lane, from Monroe, was finished for Mr. Travis. After this the church was an ecclesiastical so- ciety under the statute and known as the Methodist society of Humphreysville. In 1833 Thomas Bainbridge and Chester W. Turner were the preachers on this circuit, the former residing in the parsonage, the latter being a single man, who afterwards married the sister of the Rev. J. D. Smith of the Episcopal church. The next year Humphrey Humphreys and John Crawford were the preachers. Josiah Bowen was in charge of the circuit, and in the middle of 1836 he removed out of the parsonage into a house on Derby Neck, where he remained until his decease not long since. On the ist of October, 1836, Rev. Josiah Smith rented the parsonage and occupied it four years. David Miller was preacher in charge two years, residing on Great Hill, closing his term of service in May, 1839; Owen Sykes having been the as- sistant preacher several years. Thomas Ellis received license to preach in 1833, and did good service on the circuit until 1838, 59 466 HISTORY OF DERBY. when he joined the conference and became a successful itiner- ant. He died in triumph in May, 1873, aged 6S years. In 1838-9 the circuit was again divided ; so that Birmingham, Waterbury, Middlebury and South Britain sustained each a pas- tor, and only Humphrey sville, Great Hill, Pleasant Vale and Pine's Bridge remained as the Derby circuit. In 1840-41 Thomas Sparks was the preacher in charge, re- siding at South Britain, and Ezra Jagger in 1842-3, residing at Great Hill. These were assisted by L. Atwater, a student at Yale, and by Moses Blydenburgh. On Saturday, March 19, 1842, a quarterly meeting commenced at Southford, and in the absence of the presiding elder, Carpen- ter, Sylvester Smith preached, and the following Sabbath morn- ing being veiy pleasant it was impossible for more than half of the people to get into the chapel. Mr. Sparks occupied the pulpit, and Mr. Smith took his stand in the school-room below and preached while half of his congregation were out of doors, unable to obtain seats inside. Mr. Sparks came from England, and was employed a number of years in the Wolcottville cotton factory under the influence of that earnest lay Methodist, Chris- topher VVolcott, from which, place he went out as a Methodist itinerant, and became quite celebrated as such in the eastern part of New York state. In 1844 Moses Blydenburgh was pas- tor in charge, residing on Great Hill ; he died in 1848, aged 31 years, leaving a widow, and one son who is a lawyer in New Haven. The next two years George L. Fuller was in charge of the circuit, residing at Great Hill, where three of his children were buried. In the fall of 1846 a subscription was started for a new church edifice at Humphreysville, Sylvester Smith leading with the sum of six hundred dollars ; but the burning of the paper mill, of which he was half owner, embarrassed the work although it did not abate his zeal ; for during the year he increased his sub- scription to eight hundred dollars. One brother, who did not at first pledge himself, gave one hundred dollars ; another changed from twenty to one hundred, and a good woman changed her subscription from ten to one hundred dollars. Charles Stearns, preacher in charge, moved into the parson- age in May, 1847, finding the society commencing the new mi:thoi)is'J' eimscopal church. 467 church. The old meeting-house was sold for one hundred dol- lars and torn down, after serving its purpose sixty years, and the new one built on the same site Jared Bassett, assisted by Isaac Bassett, built the stone work ; all the people aided the enterprise to the extent of their ability, both in money and la- bor. The corner stone was laid on Saturday, June 19, 1847, Rev. E. W. Smith of Birmingham making the address ; Sylves- ter Smith depositing the case under the stone after announcing its contents ; Charles Stearns, the pastor, conducting the ser- vices, assisted by Rev. Wm. B. Curtiss of the Congregational church. The contractor was Amos Hine of Woodbridge ; the architect, Lewis Hotchkiss of Birmingham ; the bell, weighing 1,150 pounds, was from Meneely's foundry in Troy; and the church was dedicated on Thursday, January 18, 1848, by Bishop E. S. Janes. All the elm trees near the church were set within a year after the dedication. Ir May, 1849, was in charge of what in the next year was set off from Derby as the town of Seymour, and remained two years with success. David Osborn was the next pastor of Sey- mour and Ansonia, it being a prosperous year in both places. His successor for two years was Rufus K. Raynolds, an ener- getic, useful man ; Great Hill becoming a separate charge in his second year. William T. Hill was pastor in 1855-6 for the two churches, Seymour and Great Hill, being prosperous years. Thomas Stevenson was pastor in 1857-8 ; L. P. Perry, in 1859-60 ; Al- bert Booth, in 1861 ; George L. Taylor, in 1862, this being his first itinerant work. He was a faithful pastor and minister; a fearless defender of the " stars and stripes,'' and in those troublous times spoke boldly for the Union. In the summer of 1864, under the pastorate of A. B. Pulling, two festivals were held, by which ;$8oo were secured, which freed the church from debt. Sylvester Smith was appointed pastor in 1866; Joseph Pullman in 1867-8, both eminently suc- cessful ; Bennett T. Abbott in 1869-70 ; Joseph Smith in 187 1-3, and proved himself an able minister, he being the first pastor who remained in Seymour three consecutive years. In former years he resided in Waterbury as a loc^l preacher, and did much good service here and in Wolcott, Conn. E. H. P^-isbie and 468 HISTORY OF DERBY. James Wiswell, local preachers in New Haven, also rendered good service. Sylvester Smith, a local preacher, during his forty years residence here, was a most active laborer and liberal giver in the church. During the energetic labors of William R. Webster as pastor, in 1874, a large and commodious parsonage was erected, at a total cost of $2,630 ; Lugrand Sharpe, Warren French and W. C. Sharpe being the building committee; the old parsonage bringing $2,000. In 1875 E. H. Dutcher was the pastor; in 1876, Charles A. Tibbals, who soon after united with the Episcopal Church. At this time the church was beautified with an elegant black wal- nut pulpit presented by H. B. Beacher, Esq., which was first occupied February 4, 1877, by Aaron Pierce of East Village, who was pastor of the church in 1848, and his venerable ap- pearance in his eighty-ninth year constituted an occasion long to be remembered. In the spring of 1877 J. Vinton became the pastor, and the year was one of success ; in which Arthur J. Smith, uniting with the church and feeling called to the ministry, left his employment at the office of the Seymour Record, and entered the Collegiate Institute at Hackettstown, N. J., preparatory to en- tering college. Seymour and Great Hill are still connected under the same preacher. THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL. George Kirtland came to Seymour in 1825, and in 1826 or 7, started a Sunday-school with five children, the number increas- ing to twenty-seven the first year. He continued the school six or seven years, when it was discontinued. The superintendents since the re-organization of the school have been : 184 1-2, Samuel R. Hickox. 1859, Wancn French. 1843-8, Lugrand Sharp. 1S60-1, William N. Storrs. 1852, John Adams. 1862-5, Henry W. Benedict. 1853, Frederick Durand."^ 1S66-7, William N. Storrs. 1854, William A. Hughes. 1868, Sheldon Miles. 1855, William Mallory. - 1869, William C. Sharpe. 1856-7, Albert W. Lounsbury. 1870-1, William N. Storrs. 1858, William Mallory. _ 1872, William W. Dibble. EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 469 1S73, Samuel Butler. 1S77, Henry C. Rogers. 1874, Charles N. Blauchard. 1S78, Samuel Butler. 1S75, Samuel Butler. "879, George E. Stockwcll. 1876, fklward N. IJotsford. TRINITY CHURCH. A meeting was held according to proper notice at the house of Doct. Samuel Sanford, on the 20th of I'^ebruary, 1797, and an Episcopal Ecclesiastical Society was formed. The notice dated February 12, 1797, was served on thirty-nine persons, who were: Reuben Lurn, James Manville, Nathan MaiTsfield, William Tucker, Benjamin Hawley, Russell Tomlinson, Martin Beebe, Enos G. Nettleton, Ephraim Wooster, Nathaniel Holbrook, ^Jeremiah Gillett, Josiah Nettleton, Philo Holbrook, Edward Hayes, Nathan Stiles, Wilson Hurd, William Church, Abel Church, John Griffin, Daniel Davis, Bowers Washband, Alex- ander Johnson, Timothy Johnson, Joseph Johnson, Charles French, Israel Bostwick, Moses Riggs and John White. These were professedly Episcopalians. The meeting was organized by the appointment of Benjamin Davis, moderator, and Samuel Sanford, clerk ; and Joel Chatfield, Israel French and Jonathan Miles, society committee. As there had been a union of the parish of Great Hill with this new society, the united organiza- tion was called Union Church. At this first meeting a committee was appointed consisting of Benjamin Davis, Edward Hayes, Nathaniel Johnson and John White, to furnish materials for the building of the church. A site was purchased of Leverett Pritchard for $60, on w^hich it now stands, the deed being dated March 23, 1797. Early in the spring the corner-stone was laid by the Rev. Edward Blakes- lee, then an assistant to the Rev. Dr. Mansfield of Derby, and during the summer the building was raised, and before winter entirely enclosed. The inside finishing was delayed, and temporary seats made of slabs. Of this church Dr. Mansfield of Derby was the first pastor, and his services as rector continued until about 1802, he preach- ing here one-third of the time, and receiving proportionate sup- port from this society ; and the parish continued to render him support until his death in 1820. 470 HISTORY OF DERBY. In 1802 the Union Bank was established with a capital of ^2,000, paid by fifty-seven persons, for the purpose of support- ing the ministry, but it proved a troublesome enterprise, and soon after 181 1, the contributions were returned to the original owners. Various ministers supplied the church with services portions of the time some twenty years, among whom were Revs. Solomon Blakeslee, Calvin White, Ammi Rogers, Ambrose Todd, James Thompson, Aaron Humphreys, Chauncey Prindle. In 1 81 7 the church was completed inside, and was consecrated September 2d of that year by the Right Rev. John Henry Hobart, D. D., Bishop of the Diocese of New York. A record-book is still preserved, the inscription to which reads : " Parish Records of Union Church, Humphreysville. Stephen Jewett, rector, 1822. On the next page he wrote : "December, 1821. Union Church, Humphreysville, I began to officiate statedly in this parish. On Easter week, 1822, I was regularly called and engaged for one-third of the time at a salary of J^SOO per annum, and my wood. Easter week, 1824, began to officiate one-half of my time at Humphreysville at the same salary. 1827 burying-ground fenced and church painted. 1828 bell purchased, cost, $6.17; ground in front of the church leveled." The salary mentioned ($500) must have been for the two parishes, Derby and Humphreysville. The bell cost ^256.19, and the $6.17, was the cost of freight or something of that kind. In this book Mr. Jewett continued a careful record of baptisms, marriages and burials in Union Parish until 1834, when it ceased. If such a record had been kept by all the min- isters of the parishes in old Derby, and preserved, a full gen- ealogy of the families of the town could be given, which cannot now be done. After the resignation of the Rev. Stephen Jewett in 1832, the Rev. Charles W. Bradlew was rector one year, followed by the Rev. John D. Smith, eleven years, who officiated in this church every Sunday the first five years, and the next two divided his time between this church and St. Peter's of Oxford, after which he confined his labors to this parish. Following the resignation of Rev. Mr. Smith in 1845, the Rev. John Purvis became rec- tor, and continued thus two years ; at which time the commu- nicants of the parish numbered about one hundred. The Rev, EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 471 Abel Nichols officiated one year following Mr. Purvis, and after him the Rev. William F. Walker accepted the charge of the parish and continued until 185 1, when he removed to New York. From 1851 the Rev. Charles G. Acly officiated two years, and effected the canceling of the debt of $850 ; then the Rev. O. Evans Shannon became the rector, and in 1856 the name of the church was changed from Union to Trinity. From this time efibrts were made for extensive repairs on the church, which resulted in holding the last services in the old church July 5, 1857, and the consecration of one all new ex- cept the frame, by Right Rev. Bishop Williams, on the nth of May, 1858. Some debt remained, which, as usual, cost a great struggle, but was finally canceled. Rev. Mr. Shannon resigned the rectorship June i, 1866, having done a great and good work. A little before his resigna- tion the parish purchased a house for a rectory at a cost of ^2,500. The next rector was the Rev. George Seabury, who com- menced his services in January, 1867, and continued them until April 21, 1875 ; a successful term of labor of over eight years. The present statistics of the parish are nearly as follows : families, 135 ; baptized members of the church, 410; communi- cants, 157. On the 27th day of June, 1875, the steeple of the church was the third time struck by lightning, the damage amounting to about ;^5o. Of the sixty-three persons who contributed to defray the ex- penses of finishing the church in 18 16, not one is now living. During the first twenty-five years from the organization of the parish eight clergymen were employed for a specific length of time, and in the next fifty-three years, nine, four of whom had charge of the parish over forty-three years. On the 25th of September, 1875, the Rev. Edwin J. K. Lessel became rector of the parish. ^^ ^^History of Seymour, pp. 25-29. 472 HISTORY OF DERBY. HUMPHREYSVILLE, IN DERBY, IN 1 836. Mr. John W. Barber wrote thus of the place at the time he made the drawing :^^ " The accompanying cut shows the appearance of Humphreys- villa as it is entered upon New Haven road. The Huraphreys- ville Manufacturing Company was organized in 1810. The village is situated in a small valley of the Naugatuck, four and a half miles from its junction with the Ousatonic river at Derby HUMI HRE\S\ILLE, IN DrRb\, IN lbj6 Landing. It is surrounded with lofty hills excepting the nar- row valley through which the Naugatuck passes. The heights south of the village on the western side of the river are lofty, rocky and precipitous. The building seen in the central part of the engraving is the Humphreysville Cotton Manufactory ; it is four stories in height and about one hundred feet long. On the left of the print, on elevated ground, is the Episcopal Church ; there are two other houses of worship in the place, one for Congrega- tionalists and one for Methodists ; the last two are situated on the heights a few rods south-east from the the centre of the vil- lage. Directly underneath the Episcopal Church is seen in the engraving a part of the Naugatuck river with the falls. At this place a ledge of rocks, about twenty feet in height, crosses the l^Historical Collections, 201. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 473 river and forms a perfect dam about two-thirds the distance ; the remaining third is closed by an artificial dam. This place was formerly known by the name of Riminon Falls. There are 50 or 60 dwelling houses in the vicinity of the factories and three or four mercantile stores. Most of the dwelling houses are south of the cotton factory ; only a few of them appear in the engraving. A small but beautiful grove of pines is situated at the southern extremity of the village, through which the build- ings, which are mostly painted white, appear uncommionly beau- tiful as the village is approached from the south upon the river roads." THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.''' A council met on the 12th day of March, 1817, for the purpose of " organizing a church of Christ " in Seymour, " if it should seem to be best." They appointed the Rev. Zephaniah Swift, moderator, and the Rev. Nathaniel W. Taylor, scribe. The council consisted of the Rev. Nathaniel W. Taylor of the Centre Church, New Haven, the Rev. Samuel Merwin of the North Church, New Haven, the Rev. Bennett Tyler of South Britain, the Rev. Bela Kellogg of Franklin, Mass., and the Rev. Zeph- aniah Swift of Derby. Nine persons presented themselves be- fore the council, producing letters of good standing from, other churches, asking to be organized into a church ; they were : Joel Beebe and his wife, Bradford Steele and his wife, Ira Smith and his wife, Lewis Holbrook, Hannah P. Johnson and Sally Wheeler. The decision of the body was that " the above named persons be and are hereby organized into a church in this vil- lage." This action shows that it was a new organization and not the revival of an old one, which fact throws great doubt upon the supposition that there had been a church previously organ- ized at this place. A society had been established about twenty-eight years before, but a society is not a church among the Congregational people. The labors of the Rev. Benjamin Beach had continued in this place from r/S/ to 1805, and from that time to 18 12 the worshipers at this place attended other churches to some extent until the settlement of Rev. Zephaniah "This account of this church is taken mostly from a sermon delivered by Rev. S. C. Leonard, July 9, 1876, as a historical discourse. See History of Seymour, by W. C. Sharpe. 60 474 HISTORY OF DERBY. Swift at Derby, in 1813, when he began to supply their pulpit a portion of the time ; and, as the result of his labors, they were encouraged, brought together in the purpose to sustain the preaching of the gospel and organized into a church as just stated. The old meeting-house was still standing, and was fitted and used for worship. Of it Mrs. Sarah Jones, daughter of Bradford Steele of Erie, Penn., wrote some twenty-four years ago : " I well remember when it was done off (what doing off there was!). It was divided into pews. It was neither lathed nor plastered, and but poorly clapboarded. Many times have I brushed the snow off the seats before sitting down. Its exterior resembled a barn more than a church. Still it was beloved, and probably had as true worshipers in it as those of modern style." During the vacancy of the pulpit of this church a new ele- ment had been introduced into the place, and Humphreysville, as it was then called, through the establishment of the Woolen Factory, had become an enterprising, growing, lively commu- nity ; from which state of grace it has never really fallen. Eighteen days after the church was organized, that is, on the 30th of March, 1817, the Rev. Mr. Swift being present, eighteen members were added to the church, and one of them, Mrs. Daniel White, was still living in 1876, and in her eighty-sixth year. Two months after the organization, the Rev. Bela Kel- logg received other members, and a few months later still others were added, and thus quietly but steadily the number increased until at the end of the second year it numbered thirty-four members. On the 22d of September, 18 18, the old meeting-house was sold to the Methodist Church, and in due time, as it could, the new church built a meeting-house overlooking the river, on the eastern bank where the Congregational burying-ground is still to be seen. The church held its services in the Bell school- house while building their new house of worship. The steeple to complete this edifice was built in 1829. To this church the Rev. Zephaniah Swift ministered some years ; giving one-fourth of his time by consent of the Derby church, some of the years, and receiving one-fourth of his salary from this congregation. This church owes much to him, a man CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 475 of Stately dignity of bearing, but with a warm heart within him, good, true and faithful ; a man who made so powerful an impres- sion on at least one who came under his influence, as to lead him to say that it would be joy enough for him, if he should ever reach heaven, to meet Zephaniah Swift there. The Rev. Bela Kellogg was not the pastor of this church, but ministered to it for a time, not long after its beginning. The Rev. Ephraim G. Swift was pastor from 1825 to 1827. He died in August, 1858. On the nth day of May, 1828, the Rev. Amos Pettingil re- ceived to membership in the church several individuals, among whom were Isaac Sperry and his wife, Albert Carrington, Ad- aline and Emeline Sperry and Olive Merriman. The name of the Rev. Charles Thomson appears first on the records under date of July 20, 1828, and he was installed pastor of tlie church in April 1830. He came from Dundaff, Penn., and labored about five years and was dismissed. He died in March, 1855- The Rev. RoUin S. Stone preached for this church from June, 1833, to September, 1834, changing pulpits with Rev. Z. Swift half the time. Following him the Rev. John E. Bray ministered to the church about seven years and a half, from September, 1834, to April, 1842. On the 23d of June, 1843, the Rev. William B. Curtiss was called to be the pastor, and he continued his effective work six years, until October, 1849. During this period the present church of this denomination was built, being located in the val- ley below the Falls, and Mr. Curtiss occupied its pulpit about two years. Four years and nine days after this house was dedicated, on the 29th of April, 185 i, it was opened for the first installation ever held in it. On that day the Rev. E. B. Chamberlin was constituted pastor of the church and society ; the installation sermon being preached by the Rev. Fosdick Harrison of Beth- any. He was dismissed on account of ill health, May 20, 1852. The Rev. J. L. Willard commenced his ministry here, Sep- tember I, 1852, and continued until May i, 1855, and was soon after settled at Westville, Conn., where he remains an efficient and successful minister. 4/6 HISTORY OF DERBY* About this time the village suffered the loss of a heavy man- ufacturing industry which necessitated the removal of about thirty families, connected with this congregation, from the place, and this resulted in great discouragement to those who re- mained. In the midst of this despondency a young man, a graduate of Amherst College, on passing through the place, was induced to engage in the work of supplying the pulpit. This young man was Henry D. Northrop, and an unusual revival was the result of his labors. He labored from August, 1857, nearly through the year 1858. The ministry here of the Rev. E. C. Baldwin was of a year in length, to May, i860, and that of the Rev. Sylvester Hine, fol- lowing, of about the same length. The Rev. J. L. Mills, now professor in Marietta College, Ohio, preached here two years ; the Rev. George A. Dickerman, one year ; and the Rev. A. J. Quick, nearly two years and a half. On the 22d of May, 1S68, Allen Clark was ordained in this church as an evangelist, and he ministered to it about one year with much success, the church being largely increased in its membership. Mr. H. P. Collin followed Mr. Clark, being also ordained as an evangelist, and his labors were accompanied with a goodly number of additions to the church. Rev. J. W. Fitch supplied the pulpit about one year, closing in the spring of 1872, and he was followed by the Rev. William J. Thomson, whose labors continued nearly two years, closing October, 1874. The ministry of the Rev. S. C. Leonard commenced on the 15th of November, 1874, and continued until the summer of 1879, when he removed to supply the pulpit of the Congrega- tional Church at Naugatuck, five miles up the river. His labors were quite successful, and his labors and life highly commended in the community. His historical sermon, as given in the "History of Seymour," is very pleasant reading, and a valuable contribution to the memory of a faithful, toiling people of the past and present age. It is said that the first deacon of the earliest church in this place was Timothy Baldwin of Derby ; if so then there must have been a church organization which he was to serve as dea- con, although no records have been seen or heard of confirming the supposition. When the church was organized in 18 17 the CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 477 two chosen to this service were Bradford Steele and Nehemiah Botsford, and they continued to serve in that office until nearly the close of life. Deacon Steele, in September, 1840, a little more than a year before his death, asked to be released from further official duties, because of his age and infirmities, which was granted. Deacon Botsford made a similar request a little before, which had been granted. In 1776 Bradford Steele was a boy of not quite fifteen years of age, and hence was not quite sixteen when he enlisted in the army which represented the cause of freedom. Terrible scenes he passed through, for the memory of one certain day lived with great vividness to the end of his life. It was the 22d day of August, 1777, when he was taken prisoner and treated with a cruelty which was merciless, his very appearance becom- ing so changed by what he endured in a short time, that his father, when he met him, did not know him. He died in peace, December 23, 1841, at the age of 80. The church seldom has a firmer friend than Deacon Kinney, some time since deceased. It was from a gift made by him that the society now possesses its convenient parsonage. The names ascertained of those who have served as deacons are as follows: Capt. Timothy Baldwin, appointed in 1789; Bradford Steele and Nehemiah Botsford, in 1817; Sheldon Kinney and Alfred Hull, 1840 ; Andrew W. De Forest, 1844; William Kinney, Miles Culver and J. L. Spencer, 1853 ; VV. M. Tuttle, 1858; Charles Bradley (date not known); David John- son and Levi Lounsbury, 1865 ; Joshua Kendall, 1868. The Sunday-school in connection with this church can be traced as far back as the year 1828. The names of those who have served as superintendents, as far as ascertained are : Joel White, George F. De Forest, Andrew De Forest, Sharon Y. Beach, W. M. Tuttle, P. B. Buckingham, George E. Lester, Robert C. Bell, Theodore S. Ladd, Andrew Y. Beach and James Swan. In less than two months after the church was organized, at a meeting when its first deacons were chosen (May 9, 18 17), a librarian for the village church library was appointed, and an- other committee was appointed to select books. This church has raised up for service in the great field of 478 HISTORY OF DERBY. Christian labor, one minister and one missionary. The minis- ter is the Rev. Ira Smith ; and the missionary, the Rev. H. A. De Fon st of the class of 1832, Yale, who went to Syria, re- turned w^ith the seeds of fatal disease, and soon ended his work on earth. The Rev. Robert C. Bell, now the efficient pastor of the Con- gregational Church at Darien in this state, was for a time a member of this church, and comes here to the family home. BUSINESS ENTERPRISES IN HUMPHREYSVILLE. In May, 1822, the Humphreysville Manufacturing Company was re-organized with $50,000 capital, and the General Hum- phreys mill property purchased by it; John H. De Forest be- ing president, and J. Fisher Teaming, secretary. Among the persons induced by General Humphreys to come to America was Thomas Gilyard, son of Edmund and Nancy Gilyard, born in Leeds, England, March 20, 1786, who came to New York in the " Commerce,'' in the summer of 1807, having had a very fine passage of forty-five days. He immediately commenced work for General Humphreys's Company and con- tinued until March 28, 1810, in the manufacture of cloths, when he learned and engaged in the making of stockings, a new de- partment in the mills. Mr. Gilyard was an active man in the Methodist Church, and his descendants still reside in the com- munity. While General Humphreys was organizing his company of young operatives in the factory, and drilling them in soldierly tactics for their entertainment and elevation. Lady Humphreys, wife of the General, made an elegant silk flag, beautifully em- broidered by herself, for the company, and which is still pre- served, with its inscription, as follows : "Humphreysville, yam Nova Progenes, Perseveraiido Pacta Semper Servanda, MDCCCXT This shows that the enterprise had attained to good working order and numbers at that date, 18 10, and from that time until 1 8 14 the village was lively and prosperous, a variety of manu- facturing enterprises being conducted in the village and its vicinity on Little river and Bladen's brook. After the date men- tioned the influx of foreign goods almost put an end to American manufacturing, and Humphreysville suffered with all other BUSINESS ENTERPRISES. 479 places, but upon the organization of the new company in 1822, it took a fresh start and made slow but steady progress until 1837, when political times severely affected the whole country, or a crisis in the country affected politics. The new company rebuilt the dam, widened the water-course to the mill, and con- structed the machinery into a cotton mill, by which name it was known many years. There was then one store in the val- ley and one on the hill near the Episcopal Church. Mr. De Forest lived at first in the Roth house, on the west side of Main street, opposite Pearl, until he built the house now occupied by Raymond French, Esq., in which he resided until his death. The shop in the iork of the road near the M. E. Church was built in 1825 by Newel Johnson ; Isaac Kinney and Jesse Smith owning a portion of the building, which was used as a carpenter and cabinet shop. In 182S Samuel R. Hickox, a local preacher from Southbury, settled in the place and took charge of the grist-mill near the Falls. About this time Judson English came from Hotchkiss- town, now Westville, and bought the tannery on the prem- ises now owned by Arthur Rider, previously run by Mr. Benham ; the bark-mill being further south on the brook just below the railroad crossing. About ten years later Mr. English sold this, property to George Kirtland and removed to Great Hill. In 1830 Leverett Pritchard was living on the knoll opposite the saw-mill still standing near the upper end of Maple street ; having previous to this resided in the house in the rear of Doct. J. Kendall's. Chester Jones, a paper-maker, built the north " Kirtland house" and kept a store in it. He afterward removed I0 Ohio, returning in a year or two, and was for several years superin- tendent of the Humphreysville Manufacturing Company's paper mill, residing in the house close by it. His wife was the daugh- ter of Dea. Bradford Steele. He afterwards removed to Erie, Penn., where he died. Ezekiel Gilbert, having kept store for a time at Squantuck, came to Humphreysville about this time and kept the tavern on Broad street nearly two years, when he built the store now occupied by H. W. Randall. Such were the beginnings of the enterprises in the village of Humphreysville, a place that is now alive with machinery and 480 HISTORY OF DERBY. manufacturing ability and appliances, and is capable of becom- ing much greater than it now is by the development of its water-powers. One hundred years of manufacturing enterprises have made great changes in the place, but not as many as have been made in Birmingham and Ansonia in fifty years. THE COTTON MILL. The Humphreysville Manufacturing Company, organized in 1 8 10, produced first woolen cloths, then cotton goods, and in 183 1 commenced making paper, first with four employes, but increased the number within a month to sixteen. In 1843 this paper-mill passed into the hands of Hodge & Company ; the firm consisting of G. L. Hodge, S. Y. Beach and Samuel Ro- selle ; and in 1845 William Buffum purchased the cotton mill and continued its proprietor a few months. In 1850 Sharon Y. Beach bought the claims of the other two proprietors in the paper-mill and removed it to Blue street, where it still re- mains. Great have been the changes between that day and the present. The whole territory is filled with buildings and immense manu- .facturing establishments, a full account of which may be found in Mr. Wm. C. Sharpe's " History of Seymour and Vicinity," a book which is of great value because of the many facts collected and recorded in it. Every family in the town should carefully preserve a copy of it. In 1851 the capital stock of the Humphreysville Manufactur- ing Company was estimated at ^300,000, and the estimate ap- proved by a committee of the Legislature. In 1859 the stock was reduced to ^150,000 by the distribution of property to the stockholders. The Eagle Manufacturing Company was organized June 27, 1850, with a stock of ^50,000, for the manufacture of silk goods, wool and cotton ; George Rice being the first president. In 1852 the stock was increased to $100,000 ; George F. De For- est, president. In 1855 George P. Shelton was president and Harrison Tomlinson, secretary. In 1852 George P. Shelton, Raymond French, Philo Hol- brook, Henry S. Mygatt, Sheldon Kinney, George F. De For- KIMMDN r'ALLS. 481 est, Harrison Tonilinson, John W. Dwight, John Clark and Sylvester Smith were incorporated under the title of the Sey- mour Savings Bank. The Union Mercantile Company was established in i, December 3, 1S63. Died August 15, 1865, Brownsville, Texas. SOLDIERS FURNISHED BY THE TOWN OF SEYMOUR. Third Regiment Infantry, C. J'. Davis, Henry W., private company C, May 14, 1861. Honorablv discharged August 12, 1861. First Regime nt Cavalry, C. V. Hurlburt, Thomas, private company B, November 13, 1861. Re-enlisted veteran January i, 1864, mustered out August 2, 1865. Wooster, Leslie B., private company 1), November 25, i86t. Discharged, disabilitv, June 23, 1862, Washington, I) C. Bronson, Rodney O., private company I), November 27, 1863. Mustered out August 2, 1865, Washington, D. C. Lynde, Duane M., private company D, November 28, 1863. Mustered out [une 28, 1865, Washington, D. C. Munson, Byron W., private company G, December 3, 1863. Mustered out August 2, 1865, Washington, D. C. Tryon, Joachim T., private company I, December 31, 1863. Mustered out August 2, 1865, Washington, D. C. 5l6 HISTORY OF DERBY. Munson, Marcus, private company K, December 21, 1863. Died March 11, 1864, Baltimore, Md. Curtiss, Evart H., private company L, February 10, 1865. Mustered out August 2, 1865, Washington, D. C. McCue, Michael, private, January 3, 1865. Not taken upon the rolls. Osborn, Sereno R., private, December 30, 1864. Deserted June 21, 1865. First Light Artillery, C. V. Holbrook, Andrew, private, December 2, 1S62. Discharged December 2, 1864, term expired. Third Indepcmiciit Light Battery, C. V. Brassil, Matthew, private, Sept. 16, 1864. Mustered out June 23, 1865, Richmond, Va. Botsford, Edward, private, September 19, 1864. Mustered out June 23, 1865, Rich- mond, Va. Brown, Charles, private, Sept. 19, 1864. Mustered out June 23, 1865, Richmond, Va. Bulkley, Uwen, private, September 19, 1864. Deserted November i, 1864. Baldwin, John, private, -Sept. 24, 1S64. Mustered out June 23, 1865, Richmond, Va. Carroll, William, private, Sept. 15, 1864. Mustered out June 23, 1865, Richmond, Va. Curtiss, William C, private, September 15, 1864. Mustered out June 23, 1865, Richmond, Va. Candee, George B., private, September 23, 1864. Mustered out June 23, 1865, Rich- mond, Va. Cross, Frederick, private, Sept. 24, 1864. Mustered out June 23, 1865, Richmond, Va. Donahue, Patrick, private, .September 15, 1864. Mustered out June 23, 1865, Rich- mond, Va. Gregory, Hyatt, private, -Sept. 21, 1864. Mustered out June 23, 1865, Richmond, Va. Hawley, William, private, September 24, 1864. Discharged disability, October 22, 1864, New Haven, Conn. Isles, Charles, private, Sept. 19, 1864. Mustered out June 23, 1865, Richmond, Va. Judd, Ralph, private, September 22, 1864. Deserted November 17, 1864. Jackson, Andrew, private, .September 17, 1864. Mustered out June 23, 1865, Rich- mond, Va. O'Claughessy, David, private, .September 23, 1864. Mustered out June 23, 1865, Richmond, Va. Perry, Martin, private. Sept 24, 1864. Mustered out June 23, 1865, Richmond, Va. Ryan, Patrick, private. Sept 19, 1864. Mustered out June 23, 1865, Richmond, Va. Sheldon, Francis, private, September 17, 1864. Mustered out June 23, 1865, Rich- mond, Va. Shehan, Cornelius, private, September 23, 1S64. Mustered out June 23, 1865, Rich- mond, Va. Tucker, Frederick, private, .September 17, 1864. Mustered out June 23, 1865, Rich- mond, Va. First Regiment Artillery C. V. Bassett, Lorenzo M., private company A, November 23, 1863. Discharged, disability, June 17, 1865, New Haven, Conn. Watson, David, private company A, September 17, 1864. Deserted July 30, 1865. Augustus White, musician company B, May 22, 1861. Re-enlisted veteran, January I, 1864, deserted July 26, 1865. Clement, Levi, private company B, May 22, 1861. Discharged May 21, 1864, term expired. THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 517 Hayden, Richard E., private company K, May 22, 1861. Discharged May 21, 1864, term expired. Leigh, Lewis E., private company B, May 22, 1861. Re-enlisted veteran, January I, 1864, deserted July 26, 1865. Prince, Charles, private company B, May 22, 1861. Discharged Mav 21, 1864, term expired. Reynolds, John Y., ]5rivate company B, May 22, 1861. Discharged Mav 21, 1864, tesm expired. Tomlinson, Ransom P., private company B, May 22, 1861. Descried July 28, 1861. Cox, Reuben, private company C, December 3, 1863. Deserted August 5, 1865. Cass, Nicholas, private company C, December 8, 1863. Mustered out September 25, 1865, Washing! on, D. C. Davis, Charles H., private company C, December 4, 1863. Mustered out September 25, 1865, Washington, D. C. Hanley, John, ))rivate company C, December 8, 1863. Mustered out October 9, 1865, New Haven, Conn. Lyons, Charles B., private company C, December 3, 1863. Mustered out September 23, 1S65, Washington, D. C. Lee, William, private company C, December 3, 1863. Mustered out September 23, 1865, Washington, D. C. McArthur, Albert, private company C, December 3, 1863. Deserted August 6, 1865. McCormick, John, private companv E, September 23, 1864. Deserted August 10, 1865. Herman, B. French, corporal company F, May 23, 1861. Discharged, disability, November 16, 1861, Fort Richardson, Va. Bodge, Andrew, private company F, May 23, 1S61. Wounded, battle Malvern Hill, discharged May 22, 1864. Fifth Rei^iniciit Iiifaiitrv, C. V. Albert Briggs, private company D, July 22, 1861. Discharged, disability, September 19, 1861, Darnestown, Md. Wilson Wyant, captain company E, July 22, 1861. Resigned Januarv 31, 1S63. DeGrasse Fowler, second lieutenant com])any \i, July 22, 1861. Resigned Septem- ber 23, 1S64. Botsford, Edward, ]irivate company E, July 22, 1861. Discharged, disability, Decem- ber 17, 1862. Hubbard, Calvin A., jjrivate company E, July 22, 1861. Re-enlisted veteran, December 21, 1863, wounded, mustered out July 19, 1865. Smith, George A., private company \i, July 12, 1861. Discharged July 22, 1864, term expired. Smith, Anson, private comjiany E, July 22, 1861. Deserted A])ril 24, 1865. Thayer, Reulicn W., private company E, July 22, 1861. Re-enlisted veteran, Decem- ber 21, 1863, mustered out July 19, 1865. J'hol, William, private company E, August 15, 1863. Mustered out July 19, 1865, .Alexandria, Va. Holeren, James, private company F, July 22. 1861. Re-enlisted veteran, December 21, 1863. Mustered out July 19, 1865. Roberson, Joseph, private company F, August 15, 1863. Died October 19, 1864, Atlanta, Ga. Tennv>;on, James, i>rivate companv Ci, July 22, 1861. Deserted December 10, 1862. 5l8 HISTORY OF DERBY. Sixth Regiment Infantry, C. V. Bodge, George E., private company F, September 7, 1861. Killed at Morris Island, S. C, July 18, 1863. Seventh Regiment I)ifantry, C. V. Andrews, John, private company D, November 4, 1864. Mustered out July 20, 1865, Goldsboro, N. C. Chatfield, Frederick N., private company E, September 7, 1861. Re-enlisted.veteran December 22, 1863, mustered out July 20, 1865. Chatfield, George A., private company E, September 7, 1861. Re-enlisted veteran, December 22, 1863, mustered out July 20, 1865. Phelps, Edward D., private company F, September 9, i86i. Re-enlisted veteran, December 22, 1863, mustered out July 20, 1865. Riggs, John H., private company F, September 9, 1861. Re-enlisted veteran, January 2, 1864, mustered out July 20 1865. Eighth Regiment Infantry, C. V. English, Alton H., private company E, September 25, 1861. Wounded, discharged, enlisted United States Army October 25, 1862. Ninth Regiment Infantry, C. V. Jones, Thomas, private company D, January 1S65. Mustered out August 3, 1865, Hilton Head, S. C. Tenth Regiment Infantry, C. I '. Collins, Abraham, private company A, October 29, 1861. Discharged, disability, February 22, 1863. French, Hobart, private company A, September 21, 1861. Discharged, disability, December 21, 1861. Lounsbury, Henry W., private company A, October 2, 1861. Died August 15, 1862, Newbern, N. C. Thayer, William A., private company A, October 2, 1861. Transferred to signal corps September 26, 1863. Smith, Henry, private company B, December 7, 1864. Mustered out August 25, 1865, Richmond, Va. Tenth Regiment Infantry, C. V. Beers, Henry B., private company K, October 5, 1861. Discharged, disability, February 22, 1863. French, Harpin R., private company K, October 14, i86i. Discharged October 7, 1864, term expired. Mahony, John, private company K, November 5, 1864. Shot for desertion March 10, 1865, before Richmond. Eleventh Regiment Infantry, C. V. William H. Bray, corporal company G, December i, 1861. Discharged, disability, November 29, 1862. Burns, James W., private company G, December i, 1864. Deserted Feb. 28, 1865. Twelfth Regiment Infantry, C. V. Bradley, Henry T., private company A, December 19, 1861. Re-enlisted veteran January i, 1864, deserted June 20, 1865. THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 519 Chadwick, Thomas, private company F, November 25, 1861. Re-enlisted veteran January i, 1S64, mustered out August 12, 1865. Kine, Francis, private company F, January 6, 1865. Forwarded October 20, 1864, not taken on the rolls. Wilson, William, private company F, January 6, 1865. Mustered out August 2, 1865. Hilton Head. FiftecntJi Rci^imi'iit Infaitiry, C. V. Long, James, private company A, June 31, 1865. Transferred to seventh C. V., mustered out July 20, 1865, Goldsboro, N. C. Brown, William, private company B, March 3, 1864. Transferred to seventh C. V., mustered out July 14, 1865, Hartford, Conn. Emmons, Berry D., private company I, February 9, 1865. Transferred to seventh C. v., mustered out July 20, 1865. Higgins, Jeremiah, private company I, September 23, 1864. Mustered out June 27, 1865, Newbern, N. C. Burns, John, private companv I, January 10, 1865. Missing March 8, 1865. Corkran, Edward, private company I, January 5, 1864. Missing March 8, 1865, Kinston, N. C. McGahie, William, private company I, January 5, 1865. Deserted March 7, 1865, Kinston, N. C. Tioentii't/i Regiment Infantry, C. V. Philo B. Buckingham, major, August 29, 1862. Promoted lieutenant colonel, mus- tered out June 13, 1865, Washington, I). C. Bassett, Noyes E,, private company G, March 7, 1864. Transferred to fifth C. V., mustered out July 19, 1865. Wilbur W. Smith, first lieutenant company H, August 5, 1862. Promoted captain January 28, 1S63, mustered out June 13, 1865. George W. Human, sergeant company H, August 6, 1862. Promoted second lieu- tenant June 6, 1865, mustered out June 13, 1865. George S. Wyant, sergeant company H, August 7, 1862. Died Dec. 15, 1862. Samuel A. Beach, sergeant company H, August 8, 1862. Discharged, disability, September 9, 1862, Washington, D. C. Charles B. Holland, corporal company H, August 5, 1862. Transferred to invalid corps, mustered out August 4, 1865. Ichabod E. Ailing, corporal company H, August 20, 1862. Mustered out June 13, 1865, W^ashington, D. C. John W. French, musician company H, August 20, 1862. Mustered out June 13, 1865, Washington, D. C. Booth, Henry T., private company H, August 6, 1862. Died January 4, 1863, Washington, D. C. Botsford, Henry L., private company H, August 5, 1862. Discharged, disability, February 21, 1863, Stafford Court House. Benham, Bennett, private company H, August 9, 1862. Mustered out June 13, 1865, Washington, D. C. Bliss, Howard, private company H, August 20, 1862. Mustered out June 13, 1865, Washington, D. C. Bronson, Royal L., private company H, August 25, 1862. Died May 4, 1863, wounds received Chancellorsville, Va. 520 HISTORY OF DERBY. Davis, Zerah B., private company H, August 6, 1862. Mustered out June 13, 1865, Washington, D. C. Davis, Charles E., private company H, August 7, 1862. Wounded May 3, 1863, discharged, disability, June 17, 1865. French, Charles, private company H, August 5, 1862. Wounded July 20, 1864, mustered out June 13, 1865. Hendryx, James W., private company H, August 6, 1862. Killed May 3, 1863, Chancellorsville, Va. Lounsbury, Albert W., private company H, August 9, 1862. Mustered out [une 13, 1865, Washington, D. C. O'Brien, George, private company H, August 20, 1862. Killed May 3, 1863, Chan- cellorsville, Va. Rose, Henry, private company H, August 8, 1862. Wounded March 19, 1865, mustered out June 23, 1865. Ryan, John, private company H, August 20, 1862. Wounded May 3, 1S63, dis- charged, disability, June 31, 1865. Smith, Charles W., private company H, August 20, 1862. Mustered out June 13, 1865, Washington, D. C. Still, Jacob L., private company H, August 20, 1862. Wounded July 3, 1863, trans- ferred to invalid corps March 15, 1864. White,, James, private company H, August 6, 1862. Killed July 20, 1864, Peach Tree Creek, Ga. Bassett, Samuel, private company H, August 16, 1862. Transferred to fifth C. V., mustered out July 19, 1865. Short, Sylvester, private company F, September 8, 1862. Honorably discharged August 31, 1863. T7ve7ity-seventh Regiment Infantry, C. V. Crummey, Dennis, private company I, September 9, 1862. Discharged, disability, February 12, 1863. Ryan, Patrick, private company I, Oct. 9, 1862. Honorably discharged July 27, 1863. Twenty-ninth Regiment Iiifantrv, C. V. Becket, Henry, private company E, January 4. 1865. Mustered out October 24, 1865, Brownsville, Texas. Henry Alexander, private company F, February 24, 1864, Mustered out October 24, 1865, Brownsville, Texas. Green, George, private company G, December 28, 1863. Killed October 27, 1864, Richmond, Va. Green, John H., private company G, Dec. 28, 1863. Mustered out October 24, 1865. Chapman, Howard, private company G, January 4, 1865. Mustered out October 24, 1865, Brownsville, Texas. Domingo, Charles, private company H, March 2, 1864. Killed September 3, 1864, Petersburg, Va. Walker, Aaron, private company H, December 28, 1863. Mustered out Oct. 24, 1865. Thirtieth Regiment Infantry, C. V. Nichols, William, private company A, Feb. 22, 1864. Mustered out Nov. 7, 1865. William Rives, corporal company F; Feb. 22, 1864. Mustered out Nov. 7, 1865. De Ville, Robert, private company F, Feb. 22, 1864. Mustered out Nov. 7, 1865. BIOGRAPHIES, 66 c:zy^ . {Z^L^uu^^G^ BIOGRAPHIES JOSEPH ARNOLD Was born at Hadham, Middlesex county, Conn., September i6, 1811. He descended from Joseph Arnold and Daniel Brainard, two of the original twenty-eight who settled the town of H add am. Joseph, the subject of this sketch, was son of Jared and Susan (Brainard) Arnold ; received his education at the common and high schools of his native town ; made a sea voyage with his father when only fourteen years of age ; was placed as clerk in a country store when fifteen, and at nineteen opened a dry goods store in Middletown in company with the old firm of Pease and Hayden. The next year he bought out the other partners ; took another partner, and added the clothing business under the name of Arnold and Buckingham. Their business was highly prosperous until 1838, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Arnold remaining at the old store and Mr. Buck- ingham going to Portland, Me. Finding himself threatened with serious pulmonary difficulty, in 1844 Mr. Arnold sold his business at Middletown and spent the next four winters in the West Indies, the Southern states and New York city. His health being restored he accepted a position in the American PLxchange Bank, New York city, but a few months after, being elected cashier of the Meriden Bank at Meriden, Conn., he removed to that place in 1849. ^^ 1853 he was elected cashier of the Manufacturers' Bank of Birmingham, which was reorganized in 1865 as the Birmingham National Bank. This office he accepted, and from that day to this has retained it with great credit to himself and satisfaction to the company and community. In 1 84 1 he married an estimable lady, Mary L., daughter of the Hon. Noah A. Phelps. She died in 185 i. Mr. Arnold may be classed among the self-made men. Be- 524 HISTORY OF DERBY. ing little aided by his primary education, but possessing an active, vigorous mind, which he has well stored with useful knowledge by reading, he has, by his own exertions, worked out thus far his successful career in life. In addition to his present responsible position in the bank he has occupied oth- ers, such as treasurer of school district, borough and town, and for a long time has been president of the Derby Savings Bank, the people having never found in him confidence misplaced. In his habits he is a model for imitation. Strictly temperate in all things, although physically infirm, he has been his own physi- cian, discarding generally all drug medication. For twenty-six years he has scarcely been absent a day from his post of duty in the bank. Independent in his principles, circumspect in his daily walk, liberal without ostentation, faithful to his word in financial dealings with all persons, he has won for himself a most enviable reputation. HENRY ATWATER Was born in New Haven in 18 19. He received more than an ordinary education, and in 1846 came to Birmingham and bought one-third of the interest of Abraham and William Haw- kins in the spring and axle business. In the following year a joint stock company was formed, called the Birmingham Iron and Steel Works, and the present extensive buildings were in part then erected. Mr. Atwater continued an active and ener- getic member of the company until the day of his death, January 22, 1862, at the age of forty-three years. For sixteen years Mr. Atwater was among the most enterprising manufac- turers, and had the merit of being very public spirited. He never did things by halves. He was warden of the borough two years ; was postmaster under President Pierce, Senator of the state in 1850, besides filling other offices. Social and of gentlemanly address, having considerable public influence, Mr. Atwater was a popular citi- zen, and his death was deeply lamented. SCOTT R. BAKER, M. D., Was born in Derby, October 2, 1834, and obtained his early education at the public school ; later he studied medicine with qJ/6/1 ^(yutyt BIOGRAPHIES. 525 Doct. Ambrose Beardsley of Birmingham, and, entering the medical department at Yale in 1876, he received his degree January, 1879, ^^id located at Ansonia where he promises to secure a good practice. LEWIS BARNES, M. D., Was born in Southington, Conn., June 26, 1826. He prepared for college at home and was graduated at Yale in 1847; and afterwards taught school at Bristol, Conn., and Brooklyn, N. Y. He took a course of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York, and received his degree from the Buffalo University in 1863. He came to Oxford in 1856, and has been in active practice in his profession since that time ; has held the office of town treasurer two years, and since 1868 has been town clerk and registrar ; has been school visitor since 1857, and Judge of Probate since 1872. He married Caroline Saltonstall of Meriden, Conn., in 1853. ). H. BARTHOLOMEW Was born in Farmington, Conn., April 18, 18 14. The life of his father, Jonathan Bartholomew, sometimes called " Uncle Jonathan," may be summed up in one line from Gray's Elegy, " The short and simple annals of the poor." The subject of this sketch had only a limited district school education, and at the early age of fifteen he was employed by Isaac Dobson to assist in making the double reflecting tin baker, then in great demand, little thinking that this was laying the foundation for his subsequent successful life. The baker soon went out of use, but Mr. Bartholomew had obtained a pretty good practical knowledge of the tinner's trade, but being out of business he engaged one year as clerk in a store in Plainville. In 1834 he married Polly H. Root, the eldest of thirteen children. F"or a short time he was employed in various kinds of work until he engaged in the making of sheet-iron cow-bells at five cents an hour ; the days having fifteen or sixteen hours in those times, so that. Old Time coming in to help out the matter, his receipts were seventy-five and eighty cents a day. Such was the be- ginning not only of one but of many men in Connecticut who are now transacting business on the basis of millions a year. 526 HISTORY OF DERBY. Mr. Bartholomew next engaged in making brass kettles for Mr. Israel Coe of Wolcottville, Conn., and by his steady busi- ness habits, after four years' employment, was made superin- tendent of all the various manufacturing interests of the Coe Company, the most important of which was the making of brass kettles by what was called the " battery process." When this business began to be profitable a new method of making these kettles was introduced into the country and the business was engaged in by different companies. At this time Anson G. Phelps, then a large stockowner in the Wolcottville Company, was induced to start the business on a larger scale, and decided on Ansonia as the place of location, and he secured Mr. Bar- tholomew as the general agent of his company. Several man- ufacturing establishments were built in Ansonia under his supervision, viz., the " Battery and Rolling Mills," and the large "Brass and Copper Mills." Besides these, from time to time, numerous other branches were added, all of which proved suc- cessful except the " Battery Kettle " business, which was sup- planted by the new process. These various branches of industry which have added so much to the wealth of Ansonia, as well as to the stockholders, are largely under obligation to the efforts of Mr. Bartholomew ; and, an idea of the estimate placed upon his services may be gained from the fact that a large yearly salary was paid him for more than a quarter of a century. In 1869 Phelps, Dodge and Company merged all their exten- sive manufacturing interests in Ansonia with their real estate into one company under the name and firm of the " Ansonia Brass and Copper Company and the Ansonia Land and Water Power." At the first meeting of the joint companies Mr. Bar- tholomew was chosen a director and made general superintend- ent, which office he held up to 1876, when he resigned in consequence of ill health. His advent into Derby, in 1848, found Ansonia almost a barren, sandy plain, with only two factories and a very few dwelling houses. Among the first enterprises started was a good common school, in which he took an active part and was instrumental in doing away with the old rate bill system and establishing the method of support by taxing prop- erty only, which incensed the mind of Anson G. Phelps, this HIOGRAPHIES. 52/ being the first school in the town to adopt the method, but the excitement soon subsided. He took a lively interest in the formation of the Congrega- tional Society of Ansonia, and in building both its churches, the first having been accidentally burned. He led the church choir over twenty years, and was chairman of the society's committee about the same length of time. He was a stock- holder, director and preside«t of no less than six important moneyed institutions of the town, and served, so far as can be learned, to the acceptance of the parties interested. Mr. Bartholomew was the first to propose the extension of the New Haven and Derby railroad, from its junction with the Naugatuck road, to Birmingham and Ansonia, and secured its completion by most persistent efforts ; the result being a great reduction of freights and public convenience. He is a man of positive character, and being a republican in politics was elected to represent the town in the Legislature of 1869, receiving votes from both parties. He was a vigorous supporter of the war for the Union, contributing liberally of his means. Thus the poor boy of Farmington became an active, useful pioneer in a variety of successful enterprises in the town, and his name will long be held in grateful remembrance, especially by the people of Ansonia.. His example is worthy of imita- tion. REV. ARCHIBALD BASSETT Was born in Derby, March 21, 1772 ; graduated at Yale Col- lege in 1796; ordained pastor of the Congregational Church at Winchester, Conn., May 20, 1801, and dismissed August, 1806. He was pastor at Wilton, Delaware county, N. Y., from 1807 to 1 8 10, and resided in that place, preaching in that region and helping his brethren in revivals as opportunity afforded, until his death, April 29, 1859, aged eighty-seven years. He was the son of Benjamin Bassett. He married Eliza, daughter of Dea. Job and Eunice (Cowles) Curtiss of Torringford, in the town of Torrington, Conn. She died January 19, 1868. 528 HISTORY OF DERBY. h ■ ROYAL M. BASSETT Was born in Derby November 22, 1828. His education was obtained in the district school, except one year in the academic school of Stiles and French in New Haven and two years at Haddam Academy. His father was one of the leading men of Derby and a pioneer in the business enterprises of Birming- ham ; first a merchant and then a manufacturer. He held many official positions with honor, but after the purchase of the Col- burns Iron Foundry in 1850, he devoted all his energies to his business until the day of his decease, which occurred June 26, 1864, in his sixtieth year. On the decease of his father. Royal M., with his brother Theodore, managed the Iron Foundry with much success, giving steady employment to about 125 opera- tives for sixteen years, making it a valuable establishment to Birmingham. Royal M. Bassett has been engaged in various manufacturing enterprises, railroads, and real estate operations, during a quar- ter of a century, and is a director in three railroad companies at the present time and president of the Utah Northern rail- road. He has been warden of the borough two years, and an active and efficient committee-man of the Birmingham school district for eleven years, besides filling several other local posi- tions, which places him among the public spirited men of the village and town. In all which he has proved himself a thor- ough business and upright man. Social, affable and liberal, and willing to forward any needed work for the public good, he stands among the popular and influential citizens of the town. He represented the fifth senatorial district in the Legislature, in 1876. AMBROSE BEARDSLEY, M. D.' Doct. Ambrose Beardsley, whose portrait is the first in this book, was born in Monroe, Conn., October 23, r8[i. It is often said " the child is father to the man," the which if true, the young Ambrose must have been one of those kind of boys who accord- ing to the Sunday-school books ought to have " died early," but fortunately for mankind did not. His first appearance in pub- lic was in the role of a district school teacher, beginning at the I. This sketch was written bv him whose initials are at the end of it. HIO(iRAPHIES. 529 age of sixteen years ; continuing four years in his own and adjoining towns, during which time he pursued assiduously his own studies under the instruction of Doct. Stephen Middle- brook of Monroe, and later under Doct. Charles Gorham of Redding, and finally graduating with honor at Pittsfield, Mass., Medical College in 1834. After a residence of a year and a half at Newtown, Conn., Doct. Beardsley came to Birmingham, then in its early infancy, where for forty-four years — nearly half a century — he has led an honorable, upright, and eminently useful Christian life ; often officiating at St James's Episcopal Church — of which parish he has been a life-long member — in the occasional absence of a pastor, as "lay reader." If Ben Adhem's name led all the rest, according to Leigh Hunt, because "he loved his fellow men," then surely must the name of this kind, self-sacrificing physician be found very near the head of the column of Derby's adopted sons. In hundreds of families in this and adjoining towns, the name of Ambrose Beardsley is cherished almost as a household god ; where his genial face and pleasant story, has often done the work of exorcising the demon of disease — real or imaginary — for which the harmless pill gets all the credit. Possessed of a clear ringing voice, great fluency of speech and a happy gift of oratory, upon all public occasions Doct. Beardsley has been " the speaker of the day " and conspicuously the figure- head and leader in all enterprises which had for an object the welfare of nation or of individuals. Before the writer is now lying an ancient looking document which bears the following statement : " The foregoing oration was delivered by A. Beards- ley, to the citizens of Derby on occasion of commemorating the anniversary of our American Independence, July 4, 1839." As a sample of the principles then held by the orator a quotation is imjwrtant : "Sacred to the heart of ' every true American should be the day we have here assembled to commemo- rate. We have met to join in congratulations over an event so abundantly propitious to this country, and so marked in its influ- ence upon the world that as patriots and loyal citizens we could not have met on this occasion with other feelings than those of gratitude, and an ardent love and desire to preserve in remem- brance the birthday of our National Independence ; coupled 67 530 HISTORY OF DERBY. with a determination to throw off for a moment our more com- mon attachments ; to mingle our hearts more completely in the ardor of freedom ; to manifest our zeal for the preservation of our dear bought liberties ; and to join in the celebration of the day in a way calculated not only to awaken in our minds antici- pations of the noblest destiny, but to call up those master spirits of the past who offered their all upon the altar of Liberty." Farther along we read as follows: "The founders of this republic have not set in motion a machine which will continue to run uniform without the constant care and vigilance of posterity The history of the past speaks to us in tones of thunder the fact that one of the strongest and most sacred of the obligations imposed upon us by our fathers is the maintenance and perpetuity of the bond of the Union. I repeat it with emphasis, Union between the states. The Mos- lem Turk sleeps soundly in his chains not even seeming to dream of their weight. The slave surrenders himself tamely to his master, but the hatred of party dissensions and political animosities should never lead to a calculation on the value of the Union. ' One Europe ' says an eloquent patriot ' is enough for the whole world,' and if Americans would not hear the shrieks of Liberty, if they would not see this fair Republic ' rent with civil feuds and drenched in fraternal blood,' let them be forever deterred from indulging even a passing thought upon the dangerous doctrine of disunion." This be it remem- bered was the utterance of our " Fourth of July orator" forty- one years ago. In the light of the terrible events of a quarter of a century later, it is seen that had the mouth of a prophet of the Lord even been commissioned to speak an inspired warning it could have hardly been more pertinent and forcible. The oration, which is full of the various topics uppermost in those comparatively early days of the Republic, closes with the following peroration : " Let us, fellow citizens, at all times and in all places prove ourselves the undeviating friends of our country, by sustaining its wise government, promoting sound doctrine, advancing wholesome morality and pure religion." But scarcely a quarter of a century had passed when we find this watchman on our national walls sending his own first born to the field in defense of these very liberties imperiled by intes- I5I()(Uawh^ lilOCKAPIIIKS. 555 a zealous member of the Congregational church, and his daily life and devotion to moral and religious principles, with his manifested desire to do good, inspired full public confidence in his Christian profession. He was seldom absent from the stated services of the sanctuary, and, being of a cheerful mind, he was delighted in the society and prosperity of others of what- ever denomination. It is refreshing to think of an aged soldier of the cross whose every day walk has been a steady and shin- ing light in the "straight and narrow path." FREDERICK HALL, M. D., Was born at Derby, June 26, 1842 ; graduated at Bellevue Medical College, New York, in 1869, and entered upon the duties of his profession in New York city. He was also located at Stratford, Conn , for three years, and latterly has made his residence at Derby where he is at present in active practice. ABRAM HAWKINS Was born in Derby November 16, 18 10, and resided here until 1828 when he removed to Bridgeport to learn the trade of a blacksmith. He afterward returned to Birmingham and in 1837, in connection with his two brothers, David and William, commenced the manufacture of carriage and wagon axles. The business was continued for a time when David withdrew and the two remaining continued the enterprise until 1846, during which time the manufacture of carriage springs was added to the business. About this time Henry Atwater of New York purchased a one-third interest in the firm, and in 1847 the com- pany built and organized the well known and extensive " Iron and Steel Works." In 1849 Abram became associated with his brother William and other gentlemen in the formation of a new company for the manufacture of carriage and wagon axles under the name of the Hawkins Manufacturing Company, which was success- fully conducted until 1865 under the management of William Hawkins, when the business was closed and the capital re- turned to the stockholders with a liberal amount of surplus that had accumulated. Abram continued his interest in the Iron and Steel Works 556 HISTORY OF DERBY. until 1857 when he withdrew and went to New York, where he engaged in the manufacture and sale of iron and iron wire. As one of the pioneers of Birmingham Mr. Hawkins was enterprising and public spirited, and his departure from the town has always been regretted. He was twice warden of the borough, besides filling many other important positions. WILLIAM HAWKINS Was born in Derby, July 6, 18 16, and like his brother Abram had but little advantages of education. He learned his trade as machinist in 1834, and was associated with his brother for many years in Birmingham, and since dissolving partnership has conducted the manufacture of skates, wrenches and other hardware implements. He is now associated in a new company, formed April i, 1880, for the manufacture of bits and augers in connection with his ether business. He has been warden of the borough, and has held ofifice in the town. This Hawkins family springs from good stock, having de- scended from one of the original settlers of the town. BENJAMIN HODGE Was born in Milford, Conn., September 13, 1793, and came to Derby when quite a youth, making his residence in the family of Col. David Johnson, one of Derby's old residents. After a few years he married Anna, daughter of Capt. Jared Bartholo- mew of Derby. He was a prominent citizen of the town until his death, July 26, 1868. In the war of 181 2 he was very enthusiastic and enlisted in a Derby company and went to New London under Capt. Gates, but the British having evacuated that place he returned home with his company. For many years he was in full charge of Leman Stone's business, that of seed raising, and sharing his confidence until Mr. Stone's decease, when he assumed the business himself and conducted it successfully many years, until his health failed. He was a very active member of society ; was some time president of the Derby Temperance organization, and being faithful in many *^& VI. M o;t^ cr(y-ty^ BIOGRAPHIES. ' 557 good deeds he gained for himself the credit of a useful and exemplary citizen. JOSIAH HOLBROOK^ Was the son of Col. Daniel Holbrook of Derby, where he was born in 1788. Colonel Holbrook was an energetic, prosperous farmer, andaman of wealth and extensive influence. His house was that now a little south-east of the Swift farm. His son re- ceived the ordinary common school education of the day, fitted for college under Rev. Amasa Porter of Derby, entered Yale College in 1806, and was graduated in 18 10. Five years afterward he married a daughter of Rev. Zephaniah Swift of Derby. She died in 18 19, leaving two sons, Alfred and Dwight. On the death of his father and mother about that time, the care of the farm devolved upon him, and it was during the period oc- cupied in this vocation that the ideas which were the central ones of his subsequent labors first occurred to his mind. Acting on these views he opened, about that time, on his own farm, in connection with Rev. Truman Coe, then a teacher, one of the first schools in America which sought to teach a popular- ized form of natural science, and to combine manual labor with education. Boys in this school were allowed to pay a portion of their expenses by laboring on the farm. The institution was not permanent, but the experiment satisfied Mr. Holbrook of the practicability of the principle. We quote from a letter of Mr. Coe to a son of Mr. Holbrook, the following statements re- specting this school : " He had long cherished the idea of endeavoring to found an insti- tution in which the course of instruction should be plain and practical ; an agricultural school where the science of chemistry, and mechanics, and land surveying should be thoroughly drilled into the mind of the pupils by practice. With these views the Agricultural Seminary was commenced in Derby in 1824, and continued to the fall of 1825, under the direction of your father and myself, and. as far as I know, was the first educational movement of the kind in all that region. But the in- stitution, being unendowed and on a private footing, labored under many embarrassments, especially in never having land enough to ac- complish the ends of its founders. We did what we could to train the students in the analysis of soils, in the application of the mechanical ''See Barnard's Journal of Isducation. 558 HISTORY OF DERBY. powers to all farming operations, and took out our young men often into the field and country for practical surveying, geological excursions, road-making, and the labors of the farm, but, not being able at that time to place the school on an eligible foundation, it was abandoned." While at work on his farm, Mr. Holbrook's zeal in the pursuit of knowledge led him, with the design of increasing his acquaint- ance with chemistry, mineralogy and geology, to attend the lect- ures of Professor Silliman of New Haven ; riding over and back from Derby for that purpose, notwithstanding distance and an inclement season. The precise train of thought and of circumstances which led Mr. Holbrook to transfer his efforts from the farm and school at Derby to the wider field of popular scientific lecturing, there is no data for tracing. The American yournal of Education, then conducted by Mr. William Russell, contains in its tenth num- ber, October, 1826, a paper by Mr. Holbrook, setting forth his views on the subject of " Associations of Adults for the Purpose of Mutual Education," which gives some insight to his plans and propositions for the general public good ; and this was the earliest printed exposition of his principles, or propositions for general improvement of the people. In this paper to the yournal Mr. Holbrook gave nineteen rules for the organization and conducting of lyceums for general education and improvement. Every great enterprise requires a forerunner, or one to lay out the work, tell how to do it, and put the implements into the hands of the workmen, which, when done, it becomes easy to follow in the perfecting of the work. Mr. Holbrook having defined his plan, went soon after to Millbury, Mass., where he delivered a course of lectures, and at the close persuaded thirty or forty persons to organize them- selves into a society for mutual improvement, which at his re- quest was called Millbury Lyceum, a branch of the American Lyceum. This society was the first permanent one established in the country. From this time forward Mr. Holbrook devoted all his efforts for a long series of years to the organization of a system of institutions to bear the collective name of the Ameri- can Lyceum, During the years immediately following 1826, Mr. Holbrook made Boston his centre of operations, where he commenced, BIOGRAPHIES. 559 about 1829, the manufacture of philosophical apparatus for com- mon schools, in which enterprise he was much aided by Timothy Claxton.'' By the desire of Mr. Ilolbrook a convention was held in Boston, May 15, 1830. which resulted in the organization of the American Institute of Instruction, and a recommendation of Teachers' Institutes; and numerous meetings of this kind were held during the following year. In 1830, also, Mr. Holbrook commenced the publication of a series entitled Scientific Tracts^, with the view of diffusing useful knowledge. After two years he surrendered the Tracts to Dr. J. V. C. Smith, and devoted ^himself to the Lyceums and to the interests of a weekly paper, The Family Lycetini. About the year 1834 Mr. Holbrook left Boston and for a few years occupied himself chiefly to establish the Lyceum system in Pennsylvania, in which effort he was quite successful. While in this field of labor he conceived the plan of a Universal Ly- ceum, to introduce national Lyceums. A list of officers was made, with Lord Brougham as president, and was published with a brief outline of the aims of the institution, in a pamphlet, the " First Quarterly Report." His labors in Pennsylvania were greatly advantageous to common schools. His next effort was to establish Lyceum villages, the first of which he commenced in 1837 at Berea, Ohio, but which was a financial failure. His next engagement was in New York city in 1842, as cen- tral agent of his plan of School Exchanges which was a part of his original scheme of Lyceums, which seems to have been the collection of specimens of natural science, and general associa- tion of the societies. While in New York, his friend, Mr, Seton, then agent of public schools, drew up, with his assistance, a scheme for applying his favorite principle of education to that city.* This included particularly the teaching of drawing. In the spring of 1849 Mr. Holbrook went to Washington, D. C, to ascertain what aid could be secured from the govern- ment in behalf of his plans, and such was his encouragement in this respect that that city remained the centre of his operations until his death. "Life of Timothy Ciaxlon. **Fouiteenlli Rejjort of Tiustccs ol I'iil)lic Scl'.ools, New York. 560 HISTORY OF DERBY. In May, 1854, he made a journey to Lynchburg, Va., on busi- ness connected with his enterprise ; and having walked out alone one morning, was evidently collecting minerals, as he had been busily engaged in doing for some weeks, from the face of a pre- cipitous cliff overhanging a deep creek, and losing his footing, fell into the water, and was drowned. His body was found a day or two after, on the 24th of May, 1854, floating in the water, was interred in the burying-ground of one of the churches at Lynchburg, and his funeral was attended by a large number of persons, who had become interested in his enthusiastic devo- tion to science and education. The American Institute of Instruction at its annual session at Providence, R. I., in August following, passed resolutions of very high commendation upon the life and work of Mr. Hol- brook. PROF. ALFRED HOLBROOK Is the principal of the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. He was born in Derby, Conn., February 17, 1816, and was the son of Josiah Holbrook. At the age of fourteen he went to Boston and was employed for a year and a half in his father's manufactory of school appa- ratus. His health failing, he returned to his native village where he remained until seventeen years of age when he entered upon his first experience in teaching, in Monroe, Conn. One year later he went to New York city and engaged for some eighteen months in the manufacture of surveyors' instruments. Being compelled to relinquish this business on account of failing health, he repaired to Kirtland, Ohio, with the intention of employing himself in land surveying, from the carrying out of which plan, however, he was prevented by physical disability. He nevertheless accompanied his uncle, David Holbrook, to Boonville, Indiana, where he remained a year and a half, occa- sionally engaging in surveying. His health proving too feeble for this business he returned in 1840 to Ohio, on horseback, and began teaching at Berea with a school of three pupils under the auspices of John Baldwin. The school rapidly increased in numbers and Mr. Baldwin soon erected a commodious building for the accommodation of pupils. This was the foundation of Baldwin University. Here Prof. Holbrook remained nine years, i;i(k;rai'Hies. 561 within which time the institution passed into the possession of the Methodist Episcopal church. Prof. Holbrook next took charge of an academy at Chardon, Ohio, for two years, and then in partnership with Dr. John Nichols engaged for a time in the Western Reserve Teachers' Seminary at Kirtland. He subse- quently accepted a call to the superintendcncy of the public schools of Marlboro, Ohio where he remained three years, from which place he removed to Salem, Ohio. While here he received the appointment as principal of the South Western Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, which position he has occupied nearly twenty years. His subsequent history is in connection with this school. The professor is the author of two educational works which have had Very wide circulation, namely : " Normal Methods" and " School Management." He has also more recently issued two text books on the English language which are perhaps the best treatises of the kind ever published, namely : " Training Lessons" and an "English Grammar." Li an educational experience of nearly half a century, Prof. Holbrook has had under his direct instruction not less than thirty thousand per- sons, a number equaled by very few teachers in our country. It has been remarked by those best acquainted with his work, and who have seen its results far and wide over the nation, that no student has ever left any institution of which he has had the control, morally worse than when he or she entered it. The Professor's ripe scholarship, large experience, superior judgment and Christian integrity eminently fit him for his position as a teacher of teachers, and his long and successful con- nection with the National Normal has placed him in the front rank of American educators."' Prof. Holbrook's sons and daughters are all engaged with him in his normal school, with great efficiency and success. His son, R. Heber Holbrook, a few years since came east to obtain a little independent experience and took charge of the large public school at Vineland, N. J., where during two years he had very marked success. A few of the principles which he recommends to teachers are obtained by the slightest accident '■•Extract from the Historical Atlas of Warren coiintv, Ohio, 71 562 HISTORY OF DERBY. of preservation, and commended to the consideration of all per- sons. " I. Be pleasant. It is never necessary to frown or scold. " 2. Be lively. The true teacher will seldom seat himself before a class '• 3. Be original. Never depend upon your book If yi)U can't con- duct the recitations without a book, you have given too long a lesson. "4. Be reasonable. Don't assign a lesson so long that you will yourself be hardly able to prepare it. '• 5. Be prepared. Always make out in your own mind the work to be accomplished by the class at their next recit.Uion. " 6. Be not too talkativ-e. Any fool can lecture and interest children with wonderful facts ; but it requires a wise, patient, and hopeful per- son to draw those facts from the pupils. " 7. Be sympathetic Come down to the apprehension of your pupils. Remember what is curious and interesting to you is beyond their understanding. What are axioms to you are difficult propositions to them. "' 8. Be patient. Let the smart ones take care of themselves. Give your energies, your ingenuity and your smiles to the stupid ones." The sixth rule of this catalogue is particularly commended to the consideration of all who engage in Stmday-school teaching at the present day. DWIGHT HOLBROOK, Son of Josiah and Lucy (Swift) Holbrook, was born in Derby, Conn., in 1817, and accompanied his father to Boston, Mass., in 1829. In 1833 he went on a business tour to China. In 1839 he went to Berea, Ohio, to carry out his father's plans of an educational village which was then being established at that place. His next enterprise was the establishment of a manu- factory for making school apparatus, which articles he sold mostly in the state of New York for the use of public schools ; that state Legislature having passed an act to use the Library Fund for that purpose In 1850 he exhibited his inventions and productions in Toronto, Canada, in the House of Parliament, and they were granted entrance free of duty ; the result being the sale of large quantities to the Educational Department of that Province. The Legislature of Connecticut passed a special act in 1852, BIOGRAPHIES. 563 to allow the use of twenty-five convicts for five years for the production of this apparatus for the use of the schools of the state, and in 1853 it was introduced into the schools of Ohio by the Superintendent of Education for that state. In 1867 the Danish and Chinese Governments purchased through their ministers at Washington samples of the goods. For the last twenty years the apparatus has gone into every town in the country and Mr. Holbrook's name has become a household name, and these goods are still extensively manufact- ured by many firms ; Mr. Dwight Holbrook's eldest son, C. W. Holbrook, has a factory for this purpose in Windsor Locks, Conn., and the firm of A. H. Andrews and Co., in Chicago, III , have an extensive manufactory, of which Mr. Dwight Holbrook is the superintendent at the present time. The goods are also manufactured in New York and Boston. In a great lawsuit in Chicago between the successors to the Holbrook School Apparatus Company and A. H. Andrews and Company, Judge Wilson decided that the word " Holbrook" was public property as applied to school apparatus, since it had v been used so many years by so many firms. Thus from so small a beginning has grown an immense business that has ap- parently filled the pockets of every one connected with it more than the inventor of it, and again the old rule is exemplified that one furnishes the ideas and others turn them into money. REV. ZEPHANIAH SWIFT HOLBROOK, Son of Dwight Holbrook, was born in Berea, Ohio, September 16, 1847, is a descendant of Rev. Zephaniah Swift of Derby, Conn., and the grandson of Josiah Holbrook the educator. At the age of sixteen he went to Chicago and engaged in busi- ness life, where, while thus pursuing his work at the age of nineteen, he united with the church, and two years after closed his business relations to study for the ministry, although he had risen to a partnership in one of the largest firms in Chicago. After spending two years at Beloit College he went to Yale, and studied in the college and seminary five years, when he accepted a call to the Oakland church in Chicago. After two years of successful work in this church he resigned his pastoral position, and soon after, while on a visit east, accepted a call to the 564 HISTORY OF DERBY. church at Methuen, Mass., where he was installed December 4, 1878. Frederick Holbrook, second son of Dwight Holbrook, is a teacher in Wisconsin. LEWIS HOTCHKISS Was born in Derby in 1805, and worked at the same business as his brother Willis. In 1834 they came to Birmingham and eno-ao"ed in church, factory and house building, and were the principal founders of the present Derby Building and Lumber Company. About the beginning of the Rebellion they ex- changed their stock in the Lumber Company for 2,600 acres of timbered land in Rathburn, New York. Operating this suc- cessfully they bought 300,000 acres, nearly all pine timber, in Canada. On this tract Lewis, who was the principal manager, erected two large saw-mills, one to run by steam, the other by water power, and for six years he conducted a lumber trade with the States, very extensively and profitably. Lewis Hotchkiss, apart from this Canada enterprise, built, and ran on his own responsibility, a steamboat on Lake Georgian Bay. In 1871 he sold this adventure to good advantage, and also sold the land to Anson G. Phelps and Dodge, and re- turned to Derby and has continued since in business under the name of W. and L. Hotchkiss. Lewis Hotchkiss is a practi- cal, sound common-sense man, and with meagre opportunities in early life has worked his way under many disadvantages to an enviable position. Neither he nor his brother had, scarcely, the benefit of a common school education, yet they have suc- ceeded well in the business relations of life. WILLIS HOTCHKISS, Brother of Lewis, was born in New Haven, March 29, 1803, and came to Derby when three years of age, where he has since resided. His father was a carpenter and joiner, from whom he learned the same trade. WILLIS HOTCHKISS Was born in Derby April 25, 1788, a poor boy. He often said he " never went to school but one day in his life, and that was Saturday and the school didn't keep." He was a great stut- u BIOGRAPHIES. 565 terer, which was to him an embarrassment all his life. Very eccentric in his way and quick at repartee, a large amount of his sayings, made more laughable by his stammering, are treas- ured up among the people of the town. When quite a young man he tried his hand at impromptu poetry. The subject of repairing or removing the meeting-house at Up Town was under discussion, and the building being an old, dilapidated structure, various opinions prevailed as to what should be done with it, while the pious Swift, then pastor, tried to calm the troubled waters as much as possible. At a meeting called for the pur- pose, after the subject of the meeting-house had been well discussed, Mr. Swift called on Mr. Hotchkiss for his opinion. After rising, it was minutes before he could speak a word, but finally said : " W^'ve got .111 old church without a steeple, A good pastor and quarrelsome people.'' " Them is my views," said he, and the poetic speech had a very good effect. On a later occasion, when the same society had been troubled with frequent changes in the ministry, the good deacon, in meet- ing, moved that " we settle the Rev. Mr. as pastor over this church," which provoked some discussion, when Mr. Hotchkiss said he "would move an important amendment, that this — this minister be set — set — settled on — on — on horse — back." Coming from New Haven one dark evening in a lumber wagon, he was stopped on the road by two highwaymen, one seizing his horse by the reins, the other accosted him : "Give us your money, or I'll knock h — 1 out of you in two minutes." He replied : " All the money I had with me I left at the toll- gate, and if you think I have h — 1 in me you may knock it out." This cool reply, in stammering language, disarmed the ruffians, who let him go without further hindrance. On a certain occasion there was to be a great agricultural dinner given at New Haven; Capt. Thomas Vose of Derby, be- ing president of the society, invited several prominent men from his town, Mr. Hotchkiss being one of the number; but he ex- cused himself by saying he could not talk. To which it was re- plied that he need not say anything, especially at the table, upon which he ventured to go. At the sumptuous dinner he 566 HISTORY OF DERBY. succeeded well until the waiter came round asking: "What will you have, pudding or pie ? " To which he could not readily answer, as any word beginning with P was very difficult for him to speak, and by a significant wave of the hand he said to the waiter : " Go — go — go — on." Soon the waiter repeated the interrogation, to which he received the same reply : " Go — go go on." Captain Vose, John L. Tomlinson and others being at the head of the table, desirous that all should be well served, the waiter inquired of Captain Vose, " What shall I do for that man at the foot of the table, he acts crazy." " Oh ! follow him up, you '11 get something out of him." On the next round the waiter said with much emphasis : " Now sir, what will you have, pudding or pie ? " In a loud voice he stammered out, " B-b-both." As he had attracted the attention of the guests this created the greatest laugh of the entertainment. One day John L. Tomlinson, the lawyer, asked him for two dollars. "What for.? "said Hotchkiss. "Why, for speaking advice to you about your division fence," was the reply. "Well, I '11 pay it, but don't you ever speak to me again." When young Doct. B came to Birmingham, in 1836, Donald Judson introduced him to Mr. Hotchkiss, saying that Doct. B had come to Derby to doctor folks and get a living. The quick reply was, " It is high time, neighbor Judson, that we all pre-pre-prepare for death." Mr. Hotchkiss was a cooper by trade, a"hd conducted the busi- ness at one time quite extensively. He died November 24, 1872, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, and will long be re- membered by the people of Derby. JOHN I. HOWE Was born at Ridgefield, Conn., July 20, 1793. His early education was obtained at the village school, and being of very studious habits, he at the age of nineteen commenced the study of medicine and surgery with Doct. Nehemiah Penny, a distin- guished physician of that town. He was graduated at the Medical University of New York ; married Cornelia Ann, daughter of George Ireland of New York, and for many years was a successful and skillful physician in that city. A large portion of these years he was one of the resident physicians of HIOCRAPHIES. 567 the New York almshouse. His constitution having been impaired by a severe illness of fever, he removed v^^ith his family in 1829, to North Salem, N. Y. Before abandoning his chosen profession he made a series of experiments on India rubber with a view to its use with other substances and for purposes to which it has since been so variously applied. As early as 1828, he obtained a patent on rubber compounds, and for the manufacture of which while in North Salem he constructed machinery at considerable expense, but he was beaten in the race by Charles Goodyear. He next gave his attention to model making for pin machines. During some of his visits at the New York almshouse among the English inmates he was forcibly impressed with the manner of making pins by hand, and being of a mechanical and inquisitive turn of mind he was moved with the idea that this staple article could be manufactured by machinery. In the winter of 1830 and 31 he employed his time in constructing a pin machine ; made a rude mold performing various movements and combinations essential to such a machine. In 1832 he was successful in making a machine which made pins though in an imperfect way. For this he was awarded by the American Institute a large sil- ver medal for "inventing a machine that would make pins by one operation." To aid in his finances about this time James Brush and Ed- ward Cook (brothers-in-law, of New York) were associated with him by contract. In the spring of 1833 he completed a second machine and immediately sailed for Europe and secured patents in France, England, Scotland and Ireland; and spent about two years in London and Manchester experimenting and building machines according to his invention and finding a market for his patent. In December, 1835, the Howe Manufacturing Company was organized in New York and Doct. Howe was appointed its general agent, in which position he had the sole management of its manufacturing department until 1863, a period of nearly thirty years. These machines made what was called the " spun head " pins, but afterwards they were changed so as to make the " solid header," and for this patent, in 1842, the American Institute 568 HISTORY OF DERBY. awarded him a gold medal for '' the best solid headed pin made by machinery." The company removed their manufactory from New York in 1838 to Birmingham, since which time the busi- ness has been carried on most successfully. Doct. Howe with a persevering courage, contending against prejudice, inexperi- ence and poverty, knew no defeat, and must be placed at the head, as the first practical and successful pin manufacturer by means of automatic machinery, however worthy may be his numerous predecessors and competitors, especially, Slocum, Fowler, Atwood and others. The " History of American Manu- factures" by I. L. Bishop enrolls Doct. Howe among "the most useful inventors of the country." While a resident of Birmingham Doct. Howe held many offi- ces of trust, and having accumulated large means he was enabled to identify himself with many substantial enterprises of the town. During the war he was very patriotic and contributed liberally to the support of the Union cause; Among other con- tributions he paid the amount of ^1,500, to a certain number of families, in monthly installments, while the heads of those fami- lies were absent as volunteers in the army. As an evidence of his devotion to his country, a short time before his death, he headed a subscription with $500, towards erecting a suitable monument to the memory of the soldiers of Derby who lost their lives in the war. Doct. Howe was a self-made man ; modest below his merit, and governed his life by precepts of the golden rule. Inf]exible in his principles, most exemplary in his habits, faithful to his professions, strict in his integrity, wise in counsel, he won for himself the highest approbation and was universally esteemed by the community in which he resided. He died suddenly of aneurism September 10, 1876, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. COMMODORE ISAAC HULL Was born in Derby, March 9, 1775, and was the son of Joseph, the eldest brother of Gen. William Hull. His father was a sea captain and Isaac early learned the arts of navigation. When a boy he was entertaining one day a party of ladies at Derby Narrows, with a sail on the river in one of his father's old whale . boats, affording much frolic and amusement to the participants. BIOGRAPHIES. 569 when a sudden squall (of wind, not the ladies) capsized the boat, and dumped the precious cargo all overboard. Young Hull being an expert swimmer plunged into the water, and by almost superhuman efforts succeeded in securing his entire party, some eight or ten in number, and placing them on the bottom of his boat, and was encouraging and cheering them when assistance arrived from the opposite shore. His coolness of conduct on that occasion was highly applauded by the peo- ple, and the ladies especially commended him for his noble exploits and at once named him the gallant Hull. Isaac Hull entered the merchant service, and at the age of nineteen commanded a ship and made a voyage to London. The first effort of the United States to establish and main- tain a Navy was made in 1798, when four frigates were built for that purpose. To one of these, Isaac Hull, then a distinguished shipmaster of New York, twenty-three years of age, was appointed as Lieu- tenant in the United States Navy. He was, at the early age of twenty-five, in charge of the frigate Coiistitiiiion on the West India station, where a French ship under letters of marque was lying under cover of the guns of a strong battery in the harbor of Port Piatt, St. Domingo. Captain Hull, full of his youthful dash, manned a small sloop with ninety sailors and marines, and entered the harbor with it about noon, captured the ship by boarding her, carried the fort and spiked the guns, the whole being done with such adroit stillness that the commanding officer had no opportunity for defense. From 1802 to 1805, Hull commanded the Najitilus and Argus, under Commodores Preble and Baron in the Tripolian War, and afterwards was with Gen. Eaton in the capture of the city of Deonoh, and in the bay of Naples protecting American shij)- ping against an apprehended onslaught of the French. He was promoted to Master Commandant in 1804, and to Captain in 1806. When the war of 1812 broke upon the country Captain Hull was in command of his favorite frigate, the Constitution, in which vessel he performed a surprising feat of seamanship. 570 HISTORY OF DERBY. ESCAPE OF THE CONSTITUTION. "The frigate Constitution, commanded by Captain Isaac Hull, had received orders to join the squadron, under Commodore Rodgers, and, for that purpose, sailed from Annapolis on the fifth of Jul)'. On the seventeenth off Egg Harbor, four ships, apparently men of war, were discovered from the mast-head to the northward, and in shore of the Constitution ; and, in the belief that it was the American squadron, waiting her arrival, all sail was made in chase for them. At four in the afternoon, another ship was to the north east, standing for the Constitution with all sail set. At ten in the evening, heing then within six or eight miles of the strange sail, the private signal was made by the Constitution ; which not being answered, it was concluded that she, and the ships in shore, were enemy's vessels. Captain Hull immedi- ately laid his vessel in the same course with the others, having deter- mined to lie off till daylight to see what they were. " Next morning, two frigates were seen from the Constitution under her lee, one frigate four or five miles, and a line-of-battleship, a frigate, a brig and a schooner, ten or twelve miles directly astern, all in chase, and coming up fast, they having a fine breeze, and it being nearly calm where the Constitution was. Finding there was but little chance for escape, being then within five miles of three heavy frigates, the Consti- tution was cleared for action, and two guns were run out at the cabin windows, and two at the ports on the quarter-deck. At eight o'clock, four of the ships were nearly within gunshot, some of them having six or eight boats ahead, towing with all their oars and sweeps out. '• In this perilous situation a new expedient was adopted, which was the means of saving the vessel. Being in only twenty-four fathoms of water, boats were sent out ahead with anchors and the ship warped up to them, by which they soon began to get ahead of the enemy. They however adopted the same plan, and all the boats from the most distant ships were sent to assist those which were nearest. For two days and nights the Constitution was thus chased by the British squadron, some- times with light winds, at others, warping and towing in a calm, seldom much beyond gunshot distance. On the morning of the twentieth, only three of the squadron could be seen from the mast-head, the nearest, about twelve miles distant, directly astern. A light breeze now spring- ing up, the enemy was soon left far behind, and 'the Constitution, woX. being able to find the American squadron, arrived safe at Boston. " During the whole of the chase the gallant cre.w of the Constitution remained at their stations. It is related on good authority, that the inOGRAPHIES. 571 officers of the British expressed their admiration of the skill with which Captain Hull maneuvered his ship and effected his escape. " But however hrilliant the nautical knowledge and professional adroitness of Captain Hull displayed on that occasion were, his gener- ous disinterestedness afterwards is worthy of universal applause and imitation. The public notice taken of the affair, and the praises bestowed on the commander, induced him, on his arrival at Boston, to insert the following card on the books of the Exchange Coffee House. " ' Captain Hull, finding that his friends in Boston are correctly informed of his situation, when chased by the British squadron oft^ New- York, and that they are good enough to give liim more credit for hav- ing escaped it than he ought to claim, takes this opportunity of request- ing them to transfer their good wishes to Lieutenant Morris and the other brave officers, and the crew under his command, for their very great exertions and prompt attention to his orders while the enemy were in chase. Captain Hull has great pleasure in saying, that not- withstanding the length of the chase, and the officers and crew being deprived of sleep, and allowed but little refreshments during the time, not a murmur was heard to escape them.^"' " The following month the Constitution was lying in Boston harbor, when the British fleet from Halifax, composed in part of Hull's late pursuers, concocted another plan to capture our frigate, which would prove a very desirable prize at the opening of the war! Previous to this the ocean had been the theatre of many a sanguinary conflict, in which the British gained untar- nished laurels, and the Americans, with a weak little navy and crippled land forces, seemed to them easily conquered. The honor of bringing in the first Yankee prize was courted and claimed by Captain Dacres, their most accomplished commander. He was fitted out with their boasted frigate, the Gnerricrc^ a former prize seized from the French, with a choice crew from the fleet. He had also this advantage over his opponents, he with his officers and crew were thoroughly trained to arms in the best naval schools then known in the civilized world. The Constitutions crew were mostly Cape Cod fishermen, expert sailors, intelligent, patriotic, obedient. to their officers, but un- skilled in naval warfare. i°Naval Battles, Smith, Boston, 1S31. 572 HISTORY OF DERBY. CAPTURE OF THE GUERRIERE. On the second day of August, the Constitution again set sail, pursuing an easterly course. She passed near the coast as far down as the Bay of Fundy ; then ran off Halifax and Cape Sable ; and not seeing any vessels for some days, Captain Hull steered towards Ne^vfoundland, passed the Isle of Sables, and took a station off the Gulf of St. Lawrence, to intercept the Canada trade. While cruising here, he captured two merchant vessels. On the 15th, he chased a convoy of five sails, captured one of them, and prevented the prize ship of an American privateer from being retaken. Having received information that the British squadron were off the Grand Bank, and not far distant, he left the cruising ground, and stood to the southward. On the memorable 9th of August, at two p. m., the Consti- tution being in latitude forty-one degrees and forty-two minutes north, and fifty-five degrees and thirty-three minutes west longi- tude, a vessel was discovered to the southward. The Constitu- tion instantly made all sail in chase, and soon gained on her. At three p. m., it could plainly be perceived that she was a ship on the starboard tack, under easy sail, close hauled to the wind. At half-past three, she was ascertained to be a frigate. The Constitution continued the chase. At about three miles' distance, Captain Hull ordered the light sails to be taken in, the coursers to be hauled up, and the ship to be cleared for action. The chase now backed her main-top-sail, and waited for the Constitu- tion to come down. As soon as the Constitution was ready for action, she bore down, intending to bring immediately to close action the British frigate, which had about this time hoisted three English ensigns in token of defiance. As soon as the Constitution came within gunshot, the British frigate fired her broadside, then filed away, wore, and gave a broadside on the other tack. They, however, produced no effect, her shot fell short. The British maneuvered and wore several times for about three-quarters of an hour, in order to obtain a raking position. But not succeeding in this, she bore up under her top-sails and jib with the wind on the quarter. Captain Hull immediately made sail to bring his ship up with her. At five minutes before six, p. m., the Constitution being alongside, within pistol shot, lilOGRAPHlES. 573 he ordered a brisk firing to be commenced from all her guns, which were double shotted with round and grape shot, and so well directed and so warmly kept up was the American fire, that, in fifteen minutes, the mizzenmast of the British frigate went by the board, and her mainyard in her slings. Her hull was much injured, and her rigging and sails torn to pieces. The fire was kept up, in the same spirited manner, for fifteen minutes longer by the Cojtstitntion. She had now taken a position for raking on the bows of the British frigate, when the latter could only bring her bow guns to bear on the Constitution. The grape shot and small arms of the Constitution completely swept the decks of the British frigate. Thirty minutes after the com- mencement of the action by the Constitution, the mainmast and foremast went by the board, taking with them every spar except the bowsprit. She then struck her colors which had been fas- tened to the stump of the mizzenmast. The Constitution then set fore and mainsails, and hauled to the eastward to repair damages. All her braces, a great part of her standing and running rigging, and some of her spars, were shot away. At seven p. m., she stood under the lee of her prize, and sent a boat on board, which returned at eight with Captain Dacres, com- mander of the frigate. She was the Guerriere, rating thirty-eight, and mounting forty-nine guns. The hull of the Guerricre was so much shattered that a few broadsides would have sunk her. She had fifteen men killed, sixty-one wounded and twenty-four missing, who, it is presumed, were swept overboard by the fall- ing masts. The Constitution had only seven killed and seven wounded. The boats were immediately employed in bringing the wounded and prisoners on board the Constitution. About two a. m., a sail was discovered oft^ the larboard beam standing to the south. The ship was instantly cleared for action. At three, the vessel stood away. At day-break information was received from the lieutenant on board the prize, that the ship was in a sinking condition, and had four feet of water in the hold. As soon as all her crew were removed from on board of her, she was set on fire, and blew up a quarter-past three. Captain Hull, in his letter to the Secretary of the Navy, says that, " from the smallest boy in the ship to the oldest seaman, 574 HISTORY OF DERBY. net a look of fear was seen. They all went into action giving three cheers, and requesting to be laid along-side the enemy.^^" In the heat of the engagement, one of the crew of the Consti- tution, perceiving the flag at the fore-top-mast-head had been shot away, went up with it and lashed it so securely as to ren- der it impossible to shoot it away, unless the mast went* with it. The generosity of Captain Hull and his crew was equal to their bravery. Captain Dacres, in his official letter, confessed their conduct to have been " that of a brave enemy; the greatest care being taken to prevent the men losing the slightest article, and the greatest attention being paid to the wounded." The Constitution arrived in Boston harbor the 30th day of August. When Captain Hull landed he was received with every demonstration of affection and respect. The Washington Artillery, posted on the wharf, welcomed him with a federal salute, which was returned by the Constitution. An immense assemblage of citizens made the air ring with loud and unani- mous huzzas, which were repeated on his passage up State street to the Exchange Coffee House ; the street was beautifully decorated with American flags. A splendid entertainment was given to Captain Hull and his officers by the citizens of Boston, to which Commodore Rodgers and the officers of his squadron were invited. The citizens of Philadelphia subscribed for two elegant pieces of plate — one to be presented to Captain Hull, and the other to Mr. Charles Morris, his first lieutenant. The Legislature of New York, the council of the cities of Albany and Savannah, the Congress of the United States, the House of Representatives of Massachu- setts, and other public bodies, voted their thanks to Captain Hull, his officers and crew. The order of Cincinnati admitted him as an honorary member. Congress voted fifty thousand dollars as an indemnification to the captain, officers, and crew, for the loss sustained by the destruction of the Guerriere. The news of Commodore Hull's success in capturing the Gnerrie7-e was very gratifying to the people of Derby, and when assembled in town meeting April 12, 18 13, they passed the fol- lowing resolution, which was presented by the old soldier, Gen. David Humphreys, '' Resolved xSxzS. John L. Tomlinson, William "Clark's Naval History, vol. i. pp. 175-176. HIOGKAPHIES. 5/5 Humphreys and Pearl Crafts be a committee to collect and digest such distinguished and illustrative facts on the subject matter now before us as may be attainable, and that they will cause the result to be communicated to the public in such man- ner as they shall deem most proper."' Very careful search has been made to find some report from this committee in the pub- lic prints ot that day or on the town records, but without any success. Commodore Isaac Hull died at Philadelphia, Penn., February, 1843, aged sixty-eight years. LIEUTENANT JOSEPH HULL, Son of Joseph Hull, 3d, was born in Derby in 1750, and re- ceived the ordinary common school education. In early life he engaged in the West India trade, and became familiar with a seaman's as well as a farmer's life. A Scotch historian has said that *' bravery like royalty runs in the blood," and it was so in the Hull family. He was appointed Lieutenant of Artillery in Washington's army in 1776, and was taken prisoner at the capture of Fort Washington, that same year. In defense of this fortress he is said to have behaved with great gallantry. He remained in captivity two years and was then exchanged (1778), when his imbroken spirit was once more given to the service of his country. In 1779 he was appointed to the command of a flotilla on Long Island Sound, consisting of some boats formerly used in the whale fishery, but now fitted out to annoy the enemy, as op- portunity might offer. In this limited but dangerous sphere of action, he gave an earnest of a mind and spirit which under other circumstances would probably have developed more im- portant results. On one occasion a J^ritish armed schooner was lying in the Sound, being engaged in transporting provisions from the coun- try to New York, where the British army was then stationed. Lieutenant Hull proposed to some of his companions of the town of Derby to go and capture the schooner. On the evening appointed twenty men placing themselves under him embarked in a large boat, similar to those used in carrying wood to the city of New York. The men lay con- 576 HISTORY OF DERBY. cealed in the bottom of the boat ; and the dusk of the evening favoring the deception, it had the appearance of being loaded with wood. As they approached the vessel the sentinel on deck hailed him. Hull, who was steering, answered the call, contin- uing his course till quite near the vessel without exciting suspi- cion, when by a sudden movement he drew close along side of her. His men being well trained sprang to her deck with great celerity. The commander of the schooner was sleeping below, and aroused by the firing of the sentinel, he made an attempt to gain the deck, but was instantly shot dead. The Americans immediately fastened down the hatches, took possession of the vessel and conducted her in triumph up to Derby. This gallant soldier was the father of Commodore Hull, who, by his coolness and intrepidity, was the first to give to America the knowledge of her naval superiority, as exhibited in his cele- brated escape from a British squadron, and afterwards by his victory over the Grcerriere. Lieutenant Hull —he is sometimes called in the family, captain because captain of a vessel, but he was a lieutenant in the Rev- olutionary army — is said to have been entirely engaged in the war during the Revolution. His coolness, presence of mind and energy of character as well as fearlessness, is manifested in the following anecdote : While on his way to New Haven, just as he came to the top of the hill in West Haven, he saw some Brit- ish soldiers advancing towards him. It was too late to retreat, and he at once resorted to a ruse, and turning in his saddle he motioned as if for his company to hasten forward, then riding forward demanded a surrender. The men, believing the enemy close at hand in numbers and that resistance would be unavail- ing, delivered up their swords. Lieutenant Hull married Sarah, daughter of Daniel Bennett of Huntington, son of Nathan, son of Isaac of Stratford, son of James of Fairfield, who came from Concord, Mass., in 1639. Captain Hull owned and occupied the Bennett farm, a large tract of land on the west side of the Ousatonic, in the latter part of his life. During his most active career the whale fishery was carried on in the Sound and the immediate coast, in open boats manned by four or six oarsmen, a steersman and chief or har- pooner ; a most dangerous calling, requiring a high degree of ];iO(iRAi^HiEs. 577 skill, perfect drilling and unity of action to insure success. In this school his son Isaac took his first lessons in seamanship. GEN. WILLIAM HULL Was born in Derby, June 24, 1753, being the second son of Joseph Hull, a prominent farmer of the town. At an early age William resided with his grandfather, where he attended public school according to the custom of the times. He fitted for college under the Rev. Mr. Leavenworth of Wa- terbury, and entered Yale at the age of fifteen, and was gradu- ated when in his twentieth year, the English oration being assigned him at commencement. His first occupation after leaving college was the teaching of a school. He used to say frequently that " this was among the happiest years of his life." His parents anxiously desired that he should become a clergyman, and he commenced the study of divinity rather from the motives of filial afiection than from a conviction of religious duty. He studied a year with Dr. Wales, subsequently professor of theology in Yale College. After this he changed his course of studies and entered the celebrated Law School in Litchfield, Conn., and was admitted to the bar in 1775- The war with Great Britain was now the subject of universal interest, and while at home one evening, his father returned from a meeting of the citizens of Derby, and said to his son, "Who do you suppose has been elected cajotain of the company raised in this town .'* " He named several, but his father replied, " It is yourself." He hesitated not in accepting the appointment so unexpectedly offered by his townsmen, and pre- pared himself to join the regiment of Colonel Webb, then being raised by the state. At this interesting period his father was seized with a severe illness, which soon terminated his useful life. By his will the property was bequeathed to his widow and children. William refused to receive any part of it. He said, " I want only my sword and my uniform." With a full but res- olute heart he left his peaceful home and affincted mother's fam- ily, and with his company immediately joined the regiment, i^Mis. Cainpljell's Military Life of den. Win. Hi 578 HISTORY OF DERBY. which marched to Cambridge, the head-quarters of General Washington. The next year, in the midst of the sanguinary battle on Long Island, General Washington crossed from New York to Long Island with a part of his army and took possession of Brooklyn Heights. The regiment of Colonel Webb, consisting in part of Captain Hull's company, was in this division, and took part in the masterly movements of the next forty-eight hours. Captain Hale, whose melancholy end is a sad part of the his- tory of the Revolution, was an intimate friend of Captain Hull. They were of the same age and had been classmates at college. Two years after they graduated their names were enrolled under the standard of their country, and they marched in the same regiment to join the army of Washington. Captain Hull had every opportunity to learn the true character of his much esteemed associate, and says of him : "There was no young man who gave fairer promise of an enlightened and devoted service to his country than this my friend and companion in arms." Captain Hale became a spy, was detected and executed within the British lines on Long Island, and thereby the English laid the foundation for the execution of Major Andre, a short time after- ward. Captain Hull urged him not to enter upon so hazardous and ignoble an undertaking, but his great desire to do some- thing for the good of his country, and this alone, led him to undertake the venture. Captain Hull was with his company in the battle of White Plains, in Colonel Webb's regiment, which sustained the heavy onset of the enemy in that engagement so as to receive the thanks of Washington. From this place Captain Hull's com- pany marched to the Highlands and thence across New Jer- sey to Delaware, and in December joined the main army in Pennsylvania. In five days they were again on the march for Trenton, where a battle was fought and a great victory gained for the colonies. Captain Hull was acting field officer during this battle at the personal request of General Washington. At this time the weather was extremely cold and the soldiers suf- , fered beyond description. The victory was worth the effort. Hull wrote: "To give you some idea of the excessive fa- tigue of the troops engaged in this enterprise, I relate the IMOGKAI'IIIES. 579 following respecting myself. It was between two and three o'clock in the morning of the second night, when my company recrossed the Delaware. I marched them to the house of a farmer, and halted to obtain refreshments and rest. After my men were accommodated, I went into a room where a number of officers were sitting around a table, with a large dish of hasty- pudding in its centre. I sat down, procured a spoon, and began to eat. While eating, I fell from my chair to the floor, overcome with sleep, and in the morning, when I awoke, the spoon was fast clenched in my hand." Soon after this, Washington marched to meet Cornwallis, and on the way promoted Captain Hull to be a major in the eighth Massachusetts, and the battle with a part of the enemy's troops was fought, resulting" in great gain to the Americans. It was the fortune of Major Hull to be in the severest parts of these memorable battles of Trenton and Princeton. The classical and eloquent Italian historian of the war, Charles Botta, after de- scribing these transactions, adds : " Achievfements so astonish- ing acquired an immense glory for the Captain General of the United States. All nations shared in the surprise of the Amer- icans ; all equally admired and applauded the prudence, the constancy and the noble intrepidity of General Washington." Hull wrote: "When I left the Highlands my company con- sisted of about fifty, rank and file. On examining the state of the clothing, I found there was not more than one poor blanket to two men ; many of them had neither shoes nor stock- ings ; and those who had, found them nearly worn out. All the clothing was of the same wretched description. " In the attacks at Trenton and Princeton we were in this destitute situation, and continued to sleep on the frozen ground, without covering, until the 7th of January, when we arrived at Morristown, N. J., where General Washington established his winter quarters. The patient endurance of the army at this period is perhaps unexampled in this or any country." As soon as the army was established in winter quarters. Major Hull was ordered to Boston to recruit his regiment, and thence to Springfield soon after to take command of the disci- pline of the new forces then gathering there. Here h^ re- mained until April (1777) when he was directed to march with 580 HISTORY OF DERBY. his men to reinforce the army at Ticonderoga, under St. Clair, where he arrived in May. In the retreat from that place he, as also the other officers, lost all but the clothes he wore. This retreat continued to Fort Edward, and thence across the Hudson above Saratoga, Hull commanding the rear guard under General Schuyler. The next morning Major Hull was forced to meet a much superior force and repelled their attack with much energy and bravery until reinforcements arrived, and received the thanks of General Schuyler for his conduct on this occasion. In the battle at Saratoga, September 19, Major Hull held a separate command on the right of the main army and did very efficient service, being under fire from one o'clock until nearly dark. At the second day's battle at Saratoga, October 7, he held an important command in the midst of the battle, being connected with Arnold's division, and maintained himself nobly, and the victory of the day was very great to the Americans. From this field of victory Major Hull and his regiment were ordered to reinforce General Washington at Whitemarsh, Penn., where they went into winter quarters at Valley Forge, about twenty miles from Philadelphia. At this place, during the winter, the sufferings of the army were indescribably wretched, and Hull was in the thickest of it ordered to pursue a foraging party of the English under circum- stances of intense suffering. He speaks of his own house at this place, which was con- structed of logs like all the rest, as follows : "The hut we occupied consisted of one room. This was dining-room, parlor, kitchen and hall. On one side shelves were put up for our books, on another stood a row of Derby cheeses sent from Connecticut by my mother, a luxury of which the camp could rarely boast, and with which visitors to the hut were often regaled." The conduct of Congress that winter, in debating and strug- gling over place and position, while the soldiers were starving in their camp, unable for want of food and clothing to pursue the British foraging parties, was worthy of the disgust of every patriot. It was this struggle for personal preferment that sent General Gates to Saratoga in the midst of the battle, to super- BIOfiKAPHFKS. :;8t sede General Schuyler, and who took to himself all the glory of that victory, (who scarcely left his tent during the day of that battle,) not so much as mentioning Arnold, who was really the general of the day, in his report ; it was this that made Benedict Arnold what he became, and caused mutiny in the camp at Valley Forge ; and which rose so high that Washington was urged to join the uprising and make himself Dictator of his country, instead of submitting to the shameful neglect of Con- gress. This Congress would change the appointee over the commissary, against the protest of Washington, and that was what ted the soldiers with hunger and secured frozen feet in the camp. It was this political laction that favored the starv- ing of the soldiers so as to raise prejudice against Washington and secure his removal as Commander-in-Chief and instate Gen- eral Gates in his place, a man who never won a great battle ex- cept through his political friends. Major Hull, commanding the eighth Massachusetts, was pres- ent, under General Sterling, at the battle of Monmouth, N. J., directly in front of the enemy's right, which division was in a severe part of the battle, which lasted until dark and was unde- cided. The American army lay on their arms that night, during which the enemy retreated. Hull writes : " I went over the field of battle the next morning, and discovered a large number of dead bodies without wounds, who probably died of heat. We buried four officers and two hundred and forty-five privates, and more must have been killed, for there were a number of new-made graves." The campaign of 1779, with Major Hull and his command at the Highlands, opened with the purpose of the British com- mander to obtain possession of the Highlands on the Hudson, and the purpose of Washington was to retain possession of this stronghold. The enemy, in order to draw off Washington's forces, sent General Tryon to pillage and burn the villages along the shore in Connecticut, and well did he perform his errand, beginning at New Haven, and burning Fairfield and Norwalk. General Washington determined to attack a stronghold of the enemy rather than send troops to oppose General Tryon. He therefore organized an expedition to capture the fort at Stony Point, and gave the command to General Wayne, a 582 HISTORY OF DERBY. brave officer, whose troops included Hull in command of about four hundred men. At eleven o'clock on the 15th of July, the march was commenced over rugged and almost impas- sable mountains, and continued for fourteen miles, when the detachment arrived a little before dusk within a mile and a half of Stony Point. Here it halted and the object of the march was made known to the troops. The fort was garrisoned with about six hundred men under the command of Lieutenant Col- onel Johnson. " About half-past eleven o'clock in the evening," writes Major Hull, " the two columns commenced their march in platoons. The beach was more than two feet deep with water, and before the right column (in which was Major Hull) reached it, we were fired on by the outguards, which gave the alarm to the garrison. We were now directly under the fort, and closing in a solid column ascended the hill, which was almost perpen- dicular. When about half-way up, our course was impeded by two strong rows of abattis, which the forlorn hope had not been able entirely to remove. The column proceeded silently on, clearing away the abattis, passed to the breastwork, cut and tore away the pickets, cleared the cJieveaiix- de-frise at the sally-port, mounted the parapet, and entered the fort at the point of the bayonet. All this was done under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry, and so strong a resistance as could be made by the British bayonet. Our column on the other side entered the fort at the same time. Each of our men had a white paper in his hat, which in the darkness distinguished him from the en- emy ; and the watch-word was, ' The fort's our own.' Our troops reached the area of the garrison not having fired a gun, the enemy still firing on us. The men made free use of the bay- onet, and in every direction was heard 'The fort's our own.' The enemy did not surrender until nearly one hundred men were killed or wounded, after which their arms were secured, and they were assembled under a strong guard in an angle of the fort until morning. In ascending the hill, just after he had passed the abattis, General Wayne was wounded in the head by a musket ball and immediately fell. He remained on the spot until the British surrendered, when some other officers and myself bore him into the fort, bleeding, but in triumph. The niOdKAi'HiKS. 583 prisoners amounted to five hundred and forty-three. One ball passed through the crown of my hat, another struck my foot." Of the capture of Stony Point, Sparks, in his Life of Wash- inlace, and all that now survive reside in the community, ami together with the grandchildren, with one or two exceptions, are interested in the business which Mr. Wal- lace establishetl umler the name of " Wallace and Sons." show- ing that in union and harmony there is strength. Mr. Wallace was not easih' discouraged at prominent tlilTicul- ties, but possessed great powers of mental endurance and perse- verance, a mind replete with useful knowledge, and few men had greater powers for di\-ersified conversation. Added to a fine physique, his personal habits were a model for others. Temperate in all things he despised all sorts of shams, "slunldy professions " and low tricks of pretended cunning. He represented Derby in the Legislature ; was for many years a most efficient mcmbci" of the School Committee Board, w'arden ot the b(M-ough, besides filling manv other pcKsitions oi trust. His life was a success, and when his head was silvered over \vith age he was gathered to his fathers, April 30, 1875, with many friends to mourn and no enemies to reproach. I'.IOGKAl'llIES. 665 Ri:\'. josi;i'ii w I'.i-.r. Preached in Dcrb}', probably as a licentiate, two or three years, bein<;' town clerk one )'ear of that time. The record says "married h'lizabeth Nichols of Stratford at Stratford, by Capt. William C'urtiss, on the Sth chi\- of July, 1691." He was ordained pastor at h'airfield in AnL;ust, i'^'94, and died Sep- tember, 1732, ha\ini;' ]ir()babl}' su[)[)lied that pulpit during that time. He took a very active part in establishing;" \'ale College, and in sustaining the Congregational churches, and his own church at Fairfield, at the time the church of luigland began to establish societies in Connecticut, it is ])robable he was not college bred, but was a much better scholar than some of that class in his day ; much better than his ])redecessors at Derby, Mr. Bowers, or Mr. James. II is penmanship was very beautiful, and all that he did indicates an energetic, classic mind, and a stable conscientious character, worthy of being a minister of the gospel. Ki:\'. CVKUS HAXTKK WIIIICOMH, Son of James and Fliza romero)'i\Vhitcoml), was born July 2, 1839, ^^ Otisco, Onondaga county, N. V. His early education was obtained at Kasthampton, New Salem, antl other places in Massachusetts, and as a private pupil in the famil)' of the late Rev. David F^astman of New Salem, Mass. His professional training was received at the Hartford Insti- tute one year (1866-67), and 'It Union Theological Seminary, New York city, two years, where he graduated in May, 1869, and finally at Vale Divinity School two years, graduating in 1872. He received the University degree of Bachelor of Di\in- ity from Yale College, in June, 1874. Before entering upon professional studies, and jH'exious to being licensed to preach, he was commissioned by and served the American Missionary Association for a time ; was also in the employ of the American Sunday-school Union one year, and the St. Lawrence Sunday-school Association, N. Y., two years. He was respectively superintendent of the Morgan Street Mission of Hartford, and of a Presbyterian Mission in New York, during his studies at Hartford and Union Seminary. 84 666 HISTORY OF DERBY. After being- licensed to preach Mr. Whitcomb was commis- sioned by the Presbyterian Home Missionary Society as acting- pastor of the Presbyterian church, Somers, N. Y., where he labored twenty months from March, 1869. He was the acting pastor of the First Congregational church of Bethany, Conn., ten months from March, 1871 ; was the acting pastor of the First Congregational church of Derby sixteen months from December, 1871 ; and the acting pastor of the Second Congre- gational church at Chester, Mass., sixteen months from June, 1874, where he was ordained, and which place he left to accept a call to the pastorate of the Congregational church of Shel- burne Falls, Mass., November, 1875, where he remained two years, resigning at the close of 1877. Since that time he has been occupied in literary work, and in supplying pastorless churches as occasion required. Mr. Whitcomb married July 2, 1873, Miss Jennie M. Sawyer, daughter of Mr. Henry S. and Jane A. Sawyer of Derby, where he resides. N. J. WILCOX.SON Came to Oxford November 30, 1825, and engaged in teaching the public school, in which he continued one year. He was then engaged as teacher of a select school in the same village which he continued to teach two years. A select school has been taught several seasons since that time in Oxford, but no regular academy has been maintained. Mr. Wilcoxson has been a prominent man in the town, hold- ing various offices such as town clerk and judge of probate, many years. SAMUEL WIRE, Born at Greenfield Hills, P^airfield county, February 8, 1789, came to Humphreysville when thirteen years of age (in 1802) to learn the clothing business under General Humphreys. At the age of twenty-three he married the sister of the late Gen. Clark Wooster, who died after several years of happy mar- ried life, without children. Mr. Wire soon after commenced the manufacture of satin warps in the south part of Oxford, and married his second wife, who was the daughter of David Candee. He represented that town at several sessions of the assembly, and held other important offices of trust, being at one time the hio(;rapjiies. 667 most influential politician in the town. In 1847 ^""6 removed to New Haven, where he was constable several years and then city sheriff. He was one of the oldest Freemasons of the state, and a member of Franklin Chapter and Harmony Council. He was of genial disposition, faithful and upright, and died May 3, 1874, aged eighty-six years.-^ GENERAL DAVID WOOSTER Was born March 2, 17 10, being the son of Abraham, and grand- son of Edward Wooster one of the first three or four settlers of Derby. Abraham Wooster, father of the general, removed from Derby about 1706, to Stratford, in the south-east corner of what is now Huntington, where he remained until about 1720, wdien he settled in Quaker's Farm, in Derby, where he resided until his decease. Several deeds recorded in Derby prove these statements, and in which he is said to be a mason (/. e., a stone-mason). He was living as late as 1743. David was therefore born in Stratfcrd, and was ten or eleven years old when he removed with his father to Quaker's Farm. He was graduated at Yale College in 1738. Something more would probably have been known of his early life but for the burning of all his famil)' papers by the British when they pillaged New Haven in 1779. When the Spanish war broke out in 1739, he was employed as first lieutenant, and in 1745, as captain of a coast guard. In 1746 he married, in New Haven, the beautiful and accomplished daughter of Thomas Clapp, who was president of Yale College ; but neither the society of a charming companion, his love of classic lore, nor his youthful inclination for a learned profession could restrain his devotion to the interests of his country. He continued in the service, and was appointed captain in Colonel JJurr's regiment which formed a part of the troops sent by Connecticut in the celebrated expedition against Louisburg in 1745- He there proved himself an active, spirited officer, and bore a distinguished part in the siege and capture of that strong fortress. He was retained among the colonial troops to keep possession of the conquest he had assisted in effecting, and he ^■'History of Seymour. ^ 668 HISTORY OF DERBY. was soon after selected among the American officers to take charge of a cartel ship for France and England. He was not permitted to land in France, but was received in England with distinguished honor. The young American officer, as he was called, was presented to the King and became the favorite of the court and the people. The King admitted him in the regu- lar service and presented him with a captaincy in Sir William Pepperell's regiment, with half pay for life. His likeness at full length was taken and transferred to the periodicals of that day. The peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, which took place in 1748, restored Louisburg to France, and the young American officer to private life and to his family. He was not, however, permitted to remain long in this situa- tion, for the attempts at settling the boundaries between the French and the English North American possessions having proved vain, the war of 1756 followed ; and in this great contest Gen. Wooster was soon thought of as a man qualified for a higher sphere, and was appointed colonel of a regiment raised in Connecticut, and afterwards to the command of a brigade, in which station he remained until the peace of 1763, when he returned again to his family, bearing many marks of his valor and intrepidity. Soon after the close of this war he engaged in mercantile business in New Haven, and held the office of his majesty's collector of the customs for that port. He was highly respected both in his private and public character. In the great contest between England and the North Ameri- can colonies, Gen. Wooster took no doubtful part ; and although an officer in the British regular establishment, entitled to half pay for life, he did not hesitate to take sides with his native country, and his pen and his sword were actively employed in the defense of its rights. After the battle of Lexington he was fully aware that the sword alone must decide the contest. Under these circum- stances he, as well as other military men of experience, saw at once how important it was for the Americans to get possession of the fortresses of the country, together with the cannon, arms and military stores there deposited. The peculiar situation of the fort at Ticonderoga, commanding the great pass between niOGRAPHIES. 669 the North Atlantic colonies and Canada, did not escape his no- tice. He, therefore, with a few others of a kindred spirit while engaged in the General Assembly in May, 1775, planned the expedition from Connecticut to seize upon and retain that fort- ress ; and to enable them to carry their plans into execution, they privately obtained a loan of eighteen hundred dollars from the treasury of the state, for which they became personally re- sponsible. Such was the secrecy and dispatch in planning and executing this measure that on the loth of May, as is well known, this fort was surprised and delivered up to Allen and Arnold, and their brave followers. This step, one of the bold- est taken at that period of the contest, was at the sole risk and responsibility of Gen. VVooster and other individuals. Con- gress, when informed of this transaction, recommended that an inventory of the cannon and military stores found in the fort should be taken, " in order as they say, that they may be safely returned when the restoration of the former harmony between Great Britain and these colonies, so ardently wished for by the latter, shall render it prudent and consistent with the overruling care of self-preservation." The military experience, as well as the daring spirit of Gen. Wooster, recommended him to Congress when raising an army of defense, and among the eight brigadier-generals ap- pointed by that body on the 22d of June, 1775, he was the third in rank. The operations of that year were principally con- fined to the vicinity of Boston, and to an expedition against Canada and Quebec, under the command of Gen. Montgom- ery, who held the second rank among the brigadier-generals. The death of their distinguished leader under the walls of Quebec was severely felt by the Americans. During the campaign of 1776 Gen. Wooster was employed principally in Canada, and at one time had the conuuand of the Continental troops in that quarter. After this expedition he returned home and was then ap- pointed first major-general of the militia of his state. During the whole winter of 1776-77 he was employed in protecting Connecticut against the enemy, and particularly the neighbor- hood of Danbury, where large magazines of provisions and other articles had been collected by Americans. He had just 6/0 HISTORY OF DERBY. returned to New Haven from one of his tours when he heard on Friday, the 15th of April, 1777, that a body of two thou- sand men, sent from New York on the preceding day, had effected a landing at Norwalk and Fairfield for the purpose of destroying the magazines at Danbury, which object they ac- complished the next day, having found little or no obstacle on their way. Immediately on hearing this news Gens. Wooster and Arnold set off from New Haven to join the militia hastily collected by Gen. Silliman. In consequence of heavy rain the militia they had ordered to be sent to them from New Haven did not arrive until the 20th in the evening in the vicinity of Danbury. The number of the militia thus collected was about six hundred men, and with this small force it was determined to attack the enemy on the following morning in their retreat, and for this purpose a part of the men were put under the command of Gen. Woos- ter, and a part under Gen. Arnold. With his handful of men Gen. Wooster the next morning pursued the enemy, regardless of the inequality of numbers. But being inexperienced militia, and the enemy having several field-pieces, our men, after doing considerable execution, were broken and gave way. The Gen- eral was rallying them when he received a mortal wound. A musket ball took him obliquely, broke his back-bone, lodged within him and could not be extracted. He was removed from the field, had his wound dressed by Doct. Turner, and was then conveyed to Danbury, where all possible care was taken of him. The surgeons were from the first aware of the danger of the case, and informed the General of their apprehensions, which he heard with the greatest composure. His wife and son had been sent for, and arrived soon enough to receive his parting benediction. He told them that he was dying, but with strong hope and persuasion that his country would gain its indepen- dence. How gloriously his presentiment has been verified ! The symptoms soon became alarming, and on the second day of May he died, at the age of sixty-seven. His remains were deposited in the church-yard of that village, which he had thus volunteered to protect. The historian of that day (Gordon), in relating this transac- tion, says of him : " The General behaved with great valor, and lilOdRAl'IllES. 671 lost his life gloriously in defending the liberties of America, at the advanced age of seventy." Duly sensible of the loss the country had sustained in the death of Gen. Wooster, and justly appreciating his merits and services, the lower House of Congress passed a resolution in 1822, to erect a monument to Gen. Wooster, and that five hundred dollars should be approj^riated for that end, but the Senate did not concur, because of so many bills of that kind being presented at that time.-^ Although neglect is certainly involved in the long delay in suitably marking the resting-place of the remains of Gen. Wooster, it is yet a subject of congratulation that it has re- sulted in the planting of a more beautiful and appropriate shaft than would have been done by the comparatively small sum proposed by Congress. This satisfaction is increased by the reflection that the citizens of his native state, and especially of the town he lost his life in defending, united in the final con- summation of the act of justice. Of generous imjjulses, "Large was his hountv and his soul sincere," calm and unruffled under great or minor public difficulties, of tall, fine, commanding j^ersonal appearance, those who knew him best have likened him to our beloved Washington. Tra- duced, libeled, and even insulted by jealous, designing officers, especially the traitorous Arnold, his name and virtues now stand out in beautiful and shining contrast with the deeds of those who maligned him while living. We must not forget that General Wooster was a high toned Christian, and one of the few who occasionally ofificiated as chaplain as well as chief of his army, praying to the God of battles for success in a cause which has shed its blessings upon untold millions. The following sketch of the family of General David Wooster was left in the hand-writing of Mrs. Maria Clapp Turner, grand- daughter of General Wooster. "Mrs Mary Clapf Wt)osTtR was the widow of Gen. David Woos- ter, who fell in defense of his country between Danbury and Ridgefield. She was the daugliter and only surviving child of David Clap, Presi- ^''Benson J. Lossing's " Field Rook of the Revolution." 6/2 HISTORY OF DERBY. dent of Yale College. She married at the age of sixteen, and was the mother of three children, two daughters and one son, the eldest, a daugh- ter, died when not quite a year old. " The properties of this lady's understanding and of her heart were such, as are rarely found in the same person. The powers of her mind were strong, active and firm. These were awakened, enlightened and enlarged by an early, uniform and well regulated education. Her un- derstanding was enriched by a great variety of useful information. Her knowledge of New England, particularly Connecticut was exten- sive and minute. She was conversant with all the historical and natu- ral curiosities of this country. Her society was much sought, and her conversation much enjoyed by persons of literature. The pleasure in noting these characteristics would be much less than it is were we obliged to stop here. What most distinguished, most adorned and most ennobled her was the gospel of the Son of God. This she pro fessed in early life, and from that period to the day of her decease, lived steadily under its influence. Though fervent and animated on all topics, whenever she opened her lips on the subject of religion, her fer- vor seemed to glow, and her animation kindled in proportion to the magnitude of the subject. She was charitable to the poor, sympathetic to the afflicted, and benevolent to all. She passed through many scenes. Her early days were strewed with flowers, but the later part of her life was full of disappointments and afflictions. But all these troubles she bore with rare equanimity and fortitude. As she ap- proached the close of her life, her relish for religion increased, and her relish for everything else abated. Her conversation was principally about heaven and heavenly things. It was the result of choice, not of necessity. While her body was a prey to disease, her soul seemed more and more above this world. Her exhibition of the realities of religion during the last days of her life, made those who conversed with her forget all her former greatness, and proficiency in other things. In the character of the Christian we are willing to forget every other conspicuous trait which justly and singularly belonged to her. Her light seemed to be truly that of the just, which shineth more and more until the perfect day. She was born in 1726, and died in New Haven at the age of seventy-eight. '' Her son, Thomas Wooster, was sent to Europe. On his return he married Lydia Sheldon, by whom he had five sons and one daughter. He served as a colonel in the Revolutionary war. Alter the war he went with his family to New Orleans. Business rendered it necessary for him to go to New Haven, and on his return to New Orleans the ship was lost and he was never heard of. His widow with her family r.KXlKAI'HlKS. (^'J-}^ returned to New York. Four of her sons went to sea, and two were loas pastor at Southington, Conn. CHAPMAN, Rachel, m John Murray, Feb. 17, 1776. CHAPMAN, Mariha, m. Samuel French, Dec. 17, 1733. ^^^ ^^^^ Oct 29, 1780, aged 66. " CH.ARLES, William, m. Margaret . Children : I. Mary, b. Feb. 17, 1766. 2. Betty, b. Nov. 6, 1771. ^Hist of Seymour 196. "Ibid. 4- Sarah, b. Dec. 5, 16S6. 5- Mary, b. Apr. 29, 16S9. 6. Abigail, b. Sept ] :6, 1693. 7- John, b. ; d. 8. Hannah, b. ; m. John Coe. (;kne.vl(jgies. 709 CHATFIELD, Francis, one of the settlers in Guilford, in 1639, died about 1647, probably umarried. 1'homas of Guilford, a brother of Francis removed to East Hamp- ton, Long Island, supposed to have had no children. George of Guilford, i(j4o, brother to Francis, m. Sarah, dau. of John Bishop, who died without children Sept. 20, 1657, and he m. 2d Isabel, dau. of Samuel N'ettleton, Ma-. 29, 1659. He died in Killiug- worth, June g, 167 i, whither he had removed in 1663. Children : 1. John, b. Apr. S, 1661. 3. Mercy, b. Apr. 26, 1671. 2. "George, b. Aug. iS, 166S. I. John, son of George and Isabel Chatfield, came to Derby a single man ; received his first grant of land, and engaged to occupy it, Oct. 10, 1684. and m. Anna, dau. of Jabez Harger, Feb. 5, 1684, when she lacked eighteen days of fourteen years of age. He was admitted an inhabitant in 1687. Children : , 9.. John, b. Feb. 21, 1697. 10. Samuel, b. Aug. 28, 1699. 11. Ebenezer, b. July 4, 1703. 12. .Solomon, b. Aug. 13, 1708. 9. Lteut. John, son of John and Anna Chatfield, m. Elizabeth John- son, Dec. 12, 1721, who died June 8, 1751, and he m. 2d Obedi- ence . Children : -13. Sarah, b. Nov. 4, 1722. 18. Esther, b. Aug. 21, 173 — [out]. 14. John, b. June 5, 1724. 19. Zerviah, b. Oct. 2, 1737. 15. "Elizabeth, b. Mar. 9, 1728. 20. Sibyl, b. May 31, 1742. 10. Oliver, b. July 23, 1730. 21. Obedience, b. Dec, 11, 1755. 17. Anna, b. Apr. 10, 1732. 10. Samuel, son of John and Anna Chatfield, apparently did not marry until advanced in life, then ni. ist Ann . He ni. 2d Joannah Children : 22. Mary, b. Jan. iS, 1750; d. Sept. 8, 23. Abraham, h. Dec. 29, 1761. 1751- II. Ebenezer, son of John and Anna Chatfield, ni Abigail, dau. of John Prindle, Nov. 20, 1728. Children : 24. Ebenezer, b. Sept. 8, 1729; m. Su.san- 27. Lemuel, b. ; d. Sej)!. 30, 1758, nah Watrous, Mar. 23, 1768. at the cam)i at Lake George. 25. Abigail, b. Jan. [out]. 28. Levi, b. Jan. 6, 1738; d. Oct. 15, 1758, \ 26. Mindwell, b. Sejit. 9. 1735. '^^ home in Derby, but was in the war with his brother. 12. Solomon, son of John and Anna Chatfield, m". Hannah, dau. of Abraham Pierson, June 12, 1734- Children : 29. Joseph, b. Apr. 4, 1735; '"• I^i'i'^'i moral and religious philosopher, Peet of Stratford, Feb. 23, 1757. and as an author, and the father of 30. Mary, b. Oct". II, 1736; m. Capt. John Miss Louisa M. Alcott one of the .\lcox of Wolcott, Aug. 28, 1755; most favorably known authoresses the grandmother of Mr. A. Bronson of America.^ .\lcott of Concord, Mass., exten- 31. Eunice, b. Feb. 6, 1743. sively and favorably known as a 14 John, Jr., son of Lieut John and Elizabeth Chatfield; m. ^History of Wolcott, Conn., 2T,}, 238, 262, 427. /lO HISTORY OF DERBY. Wizabeth Johnson. Mar. 1751, who died June 8, 1751, and he m., 2d, Sarah Chatfield. Child : 32. Sarah, b. Oct. 2, 1757. 16. Oliver, son of Lieut. John and Elizabeth Chatfield ; m. ist, Abiah . 2d, Zerviah. Children: ^^. Patience, b. Mar. 2, 1765. 36. Joseph, b. June 29, 1772. 34. Abijah, b. Oct. 8, 1767. S7- Oliver, b. Oct. 16, 1758. 35. Elizabeth, b. Nov. 22, 1769. 38. Dan., b. Jan. 16, 1761. CHATFIELD, Levi, m. Sarah (Bradley) Beard, May 27, 1781 ; "had five children/' CHATFIELD, Eli, m. Lois Malory, Aug. 5, 1778. Children : 1. Mary, b. Dec. i, 1778. 3. Lucinda, h. Oct. 10 [out]. 2. Obedience, b. July 9, 1782. CHATFIELD. Levi, m. Abigail Harger, Jan. 30, 1755. Child : I. Levi, b. Aug. 26, 1756. CHATFIELD. Joel. m. Ruth Stoddard of Woodbury, Nov. 13, 1785. Children : 1. Isaac, b. Jan. 15, 1787. 3. Alinira, b. Jime 23, 1791. 2. Leman, b. Feb. 18, 1789. CHEESEMAN, George W , son of George Weeks Cheeseman of New York, and grandson of Richard Cheeseman, was born in New York city, [an. 7. 1823. The Cheeseman family came from the west part of England and settled first on Long Island. George W. Cheese- man, Sr.. m. Mary Hegeman of a family of Dutch descent residing for many generations in New York city and on Long Island. George W. Cheeseman, Jr., came to Connecticut in 1832 ; lived in Stratford sev- eral years ; came to Birmingham in 1842 and m. Sarah, dau. of Samuel Durand in 1847. Children : 1. Mary Wetmore. 3. Charles Durand. 2. George Henry; d. in 1S76. 4. Willie Penfield ; d. in 1866. CHURCHILL. John, m. Rachel Davis, Nov. 30, 1769. Children : I. William, b. Nov. i, 1770. 2. Abel, b. Feb. 10, 1774. I. CLARK, William, with his wife Hannah came from Lyme, Conn., to Derby about 1735- ^" ^^""^ town records he is called in 1742, "merchant," and in 1748, "shop keeper," his store being at the old village of Derby. Children : 2. Elizabeth,b. Sept. 24, 1732; m. Joseph 6. .Sarah, b. Jan. 22, 1742. Hull, May 3, 1750. , 7. Sheldon, b. Feb. 10, 1744. 3. Susannah, b. Aug. 18, 1734; m. I'ritch- 8. Eunice, b. Apr. 15, 1746; m. Henry ard Watrous. ~^X ■ Whiuiey. 4. Lucy, b. Dec. 13, 1736; m.V^— Smith. 9. William, b. Sept. 22,1749; d. Sept. 5. Hannah, b. May 22, 1739; m. Oliver 17,1751. Curtiss. 10. Charity, b. ;\Iarch 26, 1752. 7. Sheldon, son of William and Hannah Clark, m. Betty Keeney, Feb. 15, 1764 ; and was a merchant at Old Town until just before the Revolution, when he established his store at the Narrows, being ah influential man in the town some years. Children : u. William, b. Jan. 11. 1765. 14. Sheldon, b. May 17, 1772. 12. Lucy, b. Feb. 12, 1767. 15. Watrous, b. June 20, 1774. 13. Hannah, b. Mar. 5, 1769. (iF.XF.Ar.OGrES. /I I CLARK, Ens. Thomas, m. Susanna . He oame from Milford. Children : t. Thomas, b. Feb. 22, 1764. 4. Sherman. 2. Hannah, b. Nov. 2, 1766. 3. Sheldon, donated land to Vale Col- lege. (See Hist, of Seymour). CLARK, Moses, m. Abigail Brewster Johnson, Jan. 6, 1774. 1. Levi, b. Dec. 17, 1774. 2. Abigail, b Dec. 24, 1776. CLARK. William, m. Mary . 1. Eunice, b. Sept. 13, 1774. 4. Joseph, b. May 12, 1782. 2. William, b. Aug. 30, 1777. 5. Chary, b. Sept. 25, 1784. 3. Sheldon, b. Apr. 18, 1780. 6. Richard, b. July 6, 17S7. COE, Robert, Hon.. was born at Suffolkshire, England, in 1596. His wife, Anna, was born in 1591. He with his wife and three sons sailed from England April 10, 1634, in the ship Frances, John Cutting, master, and landed in Boston in June of the same year. He first settled in Watertown. Mass.. where he remained two years, when he removed to Wethersfield, Conn., where he remained about four years. Robert Coe's name is among the original purchasers of Stamlord. Here he remained until 1644, when with his family he removed to Hempstead, Long Island. At this time he was about 48 years of age, his son John, 18 ; Robert, 17, and Benjamin, 15. He died in 1659. Children : 1. John, b. about 1626, in England. 3. Benjamin, b. about 1629, in P'.ngland. 2. Robert, b. about 1627, in England. 2. Robert, son of Robert and Anna (or Hannah) Coe, removed to Stratford in 1654, where he died in 1659, aged 32. He married Su- sanna , and had three children : 4. John, b. May 10, 1658, at Stratford. 6. Sarah. 5. Susanna. 4. John, only son of Robert, Jr., and Susanna Coe, m. Mary, dau. of Joseph Hawley of Stratford, Dec. 20. 1682. This was the Joseph Hawley who owned considerable land in Derby. John Coe's four eld- est sons settled in Durham, where they had families. He died Apr. 19, 1741, aged 83. Children : 7. Robert, b. Sept. 21, 16S4; the ancestor 11. John, b. Dec. 5, 1693. of the Coe families of Torrington 12. Sarah, b. Mar. 26, 1696. and Winchester. 13. Ephraim, b. Dec. iS, 1698. 8. Joseph, b. Feb. 2, 1686. 14. Catharine, b. Sept. 23, 1700. 9. Hannah, b. Apr. 14, 1689. 15. Abigail, b. Nov. 11, 1702. 10. Mary, b. Aug. 11, 1691. . 16. Ebenezer, b. Aug. 18, 1704. 16. Capt. Ebenezer, son of John and Mary Coe, m. Mary Black- man, June I, 1727. and died at Stratford in 1766. aged 63 years. This Ebenezer Coe commanded a company in the Revolution ; was wounded in the burning of Danbury, by which he was deprived of a part of his right ear and his right eye, but survived many years. Children : 17. John, b. Sept 18, 1729. 19. Ebenezer, b. July 24, 1735. 18. Zachariah, b. Sept. 29, 1732. 20. James, b. Feb. 3, 1741. 17. John, son of Ebenezer and Mary Coe, came to Derby a young man, and m. Hannah, dau. of John Chatfield. Sept 8, 1755 ; and re- sided at the old village of Derby, where he died in 1783. and hence 712 HISTORY OF DERBY. the record made that he was one of the first Methodists in the town is erroneous, it being his son John. Children : 21. Mary, b. Oct. 20, 1756; m. Philo Hin- 24. John, b. Mar. 27, 1764. man. 25. Hannah, b. Mar. 16, 1769. 22. Denman, b. May 26, 1759. 26. Elizabeth, b. Dec. 10, 1774. 23. Sarah, b. Feb. 5, 1762. 22. Denman, son of John and Hannah Coe, m. Mary Northrop of Milford, Feb. 20, 1781. 24. John, Jr., son of John and Hannah Coe, m. Ruth, dau. of Isaac Johnson, Aug. 17, 1785. She was born Mar. 31, 1665. Children : 27. Sally, b. Apr. 26, 1786, m. Miles War- 30. Hannah, b. July 18, 1790; m. Davis ren. Smith. 28. Polly, b. Mar. 28, 1787 ; d. Jan. i, 1796. 31. John Allen, b. Sept. 8, 1792. 29. Truman, b. Dec. 9, 1788. 32. Isaac, b. May 27, 1796. 31. John Allen, son of John and Ruth Coe, m. Grace dau. of Joseph and Esther Smith. May 10. 1812. He died Sept. 23, 1849, aged 57. His widow, Grace, died Jan. 21, 1869, aged 72. Children : 23- John, b. Aug. iS, 1815. 38. George Washington, b. Aug. 26,1825. 34. Ruth, b. Sept. 20, 1817 ; m. William 39. Grace, b. June 17, 1S34 ; m. Leviness Leavenworth Durand. Abbott, Nov. 28, 1852, and had Wil- 35. Isaac, b. Mar. 28, 1819. ber Coe, b. July 6, 1858; George 36. Robert, b. Feb. 3, 1821. Frederick, b. May 29, 1863. 37. Wales, b. Oct. 28, 1823. SS- John, son of John Allen and Grace Coe, m. Mary Hoadley of Naugatuck. Sept. 3, 1837. Children : 40. Julius Curtiss, b. Aug. 6, 183S. 43. Charles Hoadlev, b. Nov. 19, 1S49. 41. Frances Augusta, b July 28, 1840; 44. George Albert,b. Aug. 5, 1854; d. Oct. m. Rev. Bennett Tyler Abbott, Sept. 13, 1S55, aged i year and 2 months. 26, i860. 45. Benjamin Lee, b. Jan. 27, i860. 42. John Allen, b. Nov. 18, 1844. 35. Isaac, son of John Allen and Grace Coe, m. .Augusta Hoadley of Naugatuck, Apr. 18, 1841, who died Jan. 23, 1870. aged 50; and hem. 2d Lucy Grant, Feb. i, 1871. He died May 18, 1872. Chil- dren : 46. Kate Grace, b. Nov. 6, 1842; m. Eu- 49. Charles Walter, b. Jan. 18, 1849; d. gene S. G. Wyman, June 15, 1864, Sept. 14, 1849. and had Mary Augusta, b. Sept. 3, 50. Arthur William, b. Mar. i, 1855; d. 1865; Harry Coe, b. Oct. 19, 1866. Aug. 23, 1855. 47. Isaac Harvey, ) b. May ) m. Georgia I ( Rogers. 48. Irving Hiel, ) 12, 1847. ) 36. Robert, son of John Allen and Grace Coe, m. Emily J. Horton of Straitsville, May 18, 1842. Children : 51. Andrew Leet, | b. July 25, ) drowned in the Naugatuck July 6, 185S. 52. Frank Lee, ( 1847. i 37. Wales, son of John Allen and Grace Coe, m. Julia Elizabeth Beach of Milford, Sept. 17, 1845. He left Derby with his family in 1854, and settled in Davenport, Iowa, and after three years removed to Crawfordsville in the same state, where he now resides. Children : 53. Sterling Dennison, b. Mar. 31, 1847. 1870, and had Harold Irving, b.Sept. 54. Nellie Julia, b. Mar. 9, 1852; m. 9, 1873; Nellie Grace, b. Aug. 31, James Braden Crawford, Apr. 28, 1875. (iENEALOGIES. /1 3 38. George Washington, son of John Allen and Grace Coe, m. Sarah Brooks, Dec. 24, 1846. He died Feb. 27, 1854, aged 28 years. Chil- dren : 55. Henry Brooks, b. Jan. 6, 184S. 57. George Frederick, h. June 12, 1S53. 56. Frank William, b. Mar. 20, 1850. 40. Julius Curtiss, son of John and Mary Coe, m. Elizabeth Dou- gal Wakelee, Oct. 8, i860. Children : 58. Albert Chandler, b. June 21, 1S64. 59. RoUin Wakelee, b. Jan. 19, 1S67. 42. John Allen, son of John and Mary Coe, m. Cornelia A. Wake- lee, Oct. 9, 1866. Children: 60. John Allen, b. Aug. 23, 1868. 62. Edna Louise, b. .Aug. 11, 1873. 61. Herbert Wakelee, b. Oct. 29, 1870. 63. Carlton Blakeman, b. Sept. 7, 1875. 43. Charles Hoadley, son of John and Mary Coe, ni. Ida Mary Fields, Jan. 15. 1875. Child : 64. Ida Jennett, b. Dec 16, 1875. 48. Irving Hiel. son of Isaac and Augusta Coe, m. Addie M. Cate, May 6, 1868. Children : 65. Theodore Irving, b. Aug. 19, 1872. 67. Eugene Wvman, b. Nov. 9, 1878. 66. Imogene Augusta Cate, b. Dec. 2, 1875- 52. Frank Lee, son of Robert and Emily J. Coe, m. E. Justine Carrington of Bethany, Jan. 23, 1873. 53. Sterling Dknnison. son of Wales and Julia E. Coe, tn. Mary Malinda Crawford of Crawfordsville, Iowa. Oct. 28, 1869. Child : 68. 1-ewie Beach, b. Aug. 4, 1870. 55. Henry Brooks, son of George W. and Sarah Coe, m. Elizabeth Wilson Mar. 28, 1868, who d-ied Nov. 21, 1870. Child: 69. Charles Waterbury, b. Feb. 4, 1869; d. in 187 1. COLLINS, Daniel, 1. Daniel, b. Feb. S, 167S. 2. Patience, b. Feb. g. 1679. 1. CRAFTS. Lieut. Griffin, born about 1598, came with his wife, Alice, from near London, Eng., to America with Gov. Winthrop. They sailed in company with seven vessels in April, 1630, and he set- tled at Roxbury, Mass., where he was selectman and a member of the General Court. He died about 1690, as his will dated May 18, 1689, was presented for probate Nov. 9, 1690. His first wife was born in 1600; died Mar. 20, 1673. He m. twice afterwards. Children : 2. Hannah, b. in F.ng. about 1628; m. 5. Abigail, b. Mar. 28, 1634; m. Nathaniel Wi!son. 6. Samuel, b. Dec, 12, 1637; m. 3. John, b. July to,, 1630, in Ro.xbury. 7. Moses, b. April 28, 1641 ; ni. 4. Mary, b. Oct. 10, 1632 ; m. 6. Samuel, son of Lieut. Griffin and Alice Crafts, m. Elizabeth Sea- ver, Oct 16, 1661 ; r-esided with his father ; occupied public positions in the town. In 1683 the General Court granted him with twelve others the township of Woodstock, Conn , and in 1687 the Connecti- cut Assembly granted him and thirteen others the township of Pom- fret, they buying the Indian title. I'his was known as the " Misham- ''Taken in part from the family manuscript. 90 714 HISTORY OF DERBY. oquet Purchase." He died about i6go, soon after the death of his father, leaving a good estate. Children : 8. Hannah, b. Dec. 14, 1662 ; m. 13. Mary, b. Oct. 15, 167 1 ; m. 9. Samuel, b. May 24, 1664; d. June 5, 14. Abigail, b. Dec. i, 1673 ! "">• 1664. 15. Nathaniel, b. Jan. 11, 1676; m. ro Elizabeth, b. Oct. 2, 1665; m. 16. Ebenezer, b. Nov. 8, 1679; Ji^- 11. Samuel, b. June 16, 1667; m. 17. Alice, b. Dec. 19, 1681 ; m. 12. Joseph, b, July 13, 1669. 18. Benjamin, b. Oct. 23, 1683. II. Samuel, son of Samuel, Sr. and Elizabeth (Seaver) Crafts; m Elizabeth Sharpe, and died Dec. 9, 1709, aged 42. Children : 19. Joseph, b. October i, 1694; m. 23. Mary, b. April i, 1706; m. 20. "Hannah, b. Mar, 15, 1697; m. 24. Aaron, b. Dec. 9, 170S; d. Dec. 30, 21. Samuel, b. June 4, 1701 ; m. 1711. 22. Moses, b. S'ept. 9, 1703 ; m. 19. Capt. Joseph, son of Samuel 2d and Elizabeth (Sharpe) Crafts, m. Susannah Warren, and removed to Fomfret, Conn, about 172 1 ; received a lieutenant's commission, 1736, and a captain's in 1741. He died Jan 23,1754. Children: 25. Susannah, b. Sept. 23, 1720; m. 32. Joseph, b. Mar. 8, 1732; m. 26. Samuel, b. July 15, 1722; m. 33. Benjamin, b. Feb. 10, 1734; m. 27. Joseph, b. July 24, 1724; d. Jan. 17, 34. Griffin, b. Feb. 21, 1736; d. 1725. " 35. Griffin, July 9, 1738; d. 28. Mary, b. Nov. 27, 1725; m. 36. F.benezer, b. Sept. 22, 1740; m. 29. Elizabeth, b. Sept 12, 1727 ; m. 37. Frances, b. Jan. 27, 1742 ; m. 30. Mehihible, b. Mar. 27, 1729; m. 38. Moses, b. April 15, 1744; not m. 31. Hannah, b. Mar. 8, 1730; d. 39. Sarah, b. Jan. 25, 1746; d. 26. Dea. Samuel, son of Capt. Joseph Crafts, m. P^eb. 19, 1746, Judith Payson of Fomfret, who was born Nov. 22, 1720, and died Feb. 13, 1813, aged 93. He died Nov 20, 1791, aged 69 Besides being deacon of the church he was prominent in places of trust in the town. Children : 40. Griffin, b. July 18, 1748; m. 43. Samuel, b. May 19, 1754; d. June 23, 41. Sarah, b. April 30, 1750; d. Sept. 8, i755- 1754. 44. Sarah, b. April 29, 1756; m. 42. Edward, b. April 19, 1752. 42. Edward, M. D., son of Dea, Samuel and Judith (Payson") Crafts, came to Derby a little before 17S0, and m. ist Abigail Clark of Southington, Conn., Nov 23, 1780, who died Oct. 23, 1796, being the mother of all his children. He. m. 2d Ann, widow of Edward Clark and dau. of Doct. Silas Baldwin, who died June 8, 18 13, aged 56, and he m 3d Melissa Holbrook Osborn, dau. of Daniel Holbrook, who died Jan. 19, 1841. He died Mar. 17, 1821, aged 68 years. Children : 45. Julia, b. 17S1 ; d. Sept. 16, i8or. 49. Laura, b. 17S9; d. June 5, 1805. 46. Samuel, b. 1783; d. June 5, 1810. 50. Edward b. 1790; d. Feb. 20, 1792. 47. Pearl, b. 1785; cI. Dec. 29, 1821, aged 51. Edward, b. 1794; d. Nov. 1826. 36 years. 52. Abba, b. 1796; d. Aug. 24, 181 1. 48. Chauncey, b. June i, 1787 ; d. Oct. 12, 1828. 47. Pearl, M. D., son of Doct. Edward Crafts; m. Dec. 24, 18 12, Sarah Mansfield, dau of Rev. Edward and Sarah M. Blakeslee, and grand dau. of Dr. Mansfield Children : GENEALOGIES. 7^5 53. Edward Blakeslcc, 1). Jan. 13, 1S14. 56. Samuel Pearl, h. July, 1820; d. July 54. Elizabeth Mansfield, b. May 30, 1S16; 31, 1822. m. Edward S. Clark of Waterbury. 55. Julia Maria, b. Jan. 1817; d. Oct. 14, 1818. 48. Chauncey, son of Doct. Edward Crafts ; m. Maria, dau. of Daniel Bacon of Woodbury, Conn., Sept. ii, 18 ii. Children: 57. Julia Maria, b. Aug. 20, 1814 ; m. 61. Samuel Pearl b. Mar. 30, 1824; m. Rev. B. Y. Messenger, Feb. 7, 1838; Sarah A. Thompson, July 13, 1859; d. Aug. 25, 1S39. had Nellie. 58. Charles Bacon, b. July i8, 1S17; m. 62. Fanny Augusta, b. June 4, 1826; m. Cornelia A. Trowbridge, Sept. 11, Samuel W. Andrew, Jan. 4, 1848; 1868; d. Apr. 24, 1876. had Samuel W. By 2d, husband, 59. Chauncey, b. Mar. 20, 1820; d. June Wm. S. Charnley, had Fanny Adele, 18, 1841. Edith, George Bethune, Lydia 60. Rebecca Bacon, b. Mav 7, 1S22 ; m. Thompson, an adopted dau. Wm. B. Hotchkiss, June 6, 1S43; had Lvdia Thompson, Wm. Josiah, Chauncey Craft.-, James Judson, Helen Maria, Bessie Brothwell. 53. Edward B., son of Doct. Pearl Crafts ; m. Sarah A., dau of James Thompson, Oct. 9, 1846. Children : 63. Elizabeth M., b. July 25, 1848. 65. T^^hn Young, b. June 8, 1S52 ; d. Sept. 64. Edward T., M. D., b. Dec. 29, 1S50. '25, 1S52. CRAWFORD, Sarah. I. -Sarah, b. Jan 20, 1763. CRAWFORD, Benjamin, m. Olive Carpenter, Mar. 14, 1775. CRAWFORD, John, m. Sarah Adee, Dec. 13, 1795. Child : 1. John, b. Sept. 26, 1796. 1. CURTISS. Oliver, came to Derby and m. Hannah, dau. of \\'il- liani Clark, Apr. 2, 1754. He died Jan. 13, 1794. His widow Hannah died Oct. 3, 1803, aged 64. Children : 2. Sheldon. 4. Sarah, b. Aug. 26, 1757. 3. Elizabeth, b. Feb. 28, 1756. 5. Sarah, b. May 12, 1765. 2. Sheldon, son of Oliver and Hannah (Clark) Curtiss, m. Lois Nichols, Nov. 11, 1781. She was born May 28. 1760. Children: 6. Sally, b. May 28, 1783. 8. Henry, | ,^ . ^ . 7. Sheldon, b. Aug. 31, 1788. 9. Harriet, ] ' • ■ ■*' 'y CURTISS, Kneeland, a prominent sea captain, was born in Strat- ford ; was in the war of 18 12 ; m. Anna A. J'ields, came to Derby in 1832, and engaged in the West India trade. Children : 1. Edward F., b. in 1820. 6. Kneeland; m. ; was killed on the 2. Reuben ; d. young. railroad at New Haven in 1880, hav- 3. Elizabeth. been a conductor on the road many 4. Martha. years. 5. Mary. 7- Robert. 8. Henry. 1. Capt. Edward F., son of Capt. Kneeland, m. Lucy Moshier, and is a sea captain. Children : 9. Fanny. n. Kate Estelle. 10. Edward H. 12. Kneeland; d. young. 7i6 HISTORY OF DERBY m. 2d Mrs. Mary Gunn, May 12, 5. Elizabeth, b. July 21, 1707. 6. Abigail, b. Apr. 28, 1709. 1. DAVIS, John, m. Abigail i6gi. Children: 2. John, b. 3. "Nathaniel, b. Feb. 26, 169S. 4. Jabez, b. July 24, 1703. 2. John, Jr.. son of John and Abigail Davis, ni. Sarah Chatfield, July 15, 1706. who died Jan. 20, 1721. Children: 7. Joseph, b. June 30, 1708. 10. Abigail, b. Nov. 20, 1713. 8. Dan., b. Jan. 10, 1710. 11. Rachel, b. July 5, 1716. 9. Mindwell, b. Feb. 4, 1712 ; d. Jan. 5, 12. Betty, b. Oct. 11, 1719; m. Ebenezer 17 1 3. Keeney. 7. Capt. Joseph, son of John, Jr , and Sarah (Chatfield) Davis, m. Mary Wheeler, Apr. 25, 1734, who died Jan 18, 1764, aged 49 and he m. 2d Mrs. Mary Foot of Newtown, Jan. 30, 1765. I'hey settled in Oxford. Children : 13. Sarah, b. Nov. 26, 1735. 16. Joseph, b. July 10, 1743. 14. Abigail, b. Apr. 12, 1738. 17. John, b. Feb. 2, 1749. 15. Mary, b. Oct. 15, 1740. iS. Rachel, b. July 4, 1752. 8. Dan., son of John, Jr., and Sarah (Chatfield), m. Ruth . Children : 19. Naomi, b. Jan. i, 1743. 2" Reuben, }b- Sept. 17, 1743. 22. Sarah, b. Nov. i, 1747. 23. Eliza, b. Feb. 20, 1753. 24. Ithiel, b. Feb. 15, 1756. 17. Col. John, son of Joseph and Mary (Wheeler) Davis, m. Mehit- able, dau. of Reuben Thomas of New Haven. Apr. 10, 1782, who died Dec. 27, 1852, aged 88 years. He is said to have died Nov. 27, 1848, aged 93 years. Children : 32. Nabby, 1 b. Dec. 21, 1795; '^i. Har- vey Osborn of Oxford. 33. Nancy, f- m. Cyrus Humphrey of Oxford, d. Aug. 25, 1828. Ch'n: Barnard, Nancy. 34. Joseph Wheeler, b. Aug. 13, 1798. 35. Sheldon, b. Sept. 3, 1800; d. May 30, 1813. 36. Lewis, b. Jan. 26, 1803. 37. Burritt, b. July 12, 1806. 38. Julia Maria, b. July 4, 1810; m. Eb- enezer Riggs of Oxford. 26. Anson, son of Col. John and Mehitable Davis, m. Sally Pru- den of Milford. Children : 39. Sheldon, b. Jan. i, 1S13 ; m. Mari- 44. Harpin, b. Feb. 24, 1825; m. Mary 25. Sarah, b. Mar. 31, 1783; d. Dec. 6, 1808. 26. Anson, b. Sept. 5, 1785. 27. Truman, b. Mar 13, 1787. 28. John, b. Sept. 8, 1788. 29. Lucretia, b. Sept. 22, 1790. 30. Mary, b. May 28, 1792. 31. Chary, b. Feb. 8, 1794. etta Church. 40. Sarah Ann, b. Mar. 10, 1S15 ; m. Luman Chapman. 41. Anson Riley, b. Mar. 30, 1818 ; m. Mary N. Ailing. 42. Marcus, b. Oct. 9, 1S20; m. Sarah M. Green. Chatfield. 45. Homer, b. Oct. 15, 1827 ; is living in Nevada. 46. Samuel Pruden, b. Sept. i, 183 1. 47. Martha Ellen, b. July 11, 1834; prin- cipal of St. Catharine's Hall, Au- gusta, Me. 43. Delia Maria, b. Oct. 25, 1822; m. John 48. Victoria Sophia, b. Sept. 21, 1837; F. Coxhead. m. John F. Coxhead. 27. Capt. Truman, son of Col. John and Mehitable Davis, m. ist Mary Allen of Woodbridge, Dec. 6, 1808, who died Feb. 13, 1832 ; m. 2d Statia Ball of Bethany, who died Apr. 24, 1854 ; m. 3d Sophia GENEALOGIES. /I/ Mallory of Milford. Oct 24, 1854 He died May 19, 1868, aged 8r years. Children : 49. Emily, b. Aug. 19, iSio; m. C. Lock- 54. Emerette, b. Jan. 24, 1821 ; m. Ilar- wood Adams. rison Tomlinson. 50. David Allen, b July 29, 1812 ; d. Mar. 55. John, b. Oct 7, 1S23 ; m. Jennctte G. 20, 1847. Allen. 51. Clark, b. Mar. 31, 1S15; m. Mary A. 56. Lvdia Perkins, b. Feb. 15, 1826; m. Toffey. John R. Tomlinson. 52. Marietta, b. Aug. 22, 1817 ; m. Na- 57. Burr, b. Jan. 7, 1828; m. Mary J. than W. Morgan. Mallett. 53. An infant, b. Sept. 25, i8ig; d. Dec. 58. Lucv, b. Feb. 19, 1830; m. Hart C. 20, 1819. Hubbell. 28 John, Jr.. son of Col John and Mehitable Davis, m. Laura, dau of Jolin Riggs. and died Aug 8, 1844. His widow, Laura, died Feb 20, 1855. Children : \ 59. John; m Jennette Wheeler; lived 61. Otis; d. in 1842. in Oxford. 62. William Hart ; m. Francis Mallett. 60. Isaac B. ; m. Ann Tucker; lives in Hartford. 34. Joseph W.. son of Col John and Mehitable Davis, m. Henri- etta Newton of Woodbridge Children: 63. Jonah N. ; m. Bassett ; removed 64. De Witt ; a lawyer of Milwaukee, Wis. West. 65. Joseph Burritt; d. Nov. 4, 1S54. 36. Lewis, son of Col. John and Mehitable Davis, m. Lucinda Per- kins of Oxford. Children : 66. Doct. Henry, of Wallingford ; m. 67. Mary; m. Charles M. Storrs of Sey- Beecher of Bethlehem. mour. 68. Frank ; m. Lane of Oxford. 37. Burritt. son of Col. John and Mehitable Davis, ni. Sarah Electa, dau. of Hiram Osborn of O.xford. Children all living in Owego, N. Y.: 69. Jay; m. Anna Fairchild. 71. Bernard. 70. Sarah ; m. Frederic Cable. DAVIS, Nathan, and Eunice had children : 1. Rachel, b. Apr. 173S. 4. Daniel, 1 b. Mar. 20, 1746. 2. Eunice, b. June 20, 1740. * 5. Joseph, I m. Obedience Sperry of 3. Benjamin, b. Mar. i, 1743. | New Haven. Had Sarah, j b. Aug. 31, 1771. 6. Sarah, b. Oct. 6, 1756. DAVIS, Elias, and Abigail, had child : I. Elizabeth, b. Jan. 12, 1749. Isaac son of Nathan and Martha Davis, died Oct. i, 1781, aged four years. DENMAN, Philip, of Derby, had wife Hasadink. He died Aug. 20, 1698. Children : 1. Mary, b. 1678. 4. Micah, b. 16S4. 2. Elizabeth, b. 16S0. 5. Son. b. Feb. 11, 16S5. 3. Sarah, b. 16S2. 6. Hannah, b. 169S. DEREMORE, Joseph, m. Sarah . Child : I. Eunice, b. Oct. 9, 1763. DE LAMARQUESIE, Bernard, ensign major in the Continental yi8 HISTORY OF DERBY. service, and m. Mary Anne De Lamarquesie. Child : I. Lewis, b. Mar. lo, 1779. DEPLANK, Nicholas. Child : I. Dorcas, b. Feb. 9, 1753. DORM AN, James m. Anna Harger, June 9, 1779. Children : 1. Lucina, b. Aug. 29, 1780. 3. Joel, b. Aug. 3, 1784. 2. " Mamere," b. Sept. 2, 17S2. 4. Alanson, b. Jan. 9, 1787. DOWNS, Abraham, m. Elizabeth . Child: I. Biah, b. Nov. 22, 1761. DUDLEY, JosiAH, m. Sabva Dudley, Jan. 20, 1798 ; came from Fail field county, about 1800, to Derby. Children : 1. Henry, b. Apr. 13, 1799. 3. Sophia,' b. Mar. 27, 1804. 2. Elizabeth, b. Apr. 4, 1801. 1. DURAND, DocT. John, m. in Stratford Elizabeth, dau. of Richard Bryan, and grand dau. of Alexander Bryan, and came to Derby about 1685, his residence being near Edward Wooster's at Derby vil- lage. He possessed considerable property, and his wife inherited quite an estate from her father and grandfather. Children : 2. John, b. Nov. 10, 1700; m. 7. Abigail, b. June 2, 1716; m. Abner 3. Elizabeth, b. July 19, [out]; d. young. Johnson. 4. Noah, b. Aug. 27, 1707 ; m. 8. Elizabeth, b, Feb. 6, 1719 ; m. Joseph 5. Joseph, h. Dec. 20, 1709; m. Johnson, Jr. 6. Samuel, b. July 7, 1713; m. 9. Ebenezer, b. Dec 7, 1724. 2. John, son of Doct. John and Elizabeth (Bryan) Durand. m. Sarah Lum, Nov. 5, 1730, who died, and he m. 2d Sarah Chatfield, June 2, 1747, and died Mar. 8, 1773. Children : 10. Elijah, b. Mar. 17, 1731. 12. Hannah, b. Jan. 8, 1737. 11. Sarah, b. June 3, 1733. By second wife. 13. Jeremiah, b. Aug. 8, 1749; m. Hannah 16. Zerviah, b. Nov. 5. 1756. Trowbridge, Nov. 21, 1772. 17. John, b. Feb. 2, 1758., 14. Elizabeth, b. Feb. 17, 1751. i8.- Susanna, b. Nov. 13, 1760. 15 Nehemiah, b. Dec. 7, 1753- 19. Joseph, b. May 21, 1764 4. Noah, son of Doct. John and Elizabeth (Bryan) Durand, m. Abigail Riggs, Nov. 9, 1732, who died, and he m. 2d Damaris . Children : 20. Mercy, b. Dec. 21, i73-[out]; d. 21. Mercy, b. May S, 174S. 5. Joseph, son of Doct. John and Elizabeth (Bryan) Durand. m. Ann Tomlinson, Apr. 25, 1734- She died Feb. 14, 1778, aged 64. He died Aug. 6, 1792, aged 81. Children : 22. Samuel, b. Feb. 28, 1735. -5- Ann, b. Dec. 3, 1742. 23. Joseph, b. Mar. 28, 1737. 26. Isaac, b. Aug. 14, 1745. 24. Noah, b. May 12, 1740. 27. Eleazer, b. Oct. 5, 1754. 6. Samuel, son of Doct. John and Elizabeth (Bryan) Durand, m. Mary' . Children : 27. Elizabeth, b. July 29, 1743. 29. Ezra, b. Feb. 11, 174S. 28. John, b. 16, 1745. 9. Ebenezer, son of Doct. John and Elizabeth (Bryan) Durand, m. Hannah White, Dec. 17, 1754. Child : 30. Ebenezer, b. Feb. 24, 1755. (.I'.XKAI.OC.IKS. 719 24. Noah, son of Joseph and Ann (Tomlinson) Durand, m. Abigail, dau. of Caleb Tomlinson ; lived on Great Neck and died Apr. 12, 1818. Abigail, his widow, died Nov. 2, 1831. Children : 31. Anna, b. Jan. 4, 1772; m. Lewis 33. Joseph, b. July 17, 1778; m. Hawkins, and d. Nov. 18, 1840. 34. William, b. May 29, 1780; m. 32. Polly, b. July 11, 1775; m. Samuel 35. Samuel, b. July 13, 1783; m. Yale, merchant of Sugar st., son of 36. David, b. May i, 1790; m. Rev. Mr. Yale. She d. Jan. 6, 1S41. 33. Joseph, son of Noah and Ann (Tomlinson) Durand, m. Mar- garet Chamberlain of New York city ; was a tailor and worked at his trade some years, when he returned to his father's home and died, Oct. 12, 1821. 34. William, son of Noah and Ann (Tomlinson) Durand, m. Sarali Ambler of Bethlehem, Conn., a tailor in that town where they lived, and he died Feb., 181 3. 35. Samuel, son of Noah and Ann (Tomlinson) Durand, m. ist Susan Hawkins ; 2d Sally Hawkins, sister of the first wife ; 3d Nancy Beers of Trumbull ; 4th Nancy Bourn of New Bedford. He was a farmer at Bare Plains. He died Feb. 18, 1852. Children : 37. Charles. Twoothers, whose names are mislaid. 38. Sarah; m. George W. Cheeseman. David, son of Noah and Ann (Tomlinson) Durand, m. Maria, dau. of Edmund Leavenworth of Huntington. He lived on his father's homestead on Derby Neck, and died Apr. 30, 1868. Children : 39. William Leavenworth, b. Sept. 2, 1814. 42. Frederic, b. Dec. 19, 1824. 40. Mary E., b. Mar. 19, 1816. 43. Martha A., b. July 23, 1827. 41. Laura Ann, b. July 24, 1820; d. Sept. 44. Albert, b. Aug. 29, 1834; d. June 19, 2, 1827. " 1S36. 39. William L., son of David and Maria (Leavenworth) Durand, m. Ruth Coe, Oct. 7, 1838. Children : 45. Mary, b. Jan. 19, 1840; d. Feb. 27, 47. Cynthia Jane, b. Apr. 22, 1846; d. 1856, aged 16. Feb. 25, 1856, aged 9 years. 46. David Leavenworth, b. Oct. 18,1841; 48. William Frederick, b. Mar. 5, 1859; m. Caroline S. Bishop of Waterbury, is in the U. S. Naval Academy, class Feb. 16, 1869. 1880. DURAND, NoAH 3d,m. Ruth Foot, Aug. 12, 1772. Child: I. Nabby, b. May 5, 1773. DURAND, John, Jr., m. Desire Andrews, Oct. 3, 1769. Child: I. Bryan, b. Apr. 26, 1770, ENGLISH, Clement, m. Ruth Wisebury. Oct. 26, 1752. Children: 1. Naomi, b. June 28, 1753. 5. Benjamin, b. Sept. 24, 1760; d. Dec. 2. Ruth, b. Oct. 22, 1754. 20, 1760. / 3. Clement, b. June 25, 1756. 6. Bienjamin, b. Oct. 28, 1761. 4. Henry, b. Dec. 7, 1757. 7. David, b. June 25, 1765. FAIRCHILD, Abiel and wife Lois, and probably some family came to Derby before 1750. It was probably he who m. Mrs. Mary Peck, May 10, 1757. Several of their children were' probably born before the family came to Derby. Children : 1. Ebenezer, b. Mar. 10, 1747 ; d. Sept. 8, 3. Lois ; d. Dec. 9, 1755. 1 75 1. 4- Agur; d. Nov. 26, 1755. 2. David, b. July 14, 1750. 5. Nehemiah; d. Sept. 8, 17 51. 720 HISTORY OF DERBY. FAIRCHILD, Nathan, may have been a son of Abiel. He m. ist Ruth, dau. of Capt. James Wheeler. July 23, 1761, who died Sept. 22, 1764, aged 21 ; m. 2d Lois Bovvers, Apr. 28, 1765. 1. Ruth, b. Aug. 24, 1764; d. Jan. 2, 1765. 3. Ruth, b. Feb. 6, 1768 2. Nathan, b. July 5, 1766. FAJRCHILD, Abiel, perhaps son of Abiel and Lois Fairchild, m. Zerviah, dau. of Bennajah Johnson. Sept. 3, 1761, who died May 29, 1816, aged 77. 1. Hannah, b. Mar. 21, 1763. 3. Sarah, b. May 10, 1775. 2. Molly. 1). Nov, g, 1770. 4. John, b. Apr. 11, 1777. FAIRCHILD, Abiel, m. Hannah Chatfield, F'eb. 23, 1757, who died Apr. 5, 1760. FAIRCHILD, Joseph, m. Hannah Wheeler, Nov. 9, 1780. 1. Hilly, / 1 A o 2. Chloe,r-^"g- ^3.1781. 1. FRENCH, William, came in the Defence, from London, in 1635, with his wife Elizabeth, his eldest child Francis, aged ten years, and three other children, down to the baby, four months old, all from Essex, England, as shown by the record in the Custom-House William French was one of the original settlers of the beautiful town of Bil- lerica, eighteen miles north of Boston, where he died aged 78, having had ten children born in America. He was the author of the famous tract entitled " Strength out of Weakness," published in London and re printed by the Boston Historical Society. He held many offices of trust, showing that much confidence was placed in him when to hold office was to bear great responsibility. 2. Francis, son of William French, came to Milford, probably in 1650, with Edward Wooster, who may have been his brother-in-law, and settled in Derby with Wooster in 1654, being then twenty nine years of age. Here he continued, working to establish his home in the wilderness, until 1661, when, on April loth, he married Lydia Bunnell, of Milford, and brought her to his home ; which constituted \\\& third ox Joiirth family in the plantation It is uncertain whether Thomas Langdon was at Paugasuck at that time ; the two who were there being Edward Wooster and Edward Kiggs. His house was lo- cated on the hill east of the old Jonathan Jackson farm, near Merritt Clark's, who now owns most of the old farm, which remained in the family until some time in the present century. Here on the hill he toiled to clear the forests to make the beautiful fields as they now ap- pear on that western slope. His almost solitary axe sounded over the spreading valley to the opposite hills, several years when scarcely another sound of the kind could be heard across the whole amphi- theatre, which is now become a marvelous wonder of life and business. How lonely then, yet how grand the mighty forests stood, covering all those beautiful hdls; but how magic-like the change to the present animated theatre of gayety, refinement, riches and enjoyment, as well as marvelous skill of toil and inaustry. No prophetic poet could have pictured to Francis French and his bride, in his new home, a hun- dredth part of the royalty of useful learning, art and skilled science that should, within two hundred years, sit in the valley at their feet and touch with the thrill of business life the utmost ends of the earth. (;;i:NK.\rx)(.n:s. 721 The gold of India, China, Japan and the isLinds of the sea springs into life at the skilled movement of the ready hands of the people of this beautiful valley. Francis French did his work faithfully and manfully, without show or public notoriety, and left the stage of action Feb 14, 169 1, aged 66 years. His widow Lydia continued some years the care of those committed to her love, and departed this life April i, 1708 Children : 3. Lydia, b. Aug. 21, 1662; d. young. Lay 8, 31. Bowers, born Julv 5, 1757. T75r. 32. Enoch, b. May 19, 1760. ^T,. Charles, b. Dec. 19, 1765. 19. NdAH, son of Samuel and Martha (Chapman) French, m. Han- nah Riggs, June 12, 1755 He d Jan. 7, 1781. Children: 34. Francis, b. May 2r, 1757. 39. Noah, b. Jan 14, 1767. 35. Betty, b. Feb. 14, 1759; d. May 5, 40. Lucy, b. July 4, 1769. 1765. 41. ^arah, b. Oct. 24, 1771. 36. Samuel, b. Oct. 26, 1760. 42. Joseph, b. Sept. 21, 1774. 37. J'lhn, b. Sept. 17, 1762. .^3, Lewis, b. Feb. 12, T777. 38. Hannah, b. Jan. 18, 1765. 4.^. Betty, b. P"eb. 19, 1778. 26. Davii), son of Israel and Sarah (Loveland) French, m Lois Lines, of Bethany; resided on Nyumpji's Hill, but remo\ed into the north part of Woodbridge. Children : 45. David. 51. ILannah. 46. Adonijah. 52. Dorcas. 47. Luther (of P>eacon Hill). 53. Hepzibah. 48. Asaph. 54. Lydia. 49. Harry. 55. Lois. 50. Sarah. 91 722 HLSTOKV OF DERliV. 32. Enoch, son of Israel and Sarah (Lovelaod) French, m. Comfort and d. Sept. 27, 1852. Children : 51. William, b. Sept. 29, 1783; d. Oct. 54. Pamelia, b. Sept. 16, 1799; m. Isaac 16, 1823. Bassett, Sept 8, 1822. 52. Nancy, b. Dec. 22, 1785; m. William 55. Enoch, Ijorn Jan. 8, 1803; d. May 12, Bassett, Jan. 29, 1811. 1824. q-j. Bird, b. Oct, 1797, of Salisburv. 56. Israel, b. Jan. 29, 1805; m. Caroline Tolls, Feb. 8, 1S29. 33. Charles, son of Israel and Sarah (Loveland) French, m. Anna Woodcock, of Milford, Feb. 25, 1784, who d. Dec. 24, 1859. He d. April 14, 1814 Children : 57. Sally, b. Nov. 14, 1784; m. Erastus 62. Alfred, b. Aug. 22, 1794; m. Lydia Sperry. Hotchkiss. 58. Polly, b. Oct. 26. 1786; d. Nov. 11, 63. Grant, b. July 28, 1796. 1794. 64. Polly, b. Aug. 28, 179S; m. Joseph 59. Wales, b. Oct. 12, 1788; m. Betsey Russell. Hitchcock. 65. Susan, b. July 28, 1800. 60. Grant, b. Oct. 13, 1790; d. Sept. 29, 66. Harriet, b. Mar. 20, 1803; d. May 5, 1794. 1804. 61. Raymond, born July 29, 1792; d. 67. Raymond, b. Jan. 7, 1805. Sept. 27, 1794. 68. Charles, b. Oct. i, 1807 ; m. Julia Sperry. 45. David, Jr., son of David and Lois (Lines) French, m. . Children : 69. Stiles (of New Haven). 73. Eliza; m. John Sanford. 70. Charles. 74- Hannah; m. Doolittle, in Hani- 71. Hannah; m. Sheldon Clark. den. 72. Emma; m. Joel White, of Oxford. 46 Adonijah, son of David and Lois (Lines) French. Was a jus- tice of the peace and representative of Woodbridge. Children : 75. Adonijah, b. 77- Lois. 76. Miles. 78. Harriet; m. Jared R.Ford. 67. Raymond, son ofXharles and Anna (Woodcock) French; m. Olive Curtiss, Dec. 11, 1I33. Children : 79. Carlos; m. Julia H. Thompson, of 81. Sarah; m. W. B. Stoddard (Judge) New Milford. of New Haven. 80. Ann; m. Cornelius W. James, of 82. Harriet; m. Samuel H. Canfield, of Seymour. Seymour. FRENCH, Nathan j m. Lucy Johnson, Sept. 2, 1773. Children: I. Eunice, b. May 8, 1775. 2. Asa, b. Mar. 26, 1777. FRENCH, Francis; m. Olive Camp, Dec 19, 1779. Child: I. Susannah, b. Oct. 3, 1780. FOX, Benjamin ; m Esther Chatfield Apr. 9, 1754. Children: t. Huldah, b. July 14, 1756. 2. Amos, b. Nov. 30, 1758. GILLETT, Ephraim, son of Eliphalet of Milford, came to Derby and m. Persis, dau. of David Wooster, Apr. 2, 1724. In Feb. 1728, his father Eliphalet and mother Mary deeded to him several pieces of land in Derby as a gift. Children : 1. Ephraim, b. Jan. 8, 1725. 4. Mary, b. Mar. 11, 1732. 2. David Wooster, b. Mar. 21, 1727. 5. Joseph, j ^ . ^ 3. Freelove, b. Aug. 10, 1729. 6. Benjamin, ( ' "' '' ''^'^' GRACY, Capt. Ebenezer ; m. Betty — — . He bought June 23, fiF.NEALOGIES. 723 1767, a piece of land of Henry Whitney C^i2o) " containinjj tliirty- six rods, with a dwelling house thereon.'' Hence he was among tiie first settlers at Derby Narrows. He was a sea captain. GRIFFIN, Charles ; m. Catharine Wisebur}^, Dec. 4, 1751. Child : 1. Catharine, b. Dec. 30, 1753. I. GUNN, Jasper of Roxbury, Mass.; came in the Defence in 1635, aged 29 ; was a freeman in 1636 ; a physician in Hartford some time, and after 1657 removed to Milford, Conn. He died in 1670. Chil- dren : 2. Mehitable ; ni. Fenn , 5. IJaniel. 3. fobamah. 6. Samuel. 4. Abel. 4. Abel, son of Jasper Gunn ; m. Mary, daughter of John Smith of Milford, Oct. 29, 1667. She was the third bride that settled in Derby. Her father, one of the ten original purcha.sers of Derby land, gave her and her husband his right in Derby lands in 1668. He was the first town clerk, beginning his record in 1665-6, and continuing it until near 1690. He had no children and gave all his property and lands in Derby to his nephew Abel Gunn, son of Jobamah, which will the town confirmed by vote in 1709 7. Serg. Abel Gunn. called Jr., the heir to his uncle's property, came to Derby and m Agnes, youngest dau. of Joseph Hawkins, May 24, 1704. He died Feb. 26, 1721. Children: 8. Abel, b. May 7 [out]. 11. Sarah, b. Apr. 3, 1713; ni. John 9. Abigail, b. Sept. 16, 1707; m. John Wa.shbon. Holbrook. 12. Enos, b. Aug. 8, 1715. 10 Nathaniel, b. Sept. r, 1709; m. \ 8. Capt. Abel, son of Serg. Abel and Agnes (Hawkins) Gunn ; m. ist Hannah Harger, Aug. 2, 1727, who died Mar. 13, 1758. and he m. 2d Hannah French, who died Jan. 24, 1781, aged 65. ,He died Sept. 15, 1769. Children : 13. Abel, b. July 29, 1735; ^^- Mar. 14, 17. Hannah, b. Oct. 8, 1744. 1738. 18. Abel, b. Jan. 15, 1747. 14. Hannah, b Jan. 28, 1737; d. Mar. 2, i73«- 15. Enos, ) b. Apr. 20, 1738; d. Se])t. > 16, 1767, aged 29. 16. Agnes, ) m. Josiah Nettleton. 10. Nathaniel, son of Serg. Abel and Agnes (Hawkins) Gunn ; m Sarah Wheeler, Dec. 10, 1728. 19. Mary, b. Jan. 12, 1730. 20 Sarah, b. Feb. 15, 17 — [out]. GUNN, Abel, of Waterbury ; m. Abigail Davis, Dec 2, 1756. Child : I. Sarah, b. Sept. 5, 1757. HALE, Abraham; m. Martha Smith, Mar 3, 1756. Children : I. Beman, b. Oct. i, 1757. 2. Hannah, b. July 28, 1759. HALE, Samuel; m. Anne Pierce, Nov. 23, 1757. Child: I. Elisha, b. Oct. 15, 1757. HALLOCK, Peter, the ancestor of those of that name in this country, was one of thirteen pilgrim fathers, including the Rev. John 724 HISTOKY OF DERBY. Youngs, who came from England in 1640, and landed at New Haven. There on the 21st of October, 1640, the Rev. Mr Youngs "'gathered his church anew " under the auspices of the Rev John Davenport, minister, and Theophilus Eaton, governor of New Haven, and in the sime autumn Mr. Youngs and his church, consisting of 12 or 13 families took up their abode in Southold, then comprising the whole nordieastern part of Long Island, landing at the harbor of what is now Southold village, on the Peconic bay, where as a church and town they retained their connection with the New Haven Colony until 1662, and with Connecticut until 1674. Peter Hallock, was the first of the thirteen who stepped on shore at Southold, that part of the village being still called" Hallock's Neck " and the beach extending from it " Hallock's Beach " 'J he tract of land called Oyster Ponds, now called Orient, was purchased from the Indians by him. He then returned to England for his wife who when he married her was a widow with one son by a former husband, a Mr Howell, whom he promised if she accompanied him, her son should share in his property. When he retuned he found the Indians had resold Orient, and he then purchased, about ten miles west of Southold village, a farm extending from Long Island Sound on the north to Peconic Bay on the south, and extending west into Aque- bogue, about ten miles west of Mattatuck village. His original homestead and that of his wife's son Howell were on adjacent lots and are still (or were in 1863) occupied by their descend- ants, B L. Hallock and S. Howell. Peter Hallock had one son William who died in 1684, leaving four sons : Thomas, Peter, William H. and John Of these John had four sons, one of whom, William, died at Brookhaven (Stony Brook near Setawket) in 1765. His son Wdliam, born in 1722. lived many years in Stony .Brook, was in Greenwich during most of the Revolutionary war, in which he suffered much, in command of picket boats on the Sound. His daughter Anne (Mrs Lodowick Hackstaff) died in 1806, aged 83, and one of his three sons, William, Jr , was five years a vol- unteer in the Revolutionary army, and one year a prisoner in the old Sugar House, New York. His third son was the late Zephaniah Hal- lock, ship builder in Derby. HARD. Samuel, m. Elizabeth. Child : 1. James, b. Jan. i, 1695. HARD, James, on Dec. 15, 1707, petitioned the town for ten acres of land above Eight-Mile brook. T. HARGER, Jabez. was at Stratford, and m. Margaret, dau. of Henry Tomlinson in 1662, and settled in Derby in 1669, on Sentinel Hill east of Edward Riggs's residence. He died in 1678. His widow Margaret died Mar. 17, 1698. Children: 2. Samuel, b. Sept. 29, 1663. 6. Abigail, b. Mar. 2, 1671. 3. Sarah, b. Feb. 5, 1666. 7. Mary b. Mar., 1673. 4. Anna, b. Feb. 23, 166S ; m. John Chat- 8. Ebenezer, b. Dec. 25, 1674. field. 9. Abraham, b. Apr, i, 1677. 5. Mary, b. Feb. 17, 1670. 10. Jabez (posthumous). GEXEALOGIF.S. 725 2. Samuel, son of Jabcz and Mar<:aret Harger m. Hannah Stiles of Stratford. May 9, 1693, and died about 1699 ; and his widow m. John Tibbals, Mar. 28. 1700. Children: II. Joseph, b. Apr. 20, 1694; d. voung;. 12. Margaret, b. Dec. 6, 1695; m- Joseph Johnson. 13. Samuel, b. Sept. 27, 1698; d. young. 8. F.BENEZKR. son of Jabez and Margaret (TomUnson) Harger, m. Abigail, dau. of John Tibbals, Sept. 15, 1698. Children : 14. Joseph, b. Oct. 13, 1704; d. Dec. 27. 16. John, b. Sept. 22, 171 1 ; m. 1705. 17. Jo.'^eph, b. Nov. 3, 1712; d. Aug. 6, 15. Ebenezer, b. Feb. 11, 1707. 1714- 9. Abrah.am, son of Jabez and Margaret (Tomlinson) Harger, m. Hannah, dau. of Serg. Samuel Riggs, May i, 1703. The births of several of his children were recorded in Stratford. Children : 18. Abigail, b. July 2, 1706. 20. Jabez, b. May iS, 1711. 19. Hannah, b. May u, 1709; m, Capt. 2t. "Edward, b. SVpt. 14, 1714. Abel Gunn. ' 22 Sarah, b. Aug. 4, 17 16. 10. Jabez, son of Jabez and Margaret (Tomlinson) Harger, m. ist Ann Gilbert of Stratford, Jan. 24. 1705 ; and 2d Anna, dau. of John Tibbals. Children : 23. Ann, b. Sept. 25, 1708. 27. Samuel, b. Mar. 11, 1723; m. 24. Benjamin, b. Apr. 24, 1715. 28. Margaret, b. Apr. 23, 1725. 25. Jehoadan, b. Mar. 11, 1718; m. IJen- 29. Eliz.ibeth, b. Dec. 30, 1729. jamin Tom inson. 30. Jabez, b. Feb. 24, 1731. 26. Comfort, b. Sept. 10, 1720; m. Eliph- alet Hotchkiss. 16. John, son of Ebenezer and Abigail (Tibbals) Harger, m. Rachel Stevens, Dec. 14, 1734. Children: 31. Abigail, b. Sept. 13, 1735; d. young. 2i3- Abigail, b. May 11, 1739. 32. John, b. June 6, 1737. 27. Samuel, son of Jabez and Anna (Tibbals) Harger, m. istPhebe Vv'ooster, Dec. 9, 1747 ; m. 2d Rebecca . Children: 34. Ebenezer, b. Mar. 2, 1748. 37. Anna, b. May 30, 1760. 35. Edward, b. Feb. 15, 1750. 38. Naomi, b. June 13, 1767. 36. Patience, b. May 20, 1754. 39. Philo, b. Sept. 16, 1769. 30. Jabez, son of Jabez and Anna (Tibbals) Harger, m. Sarah Du- rand, Jan. 24, 1758. Children : 40 Sarah, b. Aug. 5, 1760. 42. Jabez, b. Nov. 22, 1766. 41. Elizabeth, b. July 14, 1764. 35. Edward, son of Samuel Harger, m. Susannah Dickinson of Stratford, .Aug. 16, 1780. Child: 43. Eber b. Aug. 31, 17S1. HARGER, Ephraim, perhaps son of Abraham (No. 9"); m. Mary Humphrey, June 5, 1735. She may have been the dau. of Capt. James Humphrey of Milford and of Derby. Children : 1. Abraham, b. Sept. 14, 1735. 5- Abraham, b. Oct 26, 1745; m. Mary 2. Sarah, b. Dec. 24, 1739. Clinton of New Haven, Sept 25, 3. Margaret, b. Nov. 26, 1741. 1766. 4. Benjamin, b. Dec. 22, 1743. 726 HISTORY OF DERBY. 4. Benjamin, son of Ephraim and Mary Harger, m. Amy Tuttle, July 4, 1768, and died Mar. 15, 1779. Children : 6. Benjamin, b. Jan. 12, 1769. 9. Lucina, b. Sept. 17, 1776; d. July 4, 7. Sarah, b. Jan. 23, 1771. 1778. 8. Ephraim, b. May 23, 1774. 10. Jo.seph, b. Apr. 19, 1779. HARGER, Jonas, m. Elizabeth . Child : I. Ruth, b. Feb. 10, 1704. HARGER, JosiAH, m. Sarah . Child : 1. David, b. Apr. 9, 1767. HARRIS, John. m. Rachel Moss, Feb. 5, 1740. I. Timothy, b. Oct. 6, 1742. 2. John, b. Mar. 5, 1745. 1. HAWKINS, Robert, came from England in the •' Elizabeth and Ann " in 1635 2. Joseph, his son, said to have been born at Milford in 1642, was jjrobably the Joseph who m Apr 8, 1668. and settled at that time on Birmingham Point. He with John Brown bought the Point, about 40 acres, of Alexander Bryan, June 5. 1665, but Brown soon after removed to Newark, N J. About the time of his marriage Mr Hawkins received a grant of land from the town, lying north of and adjoining to this pur- chase ; the northern boundary of which crossed the Neck from about where the Ousatonic dam now is eastward, a little north of what is now known as the old Hawkins house, and down that little brook to the Naugatuck river. Mr. Hawkins probably resided at first in a house on the Point, built by Thomas Wheeler of Stratford, and afterwards built a house where now the old Hawkins house stands, on Hawkins street, where he died in 1682. When Mr. Hawkins made tlie purchase on the Point, he is said to be " of Stratford." Who his wife was is not known. Ebenezer Johnson (the first), in a deed, calls Joseph Hawkins his brother, and the supposition is that he was brother-in-law by mar- riage, but how is not certain. Children : 3. Joseph, b. Feb. 14, 1669. 7. Mary, b. June 10, 1677. 4. Ele.izer, b. Dec. 12, 1670. 8. John,b. Sept. 28,1679 ; d. Dec. 9,1691. 5. Abigail, b. Feb. 2, 1672. 9. Lois, ) b. Nov. 6, i6[8i]. 6. Robert, b. July 4, 1675 ; d. July, 1675. '°- Agnes, ) m. Abel Gunn 2d. 3. Joseph, Jr., son of Joseph Hawkins, Jr., m Elizabeth Gunn of Millord, Aug. 9, 1693. and resided on his father's homestead. His will was dated Apr. 21, 1732, in which he mentions his warehouse, giving it to his grandson Joseph, son of Joseph. Children : II. Elizabeth, b. Apr. 11, 1694; m. 17. Moses, b. Aug. 2, 1703. Monsun. 18. Daniel, b. Mar. 9, 17 — [out]. 12. Sarah, D. May 23, 1695 ' ^- ^9- Eleazer, b. Nov. 27, 1706. Wooster. 20. John, b, July 5, 1710. 13. Joseph, b. Jan. i, 1697. 21. Miriam, b. Dec. 5, 1712. 14. Abigail, b. July 31, 169S ; m. 22. Zechaiiah, b. Feb. S, 1717. Smith. 23. Hannah ; mentioned in her father's 15. Mary, b. Apr. i, 1700. will. 16. Eleazer, b. May 30, 1701 ; d. June 7, 1702. 13 Joseph, 3D, son of Joseph 2d and Elizabeth Gunn) Hawkins, m. Sarah Brewster, Nov 17, 1720. He died and his widow m. Bena- jah Johnson. Children : GE.XEALOGlIiS. 72/ 23. Mary, b. Sept. 5, 1721 ; m. Ebeoe/er 24. Joseph, b. Apr. 30, 1724. Judd of Waterbury, Nov. 17, 1742, and had eight sons. 17 Capt. Moses, son of Joseph 2d and Elizabeth (Giinn) Hawkins, m. Ann , who died a v^idow May 9, 1782, aged 77. He died Sept. 10, 1760 (the day his grandson Isaac was born), aged 57. Children : 25. Abraham. 31. Anna, b. Feb. 4, 1738. 26. Sarah, b. Feb. ii, 1727. 32. Moses, b. Dec. 19, 1739; d. Dec. 29, 27. Eli, b. Apr. 21, 1729. i739- 28. Ann, b. Aug. i, 1731. 23- Moses, b. Feb. 14, 1741 ; d. Jan. 6, 29. Eliezer, b. (_)ct. 5, 1733. 1742. 30. Birtha, b. Dec. 20, 1735; ^- ^ept. 30, 34. Decline, b. Feb. 26, 1743. 1751- 35. Eunice, b. June 14, 1750. 18. Daniel, son of Joseph 2d and Elizabeth (Gunn) Hawkins, m. Anne, dau. of Timothy VVooster, Jan. 6, 1726, and died before 1732 Child : 36. Daniel, b. Apr. 3, 1727. 19. Eleazer, son of Joseph 2d and Elizabeth (Gunn) Hawkins, m. Damaris, dau. of 'iimothy Wooster, Dec. 13, 1727. Children: 37. Lois, b. July 5, 172S. 38. Robert, b. Oct. 15, 1729. 20. John, son of Joseph 2d and Elizabeth (Gunn) Hawkins, m. Hannah Davis, Nov. 29, 1733. Children : 39. Elijah, b. Nov. 8, 1734. 40. Elizabeth, b. Feb. 14, 1736. 22. Zechariah, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Gunn) Hawkins, m. 1st Sarah Davis. July 6, 1737, who died, and he m. 2d Sarah Tonilin- son June 31, 1743, who died, and he m. 3d Mary , who died Aug. 18, 1773, and hem. 4th Mrs. Rachel Perry, Feb. 16, 1774, who died July 26, 1786. He died in 1807, aged 90; lived in Quaker's Farm. Children : 41. Sarah, b. Aug. I2, 1739. 48. Gaylord, b. Apr. 2, 1752. 42. Mercy,!). June 26, 1740. 49. Ruth, b. June 22, 1754. 43. Mary, b. May 7, 1744. 50. Silas, b. Sept. 22, 1756. •^^- l'v"\ .u ! I5- Tan. 10, 1746. 5'- Joseph, b. July 26, 1759- 45. Elizabeth, \ -' ' '^ 52. Moses, b. Aug. 12, 1761. 46. Elijah, b. Feb. 2, 1748. 53. Isaac, b. June 26, 1764. 47. Army, b. Apr. 4, 175:. 54. Zechariah, b. Apr. 14, 1777. 24 Joseph, son of Joseph and Sarah (Brewster) Hawkins, m. Mercy Riggs, Jan. 3, 1750. Children: 55. Mercy, b. Aug. 21, T750; d. Sept. 19, 1750- 25. Abraham, son of Capt. Moses and Ann Hawkins, m. Elizabeth Bassett, Apr. 20, 1748, who died Aug 9, 1789, aged 6i. He died Apr. 10, 1760. Children: :;6. Mo.ses. b. May i, 1749; d. young. 60. .Abraham, b. i, 1758; m. 57. Betty, b. Feb. 3, 1751 ; m. Marks, 6r. Isaac, b. Apr. 10, 1760 ; m. and removed to St. Stephens, where 62. David, b. Feb. 11, 1763. she was in 1792. 63. Naomi, b. Apr. 26, 1765; m. Levi 58. Ann, b. Mar. 23, 1753; d. .Mar. 16, Smith; removed to New Milford. 1766. . ''m- Ann, b. Sept. 6, 1768; m. Emmons 59. Bethia, h. .A^ug. 25, 1755; m. Philo Scranton ; d. June 23, 1843. Johnson. 728 HISTORY OF DERBY. 61. Isaac, son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Bassett) Hawkins, m. ist Sarah Morse, who died, and he m 2d Anne Leavenworth, Apr. 23, 1783. Children : 65. Nancy, b. Jan- 26, 1784; d. Aug. 29, 69. Sophia, b. Apr. 10, 1791 ; d. Dec. 2, 1854. " 1871. 66. Nabbv, b. Oct. 24, 1786; d. July 2, 70. Maria, b. Nov. 25, 1794; d. Aug. 30, 1787.' 1859. 67. Isaac, b. Aug. 24, 1787; d. Jan. 2, 71. Abijahjb. Sept. 14, 1799 ; still living. 1846. 68. Betsev, b. June 17, 17S9; d. Nov. i, 1876.' 62. David, son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Bassett) Hawkins, m Hannah Durand, b. July 12, 1791. He died July 11, 1814, aged 52. Children : 72. Truman. 74. Abram. 73. Hannah. 75. David. 74. Abram, son of David and Hannah Durand Hawkins, m. Chloe Tuttle Children : 76. Abram, b. Nov. 16, 1810. 79. William, b. July 6, i8i6. 77. Susan, b. Sept. 24, 1812; ni. James 80. Moses, b. Dec. 3, 1818. Weeks. 81. Thomas W , b. Dec. 26, 1820. 78. David, b. July 4, 1814. Hawkins, Zadoc, m. ist Lydia Wilmot, Aug. 4, 1754 ; 2d Elizabeth Child : I. Thomas, b. Oct. 11, 1771. HAWKINS, Lieut. Samuel m. Sarah Smith, Mar. 16, 1758. Chil- dren : I. Claranah, b. Oct. 19, 1759. 2. Edward, b. Aug. 6, 1760. HAWKINS, Eleazer, m. Ruth Botsford, Jan. 7, 1762. Child : I. Samuel, b. June 4, 1762. HAWKINS, Mr. Joseph, died May 31, 1767. HAZELTON, Samuel, m. Abigail Chatfield, Sept. 16, 1755. I. Lydia, b. Mar. 22, 1756. 2. David, b. May 17, 1757. HEWISON, Samuel, m Hannah and died Feb. 18, 1698. Child : I. Joseph, d. July 30, 1698. HILL, Jonathan, m. Hannah Twitchell, Sept. 19, 17 17. Children : I. Huldah, b. Apr. 28, 1718. 2. Enoch, b. Oct. 13, 1719. HINMAN, Philo, m. Mary, dau. of John Coe, July 20, 1774. Children : 1. John, b. Sept. 16, 1775; m Abigail 3. Mary, b. Aug. 26, 1779. Pool, June 2, 1796. 4. Charity, b. Oct. 30, 1783. 2. Hannah, b. Sept. 13, 1777. HITCHCOCK, Samuel, m. Ann Johnson, Jan. 20, 1747-8. who died Apr. 14, 1760. Children : 1. Samuel, b. June 8, 1750. 3. Mary, b. Mar. J 2, 1760. 2. Elizabeth, b. July u, 1752. HITCHCOCK, David, m Anne Chatfield, May 4, 1774. gf:nealogies. 729 HITCHCOCK, Jonathan, m. Abigail Beecher, Jan. 21, 1747. Children : 1. David, b. Oct. i, 1753. ,v Jonathan, b. Jan. 4, 1761. 2. Mellicent, b. 1760; d. Apr. 2S, 1766. 1. HOLBROOK, John, emigrated from Derby, England, and set- tled at Oyster Bay, Long Island. 2. Dea. Abel, son of John Holbrook, was the first male child born at Oyster Bay, L. I. (in 1653 , and came to Milford, Conn., where he married Anne Meriam (?). Her name on the Derby records is written Hannah. He settled on the farm now known as the " Swift farm " about 1676, ha\ing received a grant of land a little before that date. He kept an ordinary (tavern) several years, and was a prominent citizen in the town. His wife Hannah died Oct. 20, 1740, aged 72, and he died May 30, 1747, in his 94th jear. Children : 3. Abel. 6. Israel, d. Mar. 11, 1693. 4. Daniel. 7. Abigail, b. Nov. 25, 1694, d. May 5, 5. Richard, b. Dec. 24, 16S4; ni. Esther 1709. Nichols, June 9,. 1708. S. John, b. Oct. 19, 1699. 3. Abel, Jr., son of Dea. Abel and Hannah Holbrook ; m. Tabitha Wooster, Jan. 29, 1723. Children: 9. Abel, b. July 28, 1723. ii. Nathaniel, b. Aug. 15, 1729. ID. Richard, b. Feb. 16, i7.?6. 12. Daniel b. Apr. 8, 1733. 4. Daniel, son of Dea. Abel and Hannah Holbrook ; m. Elizabeth Riggs, Jan. 22, 1729, and resided on his father's homestead. Chil- dren : 13. Samuel, b. Feb. 6, 1733; '^- Dec. 29, 15. Ruth, b. Oct. 19, 1737. 1752. 16. Ann, b. Feb. 16, 1739. 14. Elizabeth, b. Aug. 3, 1735. '7- Daniel, b. Sept. 21, 1747. 5. Richard, son of Dea. Abel and Hannah Holbrook ; m. Esther Nichols June 9, 1708. He died May 3, 1709, aged 25. bhe died- Nov. 23, 1712. 8. John, son of Dea. Abel and Hannah Holbrook; m. Abigail, dau. of Serg. Abel Gunn of Derby Aug. 27, 1723 His residence was adjoining the old Episcopal grave-yard. He and his wife Abigail gave the ground for 'this grave-yard and the site for the first Episcopal church. He was one of the reliable, successful men of his day and died June 5, 1752, aged 52 years. Hence there is an error on page 195 of this book, in which it is stated that he withdrew from the Epis- copal church at the beginning of the Revolution. It must have been his son, who was the Capt. John complained of by Dr. Mansfield, as given in Dr. E. E. Beardsley's History of the Episcopal Church in Conn. Children : 18. John, b. Aug 12, 1726. 19. Abigail, b. July 27, 1729; d. June 29, i73«- 17. Dea. Daniel, son of Daniel and Elizabeth Riggs ; m. Anne Hitchcock, Oct. 8, 1766. He was colonel of the mililia. and was very active during the Revolution in support of the war. Children : 92 730 HISTORY OF DERBY. 20. Melissa, b. June 28, 1767; m.; had no 25. Ruth, bapt. Mar., 1779. family. -6. David, bapt. Mar. 18, 1781. 21. Daniel, b. Apr. 30, 1769. 27. Mabel, bapt. Apr. 20, 1783. 22. Samuel, bapt. Mar. 24, 1771. 28. Josiah b. in 1788. 23. Betty, bapt. Dec. 6, 1772. Six others. 24. Nabby, bapt. May 4, 1777. 18. Capt John, Jr., son of John and Abigail Holbrook; m. Esther Nichols of Newtown, Nov. 4. 1750, and resided on his father's home- stead adjoining the Kpiscopal b'uryingground until his denth Jan. 28, 1801, aged 74. His wife died Feb. 5, 1795, aged 63. Children : 29. John, b. Oct. 2, 1751 ; d. Aug. 7, 1752. 38. Austin, b. Nov. 17, 1766; sea capt ; 30. John, b. Mar 13, 1753. went South, m., had family. 31. Abigail, b. Dec. 19, 1754; d. Sept. 39. Ann, b. Jan. 22, 1769; m. Rev. James "Si 1757- Noyes of Wallingford. 32. Philo, b. Nov. 23, 1756. 40. Richard, b. Oct. 29, 1771; d. Oct. 30, 33. Abigail, b Sept. 13,1757. i77i- 34. Nathaniel, b Oct i, 1758. 41. Sarah, b. Mar. 30, 1773; d. Mar. 21, 35. Esther, b. Sept. 18, 1760; m. Zalmon 1786. Curtiss of Newtown. 42. Richard, b. .Aug. i, 1775. 36. Abel, b. Dec. 4, 1762. 37. Abigail, b. Dec. 9, 1764; m. Wilson Hurd. 28. Josiah, son of Dea. Daniel, Jr., and Anne Holbrook ; m. Lucy, dau. of Rev. Z: Swift in 18 15. Children : 43. Alfred, b. Feb. 17, 1816. 44. Dwight. b. Apr. 10, 1S17. 30. Capt. John. (3d) son of Captain John, Jr , and Esther Holbrook, m. HuldahFox of Quaker's Farm ; lived on Great Hill ; was a deacon of the Congregational church ; was a soldier in the Revolution. Chil- dren : 45. John. 48- Hannah. 46. iJenjamin, a sea captain. 49. Abigail. 47. David, a seaman. 32. Philo, son of Capt. John, Jr., and Esther Holbrook, m. Anna Wooster, June 3, 1779 ; resided at Seymour. Children: 50. Sarah, b. Aug. 11, 1780; m. Eben 53. Abijah, b. May 2, 1786; m. Sarah Riggs. Webster; had Thomas, Sarah. 51. Eunice, b. Jan. 15, 1782. 52. Sabra, b. May 2, 1784; m. Titus Beach. 34. Nathaniel, son of Capt. John, Jr., and Esther Holbrook, m. A Ills Davis, Dec. 20, 1778 ; was in the Revolution ; lived and died at Wesquantuck. Children: 54. Dan, b. Mar. 28, 1780. 56. Esther, b. Sept. 7, 1783. 55. Cyrus, b. Jan. i, 1782. 57. Ruth, b. Jan. 29, 1786. 36. Capt Abel, son of Capt. John, Jr., and Esther Holbrook ; was in the Revolution. Children : 58. Thomas Clark. 61. Patty; m. Joseph Piatt. 59. Abel L. 62. Hannah. 60. William ; d. young. 63. Esther A. 42. Richard, son of Capt. John, Jr., and Esther Holbrook, m. ist Sarah Lum, Sept. 13, 1797, who died Nov. 21, 1798 ; he m. 2d Grace Hawkins, Oct. 6, 1799 ; lived on Great Hill ; 3d Rebecca Stoddard. Children : GENEA LOGIES. 73 1 64. Sarah, b. July 30, 1800. 69. Esther. 65. Philo, b. Mar. 12, 1802. 70. Howard. 66. Austin, b. Jan. 21, 1S04. 71. Herbert. 67. Richard, b. Nov. 19, 1805 ; d. Dec. 72. Harriet. I 5, 1806. 73. Carrie. 68. Grace. 43. Alfred, son of Josiah and Lucy Holbrook, m Melissa, dau. of Abiel Pierson of Derby, Mar. 24, 1843. Children : 74. Josiah. 77. Agnes Irene. 75. Recinald Hcber. 78. Anne Lucv. 76. John 1!. 79. Alfred H.' 44. DwiGHT, son of Josiah and Lucy Holbrook ; in Children: 80. Helen. 84 Frederick. 81. Charles W. 85. Lilly. 82. Zephaniah. 86. Dvvight. &2. Lucy. 88. Goodwin. 45. John, son of Capt. John 3d ; m. Betsey Lum. Children : 89. Grace; m. I. Chatfield. 91. Betsey; m. Northrop. 90. Benjamin ; m. Harger. 58. Thomas Clark, son of Capt Abel Holbrook, enlisted in the war of 1812, under Capt VVm. Humphreys ; m. Maria Benham ; is living, being over go years of age. Children : 92. William Elliott; educated in Yale. 94. Noyes B. 93. Charles F. ' ':'-rr.JtJ^lU^' 65. Capt. Philo, son of Richard and Sarah (Lum) Holbrook, m. Children : 95. Andrew. 98. Daniel 96. Philo, I 99. Nehemiah. Daughter, j 100. George. 97. Royal. 97. William E.,son of Thomas C Holbrook, m Esther A. Bennett. Children : loi. Maria Delphine. 102. Mary M. J. HORSKY, Thomas, Capt ; m. Eunice Hawkins, Feb. 12, 1771. "Capt Thomas Horsey d. June 19, 1789, aged about 46. He was the son of Thomas and Margery Horsey^ born at Comb St. Nicholas, in Somersetshire, old England. The father of said Thomas Horsey was the son of Ralph Horse}', of Dungat, in said county ; his mother, Margery, was daughter to Mr. Richard W alter, of Wadford, near said Comb St. Nicholas. The said Comb St. Nicholas is near Chard " Children : 1. Ralph, b. Nov. 27, 1771. 4. .Sarah, b. Oct. 31, 1780. 2. Eunice, b. June 19, 1773. 5. Nancy, b. .Sept. 26, 1782. 3. Samuel William, b. July 8, 1778. 0. Thomas Walter, b. Mar. 10, 1784. I. HOTCHKISS, Pxijah, came to Derby about the time Eliphalet Hotchkiss did. Whose sons they were has not been ascertained. Elijah may have been m when he came. He m. Mehitable Hotchkiss, of New Haven, Nov 11, 1761, and d. Sept. 2, 1806 She d. Mar. 18, 1804, aged 61. Children : 732 HISTORY OF DERBY. I. Leverett, b. Oct. 6, 1762; m. Sarah 4. Elizabeth, b. June 17, 1769; d. Aug. Burritt, Aug. 14, 1785; had " Wyl- 29, 1794, aged 25. lys," b. April 25, 1788. 5. Mehitable, b. July 28, 1772; d. Nov. 4, -,. Phebe, b. April 2, 1764. 1833, aged 6r. 3. Elizabeth, b. Nov. 16, 1766; d. 6. Cyrus, b. Aug. 30, 1777. HOTCHKISS, Dea. Eliphalet, came to Derby and m. Comfort, dau. of Jabez Harger, Jr., Dec 26, 175 1. Settled at North End. He was a carpenter and builder, justice of tlie peace, deacon of the " First Church of Christ," and a prominent man in the business of the town. He was b. in 1727 ; d. July 5, 1803 ; said to have been aged 76. His wife Comfort d. Mar. 11, 1802, aged 82. Children : 1. Susannah, b. Jan. 6, 1753; m. Daniel 4. Moses, b. Dec. 28, 1757; d. May 9, Tomlinson. i799- 2. Levi, b. May 2, 1754. 5. David, b. Dec. 30, 1759; d. Aug. 30, 3. Eliphalet, b. April i, 1756; d Feb. 25, 1776. 1795. 6. Philo, b. Nov. 26, 1761 ; d. June 22, 1787, at sea. 2. Levi, son of Eliphalet and Comfort Hotchkiss, m. 1st Phebe, who d. April 3, 1789; 2d Betsey, who d. April 8, 1791 ; 3d Sarah, who d Dec. i, 1801 ; 4th Susannah Children : 7. Elipha. TO. Phebe; d. Aug. 19, 1873, aged 89. 8. Lucy; d. Aug. 19, 1819, aged 37. u. David. 9. Betsey. 12. Levi. 13. Abbe. 7. Elipha, son of Levi and Phebe Hotchkiss, m Nancy ; d. Sept 21, 1858, aged 81. His wife Nancy d, Nov. 15, 1865, aged 86. Children : 14. William. 15. Albert 16. Mary Ann. 17. Burr. 18. Harriet. 19. Eli. 25. Harvey. HOTCHKISS, John, m Betsey Riggs, Oct. 16, 1796. HOTCHKISS, Daniel, m. Sarah ; had Eliphalet, b. Nov. i, 1727. HOVVD, John, had children : I. John, m. Hannah Smith, Mar. i, 1764. 2. Betty, b. Sept. 6, 1743. Howd, John, ^nd wife had child Hester, b. Mar. 5, 1746 ; and John Howd (probably the same) and wife Nabbe had child Sarah, b. June 4, 1752. There are several considerations which indicate that this was an Indian family, the associate with Chuse. HULL, Richard, came from Derbyshire, Eng., and was made free- man at Dorchester, Mass., in April, 1634, and removed to New Haven, Conn., in 1639. His son John was baptized in 1640. This John the Derby family claim to be their ancestor. Judge Sava;2,e thinks John, the son of Andrew, was the settler in Derby. Richard and Andrew were brothers, so said, and each of them had a son John, apparently, one of these settled in Stratford and Derby, the other settled in Kil- lingworth, and was the surgeon in King Philip's war, instead of John of Derby. 20. John. 21. Phebe. 22. Jane. -3- Hannah. 24. Amelia. GEXEALOOrES. 733 Jo^N, son of Richard Hull, was accepted as a planter at Stratford in 1 66 1, and received grants of lands in 1667 ; and was accepted as an inhabitant at Derby in 1668, receiving a grant of land, but does not appear to have removed his family thither until 1675. He became a prominent man at once in the transactions of the town ; was em- ployed by the town to build the first parsonage house, and also the first corn and flour mill in the town ; built two if not three dwelling houses for himself and his sons ; was on the building committee of the first meeting-house, and probably was the chief director of the work. He acquired considerable landed property with the mill, in the town, all of which, apparently, he gave to his sons John and Joseph in 1696. He removed to Wallingford in 1687, where he received a tract of about seven hundred acres of land from that town, where he is called Doctor, and where he died Dec. 6, 171 1. He m. ist probably at Stratford, but who is not known. He m. 2d Mary Jones. Oct. ig, 1672. She died, and he m. 3d Rebecca Turner, Sept. 20, 1699". Chil- dren : 1. John, b. Mar. 14, 1662. 6. Richard, b. Oct. 16, 1674; removed to 2. Samuel, b. Feb. 4, 1664. Wallingford. 3. Mary, b. Oct. 31, 1666; m. fohn Prin- 7. Ebenezer, b. Mar. 6, 1678 ; removed to die'. " Wallingford. 4. Joseph, b. 1668. 8. Jeremiah, M D., b. Sept. 28, 1679; re- 5. Benjamin, M. D , b. Apr. 10, 1672, at moved to Wallingford. Stratford; m. Elizabeth Andrews of 9. Andrew, b. July 15, 16S5; removed to Wallingford ; was a noted man. Wallingford. I. John, Jr., son of Doct. John HuU'^, m. Hannah Prlndle, proba- bly, and lived a time on the hill near the Riggs farm, but afterwards settled near his mill, back of Ansonia, the place still being known by his name. He was a man of solid worth ; representative, select- man, farmer and miller. He died May 25, 1753, aged 91. Children : 10. Deborah, b. Dec. 29, 1691 ; d. Feb. 15. Mary. 17, 1772; not m. 16. Elijah, b. Mar. 25, 1707 ; d. July 23, 11. John, b. Jan. 9, 1694. 1709. 12. Daniel, b. Mar. 16, 1700. 17. Ebenezer, b. July 8, 1709; d. Jan. 19, 13. Priscilla, b. June 3, 1702. i7-3, being drowned in the Nauga- 14. Miles, b. July 6, 1704. tuck 4. Capt. Joseph, son of Doct. John Hull. m. Jan. 20, 1691, Mary, dau. of Isaac Nichols of Fairfield. She died Apr. 5, 1733, and he m. 2d Hannah I Botsford', widow of John Trindle, Nov. 14, 1735. He lived on the hill a time, near the Riggs farm ; then removed to Up Town; was representative, captain, selectman (appointed 1716^^. and had a large part in the business and responsibilities of the town. He died Oct 5, 1744, aged 75. Children : 18. Samuel, b. Nov. 15, 1692. 23. Mary, b. Sept. 13, 1699; m Timothy 19. Mary, b. Aug. 2, 1693. Russell. 20. Joseph, b. May 28, 1694. 24. Sarah, b. Aug. 13, 1701 ; m. 21. Caleb, b. Feb. 7, 1696; settled in Beach of Stratford. Cheshire. 25. Ahijah, b Dec, 1703. ^ 22. Andrew, b. Jan. 13, 1698. 26. Nathan, b. Nov 26, 1709. "Wallingford History. ■^The name was written with the s, Hulls, 100 vears ago. 734 HISTORY OF DERBY. II John, 3D, son of John Hull, m. Child : 27. John, b Oct. 12. Daniel, son of John Hull, Jr., m. Elizabeth Lum, Mar. 2, 1732. Children : 2S. Daniel, b. Dec. 20, 1734; d. Feb. 8, 32. Ebenezer, b. Dec. 22, 1741 ; d. Jan 173S. 18, 1764. 29. Lemuel, b. Nov. 7, 1735; <^'- Feh. 15, 33. John, b. June 7, 1744. {738. 34. Jeremiah, b. Oct. 22, 1752. 30. Elijah, ) 1 AT o 31. Eliiabeth, p' Nov. 7, 1738- 18. Samuel, son of Capt. Joseph Hull, m. Anna Riggs, Jan. 15, 1724, who died Mar, 22, 1731, aged 26. He resided at Old Town, and was partner in the old Hull's mills. Children : 35. [out], b. Jan. 25, 1725. ^y. Eunice, b. Nov. 19, 1727; m. John 30. Hannah, b. May 11, 1726. Wooster. 38. Ann, d. 20. Joseph. 2D. son of Capt. Joseph and Mary (Nichols) Hull, m. Sarah, dau. of Dea. Daniel Bennett, who resided across the Ousatonic opposite Derby Narrows. This Dea. Bennett was the man who gave a breakfast to Gen. Lafayette and his officers, on Sunday morning, while the latter was marching his army from Rhode Island to join Washington's army at the Highlands. Children : 39. Sarah, b. Sept. 7, 1726. 42. Anna, b. June 9, 1736; m. Rev. Dr. 40. Joseph, b. Feb. 18, 1728. Mansfield. 41. Elizabeth, b. Sept. 18, 1731 ; d. Apr. 16, 1738. 40. Capt. Joseph, 3D, son of Joseph and Sarah (Bennett) Hull, m. Elizabeth, dau. of William Clark, merchant, of Derby, May 3, 1750, who died Jan. 1826, aged 95 years. She was m. three times after the death of Capt. Hull. He died in 1775. His children are thus recorded on the town books. Children : 43. Jo.seph, b. Oct. 27, 1750, at }4 an 46. Elizabeth, b. Jan. .20, 1759, at 3 of hour after three of the clock in the the clock in the morning ; m. morning. Smith of Derby. 44. Wil.iam, b. June 24, 1753, at >^ an 47. Isaac, b. Dec. '28, 1760, at 6 of the hour past five o'clock in the morn- clock in the morning. ing. 48. David, b. Mar. 27, 1765. <■•■ ' 45. Samuel, b. Aug. 5, 1755, at 7 o'clock -;f -49. Sarah, b. Jan. 6, 1769; m. -^ — Gil- in the afternoon. lett.' 50. Levi, b. Apr. 29, 1771 ; d. young. 43. Lieut. Joseph, son of Joseph 3d and Elizabeth (Clark) Hull, entered the army in 1776 as a lieutenant of artillery and was taken pris- oner at the capture of Fort Washington ; was e.vchanged in 1778, after great suffering He died in Jan 1825. His 2d wile was the widow of Silas Nichols, and mother of Rev. Charles Nichols. (See Biog.) Children : 51. Joseph, b. in 1771. 55. Daniel, b. 1784 ; d. in Miss., 1817. 52. Levi, b. in 1773. 56- Henry, b. 1788; d. in Huntington, 53. Isaac, b. Mar. g, 1775. i''^33- 54. William, b. 1781; d. in New York, 57. Charles, b. 1792; d. in New York. 1812. (iEXKALOGIES. 735 44. William, son of Joseph 30! and Elizabeth Hull, ni. Sarah, only dau. of Hon. Abraham Fuller of Newtown, who died .Aug 21, 1826, aged 67. He died Nov 25, 1825. aged 72. (See Biog. ) Children : 5S. Sarah, b. Jan. 29, 17S3; m. John Mc- 62. Rebecca Parker, b. Feb. 7, T790; m. Kessoii of New York. Samuel Clarke of Newton, Alas-^. ; 59. Eliza, b. Jan. 22, 17S4; m. Isaac Mc- had six children, one of them the Lellan ot Portland; had Abraham well known Rev. James Freeman Fuller, b. Mar. 8, 1786; grad. Har- Clarke of Boston, author of a num- vard College, " 1S05 ; studied law; ber of books; another son, Samuel appointed Capt. in 9th Inft. U. .S. C. Clarke, compiled the Hull Gen- A , and was killed at the battle of ealogy. Lundv's Lane, July 25, 1814. 63. Caroline, b. Apr. 30, 1793; ^^- Rufus 60. Ann Binncy, b. June 19, 1787; m. in K. Page, merchant of Hallowell. Me. Detroit, Cai)t. H. H. Hickman. 64. Julia Kno.v, b. 1795; "^- Joseph 61. Maria, b. June 7, 1788; m. Edward Wheeler of Augusta, Ga., merchant. F. Campbell of Augusta, Ga. She wrote an account of her father's service in the Revolution. 45. Lieut. Samuel, son of Joseph 3d and Elizabeth (Clarke) Hull, served as lieutenant in the Revolution. Children : 6:;. Emily; m. Bassett. 6S. William. 66. Harriet; 69. Sophia; m. Moulton. 67. Eliza; m. Waller of Ga. 47. Isaac, son of Joseph 3d and Elizabeth (Clark) Hull. m. Martha Clark ; removed to Canada about 1804, and afterwards removed to Ohio, where he died in 1829, aged 77, and his wife died in 1817, aged 64. Children : 70. David, b. 1771 ; a captain. 75. Ann Eliza. 71. Isaac, b. 1773. 7b. Levi; aid to Gen. Harrison. 72. William. 77. Isaac, b. iSoi. .■J2- Sally. 78. Almira, b. 1803. 74. Lycy. 79. Joseph, b. 1807. 4^. David, son of Joseph 3d and Elizabeth (Clarke) Hull, studied medicine with Doct. Wm Eustis of Boston ; m. the dau. of Andrew Elliot, D. D., of Boston. Nov. 10, 1789 ; settled as a physician in Fair- field, Conn., where he died in 1834, aged 70. Children : 80. Eliza, 81. Susan ; m. John C. Sanford, mer- chant of New York city. 51. Joseph, son of Joseph Hull 4th, studied medicine with his uncle David in Fairfield ; m. Susan Baiton in 1800 ; settled in New York state and died in 1810. Children : 82. Joseph B., b. 1801 ; Capt. U. S. 83. Eliza ; d. in 1859, unm. Navy. 84. Sarah Ann; m. Ira Ufford of Derby. 52. Levi, son of Joseph Hull 4th, m. Mary Wheeler in 181 1 ; died Jan. 23, 1848. Children : 85. Mary Augusta ; m. F. A. Piatt, 1851. 87. William Frederick; d. Aug. i, 1833. 86. Sarah Lucy W. ; m. P. S. Galpin, 1851. 53. LsAAC, son of Joseph Hull 4th, m. in 18 13, Anna Hart of Say- brook, Conn., and died in Veh., 1843, without children. His widow Anna died in Nov. 1874, aged 84 years. (See Biog. of Com Isaac). I. HUMPHREYS, Rev. Daniel, is said to have descended from Simsbury, Conn., but it has been impossible to obtain the precise con- 736 HISTORY OF DERBY. nection. He married the widow of John Bowers, and dau. of Capt. John Riggs, April 18, 1739- (See Biog. of him and his wife.) This family spelled the name with the s, especially did General David. Children : 2. Daniel, b. May 18, 1740. 5. Sarah, b July 29, 174S; m. Rev. S. 3. John, b. Jan. 3, 1744. Mills. (See Biog ). 4. Elijah, b. Apr. 27, 1746. 6. David, b. July 10, 1752. 2. Daniel, son of Rev Daniel and Sarah Humphreys, was graduated at Yale College in 1757, when he was 17 years of age ; became a law- yer and settled in Portsmouth, N. H , where he was state attorney until his age disqualified him for the office. He was a distinguished scholar and wrote a grammar in verse. He acquired the Italian language after having reached the age of 70 years. He died Sept. 30, 1827, aged 87 years. 3. John, son of Rev. Daniel and Sarah Humphreys, m. Rachel Durand, Feb 11, 1773, and resided on his father's homestead for a time, after which his home was the house north of, and adjoining the old Episcopal cemetery. He was a farmer with a large family ; many hired men ; and his wife was celebrated for efficiency, and success as a housekeeper A four pail iron kettle filled with corned beef, pork, potatoes and turnips, was boiled every day for forty years, Sundays excepted. His children's names are given as written on the town records. Children : 7. John, b. Feb. 11, 1774 ; d. in 1826; a 11.. Anne, b. Dec. 9, 1781 ; d. in 1875, ^^ lawyer. Erie, Penn. 8. Sally, b. Apr. 19, 1775; <^- i^i 1812. 12. Susy, b. Dec. 24, 1783; d. in 1810. 9. Polly, b. Feb. i, 1777 ; d. in 1S4S, at 13. David, b. Jan. 28, 1786; d. in 1814. Erie, Penn. 14. Billy, b. May 16, 1788; d. in 1877, at 10. Daniel, b. May 4, 1779; d. in 1807. Ashtabula, Ohio. 4. Elijah, son of Rev Daniel and Sarah Humphreys, m. Anna, dau. of Rev. Dr. Mansfield, Oct 22, 1774. He died July 2, 1785. (See Biog.) Children : 15. Anna, b. Sept. 14, 1775; d. in 1850, 18. Betsey, b. Oct. 10, 1781 ; d. in 1864. in Illinois. 19. David, b. Feb. 26, 1784; d. in 1809, 16. Sally, b, Dec. 22, 1777; d. in 1865. at New Orleans. 17. Elijah, b. Oct. 12, 1779; d. in i834in New York city. I. HUMPHREY, James, was in Derby as early as 1710, and was "felt maker," or hatter at the 'north end" or on Beaver Brook, back of Ansonia. He came, probably, from Milford. What relative he was to Rev. Daniel Humphreys is not known Children : 2. Samuel, b. Dec. 24, 1711 ; m. Susannah 4. Mary, b. Dec. 10, 1716. Thomasof Woodbury, Aug. 18, 1735. 5. Sarah, b. Aug. i, 1719. 3. James, b. Nov. 10, 17 15. 3. James, son of James Humphreys, Sr., m. Submit Stevens, Mar. 15, 1750. Children: 6. Mary, b. Dec. 23, 1750. 8. Samuel, b. May 8, 1755. 7. James, b. Dec. 10, 1752. 9. John, b. Mar. 25, 1761. HUMPHREYVILLE, Eliphalet, m. Martha . Children : I. Sarah, b. Oct. i, 1764. 2. " Nabbe," b. Aug. 4, 1766. GENEALOGIES. 737 HURD, Wilson, was born in Monroe, Fairfield county, Conn , Feb. 8, 1763 ; was a soldier in the Revolution, and after the war came to Derby, where he married, Oct. 25, 1789, Abigail, dau. of Capt. John Holbrook. He was a mason by trade ; represented the town in the Legislature and held other offices. He died Mar. 2, 1853, aged 91. Children : I. Austin, b. Apr. 17, 1792. 2. Daughter; m. Dr. Clark Nettleton ; lives in Wisconsin. I. AUSTIN, son of Wilson and Abigail Holbrook Hurd. Children : 3. Jabez. 4. Esther Young INGRAHAM, Benjamin, m. Hannah . Children: 1. Samuel, b. ; d. Sept. 14, 1751. 3. Abijah, b. May 12, 1755; d. Sept. 20, 2. Hannah, b. Mar. 12, 1753; d. Sept. 20, 1761. 1751. 4. Benjamin, b. April 9, 1747. JAMES, Rev. John ; m. Mary . Was pastor of the First Church, in Derby, 12 or 13 years. Children : t. Mary, b. May 12, 1698. 2 Mabel, b. Nov. 13, 1700. " Fila ut supra was born p. .m. hora ciciter 3d ut 40." JACKSON, John, d Oct 8, 1683, aged about 60 years I. JEV\'E'rT, Rev. Stephen, the youngest son of Stephen and Sarah (Hatch) Jewett, was b. Aug. 18, 1783. He was a descendant in a direct line from Ma.ximi'ian Jewett, who was one of the early settlers of Rowley, Mass. Rev. Stephen Jewett m. Sept. 5, 1813, Elizabeth Backus, who was b. Sept 7, 1789, at Norwich, Conn. Her mother, Mary Fitch, was the daughter of Col. Ebenezer Fitch, of ^ew Haven, Conn. (^See Biog ; Children : 2. Thomas Backus, b. July 19, 1814; m. 3. Pliny Adams, b. June 20, 1816. Phebe M. Wallace, June 22, 1836, 4. Henry Hatch, b. .\ug. 30, 182 1. and died . 3. Pliny A , M.D., son of Rev. Stephen and Elizabeth (Backus') Jewett, m. Juliet M. Carrington, Nov. 10, 1847. (See Biog.) Children : 5. Thomas Backus, b. Jan. 9, 1850. 7. William Henry, b. Mar. iS, 1861. 6. Mary Elizabeth, b. Aug. 30, 1857. 4. Henry H., son of Rev. Stephen and Elizabeth (Backus) Jewett, m. Aug. 17, 1842, Elizabeth Shaw, dau. of Rear Admiral F. H Gregory. He d. Feb 15, 1849 ; his wife, Elizabeth S., d. May 1 1, 1850. Children : 8. Stephen, b. May 25, 1843; living Fari- 10. Piiny A.; was killed in action at bault, Minnesota. Harper's Farm, Va., April 3, 1865; 9. Elizabeth Shaw; d. Feb., 1S72. Quartermaster Sergeant 2d Conn. Cavalry. 5. Thomas B, M.D., son of Pliny A. and Juliet M. (Carrington) Jewett; m Mary E , dau. of Dr A. Beardsley, Nov. 10, 1873, who d. Mar. 24, 1878. He is a physician in Birmingham, Conn. Children : II. Mary Elizabeth, b. July 13 1S76; d. 12. Ambrose Beardsley, b. Mar. i, 1878. April u, 1879. I JOHNSON, Ei^ENEZER, said to be son of Peter of Fairfield, born about 1649. Settled at Derby about 1668, and m. Elizabeth, dau. of Edward Wooster in 1671. He called Joseph Hawkins his brother (probably brother-in-law). Children : 93 738 HISTORY OF DERBV. 2. Elizabeth, b. in 1672. 6. Ebenezer, b Feb. 22, 1687. 3. Eunice, b. Aug. 22, 1678. 7. Timotiiy, b Dec. 23, 1693. 4. Hannah, b. Dec. 6, 1680. 8. Charles, b. Dec. 29, 1696. 5. Peter, b. Oct. 9, 1684. 5. Peter, son of Ebenezer and Hannah (Tomlinson) Johnson ; m. ist Martha ; 2cl Mary His father gave him 150 acres of land in the southern part of Quaker's Farm purchase, where he lived and died. Children : 9. Johannah, b. May 17, 1710. 13. Mary, b. Dec. 3, 1724.^ 10. Israel, b. Jan. 12, 1714. 14. Eunice, b. June 29, 1727. 11. Martha, b. May 6, 1717. 15. Abigail, b. Dec. 21, 1732. 12. Peter, b. Oct. 13, 1721. 6. Lieut. Ebenezer, son of Col Ebenezerand Hannah Johnson ; m. Elizabeth Hine, Feb. 19. 17 19. He died Sept 10. 1751, aged 60. He was made lieutenant in 1722. He lived and died on his father's homestead. Children : 16. Hannah, b. Nov. 17, 1719. 20. Ann, b. June 26, 1727; m. Samuel 17. Sarah, b. July 14, 1721; m. Capt. Hitchcock. James Wheeler. 21. Alexander, b. Sept., 1729; d. same 18. Ebenezer, b. July 7, 1723. day. 19. David, b. Jan. 7, 1725. 7. Timothy, son of Col Ebenezer and Hannah Johnson ; m. Abi- gail Brewster, Feb. 21, 1725, who died Dec 15, 1773 His father divided his farm at Rimmon between this Timothy and his brother Charles. Their house was a little way below Fines Bridge. Children: 22. Nathaniel, b. Mar. 6, 1726. 26. Timothy, b. Jan. 8, 173 — [out]; d. 23. Timothy, b. [out]; d. Apr. 2, 1733- 27. Ruth, b. Apr. 28, — [out]. 24. Hannah, b. Dec. 4, 1727. 28. Charles, b. Apr. 19, 1739. 25. Alexander, b. June 20, 1730. 29. Timothy, b. Dec. 5, 1741. 8. Charles, son of Col. Ebenezer and Hannah Johnson; m. Sarah Wooster, Aug. 16, 1726. His farm was near his brother Timothy's at Pines Bridge. 10 Israel, son of Peter Johnson ; m. Elizabeth Wakelee, May 28, 1740. Children : 30. Charles, b. June 27, 1741 ; d. Oct. 28, 32. Daniel, b. Apr. 13, 1747. 1763. 33- Hannah, b. Oct. 26, 1750. 3?. Elijah, b. Mar. 5, 1745; d. Nov. 11, 34. Elizabeth, b. in 1761 ; d. Nov. 15, 1763. 1763- 12. Peter, son of Peter Johnson; m. Abigail Jolmson, Nov. 9, 1749. Children : 35. Mary, b. Dec. 23, 1757. 38. Eunice, b. July 2, 1767. 36. Comfort, b. Jan. 8, 1761. 37. Benoni, b. May 2, 1763; d. May 13, 1763- 18. Ebenezer, son of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Hine) Johnson ; m. ist Mrs. Lucy Barnes of Waterbury, Mar. 19, 1754; m. 2d Thankful . Child : 39. Bella, b. Feb. 5, 1768. 19. David, son of Ebenezer and Elizabeth Johnson ; m. Esther Riggs, May 6, 1755, who died May 22, 1766, aged 29 ; m. 2d Sarah Thompson Mar. 18. 1778. Child: 40. David; m- EU?;abeth Hotchkiss, June 23, 1776. GLXKAL.OGircs. 739 25. Alexander, sou of Timotliy and Abigail (Brewster) Johnson, m. Hannah . Children : 4r. Tiniothy, b. Jan. 21, T766; d. 44. Abigail Brewster; m. Moses Clark. 42. Ruth, b. Nov. 21, 1766. 45. Ruth, b. 1693; m. Thomas Leaven- 4j. Hannah, b. Jan. 26, 1772. worth. The Seymour history adds David, Elijah, Nathaniel, Charles. JOHNSON, Jeremiah, came from New Haven and was accepted as an inhabitant of Paugassett, and a grant of land made him on Sentinel Hill, joining Samuel Riggs, Mar. 2, 1672. The births of five of his children are recorded in New Haven. His wife's name was Sarah. He was not living in 17 13. He was chosen constable in 1683, and was an influential man in the town. "Jeremiah Johnson hath a bay sorrel horse ; a stone horse to his brother Joshua Hogkis, ten years old Mar. 4 1680." (Town Rec.) Children : I. Jeremiah, b. Apr. 25, 1664.; 5. Samuel, b. Mar. 25, 1671. 2 William, b, Se)3t. 15, 1665. 6. Moses 3. Child, b. 1666. 7. Ebenezer 4. John, b. July 20, 1667. 8. Elizabeth, b. May 2, 16S4. " I. Jeremiah, Jr., son of Jeremiah and Sarah Johnson, m. Elizabeth, eldest dau. of Col. Ebenezer Johnson. He was granted a home lot of " four acres of land in Scraping Hole Plain on this side (south) of Bladen's Brook, Dec. 30, 16S4." Children : 9. Gideon. 11. ISenajah, b. July 24, 1704. 10. Joseph. 12. Abner, b. Apr. 10, 1709. 4 John, son of Jeremiah, Sr., and Sarah Johnson, m. Mary Wash- burn, Dec. 24, 1694 He settled on the Quaker's Farm Children : 13. Abram, b. Dec. 6, 1694; d. Jan. iS, 14. Mary, b. Nov. i, 1696. 1712. 15. Silas, b. July 18, 1713. 6 Moses, son of Jeremiah, Sr , and Sarah Johnson, m. .^arah Adams, Apr. 15, 1703. He resided in Derby some years and then removed to Newtown Children : 16. Hannah, b. Mar. i, 1704. 18. Jeremiah, b. Sept. 20, 1711. 17. Mabel, b. Oct. 18, 1707. 19. Rachel, b. Mar. 13, 1712. 7. Ebenezeh, son of Jeremiah, Sr., and Sarah Johnson, m. Hannah -, and signed a deed with his brother Moses for his father's home- stead and several pieces of land, to Samuel Gunn of Milford in 17 13. 9. Dea Gideon, son of Jeremiah, ^r., and Sarah Johnson, m. Abigail Chatfield, Nov. 6, 17 18 Children : 20. Mabel, b. Aug. 24, 1719; m. Joseph 22. (Jideon, b. Jan. 3, 1725. Riggs. 23. Ichabod, b. Mar. 3, 1737. 21. Elizabeth, b. Aug. 25, 1722; m. Dan- 24 I'cter, | named in deed. iel Tucker. 25. Abigail, ) m. Thaddeus IJaldwin. TO Serg. Joseph, son of Jeremiah, Sr., and Sarah Johnson, m. ist Margaret Harger, Jan. 24, 171 7 ; m 2d Mrs. Elizabeth, widow of Joseph Hull, Oct 14, 1776. Children: 26. Joseph, b. Nov. 9, 17 17. 29. Eh'phalet, b. Apr., 1725. 27. Samuel, b. Dec. 23, 1719. 30. Hannah, b. Eeb. 16, 1730. 28. Jeremiah, b. Apr. i, 1722. 31. Nathaniel, b. Feb. 11, 1732. • II Bknajah, son of Jeremiah, Jr., and f^lizabeth Johnson, m. widow 740 HISTORY OF DERBY. Sarah (Brewster) Hawkins, Oct. lo, 1728. He died Apr. 13, 1763, aged 59, His widow Sarah died May 7, 1773, aged 72. Children : 32. Sarah, b. Aug. 16, 1729. 35. Zerviah, b. 1739; m. Abiel Fairchild 2;^. Benajah, b Aug. 20, 1732. 36. Amos, b. Aug. 13, 1743. 34. Isaac, b. Oct. 6, 1735. 12. Abner, son of Jeremiah, Jr., and Sarah Johnson, m. ist Patience Tomlinson, Dec. 12, 1737 ; m. 2d Abigail . Children : 37. Mabel, b. May 13, 1739. 40. Abner, b. Feb. 22, 1752. 38. Timothy, b. June 11, 1741. 41. Abigail, b. Apr. 13, 1757. 39. Jeremiah, b. Mar. 21, 1745. 20 Joseph, son of Joseph and Margaret (Harger) Johnson, m. Elizabeth Durand, Aug. 9, 1738 Children : 42 Asahel, b. Aug. 15, 1739 47. Margaret, b. Dec. 7, 1750; d. Feb. 43. Elisha, b. Apr. 10, 1741. 20, 1751. 44. Eliphalet, b. Aug. 22, 1743. 48. Joseph, b. Sept. 6, 1751. 45. Jeremiah, b. Dec 29, 1745. 49. Elizabeth, b. Mar. 14, 1753. 46. Hezekiah, b. Oct. 25, 1748. 50. Margaret, b. June 16, 1756. 21. Samuel, son of Joseph ^nd Margaret (Harger) Johnson, m. Mary . Children : 51. Elizabeth, b. Feb. 25, 1742. 55. Sarah, b. Aug. 22, 1752. 52. Laurana, b. Dec. 10, 1744. 56. Eliphalet, b. P'eb, 2, 1763. 53. Mercy, b. June 21, 1747. 57. Margaret, bv Apr. 21, 1765. 54. Hannah, b. Feb. 12, 1750. 25. Nathaniel, son of Joseph and Margaret (Harger) Johnson, m Susannah Smith, Jan. 30, 1753. Children: 58. Philo, b. May 3, 1754. 62. Andrew, b, Apr. 3, 1765. 59. Sabra, b. June 12, 1756; d. Oct. 8, 63. Sabra, b. July 8, 1767. 1763. 64, Nathaniel, b. July 21, 1769. 60. Amos, b. Jan. 17, 1759. 65. David, b. June 21, 1771. 61. Susy, b. July 15, 1762. 66. Lucy, b, Sept. 9, 1774. 28. Gideon, son of Gideon and Abigail Chatfield, m. Lydia Beecher, Mar. 24. 1749. Children: 67. Anna, b. Jan. 28, 1749. 70. Lydia, b. May 3, 1754. 6S. Gideon, b. Feb. 4, 1750. 71. Mabel, b. Sept. 22, 1756. 69. Hannah, b. Sept. 3, 1752. 72. Ebenezer Beecher, b. Nov. 24, 1763. « 34. Isaac, son of Benajah and Sarah Johnson, m. Lois Hopkins of Waterbury, Jan. 24, 1758. who died Oct. 16, 1814, aged 76. He died Apr. 10, 1813, aged 78. Children: 73. Molly, b. Apr. 4, 1759. 79- Amos Hopkins, b. Mar. 26, 1771; d. 74. Susannah, b. Sept. 3, 1760; d. Sept. 26, 1772. 75. Susannah, b. Nov. 24, 1763. 80. Isaac, b. July 3, 1777 ; d. July 3, 1777. 76. Ruth, b. Mar. 31, 1765; m. John Coe, 81. Jesse, b. July 28, 1773. Jr. 82. Chauncey, b. Apr. 19, 1778. I 77. Mabel, b. Mar. 31, 1766. 83. Stiles, b. Dec. 4, 1781. 78. Isaac, b. June 2, 1769; d. Dec. 4, 1774. 42. Asahel, son of Joseph, Jr., and Elizabeth (Durand) Johnson, m. Lois Williams of Fairfield, May 9, 1756. who died Jan. 28, 1783 ; m 2d Miriam Fowler of Middletown, Apr. 6, 1783 Children : 84. Esther, b. May 3, 1757. 87. Lucy, b. Aug. 25, 1763, 85. Joel, b. May i, 1759; d. Aug. 23, 88. Lois, b. Mar. u, 1766. 1777, at King's Bridge, N. Y., a sol- 89. Elisha, b. Oct., 1767. dier. 90. Milly, b. Oct. 5, 1769. 86. Philene, b. Oct. 5, 1761. 91. Briaiit, b. Sept. 5, 1772. f.KNF,Ai.O(;ii:s. 741 46. Hezekiah, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Durand) Johnson, m. Rebecca Johnson, Dec. 12, 1784. Children: 92. Elizabeth, b. Nov. 26, 1786. 93. Newell, b. May 22, 17S9; d. June ii, 1879, in Westville. 72. Ebenezer Beecher," son of Gideon and Lydia (Beecher) John- son, m. Hannah P. Clark, May 25, 1785 He died Sept. 17, 1846. His widow Hannah d. July 24, 1847. Children : 94. Garry, b. Nov. 5, 1792. 96. Hannah Betsey, b. Mar. 23, 1802 ; m. 95. Chary, b. Jan. 27, 1795; "^- James David Beach ;' had Hannah B. Downs of Monroe, Oct. 14, 181 5; had Clarke B., Chary Ann, James B. 81. Rev. Jesse,'" son of Isaac and Lois Johnson, m. Hepzibah , who died Apr. 13, 1824 He died Oct. 21, 1829 Children : 97. Sally B., b. Sept. 6, 1797 ; m. Jared loi. Harry, b. Mar. 30, 1S05. Bassett. 102. Gothy, b. July 12, 1807. 98. I.saac, b. Apr. 2, 1799. ^°3- Lois Emily, b. Feb. 24, 1810. 99. Je.sse b. Mar. 28, 1801. 104. Stiles, b. May 14, 1813. 100. Hepzibah, b. Jan. 28, 1S03. 1. JOHNSON, Ebenezer, b. in 1761 ; d. Sept. 25, 1792 2. Gideon, son of Ebenezer Johnson, m. Sarah, dau. of Dr. Critten- den of New Haven. Children : 3. Sheldon Crittenden. 4. Hopie ; m. Henry L. Noble ; d. in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1869. 3. Sheldon C , son of Gideon and Sarah Johnson, m. May 19, 1828, Susan H., dau. of Abiram and Eunice Stoddard. Residence, Seymour, Conn. Children : 5. Charles Napoleon ; a lawyer in New 9. Oscar Eugene ; removed to .San Fran- Haven; d. Nov. 12, 1867. Cisco. 6. Henry; m. Oct. 10, 1853, Ellen E. 10. Josephine W.; m.Gustavus R.Elliott, Botsford; a merchant in New Haven. a lawyer in New Haven. 7. Oscar, b. Jan. 10, 1833; d. Oct. 17, 11. Harold St. Clair. 1833. 12. Louis Le Grand. 8. Oscar F., b. Mar. 13, 1834; d. Nov. 13. Susan Stoddard Clark. 29,1836. 14. Sarah Crittenden; m. John T. F'orsey. JOHNSON, Stephen, m. Mehitable Canfield. Oct. 12, 1697. JOHNSON, Mr Joseph, died June 25, 1818. JUDD, Ebenezer, m. Mary . Child: I. Ebenezer, b. May 28, 1747. JUDSON, Donald, was born in Huntington, Conn., Mar. 25 1798 ; being the son of David Gressel Judson. His earliest ancestor in this country was William Judson, who came from P^ngland in 1634, with his three sons : 2, Joseph ; 3, Jeremiah; and 4, Joshua. He settled first at Concord, Mass., where he remained four years, then removed to Stratford, Conn., and resided on the southeast corner of "Meeting- House Hill." ^'ll^'-^ 2 Joseph, son of l9enaW Judson, was fifteen years of age when he arrived in this country ; came to Stratford with his father, and in Oct , ^History of Seymour. J"Ibid. 742 HISTORY OF DERBY. 1644, m. Sarah, dau. of John Porter, of Windsor. He d. Oct. 8, 1696. Children : 5. Sarah. 11. Esther. 6. John. 12. Joshua. 7. James. 13. Ruth. 8. Grace. 14. Phebe. 9. Joseph. 15. Abigail. 10. Hannah. 7. James, son of Joseph and Sarah Judson, ni Rebecca, dau. of Thomas Wells, of Hartford, Aug. 18, 1680. He d. Feb. 25, 1721. Children : 16. Hannah. 20. James. 17. Sarah. 21. Phebe. 18. Rebecca. 22. David. 19. Joseph. 22. David, son of James and Rebecca Judson, m. Phebe, dau. of Ephraim Stiles, of Stratford, Oct. 29, 1713. Children: 23. David. 28. Ruth. 24. Phebe. 29. Daniel. 25. Abel ; d. in infancy. 30. .Sarah. 26. Abel. ' 31. Abner. 27. Agur, b. Mar. 23, 1724. 32. Betty. 27. Agur, son of David and Phebe Judson, m. 2d wife Mehitable, dau. of Thomas Toucey, of Newtown, May, 1750. He purchased the well-known property on White Hills, in Huntington, where he resided, and his descendants tor a long time. Children : 33. Agur. 35. David, b. April 15, 1754. 34. Hannah. 35. David, son of Agur and Rachel Judson, m. Grissel, dau. of Noahdiah Warner, of Southbury, Feb 3, 1796. 36. Jennet, b. Nov. 21, 1796. 2)7- Donald, b. Mar. 25, 1798. 37. Donald, son of David and Grissel Judson, ni. Polly Maria, dau. of Lewis and Charity Shelton, of Huntington, Feb. 10, 1829. He d. Sept. 2, 1847. (See Biog.) Children: 38. David Lewis, b. Dec. 6, 1830; pre- returned only to linger with a fatal pared at Cheshire Academy and at disease, and departed this life Mar. 8, New Haven, and entered Yale Col- 1858. lege, where he was graduated in 39. Jennet, b. Nov. 10, 1833. 1851 ; traveled extensively in Europe; 40. Mary, b. Sept. 27, 1837. KENT, Elisha, m. Abigail Moss, April 3, 1732. Child: 1. Moss, b. Jan. 14, 1733. KEENEY, Ebenezer, born in 1718, came to Derby a young man, m. Betty, dau. of John Davis, Jr., Dec. 7, 1738, and settled iirst on the hill, on Milford road, about three fourths of a mile from Academy Hill ; about 1754 he built the first house so far as known at Derby Narrows, where he resided until his decease. He was a man of larj^e infiuence in the town and possessed great business energy and ability, as indi- cated by his being elected tax-collector much ot the time during the Revolutionary war. He died Jan. 10, 1795. aged 77. She died Nov., 1784, aged 65. Children: GENKALOGIES. 743 1. Lucy, b. Dec. 3, 1739; d. young. 7. Al)igail, b. Feb. 11, 1753; d. Oct. 4, 2. Comfort, b. Oct. 11, 1741 ; d. May 2, 1S38. 1771- 8. Ithiel, b. Mar. 17, 1755; m. ; d. 3. Eunice, b. Aug. 31, 1743. Oct. 1S3S. He was the first white 4. Betty, b. Sept. 20, 1745; m. Sheldon child lK)rn at Derby Landing. Clark. 9. WiUiam, b. July 16,' 1757. 5. Sarah, b. Oct. 3, 1748. 10. Medad, b. May 31, 1759; d. May, b. Ebenezer, b. Oct. 27, 1750; d. May I794- 1777. II. Lucy, b. Sept. 20, 1761. 9. William, son of Ebenezer and Betty Keeney, m. Mille Steele, who was born Dec 15, 1760. He died Jan. 7, 1845, aged 87. Chil- dren : 12. Ebenezer, b. Nov. 28, 1779. i6. Sally, b, Nov. 10, 17S7; m. Sheldon 13. Sheldon, b. Oct. 12, 1781 ; m. Esther. Nichols, and d. Oct. 25, 1863, leav- dau. of Daniel Canfiekl, and d. June ing Sheldon, William, Lucena. 13, 1S73. She was b. Mar. 6, 1790; 17. Isaac, b. Feb. 13, 1790. d. May 30, 1852. iS. Lucinda, b. Oct. 2, 1792; m. Capt. 14. William, b. Aug. 20, 1783. William Lum, and d. Aug. 9, 1825. 15. Betsev, b. Sept. 10, 1785; m. Anson 19. Medad, b. Dec. 18, 1794. Canfiekl, and d. June 28, 1863, leav- ing Divine, Marietta, Susan. 12. Ebenezer, son of William and Mille Keeney, m Betsey Buck- ingham, wno was born Apr. 19, 1783, and died Dec. 29, 1846. He died Apr. 2, 1851. Children : 20. Betsey M., b. Jan. 9, 1804; m. Jere- 22. George, b. Nov. 2, 1S16; d. Oct. 16, miah DiuMnd. 1847. 21. William, b. Sept. 27, 1806; d. Jan. i, 23. Leicester B., b. Feb. 4, 1819. 1847. 14. William, son of William and Mille Keeney, m. Anna Smith, resided in Seymour village, and died June 25, 1856. She died Sept. 28, 1867, aged 76. Children: 24. Mary Jane; m. James Johnson of 26. Miranda; m. Clark Lum of New Bridgeport. Haven. 25. Sarah Grace ; m. Isaac White, lived 27. Esther Ann; m. Medad K. Tucker, in Derby. 17 Dea. Isaac, son of William and Mille Keeney, m. ist Polly Durand, who was born July 3, 1796, and died Sept. 23, 1827 ; 2d Ann Church, Dec. 16, 1828, who was born Sept. 20, 1803, and died Jan. 24, 1868. Children : 28. Isaac Heber, b. Mar. 7, 1S30; d. Feb. 30. Frederick C, b. Nov. 28, 1836; d. 13, 1851. July 30, 1854. 29. Charles D , b. Mar. 27, 1S32; living in New Haven. 19. Medad, son of William and Mille Keeney, m. Rebecca White, and died Feb. 6, 1830. She died May 2, 1826, aged 32. Children : 31. Roswell. 34. Ann. 32. Mary. 35. John. 33- I'oi'y- 29. Charles D., son of Dea. Isaac and Anna, m ist Martha J. Wilder, who was born Dec. 3, 1835, and died Oct. 23, 187 1 ; 2d Ella A. Burwell, July 16, 1874. Children : 36. Frederick N.,b. Feb. 2, 1S60. 2,7. Charles II., b. Feb. 17, 1866. LEWIS, Eleazer, m. Ann Lum, Feb. 16, 1757. Child: I. Philo, b. Aug. 13, 175S. 744 HISTORY OF DERBY, LOBDELL, Darius, m. Mary . Child : I. Eunice, b. Dec. 20, 1754. LOVELAND, Joseph, m. Hannah ; lived in Stratford. Child : 1. Joseph, b. Feb. 8, 1739. I. Joseph, son of Joseph Loveland, Sr., came to Derby and m. Lois Chatfield, Aug. 18. 1762. Children : 2. Lois, b. July 17, 1763. 4. Treat, b. Sept. 6, 1767. 3. Clark, b. Aug. 11, 1765. 5. Sarah, b. Dec. 2, 1770. I. LUM, Jonathan, came to Derby and m. Sarah, dau. of Ens. Samuel Riggs, Oct. lo, 1700, and was a man of considerable influence and responsibility in town matters. Children : 2. Sarah, b. Nov. 24, 1701 ; m. John Du- 4. Jonathan. rand. 5. Samuel. 3. John, b. July 17, 1703; m. Sarah Wash- 6. Elizabeth, b. Mar. 15, 1713. burn, Apr. 29, 1741. 7. Joseph, b. Jan 14, 17 15. 4. Jonathan, Jr., son of Jonathan and Sarah Lum, m. Elizabeth Tomlinson, Mar. 13, 1734. Children : 8. Anne, b. Mar. 7, 1735. 12. Sarah, b. Nov. 21, 1745. 9. Ann, b. Mar. 22, 1737. 13. Henry, b. June i, 1748. ID. Lemuel, b. Mar. 2, 1742. 14. Adam, b. Nov. 11, 1753. II. John, b. Sept. 5, 1743. 15. Olive, b. Dec. 9, 1758. 7. Joseph, son of Jonathan and Sarah (Riggs) Lum, m. Sarah . Children : 16. Daniel, b. Apr. 6, 1742. 19. Joseph, b. Mnr. 17, 1750. 17. Hannah, b. May 2, 1744. 20. Reuben, b. Mar. 22, 1754. 18. Eunice, b. Sept. 6, 1746. II John, son of Jonathan, Jr , and Elizabeth Lum, m. Truelove Lines of Litchfield, Oct 18, 1769, and died Aug. 18, 1771. Child: 21. John, b. Mar. 29, 1770. I. LUM, Samuel, m. Hannah "I'id," Dec. 7, 1730. Children : 2. Samuel, b. Feb. 19, 1733. 3. Hannah. LYMAN, Rev. Jonathan, was bapt. in Durham, Conn,, Apr. 21, 1 7 17, and was the son of Noah, the son of Ihomas, the son of Rich- ard, the son of Richard, the first of the name in this country. He was graduated at Yale College in 1742, and settled in Oxford in 1745, and died in 1763. He m. Abigail . Children, sixth generation : 1. Noah Russell. 3. David. 2. Jonathan. _ 4. Mary. 1. Noah Russell, son of Rev. Jonathan Lyman, m. Comfort Fox. Feb. 13, 1771. Child recorded on Derby records : 5. Nabby, b. Nov. 25, 1772. 2. Jonathan, son of Rev. Jonathan Lyman, m. Sarah Davis of Derby, in 1781, who died June 19, 1847, at Schodack Landing, Rens- selaer county, N. Y., at the age of 90. He served some time in the Revolution as captain of a company, and died about 1790 in Derby. Children : GENEALOC.IES. "45 6. Russell, b. 1)00.7,1784; d. Aug. ii, had chikhcii : Charles Russell, John, 1802. James, John, Davis, Sarah. 7. Jonathan, b. June 7, 1786; d. Dec. 5, 8. Mary, b. Dec. 17, 1788; m. Samuel 1856, at Schodack Landing, N. V.; Bassett of Derby, Apr, 1S09. MANSFIELD, Rev. Richard. D. D., son of Jonathan Mansfield (who was born in New Haven in 1686) was born in New Haven, 1724 ; was graduated at Yale college in 1741 ; ordained deacon and priest by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Eng., Aug. 7, 1748 ; officiated at Derby, West Haven, Waterbury, and Northfield, from 1748 to 1755, and was pastor of St. James's church at Derby from 1755 to his decease, Apr. 12, 1820; his ministerial service covering a period of seventy- two years. (See Biog.) "• Rev. Richard Mansfield was m. to Mrs. Anna Hull, in Christ church in Derby, by Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson, missionary of Stratford, on the loth day of Oct., A. D., 1751.'"^ She was fifteen years and four months old at her marriage. Children : 1. Richard, b. 5. Stephen; not m. 2. Ann ; m. Elijah Humphreys. 6. Lucretia. 3. Sarah; m. Blakeslee. 7. Betsey; not m. 4. William ; m. Eunice Hull. 8. Mary Louise. 1 Richard, Jr, son of Rev. Dr. Mansfield, m. Abia Shelton. Children : 9. Grace ; m. ist Lintol, by whom rine. She m. 2d Mr. Nichols and she had William, Frances, Catha- had Philip. MANSFIELD, Nathan, probably from New Haven, m. Anna Tom- linson. Mar. 5, 1775. In the account of the Revolution this Nathan was supposed to be the son of Rev. Dr. Mansfield, which was an error. Children : I. Jared, b. July 11, 1775. 2. Betsey, b. Dec. i, 1777. MARKS, MoRDECAi, m. Elizabeth Hawkins, dau. of first Joseph. Children : 1. Mary, b. Sept. 5. 1732. 4. Elizabeth, b. Apr. 3, 1742. 2. Zephania, b. June 28, 1734. 5. Nehemiah, b. Oct. 9, 1746. 3. Mordecai, b. May 30, 1739. 6. Abraham, b. Oct. 19, 1748. "MASSY, John, a trantient person, m. Mary Curtiss, April 14, 1707, by the Worshipful Mayor, Ebenezer Johnson, Justice." McKEE, William, m. Anne Durand, May, 1769, who. d. Mar. i, 1773. Children: I. William, b. 1770. 2. Samuel, b. July 31, 1772. I. McMAHON, Thomas, born in Galway, Ireland ; came to this country in 1846 ; settled in Orange, Conn., May 10. 1846 ; lived there over a year; came thence to Derby, where he now resides. His chil- dren are : 2 John T., born in Orange, Aug. 15, 1847 ; educated at Holy Cross College, Worcester, Mass.. and at Joseph's Seminary, Troy, N. Y., where he was ordained May 29, 1874; was stationed as curate at St. John's, New Haven; St. Augustine's, Bridgeport ; St. Peter's, Danbury ; pastor of St. John's, New Haven, and St. Mary's, East Hartford, where he still continues. 11 Town Records. 94 746 HISTORY OF DERBY. 3. Daniel E., born at Derby Narrows Dec. 16, 1852 ; educated at Holy Cross College, Worcester, Mass. ; studied law at Yale and Alba- ny Law Schools, graduating at the latter, Class '77 ; admitted to prac- tice in New York, May 17, 1877 ; came to Connecticut June 13, 1877 ; began practice at Ansonia, where he continues ; he was elected justice of the peace Oct., 1877, for the term 1878 to 188 1, and town clerk for 1879. MILES, Stephen, had children : 1. Mary, b. Aug. 24, 1697. 4. Eunice, b. April 11, 1707. 2. Josiah, b. Jan. 24, 1703. 5. Stephen, b. Jan. 20, 170S. 3. Patience, b. Sept. 20, 1704. 6. Justice, b. July 27, 171 1. MILES, Jonathan, m. Zerviah Wooster, April 4, 1723. Children : I. Berthier, b. Feb. 1, 1724. 2. Theophilus, b. Feb. 12, 1730. MILES, Jonathan, m Lucy Smith, of Glasteribury, Feb. 17, 1768. Children : 1. Manoah, b. Mar. 22, 1769. 3. Betsey, b. Feb. 17, 1774. 2. Sarah, b. Nov. 6, 1771. MILLS, Philo, m. Elizabeth Riggs, Mar. 19, 1755 He d. Mar. 8, 1765. Children : I. Samuel Riggs, b. Dec. 11, 1758. 2. Betty, b. Mar. 6, 1760. MILLS, Jedediah, of Derby, m. Mrs. Hannah Hawley, of Stratford, Feb. 24, 1756. Children: I. Samuel Frederick, b. April 24, 1757. 2. Samuel Frederick, b. Dec. 30, 1759. MISET, Stephen, d. Mar. 27, 17 13. MOSS. John, came from London, England, with the first colonists to New Haven ; signed the compact Feb. 18, 1639 ; was a prominent man in the Colony and settled in Wallingford. Children : 1. Joseph. 3- Elizabeth, b. Oct. 3, 1652. 2. John, b. Oct. 12, 1650; removed to 4. Hester, b. Jan. 2, 1654. Jamaica, L. I. 5- Isaac, b. Nov. 21, 1655; d. 1659. I. Joseph, son of John Moss ; m. Mary, dau. of Roger Ailing, Apr. II, 1667 ; she d. Mar. 18, 17 16, and he m. 2d Mrs. Sarah Gilbert July II, 1717 ; m. 3d Mary Baker who died in Derby Feb. 28, 1734. Four children are recorded in New Haven, but there were, probably, others. The four surviving children settled in Derby. He died in 1727. Chil- dren : 6. Samuel, b. Jan. 27, 1675; '^- ^P^- ~^' ^- Samuel, b. Mar. 18, 1680. 1676. 9- William, b. June 28, 1682. 7. Joseph, b. Apr. 7, 1679. ^°- Israel. 7. Rev. Joseph, Jr., son of Joseph Moss, was graduated at Har- vard College in 1699, and received the degree of A. M., at Yale Col- lege in 1702; was admitted an inhabitant of Derby, Dec, 23, 1706; ordained at Derby in the spring of 1707, where he died Jan. 23, 1731, aged 52 years. He m. ist Dorcas Roswell, Feb. 10. 1715, who died Sept. 2, 1715 ; m. 2d Abigail Russell, Oct. 3, 17 16. He died Jan. 23, 1731. (See Biog.) Children: II. Abigail, b. Sept. 23, 1717; m. Elisha I3. Mary, b. Aug. 28, 1721 ; m. Ebenezer Kent of Newtown. White of Danbury. GENEALOGIES. 747 8 Samuel, son of Joseph and Mary (Ailing) Moss ; came to Derby and m. Barbara, widow of Nathaniel Bowers, Dec. 3, 1713, where he died Dec. 28, 1721, " by a gun shot in the hand of Samuel Perry, w'ho said he was shooting at a mark." (Town record.) She died Sept. 8, • 1745. Children : 13. Mary, b. Dec. 20, 1715. 14- Jonathan, b. May 10, 1718. 9 Serg. William, son of Joseph and Mary (Ailing) Moss; came to Derby and m. Abigail Riggs, Mar. 18, 17 14. He was admitted an inhabitant of Derby Apr. 17, 1714, and died Aug. 26, 1749, aged 68. Children : 15. Deborah, b. Feb. 10, 1715. 18. Elizabeth, b. Apr. 30, 1721. 16. Nicholas, b. Apr. 28, 1716. 19. William, b. Mar. 14, 1727. 17. Elizabeth, b. June 23, 17 18. ID Israel, son of Joseph and Mary CAlling) Moss, came to Derby and m. Lydia Bowers, Dec. 31, 1717. Children : 20. Rachel, b Jan. 24, 1719. 22. Nathaniel, b. Dec. 14, 1722. 21. John, b. May 10, 1721. 16. Nicholas, son of William and Abigail (Riggs) Moss; m. Han- nah Leavenworth, Mar. 25. 1740. He died in a fit Nov. 24, 1759. His widow m. Jonathan Dickerman of Mt. Carmel, Conn , where she died Oct. 15, 1780. Children: 23. Nehemiah, b. Aug. 18, 1741 ; was 25. Joseph, b. Apr. 22, 1758; a farmer taken sick ■ near Osweek, returned and died at Volney, Oswego county, home where he died Jan. 3, 1762. N. Y., Sept., 1827. 24. Nicholas ; was master of a vessel and was lost at sea. 19 William, son of William and Abigail CRiggs) Moss; m. ist Pru- dence Hard of Newtown, May 30, 175 1, who died Apr. 6, 1754 ; m. 2d Rachel Beardsley of Stratford. Apr. 30, 1759. Children : 26. Sarah, b. May 2, 1752. 29. Edward, b. Apr. 26, 1765. 27. Prudence, b. Mar. 27, 1754. 30. William, b. July 31, 1766. 28. Isaac, b. June 30, 1761. MUNSON, John, son of John and Hannah Munson of Brookhaven, L. I., was born Apr. 24, 1690; came to Derby a young man, and m. Elizabeth Hawkins, Dec. 25, 17 18, and received a grant of land in 17 19. Children : 1. Hannah, b. Mar. 7, 1721 ; m. Stephen 5. Joseph, b. Oct. 27, 1731. Pierson. 6. Daniel, b. Mar. 4, 1737; d. at Fort 2. Charity, b. Jan. 7, 1723. Edward, Aug. 2, 1756. 3. Sarah, 'b. Mar. 2, 1725. 7. John, b. Jan. i, 1739. 4. Esther, b. Nov. 5, 1727. I. NEWCOMB, Capt. Silas, (Calvin'% Silas', Hezekiah^ Simon^ Andrew', Andrew'], born in Sunderland, Vt., June 10, 1786 ; a cabinet and chair maker; m. in Stonington Conn., Apr. 27, 1811, Bet-sey, dau. of Simeon and Betsey Palmer, born in S. 1784. He settled at Derby, where he died Aug. 10, 1825 ; she died in Springfield, Mass., Nov. 17, 1849, aged 65. He was captain of an artillery company, stationed at New London, Conn., in the war of 18 12. Children : 748 HISTORY OF DERBY. 2. Robert Palmer, b. Mar. 13, 1813; cab- inet-maker; m. Sophia Heath, July 13, 1836; settled in Heddleburg Cen- ter, Tioga county, Penn., where he d. Apr. 6, 1869; had son, Willington. 3. John Lee, b. Dec. 12, 1814 ; d. Nov. 12, 1815. 4. John Lee, b. Jan. 6, 1817 ; m. Emily Hull Smith. 5. James, b. Mar, 6, tSig, in Derby; adopted by his uncle, Calvin New- comb; resided for a time in Wind- don, where he was a merchant nearly 33 years. 6. Charlotte Palmer, b. Jan. 16, 1821; m. James Fisher of Seymour, Conn., Oct. 4, 1839 ; settled in Springfield, Mass. 7. Silas, b. June 5, 1823, in Derby; m. in N. Y. city, Nov. 7, 1846, Mary, dau. of George McCullough; resides at South Amboy, N. J.; is captain of a steamer running between New York and Amboy. ham. Conn.; removed to New Lon- 4. John Lee, son of Capt. Silas and Betsey Newcomb, m. in Derby, Nov. 23, 1840, Emily Hull, dau. of Isaac Smith He was an axle- maker in Birmingham, and died at his daughter's residence, July 31, 1870. Children: 8. Andrew Jackson, b. July 4, 1842; d. July 27, 1861, 9. Martha Curtiss, b. Feb. 11, 1S45; "^• Nov. 7, 1862, Chauncy Bell; resides in Birmingham. 10. Sarah Weaver, b. Jan, 4, i&^-j ; not m. resides with her mother m Fair Haven. NETTLETON. Josiah, m. Agnes Gunn, Nov., 1761, who died Jan. 23, 1774 ; and he m, 2d Freelove Lum, July 18, 1776. Children : Ira Bliss, b. Dec. 28, 1849; axle- maker ; m. Feb. 2, 1870, Kmma J. Lines ; resides in Birmingham ; has Maud Emily, b. Sept. 16, 1870. Emily Smith, b. June 4, 1852; m. Apr. 27, 1S70, Charles J. Osborn ; resides in Fair Haven, Conn. b. May 6, 1779. Agnes, b. Sept. 24, 1763. 4. Josiah, ( Enos Gunn, b. Sept. 9, 1767. 5. Freelove, ( Eunice, b. July 19, 1777; d. July 9, 6. Sarah, b. July 3, 1781. 1783. 7. Mary Ann, b. Dec. 26, 1782 NETTLETON, William, born at Killingworth, Conn., in 1754 ; was a soldier in the Revolution ; m. Z dren : 1. Thankful 2. Aclah. 3. Stiles. Parmelee, and died in 1820. Chil- 4. Abner. 5. Samuel. 6. Ashley, b. in 1799. 6. Ashley, son of William Nettleton, m. Sally Stoddard, and died at Derby in 1879. Child: 7. Henry A., b. in 1828. 7. Henry A., son of Ashley Nettleton, m. Jennie Bidwell, who died Jan., 1877. Children : 8. Charles B., b. Jan. 6, 1859. 12. 9. Minnie E., b. May 23, 1861. 13. 10. Gerranie A., b. Jan. 23, 1S64. 14. 11. William H. b. Dec. 31, 1866. NICHOLS, Isaac, of Stratford removed to Derby about 1678 ; but only the record of one marriage and three births are found on the town records. Children : Jennie M., b. Apr. 23, 1870. Joseph E., b. Oct. 11, 1873. Edmund, b. Feb. 11, 1S76. 1. Mary, b. Feb. 2, 1647. 2. Sarah, b. Nov. i, 1649. 3. Josiah, b. Jan. 29, 1651. 4. Isaac, b. Mar. 12, 1654. 5. Jonathan, b. Dec. 20, 1655 ; m. Han- nah Hawkins, Dec. 21, 16S1. 6. Ephraim, b. Dec. 16, 1657. 7. Patience, b. Feb. 2, 1659. 8. Temperance, b. May 17, 1662. 9. Margery, b. Nov. 30, 1663. 10. Benjamin, b. P'eb. 2, 1665. ^ GENEALOGIES. 749 4. Isaac, son of Isaac Nichols, had children : n. Frances, b. June 3, 1676. 13. Joseph, b. Nov. i, 16S0. 12. Richard, b. Nov. 26, 1678. 1. NICHOLS, John, was in Watertovvn, Mass., a proprietor in 1636 and 7 ; was in Fairfield in 1653, with his wife Grace, and died before 1659. Children: 2. Isaac. 5. Samuel, m. Mrs. Mary, dau. of Rev. 3. Sarah. John Bowers, in May, 1682, and set- 4. John. tied in New Jersey. 2. Dea. Isaac, son of John and Grace Nichols, was brought up by his uncle, Isaac Nichols of Stratford, and hence called Isaac Junior ; and m. Esther Clark, who died in Derby, Jan. 5, 17 17. Four of his children were born in Stratford, but whether there were others is not known. He or his uncle Isaac and Abel Holbrook were the first two deacons of the first church in Derby. He died Dec. 20, 1713. Chil- dren : 6. Grace, b. June 6, 1673; d. Mar. 2, 9. .Samuel, b. Dec. 6, 1678. 1702. 10. Mary, probably, who m. Joseph Hull, 7. Alice, b. (Jet. 25, 1674. ist, Jan. 20, 1691. 8. John, b. Oct., 1676. 1. NICHOLS, Isaac, m. Agnes Gunn of Derby, Nov. 14, 1722, and died Apr. 12, 1733. Only one child is recorded, there may have been several others. Child : 2. Isaac, b. Nov. 25, 1723. 2. Isaac, son of Isaac and Agnes (Gunn) Nichols, m. Sarah Tom- linson, July 22, 1747, vvho died. Nov. 23, 1754, and he (probably) m. 2d Rebecca , who died June 30, 1757. Children : 3. Isaac, b. May 8, 174S. 5. Agnes, b. Dec. 10, 1757. 4. Sarah, b. Feb. 12, 1751. 6. Lois, b. May 27, 1763. 3 Isaac, son of Isaac and Sarah (Tomlinson) Nichols, m. Abigail Lyman, Dec. 24, 1769. Children : 7. Isaac, b. Oct. 21, 1770. 9. Timothy Russell, b. Nov, 30, 1776. 8. Jonathan Lyman, b. Aug. 17, 1772. NORTHROP, Isaac, m. Hannah Wheeler, Sept. 27, 1764. She died Mar. 6, 1765. NOYCE, Rebecca, wife of Wm. Noyce and dau. of Silas and Dorcas Allen, died at New Haven, Mar. 29, 1780, aged 20. O'KANE, Jeremiah, m Laurana Johnson, Sept. 18, 1765. 'Chil- dren : I. Joseph, b. July 16, 1766. 2. " Clarani," b. July 9, 1768. OLMSTEAD, Joseph, m. Mary . Children : 1. Uavid, b. Jan. 2, 1774. 4. Ashbel, b. Oct. 23, 1784. 2. Joseph, b. Nov. 18, 1775. 5. luigene, b. .Sept. 3, 1790. 3. William, b. Aug. 10, 1777. OSBORN, Thomas, m. Elizabeth . Children: I. Lois, b. Feb. 23, 1744. 2. Elizabeth, b. Dec. 18, 1748. OSBORN, Samuel, m. Mrs. Patty Davis of Oxford, July 6, 1806. 750 HISTORY OF DERBY. OVIATT, John, m Abigail . Child : I. Susannah, b. Apr. 15, 1754. PECK, Benjamin, m. Mary Sperry of New Haven, May 2, 1700. PERKINS, Roger, m. ist Ann ; 2d Mary . Children : 1. Ithiel, b. Jan. 10, 1734- 3- Eunice, b. June 22, 1749. 2. Sarah, b. Oct. 7, 1748. I. Ithiel. son of Roger and Ann Perkins, m. Esther Fox, Oct. 26, 1767. Children : 4. Roger, b. Apr. 5, 1769- 6. Joseph, b. Oct. 30, 1773. 5. David, b. Apr. 20, 1771. 7. Anna, b July 21, 1776. PERKINS, Reuben, m. Lucy . Children : 1. Thomas, b Dec. 7, 1766. 2. Benjamin, b. May i, 1769, PP:RKINS, Elias, m. Elizabeth . Children : 1. Sarah, b. Jan. 28, 1764. 3. John Hawkins, b. Jan. 2, 1768. 2. Hannah, b. Oct. 27, 1765. 1. PERRY, Arthur, came to Stratford, about 1675, and m. Anna, only dau. of Joshua Judson, about 1676. He had 13 'children, one of whom was : 2. Samuel, b. Feb., 16S1. 2. Samuel, son of Arthur Perry, m. Elizabeth . Child : 3. Caleb. 3. Caleb, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Perry, m. Hannah probably a short time bef(jre he settled in Derby. The following are recorded in Derby of his children : 4. John, b. Sept. 3, 1722. 9. Gideon, b. June 10, 1732. 5. Nathaniel, b Jan. 4, 1724. 10. Prudence, b. Dec. 5, 1733. 6. Joseph, b. Nov. 30, 1726. 11. Betty, b. Oct. 14, 1736. 7. Hannah, b. June 14, 1728. 12. Yelverton, b. F"eb. 24, 1739. 8. Caleb, b. Jan. 19, 1730. 12. Yelverton, son of Caleb and Hannah Perry, m. ist Haw- ley, of Huntington ; 2d, Patience, dau. of Henry and Sibyl Tomilnson, of Derby. ^" Children : 13. Sibyl, m. Silas Hawkins, of Oxford. iS. Hawley. 14. John, b. Oct. 19, 1767, in O.xford. 19. Laura, m. David Smith, of Kent. 15. Frederick. 20. Nancy,b Oct. 1,1783 ; d. Nov. 8,1841; 16. Hermon. m. Truman Tomlinson. 17. Azariah, b. Sept. 21, 1780. 14. John, son of Yelverton and Patience Perry, m. Anna Beardsley, who d. Nov. 26, 1836. He died Mar. 13. 1852. Children: 21. Charles, b. April 24, 1796; m. Mary 23. John, b. Nov. 12, 1801 ; d. July 15, Ann Paine ; had Frederick, Charles, 1S39, leaving son Charles. Harriet, Adam, Clark. 24. Nancy, b. Sept. 3, 1803; m. Cornelius 22. Philo, b. Feb. ii, 179S; drowned Pugs'ley, of Stamford, N.V., Sept. 14, June 12, 1800. i83i' Children: Henry, Cornelia, Van Allen, Jacob, Charles. 15. Frederick, son of Yelverton Perry, m. Mary Stroud ; settled in Southbury. Children : ^■■^History of Seymour. GENEALOGIES. 75 I 25. Andrew; resides at Southbury. 27. Charles; m Maria C'urtiss, of South- 26. Betsey; 111 Smith, then Osborn. bury; had son Hermon. 2S. Sophia ; m. Raymond ; had Mary. 16. Hermon, son of Yelverton Perry, m. Susannah Henry ; resided in Baltimore, Md. Children : 29. Hermon; d. not m. 31. .\lbert ; m. Lake. 30. William ; d. not m. 32. Susannah ; m. Geo. W. Waters. 17. AzARiAH, son of Yelverton Perry, m. Mar. 6, 1809, Polly Leaven- worth, of Huntington. He died Nov. 21, 1826. She died May 31, 187 1. Child: 33. Jane; m. March 11, 18 ti, in Hunt- ingham, May 23, 1S60; died June 4, ington; m. David Shelton; had Mary 1864. Edwin Wooster was drowned Jane.whom. Edwin Wooster, of Birm- April 20, 1876. I. PERRY, JosiAH, m. Anna. Children : 2. Anna, b. Feb. iS, 1732. 5. Tabitha, b. .Sept. 3, 1739. 3. Ezeis:ial, b. Feb. 6, 1734 6. Mary, b. May 7, 1741. 4. Joshua, b. Nov. 16, 1735. 7. Josiah, b. Feb. 23, 1748. 4. Joshua, son of Josiah and Anna Perry, m. Mercy Hawkins Nov, 1759. Child: 8. Mary Ann, b. June 4, 1760. I. PERRY, James, m. Mabel Johnson, April, 1760. Children: 2. Betty, b. Jan. 5, 1761. 4. Oliver, b. Mar. 28, 1765. 3. Lucy, b. Feb. 2, 1763. 5. James, b. June 15, 1761. PETTIT, Samuel, m. Elizabeth Tomlinson, Nov. i, 1736. Chil- dren : 1. Eliada, b. July 19, 1737. 3. Catharine, b. June 25, 1744. 2. Cyrenius, b. Jan. 20, 1742. PINTO, Abraham, was in Derby some years. Several of his chil- dren sold their right to their father's land at Quaker's Farm, in 1784, he being deceased. Children : r. Isaac. 3. Jacob. 2. Joseph. 4. Rachel. 1. PIERSON, Stephen, is said to have been born in Suffolk county, England, about 1645 5 ^^''^s apprenticed by his mother, a widow, about 1654, to Thomas MuUiner of New Haven to learn the carpenter's trade. He m. at Stratford ist Mary, dau of Henr)'^ Tomlinson, and settled in Derby in 1670, on Sentinel Hill ; m. 2d F.sther . His will was dated Sept. 2, 1733. He died in Oxford. May 14, 1739, aged 94. His first wife. Mary, died Sept 25, 1715 Children: 2. Stephen. 6. Mary; m. Josiah Baldwin.' 3. Sarah ; m. John Twifchell. 7. Bathsheba ; m. Adam Blackman of 4. Abraham, b. in 16S1. Stratford. 5. John; d. before 1704. 2. Stephen, Jr , son of Stephen and Mary (Tomlinson) Pierson, m. Mehitable Canheld, Oct. 12, 1697, who died and he m. 2d Hannah Munson, June 15, 1738 (?). Children : 8. Elizabeth, b. Jan. 12, 1699; m. 11. Job, 1). Oct. 5, 1707. Bennett. 12. Phibe ; m. Wm. Phanton, 1732. 9. John. 13. Abigail ; m. St. John. 10. Thomas; he or his son Thomas m. 14. Jonathan, b. ^Lay 6, 1716, by 2d wife Ruth Holbrook of Derby. (so said) ; Enoch, b. June 18, 1739. 752 HISTORY OF DERBY. 15. Elijah, b. Dec. 26, 1740. 17. Daniel, b. Apr. 29, 1744. 16. Rachel, b. Sept. 15, 1742. 18. Eli, b. June 4, 1749. 4. Abraham, son of Stephen Pierson, Sr , m. Sarah . He died May 12, 1758, aged 77. Children : 20. Abraham, b. July 28, 1707. 23. Hannah, b. Aug. 4, 1715; m. Sol- 21. Sarah, b. Aug. 14, 1709. omon Chatfiekl, June 12, 1734. 22. Mary, b. Oct. 26, 17 12. 24. Stephen, b. Mar. 4, 1720. 14. Jonathan, son of Stephen Pierson. Jr., m. Mary Bates, Mar. 5, 1739, ^I'^o '^i^*^ ^^^ ^^» ^755- Children : 25. Martha, b. Jan. 12, 1740; d. young. 27. Martha, b. Mar. 4, 1753. 26. Elias, b. June 23, 1743. 20. Abraham, Jr., son of Abraham Pierson, Sr,, m. Susanna Woos- ter, Apr, 10, 1731. Children: 28. Oliver, b. Mar. 25, 1732. 31. David, b. Jan. 17, 1748. 29. Barshua, b. Dec. i, 1736. 32. Ann, b. Oct., 11, 1751. 30. Abraham, b. Feb. i, 1746. 28. Oliver, son of Abraham, Jr., and Susan (Wooster) Pierson, m. Hannah . Child : 33. Sarah, b. Sept. 20, 1753. 30. Abraham 3d, son of Abraham and Sarah (Wooster) Pierson, m. Keziah Lines of New Haven, July 2, 1767. Children : 34. Sarah, b. Mar. 10, 1768. 36. Levi, b. Mar. 25, 177 1. 35. Abraham, b. Jan. 26, 1770; d. Jan. 30> ^770- 31. David, son of Abraham and Sarah (Wooster) Pierson, m. Lois Thompson. Oct. 29, 1766. Children : 37. Sarah, b. Oct. 29, 1767. 40. Joel, b. Aug. 29, 1772. 38. David, b. Nov. 20, 1769; d. Jan. 19, 41. Hannah Retty, b. Jan. 3, 1774. 1770. 42. Thompson, b. Sept. 9, 1775. 39. David, b. Dec. 29, 1770. PIERSON, Nathan, m. Ann Smith, Nov, 17, 1756, Children : 1. Abel, b. Sept. 19, 1757. 3., Ruth, b. Apr. 28, 1763. 2. Rebecca, b. Jan. 9, 1761. 4. Sabra, b. Aug. 9, 1765. PIERSON, John, m. Sarah Sizer of Middletown, June 4, 1775. PIERSON, Abel, m. Hannah Fairchild, Sept. 6, 17S1. PIERSON, Samuel, m. Abigail Crawford, Mar, 10, 1762. PIERSON, Edward, was a merchant in Derby in 1712, and re- moved to Stratford. PIERSON, James, a physician of Derby, removed to Wethersfield about 17 1 2 PLANT, Ebenezer, m. Esther Bassett, Aug. 17, 1774. PLUMB, Samuel ; m. Mary . The record says " A pound shall be erected between Samuel Plumb's malt house and Fine Hill burying-place." Children : 1. Samuel, b. Apr. 12, 1729. 5. Mary, b. Feb. 27, 1738. 2. Zuriel, b. Apr. 8, 1731. »6. Samuel, b. Apr. 18, 1741. 3. Joshua, b. June 24, 1734. 7, Susanna, b. Apr. 23, 1744. 4. Jared, b. Jan. 15, 1736. 8. Jared, b. Mar. 18, 1749. GENEALOGIES. 753 PITCHER, JosiiPH ; died Dec. lo, 1712. POOL, MiCAH ; m. Mary . Children : 1. John, b. June 31, 1761; 111. Abigail 6. Mary, b. July 30, 1770. Bassett in 1783. 7. Micah, b. June 25, 1772. 2. Ruth, b. Apr. 20, 1763. 8. Nabby, b. May 26, 1774; d. Oct. 30, 3. Samuel, b. Feb. 28, 1765. I774- 4. Isaac, b. Jan. 4, 1767. g. Joseph, b. July i, 1778, 5. Betty, b. Aug. 20, 176S. I. John, son of Micali and Maiy Pool ; m. Abigail Bassett in 1783. Children : 10. Arena, b. Dec. 24, 17S3. 11. Naomi, b. June 6, 1786. PRITCHARD, Iabez, Lieut.; m. Eunice Botsford, Oct. 31, 1764. Child : I. Leverctte, b, Sept. 16, 1765. PRITCHARD, James, Jr.; m. Rachel Warren, Nov., 1773. PRITCHARD, Philo ; m. Sabra -. Child : I. Nathaniel, b. Aug. 25, 1787, PRITCHARD, James ; m. Abigail . Children : 1. Lydia,b. Aug. 11, 1757. 2, Sarah, b. Nov. 15, 1759. PRITCHARD, David; m. Ruth Smith, Dec. 20, 1757. 1. PRINDLE, John ; came to Derby and m. Mary, dau. of Dr. John Hull, Dec. 23, 1685. who died Dec. 5, 1696, and he m. 2d Abi- gail Hawkins, Mar. i, 1697, who died July i, 1698, and he m. 3d Han- nah Botsford, Dec. 21, 1699. His home was on Great Neck, where he died Nov. 25, 1734, and his widow, Hannah, m. Capt. Joseph Hull, Nov. 14, 1735. Children: 2. John, b. Oct. I, 1 686. 6. Hannah, b. Dec. 4, 1700. 3. Samuel, b. July 18, 1691. 7. Ehiathan, b. July 13, 1702; d. May 11, 4. Ebenezer, b. July 15. 1693. 1721. 5. Mary, b. Sept. i, 1696; d. Dec. 26, 8. Abigail, b. Oct. 17, 1704. 1696. 9. Mary, b. Sept. 20, 170S. 2. John, son of John and Mary (Hull) Prinale ; m. Deborah , and died Oct. 4, 17 12. Children: ID. Edmund, b. P'cb. 4, 1709; d. Sept. 11. Nathaniel, b. Aug. 23, 1711. 22, I7,i4- PRINDLE, Enos; m. Deborah Jones, Jan. 16, 1750. They were both of Milford. Children : 1. Enos Jones, b. Nov. 23, 1750. 6. Ebenezer, b. June 26, 1760. 2. Elizabeth, b. May 16, 1752. 7. Anne, b. Sept. 23, 1762. 3. John, b. Sept. 7, 1755. 8. Joseph, b. Sept. 3, 1764. 4. Mary, b. Dec. 17, 1756. 9. Lucy, b. Nov. 23, 1766. 5. Sarah, b. Aug. 10, 1758. 10. David, b. Oct. 26, 1767. r. RIGGS, Edward, the head of the family in this country, came from England and settled at Ro.xbury, Mass., early in the summer of 1633 He had a wife, two fions and four daus. ; his son Edward being 19 or 20 years of age. Within three years he buried his wife, son John, and two daus. # 2. Edward, 2D, son of Edward Riggs ist, m. Elizabeth Roosa in 95 754 HISTORY OF DERRV. 1635. ^" 1637 he was a sergeant in the Pequot war, and greatly dis- tinguished himself in rescuing his commander and twelve of his companions from an ambuscade, and was ever afterwards known as " Sergeant Riggs." Nothing further is known of him until 1646 when he settled at Milford, Conn. In 1654 he, with Edward Wooster, and perhaps one or two other families settled at Paugasuck, afterwards Derby ; Wooster by the side of the river where Derby village was established, and Riggs on the hill a mile east, where his descendants have resided and hold the property to the present day. These two families are the only ones in the place at the time (1654) so far as can be positively assured. One public record says there were three or four families settled here at first, another two or three, but the two are all that can be ascertained to a certainty. Francis French was not m. until 1661, when he made the third family so far as known. Thomas Langdon may have been the third in 1654, but of this there is no certainty. The house of Edward Riggs stood by the rock a few rods west of the present house of Capt. Joseph Riggs, the present owner. This first house was the one where Whalley and GofF, the judges of Charles I. took refuge in 166 1, as recorded by President Ezra Stiles, in his history of those celebrated and honored men. A safe refuge it would seem, while also it must have been a most charm- ing wilderness home ; and in being the protector of these refugees the Riggs family will bear lasting honors by true lovers of constitutional liberty. Edward Riggs, being one of the company of ten men of Milford who purchased the claims of Mr. Goodyear to Paugasuck lands in 1653, made his choice of a farm before any division of the lands was made and secured a beautiful location with good land. Here he remained until 1666 when he became one of the planters at Newark, N. J., being on the committee to select the site for the plantation. His wife Eliza- beth was the only woman who was there the first summer. His chil- dren, except Samuel, removed with him. Children : 3. Edward. 5. Joseph. 4. Samuel. 6. Mary. 4. Ens. Samuel, son of Edward Riggs, m. ist Sarah, dau. of Rich- ard Baldwin of Milford, June 14, 1667, and settled on his father's homestead which he probably inherited. His wife. Sarah, departed this life and he m. 2d Mrs. Sarah Washburn, May 6, 17 13. He was a man of great substantial ability, and was honored as such in his own town to the end of his life. In a business capacity and standing he had but one rival, Major Ebenezer Johnson, with whom he seems to have lived in great friendliness, with the exception of a short time, when quite a variance of understanding existed, but which was settled, and afterwards the whole matter appears to have been dropped and they occupied the same pew for a number of years, classed in the same dig- nity in the meeting-house. He was a representative several years, made justice of the peace in 1708, and served in many offices in his town ; became a man of considerable prope'rty ; built the first house in the neighborhood of Seymour ; giving to his son, at that place in 1708, two hundred acres of land with houses and other comforts. He GENEALOGIES. 755 was made ensign in the train-band in 1790, and always thereafter bore that title. Children : 7. Elizabeth, b. June, 166S. 12. Ebenezer, b. Oct. 15, 167S; m. 8. Samuel, b. — ^^ — S, 167 1. 13. Edward, b. Oct. 7, 16S0; m. 9. Sarah, b. , 1672; d. 1672. 14. Hannah, b. P'eb. 24, 1683; m. Abraham 10. Sarah, 1). May 4, 1674; m. Jonathan Harger. Lum. 15. Joseph, b. Feb. 22, 16S6; d. Oct. 22, 11. John, b. Apr. i, 1676; m. 1707. aged 21. 11. Capt. John, son of Ens. Samuel R'ggs, m. Elizabeth Tomlinson, Feb. 23, 1700, and lived on his father's homestead which he deeded to him, where he died Sept. 24, 1755, aged 78. He, as his father, was a man of solid worth ; honored in many offices, and acquitting himself with much honor. He was commissioned captain in 1722 ; was ap- pointed by the state one of a committee to divide Woodbury into two societies in 1723 ; was appointed on a committee of seven for the state to investigate the question of the "western lands." made report May, 173 1, according to which five towns were laid out, — Colebrook. Hart- land, Winchester, Barkhamsted, Torringion, New Hartford, Harwin- ton. He was probably the most noted man of the town in his day. Children : 16. Samuel, b. Jan. 2, 1701. 19. Joseph, b. Feb. 13, 1710. 17. Anne, b. June 10, 1704; m. Samuel 20. Sarah, b. Dec. 17, 171 1 ; m. ist John Hull. Bowers ; 2d Rev. Daniel Humphreys. 18. Elizabeth, b. June 17, 1706. 12. Ebenezer, son of Ens Samuel Riggs. m. Lois'"^^^ , and settled on the farm given him by his father, probably soon after his marriage, or about 1708, near Rock Rimmon. He died May 11, 17 12, aged 34. Children : 21. Ebenezer, b. before 1708, since his 22. Lois, b. July 10, 1709. grandfather deeded him land in that 23. John, b. Dec. 27, 17 12. year to be his when 21. 13. Edward, son of Capt. Samuel Riggs, m. Abigail Nichols, Jan. 5, 1708, and died Nov. 25, 1712, aged 32. Children : 24. Grace, b. Oct. 4, 1708. - 26. Esther, b. Feb. 10, 1713. 25. Abigail, b. Feb. 5, 17 11. 16. Samuel, son of Capt. John Riggs, m. Abigail Gunn, Jan. 6, 1726. Children : 27. Elizabeth, b. ; d. May 27, 1738. 29. Mercy, b. Dec. 6, 1730. 28. Abigail, b. Mar. 3, 1728. 30. Elizabeth, b. Nov. 21, 1733. 19. Lieut. Joseph, son of Capt. John Riggs, m. Mabel Johnson, Feb. 20, 1740. Children: 31. Hannah, b. Dec. 21, 1740. 34. Samuel, b. Nov. 21, 1750; d. Sept. 32. John, b. Apr. 10, 1742. 21, 1766. ;^^. Joseph, b. July 20, 1746. 35. Mabel, b. May 5, 1759- 2 1. Ebenezer, Jr, son of Ebenezer and Lois Riggs, in. Rachel Peck of Waterbury, July 4, 1733. Children : 36. Rachel, b. May 31, 1734; d. May 25, 40. Lois, b. July 25, 1743; d. Aug., 1751. 1740. 41. Eunice, b. Oct. 14, 1745. 37. Esther, b. July 24, 1736. 42. Ebenezer, b. Jan. 22, 1748. 38. Ebenezer, b. Nov. 17] 1738; d. Ma/ 43. Jeremiah, b. July i, 1750. 29, 17.^0. 44. Joseph, b. Aug. 17, 1753. 39. Rachel, b. Jan. 23, 1741. 756 HISTORY OF DERRY. ^. John, son of Ebenezer Riggs. m. Hannah Johnson, Oct. 29, 1739 (?) Children : 45. John, b. Aug. 31, 1735. 49- Ann, b. June 14, 1741. 46. lulward, b. Apr. 24, 1737. 50. Jabez, b. June 28, 1744. 47. Hannah, b. Nov. 7, 1738. 48. Moses, b. May 26, 1740; d. July 26, 1740. 28. John, son of Joseph and Mabel (Johnson) Riggs, m. Elizabeth Hawkins, and died June 18, 18 14, and his wife died Oct. 3, 18 15. Child: 51. John, b. Dec. 22, 1771 ; m. 33. Joseph, 2d son of Joseph Riggs, m. Ann Canfield, Nov. 13, 1775. Children : 52. Betsey, b. Jan. 26, 1777. 53. David Johnson, b. May 3, 1779. 45. John, Jr., son of John Riggs, ni. Abigail . Children : 54. Abner, b. Dec. 24, 1760. 55. Abigail, b. July 16, 1765. 46. Edward, son of John Riggs, m. Lois Osborn of-Waterbury, May ^7' 1759- Children : '^ 56. Moses, b. Apr. 10, 1760. 59. David, b. Aug. 14, 1765. 57. Edward, b. Jan. 24, 1762. bo. Thomas. 58. David, b. May 20, 1764; d. Oct. 2, 61. Isaac. 1764. 51. John, son of John and Elizabeth (Hawkins) Riggs, m. Mary, dau. of Isaac Beecher, Jan. 1, 1793 ; m. 2d Betsey Hawkins, Mar. 6, 1829. Children : 62. Maria, b. May 7, 1793 ; d. June 4, 66. Lucinda, b. May 20, 1804. 1813. 67. Thirza, b. Oct. 26, 1807; m. ist John 63. Laura, b. May 7, 1795; m. John Humphrey; 2d Joshua Kendall. Davis. 68. John, b. Oct. 25, 181 1; d. Nov. 14, 64. Mary, b. Mar. 13, 1798; m. John S. 1855. Moshier. 69. Harpin, b. Dec. 9, 1813; m. 65. John H., b. Jan. 6, iSoi ; d. Oct. 10, 70. Henry, b. Jan. 15, 1816; m. Mary 1805. Ann JJradley. 69. Harpin, son of John and Elizabeth (Hawkins) Riggs, m. Har- riet, dau. of Hiram and Sarah Upson, May 17, 1840. Children: 71. John H. 75- Sarah M. 72. 1-loyal B. 76. Harriet. y^. Hiram U. 77- Mary B. 74. Louisa B. RIGGS, Ebenezer of Oxford, m. Julia M., dau. of Col. John Davis. Children : 1. Lucinda; m. Henry Church. 4. Bernice ; m. Charles Meiggs. 2. Dewitt. 5. N. Clark. 3. Homer ; m. Mary E. Davis. RUSSELL, Samuel, of Bradford gave to his son "Timothy Russell one moiety or half of all those lands and tenements in Derby, which I purchased of Jonathan Belcher, Esq., of Boston with a mansion house and barn thereon." Dec. 25, 1722, Capt Andrew Belcher and Mr. Jonathan Belcher, merchants of Boston, took a mortgage on landed property in Derby from Edward and James Pierson. merchants ; the instrument being executed by Samuel Walker of Stratford, Jan. 15, 1 7 13-14. The land consisted of about 300 acres, 200 being at Wes- GENEAI.oniES. 757 quantuck ; the mansion house was on Great Neck, and for the whole Samuel Russell paid ;i^300 "current bills of credit." Timothy Russell, therefore, had a fine start in life, and he improved it well. He m. into one of the best families; was town clerk some years, justice of the peace also ; attained to military position, and closed life with honor. He m. Mary Hull, Nov. 21, 1720. Children : 1. Abigail, b. Sept. 29, 1722. 4. Joseph, b. Feb. 3, 1730, m. Elizabeth 2. Sibila, Feb. 11, 1724. Clark, Sept, 25, 1764. 3. Mary, b. Oct. 16, 1726. 5. Samuel, b. Dec. 4, 1738. . SCOTT, Andrew G., m. Susan . Child : 1. Susan b. Aug. 9, 1803. 1. SH.\RPE, Thomas, came from England in 1700, when about 20 years of age, and settled in Stratford where he m. Lydia, dau. of Wil- liam, and grand-dau. of Rev. Frederick Dickinson, in 1701 ; was one of the 36 men named to whom the General Assembly granted the town- ship of Newtown in 1708, and settled in Newtown. Among the trans- fers made by him at this time was that of land in Stratford to Samuel Hawley of Deiby, in exchange for Mr. Hawley's " right " in the town- ship of Derby ; dated Jan 23, 1705-6. By the several divisions of land among the proprietors of Newtown he and his heirs acquired several hundred acres of land. He died in 1712, leaving five children. His wife Lydia survived him about forty years, since she signed a protest Dec. 15. 1 75 1, relative to land of which she was unjustly deprived. Children : 2. Thomas, b. Mar. iS, 1702. 5. John, b. Feb. i, 170S. 3. Mary, b. Oct. 10, 1703. 6. Elizabeth, b. Apr. 18, 1712. 4. William, b. Aug. 19, 1705. 2. Thomas, Jr., son of Thomas and Lydia Sharpe. m. Sarah, dau. of Richard, and grand-dau. of William Crozier, Feb. 17, 1745, and resided in Newtown, where he died Apr. 17, 1765, aged 63. Children : 7. Thomas, b. May 28, 1746. 10. Eliakim, b. Dec. 5, 1752, m. Hester 8. Eydia, b. Dec. 16, 174S. Wetmorc, Nov. 25, 1773. g. John, b. Nov. 12, 1750, m. Phedina 11. Je.sse, b. Jan. 30, 1755. Lake, Nov. 23, 1772; d. at Harlem in 12. Sarah, b. Mar. 26, 1760, m. John B. the Revolution in 1777. Had Lucy, Vose ; had John, Abby, Lucy, Lydia, b. Oct. II, 1773; Rena, b. Aug. 4, Ruth. 1776. 7. Thomas 3rd, son of Thomas, Jr., and Sarah Sharpe; m. Mary Treadwell : removed to Ridgefield and afterward to Oxford, near Zoar bridge, where he died Mar. 14, 1805. Children: 13. Polly b. June 30, 1771,111. Frederick 17. Amy, b. July 11, 17S3, m. Scth S- Galpin of Woodbury, d. Oct. 30, 1S51, Stratton, d. Aug. 6, 1843. leaving children, Stephen, Curtiss, 18. Daniel, b. Apr. 22, 1785, m. Polly Polly, Maria and Leman. Bennett,d. Mar. 28, 1870. Had Sher- 14. Lydia, b. Apr. 18, 1774, d. June 28, man J., and I,egrand, father of Sani- 1778. uel and Jane. 15. Floranna, b. Feb. 20, 1778, m. Cory- ig. Philander, b. Mar. 24, 1787 ;m. Sarah, don Kelsie of Vermont, d. in 1841. Davis, d. Apr. 30. 1859. Had Eu- 16. Mary Ann, b. July 11, 1781, m. Joseph gene, George, Alfred, Eliza. Thompson of West Haven, d. Mar. 20. Henry, b. Oct. 7, i7Sg; m. Polly Sher- 23, 1765, leaving children, Fanny, man, d. Oct. 27, 1823. Had llrzelia, Cynthia, Louisa, Jeduthun, Charles, m. Rev Tliomas Clinghani; Henri- George, Lucinda, Jo.seph and Jane. etta, in. William Wakenlan of New Haven ; Walker. 3-- Sally, m. Yale. 36- 33- John, b. in 1690; m. Kate Dawson; d. Oct. 27, i(S25. 37- 34- William b. ; m. the dau. of Moses Beardsley, 38- 35- Lydia; ni. William Dart. 758 HISTORY OF DERBY. 21. Hannah, b. Dec. 7, 1791 ; d. May 20, 23 Lugrand, b. June i, 1797, in Ridge- 1S20. field. 22. Abiah, b. Dec. 7, 1791 ; d. June 28, 1817. 10. Eliakim, son of Thomas, Jr., and Sarah Sharpe, m. Hester Wetmore, Nov. 25, 1773 ; resided in Monroe, and died in Mar., 1839. Cliildren : 24. Andrew, b. Aug. 17, 1775; d. Nov. 26, 29. Mary, b. Oct. 18, 1789. 1790. 30. John W., b. Aug. 10, 1791; d. Nov. 7, 25. Betsey, b. Nov. 5, 1776; m. Burr 18 15, in Liverpool, Eng., whither he Tomlinson. had gone in hope of recovering the 26. Mabel, b. Oct. 11, 1779. family estate. 27. Ruth Ann, b. June 10, 1784. 31. Annice, b. Aug. 10, 1791 ; m. John W. 28. Lydia Ann, b. Mar. 22, 178S; d. Feb. Robert and removed to Ohio. 7, 1817. 11. Jesse, son of Thomas, Jr., and Sarah Sharpe, is named in Derby records as being one of the original proprietors of the Quaker's Farm purchase, which was in consequence of his great grandfather having bought the right of Samuel Hawley, who was one of the proprietors. Children : Nancy ; m. Dart, brother to William. Hepsey; m. Israel Calkins. David ; went to sea while young and never returned. 23. Lugrand, son of Thomas 3d and Mary (Treadwell) Sharpe, m. Sept. 28, 1823. Olive, dau. of Ebenezer Booth of Southford, who died Mar. 8, 1864 He purchased a homestead in Southford where he resided until Apr., 1843, when he removed to Seymour, where he was a useful and honored citizen until his death May i, 1876, in the 79th year of his age. (See Biography.) Children : 39. Mary A.; m. John James of Ansonia. 45. Daniel Smith; d. in Seymour, Aug. 40. Olive Maria; m. Albert W. Louns- 27, 1849, in his 13th year. bury of Seymour. 46. William Carvosso; m. Vinie A. Lewis 41. Elizabeth ;m. Rev. Walter Chamberlin of Monroe; residence, Seymour. of the Newark Conference. 47. Andrew Benedict; d. in Southford, 42. Henry; d. in Southford, Apr. 10,1832, Nov. 27, 1842, in his 2d year. in his second year. 48. David Watson ; m. Emily Lewis of 43. John Wesley; d. in Seymour, Jan. 29, Monroe ; r'esidence. New Haven. 1849, aged 16. 44. Thomas; m. Lottie McLain and re- sides in Seymour. SHERWOOD, Joseph; m. Comfort Canfield of Derby Oct. 27, 1772, and resided here, apparently, several years. Child: 1. Sheldon, b. Sept, 7, 1777. 1. SHERWOOD, Samuel, born July 8, 1761, at Greenfield Hill, Fairfield county, Conn., removed to Derby April 15, 1817, where he died May 11, 1838. Child: 2. Oliver Burr, b. Nov. 22, 1799, at Ridgefield, Conn. 2. Oliver Burr, son of Samuel Sherwood, came to Derby with his father in 1817 ; m. Charlotte Fowler of Milford, Sept. 3, 1836. Children : GENl'.AI.OGJES. 759 3. Mary Burr, b. June 11, 1S37 ; m. 5. Albert Fowler, b. Sc]:)t. 17, 1S42. franklin Ilallock, Aug. 25, 1858. 6. Charlotte Clarrine, b. Oct. 20, 1S44. 4. William Oliver, b. Aug. 24, 1839; m. Lydia O. Chichester, Feb 7, 1871; resides in New York. 5. Ai.EERT FowLKR, SOU of Oliver B. and Charlotte Sherwood ; m. Emily B. Chatfield of Derby, Oct. 17, 1866. Children : 7. Charles Girard, b. Nov. 13, 1867. 9. Joseph Beach, b. May 7, 1875. 8. Oliver Burr, b. Mar. 3, 1873; d. Apr. 23, 1S74. SHORT, JosiAH ; m. Abigail . Children : 1. Isaac, b. May 16, 1771. 3. Josiah, b. Oct. 3, 1781. 2. Peter, b. July 17, 1773. SILBY, Thomas; m. Anne Blackman, Oct. 12, 1756. Children: I. Betty, b. July 29, 1757. 2. David Melville, b. Mar. 22, 1759. SMITH, John, of Milford as early as 1640, had wife Grace, who joined the church in 1642. He was one of the ten first owners of Derby. Children : 1. Ephraim, bapt. Oct. 13, 1644; settled 4. Ebenezer, b. Nov. 10, 1651 ; d. young. in Derby ; -BO-chiidren, 5. Mercy, bapt. Dec. 5, 1652; d. aged 2. John, b. Aug. 27, 1646. iS. 3. Mary, b. 164S; m. Abel Gunn of 6. Mehitable, b. Mar. 25, 1655; m. Derby. Edward Camp. SMITH, Mary, wife of Ephraim Smith ; d. May 5, 1726, and he m. Anna Carrington, Dec. 4, 1727. SMITH, Ephraim and Elizabeth. Child : I. Elizabeth, b. Sept. 27, 1748. SMITH, Ephraim ; m. Martha . Children : I. Samuel, b. Aug. 17, 1723. 2. Mary, b. Aug. 4, 1740. SMITH, Samuel; m. Ann Holbrook, Mar. 16, 1758; and a Samuel Smith m. Anna, and had child : I. Gibson, b. Jan. 17, 1781. SMITH, John; m. Deborah Lambert of Milford, Dec. 9, 1719. Children : I. Richard, b. Apr. 29, 1725. 2. David, b. Feb. 26, 1728. SMITH, Thomas ; m. Abigail Hawkins, Dec. 20, 1727, and died Apr. 13, 1762. Child : I. Abigail, b. Dec. 12, 1748. SMITH ; Elijah, m. Ann Hawkins, May 3, 1748. Child : I. Josiah, b. Dec. 12, 1748. SMITH. Hannah, d. Nov. 28, 17 12. SMITH, John, was at Milford in 1646, and although called Junior, was not a son of John Smith, the father of Ephraim, who settled in Derby. He was a blacksmith and came to Derby as such at the desire of the people. He m. ist Sarah, dau. of Wm. Fowler, Jr., of Milford, July 19, 1665 ; for 2d wife he m. in 1694 Clemence, widow of Jonathan Hunt of Northampton, Mass., who d. in 1704. Children : r 760 HISTORY OF DERBY. 1. Joseph, cl. young. 3. Jonathan, b. Sept. 5, 167 1. 2. John, b. in 1669; d. young. 4. John, b. June 18, 1674; d. young. SMITH, Andrew, m. Sarah Tomlinson, May 21, 1696. Children : 1. Nathan, b. Feb. 4, 1697. 5. Andrew, b. Oct. 3, 171 1. 2. Jonah, b. Sept. 29, 1699. 6. Joseph, b. July 20, 17 15. 3. Maiv, b. Feb. 12/1705. 7. Hannah, b. May 12, 17 — . 4. Rachel, b. May 4, 170S. 8. Josiah, b. June 15, 17 — . 1. Nathan, son of Andrew and Sarah (Tomlinson) Smith, m. Han- nah , and d. June 27, 1725. Children : 9. Elnathan, b. May 10, 1723. 10. Nathan, b. Sept. 19, 1724. 2. Jonah, son of Andrew and Sarah (Tomlinson) Smith, m. Grace Riggs, March 22, 1726. Children: 11. Isaac, b. Mar. 18, 1734. 14. Hannah, b. July 15, 1742. 12. Sarah, b. July i, 1738. 15. Edward, b. April 25, 1748. 13. Esther, b. Dec. 18, 1739. 5. AnijREW, Jr., son of Andrew and Sarah (Tomlinson) Smith, m. Mary ■. Children : 16. Sarah, b. Aug. 5, 1744 ; d. Oct. 5, 1751. 17. Sarah, b. July 28, 1752. 9. Elnathan, son of Nathan and Hannah Smith, m. Abigail . Children : iS. Eli, b. Sept. 12, 1750, at "Elizabeth- 19. Nathan, b. July 25, 1752, same place, town, in the Jerseys." 20. Hannah, b. June 23, 1754, in Derby. 10. Nathan, son of Nathan and Hannah Smith, m. Sarah Northrop, of Milford, Nov. 4, 1747, who d. June 25, 1757 ; m. 2d Martha F"rink, Mar. 15, 1758, who d. Nov. 9, 1765 ; m. 3d 'I'ryphena Children : 21. Sarah, b. April 18, 1750. 24. Andrew, b. Aug. 31, 1761 ; d. Jan. 20, 22. Mary, b. Sept. i, 1751. 1765. 23. Eunice, b. Mar. 3, 1755. -5- Nathan, b. Sept. 30, 1763. 26. Marvin, b. Aug. 13, 1768. 11. Isaac, son of Jonah and Grace (Riggs) Smith, m. Lucy . Children : 27. Lucy, b. Dec. 22, 1754. 29. Charity, b. Dec. 22, 1757. 28. Esther, b. Feb. 4, 1756. SMITH, John, m. Mary , who d. June 12, 1745, aged 67. He d. May 31, 1749, aged 75. Children: 1. Jonathan, b. May 21, 1716; m. Rachel 3. John, b. April 21, 1723; m. Elizabeth Tomlinson, Mar. 12, 1744. Chatfield, Dec. 26, 1750, and had 2. Deborah, b. May 16, 1721. children, Gideon, b. Sept. 16, 1754, and Betty, b. April 25, 1757. SMITH, Abraham, m. Sarah French, Dec. 5, 1756. Children: 1. Isaac, b. July 8, 1757; d. Mar. 24, 5. James, b. Sept. 14, 1767. 1775. 6. Josiah, b. Oct. 23, 1769. 2. Abraham, b. Oct. i, 1759. * 7. Fitch, b. May 14, 1772. 3. John French, b. Mar. 20, 1762; d. 8. Levi, b. Sept. 23, 1774. April 20, 1781. 9. John, b. April 22, 1781. 4. Abijah, b. Oct. 3, 1764. 2. Abraham, Jr., son of Abraham and Sarah French, m. ist Lucy Hawkins, Mar. 18, 1778; m. 2d Molly Johnson, Aug. 4, 1782. Children : 10. Isaac, b. Oct. 24, 1779. 11. Susy, b. Mar. 5, 17S0. GENKALOGIKS. 761 6. JosiAH, son of Abraham and Sarah (Iwench) Smith, m. Betsey Holbrook, July 30, 1795. Children : 12. Almond, b. April 19, 1796. 14. Betsey, b. Oct. ^50, 1799. 13. Almira, b. Oct. 5, 1797. SMITH, Joseph, m. Martha Bement, Oct. ii, 1722. Children: I. Hannah, b. Aug. 18, 1723, d. l\Iay 3, 2. Martha, b. [an. 30, 1726. 1757. aged 33. SMITH. Joseph 30, m Hannah Malory, of West Haven, Aug. 21, 1753. Children : 1. Jeremiah, b. May 26, 1754. 3. Abigail, b. Oct. iS, !757. 2. Eleanor, b. May 16, 1756. SMITH, JosiAH m. Esther Smith, Sept. 8, 1773. Children: 1. Esther, b. Feb. 4, 1775. 3- Josiah, b. Sept. i r, 1778. 2. Clark, b. Nov. 10, 1776. 4- Sheldon, b. Dec. 13, 1780. SMITH, Moses, m. Lucretia Hall, Feb. 28. 1780. Children: I. Nathan Gaylord, b. Feb. 25, 1781. 2. Timothy Wheaton, b. Sept. 6, 1782. SMITH, JosiAH m. Esther Oviatt, Aug. 24, 1727. Child: I. Elijah, b. June 28, 1729. SMITH, John, m. Abigail . Children : 1. Enos, b. Feb. 16, 1760. 3. Andrew, b. June 10, 1766. 2. Sarah, b. Jan. 29, 1762. SMITH, Daniel, m. Hannah Stiles, Nov. 26, 1734. Child: 1. Hannah, b. Aug. 14, 1737- SMITH, Daniel, had children : J. Lois, b. Sept. 20, 176S. 3. John, b. Sept. 9, 1777. 2. Ebb, b. Mar. 15, 1775. SPENCER, Jehiel, m. Anne Patience Tomlinson, Nov. 6, 1775. Children : I. Billy, 1). Apr. 11, 1777. 2. Hannah, b. Apr. 9, 1779. STEELE, George and John, brothers, born in Essex, Eng.; came to New England about 1631 ; settled first at Cambridge, Mass.; re- moved to Hartford, Conn. George was a proprietor of lands at Hart- ford in 1639. He was made a freeman in Cambridge in 1634; he died in 1663, as it is said, "very old." Children : 1. Elizabeth, m. Thomas Watts of Mid- 3. Richard, m.; d. in i()39, leaving chil- dletovvn. drcn. 2. Daughter, b. in 1640; m. Harrison or 4. James, m. Henderson. 4. James, son of George Steele of Hartford, m. Anna, dau. of John Bishop of Guilford, and was a prominent man at Hartford ; was in the war against the Pequots. Children : 5. Sarah, m. Samuel ]'>orman, Jr., Feb. 8, S. Mary, m. Hall. 16S2. 9. I'.lizabeth, d. not m. 6. Lieut. James, b. about 1658; m. Sarah 10. Rachel, m. ist Edward Allyn ; 2d Barnard. Denmiing. 7. John, b. 1660 ; m. 96 762 HISTORY OF DERBY. 7 John, son of James and Anna (Bishop) Steele, m. Melatiah. dau. of Maj. William Bradford of Plymouth. Children : 11. John, b. 1693; d. 1712. 13. Berthia, m. May 17, 1709, Samuel 12. Ebenezer, b. 1695; m. Shepard. 12. Ebenezer, son of John and Melatiah (Bradford) Steele, m. Su- sannah of West Hartford; removed to Killingworth, where he died in 1746. Children: 14. John, m. Christina , Feb. 4, 1785. 18. Huldah, m. Nathaniel Flowers. 15. Mary, m. John Dodd. 19. Melatiah, b. 1732. 16. Daniel. 20. Bradford, b. Sept. 22, 1734; m. 17. Susannah, m. Reuben Flowers. 21. Elisha, b. about 1737 ; m. 20. Capt Bradford, son of Ebenezer and Susannah Steele, came to Derby and m. Mary Perkins about 1755 ; she was born in 1731, died Oct. 16, 1788 ; he m 2cl Sarah Wheeler of Derby, widow of Sim- eon Wheeler, who had been killed at the burning of Fairfield, Conn''^ Capt. Bradford Steele commenced business with his tather-in-lnw in Dei by in [757 ; afterward removed to Hartford, and from thence to Derby, on Little river, where he purchased lands, built shops and houses ; was an officer of a volunteer company that joined Washington at Boston, and afterwards was captain of minute-men, and was in sev- eral conflicts defending New Haven and the coast along the Sound as far as New York. He was noted for his shrewdness, enterprise and strength of mind, and was prominent in the business transactions of the town. He died Apr. 10, 1804, aged 69. Children: 22. Infant, d. of bleeding of the nose. Warren of Woodbridge, and settled 23. Susannah, b. Dec. 14, 1756; m. Na- in Watertown. thaniel Flowers of Roxbury, Mar. 28. Hannah, b. Aug. 4, 1766, m. Josiah 5, 1779. Whitney of Greenfield. 24. Ashbel, b. Aug. 3, 1757; m. Eunice 29. Daniel, b. July 14, 176S. Thompson of Derby, May 5, 1779. 30. George, b. Sept. 5, 1770; m. Apr. 26, 25. Melatiah, b. Mar. 9, 1761 ; m. Wil- i797) Esther, dau. of Dea. Bucking- liam Keeney, Mar. 5, 1779; d. Mar. ham of Oxford; settled first in Derby, 9, 1827. then in Oxford, and finally in Exeter, 26. Bradford, b. Aug. 31, 1762. N. Y.; she d. July 26, 1S39. 27. Mary, bapt. Sept. 9, 1764; m. Edward 21. Elisha, son of Ebenezer and Susannah Steele, m. Mary Mer- rells, Apr. 12, 1760; lived in Derby, and was associated with his brother, Capt. Bradford Steele, in mill enterprises and labor ; his wife died at Hadley, Mass.; he m. 2d Eunice, widow of Lieut. Pritch- ard ; he d. in 1805. Children : 31. Mary, b. Jan. 25, 1763. 35. Elisha, b. Feb. 3, 1771 ; lived in Wa- 32. Candace, bapt. Jan. 6, 1765. terbury, and d. in 1792. 2^. Clarissa, b. Feb. 9, 1766; m. 36. Norman, b. 1780; m. (For his de- Pomeroy ; lived in Hadley, Mass scendants see History of Torring- 34. Lucy b. May 28, 1769. ton, Conn). 26. Dea Bradford, Jr., son of Capt Bradford and Mary (Perkins) Steele, m. Ruth, dau. of his step-mother and her husband, Simeon Wheeler, Mar. 7, 1785; she was born Sept 16, 1765; died Feb. 20, 1856 , he died Dec 23, 1841, aged 80. Children : i^Stecle Genealogy, History of Torrington, Conn. GENKALOGIES. 763 37. Edmund, h. Apr. 4, 17SS; ni. Anna -ii. liurr, b. June 7, 1700; m. Tucker; d. Apr. 8, 1840. 42. Susan, b. Dec. 17, 1802; d. Oct. 11, 38. Sally, b. May 7, 1791 ; m. Chester 1804, Jones, Nov. 20, 1808. Children; 43. Almira, b. Feb. 22, 1810 ; m. ist Susan RI„ b. Aug., 1809, m. William John W. Holcomb, Nov. 23, 1S32 Brewster of Erie, Penn.; Sarah M., 2d Henry P. Davis, Sept. 2, 1S49 d. Nov. 18, 1S77; Mary A., b. Aug., had George S., born Dec. 23, 1835: 1811, m. Clark McSparren of Erie, d. Oct. 17, 1842; John W., b. Nov Penn.; Julia M.; Ruth E., m. W. C. 2, 1843 ; m. Rhoda Langdon, Sept Curry of Epe, Penn.; Chester Brad- 24, 1867; Mary H., b. Apr. i, 1838 ford, m. Caroline Smith, lives in m. Samuel Howd, d. July 4, 1871; East Saginaw; Louisa, m. Doct. Ceorge S., b. May 24, 1S50; m. Mar- William Magill of Eric, Penn''*. tha M. Cushen, Oct. 2, 1872; Burr 39. A.shbel, b. Aug, 8, 1793; "^'^ ^^V^- -3' ^-i '^- ^^c. 22, 1851 ; Alice, b. Feb. 1794. 2, 1854; m. Joseph T. Beard, Mar. 40. William, b. Feb. i^, 179S; m. 27, 1872. 29. Daniel, son of Capt. Bradford and Mary (Perkins) Steele, m. 1st Rebecca Clark of VVaterbury in 1789, who d. Mar., 1796 ; 2d Mar- garet, dau. of Richard VVelton, Sept. 20, 1797 ; he died June 24, 1835. Children : 44. Austin, b. Sept. 17, 1790; m. 50. Clark M., b. Sept. 21, 1805; d. May 45. Daniel, Jr., b. Nov. 11,1792; m. 27, 1811. 46. Rev. Ashbel,b. Jan. 31, 1796 ; m. 51. Betsey C, July 13, 1810 ; m. L. 47. Ransom, b. Sept. 2, 1798; m. Eliza- Beecher, Sept. 19, 1830. beth Beecher, Oct. 4, 1821. 52. Sherman, b. Jan. 5, 1S08; m. June, 48. Rebecca, b. Aug. 15, 1800; m. Dec. 1S50, Catharine Clark. 25, 1825, Norman S. Bidwell of 53. Davis C, b. Sept. 8, 1813; m. Waterbury. 54. George H., b. Mar. 15, 1820; d. in 49. Richard, b. July 6, 1S02; m. Apr. 3, Lake Co., 111., Sept., 1847. 1 83 1, Susan I\L Ray. 35. Elisha, Jr . son of Elisha and Mary (Merrells) Steele, lived in Waterbury and died in 1792. Children : 55. Daughter; m. I lines. 56. Daughter; m. Jones. 36. Norman, son of Elisha and Mary (Merrells) Steele, m. Hannah Spencer, about 1800. She was born in 1778 ; died about 1820, aged 42. He died in 1822. Children : 57. Clarissa; d. at the age of 12. 61. Edwin; lost at the age of 18. 58. Elisha, b. in 1803; m. Elizabeth 62. Nurman, b. 1813; m. Sarah Hitch- Ilines of Waterbury; had Mary cock, June 4, 1846; had Frederick Ann and Henry ; d. In 1875. ^'•' Herbert A., Anna E. H. 59. Mary, b. in 1805 ; m. Wm. H. Jones 63. Ann P., b. Oct. 18, 1814; ni. Lewis B. in 1825; had Sarah, Stafford, Nor- Follett, Oct. 18, ; d. Oct. 18,1856; man S., Caroline A., Wm. II. and had Susan, Maria. John E. 64. William Spencer, b. 1816; m. 60. Susan, b. 1807 ; m. Joseph T. Marr ; d. in 1840; had Helen, Marion and Louise. 37. Edmund, son of Dea. Bradford and Ruth (Wheeler) Steele, m. Anna. dau. of Zephaniah Tucker, Nov. 24, 1809. She was born Nov. 27, 1783. Children : 65. Albert J., b. Feb. 22, 1S12. 66. John Burton, b. June 10, 1814. 40. William, son of Dea. Bradfoid and Ruth (Wheeler) Steele, ni. Betsey Northrop, Nov. i, 1819 ; died Nov 24, 1874. Children : 67. John. 69. George. 68. Truman ; living in Ansonia. 70. Mary. ^''History of Seymour. 764 HISTORY OF DERBY. 41. Burr, son of Dea. Bradford and Ruth (Wheeler) Steele, m. Betsey Mallett, Nov. 7, 1822 ; died Aug. 11. 1823. Children : 71. Burr S., b. Mar. 19, 1S24; d. Sept. 4, 72. Betsey; d. Apr. 7, 1824. 1S44. 44. Austin, son of Daniel and Margaret (Welton) Steele, m. Polly Beecher, Aug. 31, 18 10 ; lived in Waterbury. Children : 73. Henry; removed West. 74. Caroline; m. George Benedict. 45 Daniel, Jr., son of Daniel and Margaret (Welton) Steele, m. Sarah, dau. of Col. Street Richards of Wolcott, Conn., Nov. 15. 1813, who died in 111., Feb. i. 1853 ; m. 2d Amanda, widow of Jasper John- son, and sister of his first wife. Children : 75. William A., b. Aug. 13, 1814 ; killed 77. Margaret ; m. Ransom Steele of Wau- in Alabama. kegan, 111. 76. Nelson ; d. in Illinois, aged 18. 46. Rev. Ashbel, son of Daniel and Margaret (Welton) Steele, m. Clara Brewster, June 28, 1825, a Presbyterian minister in Washington, D. C. ; is the author of a work entitled '• Chief of the Pilgrims, or Lite and Times of Elder William Brewster ; " and also a genealogy of the '■ Brewster Family." 78. Reginald. 80. Ashbel F. 79. Francis H. 64. William Spencer, son of Norman and Hannah (Spencer) Steele, m. Caroline A. Jones. Nov. 8, 1837 ; settled in Wolcottville, Conn., in 1839, and died Jan. 22, 1857. Children : 81. Abbie A., b. Oct. 16, 1838; m. Flori- 84. Elisha J., b. June 29, 1843; m. Sophia mond I). Fyler of .Winsted, a judge S. Skiff, Jan. 25, 1S64; a soldier in in Litchfield Co. Court. the late war; resides in Wolcottville, 82. Mary, b. Dec. 19, 1839; m. Willis A. Conn.; an influential young man. Bradley, July 14, 1839. 85. Edwin S., b. Oct. 4, 1846; d. Feb. 14, 83. William L., b. Sept. 6, 1841 ; a sol- 1855. dier of the late war. 86. Albert D., b. Aug. 11, 184S; d. Aug. 21, 1848. 87. George B., b. May 15, 1852 ; m. Alice Diamond, May 15, 1872. 65 Albert J., son of Edmund and Anna (Tucker) Steele, m. Julia, dau. of Chester Jones, Feb 11, 1835. Children: 88. Sarah Ann, b. Oct. 17, 1S36. 91. Albert Edmund, b. Oct. 29, 1845; d. 89. Susan Maria, b. Mar. 28, 1840. Oct. 19, 1858. 90. Julia Frances, b. May 2, 1843 > ^- 9-- Orianna Louisa, b. July 2, 1852. Feb. 29, 1844. 66. John Burton, son of Edmund and Anna (Tucker) Steele, m. Emeline A. Stuart of Bridgewater. She was born July 13, 18 19. Children : 93. Celestia, b. Sept. 29, 1846, m. Edward 94. Frank E., b. Aug. 20, 1848. B. Bradley, Nov. 29, 1866. STILES, Nathan; m. Phebe [Johnson ?] I Nathan, b. Feb. 27, 1796. 5. Hezekiah, b. Jan. 28, 1803. 2. Sally, b. Sept. 6, 1797. 6. Harvey, b. Mar. 30, 1805. ]■ 5^^^^^' [ b. Mar. 28, 1801. 7- Lois Emily, b. Feb 24, 1810. 4. Jesse, ) 8. Stiles Johnson, b. May 4, . I. STODDARD, Anthony, came from England to Boston about 1639 ; was admitted freeman in 1640, and was a representative there GENF.ALOCilKS. 765 more than twenty years. He m. ist Mary, dan. of Hon. Emanuel Downing; of Salem and had 3 sons ; 2d Barbara, widow of Capt Joseph Weld, and had 2 children ; 3d Christian , had 10 children. He died Mar. i6, 1687. Chilaren ; 2. Solomon, b. Oct. 4, 1643. 'o. Joseph, b. Dec. i, 1661. 3. Sampson, b. Dec. 3, 1645. '^- John, b. Apr. 22, 1663. 4. Simeon, b. 1650. 12. Ebenezer, b. July i, 1664. 5. Sarah, b. Oct. 21, 1652. 13. Dorothy, b. Nov. 24, 1665. 6. Stephen, b. Jan. 6, 1654. 14. Mary, b. Mar. 25, 1668. 7. Anthony, b. June 16, 1656. 15. Jane, } , j,,. ,„ ...^ 8. Christian, b. Mar. 22, 1657. 16. Grace, f '^- -'"'y "9' "^^9- 9. Lydia, b. May 27, 1660. 2. Solomon, son of Anthony and Mary (Downini^) Stoddard, grad- uated at Harvard, 1662 ; was the first librarian of that college ; preached a time in Barbadoes ; then settled as minister at Northampton, Mass., Sept. ir, 1672. He m. Mar. 8, 1670, Mrs Esther Mather, originally Esther Warham of Windsor, Conn., widow of Rev. Eleazer Mather, his predecessor at Northampton. He died Feb. 11, 1729. aged 86. She died Feb. 10, 1736, aged 92. Children : 17. Mary, b. Jan. 9, 1671; m. Rev. Ste- 23. Anthony, b. Aug. 9, 1678; m. phen Mix. 24. Sarah, b. Apr. i, 16S0 ; m. 18. Esther, b June 2, 1672 ; m. Rev. 25. John, b. Feb. 17, 16S2 ; m. Timothy Edwards. 26. Israel, b. Apr. ro, 1684; d. a prisoner 19. Samuel, b. Feb. 5, 1674; d. Mar. 22, in France. 1674. 27. Rebecca, b. 16S6; m. 20. Anthony, b. June 6, 1675; d. June 7, 28. Hannah, b. Apr. 21, i6S8; m. Rev. 1675. William Williams. 21. Aaron, J b. Aug. 23, 1676; d. Aug. [ 26, 1676. 22. Christian, ) m. 23. Rev. Anthony, son of Solomon and Esther Stoddard, graduated at Harvard, 1697, settled as minister in Woodbury, Conn., where he preached until his decease Sept. 6. 1760 He m. ist Prudence Wells of Wethersfield Oct. 20, 1700. who died in May, 17 14; m 2d Jan. 31, 17 15, Mary Sherman, who died Jan, 12, 1720. Children : 29. Mary, b. June 19, 1702. 35. Prudence, b. Oct. 12, 1711; m. 30. Solomon, b. Oct. 12, 1703. 36. Gideon, b. May 27, 1714; m. 31. Eliakim, b. Apr. 3, 1705; m. 37. Esther, b. Oct 11, 1716; m. 32. Elisha, b. Nov. 24, 1706; m. 38. Abijah, b. Feb. 28, 1718; m. 22i- Israel, b. Aug. 7, 1708. 39. Elizabeth, b. Nov. 15, 17 19; m. 34. John, b. Mar. 2, 17 10. 31. Eliakim. son of Rev. Anthony and Prudence (Wells) Stoddard ; m. Joanna Curtis in 1729 ; residence, Woodbury. Children : 40. John, b. Jan. 26, 1730. 45. Eliakim, b. July 25, 1742. 41. Israel, b. Jan. 28, 1732. 46. .Seth, b. Dec. 2, 1744. 42 Anthony, b. Oct. 21, 1734. 47. Abigail, b. Aug. 2, 1747. 43. Joanna, b. July 16, 1738. 48. Eliakim, b. Dec. 11, 1749. 44. Prudence, Sept. 24, 1740. 40. John, son of Eliakim and Joanna (Curtis) Stoddard ; m Mary Atwood, Apr 15, 1751, and settled in Watertown, Conn, where he died Jan 22, 1795. She died Jan. 16, 1802, in Charleston, Montgom- ery county, N. Y. Children : 49. Sampson, b. Oct. 25, 1752; m. 51. Wells, b. July i, 1759; m t;o. Abiram, b. (let. 25, 1756. 52. Phebe, b. Feb. 19, 1760; m. ^66 HISTORY OF DERBY. 53. John, b. July i, 1763; m. 57. Sarah, b. May 13, 1773; m. 54. Submit, b. Mar. 17,1766. 58. Israel, b. Feb. 15,1776; m. 55. Joanna, b. Feb. 19, 1767 ; m. 59. Eliakim, b. Aug. 10, 1779; m. 56. Mary, b. June 11, 1771 ; m. 49. Samson, son of John and Mary (Atwood) Stoddard ; m. ist Susannah Nettleton, who died Apr. 24. 1779 ; 2d Amy Goodwin, who died Sept. 16, 1727. He resided at Watertown, where he died Nov. 1 1, 1809 Children : 60. Prudence, b. Aug. 11, 1775; m. 64. Goodwin, b. May 8, 1783; m. 61. Abiram, b. Jan. 27, 1777 ; m. 65. Harvey, b. Apr. 14, 1785; m. 62. Susannah, b. Mar. 26, 1779; m. 66. Anna, b. Aug. 17, 1788; m. 63. William, b. Sept. 29, 1781 ; graduate 67. Samuel, b. Aug. 6, 1791 ; m. of Yale ; a physician ; m. 61. Abiram, M. D , son of Sampson and Susannah (Nettleton) Stod- dnrd, was graduated at Yale, 1800, became a physician ; settled in' Humphreysville, where he practiced with great success until his death Nov. 26, 1855. Hem Eunice Clark ; held olifices of trust many years; character, eccentric, but kind to the poor and suffering. ^^See Biog.) Children : 68. Theresa, b. Jan. 6, 1806; d. in 1814. 72. Joseph Nettleton, b. Nov. 12, 1S15; 69. Jonathan, b. Oct. 9, 1807. m. 70. Susan H., b. Aug. 3, 1809; m. Shel- 73. William, b. Jan. 6, 1818. don C Johnson, M. I)., of Hum- 74. Maria Theresa, b, June 2, 1825; still phreysville, May 19, 1828. living. 71. Thomas, b. Mar. 11, 1813; m. 69. Jonathan, son of Doct. Abiram and Eunice (Clark) Stoddard, was graduated at Yale in 183 1 ; became a lawyer, and followed suc- cessfully his profession for many years in New Haven ; was appointed United States District Attorney for Connecticut by President Polk in 1845, which office he held four years ; was appointed District Attorney for New Haven county in 1853, which office he held until July 20, 1854. He died Apr. 28, 1855. 71. Thomas, son of Doct. Abiram and Eunice (Clark) Stoddard, was graduated at Yale in 1836 ; m. Esther Ann Gilbert, Apr. 19, 1839. Children : 75. Frances Eunice ; m. Nov. 30, 1S61, 76. Sarah G. Samuel L. Bronson, who graduated 77. Ezekiel ; m. at Yale, 1855 ; at the law school, 1857 ; practices law at New Haven ; have Thomas Stoddard, Josiah Harmer, Mary Esther, Sarah Fran- ces, Ezekiel Stoddard. 72. Joseph Nettleton, son of Doct. Abiram and Eunice (Clark) Stoddard; m Sophia Budington, Dec. lo^ 1838; reside in Westville, Conn. Children : 78. William Budington. 81. Goodwin. 79. Henry. 82. Robert Jonathan. 80. Sophia Theresa. 83. Joseph "Elliott. 73. William, son of Doct. Abiram and Eunice (Clark) Stoddard, studied law in New Haven where he resided until his death. He acquired the reputation of a thorough scholar and an able advocate, and by his genial, social manners, gained many friends. GENEALOGIES. 767 74. Maria Theresa, dau. of Doct. Abiram and Eunice (Clark) Stoddard, went to Maryland during the late Rebellion, to aid in car- ing for the sick and wounded soljiers. contributing liberally of her own means for their comfort. 77 EzEKiEL, son of Thomas and Esther A. (Gilbert) Stoddard ; m Mary De Eorest Burlock, and is a wholesale merchant in New Haven, and director of the New Haven County National Bank. Children : 84. I'honias Burlock. 86. Mary. S5. Esther Ann. 87. Louis Ezekiel. STONE Leman, (old name was Learning) was of the fifth genera- tion from William Stone who came from New Haven in the Whitefield company in 1639, ^^^ afterwards settled in Guilford. Stephen Stone, father of Leman, removed from Guilford to Litchfield, South Farms, Apr. 23. 17 SI. In Oct., 179 i, he settled in the building still known as the '"old Stone building" at Derby Narrows, which he had probably that year erected He m. July 5, 1792, Louisa Stone of Guilford, a descendant of a brother of William the first emigrant. Leman Stone was born at Litchfield, Dec. 29, 1750. and his wile Louisa at Guilford, Apr 24, 1753 ; he died May 11, 1847, ^^'^^^ ^^e died Feb 3, 1832. Children : I. Infant, li. in Guilford, 1793. 3- K'len, b. Mar. 15, 179S; d. Dec. 29, '2. Louisa Lucia, b. Dec, 1796; d. Sept. 1870. 26, 1829. 4. Fred Leman, b. Oct , 1802 ; d. Sept. 16, 1818. 3. Ellen, dau. of Leman Stone, m. May 17, 1824, Fred William Stone, who died at Vera Cruz, Mexico, June 9, 1833 Children: 5. Frederick Leman, b. Feb. 25, 1825 ; d. 7. William Oliver, b. Sept. 26, 1830; d. Sept. 27, 1879. Sept. 15, [875. 6 Ellen Louisa, b. May 11, 1828. 6. Ellen Louisa, dau. of Ellen and Fred Wm. Stone, m. Apr. 5, 1846, James S. Engles. Children : 8. James Willissie, b. Jan. 25, 1847; d. 10. Charles Stone, b. Dec. 30, 184S; the Jan. 30, 1847. only surviving male member of the 9. Ellen Goodwin, b. Dec. 20, 1847 ; d. Leman Stone family. Feb. 13, 1849. II. Edward Oliver, b. Feb. 26, 1851 ; d. July 27, 1855. STRONG, AniNO, was the son of Thomas Strong of Northampton, Mass He was in Derby several years, as the birth of two of his chil- dren is recorded here, and then removed to Woodbury, where he was representative to the General Court in 1726. He m. Eunice , probably in Derby about 1700. Children horn in Derby: I. Ann, b. Oct. 23, 1702. 2. Ebenezer, b. Sept. 21, 1704. STRONG, Benjamin, son of Adino, m. in Derby, Rachel Smith, Sept. 7, 1729 ; had the birth of a dau. recorded here, then removed to Woodbury, where his son was born. Children : I. Ann, b. Dec. 27, 1729. 2. Ilenjamin, bapt. F'cb. 20, 1732. I. SWIFT, Chipman, son of Zephaniah (probably) was born in Lebanon, Conn. ; removed to Wilmington, Vt., where he was one of the hrst settlers about 1770, he being a farmer. His first wife, who was a Lane, died in Wilmington, and some years after he removed to 768 HISTORY OF DERBY. Derby and made his home with his son, the Rev. Zephaniah Swift, where he bought a part of the old Holbrook place ; m. his 2d wife Mrs. , sister of Gen. Humphreys, and died Mar. 8, 1825. Chil- dren : 2. Lydia. 6. Zephaniah, b. in 177 1, the first male 3. Sally, m. Dea. Rice of Wilmington, Vt. child b. in the county of Wilming- 4. Cynthia, m. Alanson Parmelee of Wil- ton, Vt. mington, Vt. 5. Polly, m. Rev. Urbane H. Hitchcock, a Congregational clergyman of Charle- mont, Mass. 6. Zephaniah, son of Chipman Swift, m. Sarah Packard, sister of the first Congregational minister in Wilmington, Vt., before he settled in Roxbury. Conn. (See Biog.) Sarah his wife died Sept. 27, 1840. He died Feb. 7, 1848. He m. 2d Lydia , who died May 27, 1848. Children : 7. Theodosia, b. June 6, 1794; d. Feb. 12. .Semantha, b. July 17, 1803; d. Nov. 15, 1S45. -9' i'^04. 8. Lucy, b. Mar. i, 1796; m. Josiah IIol- 13. Polly, b. May 25, 1805. brook, May, 181 5; d. Aug. 15, t8i8. 14. Samuel, b. Sept. 26, 1807; d. Mar. 9. Chipman, b. Jan. 15, 179S; d. Oct. 23, 30, i8r6. 1S19. 15. Semantha, b. July 28, 1S09; d. Dec. ID. Zephaniah, b. Dec. 31, 1799. 3, 1822. II. Joseph Packard, b. Sept. 23, 1801. 16. Persis, b. July 21, 181 1. 17. Urbane Hitchcock, b. Mar. 24, 1814. 17. Urbane H., son of Rev. Zephaniah Swift, m. Charity Wheeler, dau. of Elijah Booth of Stratford, Apr. 5, 1835, and resides on his father's homestead Child : 18. Sarah Elizabeth. 13. Polly, dau. of Rev. Zephaniah Swift, m. in 1829, Dr Samuel Beach of Stamford, born in Trumbull ; settled in Bridgeport ; a physi- cian, and was killed in the Norwalk railroad disaster in 1853. The following inscriptions were copied by Rev Zephaniah Swift in Sept.. 1836, from monuments then standing in the Wilmington, Vt., grave-yard ; the subjects being of his grandfather's family : SWIFT, Zephaniah, died May 9, 1781, in the 78th year of his age. Lydia, wife of Zephaniah Swift, died June 23, 1790, in 82d year of her age. Mary, wife of Chipman Swift, Esq., died Jan. 22, 1813, in her 65th year. SWIFT, Polly, died Dec. 23, 1781, in 3d year of her age. SWIFT, Chipman, Jr., died Apr. 5, 1784, in the 2d year of his age. Lucy, dau. of Chipman and Mary Swift, died Apr. 12, 1790, in 17th year of her age. Sally, wife of John Rice, died Oct- 2, 1825, in 39th year of her age. SWIFT, Lydia, died Dec. 29, 18-28, aged 53. I. THOMPSON, Capt. Jabez, m. Sarah Gunn of Waterbury, Oct. 25. 1748. Children : GENEALOGIES. 769 2. Lois, 1). Dec. 29, 1749. 5. Jabez, b. Jan. 7, 1759. 3. Anne, b. Mar. 5, 1753. 6. Eunice, b. Jan. 5, 1762. 4. Sarah, b. Feb. 21, 1756. THOMPSON, Mrs Elizabeth, wife of Joseph, died Oct. i, i7 / • 24. David, b. Feb, 10, 1747. 31. Amy, b. Aug. 18, 1762; d. Aug. 30, 25. Mary, b. May 23, 1750. 1762. 18. John, son of John and Ann (Harger) Twitchell, m. Rheuamy Smith, June 3, 1773. Child : 32. Patience, b. Jan. 3, 1775. 20. Jabez, son of John and Ann (Harger) Twitchell, m. Elizabeth Harger, May 8, 177 1. Child: 33. Clara, b. Aug. 8, 1771. 24. David, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Twitchell, m. Margaret Johnson, Dec, 1773- Child : 34. Abijah, b. June 11, 1776. TYLER, William, m. Mary Lothrop, June 3. 1692. TYLER, Thomas, died Mar. 12, 1704. 774 HISTORY OF^DE]^BY. J 0-^' UFFOTT, Thomas, m. Mabel ./ ; Children : 1. Abigail, b. Feb., 1741. 3. "Shours," b. May 17, 1745; "Shores" 2. Mehitable, b. Apr. 27, 1743, , m. Elizabeth Durand, June 10, 1773 j,,.' '.-fd-f^i i-n. > ■ ■>. hnA*<4;tf ^ ' ' ' ^ ^^^ Samuel, b. Oct. 31, i-jT^^yy^O^A^ WARD. Stephen, m. Abigail Johnson of Wallingford, Nov. 22, 1752. Children : 1. Joseph, b. Nov. 29, 1753. 3. Rhoda, b. Dec. 11, 1758. 2. Mary, b. Feb. 28, 1756. WATERAUS, John, of New York, m. Mrs. Lydia Deplank, Oct. 10, 1756. WATROUS, Pritchard, m. Susanna Clark (?). Children : 1. Richard, b. May 26, 1751. 4- Isaac, b. Mar. 27, 1757. 2. Charity, b. Sept. 19, 1753; d. May 24, 5. Andrew, b. Mar. 27, 1759. • 1760. 6. Anne, b. Dec. 3, 1761. 3. Susanna, b. May 21, 1755. 1. WASHBURN, William, came to Derby and m Hannah Woos- ter, Aug. 20, 1696 Child : 2. Ephraim, b. in 1701. 2. Ephraim, son of William Washburn, m. Miriam, dau. of Samuel Bowers, Oct. 7, 1724. Children: 3. Timothy, b. Jan. 20, 1725. 8. Mary. 4. Joseph, I b. May ( d. Oct. 28, 1737. 9. Hannah, b. Aug. 23, 1740. 5. Hannah, ] 2 [out] ( d. Oct. 30, 1737. 10. Dorcas, b. Mar. 22, 1742. 6. Benjamin, b. July 5, 17— [out]; d. 11. Bowers, b. June 18, 1745. Nov. 4, 1737. 12. Benjamin, b. June 6, 1747. 7. Dorcas; d. Nov. 13, 1737. 3 Timothy, son of Ephraim and Miriam Washburn, m. Hannah Children : 13. Sarah, b. June 11, 1746. 15. Joseph, b. May 12, 1750. 14. Edmund, b. Nov. 27, 1747. I. WASHBURN, Samuel, came to Derby, and m. Susannah Woos- ter, Nov. 30, 17 14. Children : 2. Samuel, b. May 4, 1717; m. Sarah 5. Mary, b. Aug. 15, 1749. Beach, May 9, 1741. 6. Samuel, b. Jan. 6, 1751. 3. William, b. Aug. 28, 1742. 7. Sarah, b. Feb. 24, 1755. 4. Mary, b. Dec. 4, 1744; d. Dec. 5, 1749. 8. Eli, b. Sept. 19, 1758. I. WASHBURN, John, m. Sarah Gunn, Nov. 5, 1729. Children : 2. John, b. June [out]. 3. Anne, b. Feb. 19, 1733. I. WASHBURN, Edward, m. Mary Prindle, Dec 30, 1730. Chil- dren : -'. Dan., b. Nov. 21, 1731. 6. Lemuel, b. Nov. 28, 1744. 3. Ruth, b. Apr. 2, 1738. 7- Hope, b. Mar. i, 1750. 4. Mary, b. Mar. 20, 1749- §• Abel, b. Oct 17, 1753. 5. Eunice, b. Apr. 14, 1742. WASHBORN, Gideon, m. Esther Allen, Oct. 6, 1743. Children: 1. Philene, b. July 6, 1744. 5. Mabel, b. Sept. 16, 1752. 2. Asahel, b. Mar. 30, 1746. 6. Eunice, b. May 20, 1755. 3. Anne, b. Jan. 30, 1748. 7- William, b. May i, 1757. 4. Lucretia, b. Sept. 5, 1750. 8. Sarah, b, Oct. 16, 1760. Widow Mary Washburn died Jan. n, 17 12. gi:nealo(;ies. 775 I. VVASHBAND, Josiah, m. Sarah Harger, June 2, 1767. Chil- dren : 2. Josiali, b. Jan. 9, 1769. 3. MaiT, b. Feb. 5, 1774. I. WAKELEE, Freecift, kept tavern on the hill above the Capt. Bassett place. His children all died in Derby except David. Chil- dren : 2. Smith. 6. John. 3. David. 7. Leander. 4. Watrous C. 8. Letty. 5. Isaac. 4. Watrous C , m. Caroline, dau. of Lewis Hawkins. Children : 9. Eli H., b. 1S29. II. Charles, b. 1S36. 10. Albert, b. 1834. 12. David, b. 1838. 9. Eli H., son of Watrous C. Wakelee, m. Anna Chatfield. Child : 13. Frank W. U. 10. Albert, son of Watrous C. Wakelee, m. Hattie Hill. Children : 14. Frederick. 16. Albert. 15. Eli H. II. Charles, son of Watrous C. Wakelee, m. ; had two chil- dren : 17. Hermon. 18. Clarke. 12. David, son of Watrous C. Wakelee, m. Mary Myers Children: 19. Leonard; m. ; had Esther. 21. Mary. 20. Frank \V. 22. F"anny ; ni. Piatt of Milford. 13. Frank W., son of Eli Wakelee. m. Fanny Piatt of Milford. WEED, John, m Mary Beement. Dec. 17, 1702. Accepted as an inhabitant in Derby, Jan. 4, 1703. He died May 2, 1739- His widow Mary died Oct. 27, 1743 Children : 1. John, b. Sept. 29, 1706; d. . 4. Andrew, b. Sept. 27, 1721. 2. John, b. Nov. 2. 1708. 5. Joannah, b. Apr. 22, 1724. 3. Jonah, b. Apr. 6, 17 11. WEED, Samuel, m. Sarah . Children: 1. Samuel, b. Mar. 4, 1732. 5. Reuben, b. Oct. 16, 1740. 2. David, b. Jan. 16, 1734. 6. John, b. May 9, 1742. 3. Nathaniel, b. June 3, 1736. 7. Abel, b. Nov. 5, 1744. 4. Dan., b. Mar. 10, 1739. WEED, George, m Esther . Child : I. Elijah, b. Feb. 17, 1739. WELTON, Moses, m. Elizabeth Wooster, Dec. 11, 1772. Children : 1. Andrew, b. Jan. 29, 1774. 2. Eleazer, b. Jan. 26, 1776. I. WHEELER, Capt. James, came to Derby and m. Sarah John- son, May 19, 1736. He received a captain's commission in 1756. He owned considerable land where the village of Derby Narrows was afterwards built ; and was a prominent man in the town. He died July 9, 1768, aged 52. Sarah, his widow, died in Sept., 1812, aged 92 years Mrs. Lois Wheeler, mother of Capt. James, died Sept. 11, ^7^7) 'iged 87 years. Children: ']']6 HISTORY OF DERBY. 2. Sarah, b. Dec. 27, 1737 ; m. Stephen 8. Joseph, b. May 2, 1748. Whitney. 9. Moses, b. July 28, 1750. 3. Samuel, b. Sept. 24, 1739. 10. Anne^ b. Aug. 10, 1752. 4. Simeon, b. Apr. 15, 1741. n. David, b. Mar. 14, 1754. 5. Ruth, b. May 26, 1743; m. Nathan 12. John, b. June 2, 1756. Fairchild. 13. Elijah, b. Dec. 22, 1758; d. May 5, 6. James, b. Apr. 6, 1745. I775- 7. Daughter, b. Mar. i, 1747 ; d. an in- 14. Hannah, b. Mar. 25, 1761. fant. 15. Sarah, b. Apr. 5, 1764 ( .'). 3. Samuel, son of Capt- James Wheeler, m. Lois Fairchild, Apr. 28, 1763. Children: 16. Lois, b. Mar. 24, 1764. 20. Levi, b. Nov. 21, 1770; d. Apr. 29, 17. Abel, b. Dec. 18, 1765. I774- 18. Eunice, b. Oct. 26, 1767. 21. Ann, b. Sept. 9, 1773. 19. Samuel, b. May 28, 1769; d. Jan. 7, 22. Rachel, bapt. Oct. 22, 1775. 1770. 23. Hannah, b. Sept. 6, 1777. 4. Simeon, son of Capt. James Wheeler, m. Sarah Baldwin, Oct. 10, 1764. He died in 1776. probably in the war. Children : 24. Ruth, b. Sept. 17, 1765; m. Dea. 27. Simeon, bapt. Jan. 26, 1772. Bradford Steele. 28. Sarah, bapt. May 29, 1774; m. Eli 25. Nathan, b. Sept. 29, 1767; m. Expe- Sanford. rience Washburn. 29. David, bapt. Mar., 1777 ; d. not m. 26. Timothy, bapt. Apr. 29, 1770. Dec. 21, 1829. 6. James, Jr., son of Capt. James Wheeler, m. Mary Clark of Mil- ford, June 13, 1767. Children : 30. Mary, b. Feb. 4, 1768. 34. Hannah, b. Jan 30, 1776. 31. Lucy, b. Dec. 23, 1769. 35. Lois, b. Mar. 14, 1778. 32. Ann, b. Sept. 12, 1771. 36. James, b. Mar. i, 1781. '}^'^. Sarah, bapt. Feb. 6, 1774. 8. Joseph, son of Capt. James Wheeler, m. Sarah Wheeler of Strat- ford, Apr. II, 1771, who died Apr. 10, 1772, and he m. 2d Lucy . He sold a number of building lots at Derby Narrows when that village began to be built. Children : 37. Sally, b. Oct. 2, 1774; m. Jesse Beach, 40. Whittlesey, b. Sept. 19, 1784. 1792. 41. Joseph, b. Aug. 11, 1787. 38. William, b. Apr. 3, 1779. 4-- Polly, b. May 19, 1791. 39. Nancy, Is. Mar. i, 1782. 9. Moses, son of Capt. James Wheeler, m. Lucy Hecock of Water- bury, Dec. 26, 1770. Children: 43. Moses, b. July 20, 177 1. 48. David, b. Sept. 7, 1779. 44. Lucy, b. Mar. 9, 1773. 49. Daniel, b. Mar. 14, 1782. 41^. Betty, b. Feb. 20, 1775. 50. Asa, b. June 23, 1783. 12. John, son of Capt. James Wheeler, m. Sibyl Todd, July 10, 1776, who died May 11, 1777 ; and he m. 2d Sarah Johnson, Nov. ig, 1777. Children : 51. John Todd, b. May 4, 1777. 53. Samuel, b. Jan. 17, 1781. 52. Elijah, b. Dec. 4, 1778. 54. Sibyl, b. Apr. 14, 1783. WHEELER, Samuel, who may have been brother to Capt. James Wheeler, m. Abigail Wheeler, Dec 2, 1739. Children: 1. Samuel (probably). 3. Robert, b. May 14, 1746. 2. Abigail, b. Jan. 17, 1744. 4. Agnes, b. Sept. 26, 1748. GENEALOGIES. 'J'J'J 3. Robert, son of Samuel and Abigail Wheel r, m Ruth Wheeler of Stratford, June 23, 1768. Children : 5. Samuel, b. July 2, 1769. 7. Moses, b. Mar. 4, 1773. 6. Elisha, b. Jan. 29, 177 1. WHITMORE, Elias, m. Rachel Wisebury, Feb. 21, 1755. Chil- dren : I. Elizabeth, b. Sept. 21, 1757. 2. Sarah, b. Oct. 13, 1760. 1. WHITNEY, Henry, born in England about 1620; came to America and was associated with others in buying land in Southold, L. I., in 1649. He afterwards settled in Huntington, L. I., and Jamaica, L. I., where he was selectman. He came to Norwalk, Conn., about 1665, where he deceased, probably in the autumn of 1673. 2. John, son of Henry, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Richard Smith of Norwalk, and followed his business of millwright and miller. Chil- dren : 3. John, b. Mar. 12, 1676-7 ; a miller. 9, Anne, b. about 1691. 4. Joseph, b. Mar. i, 1678-9; millwright. 10, Eleanor, b. Jan. 27, 1693. 5. Henry, b. Feb. 21, 16S0; a weaver. 11. Nathan. 6. Elizabeth, b. about 16S4. 12. Sarah. 7. Richard, b. Apr. iS, 16S7. 13. Josiah. 8. Samuel, b. 16S8. ' 13. Josiah, son of John and Elizabeth Whitney, m. Eunice Hanford of Norwalk, Oct 30, 1729 ; settled in Norwalk where he died as early as 1750. Children : 14. John, b. Feb. 10, 1730-31 ; cl. young, 17. Eliezer, b. Mar. 7, 1737-38. 15. Stephen, b. Feb. 10, 1732-33. 18. Isaac, b. Mar. 27, 1741. 16. Henry, b. Feb. 19, 1735-36. 15. Stephen son of Josiah and Eunice Whitney, settled in Derby, at the Narrows, where he m. ist Sarah, dau. of Capt. James Wheeler, who died Mar. 31, 1764; m. 2d Eunice Keeney, Nov. 5, 1764. He m. 3d Hannah Hull, widow of Morse. She died in 1793 or 4. Stephen Whitney started the lirst store at the Narrows in 1762 or 3, in which he continued until 1768, when he gave up all to his creditors. At this time there were but a few houses at the Narrows, most of the trade cen- tering at the old village of Derby and at Hawkins I'oint, and hence the trade was not sufficient at the Narrows to sustain a store. After this he engaged more entirely in the West India trade, and in which " he had gained a modest competency a second time, when the sinking of a brig, the cargo of which belonged to him, brought him to poverty once more ; aftor which he made a living, in his old age by trading in a small way in the towns about Derby.'"* Children : 19. Samuel, b. Mar. 24, 1759; m. Esther 24. pAuiice, bajjt. May 30, 1771; d. in Smith, Jan. 31, 1793. No children. 180S, age 37 years. 20. Isaac, b. Nov. 17, 1761. 25. Abigail, ( b. Mar. 24, 1772; d. Apr., 21. James, b. Mar. 23, 1764 ; d. m. June, Stephen, i 1772. 1794. 26. Nabby, b. Apr. 4, 1774; m. Capt. 22. Sarah, b. Aug. 11, 1765; d. in Sey- Amos Sherman, a master-mariner, mour about 1849, aged 84. who d. in Derby in 1834. She d. in 23. Eucinda, b. Apr. 2, 1768; d. Sept. 18, Oxford, Oct. i, 1862, aged 87. 1769. 16. Henry, son of Josiali and Eunice Whitne)-, m. Eunice, dau. of 1''" The Whitney Familv-" 1,42- 98 ^ 77^ HISTORY OF DERBY. William Clark about 1761. who died Aug. 21, 1794., aged 48 ; he died May I, i8[i,aged 75 years He was a master-mariner and farmer ; founder of King Hiram's Lodge. (See inscription in Episcopal ceme- tery.) Children : 27. William Clark, bapt. Apr. 11, 1762. 31. 28. Josiah, b. about 1764. 32. 29. Isaac, b. Mar., 1767; d. Oct., 1769. 30. Sheldon, b. about 1769; probably d. 2,1,. young. 34- Henry, b. July 30, 1772. Susan, b. Oct. 11, 1774; died not m. Dec. 22, 1S51. Stephen, b. Sept. 15, 1776. Archibald, b. Mar., 1780. 20 Isaac, son of Stephen and Sarah Wheeler, m. Betsey Waterman, and died in 1794. His widow Betsey m. Justus Butler of New Haven, July 17, 1803, where she afterwards resided. Children : 35. James, d. before Jan. 5, 1796. 36. Sarah Wheeler, b. in 1789; dwelt in New Haven and New York city. 27. William Clark, son of Henry and Eunice Whitney, m. Mary Thompson of Huntington ; settled in Derby, where she died Nov. 7, 1807, aged 41. He died Oct. 26, 1838, in his 77th year. Tradition says he went to the West Indies as a mate of a vessel, before he was twenty-one, and the captain dying on the voyage, he disposed of the cargo and brought the vessel home showing great prudence and skill. He was wounded in the Revolution and received a pension. Children : 37. George Henry, b. about 1784; d. in 42. Eunice, b. Apr. 5, 1794; m. Zina 38 New York aged 25, not m. Harriet, bapt. Sept., 1785; m. Lucius Kellogg, a physician in Derby until 18 10; they then settled on Long Island. 39. Mary, bapt. July 6, 1788; m. Truman Plumb, a mariner of Milford, Dec. 24, 1807. They afterwards settled in New Haven where she d. in 1S17. Mark William Embleton, bapt. June 20, 1790; not ni. ; was a mariner and d. in London, Eng., aged 25. Giles Marlborough, b. in 1792; a merchant in New York city; m. Cor- nelia Anne Heyer,Oct. i, 1S17; d. in 1825. 40 41 Chatfield of New Milford ; resided in Huntington oppo^ite Derby Nar- rows until 1821 ; then settled at Oyster Bay, L. I., where he d., and she m. David Marcus Clark of O.x- ford, where they resided. 43. Sheldon Clark, b. Apr. i, 1799; went South, m., had a family. 44. Barnard, b. Dec. 24, 1801 ; m. Sarah Elvira Kane of Derby ; was merchant at Oyster Bay, L. I., then removed to Paterson, N. J. 45. Charles Dennis, b. in 1803; a whole- sale merchant in New York city. 46. Elizabeth, b. May 29, 1805 ; m. Theo- dore E. Bliss, a merchant of New York. 28. Josiah, son of Henry and Eunice Whitney; m. Hannah, dau. of Capt. Joseph Kiggs in 1784, and dwelt in Derby ; was commander of a vessel in the South American trade ; was cast away in 1794, and died in consequence of his sufferings in Demarara, in August of that year. She afterwards m Philo Northrop of Woodbridge and had two children: Deborah Ann Northrop and George Northrop. Children: 47. Hannah, b. June 20, 1785; m. Aug. ID, 18015, Henry Remer, who carried on a large business as shoe-maker in Derby until May, 1827, when they removed to Seneca Falls, N. Y. 48. Maria, b. Mar. 14, 17S7; m. George Finley, grandson of Rev. Samuel Finley, D. D., of New Jersey. He d. at Bridgeport. She d. at Tremont, N. Y. 49. Josiah Clark, b. Apr. i, 1789; m. in 1811, Esther E. Mosier of Derby; 5i' was a cooper ; d. in New York ; she d. in Trumbull, Conn., in 1873. Martha, b. Mar. 26, 1792; m. Mar. 4, 1808, at Hinesburgh, Vt., Jonathan Stone, where they resided ; had family. Stephen Merit, b. Feb. 17, 1794; a master mariner ; m. Charlotte Lewis Sept. 22, 1822 ; resided a time in New York city; removed to Mount Vernon, O. GENEALOGIES. 779 31. Hi£NRY, son of Henry and Eunice Whitney, was a merchant in New York city of very lionorable character, and success ; m. July 30, 1808, Mary, dau. of Hendrick Snydam of Hallett's Cove, L. I.; resided in 1811, at 75 Broadway. New York, where he died Mar. 12, 1812. of malignant croup ; buried in Greenwood. His widow m Adrian Van Sinderen, a retired merchant of Newtown L I. Mr. Whitney was a member about 20 years of the honorable firm of Lawrence and Whit- ney, shippers of New York city. 33. Stephen, son of Henry and Eunice Whitney, was a merchant in New York city ; m. Aug. 4, 1803, Harriet Snydam, sister to his brother Henry's w-ife, and dwelt in the city. He died Feb 16, i860 ; she May 12, t86o ; buried in Greenwood, of which cemetery he was one of the original incorporators, and a director through liis life. He went to New York when 18 or 20 years of age, having had only ordi- nary advantages at Derby, and engaged himself as clerk to the firm of Lawrence and Whitney, shippers, in which his brother Henry was a partner. By energ}' and business talent he soon acquired means to enter copartnership with John Currie, a Scotchman, in the wholesale grocery trade. He traded largely in wines, then in cotton, then engaged in ship-building and the shipping trade*to nearly all pans of the world ; then in canals and railroads, and finally in banks, accumu- lating great wealth. Children : 52. Samuel Snydam, b. Nov. 26, 1804; d. 56. Stephen, b. Oct. 11, 1S14; d. of con- unm. at 7 Bowling Green, New York, sumption at his father's residence, Dec. 21, 1S58. New York, Nov. 21, 1S5S; not m. 53. Emeline, b. June 7, 1806; m. June 57. William, b. July 6, 1816; m. Mary 25, 1S28, John Dore, and were resid- Stuart McVickar, and d. June 12, ing at 127 Madison Ave., New York, 1S62 at his city residence. in 1877. 58. Edward, b. Nov. 29, 1818; d. at 54. John Currie, b. Dec. 28, 1808; d. Flushing, T.. I., Apr. 7, 1S51 ; not m. Dec. 28, 1808. 59. Caroline, b. June 11, 1823; m. ist 55. Mary, b. Apr. 5, 1810; m. Oct. 28, her cousin Ferdinand Snvdam, who 1829, at 7 Bowling Green, Jonas d. at " Ivy Nook " near New Haven, Philips PhcEnix, who was a promi- June 25, 1872; m. 2d Oct. 29, 1874, nent citizen of New York. John Jacob Crane, a physician; 56. Henry, b. Aug. 23, 1812, was gradu- reside at Ivy Nook. ated at Yale College, where he resided until his death Mar. 21, 1856; m. 1st Hannah luigene Lawrence, Jan. 27, 1835 ; 2d Maria Lucy Fiti h. 33 Archibald, son of Henry and Eunice Whitney, was a wholesale groc r in New York, where he m Nancy Brower, Sept. 2, 1801. In 1802, he formed a co-partnership with Elijah Humphreys from Derby, which continued under the name of Humphreys and Whitney until 1814, some of the time at No. 5, Burling Slip. From 1816 to 1825, he was a partner with his nephew Giles M. Whitney. He then re- moved to Derby where he died of apoplexy Sept 28. 1842. His wife joined the Congregational church at Derby, May 29, 183 1, and died Nov. 22, 1869. Children: 60. Henry, b. Nov. 14, 1802, in New year. She returned to Birmingham York. to reside. 6r. Maria, b. P>b. 19, 1804; m. Jo>iah 62. Alfred, b. May 26, 1806; d. not m. Mann of New York, Dec. i, 1840, in Derby May 28, 1839. where he d. Feb. 8, 1873, in his 81st 780 HISTORY OF DERBY. 63. Archibald, b. Apr. 19, 180S : d. not 66. Susan Augusta, b. Jan. 10, 1816; m. m. in Derby, Jan. 10, 1849. in Derby, Apr. 17, 1S43, James M. 64. Thomas Vose, b. Aug. 15, 1810; m. Mann; residence, Birmingham. Nancy IM. Povve, dau. of Mayor Fowe 67. Jane Alida, b. Nov. 15, 1818; notm.; of Derby. He died at Ansonia of residence, Birmingham, apople-xy May 15, 1873. The local 68. William, b. Dec. 16, 1S21, in New paper said: "Mr. Whitney was a York; appointed deputy-consul for citizen of Derby for fifty years, and the United .States at Bermuda, Dec. well known in all this region ; and 10, 1S72, where he m. Francis Mary his sudden death will be deeply Hill, Jan. 27, 1875. lamented by the whole community." 69. Theophilus Brower, b. Nov. 5, 1824, Their children all died in infancy. at Derby ; d. Apr. 4, 1825. 65. Ann Eliza, b. Mar. 15, 1813; m. in 70. John Dore, b. May 25, 1827 ; a manu- Derby, Nov. 23, 1836, Peter P. facturer of hoop-skirts; m. Oct. 17, Phelps a book-keeper; lived at 1866, Mary Frances Parrott of Ottawa, 111., and Georgetown, Col. Bridgeport, where they reside. 60. Henry, son of Archibald and Nancy (Browerj Whitney ; m. Maria Frances, dau of John Phillips of Bridgeport, Conn. They set- tled at Derby where he held the offices of town clerk, justice of the peace, judge of probate and postmaster, and was much respected as a citizen. He died July 29, 1S62 ; she died Feb. i, 1852. Children : 71. Alfred, b. July 25, 1S40 ; d. at Derby, Derby; settled in New Britain, Conn. Nov. 4, 1859. He served in the navy during the 72. Maria Sherwood, b. Oct. 28, 1841 ; d. late war, and in the United States Aug. 20, 1842. army after the war; resides in New 73. Thomas Hart Benton, b. Sept. 18, York city. 1843; a merchant and broker in 75. Edward Huntington, b. June 3, 1849 ; Birmingham ; served three months d. Sept. 8, 1856. ia Connecticut volunteers. 76. Albert, 1 b. May 3, 1850; d. July 74. Henry Archibald, b. Dec. 25, 1846; I 23,1850. a clerk; m. at Port Chester, N. Y., 77. Arthur, j said to be living at Ottawa, Mary Ella, dau. of Nathan Bassett of J III. 70. John Dore, son of Archibald and Nancy (Brower) Whitney; m. Mary Frances Parrott. Oct 17, 1866; a manufacturer of hoop- skirts, at Bridgeport. Conn. Children : 78. Henry Parrott, b. Feb. 26, 1868 ; d. 79. Frank Archibald, b. July 18, 1S69. WHITNEY, Ranford; m. Ruth Canfield, Sept. 26, 1773. Chil- dren : I. Sarah, b. Apr. 3, 1774. 2. Joseph Lyman, b. Sept. i, 1775. WILLIAMS, Thomas; Winifred, wife of, died Mar. 4, 1738. WOOD, John, m Mary . Children : 1. Samuel, b. July 18, 1704. 3. George, b. Mar. 20, 1717. 2. Caleb, b. Dec. 27, 1714. 4- Mary, b. Mar. 25, 1719. WOODEN, David, m. Lorania . Children : I. Sarah, b. Dec. 9, 1765. 2. David, b. Jan. 14, 1778. WOODEN, Hezekiah, m Eunice . Children : I. Thomas, b. Dec. 22, 1775. 2. Eliza, b. Aug. 28, 1789. WOOSTER, Edward, appears early in Milford, as indicated by the following record : "A general court, Oct. 24. 1651, considering rhe pressing need for hops, the town grants to Edward Wooster an acre, more or less, lying up the Mill river, to be improved for a hop garden, GENEALOGIES. 781 according to liis request. This is not to pay rates while improved for hops " "' In 1654. he witli three other families settled at Pangasuck, and one object on his part, probably, was to raise hops on the meadow lands below Ansonia, which were well adapted for tnat business, and it was in the pursuit of this object that he dug a trench or race, from where the lower Ansonia bridge now is, down into the meadow where the bed of the Naugatuck now is, to irrigate that part of the meadow or low land, and by this race the river course became changed in about fifty years. Tradition says, and it seems correcr, that his house stood on the east side of the river road at Old Town, a little south of the part- ing of the two roads going north, one to Ansonia along the river bank and the other up to the Episcopal burying-ground. On his decease this property was sold to Doct. John Durand, and the first bridge built over the Naugatuck is said to have been located at or opposite this house The house of Francis French, another of the first four fami^ lies, was half a mile to the east on the hill ; that of Edward Riggs, also of the first four, was about one mile east on the hill, the farm still remaining in the family ; and the house of Thomas Langdon was near Edward Wooster's, in what was called the village, and known many years as Derby village ; now Old Town. Here Edward Wooster resided until the close of life, July 8, 1689, his age being 67, which warrants the conclusion that he was born in England in 1622. Of his first wife nothing is definitely known, but there are indications that he was connected with Francis French, possibly by marriage. His first wife died, and he m in 1669. Tabitha, dau of Henry Tomlinson of Stratford. Twelve of his children shared in the distribution of his estate in 1694; Samuel Riggs being guardian for Edward, Sylvester and Ebenezer, and Ephraim Stiles for Jonas and Tabitha. Here in the deep wilderness he lived with his family and three neighbors eleven or twelve years, a hero in this respect. He was not a man of notions and changes, but continued steady and faithful at his post, providing as best he could for those who were dependent upon him. little dreaming that his grandson and his family would be celebrated in greatness the world over, and that his own name, thereby, would go down in sublime honor to the end of the greatest republic ever established in the world For twenty years he was the leading man of the little plantation that seemed unlikely to become greater than a man's hand, but has attained in business and in war an enviable fame. All honor to the first, reli- able, and most noble hero of Derby ! Children : 1. Elizabeth; ni. Col. I*]]>ene/.cr John- 7 Henry, b. Aug. 18, 1666; enlisted in son. Queen Anne's army and d. at Nova 2. Mary, b. Nov. 1654; d. young; prob- Scotia about 1700. ably the first white child born in 8. Ruth, b. Apr. 8, 1668 ; ni. Samuel Derby. liowcrs in 16S7. 3. Thomas. 9. Timothy, b. Nov. 12, 1670. 4. Abraham. 10. Hannah, b. 5. Edward, bapt. 1670; not m. 11. Jonas, b. 6. David, bapt. 1670. 12. Tabitha, b. 13. Sylvester, b. 14. Ebenezer, b. 1'' Lambert's Miiford, 122. 782 HISTORY OF DERBY. U. Ol 3. Lieut. Thomas, son of Edward Wooster, m. Phebe, da Henry Tomlinson, of Stratford, and lived a little north of his father's some years, if not until his death! He was a substantial, successful farmer, and died Jan. 26, 1713, aged about 57. Children: 15. Phebe Leavenworth, d. Mar. 26, 1696. 19. Thomas, b. Feb. 18, 1692. 16. Zervia, d. Aug. 19, 1682. 20. Thankful, b. Nov. 7, 1695; d- Nov. 17. Alice, b. Sept. 6, 1680; d. 16S2. 18, 1706. 18. Elizabeth, b. Sept. i, 1685; m. John Tomlinson. 4. Abraham, son of Edward Wooster, m. Mary Walker, of Strat- ford, Nov. 22, 1697. In 1696, he and his brother Timothy exchanged their lands in the meadows, inherited from their father, for other lands (probably in Quaker's Farm) in the town. Abraham removed to Stratford about 1706, and remained there until about 1719. In a deed of 1722 he is said to be of Derb3% and was living at Quaker's Farm, and the same in several deeds between that and 1743 ; in . two of which he is said to be a mason : " Know ye, that I. Abraham Wooster, Senr., of the town of Derby ... in consideration of one cer- tain gun in hand received of Abraham Wooster, Junr., of said Derby, now resident in Stratford, have therefore given, granted, . . . sold, a certain lot of land within the bounds of said Derby, situate in Oxford Parish, in that tract of land known by the name of Quaker's Farm Purchase . . in number four in that division July 16, 1743. Abraham Wooster." Children: 21. Abraham, b. 25. Mary, b. April 3, 1707. 22. Ruth, b. Sept. 26, 1700. 26^ Hannah, b. Feb. 23, 1709. 23. Joseph, b. Jan. 16, 1702. 27. David, b. Mar. 2, 17 10. 24. Sarah, b. April 2, 1705. 6. David, son of Edward Wooster, m. Mary . At his death. Mar. 29, 17 1 1, he left his wife Mary to administer his estate. Children : 28. Jerusha, b. 1702. 30. Tamar, b. June 16, 1707. 29. Persis, b. May 30, 1704. 9. Timothy, son of Edward Wooster, m. Anna Perry, May 23, 1699. Children : 31. Timothy, b. Dec. 29, 1699. 35. Samuel, b. April 17, 1706. 32. Tabitha, b. May 3, 1701 36. Damaris, b. Feb. 20, 170S; m. Eleazer 33. Edward, b. Sept. 17, 1702. Hawkins. 34. Anne, b. Jan. 17, 1705; m. Daniel 37. Henry, b. Feb. 19, 1710. Hawkins. 38. Arthur, b. Mar. 26, 17 13. 39. Eliezer, b. Oct. 16, 17 15. 13. Sylvester, son of Edward Wooster, m. Susannah . He d. Nov. 16, 17 12. Children: 40. Moses, b. 1699. 43. Nathaniel, b. 1707. 41. Tabitha, b. 1701. 44. Sylvester, b. 1710. 42. Samuel, b. 1704. 45. Susannah, b. July 23, 1713. 14. Ebenezer, son of Edward Wooster, m. Margaret, dau. of Zechariah Sawtell, of Groton, and settled in the town of Stratford. Children : 46. Harvey, b. May 27, 17 12. 48. Ebenezer, b. Jan. 5, 17 16. 47. Zechariah, b. Mar. 17, 1714. 19. Thomas, Jr., son of Lieut. Thomas Wooster, m. Sarah, dau. of GKXEALOGIES. 783 Joseph Hawkins, Dec. 25, 1718, who d. Dec. 10, 1785, aged 91. He d. Feb. 2, 1777, aged 85. Children: 49. John, h. Dec. 22, 17 19. 53. Daniel, b. July 14, 1729. >. 50. Ruth, b. Mar. 30, 1722. 54. Joseph, b. June 30, 1732. 51. Thomas, h. Oct. 11, 1724. \t 5S- David, b. fan. ;;, 173V 52. Elizabeth, b. Mar., 1727. . \ 21. Abraham, Jr., son of Abraham Wooster, m. Martha , and settled at Quaker's Farm, in Oxford parish, near his father. He resided a short time across the Ousatonic in Stratford, and then returned to Derby. Children : 56. Wait, b. Apr. 22, 1732. 59. Miles, b. June lo, 1738. 57. Mary, b. May 10, 1733. 60. Abraham, b. Sept. 20, 1740. 5se, b. May 4, 1743. 70. Dorcas, b. Mar. 25, 1738. 73. Walter, b. July 7, 1745. 74. Edward, b. Sept. 28, 1747. ^;^. Edward, son of Timothy Wooster, m. Child : 75. Grace, b. Feb. 15, 1727. 35 Samuel, son of Timothy Wooster, m. Ann Moss, Oct. 28, 1731. Child : 76. Elisha, b. July 5, 1732. 40. MosES, son of Sylvester Wooster, ni. Mary Hawkins, Apr. 5, 1 720. 42. Samuel, son of Sylvester Wooster, m. Hannah Johnson, May 22, 1725. Child : 77. Sarah, b. Nov. 28, 1725. 44. Sylvester, Jr., son of Sjlvester Wooster, m. Mercy Hine, Feb. 20, 1738. 784 HISTORY OF DERBY. 49. John, son of Thomas Wooster, Jr., m. Eunice, dau. of Samuel Hull, June 18, 1746. Children : 78. Anne, b. Apr. 13, 1747; d. Aug. 3, 80. Hannah, b. July 8, 1750. 1751. 81. John, b. Oct. II, 1752. 79. Elizabeth, b. Nov. 26, 1748 ; d. Aug. 82. Anne, b. Nov. 13, 1754. 8, 1751. 51. Thomas, son of Thomas Wooster, Jr., m. Lois . Child : 83. Sarah, b. Feb. 2, 1749. 53. Daniel, son of Thomas Wooster, Jr., m. Sarah Hawkins, May II, 1780, who died Oct. 13, 1790. Children : 84. Isaac, b. July 24, 1781. 88. Sally, b. Apr. 20, 1788. 85. Aramy, b. Dec. 26, 1782. 89. Joseph, b. Mar. 22, 1790; d. June 14, 86. Rama, b. Nov. 11, 1784. 1790- 87. Daniel, b. Mar. 14, 1786. 54. Joseph, son of Thomas Wooster, Jr., m. Hannah . Child : 90. David, b. Dec. i, 1774. 55. David, son of Thomas Wooster, Jr., m. Mary . Child : 91. Amy, b. Dec. 9, 1754. 70. Walter, son of Timothy, Jr., m. Ursula Beebe of Waterbury, Nov. 15, 1780. WOOSTER, Moses, m. Mindwell Chatfield, June 20, 1759. Child : I. Lemuel, b. June 23, 1760. WOOSTER, Henry, m Elizabeth Twitchell, Jan. 24, 1762. Chil- dren : I. Henry, b. Oct. 25, 1762. 2. Enoch, b. May 7, 1765. WOOSTER, Twitchell, m. Elizabeth Hull, Oct. 11, 1764. Child : I. Ebenezer, b. July 30, 1765. WOOSTER, Henry 3D, m. Rebecca . Child : I. Abigail, b. June 3, 1789. WOOSTER, Zerviah, died Feb. 20, 1698. YALE, Thomas, of Farmington, m. Mrs. Elizabeth Mills, of Derby, June 15, 1768. Children: 1. Thomas, bapt. Apr. 15, 1769; d. 5. Samuel, bapt., Dec, 1777. 2. Thomas G., b. Sept. 22, 1770. 6. Benjamin, bapt.. Mar. 5, 1780. 3. Rebecca, b. Jan. 28, 1773. 7. Sally, bapt. June 9, 1782. 4. John, bapt. Apr. 16, 1775. APPENDIX. CHRIST CHURCH, QUAKER'S FARM.' The following record indicates the commencement of the work for the erection of the church edifice : "Oct. II, i8ri. We Quaker's Farm people have begun to build a church, and I, Cyrus Perry, drew the first stick of timber, 64 feet long." Mr. Wil- liam DeForest relates that when he went to Quaker's Farm as an apprentice to Tomlinson and Bassett in Oct, 1812, the carpenters were hewing the timber for the church. The building committee were David Tomlinson, Nathaniel VVooster and Wells Judson ; the last being treasurer. The subscriptions were due Jan. i, 1813. The principal contributors, and those most active in personal influence, were members of the congregation of St. Peter's church at Oxford, then under the care of the Rev Dr Mansfield ; the most liberal of these being David Tomlinson and his wife Laura, Wells Judson. Nathaniel Wooster and Russell Nichols. Many otliers however, contributed according to their ability and the need Nathaniel Wooster was perhaps the most decided and best informed churchman among the contributors ; and gave his influence to the more churchly character of the building, as well as to its final consumma- tion, as a regularly constituted Episcopal church. The architect and builder of the church was George Boult of South- ford, a gentleman of extraordmary skill in. the art of building. The Rev. Aaron Humphrey, the first minister of the church at Quaker's Farm, came to it in the fall of 1814, the house of worship having been previously finished. He came from Gardiner, Me., where he had ministered some time to the Episcopal congregation in that place. In the spring of 1S16 he accepted the charge of St. Peter's of Oxford in connection with Christ church at Quaker's Farm, which was then denominated a chapel, when he made his residence at Oxford, and in this relation he continued until 18 19, when he accepted the appointment by the Diocesan convention of itinerant missionary in New Haven county. The church of Quaker's Farm was consecrated by Bishop Hobart, Sept. 3, 18 17. After the retirement of Mr. Hum- phrey, temporary services were supplied by the Rev. Sturgis Gilbert, Rev. Chauncey Prindle, Rev. Nathaniel (Jarfield, Rev. Dr Bronson, but perhaps more efiiciently by Rev. Dr. Burhans of Newtown. In 1826 a movement was made for the incorporation of the church at Quaker's Farm as a separate parish, which was accomplished, and 1 All matter in this Appendix was received or completed too late to be placed in the regular order of the book. 99 786 APPENDIX. by the agreement with St. Peter's this church received one-third of the fund then possessed, amounting to $!66o. A legacy was received in 1846 from the estate of Mrs. Ruth Tyrrel of Oxford of $200, and a subsequent legacy from the estate of Ira Hawkins of Quaker's Farm of $100. The first stove for warming the church was presented by Rev. Ash- bel Baldwin, who had charge of the parish from 1828 to 1834. The first bell was a failure ; the second cast by the celebrated founder, G. Ford of New York, in 1836, was procured by subscription, weighing six hundred pounds During the interval between 1834 and 187 1 the p.irish was supplied by several clergymen, sometimes alone and some- times in connection with St. Peter's ; the difficulty being always the same — the want of adequate support Since 1875 the church has revived, the building has been repaired, and movements have been inaugurated which seem to assure a permanent basis for future pros- perity. BURYING GROUND. Birmingham Burying Ground Association was organized Aug. 15, 1844; reorganized Mar. 29, 1864. Present officers: President, Rob- ert O. Gates ; secretary and treasurer, Charles H. Coe ; directors, Henry Somers, S. M. Gardner (deceased), C. H. DeForest, G. M. Spring. Agent for sale of lots, Robert O. Gates. Area of grounds about fifteen acres, and is most charmingly situated on the banks of the Ousatonic. NAUGATUCK LODGE, NO. 63, I. O. O. F. This society was instituted March i6, 1849, with the following char- ter members : Robert R. Wood, Hiram N. Hubbard, John Lindley, William B. Bristol, Charles Cooper, Julius R. Pond, Edward Root, Hiram Lyman, Timothy E. Miller, • John R. Johnson, David T. Johnson, Richard M. [ohnson, Charles Root, Giles B. Allen, Jonah Clark, A. N. Prindle, Abijah Hawkins, H. Skinner. The first officers were: Robert R. Wood, N. G.; Hiram N. Hub- bard, V. G.; John Lindley, secretary ; William B. liristol, treasurer. The present officers are : Verrenice Munger, N.G.; Wallace B. Jack- son, V G ; B. A. Bradley, secretary; John Jackson, treasurer; H. A. Hooper, chaplain ; T D. L. Manville, district deputy. The total nieiu- bership is 184. The first meetings were held at Creamer's Hall, afterwards they rented Remer's Hall. Then they occupied for a time Benedict's Hall, then moved to the hall over Randall's store, then to a hall in the Opera House, and then to their present location in the Hotchkiss Block. List of Past Grands : Robert R. Wood, Abijah Hawkins, William I>. Bristol, D. T. Johnson, Edward Root, Hiram Lvman, Edwin Ells, A. N. Prindle, John Lindley, Joseph A. Bunnell, APPENDIX. 787 Frederick L. Smith, C. J. Richardson, Wales Terrell, H. E. Mendryx, Ilobart Sperry, R. Y. Stephenson, P. S. Beach, H. C Spencer, II. Skinner, John T. Ilillhoiise, J. N. liooth, II. M. Jackson, Edward Kimberly, T- I- Barrett, David Tucker, John Jackson, W. W. Clinton, Jacob A. Fisk, Frederick Ilolbrook, B. W. Stocking, B. A. Bradley, S. G. Redshaw, M. A. Hill, Edward Klebart, William Crook, A. H. Bartholomew, W. R. Mott, II. A. Hooper, J. H. Miller, James Jackson, S. S. Stocking, T. D. L. Manvillc, J. M. Blackman. Luke Tiffany, J. A. Bristol, George C. Alunger, Oliver Povve, George E. May, J. H. Duxbury, H. A. Peck. DENTISTS IN DERBY. Dr. C. W. Grant came to Derby about 1838 and was the first den- tist located in Derby- He practiced here two years, when he removed to Poughkeepsie, where he engaged in the cuhure of grapes in con- nection with the practice of his profession. Dr, P"oster p. Abbott commenced the practice of dentistry in Derby about 1842. and continued until his death in 1863. A jovial, good-natured man, a little fast in his younger days, in his later years he made a profession of faith and united with the M. E. church, where he remained a consistent and valuable member until called to his re- ward. For several years he was the trying justice of the place. Dr. W. B. Hurd practiced dentistry in Derby from 1851 to 1853. Dr. S. D. Tuttle followed in the same practice from June 1853 to 1855- Dr. Henry A. Nettleton commenced dentistry with Dr Abbott in 1854 and still continues in the profession. Dr. liouTWELL located in the practice of dentistry in Ansonia about 1856, and continues in the profession. Dr. J. J. Abbott, a son of Dr. F. P. Abbott, succeeded to his father's business in 1863, and continues in active practice Dr B F Leach came to Birmingham and enjoys a large and lucra- tive practice in dentistry. Dr. M. C. Hitchcock located in Ansonia in 1878, and has secured a good share of public patronage. FRENCH war, 1755 ^7^3- The following is all the account that has been obtained concerning the soldiers in the French War, from 1755 to 1758 : Charles Bunnell, son of Benjamin, died July 26, 1758, "being killed by the enemy, between Fort Edward and Lake George, in the twentieth year of his age, in the king's service." Luke Bunnell, son of Benjamin, died Oct 23, 1756, "at Canaan, in the king's service." 788 APPENDIX. Lemuel Chatfield died at the camp at Lake George, Sept. 3, 1758- Levi Chatfield died Oct. 15, 1758, having returned home from the camp. These were twin brothers, nineteen years and nine months of John French died Oct. 17, 1761, at Crown Point, in the twenty- first year of his age. Nehemiah, son of Nicholas Moss, was taken ill near Oswego, re- turned home, and died soon after, Jan. 3, 1762. Lieut. John Griffin was three years in the French war. Linus Lounsbury, of Nyumphs, was in the French War and in the Revolution. Daniel Munson died at Fort Edward, Aug. 2, 1756. soldiers in the revolution. Gen. William Hull served with great credit throughout the war. Gen. David Wooster served with peculiar honor until his death in 1777. Lieut. Joseph Hull went with his company to New York in 1776 ; was taken prisoner, and exchanged after two years, and after that served efficiently on Long Island Sound. Gen. David Humphreys served nobly throughout the war. Elijah Humphrey was a major in the Revolution, and had three horses shot under him. Samuel Hull, brother of Gen. William, was a lieutenant for a time in the war. William Clark was captain of volunteers. Jabez Thompson went out as first major of the ist Regiment and captain of the 3d Company, in 1775. Capt. Thomas Horsey went from Derby, in 1775, as lieutenant on the brig Minerva, and was promoted to be captain. He died in 1789, aged 46. Braidford Steele went, in 1775, as first lieutenant 3 was promoted to be captain. (See his Biog.) Nathan Pierson went, in 1775, as ensign, and was promoted to be captain. Nathaniel JOHNSON'went as captain, in 1775. Jabez Pritchard was in the war. (See his Biog.) Capt. Bradford Steele was in the war. John White, son of Daniel, was in the war. He died Feb 19, 1830, aged 73. Mr. Leach was under Washington seven years ; was several times severely wounded. Abram Bassett, son of Abraham, was in the war. Theophilus Miles was in the war; he died in 1822, aged 8^. Truman Loveland was in the w'ar. SEkG. James Baldwin. Jesse Baldwin, brother to James. Isaac Johnson, son of Benajah. He died April 10, 1813, aged 78. Ezra Butler was in the war. APPENDIX. 789 Jethro Martin (colored), servant to Gen. Humphreys, was a long time in the war. He died in New Haven, having received a pension many years Joseph Mauwehu (Chuse) is said to have been in the war. Fhineas Johnson, from Pine's Bridge. David Wheei.er Dr. J ESSE Baldwin was surgeon. Joseph Sandkord John Holbrook, Nathaniel Holbrook, Abel Holbrook. These three were in the war, and afterwards drew a pension many years. Major Nathan Smith was in the war. Jonathan Lvman, son of Rev. Jonathan, served some time as captain. Joel Johnson, son of Asahel and Lois, died at King's Bridge, N. Y., Aug. 23, 1777. James Humphrey. Michael Clark. Abiel Canfield enlisted May 8, 1777. Moses Riggs. William Clark Whitney was wounded, and drew a pension some years. Wilson Hurd. The following were soldiers from that part of Derby which is now Oxford, and who drew pensions afterwards : Capt. Samuel Candee, Timothy Johnson, Capt. Job Candee, Phineas John.son, David Peck, Jeremiah M. Kelly. Isaac Chatfield, The memorandum of Lieut. Jabez Pritchard, who was taken pris- oner with Bradford Steele and others, was brought home by Lieut. Steele, and contains the list of guards detailed at Horseneck from September 15th to the 21st. A large part of the company was from the town of Derby. The names are : Gideon Ailing, Isaac Durand, Samuel Andress, Vespasian Eastman, Abraham liarnes, Corp. Foot, Nathaniel Black, Amos Fox, Edward Bassett, Joseph Hulse, David Blakesley, Jonathan Lyman, Corp. Bristol, James Leach, Corp. Candee, James Lines, Oliver Chatfield, Nathan Mallory, Caleb Chatfield, Major Morris, ' Reuben Canfield, Abraham Murray, Martin Clark, Asahel Newell, George Clark, Iilnsign Osborn, Chauncey Clark, Lieut. Pierson, Amos Collins, Noah l^eck, Jonathan Cartright, John Prindle, Jairus Congdon, Jabez Pritchard, Joseph Deremore, John Priestly, George Dachester, Oliver Root, Samuel Durand, - Joseph Sanford, Kbenezer Durand, Philo Sperry, 790 APPENDIX. Jabin Sperrv, Thomas Torrance, Job Sperry,' Adam Vose, Alexander Sperry, David Whittemore Jonathan Sperry,' Samuel Wood, Corp. Smith, Hezekiah Wooding, William Smith, Eli Washband, Lieut. Steel, Aaron Webster, John Swift, Bowers Washburn, Wm. Tomlinson, James Yatman. CHARLES LINDLEY, Son of Curtiss Lindley, born at O.Kford, Conn. Studied law at New Haven with Judge Hitchcock also with Shelton and Flagg. Admitted to the bar in 1844. Commenced practice at Birmingham 1844 and remained there about three years ; went to California in 1849 by the overland route ; is now in active practice in California. SYLVESTER BARBOUR, Son of Henry Barbour, born in Canton, Conn ; studied law with H. H. Barbour at Hartford, Conn., and at the Poughkeepsie Law School ; was admitted to the bar July. 1856, Hartford county ; commenced practice at Ansonia, Dec , 1861, and remained there until July, 1875, when he went to Hartford, where he now is. He held offices as fol- lows : Judge of Probate, District of Derby, 1866-7 ^"<^1 1867-8; Town Clerk for year 1863-4 ; Register of births, marriages and deaths, 1862-3 ; Secretary and Treasurer of Ansonia Savings Bank, 1862-1874; Chairman 4th School District four years; Chairman of the Congregational Society three years ; Board of Education, 1869- 1873- JOHN D. BALLOU, Son of Francis X. Ballou, born at Killingly, Conn. ; studied law with Mahlon R. West of Stafford Springs ; admitted to the bar Apr. term, 1869, Tolland county ; commenced practice at Ansonia, 1869, and continued there until 1872, then went away but returned in 1878 and still remains. VERENICE HUNGER, Son of Rufus E. Munger, born at Litchfield, Conn. ; studied law with William Cothren of Woodbury, Cliarles W. Johnson of New Haven and George Hine of Naugatuck ; was admitted to the bar in 1869 ; commenced practice at Ansonia Mar. 1872, and still continues. Judge of Probate, District of Derby, 1873 — 1877 ; chairman and clerk Congregational Society, 1879. DANIEL E. MC MAHON, Son of Thomas McMahon, born in Derby ; studied law at Yale and Albany Law School ; was admitted to the bar June 13, 1877 ; com- menced practice at Ansonia as soon as admitted and has remained there since. Town clerk for the year 1879. APPENDIX. 791 CHARLES KEEU, Son of Ezekiel Reed, born at Abington, Mass. ; graduate of Yale in 1871 and law in 1874 ; was admitted to the bar May term, 1874; com- menced practice at Ansonia, Sept. 1, 1875, and is still there. WM. SIDNEY DOV/NES, Son of Sidney A. Downes, born in Derby ; graduate Albany Law School, '79. also studied with Samuel M. Gardner at Birmingham ; was admit- ted to the bar June 26, 1879; commenced practice at Birmingham in 1879, where he remains. POSI-OFFICES. Derby Post-Office was established April i, 1798, and Joel Atwater was appointed Postmaster. Samuel J. Andrews was appointed July i, 1790- Russell Hitchcock Thomas Durham Russell Hitchcock Robert Gates Henry Whitney Robert Gates, Jr., Henry Atwater Thos. Shelton Thads. G. Birdseye- Robert C. Naramore Ezra Sprague Jan. I, 18 16. April I, 1828. June 22, 1832, Oct. 28, 1833. June 12, 1849. Feb. 3, 1853 May 5, 1853 Sept. 30, 1854. Jan. 18, i860. July 26, 1861. July I, 1874. Name of office changed to Birmingham, June 9, 1876, and Ezra Sprague re-appointed its Postmaster. Wm. J. Clark appointed Jan. 21, 1880. Office was moved to its present site May 20, 1869. Ansonia Post-Office was established June, 1846, and George Bristol was appointed Postmaster. John Lindley was appointed Jan., 1858. George Bristol " " April, 1861. Charles E Bristol " " May, 1869. SELECTMEN FOR THE TOWN OF DERBY. -1677. -1678. 1679. 16S0. Samuel Riggs. Ebenczer Johnson. John Hulls, i'lbenezer Johnson. Samuel Riggs. William Tomlinson. Samuel Riggs. Ebenezer Johnson. William Tomlinson. I'.dvvaifl Wooster. John Hulls. William Tomlinson. 1 68 1. Sergeant Hulls. Jeremiah Johnson, Sr. Isaac Nichols. 1682. John Hubbell. Francis French. Ephraim Smith. 1683. Serg. John Hulls. Samuel ixiggs. Abel (num. 1685. Jeremiah Johnson. Phil!]) Denman. Samuel Nichols. ■■^March 26, 1S60, office was made a presidential one, and Mr. Birdseye was the appointee. •'These were called townsmen, nearly one Ininched years. The list for several years could not be found. 792 APPENDIX. 1691. Mr. John Davis. 1714- William Tomlinson. Samuel Nichols. 1700. Captain Johnson. 17 15- Samuel Riggs. Nathan Nichols. Samuel Brinsmade. 1716. Thomas Wooster. 1701. Jeremiah Johnson, Sr. John Bowers. 1717- Joseph Hulls. "William Tomlinson. Samuel Nichols. 1718. 1702. Ens. Sanmel Riggs. Abel Holbrook. John Tibbals. 1719. Isaac Nichols. Sergeant Brinsmade. 1703. Wm. Tomlinson, Sr. 1720. Jonathan Lumm. Stephen Pierson. Ebenezer Harger. 172 1. Jeremiah Johnson, Jr. 1704. Stephen Pierson, Sr. Jeremiah Johnson. 1722. Ebenezer Harger. 1705. Ens. Samuel Riggs. Abel Holbrook. 1723. Isaac Nichols. Joseph Hawkins. Joseph Hulls. 1706. Lieut. Thomas Wooster. Mr. Samuel Nichols. 1724. Serg. .Samuel Brinsmade. Adino Strong. Joseph Hulls. 1725. 17(37. Jeremiah Johnson. Abel Gunn., Jr. Ebenezer Harger. 1726. John Riggs 1709. Lieut. Wooster. Lieut. Hulls. Ens. Samuel Riggs. i7-7- Samuel Brinsmade. 1 7 10. Joseph Hawkins. Stephen Miles. 1728. Edward Riggs. Ebenezer Harger. 1711. Jeremiah Johnson. 17-9- Abraham Pierson. John Pringle. John Davis. 1730. Abraham Tomlinson. 17 12. Josiah Baldwin. John Twitchell. 1731. John Hulls. Jonathan Lumm. Andrew Smith. 1732- 1713. Lieut. Joseph Hulls. Ens Samuel Nichols. Serg. .Samuel Brinsmade. ^733- Samuel Bowers. Serg. John Riggs. John Riggs. Joseph Hulls. \Villiam Moss. Joseph Hawkins. Jeremiah Johnson. Abel (lunn. Capt. Joseph Hulls. Lieut. John Riggs. Serg. Timothy \Vooster. Jeremiah Johnson. Joseph Hawkins. Abel Gunn. Capt. Joseph Hulls. Lieut. John Riggs. Serg. Samuel Brinsmade. Mr. Joseph Hawkins. Francis French. Abel Gunn. Samuel Brinsmade. Francis French. Abel Gunn. Lieut. John Riggs. Ens. Ebenezer Johnson. .Serg. Samuel Brinsmade. Jeremiah Johnson. Francis French. William Moss. Serg. Samuel Brinsraade. Mr. Samuel Bowers. Lieut. Ebenezer Johnson. Ens. Samuel Bassett. Serg. Abraham Pierson. Ens. Samuel Bassett. Abraham Pierson. John Davis. Capt. John Riggs. Jonathan Lumm. Ebenezer Harger. Timothy Wooster. Capt. Joseph Hull. Mr. P^ancis French. Timothy Russell. Francis French. Abraham Pierson. Timothy Russell. Ensign Samuel Bassett. Joseph Johnson. Thomas Wooster. Francis French. Ens. Samuel Bassett. Joseph Tomlinson. Gideon Johnson. .Samuel Hull. Isaac Tomlinson. Isaac Tomlinson. Samuel Hull. Gideon Johnson. Lieut. (Ebenezer) Johnson. Samuel Tomlinson. Thomas Wooster. Lieut. Ebenezer Johnson. Samuel Tomlinson. Thomas Wooster. APPENDIX. 793 1734- 173^. I739- 1740. 1741. 1742. 1743- 1744. 1745- 1746. 1747- 1748. 1749. 1751- Samuel Tomlinson. Serg. William Moss. Samuel Riggs. Joseph fohnson. Joseph "Hull, Jr. William Moss. Isaac Tomiinson. Joseph Johnson. .Samuel Riggs. Joseph Hull. "Capt. Samuel Bassett. Ens. Johnson. Moses Hawkins. Thomas Wooster. Samuel Riggs. Capt. Samuel Bassett. Dea. Gideon Johnson. Thomas Wooster. Serg. Moses Hawkins. Samuel Riggs. Francis French. Abraham Pierson. Joseph Hull. Samuel Bassett, Esq. Moses Hawkins. Joseph Hull. Joseph Johnson. Samuel Riggs. Abiram Canfield. Ebenezer Riggs. Samuel Riggs. Joseph Johnson. Joseph Hull. .Samuel Tomiinson. Capt. Moses Hawkins. Samuel Botsford. Capt. Timothy Russell. Capt. John I.umm. Capt. Timothy Russell. Capt. John Lumm. Capt. Moses Hawkins. Mr. Samuel Tomiinson. Mr. Samuel Botsford. Capt. Timothy Russell. Capt. Moses Hawkins. Capt. John Lumm. Lieut. Joseph I lull. Samuel Tomiinson. Capt. Timothy Russell. Capt. Moses Hawkins. Capt. John Lumm. T,ieut. Joseph Hull. Mr. Samuel Tomiinson. Capt. Timothy Russell. Capt. John Lumm. Capt. Moses Hawkins. Mr. Samuel Tomiinson. Lieut. Joseph Hull. Capt. Timothy Russell. Capt. Moses Hawkins. Capt. Josc])h Hull. Capt. John Lumm. "Mr. Jonah Smith. 1753. Abiel Fairchild. Lieut. Ebenezer Riggs. .Serg. Thomas Wooster. Samuel Botsford. Agur Tomiinson. 1754. Timothy Russell. Thomas Wooster. Samuel Botsford. Agur Tomiinson. Abiel Fairchild. 1755. Timothy Russell, Esq. .Samuel Botsford. Abiel Fairchild. Thomas Wooster. Agur Tomiinson. 1756. Abiel Fairchild. .Samuel Botsford. Capt. Abe! Cunn. Capt. James Wheeler. Charles French. 1757. Abiel P'airchild. Capt. Abel Ounn. Capt. James Wheeler. Samuel Botsford. Charles French. 1758. Abiel Fairchild. Samuel Botsford. Abel (runn. James Wheeler. Charles French. 1760. Samuel Botsford. Abel (hmn. James Wheeler. Charles French. John Wooster. 1 761. Capt. .Abel Gunn. Charles French. William Clark. Capt. Jabez Thompson. Ens. John Wooster. 1762. William Clark. Capt. Jabez Thompson. Ens. John Wooster. Capt. Zachariah Hawkins. James Beard. 1763. Capt. Jabez Thompson. Capt. Zachariah Hawkins. Ca]3t. James Wheeler. Lieut. Joseph Osborn. Abraham Hawkins. 1764. Capt. James Wheeler. Capt. Zachariah Hawkins. Capt. Joseph ( )sborn. Capt. Jabez Thompson. Mr. Abraham Hawkins. 1765. Capt. Zachariah Hawkins. Capt. Joseph Osborn. James lieard. f()sej)h Hull, Jr. John Holbrook. 1766. Zachariah Hawkins. Joseph Osborn. James Beard. 794 APPENDIX. 1766. Joseph Hull. 1779- John Holbrook. 1767. Joseph Hull, Jr. [oseph Tomlinson. Joseph Riggs. 1780. Noah Tomlinson. Joseph Osborn. 1768. Joseph Hull, Jr. Capt. Joseph Riggs. Capt. Joseph Osborn. 1781. Noah Tomlinson. |ohn Tomlinson 1769. Joseph Hull, Esq. Capt. Joseph Riggs. Lieut. Thomas Clark. 1782. Samuel Bassett. Joseph Tomlinson. 1770. Joseph Kiggs. Capt. Timothy Baldwin. Capt. Thomas Clark. 1783- Samuel Bassett. Lieut. John Bassett. 1 77 1. Capt. John Tomlinson. ■ Lieut. John Bassett. Samuel Bassett. 1784- Capt. Thomas Clark. Dea. Eliphalet Hotchkiss. 1772. Dea. Eliphalet Hotchkiss. Capt. Thomas Clark. Isaac Smith. 1785- Capt. John Tomlinson. Lieut. John Bassett. 1773. Elijah Hotchkiss. John Tomlinson. Isaac .Smith. 1786. John Riggs, Jr. Abijah Hyde. 1774. Capt. John Tomlinson. Capt. Nathaniel Johnson. Maj. Jabcz Thompson. 1787. Ens. Isaac Smithi John Riggs, Jr. 1775. Col. Jabez Thompson. Capt. Nathaniel Johnson. Capt. Nathan Smith. 178S. John Riggs, Jr. Isaac Smith. 1776. Capt. Nathan Smith. James Read. Abraham Hawkins. 1789- Isaac Smith. John Riggs, Jr. 1777. Abraham Beecher. James Beard, Esq. Abraham Hawkins. 1790- Capt. Nathan Smith. Ens, John Humphrey. 1778. Abraham Hawkins. I79'- Capt. Nathan Smith. — James Beard, Esq. Ens. John Humphrey. 1792- Abraham lieecher. 1779. Abraham Hawkins. James Beard, Esq. John Humphrey. Abraham Bassett. Henry Tomlinson. Abraham Hawkins. James Beard, Esq. John Humphrey. Abraham Beecher. Capt. Micah Pool. Abraham Hawkins. James Ileard, Esq. John Humphreys. Capt. Abraham Bassett. Capt. Micah Pool. John Humphrey. Micah Pool. Abraham Bassett. John Howd. Samuel Hull. Capt. Daniel Holbrook. John Howd. Samuel Hull. Capt. Micah Pool. Capt. Abraham Bassett. Capt. Daniel Holbrook. John Howd. Capt. Abraham Bassett. Samuel Hull. Capt. Micah Pool. Capt. Daniel Holbrook. Mr. John Howd. Capt. Joseph Riggs. Mr. Caleb Candee. Mr. Joseph .Strong. Capt. Daniel Holbrook. Capt. Joseph Riggs. Mr. Josiah .Strong. Mr. Caleb Candee. Mr. David Tomlinson. Isaiah Strong. Caleb Candee. Webb Tomlinson. Abijah Hull. David Hitchcock. Abijah Hull. Webb Tomlinson. Capt. John Riggs. Mr. Caleb Candee. Capt. Reuben Tucker. Eliphalet Hotchkiss. Capt. John Riggs. Webb Tomlinson, Esq.. John Howd. Capt. Reuben Tucker. Abijah Hull. Capt. John Riggs. Webb Tomlinson, Esq. Capt. John Riggs. Mr. Abijah Hull. Mr. Reuben Lumm. Reuben Lumm. Abijah Hull. Capt. John Riggs. APPENOrX. 1793- Mr. Aljijah TTiill. Capt. John Kiggs. Mr. Reuben Lunim. 1814. 1794- Capt. Ebenezer Riggs. Mr Abijah Hull. Mr. Reul)en Lumm. 1815. 1795- Reuben Lumm. Abijah Hull. Capt. Ebenezer Riggs. 1816. 1796. Capt. Ebenezer Riggs. Mr. Reuben Lumm. Capt. Joseph Riggs. 1S17. 1797- Capt. Joseph Riggs. Capt. Ebenezer Riggs. Mr. Reuben Lumm. 18 18. 179S. Reuben Lumm. David Hitchcock. Nathan Stiles. 1819. 1799- David Hitchcock. Reuben Lumm. Nathan Stiles. 1S20, iSoo. Levi Hoichkiss. Capt. Amadeus Dibble. Reuben Lumm. 1821. iSoi. Levi Hotchkiss, Esq. Capt. James Lewis. Mr. Reuben Lumm. 1822. 1802. Reuben Lumm. Levi Hotchkiss. Capt. James Lewis. 1823. 1803. Reuben Lumm. Capt. Amadeus Dibble. David Hawkins. 1824. 1S04. Reuben Lumm. David Hawkins. Amadeus Dibble. 1825. 1805. David Hawkins. Philo Bassett. David Hitchcock. 1826. 1806. David Hitchcock. Philo Bassett, Esq. David Hawkins. 1827. 1S07. David Hitchcock. Wilson Hurd. Sheldon Curtiss. 1S2S. iSoS. Sheldon Curtiss. Joseph Riggs. Wilson Hurd. 1829 1S09. Wilson Hurd. Sheldon Curtiss. William C. Smith. 1S30. iSio. Sheldon Curtiss. Nathan Wheeler. William C. Smith. 1831. iSii. Reuben Lumm. Sheldon Curtiss. Nathan Wheeler. 1832. 1812. Reuben Lumm. Amasa Porter. Levi Hotchkiss. 1833- 1S13. Reuben Lumm. Levi Smith. Amasa I'orter. 1834. 795 Reuben Lumm. Amasa Porter. Levi Smith. Reuben Lumm. John Humjihreys. Josiah Holbrook. Sheldon Curtiss. Wilson Hurd. John Riggs. .Sheldon Curtiss. Daniel Tolles. Philo Bassett. Sheklon Curtiss. John Humphreys, Jr. Reuben Lumm. Sheldon Curtiss. John Humphreys, Jr. Robert Gates. Robert Gates. William Humphreys. Peter Tomlinson. Sheldon Curtiss. William Humphreys. Robert Gates. .Sheldon Smith. William Humphreys. Robert Gates. .Sheldon Curtiss. Peter Tomlinson. John Humphreys, Jr. Sheldon Curtiss. Peter Tomlinson. John Humphreys, Jr. Sheldon Curtiss. John Humphreys. Peter Tomlinson. Abiram Stoddard. Luther Fowler. Sheldon Curtiss. Sheldon Curtiss. William J. P'rench. Josiah Nettleton. Sheldon Curtiss. Wm. J P'rench. Josiah Nettleton. Josiah Nettleton. Wm. J. French. Sheldon Curtiss. Isaac Tomlinson. Daniel L. Holbrook. .Sheldon Curtiss. Lyman Chatfield. .Sheldon ('urtiss. Bennett Lumm. William Lumm. Sheldon Curtiss. Josiah Bassett. Sheldon Curtiss. Ezekiel (iillett. Josiah Nettleton. ICzekiel Gillett. Isaac J. (Jillett. fosiah Nettleton. 796 APPENDIX. 1835. Daniel L. Holbrook. Samuel Bassett. Sheldon Smith. 1836. Sheldon Smith. ""Sheldon Keeney.--" Joseph P. Canfield. 1837. Daniel L. Holbrook. Daniel Hitchcock. Joseph P. Canfield. 1838. Leman Chatfield. Sheldon Smith, Jr. Judson English. 1839. Sheldon Smith, Esq. Daniel Hitchcock. Luther Fowler. 1840. Leman Chatfield. Sheldon Smith, Jr. Judson English. 1841. Leman Chatfield. Daniel L. Holbrook, ' Abijah Wallace. 1842. Leman Chatfield. Samuel French. Augustus Tomlinson. 1843. Robert Gates. Samuel French. Sheldon Keeney. 1844. Samuel French. Sheldon Keeney. Sidney A. Downs. 1845. Robert Gates, Jr. Sheldon Keeney. Daniel White. 1846. Sidney A. Downs. Daniel White. Abel Holbrook. 1847. Sheldon Smith, Jr. Daniel White. Abel Holbrook. 1848. Sheldon Smith, Jr. Daniel White. Edward B. Crafts. 1849. Sheldon Smith, Jr. Daniel White. Abraham Hubbard. 1850. Sidney A. Downes. John Lindley. Stephen G. Wilcoxon. 1851. Sidney A. Downs. John Lindley. Stephen G. Wilcoxon. 1852. Sheldon Smith. Samuel French. Truman Gilbert. 1853. Truman Gilbert. John Coe. Hiram W. Hubbard. 1854. Sheldon Smith, Jr. Truman Gilbert. William S. Judson. 1855. Sheldon Smith, Jr. Nelson H. Downs. Horace Casterline. 1S56. Sheldon Smith, Jr. Lyman L. Loomer. Jeremiah H. Bartholomew. 1857. Sheldon Smith, Jr. Willett Bradley; Horace Casterline. 1858. Sheldon Smith, Jr. Willett Bradley. William M. Hull. 1859. Sheldon Smith, Jr. Horace Casterline. William M. Hull. i860. Sheldon Smith, Jr. Willett Bradley. William M. Hull. 1 861. Fitch Smith. Horace Casterline. J. M. Colburn. 1862. Fitch Smith. Horace Casterline. Nathan S. Johnson. 1863. Fitch Smith. Jonah Clark. Egbert Bartlett. 1864. John Lindley. Horace Casterline. Edwin C. Johnson. 1865. Egbert Bartlett. Horace Casterline, Amos H. Ailing. 1866. Egbert Bartlett. Horace Casterline. Amos H. Ailing. 1867. Willett Bradley. Horace Casterline. Henry Somers. 1868. Horace Casterline. William Hawkins. John Lindley. 1869. Nathan C. Treat. Henry Somers. Joseph H. Remer. 1870. Egbert Bartlett. Henry Somers. Luzon Rowell. 187 1. Egbert Bartlett. Henry Somers. Luzon Rowell. 1S72. Egbert Bartlett. Henry Whipple. Luzon Rowell. 1873. Egbert Bartlett. Henry Whipple. Luzon Rowell. 1874. Wm. B. Bristol. Lewis Hotchkiss. Luzon Rowell. 1875. Wm. B. Bristol. Sidney A. Downs. Luzon Rowell. 1S76. Wm. B. Bristol. Sidney A. Downs. Luzon Rowell. APPENDIX. 797 1877. Henry Somers. Erwin W. Webster. Patrick McEnernev. 1878. Erwin \V. Webster. Patrick .McEnerney. Wm. C. Atwater. 1879. Erwin W. Webster. Patrick MclMierney. Albert F. Sherwood. 1880. luwin W. Webster. Patrick McEnerney. Henry A. Shipman. REPRESENTATIVES FROM DERBY TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE. None recorded. None recorded. Major Ebenezcr Johnson. Mr. Samuel Prinsmadc. Major I'^benezer Johnson. Mr. Samuel lirinsmade. Mr. John Bowers. Major Ebenezer Johnson. Mr. Samuel Prinsmade. Mr. Samuel Prinsmade. Mr. Samuel Prinsmade. Mr. John Riggs. Mr. John Riggs. Mr. Joseph Hull. Col. Ebenezer Johnson. Col. Ebenezer Johnson. Mr. John Riggs. Mr. Joseph Hawkins. None recorded. Lt. Joseph Hulls. Lt. Joseph Hulls. Mr. John Riggs. Mr. John Riggs. Mr. John Riggs. Col. Ebenezer Johnson. Mr. John Riggs. Col. Ebenezer Johnson. Serg. John Riggs. Capt. Joseph Hulls. Mr. John Riggs. Col. Ebenezer Johnson. Mr. John Riggs. Col. I'-benezer Johnson. Mr. John Riggs. Col. ICbenezer Johnson. Et. John Riggs. Col. Ebenezer Johnson. Mr. John Riggs. Col. Ebenezer Johnson. Mr. John Riggs. Col. P^bcnezer Johnson. Mr John Riggs. Et. John Riggs. Mr. John Riggs. Col Ebenezer Johnson. Col. I'^benezer Johnson. Isaac Tomlinson. Samuel Hull. Ciideon Johnson. Col. Ebenezer Johnson. Et. John Riggs. Col. I'^benezer Johnson. e inliabitants paiil no taxes to tlie 1685, Oct. 1686, May. July. Oct. 1687, Mar. May. June. Oct. 1788, 1789, May. Oct. 1690, Apr. May. Oct. 1691, May. Oct. 1692, May. June. Oct. 1693, May. Oct. 1694, May. Oct. 1695, May. Oct. 1696, May. Oct. 1697, May. Oct. 1698, May. Oct. 1699, , May. Oct. 1700, , May. Oct. 1701, , May. Oct. 1702, , May. Oct. 1703, , May. Oct. 1704, , May. Oct. 1705 , May. Ebenezer Johnson. 1706, Oct. Mr. Abel Gunn. 1706, May. Lt. Ebenezer Johnson. ( )ct. Mr. Abel (.Junn. Lt. Ebenezer Johnson. 1707, May. Lt. Ebenezer Johnson. Oct'. Lt. Ebenezer Johnson. 1708, May. Mr. Abel Gunn. Oct. Lt. Ebenezer Johnson. Lt. Ebenezer Johnson. 1709, May. Lt. Ebenezer Johnson. June. Sir Edmond Andros here, Oct. and no court records. 1 7 10, May. Lt. Ebenezer Johnson. Oct. Mr. John Hulls. 1711, May. None recorded. June. Lt. Ebenezer Johnson. Oct. None recorded. 1712, May. Capt. Ebenezer Johnson. Oct. Capt. Ebenezer Johnson. 1713. Mar. Capt. Ebenezer Johnson. May. None recorded. Oct. Ens. Samuel Riggs. 1714, May. Ens. Samuel Riggs. Oct. None recorded. •715. May. Mr. Jeremiah Johnson. None recorded. Oct. None recorded. Capt. Johnson. 17 16, May. Ensign Riggs. Capt. Eben Johnson. 1717, May. None recorded. Ens. Samuel Riggs. Oct. None recorded. None recorded. 1718, May. Capt. Ebenezer Johnson. Capt. Ebenezer Johnson. Oct. Capt. Ebenezer Johnson. Capt. Ebenezer Johnson. 1719. May. Capt. Ebenezer Johnson. Capt. Ebenezer Johnson. Oct. Capt. Ebenezer Johnson. Capt Ebenezer Johnson. 1720, , May. Ens. Samuel Riggs. Oct. Capt. Ebenezer Johnson. 1721, , May. Capt Ebenezer Johnson. Oct. Capt. Ebenezer Johnson. Dec. Mr. John Power. Capt. Ebenezer Johnson. Capt. Ebenezer Johnson. 1722, , May. Capt. Ebenezer Johnson. None recorded. Oct. ^During ten years from the organization of the town (1675), it Colony, and had no representatives. 7q8 1722, Oct. i7-3> May. Oct. 1724, May. Oct. 1725. May. Oct. 1726, May. Oct. 1727, May. Oct. 1728, May. Oct. 1729, May. Oct. 1730. May. Oct. 1731. May. Oct. 1732, , May. Oct. 1733. , May. Oct. 1734, , May. Oct. 173s. May. Oct. 1736, , May. Oct. 1737: , May. Oct. 1738 , May. Oct. 1739 , May. Oct. 174O: , May. APPENDIX. Capt. John Riggs. 1740, Oct. Col. Ebenezer Johnson. Capt. John Riggs. 1741, May. None reported. Capt. John Riggs. Oct. Mr. Joseph Hawkins. Capt. John Riggs. 1742, May. Mr. Joseph Hawkins. Oct. Capt. John Riggs. Capt. John Riggs. 1743, May. Capt. John Riggs. Capt. John Riggs. Oct. Capt. John Riggs. Mr. Samuel French. I744> May. Capt. John Riggs Mr. Francis French. Oct. Capt. John Riggs. Mr. Francis French. 1745, Feb. Capt. John Riggs. Mr. P'rancis French. May. Capt. John Riggs. Mr. Francis French. Oct. Capt. John Riggs. Mr. Francis French. 1746, May. Mr. Samuel Hull. Capt. John Riggs. Oct. Mr. Samuel Hull. Capt. John Riggs. 1747, May. Mr. Francis French. Mr. Gideon Johnson. Oct. Mr. Timothy Russell. Mr. John Riggs. 1748, May. Mr. John Riggs. Mr. Gideon Johnson. Oct. Mr. John Riggs. Mr. Samuel Bassett. 1749, May. Mr. John Riggs. Mr. Samuel Ba.ssett. Oct. Mr. John Riggs. Mr. Timothy Russell. 1750, May. Mr. John Riggs. Mr. Samuel Bassett. Oct. Mr. John Riggs. Mr. Gideon Johnson. 1751, May. Mr. John Riggs. Mr. Samuel Bassett. Oct. Mr. John Riggs. Mr. Samuel Bassett. 1752, May. Mr. John Riggs. Mr. Samuel Bassett. Oct. Mr. John Riggs. Mr. John Riggs. 1753, May. Capt. Samuel Bassett. Capt. John Riggs. Oct. Capt. Samuel i3assett. Capt. John Riggs. 1754, May. Capt. Samuel Bassett. Capt. John Riggs. Oct. Capt. Samuel Bassett. Capt. John Riggs. 1755, May. Capt. Samuel Bassett. Mr. Abel Gunn. Oct. Capt. Samuel Bassett. 1756, May. Mr. Abel Gunn. Mr. .Samuel Tomlinson. Mr. Samuel Tomlinson. Mr. Abel Gunn. Capt. John Riggs. Capt. Samuel Bassett. None recorded. Mr. Abel Gunn. Mr. Joseph Hull. Capt. John Riggs. Capt. Samuel Bassett. Capt. John Riggs. Mr. Abel Gunn. Mr. Samuel Riggs. Mr. Abel Gunn. Capt. John Riggs. Capt Samuel Bassett. Capt. John Riggs. Capt. Samuel Bassett. Capt. Samuel Bassett, Mr. Abel Ciunn. Capt. Samuel Bassett. Mr. Abel Gunn. Capt. Moses Hawkins. Mr. Abel Gunn. Capt. Moses Hawkins. Mr. Abel Gunn. Capt. John Riggs. Capt. Samuel Bassett. Capt. Moses Hawkins. Mr. Abel Ciunn. Capt. Moses Hawkins. Mr. Abel Cnmn. Capt. Moses Hawkins. Mr. Abel Gunn. Capt. Moses Hawkins. Mr. Abel Gunn. Capt Moses Hawkins. Mr. Abel Gunn. Capt. John Lumm. Isaac Tomlinson. John Lumm. Mr. Abel Gunn. Capt. Abel Gunn. Capt. Moses Hawkins. Capt. Moses Hawkins. Charles French. Capt. Abel Gunn. Charles French. Capt. Abel Gunn. Charles P'rench. Daniel Holbrook. Charles French. Abel Gunn. Charles French. Moses Hawkins. Charles French. Moses Hawkins. Charles French. Moses Hawkins. Charles French. Capt. Samuel Bassett. Capt. Abel Gunn. 1S56, May. Oct. 1757, May. Oct. 1758, May. Oct. 1759, May. Oct. 1760, j\ray. Oct. 1 761, May. Oct. 1762, May. Oct. 1763, May. Oct. 1764, May. Oct. 1765, May. Oct. 1766, May. Oct. 1767, May. Oct. 1768, May. Oct. 1769, May. Oct. 1770, May. Oct. 1771, May. Oct. 1772, May. Oct. Charles Frencb. Capi. Samuel Hassett. Capt. Samuel I'.assett. Capt. Samuel Bassett. Capt. Samuel Bassett. Capt. .Abel Gunn. Capt. .Samuel llassett. Capt. Abel (hum. Capt. Samuel Bassett. Mr. Daniel Holbrook. Capt. Samuel Bassett. Capt. James Wheeler. Capt. .Samuel Bassett. Capt. James Wheeler. Capt. Samuel Bassett. Capt. James Wheeler. Capt. Abel Gunn. Capt. Samuel Bassett. Capt. .Samuel Bassett. Capt. James Wheeler. Capt. Abel Gunn. Capt. Samuel Bassett. Capt Abel Gunn. Mr. Charles French. Capt. Samuel Bassett. Mr. Joseph Hull, Jr. Capi. Samuel liassett. Mr. Charles French. Capt. Abel Gunn. Mr. Charles French. Mr. Charles French. Mr. Joseph Hull. Mr Charles French. Mr. Joseph Hull. Capt. Abel (junn. Mr. Josej^h Hull. Mr. Daniel HT()N I -son of | C H and W S Bailey | died July 11 1S63 | aged 2 years and 4 mo. Etgene Thurston | son of | C H and W S Bailey | died June 9 1867 | aged 20 j'ears. Mr Reuben Baldwin | died May 12 1809 I in the 70 year | of his age | Also Mamre and Isaac infant | children of | Reuben and Catharine Baldwin. Mamre died Nov 21 1793 I 'iged 11 months. Isaac died May i 1796 | aged i year 2 months. Behold and see as you pass by As you are now so once was 1 As i am now soon you w ill be Prepare for death and follow me. Here lies the body of | Mr James Bald- win who I departed this life Aug | ye 27th 1760 in ye 57th | year of his age | The sleeping dust sabie drest Here cease from labor calmly rest Till conquered deatli shall be no more 'J'he grave its captive prey restore. Chauncy Baldwin | died Oct 28 1S27 | ae 49 I Lucy his wife | died Sept 17 1828 I 3e 48. Here lies ye body of | Zerviah Baldwin wife I to Timothy Baldwin | died the 10 1734 I in the 37 year | of her age. In memory | of | Capt. Timothy Bald- win I who departed this life | Dec 22 1800 I a; 8r. Inmemory | of | MrsSarah Baldwin | the wife of | Capt Timothy Baldwin | who departed this life | Sept 10 1794 in the I 75th year of her age. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord. Inmemory | of | Mrs Lydia Baldwin I wife of I Mr Thaddeus Baldwin | who departed this life | Dec 10 A D 1804 I in the 51st year of her age. In I memory of — Sarah Baldwin | died I June 6 1825 I X 46. In I memory of | Mr Thaddeus Bald- win I who died I Jan 2 1819 | in the 68 year | of his age. Lydia Baldwin | died | June 24 1S54 | X 72. Rev Amos Bassett D I) | born in Derby 1764 I graduated in Vale College 1784 I Tutor in the same | four years: Or- dained I minister of the Gospel | and installetl Pastor in | Hebron 1794: Fel- low of Vale College seventeen | years: died at Monroe | April 3 1828 | in his 64 year | High in attamments as a scholar and | Divine : esteemed and beloved wherever | known : judicious faithful and useful in | many important ]>ublic stations : ami | able tender be- nevolent : giving none | offence in any thing : and to be long reinem | bered as the man of Clod | well furnished | to every good work. In memory of Glover Bassett | son of I Mr Amos and Mrs Olive Bassett | who dejDarted this life | .Sept 30 1793 | aged 27 years one month | and 25 days I Jesus said I am the resuireciion and the | Life, he that be ieveth in me tho he | were dead yet shall he live. Two children of | Jon and Nancy Bas- sett I Daniel Lee died Oct | 18 1819 aged 7 1-2 years | Benjamin Samuel died I Oct 24 1819 aged 4 years These pleasant sons although our all .Must leave this world at (Jod'^first call A strong desire the one ejprest To go to Christ and be at lest. In memory of | Dea Amos Bassett | who departed this life | July i 1802 | a; 68 | This mortal shall put on immor- tality. Memorial | of | Mrs Olive Bassett | consort of Dea Amos Bassett | who departed this life | Nov 25 1822 | aged 85 years. Inniemoryof | .Mr Euenezer Bassett | who died May 20th | A D 1760 in the 30th I year of his age Life how short Eternity how long. Lucy M | daughter of | Sheldon and I Harriet Bassett | died Aug 28 183 1 ( aged 15 months and 8 days She's gone but where .' Ah pause and see Gone to a long eternity She's gone but where from toil and pain ■J'o where eternal pleasures reign *-he's gone before her mind could know The ills attetiding all below LoRANiA Bassett | died Aug 15 1868 | 3E87. Mr David Bassi i t | died May 21 1819 I aged 69 years. Mrs Nahhy his wife | died Dec 20 1803 I a.^ed 57. 8o4 APPENDIX. In I memory of | Benjamin Bassett 1 who died | March 5 1S25 | aged 85 | He was the eleventh offspring of Sam- uel Bassett Esq nine of whom lived to see their grandchildren. Lucy | wife of | Marvin Bassett | died | Feb 27 1859 I X 77. Marvin Bassett | died | May 8 1854 | ae 72. In I memory of | Mary Bassett | wife of Benjamin Bassett | who died ( Nov I 1S23 I aged So. Samuel | Bassett | Esqr | 1764. Mary Bristol | died — June 30, 1S43 | 36 23 yrs 10 mo | and 16 ds. Her soul has now taken its flight 'I'o mansions of glory above To mingle with angels of lii;ht And dwell in the kingdom ot love. In memory of | Nehemiah Bristol | who died | Jan 19, 1829 | as 23, Richard Bristol | died Oct 21, 1835 | a; 22 years. Dr Warren Beach | died | Dec 14 1851 I £632. I He withered, lingered, fell and died Yet sweet in death he lay. Ah ! many wept and many sighed Upon that mouinfiil day. Sally Maria | daughter of | Gideon and Sarah | Blackman | died Feb 15 1820 I ae 18 yrs. Stop gay friend and drop a tear Kor youth and innocense lies here. Sarah Maria | daughter of Guy and Ann Blakeman | died | May 8 1833 | aged 12 years. Guy Blakeman | died | Sept 12 1863 | aged 69 yrs 6 mos. Anna Camp | widow of Guy Blakeman | died Jan 28 1872 | aged 73 yrs 8 mos. Almira I daughter of | Guy and Ann Blakeman | died | Feb 16 1830 | aged 3 years. Here lyes y" body of | Mr John Bowers I died January 26 1737 in y« 26th | year of his age. Luc-y I daughter of | Horace and Lois Bradley | died Feb i 1S22 | aged 2 ye 7 mo I and 9 days. Jesus saith suffer little children to | come unto me and forbid j them not for of such | is the king- dom of heavec. Horace Bradley died | Aug 28 1S34 | aged 45- . . Far from affliction toil and care 'I he happy soul has fled The breathless clay shall slumber here Among the silent dead. In memory of | Mr Lewis Burritt who I died May 17 1776 in the 3tst year of his asic. So sleep the saints and cease to groan When sin and death have done their worst Christ hath glory like his own Which waits to clothe the waking dust. Here lyes y« body of | Nathaniel Bur- ton son I of Mr Judson and Mrs Com- fort I Burton born March y^ 13 1760 and died June y" 27 1764. In memory of | Josiah B Canfield | who died | Mar 28 1S34 | aged 24 yrs and 6 mo. | Then rest there now in peace, the hallowed spot Where sleeps thy dust shall never be forgot Oft age, full oft affections tear shall lave The flower that blooms ujion thy lowly grave But while thy memory thus we long shall love Thy spirit entered on its rest above Shall chant the song the ransomed only know Beside the stream where Heavenly waters flow. In memory of Dr | Josiah Canfield | who departed this | life Feb 11 1778 in his 40 year. Kemember Lord our mortal slate How frail our life how short the date Where is the man | that draws his breath Safe from disease, secure from death. In memory of | .Shelden son to Doct Josiah and | Mrs Naomi | Canfield | aged*3 years died Jan 31 1774. William son | of Dr Josiah and | Mrs Naomi | Canfield died | 14 Oct 1774 | aged 2 years | Death has cropt The tender flower. In I memory of | Jane Canfield | wife of I Josiah B. Canfield | who died Feb 23 1832 I aged 19 years. Also Mary Jane | their daughter who died | April 2 1832 aged 8 months. Can we forget departed friends? Ah no! Within our hearts their memories buried lies The thought that where they are we too shall go Will cast a light o'er darkest scenes of woe, h or to their own blest dwellings in the skies The souls whom Christ sets free exultmgly shall rise. Josiah son to | Abiram and Ruth | Can- field aged 17 years died — the son of | Abiram and Ruth | Can- field aged I 18 years, died | March 13, 1741. David son to | Abiram and Ruth Can- field I aged 7 years | died Nov y^ 23 1741. Huldah I daughter of Dr | Josiah and Mrs I Naomi Canfield | died Nov 25 1777. In memory of | Lois Carrington | who died Jan iS 1833 | aged years. As a Christian she was beloved. Pier heart I was open in doing deeds of benevo- lence I for the good and happiness of the human family. Blessed are the dead ihat die in the I^oid. APPENDIX. 805 In memory of | Dka John Carrington I who died | 00181847 | aged 76 years. HoKACK Casteki.i.ne ] died | April 24 1873 I 3£ 65. Maria Bradley | wife of | Horace Cas- terline | died May 9 1871 1 ae 55. In I memory of | Joseph Platt | son of Jonah and | Alary N Clark | who died I April 19 1852 I aged8 mosandSds. | Harriet J | wife of | Jonah Clark | died I Nov 12 1847 I aged ^34. In — memory of | Isaac Clark | son of Kdmund and | Anna Clark | who died April 1 808 in the 24 year | of his age. In memory of Mr Edmund Clark | who died June 30 | 1785 in the 32 year | of his age. Ye wild now live must shortly die And lodge your bodies where I lie. Alphonso Newton | March 6 1848 | aged 3 years and 8 mos. Susan Christine | died | June 12 1S48 I aged 6 yrs and 10 mos. Children of Joseph I and Maria J. Clark. Not Forgotten | Theodore E Clark | died j Jan 28 iS6[ | je 23. John Clark | died Aug 7 1874 | as 61, In memory of | Mr John Coe | who died May 4, 181 2 | aged 48 years. Ruth Coe | his wife | died June 7, 1809 I aged 44 years. Sarah Coe | his 2d wife | died Jan 12 181 2 I aged 37 years. All in hope of a blessed immortality. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again Even so tlieni also which sleep in Jesus Will God bring with him. In memory of | Miss Elizabeth Coe | dau of Mr John and | Mrs Hannah Coe I who died of the Small Pox May 24 I A I) 1795 '" ^^^ -- y^^'' of ^^^ ^g^ Ye youth and gay Attend this speaking stone Think on her fate And tremble at your own. Grace | wife of | John A Coe | died Jan 21 1869 je 42. John A Coe | died | Sept23iS49 | 30157. Doer Edward Crai'ts | Dea of the Presbyterian Church | and for many ■years a successful | Physician and in- iluential citizen | of Derby. He was born at Pomfret April 19 1752 and died March 17 1821 aged 69 years. Mrs Melissa | third wife of | Doct E Crafts I died Jan 19 1844 set 75. Mrs Abicail | first wife of ( Doct E Crafts I died June 8 1813 x 56. Mr Sami'el Craits | was lost at sea I in lat 39 N Long 39 W June 5 iSio | a;t 27 EdwardCraets I died Nov 1S26 | 3et32. Children of Doct Edward and Mrs Abi- gail Crafts I Julia died Sept 16 i8oi as 20. Laura | died June 15 1805 | in the 16 year of her age. Edward | died Feb 20 1794 x 2. Abba | died Aug 24 1811 | ae 15. Frances B | wife of | George H Curtiss died March i 1865 | x 28. Lilly M | their daughter died | May 7 1857 I ae 2 mo. The Grave of | John Ferman | son of | William and Ursula | Cutler | of Woodbridge New Jersey | who depart- ed this life Aug 18 1837 | aged 27 Vears and 2 days. A Fathers Grave | John B Davis | died I Sept 10 1855 I a; 65. We shall not all slec)) but we | shall all be chang- ed. For this corruptible must put on incor- ruption, and this mortal must | put on immor- tality. A Mothers Grave | Sarah O ] wife of | John B Davis | died | Dec 21 1848 | k 59- Murmur not for the Heaven that | smiled on your love Has a place for her soul in the | mansion above .And remember that they who are | cherished by God Are first to be scourged by his chastening rod John Be.stor | son of John B | and Sally Davis I died | Sept 14 1824 | aged i year 9 months and 6 days. Happy infant early blest Rest in peaceful slumber rest. Ann Maria | daughter of | John B and I Sally Davis | died | Aug 30 1824 | aged 5 yrs 14 days. The wintry blasts of death Kill not the buds of virtue. In memory of | John Davis, Esor | who with strong ho|>e in the Redeemer dep.-irted | this life Sept 4 A D 17S7 | aged 69. May this great truth be laid to heart Ye who now live must soon depart. John Davis Esq (A white quartz rock stone.) Mrs I Esther Davis (An old quartz rock stone.) In memory of | Mrs E.sther Davis | consort of | John Davis Esqr | who departed this life | December 7th A D 1791 I aged 90 years. (Fine grain quartz rock stone.) JosiAH Davis. (Blue stone ornamented.) In I memory of | Ruth Davis | late wife of Joseph Davis | former wife of | Edward (iilib deceased | died Dec 14 1800 I aged 54 years. | 8o6 APPENDIX. Here lyes y" Body of | Josiah Davis only son | of Mr John and Mrs Esther I Davis who departed this | life May y'^ 25 1760 in y" | 17 year of his age. Job xiv ig Thou destroyest ye hope of man. Thou prevailest forever against him. Mortis Memento | In memory of | Mr David DeP'orkst | who as a husband parent and member | of society mer- ited unreserved love | and esteem, to the very great sorrow | of all acquainted with him | departed this life triumph- ing I in death June 2 1783 aetatis 38 | My thoughts surmount these lower skies And look towards the place Where I forever hope to dwell Near my redeemer's face There I behold with sweet delight • The blessed three in one ^nd strong aiifections fix my sight In God's eternal son. In memory of | Richard DeForest | son of Mr David DeForest | who de- parted this I life July 10 1776 | aged 8 years 6 mos 3 days. Here lyes ye | body Mr Nicholas De Plank who departed | this life Jan 26 1755 in ye | 64 year of his age ye that still enjoy your breath Take warning and prepare for death. Here lyes the body of Docx John Du- RAND. In memory of | Mrs Susan Durand | wife of I Mr Samuel Durand | who died I Jan 31 1814 | in the 23 year of her age | Also their two infant chil- dren I who were buried in the same grave May angels with their guardian wings '1 his drear tomb o'erspread And gu.ird until the close of time This mansion of the dead. Tho Lost to sight tomemorydear | Mary Ann I wife of I John LFairchild | died April 5 1852 I ae 24 years 5 mo | 17 days Leaves have their time to fall And flowers to wither at the northwind's breath And stars to set, but all Thou hast all seasons for thine own, O death ! In memory of Joseph Eels | who died Oct iS 1801 I aged 52. Also I PhebeEels I his relict ] who died March 6 181 5 | aged 64. In memory of Charles ] French Esqr who died | Nov the 9 17S3 in the ( 77th ytar of his age | He was Register for the I town of Derby 39 years A soul prepared heeds no Delays the summons come The saint obeys, swift was His flight and short the Road — he closed his eyes and saw his God. In memory of Mr | Nathaniel French who I died Nov 3 1781 aged 64 years Here lies his body Blended with the dust Waiting the Resurrection of the just. In memory of | Francis French | Esqr I who died May 12 1824 | ae 67. Died Dec 7 1844 | Sylvia French widow of I Francis French | ae 76 J am come to view the silent shade Where thy loved form my moiher is laid But cannot see thy lovely face Or once more take a last embrace Nor more behold thy parental charms Or once more clasp me in thy arms Me thinks I hear thy spirit say O children weep not o'er my clay. Here | the body of | Mr Noah French I who departed this | life Jan 7th A D 1781 in the 46 year of his age Some hearty friend shall drop his tear On our dry bones and say These once were strong as mine appear And mine must be as they. Eliza Freeman | died July 18 1862 | X 56. Timothy Freeman | died 1841 ae 80. Sebina his wife | died Jan 4 1843 ^ 76- Rebecca | wife of | Col Robert Gates | died July 9 1856 | ast 74. Bezaleel I Brainerd I son of Bezaleel I and Hannah Gates | was drowned at Derbv Landing April 15 1823 — aged 3 years | i mo and 13 days. Here | lies the body of | Mrs Hannah GuNN I wife and relict of | Capt Abel Gunn I who departed this | life Jan 24 A D I 1781 in the 66 year | of her age. Sarah Lydia | daughter of | Bezaleel and Hannah Gates | died | May 13 1833 I aged 8 years | 4 months | and 25 days. In memory of | Capt Edward Gibbs | who died May 5 | 1791 | aged 42 years. In memory of | Miss Lucy Gibbs | dau of Capt Edward | and Mrs Ruth Gibbs who died July 15 | 1793 I agedi8years. Youth look on this stone and Remember you are but dust. In memory of | Miss Mary Gibes | daur of Capt'Edward and Mrs Ruth Gibbs | who died March 29 | 1794 | aged 18 years. Youth when you are in health View my change and learn to die. In memory of | John Heppin Gibbs | son to Mr Edward | and Mrs Ruth Gibbs I who died with the small pox | April 23 1799 I Aetat 9 vears. Hard lot to lose this child of mine Since God thought it best To lay him in the dust . I must not murmer nor repine. APPENDIX. 807 Sarah | daughter of Truman and | Anna (lilbert | died Oct 16 1830 | aged i year 10 months | Also an infant | aged 3 weeks, ."^leep sweet babes take thy rest God called you home, he thought it best Charles Goodwin their son | died Jan 5 184S I aged I year and 6 mo. Here lyes ye body of Ends Gunn. Harriet B | daughter of | James H and Maria Gritifin | died | March 8 1843 | *ae 18 months. This lovely bud so younp and fair Called hehce by early d Stonk | son of MrLeraan and I Mrs Louisa Stone | aged 16 | ob Sept 16 181S. Leman Stone | died | May n 1S47 3296. Louisa | wife of Leman Stone | died Feb 3 1832 I ae 69. I,ouiSA Lucia Stone | daughter of | Leman and | Louisa Stone | died Sept 27 1829 I aged 33. Charles | son of | David and Sarah | Tomlinson | died | July 18 1839 | aged 28 years | and 4 months. Prepare 10 follow me. Mary Jane | daughter of | Charles and | Jane Tomlinson | died | May 27 1837 I aged 2 years 8 | months and 5 ds. She died ere her exi andinj; soul Had ever burned with wrong desires Had ever spurned at heaven's control Or ever quenched its sacred tires. Effie M I only daughter of | Joseph and Fannie C | Tyler | died Dec 2 1875 | aged 5 yrs 5 ms and 2 days. Hannah Ann | daughter of \Vm and | Hannah Thompson | died much re- gretted I by her parents | Oct 19 1824 I aged 7 years. Abel Thompson | Died | Jan 28 1862 | '-^ 73- Klesstd are the dead who die | in the Lord. In memory of | widow .Sarah Tuttle | whose character in life was | that she was virtuous woman | a good wife | an affectionate | exemplary parent and a very pious devoted Christian | She departed this life ALirch 12 j X769aged 36 years. In memory of | Capt Tho.mas Vosk | who died | Sept 30 1845 I ^g*^*^ 7o years. In memory of | Anne Mansfield VosE I daughter of | Capt Thomas and Mrs Betsey Vose | who died Jan 17th i8t I I as 6 years. Resigned by her parents | in lull confidence | of the blessed words ofonr savior that | of such is the I kingdom of Heaven. Betsey | wife of | Capt Thomas Vose | Died Dec 9 1S64 | ai 82. In memory of | Mr JoH.v Washkand ) who died June the 26 | A D 1798 in the 67 I year of his age. In memory of Mrs Experience wife ] of Mr John Washband | who died Aug ID I 1783 Here lyes ye liody of | Mr Jnsejih Wash- band I aged 38 I years and 22 days died Jan ye | 23 1741-2. Little Susie | twin daughter of | A W and E M Webster | died | July 13 1869 I Av 4 mos. In I meinory of | Mr Joseph Wheeler I who died | June 3 1804 | aged 56 years. Also I Whittlesey Wheeler | his son I died Dec 15 iiSo3 ( aged 19 years. Stop gay friend and drop a tear Youth and age lie buried here. Julia K | wife of | Joseph AVheeJer | and daughter of | Gen W Hull | died June 26 1S42 I aged 43. To the memory | of | Jane Marden- brough I widow of | Rev CalvinWhite I and daughter of John Mardenbrough of the Isle of St Martin | West Indies I born May 15 1784 | died Oct 18 1863 To the memory | of | Mary Louisa | widow of I Giles Mardenbrough | of the Isle of St Martin | West Indies | and daughter of Rev Richard Mans- field D D I died May 6 1863 | as 89. Mrs I Sally Warren | Died | Oct 17 1833 I aged 44 years. Calm was the hour's impressive scene When silent death thy suffering clos'd No pain nor anguish inlerven'd But every feature seemed compos'd Then rest in peace ihis hallowed spot I hy dust shall never be forgot While oft affection's tear stiall lave Upon thy low and silent grave. I H S— Capt Carleton White | born Feb 20 1801 I died | Kequicscat in pace. 824 APPENDIX. I H S 1 Judith Ciiadeayne Miller | wife of I Capt Carleton' White | born August 12 1S07 I died ] June 30 1S70. Requiescat in pace. Sarah White | daughter of | Rev Cal- vin and Phebe ] White ] born April 19 1794 I died t Sept 2 1856. Requiescat in pace. I H S I the sons of | Moses and Marga- ret White I Clement | baptized 1S37 died 1838 I aged 2 years. Moses | baptized 1840 died 1843 | aged 4 years. Dear Fa'tlier thy will be done. I H S I Rev Calvin White | died March 21 1853 I ae 90. Requiescat in pace. I H S I Phebe White | wife of | Rev Cal- vin White I daughter of | Nathaniel and Rachel | Camp | of Newark New Jersey | obt Nov 23 A D 1826 | a;t 51 Her children arise up and call her | blessed her husband also and he | praiseth her. Prov xxxi 28. Requiescat in pace. Amen. In I memory of | Alfred Whitney who died I May 28 1839 | aged 33 years. Ann I widow of | Archibald Whitney | died Nov 22 1869 | ae 85. In I memory of | Archibald Whitney I who died | Sept 18 1842 | aged 62 years. In I memory of | Archibald Whitney I who died Jan 10 1849 I aged 41 years. In I memory of | Capt William Whit- ney I who died | Oct 26 1839 | in his 11 year. Mary his wife | died Nov 7 1S07 | in her 41 year. In memory of Miss Susan Whitney ] who died j Dec 22 1851 | in her 77 year. Henry Whitney | died May ist 1811 | aged 75. Life and immortality [ are brought to light by the Gospel. In I memory of | Eunice Whitney | wife of I Henry Whitney | who de- parted this life I Thursday 21st Aug 1794 I aged 48 years. Long as the crimson tide sliall Vnow The blood which bid it first to flow So long O parent ! ever dear Shall sad remembrance linger here. Here lyes y^ body of ] Isaac Whitney I son of I Capt Henry and Mrs Eunice I Whitney who died | Oct y« 19 1769 age I 2 yrs 7 mos. Hannah | widow of | Abijah Wilcoxson I Died I Jan'y ist 1866 | aged 96 years. Abitah Wilcoxson | Died | Sept 29 1838 I set 74. John Wooster | son of Mr John | and Mrs Eunice | Wooster died | March 16 1756 I in his 4 year. Anne Woostkr | daughter of Mr John I and Mrs Eunice ( Wooster died | March 5 1756 | in her 2d year. In memory of Mr | Thomas Wooster I died I 2d Feb 1777 in | 85 year of his age. Heneath this tomb an aged man here lies Who oft relieved the poor and needy ones. Here lyes y'' body of | Joseph Wooster I son of Mr Thomas | Wooster and Mrs Sarah his | wife aged 19 years i mo and 13 days | died Aug | 13 1751. Here lies the | body of | Eliz^h Woos- ter I dau'' of Mr John | Wooster and Mrs I Eunice his wife | age 2 years and I 8 ds died Aug | 8 1751. In I memory of | Sarah wife of | Wm Wooster who died | Sept 11 1839 | as 44. Also I Henrietta M | daughter of Wm and Sarah Wooster ] died | Dec 16 1S35 I ae 17. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. In memory of | Mr Daniel Wooster | who died April 3 1807 | aged 78 years. Mourn not for me my children dear Shed for yourselves a mourning tear That you may soar to worlds above "Where all is joy and all is love. In memory of | Mrs Sarah Wooster | wife of I Daniel Wooster | who died Oct 13th 1790 I in the 36 year | of her age. Frederika I wife of John Young | Died May 14th 1867 | ae 36 y'rs. INDEX Thk Rom \x Numbers refer to the Indian Historv. Aaron, Hunt, 461. Abbott, Bennett T., 467. George, 449 ; his grist- mill, 144. Abrigador, xcvi. Academy Bell, 205. Hill', 129, 157,300. Acly, Charles G., 471. Ackcutrout, 120. Adams, John, 169, 46S. Joseph, 230. Robert, 410. Adamson, James, 505. Adee, John, 187, 451. Admission of Inhabitants, 4- Aenuhe, 41. Ager, George, 496. Aggett, Rufus, 502. Agricultural Seminary, 21 1. Ahuntaway, xxvii, xxix, Ixi, 70, 71, 90, loS, 112. Allen, Clarissa, 637. Samuel, 187. Timothy, 138. Ames, Henry, 463. Ailing, Amos II., i8i, 351, 359. 3(^3' 3^7, 406, 532- C.B., 181, 359, 367, 406. Charles D., 496. Charles IT., 367. Edward, 496. Edwin J., 514, Henry G., 508. Ichabod E , 519. M. Loui.se, 532. Allis, George C, 363; book- store, 369 ; Biog., 370. Alsteidt, Joseph, 504. Alwaush,xxxii,xxxiii,xxxiv. Amantanegu, xxvii. American Car Company, 481. Amonc(|uon, 39. Anderson, Thomas, 508. Andrew, Mr., 113. Uncle, 225, 226. 104 Andrews, A. H., 563. Elias C, 514. James I., 274. John, XXX, 518. tohn M., 500. L. & F., 372. Andros, Sir Edmund, xxxv, xxxviii, 52. Andrus, Luman, 462. Annis, James, 462. Anketel, Mr., 234. Ansantaway, xxiii, xxi v,xxv, xxvii, xxix, xli, 1, 15, 16, 121. Anthony, John, 132. Antiquarian Clocks, 371. Aquiomp, 16. Agawacomuck, xxxiv. Archer, Martin, 491. Arkumi, loS. Arnold, ("hristopher, 512. Edwin, 505. Geo. S., 408 ; resi- dence, 388. Jared, 523. Joseph, 376, 377, 37S, 387 ; Biog., 523. Jonathan, 150, 152. Susan, 523. Artownhood, 108. Arumpiske, xxxv. Asburv, Bishop, 360. Ashley, Benjamin, 511. Wm. B., 362. 374, 554. Asynetmogu. xxvii. Atkins, Eldridge G., 372. Atterosse, xxix, 33. Atrechanasett, 35. At water, Charles E., 366. Henry, 312, 358, 366, 375. 3«6, 555; biog- raphy, 523. L , 460. Atwood, Charles, 333, 356; l-'og-, 337> "356- E. G., 380. Zacheus, 356. Atwood's Factory, 357. Aupkt, xxxii, x.xxiii. Authentic Records, Iviii. Autimitako, xxxii, xxxiii. A wowas, xxxiv, x.xxv, xxxvi. Bachelor, Abijah, 462. Bacon, Daniel, 370. Dr., 625. Jabez, 239. John, 372. Rev. Leonard, 289. Wm. I., 370. Wm. T., Biog., 676. Bagden, Augustus, xlvi. Bailey, Barnabut M., 491. _ Joseph, 490, 495. Bainbridge, Thomas, 465. Baker, Charles E., 491. Robert S., 499. Scott, 506. Barker, Scott R... Biog , 524. Bates, William, 465. Baldwin, Barnabas, 157. ]>arnabas, Jr., 127. Bernard S., 512. Capt. Timothy,i86,2i6. Baldwin's Corners, 57, 59. Baldwin, Daniel, 247. Doct. Silas, 1S7. E. C, 476. Elihu, 495. Eunice, 461. Frank, 497. Henry 1)., 514. Herbert C., 513. Isaac, 450, 461, 462. James, 203. John, 131, 516, 560. Jose])h, 109. josiah, no, iii, 130. Joshua, 495. Leonidas, Biog., 676. Mills G., 5ro, 511. Rev. Ashbcl, 233. Rev. Mr., 156. R. S., 309. Reuben, 184, 186, 264. Richard, xxviii, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, iS, 20, 21, 22, 25,27,34,39, 245. 826 INDEX. Baldwin, Sarah, 461. Silas, 304. Simeon E., 53S. Stephen, 496. Timothy, 175, 179, 1S3, 450, 476, 477. Timothy, Jr., 187. Thaddeus, 1S7. Wm., 506. Wm. A., 506. Bank, Derby Savings, 375. Banks, Mr., 27. Bangs, Frank D., 496. Nathan, 463. Rev. Heman, 221, 361. Rev. Nathan, 361. Bantam, xcvii. Lake, xvii. Barber, J. W., 42, 70, 1 58, 163, 242, 255, 472, xxii. John W., xli, xlii, xliii. Bare Plains, 69. Barker, Charles E., 501. Barlow, John H., 382, 383. Mr., 458. Barlock, David, 494. Barnes & Bacon, 37i.5 Barnes, Lewis, Biog., 525. Rev. E., 361. Baron, Com., 569. Bartemy, Capt., 259, 270. Bartholomew, E. & G. W., 372. Gold, 187, 191. Jared, 257, 556. J- H., 333, 334. J. H.. Biog., 525. Jonathan, 525. Pliny, 504. Barnett, E., 464. Barrett, Joseph L., 495. Barton, Rev. Josiah, 231. Bassett, Abraham, 160, 161, 184, 186. Amos, 183, 186. Amos, D.D., Biog ,676. Archibald, Biog., 527. Asa, 379, 623. Benjamin, 183, 187, 218, 219, 527. Benjamin, Biog., 677. David, 187, 354, 379, 37 5> 355. 629. E. D., 352, 644. Ebenezer, 187. Ebenezer D., Biog., 677. Edward, 240. Elliott, 222. Henry G., 373. Isaac, 219, 222, 462, 467. Bassett, James, 188. Jared, 467. John, 169, 175, 184, 190, 217. Joseph, 188, 219. Julius, 484. Lorenzo M., 516. Martin B., Biog., 678. —Mary, 531. Matthew, 516. Noyes E , 519. Philo, 274, 351. Rev. Amos, Biog., 299. Rev. Archibald, 299. R. M., 387. R. M. and T. S., 373. Robert N., 332, 354, 375- Robert, Serg., 216. Royal M., 365, 366, 386, 406. Royal M., Biog., 528. Sally B., 464. Samuel, 130, 144, 145, 156, 179, 184, 216, 217, 520, 531. Sharon, 358, 386. Sharon bolt factory, 373. 407- Sheldon, 356, 365, 375, 382. Theodore S., 365. Wm. Elliott.Biog., 678. Wm. F., 500. Battell, Capt., 273. Beach, Andrew Y., 477, 535. Benjamin, 354, 533. Benjamin, Biog., 532. Benjamin B., 637. B. H., 225. Calvin, 510. Dan. F., 503. Emeline, 536. Edwin C , 491, 500. Geo. W., 535. Geo.W.,3i6,Biog.,326. Giles, 533. James B., 509. Je.sse, 158. John, 72, 79, 83, 86. John J., 506. John S., 537. Joseph W., 503. Julius G., 491, 501. Nelson M., 363. Rev. Benjamin, 451. Rev. J. B., 362. Rev. John, 172. Rev. \V., 361, Samuel, 483 Samuel A., 519. S. Y., 312. Sharon D., 535. Beach, Sharon Y., 450, 477, 533- Theodore B., 535. Titus H., 450. Beacon Falls Dam, 317. Beacon River, xix. Beaman, George, 46, 73, 79, 86, 109, no. Martha, 157. Bear killed, a story, 48. Beard, James, 175, 186, 188, 204, 2S3, 284. John, 39, 42, 46, 61. Beardsley A., 374, 384, 602, 608. Ambrose, 386, 525. " Ambrose, Biog., 528. Ambrose E., 508. A., speech of, 392. Building Co., 410. Dr. A., 30, 143, 150, 181, 197, 205, 213, 248, 353- Dr. A., description of the early settlement, 49, 50. E. E., 607. Geo. L., Biog., 531. Mr. 312. Rev. E. E., 172, 374. Talmadge, 59, 265. Beaver brook, xix, 447. Becket Henry, 520. Beebe E. D., 362, 363. Joel, 473. Martin, 469. Beecher, Abraham,i6r,i78, 186. Alonzo, 495. F. H., 484. H. B., 462, 468. H. H., 483. Isaac, 161, 184. J- 363- William, 391, 496. Wm. C, 384, 495. Beeman, C. C, 382. George, 385. Theodore, 496. Beers, Abby, 536. AlfredB., 330. Alfred, Biog., 329. Amos S., Biog., 331 Charles W., 330. Henry B., 518. Herbert S., 332. Herbert S., Biog., 338. Leander J., 330. Willie H.. 332. Bell, Robert C, 477, 478. Bellamy, Dr., 137. Bemot, Henry, 274. Benedict, Aaron, 312. , Benedict, Charles, 312. Henry \V., 469. Benham, Joseph H., 514. liennelt, 519. Bennett, Daniel, 576. Bcntley, Samuel A., 493, Biographies begin on page Billings, Henry, 497. Birdseye, Ephraiui, ^79. J. \V. & Co., 407, Birdsey, Mary L,, zfyj. Thaddeus G„ 267, 31:3, 67S, ^ Birmingham borough, 386. Chaptpr on, 344. Corset Co., 407. Iron Foundrv, 364. in 1836,349.' Progress in, 363, Public school, .387. Public square, 376. Bishop, Alfred, 3ii,3r2. Alfred, biog., 323. & Bradley, 372. Edward F., 324. llenrv, 324. I. L.,'568. James, 372. Mr., 29, 219. Samuel, 137. Wm. D., 324. Black, George, 129, 157. ]51acknian, Alfred, 545, 647. Alfred, biog., 530. Charles S., 530. George, 257. Henry, 391. Samuel C, 536. Bladen's brook, xix, 455. Blair, Charles C, 378. Samuel L., 509. Blake, Harvey L., 499. Rufus VV., 367, 370. Blakeman, Geo., 36b, 375, 37^- Blakeslee, M. & E., 372. Norman, 513. Rev. Edward, 469, 470. Rev. M., 156. Blanchard, Chas. N., 468. Blatchley, Mercy, 532. Bliss, Howard, 519. Blodgett, Frederick P., i'iog., 539- Blood, John M., 491. Bloodgood, John, 22 [. Blydenburgli, 466. Boardman, Chauncey, 372. Daniel VV., 503. & Wells, 372. W. I.., 363. J'odge, .Andrew, 517. INDEX. Bodge, George E., 491, 318, Bolbiook, Richard, u8. Booth, Ebenezer, 644. Henry T., 519. Joseph N., 506. Olive M., 644. Stephen, 361. Botsford, Cvrus. 222. Edward, 516, 517. Edward N,. 468. George, 495, 510. Henry, 19, 20, 21, 25, 34- 37. 46. Henry E., 519. Isaac, 307. John, 161, 1S6, 506, Nehemiah, 187, 477, Samuel, 149. Samuel, Jr., 187. Bostwick, Israel, 469. Botta, Charles, 57S. Bottome, Rev. F„ 362. Bourchier, Patrick, 506, Bowen, Josiah, 465. Rev. Josiah, 361. Bowers, Bridget, 157. George, 539. John, 109, no, 157,283, 590, Biog., 539. Nathaniel, 87, 156. Rev. John, 42. 43, 46, 47, S3. 55. 56. 60, 63, 65,66,86,87,98, 107, 291. Samuel, 109, no, 116, 117, 126, 127, 130, 131 156. Widow, 109, 117. Bowman, \V. V., 383. Boyd, John, 312. Bradford, Horace A., 482, 484. Bradlaw, Charles W., 470. Bradley, Capt., 264. David, 1. Edward B., Biog., 338. Elwin N., 505. Enos, 187. Henry T., 518. Horace, 270. John, 485. J. W., 338. Rev. Charles E.. 379. Rev. Charles W., 382, 3.S3. Win. H., 509. Brainard, John, Biog., 540. Rev. Mr, 156, 607. Bray, John E., 475. Morris, 491. Morris 'I'., 504. Wm. H., 518. Breckenridgc, J. S., 363. | 827 Bridge at Stratford, 30S. Leavenworth, 307, 308. The first toll, 139. Zoar, 225. Briggs, Albert, 517. Brinley, George, lix. Brinsmade, Daniel, 60. John, 42, 46, 216. Paul, 63. Samuel, 59, 63, 72, 79, 83, 86, 105, 109, 110, 124, 129, 131, 156. •Serg. Samuel, 1 13, 114. Bristol, Aaron, 145. Eliphalet, 145. Forest N., 495. George L., 494. John H., 494. Eewis H., 483. Louis H., 538. Town, 237. Britton, Edwin L., 408, Brock, Wm. II., 496. Brodie, Joseph, 510. Bronson, Harvey R., 506. Dr. Henry, .xx.wiii. Henry, 482. Rev. David, 186, 231. Rev. Wm., 234. Rodney O., 515. Royal L., 519. Samuel L., 538. Wm., 484. Brooks and Rivers, xix. Brooks, Gen., 584. Peter, 496 Rev. W. E., 292. Broome, Samuel, 163, 164, 248. Brougham, Lord, 5t;9. Brown Brothers, 312. Charles, 516. Edward, 506. James, 513. John, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25. 30, 552- John M., 496. Peleg T., 506. Rev. Abraham, 231. William, 503, 519. William J., 506. Browne, Wm. S., 378. Brownell, Bishop, 155, 234, 374, 540, ()46." Browcr, Iheophilus, 600. Brownson, David, 284. Isaac, 2S4 Bruer, John, 19, 25. Brush, Jacob, 462. James, 56S. John E., 362. Rev. Jacob, 360. S. H., 39.. 828 INDEX. Bryan, Alexander, xxiv. Alexander, ii, 15, 17, 20, 29, 33, 36, 36, 39, 54, 59, 61, 216, 245, 262. Alexander, account of, Richard, 38, 39,61,88, 100, 245, 202. Samuel, 157. Bryant, Edson L., 509. Sylvester, 512. Buchanan, Mr., 651. Buck, Valentine, 464. Buckley, James E., 505. Buckingiiam, 477. Charles R., 510. Ebenezer, 109, 175, 191. George H , 510. Joel, ^5 1 5. Mr. Thomas, 99. Nathan, 179, 1S4, 187. Philo B., 519. Samuel A., 236. Scoville, 312. Buel, Norton J., 312. Bulkley, Owen, 516. Bunday, George B., 491. Bunker Hill, 174. Bunnell, Alva, 258. Charles, 235. Mr., 242. William, 233. Bunvan, Matthias, 485. Buric, Rev. Mr., 234. Burke, A. E., 383. Burhans, Rev. Daniel, 234, 374- Burlock, David, 491. Thomas, 309, 312, 375, 376. 377> 406, 44^- Thomas, Biog., 540. Burnside, General, 642. Burns, John, 519. James W., 518. Robert, 384. ]>urr, Milo, 312. '7^ Burreit, Wifliam, i^^JT' Burt, David, 1. liurton, Franklin, 383. Burwell, John, 18, 19. Burying the dead, xliv. Bushnell, C. S., 332. George T., 391. Samuel, 464. Business enterprises in Humphreysville, 479. Butler, Charles H., 512. John, 236, 237. Samuel, 468, 469. Butterworth, George, 491, 499. Byington, Charles E.. 506. Cacasahum, xxxv. Cahill, Richard, 510. Calkins. Israel, Ixxxviii. Camp, J. C, 312. Camp, Nicholas, 39, 42, 46, 60, 108, 112. Camp's Mortgage, 229. Canal, the Ousatonic, 310. Candee, Benjamin, 484. Caleb, 243, 305. Charles A., 514. E. C, 484. Daniel, 232, 4S4. David, 232, 666. George B., 516. George N., 232. Job, 232, 240. John, 243. Levi, 484. Moses, 484. Naboth, 191. Nehemiah, 188, 219. Samuel, 240. Sterne, 243. Timothy, 232. Canfield, Abiel, 203, Biog. 541- Abijah, 223. Abiram. 128, 129, 131, 149, 157. Abraham, 219. Benjamin T., 494. Charity, 223. Daniel, 219. Ezekiel. 464. Guilford M., 503. Horace, 276. Joseph, 187, 217. Joseph P., 374, 375. Mrs , 453. Sarah, 223. S. H., 484. Sheldon, 356, 363. William, 223. Cankwood Plain, 157. Calhoun, Mr., 585, 051. Capage, xxxiv, xcv. Capture of the Guerriere, 572- Caranchaguo, xxxii. Carmody, Edmund, 510. Carey, John, 495. Carlos, Don, 650. Carmody, Michael, 511. Carney, Richard M., 512. Carr, Michael, 511. Thomas, 500. I'ruman, 599. Carpenter, C. C, 379. Coles, 462. Benjamin, 187. Carrington, Albert, 475. John, 258. Carris, Capt., 638, 647. Carroll, Wm., 516. Case, Richard, Ixxxvi. Casey, Timothy, 499. Cass, John, 510. Nichols, 517. Castle Rock, 444. Castle, D. C , 484. M. R , 484. Caston, Adam, Biog., 541. Catlin, John, Ixvi. Caughlin, Thomas, 5C0. Chadvvick, Thomas, 519. Chaffee, Anson, 491. James W., 491,493. Sanford E., 490, 505. Chamberlin, Rev. Mr., 156, 231- Chamberlain, E. B., 475. Chambord, Count de, 050. Chapman, (ieo. D., 333. Howard, 520. Charles, 120. Charnley, Pavmaster, 391. Chatfield, Charles N., 505. Daniel, 184. Daniel, 186. Ebenezer, 283. Frederick N., 518. George A., 491, 51S. Isaac, 240. Joel, 203, 469. John, 109, no, 121,127, 130. Joseph, 1S3, 187. Lemuel, 266. Solomon, 283. Chase, Israel, 513. Chawbrook, 39. Church, John, 88, 131, 156, i6r, 230. Chebrook, 94 Chesseman, Geo. B. Biog., 541- Cheeseman, Geo. W . 363. Cheney, Laban C, 464. Chequeneag, xlviii. Cherakmath, 33. Cheraromogg, xlviii. Cheroromogg, 41. Cheshquaneag, xxxvii. Chestnut Tree Hill, 95, 96, 444; brook, xix. Chesusumock, 2)o- Chetemhchu, 40. Chetrenasut, Ixii, 71, 119. Chery, xxxii. Chickins, 41. Chidsey, Wm. H., 494. Childs, John, 495. Evlyn L., 497. Chipps, 1 19. Choate, Rev. Peter, 361. INDEX. ank, 500, 503. George, 461. Joseph, 372. Eaban, 361, 464. Lewis F., 497. Merritt, 205, 378. Moses, 188, 451. Rev. J. L., 374. Samuel, 15a Sarah A., 6155. Coday, William, 510, Coe, Charles H., 383, 629. Israel, 526. John, 169, 175, 178, 184, 186, 360, 450, 461., Biog, 542. Mr., 209. Rev. Truman, 300. Truman, 210, 211, 212, 557., Biog., 542. Coger, Wm., 491. Cogswell, Jeremiah, Ixviii. Nathan, Ixviii. Wm., 215. ^Vm. II., Ixvii. Cohen, Henry, 491, 501. Coit, Rev. Dr., 155. Rev. G. S., 374. Colbert, Wm,, 485. Colburn Brothers, Biog., 543- Daniel, 543. Doct. Josiah, 364. Josiah M., 548. j. M., 543. I^edyard, 4S6, 490, 504. Sullivan, 356. Sullivan M., 543, S„ 364. S. M., 364, 375. Sylvester, 356, 543. Colburn's Foundry, 373. Cole, David, _^56. Sheldon, 175T 195, 204,! Coleby, Thomas R., 497. 247. Coleman, James, 462, 464. Thomas, 169, 175, 178, John, 485, 504. 179, 186, 190, 193, kev. James, 36r. 202, 231, 2-52, 234,1 Thomas, 495. 235, 284, 307* ' I Collin, H. I'., 470. Collins, Abraham, 518- John, 497. Daniel, 71, 72, 83, 86, 446. Colt, Charles, 506. ("ommercial Interests, 245. Compounce, xxxii. Condon, John, .495. Conners, John, 510. Conway, Michail, 510. Cook, David R., 483. Edward, 568. Moses, Ixviii. Rev. Cornelius, 360. Rev. E. W., 379. Cookson, John, 447. Cooper, James, 500. Wm. C, 484. Copper Mills, Ansonia, 373. .Mill, Big, 354, 355. Corcoran, Dennis, 497. John, 3S5. Cordon, Thomas, 385. Corkran, PMvvard, 519. Corkscrew, xxxvii, xvii. Corlies, G. H., 629. Cornish, Stephen A., 510. Cornell, John, 490. & Shelton, 373. Cornett, Frederick, 491. Cornish, Oscar W., 501. Cornwall, Wm., 482 Cornwallis, Lord, 199, 583. Corwin, Wm. IL, 505. Coshushemack, 35. Cotter, Frederick, 512. James P., 506. Cothren, Mr., Ixvi. Courage of the settlers, 51. Cowap, Wm. II., 491. Cow Boys, 198. Cowlev, John, 502. Cox, Reuben, 517. Coxe, Rev. Mr., 156. Crafts, Edward, 186, 223, 251, 277, 599- Dr. Edward, 251. Dr. Pearl, 210, 301, 602. Samuel, fate of, 251. Crane, Stephen, 495. Crawford, John, 187, 203, 465- Josejjh, 462. William, 501. Crehero, 41. Crofut, Bradley, 408. Cronan. Patrick, 407, 503 50S. Croncrl, Frederick, 493. Crosbv, Lydia, 357. Mr., 252. 04. 78, 51. 830 INDEX. Cross, Frederick, 516. Cruminey, Dennis, 520. Crowley, Timothy, 502. Cuckson, John, 132. Culver, Miles, 477. Josiah, 312. Cummins, Thomas, 504. Curan, xxxv. Cureno, 120. Curtiss, Agur, 363. Augustine B., 497. Chester, 553, 363. Ldward H., 502. Eliza, 527. Ephraim, 553. Evart PL, 516. Franklin A., 506. Gould, 363. Harry, 257. Job, 527. John, lix. Jasper L., 511. Oliver, 159, 187, 209. Sheldon, 210. William, 45, 59, 665. W. A., 233. William B., 467, 475. William C, 516. Dam and Shelton, 391. Dam, The, Description of, 403- Picture of, 390. Davis, Anna, 464. • Alva, 464. Benjamin, 161, 224, 469, 501. Betsey, 163, 283. Dacres, Capt., 574. Davidson, Nathan, 484, 506. M. D., 333. Davis, Charles E., 520. Charles H , 517. Chester, 561. Daniel, 161, 187, 203, 469. Elijah, 1S7. George W., 515. H. P., 484. Henry W , 514, 515. John,' 7 2, 117, 129, 157, 161, 175, 186, 236, 243, 484. John, Sr., 109, no. John, Jr., 109, III. John W., 375. Joseph, 161, 186, 233. Nathan, Jr., 1S7. Rachel, 283. S., 606. Zera B., 520. Dachs, Francois, 514. Day, Austin ( I., 483. Dayton, Ehenezer 203. Jonathan, 533. Mary, 533. '' Dean, Charles C, 497. Dearborn, Gen'l, 586, 589. Deer Hunt, 225. DeForest, Andrew W.,477. David, 178,' 179, 186, 202. Geo. F., 477, 4S1, 312, 482. H. A., 478. J- H., 479- John, 534. J. W., xxii, xli, liv, Iv, Ivii, Ixiv; Biog., 544. Wm. C, 312. DeGrasse, Fowler, 517. Delancey, Thomas, 508. Delaney, Thomas, 494. Demill, Abraham 163 Stephen, 24S. Deming, George A., ,ii. Denman, Micah, 130, 131, 157- Philip, 69, 79, So, 83, 86, 89, 446. Widow, 109, 131. Dennison, Robert, 18, 21. I Denniston, Eli, 464. Derby Blues, 640. Building and Lumber Co.. 373. Bank, a run on it, '275; revived, 276. census in 1756, 161. Cotton Mills, 410. P'erry-man, 259. Fishing Co., 250, 274. Gas Co , 373. its location, i ; bound- aries, 2, 9; number of inhabitants, 2. its name, 41;. in the Revolution, 165. Journal, 370. Landing, 42; in 1836, 255; as a village, 245; description of, 162, 163. made a town, 45. Printing Co., 370. Savings Bank, 375. Silver Co., ^jt,, 408. Transcript, 370. DeVille, Robert, 52c. Devil's Jump, liii, 36. Dewey, Stephen, 284. Dibble, Wm W., 46S. Dickerman, Geo. A., 476. Dickinson, Rev. Charles. 379- 1 )ike, Yeren, 4S4. Dimon, Frederick, 501. Dinah, a slave, Ix. Discovery of Stratford lands, xxi. Dissenting Derby, 134, 136. Dividing lands, 36, 37. Division of land, the first, 19, 20; plan of, 21. of lands, 58, 72 ; rules for, 108, 109. Doane, Henry C, 497. Dobbyn, Thomas, R., 495, 500. Docames, xlviii. Dockery, John, 385. L^oghan, Patrick, 385. Dolan, James, 502. Michael, 502. Domingo, Charles, 520. L^onahue, James, 497. Patrick, 516. Donavan, John, 41 1. Donelson, Andrew J., 643. Doolittle, Isaac, 372. John H., 505. Merritt E., 503. T. E., 53S. Wm. H., 497. Dorman, David C, 514. Dougherty, Edmund, 512. Downes, Chauncey .S., 512. Eph, 372. George, 513. John H., 493. Lewis, 376, 377. N. H., 366. Nelson H., 407. Sidney A., 356, 375, 376, 377. 409, Kiog., 545- Wm. E., 332, 333, 366, 375. 378, 3S6, 401, 406, 409, 545. Downey, Michael, 503. Downs, Abraham, 187, 191. Albert W., 5:4. & Krous, 373. Nelson H., 356. Robert, 514. Drake, James, 511. Driscol, Jeremiah, 485. Duggett, C, 385. Duncan, John N., 508. Dunn, James, 508. John, 502. Durand, Charles, 482, Biog., 546. David, 361, 463, 503. Doctor, 109, 126, 129. Doct. John, 1 17. Ebenezer, 1S8 Frederick, 46S. Lsaac, 1S7. INDEX. 831 Durand, John, xlviii, 130, '57- Joseph, 1S6, 224. Noah, xiv, xlvi. Noah, Jr., 1S7. Samuel, 224, 361, 463, 546. Sarah, 541. \V. L., Iv. Durgen, 120, 123. Dutcher, E. li., 468. Dutton, Henry, 332. Hosea, Biog., 546. Dr. Hosea, 232, 244. Thomas A., 3S3, 547. Dwelling Houses in Kng- Jand and America, 102, 103. Dwight, J. W., 481, 482. President, Ixxxviii. Timothy, 4S1, 311. Dyer, Charles B., 491. Edward B., 491, 494. James C, 494. Edwards, Jonathan, 284. Ear marks, 101. Early Commerce of Derby, 249. East Hill, 69, 72. Eastman Benjamin, 533. David, 665. Rev. Mr., 234. East, \Vm., 39. Eaton, T., letter to Wm. Kieft, 3. Eddy, Rev. Zachary, 379. John C, 492. Eggleston, Edward H., 506. Eight .Mile Brook, xvii. Eldridge, Colburn, 493. Elliott, Clark, 257, 274. Clarke, 540. Joseph, 539. Elnies, Thomas, 366, 386, 406. Ellis, Thomas, 362, 464, 465- Elton, Jtohn P., 312. Eiy, David, 2S4. Dr., 287. Emmons, Berry D., 519. Emory, Nathan, 462, 464. Engles, James S., 492, 503. English, Alton H., 518. Benjamin, 219. Benoni, 463. James E., speech of, 39I' 399. 537- Joseph, 501. Judson, 222, 480. Englishman's hogs, 26. Enos, Col., 63S, 647. Plpiscopal church, 134; its relations in the Rev- olution, 194. Escape of the Constitution, 570. P.thnographic history, .xxviii. Evans, Richard, 3S2. Excelsior encampment,383. Euler, John, 512. Fagan, Lawrence, 508. Faith of the fathers, 49. Falls of the Naugatuck,48i. Fairchild, Abiel, Jr., 184. Ebenezer, 236. Marcus F., 497. Mr , 27, 29. Nathan, 305. Zechariah, 187. Farnam, Charles !>., 494. Farr, Catharine, 630. Farrell, Almon, 354 ; Biog., 547- . Franklin 4S2, 547 ; Kiog. 547- F., Osborn & Cheese- man Co., 373. Fetch, Frederick A., 501. Fence on the river, 130. Fenn, Benjamin, 247. Ferguson, Charles M., 510. S. D , 361, 464. Ferris, Ethan, 324. Ferry, the first, 57. Woodbury, interested in, 61, 62. Field, Julius, 361, 464, P'illis, George W., 515. Finegan, John, 508. First families, 35. inhabitants, 22, 23, 25, 28. plantations, xxi, xxii. Fisher, Benjamin, 461. Fishing place, 162, 443. Fitch, Capt., 91. Joel, 484. J. W., 476. Fitzpatrick, Kearn, 504. Patrick, 510. Fitzsimmons, Christopher, 499. James, 498. Five-mile brook, 217. Flagg, Rev. Mr., 156. Fletcher, Rev. Charles, 362. Floy, James, 490. Flynn, Michael, 236. Folev, Edward, 49S. James, 505. Mich.icl, 51 1. John, 50S. William, 385. Foot, Isaac, 203. Fordham, David, 513. Fox, Richard, 511. Forque, Francis. 450. Franklin, Dr., 169. Freeman, Quash, 548. Roswell, Biog., 548. Simon, 508. French, Alfred, 484. Charles, 175, 186, 193, 284, 469, 484, 485, 520. David, Biog., 551. Dwight & Co., 312. Enoch, 203. Francis, i8, 19, 20, 2r, 22, 24, 30, 34, 35, 36, 45- . Francis, 60, 72, 79, 82, 84, 86, 93, 109, no, 127, 129, 131, 146, 18S. Francis M., 257. Harpin R., 518. Herman B., 517. Hobart, 518. Israel, 4(39, 551. Israel, Jr., 187. fohn W., 519. Nathaniel, 187, 188. Noah, 187. Raymond, 480,481,482, 4S3. 547- Richard B , 492. Samuel, lix., 187, 375. war and public debt, 166. Walter, 454, 463. Warren, 46S. Friendly Sons of St. Pat- rick, 485. Freshets in Ousatonic and Naugatuck, 339. Frisbie, Alvah L., 505. E. H , 467. Fronk, Frederick, xlvi. Frost, F. T., 379. Fowler, John, 145. Mr. 568. Nail Co., 483. Fuller, Rev. George C, 221. Rev. Mr., 156. Judge, 583. Fulton, Robert, 266, 272. Fulling-mill brook, xix. Gale, Thomas, 169. Gates, Col. Robert, 1 58, 208, 302, 382, 3S4, 553. Gaggan, Dennis, 495. Gahaghan, Dennis, 497. Joseph, 492, 502. Gaines, Robert A., 511. 832 INDEX. Gallagher, Mrs., 2S0. Galloway, Wm., 495. Gardiner, Dwight, 497. Samuel M., Biog., 551. Gardner, Joseph, 69. S. M., 3S0. Thomas, 492. Garner, Thomas, 509. Garrett and Beach, 483. Garrett, Lewis L., 483. Garrettson. Freeborn, 462. Garvin, Edward, 515. Gawuskesucko, xxxiv, xcv. Gelyard, Thomas, 464. Ghost Story, 214. Gibbs, Capt., 256. Wm., 256. Gilbert, Abijah, 391. Agar, 1. David J., 496. Eliphaiet, 131. Ezekiel, 480, 534. George L., 506. Henry W., 499. Horace, 492. I. J., 361, 362, 363,375. Isaac, J., Biog., 552. Mr., 18. Thomas S., 494. Truman, 1, 3S0 ; Biog., 553- Wm. L.. 312. Wm. T., 3S2. Zachariah L., 499. Gillon, Daniel, 506. Gilman, James B., 382. Gillett, Anson, 222, 462. Canfield, 274. C. W., lix, Ixi. Eliphaiet, 157. Jeremiah, 187, 469. Leonard, 514. Truman, 272. . T. P., 539. Gilyard, Edmund, 479. Nancy, 479. Thomas, 479. Gleason, James, 385. Glendining, Geo. B., 484. Glover, Almon P., 366. Goff, M., 23. Goodall, Geo. W., 499. Wm., 503. Goodyear, Charles, 567. Mr., xxviii, 5, 6, 17, 18, 312. Gordon, William, 161. Gorham, Charles, 529. George, 257, 264. Joseph, lix. Gorman, Timothy, 385. Gothard, W., 362. Gould, A., 382. Governor's Hill, 233. , Gracey, Ebenezer, 161, 163, '175, 178, 1S7, 248, 256, 616. Graham, Alexander, 510. ' George R., 649. Graven Rocks, 261. Gray, Thomas M., 234, 297. Greatorex, Henry, 501. Great Hill, Views from, i. Eccl. Society, 217. List of proprietors, 1 56. M. E. Church, 220. Purchase, 216. Great Neck, 10, 17. Greeley, Horace, 543. Green, General, 631. George, 520. John H., 520. Shepard, 492, 494. Gregory, Hyatt, 516. Gridley, Edwin, 494. Grimes, Thomas, 504. Grinnell, William, i88.-^ GrifJin, Elisha, 187. Harrison, 492, 500. James H., 496. John, 86, 88, 238, 469. Jonathan, 145. < , Samuel, 60, 88, loi. Walter, 49S. Griffith, Charles H., 495. Griffiths, David N., 492, 50S. Griswold, Jacob, Ixxxiii. Shubael, Ixiii. Guernsey, Rev. Jesse, 291, 292. Joseph, 72. Guilfoil, Wm., 492. 1 Guion, Thomas, Biog., 545, 553- Gunn, Abel, 18, 19, 30, 34, 35. 36. 37. 41, 42, 46, 62, 65, 69, 72, 79, So, 83, 86, 88, 94, loi, 157.446. Abel 2d, 109, 117, 129, 130, 131, 153. Abel 3d, 233. Samuel, 97, 130, 156. Guthrie, Wm., 376, 377. Hale, Capt., 578. Haley, Thomas, 502. Halfway Covenant, 135, 136. Hall, Beman, 187, 1S8. Frederick, Biog., 555. Giles, 174. Morrison C, 510. Hallock, Israel, 266. Ze]>haniah, 266, 267 ; Biog., 554. Hammond, Joseph, 510. Hancock's fJrook, xix. Hanley, John, 517. Hannah, Tous, 140, 141. Hard, James, 109, no, 140. Plardyer, Dr. J., lii. Harger, Abraham, xlvi. Andrew, 156. Ebenezer, 109, no, 129, 130, 131. Edward, i6i, 606. Jabez, ^2' 34. 4'. 42, 46, 78, 79, 109, 129, 157- Samuel, 131, 157. Widow, 82, 84, loi, 109. Harris, Jos., killed, Ixxxiv. Reuben, 462, 464. Francis E.. 136- JJ-. jjj' Harrison, Fosdick, 475. Harrison, General, 586. Harrison, H. B., 538. Hart, Capt., 257. Hartson, John L., 484. Hartnet, James, 513. Harwood, Andrew, 513. Hasekey Meadow Brook, 21S Platchett, David, xliii. Joseph, xliii. Molly, xxxviii, xliii, 121 ; Biog., xlviii. Tousey, Ixvi. Hatchetowsock, xxxiii. Hawks, John, Ixxxii. Hawkes, Charles E., 491. Hawkins M'f'g Co., 358. Hawkins, Abram, 312, 524. Biog., 555. Abraham, 186,188,366, 356, 386; Biog., 358. Charles, 238. Ebenezer, 145. Eleazer, 186, 188. Eli, 184, 188. Frank, 491, 503. Freegift, 187. John, 238, 512.' Joseph, 17, 19, 22, 25, 30. 34. 35. 36. 38, 45- 46, ■^7, 63, 65, 60, 79, 80, 83, 84, 86, 117, 118, 127, 130, 131, 156. 223, 246, 247, 187, 262. Joseph, 2d, 109, 1 10, 262, 224. Joseph's first division of land, 38. Jose])h, 2d, keeps a ferry, 123. INDEX. 833 Hawkins, Lewis, 238. (31iver E., 370. I'tjint, 355- 55°- Samuel, 238. William, 358, 359, 356- Wm., 373, 386, 524, 555- Biog., 556. Zechariah, 175, 202, 23 r, 23S. llawley, Benjamin, 469. Joseph, 32, 34, 37, 40,> 42, 46, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 216, 236; difficiiltv about land, 60. J. R., 380. Samuel, 60. Stephen, 551. Theodore, 506. \Vm., 516. Wm. B., 510. Hawvvasues xlviii. Hayden, Richard E., 517. Hayes, Daniel, 495. Edward, 469. Frank, 407. Mi not, 492. Patrick, 495. Wm., 485. Wm. P., 495' 499- Hazelton, Samuel, 590. Hazen, Edmund, 504. Healey, John, 502. Hebard, Elijah, 463. Hefferan, Edward, 502. Helm, Emile, 509. Hell Lane, 206. Hcndryx, James W., 520. Henry, Alexander, 520. Herman, Behrens, 490. Max, 492. Herring, Thomas, 619. Hertz, H., 382. Hessekee Meadow, xciii. Hickerson, Francis, 492. Francis G., 503. Hickox, Samuel R., 464, 468, 480. Pliggins, Jeremiah, 519. Highways, 304, 305. Hill, Charles, 409. Jonathan, 129, 157. Henrv, 88. W. T., 363. 467. Hilton, John, 484. Hine, Amos, 467, 532, 450. Dwight, 495. Joel, 203. Thaddeus, 187, 450. Thomas, 19. 105 Hine, William, 187. Hinman, Eben, 187. Nelson, 374. Philo, 451. Royal, R., 170, 173. High Rock, 319, 322. Rock Glen, 319, 320. Rock Grove, 316, 317, 319- Rock, scene above, 3^7- Horsey, Thomas, 174 Hitchcock, David, 187, 191. 204, 590. Lbenezer, 187. Jonathan, 187, 190. Lucy, 461. Mill", 253. Samuel R., 372. Sheldon, 464. Timothy, 464. Uirania, 464. Hitt, Henry, 63. Hoadley, Joseph. 506. Silas, 372. & 'J homas, 372. Hobart, Bishop, 470, 605. Hockanum, xciv. Hodge, Benjamin, 1 55,Biog., 556- Geo. L , 534. Holbrook, Abel, 46, 72, 79, 83, 86, 100, 109, 1 10, 112, 113, 128, 130, 131, 135, 145. 157. 387- Abigail, 150, 151. Alfred, Biog., 560. Andrew, 516. Cato, 295. David, 560. Dwight, Biog., 562. Daniel, 168, 175, 179, 180, 182, 183, 184, 186, 193, 202. 204, 223, 283, 297, 305, 3S7, 557- John, 150,151,152, 153, 157. 169, 175. 179. 186, 195, 218, 219. Josiah, 210, 211, 212, 542, 560, 563, Biog., 557- Lucy Swift, 659. Lewis, 473. Mrs. T. C., 220. Nathaniel, 469. Philo, 469, 481. Richard, 220. R. Hcber, 561. Zeph. S., Biog., 563. Holdich, Rev. Prof., 362. Holeren, James, 517. Holland, Charles B., 519. Holley, F. N„ 312. Holohan, Patrick, 495. Holmes; Israel, 312. Samuel, 482. William, 268. Holt killed, Ixxxi. Homan, Archibald, 495. George W., 519. Home, J. W., 363. Hooker, Doct., 653. Hotchkiss, Albert, 361. Charles B., 409. Elijah, 187. Eliphalet, 157, 17;;, 179, 186, 188, 191," 192, 194, 278, 283. John B., 370. John C, 273. Julius, 356. Leverett, 225. Levi, 184, 188, 203, 25S. Lewis, Iv, Ivi, 353, 363, 467, 616, Biog., 564. L. S., 342. Moses, 203. Robert G., 494. Thomas, 451. Willis, 158", 2 58, 259, 270, 356. 363. Biog-» 564- & Field, 372. W. &. L., Lumber Co., 373- W., 616. Wm. A., 508. Horse Hill, Ivi. Hill, 41, 42. Horsey, Thomas, 187. Thomas, 256. Hop Brook, xix. Hopkins, Captain F., emi- grates, 254. Frederick, 256. .Samuel, Ixxx, 18, 19. Hopson, C , 374. Oliver, 606. Howd, Edward, 177, 187. John, 141, 144, 186. John, 175, 179, 190, 191, 192, 204. John (Indian), 132,447. Howe, Gen., 583. Jane M., 545. W., 366. John L, 312, 365, 375, 377. 3«6, 393. 406, 545, Biog., 566. Mfg. Co., 365. Howell, Rev. L. D., 291. Lewis D., 66q. Hubbard, Calvin A., 517, Doct., 602. 834 INDEX. Hubbard, Henry, 375. John, 137. Lewis v., 505. Stephen, 504. Hubbell, Ezra, 264. Frederick W., 514. G. A., 362. John, 59, 63, 72, 73. Lewis, 187. Mrs. Martha, 242. Stephen, 655. Hughes, Bishop, 651. Peter, 510. Samuel, 495. Wm. A., 468. Hull, Abijah, 187, 254. Alfred, 477. Daniel, 128. Isaac, 301, 371. Biog., 568. Doct. John, 10, 33, 34, 42, 43. 45' 53. 65. 77. 79, 80, 82, 84, 88, 109, no, 123, 124, 129, 130, 131. John, Jr., 78, 141, 157. Joseph, xlvi, Ixi, 78, 66, no, 117, 118, 125, 129, 135, 140, 141, 142,204,274,248,568. Joseph, Jr., 12S, 130, 144, 156, 176, 177, 449, 620. Lt. Joseph, 177, anec- dote, 198; Biog., 575. Hull's Mills, 141. Hull, Samuel, 131, 141, 142, 153. 154. 156. 178, 187, 195, 183, 204, 223. 253. William, 142, 173,176, 177, 192, 197, 240. 382, 461, 56S, 577, 594- Humphreys, Gen. David, 82,'i42, 143,257, 297, 300, 301, 400, 449, 451, 452, 453, 456, 458 459. 479. 5''^3. 625,048; Biog., 592; portrait 593 ; Poem on Burning of Fair- field, 184; delivering flags, 199. Anna, 216. Aaron, 233, 470. Rev. Daniel, 24, 135, 137, 138. 139. 148, 149, 150. 152. 159. 186, 282, 284, 291, 448 ; Biog., 590 Elijah, 257, 616; Biog., 599- Humphreys, Elijah, Jr., Biog., 600. James, 130, 157, 175, 187, 188, 202, 204, 215, 216, 223, 256, 453. 590. John, 6oo. Lady, 590 ; Biog., 592. Major, 638, 647. Sarah, 591. William 301,453, 575. Humphrey Humphrey, 465. Humphrey Lodge, Sey- mour, 484. Humphries, Madam, 24. Humphreysville Mfg. Co., 4S2. Humphreysville Copper Co.', 482. Humphreysville in 1836, 472. Hungerford, John, 312. Hunt and Crosby, 243. Hunt, Aaron, 462. Jesse, 462. Huntawa, 96. Huntley, James F., 499. Hurlburt, Thomas, 515. Hutchinson, Anion, 509. Sylvester, 462. William, 500. Hurd, Philo, 312; Biog., 324- Wilson, 469. William, 484. William W , 497. Husks, 42, 70. Hyde, Charles, 451. Ira, 238. Marcus, 238. Indian Agreement, x.xvii. as an enemy, l.xxiv. burying-grounds, Iv. Deed, xxxiv, xxxv, xxxvii, 10, II, 14, 15, 16, 17. 33. 35.39.40, 42, 70,71,90, 94, 95, 96, 97, 108, 119, 120, 132, 140, 144. Tribes and their local- ity, xxii. field, xliv, xciv, 32, 39, 69. 70. Fort, new one, xxv; old one, xxiv ; Poot- atuck, xxiv. Forts, 39, 59. hill, xliv, xciv, 447, 451. Jacks, 96. Mortars, liii. names of on Water- bury deed, xxxii. Place names, xciii Indian, pow-wow, Ixv. Settlements, xxi. shot, 96. Slaves, Ivii ; curious records, lix. Story, Ixxxix. tribes, Ixx, Ixxvi. Well, 411. Indians as Soldiers, Ixxx. a list of names, xci, xcii, xciii, xciv, xcv. fear about, 54. first at Chusetown, 90. in Harwinton, Ixiii. in Torrington, Ixiii. Philip, Frank, , Moses, Hester, Mary Sey- mour, 449. primitive condition, xvii. sale of land, xxvi, 32. search the houses, 27. sources of information of, xxi. troubled, 112. the Pootatucks, Ixiv, Ixv. the Tunxis, Ixiii. Toto, 96. Ineson, Joseph, 484, 506. Infidel, one put out, 74. Ingersol, C. R., 538. Ingersoli, Colen M., 650. Ralph I., 643. R. I., 309. Inhabitants to remove, 55, 56. Inman, George, 492. Inskip, Rev. J. S., 363. Irish Societies, 384. Isles, Charles, 516, 53S. Ives, Caleb S., 606. Doct. Eli, 651. Eli, 601, 602. Ireland, George, 561. Jack, 70, 71, 119, 120. Jack's Brook, xciv. Cave, xcvi. Hill, 147. Jackson, Andrew, 516. Col., 183. C. S., 363. Daniel, 109. Frank D., 383, 612. Franklin D., 499. H. Martin, 509. John, 487, 509. Jacob, 120. Jacobs, Leonard, 382. J agger, Ezra, 466. James, xxxii, xxxiii, xxxv, II, 14, Church, Hartford, 197. INDEX. 835 James, C. W., 484- 1 John, Biog., 601. Mead, .w, 33. Mr., 625. Rev. John, 99, loi, 105, 106, 109, 1 10, 122. Rev. John, as town clerk, 69. Rev. John, dismissed, 113. J 1 5- Rev. John A., settle- ment of Church dif- ficuUv in Town-meet- ing, 103, 104. Rev. Mr., 610. Thomas, 356, 482. Jarvis, Bishop, 154, 605. Jave, Peter, 461. yefferson,Thomas, 400, 584. jemiogu, x.xvii. Jenner, Dr., 223. "Jennings, Catharine, 604. Isaac, Sr., Biog., 601. Isaac, Jr., Hiog., 604. Isaac, 3d, 604. Wales R., 514. Jerome & Darrow, 372. Jewett, P. H., 653. Pliny A., Biog., 607. Stephen, 470, 643, 646. Stephen, Biog., 605. Rev. Stephen, 154, 155, 156, 374. Thomas B., Biog., 60S. Jocelyn, Augustus, 461. "Johns, 35. John Banks, 94, 96. Toto, 108. I Johnson, Alexander, xlv, 469. Asahel, 203, 450. Andrew, 553. Ashbel, 187. Benajah, 34, 71, 447- Charles, Ixi, 447, 499. Cynthia, 464. David, 186, 477. David T., 509. Doct., 455, 619, 620. E. B., 450. Ebenezer, ist, 131, 229. Ebenezer, 2d, 98. Ebenezer, -xlviii, Ix, l.Yii.lxxx; 35. 36, 38, 46, 61, 71. 72, 79. ^3. 84, 86, 88, 89, 92, 93, 94> 95. 96.97.99. 100. loi, 103, 104. I05' 109, no, 112, 114. 115, 116, 117. 119. 124, 125, 126, 128, 129, 141, 157. 187, 193, 236, 445. 446, Johnson, 447 ; commission to, 92 ; Biog., 608. Ebenezer, Jr., 130, 156. Frank, 492, George, 382. Gideon, 127, 129, 135, 145, 156, 184, it>6, 448, 450- Sr., 204. Jr., 203. Hapnah, Ixi. Hannah P., 473. Harvey, 374 ; Biog., 611. Henry, 510. Ilezekiah, 187, 203. Isaac, 187, 451. 532- James H., 510. Jeremiah, 34, 35, 4^, 47. 71,79,83,84.86,89. 109, no, 126, 127, 130. 131. 157, 186, 229, 611. Jeremiah, Jr., 109, no, n6, 131. Jerome, 492, 506. Jesse, 461, 463. John, 72, 109, no, 129, '57; . Joseph, 130, 131, 146. 147, 156, 187, 469, 495- Joseph, Jr., 204. Kneeland, 495, 499- Levi, 204. Lieut., 135. Mabel, 283. Mo-ses, 36,46, no, 131. Mrs., n7. Nathaniel, 173, I75' 179, 186, 187. Newell, 480. Oliver, 461. Peier, 98, 118, 130, 157, 186 Philo, 1 86. Phineas, 240. Samuel, Jr., 187. Sheldon P., 506. Silas, 461. Stiles, 463. Timothy, Ix, 89, 98, 240, 447. 469- Widow, n7. Wm., 50J, Biog., 6n. Wm. H., 510. Wm. W , 495, 499- Jones, Alexander, 497. Chester, 480. David, 504. Sarah, 474. Thomas, 518. Juancy, James, 163, 248. Judd, Ralph, 516. & Stanley, xxxi, xxxii, xxxiii. Judge Lynch, 280. Judson, Andrew T., 537. Donald, 308, 351, 356, 363. 375. Biog., 612. Ensign, 27. Joseph, 58, 63. Polly M., 612. Kalgariff, Martin, 503. Kane, John, 502. Karl, Albert, 496. Kehore, 33. Kehow, xxxvii, 39. Keeney, Betsey, 223. Charles L., 507. Ebenezer.xlvi, 144,161, 163. 175, 179, 188, 204, 207", 248, 449. Ephraim, 215. Isaac, 223. Ithiel, 163, 256, Biog., 612. James, 507. Linda, 223. Medad, 223, 450. Milly, 223. Sally, 223. Sheldon, 223, 477. Walter S., 507. William, 204, 477. Keep, John, 284. Kckesumun, 35. Kclladv, Matthew, 385. Kellogg, Bela,473,474.475- Clara Louise, 357. Elisha S., 496, 500, Biog , 613. Gen., 391, 394- George, 357, 375. John B., 503. Nathaniel, 464. Hon. S. W., speech of 400. Kellev, John, 503. Charles, 5n. Jeremiah M., 240. "Martin, 484. Kendall, Joshua, 477, 480, Biog , 614. Kennedy, Michael, 504. Rev. Peter, 385. Kerkson, Mr., 210. Ketcham, Joel, 361, 461. Kepaquamp, xxix, xxxvi. Keuxon, 95. Key, Charles, 508. Keyes, Gen., 641. Keys, Rev. C. C, 362. Killimartin, Thomas, 515. Killingbeck, Joseph, 505. Kimberly, Albert A., 513. 836 INDEX. Kimberly, Liberty, 223. Kine, Francis, 519. Kinney, Andrew H., 501. Isaac, 480. James B., 497. Sheldon, 481, 482. King George, 18 1, King George Third, 170. King Hiram Lodge, 252, 380- King Philip, xlii, xlix. King Philip's War, Ixxi, Ixxiv, 52, 53, 54, 64, 65 ; Derby during, Ixxvii. Kirby, Edward, 319, Kirkham, Austin P , 490, Guilford M., 491, 500. Isaac J-, 49 f, 503, Leverett G., 504. Kirk, Samuel, 492. Kissewaug, xcvi, Kirtland, George, 468, 480. Kleinerx, John, 490 Knight, Dr., 602, 653. Knocks, William, 499, Knost, John C., 512. Knox, General, 594. Knowles, Isaac, 145. Konkapot, xxxviii. Ladd, Theodore S., 477. Lambert's Hist., 198. Lammest, Henry, 513. Lamoureux, Azre, 490. I^and, how divided, 68. Land Slides, 15S. Langdon, Thomas, 18, 20, 22, 25. Larkin, John, 507. Matthew, 497 Larkins, Patrick, 502. Latimer, Hugh, 102. Law, Sergeant, 97. Lawler, John, 502. Lawson & Ives, 372. Law suit, 278. Lay, Jesse. 507. Leach, Wm. H., 40S. Edwin, 496. Lead River, xix. Learning, J. Fisher, 479. Leavenworth, Edmund, 263, Biog ,614. Dr., 140. Dr. Thomas, 263. • Gideon, 263, 264. John, Ix. Mark, Ixx.wiii, 138, 284, 577- Thomas, 614. Uncle Ned, 225. 1-ebanon Brook, xix. Lebockett, xxxiii. Lee, Ann, 634. General, 177. Henry B., 501. Jesse, 220, 221, 462. John, 221, 222. Martin, 634. Rev. Jesse, 360. Rev. Jonathan, 138. Robert, 464. Tully, 634. Thomas A., 634. I- William, 517. Leffingwell, Wm., 276. I Leigh, Lewis E., 517. j Jjeman Stone building, 252. Leoftler, Emil, 490. Leonard, S. C, 473, 475. LeRoy, Emile, 513. Lessei, E. J. K., 471. Lesure, Alonzo, 497, Swan L., 512. Lester, George E., 477. Levy, Marks M., 490. Lewis, Edward, 353. 356, 370, 375. 376, 377. 37S. Eldad, Ixxxvii, Eleazer, 187. James, 256, 274. James M., 376, 377. John, 143, 264, 354, 355 ; B'og-. 616. Judson, 507. Levi C, 362. Major, 391, 394. Milu, 312. Nathan, 307. Wm., xxix, XXX. xxxvi. Wm. B., 380; his let- ter, 30, 312. Wm. R., 15S, 159. Light, Charles, 510. Geo. W., 497. Lincoln, Mr., 643. Lindiey, Benjamin, 492. Benjamin F., 494. David, 492, 494. Ira, 630. John, Biog., 616; por- trait, 617. Sarah L., 630. Walter P., 507. Lines, Joseph, 450. Marshall, 512. Lissberger, Lazarus, 482. Litchfield, its settlement, Ixx.xvi. Little Patrick, 500. Little River, 147, 449. Livingston, George, 514. Lockwood, DeWitt C., 253. Lody, Edward, 492. Lomer, L. L., 181, 353, 3S6. Lomer, Lyman L., Biog., 618. ■ Loonier, L. L. & Sons, 373. Loomis, Rev. R. H., 363. Long, James, 519. Lot, 32. Longmeadow Brook, xix. Loop, Rev. Mr., 234. Loper, a horse, 96. Lopus, xciv. plain, 95. Lossing, Benson J., 586. Lottery, 201. Lottery, A 201. LounslDurv, Albert W., 468, 520. George W., 515. Henry W., 518. Levi, '477. Si Turner, 372. Lovejoy, John, 464. Loveland, Arnold, 484. Ashbel, 187, 203, 204, 451- Joseph, 159, 187. Truman, 450. Lovers' Leap, liii. Lucky, Samuel, 464. John, 464. Lum, Adam, 484. Bennett, 215. Capt. Joseph, 187. F. M., 484. John, 109, 230, 231, 213- Jonas, 72. Jonathan, no, 129, 157, 220. Jonathan, Jr., 114, 117, 190, 191. Lemuel, 117. Reuben, 469. Lyman, Daniel, 284. Gen. Phineas, 230, 231. J. H., 4S2. Jonathan, 148, 188, 230. Lynch, Rev. James, 385. Rev. John, 385. Lynde, Duane M., 515. Lyon, Charles E., 505. Plenry, 19. Zalmon, 462. Lyons, Charles B., 517. Rev. James, 153. Mack, Eunice, liv. family, liv. Jim, liv. Ruby, liv. Mackwash, 120. Mad River, xix. Magnash, xxxvii. Magill, James, 497. Maher, John, 502. INDEX. 837 Maher, Wm., 497. Mahoney, Wm., 4S5. Daniel, 4S5. Patrick, 485. John, 518. Malmanacic, .\cvi. Mallorv, Thomas, 385. Wm., 46S. Maltby, E. C.& Son, spoons, '407. Mamook, 119. Mamusquake, .\cv. Manchero, 140. Manhan, xcvi. Man cm p, 1 1. Mansfield, Edward, 385. J)r. Richard, 134, 142, 153. i5> 194. 196, 204, 221, 233, 257, 295' -97, 299 469, 599, 605- 629. Rev. Richard, Biog., 618 ; certificate of ordination, 620. Richard, 2d. 253. Stephen, 257. Nathan, 186, 187, 195, 307, 469. Mansunipansh, xx.wii. Mantovv, xx.xiii. Mantow's squaw, xxxiii. Manviile, James, 469. Magawiska, Hi. Marks, Mordecai, 153, 154, 197 Marsh, John, xxxvi. Martindale, Robert, 507. Martentrough, Louise, 629. Marver, Henry, 507. Marvin, Rev. Mr., 234. Marsh, Geo. C, 372. John, l.xxxvi. Marshall, John P., 600. J. I), 362. Martin, John. 514. Mashekeo, 96. Mason, Isaac, 505. Matach, 41. Matancge, xxix. Mataret. 40. Matchetnumledge, 33. Mather, Cotton, 625. Mattaneag, xxxvi. Mattatuck, xcv. deed of, xxx, xxxi. Mattuckhott, xxxiv, xcv. Mauquash, xx.xvii. Mauweehu, Eunice, xlii, xliv, xlviii. Gideon, xlii, xliii, xlvii, Ixviii, 71, 89, 90. Joseph, xli, xlii, xlvii, Iv, 448. May, Robert, 373, 406. McAlister, Wm., 363. McArthur, Alljert, 517. McHrine, James, 501. McCarthy Charles, 485. William, 509. John, 492. McCauly, Michael, 385. McClusky, Arthur, 499, 510. McCombs, L., 461. McCormick, John, 517. McCue, Michael, 516. McDermot, Father, 385. James, 500. McDonald, Joseph, 3S5. Patrick, 501. McEnerney, P., 154. Patrick, 205. McEwen, David. 235. David J., 484. V. H., 484. Wooster B , 514. McGahie, William, 519. McGeary, Patrick, 494. McGonigal, Charles, 503. McGovern, Peter, 497. Mclntyre, Mr., 600. McKenna, Rev. P., 385. McKeone, Michael, 510. McKenzie, George, 492. James, 497. McKone, Michael, 495. McLaughlin, James, 515. John, 495. McManus, Terrance, 509. McMorrow, Francis. 485. McNally, James, 502. Thomas, 492. Mead. Rev. N., 362. Rev. Wm. C.. 374. Meara, Noyes W., 507. Mechanics Lodge, Sey- mour, 4S4. Meeting-house, the first, 78, 79- enlarged, 116, 117. the second, 126. seating, 118. Megcnhuttack, xxxiv, xcv. Megunhattacke, xcv. Meigs, Sam\iel, 239. Melook Took, 132. Mellor, Samuel, 507. Merman, Thomas, 498. Merrick, Noah, 134. W. J., 484- Merriman, Charles B., 312. Olive, 475. S., 536. Mershon, Rev. Stephen S., 379- Merwm, Samuel, 464, 473. Meskilling, 94, 120. Messclla, Twain, 507. Merer, George, 515. Middlebrook, Doct. E., 653. Henry, 494, 509. Stephen, 529, Miles, Jonathan, 156, 160, 161, 469. Sheldon, 468. Theophilus, 161. Wndow, 109. Milford, no claim on Pau- gassett, 8, 9. Mill, at Rimmon Falls, 144. New and Old, 116. the Cotton, 481. the first, 77. Miller, Alexander, 499. Alfred, 513. David, 464, 465. Elizabeth, 461. James W., 492. John, 498. John W., 492, 499. Samuel, 494. Wm. J., 409. Milligan, Alexander, 496. Milliken, Charles D., 492. Mills, Isaac, 252. of Tames Swan, 482. J. L., 476. Mrs., 453. Nathaniel P., 221. Philo, 283, Samuel, 252, 625. Mr.<. Sarah, Biog., 625. Thomas, 356. Minister engaged, 46. Ministers, prohibition of,66. Ministers' salaries, 135. support, 43, 47. Minor, Elizabeth, 63. John, xlviii,63, 119. Richard, 372. Mitchell & Atkins, 372. Wm. E., 504. Dea. Jonathan, 284. W. G., 484- - Wm. H., 515. Mix, Stephen, 99. Mr., 601. Moerner, Louis, 501. Momanchewaug, 35. Montgomery, 669. Montcalm, Ixxxvii. Monroe. Franklin H., 494. Co!., Ixxxviii. Morning Star Lodge, 484. Monson, Charles, 4S4. Montague, Thomas, 500. Montagu, Lady Mary Wort- ly, 223.' Moore, Capt., 257. 838 INDEX. Moore, Charles, 492. George C, 382. Jesse, 508. Samuel, 507. Morand, Patrick, 498. Moriaritv, Canary, 514. Morris, Capt., 251, 270. Rev. Theophilus, 1 53 Wm., 238, 484. John, 497, 505. Luzon B., 538. Morse, Nathan T., 498. Moneghan, Frank, 498. Morrison, James, 500. Mote, Robert B., 460. Mohemat, 40. Moses, Paul, Ixi.x, Ixx. Law, 74. Moss, Daniel, 215. Israel, 130, 157, Rev. Joseph, 105, 109, 120, 136. 145, 157, 291, 246. Wm., 117, 124, 127, 129, 131. Mrs., 117. Joseph, Biog., 625; his settlement, 113, 114, 15, 116; his decease, 134- Nicholas, 215. Samuel, 129, 157. Wm., 135, 157. Moulthrop, Abraham L., 509- Evelin E., 50". Mount Holt, Ixxxi. Tavlor, l.Kx.xii. Tobie, Ixxxi. Muller, Herrick, 500 Munson's Corners. 237. Munson, Charles S., 494. George, 382. John, 129, 157. IL B., 442; Biog., 627. Marcus, 516. Byron \V., 515. Thomas, 59. Wm. C, 511. Munsuck, xxvii, 11. Murphy, Richard, 499. Musquauke, xcv. Musquatt, -vxvii, 41. Mygatt, Henry S., 481. Nanatoush, 33. Nanawaug, xxix, 94, 95, 120. Nanhootoo, xlviii. Napoleon and England, 250. Nash, John, 27, 45, 59. Nascjuero, 41. Naramore, Capt., 391. Nathan, David, 353, 356, 365. 379- Naugatuck, xciv ; descrip- tion of, xviii ; old river, 30, 31 ; why so named, 443. Railroad, 311. Valley, xviii. Naylor, Michael, 502. Nayumps, 119. Neal, Roswell A., 366. Nebawkumme, 17. Negro Pew, 128. Neighbor Put, 95. Nenapush, Squaw, xxxii. New Mil ford, deed of, xlviii. Nero (a slave), 140. Nesaheagon, xxii, xxiii, xxxii. Nesinpaes, 41. Nettleton, Charles, 409. Chas. H., 387. Charles P., 499. Enos G., 469. Henry A., 375. Joseph F., 493. Josiah, 469. New Boston, 163. Newey, Arthur B., 500. New Haven Copper Co., 482. Newson, Thomas M., 370 ; Biog., 627. Newton, Charles, 484. Samuel, 92. New way, 137. Nichols, Abel, 606. Benjamin, 239. Charles, 293, 638, 659; Biog., 628. Elizabeth, 665. Horace, 311 ; Biog., 326. H. S., 376, 377. Isaac, 59, 60, 61, 63, 72 79, 83, 86, 99, 1 01, 105, 109, no, 116, 117. John, 561. Jonathan, 79. Joseph, 130, 156. Josiah, 63. "Mr., 234. Sainuel, 59, 60, 61, 63, 72, 79, 83, 86, 109, no, n2, 113, 129, 130, 156. Silas, 256. Wm., 520. Nisumpaw, xxvii. Nixon, John, 361, 464. Nokopurrs, xlviii. Nompunck, xxvii. Noitmumke, xxxv. Norkquotonckquy, xxxvii. North End, 78, 128. Farmers, 146, 147. John L., 507. Norris, 372. Purchase, 229. Northrop, Beardsley, 464. Henry D., 476. Joel, 127. R. E., 372. Norway Bolt works, 407. Nostrand, Peter, 204. Nouse Club, 384. Noyes, Benjamin, 332. Nyumphs, xciv. Oath of Fidelity taken in 1777, 186.' O'Brien, George, 520. Timothy, 485. O'Callaghan, Dennis, 485. O'Claughessy, David, 516. O'Connell, Thomas, 495. O'Dwver, Father, 387. Oil M'ill, 143. Old Parks, 259. Todd, 206. Town, 163, 247. way, 137. Yellow Mills, 142, 143. Olmstead, Eugene, 256. Osborne, Arthur D., 538. Osborn, David, 467. David T., 275. Harvey T., 513. Joseph, 145, 231. Lvman, 553. Moses, 462. Ray F., 514. Sereno R., i;i6. Thomas, 145. W., 541. Orauquato, 132. Oothout, John, 512. Ostrander, Daniel, 461, 462, 464. 0'Sulivan,Thomas J., Biog., 629. O'Sullivan, Timothy, 500. Orcutt, Samuel, 678. O'Reily, Patrick, 513. Oronoke, xcvi. Osborn, Thomas S., 514. Ould, Samuel, 510. James F., 496. Ousatonic Dam, 390. River, 403. Water Co., 391. Oxford Centre and Green, 234. 235. first meetingrhouse,232. in 1836, 242. in the late rebellion, 241. INDEX. 839 Oxford Society, 145. Pacaquarock, xcv. Pacawackuck, xcv. Panoetan, xcv. Pardee, Mr., 605. Noyes D., 500. Parsons, Catharine J., Biog., 604. David, 204. Island, 225. Justin W., 604 Stella C„ 604. Parker. Rev. Dr., 596; 597. Willard, 635. Paschell, John, 504. Paugasuciv, xciii. Partridge, Capt., 645. Payton, John, 493. Pease, Mrs., 453. Wm. F , 464. Peck, Bezaleel, 464, 450. David, 240. Edwin F., 509. Edward W., 49S. Eleazer, 630; Biog., 629. Ephraim B., 629, 630. George H., 392, 410; Biog., 629. Joseph, 84, 630, 312. Minnie C, 630. Orrin, 464. Robert, Biog., 630. Pennefeather, John, 49S. Pepperell, Wm., 668. Perkins, Ithiel, 187. Levi, 184 Reuben, 187, 161. Stephen, 449. Perry Brothers, 411. George II., 494. H. A., 238. Joseph, 23S; Biog., 630. Martin, 516. Seth, 118. Peterson, Charles, 332. Petowtucki, xcv. Pettingill, Amos, 475. Pickett, Joseph, 169, 175, 186. Pierce, Aaron, 464, 468. President, 524. Pierpont, Mr., 113. Pierson, Abel, 188. x^ Abraham, 117, 130, / ^ 131, 156, 539. David, 161, 187. Edward, 247. John, no, 131. Jo.seph, 109, 187. Mother, 117. Nathan, 173, 184, 1S8, 541. Pierson, Samuel, 188. >• Stephen, 79, 81, 83,86, 109, no, 130, 131, 156.157- Stephen, Jr., no, n7, 129, 130. Pinney, Benjamin, 634. Edmund, 633. Eleazer, 634. Humphrev, 633. Royal W.', 636. Samuel, 634. Charles H., 391 ; Biog., 633- Pinto, Abraham, 130. Peterson, Arnold, 515. T. B., 650. Phelps, Anson G., 309, 310, 312, 526, 547; 548; Biog., 631. Edward D., 518. Judge, 239. Noah A., 523. Mary L, 523 Phillips, Albert W., Biog., 632. Col., 593. Phol, Wm., 517. Phylo, Wm., 312. Plant, Ebenezer, 191. Piatt, George, 515. Orlando L., 514. Plumb, David W., 393,406, 410; Biog., 636. Mrs., 151. Noah, 636. Poe, Edgar A., 649. Poem on the Rebellion, 488. Pool, Michael, 1 87, 190, 192. Pootatuck, xciii. Pope, Robert, 188. Pork Hollow, 181. Pritchard, Lieut. Jabez, Biog., 638. Porter, Amasa, 286, 557 ; Biog., 637. Potter, Henry T., 393, 404. 405. Powe, Oliver, 510. Powers, John, 515. Powheak, 120. Pratt, Gen., 443. Miss Julia, 650. Preble, Com., 569. Pride, Wm.,496. Prince, Charles, 517. Prindle, Betsey, 449. Chauncey, 233, 470. John, 169, no, 157 188, 304. John, Jr., 156. Joseph, 257. Prindle, Mordecai, 257. Pringle. John, 83, 86, n3, n7, n8, 124, 130, 131- Pritchard, Elisha, 204. Eunice, 161. Jabez, 177. Leverett, 450, 480. Lieut., 647. James, 144, 183, 449. James, Jr., i6i, 187. Proctor, Charles H., 606. S. H., 264. Provost, George, 587. Public School, 122. Birmingham, 387. Pulling, A. B., 467. PuUon, Pizzarp S., 493, 505. Pullman, Joseph, 467. Punderson, Abbe, 454, 455. Punkups, xciv. Punwon, 96. Purvis, John, 470. Pushee, Gilman W., 513. Pussecokes, 94. Putnam, Daniel J., 484. Quakers' Farm, 145, 221, 229. a village in O.xford, 236. Quash, Rosvvell, 182. Quassapaug, xcvi. Queen Anne. 96. Queen Elizaoeth, 102. Querrimus, xxix, xxxii. Quick, Thomas, 508. Quinn, John, 499. [ohn M., 501. Quiiitard, Eli S., 333, Biog. 335- Randall, H. W., 4S0. Ramsdfll, Parker R., 514- Radcliff Brothers, 410. Random, August, 513. Railroad, the Naugatuck, 3"- New Haven and Der- by, 332- Raretoon, 95. Rashkoinoot, 95. Raynolds, Rufus K., 467. Raynor, Menzies, 461. Rawlinson, William, 236. Rawneton, 96. Razes, an Arabian, 222. Read, Hollis, 660. Red House, 226, 263. Red Mountain, xcvii. Redshaw, Thomas, 507. Reilman, Jacob, 503. Remer, Abram, 257. Lewis, 257. Joseph H., Biog., 639. 840 INDEX. Remer, John E., 496. Simon, 639. Reed, Rev. Hollis, 291. Reecl, Peter, 509. Reemer, Joseph H., 152. Reeves, General, 643. Records, curious, 100. Riggs, Ebenezer, no, 161. 156, 231, 243, 229, 447- Edward, 118, 156. Charles, 495, 498, 504, George F., 514. George S., 513. Hill, 152. Homer, 511. John, 97, 109, no, n8, 125, 129, 130, 131, 135, 146, 157, 161, 179, 180, 184, 228, 232, 235, 243, 305, 590, 592. John, Jr., 175, 186, 187. Capt. Joseph, 157, 169, 175, 178, 184, 186, 202, 223, 449. Joseph, Jr., 204, 205. Joseph, H., 215, 518. Lois, 161. Mark E., 513. Sarah, 592. Samuel, 79, 82, 84, 86, 88, 89, 94, 96, 99, 103, 104, 105, 109, no, 115, 116, 117, 126, 129, 130, 131, 140, 157, 229, 484, 446, 447, 610. Regan, Michael, 485. Reiley, Edward, 500. Bernard, 500. Revolution, Derby's first act, 168. Reynolds, John Y., 517. Rice, George, 482. Phineas, 462. Richardson, Charles J., 498. Daniel L., 493. Ricketts, Geo. R. A., 482. Rider, Arthur, 480. John J., 481. Rimmon Falls, xciv, 203, , . 450, 473- Rimmon Rock, xciv. Riley, Michael, 500. Patrick, 509. Riggs, Moses, 187, 469. Nancy, 611. Rives, Wm., 520. Roads, bridges and floods, Roberts, George, 462. Robertson, John, 493. [ Rock Rimmon, cut of, 445. Rogers, Ami, 470. Evan, 461. George, 484. Henry C, 469. Hiram M., 507. Samuel, 650. Roberts, Charlotta, 461. John, 501. Roberson, Joseph, 517. Robertson, David, 493. Robinson, Geo. H., 483. Judge, 536. Roe, John, 187. Rockhouse Hill, 95. Rolfe, Leander H., 494. Rose, Henry, 520. Rosecrans, Mahala, 460. General, 460. Ross, Robert, 512. Rowe, Daniel, 461. Royce, John E., 505. Roselle, Samuel, 534. Root, Edward, 505. Polly H., 525. Rourkovvhough, 33. Rowell, David B., 507. Rowaugasuck, loS. Rowagosook, 120. Rowan, Wm., 385. Rugg, Wm., 507. Ruggles, Thomas, 264, 265, 286, 287. Rush, Doct., 651. Russell, Charles L., 486, ^ 490. 503. Biog-, 640. Geo. D., 490. Joseph, 179, 184, 188. L. H., 553. Samuel, 156, 217. Samuel S., 640. Timothy, 131,135,157, 217. 230,231. Wm., 558. Ryan, Cornelius, 502. James, 502. John, 520. Patrick F., 512, 516, 520. Rye, N. Y., in Revolution, 170. Sabaday Houses, 128, 152. Sackett, Lucius, 515. Saltonstall, Caroline, 525. Sanford, Ephraim, 100. George W., 513. H. S., 643, 644. N. H., 332. Mamerry, 224. N. C, 645. Samuel, 220, 223, 469, 652. Samuel P., 224. Sanford, Rev. Mr., 234. Satterlee, Samuel R., 482. Saul's Swamp, xcvi. Sausonnaman, 132. Saw7er, Jane A., 666. Jennie M., 666. Henry S., 666. Saxeburg, Frederick, 504. School districts laid out, 159, 160. School-Huuse Co., 204. Schools, order of the Court, 106, 107. The first record of, 105, 106. Schully, Michael, 498. Schuyler, General, 580. Schyer, William, 493. Scofield, Arnold, 462, 464. Schooner Modesty, 266. Scott, Jesse, 484. John, 484, 496, 509. Joseph, 154, 643. William, 500. Scoville, Bennett, 513. Charles, 514. Scraping Hole Plain, 447. Searle, Roger, 462. Seabury, George, 471. Sears, Henry E., 512. Seaton, Mr., 559. Sentinel Hill P'ield, its proprietors, 131. .Separates, 135. Seymour, Origin S., 537. Richard, 635. Record, 483. — Thomas H., 443. Savings Bank, 481. Manufacturing Compa- nies, 481, 482. The town of, 442 ; why so named, 442, 443. Shannon, O. Evans, 471. Sharp, David W., 498. Lugrand, 468; Biog., 644. W. C, 147, 222, 468, 480, 481, 483. Sharpe, Mary, 644. Thomas, 644. Shea, James, 502. Sheep, pasture for, 81. Sheffield, William, 256. Sheff rev, Charles W., Biog., 645. Shehan, Cornelius, 516. Sheldon, Francis, 498, 516. Lydia, 672. Sperry M., 49S1 Shelton and the Dam, 391. borough of, 406. Dr. Gould A., 411. INDEX. 841 Shelton, Edward N., 155, 158.309,312,388,393, 406, 541, 645. E. N., speech of, 395. E. DeForest, 409. Geo. A., Biog , 646. - Geo. P., 48 1. Water Co., 411. Shepard, Horace M., 536 ; Biog., 647. Sherman, Andrew M., 509. Charles L., 494. Cut, 321. George W., 493, 505. Ira, 311. .Saimiel, 93. Sherwood, Joseph, 1S7. Matthew, 93. Shey, Joseph, 512. Skifling, 120. Shawngiim, xcvii. Ship Building in Derbv, 262. Shipman, Wm. D., 537. Short, Sylvester, 520. Shortall, John, 496. Shorttell, Cullum, 498. Shrub Oak, 454. Silliman, Prof., 558. Sisowecum, 120. Skiff, Walter, 513. Skokorat, xciv, 447. road, 451. Slade, Wm. R., 312. Sloan, Wm., 507. Slocum, Mr , 568. .Small Pox, 222. Smith, Abner, 219, 220, 222, 300. Andrew, 109, tie, 129, 131. 156, 175. 169, 184, 187. Abraham, Jr., 188. Anson, 517. Arthur E., 496, 508. Bela, 464. Benjamin, 500. B. \V., 481. Charles, 234. Charles W., 520. Clark, 223. Daniel, 221, 283, 465. Uwight C, 515. Edward, 223. Elizabeth, 223, 283. Eneas, 553. Enoch, 187, 188, 219. Enoch, Jr., 224. Ephraim, 79, 82, 86, 94, 109, 130, 156, 467. Ephraim, Jr., 1 10. Fitch, 312. Frederick E , 509. 106 Smith, Friend li., 508. George, 484, 508. George A., 517. George H., 501. Henrv, 518. Ira, 478. Ira B., 493. Isaac, 143, 178, 183, 186, 223, 606. James, 504, 507. James M., 462. Jesse, 4S0. John, 122, 123, 127, 129, 130, 156, 500,513. John, Jr., 145. John D., 210, 465, 470. 606, 647, Biog., 646. Jonas, 153. Joseph, 130, 157, 184, 187, 223. Josiah, Jr., 283. J. V. C, 559. Levi, 2S6. Lyman, 504. Mary, 266. Matthew, 501. Nathan, 1.57, 169, 175, 187, 188. Oscar, 514. Polycarp, 204. Rachel, 251. Richard, 187, 502. Samuel, 1S7, 204. Samuel, Jr , 161. Seymour M., 493, 505 Sheldon, 273,63 1, Biog.. 647. Sylvester, 465, 468, 48 1 . Wilbur W., 519, 483. Susan, 223. Thomas, 100. .Somerset, Duke of, 635. Soule, Henchman S., 4S2. South End, 121. .Sparks, Jared, 585. Thomas, 466. Wm. IL, 504. Speake, Wm., 633. Spencer, Edward, 501. Henry, 498. Hiram P., 491. Jehiel, 187. J. L., 477. Zachariah, 410. Sperry, Asa, 535. Adaline, 475, 535. Emeline, 475. Eunice, 535. Isaac, 475. Marcus, 483. Norman, 4S3. N. D., 332. .Silas, 4S4. Spinning Squaw, xxxii, x.xxiii. Spinning Squaw's Land, xcvii. Sprague, Ezra, 509. Sqontk, xcv. Squabble Hole, 116, 297. .^quantuck, xciii. Squaw, Sarah, 119. .Squapmasutte, xcv. Squires, Frank, 493. St. James's Church, 154, 155- Statts, Rev. H. T., 292. Stamp Act, 167. Stantfln, Rev. Robt. P., 292. Star Pin Co., 410. Stastockham, 94. Stearns, Charles, 466, 467. Steamboating on the Ousa- tonic, 272. Stebbins, Benjamin, 14. Steele, Bradford, 161, 169, 173, 175, i8o, 183, 184, 186, 191, 448, 450. 473. 477. 480, 647, 305. Bradford, Jr., 450. Elisha, 450. Mason A., 499. Samuel, xxix, xxx. Stenernagel, George. 496. Stephens, Edward, 461,649. Mrs. Ann, 453, 625; Biog., 648. Sterling, Gen., 581. Steuben, Baron, 583. Stevens, Ebenezer, 461. Edward, 512. Ferry, 304. J. A., 4.S4. Stevenson, Thomas, 467. Stiles, Benjamin, 157. Ephraim, 93. Nathan, 469. Phebe, 449. Still, Jacob L., 520. .Stillson, David, 630. Stocking, Omer C, 507. Stocking, Summerlield S., 507 Stockwell, Geo. E., 469. Stoddard, Abiram,6i i, 455, 458,461; Biog., 651; portrait, 652. Thomas, Biog., 654. Wm., A., 49S. Stouck, Wm , 493. Stone, A. L., 244. David M., 244. Martha, 655. Mrs. Ellen, 252. Stone, Noah, 244, 546. 842 IxMDEX. Stone, Noah, Biog., 655. Leman, 248, 252, 258, 274. 305.306; Biog., 654 ; building, 258. RoUin S., 475. Storer, E. G., 484. Storrs, J. W., 442, 488, 655; poem by, 397. Wm N., 468, 469, 484. Stratford Bridge, 269. Strapp, Edward, 485. Street, diaries, 498. Strict Congregalionalists, '35- strong, Adino, 109, 116, n8, 131. Rev. Mr., 231, 232. Studley, Enoch P., 507. John P., 507. Stuart, Edwin W., 514. Horace, 515. Styles, Benjamin, 130. Swift, Chipman, 453. Ephraim G., 475. Job, 658. John, 451, 532. Zephaniah, 231, 287, 291, 454, 473, 474. 5^5' 557. 563- ^^'og- 658, Portrait, 659, Success Hill, 451, 532. Sugar Street, 258, 297. Sullivan, John, 2d, 503. Peter, 485. Suracasks, xcv. Sulton, Harry, 236. Summers, Joseph, 157. S. N., Biog. 656, Por- trait 657. Sunday-school, M. E. Sey-I mour, 468. Sunkaqiiene, 94. Sykes, Oliver, 462. ; Owen, 465. Swan, James, 477, 482. | Swan's Mills, 483. Swain, Richard, 461. Tackamore, 94, 120. i Tack and I>oit Factory in Shelton, 409. Taphow, xxxii, xxxiii. Tavern, the fust, 112, 113. Taylor, General, 643. Geo. L., 467. Joshua, 461. Nathaniel W., 473. Taxes, Grand List, Sz, 8^, Grand List in 17 18, 129. Grand List of the Col- ony in 1775, 180. rates of, 179. Tazchun, 95. Tennyson, James, 517. Terrell, Almon, 312. Wales, 505. Terry, Caleb, 145. Josiah, 145. William, Biog. 661. Tibbals, John, 79, 83, 86, 89, loi, 109, no, 117, 118, 126, 130, 131. 157. 446, 447- Tiffany, Luke, 498. C. C, 292. Tift, John, 145. Tisachomo, 108. Thatcher, George, 291, 660, 15iog., 66r. William, 462. Thayer, Reuben W., 517. William A., 518. The Last Draft in Revolu- tion, 194 Town of Oxford, 228. Wigwam, xcvii. Thomas, Edmund, 500. George W., 484. Noble W., 462. Thomasseet, 95. Thompson, George, an an- ecdote, 268. Anthony, 540. Bridget, 540. Charles, 475, 595. Lsaac, 258. Jabez, 169, 173, 775. 176. James, 257, 470. | James A., 498. Levi, 186. I Sheldon, 257. | Wm., 257. j Wm. J., 476. Tobie, 89, 95, 96, 97, 98,1 447- ; (Indian), 193. Tobie's Grant, 229. land, 95. story of, 97. Rock, 161 Toby's Rock,s, xciv. Todd, Abraham, 134. Ambrose, 470. Daniel, 186, 187, 283. Rev. Mr., 138, 234. Toll Bridge, 140. Tomlinson, Abigail, 283. Abraham, 109, 1 10, 130, '57- Agur, 89, 90,92, 175, 184,' 186, 215, 2l6, 54S. Benjamin, 175,186,204, 217. Tomlinson, Capt., 257. Capt. John, 182, 184, ^ 186, 2S3. Charles A., 239. Col. 270. Dan, 188, 191, 307. Daniel, Biog., 299. David, 184, 188, 239. David T., 239. Mrs. David, 462. Edmund B., 512. Harrison, 481, 482. Henry, 169, 175, 188, 216'. Isaac, 129, 157, 1S6. John, 130,131,157,175, 178, 190. John L., 277, 300, 301, 574. 599. Biog., 662. Jonah, 1S8. Jonas, 79, 83, 86. Joseph, 187, 217, 4ro, 653- Levi, 191, 204, 450. \y^ Mark, 493, 503. Noah, 175, 179, 184, 186, 188, 217. Perry, 494. Peter, 511. Ransom P., 517. Russell, 469, 306. Samuel, 130, 147, 157. Webb, 184, 186, 191. 1 Widow, 109, 117. Wm., Sr., 109, no. I Wm., 79, 8r, 82, 86, I , 109, 130, 157, 246. J Tompson, Jabez, 204. Topliff, Rev. Stephen, 231. Torrance, David, 587, Biog., 662. Totoquan, xxvii. Towantuck, xcv. Town Patent, iii. Towner, John, 130,145, 156. Towsowwam, 132, Trac}', Thomas, 496. Train, Asa M., 545. Band of Dei by, 88. Trangrani, The, 78. Traver, Theodore W., 498. Travis, Robert, 465. Treat, Robert, 610. Trinity Church, Seymour, 469. Trowbridge, Isaac, 145. Israel, 860. Truesdale, Lucius B., 499. Trumbull, Benjamin, D.D., 87.137, 171,284,458, 533, 625. Tryon, General, 181, 182, ;8i. INDEX. '^- Wecobemeas, xcv. Weed, John, 129. 145. '5''' Jonas, 145. Joseph, 145. Wequacuk, 96 Wequaruush, xcv. Welch, |ohn, 50S, 511. Werner," Frederick, 500. Weroces, 96. Wescpintook, 95, 202, 229. Wetupaco, 94. Weyle, Gilbert, 512. Whcadon, Charles A., 408. Wheelan, Franklin, 508. Whelan, Bernard, 502. Patrick, 5n. Wheeler, Abel, 243, 284. Elbert £., 513. Horace, 4n. James, 147, 24S. John, 494- Joseph, 96, 163, 164, 183, 184. Joseph, Jr., 96. Moses, 184, 1S8. Nathan, 450. Robert, 184, 187, 243. Sally, 473- Samuel, 179, 187, 230, 231, 243- Samuel, Jr., 175, 186. Thomas, 245, 262. Whipple, James P.., 493. Whistler, John, 503. Whitcomb, Cyrus B., Biog., 665. Eliza, 665. James, 665. Rev. C. B., 292. White, Augustus, 516. Calvin, 470, (106. Carleton, 251. James, 520. Joel, 477- John, 469. Rev. Calvin, 299. Rev. Mr., 156. W^ W., 484- Whitefield, Rev. George, 151- Whitemore, E. Turrel, 1S6. John, 204. Terrel, 184, 45°- I Whiting, Henry, 169, 256. Julius E., 508. Louisa S., 605. William, 256. Whitlock, John, 340, 343- Whitney, Archibald, 252, (XX3. Henry, 1S4, 1S6, Ranford, 161, 187. Stephen, i'>3, 248, 600. • Stephen, Jr., 252. Thomas B , 493. Whiltingham, Bishop, 540. Whittlesey, Charles, 188. Mr., 210. Samuel, 134. , Whymbs, John D., 509. 844 INDEX. ■'y Wigwam Swamp, xcvii. Wilbur, Warren, 493, 494. Wilcox, Darius, 409. John, 500. & Howe Co., 409. Wilcoxson, George, 504. Judge, 236. N. J., 229; Biog., 666. Wildman, Rev. Benj., 2S4. Wilkinson Brothers & Co., 408. Thomas P., 408. Wm., 408. Will Doctor, 108, 120. Toto, 108. Mashok, 96. Willard, J. L., 475. Williams, Bishop, 471. Charles, 501. John, 501. Joshua, 286. Mr., 139. Peter T., 493. Willoughby, Martin V., 510. Wilson, Wm., 519. Wyant, 517. Winterbotham, Ann S.,461. John, 452, 453. John H., 460. Martha E , 461. Robert, 461. Wm., 461. Wire, Samuel, Biog., 666. Wiswell, James, 46S. Wolcott, Oliver, 2S4, 6co Wm., 157. Wolfshon, Saul, 493, 501 Wonawak, xlviii. Wood, Abner, 462. Charles, 504. -Charles II., 508. Woodcock, Samuel, 460. Woodbury path, 304. Wooden, Hezekiah, 161, 204, 451. Woodruff, Geo. C, xxx. John, 51 1. Oscar L., 502. Woodtick, xcvi. Woodward, Eugene, 49-, 499. Woolsey, Elijah, 221, 463. Wooster, Abraham, 145, 161, 237, 667. Arthur, 238, 283. Capt John, 193. Clark, 666. Col. Wm. B., 408, 409. Daniel, 216. David, 79, 86, 90, 96, 109, no, 156, 218, 229, 444, 447. Edward, 79, 82, 86, 93, 124, 608, 6[i, 667. Edwin, 393, 406 ; Biog., 407, 408. Eleazer, 18S. Elizabeth, 283. Ephraim, 469. Gen. Clark, 312. Gen. David, 173, 174, 176, 177, r8i, 237, 273 ; J^iogv 667. Wooster, Henry, 109, no, 112, 132, 213. Isaac, 205 Jacob, 225. John, 144, 160, i6i, 204, 307, 449, 450. Joseph, 238. Leslie B., 515. Mary, 130. Moses, 156. Nathan, 238. Nathaniel, 238. Wooster's Park, 225. Wooster, Rev. Henry, 23S Russell, 238. Samuel, 161, 237. Sylvester, 157. Thomas, 78, 79, 81, 84, 86, 95, 96, 109, no, 115, n7, 130, 672. Timothy, 98, 109, no, 130, 145. 153. 156- 157. 229. Walter, 188. William B., 238, 481, 505, 662. Worthington, Thomas E , 50S. Wright D. R., 538. Wyant, George S., 519. Yale, Thomas, 175, 186, 188. Mary, 533. Mr., 283, 548. Young, Henry, 509. Yyouson, 95. «> O. o ■%.o^ .'^ ''- '^ .^^ c^or >,^^ .^ r « a *. ne^^ .^ ^\„.^^ "^ : ^^^4 ■^^■\^ ^ <• ^ *A = % <^ ^V .# -^ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 0014 1103386