Connecticut western news., 1872-04-12
SALISBURY, CONN.
History of the
TOWN OF NORFOLK.
Continued.

AcSeIes 0itCS Cb10Ouc auu W lu. W oIISI were appointed representatives. The as- sembly, at their sessicn in l77s, ordered each town in this state, to appoint con- mittee, vested with full power and direc- ted 10 establish uniform price through the state for labor per day, the price of every article of produce, every manufactured article, tavern prices, etc. The object Is not stated. A few specimens will here be noticed, in abstract. Labor, per day, 3s. sd., 4s. l-2d. and 5s. 3d., specifying the different seasons of the year, and the kinds of labor; good narrow axe and scythe, each Ills. Sd. :; 8 good broad hoe. 7s. Cd. Joiners, per day, 5s, Sd. and 6s. l l-2d. Carpenters. Is. Masons, IS. 10 l 2d. Tail ors, 5s. Sd. Addresses, 2s. 2d. Tavern keepers, for good meal of victuals. Is. 2d.. for mug of cider, I'd, good West India, rum, per gill, Is. New England rum, Sd. a mug of flip, made of good West India rum, 2s. 4d. other rums. Is. 3d., etc. The orig insl list, singular document, is on fife iE the town clerks office.
 la l78O. the inhabitants who were re- qulred to ald ln prosecuting the defensive war in which we were engaged, were divi- ded into three classes. each class was to furnish soldier for the continental ser vice; and for their encouragement, the town voted to give each man drafted, or enlisted into the continental service, three pounds per month in addition to their stipulated wages and m order to enable them to pay this premium, they levied 8 tax of 3 -2d. on the pound, to continue for three successive years. Both foot and cavalry were entitled to receive it; it was payable in produce, and 8 committee was appointed To receive and distribute 1t. Polls were exempted from paying this tax. the first year. Soon after, an additional tax was levied for the same purpose, of Is. on the pound, to be paid in state or continen- tai money; or if any one chose to pay in produce, at the stated price, it was to be received at the rate of Sd. on the pound. The next year, l78l, the town voted, that 100 silver dollars should be received of a militia class, instead of 8 man. This $loO, was to be distributed equally to each of the three classes At this time, states money WIS estimated at $2 for one of silver, and continental bills, SIP for one of silver, and it tcontinued to depreciate until @lO0 wss required for bushel of wheat. A con- nsi,tee was appointed at the same meeting, to regulate their appropriations according 10 the depreciation of the paper currency.
 In l782, pursuant to an order from the general assembly, (each town in the state having similar orders, this town collected 8 stated quantity of provisions for the use of the army, consisting of pork, beef, flour, etc. These were to be deposited in con- venient place, and ready when called for. Inspectors of provisions were annually ap- pointed, for several years. The articles were placed under the care of man ap- pointed for the purpose, for safe keeping. By some means-nOt stated-the prsvis ions thus deposited were so damaged as not 10 be fit for the purpose designed. The loss was estimated of fifty-pounds. A seri- ous loss, considering their circumstances at that time.
 While suffering under pubic losses and individual embarrassment, heightened by the chilling clangor of war, our fathers were sustained, and were still alive to, and active in their duty, numerous as were the calls, domestic and in defence of the rights The inhabitants of this town had, in the course of the war, slowly progressed in provements-population had increased, fields were cleared, roads opened, school houses erected, heavy taxes liquidated. and calls for charity were apparently met with cheerful heart.
 Soon after the war closed, many enter prising families and single young men emi- grated from this town to Vermont; and, subsequently, still greater number to the western and north western parts of New York and Pennsylvania, and onward to the State of Ohio, particularly into that section of it called New Connecticut, or, the Wes- tern Reserve, so that travellers from this town to the north, north Invest and west, by enquiring or accidentally, will find and meet those whom he can recognize as na- tives of this town and that many who t~SPAC sAOcO ACW 6CShACAACubS1 "CEC uCSCSu- dants from our first settlers. or had recently gone from us.
 In 1787, 8 circumstance occurred, which, for its novelty and the rare sport it affor- ded, may well be noticed in this place. While the congregation was assembled, and devoutly engaged in celebrating the annual thanksgiving, the speaker having commenced his sermon, messenger entered the house, and with a firm and manly step, walked partly up the middle aisle, with his eye fixed on the speaker full of mean ing and intelligence; the speaker paused and he informed the crowded assembly that five wolves-a dog and slut, with three pups almost full grown-were now on Haystack Mountain, partly surrounded by men already collected, and that more men were wanted to assist in destroying them. The speaker replied, he thought il duty for every man to turn out and com bat these invaders; immediately grea part of the male members of the congre gation rose from their seats, and flew tt the scene of action. A line was formed round the mountain, distributing at proper distances those who were supplied witt guns and ammunition, and the whole circle was directed by leaders, emulous to excel
 the line gradually contracted as they as cended the mountain on every side, silen and cautious, until the files were nearly closed. The ravenous invaders now ap peared in rapid flight, coming towards thu line, the clubs and pitchforks were raised the guns elevated in martial form, the ball whizzed, and part of the wolves were killed on the spot, the remainder rushed to th