Connecticut western news., 1872-05-10
SALISBURY, CONN. Friday Morning, May 10, 1872.
HISTORY OF NORFOLK.
[Continued.l

improved, ana accompanied by an organ
 The singing for public worship, in tho
 eally times in this place, was conducted il
 the following manner: after the clergyman had given out the psalm and read it, the senior deacon began by reading the first line, which was sung, and then the next line was read and sung, and so on through the psalm. The leaders needed little smore than strength of voice 10 recommend them to the notice of those who united with them, and of the congregation generally. A gamut, with few concise rules, and a small number of psalm tunes were annex ed, this being their only source of instruc- ton Ill the science of sacred music. The singers were mostly composed of the their families and scat mates in the lower part of the house. In this scattered situa- ton they waited for the leader to com mence. He must give the tune, the pitch and the impetus. N hcn he had sung a few notes, thr tune and the sound was caught by the attentive ears of the per formers, and Old Hundred, or some of its respected contemporaries was alternately sung devoutiy, and, 'in lofty strains and cadence sweet, it arose from the scatter i'd performers, who each except the leaders, depended on others for time and movement, but were independent as to emphasis and diction. From full heart flowed the sin cere tribute of sacred and grateful praise. And though a critic might say there was jar in the pronunciation of the words used, and not the most perfect melody, yet, so far as they were devoutly uttered, they were accepted.
 1881, Dec. 1lth, Mir. Joseph Eldridgc preached his first sermon to us, he cOntin- ued with us several Sabbaths, preaching on probation. In 1882. Jan. 23d, the ecclesi- astical society met, and voted to give Mir Eidridge call to settle over this society as their gospel minister: yeas, ST; nays, 9 They also voted to give him salary of $65o annually, for his services. The church met immediately after, /and voted unanimously to concur with the society in gviug MT. Eldridge a call. The dongs of
 
 ted to him. February l2th, his letter of acceptance was read to the congregation. The society anticipated, with anxiety and deep interest, the arrival of our expected pastor, and of the time agreed upon by the parties for his ordination, when the stated ministration of gospel or dinances should again be established. April 25th. Mir. Eldridge was ordained; sermon ny the Rev. Dr. Taylor, of New Haven. An important era in the history of this town.
 In 1889, an academical school was insti- tuied, by forming a company and organiz-- ing it for the purpose of its future regula tion. Their first teacher was Rev. John F. | Noricn. In ls4o, they proceeded to erect n building for the purpose. which was com pleted and dedicated August 3l, 1S4O; cost | $2000. The school commenced operation | bl the new building with encouraging pros- pects.
 In lS4l, the members os the Methodist Episcopal church, residing in this town and its vicinity, erected house east of the centre burying- ground, and dedicated it to the worship of God, where they might en- joy the institutions and ordinances of reli- zion. Its form and size is well proportion- ed and convenient, it's finishing is neat, and calculated suitably to impress the mind of the devout worshiper.
 In lS44, which was calculated, as near as could be, as the centennial year of the town, Qn l744, the Settlement began near the Ives place, towards Canaan.) Dr. Thomas Robbins gave us a centennial ad- dress on this occasion. He introduced his address by saying, that the very recent no- tice he had received, and the short time for examining records relating to the history of Norfolk, was his apology for not being better prepared for the occasion. He, however, addressed us in his energetic and interesting manner.
 INCIDENTS
 Which occurred in the first half century of the settlement of Norfolk, obtained from verbal in-
 iormation-dates not ascortaned.
 The first road cut through Norfolk was done by Capt. Isaac Lawrence, Canaan in its course it came to what we now call Loon meadow, there they found meadow or opening of some extent, the grass grew upon it in considerable quantity and of good quality; on it they found a dead loon, that had apparently come to the close of life in quiet manner, and this circumstance recently gave the name to the place. There they gave part of their team chance to feed, and with the re- mainder went forward towards what was after called the North Green they return ed at night and found all things safe, and also an increase of their stock-a mare which they left in the morning, had brought them fine colt. This road or passway led on through the northwest part of the town, near MT. John Smiths, and on what is called the College farm.
 In early times, Mir. Barber, father of Captain Timothy Barber, formerly an in- habltant of Norfolk, came from Simsbury, With two of his sons, well armed, to trav- erse part of the town, and coming to a place, since called Pine mountain, they stacked their guns and strolled round, and the hill in hope of getting dis tant view of the surrounding country Mr. Barber stepped into hole in the side of the hill and something shot by him and sprang up tree near him. He did not at first know what it was, but sent his youngest son to get their guns-he dld not find them; still watching the animal, he sent his oldest son, who soon returned with the guns; while waiting, he perceived that the creature grew very uneasy, twisting his tail and changing his position, perhaps with the intention of sprlnging upon them. MT.