Connecticut western news., 1911-02-02
FALLS VILLAGE
Historical-Early Settlers

Abraham Hollenbeck, after whom the Hollenbeck river was named, and Peter Hogoboon. two Hollanders from New York state, settled about 1725 near Point of Rocks so called, buying land from the Indians.
 Friendly Indians were encamped about 9 spring back of the present residence of Mr. A. F. Gibbs when the old part of that house was built in 1735, one of the wigwams being vacated for the family of MT. Nathaniel Dean to live in while he built the house. A mortar and pestle for grinding corn, presented to MT. Dean by the Indians, is still treasured in this house.
 In 1737-38 the tract of land embraced within the present towns of Canaan and North Canaan was sold at public auction in New London, Conn.,, a committee being appointed to lay out the town as sold.
 The actual settlement began in June 1738, although the first deed of land was made to Daniel Lawrence under date of Jan. 4, 1737.
 As late as 1741 this locality was in the County of New Haven, a deed of land bearing that date being in evidence, while in 1753 another deed bearing date of 10th day of Dec. in the 27th year of the reign of our sovereign Lord, George the second of Great Britain" gives Litchfield as the County.
 At the first town meeting, in Dec. 17S6, the year. when the town was incorporated, reward was offered for rattlesnakes tails, and committee appointed to confer with man about fitting his house "convepient to meet in 1 on the Lords day."
 April 29, 1740, the town voted to build meeting house 40x35 feet, with 20ft. by ye sixth rod highway that goes through ye town," belng near the present Camp Ground railroad station. The church (CongregationaDw was organ ized in TAI, the proprietors of the town making provision for preaching the gospel to the first setGlers, and until 1918 Congregational ministers were supported by town tax.
 Key. Elisha Webster was the first settled pastor. He was settled Oct. 1, TAO, and dismissed Oct. IA, 1752. Rev. Daniel Farrand was ordained two months previous to the dismissal of MT. Webster and continued as pastor until his death in 1903.
 About 1769 the old house of worship was repaired and moved by oxen to Point of Rock, where it was occupied until 1894, when the center of population had again changed and the present i Congregational church was built at South Canaan. -.t.
 The old church on the Plains" was a noted place of worship, people attend ing services here from adjoining towns and from over the Mass, state line, often having to start from home at a. m. The church at East Canaan was an off-shoot, and "Parson" Farrand assisted to establish churches in other | gOW uALAASoI hAo AOhsS IlGI01 Norfolk being one place in the then wilderness where he helped establish conRregationalison. Not until 179S did the Methodists gain foothold to build 8 church. But the house is standing, on Battle Hill," and is probably the oldest M. E. church edifice now standing in New England. It is owned by Dwight Brinton and used as a>tenement.
 The first School Squadron" was established at Grassy Hill, and there was also located the first cemetery, where gravestones are to be found dated 174O.
 The sixth rod highway mentioned in the records ran through the town east of the Camp Ground, past Grassy Hill, across Beebe Hill and directly oyer Barrack Mountain. There was no cross road to the Warren Turnpike or River Road, the land between, where the village of Falls Village is now located, being farm land.