record. Experience taught them the necessity of paying more attention to the education of their children.

13th Jan. 1707, a Committee was appointed at a Village meeting, "to see after the schools, and agree with a man to keep school in East-Haven, to teach children to read and write." The Committee accordingly agreed with Mr. Heminway to take charge of the school.

In 1728 the Village was divided into four Districts, and the public money into as many parts, according to the number of children over 5 and under 15 years of age. The next year they agreed to employ a school-master, as near the middle of the village as was convenient. Some part of the time at South-end, and some part at Foxon's, according to the number of children from 8 to 18 years of age. In 1732, it was fixed between 6 and 16-At that time Foxon district included all the families north of the Bloomary brook, and a line running west to Claypit brook. A school was begun in Dragon district, 1730.

The first school-house was on the "Green, or Market place." And afterwards east of the present meeting-house. One stood on the hill near Matthew Moulthrop's house, west of Foxon: and in 1767, one was built a little north of Bloomary brook.

In 1742 the school-money was divided thus: Two thirds for the schools below the Bloomary brook, and one third north of that line, and so west, over to Nanny Capel's brook. Foxon district was then very thrifty and populous, but has since declined in wealth and population.

In 1743, "It was voted that the Southend children shall have their proportion of the school money, from the age of 4 to 18." In 1769, the Village was divided into six school districts. The public school money was derived from the sale of the public lands in Litchfield County.

Though the people of this town have been favoured for more than a century with a College at their door, they have not availed themselves of that advantage, to give their sons a public education. Only six have enjoyed that privilegeJacob Heminway, graduated 1704 Thomas Goodsell,

viz:

in

1724

Agreeable to the new law respecting the school fund of

this State, a census of the children between the ages of 4 and 16 has been taken every year in the month of August, and is as follows:

Total,

376

393

A few years since, a Library Company was formed, and gathered about 75 or 80 volumes; but for seven years past no regard has been paid to it, by the appointment of the proper officers. Several attempts have been made to obtain a meeting of the company, but have failed!

CHAPTER VII.

Population-Taxable Property and Taxes.

THE only data on which we can ascertain the population of East-Haven, for about one hundred and fifty years after its first settlement, is the scale by which the division of land was made; and this, so far as it goes, may be considered generally accurate.

ver.

In 1683, there were 20 families within the bounds of the Village, and 121 polls, which is six to a family, and one oBesides these, there were five unmarried men, and one widow, which makes the population of that year 127. In 1702, there were 32 families, and 192 polls, which gives the proportion of six to a family; besides eight unmarried persons who drew lots for themselves ;-whole number 200: which makes an increase of 73 in 19 years.

In 1709, there were 33 families, and 200 polls, exclusive of 10 single persons who drew lots for themselves;-making 210. Beside these there were five families at Southend, who did not at this time draw lots of land. If we allow six to a family for them, the population will be 240. There were a few tenants and servants who are not included in this number; and with that addition, the population might amount to 270 persons.

In 1754, there were 61 freemen. Some of these were old men, and had small families; and doubtless there were some men who had families, and who were not freemen.— If we reckon the number of families at 70, and allow six persons to a family, the souls will be 420. The population in 1754 did not, probably, exceed 500 souls; for in the years 1736, '42, 43, 73 children died, and 29 adult persons, some of whom were heads of young families.

In 1769, there were 64 voters in a society meeting, respecting the place where the new Meeting-House should stand. On that occasion, doubtless nearly all the voters in the society attended.

The regular census of the United States affords an accurate view of the population of the town at four equi-distant periods. The official returns stand thus:

1790, 1025 persons.

1800, 1004

1810, 1209 persons.
1820, 1237

There are at this time, 1824, about 200 families in the town, which, according to the census of 1820, contain upon an average more than six to a family.

TAXES. The amount of the Grand List in East-Haven, In 1683, was £1794 00 00

The valuation amount of property for the United States direct tax, in 1815, was $351,225: property in other towns, $2426. 1504 dollars were deducted. The amount of tax was $1006 22. In 1816, the amount of valuation was $375,703 Property of non-residents deducted, $22,918: leaving $353,785. The tax on this sum was 133 mills pr. cent. which raised $470 95.

The state of property will further appear, from the annexed list for the year 1785, when East-Haven became a Town: 140 Polls between 21 and 70,

38 Polls between 16 and 21,

£2520 00

342 00

Under the new Assessment law of 1819, the list stood

The Town has, for several years, voted from 3 to 3 cents tax to defray the current expenses of the Town-and from 1 to 2 cents for the repair of the roads.

CHAP. VIII.

Losses by War.

IN the French war of 1755, a number of men were drafted from East-Haven for the English army near the Lakes, and the greater part of them were lost by sickness and battle. Of these I have obtained the following names, viz. Jacob Moulthrop, David Moulthrop, Adonijah Moulthrop, Jacob Robinson, Benjamin Robinson, Thomas Robinson, jun. David Potter, John Mallory, Abraham Jocelin, Samuel Hotchkiss, James Smith, Samuel Russel and Stephen Russel, brothers, and Asa Luddington. Benjamin Russel was captured at sea.

In the war of Independence, which began 19th April, 1775, the following persons were lost.-In 1776, Elijah Smith was killed in battle upon Long-Island; Thomas Smith conducted a fire ship to the enemy, but was badly burnt, and the attending boat having left him too soon, he had to swim ashore, where he was found three days after, in a helpless state; he was brought over to Rye, and there he died.-Nathan Andrews died a prisoner. In 1777, Isaac Potter perished in the prison-ship. The 5th July, 1779, Isaac Pardee was killed on Grave or Fort hill, by a cannon shot. In October, on board a privateer, Zabulon Bradley was killed; Richard Paul, Jacob Pardee, jun. Asa Bradley, Abijah Bradley, and Elijah Bradley, were made prisoners, and all, except the last, perished in the prison ship at NewYork, the following winter. In 1780, Medad Slaughter died in the prison-ship. In 1781, John Howe was killed by the Tories when they surprised Fort Hale. John Walker was killed upon Long-Island.

Thus twelve young men were lost; and several men returned from captivity so injured by hard usage, that they pined away and died, particularly Edward Goodsell, Isaac Luddington and Jared Heminway.

On the 4th July, 1779, the enemy intending to capture New-Haven, landed a covering force on Morris' Neck and Southend, and marched directly to Tuttle's hill, where they encamped that night, and the next day re-embarked. They were led by the Tories. In this invasion they burnt most of the buildings within their reach, and made the rebel Whigs feel the effects of Royal British vengeance.

To meet these losses, and those of other Towns of a similar