The Standard's history of Bridgeport

Front matter

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Preface

■npHE compiler of this liistoric paper lias been painfully aware of the limitations in time and space ■^ under which he has labored, and as the work has unfolded itself before him the wish for months in place of weeks, and chapters where only pages were possible has been an ever present one. But if he has succeeded in putting into presentable shape the outlines of the history of Bridgeport, and of indicating where lies the most available material for the writer of the future history, and if he has given also some savor of the quality of that material, he has not entirely failed. Every one who does honest work on a local history, no matter how restricted his scope, helps a good cause, and makes easier the labor of those who follow him, and though this step may not be so long as some others have taken, it is hoped that it is, at least, in the right direction. The writer acknowledges his indebtedness to the historical notes of Major Wm. B. Hincks, to the papers of the late R. B. Lace}-, Esq., to Orcutt's History of Bridgeport and Stratford, and, more particularly, to the historic records of Mr. Franklin Sherwood. G. C. W., 1897.

THE STANDARD ASSOCIATION, Britlgeport, Conn., 1897

Illustrations by

HOPKINS &. BLAVT.

no Fifth Ave..N.Y.

Chapter I I

The Indian Owners of the Soil and Their Dispossession by the Whites. — The Golden Hill Reservation. — The Stratfield Parish. — The Xew Society and the Meeting Houses. — The Growth Toward the Water.— New Field Ferry and Lottery Bridge.

CHAPTER n 7

An Episcopal Church Formed. — The Old St. John's, — The Revolution and the War of 1S12. — Scenes and Incidents in each. — The Visits of Washington to Nichols' Tavern.— The British Fleet Stirs up the People. — La Fayette's Visit to Bridgeport.

Chapter III II

The Borough of Bridgeport. —Mr. Backus Claims the Charter as his Work. — The Name Decided by the Bridge and Port. — Some of the Early Business Firms. — A Town in 1S21. — A City in 1S36. — The Growth of Population.

Chapter IV 15

Church and State.— The Progress of the Old First Church.— Its Removal from Stratfield to "The Port."— Its History that of the Town up to the Constitution of 1818.— What the Disestablishment Meant.— The Bi-centennial of the Church. — Interesting Ceremonies and Events. — The Second or South Church.

Chapter V 18

The Presbyterian Church.— Its Foundation and Progress. — The Methodist Church and its Establishment in Bridgeport. — Beginning and Growth of the Baptist Church. — The Churches of Bridgeport's Early History.

Chapter VI 23

The Churches of To-Day. — Christ Episcopal, Trinity and St. Paul's. — The Universalist Church. — The Congregational, Methodist, Baptist and Catholic Churches. — A View of All.

CHAPTER VII 2y

Fire Department, Fires, Etc. — The First Fire Engine Marks an Epoch. — Some Old Fires.— The Men of the Old Time Fire Companies. — The (ireat Fire of 1S45. — A Personal Narrative. — The Department of To-Day. — Notes on the Old Fire Houses, Hats and Some Other Things.

Chapter VIII 36

The Great Turnpike Interest. — How the Turnpikes Fed Bridgeport. — They Oppose the Railroad Projects. — The Housatonic R. R. Chartered and Built.— The City Credit Involved and the Trouble Over It. — The Debt Acknowledged and Provided for. — Queer Legal Performances. — The Naugatuck R. R. Built.

Chapter IX . . 40

The New York and New Haven Road. — R. B. Mason's Predictions. — What the Road is To-Day. — Street Railroads — The Eflfect of Railroads on Bridgeport's Growth. — Some of the Most Important of her Industries.

Chapter X 45

Board of Trade. Etc. — The Influence of the Board of Trade. — Its Good Work. — The Harbor and Harbor Improvements. — Harbor Lights. — Breakwaters, Channels, Etc. — The Commerce of the Place. — The Oyster Industry. — Steamboats Old and New.

Chapter XI 50

The Street Lights of Bridgeport.— Old and New. — Some Contrasts. — The Water Supply of the City. — The Bridges that Have Been Built.

Chapter XII 56

The City Government. — Changes in the City Charter. — List of Mayors.— Present Make-Up of the City Government.--Boards and Commissions. — Representatives. — Senators. — County Officers. — City Court. — City Attorney. — Police Department.

Chapter XIII 61

The Bar of Bridgeport. — Legal Lights of the Past. — The Court House Comes to the City. — The Old and New Buildings. — The Medical Profession. — State and County Associations. — The Hospital. — Newspapers Past and Present.

Chapter XIV 66

The Parks of Bridgeport. — The Public Green.— Washington Park. — Seaside Park, its Inception, Development and Cost. — Beardsley Park a Splendid Gift. — Other Parks About the City. — Notes in Connection with the Parks.

^,i THE "STANDARDS" HISTORY OF BRIDGEPORT.

QpJ^pflVK XV '^

The Banks of Bridgeport.— Bridgeport's Sound Financial Institutions— Her Historic Banks and Her Well- Known Bankers.— Postmasters of the Past.— Custom House and Collectors.-The New Federal Building.

Chapter XVI ;,, • '9

The Public Schools of Bridgeport.— Before and After Consolidation.— Her Modern School Buildings.— 1 he Free Public Library.— The Gift of a Noble Woman.— Its History and Present Condition.

Chapter XVII ^5

Bridgeport During the War 1861-65.— Her Sentiments Solid and Her Soldiers Ready.— Her Early Enlistments.— Elias Howe, Jr., a Private in the Ranks.— The Ladies' Aid Societies Numerous and Effective.— The G. A. R. and Other Veteran Organizations.— The C. N. G.— Bridgeport's Share of the 4th Regiment.

Chapter XVIII 90

The Barnum Institute.— Historical and Scientific Societies.— The Seaside Institute.— Young Men's Christian Association, Boys' Club, Orphan Asylum.— Associated and Other Chanties, Public Charities. — Cemeteries.

Chapter XIX 95

Social Clubs and Fraternal Organizations.— The " Old Eclectic."— The Seaside.— The Roof Tree and the Algonquin Clubs.— The Masonic Order.— The Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Others.— Bridgeport's Amusements and Theatres in the Past.— Some Memorable Events.— The Beginning of Electrical Uses.

CHAPTER XX loi

The Standard.

General Biography.

CHAPTER XXIV 188 Manufacturing and Commercial Industries

Genbral Illustrations.

Incle>c to Portrait Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Etc.

Across the River, East Bridgeport, iSyn 43

American Graphophone Co., The igg

Americus Hose, No. 6 31

Armstrong Mfg. Co., The 194

Armory, The ■ 88

Armory, The, Main Street Entrance 89

Barnum Alcove, Historical Society Rooms . . facing.

Barnum Institute of Science and History, The . facing.

Barnum, Phineas Taylor

Barnum School, The, East Bridgeport

Beach, David Sherman

Beardsley Park

Beers, Hon. Alfred Bishop

Beers, Philo M.

Benedict, Celest A., M. D

Berkshire Mill and Bridge

Bethel A. M. E. Church, Broad Street

Betts, George E

Bill, Curtis Harvey, M. D. (Por. 126)

Bishop, William F

Brewster, Swan W

Bostwick, Walter B

Bridgeport Bank, The, 1S06

Bridgeport Bank, The, 1S57

PAGE.

Bridgeport, Bird's Eye View of, 1897 12

Bridgej^ort Brass Co., The 199

Bridgeport Chain Co., The 189

Bridgeport Crucible Co., The 191

Bridgeport from Presbj-terian Church East 43

Bridgeport Gas Light Co., The igo

Bridgeport High School So

Bridgeport Hospital 64

Bridgeport Light, Winter of 1893 48

Bridgeport, Map of, i82j 13

Bridgeport Public Library 83

Bridgeport, The Harbor oi Frontispiece

Bridgeport Steamboat Co. , Docks of the 94

Bridgeport, Streets of. After Blizzard of 1888 100

Bridgeport "Standard" 1897, Page of the loi

Brizell, Dr. John, Jr 182

Broth well, Charles Ransom 154

Buckingham. Charles Booth 171

Bullard Machine Tool Co., The 203

Bullard, Wm. Sumner 185

Bunnell, William Henr\ 162

Cairoli, John S. (Por. 182) 181

Candee, Hon. John Dutton 102

Canfield, Henry C) 186

THE -STAXDARD'S" HISTORY OF RRIDGEPORT.

General Illustrations — Continued.

Canfield Rubber Co., The iSg

Carey, George Winton (Por. iig) 120

Cedar Creek, View on 93

Christ Church 23

Church of the Nativity iS

Churches of 1835 2r

Circus Day in Bridgeport 90

Citizens Gas Co., The . igo

Clark, Frank E 171

Collection of Historical Society facing 91

Congress Street Bridge, North, 1S70 55

Connecticut National Bank facing 72

Cook, George Franklin 177

Court House, Entrance to 63

Cullinan, John 197

Depot Property used for thirty years 41

Diagram of Fire of 1845 30

Doten, Charles Arthur (Por. iig) 120

Downs, Frederick Bradley 132

East Bridgeport After Blizzard of iSSS gg

East Washington Avenue Baptist Church iS

Easton, Edward D facing 200

Eagle Brewery ig6

Eaton, Cole & Burnham, Works of the facing ig4

Eaton, Levi W 143

Eckart Bros.' Brewery 196

Entrance to Parochial School, Park Avenue 28

Fairchild, Alfred Beach 174

Fairfield Avenue from k. R. Crossing. 1876 gS

Fairfield County Court House (13

Fairchild, George Wilson 173

First Baptist Church, present edifice 21

First Congregational Church la

First Court House, now City Hall f)2

First Meeting House. Stratfield, i6g5 4

First Methodist Church

Fones, Hon. Civiliou , ,

Foote, Charles

Franklin Typewriter E.\change, The

Geo. W. Longstaff Co., The

Gill, Rev. John W

Goddard, Walter

Goodsell, Zalmon

Graves, Fred'k Chauncey, M. D. (Por. 127) ...

Group of Ex-Mayors

Hon. .Monson H.iwlev, Hon. Carlos Curtis. Hon. D.

Morgan, Hon. James C. Loomis. Hon. P. T. Bainuni, H<

John L. Wessels, Hon. Jarett Morford, Hon. Robert

Clark, Hon. R. E. UeKorest.

Group of Park Pictures

Pe.ilbroke Park. Ueaidsley Park, .Seaside Park.

Group of Portraits

Hervey Higby, Wm. H. Hall. John E. Pond, Gide

Thompson, F. W. Parrott, David M. Read, Russell Tonili

son, William H. Mallory, D. K. I.ockwood.

Group of Portraits

stiles M. Middlebrook, Esq., Hon. C. H, Hubbell, Hon. P.

Calhoun, Isaac Sherman, Esq., Hon Clapp bpooner, H< S. B. Beardsley, Hon. John Brooks.

Group of Portraits

Ira Sherman, Esq., Hantord I, von, Esq., Rev. Nathan Hewitt, D. D., Rev. Gurdon S. Coit, D. D., Hon. E.

Goodsell.

PAGE.

Group of Portraits 85

W. S. Knowlton, Esq., Capt. Jas. E. Dunham, Elias Howe,

Jr., Dr. H. N. Bennett. Hon. I). H. Sterling.

Group of Portraits 87

A. C. Hobbs, Esq., Hon. \V. D. Bishop, Hon. Patrick

Coughlin, Major Frederick Frye, Gen. Wm. H. Noble, Chas.

Foote, Esq., Major Thomas Boudren, Hon. Nathaniel

Wheeler, Alfred Hopkins, Esq.

Group of Portraits facing 93

Rev. B. E. Warner. D. D., Jacob Kiefer, Esq., Capt. John C.

Curtis, Gen. T. L. Watson, Rev. H. N. Powers, D. D., J. S.

Hanover, Esq., Isaac Holden, Esq., Dr. F. M. Wilson, A. J.

Hobbs, Esq.

Hartman, Charles 179

Hatch, Charles Edwin 1S4

Hawes, Edmund Vincent 144

Hoag, Dr. Alva 124

Hoag, Ur. Clitus S. (Por. 125) 123

Hollister, David Frederick (Por. no) 109

Holmes & Edwards Silver Co., The iSg

House of Steamer No. i 32

House of Steamer No. 2 32

House of Steamer No. 3 witli Truck No. i 34

House of Steamer No. 4 33

Hou.se of Steamer No. 5 33

House of Steamer No. 6 34

Hubbard, Robert M. D ■ .122

Hubbell. Charles Benjamin 135

Hubbell, Harvey 163

Jackman, Frank H. (Por. 1S3) 181

Jack.son, Horace Harton (Por. :86) 1S3

Judson, Attorney Stiles, Jr 116

Kane, Patrick ns

Knowlton, Col. Julius W 153

Kupfer, .Siegmund is6

Lacey, Rowland B 141

Lee, Henry 151

Lockwood, Frederick Joel 143

Log House or 1065 2

Lynch, Dr. John Charles (Por. !2g) 127

Main Street, from the Union Bank Building, South . . 50 Main Street, from the Connecticut Bank Building, North 51

Mann, Charles Wm 117

Marigold, William H 159

Marsh, Edward W iho

Masonic Temple. Entrance to g6

McElroy, James H 142

McNeil, Archibald 6g

McNeil, Capt- John 16G

Merritt, Wm. Piatt 183

Merwin, Orange 174

Middlebrook, Major Louis Nathaniel 113

Miller Building and Old Approach to I-ower Bridge . . 55

Modern, Freight Locomotive 41

Monuments in Stratfield Burying Place 7

Montignani, Frank (Por. 178) 176

Mountain Grove Cemetery, Entrance to 93

Murphy, Timothy J 1S4

Myrtle Avenue Presbyterian Church 18

Officers of Fire Department ot 1897 ....... facing. 29

Fred'k P. Beardsley, Hiram Campbell, C. F. Bamberg, J. H. Long, Wm. H. Murphy, E. J. Madden, T. R. Congon, G. F. Beardsley, E. M. Wilson, C. B. Tuttle, D. E. Johnson, C. E. Palmer.

THE "STANDARD'S" HISTORY OF BRIDGEPORT.

General Illustrat

PACE

Old Baptist Church, State and Broad Streets . .

Old Checks

Old Freight Bill, Steamer Ninirod, 1S40 . . .

Old Lower Bridge, and East Bridgeport ...

Osborn, George Wakeman (Por. 128) . . .

Osborn, George Ransom (Por. lyg) .

Park Street Congregational Church . ...

Phelan, John J.

Piatt, C. Tryon

Porter, Dr. Geo. Loring. .

Post Office and Custom House ...

Post Office, Entrance to the Arcade

Post Office, Old, Bank Street Entrance .

Post Office, The Arcade, Interior

Presb_vterian Church, State Street and Myrtle Avenue ic5ns — C-ontiniied.

Radel, Andrew (Por. 187)

"Republican Standard," 1S39, Page of Vol. i, No. i Residences of P. T. Barnum, near Seaside Park . .

Waldemere— Marina.

Residence of the late Hanford Lvon . .

Residence of Aaron Hawley, with Well

Residence of G. C. Waldo

Residence of Mrs. Nathaniel Wheeler

Richardson, Geo

Rusling, John A. (Por. 170) . . .

Sanford Building, The

Sanford, Charles Edwin (Por. 123) Scofteld, Horace Granfield (Por. iSi)

Seal of the City of Bridgeport

Seaside Club

Seaside Club, Fire-place in Parlor

Seaside Institute

Seaside Institute, Entrance to

Seaside Park

Second Meeting House, Stratfield, 1717 Silliman, Lewis B. (Por. 178)

Smith, Friend William

Snow Arch, Blizzard of 1S88 .

Soldiers' Monument, Seaside Park

Somers, George E

South Congregational Church

Southern New England Tel. E.xchange

Staples, Frank T

Stapleton. Walter ...

Sterling. Hon. Daniel H.

Stevens, Frederick H. . .

Stevenson, Col. Wm. H. . . , •■Standard " Building, The

St. Augustine's Church, R. C

St. John's Church, Broad and Cannon Streets

St. John's Church, Present edifice

St. Mary's Church, R. C

Statue of Elias Howe, Jr. , Seaside Park Statue of P. T. Barnum. Seaside Park

St. Paul's Church.

Stoddard, Goodwin.

Stowell, George R facing facing rAGE.

• 193

Swords, W. F., Lumber Co., Establishment of .

Tallmadge, Albert M. . . 119

Tangle of Poles and Wires , 92

Taylor, Thomas Porter . . 146

The Elevator .44

The First Harbor Light 46

The First Light House, 1S55 ... ... 47

The Second Harbor Light . . , . .46

The Third Harbor Light • • 47

Thompson, Curtis .112

Thompson, H. Adaline, M. D. (Por. 131) 130

Toomey, Jeremiah Dean, Jr 118

Topping, J. Read, M. D. (Por. 130) 127

Torrey & Hubert . 197

Trinity Church .23

Truck of Hook and Ladder No. 2 . . . 34

The

LInion Bank Building . .

Union Metallic Cartridge C

Universalist Church

Upson, Elliott Abram

U. S. Torpedo Boat Ericsson, etc ibi 48

Views in and near Beardsley Park .

Views of Historical Society's Rooms,

View in Museum, Bridgeport Scientific Society

Wade, Patrick

Wakeman, Howard Nichols . ,

Waldo, Geo. C

Wallace, Aaron W. .

Wallis, George H. T .

Warren, Tracy Bronsun

Washington Park . .

Weber, Robert ...

West End School . .

Wheeler & Howes

Wheeler, Nathaniel

Wheeler, Nathaniel (Por. facing) . . .

Wheeler Nathaniel, Residence of . .

Wheeler & Howes' Building . .

Wheeler & Howes' Coal Docks .

Wheeler & Wilson Mfg. Co. . .

Whiting, Russell Tomlinson

Wilmont & Hobbs Mfg. Co. ...

Wilmot, Samuel Russell

Wintter, Albert F. N

Wintter, A. & Co 's Brewery . .

Wilson, James

Wordin, Nathaniel Eugene, M. D . .

Works of the Bridgeport Gas Light Co.

Yellow Mill and Bridge .55

Young, Francis James, M. D. (Por. 131) . . . 12S

Young. Mary Rising (Por. 131) 130

Young Men's Christian Association Building . . .91

Zion A. M. E. Church, Broad Street 22

THE "STANDARD'S" HISTORY OF BRIDGEPORT.

Chapter I

THK INDIAN' OW'NKRS OK THK SOU. AND IHb.lK lll^P0^s^;SS10N 1;V IHK WHITK.S. IHK GULIIKN Hll.l,

kKSERVAIUIN. THE S IR ATI- I K1,L) PARISH. THE NEW SOCIETY AND THE MEETING

HOUSES. THE <'.Rn\VrH KlWAKD THE WATER. NEW FIELD

FERRY AND I.orlERY I'.RIDGE.

IN the Bridgeport Daily Staiuiard iov October 28, 1870, appeared the following item of local interest: ^ "The frequent finding of Indian bones and skulls in ditTerent places about the city suggests the question whether Bridgeport ma)- not have been at some remote period in the past, one immense Indian hunting and burying ground. Every few days bones are being broitght to light by excavation, and now we find by digging for the new wing of the Prospect street school house, that the ground there was once quite a large burying place. Some fifty graves have been exposed and a large number of human bones and skulls are found buried a few feet below the surface."

Not only in the locality mentioned have Indian remains been exhumed, but on Golden Hill, at Seaside Park, and in several other places within the city limits where excavations for new buildings or for city improvements have taken place, and the collections of Historical and Scientific Societies in the Barnum Institute contain interesting specimens of these finds.

Were there no other evidences of an Indian occupation of this territory, these would be sufficient, but it is a matter of record that at the time of the first white settlement of this coast, it was occupied by a sub-division of the Algonquins, an Indian tribe or race of ancient origin and great numbers.

The Algonquins are said to have migrated east from the Mississippi valley over 1,200 years ago, and to that family belonged all the New England tribes, including the Norridgwoks, Massachusetts, Naragansetts, Pequots, Mohegans, and, among the smaller tribes, the Paugussetts, whom DeForest locates on the territory between the Unkawas of Fairfield, and the Wepawaugs of Stratford. On DeForest's map {1830) the Paugussetts were stretched from the mouth of the Pequonnock river north, to and across the Housatonic. At Stratford a smaller local tribe were the Cupheags.

The Indian settlements followed the coasts and the river valleys, but the great interior forests away from the rivers were practically uninhabited. There were three villages or collections of wigwams of the Paugussetts on the Pequonnock river and the coast below it, one at the foot of what is now Golden Hill, one at the head of the cove near the junction of State street and Fairfield avenue, and the other west of Uncoway river, or Ash creek as it is now known. There were level and fertile reaches of land within this territory, stretching back from the shore, and here the Indians planted their corn, which the squaws cared for while the braves were following the chase in the interior.

Undoubtedly many generations of Indians lived and died here before a white man's foot ever tiod the shore, and here, after the original settlement in 1638-39, for 125 years more, the Indians lived, died and were buried in what was known as the " Golden Hill reservation."

In 1638 the Indians at Uncoway river and on the Housatonic had given to the General Court at Hartford, territory at both Fairfield and Stratford, and on the land thus ceded, settlers had located in the following year. There was no attempt at this time to acquire an}- further title from the Indians, the first deed from them being dated twenty-five years later. The settlers at Fairfield and Stratford pushed the Indians both east and west, and there must have been many conflicts of title with the usual result of the ousting of the Indian from his former possessions and the acquiring of his land by the white man. In the year 1659 the necessity of some definite arrangement was so pressing that the General Court at Hartford, " having considered the business respecting the Indians at Paquanack and the dii?erences twixt Stratford and Fairfield," each town striving to push the Indians over upon the land of the other, "do see cause to order that according imto the desire of the Indians, they may quickly possess and enjoy from henceforth and for the future, that parcel of land called Gold Hill, and there shall be forthwith so much land laid out within the liberties of Fairfield as the committee appointed by the Court shall judge fit, and in as convenient a place as may best answer the desire and benefit of the Indians forementioned, for the future."

This land was to be in full satisfaction for all claims to the Indians. The committee appointed to attend to this business was Mr. Camfield, Mr. Fitch, Richard Olmsted, Nathaniel Elye, of Norwalk, "who are to bound out the lands at Golden Hill, about eighty acres, beg-inning- at the foot of the hill where the wigwams stood, and to run upward on the hill and within Fairfield bounds, as i.s

Log House of I 'ing by the late Is

Sherman, Esq.)

above mentioned." The committee acted, and, having established the reservation, made a report of their work, requiring "that the Fairfield men shall pay to the Stratford men for the eighty acres that the Indians do possess at Paquanocke (Gold Hill reservation), twenty pounds, this to be paid in beefe, porke, wheate and pease. Of beefe 2 barrels, (and) of porke, good and merchantable, which we value at twelve pounds, and 8 pounds to be paydin wheat and pease: — wheate at 4 shillings and 6 pense the bushell, pease 3 shillings 6 pense the bushell, good and merchantable, and this to be payd of Fairfield to Stratford men betwixt this and the first day of ilarch next ensuing."

Upon the.se terms between the two settletnents was the Gold Hill (Golden Hili) reservation of eighty acres established, and this price in " beefe, porke, wheate and pease " is the first valuation of what was afterward to be an important part of the city of Bridgeport. Here for over a century lived the remnant of the original Indian tribes, constantly encroached upon by whites, dwindling in numbers under the influence of the stronger race, selling off portions of their reservation, as it became

THE ''STAXDARD'S" HISTORY OF BRIDGEPORT.

too large for their decreasing rminbcrs, till in 1765 only four persons remained. These were removed and the land given to the whites.

In the year 1639 and at about the same season, the permanent settlements at Stratford and Fairfield were made. Twenty years after this, in 1659, the first deed from the Indians in Stratford was recorded. It was to Moses Wheeler. Then the Golden Hill reservation was set apart to the Indians who were, after that event, known as the Golden Hill Indians. During the century or more of the occttpation of this reservation great changes had taken place in the two settlements. They had grown to be quite large and important towns.

Between these towns, back of the Golden Hill reservation and about two miles north from the shore, so as to avoid the deep water of the lower river and the necessity of a drawbridge, a commodious public road had been laid out about 1641, when the General Court enjoined upon towns " to keep the highways between the towns open, full two rods in width."

Pushing out along this "King's Highwaj'," the one to the east and the other to the west, the parent parishes had met and formed at, and about what is now the junction of North and Park avenues, a new village which, mindful of its origin, at a later date took the first syllable of Stratford and the last syllable of Fairfield, and named it.self Stratfield. The first settlers West of the Pequonnock were Henry vSummers, Sr. , and Samuel Cxregory. They probably lived in log houses located near the junction of Park and North avenues. In fifty years, from .small beginnings, this village grew to be a very considerable place, and then in view of its numerous households and the long distance to the home towns, in 1690 forty-.si.K of its householders petitioned the General Court for the establishment of a new parish, and in 1691 the parish of Stratfield was duly authorized. From a copy of the original petition the following names of the signers are taken :

John Bardsle, Sr.

Richard Hubbell, Sr.

Matthew Sherwood

Sam'l Wells

Isaac Wheeler

James Benitt

David Reynolds

Nathn'l Knap

Will Barsley

Matthew Sherwood, Jr.

Isaac Wheeler, Sr.

Thomas GriiTln

Roburd Bishop

Samuel Morhous

Jacobe Wakelen vSamuel Bardsle

Sam'l Hubbell Sam'l Bardsley, Sr.

Samuel Hall David Sherman Richard Hubbell Samuel (iregory Sam'l Treadwell John Odell, Sr.

"izhak Hall John Wheller Thomas Wheller Joseph Seeley Moses Jackson, Jr.

Samuel Jackson

ICphraim Wheller Daniel Bardsle .Samuel French Sam'l Hubbell Timothy Wheller Thomas Benit Ed. Treadwell Jacob Joy John (Jdell. Jun'r John Benitt, Jur Thos. Morhous, Jr.

John Sherwood Joseph Joy Sam'l Sumers

Matthew Sherwood, Jr.

Moses Jackson, Sr.

These signatures possess great interest to the old Bridgeporter, for among them, sometimes partially concealed by the peculiar orthography, are the names of families prominent in the history of the city from its birth, and still largely identified with its affairs.

KAIRFIEI.D VILI.Ai;E (sTR AT FI EI.d).

In those daj's church and state were closely identified, and the establishment of a new parish meant, practically, the establishment of a new village. It had not the full organization of the parent towns, but its rights and privileges were set forth by the General Assembly in 1669.

The original grant by the General Assembly was made to "the people of Pequonnock." In the definition of rights the village is called "Fairfield Village," but in Ma)', 1701, the name was finally changed to Stratfield.

The first meeting house was located on what is now known as "Meeting Hou.se Hill," on Park avenue, and was completed in 1695, meetings having been held, in the interval, at private houses. The first minister was the Rev. Charles Chauncey, son of Mr. Israel Chauncey, the minister of Stratford, who was of a good English family. Beside the right to elect a constable, the establishment of a parish at Stratfield carried the obligation of organizing a train band or military company, and in

THE -STAXDARD'S- HISTORY OF BRWGEPORT.

October 1703 "David Sherman was appointed ensign of the train band of Stratfield." The complement of officers was completed in the following spring by the appointment of "Lieut. Tohn Beardslev to be Captain of the train band of Stratfield, and Lent. James Bennet to be their lieutenant " Captain Beardsley was a veteran from the train band of Stratford, and Lieutenant Bennet from that of Fairfield, so that the Stratfield military organization was as composite as the name of the place, and in about the same proportions. As to the " rank and file," history is more reticent, but it is to be presumed they were found in due season.

The church first founded at Stratfield was the parent and origin ...f the old First church of Bridgeport, and its history for many years is closely identified with that of Stratfield Village and with Bridgeport Borough, Town and City.

The Rev Mr. Chauncev's salary was at one time " eighty pounds " paid in provisions at the rulin*^ rates which may be expressed about as follows : Wheat, ss- per bushel; Indian corn and rye, 3S per bushel- pork a^d. per pound. He also had a liberal supply of firewood of oak and hickory. Extracts from 'the church records (1699-17 15) show that at this time the drum was used to summon the people to church, and the drummer was instructed to march around the meeting house m order

that the sound of his call might penetrate in all directions.

In the year of the establishment of the Stratfield parish, 1691, a street was laid out from the Fairfield line to Pequonnock harbor, two citizens of Fairfield being appointed "to view where it is most convenient for a highway to pass in ye Fairfield to Paquonnock Harbor and to treat with ye persons through whose land said highway should pass." This street was what is now State street, and it opened up a new route of communication between Fairfield and Stratford, so far as Pequonnock river, and along the shore. At the harbor, at the end of this street, there was, as yet, no permanent settlement, and it was not till many years afterward, Fn,t Mc-.tm.. iim.s. Mra.nei' r ^"^^^ ^^'^^ beginning of Bridgeport

was made at the shore.

The attractions of the water were constant, however, and the use of the street must have been considerable from the first, increasing as the Stratfield settlers joined in visits to the shore, and the building of houses along Division street, now Park avenue, began. It was ninety-six years after the above layout of State street, or in 1787, that the Fairfield County Court authorized the laying out of Main street, which was then known as "the road at the foot of Golden Hill" and State street, designated as " the road from the dwelling of the widow, Eunice Hubbell, near the stores at Newfield (the first name of Bridgeport) to the town line between Stratford and Fairfield." This latter layout must have embraced the original street as laid out in 1691.

The report of the committee empowered to make this layout contains some interesting statements. It is addres-sed "To the Honorable County Court to be holden at Fairfield, within and for the County of Fairfield, on the 3d Tuesday of April, 1787 " and recites that " Whereas —

We, the subscribers, were by Your Honors, at your adjourned session held at Danbury, in and for said County on the 3d Tuesday of January last, appointed a committee to view, widen and alter the road at the foot of Golden Hill, so-called, down to the dwelling house of the widow Eunice

THE

STAXDARiyS- HISTORY OF BKH)GEI'OKT.

Hubbell, near the stores at Newfield, in said Stratford, and also the road from said Widow Hubbell's into the town lirje between Stratford and Fairfield, for the benefit of travelers and carriages passing to and from said stores:

We beg leave to report •• * * * From this point the report goes on and gives details of the layout and widening of the two streets. Main and State respectively, Main street from its junction with Washington avenue, and State street from its termination in the layout of 1691, west to the Fairfield line.