Litchfield enquirer., 1848-02-17
HISTORY OF NORFOLK.

Some months since, we noticed the puolica- ton of the History of the Town of Norfolk, by Aureu Roys, Esq, Town Clerk. From this history it appears that the township was ap- pointed to. be sold at Hartford, on the 2d Taes !. day in April, 17ss. Having failed to make a sale, the Assembly ordered it to be sold at Mddletown in 1742, but was not entirely sold until sixteen years from that time. In May, 1750, an act was passed by the assembly. or- dering the remainder to b. sold at public ven- due at Middletown in August next ensuing and, if not sold then, to continuei the vendue until it was sold.
 In I75s, when the town was incorporated, there were but twenty-seven families residing in it. Timothy Horsford, of Windsor, took deed of one right of 400 acres, being the tract since occupied by Titus Ives and Nathaniel Pease. in the westerly part of the town, on the Canaan road. This tract soon passed into the hands or Cornelius Brown, who built O hoase thereon. and removed his family His team drew the first load which passed through the Green Woods. so called, MT. John Turner and MT. Jedediah Richards soon came from Hartford, and lived near MT. Brown.
 In consequence of unavoidable embarrass- ments, together with the ferbidding aspect of the wild and uncultivated tract. maay of the first purchasers forfeited their first payment of forty shillings on the right, and the land was re-sold. Soon after the second sale, number of families settled in the town. In the north part, Isaac Holt, Jacob Spaulding, Ebenezer, Ezra, and Samuel Knapp, and James Benedict; m the south part, Joseph and Samuel Mills, Asahel Case, and Samuel Cowles, all from Simsbury Samuel Manross came from Farm ington and built log-house rear where the meeting house now stands. Joshua Whitney removed from Canaan and erected frame house near, and Cornelius Brown a saw-mill on the present site of the centre grist-mill. In l777, this town was first represented in the general assembly of this state. Messrs. Giles Petibone and Wm. Walter were appoint men of an army, subjugated and dispoiled of its weapons ofwar, was exhibited. A part of
 Rurgoyne's forces passed through this town as prisoners of war; encamped, for several days, on the centre green. It was composed of Hess sians and regulars, the subjects of Great Brit ain, martially designated. They were suffer- ed to stroll around among the inhabitants and
 beg for food until ordered to march forwardt to {, the place destined for their reception One of the Hesslans died, and Hendrich Bale another,
 fingered behind, became an inhabitant of this town and married Sarah Hotchkis, and had sons | Frederick Salmon and Josiah. For the partlc- ulars of the capture and ultimate fate, the read CT is referred to the history of the Revolution l In 1767, a circumstance occurred, whck fol itsno, city and the rare sport it afforded, may.
 well be noticed in this place. While the con- gregatien was assembled, and devoutly enga-
 ged in celebrating the annual thanksgiving the speaker having commenced his sermon
 a messenger entered the house, and with ; firm and manly step, walked partly up tho
 middle aisle, with his eye fixed on the speaker full of meaning and intelligence the speake
 paused and he informed the crowded assem
 bly,, that five wolves were now on Haystacl
 Mountain, partly surrounded by men alread collected, and that more men were wanted [ assist in destroying them. The speaker re piled that he thought it the duty of every ma to turn out and combat these invaders; imme , diately great part of the male members of tn l congregation rose from their seats and flew l the scene of action. A line was formed roun
 the mountain, distributing at proper distant
 es those who were supplied with gunsand an
 unititn n, and the whole circle was directed
 leaders emulous to excel: the line gradua
 ly contracted as they ascended the mounta on every side. silent and cautious, until Il files were nearly closed The rayenous inv d ders now appeared in rapid flight. coming t
 wards the line, the clubs and pitchforks we
 raised, the guns elevated in martial form, | y balls whized, a part of the wolves were kill . on the spot, the remainder rushed 10 fhs v posite section ofof the line. where they m , their fate, except the dog-wolf, who, frighte ls ed and enraged, rushed through the line ,fl clubs. pitchforks and guns notwithstanding 2 but the steady and well-aimed firearms so' a ssopped him, filling his body with balls, n .e counted until more at leasure. They we sII brought down into the village in triumI ara exhibited to . numerous collection )O r.cule; many of whom dispensed with the v psSai Thanksgiving feast around the Rresi Inf quiet homes, ahd!wsre seen gratifying the
 zig ht rather than their appetitss.