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

U NORWALK. [1651.
town records. On the 15th of February, 1651, the
planters were here, as appears from the deed from
RuNCEiNHEAGE. Somo of them, at least, were probably
here the year beforor There is a tradition that
several of them spent the winter here.
THE FIRST MINISTER.
In the great Bible of Capt. Hezekiah Betts, who died
in 1837, aged 77, I find, among other historical memoranda,
entered by his own hand, that Thomas Hanford
began to preach to the people of Norwalk about the
year 1648. As Capt. Betts was so curious about such
matters, and so accurate, I had entertained no doubt
that his record was correct, and so published it ; but as
the people who agreed for the settlement with Mr. Ludlowe,
in 1650, engaged to " invite an orthodox and approved
minister with all convenient speed," it is clear
that Mr. Hanford was not here in 1648. Trumbull is
doubtless correct, when he says, p. 299, " the same
year [1652] Mr. Thomas Hanford began to preach
at Norwalk, and some time after a church was formed
in that town, and Mr, Hanford ordained pastor. '*
THE NAME.
The common tradition concerning the name, is the
account given by Barber in his Historical Collections,
p. 392, that the name Norwalk is derived from the one
day's " North-waW that limited the
northern extent
of the purchase from the Indians. It is wonderful that
so awkward and improbable a fancy ever gained credit.
Norwalk is the old Indian name. The Indians were
called " the Norwake Indians'" and the river bore the