and now officiating elder, is Mr. Daniel Hine. He has been ordained over them 4 years. [This society continued to maintain a separate worship till about the year 1812, when having become very small, the members, on the recommendation (as it is understood) of elder Hine, dissolved the society, and the principal part of them joined either the Presbyterian society or the Baptists.]-The next religious denomination that may be mentioned are the Baptists. It is but quite lately that communion assumed the appearance of a regular society here. A small church was formed, and a house of worship built in the lower end of the town, called the Neck, [now Bridgewater society,] about 11 or 12 years ago; but they never had an elder settled over them, and within a few years past they sold their house and chiefly removed out of the town. A few scattered individuals remain, but no stated worship is performed.

South view of New Milford, (central part.)

"The last denomination we shall mention is one which is now extinct from the town, but not many years since existed in some numbers. They are the Friends, called Jemimaites, gathered here by one Jemima Wilkinson. Between 15 and 20 years ago, a number of families in the northeastern part of the town, joined in that communion, and built a house of worship; but shortly afterwards they sold their house and private estates, and moved away in a body with their leader, into the western part of the state of New York, called the Genesee, in Ontario County. Their settlement was on or near the western shore of the Geneva Lake, about 20 miles south of the town of Geneva, where, though occasionally abandoned by some of her followers, Jemima continued for many years to maintain her ascendancy over her remaining followers, and even it is said until her death, since which nothing has here been heard of them, and it is supposed that the society as such has become extinct.-A few individuals of other persuasions have been or still are in the town, such as Seventh Day Baptists, Scotch Presbyterians, Glassites and Methodists, but no society of these has been formed. "Thus have I endeavored to sketch something of the ecclesiastical history of the town."

[Here follows what the preacher styles the civil and military history of the town, but containing nothing peculiar, and consisting principally of the names of the civil and military officers of the town, in chronological order, this part of the extract is omitted in this copy.]

"The first bridge that was ever built over the Housatonic river from the sea to its source, was built in this town, and was finished in July, 1737. The first school that was set up in this town, was in the year 1721 it was to be kept four months in the year, and the town to pay one half of the expense. At this time there are 22 school districts in this town, exclusive of those in the parish of New Preston; and it is computed that about 700 children attend in them through the winter

season."

The village of New Milford consists of about 60 dwelling houses and 5 mercantile stores. The engraving shows the appearance of the central street, as it is seen from the south end. It is wide, and about 60 rods in length. The building which is seen on the right is the ancient Episcopal church, which was taken down the present year, and a new church is now erecting. The Congregational church, erected in 1833, is seen to the north: the old church stood in the street, about 30 rods southerly from the one seen in the engraving. This place is 18 miles s. w. of Litchfield, 36 N. w. from New Haven, and 48 from Hartford.

From the Connecticut Journal, March 18th, 1768.

We hear from New Milford, that a manufactory has lately been opened there, wherein were wrought, or rather imitated, New York 40s. bills of currency, and Spanish milled dollars, to a great degree of imperfection; but that, notwithstanding the present prevailing scarcity of money, and loud call for industry, it is thought that branch of business may prove prejudicial to the public, and therefore the artificers already labor under great discouragements from every quarter, and near one dozen of them embarrassed with a close confinement in a distant cage, where a bill is prepared upon some obvious specimens of their ingenuity, to assert their title to the Royal Bounty. Strange! how variously mankind distinguish themselves! no less by their

actions than features.

The Riflemen on their way from the southern colonies through the country, administer the new fashioned discipline of tar and feathers to the obstinate and refractory tories that they meet on their road, which has had a very good effect here. Those whose crimes are of a more atrocious nature, they punish by sending them to General Gage. They took a man in this town, a most incorrigible tory, who called them d-d rebels, &c., and made him walk before them to Litchfield, which is 20 miles, and carry one of his own geese all the way in his hand: when they arrived there, they tarred him, and made him pluck his goose, and then bestowed the feathers on him, drummed him out of the company, and obliged him to kneel down and thank them for their lenity.

The following inscriptions are from monuments in the grave yard in the central village.

In memory of the Rev. Thomas Davies, a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, an active worthy missionary from the venerable society in England, who departed this life May 12th, 1766, in the 30th year of his age. He met death with the greatest Christian fortitude, being supported by the rational hope of a blessed immortality.

The sweet remembrance of the just
Does flourish now he sleeps in dust.

Vita bene actæ jucundissima est recordatio.

Mrs. Ann Bostwick, the consort of Samuel Bostwick, Esq., died Sept. 21st, 1783, in the 59th year of her age.

Death's strong assault enervates the failing frame,

The vault receives the pittance of an hour,

The rising soul to God extends her claim,
Brightens in bliss, and triumphs in his power.

Samuel Bostwick, Esq. died Sept. 23d, 1789, aged 66 years. He was the 5th son of Major John Bostwick, who was the son of John Bostwick, who was the son of Arthur Bostwick, who migrated from ye town of Cheshire in England.-In death the rational mind ceases to communicate to the living; a marble genealogy succeeds, and the grave becomes a monitor.

In memory of Paul Welch, Esq., one of the first principal settlers of this town, and an original proprietor of the same, departed this life Aug. 26th, 1778, in the 82d year of his age. In his day he served the town in most offices of trust and honor, gave good satisfaction, and died possessed of a large estate.

In memory of Samuel Platt, the first of this town, and one of its original proprietors, departed this life 22d July, 1783, in the 61st year of his age.-An honest man, that feared GoD and hated wickedness.

Sacred to the memory of Partridge Thacher, Esq., who departed this life Jan. 9th, 1786, in the 72d year of his age.-Composed by the deceased P. Thacher, Esq.: Rest here, my body, till the Archangel's voice, more sonorous far than nine fold thunder, wakes the sleeping dead; then rise to thy just sphere, and be my house immortal.

NORFOLK.

NORFOLK is an elevated township, the central part of which is 35 miles northwest from Hartford; bounded north by the Massachusetts line, west by Canaan, east by Colebrook and Winchester, and south by Goshen. It is nine miles in length from north to south, and four and a half in breadth.

"The settlement of Norfolk began in 1744. This township, and several of the adjacent ones, were owned by the then colony of Connecticut; and they were severally sold at public vendue at Middletown, in 1742. Timothy Horsford of Windsor took a deed of one right of 400 acres, which he retained. All the other proprietors relinquished their rights, and forfeited their first payment, which was 40 shillings on a right. The town was originally laid out in 53 rights, of which one was reserved for a parsonage, one for the benefit of schools, and one for the first minister. Timothy Horsford sold his right to Titus Brown, who afterwards removed to this town and died here." The names of the first settlers were Titus and Cornelius Brown, from Windsor; John Turner and Jedediah Richards, from Hartford. They lived on Brown's right. They were pious and exemplary families, and attended public worship in Canaan.

In 1754, Norfolk was sold at public vendue at Middletown, the second time, excepting Brown's right. Soon after, a number of families moved into the town, and the settlement made considerable progress. The town was incorporated in 1758; at this time there were 27 families. In 1761, the Rev. Ammi R. Robbins was ordained as the first minister. At the time of his settlement the number of families in the place had increased to sixty. From this time there was a gradual increase of inhabitants, till about the year 1800, when the number of families had increased to about two hundred and ninety, comprising a population of 1,649. Since this period the spirit of emigration to the west has retarded and reduced the population. In 1810, the population was 1,441; in 1830, the population was 1,485, being an increase of 44 in twenty years.

This town is elevated and mountainous. The soil is a primitive gravelly loam, generally cold and stony, but has considerable depth, and affords good grazing. Formerly large quantities of sugar were made from the maple: more than 20,000 lbs. have been manufactured in a single season; but since the land has been cleared by progressive settlements, and in consequence of the destruction of the maple trees by some tornadoes, the business has greatly declined. The dairy busi

ness comprises the principal interests of tlte town. A stream, called Blackberry river, runs near the center of the place, and a little westward of the Congregational church falls over a ledge of rocks 30 feet in height. This is an excellent site for mills, of which there are several near this spot.

East view of Norfolk, (central part.)

The above is a representation of the Congregational church, and most of the buildings in the immediate vicinity. This little village has a small open square, or green, in front of the church, and is uncommonly neat and beautiful in its general appearance. About half a mile north is another village, in which are 2 woolen and 3 sythe factories. There are, perhaps, in both places, about 30 dwelling houses, and four or five mercantile stores. The central part is 35 miles from Hartford, 17 from Litchfield, 42 from Hudson, and 60 from Albany.

We learn from Norfolk, that on the 23d ult. four wolves appeared in that neighborhood, immediately after the good people had assembled to prefer their annual adorations, and as it was imagined those voracious animals intended an attack on the harmless tenants of the fold, information of their visit was sent to the place of worship, when about 80 men turned out to go in pursuit of, and destroy them. The whole of this formidable body, well armed, moved in a circular form, to an adjacent mountain, the supposed retreat of these carnivorous unwelcome guests, and having by this judicious movement had the good luck to surround them, the whole were made prisoners; three surrendered at discretion; the other, having broken through their ranks, was shot in making his escape. The whole party then retired to an inn, and spent the day in joy and festivity. The coldness of the weather at the northward, must certainly have compelled these createres to take shelter in our woods.

The following inscription is from a monument in the burying ground, upwards of half a mile north of the Congregational church.

Rev. Ammi Ruham Robbins, a faithful minister of his blessed Lord. He was born in Branford, August 25, 1740, O. S., and graduated at Yale Coll. 1760. At the age of twenty one, he was ordained the first pastor of Norfolk. He lived to bury all that called him to the charge, and with the anxious feelings of a father, addressed his flock

1

as children. He was humble, yet zealous; peaceable, yet bold, in his master's cause. In the duties of his office, he was sincere, tender, and affectionate. His doctrine, and his life reflected credit on each other. And in his death, he strikingly exemplified that resignation to the divine will, which he steadily preached to others. When called for, he said, "let me go and receive mercy." He died on the 31st day of October, 1813, aged 73.

PLYMOUTH.

PLYMOUTH became an independent society in the town of Waterbury, in 1739, by the name of Northbury. At this time Westbury belonged to this society, but was afterwards incorporated as a distinct society, retaining its name. Afterwards both of these societies were incorporated as towns. Northbury was incorporated as a town, by the name of Plymouth, in 1795.

East view of the central part of Plymouth.

It is bounded N. by Harwinton and Litchfield, E. by Bristol, w. by Watertown, and s. by Waterbury and Wolcott. Its average length from north to south is 5 miles; its breadth nearly 5. The township is quite uneven and hilly; the soil is a gravelly loam, abounding with primitive or granite rocks. The town is watered by the Naugatuc, which passes through its western section from north to south, and is a fine mill stream. The manufacture of clocks is an important branch of business in this town, there being seven clock factories, two of which are very extensive.

The above is a representation of the Congregational and Episcopal churches, in the central part of Plymouth. The village immediately around the churches consists of about 30 dwelling houses, 3 mercantile stores, and a number of mechanic shops, and is on an elevated situation. commanding an extensive prospect to the westward; it is 22 miles from Hartford, and about 31 miles from New Haven. The Episcopal church is seen on the right; above this building in the distance is seen the Congregational church in Northfield, standing on the summit of a high hill,