Litchfield County CT Archives History - Books .....A Meeting-House And The North Purchase 1716-1731 1882 *********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ct/ctfiles.htm *********************************************** ************************************************************************ The USGenWeb Project makes no claims or estimates of the validity of the information submitted and reminds you that each new piece of information must be researched and proved or disproved by weight of evidence. It is always best to consult the original material for verification. ************************************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com May 17, 2005, 12:48 am Book Title: HISTORY OF THE TOWNS OF NEW MILFORD AND BRIDGEWATER, CONNECTICUT, 1703-1882 CHAPTER VI. A MEETING-HOUSE AND THE NORTH PURCHASE. 1716—1731. ENTERING upon the building of a meeting-house was a much easier matter for the few families in New Milford than the completing of the work; but to them such a work was right,—a religious duty, and must be done. The house in which their meetings were first held, called Mr. Read's house, was probably built of logs, one story high, and had but one window, and was not very commodious nor an ornamental place of worship. It was in this house, most likely, that Mr. Daniel Boardman was ordained pastor of all the inhabitants of the town, who numbered about 125 persons. It stood in the highway a little north of the site of the old Town house at the north end of the present public green. The following is the second petition presented to the General Assembly by the New Milford people, and in it is the first mention made as to the building of a meeting-house. The first movement towards providing funds for building a meeting-house is indicated in the following petition: To ye Honorble Genll Assembly now convened att Hartford this instant May, 1712. The humble petition of ye Inhabitants of New Milford sheweth: That whereas, wee formerly made our application to this Honored Court for advise and help in order to ye setting up the worship of God publickly amongst us: the wh ye sd Court was pleased readily to grant—for ye wh favor we humbly acknowledge with great thankfulness; And upon those experiences of yr right readiness to grant or request, wee are againe encouraged at this time further to make or request:— 1. That wee may have libberty to Levy a Rate at any time when ye Mony is due, altho' ye yeare bee not expired.— 2. That wee may increase ye Rate (upon ye Land) as afore granted yt it may bee, to twelve shillings upon each share—especially considering yt wee are now very like speedily to bee imployed in building an house for ye Ministr, and probably in preparation for a Meeting-house—We pray yt all or necessary charge in building a Minister house and meeting house may bee raysed upon ye Land; Wee apprehend it hath bin granted to other new beging places wth great acceptance: Wee Finde yt ye seven shillings is too little therefore Request as above sd: To all wh wee humbly subscribe and shall allways pray as in duty bound. New Millford May 15th 1712. John Bostwick beniamin bostwick John Noble, Senr tho weller Zacrey faris John Noble Junyr Samll brunson John Boswick Junr roger brunson Samll Prindle John weller Roberd Bostwick Mr. John Read resided in the place but a short time, leaving before 1712. His house, or the house he left, was repaired in 1717; the vote says that there should be "glass provided to furnish the window in the house we meet in upon the Sabbath," and in it they continued to worship until the first meeting-house was so far completed as to meet in it. The first vote to build a meeting-house was passed in 1716, but the work was not actually commenced until in 1719. The plan and particulars of this house were decided in town-meeting as follows: "Feb. 23, 1719. At a town meeting legally warned the inhabitants being convened, it was voted in the affirmative, that there should be a meeting-house built ot forty feet in length, and thirty in breadth, and twenty in height between joints, with other suitable proportions. "Voted that the meeting-house shall be set in the highway in the most convenient place between the house that is called Mr. John Read's, and that which is called Caleb Mallery's house. "It was agreed that there should be ten thousand of eighteen-inch shingles, being three-quarters of an inch thick at the lower end, and otherwise suitably proportioned and of such a breadth as may run five inches one with another; and after that there shall be two thousand and five hundred of good clapboards of white oak, four feet and four inches in length, and six inches in breadth, and not less than half an inch thick well and even dressed, gotten for the use aforesaid, that is in order to rearing a meeting-house. "Agreed that these clapboards and shingles shall be got and brought to the place by the middle of June next, and that every man shall forfeit twelve pence a hundred for their neglect, and after that, six pence a month upon every hundred that they shall be negligent in performing of their work. "Agreed that these clapboards and shingles shall be gotten upon the present list by every man according to his list. "There shall be allowed two pound ten shillings a thousand for clapboards gotten and brought to the place, and then fitted to be laid, and twenty-five shillings a thousand for shingles got and brought to the place and fitted to be laid. "There was chosen for a Committee to cull the clapboards and shingles, John Bostwick and Samuel Brownson, 'who are faithfully to do it.' "There was chosen for a committee to make a rate upon this work above mentioned, by the present list, and to warn every man to do his work; Roger Brownson, David Griswold, John Welch. "Agreed that Jonathan Buck shall be excused from this rate towards the meeting-house, which is to be made upon the present list." The strictness observed in culling the clapboards and shingles by a committee charged "faithfully to do it," directs the mind to the ancient method of selecting sacrifices upon the rule that there should be not a spot or blemish to mar the perfect-ness of the offering. The resolution to make progress in the work, by imposing fines upon those failing to fulfill their parts, was commendable; but the hindrances in a .new wilderness plantation were more than anticipated, for it was the middle of the next December before further steps could be taken in the work. At which time, "Dec. 17, 1719, Zachariah Ferris, Roger Brown-son, and William Gaylord, were chosen to agree with a carpenter to get the timber for the meeting-house, and this committee shall see that the timber shall be drawn to the place agreed upon for setting it up." The next work was to pay for this timber. The clapboards and shingles were to be secured the year previous by a tax on the town list to be paid in those articles; but it seems they could not pay for the timber with shingles, and therefore something else must be had." Jan. 8, 1720. Agreed that there shall be a rate raised of five and twenty pounds, between this and the middle of February next, for defraying the charge of getting and drawing the meeting-house timber; and Stephen Noble was chosen collector of this rate. The following petition reveals most clearly the circumstances and condition of the town at the time: "To the Honourable, the Govenour and Company of His Majesties Colony of Connecticutt, In New England, In Generall court assembled, In Hartford: May: 14: 1719: The Humble Petition, of the Inhabitants of ye Town of New Milford, within ye sd Colony humbly sheweth— That this Honourable corporation did Grant a Petition In May 1716: to the Inhabitants of ye sd Town of New Milford, that a tax of ten shillings should be Leavied on each proprietor of New Milford not Settled theire, which tax ware to continue three years from that time, for the support of the Ministry for N. Milford. 3 shil, of ye 10 was appoint'd to be Improved for ye building of a meeting-house. These three years being now expired: And we having allready attended ye direction that your Honours Gave us In the Returne of that Petition: which was that we for the future should agree with them, and if not, then it should be as this Court should further order, as was expressed In the Returne of the former petition. This Honourable court may be Informed, that we have taken dew care and used Indeavours to agree with them, having twice written and lastly sent a man to them, and have been Insuccessfull in those means, in that we can't come to any meet agreement with them, for the future. Whereupon youre Honoures Humble Petitioners pray that according to your former Incouragement: and your wonted zeale for Justice and piety that you would be moved to pitty our Needy condition: upon these three considerations: namely: that there are but twenty-three families here settled at N. Milford: and the most of those low in the world. 2ly that it will amount to something considerable above ten pence upon ye pound upon our rateable estate, to defray the charge of our minister who is settled and hath a family. 3. that Necessity puts us to build a meeting-house, which we have begun this Spring. Considering that we are so slow in groath, and the Great burden that is upon us: and moreover that its troublesome to this Assembly, to have a multitude of these prayers and also chargeable to us. Hereupon we humbly pray that each proprietor not settled at sd N. Milford, may he obliged, to pay at least Seaven shillings annually for each Right not settled un-till theire be the Number of fifty five families settled at sd N. Milford, all of which for ye support and maintenance of ye minister theire, (theire being an hundred and four Rights in ye whole) this is our most humble prayer, or that your Honours will any other way provid for ye support of ye worship of God among us, all tenders of agreement proving Ineffectual your Honoures humble petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray. N. Milford, May 4th, 1719. Samuell Brownson, Stephen Noble, John Bostwick. Selectmen." The twenty-three families were those of the following persons: Capt. Stephen Nobl Paul Welch, John Noble, Jr., Thomas Pickett, John Bostwick, Sen., William Gaylord, John Bostwick, Jr., John Welch, Benjamin Bostwick, Samuel Camp, Zechariah Ferriss, James Prime, Samuel Brownson, Samuel Adkins, Roger Brownson, Jonathan Buck, Samuel Prindle, Enoch Buck, Samuel Hitchcock, Theophilus Baldwin, Benoni Stebbins, Jonathan Buck. Benjamin Bunnell, A number of families besides these had settled in the town, but had died or removed. Eleven months later another stage of progress was entered upon, which must have given a more visible assurance that a meeting-house would be realized in a future day. "Dec. 7, 1720. There was chosen Samuel Brownson, William Gaylord, Roger Brownson, Zachariah Ferris, and John Bostwick, Jr., a committee to manage the prudentials of the town in setting up the meeting house, and to see it covered and closed, and the doors set up at the town charge, and to levy a rate for defraying the said charge, and this committee to be paid by the town for their trouble; and Benjamin Bunnell was chosen collector of the meeting house rate." After this action, nine months passed before further action could be reached, and then we learn with surprise: "Sept. 21, 1721, David Noble was chosen collector for the shingles and clapboards for the meeting house and to see that the rate be paid forthwith." More than two years and a half passed after the first vote to secure these articles for covering the building, with considerable tax as a fine for failure to fulfill^ but they were still wanting, and the pressure was so heavy for money that they sent another petition to the Legislature for a still further release from paying "country rates" for six years, which request was partially granted. At the October session, 1721, the selectmen petitioned "that for six or seven years the town be released from the country tax because—they are a very small society and so the minister's rate is great; they are building a meeting house and have paid two rates thereto—the last one exceeding eight pence upon ye pound and the first one not much short, and yet the building not more than half accomplished; and they are but about sixteen hundred pounds in the list; and that they had realized all they expected from the tax on non-resident proprietors—because Mr. Samuel Clark, merchant, of Milford, who was made collector of that tax, was not impowered to collect it, and they ask that power may be given him to that end." May 6, 1723, they again ask that these non-resident proprietors may be compelled to help them—to support the minister and go on with the meeting-house. Three regular rate-bills were made each year, besides any for the meeting-house:—one for town expenses, one for the minister, and one for the support of the school; but they kept on in a direct line of forward movement, even though but little was accomplished in a whole year. "Dec. 11, 1721. The town agreed that the former committee are empowered to get and lay a floor in the meeting house, and do empower said committee to raise a rate for defraying charges, and Benjamin Bunnell is chosen collector for the meeting house rate." It has been reported that this meeting-house was built in the year 1720, but on Dec. /th of that year the frame was not yet raised, and on the 2ist of Sept., 1721, the frame appears to have been standing, but the shingles and clapboards were not yet collected. This work was probably accomplished within three months after, at the end of which (Dec. 11, 1721) they voted to put in a floor. In this state the house may have been used during the spring and summer of 1722, until another effort was made, as follows: "Oct. 8, 1722. It was agreed that the walls of the meeting house should be walled up to the girths now before winter; that the walls shall be filled in by nailing lath upon the studs and then filling in with timber and mortar, and that the floor shall be jointed and drove up." But this work went over until September, 1723, nearly a year, when another committee was appointed "to provide lime and lath to do the walls of the meeting house and .to plaster the walls of the house and to lay the floor; and lay a rate upon the list of estates in the town for defraying the charges of the work"; which work seems to have been completed soon after. After this another year passed, and then they appointed a committee "to provide timber for the finishing of the meeting house," which "finishing" is explained, Jan. 14, 1726, when they are directed to "get timber for seating the meeting house, and that they should go on with their work according to their former instructions." But nearly every step of progress in completing the house drove them to call on the Assembly for aid. In Oct., 1727, they asked that their country rate might be applied to aid their school and help finish their meeting-house, and it was granted for two years. And again in May, 1730, they asked that the country rate might be used in finishing the meeting-house, arid it was granted. From 1726 forward, for nearly three years, this house was probably used as a place of worship, without any furnishings except temporary seats of boards, or something of the kind, as indicated by the following record: "July 11, 1729. It was agreed to leave the form of placing the pulpit and the seats in the lower part of the meeting house to the committee that shall be chosen, and to the workman which shall be improved to do the work. "Capt Stephen Noble, Samuel Canfield, Sergt. Benjamin Bunnell, Joseph Ferriss, and Sergt. John Welch were chosen a committee for the above said work and what further instructions shall be given to said committee. "The town did empower the above committee to hire a workman to erect the pulpit and the seats in the meeting house and also to raise a rate to defray that part of the charge that shall be wanting when the money raised by the country rate which was ordered to the use aforesaid shall be laid out." This work they hoped would be soon completed, to the great joy of the people, for in view of the occupancy of the seats by the older people and their separation from the young people, according to the custom of that day, they passed at this same time the following vote: "July 11, 1729. Ebenezer Baldwin and Thomas Oviatt, sen. were chosen tithing men from this time till the town meeting in December to oversee the youth in the meeting house in the time of exercise, that is the males. At the same meeting James Hine was chosen to oversee the female sex in the time of exercise." Still there was delay as though this house could never be finished, for in the next December they voted that "there should be seats made on both sides of the broad alley in the meetinghouse," and also that there should be timber provided for making the gallery and the stairs at the doors, and the stairs to be made as soon as may be; and Mr. Zachariah Ferris, Benjamin Bostwick, and Dea. James Prime were chosen for gathering the timber for said work, and to raise a rate for defraying the charge of the above said work." At the same meeting "it was voted that there should be a committee chosen to seat the meeting-house, who shall seat persons according to age, dignity, and estate; that all persons above the age of fifty-five years shall be seated according to their age, dignity and list of estate, and Capt. Stephen Noble, Sergt. Theophilus Baldwin, Roger Brownson, Sergt. John Welch, and Samuel Canfield were chosen to seat the meeting-house according to the directions above mentioned, and that it shall be done by the list of this present year. "Voted that the pew next the pulpit stairs is the highest in dignity, and the second pew and the four long seats to be equal in dignity. "Voted that some other women shall be seated with Mrs. Boardman according to the dignity of their place. "Voted that there shall be a drum beat for a sign to go to meeting by." "April 30, 1730. Voted that a prayer be sent to the General Assembly to try if we cannot obtain that our country rate may be granted that it may be laid out for the furnishing of our meeting-house and defraying the charge of the school." "Dec. 7, 1730. Voted that they will have the galleries finished by this time twelve months, and the work to be done according to the platform that the committee, with the workman that does the work shall agree upon; and that Nathaniel Bostwick, Theophilus Baldwin, and Joseph Ferris were chosen to get the timber for the finishing the galleries, and that they are authorized to raise a rate and agree with a workman to finish the galleries with what can be spared out of the rate called the country rate." On Dec. 13, 1731, there was a vote that "if there be any money wanting to the finishing the meeting-house, to take it out of the town treasury, and if there be any overplus to return to the town treasury," and that Capt. Stephen Noble should audit the account, and hence the probability that the meeting-house was completed, after a struggle of fifteen years from the first vote to raise money for this object, and twelve years after the work was commenced. But at once new troubles are experienced; particularly to secure the prompt attendance of the people upon the services at the meeting-house, and to seat them in a dignified order in the house. To secure the first they appointed a strong committee to purchase a new drum, hire a drummer to beat the drum "upon the Sabbath and other times of public worship, to notify the people of the time of going to meeting," and to sweep and shut up the meeting-house. But the second object was much more difficult in its attainment, yet they, like brave men, made an effort after the following manner: "Dec. 13, 1731. Voted that the meeting-house shall be seated, —and to go-back to the list which was made for getting the timber for the finishing the inside work,—the pulpit and the like; also all persons that are upward of fifty years of age shall be allowed two pound per year for, their age; also no man shall have but one head in his list. Dignity is also allowed in the said business. The highest seat in the meeting-house is the pew next the pulpit; the second, is the forward seat in the body of seats; the third, is the hinder pew [the second pew on the side of the pulpit]; the fourth is the second seat on the square body; the fifth is the forward seat in the front gallery; the sixth is the third seat in the square body; the seventh is the forward seat in the side gallery; the eighth is the fourth seat in the square body; the ninth is the fifth seat in the square body. Also allowed there shall be seven in a seat—in both pews and also in the square body. Also it is agreed that the Committee are to have respect to each man's list in seating him. Capt. Stephen Noble, Lieut. John Bostwick, Samuel Canfield, Sergt. John Welch, Mr. Roger Brownson, Sen., are the Committee for the said business, and that the seating of the meeting-house shall be completed by the first of January next ensuing." But before that time came they had called another meeting and "voted that the former secam for seating our meeting-house is void and of none effect, and that there shall be another secam laid for said work. Voted that all the men above fifty years of age shall be seated in the seat they now sit in, and that Thomas Oviatt, Sen., shall sit in the second seat in the body of said house; that all men in this town that bear lists shall be first seated, and then all that are sixteen years of age and upwards, shall be seated according to their age; that the widows shall keep their seats; that Mr. Samuel Brownson's wife shall keep her seat, and Dea. Prime's wife shall sit in the middle pew. "Voted that there shall be but one head to each list; and that there shall be eight men seated in each pew and in each seat in the square body." In the above statement that, "Dignity is also allowed in said business," may be seen the principle of respect paid to persons of different stations and circumstances among the early settlers. The first rule of difference was that persons of all rank and class should show respect to aged people, rich or poor,—whoever they might be; and hence, such persons were seated at the side of the pulpit. The next class, which was really the first class of conferred honor, was that of the ministers and the officers of the Colonial Courts; to whom was always applied the abbreviation, "Mr." Following this class came the officers of the military organizations in their gradations, from field officers to the captain of the company, and from him down; there being, at first, no other civil officers except constables. After some years the office of justice of the peace, honored with the title of "Esquire," took the place of local members of the General Court. The consideration of property came into the account when two persons of the same grade were considered; that is, when two captains were to be seated, the one having the highest list took the precedence, and the same with unofficial persons, as farmers (called "yeomen"), weavers, and all mechanics; the one with the largest list came first. The meaning of "one head in the list," was that if a father stood eighty pounds on the list, he alone could be seated on that amount, but none of his children; his wife being in the same rank, but in another pew; yet in some churches, in later times, the husband and wife sat in the same pew. It may be remembered that in the early days of the New Haven and Connecticut Colonies, the dignifying the meeting-house and seating the people by certain grades of wealth was unknown, and that the practice became common only after slavery became an established institution. It will also be seen that there was no call for tithing-men until the children and young people were separated from their parents during service in the meeting-house. The law requiring the appointment of tithing-men was passed in 1721. In the early days of New England it was customary, however, to appoint an officer to keep persons from sleeping during the delivery of the sermon. In the memoir of the Rev. Samuel Whiting of Lynn, Massachusetts, the following is given as an extract from "Obadiah Turner's Journal," one of Mr. Whiting's parishioners: " June ye 3d, 1646. Allen Briges hath bin chose to wake ye sleepers in meeting. And being mnch proude of his place, must needs have a fox-tail fixed to ye end of a long staff wherewith he may brush ye faces of them yt will have napps in time of discourse; likewise a sharpe thorne wherewith he may prick such as be most sounde. On ye last Lord his day, as hee strutted about ye meeting house, hee did spy Mr. Tomlins sleeping with much comfort, hys head kept steadie by being in ye corner, and hys hand grasping ye rail. And soe spying, Allen did quickly thrust his staff behind Dame Ballard and give him a grievous prick upon ye hand. Whereupon Mr. Tomlins did spring up mch above ye floore, and with terrible force strike hys hand against ye wall, and also, to ye great wonder of all prophainlie exclaim in a loud voice, 'cuss ye woodchuck,' he dreaming, as it seemed, yt a woodchuck had seized and bit his hand. But on coming to know where hee was and ye great scandall hee had committed, he seemed much abashed, but did not speak. And I think hee will not soon again go to sleepe in meeting. Ye women may sometimes sleep and none know it, by reason of their enormous bonnets. Mr. Whiting doth pleasantly say yt from ye pulpit hee doth seem to be preaching to stacks of straw with men sitting here and there among them." It is well sometimes to catch a flying thought, and therefore the following is an extract from the journal of another of the same Mr, Whiting's parishioners: " Ponder more on ye godlie discourse of Mr. Whiting touching sanctification, and 'kerry him a load of wood." " Strong drink is a cuss, Also tobacco." The following extracts are given as completing the history of the first meeting-house: Dec. 13, 1731. A committee was chosen to make up accounts with the meetinghouse committee, and "if there be any money wanting to the finishing of the meeting-house, to take it out of the town treasury; and if there be any overplus to be returned into the town treasury, and Capt. Stephen Noble and Mr. Roger Brownson are chosen auditors for the said business." "April 11, 1743. Voted that a committee be chosen to take out apart of the women's seats in the meeting-house and appoint said place for some of the men, and that Mr. Nathaniel Bostwick, Mr. Ebenezer Fisk, and Mr. William Drinkwater, be a committee for said work." First Sabbath Day House. "Dec. 10, 1745. Pursuant to a grant made by the town of New Milford, Dec. 9, 1745, unto the farmers of said town, we whose names are hereunto subscribed, have set out unto Zerubabel Canfield, Japheth Collins, and Pitman Benedict, a certain piece of land to set a house thereon, whereunto they may resort on the Sabbath day, lying north of the meeting-house on the side of the hill adjoining to Sperrie's land, that is eighteen feet in length, running from said Sperrie's land westward, and twelve feet in breadth." After the organization of the Quaker interest, there was a controversy begun as to the land given to the first society, and hence the following action of the town meeting. "Dec. 9, 1734- At a Proprietors meeting held in New Milford by adjournment .... respecting the meeting-house in said place, which was erected by these commonly called Presbyterians or Dissentors for their worship of God in contradistinction to those commonly called the Church of England or Prellacy or any other sectary whatsoever, we Presbyterians, those distinguished, do now by our unanimous votes, dedicate, bequeath, and declare, that the meeting-house above mentioned with a conveniency of ground about it, shall be held for the Presbyterian worship and no other. Nomine contradicte." New Milford North Purchase. The first record to be found, concerning the New Milford North Purchase, was made on June 12, 1722, in which the inhabitants agreed to certain rules for dividing the land providing they could make the purchase; and appointed Samuel Brownson, William Gaylord, and Stephen Noble, as the committee to buy the land. This purchase was not to be made of the Indians, for the Windsor Company had done that two years before; but of the towns of Hartford and Windsor, to whom it had been previously conveyed by the Assembly. Ten days later they made the following provisions: "At a meeting of the inhabitants, it was agreed by signing our names that we will proceed to purchase one mile and a half across the north end of New Milford bounds, eastward of the Great river from the river to the eastward side of the bounds, butting eastward upon that land which is set out to Weramaug, north upon land purchased by the committees of Hartford and Windsor, west upon the Great river called Stratford river, south upon New Milford bounds. We agree that none shall have a share or interest in said land but those only who pay the purchase money within two months after this date. It is to be understood that none shall be purchasers but those who were comprised in the former vote at a town meeting held June 12, 1722, wherein we did agree that every man of twenty-one years of age might be a purchaser, and those that had a son under age to purchase for one son and no more. It is to be understood that there is part of this money to be paid forthwith; and John Welch is chosen collector, to receive and pay such moneys as is agreed to be raised, to purchase the northward land from our town." The names attached to this agreement are the same that are found in the division of the land, only with two additions, or two persons who did not finally become proprietors. The deed was dated the next day; and in the next October, a vote was passed in town meeting to request the General Assembly to annex the purchase to New Milford as a part of said town; but this was not done for some cause or other until in May, 1741, when it was accomplished through a memorial, and the energy of Mr. Samuel Canfield as the agent. Deed of the North Purchase. "To all Christian people to whom these presents shall come: William Whiting, Thomas Seymour, and James Ensigne, all of Hartford, Samuel Rockwell, and Samuel Allyn of Windsor, in the county of Hartford and Colony of Connecticut, committee and agents for said towns, send greeting:—that whereas the said towns did obtane a grant in the year 1686 from the governor and company of his majestie's English Colony of Connecticut for all the 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 Ousotanuck or Stratford River, and also have purchased all the lands contained within said bounds of the natives as will appear by their deeds on record, now know ye that we the said William Whiting, Thomas Seymour, and James Ensigne, committee agents for the town of Hartford, Samuel Rockwell, and Samuel Allyn, committee agents for the town of Windsor, in consideration of the sum of thirty pounds in hand paid or secured to be paid by Samuel Brownson, William Gaylor, and Stephen Noble, committee agents for the inhabitants of the town of New Milford, in the county of New Haven and Colony aforesaid, but especially for the benefit and encouragement of the said town; have remised, released, and forever quitclaimed and by these presents do fully, freely, and absolutely from themselves and in behalf of the rest of the inhabitants, proprietors of the towns of Hartford and Windsor aforesaid remise, release and forever quit-claim unto the said Samuel Brownson, William Gaylord, and Stephen Noble, committee agents as aforesaid for themselves and in behalf of their associates now inhabitants in the said town in such proportion as they shall hereafter agree in their full and peaceable possession and seizin, and to their heirs and assigns forever, all such right and estate, title, interest, and demand whatsoever, as the said towns of Hartford and Windsor had or ought to have, of, in or to, a certain tract of land situate and lying north of the bounds of New Milford aforesaid, and is butted and bounded as followeth, viz.: west on the Great River one mile and one half of a mile in breadth, from thence to run a parallel line with the north bounds of New Milford aforesaid unto the land sequestered for the use of Weraumaug, lying eastward of said Great River, butting north on the land belonging to the towns of Hartford and Windsor, east on the land set out to said Weraumaug, south on the bounds of the said town, and west on the Great River; to have and to hold the said tract of land with all the privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining, unto the said Samuel Brownson, William Gaylor, and Stephen Noble, committee, agents as aforesaid, for themselves and the rest of the inhabitants now dwelling in the town of New Milford aforesaid, to them, their heirs and assigns forever, so that we the said William Whiting, Thomas Seymour, James Ensigne, Samuel Rockwell, and Samuel Allyn, committee, agents as aforesaid, nor any of the inhabitants, proprietors of the towns of Hartford and Windsor aforesaid, nor their heirs, nor successors, nor any other person or persons, for them or in their names or stead, shall or will by any way or means hereafter have claim, challenge or demand, any estate title or interest of in or to the premises, or any part or parcel thereof; but they and every of them shall be utterly excluded and barred forever by these presents; and also the said Whiting, Seymour, Rockwell, and Allyn, committee as aforesaid, (1) the said parcel of land with the appurtenances, to the said Brownson, Gaylor, and Noble, committee, agents as aforesaid, and to the present inhabitants of the said New Milford, and to their proper use and behoof, in manner and form afore specified against the heirs and successors of the said towns of Hartford and Windsor aforesaid, and every of them shall warrant and defend forever by these presents, in witness whereof the said William Whiting, Thomas Seymour, James Ensigne, Samuel Rockwell, Samuel Allyn, committee's agents of aforesaid have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals the twenty-third day of June in the 8th year of the reign of King George, and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and twenty-two, 1722. Memorandum. It is to be understood that there is included in this deed one hundred acres lying upon West Asputuck River, for which we have signt a quit claim yesterday unto William Gaylor and is excepted in this deed. William Whiting, Thomas Seymour, James Ensigne, Samuel Rockwell, Samuel Allyn." (1) This deed is here deficient. This tract of land was not purchased by the town of New Milford, but by certain individuals associated together for this purpose; the number being sixty-four, and the name of each, with the number of the lot laid to him, may be seen in the following list: " 1 Benoni Stebbins, 2 Theophilus Baldwin, 3 Ebenezer Pickett, 4 William Gaylord, 5 John Weller, Jr., 6 James Prime, 7 Roger Brownson, Jr., 8 Samuel Prindle, Jr., 9 Zachariah Ferriss, 10 Nathan Bostwick, 11 Samuel Camp, 12 Ebenezer Baldwin, Jr., 13 John Bostwick, Sen., 14 Robert Bostwick, Jr., 15 Ebenezer Buck, 16 Thomas Brownson, 17 Samuel Brownson, 18 Stephen Noble, 19 Joseph Bostwick, Sen., 20 William Corns, 21 Paul Welch, 22 Benjamin Gaylord, 23 David Noble, 24 Joseph Buck, 25 John Hitchcock, 26 Enoch Buck, 27 Benjamin Bunnell, Sen., 28 Gamaliel Terrill, 29 Robert Bostwick, 30 Ebenezer Bostwick, 31 Mr. Nathan Terrill, 32 Daniel Boardman, 33 Jonathan Hitchcock, 34 Jonathan Noble5 35 Thomas Weller, 36 Lemuel Bostwick, 37 John Bostwick, 2d, 38 William Prime, 39 Samuel Adkins, 40 Joseph Bostwick, 2J, 41 Samuel Hitchcock, 42 John Welch, Sen., 43 John Bostwick, 3rd, 44 John Ferriss, 45 Samuel Prindle, 46 Obadiah Weller, 47 Abraham Bostwick, 48 Ebenezer Baldwin, Sen., 49 George Corns, 50 Jonathan Buck, 51 John Noble, 3d, 52 John Noble, 2d, 53 Roger Brownson, 54 Ebenezer Washborn, 55 Benjamin Bunnell, 2d, 56 Samuel Hitchcock, 2d, 57 Daniel Noble, 58 Benjamin Bostwick, 59 John Weller, Sen., 60 Nathaniel Bostwick, 61 Henry Garlick, 62 James Camp, 63 Thomas Picket, 64 John Welch, 2d. "These sixty-four lots, lying in that land called New Milford North Purchase, were laid out in Aprill Anno Dom. 1731, by Stephen Noble, Roger Brownson, William Gaylord, and John Welch, who were committee chosen by the proprietors to do the work of laying out .the said land." After the purchase was made and the deed received in 1722, but little was done in regard to it until it was surveyed four years afterwards, except the sale of a few Rights or shares by individuals. The record of the survey of this tract of land (not the laying of it into lots), is stated by the surveyor himself: "I the subscriber hereunto have, being assisted with chain bearers sworn according to law, surveyed and laid out the above land in manner as hereafter expressed, beginning at the northeast corner bounds of said New Milford township, and from thence run due north one mile and a half where we made a monument, it being a white oak tree marked with stones laid to it, and from thence we run a due west line, or a line parallel to the north line of said New Milford township to the Housatonack River; and then returning to the monument above mentioned and run due east till we came as we supposed to the line of Weramoags reserved land, in which line we have marked many trees and erected many monuments, the last being [a] white oak tree standing in said Weramaugs line being marked and stones laid to it; and from thence a strait line to the above said northeast corner bounds of said New Milford township. The above said work was completed August 1st, 1726, by me Edward Lewis, county surveyor." From this time until the laying out of the lots in 1731, quite a number of Rights or shares were sold, so that at the recording of the lay-out the original owner's name is given, and also in a number of cases the name of the one who then owned the Right, with a few exceptions, in which the later owner's name was not known. In May, 1731, application was made to the General Assembly for a "Patent," which was executed, bearing the date of May 29, 1731, and contained no descriptive explanations above those of the surveyor Edward Lewis except the statement, "esteemed to be about six miles and a half long, and one mile and a half wide." The method of dividing the territory of New Milford to its one hundred and nine owners—each one selecting the location of his division of ten, twenty or forty acres wherever he pleased in undivided land,—had proved so unsatisfactory, that the proprietors of the North Purchase resolved to avoid such confusion, and therefore determined to lay out each man's proportion in one piece, and proceeding upon the rule that "the lands should be sized, or an allowance made for rock and- hills, laid them into two tier of lots running east and west the whole length of the purchase, thirty-two lots in each tier." They previously laid the highways,—one highway near the middle of the purchase, running east and west between the two tiers as nearly as might be, one on the south side of the tract, one on the east end of the tract, and twelve others in various parts of the territory. The first one was ten rods wide, the others, nearly all of them, were four rods wide, running mostly north and south between the lots, or as nearly so as the hills and swamps would allow. Besides the vote "that each proprietor shall have his part in one entire piece," they voted that " the lots shall run but half way through the tract, or thus one lot on the north side and the other on the south side," but when they had finished the survey there was land left, and in 1747, they made a Second division giving each proprietor another lot. These latter lots consisted of pieces left, in all shapes and forms, at the first survey; and in a certain portion of the tract lying east of the first twenty-sixth lot there was arranged a tier of lots—the lots being twenty-two rods long and seven wide, the tier running north and south. In order that there should be no selecting of lots, and hence no complaint, they decided to draw lots, and in the execution of this method sixty-four numbers were placed in a hat or box, then a proprietor went to the box and took out a number, and that number was placed to his name on the proprietor's record where it now stands:—the first .name being Zachariah Ferriss, who drew lot number nine; John Ferriss, the next name, drew lot number forty-four. In this manner, probably, each secured the lot which was afterwards laid out to him. The committee began at the west end of the north tier, and went eastward to Wauramaug's Reservation and then back on the south tier. The east and west highways were laid very crooked, and would seem by the reading to have been almost useless, if they had been made as surveyed. It was in the surveying of this land in 1726, by the county surveyor, probably, that the party sat down by a stream to eat their dinner, and having the usual compliment of."fire water," became very merry; from which fact arose the local name "Merry all," which was afterwards divided into Upper and Lower Merryall. The deed to Benjamin Fairweather is introduced here in part, because of the number of peculiar historical statements in it, and because New Milford men were largely interested in it; for it under this deed that William Gaylord held the exempted land in the North Purchase. Benjamin Fairweather's Deed. "We, Weramaug of Oweantunuck and Nepato of Knunckpacooke, (2) Indian proprietors of the land that lies along Stratford Great River, northerly from New Milford; for and in consideration of the sum of twenty-nine pounds in money to us in hand paid by Benjamin Fairweather, . . . do sell a certain tract of land bounded . . . . beginning by the said River side over against which there is a brook comes into the river on the west side . . . . and it runs along the river beforesaid as the said river runs, the said breadth of one full mile from the River side for about five and twenty or thirty miles by estimation, till it extends so far as to comprise and take in the whole of mast swamp, so called, that lies on said river, being about two and a half miles beyond the deep brook that runs into said swamp, where at the mouth of a little river on the north side of a red-ash tree, there is a heap of stones and marked with the letters B. F. N. L. R. G. W., and runs something to the eastward of the north to the top of a great tree with stones laid to it, and marked with letters as before; the which tract of land together with the island that is in the river against the said mast swamp, bounded northerly and easterly with our own land, westerly on the Great River, and southerly with New Milford. June 19, 1716. Witnesses. William Gaylord, Stephen Noble, Jacob's mark, Tanhook's mark, Mauhehu's mark, Simon's mark, Jonathan Hall, Jonathan Stiles mark. WERAMAUG's mark. NEPATOE'S mark. (2) A locality on the river in Kent, or a little above. The deed of Cockshure is also given for historical reasons, as the last deed of the Indians to New Milford people. Cockshure’s Deed. "New Milford, April 4, 1739—Stephen Hawley's deed recorded. To all people to whom these presents shall come, greeting; know ye that I Cockshure, Indian of an Indian plantation within the township of Woodbury in the county of Fairfield and colony of Connecticut in New England; for, and in consideration of a valuable sum of money in hand received, do by these presents for myself and heirs, unto Stephen Hawley of Newtown in ye county aforesaid, and to the sole use and behoof of ye proprietors of New Milford in the county of New Haven, and colony aforesaid and to their successors forever, demise, release, and forever quit claim my claim, right, title, and interest in and unto a certain tract parcel of land within the township of New Milford aforesaid, being the whole of that plain intervale or River land be it more or less lying and -adjoining upon the east side of the Great River, so called and bounding northward upon ye brook called Wawwecous, soutwardly upon Woodbury line, and eastward upon the top of the mountain: To them and their successors ye above demised premises with all manner of its appurtenances as their own proper estate of inheritance in fee simple. To have, hold, occupy, and enjoy forever. In witness whereof I ye said Cockshure, Indian, do hereunto set my hand and affix my seal this 3ist day of July, A. D., 1733. COCKSHURE, Indian, his mark." The First Grand List which included New Milford. In May, 1725, the Assembly ordered "that the towns of Ash-ford, Hebron, Ridgefield, New Town, and New Milford, shall proceed to take and make a list of all the polls and rateable estate by their listers this present year, as other towns in this colony do." The town had been released from paying taxes for Colony expenses to this time, and as a consequence was allowed no Representatives in the Assembly. In accordance with the above vote the list was reported the next October, and in order to see how New Milford compared then with the other towns in the Colony the whole list is given. "A list of the several Towns of this Colony, sent into this Assembly. (9) £ s. d. Hartford, 24,784 1 6 New London, 17,563 1 0 Haddam West, 5,055 11 6 Norwalk, 15,412 0 7 Colchester, 10,618 2 0 Wethersfield, 19,364 0 0 Middletown, 17,704 5 3 Hebron, 5,231 4 0 Pomfret, 6,375 10 0 Windham, 8,012 0 6 Killingsworth, 6,868 9 9 Danbury, 7,271 0 0 Mansfield, 5,166 10 6 Waterbury, 3,812 6 0 Guilford, 19,921 0 1 Simsbury, 7,737 5 6 Lebanon, 12,404 2 0 Norwich, 22,018 0 6 Durham, 5,764 0 10 Windsor, 19,566 18 0 Wallingford, 16,853 16 3 Milford, 22,113 17 10 New Haven, 31,160 13 1 Fairfield, 27,937 1 1 Haddam. East, 8,596 2 1 Stratford, 22,207 1 2 Saybrook, 12,390 14 0 Stamford, 15,626 2 6 New Milford, 2,739 11 7 Groton, 12,577 6 10 Glassenbury, 6,056 6 0 Farmington, 15,827 15 9 Coventry, 4,578 1 6 Canterbury, 5,721 4 0 Branford, 13,565 15 0 Plainfield, 6,713 14 9 Killingly, 5,058 0 0 Greenfield, 10,189 10 0 Preston, 9,847 14 4 Derby, 5,310 11 0 Lyme, 12,264 10 10 Stonington, 14,914 17 11 Woodbury, 8,278 6 0 Add'n Guilford, 841 6 0 Fourfold ditto. 40 10 0 (9) Col. Rec., VI. 570 Prices of Grains. The prices of grains increased very much from the commencement of the town to 1760, instead of decreasing as more and more was raised. In December, 1715, it was voted that grains should pass for paying town charges as follows: Wheat, 4s. Rye, 2s. Sd. Indian Corn, 2s. Oats, 1s. 4d. Flax, per pound, 6d. In 1717 Wheat, 4s. 6d. Corn, 2s. 6d. Rye, 3s. Flax, 7d. Oats, per bush., 1s. 8d. Pork, per pound, 2 1/2 d. In 1725 Wheat, 7s. Rye, 4s. 8d. Corn, per bush., 3s. Sd. Oats, 2s. In 1732 Wheat, 8s. Rye, 5s. 6d. Corn, 6s. Pork, per bbl., £2 4s. In 1737 Wheat, 12s. Rye, 8s. Corn, 5s. Oats, per bush. 3s. Flax, per lb., 12d. In 1744 Wheat, 12s. Rye, 8s. Corn, 7s. Oats, per bush. 4s. Flax, per lb., 2s. Before 1760, wheat reached the high mark of twenty-two shillings per bushel. Ear Marks. "Marks for cattle and swine. John Weller, a hole in the right year (ear). William Gaylor, a hole in the Left year. John Noble, Sen., a hole in the Left eare and a cut in the bottom of the right ear. Danl. Boardman—his mark is a half-penny on the fore side of the neare eare. All entered Jan. 29, 1713-14. Mar. 31, 1719. John Griswold's ear mark for neat cattle, sheep, swine, and horses is a half-penny on the fore side of each ear." " Elnathan Botchford's ear'mark for neat cattle, sheep, and swine, is a half-penny on the under or hinder side of each ear one. Recorde May 21, 1728. "John Prindle's ear mark for neat cattle, sheep, swine, and horses, is a half-penny upon each side of the off or right ear. Recorded Jan. 20, 1728-9. "John Weller, Senr's. mark for geese is the hind toe of the off or right foot cut off. Recorded Dec. 14, 1728. "Joseph Waller's ear mark for neat cattle, sheep, and swine is a w or two swallow tails upon the top of the off or right ear. Recorded Sept. 30, 1730. "Nathan Terrill's ear mark for neat cattle, sheep, and swine, is a crop in the near or left ear, and two slits right down in the crop. Recorded Dec. 24, 1724." Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF THE TOWNS OF NEW MILFORD AND BRIDGEWATER, CONNECTICUT, 1703-1882, BY SAMUEL ORCUTT AUTHOR OF THE HISTORIES OF TORRINGTON, WOLCOTT, AND DERBY, AND THE INDIANS OF THE HOUSATONIC AND NAUGATUCK VALLEYS, CONNECTICUT. HARTFORD, CONN.: PRESS OF THE CASE, LOCKWOOD AND BRAINARD COMPANY. File at -- http://files.usgwarchives.net/ct/litchfield/history/1882/historyo/ameeting12gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ctfiles/ File size: 50.9 Kb