New-York tribune., 1900-06-24
NORWALK's QUARTER MILLENNIUI
THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE PURCHASE OF
THE LAND OBSERVED LAST WEEK.


THE LAND OBSERVED LAST WEEK.
Norwalk. Conn, entered upon the second quarter
millennium of its history last week Tuesday, June
49, was the 250th anniversary Of the signing of the
purchase agreement by the representatives Of
the settlers As it is the intention to cele
brate the anniversary of the settlement of the
and city of Norwalk next year, the signf-
of the day was recognized only Informally
Wreaths of flowers placed in the old burying
ground and upon the Ludlow Monument. The town
was not settled until some months after the pur-
chase of the land and the actual date of arrival
of the settlers is not known, the celebration next
year will not be altogether out of place
person entering the main street of the old town
and driving beneath its arches of the graceful elms
would quickly recognize Norwalk Of the
older wEngland towns, although many of the
pronounced characteristics of a New England town
have been toned down by half century of close
contact with the metropolis. few old houses the
architecture of the older churches. the green and
the atmosphere of Of the old homes still pro-
claim its early character.
The history of the town. civic. ecclesiastic and
social is typical. The land occupied by the town
of Norwalk was acquired by purchase from the
Indians at three different times. Such articles as
coates" hatchets. hoes "knfes," scissors, 'jewsc
harpes." "tobackoef kettles and wampum were
the purchase price. The first purchase made
by Roger Ludlow February 26, 1910. On April 20
of the same year Captain Daniel Patrick Of the
settlers Of the town Of Greenwich purchased an
other section. In 1861 the settlers acquired still
third tract
On June 19. 1850, Roger Ludlow transferred his
purchase number of Hartford coonists for f15,
they agreeing to settle before the following spring.
This transfer the first step toward the settle
ment of the town, and its date is the observed
last week
There two happenings and one parsonage
connected with the history of Norwalk which give
it more than a local interest. The town one
Of chose Connecticut places destroyed by Governor
Tryon 1t is generally supposed that the soil Of
Norwalk is the last Connecticut soil upon which
He is said TO have taken a boat there in order
10 cross TO Long Island on his way the British
camp The date Of Governor Tryons exploit is set
down Sunday. July H. 1779. Tryon crossing from
| Long Island with twenty-six vessels arrived off
NoIWaIk on the evening OF July 10 and landed his
| the next day he obliged to overcome a body of
four hundred patriot troops He lost several men.
The salt pans along the shore the magazines, the
| moored at the docks eighty horses two churches
eighty-seven barns, seventeen shops and four mills
were burned. At this time the taxable property Of
| the town was about 100000 The damage was esti-
| mated by committee appointed by the General
Assembly Of the State at about $4,000. Tradition
| says that Tryon sat in chair on nearby hill
Roger Ludlow, who was the first OF the
land which Norwalk was settled was promi-
being chief among those who framed the first writ
Constitution Of Connecticut and its transcrber.
chusetts in 1880 until he went to Virginia about
1854 He was Deputy Governor of Massa chUsetts
lie was also a magistrate for many years in Con-
necticut.
Memorials have been erected to commemorate and
mark various spots connected with the burning of
the town, and monument has been erected to the
memory Of Ludlow. Funds are now being raised
for the erection Of memorial to Nathan Hale. At
the present time Norwalk occupies important
position in the oyster industry, being OF the
principal ports for this business on Long Island
Sound.