The ancient historical records of Norwalk, Conn ... - Hay genealogy

REMINISCENCES. 173
MissPhebe Comstock, aged 83 years, Sept. 26, 1846,
lived in New Canaan, at Canoe Hill. Used to go over to
her uncle's, where they used to climb an apple-tree and
see Norwalk very distinctly.
Went to meeting at New
Canaan. In cases of alarm, which was given by firing
three guns in succession, the men left all and hastened
to the parade. Such alarms often came. Her father
would run in and say, " Now, girls, unyoke the oxen
and turn them out," and in less than five minutes
would he ofi" to the parade. They used to carry their
guns to meeting ; no more thought of going to meeting
then without their guns, than we do now without our psalm
hooks. " They never had an alarm without repairing to
the parade ;
and they did not go slow neither." The
alarm at the burning of Norwalk came about day-break.
Went to the apple-tree ; saw the flames ; heard the
guns. Her father and four brothers were engaged in the
defence ; the '^ dreadfuUest day she ever saw ;" the
guns kept firing a long time ;
" a dreadful fight." She
saw the " Red-coats" take up-several of their dead or
wounded, and carry them to their boats ; saw the steeple
of the meeting-house fall in.
Onesimus, the colored man, who lives with Miss
Comstock, and lived with the former Phebe Comstock,
was 84 years old Dec. 4, 1846. When continental soldiers'
were quartered in town, the chaplain was at Miss Phebe's
; his waiter died, and Onesimus took his place.
The soldiers were billeted round, but assembled for rollcall
every day. Onesimus was enrolled.
Onesimus, at one time after the town was burnt, went
down to get salt hay at Miss Phebe 's meadow, not far
from the old potter's shop, sometimes called " The Village,"
below Old Well. Miss Phebe went with him to
look out, as the enemy were always lurking round for