| 1739 |
|
Another request for part of common land
for Episcopal Church use, again granted. |
| 1740 |
|
Visit of the Rev. George Whitefield, who stood upon the steps of the
Congregational Church of Academy Hill and preached to a great multitude. |
| 1743 |
|
Third Congregational church building erected by taxation. Second Episcopal church building erected on
Main Street by stock ownership. Upon
its spire is placed the weather-cock which tops the spire of the present
edifice. |
| 1744 |
|
New Episcopal building, unplastered and without pews, opened with a
sermon by Dr. Johnson. |
| 1745 |
|
Public greens came into town’s possession as gifts of private
individuals. |
| 1750 |
|
Voted to build a town hall. |
| 1751 |
|
Agreement for a dock to be built for Episcopal tower by John Davis, “a
stranger.” |
| 1752 |
|
The Rev. Hezekiah Gold, Congregational minister, having married an
Episcopalian, who insisted upon attending her own church services thereby
making him escort her to and from the door of her church, before and after
conducting his own service. The Rev. Gold was pastor for twenty years. |
| 1753 |
|
Birth or Captain Nehemiah Gorham, a Revolutionary War officer. |
| 1754 |
|
Dr. Samuel Johnson accepted presidency of King's CoIIege. The Rev.
lrahiah Wetmore is pastor of First
Congregational Church. |
| 1756 |
|
ashington, as a British officer, first passed through Stratford. Birth of
General Joseph Walker, a Revolutionary War Officer. |
| 1757 |
|
“Colonel Frazier’s Highland Battalion was encamped on the common and
amused themselves by shooting at the weather-cock on the Episcopal Church
spire, piercing it many times.” Birth
of Colonel Aaron Benjamin who was in the attack on Stony Point. |
| 1758 |
|
First town meeting held in first town hall. Organ placed in Episcopal Church. Stratford and sister towns recompensed by
General Assembly for quartering Colonel Frazier’s Highland Battalion. |
| 1760 |
|
Town voted to build a “pest house.” |
| 1762 |
|
Severe drought, but spring which answered the prayers of the Rev. Nathan
Birdseye, in Oronoque, never has dried.
Episcopal bell cast in Fairfield. |
| 1764 |
|
First time-restriction for taking oysters – ten shilling fine for taking
them between April 20 and September 10. |
| 1765 |
|
Golden Hill reservation sold by Indians. |
| 1766 |
|
Honorable William Samuel Johnson appointed by General Assembly to go to
England and defend the Colony of Connecticut concerning its title to certain
lands. Loss of suit meant threat to
Connecticut’s charter. |
| 1767 |
|
Johnson successful. Became
acquainted with many in high places at court. |
| 1768 |
|
The Rev. Ebenezer Kneeland called to assist Dr. Johnson at Episcopal
Church. |
| 1770 |
|
Arrival of John Stirling, son of Scottish baronet, at Benjamin Tavern. |
| 1771 |
|
Marriage, in Christ Church, of Glorianna Folsom and John Stirling. |
| 1772 |
|
Death of Dr. Samuel Johnson. |
| 1773 |
|
Glorianna Folson Stirling sailed from New York to rejoin her husband at
Gloriat, the family seat at Stirlingshire, in Scotland. |
| 1774 |
|
Town meeting authorized collections to be taken to assist the oppressed
people of Boston. |
| 1775 |
|
Washington met Lafayette at the Benjamin Tavern. |
| 1776 |
|
Captain David Hawley sailed from Stratford, was captured by the British
but later escaped to New York in a small boat. |
| 1777 |
|
Town meeting, held at North Parish, voted unanimously the sum of ten
pounds to each who enlisted in Continental service for three years or during
the war. Voted a tax of eight pence on the pound on list of 1776 to pay same.
Later, committee appointed to receive donations of provisions for support of
soldier's families. Additional tax of six pence on pound. During spring and
winter about six hundred persons had smallpox. |
| 1778 |
|
Articles of Confederation carefully considered and approved. |
| 1779 |
|
Tyron's raids on shore towns, Stratford people, terrified, circulated
petition requesting William Samuel Johnson and other prominent people to use
their influence with British admiral and General to save Stratford. Johnson
arrested, by orders of General Oliver Wolcott and ordered sent to Farmington,
under guard, to prevent him holding correspondence with enemy. Johnson given
parole journeyed to place the case before Governor Trumbull and soon was
exonerated by Council of Safety. Town makes effort to clear itself of charge of carrying on a traitorous correspondence with the enemy. |