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History of Erie County
CHAPTER I
THE FIRE-LANDS—A LIST OF THE SUFFERERS AND
THEIR LOSSES
To make compensation for losses, the State of Connecticut, prior to
the sale to the Connecticut Land Company, released and quit-claimed to
the suffering inhabitants 500,000 acres, to be taken from the western end
of the Reserve. The tract so granted embraces the present counties of
Huron and Erie, the ToAvnship of Ruggles in Ashland County, and of
Danbury in Ottawa County. The name "Fire-lands" had its origin in
the fact that the lands were donated because of losses which occurred
by reason of fire.
Frequently did the inhabitants of the- nine suffering towns appeal to
the Connecticut Legislature for some material recognition of their claims
for relief. The state afforded limited aid by the abatement of taxes, but
no adequate compensation was provided for some years.
In 1787, at the Slay session, the memorialists made another and a
strong appeal, asserting the justness of their claims and complaining
of the neglect their previous petitions had suffered. They earnestly urged
the attention of the Legislature to their prayer, which was signed for
the petitioners of the several tOAvns as follows: By Charles Chauncey, of
New Haven; Philip Burr Bradley, of Ridgefield; Daniel Taylor, of Danbury
; Thomas Fitch, of Norwalk; Jonathan Sturges, of Fairfield; John
Mead, of Greenwich; John Deshon, of New London; and Andrew Ward,
of Groton. The assembly referred this memorial to a special committee,
consisting of Hon. Andrew Adams, of the upper house, and Col. Jeremiah
Wadsworth, Maj. Charles Phelps, Maj. Wm. Hart, Col. Charles
Burrell and Capt. Moses Cleveland, of the lower house. (See documents
relating to Revolutionary war, volume .XXXVI, number 351.)
In October of the same year, this committee reported that, for want
of exhibits, certificates and vouchers, they were unable to present either
a correct statement of the amount of losses, or of the relief already
granted by the state; that the houses, buildings and furniture destroyed
by the enemy '' ought to be, by this state, paid for at their just value;
and that the only means in the power of this state at present to pay the
same, is in western lands." (Lb., Doc. 117.)
Vol. I-I
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