Untitled Document

James Northrup was born 9 Nov 1719 in Ridgefield, Conn to James and Hannah (Hines) Northrup. On 13 Jan 1742, he married Rachel Smith. She was born 27 Mar 1723 in Ridgefield, Ct., the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Smith.

May 2, 1777. By a letter, sent by Col. Hart, dated New York, May 2, 1777, directed to Squire Sanford, and signed by James Rogers, it appears that the following persons, who were taken prisoners in the expedition at Danbury, and carried to New York, were Daniel Chapman, Jabez Frost, Daniel Sanford, Timothy Parsons, David Fairchild, Daniel Meeker, Russel Bartlet, James Rogers, Oliver Sanford, Nathaniel Squire, Ezekiel Fairchild, Stephen Betts, Jonas Flatl, and Thomas Couch, of Redding ; John Bartram, Mattbew Benedict, Benjamin Sperry, John Porter, Jonathan Starr, William Roberts, Jacob Gray, Aaron Gray Knap, of Danbury ; Benjamin Meeker, John Olmsted, John Dimon, Benjamin Banks, David Burr, Peter Blackman, Ephraim Burr, Nathan Beers, Caleb Disbrow, Levi Disbrow, and Peter Williams, of the town of Fairfield ; Israel Chapman, of Salem ; James Crawford and Newton Crawford, of Pound Ridge; Simeon Minor, of Woodbury ; Benjamin Keeler, of Wilton ; John Wright, of Norwich; Job Sl oca m, of Oblong; James and Benjamin Northrop and John Smith, of Ridgefield; in whose behalf Mr. Rogers wrote the letter, in which they requested their friends in Connecticut, to send to them by Col. Hart, all the hard money they could collect, who had agreed to advertise when he should return to New York, and where the money should be left
for said prisoners; each man's money to be put up by itself with his name on it.

Children of James and Rachel Northrup

Removed to Ridgefield, Conn. He and his brothers, James and Moses, united with others in the purchase of lands from the Indians in Ridgefield, March 18, 1715, Nov. 22, 1721, and July 4, 1727--the 2d, 3d, and 4th purchases from the Indians

Bought lands in Ridgefield with brothers Joseph and Moses, 1715, 1721, and 1727, and settled there. Also bought lands of Joseph Benedict for 60, March 29, 1714. M., 1st, Hannah Hine, of Milford, who died about 1737. Children by 1st wife recorded at Ridgefield:
38 i James4, b. Nov. 9, 1719.
39 ii Nathan, b. May 30, 1721.
iii Hannah, b. Nov. 16, 1623; d. before 1731.
iv Stephen, b. Dec. 13, 1725; m. Feb. 22, 1746, Abigail Perry, who d. Aug. 22, 1754. He d. June 22, 1757.
40 v Thomas, b. Dec. 5, 1727.
41 vi Hannah, b. Aug. 20, 1729.
vii Anna, b. (???); m. Dec. 24, 1754, Jonah Smith, Jr.

James married, 2d, wid. Lydia Mills, and by her had: viii Ambrose, b. Apr. 30, 1740; d. Oct. 7, 1745.
ix John, b. Nov. 28, 1743; d. March 20, 1761.
x Benjamin, b. Oct. 26, 1747.

. Described in deed of Sept., 1714, as "of Milford," and in deed of May 11, 1716, as "of Ridgefield." Lived in Ridgefield until some time between Nov. 24, 1733, and Aug. 2, 1734, when he removed to Duchess County, N. Y. Described himself in deed dated March 10, 1735, as "lately of Ridgefield . . . now living at Worstershire, in the Province of New York." Again, in 1740, "of Worcester, N. Y." Again, Feb. 7, 1744-5, "of Worstershire, Duchess Co., N. Y." In "N. Y. Calendar of Land Papers, 1643-1803," his name is indexed to Vol. XIII, pp. 139-140, where are found two original Petitions, dated Apr. 29, 1743, of "Moses Northrup and Abigail his wife," and "Moses Northrup. Jr.," for license to purchase vacant lands in the County of Duchess, "where their dwelling stands," etc., 10,000 acres. Petitions denied. (These papers are in the office of the Secretary of State, at Albany.) His original will, dated Aug. 2, 1746, proved in New York, July 1, 1747, is on file in the office of the Clerk of the Court of Appeals, Albany, N. Y. He calls himself "of Beekman's Ferry in Dutchess County in the province of New York, Yoeman."He m., about 1721, Abigail Cornwall (or Cornell), who survived him. She quit-claims her dower, etc., by deed, Jan. 22, 1759. He d. in 1746 or 1747. Children born, some in Ridgefield, some in Dutchess Co., N. Y. Order of birth not known.

The Keeler Tavern
Almost 300 years old, the Museum is housed in an architectural landmark building of national significance. Built about 1713, the initial structure has been preserved and restored as an 18th century tavern and was added to the national Register of Historic Places in 1982.

The Firelands

Albert E. Van Dusen in his history Connecticut (New York: Random House, 1961) states:

"At the western end of the [Connecticut Western] Reserve [in what is now Ohio] was a strip twenty-five miles wide known as the Firelands. This area was linked with Connecticut by bonds of suffering and destruction. As a result of severe British raids upon Danbury, New Haven, Fairfield, Norwalk, and New London in the Revolution, many families incurred great losses. After years of petitions for relief, the state finally took decisive action in 1792 to reimburse the victims and their heirs by turning over to them 500,000 acres in Ohio for equitable division according to losses."

Because of various delays a "full thirty years elapsed between the first British raid and the opening of the Firelands. By this time most of the sufferers were too old to migrate there..."(p.199). The Firelands are made up by the present-day Erie and Huron Counties, as well as a small portion of Ashland County, Ohio.

Ridgefield is the site of the Revolutionary War 1777 "Battle of Ridgefield." American Generals Wooster and Arnold attempted to hold off the British in the only land battle on Connecticut soil during the Revolution. There are still monuments and markers to the events or incidents that transpired in that 1777 battle

French General Jean Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, and thousands of French ground and naval forces arrived in Newport, RI on July of 1780 to assist the Americans in their War for Independence. After wintering in Newport, Rochambeau’s troops marched through Connecticut to join General George Washington’s Continental Army just over the New York border. The combined forces then moved down the eastern seaboard and confronted Lieutenant General Earl Cornwallis and the British army in Yorktown, Virginia. After a prolonged siege, Cornwallis surrendered on Oct. 19, 1781, virtually ending the Revolutionary War and ensuring American independence.

In honor of these significant events in our early history, The National Parks Service, the U.S. Congress and the State of Connecticut have designated this nine state “March to Victory” as an official national trail.

Rochambeau's troops camped in Ridgebury, July 1 to July 2, 1781. It was their eleventh and last camp in Connecticut before crossing the border into New York and joining with Washington’s Continental Army near what is today, White Plains, NY, on July 3, 1781. Their encampment was on the ridge to the west of Ridgebury Road, near what is now its intersection with Old Stagecoach Road. Before leaving for New York, Rochambeau celebrated his 56th birthday in Ridgebury at the Ensign Samuel Keeler’s Tavern. The next morning, a Sunday, one of Rochambeau’s regimental chaplains led a Catholic mass for the French troops, prior to their departure.

After the success at Yorktown, Rochambeau’s army returned north in the summer of 1782, passing through Ridgebury en route to Boston.

Ridgefield congregational Church 1800 the only Northrops mentioned for the seating Jared and Josiah

met even before church was organized at the "New Patent Meeting house" perhaps as early as 1738 but without a settled preacher.

At the time of its organization the church consisted
of the following eighteen members, who presented certificates
from neighboring churches :
Rev. Samuel Camp, Jabish Smith, Isaiah Birchard,
James Northrop, John Rockwell, Daniel Coley, David
Rockwell, Timothy Benedict, Samuel Keeler, Lemuel
Abbott, Samuel St. John, John Joyce, Jonathan
Osborn, Samuel Gates, James Sears, John Barber,
Thomas Frost, and Thomas Wilson ; and the Rev.
Samuel Camp was ordained and installed as their first
pastor. Mr. Camp
continued his labors with the church until 1804, a period of over thirty-five years, when he was regularly
dismissed. His health not permitting him to labor as pastor, he continued his residence in Ridgebury
until his death, which took place March loth, 1813. He was thrice married, and is buried beside his three
wives in the cemetery, a few rods north of the meetinghouse. After the dismission of Mr. Camp the church was
without a settled pastor until 1821, when Rev. Nathan

Burton was called, ordained, and installed as pastor.
He continued in that relation until June, 1841, a period of nearly twenty years. Mr. Burton was a member
of the church in Ridgebury, and was chosen deacon in 1813. After serving in that capacity for eight
years, he resigned the office in October, 1821, to become pastor of the church. He died in August, 1859,
aged seventy-nine years. Mr. Burton was succeeded by Rev. Zalmon B. Burr,
of Westport, Ct., a licentiate of New London Association. He was ordained and installed in. June, 1843,
and remained with the church seven years. After Mr. Burr, the society engaged the services of Rev.
Martin Dudley, now of Easton, Ct., who preached about a year.
The next settled pastor was Rev. Philo Canfield, of Buffalo City Presbytery. He commenced his labors
in August, 1852, and was installed in September of the same year. Mr. Canfield continued his relations
with the church until the Spring of 1856, when the connection was dissolved. In August of the same
year, Rev. William W. Page was employed to preach for the society one year, as a supply. From September,
1859, to September, 1861, Rev. E. S. Hunting- ton, of Danbury, preached for the society. Mr. Hunt-
ington was succeeded by Rev. F. J. Jackson, who preached nearly a year.

Burton was called, ordained, and installed as pastor. He continued in that relation until June, 1841, a period
of nearly twenty years. Mr. Burton was a member of the church in Ridgebury, and was chosen deacon
in 1813. After serving in that capacity for eight years, he resigned the office in October, 1821, to become
pastor of the church. He died in August, 1859, aged seventy-nine years.
Mr. Burton was succeeded by Rev. Zalmon B. Burr, of Westport, Ct., a licentiate of New London Association.
He was ordained and installed in. June, 1843, and remained with the church seven years. After
Mr. Burr, the society engaged the services of Rev. Martin Dudley, now of Easton, Ct., who preached
about a year. The next settled pastor was Rev. Philo Canfield, of
Buffalo City Presbytery. He commenced his labors in August, 1852, and was installed in September of
the same year. Mr. Canfield continued his relations with the church until the Spring of 1856, when the
connection was dissolved. In August of the same year, Rev. William W. Page was employed to preach
for the society one year, as a supply. From September, 1859, to September, 1861, Rev. E. S. Hunting-
ton, of Danbury, preached for the society. Mr. Hunt- ington was succeeded by Rev. F. J. Jackson, who
preached nearly a year.

May following. He remained with the church but two years, or thereabouts.
In the autumn of 1867 Rev. Augustus Alvord, of Bolton, Ct., commenced preaching for the church, and
remained with them until August, 1871, four years, preaching as a stated supply ; and in September of
the same year (1871), Rev. William M. Parsons, of Brooklyn, N. Y., was invited to supply the pulpit.
The invitation was accepted, and Mr. Parsons has continued his labors with the church until the present
time. Mr. Camp, the first pastor of the church, was a native of Salisbury, Ct. But little is known of the results of his labors. He left on record the names of thirty- five children of members of the church baptized by him from 1769 to 1799, none of whom are now living,
so far as known. Mr. Burton also records the names of some twenty " children of believing parents" baptized
by him. Of those baptized in infancy by Mr. Burton, but one is a member of the church at the
present time, or residing in Ridgebury, though several are known to be living elsewhere.
During the long interval between the dismissal of Mr. Camp and the settlement of Mr. Burton, services
were regularly held in the church, the pulpit being supplied by neighboring ministers, or a sermon read
by some person of the congregation appointed for that purpose ; and from 1813 to 1817 a season of special
religious interest was enjoyed, thirty-four members being added to the church by a public profession of
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The labors of Mr. Burton were highly appreciated

May following. He remained with the church but two years, or thereabouts.
In the autumn of 1867 Rev. Augustus Alvord, of Bolton, Ct., commenced preaching for the church, and
remained with them until August, 1871, four years,
preaching as a stated supply ; and in September of
the same year (1871), Rev. William M. Parsons, of Brooklyn, N. Y., was invited to supply the pulpit.
The invitation was accepted, and Mr. Parsons has continued his labors with the church until the present
time. Mr. Camp, the first pastor of the church, was a native
of Salisbury, Ct. But little is known of the results of his labors. He left on record the names of thirty-
five children of members of the church baptized by him from 1769 to 1799, none of whom are now living,
so far as known. Mr. Burton also records the names of some twenty " children of believing parents" baptized
by him. Of those baptized in infancy by Mr. Burton, but one is a member of the church at the
present time, or residing in Ridgebury, though several
are known to be living elsewhere. During the long interval between the dismissal of
Mr. Camp and the settlement of Mr. Burton, services
were regularly held in the church, the pulpit being supplied by neighboring ministers, or a sermon read
by some person of the congregation appointed for that purpose ; and from 1813 to 1817 a season of special
religious interest was enjoyed, thirty-four members being added to the church by a public profession of
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The labors of Mr. Burton were highly appreciated

by the church, and eminently blessed of God. From 1821 to 1843, which covers the whole period of his
ministry as pastor, one hundred and fourteen were added to the church, of whom " some remain unto
this present, but the greater part are fallen asleep." During the pastorate of Mr. Burr, 1843 to 1850,
eight new members were added. From 1 850 to the close
of Mr. Canfield's pastoral relations with the church in 1856, twenty were added. From 1856 to the
present time the additions to the church have been " few and far between," only seventeen in the whole
twenty-two years. There have been nineteen deacons of the church
since its organization in 1769, of whom but one, deacon
James E. Hayt, remains. In October, 1762, the Ecclesiastical Society of Ridgebury bought the land on
which the church now stands, of John Whitlock. The
consideration was " the love and respect I have and do
bear unto said Discenting Society in Ridgebury." Previous to this time, it is said, an old Congregational
church of some kind stood on the hill about half a mile south of the present house of worship. This was
probably the " New Patent Meeting House" before alluded to. But in August, 1768, the society voted
to build a " Church" forty-six feet long by thirty- six feet wide, to be " shingled with cedar shingles, and
sided with chestnut or oak." It was further voted that " the new house shall stand facing the east, and
be finished by the first day of July, 1769."

...The " old church," which had stood as a sort of moral lighthouse for more than eighty years, and
which had been the spiritual birthplace of so many souls, was finally demolished, and a new house — thirty
by forty-six feet- — erected in its place, which was dedicated,
with appropriate exercises, to Almighty God in 1851.

Every village and hamlet had its school and its church, and
as a rule the latter was the parent of the former. This was the case in this town. It is not certainly known
when the first school was opened, nor when the first church was gathered ; the earliest records of the town
reveal the fact that both existed. The settlers came to the town with their faith in God and their faith in
education already established, and the one irnmedi- ately gave rise to a church and the other to a school.
The first reference made to the schools of the town was in the year 1721, when " it was voted at a town
meeting that eight pounds shall be raised for ye support
of a school,"

CHAPTER XI.
HISTORY OF THE SCHOOLS OF THE TOWN.
THE' school has always been one of the chief pillars of our nationality. The church and the school-house
have stood side by side, while the preacher and the teacher have wrought together. It is also a fact, apparent
to every careful observer, that nearly every college and seminary of learning in the length and
breadth of our land has originated in the brain and by the hand of the minister of Christ. Especially is
this true in New England, and of no State truer than of Connecticut.
Scarcely had the log cabin indicated the halt of the emigrant, before the log school-house as surely indicated
the purpose and plan of the settler. Every village and hamlet had its school and its church, and
as a rule the latter was the parent of the former. This was the case in this town. It is not certainly known
when the first school was opened, nor when the first church was gathered ; the earliest records of the town
reveal the fact that both existed. The settlers came to the town with their faith in God and their faith in
education already established, and the one irnmedi- ately gave rise to a church and the other to a school.
The first reference made to the schools of the town was in the year 1721, when " it was voted at a town
meeting that eight pounds shall be raised for ye support
of a school,"

In the year 1725 General Assembly passed an act releasing the citizens of the town from the payment
of taxes, " provided they draw no money out of the treasury for the school."
In 1742 the town by a major vote released the people
of the new patent (Ridgebury) from paying any tax to the town school on condition that they should
keep a school among themselves six months yearly. At this time there was in the town but one school-
house, and that was located nearly opposite Mr. Ab
ner Gilbert's residence ; there was, however, another
school taught in the town-house. That this was not the first school-house erected in
the town is proven by the fact that as early as 1726 steps were taken in a town meeting to repair the "
school-house ;" which school-house was located on the Church Green, near where the present Congregational
church edifice now stands. So nearly as can be at present determined this first
school-house was used for a meeting-house until 1726, and for this purpose was at one time enlarged
by an addition to the east end. This addition (or new part, as it was called) was afterwards (when the Congregational
church was built) taken off and removed, and the remaining or original part repaired and used ,
exclusively for school purposes. School continued to be taught in this school-house
until the first town-house was built, which was in 1743, when. the school was removed to that house, as
will be seen by an action of the town in 1746. On the 1 8th September, 1744, this old school-house was
sold at public auction.

Mrs. Irad Hawley's, and was afterwards moved to some
point which cannot at present be determined. The action in reference to its removal reads, " The
Town House shall be moved and set a little Southerly
of where the Pound now stands." The probability is that this new location was immediately across the
Green, a little south of Mrs. Nathan Smith's. The following will throw some light on the manner in
which schools at that early day were maintained : At a sheep meeting held in Ridgefield, December
24th, 1742, it was voted by a majority "that the money coming for the hire of the Sheep the last year
shall be given as a Bounty to help maintain the Town School for ever, and when the money is gathered it
shall be delivered to the committee that is appointed to take care of the bounty money given by the Government
to support ye school, And ordered by the above said vote to let out the said money as ye money is
that comes from the government, and to improve the use thereof to pay it towards ye maintenance of said
town school forever. "
Test TIMOTHY KEELER, Clerk."
This sheep hire is easily explained. Until about the year 1760 there were a considerable number of
sheep in the town, owned by the town — Mr. Goodrich
says about two thousand — which were kept by a shepherd
in the summer months, and regularly twice in the week let to the highest bidder to lay in his plough
land during the night season, which method of enriching
the land it is stated "caused the worn land to produce excellent crops of wheat of the best quality."
The money thus obtained was that which was appropriated
by the town for school purposes. The following receipt appears on town records :

Mrs. Irad Hawley's, and was afterwards moved to some
point which cannot at present be determined.
The action in reference to its removal reads, " The Town House shall be moved and set a little Southerly
of where the Pound now stands." The probability is that this new location was immediately across the
Green, a little south of Mrs. Nathan Smith's. The following will throw some light on the manner in
which schools at that early day were maintained : At a sheep meeting held in Ridgefield, December
24th, 1742, it was voted by a majority "that the money coming for the hire of the Sheep the last year
shall be given as a Bounty to help maintain the Town School for ever, and when the money is gathered it
shall be delivered to the committee that is appointed to take care of the bounty money given by the Government
to support ye school, And ordered by the above said vote to let out the said money as ye money is
that comes from the government, and to improve the use thereof to pay it towards ye maintenance of said
town school forever. " Test TIMOTHY KEELER, Clerk."
This sheep hire is easily explained. Until about
the year 1760 there were a considerable number of sheep in the town, owned by the town — Mr. Goodrich
says about two thousand — which were kept by a shepherd
in the summer months, and regularly twice in the week let to the highest bidder to lay in his plough
land during the night season, which method of enriching
the land it is stated "caused the worn land to produce excellent crops of wheat of the best quality."
The money thus obtained was that which was appropriated
by the town for school purposes. The following receipt appears on town records :

HfSTOR Y Of RIDGEFJEL^. "
Ridgefield April 28th 1743, then received of C Richard Olmstead and Matthew Benedict, Com'
tee of the Donation Money Given by the Governrr y" sum of 2$£ 14? and 6d in order to pay the S
Master. We say we received it, as Witness our JOSEPH KEELER, ) School
JAMES BENEDICT, j Committee! , th Rev. Samuel Goodrich says in his history of town, written in A.D. i8oo, that the schools of theff town " are maintained Ist in part by the produc of the sales of lands in Litchfield County by tl State and appropriated to the schools. 2nd. By produce of an excise duty laid on Rum and Tea, the act proving unpopular was never carried into gep eral execution, the money paid in by this town returned and appropriated for the benefit of 3d. By the 407 on the thousand, as it is called.
By the produce of the sales of the western lands, antfe
lastly, in case of deficiency, by a tax on the scholars.'*:
Mr. Goodrich also says that the "wages given masters is from 15 to 18 dollars per month, accord- ^
ing to number of scholars and the ability of the ' teachers. There is taught in our schools Reading,"!:
Writing, Arithmetic, and Grammar, some Catechising^
and a little manners. It has been remarked that the visiting committee have attended to their dutjr:
3 our schools are under better regulation and our schoi-4
ars make greater proficiency. There are a number off-
young people who have been taught in our schools^ who have gone into other parts and taught with a
plause. Board for children is from seventy-five cents^
to one dollar per week, and tuition from fifty cental one dollar per quarter."

At a Town Meeting held in Ridgefield by Adjournment from
Decem' ye i8th to Decemr y8 24th AD 1753 Matthew Benedict being
Moderator it was Voted in sd meeting that there shall be two Men
Schools kept 3 Months between this time and ya first of April next one
of them at ye Town house and ye other at ye School house near L*
Jonah • Smith". It was also voted in sd meeting that there shall be
three School Mistresses provided and put into Schools ye first of April
next and continued therein until y' first of October next, one of them
to be kept in ye School house near L' Jonah Smiths, one of them in y"
Town house, and one of them in or near Ben" Rockwells house. "
It was voted in sd meeting that two Men Schools shall be kept by
two masters in (sd houses or places where y" above said men Schools
are to be kept) from ye first of October next till y" next Annual Town
Meeting."
In the year 1761 five schools were taught in the town, one at the town-house, and the remaining four
at houses built for the purpose ; one at West Lane, one at Titicus, one at Limestone, and one at Florida.
At a town meeting held December 28th, 1761, it was " Voted that there be five Schools kept within the
Limits of this Society for three months viz. one at the 8

"
At a Town Meeting held in Ridgefield March i8lh 1746 at ye said •
meeting Serg* James Northrup by a Major vote was chosen Moderator. " The sd meeting by their Major vote do agree and order that there shall be two women Schools be kept from ye first of April next till ye first of Octob' ensuing, y" one of sd Schools to be kept at y" Town house and y" other at ye house that was built for that purpose, a little northward of Jonah Smith". "
Test TIMOTHY KEELER, Jfegistr." "
Ridgefield April y6 13th 1749 then Received of Capt Richard
Olmsted, Matthew Benedict, School Com*"" of y" Donation money ye
sum of Twenty six Pounds twelve shillings money in order to pay for
y" keeping School or Schools in testimony hereof we do set our hands "
SAM" SMITH } "
THOMAS HYATT [• Selectmen" "
JAMES NORTHROP ) "
At a Town Meeting held in Ridgefield by Adjournment from
Decem' ye i8th to Decemr y8 24th AD 1753 Matthew Benedict being
Moderator it was Voted in sd meeting that there shall be two Men
Schools kept 3 Months between this time and ya first of April next one
of them at ye Town house and ye other at ye School house near L*
Jonah • Smith". It was also voted in sd meeting that there shall be
three School Mistresses provided and put into Schools ye first of April
next and continued therein until y' first of October next, one of them
to be kept in ye School house near L' Jonah Smiths, one of them in y"
Town house, and one of them in or near Ben" Rockwells house. "
It was voted in sd meeting that two Men Schools shall be kept by
two masters in (sd houses or places where y" above said men Schools
are to be kept) from ye first of October next till y" next Annual Town
Meeting."
In the year 1761 five schools were taught in the
town, one at the town-house, and the remaining four
at houses built for the purpose ; one at West Lane,
one at Titicus, one at Limestone, and one at Florida.
At a town meeting held December 28th, 1761, it was " Voted that there be five Schools kept within the
Limits of this Society for three months viz. one at the

house near John Northrups Jur, one at the Town
House, one at the house near Benj" Stebbins Jr,
one at Limestone ; and one near Platt's Mill, Provided
there be a sufficient number of scholars at each
school, to be Determined by the School Commitee
Ca!pt. Daniel Bradley, Aaron Northrup, Tho8 Hawley,
Theophilus Stebbins, and Obadiah Platt were Chosen
a School Committee. "
Granted a Rate or Tax of three farthings upon the
Pound to Defray the Charges of the Schools and
Society, to be paid by the first Day of May next. "
John Smith Jur was Chosen a Collector to Collect
the Society Rate and pay the same into the Hands
of the Committe that has the charge of the School
Bonds viz Sam Olmsted Esq Capt Richard Olmsted
and Stephen Smith."
On the 22d of December, 1762, it was voted, '' That
there shall be 25 Scholars to attend each School in the
Society one Day with the other as long as the Schools
are Continued."
On the 2oth of December, 1763, at a meeting of the
First Ecclesiastical Society it was voted that the
schools be continued the same as the previous year,
with the additional clause : " Liberty is allowed by the
Major vote of the meeting to set up Six Schools in
the Society at or near the Places where they were
kept last year and to be kept by Masters for three
Months, and each School to draw an equal Share of
the ten Shilling upon the thousand allowed by the
Government for the use of Schools and the Interest
upon the Donation, provided they are kept two
months compleat. "

house near John Northrups Jur, one at the Town House, one at the house near Benj" Stebbins Jr,
one at Limestone ; and one near Platt's Mill, Provided
there be a sufficient number of scholars at each school, to be Determined by the School Commitee
Ca!pt. Daniel Bradley, Aaron Northrup, Tho8 Hawley,
Theophilus Stebbins, and Obadiah Platt were Chosen
a School Committee. " Granted a Rate or Tax of three farthings upon the
Pound to Defray the Charges of the Schools and Society, to be paid by the first Day of May next. "
John Smith Jur was Chosen a Collector to Collect
the Society Rate and pay the same into the Hands
of the Committe that has the charge of the School Bonds viz Sam Olmsted Esq Capt Richard Olmsted
and Stephen Smith." On the 22d of December, 1762, it was voted, '' That
there shall be 25 Scholars to attend each School in the
Society one Day with the other as long as the Schools
are Continued." On the 2oth of December, 1763, at a meeting of the
First Ecclesiastical Society it was voted that the schools be continued the same as the previous year,
with the additional clause : " Liberty is allowed by the
Major vote of the meeting to set up Six Schools in the Society at or near the Places where they were
kept last year and to be kept by Masters for three Months, and each School to draw an equal Share of
the ten Shilling upon the thousand allowed by the Government for the use of Schools and the Interest
upon the Donation, provided they are kept two months compleat. "

said society meeting that the " Society be Divided into Districts for Schooling."
So far as can be gathered such a division had never
before been definitely made. Previous to this schools
were located in different parts of the parish, seemingly
without regard to definite limits. In 1773 it was voted at a society's meeting " that
schools maybe kept in the same places, and under the
same regulations as last year, with this addition, that
each Committee man warn the people in the District
where he resides to meet at Time and Place, and the
major part of their votes shall Determine who shall be
the master to keep their school, and the Committee
shall be concluded thereby and hire the master. Said
district shall by their major vote order him to hire ; and
also with this reserve that the district up at Tytichus
have Liberty to keep their school at the house near to
James Smith's, or at any other place said District shall
agree upon." "
At a Society Meeting held by adjournment Decr 14th AD 1784. "
Voted That this Society be and is divided into five whole districts and two half districts Voted, That all that part of the Society, begin-
ing at and including L' Wilsons Dwelling House, and running Southerly including Esqr Benedict" Dwelling House and all the houses joining
on the West side of Town Street, as far as Norwalk line then Easterly on said line as far as James Ressequie house (including it) thence
Northerly taking in the dwelling houses joining the East side of the Road to the west side of the Great Swamp, as far North as Capt Scotts
House up the Lane to L* Wilsons aforesaid, be called the first District. "
Also, to begin at the North West corner of the first District, to run Easterly along the North Line of the same to the Great Swamp then
North along the West side of the same to the Island Bridge then over the same, including John Waters and Isaac Sherwoods Houses, as far
North as Waters' Barn, then a Westerly course to the mouth of the Lane south of Jasper Meads House, then a strait course to Titichus

said society meeting that the " Society be Divided into Districts for Schooling."
So far as can be gathered such a division had never before been definitely made. Previous to this schools
were located in different parts of the parish, seemingly without regard to definite limits.
In 1773 it was voted at a society's meeting " that schools maybe kept in the same places, and under the
same regulations as last year, with this addition, that each Committee man warn the people in the District
where he resides to meet at Time and Place, and the major part of their votes shall Determine who shall be
the master to keep their school, and the Committee shall be concluded thereby and hire the master. Said
district shall by their major vote order him to hire ; and also with this reserve that the district up at Tytichus
have Liberty to keep their school at the house near to James Smith's, or at any other place said District shall
agree upon." " At a Society Meeting held by adjournment Decr 14th AD 1784. "
Voted That this Society be and is divided into five whole districts and two half districts Voted, That all that part of the Society, begin-
ing at and including L' Wilsons Dwelling House, and running Southerly including Esqr Benedict" Dwelling House and all the houses joining
on the West side of Town Street, as far as Norwalk line then Easterly on said line as far as James Ressequie house (including it) thence
Northerly taking in the dwelling houses joining the East side of the Road to the west side of the Great Swamp, as far North as Capt Scotts
House up the Lane to L* Wilsons aforesaid, be called the first District. "
Also, to begin at the North West corner of the first District, to run Easterly along the North Line of the same to the Great Swamp then
North along the West side of the same to the Island Bridge then over the same, including John Waters and Isaac Sherwoods Houses, as far
North as Waters' Barn, then a Westerly course to the mouth of the Lane south of Jasper Meads House, then a strait course to Titichus

Bridge then Westerly the South side of King's House to the road South of Daniel Dauchy's House — then Westerly along the middle of
the road to the State line, then southerly along said line to Concklins Saw Mill then Easterly a strait line, to said North West-corner of the
first District, to be called the Second District. " Also, to begin at the River Westerly of John Waters Barn to run
Northerly on the East side of Gideon Scotts Dwelling House, to Ridge bury Line then Westerly along said line to the State line, then
Southerly along srt State line to the North West corner of the Second District, then Easterly along the North line thereof, to the River
where it begun to be called the third District. " Also To begin at the South West Corner of the first District —
and to run Northerly along the West line thereof, to the North West corner of said first District, then Westerly along the south line of the
second District to the State line, then Southerly along the State line to Norwalk Line, then Easterly along Norwalk line to sd South West
corner of first District ; To be called the fourth District. " Also To begin at the South East Corner of the Third District,
to run as far Northerly on the East line thereof as the turn of the river then to run East to the River, then along the river to Resseque's Saw
Mill, then to run Easterly a strait line across the South end of Burts pond to Redding Line, then Southerly along s'd line, to the Cross Highway
leading to Kains then Westerly taking in the Houses on the South side of said Highway to Nathan Burr's (including it), then Westerly a
strait course to the South East Corner of the Second District, then Northerly on the East line of the Second District to Waters- Barn, then
Westerly to said South East Corner of the third District at the river where it begun, To be called the fifth District. "
Also To begin at the North East Corner of the fifth District and to run Westerly along the North line thereof till it comes to the East line
of the third District, then Northerly along the East thereof to Ridge- bury line ; then Easterly along s'd line to Danbury line, then Southerly
Westerly and Easterly along said Danbury and Reading lines to said North East corner of the fifth District "
To be called the first half District. " Also To begin at the South East corner of the first District and to
run Northerly along the East line thereof, to the southwest corner of the fifth District then Easterly along the South line thereof to Reading
line then southerly along said line to Norwalk line then Westerly along Norwalk line to the South East Corner of said first District

Bridge then Westerly the South side of King's House to the road South of Daniel Dauchy's House — then Westerly along the middle of
the road to the State line, then southerly along said line to Concklins Saw Mill then Easterly a strait line, to said North West-corner of the
first District, to be called the Second District. " Also, to begin at the River Westerly of John Waters Barn to run
Northerly on the East side of Gideon Scotts Dwelling House, to Ridge-
bury Line then Westerly along said line to the State line, then Southerly along srt State line to the North West corner of the Second
District, then Easterly along the North line thereof, to the River where it begun to be called the third District. "
Also To begin at the South West Corner of the first District — and to run Northerly along the West line thereof, to the North West
corner of said first District, then Westerly along the south line of the second District to the State line, then Southerly along the State line to
Norwalk Line, then Easterly along Norwalk line to sd South West corner of first District ; To be called the fourth District. "
Also To begin at the South East Corner of the Third District, to run as far Northerly on the East line thereof as the turn of the river
then to run East to the River, then along the river to Resseque's Saw Mill, then to run Easterly a strait line across the South end of Burts
pond to Redding Line, then Southerly along s'd line, to the Cross Highway
leading to Kains then Westerly taking in the Houses on the South side of said Highway to Nathan Burr's (including it), then Westerly a
strait course to the South East Corner of the Second District, then Northerly on the East line of the Second District to Waters- Barn, then
Westerly to said South East Corner of the third District at the river where it begun, To be called the fifth District. "
Also To begin at the North East Corner of the fifth District and to
run Westerly along the North line thereof till it comes to the East line of the third District, then Northerly along the East thereof to Ridge-
bury line ; then Easterly along s'd line to Danbury line, then Southerly Westerly and Easterly along said Danbury and Reading lines to said
North East corner of the fifth District " To be called the first half District. "
Also To begin at the South East corner of the first District and to run Northerly along the East line thereof, to the southwest corner of
the fifth District then Easterly along the South line thereof to Reading line then southerly along said line to Norwalk line then Westerly along
Norwalk line to the South East Corner of said first District

' '
Voted, That the Public Monies (by Law appropriated for the benefit of schools) belonging to this Society be equally divided, between
and to the Several School Districts in said Society and that each whole District one Sixth part thereof and Each half District one twelvth part
thereof ; Provided Each whole District, keeps Schools three Month in Each Year ; and Each half District, six weeks in Each Year ;— and in
case any whole or half District fails of keeping a school as aforesaid ; then the Moneys belonging to them (in case they had kept School as
aforesaid) to be divided as aforesaid to and among those Districts — that keep a School as aforesaid. "
Voted That Jesse Benedict, Benjamin Smith Job Smith John Benedict Jr Michael Warring Joseph Mead and Robert Edmond, be
and are appointed School Committees, for the Several Districts to which they belong for the Year Ensuing. "
At a Town Meeting held April ye ioth 1786 voted " That the Proprietors of the Frame set up for a School House near
y" Dwelling house of Jeremiah Wilson may have the privilege of appropriating
the present Town house towards finishing said School House ; provided the Proprietors of said School House fully vest the
Town and the first Society with the privilege of holding all their necessary
Town Proprietors, First Society and Freemans Meetings therein and that they (the proprietors of sd School House) will finish and
Compleat said School House and make it Convenient by seating y' same. ' '
The above house was known as the Independent School-House. "
At a. meeting of the Proprietors of the Independent School House holden at the House of Widow Clemence Smith on April y" 21" 1786
Silas Hull Moderator and Jacob Smith Jun Clerk protempore of said meeting, Voted "
That the proprietors of y' said Independant School House will take and Appropriate the now Town House, agreeably to the vote of
the Town Respecting said Town and School House and do wholly and fully Invest the Town with all the Privileges respecting said School
House, which are Mentioned in the Town Vote respecting ye same." This independent school-house was located in Mr.
Lounsbury's yard, directly in front of his present carriage- house. It seems to have been a school of higher

HISTORY OF RIDGEFIELD.
grade than the common district schools, and for upwards of thirty years was taught by Mr. Samuel Steb-
bins. In 1799 there were ten schools kept in the limits of
the first society, in as many houses built for the purpose. The number of scholars at that time taken by
the Visiting Committee was four hundred and thirty- three.
Since then other districts have been formed and other schools established.
The following are the numbers and names of the several school districts as at present existing in the
town : District No. I. Scotland. " "
2. Bennett's Farms. " " 3. Limestone. " "
4. Titicus. " " 5. West Mountain.
6. Center. 7. West Lane.
8. Whipstick. " 9. Flat Rock. "
10. Branchville. " ii. Florida. " "
12. Farmingville. " 13. North Ridgebury. "
14. South Ridgebury. The number of scholars enumerated in the list of
the town in the month of January, 1878, as of school age, is four hundred and thirty-four.

406
Obêcurity of Woorter'« Grave. Résolve* of Congress. A centenarian Loyalist. Treatment by nil Neighbors
Revolution rest, and among them those of the brave General Wooster, who fell, as we shall
presently observe, while gallantly opposing Tryon and his marauders on their retreat from
Danbury. Not even a rough stone of the field marks his grave, and no man living can
now identify it.' The fact is a disgrace to the people, past and present, among whom he
fell in battle ; and the government, whose representatives, with grateful appreciation of his
services, long ago voted money to erect a monument to his memory,1 is guilty of positive ingratitude
in so long withholding the paltry sum, while the long grass is weaving a web of
utter obscurity over his dust. From the cemetery I strolled down the winding road along which Tryon entered Dan-
bury, and, returning, called to see the venerable Joseph Dibble, then in his hundredth year.
He lives with a nephew, near the same spot where he resided when Danbury
was burned. He is the Loyalist who, with his father, entertained Governor
Tryon while he remained at Danbury. He was a Loyalist in principle, and adhered
to the royal cause in accordance with his convictions of right as an order-
loving, law-obeying citizen. He was not armed against his Whig neighbors,
and took no part in the cruelties which his guest sanctioned, but simply gave "
aid and comfort to the enemy" while there. But the outrages committed by
the men whom he sheltered and fed drew upon himself much of the odium that belonged
to them, and for many years he was greatly despised by the sufferers.
One night he was taken from his bed by some of his neighbors in disguise, to a
deep place in the little river near the village, where they ducked him several
times during the darkness. He expected that they would leave him under water
with the fishes at the last immersion, but there was as much funny mischief
as serious malice in his tormentors, and, to his great joy, they released him on dry land just
as the first hue of light in the east appeared. Time softened the asperities of feeling, and
1 On the 17th of June, 1777, the Continental Congress adopted a resolution, " That a monument be erected
to the memory of General Wooster, with the following inscription : ' In honor of David Wooster, brigadier
general in the army of the United States. In defending the liberties of America, and bravely repelling
an inroad of the British forces to Danbury, in Connecticut, he received a mortal wound on the 27th day of
April, 1777, and died on the 2d day of May following. The Congress of the United States, as an acknowledgment
of his merit and services, have caused this monument to be erected.' " Rctolved, " That the executive
power of the state of Connecticut be requested to carry the foregoing resolution into execution, and
that five hundred dollars be allowed for that purpose." — Journals of Congrets, iii., 197.
It has been erroneously asserted that the money was subsequently put into the hands of General Woosters
son, and that it was squandered. This is not true, as the Journals of Congress will show. A bill for the
purpose passed the House of Representatives in 1822, but, in consequence of the numerous similar petitions
that were presented after the passage of the resolution by the Lower House, the Senate did not concur.
Ezra Foote, Esq., a citizen of Danbury, aged eighty-four years, informed me that he could so nearly identify
the grave of Wooster as to pronounce it with certainty to be one of two graves, situated, as I ascertained
bv measurement, twenty feet northeast of the grave of Sandeman. General Wooster was not in the Continental
service at the time of his death. Conceiving himself neglected, he had resigned, and was appointed
the first major general of militia in his native stale. Tory Guidée. Night Ride toward Ridgcfield. Retara to Danbury. Eidgefield.

(NORTHRUP), NORTHROP
Abiah w. James, d. Aug 9, 1806.
Amos s. James, d. Nov 28, 1801, age 18 y.
Cloey w. Nathaniel, d. Sep 8, 1825.
Eli s. Nathaniel, d. Aug 26, 1775, age 2 y.
Emila m. Tiler Purdy, Mar 21, 1799.
Hannah m. Samuel Baldwin, Dec 9, 1772.
Hannah m. Orange Starr, Dec 3, 2795.
James, Jr., m. Abiah Rockwell, Jan 26, 1774.
James s. Samuel, d. Apr 5, 1775, age 5 y.
James Lt., d. Jun 20, 1777.
James d. Nov 23, 1836, age 86 y.
Mathew m. Hannah Abbot, Sep 14, 1769.
Mathew, Jr., m. Hannah Keller, Oct 16, 1794.
Mathew, Jr. his inf. d. d. Jan 16, 1797.
Mathew d. May 1829.
Nathaniel m. Chloe Baldwin, Nov 5, 1772.
Nathaniel d. 1829.
Rachel m. Theophilus Taylor, Jr., Dec 4, 1771.
Rachel w. Lieut. James, d. Sep 17, 1775, age 52 y.
Rachel m. John Norris, Oct 20, 1790.
Samuel m. Prewe Riggs, Nov 29, 1769.
Sam(ue)l s. Samuel, d. Apr 3, 1775, age 2.
Samuel d. Apr 13, 1776, age about 30.
Samuel d. Apr 29, 1802, age 26 y.
Stephen m. Elizabeth Hyat, Nov 2, 1779.
Thomas d. Jun 3, 1807, age 57 y.

This home on Pequot Avenue, Southport, Connecticut is a recently restored example of the Northrop Brothers fine carpentry and building in the Southport-Greeens Farms area.

Image Courtesy of David Parker Associates, Thanks to Westport Historical Society Barbara Raymond

James Northrup	B. 22 Jan 1744		D. Before Jul 1751
Stephen Northrup	B. 22 Jan 1751 or 1759 in Ridgefield, Conn	M. 22 DEC 1821 in Chester, Geauga, Ohio to Deborah Robinson has connections to Frederickstown, Dutchess, New York later Frederick, Dutchess, New York A later child is born in Monroe, Saratoga, New York and in 1821 he marries Chester, Geauga, Ohio he married Deborah Robinson and prob dies in Ohio	D. 17 OCT 1831

Rachel Northrup	B. 28 Jan 1754 in Ridgefield, Fairfield, Connecticut
Hannah Northrup	B. 28 Feb 1755		D. 5 Aug 1822
Samuel Northrup	B. 5 Mar 1746
Matthew Northrup	B. 6 Apr 1749
James Northrup	B. 15 Jul 1751	M. Abiah Rockwell 26 Jan 1774	D. 20 Jun 1777
Nathaniel Northrup	B. 15 Jul 1751

A Historical Collection from Official Records, Files, &c., of the Part ...

Children of James and Rachel Northrup

The Firelands

The Cabinetmakers of America



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