The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-08
REVISERS OF STATUTES.
REVISION YORK 4 STEPPING STONE FOR POLITICAL AND JUDICIAL HONORS.

FOR POLITICAL AND JUDICIAL
 HONORs.
 Codes From 1672 to Isss-A Long Lin,
 ofDIstinguished Men and Officials oi
 the State.
 The first important revision of the
 statutes in Connecticut was completed
 in 1872, but was nJt printed until 1874.
 When the Connecticut and New Haven
 colonies were incorporated under the
 charter from Charles IT., changes were
 necessitated in the laws prevailing at
 the time. The revision was undertaken
 by the Governor, the Deputy Governor and the majority of the assistants.
 Governor John Winthrop was at the
 head of the revisers. William Leete of
 Guilford was the Deputy Governor.
 The work was done so well that 1t met the approval of the General Court of 1872. It was known as The Second
 General Revision. Roger Ludlow Of Windsor who was the Deputy Cover nor in 1889, and held that office during two subsequent years-1642 and 1o43-- began a compilation of the laws of the colony here in 1646. The work occupied -four years. It's completion gave the first body of statute law to the com mOnWealth.
 The story of Ludow's career is all in- teresting one. He was man of great learning and ability. He was nem- Der of the Connecticut Constitutional convention in 1639 He was with John Mason in the Second Expedition in the Pequot War and was actively inter ested in the protection of the Connectl- Cut frontier against the Dutch and h. dians, particularly in Fairfield. Lhe General Court of New Haven d1sap- proved of his projects. The reflection on his patriotism occasioned by this ac- tion of the New Haven colony so in censed him that he left for Virginia in 1854 with his family and died in ob- Scurity. In fact the time and place or his death are unknown. Ludlow was the brother -in-law of John Endicott, His public services in Connecticut were of much importance. The public stat Mtes were not printed prior to the re vision of 1872, but were promulgated by means of written copies and public readings at town meetings.
 JOHN ALLYN.
 The second General Revision, as 1t was called, was ordered printed by the General Court, and the work was done by Samuel Green of Cambridge, Mass, the first printer in the colonies. The name of John Allyn should not be omitted in speaking of this revision. He was one of the active participants in the work. John Allyn was one of the notable men of his time. He was a member of the First Church, and an influential leader in the colony He was a member of the tribunal which tried Nathaniel Greensmith and wife, Rebecca Greensmith, for witchcraft, December 30, 1862. The execution of the unfortunate couple took place January 25: 1863. MT. Allyn was a trusted officer of the First Church and complete confidence was placed in his opinions and views. He was chosen, January 4, 1885, ito seat the people in the meeting howse according to his | Judgment and discreesion.' He was | one of the executors of the will of the | Rev, Samuel Stone. He was placed | at the head of the committee on revis-
  work which he had performed on the revision of 1872 entitled him to the first place on the committee. But it is not In the least probable that he could have engaged materially in the revision work. His death occurred in November of the year in which he was appoint ed It was not until 1700 that the re- vision was ready for the General Court
 +l.N 1, of the chairman. The associates of Chair man Allyn on the committee were James Fitch and Eleazer Kimberley.
 Major James Fitch.
 Was one of the largest land owners in the colony. He was a man of decided force of character, imperious in his ways and friend of liberty and edu- cation. He came into collision with Governor Saltonstall through an at tempt to lay out township north of Holland. In communication to the Governor he used the expression: "God save the King and the colony of Con- 1ecticut from self-desgning and self men" A warrant was issued him before the authorities II New London to answer to false and ;editious expressions Lame and not tble to ride" he refused to obey the ummons. May 19, 1717, he was ordered before the General Assembly. There vas a divison between the two houses n regard to the extent of the punish : nent that should be inflicted upon jim. In the end he made a confession hat was accepted as sufficient. Major Fitch was friend of education and of Norwich, and was a benefactor of eligion. He belonged to the church in Tale College which was then in it's in- ancy. He gave the college 637 acres if land adjacent to Five Mile river in The land was near the boundary of the present town of Kill ] ingly. It was exchanged in 1726 for ] more available tract. In 1721 suits I were instituted for the recovery of l art of the tract given by Major Fitch l o the college. The claimants were the r Rev. John Fisk and James Leaven. In I eptember, 1723 the Superior Court I ecided the contention in favor of the | o1lege trustees. Major Fitch became y and poor ill the end, and the great t possessions which he had owned were r ot able to bring him rest and ease in t he concluding period of his career. S
 MIR. KIMBERLEY. Major Fitch's colleague on the com o oF Io