History of the Town of Litchfield, Connecticut

of the Church vote, viz: That conversion, should not be a term of admission for Church communion." This rule has long been abrogated. In 1785, the society built a new Church of liberal dimensions. In April of that year, the Society "voted, That the meeting house committee shall have good right to furnish Rum, Grindstones, and Ropes sufficient for framing the meeting house according to their best discretion." And in June of the same year, the Society appointed an overseer, to direct the issue of Liquor at the raising, and "voted, That the overseer shall give two drams per day to the spectators, one a little before noon, the other a little before night." They entered upon the work with such spirit, that the house was finished in twenty weeks after they began the frame. A steeple was soon after added, and a bell procured. This Church was occupied till the year 1844, when it was taken down, and a neat and tasteful edifice was erected in more modern style.

The once celebrated "Morris Academy," was established in South Farms by James Morris, Esq., in 1790.

"The parish of NORTHFIELD, was incorporated by an act of the General Assembly, at their October session in the year 1794. This parish is situated in the South-east corner of Litchfield, and it includes within its limits a part of the Township of Plymouth. The people settled their first minister, Feb. 17th, 1795, viz: The Rev. Joseph E. Camp." 99* He died there in May 1837.

"The parish of MILTON is situated in the north-west corner of Litchfield. It includes within its limits, a part of Goshen, a part of Cornwall and a part of Warren. Milton was incorporated by the General Assembly at the May Session, 1795,”*

The climate of Litchfield is eminently favorable to health and longevity, and our pure and invigorating atmosphere is resorted to by strangers from the cities and the South, during the heat of summer. Our citizens have had the reputation of being distinguished for their intelligence and virtue. The

* Morris' Statistical Account.

peace of this community has seldom been disturbed by extensive local or personal contests; a spirit of liberality has in general existed between different religious sects, and a feeling of good will between all classes. Party spirit, it is true, has prevailed among political partizans, and formerly embittered to some extent social intercourse. But notwithstanding the calumny which at different times has been heaped upon individuals, and upon opposing parties, its effect has been temporary, and after the heat of contest has subsided, men have learnt the injustice of which they have been guilty, and that neither all that is excellent is to be found exclusively with the one party, nor all that is bad exclusively with the other. And if any there are who disbelieve a truth so obvious, they receive, in this respect, no countenance from those whose opinions are worthy of regard.

The inhabitants of Litchfield have been blessed with peace, harmony and prosperity. They have been well satisfied in preserving the valuable institutions of their forefathers, with such improvements as experience, and the spirit of the times, suggested. The History of such a people is of course somewhat barren of events interesting to posterity, and if what has been collected relative thereto, is either useful or interesting to the inhabitants or natives of the town, (and it cannot be expected to be much so to others,) the author will be satisfied with the result.

APPENDIX.

The County of Litchfield was organized by an Act of the General Assembly, at their session in October, A. D. 1751; and Litchfield was then made the shire town.

List of Judges of the Court of Common Pleas and County Court from the

After May, 1820, the County Court consisted of a Chief Judge and two Associate Judges, till May, 1838, and thereafter of one Judge only.

Clerks of the Court of Common Pleas and the County Court, and of the Su

perior Court after its establishment in the County in 1799.

Accessus. Exitus.

Accessus. Exitus. 1751 1793 Origen S. Seymour, 1836 1844 1836 Gideon H. Hollister, Sheriffs.

Accessus. Exitus.

Isaac Baldwin,

Frederick Wolcott, 1793

1844

Accessus. Exitus.

The Probate District of Litchfield was established in the year 1747, and embraced the towns of Litchfield, Harwinton, Torrington, Goshen, Cornwall, Norfolk, Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Kent, (then including Warren,) and the Lands on the west side of Housatonic River, between New-Fairfield and Sharon.