The Newtown bee., 1898-08-12

pFOtecL the sneep rom the raVenOus wild beasts, the wolves and bears which roamed over these hills and wales.
 Then the town Ctf"red rewards for kill ing wild beasts. For every wolf killed the Solectmen paid 40 OshTlings; for every old bear 50 shilling; for every cub or young bear 20 shilliugs. It was further ordered, that whoever killed & wolf in the town, if they expected to be paid for if, must bring the wolfs head to the Town Treasurer, who should keep an ac- count thereof. No wonder, therefore, chat the early inhabitan of Fairfield had stOckade forts built to protect their families from the ravages of the wild beasts and the more savage Indians. In those times the town kept watch by night and ward by day.
 Among the first settlers of Fairfield and Northwest Parish was John Banks, distinguished lawyer and an extensive land holder. He was afterwards chosen representative to the General Court of Connecticut, and appointed to important public offices on the part of the State; 8 man of excellent character and public spirit, who had the confidence of the Legislature in a remarkable degree. From him all the Banks of this town are supposed Co have descended, and his de- scendants have become almost as numer- ous and distinguished as were the de- Canaan; and may their virtues never be 1 less. Of equal celebrity and public spirit was Jehu Burr, one of the pioneers | of the Northwest Parish. In his day he was much employed in public affairs, I on account of his ability and character.
 He was father of Daniel Burr and grand
 father of Rev Aaron Burr, who became
 president of Princeton College, New
 Jersey, and one of the most distinguished
 preachers of the gospel during the CO., 1 lnnial period. From Jehu Burr nearly all the Burrs in this section of country
 have descended, and most of them have
 been worthy of their pious and noble an-
 cestry. Another of the early and distin-
 guished citizens of the town of Fairfield
 was Francis Bradley, who had eight sons l OAAS
 ia the township. His son, John Bradley,
 had nine sons and three daughters, who
 settled in the North West Parish, after
 wards called Greenfield; from whom
 have descended some of the most worthy
 and distinguished citizen of the town of
 Fairfield and of the commonwealth of
 Connecticut. If time would allow,
 should love to speak of other pioneers of
 Fairfield, such as Thomas Hill, Samuel
 Bradley, and many of like celebrity,
 who, in their day and generation, honor
 ed the name and place that gave them
 birth.
 Previous to the American Revolution
 Fairfield Town was one of the most
 wealthy and populous towns in Connec.
 ticut Colony, having, in the year l756 , ,455 inhabitants. On this account, at
 well as on account of the superior char
 acter of it's people, Fairfield exerteC
 controlling political influence in thu n state and nation.
 . Though Connecticut was one Of thu l great producing States during the Am CT - ican Revolution, both of men and none! l, to carry on the war, yet she has neve l. had her full merit recognized in any his 0 torical work published, and the same f true of the town of Fairfield, which dit e more and suffered more, according to he l. population, than any town in New Eng b land.
 l. While Generals Warren and Putnar t- have become world renowned for thei }. patriotism, heroism, who has ever hear IS of Captain Ebenezer Banks, who, lik le General Putnam, left his plough in tn l. field when he heard of the battle of Lex r. ington? Then learning that 8 publi g. meeting would be held that afternoon o ls Greenfield Hill, he hastened to the plaC r. of cencourse. By his exertion, with tf le sid of others, company was raised D. Greenfield and vicinity and soon starte as to go to the place of conflict. Here q the sword he carried then and throue p the war, and has upon it's hilt inscribt CT hls name, Captain Ebenezer Banks, 176 es showing that he owned and carried th re sword sixteen years before the declar If tion of American Independence. Bl to never have the deeds and sacrifices re that patriotic band of soldiers, n tn those of General Silliman of Fairfield, ep of Major Chapman of Greens Farms ai .a their troops, been adequately portray he on the page of history, though they pc to formed an important part in securing tl