Gerrit Northrop's son in law

Bulkley

Alvin's son in law

Sarah Alvord sister-in-law

could Jeremiah's wife be Phebe Fenn??? Alvin's son ALSO through Rachel Ives Hannah Ives married in New Haven perhaps married to Austin Fenn's of Theophilus (buried in Litchfield) or Edward. Hannah died Weston, VT? Austin Fenn, b. 23 Dec 1763 his mother's surname is Austin , d. 30 Jul 1845, . Hannah Ives (d. 20 May 1829); ) or Edward. Hannah died Weston, VT? in VT by 1801 and perhaps as early as 1794. Austin Fenn, b. 23 Dec 1763 his mother's surname is Austin married before 1793 prob in Vermont by 1805, d. 30 Jul 1845, . Hannah Ives (d. 20 May 1829);
----------------------
Also neighbor in 1800 Kent. Also lived close to Ives in 1790 Wallingford

Alvin J. Middle name and Sarah's mother and sister-in-law Also possible through Samuel Mead Northrup (1817) s/oPhillip ???

Mary Keeler Middle name

Amos' sister-in-law (Gerrit's wife Elizabeth Betsy Millard )
also Sarah's sister-in-law Nelson Alvord's 2nd wife Adelia Millard

Alvin's son in law

Sarah Alvord sister-in-law

Alvin's wife

 Alvin’s eldest son

1790 Census
free white males
over 16;
free white males under 16;
women of all ages; "all other free people"
slaves
5 columns

1800 Census
head of family

free white males
FWM < 10
FWM age 10-1
FWM age 16-26
FWM age 26-45
FWM 45+
free white females
FWF < age 10
FWF age 10-16
FWF age 16-26
FWF age 26-45
FWF over age 45
# all other free persons
# slaves

1810 Census

City or township
Name head of family
free white males
FWM <10
FWM 10-15
FWM 16-25
FWM 26-44
FWM 44+

FWF <10
FWF 10-15
FWF 16-25
FWF 26-44
FWF 44+

#all other free persons

#slaves

1820 Census

Name head / family

free white male
FWM < 10
FWM 10-16
FWM 16-18
FWM 16-26
FWM 26-45
FWM 45+
FWF < 10
FWF 10-16
FWF 16-26
FWF 26-45
FWF 45+

# foreigners not naturalized
# engaged in agriculture
# engaged in commerce
# engaged in manufacture
# Slaves
MS <14
MS 14-26
MS 26-45
MS 45+
# female slaves
FS< 14
FS 14-26
FS 26-45
FS 45+
free male colored persons
FMC < 14
FMC 14-26
FMC 26-45
FMC 45+
free female colored persons
FCP < 14
FCP 14-26
FCP 26-45
FCP 45+
all other persons except Indians not taxed

Several of these columns were for special counts, and not to be included in the aggregate total. Doing so would have resulted in counting some individuals twice. Census takers were asked to use double lines, red ink or some other method of distinguishing these columns so that double counting would not occur. For example, the count of free white males between 16 and 18 was a special count, because these individuals were also supposed to be tabulated in the column for free white males of age 16 and under 26. The other special counts were foreigners not naturalized, persons engaged in agriculture, persons engaged in commerce, and persons engaged in manufacture.

Census takers were also instructed to count each individual in only one of the occupational columns. For example, if an individual was engaged in agriculture, commerce, and manufacture, the census taker had to judge which one the individual was primarily engaged

1830 Census

head of family
Address

free white males and females

in five-year age groups to age 20
in 10-year age groups from 20 to 100
100 years and older

number of slaves and free colored persons in six age group
number of deaf and dumb

under 14 years old
14 to 24 years old
25 years and older
number of blind
foreigners not naturalized

1840 Census
head of family
Address
# free w males females
five-year age groups to age 20
10 yr age groups fm 20 - 100
100 years and older
#slaves free colored six age groups
#deaf and dumb
# blind
# insane idiotic in public or private charge
#persons in each family employed in seven classes of occupation
# schools & number of scholars

number of white persons over 20 who could not read and write

number of pensioners for Revolutionary or military service

1850 Census

name
address
age
sex
color (white, black, mulatto)
deaf / dumb, blind, insane or idiotic
value of real estate owned (required of all free persons)

profession, occupation or trade of each male over 15 years of age

place (state, territory or country) of birth

whether married within the year

whether attended school within the year

whether unable to read and write (for persons over 20)

whether a pauper or convict

1860 Census
name
address
age
sex
color (white, black or mulatto)
deaf , dumb, blind, insane or idiotic
value of real estate and of personal estate owned (all free persons)
profession, occupation or trade of each male and female over 15 years of age
place of birth (state, territory or country)
married within the year
attended school within the year
unable to read / write (for persons over 20)
a pauper or convict

Covering New Milford, Brookfield, Sherman, Washington, Bridgewater, and Roxbury
Historic Resting Places for Old Brookfield Families Published: Thursday, August 30, 2012
By JAN HOWARD
Former town historian Peter Thompson cleans a gravestone at Merwin Brook Cemetery. Photo by Alice Tessier.

Five historic Brookfield cemeteries are protected and cared for by the Historic Cemeteries of Brookfield Association, ... of the Brookfield Museum & Historical Society. ...originally named the Old South Cemetery Association, .... Some of the town’s earliest citizens are buried in these historical burial grounds, including veterans of the Colonial, Revolutionary, and Civil wars and town and church leaders. The three earliest cemeteries — Huckleberry Hill, Merwin Brook, and Northrop — were located on farms. As ... burial grounds were closed became part of the farms. Some stones fell to the ground and were covered by soil or undergrowth or were damaged by vandalism. earliest cemetery stones were usually slate, sandstone or freestone. Marble began to be used after 1800. Many stones featured ornamentation and symbolic designs, with arched tops and carvings of death’s head and wings, representing mortality, and side panels depicting flowers, vines, and fruits. Later, the cherub’s head, urn, and weeping willow were favorite designs. Letters were usually Roman capitals until the introduction of lower case letters during the Revolutionary period.
Huckleberry Hill Cemetery
FINDAGRAVE
The Huckleberry Hill burial ground is Brookfield’s earliest cemetery, dating from the late 1700s through the early 1800s. It is located on Old State Road, near the junction of Federal Road. The Wildman house opposite (now the site of the Assembly of God Church) was known as the “pest” house. It was said that those with smallpox were taken to this house and then, when they died, were buried across the road. The Cemeteries of Brookfield book lists 13 known burials here, bearing the names of the Barlow, Bradley, Bristol, Bush, Lobdell, and Wheeler families. According to Emily Hawley’s “Annals of Brookfield,” “Mr. Charles Stuart, a resident of Brookfield, recalled when this spot was in use as a burial ground, as he taught the Huckleberry School in his youth.” Ms. Hawley wrote that the inscriptions on these stones were faintly legible in the early years of the 20th century. Many years ago, Judge Samuel Sherman had the existing headstones moved to Central Cemetery. At that time, a shovelful of soil was removed from each gravesite. Some stones bore the names of families related to Mr. Sherman, according to the “Annals.” The reason for removing the stones is unknown; however, one theory is that the road needed to be widened and the stones were in the way. A few years ago, the Historic Cemeteries of Brookfield Association worked with the property owners, the state archaeologist, and the town’s Planning Commission to have a portion of the area identified as a cemetery. As a result, the burial ground will remain separate from development of the adjacent property. In 1995, Timothy J. Jaquith, as an Eagle Scout Project, cleaned the area and put in benches. A plaque on a large boulder identifies this site as the Huckleberry Hill Cemetery. Employees of the Town of Brookfield maintain the site.
Merwin Brook Cemetery
FINDAGRAVE
The town’s second-earliest burial ground, Merwin Brook, is located on the Gurski Farm open space off Obtuse Hill Road, and it was named for the brook that runs through the property. The brook may was most likely named for the Merwin families whose homes were located nearby. The cemetery, located to the west of the brook, has been fenced, and a sign identifying the cemetery was designed and created by Ryan Blessey, a member of the Conservation Commission that oversees the property. Unfortunately, many of the stones in this burial ground have been lost or broken. A few were standing until 1918 and five were visible through the 1950s. Historic Cemeteries members and other volunteers have been working to find and uncover the tombstones that have been buried under the earth for up to 90 years or longer. Radar imaging of the cemetery took place in 2004, at which time the gravestone of Lucy Bennett, who died in 1806 at age 17, was found. Other potential gravestones also were indicated during the imaging, but some have not yet been uncovered. This burial ground was in use between 1778 and 1810. In Miss Hawley’s book, published in 1929, she noted a Brookfield resident, Harmon S. Lockwood, told her that in his youth 50 stones were visible, and he thought there were probably additional interments that were unmarked. A newspaper story written between 1882 and 1905 stated that approximately 16 tombstones were visible at that time, plus six pairs of common stones without inscriptions or initials that appeared to mark as many unknown graves. Some of the stones mentioned are among those recently uncovered though others have not been located. In 2003, the town of Brookfield purchased the final portion of the Gurski Farm, which included the cemetery. In August 2007, cemetery association members discussed the need to locate tombstones here and how best to preserve them once they were found. Several work sessions have been held, and, to date, 12 tombstones and one footstone with the name Merwin, possibly a plot marker, have been uncovered. Most of the stones are of white marble or blue slate. Among early settlers buried here are members of the Hawley, Wheeler, Merwin, Northrop, Bennett, and Baldwin families, including at least two Revolutionary War veterans, Asa Northrop and Samuel Hawley. Both of their gravestones are visible. One of the tombstones uncovered is that of Stephen Hawley, one of the first settlers of Brookfield and large landowner. According to “Annals of Brookfield,” he served in Colonial wars in the mid-1700s. Nehemiah Hawley, son of Stephen, was on the committee appointed in 1780 by the General Assembly for inspection of provisions for the Revolutionary Army. An epitaph of Henry Baldwin, who drowned at age 22 in 1798, reads: “Here lies interred a blooming youth, He lived in love, and died in truth Call and behold as you pass by As you are now, so once was I, As I am now so you must be Prepare to die and follow me.” Brookfield employees mow this cemetery, and members of the cemetery association conduct spring and fall cleanups.
Northrop Cemetery
FINDAGRAVE
This burial ground is the third earliest. It was established for the convenience of the Danbury portion of Newbury and is located on the west side of the railroad tracks off Stony Hill Road, landlocked between a business, railroad tracks, and town protected wetlands. It is not easily accessible because of its landlocked state and is completely overgrown. Most of the stones have been destroyed, some by vandalism, or are lost in undergrowth. Though the current adjacent property owner has allowed access to the cemetery, there is concern regarding continued access under future owners. Brookfield’s cemetery book lists 60 known burials. In 1910, Emily Hawley counted at least 50 headstones. Among those interred here are members of the Dunning, Dibble, Gray, Sturdevant, Northrop, Stevens, Beebe, Vrorman, Barnum, Benedict, Glover, Smith, and Stevens families. Burials date from 1788 to the 1850s. They include five Revolutionary War veterans—Ezra Dibble Jr., Capt. Ezra Dibble, Jeremiah Dunning, Isaac Gray, and Joshua Stevens. Deacon John Dunning, one of the first deacons of the Congregational Church, and Deacon Joseph Beebe are buried here. In 1908, the tombstones were clearly visible to rail passengers, according to a June 20, 1908, story in the Danbury Evening News. The story noted the tombstones were weather stained and inscriptions were illegible. On Jan. 4, 1964, then Town Attorney A. Searle Pinney issued a clarification edict to dispose of a legal challenge by Ernest Marquardt that the cemetery was part of his land. Mr. Pinney stated that the law protects ancient burial grounds and that the town has a right to maintain such graveyards. In 1989 and 1991, there was legal review by the Connecticut Historical Commission to ensure the 24-foot wide right of way for the Iroquois Gas Transmission pipeline would have the least impact on the cemetery. In the fall of 1991 it was agreed the line would be drilled along the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad right of way on the eastern edge of the cemetery but drilled under the entire cemetery. In 2010, Boy Scout Troop 5 partnered with the Brookfield Museum and Historical Society to rehab the cemetery as a service project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. The Scouts removed brush and fallen trees and installed granite boundary posts. They also placed a four-foot-tall granite post inscribed “Northrop Cemetery, 1778 - 1860” and “BSA Troop 5, 2010.” Scouts and parents worked a full day at the site. The first person buried in Northrop Cemetery was Thomas Barnum. He died Aug. 19, 1778, at age 21. His clearly legible granite headstone exists within the roots of a large tree growing around it. Another legible tombstone is that of Lucy (Smith) Dibble, who died in 1858 at the age of 92. She appears to be the last person buried here. Another legible stone is that of Phebe (Smith) Dunning, who died in 1807. Parts of broken stones are also in evidence. The following epitaph was copied in 1908 from the tombstone of Jeremiah Northrop: “Dearest father, thus hast left us. And thy loss we deeply feel, But tis God that hath berefit us—He can call our sorrows heal.”
Old South Cemetery
FINDAGRAVE
This burial ground is located on the corner of Sunset Hill Road and Whisconier Road. According to the town’s cemetery book, there were more than 328 burials here. Some families buried here bear the names Camp, Smith, Hawley, Peck, Baldwin, Babbitt, Canfield, Dibble, Dunning, Fairchild, Lockwood, Northrop, Wood, and Sherman, among others. The first person buried here was Lucy Gunn, the 3-year-old daughter of Abel and Lucy Gunn, in 1792. In 1794, her father donated this property to the town to be used as a burial ground. Col. Isaac Hawley gave the western section in 1805. His wife was the first adult buried here. The cemetery was in use for more than 100 years. Also among those buried here are Dr. Preserve Wood, the town’s first physician and a Revolutionary War veteran who was appointed a surgeon’s mate in July 1776; four deacons of the Congregational Church— Michael Dunning, Ashbel Dunning, Mathew Baldwin, and Luther Smith; and the town’s first town clerk, Elijah Starr. In addition to Dr. Wood, 15 other Revolutionary War veterans are buried here: Samuel French, Nathan Gregory, Liverus Hawley, Capt. Sidney Hawley, David Keeler, Nathan Keeler, Isaac Lockwood II, Nathan Merwin, Samuel Merwin, Andrew Northrop, David Peck, Capt. Joseph Smith, Capt. Elijah Starr, and Daniel Wheeler. There is also one French & Indian War veteran, Benjamin Hawley, and Joseph Smith, who may have served in Colonial wars. There are three Civil War veterans buried here — Charles Hayes; William Henry Holley, who was wounded and captured at Cedar Creek, VA and died a prisoner of war at Salisbury, N.C., on Dec. 11, 1864; and Lemuel Peck, who died in service on Dec. 6, 1862. In 1984, Michael Fisch removed dead trees and brush and made a sign for this cemetery as part of an Eagle Scout project.
Gallows Hill Cemetery
FINDAGRAVE
This burial ground is located on the east side of Federal Road on the border with New Milford. In 1734, the town of New Milford passed a resolution to establish this as a cemetery. The land, donated by a member of the Nobel family, was measured and laid out by Selectmen James Hine, Nathaniel Bostwick, and Joseph Bostwick. Tradition states that the name of the cemetery came from a man who had committed murders and was hung here. The town’s cemetery book lists 292 burials. For many years this was the burial place of people who resided in the northern section of town. Among them are members of the Baldwin, Bassett, Bostwick, Camp, Hubbell, Keeler, Knapp, Lake, Morehouse, Palmer, Stebbins, and Wildman families. The first person buried here was 3-year-old Benjamin Waller; the last was Charles Vincent, in 1923. There are 12 Revolutionary War veterans interred here: Thaddeus Baldwin, Israel Camp, Abel Edward, Levi Merwin, John Morehouse, Dr. Eli Perry, David Bostwick, Samuel Ruggles, Joseph Tomlinson, Capt. John Warner, Martin Warner, who also served in the Colonial War of 1759, and Samuel Ruggles, who was captain of Newbury’s first military company. The tombstone of John Morehouse is of interest. The carver apparently ran out of room on the stone and finished the last letters of his name above the others. There is one Civil War veteran, Dr. D.W. Knowles. An inscription recorded for a 14-year-old girl reads: “Alas sweet youth not all your charms could save you from death’s icy arms.” One for Stephen Bennett notes: “An honest man is the noblest work of God.” Huldah Camp’s epitaph reads: “Lye still and sleep in silent shades Enjoy a quiet rest Let no disturbing foe invade your calm and peaceful breast.” Samuel Orcutt’s “History of the Towns of New Milford and Bridgewater” lists several inscriptions from this burial ground. The Historic Cemeteries of Brookfield hires Sunburst Landscaping to mow and do cleanup in the Old South and Gallows Hill cemeteries, and the town then reimburses the association. Members of the association periodically visit the five cemeteries, such as following storms, to determine whether additional work is required. The Historic Cemeteries of Brookfield Association is seeking volunteers to help find hidden tombstones and to maintain these historic burial grounds. For information or to volunteer, contact the Brookfield Museum & Historical Society 203-740-8140 or at 
www.brookfieldcthistory.org.
Copies of The Cemeteries of Brookfield book can be ordered through the museum. The book lists burials in all of Brookfield’s cemeteries.

The Cemetery

"The Merwin Brook Cemetery parcel is under the jurisdiction of the Historic Cemetery Association, which is part of the Historical Society, Heise explained. The cemetery has no visible headstones and is in the process of being restored.  At one point, the farm was for sale so the owner decided it would be a better selling factor if the headstones were removed.  He took them down and buried them in the ground.  

As soon as they acquired the property, the State Archeologist Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni came to begin searching for the headstones. There are stones that date back to the 1790s, with flags marking graves from Revolutionary War soldiers."
GURSKI MERWIN BROOK LINK

Frances Josephine
8/20/1838 - 3/13/1875
Kent
&
m. Rye, NY 12/13/1854
Charles A. Meeker
"C, A."
Southport ME Church
1832? -
3/18/1876 Westport, CT.
m2
Sarah E Hubbell
"a native of Greenfield" 6/11/1877

uFrances Josephine b 1838 Kent m. Charles A Meeker 1854 Rye NY lived Spt Greens Farms CT d. March 18, 1876 ~ age 38

2nd m. 2344. 'Sarah E. Hubbell, b. 1838, daughter of 1136. "William, m. Charles A. Meeker,  of Westport, Conn., June nth, 1877, ln Fairfield, Conn., and had issue: 3617. 8 Henry Holman, b. June 9th, 1879. Daughter of William and Mary (Sturgis) Hubbell.

Why Poughkeepsie? around 1791 for Drakes kids

marriage location for Northrop Keeler and for Alvin Sarah girls

Read the ebook The records of Christ church, Poughkeepsie, New ...

records of Christ church, Poughkeepsie

NY Mercantile Union DB Northrop Fishkill category Clothiers and ready-made clothing

203 ISAAC" NORTHRUP (Eli% Eli\ Joseph', Joseph\ Joseph^), b. May 14, 1790, in Dutchess Co., N. Y. ; m. about 1810, Priscilla Hazclton (b. Aug. 5, 1791; d. May 16, 1874), of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Took his father's place in a woolen factory ; sold, and bought a farm in Ovid, Seneca Co., N. Y. ; removed to Barrington, Yates Co., N. Y., then to Tyrone, Schuyler Co., N. Y., where he d., Dec. 19, 1852.

Poughkeepsie (N.Y.). Christ Church. 

More about Poughkeepsie Rye Connections

lots of ME Osborns in Poughkeepsie
Chil. of Lewis and Betsey Ann (Andrews) Osborn. 

8289 I. Edward Andrews Osborn, b. at Danbury, Conn., 20 Sept. 1834;  a jeweller; settled at Newark, N. J., where he married, 2 Ap. 1856, Mary  Catharine Sofleld, dau. of Randolph and Esther (Mandeville) Sofield, of  Newark, where she was born in Oct. 1837. She died at Newark, 23 Dec.  1856, and was buried at Pompton Plains, N. J. He served in Co. A, First  Conn. Artillery, from 19 Feb. 1862 till Ap. 1865. He married (2d), 28  Jan. 1867, at Newark, Phebe Wilhelmina Mack, dau. of John Conrad and  Margaret (Schwien) Mack, of Newark, where she was born 19 Jan. 1845.  They were living at Newark in 1873. 

8290 II. Orrin Wright Osborn, b. at Bethel, Conn., 26 Jan. 1837; was drowned, while bathing, at Brookfield, Conn., 25 July 1853, and was buried  in Prickback Cemetery. 

8291 III. Elias Northrop Osborn, b. at Brookfield, Conn., 13 May 1838;  a saddler and harness- maker ; married at Danbury, Conn., 4 Oct. 1865,  Elizabeth White Hoyt, dau. of Philo and Laura Jane (Barlow) Hoyt, of  Danbury, where she was born 25 Aug. 1845.' They settled at Danbury,  and were living there in 1 873. He served, as a corporal, in Co. B, 23d Reg.,  Conn. Vol. Infantry, from 19 Aug. 1862 till 29 Aug. 1863. 

8292 IV. Frederick Augustus Osborn, b. at Brookfield, Conn., 18 July 1840; served in Co. B, ist Reg., Conn. Heavy Artillery; died in hospital at Fair Oaks, Va., on the second day of the seven days fight at that  place, 26 June 1862 ; and was buried at Brookfield, in Prickback Cemetery. 

8293 V. Eliza Maria Osborn, b. at Brookfield, Conn., 14 Aug. 1842; married there, 30 Ap. 1 861, Charles Treat Allen, a miller, son of Treat  and Sarah (Blackman) Allen, of Southbury, Conn., where he was born 20  Aug. 1 841. They settled at Brookfield, and were living there, near the railway station, in 1873. 

8294 VI. George Howard Osborn, b. at Brookfield, Conn., 19 Sept. 1843; a carpenter; was living at Rafael, Cal., ten miles from San Francisco, in  1873 ; unmarried. 

Name:Charles A Meeker Titles & Terms:Residence:Fairfield township (east side), Fairfield, Connecticut Birth Date:Feb 1832 Birthplace:Connecticut Relationship to Head of Household:Self Spouse:Sarah E Meeker Spouse's Titles & Terms:Spouse's Birthplace:Connecticut Father:Father's Titles & Terms:Father's Birthplace:Connecticut Mother:Mother's Titles & Terms:Mother's Birthplace:Connecticut Race or Color (expanded):White Head-of-household Name:Charles A Meeker Gender:Male Marital Status:Married Years Married:47 Estimated Marriage Year:1853 Mother How Many Children:Number Living Children:Immigration Year:Enumeration District:0067 Page:4 Sheet Letter:B Family Number:71 Reference Number:65 Film Number:1240133 Image Number:00137  HouseholdGenderAge  Charles A Meeker MSpouse Sarah E Meeker FChild Henry H Meeker MWalterRenson M

books.google.comJohn Frederick Kelly - 1948 - Snippet viewIn 1832 thirty-six persons were, at their own request, dismissed from the Congregational Church at Greens Farms, ... F. Rowland's bill underpinning Stone Charles Jesup's bill FW Jesup's bill Burr Meeker's bill Wheeler & Staple's bill ...This may be the beginning of the Saugatuck Meeting House??

Humphreys had always been interested in manufacturing and during his visits to England and France, studied their industrial systems carefully.  In 1803, Humphreys started one of the finest woolen mills in the country on a large piece of property located at the falls on the Naugatuck River near many other little mills. 

The village prospered and attracted other manufacturing concerns.  Items such as cotton cloth, paper, furniture and tools such as augers and bits were produced.

Trans- ylvania

Southbury/ Roxbury Road Route 67)

Trans- ylvania Crossroads, locally known as Pine Tree

The oath of fidelity to which freemen were obliged to subscribe before they could exercise the rights that accrued to them when they had taken the freeman's oath:

"You do swear by the ever-living God that you will truly and faithfully adhere to and maintain the government established in this state under the authority of the people, agreeable to the laws in force within the same, and that you believe in your conscience that the King of Great Britain hath not, nor of right ought to have any authority or dominion in or over this state, and that you do not hold yourself bound to yield any allegiance or obedience to him within the same, and that you will, to the unmost of your power, maintain and defend the freedom, independance and privileges of this state against all open enemies or traitorous conspiracies whatsoever, so help you God. And no person shall have authority to execute any of the offices aforesaid after the first day of January next, until he hath taken said oath, and all persons who hereafter shall be appointed to any of said offices shall take said oath before they enter upon the execution of their offices. And no freemen within this state shall be allowed to vote in the election of any of the officers of government until he hath taken the aforesaid oath in the open freemans' meeting in the town where he dwells."

"Names of those persons that have appeared to take the oath of fidelity prescribed by the General Assembly of this state at a General Assembly of the State of Connecticut holden at Hartford in said state on the second Thursday of May, A. D.( 1777."

Formation of Brookfield

After nine years of patient pleading they were allowed to have preaching among themselves at their own expense. How surprising such proceedings seem at the present day. Winter Privileges Granted. "October, 1752. Upon the memorial of Isaac Barnum, Joseph Murry, and others, living in the northeast part of Danbury, the southwest part of New Milford, and the northwest part of Newtown, within the following limits and bounds (viz.): Beginning at a place known by the name of Pond Brook where it enters into the great river, being in Newtown; thence running northwardly on the bank of said river until it comes to the northeast corner of Capt. John Warner's farm lying by said river, being in New Milford, which is a white ash staddle market with stones about it; then running westerly a strait line to the top of the hill called Gallows Hill; thence running a straight line till it intersects New Fairfield east line; thence running southwardly on said line until it comes to the southeast corner of New Fairfield township; thence running a straight line to a certain rock with- stones upon it near the lower end of Beaver Brook Mountain, on the west side of the road leading from Danbury to New Milford; thence running easterly to a certain rock with stones upon it, being in the line between Danbury and Newtown, being on the south end of a swamp known by the name of Bound Swamp; and from thence continuing easterly to the road leading from New Milford to Newtown, including Lieut. Joseph Smith's farm where he now lives, and then running a straight line to the mouth of the Pond Brook where it empties into the great river; praying for liberty to procure and have the preaching of the Gospel among themselves for five months in the year annually, as by their memorial on file: It is thereupon enacted and granted by this Assembly that the memorialists have liberty and power, and the same is hereby granted to the memorialists according to the bounds aforesaid, to procure and have among themselves the preaching of the Gospel five months in the year (viz.): from the first day of November till the last of March annually, from this time, separate from the towns to which they respectively belong as aforesaid; and during the time of such liberty shall be freed from all stated ministerial taxes in the towns and societies to which they respectively belong, as to said five months annually, and have authority to tax themselves, and carry on preaching among themselves according to law, provided they employ some orthodox preacher among them." In this form the society continued until May, 1754, when they petitioned for an ecclesiastical society, and the matter was laid over until the next September, when they again urged their claims, alleging that it was impracticable for many to attend worship, and that they could more easily support preaching among themselves; that a meeting-house was erected; but that the inhabitants were new settlers, and, on account of the war with France, taxes were burdensome; and since much of the land belonged to non-residents, they desired a land-tax of two pence on the acre for four years on unenclosed lands. Upon this the society was incorporated by the same boundaries as given in 1752, and a land-tax of one penny on the acre granted. It was in the next December (1754) that the town of New Milford voted to return the money which had been collected by tax from persons in the Newbury society, for the New Milford Congregational meeting-house, to the Newbury people toward their meeting-house, which they were then building. It was to this church that the First society of the town sent the pulpit from their old meeting-house soon after the above date. In 1755 an effort was made to raise a fund for the Newbury Society by the donation of undivided lands. Stephen Hawley gave thirty acres, Joseph Murry five, and John Noble two and a half, and in 1771 another effort was made, when Stephen Hawley gave seven acres more. In 1772, when the people were trying to secure the organization of a town, New Milford voted not to oppose them. The church was organized in this society, September 28, 1757, and their first minister, Mr. Thomas Brooks, was ordained at the same time. The society of Newbury was organized into a town in 1788, and named Brookfield. The Assessors' list for that part of Newbury society which was contained within New Milford township in 1787, the last year the assessment was made before the town of Brookfield was organized, contained the following names: Josiah Burritt, Albert Barlow, Amarillis Barlow, Francis Burritt, Mitchel Barlow, Thaddeus Baldwin, Edward Beech, Tibbals Baldwin, Samuel Baldwin's heirs, Jonathan Beecher, Robert Bostwick, Enoch Buckingham, Sarah Camp, Theophilus Comstock, Ephraim Curtiss, Dea. Abraham Camp, Achilles Comstock, Levi Camp, Thomas Gushing, Esqr., John Dunning, Isaac Hawley, Jr., Liverius Hawley, Clement Hubbell, Benjamin Hawley, Nehemiah Hawley, Isaac Hawley, David Jackson, Ralph Keeler, Jonathan Keeler, David Keeler, Isaac Lockwood, Andrew Lake's heirs, Samuel Merwin, Jr., Samuel Merwin, Nathan Merwin, Isaac Merwin, Andrew Merwin, Levi Merwin, John Morehouse, Isaac Northrop, Elnathan Noble, Wait Northrop, Joseph Nearing, Henry Nearing. John H. Nearing, William Nichols, Joshua Northrop, Andrus Northrop, Jesse Noble, James Osborn, Israel Osborn, Joseph Olmsted, Richard Olmsted, Henry Peck, Esqr., David Peck, Amiel Peck, Ammi Palmer, Joseph Ruggles, Jr., Comfort Ruggles, Artemus Ruggles, Benjamin Ruggles, Timothy Ruggles, Esqr., Ashbel Ruggles, Samuel Ruggles, Hezekiah Stevens, Jr., John Starr, David Smith, Joseph Smith, James Starr, Rufus Sherman, Samuel Sherman, Thomas Smith, Elijah Starr, Jehiel Smith, Joseph Tomlinson, John Veal, David Wakelee, Samuel Wakelee, Amos Wakelee, Martin Warner, Solomon Warner, Daniel Wheeler. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF THE TOWNS OF NEW MILFORD AND BRIDGEWATER, CONNECTICUT, 1703-1882, BY SAMUEL ORCUTT

In the year 1687, 20 families petitioned the General Court to become a town. Permission was granted and boundaries were laid out for the Town of Danbury. New Milford was settled in 1707 and Newtown in 1710. As the towns continued to grow and prosper, traveling to church from the northeast corner of Danbury, southwest part of New Milford and northwest part of Newtown became a hardship, especially in winter.

Settlers in our area petitioned the General Assembly in 1743 "to their being set off and made a district Ecclesiastical Society or having liberty for winter parish." "Winter privileges" were finally granted in 1752 and permission for the formation of Newbury Parish was granted in 1754. The name as taken from the three towns making up the area, and official bounds were given.

A meetinghouse site was selected and in 1755 building began in the area essentially occupied by the present Congregational Church. On September 28, 1757 Thomas Brooks was ordained and installed as permanent minister, the same day the meetinghouse was dedicated.

By resolution of the General Assembly in May 1788 the Parish of Newbury became the Town of Brookfield, the name given in honor of Rev. Brooks who had guided its destiny for 30 years. The first Town Meeting was held at the meetinghouse on Monday, June 9, 1788 at one o'clock in the afternoon to vote for Town officers for the ensuing year.

In the 1800's Brookfield was a thriving community with stage coach shops, 2 railroad stations and several taverns and hotels. Industry included saw mills, grist mills, shear shops, lime kilns, comb & button factories, iron works, and harness shops. There were once 8 public school houses, a private school for boys and an internationally aclaimed music school.

The old deeds refer frequently to the Fairweather purchase, but as there is no deed on record in Kent of this property a search was made through the old colonial records where it was found that in 1707 there was a large tract of land granted to Hon. Nathaniel Gold, Peter Burr and several others of Fairfleld for a township in what is now the southern portion of Kent and the northern portion of New Milford, and that they in turn sold a part or all of it to Robert Silliman, Richard Hubbell and Benjamin Fairweather of Fairfleld." That contained some 3,800 acres and was six miles in length from east to west and three hundred rods wide. When the owner died the large tract was divided between his heirs.

Ephraim Hubbel, Sherwood, Noble, Fuller Peter Hubbel (of Greenfield) ,Richard Hubbel, Jedediah Hubbel (also as JH, Esq. ) Johnathan Hubbel, Prudden, Burr, Silliman Morehouse,Wakeman Noble, Northrop, Hickox, Hurlbut, Wheeler Samuel Canfleld, John Smith, David Smith, Nathaniel Smith, Joseph Fuller, Pelatiah Marsh.Cyrus Marsh, , Ebenezer Marsh, ,,William Marsh Azariah Pratt, Daniel Pratt, Joseph Pratt Jr., Daniel Pratt, Peter Pratt, Joseph Peck, John Porter, ,Nathaniel Sanford, Henry Silsby, Jabez Swift, Zephania Swift, Nathaniel Slosson, Isaac Camp, Isaac Camp