Читать книгу The History of Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut: From the Settlement of the Town in 1639 to 1818: Volume 2 - Elizabeth Hubbell Schenck - Страница 6

CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR

1710. At the Court of Election holden at Hartford, May 11th. Nathan Gold was chosen Deputy Governor, Peter Burr an Assistant, Captain John Wakeman and Colonel John Burr representatives from Fairfield to the General Assembly. Nathan Gold was appointed Judge of the Court of Probate of Fairfield, and Peter Burr Judge of Fairfield County Court.

Judge Peter Burr and Moses Dimon were appointed to take charge of the arms, etc., of the soldiers of the County of Fairfield on the late expedition to Wood Creek, and to sell and dispose of them to the best advantage for the colony.

Dr. James Laborie was granted three shillings and fourpence per day for his services at Wood Creek as doctor and surgeon.

A provision was made that the fund to be raised for securing the repayment of the public bills of credit should be paid either in bullion at the rate of eight shillings an ounce Troy, or in bills of public credit, and in no other manner. And that all taxes levied for the payment of the public debts should be collected and paid into the colony treasury before the last day of June, 1715.

A law was enacted against counterfeiting the bills of credit under a penalty of six months' imprisonment, and such other penalty and corporal punishment as the Assembly should see fit to inflict.

Peter Burr was made one of the treasury auditors at a court to be held in New Haven in October, to consider the debts of the colony and the value of the bills of credit remaining in the treasury.

It was made a law that the Council to assist the Governor, or in his absence the Deputy Governor, in the internals of the General Assembly, should consist of two assistants and four able, judicious freemen, to manage the public affairs; but not to send men out of the colony, nor to raise money unless in case of emergency.

The failure of the expedition against Canada by no means discouraged New York or the New England colonies. It was believed that if England would send out an armament of sufficient size to join the troops of the colonies and their Indian allies Canada would soon be taken from the French. Accordingly, Colonel Schuyler of New York, at his own private expense, sailed for England, and took with him five sachems of the Five Nations. The sachems were introduced to the Queen. They made an address to her, setting forth their disappointment and grief at the failure of the late expedition against Canada, and entreated her to. send out an armament to assist her Majesty's colonies in America to join them and her loyal Indian subjects to accomplish this most desirable undertaking, which, they represented, would not only bring peace to her subjects, but gladden the hearts of their tribes. Other efforts had been made to further this end, which proved to be for the subjection of Port Royal and Nova Scotia instead of Canada.

A letter from Queen Anne, requiring the assistance of her subjects in America on this expedition, led to a special Assembly convening at New Haven August 4th, which continued, after several adjournments, until August 11th.

Owing to the defenseless situation of the frontier towns of the colony, and the numbers of men required for their protection, as well as great loss of men in the late expedition, the Governor and Council could only agree to send three hundred men from Connecticut to join in the new enterprise.

It was also agreed to procure sailors, vessels, provisions, etc., towards furthering the expedition. Each train-band was required yearly, in September, to send in an exact account of the number of its officers and men to the major of each regiment, who should make a report of the same to the General Assembly the following October.

General Nicholson was put in command of this expedition. Colonel William Whiting was commissioned to command the Connecticut forces. Captain John Burr of Fairfield was chosen major, and Dr. James Laborie surgeon. Everything was immediately made ready, and on the 18th of September a fleet of thirty ships set sail from Nantasket for Port Royal. The officers and soldiers landed without opposition on the 24th; and on the 22nd of October the French commander, Monsieur Subercase, capitulated and surrendered the fort to Great Britain. After leaving a garrison to protect it under Colonel Vetch, who had been appointed Governor of the country, General Nicholson returned triumphantly home with the remainder of his forces. From this time this port received the name of Annapolis Royal.

The General Assembly met on the 12th of October, when Mr. James Bennet and Mr. Samuel Couch represented Fairfield. Mr. Samuel Couch was confirmed captain, Mr. John Osborn lieutenant and Mr. Benjamin Rumsey ensign of Green's Farms train-band.

Samuel Morehouse, Jr., of Stratfield, having embarked with Major John Burr from New Haven on the expedition against Port Royal, and by an accident in firing a gun lost his right hand, was granted ten pounds, and afterwards a yearly pension of five pounds.

The sum of seven shillings a week or one shilling a day was ordered to be paid to all private sentinels of the Port Royal expedition.

Bills of credit in sums of two shillings to five pounds, amounting to five thousand pounds, of the same tenor and date of June 8, 1709, were ordered to be printed, stamped and indented towards the payment of the public debts of the colony, " and accepted at an advance of twelve pence on the pound more."

A tax of five thousand two hundred and fifty pounds was ordered to be levied on all the poll and ratable estates of the towns in the colony and paid into the public treasury on or before August, 1718. to meet the payment of the outstanding bills of credit.

Mr. Samuel Couch, on behalf of himself and the inhabitants of the western farms of the town of Fairfield, petitioned the Assembly that they should have liberty granted them to provide and settle an orthodox minister among them; and also be freed from paying towards the maintenance of the minister of the first society of the town. This privilege was ordered to be granted in full, at the May session of the Assembly, provided the town of Fairfield was notified four days previously, so as to give them an opportunity to show cause why this application should not be granted.

he salary allowed Deputy Governor Nathan Gold was fifty pounds for the year.

Hon. Nathan Gold and Judge Peter Burr, with Joseph Curtis. Esq.. were appointed to apply to Governor Robert Hunter of New York to settle the boundary line between that province and Connecticut.

An act was passed at this time for the year ensuing that all ministers', town and school taxes should be paid in wheat, rye. Indian corn, pork and beef, according to their fixed valuation by the General Assembly.

The custom passed May 13, 1708, of collecting a tax laid upon all the churches in the colony with the town taxes for the support of the Congregational ministers was repealed.

At a meeting of the General Court. November 3^rd, at New London, Major John Rurr was allowed a bill of charges for the support of himself and twenty-eight of his company in the late expedition from Plymouth to Stonington.

In the month of May, Ensign John Mitchell of Woodbury, acting as attorney for the Indians in the sale of their lands for the town of New Fairfield, conveyed deeds through John Minor to the following gentlemen residing at Fairfield, viz.: Captain Nathan Gold, Mr. Peter Burr, Ensign John Reed, John Edwards, Jonathan Sturges, John Barlow, Gideon Allen, Samuel Wilson, Samuel Jennings, Captain John Wakeman, Moses Dimon and Lieutenant Joseph Wakeman. The price agreed upon for the purchase of this land was twenty pounds. This deed was recorded May 19, 1710.

1711. Encouraged by the success of the expedition against Port Royal and Nova Scotia, General Nicholson in June of this year made a voyage to England, with the hope of fitting out another expedition against Canada, in which all her Majesty's colonies in America should join. He was so successful in his appeal to the Crown that a fleet was immediately prepared to sail for Boston, there to be joined by the forces of the colonies.

The General Assembly and Court of Election met at Hartford May loth, and continued at intervals until the 31st of the month. Nathan Gold was again chosen Deputy Governor of the colony, Judge Peter Burr an Assistant and Major John Burr and Captain Joseph Wakeman representatives for Fairfield.

Captain Samuel Couch, on behalf of himself and the inhabitants of the West Farms of Fairfield, again presented their petition for liberty to settle an orthodox minister of the gospel among them. Major Peter Burr, Captain Joseph Wakeman and Major John Burr, in behalf of Fairfield, opposed the petition; but the General Assembly saw fit to grant it, and freed the western farmers from paying towards the support of the minister of Fairfield, and that "they should have full power; as if they were a distinct town, to order all affairs relating to the support of the ministry among them: & for leasing & improving any land or estate formerly given to the support of the ministry, or of the school in the said town of Fairfield . . . and that the lands which shall fall within the said parish of the West Farmers, & not belonging to any inhabitants within the parish, shall not be rated or assessed to any charges or duties arising within the said parish." Judge Joseph Curtis of Stratford, Joseph Platt and John Copp of Norwalk were appointed a committee to survey and lay out the lands of the said western parish, and make a report of the same to the next Assembly.

The long and distressing wars in the reign of Queen Anne, which made many sad hearts and desolate homes in Fairfield and throughout the colony, had brought about a train of social demoralization. The Governor and General Court resolved to elevate the tone of society by being more rigid in the maintenance of public schools; and, owing to a general neglect throughout Connecticut in payment of forty shillings upon every thousand pounds, allowed for the support of grammar schools, the Assembly ordered that this sum should be paid out of the colony treasury and by the treasurer in bills of credit, " two thirds that sum as money. "

A patent of six hundred acres of land was ordered to be confirmed to Fairfield, near Danbury, which had been previously granted in 1672, for the maintenance of a grammar school.

One hundred acres of this land had been previously granted to Mr. George Hull of Fairfield, which the Assembly took care to reserve to him. Particular mention is made of this land in the grant made to the Rev. Mr. Webb and the Rev. Samuel Wakeman, which included in all one thousand acres.

At the same time, upon the petition of Captain John Wakeman, two hundred acres of land, previously granted to the Rev. Samuel Wakeman, deceased, near Danbury, was confirmed to his heirs. An Indian deed of which was recorded at Fairfield October 25, 1710.

An Indian deed of one hundred and fifty acres of land to Dr. Isaac Hall, Jr., Francis and John Hall, sons of the late Dr. Isaac Hall, lying near this land was confirmed to them and recorded 22nd April. 1709.

Four thousand bills of credit were ordered forthwith to be printed, indented and stamped of the same tenor and date of June 8, 1709, and after being duly signed by the committee, to be delivered to the treasurer of the colony and used toward paying the public debts. A tax of four thousand five hundred pounds was levied on all polls and taxable estates within the colony, as a fund of security for the repayment of these bills of credit, to be paid into the colony treasury before the last of May in 1720.

Separate houses in each town were ordered to be set apart for smallpox and contagious diseases. The officers of the towns were authorized to provide a house, lodgings, nurses, attendants and other necessities for the accommodation of the sick. Ship officers and seamen were not allowed to land if any contagious disease existed on board their vessel, and if they landed " they were to be immediately sent on board again." Nor was any person from the port permitted to go on board. Nurses caring for any person suffering from a contagious disease were not allowed to expose themselves to others in health under a heavy fine.

Negro, mulatto or Spanish Indian slaves, who had been set at liberty by their owners in the colony, and who failed to support themselves, the former owners and their heirs were held responsible for their maintenance.

An act was passed for establishing Superior Courts and altering the time of holding County or Inferior Courts, by which one chief judge and four other judges, or any three of them, should hold court in each County town in the months of March and September of each year. This Court was ordered to be held for the County of Fairfield, at Fairfield, on the first Tuesdays of March and September. The Inferior Courts were ordered to be holden on the third Tuesday in April and the first Tuesday in November. The Governor, or in his absence the Deputy Governor, was made Chief Judge of the Superior Court. Judge Peter Burr, in the absence of the Governor or Deputy Governor, was made Chief Judge for the year. Commissions from the General Assembly were ordered to be given to each of the Superior Court Judges and Justices of the Peace, signed by the Governor and stamped with the seal of the colony.

Upon the receipt of a letter from General Nicholson that a fleet from England would soon reach Boston for the reduction of Canada, the Governor and Council of War met on the loth of June at New London to consider ways and means to assist in the undertaking. It was agreed that an immediate issue of six thousand pounds in bills of credit should be printed in advance of the meeting of the General Assembly, to fit out the Connecticut quota for the expedition.

A special General Assembly was convened at New London June 19^th, Judge Peter Burr, Major John Burr and Captain John Wakeman of Fairfield were present. A letter was addressed to Queen Anne, in which, after representing the danger and frequent murders which the colonists had suffered from the French and their Indian allies, they pledged themselves to do all in their power to carry out her will and requests in the new expedition against Canada. They thanked the Queen most graciously, for the clothing, arms and ammunition she had sent them for their quota, which had animated the soldiers to a just sense of their duty to her.

Three hundred and sixty men were ordered to be equipped and made ready to join the expedition, of which sixty of them were to be Indians placed under the command of. English officers. A suitable vessel to accompany the fleet was ordered to be made ready to carry supplies for our troops after they reached Canada, and to bring back the sick and wounded. Provisions for a four months' campaign were ordered to be made ready, part of which was to be sent by land by way of Albany and the remainder by the vessel which was to join the fleet. Two chaplains and three surgeons and physicians with suitable stores of medicines were ordered to go with the expedition. The troops were to be mustered as quickly as possible at New Haven and proceed to Albany.

A law was passed that deserters from the land or sea forces should be punished by a fine of twenty pounds, or six months' imprisonment.

The General Council of War having asked Governor Saltonstall to send a supply of beef and sheep, he at once forwarded to Colonel Hunter at Albany two hundred beeves and six hundred sheep. Ten ship carpenters were ordered to be sent to Albany to assist in making canoes and batteaux for the troops.

Dr. James Laborie, with Dr. Copp of Norwalk. were the only available surgeons to accompany the Connecticut troops, in consequence oi which they were allowed to select two suitable persons to assist them.

Troops and supplies were sent from Fairfield, and Captain Moses Dimon and John Blackman were paid forty shillings each for two drums fur the band.

Everything was made ready in about a month's time; and on the 30th of July a fleet of fifty men-of-war, fifteen of which were from England, forty transports and six storeships " set sail from Boston for Canada. There were on board five regiments from England & Flanders, & two regiments from Massachusetts, Rhode Island & New Hampshire. The fleet was commanded by Admiral Hovenden Walker, & the army by Brigadier General Hill."

On the same day that the fleet sailed General Nicholson set out on his march for Albany at the head of four thousand men. The Connecticut forces were commanded by Colonel William Whiting, those of New Jersey and New York by Colonels Schuyler and Ingoldsby.

Admiral Walker's fleet reached the mouth of the St. Lawrence on the 14th of August, and put into the bay of Gaspee to await the arrival of the transports. Here he remained until the 20th, when he set sail for Canada. On the 22nd his fleet encountered a severe storm, and they were enveloped in a dense fog. The pilots advised sailing southward, but the Admiral, without having proper soundings or a true knowledge of the coast, ordered them to sail northward. In consequence he soon afterwards found his ships among breakers on all sides. Eight or nine of the English transports were wrecked, and out of seventeen hundred English officers and soldiers eight hundred and eighty-five were lost. Admiral Walker and General Hill only saved themselves by anchoring their ships. Admiral Walker as soon as the storm abated sailed for Spanish River Bay. Eight days passed before the remainder of the fleet arrived, when a council of war was held, and it was decided that the undertaking should be given up, and that English ships should return to England. General Nicholson had only the alternative left to retrace his steps.

The failure of this expedition was a bitter disappointment to the colonists, upon whom the English officers laid all the blame of its miscarriage. They also blamed the French pilots, but they disclaimed all such charges, having early warned Admiral Walker of his danger. Learning of the fate of the fleet. General Nicholson returned with his army, as he deemed it at that time unsafe to cross the lake.

Fortunately not one of the colonial soldiers was lost, and only one small transport wrecked. But the failure of the expedition caused great alarm lest the French and their Indian allies should take advantage of the situation to harass and destroy the border settlements.

Meanwhile the Canadians, aware of the contemplated attack upon them, had made every possible preparation for resistance. Governor de Vaudreuille concentrated the full strength of his forces at Montreal and Lake Champlain. He encamped at Chambly with a force of three thousand men to resist the advance of the English and colonists.

The General Assembly met the 11th of October at New Haven. Deputy Governor Nathan Gold, Judge Peter Burr, as Assistant, and Mr. John Edwards and Mr. Samuel Hubbell as deputies were present from Fairfield. Judge Peter Burr was appointed to assist in auditing the treasury accounts.

The taxable estates at Fairfield, at this time, were valued at £16,881.

It was agreed that Connecticut should assist in sending thirty or forty men, and in paying towards maintaining garrisons in the Indian forts of the Five Nations on the Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts frontiers, and to secure the influence of the Five Nations to assist the English in any designs the enemy might make against them.

Judge Peter Burr and Dr. Copp of Norwalk were directed to lay out one hundred acres of land to the heirs of the late Major Gold, granted in 1687.

Several councils of war were held in the fall to induce England to assist in continuing a war against Canada, and to send the pilots who served on board the men-of-war in the late expedition to England, and there make a true representation of the disastrous failure they had sustained. The pilots were sent, but an utter indifference was shown to anything they represented, or that any further effort should be made towards taking Canada.

1712. At the annual meeting of the General Assembly, holden at Hartford May 8th, Nathan Gold was elected Deputy Governor, Major John Burr Assistant, who was also a representative with Captain John Wakeman from Fairfield.

Ensign John Wheeler was appointed a lieutenant and Sergeant Gideon Allen ensign of the Stratfield train-band of Fairfield.

The committee appointed to lay out the boundary lines of Green's Farms having fixed the necessary bounds, made a return of the same to the Assembly. It was further shown by a petition dated May 9th. and signed by Joseph Lockwood, Simon Couch, John Lockwood and Christopher Sturgis, that they had erected and paid for a school-house.

Three thousand pounds in bills of credit were ordered to be issued at the rate paid in 1711, "to pass out of the treasury at the advance of twelve pence on the pound more." A tax of three thousand three hundred pounds was levied on the polls and taxable estates of the colony to meet this demand, to be paid in or before the last day of May, 1720.

On the 28th of March, at a town meeting at Fairfield, it was voted, that Mr. John Meridith, the county surveyor, should renew the highways between the long lots as they were originally laid out. The building lots north of the mile of common were also ordered to be laid out.

Fairfield being the shire-town of the county, had several taverns and private places used for the accommodation of the assembling of the courts. It was also a seaport town. The following law was passed at this time for the well-being of all the towns in the colony. It was ordered that no inn or tavern keeper should entertain single person boarders or sojourners, or any young persons, or other inhabitant under the control of parents or masters, to meet together in their houses, or in the evening after the Sabbath, or public days of fast, or lecture days, under a penalty of fifty shillings cash.

The postmen who carried the mails from town to town complained of the small amount paid them. It was agreed by the Assembly " that they should be allowed from April to November for themselves & horses three pence a mile, & from November to April three pence half-penny a mile in money."

Judge Peter Burr was made one of the treasury auditors, and also Judge of the County Court, and Deputy Governor Nathan Gold Probate Judge of Fairfield.

Great care was taken at this time in regard to the good character, attainments and strict orthodox belief of the candidates of the Established Church of Connecticut. The General Association met at Fairfield on the 12th September, 1712, and agreed upon a series of rules for their examination.

Persons neglecting to attend the public worship of God, " as the law directs & obliges them," were to suffer the full penalty of the law.

The Assembly nominated and appointed Deputy Governor Nathan Gold Chief Judge of the Superior Court, and Judge Peter Burr one of his assistants.

It was agreed to sell at a public vendue, to be held at Fairfield Meeting-house in August, all strips of land and all public land lying between Danbury and Fairfield, reserving highways. Judges Nathan Gold and Peter Burr were appointed to make the sale. The proceeds of this sale were to be appropriated towards erecting a public-house or houses for the use of the Assembly and other courts. The purchasers of this land were to be given patents for it, provided they purchased the native Indian right.

All improved lands and home lots of three acres were valued at three pounds a lot; meadow lands, both salt and fresh at Fairfield, at ten shillings an acre and boggy land at seven shillings and sixpence per acre.

The General Assembly met at Hartford on the 9th of October. Illness prevented Deputy Governor Nathan Gold and Judge Peter Burr from being present. Captain Samuel Couch represented Fairfield.

It was decreed that every parish should have a school of its own, and that forty shillings on every thousand pounds should be paid out of the taxes of each parish towards its support; that the forty shillings on every thousand pounds for the maintenance of grammar schools in the county towns should be paid in money or bills of credit, and that the villages which should become offshoots of the county towns should receive forty shillings for school purposes.

For maintaining a rector and tutor of the Collegiate School at Saybrook one hundred pounds was allowed out of the colony treasury in money or in bills of credit.

1713. At a town meeting held at Fairfield in April: "The town granted to the first gospel minister that should settle at Maxumux or the west parish in Fairfield six acres of land in some convenient place within the parish. It was also voted that a house should be built for the accommodation of the minister of the west farms, two & forty foot long, twenty foot wide, two stories high, with a cellar under one end. two chamber chimneys. & to cover it with four & half shingles." An annual tax of sixpence on the pound was levied on the west farmers until the house should be paid for.

Several acres of land were granted the Rev. Mr. Webb on the northwest side of Mill Hill, which was afterwards exchanged for other land. Mr. Webb was also granted " the sum of ninety pounds in the current money of the colony, as his standing salary, in lieu of one hundred & two pounds formerly paid him in county pay." He was also granted fire wood.

Six acres of land was also granted to the Rev. Charles Chauncey of Stratfield, to be taken up within the limits of that parish, in some convenient place in the town commons. A committee was appointed to lay out these grants of land to the several ministers.

Joseph Perry was given permission to erect a grist mill near the place where the saw-mill stood.

At the meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford May 14th, Judge Nathan Gold was again elected Deputy Governor, Judge Peter Burr an Assistant and Captain Joseph Wakeman and Ensign Richard Hubbell representatives from Fairfield.

It was ordered that the Assembly should in the future meet in the fall at New Haven.

" For the Correcting & Restraining of Rogues & Vagabonds, & other Persons of Evil Name & Fame, for Rude & Profane Discourse — having proved a snare to youth, especially which tended to the detriment of religion & pernicious consequences," it was made a law that the jail of each county town should also be a house of correction; and that any delinquent should be lodged in jail until brought before a court, where, if proven guilty, " he should be chastised by a whipping on his naked back in the jail, & to be kept at such labor as he was capable of doing, provided such an offender should not suffer for one offence more than fifty stripes." The keepers of the jails were to be allowed their pay for caring for said offenders out of their estates or labor.

The sum of £20,000 was ordered by the Assembly to be remitted and delivered to the colony treasurer, and to be the sum paid out by him for the public debts of the colony from time to time, according to the order given him.

On account of counterfeiting the bills of credit, at a meeting of the Governor and Council held at New London, June 11th, Mr. Dummer of Boston, who had printed the bills, was ordered to reprint others, in the lower right-hand corner of each were to be, " on 2s. bills A Dove; 2s. 6d A Cock; 3s. A Squirrel; 5s. A Fox; 10s. colored green, A Lamb; 20s. in yellow, A Deer; 40s. in blue, A Horse; £5 in red, A Lyon; all dated May 1713." This new issue was in part to be exchanged for counterfeit and broken bills of credit.

At the General Assembly held in New Haven, October 8th, Deputy Governor Nathan Gold, Judge Peter Burr, Major John Burr and Captain Joseph Wakeman were present from Fairfield.

It was found necessary for protecting the financial welfare of the colony to lay a custom tax of five per cent, on all goods and liquors brought into the ports of the colony by persons of other colonies or places, and all such importers were to appear before the officers of each town, and after declaring the value of their goods or cargoes, to give bonds for the payment of said tax.

The Worshipful Peter Burr and Captain John Wakeman were commissioned to join with the Honorable Jonathan Law in running a division line between Connecticut and the Province of New York.

A reward of forty shillings was ordered to be paid to any person who should kill a grown wolf, a catamount or panther, and ten shillings for every young wolf.

It was announced to this Assembly that the Treaty of Peace of Utrecht had been signed on the 30th of March. A letter of congratulation was forthwith ordered by the Assembly to be sent to the Queen.

By this treaty the Bay and Straits of Hudson, the Island of St. Christopher, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland were surrendered by the French.

The restoration of peace between Great Britain and France was of great consequence to the American colonies. Connecticut had lost many of her soldiers and been at great expense to meet the demands of the Governors of Massachusetts and New York. In the attempts to take Canada, and in protecting her own frontier towns and those of New York and Massachusetts, she had shown a most liberal spirit.

At this time the planters of Connecticut were alarmed at a design on the part of ambitious Englishmen " to obtain a new modelling of the plantations, & to make alterations in the civil government." It was agreed after several meetings of the Governor and Council to invite a union of all the New England colonies, in an effort to preserve their chartered liberties.

Deputy Governor Nathan Gold was not able, from ill-health, to be present. Colonel Mathew Allen was sent in November to confer with him and with the Assistants at Fairfield as to the advisability of calling an immediate General Assembly. The reply was that they did not think it necessary. Nevertheless, it was agreed by the Council to send Jeremiah Dummer of Boston to England, as an agent in behalf of Connecticut, and to place in his hands one thousand pounds sterling for this purpose.

At a town meeting held in Fairfield December 28th, Captain Samuel Couch, John Lockwood and Ensign Benjamin Rumsey were appointed a committee to lay to the west parish ten acres of land granted to the first gospel minister within their precincts.

1714. On the 25th of March following, the town ordered that this grant should be laid out on Clapboard Hill in the west parish, lately purchased of the natives. In January of this year the Indians of the west farms gave a deed of Clapboard Hill to the town of Fairfield.

The committee appointed to renew the highways between the long lots made the following report in May of this year:

"A record of the places & bounds of the highways renewed by the committee, appointed by the town, viz.: Lieut. Cornelius Hull, Sergt. John Thompson, & Sergt. John Wakeman is as followeth, which highways are running up the Long Lots:

1st. One highway running up between the widow Wheeler's Long Lot & Stratford line, six rods in breadth be it more or less.

2nd. An highway running up between Richard Hubbell's Long Lot & Henry Jackson's, four rods in breadth be it more or less.

3rd. An highway between Samuel Morehouse & Robt. Turney's Long Lots, five rods in breadth be it more or less.

4th. An highway between Hendrick & Jos. Middlebrook Sen., long lots, four rods in breadth, be it more or less.

5th. An highway between Nathaniel Burr Sen. & Daniel Burr Sr. long lots, four rods in breadth, be it more or less.

6th. The mile of common bounded on the east with the long lots of Thomas Barlow's children, & on the west with the long lots of Jacob Grey, the front of the east line of the said mile of common, within about ten rod of Daniel Burr's fence at an heap of stone with a walnut spire in the midst, & an heap of stone at a black oak tree on the west side near a path.

7th. An highway between Obe'h Gilbert Sen. & Esbond Wakeman's long lot, four rods in breadth be it more or less.

8th. An highway between John Cabel, Sr., & Richard Osborn's long lot, six rods in breadth at the front, & at some distance from the front upward four rods in breadth.

9th. An highway between Francis Bradley & Nathaniel Finche's long lot, four rod in breadth be it more or less.

10th. An highway between John Sturges Sen., & John Cabel jun. long lots, four rods in breadth, be it more or less.

11th. An highway between Eleazer Smith & Robt. Rumsie's long lots, four rod in breadth, be it more or less.

12th. An highway running near the road beyond Maxumux which goes to Saugatuck, bounded on the east with the long lot of Simon Couch, & on the west with Norwalk line, the south east side hath at the front a great oak tree between the said Couch. & said highway with an heap of stones."

It was upon these long lots that the descendants of the first settlers took up valuable and lucrative farms. The highways were wonderfully straight for miles back into the centre of Redding.

At the gathering of the General Assembly at Hartford. May 13th, Deputy Governor Nathan Gold was present, Judge Peter Burr as an Assistant, and Captain Joseph Wakeman and Major John Burr as representatives from Fairfield.

Judge Peter Burr was chosen one of a committee to audit the colony accounts.

Major John Burr was commissioned captain and Dr. James Laborie of Stratford lieutenant of the Fairfield County troops.

For preserving the forests of the colony, which had been an extensive source of revenue to many in the way of barrels, pipes, hogsheads and staves sent to the West Indies, it was enacted:

" That all barrel staves sent out of the colony to Massachusetts Bay, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island & New Hampshire, should pay to the naval officers in each port where the said staves were shipped from, twenty shillings per thousand; & all hogsheads, or pipe staves, thirty shillings per thousand; and that all captains of vessels should give bonds for the payment of this custom, in default of which, their cargoes should be forfeited, one-half of the sale paid to the informer & one-half to the colony treasury."

It was ordered that no town officer in time of peace should be obliged to mount any guard or soldier on the Lord's Day, or on other days of public worship.

The General Assembly,

— "taking into their serious consideration the many evident tokens that the glory is departed from us, the providences of God are plainly telling us that our ways do not please him, & knowing the great obligations that we are under, not only for the suppressing of all profaneness & immorality that so greatly threatens the ruin of the land, but also to encourage piety & virtue, do pray the Honorable, the Governor, to recommend to the reverend elders of the General Association, that the state of religion be strictly inquired into in every parish throughout this government; & particularly how & whether catechising be duly attended, & whether there be a suitable number of Bibles in the various families in the respective parishes; & also if there be found in any of our parishes, any person that neglect attendance upon the public worship on Lord's days — to enquire what means hath been used with such persons to regain them to a compliance with their so necessary a duty, that thereby the worship of God be duly encouraged, observed & attended both in families & parishes; & likewise that there be a strict inquiry, which & what are the sins & evils th.it provoke the just Majesty of Heaven to walk contrary unto us in the ways of his providences, that thereby all possible means may be used for our healing & recovery from our degeneracy."

Mr. John Edwards was appointed and commissioned the naval or custom-house officer of the port of Fairfield. Deputy Governor Nathan Gold was made Judge of Probate, Peter Burr Judge of the County Courts and Major John Burr, James Bennet and John Edwards justices of the peace and Quorum of Fairfield County.

On account of a long drought, the first day of September was appointed " to be observed as a day of fasting & prayer throughout the colony."

At a meeting of the Governor and Council in New Haven, October 13th, a letter from Jeremiah Dummer, then acting as agent for Connecticut in England, was read, announcing the death, August 1^st, at White Hall, of her most gracious Majesty Queen Anne of happy memory, and that Prince George had been proclaimed king of Great Britain,. France and Ireland. The Council ordered:

That the death of the Queen should be solemnized by firing minute guns on the following afternoon at three o'clock; and that the accession of King George I. should be celebrated at noon by the assembling of the New Haven regiment, fully armed, before whom the proclamation of his accession should be read. Each soldier was allowed half a pound of powder, & also wine & biscuit to celebrate the occasion. To prevent disorders on so joyful an occasion, no bonfires or fireworks were allowed, "but instead of these, illuminations be used, as a much more honorable signal of joy."

At the meeting of the General Assembly in October, Deputy Governor Nathan Gold, Judge Peter Burr. Captain Joseph Wakeman and Major John Burr were present from Fairfield. The Assembly ordered that an address of congratulation should be forthwith prepared and sent to King George upon his accession to the throne of Great Britain.

The Bankside or west farmers of Fairfield were made happy by a decree that they should be allowed " to embody themselves into a church & state."

For upholding and supporting good schools in every town and village in the colony, it was enacted: " That the selectmen of each town should visit & inspect its schools quarterly, & inquire into the qualifications of the masters, their diligence in teaching, as well as the proficiency of the scholars, & to make a report of the same to the next Assembly."

Richard Whitney proposed to erect a grist mill, and Gershom Bulkley and Moses Ward a fulling mill on the Sasco River.

On the first of November the inhabitants of the west farms held a parish meeting, and by vote it was agreed that the Rev. Daniel Chapman should be installed as pastor of the church. One penny on the pound was levied in order to pay the expenses of his ordination and to put up the meeting-house for the occasion. His ordination did not take place until the next year.

A committee was appointed " to convey the first six acres of land to the Rev. Mr. Chapman of the West-farms, granted to the first gospel minister who should settle there."

The parish of Stratfield was deprived this year of its beloved and honored pastor, the Rev. Charles Chauncey, who died May 4th, leaving a widow and several children. His labors among the Stratfield people had been crowned with marked success. His church and house were situated near the old Pequonock burial ground.

It appears at one time that Mr. Chauncey owned what is now called Fairweather's Island, which he sold on the 24th of March, 1709, to Benjamin Fairweather of Stratfield for the sum of eight pounds and six shillings in money.

1713. In February Captain Joseph Wakeman. Major Peter Burr and Captain Samuel Couch were appointed trustees by the town for the school lands, and particularly for the six hundred acres granted by the (General Assembly to the town of Fairfield for the use of a grammar school.

At the meeting of the General Assembly held at Hartford. May 12^th, the Hon. Nathan Gold was elected Deputy Governor. Judge Peter Burr an Assistant and Captain Joseph Wakeman and Mr. Richard Hubbell representatives from Fairfield.

It was deemed necessary to make every possible effort to preserve the forests and to prevent hewing timber to be sent out of the colony.

Still more stringent laws " for the better regulating of taverns, & for preventing drunkenness & expense of precious time." Anyone found guilty of " drinking strong drink, viz.: rum, cyder, metheglin or brandy (or mixt drink made with any of them) in any tavern, or house of public entertainment in the town in which he or they belonged, should be fined ten shillings in money. The tavern keeper for every breach of this act was fined thirty shillings." All money arising from such transgressions of this law was to be paid, '' one half to the informer, & the other half towards the maintenance of the town poor." The constables and grand jurymen in each town were required to make diligent inquiry into any breach of this law.

Mr. John Osborn was confirmed captain, Jonathan Sturges lieutenant and Mr. Samuel Barlow ensign of the west end train-band of Fairfield. Mr. Thomas Nash was confirmed lieutenant and Mr. John Andrews ensign of the west parish train-band in Green's Farms.

Judge Peter Burr was made Judge of the County Courts and Deputy Governor Nathan Gold Judge of the Probate Court of Fairfield. The Hon. Nathan Gold and Judge Peter Burr were appointed Judges of the Superior Court, and Judge Gold was also made Chief Judge of the Superior Court. In case of his absence the five judges named in succession were to act for him.

In October the General Assembly met at New Haven, where Deputy Governor Nathan Gold, Judge Peter Burr, Captain Joseph Wakeman and Lieutenant Richard Hubbell were present.

The chartered liberties of the New England colonies were again endangered. There were parties in England who were strongly opposed to charter government, and who looked upon the New England colonies as too independent of the government of the mother country. A bill was therefore introduced into Parliament to repeal the charters which had been given to the colonists. Mr. Jeremiah Dummer of Boston used his utmost endeavors to show cause why this injustice should be allowed. Several years passed, however, before a favorable turn took place in the State of affairs by which the colonists felt more secure in their chartered privileges.

A remarkable law was passed at this time:

" That no vessel sailing past any town or parish lying on said river, where the public worship of God is maintained, or shall weigh anchor within two miles of said place, unless, to get nearer thereto on the Sabbath day, any time betwixt the morning light & the setting sun; the master of such vessel shall be liable to the like penalty, as if he had sailed out of a harbor, any former usage or custom to the contrary notwithstanding."

At the sitting of the General Court in October, answers were returned to the questions recommended in regard to the declension of religion in the colony, which were as follows:

" 1st. A want of Bibles in particular families.

2nd. Remissness & great neglect of attendance on the public worship of God upon Sabbath days & other seasons.

3rd. Catechizing being too much neglected in sundry places.

4th. Great deficiency in domestic or family government.

5th. Irregularity in commutative justice upon several accounts.

6th. Tale-bearing & defamation.

7th. Calumniating & contempt of authority & order, both civil & ecclesiastical.

8th. And intemperance; with several other things therein mentioned."

The General Council and representatives of the Court ordered:

"That all judges & justices of the peace in the respective counties in this Colony be diligent & strict in putting in execution all those laws & acts of this Assembly made for the suppressing & punishment of all or any of the aforesaid mentioned immoralities & irreligious practices, that thereby the good end proposed in such acts & laws may be attained.

"That the select-men, constables & grand jurors in the respective towns in the Colony, shall from time to time strictly observe the following directions:

"That the .select-men make diligent inquiry of all householders within their respective towns, how they are stored with Bibles; & upon such inquiry [if] any such householders be found, without one Bible at least, that the said select-men shall warn the said householders forthwith to procure one Bible at least, for the u.se & benefit of the said family, & if the same be neglected, then the said select-men shall make return thereof to the next authority; and that all those families, who are numerous, & whose circumstances will allow thereof, shall be supplied with a considerable number of Bibles, according to the number of persons in such families; & that they see that all such families be furnished with a suitable number of orthodox catechisms & other good bonks of practical godliness, viz.: such especially as treat on, encourage & duly prepare for the right attendance on that great duty of the Lord's Supper.

"That the constables and grand-jurymen in the respective towns in this Colony shall make diligent search after & presentment of all breaches of the following laws of the Colony:

" 1st. An Act entitled Children to be Educated.

" 2nd. The two last paragraphs of the law entitled Ecclesiastical.

" 3rd. The first paragraph of the law entitled, An Act for the better detecting & more effectual punishing of Profaneness & Immorality.

" 4th. An Act for the better observation & keeping the Lord's day.

" 5th. The law, title lying.

"6th. The Law against Profane Swearing.

"7th. An Act to prevent Unseasonable Meetings of young people in the Evening after the Sabbath Days & other times.

" And to the end that all breaches of the said law be duly put in prosecution:

"It is now resolved. That the constables & grand-jurymen in the respective towns shall, in the evening mentioned in the said law, walk the streets & search all places suspected for harboring or entertaining any people or persons assembling contrary to the said act.

" 8th. An Act for preventing Tipling & Drunkenness.

"9th. An Act for suppressing Unlicensed Houses, & due Regulating such as are, or shall be licensed, in the several paragraphs thereof.

" 10th. An Act suppressing certain Meetings in licensed houses. And this law shall be understood & extended to prohibit heads of families & all other persons, as well as young persons (strangers & travelers only excepted) under the same penalties in said law, as well as to tavern keepers as others, so convening.

" 11th. And that the several constables in the respective towns shall strictly observe & duly execute the several paragraphs of the law, title Constables, by making due presentment & information of all breaches of said law, & warning to all persons in their respective towns, who spend their time idly, or are tiplers & tavern-haunters.

" 12th. That the said constables & grandjurymen, in their respective precincts, shall take due care that the Lord's Day be sanctified, according to law, by inquiring after & making presentment of all such who shall profane the said day.

"And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid That this act, together with a proclamation enforcing it, be forthwith printed & published throughout this Colony; & that they shall be publicly read annually, in the several towns in this Colony, at the public meetings, for choice of town officers. And that the said meeting be careful in the choice of their said constables, & grandjurymen, that they choose men of known abilities, integrity & good resolution."

One of the growing evils of the times, by which murders, thefts, burglaries and other notorious crimes were committed, was by bringing into the colony slaves and Indian servants, on account of which a law was passed: " that any master of a ship or vessel, or any other person who should bring into the colony slaves to be left or sold, should give fifty pounds security for each slave to the naval officer of the port he had entered, to carry them away within a month's time."

The third Wednesday in November was appointed, " to be observed as a day of public thanksgiving to Almighty God," and the Governor was requested to draw up a proclamation of the same, to be sent to each town in the colony.

A proclamation was also ordered that the 11th of April should be strictly observed as a day of fasting and prayer throughout the colony,

1716. At a town meeting held January 11th Justice Gold, Major Peter Burr, Lieutenant James Bennet, Major John Burr, Captain Joseph Wakeman and Captain Samuel Couch were appointed a committee to take into consideration the best way to secure " to the original & ancient proprietors & their descendants, a more ample & better confirmation of the lands within the limits of the township; & to make a report of the same to the next General Assembly, that they might obtain a grant or patent of said lands."

The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 10th. The Hon. Nathan Gold was elected Deputy Governor, Judge Peter Burr an Assistant, Captain Joseph Wakeman and Lieutenant Richard Hubbell deputies from Fairfield.

Captain Joseph Wakeman was appointed one of a committee to thank the Rev. Mr. Anthony Stoddard for his election sermon, preached upon the opening of the Assembly, and to request a copy for publication.

A tax of £3,150 was ordered to be levied on the towns in the colony to meet the repayment of the bills of credit.

Hon. Nathan Gold was made Judge of Probate and Peter Burr Judge of the County Courts. Hon. Nathan Gold was also made Chief Judge of the Superior Court.

Matters of little interest to Fairfield occurred at the sitting of this court. The Assembly met again on the 11th of October at New Haven, when Fairfield was fully represented. Its taxable estates were shown to be valued at £18,443 5s. 8d.

The Parish Record of Green's Farms gives a very interesting account of the events which took place in the history of that parish at this time.

On the second page of the first volume of the Green's Farm's Parish' Records is to be found the following entry:

"Oct. 26. Anno Dom.: 1715 — A Church of Christ was then gathered & embodied at Fairfield West Parish, & ye Rev. Daniel Chapman ordained their pastor. Ye Rev. Mr. Davenport gave ye charge, he with the Rev. Mr. Webb, Mr. Shove, Mr. Cuttler & Mr. Hawly imposing hands; ye Rev. Mr. Cuttler gave ye right hand of fellowship to ye pastor, & Mr. Hawley to ye church.

The Original Covenant:

" We do in the humble sense of our deep unworthiness of an acknowledgement in ye covenant of divine grace, & also of our inability unto the performance of ye duties of ye holy covenant, through the strength & grace of Christ alone, heartily & sincerely engage & promise in ye presence of God & his people, denying all ungodliness & worldly lusts, to live soberly, righteously & godly in this present world, solemnly devoting ourselves & our seed unto ye Lord to be his people, avouching Almighty God for our God & portion, avouching the son Jesus Christ for our only Prophet & Teacher, & for our only Priest & Propitiation, & for our only King, Lord, & law-giver; avouching ye Holy Ghost for our Sanctifier, professing our subjection unto ye gospel of Christ; & yet we will walk together in a conscionable attendance upon all the ordinancy of ye Gospel, & in a member-like Communion helpfulness & watchfulness unto Christ.

Signed, Daniel Chapman, Joseph Lockwood, Jonathan Squire, Joshua Jennings, Henry Grey, Samuel Couch, John Andrews, Thomas Nash."

It appears that this record and covenant were found among the posthumous papers of the Rev. Mr. Chapman, and entered upon the book of church records July 7, 1742.

From the seven names under this interesting covenant, it would appear that the society of the West Farms was formed very much upon the same basis as the societies of Massachusetts and New Haven, viz.: by choosing seven men of good repute, whom they called the seven pillars, which idea appears to have been based upon the scriptural passage, " Wisdom hath builded her an house, she hath hewn out seven pillars." These men were elected officers of the church upon their receiving the covenant, as it was called, when they were joined by others of the congregation in like manner. This act of receiving the covenant was the first step taken towards forming an ecclesiastical society. Thomas Nash, a great grandson of Thomas Nash, one of the first settlers at New Haven, was chosen the first deacon.

The Rev. Mr. Chapman was given a salary of £70 a year.

1717. At the meeting of the General Assembly at Hartford, May 9th, the Hon. Nathan Gold was again chosen Deputy Governor, Judge Peter Burr an Assistant, Major John Burr and Captain Joseph Wakeman representatives from Fairfield.

Major John Burr was made one of a committee to thank the Rev. Timothy Cuttler of Stratford for the great pains he had taken in an election sermon, preached upon the opening of the Assembly, and to ask for a copy for publication.

Mr. Benjamin Fairweather was appointed a cornet player and Mr., John Taylor quartermaster for the Fairfield County troops.

It was made a law that every society, or parish, consisting of seventy families in the colony should keep a school eleven months in the year, and where there were fewer families not less than half the year.

Major Gold was appointed Chief Judge of the Superior Courts and Judge Peter Burr Judge of the Fairfield County Courts.

Difficulties and perplexities having arisen on account of persons purchasing and obtaining Indian titles to lands without the consent of the Assembly, it was enacted: " That all lands in this government are holden of the King of Great Britain as the lord of the fee," and, therefore, that no valid deed could be given from the Indians, on pretense of their being native proprietors, without the consent of the General Assembly.

The Judges of the Superior Court were allowed £150 salary for the year.

At the fall session of the Assembly, held at New Haven, October loth, the following law was passed:

" That all non-residents, who came to trade in the colony, should pay a custom duty of 12s. 6 d. on every hundred pounds worth of goods, & so proportionably, for all greater or lesser quantities. And that every hawker, peddler, petty chapman, or other trading person, going from town to town, either on foot or with a horse or horses, carrying wares or merchandize for sale, should appear & declare the value of his goods before some assistant or Justice of the Peace of the town he entered & pay the sum of 20s. for every hundred pounds worth of goods, one-fifth of said tax to be paid to the Assistant or Justice of the Peace & the remainder to the colony treasury.

It was also made a law that all stray horses, cattle, or swine should be impounded, & cried for twenty days by the constable of that town, and the next two neighboring towns, " with the age and colour of said horse or creature & all his marks natural or artificial." If no owner could be found, then the stray animal was to be sold at a public auction.

An act was passed: that in case a husband or wife went away, & remained beyond the seas over seven years, so that there was every reason to believe that the absent party was dead, a second marriage was adjudged lawful. Or in case a husband or wife sailed for some foreign port, & neither the ship or the party who had sailed in it was heard from within three years, so that there was every reason to believe said party was dead, then the living wife or husband should be esteemed single. & be able to lawfully marry again; upon consent of the Superior Courts.

At the same time a resolution was offered in regard to evangelizing the Indians, which was referred to the next October court. In the meantime the Governor and Council were desired to consider and draw up what they judged most proper and effectual to that end.

In October the Governor and Council, having laid before the Assembly several measures for bringing the Indians in the colony to the knowledge of the gospel, which they represented was the avowed design of those who had obtained the Connecticut patent, they proceeded to pass laws for the furtherance of this project. It was ordered:

" That care should be taken annually, by the officers of each town, to convene the Indian inhabitants & to acquaint them with the laws of the government for punishing such immoralities as they shall be guilty of;" & make them sensible, "that no exemption from the penalties of such laws lies for them any more than for others of his Majestie's subjects."

It was also made a law that any person found guilty of selling strong drink to an Indian, " either by the testimony of one person, with other strong circumstances, or by the accusation of any Indian," should pay the penalty of twenty shillings. In case the convicted person should appeal to the County Court & judgment be pronounced against him, he was then to pay the sum of forty shillings, the money to be divided equally between the informer — whether an Englishman or an Indian, & the county treasury."

As idleness was accounted " a great obstruction to the Indians receiving the gospel truth," it was thought that they might " be brought off from their pagan manner of living " if they were encouraged to make settlements in villages after the English fashion. It was, therefore, resolved:

" That measures shall be used to form villages of the natives, wherein their several families should have suitable portions of land appropriated to them, so that the said portions should descend from the father to his children, & the more to encourage them to apply themselves to husbandry & good diligence therein to their support." The Judges of the Superior Court, or any two of them, were appointed to view the said tracts of lands, visit the Indians living on them, take account of the number of their families and persons, of the quantity and quality of said lands, with other circumstances thereof, in respect of any claims made thereto, or possession held thereon, and lay a plan of the same before the General Court for their further direction; " & that they may be the better enabled to proceed in forming a village of the said Indians there, & bring them to such civil order, cohabitation & industry, as may facilitate the setting up of the gospel ministry among them, & that they view & make report of all the land formerly sequestered to said Indians."

At a meeting of the Governor and Council at New London, December 14th, Deputy Governor Nathan Gold of Fairfield was one of the Judges of the Superior Court appointed to this service.

It was found necessary at this time to erect suitable court-houses in the county tow-ns of Hartford, New Haven, New London and Fairfield. It was, therefore, enacted that a quantity of ungranted land in the colony should be sold for this purpose, out of the proceeds of which £300 should be granted to erect a court-house at Fairfield. Fifty pounds was allowed for furnishing it. Two hundred pounds was also allowed to he divided among the schools of the towns.

At a town meeting held " December 13, Moses Dimon, Jacob Sterling, Luke Cuire & Nathaniel Lyon were given liberty to erect a saw mill on the Aspetuck river in the mile of common, & to raise ye dam so high, as they shall think needful, for the improvement of said mill."

1718. About this time a very interesting and valuable acquisition to the society of Fairfield was gained in the person of Dr. James Laborie. He settled at Stratford about 1703. For his usefulness as a surgeon of the Connecticut troops in her Majesty's service at Wood Creek, in May of 1710, he was granted by the General Assembly three shillings and four pence per day. He was appointed, with Dr. Samuel Mather, surgeon of the Connecticut troops against Port Royal in August of 1710. In March of 1711 the General Council at Hartford ordered that he should be paid forty shillings for his good services as chaplain on board the transport " Brigantine Mary," in the expedition against Port Royal. In the following August he was granted ten pounds a month in money by the General Assembly for his services in the expedition against Canada. He was also allowed " a suit of regimental clothes gratis," and one month's pay in advance. His medical diploma, dated London, 1697, which was recorded by the Clerk of the Fairfield County Court in 1713, is written in Latin, and represents him to have been the son of a celebrated physician of France. The same year the town of Stratford granted him liberty " to build a pew " in the Congregational meeting-house, where Mr. Blacklatch, a churchman of Stratford, had a pew. He left Stratford and came to reside in Fairfield in 1718. The same year he purchased of " Mr. Isaac Jennings the stone house on the rocks," which. in a letter to the Secretary of the Church of England, he says " he had destined to the service of the Church of England." On the town records we find the following vote: " Dec. 16. 1718. The town grants unto Dr. Labarree ye ups of what land he enfenced adjoining to his orchard in Fairfield during ye town's pleasure."

No sooner had Dr. Laborie settled at Fairfield than he began the labor of Christianizing the Indians in this region. He also gathered such persons as favored the Church of England at his house on the Sabbath, and with them used the services of the Church. In this work, however, he was soon silenced by Lieutenant-Governor Nathan Gold, who used him not over tenderly; but he patiently abided his time, as will be shown hereafter.

The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 8th. The Hon. Nathan Gold was elected Deputy Governor, Judge Peter Burr an Assistant, and Captain Joseph Wakeman and Lieutenant John Edwards representatives from Fairfield. Justice Nathan Gold was made Chief Judge of the Superior Court. Judge Peter Burr was chosen one of the auditors for the colony treasury and Judge of the Fairfield County Courts.

At the October Assembly, held in New Haven, Fairfield was fully represented in both houses. " In consideration of the good services of the late Captain Nathaniel Seeley, formerly of Fairfield, who lost his life in the service of the country," the Assembly granted his heirs two hundred acres of land, to be taken up in the ungranted land in the counties of Fairfield or New Haven.

Mr. John Taylor was confirmed lieutenant of the cavalry troops, and Mr. Gershom Bulkley quartermaster for Fairfield County.

Judge Peter Burr having been appointed one of four to burn £792 ys sd. of the old bills of credit, a report was made that they had " burned & utterly destroyed them."

At a Council held at New Haven, October 27th, a petition was presented from the proprietors of the salt meadows of Pine Creek, above the new dam, and of the low meadows adjoining, called Wolf Swamp, and Reed's pond in Fairfield, that commissioners be appointed for draining said meadows, which was granted.

Judge Burr was by the General Council made one of a committee to settle the division line between New York and Connecticut.

Yale College having become the central educational institution of all the towns in the Connecticut colony, and having from its foundation been largely supported by Fairfield, a more particular mention of this institution has been interwoven with the educational interests of our town than might otherwise be deemed justifiable. The Rev. Joseph Webb was not only one of its founders, but one of its most active trustees during a period of nearly thirty years. He made long journeys on horseback to Saybrook, Wethersfield, Hartford and New Haven, in order to meet with the other trustees and advise with them for the welfare of the college.

Lieutenant Governor Nathan Gold, Judge Peter Burr, Major John Burr and Captain John Wakeman, with many other leading Fairfielders, were appointed to important trusts connected with the affairs of the college.

At the opening of the General Assembly in Maj, 1716, the Rev. Timothy Woodbridge, Mr. Thomas Buckingham & other trustees placed before them the languishing condition of the College at Saybrook, & petitioned that a committee be appointed to examine into the circumstances of this unhappy state of the college. It was represented that, as Hartford was situated more in the center of the Colony & surrounded with many flourishing towns, which would undoubtedly send a large number of students, the college should be located there instead of at Saybrook. It was also thought that if it was located at Hartford quite a number of people from Massachusetts would send their sons there to be educated; & that some six or seven hundred pounds had already been subscribed, with good reason to expect other considerable donations, which would make up a thousand pounds more.

1719. " It appears that the causes attributed to the languishing condition of the Collegiate School, were not only a want of funds to carry on the institution, but a general dissatisfaction with its location at Saybrook. Many of the students were obliged to board a mile or more from the college, while those who lived near Hartford & Wethersfield, said that it was a hardship for them to be obliged to reside at Saybrook, when they could as well or better be instructed nearer home." In April of 1717, by a vote of six of the trustees, the college was removed to New Haven. Owing to the dissatisfaction of some of the trustees to this movement, an appeal was made to the General Assembly the following October, when, " A question being put whether under the present circumstances of the affairs of the Collegiate School, the reverend trustees be advised to proceed in that affair & finish the house they have built in New Haven for the entertainment of their scholars belonging to the collegiate school." It was voted " that the work should continue."

From a marginal note in the Connecticut Colonial Records the following important facts of what took place at that time in regard to the Collegiate School is to be gathered in reference to the above note:

" This passed the Lower House in the affirmative by 36 voices. Two days previously the representatives had resolved to .settle the college at Middletown by a vote of 35 for that place, & 32 for New Haven. At the session of May, 1717, they had voted that it might be most for the public good & the health of the collegiate school, to have it settled in some place at or near the Connecticut river. In May, 1718, the House considering the great dissatisfaction of the country in general, do conclude that in order to [the college) flourishing & having the support of this government, it must be settled somewhere near the Connecticut river, and that for the present & until it be so settled, the hundred pounds granted to the tutors for the year 1716, shall be divided between the tutors at Wethersfield, Saybrook & New Haven, according to the proportion of scholars under their tuition; & that it may be recommended to the reverend trustees, that the commencement be interchangeably one year at Wethersfield, & one year at New Haven till it be further settled to the satisfaction of this Assembly." "This was passed by 35 voices against 21."

In 1718 the General Assembly ordered the students to repair to New Haven; but there appears to have been a considerable opposition to this order on the part of some of the students, who had placed themselves under the tuition of Mr. Elisha Williams of Wethersfield. The conciliatory acts of the legislature, however, united with the wisdom and prudence of Mr. Webb and some others of the trustees, overcame much of the opposition. The building of the college now rapidly progressed, and the hall and library were finished by commencement time. " The building was 170 feet in length & 22 feet in breadth. It was three stories in height, with a convenient & spacious hall, a library, about fifty studies in large chambers, & a kitchen." It was altogether a very fine and elegant building for those days. Mr. Henry Caner of Stratford was the builder of the college, and its cost was about one thousand pounds sterling.

Only a few days before Commencement, to the great delight of the rector, tutors and students, there arrived at Boston, from England, '' a large box of books, the picture & arms of King George, & two hundred pounds sterling worth of English goods, all to the value of eight hundred pounds in our money, from Governor Yale of London."

Governor Saltonstall and his lady, the Hon. Colonel Taylor of Boston, Mr. Joseph Webb, Lieutenant-Governor Nathan Gold, Judge Peter Burr, Major John Burr, Richard Hubbell, Esq., and the whole Superior Court were present at the Commencement, which took place September 10, 1718, when, in the presence of all assembled in the new hall upon this happy occasion, the Collegiate School was named Yale College, to perpetuate the memory of its liberal and bountiful donor, Governor Elihu Yale. Colonel Taylor represented Governor Yale in an appropriate speech, after which the audience proceeded to the church, where the Commencement exercises took place. " In which office, in the first place, after prayer an oration was had by the saluting orator, James Pierpont, & then the disputations follow as usual; which concluded, the Rev. Mr. Davenport (one of the trustees & ministers of Stamford) offered an excellent oration in Latin, expressing their thanks to Almighty God & Mr. Yale under Him, for so public a favor, & so great regard to our languishing school. After which were graduated ten young men; whereupon the Hon. Gov. Saltonstall, in a Latin speech, congratulated the Trustees on their success & in the comfortable appearance of things with relation to their school. All which ended, the gentlemen returned to the College Hall, where they were entertained with a splendid dinner. & the ladies, at the same time were also entertained in the Library; after which they sang the four first verses in the 65th Psalm. & so the day ended."

Strange to relate, the disaffected trustees and students at the same time held a Commencement at Wethersfield, upon which occasion Mr. Woodbridge and Mr. Buckingham gave degrees to those whom they graduated.

Party feeling ran high for some time about having the college at New Haven, which was eventually happily settled. The Rev. Mr. Timothy Cutler was chosen rector of the college. Several grants of land were made by the Assembly to be sold for its benefit, and there was every prospect of its becoming a flourishing institution.

The General Assembly met at Hartford, May 14th. Hon Nathan Gold was elected Deputy Governor, Judge Peter Burr an Assistant, and Major John Burr and Captain Joseph Wakeman representatives from Fairfield.

A law was passed entitled, " An act for the better Ordering of Idle & Poor Persons in the towns of the colony," by which all such persons were placed under the care of the selectmen of each town and their estates improved for their benefit and their families. No one in health was allowed to be idle.

Taxes having been levied from time to time for the repayment of the bills of credit issued in May and June, 1711, and October of 1713. as they should be drawn in, a further tax was levied of twopence on all taxable estates in the colony.

Judge Peter Burr was made one of a committee to examine the returned bills of credit and to burn such as were of no value.

A further act for issuing bills of credit was passed. Mr. Timothy Green of New London was instructed to procure the best paper from Boston to print them on. It was also resolved that the engraved plates, then in the possession of William Dummer, Esq.. son of Jeremiah Dummer, deceased, in whose care they had been left, should be safely conveyed to New London for the use of the government. Mr. Timothy Green was placed under oath for the faithful discharge of printing the new bills of credit for the colony.

The Hon, Nathan Gold was appointed Chief Judge of the Superior Court and Judge of the Fairfield County Court, Judge Peter Burr of the County Courts, and Mr. Richard Osborn was made a Justice of the Peace for Fairfield County.

A committee was appointed by the town of Fairfield to renew the bounds of the parsonage lands within the township.

The Rev. Samuel Cook, having been chosen to succeed the late Rev. Charles Chauncey of Stratfield, the town granted him, " for his encouragement in the ministry, the whole right of the herbage of Golden Hill, both meadow & upland, during the town's pleasure. "

A long and vexed question — since 1709 — in regard to land and islands at Maxumus on Green's Farms, was settled at this time by Joseph Bishop of Stamford, David Sherman of Stratfield and Edmund Lewis of Stratford, with the Couch claimants, by which the Couches gained meadow lands. " & all the islands of marsh in Compo Creek," dated September 17, 1719.

The General Assembly met at New Haven October 8th, when Fairfield was fully represented.

The election sermon preached before the Assembly by Rev. Timothy Cutler, Rector of Yale College, from the 92nd Psalm, verse 5th, " his thoughts being very deep," was ordered to be printed.

The taxable estates at Fairfield were valued at £21,084 2s. 0d.

Wednesday, April 13, of 1720, was appointed a public fast day throughout the colony.